In 2008, Cao Zhiyong worked a stable but unremarkable job in Jianing City. Determined to seek a brighter future, he quit and moved to Shanghai, using his savings to buy a truck and start a moving business. The business flourished, and he established a moving company, eventually bringing his wife to Shanghai. In 2011, however, Cao discovered stand-up comedy and became deeply passionate about it. He invested heavily in a bar dedicated to stand-up performances, but business floundered, leading to consistent losses. To keep the bar afloat, Cao secretly sold his moving company, enraging his wife. Later, he even considered selling his gold chain and watch, but the offers were too low.
One day, Shi Ye performed stand-up at the bar, only for Xiuya to take the mic mid-show. Her natural talent and explosive debut rekindled Cao’s hope. However, with Xiuya now stepping away from comedy, Cao feels lost again. Desperate, he pins his hopes on Xu Yunfeng, hoping Xu will invest in the bar due to his love for stand-up. Xu agrees to meet Cao at the bar on Wednesday at 9 PM to discuss further.
Meanwhile, Xiuya and Xu Yunfeng grow closer, though Xiuya struggles to fully embrace him physically. Xiao Lan advises her to take a more proactive approach. Elsewhere, Cao withdraws his savings to repay the 250,000 yuan owed to his wife’s brother.
Bar Meeting and a Bold Challenge
Hearing about Cao’s meeting with Xu Yunfeng, the brother-in-law grows interested and offers to reinvest the money into the bar in exchange for equity. Cao, fully aware of his brother-in-law’s nature, declines without hesitation. That evening, the bar is bustling with patrons drawn by a special promotion orchestrated by Xiao Lan. Xu Yunfeng, however, quickly discerns that the crowd is there for the discounts, not the stand-up performances.
As an investor, Xu expresses skepticism about stand-up comedy’s commercial viability. While he wholeheartedly supports Xiuya as a performer, his support stems from personal reasons, not belief in the industry’s potential. Xu even declares his commitment to backing Xiuya’s goals—whether as a comedian or a career-driven woman—emphasizing that his intentions are marriage-oriented.
Shi Ye, overhearing Xu’s sincerity, feels deeply unsettled, realizing how serious Xu is about Xiuya. When Xiuya arrives, Xu has already left. Xiao Lan informs the group about Cao’s struggles, and Xiuya offers to use her savings to help. Cao, however, refuses, knowing it’s only a temporary solution.
Determined not to give up on stand-up, Shi Ye finally speaks up, urging Xiuya to reconsider her departure from comedy. Inspired, Xiuya proposes a bold challenge to Xu Yunfeng: they will rent a 500-seat theater and organize a commercial stand-up performance. If the show turns a profit, it proves the viability of stand-up. Though Xu knows one event cannot reflect the industry’s long-term potential, he accepts the challenge.
Preparing for the Performance
Xiuya assigns everyone tasks for the event. She takes charge of planning and liaising with performance companies. However, the production company she contacts has no experience with stand-up comedy, complicating the arrangements. Shi Ye and Xiao Lan also face numerous hurdles in their tasks. As for Cao, he reluctantly returns to his hometown to negotiate with his wife’s brother, hoping to secure renewed investment for the bar.
The stakes are high, but the group’s collective effort marks the beginning of a pivotal journey.
