Luo Shu comes to bid farewell to Han Muzhi. Han Muzhi believes she is leaving because of Liu Wan, but Luo Shu simply wants to freely travel and explore various places. Her decision is resolute. Han Muzhi goes directly to confront Liu Wan, intending to persuade Luo Shu to stay at the county office. However, Liu Wan accuses Han Muzhi of being too selfish and not considering Luo Shu’s wishes at all.
After packing her belongings, Luo Shu returns to say goodbye to Han Muzhi. Han Muzhi tries various excuses to convince her to stay, but Luo Shu is steadfast in her decision. With the Lunar New Year approaching, Governor Qi writes a letter urging Qi Menglin to return home for a family reunion. Qi Menglin wants to spend the New Year with Luo Shu and also asks Lian Shu to prepare some New Year goods to be sent to the county office.
Luo Shu visits Mingkefang to bid farewell to Jin Miaocui and the other girls, bringing them many gifts. Yu Mama mocks Luo Shu sarcastically and deliberately makes things difficult for her, insisting that Jin Miaocui is now the top performer at Mingkefang and that Luo Shu must pay to see her. Luo Shu uses all the silver she has to buy half an hour with Jin Miaocui.
Han Muzhi cannot forget Luo Shu and finds himself unconsciously coming to the backyard, reminiscing about Luo Shu’s appearance and smile. Han Muzhi feels a mix of emotions. Qi Menglin arrives shortly after, mocking Han Muzhi for being insincere and not daring to face his own feelings. Qi Menglin admits that he likes Luo Shu and vows to provide her with a happy life. Han Muzhi ridicules Qi Menglin for being naive, saying that without the family’s support, Qi Menglin would not be able to establish himself. Han Muzhi warns Qi Menglin to stay away from Luo Shu, or else it will only bring harm to both of them.
When Luo Shu meets Jin Miaocui, she eagerly shares the good news about obtaining her citizenship documents. Luo Shu plans to take Jin Miaocui to Taiyuan, where they will depend on each other from then on. Jin Miaocui is not allowed to leave and warns Luo Shu not to trust anyone. Suddenly, Yu Mama bursts in, urging Luo Shu to leave immediately, and Jin Miaocui harshly dismisses her. Luo Shu notices that Jin Miaocui has something troubling her, but Jin Miaocui remains silent, burdened by her own worries.
Captain Cai, Xu Wu, and Cai Baozi discuss spending the New Year with Luo Shu. Chen Meiqing talks about Luo Shu’s departure, and they all feel reluctant to see her go. Lord Qin sends someone to invite Luo Shu to return home for the New Year, but Luo Shu firmly declines. Qi Menglin prepares a lot of New Year goods to send to the county office, hoping to spend the New Year with Luo Shu. Xu Wu, Captain Cai, and Cai Baozi prepare a sumptuous meal to honor Luo Shu’s dedication. When Qi Menglin learns that Luo Shu is going to Taiyuan, he is overjoyed and insists on accompanying her.
Luo Shu and Qi Menglin set off early in the morning for Taiyuan. Chen Meiqing, Captain Cai, Cai Baozi, and Xu Wu come to send her off, but Han Muzhi does not appear. Upon arriving in Taiyuan, Luo Shu visits the place where she lived during her childhood, feeling a mix of emotions as she revisits old memories. She goes to find an inn, but Qi Menglin had previously instructed Lian Shu to check with various inns, and they are all fully booked. With nowhere else to go, Qi Menglin takes Luo Shu back to his home to stay.
Qi Menglin asks Lian Shu to settle Luo Shu in first and then goes to greet his mother. As Luo Shu and Lian Shu arrive in the courtyard, they encounter Qi Menglin’s older brother, who aggressively questions Luo Shu’s background. Qi Menglin arrives just in time to defuse the situation, and his brother no longer asks further questions. The maids surround Qi Menglin, inquiring about Luo Shu and Qi Menglin’s relationship. Qi Menglin instructs Luo Shu to stay in the side room.
After settling Luo Shu, Qi Menglin goes to see his second brother and inadvertently notices a list of gifts sent by wealthy merchants from various places. This reminds him of Han Muzhi’s earlier sarcastic remarks, leaving him feeling uneasy. On New Year’s Eve, just as Luo Shu lies down to rest, Qi Menglin sends the maid Xue Zhu to wake her up. He pulls her to watch fireworks together, drink wine, and stay up late. They toast and laugh, enjoying each other’s company. Luo Shu is moved by the scenery and memories, recalling the happy times she spent with her parents during her childhood. A great fire had destroyed her home, leaving her an orphan.
After drinking a lot, Qi Menglin dozes off, and upon waking, he finds Luo Shu lying beside him. He instinctively wants to kiss Luo Shu but suddenly sees tears in her eyes. Feeling pity, he gently wipes away her tears. After breakfast, Luo Shu wants to go out for a walk. Qi Menglin wants to meet up with old childhood friends and cannot accompany Luo Shu. Luo Shu then learns that Qi Menglin had lived in Taiyuan for a period during his childhood.
