In Jinsawo Village, during Secretary Gao's family celebration, Li Shuanghe and villagers demand approval for the household contract system. When accountant Li Dongshan refuses, saying only Secretary Gao can authorize it, tensions escalate, and Li Shuanghe pushes him to the ground.

Yang Chunxue is determined to marry Liang Maicha and insists on breaking off her engagement with Gao Shitiao. Furious, her father locks her up. Despite this, Chunxue asks village official Hei Auntie to help her cancel the engagement. Meanwhile, Gao Shitiao, deeply in love with Chunxue, remains intent on making her his wife.

Officer Zhang finds Liang Maicha’s shoe by the river and fears he may have drowned, delivering the grim news to Liang’s family. Refusing to believe it, the family searches the river but finds no trace of him. Meanwhile, Chunxue’s parents urge her to move on and marry Gao Shitiao, but she remains resolute, vowing to wait for Liang Maicha forever.

Grandma Gao persuades Chunxue to reluctantly agree to the wedding ceremony. Meanwhile, Gao Haitang scolds Gao Shitiao for hitting Chunxue. When Lan Hua goes to fetch her, Chunxue doesn’t respond. Impatient, Gao Shitiao kicks the door open, only to find that Chunxue has taken her own life.

Liang Maicha and his coworkers tirelessly mine coal, only to learn they won’t be paid for another six months. Suspecting it’s an illegal operation, Liang plans an escape with his colleagues. He tricks the foreman by claiming a roof collapse in the mine, creating chaos and seizing the chance to flee. Realizing the deception, the foreman sends men to pursue them.