The story begins with footage of the National Day Parade, 2013. As the audience continues to enjoy the Parade, the urban Marina Bay landscape starts to fold and ravel, before the screen starts to move along the Singapore River, in the 1920s. Later, it dives in underwater where it shows a Tong Mao ship carrying passengers who migrate from mainland China to early Southeast Asia en route to Nanyang, later known as Singapore. Hong Shi (Desmond Tan) and his bride, Yazi (Jeanette Aw), set off for Nanyang from their homeland, China. Three years ago, he had gone to Nanyang without her. He returned to get her and they made the decision to settle in Nanyang, despite her father’s objections. On the same ship are two brothers, Zhang Tianpeng (Li Nanxing) and Zhang Tianying (Allen Chen). Tianpeng looks for help as Tianying is ill, but to no avail. The sailors want to throw Tianying overboard, as they are afraid his fever may be a symptom of a contagious disease. Tianpeng is grateful when Hong Shi and Yazi fork out all they have to bribe the sailors into letting Tianying remain. In gratitude, Tianpeng swears an oath of brotherhood to Shitou. Shitou suspects that Tianying has contracted typhoid fever. Hence, Shitou brings Tianpeng to look for a rich merchant on board who has the cure. Much to Tianpeng’s astonishment, the rich merchant, Zhang Guangda (Terence Cao), becomes his sworn enemy after he refuses to give the medicine to him.
Back in his hometown, Guangda marries Mingzhu (Chris Tong). Knowing Guangda isn’t a good soul, Tianpeng urges Mingzhu not to marry him. However, Mingzhu’s father has already accepted the betrothal gifts and there is no turning back. Tianpeng leaves and unfortunately, meets Guangda again on board the ship. Guangda humiliates Tianpeng, and the latter takes it all in, in hope to save his brother’s life. Mingzhu stands out to help Tianpeng, by secretly giving the medicine to him.
Guangda and Mingzhu arrive at Nanyang and are received by their nephew and niece, Dong’en (Elvin Ng) and Huiniang (Joanne Peh). Huiniang discovers that Mingzhu has been abused by Guangda and threatens to file a lawsuit against him. Afraid, Guangda promises never to hit Mingzhu again.
Shitou is being framed for a robbery-murder case and remands in prison. Yazi meets a swindler on her way to Shitou and almost lost her chastity. Fortunately, Huiniang comes to her rescue. Out of desperation, Yazi seeks help with Huiniang and Dong’en as they work hand in hand to prove Shitou’s innocence. Eventually, Shitou is released and Yazi is filled with gratitude towards the siblings, who bade farewell to her.
When Tianpeng and Tianying set up their business of selling medicine on the streets, a gang of triad members came looking for trouble. In the process of fighting them, Tianying injures himself and Huiniang brings him to a western medical hall. The novelty of the medicines on display caught Tianying’s attention and he starts to gain interest. Huiniang encourages Tianying to be a disciple of the medical practitioner, Chen Kuang (Li Wenhai), and he agrees. Tianpeng and Tianying part ways.
Guangda's first wife, Xiu Xiang (Priscelia Chan), threatens to commit suicide as he kept the truth from her of going back to his hometown to marry a second wife. Zhenniang (Carole Lin), Xiu Xiang's sister-in-law, dissuades her from doing so. Xiu Xiang laments that they are unable to bear children for the Zhang family because the Zhang family has committed countless of sins. The master of the Zhang family made a fortune by engaging in swine trading; Dong'en and Huiniang are not his biological children.
It is time for Mingzhu to meet her mother-in-law (Zhu Xiufeng). Guangda brings Mingzhu home and Xiu Xiang creates a huge commotion again. She splashes kerosene oil onto Guangda and threatens to burn the whole family alive. To appease the situation, Zhenniang steps forward and gives Xiuxiang a tight slap leaving her jolted, ending the commotion.
Shitou's eldery uncle, Ah Shui, is detained and beaten badly by his evil supervisor, Heilong (Pierre Png), for stealing. As a result, Ah Shui suffered fatal injuries. Heilong, the cruel foreman expects Shitou to pay his uncle's debt of $600 or else his uncle will be thrown into a lake of crocodiles. Shitou offers to pay the debt.
Cuiying (Wayne Chua)'s husband suffered minor injuries during his mining work but died soon after. It was rumored that he had a conflict with Heilong. Tianpeng finds out that the gambling den had been cheating the gamblers off their money. Shitou advises Tianpeng not to interfere with this matter lest he offends the gambling den owners. Tianpeng promises Shitou that he will not lay foot in the gambling den ever again.
Dong'en and Huiniang visit the western medical hall and see that Tianying is diligent in learning. He even attends night classes to pick up English for easy communication with Western clients. Huiniang's admiration towards Tianying increases when he takes meticulous care of Chen Kuang, the old scienctist, who fell ill. Tianying gets disheartened when he knows that Huiniang is visiting her fiance's family. He tells himself to stop his wishful thinking about Huiniang.
Guangping (Desmond Sim) finds out about Guangda's plan to start an opium farm and sends someone with him to burn the farm down. Guangda tries to stop Guangping and as both were struggling, Guangping falls down the mountain valley. Heilong goes alone to check on Guangping and strangles him to death. Upon hearing the news of Guangping's death, Zhenniang suffers a big blow and faints. Xiuxiang uses the opportunity to suggest that Mingzhu cursed Guangping to death, in revenge.
Cuiying is touched by Tianpeng's sincerity to give her aid, and both agree to marry each other. As Tianpeng follows Heilong to Ya Sha (looking for new tin), Heilong looks for a chance to kill him. However, Tianpeng is on guard against Heilong and manages to escape this death ordeal. Tianpeng guesses that Heilong's attempted murder was because of Cuiying, but he denies. Heilong reveals his ambition to dominate the mine and asks Tianpeng to join him...
Heilong pushes Tianpeng into the man-eating swamp after being saved by him, as Tianpeng rejects Heilong's offer to conquer the mine. Meanwhile, after the death of Guangping, Guangda seizes the opportunity to take his brother's business into his own hands. Zhenniang sees through his plan and exhorts Guangda to mentor Dong'en to learn the ropes of running a business. She expresses that ultimately, Dong'en would have to take over the business one day and advises Guangda not to encroach on it.
Peter sees Dong’en hard at work and discovers Yijia had tipped him off about Charlie Zhang. Dong’en is happy when Huiniang makes it clear she has no feelings for Charlie and hopes to marry a man she cares about. Dong’en and Huiniang get angry when Guangda and Xiuxiang beat Mingzhu up for interfering in Huiniang’s wedding plans. Old Mrs Zhang learns Guangda has been giving many deals to Charlie. Guangda explains they need Charlie to go through the documents and Charlie is about to become family. Huiniang makes it clear no one can make her marry anyone. To resist the arranged marriage, Huiniang decides to run away from home and asks Mingzhu for help. Mingzhu admires Huiniang's courage and decides to assist her. In the night, Huiniang manages to escape from the Zhang family with Mingzhu's help. However, little did Mingzhu expect that Zhenniang would catch her red-handed. However, Zheniang had already anticipated it, so she did not scold Mingzhu.
Tianpeng survives by pulling on a vine. He is faint from hunger when he hears Mingzhu’s voice telling him to live. Heilong does not tell his boss the location of the new mine. Tianpeng accidentally falls into a stream and finds tin nuggets. He is elated and believes that this is the legendary place that is known to be the 'tin ore granary'. Meanwhile, he is thought dead by everyone. Cuiying refuses to attend his funeral, surprisingly, and calls Tianpeng a "fool".
Hong Shi suspects Heilong killed Tianpeng. Heilong admits it and warns that he will harm Yazi if Hong Shi seeks revenge. Heilong refuses to pay Hong Shi and even goads him into a fight. Heilong locks Hong Shi up and forces him to drink opium water. Heilong wants to be a mine owner. He asks Guangda to work with him, so that they can take over the mine belonging to Zhenniang’s great-uncle. He gets Guangda to register the piece of land. Guangda asks Heilong to let Cuiying keep him company. Cuiying agrees, and even dresses in red. Dahe worries when he sees her leaving with Heilong. Cuiying fails and Heilong kills her. Tianpeng returns, but it is too late. Heilong marches out to confront Tianpeng, who tells Yazi to give Shitou a letter...
Chen Kuang (Li Wenhai) sends Tianying to test out and observe how the newly formulated medicine would take effect on patients. However, Tianying searches high and low for patients but to no avail. Out of desperation, he hurts himself to test out the effectiveness of the medicine!
Dong’en and Huiniang sets up a trap for Charlie Zhang (Louis Wu) to trick him into signing the deal Mr Thomas/Zhang Tianying offered to remove his family tombstones. On the other hand, Zhenniang decides to make a personal trip down to Singapore to call off the wedding. Before she leaves, she instructs Old Madam Zhang (Zhu Xiufeng) and Xiuxiang to take good care of the pregnant Mingzhu. Xiuxiang spikes Mingzhu’s food that may cause her a miscarriage, but is stopped just in time.
Xiuxiang’s misdeeds are exposed. In a fit of anger, Guangda physically abuses her and decides to divorce her. When Mingzhu tries to help, Xiuxiang stabs at her. Xiuxiang pretends to be regretful and Zhenniang helps her to plead with Guangda. As she kneels before the family to express regret and apologies for her action, thoughts of revenge starts to form in her mind. Meanwhile, Charlie is infuriated when Dong’en lashes out at him for bullying smaller merchants and using ruthless methods to seal business deals. Zhenniang orders Dong'en to find new tin like his father, in hope he would succeed his father's tin mining exploits.
Heilong promises Yazi that he will release Hong Shi, but claims Tianpeng has been handed to the police. He instructs Ah She, his henchman, to release him, who became addicted to opium. Ah She deliberately tells Shitou that Yazi sacrificed herself for him as she allowed Heilong to bathe for her. Shitou turns into a fury upon hearing Ah She’s words. When he reaches home, he sees Yazi drenched and thinks she sold herself. Yazi is heartbroken that he does not trust her and denies it. Shitou initially disbelieves, but later realises she is telling the truth, and decides to expose Heilong's evil deeds. Meanwhile, Heilong and his henchmen had buried Tianpeng in soil, to force him to reveal whom he had handed the incriminating letter to. Huiniang is sad she has to be apart from Dong’en for six months. Zhenniang refuses to let her tag along. Dong'en and his master, Zhu Fangpi, saves Tianpeng. Huiniang tags along, too.
Heilong stops Yazi from working and delivers gifts to her house, after telling her Hong Shi is guarding the storehouse for him. She rejects the gifts. Dong’en is sad the miners waste all their money at the gambling den. He meets Hong Shi, who warns that he is being monitored. Dong’en hopes to save Hong Shi. He has no idea Guangda wants Heilong to get rid of him. Meanwhile, Mingzhu visits the temple with Old Madam Zhang and Zhenniang, and sees Tianpeng, who was stabbed by a snatch thief and left at the entrance of the temple, in a dire state. Mingzhu asks Zhenniang to help Tianpeng and so he is sent to the hospital. Mingzhu also instructs Ah Yin to send some money secretly over to the hospital for Tianpeng. Xiuxiang finds out about what Mingzhu has been doing for Tianpeng, and decides to tell Guangda.
Huiniang saves Dong’en from being crushed by a rock, but Ah Shui falls into the water and dies. Fangpi stops Dong’en from flaring up at Ah She, who declares Ah Shui deserves to die. He leaves alone, as Dong’en refuses to go home. Along the way, he is almost killed by Heilong. Dong’en and Huiniang promise Yazi they will find out where Hong Shi is, and both stage a coup. They fail, and Huiniang is nearly shot. The duo, with Fangpi, flees into the forest. Concurrently, Heilong instructs a miner, Ah Song to stage a robbery with his friends at the tin warehouse (where Shitou was imprisoned) and let Shitou take the blame as the ringleader of the thieves. After which, Heilong catches up with their truck and kills Ah Song and the rest. He confesses to Shitou that he likes Yazi, and suggests that if only Shitou dies, the helpless Yazi can rely on Heilong for her living. Shitou tries to escape in the truck, but unfortunately Heilong shoots one of the tyres, and his truck rams into the lake, sinks to the bottom...
Huiniang worries about Dong’en’s injuries. She had turned up at the mining area because of a dream about him being harmed. Yazi refuses to believe Hong Shi masterminded the robbery. She turns down Heilong’s offer of help. He even gives pork liver to one of her friends to cook and deliver to her, but Yazi is not fooled. Meanwhile, Dong’en turns back to confront Heilong. He leaves a note, telling Huiniang and Fangpi to get help from Zhenniang. At the quarters, Dong’en announces to the workers at the mine that he is the relative of the tin mine owner and needs their support to help expose Heilong's many misdeeds. He also declares that Shitou is innocent and that all of them need to bring Heilong to justice. The workers agreed, and went on strike. Heilong, seeing he is outnumbered, retreats, however, he decides to burn the worker's quarters down that night.
Yet again, Tianpeng fails to see the mine owner, Huang Zong. Just then, Zhenniang turns up to tell Huang Zong how Heilong had killed Guangping. Tianpeng provides further details of what happened. Zhenniang sets off for the mining area with Huang Zong, Fangpi, Tianpeng and Huiniang. Guangda, who found out from Xiuxiang that Mingzhu has been secretly giving aid to Tianpeng, confronts Mingzhu. Mingzhu explains that she is merely helping the needy Tianpeng and that there is nothing going on between them. However, Guangda does not believe her and agitates Mingzhu which leads to a miscarriage. Mingzhu is disappointed in Guangda and she gives up hope in him. Yazi eats some poisonous mushrooms by mistake. Heilong forces her to throw it up. He even brings her to eat at the marketplace. Hong Shi, who had survived his ordeal, sees them together.
Dong’en and Tianpeng become friends. Tianpeng even agrees to look for new mines with Dong’en, Fangpi, Chun’an and Wanglai. Huiniang is sad she has to part with Dong’en again. As Heilong burns the workers' dormitory, he sends people to block the exits so that no one can escape. In the midst of all the chaos, Tianpeng and Huang Zong arrive at the scene and Heilong's plot stands exposed. Heilong hurriedly coerces Dong'en to flee with him, and Tianpeng follows. Heilong wants to kill Dong'en, but finds himself trapped in the lake of crocodiles, and is maimed by a crocodile. Ah She is arrested as well. Yazi sees the seriously injured Heilong near the river bank the next day. She cannot bring herself to kill him and even asks Dahe to help save him. Tianpeng and his entourage encounter a tiger during their trip.
Tianpeng and Dong’en chase the tiger away. To protect Mingzhu, Zhenniang warns the servants and Xiuxiang not to spread rumours about Mingzhu’s relationship with Tianpeng. Guangda is incensed that Zhenniang had ordered the poppy fields and opium factory to be razed. In turn, she rants at him for going against Guangping’s wishes to help coolies to kick opium and reveals she knows Guangping was strangled by Heilong over the opium issue. Tianying delivers the medicine Chen Kuang made to Zheniang. Zheniang tells him to keep it. Unfortunately, Guangda grabs the medicine by force and smashes it. Luckily, Tianying hid the secret formula. Meanwhile, Yazi helps Heilong, but is cornered by the others. To prove she is innocent, Yazi has to kill Heilong.
Chun’an sends someone back to the mining area to get help. Heilong takes her hostage and injures her before running away. Dong’en is overjoyed when Tianpeng shows him the new mining area he has found. Dong’en decides to set up a mining company and make the members of the search team shareholders. Zhenniang gives the Zhangs’ mine to Huang Zong. Flying into a rage, Guangda complains to Old Mrs Zhang, but she gives Zhenniang her support.
Zhenniang uncovers Guangda’s ploy and reprimands him. However, she forgives him for the sake of the Zhang family. Tianpeng is reunited with Tianying. He opens the bag of snacks Zhenniang had given him and finds a large sum of money and a letter within. Her hope is that he will settle in Singapore and wait for the mining company to be set up. Tianying tells Tianpeng he likes Huiniang, but must work hard to prove his worth before marrying her.
Old Mrs Zhang and Zhenniang prepare to head home, as Dong’en’s marriage has been taken care of. At the farewell banquet, Dongsheng carries out Guangda’s plan—to poison Zheniang. Zhenniang falls ill while on board the ship and her condition deteriorates rapidly. When Guangda and Xiuxiang appear on the ship, Huiniang deduces that they had poisoned Zhenniang. Before breathing her last, Zhenniang tells Dong’en to take care of Huiniang and not to inform Old Mrs Zhang of her death. Xiuxiang deliberately breaks the news to Old Mrs Zhang, who suffers a stroke. As a result, the reins of the Zhang Family falls into Guangda and Xiuxiang. Guangda then tricks Dong'en by telling him he would share the profits among the workers if he showed the map of the tin ore granary to him, and then goes against his word. Meanwhile, Xiuxiang fires two of the amahs. Enraged, Huiniang protests and is about to be beaten by Xiuxiang, but Mingzhu blocks her, and gets injured. She warns Xiuxiang not to hurt her niece.
In Singapore, Huiniang learns Guangda has sold the company. Tianying is jobless, and decides to set up a business with Huiniang and Tianpeng. Huiniang urges Tianpeng to help Dong’en and to take Mingzhu away. Guangda promises to help Heilong, but makes plans to get rid of him secretly. Guangda beats Dong’en and Mingzhu up. When Tianpeng arrives, Dong’en urges him to take Mingzhu to the hospital. Guangda locks Dong’en up when he learns the documents he received were fake, and asks the police to lock Tianpeng in prison. He even poisons Dong'en with mercury. Then, he goes to Heilong, along with Charlie Zhang, but are killed when they refuse to let him return to China. Guangda is then stabbed four times, and Charlie is shot. Dong'En is saved just in time. Unfortunately, he's mortally ill.
The new medicated oil sells well and Tianying starts working on a new medicine. While selling his goods, Tianpeng tries to find Hong Shi as well. Yazi gives birth to a boy by the river and Tianpeng names him Dangyong. Yazi believes Hong Shi is alive and will return to her one day. Chun’an sympathises with her for being ostracised because of Heilong and speaks up for her.
It is the 1940s. Tianying (Allen Chen) and Huiniang (Joanne Peh) have two children, Zhang Jia (Damien Teo) and Zhang Min (Lieu Yanxi). An adopted child, Zhang Min often intercedes when Zhang Jia is naughty and begs for mercy on his behalf. Tianying enjoys a comfortable life. Business in the pharmaceuticals factory is good, and Huiniang is a good wife. Word that the Japanese are nearing Malaysia leaves him worried that war will soon break out. Indeed, on 12 Dec 1941, the people are awakened by an air raid.
Tianpeng (Li Nanxing) has no choice but to leave when Tianying and his family fail to turn up at the pier. In February 1942, the Japanese enter Singapore and start a massacre. On New Year’s Eve, Tianying and his family eat a simple meal. He wants Huiniang to go to the village to hide, while he stays to protect the company. She refuses to leave, and suggests they send the children to Hong Shi and Yazi when the situation stabilises.
After Huiniang’s death, Zhang Min disguises herself as a boy and sets off with Zhang Jia to Hong Shi’s place. Along the way, they meet Weiren, who wants to present Zhang Min to the Japanese. Zhang Jia falls into the water with Weiren in his efforts to protect his sister. In Ipoh, Hong Shi (Desmond Tan) and Yazi (Jeanette Aw) are anxious about Tianying and Tianpeng. They remind their children, Dangyong and Minghui, how the two brothers had helped them. Zhang Min turns up at their door and tells them Huiniang has died, while Tianying and Zhang Jia are missing.
Weiren tells Hu Jia that like him, his son was smart and very filial. It has been six years since he died shielding his father from a stab wound. Weiren believes his son’s soul has possessed Hu Jia and wants him to be his son. Hence, he lies that Tianying has been sent to build the railroad in Siam and only he can help save him. He promises that once Tianying returns, their own ties will be severed.
Hu Jia (Shaun Chen) tells Sweet Soup Lass (Carrie Wong) he is repaying her for saving him in the past. Black Dog died during their tussle years ago. Since then, White Dog (Brandon Wong) has been trying to avenge him. Hu Jia falls into White Dog’s trap. Sweet Soup Lass tips Hu Jia’s lackeys off, and Bullethead leads a band of men to save their chief. Hu Jia returns to his hideout. Weiren has become slow-witted after a bout of fever and often imagines people are in pursuit of traitors like him. Ten years ago, Hu Jia had saved Weiren, who was ill.
Zhang Yan (Romeo Tan) asks the Caucasian police inspector to help him. Hu Jia saves Bullethead, but his efforts leave Zhang Yan and the inspector injured. Zhang Min (Felicia Chin) and Dangyong (Andie Chen) rush to aid Zhang Yan. Meanwhile, Hu Jia and Bullethead challenge Zhang Yan to a fight. Hu Jia’s quick reflexes leave a deep impression on Dangyong. Hu Jia’s boss, Sihai (Zheng Geping), wants Hu Jia to get Bullethead to surrender to the police. Hu Jia cannot bear to do so, as Bullethead has a family.
White Dog will release Xiaoping if Bullethead will join his gang. He also wants Bullethead to show his loyalty by killing Hu Jia. Hu Jia, who had merely pretended to be drunk, attacks White Dog. Zhang Yan is investigating Yujie’s father’s accident when he learns about Xiaoping’s predicament. He notices Minghui (Jeanette Aw) and Sweet Soup Lass trying to locate her and becomes concerned. Police officer Xiaoliu warns Zhang Yan of trouble if he probes into the accident. Zhang Yan asserts his status as a lawyer and soon-to-be public prosecutor, and insists he is merely seeking compensation for Dahai. Xiaoliu agrees to help look for Xiaoping.
Zhang Yan finds out the driver who had knocked Dahai down was drunk. He makes the driver pay out compensation, and the case is settled. Not knowing Luo Xin is eyeing him, Dangyong gets the workers to hold a demonstration on Dahai’s behalf. Dangyong quarrels with Zhang Yan when he learns the latter had settled the case out of court. Minghui and Zhang Min mediate. Zhang Yan worries when he finds out Zhang Min and her students will be holding a demonstration and handing in a petition against the National Service Ordinance.
Hu Jia decides to save Bullethead on his own when Sihai refuses to help. Luo Xin gets acquainted with Dangyong and talks about his goals. Dangyong realises they have similar aspirations. Luo Xin notes that if the student protests are noticed, public dissatisfaction with the colonial government will intensify. Hu Jia kidnaps White Dog’s son and demands White Dog fork out money to save Bullethead. Zhang Yan fills Zhang Min in when the business association steps in to mediate and the students disperse.
Hu Jia likes Minghui. He saves her from being attacked by a gangster who is at the hospital for treatment. Zhang Yan insists on charging Bullethead with murder, even though the Caucasian prosecutor wants him to lift the charges. Ordering Hu Jia not to offend the Caucasians again, Sihai warns that there will not be a second chance. The government wants to force the students to succumb by bringing forward the mid-year break. It exerts pressure on the business associations. Disgruntled, the students organise a hunger strike. Dangyong tells Zhang Min he is in contact with the underground forces and may be arrested or exiled someday.
Minghui and Sweet Soup Lass try to persuade Hu Jia to change. Making her way home, Minghui is stalked by a crazy man. Hu Jia saves her and sees her home. Along the way, they meet Zhang Yan, who is unhappy with Minghui for being with Sweet Soup Lass and Hu Jia for such a long time. Hu Jia is disheartened by his assumption that Zhang Yan and Minghui are lovers. Zhang Yan tries in vain to stop Minghui from seeing Hu Jia again.
Zhang Yan is infuriated when he opens the box from Hu Jia to find salted fish and not money. Hu Jia returns the money to Sihai. He intends to raid the convict van and help Bullethead escape. Sihai knocks him out, so that he will not risk his life. Minghui worries when Sweet Soup Lass reveals she has not seen Hu Jia for two days. She denies tipping him off, but asserts that she knows Zhang Yan had forced Hu Jia to put up an act in Minghui’s presence. When questioned, Zhang Yan claims he merely wants Minghui to see Hu Jia’s true colours. Sweet Soup Lass confronts Sihai and is locked up with Hu Jia.
Zhang Yan complains to Hong Shi, who lashes out at Dangyong for being an ingrate. Dangyong insists he is doing nothing wrong. To get more support, Dangyong badmouths Tianpeng and calls him a capitalist who exploits workers. He even labels Zhang Yan a lackey of the colonial government. Zhang Min is upset, but there is nothing she can do. Dangyong gets ruffians to ruin Zhang Yan’s election campaign. Dangyong wins the election, but Zhang Yan’s party wins the majority of seats in the legislative assembly.
Dangyong tells Zhang Yan that to accomplish his aims, he is willing to sacrifice his life, let alone love. He asserts that he has told Zhang Min she can give him up if the need ever arises. Enraged, Zhang Yan vows to deal with him if anything should happen to her. Dangyong and his men organise another strike, which grinds the entire city area to a halt. Minghui is anxious when she is unable to catch the bus to work. She helps out when Chicken King’s wife goes into labour and asks Hu Jia to take the latter to the hospital. Along the way, he meets White Dog and stays to deal with him. Minghui rushes off with the pregnant woman.
Hu Jia’s lackey is about to attack Zhang Min when Hu Jia appears. She is in a panic because her students refuse to return home. Minghui is busy tending to the injured police officers and commoners. She is angry that even foreign correspondents were beaten up. Dangyong discusses with his comrades how they can defeat the colonial government via continued rioting. He objects when Zhang Min suggests letting the students return home; he realises the police will never dare to kill the students.
Sweet Soup Lass chases Hu Jia away and tells him she is getting married the next day. Hu Jia is sad that Sweet Soup Lass is getting married and Minghui is getting engaged. Realising he is not qualified to have a wife, he drinks to forget his misery. He blames Weiren for turning him into a gangster. When Weiren mentions that Tianying was killed by the Japanese, Hu Jia realises he has been lying all along. Hu Jia wakes up the next day and finds out Sweet Soup Lass has left home for the wedding. He is worried when someone says the groom, Lin Yougui, has venereal disease. He drags Yougui to Minghui’s clinic for a checkup. With her help, Sweet Soup Lass is spared the sentence of becoming Yougui’s concubine.
Hong Shi publishes a notice in the newspaper, declaring officially that his ties with Dangyong have been severed. Dangyong sets off on his escape route. Zhang Yan is unhappy Zhang Min refuses to leave Dangyong, even though Hong Shi has advised her to consider her own happiness. Zhang Min refrains from telling Zhang Yan she had met Dangyong. Zhang Yan promises to talk to the authorities, and asks her to convince Dangyong to give himself up. Zhang Min is certain Dangyong will never betray his comrades and work with the authorities. In 1956, talks with the British government regarding autonomy in Singapore fall through. The chief minister resigns. The labour representative takes over as chief minister, and Zhang Yan is promoted.
Sweet Soup Lass is infuriated when Hu Jia asserts that his father is dead and he does not care what happens to Weiren. Weiren is captured by Chicken King and Iron Teeth. Back home, Hu Jia reads the letter his father had left for him and cannot decide if he should save Weiren. He suddenly remembers that Weiren has also left a letter for him. Minghui asks Sweet Soup Lass about Hu Jia and voice her suspicion that Hu Jia is Zhang Jia. White Dog cuts off Weiren’s ear and sends it to Hu Jia. Locating the letter Weiren had left him, Hu Jia finally learns how his parents died.
Zhang Yan orders the arrest of many underground activists. A few women’s organisations are dispersed. Hu Jia saves Dangyong from being arrested. Zhang Yan captures Hu Jia and tries in vain to make him talk. Zhang Yan denies he is involved in the arrests and asserts that Zhang Min and Minghui will understand his intentions someday. He claims he is trying to save Dangyong by making him give up his underground activities. Zhang Min asserts that Dangyong would rather die than succumb to the colonial government. Minghui is shocked when Zhang Yan warns her that if she continues to help Tao-jie, their relationship will be threatened. Zhang Yan stops Zhang Min from moving to the school hostel. He vows revenge if Dangyong causes her to be sacrificed. On her part, she realises Zhang Yan is consumed by his ambition and will do anything to climb up the ranks.
Hu Jia urges Minghui not to marry Zhang Yan. She is stunned when he declares that he likes her. Zhang Yan overhears the conversation and is enraged. Minghui hands the cake she has bought to Hu Jia and tells him she hopes he will be reunited with Zhang Min. Zhang Yan has threatened to take action against their gang, and Sihai orders Hu Jia to capture Dangyong. Hu Jia agrees reluctantly, but helps Dangyong escape yet again. Hu Jia tells Dangyong he is in a fix, as he does not want to betray his buddy, but he cannot defy his chief’s orders as well. Dangyong pretends to want to give himself up to the authorities, knowing Hu Jia will never let him do so.
Zhang Yan throws the gold bars back at Sihai, but agrees to a week to settle matters when Sihai mentions his close relations with Mr John Kerry. He insists Hu Jia is Dangyong’s accomplice and refuses to listen to Sihai’s explanation. Hu Jia is sad Minghui is marrying Zhang Yan. After numerous raids on his outlets, Sihai realises his gang will suffer if he does not hand Dangyong over. Hu Jia admits he did help Dangyong, but denies he is an activist. Sihai orders him and Old Cai to capture Dangyong. Hu Jia has no choice but to take Old Cai to Dangyong’s hideout. Though there is only a drunkard in the warehouse, Old Cai gets hold of information on Dangyong’s whereabouts.
White Dog strong-arms his way into Sihai’s turf. Iron Teeth and his pals join him. Sweet Soup Lass urges Hu Jia to go into hiding, but he is determined to gather his men and retrieve Sihai’s turf. On Minghui’s wedding day, Hu Jia finds out Zhang Yan has sent men to tail Zhang Min, who is on her way to meet Dangyong. He asks Sweet Soup Lass to alert Dangyong. Minghui is stunned when she overhears Zhang Yan ordering his men to arrest Dangyong and kill him if he resists. Acting on Sweet Soup Lass’s tip-off, Dangyong flees. As the police officers are hot on his heels, Hu Jia uses a tear gas bomb to help Dangyong escape.
Zhang Yan warns Zhang Min not to have contact with Dangyong. She does not believe he did not give orders to have Dangyong killed. Zhang Yan uses Hong Shi and Yazi to force Zhang Min to resign from the school. The British decide to make Singapore an autonomous state. Zhang Yan is jubilant and wants to celebrate with Minghui, but she snubs him. Upset, he seeks the company of prostitutes. Since leaving school, Zhang Min has been working with the medicated oil company. It has been six months since Dangyong was last seen. Even Minghui has advised her to forget him.
Minghui is disappointed when she discovers Zhang Yan has been accepting bribes and even justifies his actions. She breaks down and cries on Hu Jia’s shoulder. Zhang Yan is infuriated at the sight. He tries to think up an excuse to lock Hu Jia up, but is afraid of affecting his elections. Tianpeng and Mingzhu urge Zhang Yan to have a child soon. He tries to consummate his marriage, but Minghui rejects him. Hu Jia tells Sweet Soup Lass’s father that he will check out the groom before she can get married, because he is like a big brother to her. Minghui continues to reject Zhang Yan’s advances, and he accuses her of having an affair with Hu Jia. He seeks the company of other women and gets into an accident. He is bitter when Hu Jia speaks up for the hawker he has knocked down and demands compensation.
Many people are arrested in the campaign against leftists. Zhang Yan tricks Zhang Min into going to a chalet, to prevent her from seeing Dangyong. She tries to leave when she discovers Tianpeng, Mingzhu and Minghui are not there, but he convinces her to stay the night. The next day, he admits his aim is to stop Dangyong from seeing her. Zhang Yan tells Zhang Min her biological mother is a prostitute who had left her at Tianying’s doorstep. He feels this revelation should help her empathise with him and his political ideals. He also tells her that he has lost Minghui, and does not want to lose her as well. When she tries to leave, he locks her up.
Hu Jia is looking for Iron Teeth when police officers turn up to arrest him. Iron Teeth manages to flee. Well aware that Zhang Yan is abusing his authority in interrogating and torturing Hu Jia, Minghui quarrels with him. She is so anxious about Hu Jia’s safety that she finally tells Zhang Yan he is Zhang Jia. Zhang Yan releases Hu Jia after informing him that Minghui has told him everything. Zhang Yan visits Zhang Min at the villa and lies that Dangyong has been arrested and may be sent to prison. He promises to help her save him.
Zhang Yan fires a shot at Dangyong, who falls into the river. After Zhang Yan has left, an injured Dangyong surfaces. His comrade Ding Hao meets him. Ding Hao’s evil intent is to take over Dangyong’s place in the syndicate. He tries to kill Dangyong, but Hu Jia saves the latter just in time. Zhang Min attempts suicide after being tainted by Zhang Yan. He tells her to fulfill her end of the bargain, as he has already helped Dangyong escape. Dangyong survives but loses the use of his right hand. He is bitter and disillusioned, as even his own people are trying to kill him.
Hu Jia is surprised to learn that Zhang Min wants to go overseas. Zhang Min’s female attendant tells Zhang Yan that Zhang Min may be pregnant. Minghui overhears their conversation. Hu Jia takes Zhang Yan and his entourage to the boxing schools and temples to canvass for votes. Minghui is of the view that the political party that cares for the people will win the elections. White Dog places bets on Zhang Yan’s party, while Hu Jia bets on the other party.
After his electoral loss, Zhang Yan resumes working in the medicated oil company. He uses company funds to hire White Dog to kill Hu Jia. Tianpeng tells him off for throwing his weight about instead of learning the ropes from Hong Shi and the others. Tianpeng discovers Zhang Yan has bribed White Dog to kill Hu Jia. Zhang Yan defends himself by lying that he wants Hu Jia dead because of the latter’s affair with Minghui. Knowing the truth, Tianpeng is so enraged that he tries to beat Zhang Yan up. He is injured, and falls into a coma. Hu Jia is attacked while out shopping. Dangyong and Minghui rush him to the hospital.
While trying to flee from the police, Dangyong meets Ding Hao and saves him. Ding Hao apologises for what he did years ago. Dangyong refuses to return to the syndicate; he regrets sacrificing so many young students in his youthful quests. Dangyong returns home and is happy to learn Zhang Min has given birth to a son. White Dog tells Zhang Yan that Dangyong is hiding in Bukit Ho Swee. Zhang Yan suspects Dangyong’s three-year-old son is his child, and his fury builds as he observes Dangyong’s happy family life. Zhang Yan makes plans to burn Dangyong and his family to death. While trying to entice Hong Kuan to leave with him, he slips, and his lighter sets the kerosene aflame.
It is the end of 1966. Hu Jia (Shaun Chen) goes to the temple to seek the deities' permission to change his surname back to Zhang. Unwittingly, he is caught in a confrontation between the villagers of Wanxing Village and Wanshou Village, ensuing a fight; nonetheless, the owner of New Phoenix Troupe tells his artistes that their opera must go on. Zhang Jia subdues Jingui (Zhang Wen Xiang) and hands the statue of the deity to Dai Xiaoxiong (Darren Lim). Yang Meixue (Rui En), who is a nurse, rushes to inform the opera troupe owner that her mother, Lihua, cannot perform.
Hong Kuan pushes Hong Rui out first. Xiaoxiong kicks the shelf and Hong Kuan manoeuvres his way out unscathed. Xiaoxiong takes him hostage and runs off. He hands the money to Spareribs and makes plans to hide in a durian plantation in Johor for a few months. When he finds out Hong Kuan is lost, he takes him home. Zhang Jia is appalled that Minghui made such efforts to find the stolen baby boy in spite of her pregnancy.
Zhang Jia saves Minghui from a bad fall. Xiao hits Liu Qing and scolds her for using her jewellery to redeem somebody else’s son. Zhang Jia teaches Xiao a lesson, while Minghui returns the baby to his mother. Zicong and Fangfang eat the buns Jin Nu (Chen Huihui) had left for Wan Shan. Zihua shields his siblings and is beaten up instead for the deed.
Wan Shan lies that he is unable to work because of his hand injury, so his two daughters cannot go to school. Zhang Min empathizes with the girls and invites them to her story-telling sessions. Zhang Jia calls on Minghui at the hospital and realized Meixue is the opera artiste who had ruined his gift. Zhang Jia hands out fliers on TB prevention on Minghui’s behalf, but is unable to answer medical questions.
Zhang Jia is devastated. Zhang Min offers to take care of Junteng for the time being. Dangyong and Zhang Min are concerned that Zhang Jia might blame Minghui’s death on Junteng. What Dangyong says reminds Zhang Min of Hong Kuan. Wan Shan hopes Dangyong and Zhang Min will adopt his children. They refuse to, but agree to let Jin Nu work for them. Meixue is inspired by Minghui’s example; she enrols for a course to train as a maternity nurse.
Dangyong receives a bullet while handling an opium den case, while Zhang Min receives prank calls. Wan Shan takes away the gold chain Zhang Min had left at home. Not knowing he is being followed, Hong Rui runs after the candy hawker when school ends. Zhang Min and Dangyong manage to find him and Hong Kuan. Hong Kuan is scolded by Zhang Min for not taking care of his brother. Dangyong advises her to be wary of suspicious characters. Zhang Jia goes to the village with Zhang Min and donates 30 tables and chairs to the students.
Zhang Min has nightmares about Zhang Yan returning for revenge. She goes to the village again and mistakes Xiaoxiong for a stalker, when he is merely trying to protect her. Zhang Min settles a dispute between the two villages over reared pigs. Jingui shreds Wan Shan’s clothes when he is unable to repay his debts. Qiufeng goes after Wan Shan for his rent. Wan Shan wants to run away; and decides he should leave two of his children with Dangyong. When Zihua, who wants to stay, declares he can make money selling curry puffs, Wan Shan picks Zicong and Feifei.
Hong Kuan, Hong Rui, Zicong and Fangfang go to school together. Zhang Yan visits Hong Kuan and returns the handkerchief. Hong Kuan shows his concern and even steals medicine from home for him. Zhang Yan learns Minghui has died. He pays respects at Minghui’s grave and vows to make Zhang Jia pay for not taking good care of her. He prepares to attack Zhang Jia when the latter turns up at Minghui’s grave, but Meixue’s appearance thwarts his plan. Zhang Jia asks Meixue to be his partner at Mr Robertson’s ball and buys a gown for her. At the ball, Zicong and Fangfang are envious that Dangyong and Zhang Min are accompanied by Hong Kuan and Hong Rui.
Dangyong takes Zhang Min and the children out for a picnic. She refuses to let Hong Kuan eat with the rest of the family. Dangyong tells Hong Kuan how Zhang Yan had hurt Zhang Min in the past, and why his friendship with Zhang Yan soured. However, he asserts that Hong Kuan will always be his son and hopes he and Hong Rui will be good brothers. Zicong overhears Zhang Min suggesting to Dangyong that they find foster homes for him and Fangfang. Infuriated, he plots to set Hong Rui up. Lihua returns after a trip and insists Meixue should move back home.
Zhang Min rushes back after hearing gunshots. With his dying breaths, Dangyong urges her to take good care of the children. Meixue agrees to go on a date with Henry for Zhang Jia’s sake. The deal is called off when Zhang Jia hits Henry for trying to get fresh with her. Zhang Jia and Zhang Min are devastated by Dangyong’s death. Fangfang wants to return to her parents’ place, but Zicong stops her. Zhang Jia tells Xiaoxiong and Spareribs that Zhang Yan killed Dangyong and took Hong Kuan away. Xiaoxiong vows to avenge Dangyong.
Zhang Jia follows the doctor’s recommendation to let Zhang Min recuperate in a quiet place, and picks Wanxing Village. He sells his laundry and wine shops, and makes plans to sell jeans instead. He is worried about Hong Rui, who cries all day because he misses Zhang Min, and Hong Kuan, who is still missing after being thrown out of the house. Hong Kuan becomes a shoe polisher. Jingui likes him and even helps him out when he is bullied. Hong Kuan decides to become Jingui’s lackey. Zhang Jia and Meixue discuss sewing their own jeans, which would be cheaper. As they map out their business plan, Lihua looks on with disdain. Xiaoxiong sees Zhang Min at Dangyong’s grave every day and tries to use a medium to urge her to treasure her own life.
Meixue reads Yisheng’s diary and learns how afraid he was when he was caught in the Cultural Revolution. She sees a regretful Songtao burning the ship ticket Qiufeng had prepared for Yisheng and consoles him. Qiufeng does not believe Yisheng is dead and even tells Meixue that she has to wait for him to return. Hong Kuan is on the way home from school with his siblings when he spots Zhang Min. She sees him hiding from her. Jingui’s men drag him away. Zhang Jia rushes to Hong Kuan’s rescue. Jingui is surprised to learn Hong Kuan is Zhang Jia’s nephew.
Four years passed. Zhang Min is running a kueh shop called "Little Nyonya". Hong Rui (Jeffrey Xu) rushes to the shop to help, as Fangfang is busy with rehearsals. Zhang Min orders him to do his homework instead. Zicong (Ian Fang) is happy when Xiaoxiong tells him to concentrate on his studies instead of helping out at the shop. Zihua (Shane Pow) works at a roast meat joint and is often bullied by his boss, Uncle Hai. Zicong gets into a fight with Jiahui (Julie Tan) at the shop. When he sees Zihua, he runs off. Meixue has become Zhang Jia’s assistant and is jealous when Richard (Ye Shipin) offers to matchmake him with Lin Meimei. She turns up at the restaurant where they are meeting and claims there is a problem with their delivery.
Uncle Hai refuses to teach Zihua how to prepare the char siew sauce. Zihua sneaks in to listen to the English class at night. While there, he meets Meiyun. Jiahui mistakes Zihua for a lecher and feels bad when Meihua clarifies the misunderstanding. She accidentally tears Zihua’s shirt, and finds that the char siew smell on it is familiar. Zihua returns home to find Feifei fighting with Wan Shan, who is back to get his wife’s money. Wan Shan explains that he was locked up in Kuala Lumpur after being arrested during the racial riots. Feifei runs off and goes to stay with her buddy, Ying. Both are co-workers at the clothes factory.
Qiufeng whips up a feast and invites Meixue and Lihua to a meal. Yisheng’s stint in China has left him crippled in one leg after his stint. Zhang Jia is stunned to see a man embracing Meixue. After she has made the introductions, he excuses himself and leaves. He has mixed feelings when he looks at the ring he had prepared for her. Songtao apologises to Yisheng for encouraging him to go to China all those years ago. Yisheng learns how Songtao had kept the ship ticket and thwarted his attempt to return early. Lihua urges Meixue to reconsider her situation.
Zihua makes some delicious char siew and gives it to Jiahui, who is devastated by the death of her idol, Bruce Lee. Zhang Jia cannot make it to the meeting with the school’s department head. Instead, Zhang Min turns up, wearing the earrings bought by Hong Kuan. Hong Kuan has done well in school and is encouraged to go overseas for studies. Zhang Min offers to cover the expenses. Wan Shan gambles away the $3000 and returns for another $10,000. Zhang Min makes him vow never to let Hong Kuan know the truth. Zhang Jia tells Hong Kuan he would like to take him to Hong Kong, but will let him decide whether he prefers to stay by Zhang Min’s side instead.
It is the year 1978. Hong Kuan fails to turn up for the photo-taking session at Zicong’s university graduation. Zicong comes up with a solution to help "Little Nyonya" when Daidi (Jae Liew) leads the other workers in a strike. Zhang Min is happy that Hong Rui stands in for her when a group of tourists turn up for a visit. Jiahui, who is the tour guide, praises Hong Rui for being a good speaker. Zicong falls out with Jiahui over some pandan cake and finds her very familiar. Zicong brings the cakes to the law firm to butter up his boss, Lawyer Huang. Lawyer Huang drags him to meet Yao Renyi, the boss of Yao Movies. Renyi’s generosity impresses Zicong.
The government maps out a 10-year plan to clean up the Singapore River. Jiahui, who has hopes of studying photography in Europe, takes pictures of the river. Liwan (Tracer Wong) encourages Jiahui to help Renyi out in the business after her return. Jiahui is not interested in Justin, the blind date Liwan has set her up with. She tries in vain to find Zihua at Wei Ji. Jinnu develops dementia after Wanshan’s death. One day, she loses her way. She meets Jiahui, who offers to take her home. Jiahui is reunited with Zihua at Jinnu’s place. He had joined Wei Ji after completing his National Service and has since been promoted to head chef. Zihua tells Feifei he may be out of a job soon. Uncle Wei’s wife has been dead for a year and Uncle Wei intends to sell the business. Feifei’s plan is to find a night-shift job, so she can take care of Jinnu in the day.
Hong Kuan is ordering cakes for his colleague. To his surprise, he finds out Hong Rui gave up his business administration studies to sell cakes. Hong Rui begs him to keep this development a secret, as he hopes to convince Zhang Min of his preference for a culinary career after he attains success. Zhang Min praises Zicong for helping her solve a rental problem. Zicong hints that he hopes to open his own law firm; she refuses to sponsor him. Zicong advises Fangfang to take over "Little Nyonya", as she may lose everything after Hong Rui graduates. He knows Zhang Min favours her biological son. Hong Kuan does not want Hong Rui to sell cake without a licence.
Zhang Min is incensed when she finds out what Hong Rui has been doing with help from Hong Kuan and Daidi. However, she is moved when Hong Rui explains why he had changed his competition dish from Nyonya rice dumpling to Rempah Udang. On the way home, Zicong and Fangfang seize the opportunity to stir up discontent. However, Hong Kuan urges Zhang Min to let Hong Rui pick the road he wants to take. Hong Rui hopes to learn more from Bernard in Malacca. Zhang Min is well aware that Zicong is trying to ruin her relationship with Hong Rui. She forgives Hong Rui and allows him to work in "Little Nyonya". Zihua makes char siew for Jiahui, to thank her for showing concern for his mother. Feifei encourages him to win Jiahui’s heart.
Xiaoxiong is released from prison. He has been diagnosed as having a brain tumour, and Zhang Min wants to take him to America for treatment. Meixue is in such pain that Zhang Jia takes her to the clinic. The doctor advises her not to overwork, as the foetus’ condition is not stable. Yisheng is unhappy to see her with Zhang Jia. Meixue decides not to travel to Japan with her mother. Yisheng is upset when Meixue lies that she has not seen Zhang Jia. Zhang Jia learns from Hong Kuan that Meixue had made the decision to stay with Yisheng after Yisheng attempted suicide. Zhang Min and Hong Rui are thrilled when Hong Kuan agrees to help out at "Little Nyonya" while Zhang Min is away. Zicong promises to help Fangfang, but he will not join "Little Nyonya", as he has set his sights elsewhere.
Meixue suffers a miscarriage. Qiufeng and Yisheng are incensed with her for losing the baby. Yisheng even accuses her of infidelity and blames Zhang Jia for causing him to lose his baby. Zhang Jia is sad when Meixue tells him not to call on her again. Feifei helps Xiaohong deal with a difficult customer. Impressed, Jingui tries to get fresh with her. He is unhappy when Mimi takes her away in the nick of time. Zicong goes to the nightclub to celebrate a killing he has made on the stock market. He discovers Feifei has become a dance hostess to earn money for Jinnu’s medical expenses. However, he continues to be tight-fisted about money for his mother.
Fangfang cancels the contract with Uncle Huang. To her displeasure, Hong Kuan takes Daidi’s side and decides to look into the matter. She complains to Zicong, who advises her to find other means of taking over the company. Fangfang meets Director Chen Ze. Her hopes of becoming a star rekindled, she decides to go for an audition. She does not realise Chen Ze has abandoned the movie project, as the sponsors want to make major changes. Sam uses the audition as an excuse to take Fangfang to the dance hall to meet Jingui. Feifei helps out when Fangfang gets into trouble, but Fangfang assumes she is aiming to snatch away her lead role. Jingui learns the two girls are sisters and realises Feifei wants to save Fangfang. He agrees to let Fangfang leave, and targets Feifei. Luckily, Hong Kuan turns up just in time.
Jingui tells Feifei that he will release Hong Kuan if she waits on him. Refusing, she jumps out of the car, which leaves her unconscious. Jingui is scared. He releases Hong Kuan and runs off. Zihua wants Feifei to quit her job, but she knows he cannot afford to pay Jinnu’s medical bills by himself. She promises to be extra careful. Hong Rui is concerned Jingui may be after Hong Kuan’s life. Fangfang blames Feifei and is reprimanded by Hong Kuan. Zihua meets Mimi at the nightclub and learns it was Feifei who wanted to buy over Wei Ji for him. Burdened by the debts, Zihua decides to distance himself from Jiahui. Realising Jiahui is upset about being snubbed by Zihua, Zicong spends all night singing with her and cheering her up. Hong Kuan has to rest after the ordeal.
Zihua ignores Jiahui when she turns up at the stall to ask him why he did not turn up at the party as promised. Zicong makes extra efforts to console her. Zicong gets to know Jingui through Albert. Knowing Jingui is not one to be trifled with, he is reluctant to help the latter invest in shares. However, when Fangfang offends Jingui, Zicong has no choice but to pacify him. Fangfang is bothered by Hong Kuan’s loyalty to Daidi. Albert suggests she set up her own business. Zicong hatches another plan. Jiahui visits Jinnu and tells the latter about her problems with Zihua.
Jiahui is so despondent at home that Zihua is affected, but he stops himself from going forward to console her. When he sees her with a blind date at the restaurant where he is working, he tells her that he hopes she will find a capable man who will love her. She leaves in tears after thanking him for his well wishes. Liwan is unhappy Jiahui abandoned the blind date. When she mentions Zihua, Jiahui flares up and tells her not to mention his name again. Zicong is happy to learn that Jiahui has broken up with Zihua. He invites her to a concert. Zicong worries when Jingui refuses to let him off, even after he has helped him earn a pile in the stock market.
The Wans split up after Jinnu’s funeral. Zihua decides to help Wei in Hong Kong. He leaves Feifei in Hong Kuan’s care. Junteng (Renfred Ng) returns from overseas and learns Fangfang set up a rival business to Little Nyonya. Hong Kuan and Hong Rui urge him not to tell Zhang Min. Junteng puzzles over the web of relationships, as Zhang Min’s instructions to him were not to tell the Hong siblings that Xiaoxiong’s condition has deteriorated. Junteng is back for his National Service. He reveals Zhang Jia and Meixue are still as loving. He learns Yisheng’s condition has improved and he is now a writer with a new girlfriend. Renyi dines with Zicong, Jiahui and Liwan to celebrate the smooth construction of his hospital.
Zicong hires a private nurse to tend to Feifei. Hong Kuan remains close by, and tells Zicong that Feifei does not want Zihua to know, as Zihua may lose his job. Hong Rui and Junteng welcome Feifei home upon her discharge and urge her to return to work at the factory soon. Zicong discusses the hospital’s opening ceremony with Jiahui. Meanwhile, he also tries to get medical help for Feifei. Jiahui’s love for Zicong deepens when she realises how much he cares for his sister. Feifei is in a temper because she has to depend on painkillers. She is moved when Hong Kuan proposes to her, but does not want to be a burden to him. Feifei turns up at the hospital’s opening ceremony.
Jiahui is in a dilemma, as she knows Feifei does not want anyone to know where she has gone. Zicong is unhappy to see Zihua with Jiahui. Feifei survived the surgery, but is yet to be fully rehabilitated. She will only return to Hong Kuan when she can walk again. She now works in a bank and has been repaying her medical bills in instalments. Fangfang’s New Little Nyonya is not doing well, as there are no new products. To save the business, she attempts to copy Little Nyonya’s signature kaya. Hong Kuan starts legal proceedings against her for copyright infringement. When Fangfang receives Hong Kuan’s lawyer’s letter, she asks Zicong for help. Having just made a big profit on his investments, he promises to help her out financially.
Zihua, Jiahui and Zicong rush to the scene. Hong Kuan, who is in a civil defence volunteer, asks to join the rescue team. Feifei shields Fangfang. She promises that when the rescuers reach them, she will let Fangfang go out first. Junteng manages to locate Fangfang and Feifei. Hong Kuan and Junteng go in to save the two sisters. After Fangfang has been rescued, more debris falls, and Feifei is trapped. Fangfang apologises to Zhang Min. She finally recognises that she has been wrong and should treasure their kinship ties. Hong Kuan reads the letter Feifei had written before her surgery and is impressed by her courage.