Good Times concludes: Liu Cheng goes to prison, Wang Huaizhi invests 5 million in education, Li Yan is the big winner

After all the scheming, it all comes to nothing. In the finale of “Good Times,” Liu Cheng, who has done everything wrong, finally faces his karma.

Cheating on his female secretary, abusing his wife, introducing a deadbeat to the Sanhe Factory to harm Zhuang Xian’s studies, forcing veteran employees to lay off—these are just the tip of Liu Cheng’s evil deeds. He is steadily walking further down the path of illegal and criminal activities.

In the final episode, a major safety accident occurs at Tangjia Construction Group, resulting in 2 deaths and 3 injuries. An investigation reveals the accident was caused by a broken rolling bearing, which was supplied by Liu Cheng’s machinery factory.

It turns out Liu Cheng had known for a long time that the products were defective. During a staff reduction that year, he kicked out all the capable veteran employees, leaving only young workers who were completely unqualified.

Over the years, Liu Cheng has long forgotten his original intentions. He embezzled, bribed, sold off state assets, and even disregarded others’ lives.

After the accident, Liu Cheng is wanted citywide. Zhuang Xian, remembering their master-apprentice relationship, advises him to surrender himself. Zhuang Xian even personally prepares a seafood rice dish for him—an ironic pun on “prison meal.”

Ultimately, Liu Cheng is taken to the courthouse by his terminally ill father, Lin Shijun, who personally delivers him there. Liu Cheng’s remaining days will be spent behind bars.

Wang Huaizhi surprisingly turns out to be Zhuang Xian’s benefactor.

Twenty years ago, Wang Huaizhi faked his death in a farm explosion and smuggled to Hong Kong, achieving financial freedom through his son-in-law status.

Initially, everyone thought Wang Huaizhi would be as ruthless and morally corrupt as Wang Yuanyi, trying to break up Zhuang Xian and Su Xiaoman. Unexpectedly, in his later years, Wang Huaizhi had a sudden awakening. He harbored no hostility toward Zhuang Xian and was instead grateful for his years of dedication.

Seeing Wang Huaizhi so wealthy, Liu Cheng thought about getting him to invest in the machinery factory.

He went out of his way to flatter Wang Huaizhi, waking early to buy fish and noodle soup, organizing Wang Yuanyi and Li Yan’s wedding, and in the end, even made wedding dresses for Zhuang Xian.

At a banquet, Wang Huaizhi overheard Ding Dage and Yang Waizui praising Zhuang Xian, which piqued his interest in the Sanhe Factory.

After an inspection, Wang Huaizhi invested 5 million yuan in Zhuang Xian’s Sanhe Factory.

This investment allowed the factory to secure larger overseas orders. Later, the factory went public, and Zhuang Xian made a fortune. He immediately bought three houses for Zhuang Xian and Su Xiaoman.

Like in the original story, Dan Baokun passed away, and until his death, he never acknowledged his son Zhuang Xiangshang.

When Zhuang Xiangshang was 20, he unexpectedly learned about his true identity. His worldview was shattered, and he couldn’t accept the truth.

Before his death, Dan Baokun recommended Zhuang Xiangshang to a top foreign music school because of his exceptional talent. His guitar skills were outstanding, and he was eventually admitted to Berklee College of Music.

Zhuang Xiangshang, carrying his guitar, went abroad for further studies for ten years, never maintaining proper contact with his mother, Zhuang Haohao.

He resented Zhuang Haohao for hiding his identity, which prevented him from recognizing his father Dan Baokun. This became his greatest regret in life.

Fortunately, Fang Liang mediated. Over ten years, he kept writing letters to Zhuang Xiangshang, using reason and emotion to gradually resolve the conflicts between him and Zhuang Haohao.

In the finale, during the New Year’s dinner, 30-year-old Zhuang Xiangshang returns to China and finally calls out “Mom,” which moves Zhuang Haohao to tears.

As for Fang Liang and Zhuang Haohao, they held a wedding when they were in their forties. Sadly, due to their age, they couldn’t have children, and Fang Liang was forced to be childless.

Among the five children in the Zhuang family, Wang Yuanyi is the most unpromising.

He doesn’t study hard, only got a vocational diploma, and thanks to his brother-in-law Liu Cheng, he secured a receptionist position at the factory’s guesthouse.

Wang Yuanyi is lazy, loves to be clever, and often asks his sister and brother-in-law for money. When things don’t go his way, he throws tantrums and causes trouble. His girlfriend Li Yan is just as scheming.

Wang Huaizhi’s return made Wang Yuanyi’s dream of sudden wealth come true. He no longer recognized Zhuang Xian as his stepfather and even encouraged his mother Su Xiaoman to divorce Zhuang Xian and remarry Wang Huaizhi, reuniting the family.

Setting aside Wang Yuanyi’s misbehavior, it’s undeniable that Li Yan is the biggest winner of the entire story.

Initially, because Wang Yuanyi couldn’t afford a wedding house, Li Yan broke up with him. When Wang Huaizhi appeared, he immediately bought a three-bedroom, two-living-room apartment for Wang Yuanyi, and their wedding was held at a luxury hotel—quite grand.

Later, Wang Yuanyi and Li Yan followed Wang Huaizhi to Hong Kong to inherit the family business. One success led to another, and Li Yan’s whole family enjoyed prosperity.

Wang Yuanyi became a wealthy second-generation, and Li Yan became a wealthy wife. This self-interested couple encountered a windfall—ironic and absurd!

However, getting something without effort is not sustainable. No matter how big Wang Huaizhi’s business is, it can’t withstand reckless expansion. If Wang Huaizhi and Li Yan don’t rein in their behavior, they will eventually fall back into poverty.