KK's growing business dealings with the tea factory bring him closer to I-hsin, who becomes his eager student in the world of commerce. Mountain Girl's insect-bitten tea earns unexpected praise. I-hsin turns the factory's losses into profits, earning the nickname "New President" — but discovers her husband has plans to shut down her father's tea business entirely.
日光與化肥廠共生的商業關係，使KK與薏心往來日益頻繁，KK像薏心對商業世界的啟蒙老師。 山妹以「蟲茶」做出外交茶獲肯定；薏心則一舉將日光由虧轉盈，贏得「新社長」美名。 薏心發現武雄打算結束吉桑的茶業，更把薏心視為生子工具，不知情的吉桑還以為找了好女婿。 化肥廠水到渠成之際，美援撤台，興建嘎然而止，KK萬念俱灰。
