Beautiful Time With You Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Beautiful Time With You Synopsis
Lin Xingchen, a transfer student, becomes a tablemate with Lu Yibai. She thought she has won the "lucky lottery", but unexpectedly, she is in trouble.
Luckily, Lin Xingchen's special experience as a child has helped him develop a "diamond" heart and she is able to take everything in stride.
From then on, Lin Xingchen and Lu Yibai grow up together and heal each other in their high school life.
Beautiful Time With You Recap
Episode 1 Recap
Lin Xingchen, a muddled but bright student, was granted direct admission to Yiling High School, the top-ranked school in the province, for winning a national essay competition. Excited for her first day, she rushed out without breakfast, only to nearly run into Lu Yibai, a fellow student in the same uniform. As she enthusiastically greeted him, she accidentally spilled her soy milk on a fierce-looking man nearby. The man, mistakenly believing Lu Yibai was responsible, cursed them before leaving.
Lu Yibai, however, simply ignored Lin Xingchen and cycled off to school. Upon arriving, Lin Xingchen reported to the Director and was then led to her new class, where Teacher Yang warmly introduced her. As Lin Xingchen introduced herself, a certificate on the wall unexpectedly fell. Teacher Yang instructed the class monitor, Lu Yibai, to use class funds to reframe it after class. She then assigned Lin Xingchen to the empty seat beside Lu Yibai, making them desk mates.
During English class, Lin Xingchen’s faulty chair collapsed, causing her to fall. Though Lu Yibai offered his chair, she insisted on standing for the rest of the lesson. Later, when Lu Yibai handed out workbooks, Lin Xingchen received one with a printing error, and he bluntly told her to make do.
Lin Xingchen quietly complained about Lu Yibai’s cold demeanor, prompting their classmate Cai Weiming to lean back and explain that Lu Yibai’s nickname was "Iceberg Boy" and that he was a top student. Cai Weiming then introduced Lin Xingchen to some of their more notable classmates, including the fiery arts committee representative Luo Qinge and the flamboyant sports committee representative Chen Yimu, who was a basketball enthusiast.
He also offered to tell fortunes, but Lin Xingchen dismissed him as a fraud. During math class, the Director caught Luo Qinge reading a novel and confiscated it. Worried about photos hidden inside, Luo Qinge persuaded Chen Yimu to retrieve it for her from the Director's office. Meanwhile, Lin Xingchen went to the Academic Affairs Office during the exercise break to fill out her student records.
While she was there, Chen Yimu, attempting to get Luo Qinge's book, accidentally knocked a robot model off a high cabinet. He quickly fled the scene. Lin Xingchen, having not seen who did it, asked Lu Yibai, who was returning from discussing a robotics competition with the Director. The Director then returned, saw the broken robot, and mistakenly blamed Lin Xingchen, ordering her to write a detailed self-reflection.
Later, Chen Yimu returned the novel to Luo Qinge, who excitedly thanked him, mentioning how hard he worked to "steal" it back from the Director. Lu Yibai, overhearing their conversation, tried to subtly hint at the truth to a distressed Lin Xingchen, but she didn’t understand his gestures. As school was about to end, labor committee member Wu Jiayi assigned Luo Qinge to cleaning duty.
Luo Qinge, eager to watch Chen Yimu’s basketball game and admire the team captain Fang Qi, asked Lin Xingchen to cover her cleaning duty. Lin Xingchen, being kind-hearted, readily agreed. While cleaning alone, Lin Xingchen remained troubled by the robot incident. Lu Yibai re-entered the classroom, retrieved his workbook which Lin Xingchen had mistakenly taken, and then told her that her constant bad luck was "because she was dumb."
After he left, Lu Yibai went to the lab and skillfully repaired the robot. The next morning, Luo Qinge greeted Lin Xingchen warmly and noticed she was still upset. Lin Xingchen confided in her about being falsely accused for the broken robot. Luo Qinge expressed her sympathy but explained that the Director valued honor above all else, and since it was Lu Yibai's competition robot, Lin Xingchen would likely have to take the blame.
Lin Xingchen, resigned, decided to write the self-reflection, believing it was because she was "dumb." Chen Yimu entered the classroom and, overhearing the conversation, showed feigned sympathy without admitting his involvement. Lu Yibai, however, calmly pointed out that Lin Xingchen was too short to have reached the robot on the high cabinet. He also questioned why anyone would be in the office during recess, suggesting they might have been trying to steal something.
This immediately clicked for Luo Qinge, who recalled Chen Yimu going to the office during recess to retrieve her novel. She confronted him, demanding he "spit it out." Chen Yimu eventually confessed, apologized to Lin Xingchen (mispronouncing her name as "Lin Xingxing"), and promised to clarify the situation with the Director after class. Lin Xingchen, feeling relieved, thanked Luo Qinge, but Luo Qinge insisted that Lu Yibai deserved the thanks for his sharp observation, which revealed the truth. Lin Xingchen looked at Lu Yibai with a newfound appreciation, realizing he was warm-hearted beneath his aloof exterior.
Episode 2 Recap
Chen Yimu received severe punishment from the Director for the robot incident. After hopping up and down the stairs as a penalty, he was sent to clean the restrooms during the break. Chen Yimu protested, citing his reputation at school, but the Director retorted that he himself almost wrongly accused Lin Xingchen, the new student, and also cared about his own reputation.
Lin Xingchen later confronted Lu Yibai, accusing him of seeing Chen Yimu running away during the incident but deliberately keeping it from her. Lu Yibai denied seeing Chen Yimu directly but called Lin Xingchen "dumb" for not realizing the truth. He explained that Luo Qingge had mentioned Chen Yimu helped her "retrieve" a book from the Academic Affairs Office, which was a clear indication that Chen Yimu was responsible for breaking things there.
Lin Xingchen admitted she was too preoccupied with her own issues to connect the dots and conceded that Lu Yibai was right. She then playfully accused him of still holding a grudge over a past soy milk incident and wanting to see her embarrassed, to which Lu Yibai simply replied, "Fair enough." Lu Yibai was honored with a silver medal at the National High School Robotics Competition, a proud achievement for the school and province.
The mid-term mock exam results were also released, with Lu Yibai once again securing first place in the entire grade, earning him widespread praise. However, the teacher also pointed out students who were "dragging down" the class, mentioning Chen Yimu, who ranked tenth from the bottom, though Chen Yimu proudly noted his five-place improvement. The teacher then specifically called out Lin Xingchen for having unbalanced academic strengths, revealing her math score was a shocking 38, the lowest in the class.
Lin Xingchen was visibly surprised, while some classmates questioned how she even got into the school. The teacher then announced a parent-teacher meeting for the following week, urging everyone to take their studies seriously. During a class break, Lin Xingchen lamented the vast differences in people's brain structures, but Chen Yimu suggested she simply didn't apply herself.
Cai Weiming, a devoted fan of Lu Yibai, encouraged Lin Xingchen not to lose heart, explaining that their school's exams were intentionally difficult to motivate students. He then showered praise on Lu Yibai, calling him a "genius" for consistently achieving perfect scores in science subjects and winning national awards. Lin Xingchen and Chen Yimu debated the difference between "talent" and "genius." Chen Yimu made a joke implying "genius" was just "talent" with an added element of silliness ("two").
When asked to clarify, Lu Yibai retorted that if he was "two" (silly), Chen Yimu must be "three" (even dumber). Lu Yibai then dismissively told Lin Xingchen that it was "just one exam" and to "try harder next time."
Later, Luo Qingge confided in Lin Xingchen a secret: she admired Fang Qi, the captain of the school's basketball team, considering him as popular as Lu Yibai, though she quickly corrected herself to say Lu Yibai barely stood on Fang Qi's level. Luo Qingge, too nervous to approach Fang Qi herself, asked Lin Xingchen to deliver a classmate record book to him for him to fill out. Despite not knowing Fang Qi, Lin Xingchen bravely agreed.
She found Fang Qi's class, asked a student to locate him, and then nervously told Fang Qi that Luo Qingge regarded him as her idol and asked him to carefully fill out the book. Fang Qi readily agreed, and Lin Xingchen promised to collect it later. As Lin Xingchen returned, Luo Qingge eagerly asked how it went, and Lin Xingchen admitted Fang Qi was handsome.
Luo Qingge warned her not to try and steal him, to which Lin Xingchen replied she wasn't fond of sporty types anyway. Their conversation was cut short when the Director appeared, questioning what they were doing before they quickly excused themselves for class. During math class, when the test papers were distributed, Lin Xingchen realized the paper in her hand, though bearing her name, was not her own work. She remembered forgetting to write her name during the exam.
She tried to explain to the teacher that her paper was mixed up, but the teacher pointed to her name on the paper and dismissed her claim when no other student reported a mix-up. The teacher instructed her to sit down and told her to come to the office after class to discuss her poor performance.
After class, as the teacher collected all the papers to redistribute at the parent-teacher meeting, Lin Xingchen suspected someone might have swapped papers during the initial collection. She tried to covertly examine other papers but was prevented by the teacher. Distressed by the situation, Lin Xingchen discussed it with Luo Qingge, who suggested seeking help from "someone smart." Lin Xingchen, however, refused to ask Lu Yibai, not wanting to be mocked again.
She decided to sneak into the teacher's office after school to find her original paper. As she attempted to climb through the office window, Lu Yibai caught her. She reluctantly confessed that her test paper had been swapped and she felt she had no credibility with the teacher after the previous incident involving Chen Yimu.
To her surprise, Lu Yibai revealed he had an office key, given to him by the teacher for convenience, a perk of being the class monitor. Inside the office, Lin Xingchen quickly located her paper, recognizing her handwriting and a specific correction she had made on the final question. She was shocked to see Zhang Tong's name on it. Their discovery was interrupted by the sound of the security guard approaching. Panicked, Lin Xingchen asked Lu Yibai what to do.
Lu Yibai grabbed her hand, and they swiftly ran out, narrowly escaping the security guard's pursuit. That night, Lu Yibai found himself thinking about Lin Xingchen, feeling a sense of familiarity, as if he had seen her somewhere before. He opened an old journal, looking at childhood drawings. Meanwhile, at home, Lin Xingchen was doing her homework when she found her Grandma had fallen while doing laundry.
Lin Xingchen gently helped her Grandma to the couch, applied medicine to her swollen leg, and insisted she rest in bed for the next few days, forbidding her from doing any chores. Lin Xingchen worried about the upcoming parent-teacher meeting but quickly dismissed her concerns, prioritizing her Grandma's health.
The next morning, Lin Xingchen confronted Zhang Tong, accusing her of swapping their math papers, citing the unique handwriting and the corrected final question on her own paper, which bore Zhang Tong’s name, as proof. Zhang Tong denied it and challenged Lin Xingchen to report her to the teacher, saying the teacher wouldn't believe her.
Lin Xingchen decided to go to the teacher's office but saw Zhang Tong already there, talking to Teacher Yang, who was discussing Zhang Tong's overall low scores and her parents' attendance at the parent-teacher meeting. Lin Xingchen, worried Zhang Tong might twist the story, returned to her classroom. Shortly after, Zhang Tong approached Lin Xingchen, admitted to swapping the papers, and tearfully begged Lin Xingchen not to tell the teacher.
She explained that her family situation was complex, and her father would never forgive her for a failing score, potentially making it impossible for her to stay in school or even at home. Lin Xingchen, moved by Zhang Tong's plea, agreed not to pursue the matter. She later told Lu Yibai about her decision.
Lin Xingchen tried to justify her soft-heartedness, explaining that while it was just one exam for her, the consequences were much more severe for Zhang Tong, who had also promised not to repeat the mistake. Lu Yibai, unimpressed, stated there was no difference between a 38 and a 62, as both were equally terrible.
Lin Xingchen, frustrated by his lack of empathy, argued vehemently that there was a huge difference: one was a pass, one was a fail, and they represented a difference of at least ten ranks. Lu Yibai simply reiterated that "they're both terrible" and walked away, leaving Lin Xingchen exasperated and questioning her own judgment. Meanwhile, Luo Qingge and Chen Yimu, whose families were old friends from their fathers' military days, had dinner at Luo Qingge's house.
Luo Qingge's father inquired about Chen Yimu's father's current job, offering him work at his own factory instead of his current security guard position at a kindergarten. He urged Chen Yimu to persuade his stubborn father again. Later, Luo Qingge's father asked about the recent mock exam results, warning Luo Qingge that poor performance would result in her pocket money being cut off for the next semester.
Luo Qingge, afraid, lied that the results hadn't been released yet, with Chen Yimu quickly corroborating her story. After dinner, Chen Yimu questioned Luo Qingge about her lie. Luo Qingge explained she needed her pocket money to buy Jay Chou's new album, while Chen Yimu lamented that he was facing physical punishment for his own grades. Luo Qingge, undeterred, reassured him that she had a foolproof plan for the parent-teacher meeting that would save them both.
Episode 3 Recap
Chen Yimu's father and Luo Qinge's father are old acquaintances. Luo Qinge's father has often offered Chen Yimu's father a job at his factory, hoping to provide support. However, Chen Yimu's father, a stubborn man who dislikes owing favors, consistently refuses. One evening, after returning home late, Chen Yimu's father mentions he had dinner at "Qin's house." Chen Yimu relays that Uncle Luo is back and sends his greetings, also reiterating the job offer at Uncle Luo's factory.
His father immediately declines, stating it would cause "too much trouble with too many people" and "it's not good." Chen Yimu simply confirms he delivered the message. The day before the parent-teacher meeting, Teacher Yang instructed Lu Yibai and Lin Xue to lead a group in decorating the classroom after school.
Lin Xingchen then approached Teacher Yang, explaining that she wished to be excused from the upcoming meeting because both her parents were working out of town and her Grandma had a leg injury, making it difficult for her to attend. Teacher Yang, however, mistook this as Lin Xingchen trying to hide her grades from her parents.
She sternly refused the request, emphasizing the meeting's importance, and insisted that at least one family member, such as an uncle or aunt, must attend. Later, Lu Yibai reminded Lin Xingchen that it was also her duty day to clean the classroom and mentioned that Teacher Yang had approved using class funds for small gifts. Lin Xingchen, eager to help, offered to join him to buy the gifts, promising to complete her cleaning duties afterward, and Lu Yibai agreed.
At the convenience store, Lu Yibai observed Lin Xingchen's extensive choices for snacks and decorations. He wryly asked if she was preparing for a "tea party" or a "discussion meeting," or if she was "rushing for New Year's and eating it all herself." He suggested they keep it simple with "just some candy and greeting cards." Lin Xingchen also picked up some craft paper, explaining that it was "very important to make a good first impression on the parents."
Lu Yibai paid for their purchases. Back in the classroom, Lin Xue asked Lu Yibai for help hanging a new banner, as it was too high for her. Lu Yibai declined, stating Teacher Yang needed to speak with him, and suggested she find someone else. Lin Xue then asked Lin Xingchen to help, despite Lin Xingchen's hesitation about the height. As Lin Xingchen attempted to hang the banner, she lost her balance and fell, but Lu Yibai swiftly caught her.
Although Lin Xingchen insisted she was fine and refused his offer to walk her home, she did complain about his lack of "chivalry" and questioned his role as class monitor for not helping classmates. Lu Yibai, having overheard her earlier conversation with Teacher Yang, asked if she was "having trouble again," correctly guessing it was "about the parent-teacher meeting."
Lin Xingchen confirmed her predicament: her parents were out of town, her Grandma was injured, and Teacher Yang had wrongly assumed she was trying to conceal poor grades. Lu Yibai then offered to help her resolve the issue, which delighted Lin Xingchen, who praised him as "the beloved class monitor."
Lu Yibai playfully retorted by asking if her face was a "deck of cards," to which she responded that she was from a "Sichuan opera family" and could display "any expression" he wished to see. On the day of the parent-teacher meeting, Luo Qinge and Chen Yimu awaited the arrival of two actors from the Shakespeare Theater Company, whom Luo Qinge had hired to pose as her and Chen Yimu's parents.
The actors confirmed their roles, with one suggesting he play Chen Yimu's "uncle" due to his youthful appearance. Luo Qinge stressed that the teacher would "definitely interrogate" them, but the actors confidently assured her of their "professional" abilities, though they also reminded her that they "charge by the hour" and would require "extra" payment for any "overtime." During the meeting, Teacher Yang Lihua addressed the parents. Lin Xingchen observed Lu Yibai's mother, remarking on her "beautiful and elegant" demeanor.
Luo Qinge informed her that Lu Yibai's mother was a chief judge at the city court and his father was a professor in advanced physics at the provincial academy of technology, attributing Lu Yibai's intelligence and good looks to his high-IQ family. Lin Xingchen jokingly suggested that the mythical creator Nuwa must have "thrown extra clay onto Lu Yibai's face" due to his exceptional qualities.
Lu Yibai received a message on his phone, prompting a smile, and he confirmed to Lin Xingchen that her "parent-teacher meeting is sorted out." He noticed her still favoring her back, which was "still a little pain" from her fall.
Luo Qinge playfully teased Lin Xingchen about "lying in Lu Yibai's arms yesterday," asking about the "gentle embrace of the campus heartthrob," but Lin Xingchen, still feeling her sore back, claimed she felt "totally calm and unshaken," prompting Luo Qinge to call her "an uncultivated young girl." Lin Xingchen then showed Luo Qinge the school's commendation board, which listed Lu Yibai in first place.
She inquired about Yang Ruoying, who held the second spot, learning that Yang Ruoying was also in their class but had been an "exchange student last semester." Lin Xingchen expressed surprise that their class held both top spots, to which Luo Qinge sarcastically added that their class also had the "last and second-to-last place in the whole grade!" As the meeting concluded, Luo Qinge departed, and the hired actors, satisfied with their "professional" performance, reminded her about the overtime fees.
Meanwhile, Lu Yibai's mother questioned his less-than-perfect English score, prompting him to argue that his "preposition fill-in-the-blank" answer was correct in American English. He then informed his mother that the "teacher asked me to do" a "home visit." His mother, initially surprised, assented. After the parent-teacher meeting, Lu Yibai accompanied Lin Xingchen home to conduct the home visit.
On their way, Lin Xingchen privately asked Lu Yibai not to mention the swapped math test papers to her Grandma, to which he cryptically replied, "Depends on my mood." Upon their arrival, Grandma warmly welcomed Lu Yibai, admiring his handsome appearance, though Lin Xingchen gently chided her Grandma for staring. During the home visit, Lu Yibai informed Grandma that he was there on behalf of Teacher Yang.
When Grandma asked if Lin Xingchen was inattentive in class, Lu Yibai admitted "a little bit," but quickly added that she was "quite attentive in the subjects she likes, like English and Chinese." He then playfully mentioned that Lin Xingchen "does cause some trouble occasionally," specifically bringing up "messing with the soybean milk machine or stealing test papers."
Grandma was visibly concerned about the mention of "stealing test papers," prompting Lin Xingchen to hastily clarify that he had "lost some papers, but they were later found." Grandma accepted this explanation, noting that Lin Xingchen "admitted her mistake and corrected it right away" and was simply "a little scatterbrained, always losing things."
Lu Yibai then conveyed Teacher Yang's message that Lin Xingchen's "academic performance still has a lot of room for improvement" and encouraged Grandma to "supervise her studies more whenever you have time." Grandma readily agreed. Grandma then inquired about Lu Yibai and Lin Xingchen's seating arrangement, expressing concern that Lin Xingchen's "eyesight has been bad since she was little" and that the doctor had advised her to "take good care of her eyes," implying she shouldn't sit in the back.
Lin Xingchen countered that, given her height, sitting in the front row would "block everyone else." Grandma conceded the point. She then insisted that Lu Yibai stay for dinner, offering beef soup, and asked Lin Xingchen to take him to her room. Lu Yibai tried to excuse himself, saying he would "eat at home," but Lin Xingchen explained that her Grandma "won't let you leave if you don't finish eating." In Lin Xingchen's room, Lu Yibai complimented her "little nest."
Lin Xingchen then confronted him, accusing him of "joking around" with her earlier and making her "so nervous," also questioning his motive for leaving his phone number, suspecting he wanted to "keep tabs on me to tattle on me later." She lightheartedly reminded him of his own "last in class" score in math, which she had "praised [him] for being smart" despite. Noticing her astronomy-themed room, Lu Yibai asked about her interest in astronomy.
Lin Xingchen confirmed her passion, explaining her name meant "star" and likening herself to the "stars in the sky"—seemingly "insignificant, but actually have a lot of energy," warning that if he irritated her, she could "wipe out the entire Earth!" Lu Yibai then teasingly said there was a star that reminded him of her: "a comet, commonly known as a 'broom star'." Lin Xingchen immediately protested, claiming to be a "lucky star" or "the Big Dipper."
Grandma called up for Lin Xingchen to bring food for Lu Yibai. Lin Xingchen returned with a homemade egg, which Lu Yibai initially refused, stating he didn't like them. Lin Xingchen, however, insisted he "just try a bite" as it was uniquely delicious. Upon taking a bite, Lu Yibai began to choke. Lin Xingchen frantically attempted various remedies her Grandma had taught her, including back pats and a humorous threat to pull his leg hair.
Eventually, Lu Yibai managed to gasp out, "I need water." After getting him water and helping him recover, Lin Xingchen expressed surprise that he could "choke on an egg." Lu Yibai, still recovering, sarcastically called her a "lucky star" and declared he needed to "stay away from this 'supernova'" because it was "dangerous," then promptly left, declining Grandma's offer of beef soup and promising to return another time.
Grandma, realizing her oversight, later mused that she was "forgetful" for not understanding he simply needed water. As the campus art festival approached, Lin Xingchen and Luo Qinge spotted a promotional poster. Lin Xingchen asked Luo Qinge if she had seen Fang Qi recently, and Luo Qinge expressed disappointment about not having seen him. Lin Xingchen, admitting she "can't sing or dance," preferred to "sit in the audience and clap," though Luo Qinge encouraged her to "practice."
In class, Teacher Yang solicited program ideas for the festival, emphasizing the theme "Elegant Culture, Campus Art." Luo Qinge proposed a "co-ed street dance performance." Wu Jiayi immediately dismissed it as "uninspired," prompting Luo Qinge to challenge her for a better suggestion. Teacher Yang intervened, stating she believed "dancing is great" and noted that "many of our female classmates are good at dancing."
She then assigned Luo Qinge, as the Arts Representative, to "organize it and have everyone sign up voluntarily." For a second program, Teacher Yang announced that she and Mr. Shi, the language teacher, had decided on a script drama based on Hendrik Willem van Loon's "The Preface to Tolerance—Walking Out of the Valley."
The teachers announced the casting for the script drama: Cai Weiming as the male lead, Lan Tian as the antagonist, and Li Da and An Zichao as supporting roles. Lu Yibai was assigned as the narrator. However, the female lead role, described as a "village girl," drew no volunteers, with students calling it "so lame." Teacher Yang then decided they would "draw lots" to fill the role.
To avoid the drama, Luo Qinge and another student signed up for the jazz dance, believing it would exempt them from the play. Despite Lin Xingchen's anxious hope of not being chosen, she unluckily drew the female lead role. Meanwhile, rehearsals for both the street dance and script drama began. Luo Qinge led three girls in dance practice, but Wu Jiayi voiced her displeasure with the "jazz dance," criticizing it as awkward for girls and "not robot dancing."
Luo Qinge asserted her authority as the lead dancer, insisting her rules applied. This led to an argument, and Wu Jiayi angrily declared, "fine, you lead. Then I won't dance anymore," and left. Another girl soon followed, citing unfinished homework, leaving Luo Qinge to announce she would "dance by myself."
During the script drama rehearsal, Lin Xingchen struggled to remember her lines, frequently mixing up phrases like "merciful and kind" for the more precise "great heart and the virtue of forgiveness." When she argued that the meanings were "roughly the same thing," Lu Yibai, acting as narrator, corrected her, explaining that "lines in these textbook dramas are highly nuanced" and that changing even a single sentence "can completely alter the vibe." Cai Weiming agreed.
Lan Tian, present at the rehearsal, feigned a "stomachache" and excused himself, leaving Lu Yibai to assist Lin Xingchen with her lines. With her dance group dissolved, Luo Qinge, frustrated, repeatedly tried to call Chen Yimu, but he didn't answer, causing her to exclaim in annoyance. She then headed to the basketball court, hoping to find him, but only found Fang Qi practicing alone. Seizing the opportunity, she subtly asked Fang Qi about his preferred type of girl.
He responded that he liked "the graceful, ladylike type." When Luo Qinge asked if she fit that description, he said "not bad, but sometimes you're a bit too bubbly." She then asked if he liked "girls who can dance," to which he enthusiastically replied yes, "especially girls who can dance ballet." Fang Qi then asked why she was asking, and she dismissively said "no reason."
During the script drama rehearsal, Lin Xingchen continued to struggle with her lines, drawing impatience from classmates like Cai Weiming, who questioned her ability to perform. Lu Yibai, acting as the narrator, cut the rehearsal short and told Lin Xingchen to "memorize your lines when you get home." Lin Xingchen, feeling wronged and frustrated, quietly complained, "I said from the start I can't act! You're the ones who insisted I do it!"
Overhearing her, Lu Yibai sternly told her, "If you're that unwilling to act, then don't bother coming to rehearsal tomorrow," before turning and walking away. Cai Weiming and Lan Tian attempted to comfort a dejected Lin Xingchen, assuring her that Lu Yibai was "just joking" and promising to "talk to the class monitor for you" if she would "go home and memorize your lines well." Lin Xingchen was still upset, thinking to herself, "Lu Yibai! You always bully me."
As she left the rehearsal area, she realized she had forgotten her script. While heading back to retrieve it, she was accidentally bumped by some playful male students, causing her to fall into a fountain. A boy on a bicycle, passing by, stopped, dismounted, and extended a hand to help her out.
Episode 4 Recap
After Lin Xingchen accidentally fell into the fountain, a student named Zhang Haotian offered his hand and helped her out. He introduced himself and learned her name, but their conversation was cut short when Luo Qinge called. Lin Xingchen quickly excused herself, and Zhang Haotian jokingly told her to come to him if she wanted to learn swimming. Lin Xingchen then met Luo Qinge at a nearby restaurant.
Luo Qinge was complaining about the thankless work of the play rehearsal and the class leader's seriousness. She encouraged Lin Xingchen to eat, but the hot and sour noodles were too spicy for Lin Xingchen, bringing tears to her eyes. At that moment, Lu Yibai walked past and, seeing Lin Xingchen with a tear-streaked face, mistakenly thought she was crying over his harsh words from before, which left him feeling bothered.
Back home, Lin Xingchen was still upset by Lu Yibai's words. Her Grandma noticed her sadness and asked what was wrong. Lin Xingchen asked if Grandma thought she was a serious person, to which Grandma playfully replied that she was only serious when eating. Lin Xingchen explained that it was the class leader who criticized her for constantly forgetting her lines during play rehearsals.
Grandma agreed that it was Lin Xingchen's fault and then emotionally blamed herself for spoiling Lin Xingchen, who was born visually impaired and raised without her parents. She explained that she only ever wanted Lin Xingchen to be healthy and happy, which led to her carefree attitude. However, Grandma gently told her that being careless in group activities was disrespectful to others.
Lin Xingchen acknowledged her mistake, but when Grandma suggested she apologize to the class leader, Lin Xingchen refused, still upset about how harshly Lu Yibai had spoken to her. Nevertheless, that night, Lin Xingchen resolved to diligently memorize her lines. Meanwhile, Lu Yibai was seen looking at Lin Xingchen's house from afar, remarking that she was crying over such a minor issue. The next day, Luo Qinge, after much thought, decided that catering to Fang Qi's preferences was most important.
She approached Wu Jiayi, apologizing for her previous attitude and admitting that street dance wasn't Wu Jiayi's strength. Knowing Wu Jiayi had studied ballet since childhood, Luo Qinge proposed they switch their program to a group ballet, with Wu Jiayi leading the rehearsals, to which everyone eventually agreed. In class, the teacher introduced Zheng Chouyu's poem "Mistake." When asked for watercolor markers, Lin Xingchen mistakenly offered watercolor pencils. Lu Yibai was then asked to read the poem aloud.
His pleasant voice impressed the students, and despite her initial reluctance, Lin Xingchen's attitude towards him began to improve. One student playfully remarked that his reading made the lyrical poem sound like a "complaint from a woman scorned." During a break, Cai Weiming pointed out that Lin Xingchen had accidentally swapped scripts with him the day before, showing her the one with "Memorize thoroughly" written on it. Lin Xingchen, surprised, thanked "Bean Sprout."
Lu Yibai then suggested that if she didn't want to act, she could give the script to someone else. This provoked Lin Xingchen to declare fiercely that no one would take her female lead role. To apologize for previously delaying rehearsals due to her forgotten lines, Lin Xingchen bought carbonated drinks for her classmates, including one for Lu Yibai. Although Lu Yibai typically avoided carbonated drinks, he accepted it, prompting Cai Weiming to jokingly call him out.
Later, during a self-study session, Lin Xingchen dozed off and slept through the entire break period. Lu Yibai woke her, remarking that she couldn't multitask, which led Lin Xingchen to playfully retort that intelligent people often go bald like Fang Daqiang. Lu Yibai noticed she was drooling and discreetly placed a piece of paper under her chin. When she struggled with her math homework, he offered his own notebook, telling her to copy it if it helped.
After school, Lin Xingchen was in the corridor, practicing her lines for the play, trying different emotional deliveries and finding it difficult. Lu Yibai walked by, claiming he was just passing after physics class, but admitted he wanted to check on her memorization, urging her not to embarrass their class. As they walked together, Lin Xingchen realized she had forgotten her jacket.
Lu Yibai jokingly questioned why she hadn't lost herself too, but then offered her his jacket to prevent her from catching a cold, which she eventually accepted. Lu Yibai then awkwardly apologized for speaking too harshly during rehearsals and asked her not to take it to heart. Lin Xingchen asked if he was apologizing, noting his "subtle" approach, but then admitted he was right and that her initial attitude was poor.
She acknowledged that with effort, memorizing lines wasn't as hard as she thought. Lu Yibai added that admitting mistakes and correcting them was a great virtue. Lin Xingchen then playfully reminded him that he was the one who was supposed to apologize. At the bus stop, they realized there were no more buses. Lu Yibai offered her a ride on his bike if she said something nice, but she refused to flatter him.
When a bus finally arrived, Lin Xingchen tried to return Lu Yibai's jacket, but he told her to keep wearing it and return it tomorrow. On the bus, Lin Xingchen looked at the jacket, a secret smile on her face, and noticed how long his arms were. On the day of the School Arts Festival, Luo Qinge and her classmates performed their group ballet, with Luo Qinge nervously searching the audience for Fang Qi.
Fang Qi's friend pointed out Luo Qinge as the freshman who liked him, but Fang Qi dismissed it, his attention fixed on Ding Yi from Class 2-1, who later delivered a stunning solo ballet performance of "Black Swan." As it was almost time for the play, Lin Xingchen, feeling nervous, went to the restroom to prepare. Lu Yibai went to check on her, teasing her that she looked "average bad" in her costume.
Lin Xingchen expressed her disappointment at her first lead role being a "village girl," but Lu Yibai encouraged her to give her best performance. She promised she would, having never worked so hard on anything before. She noticed her flats were a bit too big, likely swapped by mistake, but decided to "make do" as it was time to go on stage.
During the performance of "Out of the Valley," Lin Xingchen, playing the character Shui Mei, was pulled by a servant and accidentally kicked off her shoe. It flew into the audience and hit Zhang Haotian. Despite being flustered, Lin Xingchen continued her emotional performance, even as the stage crew urged her to "keep acting."
After the play, backstage, Lin Xingchen was met with criticism from her classmates, particularly Cai Weiming, who blamed her for turning their class performance into a "joke." Tearfully, Lin Xingchen apologized profusely and ran out. As she left, she encountered Zhang Haotian, who had retrieved her shoe and came to return it. She quickly thanked him, took the shoe, and continued running away, still crying. Lin Xingchen sat alone by a flowerbed, weeping.
Lu Yibai found her and offered her a candy, telling her that eating candy helps when feeling sad, a sentiment someone else had once told her. She confided in him, asking why she always messed up every time she tried to do something seriously. Lu Yibai dismissed her embarrassment as a "small thing" not worth crying over and commended her for being "pretty amazing" for seeing the performance through.
He explained that people often "think too highly of themselves" when feeling embarrassed, and what she considered shameful, others might find "kind of cute." Lin Xingchen asked if he was giving her a "cheesy pep talk," but Lu Yibai insisted she needed "real chicken soup" to "nourish her brain" and promised to take her for some.
Just then, Lu Yibai received a call from a classmate, who excitedly announced that their drama had won an award, and Lin Xingchen herself had won "Best Popular Actress"! Lu Yibai remarked that she truly had "dumb luck," but Lin Xingchen, overjoyed, simply beamed and declared herself a "little lucky star."
Episode 5 Recap
Lin Xingchen, elated by her unexpected "Most Popular Female Lead" award, carefully placed the trophy on her desk, declaring that seeing it daily would fuel her motivation. That night, she recalled a childhood memory of getting lost and being comforted by a kind little boy who gave her candy when she couldn't see.
She reflected on how he, too, had offered her candy (similar to the one Lu Yibai had given her recently), and wondered about him, not knowing what he looked like or how he was doing now. Across town, Lu Yibai was lost in thought, recalling Lin Xingchen's appearance before the performance. Luo Qinge began planning a birthday gift for Fang Qi, intending to give him a Jay Chou album, a Nike watch strap, and a special greeting card.
She enlisted Lin Xingchen, known for her writing skills, to create the card and compose an original, romantic poem. While Lin Xingchen was gathering ideas at the library, she noticed Zhang Haotian, the charismatic "campus heartthrob" from Class 10, following her. He confronted her, reminding her of the art festival where her flying shoe had struck him.
He dramatically described the "brutal impact" and even joked about it being like catching a bridal bouquet, but then asserted that she owed him a significant favor. When Lin Xingchen tried to appease him with snacks, Zhang Haotian declined, stating he would decide on her repayment later. Luo Qinge continued to elaborate on the desired characteristics for Fang Qi's poem, requesting an original piece that blended elegance with accessibility, with fresh innocence, and a touch of solitude and wandering.
Lin Xingchen expressed her concern, questioning if such a complex description truly fit a love poem. Interrupting their private discussion, Zhang Haotian appeared at the classroom door. He informed Lin Xingchen that he had decided how she would repay him: by completing one of his homework assignments every day for the semester. He warned that if she refused, he would expose the "flying shoe" incident on the school forum.
Under this pressure, Lin Xingchen reluctantly agreed to handle his English homework. Later, Lin Xingchen realized her talent for English poetry could be used for Luo Qinge’s card. Upon returning to her desk, Lin Xingchen found that the flowers attached to her card had fallen off. She asked Lu Yibai if he had seen anything, but he feigned ignorance. Frustrated, she tucked the card into her English homework.
Lu Yibai then commented on her having time for others' homework, to which Lin Xingchen explained it was due to "life's circumstances" and a sense of "gratitude." Lu Yibai quietly remarked that she had never shown him such gratitude. Moments later, Zhang Haotian arrived to collect his completed English homework and instructed Lin Xingchen to deliver it to him personally from then on.
Witnessing this exchange and Lin Xingchen's timid compliance, Lu Yibai, clearly annoyed, grabbed his bag and departed, with a gloomy expression. Zhang Haotian then invited Lin Xingchen to a BBQ joint, thanking her for the homework. At the BBQ, she learned he had many other students doing his assignments. She also confided her annoyance with Lu Yibai, describing him as narcissistic and perpetually grumpy.
Later that evening, while doing her homework, Lin Xingchen realized with a jolt that she had mistakenly placed Luo Qinge's greeting card inside Zhang Haotian's English notebook, fearing he might submit it to the teacher. Lu Yibai, sitting on his balcony with a frown, found himself preoccupied with the day's events, indicating his growing discomfort. The following morning, Lin Xingchen anxiously intercepted Zhang Haotian to retrieve the card.
As Zhang Haotian held the partially finished card, another student jokingly speculated it was a love letter for him, but Lin Xingchen swiftly clarified that it was not, asserting it wasn't for him. This interaction was once again observed by Lu Yibai, who walked past quickly. When Lin Xingchen called out to him for walking so fast, he simply stated he had "long legs."
During a class break, Zhang Haotian approached Lin Xingchen, presenting her with several special manga editions as a "mutual exchange" for her help with his homework. Lin Xingchen, despite accepting them, playfully accused him of "forced trade." Luo Qinge, observing their friendly interaction, noticed Lu Yibai's visibly sour mood. She then pointed out the "handsome guy" (Zhang Haotian) to Lu Yibai, hinting at his seemingly close relationship with Lin Xingchen. This prompted Lu Yibai to dismissively call Lin Xingchen "childish."
In computer class, as Luo Qinge and Lin Xingchen browsed QQ Space, Lin Xingchen inquired if Lu Yibai had a QQ account so they could add each other. He initially gave a dismissive "no," claiming he didn't have one.
However, when Luo Qinge pointed out that Zhang Haotian, under the username "Ri Tian Car God," was constantly leaving comments and sending virtual flowers on Lin Xingchen's posts, even complimenting her QQ avatar, Lu Yibai swiftly sent Lin Xingchen a friend request, much to her and Luo Qinge's amusement at his sudden change of heart. After connecting, Lin Xingchen teased him about his "blank" QQ Space.
Later, while secretly browsing Lin Xingchen's QQ Space, Lu Yibai couldn't curb his curiosity and clicked into Zhang Haotian's account, accidentally sending him a friend request. His mother entered, offering him milk, and he quickly tried to cover by saying he was "researching test questions" online, though she warned him against unreliable internet information. Zhang Haotian promptly accepted the request and sent several messages. Annoyed by the chatter, Lu Yibai immediately deleted him.
Lin Xingchen finished writing the English poem for Luo Qinge's card. However, Luo Qinge called to inform her that Fang Qi wasn't proficient in English and requested Lin Xingchen to add a Chinese translation to ensure he understood the "deep meaning" of the poem. Preoccupied with this task, Lin Xingchen neglected her own English homework.
The following morning, with prominent dark circles under her eyes, she desperately asked Lu Yibai to lend her his English homework to copy during morning study. Seeing her exhausted state, Lu Yibai, with a rare moment of softness, agreed. Lin Xingchen, pushing her luck, then asked him to also complete Zhang Haotian's assignment, emphasizing that she "couldn't go back on her word" after promising to do it.
Lu Yibai, though grumbling about her being demanding and likening Zhang Haotian to a "special needs child," ultimately helped her finish the extra homework. Luo Qinge reminded Lin Xingchen that the card needed to be ready by the end of the school day. During eye exercises, Cai Weiming shared a juicy piece of gossip with Lin Xingchen, Luo Qinge, and Chen Yimu: he had overheard teachers in the office severely reprimanding a male student from Class 10. The reason?
All of his homework assignments had been completed by other students, specifically girls from various classes. Lin Xingchen immediately suspected Zhang Haotian and hurried to the office to listen in. She found the Director scolding Zhang Haotian, expressing his astonishment at such a student in his decades of teaching. Zhang Haotian admitted that "maybe just a dozen or so" girls from other classes had helped him, claiming he didn't know their names. For this offense, the Director ordered him to write a 1,000-word self-reflection and publicly read it aloud to the entire school.
Episode 6 Recap
Zhang Haotian emerged from the office and saw Lin Xingchen waiting outside. He told her he got caught because his English exercises were all correct and his handwriting was too neat, which made it obvious he hadn't done them himself. He suspected Lin Xingchen had deliberately set him up and demanded compensation for his "emotional damages," suggesting she stay after school to clean the toilets, then saying he would think of something else.
Lin Xingchen immediately realized this happened because she had asked the class monitor for help that morning. Back in the classroom, Lin Xingchen told Lu Yibai about Zhang Haotian being caught. Lu Yibai pointed out that it was actually a good thing for her, as she no longer had to do Zhang Haotian's homework. Hearing this, Lin Xingchen cheered up.
During math class, Luo Qinge urgently asked Lin Xingchen for the greeting card she needed for Fang Qi, as she planned to give it to him after class. Lin Xingchen quickly translated the Chinese poem during class and discreetly passed the card to Luo Qinge, hidden in a notebook. Lu Yibai noticed their activity and quietly warned Lin Xingchen to be careful.
When Lin Xingchen explained she was helping Luo Qinge, Lu Yibai understood the card wasn't for Zhang Haotian, which improved his mood. However, the math teacher discovered them, confiscated the card, and began reading the romantic poem aloud, accusing Lin Xingchen of puppy love. Just as Lin Xingchen struggled to explain, Lu Yibai stood up and claimed the card was his, saying a girl from another class had given it to him as an English assignment.
The teacher, noting the absence of a signature and perhaps swayed by Lu Yibai’s reputation, returned the card to him and advised him to focus on his studies, letting the matter drop. Lin Xingchen felt a warmth in her heart and offered to repay him, but Lu Yibai simply suggested she "work hard instead." Luo Qinge delivered the birthday gift and the card to Fang Qi, hoping he would understand her feelings.
Fang Qi thanked her, surprised she remembered his birthday. Soon after, Ding Yi, whom Fang Qi admired, also arrived with a gift. While Fang Qi was distracted talking to Ding Yi, his deskmate accidentally knocked over a water bottle, spilling water on Luo Qinge’s card and smudging the writing. When Fang Qi returned and saw the blurred poem, he merely assumed it was song lyrics and didn't give it much thought.
Later, Luo Qinge was left wondering why Fang Qi hadn't responded, fearing he disliked her gift. The class teacher announced that the Spring Sports Meet would be held next week, with classes suspended for two days. Class One-Three was designated as the service class, responsible for duties such as maintaining order, hygiene, and score recording, with all non-participating students to follow the class monitor's instructions.
The teacher also proposed a creative entrance ceremony where each class would march, then perform an entrance dance in pairs in front of the main stage. Despite the students' reluctance, the teacher was determined and quickly organized rehearsals. During PE class, the sports teacher taught the entrance dance, instructing students to pair up boy-girl, with boys' hands on girls' waists and girls' hands on boys' shoulders. Lin Xingchen naturally partnered with Lu Yibai.
On the opening day of the sports meet, the pairs performed their dance in front of the main stage. Lin Xingchen accidentally stepped on Lu Yibai's shoe, causing her to lose balance and nearly fall, but Lu Yibai eye-catchingly pulled her back, allowing them to complete the performance without further incident. The long jump competition was highly anticipated, with both Zhang Haotian and Lu Yibai competing. Zhang Haotian jumped an impressive 5. 3 meters.
To encourage Lu Yibai, Lin Xingchen promised to write and read a "mind-blowing, heart-stirring" commendation essay for him over the school's PA system if he jumped farther. Shortly after, Lu Yibai jumped 5. 4 meters, securing first place. Since Lin Xingchen had other duties, she asked Luo Qinge to write the essay and deliver it to the broadcasting station. Later, a conflict erupted when girls from Class Four occupied Class Three's designated shady resting spot, moving their belongings.
Wu Jiayi confronted them, but the Class Four girls refused to move. Luo Qinge arrived to inquire about the commotion, and a boy from Class Four pushed her. Chen Yimu quickly intervened, grabbing the boy's collar. The Director immediately stepped in to break up the fight and summoned Teacher Yang. The Director severely criticized Teacher Yang, publicly reprimanding both Chen Yimu and the entire Class Three for creating a disturbance during the sports meet.
Afterward, Teacher Yang gathered Class Three and sternly admonished them for their disruptive behavior, warning of severe consequences for any future incidents. During the girls' relay race, Class Three and Class Four were assigned adjacent lanes. A Class Four girl intentionally bumped into Wu Jiayi, causing her to fall. Class Four then took the lead and won the race.
Afterward, the Class Four girl showed a dismissive attitude, claiming it was an accident due to a twisted ankle, and the judges on the sidelines did not clearly witness the foul. This incident infuriated the students of Class Three. Luo Qinge and Chen Yimu initially wanted to retaliate by confronting Class Four directly. However, Lu Yibai stepped in, proposing that they "rise where they fell" and seek revenge by outperforming Class Four in the overall sports meet results.
He pointed out that Class Three was currently in fourth place, only 8 points behind Class Four, who were in third. Since only the top three classes would receive awards and school-wide recognition, he encouraged everyone to sign up for the remaining events, as even a top ten finish would earn additional points. By surpassing Class Four's score, they could clinch third place and achieve their revenge. Motivated by this strategy, the students eagerly volunteered for the next day's events.
Lin Xingchen even signed up for the 1500-meter long-distance run, determined to contribute to the class's honor, despite Lu Yibai's quiet concern about her choice given the difficulty of earning points in such a demanding race. The class then rallied together, chanting their new slogan: "Class Three, Class Three, unmatched in strength! Strive for victory, crush Class Four!"
Episode 7 Recap
On the second day of the sports meet, Lu Yibai and Lin Xingchen escorted an injured Wu Jiayi to the medical room. On the way, a staff member reminded them not to cross the track. Inside, as a school nurse tended to Wu Jiayi's scraped knee, Wu Jiayi cried out in pain and grabbed Lu Yibai's hand, calling him "Yibai" affectionately. Lu Yibai immediately corrected her, asking to be called "Lu Yibai."
Wu Jiayi then requested him to walk her back to the classroom later. Feeling uncomfortable, Lin Xingchen quickly made an excuse about having duty and left. Lu Yibai also declined Wu Jiayi’s request, stating he also had duties, and followed Lin Xingchen out, leaving Wu Jiayi alone. Lin Xingchen privately expressed her discomfort with Wu Jiayi's overly affectionate behavior. While Lin Xingchen was resting in the stands, Zhang Haotian approached her with a bottle of soda.
As she reached for it, Lu Yibai arrived, took the soda, and returned it to Zhang Haotian, explaining that Lin Xingchen doesn’t drink carbonated beverages. He cited reasons such as artificial coloring, additives, and preservatives, and warned against the risks of bloating, thirst, weight gain, tooth decay, kidney stones, and osteoporosis. Lu Yibai then offered her his own mineral water.
To get rid of Zhang Haotian, Lu Yibai falsely claimed that Lin Xingchen's 1500-meter race was about to start and she needed to check in. Zhang Haotian, after wishing her luck, departed. Lin Xingchen soon realized the race was scheduled for the afternoon and confronted Lu Yibai, who simply reiterated his stance on carbonated drinks. Suddenly, an announcement began broadcasting a commendation essay for Lu Yibai, written by Luo Qinge under Lin Xingchen's name.
The essay contained highly exaggerated metaphors, likening Lu Yibai to a "spring, effortlessly launching himself five meters" and a "frog, leaping with arms outstretched, tracing a perfect parabola." Lu Yibai was visibly annoyed, questioning Luo Qinge if she was trying to get him into trouble, while Lin Xingchen found the situation amusing. Luo Qinge defended her writing, insisting the metaphors were vivid and suited his "noble demeanor."
Following Chen Yimu's third-place finish in shotput, Class Three remained five points behind Class Four. The only remaining opportunities to close the gap were the boys' 2000-meter and girls' 1500-meter races, requiring top-ten finishes. Lin Xingchen suddenly experienced severe abdominal pain, realizing she had gotten her period. Despite Luo Qinge's suggestion to withdraw, Lin Xingchen refused, determined to compete for her class's honor. Meanwhile, Ms. Yang and Class Four’s teacher had a heated exchange.
Class Four’s teacher admitted Bai Pinting's fault in the previous relay incident but also disparaged Class Three for fielding "weak and sick" athletes. Ms. Yang defended her class's unity and competitive spirit, and the two teachers exchanged competitive banter. Before the race, Lu Yibai noticed Lin Xingchen's discomfort and quietly asked if she was okay, though she brushed it off as pre-race nerves.
Zhang Haotian offered running tips, advising her to pace herself and never stop, while Lu Yibai countered by saying it was acceptable to walk if she couldn't run. As Lin Xingchen headed to the check-in area, Lu Yibai discreetly knelt to tie her loose shoelace. During the 1500-meter race, Lin Xingchen's abdominal pain intensified, and her classmates noticed her slowing down, with Luo Qinge exclaiming, "The Yellow River has flowed into the sea," indicating her period.
Realizing the severity of her condition from Luo Qinge, Lu Yibai ran alongside Lin Xingchen, urging her to stop, explaining that "persistence only makes sense when there's a chance of winning" and that she had already fallen a lap behind. However, Lin Xingchen, recalling Lu Yibai’s own words about "finishing what you started," declared she would "fight for honor." She pushed through the pain, ultimately securing second place.
This impressive feat allowed Class Three to surpass Class Four and clinch third place overall. Her classmates hailed her as "Lin Feiren" (Lin the Flying Person). Ms. Yang later congratulated her class for achieving third place and the highest participation rate in the school. Luo Qinge, observing Lu Yibai's attentive actions, remarked to Chen Yimu that Lu Yibai seemed to treat Lin Xingchen "a little differently," though Chen Yimu dismissed the idea.
That evening, at home, Lin Xingchen was being cared for by her grandmother, who gently chided her for not taking better care of her body. Lin Xingchen received a message from Lu Yibai, advising her to "drink more warm water, avoid cold and raw food," and to "not do this again in the future," a message that deeply moved her as she pondered if he was showing concern.
The next day, during English class, Ms. Yang expressed her frustration that students were still preoccupied with the sports meet, postponing a dictation and threatening harsh penalties for any failures. She then reminded them about the upcoming chemistry experiment class in the lab building. In chemistry class, the teacher introduced the concept of the flame test, explaining why fireworks are colorful. During the hands-on experiment, Lin Xingchen accidentally touched an alcohol lamp's flame, burning her finger.
Lu Yibai immediately reacted, rinsing her hand with water and then rushing to the medical room to get soothing ointment. When he applied the ointment, Lin Xingchen admitted it started to hurt, prompting a nearby classmate to tease them about holding hands, which Lu Yibai denied, claiming she had merely grabbed his pen.
Later, Ms. Yang announced two pieces of news: final exams would be postponed to the beginning of next month, and all first-year students would embark on a study trip and outing to Nanshan Observatory. Despite the requirement for a field report, the students were overjoyed at the prospect of the trip. The following weekend, the students embarked on their trip. On the cruise ship, while many students enjoyed themselves, Lu Yibai stood alone, gazing at the river view.
Lin Xingchen noticed him and tried to secretly take his picture, but Cai Weiming spotted her and loudly pointed it out. Lu Yibai took her phone, but instead of being angry, he unexpectedly switched to the front camera and took a selfie with her, much to Lin Xingchen's surprise. Ms. Yang then asked Luo Qinge, the arts representative, to organize a group sing-along, and the students enthusiastically sang "Stubborn."
Zhang Haotian approached, but upon seeing Lin Xingchen happily standing beside Lu Yibai, he turned and walked away. Later, during a mountain hike, Lin Xingchen, noticing Lu Yibai lagging, turned back to playfully tease him about his stamina. As she joked, she accidentally missed a step on the rugged path and began to fall backward.
Lu Yibai instinctively reached out to grab her, but in that critical moment, a distressing memory flashed through his mind: a similar scene where a little girl fell off a cliff, and he was unable to save her. This momentary lapse caused him to falter, and he lost his grip on Lin Xingchen.
Episode 8 Recap
As Lin Xingchen nearly tumbled down a slope, Zhang Haotian quickly rushed forward and pulled her back to safety. He then confronted Lu Yibai, who had stood frozen, expressing his strong displeasure. Lu Yibai simply offered a brief apology before turning and walking away. Lin Xingchen, trying to make sense of Lu Yibai's inaction, suggested he might have been stunned. Annoyed, Zhang Haotian pulled Lin Xingchen by the hand, insisting they leave.
Upon reaching the designated camping spot, everyone busied themselves setting up tents. Luo Qinge sprayed mosquito repellent, sharing some with Lin Xingchen, who had forgotten her own. As they settled in, Luo Qinge teased Lin Xingchen about arriving with Zhang Haotian and pointed out that Lu Yibai's face looked "green with jealousy." Lin Xingchen dismissed the comment, explaining it was a chance encounter, and headed off to a river to wash vegetables, still pondering Lu Yibai's strange behavior earlier.
When Lin Xingchen didn't return for a while, Luo Qinge voiced concerns to Teacher Yang, jokingly suggesting that there might be wild wolves in the mountains, a remark Chen Yimu corroborated. Hearing this, Teacher Yang asked Lu Yibai to go check on her. Lu Yibai found Lin Xingchen lying on the ground, having fallen asleep while sunbathing.
He gently woke her up and apologized again for failing to catch her earlier, but Lin Xingchen reassured him that she wasn't bothered and instead inquired if he was alright. Lu Yibai affirmed he was fine. Meanwhile, back at the camp, Luo Qinge accidentally cut her hand while chopping meat. Chen Yimu quickly rushed to her aid, bandaging her hand skillfully before taking over the chopping.
He proudly declared his culinary abilities, having been the cook at home, and was praised by their classmates. However, Luo Qinge insisted they were just "buddies who grew up fighting" and "mortal enemies." Lu Yibai then led Lin Xingchen to a small river, demonstrating how to find water sources by observing plant roots and listening for running water, though Lin Xingchen humorously pointed out a signpost indicating the river's location.
As they washed vegetables, Lin Xingchen, in her haste to retrieve a dropped lettuce, slipped, twisted her ankle, and got soaked. Lu Yibai sternly scolded her for her carelessness, emphasizing the potential danger and the impact on her family. After she apologized, he immediately offered her his jacket to prevent her from catching a cold.
He continued to playfully scold her for her string of mishaps while carrying her on his back to the campsite, where Teacher Yang instructed Luo Qinge to look after her. Luo Qinge couldn't help but jokingly ask if Lin Xingchen was using a "sympathy card" to get attention.
Back at camp, Lu Yibai handed Lin Xingchen a cup of herbal tea, Banlangen, explaining it was to prevent a cold due to her wet clothes, rather than the cola everyone else was drinking. Chen Yimu took charge of the barbecue, expertly grilling skewers and earning compliments from Teacher Yang.
The teacher remarked that if Chen Yimu applied half his intelligence to his studies, he would excel, to which Chen Yimu humorously replied he might just open a barbecue stand if he didn't get into college. Later, everyone gathered for a lively group photo. Following the meal, some students went to the nearby swimming pool. Chen Yimu, a strong swimmer, offered to teach Lin Xue to swim, which made Luo Qinge feel a sudden pang of jealousy.
Lu Yibai and Lin Xingchen, however, stayed on a bench nearby, as Lin Xingchen couldn't swim and was still recovering from her ankle sprain. As night fell, students couldn't sleep and gathered to chat. The girls debated who the most attractive guy in school was, with Lu Yibai being a clear favorite. Lin Xingchen, however, expressed a preference for someone more "real" and less "perfect."
The boys soon joined, and they decided to play Truth or Dare, which included Chen Yimu comically barking like a dog. When Lin Xingchen started coughing from the chill, Lu Yibai quietly draped his jacket over her again. Teacher Yang then interrupted, distributing observation reports and instructing everyone to find the best spot for stargazing. On their way to the observation point, Lin Xingchen and Luo Qinge went to the restroom.
Lin Xingchen subsequently got lost and found herself unable to get a phone signal. Lu Yibai, realizing she was missing, went back to search for her. Meanwhile, Zhang Haotian, having left his noisy roommates, deliberately scared Lin Xingchen with a flashlight, causing her to scream. Lu Yibai rushed over upon hearing the scream and found her with Zhang Haotian, giving her a stern look and urging her to hurry.
Lin Xingchen then invited Zhang Haotian to join them, and he agreed. As they walked, their flashlights died. Lin Xingchen, admitting her fear of the dark, was gently told by Lu Yibai to hold his hand. After rejoining the group at the observation point, Chen Yimu began telling a spooky ghost story, frightening Lin Xingchen. Lu Yibai, noticing her fear, subtly reached back and held her hand, comforting her.
As they observed the stars, Lin Xingchen reflected on how small and forgotten each star seemed in the vast universe, likening them to humans. Lu Yibai countered that every existence holds meaning as long as someone remembers and cares. When Lin Xingchen asked if he had someone he cared about, he pointed to the sky, then subtly at her, indicating his unspoken affection. Just then, a meteor shower streaked across the sky, and everyone eagerly made wishes.
Lin Xingchen secretly wished for the happiness of both those she loved and those who loved her. Later that night, back at the camp, Lin Xingchen watched an open-air movie. Lu Yibai joined her, bringing her water, and their hands brushed as he offered it, creating a sweet moment of unspoken understanding between them.
Episode 9 Recap
As the semester drew to a close, students finished their final exams, and the upcoming transition to 11th grade brought the crucial decision of choosing between arts and sciences. Luo Qinge quickly decided on sciences, citing the lighter homework load compared to the extensive copying required for arts. Lin Xingchen, however, found herself torn; she excelled in Chinese and English but struggled with humanities memorization, yet she enjoyed chemistry.
Luo Qinge tried to sway her toward sciences by mentioning her college cousin's arts program, which suffered from a severely imbalanced gender ratio and a lack of eligible male students, urging Lin Xingchen to consider her long-term prospects. Lin Xue then handed Lin Xingchen a performance analysis form from Teacher Yang, explaining that the school required each class to have five arts students, a quota their class hadn't met.
Luo Qinge joked about Lin Xingchen potentially being "kicked out" by Teacher Yang Lihua and advised her to "play the loyalty card." Upon reviewing the form, Lin Xingchen confirmed Luo Qinge's initial guess; based on her current grades, choosing arts offered a higher probability of getting into a top university. Her friends encouraged her to follow her heart, reminding her that the choice was voluntary.
Lin Xingchen then sought Lu Yibai's opinion, and he pragmatically agreed that, "theoretically speaking," arts was the logical choice. Later, Lin Xingchen sat alone, feeling despondent. Lu Yibai approached her, revealing he had recalculated her chances. He explained that while Teacher Yang's prediction was accurate based on past performance—which showed her probability for arts was indeed 20% higher—it overlooked a crucial "variable"—Lu Yibai himself, the top student in the entire grade, sitting right next to her.
He suggested that her past low scores were due to a lack of effort, not ability. Lin Xingchen expressed doubts, saying not everyone was a "genius" like him, but Lu Yibai countered that "geniuses" are often just lazy people making excuses; the true difference lies in persistent effort. Inspired by his words, Lin Xingchen declared her decision to stay in the science class, vowing to rank in the top twenty next semester.
She asked if his tutoring would be free, and as rain began to fall, Lu Yibai agreed, adding that she would need to "follow my instructions completely" as "compensation." Lin Xingchen eagerly accepted, and Lu Yibai assured her that with his help, she wouldn't need to worry about getting into Tsinghua or Peking University. Luo Qinge later expressed her happiness that "the organization" hadn't abandoned Lin Xingchen.
Lu Yibai wasted no time in creating a detailed study plan for Lin Xingchen. He gave her an egg for "brain food," though she suspected he just didn't want it. He explained that he would dedicate a concentrated block of time each week for tutoring, assigning extra homework, especially in her weak subject of math. He stressed that all assignments, including regular schoolwork, must be completed within an hour, insisting she could do it if she applied herself seriously.
In biology class, the teacher introduced soilless cultivation, instructing students to grow hydroponic lettuce. Lin Xingchen, eager to try, accidentally added too much water, causing her lettuce roots to rot. Lu Yibai, observing, explained the issue was a lack of oxygen and provided a solution that revived her plant. When the teacher announced that successful plants could be taken home and their roots could continuously regrow, Lin Xingchen confirmed her intention to eat her lettuce.
She even offered Lu Yibai a taste of her harvest, but he declined. She then asked for his portion, which he eventually gave her, with the condition that she leave the roots so he could replant them. For their last Chinese essay before the holidays, the teacher assigned the topic, "The Most Unforgettable Person," a narrative essay meant to express genuine feelings. Many students grumbled that it was an overused topic and that the simplest ones were often the hardest.
During this announcement, Lu Yibai appeared deeply lost in thought. Later that evening, after tutoring Lin Xingchen until late, Lu Yibai insisted on walking her home to ensure her safety. Once she was safely inside, Lin Xingchen called him to thank him for the tutoring and for escorting her, reminding him to be careful on his way back and to text her when he arrived. Still standing downstairs, Lu Yibai smiled to himself, a rare sight.
Back home, Lu Yibai struggled to write his essay. He eventually went to bed but was tormented by a vivid nightmare. He dreamt of a childhood memory where he and his younger sister, Yaoyao, were picking oranges. His sister accidentally lost her footing and fell from a meter-high ledge, covered in blood, and he couldn't reach her. The terrifying dream jolted him awake.
He then retrieved a small box containing candy and origami stars, remembering his sister's birthday when his parents gave her gifts, and he, after initially refusing, had surprised her with a jar full of folded paper stars. Tears welled up as he held the box, and he began to fold an origami star from a candy wrapper.
The next day in class, the teacher expressed her dissatisfaction with many of the submitted essays, noting that several, like Chen Yimu's, were clearly plagiarized. Chen Yimu's story about slipping on an icy road in "the Northeast" where his "grandma" called him "Da Ming" was quickly exposed by the teacher, who questioned the presence of icy roads in their southern region and the unusual nickname.
Despite Chen Yimu's insistence about his Northeast grandmother and his nickname, the teacher warned him against such superficial work. She then praised Lu Yibai's essay as "deeply moving" and asked him to read it aloud. However, Lu Yibai politely declined, stating he didn't feel like sharing it, and the teacher respected his privacy. Lin Xingchen remained intensely curious about who he had written about.
As the teacher announced that summer break would begin the following day, reminding everyone to prioritize safety and continue studying, she commented on the class's disorganization. During the subsequent classroom cleanup, Lin Xingchen, while distributing homework, was tempted to peek at Lu Yibai's essay but ultimately decided against invading his privacy, though her curiosity lingered. When Lin Xingchen was tasked with hanging a new slogan for the class, and complained about the height, Lu Yibai offered to do it himself.
As he stood on the desk to paste the characters, he looked down at Lin Xingchen. In a momentary lapse, her face blurred, and he saw his sister, Yaoyao, causing him to become disoriented and almost fall. Lin Xingchen quickly pulled him down, assuming he suffered from acrophobia, which he admitted was "a little bit" true.
She then took over the task, and as she climbed onto the desk, Lu Yibai thoughtfully steadied her ankle, a gesture that drew glances from other female students but deepened Lin Xingchen's trust and reliance on him. The new slogan read: "Overcome your limits."
Episode 10 Recap
Basketball team practice concluded early for summer break, and the players playfully teased their captain, Fang Qi, about rushing off for a date. Fang Qi quickly departed, leaving Chen Yimu to collect the basketballs. He met Ding Yi, wishing her a happy birthday and presenting her with a gift, and they walked off together to decide where to eat. Meanwhile, Luo Qinge arrived at the gym, looking for Fang Qi.
Chen Yimu informed her that Fang Qi had left early for a date, citing the other teammates' teasing, but Luo Qinge dismissed it. During their conversation, Luo Qinge spotted a unique bracelet on Chen Yimu's wrist, crafted from a tooth. She instantly recognized it as her own baby tooth that Chen Yimu had knocked out when they were children.
Disgusted, she attempted to throw it away, but Chen Yimu retrieved it, proudly calling it his "childhood trophy," leading to a playful argument between them. Luo Qinge, however, still couldn't shake off the suspicion that Fang Qi might indeed be dating someone. Later, Lu Yibai's mother, while doing laundry, discovered candy, folded paper stars, and his late sister Yao Yao's diary hidden in his wardrobe. Distraught, she confided in her husband that Lu Yibai clearly hadn't processed his grief.
That evening at dinner, his parents gently inquired if he was still plagued by nightmares. Lu Yibai downplayed his feelings, claiming the nightmares were less frequent and that he had folded the stars out of boredom. He then stated he had lost his appetite. His mother pressed further, asking if he still blamed himself for Yao Yao's passing.
She tried to reassure him, explaining that Yao Yao had been born with congenital myocardial ischemia and would likely have required surgery and potentially passed away regardless of the accident. She emphasized that dwelling on the past would not bring him happiness. Lu Yibai dismissed her concerns, insisting she was "overthinking it," and that he was "quite happy," only looking at the diary when he occasionally thought of Yao Yao.
He added that he merely wished they would remember her birthday, before retreating to his room. Chen Yimu also faced his father's anger over his dismal final exam grades, which placed him at the bottom of his class. His father, frustrated, ordered him to quit the school basketball team next semester. Chen Yimu, who aspired to be a professional athlete, argued that his academic performance was secondary to his passion.
Their argument escalated, with his father accusing him of trying to "drive me crazy" and questioning if he wanted to end up like him, working odd jobs in old age. Chen Yimu defiantly stated he would choose his own path. Enraged, his father slapped him and yelled for him to "get out." Chen Yimu, equally furious, grabbed his belongings and stormed out of the house. Soon after, Luo Qinge found herself in a similar predicament with her own parents.
While searching for her report card, her father had discovered personal writings about Fang Qi in her drawer and immediately accused her of being in an early romance. Luo Qinge vehemently denied it, arguing that her parents had no right to invade her privacy and that her father shouldn't yell at or attempt to hit her. Feeling wronged and hurt when her father nearly struck her, Luo Qinge fled the house, declaring she was running away from home.
Outside, she encountered Chen Yimu, who was still upset from his own family dispute. Seeing her crying, he teased her before she vented her frustrations. To her annoyance, he even agreed with her father's perspective. Later, Luo Qinge's father called Chen Yimu, who reassured him that Luo Qinge was safe. He proposed that Luo Qinge stay at his house for the night to calm down, and he would bring her back the next day to apologize.
Despite Luo Qinge's protest about apologizing, Chen Yimu insisted, jokingly telling her she was fortunate to be a girl, or her father would have "given her a solid beating." Luo Qinge's parents, after a brief discussion about the sleeping arrangements, agreed to the plan, with her father humorously suggesting she sleep on the floor at Chen Yimu's to reflect on her actions. Meanwhile, Lu Yibai discovered Lin Xingchen's composition book among his own.
He opened it and read her essay, titled "The Person I'll Never Forget," which poignantly described someone she had never seen, but could no longer see, and who had "lit up my entire world." This immediately triggered fragmented memories of his sister Yao Yao, who had once spoken of a hospital friend named "Xingxing." Lu Yibai promptly texted Lin Xingchen, asking to meet.
When they met, Lin Xingchen, sensing Lu Yibai's unusual state, led him to her "secret base"—a tranquil rooftop garden adorned with vegetables grown by her grandmother. She pointed out a comfortable rocking chair where she often studied and shared her deep affection for the moon and stars, which she believed shone as brightly as her name.
She explained that this serene spot was where she came to gaze at the stars and feel the breeze, allowing all her worries to dissipate. She then pressed him about the unforgettable person in his essay. When he hesitated to reveal it, she playfully called him "stingy" and proposed they exchange secrets for fairness. Lin Xingchen then revealed her profound secret: she had been blind before elementary school, a condition that had caused tension within her family.
Her life changed when she met a girl named Yao Yao in the hospital, who shared her love for stars. Yao Yao, despite battling a severe illness, vividly described the colors and beauty of the twinkling stars, urging Lin Xingchen to look at them if she ever regained her sight. Tragically, Yao Yao succumbed to her illness, but not before donating her corneas, which Lin Xingchen received, enabling her to see the world.
Lin Xingchen explained that now, whenever she gazes at the stars, she does so "for her too," missing the "her in the sky." Lu Yibai was visibly moved by her story. He then asked for the girl's name, and Lin Xingchen replied that she only knew her nickname, "Yaoyao." Overwhelmed, Lu Yibai's gaze fell upon a lucky stone necklace around Lin Xingchen's neck.
She explained it was a gift from a "little brother" she met at the hospital, a gift she had cherished and worn ever since. A vivid flashback confirmed Lu Yibai was that "little brother," giving the necklace to the young girl he knew as 'Xingxing' (who was, in fact, Lin Xingchen) and telling her to "treasure it and live happily." The realization dawned on him that this series of encounters was truly "destined."
Lin Xingchen then reminded him to take good care of the necklace and to uphold his part of their secret-sharing agreement. Fulfilling his promise, Lu Yibai then revealed his secret: he suffered from an "incurable illness" called hysteria, experiencing dizziness and a sense of weakness whenever someone reached out to him from below, a psychological condition attributed to anxiety. Lin Xingchen realized this explained his previous fainting spells, and he apologized for having lied about it being acrophobia.
She accepted his apology, declaring them "even." When Lin Xingchen inquired about the cause of his hysteria, Lu Yibai disclosed it stemmed from his younger sister, Yao Yao, who had congenital heart disease. He recounted a childhood incident where he took her out to play, and she fell from a height, which tragically worsened her heart condition and led to a failed surgery.
He also shared entries from Yao Yao's diary, where she expressed her fear of the upcoming surgery but her determination to appear brave for her family, asking him to care for her toys and be a good child if she were gone, wishing to stay with them forever.
Lu Yibai confessed that the unforgettable person in his essay was indeed his sister, and he viewed her death as an "unforgettable mistake" he couldn't forgive, believing it was his fault for taking her out that day. Lin Xingchen tried to comfort him, telling him his assumption was illogical, but he insisted it was "the truth." She then expressed understanding for his distant demeanor, though he denied being unhappy, claiming he simply found crowds "too noisy."
Lin Xingchen, seeing through his pretense, called him a "liar" who "always pretends to be strong," to which Lu Yibai quietly mused that "maybe, somewhere deep down, I'm just not meant to be happy." He then revealed it was Yao Yao's birthday, and her favorite treat was cherry cake. Lin Xingchen brightened, exclaiming that cherry cake was her favorite too, as her mother always bought her one for her birthday when she was little.
Lu Yibai almost revealed the direct connection between Lin Xingchen and Yao Yao but decided against it. Instead, Lin Xingchen impulsively told him to wait, then rushed off, successfully returning with a cherry cake from a shop that was still open. She encouraged him to make a wish, emphasizing that since he couldn't forget, he should "remember it well" and only cherish "the most beautiful memories," as that was "the best way to honor them."
She added that as Yao Yao's brother, he should "live even better," just as she, having received Yao Yao's eyes, carries her wishes and strives to live happily every day. Lu Yibai silently made a wish for Yao Yao, affirming his eternal love for her, and then expressed his gratitude to Lin Xingchen.
Episode 11 Recap
The summer break quickly came to an end, and students at Yiling High School advanced to their second year. Following the split into liberal arts and science classes, a few new students transferred to Class 3. On the first day of school, as the teacher introduced the newcomers, Zhang Haotian walked in late. His reputation as the founder of the "Homework Copying Squad" was well-known throughout the school, sparking curiosity among his new classmates.
He took a seat in the row behind Lin Xingchen, to her right-rear. During class, Lin Xingchen was playfully teased by Chen Yimu about gaining weight, a claim she denied. Lu Yibai also commented on her appearance, but she insisted she had managed her weight during the break. After class, Luo Qinge and Lin Xingchen encountered Zhang Haotian in the hallway. He expressed his surprise at being placed in their class, noting the low probability, and suggested it was fate.
He offered Lin Xingchen the latest issue of Naruto manga. Lin Xingchen, wary of his past requests for homework help, initially hesitated but accepted when he assured her he would do his own assignments, acknowledging their teacher's strictness. Luo Qinge questioned if he had pulled strings to transfer, suspecting he was pursuing Lin Xingchen. Lin Xingchen then formally introduced Luo Qinge, whom she affectionately called "Qingege," and their class monitor, Lu Yibai.
Zhang Haotian revealed he knew Lu Yibai's online username, "L1B," much to Lin Xingchen's surprise, though Lu Yibai appeared unimpressed. Chen Yimu then approached, aggressively asking Zhang Haotian's identity, but quickly changed his demeanor to friendliness upon learning Zhang Haotian was Lin Xingchen's friend. Zhang Haotian continued to bring manga for Lin Xingchen. She mentioned enjoying "Wulong Courtyard" and its humorous stories, prompting him to offer his entire collection. She opted for two books a week.
Noticing her immersion in the comics, Lu Yibai reminded her of her previous semester's pledge to rank in the top ten of the class. When she claimed manga helped her de-stress, he confiscated the books, replacing them with exercise workbooks and assigning a Unit 3 quiz, instructing her not to go home until it was completed. He asserted his authority as her tutor to remove any distractions.
Despite his strictness, Lin Xingchen defiantly mumbled her ambition to become the "Hokage," a reference to the Naruto series, showcasing her spirited resistance. While shopping after school, Lin Xingchen and Luo Qinge came across someone selling chicks and bought two for ten yuan, one male and one female. Luo Qinge couldn't keep them at home as her mother disliked furry animals. Lin Xingchen then offered to keep both at her home, but worried she wouldn't see them enough.
They decided to bring the chicks to school, hoping to keep them discreetly in their desk drawers. Zhang Haotian, seeing their predicament, offered to make a cozy cardboard box nest for the chicks, much to the envy of other female students, who also requested his help. During math class, the inevitable happened: Lin Xue's chick chirped loudly, attracting the teacher's attention.
The chick was confiscated, Lin Xue was made to stand, and the head teacher was informed, leading to a warning that any other pets in school must be removed. Worried, Lin Xingchen and Luo Qinge accepted Zhang Haotian’s offer to house the chicks in his private warehouse, located conveniently near the school's back gate. Lu Yibai observed their "unprofessional" behavior with clear disapproval. Later, during eye exercises, Lin Xingchen's chick unexpectedly fell from her desk drawer.
Lu Yibai quickly recoiled, visibly nervous, and insisted she remove the chick immediately. Puzzled by his fear of such a small animal, Lin Xingchen and Luo Qinge then secretly followed Zhang Haotian to his warehouse. He proudly called it his "treasures" vault, revealing a spacious area filled with various car repair tools—a personal hobby of his. They placed the chicks in a tall wooden box.
Lin Xingchen poured water, accidentally soaking one chick's head, which concerned Zhang Haotian, but she assured him it would dry quickly. They agreed the chicks would be safe there, with Zhang Haotian promising to keep the door locked. Back in class, Chen Yimu overheard their discussion about the warehouse and wanted to join them, but Luo Qinge declined.
Later, Chen Yimu complained to Lu Yibai that since Zhang Haotian's arrival, Lin Xingchen and Luo Qinge had been spending less time with them. Lu Yibai then invited Chen Yimu to play video games. Lu Yibai and Chen Yimu headed to a mobile gaming lounge. Chen Yimu was astonished by Lu Yibai's exceptional gaming skills, realizing he was the famous "L1B."
Their gaming session was interrupted by a group of small-time thugs who aggressively claimed the computers were reserved for their boss and demanded Lu Yibai and Chen Yimu leave. As the situation escalated, Zhang Haotian suddenly appeared, intervening on their behalf. He calmly pointed out the presence of security cameras and a nearby police station. When the thugs’ leader demanded his name, Zhang Haotian boldly declared himself as "Zhang Haotian from Class 3, Grade 2, Yiling High School."
Chen Yimu chastised him for revealing personal information, but Zhang Haotian brushed it off, stating the thugs were insignificant. As a member of the lounge, Zhang Haotian challenged Lu Yibai to a game. Despite Lu Yibai's reputation, Zhang Haotian ultimately lost. Declining a rematch, Zhang Haotian said he needed to go home and finish his homework, while Chen Yimu boasted about Lu Yibai's all-around excellence.
Lin Xingchen, with help from her Grandma, prepared a soft cotton pad for the chicks, explaining that chicks are delicate and need warmth to prevent illness. She also crushed and steamed millet for their food, ensuring it was digestible. Playfully, she referred to Zhang Haotian as "Chicken dad." Zhang Haotian, in turn, gave Lin Xingchen and Luo Qinge spare keys to the warehouse, suggesting they could feed the chicks together during lunch.
Lu Yibai noticed Lin Xingchen's new fascination, contrasting it with her recent manga obsession. Lin Xingchen, curious about his evident dislike for chicks, directly asked him why. Lu Yibai finally confessed he was allergic to "animals with sharp beaks," making Lin Xingchen realize his aversion extended to many common birds like ducklings and pigeons. During lunch break, upon arriving at the warehouse to feed the chicks, Lin Xingchen and Luo Qinge discovered one was missing.
Panicked, they searched frantically around the vicinity. Lin Xingchen quickly called Zhang Haotian, who promised to come and help with the search. Meanwhile, the lost chick was found by Lu Yibai outside a bookstore. He promptly called Lin Xingchen to inform her and held the chick until she arrived. Seeing Lu Yibai’s hand red and swollen from the allergic reaction, Lin Xingchen felt a pang of concern and offered to buy him medicine, which he politely declined.
She thanked him for rescuing the chick but expressed her doubts about the warehouse's safety for their pets, suggesting they discuss a new plan. After her reunion with the chick, Lin Xingchen affectionately scolded it for wandering off, threatening (playfully) to disown it if it happened again. She then decided to rename the chick "Little Yellow Duck." Later, Lin Xingchen gave Lu Yibai an allergy ointment for his hand.
She politely asked if he wanted to join them after school to relocate the chicks, as they had decided to keep them at her home instead of the warehouse. Lu Yibai declined, citing a physics class and his allergy, which Lin Xingchen acknowledged. Unbeknownst to them, the small-time thugs who had confronted Lu Yibai and Chen Yimu at the gaming lounge had traced Zhang Haotian to his repair warehouse. They forcibly broke the lock, intending to ambush him there.
Episode 12 Recap
Lin Xingchen and Luo Qinge had planned to visit their chicks at Zhang Haotian's warehouse. Since Lin Xingchen had school duty, Zhang Haotian decided to play basketball and arranged to meet them there at 8 PM. Meanwhile, the small-time thugs, already in ambush inside the warehouse, were growing restless. As darkness fell and 8 PM approached with no sign of Zhang Haotian, they sent one of their members to Yiling High School to gather information.
The thug at the school encountered Lu Yibai, who was still there after a physics make-up class. He delivered a blunt message, warning that "Brother Liang" was waiting for Zhang Haotian at their usual spot—the warehouse—and threatened to destroy all of Zhang Haotian's treasured bike repair tools if he failed to appear. Realizing the gravity of the situation and the danger at the warehouse, Lu Yibai quickly pulled Chen Yimu, who had just approached him, and rushed towards the location.
Unaware of the lurking danger, Lin Xingchen and Luo Qinge arrived at the warehouse door. Seeing that Zhang Haotian hadn't arrived, they decided to go inside, using their key. The moment they stepped in, the thugs seized them. Shortly after, Zhang Haotian, Lu Yibai, and Chen Yimu arrived. Upon witnessing the scene, a chaotic fight broke out. Lu Yibai shielded the two girls, but Zhang Haotian was ambushed from behind and struck on the back of his head.
Following the brawl, the five students took Zhang Haotian to the emergency room. Zhang Haotian insisted his injury was minor. However, the attending doctor was suddenly called away for an urgent heart attack surgery. He quickly left a topical medicine and instructed Lu Yibai to apply it to Zhang Haotian. As the group prepared to leave the hospital, they almost ran into the school Director.
Thinking on his feet, Chen Yimu quickly stepped forward to intercept him, claiming he was at the hospital to pick up sleeping pills because he couldn't sleep. The Director, however, was immediately suspicious upon noticing Chen Yimu's injured arm and neck. When Chen Yimu tried to cover up by saying his cat had scratched him, the Director warned him that they would "settle this tomorrow" and sent him home.
The next morning, the Director addressed Class 3, announcing that students from their school had been seen fighting in a group off-campus, with Chen Yimu identified as one of the instigators. He demanded that any other participants come forward. Chen Yimu, intending to protect his friends, stood up and claimed he was the only one involved, stating that the others were students from different classes.
However, Lin Xingchen, Luo Qinge, and Zhang Haotian, unwilling to let Chen Yimu take the fall alone, joined Lu Yibai in the Director's office. Lu Yibai confessed their collective involvement, which prompted the Director to reprimand him severely for setting a poor example as a class leader and model student. Lu Yibai explained that they had intervened because the thugs were bullying the girls, and Zhang Haotian confirmed he had been hit.
Understanding their reasons, the Director decided against expulsion but punished all five by making them clean the gymnasium, sports field, restrooms, and all other public areas after school. He also instructed Lu Yibai to accompany him to the local police station to file an official report during recess. This shared ordeal fostered a strong bond of friendship among the five students. That evening, at home, Lu Yibai treated a minor scratch he sustained during the fight.
His father casually mentioned that a colleague had seen Lu Yibai and the Director at the police station filing a report. Lu Yibai downplayed it as "just a fight," but his mother became distraught, expressing deep worry about his safety, especially in confrontations with "people in society." She feared for his well-being, but Lu Yibai's father tried to reassure her, saying their son was mature and knew what he was doing.
Eventually, Lu Yibai apologized and promised his mother he would not cause her such worry again. Meanwhile, the Director had contacted the parents of Lin Xingchen and Luo Qinge by phone. Chen Yimu, however, faced the most severe consequence as his father was summoned directly to the school. Chen's father, "Old Chen," was furious and began scolding his son loudly in the school hallway.
Observing the tense situation, Lu Yibai stepped forward and addressed Chen's father, explaining that as Chen Yimu's class monitor, he was the one who had pulled Chen Yimu into helping with the fight. Lu Yibai apologized on behalf of both of them, which seemed to ease Chen's father's anger. After investigating, the Director discovered that the small-time thugs were students from Anji Technical University, class of 2006.
Coincidentally, the Director himself was a graduate from Anji Technical University, class of 1986. He confronted the thugs, asserting his authority as their "senior." He sternly warned them against ever bothering students from Yiling High School again, threatening to have them all sent to jail if they did. The gang leader, feeling his hand nearly crushed by the Director's firm grip, was clearly intimidated and quickly agreed before hurrying away with his companions.
The Director later mused that putting on such a tough act was quite tiring. During a self-study session, Zhang Haotian tried to coax Lin Xingchen into playing Tic-Tac-Toe. Lu Yibai, finding their chatter disruptive, snatched their paper, crumpled it, and then presented a Gomoku board, challenging Lin Xingchen to play. Lin Xingchen, new to Gomoku, quickly lost several rounds but became completely absorbed in the game. As she was deeply engrossed, the Director walked by on his usual patrol.
Lu Yibai noticed him but intentionally did not warn Lin Xingchen. Consequently, the Director discovered them playing, confiscated the board, and assigned Lin Xingchen detention after school. Left alone for detention, Lin Xingchen felt abandoned by her friends. She tried to make the best of it, dancing on a desk and singing the Naruto theme song. Lu Yibai, who had just finished his physics class, walked by and watched her, captivated.
However, when she stumbled and fell off the desk, he rushed into the classroom to help her up. As they walked home together, Lin Xingchen enthusiastically discussed her favorite Naruto characters, especially Naruto, for his unyielding spirit despite starting as a weakling. She then questioned Lu Yibai why he hadn't warned her about the Director earlier.
Lu Yibai cryptically replied that he had physics class, leaving Lin Xingchen none the wiser that he had deliberately let her get detention so they could walk home together after his class.
Episode 13 Recap
The classroom plunged into darkness when the lights suddenly malfunctioned. Lin Xingchen asked the class leader, Lu Yibai, why it was so dark, and he replied that someone would come to fix the broken lights. When the teacher tried to switch them on, the light tubes exploded, startling everyone. Lin Xingchen, scared, instinctively hid in Lu Yibai's arms, accidentally pulling off a button from his school uniform.
Lu Yibai, in turn, protectively shielded her, then shyly turned and went out to find a repairman. Lin Xingchen felt a little sweet because of this. The teacher quickly instructed someone to turn off the circuit breaker and sent Lu Yibai to call a repairman. Meanwhile, Lin Xue sustained an injury, prompting the teacher to send her to the medical room. Lin Xingchen, still holding Lu Yibai's button, carefully placed it in her pencil case.
Later that evening, Lu Yibai's mother noticed the missing button on his uniform and replaced his uniform with a new one. At the same time, Yang Ruoying called Lu Yibai, announcing her return from abroad. The next morning, Lin Xingchen, feeling cheerful, wore a pink hairpin. However, her mood shifted when she overheard classmates discussing Yang Ruoying's return and learned that the teacher had called Lu Yibai out of class early.
Cai Weiming further fueled her concern by stating that Lu Yibai and Yang Ruoying were guiding visiting teachers and students around the campus. Lin Xingchen, filled with curiosity and a touch of jealousy, pulled Luo Qinge along to discreetly observe them. She pressed Luo Qinge about the nature of Lu Yibai and Yang Ruoying's relationship, but Luo Qinge insisted they merely shared a competitive dynamic as the first and second-ranked students in their grade.
During lunch, Yang Ruoying joined Lu Yibai and the exchange students, including Jenny, at a table. Jenny openly asked Lu Yibai if he and Yang Ruoying were a couple, causing him visible embarrassment. Lin Xingchen, observing silently from a distance, felt increasingly conflicted. In the afternoon, Yang Ruoying officially rejoined the class, immediately taking Lin Xingchen's seat next to Lu Yibai.
She presented him with a gift: advanced VIP exam review materials, suggesting they would be highly beneficial if he aimed for Oxford's Medical School. Lu Yibai accepted the gift with a relaxed demeanor. Lin Xingchen, sensing an opportunity, asked him about his relationship with Yang Ruoying. He revealed that they had been classmates since middle school and were also neighbors, which only deepened Lin Xingchen's unease.
After school, Yang Ruoying invited Lu Yibai to attend an English tutoring class together, and he agreed. As they walked home, Yang Ruoying thanked him for giving her the opportunity to participate in the exchange program. Lu Yibai simply dismissed it, attributing her success to her own hard work, though he acknowledged that her English speaking skills had likely surpassed his own.
Upon returning home, Lu Yibai's mother mentioned that Yang Ruoying's family, their neighbors, had invited them to a family dinner over the weekend. Lu Yibai, however, politely declined, citing his heavy workload. Lin Xingchen found herself deeply affected by these events. The image of the "cold and distant" class leader she held in her mind seemed to crumble, and she grappled with feelings of jealousy.
That night, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep, and struggled to wake up the following morning. Arriving at school, she once again saw Yang Ruoying discussing academic problems with Lu Yibai. Lin Xingchen had intended to return the button she had accidentally pulled off his uniform, but seeing him in a new uniform with all his buttons intact, and learning he had discarded the old one, left her feeling even more dejected.
When she tried to ask about their discussion, Lu Yibai simply told her it wasn't relevant to her exams and she didn't need to know about complex theorems like the Chinese Remainder Theorem or Euler's Theorem. During PE class, the teacher demonstrated badminton serving techniques, including forehand high serves and backhand serves. Zhang Haotian enthusiastically guided Lin Xue through the moves, while Lu Yibai, as usual, instructed Lin Xingchen.
Later, during eye exercises, Lu Yibai, who was on blackboard duty, noticed Lin Xingchen's incorrect hand position and gently corrected her by placing her hand in the right spot, instantly brightening her mood. However, feeling exhausted from lack of sleep, Lin Xingchen dozed off during math class. The teacher caught her and called her out for her poor homework performance, then singled her and Yang Ruoying out to solve a problem on the blackboard.
Lin Xingchen was unable to solve it and was publicly chastised by the teacher, who contrasted her lack of progress with Yang Ruoying's ability to keep up despite having missed a semester abroad. After class, the math teacher summoned Lin Xingchen to the office, advising her to seek help from the excellent student sitting beside her. This incident made Lin Xingchen keenly aware of the academic gap between herself and high-achievers like Lu Yibai and Yang Ruoying.
Yet, being inherently optimistic, she maintained her self-belief. To cheer her up, Luo Qinge took her shopping, where Lin Xingchen bought a new dress and got a new hairstyle. Returning home excitedly, Lin Xingchen found her Grandma on the phone with her mother, who hadn't visited in two years. Unwilling to speak to her mother, Lin Xingchen awkwardly excused herself, claiming a stomachache, and retreated to the bathroom until her Grandma finished the call. Grandma, understanding Lin Xingchen's feelings, urged her daughter to return home soon during their conversation.
Episode 14 Recap
Back in her room, Lin Xingchen looked at an old family photo, feeling a pang of emotion. She had recently expressed to her grandmother a reluctance to talk to her mother. Just then, Lu Yibai texted her, asking if she needed tutoring, and she quickly agreed.
That evening, Lu Yibai's parents planned to attend a welcome dinner for Yang Ruoying, but Lu Yibai, carrying his backpack, informed them he had plans to do homework with a classmate and skipped the family event. His father casually let him go, noting it wasn't his first time missing such gatherings. Lu Yibai met Lin Xingchen and complimented her new haircut. As they worked on homework together at a restaurant, he helped her with a geometry problem.
Their study session was interrupted by the arrival of fried chicken. Lin Xingchen eagerly began to eat, delighting in the food. She playfully asked if he would reward her with cherry cake if she performed well, to which he teasingly called her a "pig," but she countered that her grandmother considered a good appetite a blessing. She then persuaded him to try some fried chicken, which he seemed to enjoy.
Later, Lin Xingchen and Luo Qinge spotted an announcement for the citywide high school knowledge contest. When Lin Xingchen saw that the prize included two five-star hotel buffet vouchers, she was instantly motivated, fantasizing about sharing a meal with Lu Yibai. Luo Qinge was initially skeptical, deeming them "underachievers," but Lin Xingchen insisted that with Lu Yibai, she would just need to "sit next to him providing answers, and fanning him," prompting Luo Qinge to agree to sign up.
However, their class teacher announced that Lu Yibai and Yang Ruoying had already been selected to represent the school. Luo Qinge immediately stood up, questioning the appointment and stating that she and Lin Xingchen also wanted to participate. The teacher explained that other classes had given up, and since the rules required one male and one female, he decided to have an internal selection involving Luo Qinge, Lin Xingchen, and Yang Ruoying, with Lu Yibai in charge of organizing it.
During lunch, Chen Yimu and Zhang Haotian teased Lin Xingchen and Luo Qinge about their participation. Chen Yimu doubted their chances against Yang Ruoying, especially since he thought they were only after the tablet prize. Lin Xingchen readily admitted that they were "totally in it for the prize," prompting Zhang Haotian to bet 100 yuan on Lin Xingchen winning, while Chen Yimu bet 100 yuan on her losing, vowing to use his winnings to buy skewers.
Knowing that Lu Yibai was setting the questions for the selection, Lin Xingchen and Luo Qinge tried to "bribe" him with yogurt. Lu Yibai, seeing through their attempt, initially refused to give them specific questions but then disclosed that the questions would be drawn from the school's practice question bank. He even gave them some copied questions. However, Luo Qinge quickly realized that the question bank contained over five thousand questions, making it an overwhelming task to memorize.
Despite the daunting number, Lin Xingchen was determined. Zhang Haotian even found a physical copy of the question bank for her. When Lu Yibai saw her struggling, he advised her to "pick the ones that are easier to remember." Lin Xingchen then decided to focus on questions related to her lucky number, six. On the day of the tryouts, Lin Xingchen's performance started poorly; she missed a mandatory question about the length of the Yangtze River.
Yang Ruoying, in contrast, correctly answered her mandatory question about foods causing lead poisoning. Luo Qinge cheered Lin Xingchen on for the buzzer round, and Lin Xingchen's luck seemed to turn around. She correctly answered questions about Mao Dun's real name and a representative writer from the Yam Egg School. The scores ultimately tied between Lin Xingchen and Yang Ruoying, leading to a tiebreaker question.
Lu Yibai, posing the question, asked, "Who was the first Asian male singer to appear on the cover of TIME magazine?" Lin Xingchen immediately buzzed in and correctly answered "Jay Chou," securing her spot. Overjoyed, Lin Xingchen and Luo Qinge celebrated in the restroom.
Lin Xingchen attributed her success to her lucky number six, but Luo Qinge insisted that Lu Yibai was her true lucky charm, claiming the last question was "obviously tailored" for her, knowing her fondness for Jay Chou. Unbeknownst to them, Yang Ruoying overheard their conversation from inside the restroom. Later, Lu Yibai directly asked Lin Xingchen why she wanted to join the competition.
Before Lin Xingchen could fully explain, Luo Qinge blurted out that Lin Xingchen simply wanted "to have a five-star buffet with" him, a fact Lin Xingchen sheepishly confirmed, admitting she had never experienced one before. On the day of the actual competition, held at the Activity Center, Lin Xingchen was nervous. Luo Qinge reminded her to just focus on buzzing in and let Lu Yibai handle the answers.
Lin Xingchen realized she had forgotten her school badge, but Lu Yibai, anticipating this, produced a spare one he had brought for her. He then reassured her that their classmates would arrive soon to support them, despite their initial absence. Indeed, their classmates arrived late, having mistakenly gone to the Sports Center.
The host then explained the rules for the buzzer round, stating that a correct answer earned 10 points, while a wrong one deducted 10 points, a detail that surprised Lin Xingchen. In the buzzer round, Yiling High School and Jiangcheng No.1 High School were tied in points. For the final tiebreaker question about the number of players on an ice hockey team, Lin Xingchen impulsively buzzed in before Lu Yibai could stop her.
When she realized Lu Yibai didn't know the answer, she confidently guessed "Six players," explaining it was her lucky number. To her surprise and delight, the answer was correct, and Yiling High School won first place. Lin Xingchen and Lu Yibai then collected their prize. Back in Chinese class, Lin Xingchen was distractedly searching for something, looking visibly flustered. Lu Yibai noticed her anxiety but she feigned ignorance.
After school, she declined invitations from Luo Qinge and Zhang Haotian to continue her search in the empty classroom, while Lu Yibai observed her with a thoughtful expression. She confided in Luo Qinge that she had lost the two buffet vouchers, which she had painstakingly earned and had remembered tucking into her homework notebook.
She was reluctant to tell Lu Yibai, and the main problem was she didn't even know the restaurant's location, making it impossible to buy new tickets, despite Luo Qinge's offer of money. Meanwhile, at Lu Yibai's home, his father was attempting to cook because his mother was working overtime on a major case. However, his cooking was so unpalatable that his father admitted defeat and suggested they use the two buffet vouchers the school had given him.
Remembering Lin Xingchen's frantic search, Lu Yibai realized she must have lost her own vouchers. He then offered to cook egg fried rice for his father in exchange for the two buffet tickets, a deal his father enthusiastically accepted. Lu Yibai quickly whipped up a delicious plate of fried rice, much to his father's delight.
Episode 15 Recap
Lin Xingchen, feeling distraught, approached Lu Yibai to confess that she had lost the meal tickets. However, Lu Yibai had already anticipated this. He had deliberately placed two meal tickets, which he had received from his father, on the ground for her to find. Mistakenly believing these were her own lost tickets, Lin Xingchen was overjoyed. She later excitedly called Luo Qinge about her preparations for the next day's meal, briefly misplacing and then happily rediscovering her "found" tickets.
That weekend, the two headed to a lavish five-star buffet restaurant. Lin Xingchen was overwhelmed by the luxurious setting. Upon hearing that lobster was limited, she enthusiastically rushed to get some, only to return disappointed, finding mostly empty shells. Seeing her disheartened, Lu Yibai secretly went and purchased an extra lobster for her. When he presented it, Lin Xingchen was surprised and delighted, believing he had somehow managed to secure it amidst the rush. She insisted they share it equally.
The midterm exam results were subsequently announced. Lu Yibai, as expected, maintained his first-place position. Lin Xingchen, despite showing improvement, scored 29th, still falling short of her goal to be among the top twenty. Lu Yibai commented that she would have achieved her target if she hadn't been reading comic books, to which Lin Xingchen playfully retorted that she had seen him reading comics too, although he claimed he had just found one and had no interest in them.
The teacher then announced a new school policy: from the second year of high school, seating arrangements would be reorganized based on academic performance every semester. This was intended to improve classroom discipline and prevent friends from distracting each other during class. Lin Xingchen immediately worried about being separated from Lu Yibai and losing his help with her studies. Lu Yibai, however, reassured her that he could still tutor her during breaks, after school, on holidays, and weekends.
Before the seating change, Lin Xingchen gave Lu Yibai some of her prized stickers, and he, in turn, gave her one of his pens. The new seating chart placed Lu Yibai next to Yang Ruoying and Lin Xingchen with Cai Weiming. Just as Lin Xingchen was feeling resigned, Luo Qinge excitedly informed her that Teacher Yang had agreed to voluntary seat changes.
Luo Qinge then arranged to swap seats with Cai Weiming, making her Lin Xingchen's new desk mate, much to Lin Xingchen's delight. Later, the sports teacher announced that the school's newly built swimming pool was ready and that students would begin swimming lessons in the next class, advising them to prepare their swimsuits. Lin Xingchen and Luo Qinge went shopping. They admired a beautiful but expensive pink swimsuit.
To save money, Lin Xingchen opted for a similar style discounted, M-sized swimsuit, confidently believing she could fit into it despite the small size. However, in the changing room before class, the swimsuit proved too small and tore at the seam. Embarrassed, Lin Xingchen and Luo Qinge approached Teacher Ruan, the sports teacher, with Luo Qinge explaining that Lin Xingchen was experiencing "special circumstances," implying her menstrual period.
Teacher Ruan excused them from swimming but instructed them to observe the class. During the lesson, Chen Yimu and Zhang Haotian engaged in a competitive swim, drawing much attention. Zhang Haotian noticed Lin Xingchen wasn't in the water and offered to teach her, but another classmate subtly reminded him that girls often don't swim for a specific reason.
Lu Yibai also approached Lin Xingchen, asking why she wasn't swimming, and she gave the same "special circumstances" excuse, which seemed to surprise him. Misunderstanding, Zhang Haotian later bought brown sugar and a hot water bottle, placing them on Lin Xingchen's desk. Lin Xingchen, finding these items, was puzzled but wondered if Lu Yibai had sent them, as he was one of the few who knew about her "special circumstances."
After school, Lin Xingchen returned to the swimsuit shop, hoping to return the damaged item. The owner, however, refused, stating that Lin Xingchen had been warned about the M-size and implying she had stretched it herself. The owner firmly stated that discounted items were non-refundable, leaving Lin Xingchen disheartened. Unbeknownst to her, Lu Yibai had suspected something was wrong earlier. He happened to be passing by the shop and witnessed her argument.
After she left, he entered and purchased a high-quality, L-sized swimsuit for 298 yuan, a "thickened" version that the owner guaranteed would be durable even for someone of Lin Xingchen's size. Meanwhile, Lin Xingchen took her torn swimsuit home. Her Grandma skillfully repaired the tear with strong silk threads and gave her a clever tip: wash the swimsuit and then stretch it over a basin to air dry, which would help it expand and fit better.
Lin Xingchen was relieved by her Grandma's ingenuity. The next morning, Lin Xingchen arrived at school feeling disheartened after seeing Yang Ruoying and Lu Yibai sitting closely together, engaged in conversation. When Luo Qinge offered her a breakfast hamburger, Lin Xingchen refused, claiming she was dieting and was "full" just from seeing "certain people." Zhang Haotian approached her, asking if she felt better, which confused Lin Xingchen as she didn't know what he was referring to.
Later, during lunch break, Lu Yibai called Lin Xingchen out of the classroom. He told her that his mother had bought a new swimsuit that was too small and, having removed the tag, wanted to sell it cheaply. Lin Xingchen was initially skeptical about the quality for the twenty-yuan price. However, upon seeing the swimsuit, she was delighted by its "amazing quality" and pretty design.
She eagerly bought it, paying fifteen yuan and promising to pay the remaining five next week, then bounced away happily. Luo Qinge, though realizing Lu Yibai's story was likely an excuse, wisely chose not to expose him. During the sports lesson, Lin Xingchen proudly wore her new swimsuit and joined Luo Qinge in the pool. Zhang Haotian and Chen Yimu were also playing around, and the group had fun splashing.
Suddenly, Yang Ruoying, who was also in the pool, choked on water. Lu Yibai, being the closest, quickly rescued her and took her to the infirmary. As he turned back, he saw Zhang Haotian holding Lin Xingchen's hand and teaching her to swim, which visibly bothered him. Later, during a class break, Lu Yibai's mood soured further when he observed Zhang Haotian, now sitting behind Lin Xingchen, giving her a yogurt and explaining it was to replenish sugar after exercise.
Episode 16 Recap
Lin Xingchen carefully kept the pen Lu Yibai had given her, considering it a treasure. She even refused to lend it to Luo Qinge, claiming that touching it while doing homework gave her inspiration. After school, Lin Xingchen chose to stay behind instead of joining her friends, approaching Lu Yibai to ask for help with some math problems she hadn't understood.
As he reviewed her work, she noticed a yogurt in his drawer and, without hesitation, happily took it to drink, declaring that only a fool would pass up free yogurt. Lu Yibai, although a little annoyed and rolling his eyes, allowed her to keep it. The school announced a "Charity Donation Activity," where students could contribute to children in rural areas through a charity sale. Lin Xingchen struggled to think of what she could sell.
When her Grandma offered her freshly steamed sticky rice balls, Lin Xingchen had an idea and decided to make her own sticky rice balls for the sale. On the day of the charity sale, Lin Xingchen eagerly asked Lu Yibai what he was selling, but his collection of Sherlock Holmes books didn't interest her. Lu Yibai's booth quickly became popular, attracting many admiring junior students.
His old books sold out rapidly, prompting Luo Qinge to suggest he sell his personal notebooks. However, Lu Yibai declined, as he intended to save them for Lin Xingchen. After Lu Yibai briefly stepped away, Zhang Haotian arrived at Lin Xingchen's booth and generously bought all her sticky rice balls. Yet, after taking just one bite, he quickly disappeared. Luo Qinge and Lin Xingchen then tried the sticky rice balls themselves, realizing they tasted quite terrible.
Later, while Lin Xingchen was in the restroom, Luo Qinge called her on the phone to say that Lu Yibai wanted to buy her sticky rice balls. Lin Xingchen, desperate to stop the sale, rushed back. In her haste, she accidentally bumped into Yang Ruoying and Wu Jiayi, causing Yang Ruoying's music box, an item for the sale, to fall and break.
Wu Jiayi demanded compensation, but Yang Ruoying, feigning indifference, said it was fine as it was an old item for the charity sale, but she now lacked an item to sell. Noticing the lucky stone necklace around Lin Xingchen's neck, Wu Jiayi suggested she use it as a replacement. Lin Xingchen vehemently refused, emphasizing its deep personal significance.
Zhang Haotian, who arrived and learned of the situation, offered a solution: Lin Xingchen could allow the necklace to be sold, and he would immediately buy it back. Back at the sale, Lu Yibai's expression changed when he saw Yang Ruoying with the necklace. He immediately bid 300 yuan for it. Zhang Haotian, determined not to be outdone, countered with 350 yuan, sparking a bidding war that quickly escalated to 500 yuan.
The Director, passing by, intervened, setting 500 yuan as the maximum bid and stating that Lin Xingchen, as the original owner, should decide who would get the item. Lu Yibai then highlighted that donations required cash, which Zhang Haotian didn't have enough of. Lu Yibai promptly put 500 yuan into the donation box, took the necklace, and left. Furious, Zhang Haotian confronted Lu Yibai after school, demanding the necklace back, but Lu Yibai refused to return it.
Lin Xingchen later speculated to Luo Qinge that Lu Yibai's anger stemmed from Zhang Haotian bidding on Yang Ruoying's item, rather than the necklace itself. Unbeknownst to Lin Xingchen, the necklace held profound meaning for Lu Yibai. It had been a birthday gift from his late sister, Yao Yao, which he had given to Lin Xingchen when they were children after her eye transplant surgery. He had asked her to cherish his sister's eyes and live happily.
Lin Xingchen, remembering the necklace as a cherished gift from a "little brother" who had comforted her, now deeply regretted allowing it to be put up for sale. Hoping to appeal to his emotions, she sent Lu Yibai a message that evening, explaining the necklace's immense importance to her as a memento from a significant person she had mentioned to him, and pleaded for its return.
Meanwhile, Lu Yibai's mother asked if he had paid the broadband fee with the 500 yuan she gave him. He confessed he had spent the money at the charity sale, and when pressed further, revealed he had bought the necklace. His parents immediately recognized it as Yao Yao's gift. Lu Yibai then confided in them, revealing that Lin Xingchen was the girl who had received his sister's cornea donation, a secret he had kept for years.
That same night, Lu Yibai also received a package labeled "Little Fuzzle," which he quickly hid from his parents. The next morning, Lin Xingchen brought Lu Yibai a new batch of her "improved" sticky rice balls, assuring him they were much better than before. He accepted the snack but remained firm in his refusal to return the necklace, still bothered by her having put it up for sale. During physical education class, the students learned hurdling.
Lu Yibai demonstrated a flawless technique, followed by Zhang Haotian, whose long legs made his attempt look less refined. When the teacher asked for female volunteers, classmates playfully pushed Lin Xingchen forward. She bravely attempted the hurdle, and although her posture was good, she stumbled and fell after clearing it. The teacher, Lu Yibai, and Zhang Haotian rushed to check on her. Luo Qinge began escorting Lin Xingchen to the infirmary, but Lu Yibai quickly caught up.
He cleverly distracted Luo Qinge by telling her that Wu Jiayi had just challenged her hurdling ability, sending Luo Qinge off to prove herself. Lu Yibai then took over, helping Lin Xingchen to the infirmary. Along the way, Lin Xingchen explained the full story of the charity sale incident and how she ended up selling the necklace out of necessity. Understanding that her actions weren't intentional, Lu Yibai's mood visibly brightened, and he smiled. Seeing his smile, Lin Xingchen realized that her lucky stone necklace would finally be returned, making her jump with joy despite her injury.
Episode 17 Recap
Lu Yibai carefully applied medicine to Lin Xingchen’s injured knee in the infirmary. Shortly after, Zhang Haotian arrived with a bottle of water and a band-aid, asking Lu Yibai to give them to Lin Xingchen. However, Lu Yibai simply took the water and drank it himself. During computer class, where seats remained unchanged, Zhang Haotian secretly messaged Lin Xingchen, offering to give her a ride home after school. Lin Xingchen quickly declined his offer.
Seeing their exchange, Lu Yibai then offered to take her home. However, Lin Xingchen, focused on asking to be excused from the classroom cleanup, initially misunderstood his offer. After securing permission to skip the cleanup, she realized she had inadvertently turned down Lu Yibai's ride home. Later, Luo Qinge teased Lin Xingchen about declining Lu Yibai's offer only to potentially accept Zhang Haotian's ride.
Lin Xingchen, flustered, asked Luo Qinge to tell Zhang Haotian that her uncle was coming to pick her up. After school, Zhang Haotian discovered his bike tires were flat. Luo Qinge called him to relay Lin Xingchen's message about her uncle. Lu Yibai, who had left earlier on his bicycle after seeing Zhang Haotian, then found Lin Xingchen limping alone on the street, having made up the story about her uncle.
Lu Yibai offered her a ride, despite her protest that her home on the west side of town was too far. He already knew the way. As he dropped her off, he noticed her coughing and advised her to drink warm water and wear more layers as the weather was getting colder. The next morning, Lin Xingchen was still feeling unwell, sneezing and coughing in class. Lu Yibai discreetly pulled the window shut for her.
Lin Xingchen, oblivious, wondered if he was glaring at her. Luo Qinge asked if Lin Xingchen wasn’t wearing thermal pants, which Lin Xingchen's response indirectly confirmed. Due to strong winds, the outdoor exercises were replaced with eye exercises. Lu Yibai, acting as class monitor, used this opportunity to walk to the back of the classroom and hand Lin Xingchen some cold medicine, instructing her to take it three times a day.
He also helped dispose of some trash from her desk, which touched Lin Xingchen. Soon after, Zhang Haotian arrived with medicine he had bought for Lin Xingchen. He found her asking Lu Yibai about the dosage of the medicine he provided. Zhang Haotian warned her that Western medicine could harm the liver and Traditional Chinese medicine worked slower, citing a pharmacy doctor. Lu Yibai challenged his source, leading to a debate about whose medicine was better.
Lin Xingchen, frustrated by their argument, suggested using herself as an experiment, taking Chinese medicine one day and Western medicine the next to see which was more effective. Zhang Haotian called her crazy. Eventually, she decided to go to the school clinic herself. Zhang Haotian accompanied her, only for the school nurse to confirm that Lu Yibai’s medicine was indeed the correct one. Zhang Haotian, unwilling to concede, declared Lu Yibai had no sincerity.
Meanwhile, Lu Yibai’s mother, having learned about Lin Xingchen, became very interested in her. She quietly followed Lin Xingchen from school to a bookstore, observing her from a distance before leaving without approaching her. As Lin Xingchen’s birthday approached, her mother planned to return to celebrate with her. Luo Qinge, knowing Lin Xingchen wished to celebrate with Lu Yibai, called him.
She subtly inquired about his birthday to gauge his zodiac sign, using it as a pretext to reveal Lin Xingchen’s birthday to him, stating she was a Pisces born on February 22nd. Lu Yibai responded with a dismissive "How boring" and hung up, but he secretly noted down Lin Xingchen’s birthday. During a class break, Lin Xingchen seized the chance to slip a birthday invitation card into Lu Yibai’s homework notebook while he was away from his desk.
To her dismay, Lin Xue returned and immediately began distributing the graded homework, and the invitation card ended up in Chen Yimu’s notebook. When Chen Yimu excitedly announced Lin Xingchen's birthday and showed off the card, other classmates demanded why they hadn't received one. Lin Xingchen, embarrassed, quickly declared that everyone would receive an invitation. Later, Lin Xingchen joyfully discovered she had ranked twentieth in her final exams, achieving her goal from the previous semester.
She excitedly showed her report card to Lu Yibai, asking for a reward. Lu Yibai readily agreed, promising to take her shopping for a gift after school. That afternoon, he led her to a bookstore, initially suggesting textbooks as a reward. However, seeing her interest in comic books, he bought her those instead. Afterward, he took her to a cake shop, intending to buy her a birthday cake as a gift.
Lin Xingchen paused before a simple cherry cake, reminiscing about her childhood, when her mother always bought her such cakes because she couldn't see the more elaborately decorated ones. She then told Lu Yibai that her mother had already ordered a cake and gently pulled him away, saying they shouldn't be late. During the school holiday, Zhang Haotian went to his brother Liu Jian’s car repair shop to help out.
He asked his brother for an advance on his wages, explaining that he needed the money to buy a birthday gift for a classmate. His brother initially worried it was related to their father's debts, but Zhang Haotian clarified his purpose.
Episode 18 Recap
On Chinese New Year's Eve, Lin Xingchen’s mother was expected to return home. Lin Xingchen, in high spirits, messaged Lu Yibai to wish him a Happy New Year, and he was delighted. Earlier, Zhang Haotian was at his cousin Liu Jian’s auto repair shop, where Liu Jian was handling a severely damaged vehicle. Zhang Haotian asked Liu Jian for an advance on his salary, explaining it was to buy a birthday gift for a classmate.
Liu Jian, after warning him to stay out of his father’s debt issues, agreed to the advance. Meanwhile, Lu Yibai was at a hardware store, purchasing materials, including a wireless remote control, to make a gift. Lin Xingchen messaged Lu Yibai, who was studying, asking what he was doing and if he was happy about her mother coming back. She replied that her mother hadn’t arrived yet.
At home, Lin Xingchen's Grandma was joyfully preparing to make dumplings and asked Lin Xingchen to clean the house, anticipating her mother’s arrival. Lin Xingchen informed Lu Yibai she needed to clean and wished him a Happy New Year, to which he reciprocated. Lin Xingchen suggested making leek and egg dumplings, a favorite of her mother's, which Grandma appreciated.
However, Grandma then received a call from Lin Xingchen’s mother, who announced she would not be returning due to her son falling ill. Grandma expressed deep disappointment, mentioning it had been over two years since her last visit and questioning her lack of concern for Lin Xingchen. Lin Xingchen’s mother simply told her to do as she liked. Seeing her Grandma in tears, Lin Xingchen comforted her, assuring her that their celebration together was wonderful.
They decided to make dumplings and watch the Spring Festival Gala, wishing each other health and happiness, promising to always be by each other's side. Soon after the Lunar New Year, Lin Xingchen’s birthday arrived. Her mother had pre-ordered a cake. Lu Yibai, Luo Qinge, Chen Yimu, Yang Ruoying, and Cai Weiming came to celebrate.
While Lin Xingchen was setting out drinks and candies prepared by her Grandma, her Grandma proudly showed her the cake, which pleased Lin Xingchen, who was touched her mother remembered her. Cai Weiming, unaware of Lin Xingchen’s family situation, asked about her parents. To divert the conversation and prevent Lin Xingchen from feeling sad, Luo Qinge and Lu Yibai quickly suggested they play a game of blind man's bluff.
During the game, Yang Ruoying, while blindfolded, accidentally tripped and knocked over the cake. Lin Xingchen was visibly distressed, emphasizing it was a gift from her mother. Yang Ruoying apologized profusely and offered to buy a replacement. Lu Yibai volunteered to go with Yang Ruoying to buy a new one, telling the others to continue playing. Around this time, Zhang Haotian was visiting his father, Zhang Bosun, in prison.
He brought him gifts, cheerfully told him he was doing well and had grown taller, and reassured him that debt collectors were no longer bothering him. Zhang Haotian promised to visit again. At the cake shop, Yang Ruoying remarked on how slow the service was. Luo Qinge called Yang Ruoying, informing her that the others had finished dinner and were going to the movies. Feeling guilty, Yang Ruoying apologized to Lu Yibai for spoiling Lin Xingchen’s birthday.
Lu Yibai reassured her that Lin Xingchen’s reaction was just an emotional one and suggested she leave for her piano lesson, stating he could wait alone. After Yang Ruoying left, the cake shop staff apologized again for the delay and, more critically, informed Lu Yibai they were out of cherries for the cake. Lu Yibai immediately went out to find a fruit store to buy a box of cherries himself.
Back at Lin Xingchen’s home, she told Luo Qinge she would stay to accompany her Grandma instead of going to the movies. Luo Qinge, suspecting Lin Xingchen was waiting for Lu Yibai, expressed frustration that Lu Yibai and Yang Ruoying were taking so long. Lin Xingchen then received a call from Zhang Haotian, who announced he was on his way. Relieved, Luo Qinge decided to join the others. Zhang Haotian soon arrived, presenting Lin Xingchen with a beautiful dress.
Lin Xingchen loved it but was concerned about the cost; he assured her he earned the money working. Since there was no cake, Zhang Haotian improvised by arranging six buns, placing cherries on them, and lighting six candles, explaining that six was Lin Xingchen's lucky number. He and Grandma then sang "Happy Birthday" to Lin Xingchen. They were all laughing and enjoying themselves. Lu Yibai, returning with the cherry cake, heard their joyous celebration from the doorway.
Not wanting to interrupt Lin Xingchen's good mood, he quietly placed the cake box at the door and left. Later, as Lin Xingchen went out to dispose of trash, she spotted the cake box. She brought it inside and was pleasantly surprised to find a cherry cake. She then opened another gift from Lu Yibai, a warm star lamp, along with a greeting card.
The card read, "Lin Xingchen, may your life shine as bright as daylight, and may it be radiant like the stars. Happy birthday." She was overjoyed by the thoughtful gifts. A day before the last day of the holiday, Zhang Haotian was at his cousin Liu Jian’s repair shop. Liu Jian was explaining the repair of a car's brake distribution pipe, noting it could cause uneven braking.
Liu Jian paid Zhang Haotian, insisting the amount was more than what a temporary mechanic would earn. Liu Jian then invited Zhang Haotian to celebrate Lantern Festival with him and his wife, but Zhang Haotian declined, stating he had plans with classmates, whom Liu Jian jokingly suspected were female. Zhang Haotian later received a text confirming his monthly living expenses had been transferred, but he seemed unenthusiastic.
In their group chat, the classmates were deciding on plans for the last day of the holiday. Lin Xingchen, Lu Yibai, and Zhang Haotian voted for an amusement park, overriding initial suggestions for arcade games. At their agreed meeting spot, the boys (Lu Yibai, Zhang Haotian, Chen Yimu, and Cai Weiming) awaited the girls.
Cai Weiming called Luo Qinge, who informed him that Lin Xingchen's Grandma had suddenly fallen ill, and her aunt was visiting, so neither of them could make it. Cai Weiming was surprised to hear about Luo Qinge's aunt. With their original plans canceled, the boys decided to go to an arcade to play shooting games. They ultimately won the game, with Lu Yibai being the top performer. During the game, a message flashed on Lu Yibai's phone screen.
Meanwhile, Luo Qinge called Lin Xingchen to check on her Grandma, who was recovering from a slight fever. Lin Xingchen then asked Luo Qinge if she had found Fang Qi, and Luo Qinge mentioned a senior told her about a street basketball game that afternoon. Luo Qinge said she couldn't ask Chen Yimu about it, fearing he'd tease her for ditching them to watch Fang Qi.
She then arrived at the basketball court, which was mostly empty except for one person playing. After confirming the street basketball game was scheduled for 2 PM, she joined the person to play. Soon, three other players arrived, stating they were there to warm up for a game and demanded Luo Qinge and the other player vacate the court. Luo Qinge refused, asserting the principle of "first come, first served."
Episode 19 Recap
Luo Qinge was at the basketball court, refusing to yield her spot to a group of boys who wanted the court for their warm-up. Fortunately, Fang Qi, the captain of Yiling Middle School's basketball team, arrived with his teammates. He intervened, causing the other boys to back down, though they warned they'd be back. Relieved, Luo Qinge, who had come to watch Fang Qi play, happily played basketball with him.
The new school year brought strict regulations aimed at making the school a provincial-level model. The rules covered everything from uniform modifications and neat appearances to a ban on long hair for boys, and makeup or perms for girls. Mobile phone use was also prohibited during class. However, Chen Yimu, known for his flamboyant style, showed up with a trendy new perm. His defiance was short-lived as the Director and his homeroom teacher immediately caught him.
The Director pulled Chen Yimu aside, criticizing his appearance and reminding him that high schoolers shouldn't perm their hair. He ordered Chen Yimu to publicly apologize to the entire school during the break, specifically for his tardiness and perm, calling him an "epitome of breaking rules."
During the broadcast, Chen Yimu delivered an overly dramatic apology, focusing only on his tardiness with flowery language about "unavoidable reasons" and hoping to never be late again for "ten thousand years," deliberately omitting any mention of his perm. This elicited laughter from his classmates. The Director, enraged, was not amused and added a punishment: Chen Yimu was to clean all the boys' restrooms from the first to fifth floor after school.
Later, during lunch, Luo Qinge and Lin Xingchen decided to eat hot dry noodles and skewers at an off-campus restaurant. They ran into Cai Weiming, who informed them Chen Yimu was still running laps as punishment. Soon after, a group of small-time thugs, familiar from a previous encounter with Zhang Haotian, approached their table. They demanded Cai Weiming fetch Zhang Haotian, warning that if he didn't show up, Luo Qinge and Lin Xingchen wouldn't be allowed to leave.
Cai Weiming quickly rushed back to school, alerting Zhang Haotian and Lu Yibai, who both immediately headed to the restaurant. On his way, Lu Yibai noticed a group of girls cornering Yang Ruoying. He intervened, asking, "What's going on here?" This unexpected stop caused him to be delayed. Meanwhile, at the restaurant, Lin Xingchen, feeling anxious, tried to discreetly call the police, but her phone slipped and was picked up by one of the thugs.
Just then, Zhang Haotian arrived, forcefully confronting the thug who held Lin Xingchen's phone. Tension escalated as Da Ming, the thugs' boss, made his entrance. To everyone's surprise, Da Ming wasn't there to cause trouble. He revealed that Zhang Haotian had once alerted him to a critical brake issue on his car after a repair, which he had initially dismissed. A subsequent check confirmed Zhang Haotian's warning, potentially saving him from a fatal highway accident.
Da Ming ordered his men to apologize to Zhang Haotian and the girls, assuring them that no one would bother them again. He offered Zhang Haotian his business card, but Zhang Haotian politely declined, stating they were "good students" who wouldn't need it. As the students walked back to school, Cai Weiming remarked on Lu Yibai's absence. Just as Lin Xingchen was about to call him, they saw Lu Yibai and Yang Ruoying sitting together, side by side.
Lin Xingchen's mood plummeted, and later, she watched unhappily as Lu Yibai left with Yang Ruoying after school. She found herself questioning if Lu Yibai would prioritize Yang Ruoying's safety over hers. The next day, Lu Yibai tried to explain the situation to Lin Xingchen, but Zhang Haotian coincidentally interrupted, causing Lin Xingchen to walk away without hearing him out.
Later, Yang Ruoying received a menacing text message threatening to post embarrassing photos of her on the campus BBS if she didn't meet her bullies at Sanhe Alley. Lin Xingchen, still troubled by Lu Yibai's earlier actions, decided to investigate the alley. There, she witnessed the same girls harassing Yang Ruoying, blaming her for "the harm you've caused Lin Yang." Lin Xingchen secretly recorded the bullying and then bravely intervened, using the video as leverage to make the girls leave.
Afterwards, Yang Ruoying confided in Lin Xingchen about her past: a middle school boy named Lin Yang, who was at the bottom of the class, had liked her. After she rejected his confession, he harmed himself. Lin Yang's friends had blamed Yang Ruoying and continuously bullied her. It was Lu Yibai who had noticed her distress, informed her parents, and helped resolve the situation, leading to the bullies' punishment and Yang Ruoying's transfer to a new school.
Yang Ruoying expressed her deep admiration for Lu Yibai, stating, "He is such a special and important person to me. Because, he's someone I've always admired." Meanwhile, Luo Qinge excitedly told Lin Xingchen about her recent outing with Fang Qi. She recounted how she had continually thanked him for his help at the basketball court, leading to them finally meeting up the previous week. They had played basketball at the park, eaten noodles, and strolled around the plaza until dark.
Luo Qinge felt they had a good chance together. Unbeknownst to them, Chen Yimu overheard their conversation, and his heart sank. During basketball practice later, he was visibly distracted. Fang Qi noted his lack of focus, and Chen Yimu abruptly left practice, claiming to feel unwell. That evening, he lingered outside Luo Qinge's home, repeatedly taking out his phone to call her but hesitating and putting it away.
Lin Xingchen's spirits were further dampened when she noticed Yang Ruoying subtly tuck a folded paper into Lu Yibai's workbook, assuming it was a love letter. She confessed her sadness to Luo Qinge, feeling like "the extra one between the two of them" and that she wasn't good enough for Lu Yibai. She admitted to lacking the courage to confess, believing she didn't deserve to be with him. However, Luo Qinge was more audacious.
She returned a basketball magazine she had borrowed from Fang Qi, carefully placing a small note inside asking him to meet her at the basketball court after his training the following evening, intending to confess her feelings.
Episode 20 Recap
Lin Xingchen finally decided to express her feelings to Lu Yibai subtly. She lingered outside the men's restroom, holding the exercise book he had lent her. When she intercepted him, she returned the book along with a bookmark inscribed with "I like you – Xingchen" in Japanese. Lu Yibai accepted both items, seemingly without understanding the message. In her embarrassment, Lin Xingchen nearly walked into the men's restroom before realizing her mistake and quickly apologizing.
Later that day, during the classroom cleanup, a classmate accidentally spilled water on Lu Yibai's desk, soaking his exercise book. Lu Yibai carefully retrieved the bookmark from the wet book. Lin Xingchen, observing this, felt anxious, wondering if he understood the message or would look it up. As they walked home together, Lin Xingchen cautiously brought up the bookmark, asking if he had seen it and if he had anything to say to her.
Lu Yibai innocently replied that he thought it simply meant she considered him a "good person." A willow leaf then landed on Lin Xingchen's face, which Lu Yibai gently removed. He took the leaf home, treasuring it alongside the bookmark, which he carefully placed in his manga book. Meanwhile, Chen Yimu inquired about Fang Qi's personal life from a school team member, learning that Fang Qi had a childhood friend named Ding Yi, a well-known campus beauty from Grade 12.
This news brought a sense of relief to Chen Yimu. The day came for Luo Qinge's planned confession. As soon as class ended, she made an excuse about a family emergency and rushed out, carrying her backpack. Lin Xingchen, having prepared a beautiful greeting card, waited in her classroom for Lu Yibai to finish his physics class so she could confess to him.
The wait felt long, and she idly drew on the blackboard until the Director passed by and advised her to go home. Lin Xingchen then decided to pack her things and find Lu Yibai herself. On her way, Chen Yimu caught up to her, revealing the information about Fang Qi and Ding Yi. They immediately tried calling Luo Qinge, but she didn't answer. Worried, they hurried towards the basketball court.
En route, Lin Xingchen passed by the physics classroom and saw Yang Ruoying with an injured hand. Lu Yibai was helping her by applying a band-aid. Yang Ruoying then took the opportunity to confess her feelings to Lu Yibai, expressing her long-standing admiration and her desire to go abroad with him. This sight deeply saddened Lin Xingchen, causing her to lose all will to go to the basketball court.
When Chen Yimu finally reached the basketball court, he found Luo Qinge dancing gracefully in the center, holding flowers, ready to confess to Fang Qi. However, Fang Qi gently told her that he only saw her as his little sister. Heartbroken, Luo Qinge ran off the court. Chen Yimu quickly warned Fang Qi to stay away from her and then chased after Luo Qinge.
But Luo Qinge, in tears, told him she wanted to be alone and ran away, leaving him behind. Elsewhere, Lin Xingchen sat by the roadside, crying sadly, holding the carefully prepared confession card meant for Lu Yibai. After a somber weekend, both Lin Xingchen and Luo Qinge arrived at school looking dejected. During math class, the teacher, noticing the students' low spirits, initiated a discussion.
He lightheartedly remarked that high school relationships are often like intersecting lines that eventually drift apart, and emphasized the importance of focusing on studies for the college entrance exam to secure their future. His words resonated with both Luo Qinge and Lin Xingchen. Later, Yang Ruoying discovered a manga book on Lu Yibai's desk containing a bookmark. She looked up the Japanese phrase on it, which meant "I really want to shout out 'I like you.'
" This made her recall Lu Yibai's earlier decisive rejection regarding her desire to go abroad with him, leading her to some painful suspicions about his feelings. During lunchtime, Lin Xingchen returned to her classroom and saw Lu Yibai accept a yogurt from Yang Ruoying, which further upset her. Lu Yibai then used the opportunity of distributing homework to approach Lin Xingchen and offer to explain a math problem to her, but she declined his help.
That afternoon, in the library, Lin Xingchen encountered Lu Yibai again and tried to avoid him. Noticing her evasive behavior, Lu Yibai inferred that she might have witnessed something in the physics classroom earlier. He tried to explain the situation, but Zhang Haotian unexpectedly appeared, interrupting their conversation. Lu Yibai's expression changed, and he left.
Zhang Haotian, noticing Lin Xingchen's bad mood, intentionally bothered her during English class by sticking a sticky note on her back that read, "When you're angry, you really look like a prairie dog." Lu Yibai, who was at the front of the classroom writing on the board for the teacher, glanced back at them, his expression growing even colder. Lin Xingchen later realized the note was accidentally stuck inside her homework book.
She went to Lu Yibai to retrieve her book, only to have him return the note and scold her, accusing her of wasting time passing notes with Zhang Haotian instead of studying, and predicting that both of them would eventually be held back a year. Furious, Lin Xingchen argued back, accidentally bumping his desk and causing his hourglass to fall and shatter on the floor.
Episode 21 Recap
The hourglass shattered, and Lin Xingchen immediately apologized to Lu Yibai, offering to help clean up the broken glass. However, Lu Yibai gently stopped her, worried she might hurt herself. At that moment, a classmate informed Lin Xingchen that Teacher Yang needed to see her in the office, so she offered a final apology and left. In the office, Teacher Yang expressed her concern over Lin Xingchen's recent decline in academic performance, which had been impressive the previous semester.
She noted that sitting with Luo Qinge and Zhang Haotian led to too much chitchat in class, which was detrimental to her studies. Teacher Yang acknowledged Lin Xingchen's independence but felt a greater need to supervise her due to her parents' absence. She stressed the critical importance of the final year, urging Lin Xingchen to focus entirely on her studies for her future.
She also suggested Lin Xingchen visit the senior year hallway to immerse herself in the serious exam preparation atmosphere. Lin Xingchen assured her that she understood and would not disappoint. As Lin Xingchen exited, Zhang Haotian entered the office. Teacher Yang addressed him about his "special case," reminding him of his previous repeated year and urging him to apply himself diligently this time. Zhang Haotian agreed. Outside, Lin Xingchen questioned him about his conversation with Teacher Yang.
He casually confirmed it was the "usual clichés" about repeating a year and studying. When Lin Xingchen asked if he truly repeated a grade, he confirmed it, playfully suggesting it was why she called him "bro," and attributed it to "terrible grades." However, Lin Xingchen, recalling his high physics score of 95, didn't believe him. Noticing her downcast mood, Zhang Haotian enthusiastically offered to take her somewhere "super fun" that weekend, promising it would motivate her to study.
Despite her initial reluctance, citing her promise to Teacher Yang to focus on studies, Zhang Haotian persuaded her, and they went to grab some snacks. Later, after school, Lu Yibai approached Lin Xingchen, intending to inquire about her weekend availability. Before she could answer, Zhang Haotian quickly interjected, reminding Lin Xingchen of their plans and warning her not to break them.
Lu Yibai, visibly annoyed, was about to leave when Lin Xingchen asked him what he had been about to say, but he simply replied "nothing." Yang Ruoying then invited Lu Yibai to physics class, and he joined her. As they walked away, Zhang Haotian jokingly commented on their public display of affection.
During basketball practice, Fang Qi noticed Chen Yimu's sulking behavior and sternly told him to "cheer up" and not let personal issues interfere with his performance on the court. Later, Chen Yimu, still feeling guilty, asked if Fang Qi was still angry about their previous altercation. Fang Qi, despite still feeling a lingering ache from Chen Yimu's punch, assured him he wasn't. Chen Yimu apologized for the punch.
Fang Qi accepted, but reiterated that while matters concerning Luo Qinge could be discussed privately, Chen Yimu needed to maintain a professional attitude on the basketball court and not become a spectacle. Chen Yimu promised he would not repeat his actions. That weekend, Zhang Haotian picked up Lin Xingchen on an electric bike. He confidently stated that at eighteen, with a C1 driver's license, he was legally capable of driving.
They first visited his cousin's garage, where Zhang Haotian works part-time. His cousin greeted them warmly, already knowing Lin Xingchen by name. He playfully revealed that Zhang Haotian had worked tirelessly for a month to earn money for Lin Xingchen's birthday gift, a detail Zhang Haotian tried to brush off. The cousin also teased Zhang Haotian about copying Lin Xingchen's homework, a fact Lin Xingchen confirmed, before Zhang Haotian quickly ushered her out.
They then headed to a nearby beach for an exhilarating ATV ride. Later, at a scenic viewpoint overlooking Jiangcheng, Zhang Haotian shared his method for coping with sadness: a wild ATV ride followed by shouting his frustrations to the wind. He encouraged Lin Xingchen to try, though she found the idea silly. He then revealed his dream of becoming a race car driver and traveling the world.
Inspired by his passion, Lin Xingchen, who hadn't considered it deeply before, declared her new dream of becoming a famous novelist, traveling across the country to see "beautiful stars." Zhang Haotian playfully offered her a permanent spot in the back of his race car. Realizing he had brought her there to help her regain her confidence, Lin Xingchen loudly declared her determination to "study hard and get into college."
Zhang Haotian, in turn, vowed to study equally hard to get into the same university as her. Meanwhile, Lu Yibai waited downstairs at Lin Xingchen's building. He overheard her grandma telling a neighbor that Lin Xingchen was out with a classmate. He waited until nightfall and eventually saw Zhang Haotian drop Lin Xingchen off. After Lin Xingchen went inside, having thanked Zhang Haotian and told him to be careful, Lu Yibai confronted Zhang Haotian.
He angrily blamed Zhang Haotian for Lin Xingchen's declining grades. Zhang Haotian retorted that Lu Yibai's presence wouldn't necessarily improve her situation either. He then bluntly told Lu Yibai to "be straightforward," criticizing his ambiguous behavior: if he cared about Lin Xingchen, he should stop "messing with others," and if not, he should stay away.
When Lu Yibai protested that his relationship with Lin Xingchen was "none of your business," Zhang Haotian agreed, but countered that Lin Xingchen was important to more people than just him, and if she was unhappy, he would "step in." Though frustrated, Lu Yibai seemed to acknowledge the truth in Zhang Haotian's words. Later that night, at home, Lin Xingchen, feeling resolute, wrote "Goodbye Lu Yibai" as a symbolic commitment to focusing solely on her studies.
The next day, during a short break, Zhang Haotian convinced a reluctant Lin Xingchen to join him for snacks, arguing it was better to recharge than to study during such a brief period. As they returned, they overheard Yang Ruoying speaking with Lu Yibai. Yang Ruoying confirmed Lu Yibai had registered for the Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT), whose registration was closing that day, and suggested they book flights together for the exam in the UK.
She then inquired if he would forego his final year of high school in China if accepted, to which Lu Yibai confirmed he probably would not stay in China, and Yang Ruoying added that she would "stay there too." Overhearing this, Lin Xingchen, deeply saddened, asked Zhang Haotian about the BMAT. He explained it was the entrance exam for high school students worldwide seeking medical programs at UK universities.
Realizing the significant implications, Lin Xingchen, feeling overwhelmed, lost her appetite and excused herself to the restroom, pondering if this truly meant "goodbye" to Lu Yibai. In the school garden, Lin Xingchen discussed with Luo Qinge how difficult it was to move on from unrequited feelings, lamenting that "what you can't have will always just be an obsession." Luo Qinge, however, countered that "unforgettable memories make people stronger" and are essential for growth.
They then encountered Ding Yi and Fang Qi. Ding Yi informed Fang Qi that she would not be taking the college entrance exam; instead, she was heading to Paris next week to study French for a year before applying to the Paris Dance Academy. A visibly saddened Fang Qi told her he wouldn't see her off, but urged her to return if she was unhappy.
Luo Qinge, observing their poignant farewell, later brought some snacks to Fang Qi while he was studying. Despite his polite refusal, she insisted he take them, declaring herself his "number one fan" and promising to bring him daily provisions without any burden, before quickly leaving. Lin Xingchen later asked Luo Qinge for details, but Luo Qinge said she hadn't asked directly, though she felt that Fang Qi and Ding Yi were "in the same boat" of unrequited love.
During lunch, Lin Xingchen, despite her desire for braised pork, found only tomato scrambled eggs available in the cafeteria. Zhang Haotian, observing her unhappiness and noticing Lu Yibai and Cai Weiming approaching, sat down opposite Lin Xingchen, joining her and Luo Qinge. Cai Weiming suggested there was no other seating available, prompting Lu Yibai to join them at their table.
Zhang Haotian, trying to cheer Lin Xingchen up, offered her a piece of braised pork from his own plate, remarking on her recent weight loss. Lin Xingchen initially refused, citing her diet, and attempted to pass it to Luo Qinge, who playfully declined. With nowhere else to put it, Lin Xingchen instinctively placed the braised pork into Lu Yibai's bowl.
Episode 22 Recap
At lunch, Lin Xingchen urged Lu Yibai to eat braised pork to boost his energy for his upcoming biology entrance exam abroad, hoping he would bring honor to their class. Other classmates at the table teased him about possibly preferring "British steak" over braised pork. Lu Yibai remarked that Lin Xingchen's Grandma's braised pork was superior, but when asked how he knew, he simply replied "secret."
Zhang Haotian, seemingly annoyed, then snatched a piece of braised pork, and Lu Yibai announced he was leaving. Lin Xingchen called out for him, but he quickly walked away. During their final P. E. class, the teacher delivered an emotional farewell, marking the end of their high school P. E. years before dismissing them for free activity. Zhang Haotian organized a 3v3 basketball game, which included Lu Yibai and Chen Yimu.
Luo Qinge noticed Zhang Haotian playing with unusual aggression, suspecting he was trying to get "revenge" for Lin Xingchen against Lu Yibai. Lin Xingchen, however, denied Lu Yibai had wronged her, though she vaguely added that he was "playing both sides." During the intense game, Lu Yibai twisted his ankle and fell. Lin Xingchen immediately expressed concern and offered to take him to the infirmary, but he insisted he was fine and could manage himself.
Determined to help, Lin Xingchen went to the infirmary alone, pleading with the nurse for medicine. The nurse refused, explaining that school rules prevented prescribing medicine without the patient present or a clear diagnosis. Disheartened, Lin Xingchen left, accidentally bumping her head on the doorframe on the way out. Later, in the classroom, Lu Yibai found an ointment on his desk. He asked Lin Xingchen if she had left it and noticed a bandage on her forehead, asking what happened.
She casually dismissed it as bumping into a doorframe. She then admitted she had bought the ointment herself from a store after the nurse turned her away. Lu Yibai thanked her, and she replied, "You're welcome," an exchange that seemed to subtly ease the tension between them. Later, during Chinese class, the students were discussing a poignant farewell poem when distant cheers signaled the senior graduation ceremony.
The teacher connected the poem's theme to the seniors' departure, noting that Fang Qi was among the graduating students. Luo Qinge was visibly saddened by Fang Qi's graduation, acknowledging that they wouldn't see him as often. Fang Qi found her and offered his detailed class notes and review materials, despite downplaying his own grades. He then asked her to sign his yearbook. Luo Qinge happily accepted, determined to leave a "memorable mark."
As she wrote, Lin Xingchen playfully commented on her directness, asking if "Liang Jingru gave her the courage" to write "I will always support you silently." After their final exams, the sophomores gathered for a grade-level meeting on the sports field. The principal delivered an inspiring speech, praising the graduating seniors for their exceptional academic achievements, setting a high standard for the current sophomores. Suddenly, a heavy downpour began, forcing everyone to relocate to the indoor lecture hall.
In the chaotic rush, Chen Yimu, pulling Luo Qinge, ran ahead, causing Luo Qinge to lose her grip on Lin Xingchen, who became drenched. Zhang Haotian quickly found Lin Xingchen and pulled her into the lecture hall, asking why she was so wet. After the meeting, Lin Xingchen overheard Ruoying inviting Lu Yibai to physics class, and he agreed. Seeing this, Zhang Haotian immediately offered Lin Xingchen his umbrella and insisted on walking her home.
Lu Yibai, intending to follow them, told Ruoying to excuse him from class. However, the vice class leader intercepted him, reminding him of an urgent task from their teacher to post summer homework, which detained him and prevented him from catching up to Lin Xingchen and Zhang Haotian. Zhang Haotian and Lin Xingchen waited for the bus together in the rain. They chatted and laughed as Zhang Haotian shared one of his earbuds with her, playing his favorite song.
As they boarded the bus, Lu Yibai arrived and watched them silently from a distance. Lin Xingchen saw Lu Yibai through the bus window, but the vehicle soon departed, preventing any interaction between them. Luo Qinge later found Fang Qi alone on the basketball court. She initiated a conversation by asking if the scene felt familiar, then confided a secret: she had never truly liked ballet and actually loved jazz dance, revealing her authentic self.
She clarified that her sole intention was for him to remember that a girl named Luo Qinge had silently supported him. Fang Qi thanked her, describing her as the "cutest and bravest girl" he had ever met, considering it an honor to have crossed paths with her. Luo Qinge then asked if they could play one last basketball game, to which he enthusiastically agreed.
As they played, Luo Qinge reflected on how she had always admired his brilliant presence on the court, which had inspired her to work hard and improve herself, recognizing him as a profound role model in her life. That evening, Lin Xingchen was contemplating Lu Yibai's impending overseas exam, feeling she should at least bid him farewell. Lu Yibai called her, informing her he would be flying to Beijing the next day and then abroad for his exams.
He offered to give her his study materials and mentioned he also wanted to speak with her about something. They agreed to meet at the "bookstore entrance." Despite her Grandma's plea to take an umbrella, Lin Xingchen rushed out into the heavy rain without one. She arrived at what she believed was the meeting spot, a book cafe, but Lu Yibai was nowhere to be found.
While waiting, her phone was accidentally dropped by a passerby, causing it to power off. Meanwhile, Lu Yibai waited at the Xinhua Bookstore. Unable to reach Lin Xingchen, he speculated she might have gone to the wrong location, possibly the book cafe. He rushed there, but a security guard informed him that the last girl had just left.
Upon returning home, Lin Xingchen charged her phone and sent Lu Yibai a message, explaining her phone had died and she had gone home after not finding him at the book cafe. Lu Yibai replied, clarifying that he had meant Xinhua Bookstore, acknowledging their miscommunication, and that he had also returned home. Soaked and disheartened by the missed meeting, Lin Xingchen tearfully hugged her Grandma, lamenting that she disliked rainy days. Her Grandma tenderly comforted her, reminding her that "the rain will pass, and the sky will clear up."
Episode 23 Recap
The summer holiday had begun, and Lin Xingchen, having gained some renown in her neighborhood for being accepted into Yiling High School, found herself frequently tutoring younger children brought by her neighbors. After a week cooped up at home, her Grandma noticed Lin Xingchen was getting restless.
Overhearing Zhang Haotian calling Lin Xingchen to invite her out (initially suggesting she help him with homework), her Grandma encouraged her to go out with friends and gave her some money that Lin Xingchen's father had sent, urging her to spend it. Lin Xingchen agreed to go out but only took 100 yuan, entrusting the rest to her Grandma for living expenses and asking her to buy herself some good food. Zhang Haotian took Lin Xingchen shopping at a mall.
As they passed a toy store, Lin Xingchen suddenly spotted her mother inside, accompanied by a man and a young boy, who appeared to be her new husband and son. Startled, Lin Xingchen quickly pulled Zhang Haotian aside to hide, waiting until her mother and family had left before she dared to emerge. She confided in Zhang Haotian that she hadn't seen her mother in almost three years, ever since her mother had her younger brother.
She speculated that her mother might have been on a business trip and might not have wanted to see her, so she decided not to disturb her. However, Zhang Haotian encouraged her to be brave and find her if she truly wanted to know how she was doing. Since Lin Xingchen didn't know her mother's address, Zhang Haotian seized an opportunity when a delivery person left the toy store with a package.
He quickly noted the address written on the box and relayed it to Lin Xingchen, who carefully wrote it down: Huguang Garden, Building 3, Room 2019, in Yicheng City. Meanwhile, in the UK, Lu Yibai was battling a week-long cold with a persistent cough. Yang Ruoying visited him, bringing anti-inflammatory medicine, along with porridge and pancakes she specifically purchased from a Chinese restaurant. Lu Yibai expressed his gratitude for her thoughtfulness, and she assured him it was "on the way."
After Yang Ruoying left, Lu Yibai received a text message from Lin Xingchen. In her text, accompanied by a selfie, Lin Xingchen wrote that she hadn't wanted to disturb him due to the significant time difference, asking if he had taken his exams, was eating well, and sleeping comfortably, and wished him luck. Lu Yibai smiled at her cheerful message, telling her about the 7-hour time difference and his upcoming joint exams, advising her to rest early.
Lin Xingchen responded with well wishes, but inwardly, she briefly entertained a selfish thought of him not passing the exams, quickly admonishing herself for it. Determined to help Lin Xingchen find her mother, Zhang Haotian borrowed a flashy SUV from his cousin. With Lin Xingchen as his passenger, he set off for the address he had memorized in Yicheng City, using GPS to navigate once they entered the city.
Upon arriving at Huguang Garden, Building 3, they realized they had misread the apartment number, as Lin Xingchen admitted that "2019" could have been "2901." When they knocked on the door, an elderly woman answered, mistaking them for children who had come to the wrong house and turning them away. As they were leaving the building, Lin Xingchen’s eyes caught sight of her mother walking by with her new husband and young son, all holding hands and looking joyful.
The little boy was excitedly showing off a new toy his "Dad" had bought. The sight of her mother’s happy family, without her, brought tears to Lin Xingchen’s eyes, but she quickly composed herself, telling Zhang Haotian that she was relieved to see her mother doing well and decided not to intrude. With a heavy heart, she pulled Zhang Haotian away.
Later, Lu Yibai, noticing updates on Lin Xingchen’s QQ space but no reply to his messages, grew slightly frustrated, wondering if she was asleep or out having fun. As Lin Xingchen and Zhang Haotian drove back, Zhang Haotian tried to lift her spirits. He announced that since he had, in a way, met her parents, it was only fair that she meet his. He then drove her to a detention center, where they visited his father.
Zhang Haotian’s father asked if his mother had taken him to Shanghai for school, to which Zhang Haotian responded that he wouldn’t live with her. His father expressed regret, blaming himself for his situation, and called himself "useless." Zhang Haotian reassured his father to take care of himself and not worry about money, promising they would find a solution together once he was released and urging him to focus on studying.
Later, Zhang Haotian explained to Lin Xingchen that his father, an honest man who ran a car repair shop, was pressured by his mother to earn more money when the industry declined, leading him to make an irreparable mistake. He added that his mother had filed for divorce during his father's trial and immediately remarried another man in Shanghai. Lin Xingchen shared that her own parents' divorce wasn't about money but a "falling out in the relationship."
Zhang Haotian remarked that they were "a bit alike," sharing a similar fate. He then advised her to be "smarter" and not dwell on people who didn't love her, asserting that "in life, things rarely go as planned." Lin Xingchen, however, declared that if giving up on someone you love because they no longer love you was considered "smart," she would "rather be a fool for life."
As Zhang Haotian walked Lin Xingchen home, he directly asked her if she had a crush on someone. Lin Xingchen honestly confessed that she did, though she initially hesitated to name the person. When Zhang Haotian pressed, asking if it was Lu Yibai, she tacitly admitted he was correct. When he further inquired what she liked about Lu Yibai, Lin Xingchen explained that while one could list a hundred reasons to dislike someone, liking someone didn't need a reason.
She then playfully listed a few things like his height, intelligence, good looks, and nice smile, begging Zhang Haotian to keep it an "ultimate secret," revealing that only Qinggege knew about it. When she asked him if he had someone he liked, he replied that he "used to, but not anymore," implying that "her taste was terrible." Zhang Haotian then encouraged Lin Xingchen to pursue what she loved, promising to "catch her" if she ever stumbled.
Meanwhile, in the UK, Lu Yibai was taking his biomedicine entrance exam. His mind drifted back to Lin Xingchen, recalling her words and looking at the sticker she had given him. He remembered her earnest declaration to stay in the science stream and aim for the top ten in their class, as well as her cheerful encouragement for his exam. After a moment of profound reflection, Lu Yibai made a bold decision and erased the answers he had already written on his exam paper.
Episode 24 Recap
After Lu Yibai and Yang Ruoying completed their exams abroad and returned home, their friends decided to throw them a welcome-back gathering. Chen Yimu booked a party house for the occasion, which also served as an early farewell party for Lu Yibai, as he was expected to go abroad for school the following semester. Lin Xingchen, who had been feeling down about Lu Yibai leaving, discussed her feelings with Luo Qinge.
Luo Qinge tried to cheer her up, reminding her that life goes on and encouraging her to dress up nicely for the party. Lin Xingchen also wondered if Yang Ruoying would be at the party, but Luo Qinge assured her that Yang Ruoying would not be invited, threatening to "lose it" if Chen Yimu dared to include her. Lin Xingchen wanted to give Lu Yibai a special gift.
Remembering that he used an hourglass to time himself, completing an entire test paper in twenty minutes, she went to a store and meticulously tested many hourglasses to find one that precisely measured twenty minutes. Later that evening, the friends gathered at the decorated party house. When Lu Yibai arrived, they gave him a lively welcome. Lin Xingchen, hoping to leave a perfect last impression, fumbled with a confetti spray, accidentally making a mess.
Lu Yibai calmly went to the bathroom to clean up. During the party, someone asked Lu Yibai about his exam results and his plans to go to the UK. He mentioned the results would be out next week. The group then pressured him to sing, and Lin Xingchen suggested a song she had seen on his playlist. Lu Yibai surprised everyone by singing a beautiful, fresh song, revealing a talent they hadn't known he possessed.
Luo Qinge then invited everyone to share their farewell messages for Lu Yibai. Chen Yimu delivered a humorous speech, playfully criticizing Lu Yibai's usual demeanor but admitting he would miss him. Zhang Haotian jokingly expressed happiness about Lu Yibai leaving, implying it would clear the path for him with Lin Xingchen, but then raised a toast, wishing Lu Yibai a bright future. When it was Lin Xingchen's turn, she became emotional, recalling her two years as Lu Yibai’s deskmate.
She thanked him for his help and care, despite the trouble she might have caused, and sincerely wished him a happy and successful future. Lu Yibai looked at her, his emotions complex. As the party ended, Zhang Haotian departed, and Luo Qinge deliberately pulled Chen Yimu away, leaving Lu Yibai to walk Lin Xingchen home. On their walk, Lin Xingchen was accidentally bumped, and her bag fell into the street.
Without looking, she moved to retrieve it, but Lu Yibai swiftly pulled her back from an approaching car, scolding her for risking her safety. She explained that the bag contained his gift. He opened it to find the twenty-minute hourglass. Playfully, he insisted it was merely her returning his old, broken one, but Lin Xingchen asserted it was a new gift, and he conceded, keeping it.
Lin Xingchen then tentatively mentioned she also had a "Xiao Mihun" facial mask for him, to which Lu Yibai playfully warned her not to really become a "Xiao Mihun" (scatterbrain). Lin Xingchen then tentatively asked about his relationship with Yang Ruoying. Lu Yibai directly clarified that they were and always would be just classmates, and that he was still considering his plans to study abroad.
Upon returning home, Lin Xingchen, overjoyed by this news, shared it with Luo Qinge in a phone call, excitedly rolling on her bed. The new semester began, marking their final year of high school. The homeroom teacher seemed agitated, announcing a complete rearrangement of seating based on individual circumstances. During a math class, Lin Xingchen was visibly distracted, her gaze fixed on Lu Yibai's empty seat.
The math teacher called her to the board to solve a geometric sequence problem, but Lin Xingchen struggled, confusing it with an arithmetic sequence. Just then, Lu Yibai appeared at the classroom door. He promptly provided the correct formula, then announced to the class that he had not been accepted into the UK program and would be staying to take the college entrance exam in China. He then took his former seat, much to Lin Xingchen's delight.
After class, Lin Xingchen and Luo Qinge attempted to eavesdrop on Lu Yibai’s conversation with the homeroom teacher, but Luo Qinge quickly retreated, fearing they had been spotted. Lin Xingchen then bumped into Lu Yibai as he exited the office. She admitted she was trying to find out why he had returned, explaining that the class suspected the school had pressured him to stay and compete for top honors, especially since Yang Ruoying had been accepted.
Lu Yibai confirmed that he had genuinely not been accepted and was not forced to return by the school. Lin Xingchen tried to console him, suggesting that even top performers experience setbacks and that this might be a blessing in disguise for a greater opportunity in the college entrance exam.
Lu Yibai teased her, noting her obvious happiness at his return and playfully suggesting she was looking forward to free tutoring sessions again, especially given her confusion between arithmetic and geometric sequences. Following the homeroom teacher's announcement, individual meetings were held to determine the new seating arrangements. After his meeting, Lu Yibai told Lin Xingchen to go in next. Lin Xingchen entered the office, determined to present a hundred reasons why she should remain seated with Luo Qinge. However, the homeroom teacher informed her that she would be returning to her old seat, next to Lu Yibai, leaving Lin Xingchen stunned.
Episode 25 Recap
Luo Qinge expressed concern to Lin Xingchen that they might be separated as deskmates, urging her to find a hundred reasons to prevent it. However, their homeroom teacher, Teacher Yang, informed Lin Xingchen that Lu Yibai had specifically requested for them to be deskmates again. Teacher Yang explained that Lin Xingchen's academic performance improved significantly when sitting next to Lu Yibai, whereas her current arrangement with Luo Qinge often resulted in distractions and laughter, negatively impacting their efficiency.
Lin Xingchen, surprised but pleased, agreed to the change. She then told Luo Qinge the news, who dramatically accused Lu Yibai of being a "traitor" for breaking up their deskmate pairing. Despite her playful outrage, Luo Qinge supported Lin Xingchen and warned Lu Yibai to treat her well. After moving her belongings to sit beside Lu Yibai, Lin Xingchen asked why he initiated the change.
Lu Yibai reminded her of his promise to tutor her until she made it into the top twenty, adding that he would diligently supervise her studies every day. Lin Xingchen playfully accepted, calling him "Mr. Lu." Later, for the university entrance exam registration, the school required all students to submit their ID card information, with Lu Yibai in charge of collecting them. Embarrassed by her childhood photo, Lin Xingchen secretly covered it with a cartoon sticker before handing it in.
Lu Yibai noticed this while reviewing the documents. Cai Weiming, spotting the sticker, tore it off, revealing Lin Xingchen's previous chubby appearance. He teased her, asking if she had undergone plastic surgery. Seeing her discomfort, Lu Yibai quickly retrieved the ID and offered a deal: if Lin Xingchen scored above 80 on that day's math quiz, he would show her his own "ugly" ID photo. Motivated, Lin Xingchen spent the entire afternoon meticulously reviewing her paper before submitting it.
Lu Yibai graded it, pointing out a mistake she had made, which resulted in a score of 78. Lin Xingchen tried to bargain for two "sympathy points," which Lu Yibai agreed to "credit" her, jokingly saying she would owe him back with interest. He then showed her his ID, revealing a handsome photo from when he was sixteen, prompting Lin Xingchen to accuse him of lying about it being ugly.
Looking at his ID, Lin Xingchen discovered that his birthday was next Saturday, September 7th. She asked how he planned to celebrate, but Lu Yibai stated he would skip it, as he had a physics competition in the provincial capital that day. After school, Zhang Haotian offered to walk Lin Xingchen home, but she politely declined, blaming her flushed face on a possible "heatstroke."
She then confided in Luo Qinge about Lu Yibai's upcoming birthday, expressing her desire to prepare a special surprise for him. They visited a flower shop, attempting to persuade the owner to sell them slightly wilted flowers at half price. Although the male boss initially refused, his wife, the lady boss, kindly agreed to sell them any leftover flowers on Friday night.
Delighted, Lin Xingchen and Luo Qinge planned to buy 50 flowers for 100 yuan and use them to decorate a quiet small park near Lin Xingchen's house for the celebration. Meanwhile, at home, Lu Yibai's father offered him movie tickets from work. Lu Yibai took them, mentioning he intended to go with Lin Xingchen. His father suggested inviting Lin Xingchen for dinner sometime, as Lu Yibai's mother had wanted to for a while, but Lu Yibai found the idea awkward.
Lu Yibai then explained that he had requested to be Lin Xingchen's deskmate again to help her with tutoring for senior year. His father advised him not to be too strict, recalling Lin Xingchen's challenging past, including a major surgery when she was young, and emphasizing that her health and happiness were most important.
Lu Yibai lightheartedly remarked that Lin Xingchen was always cheerful, and if she wasn't happy, nobody would be, a sentiment his father found endearing and similar to his own temperament. Lin Xingchen began crafting a bracelet adorned with a lucky stone, similar to her own "lucky star necklace," as a birthday gift for Lu Yibai, finding the process quite intricate.
Later, she again tried to convince Lu Yibai to celebrate his birthday on Saturday, but he reiterated his commitment to the physics competition. He then subtly mentioned a new movie that was being released that week. During an English class, their teacher assigned a task for everyone to watch a positive, uplifting movie about youth and growth, then write a review, counting it as a social practice due to time constraints for senior year students.
After class, Lin Xingchen handed her completed homework to Lu Yibai. While checking it, he discreetly slipped the movie tickets into her notebook. He then asked her to watch a movie with him on Friday evening. Lin Xingchen, happily surprised, agreed, suggesting it could be an early birthday celebration for him. On Friday, Lu Yibai arrived early at the cinema. Lin Xingchen rushed home to get the gift before their movie date.
Her Grandma greeted her warmly, noticing her early return, and Lin Xingchen excitedly shared her movie plans with Lu Yibai. However, while changing her clothes, Lin Xingchen discovered her Grandma had collapsed. She immediately called 120 for an ambulance and then notified Lu Yibai. At the hospital, the doctor informed them that Grandma had high blood pressure, and her fainting was a complication. They recommended a comprehensive check-up once she regained consciousness and advised contacting an adult.
Lin Xingchen tried to call her mother, who was out of town, but couldn't reach her. Feeling overwhelmed with guilt, Lin Xingchen believed her Grandma had fainted from exhaustion while caring for her. Lu Yibai comforted her, reassuring her it was merely hypertension and urging her not to overthink it. He offered to get her dinner, but she declined.
Despite Lin Xingchen's worries about his physics competition the next day, Lu Yibai insisted on staying to keep her company, explaining that his test wasn't until the afternoon. The next morning, Grandma woke up, and Lu Yibai departed for his competition. After a doctor confirmed Grandma was stable, needing only to manage her high blood pressure with a low-salt diet, daily monitoring, and regular check-ups, Lin Xingchen was greatly relieved, promising to accompany her to all future appointments.
Soon after, Lin Xingchen discovered Lu Yibai's admission ticket left behind in the hospital room. Grandma urged her to quickly deliver it to him. Lin Xingchen rushed out, repeatedly calling Lu Yibai's phone without success. She boarded a shared minivan to Yicheng, costing 80 yuan, but it broke down halfway. After a long wait with no repairs in sight, she spotted a passing cargo truck offering rides to Yicheng for 30 yuan. Checking the time, Lin Xingchen quickly climbed aboard.
Episode 26 Recap
Lin Xingchen rushed to the exam venue, worried she was late to deliver Lu Yibai's admission ticket. To her relief, Lu Yibai calmly informed her that an ID card was also acceptable for entry, and he was simply waiting outside because the exam hadn't started yet and it was too noisy inside. With her phone dead, Lin Xingchen decided to wait for him, despite the two-and-a-half-hour exam duration. She eventually dozed off on a flower bed.
Lu Yibai, concerned about Lin Xingchen and being a quick test-taker, submitted his paper early. He found Lin Xingchen asleep and offered her water, which she gratefully accepted, explaining she hadn't eaten since the previous night and felt dizzy. When Lu Yibai tried to order carbonated drinks, Lin Xingchen stopped him, reminding him of his allergy and ordering Nongfu Spring instead. When he asked how she knew about his allergy, she simply smiled and said it was a secret.
Lin Xingchen then revealed she had spent all her money on her frantic journey to bring him the admission ticket. To compensate, Lu Yibai promised to take her out for some fun. Lin Xingchen suggested the Ferris wheel she had seen previously with Zhang Haotian. Lu Yibai seemed slightly annoyed by the mention of Zhang Haotian and initially hesitated, but he eventually gave in to her pleas.
On the Ferris wheel, which temporarily halted due to a malfunction, Lin Xingchen pointed out the sunset in the wrong direction, leading Lu Yibai to playfully tease her. She then surprised him with a handmade bracelet, wishing him a happy birthday, which he happily accepted. At school, an activity encouraged students to openly declare their future dreams. Lu Yibai expressed his ambition to become a cardiac surgeon.
Lin Xingchen, dreaming of becoming a novelist, posted her aspiration right next to his, drawing a heart beside it. When Lu Yibai asked about the heart, she simply replied, "Because I like it." Luo Qinge, whose dream was to become an artist, enthusiastically signed up for a talent competition and was shortlisted. Lin Xingchen initially voiced concern about how it might impact her studies, prompting Luo Qinge to exclaim that Lin Xingchen sounded just like her own mother.
Despite the initial hesitation, Lin Xingchen pledged her full support, promising to help Luo Qinge gather votes. As the weekend approached, Lin Xingchen secretly helped Luo Qinge prepare promotional flyers for the competition, even declining Lu Yibai's invitation to study at the library. Their secretive behavior piqued the curiosity of Lu Yibai and Chen Yimu. Chen Yimu managed to extract information from Luo Qinge, learning that she and Lin Xingchen were headed to the central plaza.
He then convinced a reluctant Lu Yibai to join him. Upon arriving, Lu Yibai found Lin Xingchen dealing with an unwelcome admirer asking for her phone number. He quickly intervened with a harsh joke about the man's potential fate, and though he tried to persuade Lin Xingchen to return to her studies, he was eventually pulled into dancing to gather votes with them.
Though Lu Yibai tried to persuade Lin Xingchen to prioritize her studies, she vehemently insisted on defending Luo Qinge's dreams and playfully pulled him into dancing to gather votes, to which he eventually conceded. Later that evening, Luo Qinge returned home to find her parents arguing about the flyers she had distributed. Her father, furious, confiscated her wallet and grounded her, forbidding her from participating in the competition.
Distraught, Luo Qinge called Lin Xingchen, who suggested she seek help from Chen Yimu, knowing her parents held him in high regard. Chen Yimu promptly arrived at the Luo residence, where he was cordially received by Luo Qinge's parents. He passionately advocated for Luo Qinge, highlighting her artistic talent as the arts committee representative. Luo Qinge's father dismissed her aspirations as a mere hobby, questioning how she could make a living from singing and dancing.
Chen Yimu countered by drawing a parallel to his own father's disapproval of his basketball dream, pointing out the bias against artistic careers. He argued that forcing Luo Qinge into something she disliked would only lead to future resentment. Convinced by Chen Yimu's words, Luo Qinge's parents softened their stance and agreed to let her participate. Overjoyed, Luo Qinge shared the good news with Lin Xingchen, acknowledging Chen Yimu's significant role in changing her parents' minds.
In a Chinese class, the teacher criticized the students' essays on dreams, noting their perfunctory nature and the misuse of rhetorical devices. Cai Weiming read his essay, likening a dreamless life to bland food and a spineless existence. Chen Yimu's turn to read prompted laughter as he comically misattributed Sima Qian to the Tang dynasty and Xiang Yu's suicide to the Miluo River.
Lin Xingchen, witnessing the widespread issues, felt a sense of urgency and began seeking out books on contemporary creative writing in the library. Lu Yibai, finding her studying one such book, cautioned her that such competitions offered bonus points for only a select few universities. Lin Xingchen accused him of discouraging her dreams, but Lu Yibai clarified that dreams require diligent, step-by-step effort, not overnight success. He then encouraged her to continue reading if she truly enjoyed it.
During the talent competition, Luo Qinge, accompanied by Chen Yimu, introduced herself as a senior from Yiling High School, sharing her passion for singing, dancing, and playing guitar. She dedicated an original song to her best friend, Lin Xingchen, proclaiming her desire to "go crazy for youth just this once." Despite her heartfelt performance and a subsequent dance, the judges' opinions were divided, and she was ultimately not selected.
However, Luo Qinge remained undeterred, boldly stating her resolve to "never give up." Back at school, Luo Qinge channeled her energy into her studies, impressing Lin Xingchen and Chen Yimu with her newfound determination. Meanwhile, Lin Xingchen's submission to a writing competition went unanswered, leaving her feeling disheartened. To uplift her spirits, Lu Yibai presented her with two tickets to an astronomy exhibition, promising to accompany her if she scored above eighty on her upcoming monthly quiz.
Later, the Luo and Chen families gathered for a meal. Luo Qinge's father happily praised his daughter's renewed dedication to her studies and used the opportunity to urge Chen Yimu's father to support his son's dreams, including his basketball aspirations. During the dinner, Chen Yimu consumed too much rice wine egg soup and became completely intoxicated. As Luo Qinge helped him to bed, a drunken Chen Yimu declared his unwavering support for her and suddenly kissed her forehead. Startled, Luo Qinge instinctively pushed him away, leaving her bewildered as he immediately passed out.
Episode 27 Recap
Luo Qinge remained troubled by Chen Yimu's drunken kiss from the previous night, even dreaming about it. The incident left her feeling annoyed and distant towards him. Chen Yimu, seemingly oblivious, wondered if he had somehow offended her while he was intoxicated, asking if he had hit her. However, he also received good news when his father, after much thought, decided to support his dream of playing basketball.
His father gave him 500 yuan to buy new basketball shoes, as his old pair had been worn for two years. Chen Yimu promised his father that he would study diligently to get into a first-tier sports university. Meanwhile, Lin Xingchen was pleased after scoring 82 on her recent test, a score Lu Yibai acknowledged as "interest" on a previous debt.
She had hoped to go to an astronomy exhibition with him, but to their disappointment, the tickets had already expired. Lu Yibai then offered her a new incentive: two tickets to an art exhibition, promising to go with her if she ranked in the top twenty on her upcoming mock exams. Lin Xingchen, however, expressed a preference for astronomy over art. Later, at lunchtime, when the cafeteria had few options, Chen Yimu returned to the classroom.
Luo Qinge and Lin Xingchen observed him speaking with Lin Xue in the hallway, where he handed her something. This left Luo Qinge feeling a surge of unease, though she wouldn't openly admit her curiosity to Lin Xingchen. Luo Qinge’s discomfort grew when Chen Yimu invited her to his basketball game the next day, but she flatly refused. With increasing math homework, students found classrooms and the library crowded.
So, Lu Yibai suggested that he and Lin Xingchen study at a book café after school. Hearing this, Zhang Haotian and Cai Weiming eagerly asked to join, and Lin Xingchen extended the invitation to Luo Qinge, forming a study group of five. At the book café, Zhang Haotian generously treated everyone to a variety of snacks, including two "Grand Slams" and five egg tarts.
Luo Qinge, still bothered by what she saw earlier, subtly steered the conversation to Chen Yimu and Lin Xue. Cai Weiming chimed in, mentioning that he had seen Chen Yimu specifically buying food for Lin Xue at the supermarket, which further fueled Luo Qinge’s suspicion that the two might be dating, making her even more agitated. Chen Yimu, armed with the 500 yuan from his father, went to buy new basketball shoes.
However, he found that the limited edition shoes he liked cost 1099 yuan, far more than he had. He also found no basketball shoes available for under 400 yuan, so he left the store without purchasing any. During the city league game where Yiling High was competing against Third High for a spot in the top four, Chen Yimu played exceptionally well.
Luo Qinge brought him water, but when Lin Xue also approached with chilled water, he accepted Lin Xue’s offering and returned Luo Qinge’s, stating hers was too cold, which visibly infuriated her. On their way home, Luo Qinge vented her frustration to Lin Xingchen, adamantly denying that she was jealous or liked Chen Yimu, despite Lin Xingchen pointing out that she was acting exactly like someone who was, even blushing.
That weekend, Chen Yimu discovered Luo Qinge had left her homework notebook at school and decided to deliver it to her house. While there, he asked why her attitude towards him had changed so drastically. Luo Qinge, still upset, curtly told him she didn't want to see him. When Chen Yimu turned to leave, she was taken aback by his prompt departure and fumed in her room about him walking away so easily.
Suddenly, she heard a noise outside her window, mistook it for a thief, and impulsively threw a flower pot. It turned out to be Chen Yimu, who had returned. He was startled, fell, and injured his left leg, which quickly swelled like a pig's trotters. Luo Qinge was immediately remorseful and rushed to tend to his injury. As she applied medicine, Chen Yimu took the opportunity to explain his interactions with Lin Xue.
He recounted how he had seen Lin Xue being swindled by a street vendor who accused her of using a fake 100 yuan bill. Though he couldn't get the money back from the stubborn vendor, he later gave Lin Xue 100 yuan of his own, pretending he had retrieved it, because he saw she hadn’t eaten lunch. He explained that he had the spare money because he had decided not to buy the expensive basketball shoes.
Luo Qinge’s misunderstanding was finally cleared, and she understood his good intentions. Knowing Chen Yimu's old sneakers were two years old and that he couldn't afford new ones, Luo Qinge secretly bought him a pair of limited edition, size 44 basketball shoes and placed them in his desk. Chen Yimu was overjoyed upon finding them and, realizing they were from her, approached her.
He offered to pay her back, but Luo Qinge firmly refused, questioning why he would offer to pay her when he accepted Lin Xue's gift without question. She then challenged him, saying that if he truly wanted to repay her, he should win the city league championship and break Yiling High's "curse of being runner-up for ages," as the school had consistently placed second for three years. Chen Yimu readily accepted her challenge.
Meanwhile, Zhang Haotian once again suggested a group study session at the book café with Lin Xingchen. However, Lu Yibai advised Lin Xingchen to make an excuse, asserting that five people studying together was inefficient and that he didn't want to spend two hours tutoring her over the phone later. He told her to meet him at the bus stop after school, while he would ride his bike.
But after school, Lu Yibai spotted Zhang Haotian near the bike parking area. To avoid him, Lu Yibai abandoned his bike and walked with Lin Xingchen to the book café, making up an excuse about strong winds and stating they would take the bus home later. While studying, their hands accidentally brushed while reaching for food, causing Lin Xingchen to gasp and mistakenly drink from Lu Yibai's cup to compose herself. Lu Yibai, however, seemed quietly pleased by the incident.
After their study session, Lu Yibai and Lin Xingchen took the public bus home. It was a new experience for Lu Yibai, who usually rode his bike, to navigate the crowded peak-hour bus. Lin Xingchen even commented that this day was less crowded than usual. Several times, the sudden stops caused them to be pressed close together. Witnessing Lin Xingchen's daily commute struggles, Lu Yibai offered to ride his bicycle and take her home in the future. However, Lin Xingchen politely declined, explaining that their homes were far apart, and she had grown accustomed to the bus, humorously adding that "crowding is good for your health."
Episode 28 Recap
The city's high school basketball league finals had arrived, and Luo Qinge was visibly anxious, unable to focus in class, constantly worrying about Chen Yimu's previous injury. Chen Yimu, however, had gained many new fans at school because of the upcoming match, receiving numerous gifts which he brought back to class. Luo Qinge, feigning disgust, turned and walked out, but Chen Yimu then discovered the gifts were full of snacks she loved, which he discreetly placed in her desk drawer.
Earlier, Lin Xue, the assistant monitor, had offered to give Chen Yimu his homework later, but he stated that Luo Qinge would let him copy hers, so she wouldn't need to be troubled. Lin Xue returned his homework to him, then saw him putting the snacks into Luo Qinge's desk, leaving with a somber expression. She also returned 100 yuan to Chen Yimu, referring to it as a loan. That afternoon, the final game against Longguang High School began.
The opposing team's players had a significant height advantage, making it a tough battle for Yiling High School. Despite the difficulty, the team fought hard and managed to catch up. However, at a crucial moment, Chen Yimu was knocked down by an opponent and twisted his ankle, forcing him to be helped off the court to rest. The game became incredibly tense, but Chen Yimu refused to give up and insisted on rejoining.
The coach, seeing his determination, reluctantly put him back in. In the final seconds, with Yiling only two points behind, Chen Yimu attempted a risky buzzer-beater jump shot, but the ball missed. He collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain from the injury, yet the physical pain was overshadowed by the heartbreak of losing the championship trophy.
Luo Qinge felt immensely guilty, believing that his injury and the team's loss were her fault, stemming from an incident where he was injured when she dropped something from her window. Chen Yimu quickly reassured her, explaining that he had twisted his right ankle today, while the previous injury at her house was to his left leg.
He gently teased her for being so worried, which finally made her smile through her tears as they playfully bickered about who was smarter or dumber. The school then unexpectedly announced a two-day mock exam as preparation for the city-wide mock exam a month later. The teachers expressed nervousness about its sudden nature.
Lu Yibai, knowing the seating arrangements would be shuffled, meaning he couldn't subtly help Lin Xingchen with timing, took the initiative to give her a private tutoring session. He meticulously taught her how to allocate her time effectively during exams, for example, spending a minute per multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank question, two to three minutes on calculation problems, ten minutes on major essay questions, and reserving ten minutes for review.
He also explained how test papers are typically structured with a majority of basic questions, a fair share of intermediate ones, and a few high-difficulty problems designed to differentiate top scorers, advising her not to get stuck on challenging early questions. Lin Xingchen grasped his advice, admitting she often ran out of time on big questions. On the day of the mock exam, a female student was caught looking at a crib sheet.
The invigilator coughed to alert her, causing the girl to drop the paper, which then rolled directly next to Zhang Haotian's seat. Another invigilator saw it and, jumping to conclusions, immediately accused Zhang Haotian of cheating. The matter was quickly escalated to his homeroom teacher and the Academic Affairs Office, with the invigilator strongly advocating for Zhang Haotian to be publicly criticized.
The homeroom teacher, Mr. Yang, expressed doubts, stating that while Zhang Haotian could be mischievous, he didn't seem like the type to cheat. However, the other invigilator insisted, citing Zhang Haotian's past record of having other students do his homework, arguing that a public criticism was necessary to set an example and deter others. The Director agreed to report the incident to the school leaders. Soon after, a notice announcing Zhang Haotian's public criticism was posted on the bulletin board.
Zhang Haotian, furious, confronted the Academic Affairs Director and his homeroom teacher, protesting his innocence. Both teachers claimed they had reviewed the surveillance footage and confirmed his cheating. Enraged, Zhang Haotian declared on the spot that he would no longer attend school. He returned to the classroom, hastily packed his belongings, and stormed out. Lin Xingchen chased after him, urging him not to be impulsive and to try and clear his name.
However, Zhang Haotian felt helpless, arguing that since the teachers had conspired against him after reviewing the footage, there was no point in staying. He asked if she could stay if she were in his shoes and then left. The students were shocked by the incident. Lin Xingchen firmly believed Zhang Haotian hadn't cheated. Luo Qinge agreed, stating that with Zhang Haotian's prideful character, he wouldn't stoop to using crib sheets. Lu Yibai listened to their discussion, his expression thoughtful.
Zhang Haotian arrived at his cousin's auto repair shop and recounted the events at school. His cousin, understanding Zhang Haotian's unyielding nature, validated his feelings. He then showed Zhang Haotian a recruitment advertisement for a racing club he had found, suggesting that if he truly intended to quit school, he could pursue a career he loved, noting the club offered accommodation, meals, and even a salary for those who placed in races.
Lin Xingchen and Luo Qinge were very concerned about Zhang Haotian's predicament. Lu Yibai proposed that they re-examine the surveillance footage themselves. Following his idea, Chen Yimu went to the monitoring room, feigning distress about a lost wallet and requesting to check the footage. While the security guard was busy with the paperwork and then rushed to the restroom due to a sudden stomachache, the four friends—Chen Yimu, Lu Yibai, Lin Xingchen, and Luo Qinge—seized the opportunity.
They reviewed the exam hall footage, identifying a crucial detail: the camera's angle created a blind spot, precisely at the position of the girl sitting next to Zhang Haotian. At the exact moment the crib sheet fell, a patrolling teacher had passed by, momentarily obstructing the view of the girl. This raised the strong possibility that the crib sheet was dropped by the girl, not Zhang Haotian.
Meanwhile, the Academic Affairs Director, still feeling uneasy after his confrontation with Zhang Haotian, had repeatedly tried calling his parents, but couldn't get through. Reflecting on Zhang Haotian's vehement denial, he reconsidered, believing the student's character didn't align with cheating. He decided to revisit the monitoring room to review the video himself, where he unexpectedly encountered Lu Yibai and his three friends.
Although the Director acknowledged the validity of their findings regarding the blind spot and the alternative suspect, he still punished them for accessing the footage without permission by making them run laps on the track. During their punishment, Chen Yimu complained, but reminded everyone that running was a lenient penalty, hinting at potentially worse punishments. Lin Xingchen noticed Lu Yibai's impressive stamina and pointed out that he had run one less lap than the others.
After their laps, they shared water. Back in the classroom, the homeroom teacher called Lu Yibai out for a private discussion. Lin Xingchen worried that Lu Yibai might face further trouble for their actions in the monitoring room, but he calmly assured her there was nothing to worry about.
Episode 29 Recap
Following an investigation, the school announced over the broadcast system that Zhang Haotian from Class 3, Year 3, had been wrongfully accused of cheating. The school officially revoked his punishment and issued a sincere apology for their oversight. The real culprit, Zhang Xinran from Class 5, Year 3, received a severe warning for her actions and for concealing the truth.
Zhang Haotian's friends were overjoyed by the news, and Lin Xingchen immediately tried to contact him after school, but he remained unreachable, neither answering calls nor replying to QQ messages. Meanwhile, at home, Zhang Haotian looked at the messages from his friends, then reviewed racing driver recruitment materials he had, and decided to apply by submitting his information online.
During an English lesson, Lin Xingchen passed a note to Lu Yibai, asking him to join her after school to find Zhang Haotian. Though Lu Yibai showed no outward reaction, he met her after class, and they headed to Zhang Haotian's cousin's repair shop, where Zhang Haotian also worked. Lin Xingchen excitedly informed him that the class monitor had helped clear his name, urging him to return to school.
However, Zhang Haotian was firm in his decision not to return, stating he no longer wanted to study, and politely dismissed them. Lin Xingchen, unwilling to give up, was about to press further, but Lu Yibai noticed racing club advertisements on Zhang Haotian's desk. Without a word, he pulled Lin Xingchen away. On Saturday, Lin Xingchen found Zhang Haotian and pulled him to the school track, proposing a running race. The rule was simple: whoever stopped first would lose.
If she won, Zhang Haotian had to agree to return to school and prepare for the college entrance exam with everyone else. Zhang Haotian initially resisted, calling her "adorably silly" for suggesting such a race in the heat, and explained that he had his own reasons for not returning—he wanted to join a racing team. Lin Xingchen countered that joining a racing team could wait, but the college entrance exam was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
As they ran, Zhang Haotian, whose stamina wasn't his strong suit, quickly gave up after a few laps, conceding the race and promising to return to school. Lin Xingchen, thrilled by his agreement, told him she, Lu Yibai, and Luo Qinge had plans to study at the library that day and cheerfully promised him a drink on Monday.
As Zhang Haotian left the school, he encountered Lu Yibai, who had been sitting by the track watching Lin Xingchen before waiting for Zhang Haotian at the parking lot. Lu Yibai candidly expressed that he once considered Zhang Haotian a worthy opponent but now felt he had overestimated him due to his quick surrender.
Zhang Haotian retorted, speculating that Lin Xingchen's feelings might not last forever, that life was long, and one shouldn't only look at what they have in front of them. Lu Yibai countered sharply, asking how Zhang Haotian expected to compete with him if he was about to lose at the starting line of university. On Monday, Zhang Haotian kept his promise and returned to school. However, their reunion was short-lived.
The class teacher announced an important school decision: all senior students would be reassigned into A, B, C, and D classes based on their academic performance, for targeted tutoring during the final three months before the college entrance exam. To facilitate this "special exam preparation group," weekends were canceled, and evening self-study was extended until 9 PM. The students expressed their concern, feeling like "guinea pigs" in this "first attempt" by the school's educational experts.
The new class roster was soon posted. Lu Yibai was placed in Class A, while Lin Xingchen, Luo Qinge, and Chen Yimu were all assigned to Class D. Luo Qinge had already taken an art exam after receiving tutoring from a special art exam tutor arranged by her father and performed well. Chen Yimu, with his basketball skills, expected to enter a sports university after completing the provincial league.
Lin Xingchen, following Lu Yibai's advice, had also decided to pursue the art exam, aiming for a Drama and Film Literature major, which had lower admission score requirements due to her good essay writing. Class A, composed of elite students, maintained excellent classroom discipline. In stark contrast, Class D was chaotic, with students often unfocused.
Their math teacher became visibly frustrated, scolding the entire class for their lack of engagement and poor performance, particularly with the college entrance exam fast approaching, nearly spitting blood from anger. Despite the challenging environment, this incident further intensified Lin Xingchen and Luo Qinge's determination to study. Lin Xingchen stayed late in the classroom, correcting her mistakes, and continued studying diligently at home without slacking off.
Lu Yibai supported her, sending messages assuring her that he was available 24/7 for any questions. He even brought her many snacks during break, calling it an "extra meal" and encouraging her to study hard. Other students looked on with envy, and Lin Xingchen felt greatly encouraged. After another round of exams, a new class placement notice was released. Lin Xingchen was still in Class D, which left her feeling disheartened despite her efforts.
As she and her friends walked to the track, they saw the Director of Academic Affairs disciplining students who were late or hadn't submitted homework. Among them was a female student, Zhang Tong, who suddenly collapsed from heatstroke after running several laps. The Director immediately rushed her to the infirmary. Later, Zhang Tong's mother arrived at the school, angrily demanding an explanation from Principal Zhou, accusing the school of her daughter collapsing due to running laps.
However, Zhang Tong herself, having recovered, came out and explained that she had violated school rules first, which led to the punishment. The Director took full responsibility, apologizing for not considering Zhang Tong's physical condition. Soon after, news circulated that the Director had taken sick leave for hospitalization and submitted a letter of resignation to the school. Lu Yibai called Lin Xingchen after reviewing the test paper she had photographed and sent him.
He pointed out that many of her mistakes were due to carelessness and that the mock exam had contained numerous "trap questions," making it normal not to score perfectly. He encouraged her not to lose heart and to keep working hard for the next exam. Lin Xingchen assured him she would definitely do her best.
Episode 30 Recap
After a math class, the teacher asked Lin Xingchen to help collect homework. She noticed two classmates rushing out without submitting theirs and stopped them. The students, in an arrogant tone, mocked Lin Xingchen for still being in Class D despite her hard work, questioning if she truly expected to get into Tsinghua or Peking University. Luo Qinge intervened to defend Lin Xingchen, leading to an argument.
The teacher entered, observed the commotion, and, without seeking explanations, ordered everyone involved to stand for the remainder of the day's class. The incident left Lin Xingchen feeling deeply dejected by the harsh remarks. Luo Qinge later confided in Zhang Haotian and Lu Yibai about Lin Xingchen’s low spirits, mentioning that Lin Xingchen was pushing herself excessively, often studying late into the night. Luo Qinge asked Lu Yibai to talk to Lin Xingchen.
Lu Yibai's mother also encouraged him to offer Lin Xingchen more help with her studies. Later, Lu Yibai saw a notice about a power outage scheduled for that evening. During evening self-study, just as the power went out, he messaged Lin Xingchen to discreetly meet him by the back door. He then led her to the school track to watch the Pegasus Meteor Shower, urging her to make a wish.
Lin Xingchen wished for all of them to get into their desired universities. As the classroom lights flickered back on, Lu Yibai stopped her from rushing back and handed her a meticulously prepared math notebook. Inside, Lin Xingchen found a comprehensive compilation of her math mistakes from the past three years, along with encouraging words from Lu Yibai.
He wrote that true genius is rare, that most are ordinary people whose difference lies in their commitment to doing their best, and that "so-called geniuses are just lazy people looking for excuses to comfort themselves." This heartfelt gesture deeply moved Lin Xingchen. Later, Lin Xingchen requested a half-day leave from her math teacher, Mr. Fang, explaining that she needed to accompany her Grandma for a follow-up medical checkup.
Mr. Yang, another teacher, confirmed Lin Xingchen's unique family circumstances, as her parents were not present. Her request for an afternoon leave was granted. At the hospital, while awaiting her Grandma's test results, Lin Xingchen was surprised to see the Director emerge from a nearby room, looking noticeably unwell. Lin Xingchen quickly shared her discovery with her friends, and they decided to visit the Director during their lunch break. Upon arriving at the hospital, they found the Director.
Shortly after, Zhang Tong also appeared, tearfully confessing to the Director and admitting she had already told the principal the full truth. She explained that prior to a mock exam, she had foolishly sneaked into the office to peek at test papers and was caught by the Director. To prevent this from jeopardizing her college entrance exams, the Director had shielded her from severe school punishment, only making her run laps.
Zhang Tong tearfully revealed that the Director had almost been expelled because of her actions. However, the Director downplayed the situation, stating he was merely on sick leave and urging the students to stop worrying and focus on their upcoming exams. The students were profoundly touched by his genuine care and understood that his usual strictness was rooted in his concern for their well-being. The school organized a coming-of-age ceremony for its senior students.
Lu Yibai, speaking as the student representative, set aside his prepared speech. Instead, he delivered a powerful, heartfelt address to the teachers and school leaders. He openly criticized the recent class division system, arguing that while it aimed for efficiency, it overlooked the invaluable emotional bonds between classmates—bonds that provide the courage needed to face challenges like the college entrance exam.
He passionately urged the school to allow all senior students to return to their original classes and spend their final academic moments together, side by side. His words resonated deeply, and many students, including Lin Xingchen, rose to their feet in support. Lin Xingchen, acknowledging her ordinary grades, spoke sincerely about the importance of their shared experiences and dreams.
She emphasized that grades should not define them and that, collectively, even seemingly small individuals come together to form a magnificent, vast galaxy. Following the students' fervent appeal, the school reversed its decision, abolishing the class division and allowing all students to return to their original classes. One afternoon, Zhang Haotian noticed Lin Xingchen was hungry and prepared her a bowl of instant noodles.
The appealing aroma quickly spread throughout the classroom, prompting other classmates to ask for some, and soon everyone was sharing noodles. The Director, passing by, caught the strong scent emanating from their classroom. He instructed Lu Yibai, as the class leader, to address the situation. Lu Yibai then led his classmates to the track for a group punishment, making them stand there.
Despite not having eaten any of the noodles himself, Lu Yibai joined his classmates in the punishment, demonstrating shared responsibility. As graduation approached, students began exchanging and signing yearbooks. Zhang Haotian encouraged Lin Xingchen to get one, but she wasn't ready. Instead, she offered the back of her school uniform for everyone to write messages, promising to frame it as a keepsake.
Lu Yibai seized the opportunity to write "You are my daytime star" on her uniform, which sparked playful teasing from their classmates, though he told Lin Xingchen to read his message later at home. The school radio station launched a special segment for senior students' song dedications.
Zhang Haotian dedicated Wang Sulong's song "Little Star" to Lin Xingchen, addressing her as his "best friend" and sending a very sentimental message, wishing her a lifetime of radiance like a star and eternal serenity. Lu Yibai, overhearing the dedication, visibly rolled his eyes in disdain. Meanwhile, Lin Xingchen and Luo Qinge were at the library, returning and borrowing books, and consequently missed the broadcast.
Upon returning to class, they found their classmates teasing Lin Xingchen about the dedication, leaving her utterly confused. Shortly thereafter, their homeroom teacher entered with a cheerful smile, announcing that all evening self-study sessions were canceled starting that day, allowing them to go home at the normal time. As Luo Qinge’s father arrived to pick her up, Lu Yibai caught up to Lin Xingchen on his bicycle. He casually inquired if she had heard the song dedication on the radio.
Upon learning she hadn't, and thus missed Zhang Haotian's public declaration, Lu Yibai's mood noticeably brightened. He playfully remarked that it was Beethoven’s "Pathétique" and that anyone who listened would become depressed.
Episode 31 Recap
With the college entrance exam fast approaching, the students dedicated themselves to their final preparations. Five days before the exam, they attended their last high school math class. Their usually strict math teacher became sentimental, telling them that true equality lies in the face of dreams. He encouraged them to never forget their original aspirations, even when encountering setbacks or feeling lost, and wished them all excellent results.
Lu Yibai then led the class in a collective "Goodbye, teacher," marking the end of an era. Their homeroom teacher, Teacher Yang, had prepared special gifts for each student, including admission tickets, cake, and zongzi—a playful nod to "high school" when combined. The students, in turn, surprised Teacher Yang with a birthday celebration, complete with a cake and a birthday song.
Touched by their gesture, Teacher Yang shared her only birthday wish: for all her students to succeed in their college entrance exams and bravely pursue their dreams, noting that her journey with them had come to an end. On the day of the college entrance exam, a sense of collective support permeated the air around Yiling High School. Construction ceased, car horns were silent, taxis offered free rides to examinees, and water bottles were distributed for free.
Teachers and parents appeared even more nervous than the students. Lin Xingchen and Luo Qinge arrived just in time, joining their friends for a quick, collective cheer, led by Lu Yibai, before heading into their respective exam rooms. After the intense exams concluded, the Director, much to everyone's delight, organized a rare school-wide celebration. Students and teachers engaged in a joyous water fight on the playground with water guns and balloons, creating unforgettable memories of their youth.
Soon after, the college entrance exam results were released. Lu Yibai called Lin Xingchen to inform her that he had already checked her scores. Lin Xingchen, still unaware of the news, eagerly asked about his performance first. He modestly replied that he had performed as expected. To her astonishment and joy, Lu Yibai then revealed she had scored 562 points, an impressive achievement he attributed to her diligent efforts.
Thrilled by her success, Lin Xingchen excitedly shared her results in their group chat. There, she discovered Lu Yibai’s score of 705 points and learned he was considering Tsinghua University or Peking University. Inspired by his choice, Lin Xingchen decided she, too, would apply to universities in Beijing. The school then organized a day for graduation photos. Lu Yibai was a popular figure, with many students eager to take pictures with him.
Luo Qinge noticed Chen Yimu was missing and called him. Moments later, she spotted him on top of the teaching building, unfurling a banner and using a megaphone to loudly declare his love for her, asking her to be his girlfriend. Luo Qinge was mortified by the public spectacle and urged him to come down. Amidst the students' cheers, the Director arrived, prompting Chen Yimu to make a hasty escape, with the Director in comical pursuit.
Later, as Chen Yimu walked Luo Qinge home, he pressed her for an answer. Still shy and playing hard to get, Luo Qinge playfully teased him about his future university's female students and asserted her own popularity, telling him she needed more time to think. Their banter highlighted their sweet and complicated dynamic. During this time, Lin Xingchen overheard a heated argument between Lu Yibai and his mother.
His mother was furious that he had chosen Tsinghua over prestigious offers from Cambridge and Oxford medical schools, accusing him of abandoning his childhood dream of becoming a top doctor to treat heart conditions, a dream fueled by his late younger sister, Yao Yao. She reminded him of purposely failing a biomedical exam in his sophomore year, suggesting he had long given up on studying abroad.
Lu Yibai attempted to explain that foundational medical studies were the same everywhere and he could pursue postgraduate studies abroad, but his mother refused to listen and stormed off to speak with his teacher. Lin Xingchen, who overheard this exchange, was deeply puzzled by Lu Yibai's change of plans.
Later, while in the classroom, she inadvertently found Lu Yibai's wallet and discovered a photo of him with Yao Yao – a face she recognized because she had a similar photo herself. This revelation confirmed that Yao Yao was Lu Yibai’s sister. Recalling that her own cornea donor was also named Yao Yao, Lin Xingchen later questioned her grandmother about the donor family.
Her grandmother confirmed the donor was indeed 'Yao Yao and her family,' but due to confidentiality, could only add that there was a slightly taller boy in their family, cementing Lin Xingchen's overwhelming realization that Lu Yibai's late sister was her cornea donor. Overwhelmed, Lin Xingchen began to question if Lu Yibai's kindness towards her was merely a reflection of his affection for his late sister, leaving her anxious about his true feelings.
As the summer holidays officially began, Luo Qinge called Lin Xingchen, playfully scolding her for sleeping in late and inviting her to a celebration party for the end of the exams. Luo Qinge instructed her to meet at KaiDe Mall for party supplies. At the party later that evening, the friends decided to play a "truth-telling game" to encourage everyone to express their unspoken feelings.
Lin Xue was the first to make a toast, sincerely wishing Chen Yimu success in becoming a superstar, which clearly irked Luo Qinge. When Lin Xingchen attempted to make a toast to the class leader, Wu Jiayi intervened, diverting her into a toast with Zhang Haotian. Lin Xingchen quickly became intoxicated. Noticing her state, Luo Qinge asked Lu Yibai to take her home. On the bus ride, a drunken Lin Xingchen leaned on Lu Yibai’s shoulder.
He soon noticed her tears and gently asked what was wrong. Through her sobs, Lin Xingchen confessed that she had seen the photo and now knew he was Yao Yao's brother, asking why he had kept it from her. Lu Yibai explained he didn't want to burden her. Lin Xingchen then tearfully questioned if he had always only seen her as a younger sister.
Despite her uncertainty about his feelings, she bravely confessed her love for him, regardless of his reasons for his past kindness. Amused by her drunken confession, Lu Yibai tried to console her, humorously suggesting that her crying might lead passersby to think he was bullying her, to which she tearfully retorted, "You ARE bullying me."
Episode 32 (Ending) Recap
Lu Yibai carefully carried a disoriented Lin Xingchen back to her home. After making sure she was settled, he left. Lin Xingchen slept until noon the next day, only waking when her Grandma came to call her. Grandma informed her that Lu Yibai had brought her home the previous night and advised her to thank him properly.
Startled, Lin Xingchen’s memories from the bus ride flooded back: her drunken confession, "I like you, I really like you," followed by the bus’s sudden stop that led to an accidental kiss. Just then, Luo Qinge messaged her to remind her about the upcoming camping trip, making Lin Xingchen anxious about her impulsive actions. Meanwhile, Lu Yibai's father approached him, concerned about the lingering cold war between Lu Yibai and his mother.
He acknowledged his mother's strong will and Lu Yibai's stubbornness, urging them to communicate better. Lu Yibai explained that his mother had always made every decision for him, even down to his breakfast, but this time, he wanted to make his own choice. His father gently reminded him that studying medicine abroad had been his childhood dream and asked him to reconsider it seriously.
He also encouraged Lu Yibai to show his mother more affection during their remaining time together before he left home, emphasizing that she was also feeling the emotional strain. The next morning, Lu Yibai’s father presented his mother with a bowl of wontons, telling her they were specially made by Lu Yibai before he left for the camping trip. Touched, his mother felt her anger towards him begin to subside.
At the designated meeting point for the camping trip, Lin Xingchen was surprised to find only Lu Yibai there. He explained that Chen Yimu and Luo Qinge had departed from a nearby stop, while Cai Weiming and Zhang Haotian took a direct bus from the north, leaving just the two of them. They went to buy bus tickets, and Lu Yibai suggested using their student IDs for a discount, which Lin Xingchen praised as clever.
He insisted on paying for both tickets. On the bus, Lin Xingchen took selfies and initially tried to get Lu Yibai to join, though he was reluctant, he eventually leaned in for a photo. Noticing the sun shining on her window seat, Lu Yibai suggested they switch, despite her protest, and they did. As Lin Xingchen drifted to sleep, he gently supported her head on his shoulder.
Startled awake, she accidentally bumped his head against the window, leaving a visible red mark. She profusely apologized, but Lu Yibai assured her he was fine. Later, at the campsite, the rest of their friends joked about Lu Yibai and Lin Xingchen being late, speculating they were on a date. When they arrived, Zhang Haotian immediately noticed the red mark on Lu Yibai’s forehead, who simply stated he had "got bumped."
As they prepared for grilling, Lin Xingchen pointed out a loose part of the table and asked Cai Weiming to fix it with a hammer. Cai Weiming, attempting a dramatic swing, almost struck Lin Xingchen, but Lu Yibai quickly pulled her out of harm's way while Zhang Haotian restrained Cai Weiming. Lin Xingchen thanked Lu Yibai. Chen Yimu, boasting about his grilling expertise, declared his desire to open a barbecue place and proposed Luo Qinge as his "lady boss."
Luo Qinge vehemently refused, only for Chen Yimu to remind her she had agreed when drunk. She retorted that "drunken words are sober thoughts," a sentiment Lin Xingchen echoed. As they enjoyed the delicious skewers and reminisced about their high school days—Zhang Haotian recalling a thrilling fight with thugs in a warehouse, and Lin Xingchen fondly remembering their victory at the sports meet—Lu Yibai subtly added that the camp was also a memorable time for him.
Zhang Haotian playfully declared himself and Lu Yibai "grasshoppers on the same rope," implying their intertwined fates. When Chen Yimu accidentally burned some skewers and realized they were running low on firewood, Lin Xingchen offered to gather more. Zhang Haotian started to follow, but stopped when Lu Yibai stood up, indicating he would go with Lin Xingchen instead. In the quiet woods, Lu Yibai asked Lin Xingchen what could be brighter and warmer than the sun.
He answered, "the stars," explaining they "shine in places where the sun can't reach." He then spoke of his late sister, Yaoyao, saying that if one cannot forget, they must hold onto the most beautiful memories. He wished himself a "Happy Birthday," prompting Lin Xingchen to muse, "So, as it turns out, every encounter is destined to happen." Lu Yibai then confessed, "I know what you're thinking. But I've never thought of you as a sister.
Because you're the one I like." He asked her to close her eyes, then opened a box, releasing a cascade of fireflies. Lin Xingchen gasped in delight, marveling that they were "beautiful, like stars plucked from the sky." As a firefly landed on Lu Yibai's collar, Lin Xingchen reached to gently catch it, and Lu Yibai seized the moment to kiss her.
Back at the campsite, as the others continued to drink, Luo Qinge grew concerned about Lin Xingchen and Lu Yibai’s prolonged absence and ventured out with a flashlight to find them. Feeling a presence behind her, she was startled when Chen Yimu jumped out. She instinctively sought refuge in his arms before realizing it was him, then playfully accused him of following her, noting his tell-tale ear-touching habit when lying.
Meanwhile, Cai Weiming expressed admiration for Zhang Haotian's fearless spirit, suggesting he would be a heartthrob if he became a racer. Zhang Haotian, still nursing a heartache from his unrequited feelings for Lin Xingchen, then sang a melancholic song about "spring blossoms, autumn winds, and winter sunsets," reflecting on his youth and the bittersweet passage of time.
Later that night, Lin Xingchen messaged Lu Yibai, urging him to pursue his dream of studying abroad, acknowledging that his dream, inspired by Yaoyao, had become hers too, and assuring him she wouldn't "run away." Lu Yibai playfully asked if she was still looking for the "little brother" who had given her a necklace. When he mentioned giving her a candy when they met, Lin Xingchen immediately grasped the implication, asking how he knew about the candy.
Realizing he was indeed the "little brother," she exclaimed with joy, declaring their meeting "destined." She rushed to the boys' dorm to find him, taking his hand and earnestly telling him, "Thank you. Meeting you is the luckiest thing to happen in my otherwise unfortunate life. You're my greatest blessing. I'll always be by your side." Lu Yibai, with a gentle smile, responded, "And you'll keep being lucky." Luo Qinge texted Lin Xingchen to hurry back, to which Lin Xingchen replied, "Got it."
