Close to You Recap, Plot, Synopsis

Close to You Synopsis

An ordinary girl, Yu Mingxi, unexpectedly gains the opportunity to attend the prestigious Jingcai Academy. In order to fulfill her late father's expectations, she is determined to complete her studies there and make use of her athletic talents. Jiang Bohan, on the other hand, has developed a severe rift with his mother due to the death of his younger brother. Although he remains a gifted and outstanding student representative, he deliberately presents himself as a rebellious and unruly youth.

Thus, two individuals living behind façades cross paths. They begin to peel away each other's masks, constantly challenging each other while also offering mutual salvation. In the process, they expose the wounds hidden deep within their hearts and gently heal one another in the most tender way.

Close to You Recap

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At a corner of Qingcai Academy's sports field, Yu Mingxi was helping her best friend, Wang Chunian, read aloud a ghostwritten love letter. The target was originally Jiang Bohan of the basketball team. Yu Mingxi recognized Jiang Bohan – the two had met through a street conflict: that night, Jiang Bohan was being beaten by thugs led by Yan Zhengwen, and Yu Mingxi, passing by, splashed the thugs with soy milk and pulled him to escape.

Yu Mingxi was exceptionally admitted to Qingcai Academy as a "positive example" but was forced to work part-time at a convenience store due to high extracurricular expenses. To earn extra money, she took on the task of distributing flyers on campus and used the opportunity to demonstrate to her best friend, Wang Chunian, "how to naturally hand over a love letter." While Jiang Bohan was momentarily stunned after receiving the flyer, Yu Mingxi was knocked unconscious by a flying ball. Jiang Bohan picked her up and rushed her to the infirmary.

Jiang Bohan took the unconscious Yu Mingxi to the infirmary. After Yu Mingxi woke up, she took the opportunity to get Jiang Bohan's phone number for Wang Chunian but was "tricked" by Qin Siyao, the school beauty who had a crush on Jiang, who blurred two digits of the number. As the two repeatedly checked the blurred numbers at the convenience store, Wang Chunian spotted Chen Sujie, her crush, passing by and left on a pretext.

While organizing the flyers, Jiang Bohan found the love letter sandwiched inside. He found the convenience store based on the flyer's address. He encountered Yu Mingxi being bothered by thugs sent by Yan Zhengwen. He led the thugs alone to a dark alley. Yu Mingxi worried and followed after him.

Jiang Bohan walked Yu Mingxi back to the convenience store. Yu Mingxi pretended she wanted to retrieve the flyers but actually wanted to get back the love letter she had dropped earlier. The two agreed to meet at school the next morning. Jiang Bohan returned the flyers on time but kept the love letter. To prove she had written the love letter herself, Yu Mingxi asked Jiang Bohan to test her on its content on the spot.

Unexpectedly, Qin Siyao, who was in the dark, secretly filmed this scene. Qin Siyao, jealous of Jiang Bohan's special treatment of Yu Mingxi, took screenshots of the video, made them into small posters, and put them all over campus. She also publicly displayed the full love letter on the bulletin board. Yu Mingxi became the laughingstock of the entire school. Both she and Jiang Bohan suspected that the other had deliberately set them up.

At the school's commendation assembly, the screen suddenly switched to a video of Yu Mingxi "confessing" to Jiang Bohan. Yu Mingxi rushed to the podium to clarify but was shielded by Jiang Bohan. After the two were called to the principal's office, Yu Mingxi was shocked to learn that Jiang Bohan was the principal's son. The principal, citing "influencing outstanding students," demanded that Yu Mingxi improve her monthly exam scores, or she would be expelled.

While clearing the small posters, Yu Mingxi's school uniform was splashed with water from a bucket. Jiang Bohan put his school uniform jacket on her and offered to tutor her, but Yu pushed him away, saying, "If I want to stay, I have to stay away from you. " Qin Siyao realized Jiang Bohan liked Yu Mingxi and couldn't concentrate on practicing the piano, for which she was warned by her mother. Qin threatened Jiang that she would not be polite to Yu, and the two parted unhappily.

Yu Mingxi learned that Jiang Bohan's mother was the principal and was also rumored about because of her part-time job. Jiang Bohan kept his promise to maintain distance, avoiding Yu Mingxi coldly several times and telling her and her friends to leave when he took his teammates to clear the small posters in the hallway. Yu Mingxi hesitated whether to apologize to him.

Yu Mingxi's part-time job at the convenience store was rumored to be a "gold digger plan," and the rumor monger claimed that Jiang Bohan had already seen through her intentions. Qin Siyao hinted that the rumor came from Jiang Bohan. Yu Mingxi angrily rushed into the men's locker room at the basketball court and righteously finished her outburst, only to find everyone shirtless. She fled amidst everyone's strange looks.

After learning about the rumor, Jiang Bohan clarified it to Yu Mingxi, and the two resolved their misunderstanding and resumed contact. Qin Siyao performed Jiang Bohan's favorite song at the campus concert but made frequent mistakes because Jiang was absent. Below the stage, Qin's mother looked displeased. Late at night, a drunk Qin Siyao squatted in front of Jiang's house, crying to Jiang Bohan.

Yan Zhengwen picked up the sleeping Qin Siyao, feeling heartbroken, and his resentment towards Jiang Bohan intensified. Jiang's mother reminded Jiang Bohan that night not to let dating ruin important matters and forced him to accept an exchange program with an overseas team. Jiang Bohan, unwilling to always follow his mother's arrangements, deliberately "confessed" to Yu Mingxi in public the next day to protect her.

Yan Zhengwen visited the hungover Qin Siyao in the early morning. Jiang Bohan followed Yu Mingxi to the convenience store and directly confessed his feelings. Yu Mingxi invited him to eat at a street stall and frankly told him the truth about her transfer. Jiang Bohan returned to the convenience store and bought many items Yu Mingxi was promoting to help her earn commission. After paying, he gave all the goods to Yu Mingxi.

After work, Yu Mingxi ran into Yan Zhengwen leading people to surround Jiang Bohan. Jiang explained that their parents were family friends and it was just roughhousing. Yu Mingxi left half-believing, feeling vaguely uneasy. When she returned, the place was empty, with only Jiang Bohan's phone and a small box remaining at the scene.

Yu Mingxi discovered Jiang Bohan was absent from class and, under the pretense of returning his belongings, asked members of the basketball team about him, unexpectedly getting Jiang's home address. News of a student being beaten to death broadcast on the convenience store TV intensified her worries, so she took leave and went to Jiang's house alone, finding that Jiang Bohan had only sustained minor injuries. When she left, she ran into Qin Siyao visiting.

To avoid suspicion, Yu Mingxi followed Jiang Bohan inside. Jiang Bohan was beaten and injured by Yan Zhengwen for refusing to meet Qin Siyao. Qin Siyao wanted to apologize but was refused entry, so she called Jiang's mother, falsely claiming to be a guest at Jiang's house. Inside, Yu Mingxi mistook eye drops for condoms, and when she was tending to Jiang Bohan's wounds, Jiang's mother suddenly returned home. Yu Mingxi hastily hid in the bedroom.

In Jiang Bohan's bedroom, Yu Mingxi found a family photo and wondered if he had a brother he had never mentioned. Jiang Bohan deliberately argued with his mother to create an opportunity for her to leave. Yu Mingxi spaced out while waiting for a traffic light and saw Wang Chunian and Chen Sujie laughing and talking in the library. The next day, Jiang Bohan rode his bike to take Yu Mingxi to school, and their relationship grew closer.

To prevent Yu Mingxi from staying at Qingcai, Qin Siyao stole her English homework, leading to her being called in by the principal. The principal advised Yu to focus on her studies and gave her an opportunity to remain at school and apply for a scholarship.

Qin Siyao apologized and confessed to Jiang Bohan but was rejected again. Yu Mingxi was caught in a campus storm and felt pressured by Qin Siyao's constant targeting. Remembering her deceased father, she couldn't help but cry miserably in the rain. Jiang Bohan, who had come back to look for Yu Mingxi, forcibly pulled her into his car to take shelter from the rain. After a brief period of sadness, Yu Mingxi made herself optimistic again.

Jiang Bohan drove Yu Mingxi home, learned more about her family situation, and promised to teach her English. As their grades improved, their relationship also grew closer step by step.

The relationship between the two continued to warm. Qin Siyao, reminiscing about the happy times she, Jiang Bohan, and Jiang Boyang shared celebrating birthdays, enlisted Yan Zhengwen's help, hoping to make Yu Mingxi "disappear" from Qingcai Academy. Someone secretly photographed Yu Mingxi getting into Jiang Bohan's car and cropped out the male lead, fabricating rumors that she was being financially supported.

As the incident escalated, the principal, under pressure from Qin's mother, summoned Yu Mingxi, demanding she tell the truth, or she would be suspended. Yu Mingxi, unwilling to betray Jiang Bohan, refused to tell the truth no matter what. At the critical moment, Jiang Bohan voluntarily appeared and admitted that he was the one "supporting" Yu Mingxi.

Jiang Bohan had a fierce argument with his mother to help Yu Mingxi resume classes. While chasing the suspended Yu Mingxi in the rain, he found her sharing an umbrella and reminiscing with You Jingchu, her childhood friend. Jiang Bohan questioned their relationship, and the two argued over the umbrella, creating an awkward and subtle atmosphere. Yan Zhengwen led people to corner the three, forcing Jiang Bohan and You Jingchu to team up and repel them.

After the three, drenched, returned to Yu's home, Jiang Bohan became jealous of You Jingchu's intimate attitude towards Yu Mingxi. As he left, he promised Yu Mingxi to help her resolve the issue of resuming classes. Yu's mother suddenly came home unexpectedly. After reminiscing, she learned that You Jingchu had been admitted to the sports school here and agreed to let You Jingchu temporarily lodge at Yu Mingxi's house.

Wang Chunian feigned illness and followed Chen Sujie to the hospital. Combining this with earlier clues from the library, she discovered he was hiding a leg injury, and the two reached a confidentiality agreement. Jiang Bohan investigated the source of the rumor and found that Yan Zhengwen had intentionally cropped a luxury car photo to mislead Qin Siyao. Jiang Bohan asked Qin Siyao to prove Yu Mingxi's innocence.

Qin Siyao also didn't want to implicate Jiang Bohan because of this matter. She demanded a date as a condition for clarifying to the parent-teacher committee. On the way to their "date," they coincidentally met Yu Mingxi and You Jingchu jogging at night. The four met, looked at each other, and each felt heartbroken.

Yu Mingxi and You Jingchu had a heart-to-heart talk by the river, attempting to help Yu Mingxi rebuild her motivation and courage for life. The two shouted at the moon together, cheering each other on. After Jiang Bohan completed his "date" as agreed, he went to Yu Mingxi's house, intending to explain to her. Just then, Yu Mingxi received notice that her classes were reinstated, and she happily hugged Jiang Bohan.

Wang Chunian followed Chen Sujie all the way to the basketball training court and discovered Chen Sujie suffering from a leg injury relapse. She then forced Chen Sujie to regularly undergo physical therapy as a condition for keeping his "leg injury" a secret.

After Wang Chunian learned about Chen Sujie's injury, she continually supervised him to ensure he attended medical appointments and physical therapy on time, and their relationship gradually became closer. While Wang Chunian accompanied Yu Mingxi during morning run training, she unintentionally mentioned Chen Sujie's injury but asked Yu Mingxi to keep it a secret.

The two came to Yu Mingxi's home, and Wang Chunian saw You Jingchu "naked" in Yu Mingxi's home for the first time, almost causing a huge misunderstanding. Yu Mingxi successfully achieved good grades and was included in the scholarship list. Jiang Bohan took the opportunity to claim credit and brought Yu Mingxi to the rooftop to see a "daytime meteor. " The principal discovered Yu Mingxi's secret about not attending swimming class, spoke with Yu Mingxi, and gave her the swimming pool key, hoping she could find time to practice by herself and overcome her fear of swimming soon.

You Jingchu frequently picked up and dropped off Yu Mingxi from school, deepening Jiang Bohan's misunderstanding. You Jingchu helped Yu Mingxi clean the swimming pool, and their playful banter was interrupted by Jiang Bohan, leading to an argument. During the push, Yu Mingxi accidentally fell into the water and was quickly rescued by Jiang Bohan. The three sat soaked by the pool, Jiang Bohan took off his jacket and put it on Yu Mingxi.

You Jingchu criticized him for not knowing Yu Mingxi's fear of water and took her away. That night, Jiang Bohan tossed and turned, unable to sleep, and went to see Yu Mingxi, but she was already asleep. You Jingchu informed him that Yu Mingxi's fear of water was due to her father drowning. Jiang Bohan found an excuse to stay at Yu's house, squeezing onto the sofa with You Jingchu for the night.

The three had breakfast together and tentatively decided to put aside their differences and go on an outing. At the amusement park, Yu Mingxi and Jiang Bohan's relationship warmed, and You Jingchu felt like a third wheel. A sudden shower forced the three to rush to the cinema. By Donghu Lake, Jiang Bohan and You Jingchu spontaneously competed to hold their breath underwater.

Jiang Bohan was slow to surface, and Yu Mingxi, scared, jumped into the water to look for him. Fortunately, it was a false alarm. In the shower room, Jiang Bohan and You Jingchu talked; You Jingchu hinted at withdrawing from the competition and quietly left after urging him to treat Yu Mingxi well. Jiang Bohan and Yu Mingxi then candidly shared their thoughts by the lake.

Yu Mingxi finally mustered the courage to learn to swim and, with Jiang Bohan's company, gradually overcame her fear of water. Their relationship grew stronger. Jiang Bohan walked Yu Mingxi home and invited her to be his partner for the campus dance; Yu accepted. Qin Siyao was furious upon hearing this, as Jiang Bohan hadn't asked her to be his partner as in previous years, and she mocked Yu Mingxi for not knowing how to dance.

Yan Zhengwen decided to stand up for Qin Siyao and prevent the two from partnering. While Yu Mingxi and Wang Chunian discussed their dance outfits, Yu worried about the price of dance shoes, which You Jingchu secretly noted. Jiang Bohan began to teach Yu Mingxi ballroom dancing.

Wang Chunian and Yu Mingxi were tacitly accepted as new team family members and had dinner together. During the meal, Wang Chunian, concerned about Chen Sujie's injury, repeatedly helped him ward off drinks and, while tipsy, invited Chen Sujie to be her dance partner. Wang Chunian frequently made excuses to pull Chen Sujie, who was training at the gym, outside, which aroused Jiang Bohan's suspicion.

You Jingchu secretly worked hard as a sparring partner, finally saving enough money to buy new dance shoes for Yu Mingxi and anonymously sent them to her. Yu Mingxi thought the shoes were from Wang Chunian and happily put them on. On his way to pick up Yu Mingxi for the dance, Jiang Bohan was obstructed by people sent by Yan Zhengwen.

Yu Mingxi couldn't reach Jiang Bohan and was about to be late. You Jingchu rode his bike to take her to the dance venue. Qin Siyao feigned lending an expensive necklace, subtly implying that Yu was too humble to be worthy of Jiang Bohan. The dance began, and Yu Mingxi waited for Jiang Bohan for a long time, feeling increasingly out of place.

Just as she was about to flee, Jiang Bohan arrived in casual clothes, took her hand, and led her onto the dance floor. Their tacit dance sparked cheers from the entire crowd. Qin Siyao, jealous that Yu Mingxi stole her spotlight at the dance, kissed Yan Zhengwen in front of everyone. Meanwhile, You Jingchu was sparring in the ring, covered in injuries. . .

After the dance, Jiang Bohan was about to confess his feelings while taking Yu Mingxi home, but he was interrupted by You Jingchu's return. You Jingchu denied buying the dance shoes, letting Jiang Bohan claim them instead. Thugs came to collect a debt and took the dance shoes. You Jingchu comforted Yu Mingxi and continued to work as a boxing sparring partner to earn money.

Jiang Bohan followed him to the boxing gym and, after witnessing You Jingchu being beaten, stepped in to help. You Jingchu confessed that his father's investment was a scam, which left Yu's family in debt, and he asked Jiang to keep his sparring a secret. When the two returned wounded, Yu Mingxi saw them and mistakenly thought they had been fighting. Yu Mingxi meticulously cared for You Jingchu. Jiang Bohan saw them sharing daily necessities, remembered You saying he and Yu were not alike, and left in silence.

Senior student Dong Zihui suddenly returned to visit Jiang's family, urging Jiang Bohan to accept the invitation from the overseas team and not miss the opportunity again. Members of the basketball team were present to support the senior's project presentation. Qin Siyao took the opportunity to invite Jiang Bohan to celebrate her birthday but was rejected. She mistakenly took the cake Yu Mingxi gave to Wang Chunian as a birthday gift for Jiang Bohan.

Qin Siyao took her anger out on the cake and got into a big fight with Yu Mingxi. Jiang Bohan took Yu Mingxi away, but they got into an argument due to his jealousy. At a critical moment, Yu Mingxi took the initiative to confess her feelings. The two returned to Yu's house to find the room messy. Yu Mingxi lied, claiming it was because You Jingchu left in a hurry, and took out the only remaining cake from the fridge to share with Jiang Bohan.

Yu Mingxi had no idea it was Jiang Bohan's birthday, so she quickly celebrated with him. As he blew out the candles, Jiang Bohan gently kissed Yu Mingxi in the dark and said that was his birthday wish. Yu Mingxi received news that she had been selected for the marathon, and both were overjoyed. Wang Chunian cried because Qin Siyao had picked on her for standing up for Yu Mingxi.

Chen Sujie took the opportunity to confess his feelings, and the two officially became a couple. Dong Zihui came to find Yu Mingxi, hoping she could help persuade Jiang Bohan to go abroad for an exchange program with her. She happened to encounter Yu Mingxi being chased by thugs trying to collect debt. Yu Mingxi politely declined and pleaded with the senior to keep her secret.

Yu Mingxi found herself in multiple dilemmas concerning emotions, family, and debt. Unknowingly, she walked to the lake where her father had drowned and recalled the accident. You Jingchu comforted Yu Mingxi, telling her she didn't need to blame herself. After talking with Jiang's mother and the senior, Yu Mingxi decided to help persuade Jiang Bohan to go abroad for the exchange program as soon as possible.

She invited Jiang Bohan to ride the Ferris wheel, and they had a pleasant evening. During this time, she pretended to express her own desire to see the wider world, making a promise with Jiang Bohan to go abroad together. When she returned home, she was once again threatened by the debt-collecting thugs.

Jiang Bohan discovered the secret of Chen Sujie's injury and opposed him continuing to participate in the competition, but Chen Sujie refused. Wang Chunian accompanied Chen Sujie for a follow-up visit, where the doctor informed him that he must stop sports, which greatly worried her. Yan Zhengwen discovered that the debt collector had secretly installed a camera in Yu Mingxi's bathroom.

Yan, unable to tolerate such despicable methods, bought out the phone video and then taught the culprit a lesson, sowing the seeds of trouble. Qin Siyao used the video to threaten Yu Mingxi to leave Jiang Bohan, learning that Yu had only feigned agreeing to go abroad with Jiang Bohan. Qin Siyao reminded Yu Mingxi that Jiang Bohan would not forgive being deceived. Yu Mingxi discovered the truth that You Jingchu had been earning money with numerous injuries from boxing sparring to buy the dance shoes, which broke her heart.

Jiang Bohan and Chen Sujie had a shooting contest, agreeing that if Chen Sujie won, he would be eligible to continue playing in the upcoming game. Their basketballs collided in mid-air, and Jiang Bohan tacitly allowed Chen Sujie to participate. At the basketball game, the Qingcai team was neck and neck with their opponent. Chen Sujie's leg injury recurred midway through, forcing him to rest on the sidelines. As the game approached its climax, Chen Sujie resolutely requested to play.

At the same time, Yu Mingxi was participating in a marathon. Her physical strength gradually waned, but recalling her father's past encouragement, she reignited her fighting spirit.

At a crucial moment, Chen Sujie scored a free throw, and Qingcai won. Everyone rushed to the marathon site to wait for Yu Mingxi to cross the finish line. To celebrate the good results in both the basketball game and the marathon, everyone gathered at Yu Mingxi's house for hotpot, looking forward to future wishes and plans. When Jiang Bohan asked Yu Mingxi about her出国 (going abroad) procedures, You Jingchu quickly helped her change the subject.

The next day, Jiang Bohan signed the contract with the overseas team. Jiang's mother reminded him not to breach the contract. While on a call with the senior student, Jiang Bohan realized he might have been deceived by Yu Mingxi and wanted her to clarify things. However, Yu Mingxi pulled You Jingchu away to avoid him, leaving Jiang Bohan utterly disappointed.

Jiang Bohan came to the riverside alone. It turned out this day was Jiang Boyang's death anniversary. Jiang Bohan repeatedly watched videos of his playing before he passed, filled with immense sadness. Qin Siyao also came to the riverside to mourn, feeling guilty that two years ago, she had accidentally burned the concert invitation Jiang Boyang had for his brother, indirectly leading to his accidental death. Because of this, she had never been able to get Jiang Bohan's forgiveness.

Yan Zhengwen's father and Qin Siyao's mother were preparing for remarriage. Qin Siyao's opposition was fruitless; instead, she was pressured by her mother. Yan Zhengwen took her to the rooftop to set off fireworks and have a heart-to-heart talk, and their relationship warmed. Yan Zhengwen took Qin Siyao for a drive but was ambushed by thugs he had offended earlier and was hit by a car on the spot.

Jiang Bohan and his childhood friends all attended Yan Zhengwen's funeral. Qin Siyao found a lollipop that had fallen from Yan Zhengwen's jacket pocket. She remembered Yan Zhengwen had once likened himself to the Little Prince and the rose, which made Qin Siyao re-examine everything that had happened between her and Yan Zhengwen. Tears streamed down her face. On the day of his departure, Jiang Bohan went to the airport alone, and Jiang's mother tearfully saw him off.

Yu Mingxi felt conflicted, and in her hesitation, she didn't get to say goodbye, only watching the car drive away, leaving behind regret. Time flew by quickly, and during this period, they often thought of each other.

Four years later, You Jingchu celebrated Yu Mingxi's birthday. Yu Mingxi, in a drunken haze, mistook him for Jiang Bohan. You Jingchu called Jiang Bohan, urging him to return soon. It turned out he had been quietly updating Jiang Bohan on Yu Mingxi's situation all these years. It was revealed that Jiang Bohan had been accompanying Qin Siyao abroad for treatment for her injuries for the past four years.

He confessed that he was willing to do it for Yu Mingxi. Qin Siyao, feeling relieved, encouraged him to pursue his true love. Wang Chunian and Chen Sujie found their happy ending and were trying on wedding dresses. Yu Mingxi, dressed as a bridesmaid, reunited with the returning Jiang Bohan. Yu Mingxi lost control of her emotions and fled. Jiang Bohan chased her to the riverside and eagerly explained to her the story of what happened before he left four years ago.

It turned out that four years ago, You Jingchu mistakenly believed Qin Siyao instigated someone to secretly photograph and blackmail Yu Mingxi, and together with Jiang Bohan, they found Qin Siyao. During an argument on the stairs, Qin Siyao accidentally fell and was left injured and disabled, unable to dance anymore. To protect Yu Mingxi, Jiang Bohan voluntarily offered to accompany Qin Siyao abroad for treatment. Qin's mother agreed not to pursue legal action.

Jiang Bohan, unsure how to explain to Yu Mingxi, ultimately chose to leave without saying goodbye. Reunited again, Jiang Bohan and Yu Mingxi resolved their misunderstandings and embraced. By the riverside, a gentle breeze blew Yu Mingxi's veil. Jiang Bohan held Yu Mingxi tightly; they never wanted to let go again.

• Close to You - Liu Xiaobei, Zhu Linyu