Dear Mayang Street Episode 20 Recap
> Dear Mayang Street Recap
Ma Xiaoxiao was furious about the anonymous report accusing her of cheating in the Gaokao, but she wasn't worried, asserting that she had not cheated. Her friends were eager to identify the malicious individual, but the anonymous nature of the letter made it impossible to trace. Upon learning of the accusation, Ou Xiaojian immediately instructed Big fat to investigate Ma Xiaoxiao's relationships with her classmates and to determine if any strangers had been following her or her friends recently.
Big fat questioned the necessity of such an investigation, but Ou Xiaojian simply told him to proceed and promised him a hot pot dinner as a reward. Ou Xiaojian later met with Ma Xiaoxiao, expressing his belief that the cheating rumor was highly suspicious, especially given how quickly it reached Yucai Middle School. He anticipated it would soon spread throughout Mayang Street and vowed to confront anyone who tried to harm her.
Ma Xiaoxiao, however, couldn't imagine who would target her in such a way. As Ma Xiaoxiao headed to school to cooperate with the investigation, she encountered Zeng Xing, who was already aware of the situation. Zeng Xing then visited Ma Yingjun and subtly suggested that Ma Xiaoxiao study abroad with him. Ma Yingjun dismissed the idea, believing that as a girl, Ma Xiaoxiao would eventually marry and have children, making an overseas education unnecessary.
Driven by his own agenda, Zeng Xing then revealed the cheating allegation to Ma Yingjun. Enraged by the news and fiercely defending his daughter, Ma Yingjun suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and collapsed, exclaiming, "Nonsense! We Xiaoxiao took an examination of Peking University, Can pass the exam, Is it necessary to cheat? I'll go find them!" At the hospital, neighbors gathered with Aunt Niu.
The doctor reassured them that Ma Yingjun was out of immediate danger and could return home after a night of observation. Aunt Niu expressed deep gratitude to the neighbors for their unwavering support during her husband's recurring health issues. Zeng Zhenmei prompted Zeng Xing to apologize to Aunt Niu for upsetting Ma Yingjun, but Zeng Xing adamantly refused.
He defiantly stated that he was not wrong and that all his actions were "for Xiaoxiao's good," insisting that if she didn't go abroad, her reputation would be ruined by the cheating allegations. When Ma Xiaoxiao and Ma Dada arrived, Ma Xiaoxiao tearfully assured her mother, "I didn't cheat. I grew up, I have never done any harm. All my grades, I got it all steadily."
However, Aunt Niu was too overwhelmed to listen and simply directed Ma Xiaoxiao to handle her father's discharge papers. Ou Xiaojian, who was present, found Zeng Xing's outburst and words highly suspicious. Determined to help Ma Xiaoxiao, Yi Dongdong drafted a joint letter to the school.
He explained that Ma Xiaoxiao had taken her answer sheets out of the exam room after the Gaokao to help friends estimate their scores, and this action was maliciously used by the anonymous tipster to falsely accuse her of knowing the answers beforehand and bringing them into the exam. While speaking with Liang Xiaobao, Ou Xiaojian uncovered a crucial detail: Zeng Hao had taken Ma Xiaoxiao's four pages of detailed answers home.
This confirmed his suspicion that Zeng Xing was behind the anonymous report. Ou Xiaojian confronted Zeng Xing, instructing Big fat to restrain him. He accused Zeng Xing of supplying the incriminating materials to a woman who then wrote the anonymous letter, emphasizing how this act would ruin Ma Xiaoxiao's future. Ou Xiaojian stated he knew Zeng Xing's motive was to force Ma Xiaoxiao to study abroad with him but questioned his cruel methods.
Zeng Xing defensively claimed he had done nothing wrong and that all his actions were for Ma Xiaoxiao's benefit, lamenting that people only wanted to see him fail. He rejected Ou Xiaojian's attempt to "save" him. Ou Xiaojian then issued a stern ultimatum: retrieve the anonymous letter and apologize to Ma Xiaoxiao, or face severe consequences, including being thrown into the Pearl River and having his reputation destroyed. Ma Xiaoxiao and Yi Dongdong witnessed the tense confrontation.
Yi Dongdong tried to reassure Ma Xiaoxiao about his joint letter, but Ma Xiaoxiao was upset by Ou Xiaojian's aggressive approach. She confronted him, accusing him of using "gangster" methods by having his associates strong-arm Zeng Xing and the woman who submitted the report. Ou Xiaojian defended his actions, saying he wouldn't stand by while she was wronged, and that his "social" ways were simply the fastest way he knew to solve problems after years of living on the streets.
Ma Xiaoxiao, though acknowledging Zeng Xing's fault, reiterated that this wasn't the right way to resolve the issue, leading to a heated argument between them. Later, Yi Dongdong saw Zeng Xing acting suspiciously and punched him. Zeng Xing, hurt and frustrated, taunted Yi Dongdong about his unrequited feelings for Ma Xiaoxiao. Yi Dongdong readily admitted his love, stating that he never sought a response from Ma Xiaoxiao, only wishing for her happiness.
Seeking solace, Zeng Xing asked Yi Dongdong for a drink and opened up about his deep-seated insecurities as a child from a single-parent home and his long-standing, unreciprocated love for Ma Xiaoxiao. He expressed bitterness that despite his achievements, Ma Xiaoxiao preferred the "social" Ou Xiaojian over him, a successful student. Yi Dongdong told him that while he was indeed excellent, true love means wanting the other person's happiness, even if it brings personal pain.
Yi Dongdong also directly pointed out that Ma Xiaoxiao's heart belonged to Ou Xiaojian. In a drunken outburst, Zeng Xing declared that if he couldn't have Ma Xiaoxiao, then Ou Xiaojian wouldn't either, boasting about how he had surpassed Ou Xiaojian in many ways and felt entitled to Ma Xiaoxiao's affection. Later that night, Zeng Xing seemed to find some peace, admitting to himself that he didn't truly want to hurt Ma Xiaoxiao and that he loved her.
He then voluntarily went to the school and confessed his actions regarding the anonymous letter. The police gave him a stern lecture, but the friends in Mayang Street, including Ma Xiaoxiao, chose to forgive him. Ma Xiaoxiao told him that his excellent scores were not affected and her father was fine, otherwise she would have reacted much more strongly. She wished him well, saying he would find someone truly suitable for him.
As Zeng Xing prepared to depart for his overseas studies, his family and friends, including his mother and grandmother, gathered to bid him farewell, urging him to take care and stay in touch. After Zeng Xing's departure, Ma Xiaoxiao found herself contemplating her relationship with Ou Xiaojian, unsure if they were truly compatible.
Ma Dada noticed her sister's introspection and questioned why she felt they weren't suitable, reminding her that they were the perfect match from Mayang Street, a stark contrast to Ma Dada's previous suggestion that Ma Xiaoxiao was better suited for Zeng Xing. Ma Dada gently probed Ma Xiaoxiao, asking if she would be happy without Ou Xiaojian in her life and if she actually wanted to see him.
When Ma Xiaoxiao admitted she did, Ma Dada urged her to be more proactive. She pointed out that both Ma Xiaoxiao and Ou Xiaojian were too stubborn, always pretending indifference when they deeply cared, and advised her to take the initiative and give Ou Xiaojian a chance. That night, Ma Xiaoxiao found Ou Xiaojian waiting for her. She asked if Zeng Xing had apologized to him.
Then, taking a softer tone, she apologized for her own impulsiveness during their earlier argument but also reiterated her disapproval of his methods, stating that it was still wrong for him to use his associates to confront their friends from Mayang Street. Ou Xiaojian apologized in return for his own poor attitude that day, promising to be more mindful in the future. He then firmly declared he would never let anyone bully her.
Ma Xiaoxiao playfully challenged him, asking what would happen if he himself were to bully her. Ou Xiaojian dismissed the idea, but as he stood there late at night, his lingering concern for her was evident.
