Don't Disturb My Study Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Don't Disturb My Study Synopsis
In 2020, Nan Xiangwan, a 28-year-old HR director of a world-renowned company, is also a sufferer of academic discrimination.
A high-tech psychotherapy takes Nan Xiangye’s memory back to 10 years ago, allowing her to relive her senior year of high school and face her once out-of-place class 7.
In order to re-enter Guanhua University, Nan Xiangwei has to solve one trouble after another: her classmates who keep interrupting her studies, her father whom she once hated, and her unbearable memories of high school.
In the process, Nan Xiangwan gradually becomes friends with Lin Xiaoran, a sports student, and they grow up in a battle of wits and bravery.
Nan Xiangwan finally realizes that beyond the score, everyone has his or her own shining point and that winning is not the only thing that matters in life.
She starts to help her classmates to like learning and chase their dreams.
Eventually, Nan Xiangwei gains friendship, recovers her youthful enthusiasm, and reconciles with her father.
When she meets Lin Xiaoran again, she decides to take the plunge, and they get to know each other again and run towards a happy life together.
Don't Disturb My Study Recap
Episode 1 Recap
As the annual Spring Festival transportation season commenced, many, including the well-known HR professional Nan Xiangwan, remained dedicated to their work, unable to reunite with their families. A traffic broadcast, "I'm with you all along", featuring a Mr. Lin, specifically played a song for Ms. Nan, noting her four-year absence from home and expressing hope for her swift return.
Nan Xiangwan, firm and focused, was heard on a call, confirming she had dismissed an individual and was arranging a replacement, directing her subordinate to ensure implementation. She then received a personal call from her mother, explaining she couldn't return home that year due to demanding work commitments. Shortly after, a recently dismissed intern, Wang Kai, approached Nan Xiangwan, pleading for a second chance.
He questioned why his peers from prestigious universities were retained while he, from a lesser-known college, was let go. Nan Xiangwan, steadfast in her corporate principles, told him the workplace was a battleground where one earned their position, leaving no room for negotiation on his termination. Later, in a conversation with her subordinate, Nan Xiangwan clarified that Wang Kai's internship performance was subpar.
When her subordinate suggested his popularity might have been a factor in his department wanting to keep him, Nan Xiangwan reiterated her long-standing belief in being result-oriented for effective goal achievement. Yu Meili, Nan Xiangwan’s high school best friend and an aspiring writer, visited her office to personally invite her to a class reunion. Yu Meili playfully mocked Nan Xiangwan's stern professional facade. Nan Xiangwan, however, dismissed the invitation, citing an urgent meeting.
Yu Meili then revealed that her new book, featuring Nan Xiangwan as its protagonist, was about to be delivered, and she eagerly awaited her friend's feedback. Despite her corporate success, Nan Xiangwan secretly harbored a deep regret: her failure to gain admission to the prestigious Guanhua University for her undergraduate degree, which left her longing to return to her student days and try again.
That night, as Nan Xiangwan began reading Yu Meili's novel, an overwhelming drowsiness consumed her, and she drifted into a dream. She awoke to find herself in a classroom, surrounded by students, with a blackboard at the front and a comprehensive science placement test on her desk. Disoriented, she initially believed it was an elaborate and creative high school reunion transformed into an exam.
She even humorously remarked to Teacher Li that his acting was convincing, despite his familiar angry demeanor. Noticing Zeng Jianfei playing with an e-dictionary, she confiscated it, accusing him of using a phone. Still under the impression it was a sophisticated prank, Nan Xiangwan borrowed Teacher Li's old-model phone to call her company for an important meeting.
To her shock, the person on the other end claimed no knowledge of her or an HR Director named Nan Xiangwan, leading her to angrily threaten dismissal before she abruptly left the classroom without completing her exam. After her bizarre classroom antics, Nan Xiangwan became a school sensation, quickly earning the nickname "Ms. Nan" from her peers. Students gossiped about her sudden shift from a previously insignificant student to her current "craziness."
Despite seeing her youthful reflection and being in the familiar corridors of Xiangli High School, Nan Xiangwan remained in denial, even attempting to "wake up" by poking herself with a pen. She eventually made her way home, where her seemingly younger mother greeted her warmly, chiding her for being late and forgetting her keys. Her mother had prepared a lavish meal of Nan Xiangwan's favorite dishes.
Relishing the food and the comforting presence of her young mother, Nan Xiangwan still clung to the hope that it was all a vivid dream, wishing she could simply close her eyes and return to her own time. However, when morning arrived, the date stubbornly remained August 31, 2011. After an initial shock, Nan Xiangwan quickly regained her composure, determined to find a way back to her future.
She was later discovered in a room, intensely researching "methods of coming back to the future" on a computer. Lin Xiaoran, who had witnessed her earlier classroom outburst, watched as she attempted a "gravity fall" to return, resulting in her tumbling to the ground with her chair. Alarmed, Lin Xiaoran rushed over, asking if she was insane for such a dramatic reaction to a mere placement test. Nan Xiangwan, still bewildered, continued to ponder aloud why she couldn't go back.
Driven by her desperate situation, Nan Xiangwan even considered attempting to return via a lightning strike. However, her mother intervened, catching her in the act and confining her to her room until school started. Undeterred, Nan Xiangwan secretly borrowed her mother's skirt and escaped, making her way to a coffee shop. There, she spotted Director Xiang, her future superior. She approached him, recognizing his unchanged habits over the years, though he had no memory of her.
Nan Xiangwan then launched into her incredible story, asserting she was his future HR director who had mysteriously traveled back ten years. Despite his current role as a mere sales supervisor, she implored him to believe her, even pointing out his specific habit of checking his watch when he intended to dismiss someone. Director Xiang, though unconvinced by her fantastical tale, advised Nan Xiangwan to focus on her studies and return to him after graduating.
Nan Xiangwan lamented that in her original timeline, she had failed to gain undergraduate admission to Guanhua University and only joined his company much later as a master's graduate. Director Xiang responded that if her life had indeed reset, it was a divine opportunity to mend past regrets, urging her to cherish it. He shared his own regret of not spending enough time with his mother before her passing.
He then made a significant promise: if Nan Xiangwan could successfully gain admission to Guanhua University, he would personally recruit her into his company. Nan Xiangwan, now resolute, eagerly confirmed the agreement. Bolstered by Director Xiang's promise, Nan Xiangwan felt a strong resolve to achieve her new goal. When the new school year began, she confidently assumed she was assigned to the elite Class Two, a stream for top students.
She walked straight into Class Two, where the class teacher, Liao Shichang, was announcing class committee members. However, her confidence was shattered when Liao Shichang informed her that her name was not on the Class Two roster. Students murmured about her chaotic behavior during the placement test. Maintaining her "HR director" demeanor, Nan Xiangwan instructed Liao Shichang to verify her class assignment with the dean's office.
However, before the matter could be resolved, Lin Xiaoran arrived, having been sent by Teacher Li to bring Nan Xiangwan back to Class Seven. This revelation caused the other students to burst into laughter, relishing in "Ms. Nan's" unexpected predicament of being assigned to the lower-ranked class, known for students with varying abilities and mostly academic struggles, while Class Two was filled with high achievers like Zhu Cong and Liu Yubai. Only Zhu Cong remained in thoughtful silence.
Lin Xiaoran then taunted her for her mistake, to which Nan Xiangwan retorted that even if she didn't get into Class Two, she would still get into Guanhua. Back in Class Seven, Teacher Li summoned Zeng Jianfei to his office, announcing disciplinary action for cheating. Other students, notably Zhang Chao, quickly confronted Nan Xiangwan. They angrily pointed out that Zeng Jianfei already had a prior disciplinary record and that this new punishment could lead to his expulsion.
Nan Xiangwan, however, dismissed their concerns, asserting that she didn't know Zeng Jianfei. Lin Xiaoran himself then confronted her, demanding she accompany him to Teacher Li and Director Zhang to clear Zeng Jianfei's name, claiming she had "set him up." Nan Xiangwan scoffed at his suggestion, questioning his priorities and accusing him of focusing on friendships rather than studies. Lin Xiaoran, unyielding, threatened to prevent her from attending her next class if she refused to cooperate.
Episode 2 Recap
Following his public accusation of Zeng Jianfei, Lin Xiaoran dragged Nan Xiangwan to Director Zhang's office, demanding she clarify the situation. Inside, they found Zeng Jianfei attempting to defend himself. Instead of helping, Nan Xiangwan shifted the focus to the physics competition, questioning why her class had not been informed.
Pushing the issue of Zeng Jianfei, she asserted that bringing an electronic dictionary into the exam room was a violation of school rules, regardless of whether it constituted cheating, and advocated for impartial handling to uphold discipline. Frustrated, Lin Xiaoran accused her of intentionally provoking the director. An angered Director Zhang ordered both Nan Xiangwan and Lin Xiaoran to clean the office as punishment. Zeng Jianfei, who was extremely sensitive about his reputation, could not bear the accusations.
He shoved Nan Xiangwan, causing a flowerpot to crash to the floor. As Nan Xiangwan and Lin Xiaoran bickered over who was responsible, Zeng Jianfei declared his intention to drop out of school to live freely. Despite Lin Xiaoran's attempts to stop him, reminding him that he knew he wouldn't cheat, Zeng Jianfei walked away, determined to leave. Teacher Li intervened, sending the other two back to class.
Consumed by anger and powerlessness, Lin Xiaoran silently vowed to get revenge on Nan Xiangwan. Anticipating retaliation, Nan Xiangwan was unsurprised to find her chair smeared with ink. Her classmate, Yu Meili, apologized, claiming she had just found it that way, while Zhang Chao and his friends mockingly called it a "welcome ceremony." Nan Xiangwan coolly stated her desire to focus on her studies and be left alone. Just then, Teacher Wang, the English teacher, entered.
Observing the scene, she instructed Nan Xiangwan, as the English subject representative, and Zhang Chao to write outlines on the blackboard. While they were occupied, Teacher Wang declared the ink-stained chair would belong to Zhang Chao from then on, forcing him to take it. Teacher Li announced that due to Nan Xiangwan's "active efforts," every student would now have to participate in the national physics knowledge competition's preliminary exam.
The class erupted in frustration, openly blaming Nan Xiangwan for the additional difficult test. Meanwhile, Nan Xiangwan's sole focus on academics and her frequent questions to teachers continued to draw disdain from classmates like Zhang Chao. Chen Shiyun, Nan Xiangwan's former deskmate and now Class Two's study committee member, visited Lin Xiaoran, offering him her meticulously organized math notes.
She subtly criticized Nan Xiangwan's audacity in pushing for the competition, framing it as a desire to show off that forced everyone else into a difficult situation. Holding a grudge over Zeng Jianfei's departure, Jiang Daling poured glue on Nan Xiangwan's head. Unfazed, Nan Xiangwan confronted her, exposing Jiang Daling's unrequited crush on Zeng Jianfei as the motive for her hostility.
She calmly advised Jiang Daling to consult the student handbook, warning her against actions that could lead to disciplinary action. Not giving up, Zhang Chao and Li Shuai damaged Nan Xiangwan's bicycle. In response, Nan Xiangwan approached Teacher Li, feigning distress over a family emergency and asking if Lin Xiaoran, whom she slyly praised as the most helpful student in class, could fix her bike.
Taking her words at face value, Teacher Li instructed Lin Xiaoran to lend Nan Xiangwan his bicycle and repair hers. Despite his protests, Lin Xiaoran had to comply. He later found Nan Xiangwan leisurely eating skewers, who admitted she was simply waiting for him to finish the repairs. Deciding her wardrobe was too childish, Nan Xiangwan convinced her mother to give her money for new clothes. On her way home from shopping, a drunk man accosted her.
Fortunately, Lin Xiaoran appeared and scared the man off by expertly shooting a basketball in his direction. He then lightheartedly suggested Nan Xiangwan should have directed the man to the nearby police station. When Nan Xiangwan commented that he should apply his basketball skills to his studies, Lin Xiaoran confidently retorted that his grades were likely better than hers.
The next day, she wore her new, more mature outfit to school, earning a two-point deduction for being out of uniform and drawing curious glances from her classmates. After the monthly exams, Nan Xiangwan privately asked the class monitor, Yu Meili, about her ranking. She was shocked to learn she was ranked slightly behind Lin Xiaoran. The idea of being outranked by a "sports student" she perceived as lazy was unacceptable, fueling her determination to study even harder.
As revenge for Zeng Jianfei, Lin Xiaoran devised a plan to disrupt Nan Xiangwan's studies. During class, he requested to change seats, feigning poor vision and "glasses dizziness." With the help of another student, he managed to switch to a seat directly in front of her and proceeded to intentionally block her view. Having anticipated his tactics, Nan Xiangwan preemptively requested to stand at the back of the classroom, avoiding a direct confrontation.
Teacher Li deemed Nan Xiangwan's behavior disruptive and ordered her to write a self-criticism letter. While writing at the teacher's desk, she overheard Teacher Li commending Liu Yubai from Class Two for his physics competition certificate. The praise reminded Nan Xiangwan of her own dismal score of eighteen on a recent physics exam, a fact Teacher Li had kept private to save her face, and she felt a pang of shame.
Later, Lin Xiaoran instigated a class "ritual," forcing Nan Xiangwan to read her self-criticism aloud. She accepted, but instead of an apology, she delivered an improvised speech indicting Lin Xiaoran for being narrow-minded and intentionally disrupting her studies. She then argued that their attempts to bully her over Zeng Jianfei were futile. The only effective way to help him, she explained, was to convince a person of influence, like Teacher Li, to intervene.
She proceeded to critique Teacher Li's teaching methods—his overreliance on practice questions and his failure to manage the classroom—and even hinted at the possibility of replacing him as head teacher. As school ended, Nan Xiangwan was reminded it was her group's turn for cleaning duty. Lin Xiaoran, a self-proclaimed "cleanliness addict," had already done half the work and gave her specific instructions on how to mop the floor properly. Acknowledging this unexpected positive trait, she was told by Lin Xiaoran that he had many more qualities she had yet to see.
Episode 3 Recap
As night fell, Lin Xiaoran returned to school to find Nan Xiangwan alone in the classroom. When she saw him and prepared to leave, the building was suddenly plunged into darkness by a power outage. The silent, dark hallway terrified Nan Xiangwan, who was already afraid of the dark, and she found herself frozen in place. After locking the classroom, Lin Xiaoran saw her panic and teased her about her fear as they headed for the stairs.
However, when Nan Xiangwan accidentally twisted her ankle, he ended up carrying her out of the building. Lin Xiaoran then decided to see his good deed through to the end by cycling her home. Their initial awkwardness gradually eased, and the interaction between them became more comfortable. The next day, Lin Xiaoran gave Nan Xiangwan a ride to school on his bicycle.
He then met with Zhang Chao and his friends to devise a plan to get Teacher Li replaced with a more authoritative headteacher who might help Zeng Jianfei stay in school. Lin Xiaoran proposed that the entire class, including Nan Xiangwan, should refuse to submit their homework. Knowing Nan Xiangwan would never agree, Lin Xiaoran lied that Teacher Wang was looking for her, sending her away so he could take her homework.
In the faculty office, Nan Xiangwan found Liu Yubai anxiously holding an invitation to the Youth Architecture Modeling World Cup. Recognizing this as the competition that would launch his successful career, she subtly encouraged him not to miss this important opportunity for the sake of regular classes. Back in the classroom, Nan Xiangwan tried to hide her homework, but Lin Xiaoran snatched it away along with the rest of the class's assignments.
Lin Xiaoran then asked Chen Shiyun to grade the physics homework, who in turn passed the stacks of notebooks to Liu Yubai and Zhu Cong. Upon seeing Nan Xiangwan's name, Liu Yubai immediately returned her notebook to her. Despite this, Nan Xiangwan’s submitted homework was a complete failure. Although her handwriting was neat and her problem-solving steps were detailed, she had answered all ten questions incorrectly.
Teacher Li was at a loss, and the class’s laughter left Nan Xiangwan deeply embarrassed, forcing her to admit she had underestimated the difficulty of the coursework. When Lin Xiaoran confronted her for submitting her homework behind his back, she surprised him by pinching his cheek, leaving him momentarily bewildered. Nan Xiangwan’s mother, aware of her daughter's struggles, comforted her and encouraged her to try harder next time.
Despite her mother’s understanding, Nan Xiangwan felt immense pressure, believing that only by getting into Guanhua University could she set her life back on the right track. Before school, Liu Yubai remembered the modeling competition was that day. Spurred by Nan Xiangwan’s encouragement, he decided to go and texted Zhu Cong to cover for him. Liu Yubai was Zhu Cong's only friend, and despite Zhu Cong's cold and sharp-tongued exterior, he had a kind heart.
Their bond was solidified by their shared academic excellence and their mutual defeat to Lin Xiaoran in popularity. Chen Shiyun advised Lin Xiaoran to focus on his studies instead of clashing with Teacher Li, casually mentioning that Nan Xiangwan and Liu Yubai seemed to have a good relationship, which surprised Lin Xiaoran.
Later, drawing on her years of workplace experience, Nan Xiangwan suggested Lin Xiaoran write a SWOT analysis report for the principal, explaining that a clear presentation of the pros and cons would help him make an informed decision. Since Nan Xiangwan refused to help, Lin Xiaoran's group had to research the unfamiliar report format themselves. They met that evening and divided the four sections of the SWOT analysis among them.
They also caught Yu Meili, whom Nan Xiangwan had assigned to spy on them, and coerced her into helping by secretly posting the finished report on the principal's office door. During the physics competition the next day, Nan Xiangwan struggled, finding the questions far more difficult than any regular exam. Disheartened by her poor performance, she resolved to find a tutor to help her study.
Episode 4 Recap
Following an unsatisfactory result in the physics competition, Nan Xiangwan was disheartened despite her efforts. Her friend, Lin Xiaoran, suggested she adopt a more optimistic mindset. He confided in her that he felt their headteacher, Mr. Li, much like himself, was putting his efforts in the wrong direction. Nan Xiangwan’s mother inquired about her performance. Overhearing, Lin Xiaoran remarked that the exam was exceptionally difficult, more suited for the high-achieving Class Two than Class Seven.
He encouraged Nan Xiangwan to aim for Class Two's standards, expressing confidence that she could improve significantly within two months and finally get into Guanhua University. Meanwhile, Class Two’s teacher, Liao Shichang, contentedly graded his own students' impressive papers. The news then broke about Class Seven’s physics results: because the rest of the class had submitted blank papers, Nan Xiangwan became the top scorer with a shocking 49 points.
Yu Meili, a classmate, later confessed to Nan Xiangwan that she had switched their answer cards as part of the scheme, proudly admiring her own strategic ability and the class's collective spirit in pulling it off. In what would be his last class, Mr. Li urged the students to reflect on the meaning of effort, which he defined as making life full of possibilities.
He praised Nan Xiangwan as the only student who had seriously attempted the exam, noting her significant improvement from 18 to 49 points. He then confronted the others, asking why they had submitted blank papers and questioning if their disruption was an attempt to force him out because they thought he was old. Admitting he was indeed old and no longer fit to teach, Mr. Li announced that a new headteacher would be assigned.
He implored them to obey the new teacher and study hard, specifically calling out Lin Xiaoran, who affirmed he understood. Later, a guilt-ridden Lin Xiaoran asked Liao Shichang to deliver the class's now-completed physics papers to Mr. Li. Liao Shichang scoffed at Lin Xiaoran's perceived cowardice and arrogance, especially given his ambition to attend Guanhua University. The school announced a physics experience sharing meeting for the top students of each class.
Wang Feng from Class Two confronted Nan Xiangwan, mocking her 49-point score. Nan Xiangwan retorted by highlighting her own massive improvement and warned Wang Feng that she might soon surpass her. Shortly after, Nan Xiangwan noticed Chen Shiyun walking awkwardly from the restroom, clearly unwell. Understanding she was having period-related trouble, Nan Xiangwan kindly offered Chen Shiyun her jacket, which was gratefully accepted. Mr. Li, reviewing Class Seven's completed papers, felt a sense of satisfaction at their progress.
When another teacher, Mr. Wang, tried to discuss the situation, Mr. Li clarified that he was only stepping down as headteacher, not retiring. In class, Mr. Wang took a stern approach, forcing the students to repeat their greeting to instill discipline and issuing a specific warning to Lin Xiaoran. The Physics Competition Sharing Meeting began, hosted by Principal Hu. Zhu Cong from Class Two, the champion with 99 points, attributed his success to hard work.
Other Class Two students, boasting their own high scores, openly mocked Class Seven and Nan Xiangwan's 49 points. The ridicule, led by Wang Feng, escalated into a heated argument between the two classes, with Class Seven students like Jiang Haiyang defending their teacher and class. The principal allowed the confrontation to unfold before Nan Xiangwan took the stage.
Nan Xiangwan bravely acknowledged her 49-point score as her true level and thanked her classmates for their stunt, which had put her on stage. However, she turned the tables, stating that those who handed in blank papers to see her humiliated were now humiliating themselves and had turned Class Seven into a laughingstock. She declared that they all owed Mr. Li an apology, as it was his reputation they had truly disgraced.
After her speech, Principal Hu instructed Lin Xiaoran and Nan Xiangwan to accompany him. At Mr. Li’s residence, he welcomed them warmly. Both students tearfully apologized. Mr. Li reassured them, revealing he had already seen their "SWOT analysis" report about their classmate Zeng Jianfei and had already planned to step down as headteacher for health reasons, a fact he kept secret to avoid disrupting their studies.
Lin Xiaoran clarified their actions were meant to help Zeng Jianfei, not to disrespect him. Mr. Li acknowledged their loyalty but reminded them that as a headteacher, he had to consider the entire class. Principal Hu then "punished" them by making them eat dumplings and asked them to recommend a new headteacher. He also let them take some for their classmates.
Afterward, Nan Xiangwan warned Lin Xiaoran that their problems weren't over, as a new, potentially stricter headteacher would be appointed soon. She then ran into Liu Yubai from Class Two, who, guessing physics was her weak subject, offered to tutor her. She gratefully accepted. That evening, Lin Xiaoran returned home and told his mother he had also found someone to help him study.
During a break, Nan Xiangwan gave Liu Yubai her MP3 player, asking him to record physics lessons on it. Lin Xiaoran witnessed the exchange, suspiciously wondering if they were trading "keepsakes." During P. E. class, he questioned Nan Xiangwan about it, but she brushed him off. Meanwhile, Nan Xiangwan bonded with Chen Shiyun, showing her and a friend an app to track their menstrual cycles.
Lin Xiaoran and his friend Zhang Chao discussed their futures; inspired by Nan Xiangwan's speech, Lin Xiaoran resolved to study hard to honor Mr. Li and restore Class Seven's reputation. A week later, the principal announced the first monthly exam. He also revealed a new self-check ranking system in the library.
While other students complained about the added pressure, Nan Xiangwan remained calm, explaining that frequent exams were normal and necessary to build "exam memory" and provide opportunities to review and improve.
Episode 5 Recap
After Teacher Li's departure, Class Seven faced the selection of a new headteacher, a decision that would significantly impact their future. Lin Xiaoran took the initiative to propose three teachers: Teacher Chen, Mr. Liao, and Mr. Wang. Teacher Chen was quickly ruled out due to her pregnancy. Lin Xiaoran was strongly against Mr. Wang, citing his close relationship with Teacher Li and their past disagreements.
Therefore, he set his sights on Mr. Liao Shichang, despite him already being the headteacher of Class Two. Meanwhile, Mr. Liao was reviewing Class Seven’s student profiles, remarking to Mr. Wang that the students were like a chaotic band of "demons" that would be impossible to control. Learning that Mr. Liao had no intention of becoming their headteacher, Lin Xiaoran feared that Mr. Wang Qibei would be assigned the position.
To prevent this, he personally sought out Mr. Wang to ask for his help in persuading Mr. Liao. He apologized for the class's previous behavior regarding Teacher Li, explaining that with their final year ahead, they were now eager to study. He promised that if Mr. Liao became their headteacher, the class would be fully cooperative and create an excellent learning environment. Mr. Wang, a former student of Teacher Li himself, expressed skepticism but agreed to gauge Mr. Liao's interest.
He also questioned Lin Xiaoran about the class bullying Nan Xiangwan, a claim Lin Xiaoran denied. Afterward, Lin Xiaoran boasted to Nan Xiangwan about his "mature" plan to win over Mr. Liao through Mr. Wang, expecting her full cooperation. As a result of their efforts, Mr. Liao Shichang arrived to temporarily teach physics to Class Seven. Initially confident, Mr. Liao was soon overwhelmed.
The students, lacking fundamental knowledge, constantly interrupted with questions during class and relentlessly pursued him with more inquiries afterward, cornering him in the school corridors and even the cafeteria. Completely exhausted, Mr. Liao found himself constantly trying to hide from them. Nan Xiangwan observed that Mr. Liao's teaching methods, designed for top-performing students, were unsuitable for Class Seven’s weak foundation, leaving them more confused rather than helping them improve.
Convinced that Mr. Liao was not the right fit, Nan Xiangwan approached Mr. Wang, hoping he would take on the role. At the same time, Director Zhang, concerned for Mr. Liao's health after a week of teaching the class, planned to ask the principal for a replacement. However, an utterly worn-out Mr. Liao beat him to it, taking the initiative to recommend Mr. Wang Qibei as the ideal candidate.
Mr. Wang confidently volunteered, but Director Zhang strongly opposed the idea, citing Wang's lack of experience. Faced with an impasse, the Principal decided to hold a special class meeting to assess Mr. Wang's suitability and the students' acceptance of him. Before the meeting, Lin Xiaoran invited Nan Xiangwan to dinner to understand her earlier comment about "overexertion leading to counter-productivity."
Nan Xiangwan explained that while Mr. Liao was a capable teacher, his intense methods were overwhelming for students with a weak foundation and would ultimately backfire. She bluntly stated she had simply been cooperating with Lin Xiaoran's plan as he had asked, despite her reservations. On the day of the class meeting, with the Principal and other teachers observing, Mr. Wang was greeted with a sabotaged projector, its connection cable deliberately cut by Lin Xiaoran.
Unfazed, Mr. Wang quickly reconnected the wires, only for Lin Xiaoran's backup plan to appear on screen: a crude caricature of him, which made the students laugh. Despite the hostile welcome, Mr. Wang remained calm and began by displaying the academic performance curves of Lin Xiaoran and Jiang Daling. He insightfully pointed out that Lin Xiaoran, a returnee from abroad, had strong spoken English but inconsistent test scores.
He noted that Jiang Daling's preference for American pronunciation conflicted with the school's British English curriculum, causing grammatical issues. He then revealed he had prepared individualized study plans for every student, based on the experiences of Teacher Li and Mr. Liao. He unveiled his "Study Plan for the College Entrance Exam," promising that if they followed it strictly, their scores would improve by at least twenty points.
His words caused a stir, but as the students examined the detailed, personalized plans, their skepticism turned into trust. Their confidence was further boosted when Mr. Wang revealed he had once been a lower-ranked student himself. He claimed to have ranked third in the city in his college entrance exam, at which point Mr. Liao corrected him, stating that he had actually ranked first. Believing he could lead them to their ideal universities, the students were won over.
The class meeting concluded with Mr. Wang successfully becoming the new headteacher of Class Seven. Afterward, Lin Xiaoran angrily confronted Nan Xiangwan, feeling she had conspired with Mr. Wang behind his back. Nan Xiangwan calmly defended her actions, asserting that Mr. Wang was the best choice and that her goal was not just to get Zeng Jianfei back, but to secure the best teacher for the class—a choice she called an adult's decision. She reassured a dejected Lin Xiaoran that his leadership had already brought positive changes, and Zeng Jianfei's return was now a foreseeable outcome.
Episode 6 Recap
Upon returning home, Lin Xiaoran, still pondering Nan Xiangwan's recent words, sought his mother's advice on what constitutes an "adult's thinking" and whether he was childish. His mother responded that maturity is subjective and that in her eyes, he was an independent individual, regardless of age. Lin Xiaoran then noticed a bouquet of flowers sent by a "friend" with a card bearing the letter "C," which his mother dismissed as something a child wouldn't understand.
Contradicting her earlier statement about his independence, she then warned him about the dangers of men, to which Lin Xiaoran retorted that he was a boy, not a man. Later, Lin Xiaoran, talking to Li Shuai, expressed his frustration that Nan Xiangwan had secretly helped Mr. Wang become the headteacher, feeling he was constantly being used by her. He found it illogical that someone with poor grades could be so manipulative.
Confronting Nan Xiangwan in the cafeteria, he accused her of exploiting him and demanded to be informed of her plans in advance so he could distance himself. Nan Xiangwan, finding his earnest anger endearing, simply smiled and walked away with her food tray. Meanwhile, Liu Yubai treated Zhu Cong to ice cream.
Zhu Cong took the opportunity to lecture Liu Yubai on "deviant behavior," cautioning him not to be swayed by outward appearances, subtly implying Liu Yubai's budding interest in Nan Xiangwan. Liu Yubai countered that Nan Xiangwan's actions didn't deviate from social norms and that he found her mature and cute. Shortly after, Liu Yubai spotted Nan Xiangwan at a convenience store entrance. He picked up her fallen notebook and offered to buy her a drink.
To his surprise, Nan Xiangwan then invited him to dinner the following day. Back home, Nan Xiangwan asked her mother for money to treat a classmate who was tutoring her. Her mother was initially hesitant, questioning why a student needed to be so "social." However, upon learning the tutor was a boy ranked second in the entire school, she relented, giving Nan Xiangwan 100 yuan. The next evening, Liu Yubai and Nan Xiangwan met at a Cantonese restaurant.
Liu Yubai expressed his gratitude for Nan Xiangwan's help in organizing notes and recording MP3s for him. He then produced a competition award certificate, asking her to keep it for him. Nan Xiangwan, however, declined, emphasizing that it was his personal honor and should be kept by him.
During their meal, they discussed Mr. Wang becoming their headteacher, with Nan Xiangwan revealing she had only provided a simple outline for his professional image, never expecting him to embrace it so diligently. She also reaffirmed her ultimate goal of getting into Class Two and later Guanhua University. Unbeknownst to them, Lin Xiaoran and Li Shuai observed their animated conversation from across the restaurant. Annoyed, Lin Xiaoran decided to leave immediately, abandoning his plans to buy books.
Li Shuai commented that Nan Xiangwan was looking down on her own classmates by trying to associate with students from Class Two. As the long holiday approached, Zhu Cong remarked that while others welcomed it, he saw it as the "beginning of depravity," arguing that intense study was only for less gifted students, not for him or Liu Yubai. In Class Two, students expressed envy for Class Seven's youthful energy.
Their teacher, Mr. Liao, then arrived, bringing them exam papers from Huanggang, much to their dismay. Concurrently, Mr. Wang announced the new class officer list for Class Seven. Yu Meili continued as the monitor, and Lin Xiaoran was appointed as the deputy monitor. Lin Xiaoran then took the initiative to nominate Nan Xiangwan as the academic affairs representative.
He justified his choice by praising her dedication, noting that despite her current grades, her spirit of learning was commendable and her potential for improvement was immense. Mr. Wang then suggested the class create their own slogan to boost morale. Lin Xiaoran proposed "Surpass Class Two," which received enthusiastic approval from everyone.
Buoyed by their new slogan, Mr. Wang seized the opportunity to share good news: the school had lifted Zeng Jianfei's disciplinary action, and he would soon return to class. Before dismissing them, Mr. Wang encouraged the students to relax during the holiday but to also prioritize safety. Lin Xiaoran then invited Nan Xiangwan to a class celebration outing. When she initially hesitated, he playfully threatened to bring the entire class to her house if she didn't join.
Yielding to his persistence, Nan Xiangwan agreed. Meanwhile, Nan Xiangwan's mother was busy preparing nutritious meals, comparing her daughter's relaxed approach to her friend's daughter in Class Two, who was ambitiously preparing for college entrance exams with the help of an online tutoring service. Nan Xiangwan, unfazed, reassured her mother about her studies and expressed excitement for the lamb chops her mother bought. The next day, Lin Xiaoran arrived at Nan Xiangwan's house to pick her up.
Noticing her carefully dressed appearance, he teased her about having a date. He then insisted she ride on the back of his bicycle to the outing. At the picnic spot, Lin Xiaoran unveiled a "treasure chest" filled with food for everyone. During a team game played in boy-girl pairs, Lin Xiaoran and Nan Xiangwan's teamwork was surprisingly effective. After the gathering, Lin Xiaoran rode Nan Xiangwan home on his bicycle.
Li Shuai and other classmates, observing them ride off, concluded that the two had reconciled and become friends. The following morning, on her way to school, Nan Xiangwan encountered Liu Yubai. He had already prepared and sorted out key knowledge points for lessons that were two weeks ahead of her class schedule, a thoughtful gesture that deeply moved her. Soon, a basketball match against No. 5 High School was scheduled. As a top athlete, Lin Xiaoran was expected to play.
While many female students eagerly rushed to the basketball court to cheer, Nan Xiangwan opted to stay in the quiet classroom to study. On the court, the No. 5 High School players displayed an arrogant demeanor, verbally taunting Lin Xiaoran and his teammates. Despite their aggressive posturing and reputation for playing "dirty," Lin Xiaoran remained unfazed. As the teams warmed up, their coach advised them to be cautious and to treat the intense game as if it were a regular practice session.
Episode 7 Recap
During an intense basketball match, the team from No.5 High School repeatedly fouled and pushed players from Xiangli Middle School. The aggressive tactics culminated in a player colliding with Wang Qibei, who fell, hit his head, and lost consciousness while trying to intervene. He was rushed to the infirmary where the doctor confirmed he only had a bump but advised rest. When Director Zhang arrived, she scolded Wang Qibei for getting injured.
In response, Wang Qibei exaggerated his condition, complaining of a headache and nausea, and jokingly asked the director to cover his night self-study sessions. Meanwhile, a worried Zhang Chao wanted to retaliate against No.5 High School, but Lin Xiaoran tried a different approach by questioning Nan Xiangwan. However, Nan Xiangwan dismissed their concerns, stating it was perfectly justified for a teacher to protect a student, and left.
The next morning, Nan Xiangwan deliberately waited for Wang Qibei and advised him on how to solidify his bond with Class Seven. She suggested that by faking a more serious injury and taking time off, he would create a "sense of crisis," making the students realize how much they needed him. Amused by her strategic thinking, Wang Qibei bandaged his head and took sick leave.
In class, believing Teacher Wang would still be teaching, Zhang Chao rallied Class Seven, urging them to behave well and declaring that anyone who caused trouble would be his enemy. Their loyalty was soon tested when a substitute, Teacher Xu, arrived, sparking anxiety among the students about another headteacher change. This led to an argument between Liu Jiaojiao and Zhang Chao, which was interrupted by Chen Shiyun.
She calmly advised Lin Xiaoran to focus on his academics over basketball and directly asked if he liked Nan Xiangwan, warning him about the risks of puppy love. Later, having missed the bus, Lin Xiaoran spotted Nan Xiangwan cycling by and hopped onto the back of her bike. They shared playful banter, with Lin Xiaoran joking that she could improve her cycling skills by giving him more rides.
Observing Lin Xiaoran’s apparent interest in Nan Xiangwan, Chen Shiyun found and printed a "puppy love test." At a staff meeting, Director Zhang announced the school's upcoming promotional video, selecting Chen Shiyun and Liu Yubai as student representatives. However, Zhu Cong publicly objected, arguing that academic merit, not appearance, should be the criteria and nominated himself. Chen Shiyun, not keen on being on camera, graciously declined the role.
After class, Chen Shiyun gave the "puppy love test" to Lin Xiaoran on the stairs. He initially chose "totally incompatible" to describe his relationship with Nan Xiangwan but then admitted she was the person he was thinking of while answering. Just then, Director Zhang appeared with a flashlight, nearly catching them. At the same time, she also almost discovered Liu Yubai and Nan Xiangwan secretly exchanging an MP3 player.
Lin Xiaoran quickly created a diversion by telling Director Zhang that Teacher Liao was looking for her, allowing both groups to escape. In the commotion, Chen Shiyun dropped the test paper, which Liu Yubai found. Later, he privately took the test and scored 45 points, an indicator that he was easily distracted by "external temptations."
Realizing he had signs of puppy love with his thoughts constantly returning to Nan Xiangwan, and after a warning from his father about focusing on his studies, he began to intentionally avoid her, leaving her confused by his sudden coldness. In the days that followed, with Wang Qibei absent, Class Seven became gloomy and unmotivated. Just as their spirits hit a low, Wang Qibei made a dramatic return, bringing Zeng Jianfei with him.
The students’ joy at seeing their teacher turned to shock when Zeng Jianfei announced that he was not returning to class but had come to say goodbye, as he had realized he was "not cut out for studying." Despite pleas from his classmates, he remained firm in his decision to leave.
Episode 8 Recap
Zeng Jianfei formally requested to drop out of school, telling his teacher, Wang Qibei, that he had made up his mind after much thought. Despite Wang Qibei's reassurance that his grades were sufficient for a basic university, Zeng expressed a desire to explore the world and pursue his interests outside of academics. Recognizing Zeng's youthful idealism, Wang Qibei did not approve the dropout application.
Instead, he offered to hold Zeng's student status, allowing him to take a break to experience the outside world and return to school if he had a change of heart. Outside the office, Lin Xiaoran confronted Zeng, criticizing his decision and his belief that non-academic interests, like grooming dogs, were a viable substitute for education. Zeng retorted, calling Lin a "pedantic old fogey" and asserting that "all roads lead to Rome."
When Lin accused him of being flippant with his life, Nan Xiangwan intervened, telling Lin to stop interfering in Zeng's personal choices. She then jokingly challenged Zeng to get into Guanhua University, warning him not to embarrass himself. Frustrated, Lin suggested to his friends that they should collectively "build a wall" for Zeng to hit—a harsh reality check that would force him to return.
That evening, seeing her mother exhausted from doing extra laundry to save for her college tuition, Nan Xiangwan volunteered to deliver a customer's clothes, insisting it would be a break from studying. She took the parcel to an address that, to her surprise, was in the new apartment complex across the street from her family's old building. Upon arrival, she discovered the building's elevator was out of order and had to climb many flights of stairs.
At the same time, Lin Xiaoran was singing and dancing in the shower. Hearing the doorbell, he assumed his mother had forgotten her keys and opened the door while still shirtless, only to find a stunned Nan Xiangwan on his doorstep. Embarrassed, Lin Xiaoran quickly shut the door to get dressed, only to reappear moments later with his shirt on inside out.
When Nan Xiangwan pointed it out, he comically insisted it was a habit and that the visible stitching accentuated his physique, before inviting her in. Inside, Nan Xiangwan complimented the decor and mentioned that her family's old building across the street was slated for demolition in a few years. She advised him to tell his parents not to sell their apartment anytime soon, predicting its value would significantly increase.
Lin then explained that his parents were divorced and his father, who lived in America, wasn't involved in such decisions. While in the living room, Nan Xiangwan spotted a childhood photo of Lin Xiaoran with a little girl. Surprised by how different she looked, she learned the girl was Chen Shiyun. Lin dismissed the photo as something their parents had staged, admitting he disliked it but his mother found it cute.
After Nan Xiangwan left to make other deliveries, Lin worried that she might have misinterpreted his relationship with Chen Shiyun because of the picture. Meanwhile, Liu Yubai's father took him on a tour of his company, emphasizing that he was aging and the business would one day be his. He pressured Liu Yubai to study diligently and get into Guanhua University to secure the company's future. Liu Yubai appeared overwhelmed and sighed in relief only after leaving the building.
Just then, Nan Xiangwan cycled past, and though Liu Yubai called out to her, she didn't hear him. The filming of the school's promotional video ran into trouble when the student from Class Five paired with Liu Yubai struggled with stage fright, unable to clearly recite the school motto or look at the camera. Frustrated by the delays, the director's liaison, Liao Shichang, asked Chen Shiyun to step in, explaining that the video had a tight deadline.
Though a friend was envious of the opportunity, after successfully filming her part, Chen Shiyun confessed to her teacher that she was nervous and disliked being on camera, wishing she could remain unnoticed. The promotional video featuring Liu Yubai and Chen Shiyun was released and became an instant hit. Nan Xiangwan's mother saw it on TV and praised Chen Shiyun's beauty and academic success, holding her up as a role model.
Online, classmates and strangers alike commented on Liu Yubai and Chen Shiyun's good looks, calling them a "perfect match." Chen Shiyun's friends showed her dedicated fan forums on Baidu Tieba and told her they had defended her from negative comments on Weibo. However, Chen Shiyun was distressed by the sudden public attention and politely asked them to stop talking about the photos, admitting she truly disliked it.
Inspired by Chen Shiyun's sudden fame, Liu Jiaojiao began taking numerous photos of herself, hoping for similar popularity, which reminded Nan Xiangwan that Liu Jiaojiao would later become an online streamer. Elsewhere, Lin Xiaoran grew visibly annoyed by classmates' constant talk of Chen Shiyun's popularity and stormed off. He later found Nan Xiangwan and expressed frustration that she wasn't concerned about why he was upset. Seeing she was studying English, he assumed she was preparing to see Liu Yubai.
When she confirmed her priority was improving her grades, Lin offered to tutor her himself, arguing that while Liu Yubai was at a high academic level, he was an "intermediate" step up and thus a more suitable tutor for her. The situation escalated when old, unflattering photos of a much heavier, younger Chen Shiyun were leaked. While with Nan Xiangwan, Lin Xiaoran saw one of the photos on his phone and exclaimed in shock at her past appearance.
Immediately after, Nan Xiangwan received a call from Yu Meili, who told her the "ugly photos" had been posted on the school and local Tieba forums and were spreading rapidly on Weibo, attracting a wave of cyberbullying. Nan Xiangwan, who rarely used social media, initially dismissed it as a minor issue that would blow over. However, students soon began openly gossiping and pointing at Chen Shiyun in the hallways.
The Class Two Monitor called a meeting to address the "serious cyberbullying," but his detailed plan for students to collectively report negative content was met with complete silence. Chen Shiyun, clearly stressed, began eating alone in the classroom to save time for studying, making Nan Xiangwan feel as if the college entrance exam was the next day.
In class, Lin Xiaoran was too distracted by the situation to answer a question from Wang Qibei, who disappointedly reminded the students that with only 200 days left, they needed to manage their time wisely. After class, Li Shuai and Zhang Chao reported that they couldn't trace the person who posted the photos because the IP addresses were all fake. Desperate, Lin Xiaoran pleaded with Nan Xiangwan for help.
He brought up how she had seemingly orchestrated Teacher Li's removal, believing she had a special ability to solve difficult problems. Nan Xiangwan denied this, crediting the students, but Lin persisted, asking her to help Chen Shiyun as a personal favor.
When Nan Xiangwan hesitated, pointing out she wasn't close with Chen Shiyun, Lin Xiaoran revealed the real reason for Chen Shiyun's camera shyness: as a child, her parents had overfed her, and she had struggled for years with medical help to lose the weight. Moved by the story, Nan Xiangwan agreed to help, but only on her "conditions." Eager for any assistance, Lin readily accepted. Nan Xiangwan declared she wanted his "time."
Lin misinterpreted this as a desire for his company, but she quickly clarified her terms: "Aside from studying and basketball practice, all your free time will be spent serving me." He would have to take over her cleaning duties, fetch her meals, and handle all her miscellaneous tasks so she could focus solely on her studies. His friends were shocked, declaring she was demanding he become her "slave." To their astonishment, Lin Xiaoran agreed without a moment's hesitation.
Episode 9 Recap
Lin Xiaoran reluctantly agreed to Nan Xiangwan's demanding terms, much to the surprise of his friends Zhang Chao and Li Shuai. He assured them he had a backup plan to simply renege on the verbal agreement, which eased their concerns. However, the next day, Nan Xiangwan presented a formal contract detailing Lin Xiaoran's responsibilities.
If he failed to find the anonymous poster within three days, he would be obligated to run 10,000 meters, publicly declare "I'm an idiot" three times at the school's pledging convention, and have the contract publicly displayed. Despite his apprehension, Lin Xiaoran signed, determined to uncover the culprit. Nan Xiangwan quickly devised a plan to expose the person who had leaked Chen Shiyun's photos. She contacted the anonymous poster through the forum, pretending to have more "explosive" photos to sell.
Her strategy worked, as the poster, a student named Zhang Hui from a nearby school, readily revealed details, believing he could profit from the online buzz by acquiring more photos. Nan Xiangwan and Lin Xiaoran then went to his school. To get past security, Lin Xiaoran cleverly posed as the new principal's son, with Nan Xiangwan as his sister, using details about the principal's habits he had learned from a friend.
On the playground, they confronted Zhang Hui, who admitted to uploading Chen Shiyun's photos simply for attention and even tried to buy more from them. Nan Xiangwan then played a pre-recorded audio of their entire conversation and threatened him with a lawsuit for portrait rights infringement if he didn't delete all the photos by 7 PM. Frightened, Zhang Hui promised to comply. Lin Xiaoran was once again impressed by Nan Xiangwan's resourcefulness.
Meanwhile, Lin Xiaoran's mother arrived at his school to give him a key. Li Shuai and Yu Meili enthusiastically greeted her, inadvertently revealing that Lin Xiaoran had left with Nan Xiangwan. Lin Xiaoran's mother then encountered Chen Shiyun, which further fueled her suspicions of a potential early romance. Her fears seemed confirmed when she later saw Lin Xiaoran and Nan Xiangwan returning to school together.
Upon returning home, Lin Xiaoran was met by his mother, who directly questioned him about dating. He was taken aback but adamantly denied any romantic involvement with Nan Xiangwan, emphasizing that they were rivals. Later, the teachers for Class 2 and Class 7, Liao Shichang and Wang Qibei, announced the upcoming monthly exam schedules.
Liao Shichang adopted a stern, critical tone with Class 2, scolding them for complacency and warning that their place in the top class did not guarantee admission to prestigious universities. In contrast, Wang Qibei took a more encouraging approach. Meanwhile, Principal Hu, inspired by an online post, called a meeting with the teachers to discuss implementing a "Class Exchange System" to promote self-directed learning among the third-year students.
The concept of the Class Exchange System created a divide in enthusiasm between Class 2 and Class 7. Nan Xiangwan saw it as a significant opportunity to transfer into Class 2 and intensified her study efforts. Conversely, Wang Feng, who was at the bottom of Class 2, grew anxious, realizing she could be transferred out under the new system.
Despite Lin Xiaoran's denials, his mother remained concerned and went to the laundromat to speak with Nan Xiangwan's mother about the perceived romance. Concurrently, Nan Xiangwan noticed Liu Yubai seemed to be avoiding her. After the monthly exam, she confronted him. Liu Yubai struggled to articulate his reasons, resorting to an elaborate analogy about a building's deep, unseen foundation.
Misinterpreting his evasiveness, Nan Xiangwan assumed he had a crush on someone and advised him to focus on his studies, suggesting they could pursue their feelings after getting into the same university. Seeing her misunderstanding and unable to explain himself clearly, Liu Yubai simply handed her a copy of the monthly exam answers to help her study. Nan Xiangwan returned home with the exam answers and noticed her computer had been left on.
Her mother confessed that after the visit from Lin Xiaoran's mother, she had been tempted to check Nan Xiangwan's QQ messages but ultimately decided against it, choosing to trust her. Nan Xiangwan expressed her gratitude for her mother's trust. Simultaneously, Liu Yubai's father discovered his son's architecture books and a first-place award from a design contest hidden in his room. Disturbed, he reiterated that Liu Yubai's future was in finance or management to take over the family business. Acknowledging his father's words, Liu Yubai retreated to his room to study.
Episode 10 Recap
After his father discovers his architecture books and reminds him of his duty to study finance for the family business, Liu Yubai feels the pressure of his future. He decides to act on his feelings for Nan Xiangwan, recording a heartfelt confession for her on an MP3. Separately, when her mother brings up Lin Xiaoran, Nan Xiangwan dismisses him as "just a kid," insisting that nothing will distract her from her studies.
The results of the mock monthly exam are released, and Nan Xiangwan makes significant progress, climbing from twenty-fourth to eighth place. Despite this, she doesn't achieve her goal of entering Class Two, leaving her feeling disappointed. Upon seeing her still in their class, Lin Xiaoran expresses relief. However, when he sees that her scores are much higher than his, he is stunned and then confidently takes over her class cleaning duties, declaring he will handle them from now on.
In the office, Wang Qibei reviews Nan Xiangwan's remarkable progress, convinced she will soon transfer to Class Two, though Liao Shichang remains skeptical. Wang Qibei points out that the "class exchange system" idea likely originated from Nan Xiangwan herself, proving her advanced thinking. Later, Nan Xiangwan confirms this to Wang Qibei, explaining she orchestrated the plan using Chen Shiyun's photo incident and the principal's Weibo habits to get the system implemented.
She reveals her ultimate goal is Guanhua University, with Class Two being merely a necessary step, impressing Wang Qibei with her strategic intelligence. Meanwhile, Liu Yubai hesitates to give Nan Xiangwan the MP3. In the school cafeteria, Lin Xiaoran overhears Wang Feng from Class Two mocking Nan Xiangwan. He immediately defends her, scolding Wang Feng for being the last-place student in Class Two and thus having no right to criticize anyone.
When Chen Shiyun tries to defend Wang Feng, Lin Xiaoran expresses his disappointment in her for forgetting how Nan Xiangwan had helped her. Shortly after, Lin Xiaoran spots Liu Yubai finally handing the MP3 to Nan Xiangwan. Feeling hurt, Lin Xiaoran, who had brought fresh dumplings for her, angrily throws them away. Nan Xiangwan follows him back to the classroom and, sensing his frustration, offers him the MP3.
Just as he is about to listen, the class bell rings, and Wang Qibei enters to announce an upcoming lecture. Wang Qibei calls Jiang Daling to his office to discuss her declining grades. She explains she is in the finals of a singing competition, "The Spring for Bands." Unexpectedly, Wang Qibei encourages her but reminds her to refocus on her studies afterward. During the education bureau's lecture, Jiang Daling's MP3 accidentally plays music, drawing Director Zhang's anger.
Citing rules against electronic devices, Director Zhang orders all of Class Seven to surrender their MP3s. Panicked that his recorded confession will be discovered, Liu Yubai rushes to Nan Xiangwan to ask if she has listened to the MP3 yet. Wang Qibei tries to intercede for his students, arguing that MP3s are useful for English listening practice. Director Zhang dismisses his plea, challenging him to find even one MP3 in Class Seven that contains genuine study material.
His search proves fruitless; Nan Xiangwan says she lent hers out, the class monitor Yu Meili claims not to have one, and other students either deny owning one or have theirs filled with music. Director Zhang then announces that school-wide broadcasts will replace the need for personal devices. As students hand over their MP3s, Lin Xiaoran tries to hide the one from Nan Xiangwan inside a dictionary. Wang Qibei spots him and, assuming he's simply evading the rule, confiscates it, unaware of its emotional significance and how it came into Lin Xiaoran's possession.
Episode 11 Recap
After their MP3 players were confiscated, various students attempted to retrieve them. Liu Yubai confronted Director Zhang directly, confessing he lost a bet to Zhu Cong and was being pranked. He claimed his real motivation was to get into the same university as Nan Xiangwan and offered to accept any punishment.
He also tried to give Nan Xiangwan a new iPod, but she declined, explaining that the content of her old MP3 was what mattered and she would wait for Director Zhang to return it. Separately, Jiang Daling pleaded with Nan Xiangwan to help get her MP3 back, as it contained an essential demo for a music competition, but Nan Xiangwan advised her to approach the person who took it directly.
Meanwhile, Wang Qibei took a more strategic approach, presenting Director Zhang with her favorite milk tea and a cake. He apologized for his "naive and childish" behavior and proposed a deal: the students' MP3s would be returned if Class Seven achieved excellent results in the upcoming monthly exam. Director Zhang, while not agreeing immediately, seemed to consider his offer.
Wang Qibei returned to Class Seven to announce the hopeful development, but his announcement was cut short by Director Zhang, who arrived to expose Lin Xiaoran's actions. She revealed that Lin Xiaoran had bought a new MP3 and tried to sneak into her office that morning to swap it with Nan Xiangwan's confiscated one. Labeling his act as theft, Director Zhang immediately removed him from the basketball team.
Wang Qibei intervened, defending Lin Xiaoran by claiming he was simply "blinded by loyalty" and stressing that basketball was his dream. However, Director Zhang remained firm, prioritizing school rules over his passion. Later, Lin Xiaoran approached Nan Xiangwan to explain his failed attempt to retrieve her MP3. Instead of offering sympathy, Nan Xiangwan sharply rebuked him for his immaturity and poor judgment.
She reiterated that the MP3 was unimportant and that his impulsive actions, which cost him his place on the basketball team, only created more trouble. Visibly hurt, Lin Xiaoran reminded her he did it for her, but Nan Xiangwan simply told him to "be mature." In physics class, Lin Xiaoran was too distracted to focus. When called upon by the teacher, he simply apologized without defending himself, surprising his classmates.
Afterward, Zhang Chao tried to console him, but Lin Xiaoran was still fuming over Nan Xiangwan's reaction and told Zhang Chao to deliver lunch to her. Witnessing this, Zhang Chao confronted Nan Xiangwan, calling her selfish for her apparent indifference. The confrontation made Nan Xiangwan realize the impact of her words, and she later found Lin Xiaoran at the basketball court, wistfully watching others play. She apologized for her earlier harshness. Now calmer, Lin Xiaoran asked about the MP3's content.
Nan Xiangwan clarified that it only contained Liu Yubai's academic lecture notes, which instantly relieved Lin Xiaoran, who had suspected a more personal connection. Inspired by a Dean's Office notice mandating third-year participation in the upcoming sports meeting, Nan Xiangwan saw an opportunity. She and Lin Xiaoran analyzed the school documents, with Nan Xiangwan correctly interpreting that the school was worried about a lack of student enthusiasm.
They proposed a plan to Wang Qibei: if Class Seven led the way by filling over two-thirds of the sports events, they would ask the school to return all MP3s and reinstate Lin Xiaoran to the basketball team. Though cautious about the two demands, Wang Qibei agreed to present the idea to Director Zhang. Wang Qibei successfully persuaded Director Zhang by framing the proposal as a solution to her own concerns about student physical fitness.
Director Zhang agreed to the terms: if student enthusiasm for the sports meeting was ignited across the entire third year, she would return the MP3s. Furthermore, if Class Seven won first place overall, Lin Xiaoran would be allowed back on the basketball team. Despite this victory, Lin Xiaoran's attempt to rally his classmates failed. They cited academic pressure and disinterest, with some even suggesting they forget about the MP3s, leaving him dismayed.
Observing Lin Xiaoran's frustration, Nan Xiangwan invited him to a restaurant, where he was surprised by the arrival of his mother and Chen Shiyun. Nan Xiangwan bluntly announced to the women that she and Lin Xiaoran had "no ambiguous relationship" and were just classmates, hoping to clear up any misunderstandings. Lin Xiaoran sarcastically played along, declaring that Nan Xiangwan was the person he disliked most. Later, Nan Xiangwan explained her actions to a puzzled Lin Xiaoran.
She revealed it was a calculated "prodding" strategy, designed to provoke him by publicly resolving their personal drama, thereby freeing him to focus his energy on motivating the class more effectively.
Episode 12 Recap
Following Nan Xiangwan's suggestion, Lin Xiaoran devises a mischievous plan to ignite competitive spirit within Class Seven. He issues a provocative challenge, posing as a student from their rival, Class Two. In the message, addressed to "all classmates of Class Seven," the supposed Class Two representative announces their challenge for the upcoming sports meeting, urging Class Seven to prepare well so Class Two wouldn't win too easily.
This bold act, perceived as a "naked humiliation," ignites a furious uproar among Class Seven's students, who unite in chants of "Class Seven is invincible!" and vow to take on the sports meeting. The commotion echoes throughout the third-year level, capturing the attention of Class Two. Their monitor, Liu Yubai, agitated, confronts his classmates, demanding to know who issued such a challenge to Class Seven, calling it an act of "belittling themselves."
Despite their fiery slogans, Class Seven faces a severe lack of sign-ups for the sports meeting, with only Jiang Daling volunteering. Other students offer excuses, with Jiajiao stating that running "doesn't look good," while Yu Meili, the class monitor, claims she is "not good at sports" and can only serve as "the most beautiful cheerleader." Recognizing the need for participants, Lin Xiaoran discusses strategies with Nan Xiangwan and Jiang Daling. They decide to target individual students, starting with Yu Meili.
That evening, as Nan Xiangwan and Yu Meili walk home, Lin Xiaoran secretly follows and jumps out, startling them. A terrified Yu Meili sprints away, only to find Zhang Chao conveniently waiting with a stopwatch. He records her impressive speed, noting she ran fifty meters in under eight seconds, a time "more than enough" for the sports meeting.
Realizing she has fallen into a trap, a frustrated Yu Meili agrees to participate on the condition that Lin Xiaoran and Zhang Chao treat her and Nan Xiangwan to two bowls of beef noodles. Knowing many girls are interested in beauty and fitness, Jiang Daling arrives in class looking radiant. She proudly declares her glowing appearance is a direct result of preparing for the sports meeting, claiming she lost a kilogram and improved her skin by running.
Intrigued, the other girls enthusiastically sign up for events like shot-put and discus, believing the activities will give them "small waists and swan arms." Soon after, Lin Xiaoran triumphantly hands the complete sign-up form to their teacher, Wang Qibei, who, as promised, returns the students' MP3 players. Upon returning home, Nan Xiangwan listens to a heartfelt voice message from Liu Yubai on her MP3 player.
He expresses how fortunate he feels to have met her and thanks her for the encouragement that made him braver, reaffirming their shared goal of attending Guanhua University. Later, when Liu Yubai offers Nan Xiangwan study notes for the mock exam, she urgently warns him to tell his father that his company, Yurun Real Estate, must avoid any financial dealings with Blue Bird Investment.
Observing their interaction, a jealous Lin Xiaoran tries to pull Nan Xiangwan away, but Liu Yubai meets his challenge with defiance. Meanwhile, in Class Two, many students are reluctant to participate in the sports meeting. To motivate them after his confrontation with Lin Xiaoran, Liu Yubai offers to share his coveted study notes with anyone who signs up.
His friend, Zhu Cong, eagerly supports him, sweetening the deal by offering his own notes and one-on-one tutoring for any event champion, leading to a surge in sign-ups. As preparations intensify, Jiang Daling discovers that her band's crucial rematch conflicts with the relay race. Torn, she decides to withdraw from the relay. However, Nan Xiangwan, aware of Jiang Daling's future potential, strongly encourages her not to miss the competition and offers to run in her place.
Nan Xiangwan then demonstrates a surprising speed, completing 100 meters in a remarkable 14. 35 seconds and revealing her past experience on a junior high track team. She agrees to run the relay, provided the entire class commits to serious study. Just as the class is training diligently, Wang Qibei, frustrated that their training is disrupting academics, announces the cancellation of Class Seven's participation.
Undeterred, Nan Xiangwan confronts him and proposes a bold agreement: she guarantees Class Seven will win first place in the sports meeting AND secure a top-five grade-level position in the upcoming mock exam. If they fail, she will accept any punishment. Wang Qibei accepts the deal, and Lin Xiaoran immediately orders the class to focus on their studies.
Liu Yubai relays Nan Xiangwan's warning to his father, who dismisses it as "high schooler talk" and instructs his son to focus on getting into Guanhua University's finance program to take over the family company. The next morning, Nan Xiangwan's mother finds her daughter holding spiked shoes and angrily forbids her from participating, reiterating that studying is paramount.
Feeling immense pressure, Nan Xiangwan tearfully insists on competing, expressing her desire for a high school experience beyond just academics, as she has "already missed it once and didn't want to miss it again."
Episode 13 Recap
After Nan Xiangwan committed to the sports meet, Lin Xiaoran supervised her early morning training. Concerned she was under too much pressure, he offered her a way out of the competition, but she dismissed his worries, explaining that she genuinely enjoyed running and wanted to use the opportunity to make up for the "hot-blooded" youth she had missed. After she stumbled during her run, Lin Xiaoran helped her up, noticing her flushed face and rapid heartbeat.
Amused, Nan Xiangwan teased him for being flustered and physically weak, suggesting he needed to train more himself. This encounter made Lin Xiaoran wonder if Nan Xiangwan had feelings for him. Following the advice of his friends, Li Shuai and Zhang Chao, he tried two strategies to find out. First, he changed his hairstyle, but Nan Xiangwan was unimpressed, merely noting that his "annoyance index" had risen.
For his second strategy, he deliberately spoke with Chen Shiyun to provoke jealousy and then presented Nan Xiangwan with study notes, claiming he had worked on them until 3 AM. Nan Xiangwan, however, recognized the handwriting as Chen Shiyun's and politely declined. She explained that Liu Yubai's notes were more tailored to her specific knowledge gaps, whereas Chen Shiyun's were too basic.
Later, when Lin Xiaoran asked Chen Shiyun for her opinion of him as a girl would see him, she bluntly called him "childish, arrogant, and unmotivated," though she admitted he wasn't a bad person. Upon returning home, Nan Xiangwan was relieved to find a pair of spiked running shoes on her table, a clear sign of her mother's approval for her to participate in the sports meet.
On the day of the Xiangli Middle School Autumn Sports Meeting, Nan Xiangwan arrived with her new spiked shoes, ready to compete. The Class Seven teacher, Wang Qibei, appeared in a vibrant costume with a wig, enthusiastically organizing his students and setting goals. Class Seven proudly chanted their slogan, "Class Seven of Senior High, like tigers unleashed, unstoppable on the field." Though Nan Xiangwan initially found it childish, she joined in for the sake of unity.
Their rivals, Class Two, led by their teacher Liao Shichang and Chen Shiyun, responded with their own fierce slogans, setting the stage for an intense competition. As the opening ceremony began, a light rain started to fall, and students opened their umbrellas. While Nan Xiangwan tried to use the time to memorize vocabulary, Lin Xiaoran appeared and held his umbrella over her. Yu Meili noticed the intimate moment and decided not to interrupt.
Meanwhile, the rival teachers, Liao Shichang and Wang Qibei, engaged in their own verbal sparring, trading boasts about which of their classes would triumph. Liu Yubai remained confident, telling Zhu Cong he had prepared different strategies for various weather conditions. The principal delivered an encouraging speech, and as the rain subsided, the sports meet officially began. Nearby, Li Shuai proudly showed off his new spiked shoes to Zhang Chao, who eagerly tried them on.
The competitions commenced with great energy, as Class Seven and Class Two immediately bickered over whose turn it was to read their cheering articles over the loudspeaker. Lin Xiaoran was one of the first to compete, delivering a dominant performance in his events and securing championships. His victory impressed his teammates and quelled Nan Xiangwan's earlier doubts about whether he had what it took to win and rejoin the basketball team. Next was the girls' shot-put event.
Wang Feng of Class Two set an early mark of 7. 91 meters. When it was Liu Jiaojiao's turn, some classmates expressed skepticism due to her small stature. However, buoyed by her friends' encouragement, Liu Jiaojiao unleashed a powerful throw of 8. 35 meters, winning the shot-put championship for Class Seven. The mood shifted during the boys' long jump. Chen Yushu from Class Two repeatedly distracted Zhang Chao, asking if the girls in the crowd were admiring him.
Rattled, Zhang Chao committed fouls on his first three jumps, invalidating them. Frustrated, he snapped at Chen Yushu to be quiet before his final attempt, but he only managed a disappointing jump of 4. 4 meters. Consequently, Chen Yushu won the event for Class Two. Zhang Chao's classmates, including Yu Meili, were stunned by the outcome, as he was known for being one of the top athletes in their grade.
Episode 14 Recap
During the sports meet, Dai Yu from Class Seven cheers on behalf of both her class and Class Two for all the athletes. In the men's 1,500m race, Lin Xiaoran and Liu Yubai represent their respective classes. Lin Xiaoran attempts to disrupt the other runners' rhythm by accelerating early, but Liu Yubai remains unaffected, maintaining his own pace. They run alongside each other for the first two laps, conserving energy.
When Liu Yubai playfully asks why he is so competitive, Lin Xiaoran retorts that he should win first before talking. As they begin the third lap, Lin Xiaoran declares he is breaking away. Both sprint with full effort and cross the finish line at the exact same moment. After the race, teachers Wang Qibei and Liao Shichang, along with their students, engage in a heated debate over who won.
The stadium announcer resolves the dispute, declaring Lin Xiaoran and Liu Yubai as joint first-place winners, both with a time of four minutes and twenty-six seconds. Showing a newfound respect, Lin Xiaoran shakes Liu Yubai's hand. However, his good mood sours when Nan Xiangwan praises Liu Yubai. She teases Lin Xiaoran, calling him a "sports student" and implying his performance was expected. Liu Yubai defends him, stating that not all athletes can achieve such a result.
Nan Xiangwan then questions Lin Xiaoran about his underperformance in the high jump, where he only managed 4. 4 meters. Meanwhile, Zhang Chao, upset about his own poor performance, discovers he has lost Li Shuai's new spiked shoes at the check-in area. As his own 100m race approaches, Li Shuai frantically searches for his blue, size 42 shoes.
Zhang Chao dismissively offers to buy him a new pair, deeply offending Li Shuai, who reveals he had to beg his father for the shoes by promising a good result. Feeling betrayed, Li Shuai is forced to compete in regular sneakers. Lacking proper grip, he slips and falls during the sprint. Li Shuai is taken to the infirmary and disqualified, and a remorseful Zhang Chao apologizes. The sports meet continues with the girls' relay race.
Before it begins, Jiang Daling performs "Xiangli Xiangli," her original adaptation of the school anthem, to encourage her classmates, while Zeng Jianfei records the performance. With Nan Xiangwan running a leg, the girls' relay team achieves a surprise victory. After the loss, Liao Shichang tells his students it's alright and that he and Zhu Cong will still share their notes with them as promised.
As Nan Xiangwan heads home, Lin Xiaoran offers her a ride on his bicycle, claiming it is on his way. He remarks that she has changed from an "emotionless learning machine" into someone with more humanity, surprised by her dedication to collective honor. Nan Xiangwan dismisses this, saying she just wanted to avoid regret. He gives her his jacket because she is sweaty from the race, and she takes it home to wash.
Her mother misunderstands upon seeing the jacket, but Nan Xiangwan clarifies nothing happened. Elsewhere, Liu Yubai's father praises his son for the joint first-place finish, joking that he himself would never have tied. He assures his son that he will never miss his competitions, calling him his "greatest achievement." Later, Jiang Daling is disheartened for not placing in the top ten of her singing competition.
Nan Xiangwan consoles her, explaining that while her song was cool, it likely lacked an "empathy" factor for the judges who were unfamiliar with their school. She predicts that in a few years, Jiang Daling's song will become popular on a music platform due to nostalgia. This lifts Jiang Daling's spirits. Soon after, Principal Hu and Director Zhang arrive.
The principal apologizes to Jiang Daling for previously confiscating her MP3 player, and Director Zhang confirms that Lin Xiaoran is officially allowed to return to the basketball team. Regretting he missed the live show, Principal Hu asks Jiang Daling to sing again. Though she hesitates without accompaniment, someone provides a professional backing track, and she sings for the crowd of students.
Following the sports meet, Class Seven achieves third place in the entire grade on their monthly exams, delighting Wang Qibei, who cancels his academic agreement with Nan Xiangwan. A major announcement follows: the historic school auditorium is scheduled for demolition. In a staff meeting, Director Zhang explains the school board's plan to replace it with a modern teaching building, complete with new labs, lecture halls, and an observatory, arguing it will foster students' interests.
Despite his attachment to the building's history, Principal Hu prioritizes the benefits for the students. Wang Qibei gravely informs Class Seven about the demolition. When Director Zhang walks by the classroom, he subtly changes the subject, later implying to Lin Xiaoran that he must find a way to save the auditorium himself. Meanwhile, students from Class Two review the redevelopment plans, calling the design tacky and complaining that the generic "elevator building" lacks the character of the old auditorium.
Later, Lin Xiaoran confirms to his friends that Director Zhang supports the demolition. He, along with Liu Yubai, approaches Nan Xiangwan with a detailed proposal to "defend the auditorium," acknowledging her charisma and influence. Nan Xiangwan questions if it is a waste of time, but Liu Yubai insists it is not. Holding their plan, she playfully threatens to report them, but Lin Xiaoran confidently states that if she truly weren't interested, she would have already walked away.
Episode 15 Recap
Liu Yubai approached Lin Xiaoran to discuss strategies for preserving the school auditorium, a place they both cherished. Their conversation led to a deal to protect the building, and Chen Shiyun quickly joined their cause. Meanwhile, Zhang Chao had created a poster for the "Auditorium Defense Battle." When Lin Xiaoran showed it to Nan Xiangwan, she immediately deemed it too ugly and confrontational.
She advised Zhang Chao to enlarge the text for clarity, soften the wording to convey sincerity, and add more visuals for impact. Most importantly, she insisted on changing the title to "Xiangli Festival" to avoid creating an adversarial relationship with the school board, fearing the original confrontational title might hasten the auditorium's demolition. Nan Xiangwan then declared that she and Lin Xiaoran would take charge of all auditorium-related matters, leaving Zhang Chao to focus on his studies.
To manage the time commitment of the preservation efforts, Nan Xiangwan established a study support group. She had meticulously summarized the notes of Chen Shiyun and Liu Yubai into a comprehensive guide suitable for most students. She announced that she would lead daily review sessions during dinner time, with mandatory attendance at 6:30 AM each morning to check learning progress. This initiative aimed to ensure that academic performance would not suffer while students dedicated time to the auditorium.
As preparations for the Xiangli Festival advanced, media reporters broadcasted news of the event, inviting old alumni back to the school. The festival was set to showcase student paintings, photographs, essays, and a live band performance. During this time, Nan Xiangwan explained her preference for writing to express herself, as she wasn't a good speaker. Lin Xiaoran, in turn, shared his passion for basketball, citing the satisfaction of scoring, teamwork, and the collective effort to win.
On the day of the Xiangli Festival, a sudden rainstorm threatened to ruin the meticulously arranged venue. While Lin Xiaoran grew anxious, Nan Xiangwan remained composed, revealing her strategic plan. She had intended to use public opinion and the media to pressure Director Zheng of the school board, making it difficult for him to dismiss the students' deep emotional connection to the auditorium.
The unexpected rain, she declared, would only add a "tragic" and "heroic" element, believing that no adult would remain unsympathetic upon seeing children enduring the rain to protect their efforts. Students were instructed to put away their umbrellas and prioritize safeguarding the artworks. When Director Zheng arrived, students scrambled to stall him, desperately trying to protect the prepared food and displays from the downpour. Director Zheng toured the festival, observing students steadfastly protecting their artworks despite the heavy rain.
Students explained that their dedication stemmed from the imminent demolition of the auditorium, fearing that their artwork, too, would disappear along with the building they called "the hall that's about to disappear." As the rain eventually subsided and the sun emerged, Director Zheng moved to the essay section.
He was shown a piece titled "The Ancient Guardians," which depicted the auditorium as a wise old elder protecting generations of students and warned that its removal would blur their memories like rain blurring words on paper. He then viewed photographs of students with the auditorium, as they expressed their sadness at the thought of tearing down such a beautifully designed and historically rich structure. Liu Yubai, representing the students, addressed Director Zheng directly.
He acknowledged the school board's concern for providing better facilities but passionately argued that the auditorium was more than just a building; it was the "soul of their school." Quoting Liang Sicheng, he spoke of the pain of a city losing its architectural identity and questioned the long-term benefit of replacing the historic building with a modern concrete structure. He pleaded with Director Zheng to allow them to keep the auditorium, requesting renovation, not demolition.
Director Zheng acknowledged the students' enthusiasm and perseverance, stating that their unwavering commitment in the rain had deeply moved him. While he could not make an immediate promise regarding the auditorium's fate, he assured them that he would convey their hopes to the school board, emphasizing that their efforts would not be in vain and that he would always remember the Xiangli Festival.
As music swelled, a new song titled "The Return of the King" was performed, a celebratory nod to Lin Xiaoran, whom a classmate identified as "the king" who "wins every fight" and was now back on the basketball team. Class Seven soon returned to its usual lively atmosphere. Lin Xiaoran, back on the basketball team, confronted Nan Xiangwan about her seemingly stagnant grades despite her rigorous study habits.
He noted her habit of eating in the classroom to save time, minimizing water breaks to fit in more vocabulary memorization, and even reciting Classical Chinese while riding her bicycle, which once led her to crash into a pole. Given all this effort, he questioned why her grades remained average, concluding that she might not be "cut out for studying" and that the college entrance examination might not be suitable for her.
Annoyed, Nan Xiangwan insisted her low grades were temporary and that she was essentially starting her studies from scratch. Before their crucial game against No. 9 High School, Lin Xiaoran gathered his team in the locker room. He hyped them up, declaring that winning this game would prove they had the ability and quality to be champions, underscoring the importance of victory in their final game of the year.
In the classroom, students discussed the formidable opponent, particularly Meng Xiangsheng, a former provincial team player known for his erratic dribbling. The teacher, Wang Qibei, aware of the students' keen interest, canceled the afternoon physics class so they could watch, rescheduling it for the evening self-study session. When Yu Meili asked Nan Xiangwan to join them, she declined, intent on studying. On the court, the game between Xiangli Middle School and No. 9 High School began.
Lin Xiaoran struggled early, falling several times. Though a strong opponent, Meng Xiangsheng showed good sportsmanship by helping Lin Xiaoran up after a fall. Seeing Lin Xiaoran injured with a swollen leg, Yu Meili rushed back to the classroom, frantically asking Nan Xiangwan for his black bag, which contained a first-aid kit. Concerned but hesitant, Nan Xiangwan was unsure if she should go.
Without a second thought, Yu Meili grabbed her hand and pulled her along, exclaiming that the players from No. 9 High School were ruthless and seemed intent on taking Lin Xiaoran down.
Episode 16 Recap
Despite an injury, Lin Xiaoran persevered through a basketball game where the scores remained neck and neck. As the match intensified, Lin Xiaoran fought hard, making a crucial three-pointer. He eventually secured the victory with a powerful dunk after snatching the ball from his opponent, Meng Xiangsheng. After the game, Meng Xiangsheng complimented Lin Xiaoran's performance and suggested they exchange signed jerseys as a memento.
Nan Xiangwan then approached, had Lin Xiaoran sign his jersey for her, and immediately handed it to Meng Xiangsheng. This action deeply displeased Lin Xiaoran, especially after he saw her with a bottle of water and realized she had originally gone to buy it for him. In a subsequent physics class, the teacher presented a basic problem from the advanced Class Two, but no one in Class Seven dared to attempt it except for Nan Xiangwan.
This starkly contrasted with Class Two, where four top students—Jiang Haiyang, Han Mingtong, Liu Yubai, and Chen Shiyun—were tasked with solving a more complex problem using at least three different methods, highlighting the significant academic gap between the classes. Lin Xiaoran, misinterpreting Nan Xiangwan's presence at his game, believed she secretly cared for him and was just being reserved.
As he tried to discuss it with her, Nan Xiangwan quickly brushed him off, delegating Chen Shiyun to handle him before leaving. Chen Shiyun bluntly told Lin Xiaoran that Nan Xiangwan was avoiding him. She emphasized Nan Xiangwan's ambition and drive for a better future, warning Lin Xiaoran that if he remained stagnant, he would be left behind and might not even be worthy of being her friend.
As the mock exam approached, teacher Wang Qibei expressed his satisfaction with the students' calm demeanor. Lin Xiaoran interjected, suggesting they should still aim for Class Two, as it would help with admission to Guanhua University. When asked if he was speaking for himself, he claimed he was asking for someone else. That evening, influenced by his words, Nan Xiangwan messaged Lin Xiaoran, telling him to come to the classroom for morning self-study.
The next morning, she announced that she would lead 15-minute physics review sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays, covering advanced topics from Class Two. The announcement was met with protests, but Lin Xiaoran's intervention, reminding everyone of Nan Xiangwan's "no disturbance" rule, quieted the room. However, Nan Xiangwan's rapid teaching style, jumping between topics, left most students, including Lin Xiaoran, confused and struggling. Lin Xiaoran lamented that the 15-minute session was more exhausting than an intense basketball practice.
While Zhang Chao found the experience torturous, Li Shuai surprisingly found it effective. Noticing Nan Xiangwan's exhaustion, Lin Xiaoran thoughtfully brought her a drink. He then asked Nan Xiangwan if she still wanted to get into Class Two. When she confirmed her ambition, Lin Xiaoran proposed using "team power" to help her. He approached Zhang Chao and Li Shuai, only to find they were already on board.
They revealed that Nan Xiangwan was already using her spare time to tutor the whole class and that they, in turn, had acquired "top-secret" review materials from Class Two. They declared that getting Nan Xiangwan into Class Two was now a collective goal. Despite the team's relentless efforts and strict supervision, Nan Xiangwan's overall grades remained stagnant. Concluding that her individual improvement was too slow, the boys decided to shift their strategy: they would influence Class Two directly.
Zhang Chao volunteered to target Wang Feng, the last-ranked student in Class Two, intending to disrupt her studies and lower the threshold for entry. While this plan was underway, Nan Xiangwan did show some progress, with her English scores reaching the mid-level of Class Two, though her math still lagged. Later, while Zhang Chao was with Wang Feng at a stationery store, he spotted Yu Meili with an unfamiliar man.
Mistakenly assuming the man was her boyfriend, Zhang Chao rushed to confront them, only for Yu Meili to clarify that the man was her brother. Flustered by his mistake, Zhang Chao accidentally blurted out their entire scheme in front of Wang Feng, revealing that his only reason for helping her was to sabotage her grades for Nan Xiangwan's benefit, realizing his blunder too late.
Episode 17 Recap
Following up on their plan to help Nan Xiangwan return to Class Two, Zhang Chao's method of pestering Wang Feng to distract her from studying was met with disappointment from Lin Xiaoran. Understanding her friends' good intentions, Nan Xiangwan arranged a meeting with Chen Shiyun and Yu Meili to join Lin Xiaoran and Zhang Chao, bringing Wang Feng along to clear the air.
As the class monitor, Yu Meili apologized for the incident, and Zhang Chao admitted to Wang Feng that his sole intention was to distract her. Though still annoyed, Wang Feng's stance toward Nan Xiangwan softened, acknowledging her efforts and conceding that Nan Xiangwan might not be the classmate she would displace from Class Two. Afterward, Zhang Chao offered to escort Yu Meili home, while Lin Xiaoran stayed with Nan Xiangwan to study at a coffee shop.
On their way home, a sudden downpour began. Lin Xiaoran gave his jacket to Nan Xiangwan, playfully boasting that his basketball team's "firepower" made him resistant to the cold. As they walked under a shared umbrella, Nan Xiangwan brought up his dream of becoming a pilot, which he passionately confirmed, reminding her he had mentioned it before. Inspired, Nan Xiangwan later researched aerospace and pilot training information on her computer, intending to help him organize his thoughts for his future.
To give Nan Xiangwan more time to study, Lin Xiaoran, Zhang Chao, and a friend volunteered to help her mother with her laundry delivery business, riding electric bikes to deliver clothes to customers. Nan Xiangwan's mother, while pleased, warned her daughter to be mindful of having exclusively male friends. Meanwhile, Liu Yubai informed Nan Xiangwan about an upcoming college entrance exam lecture.
Eager to help Lin Xiaoran, she asked Liu Yubai for an extra ticket, which he secured from his father. This interaction revealed that Liu Yubai's father, President Liu of Yu Run Real Estate, was grappling with a corporate crisis. Their client information had been accidentally leaked by the Bluebird Group, leading to negative media coverage. President Liu instructed his staff to manage the fallout and forbade public discussion of the matter.
Later, Lin Xiaoran explained their group's ultimate goal to Nan Xiangwan: by helping with the laundry, they aimed to boost her family's income to support her return to Class Two, which is why he objected to her mother's idea of giving discounts to classmates. As the mock exam approached, students increasingly sought Nan Xiangwan's help with their studies.
She was soon overwhelmed by the volume of questions from her Class Seven classmates, whose academic foundations were weak, admitting she couldn't solve many of the problems herself. At this time, Zeng Jianfei returned to class. He had spent time working on a construction site, and the physical hardship, evidenced by blisters on his fingers, made him realize his past foolishness.
He thanked Wang Qibei for his persistent encouragement and for secretly arranging lighter work for him at the site through a friend. Zeng Jianfei pledged to study hard for his future as an artist. Overwhelmed, Nan Xiangwan sought help from Zhu Cong, a genius from Class Two, asking him to tutor Class Seven. Zhu Cong arrogantly refused, deeming their elementary problems "uninteresting."
As he walked away, Li Shuai passed by, and Nan Xiangwan, remembering a vision of his future as an online instructor, commented that he would make a good teacher, leaving Li Shuai flustered. Determined to recruit Zhu Cong, the group strategized, with Li Shuai suggesting that a genius like him needed a challenge. Nan Xiangwan then copied a complex physics problem from a future Guanhua University competition and left it on Zhu Cong's desk.
The bait worked; Zhu Cong became obsessed, spending the entire afternoon trying to solve it. Later, Liu Yubai gave Nan Xiangwan the lecture tickets, and she asked him not to tell Lin Xiaoran that Liu Yubai had gotten the extra ticket, fearing Lin Xiaoran would feel embarrassed. Back in the classroom, Liu Yubai found Zhu Cong still struggling with the problem.
After finally solving it, a triumphant Zhu Cong confronted Liu Yubai, convinced Nan Xiangwan had planted the problem to get his attention. Liu Yubai denied it, pointing out that the handwriting wasn't hers and that she was completely focused on her studies. Unconvinced, Zhu Cong believed her actions were a ploy to impress him, declaring that no one could challenge his intellect.
Meanwhile, Director Zhang held a meeting with the class teachers, expressing concern over "overly close contact" among senior students, which she interpreted as early signs of romance. Wang Qibei strongly disagreed, arguing that at this critical time, teachers should focus on communication and empathetic guidance rather than criticism. Feeling personally targeted by his dissent, Director Zhang became irritated with him.
Episode 18 Recap
Following the suggestion from Nan Xiangwan and Liu Yubai, Zhu Cong agrees to tutor Class Seven as a means to identify the student who anonymously submitted a uniquely challenging question from Guanhua University. Before this, Lin Xiaoran had sought advice from Chen Shiyun on what birthday gift to get for a "very good friend." Zhu Cong begins his tutoring session in Class Seven, finding the students' questions overly simple.
When asked to speak more slowly and clearly, he arrogantly states he will only explain things once and demands that all the girls take meticulous notes for him to collect afterward, believing the mystery questioner is among them. Meanwhile, Nan Xiangwan gives Lin Xiaoran a ticket to an important lecture, stressing that he must be on time. However, Lin Xiaoran is delayed while making a homemade birthday cake for her.
He arrives just two minutes late and is denied entry by a strict security guard. Inside, Nan Xiangwan is distracted, wondering why he hasn't arrived. After the lecture, she praises its value and is annoyed by his absence. She later learns from Zhang Chao that Lin Xiaoran was seen being called away by Chen Shiyun. Furious, Nan Xiangwan confronts Lin Xiaoran outside the lecture hall, berating him for wasting the hard-to-get ticket and being careless.
Lin Xiaoran’s attempt to explain that the guard barred his entry is cut short by Nan Xiangwan, who insists that being late at all is unacceptable. Feeling unheard and untrusted, Lin Xiaoran brings up the past incident with Zeng Jianfei, accusing her of having a bias against Class Seven students and suggesting she would have treated a Class Two student like Liu Yubai differently.
Despite the heated argument, he presents her with the homemade cake, wishes her a happy birthday, and walks away. Liu Yubai, who witnessed the exchange, gently tells Nan Xiangwan her reaction was excessive. Back home, Nan Xiangwan finds a note from her mother reminding her it’s her birthday. Seeing the cake, she is struck with regret, realizing that both her mother and Lin Xiaoran had remembered her special day when she herself had forgotten.
The next day, Lin Xiaoran is still sullen. Nan Xiangwan tries to apologize, but their conversation is interrupted by Wang Feng, who urgently informs Nan Xiangwan that Liu Yubai’s family is in the news and he was taken from school by a group of people during morning self-study. During class, Nan Xiangwan is distracted, sketching a "Public Relations Event Chain" for "Yurun Enterprise," which earns her a reprimand from her teacher, Wang Qibei.
Afterward, Lin Xiaoran questions her intense concern for Liu Yubai’s family, only then realizing "Yurun" is his father's company. He dismisses her worry, accusing her of overreacting. As gossip spreads that Liu Yubai and Lin Xiaoran are both pursuing Chen Shiyun, Zhu Cong approaches Liu Jiaojiao, mistakenly believing she is the one who gave him the difficult question. He publicly rejects her supposed advances, stating he is focused on studying.
Unfazed, Liu Jiaojiao, who does have a crush on him, cryptically remarks that geniuses are often "duplicitous." Meanwhile, Liu Yubai skips school to go to his father's company. His father dismisses his concerns, insisting he focus on the college entrance exam and leave adult matters to him.
Liu Yubai argues he is old enough to help, even mentioning Nan Xiangwan’s knowledge of their company's affairs, but his father sends him away, repeating that his only job is to get into Guanhua University. After school, Lin Xiaoran sees Nan Xiangwan get Liu Yubai's address from Chen Shiyun and follows her. They arrive at Liu Yubai’s apartment late at night.
Nan Xiangwan explains that his family's company is facing a public relations crisis stemming from a partner leaking information, similar to a "Yurun crisis case" from 2011. She urges him to hire a specific lawyer, Zhou Huaiqiu, to minimize the damage and potentially even strengthen the company. As they leave, Lin Xiaoran remarks that her foresight makes him believe she is from the future, but she dismisses it, saying that grasping the present is what truly matters.
Elsewhere, a stunned Chen Shiyun witnesses an intimate moment between her father and Lin Xiaoran's mother. When Liu Yubai's father returns, Liu Yubai suggests hiring Lawyer Zhou Huaiqiu from the Deep Sea Law Firm. His father reveals he has already hired Feng Qizheng, a top lawyer whose expertise, Liu Yubai argues, doesn't fit their current needs. The father-son argument escalates, with Liu Yubai expressing frustration that their relationship revolves only around his academic future.
The next day, Zhu Cong observes Liu Yubai, who has secured guaranteed admission to Guanhua University, and notes that while he has many choices, he lacks the courage to forge his own path. As the first of three crucial mock exams approaches, the teachers remind the students of the "class exchange system," warning those in the top class not to get complacent.
Episode 19 Recap
Liu Yubai reveals that to please his father, he has chosen to major in finance at Guanhua University, a decision he acknowledges was an easy abandonment of his dream to study architecture. He understands his father, Director Liu, has always strived to maintain a strong image, shielding him from worries, but Liu Yubai can see the immense stress his father is under.
When Liu Yubai attempts to discuss the company's issues with Blue Bird Investment and suggests a friend could help, Director Liu dismisses him, insisting he focus solely on his studies and not interfere. Feeling powerless as his father remains unwilling to communicate or accept help, Liu Yubai turns to Nan Xiangwan. Nan Xiangwan points out that a direct approach from a lawyer would be rejected.
Instead, she proposes a "simple, brutal, but effective" plan: she and Liu Yubai will meet with Lawyer Zhou, while Lin Xiaoran is tasked with tricking Director Liu into attending. Lin Xiaoran readily agrees to the forceful plan, confidently volunteering to handle the task. They decide to act immediately after their simulation exam. After the challenging exam, the students of Class Seven relax while watching a basketball game.
Jiang Daling, who had been focused on becoming a professional musician, shares a realization from her research: without a strong cultural foundation and life experience, talent alone is not enough to become an excellent musician. She firmly declares her renewed commitment to studying hard, a resolution her peers enthusiastically echo. Nan Xiangwan and Liu Yubai meet Lawyer Zhou at a cafe.
While Liu Yubai is nervous, Nan Xiangwan confidently takes the lead, explaining Yurun Real Estate's issues and highlighting Lawyer Zhou's successful track record against Blue Bird Investment. Meanwhile, Lin Xiaoran, accompanied by Li Shuai and Zhang Chao, ambushes Director Liu. Brushing off Director Liu's claims of being busy with an urgent meeting, Lin Xiaoran insists it's his "mission" to take him. Despite threats to call security, the three students forcibly escort him to the cafe.
Upon arrival, Director Liu is furious and threatens to call their teacher, but Liu Yubai seizes the opportunity for an honest conversation. He articulates his long-held passion for architecture, a dream ignited by a documentary his father showed him at age five. He laments that his father has always dismissed his aspirations and imposed his own plans, stressing that their actions are a sincere attempt to help, based on thorough research.
Moved, Director Liu acknowledges that his "boy is grown up" and agrees to meet Lawyer Zhou, on the condition that he can leave if it's a waste of time. The meeting proves productive, with Director Liu placing his full confidence in Lawyer Zhou. Later, Director Liu thanks his son and expresses his full support for his architectural dreams. With their mission accomplished, Lin Xiaoran and Nan Xiangwan decide to celebrate with dinner.
At dinner, Nan Xiangwan presents Lin Xiaoran with a "practice report about the possibility of Lin Xiaoran being a pilot," which she calls his "secret tip." She explains the examination timelines and advises him to start preparing by protecting his health and training for dizziness. Lin Xiaoran is touched that she spent "two days and one night" on this. He then challenges Nan Xiangwan to try basketball, something he is good at.
Despite his attempts to teach her, she struggles and gives up. On the court, he shares the origin of his dream: a pilot neighbor's cool models and the idea of "freedom of flying in the sky" inspired him as a child. When Nan Xiangwan notes that pilots earn a lot, he clarifies that his dream is an "ideal," not about money, though earning more for "the people I love" would be a bonus.
Chen Shiyun's academic performance plummets after the exam, dropping from the top three to 103rd in the grade. This prompts her teachers, Liao Shichang and Wang Qibei, to discuss her situation. Wang Qibei proposes transferring her to Class Seven, reasoning that being near her childhood friend Lin Xiaoran and the supportive Nan Xiangwan would ease the transition. The transfer is arranged, but in her new class, Chen Shiyun becomes withdrawn.
She rebuffs Lin Xiaoran's attempts to help, insisting her problems are not related to him or her grades. Worried by her distracted behavior, Lin Xiaoran asks Nan Xiangwan if menstrual cycles could cause such despair. Nan Xiangwan dismisses the idea and offers to talk to Chen Shiyun. Unbeknownst to them, Chen Shiyun has overheard a phone call between her father and Lin Xiaoran's mother, where they plan to cook for the children, leaving her deeply troubled.
During the results announcement, Nan Xiangwan learns she has ranked 50th in the grade. However, her hopes of moving to Class Two are dashed when it's revealed that another student from Class Six also ranked 50th and was chosen instead due to a higher science score. Her classmates protest the unfairness, and though visibly upset, Nan Xiangwan quickly composes herself. Lin Xiaoran finds her at a food stall, eating heartily.
She dismisses his concern, stating that "it's not that easy for an adult to be cracked," and resolves to cope with food and fun. Later, her mother encourages her, expressing confidence that she will persevere and work harder for the next exam.
Episode 20 Recap
Following up on the previous episode, a distraught Chen Shiyun skips school to secretly observe her father. She discovers him meeting with Lin Xiaoran's mother, purchasing flowers and wine before returning to their home. With the truth now undeniable, Chen Shiyun is heartbroken. Unable to buy alcohol as a minor, she instead purchases numerous chocolate liqueurs and sits beneath Lin Xiaoran's apartment building, consuming them while waiting for her father to emerge.
Just then, Lin Xiaoran returns from school and, after encountering Chen Shiyun's father, finds Chen Shiyun sitting alone. He approaches her, concerned about why she missed school. In response, Chen Shiyun confronts him, revealing she knows about their parents. Upstairs, Lin Xiaoran mentions Chen Shiyun's strange behavior to his mother. Realizing her son has discovered her secret, she candidly explains the situation to him. Though Lin Xiaoran is unfazed by his mother's new relationship, Chen Shiyun's emotional turmoil persists.
At school, their silent estrangement is evident to everyone. Nan Xiangwan correctly deduces that the tension stems from their parents and prompts Lin Xiaoran to resolve things. Lin Xiaoran explains to Nan Xiangwan that Chen Shiyun's parents divorced long ago but kept it a secret to protect her studies, leaving him unsure how to approach the topic with her. When Lin Xiaoran attempts to reconcile, Chen Shiyun remains unyielding, even refusing the Grilled Eel over Rice his mother had prepared.
Caught awkwardly in the middle, Nan Xiangwan advises Chen Shiyun to figure out what she truly wants and address the root of her anger. Pondering Nan Xiangwan's words, Chen Shiyun finally pinpoints the core of her distress. Soon, the Chinese New Year arrives. Liu Yubai's father, now supportive of his son's architectural aspirations, finds relevant books and enrolls him in a sketch training class.
He also offers to connect Liu Yubai with a skilled designer friend to review his school auditorium design, provided he manages his time effectively. Chen Shiyun accompanies her father to Lin Xiaoran's house for New Year's Eve dinner. Before the meal, she poses three questions to Lin Xiaoran's mother: what she would do if she fought with Chen's father, if Chen Shiyun fought with Lin Xiaoran, and if Lin Xiaoran disliked the food she loved.
Lin Xiaoran's mother reassures her that adult arguments wouldn't affect her love for Chen Shiyun, she would stick up for her against Lin Xiaoran, and she would always prioritize her favorite dishes. Deeply satisfied, Chen Shiyun accepts this new family. Her father then apologizes for concealing his divorce for two and a half years.
Later, Chen Shiyun explains to a surprised Lin Xiaoran that Nan Xiangwan helped her realize her anger stemmed from her father's deception, not his new relationship, and humorously notes that she's gained a free older brother to tease. With the help of his father's friend, Liu Yubai finalizes his auditorium renovation plan, which the school board approves. He tells Nan Xiangwan that her appearance fundamentally changed his life, but she insists his success is due to his own hard work.
Later, Nan Xiangwan receives a New Year's call from Lin Xiaoran. After a playful exchange, they wish each other well and look out their windows at the fireworks, sharing a quiet moment. After the holiday, students focus on their futures. Li Shuai plans to attend a Normal University to become a teacher, while Zhang Chao hopes to attend the same university as Yu Meili. Jiang Daling is disheartened, having received no acceptance letters from the art schools she applied to.
On the first day of the new semester, Lin Xiaoran and Zhang Chao have their last day with the basketball team, receiving a heartfelt farewell from their teammates and coach. Among the students, only academic prodigy Liu Yubai and the determined Nan Xiangwan are aiming for the prestigious Guanhua University. Zhu Cong debates between Xiangbei University for its strong physics program and Guanhua.
When Liu Jiaojiao overhears him considering Xiangbei, she mistakenly thinks he is interested in her, leading to lighthearted teasing from friends about his "return to normalcy." Lin Xiaoran decides to apply to Guanhang University, explaining to Nan Xiangwan that its close proximity to Guanhua—only eight kilometers away—would make it easy for them to meet. As the school prepares for a pledging convention, students write their dreams on balloons. Wang Qibei crafts an enormous paper airplane to carry everyone's collective dreams. The teacher rallies the class to show their "soaring momentum," especially in front of their rivals in Class Two, in their last collective event before graduation.
Episode 21 Recap
At the centennial oath-taking rally, the principal delivered a concise yet powerful speech, emphasizing that the next 100 days were crucial and urged students to clench their teeth and sprint towards excellent college entrance examination results. As hundreds of balloons gracefully floated skyward, the students made their wishes, looking forward to the intense sprint phase ahead. In Class Seven, during a quick test, Zhang Chao eagerly volunteered an answer.
Although his answer was incorrect, Mr. Wang expressed appreciation for Zhang Chao's positive attitude, noting the class's collective effort and shared goal. Just then, Director Zhang arrived and called Mr. Wang out of the classroom. Upon returning, Mr. Wang announced two pieces of news. First, Wang Feng from Class Two was transferring to Hong Kong for her studies, vacating a spot.
Second, after school discussions, Nan Xiangwan, as the 50th-ranked student in the grade, would be transferred to Class Two based on the school's Class Exchange System. The classmates celebrated, recognizing this as the fulfillment of Nan Xiangwan's long-standing wish. However, despite her past aspirations, Nan Xiangwan surprised everyone by declaring her decision not to go to Class Two, stating she simply "can't bear to leave" her classmates. Mr. Wang respected her choice.
Later, when discussing it with her mother, Nan Xiangwan reiterated her decision, which greatly upset her mother, who stressed the superior learning environment and better university prospects in Class Two. Meanwhile, Lin Xiaoran, upon hearing Nan Xiangwan's true feelings, was taken aback but struggled to hide his underlying joy. He later insisted to other classmates that Nan Xiangwan should still go to Class Two.
Meanwhile, at the laundry shop, Nan Xiangwan's mother was washing clothes for Wang Feng's mother, who revealed that her daughter, Wang Feng, was indeed moving to Hong Kong permanently. Later, Wang Feng personally visited Nan Xiangwan, apologizing for her past rude and mocking behavior.
She confessed that her actions stemmed from deep insecurity and fear of being dropped from Class Two, as she felt less naturally gifted than most of her classmates and attributed her success solely to relentless effort, likening her daily struggle to "standing on the edge of a cliff." She shared her meticulously organized study notes, divided by difficulty, with Nan Xiangwan, acknowledging Nan Xiangwan's own strength in detailed and patient learning.
Nan Xiangwan comforted Wang Feng, emphasizing that true success comes from persistent hard work rather than innate talent, drawing parallels to the story of "Lament over the Oblivion of Zhongyong." Touched, Wang Feng advised Nan Xiangwan to make friends in Hong Kong and encouraged her to keep working hard, explicitly stating she had left the Class Two spot for Nan Xiangwan and that Nan Xiangwan should seize the opportunity.
Driven by the conviction that only Class Two offered places for independent enrollment, Lin Xiaoran privately organized a surprise farewell for Nan Xiangwan. Unaware of the plan, Nan Xiangwan found her path into the classroom blocked by her classmates, including Zhang Chao, who held up posters filled with well wishes. They sang a poignant farewell song, symbolizing their shared journey. Lin Xiaoran, visibly emotional, guided a tearful Nan Xiangwan to Liu Yubai, then stood aside, discreetly wiping his own tears.
Her classmates offered heartfelt advice, urging her to take care of herself and to return to them if anyone ever bullied her. Nan Xiangwan, crying, bid them goodbye and walked silently into the Class Two classroom. Mr. Liao, however, remained unmoved by the emotional scene, believing it a waste of time and emphasizing that academic study should always be the priority. Upon entering Class Two, Mr. Liao offered Nan Xiangwan a chance to choose her seat.
She promptly requested to sit next to Zhu Cong, declaring her clear ambition to become the top student in the entire school. Hu Bingbing, Zhu Cong's current deskmate, enthusiastically agreed to switch, much to Zhu Cong's surprise. Hu Bingbing then passionately vented about her three years of "suffocation" as Zhu Cong's deskmate.
She detailed his "mutual aid" method, which involved mercilessly critiquing her English to the point of causing her to stammer, meticulously correcting every step of her math problems, and even scolding her using Classical Chinese, making him more terrifying than a teacher. Zhu Cong defended his actions, claiming he was helping her "become more perfect." Nan Xiangwan observed his sharp tongue but recognized his underlying helpfulness.
Though Zhu Cong initially stated he wouldn't assist her, he soon offered her a meticulously organized set of notes on confusing question types. In the days that followed, both classes returned to a focused and diligent study routine. Lin Xiaoran frequently visited Nan Xiangwan in Class Two, bringing her food despite her mother's special "Special meal," tidying her desk, and offering to organize notes for Class Seven.
He openly admitted to missing her motivating presence, while Class Seven students also expressed how much they missed Nan Xiangwan's direct encouragement and felt a lack of motivation without her. Meanwhile, Lin Xiaoran, having successfully passed the initial pilot examination, pranked Nan Xiangwan by feigning disappointment. Nan Xiangwan, genuinely concerned, analyzed potential issues and advised him to appeal.
Lin Xiaoran then gleefully revealed he had passed, enjoying her sincere reaction, and promised to diligently protect his health for the upcoming double check later that month. Nan Xiangwan, still protective, continued to emphasize the importance of his well-being. Despite Nan Xiangwan's move, Class Seven remained motivated, understanding that Nan Xiangwan's hard-earned spot in Class Two was crucial for her goal of independent enrollment at Guanhua University. They collectively committed to continuing their hard work, determined not to give her any reason to worry and ensuring they would all succeed together.
Episode 22 Recap
With only two months remaining until the college entrance examination, students across all classes were intensely preparing, leading to a dull and lifeless atmosphere. Nan Xiangwan's mother, worried about her daughter's well-being, prepared nourishing turtle soup. However, instead of feeling healthier, Nan Xiangwan felt dizzy and increasingly uncomfortable in class. During a speed test in Class Two, Nan Xiangwan challenged Zhu Cong to a problem-solving competition.
Nan Xiangwan quickly took the lead by using a simplified algorithm and was declared the winner. Immediately after the announcement, she collapsed, alarming everyone. Lin Xiaoran, who was already at the hospital for his re-examination, was concerned about missing his crucial slot. To help him, Nan Xiangwan feigned further illness and injury, claiming Lin Xiaoran had heroically saved her, thus making him late.
Lin Xiaoran, joining in, passionately described his lifelong dream of becoming a pilot and his family's financial struggles, appealing for another chance. Touched, the teacher granted him a re-examination slot. As Lin Xiaoran successfully completed his re-examination, moving closer to his pilot dream, he and Nan Xiangwan walked back to Xiangli Middle School, chatting cheerfully. Nan Xiangwan urged him not to sacrifice his exercise time for study.
Lin Xiaoran playfully remarked that her concern for Class Seven made it sound like she might return, then quickly urged her not to, emphasizing her goal to get into Guanhua University, while also mentioning the diligence of Class Seven students in her absence. Upon passing Class Seven, Nan Xiangwan watched Lin Xiaoran enter, and the Class Seven students collectively straightened up and picked up their books, keen to show their diligence.
Despite having spent several days in Class Two, Nan Xiangwan found its intense, exam-focused atmosphere oppressive and unsuitable for her learning style. She spoke with her mother, explaining her desire to return to Class Seven, and subsequently submitted an application to the Dean's Office. Dean Liao Shichang respected her decision, and Liu Yubai expressed confidence that Nan Xiangwan would excel regardless of her class.
While Zhu Cong admitted he didn't fully understand her choice, he still found her to be a formidable opponent and benefited greatly from their time as deskmates. With Nan Xiangwan’s departure from Class Two, Hu Bingbing was assigned to be Zhu Cong's new deskmate, though Zhu Cong immediately pushed his desk away. Nan Xiangwan, brimming with excitement, returned to Class Seven.
She promptly declared her intention to continue supervising their studies, much to the visible delight of the students, and the class instantly regained its previous lively atmosphere. She immediately began giving instructions, urging them to study hard and correcting behaviors like sleeping and using phones. Wang Qibei reminded her that she wasn't officially back in Class Seven yet and needed to improve her grades for Guanhua University.
Nan Xiangwan assured him she had it handled and vowed to supervise his studies constantly, assigning him a large amount of homework. The school announced the results of the school-wide examination for independent enrollment, where the top ten students could participate in various university independent enrollment tests. This year, nine students from Class Two, including Zhu Cong, Liu Yubai, Gong Lei, Han Mingtong, Cai Xuyang, Zhou Zhiye, Xie Qimeng, Deng Fan, and Hu Bingbing, qualified.
The tenth spot went to Nan Xiangwan from Class Seven, to the immense joy of her classmates, though Wang Qibei later claimed to have secured this special entry for her through his charm with Director Zhang. Nan Xiangwan was slated to go to the children's palace for the written and oral examinations. Director Zhang clarified that Nan Xiangwan, as a student within the top fifty of the grade who had previously studied in Class Two, was fully qualified to participate.
She explained that while previous rules limited participation to Class Two students, the current "class exchange system" allowed any student in the top fifty to opt into Class Two, thus granting them the same independent enrollment opportunities. Director Zhang expressed frustration at being unfairly portrayed as inflexible, emphasizing her belief in adapting teaching methods to suit individual students. At the school gate, Lin Xiaoran encountered a scammer who promised to boost his Gaokao score for a fee.
Lin Xiaoran cleverly lured the scammer to a phone booth and discreetly called the police. When Nan Xiangwan learned of his reckless actions, she was furious, scolding him for putting himself in danger. Lin Xiaoran tried to calm her, stating he acted because he was enraged by people defrauding in the name of the entrance examination. Director Zhang observed their interaction and called Nan Xiangwan's mother.
Her mother soon arrived and sternly warned Nan Xiangwan to focus solely on her studies and avoid contact with boys, contrasting Lin Xiaoran's potentially bright future as a pilot or overseas student with Nan Xiangwan's sole inheritance of the laundry if she didn't study hard for Gaokao. Nan Xiangwan reluctantly made the promise. The very next day, Nan Xiangwan overheard a group of menacing thugs discussing their intent to retaliate against Lin Xiaoran at Xiangli Middle School.
Disregarding her own safety, she immediately rushed to find him, only to discover that Lin Xiaoran had already anticipated the danger and alerted the police. When the thugs confronted Lin Xiaoran, the police arrived swiftly, apprehending the entire fraud gang. Nan Xiangwan expressed her profound relief and anger over his reckless actions, while Lin Xiaoran explained his motivation to act against those who would exploit students' dreams. Both Nan Xiangwan and Lin Xiaoran assisted the police with their investigation.
Lin Xiaoran’s "heroic deed" quickly spread throughout the school, making him a celebrated figure. Class Seven celebrated Nan Xiangwan's success, and she also shared a moment with Lin Xiaoran, discussing their joint aspiration to study architecture at Guanhua University. With merely thirty days remaining until the Gaokao, Wang Qibei wrote a series of powerful, motivational slogans on the blackboard, serving as Class Seven's collective rallying cry. As everyone recited them in unison, their passionate chants resonated through the school, even inspiring the students in the adjacent Class Two.
Episode 23 Recap
The final days before the college entrance examination were a period of intense pressure, with students transitioning from diligent study to sensitive and anxious states, some even crying secretly in corners. During this tense time, Jiang Daling’s emotions were volatile, observed by Zeng Jianfei who was unsure how to comfort her. Relief came when Jiang Daling received her acceptance letter from the Conservatory of Music.
Beyond that, Zhang Chao successfully joined the provincial team, and Liu Yubai found his name on the list for an architecture competition. Despite these bursts of good news, the majority of students remained deeply engrossed in their studies, reviewing countless practice questions under a heavy, almost suffocating atmosphere. Any slight misstep threatened to destabilize their already frayed nerves. Yu Meili, in particular, had cried for the third time that week.
She noticed her water bottle was frequently full, hinting that someone was consistently refilling it. In the school corridors, several students overwhelmed by pressure sought solace in quiet corners, weeping. When Yu Meili joined them, she felt both out of place and a sense of shared comfort, quickly letting out her tears. Lin Xiaoran, mistaking Nan Xiangwan’s composed demeanor for suppressed stress, offered her a pack of tissues.
However, he underestimated her resilience; Nan Xiangwan paused only briefly before smiling calmly and offering to help fellow students with their academic problems. Upon returning to the classroom, Yu Meili discovered her thermos had been refilled yet again. Her curiosity turned into understanding as she caught Nan Xiangwan’s knowing glance and Zhang Chao’s shy smile. This quiet, straightforward display of care, though seemingly simple, deeply warmed her heart, as she realized he consistently looked out for her.
For the headteacher, the final year of high school was as much a finish line as it was for the students, demanding both guidance and a bittersweet farewell. As a first-time headteacher, Wang Qibei felt the emotional weight more acutely than others. Liao Shichang, with his extensive experience, comforted him, likening the senior year to an "epic disaster film" that teachers re-watched repeatedly, pouring their hearts into each cycle.
He explained that while students could be frustrating, they also brought immense joy and would be deeply missed upon their departure, emphasizing that saying goodbye was an inevitable part of the journey. One afternoon, Lin Xiaoran attempted to share a live concert with Nan Xiangwan via his phone. Unexpectedly, the music app played "Xiangli Xiangli," Jiang Daling's representative song. Seeing his classmates' downcast spirits, Lin Xiaoran boldly disconnected his headphones, making the music audible throughout the classroom.
Students wondered if Wang Qibei would be angry, but their headteacher subtly pretended to look for a pen, then quietly picked up the speaker and left the room, effectively giving his silent approval. Interpreting Wang Qibei’s gesture as encouragement, Lin Xiaoran joyfully connected his phone to the speaker, amplifying the music throughout the entire school. While teachers in other classes reacted differently, the students across campus soon joined in, humming and singing along.
Principal Hu watched with pride, and Director Zhang, standing with Wang Qibei outside Class Seven's door, ceased her usual discipline, allowing the moment to unfold as all the students chanted slogans, cheering each other on for the upcoming exam. On the day of their last class, the students of Class Seven waited solemnly for Wang Qibei.
Instead of teaching, he spoke to them as a friend, reflecting on the significance of the college entrance examination and his responsibilities as their teacher, sharing his profound feelings for them. He provided practical advice for the exam day, from sleeping well and eating breakfast to double-checking answer sheets and admission tickets. To encourage them and lighten the mood, he revealed a surprise: he donned a Pikachu mascot costume.
This unexpected and heartfelt gesture moved everyone in the classroom to tears, showing their deep affection for him. Later, Liu Yubai, Zhu Cong, and Chen Shiyun visited the school auditorium, reflecting on the lasting impact of their time there. Liu Yubai expressed his sentiment at leaving something of themselves behind, while Chen Shiyun shared her ambition to study architecture at Guanhua University and build structures like the auditorium.
Zhu Cong playfully teased them about the difficulty of getting into Guanhua’s architecture program but offered his support to Liu Yubai, affirming his capability despite his usual competitive remarks. Separately, Jiang Daling and Liu Jiaojiao deliberately wore accessories to provoke a strict security guard, but he surprised them by offering sincere well wishes for their college entrance exam, reminding them that they could not stop in that area.
Jiang Daling also discussed her future aspirations with Liu Jiaojiao, expressing confidence in pursuing her dream at the conservatory and suggesting Liu Jiaojiao could become her personal stylist. After school, Lin Xiaoran walked Nan Xiangwan home, struggling to voice something he wanted to say. Nan Xiangwan, understanding his hesitation, suggested they meet in the days leading up to the exam.
However, their parents, particularly Lin Xiaoran’s, became overly attentive and protective, hovering around them, bringing drinks, and constantly monitoring them, making any private conversation impossible. Meanwhile, Yu Meili, overwhelmed by stress from being constantly at home, sought out Nan Xiangwan, asking to talk, and Nan Xiangwan offered to take her to a different place.
Episode 24 (Ending) Recap
As the scheduled meeting time approached, Nan Xiangwan quickly got ready and snuck out of her house while her mother was away, trying to avoid her parents' close supervision. Just a few steps from her door, Yu Meili unexpectedly arrived, overwhelmed with pre-exam anxiety and feeling suffocated by her parents' excessive doting. Nan Xiangwan recognized these as "pre-exam symptoms" and, to comfort her, shared a deeply personal story.
She recounted how her mother struggled to support their family after her father's early passing, running a meager laundry business. Nan Xiangwan confessed to being a demanding child and later, a disillusioned high school athlete when a coach told her she wouldn't succeed in sprint.
A pivotal moment came during a blackout when her mother tirelessly hand-washed a large basket of clothes overnight, only for one item to be ruined, leading to a 2,000 RMB compensation claim that brought her mother to tears. This experience fueled Nan Xiangwan's fierce dedication to her studies, as she believed the college entrance examination was the "only way" for an ordinary person like her to achieve her dreams.
She reassured Yu Meili, confidently predicting she would gain admission to Zexi University's literature department and become a beloved novelist. Relieved, Yu Meili promised that if she became a writer, she would dedicate a good character in her book to Nan Xiangwan. After comforting Yu Meili, Nan Xiangwan rushed to her meeting place with Lin Xiaoran. Arriving at the coffee shop, she found two cups of coffee and a note on the table before Lin Xiaoran emerged from nearby.
She apologized for her delay, explaining she had been with Yu Meili. Lin Xiaoran playfully chided her for being late but then admitted he was worried about her, urging her not to run around recklessly with the college entrance exam so close. Nan Xiangwan, feeling guilty for potentially delaying his studies, expressed her concern that he might not get into Guanhua University if he didn't study that night.
As night fell, Nan Xiangwan expressed her strong desire to see Lin Xiaoran in Beijing after the exam. Lin Xiaoran affirmed his shared wish, promising they would meet there. On the first day of the 2012 College Entrance Examination, as Nan Xiangwan entered the exam hall, a car accident occurred just outside. She saw someone on the ground wearing clothes identical to Lin Xiaoran's, and though she didn't clearly see the person, she immediately feared the worst.
Security personnel prevented her from going to investigate, urging her to enter the exam hall. During the test, Nan Xiangwan couldn't focus; her mind was consumed by the image of Lin Xiaoran being rushed to the emergency room. Overwhelmed by stress and low blood sugar, she fainted. Her headteacher, Wang Qibei, was informed of her condition, which was attributed to excessive stress, emotional instability, and low blood sugar.
As a result, Nan Xiangwan missed the examination and lost her chance to attend Guanhua University. Years later, Nan Xiangwan woke up in her apartment. Her mother called, chatting about her square dancing and New Year's Eve plans, reminding Nan Xiangwan not to bring too many gifts home. Nan Xiangwan then meticulously prepared for work, unconsciously touching the ring on her ring finger.
At the office, as "Ms. Nan," she addressed an intern who had consistently underperformed for three months and faced dismissal. Instead of terminating him, she reassigned him to the Human Resources department. She explained that while his operational skills weren't suitable, his excellent people skills and ability to foster team cohesion were his strengths, and HR was where he initially wanted to interview.
The intern, who had heard rumors of Nan Xiangwan being strict and having "educational background discrimination" due to his vocational college degree, was surprised by her understanding, especially when she revealed they were university alumni and stated that "knowledge is more important than degrees."
Yu Meili, now a published author, appeared at Nan Xiangwan's office, teasing her about her portrayal as an "inhumane she-devil" and "time-traveler" in her new novel, "Don't Disturb My Study", which was based on Nan Xiangwan's high school experiences. Yu Meili light-heartedly attributed Nan Xiangwan's exam-day fainting in the book to Lin Xiaoran, defending her artistic liberties by claiming readers enjoyed "heart-abusing stories" and that adding embellishments was necessary for a novel.
She then invited Nan Xiangwan to a class reunion that evening, emphasizing that Director Zhang, Wang Qibei, and Liao Shichang would be there. Yu Meili also insisted Nan Xiangwan bring her partner for a game where Director Zhang would guess which classmates were a couple. She jokingly critiqued Nan Xiangwan's appearance, accusing her of having wrinkles, which Nan Xiangwan vehemently denied.
Nan Xiangwan then called her partner to inform him of the reunion and offered to bring him a coat for the cold evening. Upon arrival, Nan Xiangwan signed in, and Liu Yubai rushed in, shivering, gratefully accepting the coat she had brought. They entered the reunion together. Director Zhang expressed immense pride as she saw her former students, now successful "social elites." Among the attendees, Jiang Daling had become an excellent singer, with Zeng Jianfei as her assistant.
Liu Jiaojiao was a popular influencer with millions of followers. Liu Yubai was an award-winning architect, and Zhu Cong had started his own company. Zhang Chao had become a basketball superstar, while Wang Feng had dedicated herself to philanthropy, even sponsoring the dinner. Director Zhang, pleased by everyone's accomplishments, was challenged to guess which two classmates had married after graduation. Noticing Nan Xiangwan and Liu Yubai wearing identical brooches, Director Zhang initially assumed they were the couple.
However, Lin Xiaoran soon arrived, apologizing for his delay, and sat naturally beside Nan Xiangwan, having achieved his dream of becoming a pilot. Yu Meili immediately pointed out that Lin Xiaoran and Nan Xiangwan were the actual couple. Lin Xiaoran and Nan Xiangwan exchanged playful banter, clearly demonstrating their deep affection, with Nan Xiangwan joking that the coat fit Liu Yubai well, subtly explaining Director Zhang's earlier misjudgment.
Later, Wang Qibei explained the "big misunderstanding" from the college entrance examination day. He recounted how he, trying to do a "good deed" by driving students to their exam sites in his secondhand car, had a minor accident. The person hit, who was unharmed but wearing clothes identical to Lin Xiaoran's, had scared him, costing him 200 RMB. Nan Xiangwan, seeing the scene, had mistakenly believed it was Lin Xiaoran and fainted.
Lin Xiaoran, rushing to the scene upon hearing about the ambulance, had seen Nan Xiangwan collapse, realizing the depth of her feelings for him. This incident clarified their mutual affection, and they understood they could no longer be apart. Lin Xiaoran also lightheartedly mentioned his mother asking when they would get married and have a baby, to which Nan Xiangwan playfully responded by telling him not to disturb her work.
Wang Qibei then surprised everyone by playing an old interview video from their time at Xiangli Middle School. The video, initially shaky, transported everyone back to their high school days, capturing their youthful dreams and aspirations. Liu Yubai had aspired to study architecture at Guanhua University to become an architect. One boy declared that "gold shines everywhere," regardless of where he went. Another girl aimed to be a costume designer after attending the Capital Institute of Fashion.
Zeng Jianfei wished to study at Zexi School of Art and become a painter. Jiang Daling had dreamed of attending Zexi School of Music and becoming a talented music producer, even claiming she would write all future pop songs. One boy planned to study journalism at Guanhua Communication University to become a reporter. Another boy, who wanted to be an interior designer, intended to study at Guanhua's Architecture Department, prompting Nan Xiangwan to jokingly worry about him "ruining someone's home."
Li Shuai had aimed to attend Yangdong Normal College and become a physics teacher, a "gardener for a lifetime." Zhang Chao, then known as "Bro Qiang," aspired to be an actor from Xiangbei Theater Academy, later stating his ultimate goal was to become a basketball superstar and join the national team after playing in the China Professional Basketball League. Nan Xiangwan expressed her desire to study literature at Zexi University and become a novelist.
Four girls shared their university dreams, including one who wanted to attend Guanhua Dance Academy and dance on the international stage, two who aimed for Zexi School of Music with Jiang Daling, and another who wanted to become a qualified host from Guanhua Communication University. Finally, Lin Xiaoran revealed he had two dreams: first, to become a pilot, and the second, he chose to keep secret, to which Nan Xiangwan playfully responded that she wouldn't tell him her secret either.
