Don't Disturb My Study Episode 24 (Ending) Recap
> Don't Disturb My Study 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.
