Don't Leave After School Episode 11 Recap
> Don't Leave After School Recap
During a self-study session, Fang Xue was listening to music with her earphones when Ms. Lei unexpectedly appeared, confiscating the earphones. Wei Lai, observing Fang Xue's misfortune, chuckled at her. However, Ms. Lei then turned her attention to Wei Lai, demanding his mobile phone as well, much to his chagrin.
Wei Lai later playfully lamented to Fang Xue that he would lose his evening's study time because of her antics, to which she retorted that it was his own fault for showing off. He then half-seriously asked her, as a "straight A student," to get his items back from Ms. Lei, but Fang Xue said she couldn't. As they posted the exam seating chart, they exchanged teasing comments about their photos.
During their playful interaction, Wei Lai grabbed Fang Xue's hand, leading to a moment of silent eye contact. A sudden scream from Qiao Mai then interrupted their conversation, and they rushed to investigate. Fearing exposure, Qiao Mai quickly assured them she was fine and that the boy with her was just a friend, denying anything had happened. The next day, after an exam, Fang Xue's father came to school with a package.
Fang Xue left the items on her seat and went outside, only for her classmates to discover the contents: funeral-related items, including paper offerings and a "Paper Audi." Li Dalai led the mockery, accusing Fang Xue of bringing "things of the dead" to class and calling her "unlucky" because her family runs a funeral business. Fang Xue, deeply embarrassed, argued back before leaving.
She confronted her father outside, who sheepishly explained that he had accidentally mixed up her mother's bag of salted fish with a package for his work. He apologized, offered to replace the damaged paper Audi, and reminded her not to be ashamed of their family's honest work. Later that evening in the dorm, Fang Xue's roommates tried to comfort her, assuring her that Li Dalai's words weren't worth taking to heart and that he would stop if she didn't react.
One roommate jokingly suggested Fang Xue was upset because Wei Lai had laughed, a claim Fang Xue quickly denied. The following day, Mr. Yin announced to the class that Fang Xue and Wei Lai had achieved an outstanding combined score of over 1100 in the recent fourth mock exam. He also informed them about an upcoming tug-of-war competition, encouraging everyone to participate, mentioning that journalists would be present. Mr. Yin appointed Wu Dameng to organize the class's participation.
Wu Dameng, feeling nervous as he had never led such an event, discussed the details with Fang Xue and other classmates. They realized they were short on male participants. Fang Xue suggested inviting Wei Lai, but some dismissed him as a "nerd." Meanwhile, Gu Shang, having just visited the infirmary for a foot issue, received a bento box from Cheng Jing, and they shared playful banter.
Cheng Jing noticed Gu Shang still had a cold and questioned his ability to participate in the tug-of-war, but he insisted he was fine. Back in the classroom, Wu Dameng attempted to rally more students for the tug-of-war, but met with little enthusiasm, with many citing study time as a reason not to participate.
Just then, Gu Shang, still limping, walked in and declared his willingness to join, stating that even with his injury, he was more capable than those refusing to participate. His determination instantly sparked enthusiasm, and more students eagerly signed up. Despite this, some students remained stubborn and ignored Fang Xue's pleas. Eventually, Wei Lai stepped in and, through his persuasion, the remaining reluctant classmates agreed to join.
The class united and secured a victory in their first match, though Er Bao unfortunately sustained a hand injury, ruling him out of subsequent rounds. Unexpectedly, Tang Tiantian, who had previously been excluded from consideration, decided to participate in the upcoming match against Class 3, Senior 3. In the water room, Tang Tiantian confided in Fiona about her long-standing crush on Wang Ziqi, the monitor of Class 3.
She shared a humorous anecdote about how she had decided to pursue her dream of attending Capital Normal University because she had misheard Wang Ziqi talking about his "wet hands" (shou shi) as "Capital Normal University" (shou shi). Fiona, amused by the story, encouraged Tang Tiantian, reminding her that unconventional teachers can still be great, referencing the film "Dead Poets Society," and urged her to work hard.
During the tug-of-war match, some of Wang Ziqi's classmates made derogatory comments about Tang Tiantian's appearance and past actions. Fang Xue's class lost the first round. For the second round, Wei Lai rallied the team, emphasizing the importance of spirit and giving their all. However, during the intense struggle, Tang Tiantian stumbled and fell, disrupting her teammates' rhythm and ultimately leading to their defeat. Devastated and hearing further mocking remarks, Tang Tiantian left the field in tears.
Moments later, Wang Ziqi approached her, offering a tissue. He gently reassured her that she had done well and shouldn't listen to the negative comments. He then revealed that he remembered the anonymous love letter she had sent in her third year of high school and had even replied to it, expressing how her appreciation had touched him. They shared a warm moment, agreeing to continue supporting each other.
Back in the classroom, Li Dalai continued to taunt Fang Xue, blaming her and her family's funeral business for their loss in the tug-of-war. Fang Xue retorted angrily, but inwardly she was deeply hurt. After class, Wei Lai followed her, attempting to comfort her and telling her not to heed Li Dalai's mean words.
Fang Xue, however, asked if he also considered her unlucky and confessed her belief that her family's profession brought misfortune, urging him to stay away from her before walking off. Later, at home, Fang Xue offered to assist her father with an "urgent" funeral service. She expressed a desire to finally understand his work, which she had neglected to do for many years. Her father agreed.
At the ceremony, Fang Xue helped distribute flowers while her father, Mr. Fang, delivered a heartfelt eulogy for the deceased, Li Fugui, praising his kindness despite his lack of wealth. After the service, Mr. Fang politely declined a cash offering from Li Fugui's friends. On the drive home, Fang Xue apologized to her father for her past misunderstandings regarding his profession.
Her father explained that he had simply taken over from his own father, and while he had initially faced similar mockery, he realized that all professions, from midwives to funeral directors, are equally vital as long as one performs them with dignity. Upon their return, Fang Xue's mother had prepared a celebratory dinner.
She joyfully informed Fang Xue that Mr. Yin had called to praise her excellent exam results and that the school radio station wanted to interview her and Wei Lai. The next day, Fang Xue and Wei Lai went to the school radio station for their interview. The interviewer, however, quickly downplayed Fang Xue's academic improvement, attributing it entirely to Wei Lai's guidance.
She then asked Fang Xue how someone with her "lowest grade" could become class monitor, visibly making Fang Xue uncomfortable. After Fang Xue briefly answered that it was perhaps due to her helpful nature, the interviewer abruptly ended Fang Xue's segment and directed all further questions solely to Wei Lai. As students watching the live broadcast whispered negative comments about Fang Xue's humiliation, Wei Lai used his time on air to speak passionately against gossip and malicious slander.
He shared his personal experience of being mocked in childhood due to his father's part-time work and emphasized the importance of not doubting or changing oneself due to others' hurtful words. He concluded by telling those who spread rumors that their actions brought no benefit and advised them to "behave themselves." After the interview, Fang Xue offered Wei Lai a yogurt as a gesture of gratitude. He accepted it with a hidden smile, though he playfully complained about the lack of a straw, before reminding her about an upcoming weekly exam.
