Don't Leave After School Episode 12 Recap
> Don't Leave After School Recap
Fang Xue reflected on how her Senior 4 school life often felt dull, with the monthly family meal being the highlight. During one such dinner, her mother announced a significant decision: Fang Xue should invite Wei Lai over for a meal during the next holiday, to thank him for helping her studies. Fang Xue tried to argue that she also worked hard, but her mother insisted on showing gratitude.
When her father suggested they couldn't invite anyone due to the house being filled with newly arrived goods, her mother admonished him for not renting a warehouse. Fang Xue inwardly worried about inviting a boy over for the first time. Fang Xue approached Wei Lai about his holiday plans, to which he replied he would stay at school, likely eating instant noodles. She hesitantly extended the invitation, framing it as her mother's idea to thank him for his academic help.
To her surprise, Wei Lai immediately accepted. Fang Xue was puzzled by his quick acceptance, having expected a refusal. Later, while eating in the school canteen, Fang Xue observed Wei Lai's strong sense of cleanliness when he told Er Bao not to use his spoon. Realizing how messy her own home was, Fang Xue became anxious and decided she needed to find an excuse to cancel the invitation.
She told Wei Lai that her sister had contracted a serious case of chickenpox, making it inconvenient for him to visit. When Wei Lai offered to visit her sister, Fang Xue quickly emphasized the contagious nature of the illness. Wei Lai reluctantly agreed to cancel, though Fang Xue noticed his visible disappointment. She felt a twinge of regret but believed it was better than the embarrassment of him seeing her home.
From Wei Lai's perspective, Fang Xue's invitation had thrilled him, despite his calm exterior. He even meticulously chose outfits for the visit, contemplating whether blue or red best conveyed the desired image. His roommate, however, mentioned that Fang Xue had also invited him and Cheng Jing, but they were busy with a boxing match, implying Wei Lai would be alone with Fang Xue. Wei Lai hoped nothing would go wrong.
When Er Bao tried to share his spoon, Wei Lai politely declined, explaining he had a cold and didn't want to spread it, secretly hoping Fang Xue would notice his thoughtfulness. He was then "surprised" when Fang Xue gave him the news about her sister's chickenpox. Moments later, Mr. Ying informed Fang Xue that her father was waiting at the school gate. Feeling stood up, Wei Lai decided to seize the opportunity with Fang Xue's father to reinstate the invitation.
At the school gate, Wei Lai greeted Fang Xue's father. The father reiterated the invitation to dinner. Wei Lai mentioned Fang Xue's sister having chickenpox, only for her father to reveal that Fang Xue was an only child and had no sister with chickenpox. Fang Xue quickly tried to steer her father away, claiming it was a joke.
Wei Lai, however, now knew the truth and was more determined than ever to visit Fang Xue's home, thinking, "You can't trick me in this way. Do you think I got these 100-plus extra points for nothing? I am definitely going to your home." The next day, Fang Xue deliberately left school half an hour early to avoid walking with Wei Lai and sparking gossip.
However, Wei Lai, having lost sleep over the upcoming visit, was already at the bus stop, waiting for her. Seeing her approach, he felt a mix of nervousness and excitement. They exchanged greetings, confirmed their breakfast status, and got on the 322 bus. On the bus, Wei Lai felt an unusual nervousness, unlike previous outings. Fang Xue confided in him, expressing how touched she was that he joined their class.
She admitted that she initially found him difficult but had grown to appreciate him. Suddenly, the bus broke down, and passengers were asked to help push. As they pushed, Fang Xue recalled her childhood, frequently falling while pushing her father's old tricycle. Almost on cue, she stumbled and fell. Wei Lai, who had been laughing at the thought of her falling, rushed to help her up. With the bus starting to move, they held hands and ran, narrowly catching it.
Wei Lai found Fang Xue, despite being covered in dirt, exceptionally charming. Finally arriving home, Wei Lai remarked that her home was quite hard to find. Fang Xue invited him in, apologizing for the mess and blaming her father for not tidying up after an urgent job. She poured Wei Lai a glass of water while her parents bickered in the background. Wei Lai commented that her house was "quite special," leaving Fang Xue feeling utterly mortified.
Just then, Fang Xue’s mother arrived and, seeing the chaotic state of the house, suggested taking Wei Lai out to visit places. Despite Fang Xue’s protest that there was nothing interesting nearby, her mother insisted, promising to take him to a "good place you have never been to." They ended up at a 2 Yuan Store. Fang Xue was horrified, embarrassed to be seen with the school's "male god" in such a humble shop with her "simple" mother.
Her mother’s enthusiastic bargaining with the shop owner further mortified Fang Xue, who abandoned Wei Lai to wait outside. Fang Xue’s mother, unfazed, then pulled Wei Lai over and began sharing anecdotes about Fang Xue's mischievous childhood, like her father washing his hair in a basin and Fang Xue likening him to a "boiled pig's head," or Fang Xue injuring herself with an "apple peeler."
Wei Lai mused that if he had known Fang Xue since childhood, life would have been quite joyful. Fang Xue, feeling her image had hit rock bottom, hoped that dinner might salvage some of Wei Lai’s good impression. However, dinner brought more disappointment. Her father’s planned "feast" of crabs had spoiled, leaving only noodles with gravy. Fang Xue was dismayed, but Wei Lai genuinely enjoyed the noodles, praising them as delicious.
Her parents continued to bicker, with her father making awkward small talk about Wei Lai's family business, which was also "doing business." The situation escalated when her father insisted on serving the slightly off-smelling crabs, now stir-fried with chili, claiming they were still good. Fang Xue, mortified, pleaded with her father to save her some face. This triggered her mother's pent-up frustration.
She lashed out at her father for his stinginess and for failing to prepare properly for Wei Lai's visit. Wei Lai tried to intervene, assuring them he enjoyed the meal, but her mother, declaring herself "humiliated," continued her tirade, criticizing her husband's frugal habits and his family responsibilities. Fang Xue tried to calm them, but her mother dramatically threw a bowl and stormed out, with Fang Xue rushing after her.
Left alone, Wei Lai and Fang Xue’s father sat in awkward silence. The father then suggested they "go high" and took Wei Lai to a park. He explained he needed to walk for his high blood sugar and reassured Wei Lai that his wife's temper was like "a bark worse than her bite," quickly subsiding.
He then offered Wei Lai advice on marriage, stating that occasional arguments were normal and that "a couple will fight but the love between them won't wane." He even revealed his strategy of buying fatty meat to give his wife a reason to criticize him, allowing him to make concessions and smooth things over. Meanwhile, Fang Xue's mother, having cooled down, reminisced with Fang Xue about her father’s awkward dancing in their younger days, a memory that softened her anger.
They decided to head home, as her father would be worried. Later, Fang Xue and Wei Lai walked by the sea. Wei Lai realized his recorder, which had been confiscated, would have been perfect for capturing the sounds of the sea breeze, waves, and distant boats, to remember this night. He then sincerely thanked Fang Xue, saying he had had a wonderfully happy and fulfilling holiday.
He found her endearing, even when she fell, appreciated her father’s noodles, and even found beauty in the chaotic visit to the 2 Yuan Store and witnessing her parents' quarrel. He concluded by expressing that he now understood "what made Fang Xue what she is today," leaving Fang Xue bewildered by his compliments and his sudden, quick departure. Back at school, Fang Xue found herself feeling more self-conscious around Wei Lai, often recalling his earnest "thank you."
Wei Lai's friend rushed to him, urging him to call his anxious father because Wei Lai's own phone had been confiscated. Fang Xue, seeing Mr. Ying, seized the moment to ask for her reward for reaching 1100 points. Wei Lai, after his phone call, also sought out Mr. Ying to claim his own reward. Later, as the sun set, Wei Lai watched Fang Xue, feeling a sense of wonder. They secretly agreed to meet after class. With calm expressions but pounding hearts, they approached each other and exchanged the items that had been confiscated from them earlier.
