Don't Leave After School Episode 22 Recap
> Don't Leave After School Recap
During class, a teacher distributed college application forms. Fang Xue had no idea what major to choose, admitting she hadn't even been sure if she could get into university. Wei Lai suggested they visit the library to research. There, Wei Lai found "Recording Engineering" and suggested it to Fang Xue, reminding her of her interest in recording when they were in Beijing.
He noted the required scores were close to hers and listed impressive subjects like "Fundamentals of Acoustics" and "Surround Sound Technology," sparking Fang Xue's interest despite it requiring an Art Examination. Another classmate, inspired by choosing a major for herself rather than for a boy, discussed her own college plans, asking others about theirs. Fang Xue admitted she still hadn't decided.
Later, during a meal with friends, Fiona announced her decision to study abroad, which surprised her friends who expressed they would miss her. Cheng Jing, looking withdrawn, silently left the table. When she went to the water room, she was so distracted that she nearly scalded herself, only to be stopped by Mr. Ying. Concerned about Cheng Jing's continued sadness since Gu Shang left, Mr. Ying mentioned that his calls to Gu Shang had gone unanswered.
He then offered to take Cheng Jing to visit Gu Shang during the upcoming holiday. He also advised Cheng Jing, whom he considered his most reliable student, to approach future problems with logic rather than emotion. Mr. Ying then called Fang Xue to his office, inquiring about her college intentions. Fang Xue expressed her desire to pursue Recording Engineering, but worried about the tight one-month deadline for the Art Examination.
Mr. Ying encouraged her to follow her passion and suggested she talk to senior music art students for advice before discussing it with her family during the holiday. As Fang Xue was leaving, she met Fiona, who was preparing to depart for her studies abroad. They wished each other a Happy New Year and said their goodbyes, with Fang Xue promising to call. Fang Xue then made a detour to visit Qiao Mai at the hospital.
Qiao Mai thanked Fang Xue for the cassette tape she had given her, explaining how the recorded sounds made her feel like she was traveling despite being bedridden. Qiao Mai's mother then entered, warmly greeted Fang Xue, and offered her a New Year cake, which Fang Xue politely declined, citing her bus schedule. As Qiao Mai's mother walked Fang Xue out, she confessed her high expectations for her students, contrasting it with her own daughter's struggles.
Fang Xue gently advised her to be patient with Qiao Mai, who was exhausted. Upon returning home for the New Year's Eve dinner, Fang Xue sensed something was wrong when her father and grandfather were absent, supposedly visiting relatives. Her mother inadvertently revealed that her grandfather was in the hospital. Upset, Fang Xue demanded to know what was happening. Her father reassured her that her grandfather was fine and promised to take her to the hospital after dinner.
At the hospital, after confirming his recovery, Fang Xue sought her grandfather's advice about her Art Examination plans. He enthusiastically supported her decision, telling her that he still kept all her childhood recordings in a box under his nightstand and encouraged her to use them to impress her art tutor. Fang Xue, touched by his support, told him she loved him. Back at school, Fang Xue dedicated herself to practicing for the Art Examination.
Exhausted from her efforts, she rested her head on her desk. Wei Lai tried to wake her, pushing her gently. He offered words of encouragement, emphasizing that life is full of missed opportunities, and it’s better to be brave and pursue what she truly desires than to live with regret. Fang Xue’s father later brought her a large box containing her childhood instrument.
He encouraged her, reminding her of her early talent and cautioning her to keep the instrument safe for her grandfather. He also updated her on her grandfather's full recovery. That evening, Fang Xue's roommates expressed curiosity about the mysterious box. She eventually revealed its contents: a Suona. Though some initially found it "tacky" and associated with funerals, her roommate quickly defended it as "national culture" and something unique to Fang Xue's lively personality.
They cheered her on, wishing her luck for the exam. The next day, on her way to the exam, Fang Xue spotted Gu Shang in a taxi and impulsively asked the driver to pull over. She followed him to Moulin Rouge KTV, but the bouncers refused her entry, citing her apparent age and the KTV's minimum charge.
Realizing she would be late for her exam, Fang Xue quickly called Cheng Jing, informing her of Gu Shang's location and urging her to go find him while Fang Xue went to collect her admission ticket. Fang Xue managed to arrive just in time to get her admission ticket, receiving a warning from the teacher about her tardiness. Meanwhile, Cheng Jing, now an adult, confronted the KTV bouncers and forcefully entered, quickly locating Gu Shang in room A09.
She angrily confronted a heavily inebriated Gu Shang, scolding him for his irresponsible behavior while his college entrance exam was approaching. Gu Shang, feeling provoked, shouted back that he had been expelled from school again, mockingly asking if she found it ridiculous. Cheng Jing, accusing him of self-pity and arrogance, demanded he get up.
Gu Shang retorted that his social gathering was none of her business and offered her money to buy a new uniform, telling her to stay out of his affairs. Heartbroken, Cheng Jing declared it was the last time she would ever care about him, then slapped him across the face and left in tears. At the exam venue, another student mocked Fang Xue’s Suona, grabbed it, and accidentally broke it during a struggle.
When it was Fang Xue's turn to perform, without her instrument, she tried to sing but was quickly dismissed by the judges, who openly criticized her poor performance and the low quality of some applicants. Distraught, Fang Xue called Wei Lai to express her frustration. That evening, Wei Lai arrived at Fang Xue's hotel room with a brand new Suona, more expensive than her grandfather's.
He gently comforted her, encouraging her not to give up on the last day of the exam after all her hard work. Fang Xue confessed she felt like giving up and returning to regular college entrance examination preparation, believing she wasn't cut out for the Art Examination. To lift her spirits, Wei Lai then offered to perform the embarrassing rhythmic dance he had mentioned earlier, which he did with exaggerated movements and a catchy tune.
Fang Xue, overwhelmed with emotion, cried and laughed as he danced, his silly performance providing much-needed comfort. Wei Lai then tenderly caressed her head, urging her not to be sad and to keep going. The next day, during the talent show portion of the exam, the same student who had broken Fang Xue’s instrument continued to taunt her. Undeterred, Fang Xue stepped onto the stage.
Introduced as performer number 38, she played a powerful Suona solo titled "Wu Song Murdered His Sister-In-Law." Her performance was spectacular, earning resounding applause and unanimous praise from the judges. The mocking student, now seething with jealousy, angrily walked out.
