Don't Leave After School Episode 23 Recap
> Don't Leave After School Recap
As graduation approached, students began taking graduation photos. Afterwards, they returned to class, and Mr. Yin taught the last knowledge points, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming 8th mock exam as the final test before the College Entrance Examination. He urged them to take it seriously and avoid any regrets. After class, Tang Tiantian stopped him, asking him to sign her yearbook as a keepsake.
She also confessed her aspiration to become a teacher as excellent as him, to which Mr. Yin, though playfully dismissing her flattery, offered encouragement. In the teachers' office, Ms. Lei and the other Senior 3 teachers discussed the arrangements for the College Entrance Examination. She announced that exam rooms had been allocated, with students from a single class spread across two to three locations, including Zhenhua Middle School.
She stressed that class teachers must accompany their students to inspect the rooms. Ms. Lei also highlighted that the 8th mock exam aimed to boost student confidence, so teachers should avoid making the questions excessively difficult. After the meeting, Ms. Lei noticed Mr. Yin's somber mood. He confided that he felt a pang of sadness at the thought of parting ways with his students, this being his first time as a class teacher.
Ms. Lei, understanding his emotions, reminded him that good things must come to an end and that teachers guide students to their next destination. She advised him to remain composed during this critical time. The 8th mock exam concluded, and students discussed their performance, feeling relieved that the last major hurdle before the College Entrance Examination was over. Meanwhile, in the teachers' office, a new concern arose.
News reported a widespread issue of counterfeit Chunghwa 2B pencils that might not be readable by exam card scanners. Teachers worried if the pencils sold near the school were fake. Upon hearing that genuine Chunghwa pencils could be purchased at a specific counter in the Friendship Shopping Center, Mr. Yin, without hesitation, volunteered to go. He quickly offered to buy pencils for all the students in his class and for any other teachers who needed them.
Later, in their classroom, Fang Xue's re-enrolled class watched the Senior 3 students taking their graduation photos outside. This sparked a desire in Fang Xue and her classmates to have their own group photo, even though re-enrolled classes typically didn't. Fang Xue approached Ms. Lei to seek permission. While Mr. Yin was still on his way back with the pencils, the photographer grew impatient.
Despite Fang Xue's attempts to delay, explaining Mr. Yin was stuck in traffic, the photographer insisted on proceeding. Reluctantly, the students took their graduation photo without Mr. Yin. Soon after, Mr. Yin arrived, breathless, only to learn the photos had already been taken. He feigned indifference, joking about not being photogenic, and quickly excused himself to put away the pencils.
Observing his demeanor, Fang Xue and Wei Lai realized Mr. Yin was putting on a brave face to avoid upsetting them. Fang Xue suggested they prepare a special souvenir for him. The next day, Mr. Yin brought a special treat for the class: Coke and Zongzi, symbolizing "passing" the exam. He reminded students about checking the exam rooms at Zhenhua Middle School that weekend, emphasizing the importance of careful inspection.
He then gathered them for a "send-off drink," using Coke in place of liquor, much like the heroes in "Water Margin" before battle, to boost their spirits. He reminded them that despite the hardships, they had persevered and would always be members of Class 1, Senior 4, urging them to face the final exam without regrets. On the bus ride to Zhenhua Middle School, Mr. Yin tried to lighten the heavy atmosphere, telling students not to be nervous.
At Zhenhua, he meticulously inspected Fang Xue's exam room with her. Fang Xue noticed a bothersome buzzing noise coming from a light fixture. Mr. Yin brought it to the attention of the Zhenhua staff, who dismissed it as negligible and accused them of being overly critical. Determined to resolve the issue for Fang Xue, Mr. Yin reassured her, took her bag, and told her to return with the others, promising to handle the problem himself, mentioning his acquaintances at Zhenhua.
Outside Zhenhua Middle School, Fang Xue met Cheng Jing and recounted the details of the noisy lamp and Mr. Yin's promise to fix it. Cheng Jing expressed her confidence that Mr. Yin would indeed resolve the issue. At that moment, Gu Shang called out to Cheng Jing from across the street. He approached her, acknowledging her anger from a previous incident with Ms. Lei and admitting he had underestimated her.
He stated he had no regrets about fighting for her and assured her not to worry about his own future, emphasizing that he could thrive even without attending college. Finally, he urged her not to change for him and wished her good luck on her College Entrance Examination before leaving. On what was supposed to be a day off from classes, Fang Xue woke up early, her body clock accustomed to the rigorous school schedule.
At school, Ms. Lei instructed students to pack their belongings thoroughly, as cleaners would be coming. She handed Fang Xue, as the class monitor, a "note prepared for the College Entrance Examination" from Mr. Yin to distribute. Fang Xue inquired about Mr. Yin's absence, and Ms. Lei gave the excuse that he had a cold and couldn't come to see them off. Ms. Lei then offered her best wishes to the students.
Later, in the cafeteria, Fang Xue couldn't shake off her worry about the lamp noise at Zhenhua. Wei Lai noticed her anxiety and, sharing a personal anecdote about overcoming exam-related nervousness, offered to accompany her to Zhenhua Middle School that weekend to re-check the light. When they arrived, Fang Xue confirmed the noise was gone. They asked a security guard for an explanation.
The guard revealed that a male teacher from Xiang Jiang Middle School had caused a significant disturbance by insisting on fixing the light on a school day, even getting his arm dislocated during an altercation with a colleague. To avoid further trouble, the school principal decided to replace the lamp. Hearing this, Fang Xue and Wei Lai were deeply moved, their eyes welling up with tears, realizing the extent of Mr. Yin's sacrifice.
On the day of the College Entrance Examination, Mr. Yin, with his arm in a sling, watched the news reports about the exam from his hospital bed. Despite his injury, he later made his way to the exam site, quietly offering his support to his students. After the examination, Fang Xue's family celebrated her impressive score of 560 at home. Fang Xue confidently declared that she would secure admission to Communication University of China.
At school, students excitedly discussed their university choices. Cheng Jing shared her application to Peking University for paleontology, while Wei Lai announced his decision to pursue automation at Tsinghua University. After submitting their application forms to the teacher, Wei Lai walked with Fang Xue on the way home. He expressed a shy worry that she might fall in love with someone else at university, and Fang Xue, with a happy nod, acknowledged his concern.
That night, Mr. Yin returned to his empty classroom, a profound sense of nostalgia washing over him as he gazed at the familiar desks and chairs. Ms. Lei, noticing the light on, entered and joined him. She reflected on her long career, admitting she often had to play the "bad cop" for the students and wondering if they would resent her in the future. Mr. Yin reassured her that her students understood her true intentions.
Ms. Lei then likened teachers to ferrymen, guiding students across a river to their futures, a mission she felt was nearing its completion with her upcoming retirement. As she left, she asked Mr. Yin to lock up. Alone again, Mr. Yin discovered a CD on his desk. He played it, and as he watched a video recorded by his students, tears streamed down his face.
The video featured heartfelt messages: some thanking him for his encouragement and for helping them find their passions, others expressing gratitude for his unwavering support when no one else would, and all of them urging him not to forget them and to find happiness in his own life.
