Don't Leave After School Episode 3 Recap
> Don't Leave After School Recap
Qiao Mai, a student from the senior class, purchased an exam paper from the guy in the printing room, unaware that this seemingly secret transaction was being recorded. On her way back, the person filming confronted her, revealing they had a video of her colluding with the printing room attendant. The individual threatened Qiao Mai, making it clear they now had leverage over her.
Meanwhile, Er Bao was entertaining Fang Xue and some other classmates with a tale about a divine tree. He recounted how a student, after praying under the tree, found a fallen branch, picked it up, and then collapsed in fear upon looking up. The story spooked the listeners, but Gu Shang took it seriously. That evening, filled with anticipation, Gu Shang dragged Fang Xue to find the divine tree and pray. Fang Xue reluctantly humored him.
As they stood by the tree, a branch suddenly fell, just as in Er Bao's story. Gu Shang was ecstatic, believing it was a sign from the divine tree, and felt a surge of confidence for his upcoming exams. Fang Xue, however, dismissed it as merely a strong breeze. The next morning, as Fang Xue and Gu Shang walked to school, they overheard students from Senior Year 3 Class 1 discussing a full set of key points for an exam.
Gu Shang managed to obtain a copy through his connections, initially for Cheng Jing. Later that night, Fang Xue accompanied him to the printing room to print the key points. While operating the machine, Gu Shang accidentally discovered the actual General Science exam paper tucked underneath. After a moment of internal conflict, Gu Shang impulsively decided to steal the paper. He grabbed Fang Xue, and they sprinted away.
On their hurried escape, they briefly encountered Qiao Mai, who claimed she was going to the water room to get a kettle. Gu Shang and Fang Xue, preoccupied, did not notice anything unusual about her. Gu Shang then revealed the stolen exam paper to a surprised Fang Xue.
Despite Fang Xue's initial reluctance due to strict school rules and fears of expulsion, Gu Shang convinced her that this was their only chance to avoid having their parents called or being expelled. They decided to keep the paper, but their clandestine exchange was observed by Li Dalai from a hidden corner. Later, in the library, Fang Xue and Gu Shang huddled to discuss the exam paper. As both were struggling students, they found themselves unable to solve the problems.
Gu Shang then hatched a plan to trick Wei Lai, an excellent student, into helping them by asking him to tutor them. Wei Lai initially resisted. Gu Shang, knowing Wei Lai preferred the lower bunk, offered to switch bunk beds, letting Wei Lai have the lower bunk in exchange for tutoring Fang Xue. Wei Lai still hesitated but was eventually persuaded when Gu Shang playfully accused him of having ulterior motives if he refused.
Wei Lai began tutoring Fang Xue, who struggled to keep up due to her weak foundation. Seeing her biting her pen in frustration, Wei Lai became annoyed and stood up to leave. Fang Xue quickly apologized, admitting her slowness and pleading with him to be patient. After further explanations, Fang Xue appeared to grasp the concepts and obtained the answers to the exam paper, though Gu Shang privately commented on her "acting."
On the day of the exam, Wei Lai arrived early. When the General Science exam papers were distributed, he realized the questions were identical to the stolen paper. He immediately requested to switch to an alternative version, stating that he knew all the questions on the current paper. Fang Xue also requested to switch, but the teacher refused, telling them it was an exam room, not a market.
A teacher discovered cheat sheets on Fang Xue and Gu Shang during the exam. Following this report, Ms Lei confronted them, leading to their parents being called to school. In the office, Ms Lei informed their parents that the students would be expelled. Gu Shang's father, enraged, hit his son before storming out. Gu Shang, fuming, returned to the dorm to pack his belongings. When Wei Lai entered, Gu Shang, suspecting him of informing, initiated a fight.
Ms Lei arrived and intervened, threatening to call the police if the chaos continued. Wei Lai suggested that Gu Shang might have beaten the wrong person. Fang Xue, hearing about the fight, brought ice packs for Wei Lai to soothe his bruises, leading to a subtle shift in their relationship. She apologized for their misunderstanding, to which Wei Lai questioned why she allowed herself to be misunderstood.
Fang Xue also had several ice lollies herself, believing she would be expelled and spending her remaining tuition money. Wei Lai then shared the "37-percent rule" with Fang Xue, advising her not to give up too soon and to be brave in her attempts, especially since she hadn't reached a critical point in her decision-making. Meanwhile, Mr Yin approached Ms Lei, pleading for Fang Xue and Gu Shang.
He argued that rules shouldn't be inflexible, using the analogy of treating a leg rather than amputating it. He vouched for the students, proposing that they be allowed to participate in the upcoming weekly exam to demonstrate their progress, offering to take any punishment if they failed. Ms Lei acknowledged that the final decision rested with the principal, who was currently on a business trip.
She agreed to let them take the weekly exam, with the ultimate decision regarding their expulsion to be made upon the principal's return. Before the new weekly exam, Li Dalai verbally provoked Gu Shang, telling him that "it's normal for someone with a record like you to be suspected" and that "what is done in the dark will come to light."
He also complained to a fellow student about Fang Xue and Gu Shang creating a poor study environment in the class, arguing that their disruption impacted serious students like himself. When the teacher also sided with Li Dalai, a defiant Gu Shang and Fang Xue took their chairs outside to the scorching hot playground to take their exam, determined to prove they wouldn't cheat.
Their resolute act even impressed the teachers who came to check on them, with the principal, upon hearing of their efforts, deciding to give Fang Xue and Gu Shang another chance. During the strenuous outdoor exam, Fang Xue fainted from heatstroke. Wei Lai carried her to the infirmary and watched over her. As he watched over her, their feelings for each other deepened, but a sudden entry by the infirmary teacher caused them to quickly separate.
Fang Xue soon learned that the principal, moved by her determination and her high score of 197 in the General Science exam, had intervened on their behalf, meaning she would not be expelled. Fang Xue expressed her relief and humorously regretted eating too many ice lollies, attributing her stomachache to them. When she noticed Wei Lai also drinking, she asked why, and he admitted he also got sunstroke while taking the exam outside. The infirmary teacher then entered, playfully asking if they were engaged in "Puppy love."
