Don't Leave After School Episode 9 Recap
> Don't Leave After School Recap
Late at night, Wu Dameng secretly practiced his favorite dance, unaware that someone was recording him with a phone. The next day, the school's anniversary celebration was announced, but a teacher promptly forbade students from Senior 4 from participating. In class, Mr. Yin reiterated the school anniversary details and the performances, stating that Senior 3 and Senior 4 students were not encouraged to join.
Although Wu Dameng seemed interested, his classmates quickly dismissed the idea, expressing disinterest in wasting time on such events. Afterwards, a student confronted Wu Dameng, asking why he hadn't signed up, revealing they had seen him dancing that night and inviting him to showcase his moves on stage. Later, in the cafeteria, Fang Xue and Tang Tiantian discussed recent money disappearances at school.
Fang Xue’s friends tried to get her to sit with Wei Lai, but Fang Xue walked directly to Wu Dameng. The shy Wu Dameng, who had meat on his tray, quickly left after a brief exchange. On the empty playground, Fang Xue found Wu Dameng watching other students prepare for the anniversary with envy. Fang Xue approached him and learned that he had been learning Jazz dance for several years but was afraid of being despised by others.
Fang Xue assured him there was nothing to be ashamed of and promised to help him get on stage, devising an "Operation Plan" for the Jazz dance. Fang Xue explained her plan to Wu Dameng: they would present the dance as a "poetry recitation" to Ms. Lei, making it sound formal and inspiring for studies, rather than directly mentioning Jazz dance. Wu Dameng was skeptical, suggesting a classical poem like "Invitation to Wine."
Ms. Lei initially dismissed their idea as "absurd," emphasizing the importance of Senior 3 and Senior 4 students focusing on their studies. Fang Xue persisted, and Wu Dameng promised to study hard. After some negotiation, Ms. Lei finally agreed to make an exception for them if Wu Dameng improved his test scores by 30 points. Fang Xue enthusiastically thanked Ms. Lei, complimenting her. However, their joy was short-lived.
At the student council office, they were informed that all performances had to be group acts to allow more students to participate in the 110th-anniversary celebration. Single or dual performances were not allowed, regardless of how good they were, because an empty stage would look bad. A disheartened Wu Dameng expressed his despair, but Fang Xue reassured him, promising to find the best practice venue and "best partners."
She quickly enlisted her good friends, Gu Shang and Er Bao, who were initially hesitant after watching Wu Dameng's dance video. They expressed concerns about the dance not being "man enough" and the need to focus on their studies to avoid familial disappointment. Fang Xue emotionally challenged their notion of masculinity, even bringing up Gu Shang's feelings for Cheng Jing.
Seeing Wu Dameng’s disappointment and Fang Xue’s conviction, Gu Shang and Er Bao reluctantly agreed to join, with Er Bao jokingly asking if dancing would help him attract girls like Fiona. During their first rehearsal in the dance room, the group was unaware that someone was secretly recording their practice with a phone. The video quickly spread among the students, who openly mocked Wu Dameng for his "sissy" and "feminine" dance style, even comparing him to Fang Xue.
Back in the classroom, Wei Lai approached Fang Xue, asking if rehearsing would affect her studies. Fang Xue replied that "time is like water in a sponge, just squeeze it to get some." She also asked Wei Lai if he had enough money for living after hearing about his missing 2,000 yuan, but he declined her offer to lend him some. On a hot afternoon, Fang Xue secretly brought dance CDs to Wu Dameng at the deserted playground.
Wu Dameng was impressed by how she obtained them despite strict school rules, having "scavenged" them from the class leaders of junior grades. They returned to the classroom to pick out music, but their excited discussion disturbed other students during their nap. Li Dalai rudely interrupted, calling them "girls" for their "effeminate dance." Gu Shang became enraged, but Fang Xue held him back.
Meanwhile, Hao Ren, Wu Dameng's deskmate, continued to harass Wu Dameng, forcing him to sing a song with lyrics like "I'm a girl" while touching him. Fang Xue confronted Hao Ren, attempting to make him switch seats, but he refused, daring her to tell the teacher. Fang Xue then approached Mr. Yin, pleading to switch seats with Wu Dameng, but couldn't reveal the real reason without exposing Wu Dameng's secret.
Mr. Yin explained that seats were assigned based on academic performance to maintain fairness in the class's reward system. Fang Xue admitted she couldn't provide a convincing reason, and Mr. Yin dismissed her, stating he had a meeting and the headmaster would be visiting the next day. Fang Xue relayed her failed attempt to Wu Dameng, who, feeling he was dragging her down, suggested they cancel the dance.
Fang Xue refused, reminding him of his dream to perform and promising to handle Hao Ren. The next day, during the headmaster's visit to inspect Mr. Yin’s "Doraemon Project" for improving class performance, Fang Xue saw an opportunity. She boldly raised an objection, stating that the "forced team" structure was problematic.
When pressed for a reason, she publicly declared her "crush" on Wei Lai, claiming that being seated so close to him every day was affecting her studies and that "that thing would happen." She even cited a previous incident where another student's cold water "made her sober." She argued that rotating seats would be a better solution. Wei Lai later confronted Fang Xue, asking for an explanation and misinterpreting her public declaration as genuine affection, even promising to protect her.
Fang Xue, exasperated by his narcissism, could only walk away, unable to explain the complicated situation. After night self-study, Hao Ren continued to torment Wu Dameng with his diary, escalating his insults. Finally pushed to his limit, Wu Dameng snapped and threw a water bucket at Hao Ren before storming off.
The following day in class, Fang Xue picked up a pen for Wei Lai, which Li Dalai used as an excuse to mock her for "flattering" Wei Lai and for "wanting pie in the sky." As other students gossiped, Wu Dameng, unable to stand it anymore, bravely stood up. He clarified that Fang Xue’s actions were to help him, explaining that Hao Ren had been bullying and threatening him with his diary to separate them.
He admitted he had been too cowardly to speak up before. Fang Xue thanked him, saying it was "never mind, Sister." That evening, Mr. Yin had a private talk with Wu Dameng. He informed Wu Dameng that Hao Ren had been expelled not because of the diary incident, but for stealing a large sum of money from the school.
Mr. Yin reassured Wu Dameng that his secret was safe and encouraged him to continue preparing for the anniversary performance, offering his full support. The team's rehearsals continued, but not smoothly. Wu Dameng pointed out that Gu Shang and Er Bao were struggling, looking "awkward" and "shy" and resembling "radio calisthenics." Fang Xue urged them to "brace up" as costumes were on their way.
During a chemistry class, Fang Xue worried about their costumes getting wet in the heavy rain, as their audition was the next day. Gu Shang feigned needing to use the restroom, and Er Bao followed him out. Fang Xue, fearing for their performance, rushed out after them. From the classroom window, Wei Lai secretly watched Fang Xue run in the rain, his eyes filled with concern as she stumbled and fell.
Tang Tiantian later noticed Wei Lai often peeking at Fang Xue, teasing that while Fang Xue might not truly like him, he definitely liked her, a notion Fang Xue quickly dismissed. Finally, the school anniversary audition arrived. Fang Xue and her team were in the middle of their performance when Wu Dameng's mother burst into the auditorium.
She angrily confronted Wu Dameng, publicly accusing him of lying about taking Taekwondo lessons, for which she had given him money, when he was actually learning dance. Calling him "disgusting," she then slapped him in front of everyone.
