Fell Upon Me Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Fell Upon Me Synopsis
In 2012, as the college entrance exam approaches, transfer student Jiang Ling unexpectedly steps into An Zhenzhen’s world when her phone accidentally connects to “Old Jiang” from 2024. Guided by Old Jiang, An Zhenzhen draws closer to the young Jiang Ling in an attempt to change the future, but her actions lead to a misunderstanding with her best friend Qiu Qian. This seemingly improbable encounter binds Jiang Ling’s and An Zhenzhen’s fates together.
While uncovering the truth behind an impending crisis with Jiang Ling, An Zhenzhen faces the exposure of family scandals and the betrayal of false accusations, driving her in despair to the rooftop—only to be saved by Jiang Ling. With his help, she reconciles with her friends, but a new crisis quietly emerges. To stop class monitor Gu Ming, who is being coerced, An Zhenzhen once again climbs to the rooftop. In another timeline, Old Jiang painfully searches for the truth, trying to change the outcome, yet An Zhenzhen’s death still cannot be avoided.
Just at the edge of despair, pages turn and gears softly click. Under the power of words, the cold “doomsday” prophecy is quietly rewritten.
Fell Upon Me Recap
Episode 1 Recap
An Zhenzhen is abruptly woken up for her second mock exam, taking place 104 days before the college entrance exam. She immediately reflects on a strange dream she just had. During the exam, she experiences a brief hallucination where the classroom empties, leaving only her and her homeroom teacher, Liu Yaru, staring at her. Her trance is broken by another teacher announcing the remaining time.
Later that day, a new transfer student, Jiang Ling, is introduced to homeroom teacher Liu Yaru; he is scheduled to officially join Senior Class 3 the next day. After the exam, An Zhenzhen, still disoriented, confides in her friend Qiu Qian about her hallucination, but Qiu Qian dismisses it as exam-induced confusion. Their friend, Qi Shuo, joins them, and as they plan to go out, they are curtly advised by the class monitor to focus on studying instead.
The trio then heads to a wishing tree. An Zhenzhen wishes for world peace and for the 2012 apocalypse prophecy to be false, while Qiu Qian wishes to marry a rich, handsome man, and Qi Shuo declares his ambition to become a famous actor. Realizing none of them wished for academic success, An Zhenzhen quickly adds a wish for them all to pass the college entrance exam. As they are chatting, Qiu Qian spots a handsome stranger.
The man approaches, returns An Zhenzhen's name tag before leaving, making her wonder how he found it. Meanwhile, in a cluttered apartment, a disheveled man known as "Lao Jiang" is drinking and searching for money. He finds an old, defunct phone just as debt collectors arrive, demanding he settle his overdue debt. Lao Jiang lies that his editor will pay him soon, but the debt collectors force him to call again.
As he fakes dialing on the dead phone, a clap of thunder sounds outside, and a woman's voice suddenly speaks through the phone, leaving Lao Jiang stunned. The debt collectors grab the phone and threaten the person on the line. On the other end, An Zhenzhen, Qiu Qian, and Qi Shuo assume it's a phone scam and playfully respond in Korean.
Seizing the opportunity, Lao Jiang takes the phone back, pretends to resolve the issue, and successfully gets the debt collectors to leave. That night, An Zhenzhen's phone rings again. As she answers, the dorm supervisor calls her name during roll call, causing her to hang up. On the other end, Lao Jiang, having heard her name, is startled. He identifies himself as Jiang Ling, but a confused An Zhenzhen dismisses him as a scammer and ends the call.
The next day, Liu Yaru introduces the new transfer student to the class. To An Zhenzhen's shock, the student is Jiang Ling, the same person from the phone calls. While she is pondering this, her phone rings in class, and Liu Yaru confiscates it. After class, An Zhenzhen angrily confronts Jiang Ling, who ignores her.
During lunch, An Zhenzhen pleads with her friends to help retrieve her phone, fabricating a story that a chat log of them gossiping about Liu Yaru was on the screen when it was taken. Fearing repercussions, her friends agree to help. They create a diversion, but Qi Shuo mistakenly grabs the teacher's phone, as Jiang Ling has already taken An Zhenzhen's phone from the office. An Zhenzhen dials her own number, and Jiang Ling's phone rings, confirming he has it.
At that moment, a call comes in for An Zhenzhen from someone identifying as "Jiangling from 2024." She hands the phone to the 2012 Jiang Ling beside her. As the two Jiang Lings speak across time, they both experience a painful physical repulsion. Later that night, Jiang Ling from 2024 calls An Zhenzhen again and explains their predicament, attributing the strange calls to a solar and electromagnetic storm causing communication across parallel timelines.
He confirms he is from 2024 and she is in 2012. An Zhenzhen sarcastically asks if humanity was destroyed in 2012. To convince her, the 2024 Jiang Ling mentions future events, like Liang Bo winning "The Voice of China" and Kobe Bryant breaking his nose in an upcoming NBA All-Star Game. Still skeptical, An Zhenzhen dismisses him as a liar. The 2024 Jiang Ling then remembers a significant event that is about to happen in her timeline.
Episode 2 Recap
Continuing her mission to verify the mysterious phone call, An Zhenzhen anxiously waited for the predicted time the next day. To her astonishment, the events unfolded exactly as described. A major incident erupted in the school cafeteria when students, already frustrated with the poor food quality and the ban on outside meals, reached their breaking point after a student named Shi Xiaoxin had his food confiscated. A heated conflict ensued between students and cafeteria staff, quickly escalating into chaos.
This sequence of events perfectly mirrored what the future Jiang Ling from 2024 had foretold, leaving An Zhenzhen feeling a mixture of dread and disbelief. That evening, An Zhenzhen went online, searching for forums about time-space communication. In the living room, her parents argued over her father's perceived lack of involvement in her studies. Later, An Zhenzhen had a vivid nightmare where she found herself in a mysterious place, approaching the back of a man she knew was Jiang Ling.
Just as he was about to turn, she woke up. The next morning, An Zhenzhen's father was watching an NBA All-Star Game and excitedly pointed out that Kobe Bryant had just broken his nose, another detail from the future Jiang Ling's predictions that confirmed their unsettling accuracy. Noticing it was raining, An Zhenzhen suspected another call from the future was possible.
Her father drove her to school, and she asked to be dropped off at an intersection, pretending she wanted to walk. The moment he left, she called the future Jiang Ling. During their conversation, the future Jiang Ling confessed he was in dire straits, having been scammed after publishing a book and left deeply in debt.
He implored An Zhenzhen to convince his 2012 self to buy a specific lottery ticket, with the winnings deposited into the 2012 Jiang Ling's bank account. He explained he only needed enough to pay his debts and that the rest of the winnings would be for his past self. In return for her help, An Zhenzhen asked him to check on her own future, and he promised he would.
After giving her the lottery number, they concluded their calls were likely enabled by thunderstorms happening in both their timelines. An Zhenzhen worried about approaching the aloof 2012 Jiang Ling, so his future self revealed a weakness: a deep fondness for noodles from a specific shop on Hongzhuan Road. An Zhenzhen rushed to the shop, but after waiting in a long line, it sold out.
Back at school, her visible frustration and glares toward Jiang Ling caught the attention of her friend, Qiu Qian. An Zhenzhen made another attempt with noodles from a different shop. She offered them to Jiang Ling with a whimsical explanation about astrology, and while he reluctantly ate some, she worried it was the wrong kind. Her suspicion was confirmed when she later saw Jiang Ling leaving a crowded noodle shop with a bowl he had bought himself.
That evening, as another thunderstorm raged, the future Jiang Ling called again. Sensing her frustration, he offered an alternative strategy: find a specific book, "Ulysses," at a bookstore on Wanhong Road. As An Zhenzhen snuck out of the dormitory, Qiu Qian, having overheard the call, tried to follow but was intercepted by the dorm supervisor after An Zhenzhen created a diversion. At the bookstore, An Zhenzhen located the rare book after a difficult search.
The next day, she placed it on Jiang Ling's desk. He was genuinely delighted, calling the book a prized possession. An Zhenzhen offered it as a gift to start a friendship, but he insisted on paying her the exact price, accepting her friendship on his own terms. Seizing the opportunity, she immediately invited him out for noodles. At the noodle shop, the owner warmly greeted Jiang Ling as "Xiao Jiang" and praised his helpful and kind-hearted nature, surprising An Zhenzhen.
While they ate, An Zhenzhen revealed the truth. She explained the phone call was from his future self, who had shared details like his love for noodles and specific novels. To convince him, she showed him her call log, proving a call was made from his number before she even had it. She then detailed his future self's financial troubles and the desperate need for him to buy the lottery ticket. After a moment of disbelief, Jiang Ling agreed to go with her to the lottery store after he finished his meal.
Episode 3 Recap
Following her successful verification of Jiang Ling's time-travel calls, An Zhenzhen, now convinced, accompanies Jiang Ling to purchase lottery tickets using the number provided by his future self. She envisions a future where she wins over 400,000 yuan and excitedly plans to donate to charities, bolster her father's company, and even build a private, round-the-clock amusement park.
Jiang Ling, accompanying her, relays a message from his future self, urging her to pay the electricity bill that night as it would "definitely help" her. An Zhenzhen, eager to learn more about her destiny, presses him for details about her future and her parents, but Jiang Ling remains dismissive, stating he doesn't believe in time-traveling calls and that the future is only shaped by present choices.
He is then momentarily lost in a painful childhood memory of his father entrusting him to his aunt. Unaware of Jiang Ling’s underlying sadness, An Zhenzhen holds up the lottery ticket, declaring her belief that her future is in her own hands and that life itself is a miracle. That evening, back in her dorm, An Zhenzhen is still gazing at her lottery ticket when her friend Qiu Qian confronts her.
Qiu Qian, revealing her affection for Jiang Ling, asks An Zhenzhen to keep her distance from him, misinterpreting An Zhenzhen’s recent interactions as an attempt to pursue him. An Zhenzhen tries to clarify the situation, but Qiu Qian firmly insists she stop. The following day, while sharing a meal with An Zhenzhen and Qi Shuo, Qiu Qian seeks advice on how to confess to Jiang Ling, praising his handsome looks and charming smile.
Their conversation is interrupted by Qiu Qian's persistent admirer, nicknamed "The Chicken Cutlet Guy." With her friends' help, Qiu Qian manages to evade him and sets off to find Jiang Ling. Qiu Qian soon finds Jiang Ling and attempts to invite him to lunch, but he politely declines. Her hopes are dashed further when she discovers he is writing a novel featuring a character named "Zhenzhen," a revelation that immediately makes her suspect Jiang Ling might like An Zhenzhen.
Later in class, Qiu Qian passes a note to An Zhenzhen, leading to a tense exchange about the novel. Their teacher, noticing their distraction, reprimands them, and Qi Shuo, who was acting as their messenger, is sent to stand at the back of the classroom. After class, Qiu Qian is still upset and demands an explanation. An Zhenzhen attempts to pacify her by strategically showering her with compliments, praising her beauty, personality, and talent.
Appeased by the flattery, Qiu Qian asks An Zhenzhen to invite Jiang Ling to dinner that night so they can all get to know each other better. Before the dinner, Jiang Ling reminds An Zhenzhen to keep her lottery ticket safe. An Zhenzhen, reluctantly fulfilling Qiu Qian's request, invites Jiang Ling to a group dinner, emphasizing that her friend Qiu Qian wants to get to know him.
Jiang Ling initially declines, claiming he isn't hungry, but An Zhenzhen's persistent and dramatic pleas eventually persuade him. The four of them—An Zhenzhen, Jiang Ling, Qiu Qian, and Qi Shuo—head to a noodle shop. At the table, An Zhenzhen introduces Qiu Qian to Jiang Ling, but Qiu Qian takes over, enthusiastically introducing herself and expressing a strong "connection" with Jiang Ling, even envisioning a future together. Jiang Ling, however, is distant and unresponsive towards Qiu Qian, barely acknowledging her presence.
An Zhenzhen tries to cover for his coldness by fabricating an excuse about him having a cold and being warm-hearted, which Jiang Ling attempts to correct. Qiu Qian grows increasingly frustrated by Jiang Ling's aloofness throughout the meal. Following the awkward dinner, Qiu Qian, in retaliation for Jiang Ling's aloofness and her suspicions about his feelings for An Zhenzhen, secretly photocopies and circulates copies of Jiang Ling's novel around the school.
The novel features a character also named "Zhenzhen," a name similar to An Zhenzhen's but spelled with a different character. An Zhenzhen is bewildered and upset by the circulation of the novel, dismissing it as a childish prank and denying that the story could possibly be about her. Meanwhile, in 2024, Jiang Ling visits a bank, eagerly anticipating the lottery winnings he believed his past self had secured.
He is delighted to discover a fixed deposit account containing 200,000 yuan, accumulated with 12 years of interest. He immediately activates the account and transfers the funds. Overjoyed, he goes shopping before visiting his aunt. During their conversation, his aunt reveals that she was the one who deposited the 200,000 yuan in his account years ago, having kept it a secret to prevent him from spending it recklessly.
This revelation comes after Jiang Ling expresses his long-held frustrations about his aunt’s past interference in his life choices, specifically her insistence that he study science over liberal arts and pursue a "proper" job instead of writing. His aunt apologizes for pushing him to follow in his deceased mother’s footsteps as a physics teacher. Jiang Ling's hopes are shattered as he realizes his belief about the lottery winnings was entirely mistaken.
Back in 2012, An Zhenzhen calls Jiang Ling (from 2024), confirming she paid the electricity bill as instructed and still has the lottery ticket. The call abruptly cuts off. In 2024, Jiang Ling, hearing the disconnection, plunges deeper into despair, concluding that miracles simply do not happen.
In 2012, a power outage causes Jiang Ling’s aunt to fall and injure her back, an incident that Jiang Ling (from 2024) had subtly warned his past self about by emphasizing the importance of paying the electricity bill. On the day of the lottery drawing, An Zhenzhen anxiously checks her ticket but discovers that none of her numbers match, leaving her disheartened and questioning the validity of the future information she received.
In 2024, overwhelmed by the compounded disappointments, Jiang Ling finds himself on a rooftop, contemplating suicide. Debt collectors arrive, desperately seeking their money, but they are too terrified to approach as Jiang Ling threatens to jump, declaring that there are "no miracles left." At this critical moment, An Zhenzhen from 2012 calls him, expressing her disappointment about the failed lottery numbers.
Drunk and despairing, Jiang Ling reveals he is on the rooftop, initially trying to dismiss his presence as simply getting "fresh air" and "looking at the moon." An Zhenzhen, however, quickly understands his suicidal intent and desperately pleads with him not to jump, offering to help him rectify any mistakes.
In his state of inebriation, Jiang Ling blurts out a shocking truth: An Zhenzhen has no future because she will die before the college entrance exam, meaning she has less than 100 days to live. He confesses that he lied about knowing her future, insisting that everything has changed and that he can't save her, nor can she save him. He then abruptly says "Goodbye" and hangs up, leaving An Zhenzhen in a state of terror and disbelief.
Devastated by the news of her impending death, An Zhenzhen returns home deeply distressed and unable to speak. Her mother, concerned by her daughter's unusual behavior, tries to comfort her, mistaking An Zhenzhen's profound sadness for academic pressure. An Zhenzhen tearfully tells her mother that she doesn't want to leave her, while Jiang Ling's words about her having no future echo relentlessly in her mind.
Episode 4 Recap
An Zhenzhen woke from a restless sleep, visibly troubled by the knowledge of her impending death revealed in the previous episode. The next morning, she asked her father to spend more time with her, lamenting his frequent work travels.
As her father drove her to school, An Zhenzhen was unusually anxious, constantly reminding him to drive carefully, maintain a safe speed, and watch out for other vehicles, explaining that the approaching 100-day countdown to the college entrance exam made her feel immense pressure and a need to avoid all risks. Her father noted her uncharacteristic quietness and jumpiness. Upon arriving at school, An Zhenzhen continued to be on edge, startled by every small movement and sound.
Her behavior caught the attention of Teacher Liu, who questioned class monitor Gu Ming about An Zhenzhen's recent change. Gu Ming suggested that An Zhenzhen was likely under extreme academic pressure, possibly suppressing her feelings, and offered to keep a closer eye on her. An Zhenzhen remained hyper-vigilant throughout the day, her anxiety deepening when she realized Jiang Ling was absent from school.
Her mind raced, wondering if he had disappeared and if the future Jiang Ling's attempted suicide had impacted the present. During a class, her fears culminated in a vivid hallucination where the teacher's voice became distorted, telling her she was dead, had no future, and couldn't be saved, while also hearing a voice claiming rebirth. The illusion only broke when the class bell rang.
Still concerned about Jiang Ling, she asked Gu Ming about his whereabouts, but the class monitor gently steered her back to focusing on her studies and the looming college entrance exam, stressing its importance for their futures. An Zhenzhen felt a profound sense of despair, believing that her future was nonexistent and that the timeline of her future self was influencing the present. Just as she was grappling with these thoughts, Jiang Ling suddenly appeared.
An Zhenzhen pulled Jiang Ling aside, initially wanting to scold him for his absence but ultimately holding back. Jiang Ling explained that a power outage the previous night led to his aunt falling and injuring her back, requiring him to stay with her. An Zhenzhen then remembered a detail from her call with future Jiang Ling, mentioning that "Lao Jiang" had asked her to remind him to pay the electricity bill.
Jiang Ling was surprised by this seemingly personal knowledge, wondering if the mysterious caller was indeed his future self. They discussed the lottery numbers future Jiang Ling had given her, which hadn't won, leading them to ponder whether their two timelines truly couldn't influence each other, citing Hawking's theory of an invisible energy preventing changes to the universe's trajectory. Jiang Ling, however, was more interested in the identity and purpose of this "Lao Jiang."
When Jiang Ling asked about his future self and his aunt's well-being, An Zhenzhen, hesitant to reveal the full truth, told him he would become a very successful writer, perhaps facing only minor financial difficulties. But when he pressed her about her own future, An Zhenzhen bravely admitted that she would die before the college entrance exam.
Jiang Ling was taken aback, immediately offering to treat her to meals and encouraging her to live the rest of her life to the fullest and seek happiness, dismissing the phone call as potentially a scam. An Zhenzhen, still haunted by her hallucination, questioned if they would have a future together. Jiang Ling then offered to buy her snacks, and as they ate, An Zhenzhen shared her unfulfilled dreams, like owning a kitten and visiting Disneyland.
Jiang Ling promised to experience these things for her, even taking her photo with him if she were gone, but An Zhenzhen playfully insisted he take her in person if she survived. Finally, An Zhenzhen urged Jiang Ling to persevere in the future, no matter what difficulties he faced, and to live well for his dreams.
Time then shifted to twenty-four years later, where Jiang Ling woke from a drunken stupor, having been saved by some individuals from what he thought was a fall. He was given noodles by a man who called him a "great writer" and told him to cherish his life, then assigned him work as a delivery driver with a new motorcycle.
Jiang Ling, now working diligently and no longer lost in fantasies, found himself delivering a document to his old high school. He approached the entrance, seeking Teacher Liu Yaru, and was greeted by You Lifeng, the familiar security guard, who was surprised to see him. Jiang Ling, an alumnus, reminisced about the old food stalls around the school, learning they were gone because the vendors had aged or the younger generation couldn't handle the work.
You Lifeng shared how he used to chase the vendors away but now felt an unexpected emptiness in their absence. Jiang Ling asked to look around the unchanged school grounds. As he walked through the familiar campus, memories of An Zhenzhen and their time together flooded his mind. Suddenly, An Zhenzhen, in her own time, received a phone call from the future Jiang Ling.
Shocked, she asked if he was real, confirming he was alive and hadn't jumped from the building as she had feared. She expressed her immense terror and demanded an explanation for his mysterious "death" and reappearance. Future Jiang Ling reaffirmed that he had not lied about their previous calls. An Zhenzhen then pressed him for details about her own death, specifically how she would die before the college entrance exam.
Future Jiang Ling admitted he didn't know the specifics, only that she had died at school. Distraught, An Zhenzhen pleaded with him to investigate further, hoping to find a way to change her fate and realize her dreams, despite their previous belief that timelines couldn't be influenced. Future Jiang Ling, hearing her earnest plea, promised to do everything he could to save her.
Episode 5 Recap
As An Zhenzhen had just learned that Jiang Ling from 2024 did not jump off the building and could help her investigate the cause of her death, she was very excited. While Jiang Ling was asleep, Qiu Qian secretly placed a confession note on a drink bottle on his desk, observing. An Zhenzhen, overwhelmed with excitement, went to wake the sleeping Jiang Ling, causing the drink and note to fall to the floor unnoticed by the waking Jiang Ling.
Qiu Qian, who had been watching, saw An Zhenzhen disrupt her confession and developed a strong resentment towards An Zhenzhen and Jiang Ling's apparent closeness. Jiang Ling from 2024 then went to An Zhenzhen's home to investigate any clues. He spoke with An Zhenzhen's mother, who showed him An Zhenzhen's room. Afterward, Jiang Ling sought out Qi Shuo, a former classmate of An Zhenzhen, to inquire about Qiu Qian.
Qi Shuo revealed that while he hadn't been in touch with Qiu Qian for a long time, he knew her whereabouts. He also mentioned that Qiu Qian used to pursue Jiang Ling. Back in 2012, Qiu Qian was very angry with An Zhenzhen and ignored her, despite An Zhenzhen's continuous attempts to reconcile. An Zhenzhen later noticed an unknown substance in her water cup.
Remembering that she would die before the college entrance exam, she suspected someone was trying to poison her. She asked the dorm supervisor and her roommates, but no one could provide any information, and the supervisor dismissed it as limescale. That night, An Zhenzhen woke up thirsty and discovered a medicine bottle containing white powder in Qiu Qian's cabinet. Alarmed, she watched as Qiu Qian woke up, took the bottle, and displayed a frightening expression, which terrified An Zhenzhen.
The next day, after class, An Zhenzhen pulled Jiang Ling aside and told him she suspected someone in the dorm was trying to poison her, also mentioning Qiu Qian's recent strange behavior. An Zhenzhen attempted to call Jiang Ling from 2024 for help but realized it was a sunny day, meaning Jiang Ling from 2012 answered the call instead. Based on Qi Shuo's information, Jiang Ling from 2024 found Qiu Qian performing at a bar to make a living.
Qiu Qian feigned not knowing him, but Jiang Ling's probing questions, including a mention of her past with "Chicken Cutlet Guy" as heard from An Zhenzhen, nearly made her reveal something. Just as Jiang Ling was about to press further, a customer appeared, and Qiu Qian's demeanor instantly changed to an enthusiastic smile as she left with him. Jiang Ling later revisited Qi Shuo, seeking a way to get closer to Qiu Qian, who had been uncooperative.
Qi Shuo suggested seeking help from Gu Ming, their former class monitor, who was now very successful, even holding a PhD. Qi Shuo also described Qiu Qian's current lifestyle, associating with "sketchy people," smoking, drinking, and having boyfriends. Jiang Ling also mentioned he was writing a novel based on An Zhenzhen to get Qi Shuo's help.
Meanwhile, Jiang Ling from 2012 was eating noodles at a roadside stall when he overheard some young men talking about hitting on An Zhenzhen and Qiu Qian. Annoyed, Jiang Ling confronted and fought them. Afterward, Jiang Ling had a conversation with their class monitor, Gu Ming, who bought him noodles. Gu Ming talked about his aspirations to study quantum physics in Beijing and noted Jiang Ling's interest in literature and his recent closeness with An Zhenzhen.
In the dorm, Qiu Qian's vanity and constant bragging led to her being ignored by everyone except An Zhenzhen. An Zhenzhen persisted in trying to reconcile with Qiu Qian, but Qiu Qian kept avoiding her. Feeling disheartened, An Zhenzhen returned to the dorm and saw old volleyball team photos in Qiu Qian's cabinet, recalling Qiu Qian's care for her during their time on the team. As An Zhenzhen was putting the photos back, Qiu Qian returned and noticed them.
Seeing the photos, Qiu Qian remembered their good times together and finally agreed to talk. During a thunderstorm, An Zhenzhen contacted Jiang Ling from 2024, telling him about Qiu Qian's recent behavior. Jiang Ling told An Zhenzhen about Qiu Qian's future, revealing that she would be dancing in a nightclub and that she had been hiding something. An Zhenzhen was shocked to learn about Qiu Qian's future.
Episode 6 Recap
An Zhenzhen, growing increasingly anxious due to dangerous new leads from Old Jiang, seeks out Jiangling. Having heard he knows martial arts, she asks him to teach her self-defense. Jiangling agrees and demonstrates several moves, including a chokehold and a finger-bending technique. An Zhenzhen, desiring a move to instantly subdue an opponent, attempts a more complex throw.
During the practice, she accidentally falls on top of Jiangling, creating an awkward moment before he breaks the tension by claiming to be hungry and leaving. Later, after finding a lipstick in her husband's bag, An Zhenzhen's mother urges him to pay more attention to their daughter, whose grades are a concern. She mentions exploring a sports scholarship option if An Zhenzhen can meet the 800-meter qualifying time, despite An Zhenzhen only playing volleyball.
Separately, Teacher Liu confronts An Zhenzhen about her frequent tardiness for evening study, reminding her of the impending college entrance exam. An Zhenzhen claims she was exercising, but Teacher Liu expresses concern about her focus and suggests she study more with Gu Ming. An Zhenzhen then confides a premonition that she might not be able to take the exam, which Teacher Liu dismisses as stress.
After school, Qiu Qian invites An Zhenzhen to a bubble tea shop, where she confronts An Zhenzhen about her increasing closeness with Jiangling. She accuses An Zhenzhen of deliberately trying to win his favor and making him dislike Qiu Qian, especially since Qiu Qian had already expressed her own interest in him. Qiu Qian demands that An Zhenzhen stay away from Jiangling to preserve their friendship. An Zhenzhen refuses, explaining she needs his help for reasons she cannot disclose.
Qiu Qian dismisses this and accuses An Zhenzhen of being manipulative, citing instances like frequent calls to Jiangling, her behavior at the noodle stand, and a note she believes An Zhenzhen left on her milk. An Zhenzhen denies knowledge of the note and expresses hurt that Qiu Qian perceives her this way, revealing her own silent suffering.
In desperation, An Zhenzhen blurts out that she might "be about to die," but Qiu Qian dismisses it as a scare tactic and calls her selfish. Deeply wounded, Qiu Qian throws down a Monchichi doll, a symbol of their friendship, and tells An Zhenzhen to disappear from her life forever. Overwhelmed, An Zhenzhen walks heedlessly through the streets and is nearly hit by a car at an intersection, but Jiangling swiftly intervenes and saves her.
The next day, An Zhenzhen thanks him for his rescue. Later, at a bar, a friend points out that a man named Jin is watching Qiu Qian. Qiu Qian dismisses him as strange, but Jin approaches her, jokingly asking her to be his girlfriend. The next day at school, the tension between An Zhenzhen and Qiu Qian is palpable. The school then announces sports recruitment.
An Zhenzhen is dismayed to learn from class monitor Gu Ming that her name is on the list for the 800-meter test, realizing her father likely signed her up without her consent. She expresses a fatalistic belief that she will die from physical collapse after the race. Hearing her concerns, Jiangling volunteers to sign up as well and offers to train with her. They begin rigorous training, with Jiangling motivating her with promises of hot pot.
After a session, they visit a noodle shop, where Qiu Qian passes by and sees them together. Shortly after, Qiu Qian is harassed by Jin. From a distance, An Zhenzhen observes Qiu Qian's troubled interaction with these "shady characters" and worries that her own actions might have contributed to Qiu Qian's bleak future. Years later, in 2024, Qiu Qian is violently attacked by a group of women. Jiangling appears, scaring them off, and comforts her.
Qiu Qian acknowledges that Jiangling found her because of An Zhenzhen but admits she doesn't know the specifics of what happened, as their friendship had waned by the end of their senior year. Jiangling presses her to recall any unusual behavior or particularly close relationships An Zhenzhen had before the college entrance exam. Qiu Qian reveals that the only person An Zhenzhen was truly close to at that time was their class monitor, Gu Ming.
Episode 7 Recap
An Zhenzhen contacted Lao Jiang, asking about Qiu Qian's future well-being and if he could offer help. Lao Jiang advised her to focus on her own situation but promised to assist Qiu Qian, theorizing their predicament could be a "space-time chain reaction." He relayed a message from the future Qiu Qian: in the final months of senior year, An Zhenzhen and Gu Ming had become unusually close. An Zhenzhen found this perplexing.
Though they were desk mates, she had always felt closer to Qi Shuo and Qiu Qian. Suspecting Gu Ming might be involved in her fate, she resolved to investigate him, prompting Lao Jiang to warn her to be cautious. During class, An Zhenzhen was lost in thought observing Gu Ming when her teacher, Ms. Liu, reprimanded her for not paying attention. Assuming An Zhenzhen had a crush, Ms. Liu called Gu Ming to her office.
Gu Ming clarified they were just friends and that An Zhenzhen's father, a family friend, had asked him to supervise her studies. He assured Ms. Liu he understood the importance of their exams and would help An Zhenzhen focus. Later, Gu Ming apologized to An Zhenzhen for the trouble and offered to tutor her, much to her surprise. Jiangling took An Zhenzhen to the track for training, but the rigorous exercises left her exhausted.
Discouraged, she felt she wasn't suited for the sports program and called her father to quit. Her father, who was in a car with Qi Shuo's sister, dismissed her concerns, revealing he had already used his connections. He explained she only needed to meet the minimum requirements for a local teachers' college, and he would handle the rest, telling her not to worry about "adult business."
In the same car, Qi Shuo's sister complained that he hadn't helped her brother, who wanted to be an actor. He replied that his connections were limited to sports but promised to look into it. To encourage a disheartened An Zhenzhen, Jiangling took her to meet his aunt, a former athlete. His aunt advised that while there were no shortcuts, consistent training in cardio, lower-body strength, and getting a proper pair of running shoes would be beneficial.
Meanwhile, Ms. Liu caught Qi Shuo sleeping in class and demanded to see his guardian. His sister arrived, explaining their parents had passed away and she had raised him alone. She discussed Qi Shuo's dream of attending film school, which she deemed impractical given his grades. Hearing about the sports recruitment program and how another student (An Zhenzhen) had allegedly gotten in through influence, she urged Ms. Liu to sign Qi Shuo up.
Overhearing the conversation, Qi Shuo confronted his sister, insisting he only wanted to be an actor. She tearfully argued that his dream was unrealistic for people like them who lacked "talent and connections," reminding him of their years of hardship and a previously failed arts exam. Deciding to help his sister, Qi Shuo abandoned his dream and joined An Zhenzhen and Jiangling at the track, announcing he had also signed up for sports recruitment.
As they trained, Qi Shuo struggled immensely while An Zhenzhen, now more disciplined, performed with surprising ease, leaving him impressed by her progress. Years later, in 2024, Gu Ming visited An Zhenzhen's mother, Mrs. An, bringing groceries and helping around the house. Mrs. An expressed her gratitude for his years of support, calling him her "godson."
Jiangling's unexpected arrival surprised Gu Ming, triggering a flashback to high school when An Zhenzhen had happily abandoned his tutoring session to train with Jiangling. Both men declined Mrs. An's dinner invitation and left together. Outside, Jiangling revealed he was writing a novel based on An Zhenzhen's case and asked Gu Ming if he knew the real reason for her death. Gu Ming evasively replied that she was likely overwhelmed by pressure and "couldn't see a way out."
Episode 8 Recap
After intense training, An Zhenzhen finally achieves the qualifying standard in a practice run for her physical education exam. Overjoyed, she celebrates enthusiastically. Jiangling, witnessing her happiness, feels a connection, though both subtly conceal their feelings. Later, An Zhenzhen invites Jiangling and Qi Shuo to celebrate over a meal. Years later, in 2024, Lao Jiang and Qi Shuo share a meal of hot pot and beer. Lao Jiang teases the tipsy Qi Shuo, telling him he needs to exercise more.
Lao Jiang then reveals he is writing a novel based on An Zhenzhen, with plans to adapt it into a screenplay and cast Qi Shuo in a role, an idea Qi Shuo scoffs at as unrealistic. Changing the subject, Lao Jiang recounts how he saw the class monitor, Gu Ming, at An Zhenzhen's mother's house, acting very attentive and handling all the groceries.
Lao Jiang then presses Qi Shuo for details about the PE exam day, but Qi Shuo is evasive, insisting nothing happened and that he's already told him everything before hurrying off. That night, An Zhenzhen dreams vividly of winning a race with her father cheering her on. She awakes to thunder and receives a call from Lao Jiang, who has breaking news and needs to sync information with her.
On the day of the formal physical education exam, Jiangling helps the teacher organize the students for the bus. Qi Shuo arrives, bringing a pair of shoes for the exam and greeting his sister, who is also present. Meanwhile, An Zhenzhen frantically searches for her exam admission ticket. Jiangling rushes to help her look, suggesting she check her jacket pockets. As time ticks away, the teachers grow anxious.
Gu Ming offers to go look for An Zhenzhen, but Qi Shuo's sister volunteers, stating it would be more convenient for her to enter the girls' dorm. An Zhenzhen eventually finds her ticket in a basket with Jiangling's help, but they discover the equipment room they are in is locked from the outside. The teacher announces they cannot wait any longer, and the bus departs without An Zhenzhen.
Trapped, An Zhenzhen laments that Lao Jiang's prediction of an accident on the test day has come true. Jiangling tries to comfort her and spots a high window. As he helps her onto a stool to climb out, a security guard, You Lifeng, arrives and unlocks the door, reprimanding them and misinterpreting their actions as dating. They run out only to see the bus driving away.
Jiangling spots an electric bike nearby and urges An Zhenzhen to hop on so they can chase the bus. An Zhenzhen's mother waits anxiously at the exam site and is distressed when her daughter isn't on the bus. Meanwhile, Jiangling, speeding to the venue with An Zhenzhen, is pulled over by a traffic police officer. Upon learning An Zhenzhen is rushing to her PE exam, the officer kindly escorts them, and they arrive just in time.
At the exam site, An Zhenzhen realizes she forgot her shoes. The class monitor, Gu Ming, approaches and gives her a pair, saying his aunt had specially prepared them for her. An Zhenzhen starts her 800-meter race, running strong and holding the lead. However, mid-race, the shoelace on the new shoes suddenly breaks, causing her to lose her footing, twist her ankle, and fall.
As another runner is about to step on her, Jiangling dives and pushes An Zhenzhen out of the way, preventing a more severe injury. He then carries the injured An Zhenzhen to the infirmary and subsequently to the hospital. At the hospital, An Zhenzhen's parents arrive. Her father is especially incredulous about the broken shoelace, as he had just bought her new shoes himself. Tired of her parents' bickering, An Zhenzhen asks for a moment alone.
Jiangling, having retrieved An Zhenzhen's shoe, shows her that the shoelace has clearly been cut. He then presents the shoe to her parents, introducing himself. Later, An Zhenzhen receives another call from Lao Jiang. He informs her that he followed Qi Shuo to a kindergarten where he picked up a child, finding his behavior strange and warning An Zhenzhen to be careful.
An Zhenzhen then asks Lao Jiang about her parents' future, confiding her fear that their constant arguments will lead to their separation. Lao Jiang reluctantly admits the truth: in the future, he has visited her home twice and only ever saw her mother, never her father. Heartbroken, An Zhenzhen begins to cry. Her mother enters and comforts her, saying the exam results don't matter and takes the blame for the incident, saying she should have checked the shoes.
An Zhenzhen asks about her father, and her mother replies he is busy working overtime. An Zhenzhen expresses her sadness that her father is always so busy and questions if he still cares about their family, which her mother vehemently denies. As the episode concludes, a voice resolves to uncover the truth behind who sabotaged An Zhenzhen.
Episode 9 Recap
An Zhenzhen returned home with her mother's help, moving slowly due to her injured foot. Her mother settled her on the sofa, suggesting An Zhenzhen watch TV while she prepared something to eat. Soon after, An Zhenzhen's father arrived, asking about her foot and if she could forgive him for the shoes. An Zhenzhen then found a necklace in her father's bag.
To foster her parents' relationship, she immediately presented it to her mother, acting as if it were a gift from her father. Her father, startled, had no choice but to claim it was meant as a surprise for her mother and admonished Zhenzhen for going through his belongings. An Zhenzhen insisted he put the necklace on her mother, but her mother commented it was more suitable for younger people and suggested more expensive, elegant jewelry like Cartier.
An Zhenzhen’s father promised to buy a gift for her mother’s birthday next year, but An Zhenzhen pressed for gifts on every holiday. Before falling asleep, An Zhenzhen asked her mother if their family would always be together and happy, to which her mother reassured her. Later that night, An Zhenzhen’s mother returned the necklace to her father, acknowledging it wasn't meant for her and telling him to give it to its intended recipient.
She then instructed him to take Zhenzhen to school the following day. The next day, as Qiu Qian headed to school, she was intercepted by someone who revealed they knew where she lived, remarking that it was "not exactly a mansion." They then demanded she either become their girlfriend or pay them 1,314 yuan as hush money, threatening to expose her secret if she refused.
Meanwhile, An Zhenzhen arrived at school in a wheelchair, which Jiang Ling explained belonged to his aunt. As they entered morning study, they were late. Gu Ming, the class monitor, ordered them to stand at the back according to class rules. Jiang Ling vehemently refused, citing An Zhenzhen's injured leg and questioning Gu Ming’s insensitivity. This sparked a heated argument, with Jiang Ling accusing Gu Ming of being "insane" for enforcing such rules on an injured classmate.
Other students observed the scene, speculating that An Zhenzhen and Jiang Ling were "definitely a real couple," which further deepened Qiu Qian's misunderstanding. Teacher Liu intervened, summoning both Jiang Ling and Gu Ming to her office. She expressed understanding for Gu Ming, noting his mother's worsening condition and offering school support, which he politely declined. Teacher Liu then instructed Gu Ming to look after Jiang Ling, whom she admitted she didn't fully understand.
She asked Jiang Ling why he provoked Gu Ming and instructed him to write an 800-word self-criticism by the end of the school day. Later, Xiaoxin returned Qi Shuo's shoes, thanking him and stating their team won because of them. An Zhenzhen noticed Qi Shuo's shoes were identical to her own. Jiang Ling began investigating who tampered with An Zhenzhen's shoes.
He questioned Gu Ming about the equipment room, where An Zhenzhen’s shoes were, and implied suspicion since Gu Ming had handled them. Gu Ming argued that he had nothing to gain from such an act. However, Jiang Ling countered that Gu Ming's apparent uninvolvement, despite being connected to every incident, was suspicious. Gu Ming then recalled that on the day of the exam, he had been waiting for An Zhenzhen at the school gate.
When it was time to leave, Qi Shuo's sister offered to look for An Zhenzhen and Jiang Ling in the girls' dormitory, stating it would be easier for her. Days passed. One morning, An Zhenzhen arrived at school in her father’s car with her mother. At the school gate, she saw Qi Shuo with his sister. An Zhenzhen's gaze fell upon Qi Shuo's sister and the necklace hanging around her neck—the very one her father had brought home.
An Zhenzhen started to approach, but her mother pulled her back, seemingly already aware of the situation. During class, An Zhenzhen was deeply distracted, unable to focus. Her mind replayed the image of the necklace on Qi Shuo’s sister, and she worried about her family. When called upon to answer a question, she mistakenly referred to a biology textbook in physics class, leading the teacher to ask her to stand and reflect.
Later, during lunch, An Zhenzhen learned from Jiang Ling that it was Qi Shuo's sister who had come looking for them on the day of the physical exam when they were locked in the equipment room. This information, combined with seeing the necklace, further unsettled An Zhenzhen, cementing her suspicion about her father's infidelity. After school, An Zhenzhen took a taxi home and found the house empty. Her mother arrived shortly after, explaining she had recently started working.
An Zhenzhen asked about her father's whereabouts. Her mother claimed he was on a business trip to Hangzhou and would be back in a few days. An Zhenzhen, suspicious, checked her father's clothes and realized many of them were missing from his wardrobe, confirming her mother's lie. Her mother, sensing An Zhenzhen's discovery, quickly called her husband, urging him to "come back right away" as their daughter "might have discovered something."
At dinner, An Zhenzhen’s father returned, but when asked about his business trip, he stated he went to Shanghai, directly contradicting his wife's earlier claim. Hearing this, An Zhenzhen lost her appetite and angrily left the table. Later that night, An Zhenzhen, unable to sleep, opened her door and found herself seemingly transported to a stage. On the stage, her father was engaged in a work discussion with a woman.
Episode 10 Recap
An Zhenzhen jolted awake in her bed, realizing she had been dreaming, a terrifying nightmare that felt real. The next morning, rain poured from the sky. Zhenzhen sat listlessly in the car, barely registering her father’s words. After arriving at school, she found a secluded spot and called Lao Jiang, asking about Qi Shuo’s sister, Qi Yan.
Lao Jiang revealed that while he was following Qi Shuo, he saw him pick up a child from a kindergarten, and the child called Qi Shuo "uncle." Zhenzhen immediately concluded that Qi Yan had a child, and that her father and Qi Yan were married, deepening her anguish. Elsewhere, Zhenzhen’s parents were discussing the situation, with her mother seemingly tired of the pretense, suggesting they tell Zhenzhen, but her father insisted on keeping it secret a little longer.
Back at school, Zhenzhen found Jiang Ling and confided in him about her family situation. She revealed that the shoes her father claimed were for her were actually from "that woman," and the necklace was also intended for her. Zhenzhen identified the woman as Qi Yan, Qi Shuo’s sister and her father's colleague, suspecting they had been having an affair for some time. She pleaded with Jiang Ling to help her confirm her suspicions with her own eyes.
Jiang Ling agreed, and they followed Zhenzhen's father and Qi Yan to a restaurant. Zhenzhen watched them, heartbroken, explaining to Jiang Ling that this particular restaurant was her family’s favorite place, a spot where they had shared many happy meals. Seeing her father and Qi Yan laughing and enjoying themselves in such a significant place shattered Zhenzhen's composure. She broke down, questioning why everything had changed and why nothing was as she had imagined.
Overwhelmed, she tried to flee but stumbled due to her foot injury. Jiang Ling, seeing her distress, urged her to leave. Zhenzhen and Jiang Ling missed evening self-study while tracking her father. Upon their return, their teacher, Liu Yaru, summoned them to her office. She expressed anger, having heard "things" about them, and asked if they were in a "premature relationship." Jiang Ling was dismissed first, told to write a self-criticism.
Liu Yaru then confronted Zhenzhen, emphasizing the negative impact their perceived relationship had on the class, urging her to focus on her studies and threatening to call her parents if the behavior continued. Zhenzhen insisted she had done nothing wrong, but the teacher warned her against any further distractions. Returning to the classroom, Zhenzhen called Qi Shuo out.
She asked if they were friends, then bluntly told him that his sister, Qi Yan, was her father’s mistress and a "homewrecker," accusing her of breaking up her family. Other students overheard, gossiping about Qi Shuo’s sister being a "mistress." Qi Shuo, shocked and defensive, demanded proof, stating his sister wasn't that kind of person. Zhenzhen countered, describing how she had witnessed Qi Yan and her father dining together, laughing and chatting, in her family's favorite restaurant.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Zhenzhen tearfully implored Qi Shuo, as her best friend, to tell his sister to stay away from her father and her family. Qi Shuo left school in distress and confronted Qi Yan, asking if the accusations were true. Qi Yan initially claimed she was only a colleague of Zhenzhen's father, not involved in the way he was suggesting.
When Qi Shuo pressed her about her boyfriend, Qi Yan promised that after the college entrance exam, she would arrange for him to meet her boyfriend. She then asked who told him, and Qi Shuo revealed it was An Zhenzhen. Qi Yan looked him in the eye, earnestly denying she was a homewrecker and pleading for his trust, reiterating her promise to explain everything after the exams. She apologized for neglecting him due to work.
Qi Shuo, visibly touched by his sister's sincerity, reassured her that she was the best person to him and promised to work hard, never to be a burden or let anyone bully her. Qi Yan, in turn, acknowledged his trust and suggested they go to a music festival for the upcoming holiday, successfully deflecting his anger and restoring his faith in her. Meanwhile, Jiang Ling, worried about Zhenzhen, discreetly followed her home to ensure her safety.
After seeing Zhenzhen was safe, Jiang Ling returned home. His aunt informed him that his father had sent money, but Jiang Ling remained nonchalant about it, leaving soon after. Years later, in 2024, Lao Jiang approached Qi Shuo, who was sleeping on a park bench. Lao Jiang, feigning an interest in gathering material for a story, steered the conversation toward An Zhenzhen’s father. Qi Shuo reacted with anger at the mention of the man.
Lao Jiang pressed for details, claiming he needed to understand the "female lead's family background." Qi Shuo bitterly stated that Lao Jiang could just write him off as a "jerk." He recounted how his sister became the subject of widespread gossip because of her relationship with Zhenzhen's father, lamenting that during those years, Qi Yan "never had a single good day." Back in the present, An Zhenzhen entered an empty classroom.
Her mind replayed the painful images of her father and Qi Yan together. She found a bottle of water on a desk, unscrewed it without hesitation, and drank, overwhelmed by a deep sense of loss and pain, unsure of how to cope with her shattered reality.
Episode 11 Recap
After school, Zhenzhen remained disheartened. Upon returning home with her mother, Zhenzhen felt a profound sense of emptiness, thinking about her mother living alone in their large house. She gently asked her mother if she ever felt lonely. Her mother assured her that she was not lonely, having her own life and work, and encouraged Zhenzhen to focus on her studies. The next morning, students were instructed to place their milk money on their desks for collection.
Soon after, an emergency morning assembly was announced. The class monitor, Gu Ming, offered to help Zhenzhen, whose foot was still injured, but she politely declined, saying she felt better. At the assembly, two students, Qiu Qian and Qi Shuo, were noticeably absent. During the proceedings, Teacher Liu Yaru noticed Zhenzhen struggling with her foot. Gu Ming then approached Teacher Liu, requesting permission to escort Zhenzhen back to the classroom, which was granted.
After helping Zhenzhen to her seat, Gu Ming returned to the assembly. Alone in the classroom, Zhenzhen fell asleep on her desk. When the next class began, Gu Ming approached Teacher Liu, informing her that the milk money was missing from the collection envelope. Teacher Liu announced the disappearance to the class, hoping for the money's swift return.
The sports representative then identified four students who were not with the main group during the assembly: Gu Ming, An Zhenzhen, Qiu Qian, and Qi Shuo. Teacher Liu questioned Qi Shuo, who claimed she had diarrhea and was in the bathroom, and Qiu Qian, who stated she had forgotten her uniform jacket and returned to her dorm to retrieve it. Teacher Liu then took the four students to Director Sun's office. In Director Sun's office, the students provided their alibis.
Qi Shuo claimed she had a stomachache, while Qiu Qian stated she had forgotten her uniform. An Zhenzhen explained her foot injury and being escorted back by Gu Ming, who confirmed her account. Director Sun was stern, warning them of severe consequences like expulsion or police involvement if the truth wasn't revealed. Teacher Liu defended her students, expressing her belief in their innocence. Director Sun became furious, accusing Liu Yaru of covering for them.
He canceled her "Outstanding Individual Award" and warned that if the money wasn't recovered, all senior class teachers would face disciplinary action due to an upcoming city-wide evaluation. Director Sun brought school security to search the classroom. During the search, the missing money was discovered inside An Zhenzhen's pencil case. Zhenzhen immediately and repeatedly denied taking the money, claiming she didn't know how it got there. Director Sun, despite her pleas, had her taken away.
Back in the classroom, students debated the situation; some doubted Zhenzhen's guilt due to her good reputation, while others speculated that Qiu Qian, who was also absent, could be the culprit. Qiu Qian reacted angrily to the accusation, vehemently denying any involvement. Later, An Zhenzhen's parents were summoned to the school. The principal explained the serious nature of the theft, noting the significant amount and the potential for police involvement if Zhenzhen did not confess.
In tears, Zhenzhen insisted on her innocence. Her mother vouched for her daughter's character, asking for a thorough investigation. Zhenzhen's father suggested they replace the money to prevent the incident from affecting her upcoming college entrance exams. However, Zhenzhen strongly objected, crying that paying would be an admission of guilt. When An Zhenzhen returned to the classroom, she again maintained her innocence.
Qiu Qian immediately confronted her, questioning why the money was found in her pencil case and remarking that not everyone was as wealthy as Zhenzhen's family. Zhenzhen retorted that she did not take the money and challenged Qiu Qian, pointing out that she herself was late to the assembly. The confrontation escalated, with Zhenzhen suggesting the money could have been planted. The class grew agitated, complaining that they wouldn't receive their milk despite having paid.
To defuse the tension, Jiangling stepped forward and offered to pay for milk for the entire class. This angered Qiu Qian, who accused Jiangling of showing off and insisted Zhenzhen should be the one to return the money. Overwhelmed by the accusations, Zhenzhen angrily left the classroom. After she departed, Jiangling addressed the class, reminding them of their three years as classmates with Zhenzhen and urging them to consider her character before judging.
He specifically called out several students, including Qi Shuo and Gu Ming, for their silence. Later, Jiangling found Zhenzhen and reassured her that he believed in her innocence. At that moment, an administrator arrived to inform Zhenzhen that she was to go home with her parents. Afterward, Gu Ming approached Jiangling and showed him the collection envelope, pointing out a substance on the seal that resembled nail polish.
Episode 12 Recap
An Zhenzhen returned home with her parents, who immediately inquired about the recent events at school. While An Zhenzhen was upset by her parents' apparent suspicion, she explained how the 200 yuan had mysteriously appeared in her pencil case. She recounted going back to the classroom to rest during morning assembly due to leg pain and falling asleep, only to wake up to the class monitor announcing the money was missing. She was certain someone was trying to frame her.
Her father attempted to console her by offering to buy her anything she wanted and take her to a buffet. An Zhenzhen vehemently denied this, reiterating her innocence and questioning if he believed she had stolen the money to buy something. Her mother then subtly questioned if An Zhenzhen had recently offended anyone at school, given that the college entrance exam was approaching, making it an odd time for someone to frame her.
During a thunderstorm, An Zhenzhen called Lao Jiang, asking for an update on the milk fee theft case from twelve years prior. Lao Jiang admitted his memory of the incident was vague but confirmed he was still investigating and vaguely recalled the money being returned. An Zhenzhen shared more details, including that the money went missing during morning assembly, and she, along with Qi Shuo, Gu Ming, and Qiu Qian, were questioned.
She specified that 200 yuan belonging to Qiu Qian was found in her pencil case, leading to her being blamed. She suspected someone had planted it. Lao Jiang then remembered a recent drinking session with Qi Shuo, where a drunken Qi Shuo expressed regret over something he had done to An Zhenzhen, leading Lao Jiang to believe it might be connected to the theft. An Zhenzhen, wondering if it was related to Qi Yan, urged Lao Jiang to investigate further.
Just then, her mother knocked on the door, expressing concern. Later, An Zhenzhen’s parents discussed the situation, with her mother suggesting her father go to school the next day to pay the milk fee to ensure An Zhenzhen could focus on her exams. Her father mused that An Zhenzhen, who had been asking for a new phone, didn't logically need to steal the money.
Lao Jiang, still determined, tried calling Qi Shuo again, but Qi Shuo was evasive and unwilling to discuss the past incident. The narrative shifted to a flashback in 2012. Jiang Ling, upon noticing nail polish on the envelope where the milk fees were kept, suspected Qiu Qian, recalling she had been painting her nails when he collected the money. He later discussed his suspicions with Gu Ming.
Gu Ming raised the possibility that the nail polish could have simply rubbed off from Qiu Qian's nails and urged caution, insisting they shouldn't jump to conclusions or wrongly accuse anyone without further investigation. Jiang Ling blamed himself for being careless and getting An Zhenzhen involved. Gu Ming reassured him, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation to clear An Zhenzhen's name. As they prepared to leave school, Jiang Ling feigned needing to stay behind to covertly follow Qiu Qian.
He witnessed her being harassed by a small-time thug, who demanded money from her while making reference to a "1314 promise." Qiu Qian reluctantly handed over cash. Later, Jiang Ling was at a noodle stall when he received change from the owner, Mr. Kong. He noticed a 10-yuan bill with "Qiu Qian" written on it. When he questioned Mr. Kong about its origin, the owner couldn't recall who gave it to him due to the large number of students.
Jiang Ling requested Mr. Kong to keep an eye out for any more money with similar writing. Back in the present, Lao Jiang located Qi Shuo working as a doorman at the Crown Hotel. Confronting him, Lao Jiang pressed Qi Shuo about the milk fee incident, frustrating Qi Shuo, who complained that Lao Jiang constantly brought up An Zhenzhen. Qi Shuo tried to dismiss Lao Jiang, even threatening to have him thrown out.
Lao Jiang retorted that he was staying at the hotel and threatened to call the police if Qi Shuo didn't reveal what he knew. Qi Shuo, initially defiant, relented when Lao Jiang began dialing. Just then, a celebrity named Yi Nuo emerged from the hotel, drawing a crowd of fans. Amidst the chaos, Qi Shuo seized the opportunity to slip away, leaving Lao Jiang mistaken for a fan and receiving an autograph from Yi Nuo.
At home, An Zhenzhen's father presented her with a new iPhone 4S, something she had wanted. He tried to convey his care, offering to buy her anything and increase her allowance. However, An Zhenzhen's mother interjected, bluntly stating that An Zhenzhen should admit her mistake if she had done something wrong. This infuriated An Zhenzhen, who vehemently denied stealing the money and expressed her heartbreak that her own parents believed she would steal for a phone.
She emphasized that while she could tolerate gossip from classmates, she needed her parents' trust. Her mother reprimanded her for being disrespectful, though An Zhenzhen challenged this. Her mother then tried to pacify her, acknowledging An Zhenzhen's feelings of injustice and promising to go to school the next day to speak with the teacher and ensure a thorough investigation. The following day at school, Ms. Liu called Qiu Qian to her office to discuss the milk money.
Ms. Liu explained her lingering doubts about the situation despite pressure from the school administration and expressed her belief in her students. She noted An Zhenzhen’s recent unusual behavior and asked if Qiu Qian knew anything, but Qiu Qian claimed complete ignorance. An Zhenzhen's mother then arrived, and Qiu Qian was dismissed. An Zhenzhen's mother appealed to Ms. Liu, stressing their family's financial stability and Zhenzhen's character, asking for a more thorough investigation rather than wrongly accusing a child.
Ms. Liu assured her she would investigate thoroughly. Outside the office, Qiu Qian and Qi Shuo conversed nervously. Qiu Qian mentioned An Zhenzhen's mother was demanding a further investigation and that Ms. Liu seemed to believe An Zhenzhen was innocent.
Qi Shuo cautioned Qiu Qian to be careful not to slip up and stick to their pre-arranged story: that Qiu Qian went to the bathroom, and then to the morning meeting, while Qi Shuo claimed he was in the classroom for the morning meeting. Meanwhile, Ms. Liu praised An Zhenzhen's English essay in class, holding it up as an example. Outside, An Zhenzhen's father finalized arrangements to pay for the milk fees.
Soon after, milk was delivered to the classroom, which led students to openly speculate that An Zhenzhen must have stolen the money since her father was paying for everyone's milk. To clear An Zhenzhen's name, Jiang Ling reunited with Gu Ming. Jiang Ling explained their current evidence: the 10-yuan bill with Qiu Qian's name and the nail polish.
He acknowledged the nail polish was direct evidence but questioned why Qiu Qian would spend money with her own name on it if she were the culprit, suggesting someone else might be involved. He also noted that Qiu Qian disliked noodles, which made her spending money at a noodle stall suspicious. Gu Ming then proposed a plan of "psychological warfare." He asked Mr. Kong, the noodle stall owner, to prominently display the 10-yuan bill with "Qiu Qian" written on it.
Gu Ming explained that a criminal would spend such a marked bill in a state of panic, indicating weak nerves. By creating public awareness, they could set a trap for the perpetrator. Jiang Ling admired Gu Ming's reasoning, likening it to a detective novel. Back in the dorm, students continued to gossip about An Zhenzhen. That night, An Zhenzhen returned home unexpectedly, distraught and furious.
She confronted her father, accusing him of making her look like a thief by paying the milk fee. Her father argued he did it to prevent the school from calling the police, but An Zhenzhen countered that a police investigation would have been better than him rushing to condemn her. Her father attempted to downplay the situation, advising her to ignore the gossip and focus on her exams, as it would eventually subside.
However, An Zhenzhen burst out, expressing her deep pain over being treated like a thief and feeling abandoned by her parents. She questioned if they still cared about her or their family, lamenting her father's constant absence and the pretense of their "happy and perfect" family. She declared she no longer felt happy, directly accusing her parents of no longer caring about her or their family.
Episode 13 Recap
Qi Shuo appeared distressed, realizing the money at the noodle stand held a significant clue. Meanwhile, An Zhenzhen's mother grew worried when her calls for breakfast went unanswered. Discovering An Zhenzhen's room empty, she frantically began searching. Feeling increasingly agitated after his actions, Qi Shuo found a note secretly placed in his book by Jiangling, requesting a meeting in the sports room. This further unsettled him, and he sought out Qiu Qian to discuss it.
Qiu Qian, upon seeing the note, immediately left. In the sports room, Qi Shuo, holding a baseball bat, attempted to ambush Jiangling, but Jiangling swiftly overpowered him. As Jiangling confronted Qi Shuo about the stolen milk money, revealing that the noodle stand owner remembered who had given him the 10 yuan, a commotion erupted outside. Cornered, Qi Shuo confessed, admitting that he had framed An Zhenzhen but had not actually taken the money.
An Zhenzhen was standing dangerously on the school rooftop. Below, students and teachers pleaded with her. Teacher Liu rushed to the rooftop, assuring An Zhenzhen that she believed in her innocence and urging her to come down. An Zhenzhen, overwhelmed, initially turned away, but then her face contorted with anger as she recalled a best friend's betrayal, her parents' initial disbelief, classmates' discussions, and her father's betrayal of their family.
She cried out, accusing her friend of being manipulative and scheming, especially in light of her sister's involvement with An Zhenzhen's father, calling her the "most disgusting and shameless person" she had ever met. Just as she prepared to jump, Gu Ming suddenly arrived, shouting that the money had been found. While An Zhenzhen was momentarily stunned, Jiangling quickly ran up and pulled her to safety. Later, Jiangling confronted Qi Shuo, pressing him for his motive in framing An Zhenzhen.
Though Qi Shuo showed signs of distress, he refused to disclose his reasons. Jiangling gave him three days to explain everything to An Zhenzhen himself. An Zhenzhen returned home, where her mother tried to comfort her, but An Zhenzhen expressed that her mother's initial lack of trust had deeply wounded her, despite her mother's protestations of belief. Qi Shuo then spoke with his older sister, Qi Yan, recounting the events surrounding An Zhenzhen and the milk money.
Qi Yan, upon hearing the story, acknowledged An Zhenzhen's difficult situation, understanding that An Zhenzhen was unaware of her parents' divorce and had been unjustly accused by everyone. Qi Yan also confessed to having a relationship with An Zhenzhen's father, which was a source of great complexity. Qi Shuo explained that he couldn't tolerate An Zhenzhen speaking ill of Qi Yan and had wanted An Zhenzhen to experience the feeling of being falsely accused.
He regretted how seriously things had escalated. Qi Yan, while empathetic, emphasized that the truth about her relationship with An Zhenzhen's father would inevitably come to light, making future encounters with An Zhenzhen complicated. She advised Qi Shuo to assist An Zhenzhen and prepare for the difficult conversation that Jiangling had insisted upon, suggesting it was better to face the truth now than prolong the suffering.
Jiangling found himself back at the noodle stand, looking at the empty seat opposite him, clearly missing An Zhenzhen. Meanwhile, An Zhenzhen remained unhappy at home, unable to find joy, particularly when observing her mother, who had initially doubted her. Her mother continued to care for her diligently. Jiangling tried to reach An Zhenzhen by phone, but her line was off. He walked past places they had shared, recalling their time together. Teacher Liu and Gu Ming later visited An Zhenzhen at home, bringing study materials and well-wishes from their classmates, hoping for her swift return to school.
Episode 14 Recap
Qiu Qian made a phone call home, asking her parents for designer clothes and a new phone. However, her mother immediately rebuked her, comparing her unfavorably to her brother, who consistently won academic awards and received their full support. Her mother emphasized that the family's resources were limited and now entirely focused on her brother's future. She told Qiu Qian that if she wanted any financial aid, she must study hard, get into college, and prove her worth.
Hearing her mother’s harsh words, Qiu Qian felt deeply hurt. Meanwhile, Zhenzhen's mother learned from An Jianhua that Qi Shuo was the one who actually took the money. Enraged that her daughter had been framed, she declared her intention to go to the school and demand Qi Shuo's expulsion. An Jianhua tried to calm her, insisting it was just a misunderstanding among children and that Qi Shuo had already apologized.
However, Zhenzhen's mother was furious, accusing An Jianhua of still defending his "little girlfriend" and questioning his heart. An Jianhua reiterated that it was a small prank that spiraled, and that expelling Qi Shuo wouldn't help Zhenzhen. He said the urgent matter was to improve Zhenzhen's situation, as she wouldn't eat or drink. To comfort their daughter, An Jianhua promised to return home before dinner and handle things, indicating he would move back in for a while.
Upon his arrival, he told Zhenzhen he wouldn't be traveling for work anymore due to company changes, giving him time to spend with her. He went into the kitchen, intending to cook a special meal for Zhenzhen. Zhenzhen's mother joined An Jianhua, who awkwardly tried to help, struggling to find basic kitchen items. Despite their efforts to create a harmonious atmosphere, Zhenzhen observed them and felt a pang of sadness, realizing their newfound closeness was merely a facade.
She wished for a truly happy and whole family, but knew those days were long past. Qi Shuo later spoke with his sister, asking if everything was alright between her and Uncle An. He then inquired about An Zhenzhen, noting her prolonged absence from class and expressing his concern that Gu Ming wouldn't tell him anything about her. Privately, Qi Shuo felt he had dodged a confession by Zhenzhen's absence.
In class, students openly discussed Zhenzhen's disappearance, worried about her well-being. Upon hearing Zhenzhen's name, Qi Shuo instinctively lowered his head, unable to meet anyone's gaze, and subtly avoided Jiangling. To avoid Jiangling, Qi Shuo had changed jobs and was now working at a bar. Despite his efforts, Jiangling managed to track him down there, surprised to find him in such a place.
Jiangling pressed him for information about An Zhenzhen, but Qi Shuo insisted he knew nothing, claiming the incident happened twelve years ago and he had his own life to live. While they were talking, they spotted Qiu Qian leaving the bar with a man driving a luxury car. Jiangling pointed her out, commenting that she had stopped studying in her senior year and was hanging out with "bad crowds."
Qiu Qian was later seen in school, being reprimanded by a teacher for wearing makeup, and she argued defiantly. She was also seen arguing with her father about her mother's medical bills, accusing him of gambling away money that could save her mother's life and calling him a terrible husband and father. During roll call, Qiu Qian was recorded absent, and the dorm supervisor commented on her unsuitable appearance for a student.
Gu Ming visited An Zhenzhen at home, bringing her organized study materials and encouraging her to return to school, as the third mock exam was approaching. Zhenzhen thanked him but confessed her fear that classmates would see her as dangerous and not accept her after the extreme incident. Gu Ming reassured her that everyone missed her. Zhenzhen then hesitantly asked if Jiangling had inquired about her.
Gu Ming, looking a little disappointed, advised her to check her phone for messages from her classmates. Later, An Zhenzhen helped her parents make dumplings and decided to return to school the next day, acknowledging that the college entrance exam was near and she couldn't stay home forever. Her parents supported her decision, assuring her they would always be her strongest support if she needed to come back. The next day, An Zhenzhen officially returned to class.
Teacher Liu welcomed her back, publicly apologizing for the unfair treatment Zhenzhen received due to the incident and emphasizing the need for trust and mutual support within the class. A psychologist then led a session on pre-exam psychological adjustment, encouraging students to introspect and strengthen themselves mentally. Throughout the lecture, An Zhenzhen silently observed Jiangling, but he did not approach her, which she found puzzling.
When lunch break arrived, most students left to eat, but An Zhenzhen stayed behind to catch up on missed lessons. When she eventually felt hungry, she went to a noodle stand outside the school. As she ate, Jiangling unknowingly sat down opposite her, having just picked an empty seat. He looked up, surprised to see Zhenzhen. A subtle tension hung between them. Feeling flustered, Zhenzhen quickly got up and ran away.
Later, in class, Zhenzhen received a blue note from Jiangling, arranging a meeting place. Excited, she rushed to meet him after school at "Dream Adventure City." She asked him why he chose blue, and he replied it was his lucky color. They spent the evening playing games, starting with bumper cars, and even discussed trying the pirate ship and claw machines.
Episode 15 Recap
An Zhenzhen and Jiangling spent joyful moments together, starting at a claw machine where An Zhenzhen grew frustrated with the rigged game. They then stumbled upon a "Noodle Champion Challenge," and An Zhenzhen eagerly signed Jiangling up, declaring him "the chosen one." To her delight, he won the contest. As they walked home, Jiangling's aunt spotted them.
Overjoyed to see An Zhenzhen, she insisted she come inside, remarking on how much happier Jiangling had been since An Zhenzhen's return, a welcome change from his usual quiet and gloomy disposition. While his aunt prepared a meal, she sent them up to Jiangling's room. In his room, An Zhenzhen browsed his many books and found a familiar-looking manuscript Jiangling had started but not finished. After reading a passage aloud, she praised his talent and urged him to continue writing.
Jiangling modestly replied that he prefers to take things slowly. Later that night, unable to sleep, An Zhenzhen messaged Jiangling, suggesting they watch the sunrise. They agreed to meet early the next morning. An Zhenzhen left a note for her mother and met up with Jiangling. They rushed to a viewpoint, arriving just in time to see the beautiful layers of the rising sun. As they watched, Jiangling asked An Zhenzhen about her dreams.
Inspired by his passion for writing, she decided she wanted to become an editor—specifically, his editor, to chase him for manuscripts and keep him on schedule. They also reminisced about their first meeting. Jiangling recounted his inner turmoil from that time: feeling a sense of mission when he found her dropped name tag, his panic when she offered him noodles, and his initial instinct to reject her.
He confessed that her persistent presence gradually broke down his defenses and brought happiness into his life. With high school graduation nearing, their teacher announced that students could bring phones to school for two days to take keepsake photos. Their classmate, Qi Shuo, revealed he had a special plan for the class photo. On the day, during the group picture, Qi Shuo instructed everyone to toss something in the air.
Due to height arrangements, the teacher moved An Zhenzhen to stand next to Jiangling. As the photo was taken, the students threw shimmering golden powder into the air, creating a magical moment. The story flashes forward to 2024. An older Jiangling looks at the graduation photo and is suddenly overcome by dizziness as he's pulled into a vivid nightmare.
The dream is a rush of memories: the "cross-time calls" that convinced An Zhenzhen of her fated death before the college entrance exam, and a harrowing image of her jumping from a building. He recalled his desperate fight against this fate, writing a novel to be her savior.
He remembered the trouble that arose when his novel was copied, leading to rumors that he and An Zhenzhen were dating, fueled by a misunderstanding of the character for "Zhen" in their names. He saw her as a fading star burning herself out and himself as a glacier that her warmth had finally touched. In the dream, he reaffirmed his vow to always believe in and save her, no matter the crisis.
Old Jiang jolts awake, relieved it was only a nightmare and affirming that the story they wrote together is the real one. He reassures himself by recalling Stephen Hawking's theory that an invisible energy in the universe prevents timelines from being altered, meaning their two realities cannot influence each other.
Episode 16 Recap
Waking from a dream, Jiang Ling, now an adult, examines old photos, puzzled by some he doesn't recognize or recall having. He decides to visit his former high school, where he is recognized by the security guard and meets his former teacher, Liu Yaru, who is now the principal. Liu Yaru expresses happiness that he visited, noting that few students return.
She reflects that every graduating class feels like a chapter ending, and while teachers hope students grow up happy, they don't expect to be remembered. Jiang Ling congratulates her on her new role, and she explains that she took on administrative work to continue contributing. Jiang Ling then asks about An Zhenzhen, and Principal Liu confirms she remembers her, noting that twelve years have passed.
When Jiang Ling presses for details, Principal Liu states An Zhenzhen's story is complex and cannot be explained briefly. Seemingly reluctant to elaborate, she asks Jiang Ling to leave his number, promising to contact him later, before turning away as he departs. The narrative then shifts back to Jiang Ling's high school years. Jiang Ling arrives home with An Zhenzhen, where his aunt warmly greets them and serves food.
Jiang Ling also cooks for An Zhenzhen, who is captivated by his efforts and praises the meal, surprised he knows how to cook. He explains he learned by helping his aunt at their store, comparing cooking to novel writing, emphasizing the need for patience and control. An Zhenzhen admires his "literary" approach to cooking. After dinner, they discuss literature, specifically Proust's "In Search of Lost Time," which Jiang Ling summarizes as being about "time, memory, and love."
He shares Proust's struggles as a writer, admitting his own desire to become such a devoted writer. An Zhenzhen playfully promises to promote his future masterpiece to make him "both famous and rich," confident in her inherited business talent from her father. Jiang Ling expresses envy for her relationship with her father, to which An Zhenzhen contrasts that she has barely seen her own father.
Jiang Ling then mentions his parents' strained relationship, and An Zhenzhen shares her deepest wish for her parents to stay together. She then expresses her wish for "all my good friends" to return and for their "Three Bouncy group" to never break up, despite her earlier harsh words. Jiang Ling reassuringly tells her that their long-standing friendship is strong enough to endure.
Later, Jiang Ling reaffirms his commitment to finishing his novel, acknowledging it could take a decade or more, just as Proust's masterpiece took 17 years. Back at the dorm, An Zhenzhen observes Qiu Qian silently getting into bed, a clear sign of their ongoing estrangement. The following day, An Zhenzhen, Qiu Qian, and Qi Shuo meet again, but their interaction is awkward; they simply look at each other before walking in different directions.
An Zhenzhen is saddened, recalling the past scene of the three of them making wishes under a tree, when they were inseparable, a stark contrast to their current estranged relationship. Later, Qiu Qian is confronted by two thugs, who seem to be collecting a debt and attempt to drag her away. Jiang Ling and An Zhenzhen arrive on the scene. Jiang Ling quickly intervenes, using his martial arts skills to fight off the thugs.
The police arrive shortly after and apprehend the assailants. An officer commends Jiang Ling for helping but warns him about the legal ramifications of excessive force, advising him to call the police first in similar future situations to avoid committing a crime himself. Jiang Ling assures the officer he understands, then comforts a shaken Qiu Qian, telling her everything is fine.
That night, Jiang Ling and An Zhenzhen have a brief conversation, where An Zhenzhen thanks Jiang Ling for his help earlier, and he reaffirms his role as her "knight" protecting his "princess." Later, An Zhenzhen and Qiu Qian finally talk, leading to a heartfelt reconciliation. An Zhenzhen expresses deep regret for the harsh words exchanged during their previous argument, fearing Qiu Qian's hatred. Qiu Qian reassures her, admitting she never hated An Zhenzhen and always wanted to reconcile.
She confesses that her fear of losing An Zhenzhen, her best friend, especially with Jiang Ling's arrival, fueled her earlier behavior. Qiu Qian reminds An Zhenzhen of their "Three Bouncy group" pact: an unconditional forgiveness for any big mistake, provided someone speaks up first. Both girls promise to never fight again, with Qiu Qian acknowledging her tendency to lash out when in a bad mood.
An Zhenzhen expresses understanding, seeing Qiu Qian's anger as born from fear and care, and admits to having neglected her recently. She shares a newfound realization that life offers second chances, determined to seize this opportunity to live well and cherish everyone around her. Both girls affirm their belief in a bright future for themselves. Back in 2024, the older Jiang Ling is assembling a shelf at home. He receives a text message from Principal Liu, inviting him to meet at the school the following day. As a heavy rain begins to fall, Jiang Ling falls asleep.
Episode 17 Recap
Liu Yaru expressed profound regret over the incident involving An Zhenzhen years ago, stating that it was a huge shock to her. She recounted that the school director had informed her of An Zhenzhen being rushed to the hospital, and by the time she arrived, An Zhenzhen's condition was critical. Liu Yaru reflected that the incident with the stolen milk money marked the beginning of An Zhenzhen's misfortunes.
She admitted that, amidst the intense pressure of college entrance exams at the time, she prioritized the students' studies and failed to firmly believe in An Zhenzhen or consider her feelings, which ultimately contributed to the tragedy. Jiangling consoled Liu Yaru, urging her not to blame herself so heavily after all these years. Liu Yaru then handed Jiangling some items she had confiscated from An Zhenzhen during class, which included messages everyone had written to each other.
Later, Jiangling met with Qi Shuo, showing him some of An Zhenzhen's belongings. Qi Shuo grew agitated, questioning Jiangling's obsession with finding the absolute truth and suggesting that mixing fact with fiction was often better. Jiangling challenged Qi Shuo, asking if he intended to live his entire life being only 30% genuine and 70% fake, always hiding. Provoked, Qi Shuo angrily confessed that he was indeed responsible for An Zhenzhen's death, demanding if Jiangling was now satisfied.
Jiangling calmly informed Qi Shuo that he had found items An Zhenzhen had left for him before her passing. He then gave Qi Shuo an address, instructing him to come meet him there the next day if he still cared. Qi Shuo abruptly left. Jiangling then sought out Qiu Qian and gave her a diary left by An Zhenzhen. He invited her to meet him the following day at the Wishing Tree.
As they discussed the past, a flashback revealed a time when An Zhenzhen, Qiu Qian, Qi Shuo, and Jiangling made wishes together at the Wishing Tree. An Zhenzhen wished for peace and prosperity, Qiu Qian wished for a wealthy and kind husband like Lee Min-ho, and Qi Shuo wished to become a big star after getting into Film Academy. Jiangling commented on how the Wishing Tree didn't seem very effective then.
Jiangling then gave Qiu Qian a letter that An Zhenzhen had written to her years ago. Reading the letter, Qiu Qian became visibly emotional. An Zhenzhen's letter expressed her deep affection for Qiu Qian, recalling their shared moments, like sweating during games and sharing secrets, and reaffirming her role as Qiu Qian's "knight," promising to always protect her, even from unseen places. At the Wishing Tree, Jiangling also gave Qi Shuo a letter from An Zhenzhen.
Reading it, Qi Shuo felt a pang of regret. An Zhenzhen’s letter to Qi Shuo spoke of her belief in his dream of attending film school despite his preoccupation with film magazines, and her underlying admiration for him despite her teasing. She ended the letter with a heartfelt apology for her past behavior, acknowledging that she had taken out her negative feelings on her best friend and hoped that one day they could restore their precious friendship.
Following these revelations, both Qi Shuo and Qiu Qian finally confessed their roles in An Zhenzhen's tragedy. Qi Shuo tearfully apologized to Jiangling for his cowardice and for hiding the truth for twelve years. He admitted that he had deliberately framed An Zhenzhen by planting 200 yuan in her bag. He explained that he did this because An Zhenzhen had accused his sister of being a homewrecker, and he wanted An Zhenzhen to experience being falsely accused.
Qi Shuo recounted his sleepless nights, haunted by the image of An Zhenzhen on the rooftop, and expressed overwhelming guilt. Qiu Qian then confessed that she had witnessed Qi Shuo hiding the money in An Zhenzhen's pencil case. She admitted her own cowardice and fear prevented her from speaking up. She also revealed that she was being extorted by a thug at the time and had considered stealing money. Qi Shuo saw her, and they covered for each other.
As the situation escalated and An Zhenzhen became the suspect, neither of them dared to speak. Qiu Qian expressed profound regret, admitting her cowardice and jealousy contributed to An Zhenzhen's fate. Jiangling acknowledged their confessions, stating that for the knots in their hearts to be untied at this symbolic tree was perhaps the best possible arrangement, and his mission was complete.
He then encouraged both of them to write down everything they wished to tell An Zhenzhen, regardless of whether she could hear them. A flashback to 2012 showed Qiu Qian urging Qi Shuo to reconcile with An Zhenzhen. Qi Shuo, fearful An Zhenzhen wouldn't forgive him and too embarrassed to apologize directly, wrote an apology note intending it as a birthday invitation for An Zhenzhen.
He attempted to place it in An Zhenzhen's book, but it was accidentally knocked to the ground by a returning classmate. Later, Qiu Qian directly approached An Zhenzhen, pressing her to attend Qi Shuo's birthday. An Zhenzhen initially declined, stating she needed to go home to finish her math and physics notes. Qiu Qian persisted, reminding An Zhenzhen of Qi Shuo’s feelings and arguing that his birthday wouldn't be happy without her.
An Zhenzhen, however, remained firm in her decision to go home. Back in 2012, Jiangling and Qi Shuo made plans for Qi Shuo's birthday. Qi Shuo suggested having a barbecue at the Wishing Tree, showcasing his newly learned barbecue skills. Jiangling agreed, and they planned to meet there. On the day of the party, Jiangling waited at the Wishing Tree with a birthday cake for Qi Shuo, who arrived appearing somewhat gloomy. Finally, An Zhenzhen came to celebrate Qi Shuo's birthday, and he was very happy to see her.
Episode 18 Recap
An Zhenzhen, Qi Shuo, and Qiu Qian gather by the wishing tree to celebrate Qi Shuo's birthday. Qiu Qian, carrying a birthday cake and an assortment of snacks, expresses concern about Qi Shuo's somber mood on his special day. An Zhenzhen remarks that she only attended because of Jiangling. After some lighthearted banter and singing "Happy Birthday," Qiu Qian thoughtfully steps away to give An Zhenzhen and Qi Shuo a moment alone.
Taking advantage of their privacy, Qi Shuo sincerely apologizes to An Zhenzhen for his impulsive behavior during their recent argument, admitting he should have treated her better as a friend. An Zhenzhen, in turn, apologizes, revealing that her parents' difficult situation had left her emotionally vulnerable, causing her to lash out at those closest to her. Qi Shuo expresses regret for his harsh words.
As their reconciliation deepens, Qi Shuo begins to mention the "milk money" incident, but Qiu Qian's return interrupts their conversation. However, since they forgave each other, there was no longer any estrangement between them. The next morning, An Zhenzhen suggests they return to the wishing tree at sunrise, believing it will make their wishes more effective, and both Qi Shuo and Qiu Qian readily agree. That same night, amid heavy rain, An Zhenzhen receives a call from Lao Jiang.
Lao Jiang had investigated the milk money incident and was about to tell her the details, but An Zhenzhen stopped him. She tells Lao Jiang that she no longer wishes to uncover the truth, finding the matter too painful, and doesn't want to jeopardize her friendships by pursuing it. She recounts the despair she felt when falsely accused, how her parents doubted her, and how her friends distanced themselves.
She confides that she had considered ending her life on the rooftop and credits "Xiao Jiang" (Jiangling) with saving her. An Zhenzhen expresses profound gratitude to Lao Jiang for connecting her to the 18-year-old Jiangling, who is a truly wonderful person, and for the phone call that empowered her to face her challenges. Lao Jiang, understanding that An Zhenzhen's emotional knot was untied and that her timeline had also changed from the original historical trajectory, did not press further.
As she speaks, their phone connection abruptly severs. Lao Jiang later attempts to fix his phone, believing it to be the cause of his inability to reach An Zhenzhen's number. However, a technician confirms his phone is functional, stating that the specific number Lao Jiang is trying to call is out of service, implying the issue lies elsewhere. Meanwhile, at school, An Zhenzhen notices Jiangling lost in thought during class.
She teases him about his rare daydreaming, to which he responds by pointing out a problematic question on his paper. Because of Jiangling's steadfastness, An Zhenzhen's feelings for him have grown, and their relationship has become much closer. Gu Ming visits Dr. Liu, distressed that his mother is still coughing blood despite her surgery. Dr. Liu explains that the surgery only stabilized her basic vital signs, and a full recovery would require a very long and expensive treatment.
He mentions a promising international medication that costs 10,000 yuan per dose, and that the surgery fee alone would be 1 million yuan. Gu Ming, desperate, promises to find a way to secure the funds. He immediately calls his father, who harshly rejects his plea for money, angrily asking if he owes Gu Ming something and sarcastically suggesting he sell his father for 1 million yuan. Later, An Zhenzhen finds Jiangling alone in the classroom, immersed in his writing.
She praises his clear logic and elegant wording, noting his significant progress and correctly guessing he wrote the manuscript that has been the talk of the class. Jiangling admits he borrowed her name for his protagonist, as she was constantly around him. An Zhenzhen expresses admiration for the manuscript and asks why he stopped writing. Jiangling explains that he believes stories without endings keep readers intrigued, much like life's uncertainties.
An Zhenzhen counters that words hold power and readers can discern sincerity. She expresses a strong desire to follow his story to its conclusion, even if it falters, and requests to see the complete version. Jiangling hesitates, explaining it's an incomplete first draft he left at home, full of inconsistencies. An Zhenzhen insists she can provide valuable reader feedback and suggests he publish it online as a serial to gauge reader reactions, also offering many detailed suggestions.
She highlights a scene where the characters meet at a grand ball years later and dance a captivating tango. Jiangling explains this separation was due to the boy's dream. An Zhenzhen, however, suggests they should not be separated, preferring they remain together in the same city, supporting each other. Jiangling then reads a poignant passage from his novel, describing a quiet boy who silently observes a girl, their paths never truly crossing.
Despite his efforts, he fails to prevent her from going to a rooftop on the night before graduation, where she seemingly vanishes from his life forever. The passage concludes with a wistful hope that she might return from the light someday. Lao Jiang also gained a lot of inspiration from this and started writing in his free time.
Episode 19 Recap
The third mock exam began, and students were reminded to keep track of their time. Gu Ming, the class monitor, surprised everyone by turning in his paper half an hour early. When questioned by the teacher about his readiness, he simply stated that early submission was allowed by the exam rules. After the exam, students discussed its difficulty.
An Zhenzhen felt she hadn't performed well, finding the exam "way too difficult," and hoped the college entrance exam wouldn't be as hard. Jiang Ling, however, felt his performance was "not bad." An Zhenzhen noted Gu Ming's unusual behavior, remarking that he had been acting strange lately and was barely attending evening study sessions. Jiang Ling advised her to focus on her own exams.
Later, when the exam results were posted, Qi Shuo celebrated a significant improvement, jumping over 80 places to rank 83rd, attributing it to increased effort. Jiang Ling congratulated Qi Shuo, acknowledging that Qi Shuo had scored higher than him this time, but vowed to surpass him in the college entrance exam. An Zhenzhen and Jiang Ling also noticed Gu Ming's surprising drop in rank, falling to 57th place with only 40 points, a stark contrast to his usual top-five standing.
They found it strange, speculating that it might be due to too much pressure. Concerned by Gu Ming's sudden decline and recent unusual behavior, Teacher Liu called him into her office, reminding him that the school was counting on him to achieve high rankings. Jiang Ling and An Zhenzhen happened to pass by the office and noticed Teacher Liu speaking with Gu Ming.
Teacher Liu questioned his practice of turning in papers early, especially for a crucial exam like the third mock, which simulated the college entrance exam. Gu Ming explained it as a strategy to "put pressure on myself" and to "tackle more difficult questions," assuring her that he wouldn't do anything reckless. Teacher Liu expressed her worry, reiterating that as the most outstanding student, she didn't want him to disappoint her at such a critical time.
Gu Ming promised he would work hard for the upcoming college entrance exam. Meanwhile, Old Jiang experienced a profound shift. He woke up disoriented, realizing he wasn't in his own room or home. A phone call confirmed his suspicion as the person on the other end identified themselves as a financial company, stating they didn't know him when he identified himself as Jiang Ling. Confused, Old Jiang examined his surroundings, finding books and items he didn't recognize.
He then had a sudden realization: "Time has reversed," and he remembered An Zhenzhen, exclaiming that they had written something together. He frantically searched for his phone to call her, but when he finally did, the number was out of service. He then rode his motorcycle to An Zhenzhen's home, only to learn from a neighbor that her family had moved abroad. His attempts to reach Qiu Qian and Qi Shuo also failed, with their numbers unavailable.
Even Qiu Qian's former acquaintances claimed not to know her. Old Jiang was severely affected by the sudden changes in his surroundings and sought solace in alcohol. While drinking, he suddenly saw a veiled woman holding a rose, dancing around him. Back in 2012, An Zhenzhen and Jiang Ling were discussing a novel. An Zhenzhen again brought up the class monitor's strange behavior, noting his absence from evening study sessions.
Jiang Ling, ever the writer, suggested that their discussion might provide new inspiration. Old Jiang, still grappling with his altered reality, went to visit Teacher Liu. She seemed to have anticipated his visit, offering him tea. Old Jiang admitted he hadn't been sleeping well and was plagued by dreams of An Zhenzhen. Teacher Liu confirmed his feelings, stating that while An Zhenzhen was dead, his memories of her seemed to have been reawakened, yet her existence had vanished.
He told Teacher Liu that he had tried to find people who knew An Zhenzhen but couldn't, and that he felt she wasn't dead. Teacher Liu affirmed his feelings were "correct," but reiterated that An Zhenzhen was "already dead." She suggested that all these unusual events might be related to him, particularly "her life and death in your world." Confused, Old Jiang pressed her for answers.
Teacher Liu cryptically advised that "perhaps when you've done what you need to do, she will appear," reminding him of "what you promised." Later, An Zhenzhen met her father for dinner. He treated her to taro milk tea, which her mother wouldn't allow at home. He also surprised her with tickets to the aquarium for the weekend, even though her mother had a meeting.
An Zhenzhen directly asked her father if he and her mother were divorced, revealing she knew despite their efforts to hide it until after her exams. Her father admitted it, and An Zhenzhen, now mature, stated she could handle it, having learned that the world isn't as perfect as she once imagined, accepting its "cruel and realistic" nature.
Her father revealed he had been trying to reconcile with her mother to give her "a complete family," but An Zhenzhen understood her mother wouldn't agree, recognizing her mother's ambition beyond being a housewife. An Zhenzhen expressed her updated wish: for both her parents to find their own happiness, even if their family couldn't be together. Meanwhile, Jiang Ling accompanied his aunt to the hospital.
As he went to pay a bill totaling 18,000, he noticed Gu Ming was also at the hospital. Jiang Ling's aunt asked about his third mock exam results, and he shared he had improved by over 20 points, prompting his aunt to credit An Zhenzhen for his progress. Jiang Ling playfully corrected her, claiming he was the one tutoring An Zhenzhen. His aunt expressed fondness for An Zhenzhen, calling her "lively and cheerful," unlike Jiang Ling. She then urged him to stop working, saying she would take him for medicine tomorrow.
Episode 20 Recap
Qi Yan faced the company she had built with An Jianhua, her heart heavy with disappointment, knowing there was no future left between them. Although she might have once harbored illusions, reason now dictated it was time to leave. An Jianhua tried to persuade her to stay, his eyes betraying reluctance and helplessness, but Qi Yan remained resolute. She felt she had been an intruder, disrupting someone else's family, and now she refused to cling to what was not hers.
Recalling the incident where she tampered with An Zhenzhen's shoes filled her with profound self-loathing; it had become an indelible scar. Before departing, she gathered her courage and asked An Jianhua if her departure would truly allow him to return to his family and if they would accept him again. An Jianhua remained silent, and Qi Yan, consumed by disappointment, turned and walked away. Elsewhere, Jiang Ling, drawn by a training institution's flyer, arrived at Liu Yaru's workplace.
He eagerly sought to enroll but was informed that the class was full. Desperate to join the mysterious institution, Jiang Ling quickly devised a plan, enlisting an adult to impersonate his parent and declare their willingness to pay any amount for enrollment. Witnessing their determination, the front desk staff promptly summoned the person in charge.
The manager personally inquired about Jiang Ling's information, and Jiang Ling seized the opportunity to probe about the institution's teachers, but the manager cited trade secrets and remained tight-lipped. However, the manager did disclose that the class was an exam prediction course with an accuracy rate as high as 80%, though it came with a hefty fee of 300,000. After leaving the training institution, Jiang Ling unexpectedly spotted Liu Qishuo also attending classes there.
He immediately understood why Liu Qishuo's third mock exam scores had improved so dramatically – he had enrolled in this very program. Liu Qishuo confirmed to Jiang Ling that the institution's exam predictions were exceptionally accurate. Jiang Ling grew increasingly suspicious, his mind clouded with doubt, prompting him to secretly follow Liu Yaru. One evening during self-study, Jiang Ling and An Zhenzhen coincidentally discovered a tiny earpiece hidden in Liu Qishuo's ear, an obvious tool for cheating.
Initially, Liu Qishuo denied everything, but under persistent pressure from Jiang Ling and An Zhenzhen, he reluctantly revealed the truth. The so-called exam prediction class, he confessed, involved transmitting answers to students via earphones during exams. Furthermore, the training institution intended to expand its recruitment, extending its reach to three test centers across the city. An Zhenzhen was outraged upon hearing this and wanted to investigate the matter.
Jiang Ling, however, advised her that students were powerless to stop such cheating and urged her to focus on preparing for the college entrance exam, while he would secretly conduct his own investigation. Jiang Ling later deduced that the person on the other end of Liu Qishuo's earpiece was Gu Ming, and they were likely testing all nearby exam locations to find a position that could cover the most exam rooms, thereby enabling them to provide answers to more participants.
He realized that if Liu Qishuo's earpiece was the receiver, there had to be a transmitter somewhere in the vicinity. Gu Ming's absence that day was likely related to this, suggesting that despite this test's failure, another attempt was inevitable. Time swiftly passed, bringing them to 2024. Lao Jiang received a phone call from Gu Ming, who, aware that Lao Jiang had regained his memories, invited him to meet on the rooftop of Revival Building to unveil the entire truth.
With only a few days remaining until the college entrance exam, the school was preparing for a holiday break. Liu Yaru stood at the podium, delivering an impassioned speech to her students, her eyes filled with poignant sadness. Three years of companionship had forged a deep bond with them. The thought of them dispersing after the exam, perhaps never to meet again in this lifetime, caused her voice to falter.
Jiang Ling sought out An Zhenzhen, who had been anticipating his confession, especially since school would be out the next day, marking potentially their last meeting. However, Jiang Ling never took that step, merely wishing An Zhenzhen good luck with her exams. Through his analysis, Jiang Ling realized that for the training institution to transmit answers during the college entrance exam, they would need to locate central liaison points for all three exam venues.
Taking advantage of the pre-exam holiday, he searched for clues. An Zhenzhen secretly followed him, curious about his true intentions. Late that night, Lao Jiang arrived at the Revival Building rooftop as agreed, meeting Gu Ming precisely as the clock chimed eight. Gu Ming deliberately questioned if Lao Jiang remembered the place, but Lao Jiang, impatient, pressed him for information about An Zhenzhen. Gu Ming, however, merely smirked, and facing Lao Jiang, who seemed to recall nothing, offered to help him remember.
Episode 21 Recap
Gu Ming began recounting past events to Jiang Ling, stating that he would help Jiang Ling remember. He revealed that his mother had been terminally ill with late-stage pancreatic cancer, with doctors warning that she had little time left and the survival rate was very low. The medical bills continuously mounted, and his father had vanished, leaving him to face the overwhelming costs alone. He felt a profound sense of helplessness.
Driven by desperation, Gu Ming admitted to secretly taking the class milk money. However, upon seeing An Zhenzhen on the verge of jumping from a building, his conscience was stirred, and he returned the money. But his mother's treatment required far more funds. A training institution then approached him, offering payment if he helped their students cheat on exams by transmitting answers. He accepted, hoping to earn enough for his mother's care.
As his mother's condition worsened and the financial burden grew, Gu Ming decided to escalate the cheating operation. He proposed expanding the signal range to cover all exam sites across the city, aiming to earn significantly more money, estimating he would need at least 1 million yuan. He meticulously chose the Renaissance Building rooftop as the optimal location for broadcasting the cheating signals because from there, the signal could cover more exam sites and yield greater profits.
Twelve years prior, in 2012, Gu Ming was on the Renaissance Building rooftop, nervously fine-tuning a signal transmitter. Jiang Ling arrived, out of breath, immediately confronting Gu Ming and urging him to stop, warning that his actions would ruin him. Gu Ming, however, was desperate, explaining that no one could help him, and his mother's critical illness left him with no other choice but to earn money this way.
Jiang Ling pleaded, reminding Gu Ming that they were classmates and would help if he just told them. But Gu Ming insisted this was life-saving money and begged Jiang Ling to let him proceed, even offering to split the money with them after it was done. An Zhenzhen then quietly appeared, discovering the situation. She tried to intervene, offering to talk to her wealthy parents, who she believed would treat Gu Ming like family and help solve his problems.
Gu Ming scoffed at the idea of her family helping him, cynical about their ability to fix everything and revealing that he was the one who stole the milk money. An Zhenzhen, horrified, told him to stop, warning that these actions weren't worth it and would ruin his life. Gu Ming retorted that his life was already ruined, highlighting her privileged background compared to his own struggles with a gambling father and a dying mother.
He again pleaded for them to let him go. Gu Ming's hope was instantly crushed, and he felt as though he had fallen into an endless abyss, losing the courage to live. He stumbled towards the edge, wanting to jump to end it all. Jiang Ling warned him of the danger and urged him to come back and talk. An Zhenzhen, screaming in terror, rushed forward to pull him back, but in the struggle, she accidentally fell from the rooftop.
Back in 2024, on the Renaissance Building rooftop, Gu Ming fully confessed to Old Jiang that An Zhenzhen had indeed fallen from that very spot twelve years ago. He cruelly asked if Old Jiang was satisfied now, pressing him to remember the incident and accusing him of forgetting because he had become a famous writer who stepped over a friend's corpse. Old Jiang vehemently denied being a writer and refuted Gu Ming's claims, asserting that he had never published anything.
As Old Jiang struggled with this disturbing revelation, his emotions instantly collapsed. The surrounding environment seemed to twist and distort, and he again saw the signal transmitter from the past on the building's top, and An Zhenzhen's figure fleetingly appeared before his eyes.
A mysterious voice then seemed to urge him to "wake up" and pursue his mission, hinting that An Zhenzhen would reappear once he had completed his task, alluding to a cryptic riddle: "Full moon night, end of the world, time reversal, white feather not a bird." Simultaneously, An Zhenzhen awoke in what appeared to be a hospital bed, feeling disoriented as if everything had been a dream.
She tried to call Jiang Ling, but the person who answered denied knowing anyone by that name, claiming she had the wrong number. Descending to her living room, An Zhenzhen was overwhelmed to find her parents exceptionally loving and harmonious, a stark contrast to their previous relationship, which brought tears to her eyes. Her parents doted on her, insisting she eat well for her studies and planning a weekend outing for her, even though she barely touched her breakfast.
At school, her parents dropped her off, urging her to study hard. An Zhenzhen immediately noticed Jiang Ling's seat was empty. When she asked her friend Qiu Qian about Jiang Ling, Qiu Qian reacted with confusion, stating she didn't know anyone by that name and thought An Zhenzhen was speaking nonsense or reciting Tang poetry.
An Zhenzhen's classroom appeared different; the usually steady and studious class monitor, Gu Ming, was now energetic and outgoing, while Qi Shuo, who was previously more boisterous, had become quiet, mature, and the new class monitor, excelling in academics and even reading philosophical literature in English class. An Zhenzhen felt increasingly disoriented, as if she had entered an alien world.
Later, during a break, she briefly thought she saw Jiang Ling enter the classroom, but his presence vanished just as quickly, reinforcing her sense of unreality. During English class, Qi Shuo was disciplined for reading a book during the lesson, but he continued to ponder abstract questions like "to be or not to be." The teacher, displeased, then asked Gu Ming to answer a question, but he claimed ignorance, a stark contrast to his past studious self.
Qiu Qian confidently answered the question. An Zhenzhen continued to feel a profound sense of unease, wondering if she was still dreaming. During lunchtime, An Zhenzhen's friends teased her about liking studious guys, to which she reaffirmed her preference. She declined to join them for lunch, preferring to sit alone, feeling that something was fundamentally "off" about her surroundings.
Later, she observed some students climbing outside, only to realize they were Gu Ming and Qi Shuo, playfully engaging in an outdoor activity, further highlighting their changed personalities. An Zhenzhen repeatedly questioned if she was still dreaming, finding it impossible that this new reality was just a dream. That night, back in her dorm room, An Zhenzhen observed more changes. Qi Shuo's family life appeared transformed as well, with his parents showing him much affection during a phone call.
This heightened her confusion, leaving her to ponder whether her current experiences were reality or merely a vivid dream, echoing the mysterious riddle she had heard earlier about time reversal and illusions.
Episode 22 (Ending) Recap
An Zhenzhen lay on the ground after a car accident. Gu Ming was identified as the driver. As rescuers arrived to transport An Zhenzhen to the hospital, traffic police questioned Gu Ming about the accident, asking for his license and registration. Nearby, Jiang Ling stood under an umbrella, collecting scattered manuscript pages of a novel from the ground. Jiang Ling, now an established novelist, met with his editor.
The editor praised his latest work as a "beautiful yet cruel story of youth," noting its authentic portrayal of a high school girl's psychology, suggesting it felt like an autobiography. However, the editor expressed concern about the novel's dark ending, which depicted the protagonist falling from a building, believing it wouldn't appeal to current readers who prefer more uplifting content. Citing "big data" trends, the editor suggested adding elements of "revenge" to make it more commercially viable.
Jiang Ling, admitting he lacked inspiration for popular web novel tropes, clarified that the protagonist's story was deeply personal, stemming from experiences of parental divorce, betrayal, and manipulation. He then revealed that the protagonist in his story, after leaving the building, was actually hit by a car, which the editor found unsettling and too much like a prophecy. An Zhenzhen lay silently in a hospital bed, still unconscious.
Jiang Ling visited her, bringing peaches, and spoke with her attending physician, Liu Yaru, who was also his former homeroom teacher. Liu Yaru神色重地 tells Jiang Ling that An Zhenzhen had suffered a severe impact and might never wake up, emphasizing that her recovery would be a medical miracle. She further revealed An Zhenzhen's difficult past, including her recent use of antidepressants, and stated that without a strong will to live or external stimuli, her condition was precarious.
Jiang Ling, upon hearing that external stimuli could theoretically help, declared his intention to rewrite a better ending for An Zhenzhen, convinced he knew what he needed to do. Sitting by An Zhenzhen's bedside, Jiang Ling began to write furiously, drawing inspiration from his memories of her. He briefly took a call from his editor, telling him he was inspired and would show the new book when it was finished.
He poured his care and hopes into every word, crafting a narrative designed to reach An Zhenzhen's subconscious. In his story, An Zhenzhen, feeling lost and betrayed, wished to turn back time at the city's clock tower. Jiang Ling enters her life, first in a surreal manner, then as a new transfer student at her school. They become friends, and he gradually understands her tragic past.
The narrative culminates on the rooftop where, in a revised sequence of events, Gu Ming, after venting his anger, jumps off the rooftop. An Zhenzhen bravely attempts to save him, pulling him back, but in doing so, loses her own balance and falls instead. Jiang Ling, witnessing this, rushes to her, extending his hand.
Jiang Ling's efforts to instill hope through his storytelling infused the novel with new life, leading to strong support from his publishing house for its potential as a bestseller. An Zhenzhen's subconscious struggled between two distinct timelines: 2012 and 2024. Finally, a miracle occurred, and she slowly opened her eyes. Liu Yaru immediately came to her side.
An Zhenzhen recognized her doctor as her former teacher and was told she had been in a serious car accident, remaining in a coma for over three months. Her recovery was deemed extraordinary, and she was cleared for discharge. Lying by her bed was a newly published book. An Zhenzhen was puzzled, stating she had no memory of writing it. The doctor informed her it was brought by a friend who frequently visited her.
Upon opening the book, An Zhenzhen discovered a card she had once given to Jiang Ling, prompting her fragmented memories to slowly piece themselves together. She recalled a moment 104 days prior when she had taken her novel, "Ulysses", to an online editing company. The chief editor, Xiaojia, had flatly rejected it, explaining that its dark themes and non-serialized format lacked commercial appeal in the current "big data" market.
Despite An Zhenzhen's passionate argument for sincere literature over market trends, the editor remained firm, advising her to be more realistic about her survival in the industry. Heartbroken, An Zhenzhen had scattered her manuscript pages into the wind outside the office. Moments later, she was struck by a speeding car, driven by Gu Ming, and fell unconscious. The scattered pages were then picked up by Jiang Ling, who, moved by her writing, decided to help her complete the novel.
Now fully recovered, An Zhenzhen walked aimlessly through the streets, everything feeling both like a vivid dream and undeniable reality. She reflected on how the school in her dreams looked identical to the real one, questioning if the people and events from her novels, and her dreams, had ever truly existed beyond her mind. Suddenly, she saw Jiang Ling, holding a copy of her novel, "Ulysses".
She remembered a past moment when he had walked beside her, offering to help, and despite her initial despair, he had steadfastly told her, "Even if they don't believe you, I believe in you." Seeing him again, An Zhenzhen's eyes welled up with emotion. As peace doves fluttered around them, they looked at each other and smiled, a joyous reunion marking the culmination of her journey.
