First Love Recap, Plot, Synopsis, Total Episodes

First Love Synopsis

Lu Wanwan was a sophomore in the Clinical Department of the Medical College of Qingyao University.

However, her poor psychological quality made her fail in every exam, which was incompatible with the strict medical school.

After years of unsuccessful crushes, Lu Wanwan threatened to pursue Ren Chu, a top student in the same school, after drinking. Then the rumor spread.

The rumor was a serious problem for Lu Wanwan, who was already struggling with her studies.

In order to clarify their relationship, Lu Wanwan managed to sign a “Gossip Elimination Plan” with Ren Chu.

In the process, they found the bright spots in each other’s character and gradually developed a mutual affection for each other.

With the help and guidance of Ren Chu, Lu Wanwan gradually overcame her inner timidity, found a balance between her interests and her studies, and strived to become a qualified medical student.

Meanwhile, under the influence of Lu, Ren Chu got rid of his lonely attitude and became more and more affable.

Both of them were unconsciously changed by each other to become a better version of themselves, and eventually reaped a healthy campus romance.

First Love Recap

Episode 1 Recap

During a professional medical quiz, Lu Wanwan, a sophomore in the Department of Clinical Studies, found herself deeply immersed in her imagination, treating the exam questions as real-life patient scenarios, such as a 35-year-old male with osteofascial compartment syndrome or a two-year-old boy with a displaced femur. Her vivid imagination caused her to lose precious time, leading her to haphazardly guess the remaining answers before turning in her paper.

Her professor, exasperated by her mumbling and disorganization, scolded her for her consistent struggle with exams despite her apparent diligence. As soon as the exam concluded, Lu Wanwan rushed out to pick up a birthday cake. On her way, she was stopped by An Jiaxian, who greeted her with the nickname "Flying Fairy" and reminded her about an important gathering that evening.

He urged her not to be late and to invite Liang Xia as well, hinting that he had something significant he had kept in his heart for a long time and wanted to tell her. He then gave her a container of soy milk, a daily gesture he had maintained since high school, which convinced Lu Wanwan that her five-year secret crush on him was finally about to be reciprocated.

Meanwhile, at the Qingyao University swimming pool, Ren Chu, the celebrated swimming champion, was leading a training session. He was in a hurry to get to the school auditorium to deliver a speech to the freshman class of the Mathematics Department. While cycling quickly, he nearly collided with Lu Wanwan, who was carrying the birthday cake.

Lu Wanwan immediately apologized profusely, blaming herself for obstructing his path, and even introduced herself by name, offering to take full responsibility if his bike was damaged. Ren Chu, however, simply dismissed her apology, assuring her that everything was fine. Ren Chu was not only a gifted swimmer but also a prodigy in mathematics, earning him the title of "Prince Charming on campus."

However, this reputation also earned him the nickname of an "academic tyrant"—a genius who was notoriously difficult to get along with. At the auditorium, after being introduced by Professor Huang, Ren Chu claimed to be "easy to get along with." However, his subsequent interactions—such as dissecting a freshman's impressive but not "ideal" exam score of 697 points by pointing out specific mistakes and bluntly advising her to consider changing her major—left many students intimidated.

Professor Huang even teased him, remarking that despite knowing him for four years, she still wasn't his WeChat friend, highlighting his distant nature. Back in her dormitory, Lu Wanwan excitedly shared her anticipation of An Jiaxian's confession with her roommate, Song Rongrong. Thrilled for her, Song Rongrong offered to help her pick out the best and most expensive clothes from her wardrobe to "blind An Jiaxian."

She strongly advised Lu Wanwan to be bold and proactive in dating, even suggesting she hug or kiss An Jiaxian if he seemed too shy. Song Rongrong also cautioned her against including her best friend, Liang Xia, in her romantic life, stating that "no matter how close best friends are, you really can't share a boyfriend." Lu Wanwan, confident in her friendship with Liang Xia and believing Liang Xia already knew about her crush, dismissed the warning.

Determined to make a lasting impression, Lu Wanwan even washed her hair a second time, considering it the "highest etiquette standard" for An Jiaxian. Arriving at the restaurant, Lu Wanwan joined a gathering where a toast was being made to Ren Chu's recent swimming victory. An Jiaxian approached her, and as she eagerly anticipated his long-awaited confession, he began by asking if she knew what it felt like to like someone.

Believing he was describing their mutual feelings, she affirmed that she did. However, An Jiaxian then revealed he had been secretly in love with Liang Xia for two years. He explained that he wanted to tell Lu Wanwan, his best friend, but Liang Xia had strongly opposed it, fearing Lu Wanwan wouldn't accept their relationship.

To Lu Wanwan's shock and heartbreak, An Jiaxian confessed their secret two-year relationship and revealed that Liang Xia had run off and threatened to break up after he insisted on telling Lu Wanwan. He then called Liang Xia, expressing his deep love for her. A painful flashback showed An Jiaxian introducing Liang Xia to Lu Wanwan and the three of them celebrating a birthday together, promising to always be a trio.

In the present, Lu Wanwan listened in agony as An Jiaxian, on the phone, told Liang Xia that Lu Wanwan now knew and had given them her blessing, before he turned and left to find her. Watching his retreating back, Lu Wanwan finally broke down in tears. Soon after, Song Rongrong arrived, having been called by An Jiaxian.

Finding Lu Wanwan distraught and heavily intoxicated, Song Rongrong listened as Lu Wanwan tearfully recounted how An Jiaxian and Liang Xia had deceived her. Enraged, Song Rongrong called An Jiaxian a "scumbag" and a "central air conditioning" type who tried to warm everyone. When Lu Wanwan defended him, Song Rongrong rephrased, calling him a "crispy-guy" who seems fine but crumbles into a mess upon contact.

She then presented Lu Wanwan with two choices: either fight to win An Jiaxian back, which Lu Wanwan immediately refused, or find someone better-looking and with better academic performance to make them jealous. The drunk Lu Wanwan embraced the second option. Recalling Ren Chu, the "Prince Charming on campus," she loudly declared, "I'm going to pursue him!"

Unbeknownst to her, other students overheard her, and Ren Chu himself, who had been nearby washing his hands, also heard her words, glanced at her, and then calmly walked away. The next morning, Lu Wanwan awoke to chaos. A group of angry girls surrounded her dorm room, demanding she explain why she was pursuing Ren Chu.

News of her drunken declaration had spread like wildfire across the school's web forum, with posts from "eyewitnesses" analyzing her supposed "micro expressions" of affection and even claiming Ren Chu smiled in response. Realizing the misunderstanding was severely impacting her life, she headed to the swimming pool to find Ren Chu. Upon spotting him lying motionless at the bottom of the pool, she mistakenly assumed he was drowning.

Driven by her instinct as a medical student, she bravely jumped in to save him despite her poor swimming skills, only to immediately struggle. Ren Chu, who had just been resting, quickly pulled her out. Lu Wanwan urgently explained the widespread scandal about them and proposed they clarify it together. Ren Chu dismissed her concerns, stating, "Rumors stop at the wise. I don't want to make extra explanations."

Lu Wanwan persisted, insisting it was a misunderstanding from her drunken "nonsense" and that she truly didn't like him. Ren Chu remained unconvinced, retorting, "Nothing is impossible in this world," hinting she was playing hard to get. In a desperate attempt to prove her disinterest, Lu Wanwan claimed she hadn't washed her hair or put on makeup to meet him, urging him to touch her greasy hair.

Growing annoyed, Ren Chu warned her to stop her physical advances or he would call the police. Lu Wanwan quickly changed tactics, complimenting his muscles as resembling an "anatomy model" and requesting to "study them some more." Ren Chu flatly refused. When she again pressed him to clarify the scandal, he told her, "Don't look where you shouldn't" and instructed her to "get in." When she questioned "What for?" , he replied, "Take a shower," then added a surprising "Together?"

Episode 2 Recap

Ren Chu, concerned Lu Wanwan might catch a cold, urged her to take a shower and change into clean clothes he provided. Lu Wanwan, however, misinterpreted his intentions, thinking he was making an inappropriate suggestion. She internally feared being seen and even considered suing him for sexual harassment.

Ren Chu, explaining that sneezing is an uncontrollable reflex from a medical perspective, stated she could leave if she didn't want to shower but warned her not to blame him if she got sick. The misunderstanding was cleared only after Lu Wanwan saw he was directing her to the women's shower room. After showering, Lu Wanwan emerged wearing Ren Chu's oversized jacket. Annoyed, she chastised him for not waiting ten minutes before coming out as she had requested.

Ren Chu dismissed her, remarking on her short legs and slow walking speed. As they walked across campus, students noticed their matching outfits, speculating they were dating or that Lu Wanwan was "crazy about love" for chasing after Ren Chu. Lu Wanwan, however, felt her dignity was at stake, not love, and insisted she was not following him.

During class, the teacher, Miss Song, warned students against neglecting their studies for romance, specifically mentioning "falling in love with the school hunk." Lu Wanwan felt implicated, despite not being in a relationship. Moments later, Ren Chu unexpectedly entered the classroom, and Miss Song announced he would be auditing their class. Ren Chu's presence and frequent smiles made Lu Wanwan feel as if she had a "thorn in her back," making it impossible for her to concentrate.

After class, Lu Wanwan hurried home to avoid Ren Chu. Her mother warmly greeted her and suggested she take some pears to An Jiaxian, stating she and Lu Wanwan's father were open-minded about them being together as "childhood sweethearts." Lu Wanwan corrected her, revealing that An Jiaxian already had a girlfriend. Her mother quickly changed her tune, asserting that An Jiaxian was "indecisive" and unworthy of her "too good" daughter.

Ren Chu's social practice grade was a 59, which he refused to accept as a failing grade as it was a reference for his postgraduate recommendation. The teaching assistant advised him to "practice being friendly" for his re-do, which involved tutoring orphanage children. Lu Wanwan remarked this was unsuitable for him, as his "contemptuous eyes" would cause "childhood trauma."

Ren Chu revealed he was auditing clinical classes to supplement his knowledge for a postgraduate program in computer science, focusing on artificial intelligence and human action recognition. Just then, An Jiaxian arrived to apologize to Lu Wanwan for abandoning her at the restaurant, revealing he and Liang Xia had reconciled thanks to her. He invited Lu Wanwan to a dinner with them. Lu Wanwan declined, calling their dinner a "stranger's" affair to her.

Hearing this, Ren Chu interjected that he would go. Fearing Ren Chu might reveal her drunken gibberish, Lu Wanwan reluctantly agreed to attend as well. At the dinner, An Jiaxian formally apologized to Lu Wanwan for hiding his relationship. Lu Wanwan accepted, wished him and Liang Xia well, and advised him to stop sending her soy milk to avoid misunderstandings. Liang Xia playfully asked if the rumors about her and Ren Chu were true.

She then offered Lu Wanwan a new lipstick, reminiscing about their past and subtly linking Lu Wanwan's lack of focus on her appearance to her two-year-long unrequited feelings for An Jiaxian. After Liang Xia commented that Lu Wanwan wasn't "stupid" for liking a great guy like Ren Chu, Lu Wanwan finally snapped. She confronted Liang Xia, revealing her pain over Liang Xia pursuing An Jiaxian despite knowing her feelings and hiding their relationship for two years.

Overwhelmed, Lu Wanwan declared she was the "big fool" and, while she valued their friendship, it didn't mean she wasn't sad. Ren Chu intervened, leading the distressed Lu Wanwan away. On the way back, Ren Chu offered a dejected Lu Wanwan his jacket and asked for feedback on his "friendly mode," wanting to know if his smile was "normal" enough for children.

Seeing Lu Wanwan's pained expression as she watched An Jiaxian dote on Liang Xia, Ren Chu bluntly told her, "Don't look if you don't like it. Go home." He then surprised her by picking her up and carrying her over his shoulder, remarking on her weight. Lu Wanwan immediately demanded he put her down. The next day, Lu Wanwan's friend showed her An Jiaxian's public display of affection on social media.

Lu Wanwan affirmed her resolve to "completely forget about An Jiaxian." Later, in the cafeteria, she found Ren Chu at a nearby table while other students whispered that they must have fought. To settle their "debt," Lu Wanwan passed Ren Chu a note offering to bake him a cake as thanks and asking for his address. A student who had joined their table read the note aloud, causing a scene.

Ren Chu asked why she didn't just use WeChat, and Lu Wanwan admitted she didn't have his contact. Ren Chu then stated he would have his friend Fan Yi send the address to "avoid suspicion." Ren Chu directed Lu Wanwan to a KTV bar, where his classmates were celebrating his postgraduate recommendation. A senior encouraged her to sing, and she surprised everyone with a powerful rendition of "My Horseman," a song whose rough style contrasted with her appearance.

During her song, Ren Chu arrived with a girl, looking intimate. Panicking that this was his real girlfriend arriving to confront a "mistress," Lu Wanwan tried to hide. Ren Chu called her over, and she frantically called the girl "sister-in-law" while denying any affair.

Ren Chu clarified that the girl was his cousin, Wang Xinyu, who was delighted to meet the girl her cousin had supposedly "fallen for" and insisted on taking a photo, calling Lu Wanwan "sister-in-law" despite her protests. Finding the KTV too noisy, Ren Chu decided to leave. He asked Lu Wanwan to drive him, explaining that the wine cherry cake she made had raised his blood alcohol level. Lu Wanwan admitted she hadn't driven since getting her license.

During the drive, Ren Chu bluntly criticized her singing. When she retorted about his own harsh words, he questioned how she, with her sharp tongue, could pass the social practice exam. Lu Wanwan informed him that she had already passed the make-up test, thanks to his sweets. Ren Chu then philosophized that a person's energy for kindness is limited and should be reserved for "true friends," while others are merely "ordinary classmates or passers-by."

When Lu Wanwan asked if that's what they were, he confirmed, calling her "an ordinary classmate that makes good dessert." They arrived back at the dormitory past curfew and found the doors locked. Ren Chu called the dorm teacher to let Lu Wanwan in. Back in her room, Liang Xia sent a message suggesting they hang out.

Recalling Ren Chu's words, Lu Wanwan sent a voice message sincerely wishing Liang Xia well but also admitting she didn't want to see her public displays of affection. Stating her "smiles are limited," she proposed they become "ordinary classmates." Meanwhile, Ren Chu’s friend urged him to clear up the scandal. Ren Chu ambiguously remarked that her skills were "too bad," referring to her singing and driving.

The next morning, Lu Wanwan's friend woke her with news that a new rumor, sourced from the dorm teacher, was spreading: she and Ren Chu had "spent the night outside" together. Distressed that the rumors were severely affecting her life, Lu Wanwan declared that if the soft approach didn't work, she would have to try a "hard way," presenting a "Scandal Elimination Plan."

Episode 3 Recap

At the Baking Club's new member recruitment, Lu Wanwan became frustrated as most students were only interested in getting close to Ren Chu. She had to firmly inform them that she had no connection to him and that he would not be present, urging them to leave if he was their only reason for being there. Afterward, Lu Wanwan presented Ren Chu with a "Rumor Elimination Plan." She argued that the widespread gossip was inconvenient and affecting her academic performance.

Ren Chu, however, remained dismissive, suggesting her poor grades were independent of any rumors. When Lu Wanwan resorted to citing star and zodiac sign incompatibility, Ren Chu, as a medical student, dismissed her claims as unscientific. Later, Ren Chu arranged to join a tutoring session Lu Wanwan had with Meng Xibai, a senior postgraduate student, to review anatomy. Annoyed by the persistent rumors, Lu Wanwan insisted they take a secluded route to the lab to avoid being seen together.

In the lab, she warned Ren Chu that Meng Xibai was highly professional and rational, with no interest in gossip. However, Meng Xibai immediately greeted Ren Chu as Lu Wanwan's "boyfriend," to her dismay. As Meng Xibai explained the structure of the human heart, Lu Wanwan secretly anticipated Ren Chu's discomfort, but he remained unfazed. Meng Xibai then revealed that Ren Chu had already been "immunized" after throwing up once while watching an anatomy documentary during dinner.

Realizing the potential leverage, Lu Wanwan considered obtaining the security footage of the incident to force Ren Chu into signing her agreement. During a pop quiz in their anatomy class, Lu Wanwan, Ren Chu, and An Jiaxian were randomly grouped together. When the teacher called on Lu Wanwan to answer a question, she froze with nervousness. An Jiaxian stepped in to provide the correct answer, drawing comments from classmates about the awkward dynamic.

When the teacher posed a second question, Lu Wanwan struggled again, prompting the teacher to criticize her for focusing on dating over her studies. Sensing her distress, Ren Chu interjected by asking the teacher a complex question about multilayer helical computerized tomography, citing a specific documentary. This timely intervention saved Lu Wanwan from further embarrassment. After class, Ren Chu followed a visibly upset Lu Wanwan and asked why she was so nervous despite knowing the answers.

She confessed that in high school, her desire to attend the same university as the academically exceptional An Jiaxian put immense pressure on her, causing her to have mental breakdowns during exams. To ensure the vomiting incident was never mentioned again, Ren Chu finally agreed to sign the Rumor Elimination Plan. The agreement stipulated that both parties would publicly clarify the rumor, maintain distance in public, and meet only in private, if necessary.

It also stated that Ren Chu, due to his supposed "rich experience," would devise three methods to eliminate the rumor. A final clause, added by Ren Chu, explicitly forbade Lu Wanwan from ever mentioning his vomiting incident again. Upon signing, Ren Chu lightheartedly asked what she would do if she fell in love with him, to which she dramatically declared it impossible, joking she would perform an appendectomy on herself live if it ever happened.

Meanwhile, Wang Xinyu unexpectedly arrived at Meng Xibai's lab, identifying him as her "Schrodinger's boyfriend" and openly pursuing him, much to his annoyance. Meng Xibai admitted to having asked the security guards to check IDs in an effort to deter her. Undeterred, Wang Xinyu offered him a phone and proposed to be his assistant. However, upon being informed that the "silent mentor" (a cadaver) was present in the lab, she was terrified.

Exasperated, Meng Xibai firmly escorted her out, urging her to respect the deceased. Despite Ren Chu issuing a statement to clarify their relationship, the rumors only intensified. Students perceived his vague announcement as a move to transition their relationship from public to secret, with online posts claiming evidence like matching outfits. Distressed, Lu Wanwan sought Ren Chu's advice.

She then received a large package containing a sofa Ren Chu had ordered for the Baking Club but had accidentally sent to her address. Lu Wanwan, having already assembled most of it, told him to stay away for a while to let the situation cool down. Elsewhere, Ren Chu confided in a friend that he was struggling to find a data model to make the rumors disappear, asserting his commitment to their contract.

Later, Lu Wanwan encountered An Jiaxian in the library. He suggested she could still confide in him, but she clarified she had no relationship with Ren Chu and advised An Jiaxian to prioritize his current girlfriend, explaining that their growing up had naturally created distance between them. Ren Chu then summoned Lu Wanwan to a secret meeting, presenting her with a map he had created of safe meeting spots on campus.

He revealed his research concluded that the most effective way to end a rumor was for one of the involved parties to start a new relationship. He then informed Lu Wanwan that "she" would be the one to date and offered to help find her a suitable boyfriend. During their next meeting, Ren Chu presented a portfolio of twenty high-achieving male students, including himself. Lu Wanwan immediately chose Wang Yuyang, ignoring Ren Chu's own profile.

She then asked Ren Chu to help her pursue Wang Yuyang, a request he reluctantly agreed to. Following their meeting, Lu Wanwan found herself washing the shirt Ren Chu had brought as a prop for their secret rendezvous, vowing it would be the last time.

Episode 4 Recap

Ren Chu, in a fit of pique after Lu Wanwan’s choice, initially storms off. However, bound by the terms of their Rumor Elimination Plan, he is obligated to help her pursue Wang Yuyang. To fulfill this, he delves into numerous romance novels. His friend, Fan Yi, observes this and suggests Ren Chu is actually in love with Lu Wanwan. Ren Chu dismisses this, explaining that love involves the secretion of Phenylethylamine, which he claims he doesn't experience.

Fan Yi, a self-proclaimed pragmatist, insists that constantly thinking about someone is the true sign of affection. Later, while guiding Lu Wanwan, Ren Chu self-assesses and finds no Phenylethylamine secretion, reaffirming his belief that he doesn't like her. Lu Wanwan then attempts to create an "accidental" encounter with Wang Yuyang at the English corner at 6 AM, a plan Ren Chu calculated as having an 80% success rate.

Despite following Ren Chu’s instructions to take the lead and make eye contact, her intense and sudden presence frightens Wang Yuyang away, leaving her devastated. Facing this setback, Ren Chu invites Meng Xibai, a friend from his small social circle, to share his "love at first sight" experience. Meng Xibai clarifies that he was the one who initially pursued Wang Xinyu. He recounts seeing her dancing diligently and mistaking her for a quiet and elegant “goddess.”

He approached her, only for Wang Xinyu to reveal her talkative and overly confident personality, immediately sharing her zodiac sign, height, weight, and dance history. Meng Xibai quickly realized she was not his type and concluded that "love at first sight" is a false premise. Despite his efforts to distance himself, Wang Xinyu persistently pursues him, even climbing over a school wall to visit and misinterpreting his lab coat as a charming white outfit.

Lu Wanwan encourages Meng Xibai not to limit himself and to give Wang Xinyu a chance, but he remains firm. Ren Chu, however, still believes "love at first sight" is possible and decides the next encounter should be at the Baking Club, where Lu Wanwan is most confident. As she practices newly learned flirting techniques on Ren Chu—asking him to wipe her face and offering him a drink she has sipped for an "indirect kiss"—he becomes visibly flustered.

Despite his internal reaction, he declares her methods "awful" and claims Wang Yuyang would be more likely to "kill her" than fall for her. Though he denies his feelings, Ren Chu secretly plans to sabotage Lu Wanwan's pursuit. He instructs her to dress eccentrically for an encounter at an internet cafe, claiming it's a style gamers prefer, and insists she follow his plan as he has an important interview at Ping University.

Initially, Wang Yuyang is put off by her attire. However, when Lu Wanwan abandons the act and impresses him with her genuine gaming skill, he smiles and proactively adds her on WeChat. They exchange names, and he suggests the nicknames "Bro Wan" and "Sis Yang." Lu Wanwan excitedly informs Ren Chu about her progress, much to his disappointment.

When she plans to deliver desserts to Wang Yuyang daily, Ren Chu objects, citing the "play hard to get" theory and using Wang Xinyu's failed pursuit of Meng Xibai as an example. He then offers to deliver the desserts himself to aid their "strategy." While studying in the library, Lu Wanwan experiences a sudden stomachache.

Ren Chu notices her discomfort, offers to take her back to her dorm, and learns she has shallow gastritis and needs nourishing food like soy milk. Later, her roommate confirms Ren Chu had the RA deliver Lu Wanwan's bag. In an accident, Lu Wanwan spills milk tea on her copy of the Rumor Elimination Plan, ruining it. When she asks to see his, he claims his own copy fell into the swimming pool, rendering the agreement void.

Determined to help, Ren Chu then samples various soy milks for her, but she finds them all unpalatable. Ren Chu confesses to Fan Yi that he ate the mango cake Lu Wanwan had made for Wang Yuyang, rationalizing it as "energy conservation" that he would offset by finding her the perfect soy milk. Meanwhile, Lu Wanwan learns from Wang Yuyang during a gaming session that he is allergic to mangoes.

Furious, she confronts Ren Chu, accusing him of lying, academic fraud, and sabotaging her with ridiculous advice. She demands he leave for his postgraduate studies so she can be free of the rumors. When she threatens to find a security video of him vomiting in the lounge, Ren Chu confidently states the contract is void and reveals there are no cameras there.

After the confrontation, Ren Chu reflects on Fan Yi’s words and a romance novel he read, which described a male lead falling in love first and becoming emotionally unstable. He finally admits to himself that Fan Yi was right all along: he has genuinely fallen for Lu Wanwan.

Episode 5 Recap

Ren Chu found the idea of falling in love foolish, yet he inexplicably harbored feelings for Lu Wanwan, even dreaming of kissing her, which left him flustered. Fan Yi, a fellow student, designed a real-life combat competition and made participation mandatory for all club presidents. When Ren Chu learned Lu Wanwan's Baking Club would be participating, he sensed trouble. Meanwhile, Lu Wanwan, facing a shortage of members, invited Wang Yuyang to join her for the competition.

Ren Chu, relying on his academic knowledge, believed that love made people foolish—a state he couldn't tolerate. He resolved to stop his burgeoning feelings for Lu Wanwan. His friend, Meng Xibai, suggested that a "physical blockade," intentionally avoiding her and minimizing their interactions, could help prevent the unwanted feelings. The competition commenced, with a significant turnout of male students after Fan Yi invited Guan Ai, the campus queen, to participate.

During the random team pairing, Lu Wanwan was surprisingly assigned to Ren Chu's team. Guan Ai approached Lu Wanwan, asking if she was Ren Chu's girlfriend. Lu Wanwan clarified they were not, and Guan Ai, a member of the Student Union, offered to help her switch partners. Lu Wanwan readily agreed, hoping to team up with Wang Yuyang instead. Unbeknownst to Lu Wanwan, Ren Chu had manipulated the random pairing software.

Tasked by Fan Yi to design the program, he had tampered with it to ensure he and Lu Wanwan would be on the same team. Meng Xibai advised Ren Chu to interact with Lu Wanwan normally and observe his own feelings. However, despite Ren Chu sending her a detailed competition strategy guide, Lu Wanwan remained adamant about finding a different partner, expressing her strong desire not to be on his team.

Through her connections, Guan Ai successfully arranged for Lu Wanwan to team up with Wang Yuyang. When Ren Chu arrived, he learned of the last-minute swap, leaving him visibly disappointed. Lu Wanwan was eager to impress Wang Yuyang, but he saw her only as a close friend and was focused solely on winning. During a break, Ren Chu observed them interacting, and when Wang Yuyang drank from Lu Wanwan's bottle, his jealousy flared.

He pointedly intervened, telling Wang Yuyang to buy his own drink and sitting directly between them. Elsewhere, Wang Xinyu, searching for Meng Xibai, injured herself on a broken wooden plank path. Guan Ai, interested in Ren Chu, repeatedly tried to engage him in conversation, but he bluntly rejected her advances. Lu Wanwan also sustained an injury at the same broken path. Her friend, Gu Qiao, suggested Wang Yuyang take her to the infirmary, but he prioritized winning the competition.

Ren Chu, who overheard, initially dismissed her injury as an irrelevant distraction. However, his emotions ultimately overrode his logic. He appeared, explained that he was already eliminated, and carried Lu Wanwan to the infirmary. At the infirmary, Wang Xinyu, who had fainted at the sight of her own blood, awoke to find Meng Xibai, realizing he was serving as medical staff. Wishing to end her persistent pursuit, Meng Xibai bluntly told her that he did not like her.

Feeling wronged after all her efforts—including climbing walls to see him and befriending his teachers for information—Wang Xinyu began to cry. As Meng Xibai attempted to comfort her, she unexpectedly kissed him to test his true feelings, making it difficult for him to deny his budding attraction to her. Meanwhile, Ren Chu gently tended to Lu Wanwan's leg wound.

She remarked that he was a strange and mysterious person who, despite his cold demeanor, often appeared to comfort her when she was down. As their eyes met, Ren Chu recalled Meng Xibai's second piece of advice: to stop resisting and embrace the "foolish opportunity" to pursue something seemingly unattainable. Following his heart, Ren Chu leaned in and kissed her.

Episode 6 Recap

Ren Chu accompanied his cousin, Wang Xinyu, on a shopping trip where she was determined to change her style to be more quiet and gentle, believing this would appeal to Meng Xibai. When Ren Chu asked her hypothetically how she would react if someone she knew kissed her, Wang Xinyu misinterpreted his question, assuming he was referring to a moment between her and Meng Xibai.

She enthusiastically expressed her willingness to marry Meng Xibai, which led Ren Chu to mistakenly conclude that a kiss signifies two people are already in a relationship. Later, Ren Chu, dressed unusually well, intended to have a study "date" with Lu Wanwan. Still flustered by the earlier kiss, Lu Wanwan tried to avoid him. When Ren Chu approached her classroom to return her thermos, a stir ensued.

Guan Ai also spoke with Ren Chu, prompting classmates to gossip about a potential new romance between the "campus king" and "campus queen." This shift in campus rumors, with Guan Ai becoming Ren Chu's supposed new interest, visibly upset Lu Wanwan. Lu Wanwan later had a meal with Wang Yuyang and confided in him about Ren Chu kissing her after the "Chicken Dinner" competition. Wang Yuyang immediately concluded that Ren Chu liked her.

However, Lu Wanwan vehemently disagreed, feeling slighted that Ren Chu would abruptly kiss her without a formal confession, especially since it was her first kiss. Believing they were from two different worlds as an "ordinary study slacker" and a "straight-A student," she lamented her unfortunate love life, which included failed crushes on An Jiaxian and even Wang Yuyang himself. Wang Yuyang was surprised to learn she had once tried to pursue him.

Lu Wanwan continued to practice venipuncture alone in the Baking Club, often yelling in pain as she struggled to master the technique. Meanwhile, members of the swimming team expressed their reluctance for Ren Chu to leave for his postgraduate studies at Ping University, as he served as their coach. Ren Chu listened intently as one of his teammates boasted about his success in dating, attributing it to tactics like "wall-banging," giving gifts, and using cheesy pick-up lines.

Still struggling with venipuncture, Lu Wanwan sought advice from Meng Xibai. She found him in the lab with Wang Xinyu, who was accompanying him during his experiment. Meng Xibai advised Lu Wanwan to recruit volunteers, suggesting that practicing on strangers fosters a sense of responsibility and improves performance, whereas practicing on acquaintances or a boyfriend would make her too nervous and hesitant.

At this point, Meng Xibai mentioned that Ren Chu had already told him that he and Lu Wanwan were in a relationship. Wang Xinyu excitedly interjected, congratulating Lu Wanwan as his "cousin-in-law." Enraged by this revelation, Lu Wanwan vowed to confront Ren Chu. Lu Wanwan tracked Ren Chu down at the swimming pool. She overheard him and his teammates discussing their methods for pursuing girls, which she found objectifying, accusing them of treating women as "trophies" to be won.

She angrily confronted Ren Chu, demanding to know why he told Meng Xibai they were dating. Ren Chu questioned if they weren't, to which Lu Wanwan retorted that he had never confessed and she had never accepted. She accused him of merely "playing with her" when he kissed her, reiterated that they were from "two different worlds," and declared she didn't want to be the subject of campus gossip.

She then stormed off, stating she never wanted to see him again. Later, Ren Chu intervened when Wang Xinyu was bothering Meng Xibai outside his lab. Wang Xinyu complained that she wanted the same affection—kisses and hugs—that Ren Chu supposedly shared with his girlfriend. Ren Chu clarified that he did not have a girlfriend. He then patiently explained to Wang Xinyu that her constant presence was a distraction preventing Meng Xibai from focusing on his intense medical research.

He reassured her that once his demanding work was complete, Meng Xibai would naturally make time for her. Realizing her actions were having the opposite of her intended effect, Wang Xinyu decided she needed to apologize. Ren Chu later appeared at Lu Wanwan's venipuncture volunteer recruitment, surprising her as he was the only one to sign up.

She initially suspected he was mocking her, but he explained his genuine interest stemmed from his postgraduate research on the combination of human structure and artificial intelligence. Recognizing her need for practice, Lu Wanwan reluctantly agreed. Despite her nervousness, Ren Chu calmly encouraged her, claiming to have a high pain threshold as an athlete.

During her attempts, she mistakenly pricked an artery, causing her to panic, but he gently guided her to restart, advising her to treat the task like an exam. After several tries, she finally succeeded. Despite her repeated punctures, Ren Chu insisted it didn't hurt. As a thank you, Lu Wanwan promised to bake him a sweet chocolate lava cake. During a subsequent venipuncture quiz, Lu Wanwan successfully performed the procedure on her first attempt, astonishing her classmates.

Meanwhile, Meng Xibai took Wang Xinyu on their first date: fishing by a lake. Wang Xinyu quickly grew bored, but Meng Xibai then noticed she had been bitten by mosquitoes and thoughtfully applied balm to the bites. He also told her that she was "good enough just the way she was" and didn't need to pretend to be demure for him. Wang Xinyu was overjoyed, taking this as confirmation that he liked her for her true self.

Reflecting on her outburst, Lu Wanwan felt her behavior toward Ren Chu had been rude and decided to apologize. To avoid an awkward face-to-face encounter, she wrote him a note to place in his locker, even getting the password—a segment of Pi's digits—from a friend. However, Ren Chu caught her in the act. Lu Wanwan apologized for yelling at him and suggested they remain "normal classmates." Ren Chu agreed, telling her to "forget that kiss."

He explained it was merely a fleeting "dopamine" response, neither love nor a prank, and assured her that her "first kiss is still there." Internally, however, Ren Chu resolved to follow her lead, hopeful that by respecting her wishes, he would eventually win her affection.

Episode 7 Recap

Ren Chu visited his university's computer laboratory to consider his postgraduate options. There, he impressed Ji Qi, a senior student, by quickly diagnosing and fixing a problem with Ji Qi's robot, Qiji. Ji Qi then showed Ren Chu around, explaining that while Qingyao's computer science department might not match Pingzhou University's theoretical research, it excels in practical application and technical innovation.

Meanwhile, Lu Wanwan was fretting over the high cost of an 800-yuan medical anatomy model she needed for her studies. Just then, Fan Yi arrived at the Baking Club with an order from the Swimming Club. However, her excitement was short-lived when Fan Yi revealed the requirements: sugar-free, low-fat, caffeine-free desserts on a meager 300-yuan budget. Lu Wanwan wondered why Ren Chu, who knew the team best, hadn't come himself.

Fan Yi explained Ren Chu was busy, then subtly asked if Lu Wanwan would ever confess her feelings to a boy like Ren Chu. She laughed off the idea. Fan Yi later relayed this to Ren Chu, who confessed it was his plan to "advance by retreating" and get Lu Wanwan to confess.

Fan Yi dubbed the strategy "tactics plus sincerity," and they made a bet on the outcome, with the loser having to fetch hot water for the other for a semester. On a date, Wang Xinyu suggested thrilling activities like a roller coaster and a large pendulum ride at an amusement park, followed by hotpot. However, Meng Xibai, a medical student, rejected each idea, citing health concerns like oxygen deprivation and potential gastritis.

Instead, he presented her with a detailed "Dating Schedule" he had created based on their academic commitments. Though finding it cumbersome, Wang Xinyu accepted, requesting a romantic candlelight dinner and a preferred gift for their next meeting. At the swimming pool, Ren Chu's teammates noticed his swollen, possibly pricked, left hand and that he had been training in long-sleeved swimsuits, raising concerns about his performance in the upcoming competition.

Ren Chu had planned to impress Lu Wanwan with his freestyle swimming, but when she arrived, he grew jealous as she studied the other swimmers' physiques, which she claimed was for scientific research on human muscles. He quickly pulled her away and offered his own "more standard" abdominal muscles for her study, even inviting her to touch them, making her blush. She then handed him the sugar-free biscuits she had prepared.

Ren Chu invited her to watch his competition on Friday, an invitation she initially declined. After receiving the 300-yuan payment, Lu Wanwan lamented that it wasn't enough for the anatomy model. Guan Ai then visited the Baking Club, admiring Lu Wanwan's creations and inviting her shopping and to dinner the following Friday as a thank you for past help. As Guan Ai was leaving, she insisted on taking a skull-shaped cake that Lu Wanwan had packed for a friend.

Lu Wanwan later messaged Guan Ai, warning her about the cake's unique appearance. Unbeknownst to Lu Wanwan, Guan Ai's true intention was to pursue Ren Chu and she saw Lu Wanwan as a rival. Meanwhile, Meng Xibai was determined to win a doll from a claw machine for Wang Xinyu, feeling it was more heartfelt than simply buying one. Ren Chu accompanied him, but after failing repeatedly, Meng Xibai resorted to buying a plush rabbit instead.

He then asked Ren Chu about his postgraduate recommendation, advising him to trust his own judgment regarding the prestigious Professor Zou at Pingzhou University and to follow his heart, as Qingyao and Pingzhou were not vastly different. Ren Chu admitted that buying gifts for a girlfriend was difficult and revealed that Lu Wanwan had turned down his invitation. Ren Chu later met with Professor Zou at Pingzhou University.

Shortly after, he unexpectedly encountered Lu Wanwan, who was there to buy a discounted anatomy model from a senior student. Noticing the long distance between their universities, Ren Chu offered her a ride back. During the drive, Lu Wanwan assumed Ren Chu was heading to Pingzhou for his postgraduate studies, praising the renowned professor there and asserting that "the best students deserve the best teachers."

Upon returning to Qingyao, she ran into Meng Xibai, who revealed the truth: Ren Chu had chosen to stay at Qingyao and had likely been at Pingzhou to professionally decline the offer. Shocked and remorseful for her judgmental remarks, Lu Wanwan recalled Ren Chu's past kindness, such as patiently letting her practice venipuncture on his hand. Meng Xibai suggested she make amends by cheering for him at his swimming competition. Subsequently, Lu Wanwan canceled her Friday plans with Guan Ai.

On Friday, Lu Wanwan arrived at the swimming venue and saw Guan Ai was also there. During Ren Chu's race, Lu Wanwan was distracted by her phone and missed his victory. Afterward, she congratulated him, but he was visibly disappointed she hadn't been watching. Guan Ai approached, feigning concern over Ren Chu's injured arm and implying Lu Wanwan was responsible.

Ren Chu curtly dismissed Guan Ai, stating the matter was between them and clarifying that he and Lu Wanwan were "friends." In return for the biscuits she brought, Ren Chu gave her a plush rabbit. Though he claimed to have simply bought it, he had actually spent a great deal of time and money painstakingly winning it for her from a claw machine.

Lu Wanwan was initially horrified, mistaking it for a real rabbit used in experiments, but was delighted upon realizing it was a toy. Witnessing their exchange, a neglected Guan Ai glanced at the skull-shaped cake in her bag, which startled her and intensified her resentment.

The plush rabbit came with a thoughtful meaning: since real rabbits couldn't be kept in dorms, he hoped the toy would remind her of real ones, of venipuncture practice, and motivate her to become an excellent doctor—a gesture Lu Wanwan found endearing, if "childish." As the National Day holiday approached, students were informed of a quiz scheduled for after the break. At the lab, Ren Chu used the robot Qiji to conduct a survey with Lu Wanwan, learning she planned to stay home and study, much to his satisfaction.

Episode 8 Recap

As the National Day holiday began, students departed for home. Believing his cousin Wang Xinyu's claim that her boyfriend Meng Xibai wouldn't be seeing her off, Ren Chu agreed to help her with her luggage at the airport. He was surprised to find Meng Xibai there, lovingly seeing Wang Xinyu off. Wang Xinyu expressed concern that her heavy luggage might injure Meng Xibai’s hands, which were meant for holding scalpels.

As the couple said their goodbyes, Meng Xibai promised to write daily narrative essays for her to check, prompting Ren Chu to quip about their "teacher-student play." Ren Chu then explained that he wouldn't be returning home, as his parents were on a lecture tour in Stanford. Meanwhile, Lu Wanwan persuaded Wang Yuyang to help her carry a heavy load of anatomy models and medical books home, as she needed to review for an upcoming orthopedic exam.

Wang Yuyang, a "genius" who usually passed exams effortlessly, confided that he now needed to study diligently. He revealed that a strong competitor had emerged for an exchange program he was aiming for. He first jokingly asked Lu Wanwan to have Ren Chu "eliminate" the rival, then clarified that he actually wanted Ren Chu to tutor him, a request Lu Wanwan immediately refused due to the awkward dynamic between them.

Later, Lu Wanwan arrived home to find her parents enthusiastically practicing for a community show. Wang Yuyang greeted them and politely declined an invitation for dinner, as his own parents were waiting. Lu Wanwan's mother kindly packed some fruits for him to take. While Lu Wanwan was helping at her family's fruit store and studying, her long-time study partner, An Jiaxian, arrived with food his mother had made.

He offered to help Lu Wanwan with a difficult question about a scaphoid fracture, suggesting she visualize the injury by drawing an image for better analysis, a method they had used since high school. Suddenly, Ren Chu appeared to buy an avocado and immediately pointed out flaws in An Jiaxian's problem-solving approach, accusing him of merely providing answers rather than teaching a method.

Ren Chu dramatically suggested this was why Lu Wanwan's grades hadn't improved over the years and was even the cause of her recent bad temper. He then challenged An Jiaxian to a bet: he would tutor Lu Wanwan and guarantee her orthopedic exam score would be two points higher than An Jiaxian's.

Ren Chu asserted his confidence, stating that if he failed, his entire annual scholarship would go to An Jiaxian, leaving Lu Wanwan exasperated that her academic performance had become the subject of their wager. The next morning, both Ren Chu, who had already called Lu Wanwan to wake her for morning study, and An Jiaxian were at her house for breakfast. Liang Xia also arrived, initially intending to see An Jiaxian.

Lu Wanwan's mother asked Liang Xia about college and her love life, causing some embarrassment until Lu Wanwan revealed that Liang Xia and An Jiaxian were dating. Liang Xia then apologized to Lu Wanwan for any past misunderstandings, and the two reconciled.

When Lu Wanwan learned that a fight with her mother had prevented Liang Xia from going on an overseas trip, she recalled Liang Xia's fear of being alone and warmly invited her to stay the night, reminiscing about their high school sleepovers. During breakfast, the tension between Ren Chu and An Jiaxian was palpable.

An Jiaxian suggested they call off the bet and shake hands, but while Ren Chu agreed the bet could be voided, he bluntly stated that shaking hands to make peace was "unrealistic." To tutor Lu Wanwan, Ren Chu presented hypothetical medical cases, using a constantly "injured" Fan Yi as an example. Lu Wanwan accurately diagnosed Fan Yi's knee pain as hydrarthrosis and a tailbone injury from a fall.

When Ren Chu described a more severe case of lower limb weakness after a fall from height, hinting at a spinal cord injury, Lu Wanwan jokingly suggested a temple visit, which Ren Chu, an atheist, dismissed. She correctly identified a potential triquetral bone injury in the wrist from a fall, noting how convenient it was that Fan Yi's "injuries" covered all common orthopedic cases.

Later, for "labor-leisure combination," Ren Chu took Lu Wanwan to a cinema to improve her English by watching a foreign film with no subtitles. After the first viewing, he frustrated her by posing specific plot questions and making her rewatch it to find the answers. Liang Xia subtly asked An Jiaxian about his interest in studying abroad and discussed the challenges of long-distance relationships through a "friend's" scenario. An Jiaxian confidently stated that true love transcends time and distance.

Lu Wanwan later learned from Wang Yuyang that Liang Xia was his strong competitor for the exchange program. When Lu Wanwan spoke to Liang Xia, she learned that her mother had arranged the study abroad plan to join her father overseas, without consulting Liang Xia's wishes. Lu Wanwan advised her to be honest with An Jiaxian, confident he would understand.

Liang Xia admitted she thought Lu Wanwan's past well wishes for her and An Jiaxian were just polite, while Lu Wanwan confessed she had been "acting tough" but was actually very confused then. They both expressed sadness at the thought of Liang Xia leaving and joked about Ren Chu's competitive nature, with Liang Xia describing him as "aggressive like a rooster." Lu Wanwan, Liang Xia, and An Jiaxian gathered to support Lu Wanwan's mother at her community show.

When Ren Chu also arrived, An Jiaxian displayed clear hostility. Liang Xia quickly intervened, leading An Jiaxian away to prevent a confrontation. Lu Wanwan reflected on the inevitable departures and drifting apart of relationships, finding comfort in the thought that, like the conservation of energy, new people and relationships would always emerge to fill the empty spaces. As the holiday concluded, Wang Yuyang drove Lu Wanwan back to school.

He admitted he'd come to terms with the idea that one "can't have it all" and was content to maintain his title as "prince charming in the game." Soon after, they encountered Ren Chu and Fan Yi. Fan Yi playfully asked Lu Wanwan when she and Ren Chu planned to get together, noting the increasing number of couples on campus. Ren Chu jokingly referred to Fan Yi as his "servant" for the semester, tasked with fetching his hot water.

Lu Wanwan firmly declared that she had no plans to date in college, citing the demanding nature of medical studies. Her priority, she stated, was to focus on her academics, pass all her exams, and graduate successfully, requesting that such jokes not be made again.

Episode 9 Recap

In the lab, Ren Chu demonstrated an upgraded function of his robot, Qiji, which could now intelligently analyze fuzzy instructions to deduce and purchase items based on his preferences, such as a specific low-alcohol rum. While his seniors were amazed by Qiji's new capabilities, they noticed Ren Chu seemed unhappy and privately worried he was dissatisfied with their lab's environment. Meanwhile, Wang Xinyu skipped a class to surprise Meng Xibai at his lab.

Her plan to show off a new French shirt was ruined when a button popped off, and she had to hide with Meng Xibai's help to avoid being caught by a passing faculty member. Shortly after, Ren Chu arrived seeking Meng Xibai's advice about Lu Wanwan's declaration that she had no plans to date in college.

Meng Xibai, admitting he only understood Wang Xinyu, was baffled by Ren Chu's sudden interest and initially suggested Lu Wanwan's view aligned with his own old belief that romance hinders studying. Their discussion was interrupted by Gu Qiao, who teased them for complaining about their girlfriends. Taking charge, Wang Xinyu advised her cousin, Meng Xibai, that proactive confession is key to a sweet romance.

Meng Xibai relayed this advice to Ren Chu, concluding that a direct confession was necessary since Lu Wanwan was likely oblivious to his feelings. After the holiday, Lu Wanwan was ecstatic about scoring 69% on an orthopedics quiz, a massive improvement she credited to Ren Chu tutoring her for seven consecutive days. Gu Qiao, hearing about his dedication, suspected he had developed feelings for Lu Wanwan, a theory Lu Wanwan dismissed, insisting that academics were his only passion.

Following Meng Xibai's advice, Ren Chu went to the Baking Club to confess. He found Lu Wanwan and Gu Qiao practicing caesarean section sutures on an onion, a method Lu Wanwan used to overcome her anxiety about performing in front of others. Armed with examples of famous figures' confessions, Ren Chu began by asking Lu Wanwan if she had a "healthy heart," referencing a line used by Pavlov.

However, his words were lost as Lu Wanwan, overwhelmed by onion fumes, misunderstood his question as a health inquiry and rushed off to wash her face, leaving his confession incomplete. Lu Wanwan's academic anxiety intensified after hearing a classmate was transferring out of the clinical department following a failed practical test. This pressure caused her to freeze during her own in-class suture assessment, her hands trembling so much that she had to give up.

Shortly after this failure, Ren Chu attempted to confess again, showing her a heart-shaped graph created by Descartes. Still despondent, Lu Wanwan dismissed it as a crude drawing and expressed no interest in his story. As Meng Xibai planned a "customized" confession for Wang Xinyu, he advised Ren Chu that such gestures must be tailored to the person, like prescribing the "right medicine for the illness." Later, in the library, Ren Chu saw a transfer application in Lu Wanwan's book.

When he asked why she would give up after working so hard, she explained that top students like him couldn't understand her struggles, insisting that she hadn't given up on clinical medicine but that it had given up on her. In an attempt to connect, Ren Chu admitted his own weakness: being unable to make desserts. Inspired, he began experimenting with molecular gastronomy, eventually creating a rum chocolate ice cream cake.

He brought it to Lu Wanwan, but found she was at the school infirmary. A student, Fan Yi, had injured his leg, and while Lu Wanwan hesitated, unable to apply her knowledge under pressure, Gu Qiao confidently diagnosed a fracture and skillfully stabilized the limb. The incident left Lu Wanwan feeling even more inadequate. As she sampled Ren Chu's dessert, a senior from the lab revealed that the "rum" used was actually a 56% sorghum spirit.

The potent alcohol quickly took effect, and a tipsy Lu Wanwan tearfully confessed her deep-seated academic fears and the pressure she felt. She passionately vowed never to transfer out of weakness, declaring that if she ever left, it would be with excellent grades to prove it was her choice. Seeing her vulnerability, Ren Chu sincerely expressed his admiration for her unique qualities and confessed his desire to be her boyfriend.

However, he immediately retracted the offer, instead proposing to become her "private tutor" to help her achieve her goals. Later, Ren Chu explained his decision to Meng Xibai using an analogy: just as only Descartes's princess could understand his heart-shaped formula, he would wait to confess properly until Lu Wanwan was a "princess" free from academic anxiety. He believed that by tutoring her, that day would come soon. Finding the plan overly complicated and slow, Meng Xibai challenged him to a bet on who could get a girlfriend first.

Episode 10 Recap

Lu Wanwan woke up in her dorm after a dream where she was intimately interacting with Ren Chu. Her roommate, Qiaoqiao, informed her that she had been completely out of control while drunk the previous night, hugging, kissing, and even biting the dormitory teacher, creating a public spectacle in the hallway. This revelation made Lu Wanwan deeply concerned about her behavior with Ren Chu.

She later thanked the dormitory teacher, only to learn that she had also torn Ren Chu's clothes, forcing him to walk back to his dorm in just a tank top. Shortly after, Ren Chu texted her to come to the lab, which filled Lu Wanwan with dread, as she feared he was going to settle scores. Upon her arrival, Ren Chu asked how she slept, causing her to panic.

However, he instead apologized, explaining he had mistakenly given her strong alcohol, leading to her intoxication. Relieved, Lu Wanwan feigned nonchalance. Ren Chu's senior lab mates then asked for her help in buying new clothes for a scientific research competition to improve their image, now that Ren Chu had joined their team. Lu Wanwan saw this as a chance to compensate Ren Chu and decided to buy him a new white shirt.

Meanwhile, Ren Chu reflected on his strategy to improve Lu Wanwan's psychological resilience, aiming to become an indispensable person in her life. One of his lab mates humorously warned him not to let their interactions turn into a teacher-student romance. Elsewhere, Ren Chu sent a robot to deliver food to his roommate Fan Yi, who had a leg injury. Fan Yi, looking disheveled, was then mortified to run into Qiaoqiao and quickly fled before she could speak to him.

Later, when Lu Wanwan pressed Ren Chu for details about her drunken behavior, she had a flashback. She had tried to "absorb the essence of the sun and the moon" by touching the ground and had playfully attempted to get Ren Chu to take off his socks and clothes to join her. Meanwhile, talented dancer Wang Xinyu was demoted from her lead role in a rehearsal after her new relationship with Meng Xibai caused her to miss practice.

Unaware of her struggles, Meng Xibai suggested inviting Ren Chu and Lu Wanwan to her upcoming "Swan Lake" performance, making Wang Xinyu visibly uncomfortable. Later, he urged her to pursue her own interests rather than always conforming to his, but she insisted she genuinely enjoyed their time together. During her shopping trip, Lu Wanwan "accidentally" purchased an extra shirt while consolidating payments. Noticing it was Ren Chu's size, she offered it to him, and he accepted.

Ren Chu then took her to a dessert shop to sign her up for the Chef Challenge. He explained that baking could be a safe way to build her confidence and psychological fortitude, a necessary first step for her to eventually leave the clinical medicine program. Overwhelmed, Lu Wanwan expressed fear of failure and developing a phobia of baking. Ren Chu reassured her, reiterating his promise to be her personal tutor, and she reluctantly signed up.

At the Baking Club, her nervousness resulted in what she called "garbage" desserts. She found Ren Chu at the swimming club and begged to withdraw. He shared a personal story about conquering his fear of water by learning to swim after nearly drowning as a child, advising her to face her problems head-on. He insisted he had a plan. Ren Chu took her to the school canteen and identified the most critical students as ideal taste-testers.

He brought three of them to the Baking Club, where they gave her desserts an average score of 95 out of 100. Elated, Lu Wanwan praised Ren Chu, who encouraged her to be more confident. On the day of the Chef Challenge, a traffic jam made them late. At the competition, Ren Chu acted as her assistant, calmly guiding her.

Although she ran out of time and failed the challenge, Ren Chu congratulated her, asserting that she had already won by staying composed and efficient despite the delay, demonstrating newfound psychological strength. He likened their collaboration to a surgery, with him as her nurse. This jogged Lu Wanwan’s memory, and she finally understood.

A flashback revealed her drunkenly dragging Ren Chu to a classroom, insisting on performing a "surgery" and trying to take his white shirt to use as a "surgical gown," which she called her "faith." As a reward, Ren Chu surprised Lu Wanwan with a professional oven he bought with his scholarship money. She protested that she had lost and the gift was too expensive, but he insisted it was his responsibility for pushing her to enter. Later, recalling Qiaoqiao’s advice that not rejecting physical closeness with a man often indicates romantic feelings, Lu Wanwan pondered if she had fallen for Ren Chu.

Episode 11 Recap

Fan Yi, bored due to a leg injury, was helping the Student Union with a lucky draw event. Lu Wanwan and Gu Qiao passed by on their way to register for the clinical department's professional competition, an event Lu Wanwan was entering for the first time. Fan Yi had them draw slips. Gu Qiao drew "Master Slacker," which suggested she could get good results without trying, a notion she immediately denied.

Lu Wanwan drew "MVP of a Crush," causing her to scoff at the idea after her five-year unrequited love for academic prodigies like An Jiaxian and Wang Yuyang ended in failure. Just then, Ren Chu arrived to give Fan Yi his dorm key, and Fan Yi had him draw a slip too. When Ren Chu tried to ask what Lu Wanwan drew, she grew flustered and quickly dragged Gu Qiao away, claiming they would be late.

Later, Ren Chu rushed to an auditorium to meet his anxious cousin, Wang Xinyu. She explained that their venue was under renovation, so they had borrowed his department's hall for a short performance assignment. Having neglected her practice to date Meng Xibai, she was replaced as the lead dancer and desperately pleaded with Ren Chu to stop Meng Xibai from seeing the show to avoid embarrassment. Ren Chu agreed to help.

When Meng Xibai arrived with flowers, Ren Chu intercepted him, engaging him in a long, complex discussion about neuroscience until the performance was over. Afterwards, Meng Xibai went backstage, where Wang Xinyu pretended she had performed. The couple's public display of affection annoyed her classmates, who muttered that she was only ever motivated when it came to romance. Lu Wanwan and Gu Qiao began preparing for their competition, which offered bonus points for a frame-by-frame animation.

Lu Wanwan didn't know how to make one and was reluctant to ask Ren Chu for help. However, Gu Qiao secretly messaged him, claiming Lu Wanwan needed his assistance. Ren Chu came to the library and, after learning a simple program wouldn't suffice, agreed to help them create the animation after looking at a tutorial. Gu Qiao promptly left them alone.

As Ren Chu patiently taught her, Lu Wanwan internally battled with herself, determined not to fall for another guy who helped her with her studies. While trying to focus on her grades, she felt her heart race as he leaned closer, wondering if she was experiencing sinus tachycardia. She tried to cover her discomfort by claiming to be hungry. Ren Chu finished the animation quickly, impressing them both.

To thank him, Gu Qiao invited Ren Chu to the canteen for lunch. During the meal, she probed Ren Chu's opinion of Lu Wanwan. When Ren Chu took out his lucky slip, Gu Qiao excitedly declared he was destined for romance and hinted that the "MVP of a Crush" was at their table. A nervous Lu Wanwan quickly pulled Gu Qiao away.

Later, Lu Wanwan confronted Gu Qiao for her meddling, but Gu Qiao challenged her, asking if her heart truly didn't beat faster around Ren Chu. To test this, Lu Wanwan approached Ren Chu and asked him to hold her hand for a "medical checkup," reasoning that while her brain could lie, a stethoscope couldn't. However, she aborted the plan at the last second, deciding she couldn't bear the pain of another unrequited crush.

Shortly after, Guan Ai approached Lu Wanwan, asking what she was doing with Ren Chu. Lu Wanwan vaguely replied that they were "adjusting equipment." Guan Ai then expressed a desire to join the Baking Club, of which Lu Wanwan was the sole member, and confided that she had a secret crush on Ren Chu. She mentioned how touched she was that he, a campus celebrity, had attended her debate competition.

Later, Guan Ai boasted to a friend that she had successfully "handled" Lu Wanwan by asserting her claim, believing the inexperienced Lu Wanwan would be easily intimidated. Having acquired his contact information, she called Ren Chu and falsely claimed Lu Wanwan had given her his number. On the day of the presentation, Gu Qiao got an upset stomach from expired juice, forcing a nervous Lu Wanwan to present alone.

Just as her stage fright was taking over, she received an encouraging text from Ren Chu. The message helped her regain her composure and deliver a smooth, confident presentation. Afterwards, she thanked Ren Chu, but he angrily confronted her for giving his number to Guan Ai without permission. Hurt and defensive, Lu Wanwan retorted that he should just admit he likes Guan Ai, who she described as beautiful and good-tempered.

A frustrated Ren Chu asked if she wanted him to like Guan Ai and declared his preferences were his own business before storming off. Alone, Ren Chu became confused by Lu Wanwan's mixed signals—first showing interest, then pushing him away—and decided he needed to talk to her to clear things up. Meanwhile, Guan Ai found Lu Wanwan and asked directly if she also liked Ren Chu.

She claimed that if Lu Wanwan admitted her feelings, she would back down as they were friends. Unwilling to enter another painful romantic entanglement, Lu Wanwan firmly denied it, stating she would never compete with a friend or pursue a crush that would only make her miserable again. Ren Chu, who had returned to seek clarification, overheard her denial and left, once again disappointed.

Episode 12 Recap

Troubled that Ren Chu must have overheard her confessing she didn't like him, Lu Wanwan worried he was upset but felt any attempt to explain would seem delusional. As final exams approached, Lu Wanwan prepared for her last tests before transferring departments, telling Gu Qiao she would give him her anatomy model, Loulou, afterward. Meanwhile, a dejected Ren Chu sought advice from six senior students at the swimming pool.

He disguised his romantic troubles as an "academic problem" about two AIs, Alpha and Beta, failing to form a close relationship, which his seniors correctly identified as a "love question" and offered superficial advice. Meng Xibai, having discovered Wang Xinyu lied about participating in her dance performance, found her and gave her study notes he had compiled. Touched, Wang Xinyu offered to be his volunteer for medical practice like acupuncture or cupping.

Meng Xibai gently declined, explaining he wasn't a Chinese medicine student and only wanted her to focus on her studies without letting their relationship affect her grades. Following his seniors' advice to use "differentiated treatment," Ren Chu brought a soy milk specifically for Lu Wanwan to the library, which only made her find him strange. When Lu Wanwan returned from washing her face, she saw Guan Ai sitting in her spot asking Ren Chu for help.

Believing the "campus king" and "campus queen" were a good match, Lu Wanwan decided not to disturb them and left. After the final exams, Lu Wanwan and Gu Qiao were overjoyed to learn they had placed eighth in their professional competition. Later, Ren Chu returned a book Lu Wanwan had left behind, questioning if she had deliberately set him up with Guan Ai. Lu Wanwan deflected, instead inviting him to her "farewell dinner" that night.

Upset by the mention of a farewell, Ren Chu immediately refused the invitation. However, he changed his mind after Fan Yi informed him the post-dinner plan was a live performance at a dimly lit, crowded venue filled with attractive people. That evening, Lu Wanwan went shopping for a new dress and high heels, brushing off Gu Qiao's concern that she couldn't walk in them. At the party, Guan Ai joined Ren Chu and Fan Yi.

Meng Xibai was in a foul mood the entire time, having confirmed his suspicions by seeing for himself that Wang Xinyu was absent from her dance showcase. During the live show, a sudden power outage plunged the venue into chaos. Ren Chu grabbed Lu Wanwan, who had nearly fallen, and guided her safely outside. When she teased him for holding her sleeve like he was "walking a dog," he claimed holding her hand would be improper if Guan Ai saw.

Noticing Lu Wanwan's feet were blistered, Ren Chu bought medical supplies, treated her wounds, and gave her comfortable slippers. He then asked if they were friends, stating friends shouldn't deceive each other, and told her to stop trying to set him up with Guan Ai. He compared her actions to adding a variable to his Alpha and Beta experiment before the initial results were clear.

He also expressed his strong disapproval of her decision to transfer, arguing she was giving up too easily. Lu Wanwan retorted that the clinical major wasn't for her and she'd rather leave with dignity. Ren Chu insisted he would fight for something he chose, and that other majors would definitely not suit her. Angered by his condescending tone, Lu Wanwan argued back, but he quieted her by gently taking her cold hands to warm them.

Later, Gu Qiao found Lu Wanwan and asked why she had given him Loulou. She explained she was transferring because the major didn't suit her, admitting she had only chosen it to follow An Jiaxian. In response, Gu Qiao took her to a classroom and played a video from their first white coat ceremony.

In the footage, a passionate Lu Wanwan declared that despite choosing the clinical department by chance, she would never easily give up on it, calling the white coat her "armor and faith." Moved by her own past words, Lu Wanwan tearfully decided to stay. She vowed to remain in the clinical department, learn valuable skills, save patients from death, and become a doctor worthy of her white coat.

Episode 13 Recap

Wang Yuyang approached Ren Chu in the school cafeteria, noticing his unhappiness. Upon learning Ren Chu was troubled by a relationship issue, Wang Yuyang offered his advice on love, claiming it was "a piece of cake." He explained that the key is to find the right remedy for each person's unique temperament, contrasting his lively ex-girlfriend with his independent current one. His advice was prompted by Ren Chu asking his friends for the "operational steps" to apologize to a girl.

Later, Ren Chu brought Fan Yi to a market to pick out a special pet for Lu Wanwan, hoping it would deepen their bond. Fan Yi, annoyed that he was supposed to be buying props for the school fete, jokingly asked if Ren Chu was buying a rabbit for Lu Wanwan to dissect.

Meanwhile, Qiao begged Lu Wanwan to let her borrow the beloved skeleton model, "Skeleton," as a prop for the fete's haunted house, hoping the job would help her budding romance with Fan Yi. Lu Wanwan reluctantly agreed, on the condition that Skeleton be returned perfectly intact. Lu Wanwan also prepared sweet treats to sell, expecting double the customers due to the fete's couple-centric theme.

Elsewhere, remembering a previous apology had backfired, Ren Chu designed a child lock in the lab, planning to prevent Lu Wanwan from leaving before he could finish speaking. At the fete, Ren Chu arrived with his child lock, but before he could use it, Lu Wanwan approached him with a mango cake and apologized first. She admitted her attitude had been poor and thanked him for his academic guidance, which helped her pass her final exams.

Because of his help, she had decided not to transfer departments and asked for his continued guidance. Ren Chu, in turn, apologized for his own behavior, admitting he shouldn't have yelled at her or imposed his own desires about the clinical department on her. To strengthen their connection, he then presented her with a tortoise, explaining that its long lifespan would extend the time they could spend together as its guardians.

As they chatted, An Jiaxian arrived to pick up a cake. Ren Chu, visibly jealous, internally labeled An Jiaxian "Gamma" interfering with his and Lu Wanwan's "Alpha and Beta" dynamic, and intentionally damaged the cake with a fork. Frustrated, Lu Wanwan seized an opportunity to send him away when a junior from the swimming club approached to ask about recruitment.

Before leaving, Ren Chu reminded Lu Wanwan that as the tortoise's guardian, she was now responsible for both the pet and him. Separately, Fan Yi tried to impress Qiao at the fete's game stalls. He boasted about his strength and skill with darts and ring toss, but his attempts to show off failed clumsily, while Qiao effortlessly won prizes at every turn.

Later, seeing Lu Wanwan happily chatting with the swimming club junior, Ren Chu grew increasingly jealous and muttered that he should have used the lock on her. At that moment, Wang Yuyang appeared for a "campus exploration" mission and, seeing the lock, excitedly snapped it onto Ren Chu's wrist, binding them together. Ren Chu dragged a game-eager Wang Yuyang to Lu Wanwan's dessert stall to help.

While there, Ren Chu deliberately took the pre-ordered cake meant for An Jiaxian and cut a slice from it, declaring that a "broken heart" shouldn't exist and making Wang Yuyang promise to keep it a secret. After selling her desserts, Lu Wanwan discovered that Ren Chu and Wang Yuyang had sold An Jiaxian's cake. Ren Chu immediately offered to buy a replacement. When Lu Wanwan found him, they both apologized for their actions.

During their talk, Lu Wanwan clarified the cake was a birthday gift for Liang Xia from An Jiaxian, celebrating their first birthday as a couple. Ren Chu was immensely relieved to learn An Jiaxian was now firmly in Lu Wanwan's past. Qiao then led a terrified Fan Yi through the haunted house, where his screams echoed in the halls. Ren Chu and Lu Wanwan also entered, deciding to experience it differently by dressing up as ghosts themselves.

They soon encountered the screaming pair, who were even more terrified by their costumed friends and clung to each other in fear. Meanwhile, Wang Xinyu found Meng Xibai, hoping he wasn't still angry with her. Meng Xibai affirmed his affection but explained that he loved the version of her who had passion and a "shining light in her eyes."

He wanted her to have her own interests, but she insisted he was her only passion, which he said was the problem. Feeling he was hindering her from becoming a better version of herself, he gently but firmly suggested they break up, leaving Wang Xinyu heartbroken. As a heavy rain began to fall, Ren Chu and Lu Wanwan ran for shelter. Under an awning, Ren Chu carefully dried her hair.

Lu Wanwan teased him for being concerned after he had claimed to dislike her. He deflected by reminding her that she also initially disliked the clinical department but chose it in the end. Before they parted, they decided to name the tortoise. After Lu Wanwan's comical suggestions, Ren Chu proposed "Ren Lu," a combination of their last names, which made her smile warmly. As she left, Ren Chu mused that she just needed more time to admit her true feelings.

Shortly after, a junior student approached Ren Chu, asking for the meaning of "magnetic flux," explaining that a friend had used the term to describe him. After hearing the scientific definition, the junior realized it was likely not a compliment.

Episode 14 Recap

As the Spring Festival approached, students prepared for their winter break. Lu Wanwan was delighted with her final exam results, having passed all her subjects and looking forward to a happy holiday. One afternoon, she went to the cafeteria to meet Ren Chu, who wanted to bid farewell to his pet turtle, Ren Lu. While there, the cafeteria staff tallied students staying for the New Year's Eve dinner.

Ren Chu confirmed he wouldn't be going home or participating in the communal meal. He explained to a curious Lu Wanwan that his family never celebrates the New Year, viewing it as just an ordinary day, a concept she found unusual. Meanwhile, as Qiao packed her luggage, Fan Yi arrived to help. Encouraged by Qiao, Fan Yi overcame his shyness and confessed that he missed her.

When Lu Wanwan returned home, her mother asked if Ren Chu had seen her back. Upon learning he would spend the festival alone at school, her mother felt sorry for him and urged Lu Wanwan to invite him to their home for the holiday. Worried about Ren Chu, Lu Wanwan cycled back to school and ran into him on his way to buy cereal, as the campus supermarket was closed.

Dismayed that he planned to eat only cereal for the New Year, Lu Wanwan invited him to her family's New Year's Eve dinner, an invitation Ren Chu accepted. Elsewhere, Wang Xinyu was heartbroken over her breakup with Meng Xibai, her eyes swollen from crying. Her mother offered little comfort, instead scolding her for her appearance. Wang Xinyu's attempt to distract herself with a movie backfired when the romantic plot only deepened her longing for Meng Xibai.

Ren Chu arrived at Lu Wanwan's home to find the family putting up spring couplets. He offered to help, impressing them with his precision. Later, when Lu Wanwan's father accidentally locked everyone out, Ren Chu volunteered to climb over the wall to retrieve the keys. Lu Wanwan was initially embarrassed by the matching handmade sweaters her mother had prepared for the family, but Ren Chu's admiration for their bond made her change her mind.

She promptly found a sweater for him, and they all posed for a memorable family photo. Ren Chu joined the family in making dumplings and shared their New Year's Eve dinner. During the meal, Lu Wanwan's mother asked about his ideal type of girl. He described someone "down-to-earth and skillful with her hands," which Lu Wanwan's father cheekily suggested was a perfect description of his daughter. After dinner, they played cards. Ren Chu, a skilled strategist, won several rounds easily.

However, in the final round with a "golden pig" piggy bank at stake, he deliberately lost to let Lu Wanwan win, much to her delight. After midnight, it began to snow. Lu Wanwan ran outside excitedly, and she and Ren Chu played with fireworks a kind stranger gave them. Lu Wanwan then gave Ren Chu a red packet with "lucky money" from her winnings, and he was thrilled, revealing it was the first time he had ever received one.

Later, when Lu Wanwan was disappointed after failing to grab a red packet in her class group chat, Ren Chu created a new group with her and Fan Yi. He sent a large red packet and called Fan Yi to distract him, ensuring Lu Wanwan claimed the entire amount. A few days later, Ren Chu visited again, bringing thoughtful gifts: a neck massager for Lu Wanwan's father and thermal underwear for her mother.

To Lu Wanwan's disappointment, her gift was a set of CET-6 practice exam books. Seeing her with a stethoscope, Ren Chu inquired about it, and she explained she was about to measure her mother's heart rate. Noting the instrument was cold, Ren Chu offered to warm it, and as their hands touched, Lu Wanwan felt her own heart race. She used the stethoscope on herself, confirming her growing feelings for him. As she walked Ren Chu out, she gathered her courage and asked him to be her boyfriend.

Episode 15 Recap

Lu Wanwan, preparing for a high school reunion where classmates would attend in pairs, impulsively asked Ren Chu to be her boyfriend. Fearing rejection, she quickly rephrased the request as a "One-Day Couple Experience Card," asking him to be her fake date for the event. To her surprise, Ren Chu agreed. Back home, Lu Wanwan told her friend Gu Qiao about the incident.

Gu Qiao insisted that Lu Wanwan's initial, unfiltered request revealed her true feelings and urged her to seize the opportunity. Gu Qiao noted that for a famously aloof top student like Ren Chu to agree, Lu Wanwan might be the "chosen one," and at the very least, bringing him to the reunion would earn her major bragging rights. At the reunion, An Jiaxian arrived with Liang Xia, surprising classmates who thought he and Lu Wanwan would be together.

Liang Xia corrected them, announcing that Lu Wanwan admired Ren Chu. At that moment, Ren Chu arrived with Lu Wanwan and declared that he was the one who had pursued her, claiming it was love at first sight. They made their performance convincing by affectionately feeding each other, making their former classmates envious. After dinner, as Ren Chu walked her home, Lu Wanwan discovered she had forgotten her keys.

With her parents away and the dorms closed, she decided they should spend the night at a nearby internet cafe, choosing it over a hotel for its low price and snack selection. While there, Gu Qiao called, dismayed that Lu Wanwan had chosen a net cafe for a night with Ren Chu, and warned her not to let them "become buddies again." Gu Qiao advised her to find a shared activity to build their connection.

However, when Lu Wanwan returned to their private room, she found Ren Chu had already planned an activity: a surprise English tutoring session with a CET-6 practice test. When Lu Wanwan eventually dozed off while studying, Ren Chu watched over her as she slept. A few days later, Lu Wanwan received a call for help from Wang Xinyu, who had gotten her head stuck in a school fence. Lu Wanwan and Ren Chu rushed to help but couldn't free her.

Ren Chu had to call Meng Xibai, who finally managed to pry the bars apart. Following the rescue, Wang Xinyu tried to reconcile with Meng Xibai, offering him a rabbit she called "the fruit of our love." Meng Xibai coldly rejected her, telling her to focus on her dancing and dismissing her dramatic lament about snowfall as merely duck down from her torn jacket.

Soon after, Wang Xinyu's mother arrived and, upon seeing Lu Wanwan with Ren Chu, asked about their relationship. To Lu Wanwan's surprise, Ren Chu introduced her as his "girlfriend-to-be," a piece of "good news" the mother was eager to share with relatives. Later, as Ren Chu walked her home again, Lu Wanwan mentioned her boredom during the long winter vacation. Seizing the opportunity, Ren Chu invited her to the Haichang Ocean Park, offering to teach her about marine life.

Following Gu Qiao’s advice, Lu Wanwan dressed up and wore waterproof makeup, anticipating a romantic date. Her hopes were dashed when they were unexpectedly joined by Wang Yuyang. Though initially disappointed, Lu Wanwan had a moment of clarity, deciding that she could be brave and actively pursue her feelings for Ren Chu, regardless of the outcome.

She later found Ren Chu, who explained he had been looking for her and that he'd run into Wang Yuyang at the entrance by chance after Wang Yuyang's own friends had bailed on him. No longer upset, Lu Wanwan embraced her new perspective on love, stating, "I don't care about the gain or loss. . . I just move towards the direction of my heart." Their day ended on a final comical note when they realized they had missed the dolphin show, having misread the 14:00 showtime as 4:00 p. m.

Episode 16 Recap

As the school term resumed, the students returned for a new semester. In class, the teacher announced that the clinical department had secured several pre-internship spots at a hospital. Although not a true internship, it offered a chance to experience a real medical environment, and interested students could sign up. Lu Wanwan was the first to volunteer.

Later, the class was informed that the Student Union had organized a debate competition, requiring each class to send one representative chosen by an anonymous vote. Despite her reluctance, feeling that a "war among the top students has nothing to do with her," Lu Wanwan was ultimately chosen by a narrow margin. Meanwhile, Fan Yi was diligently trying to convince Ren Chu to represent the Math Department.

Ren Chu, however, dismissed such debates as a "waste of time" due to their lack of "standard answers." Fan Yi persisted, emphasizing the event's prestige and suggesting a compelling topic about AI love to pique Ren Chu's interest. Not long after, Lu Wanwan visited Ren Chu at the lab, bringing a heart-shaped cake specifically for him and other cakes for his six senior lab mates.

There, she encountered Fan Yi, who was trying to persuade Ren Chu with the AI debate topic: "I'm finally in love, but he is AI. My friend says it is not love." When Fan Yi learned Lu Wanwan was also a participant, he revealed the topic was "customized for Ren Chu." Lu Wanwan, though unenthusiastic, confirmed she would participate as her class had chosen her, and she selected the affirmative side.

Hearing this, Ren Chu immediately agreed to join the debate, also choosing the affirmative side. Fan Yi was overjoyed and, much to Lu Wanwan's chagrin, mistakenly took the heart-shaped cake, believing it was for him. However, Lu Wanwan's annoyance turned to delight when Ren Chu, unconcerned about using a spoon she had just used, tried some of her other desserts.

He then asked about her new semester, to which Lu Wanwan replied she was "quite busy," preparing for the debate, her pre-internship, and also "to pursue" him. Ren Chu congratulated her on her ambition. The next day, Lu Wanwan was determined to be punctual for her hospital pre-internship. To her surprise, Ren Chu was waiting outside her dorm to drive her, explaining that what he brought for her was "specially for you."

At the hospital, Lu Wanwan realized the other pre-intern from a different class was An Jiaxian. Her first day proved frustrating, as her tasks were limited to fetching packages and take-out orders. She felt useless compared to Meng Xibai, an intern who was already in charge of patients. Afterward, An Jiaxian mentioned that his girlfriend, Liang Xia, would be studying abroad for a year and, due to her insecurity, he planned for their parents to meet to reassure her.

He then asked about Lu Wanwan and Ren Chu, but just as Lu Wanwan began to explain their relationship was fake, Ren Chu arrived to pick her up, interrupting her. As they returned to school, Guan Ai, who was organizing the debate, asked Lu Wanwan to use her position as Ren Chu's partner to gather information about his preferences for her. Lu Wanwan apologized, confessing that she could no longer help because she also had feelings for Ren Chu.

Admitting she had long tried to deny it, she proposed they engage in "fair competition." A surprised Guan Ai retorted that Ren Chu would "definitely choose me." At the hospital, Meng Xibai advised a frustrated Lu Wanwan to be more proactive to get real experience. He informed her that his teacher, Dr. Li, would be performing a complex ten-hour surgery—a "total aortic arch replacement"—and that she could apply to observe it.

Lu Wanwan immediately messaged Ren Chu, who wanted to discuss the debate, telling him she might be observing a long surgery and not to wait. During the operation, Dr. Li was initially stern when he saw her on her phone, but Meng Xibai explained she was a pre-intern eager to learn. Dr. Li allowed her to stay, warning her the surgery would last all night.

Lu Wanwan observed the entire ten-hour procedure, impressing Dr. Li and Meng Xibai by staying until morning. Afterward, she formally introduced herself to Dr. Li, who, acknowledging her dedication, told her, "If you want to learn more, you must take the initiative," and added, "Girl, you'll have a bright future." Outside, Lu Wanwan found Ren Chu waiting. He had stayed up all night in the hospital lobby studying, worried about her returning to the dorm alone so late.

When he noticed she had dark circles and a nosebleed from exhaustion, he gently helped her and gave her soy milk, making her wonder if he secretly liked her. Upon returning to her dorm, Lu Wanwan was shocked to discover the debate roster had been changed, placing her on the opposing team. Her friends explained it was officially deemed a "mistake" but they suspected Guan Ai was behind it.

They urged her to withdraw, arguing she couldn't win against Ren Chu, especially with Guan Ai on his team. However, Lu Wanwan defiantly refused, declaring that if she wanted to stand beside him, she had to do it with her "own strength." Ren Chu later approached her, acknowledging their new roles as opponents and offering to withdraw. Lu Wanwan refused, challenging him to compete. The debate commenced with Ren Chu's affirmative team facing Lu Wanwan's opposing team.

After the initial arguments, Ren Chu presented his case, asserting that an AI could be a "perfect lover." In her rebuttal, Lu Wanwan confidently countered that "love itself is not perfect," arguing that its flaws and the raw emotions of a human connection are what make it real, and that a perfect AI lover would merely be a "service." Her speech earned widespread applause, even from Ren Chu.

During the free debate, a debater asked Ren Chu if he had dating experience. Ren Chu openly admitted, "Yes, I do like someone. And she's right here." Though visibly stirred, Lu Wanwan pressed him, questioning if he was "sure" he truly knew what love felt like. Looking directly at her, Ren Chu firmly replied, "I'm sure. I know."

Episode 17 Recap

Rumors spread that Ren Chu had publicly confessed to Guan Ai during a debate, which deeply angered Lu Wanwan. She and her friend Qiaoqiao complained that Ren Chu was merely expressing his views and that people were misinterpreting his words, with some even claiming he and Guan Ai were already in a relationship under the guise of research. Feeling that she couldn't afford to be passive any longer, Lu Wanwan resolved to confess her own feelings to Ren Chu.

She told Qiaoqiao that her feelings were genuine and that even if Ren Chu liked Guan Ai, she wanted him to know her true heart. Meanwhile, feeling he had missed too many opportunities, Ren Chu also decided to confess to Lu Wanwan. He gathered his senior lab mates to help him plan the perfect moment. After discarding several unhelpful suggestions, they settled on the "3W" rule: finding the right "Where, When, and What" (the right words).

Ren Chu tasked his seniors with conducting a data analysis to identify the most romantic location within an hour of the university. Later, Wang Yuyang shared the disheartening news with Lu Wanwan that he had lost the exchange student spot to Liang Xia, who gained an advantage because she was planning to pursue a postgraduate degree. This surprised Lu Wanwan, as Liang Xia had previously only mentioned a one-year exchange. An Jiaxian, who arrived at the bakery, overheard the news.

He later told Lu Wanwan that he had planned to introduce Liang Xia to his parents before her trip, knowing she was sensitive and insecure. Worried about revealing Liang Xia's plans, Lu Wanwan tried to avoid An Jiaxian during her hospital internship. There, she ran into Wang Xinyu, who was accompanying a classmate with a twisted back. While Lu Wanwan helped the classmate, a bored Wang Xinyu picked up a cancer prevention pamphlet.

Meng Xibai, passing by, saw the pamphlet and mistakenly concluded Wang Xinyu was ill, anxiously trying to get her to a check-up. After Wang Xinyu clarified she was fine, she recognized his genuine concern but chose to leave, leaving him somewhat disappointed. Desperate for advice, Lu Wanwan consulted Wang Xinyu about confessing. Wang Xinyu advocated for a bold and direct approach, advising Lu Wanwan to rush up to Ren Chu and declare her feelings without worrying about gifts or venues.

She also stressed the importance of a perfect appearance to "amaze him at first glance," prompting Lu Wanwan, who admitted to having no makeup skills, to hire a professional artist. Elsewhere, An Jiaxian confronted Liang Xia about her graduate school plans. Liang Xia explained that her father works abroad and her mother wanted her to study there for a few more years so the family could be reunited, though she stressed nothing was final.

She then asked An Jiaxian if he would go abroad with her after graduation. Caught off guard, An Jiaxian admitted he hadn't considered it, leading Liang Xia to accuse him of never thinking about their future. Full of remorse, she suggested that if he had been with Lu Wanwan, they wouldn't face this issue, confessing she felt she had "stolen" him since Lu Wanwan had also liked him. Overwhelmed, Liang Xia asked him to leave.

Soon after, An Jiaxian ran into Lu Wanwan at a mall and asked if she had ever liked him. Lu Wanwan calmly told him to let go of the past and cherish those around him. She admitted she was sad at the time but had moved on and now likes someone new—a person she always thinks about and who makes her feel safe. As she rushed to leave, she slipped, and An Jiaxian quickly steadied her.

Liang Xia arrived at that moment and, misinterpreting the gesture, was devastated. She furiously reminded An Jiaxian that it was their third anniversary and hurled the cake she had bought at them, hitting Lu Wanwan and covering her in cream. Liang Xia accused them of betrayal and stormed off. Embarrassed and messy, Lu Wanwan ran into Ren Chu. He kindly took her to the swimming pool to clean up, reassuring her that no one would laugh while he was there.

As he helped wash the cream out of her hair, Lu Wanwan recounted the misunderstanding. She confirmed to him that her old feelings for An Jiaxian were gone and that she now likes someone else. Ren Chu then revealed he had planned to ask her out anyway, inviting her to a rooftop to watch the Leonid meteor shower that night, an invitation she eagerly accepted.

As Ren Chu's lab seniors decorated a rooftop with balloons and electronic candles for the confession, Lu Wanwan received a frantic call from An Jiaxian. He couldn't find Liang Xia and feared she might do something drastic, pleading for Lu Wanwan's help. Lu Wanwan prioritized her friend's safety and messaged Ren Chu that she would be late. After learning her location—the rooftop of Qiandao Lake—Ren Chu immediately set off to find her.

Lu Wanwan found Liang Xia on the rooftop, a place Liang Xia said she used to hide when she was upset. Liang Xia accused Lu Wanwan of always living in the light while she was a "coward" in the shadows. She then called Lu Wanwan the real coward for never confessing her feelings for An Jiaxian or Ren Chu. Lu Wanwan admitted she was a coward in love but was ready to face her problems.

As they tried to leave, a group of drunken men accosted them. Lu Wanwan bluffed that she knew Wing Chun and that her friend was drunk and skilled in self-defense, but the men were undeterred. As the situation escalated, Lu Wanwan silently prayed for Ren Chu to appear, promising herself she would confess if he did. Just then, Ren Chu arrived, and seizing the moment, Lu Wanwan shouted, "Ren Chu, I like you!"

Episode 18 Recap

After the confrontation, Ren Chu quickly pulls Lu Wanwan away, telling her they will deal with the thugs later. He scolds her for being foolish and not protecting herself, reminding her that her hands are meant to hold a scalpel. As he tends to her injured arm, Ren Chu privately decides that a simple convenience store, without even flowers, is not a fitting place for a confession.

Instead, he tells Lu Wanwan he has a 400-meter swimming competition the next day and will give her his answer if he wins, insisting she must be there to see it. Later, Lu Wanwan shares her confusion with Gu Qiao, who explains that a top student like Ren Chu would want the person he likes to witness his "highlight moment" and confirm their relationship when he is at his most impressive.

Gu Qiao is certain Ren Chu is interested after his heroic rescue and assures Lu Wanwan he won't lose the race. Back in his dorm, Ren Chu's cheerful mood stuns his roommates. He praises one's hairstyle and another's pronunciation, a stark contrast to his usual stern demeanor. When they guess he successfully confessed, Ren Chu corrects them, revealing he was the one confessed to.

He explains he delayed his answer because he wants to give her more happiness than a small convenience store can contain and asks them for a favor, leaving them bewildered by his sudden kindness. Meanwhile, An Jiaxian walks Liang Xia home. Liang Xia, acknowledging his indecisiveness, asks for a clear answer about their future.

With her departure date for studying abroad set, she tells him she will accept any decision, whether he wants her to stay, join her later, or break up. An Jiaxian promises to consider it carefully. The next morning, Ren Chu has Fan Yi buy flowers. Near the pool, Fan Yi presents a limited-edition bouquet to Gu Qiao, telling her he bought one for her after getting Ren Chu's.

He reveals that the bouquet for Lu Wanwan is also a carefully chosen limited edition. He then coaxes Gu Qiao into getting breakfast, urging her to return alone to watch Ren Chu's race so he isn't a "third wheel." At the swim meet, Ren Chu is met with roaring cheers from the crowd, particularly from girls admiring his physique. He easily wins the 400-meter race, emerging from the pool triumphantly.

Afterward, Lu Wanwan goes to the changing room but stops at the door when she sees Guan Ai inside, holding a bouquet and thanking Ren Chu. Believing Ren Chu chose Guan Ai, she is about to leave when Ren Chu spots her and immediately tells Guan Ai to leave, clarifying the flowers are for Lu Wanwan. Guan Ai brazenly admits she knew Lu Wanwan was outside and said those words deliberately.

Ren Chu dismisses her, but Guan Ai tries to stop him, reminding him of their agreement to compete fairly. At that moment, Lu Wanwan enters, stating she heard everything. She directly confronts Ren Chu, reminding him of his promise to give her an answer and demanding a sincere reason for his rejection, even if he likes Guan Ai. Amused by her assertiveness, Ren Chu calls her "cute" and hands her the bouquet, explaining that liking someone doesn't need a reason.

He then formally asks Lu Wanwan to be his girlfriend, and she joyfully accepts. Annoyed, Guan Ai leaves. Ecstatic, Lu Wanwan walks out but trips on the stairs, with the passing Wang Yuyang unfortunately breaking her fall and injuring himself. Ren Chu rushes to the hospital after learning of the accident from Fan Yi, realizing he had hung up on Wang Xinyu before she could explain who was actually hurt. He is relieved to find Lu Wanwan unharmed.

Soon, Fan Yi, Gu Qiao, and Wang Xinyu arrive. Fan Yi teases that love makes even straight-A students stupid, then boldly asks Gu Qiao to try dating him. To everyone's delight, Gu Qiao agrees. On the ride back, Wang Xinyu insists on joining the new couple, revealing the QR code on her shirt is a ploy to make her ex, Xibai, jealous.

After Ren Chu tells her to stop her games, she retorts that love is a "battle" before finally leaving them alone. Ren Chu clarifies to Lu Wanwan that he has no relationship with Guan Ai and wouldn't even know her name if not for their club. When Lu Wanwan laments losing the flowers in the fall, he reassures her they have plenty of time.

Outside her dorm, Ren Chu presents Lu Wanwan with all his awards, patents, and academic records, declaring that with his good grades and looks, he is her "only standard answer." Lu Wanwan agrees, asking him to guide her in their "first love." Later, Lu Wanwan finds Guan Ai crying and approaches her, insisting she doesn't want them to be enemies. She comforts Guan Ai, praising her as someone she has always looked up to.

Though Guan Ai refuses to apologize, she softens and accepts Lu Wanwan's apology for pushing her earlier, then leaves for her "beauty sleep." Back in their dorm, Fan Yi calls Ren Chu's confession method "reckless" but fitting. Happy that they are both now in relationships, Fan Yi suggests a double date to avoid any potential awkwardness, admitting he has prepared jokes just in case.

Episode 19 Recap

Lu Wanwan, Ren Chu, Qiao, and Fan Yi met for dinner at a Western restaurant. Initially, Lu Wanwan wished they had chosen a hot pot restaurant, finding Western food expensive and not filling. Qiao, however, insisted that a Western restaurant offered a more romantic atmosphere suitable for a date, emphasizing the importance of appearance and reminding Lu Wanwan to be more reserved as Ren Chu's girlfriend.

Lu Wanwan attempted to appear delicate by ordering only a vegetable salad, but Ren Chu, familiar with her actual appetite, ordered a substantial meal for her, including sirloin steak, cream of mushroom soup, pasta, shrimp, and Tiramisu, which delighted her. During the meal, Qiao tried to subtly prompt Lu Wanwan to engage more romantically with Ren Chu.

After seeing Lu Wanwan tie her own hair instead of letting Ren Chu help, Qiao pulled her aside to the restroom, criticizing her for not giving her boyfriend opportunities to show his affection. Back at the table, when Lu Wanwan mentioned wanting pasta, Ren Chu immediately offered to mix it for her.

Later, when he asked if she had enough to eat, she playfully asked if he was about to make a sweet confession, only for him to practically respond by ordering her a second plate of pasta, further highlighting their familiar dynamic. After dinner, the group went to a KTV bar. Ren Chu had already pre-selected a long list of folk-style songs for Lu Wanwan, knowing her preferences and ensuring she could sing to her heart's content.

Lu Wanwan enthusiastically belted out the tunes, much to Qiao's dismay. Qiao again pulled Lu Wanwan away, scolding her for singing "Best Bro" songs instead of love songs on a date. To encourage interaction, Qiao suggested they play a dice game of "true words." During the game, Fan Yi and Qiao learned new things about each other, but when it came to Lu Wanwan and Ren Chu, they discovered they already knew each other's pasts almost entirely.

This led Lu Wanwan to feel a lack of mystery in their relationship, wondering if Ren Chu also felt their bond was more like that of an "old couple" than a new one. Meanwhile, at their university, Wang Xinyu’s dance teacher announced a competition for a solo dance spot in the upcoming anniversary celebration of a sister school, Qingyao University. Wang Xinyu immediately saw this as an opportunity to impress Meng Xibai and signed up, determined to win the role.

Later, Ren Chu met Lu Wanwan at the library for a study session. Lu Wanwan, however, longed for a more typical, romantic couple's date and felt a sense of disappointment. She tried calling him "Senior" instead of his name, hoping for a different reaction, but he didn't seem to notice. Lu Wanwan later confessed her frustration to Qiao, explaining that she felt their relationship lacked novelty.

Qiao suggested that Lu Wanwan cook for Ren Chu, believing a home-cooked meal would create a unique sense of intimacy. At the Qingyao University celebration, Wang Xinyu successfully secured the solo dance spot but was crushed to find Meng Xibai was not in the audience. She later confronted him, and he revealed he had missed the event for an experiment. Outraged, Wang Xinyu declared their breakup, to which Meng Xibai confusingly responded by asking if they hadn't already broken up.

With her parents away, Lu Wanwan attempted to cook braised bamboo shoots for Ren Chu. Ren Chu arrived dressed formally, and as she struggled with the recipe, the dish burned, causing hot oil to splash and scald her hand. Ren Chu immediately rushed to her side, tenderly tending to her injury and insisting that she never cook again, promising to handle all future meals himself. Shortly after, Lu Wanwan's parents returned unexpectedly.

During dinner, Mrs. Lu tried to set Ren Chu up with another girl, prompting Lu Wanwan to boldly announce that she was Ren Chu's girlfriend. Ren Chu confirmed this, stating he had liked her for a long time. When asked what he liked about her, Ren Chu simply replied, "everything." After dinner, Mrs. Lu gave Lu Wanwan relationship advice. To give Ren Chu some privacy from her parents, Lu Wanwan led him to her room.

She proudly showcased her childhood awards: first place in an eating competition, a tug-of-war championship, and an award for her first handmade dessert. Ren Chu then presented his gift: a notebook filled with "I like you" translated into various languages. Lu Wanwan realized he had visited the library specifically for this romantic gesture. Amused by his Chinese handwriting, she teased him, to which he replied that he is "super sweet."

He then kissed her, explaining that while he might be slow to learn the "technique" of romance, his feelings for her were based on "ninety-nine percent sincerity." Lu Wanwan found his sincere words to be the most romantic thing she had ever heard.

Episode 20 Recap

Ren Chu and Fan Yi arrived to pick up their girlfriends after class. Ren Chu, adhering to his "Boyfriend Rules" by waiting for Lu Wanwan and carrying her backpack, drew envious glances from Qiao. Amidst playful banter between Ren Chu and Fan Yi about Ren Chu's sharp tongue and how his stylish appearance helped his relationship with Lu Wanwan get on the right track, Lu Wanwan invited Ren Chu for a meal.

Both expressed relief that their busy week was ending and simultaneously suggested going on a date the next day. For their first official date, Lu Wanwan took charge of the arrangements. She diligently researched strategies, hoping to embody a dominant partner who could spoil Ren Chu. Their first stop was the cinema, where Lu Wanwan chose a classy literary romance film, aiming for a romantic atmosphere that would resonate with Ren Chu, a straight-A student.

She hoped the tear-jerking movie would lead them to hold hands and appreciate each other's presence. However, Lu Wanwan ended up falling asleep, disrupting her envisioned romantic scenario. Undeterred, she took Ren Chu to a highly-rated room escape game, believing it would challenge his intellect. She had chosen the hardest one in the city and planned to guide him. To her surprise, Ren Chu effortlessly solved the puzzles.

He deduced the four-digit password for the first room by identifying fingerprints on the keypad, narrowing the combinations to twenty-four and opening it on his fifth try. In the second room, he quickly opened the door by observing light reflection angles. Lu Wanwan felt frustrated, having spent a lot of money only for them to exit the "most difficult" room in ten minutes.

Feeling defeated that her plan to be a "boss" and spoil Ren Chu had failed, Lu Wanwan confessed her frustration. Ren Chu reassured her, explaining that he already felt her love and that her happiness was all he needed to feel pampered. Meanwhile, the school arranged a physical checkup for the dance department, carried out by intern doctors from the city hospital. To Wang Xinyu's surprise, one of the doctors was Meng Xibai.

He immediately took charge of her checkup, openly displaying his favoritism. He tried to engage her in conversation, referencing her past claim about admirers lining up "from here to France." Meng Xibai admitted he came just to see her and mentioned sending her an email to invite her fishing. Wang Xinyu, however, bluntly stated her dislike for fishing and emails, preferring phone communication.

Reflecting on how difficult it is for a guy to pursue a girl, Meng Xibai immediately decided to buy a phone, specifically asking for one that could send WeChat messages. Lu Wanwan later took Ren Chu to a woodcraft shop to make handmade items for each other. She confessed she had always wanted to do this with a boyfriend, and Ren Chu promised to be the first and the last one to do so with her.

At the shop, Ren Chu subtly guided Lu Wanwan through the carving process. Afterward, he took her to the restaurant where they first met. He revealed that the glass wall where she had winked at him was a one-way mirror, praising her successful "seduction." Lu Wanwan playfully demanded he return the favor by winking back.

There, they took a photo, and Lu Wanwan excitedly declared her intention to make an "official announcement" on social media to give Ren Chu a proper status. The announcement was met with disbelief from their friends on Moments, who accused Lu Wanwan of Photoshopping Ren Chu into the picture and even stealing Guan Ai's boyfriend, calling her a "third person." Lu Wanwan was furious.

To quell the rumors, Ren Chu comforted her, saying "rumors stop at the wise," and then publicly declared his affection for Lu Wanwan on campus, sealing it with a kiss. This public display left Lu Wanwan completely satisfied, exclaiming that she had "conquered the man at the top of the pyramid." Back in her dormitory, Lu Wanwan showed Ren Chu's wooden craft to Qiao, who jokingly remarked that it looked like a "radish" or "pork liver."

Lu Wanwan, however, adored it, calling it "Ren Chu's sincere heart." When Qiao teased that "love makes people blind," Lu Wanwan agreed. Later, Liang Xia messaged Lu Wanwan, expressing happiness for her but also revealing that she and An Jiaxian had broken up and she would be going abroad in three months. In a phone call, Liang Xia explained that since neither could guarantee their future together, a peaceful separation was the best choice.

She confirmed they were now friends and asked Lu Wanwan to see her off at the airport. Lu Wanwan presented Ren Chu with her handmade gift: a wooden skull. Ren Chu's friends found it unsettling, but Ren Chu adored it, calling it "so special" and designating it as their "token of love." Meanwhile, Fan Yi confessed to Qiao that he was upset after being harassed on the bus.

Enraged, Qiao accompanied him the next day, cleverly caught the harasser, and publicly admonished him, threatening to "break his bones" if she ever saw him touch anyone again. Later, Ren Chu surprised Lu Wanwan with a homemade cake. After tasting it, Lu Wanwan humorously remarked that the cake "tastes like plaster" and that even a straight-A student wasn't omnipotent. Ren Chu good-naturedly accepted the criticism.

He then delivered news: his lab had organized a month-long exchange program at a university in another province. To reassure Lu Wanwan, he presented her with a "Guarantee of Long-Distance Relationship." Lu Wanwan listed her conditions: her WeChat must be pinned and starred, he must reply quickly, answer her calls promptly, wait for her to hang up first, give her a cute nickname, and have daily video calls.

She also forbade him from adding other girls on WeChat, to which Ren Chu wittily replied that for other girls, he "didn't have a phone." He then sealed all his promises with a kiss.

Episode 21 Recap

Lu Wanwan arrived at the airport to see Ren Chu off, a moment filled with reluctance to part. Ren Chu encouraged her to eat more and asked her to call and video call him daily, admitting he enjoyed being disturbed by her. Lu Wanwan then gave him handmade chocolates, explaining that there were 30 pieces, one for each day, and that they would reunite once he finished them all.

They promised to watch the sunrise and sunset together and gaze at the starry sky upon his return. Before Ren Chu left, he affectionately told her to take care of herself and to lean on Fan Yi for any tough tasks. Lu Wanwan playfully responded, "I love you. I said it first." After Ren Chu departed, Lu Wanwan headed to the hospital for her orthopedics internship.

She met Dr. Zhang, introducing herself as a sophomore from Qingyao University's clinical department, having transferred from General Surgery. Dr. Zhang acknowledged her prior rotations in internal medicine and pneumology, advising her to find a specific area of medicine to specialize in for her future. Later, Lu Wanwan visited Wang Yuyang, bringing him nutritious carrot cake and spinach cookies.

She found him completely absorbed in a game, convinced that his support player, whose gaming ID was "I'm super cute," was falling for him because she protected him throughout several rounds and even defended him when he made mistakes. Lu Wanwan, however, was skeptical, questioning if the player might be male, arguing that female players typically wouldn't use such a "cringey name" or casually call someone "brother."

Meanwhile, Fan Yi met Qiao Qiao for a meal, meticulously taking care of her. He then presented her with a brand-name bag, explaining that he wanted to add a sense of ritual to their relationship since he hadn't given her a gift since they officially started dating. Qiao Qiao was touched but, recognizing the expensive brand, immediately suspected it might be a knockoff given Fan Yi had just started working.

Despite her doubts, she accepted it gracefully, deciding to pretend she didn't know if it was fake, valuing his good intentions. Soon after, Fan Yi rushed to find Lu Wanwan with Qiao Qiao, bearing bad news. He revealed that the school's old complex was scheduled for renovation during the summer vacation, which would lead to a reduction in club venues and an "integration of clubs."

Since Lu Wanwan’s Baking Club had no members and its activity level was below average, it was likely to be on the disbandment list. Qiao Qiao suggested that she and Fan Yi join to boost membership and activity, hoping to save it, but Fan Yi couldn't guarantee it would be enough. That evening, during a video call with Ren Chu, Lu Wanwan shared her predicament.

Ren Chu, calling her his "Girl Out of Oxygen," promised to help her save the club upon his return. Lu Wanwan confessed she was contemplating shutting it down entirely, admitting that while it started as an interest, it consumed too much of her study time. She revealed Dr. Zhang had asked about her future medical direction, and she hadn't even considered it, realizing she had a long way to go academically.

Ren Chu, however, reminded her that her strong hands-on ability was cultivated through baking, a significant advantage she should recognize. Lu Wanwan agreed to think it over, asserting she couldn't rely on him for everything. Ren Chu then offered her his latest research project: an AI companion named "Xiao Huo," designed to chat with her and solve problems when he couldn't be by her side. Lu Wanwan found it interesting, and Ren Chu sent her the program.

Before hanging up, as his seniors were calling him, Ren Chu asked for a kiss, though Lu Wanwan declined. Later, Lu Wanwan attempted to use Xiao Huo, asking it to set an alarm for her class and confiding in it about her dilemma between her beloved studies and her passion for baking. Xiao Huo suggested finding "what you really want to do in life."

She also tried to share Xiao Huo with her dormmates, but the application consistently refused to install for them. Lu Wanwan even tried telling Xiao Huo she missed her boyfriend, only to realize an AI couldn't understand love. The next morning, a sudden notification from her teacher about a class adjustment meant she had no classes in the afternoon. Upon confirming this with her class monitor, her dormmates immediately teased her, concluding she was "definitely going to meet her boyfriend."

Meanwhile, Meng Xibai approached Ren Chu for advice, having bought a mobile phone specifically to text Wang Xinyu for a date. He sought guidance on how to phrase his invitation appropriately. Ren Chu, claiming to have "carefully studied the instructional materials," advised Meng Xibai to be mindful of women's emotions, care about their mood, and give them space to think, summarizing it as appearing "immediately when you should" and staying away "when you shouldn't."

He called this the "sense of space." However, Ren Chu was surprised to learn that Meng Xibai hadn't even added Wang Xinyu on WeChat yet, calling his problem "too elementary" compared to the "advanced" advice he had just given. He then offered to send Wang Xinyu's WeChat ID to Meng Xibai. Meng Xibai immediately tried to add her, but Wang Xinyu, knowing he didn't use phones or WeChat, thought it was a scammer trying to impersonate him.

She scoffed, declaring she'd be a "pig" to add such a person. Following her newfound free time, Lu Wanwan decided to surprise Ren Chu. She messaged him that she had ordered food for him and asked him to come pick it up downstairs at the lab. When Ren Chu arrived, he found the "delivery" on the floor and Lu Wanwan waiting behind it, exclaiming "Surprise!"

Ren Chu was overjoyed, admitting how much he missed her and that he was eating her chocolates daily. A passing professor commented on the enviable love of young people, making Lu Wanwan worry about Ren Chu's colleagues' perceptions, but Ren Chu assured her they were friendly. He then invited her to dinner with his seniors.

During the meal, Ren Chu’s seniors warmly welcomed Lu Wanwan, discussing their own clear future plans, with one planning to continue studying and another aiming to start a business. Lu Wanwan was struck by how amazing they all seemed, noting their definite life paths and Ren Chu's ability to lead his own life. Ren Chu affirmed that Lu Wanwan was also incredibly capable and would become a "great doctor who can bake."

Lu Wanwan, however, voiced her concern about balancing her passions, fearing she might neither become a pastry chef nor a doctor. Ren Chu then suggested that perhaps her two passions could be combined, reminding her of her past professional competition topic related to food. This sparked an idea in Lu Wanwan: since Wang Yuyang and Ren Chu’s seniors often praised her food as nutritious and delicious, she wondered if she could become a nutritionist.

She then realized their hospital had a "nutritional medicine" department, which she could potentially make her research direction, thereby not having to give up making desserts. Ren Chu beamed, confirming he knew she would figure it out. Ren Chu then led Lu Wanwan to the school rooftop. Although they missed the sunrise and sunset, he offered to look up at the starry sky together, bringing out a telescope.

He patiently taught her how to use it, explaining he learned when he once invited her to watch a meteor shower. Through the telescope, Lu Wanwan was amazed to see a golden ring, which Ren Chu identified as Saturn's rings—the brightest group of rings in the solar system. Overwhelmed by the sight, Lu Wanwan asked why he had brought her there. Ren Chu confessed, "Because I want to be like the rings of Saturn. Always around you. Always guarding you."

Despite his previous attempts, Meng Xibai still hadn't managed to add Wang Xinyu on WeChat. He speculated that her phone might be out of credit. Convinced it was the latter, he recharged 100 Yuan to her account and sent a message: "I am Meng Xibai. I recharged for you. You ran out of credit. Add me." Wang Xinyu received the recharge notification and accepted his friend request, thinking it indeed was a credit issue.

Immediately after, she initiated a video call, which Meng Xibai mistakenly thought was a regular phone call. In the call, Wang Xinyu sternly accused him of being a "low-level scammer," said the top-up was now his "tuition fee," and threatened to call the police if he ever bothered her again. She then promptly blocked him, leaving Meng Xibai in disbelief. Lu Wanwan successfully restructured her Baking Club into the Nutrition Society, attracting many new members from various departments and clubs.

Her friends congratulated her, noting that the club was now safe. While Lu Wanwan began explaining the Nutrition Society, Fan Yi arrived. He presented Qiao Qiao with a handmade wool bear, depicting her "heroic move" when she saved him from a rascal on the bus. Qiao Qiao loved the thoughtful gift. Fan Yi then noticed Qiao Qiao wasn't using the branded bag he had given her earlier.

Qiao Qiao admitted she loved it but felt it was too "high profile" for a student. Fan Yi conceded it was his mistake, mentioning that when he bought it at the formal counter, the salesperson had only told him it was the "best-selling" model. Qiao Qiao then realized it was a genuine bag and questioned how he afforded it.

Fan Yi confessed that his family had recently had a house demolished, and his parents, knowing he was in a relationship, had given him extra pocket money. He then abruptly excused himself. Meng Xibai found Wang Xinyu at the dance studio. She immediately confronted him, asking if he was involved in any irregular loans, explaining that someone had been impersonating him to add her on WeChat, and "that idiot even paid for my phone bill."

Meng Xibai, with a solemn expression, then revealed that "that idiot was me," explaining that he bought the phone and used WeChat all because of her. He then pulled out a handwritten "WeChat application" and publicly read it aloud. In the letter, he formally requested to add her as a WeChat friend to "enhance the relationship" and "start anew," promising to "reply in seconds" and "abide by your charter," signing it "your ex-boyfriend, Meng Xibai."

Wang Xinyu, secretly pleased by his earnest declaration, though maintaining a composed exterior, simply replied, "That's quite sincere. I got it." When Meng Xibai asked if she would still ignore him, she nonchalantly said it was "not a big deal" and that she was "used to it." Later, Ren Chu surprised Lu Wanwan in person with a bouquet of flowers to congratulate her on reorganizing her club.

He explained he had finished his work on the train because he "wanted to see her." Shortly after, his seniors called to congratulate Lu Wanwan on her new Nutrition Society. One of them accidentally let slip that it was "not in vain that Ren Chu chats with you until late at night." Lu Wanwan, surprised, questioned this, stating she had been chatting with "AI Xiao Huo."

The senior tried to cover up, but Ren Chu confessed that while they did develop an AI, he had sent her an "unfinished version" that could be "human-operated." When Lu Wanwan accused him of lying, Ren Chu denied it was intentional, explaining he was worried about her and wanted to be her "exclusive artificial intelligence." Lu Wanwan then questioned him about the many selfies she had seen through Xiao Huo, to which Ren Chu promised to take more pictures in the future.

Episode 22 Recap

In the days that followed, Lu Wanwan and Ren Chu maintained their long-distance relationship through their phones, sharing their daily schedules, work, and leisure activities. Ren Chu informed Lu Wanwan that he intended to work overtime to complete his research, hoping to return early for the May 1st holiday, which delighted Lu Wanwan.

To make time for their date, Lu Wanwan deliberately concentrated her shifts in the days leading up to the holiday, asking a senior to help adjust her schedule despite concerns from her clinical teacher about the intense workload. Lu Wanwan was so immersed in her work that she almost forgot it was Wang Yuyang's discharge day. She rushed to give him his medical record, forgetting to reply to Ren Chu's messages in her hurry.

Wang Yuyang was despondent, confiding in Lu Wanwan that his online gaming partner had not contacted him for 24 hours. He believed this signified a silent breakup, contending that true affection would prevent such a long silence. Lu Wanwan playfully teased him, asking why he sounded so sour. Upon returning to her dormitory, Lu Wanwan was so exhausted she fell asleep before replying to Ren Chu's messages, and her phone died.

Unable to reach her, a worried Ren Chu happened upon Wang Yuyang's social media theory that a 24-hour silence in a relationship signifies a lack of love. Growing anxious, he checked when they last spoke and, fearing the worst, called Fan Yi for help. The next morning, Qiao woke Lu Wanwan, telling her about Ren Chu's frantic attempts to reach her.

Realizing it was nearly 7:30 AM, Lu Wanwan rushed to the hospital, briefly answering Ren Chu's call to explain her phone had been off and promising to call him back later. Lu Wanwan was indeed late for work, missing the doctor's morning case lecture. Later, she encountered the mother of a patient, a young ping-pong player with complex arm fractures. The mother, worried about her son's athletic future, pressed Lu Wanwan for information.

Unable to provide clear answers due to her missed lecture, Lu Wanwan's stammering agitated the family member. Her clinical teacher intervened, calming the mother by thoroughly explaining the successful surgery and positive prognosis. The teacher then called Lu Wanwan to her office, admonishing her not for her lack of knowledge, which was normal for a sophomore, but for her ambiguous attitude, which could erode patient trust.

She stressed that Lu Wanwan's intense schedule was risky, as any mistake due to exhaustion could become a "life-and-death matter." Afterward, Ren Chu called, sensing Lu Wanwan's low spirits. Though she initially held back, she soon discovered a surprise he had arranged. Following a trail of decorative lights, she found thoughtful gifts: various hand creams, comfortable shoes for the hospital, and a thermal lunchbox.

She then found her friends Qiao and Fan Yi, who confessed Ren Chu had enlisted them to set everything up since he couldn't reach her. Fan Yi also shared how Ren Chu had meticulously experimented with soy milk recipes for her. Touched by his efforts, Lu Wanwan expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Ren Chu. When Ren Chu video-called again, Lu Wanwan confessed what had happened at the hospital and admitted she had overestimated her capabilities.

Ren Chu encouraged her to share her burdens with him, emphasizing their relationship should be built on honesty and mutual support, not self-sacrifice. Playfully referencing Wang Yuyang's theory, he pledged not to let more than 24 hours pass without contact, confessing that despite knowing the theory was untrustworthy, he couldn't bear any possibility of losing her. On her way to the hospital, Lu Wanwan witnessed an ambulance rushing a patient to the emergency room.

After careful consideration, she informed her clinical teacher that she wished to resume her normal shifts during the holiday. She explained her decision to Ren Chu, stating that both her demanding work and their relationship were her "normal," and they should adapt to their busy lives rather than constantly trying to accommodate each other. Ren Chu fully supported her, affirming that their relationship was about making each other happy, not adding pressure.

Separately, Meng Xibai invited Wang Xinyu to a coffee shop he knew she liked. He admitted his past selfishness in planning their dates and revealed he had written a "paper" analyzing their relationship to prepare for their reconciliation, promising to consider her preferences moving forward. After a tiring shift, Lu Wanwan was surprised to find Ren Chu waiting for her. He had finished his experiment early but hadn't told her to avoid putting pressure on her.

She thanked him for coming and for the homemade soy milk. He, in turn, thanked her for being in his life and proposed a trip after her pre-internship to make their "cloud-based" relationship a reality. Lu Wanwan playfully accused the "straight-A student" of learning to lie, then teased that with him there to back her up, she could finally act like a child, leading to a playful chase.

Episode 23 Recap

Lu Wanwan's pre-internship came to an end, and Ren Chu had planned a trip for them. Lu Wanwan expressed her delight with the arrangements, describing it as her dream vacation where someone else handled all the bookings and planning. Seeing this, Meng Xibai decided to invite Wang Xinyu to join them. Wang Xinyu initially hesitated, pointing out that they were not a couple.

Meng Xibai assured her there were four bedrooms in the homestay, and he and Ren Chu would stay downstairs while she and Lu Wanwan stayed upstairs, promising not to disturb her. Lu Wanwan also encouraged Wang Xinyu to join, suggesting it would be a good opportunity to deepen her relationship with Meng Xibai after her performance. Wang Xinyu agreed to go.

As Lu Wanwan and Wang Xinyu went shopping for the trip, Wang Xinyu focused on purchasing items to ensure she looked beautiful, including tone-up cream, night powder, and even sexy pajamas. She confided in Lu Wanwan that while she truly wanted to travel, she was concerned about interrupting her dance practice. She explained that Meng Xibai was the one who ended their relationship, so if they were to reconcile, he would need to initiate it.

She intended to remain reserved and not make the first move. For a more romantic journey, Wang Xinyu decided she and Meng Xibai would drive to the destination, wanting to experience the feeling of elopement from a road movie. Meanwhile, Ren Chu and Lu Wanwan opted to fly and unexpectedly encountered Ren Chu's parents at the airport. Lu Wanwan became visibly nervous, exhibiting uncontrolled leg shaking, which she self-diagnosed as a result of uncoordinated muscle contractions and a dopamine drop.

Ren Chu introduced Lu Wanwan as his girlfriend, and his parents were very amiable, expressing their fondness for her and suggesting they have a meal together before their flights. During the meal, Lu Wanwan gradually relaxed as Ren Chu praised her accomplishments and his parents echoed their approval. She even recounted an amusing story about Ren Chu sleeping in the school swimming pool, which had initially scared her.

On the plane, Lu Wanwan watched the horror film "The Conjuring", terrifying herself. Upon arriving at the spacious villa designated as their homestay, she felt it resembled a horror house from a movie, imagining ghosts everywhere. Ren Chu's explanation that a startling noise was just a squirrel did little to calm her. Despite her fear, she tried to maintain a brave front. He offered to let her sleep in his room if she was afraid, but she claimed she wasn't.

Later that night, Lu Wanwan experienced intermittent pain in her right lower abdomen, which she identified as symptoms of her chronic appendicitis. She then heard a terrible scream, which she feared was a hallucination. Overcome by fear and discomfort, she went to Ren Chu's room and asked to sleep there, promising she meant nothing by it. She was initially nervous sleeping beside him but eventually drifted off, comforted by his presence and a cup of hot water he offered.

Separately, Meng Xibai and Wang Xinyu's long drive was not going smoothly; during a stop, Meng Xibai tried to get Wang Xinyu to do stretching exercises, even offering to teach her the five-animal exercises, but she was entirely uninterested. Meng Xibai and Wang Xinyu finally arrived late that night. Exhausted, Wang Xinyu immediately found a room and fell asleep.

Meng Xibai attempted to change her into clean clothes, but she kicked him when he touched her feet, so he opted to sleep on the sofa to watch over her. The next morning, Wang Xinyu was disappointed that he had done nothing more, lamenting that she brought her "sexy pajamas for nothing." Around the same time, Lu Wanwan emerged from Ren Chu's room, and both couples quickly explained that nothing inappropriate had transpired.

Meng Xibai noted Ren Chu's tired appearance, teasing him about Lu Wanwan's restless sleeping. The group then planned a hike. While Ren Chu and Wang Xinyu went to buy tickets, Lu Wanwan seized the opportunity to speak with Meng Xibai, urging him to be more proactive in pursuing Wang Xinyu. During their conversation, Lu Wanwan unexpectedly learned from Meng Xibai that Ren Chu would be participating in a year-long exchange program, meaning their long-distance relationship would resume.

Lu Wanwan was visibly dismayed, wondering why Ren Chu hadn't told her. During the hike, Wang Xinyu accidentally sprained her ankle. Meng Xibai, being a doctor, insisted on examining her foot, despite her reluctance to reveal her "ugly dancer's feet." He then carefully carried her down the mountain. In the car, as he treated her injury, Meng Xibai poured out his heart.

He apologized for breaking up with her, confessed his deep desire to take care of her for the rest of his life, and expressed his wish to be her personal doctor forever. He asked for another chance to start over. Overjoyed by his sincere confession, Wang Xinyu happily agreed to reconcile and immediately asked him to plan their "dating schedule." Meanwhile, Ren Chu continued to hike with Lu Wanwan, who was silently grappling with the news of their upcoming separation.

She wondered if her independent facade had made him think she didn't mind being apart. Ren Chu then led the group to an art museum. There, he had arranged for a room to be filled with green light. He explained that light is an electromagnetic wave with its own wavelength, and the wavelength of green light is exactly 520 nanometers, symbolizing "I love you" (5-2-0 in Mandarin).

Lu Wanwan was deeply moved by this romantic gesture, which Ren Chu had arranged with the help of his parents and the museum curator, calling it the most romantic gift she had ever received. Ren Chu then officially informed her about the year-long exchange program. Despite her earlier worries, Lu Wanwan expressed her full support.

Ren Chu explained that seeing her sleep so soundly and safely the previous night made him realize she was still a little girl inside, reinforcing his decision to make this grand gesture. He wanted her to know that she was the center of the light, the center of his life, and his ultimate destination. Lu Wanwan reciprocated, acknowledging that he was her destination too.

Episode 24 (Ending) Recap

Ren Chu planned to arrange a surprise birthday party for Lu Wanwan, enlisting Fan Yi's help. Fan Yi gathered Wang Xinyu and Wang Yuyang to discuss the details, with Wang Xinyu emphasizing that it was a top-secret "super surprise." Meanwhile, Ren Chu accompanied Lu Wanwan to the airport to see Liang Xia off.

Lu Wanwan gave Liang Xia a package of medicines and thanked her for the frank conversation on the rooftop that gave her the courage to confess to Ren Chu. An Jiaxian also arrived to give Liang Xia a new blanket and say his goodbyes. After a farewell hug, Lu Wanwan gave the two some private time.

Lu Wanwan, in turn, wanted to host a meaningful farewell party for Ren Chu before his exchange studies, planning it as a surprise on her own birthday, May 24. Aware of her intentions, Ren Chu secretly instructed Gu Qiao to act as a "double spy." Gu Qiao was to pretend to help Lu Wanwan while actually leading her to the birthday party Ren Chu was preparing, creating a double surprise.

Gu Qiao suggested an immersive murder mystery game for the farewell party, showing Lu Wanwan an ad for an ancient-style courtyard venue. When Lu Wanwan worried about the cost, Gu Qiao pretended she had won a free pass. Lu Wanwan was thrilled, and they discussed script options. On the day of the event, Gu Qiao led Lu Wanwan to the venue, secretly updating Ren Chu on their progress. Upon arrival, they found Ren Chu already in costume.

He revealed his surprise: he had chosen the script "A Wedding Night Thriller" and asked Lu Wanwan to be his bride. After Lu Wanwan changed into a stunning bridal outfit, they reviewed their roles: Wang Xinyu was the groom's long-lost sister, Meng Xibai was the disapproving father, Fan Yi was the bride's family guard, Gu Qiao was a male guest with a special connection to the bride, and Wang Yuyang comically played the matchmaker.

The game's objective was to find the bride's missing phoenix coronet and identify the thief. Instead of searching for clues, Lu Wanwan enjoyed walking around with Ren Chu and eating cake. He playfully teased that she must have hidden the coronet because she didn't want to marry him. Flustered, she ran off and quickly found the coronet in the garden, after which the game system instructed her to wait for the auspicious time.

Meanwhile, Wang Yuyang, tired from playing his role, fell asleep in a sedan chair. Mistaking him for Lu Wanwan, Meng Xibai and Fan Yi carried the chair away, believing it was part of a hidden task. Later, Ren Chu entered the bridal chamber and delivered a heartfelt speech to the veiled figure he believed was Lu Wanwan, explaining the surprise was all for her. However, upon lifting the veil, he was shocked to find Wang Yuyang.

Ren Chu eventually found the real Lu Wanwan, who had been completing a task outside. They returned to the room to perform the wedding rituals. Ren Chu, joking that he had already rehearsed the ceremony once, lifted her veil. They drank the "cross-cupped wine," which turned out to be strong liquor. Lu Wanwan, who became intoxicated after one sip, humorously promised not to strip his clothes this time, and they shared a romantic night.

The next morning, Ren Chu wished Lu Wanwan a happy birthday again and gave her a meteorite ring, symbolizing their eternal bond. As she was moved by the gesture, she suddenly felt a sharp abdominal pain. They rushed to the hospital, where Meng Xibai diagnosed her with an acute appendicitis attack requiring immediate surgery. Ever the dedicated pre-med student, Lu Wanwan even tried to grab her phone to film the procedure before being wheeled into the operating room.

A month later, after Lu Wanwan had fully recovered, Ren Chu took her to the aquarium. He presented her with his old "Rumor Elimination Plan" document, declaring he was ready to take responsibility for accidentally falling in love with her for the rest of his life. Lu Wanwan playfully renamed it the "Love Developing Plan," and they both signed it, sealing their agreement with a sweet kiss.