In a Class of Her Own Episode 2 Recap
> In a Class of Her Own Recap
Feng Chengjun sought out Mr. Chao to inquire about the character of the writer known as Wen Bin. Mr. Chao explained that he only knew this individual as Wen Bin, a person desperately in need of money. Despite this, Wen Bin had always adhered to strict principles, never engaging in deceitful acts. The only exception was the recent exam impersonation, which Mr. Chao believed must have been due to some grave difficulty.
Leaving Mr. Chao's shop with a complicated mix of emotions, Feng Chengjun soon encountered Yu Lexuan, who immediately sensed Feng Chengjun was looking for the person who had "tricked" him at the exam. Yu Lexuan, claiming his motive was care for a future classmate, told Feng Chengjun that he would find the person at San Shen Temple that evening at 7:15 p. m. , earning money for a dangerous task.
Despite Yu Lexuan's veiled warnings about the risks involved for someone of Feng Chengjun's noble status, Feng Chengjun remained resolute in his decision to go. That night, Feng Chengjun arrived at San Shen Temple. Wen Bin, dressed in male attire, was already there to deliver a banned book she had been paid 200 qian by Yu Lexuan to write.
She was startled to see Feng Chengjun, who tried to initiate a conversation, but Wen Bin, feeling deeply inconvenienced by him, had no desire to speak. Before they could talk, a squad of the Imperial Brigade suddenly appeared, announcing their intent to apprehend those trading banned books. Realizing they had been set up by Yu Lexuan, Feng Chengjun and Wen Bin immediately fled, narrowly escaping into a cramped mountain cave.
As they pressed close together to avoid detection, the proximity to Feng Chengjun caused Wen Bin to blush. Once the Imperial Brigade had passed, Feng Chengjun finally revealed his true purpose. He acknowledged Wen Bin's exceptional talent and expressed his belief that her involvement in cheating was born of hidden difficulties. Feng Chengjun urged Wen Bin to participate legitimately in Yun Shang Academy's second exam, emphasizing that she should rely on her own efforts to achieve success.
Wen Bin, harboring the secret of her true female identity, was internally troubled but politely thanked Feng Chengjun for his kindness before departing. She knew her family was struggling, with her mother unwell and her younger brother, Wen Bin, needing medical treatment, which was the true source of her constant debt. Upon his return to Yun Shang Academy, Feng Chengjun was immediately confronted by a group of hostile scholars led by the Student President, Han Shengzhi.
They openly expressed their disdain for his prominence and their anger over his actions that exposed their cheating. Feng Chengjun, however, remained unfazed. He stated his unwavering commitment to fairness and justice, declaring that as a scholar, he must set an example and rectify the decadent atmosphere of the exam hall. Han Shengzhi acknowledged Feng Chengjun's courage but reminded him that Yun Shang Academy had its own strict rules.
Feng Chengjun countered that the academy was also not a place for deception. To ensure Wen Bin would take the exam, Feng Chengjun secretly arranged for Mr. Chao to make her an offer. Wen Bin, meanwhile, was desperately seeking a job that could earn her 800 qian quickly. Mr. Chao approached her with an offer for a "riskier" job: impersonating a candidate in the upcoming second exam, not merely assisting.
He assured her that despite rumors of strict new rules, the employer, who offered a substantial 1000 qian, guaranteed her safety and payment regardless of the outcome. Given her dire financial situation, Wen Bin reluctantly agreed. Soon after, the second exam at Yun Shang Academy commenced with strict disciplinary measures announced. Feng Chengjun, scanning the assembly, spotted Wen Bin.
Approaching Principal Feng and Grand Secretary Ding, he presented his only recommendation letter, vouching for a scholar named Wen Bin, praising his exceptional talent and compassion for the common people despite his impoverished background. Feng Chengjun earnestly requested that Wen Bin be given an opportunity to serve the country. Impressed by Feng Chengjun's strong endorsement and acknowledging past precedents, Grand Secretary Ding approved Wen Bin to be admitted directly into the second exam.
During the exam, Wen Bin initially showed little interest, leaving her paper blank. Feng Chengjun discreetly urged her to write, warning that a blank submission would be considered contempt for the law, just like cheating. He reminded her of his high praise to Principal Feng, implying that a poor performance would also be seen as contempt. Annoyed, Wen Bin questioned Feng Chengjun's true intentions, but he insisted he was helping her.
She then raised her hand to ask the invigilator about the penalty for skipping the third exam if she passed the second. Upon learning there would be no punishment for absence, Wen Bin felt relieved and quickly completed and submitted her paper. Unbeknownst to her, it was announced that Master Wang himself would inspect the second exam papers to determine who would advance. Later, Wen Bin was summoned to Ming Lun Hall.
Feeling unqualified and only wanting to leave, she was called before Master Wang's representative, who declared that while her essay was not exceptional, she was fortunate and had been granted entrance to Yun Shang Academy as the last-ranked candidate from the second exam. Wen Bin, trying to escape the situation, feigned guilt for her low ranking, which Master Wang, who was present, found amusing. Afterward, Wen Bin angrily accused Feng Chengjun of tricking her.
Yu Lexuan, however, revealed that as a scholar of Yun Shang Academy, her value as a writer would increase tenfold, and she would receive a monthly allowance of 300 qian. This news astonished Wen Bin, who realized the income would be enough to pay for her brother Wen Bin’s medical treatment, though she remained worried about her female identity being discovered. Thus, Xue Wenxi, disguised as Wen Bin, entered Yun Shang Academy.
Navigating a male-only environment, she was constantly on edge. She was assigned to Room Two in the regular dormitory, sharing it with Lei Ao, a senior scholar known for his martial prowess but infamous for his academic struggles and infrequent presence at the academy. Relieved at the prospect of mostly living alone, Wen Bin eagerly began to clean the room. To her dismay, Feng Chengjun was also assigned to Room Two.
He had refused a superior room prepared for him, challenging the notion of privilege based on noble status. As a result, he was placed in the only available regular dorm room—which happened to be Lei Ao’s, making him Wen Bin’s unexpected roommate.
