Just an Encore Episode 12 Recap
> Just an Encore Recap
All students and American students gathered for a group photo. As the picture was being taken, He Xinliang quietly walked out of the frame. Yan Ze noticed his absence and asked for a retake, insisting that He Xinliang join the group. Though He Xinliang asked, "Why should I?" , he eventually stood in. After the photo, Ji Xiao invited Yan Ze to a famous new snack bar by the river at 7 PM.
Before they could finish their conversation, Ji Xiao was pulled away by the American students, leaving Yan Ze unable to tell him her phone was dead. Yan Ze then suggested that Gu Xiye and the American students go home first, claiming she needed to pick up something from school and telling them not to wait for her for dinner. She then headed alone to the snack bar by the river.
Back at home, Gu Xiye presented a gift of intricately folded paper cranes to Yan Ze's parents, thanking them for giving her a second home. They were touched by her thoughtfulness and remarked that she was their child just like Yan Ze. As time passed and Yan Ze still hadn't returned, her parents began to complain about her staying out late, comparing her conscientiousness to Gu Xiye's. However, their words carried deep concern and love.
Gu Xiye listened, feeling a little uneasy. Meanwhile, Yan Ze continued to wait by the river for Ji Xiao, but he was nowhere to be seen. Her parents, worried, waited for her at their door. Finally, Ji Xiao arrived. However, his first words were to ask Yan Ze if she knew where Gu Xiye was. Mistaking his intention, a hurt Yan Ze sadly walked away. It turned out the American student had repeatedly urged Ji Xiao to find Gu Xiye.
After Yan Ze's departure, Ji Xiao angrily confronted the student, telling him that he had upset "my girl." Yan Ze returned home distraught and tearful. Her father, initially ready to scold her, softened upon seeing her crying and didn't reprimand her. The task of hosting the American students concluded, and Mr. Zheng expressed his satisfaction with the students' performance. He asked Yan Ze for a group photo with the American students to include in his "Outstanding Teacher" evaluation materials.
Yan Ze provided two photos taken at a local landmark. She worried that Mr. Zheng would notice He Xinliang was missing from one of them. However, after carefully comparing the two pictures for a long time, Mr. Zheng only noticed an extra trash can in one photo, remarking that the pictures looked largely the same and chiding them for wasting class funds by developing two nearly identical photos.
He eventually chose the one without the trash can, finding the people in it clearer. Yan Ze and Mr. Zheng went to see the American students off at the airport. Coincidentally, He Xinliang was also flying to the United States that day. Yan Ze was still angry with Ji Xiao and ignored him.
Before their departure, Cooper, one of the American students, approached Gu Xiye with flowers and made a heartfelt confession, saying he had fallen in love with her at first sight. Mr. Zheng intervened good-naturedly, humorously stating he was the "buster of puppy love" and that students should love their teacher. Yan Ze watched the confession with envy. Ji Xiao, observing Yan Ze's reaction, asked if she liked flowers.
Yan Ze expressed admiration for Cooper's courage, believing that if one likes someone, they should bravely express it. Ji Xiao appeared thoughtful after hearing her words. Later, Yan Ze asked Gu Xiye how it felt to be confessed to by someone she didn't like. Gu Xiye replied that she felt "nothing, but a little bit awkward." Yan Ze openly expressed her envy for Gu Xiye, who always had so many suitors.
As Yan Ze and Gu Xiye hailed a taxi to go home, Ji Xiao suddenly rushed over, asking for a ride, claiming he couldn't get another taxi. Yan Ze initially protested, saying it was not on their way, but Ji Xiao insisted and got into the car. During the ride, Ji Xiao, recalling Yan Ze's earlier words about expressing feelings boldly, sent a text message to confess his feelings to Yan Ze.
However, he accidentally sent the message to Gu Xiye's phone. Unaware of his mistake, Ji Xiao felt disappointed that Yan Ze hadn't replied. Upon returning home, Gu Xiye asked Yan Ze how she would refuse someone she didn't like, finding it strange since Yan Ze knew Gu Xiye was accustomed to such situations. Gu Xiye then showed Yan Ze the text message, revealing that it was from Ji Xiao. Yan Ze was shocked to learn the truth.
Meanwhile, Ji Xiao was anxiously awaiting Yan Ze's reply at home, but no response came. Yan Ze offered to help Gu Xiye reject Ji Xiao, insisting on a firm and unambiguous refusal to leave no room for misunderstanding. She then replied to Ji Xiao's message with a blunt, "You wish. Maybe next life!" Ji Xiao was deeply disheartened by the reply, believing it was Yan Ze's unequivocal rejection. Yan Ze, too, felt unsettled and restless about the whole incident.
