Just an Encore Episode 15 Recap
> Just an Encore Recap
Xiao Zhuo'an and Gu Xiye ran for class monitor in Senior 2 Class 3. He Xinliang, arriving late, explained to Mr. Zheng that he had been helping Yan Ze in the Sports Department, much to Mr. Zheng's disapproval, who urged him to focus on academics for Tsinghua. Xiao Zhuo'an presented herself as passionate and outgoing, aiming to organize efficient class activities to help students focus on studies for the university entrance exam.
Gu Xiye, an introvert, confessed it took great courage to run. She believed a class monitor's role was to mobilize everyone's initiative, participate in class activities, unleash talents, make friends, and create beautiful high school memories beyond just studying. After their speeches, the class proceeded with a secret ballot. Xiao Zhuo'an stopped He Xinliang, asking who he voted for, but he brushed her off.
During the vote counting, Mr. Zheng was astonished when the first two votes were for Yan Ze, calling it a prank and threatening to find the culprit. He Xinliang interjected, playfully suggesting that even if Yan Ze wasn't in their class, "she's always in our heart." Despite Mr. Zheng's attempts to void the votes, almost all subsequent ballots were cast for Yan Ze. Xiao Zhuo'an received one vote (her own), and Gu Xiye abstained.
He Xinliang couldn't resist teasing Xiao Zhuo'an, remarking that some people understood modesty better. Yan Ze, present for the count, thanked everyone for their affection but explained she couldn't be class monitor as she was no longer in their class, advising them to move on. Mr. Zheng then declared Yan Ze the "permanent honorary class monitor" for the class. He then tried to appoint Xiao Zhuo'an as the official class monitor based on the remaining votes.
However, Xiao Zhuo'an refused, stating there was "no point" if she wasn't truly elected and she was "not a second choice." Instead, she proposed Gu Xiye for the role, citing Gu Xiye's longer tenure and better understanding of the class. Xiao Zhuo'an then applied to be the commissary in charge of exercises, aiming to help classmates strengthen their bodies. Gu Xiye also declined the class monitor position, which further frustrated Mr. Zheng, who stormed out, exasperated.
Mr. Zheng summoned Yan Ze to his office. Yan Ze, fearing reprimand, swore she hadn't coerced anyone into voting for her and had only intended to support Gu Xiye, even writing her speech. Mr. Zheng, however, surprised her by asking if she could transfer back to their class. Just then, Xiao Zhuo'an arrived, asking Yan Ze to remain.
Xiao Zhuo'an stated that despite being new, she wanted to be friends and hoped teachers, classmates, and her "friends in the old times" would treat her equally, without "grudges" or "bias." She specifically told Yan Ze that she was "still me" and "haven't changed," hoping Yan Ze would treat her "the way you did before." Yan Ze countered, questioning if Xiao Zhuo'an truly believed she was her old self, asserting that "we're no longer what we were."
Xiao Zhuo'an, however, insisted that Yan Ze had changed, but Gu Xiye hadn't. During physical education class, Mr. Han announced upcoming physical strength tests. Several male students admitted they couldn't run the required 1000 meters. Xiao Zhuo'an, now acting as the class's commissary in charge of exercises, offered to organize intensive training and boldly suggested that He Xinliang, an outstanding athlete, assist her in helping classmates improve their physical fitness.
Despite He Xinliang's clear reluctance, Mr. Han agreed, warning He Xinliang not to bring shame to the basketball team and holding him accountable if the students failed. During warm-ups, Xiao Zhuo'an deliberately positioned herself near He Xinliang, who noticeably tried to avoid her. Witnessing this, Gu Xiye looked visibly upset.
Later, Gu Xiye approached Yan Ze, who was the head of the Sports Department, asking if it was possible to join, even though it wasn't the recruiting season for Senior 2 students. Yan Ze, despite initial hesitation, agreed to help her. He Xinliang's frustration mounted as he felt constantly harassed by both Xiao Zhuo'an, in her new role as commissary in charge of exercises, and Gu Xiye, now a cadre in the Sports Department.
He angrily sought out Yan Ze, who was with Ji Xiao, to complain. He Xinliang accused Yan Ze of "abusing her official power" by pulling strings for Gu Xiye and Xiao Zhuo'an, which made him miserable and disrupted his basketball playing. Yan Ze clarified that Xiao Zhuo'an's position as commissary was her own doing, not hers, but admitted to helping Gu Xiye join the Sports Department.
Ji Xiao, intervening, acknowledged that "pulling strings" wasn't ideal, but also suggested that He Xinliang, who had finally gotten a chance to play basketball, shouldn't be bothered. Yan Ze expressed her dilemma, torn between her friendship with He Xinliang and Gu Xiye. Later, Mr. Han confronted Yan Ze, accusing her of pulling strings to get Gu Xiye into the Sports Department.
Yan Ze defended her decision, stating that the Sports Department was a non-profit student organization and they should be grateful for anyone willing to contribute. Mr. Han, however, claimed the Cultural and Recreational Department opposed Gu Xiye's entry, implying their head, Ms. Gu, was siding with Xiao Zhuo'an. He demanded Yan Ze remove Gu Xiye, but Yan Ze staunchly refused.
Their argument escalated with threats to expose each other's secrets, including Yan Ze's alleged "back door" dealings to Mr. Zheng and Mr. Han's "courting Gu" photos on Tieba. Gu Xiye, who overheard the entire exchange, appeared visibly upset, though she told Yan Ze she was "used to it." Gu Xiye mused that while being good-looking might attract fleeting attention, it was "completely different from getting true affections."
The school announced a friendly match between the first and second grades and the third grade to prepare Senior 3 student-athletes for their upcoming physical specialty exam. During a training session, Xiao Zhuo'an conspicuously hung a large banner on the basketball court that read, "Cool and handsome, Xinliang is the best of Yangming," in support of He Xinliang. Mortified, He Xinliang ordered her to take it down, calling it "disgraceful." When she refused, he left in a huff.
He Xinliang later confided in Mr. Han and a friend that he was deeply annoyed by being "harassed by two pretty girls" (Xiao Zhuo'an and Gu Xiye) and wished to play basketball undisturbed. He complained that no one was helping him. Mr. Han, feeling helpless, explained he couldn't do much since Gu Xiye was in the Sports Department and Xiao Zhuo'an was favored by Ms. Gu.
He Xinliang then declared he would not play in the upcoming match, but Mr. Han vehemently forbade it. Early one morning, Yan Ze, in her pajamas, went downstairs to dispose of trash, only to find Ji Xiao waiting outside her building. Startled, she rushed back inside to quickly change, later joking that she "already looks good so I don't need makeup." Ji Xiao revealed he wanted to give her a surprise and took her to a museum.
They spent the morning touring the exhibits. Although Yan Ze wasn't particularly interested in the artifacts, she assured Ji Xiao that she "liked it a lot," not wanting him to think she was bored. Afterward, they went to a Western restaurant. During their meal, two foreign women blew a kiss at Ji Xiao. Yan Ze was immediately annoyed, questioning why he didn't refuse them and remarking that they might think he accepted it.
Ji Xiao, asking her to lower her voice, explained it was merely a "common salutation" and assured her he wouldn't contact them. He then calmly advised her on how to use a different knife for her meal. Still visibly unhappy, Yan Ze declared she was finished eating. To lift her spirits, Ji Xiao played a piano piece, dedicating it to his "lovely girl," accompanied by a message about pursuing one's desires and dreams with uncommon courage.
