Just an Encore Episode 18 Recap
> Just an Encore Recap
Yan Ze enthusiastically declared her intention to start studying diligently for the college entrance examination that very day, asking Ji Xiao if she could approach him with questions, to which he readily agreed. Meanwhile, in another classroom, Gu Xiye had placed breakfast on He Xinliang's desk. Xiao Zhuo'an discovered it and announced her plan to discard it.
Gu Xiye confronted her, but Xiao Zhuo'an, proclaiming her over-a-decade-long friendship with He Xinliang and stating that no one could pursue him without her approval, defiantly threw the breakfast away. Their teacher, Mr. Zheng, then announced the mid-term exam for the following Monday, eliciting groans from the students, including Yan Ze, who had just vowed to study.
The teacher stressed the exam's importance for assessing their chosen paths in liberal arts, while also encouraging them to find self-discovery, problem-solving, and joy in learning, rather than focusing solely on grades. She strictly warned against cheating or intentionally underperforming. Xiao Zhuo'an informed Mr. Zheng of He Xinliang's absence, and Mr. Zheng confirmed that He Xinliang had taken leave due to a sprained ankle, a piece of news that seemed to concern both Xiao Zhuo'an and Gu Xiye.
He Xinliang was at the hospital with Mr. Han and Yan Hai. Despite He Xinliang's attempts to downplay his injury as a mere sprain from walking, Mr. Han, concerned about a potential bone fracture, pressed him for the truth, even threatening to bar him from the basketball team. He Xinliang finally confessed that he had climbed through a classroom window to retrieve Yan Ze's bag after they had skipped class, and fell due to unfamiliarity with the layout.
Yan Hai remarked that He Xinliang had, in a way, saved Yan Ze from a potentially worse situation with her uncle. Mr. Han, still irritated, ordered He Xinliang to write a self-criticism. Later that day, Yan Ze struggled with her math homework, complaining to Ji Xiao that she couldn't even understand the problem statements. Ji Xiao patiently explained a question, but Yan Ze, still confused, pretended to understand to avoid appearing foolish.
Gu Xiye then arrived and invited Yan Ze to visit He Xinliang, and the three of them went to the hospital. He Xinliang and Yan Ze immediately began bickering. After Ji Xiao and Gu Xiye left the room, Yan Ze returned, asking He Xinliang to tutor her in math. She admitted she couldn't grasp Ji Xiao and Gu Xiye's explanations and felt too embarrassed to ask them for further clarification, as it would make her feel stupid.
He Xinliang, after some initial reluctance and teasing, agreed to help. Yan Ze discreetly returned to the hospital for tutoring after Ji Xiao and Gu Xiye had left. She found He Xinliang surrounded by elderly patients and their families, who had misunderstood his friends' visit as a farewell ceremony and believed he was gravely ill. Yan Ze, to He Xinliang's annoyance, played along with the misunderstanding before starting their math session.
He Xinliang quickly became frustrated by Yan Ze's lack of basic knowledge, even suggesting she give up. However, when Yan Ze dramatically feigned despair and began to pack her things, He Xinliang relented, agreeing to continue. He told her that he himself was a "hard-working" student, not a "talented" one, implying that through effort, she could improve. During one of their daily tutoring sessions, Ji Xiao unexpectedly returned to the hospital.
He paused outside the door, listening to their familiar and comfortable bickering, and, feeling disheartened, left without interrupting them. Meanwhile, Liu Xichuan sought out Yan Hai to apologize. However, Yan Hai, determined to end their connection, rejected her apology and declared that he no longer liked her, stating his affection was now for Xiao Zhuo'an. He intentionally showed Liu Xichuan a photo of Xiao Zhuo'an from his wallet.
Infuriated by this, Liu Xichuan told Yan Hai that they should never speak to each other again and stormed away. After witnessing Yan Ze and He Xinliang together, Ji Xiao became more proactive in tutoring Yan Ze. He explained a problem and then asked her to reiterate the solution to ensure she understood. When Yan Ze couldn't, Ji Xiao became visibly angry, questioning why she hadn't asked if she was confused. Yan Ze, flustered, tried to defend herself.
Ji Xiao then asked if she was afraid of him, which she denied before leaving the classroom. Ji Xiao, still upset, went directly to the hospital to confront He Xinliang. He asked if He Xinliang had been secretly tutoring Yan Ze. He Xinliang admitted it, explaining that Yan Ze was afraid Ji Xiao would consider her unintelligent, and therefore sought help from him. Ji Xiao, seeking to understand, asked about He Xinliang's teaching methods.
He Xinliang explained that Yan Ze's foundation was too weak for their typical "easy-to-understand" approaches. He then offered to turn Yan Ze away the next time she came for tutoring. As Ji Xiao left, He Xinliang reiterated his intention to drive Yan Ze away, despite Ji Xiao's objections.
After Ji Xiao departed, He Xinliang sighed, admitting to himself that he felt "a little bit upset," a comment which an elderly patient nearby misinterpreted as a physical ailment, immediately rushing to call a doctor.
