Just an Encore Episode 19 Recap
> Just an Encore Recap
Yan Ze called He Xinliang to tell him she would not be coming for tutoring that day, but He Xinliang surprised her by telling her not to come first. He Xinliang then informed her that Ji Xiao was the one who helped carry her school bag back, a revelation that delighted Yan Ze. On her way back to the classroom, Yan Ze encountered Xiao Zhuo'an, who asked about their "Four-person Study Group," noting that the name sounded "countrified."
When Yan Ze confirmed its existence, Xiao Zhuo'an insisted that if it involved He Xinliang, it involved her too, and demanded to know its location. Yan Ze refused, telling her she would "never know where it is" and to "give up." Xiao Zhuo'an vowed she would find it anyway. Later, Xiao Zhuo'an secretly followed Gu Xiye to the hospital, where He Xinliang was recovering. Upon seeing her, He Xinliang was unwelcoming.
Xiao Zhuo'an expressed concern for his injury and again tried to join their study sessions, citing her good grades. He Xinliang firmly told her, "I don't want to study with you," and bluntly dismissed her, advising her to study at home and not "hang around in front of me," as it made him "dizzy." During a chemistry experiment, He Xinliang, whose foot had healed, returned to class.
Distracted by his presence, Gu Xiye accidentally knocked over an alcohol bottle, spilling alcohol onto her clothes. Unaware, her clothes caught fire. Xiao Zhuo'an quickly righted the bottle. Gu Xiye, misunderstanding, thought Xiao Zhuo'an had caused the incident. Yan Ze rushed over to confront Xiao Zhuo'an. At that moment, He Xinliang noticed Yan Ze's clothes were also singed. He quickly used a towel to put out the flames and pulled Yan Ze into the ladies' room.
There, he instructed her to "take off your trousers" to remove the burned fabric. Yan Ze, misinterpreting his words, slapped him. Meanwhile, Gu Xiye confronted Xiao Zhuo'an, asking why she had done it. Xiao Zhuo'an retorted, blaming Gu Xiye for being distracted and defiantly admitted to the act, which caused an uproar among their classmates. Yan Ze soon realized her mistake regarding He Xinliang.
She profusely apologized to him, calling him a "Master" for saving her and asking him to "please find me another pair of trousers." He Xinliang initially refused, but reluctantly went to find a solution. Unable to find Gu Xiye and not knowing other girls' names, he called Xiao Zhuo'an, asking her to retrieve a pair of pants from the girls' dormitory for Yan Ze.
Xiao Zhuo'an expressed joy that He Xinliang thought of her in a time of need, believing it meant there was "still hope for me." However, He Xinliang told her he did not welcome her back, reminding her that from the moment she chose to leave, he would never forgive her. Xiao Zhuo'an brought the pants to Yan Ze, who was surprised to see her.
Xiao Zhuo'an accused Gu Xiye of taking He Xinliang from her, claiming she should have been with He Xinliang two years ago, but he had "pretended not to know anything." Yan Ze staunchly defended Gu Xiye, believing there was a misunderstanding and that Gu Xiye, being low-profile, would not "take away your boyfriend." Xiao Zhuo'an then described Gu Xiye as proud and conceited, suggesting she disdained easily obtained things and would only target a friend's boyfriend for the challenge.
Yan Ze firmly rejected this characterization, asserting that Gu Xiye was "not what you think" and that it was "not the reason why you can bully her." Yan Ze returned to class, lost in thought. Ji Xiao noticed her preoccupation and asked what was wrong. She vaguely attributed it to exam stress and posed a hypothetical question about a best friend liking the same person. Ji Xiao found her question convoluted, and Yan Ze dismissed it as exam pressure.
To motivate her, Ji Xiao promised to take her to an amusement park if she improved her exam ranking by ten spots. Yan Ze was immediately energized and dedicated herself to studying. After the exams, Yan Ze and Gu Xiye went to take photo stickers.
Yan Ze inadvertently brought up Xiao Zhuo'an, asking Gu Xiye if she "cared much about Xiao Zhuo'an," to which Gu Xiye simply replied, "No." Later, Yan Ze, holding the photo stickers, asked her roommate for advice on what to do if her best friend liked the same person she liked. Her roommate suggested two paths: "one is to take, the other is to give up."
Yan Ze then mused that Xiao Zhuo'an must have left previously to avoid conflict with Gu Xiye, only to return later, driven by her feelings, leading to their current rivalry. Yan Ze and Ji Xiao went to the amusement park. Yan Ze was still troubled by her dilemma, expressing uncertainty about whether her actions were "right or wrong" or truly "for the best of the friend."
Ji Xiao advised her that "many times, there is no right or wrong" and that "since you are friends, clear the air, then all is well," as "nothing is impossible to solve." Yan Ze found clarity in his words. Yan Ze then invited Gu Xiye and He Xinliang to join them, and the four friends enjoyed their time together. During a break, Ji Xiao went to buy drinks, and He Xinliang accompanied him.
Yan Ze expressed a desire for roasted sausages, but Ji Xiao deemed them "unsanitary" and suggested eating a proper meal later, to which Yan Ze agreed. He Xinliang had been feeling unwell since the pirate ship ride but had been pretending to be fine. He could no longer hide it from Ji Xiao, who helped him to a bench and told him to wait there while he bought drinks.
While waiting, He Xinliang spotted a roasted sausage vendor and bought one. When Ji Xiao returned, he playfully teased He Xinliang for not waiting. Both Ji Xiao and He Xinliang then presented a roasted sausage to Yan Ze. Gu Xiye mistakenly assumed He Xinliang's sausage was for her, and he did not correct her to avoid awkwardness. Ji Xiao, having initially discouraged Yan Ze from eating the sausages, admitted she "won" and allowed her this "just this once." The four friends continued to interact, sometimes with familiar ease, sometimes with subtle, unspoken feelings intertwined, highlighting the complex dynamics of their cherished friendships.
