Just an Encore Episode 20 Recap
> Just an Encore Recap
Yan Ze cleverly sent Gu Xiye upstairs, claiming she wanted a breath of fresh air and to avoid her parents, with whom she often argued. Downstairs, her parents confronted her for being "bored to see them" and called her "ungrateful." Yan Ze redirected the conversation back to Gu Xiye's birthday plans.
Her father then presented the money her mother and he had "worked so hard to save," instructing Yan Ze to plan the party according to Gu Xiye's previous birthday "spec," but cautioned against extravagance. Yan Ze murmured that Gu Xiye's previous birthday "spec" was already extravagant, then openly complained about their favoritism, noting they spent almost all their savings on Gu Xiye's birthday but wouldn't buy her a liked gift for her own.
Her parents explained that since Gu Xiye's own parents weren't present, they couldn't "disappoint her," which led Yan Ze to feel unloved. Later that night, Yan Ze asked Gu Xiye about her birthday plans. Gu Xiye expressed a desire for a simple celebration, just "a family meal, a cake, and candles." Yan Ze, however, disagreed. She brought out a beautiful dress Gu Xiye had received for her 15th birthday, recalling how stunning Gu Xiye looked that day.
Yan Ze reassured Gu Xiye that she could "continue to be a princess" and promised to handle all the arrangements. Yan Ze organized a birthday party for Gu Xiye. Outside the venue, He Xinliang encountered Xiao Zhuo'an, who declared her intention to give Gu Xiye a "big present" to reveal her true character to everyone.
He Xinliang warned Xiao Zhuo'an not to "make trouble" on Gu Xiye's birthday, emphasizing that he had "nothing to do with her" and found her actions "immoral." He also cautioned her not to make everyone hate her, but Xiao Zhuo'an insisted she would always achieve her goals. Meanwhile, Yan Ze had specially permed her hair for the party, but accidentally ruined it.
Gu Xiye noticed her appearance, and Yan Ze, feeling embarrassed and wishing no one would see her, then bumped into Ji Xiao. In her haste to leave, she accidentally knocked over and shattered a tower of cups, drawing everyone's attention and increasing her humiliation. She ran off, with Ji Xiao immediately chasing after her. He Xinliang, witnessing Yan Ze's distress, also ran after her. He found Yan Ze crying on the steps.
He Xinliang attempted to comfort her, assuring her that her hair looked "quite good" and even joked about getting a similar hairstyle. Yan Ze, however, continued to cry, stating he didn't understand and that "whatever hairstyle fits you" because he was good-looking. Finally, He Xinliang told her that she, too, was "quite good-looking," which finally calmed Yan Ze. He then jokingly added that she was a bit "dirty" with snot and tears.
After comforting Yan Ze, He Xinliang left to check on Gu Xiye, saying she must be too busy alone. Ji Xiao, having witnessed He Xinliang comforting Yan Ze, returned to the party feeling down. He confessed to Gu Xiye that he "should have complimented Yan Ze more," calling her "a very special girl."
When Gu Xiye asked how he would compliment her, Ji Xiao described Yan Ze as "very beautiful today" and noted that her new hairstyle, though different, was "special" and "not at all exaggerated." Yan Ze, returning at that moment, sadly overheard these compliments and mistakenly believed Ji Xiao was saying them to Gu Xiye. Shortly after, Xiao Zhuo'an arrived, dramatically asking if everyone "really knew Gu Xiye."
She then announced her "big present" for Gu Xiye's birthday: Gu Xiye's mid-term cheat sheet. Yan Ze immediately confronted Xiao Zhuo'an, telling her she was "not invited" and "not welcome," and ordered her to leave. Xiao Zhuo'an, undeterred, stated she didn't care and mockingly offered Gu Xiye to Yan Ze as a friend. After Xiao Zhuo'an's departure, Yan Ze thanked Gu Xiye for not exposing her secret.
Gu Xiye reiterated their strong friendship and promised to always protect Yan Ze, confirming she knew the cheat sheet belonged to Yan Ze. The next day at school, Gu Xiye faced widespread gossip, with students speculating that she might have cheated in every exam and secured university admission through dishonesty. He Xinliang quickly stepped in, telling them to stop chatting and focus on their studies. Later, Yan Ze, still troubled, called Ji Xiao outside.
Ji Xiao complimented her hair, calling it "adorable" and "bright." Yan Ze, however, apologized, admitting she had lied. She confessed that the cheat sheet found yesterday was actually hers, and she had cheated because she wanted to go to the amusement park with him and was afraid of failing the exam. She expressed deep remorse, stating she knew she was wrong and offered to immediately confess to their teacher.
Ji Xiao, recognizing her sincerity, asked if she truly realized her mistake and if she would "swear never to cheat again." Yan Ze readily agreed. Ji Xiao then decided to "let it go this time," explaining that "study shouldn't be staked," and he, as the one who proposed the bet, shared some responsibility. He commended Yan Ze for honestly facing her mistake, which he found "more precious than the promise itself."
Yan Ze, relieved, asked if they could still go to the amusement park, to which Ji Xiao agreed, reiterating "just this once." Yan Ze swore earnestly, even adding a comical oath about her feet and head if she ever cheated again. Ji Xiao then encouraged her to return to the classroom and "study hard." Gu Xiye, still upset that He Xinliang hadn't personally wished her a happy birthday, avoided him.
When they crossed paths, He Xinliang sarcastically asked if she was "blind," then explained from his "horizontal sight" she wasn't visible. Yan Ze, noticing Gu Xiye's anger, later asked her if He Xinliang had offended her. Yan Ze, surprised Gu Xiye would be "angry about such trifles," thinking she was "other-worldly," then revealed that He Xinliang had indeed gone to the party.
He had stayed outside to give Xiao Zhuo'an "a lesson" and warn her "not to make trouble," which was why he hadn't come in to greet Gu Xiye. Hearing this, Gu Xiye felt guilty for having "mistaken about him," admitting that he had acted "for my good." Yan Ze described He Xinliang as "casual" but "quite reliable in crunch time," leading Gu Xiye to teasingly ask if Yan Ze liked him.
Yan Ze quickly denied it, calling him "a bad man." Later, at the cafeteria, Yan Ze, Gu Xiye, Ji Xiao, and He Xinliang sat together. He Xinliang, feigning illness, had "no appetite," and Yan Ze encouraged him to "drink some hot water." Yan Ze then proposed they form a team for the practical subject, admitting she couldn't manage it alone. He Xinliang mocked her for having a "low IQ" and accused her of teaming up just to "drag others down."
Ji Xiao, however, agreed to help Yan Ze and, citing "strength in numbers," even convinced a reluctant He Xinliang and Gu Xiye to join. As they attempted to choose a subject (natural sciences, humanities, or arts & sports), the other three were "like zombies," lacking enthusiasm and telling Yan Ze to pick whatever she liked. He Xinliang continued to tease Yan Ze, while Ji Xiao consistently defended her.
Yan Ze then asked Ji Xiao to tell He Xinliang to buy her a snowball snack. He Xinliang flatly refused, arguing that no one ate them in "winter." Yan Ze corrected him, stating it was "spring," but He Xinliang retorted it was "December" and called her "stupid." Gu Xiye offered to go with He Xinliang, but he adamantly refused. Ultimately, Ji Xiao went with Gu Xiye to buy the snack.
After they left, Yan Ze was furious with He Xinliang and ignored him. He Xinliang then snatched Yan Ze's Sports Department work report. As they struggled, both tumbled to the ground just as Gu Xiye and Ji Xiao returned. Yan Ze attempted to explain the earlier incident to Ji Xiao, but he remained cold, ignoring her even when she called his name.
Exasperated, Yan Ze feigned a sprained right ankle, which finally broke Ji Xiao's composure; he rushed over to check on her, asking if she was hurt. Yan Ze accused him of running away and ignoring her, while he claimed he "didn't hear" her. When he asked if her ankle still hurt, she sarcastically retorted that it was "cured by her anger at him." She clarified that the scuffle with He Xinliang was a misunderstanding.
Ji Xiao acknowledged that he knew it was a misunderstanding and had only ignored her to make a "deep impression." Later, Ji Xiao went to the basketball court, where he found He Xinliang, who sarcastically greeted him, remarking that Ji Xiao usually disliked the basketball court "because of the smell." Ji Xiao, cutting off He Xinliang's attempt to explain the misunderstanding with Yan Ze, declared, "I want to compete with you!"
He Xinliang readily accepted, initially suggesting only basketball since he had "saved" Ji Xiao earlier, but Ji Xiao insisted the competition be "serious" and "not only in basketball, but in everything." He Xinliang, looking "extremely forward to that," agreed.
