Just an Encore Episode 23 Recap
> Just an Encore Recap
He Xinliang bluntly addressed Xiao Zhuo'an's feelings, leading to a tense confrontation. Xiao Zhuo'an, admitting she had seen the wish he wrote, recalled their shared past, where they always went to school and home together, studied, and played, making her believe they were mutually in love and just needed to verbalize it. However, she discovered that the name He Xinliang wrote on the wishing tree was not hers.
She recounted how she had once taken him to the wishing tree, explaining that writing one's own name alongside that of a beloved on a red ribbon would ensure everlasting love. He Xinliang had initially claimed to have no one he liked, but eventually wrote a name, refusing to let Xiao Zhuo'an see it before hanging it himself.
In the present, He Xinliang stated clearly that he did not like her, emphasizing that he would not offer platitudes like "you're a good girl" or "we're not suitable" to avoid further misunderstandings. He then challenged her to hit him if it would make her feel better. Returning to the classroom, He Xinliang found Yan Hai playfully calling Ji Xiao "brother-in-law," much to Ji Xiao's shy but evident pleasure.
He Xinliang commented on Ji Xiao's changed demeanor, which Yan Hai attributed to him spending too much time with his "sister." Shortly after, Liu Xichuan approached Yan Hai, asking if he had been caught playing Audition at an internet cafe. She clarified that she didn't look down on the game itself, but on "she-males" who played female characters. Yan Hai blamed He Xinliang for spreading the news.
Liu Xichuan then asked Yan Hai if he believed in fate, suggesting some people are destined to be entangled, but Yan Hai dismissed the idea, causing Liu Xichuan to walk away proudly. As Christmas approached, Ji Xiao's desk was overflowing with gifts from admirers, causing Yan Ze to feel a pang of jealousy. She offered her seat to Ji Xiao, intending to sit with Gu Xiye, only to find Gu Xiye and He Xinliang's desks similarly piled with Christmas gifts.
Annoyed, Yan Ze returned to her seat, sulking and eating an apple. Ji Xiao noticed her mood and asked what was wrong. Yan Ze complained about not receiving any apples. Ji Xiao immediately offered to get her the best apples, even better than those she saw. He promised her a big surprise in two days.
Yan Ze, delighted, later walked home with Gu Xiye, eagerly accepting some of Gu Xiye's apples to create a facade of popularity, even asking Gu Xiye to photograph her surrounded by the "Christmas Apples." She expressed the need to keep her hands free for the "many Christmas Apples" she expected to receive. Ji Xiao arrived at school two days later, as promised, in a car.
Yan Ze, brimming with anticipation, watched as he opened the trunk, only to reveal two large boxes of plain Fuji apples, which he explained his father had flown in for her. Ji Xiao, misinterpreting her earlier desire, believed she simply wanted delicious apples. Yan Ze, disappointed by the lack of decorative wrapping, made an excuse about the apples being too heavy.
She quickly dismissed Ji Xiao's suggestion of giving Gu Xiye a ride home, fearing Gu Xiye might "steal" her apples. Later, He Xinliang teased Ji Xiao for his practical but misguided gift, pointing out that Yan Ze desired a beautifully wrapped "Christmas Apple," not just plain fruit. Ji Xiao, still confused, defended his choice, saying his apples were big, sweet, and practical. He Xinliang then ironically called Ji Xiao "a good person," implying his overly practical approach was unromantic.
The next day, He Xinliang himself was seen at a boutique, but instead of buying a ready-made Christmas Apple, he shyly bought several sheets of wrapping paper, showing his own reluctance to express affection openly. On Christmas Day, a large, beautifully wrapped Christmas Apple appeared on Yan Ze's desk. Ji Xiao, feeling a pang of jealousy, inquired about its sender. Yan Ze, feigning indifference, dismissed it as impractical and merely a "showy display," which Ji Xiao, somewhat disheartened, agreed with.
Meanwhile, Xiao Zhuo'an confronted Gu Xiye, revealing that He Xinliang had written "Gu Xize" on the wishing tree, which was Gu Xiye's name before junior high. Xiao Zhuo'an believed this showed He Xinliang's deep affection and thorough knowledge of Gu Xiye. Gu Xiye, however, explained that she had never gotten close to He Xinliang in junior high because she knew of Xiao Zhuo'an's feelings, and therefore felt she had done nothing to wrong her.
She pointed out that it was Xiao Zhuo'an who had suddenly left without a word. As Yan Ze approached, she overheard Xiao Zhuo'an formally severing ties with Gu Xiye, declaring they were no longer friends. Xiao Zhuo'an then asked Gu Xiye to "give Ze to her" because she didn't want to be alone, leaving Yan Ze feeling like a "ball" being tossed around. On the way to school, Yan Ze encountered He Xinliang and Ji Xiao.
He Xinliang teased her about showing off the Christmas Apples on her QQ Moments. Ji Xiao then asked Yan Ze directly if she truly liked those elaborately packaged apples. Yan Ze, flustered, vehemently denied it. Ji Xiao, however, gently pressed her, saying he had seen her photos on QQ Moments and wished she wouldn't be nervous around him.
He reminded her of their two years as desk-mates and encouraged her to share her true feelings, admitting he often struggled to understand girls' thoughts. Yan Ze, overwhelmed, quickly made an excuse to leave. Later, after a meeting, Ji Xiao waited for Yan Ze and offered her a cola.
He acknowledged his own past misunderstanding, realizing that while she liked "apples" (what she said she wanted), he gave her a box of "pears" (what he thought she wanted, missing the sentiment). This signaled Ji Xiao's growing understanding of Yan Ze's emotional needs, and from then on, the two subtly conveyed their feelings to each other.
