Just an Encore Episode 24 Recap
> Just an Encore Recap
Yan Ze asked Ji Xiao if he had noticed their frequent encounters lately, listing places like the library, the canteen, and the equipment room. Ji Xiao confirmed that these were not coincidental, but rather arrangements made by him because he wanted to understand everything about her comprehensively. Later, Yan Ze confided in Gu Xiye about Ji Xiao's behavior, describing it as "research" rather than mere tracking, as he seemed to observe her everywhere.
Gu Xiye sensed Yan Ze's discomfort and offered to confront Ji Xiao, but Yan Ze quickly stopped her, indicating there was no need. Upon returning to her dorm, Yan Ze's roommates informed her about negative comments circulating on the school forum. They advised her not to take the words to heart, but when Yan Ze insisted, they showed her the posts. The comments were harsh, labeling her as a "toad" aiming for Ji Xiao and questioning his judgment.
Despite her roommates' attempts to console her, suggesting the comments were born of jealousy, Yan Ze was deeply saddened and retreated to her bed, wondering if she truly was incompatible with Ji Xiao. One roommate remarked on Ji Xiao's overwhelming popularity, noting how even someone with good social standing like Yan Ze could face such intense criticism because of him. Yan Ze then called Gu Xiye, seeking her company.
Meeting Gu Xiye late at night, Yan Ze recounted the forum posts, explaining they were likely due to her recent closeness with Ji Xiao. She expressed surprise at Gu Xiye's calm demeanor, admitting she had cried earlier. Gu Xiye, drawing on years of her own experience with public criticism, advised Yan Ze that resisting or refuting such comments was futile. She had learned that the most effective approach was to acknowledge one's flaws and simply live, stating, "I'm not flawless.
I have shortcomings. But I'm living like this anyway." Yan Ze found Gu Xiye's perspective profoundly insightful, though she confessed she hadn't reached that level of emotional resilience and still felt deeply wronged. She thanked Gu Xiye, playfully remarking that she seemed "more perfect now" and "not a normal human." Gu Xiye, however, insisted she still had "human troubles" and joked that she might "trouble" Yan Ze someday. Later, Yan Ze approached Ji Xiao, telling him to stop following her.
She announced her intention to "break the school rules" and "do some bad things to relax," explaining that as the president of the self-management committee, he wouldn't understand her need for such a release. Ji Xiao was perplexed, asking if her plans were dangerous and questioning why she would choose such methods of relaxation. Yan Ze dismissed his questions, stating she couldn't explain it to a student union member like him, and then left.
Ji Xiao was left wondering what was inherently wrong with being a member of the student union. During an evening self-study session, Mr. Zheng insisted on overseeing Mr. Wang's class. Mr. Wang expressed his difficulty teaching under constant scrutiny, but Mr. Zheng suggested he simply "take me as the air." Mr. Wang then used the lesson on "Cyclone" as a coded signal, prompting the students to discreetly leave the classroom.
Mr. Zheng, angered by their escape, chased after them, vowing to bring them back for missed lessons, but was unable to catch them all. Mr. Zheng then encountered Ji Xiao and immediately ordered him to help round up the fleeing student-athletes, handing him a flashlight. Ji Xiao hesitated, asking if being a student union leader made him particularly annoying, especially as part of the self-management committee.
Mr. Zheng strongly refuted this, extolling the committee's organization and principles, and assuring Ji Xiao that his leadership would be respected. Despite Ji Xiao's reluctance, he was compelled to join the chase. When he found some students, they were prepared to face the consequences together. However, Ji Xiao chose to let them go, stating, "We didn't meet today. You didn't meet me either," and directed them to a safe side exit.
As they vanished, Ji Xiao smiled, recalling Yan Ze's earlier words about wanting to do "bad things to relax" and how she believed he, as a student union member, wouldn't understand. Meanwhile, Mr. Zheng discovered Mr. Han and Miss Gu in the school woods. Enraged, he accused them of setting a poor example by "fooling around" instead of focusing on their duties, criticizing their secretive behavior like high school students.
Mr. Han tried to explain he was merely comforting Miss Gu and that it was natural for teachers to form relationships, but Miss Gu urged him to remain silent. Mr. Zheng scornfully dismissed their justifications, demanding to know why they hadn't gone public if their relationship was "reasonable." He chastised them for "flirting" in meetings and for their inappropriate rendezvous in the woods, sternly reminding them to "be a model of virtue." Upset by his reprimand, Miss Gu abruptly left.
Mr. Han, calling out her name, quickly followed. Outside, Miss Gu told Mr. Han they should break up, expressing her frustration with having to date in secret and being publicly scolded. She desired a public relationship and a dignified marriage. Mr. Han desperately pleaded with her, insisting he couldn't break up after working so hard to win her over.
He confessed his dream of buying her a house by the river so she could wake up to beautiful views, admitting he hadn't yet saved enough money for it. Realizing this was his main concern, Miss Gu then asked if he was willing to go public and marry her, to which he enthusiastically agreed. She then revealed a secret: while he might not have a house by the river yet, she did.
Mr. Han's face lit up with joy at the news. Mr. Han later treated his students to a hotpot meal, where he announced three things. First, he and Miss Gu were officially dating. Second, he planned a grand marriage proposal, acknowledging his current financial limitations. He explained that although Miss Gu owned a small apartment by the river, he found it inappropriate to simply move in, as she had saved for years for the down payment.
Therefore, he intended to quit his teaching job after the proposal to open a basketball training club, hoping to earn enough to pay off her mortgage, which he believed would be equivalent to buying her a house himself. Yan Ze initially exclaimed, "Is Miss Gu out of her mind?" She later expressed concern about Mr. Zheng focusing on student-athletes' academic performance and how their basketball team would manage without Mr. Han.
He Xinliang immediately offered to lend Mr. Han money, and both he and Yan Ze, along with other students, voiced how much they would miss him and urged him to stay. Mr. Han, touched by their sentiments, explained he was doing this for love, to put pressure on himself. He Xinliang, in a moment of playful exasperation, then told him to just leave and not contact them again, adding, "Leave as far as you can."
Yan Ze called Ji Xiao and stood outside his apartment building, asking for his help to prevent Mr. Han from quitting his job. Ji Xiao was surprised but pleased by her directness. He initially questioned the appropriateness and effectiveness of their intervention in Mr. Han and Miss Gu's personal affairs, suggesting they find a more sensible solution. Yan Ze, however, insisted on immediate action, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Ji Xiao then casually mentioned that He Xinliang might arrive by climbing through the window, a peculiar habit he'd had since junior high. Together, they then sought out Miss Gu to learn about her ideal marriage proposal. Miss Gu playfully suggested a proposal in a "spacecraft" before revealing her true preference: a proposal in the school's basketball gym, with Mr. Han wearing a basketball jersey and the specific limited-edition basketball shoes he wore when they used to run together.
Yan Ze diligently noted all these details. Armed with this information, Yan Ze approached He Xinliang, asking if his basketball shoes were a limited edition and inquiring about his shoe size. She then requested to borrow them for Mr. Han's proposal that evening in the basketball gym. He Xinliang confirmed they were limited edition but, recalling Mr. Han asking the same question earlier, refused, calling Mr. Han a "deserter."
Soon after, Xiao Zhuo'an called He Xinliang to inform him she was returning to Shanghai. When He Xinliang had nothing to say, she expressed her feelings directly, telling him his previous words had hurt her. She asserted that while she liked him, she owed him nothing and refused his condescending attitude, hoping he would understand someday if his own feelings were treated in a similar manner.
She concluded by stating she no longer liked him but still sincerely wished him happiness with the person he loved, although she had initially wanted to stay to witness that moment. With a final "Goodbye," Xiao Zhuo'an ended the call.
