Just an Encore Episode 25 Recap
> Just an Encore Recap
Students were busy setting up a romantic proposal scene for Mr. Han on the basketball court. He Xinliang was also present, playing basketball, seemingly indifferent to the preparations. When Yan Ze questioned his presence, He Xinliang retorted that it was a public place and none of her business. He then complained that his current shoes were uncomfortable and hurting him, declaring he needed to change into a better pair, which he claimed was "for myself."
Mr. Han, understanding He Xinliang's subtle gesture, took the new shoes to wear. Everyone present saw through He Xinliang's aloofness and knew he was helping Mr. Han. Shortly after, He Xinliang received a message from Gu Xiye, asking him to meet and talk. Meanwhile, Yan Hai and Liu Xichuan were moving items together. Yan Hai abruptly told Liu Xichuan that they were not a match and that he liked someone else, claiming it was Xiao Zhuo'an.
When Liu Xichuan pressed him, he insisted on keeping his distance, stating, "You keep being the popular school babe. I'm just a humble basketball player. I don't understand why you keep bothering me. I beg you to leave me alone." Liu Xichuan, refusing to believe him, challenged him to show his wallet, convinced it still held her photo. Yan Hai then cruelly attacked her character, saying, "Who do you think you are? You think the world goes around you?
I liked you because of your beauty at first. But the inner you are unlovable. Bad character." Mr. Han expressed his deep gratitude to everyone for helping set up the romantic proposal. He Xinliang, however, still in an aloof mood, called Mr. Han a "hypocrite," a comment Yan Ze immediately challenged. Mr. Han intervened, assuring He Xinliang he understood his feelings.
Yan Hai, still upset from his argument with Liu Xichuan and irritated by the playful interactions between Ji Xiao and He Xinliang, declared he was "down" and announced he was going to an internet cafe to blow off steam. Yan Ze tried to stop him, reminding him of the important day, but Yan Hai insisted he couldn't stand "you flirting," pointing at Ji Xiao and He Xinliang.
Back home, Liu Xichuan logged into a game and found Yan Hai chatting with her. He asked her to turn on her voice chat, explaining he was feeling down and wanted to tell her his "heartbroken story," though he quickly clarified it wasn't a heartbreak since the girl never reciprocated his feelings. He elaborated that the girl was the school's beautiful, smart, and wealthy school babe, from a family so rich he felt unqualified to like her.
Liu Xichuan's character asked if he was only attracted to her beauty and wealth. Yan Hai clarified that the first time he saw her, at a singing competition, he felt a beam of light on her, and was struck by her beautiful, innocent, childlike aura that he wanted to protect. He admitted she had a stubborn streak he liked and often compared herself to others, but still she was the cutest.
He lamented that he treasured her, but she saw him as a mere comparison point and deemed him "good for nothing," a sentiment he agreed with, confessing he had nothing but his love for her. Moved, Liu Xichuan's character told him that his love was enough and he wasn't "nothing." The basketball court lights went dark, then flared up as Ms. Gu Yu stepped into a spotlight.
Mr. Han, holding a ring, walked towards her, knelt, and proposed, asking, "Gu Yu, will you marry me? I love you." Ms. Gu Yu, deeply touched, extended her hand, and Mr. Han placed the ring on her finger, successfully proposing. He Xinliang, observing the scene from the side, found Mr. Han's declaration of love "cheesy." As planned, Gu Xiye then approached He Xinliang and confessed her feelings, saying, "I like you." He Xinliang hesitated, only managing, "But I. . ."
, implicitly rejecting her. Realizing his unspoken refusal, Gu Xiye pressed for a clear answer. Meanwhile, Yan Ze and Ji Xiao were celebrating Mr. Han's successful proposal. Xiao Zhuo'an also arrived at the basketball court. She noticed "Ze" written on He Xinliang's jacket, which reminded her of "Liang Ze" she had seen on a wishing tree previously. Realizing He Xinliang's feelings for Yan Ze, she directly asked him, "Do you like Yan Ze?"
He Xinliang, annoyed, told her to mind her own business and asked why she wasn't leaving for Shanghai as she had planned. Xiao Zhuo'an declared she was "not leaving" until she figured out "who I lost to." When she confronted him again, stating, "The one you like is not Gu Xiye. It's Ze of Yan Ze, right?" , He Xinliang angrily retorted, "None of your business."
Xiao Zhuo'an insisted that she knew him well, as they had grown up together, and that she would uncover the truth about who he truly liked. He Xinliang, agitated, denied liking Yan Ze. Gu Xiye confided in Yan Ze about He Xinliang's rejection, saying he didn't respond to her confession at all. Yan Ze was surprised, while Gu Xiye worried that she was "not good enough."
Yan Ze quickly reassured her, suggesting that He Xinliang might just want to focus on studies until college, or perhaps he was shy and shocked by her confession. She emphasized that He Xinliang would directly reject someone he disliked, so his silence must be due to academic pressure. Gu Xiye agreed with Yan Ze's reasoning, feeling much better. Meanwhile, He Xinliang sat alone, contemplating if he truly liked Yan Ze, questioning if his feelings were obvious to others.
He then received a call from Yan Ze, who immediately scolded him for not giving Gu Xiye a clear answer. He Xinliang retorted that he simply "didn't want to" respond. Yan Ze insisted he should either accept or refuse. He Xinliang then snapped, "Yan Ze, I don't like you." Yan Ze, taken aback, angrily replied that it was none of her business and pressed him about Gu Xiye.
He Xinliang reiterated, "No matter what you see or hear, remember one thing. I, He Xinliang, won't like you. Don't ever think about it no matter what happens." Yan Ze, equally enraged, declared, "I, Yan Ze, won't like you either." Yan Ze complained to her roommate about He Xinliang's "insane" behavior.
Her roommate suggested that He Xinliang might be trying to cover up his feelings for her, theorizing they were like "quarrelsome lovers" who grew closer through arguments and secretly thought of each other despite their verbal sparring. Yan Ze vehemently denied this, insisting she didn't get along with him and hadn't been thinking about him. Over the following days, Yan Ze and He Xinliang frequently crossed paths, with Yan Ze visibly trying to avoid him.
Later, at home, Yan Ze and Gu Xiye were covering books. Yan Ze's mother chided her for not being as compliant as Gu Xiye and for keeping a rotten Christmas apple, reminding her to find someone to give it to. Yan Ze lamented that she still hadn't found the right person. Gu Xiye then mentioned that Yan Ze and He Xinliang had been acting "weird" throughout the holiday.
Yan Ze dismissed the idea, but Gu Xiye pointed out that Yan Ze either changed the subject or gave a "weird smile" whenever He Xinliang was mentioned. That night, Yan Ze found herself sleepless, her mind replaying many past events involving He Xinliang. As a new semester began, Miss Wang announced another open class, which students generally disliked.
She tried to reassure them, telling them to act naturally and not worry about impressing the leaders, as the goal was genuine learning. When Yan Ze asked what would happen if they performed poorly, Miss Wang jokingly threatened to "spank" them, then added it would just mean a bonus deduction for her, encouraging them to relax. Students discussed Mr. Han's potential resignation, wondering if he would truly leave despite the successful proposal and Ms. Gu Yu's understanding nature.
He Xinliang, still seemingly resentful, declared that Mr. Han was "not our brother anymore" if he even considered quitting. To everyone's surprise, Mr. Han appeared, carrying equipment. He Xinliang, still sulking, told him, "Why don't you leave? Marry Miss Gu. Leave us." Mr. Han joked that He Xinliang sounded jealous. He Xinliang responded that no comfort was needed. Mr. Han then promised, "I'll stay till you graduate."
When He Xinliang pressed him to swear, Mr. Han playfully dismissed him, telling him to go to training. The episode concluded with a narration reflecting on the youthful tendency to speak sincerely yet duplicitously, making such words the greatest regrets of youth.
