Just an Encore Episode 26 Recap
> Just an Encore Recap
Yan Ze decided to help Miss Wang enrich the content of the upcoming open class, having realized Miss Wang's good nature and wanting to make amends for previous misunderstandings. She proposed organizing a little game before class and preparing teaching aids like globes and maps. Despite no longer being the class monitor, Yan Ze confidently asserted her social skills. She then addressed the class, asking them to contribute to a class fund for interactive activities to enhance the open class.
While Yan Ze was enthusiastically preparing, some classmates were heard complaining and questioning her motives, wondering where the collected money would go and criticizing her for overexerting herself, especially since Miss Wang had already told them to relax. During a meal, Ji Xiao, who had been the first to support her, expressed concern that she was wearing herself out. Yan Ze, however, reminded him that this was a quality he admired about her.
She also voiced her anxieties about whether her efforts would yield a good outcome for the open class. Yan Ze, after overhearing her classmates' negative comments, confronted Ji Xiao. Hurt and emotional, she asked if he also thought she was making a fool of herself or was being nosy. Ji Xiao reassured her that he only wanted to help and would do anything to support her.
Feeling overwhelmed, Yan Ze said she was tired and left, but not before agreeing to meet Ji Xiao at the stationer the next morning to buy teaching aids. After she left, Ji Xiao pondered what He Xinliang would do in such a situation. The next day, Yan Ze and Ji Xiao had purchased a large amount of teaching aids. When they tried to get a taxi, the driver was rude about the quantity of items.
Ji Xiao, wanting to avoid trouble and save time, quietly offered to pay the driver extra. However, Yan Ze discovered this upon arriving at the school when the driver demanded an exorbitant fare. Enraged, Yan Ze confronted the driver, arguing about the principle of fair pricing, especially since the money was from the class fund. She fiercely stated that her father, also a taxi driver, would never overcharge.
Ji Xiao attempted to calm her and offered to pay the additional amount himself, but Yan Ze remained resolute that it was a matter of principle, not money. She then tearfully expressed her frustration to Ji Xiao, questioning why indifferent people were tolerated while enthusiastic ones like her were blamed and misunderstood. She felt that her efforts were unappreciated, unlike others like Gu Xiye who effortlessly gained affection.
Yan Ze accused Ji Xiao of not supporting her in the argument, making her look unreasonable. Overwhelmed and upset, Yan Ze ran off, unreachable. Panicked, Ji Xiao called He Xinliang, asking for help to find her and wondering how He Xinliang would comfort her, admitting he hadn't found the right way to do so himself. He Xinliang immediately began searching for Yan Ze but couldn't find her anywhere in the school.
He Xinliang eventually found Yan Ze sleeping on a park bench. He woke her up, playfully teasing her and expressing his concern, noting that Ji Xiao was "scared half to death" and had sent him to find her. He tried to call Ji Xiao, but Yan Ze vehemently stopped him, threatening to jump if he revealed her location.
She confided in He Xinliang that she had a lot to say but didn't want anyone else to know, yet couldn't keep it inside. He Xinliang then took her to a cable car, buying her a ticket to ride alone so she could have privacy and assuring her that no one would hear her confessions up there. On the cable car, Yan Ze shouted out her frustrations and insecurities.
She addressed Ji Xiao, feeling he was out of her league, expressed jealousy towards Gu Xiye, whom she wished she could be, and felt like the "extra one" compared to Xiao Zhuo'an and Xiye. She also called out to her parents, lamenting their affection for Xiye and her unwillingness to share their love. Finally, she called out He Xinliang's name. After her cathartic shouting, Yan Ze felt much lighter.
On their way back, she jokingly asked He Xinliang if he liked her, given how kind he had been, to which he playfully denied. Later, Ji Xiao found He Xinliang playing basketball and confronted him, curious where he had taken Yan Ze that made her so happy upon her return. He Xinliang revealed he took her to the cable car and let her ride it alone to vent.
Ji Xiao expressed his frustration, unable to understand why He Xinliang could so easily make Yan Ze smile, a skill he himself couldn't master. He Xinliang reassured him, telling Ji Xiao to be himself, as he was unique, but Ji Xiao insisted that all he wanted was for Yan Ze to be happy. Standing in the rain, their pent-up emotions led to a physical fight, which they continued until exhaustion, eventually lying down together on the wet ground.
After their fight, as the weather cleared, Ji Xiao expressed his intention to give up on Yan Ze and directly asked He Xinliang if he liked her. He Xinliang, while seemingly deflecting the question by looking for his phone, then revealed his change of heart. He admitted that he once believed Ji Xiao was the only one who could make Yan Ze happy and carefree, but he had since realized that one shouldn't place their hopes on others.
With this realization, He Xinliang declared Ji Xiao was "out" of the running. Ji Xiao then confessed he blamed himself more than He Xinliang. Moments later, He Xinliang realized he had lost his phone on the basketball court. Xiao Zhuo'an, passing by, picked up He Xinliang's phone. Scrolling through it, she discovered he had kept his entire message history with Yan Ze, as well as many photos of Yan Ze, while her own messages to He Xinliang were conspicuously absent.
This revelation made Xiao Zhuo'an fully understand that He Xinliang's true affections lay with Yan Ze. Yan Ze apologized to Ji Xiao for her outburst, and he accepted her apology, saying he was sorry too and that it was all over. As Yan Ze prepared to leave in a car, Ji Xiao did not join her.
Instead, he made the difficult decision to let her go, silently wishing her happiness, freedom, success in college, a bright future, and a good life. He concluded their relationship with a quiet "That's it for us." Yan Ze then went to apologize to Miss Wang for skipping classes, especially the open class. However, Miss Wang explained she called Yan Ze to thank her for her significant contributions to the open class.
She praised Yan Ze's innovative games and the positive student feedback, announcing that their class would be awarded "excellent class" status, attributing much of it to Yan Ze's efforts. Yan Ze acknowledged that it wasn't her credit alone and that Ji Xiao deserved thanks too. Miss Wang agreed, revealing that Ji Xiao had worked tirelessly, moving teaching aids, organizing rehearsals, and setting up the classroom.
Realizing the full extent of Ji Xiao's silent support, Yan Ze later asked him why he had helped her so much. Ji Xiao simply replied, "Because you are my desk-mate." Yan Ze was left to ponder his words, wondering if their relationship was truly just that of desk-mates. The episode concluded with a reflection on brotherhood, suggesting that true friends can overcome any obstacle with a fight, resolving issues and strengthening their bond.
