Just an Encore Episode 28 Recap
> Just an Encore Recap
Early in the morning, Yan Ze stepped downstairs and found He Xinliang waiting outside. He Xinliang claimed he was merely passing by, but their neighbor quickly intervened, telling Yan Ze that He Xinliang had been squatting downstairs all night, making her think he was a thief. Yan Ze confronted He Xinliang, asking if he had truly stayed there all night. He Xinliang quickly made an excuse about the dazzling sunlight and tried to leave, but Yan Ze followed him.
They had breakfast together, and Yan Ze questioned why He Xinliang was not at school. He Xinliang playfully retorted that his grades were so good it didn't matter if he skipped, but for Yan Ze, whose grades were poor, it was a different story. Yan Ze explained that she had taken leave due to a family emergency and had to visit Gu Xiye at the hospital that afternoon.
After their meal, He Xinliang offered to drive Yan Ze home and then to the hospital, but she declined, telling him to go on his way. At the hospital, Yan Ze’s parents felt a sudden tremor and realized it was an earthquake. Remembering Yan Ze was at home, they rushed out of the hospital, frantically calling her. Meanwhile, He Xinliang raced to Yan Ze’s house and carried her to safety.
Yan Ze answered her parents’ call, reassuring them that she was safe and with He Xinliang, which finally eased their worried hearts. Yan Ze’s mother then looked at the lunchbox in her hand and remembered Gu Xiye, still inside the hospital. She attempted to rush back to save her, but a doctor stopped her, assuring her that hospital staff would manage the situation. Yan Ze brought all their household items to the hospital.
Later, she overheard her mother tearfully apologizing to Gu Xiye for instinctively leaving her behind to find Yan Ze during the earthquake. Yan Ze's mother confessed that despite Gu Xiye being an excellent child, even more outstanding than Yan Ze in many ways, and her desire to have a daughter like her, the primal instinct to protect her own child took over.
Yan Ze, deeply moved, was happy to hear this, while Gu Xiye, lying in her hospital bed, also shed tears. Yan Ze's parents eventually left, entrusting Gu Xiye's care to Yan Ze for the night. Yan Ze, after saying goodbye to her parents, told them she loved them. Soon after, He Xinliang called Yan Ze, checking if she was okay and if she had arrived at the hospital, calling her "heartless" for not updating him.
Yan Ze reassured him that both she and Gu Xiye were fine. Gu Xiye overheard their conversation and remarked that He Xinliang was very kind to Yan Ze. Gu Xiye eventually woke up. Yan Ze started to call a doctor, but Gu Xiye stopped her, expressing a strong desire to speak with Yan Ze privately, saying she almost didn't get to see her again. Gu Xiye confessed that she deeply envied Yan Ze, even feeling jealous of her.
Yan Ze found this hard to believe, seeing Gu Xiye as such a perfect person. Gu Xiye clarified that she envied Yan Ze's popularity and easygoing nature; even though they often did the same things, everyone seemed to like Yan Ze and dislike her. She also confessed her longing for a real family, as Yan Ze's parents' courtesy could never replace real parental love. Gu Xiye admitted she even envied Yan Ze when she was scolded by her parents.
She apologized for her feelings, admitting she wanted to "replace" and "become" Yan Ze, but couldn't say it because she was Gu Xiye. Yan Ze, in tears, told her not to apologize, saying she should be the one to apologize. Yan Ze then thanked Gu Xiye, acknowledging the profound impact her words had on her. With the Gaokao exams over, Mr. Zheng waited nervously outside.
Liu Xichuan was the first to emerge, casually telling Mr. Zheng that the exam was "too simple" and that her next task was the truly difficult one. Back home, Liu Xichuan logged onto a game and began a voice chat with Yan Hai, whose shocked reaction revealed a surprising connection. Gu Xiye was finally discharged from the hospital and returned home, accompanied by Yan Ze and her parents. Suddenly, Yan Hai rushed in, frantically seeking Yan Ze's help.
To save time, he quickly hoisted Gu Xiye onto his back and carried her upstairs. Inside, he explained his predicament to Yan Ze and Gu Xiye, asking for their advice. Unfortunately, Yan Ze's parents overheard his story. Yan Ze's father, furious, grabbed a slipper and began chasing Yan Hai, reprimanding him for his reckless behavior like playing games and "hooking up with a senior." Yan Ze's mother tried to intervene, urging her husband to stop.
Yan Ze also told Yan Hai to focus on his studies instead of "fooling around." Yan Hai's mention of Liu Xichuan reminded Yan Ze and Gu Xiye that it was the day the Gaokao ended. Gu Xiye asked Yan Ze if she had considered which university or city she wished to attend. Yan Ze admitted she hadn't given it much thought, noting that before today, she hadn't even realized how close they were to their own graduation.
She expressed her lack of confidence due to her poor grades, fearing she'd be stuck at home. Gu Xiye, however, encouraged her, stating that many students significantly improved their scores in Senior 3, and being as smart as Yan Ze, she could certainly achieve it. Still unsure, Yan Ze was prompted by Gu Xiye to start studying diligently right away. Meanwhile, Yan Hai was still consumed by his discovery about Liu Xichuan.
His friends, Mr. Han, He Xinliang, and Guo Chao, pressed him to reveal what was troubling him. Yan Hai eventually blurted out that Liu Xichuan liked him. His friends were highly skeptical, with He Xinliang even joking that he'd "eat a basketball" if it were true. Just then, Liu Xichuan arrived at the basketball court. Echoing Yan Hai's past grand gesture, she unfurled a large confession banner proclaiming her feelings for Yan Hai, confirming his claims.
As the crowd reacted, Mr. Han stepped forward, disagreeing with the burgeoning relationship. He argued that Yan Hai was about to enter Senior 3, with impending student-athlete selection exams, national recruitment, and the Gaokao, and could not afford any distractions. Despite Mr. Han's objections, Liu Xichuan got onto Yan Hai's bicycle. Yan Hai, offering her an experience she'd never had in a luxury car, drove her around.
As they talked, Yan Hai admitted he wanted to say something important to her but couldn't yet. He explained that he needed to get good grades in the Gaokao and train diligently to become a better person, worthy of standing before her and making a serious confession. He asked Liu Xichuan to wait for him for "one year." Liu Xichuan agreed, but made him promise to uphold this "one-year agreement." Yan Hai confidently assured her that he would. He later reflected that the back of that bicycle and the person riding it would become the most unforgettable and reliable support in his life.
