Just an Encore Episode 29 Recap
> Just an Encore Recap
Yan Hai was in high spirits, humming a tune as he studied alongside Yan Ze and Gu Xiye. Annoyed by his excessive cheerfulness, Yan Ze asked what had happened. Yan Hai excitedly recounted how he had taken Xichuan for a bike ride to the bridge across the river, where they had called out each other’s names and made a one-year agreement.
Yan Ze, finding the idea of cycling in their hilly area ridiculous, jokingly asked if Xichuan had told him to "study hard," to which Yan Hai retorted that she had told him to "go to hell" and accused Yan Ze of being jealous of his motivation. Meanwhile, Director Zheng summoned Mr. Han, angrily demanding to know why He Xinliang's name appeared on the list for the student-athlete selection exam.
Director Zheng insisted that He Xinliang's parents strictly forbade him from playing basketball, expecting him to pursue scientific research, and ordered Mr. Han to remove his name. Mr. Han refused, arguing that he wasn't He Xinliang's parent and that students should be encouraged to follow their passions. Enraged, Director Zheng tore up the list. Yan Ze, who was nearby, overheard their entire heated exchange.
Later, Mr. Han met He Xinliang to inform him that Director Zheng had blocked his participation in the first round of the student-athlete selection exam. He Xinliang, furious, intended to confront Director Zheng, but Mr. Han restrained him, advising a more careful approach. Mr. Han, drawing on his own experience, warned He Xinliang about the difficulties of an athletic career, emphasizing frequent injuries and short professional lifespans.
He suggested He Xinliang, being academically strong, should instead aim for a good university, postgraduate studies, and a scientific career for a smooth life. He Xinliang defiantly called Mr. Han a "traitor," stating he desired a life of fulfillment rather than one that was merely "smooth but dull."
He acknowledged that he might regret his choices in the future but stressed that he would rather live in the present without abandoning his current persistence and pursuit, as giving up now would lead to immediate regret. He concluded by saying he wanted to fight for himself. He Xinliang later hesitated outside Director Zheng's office, about to knock, when Yan Ze pulled him away. She secretly handed him a new student-athlete selection exam form with his name on it.
Yan Ze explained that she had overheard the argument between Director Zheng and Mr. Han. Seizing the opportunity before a change in student leadership, she had used her authority to secretly alter the electronic record and replace the physical list Director Zheng had torn up. He Xinliang worried about the trouble this could bring her, initially hesitant to accept.
However, Yan Ze reassured him, stating that she wanted to help him realize his dream because she found purpose in helping others. During the selection exam, Mr. Han was surprised to see He Xinliang's name on the re-submitted list. Director Zheng spotted He Xinliang and tried to stop him from participating. Seeing this, Yan Ze quickly intervened, pretending to trip and fall, thus tangling with Director Zheng and preventing him from reaching He Xinliang.
After He Xinliang completed his run, Yan Ze miraculously recovered and darted away, leaving a fuming Director Zheng who vowed to thoroughly investigate the incident. Soon after, Director Zheng pulled Yan Ze out of class, insisting she come to the Academic Affairs Office because her actions were "of grave circumstance and severe nature." He Xinliang, hearing the news, rushed to Ji Xiao for advice.
Moments later, Yan Hai and Guo Chao appeared, delivering worse news: they had heard rumors that Yan Ze was facing expulsion for "sneaking into the campus Internet and maliciously altering the exam list." Overwhelmed, He Xinliang declared he would sacrifice his student-athlete qualification if it meant saving Yan Ze. However, Ji Xiao quickly stepped in, proposing a better solution. He suggested uniting all students and teachers to sign a petition, arguing that the school would be forced to reconsider.
Gu Xiye immediately agreed to join the effort. Together, they rallied the entire school, successfully collecting signatures from over a hundred students and teachers. Gu Xiye, Ji Xiao, and He Xinliang then met Yan Ze, informing her that their efforts had resolved half the problem. Director Zheng had agreed to reconsider her punishment after receiving the petition.
The condition was that if Yan Ze could rank in the top fifty of her grade in the upcoming monthly exam, her punishment would be significantly reduced. Initially overjoyed, Yan Ze's happiness quickly turned to despair at the daunting academic target. Her friends, however, encouraged her, promising their full support to help her achieve the goal and urging her not to give up. Later, Yan Ze found He Xinliang practicing basketball alone.
She questioned his relentless effort, wondering if it would all be in vain if his parents pressured Director Zheng to revoke his qualification. He Xinliang smiled, reminding her that she had taught him to "never know if you don’t try." He explained that he was trying and working hard so he wouldn't regret it later and didn't want his future self to look down on him.
He further reflected that moments passed quickly and that his seventeen-year-old self would only exist once, so he would not give up. He challenged Yan Ze to ask herself if she had truly tried her best. Inspired by He Xinliang's words, Yan Ze began to study with fierce determination, often found reciting classical texts early in the morning.
Ji Xiao, Gu Xiye, and He Xinliang helped her with her studies and cheered her on, much to the delight of Yan Ze's parents. However, Ji Xiao's spot checks revealed that Yan Ze's progress wasn't ideal, causing her to feel disappointed and disheartened. The monthly exam was scheduled for the next day, and Yan Ze, overwhelmed with anxiety and self-doubt, was still reviewing her books on the street. He Xinliang approached her, trying to lift her spirits.
He assured her she could succeed, emphasizing that her effort was more important than the outcome. He even jokingly promised to leave school with her if she were expelled, telling her not to put too much pressure on herself because life was long and offered many different paths.
