Just an Encore Episode 3 Recap
> Just an Encore Recap
Dejected after his family disapproved of his basketball aspirations, He Xinliang walked alone until he spotted Yan Ze eating cotton candy. He offered her a tissue, which prompted Yan Ze to jokingly accuse him of stalking her. However, seeing his low spirits, Yan Ze dropped the teasing and began to comfort him. She praised his impressive basketball skills, calling him "The James of Yangming," and inquired why he no longer played.
He Xinliang explained that his parents had forbidden it due to his excellent academic performance. Yan Ze then suggested a clever solution: he should secretly approach Mr. Han to become a practice partner for the basketball team, while simultaneously assuring Mr. Zheng that he would not officially join the team and would dedicate himself to his studies, aiming for China's top universities. This way, he could train during self-study periods.
He Xinliang was delighted by the idea, feeling he had gained a new understanding of Yan Ze. During math class, Yan Ze, lost in thought, drifted off to sleep. Upon waking, she found a note with two "thank you" messages on her desk. She believed one was from Gu Xiye and suspected the other was from Ji Xiao.
Determined to prove Ji Xiao's authorship, she attempted various schemes, like trying to get the last chicken leg in the cafeteria, or orchestrating a class switch from P. E. to English. However, each attempt was foiled by He Xinliang's unintentional interference. Later that evening in the dormitory, Yan Ze questioned Gu Xiye about her note. Gu Xiye explained she was thanking Yan Ze for helping He Xinliang establish the basketball team.
She then surprised Yan Ze by confessing her long-held affection for He Xinliang, stating she had liked him since middle school. Yan Ze expressed confusion, pointing out that she and He Xinliang attended different middle schools. Gu Xiye’s reminder then made Yan Ze recall that she might have known He Xinliang from much earlier. Mr. Zheng summoned Yan Ze to his office, tasking her with organizing classmates to attend the semi-final debate competition on Sunday.
Yan Ze confidently accepted the responsibility. Back in the dorm, she used all her persuasive powers, including sharing new gossip about XinXun, to rally her female classmates, who eventually agreed to attend. At the debate, Yan Ze spotted He Xinliang and tried to make him sit with their class. He Xinliang initially resisted, insisting he was only there to support Ji Xiao, but Yan Ze physically pulled him into the group.
This interaction was observed by Gu Xiye, who looked noticeably displeased. The debate, chaired by Gu Yu, centered on whether courage or wisdom triumphs in confrontation, with Class 3 arguing for wisdom. Ji Xiao and Gu Xiye’s perfectly coordinated arguments left their opponents speechless, drawing an excited reaction from Yan Ze, who grabbed He Xinliang’s hand to cheer. Gu Xiye, witnessing this, grew even more disheartened.
Following Class 3’s victory, many classmates commented on Ji Xiao and Gu Xiye’s excellent partnership, speculating that they were a couple. This left Yan Ze feeling down, a change in mood that He Xinliang did not miss. Yan Ze then went on stage to present ribbons to the winning team. While she freely hugged the other male debaters, her private feelings for Ji Xiao made her hesitate with him, until he initiated a hug, catching her off guard.
That night, back in her dorm, Yan Ze was still pondering the mystery of the second note and devised a new plan to uncover its writer. The next day, she proposed that every student write a sincere thank-you card to Mr. Zheng for his upcoming birthday, with a mandatory "thank you" written on each. As Yan Ze was explaining this to the class, Mr. Zheng and Ji Xiao walked in.
Yan Ze tried to hide behind the podium, but Mr. Zheng saw her. She feigned a cough to conceal a lollipop, which amused the class but angered Mr. Zheng. He confiscated her lollipop, scolded her for setting a bad example as class monitor, and sent her out to stand in the hallway. Soon after, He Xinliang deliberately ate instant noodles in class, resulting in him also being sent out.
Outside, He Xinliang mocked Yan Ze, and their playful bickering escalated, disrupting the class. Mr. Zheng had to stop the lesson, come out, and sternly reprimand them both. As punishment, he ordered them to clean the entire floor that evening. After school, Ji Xiao approached Yan Ze, asking if she realized her mistakes. Confused, Yan Ze asked what she had done wrong. Ji Xiao revealed that he knew she had secretly altered the schedule for the basketball exhibition game.
Yan Ze immediately swore she would never do it again. Ji Xiao also pointed out her misbehavior in class, such as eating candy and playing during her hallway punishment, to which Yan Ze readily agreed to mend her ways. Yan Ze remarked that Ji Xiao was starting to sound like a member of the Self-Management Committee.
Ji Xiao clarified that he simply disliked them, explaining that they had repeatedly tried to recruit her to boost their popularity, knowing that no one could bear to be stern with her. He added that he was glad she had always refused them. Left alone, Yan Ze reflected on what it means to like someone, imagining it as vividly intense as the summer sun, as profound as winter snow, and as fresh as the first ray of dawn.
