Just an Encore Episode 31 (Ending) Recap
> Just an Encore Recap
While organizing her books, Yan Ze was reminded of a past argument with Gu Xiye in junior high school, during which Gu Xiye had torn one of Yan Ze's books. As Yan Ze sat crying, He Xinliang happened to pass by and offered comfort, reminding her that "when in chorus, nobody cares about the conductor because they are back to the audience." Years later, Yan Ze realized it was He Xinliang who had comforted her that day.
Gu Xiye, recalling the incident, admitted she never understood why Yan Ze had gotten so angry. Yan Ze confessed her true feelings, explaining that her outburst was due to jealousy because Gu Xiye had replaced her as the conductor. Yan Ze had served as class monitor for three years, hoping for that moment, but didn't know how to conduct, leading the teachers to replace her.
She added that she had been even angrier during a Senior 1 singing contest, having practiced extensively, but still took her frustration out on He Xinliang. Gu Xiye then pointed out He Xinliang's consistent, silent support for Yan Ze, asking, "Don’t you think that He Xinliang has done a lot for you behind the scenes? . . . Do you like him?" Yan Ze remained silent.
Meanwhile, He Xinliang was playing basketball and recalled Liu Xichuan's advice: "If you do like her, don’t care about the reality. Youth never comes back. It is such a happy thing to be with the one you like. So, don’t leave any regrets." He thought to himself, "I don’t want to play this basketball alone. I want to fight with my opponents." Yan Ze, in an internal monologue, encouraged herself, "Cheer up.
You are Yan Ze who fear nothing and never disguise yourself. Tell him your most sincere feelings." As memories of shared laughter and tears, including releasing Kongming lanterns, flashed through their minds, both Yan Ze and He Xinliang simultaneously realized their true feelings. They ran towards each other, meeting across a road, sharing sweet smiles, their hearts finally connected. In a past interaction, Yan Ze had once asked He Xinliang, "Why are you so nice to me?"
to which he replied, "Do you have any understandings about being nice? Am I nice to you? I knew it." She had then confessed, "I thought… you like me." Nine years later, Yan Ze had graduated from university and found a good job in her hometown, but He Xinliang had moved to the United States to pursue his basketball dreams. Despite their separation, Yan Ze often dreamed of him and felt his absence.
At work, Yan Ze was reprimanded by her director due to a malfunction with the audio equipment during a live recording. The guest host invited for the show was Gu Xiye, now a renowned host, who was there to interview the singer Hu Xia. Gu Xiye intervened, defending Yan Ze, which immediately softened the director's harsh tone.
The director's concern quickly shifted from anger at Yan Ze to ensuring Gu Xiye's comfort, even calling for the audio team to fix the issues and insisting, "Yan Ze needs to get rest today. She must rest." Watching Gu Xiye on camera, Yan Ze felt no jealousy, remembering He Xinliang's words that she herself was "not ordinary," "pretty," and "special."
Later, Yan Ze and Gu Xiye returned to Yangming Middle School for its anniversary celebration, accompanied by Mr. Han and Mrs. Gu. They met Mr. Zheng, who was now the Vice Headmaster. As they walked around, they accidentally entered Miss. Wang's classroom. Miss.
Wang, delighted, introduced Yan Ze to her students as a "miracle student" from the 2006 grade, explaining that Yan Ze had gone from ranking in the bottom 100 to the top 30 in her grade during Senior 3. Miss. Wang asked Yan Ze to share her study experience, but a flustered Yan Ze could only offer simple encouragement: "I don’t have experience. At that time, I feel that I can't always be a loser.
And you are definitely smarter than me. So, learn hard and believe in yourself." Mr. Zheng then added that Yan Ze's story showed that "It is never late to study from anytime." Alone in the classroom hallway, Yan Ze vividly envisioned her old classmates, including Ji Xiao, smiling and greeting her, before the vision faded away. She later heard a broadcast announcement for the "Monitor of Senior 1 Class 3" to come to the rostrum.
Following the call, she went to the sports field and found Ji Xiao on the stage. They greeted each other with "Long time no see." Soon after, Gu Xiye, Mr. Han, and Mrs. Gu also arrived, and it was revealed that Ji Xiao had donated 100,000 books to the school library, generously doing so "in the name of everyone" because the library held many "happy times" for them.
Further on the school grounds, Yan Hai and Liu Xichuan were married, and Yan Hai was now a PE teacher at Yangming Middle School. He was still his straightforward self, engaging in playful banter with Mr. Han about coaching methods, with Yan Hai claiming his own teaching was "more professionally" done than Mr. Han's. Everyone laughed, savoring the nostalgic atmosphere. In a moment of reflection, Yan Ze imagined seeing He Xinliang playing basketball in the distance.
During the reunion dinner, Mr. Zheng delivered an emotional speech, expressing his immense excitement and happiness at seeing his former Class 3 students become "brilliant talents useful to the society." He acknowledged his strictness during their school days, admitting he was "too harsh" and "too strict indeed," but reaffirmed that "we are really for your own good." Yan Ze spoke on behalf of the students, thanking Mr. Zheng and specifically crediting his encouragement for her "tiny miracle" in Senior 3.
Everyone then raised their glasses to toast Mr. Zheng. During the gathering, Xiao Zhuo'an made a video call, lamenting that she couldn't join them due to work and expressing how much she missed everyone. She then asked about He Xinliang, which brought a visible wave of sadness over Yan Ze, who quickly ended the call, suggesting they "don't mention him" and would "talk later."
Later, a former classmate asked Yan Ze about He Xinliang, speculating, "I thought you were together back in high school." When Yan Ze confirmed, "We broke up long ago," the person asked "Why?" , making Yan Ze even more despondent. She then made an excuse to leave the table. Deep in thought, Yan Ze sat alone, then rode a cable car, reflecting on old memories.
She recalled a voice from her past encouraging her, "Go up there yourself, and say what you want to say. . . . No one will hear you here. Get off when you're finished. Don’t be afraid. I am here waiting for you." As the cable car ascended, Yan Ze finally cried out the words she had held back for so long: "He Xinliang, You brought me to this place before. I cried out every word in my heart.
But there is one word I didn't say. . . . He Xinliang, I like you. . . . He Xinliang, I miss you. He Xinliang, I like you!" At that very moment, He Xinliang appeared and embraced her tightly. This moment brought their true and warm youth story to a beautiful conclusion.
