Lovely Us Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Lovely Us Synopsis
In the summer of 2007, the one-year countdown to the Beijing Olympic Games was officially underway, and the Shude Staff Home finally ushered in the move of the whole house.
Huang Chengzi, Tan Song, Zhu Jinxiao, Chen Zui, and He Jinzhao, who lived here, entered high school together, and at the same time celebrated their 16th year.
In this group of youths, who call themselves the "Number 1992" group, a series of tender stories about their dreams and growth, as well as a little romance, take place.
Lovely Us Recap
Episode 1 Recap
In the compound for Shude staff's families, a group of friends engaged in a song-guessing game.
Among them were He Jinzhao, described as routinely at the bottom of the compound's food chain and one of the rightful heirs to the Wanglai Shop; Zhu Jinxiao, an outstanding child in the eyes of parents but perceived by her friends as a cool, horrible, and ferocious Godzilla; Chen Zui, another exemplary child and the strongest peacemaker in Shude; Huang Chengzi, a lively sixteen-year-old girl and future champion of Chinese romantic fiction; and Tan Song, whom Huang Chengzi had disliked since childhood, serving as a constant antagonist and a perfect incarnation of bad luck.
The summer of 2007 marked the one-year countdown to the Beijing Olympic Games, and the Shude compound was preparing for a full relocation. The friends bid farewell to the old apartment buildings, filled with memories and the clatter of daily life, as they moved into new, unfamiliar unit apartments. Huang Chengzi's mother, Cheng Hongxia, known for her frugality, refused to buy her daughter a new bicycle despite her pleas.
Instead, she asked Huang Chengzi to retrieve items like hangers, pots, and pans from their old house and suggested she find someone to help. Huang Chengzi tried to borrow Tan Song's bike, but he, engrossed in a game, teased her about her short legs, implying she couldn't even get on it, let alone ride it. Frustrated, Huang Chengzi decided to treat her other friends to ice cream before heading to the old house.
However, as soon as she unwrapped her ice cream, Tan Song snatched it, infuriating Huang Chengzi, who called him a "dog." Meanwhile, Cheng Hongxia handed Mrs. Zhu, the mother of He Jinzhao and Zhu Jinxiao, a train ticket. Mrs. Zhu had planned to visit her own mother for her birthday, mentioning that her husband Wenzhong was busy with deliveries and her children were out playing, leaving her free to enjoy her mother’s chicken soup.
While cleaning out the old house, Huang Chengzi unearthed 800 yuan. After her mother, Cheng Hongxia, inexplicably scolded her while being gentle and caring towards He Jinzhao and Zhu Jinxiao, Huang Chengzi became convinced the money was her mother's secret stash (after observing her father's avoidant behavior when asked about secrets and her mother's dismissive joke about Huang Chengzi being adopted). She then decided to hide the money, aiming to make Mrs. Cheng Hongxia lose it forever.
She reasoned that her father, Huang Zhenwu, would only hide a small amount in clothes or socks, not a sum this large. Mrs. Zhu later decided to return the train ticket and spend her birthday with her family, as Wenzhong and their children insisted on celebrating with her. Huang Chengzi, delighted with her decision to keep the money from her mother, gleefully hid the cash in a chandelier.
However, Zhu Jinxiao was disheartened because the concert tickets she had secured for the 6th clashed with her mother’s birthday. Her brother He Jinzhao also had plans, revealing he had a World of Warcraft contest with friends on the 6th. Zhu Jinxiao then called Chen Zui to see if he could exchange the tickets for the 7th.
When Cheng Hongxia called Huang Chengzi for dinner, Huang Chengzi realized the money in the chandelier was easily visible when the light was on. She decided to move the "giant sum" into a doll. Just when she thought it was safe, her cousin visited and immediately fixated on that very doll, forcing Huang Chengzi to find yet another hiding spot. After surveying the house for a secure place, she settled on placing the money on a fan.
Shortly after, Huang Zhenwu rushed in, desperately looking for something. When Huang Chengzi asked, he revealed the 800 yuan was his secret stash, saved specifically to buy her a new bicycle. Huang Chengzi told him the money was on the fan, and Huang Zhenwu praised her clever hiding spot. The next day, their neighbor Wenjun visited, bringing coconuts.
Cheng Hongxia happily welcomed her, and despite Huang Chengzi's protest that the temperature was below 30 degrees (their self-imposed rule for using the fan), Cheng Hongxia turned on the fan. To everyone’s surprise, money rained down from above. Thus, Huang Chengzi’s new bicycle fund was instantly gone.
Huang Zhenwu, following Cheng Hongxia's instructions to buy liquor as a gift for his boss, instead bought a book on how to make liquor and used the remaining money to secretly buy Huang Chengzi a new bike. He felt sorry for his daughter, seeing her struggle with her old, broken bicycle.
Huang Chengzi was overcome with tears of joy when her father presented her with the new bike, which he proudly declared to be the most expensive and best for his daughter. However, their celebration was cut short by Cheng Hongxia's furious shouts from upstairs. She had received a call from Director Wang's wife, complaining about the book.
Enraged by Huang Zhenwu's blunder and Huang Chengzi’s giggling, Cheng Hongxia declared that Huang Chengzi must ride the new bike for at least ten years as punishment. The following morning, Huang Chengzi proudly rode her new bike, showing it off to Tan Song and even giving him a ride to dispose of trash in a neighboring community. Along the way, they met Mr. Lin, who advised Huang Chengzi to buy a sturdy, high-quality lock to prevent theft.
Despite Tan Song's attempts to persuade her, Huang Chengzi, charmed by a street vendor's deal, bought three cheap locks for ten yuan, believing more locks meant more security. Later, after happily running errands for her family, making three trips to the supermarket on her new bike, Huang Chengzi emerged to find her bicycle stolen. She cried inconsolably as she searched for it.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Zhu was preparing to spend her birthday alone, as Wenzhong called to say he had a big delivery and wouldn't be home until after 1 AM, though he wished her a happy birthday and claimed she didn't care for celebrations. Just as she was thinking about it, the doorbell rang, and her own mother, who had traveled a long distance, stood there with a pot of chicken soup, ready to celebrate with her.
On her way to the concert, Zhu Jinxiao had a change of heart. She realized that while her absence might not sadden her idol, not being with her mother on her birthday would. She turned back, eager to celebrate with her mother. Soon after, Wenzhong and He Jinzhao also returned home, and Mrs. Zhu smiled, truly happy. Zhu Jinxiao, upon returning, gave her concert ticket to Huang Chengzi.
Huang Chengzi received a phone call from Tan Song while still sobbing about her lost bike. Tan Song comforted her and invited her to the concert. Hearing she could still attend the concert, Huang Chengzi stopped crying and rode her old, broken bike to the venue. After the concert, she realized she hadn't locked her old bike, but to her surprise, it hadn't been stolen—because no one would want such a shabby bike.
August 6, 2007, was indeed an unforgettable day. One child lost her beloved new bicycle, likely to be reunited with her old, broken one. Another child missed an idol's concert but didn't miss her mother's birthday. Many mothers, thinking of their children, quickened their steps. In life, there is no perfect choice that leaves no regrets.
We simply make the decisions we most want to make in the present moment, accepting the accompanying sacrifices, sadness, and tears, only to discover something more important along the way. Even walking home at night, the night sky appears extraordinarily beautiful.
Episode 2 Recap
All the friends from the Shude staff's families compound gathered at Huang Chengzi's house to watch Jay Chou's music videos, except for He Jinzhao, who was home struggling with his summer homework. Chen Zui asked Huang Chengzi if she had finished her summer homework, to which Huang Chengzi confidently declared that she had. However, the others were skeptical. As Chen Zui meticulously checked Huang Chengzi's assignments, he discovered she had missed a math test paper.
Before Huang Chengzi could start pleading, Zhu Jinxiao and Tan Song quickly made their excuses and left, leaving Huang Chengzi to turn to Chen Zui for help. Instead of asking Chen Zui to teach her, Huang Chengzi simply took his test paper to copy. Chen Zui, not wanting to incur Mrs. Feng's wrath, reluctantly agreed under Huang Chengzi's threat. Meanwhile, He Jinzhao, facing numerous empty pages in his own homework, found a unique method to complete it.
On the first morning of school, the classroom buzzed with students frantically copying homework. When Chen Zui, known for his good temper, arrived, a crowd of students swarmed him, eager to copy his assignments. Seeing this, Huang Chengzi quickly pulled out her own math test paper and announced, "Who wants to copy the math homework? I copied Chen Zui's!" effectively diffusing the situation for Chen Zui.
In the office, the homeroom teacher was comparing the thickness of He Jinzhao's summer homework book to others, sensing something amiss. Fortunately, a colleague from the next desk called the teacher away to discuss matters related to a debate contest, saving He Jinzhao's summer homework from further scrutiny. At school, Huang Chengzi and her friends discussed the upcoming debate topic: "In contemporary society, do men or women need more care?"
Even He Jinzhao found the topic somewhat distasteful, but Huang Chengzi was confident no one could out-argue her. Later, in Huang Chengzi's room, she asked Zhu Jinxiao to analyze her debate draft. Zhu Jinxiao immediately pointed out the weaknesses in Huang Chengzi's draft, stating that her points of view were too shallow, with too many logical loopholes and unconvincing arguments.
She also noted that Huang Chengzi's debate style was soft and her words not sharp, suggesting that the judges would quickly forget what she said. Zhu Jinxiao concluded that Huang Chengzi would not be able to contend with Tan Song's eloquent arguments, as he could make her feel depressed just by opening his mouth. Huang Chengzi, still trying to defend herself, insisted she had earned her place in the semi-finals and that Tan Song hadn't beaten her that afternoon.
Just then, Tan Song and two other boys pushed the door open and walked in. Tan Song boldly declared that his victory over Huang Chengzi was an "unchanging truth of the universe." Huang Chengzi, affronted, retorted, telling him to knock on the door before entering a girl's room. Tan Song and his friends then exited, re-knocked, and asked if "Huang Chengzi and them" were there, announcing that dinner was ready.
In the living room, a harmonious atmosphere prevailed as all the parents from the Shude compound gathered for a potluck dinner, with adults at one table and children at another. Huang Chengzi and Tan Song found themselves squabbling over a piece of meat, which quickly escalated into a heated discussion about the upcoming debate contest. Tan Song vowed to defeat Huang Chengzi and use the prize money to buy the "most awesome sneakers."
Huang Chengzi's mother interjected, reminding them to mind their manners and avoid aggressive language. Huang Chengzi explained to her grandmother that their debate topic was "Do men or women need more care in contemporary society?" The topic resonated strongly with the parents, leading to a lively argument among themselves, with each side passionately advocating for their own need for care. Mr. Lin, seeing the escalating dispute, suggested they turn it into a practice debate for Tan Song and Huang Chengzi.
The women, including Huang Chengzi's mother and He Jinzhao's mother, became the proposition side, while the men formed the opposition. They each presented their arguments for why their gender needed more care. During the free debate segment, Huang Chengzi, as the first debater for the proposition, and Tan Song, for the opposition, passionately argued their points. Tan Song challenged Huang Chengzi to recall their childhood.
He recounted how at five years old, Huang Chengzi bit his arm and he pulled her hair; she cried, but he didn't, resulting in him getting a beating. He then reminded her of when they were ten, and she tore his comic books, prompting him to cut her rubber band; again, she cried, and he didn't, leading to another beating for him.
Tan Song argued that because he was a man and strong, not crying, he was denied care and instead received punishment, calling it a great injustice. Huang Chengzi, as the first debater for the proposition, countered that Tan Song was punished because he had done something wrong, not because he didn't cry. She provocatively suggested that if he had cried, he would have been beaten even more severely, daring him to cry now to test her theory.
She further explained that women's crying stemmed from more sensitive nerves, drawing a comparison to Lin Daiyu burying fallen flowers, asserting that women empathize with everything and are more susceptible to negative emotions, thus requiring more care. Tan Song, the first debater for the opposition, then brought up an incident from kindergarten, accusing Huang Chengzi of having no empathy when she, along with his grandpa, "ended the life" of his pet loach, Nini, by strangling it.
He claimed this showed her "iron-cold heart" even at a young age, suggesting that he, the "poor and helpless boy" at the time, was the one who needed more care. Huang Chengzi dismissed this as childish and ignorant argumentation, clarifying that the loach was actually food her grandpa had bought. Tan Song accused her of personal abuse. Huang Chengzi retorted that he was the one vilifying her.
The argument devolved into a physical altercation, with their parents unable to stop them. To Huang Chengzi and Tan Song's surprise, the school announced the next day that the debate contest would be postponed and the teams regrouped due to two additional schools joining and five students withdrawing, leading to a revised competition system.
Even more shocking was the revelation that they were assigned to the same team, arguing as the opposition for the topic: "Puppy love does more harm than good." This topic stumped the Shude group, as none of them had ever experienced puppy love. He Jinzhao, however, came up with an unconventional idea: he suggested Huang Chengzi and Tan Song pretend to be in puppy love to gain first-hand experience for the debate.
Huang Chengzi and Tan Song, natural rivals, awkwardly attempted intimate gestures under their friends' watchful eyes. They both felt nothing, mutually expressing disdain for each other and commenting that their hearts remained "as still as water." He Jinzhao then proposed they go on a solo date over the weekend to find that "heartbeat feeling," tempting them with the prize money—a new bicycle for Huang Chengzi and a pair of Nike Air Force 1 sneakers for Tan Song.
Enticed by the substantial reward, they reluctantly agreed to embark on a quest to find the feeling of being in love. Following He Jinzhao's list of "daily love routine" activities, Huang Chengzi and Tan Song went on their date. Tan Song, being somewhat oblivious, brought a tandem bicycle for their ride. At the cinema, they bought a single bucket of popcorn as per their instructions.
Unlike a nearby couple affectionately touching hands, Huang Chengzi and Tan Song ended up fighting over the popcorn, completely ignoring the movie. At the skating rink, Huang Chengzi took advantage of Tan Song's inability to skate, deliberately pulling him to the center of the rink and leaving him to shiver alone.
Not long after, Tan Song found his element at the arcade, easily excelling at the games, which infuriated Huang Chengzi to the point where she threatened to break up with him. He Jinzhao, the self-proclaimed "love expert," refused to believe they couldn't cultivate feelings for each other. He instructed them to simulate romantic scenes from Korean and American dramas to find inspiration, but each attempt resulted in hilarious mishaps and no success.
Determined, He Jinzhao decided to set up special lighting for them that evening, hoping it would make a difference. However, when Tan Song saw Huang Chengzi under the dramatic lighting, he immediately fled, exclaiming that she looked like a "ghost." Feeling defeated, Huang Chengzi decided to go to the shop to buy two bottles of Sprite to cool down. At the shop, Huang Chengzi struggled to reach the Sprite bottles on a high shelf. From behind her, a handsome boy reached up and brought them down for her. On that rainy day, a young girl's heart beat 101 times.
Episode 3 Recap
Huang Chengzi excitedly showed Zhu Jinxiao her recent "heart-fluttering" moment, convinced that the handsome boy she had seen was her new crush and that if he had looked at her longer, he might have fallen for her. Zhu Jinxiao, however, questioned how many crushes Huang Chengzi had had and pointed out that after sixteen years, she had never felt that way about Tan Song. Huang Chengzi simply dismissed Tan Song as "unworthy."
Unbeknownst to them, three boys, including He Jinzhao and Chen Zui, were listening, suspecting the girls were keeping secrets. He Jinzhao confronted them, causing Huang Chengzi and Zhu Jinxiao to run off, confirming the boys' suspicions that "something was up." That evening, as Huang Chengzi was washing her hair, the water suddenly stopped. Her mother explained that living on a higher floor meant the water pressure dropped at 8 PM.
With Chen Zui and Zhu Jinxiao's families out, her mother suggested she go to Tan Song's house. Huang Chengzi reluctantly went, still in her casual clothes with wet hair, telling herself there was no need to dress up to meet him. Tan Song greeted her, mocking her messy hair and asking if she was "ready to pick wastes." She explained the water outage.
After checking that his grandparents were out, Tan Song abruptly announced he had to leave for a moment. Alone, Huang Chengzi freely blew her hair dry and sang loudly, transforming Tan Song's living room into her personal "High Song" live show. Her impromptu concert was cut short when Tan Song returned with a guest: his older brother, Tan Ouyang, the very boy from the convenience store, Huang Chengzi's "god."
Huang Chengzi was mortified when Ouyang politely introduced himself and then asked if they had met before, which she nervously denied. Tan Song, noticing her embarrassment, asked why she hadn't told him his brother was coming. He then explained that Ouyang’s parents were in Guangzhou for business, and since Ouyang's college was only half a street away and their grandpa missed him, he had moved in to save on accommodation fees.
Tan Song playfully ruffled Huang Chengzi's hair, telling her she was lucky to have both him and his brother to protect her. Huang Chengzi, however, felt only immense humiliation. Despite her embarrassment, Huang Chengzi was determined. Zhu Jinxiao tried to comfort her by saying that losing money was better than getting disgraced, but Huang Chengzi declared that "grief is not about how you are going to forget it, but whether you have the courage to start over."
She vowed to rehabilitate her image in Ouyang's mind, believing that with "great ambition and willpower," she would "fly to the bright future where Ouyang will fall in love with me." To achieve this, Huang Chengzi began finding various excuses to seek out Tan Song, hoping to increase her presence in front of Ouyang. She started walking to school with Tan Song at 6:30 AM, prompting him to ask if she had "hyperthyroidism."
She borrowed his math workbook, even though Zhu Jinxiao had one, openly telling Tan Song she missed him. Tan Song, in turn, told her to "take it and get out of here immediately." She even asked Tan Song for help with a math problem, only to suggest asking Ouyang when Tan Song claimed he couldn't solve it. These actions led to misunderstandings.
Tan Song, discussing Huang Chengzi with his friends, was convinced she had fallen for him during their "puppy love" experience, claiming she was "so clingy" and always at his door, calling him "my dear, honey." He believed she visited just to get more glimpses of him. Meanwhile, Huang Chengzi was equally convinced Ouyang liked her, noting his "twinkling eyes" that felt "like a beam of light in the darkness that lights me up," concluding it was "affection."
She saw Ouyang as her "Jiang Zhishu" when he patiently explained math problems to her. Huang Chengzi decided she would confess her feelings to Ouyang. On the other side, Tan Song, still under the misconception, declared he would "reject Huang Chengzi and make her give me up." He Jinzhao, misinterpreting a conversation between Huang Chengzi and Zhu Jinxiao, excitedly informed Tan Song that "Chengzi is going to express her love to Tan Song."
Tan Song panicked, feeling it wasn't the right time since he hadn't figured out how to reject her. Huang Chengzi, with Zhu Jinxiao, meticulously rehearsed her confession to Ouyang, practicing various tones from dramatic to "cool" to "feminine," aiming for genuine sincerity. Huang Chengzi then planned a barbeque at Jinlixuan Restaurant, inviting all her friends and specifically asking Tan Song to bring Ouyang, believing a larger group would make the occasion more "solemn" for her confession.
While practicing his rejection speech with Chen Zui and He Jinzhao, Tan Song initially suggested a blunt refusal, comparing Huang Chengzi unfavorably to Liu Yifei, which earned him a rebuke for being "ruthless." They eventually settled on a more "considerate" approach. At the barbeque, Huang Chengzi was disheartened when Ouyang didn't show up.
Tan Song, still believing the confession was for him, tried to preemptively reject her by saying that "the expression of your feelings is the most important" rather than "ceremonial atmosphere." Huang Chengzi excused herself, feeling miserable. Outside, she overheard Tan Song excitedly telling his friends that Ouyang and his girlfriend, Xiangtong, were nearby celebrating a friend's birthday. Tan Song gushed about Xiangtong, calling her a "goddess," beautiful, intelligent, and "particularly tender."
He then contrasted her with Huang Chengzi, mockingly asking if Huang Chengzi even knew how to spell "tender," implying she didn't "behave like a real girl." This infuriated Huang Chengzi, who slammed down three bottles of mineral water to calm her anger, though He Jinzhao wondered if Tan Song had just broken her heart. The insult about her lack of tenderness temporarily overshadowed her heartbreak over Ouyang.
Huang Chengzi declared the idea of her not being feminine "a great joke" and vowed, "gentlewoman is my label, and I'm synonymous with tenderness," despite Zhu Jinxiao's skepticism. The next morning, Huang Chengzi began her transformation. She bought breakfast for her friends, distributing it with exaggerated politeness and using diminutive words. Her friends found her new demeanor "terrifying."
When a classmate asked her to open a drink, she easily twisted the cap off but then, remembering her new persona, screwed it back on and insisted, "I always fail to remove the caps of this kind of bottles." Tan Song and his friends observed her affected movements and speech. He Jinzhao and Chen Zui, believing Tan Song had caused this change, urged him to "compensate her."
They suggested he take her to an amusement park, reminding him of their shared childhood memories. Tan Song balked at the expense, refusing to use his debate prize money for sneakers or ask his grandparents for money. True to his word, Huang Chengzi dressed in a "tender and stunning suit" for her amusement park visit, confident it would impress Tan Song.
However, she was surprised to find that Tan Song had also invited Ouyang and Xiangtong, realizing this was Tan Song's way of getting into the park for free. Tan Song teased her about wanting to date him alone, but Ouyang intervened, telling Tan Song not to bully Huang Chengzi. Huang Chengzi joyfully ran off to explore. At a souvenir stand, she watched Ouyang and Xiangtong sweetly pick out matching hairbands and take photos.
When she tried to get a hairband for herself, the vendor explained it was a "couple photo" promotion. Determined, Huang Chengzi pulled Tan Song into a photo, declaring him her "handsome boyfriend," much to his indignant protest about his "reputation and image." Chen Zui, observing, remarked that they looked "like a perfect match" despite their constant bickering. Huang Chengzi then wanted to ride the merry-go-round, but Tan Song scoffed at her childishness.
Seeing her disappointment, Xiangtong graciously offered to ride with Huang Chengzi. Tan Song, not wanting to appear to be "ostracizing" them, reluctantly joined them. On the merry-go-round, Huang Chengzi watched Ouyang and Xiangtong together, realizing their genuine affection. She felt a sense of peace, genuinely wishing them well, and began playfully bickering with Tan Song by her side. Throughout the day, their playful teasing continued as they enjoyed various rides, creating a warm, harmonious atmosphere.
Later that evening, as they walked home, Tan Song asked Huang Chengzi when she had started liking him. Huang Chengzi launched into a detailed description of the boy she admired: "handsome, strong and tall," with "eyes. . . filled with stars," and a "steady and attractive" voice. Tan Song, still believing she was talking about him, told her not to be "blatantly" and asked why she had kept her feelings a secret.
Huang Chengzi explained she had been "afraid of being rejected" because "he's quite excellent. He left me so far behind." She then revealed the crucial detail: "he already has someone he likes." Tan Song, still confused, asked if she meant Liu Yifei, his celebrity crush. Huang Chengzi clarified, "I mean Xiangtong. . . She's beautiful, tender, gracious and considerate."
Comparing herself, she lamented that she wasn't as beautiful, but "silly and naïve," and would only rate "less than 30 points" compared to Xiangtong's 100. It was then that Tan Song finally understood: "So you like my brother?" Huang Chengzi, however, said she was "no longer sad already" after seeing how nice Xiangtong was. Later, Huang Chengzi spotted 20 yuan on the roadside and dashed to pick it up, narrowly avoiding being hit by a passing car.
Tan Song pulled her back, misunderstanding her intent and thinking she was trying to harm herself, telling her, "Don't be foolish. Do you have to go to such extremes?" Huang Chengzi, explaining she was just trying to retrieve her "62. 8 yuan" (or "82. 8 yuan" had he not stopped her), took out her small savings. She decided to buy Ouyang and Xiangtong a thank-you gift for the amusement park, and also to commemorate her "unrequited love."
Zhu Jinxiao commented on Huang Chengzi's big heart and playfully suggested she ask Tan Song for money, since he had won prize money at a debate contest and even claimed Huang Chengzi's "bad puppy love" experience had helped him win. Huang Chengzi then tried to knit scarves for the couple. When Tan Song found her with yarn tangled around her neck, he again mistakenly thought she was trying to hurt herself, asking, "How come you still haven't gotten over it?"
She clarified it was an accident. Later, he saw her with an injured finger from knitting, which once more led him to worry and overthink. Tan Song took Huang Chengzi aside, applied medicine to her finger, and had a heart-to-heart talk. He spoke about the beauty of the night sky, explaining that while the brightest star (Venus) is often the focus, the other stars that "keep shining. . . might be more beautiful than the brightest one."
He then gently refuted her self-assessment, telling her, "You don't look beautiful, but you are lovely. . . always bring happiness. . . kind and straightforward. . . talented in literature." He revised her score from 30 to "92 points. . . No, 96 points." Huang Chengzi secretly smiled at his unexpected praise. Finally, Tan Song showed her a new bicycle.
He explained he had bought it for her with his debate prize money, saying, "you also contributed to my victory." Huang Chengzi thanked him, and he simply replied, "You are welcome. Just stay alive."
Episode 4 Recap
While Zhu Jinxiao was looking after the shop alone, she observed two men harassing a woman wearing a camisole top and shorts. Jinxiao bravely intervened, challenging the men for blaming the victim and asserting that no one deserves such treatment regardless of their attire. The men then turned their attention to Jinxiao, attempting to harass her as well, using similar taunts about her own attire. Just then, Tan Ouyang, Tan Song's cousin, arrived at the shop to buy something.
Seeing the situation, he stepped in and drove the hooligans away. Afterwards, Jinxiao offered him a Sprite as a token of gratitude for his help. Tan Ouyang recognized Jinxiao, having seen her picture at Tan Song's house, and learned she and He Jinzhao were managing the shop because her father was delivering goods and her mother had a sprained lumbar.
He cautioned her to be safe on her way home, a warning echoed by a news report later advising women to be vigilant when walking alone at night. In class, Tan Song noticed Huang Chengzi meticulously arranging her books, a habit he teasingly called her "Pre-exam ceremonial sense syndrome." He offered to help her with a difficult problem, but quickly realized he couldn't solve it either.
Tan Song then thought of his older cousin, Tan Ouyang, a "talented one of Xihua University," as their potential savior. However, the news of Ouyang offering free tutoring spread quickly through the compound for Shude staff's families. Soon, Chen Zui, Zhu Jinxiao, and He Jinzhao, along with other students, crowded into Tan Song's house for the session. To everyone's surprise, Ouyang struggled to recall high school knowledge, making several mistakes, including a basic arithmetic progression problem.
Eventually, Chen Zui and Zhu Jinxiao took over, explaining the concepts to Ouyang. Tan Song's mother, Auntie Hongxia, noticed this and questioned Tan Song, who tried to justify Ouyang's struggles as "relearning senior high school stuff" because "learning is a lifelong task." Later, He Jinzhao's mother suggested that Zhu Jinxiao also enroll in a cram school, as Ouyang had forgotten too much, and Jinxiao agreed. Meanwhile, He Jinzhao defiantly declared himself the "master of his fate," relying only on himself.
Across town, Huang Chengzi was engrossed in a different kind of preparation, counting words in a reading comprehension passage and repeatedly wishing for "good grades" for her upcoming mid-term exams. As mid-term exams approached, the math teacher canceled PE class, much to the students' dismay. The teacher held up Chen Zui as an example of diligence, only for it to be revealed that he was sketching basketball strategies.
However, Zhu Jinxiao was truly engrossed in her studies, even eating in the cafeteria with a book in hand. Huang Chengzi and Tan Song, concerned by her relentless study, tried to convince Jinxiao to take a break. He Jinzhao described her as a "study-demon." During their conversation, He Jinzhao warned everyone about a "gangster" in a black cap and black jacket who had been robbing and assaulting people, including molesting women, near the school.
He urged Huang Chengzi and Jinxiao to be cautious, avoid dark alleys, and hide their valuables. Meanwhile, Huang Chengzi's mother bought her father, Huang Chengzi's father, a new black windbreaker and a matching black hat. Huang Chengzi's father expressed worry that he resembled the robber from the news, but his wife assured him he looked handsome, so he wore the outfit to work. After school, Huang Chengzi engaged in a superstitious ritual to predict her exam results.
She declared that if she could walk home within 100 steps, she would rank among the top 100 students. She carefully counted her steps, reaching 99, only to find herself still a short distance from her front door. Just then, Tan Song walked by. Huang Chengzi, desperate to complete her ritual, asked him to carry her the rest of the way. Tan Song agreed, playfully asking for her gratitude and calling himself "good" and "considerate."
However, he then mischievously put her down, forcing her to take a giant stride to complete her 100 steps right at her doorstep, much to her annoyance. Later that night, as Zhu Jinxiao walked to the shop alone to work, she ran into Chen Zui and Tan Song, who had just finished playing basketball. Seeing her alone, Chen Zui immediately offered to escort her to the shop.
Not to be outdone, Tan Song joined them, playfully singing a song about not being afraid. The next morning, Huang Chengzi, hoping for a "very lucky" start to her exams, performed another ritual: if the first person she saw wore red, her exams would go well. To her dismay, the first person she encountered was Tan Song, dressed in his blue school uniform. Refusing to give up, she badgered him to reveal if he had any red clothing underneath.
After confirming his shirt and socks were white, she brazenly demanded to know the color of his underwear. Tan Song, exasperated, refused and struggled to get her to let go of his bag, jokingly calling her a "pervert." The class was rattled by news that Guo Yao, a classmate, had been robbed and nearly molested on her way home from cram school.
This heightened Zhu Jinxiao's fears, prompting her to ask Huang Chengzi to accompany her to cram school that evening. However, Huang Chengzi declined, having already agreed to He Jinzhao's "all-out cramming plan" with Tan Song. He Jinzhao, believing in leveraging their "respective advantages," devised a study schedule: Huang Chengzi would teach Chinese, Tan Song physics, and he would teach geography.
Their study session, however, quickly dissolved into tangents and distractions, with Huang Chengzi recounting the story of "Injustice to Dou'e" and Tan Song attempting to explain physics concepts using a "sniper rifle." Later that night, after her cram school class ended around 10 PM, Zhu Jinxiao walked home, singing to steel her nerves.
Sensing she was being followed, she quickly faked a phone call, loudly boasting about having just earned a Taekwondo black belt and almost "kicked the coach to death," before running off. Unbeknownst to her, the person following was Huang Chengzi's father, returning from his night shift in his new black windbreaker and hat. He saw Jinxiao running and, concerned, gave chase. Chen Zui, passing by, recognized Huang Chengzi's father and commented on his robber-like attire.
Realizing Jinxiao's fright was due to his appearance, Chen Zui advised Huang Chengzi's father to stop wearing the cap and jacket together. Afterwards, Chen Zui went to the shop with a deck of cards to keep Jinxiao company, playing "Kittens Go Fishing." Meanwhile, Huang Chengzi, Tan Song, and He Jinzhao, having found their study session at home unproductive due to "too many temptations," decided to relocate to the library the next day.
The next day, Huang Chengzi, Tan Song, and He Jinzhao met at the library, confident that being in a studious environment would guarantee success. However, Tan Song's hopes were dashed when Huang Chengzi and He Jinzhao quickly fell asleep, read comics, and clipped their nails instead of studying. Frustrated, they attended a "learning tips" lecture by Professor Xu.
A woman named Liu Guilan, a plant (shill) for the lecture, shared a "motivational" story about how Professor Xu's lecture transformed her life at 43, leading her to a part-time job in mathematics at Beihua University. Tan Song immediately suspected it was a scam, but Huang Chengzi and He Jinzhao were enthralled. Professor Xu then unveiled his "formula" for success and awarded He Jinzhao for his enthusiastic participation.
He then dramatically announced a limited sale of his "books to help you get victory," ultimately convincing the excited Huang Chengzi and He Jinzhao to buy a large stack of these "secret books," despite Tan Song's clear discomfort and warning. They were overjoyed, convinced they were now "instilled with brilliance" and would "crush" everyone in the upcoming exams. Tan Song, embarrassed by their gullibility, asked them not to tell anyone they knew him.
Meanwhile, Zhu Jinxiao diligently attended her cram school. Afterwards, Chen Zui waited for her outside and then discreetly followed to escort her home. However, he was momentarily distracted when he paused to help someone who had fallen. This brief delay meant he wasn't there when Jinxiao was cornered in a dark alley by the robber. Just as the robber was demanding her valuables, Tan Ouyang suddenly appeared, hugged Jinxiao and reassured her, then single-handedly subdued the criminal.
A narrator reflected that in the summer of 2017, Tan Ouyang became an object of widespread admiration among the girls of the Shude Compound, but none would be more deeply or lastingly affected than Zhu Jinxiao. Chen Zui arrived moments too late, only to see Ouyang and Jinxiao walking away. Later, the group gathered at Tan Song's house, where Huang Chengzi comforted a shaken Jinxiao.
He Jinzhao lightheartedly asked Jinxiao if she had developed a crush on Ouyang after his heroic act. Jinxiao playfully denied it, claiming new crushes on celebrities. Tan Song, seizing the moment, revealed that Ouyang had just broken up with his girlfriend, Xiangtong, and encouraged Jinxiao to pursue him. Chen Zui, however, interjected, telling them to stop teasing Jinxiao, prompting Tan Song to ask if Chen Zui was feeling unwell.
The next day, on their way to school, He Jinzhao and Huang Chengzi continued to boast about their newly acquired "books to help you get victory," fully convinced they would outperform everyone else in six days. Their confidence quickly shattered, however, when they spotted Liu Guilan, the supposed "talented student" and part-time Beihua University professor from the lecture, frying Chinese dough sticks on the street.
Confronted, she sheepishly admitted to frying them both during the day and in Beihua in the evening. Realizing they had been scammed, they rushed back to the lecture venue, only to find it sealed by the Public Security Bureau, with notices proclaiming "Scammers, return the money" and that "Xu Tiezhu was arrested." He Jinzhao and Huang Chengzi were utterly stunned.
Episode 5 Recap
Chen Zui visited the shop, finding only Mrs. He behind the counter. He inquired about Zhu Jinxiao, and Mrs. He explained that Jinxiao had been over-studying for her exams, resulting in a stomach ache. Her father had taken her for an intravenous drip, and she was likely sleeping now. Chen Zui, concerned, asked if it was serious, to which Mrs. He replied it was just from not eating properly.
He then picked up some chewing gum, which Mrs. He offered to him for free, noting he had come all this way for it, though Chen Zui's real intention was simply to see Zhu Jinxiao. At Tan Song's home in the compound for Shude staff's families, the group gathered to study, though He Jinzhao mostly watched the others. Huang Chengzi and Tan Song, true to form, bickered while they studied, eventually snatching fried chicken and drinks from Chen Zui.
Zhu Jinxiao told Chen Zui not to spoil them, but He Jinzhao countered that Chen Zui had always indulged them since childhood, causing Jinxiao to shake her head in resignation. He Jinzhao then teased that Chen Zui would feel bad if he didn't spoil them, and Tan Song added that Jinxiao, accustomed to winning, would feel bad if she lost, a notion Jinxiao scoffed at, calling the chances of losing to Tan Song "absolute zero."
Their math teacher, as usual, ran over time. When students tried to excuse themselves for the restroom, the teacher told them to "hold it in." Huang Chengzi then dramatically announced a nosebleed, prompting the teacher to allow her to go to the school clinic. The teacher, Mr. Fang, called Zhu Jinxiao and Chen Zui to his office to discuss an advanced training course.
He emphasized its rarity and the potential to gain an extra five points on their university entrance exams if they placed in the top three after the camp, explaining that these points could mean "Finishing above five playgrounds worth of students." The school would choose one of them based on their mid-term comprehensive science exam results, turning it into a direct competition. Chen Zui listened thoughtfully, glancing at Jinxiao.
During lunch in the canteen, even Huang Chengzi and Tan Song were seen diligently studying, while He Jinzhao found solace in reading the canteen's brochure. He commented on Tan Song and Huang Chengzi appearing "possessed" by studying, and Huang Chengzi retorted that they had to study or their parents would be called in. Later that evening, as Chen Zui was preparing for bed, Zhu Jinxiao called him with a math question.
He immediately got up to explain it to her over the phone, though he advised her to get some early rest after his explanation. On the day of the mid-term exams, a tardy He Jinzhao proudly displayed a string of blessed beads, claiming they would guarantee good exam results. Only Huang Chengzi seemed to believe him, rubbing the beads nine times as instructed by He Jinzhao, hoping for a Chinese score of 148.
During the exams, Huang Chengzi was energetic only during her Chinese test, dozing off during others. Chen Zui, observing Zhu Jinxiao's focused efforts, deliberately left the final major math question unanswered. After the exams, the group gathered at Tan Song's house to compare answers. Huang Chengzi excitedly claimed she had gotten seven out of ten physics answers correct, only for Chen Zui to reveal they had been reviewing the math answers, calling her "stupid."
Disheartened, Huang Chengzi leaned on Tan Song's shoulder, burying her face in her hands. Later at the shop, Zhu Jinxiao noticed Chen Zui offer the last box of instant coffee to Tan Ouyang, opting for a Red Bull himself. Jinxiao teased him about his "good guy" nature, suggesting he couldn't help but let others win, just as Tan Song had once observed. Chen Zui shrugged it off, saying Red Bull was fine.
Jinxiao then suspected he might have intentionally let her win in the exams too, a claim Chen Zui quickly denied, stating he wasn't "an idiot." As expected, Zhu Jinxiao secured the spot for the THU-PKU study camp, with the teacher commending Chen Zui's good attitude despite the narrow difference in their scores. Meanwhile, Tan Song had failed English, and Huang Chengzi, despite her proficiency in Chinese, had written an off-topic essay, earning a mere 18 points. Both were deeply dejected.
He Jinzhao tried to lift their spirits by inviting them to an amusement park and KTV for the weekend, but they refused, declaring themselves "unworthy" of fun and vowing to spend their time in "introspection." Ouyang then arrived, inviting the group to a Halloween dance party at the university. Zhu Jinxiao pulled him aside, explaining that Tan Song and Huang Chengzi were in a gloomy state and might not attend.
He Jinzhao, however, believed they would eventually want to go and suggested asking them immediately. Jinxiao countered, reminding him of their friends' pride and their recent vow to study hard, suggesting they "test the waters" and cheer them up before extending an invitation. Ouyang agreed, tasking Chen Zui, He Jinzhao, and Zhu Jinxiao with the mission and stressing the need to keep the party a secret from Tan Song and Huang Chengzi.
Despite their friends' efforts to draw them out, Tan Song and Huang Chengzi remained engrossed in their studies, claiming they didn't deserve to celebrate Halloween. Chen Zui and Zhu Jinxiao attempted to teach them Halloween-related English words like "jack o’lantern" and "vampire," but Huang Chengzi struggled to spell "Halloween" and declared herself unworthy of the holiday. She also refused Halloween cards, stating that someone who scored 18 points on an essay "doesn't deserve any written greetings."
He Jinzhao then tried a more emotional approach, using a song to highlight the importance of friendship and experiencing life's joys together. Ultimately, seeing their persistent despair, Chen Zui, He Jinzhao, and Zhu Jinxiao decided to attend the dance party as a trio. Before long, Tan Song and Huang Chengzi began to waver, secretly longing to attend the Halloween party. To save face, Tan Song suggested they subtly drop hints to their friends.
While walking home, He Jinzhao, who had already committed to the party with Ouyang, Chen Zui, and Zhu Jinxiao, boasted about the upcoming event to Tan Song and Huang Chengzi, detailing the grand scale of the Xihua University party, likening it to Western movies complete with foreign students, champagne, and dancing. Overhearing this, Huang Chengzi asked another student about the party, who confirmed it involved costumes and roleplay.
Feeling desperate, Huang Chengzi confided in Tan Song that she really wanted to go. Tan Song then proposed their "passing by" strategy. With limited funds, they scouted a street stall, purchasing two "ghost" costumes for 88. 5 yuan. Huang Chengzi grumbled about the one-piece outfits being inconvenient, but Tan Song insisted they could take them off at home.
They painted their faces like Japanese ghosts and, riding bicycles, deliberately moved slowly to appear casual, yet still managed to startle pedestrians, including a child. Tan Song confidently declared their impressive makeup would make them the "focus of the party," sure to "shake the party up." Upon arriving at Xihua University, they found the student center deserted. Worried they had missed the party, they suddenly heard He Jinzhao's voice.
Realizing the event was over, Tan Song suggested hiding to surprise their friends. They jumped out, yelling "Surprise!" only to be met by a confused Ouyang, who asked if they were "cosplaying" "Spirited Away." Tan Song and Huang Chengzi quickly realized it was a formal social dance party, not a costume event, and, mortified, ran away in embarrassment. He Jinzhao, recognizing their "obvious back of their heads," called out to them.
Sitting on the curb, Huang Chengzi cried to Tan Song about the humiliation, lamenting that everyone had treated her badly. She lashed out at He Jinzhao for not explaining, Chen Zui for being indecisive, and even Tan Ouyang, admitting she used to like him but felt he never considered her a true friend. Zhu Jinxiao, who had overheard her name, stepped forward to ask what she had done, while Ouyang was surprised to hear Huang Chengzi's past feelings for him.
Later, at Tan Song's home, Huang Chengzi hid behind a curtain, still upset. Ouyang, with Chen Zui and He Jinzhao, tried to coax her out. He Jinzhao remarked that "No-Face is so cute," referring to her costume. Chen Zui added that she couldn't stay at Tan Song's house indefinitely. Finally, Ouyang used his New Year's Day birthday as an excuse, inviting both Huang Chengzi and Tan Song to go camping. When Huang Chengzi peeked out, everyone, especially He Jinzhao, burst into laughter at her "cute appearance."
Episode 6 Recap
Still reeling from the embarrassing Halloween dance party where they had dressed as Japanese ghosts, Huang Chengzi demanded that Tan Song treat her to a burger to soothe her injured feelings. She then insisted he take a photo of her in her ghastly makeup for posterity, instructing him to send it to her on QQ and then delete it from his phone. Tan Song, however, found himself duplicating the image multiple times instead of deleting it.
Pretending her anger still lingered, Huang Chengzi next asked Tan Song to get her a photo of Yao Haonan, a handsome student from Class 6, a request Tan Song flatly refused. Later, at the basketball court, Huang Chengzi joined a crowd of girls screaming support for Yao Haonan. Tan Song, sitting nearby, scoffed, declaring that if Yao Haonan was considered handsome, then he himself must be a god.
Disgusted by Huang Chengzi's infatuation, Tan Song took to the court and showcased an impressive series of three-point shots, which successfully caught Yao Haonan's attention. Back in class, the "school hunk rankings" were a hot topic. Yao Haonan held the top spot, Chen Zui was second, and Tan Song was a distant third.
Even a simple task like Yao Haonan coming to their classroom to collect a set square for a teacher sent the girls into a frenzy, their adoration for Chen Zui and Tan Song completely overlooked. Though Tan Song initially feigned indifference to such comparisons, he couldn't help but ask his brother, Tan Ouyang, who was more handsome. Tan Ouyang, predictably, claimed himself to be the most handsome.
Undeterred, Tan Song took Yao Haonan's photo to Mr. Lin, who, with a twinkle in his eye, assured Tan Song he was the most handsome, even jokingly offering to let Tan Song adopt his surname. Tan Song then tried to get Zhu Jinxiao's opinion, but Huang Chengzi tried to snatch the photo, sparking another squabble between them.
Frustrated, Tan Song confided in Chen Zui, expressing his annoyance at Huang Chengzi's obsession with Yao Haonan and his dissatisfaction with the school hunk rankings. He declared his intention to join the school basketball team, hoping to improve his standing and claim the coveted title of "school hunk." Meanwhile, He Jinzhao had been acting strangely, sporting injuries to his leg and hand. When Zhu Jinxiao pressed him, he reluctantly admitted the injuries were from playing with Yao Haonan.
The rest of the Shude Squad — Tan Song, Huang Chengzi, and Chen Zui — immediately jumped to conclusions, believing Yao Haonan was bullying He Jinzhao. They resolved to confront him, planning to "fight fire with fire." Armed with bricks and books, the four descended upon the basketball court after school, ready to intervene. To their surprise, they found Yao Haonan "helping" He Jinzhao with his basketball practice.
He Jinzhao explained that Yao Haonan was kindly giving him extra coaching to help him move from a substitute player to a full team member. Realizing their mistake, Huang Chengzi and Zhu Jinxiao decided to buy snacks as an apology to Yao Haonan for their misjudgment. Tan Song and Chen Zui, however, secretly hoped Yao Haonan would lose his afternoon game against Liang the Beast. To their disappointment, Yao Haonan easily defeated Liang the Beast, further fueling Huang Chengzi's adoration.
Still determined to surpass Yao Haonan, Tan Song and Chen Zui then questioned He Jinzhao about Yao Haonan's basketball strengths and weaknesses. He Jinzhao revealed that Yao Haonan preferred to play individually and rarely passed the ball, suggesting that teamwork or double-teaming would be their best strategy. To enhance their teamwork, He Jinzhao proposed a "Strategic Brotherhood Understanding Plan," involving activities like riding a tandem bicycle and playing charades.
However, these attempts proved fruitless, as their communication and coordination remained abysmal. As a last resort, He Jinzhao suggested they share a bed to truly get to know each other. The two had a restless night, trying to express their appreciation for each other in an awkward conversation. The next morning, Tan Song decided he would try to understand Chen Zui better by engaging in Chen Zui's favorite hobby: jigsaw puzzles.
This too proved to be a failure, as Tan Song found the task too difficult and quickly gave up. Tan Song then switched tactics, deciding it would be better for Chen Zui to understand "him", and challenged him to video games. Chen Zui, however, lost ten consecutive games. Realizing these methods were ineffective, they resolved to simply practice basketball together.
At the basketball court, while Tan Song went to buy water, Yao Haonan approached Chen Zui, complimenting his skills and attempting to recruit him, even suggesting Chen Zui could bypass the rigorous team tryouts. Chen Zui politely declined, stating his desire to earn his spot through his own merit. When Tan Song returned, he saw Yao Haonan trying to befriend Chen Zui and quickly pulled Chen Zui away, possessively asking if Chen Zui considered him his "best and only friend."
Later, Tan Song was aghast to discover his ranking on the school hunk list had plummeted to fourth place. Determined to reclaim his status, he vowed to win the upcoming basketball game. The following day, Tan Song and Chen Zui's team faced Yao Haonan's school team in an intense match.
Initially, Huang Chengzi cheered for Yao Haonan, but upon witnessing the referee's blatant favoritism and unfair calls against Tan Song's team, she indignantly switched her allegiance, vociferously cheering for Tan Song. Despite the biased officiating, Tan Song's team valiantly managed to tie the score. However, a foul by the opposing team sent Tan Song crashing to the ground. Enraged, Huang Chengzi stormed onto the court, confronting Yao Haonan, whom she now called "Yao scum," and threatened to fight him.
Yao Haonan retaliated with a threat to hit her, but a protective Tan Song, touched by her fierce loyalty, yelled at Yao Haonan to not lay a hand on Huang Chengzi. After the game, Huang Chengzi and the other girls discussed Yao Haonan's unsportsmanlike conduct, noting his plummeting rank to 208th on the school hunk list. They unanimously declared Tan Song and Chen Zui as the rightful first and second place.
However, their newfound loyalty was short-lived; within minutes, a handsome student from a neighboring class walked by, and the girls' attention immediately shifted, their fickle affections moving on to the newest "school hunk."
Episode 7 Recap
Tan Song playfully reversed his brother Ouyang’s car, but Ouyang tapped on the window, telling him to move to the passenger seat. Ouyang informed him that he was just going to join the army and would return, so there was no need to tell everyone. Tan Song expressed his worry about Ouyang, a new driver who barely knew the gears, taking five teenagers camping for New Year's Day, especially on his birthday.
Ouyang, annoyed by Tan Song’s concerns, told him to either shut up or get out of the car, leaving Tan Song feeling helpless about his brother’s confidence. The five teenagers later went shopping for camping essentials. Tan Song was in charge of the money, planning to buy a Bucket Meal and game top-up cards, despite Huang Chengzi's protests that they needed practical camping supplies.
Huang Chengzi was thrilled with her new cosmetic contact lenses, while Zhu Jinxiao admired a crystal ball but didn't buy it. Before they left, they met Mr. Lin, who wished them a happy New Year’s Day and an early happy birthday to Ouyang, offering to make him noodles upon his return from the army. As they prepared to leave, the others realized Tan Song had only brought money, convinced it would solve all their needs.
During the drive, Huang Chengzi tried to sell a drumstick to Tan Song at an inflated price, but he refused, playfully insulting her, which she quickly retorted. Spotting a small shop, Tan Song instructed Ouyang to stop the car, announcing he would treat everyone, "except" Huang Chengzi. Annoyed, Huang Chengzi took her instant noodles to an old woman near the shop for hot water.
She enthusiastically told the grandmother about camping with her "best friends," describing their close-knit, childhood bond despite their playful fights. To her shock, she turned around to find Tan Song and the others had driven off. Clutching her instant noodles, she ran after the car. Inside, Tan Song, reaching for snacks to offer Huang Chengzi, suddenly realized she wasn’t there.
Despite Tan Song and He Jinzhao's attempts to lure her back with treats, Huang Chengzi refused, feeling deeply betrayed that they had forgotten her. Eventually, they had to physically pull her back into the car. Inside the car, Huang Chengzi, exhausted, fell asleep with her head on Tan Song's shoulder. A radio announcement played, mentioning the impending first snowfall and the importance of being with loved ones.
Zhu Jinxiao frequently glanced at Ouyang, while Chen Zui subtly watched Zhu Jinxiao in the rearview mirror, hinting at the unspoken feelings between them. Upon arriving at their destination, Tan Song jokingly commented on Huang Chengzi's messy hair, saying she didn't look like a girl. Later, while retrieving luggage, Huang Chengzi discovered a crystal ball. She confronted Chen Zui, questioning why he would buy such a feminine gift for Ouyang, a "man."
Chen Zui denied it, claiming he had merely "picked it up" from the ground. After Chen Zui walked away, Huang Chengzi found a greeting card on the ground addressed to "Jinxiao," revealing Chen Zui's secret affection for Zhu Jinxiao. During the group activities, Huang Chengzi deliberately partnered with Chen Zui, determined to uncover his secret. She pressed him about the crystal ball and Jinxiao, and Chen Zui, after receiving her promise of secrecy, revealed his feelings for Zhu Jinxiao.
He then noticed Huang Chengzi's cosmetic contact lens was askew and helped her adjust it, asking her to keep this secret from Tan Song to avoid his teasing. Tan Song, observing their interaction, mistakenly assumed they were in a romantic relationship. Later, at the barbecue, Huang Chengzi lavished praise on Chen Zui's cooking, especially his seasoned potatoes, in front of Zhu Jinxiao, greatly irritating Tan Song, who insisted he had grilled most of the food.
Tan Song then tried to make Huang Chengzi eat more meat to "store fat" for warmth, teasing her about being "weak" and not wanting her to get sick and infect him in their shared tent. He Jinzhao brought out sparklers from his family's shop for New Year's Eve. As they prepared to light them, Tan Song pulled Huang Chengzi aside.
After an initial lecture on her academics, he put a scarf and hat on her, feigning concern for his own health in the tent rather than her comfort. Huang Chengzi was touched by his gentle gesture, despite his characteristic teasing. They lit the sparklers and shared their New Year’s wishes. Ouyang wished for everyone's health and dreams, Huang Chengzi for becoming a writer and attending the Olympics, while Tan Song pointedly wished for "no puppy love in the world."
Chen Zui initially had no wish prepared. Later that night, Zhu Jinxiao, unable to sleep due to He Jinzhao's loud snoring, stepped out of the tent for fresh air. She found Chen Zui stargazing and asked about his New Year's wish. He, in turn, asked her to make a wish for him, emphasizing he would only grant this privilege to "someone important."
Zhu Jinxiao playfully wished for Chen Zui to excel in his studies and gain admission to THU-PKU, then shared her own ambitious dreams of global travel, volunteer teaching, and even shaving her head, encouraging Chen Zui to pursue his own desires rather than simply following a "prescribed order." Chen Zui then presented her with the crystal ball she had admired earlier, wishing her success in her THU-PKU study camp. As snow began to fall, they shared a quiet, smiling moment.
Chen Zui’s internal monologue revealed he found the snowy night profoundly quiet, so much so that he could hear his own heartbeat, wishing for more noise to drown out his newly discovered feelings. Meanwhile, back in the tent, Tan Song gently looked at Huang Chengzi's sleeping face and softly whispered, "Happy New Year." With the new semester beginning, Zhu Jinxiao left for the THU-PKU study camp.
During a class discussion about her success, Huang Chengzi declared Chen Zui an exception, destined to "soar up high to meet Jinxiao." Tan Song, irked, defended his brother, accidentally revealing that Ouyang would be joining the army. Ouyang had preferred to keep this quiet, mentioning he would have home leave anyway, but Tan Song defended his brother's right to keep it secret. Huang Chengzi, He Jinzhao, and the others immediately planned to see Ouyang off.
In Ouyang's room, Huang Chengzi and He Jinzhao tried to claim Ouyang's MP4 player and game console, but Tan Song quickly intervened. Huang Chengzi then playfully bargained to touch Ouyang's muscles, calling it her "only wish" and admiring his "six-pack, eight-pack." However, Tan Song physically carried her out of the room when her enthusiasm grew too bold. Later that day, Huang Chengzi called Zhu Jinxiao to share the news about Ouyang.
Hearing he was leaving, Zhu Jinxiao decided to return from her THU-PKU study camp to see him off. At Qingshui Station, she found Ouyang. He expressed mild frustration that his secret was revealed but explained that joining the army wasn't a sudden decision, but a long-held desire to pursue his ambitions while he still had the chance. Zhu Jinxiao confessed to feeling "confused" and "out of breath" in the competitive environment of the study camp, feeling constant pressure to "sprint."
Ouyang encouraged her, reminding her of her strength as "Zhu Jinxiao" and the importance of seeing her journey through to the end. Before boarding his bus, he gently placed a hat on her head, advising her to be careful in the windy weather. The narrator reflected on their seventeen-year-old secrets: carefully hidden, yet inevitably discovered; often denied, yet conspicuously obvious; and ultimately, transforming into cherished memories, all born from unexpected feelings.
Episode 8 Recap
Tan Song mistakenly believed that Chen Zui was in love with Huang Chengzi. He confronted Chen Zui about an incident they had in the woods on New Year's Day, where he saw them in an intimate position. Chen Zui clarified that he was merely helping Huang Chengzi remove her cosmetic contact lenses, which had gotten stuck on her eyelashes.
Observing Tan Song's intense interest in Chen Zui's feelings for Huang Chengzi, He Jinzhao suspected that Tan Song himself might be the one in love with Huang Chengzi. Tan Song vehemently denied this, stating that the probability was less than 0. 01. However, He Jinzhao mused that even a minuscule probability could come to pass. Later, Tan Song asked his deskmate, Wu Hao, for correction fluid.
Wu Hao, appearing melancholic, remarked that a leaf had fallen and must be very lonely. Tan Song shared this with his friends. He Jinzhao concluded that Wu Hao must be in love, as a man's emotions become easily influenced when he is smitten, and his affection is visible to anyone.
Huang Chengzi found this idea intriguing and began looking around for her secret admirer, causing Tan Song to quickly lower his head and tell her to stop, claiming no one was secretly in love with her. That night, Tan Song consulted an online test about signs of falling in love. The first sign suggested that the person would be one's ideal type.
Tan Song insisted his ideal type was Zhao Ling'er, Gianna Jun, or Hermione, not Huang Chengzi, yet he kept picturing Huang Chengzi in those roles. The second sign stated that one would find the person cute. Tan Song couldn't imagine Huang Chengzi being cute, but when he saw her with a cold, his heart unexpectedly fluttered. The third sign involved wanting to buy things for the person. In his dream, he was a lavish buyer for Huang Chengzi.
In reality, Huang Chengzi asked to borrow eighteen yuan for magazines, which he reluctantly lent her, making her write an IOU. The fourth sign was the desire for romantic time alone. He invited Huang Chengzi to watch a movie, hoping for a romantic moment, but it turned out to be a horror film that scared him. He then tried to change the topic to himself, only for Huang Chengzi to mention Liu Gaoxu.
Tan Song began to suspect he might indeed be in love with Huang Chengzi, while she remained completely unaware of his feelings. Meanwhile, Chen Zui’s mother learned that Zhu Jinxiao had achieved second place in the provincial Tsinghua-Peking University study camp. She playfully suggested that Chen Zui should try to marry Zhu Jinxiao. Chen Zui dismissed her mother's teasing but was later seen gazing at Zhu Jinxiao's picture, clearly smitten. The school announced a new study partner program.
Huang Chengzi, confident in her popularity, decided not to choose a partner, opting for a random assignment by Mr. Fang. Tan Song initially wrote Huang Chengzi's name on his submission slip but, out of loyalty to his deskmate, changed it to his deskmate's name. Ultimately, Huang Chengzi was paired with an outside-of-class partner, Liu Gaoxu, who was Mr. Fang's nephew and a top student from Class 9.
Huang Chengzi excitedly spoke about her new partner, and coincidentally, Liu Gaoxu appeared right then at a bookstore, further captivating Huang Chengzi and setting off alarm bells for Tan Song. Concerned about Huang Chengzi studying alone with Liu Gaoxu, Tan Song insisted on accompanying her to their study session. He highlighted potential safety risks, which Huang Chengzi’s mother surprisingly supported. The next day, Huang Chengzi and Liu Gaoxu coincidentally appeared in similar-colored outfits, further fueling Tan Song’s discomfort.
As they began their study session at a Thai restaurant, Huang Chengzi introduced Tan Song to Liu Gaoxu as her "best friend, childhood playmate," and the school basketball team's forward, but Tan Song assertively expanded on this. He attempted to impress them by speaking what he claimed was Thai and Russian, which only drew a dismissive reaction from Huang Chengzi.
Separately, Zhu Jinxiao and Chen Zui went to the city’s TV station for an interview on a learning program called "Close to Models." However, due to last-minute cancellations, they were recruited to fill in as a couple on an adjacent show called "Love You 100%." The program director asked them to quickly learn and memorize details about each other as if they were a real couple, including hobbies and birthdays.
Despite Huang Chengzi’s vocal admiration for Liu Gaoxu and her newfound academic efficiency after studying with him, she unconsciously relied more on Tan Song. On their way home by bus, Tan Song called Huang Chengzi a "pig" for falling asleep anywhere, but then gently used his hand to cushion her head when she dozed off against the window.
He also critiqued Liu Gaoxu for making her travel far and for the distracting environment of the coffee shop where they studied, noting how other girls constantly interrupted their session. Back at the TV station, Chen Zui and Zhu Jinxiao successfully answered all questions in the couple's game, both correctly naming Jay Chou as their favorite singer and providing his birthday. Encouraged by the host, Chen Zui took the opportunity to make a heartfelt confession to Zhu Jinxiao.
He spoke about how his life, once predictable and planned, had been transformed by her adventurous spirit and determination to explore the world. He declared that he wouldn't let her embark on this journey alone, then explicitly told her, "Zhu Jinxiao, I like you." Moved by his words and the audience's chants of "Hug her!" , Zhu Jinxiao embraced Chen Zui, playfully whispering in his ear, "You're too good at fabricating stories."
As a token of appreciation, the program director presented them with a pair of couple watches. The following day, Huang Chengzi left early for another tutoring session with Liu Gaoxu, who promised to teach her "math secrets." Tan Song, feigning an "upper body exercise" in slippers, watched her leave with clear unease. When night fell and Huang Chengzi still hadn't returned, Tan Song grew increasingly worried. He tried calling her, but her phone was unreachable.
He waited for her in the rain, holding two umbrellas, one for himself and one for her. When she finally arrived, he scolded her for being out so late, then, acting casually, claimed he was just "getting some fresh air" and "protecting his shoes" from the rain. He then offered her a cup of cold soy milk, telling her to heat it herself.
In a reflective moment, it was observed that 17-year-old boys often deceive themselves about their true feelings, rationalizing them away with low probabilities. They put on an act to shield their hearts, but true affections are not easily suppressed. In that rainy night, as Tan Song watched Huang Chengzi's retreating figure, his nascent love was unmistakably revealed, evident in the profound sense of peace in his heart and the unconscious smile in his eyes whenever he looked at her.
Episode 9 Recap
The winter holiday was fast approaching, and the students from the compound for Shude staff's families found themselves in a familiar predicament: the neighborhood adults would inevitably inquire about their final exam results. Tan Song, anticipating this, devised a plan to first list his good subject scores, leaving his worst subject, English, for last, hoping people would lose interest. He Jinzhao, whose scores were "balanced" (meaning equally unimpressive), planned to use that as his vague response.
Huang Chengzi, however, intended to highlight her strengths, proudly announcing her sixth-place ranking in Chinese and a perfect score on her composition. She even thought about elaborating on her essay's theme if pressed further. Only the top students, Zhu Jinxiao and Chen Zui, were unburdened by such worries, quietly wishing their friends good luck. Their strategies proved futile, however, as upon entering the compound, the well-informed neighbors immediately exposed each of their academic weaknesses, leaving them deeply frustrated.
Meanwhile, Zhu Jinxiao's family decided to invite her grandma to stay for the Lunar New Year. He Jinzhao, remembering the painful interrogations about grades, specifically asked his father to "warn" Grandma not to question them about their scores, hoping to spare their "fragile psychology" and allow them a happy holiday. His father agreed, noting that Grandma always brought gifts and that her presence would make the house livelier.
Huang Chengzi and her friends visited a temple where a master predicted that a family member would usher in her new year in a "special place." Interpreting this as a travel opportunity, Huang Chengzi was thrilled, excitedly speculating about trips to Paris, Turkey, or Hawaii, and declared to her friends that she wouldn't be spending the New Year with them. He Jinzhao, on the other hand, received an "unlucky" prediction, fearing a year of misfortune.
Tan Song, in an attempt to comfort him, shared his "invincible sixteen-character rule" to deflect nosy questions: "It's the Spring Festival," "I'm still a child," "You are already here," and "It's not easy for everyone." Later, at home, Huang Chengzi overheard her parents discussing "Guilin" and "Chiang Mai," further cementing her belief in a grand vacation.
Zhu Jinxiao and He Jinzhao's grandmother arrived, bringing homemade sesame balls that had softened from the journey and balsam flower juice for nail polish, which the teenagers greeted with lukewarm enthusiasm. Grandma, a firm believer in frugality, found many "useful" items destined for the trash, like an empty oil bottle for watering flowers, vinegar bottles that could be sold for money, and a sticky hook that could be nailed.
She even insisted on boiling expired milk, claiming the shelf life labels were a trick and that heating would kill all bacteria. Later, she dragged He Jinzhao to a wholesale market to buy New Year's snacks, asserting that the longer distance was worth the five jiao savings per half-kilo. He Jinzhao, though visibly reluctant, accompanied her. Zhu Jinxiao noted her grandmother's extreme thriftiness made her own mother seem extravagant by comparison.
At Tan Song's house, relatives arrived for New Year's greetings. While the adults chatted congenially, Tan Song found himself "miserable" entertaining his young cousin, Guoguo, who insisted on using his clothes to make an outfit for her Barbie doll, Angelina Elizabeth. Tan Song tried to persuade her to use his socks instead, but Guoguo preferred his clothes. She then styled Tan Song's hair to match her doll's and called him "not pretty."
He retorted that she wasn't pretty either, leading to her pinching his arm and falsely accusing him. His parents, using the same "it's the Spring Festival, she's still a child" logic, ordered him to apologize. Seeking revenge, Tan Song gave Guoguo a large pile of "treasures"—his old study materials—as she left, advising her to cherish them and study hard.
Chen Zui, arriving with a gift for Tan Song's grandpa, observed Tan Song's unique "gift-giving" approach, agreeing that a "naughty kid" deserved a "special gift." Huang Chengzi continued her campaign of kindness toward her mother, offering massages and serving food, hoping to secure her anticipated travel reward. Her mother, pleased by her newfound diligence, gave her a generous sum for new clothes. Huang Chengzi, still attempting to confirm her travel plans, subtly probed about "Guilin or Chiang Mai."
Her mother mentioned Guilin wasn't convenient this year, which Huang Chengzi immediately took as confirmation of a trip to Chiang Mai, joyfully embracing her mother. Later, at the mall, Huang Chengzi excitedly tried on summer clothes, despite the winter season, much to Zhu Jinxiao's mild bewilderment and the amusement of other shoppers. Meanwhile, Tan Song and Chen Zui were also shopping for clothes.
A persistent sales assistant convinced Chen Zui to buy a hat he didn't like, leading his mother to scold him for being too soft-hearted and for not knowing how to refuse. She advised him to be more like his parents, who "know how to refuse."
Shortly after, his father, despite his earlier lecture on refusing things one doesn't like, gave their last bottle of homemade wine to a neighbor who asked for it, much to his wife's exasperation, confirming that Chen Zui's soft nature was indeed genetic. Across the mall, Zhu Jinxiao's grandmother bought her a 79-yuan red coat, which Grandma proudly declared a bargain, though Zhu Jinxiao herself did not appear particularly fond of it.
Convinced of her upcoming trip, Huang Chengzi sought out Tan Song, asking him to teach her basic Thai. While practicing pronunciation, they accidentally bumped heads, causing a momentary flutter in Tan Song's heart. He then reminded her about getting a passport. Realizing she hadn't, Huang Chengzi rushed home to ask her mother, only to be met by a stranger at the door. Her mother introduced the woman as "Auntie Qingmai."
It was then that Huang Chengzi's grand travel plans were shattered: "Chiang Mai" was not a destination, but a relative. Auntie Qingmai explained that she was named so because her mother was pregnant with her in Chiang Mai, and her siblings were named Beijing and Guilin, much to Huang Chengzi's surprise and disappointment.
On New Year's Eve, Chen Zui politely but firmly refused a neighbor's request for the calligraphed couplet he had just written, explaining it was specifically for Zhu Jinxiao. Later, Zhu Jinxiao came to pick it up, simply saying she trusted him with the task. They exchanged New Year's greetings. Huang Chengzi's New Year's Eve dinner felt incomplete because her father was working the night shift. She proposed taking dumplings to his bus depot.
Her mother agreed, and the family of three shared a warm and happy reunion dinner on her father's bus. Tan Song, reaching out from his own family dinner, called Huang Chengzi to wish her a Happy New Year. The evening was a culmination of warm, family-filled celebrations. All the families gathered, watching the Spring Festival Gala, making for a truly harmonious New Year's Eve.
At He Jinzhao and Zhu Jinxiao's home, their grandmother, revealing she had saved money from her own pension and her late husband's benefits, gave it to her daughter-in-law, saying it was for her grandchildren's future college tuition, calling it her "sponsorship." Despite her extreme thriftiness, her love for her grandchildren was evident. The families raised toasts, cherishing the moments with loved ones.
A reflective monologue highlighted that despite the long year, growth happens in an instant, and the meaning of Spring Festival, like fireworks, illuminates and offers courage to heal and restart. It acknowledged that a hot meal, a secret couplet, or even grandma's nagging might not always be perfect, but with loved ones, no one is ever truly alone, and everyone always finds their way back home. The episode concluded with Tan Song's father finally arriving home.
Episode 10 Recap
The Shude Compound friends gathered in Huang Chengzi's room, where she shared sweet, tasty, and glutinous corn from her mother, Ms. Cheng. Tan Song, however, had no appetite, confessing he was anxious about his father, Debin, who had returned after three years. He explained that as he grew older, he found it increasingly difficult to interact with his father; their encounters were so awkward that "even the air can freeze."
While He Jinzhao and Chen Zui thought Tan's father was amiable and humorous, Tan Song insisted his father treated him differently. The awkwardness, he felt, had escalated to a "frightening" level for him. Unbeknownst to Tan Song, his father, Debin, also struggled with how to connect with his son. He had learned from a TV education professor that being strict was key to a child's growth.
Despite his joy at hearing from Tan Song's teacher that Tan Song had almost achieved a perfect score in math, he suppressed his happiness. Instead, he reprimanded Tan Song for his poor English performance, asking him to reflect on his mistakes and even write a self-criticism letter.
Later, while buying fruit to nourish his son, Tan's father overheard He Jinzhao's father mentioning Tan Song's upcoming basketball game on the 14th day of lunar January, a detail Tan Song hadn't shared with him. This discovery stung Tan's father, who quickly made an excuse to leave. Back in Tan Song's room, Huang Chengzi and Zhu Jinxiao were practicing cheerleading. Zhu Jinxiao was unhappy with the "silly" slogans, a sentiment Tan Song echoed, remarking that "every punctuation mark sounds silly."
Chen Zui then shared a slogan his own father had devised, which, to everyone's surprise, was equally simple and repetitive. Huang Chengzi directly suggested that Tan's father should cheer them on. Tan Song, fearing further embarrassment and his father's scrutiny, dismissed the idea, saying, "Forget it." This comment was overheard by Tan's father, who misinterpreted it, thinking his presence would hinder Tan Song's performance.
When He Jinzhao later invited him to the game, Tan's father declined, citing he was "too busy." Tan Song feigned indifference upon hearing his father wouldn't come, but felt deeply disappointed and sad. Noticing his sorrow, Huang Chengzi put an arm around his shoulder, reassuring him that her father would cheer so loudly, it would sound like ten people. During dinner, Tan Song and his father both reached for the last piece of meat.
Tan's father intended to let Tan Song have it, but Tan Song simply finished his rice and left the table. Later, Tan's grandmother reminded Debin not to forget something important. Shortly after, Tan Song's aunt arrived for a visit and inadvertently revealed to Tan Song that his father had gone on a blind date, hinting he would soon have a "new mother."
Distraught, Tan Song walked away in a daze, even ignoring Huang Chengzi when she tried to offer him some corn. Huang Chengzi, upon delivering corn to Tan's house, overheard the conversation about the blind date, realizing the cause of Tan Song's distress. Tan's grandparents tried to reassure Tan Song, explaining they had pressured his father into the blind date. However, Tan Song could not let it go.
When his father returned with his favorite Peking Duck, Tan Song refused to eat it, stating, "My favorite might have changed." Observing Huang Chengzi's close relationship with her father, Tan's father initially mused that daughters were generally more intimate with their fathers, while sons tended to be more reserved. However, upon returning home, he was surprised to find Tan Song enthusiastically discussing photography with Chen's father.
This stark contrast made him realize that there was indeed an issue with his relationship with his son. Later, Huang Chengzi found Tan Song sitting alone, lost in thought. He confided in her about his profound conflict regarding his father's blind date. He understood his mother had passed away long ago, and his father had worked tirelessly teaching in Xinjiang to support their large family. He genuinely wanted his father to find companionship and happiness.
Yet, this happiness was immediately met with a different kind of unhappiness: a deep fear that a new person would replace his mother, that his father might forget her, as if she had "never existed." From the moment he learned of the blind date, he had secretly prayed for its "failure, failure, failure."
Huang Chengzi gently comforted him, reminding him that his name, Tan Song—"Tan" from his father's surname and "Song" from his mother's surname—was a constant reminder of her to his father. She expressed her own desire to incorporate her surname into her future child's name, leading to a playful exchange about hypothetical names like "Liu Huang" and "Tan Huang," which deeply touched Tan Song.
Huang Chengzi then gave him a blue Fuwa, explaining that He Jinzhao had already claimed the red one. That night, Tan's father quietly covered a sleeping Tan Song with a blanket and noticed his son clutching the Fuwa, softly mumbling that "this is given by Chengzi." Seeking to bridge the gap with his son, Tan's father approached Huang Chengzi for advice.
Huang Chengzi told him to observe Tan Song's emotions, understand his "pleasure, anger, sorrow, and joy," and then create more happiness for him while helping him solve his problems. Tan's father then began his observation, noting Tan Song's joy when playing cards with friends and eating snacks, his "anger" at the smell of garlic (preferring onions instead), and his "joy" in watching basketball. Crucially, he also realized that Tan Song's "joy" was Huang Chengzi.
However, the "sorrow" remained elusive until a later discovery. On the day of the basketball game, families gathered, cheering enthusiastically. Tan's father, however, stayed home, meticulously examining Tan Song's numerous awards. On the back of each certificate, he found a handwritten dedication: "To my dearest Mom and Dad." It was then that he understood this was Tan Song's "sorrow," a silent testament to his longing for both parents to share his achievements.
At the game, Tan Song's school team fell further behind the opponent, and Tan Song himself seemed to lose his fighting spirit. Just as despair set in, Tan's father arrived, holding a megaphone, and cheered loudly, "Tan Song! Come on!" His unexpected presence and heartfelt encouragement instantly revitalized Tan Song, who, re-energized, led his team to victory. That evening, Tan's father brought out an old photo album from Tan Song's childhood.
As they flipped through the pages, sharing stories and memories of his mother and their early years, the unspoken barrier between them slowly dissolved. Tan Song's father explained that his recent strictness stemmed from his uncertainty about how to compensate for the void left by his mother's passing. He admitted his mistake in assuming Tan Song was still a child and in avoiding difficult conversations, realizing that his son had silently borne much pain alone.
He vowed to be more present and share both the joyful and sorrowful moments with Tan Song. Tan Song, touched, reassured his father that he was already doing well. The two then sat together, watching a basketball game on TV, sharing snacks, and even playfully debating basketball players' nicknames, their relationship visibly mended and restored to a happy, unburdened state.
The episode concluded with a poignant reflection that fathers are often the ones who hide their feelings most, their unspoken care tucked into warm lights, their difficult-to-express encouragement woven into cherished awards, and countless silent surprises arranged in every step we take towards the future. Through this quiet, unwavering love, children are loved and, in turn, grow to love their fathers.
Episode 11 Recap
During a gathering of the Shude Squad at Huang Chengzi’s home, Huang Chengzi discovered that Tan Song’s MP4 was broken. She was furious because she hadn't finished watching "Coffee Prince 1st Shop." Meanwhile, Mr. Lin visited Tan Song’s grandparents to take a commemorative photo, as Mr. Lin was preparing to move to America to be with his son, Dapeng.
Zhu Jinxiao handed Huang Chengzi her revised manuscript for a presentation, hoping Huang Chengzi, as the leader of Group Three, would help her make a good impression. However, Huang Chengzi gave the group leader position to Shen Yunfei, a classmate, simply because Shen Yunfei owned two MP4 players. This angered Zhu Jinxiao, who then refused to speak to Huang Chengzi during dinner.
Huang Chengzi later explained that without a computer at home, she relied on Tan Song’s MP4 to watch dramas. When his broke, she was desperate, and Shen Yunfei offered to lend her one and download content in exchange for the group leader role, an offer Huang Chengzi impulsively accepted, swayed by the thought of her idol. Zhu Jinxiao chastised Huang Chengzi for sacrificing a friend's efforts for an MP4 and an idol.
While helping Mr. Lin pack, he offered the MP4 that Uncle Dapeng had bought him, inviting them to take it if they wanted. He Jinzhao and Huang Chengzi both eagerly reached for it, with Huang Chengzi expressing her desire to fill it with handsome photos of her idol. Tan Song also wanted it, primarily to prevent Huang Chengzi from obsessing over her idol. Unable to decide, Mr. Lin announced he would give it to whoever behaved best before he left.
As soon as Mr. Lin stepped away, Tan Song and Huang Chengzi began to quarrel over the MP4. Seeing their disagreement, Mr. Lin suggested they play rock-paper-scissors. Tan Song declared he would throw "rock" beforehand, but Huang Chengzi still threw "scissors," resulting in Tan Song winning the MP4. However, Mr. Lin also gifted Huang Chengzi a book by her favorite author, Ms. Rao Xueman. The Shude Squad decided to prepare a gift for Mr. Lin.
After much discussion, they settled on recording a video of their old compound. Upon arriving, Tan Song quickly filmed the entire compound in a single pan. Huang Chengzi urged him to capture more nostalgic details, which led to another argument about their childhood squabbles, even involving He Jinzhao. Chen Zui eventually suggested they simply record each person's most heartfelt message to Mr. Lin. Wu Zishu, Huang Chengzi's father, donned a suit and recited an original poem for Mr. Lin.
Other residents of the compound also expressed their sincere blessings and concern. Tan Song's grandfather then suggested they must visit one specific place for the video: where Mr. Lin and his late wife used to go on dates. As He Jinzhao and Zhu Jinxiao began to feel seasick before the ferry even departed, Chen Zui led them off the boat, leaving Tan Song and Huang Chengzi to go alone to film at the dating spot.
On the ferry, Huang Chengzi joked that being with Tan Song made all her pleasant words vanish. She then asked Tan Song to spread his arms, and she embraced him, recreating the iconic Titanic scene. Shortly after, Huang Chengzi noticed the ferry hadn't moved for a long time. A crew member then came around, distributing life jackets. Believing they were in grave danger, Tan Song and Huang Chengzi began to express their "last words."
Meanwhile, ashore, He Jinzhao and Chen Zui grew worried about their long absence. A passing cleaning lady reassured them, explaining that the ferry captain habitually forgot to refuel each month, and they would return once the fuel arrived. After the ordeal, Huang Chengzi fell asleep from exhaustion on the seat. Tan Song gently removed his jacket and draped it over her, then held her close.
Mr. Lin was deeply moved by the video the Shude Squad presented, especially knowing they had gone to the special dating spot he shared with his late wife. In response, he took everyone to a photo studio. He asked the squad to wear Republic of China-era student uniforms, just as he and his wife had done when they took photos there long ago.
Tan Song and Huang Chengzi discussed downloading some old songs onto the MP4 for Mr. Lin before returning it to him. Huang Chengzi agreed but still longed to touch the MP4 one last time, which Tan Song refused. However, that night, before going to sleep, Tan Song took out his piggy bank and even sold his game equipment to He Jinzhao at a 40% discount, intending to buy Huang Chengzi a new MP4.
The next day, Shen Yunfei again tried to persuade Huang Chengzi to give up the group leader role in exchange for borrowing an MP4 to watch "Coffee Prince 1st Shop." At that very moment, Tan Song appeared and gave Huang Chengzi a brand-new MP4 with "Coffee Prince 1st Shop" already downloaded.
Meanwhile, Mr. Lin received phone calls from his son, Dapeng, and daughter, Xiaohui, both asking him to delay his move due to renovation plans, leaving him to wait longer alone. As Huang Chengzi delivered her presentation as group leader, reading an article about silent goodbyes by Ms. Xi Murong, Mr. Lin suffered a sudden myocardial infarction at home. Everyone from the Shude compound rushed to the hospital, including the Shude Squad from school.
When Xiaohui arrived in a hurry, Mr. Lin had already passed away. Mr. Lin’s son, returning from America, arrived to see his father’s portrait. He knelt, heartbroken, regretting his delay and having assumed there would be more time. The world often holds many things we assume can be done tomorrow, many people we believe we will meet again.
So, when we temporarily set things aside or turn away, our hearts are filled only with the hope of future reunion, sometimes without even realizing this hope. Yet, in that very instant of turning away, some people will bid us a final farewell. Most goodbyes in life are silent; it turns out, that one gathering was already the last time.
Episode 12 Recap
As the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games approached with only two months remaining, Tan Song's grandmother inquired if outstanding teaching staff received Olympic tickets, but his grandfather explained that as retirees, they were unlikely to receive any, suggesting younger generations would. Meanwhile, Huang Chengzi and her friends encountered a neighborhood child proudly displaying their Olympic tickets.
Zhu Jinxiao realized her New Year's money was just enough for travel and a ticket, unlike Huang Chengzi, who couldn't even afford half a train ticket. Unexpectedly, money seemed to drop from the sky. When Mrs. Cheng asked Huang Chengzi to buy vinegar, Huang Chengzi saw it as a sign and returned home to ask her mother to buy her an Olympic ticket. However, the frugal Mrs. Cheng refused, insisting that family money should not be wasted on such things.
Separately, He Jinzhao attempted to persuade his parents, but his mother only agreed to let Zhu Jinxiao go, urging He Jinzhao to reflect on his abysmal academic performance, citing his failure in eight out of nine mid-term exams. Huang Chengzi and He Jinzhao were distressed by their inability to attend the Olympics in Beijing. Tan Song, however, devised a plan.
He would help Huang Chengzi earn money, while Chen Zui and Zhu Jinxiao would tutor He Jinzhao, hoping his improved final exam scores would convince his mother. Tan Song instructed Huang Chengzi to gather all her magazines, novels, and dolls, claiming these items were merely "money-making lures" for his "Make a rapid fortune without capital" scheme, promising to return them later.
Meanwhile, Zhu Jinxiao was skeptical about her brother's academic prospects, recalling how six math tutors in elementary school and a junior high tutor had given up on him. Chen Zui, however, remained optimistic. During their study session at the library, He Jinzhao demonstrated a unique, albeit incorrect, understanding of history, stating the May Fourth Movement occurred in 1954 and was led by Wei Xiaobao.
He also offered a peculiar interpretation of a Chinese writing prompt, suggesting he would "turn uncooked rice into cooked rice" if he were coal, and misidentified Su Shi as "Dongpo Pork." Despite these eccentricities, He Jinzhao claimed the "long-lost feeling of being concerned and accepted" motivated him to study. Chen Zui gently urged him to listen more attentively to his teachers. Deciding they needed more resources, the trio went to a secondhand bookstore.
The books were surprisingly expensive at 120 yuan, and the store owner refused a discount. As they prepared to leave, they witnessed another girl successfully bargaining for a book. Encouraged by He Jinzhao and Chen Zui, the normally reserved Zhu Jinxiao, with feigned cuteness, managed to negotiate the price down from 120 yuan to just 50 yuan.
He Jinzhao then remarked that he understood why Zhu Jinxiao and Huang Chengzi got along so well, to which Chen Zui added that Zhu Jinxiao's act seemed more natural. He Jinzhao jokingly offered to sell Zhu Jinxiao to Chen Zui at a low price. Back at Huang Chengzi's home, Tan Song meticulously collected all her possessions, including her magazines, novels, dolls, a desk lamp, and a photo frame, assuring her they would be returned.
He also demanded 50 yuan from her as initial capital. Later, Mrs. Cheng was shocked to find her daughter's room empty, suspecting a break-in. Tan Song used the 50 yuan to buy various idle items from classmates, confidently proclaiming that on Saturday, Huang Chengzi would witness "rapid fortune" at the pedestrian street. He even borrowed a tricycle from his grandfather, adorned with a "Ring Toss" sign.
On Saturday, before leaving, Huang Chengzi boasted to Mrs. Cheng about earning enough for an Olympic ticket. However, their ring toss stall saw no customers for a long time, causing Huang Chengzi to worry about her 50 yuan investment and even jokingly threatening Tan Song's life if it wasn't recovered. Eventually, an older man approached, paid 30 yuan for rings, and, to their dismay, perfectly tossed rings over nearly half of their inventory.
Tan Song tried to stop him, but the man insisted on continuing, revealing he was a retired sniper. He proceeded to win all their remaining items, leaving Huang Chengzi with no money and no possessions. Frustrated, Huang Chengzi complained about her lost autographed novel, lamp, and birthday gift, while Tan Song expressed surprise at encountering a sniper. Seeing a street musician, Tan Song had a new idea.
He borrowed a guitar and began to sing, with Huang Chengzi joining in to encourage the crowd. Their performance was a success, and they earned a significant amount of money. Meanwhile, He Jinzhao's dedication to studying gained his mother's approval. He promised to pass all his final exams in exchange for an Olympic ticket, to which his mother exaggeratedly replied she would even arrange for him to attend the National Congress sessions if he succeeded.
However, Chen Zui, exhausted from tutoring He Jinzhao, was later found in his room listening to Buddhist chants, attempting to "cleanse his soul." Huang Chengzi returned home triumphantly, counting her earnings in front of Mrs. Cheng and bragging that she would soon be comfortably seated at the Bird's Nest for the opening ceremony, while her mother would be left drooling in front of the TV.
She then asked her mother to find her childhood maracas to use as an accompaniment for Tan Song. Her attitude towards Tan Song had completely transformed; she became exceptionally attentive, offering him tea and massages. That evening, they performed again. Tan Song sang a new song, specifically for Huang Chengzi, making eye contact with her at key moments. They earned a considerable sum, but their success was interrupted by urban management officers.
Tan Song quickly grabbed his guitar, seized Huang Chengzi's hand, and they fled. They hid behind a cabinet, and to avoid detection, Tan Song held Huang Chengzi tightly. Even after the officers had passed, he continued to hold her, claiming they hadn't left yet. This thrilling escape profoundly affected the sixteen-year-old Huang Chengzi, causing her palms to sweat and her vision to narrow, until only Tan Song filled her sight.
Much later, she understood this moment as a "miracle," and the person within that narrow view, "irreplaceable." Their joy, however, was short-lived. Tan Song's grandmother, discussing the tickets, was informed by a neighbor that tickets to the Olympic opening ceremony had been presold in 2007 and were now completely unavailable, only a month before the event. Despite their hard-earned money and He Jinzhao's academic efforts, their dream of attending the Olympics was impossible. Their money-making and studying endeavors had been in vain.
Episode 13 Recap
Huang Chengzi's old family television short-circuited again, prompting her to suggest to Mrs. Cheng, her mother, that they should buy a new one. However, Mrs. Cheng, ever frugal, believed the TV could last another ten years with a repair. Seeing that it was almost time to meet her friends, Huang Chengzi decided not to argue further. As Huang Chengzi and her friends, the Shude team, walked through the mall, they noticed an abundance of Olympic Games advertisements.
Feeling overwhelmed, Huang Chengzi put on sunglasses, declaring she couldn't stand to see anything related to the Olympics, and went ahead to a restaurant to wait. To her dismay, the restaurant was also Olympic-themed, with the waiter even introducing himself as Fuwa Jingjing. Her friends soon called her back to the ground floor of Fumao Mall, where an event organizer enthusiastically explained the "All-People's Superstar" competition. Sponsored by the Fumao Group, the event spanned a week with three rounds.
The winning team would receive a free trip to Beijing to watch the Olympic Games, with all transportation and ticket costs covered. Excited, Huang Chengzi inquired if their group of five could all go if they won, and the organizer confirmed that any group size was acceptable. They eagerly signed up. The first round, an Olympic Knowledge Quiz, began shortly after. Contestants had 15 seconds to answer each of the five questions.
For a question about the color of Fuwa Beibei, Tan Song correctly identified it as blue, remembering the Fuwa doll Huang Chengzi had given him. Huang Chengzi, recalling the restaurant waiter, correctly guessed that Fuwa Jingjing was male. He Jinzhao surprised everyone by correctly stating the full name of the International Olympic Committee Chairman, Juan Antonio Samaranch. He revealed he had learned it from a scam phone call he received earlier, where the caller claimed to be Samaranch's assistant.
Thanks to their combined knowledge and a stroke of luck, the Shude team successfully advanced to the second round. The second round proved more challenging, requiring a talent performance. After much discussion in the waiting room, the team felt that most typical talents would be unoriginal. Huang Chengzi suggested a unique "big belly challenge," popular in the US and Japan but not yet common in China.
They decided that He Jinzhao would be their talent representative, tasked with eating ten hamburgers within the span of a single song. Initially hesitant, He Jinzhao expressed concern, stating he could only manage eight and feared he would throw up. However, his friends rallied behind him, reminding him that their trip to Beijing depended on his success and promising to supervise his strict diet. During his preparation, He Jinzhao struggled with intense hunger.
His friends, including Huang Chengzi and Chen Zui, offered him a box of "Bean Boozled" candies for a "sugar supplement," much to his disgust and frustration with their "stoneheartedness." Despite the difficulties, He Jinzhao bravely performed his feat, successfully consuming ten hamburgers during the song and securing their place in the finals.
For the final round, the organizers introduced a new rule: contestants had to write a song title on a ping-pong ball, which would then be randomly drawn and performed. Tan Song suggested writing a very difficult song like "Fretting" to make other teams quit, but then realized they might draw it themselves. Huang Chengzi suggested a nostalgic song from her grandmother's era. Ultimately, their team randomly drew Wang Xinling's "I Love You."
While He Jinzhao surprised everyone by already knowing the dance after a single viewing, Huang Chengzi and Zhu Jinxiao took on the task of teaching Tan Song and Chen Zui. Huang Chengzi and Zhu Jinxiao playfully argued over who would teach Chen Zui, settling it with an arm-wrestling match. Zhu Jinxiao won, leaving Huang Chengzi to teach Tan Song.
During practice, Tan Song playfully teased Huang Chengzi about her competitive nature, asking if she would challenge a dog to meow if she met one. Chen Zui then asked Tan Song if he would know how to meow like a cat. Despite some initial struggles, especially for Tan Song, Huang Chengzi and Zhu Jinxiao patiently taught them the choreography. Before their turn, they watched a young contestant, "the little prince," perform a Cantonese song.
When it was their turn, the five friends, now adept at the dance, delivered a dazzling performance that captivated the audience and earned them resounding applause. As the judges deliberated, the team was confident in their victory. However, the host announced that the seven-year-old "little prince" was the champion. The Shude team, "No. 1992," was named the runner-up and awarded a new high-definition large-screen television.
Overhearing a discussion among the organizers, the team learned the real reason for their loss: sponsoring five tickets for them would exceed the budget, whereas the single "little prince" was a more cost-effective champion. This unfair decision left them deeply disappointed. In the summer of 2008, Huang Chengzi's reflections were not of the grand Olympic Games itself, but rather of the foolish and fearless acts they had undertaken, all closely intertwined with their friendship.
They had become the bravest boys and girls, laughing and crying together, bound by their connection, as they raced toward the beautiful end of their youth. Despite their initial disappointment, Mrs. Cheng was thrilled with the new TV and allowed them to buy all their favorite snacks and watch the Olympic opening ceremony all night. Though they initially claimed to have no appetite, they soon found themselves joyfully watching the event on their new television, praising its immersive quality.
Later that night, everyone had fallen asleep in the living room except Tan Song. He found Huang Chengzi asleep with her head resting on his shoulder. Admiring her sweet, sleeping face, Tan Song gently reached for his phone, capturing the beautiful moment. Huang Chengzi, in her thoughts, described the familiar comforts of that night but noted that when she looked at the familiar Tan Song, a new, unforeseen flurry and uneasiness stirred within her, realizing he was irreplaceable.
Episode 14 Recap
As Huang Chengzi accompanied Zhu Jinxiao to a bookstore, she found her thoughts drifting to Tan Song every time she saw a romance novel. Nearby, she overheard other girls discussing how liking someone makes you think about them constantly, and feeling uncomfortable when they get close to other girls is called a "sense of crisis." On her way home, Huang Chengzi encountered Chen Zui and He Jinzhao but noticed Tan Song was absent.
They informed her that Tan Song had walked Tang Wenqi, the school's cheerleading captain from Class 7, home after accidentally hitting her with a basketball. Huang Chengzi's mood immediately soured upon hearing this. During a class break, Huang Chengzi found herself paying more attention to Tan Song. Unexpectedly, Tang Wenqi approached Tan Song with snacks she had bought, as a thank you for walking her home.
Huang Chengzi watched Tan Song go out to meet Tang Wenqi, growing so angry that her voice resonated several times louder during her class reading. Later, at lunch, Tan Song shared the snacks Tang Wenqi had given him, which completely spoiled Huang Chengzi's appetite. During physical education class, a large crowd of girls cheered Tan Song on as he played basketball, making Huang Chengzi realize his immense popularity.
To her further dismay, after the game, Tang Wenqi brought Tan Song water, and the two chatted casually, prompting a frustrated Huang Chengzi to leave abruptly. Tang Wenqi had attempted to invite Tan Song to watch a movie that weekend, but he awkwardly declined, stating he already had plans. On her walk home, Huang Chengzi found herself talking to a dog, asking it if it knew Tan Song.
Tan Song, who had appeared behind her, mistakenly thought she was calling him. Huang Chengzi quickly clarified that she was speaking to the dog, not him. Tan Song retorted, "You are a dog!" She then playfully told him to "save that hand of yours to hold someone else" instead. A short while later, Mrs. Cheng, Huang Chengzi's mother, appeared, visibly upset after a parent-teacher meeting, and angrily called Huang Chengzi home.
Mrs. Cheng was furious about Huang Chengzi's drop in math scores from 86 to 72, pointing out her many unanswered questions and accusing her of having a weak foundation compared to Tan Song, Jinxiao, and Chen Zui. Huang Chengzi defensively compared her scores to He Jinzhao's, but Mrs. Cheng insisted she aim higher.
Determined to improve her daughter's grades, Mrs. Cheng, after consulting Mr. Fang, decided to enroll Huang Chengzi in Jinxiao's expensive cram school, even buying her a pair of Adidas shoes to help her "fit in." When Mrs. Cheng met with the cram school teacher, she tried to haggle for a discount, pleading that 1,100 yuan a month was too expensive.
Despite the teacher's boasts about Tsinghua and Peking University instructors and strict admissions, Mrs. Cheng firmly put down 800 yuan and promised the rest later, just to secure Huang Chengzi's spot. She later called Mr. Huang to update him on the payment. Huang Chengzi complained to Jinxiao about the cram school being a "den of monsters" and the exercises making her "almost bald," finding little comfort even with her new Adidas shoes.
At school, Huang Chengzi started avoiding Tan Song, leading He Jinzhao to comically assume she had a crush on himself. One day, Mrs. Cheng asked Huang Chengzi to buy a bucket of peanut oil and other daily necessities. As Huang Chengzi walked home, worried about dirtying her new Adidas shoes, Tan Song appeared and offered to carry the oil for her.
Huang Chengzi sarcastically told him to go walk Tang Wenqi home instead, highlighting that Tang Wenqi gave him water and snacks and he even walked her home, implying they were closer than their long-standing group. Tan Song, sensing her jealousy, explained he had already rejected Tang Wenqi, assuring Huang Chengzi that their group's friendship was irreplaceable. Relieved, Huang Chengzi then readily accepted his offer for chocolates, and they reverted to their familiar, easygoing dynamic.
During a power outage at cram school, a wealthy classmate offered to treat Huang Chengzi and others to drinks. The classmate then persuaded Huang Chengzi to get her hair permed at a nearby salon, offering to pay. While Huang Chengzi was at the salon, Mrs. Cheng happened to pass by and was furious to see her daughter there. Despite Huang Chengzi's repeated apologies, Mrs. Cheng remained unyielding.
She lectured Huang Chengzi about being realistic, arguing that only a few people like Han Han or Bill Gates achieve success without a formal education. She emphasized that most people achieve a good life through hard work, a good university, and a stable job. Mrs. Cheng chastised Huang Chengzi for daring to perm her hair on the first day of cram school, especially with her parents' hard-earned money, while her father worked tirelessly as a bus driver.
Huang Chengzi tried to explain that the power outage had meant a break from class, not truancy, but Mrs. Cheng cut her off, stating she didn't want to hear explanations and hoped Huang Chengzi wouldn't regret her choices in ten years. Feeling misunderstood and sad, Huang Chengzi called Tan Song late that night, expressing how difficult it was to be wrongly judged.
Tan Song, suspecting her mother was the cause, tried to comfort her by suggesting her mother's anger might be due to work stress. At Huang Chengzi's request, he told her a silly joke about a giraffe and a "Milu" (elk/lost), which put her to sleep before he could tell another. The next morning, the cold war between Huang Chengzi and Mrs. Cheng began in earnest, with Huang Chengzi defiantly refusing breakfast at home.
At school, she ate heartily for lunch, unaware that her mother had left a bowl of porridge for her in the fridge. Three days later, Mr. Huang, returning from his night shift, found Huang Chengzi sitting alone on the steps, refusing to go inside. He took her out for noodles, discovering she hadn't eaten dinner since the start of her cold war with Mrs. Cheng.
Huang Chengzi declared she wouldn't speak first, aiming to make her mother acknowledge her mistakes, and shed "vain and conservative ideas." Mr. Huang disagreed, asserting Huang Chengzi had misjudged Mrs. Cheng.
He detailed Mrs. Cheng's sacrifices: paying for the expensive cram school with half a month's living expenses, haggling over small change at the market, buying Huang Chengzi expensive Adidas shoes while repairing her own old ones for three yuan, and getting her the latest electronic dictionary despite using an old, frequently-broken phone herself.
He explained that Mrs. Cheng's only desire was for Huang Chengzi to have a better life, with more choices and the confidence to face the world without feeling inferior. Hearing her father's words, Huang Chengzi began to reflect.
On their way back, they saw Mrs. Cheng proudly boasting about Huang Chengzi to Aunt Zhao, highlighting her daughter's excellent Chinese and English scores, her talent for writing (even being praised by the dean for a speech under the national flag), and her positive, "little sun" personality, while downplaying her math score. Witnessing this, mother and daughter exchanged a silent, knowing look, and their relationship mended without needing words.
At lunch the next day, Huang Chengzi proudly boasted to her friends about her reconciliation with her mother, proclaiming Mrs. Cheng as "the woman I love the most in this world," much to Tan Song's surprise. Soon after, Huang Chengzi's parents left her alone to attend Qingmai's wedding in Chiang Mai, promising her a trip after her college entrance exam. On her first day alone, Huang Chengzi gleefully celebrated her newfound freedom by dancing around in her mother's high heels.
Concerned for her well-being, Tan Song's Grandma insisted Tan Song go check on Huang Chengzi and even stay overnight to "watch the door." Though Tan Song feigned annoyance, complaining about the hassle of bringing a pillow and the cold weather, he was secretly pleased. When Huang Chengzi let him in, his playful comment about "sleeping together" caused her to trip in her high heels and fall on top of him, creating an unexpectedly ambiguous moment.
Just then, Jinxiao, Chen Zui, and He Jinzhao arrived with snacks, applauding at the sight. The five friends then engaged in a "Trying Not to Laugh Competition" in the living room, with rules against making sounds other than onomatopoeia and instant elimination for smiling. Tan Song was eliminated for being disgusted by He Jinzhao, and He Jinzhao for Jinxiao making physical contact. Jinxiao ultimately won after Huang Chengzi laughed at Chen Zui's act.
Afterwards, the three boys simply slept on the living room floor. In the middle of the night, Tan Song discovered Huang Chengzi had collapsed with a high fever. At the hospital, a disoriented Huang Chengzi woke up, looking for her parents. He Jinzhao explained they were in Chiang Mai and that Tan Song had rushed her to the hospital after she fainted while trying to vomit.
Tan Song, arriving at the doorway, pretended to be sarcastic, asking if she still wanted cola or ice cream, and remarking that her 40-degree fever made her "totally unbelievable!" Yet, his words were laced with deep concern. He Jinzhao further revealed that Tan Song had carried her three kilometers to the hospital in the cold, wearing only a T-shirt and slippers.
She reflected that these "days like today," where he held her hand, held her in his arms, and ran with her on his back in the early morning, would become unforgettable memories.
Episode 15 Recap
The class homeroom teacher, Mr. Fang, instructed students to write their names and ideal universities on the blackboard. Zhu Jinxiao and Chen Zui both chose Tsinghua University or Peking University. Tan Song and Huang Chengzi arrived late, finding little space left. Tan Song quickly took what remained and deliberately filled it up. Huang Chengzi had to squeeze her name into a corner next to his, but couldn't write her university.
Tan Song then drew a heart around both their names, explaining that since they both aimed for Beihua University, it was "resource sharing"—a confession wall and a university choice wall combined. During the final hundred days before the college entrance examination, Huang Chengzi constantly heard phrases like "hurry up," whether it was for walking, eating, taking notes, or even going to the toilet. Time seemed to speed by as they tried to grasp it tighter.
Soon, the exams were over, and they graduated. After the examination, the five friends gathered. Zhu Jinxiao presented them with her wish list, which she won in the "Trying Not to Laugh Competition." Huang Chengzi and Tan Song agreed to cover all her movies and ice cream for the entire summer. Chen Zui offered to take Zhu Jinxiao to the aquarium.
He Jinzhao protested his assigned wish to accompany Zhu Jinxiao to the library to study, expressing a desire to relax after exams, suggesting places like internet cafes or bars instead. Meanwhile, Director Yan met with Mrs. Cheng to seek her approval for Huang Chengzi to participate in the New Thinking Composition Contest in Jiangxia City. Mrs. Cheng understood the importance of the competition but worried about Chengzi traveling alone.
Director Yan reassured her that the homeroom teacher's nephew, Liu Gaoxu, who Chengzi knew and was a studious and thoughtful boy, would also be attending and could look after her. At home, He Jinzhao’s mother reviewed his estimated exam scores, which were disappointing, and urged him to repeat a year of schooling. He Jinzhao refused, telling his mother that he was not cut out for academics. He declared this was his first and last attempt at the college entrance examination.
He just wanted to lead an ordinary life, perhaps opening a small fruit stand or continuing to run their family's small shop. He believed knowing himself and not pursuing things he wasn't good at was his way of being responsible for his own life. Tan Song, having learned from He Jinzhao about Huang Chengzi and Liu Gaoxu's trip to Jiangxia, grew concerned. He rushed to Mrs. Cheng and Zhenwu, Chengzi's parents, to voice his worries.
Mrs. Cheng initially dismissed his concerns about Liu Gaoxu, remarking that if the boy were to fancy Chengzi, his taste would need improvement. However, Zhenwu, swayed by Tan Song's analysis of the potential dangers, agreed that it was unsafe and suggested Tan Song accompany Huang Chengzi. Mrs. Cheng then quickly arranged everything, giving Tan Song some money for the trip. Huang Chengzi complained about Tan Song "supervising" her, but her parents insisted he was there to protect her.
Zhenwu reiterated to Tan Song to ensure Liu Gaoxu maintained a distance from Chengzi, to which Tan Song promised to comply. Mrs. Cheng then expressed her private thoughts to Zhenwu that she found the two of them, Tan Song and Chengzi, looked quite suitable together. On the bus to Jiangxia, Huang Chengzi repeatedly mentioned Liu Gaoxu, irritating Tan Song. When Liu Gaoxu boarded, he immediately asked Tan Song to switch seats so he could discuss tomorrow's competition topic with Chengzi.
Tan Song feigned social phobia, claiming he couldn't sit or talk with strangers without getting goosebumps and foaming at the mouth. A sympathetic bus attendant then offered him an entire empty row at the back. Unwilling to see Huang Chengzi and Liu Gaoxu seated together, Tan Song pretended to have a fever, prompting Huang Chengzi to come to the back to check on him.
She genuinely believed he was sick, showing great concern and allowing him to lean on her shoulder to rest. Upon arrival, they discovered the hotel only had two double rooms. Tan Song and Liu Gaoxu were forced to share one. Tan Song, still using his fake fever as an excuse, suggested Liu Gaoxu sleep on the sofa to avoid contagion. Liu Gaoxu casually replied that he didn't mind, as he also had a slight cold.
Shortly after, Huang Chengzi came to Tan Song’s room, bringing him medicine she had specifically bought. Liu Gaoxu then asked Huang Chengzi if they could discuss the competition essay. Huang Chengzi suggested they go to her room so as not to disturb Tan Song's rest. Hearing this, Tan Song, unwilling to let them be alone, quickly claimed he was scared to be by himself and followed them to Huang Chengzi's room.
As Jiangxia had more mosquitoes than Qingshui, Huang Chengzi was frequently bitten while discussing the essay with Liu Gaoxu. She then pulled Tan Song to sit beside her, explaining that since he had O-type blood, he could "feed" the mosquitoes for them. A call from the front desk soon informed them that Huang Chengzi had left her ID card.
Tan Song offered to retrieve it, and Huang Chengzi, without hesitation, asked him to bring back dinner, specifically noodles with shredded meat and pickled cabbage, with chili and coriander. Though he initially grumbled, Tan Song returned with the food. While eating, Tan Song jokingly imposed a fine for any leftover food. Huang Chengzi remarked to Liu Gaoxu that he didn't know Tan Song well, implying that he would always come through for her.
Later that night, Tan Song, wary of Liu Gaoxu approaching Chengzi, kept his arm draped over him. Liu Gaoxu, sensing Tan Song’s possessiveness, asked if he liked Chengzi. Tan Song deflected the question back at him. Liu Gaoxu then confessed his affection for Chengzi, revealing his plan to tell her his feelings in a few days. As mosquitoes continued to bother Liu Gaoxu, Tan Song got up to light a mosquito coil for him.
Liu Gaoxu asked if they should also take one to Chengzi's room, unaware that Tan Song had already placed one there earlier, and she was sleeping soundly. The next morning, Tan Song saw Huang Chengzi and Liu Gaoxu into the examination room, then left, his emotions visibly troubled by Liu Gaoxu's words from the night before. Huang Chengzi noted Tan Song's unusual behavior to Liu Gaoxu.
Meanwhile, Chen Zui accompanied Zhu Jinxiao to the aquarium, fulfilling his part of the wish list. He educated her about clownfish hermaphroditism, explaining how male clownfish could change to female but not vice versa, and the social hierarchy. A young boy nearby overheard, mistakenly believing he too might become female when he grew up. He later gifted Chen Zui and Zhu Jinxiao toy rings, wishing them a happy life together and to grow old.
Zhu Jinxiao gently corrected his address, asking him to call them "brother and sister." On a rainy day, Tan Song waited patiently outside the examination venue with an umbrella he had specifically bought. His heart sank when he saw Huang Chengzi emerge, sharing an umbrella with Liu Gaoxu. Noticing his disappointment, Huang Chengzi quickly moved under Tan Song's umbrella. Tan Song then playfully teased her with the umbrella, their shared laughter and unspoken connection bringing them closer.
On the journey home, Tan Song gazed at Huang Chengzi's back from the rear seat, finding peace in the moment. The following weekend, Liu Gaoxu called Huang Chengzi, arranging to meet her at the science museum, where he intended to confess his feelings. Tan Song, watching from downstairs, grew visibly upset as Liu Gaoxu appeared.
Chen Zui, discerning Tan Song’s true emotions, confronted him about his feelings for Huang Chengzi and urged him to pursue her, suggesting that she might reciprocate his feelings. Realizing the potential of losing Huang Chengzi, Tan Song raced out of the house to find her. The word "friend" had always carried significant weight for Tan Song. It allowed them immense closeness while simultaneously holding him back.
He often deluded himself into thinking that merely being by her side as a friend was enough. However, the taxi he couldn't catch, the phone call that went unanswered, the diminishing time, and his own distraught heart all seemed to urgently impress upon him that there was no such thing as a "second-best" friendship in this world. Every little detail related to Huang Chengzi served as a stark reminder that they couldn't simply remain ordinary friends.
As Liu Gaoxu prepared to confess his feelings to Huang Chengzi at the science museum, Tan Song ran faster and faster, desperate to convey his own urgent words before it was too late.
Episode 16 (Ending) Recap
Arriving at the science museum, Tan Song found only Huang Chengzi waiting. He rushed to her and asked if she knew a book titled “Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit.” Huang Chengzi dismissed it, listing other fruits like apples and pears, but Tan Song declared, “Oranges are not the only fruit, Chengzi is. Huang Chengzi, I like you.”
He then poured out his heart, explaining how her presence in his life had grown beyond friendship, citing moments like his jealousy when she studied with Liu Gaoxu, his annoyance when she stood close to Chen Zui, and his intense worry when she was sick. He confessed his regret for not explicitly telling Liu Gaoxu that he liked her because it was his place to confess, fearing she might never meet anyone as wonderful as him.
Moved by his heartfelt declaration, Huang Chengzi stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. She quickly attributed it to a moment of impulsive excitement, to which Tan Song delightedly responded that their synchronicity even extended to their impulsive moments. He then took her hand and kissed her again, solidifying their unspoken feelings into an open romance. On their way home, Tan Song hesitated to hold Huang Chengzi’s hand, so she took his hand, officially marking them as a couple.
Tan Song showered her with compliments, asking why she looked so pretty and concluding it was because she was now his girlfriend. He sweetly asked if she would be his girlfriend, and she playfully accepted. He then suggested they wear matching couple’s outfits the next day, which he had initially bought for his grandparents. As they were about to share another kiss, He Jinzhao suddenly appeared, interrupting them.
Later, Zhu Jinxiao called Chen Zui and learned about Tan Song and Huang Chengzi's relationship. She immediately confronted Tan Song, demanding details. Tan Song admitted they had just made it official that afternoon, having held hands and shared three small kisses, with Huang Chengzi initiating the first one. He mentioned that only Chen Zui and Zhu Jinxiao knew, as they hadn't planned on going public yet.
Chen Zui interjected, revealing he had encouraged Tan Song to confess at the science museum, having known of Tan Song's feelings for a long time. Zhu Jinxiao claimed she knew all along too, just waiting for them to make it official. Tan Song then playfully blamed Chen Zui for previously saying Zhu Jinxiao had "low EQ" for not noticing.
Concerned about her standing in Huang Chengzi’s heart, Zhu Jinxiao threatened to ask Huang Chengzi directly if Tan Song had replaced her. To stop her, Tan Song urged Chen Zui to intervene, and Chen Zui impulsively hugged Zhu Jinxiao to hold her back. Unbeknownst to them, He Jinzhao witnessed this embrace and mistakenly believed that Chen Zui and Zhu Jinxiao were now in a relationship.
The next morning, He Jinzhao excitedly relayed the "news" of Chen Zui and Zhu Jinxiao's supposed romance to Huang Chengzi, recounting how he found Chen Zui hugging Zhu Jinxiao and claiming Zhu Jinxiao hadn't come home that night. Huang Chengzi quickly corrected him, explaining Zhu Jinxiao had stayed at her house and they had simply talked about life. Despite Huang Chengzi's clarifications, He Jinzhao remained convinced, insisting he had seen enough evidence.
He declared Chen Zui the only suitable partner for Zhu Jinxiao and urged Huang Chengzi to join him in an "alliance" to support their relationship, warning against any betrayal among their group of five. Meanwhile, Chen Zui, after receiving a call about his volunteer work, discussed it with his mother, skillfully avoiding her probing questions about whether his outing with Zhu Jinxiao was a date.
Later, still obsessed with his sister's perceived new relationship, He Jinzhao tried to bond with Chen Zui, even jokingly calling him "brother-in-law." Determined to foster their romance, He Jinzhao then locked Chen Zui and Zhu Jinxiao in his room, leaving them a note with movies, snacks, and a suggestive offer for them to share his bed, much to their exasperation. He Jinzhao's mother eventually let them out, confused about why they were locked in.
Huang Chengzi, having taken extra care with her appearance for her date, went downstairs to meet Tan Song. She was surprised he hadn't worn the couple's outfit and urged him to hurry before her father saw them. Just then, her father, Mr. Huang, appeared, proudly wearing one of the matching shirts, believing his wife had bought him a "father and son" outfit similar to Tan Song's.
Tan Song, quick on his feet, showered Mr. Huang with compliments, even affectionately calling him "Dad," much to Huang Chengzi's astonishment. Tan Song took Huang Chengzi to an amusement park. While he was buying snacks, Huang Chengzi glanced into his wallet and discovered a photo of "Fairy Goddess Liu Yifei."
Feeling stung, she retorted that she wasn't as pretty as the goddess and sarcastically told him not to bother changing the photo, implying he would end up with the goddess anyway. They playfully bickered over his past compliment of her being "cute," which she interpreted as him implying she wasn't pretty, gentle, or sexy. To silence her complaints, Tan Song kissed her, and she instantly brightened, only asking him not to make her jealous again.
On the third day of their relationship, Tan Song's protective instincts for Huang Chengzi extended to actual oranges. When his grandmother tried to cut an orange, Tan Song stopped her, exclaiming how cute oranges were and gathered all the oranges, urging his grandparents to eat other fruits instead, declaring "Everyone should be responsible for protecting oranges."
Later, Tan Song visited Huang Chengzi and, finding her alone, discreetly told her to meet him at seven o'clock by the old tree in the backyard for a "three whole days anniversary" surprise. He then casually mentioned that his brother, Ouyang, would be returning to visit the family the next day. Huang Chengzi initially expressed excited surprise, but quickly feigned indifference, asking what Ouyang's return had to do with her.
Meanwhile, Chen Zui took Zhu Jinxiao to the aquarium to see white whales, fulfilling one of her wishes. He explained that white whales are sociable creatures capable of making hundreds of sounds and understanding human hearts, often transmitting people's wishes to the world. He encouraged Zhu Jinxiao to make her own wish. Chen Zui then quietly made a wish for "the girl I like," hoping she would always be authentic, brave, and joyful in pursuing her dreams.
Zhu Jinxiao picked up on his words, asking if the girl knew and if he had confessed. Chen Zui admitted he had told her, but she hadn't taken him seriously, adding that he had dedicated all his wishes to her, hoping one would eventually come true. Huang Chengzi called Zhu Jinxiao to share the news of Ouyang's return, and Zhu Jinxiao expressed immense happiness.
As they left, Chen Zui asked if she wanted to know who the girl he liked was, but she politely declined, saying she would wait until he was ready to tell her. On their way back, they ran into He Jinzhao, who still mistakenly believed they were a couple. That evening, Tan Song had meticulously decorated his backyard with romantic lighting and oranges adorned with emojis, ready for another grand confession to Huang Chengzi.
As they shared a tender moment and leaned in for a kiss, they were once again interrupted, this time by the unexpected arrival of He Jinzhao, Chen Zui, and Zhu Jinxiao. He Jinzhao, finally seeing Tan Song and Huang Chengzi in an intimate moment, dramatically realized his misunderstanding and accused Huang Chengzi of being a "betrayal alliance" member, having earlier sworn loyalty to his plan.
To prevent He Jinzhao from exposing their relationship, Tan Song offered him anything from his room. He Jinzhao, after much consideration, chose Tan Song's childhood diary. Huang Chengzi tried to intervene, remembering a time Tan Song had publicly read her diary in elementary school, causing her embarrassment. Tan Song himself was reluctant, knowing the diary contained his unflattering observations and mischievous deeds related to his friends. However, He Jinzhao insisted on him reading it aloud.
Tan Song begrudgingly read excerpts from his diary: childhood cunning where he tricked his grandfather for extra pocket money, betraying He Jinzhao's secret about wetting the bed which led to a girl ignoring him, a mean entry about Huang Chengzi's bad haircut comparing her to a pug-dog and hoping her male classmate wouldn't like her "except me," and his harsh descriptions of Zhu Jinxiao as "fierce" and "like a shrew" after Chen Zui called her pretty.
The final entry he read listed all four friends' "deficiencies"—Huang Chengzi as "insane," Chen Zui as "dull," Zhu Jinxiao as "fierce," and He Jinzhao as a "dumbass"—while praising himself as a "flawless handsome guy." Enraged by these revelations, his friends chased him around the room with pillows, initiating a playful brawl. Amidst their laughter, Huang Chengzi wondered if they would all be friends in their next lives.
Tan Song assured her they would be good friends "this lifetime, next lifetime and the ones after that," emphasizing that none of them would ever escape their bond. The group then reflected on their shared journey, acknowledging that the world cherishes those who are lovable, and they, indeed, were.
