Lovely Us Episode 5 Recap
> Lovely Us 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."
