Make My Heart Smile Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Make My Heart Smile Synopsis
The cool handsome boy Gu Yanluo (Luo Zheng) and the funny girl Ye Weimian (Ji Meihan) fall in love by mistake after an awkward chance encounter.
Lu Yao (Li Shaminzi), a valiant young lady, and Mu Ze (Chen Heyi) are a pair of lovers who dislike each other constantly but gradually warm up.
Meanwhile, Zuo Sichen (Wen Yuan), a talented painter, and Yan Jiuyue (Chang Huasen), a straight-A student, also find their own dreams and love.
Make My Heart Smile Recap
Episode 1 Recap
The handsome Gu Yanluo rides his horse through the forest path, dismounts gracefully, and smiles as he caresses his beloved horse. Meanwhile, Ye Weimian recounts her anticipation of a heart-fluttering encounter with her Prince Charming, but that day instead marked the chaotic beginning of her double life, disguised as her sister, Ye Zhenhan. To safeguard her sister’s dream, Ye Weimian was forced to live as Ye Zhenhan. One morning, she woke up late, frantically applied lipstick, and rushed out.
Before leaving, she accidentally knocked over her sister’s photo, picked it up, and prayed for her disguise to go smoothly. Ye Weimian arrived at the main campus just in time, admiring its beauty and feeling confident about submitting an application form. Nearby, a group of girls, hoping to see Gu Yanluo, rushed towards a car. To their disappointment, Mu Ze emerged, not Gu Yanluo.
Mu Ze immediately called Gu Yanluo, warning him that the fans had discovered he wasn't in the car and were now heading into the campus to intercept him, telling him to "good luck." Shortly after, Ye Weimian, rushing to catch a closing elevator, called out for it to wait.
Inside, Gu Yanluo, having just received a warning about his fans, believed she was one of them and didn't allow her to enter, wondering if the elevator was "run by her family." Gu Yanluo then sought a restroom to change, only to find it under maintenance. He cleverly used a large poster featuring himself to change behind it. Moments later, Ye Weimian, having changed in the women's restroom, emerged asking for directions.
When two male students ignored her, she glanced at the poster, remarking on the handsome man in the image. The students then moved the poster, revealing Gu Yanluo, still in the process of changing. Ye Weimian gasped, wanting to scream, but Gu Yanluo subtly gestured for her not to. She covered her mouth, her gaze lingering on his partially exposed chest. Gu Yanluo then asked if she had "seen enough."
She branded him a "pervert, narcissist, and exhibitionist" before quickly running away. Gu Yanluo then arrived at a live broadcast. A staff member informed him that the scheduled keynote expert couldn't make it, suggesting Gu Yanluo speak briefly to buy time. Gu Yanluo confidently refused, asserting he could manage the live stream himself.
Despite the staff’s warning about the importance of the broadcast to "insiders and authorities" and the risk of blunders, Gu Yanluo declared, "There’s no such word as blunder in my life. Let’s start." Meanwhile, Ye Weimian found the classroom for exchange student applications. She introduced herself as Ye Zhenhan, a name the student recognized, noting that Ye Zhenhan was the "No.2 in her grade" in the Finance Department and an "absolutely straight A student."
The student even asked if she was attending the "Challenge Cup" instead of Gu Yanluo, who usually participated. Ye Weimian confirmed the "full attendance" requirement for the exchange program, learning that many people were applying for the full scholarship for Ivy League exchange students. After filling out the form, she was informed that the student collecting applications had already gone to the studio, so she would have to deliver it herself to Studio Three.
The live broadcast began, with Gu Yanluo sharing insights on economic phenomena like the "lipstick effect" and "Barnum Effect." Comments flooded the screen, some praising him as "so handsome," while others were critical, questioning his presence. Gu Yanluo's fans quickly mobilized to defend him. In the busy studio, Ye Weimian approached a student to hand in her form, but was quickly pushed aside and told to wait.
During his talk, Gu Yanluo called for a volunteer from the audience to demonstrate the Barnum Effect. When no one stepped forward, the student from earlier spotted Ye Weimian, quickly grabbed her application form, and pushed her onto the stage. Both Gu Yanluo and Ye Weimian were visibly surprised. Gu Yanluo, recovering, asked for her zodiac sign, and Ye Weimian responded, "Aquarius."
As Gu Yanluo continued describing Aquarius girls, he noticed a button missing from her dress and tried to discreetly point it out. Ye Weimian, already convinced he was a pervert from their earlier encounter and feeling insulted by his general description of Aquarius girls as not paying attention to their "demeanors, appearances and dressing details," misunderstood his gesture. She pointed to her dress, then slapped him, calling him "indecent."
The live stream was briefly interrupted by viewers' shock and angry comments about "Ye Zhenhan" daring to hit "Prince Charming." Gu Yanluo, ever composed, used the incident to humorously illustrate his point about Aquarius girls, remarking, "Who would have thought I’d be slapped in the face when I asked her to dine out?" Later, Ye Weimian, now working as a FlashEx delivery girl, received an urgent order.
She was also called by Lu Yao, who mentioned a partner possibly running off. When Ye Weimian arrived at the delivery address, she was shocked to find it was Gu Yanluo's apartment. After opening the package and inspecting its contents, she accidentally broke his bracelet. She apologized profusely, offering to pay for it, but balked at the 50,000 cost, attempting to negotiate installment payments like 1,000, 1,200, or 1,500 yuan per month.
Meanwhile, at a birthday banquet, Gu Yanluo's mother, "The Empress Dowager," was eagerly awaiting his arrival. Many guests, including Xia Yuanqing, were also present, discussing Gu Yanluo's lateness and his complicated past relationships, which contributed to his mother's relentless pressure on him to bring a girlfriend to her celebration. His cousin, Siwan, also mentioned how Gu Yanluo tends to scare girls away.
Overhearing the conversation during his call with his mother, Ye Weimian seized the opportunity and proposed pretending to be his girlfriend to pacify his mother, offering her "professional bit player" acting skills. Gu Yanluo was initially dismissive, calling her "like an aunt" and criticizing her lack of style. Ye Weimian insisted, offering to design her own outfit and promising to deliver a perfect performance. Gu Yanluo reluctantly agreed.
After seeing her redesigned outfit, he gave her efforts a "barely passed" rating. At the birthday banquet, Gu Yanluo and Ye Weimian arrived late. Many guests, including Xia Yuanqing, had been expecting Gu Yanluo to dance with her for the opening. Gu Yanluo's mother, delighted to see him with a girlfriend, insisted they perform the opening dance together. During the dance, Ye Weimian secretly confirmed with Gu Yanluo that this performance would secure her installment payment plan for the bracelet.
Afterward, his mother, full of excitement, urged them to kiss. Gu Yanluo, with a slight hesitation, introduced Ye Weimian as "my girlfriend." Ye Weimian then introduced herself as "Lu Yao." His mother was overjoyed, remarking it was the first time he had brought a girlfriend to meet her. Ye Weimian, playing along, explained that Gu Yanluo wanted to give her a surprise as the "best birthday present." Gu Yanluo's mother then enthusiastically introduced "Lu Yao" to all the guests.
Later, Gu Yanluo's cousin, Siwan, jokingly asked him about Ye Weimian's "service," to which Gu Yanluo replied, "Barely passed." Ye Weimian then playfully tried to get Gu Yanluo to try a marshmallow, but he deemed it "childish." When she persisted, he pulled her away abruptly, admonishing her for being clumsy and risking staining her dress.
Episode 2 Recap
Ye Weimian offered Gu Yanluo a marshmallow, insisting he try the tasty treat. He initially refused, but after she persisted, he pushed her slightly. As she nearly fell, Gu Yanluo quickly pulled her close, leading to an accidental marshmallow kiss. Gu Yanluo’s cousin, Siwan, who was present, wondered aloud about Ye Weimian’s background, speculating if her cousin had hired her. Ye Weimian, who was using the name Lu Yao at the time, only remarked on the marshmallow’s sweetness.
Gu Yanluo then offered her champagne, noticing she seemed unfamiliar with such a setting and asking if she looked familiar to him, which she denied. Their moment was interrupted by Xia Yuanqing, who pointedly reminded Gu Yanluo that his mother was pressuring him to find a girlfriend, but he shouldn’t bring just any girl home to appease her. Gu Yanluo swiftly defended Ye Weimian, telling Xia Yuanqing not to assume she knew him well or judge Ye Weimian casually.
He then tried to leave with Ye Weimian, but Xia Yuanqing attempted to stop them. Siwan remarked on Gu Yanluo’s gloomy face and teased him for being a glutton and a narcissist. She questioned his preferences, asking what type of girl he liked if he disliked both the overtly flashy ones and the elegant, dignified Xia Yuanqing. Just then, Mu Ze arrived, greeting Gu Yanluo warmly and asking about Ye Weimian in a seemingly teasing manner that made her uncomfortable.
Misinterpreting their interaction as romantic, Ye Weimian tried to clarify that she was only there to help and then wished them well. Gu Yanluo reacted with disbelief at her words and tried to pull Mu Ze away to talk privately. Ye Weimian, feeling like an unnecessary third wheel, stated that she was "extra" and left the two to converse. Later, Xia Yuanqing, feeling ignored by Gu Yanluo, approached his mother, Auntie Gu, and Siwan.
She informed them about the incident where Ye Weimian had slapped Gu Yanluo, showing them a video taken during his campus live stream. Siwan was shocked and upset, questioning how anyone dared to hit her cousin like that. However, Auntie Gu found the situation interesting, remarking that Ye Weimian had an aura reminiscent of her own youthful spirit and was perhaps the person who could finally manage Gu Yanluo.
Siwan, though still dismayed by the slap, chided Xia Yuanqing for being a snitch. Xia Yuanqing defended herself, saying she thought they already knew, before excusing herself to go have fun. Auntie Gu then asked Siwan to keep an eye on "Lu Yao" (Ye Weimian) and Mu Ze, which Siwan readily agreed to do. Determined to get to the bottom of the situation, Siwan sought out Ye Weimian, intending to get her drunk and make her confess.
However, Siwan ended up getting drunk first. In her inebriated state, Siwan revealed that Ye Weimian, whom she believed to be "Lu Yao," was the first girlfriend Gu Yanluo had ever brought home, even calling her his first love. Siwan then pressed Ye Weimian about what she saw in Gu Yanluo, given his self-obsessed and arrogant personality. Ye Weimian downplayed his good looks, attributing her attraction to his coldness.
Siwan then bluntly accused Ye Weimian of not liking Gu Yanluo, which was why she had slapped him in front of so many people. Ye Weimian quickly clarified it was a misunderstanding and that Gu Yanluo actually had many good qualities. Gu Yanluo soon arrived to help his heavily intoxicated sister, who protested leaving, insisting she could still drink and that Ye Weimian must take good care of him.
As Gu Yanluo helped Siwan away, Ye Weimian jokingly confronted him about his close relationship with Mu Ze, asking if he didn’t like girls. Gu Yanluo warned her not to push it, mentioning an "agreement." Ye Weimian retaliated by saying she now knew his secret and he should be careful. Gu Yanluo’s mother then walked in, seeing them in close proximity, which only further solidified her belief in their supposed relationship.
Ye Weimian, feeling dizzy from the day’s events, decided to stop thinking about the bizarre situation. A voiceover reminded her of her financial obligations, stating she must pay monthly interest on a debt, to which Ye Weimian assured herself she wouldn't run away. Another voiceover confirmed her new mission: to disguise herself as Ye Zhenhan, urging her to succeed.
The next day, Ye Weimian visited her sister, Ye Zhenhan, at the hospital and thanked her friend Lu Yao for taking care of her. Ye Weimian recounted the chaotic events of the previous day, from slapping Gu Yanluo and damaging his package to pretending to be his girlfriend. Lu Yao, listening, teased that in an idol drama or novel, Gu Yanluo would be Ye Weimian's "Mr. Right."
Ye Weimian dismissed the idea, lamenting that she had used Lu Yao's name, meaning any "Mr. Right" wouldn't apply to her. Lu Yao then teased that since Ye Weimian used her name, she was planning to run away with debt. Ye Weimian then revealed her decision: she would attend classes at the Finance College in her sister’s stead.
Lu Yao was shocked, questioning how a Fashion College student could manage classes at the main campus’s Finance Department, and what about her own studies. Ye Weimian explained her plan to take on both, aiming to secure an exchange student spot for her sister, Ye Zhenhan, who had worked incredibly hard and was now in a coma. Ye Weimian was determined to protect this opportunity for Ye Zhenhan until she recovered.
Lu Yao agreed to support her but expressed concern about Ye Weimian's ability to handle the workload and disguise, especially with her hair length possibly giving her away. Ye Weimian, however, confidently stated she would simply wear a ponytail, believing no one would notice. Lu Yao made her promise to take good care of herself.
Armed with her sister’s scrapbook, Ye Weimian moved into Ye Zhenhan’s dorm, using the scrapbook to quickly learn about her roommates, especially Fang Meimei, a "simple-minded and kind" fanatical supporter and president of Gu Yanluo’s fan group. Fang Meimei immediately confronted Ye Weimian, accusing her of slapping Gu Yanluo. Ye Weimian, feigning ignorance about Gu Yanluo, then concocted a story: Gu Yanluo had actually asked her to slap him to cooperate with a live stream.
Fang Meimei initially doubted her but was persuaded when Ye Weimian reasoned that no one would dare hit such a powerful and handsome person without his permission. Fang Meimei then explained that their school, Charlotte College, was named so because Xia Yuanqing ("Char") and Gu Yanluo ("Lo") were the "perfect match" and "strong couple." Ye Weimian quickly agreed, assuring Fang Meimei that someone like herself wouldn’t be worthy of their "Prince Charming."
Later, Ye Weimian charged her sister's phone and, upon turning it on, saw numerous unanswered messages from Yan Jiuyue, who had been trying to contact Ye Zhenhan for seven days. After reviewing Ye Zhenhan’s scrapbook, Ye Weimian decided it would be best to keep her distance from Yan Jiuyue in the future.
Yan Jiuyue, increasingly worried about Ye Zhenhan’s silence, waited persistently outside the girls’ dorm on the first day of the new semester, speculating that something serious must have happened to her. He resolved that if he didn't see her soon, he would rush into the dorm to find her. As Ye Weimian exited, she spotted Yan Jiuyue and tried to slip away unnoticed, but he quickly caught sight of her.
She reluctantly greeted him, trying to walk away quickly, but he pursued her on his bicycle. Yan Jiuyue questioned why she was avoiding him, noting she was already ten minutes late for her first class and offering her a ride, even calculating her chances of being late based on her stride and speed. Ye Weimian, internally wondering if he was "a weirdo or a husky," bluntly told him to get out of her way as she continued towards class.
Meanwhile, Mu Ze informed Gu Yanluo that he had been replaced for the upcoming Challenge Cup, with Ye Zhenhan now listed as the participant. Gu Yanluo, surprised, asked Mu Ze for details about her. Mu Ze revealed that Ye Zhenhan was in the same department as Gu Yanluo, with grades second only to him, making her a low-key straight-A student.
He explained that despite his own reputation for knowing all the campus beauties, Ye Zhenhan was generally invisible, not participating in clubs or activities. Gu Yanluo, proud of his own accomplishments, questioned why someone so unknown would be chosen to replace him. Mu Ze tried to placate him, suggesting the university leadership wanted to showcase other talent, as Gu Yanluo had represented the school in nearly every competition for the past two years.
Gu Yanluo, however, insisted that anyone who could replace him must truly possess superior capabilities. In their sociology class, which Gu Yanluo also attended, Ye Weimian found herself lamenting his presence, still associating him with a perceived debt. Xia Yuanqing was also there, remarking on the coincidence and the "perfect match" of the "Charlotte couple." The sociology teacher announced that the course required extensive practical social surveys, to be conducted in two-person groups, with grades based on group performance.
He advised students to choose their partners wisely. As students clamored to group with the popular Gu Yanluo, with some even comically claiming their mothers wouldn't let them attend school if they weren't in his group, the teacher called Gu Yanluo to the front. He asked Gu Yanluo to select his partner, and to Ye Weimian's dismay, Gu Yanluo chose her. Ye Weimian internally questioned if they were enemies, recalling their previous agreement to stay out of each other's way.
The teacher, pleased, declared them a "straight-A student combination." Ye Weimian, still frustrated, muttered about Gu Yanluo being a "Narcissus" and a "master procrastinator," sarcastically praising him while internally expressing her irritation.
Episode 3 Recap
Gu Yanluo was shocked and angry to learn that the woman he knew as Lu Yao was actually named Ye Zhenhan. Ye Zhenhan explained that she always used a fake name when "practicing fraud at other people's homes" to protect herself. In class, Ye Zhenhan found herself distracted, unable to focus on the sociology lecture or even recall the current page.
She was surprised to see Gu Yanluo sitting beside her, seemingly absorbing the lesson without opening his book or taking notes. The teacher then called on her, prompted by Xia Yuanqing, to answer a question. Caught off guard, Ye Zhenhan admitted she hadn't heard the question. The teacher playfully remarked on Gu Yanluo's handsome profile but urged Ye Zhenhan to pay attention to the lecture, not just his face.
When asked to explain Mrs. Machlup's Wardrobe Theory, Ye Zhenhan confessed her unfamiliarity with it, offering to discuss wardrobe design instead. She then boldly asked her partner, Gu Yanluo, to answer, claiming she wanted to gauge his strength, despite his initial refusal. Gu Yanluo, left with no choice, expertly explained the theory as a half-joking metaphor comparing monetary authorities increasing reserves to a wife's pursuit of new clothes.
Afterward, Ye Zhenhan provocatively asked Gu Yanluo if he had heard of "Narcissistic Personality Disorder," leading him to declare that her installment payment arrangement was cancelled, and she needed to focus on class. Later, at the cafeteria, Ye Zhenhan ran into Yan Jiuyue. He noted her recent strange behavior, observing she had avoided his calls for eight days, hadn't accompanied him to the library for three, and had even run away from him that morning.
Ye Zhenhan quickly fabricated excuses, claiming she was late, her phone was broken, and she now ate before studying, having learned online that an empty stomach affects efficiency. Yan Jiuyue, knowing her well, pointed out she usually didn't surf the internet, making her fabricated story full of holes. From a nearby table, Mu Ze and Gu Siwan watched them.
Gu Siwan, intrigued, asked Mu Ze to investigate "Lu Yao," whom she believed to be the beauty queen of the Fashion Design Department on the branch campus, rumored to be beautiful with long legs and shapely figure. Mu Ze expressed skepticism, questioning if the description matched the person they saw last night. Determined, Gu Siwan insisted that while he could insult her IQ, he couldn't insult her EQ.
Overcome with frustration, Gu Siwan confronted Ye Zhenhan, demanding an explanation for her presence with Yan Jiuyue. Ye Zhenhan, ever quick-witted, explained that Gu Yanluo, being a popular figure at Charlotte College, wanted to keep their "relationship" low-profile to protect her from other girls' attacks, hence her use of a fake name. Gu Siwan, misinterpreting this as a thrilling "secret romance," became incredibly excited.
Simultaneously, Gu Yanluo was explaining to Mu Ze that his arrangement with Ye Zhenhan was "purely a monetary transaction, nothing to do with feelings," a "helpless move." He urged Mu Ze not to reveal anything to Gu Siwan, but just then, Gu Siwan approached Mu Ze, eagerly divulging her "discovery" of Gu Yanluo's "secret romance." Mu Ze realized Ye Zhenhan had cleverly spun a false narrative.
Gu Siwan, thrilled by the idea of Gu Yanluo finally finding love, even mused about a grand wedding for the Gu family. She also mentioned that Ye Zhenhan had good academic grades and had even taken Gu Yanluo's spot in the Challenge Cup competition. Gu Yanluo, fed up with the spreading rumors, decided to meet Ye Zhenhan at the supermarket where she worked.
He immediately chastised her for instilling "such a terrible idea" of a "secret relationship" in his cousin's mind. To prevent further complications, he proposed three rules: first, they must never tell anyone they had pretended to be a couple; second, she must not have any private contact with anyone close to him; and third, she must not attempt to have any contact with him on campus, with exceptions for class activities since they were partners.
Ye Zhenhan readily agreed, then unexpectedly used his stylish appearance to market her fish, awkwardly forcing him to pose for a customer. The male customer, impressed, inquired if such "service" was included with the purchase. Gu Yanluo, clearly annoyed, internally lamented the delay, thinking about his piling delivery orders. Later, at the library, Ye Zhenhan met Yan Jiuyue. Observing him busily handling tasks, she offered to help.
She then expressed a desire to apply for a job at the library, viewing it as an opportunity for "social practice" to balance exercise and reading. Yan Jiuyue, delighted, immediately took her to complete the application formalities, promising she wouldn't be burdened. However, as soon as she started working, she accidentally injured her foot. As Yan Jiuyue knelt to check on her, Gu Yanluo, the Student Union president, arrived for a routine inspection.
He mockingly commented on Ye Zhenhan's "changeable" nature. Gu Yanluo then requested Ye Zhenhan to accompany him to the borrowing area to inspect book management, as Yan Jiuyue was occupied. Ye Zhenhan reluctantly agreed, leading him through the section. Gu Yanluo meticulously pointed out various "non-standard" issues, such as hygiene and misplaced books, including a copy of "The Chomsky-Foucault Debate."
Ye Zhenhan accused him of "abusing public power for personal revenge" and "nitpicking," especially when he demanded to inspect an already old book for damage. She playfully refused to hand it over. While in her fashion class, Ye Zhenhan received an urgent call from Lu Yao, reminding her of an impending roll call. She rushed in, but the teacher, recognizing her talent, did not chastise her for being late.
Ye Zhenhan, in her element, confidently answered questions regarding the three rules of clothing color matching and the application of Hans Hofmann's art, impressing her teacher and classmates. The teacher praised her excellent demonstration and simply asked her to be on time for future classes. Meanwhile, Gu Siwan had informed Gu Yanluo's mother about "Ye Zhenhan" using a fake name and their alleged "secret romance."
Far from being displeased, Gu Yanluo's mother was overjoyed, praising Ye Zhenhan and declaring she had finally found someone who could "get the better of that brat" (Gu Yanluo). Gu Siwan jokingly asked if Gu Yanluo was "given for free when you prepaid your phone bills," to which his mother expressed regret for not having learned more about Ye Zhenhan on their last encounter, even suggesting they invite her for dinner again to properly get acquainted.
Soon after, Gu Yanluo received a call from his mother, who formally commanded him to bring Ye Zhenhan home for dinner the following week, allowing "no rejection, no asking for leave, no being late." Gu Yanluo, speaking to Mu Ze, complained about the "lethal serial bombings" but conceded that Ye Zhenhan's ability to "play to the score" and "switch freely between different personae" would likely enable her to handle the situation.
Later, Ye Zhenhan lamented to Lu Yao, her boss and friend, about being "dog-tired" from daily classes and part-time jobs, and constantly feeling "trapped or abused" by "weirdos" in the Finance Department. Despite the hardships, she vowed to "live to be her best self." However, Lu Yao expressed concern that their livestream studio might close down due to a lack of new designs. Ye Zhenhan promised to deliver design drafts within two days.
Later, Ye Zhenhan took on another part-time job at a cold drink shop, drawn by double pay. Gu Yanluo appeared there, observing her in yet another "different look." He approached her, declaring he needed her to have dinner with his mother. Ye Zhenhan initially refused, citing their "three rules" about not contacting people around him. Gu Yanluo insisted, offering to negotiate terms for her to "pretend to be my girlfriend again."
She retorted that his "fussy, bad-tempered" and "complicated" nature had already put him on her blacklist. As she tried to leave, he accidentally ripped her apron. He apologized, and then, seemingly to provoke her, purchased all the fish she was selling, stating he could feed them to cats if he couldn't eat them all.
Episode 4 Recap
Ye Weimian accompanied Gu Yanluo to a clothing store, where Gu Yanluo insisted he only wanted shirts identical to his own. Ye Weimian provocatively suggested he might be incapable of wearing other styles, a challenge Gu Yanluo promptly accepted. She picked out a suit for him, which he wore with a reserved CEO-like demeanor; she then presented him with other outfits, and he looked handsome in every one.
Despite his impressive appearance in various styles, Gu Yanluo remained firm on only wanting a shirt that was an exact match to his own. A shop assistant found a suitable one, but when Ye Weimian discovered the price was 629 yuan, she quietly admitted her budget was insufficient. She quickly pulled Gu Yanluo away, then approached the front desk to ask for a pin.
She carefully used it to secure the torn part of Gu Yanluo's shirt, an action he suspected was deliberate, though she denied it, telling him to be more optimistic. Later, Ye Weimian led Gu Yanluo to a street stall selling clothes. He was reluctant to try them on, prompting Ye Weimian to provoke him by implying his handsome looks relied solely on expensive brands. To prove her wrong, Gu Yanluo tried on a T-shirt.
Both Ye Weimian and the shop assistant praised his new look, noting that he looked like a "boy-next-door," far more handsome than in his usual shirts. Seeing an opportunity, Ye Weimian proposed that Gu Yanluo, acting as a model, help sell the clothes for a commission, a suggestion he futilely protested, but yielded to her argument that he should experience the "fun of common life." With Gu Yanluo's cooperation, sales soared, especially for the "couple T-shirts" featuring cartoon figures.
Ye Weimian even gave a discount to an elderly couple who purchased two shirts. In return for his help, Ye Weimian promised to join him for dinner at his home, and he secured a promise from her that she would always appear whenever he needed her. Later, while enjoying fermented bean curd, Ye Weimian expressed immense happiness, which puzzled Gu Yanluo.
She explained that even inexpensive items like a fifty-yuan T-shirt could bring joy to people, and that the true importance lay not in what they ate, but in sharing the moment with loved ones. Gu Yanluo observed that since their first meeting, Ye Weimian had displayed a multitude of different personas, always appearing distinct, even behaving differently in front of others compared to how she was with him. He admitted he was confused about which one was the real her.
Ye Weimian dismissed his concerns, saying girls are multifaceted and everyone has secrets. Ye Weimian then suggested they take photos to commemorate Gu Yanluo's first "trip to the night market." The first photo displeased him, as he thought he looked ugly, but Ye Weimian noted it was free. He then paid, telling her to take as many as she liked but to avoid taking any more ugly photos of him.
After a pleasant photoshoot, Ye Weimian offered him a few photos as keepsakes. Gu Yanluo, despite feigning indifference and calling them childish, secretly tucked them into his pocket. As Ye Weimian prepared to take a bus home, Gu Yanluo expressed concern for her safety so late at night and proceeded to follow her in his car, ensuring her safe return. Upon reaching her dormitory, Ye Weimian spotted Yan Jiuyue waiting downstairs, causing her to drop the photos in surprise.
Yan Jiuyue kindly helped her pick them up, noticing the two of them pictured together. He explained he was waiting because he had been unable to contact her and was worried. Ye Weimian quickly attributed it to her phone battery dying and swiftly departed. Back at his home, Gu Yanluo gazed at the couple T-shirt and the photos. He recalled the evening's events and the delightful moments they had shared.
He even pondered the "risk rate" of their relationship having reached one hundred percent and wondered about the probability of them ever becoming a couple, a smile forming on his face. Meanwhile, Yan Jiuyue, feeling dejected, encountered a good friend on his way back. His friend, sensing his low spirits, probed about a potential quarrel with a girl.
The friend advised him that girls nowadays prefer straightforwardness: giving gifts if one has money, or being sweet-talked if not, and generally being romantic to "establish boyfriend status." Yan Jiuyue thoughtfully considered this advice. The very next morning, Yan Jiuyue, dressed in a fresh shirt, waited outside the girls' dormitory. Ye Weimian emerged and greeted him.
He then awkwardly presented her with a gift, explaining that he always thought they understood each other through eye contact, but someone told him girls preferred straightforwardness. Ye Weimian was momentarily uncertain, wondering if it was a confession. Upon reading the message inside the gift box, "Let's work together and make a bright future. Fighting!" , she felt relieved, concluding it was not a declaration of love.
She then sent him a text message, thanking him for the gift and affirming their shared future. Shortly after, Lu Yao arrived, intending to meet Ye Weimian. Along the way, she encountered Mu Ze, who was immediately captivated by her. He boldly expressed his admiration, calling her beautiful and asking for her name. Lu Yao, however, swiftly dismissed him, calling men like him "playboys" and stating she was not interested in "little boys."
Mu Ze, who claimed to know every beautiful girl at Charlotte College and boasted about being the "No. 1 in Charlotte’s Rank of Perfect Lover," recognized Ye Weimian and learned Lu Yao was her friend, attempting to claim them all as his friends. Lu Yao quickly clarified that she was not close to Gu Yanluo and was not his friend, then told Mu Ze to stay away from her.
Mu Ze, intrigued by her strong personality, recognized her as Lu Yao, the "prettiest girl of Fashion Department." Lu Yao, wanting to deter him, sarcastically asked if he wanted to be her boyfriend and then humorously claimed she was cursed, stating that anyone who confessed their love to her would face bad luck. Mu Ze found her excuse to be extraordinarily unique. While reviewing Ye Weimian's design sketches, Lu Yao noticed Ye Weimian's dark circles and inquired about her well-being.
Ye Weimian complained about her overwhelming academic and work commitments. Lu Yao then directly asked if Gu Yanluo was the "fake boyfriend" Ye Weimian had mentioned before. Upon confirmation, Lu Yao warned her about Gu Yanluo's immense popularity as the "school hunk of the main campus," noting his fan club and online forum. She cautioned Ye Weimian that being seen with him would make her a conspicuous target.
Lu Yao further warned Ye Weimian to avoid Mu Ze, describing him as a notorious "playboy and gossipy blogger" in their college, fearing that if he tracked Ye Weimian, he might inadvertently expose Lu Yao's own department. Ye Weimian assured Lu Yao that she would protect her. Lu Yao then advised Ye Weimian to focus on her studies and not to be distracted by romance. Later, Gu Yanluo approached Ye Weimian at school.
She immediately invoked their third agreement: "Do not contact each other on the campus." Gu Yanluo accused her of hypocrisy, pointing out her own frequent rule-breaking. He then informed her that dinner with his mother would be soon and intended to brief her on the rules. Ye Weimian tried to back out, suggesting they part ways. Gu Yanluo, undeterred, threatened to increase the "installment interest" by five percent if she reneged on their agreement.
Despite her protests, he asserted that this tactic always worked on her, sarcastically praising her as a "clever and farsighted straight-A student." Meanwhile, Mu Ze approached Yan Jiuyue, brazenly asking for Lu Yao's WeChat and phone numbers, citing Gu Yanluo's connection as leverage. Yan Jiuyue refused, prompting Mu Ze to snatch his breakfast. Yan Jiuyue questioned Mu Ze's persistence in bothering Ye Weimian, leading to a brief, tense exchange before Mu Ze tossed him back his breakfast.
Episode 5 Recap
Gu Yanluo sent a message to Ye Weimian, warning her that if she didn't come, she would face the consequences of a past express delivery incident. When Ye Weimian arrived, Gu Yanluo presented her with two options: accept the complaint and pay full compensation, or sign a contract to pretend to be his girlfriend. He claimed she had broken her promise first. Ye Weimian accused him of taking advantage, but reluctantly agreed to his terms.
The contract, addressed to "Party B Ye Zhenhan" (the identity Ye Weimian was using), stipulated that she could not reveal their fake relationship, contact his friends or family without permission, or approach him at Charlotte College. However, it also stated that she must appear unconditionally when he needed her, and pretend to be his girlfriend for one year in front of his family, effectively paying off her debt.
Ye Weimian found the conflicting clauses amusing but accepted the agreement, acknowledging his slightly less cruel side. Later, Ye Weimian vented to her friend Lu Yao about Gu Yanluo's arrogance and narcissism, though she admitted his handsome looks and ability to make even a hot pink shirt seem elegant. Lu Yao observed that Ye Weimian had been talking about Gu Yanluo for half an hour, prompting him to ask if she was falling for him.
Ye Weimian vehemently denied it, explaining she was merely forced into a contract with favorable terms. Lu Yao warned her that future mothers-in-law, especially wealthy ones, were formidable opponents. Ye Weimian mentioned meeting Gu Yanluo's mother, who seemed kind, but Lu Yao countered that a woman of her standing wouldn't cause public embarrassment, suggesting that in idol dramas, the "smiling tiger" is often the true antagonist. He worried that Ye Weimian's simple-mindedness wouldn't allow her to survive long.
Soon after, Ye Weimian received a call from Gu Siwan, Gu Yanluo's cousin, confirming Lu Yao's prediction that Gu Yanluo's mother was already asking to meet her. Ye Weimian quickly prepared to leave. Frantically trying to reach Gu Yanluo, Ye Weimian found him unreachable, calling him unreliable in critical moments. She sent him her location, asking for help with his mother.
At the meeting spot, Gu Siwan greeted Ye Weimian, explaining that Mrs. Gu was stuck in traffic and would be about thirty minutes late, suggesting they chat while they waited. Siwan described Gu Yanluo as a Leo, possessing much self-respect, pride, and strong possessiveness, while Ye Weimian revealed herself to be an Aquarius, a sign often in conflict with Leo.
Their conversation about how Ye Weimian met Gu Yanluo was cut short when a cyclist crashed into a street artist, damaging his painting. The artist refused monetary compensation, claiming they had ruined his "inspiration." Ye Weimian offered to try and fix it, skillfully adding a flower to the painting, which the artist praised as the missing element.
Gu Yanluo arrived, having rushed to Ye Weimian's location after seeing her distress message, and observed her artistic talent from a distance before approaching. Siwan, noticing him, praised Ye Weimian's hidden artistic abilities, prompting Gu Yanluo to jokingly call Ye Weimian a "treasure girl." Siwan then excused herself to pick up Mrs. Gu, suggesting Gu Yanluo and Ye Weimian use the time to get along despite their conflicting personalities.
During dinner, Ye Weimian accidentally spilled water on Gu Yanluo's shirt, playfully blaming his mother for making her nervous. They bantered back and forth, appearing sweet and close in Mrs. Gu's eyes. Mrs. Gu expressed her growing affection for Ye Weimian, calling her beautiful, talented, lovely, and of good character, and invited her to their home. Ye Weimian politely suggested that she and Gu Yanluo preferred to focus on their studies for now, which Gu Yanluo agreed with.
Mrs. Gu urged Gu Yanluo to treat Ye Weimian well, while Gu Yanluo warned Ye Weimian not to provoke him, or he would complain to his mother. Mrs. Gu, observing their playful dynamic, suggested they get engaged, which Gu Yanluo said he would discuss with Ye Weimian. After the meal, Ye Weimian reflected on her own shyness and embarrassment, realizing how much the fake relationship was affecting her. Back at her dormitory, Ye Weimian found Yan Jiuyue waiting for her.
He said he had come to "work together" with her, reaching out to hold her hand. Ye Weimian pulled away, explaining there might be a misunderstanding. Yan Jiuyue, confused, reminded her that she had accepted his gift and expressed a desire to "fight for a bright future" with him. Ye Weimian clarified that her understanding of "working together" was different. Yan Jiuyue, probing further, asked if she disliked his handmade gift or if he wasn't good enough.
Ye Weimian reassured him that he was indeed a good person, though different from her initial impression. He then confessed his feelings, saying he was used to her presence and noticed her recent distance. Ye Weimian quickly interjected, saying his pace was too fast and she needed time to calm down before hurrying into the dormitory, leaving a puzzled Yan Jiuyue wondering why all "indexes" had dropped so sharply since the vacation.
The next day, Yan Jiuyue observed Ye Weimian practicing English much earlier than her usual time at the lakeside corridor. Ye Weimian explained she now planned to eat before studying, believing it was more efficient. Yan Jiuyue, surprised by her changed habits, mused that she seemed abnormal and might have a crush. He jokingly offered to "try" a "straight-A girl" type if she wasn't interested, which Ye Weimian quickly shot down.
He then teased her about being "territorial" and suggested she play games with him all night to "make him happy" if she didn't want him to pursue her. Ye Weimian dismissed him as weird. Meanwhile, Gu Yanluo messaged Ye Weimian during her accounting class, invoking "Item 4" of their agreement, demanding her immediate attention. Ye Weimian, annoyed, told him she was in class and refused his request for tomorrow's availability.
Yan Jiuyue then asked Ye Weimian if she was free to go out with him tomorrow for his birthday. Ye Weimian, surprised, agreed after he offered to find a replacement for her library shift. Gu Yanluo called her again, insisting she come to his mother's place tomorrow. Ye Weimian refused, feigning illness, leading Gu Yanluo to remind her of "Item 4." Ye Weimian retorted by reminding him of "Item 3," which prevented her from approaching him on campus without permission.
Later, a student council member asked Gu Yanluo to join a trip to a suburban hot spring, but he declined, stating he had no time. On his birthday, Yan Jiuyue took Ye Weimian to an amusement park, claiming it was "Ye Zhenhan's" favorite place. He lightheartedly remarked that a "straightforward man's" idea of romance might be limited to an amusement park, but it was still better than an "icy man's." They decided to ride a roller coaster.
Ye Weimian, feigning initial fear, became surprisingly excited during the ride, while Yan Jiuyue turned pale. After the ride, Yan Jiuyue suggested they try the Ferris wheel next, recalling "Ye Zhenhan's" fondness for high views. Ye Weimian, secretly suffering from acrophobia, tried to stall, claiming she was tired and thirsty, and asked Yan Jiuyue to buy her a bottle of water.
While he was gone, she frantically called Lu Yao, complaining about her phone battery dying and Gu Yanluo's "arbitrary items" and unreliability, desperate for a way out of the Ferris wheel predicament. Just as her phone was about to die, Gu Yanluo finally called. Ye Weimian seized the opportunity, claiming an urgent emergency and promising to be at his beck and call if he helped her.
Gu Yanluo then claimed he had an urgent task as the student union president and needed her back on campus immediately. Ye Weimian agreed to leave. As Yan Jiuyue returned with the water, he "accidentally" spilled it on her. While wiping her knee, he noticed the absence of a crescent-shaped scar. He then confronted her, revealing he knew she wasn't Ye Zhenhan.
He explained that the real Ye Zhenhan never forgot his birthday, which wasn't today; she was terrified of roller coasters but loved Ferris wheels for their high views; and most importantly, she had a distinctive crescent scar on her leg, which Ye Weimian lacked. The scene shifted to a hospital, where Gu Siwan, observing Gu Yanluo and Ye Weimian, expressed hope for their relationship. Gu Yanluo vehemently denied any possibility of reconciliation, stating there was no room for discussion.
Siwan, however, believed that Ye Weimian, being kind and gallant, would surely like Gu Yanluo, and that Gu Yanluo, being handsome and intelligent, would surely like Ye Weimian. Gu Yanluo scoffed, calling Ye Weimian arrogant, proud, and brash, stating he would never like her. Ye Weimian retorted, calling him odd, irascible, and a liar, equally asserting her dislike for him. Despite their sharp words, Siwan continued to perceive their bickering as sweet, seeing love in their eyes.
Episode 6 Recap
Ye Weimian called her sister, Ye Zhenhan, who excitedly shared news of a free exchange student opportunity at an Ivy League school for the upcoming semester—a chance Zhenhan had always dreamed of. Ye Weimian encouraged her sister, acknowledging that Zhenhan could have attended a better university if not for the need for a full scholarship in the past. As they spoke, Ye Zhenhan, walking across the road, was suddenly struck by a car.
Ye Weimian rushed to the scene to find her sister lying injured on the pavement. After emergency treatment, Ye Zhenhan was out of immediate danger, but doctors informed Ye Weimian that her sister had suffered severe head trauma and it would take time for her to regain consciousness. Soon after, a notification arrived on Zhenhan's phone from the school, instructing her to submit the application form for the exchange program.
The application required full attendance, a critical detail given Zhenhan's current condition. Ye Weimian, seeing this as her sister's last wish and her future, vowed to protect this opportunity until Zhenhan woke up. She decided to take classes at the Finance Department herself, believing this was the only way to secure the exchange student quota for Zhenhan.
Yan Jiuyue, deeply saddened by Ye Weimian's predicament, expressed his regret for taking Zhenhan's companionship for granted and offered to stay by Ye Weimian's side. Meanwhile, Mu Ze relentlessly pursued Lu Yao, who remained unfazed by his efforts. A nurse approached Ye Weimian with hopeful news: a new, effective medicine could significantly aid Zhenhan's recovery. However, the medicine was three times more expensive than current treatments due to a rare ingredient.
Though daunted by the cost, Ye Weimian affirmed they would use it, and Yan Jiuyue offered to help raise the funds, suggesting they work together to protect Zhenhan. At the same time, Gu Yanluo tried to call Ye Weimian, but her phone was off, making him anxious. He urgently summoned Mu Ze, and together they set out to find her. They discovered Ye Weimian talking with Yan Jiuyue. A displeased Gu Yanluo then drove away.
The next day, during a practice class, Ye Weimian attempted to explain the previous day's events to Gu Yanluo. Despite being assigned to the same group, Gu Yanluo remained aloof, still annoyed by something Ye Weimian had said about him the day before. As they independently collected pollen, both spotted the same flower. A bee suddenly flew past, startling Gu Yanluo, who stumbled backward, accidentally bumping into Ye Weimian.
He instinctively grabbed her hand, and due to the momentum, they accidentally kissed. Unbeknownst to them, two female classmates nearby captured the moment on camera and posted the pictures online the following day. Upon arriving at school, Ye Weimian immediately noticed her classmates staring at her with unusual expressions. She soon discovered that her accidental first kiss had become a spectacle for the entire school.
While Ye Weimian was mortified, Gu Yanluo, by contrast, seemed quite pleased, smiling at the photos. Later, Fang Meimei cornered Ye Weimian outside the dormitory, angrily questioning her about the incident. Ye Weimian insisted it was merely an accident. Fang Meimei only relented when online rumors emerged suggesting Ye Weimian already had a boyfriend, which she accepted as proof the kiss was unintended.
Mu Ze, having looked into Yan Jiuyue, reported that he was a standard, well-performing student from the Mechanical Engineering Department, known for his good character and honesty, making him popular among peers and teachers. Mu Ze also noted that Yan Jiuyue and Ye Zhenhan had known each other for a long time and were often together, implying that if anyone was an "interloper," it was Gu Yanluo. Upon learning Ye Weimian was at the basketball court, Gu Yanluo headed there.
He and Mu Ze arrived to find Yan Jiuyue shooting hoops, with Ye Weimian cheering him on. Gu Yanluo, visibly displeased, challenged Yan Jiuyue to a game, drawing a crowd of admiring female students. During the game, Siwan, Gu Yanluo's sister, noticed Ye Weimian cheering for Yan Jiuyue instead of her own brother. She pulled Ye Weimian aside to confront her.
Siwan accused Ye Weimian of two-timing, leaving Ye Weimian struggling to explain without revealing the sensitive truth about her sister. Under pressure, Ye Weimian was compelled to disclose her contractual relationship with Gu Yanluo to Siwan. Gu Yanluo, who overheard the conversation, immediately told Siwan not to mention it to their mother. After overhearing, Gu Yanluo tried to leave the game, but Yan Jiuyue insisted they finish. Later, Ye Weimian approached Gu Yanluo and thanked him for his "field rescue," recognizing his discreet protection of her secret regarding their contractual relationship.
Episode 7 Recap
Gu Yanluo confronts Ye Weimian, accusing her of getting too close to other men and forgetting the terms of their agreement. He specifically calls her out for revealing their fake relationship to Siwan. Ye Weimian retorts that their contract only requires her to pose as his girlfriend in front of his family, and at school, they are meant to maintain distance.
She explains that when Siwan questioned her, she couldn't conceal the truth, but assures him that Siwan promised not to inform Mrs. Gu. Gu Yanluo, however, insists that Ye Weimian is not permitted to have any male friends on campus, a demand Ye Weimian dismisses as an "arbitrary item" and an infringement on her freedom to make friends. Gu Yanluo counters that her interactions with other men interfere with the agreement's execution.
Ye Weimian firmly tells him to respect the contract and not bother her beyond its stipulated terms. During a class, Ye Weimian dozes off, and her teacher gently wakes her, reminding her about the importance of adequate sleep for effective learning. Ye Weimian's mind, however, is consumed by her financial struggles. She mentally calculates her meager earnings, including contributions from Yan Jiuyue and Lu Yao, along with income from part-time jobs at the library, a supermarket, and food delivery.
Despite these efforts, she realizes the sum is far from sufficient to cover her sister Ye Zhenhan's escalating medical bills, which include check-up, hospitalization, and nursing fees. Her teacher then announces the results of the previous practical class, revealing that the "Straight-A couple," Gu Yanluo and Ye Weimian, achieved the first-place position. Their marks have been uploaded to the intranet as an example for other students.
Mu Ze eagerly approaches Lu Yao, expressing his interest, but Lu Yao's attention is fixed on Gu Yanluo, whom she directly addresses. Mu Ze, feeling ignored, grumbles about Gu Yanluo being a "third wheel." Gu Yanluo, in turn, questions Lu Yao, identifying her as Ye Weimian's best friend, about Ye Weimian's recent behavior, noting her constant hurriedness and pale complexion.
Lu Yao reveals that Ye Weimian's family seems to be facing some problems, possibly a financial shortage, which has led her to overwork herself. Lu Yao suggests Gu Yanluo should speak directly with Ye Weimian. Gu Yanluo then makes a sarcastic remark about Mu Ze being "cold," "not gentle," and "not romantic," which Mu Ze acknowledges with an apology. Gu Yanluo unexpectedly intercepts Ye Weimian, abruptly telling her to move into his home.
Ye Weimian immediately reacts with suspicion, accusing him of having "wild desires" and calling him narcissistic and arrogant, stating she would not serve such an employer. Gu Yanluo clarifies that he simply needs a housekeeper and suggests that this arrangement would also prevent their fake relationship from being exposed. He then offers a monthly salary of 5,000 RMB, with three months' pay advanced. Realizing this significant sum would greatly help cover her sister Ye Zhenhan's medical expenses, Ye Weimian agrees.
However, she imposes strict conditions: he must not disclose her roles as his fake girlfriend or housekeeper to anyone, nor interfere with her private life. Gu Yanluo readily accepts, provided it does not impede her work or compromise their existing agreement. Despite his agreement, Ye Weimian remains wary, contemplating the possibility of a trap. Ye Weimian arrives at Gu Yanluo's doorstep, pulling her suitcase, and feels a surge of apprehension, recalling Lu Yao's playful warnings about Gu Yanluo's character.
She wonders if he might flirt with her, if his room would be a pigsty, or if he would attempt to keep her up all night, potentially exposing her identity. Noticing her hesitation, Gu Yanluo impatiently asks why she is lingering at the door. Once inside, he tells her to make herself comfortable and offers a drink. He then hands her a lengthy list of "Housekeeping Rules" that she must memorize and strictly obey.
Ye Weimian notes his obsession with cleanliness and strict dietary requirements, including specific macronutrient ratios. He also dictates his precise daily schedule, requiring breakfast to be ready by 6:30 AM. He permits her to engage in any activities during his study hours from 8 PM to 11 PM, "except for singing, running, or jumping." Ye Weimian mentally labels him a "crazy man for lists" and narcissistic. He instructs her to hang the list by her bed as a constant reminder.
Ye Weimian wakes early, determined to make a positive impression and make amends for an accidental pepper spray incident that had affected Gu Yanluo the previous night. She prepares a lavish breakfast, ensuring that the dishes, such as air-fried corn cakes and low-fat pitaya yogurt drinks, strictly adhere to his requested 5:3:2 nutritional ratio, having made multiple options due to her unfamiliarity with his preferences.
Gu Yanluo, however, immediately criticizes the meal as "oily" and reminds her of his strict calorie control. He also explicitly states his dislike for white pepper. He instructs her to pack his sports bag for an upcoming basketball game, giving her only eight minutes before his departure. Later, while doing laundry, Ye Weimian accidentally splashes water on Gu Yanluo and triggers an automatic clothes rack, leading to minor mishaps.
Gu Yanluo dismisses her attempts to help, instructing her to leave his underwear alone and place other clothes on the sofa. While Gu Yanluo is showering, the water temperature fluctuates wildly, prompting him to blame Ye Weimian. Gu Yanluo plays basketball with Mu Ze. After the game, he retrieves a towel from his bag to wipe his sweat, only to discover it is a pink Hello Kitty towel.
Female fans notice this, finding his "contrast cuteness" endearing and feeling a sense of closeness to him, much to Gu Yanluo's embarrassment. Later, he confronts Ye Weimian at the supermarket, implementing a new "housekeeping rule" that explicitly forbids her from mixing his belongings with hers. In response, Ye Weimian presents her own set of rules for him, including requirements to avoid nudity during sports and maintain polite conduct in public.
She also stipulates that Saturdays are her days off, during which her activities are not to be interfered with, though she can apply for emergency leave in advance. Gu Yanluo sarcastically questions her right to set rules after confusing his towel, but Ye Weimian asserts her rights, citing labor law, and interprets his silence as implicit agreement. She then playfully asks him if he finds Hello Kitty adorable.
Mu Ze, having obtained information from Lu Yao's classmate, waits for her at the swimming pool, trying to portray their encounter as destined. He boasts about his swimming proficiency and offers to personally teach her. After warming up, they both enter the water. Mu Ze immediately feigns drowning and then collapses, prompting Lu Yao to swiftly pull him out. When he appears unresponsive, she initiates CPR, including mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Mu Ze secretly opens his eyes, only for Lu Yao to catch him in the act, realizing he was conscious all along. He then brazenly claims he was "kissed awake," declaring the nearly fatal experience fortunate because it resulted in his first kiss, and demands Lu Yao take responsibility. Enraged by his trickery, Lu Yao playfully threatens to "kill him again." Gu Yanluo overhears Ye Weimian arranging to meet Yan Jiuyue at the hospital at 7 PM.
Determined to obstruct her, he begins to intentionally create obstacles. First, he critiques Ye Weimian's cooking, complaining the rice is too bland, then too hard, demanding porridge, and refusing the soup she prepared for a patient. Next, he orders her to polish every pair of shoes in his cabinet for his use the following day, rejecting her request to postpone the task and insisting she do it immediately and in his presence.
During the shoe-polishing, Ye Weimian accidentally splashes water on him, apologizing profusely. He tells her to continue the work while he goes to shower. Seizing the opportunity, Ye Weimian discreetly turns off the hot water, leaving him with cold water. Gu Yanluo shouts for her, demanding to know why the hot water is off. Shortly after, Ye Weimian accidentally pepper-sprays Gu Yanluo, causing him eye irritation.
Despite his earlier demanding behavior, Gu Yanluo asks if she is alright and offers eye drops or a trip to the hospital, which she declines. Gu Yanluo later complains to a friend on the phone about the chaotic first day of living with Ye Weimian, describing her as annoying. His friend jokingly suggests Ye Weimian might be flirting and advises him to run on the treadmill while removing his shirt to impress her.
Gu Yanluo attempts this, only to regret it and label himself as one who "loves to bare himself" after Ye Weimian comments on his physique. Later, Ye Weimian interacts with Cute Bean, Gu Yanluo's AI, who playfully observes their dynamic, noting that they are "kindred spirits, but not about love."
Episode 8 Recap
Ye Weimian visited her sister, Zhenhan, in the hospital, where she learned about a free exchange student quota at an Ivy League school, a long-held dream. Zhenhan’s condition was improving, a good sign after starting new medicine. During her visit, Yan Jiuyue also arrived, bringing some of Zhenhan's favorite books.
He expressed concern to Ye Weimian about the growing rumors regarding her and Gu Yanluo at Charlotte College, noting how anything connected to Gu Yanluo there was amplified, posing a significant risk to her identity as Gu Yanluo's housekeeper. Ye Weimian acknowledged the danger, feeling she was "walking on a bomb," but resolved to be more cautious and maintain a low profile to prevent any complications.
Upon Ye Weimian's return to Gu Yanluo’s residence, he feigned illness, claiming a 39-degree fever and demanding the "Soup for patients" she had prepared that morning. Ye Weimian, realizing he was tricking her as a minor retaliation, reluctantly agreed to make the soup. After serving it, she informed him it was overtime work and charged him 200 yuan.
Gu Yanluo scoffed at the price, but then suffered a nosebleed after consuming the soup, which Ye Weimian admitted contained over a dozen nourishing ingredients like caterpillar fungus and gastrodia tuber, intended to strengthen his seemingly delicate constitution. She quickly retrieved ice to help him, and his fever surprisingly subsided. The next morning, Ye Weimian prepared old duck soup for Gu Yanluo, reminding him of her pending overtime payment, even setting up a QR code for his convenience.
She then headed out for a two-hour food delivery shift, but forgot her helmet. Gu Yanluo, referring to her as "Ye Zhenhan," caught up in a luxury car and offered her a ride, which she refused, stating her electric bicycle was more agile. Annoyed by his persistence, she attempted to outmaneuver him, only to be pulled over by traffic police for speeding and not wearing a helmet. Her electric bicycle was impounded, and she was issued a fine.
Gu Yanluo, now driving her to complete her deliveries, inadvertently caused a milk tea spill when swerving to avoid a pedestrian. Faced with a disgruntled customer who was accustomed to drinking milk tea at 2:30 PM daily, Gu Yanluo impressively improvised by making a fresh cup using the customer's own ingredients, earning high praise for his skill and quick thinking.
Despite the successful recovery of the delivery, Ye Weimian was in no mood for lunch, fuming over her impounded bicycle, spilled milk tea, and the customer complaint that arose after Gu Yanluo's comments about powdered tea. Gu Yanluo, however, had a plan.
At a restaurant, a service staff member informed Ye Weimian that she had been randomly selected for a double free meal, a "lucky" draw based on the last two digits of a consumer coupon and phone number being 77. Though initially suspicious, Ye Weimian agreed to eat. Realizing it might be a trap, she cunningly ordered an extra steak, intending to escape before the bill came.
When the service staff finally presented the 799 yuan bill, Ye Weimian claimed to have no money. The staff revealed that Gu Yanluo had arranged the "free" meal and was supposed to pay. Gu Yanluo reluctantly covered the cost, leading Ye Weimian to lament spending what amounted to her entire month's living expenses. Despite his apology, she insisted on packing the remaining food, explaining her thrifty nature.
Later, Mu Ze met Gu Yanluo at a cake shop, where Gu Yanluo was wearing a T-shirt that looked suspiciously like a cheap "couple T-shirt" he had purchased with Ye Weimian. Mu Ze, having made a "breakthrough" with Yao and even kissed her, sought Gu Yanluo's help in choosing a gift. Gu Yanluo questioned if girls would like a particular cake, to which Mu Ze explained that while girls desire to be slim, they secretly enjoy treats.
Mu Ze then pointed to a "Red Rose" cake, calling it passionate and representative of true love, though Gu Yanluo found it gaudy. Mu Ze bought it anyway, suggesting Gu Yanluo get one for his "little girlfriend," warning him to act on his feelings. Gu Yanluo declined but ended up buying the shop's best-selling cake, which needed to be consumed within six hours for optimal taste. Meanwhile, Xia Yuanqing and her friends spotted Gu Yanluo in the unusual T-shirt.
After looking it up online, they discovered it was a mere 50 yuan, initially disbelieving, but then rationalizing that a truly handsome man could make any cheap attire look good. Upon returning home, Gu Yanluo placed the cake in the refrigerator. He tried to subtly prompt Ye Weimian to discover it by asking for water, but she suddenly received a call offering double pay for an urgent job and rushed out, leaving him without water.
Separately, Mu Ze presented the "Rose Sand" cake to Yao, thanking her for "saving his life." When Yao accidentally bumped the cake, Mu Ze nearly fell but was caught by Yao, making him feel he had "earned" something. When Ye Weimian finally returned, Gu Yanluo, who had been waiting for her, urged her to cook.
Ye Weimian discovered the cake in the fridge, and Gu Yanluo explained he got it as part of a "buy one, get one free" deal with Mu Ze. Ye Weimian, initially planning to cook, was persuaded by Gu Yanluo to just eat the cake, as cooking would take too long.
They shared the cake, lighting candles and pretending it was Ye Weimian's birthday, as she had never had the time or money to celebrate it properly due to her constant work. They each made a wish, with Ye Weimian wishing for her sister Zhenhan to recover quickly so they could both return to their normal lives.
Gu Yanluo then informed Ye Weimian that she needed to reduce her work hours to focus entirely on preparing for the upcoming Challenge Cup Knowledge Contest, a competition she had initially forgotten about after taking his place. He provided her with his review materials from previous years, emphasizing that Charlotte College had won for five consecutive years, placing significant pressure and honor on her.
Though Ye Weimian usually achieved good grades, it was her first time participating, so Gu Yanluo offered to highlight key points for her, an offer she politely declined to conceal her actual academic struggles. He then offered his personal notes, which she also declined, promising to review the materials herself.
Later, Ye Weimian's business partner excitedly informed her that the cheap T-shirts she sourced from the night market were selling exceptionally well, particularly among students from Charlotte College and nearby schools. Students were wearing them, believing it was a "Gu Yanluo style," prompting her business partner to suggest ordering even more from the factory to make a fortune.
Gu Yanluo, however, discovered Ye Weimian was not adequately preparing for the Challenge Cup, noting she had five incorrect answers out of eight in a draft. He sternly told her that the Challenge Cup concerned the honor of the entire college and that her current state would lead to their biggest defeat. He demanded she stop all other work for a week and return home on time daily to prepare.
To motivate her, he offered double pay if she complied, but threatened a double deduction if she failed. Ye Weimian questioned why he would help her, given their strained employer-employee relationship, but Gu Yanluo maintained it was solely for the glory of Charlotte College. Despite his arrogant demeanor, Ye Weimian recognized his underlying concern. He then pushed her to begin studying immediately, stating they wouldn't sleep until she got the answers right.
Episode 9 Recap
After celebrating her birthday with Gu Yanluo, Ye Zhenhan found herself in bed, wondering if she was there because of him. Gu Yanluo then playfully asked her to stand up so he could check if she had grown taller. Ye Zhenhan noticed his recent preference for short-sleeved shirts and, to express her deep gratitude, offered to personally measure him and make him a few more.
Gu Yanluo was surprised she could make clothes, to which she explained her best friend was in the fashion department and could bring her ideas to life. As she was finishing the measurements, and they were about to share a kiss, Cute Bean interrupted them, announcing the clothes were washed and needed to be hung to dry. Feeling flustered and embarrassed, Ye Zhenhan quickly ran off.
Later, at a cafe, Ye Zhenhan ordered her usual "Sweet Pure" drink and gave Lu Yao an important task: to customize all the men's short-sleeved shirts in their shop according to specific measurements she provided. Lu Yao, noticing the "good measurements," playfully suggested she might have a crush on someone. Ye Zhenhan quickly denied it, explaining she had been completely absorbed with the Challenge Cup preparations and the measurements were solely for a tutoring gift for Gu Yanluo.
Lu Yao then reminded her that the Challenge Cup was a live broadcast. He worried that if she failed to answer questions in front of the camera, she would be "exposed in front of the whole world." Ye Zhenhan agreed, admitting it would be a "disastrous blockbuster" where her public image would "fall apart" instantly. While she personally didn't care much, she emphasized that it concerned her own reputation and, more critically, Charlotte College's honor.
She declared she would "risk her life" to get through it. Lu Yao, however, doubted her ability to succeed, stating that becoming an academic genius wasn't something achieved in a day or two. When Ye Zhenhan despaired, asking what to do since the competition couldn't be cancelled, Lu Yao cleverly suggested that while the contest couldn't be cancelled, there was no rule against changing the contestant, an idea Ye Zhenhan found brilliant.
Ye Zhenhan then pondered her options for avoiding the Challenge Cup. She considered feigning a cold, imagining herself forced to drink tonic soup while studying, or even faking disfigurement by getting strawberries on her face. She quickly dismissed both ideas as too easily exposed. Determined to find a more convincing solution, she accidentally crashed her delivery scooter while trying to avoid an elderly woman, resulting in a fall.
At the outpatient clinic, a nurse assured her it was just a superficial scratch and only required some medicine. However, Ye Zhenhan pleaded with the nurse for a splint, exaggerating the potential for a lasting scar on her "beautiful white arm." The nurse refused. Seeing other patients with bandaged arms, Ye Zhenhan got an idea. She went to a pharmacy and bought medical supplies, then asked Yan Jiuyue to help her wrap her arm.
Yan Jiuyue struggled with the bandages, creating a "dead knot" and went to find scissors. While he was gone, Ye Zhenhan fell asleep. Gu Yanluo repeatedly called her phone, which Yan Jiuyue was holding, but he missed the calls. Yan Jiuyue then contacted Lu Yao, asking him to send a message to Gu Yanluo explaining that Ye Zhenhan was "sick today" and that he was "borrowing her little maid for one night" to take care of her.
The next day, Ye Zhenhan went to school, feigning a severely injured arm. She told her teacher she couldn't participate in the Challenge Cup. The teacher, seeing her condition, agreed to let her sit down. However, Fang Meimei immediately accused Ye Zhenhan of "dragging Charlotte down" by getting injured at such a "critical moment."
Xia Yuanqing added to the criticism, pointing out that the Students' Union had already prepared the backing cards and banners, and changing contestants now would result in a significant loss. More importantly, she stressed that a last-minute substitute would have insufficient time to prepare, potentially costing Charlotte College its chance at the championship. Other students also murmured, complaining about the potential loss of Charlotte's five-year winning streak. Overhearing the commotion from the classroom doorway, Gu Yanluo stepped forward.
He silenced the murmuring students and declared that he would go in Ye Zhenhan's place. He asked everyone to trust him to bring back the trophy for Charlotte. The students erupted in cheers, confident in his ability to win. Feeling immensely guilty that Gu Yanluo was taking her place and helping her so much while she had to pretend to be sick, Ye Zhenhan began to try and repay him.
She gave him a short-sleeved shirt she had personally designed, which he teasingly called "just as childish as you" but accepted as a "thank-you gift." She assured him that despite her faked injury, she was tough and would handle "all the labor work" so he could focus on preparing. She even tried to bring him a "specially made mocha," but he rejected it for being too sweet, stating he only drank Americano.
He then told her to return to her room, claiming her presence distracted him. She left him breakfast, feeling further guilt as she realized Gu Yanluo was "turning sweet" and abandoning his usual "idol facade" for her sake. She later prepared a "nutritious meal" for him, only to find that he already had a "loving lunch box" from Xia Yuanqing, making her feel her efforts were "unnecessary."
She attempted to play a game with him, but he was focused on the upcoming contest. She even brought him "soup" she made for "strengthening the body and brain." He seemed preoccupied and asked why she was acting so strangely. She confessed her nervousness, admitting that she felt it was her fault and feared he might fail, causing her to "lose face in the Pacific Ocean."
Gu Yanluo simply assured her he would "do what he promised" and told her to "keep her cheeky face." She then offered him a highly effective orthopedic medicine, and he accepted it. The Challenge Cup officially began. The contestants were introduced, including last year's champion, Gu Yanluo, from Charlotte College. When asked if he had anything to say, Gu Yanluo simply replied, "No. All is equal. Let’s get it!" He was notably wearing the short-sleeved shirt Ye Zhenhan had designed.
The competition proceeded intensely through three rounds. In the final, decisive three-point question, Gu Yanluo was only two points behind. When the opposing contestant failed to answer a complex question about welfare economics, Gu Yanluo stepped up. He skillfully explained the "trap" in the question, clarifying that the theories of welfare economics focused on "welfare fairness and efficiency" as solvable market problems, concluding that "fairness and efficiency are compatible."
His brilliant answer secured him the victory with a score of 61-56. The students erupted in cheers for Charlotte's win. Gu Yanluo modestly stated that while the trophy was a personal "milestone achievement," it represented Charlotte's "inevitable outcome" from years of cultural accumulation and a "heritage" from generations of students. He proudly declared that he "did not break his promise" and "didn’t lose his face in the Pacific Ocean." That evening, a celebration was held for Gu Yanluo's victory.
Xia Yuanqing welcomed Ye Zhenhan, noting that Gu Yanluo had "saved her" and she should express her gratitude with a drink. Fang Meimei, secretly annoyed by Ye Zhenhan's presence, proposed that they "take turns" to "get Ye Zhenhan drunk so she can remember." As others pressured Ye Zhenhan to drink, taunting her about her quick recovery, she started to feel dizzy. She tried to excuse herself, but they stopped her, calling her a "shirker" for attempting to "slip away."
Ye Zhenhan then exaggerated her dizziness, pretending to be very drunk. Just then, Gu Yanluo arrived. He advised everyone to "drink moderately," stating they were still students, and then physically took Ye Zhenhan away, carrying her despite her insistence that she could walk on her own. As he carried her, Ye Zhenhan internally grumbled, calling him a "dumbass" for making her "a thorn for all girls."
In his arms, she noticed a small figure she had made for him, realizing he still kept it. She thought about how itchy her arm was, willing herself to "hold it" and not wake up, as it would be "too embarrassing."
Episode 10 Recap
Gu Yanluo woke up confused, wondering if he had been drunk the previous night and hoping Ye Weimian hadn't noticed anything unusual. Meanwhile, Ye Weimian woke up mortified by her hazy memories. She hurried to get changed, trying to compose herself before facing him. Gu Yanluo, concerned Ye Weimian might be hungry, had already gotten up early to make breakfast.
As they sat down to eat, Ye Weimian feigned ignorance, claiming she must have been very drunk and asking if they had done anything "out of line." Gu Yanluo nonchalantly mentioned her grateful promise to be his free maid for a month, which Ye Weimian quickly dismissed as drunken ramblings. Unbeknownst to her, Gu Yanluo was trying to gauge if she remembered his kiss. Feeling awkward, Ye Weimian quickly finished her meal and made an excuse to leave.
On campus, girls eagerly chased after Gu Yanluo, trying to get photos with him while wearing identical T-shirts, jokingly calling them "couple outfits." Gu Yanluo noticed the abundance of his "same style" T-shirts and looked exasperated. The T-shirts, designed by Ye Weimian, were selling out rapidly from their online store, with the trend spreading to nearby schools.
Lu Yao cornered Ye Weimian, playfully probing her about her feelings as the woman closest to the "National School Hunk," teasing her about blushing and suggesting she was falling for Gu Yanluo. Ye Weimian strongly denied it, explaining she was merely "moved" because Gu Yanluo had helped her sister, Zhenhan, win the Challenge Cup. She insisted that being so close to him was risky, and she couldn't jeopardize her sister's future.
Gu Yanluo, recalling Ye Weimian's earlier promise to personally measure and custom-make clothes for him as a sign of her "overflowing gratitude," scoffed at the sight of the mass-produced T-shirts. He then stumbled upon a heated online forum post debating the "Xia-Luo vs. Luo-Ye" couple.
When he saw a comment disparaging Ye Weimian, questioning if she was worthy of him, Gu Yanluo, under the username "Falling Leaves Know Autumn," immediately engaged in a fierce debate with the commenter, Fang Meimei, whom he knew to be the head of the Haiyan League, defending Ye Weimian. He also noticed an announcement on the forum about the Haiyan League organizing a group order for his "same style" T-shirts.
Later, a panicked Gu Yanluo, terrified by a bee inside his home, called Ye Weimian, commanding her to return immediately. Despite her reluctance, Ye Weimian rushed back. Upon arrival, she found Gu Yanluo rigidly backed against a wall, refusing to open his room door because the bee was near it. Misunderstanding the situation, Ye Weimian initially thought there was an intruder and threatened them, only for Gu Yanluo to reveal it was just a bee.
Resourcefully, Ye Weimian dabbed honey onto a cloth-wrapped stick. As the bee was distracted by the honey, Gu Yanluo swiftly opened the door and tumbled away. Ye Weimian, holding the bee on the stick, lightheartedly suggested that "catching bees" was outside her usual service scope and implied an extra charge. She then, somewhat embarrassed, told Gu Yanluo he could "owe" her for it, promising to collect later when she thought of something.
Gu Yanluo, seeing her about to leave, swiftly snatched the stick and threw it out the window, then tried to keep her by claiming there was "another one" and that he wouldn't let her off easily for "teasing" him. Gu Yanluo then confronted Ye Weimian about why the T-shirts she had "personally designed" for him were now everywhere.
Ye Weimian quickly deflected, claiming she had only given the design draft to Lu Yao for "customization" and had no idea it had been mass-produced. She used this as an excuse to quickly leave and call Lu Yao. During their call, Lu Yao confirmed she had indeed mass-produced the shirts because they were selling well. Ye Weimian worried that Gu Yanluo would trace the design back to the Art College and discover her true identity.
Recognizing the situation was already exposed, Lu Yao decided to make the sales even more prominent, ensuring everyone knew she was the seller, thereby protecting Ye Weimian. Lu Yao launched a major promotion on her social media, announcing a "Gu Yanluo Hot T-Shirt Limited Offer" where the top three buyers would meet the "pretty shopkeeper" in person, with one lucky winner having a wish granted.
Mu Ze, thrilled by the opportunity to meet Lu Yao, placed a massive order, securing a spot among the top three. However, despite his efforts, he wasn't chosen for the special wish. Disappointed, he later gave away the stack of "Gu Yanluo same-style" T-shirts he had purchased to a group of girls on campus. Fang Meimei, seeing Ye Weimian near Gu Yanluo's residence, confronted her aggressively, demanding she return to her dorm.
As the head of the Haiyan League, she accused Ye Weimian of being a "stalker" and a "fake innocent bitch," interfering with Gu Yanluo's private life. She threatened to post photos she had taken of Ye Weimian at Gu Yanluo's house, intending to expose her to the whole school. During their heated struggle, a flower pot was knocked from a high window. The school teacher arrived at the scene.
Fang Meimei falsely claimed Ye Weimian intentionally pushed her, causing the flower pot to fall. The teacher, highly disappointed, reprimanded both for fighting in the dormitory. She chastised Fang Meimei for neglecting her studies for "chasing idols" and severely criticized Ye Weimian for her declining academic focus, her frequent appearances on the school forum, and the "love affairs" that had been publicized, including kissing photos.
The teacher concluded by informing Ye Weimian that she was no longer qualified for the exchange student program, a devastating blow to Ye Weimian. Distraught by the incident and the consequences for her sister, Zhenhan, Ye Weimian reflected on her actions. She felt she had made a grave mistake by getting involved with Gu Yanluo, knowing it was a "bomb," yet walking into it step by step. She resolved to "return everything to square one" to protect her sister's dreams.
Later, Ye Weimian prepared a meal for Gu Yanluo, knowing his particular eating habits. During the meal, Gu Yanluo was critical of her cooking, complaining about the flavors and her inattention to his preferences. He also chastised her for giving away things meant for him. Ye Weimian, feeling emotionally exhausted by his constant complaints and cold demeanor, announced that she was moving out after this meal.
Gu Yanluo, confused and upset, brought up the T-shirt issue, but Ye Weimian confessed that her past compliance was merely pretense. Gu Yanluo was visibly stunned, realizing she had been enduring their arrangement. Ye Weimian then definitively stated that she wished to terminate their contract. After leaving Gu Yanluo, Ye Weimian encountered a new male student who introduced himself by his nickname, "Aquaman."
He offered to teach her basketball for 500 RMB per class, then fishing for 200 RMB per class. Ye Weimian found it too expensive. He then offered to teach her fishing in exchange for her buying him breakfast for a month, claiming she couldn't refuse a "man who just lost his love." Ye Weimian, though hesitant, eventually agreed to the unusual deal.
Episode 11 Recap
Ye Weimian, appearing to make a definitive break, prepared a meal for Gu Yanluo, asserting her desire to terminate all their agreements and for them to return to their separate lives. Gu Yanluo, despite his inner turmoil, outwardly accepted, stating that if he meant so little to her, then so be it. Ye Weimian, however, did not hold back, expressing her frustration with his constant cold demeanor, pickiness, and the way he forced her to do things she disliked.
She packed her belongings and, despite the looming storm, walked out. Gu Yanluo, remembering her words and perhaps the small caricature of his grumpy face she left behind, grabbed an umbrella and rushed out. He frantically searched for her in the downpour, passing right by Ye Weimian, who sat on a bench, tears mingling with the rain on her face, clutching a photo of them, her sorrow overwhelming the elements.
The next day at the dormitory, Ye Weimian, who was being mistaken for Ye Zhenhan, faced confrontation from another girl who questioned her return. Later, Yan Jiuyue, addressing her as Zhenhan, approached with concern, having heard she was disciplined by a teacher. Ye Weimian, however, urged Yan Jiuyue to keep her distance to avoid trouble, explaining that as Zhenhan's close friend, the best way to support her was to pretend they weren't acquainted.
Meanwhile, Gu Yanluo, looking at Ye Weimian's payment QR code for her overtime work, transferred the money but noted she hadn't received it. Mu Ze arrived, playfully inquiring about the "nanny who stole" Gu Yanluo’s attention. He revealed that rumors were swirling at school about "your little nanny," including accusations of "throwing herself at you." He suspected that her living arrangements with Gu Yanluo had been exposed, and that she would be "crushed by your crazy fans."
Mu Ze restrained Gu Yanluo from impulsively going to her. Mu Ze, confident in his own experience, advised Gu Yanluo to "throw off his airs," critiquing Gu Yanluo's aloof and chauvinistic attitude, which, while visually appealing, was unsuited for a relationship. He recalled Ye Weimian's complaints about Gu Yanluo's coldness and demanding nature. Mu Ze concluded that to protect Ye Zhenhan from gossip, Gu Yanluo simply needed to publicly declare her as his legitimate girlfriend.
Later, Gu Yanluo messaged Ye Weimian, addressing her as Ye Zhenhan, stating his intuition told him she wanted to talk and proposed a meeting at the school gate after class. Gu Yanluo expressed concern that she might not come, thinking it would be more effective to tempt her with money. Mu Ze, upon hearing this, scoffed, criticizing Gu Yanluo for "stealing villain's lines" despite his "leading man" looks.
Mu Ze, drawing from his extensive romantic history, assured Gu Yanluo that his message would make Ye Weimian’s heart race. He envisioned her agreeing to meet, and upon her arrival, Gu Yanluo would sweep her into his car in front of everyone, where flowers and gifts would complete her romantic "melting." However, Ye Weimian, busy distributing flyers, flatly replied that she was "busy" and "needed to work," completely derailing Mu Ze's elaborate plan.
Mu Ze, frustrated, suggested tracking her work route, but Gu Yanluo refused. Mu Ze emphasized that to win a girl, Gu Yanluo must shed his "god-like" image, or risk losing her to another. As Ye Weimian diligently distributed flyers for a new milk tea shop, offering a discount, Gu Yanluo discreetly paid people to take the flyers, quickly exhausting her supply. Elated, Ye Weimian exclaimed her luck and asked her boss, Lin, for a reward.
However, Lin, suspicious, informed her that the "promotion" didn't count because someone was clearly buying all the flyers. Ye Weimian, shocked, looked around and spotted Gu Yanluo surrounded by people, collecting and paying for the flyers. She turned to leave, but Gu Yanluo caught up, addressing her as Ye Zhenhan, asserting she must have time to talk. Ye Weimian insisted she was busy and reiterated their agreement to return to their separate lives.
Gu Yanluo refused to accept this, claiming they couldn't simply go back. As she tried to walk away again, he forcefully picked her up, ignoring her protests that he was hurting her, and placed her in his car. Gu Yanluo drove Ye Weimian to a secluded area. Holding a bouquet, he confessed his recent self-reflection, admitting he had been too harsh on her and promised to improve.
He suggested they "get to know each other in another way," asking her to see him as a normal guy, not her employer, and then asked directly, "Ye Zhenhan, do you like me?" Before she could answer, a specific ringtone for an urgent call interrupted them. It was from Doctor Wang at the hospital, requesting Ye Zhenhan's family to come quickly, as Ye Zhenhan’s condition was improving, her fingers had moved, and she showed signs of waking from her coma.
Ye Weimian, overwhelmed, apologized and insisted she had to leave immediately. As she walked away, a dejected Gu Yanluo watched her. With tears in her eyes, she looked back at him and confessed, "Gu Yanluo, I like you. I really like you so much. But… I’m sorry. I’m not the girl you imagined." Just then, fireworks illuminated the sky, captivating Ye Weimian as she watched them, her emotions visible.
At the hospital, the doctor reassured Ye Zhenhan's family (including Gu Yanluo's sister, who mentioned reading a novel to Ye Zhenhan) that Ye Zhenhan's condition was indeed improving and she was reacting to specific stimuli, making a full recovery likely. Gu Yanluo's sister expressed hope for Ye Zhenhan's full recovery and return to her original life, stating that this might be the best outcome for them all.
At school, the Mechanical Engineering and Finance Departments were scheduled for dodgeball, and due to overlapping times, their classes were merged. A student proposed a joint team training to foster cooperation and morale. Ye Weimian, addressed as Ye Zhenhan by her classmates, was pressured into joining the Finance Department team despite her protests about poor athletic ability and fear of embarrassing the class. During the game, Ye Weimian initially tried to avoid the ball, relying on Gu Yanluo.
However, as the game intensified, leaving only her and Gu Yanluo against two opponents, some classmates openly questioned her previous lack of effort, accusing her of "muddling." When a ball was thrown towards her, Gu Yanluo bravely shielded her, taking the hit himself. Inspired, Ye Weimian stepped forward, catching the final ball, securing the victory for the Finance Department, but sustaining an injury in the process.
After their win, classmates congratulated her but also criticized her for seemingly only trying her best at the end, implying she had been "slacking" or purposely trying to get close to Gu Yanluo. Gu Yanluo, addressing her as Ye Zhenhan in his defense, interjected, reminding them that she had "done her best and even got injured for the honor today." He challenged their gossip and asked who truly won the game. He then insisted on applying medicine to her injury, explaining that proper application was necessary to prevent further swelling, despite her protests.
Episode 12 Recap
Gu Yanluo gently applied medicine to Ye Weimian's injured foot by a serene lake, despite her protests. He insisted on thorough application, warning that improper movement could worsen the swelling by rupturing capillaries. He then pressed her to answer a question he had asked previously: whether she hated him. Ye Weimian smiled, admitting she had indeed overheard his confession that day and had been feigning ignorance. She asserted that she was the most clear-headed person between them.
She confessed her deep affection for him, admiring his confidence, courage, talent, charming arrogance, and even his aloofness, ego, and pride—liking everything about him. However, she emphasized that affection did not equate to suitability for a relationship. She explained that they belonged to different worlds; he was always radiant with a clear vision for his future, studies, and life, while she was a transparent figure who barely dared to utter the word "future."
She didn't want to live in his shadow, nor did she want her every move to be scrutinized or become gossip if their relationship were known. Ultimately, she reiterated that she was not Ye Zhenhan and could not act recklessly under Zhenhan's identity, stressing her commitment to protecting Zhenhan until she woke up. Gu Yanluo felt deeply hurt by what he perceived as her shallow perspective on their feelings.
Soon after, Lu Yao, informed by Mu Ze about Ye Weimian’s injury, rushed to her side, initially thinking her foot might be broken from a P. E. class mishap. She quickly realized Ye Weimian’s tears stemmed from her recent interaction with Gu Yanluo, specifically after rejecting his confession.
Lu Yao reflected on the potential misfortune of encountering someone too outstanding, explaining that such a person, once missed, could make all subsequent encounters seem incomparable, likening it to the saying, "missing one Yang Guo means a lifetime of regret." Ye Weimian, firm in her convictions, affirmed that she was Ye Weimian, not Ye Zhenhan, and that Gu Yanluo’s current perception of her was not her true self, meaning he might not even like the real her.
She reiterated her stance that she could not afford any more risks and must prioritize protecting Zhenhan. Meanwhile, Mu Ze, having learned from Gu Yanluo about his rejected confession, exuberantly tried to offer advice. He suggested that rejection was not necessarily a bad thing, as women sometimes believe that a relationship that progresses too quickly lacks depth, and that multiple rejections could affirm their importance and a man's sincerity.
Gu Yanluo dismissed this, stating that Ye Zhenhan was not like those women. Mu Ze persisted, claiming Gu Yanluo, as a "straight man," couldn't understand women's complex thought processes and urged him to be resilient in love. Gu Yanluo challenged Mu Ze to first succeed in his own romantic pursuits before offering lectures. Just then, Lu Yao called, and Mu Ze proudly displayed his phone, boasting that he had finally melted her "heart of stone."
Lu Yao had called Mu Ze to discuss the predicament between Gu Yanluo and Ye Weimian, expressing her desire to end their constant push-and-pull. She gave Mu Ze three days to devise a solution, threatening to blacklist him if he failed. Mu Ze reluctantly accepted the challenge. Concurrently, Gu Yanluo was called upon to fill in for a guest professor, leading a livestream lecture that was expected to be lengthy.
Separately, the school announced an upcoming visit from a delegation, requiring the cultural wall to be repainted and updated with the theme "Love and life." As Gu Yanluo, who usually managed the wall, was occupied, the teacher sought volunteers. Most students hesitated to modify Gu Yanluo's previous work, but Ye Weimian, despite the skepticism of her peers and the looming rain, bravely stepped forward to help, promising to do a good job.
As Ye Weimian diligently worked on the cultural wall, contemplating the "Love and life" theme and what elements were still missing, it began to rain heavily, threatening to ruin her work. Distraught, she stumbled backward, fell, and fainted. Gu Yanluo, who had been observing from afar, quickly rushed to catch her. He then took her to the hospital where a doctor informed Ye Weimian that she had collapsed from malnutrition, exhaustion, and exposure to the rain.
Immediately concerned for the cultural wall and Ye Zhenhan’s reputation, Ye Weimian tried to get up. The doctor reassured her that Gu Yanluo had brought her and had taken responsibility for the school matters, advising her to rest. Ye Weimian insisted on returning to school early the next morning. Lu Yao drove her back, and Ye Weimian was astonished to find the cultural wall beautifully completed, prompting her to thank Gu Yanluo.
He downplayed his action, stating that as the Student Union President, it was his duty to protect the college’s image. Observing Ye Weimian's low spirits, Lu Yao resolved to lift her mood. She successfully convinced Ye Weimian to go for a relaxing drive, despite Ye Weimian's initial reluctance due to missed classes. Meanwhile, Mu Ze led Gu Yanluo to a beautifully arranged romantic spot, declaring it his "highlight moment."
He announced his grand plan to propose to Lu Yao there, offering Gu Yanluo a "free lecture" on executing a meticulously prepared, sincere, and unprecedented romantic confession. Mu Ze detailed his strategy: he would confess inside a "love letter house" and instructed Gu Yanluo to prepare a speaker and a bouquet of flowers to serve as "Plan B" if the initial confession didn't succeed, emphasizing the importance of timely assistance.
Lu Yao and Ye Weimian arrived at the same picturesque location. Lu Yao, initially believing Mu Ze was genuinely helping her resolve the situation between Gu Yanluo and Ye Weimian, was infuriated to discover he had used the occasion for his own romantic agenda. Mu Ze, undeterred, called out to Lu Yao, directing her via her phone’s location if she wished to proceed with their 'plan.' Following the directions, Lu Yao found Mu Ze by the "love letter house."
Feigning interest, she invited him inside, and noticing a key in the lock, tricked him into entering first before swiftly locking him in. Mu Ze, trapped, cried out in protest. Lu Yao returned to Ye Weimian, briefly explaining that Mu Ze had "asked for trouble himself." Spotting a "Flower Sea Treasure Hunt" activity, Lu Yao cunningly suggested Ye Weimian participate, promising to rejoin her, then subtly slipped away.
She quickly located Gu Yanluo and, with dramatic urgency, informed him that Ye Weimian had gotten lost during the treasure hunt in the vast park, and her injured foot made her vulnerable as darkness approached. Gu Yanluo anxiously demanded to know where they had last seen each other and immediately rushed off in the direction Lu Yao indicated.
From his confinement, Mu Ze chuckled, realizing Lu Yao’s clever ruse, knowing that Ye Weimian, despite her claims, was perfectly capable of navigating on her own, especially given her experience with part-time jobs around the city. Gu Yanluo eventually found Ye Weimian amidst the flowers. Seizing the moment, he presented her with a direct proposal: "Would you like to be my girlfriend? If it’s a yes, then accept the flowers.
If it’s a no, you may turn around and leave now." Ye Weimian hesitated, but a sudden bee sent her swatting, inadvertently grabbing the bouquet from his hand. Gu Yanluo, seizing the opportunity, declared her acceptance: "You took the flowers. You’re mine now. You can’t run away from me." Despite her attempts to explain it was because of the bee, Gu Yanluo insisted she had accepted.
They then shared a kiss, sealing their reconciliation, as observed by Lu Yao and Mu Ze through a distant telescope. Gu Yanluo, in a lighthearted moment, playfully offered to catch all the fish in the pond for Ye Weimian, calling himself a "playboy" to her amusement. The scene then shifted to a hospital where Ye Zhenhan finally stirred and awoke. Ye Weimian entered the room, quietly telling her, "Ye Weimian, I’m back."
Episode 13 Recap
In a vivid dream, Gu Yanluo rode a horse with Ye Weimian, only for him to suddenly declare that she was not Ye Zhenhan. Ye Weimian awoke with a jolt, relieved it was merely a dream. Her alarm failed to ring, forcing her to quickly dress and rush out the door, late for her English broadcast. She reflected on her current predicament: three months prior, her twin sister, Ye Zhenhan, had fallen into a coma after an accident.
To keep Ye Zhenhan's dreams alive, Ye Weimian had taken her place, secretly enrolling in the Finance Department while maintaining her true identity as a top student in the Fashion Department. This double life, a beautiful accident, was now facing its biggest challenge. That day, Ye Weimian was scheduled to give an English speech live. Despite her talent for acting, she found herself increasingly forgetting her lines as the time approached.
Just as panic set in, Ye Zhenhan, having woken from her coma, arrived. The sisters quickly switched places in the bathroom, allowing Ye Zhenhan to take the stage. She delivered the speech flawlessly, even improvising when she forgot the prepared script. Gu Yanluo, who had helped prepare the original speech, noticed her changed approach and seemed perplexed.
After the broadcast, he reminded her of a promise: she was to bake cookies for him in return for his help with the speech. Gu Yanluo and Ye Zhenhan then headed to the supermarket to buy baking ingredients. Unbeknownst to him, Ye Weimian followed closely behind. Knowing that Ye Zhenhan wasn't adept at baking, the sisters had planned another identity swap. As soon as the opportunity arose, Ye Weimian stealthily took Ye Zhenhan's place.
Back at Gu Yanluo's home, Ye Weimian unpacked the groceries, dismayed to find that Ye Zhenhan had purchased an odd assortment of items including chips and plums, alongside the eggs and flour. She jokingly wondered if her sister was trying to prank her, but resigned herself to trying the strange recipe, hoping it wouldn't cause an explosion in the oven. When the unconventional cookies were ready, Ye Weimian hesitated, reluctant to offer them to Gu Yanluo.
He playfully snatched one, took a bite, and with an exaggerated performance, claimed they were "still tasty." Ye Weimian immediately saw through his feigned politeness and questioned if he would resent her if she, too, told him a "white lie." Gu Yanluo retorted that she had already told him many lies, recalling their first meeting when she introduced herself as Lu Yao, even though he believed her to be Ye Zhenhan.
Ye Weimian silently acknowledged that her real name wasn't Ye Zhenhan either, a secret she dared not reveal. Later, her friend asked her, addressing her as Lu Yao, what she would do if she discovered her boyfriend's identity and name were fake. Ye Weimian, acting as Lu Yao, dramatically declared she would "kill him."
The conversation prompted Ye Weimian to realize that Ye Zhenhan's imminent return to the Finance Department, combined with everyone's belief that Ye Zhenhan was Gu Yanluo's girlfriend, would inevitably expose her secret. She decided she had to confess to Gu Yanluo before he discovered the truth himself.
Meanwhile, Mu Ze consistently tried to "accidentally" encounter Ye Weimian, persistent despite her playful rejection, where she listed ninety-nine humorous reasons why she didn't like him, from his bad hairstyle and taste in flowers to his "too many tricks" and "dishonesty." Determined to confess, Ye Weimian meticulously prepared a romantic setting at home, complete with colorful ribbons and a special "loving heart" she made. On their seventy-second day together, she began to tell Gu Yanluo she had an important secret.
However, before she could reveal anything, Gu Yanluo's mother unexpectedly arrived. Delighted by their seemingly rapid relationship development, Gu Mom immediately brought up the topic of engagement, even presenting a gift. Caught off guard, Ye Weimian stammered that engagement was too sudden as they didn't know each other well. Overwhelmed, she quickly excused herself, leaving Gu Yanluo to awkwardly explain to his mother.
Ye Weimian internally lamented how her carefully planned confession had transformed into an embarrassing scene of forced marriage. The next day at school, Ye Zhenhan, back in her role, sat noticeably far from Gu Yanluo. He subtly messaged her, prompting her to sit closer to avoid suspicion.
After class, Gu Yanluo tried to press Ye Zhenhan about the "secret" she had alluded to the previous night, but Yan Jiuyue intervened, inviting Ye Zhenhan to help at the library, much to Gu Yanluo's apparent jealousy. Later, at the library, Yan Jiuyue expressed concern about Ye Zhenhan taking on a part-time job, given her need to catch up on studies.
Ye Zhenhan, however, insisted on continuing to work at the library, stating her desire to understand and share her sister's burden. As Gu Yanluo visited the library, he saw Ye Zhenhan there. Coincidentally, his phone rang, and it was Ye Weimian on the line, arranging to tell him her secret face-to-face that evening.
Holding his phone, Gu Yanluo looked at Ye Zhenhan across the room, realizing the person in front of him was not the one he was speaking to on the phone. He began to reflect on Ye Weimian's secretive nature, wondering about her many "tricks" and what the "missing 1%" of his supposed perfection meant.
Episode 14 Recap
Picking up from the previous episode where Gu Yanluo had grown suspicious of Ye Weimian's true identity, this episode begins with Ye Weimian planning to reveal her true identity to Gu Yanluo that evening. She told a friend that she would "carry out her confession plan" and "make him forgive her immediately" with a gift she had prepared, confident in her charm. Gu Yanluo, however, already knew the truth.
After Ye Weimian confirmed meeting him at "their happy home" via a phone call, Gu Yanluo took the real Ye Zhenhan to a separate location, confiscating her phone when she tried to text her sister, telling her not to always play with her phone. When they arrived at his home, Gu Yanluo waited at the door. Upon Ye Weimian's arrival, Gu Yanluo called out the real Ye Zhenhan, presenting both sisters. The real Ye Zhenhan exclaimed "Sis!"
upon seeing Ye Weimian. Gu Yanluo then confronted Ye Weimian, asking her to state her true name, "Ye Weimian," and identity, "a third-year student of the Fashion Department." Ye Weimian confessed that several months ago, her sister, Ye Zhenhan, fell into a coma after a car accident. To preserve Ye Zhenhan's exchange student quota, Ye Weimian had impersonated her in the Finance Department, never expecting to meet Gu Yanluo.
She admitted she had intended to leave once Zhenhan recovered, but clarified that meeting him was an unexpected stroke of luck. Gu Yanluo questioned her, asking if she planned to leave without telling him and what he meant to her after all this time. Ye Weimian stated she had been looking for a chance to confess.
Gu Yanluo angrily confronted Ye Weimian, expressing his frustration that despite their long relationship, she had countless opportunities to confess, yet he didn't even know his own girlfriend's true identity, questioning if he was so untrustworthy. He demanded to know what he meant to her.
When Ye Weimian tried to explain, Gu Yanluo angrily pushed away the card she held, bearing loving messages such as "You are the joy of my youth" and "I like you," causing his hand to be cut. Seeing this, Ye Weimian, unable to bear his anger, attempted to suggest a breakup, which Gu Yanluo swiftly cut off, before she fled.
Gu Yanluo watched her leave, then picked up the card and discovered the gift she had brought for him – a uniquely designed short-sleeved shirt – which brought back a flood of shared memories. Ye Weimian returned with medicine, ignoring Gu Yanluo's bitter question about her return after fleeing. She insisted on treating his wound, apologizing repeatedly and admitting her fear of telling him, knowing how angry he would be.
She explained that despite her fake name and identity, her feelings for him were undeniably true. She confessed that her deep affection and fear of losing him were why she hesitated to reveal the truth. Gu Yanluo acknowledged her feelings but stated her biggest mistake wasn't the initial deception, but the subsequent concealment, which showed a lack of basic trust—a critical and often fatal flaw in a relationship.
He also admonished her for suggesting a breakup when making a mistake, calling it irresponsible. Ye Weimian apologized profusely and promised never to suggest breaking up again.
To solidify their reconciliation, Gu Yanluo outlined seven "Boyfriend Privileges" she had to agree to: never lying to him, never breaking up with him regardless of circumstances, coming to him immediately with any problems, always answering his calls and texts, proactively reporting her whereabouts outside class and being available when called, treating him differently from other men, and ensuring any gift for him was unique.
Ye Weimian readily agreed to all, vowing to remember them clearly, even accepting that he might add more rules in the future. Their reconciliation was sealed with affectionate greetings, with Ye Weimian affectionately calling him "my kind and arrogant boyfriend, Face-saving Gu." Ye Zhenhan later apologized to Yan Jiuyue for the trouble she caused for her sister and Gu Yanluo.
Yan Jiuyue reassured her, explaining that meeting people and falling in love are rare probabilities, and it was precisely because of Ye Zhenhan that Gu Yanluo and Ye Weimian were able to meet and fall in love so fortunately. Ye Zhenhan thanked him for his comforting words. Later, while looking at a college noticeboard, Ye Zhenhan excitedly pointed out an upcoming GS Fashion Competition to Ye Weimian, urging her to participate given her talent.
Ye Weimian initially dismissed the idea, citing the cost and uncertain outcome, preferring to focus on her studies. However, Ye Zhenhan expressed her desire to support Ye Weimian’s dreams, just as Ye Weimian had always supported hers. Meanwhile, Mu Ze noticed Lu Yao's dirty motorcycle parked nearby and decided to wash it for her with a water gun. Their attempt at cleaning quickly devolved into a playful water gun fight, filling the air with laughter.
Simultaneously, a "breaking news" post appeared on the school forum, orchestrated by Gu Yanluo, announcing that Gu Yanluo and Ye Zhenhan had "broken up amicably." This strategic leak was intended to allow Ye Weimian and her sister, Ye Zhenhan, to gradually return to their true identities without suspicion. However, it also meant Gu Yanluo and Ye Weimian's relationship had to remain secret for the time being.
The news spread rapidly across the campus, prompting students, including Gu Yanluo's cousin Siwan and his friend Mu Ze, to question him. Gu Yanluo consistently confirmed the amicable breakup, even enduring jokes from Mu Ze about being "dumped" and looking "haggard." Later, Mu Ze offered Gu Yanluo a drink, commiserating about both of them falling for "her two sisters," suggesting that Mu Ze was also pursuing someone related to the Ye sisters.
As Ye Weimian was outside, cheerfully handing out ice cream samples, a brown Buick (license plate Luo A 88888) suddenly pulled up, and she was forcibly pulled inside. Lu Yao, who witnessed the abduction, called out Ye Weimian's name and immediately chased the car, but couldn't catch up. She quickly called Gu Yanluo to report that Ye Weimian had been kidnapped, providing the vehicle's description and license plate number.
Recognizing the car, Gu Yanluo instructed Lu Yao to continue following it while he took charge of resolving the situation. Inside the car, a terrified Ye Weimian desperately pleaded for her release, claiming she was a bad target for kidnapping. However, upon hearing the voice of her abductor, she immediately recognized him as Mu Ze. She then cleverly feigned a call to the police, loudly stating his name.
Mu Ze quickly snatched her phone, pointing out the futility of her bluff since her eyes were covered and she couldn't actually dial. He explained that he was simply picking her up to help her reunite with Gu Yanluo, her "fated lover." Gu Yanluo then called Mu Ze, demanding an explanation.
Mu Ze, seemingly trying to "help" Gu Yanluo by arranging a reunion, told him that he was bringing the girl he had been "missing" and they could "talk with her to get her back." He then instructed Gu Yanluo to meet them at the Gallery Cafe. At the Gallery Cafe, Mu Ze and Ye Weimian were seen casually sipping coffee.
Lu Yao soon burst in, immediately confronting and hitting Mu Ze for his rash actions, accusing him of making her look foolish. Mu Ze, while trying to explain it wasn't a real kidnapping, was cut short by Lu Yao, who then took Ye Weimian away, suggesting they get some good coffee. Gu Yanluo arrived shortly after, checking on Ye Weimian's well-being before turning to Mu Ze.
He demanded to know what was going on, sensing Mu Ze was hiding something significant. Mu Ze admitted the gravity of the situation, explaining his actions were an attempt to protect the secret of the twin sisters' identities from being exposed, fearing it would become headline news.
Just as Ye Weimian and Lu Yao returned with two cups of coffee, Gu Yanluo firmly declared to Mu Ze, "Ye Weimian is my only girlfriend," a statement that brought a joyous smile to Ye Weimian's face. Lu Yao then playfully suggested Mu Ze either continue being the "third wheel" or join them for a ride.
Episode 15 Recap
Gu Yanluo inquired if Ye Weimian knew the man who had just bumped into her. Ye Weimian confirmed that she had known him since they were children, adding that despite his current arrogant demeanor, he used to be a snotty boy who followed her around. She clarified, however, that they weren't exactly childhood sweethearts as he moved away after primary school and they lost touch. Shortly after, Lu Yao realized she had left her helmet at the cafe.
Mu Ze, seeing an opportunity, deliberately poured water into Lu Yao's motorcycle engine, rendering it useless, so he could offer her a ride home. Mu Ze then arranged for a trailer, promising to safely transport both Lu Yao and her motorcycle back to school and handle all repairs. Lu Yao, visibly upset, explained that the motorcycle was a cherished birthday gift from her deceased father, which she had always protected meticulously without even a scratch.
Mu Ze realized the gravity of his actions, vowing to fix it quickly to prevent her father from getting angry, only for Lu Yao to reveal her father had passed away, leaving Mu Ze internally distraught over his thoughtless act. Meanwhile, Zuo Sichen's agent persistently tried to convince him to be a judge for a fashion competition, emphasizing that it would significantly boost his popularity and fame in China, especially since a contract had already been signed.
Sichen initially refused, asserting he didn't need a competition to increase his popularity. Just as his agent was about to give up, Sichen's gaze fell upon a photograph of Ye Weimian, prompting him to unexpectedly agree to be a judge, much to his agent's disbelief and excitement. Separately, Ye Zhenhan called Ye Weimian to ask for advice on a birthday gift for Yan Jiuyue.
Ye Weimian recounted that Yan Jiuyue had once given Ye Zhenhan a wooden plaque inscribed with "work together with him and fight for a bright future" when he mistook Ye Zhenhan for Ye Weimian. Ye Weimian then playfully remarked that whatever Ye Zhenhan chose, it would hardly be more extravagant than Jiuyue's past gift, adding that they seemed "perfectly matched." Not long after, Zuo Sichen arrived at the school, having waited for Ye Weimian.
Their reunion was warm, filled with reminiscences of their childhood, including a shared memory about a sugar painting and how Zuo Sichen used to be timid but had now become a brilliant artist, even winning an award at La Biennale di Venezia. He explained that he had attended the school as an exchange student abroad during his first year, which was why they hadn't met on campus before.
Unbeknownst to them, Mu Ze observed their interaction from a distance, capturing several photos. Mu Ze wasted no time in presenting these photos to Gu Yanluo, highlighting Zuo Sichen's impressive accomplishments, including his artistic talent, international exchange student status, and invitation to judge the GS Fashion Competition. Mu Ze pressed Gu Yanluo about his apparent lack of "sense of crisis," emphasizing that Zuo Sichen was a "strong rival in love."
Gu Yanluo, however, already knew of Zuo Sichen and Ye Weimian's childhood acquaintance, dismissing Mu Ze's concerns and advising him to focus on resolving his own personal issues instead of spreading alarmist rumors. Later, Gu Yanluo invited Ye Weimian to meet him at the night market, where he won a doll for her at a claw game. He inquired about her day, and she candidly recounted her activities, including her encounter with Zuo Sichen, whom she praised for his accomplishments.
Gu Yanluo, displeased by her admiration for Zuo Sichen, abruptly left her, causing Ye Weimian to lament how difficult young men were to please. Still feeling hungry after Gu Yanluo's sudden departure, Ye Weimian returned home to prepare some midnight snacks. As they were about to eat, Gu Yanluo, seemingly trying to reconcile, initiated a playful "quick Q&A" game with Ye Weimian.
He asked about her virtues, to which she humorously replied, praising his good looks and athletic ability while teasing him about his occasional stern face and the pressure of being his girlfriend. Gu Yanluo then playfully asserted his "boyfriend status" before an unexpected visitor arrived. Xia Yuanqing unexpectedly appeared with a cake, asserting that she feared Gu Yanluo was feeling down after his recent breakup. Gu Yanluo, who stated he didn't eat sweets, tried to decline the cake.
Xia Yuanqing then asked for a glass of hot water and began to subtly snoop around, almost discovering Ye Weimian hidden nearby, before Gu Yanluo firmly directed her to leave. Separately, Lu Yao's motorcycle engine was confirmed to be irreparable and had been out of production for a long time. The mechanic noted water damage and changes in oil quality. Despite Lu Yao's protests that she had never added water, the engine was deemed beyond repair.
Mu Ze, unwavering in his determination to help Lu Yao, asked for the engine model, promising he would find a replacement for her. Gu Yanluo later visited a store, seeking a gift for Ye Weimian. A staff member suggested he could design and make a gift himself. Meanwhile, Mu Ze, acting as a strategist, advised Gu Yanluo on planning a romantic love confession, emphasizing the importance of atmosphere.
He suggested filling Ye Weimian's home with flowers, balloons, and her favorite toys, then presenting her with a handmade bracelet and confessing his desire to be with her forever. Later that evening, Xia Yuanqing called Gu Yanluo from a bar, questioning why he wouldn't accept her even after his breakup and why he didn't like her. Gu Yanluo advised her to stop drinking and call Fang Meimei for a ride home.
However, Xia Yuanqing feigned a harassment incident, crying for help and exaggerating her fear, compelling Gu Yanluo to come to her aid at the bar. Upon his arrival, Xia Yuanqing refused to take a taxi back to school, claiming fear of the dorm supervisor and the lateness of the hour, as well as her wet clothes and the incident.
She pleaded with Gu Yanluo to allow her to change clothes at his house, asserting that the school was the safest place and she would leave immediately afterward. Gu Yanluo reluctantly agreed, considering their families' long-standing friendship, but warned her it was the last time he would help. He directed her to a bedroom to change. Inside, Xia Yuanqing picked a T-shirt, but Gu Yanluo told her to choose another, saying that one was the "cheapest."
Xia Yuanqing then realized it was a shirt Ye Weimian had given him. Observing the room, she noticed it was decorated, deducing Gu Yanluo intended to reconcile with Ye Weimian. She confronted him, demanding to know what made her inferior to Ye Weimian, and offered to change herself to fit his preference for "such a girl," implying Ye Weimian was a "neighbor girl." Gu Yanluo firmly rejected her advances, attempting to make her leave.
As Xia Yuanqing clung to him, desperately proclaiming her long-standing love and their perceived status as a "perfect couple" in the eyes of their "fans who support our relationship" due to their family backgrounds, Ye Weimian arrived and witnessed the scene.
Meanwhile, Mu Ze reflected on Gu Yanluo's changed demeanor, noting how "love makes a cool guy odd," and mused about the romantic message of the T-shirt Ye Weimian had given him, which when read backward, conveyed "My beloved young man is you."
Episode 16 Recap
Ye Weimian saw Gu Yanluo being embraced by Xia Yuanqing, who was wearing the couple T-shirt that Ye Weimian and Gu Yanluo had previously worn. As Ye Weimian ran away in distress, Gu Yanluo tried to pursue her, but Xia Yuanqing repeatedly blocked his path, yelling at him not to go and asserting that he and Ye Weimian would never be together.
Gu Yanluo called out to Ye Weimian, but she left in a taxi, internally vowing never to see him again and calling him a "badass." Back home, Ye Weimian took a long shower, sobbing uncontrollably. The next morning, her friend, Ye Zhenhan, expressed concern upon seeing Ye Weimian's swollen eyes, asking if she had been bullied.
Ye Weimian brushed it off, claiming she had stayed up late for a design draft, playfully adding she suffered from late nights but couldn't sleep in. She then feigned a call from Zuo Sichen to make a quick exit. Zuo Sichen, seeing her still downcast after helping her perfect a design draft, praised her talent, calling her a "stroke of genius" and a "genius."
He then took her out to lift her spirits, mentioning that he too had someone he liked and she was the loveliest in his eyes. Meanwhile, Gu Yanluo stared at his phone, filled with unanswered calls and messages to Ye Weimian, realizing the depth of her hurt. When Mu Ze arrived, asking about the "battle" of the previous night, Gu Yanluo had eagerly opened the door, mistakenly hoping it was Ye Weimian.
Mu Ze, assuming success, asked about Ye Weimian, but Gu Yanluo curtly stated, "She's gone," his demeanor clearly betraying a failed reconciliation. Zuo Sichen successfully cheered Ye Weimian up by taking her to a trampoline park. He then proposed they visit their childhood countryside home for inspiration for his graduation exhibition, which focused on the theme of childhood, and to see their grandmother.
Ye Weimian initially hesitated about going alone with him, but softened at the mention of her grandmother, agreeing it would be more relaxing than the trampoline park. Just then, Gu Yanluo appeared, trying to speak with Ye Weimian, but she curtly told him she had no time. He confronted her about her double standards, pointing out she had no time to explain or answer his calls but plenty of time to play with someone else.
Ye Weimian retorted, questioning if only he was allowed to meet others. Zuo Sichen announced that Ye Weimian had already agreed to his plan, and a tense exchange ensued. Gu Yanluo introduced himself as Ye Weimian's boyfriend, to which Zuo Sichen confidently replied, "For the time being," adding that he would take care of her from now on, having thanked Gu Yanluo for his temporary care.
Gu Yanluo, still fuming, played basketball with Mu Ze, who advised him to stop being "lukewarm" and apologize quickly to Ye Weimian. Mu Ze warned that a cold war would only push her away, especially with a "genius painter" like Zuo Sichen constantly by her side. Later, at home, Gu Yanluo's mother chastised him for coming back alone, urging him to take better care of his girlfriend and show his feelings, not just professionalism.
When Gu Yanluo inquired if they could change a judge for the upcoming GS Fashion Competition, his sister immediately shot down the idea, explaining that the preliminary rounds were over, and the finals were too close for such a change. His mother also expressed surprise at his sudden interest. As Gu Yanluo tried to leave, his mother stopped him, sternly instructing him never to return home alone again, only with Ye Weimian.
While Ye Weimian packed for the countryside, Ye Zhenhan playfully asked if she was abandoning Gu Yanluo to "run away" with her childhood sweetheart. Ye Weimian clarified she was simply going to visit her grandmother and needed to calm down. As Ye Weimian left her apartment, Gu Yanluo was waiting at her door, questioning her destination and urging her not to leave in anger. Ye Weimian dismissed him as narcissistic, insisting she was merely taking a trip with a friend.
When Gu Yanluo pressed if that friend was Zuo Sichen, Ye Weimian sharply told him it was "none of his business." Moments later, Zuo Sichen arrived in his red car, apologizing for his slight delay. Ye Weimian quickly got in, and they drove off. Gu Yanluo, unwilling to let them go, immediately got into his own car, scoffing at Zuo Sichen as a "stalker," and initiated a high-speed chase, both cars racing towards the countryside.
Upon reaching the familiar countryside, Ye Weimian and Zuo Sichen were warmly greeted by their grandmother. Zuo Sichen embraced her, and Grandma affectionately recalled him as "Sichen," noting how much he had grown and how handsome he had become. Gu Yanluo then entered, introducing himself as Ye Weimian's boyfriend, which Grandma seemed pleased with. Zuo Sichen immediately attempted to undermine Gu Yanluo, telling Grandma not to trust him as he often made Ye Weimian angry.
Grandma, however, defended Gu Yanluo, remembering how mischievous Ye Weimian used to be. As Ye Weimian and Grandma went to gather peaches, Gu Yanluo paced anxiously outside Ye Weimian's room, observed by Zuo Sichen. Zuo Sichen provoked Gu Yanluo, questioning why a pampered young master like him would follow them to suffer hardship, and challenging him to a competition. Gu Yanluo declared he would do "anything" related to Ye Weimian.
Later, in the garden, Zuo Sichen, instead of helping, played with nutrient solution, getting his clothes wet and drawing Grandma's attention. He then continued to disparage Gu Yanluo, accusing him of being useless in farm work, having a bad temper, and even daring to drop their family's sickle. The boys, now dirty, returned to the house, both declaring they needed to shower. With only one bathroom, Grandma playfully suggested they shower together.
Grandma explained that she had only prepared Ye Weimian's childhood room, expecting her alone, so Gu Yanluo and Zuo Sichen would have to share. Ye Weimian brought out her old childhood quilt, and though Grandma worried it was too small for two young men, both Gu Yanluo and Zuo Sichen insisted it was perfectly fine, each eyeing it for themselves.
As soon as Grandma and Ye Weimian retired for the night, the two rivals instantly began a comical tug-of-war over the quilt, refusing to let go, accusing each other of trying to ruin it. Zuo Sichen finally proposed a deal to end the deadlock: "Who pays more gets the quilt." Gu Yanluo confidently offered to pay double whatever Zuo Sichen proposed. Zuo Sichen then revealed his "price": a secret from Ye Weimian's childhood.
Faced with the choice, Gu Yanluo relented, giving up the quilt. However, Zuo Sichen's "secret" turned out to be that "she doesn’t have a secret," leaving Gu Yanluo infuriated at having been outsmarted. The next morning, as Ye Weimian and Zuo Sichen discussed art and Zuo Sichen gave guidance on her sketches, the sounds of Gu Yanluo and Zuo Sichen still squabbling could be heard from their room.
Episode 17 Recap
Ye Weimian, Zuo Sichen, and another friend returned for dinner after a morning of sketching, only to find Gu Yanluo had not come back. Worried, Ye Weimian volunteered to find him. Despite the darkening sky and the sudden rain, Ye Weimian set out, calling for Gu Yanluo, certain he would not have an umbrella. She suspected he might be sleeping in his car or still at their morning sketching spot.
Meanwhile, Mu Ze had located a suitable engine for Lu Yao’s motorcycle at a shop, excitedly telling her it would be a "big surprise." He brought Lu Yao to the shop, but the owner explained the engine was a discontinued model, kept only as a collector's item and not for sale. The owner recognized Mu Ze, recalling how Mu Ze had poured water into Lu Yao's motorcycle's fuel tank, despite the owner's warning not to mistreat an old engine.
Lu Yao was shocked to realize that Mu Ze was responsible for her motorcycle breaking down. Ye Weimian returned to their sketching spot and discovered a bracelet with "Y&y" engraved on it. She then found Gu Yanluo there. He teased her, asking if she had come to find him and implying she "didn't care" about him. She admitted Grandma was worried and sent her. Their conversation quickly turned to their recent misunderstanding.
Gu Yanluo was upset that she had gone out with Zuo Sichen, especially since he, as her boyfriend, hadn't even visited her home. Ye Weimian clarified that her anger wasn't about him being with Xia Yuanqing but about him letting Xia Yuanqing wear the T-shirt he had given her and being in "their" space, causing a misunderstanding.
Gu Yanluo, acknowledging Ye Weimian's observation that he had become an "Asian jealous king," apologized and promised such a thing would never happen again. He then explained that the bracelet, which had seemingly found its way to her, was designed by him with their initials, symbolizing "Gu Yanluo will always love Ye Weimian." As they reconciled, Zuo Sichen arrived and saw their intimate moment.
He quietly left, returning to his room to draw, while Gu Yanluo later came back with a blanket, stating Mian was afraid he would be cold. The next day, Ye Weimian and her friends bid farewell to Grandma before returning to school. Ye Weimian was reluctant to leave her grandmother alone, so Gu Yanluo promised that in the future, Grandma would come and live with them.
While stopped at a traffic light, Zuo Sichen saw Gu Yanluo and Ye Weimian being affectionate in their car. He interjected, telling Gu Yanluo to focus on driving. Gu Yanluo retorted that improper driving leads to tears and advised Zuo Sichen to stop looking into other people’s cars. Upon returning, Ye Weimian greeted Lu Yao enthusiastically, but Lu Yao was unusually quiet and aloof, cleaning the glass with unusual vigor.
When Ye Weimian jokingly suggested she might be heartbroken, Lu Yao quickly changed the subject to the upcoming fashion design contest, which Ye Weimian then went to prepare for by buying snacks. At the contest, backstage, Mu Ze called out to Lu Yao. Lu Yao quickly made an excuse to Gu Yanluo, saying she had something urgent to attend to, and urged him to go encourage Ye Weimian, who she felt needed support.
Backstage, Zuo Sichen came to speak with Ye Weimian, congratulating her as the "most potential candidate" and asking if she was nervous. Gu Yanluo, seeing Zuo Sichen, quickly walked over and embraced Ye Weimian, implicitly asserting his presence. Zuo Sichen, acknowledging Gu Yanluo's arrival, then left to prepare for the front stage. Gu Yanluo took Ye Weimian's bag and escorted her out. Ye Weimian was announced as the winner of the National University Student Fashion Design Contest.
However, another contestant immediately challenged the result, claiming unfair judging due to Ye Weimian's close relationship with Zuo Sichen. She even presented a photo of Zuo Sichen touching Ye Weimian's head as "proof." The audience murmured in disagreement, feeling their hard work had been for naught. Zuo Sichen stepped forward, defending Ye Weimian by showcasing her award-winning design and its inherent warmth and optimism, asserting its worthiness.
The contestant, realizing her own work couldn't compare, then accused them of having the theme leaked beforehand, leaving Ye Weimian speechless. From the audience, Gu Yanluo, a representative of Gu's Group, stepped onto the stage. To resolve the dispute and ensure fairness, he announced an impromptu additional contest round. He stated that the judges would issue a new theme, and if Ye Weimian's subsequent design failed to impress, her championship would be revoked.
However, if she delivered a convincing piece, she would be crowned the undisputed champion. Gu Yanluo and Zuo Sichen both expressed their strong belief in Ye Weimian’s talent, declaring that "art and strength should speak for themselves." Zuo Sichen voluntarily withdrew from his judging position to ensure impartiality. Ye Weimian accepted the challenge. The theme for the added contest was "So Close Yet So Far." Inspired by Gu Yanluo and Zuo Sichen, Ye Weimian designed a flawless piece.
She explained her design philosophy to the audience: "So Close Yet So Far" represents the duality of life. She admitted that she, like many, had faced difficulties and felt hesitant or even suffocated. However, she emphasized that the nature of the difficulty is less important than how one faces it. If one hesitates, even a short distance can feel like a vast expanse; conversely, if one bravely moves forward, the vast distance feels within reach.
Her design incorporated intricate patterns, including two intertwined ouroboros, subtly referencing the Mobius Band principle. She showcased how the dress could transform from a short to a long gown, symbolizing a bud blooming into a flower, representing youthful growth and the idea that through courage and resilience, a bright future is attainable. The judges praised her as a "Girl of Inspirations" for her astounding creativity and the speed with which she executed her design. The audience erupted in applause.
Ye Weimian was congratulated for her well-deserved victory, with Lu Yao hugging her and affirming her brilliance. After the contest, Lu Yao said she had to leave for another commitment, promising to celebrate with Ye Weimian later. Gu Yanluo intervened, asserting that Ye Weimian had a prior engagement with him, thus declining the offer for a group celebration.
Later, while Ye Weimian was learning to drive with Gu Yanluo in the car, he received a call but declined to join for a swim, stating he was with Mian. He cryptically advised the caller about road safety and precautions, which the caller misinterpreted, before clarifying he simply meant to be safe. As Ye Weimian was unsure about the car pedals, Gu Yanluo took over the wheel, allowing her to observe his driving technique.
Episode 18 Recap
Gu Yanluo, Zuo Sichen, and Ye Weimian gathered to celebrate Ye Weimian’s recent victory. A discussion arose over dinner plans, with Zuo Sichen suggesting seafood, recalling how Ye Weimian’s grandmother used to cook it for her after good exams. Gu Yanluo, in turn, proposed crayfish, a favorite of Ye Weimian's. However, Ye Weimian (also affectionately known as Xingxing, who has a sensitive stomach) decided to leave it to chance, opting for the first restaurant they encountered after turning left.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, Ye Weimian excused herself to the restroom. Gu Yanluo swiftly claimed an inner seat. When Ye Weimian returned, she initially intended to sit beside Gu Yanluo, but Zuo Sichen quickly placed her bag on the vacant chair and pulled her to sit next to him. Feeling a chill from the air conditioner, Ye Weimian soon moved to the seat beside Gu Yanluo.
During their meal, Gu Yanluo and Zuo Sichen subtly competed for Ye Weimian’s attention. They had a hidden bet on Gu Yanluo and Ye Weimian's telepathy, which was confirmed when Ye Weimian chose dishes identical to Gu Yanluo's, earning them a perfect score for their unspoken understanding. During the celebration dinner, Zuo Sichen persistently encouraged Gu Yanluo to drink, but it was Zuo Sichen himself who became inebriated. In his drunken state, Zuo Sichen began to sing and dance enthusiastically.
Unable to get his address from him, Gu Yanluo and Ye Weimian had no choice but to take him back to Gu Yanluo's place. Gu Yanluo reluctantly provided Zuo Sichen with a change of clothes, after Ye Weimian convinced him, reminding him that Zuo Sichen had grown up with her and they used to play together in split pants. That night, Zuo Sichen was restless, tumbling off the sofa.
Later, he woke up disoriented to use the bathroom and mistakenly climbed into Gu Yanluo’s bed. Furious, Gu Yanluo forcefully woke Zuo Sichen and pushed him out of the apartment before Ye Weimian could fully wake up, despite Zuo Sichen's taunts about being a "threat." Ye Weimian was roused by the commotion and found her door locked from the outside. She called out to Gu Yanluo, who eventually opened it.
She quickly realized Zuo Sichen was gone, having departed in only pajamas wrapped in a bedsheet, and deduced that Gu Yanluo had unceremoniously expelled him. Concerned for Zuo Sichen’s public image, Ye Weimian insisted on taking clothes to him. Gu Yanluo vehemently opposed this, arguing that Zuo Sichen could manage on his own. Ye Weimian countered by emphasizing their long-standing relationship, explaining she viewed him as a younger brother and reminding Gu Yanluo of their agreement to trust each other.
Meanwhile, the Students' Union election was drawing near, and despite Gu Yanluo's recent single status, his popularity had waned, with many former supporters shifting allegiance. Fang Meimei, observing a friend's changing loyalties, warned her to remain steadfast. Later, Fang Meimei stumbled upon a video of a student from Charlotte College named Ye Weimian winning a fashion design competition and being hailed as a "Girl of Inspirations."
The face in the video was strikingly familiar, resembling Ye Zhenhan, but the name was different. After consulting a friend from the Art College, they confirmed that a Ye Weimian did indeed exist in the fashion design department and had won external competitions. This led to the shocking realization that Ye Weimian and Ye Zhenhan were, in fact, twins. In another development, Mu Ze sought out Lu Yao, who tried to avoid him.
He managed to pull her back, revealing he had intentionally damaged her motorcycle to create more opportunities to spend time with her. As an apology, he presented her with a new motorcycle. However, Lu Yao sternly rejected both his apology and the gift. She expressed her weariness of his "love games" and "philanderer’s set plays," asserting that she would not be manipulated to satisfy his pursuit, and turned to leave.
Distraught, Mu Ze later found Gu Yanluo and confided in him over drinks. Mu Ze admitted to being caught in his own schemes, describing himself as a "real-life version of stewing in my own juice." He confessed that what began as a challenging and interesting pursuit had left him feeling like a "downright nasty jerk."
Gu Yanluo offered a measure of comfort, reassuring Mu Ze that it was not too late to come to his senses and advising him to go home and drink less, as such melancholy did not suit him. Separately, Yan Jiuyue arranged for Gu Yanluo to meet someone, while Ye Zhenhan set up a meeting for Ye Weimian. Both Gu Yanluo and Ye Weimian arrived at the same coffee shop, realizing they had been tricked into a date with each other.
Despite the setup, Gu Yanluo suggested they make the most of the unexpected situation. As they walked, they passed the jewelry store where Gu Yanluo had previously custom-ordered a bracelet for Ye Weimian. The clerk recognized Gu Yanluo and, in a casual conversation, revealed that Gu Yanluo had spent an entire afternoon personally crafting the bracelet. This revelation resolved any lingering displeasure Ye Weimian had with him.
Later, Zuo Sichen approached Ye Weimian to apologize for his drunken antics and to express gratitude to Gu Yanluo, offering Ye Weimian a design album as a gift. Ye Weimian, in turn, explained Zuo Sichen's sometimes abrasive nature to Gu Yanluo, describing it as a "camouflage" stemming from a childhood where his parents were often absent, leading to a deep trust and reliance on her.
She then subtly defended Gu Yanluo to Zuo Sichen, reminding him that Gu Yanluo was her boyfriend. Simultaneously, Mu Ze, determined to fix Lu Yao's motorcycle, visited a repair shop. The mechanic informed him that the engine model was obsolete and irreparable. Mu Ze, desperate, offered to work for free as an apprentice to hand-make the necessary parts, but the mechanic dismissed his offer, doubting his ability to handle such demanding work.
During a fencing competition, Gu Yanluo showcased his impressive skills, leading the Finance Department to victory. His prowess drew praise from fellow students, who noted his excellence in all sports. Afterwards, Hong Yu, a rival, challenged Gu Yanluo to a one-on-one rematch in the next class, with the loser obligated to clean the fencing hall and wipe all the swords. Hong Yu openly expressed his disdain for Gu Yanluo's perceived arrogance.
Their rivalry escalated as Hong Yu also noted their close vote counts for the upcoming Students' Union election, making their fencing rematch a dual challenge that would determine not only the fencing victor but also who would triumph in the political arena. At a different time, Mu Ze sought Ye Weimian's help, asking her to read "love cards" due to his persistent bad luck in pursuing Lu Yao.
Ye Weimian instructed him to choose a card, and after he did, she predicted that the next person to enter the room would be his destined match. Moments later, Lu Yao unexpectedly walked in, much to Mu Ze's astonishment and delight.
Episode 19 Recap
Xia Yuanqing approached Gu Yanluo, offering him a drink and advising him to be careful during his upcoming fencing class, assuring him she would handle matters concerning the Students’ Union election. Gu Yanluo declined her offer and tried to leave. Xia Yuanqing blocked his path, asking if he was still upset. She explained that she had been drunk previously and, if her actions had led to misunderstandings, she was willing to help clarify them.
Gu Yanluo simply told her that maintaining distance from him was the best explanation, then walked around her. Ye Weimian and Lu Yao sat together, reflecting on the behavior of some of their male acquaintances. Lu Yao, resting her chin, declared that Mu Ze always brought trouble and she would rather not see him again. Ye Weimian realized Lu Yao was speaking of Mu Ze.
From Ye Weimian’s perspective, while Mu Ze might appear to be a casual playboy, he was actually an adorable and naive boy, suggesting any annoyance he caused Lu Yao was unintentional. Lu Yao then shifted the topic to Gu Yanluo and Zuo Sichen, noting that despite having little in common, they constantly competed. Lu Yao showed Ye Weimian a college forum post on her phone, revealing someone was challenging Gu Yanluo in fencing class.
Ye Weimian was surprised Lu Yao was browsing Gu Yanluo's forum. Lu Yao confessed that she often looked at posts about Ye Weimian and Gu Yanluo's couple, known as the "Luo&Ye Couple." Ye Weimian was surprised such posts existed. However, after Ye Weimian and Gu Yanluo’s pretended breakup, most of their fans had disappeared. Besides Lu Yao, only one user named "Autumn Leaves" continued to like and comment on their posts.
Lu Yao observed that "Autumn Leaves" wrote with a similar tone to Gu Yanluo, though Ye Weimian dismissed this as impossible, stating Gu Yanluo would never engage in such trivial matters. Later, Ye Weimian returned home and heard water running in the bathroom. She entered Gu Yanluo’s study, intending to check if "Autumn Leaves" was indeed him. She struggled to open his computer. Gu Yanluo emerged from the bathroom, asking what she was doing.
When Ye Weimian tentatively uttered "Autumn Leaves," she saw his eyes widen, confirming her suspicion. She found it incredibly amusing that he would "descend from his pedestal" to use an alternate account for such activities and struggled to contain her laughter. Gu Yanluo quickly demanded she keep it a secret, but Ye Weimian playfully refused, threatening to tell the world that her boyfriend was the Luo&Ye Couple's most loyal fan, leading to a lighthearted scuffle over her phone.
She then asked for his forum ID in return for her secret, which was "Mengpo Wants Milk Tea." While Ye Weimian continued to study intensely, Gu Yanluo offered her a snack, which she refused, citing her avoidance of junk food. Meanwhile, Ye Weimian's roommate shared "breaking news" with her, showing a picture of someone who looked exactly like Ye Zhenhan winning an award. However, this was not Ye Zhenhan, but her twin sister, who also attended their art college.
This revelation left Ye Weimian feeling that something was amiss and prompted her to pay closer attention to Ye Zhenhan. During Gu Yanluo's fencing match with Hong Yu, Hong Yu suffered an injury, leading to a heated argument among fans. Although not intentional, Gu Yanluo expressed his apology for Hong Yu’s injury. Hong Yu was subsequently taken to the infirmary by some classmates.
Gu Yanluo continued to dwell on the incident, but Ye Weimian interrupted his thoughts, requesting he teach her fencing. Ye Weimian sat on a swing, reviewing the video of Gu Yanluo and Hong Yu’s fencing match to understand Hong Yu’s injury. Zuo Sichen approached her, having come to invite her to dinner. Zuo Sichen, who had two years of fencing experience, commented that fencing, with its comprehensive protective gear and ample safety distance, made serious injury difficult.
After watching the video, he explained that given the angle and impact, even an accidental fall was unlikely to result in a knee injury, suggesting the possibility of intentional action. Ye Weimian grew angry upon hearing this, especially considering Hong Yu was now portraying himself as a victim everywhere. Unbeknownst to them, Mu Ze, hiding in the bushes, witnessed Hong Yu skillfully dodge a football, confirming his suspicion that Hong Yu was pretending.
He resolved not to tell Gu Yanluo until they had concrete evidence, as Gu Yanluo tended to downplay problems. Ye Weimian rushed over to tell Mu Ze her suspicion that Hong Yu had deliberately set up Gu Yanluo. Mu Ze shared her suspicion, confirming he also thought Hong Yu was faking, especially after seeing him agilely dodge the football. Recognizing they both lacked concrete evidence, they decided to work together.
Ye Weimian playfully told Mu Ze that if he continued to call her a "drama queen," she would tell Lu Yao about his "life sentence," hinting at his problematic romantic past. They then went to the school infirmary to check records. Ye Weimian pretended to be Hong Yu's girlfriend to coax information from the school doctor.
The doctor explained that Hong Yu had received emergency treatment for what seemed like a minor soft tissue contusion, but due to his persistent pain and the infirmary's lack of complete instruments, he had been referred to a hospital for further examination. Realizing this path was a dead end for patient information, they sought another strategy. Mu Ze and his team then tracked Hong Yu to a bar where he was drinking with friends.
There, they overheard Hong Yu casually admitting to his friends that his injury was merely a minor bone crack in his knee, further confirming their suspicions. Mu Ze, pretending to be blind, deliberately tripped Hong Yu, knocking over his crutch and spilling a drink on him, while also provoking Hong Yu and his friends. Meanwhile, Ye Weimian and Lu Yao discreetly took photos from a distance. Mu Ze later playfully teased Xingxing about his ability to sneak away from her unnoticed, claiming he had done it nearly a hundred times.
Episode 20 Recap
Following their plan to expose Hong Yu's fake injury, Mu Ze, pretending to be blind, approached Hong Yu and his friends who were drinking. He deliberately kicked Hong Yu's crutch, knocking over a drink and spilling it on Hong Yu, then provocatively took Hong Yu's walking stick and walked towards the door. Hong Yu, angered, chased after him, daring him to fight. Mu Ze simply threw the crutch back and left.
Ye Weimian, secretly filming, confirmed she had captured the entire incident. Hong Yu, baffled by the encounter, returned to his drink. Later, Ye Weimian returned home and showed Gu Yanluo the video, revealing that Hong Yu's leg was not injured and Mu Ze had been part of their plan. Gu Yanluo realized this was the secretive activity his friends had been engaged in.
Ye Weimian, angered by the injustice, wanted to immediately post the video online to clear Gu Yanluo's name and challenge Hong Yu. However, Gu Yanluo stopped her, explaining that everyone acts on impulse, and given Hong Yu's pride, publicly shaming him could lead him to extreme actions. He did not wish to treat a classmate in such a way.
Regarding the Students’ Union election, he asserted that anyone capable could be president and he would never resort to underhanded tactics to win. Ye Weimian, admiring his principles, told him she liked him even more. Despite Gu Yanluo's decision, Ye Weimian, Xingxing, and their friends were unwilling to let Hong Yu off easily, especially after seeing that Hong Yu had surpassed Gu Yanluo in the estimated election votes for Students’ Union president.
They believed Hong Yu was unfit for the role. With a plan in mind, Ye Weimian had Yan Jiuyue arrange a meeting with Hong Yu, which Ye Weimian then took over. She confessed to trapping him, stating it was merely fighting fire with fire.
When Hong Yu accused Gu Yanluo of orchestrating the trap, Ye Weimian defended him, revealing that Gu Yanluo had been the one to prevent them from immediately posting the video, fearing Hong Yu's pride might lead him to extremes. She stressed that Gu Yanluo would never win an election through such mean ways, highlighting this as a key difference between them.
Ye Weimian left Hong Yu with the video as a "memory," but warned him that she had a backup and would not hesitate to retaliate if he ever harmed Gu Yanluo again. Preparations began for a charity sale. Ye Weimian, Xingxing, and others were busy painting unique designs on white t-shirts, intending to donate all proceeds to the college's impoverished students. Ye Weimian approached Gu Yanluo to authorize a stall for their event.
Gu Yanluo readily agreed to be actively involved. Zuo Sichen, a renowned artist, joined them, presenting his own "celebrity limited edition" designs, which Xingxing praised as awesome. However, when Xingxing called Zuo Sichen's painting "so-so," Gu Yanluo concurred, noting it lacked the typical energy of college students. Ye Weimian intervened, encouraging them to focus on their work. The charity sale commenced with an energetic chant: "I do charity. I’m proud. Let’s be the heroes!"
Zuo Sichen challenged Gu Yanluo to a selling contest, which Gu Yanluo dismissed as childish. Zuo Sichen used his artistic reputation to sell his designs, assuring customers they were getting a great bargain. Gu Yanluo, on the other hand, focused on the deeper meaning, explaining that buying a t-shirt meant buying a story and a dream for a poor student.
He also helped a struggling Xingxing improve her sales pitch by teaching her to be "honey-lipped" and call older women "sister," implying they were young ladies. All the t-shirts were eventually sold out, and Gu Yanluo promised that all the money and a list of donors would be publicly announced. Meanwhile, Zuo Sichen thoughtfully gave Lu Yao a balloon. Following the successful sale, Gu Yanluo delivered a speech, thanking everyone for re-electing him as Students’ Union president.
He vowed to uphold their trust, lead the Union in building a bridge between teachers and students, and empower students to embrace challenges and explore new areas. That evening, Ye Weimian, at home, celebrated Gu Yanluo's victory by greeting him with confetti and a celebratory cake. Gu Yanluo, in turn, presented her with a gift: a clothing store.
He knew she always dreamed of having her own brand and suggested that, with her online shop already a bit of success, it was time to consider a physical store. While touched by his gesture, Ye Weimian felt she couldn't manage a physical store while still studying. Gu Yanluo playfully declared he would "sell himself" to her for life, causing Ye Weimian to spray her drink in surprise.
This escalated into a fun water fight, with both claiming to be undefeated champions. Meanwhile, Mu Ze had been relentlessly working to repair Lu Yao's motorcycle engine, even becoming an apprentice at a repair shop and enlisting Yan Jiuyue's help. He finally succeeded in fixing the engine. During a test drive, an accident occurred, leaving Mu Ze injured and hospitalized with a leg injury.
Despite this, he was ecstatic, believing that by fixing the engine for Lu Yao, she would finally forgive him. Lu Yao initially hesitated to ask about Mu Ze's condition after class, but Ye Weimian assured her he was only lightly injured and would soon be back to bother her.
Ye Weimian then informed Lu Yao about Mu Ze's dedicated efforts as an apprentice and the accident during the test, suggesting that Lu Yao was the one who could help him grow. Moved by this, Lu Yao secretly visited the hospital. She gave Yan Jiuyue a container of soup, asking him to deliver it to Mu Ze without revealing its source.
Mu Ze, upon tasting the delicious soup, was convinced it was from Lu Yao and declared he would gladly lose an arm if it meant drinking her soup. Later, Lu Yao unblocked Mu Ze's number on her phone, signaling her softening stance. Inspired by Gu Yanluo's earlier suggestion and their online shop's success, Ye Weimian decided it was indeed time to open their own brand store. Lu Yao, supportive of the idea, asked what their next steps should be.
Ye Weimian proposed they start by finding a highly cost-effective shop location. While on her electric vehicle, searching for potential shops, it unfortunately ran out of power. At the same time, Ye Weimian's recurring stomach problem flared up, causing her to nearly faint by the roadside. Coincidentally, Zuo Sichen found her there. He immediately recognized her condition and took her back to his studio, providing her with hot medicine and offering food.
He chastised her for not eating regularly, especially knowing her stomach problems, and criticized Gu Yanluo for not being aware of her condition or caring for her properly. When Gu Yanluo arrived to pick up Ye Weimian, Zuo Sichen asked to speak to him privately. Zuo Sichen confronted Gu Yanluo, emphasizing that as Ye Weimian's boyfriend, he should have taken better care of her, especially after she nearly fainted. Gu Yanluo promised to be more careful.
However, Zuo Sichen pressed further, stating that if Gu Yanluo couldn't fulfill his role, he should step aside for someone else. Gu Yanluo accused Zuo Sichen of trying to steal Ye Weimian, to which Zuo Sichen openly admitted his long-standing affection for her, declaring he wouldn't hesitate to "steal her" if Gu Yanluo failed to care for her. He questioned Gu Yanluo's chances, despite their years of growing up together.
Gu Yanluo then returned to Ye Weimian, who apologized for Zuo Sichen's presence due to her stomach ache. Gu Yanluo simply told her not to let her stomach ache again and to take care of herself. Later, Gu Yanluo advised Ye Weimian to pay close attention to Ye Zhenhan and report anything suspicious immediately. Unbeknownst to Ye Weimian, a doctor called Ye Zhenhan, reminding her to come in for her monthly check-up as her condition was still in recovery.
Separately, Zuo Sichen gave Ye Weimian a gift with her name written on it. He explained a foreign college legend that giving such a personalized gift ensures a happy ending with the person. He encouraged her to keep it somewhere she could always see it. Ye Weimian thanked him, calling him her good friend.
Episode 21 Recap
Following her recent health scare, Ye Weimian suffered from a stomach ache, a consequence of her irregular eating habits. Gu Yanluo attentively cared for her, offering water and tucking her in, reminding her that this was a lesson. He sternly warned that if she experienced another stomach ache, he would publicly reveal how he carried her back, ensuring she would learn. Shortly after, Ye Weimian, noticing the empty refrigerator, complained about Gu Yanluo leaving no ice cream.
When he returned, she quickly closed the fridge and pretended nothing was amiss. Gu Yanluo, however, saw through her pretense and informed her that Mu Ze had taken all the ice cream and instant food. Ye Weimian, initially about to question him, noticed Gu Yanluo's expression and instead praised him for his quick thinking and high intelligence. She then playfully asked him to tell Mu Ze to treat her snacks well.
Gu Yanluo prepared her a hot cup of Clove tea, advising her to drink it while it was warm for her stomach and to always prefer hot water over cold drinks. Ye Weimian lauded him as a perfect and almost abnormal boyfriend, capable of both managing the house and cooking well, questioning who could possibly control such a wonderful man. Gu Yanluo looked at her seriously and declared that no one could control him but her.
Ye Weimian then teased him, wondering if he was the one who had secretly eaten all the ice cream, prompting Gu Yanluo to ask if he was sweet. She humorously replied she hadn't tasted him. Later, a store Ye Weimian had inquired about called, urging her to visit due to its cheap rent. She excitedly rushed over.
The store boasted a wide and bright facade and was situated in a prime location along the commercial street, making it ideal for a clothing shop. Ye Weimian, puzzled by the surprisingly low rent, which was less than half of an ordinary store, asked the owner if he was losing money. The owner sighed, explaining that he had bought the store with his wife, but they had divorced after quarreling over its decoration.
With no desire to continue running the business, he was eager to find a new tenant. Ye Weimian apologized for inadvertently touching upon his painful past. Satisfied with the location, she requested to take the contract home to discuss it with her partner, to which the owner readily agreed, providing his business card. Meanwhile, Zuo Sichen called Ye Weimian, addressing her by the nickname "Xingxing." Ye Weimian apologized for being busy with the store.
Zuo Sichen offered to treat her to a big dinner and provide a VIP invitation to his upcoming graduation exhibition. Ye Weimian declined the dinner due to her packed schedule but promised to attend his exhibition, bringing Gu Yanluo along. Shortly after, Zuo Sichen's mother called him with exciting news: his application to the Royal College of Art, a school he had long aspired to attend, had been accepted.
Zuo Sichen was overjoyed and eagerly planned to depart for the college immediately after his exhibition concluded and graduation procedures were complete. His mother advised him to think very carefully about this decision, emphasizing its importance for his bright future, to which Zuo Sichen dutifully agreed. Upon Gu Yanluo's return home, Ye Weimian became unusually attentive, offering to assist him with minor tasks and even complimenting his handsome appearance.
Gu Yanluo, sensing her hidden agenda, asked her directly what she wanted. Ye Weimian then presented the contract for the new store she had found, expressing concern that the price seemed "unreasonable" and asking Gu Yanluo to check for any hidden "traps." Gu Yanluo internally scoffed, thinking that a contract he had personally drafted could not possibly contain any pitfalls. He then confidently assured her that the contract was clear and without problems.
Ye Weimian felt incredibly lucky to secure such a favorable deal for the store. Separately, Lu Yao discovered her motorcycle key missing and immediately suspected Mu Ze. She called Ye Weimian, asking about the key, but then, noting that Gu Yanluo was calling Ye Weimian, Lu Yao accused her and Ye Weimian of conspiring. Shortly after, Mu Ze appeared, pushing Lu Yao's broken motorcycle, explaining he had intended to give her a "surprise." He profusely apologized to Lu Yao.
Lu Yao, secretly amused, decided to lay down "three rules" for Mu Ze: first, he was never to act on his own initiative again and and must discuss all matters with her before making decisions; second, he was not to repeat silly actions or reintroduce topics she had already rejected; and third, he was forbidden from setting traps for her, or he would face "family rules."
Mu Ze, sensing an opportunity, asked if "family rules" implied he was now her boyfriend. Lu Yao told him to guess, and he correctly inferred their new status. Mu Ze then swore to strictly obey these rules and continue to make persistent efforts. Lu Yao granted him only one chance to pursue her, cautioning that she could revoke it at any time. Ye Weimian, accompanied by Gu Yanluo, attended Zuo Sichen's graduation exhibition.
As they arrived, Mu Ze called Gu Yanluo, excitedly sharing the "breaking news" that Lu Yao had forgiven him. Gu Yanluo stepped away to take the call, allowing Ye Weimian to explore the paintings on her own. As she wandered, Ye Weimian recognized many artworks depicting scenes from her and Zuo Sichen's childhood, including a trampoline gym, an orange tree, and fields at her grandmother's house, evoking cherished memories. Suddenly, the lights dimmed, leaving only scattered spotlights.
Zuo Sichen addressed Ye Weimian as "Xingxing," expressing his joy that she had found him and the exhibition, which he viewed as a reflection on his youth. He emphasized her significant role in his life, showcasing paintings that depicted their growth from childhood. He then revealed a special painting containing both their past and future, and confessed, "I like you, Ye Weimian. I like you." The audience began chanting for them to be together.
Ye Weimian, however, sadly replied, "I’m sorry, Zuo Sichen." Zuo Sichen responded that it was okay and that he had anticipated this outcome, though he still had hope. He then apologized for putting her in a difficult position, thanking her for her feelings but gently declining. Just as the lights went completely dark, Gu Yanluo appeared, taking Ye Weimian's hand and leading her away.
After they left, Ye Weimian explained to Gu Yanluo that she had never expected Zuo Sichen to confess or that he even liked her. She confessed to always seeing him as a young boy, failing to realize they had grown up and needed to maintain distance. She admitted that everything that happened was entirely her fault, apologizing and stating she was ready to accept any punishment without resistance.
Gu Yanluo, however, reassured her, telling her there was no need to apologize. He explained that being admired by someone was a blessing, not a mistake, and he fully trusted her. Ye Weimian still appeared troubled, causing Gu Yanluo to ask what she was thinking, suggesting she might be thinking of fighting Zuo Sichen. Gu Yanluo elaborated on his own worry.
He noted that Zuo Sichen was more famous and popular than him, reminding Ye Weimian that she once said being with him felt like carrying a searchlight. Gu Yanluo countered that if he was a searchlight, then Zuo Sichen was a microscope. He feared that if Ye Weimian attracted too much public attention, her true identity, particularly her involvement with the Financial College, might be exposed.
Ye Weimian acknowledged his concern, admitting it was her fault, but Gu Yanluo quickly reassured her that he would always protect her. Ye Weimian expressed newfound courage, stating that ever since they began their relationship, she faced everything with him and feared nothing. Meanwhile, Zuo Sichen instructed an assistant to remove the paintings from the exhibition, declaring that they no longer needed to be displayed. He stood there, reflecting on his feelings for Ye Weimian. "
Xingxing," he mused, "you’re a dream of my youth. Now, it’s time to wake up. I’ll bury it personally." In another location, students were abuzz with gossip about Zuo Sichen's romantic exhibition proposal. They debated whether the girl in the paintings was Ye Zhenhan, noting a resemblance but also uncertainty. Gu Yanluo, having heard the chatter, noticed an online post about the proposal and demanded its immediate deletion from a staff member, citing severe infringement of student privacy.
Despite the staff's initial romantic view of the post, Gu Yanluo firmly stated that the girl was his friend and did not wish for the content to be circulated without permission, insisting on the removal of all unauthorized videos and photos. The staff begrudgingly complied. Fang Meimei showed the video of the confession to Xia Yuanqing, commenting on how quickly the online post had been deleted and hinting at underlying secrets involving "Ye Zhenhan and Ye Weimian."
Fang Meimei then revealed a significant detail: Ye Zhenhan was sick and required regular check-ups, as confirmed by a recent hospital call. She then questioned if Xia Yuanqing had the video from the past Fashion Competition. Upon reviewing it, Fang Meimei pointed out that Ye Zhenhan didn't even have her ears pierced, making it impossible for her to have worn earrings in the competition.
This led Fang Meimei to conclude that the person in love with Gu Yanluo was not Ye Zhenhan but Ye Weimian, suggesting a deception. Xia Yuanqing initially dismissed the idea, stating she had witnessed Ye Zhenhan's relationship with Gu Yanluo from start to finish. However, Fang Meimei presented a "bold guess": Ye Weimian must have pretended to be Ye Zhenhan at some point. Fang Meimei resolved to find Ye Zhenhan's medical records to prove her theory.
Episode 22 Recap
Gu Yanluo, Mu Ze, and Ye Weimian were at a store when Mrs. Gu unexpectedly arrived. Mrs. Gu expressed confusion, asking if it wasn't her own store. Mu Ze, upon seeing Mrs. Gu, remarked that Gu Yanluo appeared nervous and sensed some interesting gossip. Mrs. Gu, observing her son, commented on how quickly he had learned to please his girlfriend.
When she was about to inadvertently reveal the secret about the store, Gu Yanluo quickly interrupted, stating that the store was Ye Weimian's own venture. Mrs. Gu swiftly covered for him, praising the excellent location and tasteful decor of the shop, asking Ye Weimian if she had spent a lot of money. Ye Weimian explained that she acquired the lease cheaply because the previous owner had divorced due to arguments over the renovation.
However, the store's owner then entered, addressing Mrs. Gu as "Miss President" and attempting to explain the situation, thus exposing the truth. Mrs. Gu chuckled and quickly dismissed the owner and Mu Ze, then apologized to Ye Weimian, asking her not to blame Gu Yanluo. Ye Weimian firmly refused to accept the store as a gift, thanking Mrs. Gu for her kindness and for covering for Gu Yanluo.
She explained that while she understood Gu Yanluo's intentions to provide a platform for her talent, she felt he had already done too much for her, and this was her dream, which she needed to pursue through her own efforts. Impressed by Ye Weimian's determination, Mrs. Gu declared that she, as a businesswoman, could not let such talent go to waste.
She proposed investing in the store herself, becoming a shareholder by taking a 30% cut of the monthly net profits to offset the rent and utilities. She emphasized the importance of supporting college student entrepreneurship, stating that the Gu family should also contribute. Ye Weimian gratefully accepted, promising not to disappoint her. As Mrs. Gu prepared to leave, she told Gu Yanluo that he should learn from his mother, playfully calling him a "silly son."
Meanwhile, Zuo Sichen reflected on his feelings for Ye Weimian, acknowledging that she remained his "naughty girl" while he was still the "snotty" boy who looked up to her. He concluded that regret often leads to the deepest impressions and that having tried is always better than doing nothing.
He shared with a friend that his "first love had died," but he felt "reborn," and his friend philosophized that if one's first love were to last a lifetime, it would be a rather unfulfilling experience. Back home, Gu Yanluo searched for Ye Weimian in vain.
He called Mu Ze to inquire about Lu Yao, and Mu Ze, frustrated about not seeing his own girlfriend, complained that Lu Yao had been worn thin by Ye Weimian, who was obsessively seeking inspiration in the studio. Gu Yanluo went to Ye Weimian's studio and left a cup of milk tea and a note at her door. Ye Weimian, discovering the items, read the note: "Inspiration comes unexpectedly. The starlight is beautiful tonight.
Why not come to the roof and enjoy it?" Intrigued, she found Gu Yanluo waiting for her on the rooftop with some food. He affectionately teased her for forgetting to eat while working. Gu Yanluo then advised her not to push herself too hard, explaining that true inspiration is not forced but a genuine reflection of one's inner self, and that designers use their unique perspectives to convey beauty to others.
Ye Weimian thanked him, realizing she should focus on the beautiful things around her. Separately, Yan Jiuyue called Ye Zhenhan, who declined his invitation for a post shooting, stating she needed to focus on her studies and thanking him for helping her sister. After Ye Zhenhan left her room, Fang Meimei began rummaging through her belongings. Ye Zhenhan suddenly returned, having forgotten her library card, and Fang Meimei quickly feigned searching for scissors.
Once Ye Zhenhan left again, Fang Meimei resumed her search, finding and taking a photo of Ye Zhenhan's medical record. The Fengshang Clothing Store officially opened with a lively promotion offering 20% off for the week and free photos of the Charlotte College F4 for customers. Fang Meimei then informed Xia Yuanqing about Ye Zhenhan's medical record, revealing that Ye Zhenhan had been in a coma and hospitalized from the start of the semester until only recently.
Xia Yuanqing quickly deduced that the person attending classes in Ye Zhenhan's place was her sister, Ye Weimian, and connected this to Gu Yanluo's sudden change in attitude towards "Ye Zhenhan." Feeling tricked, they discussed how to deal with Ye Weimian. Later, Xia Yuanqing approached Gu Yanluo, who was preparing for an outing with Ye Weimian, Mu Ze, and Lu Yao.
Xia Yuanqing proposed organizing an excellent students forum during the month's club activities, inviting representatives from various departments to share their experiences. She offered to take full responsibility for the event, knowing Gu Yanluo was busy with his dissertation. Gu Yanluo agreed, asking to be informed once the date was set. Mu Ze remarked on Gu Yanluo's shift from an "overbearing boss" to an "obedient boyfriend" due to Ye Weimian's influence.
The four friends proceeded with their outing to a horse farm. Ye Weimian was enchanted by the beautiful, forest-like scenery, feeling like "Alice in Wonderland." She lamented that Ye Zhenhan preferred the library and wouldn't join them, but Mu Ze reassured her that Ye Zhenhan was with Yan Jiuyue and even studying would "feel sweet." Mu Ze then pulled out a bubble machine for the opening celebration, which Ye Weimian eagerly took.
As they played, Gu Yanluo appeared on a white horse, looking impressive. He invited Ye Weimian to ride with him, and when she admitted she couldn't, he offered to teach her. Mu Ze declined to join, opting to wait for his girlfriend Lu Yao instead of being a third wheel. Gu Yanluo patiently guided Ye Weimian, teaching her how to control the horse with the reins.
Back at school, Xia Yuanqing finalized the plans for the excellent students forum, which was to be jointly held by two campuses and include a live-streamed roundtable discussion with representatives from all departments, including the Art College. She specifically requested that Ye Weimian, known as the "inspiration girl" and a recent fashion competition champion, be included. Xia Yuanqing slyly suggested not announcing the list until the last minute to avoid embarrassment for those who might be removed.
With a sinister look, she muttered to herself that Ye Weimian should "wait and see" what she had prepared. Ye Weimian and Ye Zhenhan discovered they were both on the forum broadcast list, causing immediate panic due to the risk of their past deception being revealed. They worried that seeking help from Gu Yanluo, the Students' Union President, would be problematic given his busy schedule with his dissertation and the potential controversy of him helping her in a school-wide event.
Ye Weimian tried to devise a solution, eventually suggesting that Lu Yao use her "magic make-up skill" to make the sisters look distinct enough that people would only assume they were twins if they appeared together, thereby allowing Ye Weimian to confidently portray herself. Lu Yao agreed to the plan.
Yan Jiuyue, learning that both Ye Zhenhan and Ye Weimian were on the forum list, called Gu Yanluo, warning him that their simultaneous appearance, even if the past was unknown, could trigger a "Butterfly Effect" leading to trouble. Though Ye Zhenhan reassured Gu Yanluo that Ye Weimian was confident she could handle it without bothering him, Gu Yanluo dismissed her assurances, agreeing with Yan Jiuyue that their concurrent presence would undoubtedly spark campus gossip and unearth their previous deception.
He decided he could not risk it. As the forum was about to begin, Ye Weimian arrived, feeling relieved that she didn't see anyone familiar. She tried to call someone, but her phone was immediately turned off by forum staff. At that moment, Gu Yanluo approached a staff member at the forum entrance and demanded a last-minute change to the participant list, replacing Ye Weimian's name with Lu Yao's, insisting he would take responsibility for any issues.
The staff member, initially hesitant, complied. Just as Ye Weimian was about to enter, Xia Yuanqing stopped her, addressing her by her true name. Xia Yuanqing revealed she knew about Ye Weimian's impersonation, presenting Ye Zhenhan's medical record as proof, which clearly showed Ye Zhenhan had been hospitalized for two months since the beginning of the semester.
She then delivered another blow, revealing that Gu Yanluo had just changed the forum list for Ye Weimian, showing screenshots of both lists and even having a sound recording of the exchange. Xia Yuanqing presented Ye Weimian with two envelopes: one containing information about Ye Weimian and her sister, and the other about Gu Yanluo. She forced Ye Weimian to choose one to expose at the forum, threatening to reveal both if she refused.
Ye Weimian questioned Xia Yuanqing's motives for involving Gu Yanluo, but Xia Yuanqing retorted that Ye Weimian was the one who implicated him, reiterating the demand for a choice between her sisters' future and Gu Yanluo's reputation. Meanwhile, Zuo Sichen was seen with a friend, who praised him as a "genius painter."
Zuo Sichen then playfully asked his friend whether he exuded more of an "overbearing boss" vibe or a "caring boy" image, to which his friend humorously replied that he embodied neither. Undeterred, Zuo Sichen insisted on being an "overbearing boss."
Episode 23 Recap
Xia Yuanqing confronted Ye Weimian, addressing her by her true name, and denied being the one who brought trouble to Gu Yanluo. She then challenged Ye Weimian to choose between the future of her and her twin sister, and Gu Yanluo's reputation. Gu Yanluo appeared, asserting that he would make the choice himself, declaring that Ye Weimian's concerns were his own.
Xia Yuanqing challenged Gu Yanluo, questioning if it was worth risking all his pride, honor, and even his future for Ye Weimian. Gu Yanluo replied that many things are not about being worth it, but about being willing, and vowed that they would face whatever came their way together. Xia Yuanqing continued to criticize Ye Weimian, claiming that since Ye Weimian’s arrival, Gu Yanluo, who was once seen as perfect and unreachable, had been criticized, burdened, and condemned.
Gu Yanluo defended Ye Weimian, leading Xia Yuanqing to reveal that her animosity toward Ye Weimian stemmed from her own affection for him, insisting she never intended to harm him. Gu Yanluo firmly told her that hurting Ye Weimian was hurting him. Distraught, Xia Yuanqing dropped the envelope she was holding, heartbroken that her feelings for him were so insignificant compared to his devotion to Ye Weimian. Crying, she ran off.
Fang Meimei, unseen, recorded Gu Yanluo and Ye Weimian’s subsequent conversation. During the forum's live broadcast, Lu Yao filled in for Ye Weimian, a last-minute change that prevented the twin sisters from appearing together. Ye Weimian thanked Lu Yao for stepping in, and Lu Yao revealed that Gu Yanluo had made the arrangement, concerned that their joint appearance would lead to campus gossip and unearth past secrets.
Gu Yanluo, known for his rigor, had made the arrangement as soon as he saw the participant list. Lu Yao jokingly asked if Gu Yanluo would get extra points for his "boyfriend probation." Ye Zhenhan, meanwhile, remained uneasy, revealing to Ye Weimian that Xia Yuanqing had discovered their secret. Later, Gu Yanluo led Ye Weimian to a room filled with unique self-created artworks. Ye Weimian marveled at the pieces, noting that true masters often reside among ordinary people.
Inspired, they decided to create something together. Ye Weimian became deeply focused on drawing designs for their new main series, which was due soon. She humorously told Lu Yao that if she couldn't finish the line art in time, Lu Yao could use her "poor drawing skills" to color the images.
Lu Yao found this odd, but Ye Weimian explained that since they both were in relationships, Lu Yao shouldn't always be busy with public displays of affection while Ye Weimian was busy with work. She suggested that after this series, Lu Yao could take the lead on the next, perhaps creating a sweet series featuring Lu Yao and Mu Ze.
Ye Weimian also advised Lu Yao to collaborate with Mu Ze on future promotions, given his quick thinking, adding that she herself had something very important to complete personally. Ye Zhenhan informed Yan Jiuyue of her decision to give up her exchange student quota. She felt responsible for the difficulties Ye Weimian was facing in her blossoming career and relationship because of her.
Ye Zhenhan reflected on how Ye Weimian had always sacrificed for her since childhood and now wanted to make a sacrifice for her sister. Yan Jiuyue fully supported her decision, encouraging her to do whatever she truly desired. Ye Zhenhan then went to Mr. Ma to confess the truth about her identity and the past impersonation. Mr. Ma was astonished by their identical appearance.
Just then, the Headmaster called, instructing Mr. Ma to come to his office, and Ye Zhenhan accompanied him. Separately, Zuo Sichen prepared to leave the country, having secured his flight tickets, and planned to say goodbye to a friend before his departure. At the Headmaster's Office, the Headmaster informed Ye Weimian and Ye Zhenhan that he had received an anonymous report letter and a USB drive containing evidence against them.
Ye Weimian immediately took full responsibility, admitting that she had pretended to be her sister in the Finance Department and had even instigated Gu Yanluo to alter the student list, insisting that both Ye Zhenhan and Gu Yanluo were innocent. Ye Zhenhan, in turn, tried to take the blame, explaining that she had been in a coma months earlier and her sister had only acted to prevent her from losing the exchange student quota.
She reiterated that the problem began with her. The Headmaster, however, stated that the school would thoroughly investigate and determine responsibility, vowing not to wrongly accuse any student while also not overlooking any violations of school rules. Soon after, Gu Yanluo arrived with others. The Headmaster dismissed everyone except Gu Yanluo, severely reprimanding him for his actions as the Students' Union president and an excellent cadre, accusing him of knowing about the deception and allowing it to continue.
Gu Yanluo apologized for his wrongdoing, explaining that he understood the sisters' difficult circumstances and was moved by their loyalty to each other. He offered to resign from his position and accept any punishment. The Headmaster expressed his deep disappointment, questioning why Gu Yanluo would deliberately jeopardize his promising future for Ye Weimian, suggesting she had clouded his judgment.
Gu Yanluo apologized again but pleaded with the Headmaster to show leniency to the sisters during the investigation, considering their unusual circumstances and Ye Zhenhan's attempt to rectify the situation after regaining consciousness. The Headmaster assured him the school would handle it appropriately but also advised Gu Yanluo to reflect on how a good relationship should ideally make individuals better versions of themselves.
Xia Yuanqing's harsh words replayed in Ye Weimian's mind: Gu Yanluo, once beyond reproach, was now criticized and encumbered because of her. Feeling she was becoming Gu Yanluo’s weakness, Ye Weimian suggested they separate for a while to cool down, asking him not to interfere in her affairs anymore, as she could handle things herself. Gu Yanluo vehemently disagreed with the idea of separation and tried to stop her, but Ye Weimian pulled away and left.
Gu Yanluo searched for her, looking at her drawings and reminiscing about their moments together. At the same time, Zuo Sichen, looking for Ye Weimian, was confronted by Gu Yanluo, who urged him to think about what Ye Weimian truly needed rather than solely focusing on his own feelings. Ye Weimian went to the school broadcast room. Gu Yanluo, unable to reach her, listened as she publicly confessed her mistakes.
Over the school broadcast, Ye Weimian, a student from the Fashion Department of the Art College, admitted that she had impersonated her twin sister, Ye Zhenhan, a third-year student in the Finance Department, after Ye Zhenhan fell into a coma, all to preserve her sister's exchange student quota. She apologized to all the teachers and students she had deceived and declared her willingness to withdraw from school and bear full responsibility.
However, she earnestly pleaded for the school to show leniency to her sister, Ye Zhenhan, and Gu Yanluo, asserting that they should not be penalized for her impulsive decision. Student reactions varied; some sympathized with her act of sisterly devotion, while others emphasized that she had still violated school rules. Amidst the varied reactions, a student coldly remarked that Ye Weimian was now a "loser" and doubted if she could "fly" after leaving both the university and Gu Yanluo.
Ye Weimian was packing her belongings when Gu Yanluo arrived, trying to stop her from leaving. Ye Weimian, determined not to be his burden, repeated that she didn't want to drag him down and formally broke up with him, stating that while a relationship requires two people, a breakup only requires one. She claimed she was already at rock bottom and preferred to face her struggles alone, encouraging him to find a better partner.
Gu Yanluo adamantly refused to accept the breakup or her decision to drop out. Subsequently, Gu Yanluo and Yan Jiuyue were given an unexpected task by a teacher: to update a directory of two thousand alumni from the Finance Department. Yan Jiuyue attempted to pass the responsibility to Gu Yanluo, but the teacher insisted they both take it on.
Episode 24 (Ending) Recap
Gu Yanluo gathered his friends, instructing them to ensure Ye Weimian was well-cared for, eating and sleeping properly, and prevented from doing anything reckless again. He urged Ye Zhenhan to write the full story of the two sisters and serialize it on the school forum so that more people could understand their journey from beginning to end.
Gu Yanluo then tasked Mu Ze, leveraging his reputation as the "king of gossip," to lead the promotional efforts, ensuring the story spread widely but without exaggeration or sentimentality. Zuo Sichen also volunteered to join their efforts. As Ye Weimian attempted to leave the school, Lu Yao and Mu Ze intercepted her. Lu Yao expressed her dismay, asking how Ye Weimian could abandon her and their store.
Ye Weimian explained her departure was necessary for the situation to calm down, suggesting Mu Ze could manage the store in her absence. Lu Yao encouraged her, reminding Ye Weimian that even if her academic pursuits ended, she still had her career and dreams, and that both Lu Yao and their shop could not function without her.
Lu Yao then placed a motorcycle helmet on Ye Weimian and drove her away, while Mu Ze secured her luggage, ensuring she had no means to escape. Zuo Sichen accompanied Ye Weimian's grandmother to meet the headmaster at the school, while Ye Weimian herself continued to work on her design drafts. Lu Yao showed Ye Weimian the school forum, where numerous students had posted messages of encouragement and pleas for leniency, which brought Ye Weimian great joy.
With the official decision expected the following day, Mu Ze voiced his concern about a potentially unfavorable outcome. Gu Yanluo, however, confidently declared there was no "what if," and even if the situation seemed dire, Ye Weimian still had him. The department head also spoke to the headmaster, vouching for Ye Zhenhan's excellent academic record and positive attitude, requesting that she be given another chance to continue her studies.
The headmaster acknowledged their plea but also highlighted the need to uphold school rules and public perception, seeking a solution that would be fair to all parties involved. After an anxious wait, the school's official decision was announced. The administration decided to retain Ye Zhenhan's exchange student application qualification, with the condition that she catch up on all missed coursework and credits, and secure a spot in the top three during the final exchange student selection.
For Ye Weimian, the school decided to retain her on probation, meaning she would not be expelled. Overjoyed by this positive news, Ye Weimian resolved to reconcile with Gu Yanluo and never let him go. She went to his home to apologize, but he was not there. She then asked Mu Ze to relay a message to Gu Yanluo: she would never let go and would wait for him for as long as it took.
Ye Weimian found Gu Yanluo at school and embraced him tightly, expressing her sincere gratitude and pleading with him to stay. Gu Yanluo questioned if she regarded him as someone she could summon and dismiss at will. Ye Weimian vehemently denied this, explaining that her previous attempts to leave were driven by fear of implicating him.
Gu Yanluo then clarified that true love isn't about enabling the other person by fleeing, but about two individuals pouring their entire effort into protecting their shared future. He remarked that a love so easily ended with a breakup might not be truly cherished, and then he walked away. Ye Weimian was left heartbroken, recalling their past memories, and she resolved that she would absolutely not let Gu Yanluo slip away.
Ye Weimian decided it was her turn to pursue Gu Yanluo, meticulously preparing a fireworks display for him. However, Mu Ze later informed her that Gu Yanluo had encountered an unforeseen issue with his lessons and would be unable to attend. Undeterred, Ye Weimian went to the library the next day to deliver soup to Gu Yanluo. She searched for him throughout the library, as he subtly avoided her.
Eventually, Gu Yanluo emerged and took her thermos, leaving Ye Weimian to wonder where it had gone. Later, Gu Yanluo explained to Mu Ze and Lu Yao that he had never truly intended to break up with Ye Weimian. He saw the recent separation as an opportunity for both of them to understand their true feelings, ensuring that, moving forward, they would never easily abandon each other, no matter the circumstances.
He confirmed that he had been by Ye Weimian's side all along. Zuo Sichen met Ye Weimian to bid her farewell before his departure the next day. He wished her and Gu Yanluo well, affirming that Gu Yanluo was a dependable man. When Ye Weimian offered to see him off, Zuo Sichen declined, but promised he would wait for her at a world-class art hall. Ye Weimian, in turn, vowed to work hard to meet him there.
Meanwhile, Ye Weimian called Gu Yanluo's brother, stating her intention to return the clothing store to Gu Yanluo's mother. Hearing this, Gu Yanluo became anxious and frantically tried to reach Ye Weimian to ascertain her location. Realizing she was likely at the place where their love story began, he rushed there. Surrounded by his own paintings, he reminisced about their shared memories, before finally finding Ye Weimian, who greeted him with a smile.
At the very place where their journey together began, they reconciled, promising that since they had decided to be together, they would never easily let go of each other, regardless of any challenges. Gu Yanluo and Ye Weimian reflected on their journey, concluding that love begins with a crush but requires overcoming various tests, and that their destiny was to learn to cherish each other.
The story concluded with a lighthearted scene featuring Gu Yanluo's mother and friends, where Lu Yao playfully teased Gu Yanluo, affirming the enduring happiness of the couple and their loved ones.