Miss Lucky Go! Recap, Plot, Synopsis

Miss Lucky Go! Synopsis

Chen Miren, as the "runaway" girlfriend of the school heartthrob, endured three difficult years in high school to escape the heavy burden of this "stolen love." She was determined to become a figurine designer and applied to the design department, thinking that university would bring a fresh start. However, fate took a twist, and she was accidentally switched to a different major. To make matters worse, she would be classmates with her ex-boyfriend who had been heartlessly dumped by her years ago!

Zhong Wei relentlessly pursued her, using various methods to seek revenge in hopes of winning back his old love. However, Chen Miren was unable to admit that it all started because Zhong Weiqiong had mistaken her identity initially, leaving her in a state of confusion. But little did they know that their love for each other would ultimately bring them back together. They rekindled their romance until the unexpected appearance of the "real main character" turned their world upside down...

Miss Lucky Go! Recaps

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Chen Miren awakens in her Further Mathematics class from a vivid dream of becoming a celebrated chief designer of action figures for Heng Siyuan, having won the Asia Product Design Gold Award. To her dismay, the teacher immediately calls on her to define Further Mathematics. Still disoriented, Chen Miren stammers that it's a difficult and incomprehensible subject, drawing laughter from her classmates. Moments later, Zhong Wei, whose image had inexplicably appeared in her dream, walks in late.

Though the teacher accepts his apology, he issues a stern warning about attendance and passing grades for his challenging course. Startled by Zhong Wei's presence, Chen Miren quickly tries to escape after class, but he catches up to her, demanding to know why she disappeared without a word two and a half years ago, accusing her of lying. Chen Miren tries to deflect, even feigning a contagious flu, and then attempts to use a diversion, pointing behind him.

Before Zhong Wei can react, her dorm mate Luo Si arrives, wondering why Chen Miren ran. Chen Miren invents an excuse about needing the restroom, and when Luo Si jokingly suggests she was meeting a boyfriend, Chen Miren quickly states she is single. Observing this, Huang Xiaoyue asks Zhong Wei if he knows Chen Miren, which Zhong Wei denies. Luo Si interjects, explaining her long history with Chen Miren, even from high school.

Huang Xiaoyue then asserts that Chen Miren has "never been in a relationship," a fact she admitted during a game of Truth or Dare, implying it must be true. Back in her dormitory, Chen Miren's roommates, Luo Si and Zhao Gu, are excitedly discussing Xu Miaomiao, the esteemed "campus belle" of Hanhai University.

Xu Miaomiao soon arrives, revealing that she is their new roommate, much to Chen Miren's annoyance as she finds the exaggerated tales of Xu Miaomiao’s beauty hard to believe. Luo Si then leaves for a date. The constant close encounters with Zhong Wei at school lead Chen Miren to dread every class.

In the next Further Mathematics session, Chen Miren attempts to hide behind another student, but Zhong Wei once again corners her, questioning her claim of being "never been in a relationship." Chen Miren tries to discredit Huang Xiaoyue as an unreliable source but is still unable to provide a satisfactory answer to Zhong Wei, quickly fleeing to her dorm.

Her roommates, sensing her distress, inquire if she has offended Zhong Wei, to which Chen Miren makes up an excuse about a past dispute over the last portion of spicy diced chicken in the canteen. Later, Chen Miren receives a fake invitation to a private Heng Siyuan event. Despite her roommate’s concerns about an obvious English misspelling on the invitation, Chen Miren hopes the security guards will be "near-sighted." To her great relief, the guard lets her through.

Inside the event, Zhong Wei arrives with his father, Mr. Zhong. His father tries to convince Zhong Wei to offer his expert opinions on new action figures, citing his past successful recommendations. Zhong Wei, however, demands payment for his time, successfully negotiating a monthly allowance. As Mr. Zhong wonders about his son's focus on money, Zhong Wei spots Chen Miren admiring the action figures.

He secretly takes photos of her, thinking to himself, "Let's see what you can do this time, Chen Miren." Meanwhile, Chen Miren enthusiastically discusses an action figure called "Eye in Backlight," showcasing her deep knowledge and reiterating her ambition to join Heng Siyuan as a chief designer. During a dinner with her roommates, they discuss their dreams.

Luo Si expresses her desire to become a powerful housewife like her mother, while Xu Miaomiao aspires to always be the center of attention. Chen Miren then shares her own story: her initial dream was to become a chief action figure designer, for which she planned to study Animation Design. However, the program was unpopular and only admitted one student that year before being cancelled.

Consequently, she was forcibly transferred to Business Administration, a major her mother approved of, despite Chen Miren's poor math skills. Undeterred, Chen Miren asserts her unwavering dream to join Heng Siyuan, believing it to be the leading action figure company in the Asia-Pacific region and her ideal starting point. Zhao Gu simply states her dream is to pass her postgraduate entrance exams.

Simultaneously, class monitor Bao Jiaguo approaches Xu Miaomiao on the basketball court, trying to persuade her to run for campus ambassador. Xu Miaomiao initially agrees, but when Bao Jiaguo attributes her inevitable success solely to her "pretty face," she becomes indignant and definitively refuses to participate. Frustrated by Xu Miaomiao and Zhong Wei's similar refusals, Bao Jiaguo discusses the matter with Huang Xiaoyue.

Huang Xiaoyue, eager to represent their class, volunteers himself, even suggesting various costume ideas, including a "sexy" look. Bao Jiaguo dismisses his offer and makes one last appeal to Zhong Wei, who reiterates his lack of interest. In the next Further Mathematics class, Zhong Wei directly demands Chen Miren get him water. Her attempt to escape to the restroom is met with a reprimand from the teacher, who praises Zhong Wei's focus.

Later, Zhong Wei has Chen Miren fix his bicycle, lamenting the twenty-yuan repair cost outside school. Chen Miren, annoyed by his stinginess, mutters about how "lucky" she was to have left him, but quickly retracts her words when Zhong Wei presses her for an explanation. She still claims not to remember the real reason for her departure.

Zhong Wei, feigning patience, then orders her to buy him specific buns from the east gate and matcha bubble tea from the west gate, demanding delivery to his dorm in ten minutes, despite the impractical distance. Later, Bao Jiaguo successfully convinces Zhong Wei to run for campus ambassador, replacing Huang Xiaoyue's ambition. Zhong Wei then corners Chen Miren, asking for her help to draw a campaign poster for him.

Chen Miren suggests simply printing a photo, but Zhong Wei, citing frugality, insists on a drawing because printing is "a waste of money." He then demands another iced matcha bubble tea from her for the next day. Meanwhile, Huang Xiaoyue passes Zhong Wei's basketball game schedule to Chen Miren, who has been inquiring about Zhong Wei's activities.

Chen Miren, however, reveals she is secretly selling Zhong Wei's schedule to Zhen Chunhua, a student from the Department of Chinese Literature, who pays her with a month's worth of snacks for the information.

Zhong Wei sent Chen Miren the photo he secretly took of her, threatening that if anyone saw it, her dream of getting into Hengchangyuan would be over. Feeling cornered, Chen Miren was forced to do Zhong Wei's bidding, from buying him milk tea to fixing his bicycle. Cao Xiaoyue approached Bao Jiaguo about participating in the campus ambassador election, even suggesting Chen Miren could draw the poster.

Zhong Wei, who initially wasn't interested, changed his mind upon hearing Chen Miren's name and decided to join the competition. Chen Miren obtained information from Cao Xiaoyue that Zhong Wei would be playing in a campus basketball game. Believing he wouldn't bring his phone onto the court, she rushed to the stadium.

There, a security guard received a phone call announcing he had won a basket of eggs in a back-to-school special prize draw and needed to pick it up at the school store. Seizing the opportunity, Chen Miren sneaked into the locker room. To her dismay, she couldn't find Zhong Wei's phone, realizing he had it with him even while playing. During the game, Bao Jiaguo, the class monitor, distributed water to the players.

Chen Miren, who had also secretly snuck over, finally managed to snatch Zhong Wei's phone. Zhong Wei, noticing her, told her he expected her to deliver the water she had promised before the match ended, humorously remarking that someone (implicitly himself) was an "internet-addicted youth" for playing with a phone. Chen Miren quickly moved away to delete the incriminating video. When attempting to unlock it, she tried several common passwords, including famous basketball players' birthdays, but they were incorrect.

Finally, she entered her own birthday, and the phone unlocked, revealing a message from Zhong Wei from a previous time that read, "Today marks our 100th day since we met. I left something for you in the little forest at school. Remember to pick it up." Before she could do anything else, Zhong Wei appeared and took his phone back. He casually informed her that he had already uploaded the video to the cloud, making her efforts futile.

Chen Miren, surprised, questioned why he was still using her birthday as his password. Zhong Wei shrugged it off, saying it was easy to remember and he was too lazy to change it. A flashback showed a high school basketball game where other girls offered Zhong Wei water, which he declined, stating he was allergic to mineral water. However, when Chen Miren offered him water, he accepted it.

In the present, Zhong Wei pressed Chen Miren on why she had left without a word years ago, but she stuttered, unable to explain. Later, Chen Miren sought advice from Xu Miaomiao, the campus belle, believing her extensive experience in relationships would be helpful. She asked about finding a perfect reason for a breakup. Xu Miaomiao explained that there's no such thing; a breakup always hurts the person being dumped, regardless of the reason.

Chen Miren then asked hypothetically what Xu Miaomiao would do if an "insignificant" boy dumped her and they met again years later. Xu Miaomiao replied she would "seek cruel revenge" but quickly added that in her experience, she was always the one doing the breaking up. Another roommate, Sisi, interrupted, suggesting they find boyfriends instead of discussing exes, before leaving to deliver lunch to her boyfriend, Fang Mao.

Zhong Wei demanded Chen Miren draw his campus ambassador campaign poster, instructing her to meet him at the school's little forest at 10 AM the following morning, promising to delete the video once the poster was complete. Chen Miren presented several drafts, but Zhong Wei repeatedly found fault with them, criticizing the character ratio, hairstyle, nose, and even calling the eyes "lifeless." He rejected each version, making her redraw them.

Frustrated, Chen Miren accused him of deliberately tormenting her as revenge. Zhong Wei challenged her to reflect on why he might be doing so. Chen Miren retorted that she had transferred schools precisely because he was a "grudge-holding, scheming, and stingy person." She then left. Later, Chen Miren spotted a stray cat and tried to feed it a steamed bun. Zhong Wei approached, remarking, "Have you ever seen a cat dry-chew a big steamed bun?"

He then admitted she was good at drawing and confessed his surprise that her stated reason for leaving without a word (that he was a 'grudge-holding, scheming, and stingy person') was 'this'. Chen Miren clarified her earlier harsh words were said in the heat of the moment. Zhong Wei then stated that the past was past, and it no longer mattered why she had left if she didn't want to say, as it was 'no longer important'.

Chen Miren, hopeful, asked if he was truly no longer angry and if they could let bygones be bygones. He agreed, even quoting, "The next one will be better." Seeing an opening, Chen Miren asked about the video. Zhong Wei then revealed his condition: he would delete the video only after she helped him win the campus ambassador election, emphasizing that the election was crucial for their class's collective honor and served as motivation.

He then demanded her campaign strategy by the end of the night. Chen Miren, realizing she had been played, called him "narrow-minded" and a "sly guy." Inspired by observing Zhong Wei with the stray cat, Chen Miren returned and created a new poster featuring Zhong Wei playing with a cat. Later, a classmate overheard Chen Miren discussing the poster and jokingly asked if she was secretly drawing the campus heartthrob.

Chen Miren clarified that Zhong Wei insisted she draw it for his campus ambassador campaign, dismissing the idea that Zhong Wei, the campus heartthrob, needed a poster to win. She explained that it was Bao Jiaguo who orchestrated Zhong Wei's participation after she herself declined. Her classmate remarked that Bao Jiaguo, having been a monitor for twelve years and with a history of his classes winning the red flag representing excellence, was probably just very keen on collective honors.

Some classmates then worried about Chen Miren, as she had skipped "Living Yama" (Mr. Cao)'s advanced mathematics class. They stressed that she risked needing to retake the course, urging her to attend. An announcement from the school stated that all campus ambassador election posters must be submitted to the main hall of the Integrated Building by noon, or the participant would be disqualified. During Mr. Cao's in-class quiz, Chen Miren was absent.

Zhong Wei, who was taking the quiz, spotted Chen Miren downstairs with the completed roll-up banner featuring his image. He quickly turned in his paper and left the classroom to see the poster. Zhong Wei admired the poster of himself playing with a cat, noting she even named the cat "Dark clouds" but made a mistake by not coloring its eyes green.

He then reminisced about their high school days, mentioning a park bench that used to be their "secret base." Chen Miren once again tried to convince him to delete the video, reminding him of all she had done. Zhong Wei dismissively called them "just classmates" with not much in common and reiterated that he would only delete the video once she helped him become campus ambassador, reconfirming his demand for her campaign strategy by lights out.

Chen Miren once more called him "narrow-minded" and a "sly guy." At the Hengchangyuan company, Zhong Wei, referred to as "Mr. Zhong Junior," had his own parking space arranged. During a meeting, another manager, Yu Dawei, openly mocked Qi Chao's team for their low first-day order volume for their "accompanying cat" product. Yu Dawei boasted that his team consistently achieved the highest sales.

He also taunted Zhong Wei, suggesting his "million followers" as a blogger might be fake, given a recent post of Zhong Wei's had received few likes. Zhong Wei refuted the claim of buying followers and confidently stated that the annual sales figures would reveal the truth.

Yu Dawei then challenged Zhong Wei to a bet: if Qi Chao's team lost in annual sales, Zhong Wei would have to publicly apologize on all his social media platforms, admit he didn't understand trendy toys, and permanently deactivate his accounts. Zhong Wei found the terms harsh but agreed, proposing his own stake: if he won, Yu Dawei would lose his position as design director and be moved to a manager role in the marketing department. Yu Dawei accepted.

Qi Chao expressed concern, reminding Zhong Wei that Yu Dawei's team won sales awards every year. Zhong Wei remained undeterred. Later, Zhong Wei proposed to Qi Chao that they incorporate self-heating material into the "accompanying cat" figurines. He explained that this material, upon contact with the human body, would emit a gentle warmth, making the toy feel like a "lively entity" and creating a truly "warm companionship."

Qi Chao was impressed and eager to begin discussing the plan with Yi and the team, ready to head to the Linzhou processing plant. However, Zhong Wei excused himself, stating he had other commitments related to the campus ambassador election. Qi Chao questioned Zhong Wei's sudden interest in what seemed like a "flamboyant and shallow" pursuit, to which Zhong Wei simply replied that he had "always been" that way.

Back at school, Chen Miren, trying to avoid Bao Jiaguo, pleaded with a passerby to say they hadn't seen her. However, Bao Jiaguo approached. He attempted to give an item to another student, asking them to pass it to Chen Miren. This action prompted a student to question Bao Jiaguo, asking what he had done to Chen Miren and remarking that he was "crazy."

Xu Miaomiao approached Zheng Ze while he was playing basketball, offering him a drink. Many other girls soon surrounded Zheng Ze, also offering him water and chatting with him, which visibly annoyed Xu Miaomiao. Meanwhile, Bao Jiaguo was in his dorm writing a novel but realized he didn't understand the lives of the wealthy. He asked Zhong Wei about the unique troubles of rich second-generations, like not knowing how to spend money or failing to connect with ordinary people.

Zhong Wei dismissed these concerns, stating he was fine on his own and only worried about being forced to inherit the family business. Suddenly, Bao Jiaguo’s computer broke down, forcing him to go out to get it repaired. As he opened the door, a student was distributing promotional flyers for campus ambassador candidates. Bao Jiaguo was astonished to see Zhong Wei's photoshopped face on one of the cards.

The student distributing the flyers was also surprised to encounter Zhong Wei himself. Zhong Wei asked where the flyers came from, and the student explained that a girl had paid him a hundred yuan to distribute them throughout the entire building. Zhong Wei immediately realized this was Chen Miren’s campaign strategy. He gave the student another hundred yuan to stop distributing the remaining cards and took them.

Zhong Wei messaged Chen Miren, instructing her to meet him on the rooftop tomorrow at noon with a new campaign strategy. When Chen Miren arrived, Zhong Wei showed her the photoshopped flyers, demanding an explanation. Chen Miren argued that current popular aesthetics favored muscular men like their main competitor, Wu Dabo, who was "full of hormones," implying that Zhong Wei's "delicate and weak" appearance was no longer appealing.

Zhong Wei, clearly annoyed, asked how she could say he looked delicate and weak, to which Chen Miren replied she saw it with both eyes. Chen Miren presented four plans, but Zhong Wei was unsatisfied with most of them, eventually settling on the last one. Later, Chen Miren went to pick up a parcel, and Zhong Wei followed her.

He noticed she was collecting many "personal items for girls that boys should not see," which made Chen Miren very embarrassed, and she quickly left with her packages. Back at the dorm, Xu Miaomiao helped Chen Miren unpack a parcel, revealing a large, floral bedsheet. Chen Miren then realized she had mistakenly picked up Zhao Gu's parcel. When Zhao Gu returned, Chen Miren apologized. However, Zhao Gu sternly told them not to touch her belongings without her permission.

Xu Miaomiao, upset by Zhao Gu’s reaction, interjected that it was an accident and Chen Miren had already apologized. Despite Chen Miren's earlier assessment, Zhong Wei, dressed in a cute panda costume, successfully attracted a large crowd of girls during his campaign and was smoothly elected as campus ambassador. Chen Miren then reflected on why Zhong Wei paid so much attention to her. She believed it stemmed from a misunderstanding that she had saved him as a child.

She recalled a time twelve years ago at Nanchizi Park when a quiet, friendless young Zhong Wei regularly fed his stray cat, Cloudy. Other children had cruelly killed Cloudy, and when Zhong Wei tried to fight them, he was outnumbered. A girl came and chased the bullies away, making Zhong Wei see her as a "heroine descended from the sky."

In the present, Zhong Wei asked if Chen Miren still practiced taekwondo, and she admitted she didn't anymore, which he noted was why he hadn't seen her at Nanchizi Park later. Chen Miren then directly asked Zhong Wei if he would have noticed her without that childhood incident, and he candidly replied that he probably wouldn't even know who she was.

This revelation made Chen Miren realize she wasn't a "Cinderella loved by a prince," but rather someone who had unknowingly "replaced another girl" in Zhong Wei's memory, making her feel that his attention was "stolen" and she shouldn't have it. During his acceptance speech as campus ambassador, Zhong Wei spoke passionately about environmental protection and the impact of carbon emissions.

Meanwhile, Chen Miren, acting on incorrect information from Huang Xiaoyue that Zhong Wei liked chrysanthemums, arranged for numerous girls to present him with bouquets of chrysanthemums during his speech. Unexpectedly, Zhong Wei was severely allergic to chrysanthemums. He was inundated with flowers, triggering an extreme reaction, and he fainted on stage. Zhong Wei was rushed to the hospital. Chen Miren arrived, intending to apologize, but overheard Huang Xiaoyue and another student talking.

Huang Xiaoyue recounted how Zhong Wei, while unconscious, had repeatedly asked why someone left him without saying goodbye, then joked that Zhong Wei might have been dumped. When Zhong Wei woke up, he was furious to learn he had suffered an allergic reaction to chrysanthemums and that Chen Miren had orchestrated the flower delivery. Huang Xiaoyue, trying to shift blame, claimed Chen Miren had "ordered" him to spread rumors that Zhong Wei loved chrysanthemums.

He then told the other student that Chen Miren was afraid Zhong Wei would be unhappy seeing her and had gone into hiding, adding that if Chen Miren showed up, Zhong Wei would "tear her apart." Hearing this, Chen Miren hesitated and didn't go in to see Zhong Wei. Later, Chen Miren received a message from Zhong Wei, asking her to meet him in the woods. When they met, Zhong Wei confronted her about sending the flowers.

Chen Miren apologized, explaining she hadn't known about his allergy. Zhong Wei then told her he had deleted the video he held over her. He stated that they were "even now" and that she "didn't have to force herself anymore."

After Zhong Wei fell ill due to an allergic reaction caused by Chen Miren's flowers, Chen Miren approached him to apologize. Zhong Wei acknowledged that she had sent the flowers and informed her that he had deleted the embarrassing video, stating that they were now even. Later, Chen Miren found herself feeling unexpectedly down, despite knowing that the video's deletion should be a good thing.

Meanwhile, their classmates discussed Zhong Wei's severe allergic reaction, with some jokingly telling Chen Miren that she had become the "foe of girls all over the school." Late at night, Chen Miren secretly made her way to the school warehouse. She muttered to herself, lamenting her sadness despite getting what she wanted, and then retrieved Zhong Wei's large roll-up banner that depicted him as the campus ambassador.

She convinced herself that she was taking it as a memento of her first publicly showcased work. As she made her way back through a grove, she was startled by Huang Xiaoyue, who had been in the grove for his "important work" of gathering gossip. Huang Xiaoyue teased her for having feelings for Zhong Wei, warning her that "school heartthrob and campus belle" types were unattainable for ordinary students like them. Just then, they spotted Zhao Gu with Shi Hou.

Zhao Gu quickly pulled Shi Hou away, claiming they weren't close to Chen Miren and avoiding a greeting. Huang Xiaoyue found it amusing, commenting on Zhao Gu's "wild" dating style. Chen Miren, desperate to keep her secret about the banner, sternly warned Huang Xiaoyue not to spread the news. Huang Xiaoyue, ever the opportunist, demanded two boxes of milk for his silence, which Chen Miren managed to bargain down to one.

Back in the dorm, Chen Miren's roommate, seeing the banner, suggested she sell it online, but Chen Miren insisted on keeping it as a valuable memento of her first design. However, the roommate expressed discomfort with Zhong Wei's face constantly looking at her. Chen Miren discussed her confused feelings with her roommate, wondering if it meant she liked someone if she was annoyed when they were around but disappointed when they weren't.

Her roommate suggested it was indeed a sign of liking someone, sharing a story about a persistent high school admirer she never reciprocated feelings for. Soon after, Chen Miren received a long-anticipated interview invitation from Heng Chang, a leading action figure company. The invitation required her to bring her own design work, which she currently lacked but was determined to produce. In another part of campus, Zhong Wei received his award for being campus ambassador, a table tennis bat.

A classmate remarked that Chen Miren had contributed to his victory, but Zhong Wei dismissively said he would have won anyway. Later, Qi Chao called Zhong Wei to share news about the self-heating accompanying cat project. The good news was that the project had passed the company's assessment; the bad news was that the budget had been cut, allowing only 20,000 units to be produced.

Qi Chao asked Zhong Wei to join him in Linzhou the next day to discuss production with a factory. Zhong Wei agreed, mentioning he also needed to film a promotional video at a factory, effectively "hitching a ride." Qi Chao playfully chided Zhong Wei for being even more frugal than his father. Chen Miren, too, headed to Linzhou to find a factory for her action figures.

She called the Huateng Processing Factory, requesting 100 pieces, but they hung up on her. She then visited several factories in the Linzhou Processing Industrial Park, only to be turned away because her desired quantity of 100 pieces was too small; most factories had a minimum order of 10,000. One factory even quoted her a processing fee twenty times the normal rate.

Meanwhile, Qi Chao and Zhong Wei met with Ye, the boss of Hongyang Toy Processing Factory, a regular partner of Heng Chang. Ye expressed hesitation about the small order of 20,000 units and the new self-heating material. Qi Chao then introduced Zhong Wei as "Mr. Zhong Wei, one of the executives in Heng Chang, the only son of Zhong Changguo, the old Mr. Zhong."

Zhong Wei stepped in, explaining that the accompanying cat concept was his own, had won Heng Chang's internal design competition with the highest score ever, and was poised to be a "dark horse" at the next Asia-Pacific Trendy Action Figures Exhibition. Convinced by Zhong Wei's connection and confidence, Ye quickly agreed to take the order. After the meeting, Qi Chao complained that Zhong Wei's idea of filming a "special subject video" was ill-timed given their budget cuts.

Zhong Wei offered to ask his father for more funds, but then remembered he hadn't received his own pocket money yet, leaving Qi Chao disappointed. Qi Chao suggested they go for braised goose, but Zhong Wei said he had other matters to attend to and left. Still struggling to find a factory, Chen Miren returned to one of the factories she had previously visited, Qiyuan Processing Factory.

She desperately pleaded with the boss, increasing her order from 100 to 500, then to 1,000 pieces, but the boss remained firm on his 10,000-unit minimum and even threatened to call security. Just as she was about to give up, Zhong Wei appeared and found her. He took her to a street food stall for dinner. As Chen Miren drank to drown her sorrows, she showed Zhong Wei her design sketches.

He was genuinely impressed, remarking on their unique style, exquisite details, and strong expressiveness, calling them "vivid and inspirational." Drunk and emotional, Chen Miren repeatedly asked Zhong Wei if he would let her join Heng Chang, to which he reluctantly agreed to humor her. She then lamented the factory's refusal to produce even 1,000 pieces, questioning if realizing dreams was always this difficult. Zhong Wei reassured her that the difficulty made the dream worth pursuing.

Afterward, a very drunk Chen Miren was carried back to a hotel by Zhong Wei. She sang loudly and declared her love for everyone, then called Zhong Wei "so good" for helping her. The next morning, a hotel cleaning lady mistakenly entered their room. Zhong Wei, still groggy, pulled Chen Miren closer and mumbled, "sleep a little longer," causing Chen Miren much embarrassment. Zhong Wei then brought Chen Miren back to the Qiyuan Processing Factory.

The boss was surprised to see Chen Miren again, but Zhong Wei clarified that she was more than just a classmate. Zhong Wei informed the boss of his intention to film a special video showcasing the factory's production process for his millions of followers, promising significant promotion. He then asked the boss to produce Chen Miren's design.

The boss initially refused, reiterating the 10,000-unit minimum, but Zhong Wei stood firm, stating he would only film the video if the boss agreed to produce 1,000 pieces for Chen Miren. Faced with losing a high-profile promotional opportunity, the boss reluctantly agreed. Chen Miren, emboldened, tried to negotiate an 80% discount on the processing fee, but Zhong Wei quickly pulled her away, settling the deal for 1,000 pieces.

Later, Chen Miren, thrilled by the prospect of finally having her work produced, fantasized about being hired by Heng Chang and becoming a famous designer overnight. She wondered if she should drop out of college, only to be playfully told by Zhong Wei to "go to bed early, you'll have everything in your dreams." She confidently told him that if she became famous, he would be begging her for an interview.

While waiting for a bus, Chen Miren and Zhong Wei witnessed a meteor shower. Chen Miren eagerly made a string of wishes: to join Heng Chang, pass her math exam, and avoid a lecture from her teacher, which prompted Zhong Wei to tease her for being too greedy, causing the meteor to "run away." Chen Miren then asked why he hadn't made a wish.

Zhong Wei replied that he had made a wish long ago and that making too many wishes would make them ineffective. When another meteor streaked across the sky, Chen Miren pressed him again about his past wish. Zhong Wei confessed that his wish was for them to attend the same university, major in the same subject, and even be in the same class. Chen Miren was left speechless.

As the bus arrived, Zhong Wei told her he had more matters to attend to and asked her to go back first, promising to inform him when she arrived. As the bus pulled away, Chen Miren leaned out and shouted, "Zhong Wei, my wish was that I hope all Zhong Wei's wishes will come true!"

Chen Miren returned from Linzhou, telling Xu Miaomiao that her trip was initially difficult but Zhong Wei helped her resolve everything. She admired his exceptional negotiation skills, making Xu Miaomiao tease her about sounding like Zhong Wei's fan. Meanwhile, Qi Chao met Zhong Wei, asking where he had been as he couldn't reach him for meals. Zhong Wei vaguely replied it was a "private matter."

In a meeting with Mr. Ye, a factory manager, Zhong Wei finalized a deal, receiving a sample and a special price. Mr. Ye highly praised Zhong Wei’s abilities and mentioned that his father, Mr. Zhong, believed Zhong Wei deserved first place. Zhong Wei, however, downplayed his father's involvement, stating it was merely a "win-win situation" for the company, not a personal favor.

Back on campus, Chen Miren, still rushing, found herself caught in a text message exchange with Xu Miaomiao, who warned her that Professor Cao was on a strict latecomer crackdown, with zero marks for those caught. Chen Miren, who had overslept, was upset her roommates hadn't woken her, but Xu Miaomiao reminded her she had told them to go ahead without her.

Zhong Wei then arrived on his bicycle and offered to give Chen Miren a ride, but his bike had no back seat. Chen Miren asked him to go ahead and try to stall for her. Just as Chen Miren reached the classroom, Professor Cao was indeed at the door, catching latecomers. Zhong Wei, seeing her predicament, ingeniously distracted Professor Cao by asking a complex mathematical question.

While Professor Cao was engrossed in solving the intricate problem, Zhong Wei subtly blocked his view, allowing Chen Miren to discreetly slip into the classroom unnoticed. Later, after class, Chen Miren became the subject of gossip. When Xu Miaomiao confronted the gossiping students, two classmates mentioned a thief in Chen Miren's dorm. When Chen Miren asked if they were talking about her, they retorted that Chen Miren herself was the source of the rumor.

Xu Miaomiao pressed Zhao Gu, who admitted to spreading the rumor. Zhao Gu also mentioned that Luo Si had lost things, implying Chen Miren was responsible. Xu Miaomiao argued that it was merely a misunderstanding over an accidentally opened package, but Zhao Gu retorted it was "not about the package" and demanded Chen Miren swear she hadn't taken her things.

Angered by Zhao Gu's accusation and her secrecy, Xu Miaomiao then revealed that Zhao Gu's boyfriend, Shi Hou, a grad student, was the one spreading the rumors. As Zhong Wei stepped in to vouch for Chen Miren's character, Chen Miren remembered borrowing sanitary pads from Zhao Gu during an emergency. She suggested they discuss it privately, but Zhong Wei urged her to clear things up publicly.

Feeling cornered and embarrassed, Chen Miren angrily pulled her hand away from Zhong Wei, telling him to mind his own business, and left. Other students then gossiped about Chen Miren's outburst towards Zhong Wei, interpreting it as a sign of guilt. Back in the dorm, Chen Miren confessed to borrowing Zhao Gu’s sanitary pads when she had forgotten to buy her own.

She explained that she had bought a replacement pack but then lost it and forgotten to return it, a claim Zhao Gu dismissed due to lack of proof. Xu Miaomiao, however, suddenly recalled Bao Jiaguo trying to give her a pack of sanitary pads earlier, realizing that must have been Chen Miren’s lost pack. She immediately confronted Bao Jiaguo, who initially refused to get involved in "girls' matters."

After Xu Miaomiao insisted, a male classmate intervened, convincing Bao Jiaguo that resolving the misunderstanding was crucial for class harmony and their standing in the "Outstanding Class" selection. Reluctantly, Bao Jiaguo agreed to buy a new pack. While attempting to discreetly purchase the sanitary pads, he encountered another classmate. In his haste to conceal the item, he accidentally picked up a pack of condoms along with the sanitary pads.

Xu Miaomiao, upon seeing the condoms, became even more convinced he was a pervert. The misunderstanding was then quickly resolved when the dorm management arrived, informing Zhao Gu, who had also accused Chen Miren of taking her watch, that the actual thief had been caught and she could retrieve her lost watch from the security office. Deeply embarrassed, Zhao Gu apologized to Chen Miren, who graciously accepted.

Xu Miaomiao then instructed Zhao Gu to issue a public apology in the class group chat, clarifying that the thief had been apprehended and Chen Miren was innocent. This prompted a discussion among Chen Miren, Xu Miaomiao, and Luo Si about Zhong Wei's earlier defense of her. Luo Si suggested Zhong Wei's actions indicated a special interest in Chen Miren, an idea Chen Miren dismissed, believing he was merely being helpful due to her previous work for him.

Meanwhile, Zhong Wei was seen attempting to reconcile with Chen Miren via messages. Separately, in his family chat, he received a humorous 'Don't be Angry' song, suggesting someone in his family was trying to cheer him up. During the club fair, Zhong Wei joined the Basketball Club. Chen Miren, trying to make amends for her earlier outburst, approached him and offered to treat him to dinner, but he remained cold and dismissive. Her "Don't be angry" song clearly hadn't worked.

Soon after, Chen Miren and Xu Miaomiao saw Zhao Gu joining the Music Club, where Zhao Gu explicitly stated she was "not interested in making friends," creating further distance between the roommates. When Chen Miren and Xu Miaomiao attempted to sign up for the Cheerleading Club, they were told all spots were full. Unfazed, Xu Miaomiao confidently tried to argue for an extra spot, but the senior in charge refused.

Chen Miren was ready to give up, but Zheng Ze, her high school senior, intervened and managed to secure one additional spot for the club. Chen Miren and Xu Miaomiao were delighted, with Xu Miaomiao playfully teasing Chen Miren about Zheng Ze being a potential "pursuer," and asking if Chen Miren was joining for Zhong Wei. At the afternoon tryouts, Chen Miren delivered an awkward but surprisingly infectious dance performance.

Xu Miaomiao then performed a confident but exaggerated and humorous routine, which led to the coach crossing her name off the list. When the coach announced the results, she accepted Chen Miren, praising her as a much-needed "base position talent" for the team. Chen Miren, however, declared she would only join if Xu Miaomiao was also accepted, making it a "buy one, get one free" deal.

Despite initial hesitation and joking that she could only lift Chen Miren, the coach eventually agreed to accept both. Xu Miaomiao immediately began suggesting a redesign of the team's "ugly" uniforms.

Chen Miren pulled Xu Miaomiao aside to ask about her performance in the cheerleading squad tryouts, to which Xu Miaomiao confidently stated that she did well enough to join. Chen Miren was frustrated by her friend’s self-assurance. Soon after, the results were announced, revealing that Chen Miren passed, but Xu Miaomiao did not. As the coach prepared to announce the names, Chen Miren quickly pulled him aside, arguing that Xu Miaomiao’s performance was excellent and she deserved to pass.

The coach dismissed her, explaining that allowing Xu Miaomiao to join would be embarrassing for him. Chen Miren persisted, insisting Xu Miaomiao was a better dancer. The coach then revealed that Chen Miren was the "base talent" they were looking for. Seizing the opportunity, Chen Miren proposed a "buy one, get one free" deal, demanding that if she joined, Xu Miaomiao must also be accepted. The coach, left with no choice, reluctantly agreed.

Chen Miren informed Xu Miaomiao of the decision, but Xu Miaomiao misunderstood, thinking Chen Miren was the "freebie" and reassuring her not to lose heart. Chen Miren accompanied Xu Miaomiao to a basketball team recruitment game, where Zhong Wei and Huang Xiaoyue were playing. Xu Miaomiao wanted to cheer for Huang Xiaoyue, claiming no girl had ever cheered for him before.

During the game, Zhong Wei impressed the audience, and some girls noted that his gaze towards Chen Miren hinted at his affection for her. During halftime, many girls approached Zhong Wei with water. Chen Miren took a bottle of water to offer Zhong Wei, but Huang Xiaoyue directly took it instead. Later, Zheng Ze, who was also present, asked Huang Xiaoyue if Xu Miaomiao was pursuing him, as she had been coming to him frequently.

Huang Xiaoyue clarified that they were just friends and Xu Miaomiao wasn't his type. After the game, Zhong Wei asked Chen Miren if she knew what she had done wrong. Chen Miren, feeling she had angered him earlier, mistakenly thought he was upset about not getting water and blamed herself for offering him "too ordinary" a bottle. Earlier, Xu Miaomiao had gone to give Zheng Ze water but saw him behaving intimately with another girl.

Zheng Ze told her that while she often came to him, they were just classmates, and he didn't like her. Heartbroken, Xu Miaomiao ran off crying. Determined to make amends with Zhong Wei, Chen Miren later bought the largest bottle of water she could find at the convenience store. She triumphantly presented it to Zhong Wei, assuring him he could drink to his heart's content and she would deliver more if he called.

Other girls offering water were speechless, and when one asked Zhong Wei if he still wanted her water, he simply replied, "What do you think?" Online posts soon began circulating, heavily criticizing Huang Xiaoyue’s basketball performance. They labeled him a weak point guard, blamed him for numerous mistakes, and claimed he dragged Zhong Wei down, even mocking his height.

Infuriated by these comments, Huang Xiaoyue fumed about Zhong Wei's height and scoring abilities, claiming Zhong Wei still couldn't be a true point guard. He retaliated by taking his week-old smelly socks and stuffing them into Zhong Wei's bed. Back in the dorm, Xu Miaomiao was visibly distraught, smelling of alcohol, and claiming she was happy. Her roommates immediately suspected she was heartbroken. During a discussion about breakups, Bao Jiaguo, the class monitor, admitted he had never experienced one.

Zhong Wei explained that a breakup only truly counts if the other person no longer has feelings for you. Huang Xiaoyue suggested getting drunk as a common coping mechanism. Meanwhile, Bao Jiaguo, referencing a book, advised that engaging someone in their favorite activities or helping them achieve a long-sought goal could help rekindle their confidence after experiencing negative emotions. Xu Miaomiao continued to skip cheerleading training.

The coach, frustrated by her repeated absences, especially with a basketball match against a neighboring school approaching, threatened to replace her. In solidarity, Chen Miren declared she would also quit. The coach then revealed he knew they had both skipped many classes and two exams using cheerleading practice as an excuse. He warned that if they quit, he would inform their subject teachers, who would make them catch up on all missed lessons and exams.

Chen Miren, initially muttering about the coach's "despicable" methods, quickly promised to ensure Xu Miaomiao would attend all future training sessions. During her own training, Chen Miren observed Zheng Ze being overtly affectionate with another girl, confirming her suspicion that Xu Miaomiao was genuinely heartbroken. Qi Chao informed Zhong Wei that the first-quarter sales for their "Companion Cats" self-heating action figures were "miserable," indicating a lack of consumer interest.

Citing the expensive nature of the self-heating material, Qi Chao suggested discontinuing its use and focusing solely on design. Zhong Wei strongly disagreed, asserting that the self-heating material was the product’s unique selling point and the real problem lay in their marketing approach. He proposed opening an immersive experience store to allow customers to physically experience the warmth of the products firsthand.

When Zhong Wei approached his father, who runs "Heng Chang," for the necessary funds, his father refused, arguing that the idea deviated from the company's existing sales model and could lead to chaos if other project teams also sought special funding. Undeterred, Zhong Wei declared he would find the funds himself. He then presented his "Ao Qi Fashion Selected Shop" plan, aimed at creating a new "Companion Universe" of action figures with immersive experiences, to his stepmother, Bai Ran.

He flattered her, calling her "more caring than his biological mother," and successfully convinced her to invest. Bai Ran agreed to transfer the money, effectively becoming Ao Qi's largest shareholder. Later, Bai Ran enthusiastically told Zhong Wei's father that she had a "small investment idea" for a "Brow-shaving Roller Pen"—a pen that doubles as a brow shaver. Despite his reservations, he reluctantly agreed to fund it, cautioning her against the project leader, Wei Zhong, running off with the money.

During a class roll call, Xu Miaomiao was noted to have been absent three times, jeopardizing her academic credits. Chen Miren tried to cover for her, claiming Xu Miaomiao was sick, a story Zhao Gu embellished by saying Xu Miaomiao was "badly ill" from reading "unedifying online novels" in bed, crying and laughing.

Later, Bao Jiaguo, in his capacity as class monitor, went to Xu Miaomiao’s dorm room and summoned her downstairs for what he called "psychological consultation," suspecting she was faking illness to skip classes. He sternly warned her against such behavior, but Xu Miaomiao insisted she wasn't pretending. Just then, Zheng Ze walked by with another girl, prompting Xu Miaomiao to quickly hide behind Bao Jiaguo, bursting into tears. Bao Jiaguo, surprised by her genuine distress, realized she was truly heartbroken.

He awkwardly tried to console her, suggesting that a breakup was "not a big deal" and that perhaps they would "be together in the next life," which only intensified her crying. Handing her a tissue, he quickly retreated, reflecting on the profound pain of heartbreak and dramatically describing it to his roommates later. Chen Miren and her roommates then tried to cheer Xu Miaomiao up.

While Xu Miaomiao initially preferred to stay in her room and read online novels, she eventually agreed to Chen Miren's suggestion of going shopping the next day, admitting she hadn't done so in a long time. Her roommates remarked that Bao Jiaguo's "psychological counseling" might have had a small positive effect after all.

Zhong Wei and Qi Chao met with a real estate agent to look for a storefront, but their budget was limited. The agent first showed them a rundown place, which was once a bustling CBD core area, but was now offered at a price suitable for their budget. However, Zhong Wei and Qi Chao were not satisfied.

The agent then presented a much better shop with good customer flow and ample natural light, and the perfect size, but its rent was too high for them. Finally, the agent found another location. Though this storefront had been vacant for a long time and looked shabby, Zhong Wei found its location quite good and the price reasonable. He decided to rent it.

With a tight budget, Zhong Wei had to find ways to save money, even finding the renovation team's quoted price too high. Qi Chao explained that no other team in the market would agree to work for the price they offered, and if Zhong Wei made them leave, they wouldn't find anyone else. Zhong Wei refused to increase their pay but offered to cover their lunch and dinner, promising four dishes and one bowl of soup for each meal.

The renovation team found this offer acceptable and agreed. Qi Chao questioned how they could afford these meals. Zhong Wei revealed he planned to use leftover business meals from Heng Chang, emphasizing it was a way to prevent food waste. Qi Chao, however, dryly suggested it was more about taking advantage of his father's company. Bao Jiaguo sent Xu Miaomiao information about the Winter Olympics Ambassador selection.

Xu Miaomiao was engrossed in a romance novel titled "A Caged Bird," praising the author's sincere and well-controlled emotional portrayal, yet she still suspected the author was a "scumbag with rich love experience." Bao Jiaguo, noticing her unusual behavior, asked if she was heartbroken. Xu Miaomiao vehemently denied it and warned him to keep quiet about her being disappointed in love, threatening him if he spoke a word.

Bao Jiaguo said he was only trying to compensate her because she had cried so sadly recently. Xu Miaomiao quickly retorted that her tears were not because of him. Bao Jiaguo, as the class monitor, claimed a duty to care for classmates' mental health and help those recovering from heartbreak, suggesting she apply for the ambassador program to find a new goal.

Xu Miaomiao called him an insensitive man who deserved to be single forever, to which Bao Jiaguo pointed out her own single status. Luo Si joined the sewing club and knitted a scarf for Fang Mao. She visited his classroom, asking a classmate about his whereabouts and introducing herself as his girlfriend. When the classmate expressed surprise, Luo Si explained that Fang Mao typically kept a low profile.

She later presented the scarf to Fang Mao in front of his friends, including Yao Weijing, proudly calling it her "trophy" from the sewing club and asking everyone if it suited him. Her classmates interpreted this as Luo Si openly asserting her claim over Fang Mao, which left Yao Weijing feeling very upset. The Hanhai University basketball team, including Zhong Wei and Zheng Ze, played against Hezheng University.

During a fierce game where Zhong Wei scored layups and three-pointers and was hailed as the MVP, Chen Miren was rushing to join the cheerleading squad but found her uniform zipper stuck. Zhong Wei helped her fix it in the hallway. Zhong Wei then approached Chen Miren and asked her to meet him in the little forest after the game, saying he had something important to tell her. Chen Miren agreed.

Later, Zheng Ze invited Xu Miaomiao to the celebratory dinner after the game, but she declined, saying she was tired. When Zheng Ze asked if there was a misunderstanding between them, Xu Miaomiao told him not to take himself too seriously. Bao Jiaguo tried to get Xu Miaomiao to visit the Teaching Affairs Office to finalize her Winter Olympics Ambassador application, but she was still unwilling.

Bao Jiaguo realized that Zheng Ze was the one who had broken Xu Miaomiao's heart and suspected she joined the cheerleading team for him. Xu Miaomiao started crying, reflecting on why she had liked Zheng Ze in the first place, then quipped that at least he wasn't as talkative as Bao Jiaguo. Bao Jiaguo then reminded her not to be late for the advanced math attendance check the next morning.

Meanwhile, Chen Miren saw Zhong Wei getting into a car with an attractive older woman, and their intimate gestures left her upset. She concluded that Zhong Wei was not the person she thought he was and walked away, choosing not to go to the little forest. Zhong Wei, waiting in the little forest, texted Chen Miren asking where she was. Chen Miren replied that she couldn't make it because she had something else to do. Disappointed, Zhong Wei returned.

Later, Chen Miren's roommates discussed the gossip about Zhong Wei and the "older girl" driving a sports car, noting her elegant demeanor and speculating that Zhong Wei might prefer older women. Shi Hou told Zhao Gu that the cost of living in a big city was too high, citing rent, utility bills, transportation, food, and social expenses, amounting to at least four thousand yuan a month—the average salary for fresh graduates.

He lamented that domestic graduates couldn't compete with those who had studied abroad. He then revealed that his mother had found him a job in their hometown and asked Zhao Gu to return with him after graduation. Zhao Gu refused, stating she would never go back to their hometown. Shi Hou then clarified that his intention in their relationship was marriage, and if she wouldn't move back with him, they would have to break up.

Zhao Gu immediately agreed to the breakup. Shi Hou, upset, accused her of using him as a "stepping stone" for her postgraduate studies, noting that she constantly brought up exam details during their dates. Zhao Gu dismissed his words, stating that it no longer mattered since they had already broken up.

Later, Zhao Gu's roommates discussed the breakup, mentioning that Shi Hou had been shouting "I won't break up with you" downstairs and was eventually chased away by the dorm keeper. Zhao Gu explained that she broke up with Shi Hou because he wanted to return home while she planned to go abroad, as she believed that postgraduate studies no longer offered a significant advantage, and those who had studied abroad were more competitive.

Chen Miren's action figures arrived, and Zhong Wei happened to see them. He playfully asked for one as a souvenir, given his involvement, but Chen Miren refused. She then expressed her joy at completing her first work with Zhong Wei, hoping they could collaborate on more projects in the future, valuing the "sense of ceremony." Zhong Wei agreed about the importance of ceremony.

Later, Chen Miren received a stern lecture from a teacher about her poor academic performance, particularly in advanced math, warning her that she might fail due to her lack of basic knowledge. Zhong Wei offered his class notes, highlighting key concepts and formulas for success. However, Chen Miren, asserting her independence, declined, stating she had her own study methods and that his good grades didn't make his methods superior.

Her roommates later remarked on Chen Miren's unusual behavior, like avoiding snacks, and speculated she might be avoiding someone. Xu Miaomiao read a scene from "A Caged Bird" where the male lead secretly helps the female lead with notes, asking Chen Miren if she found it sweet. Chen Miren responded that it was "a little salty" and asked a friend to return Zhong Wei's notes, implying that taking them felt like cheating.

The university exam results were announced, revealing Zhong Wei as the top student with a perfect score. Zhao Gu, despite her diligent efforts, was dismayed to learn she came in second. The teacher gave special recognition to Huang Xiaoyue for his significant improvement, having scored an impressive 85 after failing the entrance exam. In contrast, Chen Miren was ranked last, with her specific score withheld.

The teacher urged her to study harder, suggesting she seek guidance from Zhong Wei, or risk failing her final exams. Earlier, Zhong Wei had given Chen Miren his class notes in the cafeteria, but Chen Miren, preferring to rely on herself, had passed them on to Huang Xiaoyue when he approached her. Later, Huang Xiaoyue returned Zhong Wei's class notes, thanking him profusely and praising their usefulness. Zhong Wei, looking annoyed, questioned why Huang Xiaoyue had his notebook.

Huang Xiaoyue explained that Chen Miren had given it to him. Zhong Wei confronted Chen Miren, asking why she had given his notes away when he had offered them to her earlier. Chen Miren reiterated her preference for relying on herself. Zhong Wei then pressed her about why she was constantly avoiding him. Chen Miren insisted she was merely maintaining the appropriate distance for ordinary classmates.

When Zhong Wei challenged whether their relationship was "just" that of ordinary classmates, Chen Miren firmly replied, "Of course." Zhong Wei tried to make her elaborate, but Chen Miren abruptly left, stating his behavior only made her dislike him more. Students in the class chat noted Zhong Wei's unusual activity, posting multiple messages about failing exams, a stark contrast to his usual silence, speculating that he was genuinely concerned.

Following her poor exam performance, Chen Miren publicly vowed to study independently and achieve at least 80 points on her final exams, promising to swim in the school lake if she failed. This declaration led some classmates to believe she genuinely harbored feelings for Zhong Wei. That night, Zhong Wei summoned renovation workers for what he described as a "major construction accident," pointing out that the left wall's color was darker than the right.

The workers were confused and irritated, questioning how such a minor detail could be deemed a major issue worthy of a late-night call. Zhong Wei insisted it was, demanding they repaint the wall.

A worker hesitantly suggested Zhong Wei might be in a bad mood, which Zhong Wei brushed aside by pointing out several other supposed flaws: misaligned floor tiles, a crooked logo, and uneven lighting, asking how they could worry about his mood when so many "issues" were left unresolved. Meanwhile, Xu Miaomiao was conducting a live stream as a candidate for the Winter Olympics Ambassador, engaging with viewers and singing songs.

Her classmates watched, praising her performance and expressing hope that she would attend their upcoming class KTV event. Bao Jiaguo announced the KTV gathering, and Zhong Wei, unexpectedly, agreed to go. Huang Xiaoyue then asked if Zhong Wei would bring his "older girl" girlfriend, a woman everyone had seen at the school gate. Zhong Wei was puzzled, claiming he didn't have a girlfriend.

When Huang Xiaoyue confirmed that Chen Miren and the entire class knew about the "older girl," Zhong Wei mumbled, "No wonder," finally understanding Chen Miren's recent coldness, and reaffirmed his attendance. At the KTV, only a few students showed up. Chen Miren informed Bao Jiaguo that Xu Miaomiao wouldn't be coming, having other plans. Some students speculated that the KTV venue, being inexpensive, was beneath a campus celebrity like Xu Miaomiao.

When Zhong Wei arrived, he was called over by classmates but stated he disliked sitting in the middle. He then proceeded to sit directly between Chen Miren and another student. He ordered a "supreme luxury strawberry fruit plate," then asked Chen Miren if she still liked strawberries, subtly probing her. He asked if she was angry with him, which she denied.

Zhong Wei then asked Huang Xiaoyue to queue up the "Single Dog's Song" for him, claiming the machine was too far. Huang Xiaoyue agreed but warned that only single people could sing it. Both Chen Miren and Zhong Wei joined in singing the song. This performance ignited a flurry of gossip among their classmates, who were surprised to discover Zhong Wei was indeed single, debunking the previous rumors about the "older girl" being his long-term secret girlfriend.

Some even jokingly suggested that Zhong Wei's true love was Huang Xiaoyue, due to their height difference. Later, Bao Jiaguo saw Xu Miaomiao running laps on the track. He approached her, offering water, and revealed he knew she had run five laps. Xu Miaomiao was taken aback, asking if he was spying on her. Bao Jiaguo stammered an excuse about seeing Huang Xiaoyue and quickly fled. Xu Miaomiao was left confused, musing that Bao Jiaguo was behaving increasingly strangely.

Walking back, Chen Miren asked Zhong Wei about the "older girl." Zhong Wei clarified that Bai Ran, the woman in question, was his sister, a family member. He then playfully asked if she was happy he didn't have a girlfriend. Chen Miren, trying to conceal her feelings, quickly changed the subject to a calculus problem, citing the Pythagorean theorem. Zhong Wei pointed out that was a middle school concept.

He then confessed his feelings, asking if they could finally be together. Chen Miren agreed to try. Zhong Wei held her hand, noticing it was cold, but Chen Miren claimed she was just chilly. He then expressed his sentimental attachment to the cardboard cutout they had made, calling it their "token of love," and asked her to give it to him for his dorm.

Chen Miren, recalling that she had discarded it, quickly denied having done so and promised to bring it to him another day. Zhong Wei, noticing her sweating hands, again probed, but she insisted she was just hot. Xu Miaomiao confided in Chen Miren about her suspicion that Bao Jiaguo was following her, citing his knowledge of her five laps. Chen Miren dismissed it as a coincidence, adding that while Bao Jiaguo wasn't a bad person, he had a "creepy vibe."

The next day, Chen Miren went for an interview at Heng Chang, a company specializing in figurine design. She showcased her unique and vibrant design work, which impressed the interviewers. However, when she introduced herself as a Business Administration major, the interviewers regretfully informed her that the company had a strict policy of only hiring design-related majors and had to reject her. Disappointed, Chen Miren left.

Shortly after, she encountered Yu Dawei, the Design Director of Heng Chang, who was sharply criticizing his team's "conservative" and "mediocre" designs. He advised them to study the company's past successful series, "Chi Yu Yao Ling," and threatened termination for future poor work. Yu Dawei noticed Chen Miren and, recognizing her knowledge of the company's works, complimented her as an excellent employee. Chen Miren corrected him, explaining she had just been rejected due to her major.

Intrigued by her insights and design portfolio, Yu Dawei asked her about her inspiration. Chen Miren explained her desire to "materialize the beauty in real life. . . so they can be touched, hugged, and they can heal all unhappiness." He then asked why she was so determined to join Heng Chang. Chen Miren stated it represented the highest level in the industry, where she could prove her capabilities.

Finally, he asked if she could handle a demanding boss who constantly rushed her for drafts. Chen Miren enthusiastically agreed. Impressed, Yu Dawei hired her on the spot, telling her to report the following Monday. Chen Miren was overjoyed. Later, Zhong Wei texted Chen Miren, inviting her for milk tea. At the tea shop, Chen Miren excitedly told Zhong Wei about passing her interview at Heng Chang.

Zhong Wei, expressing confidence he knew she would succeed, re-ordered a deluxe strawberry sundae to celebrate. Chen Miren playfully credited his earlier "threat" of sending a video to HR as motivation. Zhong Wei revealed he was just trying to scare her. Chen Miren then teased him, saying she realized he had deliberately sought opportunities to be with her. Zhong Wei told her not to flatter herself.

Chen Miren then asked to borrow his class notes, citing that her "boyfriend is so excellent," she couldn't waste his knowledge. Zhong Wei agreed but sternly reminded her that she "must" pass her exams, as he didn't want his girlfriend swimming in front of the whole school, referencing her earlier public oath. Chen Miren jokingly suggested they "secretly date" until after exams to avoid embarrassing him, but quickly backed down when Zhong Wei challenged her.

Zhong Wei informed her that he wouldn't be able to go out with her during the upcoming National Day holiday, as his shop needed renovation and was preparing for its grand opening, but he kept the type of shop a secret. Chen Miren accepted, promising to cram her Advanced Calculus studies to make him proud. Separately, during the National Day holiday, Zhao Gu's mother called her to invite her for Thai food with her father.

Zhao Gu, viewing it as her parents' public display of affection, declined. Her mother jokingly threatened to cut her allowance, prompting Zhao Gu to reluctantly agree. Later, Zhao Gu returned home. Her parents hadn't come to pick her up. The family photo on the table only featured her younger brother, and all the dishes prepared were his favorites.

Her mother called her brother, Xiao Zhi, to inquire about his whereabouts for dinner, only to learn he was at a classmate's birthday party. Despite his absence, her father put aside the shrimp, explicitly stating it was for her brother. Feeling overlooked, Zhao Gu lost her appetite and excused herself from the table. Meanwhile, Zhong Wei faced a confrontation with his renovation workers.

They complained about the tight schedule, the insufficient number of workers he hired (he had cut it by half), and his direct purchase of all materials to cut costs, accusing him of being stingy. They demanded five times their regular pay for the National Day holiday or threatened to quit. Zhong Wei countered that national law stipulated only triple pay for holidays.

The workers remained steadfast in their demand for five times the wages, declaring they would leave if he refused. Unfazed, Zhong Wei calmly stated they were breaching their contract and would be liable for compensation. He also instructed his assistant to deduct their pay for the day, as their strike had caused a delay in the project. The workers walked off the job. His assistant then asked how they would proceed with the work now. Zhong Wei replied, "There are still two of us," and instructed them to start moving materials.

Chen Miren returned home and devoted herself to studying Further Mathematics, determined not to be intimidated by it. Her parents were astonished by her newfound diligence, remarking that she hadn't left her room for three days, doing nothing but studying. Her mother, concerned, wondered if Chen Miren was experiencing depression, noting that her symptoms matched those of patients at her hospital. Annoyed by their worrying, Chen Miren told them they were disturbing her.

Convinced she needed a break, her parents urged her to go out and play. Her father gave her some money and insisted she stay out until dark, threatening to lock her out if she returned early. Though Chen Miren wished to continue studying, her father encouraged her to do it outside. Meanwhile, Zhao Gu packed her belongings, intending to return to school early, citing a rush, despite her mother’s insistence that she eat first.

At the renovation site, the workers decided to leave, but Zhong Wei did not try to stop them. When Qi Chao asked about the remaining work, Zhong Wei confidently stated that he and Qi Chao would handle it themselves. Unbeknownst to Zhong Wei, someone was secretly recording him working at the site.

Walking outside, Chen Miren overheard a couple talking about a hidden secret, which reminded her of Zhong Wei’s video message about burying something for her in the school woods. She went to the school and, after much searching, finally unearthed a small box. Inside, she found a photo of them together. On the back, Zhong Wei had written, "The 100th day together. Let's spend every anniversary together." Chen Miren added "Okay" to the message and carefully reburied the box.

Later, in a group chat, Xu Miaomiao discussed a novel plot where the male lead, Zhong Jianguo, pretended to be a rich second-generation heir, but was actually struggling due to pride. The group debated whether such deception was understandable or unacceptable. Observing Zhong Wei working diligently on his shop renovations, Chen Miren mistakenly concluded that he was a "fake rich second-generation" trying to earn money by doing manual labor at the renovation site.

Feeling sympathetic, she discreetly handed Zhong Wei 100 yuan and quickly ran off. Qi Chao, witnessing Zhong Wei's happy expression, asked him what was up. Zhong Wei, beaming, said Chen Miren had given him money and called her "too cute." Qi Chao then asked if his girlfriend was the tall, slim, pretty girl they'd seen at the mall. Zhong Wei clarified that he was referring to "the one next to her," indicating Chen Miren.

When Qi Chao asked if he had told Chen Miren about his wealth, Zhong Wei replied no, emphasizing that he was genuinely poor and believed that relationships should naturally unfold. After returning home, Chen Miren attempted to flatter her mother, offering to peel an apple and give her a massage, hoping to get an increase in her living expenses. Her mother, suspicious, asked her directly what she wanted.

Chen Miren then requested a raise, arguing that her current 2,000 yuan a month was insufficient to cover her daily meals, late-night snacks, drinks, fruits, and social outings with friends, especially with rising prices. Her father agreed, but her mother only offered an additional 200 yuan. Chen Miren pushed for 500 yuan. Her mother then directly asked if Chen Miren was in a relationship, which would explain her sudden need for more money.

Chen Miren quickly denied it and rescinded her request for a raise. She then approached her father, who initially claimed to have no money. Knowing he had hidden savings, Chen Miren threatened to work odd jobs like washing dishes and distributing flyers if she couldn't get more money. Her father, reluctantly, retrieved some hidden cash and gave it to her, advising her to spend it wisely.

Separately, Zhao Gu was working part-time at an English language institution, where she met a foreign student named Dylan during a Chinese language lesson. In another group chat, Xu Miaomiao recounted a new novel development: the heroine Chen Xiaomi offered financial help to the male lead Zhong Jianguo, but he became upset, feeling his pride was hurt. This made Chen Miren realize her 100-yuan gesture might have also offended Zhong Wei.

She tried drafting messages to explain, but nothing seemed right, so she decided to speak to him in person. She waited for Zhong Wei downstairs and asked him to return the money, pretending it had been a loan, hoping this framing would avoid hurting his pride. Zhong Wei pulled out his wallet, which contained only small, loose change, and a coin dropped to the ground.

Feeling extremely awkward, Chen Miren quickly told him not to rush to repay her if he was short on money, then swiftly departed. At her new internship at Heng Chang, Chen Miren was introduced as a new intern in Director Yu's department. Some colleagues expressed surprise that a freshman not majoring in design had been hired, attributing it to luck. Director Yu, however, stated that he valued ability over experience.

He then assigned Chen Miren to lead the "Mirage of the Forest" project, despite her lack of experience, reiterating his confidence in her talent. Afterwards, Director Yu asked Chen Miren if she was close to Qi Chao. She replied they had only met twice. He then asked if she knew Zhong Wei. Chen Miren initially said no, then quickly corrected herself, stating they knew each other "but not well, just ordinary classmates." Director Yu seemed to accept this explanation.

During her first day, Chen Miren later called Xu Miaomiao, expressing that her day mainly involved running errands for an irritable female supervisor. Xu Miaomiao updated her on the novel: Chen Xiaomi continued to support Zhong Jianguo covertly during his struggles, secretly introducing clients and resolving issues, which only deepened their relationship. The group discussion highlighted that men highly value their pride, and sometimes, subtle, unacknowledged assistance is the best way to help them.

Driven to understand Zhong Wei's needs, Chen Miren sought information. She encountered Qi Chao at Heng Chang. Recalling their past encounter distributing flyers, she asked if he was a real estate agent. Qi Chao clarified that he was a marketing manager at Heng Chang and had met Zhong Wei while scouting shop locations. Impressed by Zhong Wei's diligence and intelligence, he had recruited him as a temporary staff member. Chen Miren expressed happiness for Zhong Wei.

When Qi Chao asked which department she was in, Director Yu interjected, stating Chen Miren was in his department. Qi Chao openly complained about Director Yu's department consistently ranking last and about Director Yu's "grumpy" demeanor, to which Director Yu retorted that he hoped Qi Chao would still be happy after the second-quarter sales figures were released. Chen Miren then tried to gather information from Huang Xiaoyue about potential problems faced by students in Dorm 405.

After giving him snacks, she inquired about issues. She pressed further, suggesting issues like sneezing, colds, thin blankets, or broken water heaters. Huang Xiaoyue revealed his acne was worsening due to unsanitary dorm conditions. Chen Miren understood immediately, thanked him, and gave him more snacks. Later, she attempted to enter Dorm 405, finding the wall too high and realizing she would have to use the main entrance. Huang Xiaoyue spotted her, and she claimed to be "just passing by."

He invited her to his basketball game the next day, hoping to win MVP since Zhong Wei wouldn't be playing. Chen Miren suggested he ask Bao Jiaguo to cheer loudly instead. Back at the shop, Qi Chao prepared for tomorrow's opening, outlining promotional activities like photo opportunities with female fans and interactive games. Zhong Wei, however, flatly refused to take photos with female fans, citing his commitment to Chen Miren and his belief that she wouldn't understand such actions.

Qi Chao tried to persuade him, saying it was for work and Chen Miren would understand, but Zhong Wei insisted she didn't need to. Qi Chao mentioned having met Chen Miren at the company and, believing he was cooperating with Zhong Wei's act of being poor, he told her that Zhong Wei was a temporary staff member he had recruited.

Zhong Wei responded that he believed Chen Miren didn't care about his wealth, finding her concern "cute," and reiterated his desire to let their relationship unfold naturally. Qi Chao then asked if Zhong Wei was free for the opening tomorrow. Zhong Wei dodged the question, saying he was busy.

Qi Chao inferred that Zhong Wei's refusal to take photos was due to Chen Miren's potential attendance, but even when Qi Chao later asked if he could take photos if Chen Miren wasn't coming, Zhong Wei remained resolute, declaring he wouldn't do it regardless. Qi Chao, frustrated, announced he would go back to work overtime to devise an alternative plan. The shop, named Aoqi , which translates to "stay by my side," focused on "Companion Cat" figures.

These figurines were uniquely made with self-heating material, designed to emit a gentle warmth upon human contact, transforming them from mere collectibles into comforting companions. At the grand opening, Qi Chao excitedly promoted a special offer: the first ten customers to place an order would receive an autographed photo of the "handsome shop manager." Zhong Wei was surprised, having refused to sign photos earlier. Qi Chao explained that since Zhong Wei wouldn't pose, he had signed the photos himself. The promotion proved to be a massive hit, with customers eagerly lining up.

Chen Miren asked Xu Miaomiao about a novel where the male lead pretended to be a rich second-generation, inquiring if there was any follow-up to the story. Xu Miaomiao explained that the female lead consistently stayed by the male lead's side, never abandoning him, and secretly did many things to help him. Luo Si agreed, emphasizing that self-esteem is paramount for men.

Wanting to help Zhong Wei, Chen Miren gave some snacks to Huang Xiaoyue, asking him to subtly inquire about anything Zhong Wei might need help with. Huang Xiaoyue mentioned that everything else was fine, but the dormitory environment was recently quite poor, to the point that he was breaking out in acne. Chen Miren decided she wanted to sneak into the boys' dormitory to clean for Zhong Wei.

She observed Zhong Wei's dorm, but the dorm management was always present, making it difficult to get in. Huang Xiaoyue then told her about a basketball game scheduled for the next day and asked Chen Miren to come cheer for him. Chen Miren suggested that Huang Xiaoyue should ask Bao Jiaguo instead, citing Bao Jiaguo’s loud voice, which Huang Xiaoyue found reasonable.

Chen Miren was secretly delighted to learn that Zhong Wei wouldn't be in the dormitory the next day, realizing this meant Zhong Wei's dorm would be "in her complete control." The following day, Chen Miren put on a hat and mask to sneak into the boys' dormitory. She almost got caught by the dorm management but cleverly pretended to be talking to a group of boys walking in front of her, successfully evading detection.

Knowing Huang Xiaoyue's habits, she felt around a small box on the door and found the spare key, allowing her to enter. Inside, she meticulously cleaned the dorm, tidying the desks and beds. She even washed Zhong Wei's clothes, including a smelly sock she found in his quilt. After finishing, she looked around the clean and tidy dormitory with immense satisfaction. When Bao Jiaguo and Huang Xiaoyue returned, they were astonished by the spotless room.

Neither of them had cleaned, leading Bao Jiaguo to wonder if "Miss River Snail" had visited. Huang Xiaoyue called Chen Miren, asking if she was the "Miss River Snail." He pointed out her obvious partiality: while his and Bao Jiaguo's dirty clothes were simply stuffed under their quilts, Zhong Wei’s bed, quilt, and surrounding area were tidied meticulously, even going so far as to lift his bed board.

Huang Xiaoyue also revealed that the smelly sock she had washed was actually his, and he had intentionally placed it in Zhong Wei's quilt to annoy him, implying Chen Miren’s cleaning was specifically for Zhong Wei. He then asked Chen Miren to relay a message to "Miss River Snail" that their air conditioner was broken and they also needed a hairdryer. Chen Miren secretly returned to Zhong Wei's dorm, fixed the air conditioner, and brought a hairdryer.

Later, Zhong Wei noticed a new pair of slippers by his bed and immediately knew Chen Miren was responsible. He wore these new slippers to class, then asked Chen Miren if she knew anything about them, to which she quickly denied any knowledge, claiming it was an old-fashioned and boring thing to do. She had also previously commented that Zhong Wei looked poor wearing disposable hotel slippers. Chen Miren went back to Zhong Wei’s dorm a second time to clean.

This time, however, school leaders arrived for a surprise sanitary inspection. Finding nowhere to hide, Chen Miren climbed out and hung onto the window ledge. The school leaders inspected the dorm, declaring it "a model of a civilized dormitory" due to its exceptional cleanliness. Outside, other students noticed Chen Miren hanging from the window, gathering and speculating about what she was doing in the boys' dorm. Zhong Wei also arrived and was surprised to see her.

The school leaders came out, demanding to know who Chen Miren was and which male student had let her in, stating that both would be severely punished. Huang Xiaoyue asked who would be punished, and the leader confirmed both. To prevent Zhong Wei from being punished, Chen Miren declared that she was there for Huang Xiaoyue. Huang Xiaoyue was dismayed, but Chen Miren then slyly mentioned his height-increasing shoe pads, forcing him to accept the blame.

Annoyed, Zhong Wei walked away. Chen Miren then safely came down from the window. The school leader reiterated that such an incident must not happen again. As students continued to gossip, Huang Xiaoyue reluctantly pulled Chen Miren away. Although everyone assumed Chen Miren was pursuing Huang Xiaoyue, Zhong Wei suspected that she had actually come for him.

Later, Chen Miren was criticized on a school notice board for repeatedly violating rules by entering the boys' dorm with Huang Xiaoyue's help, performing tasks like cleaning, washing clothes, and repairing chairs in Room 405. Her friends Xu Miaomiao and Luo Si also confronted her, asking why she fell for Huang Xiaoyue, given his perceived flaws. Chen Miren initially feigned loneliness and a desire for any relationship.

However, when pressed, she admitted that she was actually dating Zhong Wei and had only claimed to be there for Huang Xiaoyue to protect Zhong Wei from punishment. She further revealed that she and Zhong Wei had been together in high school. Soon after, Zhong Wei used the school's public broadcast system to call Chen Miren to the school's grove within five minutes, stating that he wouldn't wait. Chen Miren, despite having a fever, rushed to meet him.

When she arrived, Zhong Wei confronted her about keeping their relationship a secret. He wanted to make it public, even if it meant punishment for misusing the broadcast system. Chen Miren explained that in high school, being associated with him made her a target for other girls, negatively impacting their relationship. Zhong Wei then gave her two options: walk three laps around the school wearing his jacket to publicly announce their relationship, or walk ten.

Chen Miren chose to walk three laps with him. Later, Xu Miaomiao expressed her surprise about Chen Miren's hidden high school relationship with Zhong Wei, confirming that she had learned about their past connection from someone else. As "compensation" for keeping such a big secret, Xu Miaomiao demanded to be authorized to take the first official photo of Chen Miren and Zhong Wei as a couple, despite Chen Miren's initial reluctance. Zhong Wei agreed, and they posed for the picture, with Xu Miaomiao instructing Zhong Wei to maintain his "cool" demeanor for the photo.

Huang Xiaoyue was deeply frustrated and wanted to post on the school forum to clear his name after being unfairly blamed in the previous incident. However, Chen Miren brought up the secret of his height-increasing shoe pads, leaving him with no choice but to drop his plans for clarification. Students in the dormitory gossiped about Chen Miren's sudden popularity with the campus heartthrob, Zhong Wei.

They wondered what he saw in her, given their subjective assessment of her looks (barely passable), figure (lacking), and academic performance (needless to say). They found Zhong Wei's strong affection for Chen Miren surprising, with one student wondering if he was "more lovesick" than even herself, referencing a supposed high school pact between them. Meanwhile, Huang Xiaoyue was mocked by his friends for still being single, especially after claiming to have been Zhong Wei’s love rival.

Chen Miren attended a company meeting where her proposal impressed Yu Dawei, leading him to appoint her as the lead writer for the project, a significant achievement given his dissatisfaction with other submissions. Separately, Zhong Wei met Bai Ran at the school gate, dressed in a suit. When he asked if he had to wear it, Bai Ran insisted, telling him, "Otherwise, don't get in the car."

Once he complied, she approved his appearance and had him get in the car. Huang Xiaoyue witnessed this interaction and quickly took photos. At a restaurant, Bai Ran and Zhong Wei joined two other wealthy women who were busy boasting about their children's accomplishments. Bai Ran proudly introduced Zhong Wei as her son, a top student in the Business Management Department at Hanhai University, "a top university in China."

She subtly disparaged the other women’s children, suggesting they could achieve similar feats if they "work hard for more than ten years." She even showed off a poster of Zhong Wei, the "school ambassador," noting he could rely on his looks but chose to rely on his talent. When the women suggested Zhong Wei tutor their children, Bai Ran quickly dismissed them, stating he was busy with school and starting a business, emphasizing he relied on her, not his father.

After the other women, put off by Bai Ran's extensive boasting, left with their children, Bai Ran expressed her annoyance at always hearing them "show off their child, as if they are the only ones with a son." Seizing her good mood, Zhong Wei reminded her about his request for additional investment, which she agreed to. He then asked for emergency money, claiming he was "in a relationship" and "doesn't have money."

Bai Ran initially thought it was a lie, but when Zhong Wei showed her a picture, she remarked that the girl was "quite cute" but "a little less (pretty) than me." Zhong Wei quickly retorted, "Much prettier than you." After a playful argument where Zhong Wei smoothed things over by calling them both "top level" in their respective types, Bai Ran handed him the money.

Back home, Bai Ran enthusiastically shared her excitement with Zhong Wei's father about their previous successful investment in an eyebrow razor pen. She then pitched a new project: a "powder box game console," which looked like a compact but had a game console on the back, offering entertainment and makeup touch-ups on the go with games like Super Mario, Adventure Island, and Tetris. Impressed, Zhong Wei's father readily agreed to invest.

Meanwhile, Huang Xiaoyue posted the photos he took of Zhong Wei and Bai Ran on the school forum. The post, titled "Revealing the true color of Hanhai's campus heartthrob," claimed Zhong Wei was a fake rich second-generation, citing his use of bikes and buses and pictures of him doing construction work for pay. It even insinuated he was "kept by an upper-class society's wealthy woman."

Huang Xiaoyue had already confronted Chen Miren about Zhong Wei being a fake rich second-generation, but she surprisingly revealed she already knew. While some students debated if faking wealth was a "matter of character," Chen Miren defended Zhong Wei, arguing he never claimed to be a rich second-generation and that it was merely "strong self-esteem." Even Zhao Gu unexpectedly supported this view, stating that Zhong Wei's character was guaranteed despite his strong self-esteem.

Later, in the cafeteria, as students openly discussed the forum post, speculating if Zhong Wei's possessions were counterfeit, Chen Miren passionately stood up for him, arguing that there was "nothing wrong with doing manual labor" or "making money with his own hands." She emphasized that Zhong Wei's "excellence and brilliance have never come from others' gilding." Zhong Wei, who was present, appreciated her defense. Inspired by Chen Miren's loyalty, Zhong Wei decided to confide in her, though only partially.

He admitted to being a "fake rich second-generation," explaining that his parents had divorced early, his father had remarried, and his monthly living expenses were barely enough to survive on the poverty line. He said he had to "study during the day and work as a bricklayer at night," and the meal they were having was his "first time eating meat in half a month."

Chen Miren felt pity for him but maintained that despite his financial struggles, his "character is good." Separately, Zhao Gu received a phone call from her mother, who wanted to bring her younger brother to the city during his holiday to visit Zhao Gu’s university and sightsee.

Zhao Gu coldly responded that she was "busy" and had "no time to show them around," insisting she was "fine" and had "things to do" before abruptly hanging up, leaving her mother distressed by her perceived "indifference to family ties." Luo Si was preparing for a movie date with Fang Mao when he informed her he was delayed. When she arrived at the cinema, she found him with his supervisor's daughter, Weijing, to whom he was delivering keys.

When Luo Si confronted him, accusing him of following her, Fang Mao became defensive, stating he shouldn't have to "report" every action and accusing her of going "too far." Upset, Luo Si left. Back at the dorm, she told Xu Miaomiao that the movie was "boring" as an excuse for her early return. Feeling sympathetic towards Zhong Wei, Chen Miren decided to plan a special date for them at a remote park.

The day before, she found herself with no suitable clothes after an online order went wrong and asked Xu Miaomiao for help. Xu Miaomiao showed her a variety of stylish outfits for different date scenarios, like elegant dresses for Western restaurants or cute outfits for movies. However, upon seeing Chen Miren's chosen date spot on her phone – a distant park – Xu Miaomiao simply advised her to "wear more tomorrow" to avoid mosquito bites.

On the day of the date, Chen Miren and Zhong Wei traveled to the park by bus. During the journey, Chen Miren meticulously calculated the price of celery in the market and advised Zhong Wei to eat Chinese yam for his kidney, noting his pale complexion. At the park, Chen Miren proudly announced it was the top-ranked romantic spot chosen by netizens in Hanhai, touting its beauty, fresh air, "many rare wild animals," and, most importantly, free admission.

They visited "Bibo Lake" and searched for the "Ancient Meteorite," but couldn’t find it. Moving on, they arrived at the supposed "wildlife protection zone," only to find a single small cat. Chen Miren tried to convince Zhong Wei it was "wild" and "fierce." When she suggested they visit "Crooked Butt Canyon," Zhong Wei, feeling hungry, opted for food instead.

Chen Miren had grand plans for a "candlelight dinner" at "Sister Li's Stewed Goose in an Iron Pot" in nearby Li Village, even calling Sister Li to confirm the reservation and request white candles and extra salty and spicy goose. However, upon arrival, they discovered the restaurant had unexpectedly moved. They ended up settling for roadside mala tang.

Chen Miren balked at the price of five yuan per skewer, but Zhong Wei, utterly ravenous, declared he would eat it even if it cost fifty yuan. Later, as they sought transportation back to the city, Zhong Wei wanted to take a taxi, but Chen Miren insisted on waiting for a bus to save money. They rushed to the bus stop, only to see the last bus pull away just as they arrived. Suddenly, Zhong Wei clutched his stomach in pain, seemingly suffering from an upset stomach after eating the mala tang.

Zhong Wei emerged from the restroom, still feeling unwell, and suggested taking a taxi back. Chen Miren, however, found two shared bicycles, explaining that while it would take four and a half hours to cycle back, they could enjoy the sunrise together, making it romantic and cost-effective for Zhong Wei, whom she still believed to be struggling financially.

Exasperated by her extreme frugality, Zhong Wei decided to reveal his true identity, admitting he was a rich second generation and that his apparent poverty was only due to his father's stinginess with his allowance. He also clarified that he was the owner of the store where he "carried bricks" and cycled for environmental reasons.

Chen Miren pretended to understand and be happy, even joking that she now felt like riding a bike due to her happiness, but inwardly she thought Zhong Wei was spinning a tale to ease her conscience about spending his "hard-earned money." She then rode off, leaving a frustrated Zhong Wei to chase after her, insisting he was telling the truth. The next morning, Zhong Wei returned to his dorm, exhausted from having been awake all night.

Meanwhile, Chen Miren's friends wondered what she had done to Zhong Wei to make him so tired that he missed class. Chen Miren, looking at a shared bike tracking app showing Zhong Wei's still-incomplete bike journey, surmised that he was still processing their "full and perfect" date.

To counter existing rumors and clarify his identity, Zhong Wei had arranged for information to be released on the campus Gossip Forum, revealing his true status as the heir of Heng Chang, known as "Mr. Zhong Wei." Chen Miren's friends congratulated her on recognizing Zhong Wei's worth despite his initial humble appearance.

Simultaneously, Huang Xiaoyue, trying to log into his forum account, found it locked and then received an urgent message from Zhong Wei, demanding his presence at the basketball court within five minutes. At the basketball court, Huang Xiaoyue quickly apologized for spreading rumors about Zhong Wei, confessing he used pictures and made up stories for internet traffic, hoping to become the youngest president of Hanhai University's Gossip Association.

Zhong Wei, however, pressed him to admit any personal motivations, leading Huang Xiaoyue to confess his jealousy of Zhong Wei's good looks, academic success, wealth, and basketball skills. When Zhong Wei mentioned his relationship with Chen Miren, Huang Xiaoyue vehemently denied any romantic interest in her, stating they grew up together and he viewed her like a "male animal."

Zhong Wei then warned Huang Xiaoyue that rumors could be deadly and that he wouldn't forgive any tragedies caused by his gossip. He returned Huang Xiaoyue's account, urging him to base his stories on facts. Huang Xiaoyue promised to never spread baseless rumors again and offered to help Zhong Wei with anything, including broadcasting more about his love with Chen Miren.

Later, Zhong Wei enthusiastically approached Chen Miren, proposing an elaborate date involving a Michelin-starred restaurant, a luxury yacht, and an exclusive ferris wheel cabin overlooking Hanhai. Chen Miren, still reeling from the previous night's long bicycle ride, playfully accused him of hiding his wealth and making her endure a painful four-and-a-half-hour bike ride, reminding him that her bike's saddle had even broken. Zhong Wei retorted that his butt was even more swollen.

They bickered good-naturedly over who initiated the bicycle idea. That night, in her dorm, Chen Miren scrolled through dating tips on her phone, unable to sleep. Her roommate, Xu Miaomiao, annoyed by the light, threatened to make Chen Miren sleep in the toilet if she didn't turn off her phone. Chen Miren decided to text Zhong Wei, asking if he was awake and what he was doing, and then questioned if he knew what a "couple avatar" was.

After waiting anxiously for a reply and fearing she was annoying him, she recalled the message and simply sent "Good night." Zhong Wei, however, later sent her a couple avatar and also wished her "Good night." This gesture satisfied Chen Miren, and she finally went to sleep. The following day, Zhong Wei and Chen Miren attended class.

Zhong Wei joined Huang Xiaoyue for a drink, playfully teasing him about being a rich second generation buying a small drink to save money, to which Huang Xiaoyue retorted he couldn't finish a large one. In class, Chen Miren was caught playing a mobile game. Zhong Wei covered for her, answering two questions the professor posed to her.

Later, Zhong Wei informed Chen Miren about a campus poll asking if their relationship would last a month, with a staggering 500:1 ratio against them. Chen Miren admitted to voting "won't last" anonymously, hoping to win a 500 yuan grocery voucher, much to Zhong Wei's dismay. He jokingly promised the professor that Chen Miren would know the answer to the test question for the next 80 years. Later, Zhong Wei and Chen Miren were interns at Heng Chang.

In a company meeting, Zhong Wei's father proudly defended Zhong Wei's successful "Companion Cats" project, clarifying that his son secured external investments and did not use company funds. In Chen Miren's department, her boss, Yu Dawei, praised their team's top-ranking sales figures while dismissively calling Zhong Wei's "Companion Cats" project and its offline experience stores a "publicity stunt" that would soon fail.

His colleagues echoed these sentiments, suggesting Zhong Wei's success was merely due to his status as the "Heng Chang heir." Chen Miren, unable to tolerate the criticism, spoke up, declaring Zhong Wei was much better than them. When her boss questioned her, she quickly covered it up, claiming she meant their team could easily defeat the rival project. The boss was satisfied with her work on the "Mirage of the Forest" project.

After work, Zhong Wei waited for Chen Miren, but she quickly pulled him away from the office, anxious not to be seen. She reminded him of the company's strict "no office romance" policy, which could lead to one of them being fired. She feared it would be her, as Zhong Wei, being the owner's son, was indispensable. Zhong Wei expressed hurt, feeling as though Chen Miren was ashamed of their relationship.

Chen Miren quickly reassured him, saying she was the one "reaching out" to him, not the other way around. They went out to eat, and Chen Miren overheard other diners speculating that she must have been the one to pursue Zhong Wei because he was so handsome. This made her visibly sad. Later, Xu Miaomiao frantically messaged Chen Miren, asking about the items for her upcoming livestream, only to learn Chen Miren was stuck in traffic.

Panicked, Xu Miaomiao received a message from Bao Jiaguo, who had already bought all the specific items on her list and was waiting downstairs. Xu Miaomiao, initially annoyed that he had "accidentally" seen her list and purchased things "randomly," was deeply moved when she realized he had gone to all the famous old shops she had meticulously planned to feature, including Mrs. Sugar's tanghulu shop, which was a three to four-hour drive away with a long waiting line.

Touched by his effort, she gave him a tanghulu. During her livestream, Xu Miaomiao eloquently described the tanghulu as "the taste of love," while Bao Jiaguo watched from his phone, eating his share. That evening, Chen Miren confided in Xu Miaomiao, asking who she thought pursued whom between her and Zhong Wei.

Xu Miaomiao immediately declared it was Chen Miren, citing her efforts in drawing posters, helping with elections, and even acting as "Miss River Snail" by washing Zhong Wei's clothes and socks. Chen Miren argued that Zhong Wei had also pursued her by helping with factory issues, carrying her home when drunk, and even zipping her uniform during a competition. Chen Miren then worried if she was being too proactive.

Xu Miaomiao dramatically advised her to be "aloof," like a "relationship genius," explaining that men don't cherish things they get too easily, citing the example of a clingy woman named Luo Si who did everything for her boyfriend. Xu Miaomiao suggested Chen Miren adopt a "neither friendly nor aloof" attitude, keeping a distance, and neither taking the initiative nor refusing. Chen Miren decided to implement Xu Miaomiao's advice.

In class, she tried to form a group with Zhong Wei, but he had already partnered with another student. At a cashier, when Zhong Wei offered to split the bill, Chen Miren simply paid for both. Zhong Wei tested her resolve by telling her about other girls buying him water during basketball practice and offering to do so again, suggesting Chen Miren buy him water instead to deter them.

Chen Miren responded with only a casual "Oh" each time, and when Zhong Wei offered to pick her up, she again gave a simple "Oh." Zhong Wei's friend observed that her "Oh" was "perfect." Later, Zhong Wei was heard on the phone sweetly calling someone "sweetheart" and saying he missed them. When he later met Chen Miren and called her "sweetheart" while asking about dinner, she, maintaining her new aloof persona, replied, "Oh. Whatever."

Chen Miren then called Xu Miaomiao, excitedly confirming that being "aloof" really worked because Zhong Wei had called her "sweetheart." Xu Miaomiao was thrilled but amused, teasing Chen Miren for not returning the endearment. Chen Miren explained she had to stay aloof, prompting Xu Miaomiao to jokingly call her "sweetheart" as well. Meanwhile, Bao Jiaguo discussed relationship dynamics with a classmate, asking why a girl might suddenly become cold.

The classmate explained it could be due to a new partner, boredom, or a "mental disorder" that makes them unable to maintain long-term intimacy, leading to emotional abuse and an abrupt departure within three months.

Following Xu Miaomiao's advice to be more distant in her relationship, Chen Miren adopted a cold demeanor towards Zhong Wei, often responding with a simple "Oh" whenever he spoke. Zhong Wei found her behavior perplexing and couldn't understand what was wrong. Meanwhile, Zhong Wei sought his father's investment to expand the OHH Performance Stores.

He proposed replicating the stores nationwide and reallocating staff to the Companion Cat Project Team, anticipating a 40% increase in sales by the end of the third quarter. However, Zhong Wei's father questioned the existing store's revenue, the initial capital outlay, and the projected return on investment, emphasizing his responsibility as the owner of Heng Chang and to its shareholders. Zhong Wei admitted he had not calculated these figures in detail.

After the meeting, Zhong Wei told Qi Chao that his father had not agreed to the expansion. He declared that they must now prioritize quality and win against Yu Dawei in the third quarter to secure the investment. Zhong Wei reviewed the current design submissions for the Companion Cat product line and rejected all of them, insisting that every item for the third quarter must be exquisite. This led Qi Chao to inform the team about mandatory overtime.

Despite some complaints, Qi Chao encouraged everyone, stating it was an opportunity to prove themselves and that he would also work extra hours, even jokingly offering anti-hair loss shampoo. In their dorm, Luo Si shared that she and Fang Mao had reconciled after she initiated contact, stressing that "cold wars" only harm relationships and that mutual effort is essential. Chen Miren, reflecting on this, wondered if she should adjust her approach with Zhong Wei.

She also received discouraging news: her latest design still had numerous issues and required further revisions, making her quite upset. Separately, the campus beauty of Hezheng University, Guo Xiaoya, gained significant popularity in the Winter Olympics Ambassador selection with her Korean dance, surpassing Xu Miaomiao. Online, author Bao Jiaguo posted a message to his readers, stating that he would not update his novel unless they voted for Xu Miaomiao in the Winter Olympics Ambassador competition.

Determined to win, Xu Miaomiao planned a special live stream featuring her ability to hold her breath underwater for three-and-a-half minutes. During the live stream, Bao Jiaguo, mistaking her prolonged underwater stunt for an emergency, jumped into the pool to "rescue" her. Xu Miaomiao was annoyed, explaining she was merely performing her act. Bao Jiaguo informed her that the platform's rules strictly prohibit content that endangers one's safety, and her live stream account was likely blocked.

Xu Miaomiao checked her phone and found he was correct. She questioned how he knew the live stream regulations so well, and he hesitantly admitted he had researched them because he also wanted to try live streaming. Xu Miaomiao offered to teach him. After Bao Jiaguo sneezed, she handed him her towel and urged him to return to his dorm to change before catching a cold. Bao Jiaguo, visibly pleased, returned to his room.

Later, the results of the Winter Olympics Ambassador election were announced, showing Xu Miaomiao in first place and Guo Xiaoya in second. Xu Miaomiao credited Bao Jiaguo's timely "rescue" for preventing her account from being banned, which would have cost her the title. She decided to treat him to dinner. At dinner, Xu Miaomiao thanked Bao Jiaguo for his help, including buying ingredients for a previous live stream.

She also brought up Bao Jiaguo's campaigning for her and noted a new mysterious character, Bao Zhendong, in his novel who seemed poised to replace the male lead. She found the romantic development intriguing. During their meal, Xu Miaomiao and Bao Jiaguo noticed Zhao Gu on a date with a foreign man. A waitress at the café approached Zhao Gu, mistakenly returning an earring she believed Zhao Gu had left behind during a previous visit with a "Mr. Dylan."

Zhao Gu denied it, claiming she had never been there and swiftly left. Chen Miren's sales results for her figurine design came in, showing it as the worst-performing product in the company. Yu Dawei summoned her, dismissing her explanations about the "heartwarming stories" behind her characters. He emphasized that their target audience, young people, prioritize immediate visual impact and purchase desire, not intricate narratives.

He reminded her of the fierce competition for designer positions in their "gold medal project team" and urged her to cherish her opportunity. Feeling deflated, Chen Miren agreed to make the required changes. Zhong Wei arrived to pick up Chen Miren.

He suggested dinner at a favorite restaurant and a horror movie, but Chen Miren, still reeling from her work setbacks and adhering to her new "aloof" strategy, responded vaguely with "Anything is fine, you decide" and then asked to be left alone. Zhong Wei confronted her about her "silent treatment." Chen Miren tearfully explained that her design had been rejected after days of tireless work and that friends had advised her against being too proactive in a relationship.

Zhong Wei apologized for not understanding her struggles. His car then suffered a minor scratch, but he casually dismissed it, stating it was his father's car, subtly reinforcing his wealth. Later, Bai Ran brought dinner for Zhong Wei's father but found he wasn't in the office. She called Zhong Wei to offer him the meal. Zhong Wei invited Chen Miren to join him. While they were eating in his father's office, Yu Dawei walked in, looking for Zhong Wei's father.

Upon seeing Chen Miren with Zhong Wei, Chen Miren admitted that Zhong Wei was her boyfriend but assured Yu Dawei that she would keep her personal and professional lives separate and would not disclose any company secrets. Yu Dawei acknowledged her statement, adding that he would also maintain professional boundaries. Back in the dorm, Xu Miaomiao celebrated her Winter Olympics Ambassador win with her dorm mates, who also teased Zhao Gu about her rapid new relationship.

Meanwhile, Chen Miren received more discouraging news: a message informed her that her latest revised design still had numerous issues, leading her dorm mates to humorously toast to her "rejected draft." Determined, Chen Miren worked tirelessly through the night on further revisions, finally completing them just before dawn, only to realize the canteen was closed. The next morning, Luo Si, meticulously made up, prepared to celebrate her 500-day anniversary with Fang Mao.

Zhao Gu also left, claiming she was going for "study and communication" with a foreign friend, but was heard referring to him as "Honey." Left alone, Xu Miaomiao lamented that she was the only one in the dormitory who had yet to find a partner.

Luo Si met Fang Mao, who was running late for their date. When Luo Si asked where they were going, Fang Mao said he had no time to plan, unlike her, who often researched popular restaurants and dating strategies. He mentioned he had to ask his advisor for leave and needed to return quickly to write his thesis. Luo Si suggested going to Shuangling Mountain, having seen it on her Moments, and proposed a picnic.

Fang Mao dismissed the idea, claiming climbing mountains was tiring, full of bugs, and she might get sunburned. He suggested going shopping and watching a movie instead, to which Luo Si reluctantly agreed. Later, Xu Miaomiao invited Bao Jiaguo to dinner and excitedly shared that her favorite novel author, "A Caged Bird," was campaigning for her. Bao Jiaguo asked her opinion on the novel.

Xu Miaomiao praised the author as a pioneer in web fiction for his emotionally sensitive and realistic characters. However, she criticized the recent chapters, feeling that the high-status male lead was forcibly downgraded and a supporting female character, who was supposed to be independent and strong, would inexplicably reveal her boyfriend was the young owner of their company, ruining her character.

She also disliked how the heroine was forcibly paired with Bao Zhendong, who acted mysteriously and refused to reveal his true identity. Xu Miaomiao wondered if he was an international agent or the only son of a rich family, wishing he would be more frank and sincere. Bao Jiaguo, who was actually the author, decided against revealing his identity after hearing her strong criticism. After their movie date, Zhong Wei walked Chen Miren back to her dorm.

They were about to chat more when the dorm doors were almost locked, forcing them to part. Back in her room, Chen Miren's dormmates teased her, asking if a princess saving a prince would lead to marriage. They were surprised to learn that Chen Miren and Zhong Wei hadn't even shared a kiss, only a cheek kiss, which one friend dismissed as something for children.

Her friend enthusiastically explained that only a kiss on the lips could truly ignite passion and connect souls, describing Chen Miren and Zhong Wei's relationship progress as "too slow." She boasted that she and Fang Mao had already watched a midnight movie and brought their IDs in their first week of dating. Chen Miren, preferring to take things gradually, eventually went to sleep.

The following day, Huang Xiaoyue rushed in to announce that their class was fighting with the Business English class, led by Li Jinshan. Everyone hurried out to find the two groups arguing, not only about a recent game but also old grudges, including accusations of cheating during a school sports event and unfair wins in poetry recitals. Bao Jiaguo stepped in, suggesting that instead of fighting like children, they should resolve their differences like adults.

He proposed a cycling competition this weekend at Shuangling Mountain to settle the scores. The opposing class agreed. Xu Miaomiao was exasperated, pointing out that the other class had three members from the school's cycling team, while their own male classmates were "weak" and "lacked exercise." Bao Jiaguo insisted that participation was what mattered and it was better than fighting. He then looked at Zhong Wei, entrusting him with their class's honor, although Zhong Wei seemed doubtful of their chances.

Luo Si once again asked Fang Mao to go to Shuangling Mountain, but he repeated his excuses about it being tiring and full of bugs. Meanwhile, Xu Miaomiao, initially uninterested in group activities, decided to join the cycling event to do an outdoor live stream, citing Shuangling Mountain's beautiful scenery. When Bao Jiaguo handed out water bottles, he specifically gave Xu Miaomiao a sugar-free one.

Before the race started, Zhong Wei told Chen Miren to ride slowly, assuring her that he would win for her. However, Xu Miaomiao admitted she couldn't cycle and spent the race pushing her bike, stating that participation was key. She complained to Bao Jiaguo that at least Chen Miren had Zhong Wei to support her, while she had no one. Surprisingly, Bao Jiaguo revealed that Luo Si and Zhao Gu were even slower than them.

Luo Si and Zhao Gu, having taken a different route, came across Fang Mao and Yao Weijing together, with Fang Mao carrying Yao Weijing's bag. Enraged, Luo Si confronted him, accusing him of dating Yao Weijing. Fang Mao denied it, claiming his Poetry Society was there to gather inspiration and that Luo Si was also at Shuangling Mountain.

Luo Si angrily retorted that with her, he complained about being tired and the mosquitoes, but with Yao Weijing, he willingly came for inspiration. She then questioned why he was carrying Yao Weijing's bag.

Fang Mao dismissed it as "just a bag," but Luo Si reminded him of their high school days, when she worked part-time and sold her designer bag and cross-stitches to fund their trip to Yunnan after his parents divorced, and he promised he would "only carry my bag in your lifetime." Fang Mao called her "unreasonable" and demanded she apologize to Yao Weijing.

Luo Si refused, stomping her foot, which led Fang Mao to call her "barbaric" before leaving with Yao Weijing. Just then, Li Jinshan appeared, claiming he had seen Fang Mao touch Yao Weijing's hand while he was going to the toilet. He called Fang Mao a "scumbag" and admitted he wanted to punch him. The Poetry Society members denied Li Jinshan's claim and demanded an apology from Luo Si. Chen Miren and others arrived after receiving an urgent message.

As the two groups were about to fight, Chen Miren intervened, suggesting a poetry contest to resolve the conflict more civilly, since Fang Mao's group was a poetry society. She persuaded Zhong Wei to represent their side, promising to compensate him later. Zhong Wei agreed, on the condition that if they lost, the matter would be dropped. Later, at a restaurant, Luo Si was in tears.

Her friends tried to comfort her, but also discussed their belief that she would eventually forgive Fang Mao, as she always did. They advised her not to reconcile so easily this time, agreeing that Fang Mao's attitude and his insistence that Luo Si apologize were problematic. When Luo Si asked Zhao Gu if she had actually seen Fang Mao touch Yao Weijing's hand, Zhao Gu admitted she hadn't. Luo Si then concluded that Li Jinshan was "talking nonsense."

Her friends expressed frustration, convinced she would make up with Fang Mao again, but Luo Si insisted she would not initiate contact if he didn't. Bao Jiaguo, serving a plate of sweet and sour pork intestines, accidentally had the entire dish spill onto Xu Miaomiao's head when she instinctively reached out and hit his hand. Xu Miaomiao, who was extremely protective of her hair, was furious. Bao Jiaguo was flustered, while friends quickly helped Xu Miaomiao to the bathroom.

He had been planning to reveal his identity as "A Caged Bird" in a novel "easter egg" by writing a scene where the male lead, Bao Zhendong, reveals he's the only son of a global braised duck chain owner, and the female lead, Lin Miaomiao, is delighted because she loves braised duck. However, after Xu Miaomiao's earlier criticism and the current accident, he quickly deleted the planned reveal.

Later, he posted a "special bonus chapter" that answered fan questions, subtly describing the author as a freshman, a worrying monitor who loved ping-pong, preferred fatty meat, and was traumatized by sanitary pads, hoping to hint at his identity without a direct confession. Xu Miaomiao later checked her hair with Chen Miren, who assured her that after eight washes with two bottles of shampoo, it was "fragrant." Chen Miren, thinking Zhong Wei had returned, eagerly ran to greet him.

She hugged someone from behind and leaned in for a kiss, only to discover it was Ms. Zhang, the cook, standing awkwardly as Zhong Wei watched from nearby. When Zhong Wei asked for an explanation, Chen Miren claimed she was merely thanking Ms. Zhang for her hard work. Zhong Wei then reminded Chen Miren of her promise to "compensate" him for the poetry contest.

Chen Miren tried to praise him for being "awesome" and for his poetry skills, but Zhong Wei insisted on a more direct "compensation" and then kissed her. Meanwhile, Zhong Wei attended a meeting where his boss discussed a product called "Kiss the Pig," emphasizing the need to highlight the "kissing concept" to compete with a rival product, "Companion Bear." Zhong Wei was distracted throughout the meeting, giving a vague "It's. . . It's good" when asked for his opinion, which the boss took as approval to make "Kiss the Pig" a key project.

Zhong Wei received an unexpected phone call from Cao Jia'er, a name he didn't immediately recognize. Cao Jia'er reintroduced herself, reminding him he used to call her "Heroine" when they were children, back in Nanchizi Park and at the taekwondo gymnasium. She explained that she had tried to find him in high school, but Chen Miren, a classmate, told her he had transferred, preventing them from meeting.

Cao Jia'er added that she later found his social media but received no replies to her messages, leading her to ask many friends to track him down. Now, she was at his university, and Zhong Wei promptly agreed to meet her. Meanwhile, Chen Miren was feeding the campus kittens and sent a message to Zhong Wei, but he didn't reply. Later, Chen Miren brought Zhong Wei breakfast, noting he had likely stayed up all night working.

She gave him hot food and encouraged him to eat. When she later asked if all men were fickle, Zhong Wei quickly reassured her of his loyalty. However, he soon received a message about urgent company matters and had to leave abruptly, cutting short their time together. At work, Zhong Wei reviewed several design drafts but found them all unsatisfactory, demanding they be redone.

Qi Chao suggested that some designs could be salvaged with minor modifications, but Zhong Wei insisted that every product from their brand, Aoqi, must be a masterpiece, stressing the need for high quality to compete effectively against rivals like Yu Dawei. One designer, frustrated after multiple revisions, threatened to move to another team. Zhong Wei, unflustered, stated that designers and works that couldn't meet standards were not needed.

Later, Qi Chao proposed a strategy to accelerate product updates while simultaneously recruiting new talent to improve quality and expand capacity, a suggestion Zhong Wei considered. Separately, Chen Miren received exciting news: her latest figurine design had been selected for the company's third-quarter new product list. Overjoyed, she immediately sought out Zhong Wei to share the good news.

Zhong Wei, who already knew of her success as the young CEO of Hengchangji, celebrated by gifting her a treasured, out-of-print set of "The Westward" figurines he had "borrowed" from his father. He assured her they were now hers to keep. Chen Miren's joy was short-lived when she received a friend request from Cao Jia'er, leaving her stunned. A flashback revealed a past encounter: Cao Jia'er had visited Zhong Wei's classroom when he was absent, having gone to PE class.

Chen Miren, seeing a drawing of a cat named "Dark Clouds" in Zhong Wei's notebook, realized that Cao Jia'er was the "Heroine" Zhong Wei had often spoken of—his childhood "white moonlight." Cao Jia'er had then asked Chen Miren to keep her visit a secret, wanting to surprise Zhong Wei later, which only intensified Chen Miren's unease.

Hearing rumors that Cao Jia'er was transferring to their school, Chen Miren, in a state of confusion, told her parents she wanted to transfer as well, offering no specific reason. Later, while scrolling through Cao Jia'er's social media, Chen Miren confided in Xu Miaomiao, asking about the fate of "substitute" characters in novels.

Xu Miaomiao explained that such characters invariably meet tragic ends, quickly becoming irrelevant and "cannon fodder" once the "original" love interest appears, often suffering fates like family ruin, abandonment, and illness. Chen Miren, clearly distressed, expressed her dislike for such stories. Lost in thought, Chen Miren accidentally wandered into the men's restroom, where she encountered Qin Mengxuan. He flirted, teasing that she was now responsible for "seeing him."

Chen Miren quickly denied seeing anything and firmly stated that she had a "tall, handsome, and cruel" boyfriend, warning him to stay away. Just then, Zhong Wei arrived, and Chen Miren, claiming not to know Qin Mengxuan, quickly left with him. Zhong Wei offered to stay and watch her cheerleading practice, but Chen Miren declined, not wanting him to see her being scolded by her coach.

Later, a classmate, Huang Xiaoyue, gossiped that Zhong Wei might have cheated, causing Chen Miren to hide from him. Chen Miren, however, clarified that they were merely having "love issues" and, when pressed by Huang Xiaoyue, dismissed a rumor that Zhong Wei was a bad kisser as false. Meanwhile, Bao Jiaguo, still feeling guilty about accidentally spilling stir-fried pig intestines on Xu Miaomiao's head, had been actively avoiding her.

Hoping to improve his appeal, he got a haircut advertised to make girls like him. He then saw Xu Miaomiao's livestream announcement for a dessert shop, which featured a "nostalgia" theme, and discreetly followed her there, ordering the same desserts she reviewed. During her livestream, Xu Miaomiao emotionally recounted the origin of tiramisu, a cake symbolizing "take me with you," and reflected on the bittersweet nature of goodbyes and how shared moments become cherished memories.

She became tearful after receiving a message from her mother saying "Dabai has left," which the cafe staff mistakenly believed was due to the tiramisu. After her broadcast concluded, Bao Jiaguo cautiously approached Xu Miaomiao. He apologized again for the incident, playfully suggesting he wished he had spilled something less messy, like smashed cucumbers or spicy chicken. He took full responsibility and offered to pay for all her shampoo until she went bald.

Xu Miaomiao, amused and touched, told him to stop talking, calling him a "language genius." He then confessed he hadn't been stalking her at the cafe but had seen her livestream announcement, reassuring her he wouldn't tell anyone about her "snot bubbles." Xu Miaomiao thanked him for comforting her and clarified that her angry words at Shuangling Mountain were said in the heat of the moment, asking him not to take them to heart.

After Zhong Wei returned to his dorm, he received a text message from Cao Jia'er. She expressed how much fun she had that day and reminded him about their Friday appointment, to which he simply replied, "Okay." Meanwhile, Bao Jiaguo sought advice from Huang Xiaoyue on how to win Xu Miaomiao's affection. Huang Xiaoyue suggested that Bao Jiaguo should read Xu Miaomiao's favorite novels to understand what kind of male leads she admired.

Following this advice, Bao Jiaguo embarked on "Male Lead Plan A," attempting to embody a romantic and tender character who would accidentally meet his love interest. When this approach failed, he quickly shifted to "Plan B," adopting a more domineering and cool persona. This included an incident on the basketball court where he deliberately hit Xu Miaomiao with a ball and rudely demanded she throw it back.

Xu Miaomiao found Bao Jiaguo's behavior increasingly odd, noting his daily costume changes to resemble idol drama male leads. She suspected he had either joined a cosplay club or was overly influenced by online novels. Despite her confusion, she admitted that he looked quite striking in his various outfits. Bao Jiaguo, meanwhile, believed he had successfully established an indifferent and cool demeanor and intended to further his pursuit by playing "cat and mouse."

His friends also noticed his transformations, with one even pointing out his resemblance to Professor Do Min Joon. Zhao Gu humorously explained that "male creatures would dress themselves up when they want to pursue female creatures in order to win their hearts." Later, Huang Xiaoyue gossiped to Chen Miren that Zhong Wei hadn't returned to the dorm the previous night. Chen Miren defended Zhong Wei, insisting he must have been busy with company matters or had gone home.

When Zhong Wei arrived for class, Chen Miren asked him why he hadn't replied to her message and where he had been. He explained that he was too occupied with company matters to return to the dorm. Meanwhile, students discussed the news of a massive traffic jam at Lanshan Park, a popular spot for couples to watch the sunrise, especially on what was rumored to be the best day of the year for it.

Huang Xiaoyue expressed disbelief that so many people would skip work or school for it. As Zhong Wei opened his book, a ticket to Lanshan Park fell out, and Chen Miren saw it. Chen Miren and Zhong Wei then went to feed Xiaomeng, the cat. Chen Miren inquired if Zhong Wei liked Xiaomeng because it resembled Wuyun (Dark Clouds), his childhood cat. Zhong Wei clarified that Xiaomeng and Wuyun were distinct and that he found both adorable.

Chen Miren then directly asked him if he would still like her and be with her if their shared childhood history hadn't occurred, questioning if she was his "white moonlight." Zhong Wei assured her that his feelings for her were simply because she was Chen Miren, independent of any past events or idealized figures. Separately, Zhao Gu witnessed her boyfriend embracing another girl. She called him, asking why he hadn't come to class.

He lied, claiming he was home sick and had taken a lot of medicine. When Zhao Gu offered to visit him, he quickly refused, insisting he just needed rest. She wished him well, and he replied affectionately before hanging up to "sleep," unaware that Zhao Gu knew the truth.

Xu Miaomiao and her friends were engrossed in a novel, discussing a plot point where the male lead, Bao Zhendong, lied to the heroine, claiming he was going to work but instead checking into a hotel. The friends feared the plot was "collapsing" and speculated on the identity of the person in the hotel room, suggesting it could be a spy sent by the stepmother or the male lead's first love, his "white moonlight."

Luo Si strongly asserted that lying is always wrong in a relationship, regardless of the reason. Another friend countered that if a lie was chosen, it might have been the best solution, implying a much crueler truth. Xu Miaomiao expressed curiosity about the unfolding truth. Overhearing this discussion, Chen Miren reflected on the importance of trust in a relationship and resolved to believe Zhong Wei and not harbor suspicion.

During the Advanced Mathematics final exam, Chen Miren was late and reminded to put away her phone. Luo Si attempted to cheat, and when Huang Xiaoyue asked for a copy, Luo Si threw it. The cheat sheet, however, accidentally landed by Xu Miaomiao. Huang Xiaoyue asked Xu Miaomiao to pick it up, but the teacher saw her, immediately accusing her of cheating.

To protect Xu Miaomiao, Bao Jiaguo bravely stood up, claiming the cheat sheet was his and requesting to speak outside with the teacher. The teacher, sternly reminding Bao Jiaguo that cheating would result in retaking the course, sent him to his office. After the exam, the teacher officially announced Bao Jiaguo's disqualification for cheating and the requirement for him to retake the course. Luo Si and Huang Xiaoyue apologized to Xu Miaomiao, regretting that their actions had implicated Bao Jiaguo.

Xu Miaomiao, however, redirected them, telling them to apologize directly to Bao Jiaguo. Chen Miren later confronted Zhong Wei about his recent busyness. He explained that today was the last day he would be occupied and promised to spend time with her from tomorrow onwards, suggesting they plan their vacation. Despite his assurances, Chen Miren remained somewhat unsettled. Later, two classmates approached her, asking if she was watching the newly released movie, "Listen, Love Is Roaring."

When she denied it, they seemed surprised, stating that they had just seen Zhong Wei buying two tickets for that very movie at the campus cinema and entering with another girl. Chen Miren tried to dismiss it as a mistake, but her friend insisted it was unmistakably Zhong Wei. Alone once more, Chen Miren tried to reaffirm her resolve, reminding herself that trust was paramount in a relationship.

Zhong Wei met with Cao Jia'er and informed her that he had fulfilled three of her wishes: visiting Nanchizi Park, watching the sunrise, and seeing a movie. He then asked if she had any further requests. Cao Jia'er requested berry cheesecake from their current location, and Zhong Wei went to order it for her. While he was away, Chen Miren called Zhong Wei's phone.

Cao Jia'er answered, identifying herself to Chen Miren and explaining that Zhong Wei was buying cheesecake for her. Without uttering a word, Chen Miren immediately hung up the phone, her suspicions confirmed. Zhong Wei arrived to pick up Chen Miren. Chen Miren began to suggest various outing ideas for them: visiting Mount Su to see the cape jasmine, watching the sunset by Xiaobo River, or trying the new branch of a popular milk tea shop.

She then explicitly mentioned Nanchizi Park, Lanshan Park for sunrise from the No. 5 observation deck, and the movie "Listen, Love Is Roaring" at the campus cinema—all places or activities linked to Zhong Wei's recent actions with Cao Jia'er or the ticket she had found. Realizing Chen Miren knew about his activities, Zhong Wei asked if she didn't want to go anywhere or specifically didn't want to go with him.

Chen Miren confirmed she knew everything, acknowledging that she had been a "fake" and had lied to be with him because she knew he had mistaken her for someone else long ago. While Zhong Wei tried to reassure her that he didn't mind her past deception, Chen Miren insisted that she did. She expressed immense pressure, feeling like a thief who had taken someone else's place and stolen their love.

She declared that since Cao Jia'er was back, she could "give him back to her." Zhong Wei was offended by her phrasing, but Chen Miren clarified, asking if they could break up. Zhong Wei emphatically refused. Chen Miren then accused him of trying to "be a two-timer" by dating Cao Jia'er while refusing to break up with her. Hurt, Zhong Wei questioned if she truly saw him in that light.

Chen Miren retorted with sarcasm, implying he was popular enough to have many girlfriends and that she was "not good enough" for him. Zhong Wei tried to explain, calling her unreasonable, but Chen Miren simply stated it wasn't too late that he now knew the truth. Giving her an ultimatum, Zhong Wei warned that if she broke up with him now, he would not wait for her again, telling her not to regret it. Chen Miren, however, affirmed that she would not regret it and declared, "I don't want you anymore!"

Feeling upset after her breakup, Chen Miren, with her luggage, stumbled on the road. Frustrated, she left her suitcase behind and walked away. Her parents noticed her low spirits, but her father believed she should be given space to handle things. Her mother, however, worried that Chen Miren was spoiled by her father. Meanwhile, Luo Si was thrilled when Fang Mao's mother called to invite her to her birthday party, hoping it meant acceptance into the family.

At the party, Fang Mao's mother showered Luo Si with compliments, praising her thoughtfulness and nimble hands, recalling how Luo Si had made her chrysanthemum tea, knitted scarves and gloves, and even ten pairs of wool knee pads with heartfelt inscriptions when she was hospitalized for arthritis. The atmosphere shifted when Fang Mao's mother announced her intention to adopt Luo Si as her goddaughter, making her Fang Mao's sister.

She pledged to treat Luo Si like her own child and even asked Luo Si to help vet Fang Mao's future partners. Fang Mao tried to object, but his mother quickly silenced him, reminding him it was her birthday. A dismayed Luo Si politely declined, explaining that a fortune teller had warned her about her "hard fate" potentially harming her parents, and excused herself due to school matters before wishing Mrs. Fang a happy birthday and leaving.

Fang Mao rushed after her, trying to explain he was unaware of his mother's intentions and his silence was to avoid upsetting her on her birthday, planning to address it later. He then blamed Luo Si for being inconsiderate and embarrassing his mother. Luo Si, hurt, sarcastically called him "Godbrother," signaling the end of their relationship. Fang Mao warned her not to regret it, but Luo Si affirmed she wouldn't.

Later, Luo Si messaged Chen Miren about going to a bar. Chen Miren, still gloomy, joined her. Xu Miaomiao was also there, lamenting Bao Jiaguo's sudden indifference after he had always been there to help, even taking the blame for her cheating in a recent exam. Zhao Gu, also at the bar, encountered her ex-boyfriend, Dylan, and his friends. Dylan falsely claimed he dumped her, but Zhao Gu quickly exposed his infidelity as the real reason for their breakup.

Dylan's boss, Harris, was intrigued by Zhao Gu's composed reaction, remarking on how unique she was among Dylan's Chinese ex-girlfriends for not being emotional. Zhao Gu calmly stated that breaking up is just a phase, not a failure, and she wouldn't let a man define her emotions or value.

After hearing Luo Si's story about Fang Mao's family demoting her from a prospective daughter-in-law to a goddaughter, due to their intellectual background looking down on her non-intellectual family, Chen Miren also revealed her own recent breakup with Zhong Wei. She explained that Cao Jia'er's return and Zhong Wei's secretive interactions with her had led to their split.

Feeling angry and betrayed, Chen Miren deleted Zhong Wei's contact information, inspiring some of her friends to do the same with their own ex-partners. However, Xu Miaomiao refused to delete Bao Jiaguo, declaring her intention to actively pursue him instead. Meanwhile, Zhong Wei, regretting his actions, tried to message Chen Miren to explain that he had hidden his meeting with Cao Jia'er out of fear of another breakup, only to find that Chen Miren had deleted him.

The next day, Chen Miren arrived at work, remembering she had deleted Zhong Wei. She encountered Qi Chao, who noticed Zhong Wei's absence and inquired about a quarrel. Qi Chao mentioned Zhong Wei had stormed out yesterday, angrily saying, "Chen Miren, you're really something," and dragging a "shabby suitcase." Chen Miren began bringing Qi Chao coffee daily for a month, hoping to see Zhong Wei, but he remained absent from the company.

Qi Chao later advised Zhong Wei that communication and trust are vital in a relationship. Zhong Wei explained he felt misunderstood; his actions were merely to protect their relationship from Cao Jia'er's interference, not to two-time Chen Miren. Since Chen Miren had deleted him, he couldn't explain, so Qi Chao suggested he explain face-to-face when school resumed. On the day of return to school, Bao Jiaguo conspicuously set up a "Return to School Helper Team."

When he saw Xu Miaomiao with her heavy luggage, he immediately went to assist her, ignoring another girl who also needed help. Luo Si returned to her dorm, surprising her roommates by announcing her reconciliation with Fang Mao. She explained she had apologized, feeling she had overreacted given his mother's heart condition, and they had decided to pursue a "secret relationship." Later, Zhong Wei arrived downstairs at Chen Miren's dorm.

He simply returned her suitcase without saying a word before leaving. Her friends interpreted this as his awkward attempt to apologize and encouraged Chen Miren to soften her stance. However, Chen Miren remained firm, asserting she had done nothing wrong and would not be the first to yield. At a lecture, Xu Miaomiao noticed Cao Jia'er among the attendees and speculated she might have transferred to the school specifically for Zhong Wei, amazed by the effort she was putting in.

Shortly after, Zhong Wei confronted Cao Jia'er outside, asking if she had approached Chen Miren. He firmly stated that Chen Miren was his girlfriend and asked Cao Jia'er not to disturb her. Cao Jia'er then revealed that her parents wouldn't allow her to return to the U. S. for her studies, leading her to transfer to the Business English Department at Hanhai University instead.

Chen Miren confronted Zhong Wei, stating she wasn't aware Cao Jia'er would transfer schools, implying his involvement. Zhong Wei, however, retorted that it was her business and unrelated to him. He urged her to speak calmly and stop impulsively deleting him on WeChat or bringing up breaking up. Chen Miren reaffirmed that they had already broken up and should maintain their distance. Zhong Wei reluctantly conceded, agreeing to keep his distance.

Later, Chen Miren arrived at her company, where a colleague informed her Director Yu Dawei was waiting. Yu Dawei delivered bad news, stating her "Mirage of the Forest Collection" designs were unpopular, had poor market reception, and the lowest sales, leading to the collection's discontinuation. Chen Miren tried to explain that the designs were revised step-by-step according to his and Sister Rad's feedback. Yu Dawei quickly countered, asking if she was blaming him for the poor sales.

Chen Miren then tentatively suggested that perhaps her original design direction might have been correct. Yu Dawei then showed her another team's successful "Pipi Zoo" designs, highlighting their experimental style which aligned with his first draft's design direction and had excellent market reception. Yu Dawei declared that failure is failure, and his team does not tolerate incompetent weaklings, then promptly fired Chen Miren. As she left, colleagues noted that Director Yu had dismissed many people.

Meanwhile, a colleague called Zhong Wei to inform him that Chen Miren had been fired. Zhong Wei immediately went to confront Yu Dawei, asking if he was taking personal revenge. Yu Dawei initially asked if Zhong Wei should thank him, now that Chen Miren was gone from the company. He then maintained that Chen Miren's designs lacked market recognition and her dismissal was standard. Zhong Wei, unconvinced, warned Yu Dawei, "I hope what you said is true," before leaving.

Outside the company, Chen Miren accidentally bumped into Qin Mengxuan, who introduced himself. He helped her gather her scattered design drafts and, upon seeing her "steam robot version of The Mushroom Girl" and a charming goose design, he expressed genuine admiration, calling her brain a "treasure." Chen Miren was surprised by his positive reaction and gifted him the designs. Noticing her unhappiness, Qin Mengxuan offered her an ice cream, suggesting sweet things improve one's mood.

Zhong Wei witnessed this interaction but walked past them without approaching. Back in her dorm, Chen Miren tearfully recounted her day to her roommates, explaining her dismissal was due to poor sales and an unpopular design style. Her roommates rallied to comfort her, with Xu Miaomiao praising her designs, mistaking a wolf for a husky.

Chen Miren vented her frustration, explaining that she had been forced to repeatedly revise her designs to meet company demands, only for them to still be deemed unmarketable, far from her original style. When asked if Zhong Wei had helped, she vehemently declared their complete breakup, stating they now had nothing to do with each other. Her roommates, feeling sympathy for her double misfortune, decided to be more understanding towards her.

Later, on campus, Chen Miren walked past Zhong Wei, and other students whispered, confirming their breakup. In the cafeteria, Qin Mengxuan invited Chen Miren to a new horror movie, offering tickets. She accepted, saying she loved horror films. Zhong Wei, observing them from afar, was visibly angered. After Qin Mengxuan left, a roommate pointed out Zhong Wei's jealous expression, suggesting Chen Miren shouldn't be so cold if she truly wanted to reconcile.

Chen Miren simply reiterated that they had broken up. Zhong Wei, still fuming, sought out Huang Xiaoyue, reminding him of his promise to help, and asked him to investigate Qin Mengxuan. Huang Xiaoyue agreed. Separately, Xu Miaomiao found Bao Jiaguo in the library. He invited her to sit with him, then mentioned he was hungry. Xu Miaomiao eagerly offered to buy him food, but when she returned, he had already left, leaving a note.

Unbeknownst to her, Bao Jiaguo watched her from behind a bookshelf, pleased that "everything is under control." Later, in class, Bao Jiaguo struggled to collect mental health examination forms from the unruly students. Xu Miaomiao clapped loudly, demanding silence, and was the first to submit her form. That evening, Bao Jiaguo returned to his dorm past curfew and was stopped by the dorm keeper.

Xu Miaomiao arrived just in time, claiming to be Bao Jiaguo's girlfriend, explaining his lateness was due to them celebrating their six-year anniversary by watching a movie. The dorm keeper, impressed by Bao Jiaguo's devotion, allowed him in. Xu Miaomiao then hugged him, wished him a happy anniversary, and proudly thought of herself as a "love genius."

Huang Xiaoyue soon reported back to Zhong Wei about Qin Mengxuan, revealing he was a key player for the Design College in their upcoming basketball game against Management College. Zhong Wei declared they must win. Bao Jiaguo, as class leader, tried to gather students to cheer for their Management College team, but many left. Chen Miren, initially unwilling, was compelled to attend after being warned of P. E. exam point deductions.

At the game, Cao Jia'er enthusiastically cheered for the Design College. Xu Miaomiao, observing Cao Jia'er's perceived showboating and "shorter" skirt, felt competitive. As the "best cheerleader," she rallied more students to cheer for their own Management College team. During the game, Xu Miaomiao playfully cheered for the opposing team, hoping to make Zhong Wei jealous, though she noted Bao Jiaguo seemed more upset by it.

She jokingly complained to Chen Miren that her efforts to help Chen Miren were complicating her own love life. Zhong Wei played intensely, described by Huang Xiaoyue as "crazy because of love" after scoring a crucial point. After the game, Zhong Wei confronted Chen Miren, demanding to know about Qin Mengxuan. Chen Miren, annoyed by his hypocrisy, retorted that Qin Mengxuan had just transferred, just as Cao Jia'er had.

When Zhong Wei asked her to speak respectfully, she challenged him about why Cao Jia'er answered his phone when Chen Miren called him during his date with Cao Jia'er. Zhong Wei seemed genuinely surprised by her call. Chen Miren then voiced her long-standing distrust, reminding him that he had never fully believed her and had transferred schools without a word after Cao Jia'er sought him out in high school, questioning if he ever considered her feelings.

Zhong Wei attempted to explain that he only dated Cao Jia'er and fulfilled her requests because he feared Chen Miren would break up with him if she saw Cao Jia'er again, claiming all his actions were for Chen Miren's benefit. Chen Miren dismissed his explanation with sarcastic "thanks" for his alleged sacrifices. She then walked away. Later, Xu Miaomiao asked Chen Miren if she and Zhong Wei had reconciled. Chen Miren said no, blaming Cao Jia'er.

Xu Miaomiao encouraged Chen Miren to fight for Zhong Wei if she truly liked him, advising her to disregard any "other girls." Chen Miren expressed concerns about the "tragic fate of those who have stolen someone else's identity." Xu Miaomiao dismissed this as fiction, assuring Chen Miren that Zhong Wei was serious about her and that Chen Miren was the "heroine," not a "villain."

Xu Miaomiao then left to watch a game with Bao Jiaguo, urging Chen Miren to also actively pursue what she wanted. Meanwhile, Cao Jia'er approached Chen Miren, congratulating her on "winning" this round. Chen Miren denied wanting to compete, but Cao Jia'er accused her of constantly vying for Zhong Wei, first by "replacing" her, and now, even after their breakup, refusing to let Cao Jia'er be with him. Cao Jia'er demanded Chen Miren "give Zhong Wei back."

Chen Miren retorted that Zhong Wei was not an object to be simply returned. When Cao Jia'er pressed, Chen Miren stated that she now realized even if she hadn't been involved, Zhong Wei still wouldn't have chosen someone like Cao Jia'er. Cao Jia'er, however, warned Chen Miren not to be prematurely triumphant, asserting that she would ultimately be the winner.

Chen Miren returned to her dorm, where her roommates Xu Miaomiao, Luo Si, and Zhao Gu were present. Chen Miren recounted that she had just encountered Cao Jia'er, who demanded that she "give Zhong Wei back." Xu Miaomiao stated that Chen Miren and Zhong Wei had broken up, but Luo Si suggested they would reconcile. Zhao Gu observed that a lack of trust was at the heart of their issues.

He believed Zhong Wei was trying to resolve problems with Cao Jia'er himself to prevent Chen Miren from being troubled and avoid another breakup, similar to what happened in high school when Chen Miren transferred schools because of Cao Jia'er. Luo Si initially doubted, wondering if Zhong Wei might be rekindling old ties with Cao Jia'er, but Xu Miaomiao quickly refuted this, asserting Zhong Wei only wanted to minimize issues for Chen Miren.

The roommates collectively agreed with Xu Miaomiao, urging Chen Miren not to overthink. Chen Miren, however, told them not to comfort her, asserting that she and Zhong Wei had already broken up, though her roommates insisted she would reconcile with him. Feeling Chen Miren had been down for days, Xu Miaomiao decided they needed to keep her busy and ensure she didn't lose face to Cao Jia'er.

Zhao Gu suggested taking her to class, but Xu Miaomiao joked it was like rubbing salt in her wounds. Xu Miaomiao then planned to help Chen Miren dress up the next day, emphasizing the importance of not losing morale, especially in front of a rival. The next day, encouraged by her roommates, Chen Miren dressed up, put on makeup, and went to confront Cao Jia'er, who subsequently retreated, much to the delight of Chen Miren and her roommates.

Later, Chen Miren accidentally bumped into Qin Mengxuan, who picked up her fallen belongings. Qin Mengxuan offered to buy her dinner as an apology, and when Chen Miren hesitated, he suggested milk tea, playfully asking if she was too stingy for even that. She agreed. The next day, Qin Mengxuan brought milk tea for Chen Miren and her roommates. Zhong Wei, noticing Qin Mengxuan's persistent attention, discreetly signaled to Cao Xiaoyue, initiating their "Destroy Qin" plan.

Cao Xiaoyue quickly approached them and announced that the milk tea shop had been exposed for food safety issues, questioning why they would still drink from there. Later, Qin Mengxuan brought food to Chen Miren in the cafeteria. Cao Xiaoyue then "accidentally" knocked the food to the floor, apologizing profusely and offering to pay for a whole table of dishes.

Xu Miaomiao, suspicious, asked Cao Xiaoyue his true intentions, wondering if he was trying to make Chen Miren gain weight to "ruin everything." Cao Xiaoyue confessed that Zhong Wei had instructed him to do it. Zhong Wei then called Chen Miren's roommates, Xu Miaomiao, Luo Si, and Zhao Gu, to explain himself. He clarified that his outings with Cao Jia'er—dining and watching movies—were merely to fulfill Cao Jia'er's long-held wishes.

He explained that in high school, he and Chen Miren broke up due to Cao Jia'er's presence, and he feared Chen Miren knowing Cao Jia'er was back would cause another separation. His intention was to resolve Cao Jia'er's wishes quickly so she would go abroad, ideally to America, and no longer disturb them. However, Cao Jia'er unexpectedly decided not to go abroad and instead transferred to their university, complicating matters further.

After discussing it, Chen Miren's roommates found Zhong Wei's explanation credible and decided to believe him, pledging their support to help him win Chen Miren back. Zhong Wei expressed concern that Qin Mengxuan's aggressive pursuit might succeed before the truth was revealed, noting that Qin Mengxuan's tactics were indeed hard to resist. During the university's open day, Zhong Wei, as an outstanding student representative, delivered a speech to visiting parents.

His father was present and praised Zhong Wei's excellence and good looks. Chen Miren, standing near Zhong Wei's father, disagreed, remarking that Zhong Wei was merely average. She then enthusiastically described Wu Dabo from the Department of Foreign Trade as much more handsome, with impressive muscles so thick they were "thicker than Zhong Wei's thighs," and able to do "eighty push-ups in one breath."

When Zhong Wei's father asked if she liked Zhong Wei, Chen Miren quickly denied it, stating she preferred men like Wu Dabo. Zhong Wei's father left without further comment. Chen Miren's parents also arrived at the school. Zhong Wei greeted them, introducing himself as Chen Miren's classmate. He subtly mentioned that he hadn't seen his own father in a long time and hadn't shared a meal with him. Sympathetic, Chen Miren's parents invited Zhong Wei to eat with them.

Chen Miren tried to object, saying Zhong Wei was busy, but he quickly accepted. At the cafeteria, Cao Jia'er saw Chen Miren and her parents with Zhong Wei. Her friends urged her not to let Chen Miren, a "sticky annoying person," take advantage and to "secure Zhong Wei." Believing Chen Miren was taking advantage of the situation by bringing Zhong Wei to a "parent meeting," Cao Jia'er deliberately approached and acted intimately with Zhong Wei.

Zhong Wei took Cao Jia'er aside and firmly told her that Chen Miren was his girlfriend and they had not broken up. He asked Cao Jia'er to maintain a friend's distance, one that would not make Chen Miren jealous.

When Chen Miren's parents asked Zhong Wei to help Chen Miren with her studies, Zhong Wei eagerly offered to sit next to her in class, but Chen Miren rejected him, stating she preferred to sit alone or that Zhao Gu helped her. Chen Miren's parents also asked Zhong Wei to help introduce a "four-limbed boyfriend" to Chen Miren, lamenting that she "sleeps too much and her limbs might degenerate."

As Chen Miren and her parents prepared to leave, Cao Jia'er intentionally hugged Zhong Wei. Chen Miren saw this but said nothing, leaving with her parents. Her parents, having witnessed the scene, commented that Zhong Wei, despite being excellent, already had a girlfriend, and Chen Miren should not try to steal him. Zhong Wei was about to go find Chen Miren when Cao Jia'er called, claiming she had found a seriously injured kitten on Yilin Avenue and needed veterinary care.

Zhong Wei rushed to Yilin Avenue to help, then accompanied Cao Jia'er and the kitten to a pet hospital. Unexpectedly, Chen Miren also arrived at the pet hospital, bringing her own cat, Xiao Meng, for a minor injury. She observed Zhong Wei and Cao Jia'er, learned that Zhong Wei had helped Cao Jia'er with the injured kitten, and then silently departed, stating she had other things to do and wouldn't disturb them.

Zhong Wei followed her briefly, but Chen Miren asked to be left alone. Returning to Cao Jia'er, Zhong Wei clarified his feelings. He acknowledged Cao Jia'er as a "ray of dawn" in his dark childhood, which was why he had tolerated her. However, he emphasized that his feelings for her were purely gratitude, not love.

He unequivocally stated that even if he had met her first in high school, he would not have been with her, explicitly declaring his love for Chen Miren. Cao Jia'er then asked if, no matter what she did, he would never like her. Zhong Wei replied with a clear "Yes" (confirming he would indeed never like her).

Later, Qin Mengxuan approached Chen Miren and confessed his feelings, presenting her with an action figure he knew she liked from her Weibo likes, stating it was meant for the person he loved. Chen Miren thanked him but declined the gift, explaining that she had only been trying to make Zhong Wei jealous before. She then apologized to Qin Mengxuan. He said he understood and didn't mind, implying he still harbored feelings for her.

Chen Miren then clearly rejected him, stating she was not interested in dating at the moment and wanted to focus solely on her career. Qin Mengxuan expressed disappointment, hoping for a "good person" card. Chen Miren gave him one, affirming that he was excellent, considerate, sunny, and handsome, and would find someone better. Qin Mengxuan agreed, convinced he would indeed find a better match. Zhong Wei, who was nearby, then warned Qin Mengxuan to stop pursuing Chen Miren, to which Qin Mengxuan responded with a dismissive "Anyway, I'll find a better one."

Zhong Wei observed Chen Miren rejecting Qin Mengxuan's confession, realizing she had politely turned him down. With Cao Jia'er having gone abroad, Zhong Wei was eager to rekindle his friendship with Chen Miren, but she wasn't receptive. He decided to approach the situation indirectly by starting with Chen Miren's roommates and initiated "Plan B" to show off his connections. Meanwhile, Zhao Gu received a brief message from Hades, her boyfriend, stating he was busy and would talk later.

Soon after, her father called, casually informing her that since she was away at college and rarely returned, he had cleared out her room to make it a study for her younger brother. He even mentioned selling her books. Zhao Gu angrily questioned how he could touch her books, to which her father retorted that everything she owned was bought with their money, and the books were worth nothing as scrap now, despite the initial cost.

Enraged, Zhao Gu hung up the phone. Unbeknownst to Zhao Gu, her friends were secretly planning a birthday party for her. Xu Miaomiao discovered it was Zhao Gu's birthday from Bao Jiaguo's class group chat. Chen Miren, Xu Miaomiao, and another friend quickly assigned tasks: Chen Miren would order the cake, Xu Miaomiao would decorate the dorm, and the other friend would set up a group chat for coordination.

Xu Miaomiao was tasked with bringing Zhao Gu back to the dorm under false pretenses. She called Zhao Gu, fabricating a story about a burst water pipe flooding their dorm and claiming repairs wouldn't happen until the next day, urging Zhao Gu to rush back. However, halfway there, Xu Miaomiao received a message that Chen Miren hadn't returned with the cake, prompting a delay.

Xu Miaomiao desperately tried to stall Zhao Gu, making excuses like needing to buy milk tea, roasted sweet potatoes, sanitary pads for Chen Miren, or wool for Luo Si. But Zhao Gu, convinced the dorm flood was a serious emergency, dismissed her and hurried back. Zhong Wei uncovered that Hades, Zhao Gu's boyfriend, was a "player," maintaining relationships with multiple women. He shared this information with Chen Miren, hoping to use it as an opportunity to reconcile with her.

However, Chen Miren was less concerned with Zhong Wei's romantic intentions and focused on telling Zhao Gu the truth so she could "start over." Upon arriving at the dorm, Zhao Gu found it undecorated. A dorm keeper had confiscated all party decorations, including fireworks and candles, due to fire safety concerns. Chen Miren, apologetic for the botched surprise, explained that she was trying to avoid ruining the surprise by delaying the cake.

Zhao Gu, though acknowledging it was the most unsuccessful surprise she'd ever seen, admitted it was also her happiest birthday. Her friends sang her a birthday song, and she made a wish before cutting the cake. Chen Miren then gently broke the news about Hades being a "scumbag." Zhong Wei had confirmed this with photographic evidence from a friend of Hades' ex-girlfriend, who was an old client of Zhong Wei's father's company.

Zhao Gu, however, calmly stated that she already suspected as much and didn't mind. She explained that her relationship with Hades was purely transactional; she sought his connections and financial support, including covering her tuition, living expenses, and accommodation during her study abroad, and securing a job at his friend's Fortune 500 company after graduation, not love. Her friends struggled to understand why she would sacrifice her happiness for practical gain.

Zhao Gu passionately explained that unlike them, she lacked parental support, relying solely on herself for tuition and living expenses. Improving her future was her daily priority, and she felt they had no right to judge her choices. Later, Zhao Gu sat alone on a bench, reflecting. Her friends approached her, apologizing for their earlier judgment, and brought another cake. Zhao Gu admitted her own overreaction and thanked them for their gifts.

Xu Miaomiao gave her a necklace, Chen Miren a handmade purse with a talisman she got from a temple, and another friend gave her notebooks and a lipstick-pen. Zhao Gu reassured them that she believed in her choices and was capable of taking responsibility for her life. Her friends reaffirmed their unwavering support, promising that Room 608 would always be her strongest backing. They celebrated with another birthday song.

Xu Miaomiao announced that she had joined the drama club and invited everyone to her performance that night. She mentioned that the club was underfunded and near disbandment due to low attendance, and she hoped her cameo would boost their popularity. Zhao Gu and Bao Jiaguo promised to attend. Later, Zhong Wei met Chen Miren, sharing another piece of "gossip" he had gathered.

He revealed that Bao Jiaguo was "A Caged Bird," the author of Xu Miaomiao's favorite novel, and that he was planning to confess his feelings to Xu Miaomiao. Bao Jiaguo was seen preparing a confession scene with flowers. Chen Miren, thinking this was wonderful news, informed Xu Miaomiao that Bao Jiaguo was indeed the author "A Caged Bird." However, Xu Miaomiao reacted negatively, recalling Bao Jiaguo's inconsistent behavior towards her.

She suspected he was using her as inspiration for his novel, "treating her as material," rather than genuinely liking her. Her anger was evident during a phone call with Bao Jiaguo, where she confronted him about the Louis XIV roses mentioned in his novel and accused him of being disingenuous for hiding his identity. Observing the unfolding drama, Xu Miaomiao and her friends later discussed Zhong Wei, labeling him the "messenger of bad news."

They noted how he had exposed Hades' scandal to Zhao Gu and now, inadvertently, caused a misunderstanding between Xu Miaomiao and Bao Jiaguo. They jokingly warned Chen Miren to run away from Zhong Wei to avoid future misfortune. Meanwhile, a friend named Yang offered Zhao Gu a co-renting arrangement, mentioning her roommate was moving out and the rent was reasonable. Zhao Gu initially hesitated. Yang then introduced her boyfriend, Fang Mao.

It was later revealed during a private conversation with Zhao Gu that Yang was trying to use Zhao Gu as a cover to move in with Fang Mao, making him relax his guard. Later, Bao Jiaguo met with Zhong Wei, admitting his mistake in concealing his identity from Xu Miaomiao and acknowledging that Chen Miren likely had a poor impression of him. He decided to actively admit his fault and seek leniency. Zhong Wei, in turn, resolved to "make up for" his actions. As this conversation concluded, Huang Xiaoyue excitedly appeared, announcing she had discovered "astonishing gossip."

Xu Miaomiao expressed her belief that Zhong Wei was a harbinger of bad luck, as misfortunes had befallen her and Zhao Gu, and now it was Luo Si's turn. Feeling extremely anxious, Luo Si pleaded with Chen Miren to avoid Zhong Wei and refrain from speaking to him if they met.

Luo Si further explained that while no one is perfect and everyone has their flaws, Zhong Wei's actions were aimed at Chen Miren, and they, as her friends, were being used as leverage, similar to how enemies extract information from a captive's loved ones during wartime. She confessed that her relationship with Fang Mao couldn't withstand another test from Zhong Wei. Meanwhile, Fang Mao, bothered by the noisy gaming habits of his dorm mates, sought a new place to live.

Yao Weijing offered him a room in her apartment, mentioning her roommate had moved out. She lied about having a boyfriend to make Fang Mao lower his guard, admitting to a male friend that her plan was to relax Fang Mao's vigilance. When her friend pointed out Fang Mao already had a girlfriend, Yao Weijing simply said they could break up.

Zhong Wei informed Chen Miren about Fang Mao and Yao Weijing cohabiting, leaving Chen Miren looking worried upon her return. Luo Si, unaware of the true nature of the news, insisted Chen Miren tell her directly, claiming she could handle it. Chen Miren revealed that Fang Mao and Yao Weijing were co-renting, but Luo Si misinterpreted it as Fang Mao finally moving out of his noisy dorm, considering it good news.

She even planned to buy a housewarming gift for Fang Mao. Xu Miaomiao, however, expressed surprise that Luo Si was still happily shopping online for Fang Mao's housewarming gift despite the news. The girls, joined by Zhao Gu, decided to accompany Luo Si to Fang Mao's new apartment to support her. Zhong Wei, admitting that the situation was his doing, drove them there, vowing to ensure they returned safely and happily.

Luo Si optimistically stated that with four of them, they were not afraid to confront Fang Mao and Yao Weijing. Upon their arrival, Yao Weijing accused them of trespassing. Xu Miaomiao retorted that Luo Si, as Fang Mao's girlfriend, had every right to be there, and asked Yao Weijing, as merely a roommate, to give them space.

Fang Mao, surprised by their visit, tried to explain to Luo Si that he had moved out of his noisy dorm to find a quiet place to study and that Yao Weijing had simply offered him a room when her roommate left, emphasizing that there was nothing more to it. Luo Si, still in denial, told him she trusted him and even thanked Yao Weijing for helping Fang Mao, but warned that she would be visiting often.

Yao Weijing, with a subtle smirk, said she was always welcome as long as Fang Mao didn't mind. Luo Si then presented Fang Mao with a hotpot, intending to celebrate. However, Fang Mao abruptly ended their relationship, saying they should break up, and then questioned why Luo Si didn't trust him after she had just said she did. Xu Miaomiao, enraged, accused Fang Mao of having the audacity to enjoy hotpot while Luo Si brought him a gift.

She and Zhao Gu proceeded to dump the hotpot ingredients and took the pot Luo Si had brought. Luo Si, heartbroken, lamented the shattered dreams of their future home with blue curtains, a fish tank, and a hotpot meal on moving day. She was especially upset about the mutton rolls being thrown away, to which Zhao Gu confirmed they were completely gone.

Luo Si then sarcastically wished she had hidden the TV remote, and Xu Miaomiao gleefully confessed she already did. As Luo Si left in tears, Fang Mao tried to follow, but Zhong Wei tripped him. Xu Miaomiao cheered for Zhong Wei, calling him manly, but lamented that Chen Miren hadn't witnessed it. Yao Weijing helped Fang Mao, who complained of injuries from Zhong Wei's kick. In the car, Zhong Wei comforted Luo Si, telling her she would find someone better.

Luo Si thanked him, acknowledging his "indirect methods" for helping. Zhong Wei then thought to himself that he was her "beginning" and would be her "finale" when it came to finding the best. Back at the dorm, Zhong Wei deliberately made himself sick by blasting the air conditioning, planning to use a "bitter flesh" strategy to win back Chen Miren.

He mused that since influencing her through her friends wasn't working, he would try a more direct approach by sacrificing himself. Chen Miren, spotting Zhong Wei in the cafeteria, silently prayed for bad luck to disappear, still wary of him. Later, she brought Zhong Wei medicine, expressing her frustration. She told him to direct any resentment towards her, but to leave her friends alone.

She declared her unwillingness to be the "bad news messenger's" intermediary anymore, urging him to stop his harmful and self-defeating actions and leave their dorm alone. Zhong Wei was visibly upset, realizing Chen Miren perceived him as a "bad news messenger." Meanwhile, Bao Jiaguo, who had stopped updating his novel, appeared unusually gloomy, much to the surprise of his classmates.

Xu Miaomiao, while also noticing the update halt, claimed she only wanted to see how he would write without her as inspiration. Chen Miren urged Xu Miaomiao to forgive Bao Jiaguo, believing he was genuinely sad. Chen Miren also reflected on Zhong Wei, acknowledging that the misunderstanding with Cao Jia'er was resolved and that she had lied to him first, suggesting she was also at fault.

She confided in Xu Miaomiao that she wanted to reconcile with Zhong Wei, acknowledging that his past actions, though initially seen as negative, had helped Zhao Gu uncover her boyfriend's deceit and Luo Si realize Fang Mao's true nature, and also revealed Bao Jiaguo's identity as "A Caged Bird." At a barbecue restaurant, Bao Jiaguo and Zhong Wei were seen eating together, with Zhong Wei leaving first.

Bao Jiaguo confided in Zhong Wei about his plan for an unforgettable confession to Xu Miaomiao, involving a romance novel where his loved one is the female lead, and they live happily ever after on a deserted island. Zhong Wei lightheartedly questioned why he and Chen Miren were relegated to supporting roles if Bao Jiaguo considered him the "school hunk," but also advised Bao Jiaguo on his poor dating skills.

Chen Miren, now practicing her own reconciliation strategy with Zhong Wei, was seen discussing with Xu Miaomiao the best time to approach him at an upcoming small theater film festival, emphasizing that for love, timing, place, and people were crucial. Zhong Wei later received a message from Chen Miren inviting him to the film festival, which he took as a sign that his "bad news messenger" tactics had finally moved her.

Xu Miaomiao, still holding a grudge, complained to Chen Miren about Bao Jiaguo's "tricks" and lack of sincerity, contrasting him with Zhong Wei who was brave enough to be a "bad news messenger" for Chen Miren. Chen Miren suggested there might be a misunderstanding with Bao Jiaguo, prompting Xu Miaomiao to reconsider.

She admitted that while she would view him as a scumbag if he used her for inspiration and abandoned her, it would be romantic if he wrote about her because he truly liked her. Later, Xu Miaomiao found Bao Jiaguo drinking alone at the barbecue. Chen Miren, understanding the situation, left them.

Xu Miaomiao confronted Bao Jiaguo, pressing him on whether the promises made by the male lead in his novel—to protect, love, and never lie to the female lead, to spoil her like a princess, and to stay with her forever—were true. Bao Jiaguo affirmed each promise. Xu Miaomiao then asked if she was the prototype for the princess and he for the knight, to which he again answered yes.

She then asked if he had anything to say to her directly, since he had written her into his novel. After a long pause, Bao Jiaguo said "Not today," disheartening Xu Miaomiao, who turned to leave. Just as she was about to walk away, Bao Jiaguo drank a bottle of wine, stood up, and loudly confessed his love for her, repeating "I like you, Xu Miaomiao, I like you!" Xu Miaomiao, overwhelmed, returned to him, and they embraced and kissed.

Chen Miren, on her way to meet Zhong Wei at the small theater, called him to say she was taking a shortcut through a construction site and would arrive shortly. Zhong Wei offered to pick her up, but she insisted she would pass through. Moments later, Zhong Wei received another call, then overheard discussions about a building collapse at a school construction site, with reports of someone trapped, possibly a student.

Panicked, thinking it might be Chen Miren, he rushed to the site, calling out her name despite warnings from staff about the danger and potential for further collapse. He urgently called emergency services, giving the location as the construction site on West Jianshe Road. After his frantic search, it was revealed the "trapped person" was merely a mannequin. Chen Miren soon appeared, finding a relieved Zhong Wei.

A worker reprimanded Zhong Wei for his reckless actions, entering the dangerous site without a helmet, to which Zhong Wei apologized. Overwhelmed, Zhong Wei embraced Chen Miren tightly, admitting he was terrified at the thought of losing her. Chen Miren, now wanting to reconcile, confessed that she used to think "longing" was just a word, but now realized it was an active emotion.

She expressed her desire to never be separated from him again due to misunderstandings or arguments, affirming her deep love for him and asking to get back together. Zhong Wei playfully challenged her, asking what she would do if another "Jia'er" or similar person appeared again. Chen Miren confidently declared she would "grab him" and wouldn't back down. Zhong Wei responded that she wouldn't need to, signaling their reconciliation and a shared future of happiness.

Later, Luo Si observed Fang Mao with Yao Weijing and pondered how Zhao Gu would react to seeing an ex-boyfriend with someone new. Zhao Gu calmly stated that after a breakup, people move on to new lives, and an ex's romantic status is none of her concern. She advised against wasting energy on unrelated people. The friends shared milk tea, with Xu Miaomiao bringing some from Bao Jiaguo, and Chen Miren bringing some from Zhong Wei, confirming her reconciliation.

Luo Si expressed happiness for her friends, then mentioned that Fang Mao and Yao Weijing had been together. Xu Miaomiao encouraged Luo Si, assuring her she would find someone better and proposing a toast to Luo Si getting rid of the scumbag and starting over. Luo Si agreed, and they clinked glasses. Zhao Gu then received a phone call confirming her admission to an exchange program in the UK.

She told her friends she wanted to walk alone for a while. Observing Zhao Gu's apparent unhappiness, Xu Miaomiao worried that Zhao Gu was gambling her emotions on this UK opportunity, and that her relationship with Hades was destined to be unstoppable, questioning what she would do if it didn't pay off.

Chen Miren explained that Zhao Gu's family background was different; the parental care and family warmth they took for granted were absent in Zhao Gu's life, which likely drove her decision. Zhao Gu called her mother, informing her about the UK study opportunity. Her mother immediately asked about the cost, but Zhao Gu assured her she would handle the finances.

Her mother, thrilled by the news of a family member studying abroad, suggested Zhao Gu marry a British man to secure residency and pave the way for her younger brother, Zhao Zhi, to study there too. She then compared Zhao Gu's independence to her brother's perceived helplessness, which frustrated Zhao Gu. Zhao Gu ended the call abruptly after asking her mother if she would have been born had Zhao Zhi been born first.

Meanwhile, Fang Mao's mother urgently sought out Luo Si, revealing that Fang Mao had been diagnosed with severe anxiety disorder. Luo Si returned to her dorm and shared the news with her friends, explaining that Fang Mao and Yao Weijing had broken up. She recounted a past argument between Fang Mao and Yao Weijing: Yao Weijing had asked Fang Mao to fix a broken washing machine, claiming it was a "boy's job," and then demanded he handwash her underwear immediately.

Fang Mao, frustrated, pointed out Yao Weijing's lack of contribution to household chores, unlike Luo Si. Yao Weijing accused him of regretting their breakup and told him to go to Luo Si. The argument escalated, with Yao Weijing eventually leaving after Fang Mao asserted his rent payment. Following this, Fang Mao suffered a fall down the stairs, fracturing his right hand, and losing his experimental report due to a damaged computer.

Luo Si elaborated that while the breakup was a trigger, Fang Mao's anxiety was rooted in a strict upbringing and college stress, causing emotional outbursts even during their relationship. His mentor, who was Yao Weijing's father, further chastised him for his poor academic performance and for his treatment of Yao Weijing, openly praising Luo Si as a better partner. Enraged, Fang Mao verbally attacked his mentor, leading to a school warning, observation, and the cancellation of his scholarships.

This incident caused him to become withdrawn, only showing a flicker of emotion when Luo Si's name was mentioned. Fang Mao's mother conveyed that her son desperately wanted to see Luo Si. Despite her friends' concerns, labeling her decision "crazy," Luo Si confirmed she would move in to care for Fang Mao, but strictly as a friend, not as a romantic reconciliation. She explained that despite their past, she still wished for his well-being. Her friends ultimately supported her.

Zhao Gu, in a gesture of enduring friendship, told Luo Si not to give up her dorm bed, keeping it reserved for her whenever she might return. Chen Miren presented each of her friends with a personalized hand-drawn draft of their cartoon likenesses, intending them as reminders of their shared moments and her ongoing support even after Luo Si moved out.

The friends organized a farewell outing for Luo Si, starting with an arcade game where Zhao Gu impressed everyone with her skill at the claw machine, playfully attributing it to IQ rather than experience. They later enjoyed a meal together, reflecting on their individual journeys. Zhao Gu shared her lifelong ambition to distance herself from her family, who never provided her a "safe harbor," believing her departure would benefit everyone.

Chen Miren proudly updated them on her successful action figure designs, which sold out quickly, and her flourishing relationship with Zhong Wei. Xu Miaomiao and Bao Jiaguo were noted for their affectionate dynamic. Luo Si, in turn, reaffirmed her newfound resolve to shed her "love-brained" tendencies and redefine her life goals beyond a romantic partner. Finally, Luo Si arrived at Fang Mao's apartment. Upon seeing her, Fang Mao's face lit up, and he immediately pulled her into a warm embrace.

Later, Zhao Gu attended a gathering with Hades and his friends. While admiring Zhao Gu's intelligence, one of Hades's friends questioned why someone as smart as her would attend an "ordinary school" like Hanhai University. Zhao Gu defended Hanhai as a "top university in China," but the friend countered that true "top universities" were like Harvard, dismissing Hanhai as merely "a gathering place for a group of people without a future."

When Zhao Gu disagreed, the friend challenged her, asking why she sought to leave Hanhai for studies in the UK if she truly believed in it. Hades intervened, explaining Zhao Gu's gratitude to her alma mater, but then subtly pressed her to rely on him for her transformation in the UK, implying she couldn't achieve excellence alone. Zhao Gu firmly asserted her capability to succeed independently.

Hades, however, insisted that being with him would only enhance her excellence before raising a toast to her successful exchange to the UK. That night, Zhao Gu's mother called, expressing deep concern about her daughter traveling alone to a faraway, unfamiliar place. She advised Zhao Gu to avoid conflicts, as no one would be there to help her.

Her father, meanwhile, gave Zhao Gu's mother a sum of money to transfer to Zhao Gu the next day, emphasizing his worry for his daughter. At work, Yu Dawei's subordinate reported that their team's third-quarter sales were still the highest, having "crushed other teams." However, Yu Dawei was dissatisfied, stating it was "far less than I expected" and demanding five new product designs to be ready for launch within the week.

To artificially boost sales, Yu Dawei called Ms. Du, a friend, asking for her "excess cash flow" to place orders in the third quarter, promising a full refund in the fourth quarter. Ms. Du readily agreed. Later, Yu Dawei was informed that an old design, "Boxing Duck," which he had previously rejected, had been successfully launched by Liu's team and was performing well. Yu Dawei, however, dismissed its success, claiming his own rejected designs were superior. His subordinates, Tan and Chao, visibly frustrated with his stubborn refusal to listen, ultimately resigned, stating they "can't do it anymore."

Sales for the accompanying cat series were struggling, and Zhong Wei was dissatisfied with the new designs from his team. The designers, feeling unappreciated, left to join a different group. Chen Miren reached out to Zhong Wei by phone, asking if he felt he had made a mistake. She advised him to admit his error to the designers and try to win them back, reminding him that "everything is possible." Zhong Wei agreed to try.

Later, Zhong Wei’s father called him to his office, directly asking if he intended to abandon the Aoqi design. His father acknowledged that Zhong Wei was stubborn, a trait that was both his strength and weakness, and urged him to listen to others' perspectives to broaden his vision, warning that acting solely on his own would lead to his team falling apart.

Taking his father's words to heart, Zhong Wei gathered the designers and sincerely apologized for being opinionated and ignoring their feelings. He asked them to return and trust him again. The designers, who were already tired of their new team, expressed their trust in Zhong Wei and enthusiastically agreed to rejoin him, rallying together with a unified "Go for it!"

Meanwhile, Chen Miren’s individually crafted action figures proved to be an unexpected success, with initial stock selling out rapidly and calls for an additional 500 pieces. Distributors were placing large orders, and the factory faced a 13-day backlog. She received multiple interview invitations from top companies, including Super Future Action Figures and Miracle Animation. She discussed with a friend which company to choose, and her friend suggested she return to her favorite one, Heng Chang.

Chen Miren mused that it wouldn't matter where she went, as she would still be a designer. At the same time, Yu Dawei held a meeting with his team, announcing that they were once again the sales champions. He revealed a significant upcoming collaboration with Hirai, a renowned Japanese action figure designer, to release a series of co-branded products, much to the excitement of his team members, who were amazed he had convinced the retired master.

Zhong Wei needed to hire new designers, but he found the applications uninspiring, describing them as "so ordinary." He sought designers who possessed a unique style, expressed their inner thoughts, touched people's hearts, and evoked a sense of warmth in their work. Chen Miren, having heard of the opening, presented her resume to Zhong Wei. He immediately recognized her talent and happily welcomed her, introducing her to his team as a new colleague.

Earlier, Chen Miren had discussed the meaning of companionship with Xu Miaomiao, who shared stories and photos of her deceased pet dog, Dabai. This deeply moved Chen Miren, who realized that while her world was vast, Dabai's world was solely her. This insight inspired her "Developmental Companion Cats" concept. Meanwhile, Luo Si had been supporting Fang Mao, whose severe anxiety had improved significantly with her company, prompting his mother to show her gratitude with a gift.

Xu Miaomiao was also helping Bao Jiaguo refine the plot for his web novel. During a late-night team discussion, Chen Miren proposed her new concept: "Developmental Companion Cats." She explained that companionship wasn't limited to cute animals but could extend to cherished old objects like a vintage TV or a stopped watch.

She envisioned figures that could "grow" alongside their owners, experiencing life stages from birth to even finding a partner, allowing customers to immerse themselves in the joy of companionship and understand its true meaning. The team enthusiastically embraced her "new-concept action figure," recognizing its potential to captivate young consumers, reduce development pressure for new products, and foster customer loyalty.

Zhong Wei tasked his team leader to form a new design team around Chen Miren and develop this concept, aiming for a win at the upcoming company appraisal meeting. Zhong Wei then presented Chen Miren’s "Developmental Companion Cats" concept to his father, who expressed concern that it was a "bold venture" and worried about market response and customer loyalty, comparing it to putting all "eggs in one basket."

Zhong Wei countered, reminding his father that Heng Chang became a leading company precisely because of daring innovation, referencing his father's own success with the innovative Thunderbolt Rabbit. He challenged his father’s current timidity, questioning how the company could inspire future generations without embracing new ideas. After a passionate debate, Zhong Wei's father eventually approved the project.

Chen Miren, however, cautioned Zhong Wei not to be overly optimistic, reminding him that Yu Dawei’s team had received an S-grade rating and would likely secure more company resources. Zhong Wei, asserting his position as the boss's son, resolved to fight for resources.

At the subsequent meeting, their "Developmental Companion Cats" project was allocated to the unknown OO Processing Factory, while Yu Dawei's "Aiguo" project received the large Tianhua Processing Factory, and other A-grade projects went to Linyue, prompting a dismissive comment from Yu Dawei's team. As the shop launch approached, the team struggled with setup due to limited staff. Xu Miaomiao, Zhao Gu, and others arrived to help.

Zhao Gu, initially feigning indifference, helped to set up decorations, while Bao Jiaguo assisted, hoping for an exclusive story about Zhong Wei. Chen Miren was touched by her classmates' support. They all worked hard to complete the preparations. The launch day was a huge success, with enthusiastic crowds lining up. Distributors placed substantial orders, including 50,000 pieces from one and 100,000 from another, totaling 150,000 units.

Meanwhile, Yu Dawei, despite his team's sales increase, was rattled by the viral popularity of Zhong Wei's Companion Cat video. He received a call from a distributor requesting a refund for third-quarter products, explaining she needed funds to buy more Companion Cats, forcing Yu Dawei to try and stall her. Later, the friends gathered for a celebratory dinner.

Luo Si, exhibiting a newfound self-reliance, declared she was no longer obsessed with romantic relationships and found joy in her freedom, surprising everyone. Zhao Gu then announced that she would not be going to the UK for her studies, explaining she "suddenly felt that it was good to stay." She also revealed she had broken up with Hades.

When asked about her ideal type, Zhao Gu surprisingly stated she liked someone like Wu Dabo, prompting teasing from her friends about her voting for him in the Campus Ambassador election. The group raised a toast to the success of the Companion Cats.

Director Yu visited Qi Chao, ironically congratulating him on the Companion Cat's supposed success. He then voiced his strong conviction that the series was destined to fail, arguing that its conceptual design far surpassed the actual product, making it overly reliant on the sales environment. Dismissing Qi Chao's approach as childish, Director Yu made it clear he believed he had overestimated his colleague's market judgment.

Qi Chao, however, shrugged off the criticism, attributing it to jealousy and confidently asserting that his team's achievements would continue. The online sales for Companion Cat plummeted, leading many distributors, including Mr. Dai and Mr. Lu, to demand product returns. Mr. Dai presented disheartening sales figures, showing a continuous decline that fell short of expectations and even lagged behind older products.

He revealed that they had initially intended to return the items earlier but were swayed by a call from Mr. Zhong Changguo, Zhong Wei's father. With no improvement in sales, their company's finances could no longer afford to wait. As more distributors arrived seeking returns, Zhong Wei, during a phone call with Mr. Lu, passionately explained that the Companion Cat aimed to transform a lifeless toy into a growing companion, fostering a deeper sense of meaning.

While Mr. Lu appreciated the design, he advised Zhong Wei to proceed cautiously, given the product's heavy dependence on market loyalty. Later, Chen Miren tried to lift Zhong Wei's spirits with jokes, but he remained visibly disheartened by the dire online sales. She confided in Xu Miaomiao about Zhong Wei's struggles, prompting Xu Miaomiao, a former streamer who sold apples for farmers, to confidently offer to host a live stream for Companion Cat.

During the broadcast, Xu Miaomiao enthusiastically promoted the figure, highlighting Chen Miren's design and the concept of shared growth, even offering free posters and keychains. Despite her efforts, most viewers were primarily interested in the complimentary keychains. Afterward, Xu Miaomiao pondered adopting a cute or sexy theme for her next live stream, while Chen Miren thanked her for her help.

Zhao Gu offered a crucial insight, explaining that successful online sales weren't about a platform's size but about cultivating a compelling "shopping atmosphere" that significantly influences consumer decisions and boosts order rates. Enlightened, Chen Miren realized that the Companion Cat's success in their physical OHH store stemmed from its immersive experience, a factor missing from online distributors. She concluded that replicating this immersive atmosphere virtually was essential for improving online sales and thanked Zhao Gu for the breakthrough idea.

Chen Miren then introduced a virtual reality engineer to Zhong Wei, outlining their plan to create an immersive online shopping experience that would perfectly replicate the OHH store's layout, update products in real-time, and animate the Companion Cat as a virtual mascot. The engineer confirmed the feasibility of her vision.

Zhong Wei had to persuade a skeptical Qi Chao, explaining that VR technology would bridge the gap of physical interaction for online customers, offering a lifelike environment for product selection and engagement. He urged Qi Chao to embrace modern trends. Despite his initial skepticism, Qi Chao, viewing it as akin to "three-dimensional space," decided to explore the new virtual store. The OHH online experience store launched with an initially slow start, with Chen Miren herself being the only virtual customer.

However, within minutes, the virtual store buzzed with activity, as numerous enthusiastic shoppers praised the cute figures and made countless purchases. Qi Chao excitedly announced that sales had surpassed 20,000 units in under ten minutes, prompting an urgent call to the factory for replenishment. Even Zhao Gu, admiring a new tail-wagging figure on her phone, declared her intention to buy ten more, acknowledging that virtual reality was undeniably the future trend.

At a company meeting, Zhong Wei's team was celebrated as the sales champion for the year. Despite this success, Zhong Wei, showing a newfound maturity, expressed a desire for Director Yu to remain with the company. Afterward, Mr. Zhong Changguo, Zhong Wei's father, summoned Director Yu to his office. He confronted Director Yu about colluding with distributors to falsify sales data and then return products, a competitive tactic that flagrantly violated Heng Chang's company regulations.

Director Yu, convinced that Mr. Zhong Changguo was merely protecting his son, attempted to defend his loyalty to the company. However, Mr. Zhong Changguo clarified that Heng Chang thrived on innovation and encouraged competition, but Director Yu's rigid methods suppressed creativity and were now detrimental to the company, rather than safeguarding it. He also noted that Director Yu's confidence in betting against Zhong Wei stemmed from the belief that he would face no personal repercussions from his father.

While Mr. Zhong Changguo decided against pursuing legal action for the sales data manipulation, he terminated Director Yu's employment, urging him to reflect on his actions. Zhong Wei later inquired about the outcome of the meeting, to which his father simply replied that they had won. During a company gathering, Mr. Zhong Changguo met Chen Miren, the designer of the Companion Cat. He praised her for her deep understanding of companionship.

He then found her familiar, recalling her as "just an ordinary girl" from a previous encounter where he had dismissed her. Fang Mao and Luo Si returned home, where Fang Mao joyfully informed his mother that he had fully recovered from his psychological condition and no longer needed medication. His mother was overjoyed, suggesting a celebratory meal, and Luo Si offered to help with the cooking. The next morning, Fang Mao discovered Luo Si's room empty and her belongings gone.

He rushed out to find her pulling a suitcase, preparing to leave. Luo Si calmly explained that with his recovery, she needed to move back to her dorm, as his home was too far from school. Fang Mao tried to dissuade her, suggesting various activities they could do together, but Luo Si gently interjected. She explained that she no longer loved him and that her recent care was purely out of friendship.

She confessed that she had previously made him her entire life, losing her own identity in the process, and now wished to live for herself. Luo Si sincerely hoped Fang Mao would find someone to share his life with and asked him to wish her well as she embarked on a new chapter. Despite Fang Mao's desperate pleas, she walked away.

Chen Miren, immersed in a daydream, envisioned their OHH store as a magnificent, multi-story establishment with unique zones and a tranquil rooftop, marking the inception of their shared dream. Zhong Wei, amused by her fantasy, then shared exciting news: his father had approved substantial funding, enough not only to renovate their current shop but also to open several new branches. Chen Miren was ecstatic, recognizing the immense potential for enhanced online and offline interaction.

Meanwhile, while out shopping, Xu Miaomiao playfully teased Bao Jiaguo about his drink before he responded flirtatiously. They then encountered Zhao Gu, who was shopping for her mother. Noticing Zhao Gu's new style, Xu Miaomiao, declaring herself a "fashion expert," eagerly offered to assist. Zhao Gu accepted, and Xu Miaomiao promptly whisked her away to explore clothing options, leaving Bao Jiaguo to wait patiently.

Zhong Wei and Chen Miren hurried to their old high school woods upon learning it was slated for renovation. There, they dug up a box Zhong Wei had buried, inside which Chen Miren had written the Chinese character for "good." They reaffirmed their commitment to celebrate every future anniversary together.

Chen Miren wondered about the box's fate if the woods were developed, prompting Zhong Wei to suggest burying it at the company or, if the company ever failed, in the garden of "our house," hinting at their future together. Playfully, Zhong Wei threatened to prevent Chen Miren from graduating if she ever broke up with him, before solemnly declaring his unwavering devotion: he would always find her, no matter how many times she tried to leave him.

In a heartfelt monologue, Chen Miren reflected on her journey, describing herself as a sunny, cheerful, and cute girl, while also acknowledging her occasional pettiness, quick temper, and tendency to avoid confrontation. She emphasized her persistence, talent, and unyielding pursuit of her dreams. She expressed profound gratitude for her loving parents and the diverse, wonderful friends she had made at Hanhai University, including Xu Miaomiao, Luo Si, Zhao Gu, and Bao Jiaguo, as well as her childhood friend Huang Xiaoyue.

Above all, she thanked Zhong Wei for his steadfast presence, constant encouragement, and for never giving up on her, affirming her belief that they would always be together. She concluded by wishing all those who had witnessed their growth a fortunate and beautiful life.