My Calorie Boy Recap, Plot, Synopsis

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My Calorie Boy Synopsis

The 200-pound academic genius Kang Jiawei transferred to Yuming High School and became the desk mate of underachiever Xu Jingjing. They were a pair of complete opposites—he helped her with studies, and she helped him lose weight, making their youth shine brightly. Among a group of high school students, friendship flourished. They laughed and cried, shouted and cheered, recklessly living out their youthful days. Along the way, they learned that true affection isn’t idol-like worship or distant admiration, but rather the collision of two fascinating souls—like a meteor striking the Earth.

My Calorie Boy Recap

Episode 1 Recap

Jingjing awoke from a dream where she was confessing her feelings, only to be roughly pulled out of bed by her mother, who scolded her for staying up late drawing emojis. In the background, her father enthusiastically rehearsed his wedding emcee speech. To evade her mother's questions about her upcoming midterm exam results, Jingjing escaped the house after receiving payment for her "Pipi" emojis.

Arriving at the breakfast stall, Jingjing found her favorite fried pancakes sold out and the buns requiring a ten-minute wait. Spotting a male student, Kang Jiawei, with a tray of buns, Jingjing offered him double the price for them. Kang Jiawei refused, philosophically stating that food has a "soul" and their meeting was "destiny." Their brief confrontation ended with both of them tumbling to the ground, where Kang Jiawei's back got comically stuck to an unposted "Fried Pancake" sign.

As they walked towards school in embarrassment, they encountered Gao Zhan, Jingjing's longtime crush, who kindly suggested they get new uniforms from the school supply room. At the school supply room, Jingjing and Kang Jiawei got stuck in the doorway, creating a spectacle for the teacher. They explained their need for new school pants, but the XXXXL size for Kang Jiawei was a special order and not in stock. Just then, Xu Jingjing arrived to collect cheerleading uniforms.

Upon learning of Kang Jiawei's predicament, she offered to retrieve a large pair of sports pants from the basketball team for him. After changing into new, ill-fitting uniforms, Jingjing was eager to forget the ordeal. However, her friends, Lu Xiaobai and Wang Jiayao, encouraged her to seize the opportunity to thank Gao Zhan, reminding her that he had only spoken to her ten times since high school began.

Inspired, Jingjing approached Gao Zhan's desk, but her attempt to thank him devolved into nervous stammering until the class bell rang, with Gao Zhan amusedly noting her "fourteen lines" of dialogue. As class began, the teacher announced the arrival of a new transfer student: to Jingjing's shock, it was Kang Jiawei. The teacher then announced a seat rearrangement.

Xu Jingjing attempted to secure a seat next to Gao Zhan, but he politely refused, explaining that he was already sitting with their classmate Wei Xue, prompting Xu Jingjing to choose a seat strategically close to him instead. Ultimately, Jingjing, who was at the bottom of the class, was left with no choice but to sit next to Kang Jiawei, who was revealed to be the top student from his previous school.

Jingjing's snarky remark about Kang Jiawei's weight earned her a stern warning from the teacher. During class, the teacher chastised the students for their poor midterm math scores, pointedly highlighting the lowest grade. Jingjing feigned innocence, but Kang Jiawei, observing her test paper, spotted an error. He pointed out to the teacher that her use of "my hands are tied," though marked wrong, was a correct expression found in TOEFL vocabulary.

This correction reversed her last-place standing, transferring the "honor" to Ni Dapeng. Now free to choose her seat, Jingjing shrewdly decided to remain next to Kang Jiawei, claiming it was for better study, but secretly intending to leverage his academic prowess. To seal the deal for homework-copying privileges, Jingjing offered him a sheet of her "Pipi" character stickers, declaring them a "global exclusive limited edition" and even offering her autograph.

Later, Kang Jiawei encountered Xu Jingjing and offered her a drink as a thank you for her help. He paused upon noticing the "Stranger Things" bracelet on her wrist. Xu Jingjing explained that she had made the bracelet herself, making it one of a kind. Meanwhile, Jingjing shared her plan with her friends: she wanted to attend the upcoming basketball game and make Gao Zhan his favorite matcha red bean milk tea.

Her friends were skeptical, pointing out that Gao Zhan had recently been walking Xu Jingjing home from school. They advised Jingjing to focus on improving her grades as a more practical way to get closer to Gao Zhan. Jingjing insisted her goal wasn't to "do anything specific," but simply to ensure Gao Zhan remembered her as more than just another fan. During Mr. Zhang's strict math tuition class, Jingjing and Ni Dapeng's attempt to sneak out was immediately thwarted.

Later that evening, Kang Jiawei returned home to a meal prepared by his father, who was away for work. Alone, Kang Jiawei logged onto his computer to chat with his online friend, "Mayonnaise with Rice," who he now suspected was Xu Jingjing after seeing her bracelet. He asked her about the "Stranger things" bracelet, and she confirmed it was her own creation.

He hinted at meeting a "very pretty and kind" girl at his new school, then cautiously asked his friend if she would mind if he were a "200-jin fatty." Her reassuring response, "good-looking people are everywhere, but an interesting soul is one in a million," brought him some relief. The next morning, Kang Jiawei surprised Jingjing with breakfast.

He then unexpectedly offered his homework for her to copy before revealing his true request: he wanted her to use her image editing skills to touch up some photos, clarifying he didn't want to be made thinner. Meanwhile, with Ni Dapeng needing to attend tuition, the basketball team was short-handed, and Kang Jiawei volunteered to join.

Despite initial skepticism due to his build, he impressed the team by easily scoring five shots and demonstrating a thorough understanding of their opponents' strategies and key players. Back in Mr. Zhang's class, the questions were challenging, but with Kang Jiawei's help, Jingjing completed all ten problems.

She then dramatically excused herself to use the restroom, snatching her bag and dashing to her mother's shop to prepare the matcha red bean milk tea for Gao Zhan before rushing to the basketball court. During halftime of the intense match, Jingjing hurried to offer Gao Zhan the special milk tea. However, she found Xu Jingjing already there, offering Gao Zhan an Oolong tea.

Gao Zhan politely declined Xu Jingjing's offer and, to Jingjing's delight, chose her matcha red bean milk tea. As the second half began, Gao Zhan suddenly clutched his stomach and looked toward Jingjing. Mistaking his pained gaze for admiration, Jingjing enthusiastically made a large heart gesture back at him. Moments later, Gao Zhan called a timeout, revealing that Jingjing's milk tea had upset his stomach, forcing him out of the game. To the cheers of the crowd, Kang Jiawei was subbed in to replace him.

Episode 2 Recap

During a basketball match, Kang Jiawei made a crucial shot, winning the game for his team, though he fell to the ground along with Xu Jingjing. Afterwards, a worried Xu Jingjing learned from classmates that Gao Zhan was suffering from diarrhea. She also realized the letter she had written for him was missing from her pocket. That evening, Xu Jingjing’s parents noticed her distraction during dinner.

When her mother mentioned having used her dietary fiber powder, Xu Jingjing had a sudden realization: she had mistakenly given Gao Zhan her mother's dietary fiber supplement, thinking it was matcha powder, which caused his stomach issues. The next day, Xu Jingjing instinctively hid from Gao Zhan on the way to school, worried he would be annoyed with her.

However, Gao Zhan approached her, reassuring her that the team's earlier loss didn't matter and that he knew she hadn't caused his discomfort on purpose. His kindness brightened her mood, making her feel it was a blessing in disguise. Later in class, their classmate Ni Dapeng snatched a pink, lavender-scented letter from Kang Jiawei’s desk and began reading it aloud to everyone. The letter, written by Xu Jingjing, caused a commotion until their teacher, Ms. Chen, arrived.

When questioned, Xu Jingjing was unwilling to admit the letter was for Gao Zhan. To protect him from being reprimanded, she falsely claimed she had written it for Kang Jiawei and admitted to "liking" him. Meanwhile, Dean Zhang Chang'an instructed Ms. Chen to make an example of Xu Jingjing to curb any potential "bad practices" like puppy love.

Ms. Chen argued that it was a private matter and that youthful crushes should be handled with leniency, but the Dean rebuked her for her inexperience. Feeling "socially dead," a frustrated Xu Jingjing went to the taekwondo club to vent. Elsewhere, Kang Jiawei went to Ms. Chen's office. Having analyzed the letter's contents—mentioning someone who rides a bike and sits by the window—he deduced it was meant for Gao Zhan, not him.

To cover for Xu Jingjing, he fabricated a story, claiming they knew each other from middle school where he used to be "slim and handsome," and that she still had a crush on him. He promised Ms. Chen he would help her get over it. Later, a distracted Xu Jingjing ran a red light and was made to direct traffic as a penalty. Kang Jiawei found her and teased her about the situation, adding to her frustration over his interference.

She became determined to find who took her letter and put it in Kang Jiawei's desk. During morning self-study, Ms. Chen, under pressure from the Dean, asked Xu Jingjing to read a self-criticism report to the class. Kang Jiawei immediately objected, complaining that her writing was poor and a waste of time. Gao Zhan then stood up, agreeing that it was inappropriate to read it publicly as it concerned her privacy. With other students echoing their support, Ms. Chen relented.

Dean Zhang later confronted Ms. Chen, scolding her for caving to the students. Feeling conflicted, Ms. Chen went to the taekwondo club to vent her frustrations about the Dean, unaware that Gao Zhan was also there. He overheard her and offered his support, encouraging her to trust her own judgment. Later, Xu Jingjing thanked Gao Zhan for his help and asked him to investigate who framed her.

He initially declined, saying his interest in criminology didn't apply to her "child's play." However, Kang Jiawei interjected, praising Gao Zhan's skills by recalling how he had once caught a thief before the police arrived and that he loves mystery novels. Inspired, Xu Jingjing and Kang Jiawei theorized about the culprit, suspecting the janitor, Mr. Ge, might have misplaced the letter.

After Mr. Ge confirmed he never saw it, Gao Zhan reappeared and advised them to examine the letter itself for clues, before leaving to walk the other Xu Jingjing home, much to the protagonist Xu Jingjing's bewilderment. Using Xu Jingjing’s remedial class with Dean Zhang as a diversion, she tried to delay the teacher while Gao Zhan and Kang Jiawei searched his office for the letter.

Just before Dean Zhang returned, Gao Zhan and Kang Jiawei found a crucial clue on the letter: a trace of gold powder on the corner, which they concluded was left by the culprit. Later, Gao Zhan explained to the other Xu Jingjing that he walked her home out of concern for her safety. When she asked why he chose the protagonist's drink during the game, he simply said he prefers matcha over oolong tea.

Meanwhile, Dean Zhang expressed disappointment in the protagonist Xu Jingjing's poor test results and ordered her to quit the taekwondo club or he would have it disbanded, stating that clubs were not for "struggling students." Desperate, Xu Jingjing remembered Gao Zhan was a taekwondo black belt and asked him to become the new club president. He refused, so she challenged him to a match: if she won, he would have to take the role.

However, her friend Lu Xiaobai warned that fighting a boy would make her seem like "The Rock," causing her to back out. Kang Jiawei then encouraged her to go through with it, explaining that the serious-minded Gao Zhan would respect her for not backing down. As he spoke, Kang Jiawei noticed the ankle bracelet Xu Jingjing was wearing was identical to one worn by the other Xu Jingjing, leaving him shaken.

Later, Kang Jiawei tried to subtly ask Xu Jingjing if she used the social media site Douban, specifically a group called "Why Am I Worthless?" , which caused her to react with angry denial. As classmates placed bets on the match, Gao Zhan promised the other Xu Jingjing he would walk her home afterward. The match began with Xu Jingjing determined to impress Gao Zhan, but in the middle of the fight, he suddenly vanished from the mat, leaving everyone in confusion.

Episode 3 Recap

A large crowd gathered for the highly anticipated taekwondo match between Gao Zhan and Xu Jingjing. Another Xu Jingjing, a dancer, feeling uneasy about the commotion, excused herself, claiming other business. She secretly changed her outfit and headed to an underground garage to record a dance video. Kang Jiawei, who happened to be nearby, stumbled upon a man secretly filming her. He bravely intervened, fighting the man, but was nearly suffocated in the process.

Frightened, Xu Jingjing, the dancer, immediately called Gao Zhan for help. During the call, she learned the true reason for Gao Zhan's persistent escorts: at the beginning of the semester, he had noticed people with cameras at the school entrance targeting her. He hadn't told her because he feared scaring her. Though upset by the revelation, she expressed her gratitude. She also confessed that she didn't want others to know about her street dancing, which her mother prohibited.

If the police were involved, her mother would find out, and she might never be able to dance again. Meanwhile, Gao Zhan disappeared from the taekwondo match, leaving Xu Jingjing, the fighter, standing alone and becoming the subject of ridicule. Disheartened, she walked aimlessly through the streets until she encountered a similarly disheveled Kang Jiawei. He took her to a barbeque restaurant and bought her a pair of rain boots.

Initially, neither had an appetite, but they eventually succumbed to the food. Xu Jingjing watched in astonishment as Kang Jiawei prepared his meal with high-calorie additions like mayonnaise, sugar, and chili powder. Kang Jiawei then explained Gao Zhan's absence, revealing that he had gone to help Xu Jingjing, the dancer, deal with a pervert. This news only deepened the fighter's gloom.

As they paid the bill, Kang Jiawei noticed gold powder on the receipt, identical to the powder found on the letter, but he kept this discovery to himself. The next day, Xu Jingjing, the dancer, messaged Kang Jiawei to check on him. Kang Jiawei shared his investigation findings with Xu Jingjing, the fighter, narrowing down the potential culprits to the cheerleading squad.

He showed her a gold pom-pom, explaining the powder on it was identical to that found on her letter. He identified the cheerleaders who had used gold pom-poms, including Wei Xue, Li Huiya, and Xu Jingjing, the dancer. The fighter immediately accused the dancer, claiming she was a lifelong rival who always targeted her. However, Kang Jiawei refused to believe it, revealing that Xu Jingjing, the dancer, was an online friend he had known on Douban for over two years.

The fighter scoffed at his naivety, but then connected the dots, realizing there might be a deeper connection between Gao Zhan and the dancer. Kang Jiawei and Xu Jingjing, the fighter, secretly followed Gao Zhan and Xu Jingjing, the dancer. From an initial video clip posted on Weibo, they saw that Wei Xue was the one who found the letter.

To gather evidence, they sought out Li Huiya, who had filmed the video, to ask for the complete footage, but she was initially reluctant. During this time, Gao Zhan approached the fighter to apologize for missing their match and offered to become the Taekwondo club president as compensation. She declined, explaining that taekwondo held profound personal meaning for her, and she would rather disband the club than have it led by someone without a genuine passion for the sport.

Eventually, Li Huiya sent them the complete video. The footage showed the cheerleaders, led by Wei Xue, finding the letter, reading it aloud, and mocking it. Xu Jingjing, the dancer, tried to stop them but, under pressure from the group, reluctantly made a few remarks to go along. Enraged, Xu Jingjing, the fighter, and Kang Jiawei confronted Wei Xue, demanding an apology.

The fighter expressed her deeper frustration, not just with Wei Xue, but with everyone's judgmental stares, feeling she was constantly looked down on for not being the "protagonist" like the dancer, to whom she had been compared since childhood. Kang Jiawei took her hand and led her under a spotlight, emphatically telling her that she was, and always would be, the true protagonist of her own life.

Moved, she took a photo of Kang Jiawei, digitally edited it to make him look thinner, and persuaded him to lose weight. They forged an alliance: she would help him with his fitness, and he would help her with her studies, empowering each other to become better and make their detractors regret their judgments. Kang Jiawei began tutoring Xu Jingjing, the fighter, especially in mathematics, where she struggled significantly.

In turn, she dragged Kang Jiawei onto a scale, setting a challenging goal for him to lose 20 kilograms in one month. Kang Jiawei found changing his diet, particularly giving up his beloved braised pork belly, extremely difficult. Separately, Xu Jingjing, the dancer, approached the fighter to apologize for her part in the video incident. However, the fighter refused to forgive her, still deeply hurt by their long history of rivalry.

The dancer later confided in Kang Jiawei, sharing that from her perspective, she had always felt like the outsider, while the fighter was the one who easily blended in and was popular. Kang Jiawei comforted her, assuring her that he didn't blame her. Xu Jingjing, the fighter, initiated Kang Jiawei into a rigorous exercise regimen, which left him constantly complaining. Kang Jiawei reciprocated by intensely pushing her in her studies, ensuring neither spared the other.

While they were jogging, Kang Jiawei's father spotted them and, suspecting puppy love, suggested Kang Jiawei wear shoes his mother had bought for him. Kang Jiawei firmly refused, stating he no longer had a relationship with his mother and would not accept her gifts. Later, Xu Jingjing, the fighter, discovered Kang Jiawei slacking off and playing chess in the park, and she immediately made him run as punishment.

Episode 4 Recap

Kang Jiawei, attempting to monitor Xu Jingjing's studies remotely, asked her to show her face on video. Xu Jingjing, however, refused, fearing he would screenshot an unflattering picture. To escape, she feigned an emergency, using a pre-recorded sound of a physics lab crisis to distract him. Before leaving, she placed a doll in front of the camera, which then slumped over, leading a panicked Kang Jiawei to frantically call emergency services, believing she had fainted from overstudying.

The next day, Kang Jiawei angrily confronted Xu Jingjing for the prank, expressing how worried he had been. They argued, and Xu Jingjing criticized his rigorous methods, which included demanding a 3,000-meter run and providing complex empirical formulas that were beyond her syllabus. Kang Jiawei admitted he had found his "well-tailored plan" online.

Xu Jingjing then candidly shared her journey into becoming a "professional study slacker," explaining how a simple act of bending down to pick up a pen in math class led her to fall permanently behind, likening it to a "fresh fruit" that quickly spoils if even "slightly bruised." Moved, Kang Jiawei apologized for his harshness and promised to create simpler, more understandable notes. Realizing they shared a mutual understanding, they decided to work together.

Kang Jiawei proposed a new incentive: for every math paper Xu Jingjing completed correctly, she would receive a Pop Mart toy. However, if she made too many mistakes, he would remove a Pop Mart head. Xu Jingjing agreed, adding a reciprocal condition for his running goals. They officially declared the start of the "Pop Mart Tournament." As exams approached, Xu Jingjing felt confident after Kang Jiawei's tutoring but still drew cards for good luck.

After the exams, while discussing their holiday plans, Kang Jiawei’s mood soured when he saw Gao Zhan and Xu Jingjing, the dancer, walking together. Later, while browsing social media, Xu Jingjing discovered a private video of the dancer Xu Jingjing circulating online with derogatory comments. Concerned, she informed her. The dancer confirmed it was an invasion of privacy by a pervert but was hesitant to involve the police due to family pressures.

At home, the dancer Xu Jingjing endured her mother's strict regimen, which included a controlled diet and continuous ballet practice even during meals. Her mother discovered a slim-fitting tank top and vehemently forbade her from engaging in hip-hop, fearing it would compromise her ballet training. During a discussion with Xu Jingjing, Gao Zhan, and Ni Dapeng, the dancer explained her reluctance to involve the police.

She feared her mother's reaction upon learning she had been doing hip-hop, which she believed would lead to her being blamed for associating with "shady characters." Gao Zhan then proposed an "entrapment" plan. They created a new female social media account named "Princess Momo" and posted enticing selfies to attract the "Nine-Dragon Master," the presumed culprit. After some humorous attempts to edit Xu Jingjing's photo to fit the "pervert's aesthetic," which Kang Jiawei deemed unnecessary, their efforts paid off.

The Nine-Dragon Master messaged "Princess Momo," requesting a photoshoot. Gao Zhan, having researched modern girls' communication styles, set up a meeting for a weekend photoshoot, preparing for potential accomplices. He presented a detailed battle plan: Xu Jingjing would wait alone, while the boys would lie in ambush. The dancer was instructed to stay hidden and call the police if necessary, as her presence might tip off the culprit.

On the day of the meetup, Xu Jingjing, wearing a dress, surprised her friends. The plan proceeded as rehearsed. When the Nine-Dragon Master and his accomplice arrived and tried to coerce Xu Jingjing into leaving with them, Kang Jiawei, Gao Zhan, and Ni Dapeng emerged from their hiding spots to intervene. A chase ensued. During the confrontation, Kang Jiawei was hit over the head with a bottle while protecting Xu Jingjing.

Ni Dapeng comically exaggerated his own bravery, claiming a math textbook saved him from a knife wound. Shortly after, the police, alerted by the dancer Xu Jingjing, arrived and apprehended the culprits, taking all the students to the public security bureau. There, a policeman criticized their unauthorized actions, emphasizing the importance of trusting law enforcement. Gao Zhan recognized the officer as Mr. Jin, a former colleague of his late father.

Later, at a barbecue restaurant, the dancer Xu Jingjing sincerely apologized to Xu Jingjing for her earlier selfishness regarding the police report and gifted her an expensive sailor suit. Ni Dapeng, still riding high from the incident, dramatically recounted his version of the fight. The dancer apologized to the whole group for the trouble caused by her initial reluctance to involve the authorities. The friends toasted to their "special operation team."

Gao Zhan then shared that the policeman, Mr. Jin, was a colleague of his father, who was also a police officer and had died on duty when Gao Zhan was in junior high. Touched by this revelation, Ni Dapeng became emotional, admitting he was also from a single-parent family, having lost his mother when he was young. Xu Jingjing quickly interjected to lighten the somber mood.

When the exam results were released, Xu Jingjing was elated to see her math score jump from 48 to 90 in just one month, calling it a miracle. However, her Chinese and English scores remained dismal, making her the last in class overall. Her friends playfully mocked her, dubbing her "King Wastewood of Stormborn" and "Khaleesi Doofus Xu Jingjing." Upset, Xu Jingjing stormed off and complained to Kang Jiawei, blaming his math-focused plan for her low scores in other subjects.

Kang Jiawei countered that they should improve "one subject at a time." Their argument escalated, with Xu Jingjing accusing him of "double standards" for expecting her to improve academically so quickly while his own weight loss was slow. Frustrated, they decided to go their separate ways. They made a new bet: if Xu Jingjing could complete her homework independently and improve to third-last place by the next monthly exam, Kang Jiawei would be her "domesticated elf" for the semester.

Conversely, if Kang Jiawei failed to "slim down into a lightning bolt," he would serve her. As the winter holiday began, Xu Jingjing created a rigorous study schedule, but her skeptical parents bet she wouldn't last more than two days. Predictably, Xu Jingjing quickly abandoned her studies for video games, feeling bored and empty. Remembering her bet, she checked Kang Jiawei's sports bracelet data, which showed him motionless at home. She also noticed his lack of social media activity.

However, she then checked his food review app and discovered he was still indulging in food, which convinced her to postpone serious studying until after the Lunar New Year. On Lunar New Year's Eve, Xu Jingjing received a greeting from the dancer, who was celebrating in Tokyo. She briefly considered messaging Kang Jiawei to eat less but ultimately decided against it.

The holiday passed, and on the first day back at school, Xu Jingjing was frantically copying homework when a noticeably slimmer Kang Jiawei, embodying the "lightning bolt" figure from their bet, returned to the classroom, stunning everyone with his transformation.

Episode 5 Recap

Upon returning to class, a remarkably transformed Kang Jiawei approached Xu Jingjing, who was busy copying her holiday homework. Stunned by his new, handsome appearance, Xu Jingjing tried to convince herself it was a dream, but the reality was undeniable. Fulfilling the terms of a bet they had made, Kang Jiawei began calling her "Dobby," relentlessly teasing her about the copied homework.

Xu Jingjing, in turn, accused him of being cunning, revealing that the popular "Master Kang's exploration of new shops" online account was a ruse orchestrated by him; he had asked his father to post reviews using his account, instructing him to write in a youthful style to gain followers.

Their exchange was interrupted by Mr. Chen, who was amazed by Kang Jiawei's significant weight loss and praised him as a "diamond in the rough" before urging them to get to class. As the new semester began, seats were assigned based on academic performance. While Kang Jiawei and Gao Zhan selected their old spots, other students hesitated to choose the seat next to the newly popular Kang Jiawei.

Xu Jingjing soon discovered why: he had placed a "domesticated elf" label on the adjacent desk, designating himself as the master. Left with no other choice, she was forced to sit beside him. Xu Jingjing felt miserable, contrasting his newfound handsomeness, slim physique, and academic improvement with her own status as last in class.

However, there was a glimmer of hope: because Kang Jiawei had helped her pass her math exam, she might be exempt from Mr. Zhang's mandatory tuition class, which would allow her to finally reopen the Taekwondo Club. Xu Jingjing attempted to use a "clothing trick" from a movie to gain freedom from Kang Jiawei's master-elf dynamic, but he saw through her ploy.

Instead, he assigned her the first task as his "elf": managing the constant flow of gifts from his growing fanbase. When she refused, he blackmailed her by threatening to tell Mr. Zhang about her unfinished homework, forcing her to comply. Her hopes for the Taekwondo Club were then dashed when Mr. Zhang informed her she needed to pass three consecutive major exams to be excused from the tuition class.

Desperate, Xu Jingjing spread a rumor among Kang Jiawei's female admirers that he had an incurable disease and could no longer eat gifts, causing them to withdraw out of sympathy. When Kang Jiawei questioned the sudden drop in attention, she confessed, and he admitted the trick was effective. He then confided in her about his own new trouble: he felt like a stranger in his own body and was still unaccustomed to his transformed appearance.

Meanwhile, Kang Jiawei hesitated to reveal his true identity to his online friend, a girl also named Xu Jingjing, with whom he bonded over a shared love for Wes Anderson's films. His hesitation grew when she reaffirmed her preference for "interesting souls over good appearances" and mentioned she was going to basketball training. At a team meeting, Gao Zhan expressed concern about the upcoming game against Class 6, as he couldn't participate due to hurdling training.

Kang Jiawei seized the opportunity, volunteering to join the team to make up for last semester's loss, asserting his skill was no longer hindered by his weight. During the game, Niu Junfeng from Class 6 taunted Kang Jiawei about his past. Determined, Kang Jiawei played exceptionally well, and a cheer from his classmate Xu Jingjing unexpectedly amplified the crowd's support.

Later, a cheer for Gao Zhan from the online Xu Jingjing momentarily distracted Kang Jiawei, leading to a scuffle with Niu Junfeng. In the final moments, with the ball in Kang Jiawei's hands, both his classmate and his online friend cheered for him, and this time, he made the winning shot. After the victory, members of Class 6 confronted Kang Jiawei's team. During the standoff, Kang Jiawei suddenly stumbled and collapsed, causing his opponents to flee in fear.

While his teammates thought he was faking, his classmate Xu Jingjing noticed his hands trembling before he collapsed again. He lightheartedly revealed he had severe hypoglycemia but dismissed its seriousness. Despite his nonchalance, she urged him to take his condition seriously, offering him candy before he left for a celebration party. Later, as other school clubs busily recruited new members, Xu Jingjing felt despondent about her Taekwondo Club's uncertain future.

Gao Zhan approached her, reminding her of their agreement from last semester, and knowing he wouldn't simply agree to her leading the club, she challenged him to their promised duel. A betting pool began for the match, with most students betting on whether Gao Zhan would even show up. Kang Jiawei surprised everyone by boldly betting five cups of Haagen-Dazs on Xu Jingjing winning. She confronted him, incredulous and full of regret for challenging the formidable Gao Zhan.

However, Kang Jiawei sincerely encouraged her, reminding her of the strength and confidence she displays when doing what she loves, just as when she fought the bullies. He told her that her passion makes her shine and that impressing everyone, including Gao Zhan, was more important than the outcome. Xu Jingjing was taken aback by his earnest words. Just then, Gao Zhan arrived, and the anticipated match began.

Episode 6 Recap

During a crucial Taekwondo competition, Xu Jingjing was momentarily distracted by Kang Jiawei's advice to be like a legendary fighter, causing her opponent, Gao Zhan, to knock her down. However, she then recalled the core of Kang Jiawei's message: to focus solely on the match, as a serious competitor like Gao Zhan only respects a true fight.

Regaining her composure, Xu Jingjing channeled her full strength and defeated Gao Zhan, earning widespread applause and a bounty of snacks for her and her classmates. Afterward, when Xu Jingjing asked if she was like "The Rock" Johnson, Kang Jiawei compared her to Tsukushi from a popular drama, who captures the male lead's heart only after fighting him. Their celebration was interrupted by Ni Dapeng and his friends from Class 6, who taunted Class 3 as "good-for-nothings."

Gao Zhan immediately stood up for his class, and a fierce wager was made for the upcoming sports day: if Class 3 wins more gold medals, Class 6 must crawl two laps around the stadium shouting "Class 3 is the best." If Class 6 wins, Class 3 must address them as "Daddy" whenever they meet. In preparation for the sports day, Class 3 strategized on how to overcome Class 6.

Gao Zhan analyzed their opponents' strengths and noted that even if they won all their best events, it would only result in a tie, highlighting the need for a "breakthrough" event. Xu Jingjing, confident from her Taekwondo training, volunteered for the women's 800-meter and the relay. The topic of the sports day emcees came up, with students noting that the female emcee, Xu Jingjing, and Gao Zhan were the traditional hosts, even earning the couple nickname "Jingzhan."

Kang Jiawei learned that anyone could register to be an emcee and that Gao Zhan had decided not to participate this year. This piqued Kang Jiawei's interest, and he immediately declared his candidacy, enlisting Xu Jingjing's help with campaign photos. Despite being annoyed by his specific demands for editing, she had to admit he had become much more handsome. Ni Dapeng also entered the emcee race, becoming Kang Jiawei's direct rival.

When the election results were announced, the female emcee won her position handily. For the male emcee, Kang Jiawei was initially declared the winner with 1,145 votes, but Ni Dapeng then revealed a suspicious total of 14,000 votes. Xu Jingjing immediately exposed his fraud, pointing out that the school only had 1,500 students and that his vote count had spiked unnaturally overnight. Cornered, Ni Dapeng admitted to rigging the votes.

Kang Jiawei was officially confirmed as the winner and celebrated by formally ending his bet with Xu Jingjing, freeing her from her "house-elf" duties. Both resolved to use the sports day as a chance to improve their relationships: Kang Jiawei with the female emcee and Xu Jingjing with Gao Zhan. On the school field, Class 6 continued to taunt Class 3, specifically targeting Xiong Shuai, which escalated into a physical fight. Their teacher, Miss Chen, intervened, expressing disappointment.

While admitting she understood their anger, she urged them to channel their frustration into winning honorably at the sports day. In response to Gao Zhan’s candid assessment that their chances of winning were slim, Xu Jingjing made a bold proposal: she would enter the mini-marathon, the sports day's final event. She challenged the unwritten rule that barred female students, arguing it was unfair and contradicted the school's motto of "freedom, equality, wisdom, and creativity."

Inspired, many of her female classmates also pledged to sign up. When Gao Zhan expressed concern about a strong runner from Class 6, Xu Jingjing confidently dismissed his worry. Kang Jiawei enthusiastically supported her, vowing to treat the entire class to Häagen-Dazs if she won.

Xu Jingjing’s attempt to register for the mini-marathon was flatly rejected by Mr. Zhang, the head of student affairs, who cited "tradition" and belittled her for neglecting her studies, reminding her she was still ranked last academically. Frustrated, she took Kang Jiawei’s suggestion to start a petition. Xu Jingjing drafted a compelling letter appealing to the school's core values and began collecting signatures from female students, while Kang Jiawei rallied support from the boys.

Meanwhile, Miss Chen advocated for Xu Jingjing to Mr. Zhang, but he remained inflexible, defending tradition and accusing Miss Chen of being young and naive. He warned that accommodating students would only lead them to "cross the line" and told her to focus on academics instead of "nonsense." The disagreement between Miss Chen and Mr. Zhang escalated into a heated argument. Mr. Zhang arrogantly asserted that his judgments, backed by years of experience, were never wrong.

Miss Chen boldly countered that his judgments only seemed correct because no one ever dared to object. Later, a frustrated Miss Chen was seen venting her anger on a training dummy at the Taekwondo club. While she worried about gossip among teachers, she found solace in knowing some colleagues admired her courage.

The confrontation solidified her conviction: she had to believe in her own principles before she could guide her students, and if Mr. Zhang’s rigid views didn't make sense to her, they certainly wouldn't to them. Meanwhile, the female emcee asked Kang Jiawei to rehearse their hosting script. Nervous, Kang Jiawei asked Xu Jingjing to accompany him, but she had to deliver the petition to Mr. Zhang.

During their rehearsal, Kang Jiawei’s attempts to connect with the female emcee through pop culture references, such as "Friends" and a rock music playlist featuring Linkin Park and Queen, fell flat, revealing a significant gap in their interests. Xu Jingjing delivered the signed petition to Mr. Zhang, who remained dismissive. Kang Jiawei arrived to support her, prompting Mr. Zhang to threaten his emcee position.

Angered by this injustice, Kang Jiawei impulsively declared he would quit his role if female students were not allowed to participate fairly. Though he later privately regretted his rashness, he remained committed to helping Xu Jingjing. When he met the female emcee to apologize for backing out, he was surprised to find she wasn't upset. Instead, she was deeply moved by his willingness to sacrifice his position for the cause and offered her full support.

Episode 7 Recap

Ni Dapeng, whose family owns a clothing factory, eagerly discussed his upcoming hosting role for the school sports event with Kang Jiawei, who assured him the position was secured. With that promise, Ni Dapeng attempted to persuade his father to custom-make uniforms for his class.

His father adamantly refused, citing numerous past expenses, including making uniforms for the entire elementary school when Ni Dapeng wanted to be a flag-bearer, sponsoring computers for his junior high only for Ni Dapeng to use them for games, and buying all the equipment for the school basketball team. Ni Dapeng's father suggested he just buy uniforms online and offered to pay.

However, Kang Jiawei explained that due to the customized design and the fast-approaching event, ordering online was no longer an option. It was only when Gao Zhan unexpectedly arrived that Ni Dapeng's father's demeanor softened. Recognizing Gao Zhan as the grade's top-ranked student who was frequently commended—unlike his own son who was often criticized—Ni's father immediately agreed to halt current factory orders and prioritize making the class uniforms, promising to have them ready in time.

Gao Zhan then presented his design draft. During the opening ceremony, Ni Dapeng struggled with his hosting lines, mispronouncing words and drawing amusement from the crowd. Adding to the chaos, his father's car, which was transporting the class uniforms, broke down, preventing a timely delivery. As Class 3's turn for the entrance ceremony approached, they were nowhere to be found, forcing Ni Dapeng and his co-host, Jingjing, to improvise to stall for time.

Mr. Zhang, the discipline director, grew agitated, criticizing Class 3 and their homeroom teacher, Miss Chen, to Principal Shen, labeling the students as unruly and Miss Chen as young, clueless, and opinionated. He then angrily confronted the hosts, blaming them for the delay and threatening to disqualify Class 3.

Jingjing tried to explain that their class wasn't ready and suggested letting the next class go first, reminding Mr. Zhang of his own rule about not wasting time, but he dismissed her. Principal Shen intervened, calming Mr. Zhang down. Just in time, Kang Jiawei and Miss Chen arrived with the uniforms. To everyone's surprise, the boys of Class 3 marched in wearing plaid skirts. After the initial laughter, the boys began chanting, "I'm a girl! I want to run!"

The girls in the stands joined in, creating a powerful, unified roar that resonated through the stadium. Principal Shen, instead of being upset, remarked that he found Class 3's entrance "interesting." After the impactful entrance, Mr. Zhang reprimanded Miss Chen and her students, accusing them of being troublemakers. Miss Chen defended her students, explaining they were simply expressing themselves. Mr. Zhang insisted on severe disciplinary action, but Miss Chen bravely offered to take full responsibility.

Principal Shen then stepped in, countering Mr. Zhang's traditional views by stating there was no problem with girls running marathons. He invoked the school's motto of "freedom, equality, wisdom, and innovation," arguing that preventing girls from participating went against these principles. Principal Shen declared that, starting this semester, a women's group for the marathon would be added, with girls starting five minutes after the boys and with separate timing.

Xu Jingjing, elated, immediately asked if she could participate, and Principal Shen confirmed that all female students were welcome to join. Later, in the 4x100-meter relay race, Kang Jiawei gave detailed instructions to his teammates. Despite his efforts, he collapsed from low blood sugar after passing the baton. When he regained consciousness in the infirmary, his first concern was whether their class had won.

Xu Jingjing soon arrived with food, informing him that Gao Zhan had secured the victory for their class in the final leg. Concerned about his frequent low blood sugar episodes, she urged him to seek medical attention, but Kang Jiawei dismissed her worries as not serious. He then playfully accused her of taking his picture during the race.

Admitting she did, Xu Jingjing teased him about how good he looked in women's clothing and threatened to upload his skirt photo to the school forum. Kang Jiawei chided her, saying he had done it all for her. Xu Jingjing admitted she was touched and apologized, feeling responsible for him losing the hosting role and the chance to co-host with Jingjing. Pondering this, Kang Jiawei confessed that Jingjing was "a little different from what I thought."

Before her mini-marathon, Xu Jingjing expressed her nervousness, but Kang Jiawei reassured her, reminding her that Class 3 was tied with Class 6 and everyone was counting on her. Miss Chen also participated in the women's marathon, declaring she was a girl who wanted to run and inspiring her students. During the race, Xu Jingjing found herself boxed in by other runners.

From the sidelines, Kang Jiawei shouted encouragement, urging her to use her Taekwondo stance to push through the crowd. Despite getting hurt, Xu Jingjing persevered. At the finish line, she dramatically overtook Li Huiya from Class 6 to secure first place, but then collapsed from her injury. Gao Zhan immediately rushed to her side and carried her to the infirmary. A nurse advised that only one person needed to stay.

Kang Jiawei suggested Gao Zhan stay, but Gao Zhan insisted Kang Jiawei remain, citing a need to go to Miss Chen's office. Later, Kang Jiawei showed Xu Jingjing a picture he'd taken of Gao Zhan carrying her, which she critiqued for making her legs look thick. Kang Jiawei playfully offered to send it to her if she agreed to be his "domesticated elf" for a few days.

Xu Jingjing countered by threatening to post his skirt photo, leading to a lighthearted struggle over their phones. Following their overall victory, Class 3 celebrated by making Class 6 honor their bet. Kang Jiawei firmly told them to keep their word. The Class 6 students were ultimately compelled to repeatedly cheer "Long live Class 3" on the field.

Miss Chen gently reminded her students not to go too far and invited everyone to a celebratory dinner, which Mr. Zhao, a teacher who had helped them, also attended. During the dinner, students remarked on Miss Chen's positive changes. She acknowledged her own uncertainties as a teacher but emphasized their journey of collective growth. Students then asked for advice.

One who loved a celebrity but disliked studying was advised to aim for a good university to work in the entertainment industry. When co-host Jingjing asked what to do when one likes someone, Miss Chen described teenage crushes as precious and advised cherishing the feeling privately until one becomes a better version of themself. Inspired, Ni Dapeng then declared to Jingjing that he would become a "better version" of himself, comically missing the point about keeping it private.

Later, Xu Jingjing questioned Kang Jiawei about his recent weight loss, concerned he might be taking harmful supplements. Kang Jiawei told her to mind her own business, as their "alliance" was over. Unconvinced, Xu Jingjing asked Gao Zhan to investigate, but he told her to find evidence first before he could "file a case." Meanwhile, Jingjing approached Gao Zhan, inviting him to teach her "cousin" Taekwondo the following Saturday, reasoning it would be more convenient between guys. Gao Zhan agreed.

Upon learning of the plan, Xu Jingjing alerted Kang Jiawei, revealing that Jingjing has no cousin. They both realized Jingjing's ruse was likely connected to her question to Miss Chen and voiced their opposition to a potential confession. Lu Xiaobai then advised Xu Jingjing to alter her appearance with fake hair pieces to look more girlish.

The next day, Xu Jingjing arrived at the park sporting a peculiar hairstyle, only to be surprised by Kang Jiawei, who admitted he was there for the same reason she was: to disrupt the meeting.

Episode 8 Recap

Xu Jingjing invited Gao Zhan to tutor her cousin in Taekwondo, but upon their meeting, she claimed her cousin had a last-minute school event. She then asked Gao Zhan to teach her instead, showing him questions on her phone which he identified as being about Judo, not Taekwondo. Though he was hesitant to teach without her cousin present, he agreed to show her a few things after she insisted, revealing her real motive was to spend time alone with him.

Just as Gao Zhan was demonstrating a hip throw to break a waist lock on Xu Jingjing, their friends Kang Jiawei and Xu Jingjing arrived, determined to interrupt the potential date. Having overheard that a confession might happen, Kang Jiawei, regretting his prior advice to Xu Jingjing to keep her crush a secret, quickly suggested a group outing to the Tom's World arcade, an idea Xu Jingjing eagerly supported.

At the arcade, after Xu Jingjing asked Gao Zhan for basketball pointers, Xu Jingjing interrupted by asking Gao Zhan to open a supposedly faulty water bottle for her. When Xu Jingjing later mentioned having a two-person dinner reservation, Kang Jiawei and Xu Jingjing immediately proposed going to a hotpot restaurant as a group of four, successfully foiling her plan. At the hotpot restaurant, Kang Jiawei and Xu Jingjing continued to prevent the other two from being alone.

Kang Jiawei impressed Xu Jingjing by expertly explaining condiment pairings for different meats, and she asked him to prepare a special sauce for her. While trying to be helpful, Xu Jingjing attempted to squeeze shrimp paste into the pot but accidentally squirted it on her face, dislodging her wig in a moment of public humiliation. She privately blamed her friend, Lu Xiaobai, for making her wear it.

Later, Kang Jiawei and Xu Jingjing reflected on their failed and "despicable, pitiful, and comical" mission. Afterward, Xu Jingjing asked Gao Zhan about his academic plans, expressing her hope to attend the same university as him. However, Gao Zhan, oblivious to her romantic intent, pointed out that she would likely attend a dance academy and that he couldn't dance.

Later, while Kang Jiawei and Xu Jingjing speculated that Gao Zhan had rejected Xu Jingjing, Kang Jiawei received a message from his online friend, "Mayonnaise," asking to meet. They celebrated, assuming this confirmed the rejection. The next day, Kang Jiawei went to the meeting spot only to find Gao Zhan waiting. Horrified to realize his online confidant was Gao Zhan, he fled.

He later explained to a greatly amused Xu Jingjing that his long-term observations—that Gao Zhan loved American shows like "Stranger Things" and "Friends"—all pointed to him being "Mayonnaise." Kang Jiawei then spent days avoiding Gao Zhan, but was unable to escape being paired with him for sit-ups during PE class. Meanwhile, Xu Jingjing confided in a friend, feeling her "vague" approach and Gao Zhan's "straight-laced" nature meant he only saw her as a classmate.

At home, Xu Jingjing's mother found a video on her phone of their homeroom teacher, Miss Chen, speaking to the class about cherishing "seventeen-year-old crushes." Taking the video out of context, she led a group of parents to the school to complain. Gao Zhan's mother defended Miss Chen, arguing that the teacher's full message—to channel those feelings into self-improvement—was valuable. However, other parents remained unconvinced and demanded an explanation from Miss Chen.

Upon hearing the news, Xu Jingjing, Kang Jiawei, and Xu Jingjing rushed to the office, where Principal Shen had also arrived. Xu Jingjing's mother confronted Miss Chen, who was defended by Xu Jingjing, explaining her teacher’s intent was to foster a love of learning. Kang Jiawei also spoke up, accusing the parents of being overbearing. When a school director tried to apologize for Miss Chen's inexperience, she refused, insisting she had done nothing wrong.

Xu Jingjing's mother then accused her of encouraging early dating. Overwhelmed, Xu Jingjing tearfully begged her mother to stop, offering to take any punishment herself. Her mother then pointed to Class 3's consistent bottom-ranking exam performance as proof of Miss Chen's incompetence. Principal Shen intervened, proposing a challenge: if Class 3 could rank in the top three for the entire grade on the upcoming midterm exam, Miss Chen could remain their teacher.

Miss Chen accepted the challenge, and her students, though initially daunted, rallied behind her, determined to succeed. Miss Chen later expressed her self-doubt to a colleague, Mr. Zhao, who reassured her that her methods would unlock the students' potential. In class, Gao Zhan strategized that their success depended on raising the scores of the entire class, not just the top students. He and Kang Jiawei volunteered to lead tutoring sessions, with Miss Chen handling Chinese.

Xu Jingjing offered her family's milk tea shop as a free study venue. The plan was met with some resentment, as one classmate, Ni Dapeng, blamed Xu Jingjing’s mother for creating the situation. At home, Xu Jingjing confronted her mother for invading her privacy and harassing her teacher, declaring she wouldn't speak to her until she relented.

Her mother was dismissive and became controlling, revealing that her own dream of attending a dance academy was ruined by an injury and implying that Xu Jingjing was a vessel for her unfulfilled ambitions. The students gathered at Xu Jingjing's milk tea shop, where her mother provided free drinks. Kang Jiawei proved to be an excellent tutor, devising clever mnemonic devices to help Xu Jingjing, whose grades began to improve.

As they studied, Kang Jiawei received a message from his online friend and grew visibly nervous. Later, while talking to her mother, Xu Jingjing expressed sympathy for Miss Chen and noted her mother's unusual use of perfume, comparing it to her own changing interests. Her mother, however, deflected the observation.

Episode 9 Recap

Gao Zhan messaged Kang Jiawei, wanting to discuss his mother. Visibly nervous, Kang Jiawei confided in Xu Jingjing, admitting he was the person Gao Zhan had been talking to online. He feared revealing his identity would hurt Gao Zhan, who seemed troubled, and desperately asked for advice. Xu Jingjing, however, was preoccupied with her own frustrations; after re-attempting eight math questions from the previous day, she still got two wrong despite Kang Jiawei's tutoring and her own revision.

Kang Jiawei reassured her, explaining that making mistakes is part of the learning process that helps solidify knowledge, and he offered to reteach her. Meanwhile, Miss Chen meticulously prepared individual analysis tables for each student, believing that as their class teacher, she must also put in as much effort as her students. With the Mid-term Exam just three days away, Miss Chen held a practice test to gauge their progress, encouraging them to relax.

During the exam, Xu Jingjing became overwhelmed, dropped her pen, and rushed out. Kang Jiawei followed, finding her distraught. She wanted to go home because she couldn't solve the first question, fearing she was a "rotten apple" who would ruin Miss Chen's career. Kang Jiawei reminded her of her past successes, such as mastering the attributive clause and the sine transformation formula.

He questioned her deep-seated resistance to exams, noting that her Pipi Zi character's "Hate School," "Champion of Slacking," and "King of Messing Around" series were expressions of her true feelings. Xu Jingjing tearfully admitted she feared failing even after trying her best; if she didn't try, she could blame the bad grade on a lack of effort, but failing after trying would mean she was genuinely stupid. More importantly, she believed her failure would bring Miss Chen down.

Kang Jiawei strongly refuted her self-doubt, pointing to her Taekwondo black belt as proof of her extraordinary resilience and quick thinking. He stressed that Class 3 and Miss Chen were a team that would never leave a teammate behind. He advised her to relax for the remaining three days and suggested she try drawing her character, Pipi Zi, succeeding in various challenges to boost her confidence. Xu Jingjing agreed. The next morning, Mr. Zhao, the P. E.

teacher, brought Miss Chen breakfast. In good spirits, Xu Jingjing gave Kang Jiawei a Seven of Hearts playing card for good luck. Miss Chen encouraged her students to relax and do their best for themselves, emphasizing that their personal effort was more important than class rankings. After the exam, Gao Zhan approached Xu Jingjing, revealing he had discovered Kang Jiawei's weight-loss secret: he faked eating, pretending to consume food while actually eating nothing.

Gao Zhan admitted he had started observing Kang Jiawei to find out why he was being avoided, but this investigation led him to the weight-loss discovery instead. Xu Jingjing invited Kang Jiawei for hotpot to observe his eating habits. Despite Kang Jiawei’s elaborate demonstrations on how to best enjoy the food, she noticed he ate nothing. She broke down in tears, expressing her heartbreak that the biggest foodie she knew was starving himself.

She confronted him, exposing his tactic of distracting people with long-winded explanations about food while secretly putting his portions back into the pot. She connected this behavior to his drastic weight loss and fainting spells. Kang Jiawei tried to deny it, claiming he was just avoiding junk food. Xu Jingjing countered that healthy dieting wouldn't cause him to faint. She then offered him a healthy whole-wheat sandwich, which he devoured, admitting it was the most delicious thing he'd ever eaten.

He confessed that he wanted to be thin to impress everyone but lacked the discipline for exercise and a low-fat diet, finding starvation easier. He revealed he survived mostly on protein bars and boiled vegetables. Feeling guilty, Xu Jingjing apologized for their previous argument, which she thought might have pushed him to such extremes. She proposed they try a new, healthier plan together. Kang Jiawei was terrified of regaining weight, describing nightmares of ballooning instantly after eating.

Xu Jingjing challenged his lack of confidence, reminding him of how he had encouraged her. She proposed they start with light exercise, like 10,000 steps a day, and insisted he send her photos of his three daily meals to ensure he was truly eating. Initially resistant, Kang Jiawei ultimately trusted her and agreed to team up again. Xu Jingjing nervously prayed for good grades.

When the individual results came out, the class was ecstatic: Xu Jingjing passed all her exams with unprecedentedly high scores (103 in Language, 120 in English), Kang Jiawei scored 142, and other struggling students also passed. However, when the overall school rankings were released, Class 3 placed fourth, missing the top three by just 0. 1 points. Despite the result, Miss Chen expressed immense pride in their "miraculous" progress, noting their significant average score improvements.

True to her word, she went to submit her resignation to Mr. Zhang, the Director. However, he stopped her, raising a serious accusation: he believed a student in her class had cheated. Xu Jingjing was called to Mr. Zhang's office. He questioned her about being near his desk before the exam. She recalled going to his office to swap a math homework paper.

Mr. Zhang showed surveillance footage of her looking at his computer screen, which had the exam paper on it, and accused her of taking a photo. Xu Jingjing adamantly denied cheating, claiming she was looking at a photo on her phone. Mr. Zhang dismissed her explanation, finding her sudden 70-point improvement unbelievable.

Miss Chen firmly defended Xu Jingjing and the entire class's hard work, but Mr. Zhang insisted on his "reasonable doubt," citing the footage as evidence that required a school investigation. He cautioned Miss Chen not to let her desire to stay cloud her judgment. Outside, Kang Jiawei and Zhang Changan comforted a tearful Xu Jingjing, dismissing the accusation as speculative. Xu Jingjing said she wasn't afraid because she was innocent but was worried about Miss Chen.

In class, Miss Chen addressed the accusation, affirming her trust in them but acknowledging the school's investigation. The students' joy turned to despair, realizing she might still have to leave. They brainstormed ways to keep her, but Kang Jiawei noted that a student strike would only upset her, as she cared more about their progress than her job. To help Xu Jingjing vent, Kang Jiawei took her to a pedestrian bridge, where they shouted out their frustrations.

They lamented having to face such adult-like worries so young. When Xu Jingjing returned home late with a hoarse voice, her parents asked about her grades, and she burst into tears. Enraged by the cheating accusation, her mother vowed to confront Mr. Zhang. Her father humorously suggested framing her passing exam papers.

Resolute, Xu Jingjing declared that just passing wasn't enough and promised to earn them an acceptance letter to a prestigious university, a statement that filled her parents with pride. Later, Jingjing's mother confronted Miss Chen and Mr. Zhang, demanding Miss Chen honor her promise to resign. Miss Chen argued that the class's attitude and effort were more important than the rank. Mr. Zhang then interjected, fueling the conflict by voicing his suspicion that students may have cheated specifically to help Miss Chen keep her job.

Episode 10 Recap

Xu Jingjing’s mother arrived at school to confront Mr. Zhang, who had accused her daughter of cheating. She adamantly defended Xu Jingjing, stating that while her daughter might not be a top student, she was fundamentally honest, even bringing home all her failed tests to be signed. Mrs. Xu argued that the students had worked incredibly hard for the exam and their efforts shouldn't be dismissed over a single video.

When Mr. Zhang maintained it was a "reasonable doubt," she accused him of being biased. The argument escalated when Mrs. Xu confronted another parent, Liu Wan, for consistently targeting Miss Chen, asserting that the students themselves were the best judge of a teacher's quality. Liu Wan retorted that the decision to use average scores was Principal Shen's, and accused Mrs. Xu of being an overbearing "boss" in the parent group. Amidst the chaos, Xu Jingjing stepped forward.

She addressed Mr. Zhang directly, admitting she had been near his desk but firmly stated that while he could call her "useless, dumb, and slow," he could not call her a cheater. To prove her innocence, Xu Jingjing proposed a retest, with the conditions that Mr. Zhang would set the questions, invigilate, and grade the paper. If her score improved enough for Class 3 to rank in the top three, Miss Chen must be allowed to stay.

Mr. Zhang agreed, scheduling the retest for the next day. With the retest looming, classmates calculated that Xu Jingjing needed to score at least seven more points to surpass Class 2. Despite the immense pressure from her peers, Kang Jiawei encouraged her to forget everything else and focus on the test for her own sake, like an athlete trying to break a personal record. Before the exam, her classmates rallied around her with encouragement.

As a pre-exam ritual, Kang Jiawei had her draw a poker card; she drew a Queen, which boosted her confidence. During the test, Xu Jingjing remained calm under Mr. Zhang’s intense gaze, her mind clearly recalling the material. Afterward, her classmates greeted her with praise for her courage, regardless of the outcome. Miss Chen also thanked her, regretting that she couldn't shield her from the ordeal.

Xu Jingjing reassured her, affirming that Class 3 was a family that needed to stick together. The results came in: Xu Jingjing scored 102, a full eight points higher than her midterm exam, sending the class into celebration. However, Mr. Zhang entered and dismissed her achievement, stating the score should have been higher. When he ordered the class to review the test, Kang Jiawei stood up and demanded he apologize to Xu Jingjing for his prejudiced accusation.

Mr. Zhang tried to assert his authority, but Kang Jiawei held his ground. When Mr. Zhang insisted, the students, one by one, claimed they hadn't brought their papers in a united act of defiance. Furious, Mr. Zhang stormed to Principal Shen’s office, complaining that the students were rebelling. Principal Shen, already aware of the situation, calmly advised Mr. Zhang to reflect.

He revealed that he had misjudged the situation and pointed out that Mr. Zhang's extreme strictness, including installing a surveillance camera in the office that other teachers had complained about, was counterproductive. The principal suggested Mr. Zhang take a long-overdue vacation to relax, reconnect with his family, and learn how to better relate to students. With Miss Chen's position secured, Mr. Zhang packed his things, telling her he was no longer the dean and was leaving.

He bitterly assumed she was relieved to see him go. Miss Chen clarified she never saw him as an opponent, just someone with a different teaching philosophy. She shared her deepest aspiration as a teacher: to one day be invited to her students' reunions, decades later, to drink and talk about life with them as adults.

She acknowledged her own idealism but said she felt lucky to have met a class of equally idealistic students whose courage to stand up for what is right was something she deeply admired. At home, a proud Xu Jingjing gave a playful speech, thanking her parents for their unwavering support while teasing them about their questionable home decor, her mother’s cooking, and her father’s bad jokes.

To show their gratitude, her parents insisted on inviting Kang Jiawei for a thank-you dinner. Xu Jingjing extended the invitation to Kang Jiawei, who was so excited he abandoned his lunch in anticipation. On the way, she humorously "warned" him about her family’s unique taste, describing her father’s homemade furniture, European-style floral wallpaper, and her own red peony bedsheets. Kang Jiawei was warmly welcomed by Xu Jingjing’s boisterous parents.

The family's cheerful, chaotic dynamic made him envious, and he confessed that his own relationship with his mother had grown distant since his parents' divorce. After an impromptu karaoke session, he and Xu Jingjing went to her room, where he chuckled at the "legendary" peony bedsheets, admitting her "expectation management" had worked. While looking at a design magazine, Xu Jingjing pointed out her father's work, which led to the revelation that Kang Jiawei's father is a designer.

During a moment of playful jostling, Xu Jingjing accidentally fell onto Kang Jiawei, leading to an intense, awkward moment of eye contact that sent a flustered Kang Jiawei rushing out, claiming he needed to study. Later, a fellow student, Xu Jingjing, confided in the main character Xu Jingjing, revealing she was secretly practicing for a street dance competition and lying to her mother about attending tutoring.

Xu Jingjing agreed to help keep her secret and later gave her a handmade whale helmet. She explained it was inspired by "Alice," a unique whale that was ostracized for its different song but bravely kept singing, encouraging her friend to be just as brave. Shortly after, Xu Jingjing and Kang Jiawei spotted Xu Jingjing’s mother following her.

They quickly intercepted their friend and staged a loud English skit rehearsal, successfully diverting her mother's suspicion, though the secret dance spot was now compromised. Meanwhile, Gao Zhan grew suspicious when his mother sprayed on perfume before claiming to go buy laundry detergent. He followed her to a bedding store and was shocked to see her meeting intimately with Ni Dapeng's father. They acted like a couple, trying out latex pillows together, while Ni Dapeng stood by, seemingly aware of the relationship. Gao Zhan watched, frozen and bewildered by the scene.

Episode 11 Recap

Gao Zhan was stunned upon witnessing his mother and Ni Dapeng's father together. He quickly turned and left, but his mother, along with Ni Dapeng and his father, tried to stop him to explain. Gao Zhan questioned Ni Dapeng for his silence, which he had previously found suspicious. Gao Zhan’s mother defended Ni Dapeng, stating she had asked him to keep it a secret.

Gao Zhan then expressed his disapproval of Ni Dapeng's father, asking his mother if she truly knew what kind of person he was. Ni Dapeng's father reacted defensively, while Ni Dapeng urged calm. Gao Zhan declared he would never support the relationship before departing alone, looking wistfully at a happy family playing nearby. The next day, Gao Zhan did not return home and was absent from school.

The teacher noticed Gao Zhan's uncharacteristic lateness and called his mother, who had no news of him. The classmates worried, speculating if he was sick or simply playing truant. Ni Dapeng then revealed the reason for Gao Zhan's absence, explaining that his own father was dating Gao Zhan's mother. This revelation was met with disbelief and laughter from the class, who thought Ni Dapeng was making a joke.

Ni Dapeng grew visibly frustrated, asserting he was serious and that their parents were even planning to marry, adding that Gao Zhan disapproved of the union. Meanwhile, Xu Jingjing found herself distracted while Kang Jiawei was trying to tutor her, confessing her worry for Gao Zhan. She revealed she had a detailed "Gao's Observation Notebook" which contained information about his favorite places. Concerned, Mrs. Gao, Ni Dapeng, and his father went to the police.

There, Mrs. Gao asked Ni Dapeng if he had said something to upset Gao Zhan at school. Ni Dapeng explained the real issue was what Gao Zhan had witnessed: his mother and Ni Dapeng's father on a bed together. Ni Dapeng's father quickly clarified they were merely testing a mattress. Having searched everywhere, including Gao Zhan's father's grave, Xu Jingjing and Kang Jiawei decided to check the "Phoenix Paintball Base," a closed-down place Xu Jingjing found in her notebook.

They found Gao Zhan there and brought him food. Gao Zhan revealed the base was where his father used to take him every Children's Day. He confessed he wasn't ready to accept his mother falling in love again, fearing it would mean abandoning his late father. Xu Jingjing reassured him that memories, like Children's Day, are never truly lost.

Understanding he still couldn't face his mother, Xu Jingjing signaled Kang Jiawei, who offered his home as a temporary residence on the condition that Gao Zhan return to school. Gao Zhan moved in with Kang Jiawei, whose father, Kang Minzhi, insisted they share a bed, much to Kang Jiawei's discomfort. The next morning, Gao Zhan's attempt at a kind gesture with a peeled egg was awkwardly rebuffed by Kang Jiawei, who then assured Gao Zhan he wasn't avoiding him.

At school, Gao Zhan apologized for worrying everyone. Kang Jiawei later delighted Xu Jingjing with an autographed design portfolio from his father. In a private moment, Kang Jiawei confided in Xu Jingjing that Gao Zhan had asked Jingjing Xu out. Later, a heated argument erupted between Ni Dapeng and Niu Junfeng, who was mocking the new relationship. As they nearly came to blows, Wang Jiayao intervened, fiercely scolding Niu Junfeng and his friends for their gossip and personal hygiene.

Both Lu Xiaobai and Ni Dapeng were stunned by her ferocity, leading Ni Dapeng to believe she might have a romantic interest in him. Later, Gao Zhan and Xu Jingjing went to a restaurant where they encountered her father working part-time. Gao Zhan announced he was there to find a new partner for his mother, refusing to accept a "nouveau riche" like Ni Dapeng's father. After some initial confusion, Mr. Xu understood Gao Zhan was seeking a stepfather.

Gao Zhan described his mother's qualities but rejected potential candidates for being bald, old, or overweight. He impatiently urged Mr. Xu to find a "lecturer" type quickly, providing his mother's number and instructing him to say "her son signed up for her." Xu Jingjing confronted Gao Zhan for his prejudice and for acting impulsively without his mother's consent, arguing that his feelings shouldn't dictate his mother's happiness.

Following this, Gao Zhan invited Jingjing Xu to a new dance venue secured by Kang Jiawei’s father. Jingjing Xu arrived in a striking cyberpunk outfit, which inspired them to adopt a cyberpunk theme for her upcoming dance competition. Xu Jingjing volunteered to design the futuristic set. To hide her passion from her disapproving mother, Jingjing Xu wore a helmet while dancing.

During practice, she grew shy in front of Gao Zhan, so Xu Jingjing created a diversion by asking Gao Zhan for tutoring, allowing Jingjing Xu to practice. With only three days until the voting deadline, the group intensified their efforts. Gao Zhan and Jingjing Xu were tasked with acquiring professional equipment from the school's broadcasting team.

To maintain secrecy, Xu Jingjing’s mother helped by telling Jingjing Xu's mother their children were staying late for English tutoring, allowing them to work on the video. After successfully filming, using props that included Kang Minzhi's missing golden microphone and microwave, the group celebrated. They reviewed the finished video, which credited the production to "Discovery Whale Team," their group's self-proclaimed name, and jokingly bickered over roles. Jingjing Xu treated everyone to a meal, expressing her gratitude.

Kang Jiawei grandly suggested their next project should be a short film for Cannes, proclaiming himself the next Nolan, which Xu Jingjing humorously undercut by reminding him of his shaky hands. To cap off the night, Jingjing Xu proposed a game of "I Have, You Don't," where those lacking a shared experience had to eat a lemon.

After a few rounds, Ni Dapeng shared his unique situation: "My mom is dating a classmate's father," which made everyone, including himself, eat a lemon. Finally, it was Xu Jingjing’s turn, and she revealed, "I have a crush on someone in our class."

Episode 12 Recap

Xu Jingjing confesses to having a crush on someone in her class, while Gao Zhan states he does not, leaving both Xu Jingjing and another student, also named Xu Jingjing, disheartened. Later, the other Xu Jingjing thanks the protagonist for her help on a project and asks directly if her crush is Gao Zhan. After Xu Jingjing deflects, the other Xu Jingjing reveals she has given up on Gao Zhan and encourages the protagonist to pursue him.

Kang Jiawei is pleased by this development, reassuring Xu Jingjing that it is better for the other girl to move on and that he will be her "teammate" in winning Gao Zhan over, though Xu Jingjing remains uncertain about her chances. Ni Dapeng continues bringing breakfast to Wang Jiayao, declaring he has moved on from the other Xu Jingjing and now considers Jiayao his "angel." Annoyed, Jiayao insists she eats at home and asks him to stop.

Lu Xiaobai overhears and teases Ni Dapeng, who resents Gao Zhan for looking down on his father's efforts during sports day. Lu Xiaobai then accidentally reveals that Gao Zhan visited a dating agency for his mother. Enraged, Ni Dapeng confronts Gao Zhan, leading to a fight that ends with Ni Dapeng injured. In Teacher Chen's office, Gao Zhan claims self-defense while Ni Dapeng angrily questions his motives. Teacher Chen punishes them by making them hold hands in the hallway.

Afterward, Gao Zhan confronts Xu Jingjing, accusing her of spreading his private life as gossip. Xu Jingjing apologizes, explaining it was an unintentional slip. To help Xu Jingjing and Gao Zhan reconcile, Kang Jiawei invites everyone to his birthday party on Sunday. Needing a gift, Xu Jingjing tries to buy a limited edition backpack for Kang Jiawei but finds it sold out.

She then convinces a reluctant Kang Jiawei to enter a "Best Couple Compatibility Challenge" at a mall to win the backpack as the grand prize. Their plan is complicated when the event host turns out to be Xu Jingjing's father. Despite Kang Jiawei's desire to flee, Xu Jingjing insists they stay, believing a familiar host gives them an advantage. They display great teamwork through various challenges and reach the finals, only to discover the final task is a kiss.

They immediately withdraw. Later, Xu Jingjing rebuffs Kang Jiawei's playful question about the kiss, declaring it would have been her first. At home, interrogated by her father, Xu Jingjing insists she and Kang Jiawei are just "male besties" and shows him the custom, hand-drawn backpack she is making as proof her only intention was to get a gift. Unbeknownst to Kang Jiawei, his mother, Zhang Wei, is getting remarried.

He overhears his father congratulating her and learns she gets along well with her fiancé's two daughters. Kang Jiawei acts indifferent but is clearly upset. The next day at the party, Gao Zhan is already there helping in the kitchen and gives Xu Jingjing a cold shoulder, even after she tries to apologize again for the dating agency incident.

During gift opening, Xu Jingjing sees that the other Xu Jingjing has given Kang Jiawei the official version of the backpack she tried to buy. Embarrassed, she tries to leave, claiming she brought the wrong gift. Kang Jiawei stops her and is touched when he sees her unique, hand-drawn version, calling it a "worldwide limited edition" and cherishing it. Later, as Xu Jingjing brings out the birthday cake, she slips and falls, smashing it.

The sight triggers painful memories for Kang Jiawei, who abruptly disappears. Xu Jingjing finds Kang Jiawei in another room, stress-eating. He confesses he hasn't celebrated his birthday since he was nine, the day his parents divorced. He recounts how his mother, an aspiring top interior designer, felt her career was derailed by marriage and a child, leading her to leave for the US to pursue her dreams.

Since then, his father's cooking became his coping mechanism, leading to a compulsive eating habit where mayonnaise serves as a "placebo" for his anxiety. He expresses his feeling of being an "accident" who ruined his mother's life. Xu Jingjing fiercely reassures him of his worth, telling him his mother will regret her decision and that he should live a happy life. His father arrives with a gift, and Gao Zhan offers a small, simple cake, wishing him a happy birthday. The next day, Kang Jiawei proudly wears the custom backpack to school, and the class is informed of an upcoming "learn to farm" trip.

Episode 13 Recap

As the agricultural production field trip approached, Ni Dapeng’s father asked if Gao Zhan would be joining. Seeing his son's displeasure, he explained the importance of empathy, admitting his own image fell short and expressing a desire to improve himself to be worthy of Gao Zhan's mother, Madam Shi.

He revealed his serious intentions to pursue a relationship with her and asked his son for recommendations for profound films to enhance his character, comically misinterpreting Dapeng's suggestion of "Naruto" as a lesson in endurance. His father then ended the conversation to take a call with Mr. Wu. On the bus, the students played games. Upon arrival, their teacher, Mr. Chen, announced that everyone would have individual labor tasks that would be graded.

Xiong Shuai and Ni Dapeng were assigned to fertilize the fields. Meanwhile, Xu Jingjing found Kang Jiawei secretly trying to record a video, which he claimed was rap practice. Sensing his troubled mood, Xu Jingjing proposed a task swap: she would give her potato-harvesting duty to Kang Jiawei, allowing him to work with Xujingjing.

In return, Xu Jingjing would take on the chicken-rearing task, which would also give her an opportunity to apologize to Gao Zhan, who was handling the dogs nearby. Kang Jiawei agreed but remained unusually quiet, brushing off Xu Jingjing’s concerned offer of support. Later, still worried, Xu Jingjing found Kang Jiawei again trying to film his video. He confessed it was for his stepfather, David, who had unknowingly asked for a congratulatory video for his wedding to Kang Jiawei's mother.

Kang Jiawei wanted to use the video to show his mother that he and his father were living well without her. Xu Jingjing offered to help film by a picturesque lake. As she recorded, Kang Jiawei unleashed his raw emotions, questioning his mother about whether leaving them had brought her happiness. He accused her of hypocrisy, recalling how she'd called his birth a disruption to her life, only to later claim she wanted to be a mother from afar.

He painfully noted that she frequently cooked for her stepdaughter but had never once cooked for him, expressing deep confusion over her animosity and the burden of feeling his existence had ruined her life. That evening, Gao Zhan had to drag a reluctant Kang Jiawei to the bonfire party. After Ni Dapeng told a ghost story, Xu Jingjing initiated a game of King's Game to lift the mood.

In the first round, Xu Jingjing, as the King, ordered herself to hug Kang Jiawei and thank him for his patience while tutoring her. In the second round, King Gao Zhan ordered Kang Jiawei to hug him; Kang Jiawei complied, thanking Gao Zhan for his support and discretion. In the third round, Kang Jiawei was ordered to hug his potato-harvesting partner, Xujingjing.

Though he playfully accused them of cheating, he went along, blushing as she thanked him for his help with her dance video and praised his talent, humor, and kindness. Afterward, other students lined up to praise Kang Jiawei for his basketball skills, music taste, and friendly nature. Finally, the group surprised him with a cake, singing "Happy Birthday." They explained they wanted to make up for his previously interrupted birthday, hoping he would be happy every day.

Deeply moved, Kang Jiawei made a wish. Overwhelmed, Kang Jiawei knew Xu Jingjing had orchestrated the surprise. She confirmed it, explaining that they had all worked hard to bake the cake, hoping to overwrite the painful memory of his ninth birthday with the joy of his seventeenth. She wanted him to remember everyone's affection, telling him he was not "unnecessary" and that the world valued him, even if his mother didn't.

She urged him to find healthier ways to cope than emotional eating. When he asked why she was so kind to him, she playfully called him her "brother." Seeing his suspicion that she wanted a favor, she seized the opportunity, joking that he now owed her a big one. Nearby, Mr. Chen and Teacher Zhao watched the students.

Mr. Chen reflected that being a teacher kept him feeling young and confessed that while his original dream was to be a screenwriter, he couldn't imagine leaving his students now. Meanwhile, Xu Jingjing began her chicken-rearing duties, which required waking up at 5:30 AM. Her instructor encouraged her, promising that the early start would be rewarded with exclusive access to the village's beautiful sunrises from a famous observation deck.

Ni Dapeng approached Gao Zhan with his father's earnest, if clumsy, chat logs with Madam Shi. He passionately defended his father, explaining his wealth was hard-earned after his mother's death and that he was the best father in the world. Ni Dapeng insisted his father deserved to pursue happiness and was genuinely trying to change for Madam Shi, even quitting smoking and drinking.

He placed a stack of documents, including an Equity Transfer Agreement, on the table as proof of his father's commitment before leaving. Kang Jiawei, who had overheard, told Gao Zhan that Ni Dapeng's father wasn't a bad person. He then gently confronted Gao Zhan, suggesting his lingering anger was not at Xu Jingjing, but at himself for his shame over visiting the matchmaking agency, acknowledging that Gao Zhan knew he was the one in the wrong.

In the dance competition, Xujingjing's votes kept her in second place, far behind a popular vlogger. Kang Jiawei offered to help rally votes, but Xujingjing rejected any form of cheating. She then noticed he was wearing the backpack from Xu Jingjing, not the one she had given him. He explained that hers was a limited edition that he was carefully "treasuring." Later, Xu Jingjing asked Kang Jiawei to help her get Gao Zhan to the observation deck for sunrise.

Her own attempt to invite him had failed, as he found the idea boring. That night, Wang Jiayao, Ni Dapeng, and Lu Xiaobai snuck out to find the deck themselves. Disoriented in the dark, they found themselves walking in circles, an experience they called "hitting a ghost wall." Their fear intensified when a mysterious woman's voice echoed through the darkness.

Episode 14 Recap

During a night hike, a group of students including Ni Dapeng and Lu Xiaobai were startled by a figure in the dark. It turned out to be Xu Jingjing, whose face was smeared with dark makeup, making her appear ghostly. She explained that she had planned to watch the sunrise with Gao Zhan and wanted to put on makeup for photos.

Kang Jiawei informed her that Gao Zhan had an urgent matter and wouldn't be coming, suggesting he and the others could accompany her instead. Xu Jingjing was visibly disappointed, lamenting that the essence of watching a sunrise isn't the sunrise itself, but the person you watch it with. Despite her initial reluctance, the group, including Ni Dapeng, Wang Jiayao, and Lu Xiaobai, decided to go together.

Xu Jingjing found a small comfort, feeling it was an indirect way of watching the sunrise with Gao Zhan. Later, when Xu Jingjing needed to use the restroom, Lu Xiaobai refused to accompany her out of fear. Gao Zhan stepped up, first checking the restroom to assure her it was safe and then waiting outside for her. To avoid being overheard, Xu Jingjing asked him to cover his ears, which he did, amusingly reciting an ancient text to distract himself.

Afterward, Gao Zhan sincerely apologized to Xu Jingjing, admitting that Kang Jiawei had made him realize his previous actions were wrong. Xu Jingjing also apologized for her anger. Their conversation then shifted to Ni Dapeng’s father; Gao Zhan revealed that Ni Dapeng had shown him chat logs between his father and Gao Zhan’s mother, which made him believe Ni Dapeng's father was serious.

However, Gao Zhan admitted he still needed more time to consider accepting him, while Xu Jingjing encouraged him to face the situation, siding with Ni Dapeng's efforts. The group eventually reached the summit. Amidst the excitement of taking photos, Ni Dapeng offered his jacket to Wang Jiayao, concerned she might be cold, but she playfully returned it after detecting a strange smell. Meanwhile, Jingjing (the cheerleader) realized she was only 600 votes behind first place in a competition.

To help her, Kang Jiawei offered to post her link on a Douban group he moderates. To his astonishment, he discovered that Jingjing was "Give-up Virtuoso," the online friend he had been chatting with all along. When Kang Jiawei asked why he had seen Gao Zhan at the coffee shop during their planned meet-up, Jingjing explained that she had been there but was in the restroom when he arrived, and that Gao Zhan's presence was a coincidence.

As Ni Dapeng told a humorous ghost story, Xu Jingjing and Kang Jiawei exchanged information. Xu Jingjing shared that Gao Zhan had apologized, crediting Kang Jiawei's influence. Kang Jiawei then revealed his discovery about Jingjing's online identity but expressed doubt about her explanation for Gao Zhan's presence at the coffee shop, noting Gao Zhan’s known aversion to coffee. Just then, Ms. Chen and Mr. Zhao arrived, having planned to watch the sunrise themselves.

They were surprised to find the students and initially ordered them back to bed. However, after the students pleaded to stay, the teachers relented on the condition that they each write an essay about the experience. As the sun rose, everyone excitedly captured the moment. Gao Zhan and Xu Jingjing took a photo together, as did Jingjing and Kang Jiawei. Ni Dapeng and Gao Zhan also fully reconciled.

Still suspicious, Kang Jiawei tested his theory by offering Gao Zhan a coffee. Gao Zhan refused, confirming he has a caffeine intolerance and rarely visits coffee shops. This solidified Kang Jiawei’s doubts. Gao Zhan then clarified the real reason he was at the coffee shop that day: Jingjing had asked him to accompany her, as she was meeting a male netizen and feared he might be connected to a past stalker incident. This directly contradicted Jingjing's story.

Elsewhere on the farm, Xu Jingjing was joyfully tending to a hatching chick, even getting permission from the instructor to adopt it. Later, she, Lu Xiaobai, and Wang Jiayao joined Kang Jiawei and Ni Dapeng, who were enjoying roasted potatoes and taro. Kang Jiawei tried again to explain the inconsistencies in Jingjing’s story to Xu Jingjing, but she dismissed his concerns.

A short while later, Xu Jingjing was heartbroken to find her chick's egg broken after checking on it in the rain. She made a small memorial for it and was melancholic for the rest of the trip. Upon returning home, her mother discovered she had a fever. That evening, Gao Zhan asked his mother how she met Ni Dapeng’s father.

She recounted that she was driving to Gao Zhan's parent-teacher meeting when she got a call that the man responsible for his father’s death had been caught. Overwhelmed, she broke down crying in her car, and Ni Dapeng’s father stopped to help her. She told Gao Zhan that while no one could replace his father, she would not consider marrying Ni Dapeng's father unless Gao Zhan truly accepted him, encouraging him to meet with the man as a friend.

The next day, Ms. Chen informed the class that Xu Jingjing was hospitalized with pneumonia. With the final cultural festival approaching, Jingjing (the cheerleader) announced her withdrawal from the cheerleading squad. Having won a short film competition, she now wanted to perform street dance to show her mother her true passion. She arranged to meet Kang Jiawei to discuss combining their dance styles.

In the hospital, Gao Zhan visited a bored Xu Jingjing, bringing notes and promising to tutor her daily. When she expressed sadness about missing the festival, he proposed their Taekwondo club could perform with her, and they could design the routine together. Lu Xiaobai and Wang Jiayao also visited, gossiping about Gao Zhan’s newfound attentiveness. Kang Jiawei arrived at the hospital but stopped when he saw Gao Zhan and Xu Jingjing laughing together.

He quietly left without entering, leaving behind a pear he had brought for her. Later, when Kang Jiawei met with Jingjing at a coffee shop to discuss their performance, he decided to confront her. Pointing out that the shop only sold coffee, he directly questioned her lie, asking why Gao Zhan would have been there when he doesn't drink coffee.

Episode 15 Recap

Kang Jiawei confronted Xu Jingjing, asking why she arranged their meeting at a coffee-only shop when she knew Gao Zhan exclusively drinks milk and fruit tea. He correctly suspected Gao Zhan's appearance was not accidental but at her request. Xu Jingjing apologized, admitting she had intentionally set it up. She explained that after her subtle confession to Gao Zhan failed, her friend Wei Xue suggested she use an online acquaintance to make him jealous.

Realizing he had been used as a pawn, Kang Jiawei was deeply hurt by her actions. Later, Gao Zhan returned to the hospital room to find Jingjing sound asleep at her desk, drooling slightly. He quietly took a picture before gently wiping her mouth, smiling at the sight. When Jingjing woke up, she was embarrassed, frantically asking if she had snored or drooled. Gao Zhan reassured her she hadn't.

He then confessed that during their agricultural trip, his negligence allowed the dog he was supervising to eat the eggs Jingjing was responsible for. He admitted his daily hospital visits were driven by this guilt. However, watching her sleep, he was surprised to find her cute and wondered if this was a "sign of love." Upon returning home, Jingjing was horrified to find her parents had redecorated her room in "Barbie pink" with "Lolita princess" curtains.

Her friends, Xiaobai and Jiayao, found the story of Gao Zhan's dog eating her eggs hysterically funny, to her annoyance. Jingjing also vented her frustration that Kang Jiawei hadn't visited her once during her illness. Back at school, Jingjing's resolve to scold Kang Jiawei vanished when she saw him with Xu Jingjing. He later approached her to clear the air about their previous conflict, and they awkwardly reconciled.

As the school's Arts and Culture Festival approached, Kang Jiawei and Xu Jingjing prepared the cheerleading team's routine, while Jingjing and Gao Zhan focused on the Taekwondo Club's performance. During the preliminary competition, the Taekwondo Club's performance was derailed when their speaker, left uncharged, died. Despite trying to perform without music, they were eliminated. Xu Jingjing, whose team advanced, tried to apologize, but a disheartened Jingjing wouldn't listen.

When Kang Jiawei offered to help, Jingjing lashed out, accusing him of gloating since the team he coached had qualified. Spurred by her anger, Kang Jiawei sought help from other clubs, trying to secure a performance slot for the Taekwondo Club. Meanwhile, the Taekwondo Club members, though initially dispirited, rallied together, reaffirming their shared passion. Kang Jiawei then proposed to Xu Jingjing that the cheerleading team share their stage time.

Acknowledging her team advanced partly on sympathy votes, Xu Jingjing agreed. The next day, Kang Jiawei excitedly told Jingjing their clubs would perform a joint "Taekwondo Dance." When Jingjing credited Xu Jingjing, Kang Jiawei clarified the idea and effort were his. He also explained he had visited the hospital but left upon seeing her with Gao Zhan, reaffirming that while Xu Jingjing was his online friend, Jingjing was his best friend in real life.

On the day of the festival, Gao Zhan meticulously marked a spot on stage to help Jingjing perfectly execute her final flying kick. Xu Jingjing hoped her mother, Liu Wan, would see her perform, as it was her last show before senior year. Though initially reluctant, her parents attended, along with Jingjing's. As their joint performance began, Kang Jiawei watched intently. However, during Jingjing's final move, a misstep on her part caused Xu Jingjing to twist her ankle.

Episode 16 Recap

During a performance, the dancer, Jingjing, suffered an injury and immediately lashed out at Xu Jingjing, accusing her of intentionally humiliating her in front of the entire school. Jingjing was adamant that her extensive stage experience meant she could not have been in the wrong position and expressed her frustration after going to great lengths to convince her mother to attend the performance. Xu Jingjing, however, insisted she followed the stage marker and had no intention of causing harm.

Other students dismissed the accusation, noting the lack of evidence and even suggesting Jingjing might have been at fault, which she vehemently denied. As Jingjing's leg quickly swelled, her parents rushed her to the hospital. At the hospital, a doctor diagnosed a sprain and recommended an MRI to assess the condition of Jingjing’s ligaments, which would determine her recovery and future in ballet. Jingjing’s mother was deeply concerned about her daughter’s dance academy aspirations.

Meanwhile, Xu Jingjing was consumed by guilt, repeatedly asking Kang Jiawei if Jingjing would be alright and if her dance dreams were now ruined. Xu Jingjing confided in Kang Jiawei, expressing her deep regret. Despite having previously helped Jingjing in various ways—from chasing off hooligans and making a headpiece to filming her contest video and even selling her father's prized microphone—all in the hope of becoming friends, Jingjing still seemed to view her as an enemy.

Xu Jingjing explained that the difficult move was only ever practiced in a Taekwondo classroom, not on a stage, which was why Gao Zhan had placed a marker for her, making her inability to execute it correctly baffling. Jingjing’s mother sternly suggested Xu Jingjing’s family should take responsibility if the injury affected her daughter’s college entrance examination. Outside, some students gossiped, labeling Xu Jingjing "vicious" and accusing her of an "evil scheme," but Kang Jiawei dismissed their remarks as biased.

Later, the doctor confirmed that Jingjing's ligaments were unharmed, and with proper care, she would fully recover and continue dancing. Jingjing’s mother was visibly relieved. Jingjing’s father encouraged her to calm down and objectively reconsider whether Xu Jingjing had acted intentionally. Back at school, Miss Chen announced Jingjing’s recovery and the impending placement exam, stirring excitement and anxiety among students as they discussed their future streams and advanced classes.

Xu Jingjing, however, remained withdrawn, still tormented by the thought that she might have ruined Jingjing’s dreams if the injury had been severe. Kang Jiawei attempted to cheer her up by suggesting she ponder even worse scenarios, like the college exams, to alleviate her current distress. Students also deliberated their stream choices, with Wang Jiayao aiming for the advanced art class and Lu Xiaobai prioritizing Beijing universities for easier access to her idol.

Realizing something was amiss, Gao Zhan and Kang Jiawei began their own investigation on the stage. Gao Zhan quickly discovered that the jump marker he had placed for Xu Jingjing had been deliberately moved, confirming that someone had intended to make Xu Jingjing embarrass herself. Kang Jiawei visited Jingjing, who was still recovering, attempting to reason with her about Xu Jingjing's innocence.

He highlighted Xu Jingjing's past help and the illogical nature of her intentionally sabotaging a performance important to herself, but Jingjing remained convinced of Xu Jingjing's guilt. Gao Zhan meticulously analyzed the performance time, concluding that the culprit must have been near the original marker due to the limited time for significant movement, effectively ruling out most Taekwondo members.

Their investigation led them to question students, and one recalled seeing Wei Xue bending down to tie her shoelaces on stage during the performance's dark period, making Wei Xue their prime suspect. Xu Jingjing's mother cautiously observed Jingjing’s house next door, hoping to visit, but Xu Jingjing hesitated, fearing Jingjing would not want to see her. Gao Zhan and Kang Jiawei then orchestrated a cunning trap for Wei Xue.

Gao Zhan discreetly relayed information he claimed to have overheard near Miss Chen’s office that Jingjing’s condition was severe, hinting at an Achilles tendon rupture that could prevent her from ever dancing or even walking normally again. Alarmed and distraught, Wei Xue rushed to Jingjing’s house. Seeing Jingjing’s distress over her supposed dire injury, Wei Xue, in a fit of panic, confessed everything.

She admitted to intentionally moving the marker to make Xu Jingjing look bad but vehemently claimed she never intended for Jingjing to get hurt, maintaining she acted for Jingjing’s sake. At this, Jingjing dramatically rose from her wheelchair, revealing her leg was perfectly fine. She explained that Gao Zhan and Kang Jiawei had concocted this elaborate plan to expose Wei Xue. Wei Xue then tearfully apologized to both Jingjing and Xu Jingjing.

Despite the truth coming out, Xu Jingjing remained downcast. Her parents tried to lift her spirits with a humorous anecdote about a disastrous wedding where her father caused a stage to collapse, emphasizing that accidents happen and she shouldn't blame herself. Soon after, Wei Xue arrived at Xu Jingjing’s house to apologize and plead for Xu Jingjing to keep the confession a secret.

Xu Jingjing, however, confronted Wei Xue, asserting that her actions were not for Jingjing but stemmed from her own affection for Gao Zhan. Xu Jingjing accused Wei Xue of using Jingjing as a shield to get closer to Gao Zhan and of being jealous that Xu Jingjing had the opportunity to perform with him, urging Wei Xue to learn to be independent.

With Jingjing back in class, Xu Jingjing gave Kang Jiawei sugar-free gum and a custom-designed phone case as a thank you. Gao Zhan, who had been listening intently, stepped forward to clarify that he had also been a crucial part of the investigation, being the first to notice the moved marker that ultimately cracked the case. Xu Jingjing thanked them both for their help.

Gao Zhan then revealed he was choosing the art stream because his desired major required it, a choice Xu Jingjing's father had also encouraged for his daughter. Later, Kang Jiawei and Gao Zhan met with Jingjing, who expressed her gratitude for their help in uncovering Wei Xue's true colors. Kang Jiawei reassured her that she had other friends besides Wei Xue.

Kang Jiawei decided to choose the science stream, and when he brought up Jingjing's old Douban posts, particularly about "Madam Otose" (a nickname for Mr. Tian from physics), Jingjing feigned ignorance. On their way home, Jingjing apologized to Xu Jingjing for steadfastly blaming her, admitting she had been wrong. Jingjing shared her unique theory of friendship, where one must forgive a friend's "original sin"—be it wealth, beauty, or talent.

She identified Xu Jingjing's "original sin" as happiness, confessing her envy of Xu Jingjing's parents’ unwavering support for her choices, a stark contrast to her own struggles with telling her mother about her desire to pursue hip-hop. Jingjing confessed that the cultural festival performance was one she desperately wanted to be a part of, and missing it led her to unfairly blame Xu Jingjing. Xu Jingjing then extended her hand, and the two reconciled.

Kang Jiawei, meanwhile, continued his own investigation, piecing together clues like the "Madam Otose" reference and a "Friends" joke from a forum, finally realizing that his online friend, "Give-up Virtuoso," was none other than Xu Jingjing. While helping Xu Jingjing pack, Gao Zhan stumbled upon her notebook. Inside, he found detailed entries chronicling Xu Jingjing's long-held crush on him, including their first conversation, which he found amusing. The next morning, Gao Zhan greeted Xu Jingjing, Wang Jiayao, and Lu Xiaobai.

Wang Jiayao and Lu Xiaobai quickly made an excuse to leave, allowing Xu Jingjing and Gao Zhan to walk to school together. Kang Jiawei noticed them arriving together and felt a pang of jealousy. Still undecided on his stream, Kang Jiawei pondered choosing science, his strong suit, or art, where Xu Jingjing would be. Miss Chen advised him that true friendships transcend distance and that his choice was critical for his future, urging him to avoid impulsive decisions.

Ultimately, Kang Jiawei chose the science stream, as did Jingjing. When Kang Jiawei encountered Jingjing, he asked her why she had copied content from Xu Jingjing's Weibo, but Jingjing evaded the question. He pressed her further, questioning if Xu Jingjing was the only person who mattered to her.

Episode 17 Recap

In an imagined scenario, Kang Jiawei confronts the other Xu Jingjing, asking why she is imitating the main character, Xu Jingjing, by copying her social media posts. The girl deflects, insisting she doesn't want to talk about it, even as he presses on, suggesting her actions are unfair. He asks if Xu Jingjing is the most important person to her, but she vehemently refuses to discuss it. Kang Jiawei snaps back to reality, having never said the words out loud.

Meanwhile, Gao Zhan is engrossed in reading Xu Jingjing's diary. Her entries reveal a deep admiration for him, noting his top academic rank, the way he sleeps with the sun on his face, his serious expression while reading, and his cute canine tooth when he smiles. Flustered by his growing feelings, Gao Zhan seeks advice from his friend Ni Dapeng, awkwardly framing a question about a "friend" who can't stop thinking about a girl.

Ni Dapeng quickly deduces that Gao Zhan himself has fallen for her. He advises Gao Zhan's "friend" to constantly make his presence known to the girl, using his own pursuit of Wang Jiayao as an example, and explains that sometimes a "switch" inside a person just turns on, creating feelings that weren't there before. News spreads that Kang Jiawei and the other Xu Jingjing have chosen the advanced science stream, leaving Xu Jingjing slightly jealous.

Seizing the opportunity, Gao Zhan approaches Xu Jingjing and suggests they study together for the advanced arts stream. Xu Jingjing is skeptical, suspecting he must have done something wrong and is trying to atone for it. When Kang Jiawei also offers to tutor her, Gao Zhan intercepts, declaring it's a job for him as her "master." Xu Jingjing then laments that Kang Jiawei is no longer her "Master Kang" since he chose science.

During this time, Lu Xiaobai urgently asks Xu Jingjing and Wang Jiayao to lend her 400 yuan, claiming it's for study materials and online courses to catch up with them. She admits she spent her allowance on merchandise for her idol, Qi, but promises to pay them back. Her friends reluctantly agree.

Principal Shen meets with Mr. Zhao, who pitches a collaboration with a TV station for a show called "I Want to Tell You Out Loud," where participants shout their feelings from the school rooftop. The principal expresses interest, pending a detailed plan. Later, as Gao Zhan tutors Xu Jingjing, she playfully questions his motives. He reassures her he simply wants them to get into the advanced arts stream together.

When she expresses doubt about reaching the top 40, he reframes her ranking, showing her she only needs to move from 65th among arts students, not 140th overall, boosting her confidence. He advises her to focus on math. Kang Jiawei arrives at the same milk tea shop and sits alone, observing them. In another internal monologue, Kang Jiawei imagines asking Xu Jingjing about her future plans, only for her to joke about majoring in sleeping.

In his daydream, Gao Zhan teases her with a video he secretly recorded of her snoring in the hospital. Frustration boiling over, Kang Jiawei imagines confessing that she is his real online friend, the "Give-up Virtuoso," and that the other Xu Jingjing is an imitator. However, the imagined Xu Jingjing rejects him, declaring Gao Zhan her only Prince Charming. He snaps back to reality before saying anything.

The next day, Kang Jiawei’s frustration grows seeing Xu Jingjing and Gao Zhan together. When Xu Jingjing defends Gao Zhan’s tutoring style, Kang Jiawei's temper flares, calling the method "dumb" and inefficient. Upset by his outburst, Xu Jingjing angrily asks why he's taking his frustration out on her and storms off. Kang Jiawei quickly apologizes, admitting he was impulsive and shouldn't have criticized Gao Zhan's method.

Later, Miss Chen encourages the students to do their best on the upcoming placement exam, reminding them it's a chance to prove their own hard work to themselves. Lu Xiaobai calls Xu Jingjing, asking her to lie to her parents by saying she is at Xu Jingjing's house for a weekend study session. She refuses to say where she is really going and hangs up. Panicked when she can't reach her, Xu Jingjing asks Gao Zhan for help.

Piecing together clues, Gao Zhan deduces that Lu Xiaobai used the borrowed money to go to Beijing for her idol Qi's meet-and-greet. They alert Miss Chen, and the three of them rush to the airport, finding Lu Xiaobai just before her flight.

When Lu Xiaobai defiantly quotes a line about "stolen freedom" from her favorite novel, Miss Chen cleverly reveals the author is her former classmate and offers her contact information in exchange for Lu Xiaobai returning home to take the exam. Lu Xiaobai reluctantly agrees. After Gao Zhan walks a relieved Xu Jingjing home, a jealous Kang Jiawei confronts her.

He accuses her of choosing the arts stream solely for Gao Zhan and of lacking her own ambition, just like the idol-obsessed Lu Xiaobai. Xu Jingjing angrily defends her desire to get into a good university and accuses him of mocking her for not having a grand dream before storming away. The next day in the cafeteria, Xu Jingjing sits with Gao Zhan, while the other Xu Jingjing joins Kang Jiawei.

Before the placement exam, Kang Jiawei tries to get her attention with a deck of playing cards, but she ignores him, still upset. After the exam, Xu Jingjing realizes her notebook is missing and rushes back to the classroom, where Gao Zhan returns it to her. She is mortified, understanding he has now read her diary, which is filled with her secret feelings for him.

Wang Jiayao and Lu Xiaobai find the situation hilarious but try to console her, suggesting that with so many girls admiring him, he might quickly forget. Feeling slightly better, Xu Jingjing resolves to move on and focus on redecorating her room. Later, both Kang Jiawei and Gao Zhan independently message Xu Jingjing to ask if she is free the next day. This leads to an awkward encounter when both boys appear at her doorstep, baffled by each other's presence and setting the stage for an inevitable confrontation.

Episode 18 Recap

Kang Jiawei and Gao Zhan settled their dispute with a game of rock paper scissors, after which Kang Jiawei slinked away in defeat. Xu Jingjing, still reeling from the previous day's embarrassment, tried to avoid Gao Zhan. However, he persisted, following her and bringing a notebook containing her private observations about him.

He read aloud from it, revealing her notes on his preferences like "matcha red bean milk tea" and "Agatha Christie's detective novels," admitting that she knows him better than he knows himself. Despite Xu Jingjing's pleas for him to forget the incident, Gao Zhan continued to accompany her, carrying her bags and asking about her university plans, to which she gave no definitive answer. Meanwhile, Kang Jiawei's father appeared troubled after receiving a hospital diagnosis report.

Kang Jiawei later uploaded Xu Jingjing's interior room overhaul design to a website called Cozy Home for a competition. Xu Jingjing was delighted to learn she had successfully entered the advanced humanities stream. Her friends, Wang Jiayao and Lu Xiaobai, were also checking their results. Lu Xiaobai did not make the cut and began to cry, saddened by the thought of being separated from her friends.

Separately, Principal Shen approved Mr. Zhao's proposal for a TV program called "I Want to Tell You Out Loud," and even expressed a desire to participate himself, news that quickly spread among the students. Mr. Zhao, a physical education teacher, was eager to use the program to confess his feelings to Ms. Chen. While practicing his confession, he was discovered by Ms. Chen herself. After seeing his numerous drafts, she asked if he was serious.

He confirmed his earnestness, stating he would "explode" if he couldn't declare his feelings the next day. Though Ms. Chen initially forbade him, she ultimately accepted his proposal, agreeing to be his girlfriend. Gao Zhan returned home to find Ni Dapeng's father fixing a lightbulb. With his mother out shopping, an awkward atmosphere formed between them. Grappling with his own feelings, Gao Zhan abruptly asked Ni Dapeng's father when he realized he loved Gao Zhan's mother.

He then confided his confusion about a girl who seemed interested in him, unsure if his attraction stemmed from her prior interest or if he found her genuinely cute. Their conversation was cut short by the return of Gao Zhan's mother. The next day, during the recording of "I Want to Tell You Out Loud," Principal Shen took the stage first, light-heartedly complaining that the cafeteria's meat buns needed more meat.

Next, Ni Dapeng ascended, initially hesitant to mention Wang Jiayao's name directly due to her earlier warning. However, he ultimately expressed that despite not being in the same class next semester, he would be satisfied if she simply smiled at him when they met in school. Lu Xiaobai then became emotional again, lamenting the impending separation from Xu Jingjing and Wang Jiayao.

Ms. Chen stepped in to comfort her, revealing a significant secret: she was the author of the novel "My Breakthrough Youth." She promised Lu Xiaobai that if she continued to work hard and not give up, she would write her into the story. Gao Zhan's turn on stage caused a stir. He directly asked Xu Jingjing if she would be willing to attend university in Beijing with him.

He explained that she was "very special," citing her speed, strength, ability to eat eight buns in one go, seriousness, talent for drawing and humor, and her perfect form when doing broadcast calisthenics. He elaborated that his life, previously "black and white" and focused only on studying and sports, had gained "color" after she became his friend. Following Gao Zhan, Kang Jiawei also took the stage.

He delivered an apology to Xu Jingjing, admitting he had no right to judge her choices. He confessed that he was the one without a dream, without a clear passion or future goal, and was still undecided on his academic stream. However, he asserted that not having a dream at eighteen was perfectly fine, even "more precious," as they were still young and had time to discover their true aspirations.

After he left the stage, Xu Jingjing discreetly retrieved a crumpled apology note he had discarded in a trash bin. As the second year of high school drew to a close, Ms. Chen delivered a speech, encouraging students to use their summer break to prepare for their senior year. She humorously advised them to postpone serious relationships until university, where they would have ample freedom.

Separately, Mr. Tian met with Kang Jiawei and Xu Jingjing, noting that they would be in his class next semester. He praised Kang Jiawei for his past win in the Chinese Chemistry Olympiad and Xu Jingjing for her first prize in a Physics Contest. He strongly recommended they attend a summer training for the National Technology Thesis Contest, emphasizing its importance for applications to prestigious universities like Fuxing and Nanshan. Kang Jiawei, however, seemed to lack enthusiasm for the prospect.

After school, Gao Zhan offered to walk Xu Jingjing home, but she declined. Kang Jiawei emerged from Mr. Tian's office looking dejected. He later encountered Xu Jingjing, who returned his apology letter, signaling her forgiveness. Kang Jiawei congratulated her on Gao Zhan's invitation to attend university in Beijing together, but Xu Jingjing confessed her mood was unexpectedly low and confused.

Kang Jiawei then shared exciting news: her room overhaul design, which he had uploaded to Cozy Home, had amassed over 5,000 fans and been selected as a top-ten entry in the competition. He encouraged her to seriously consider interior design as a future major. Xu Jingjing was greatly intrigued by the idea of pursuing interior design but was daunted by her complete lack of an artistic background.

Wang Jiayao helped her find an art studio, where she learned she would need to prepare for the unified exam for art students. With only six months remaining until the exam, Xu Jingjing worried about the tight deadline and the substantial upfront fee of 10,000 yuan for the intensive training course. Kang Jiawei encouraged her to present her case to her parents with a well-prepared "proposal," just as one would to a client, to demonstrate her seriousness.

Taking his advice, Xu Jingjing assembled a comprehensive presentation for her parents. She detailed her long-standing interest, citing a middle school diary entry where she complained about their home decor and her subsequent four years of collecting interior design magazines. She highlighted her recent success on Cozy Home, where her room design had garnered thousands of likes and the title of "residence role model."

She then presented statistics on the high employment rate and promising income levels for interior designers, emphasizing its practical application and long-term career viability. Despite her thorough presentation, her parents remained hesitant. They pointed out her successful years in Taekwondo, where she had won provincial awards, suggesting a safer path by applying to a sports college which had lower academic requirements. They even offered to help fund her own Taekwondo dojo or a wedding company. However, Xu Jingjing firmly reiterated her desire to study interior design, adamant that it was her true calling.

Episode 19 Recap

Jingjing’s father believed that her Taekwondo background made a sports major a secure choice for her future, suggesting she could open a Taekwondo academy or a wedding planning company after graduation. However, Jingjing emotionally resisted having her life planned, asserting her desire to study interior design. She confronted her father, asking how he was different from the dancer Xu Jingjing's mother, who also dictated her daughter's life.

Jingjing’s mother, observing her daughter's newfound assertiveness and determination, tried to persuade her husband. She highlighted Jingjing's improved academic performance and the immense effort she had put into her presentation. Despite this, Jingjing’s father remained practical, worrying about the extremely low admission rates of the unified art exam, which he considered more competitive than the regular college entrance exam.

He feared that if Jingjing failed after investing so much, she would be too devastated to retake the standard college entrance exam. Determined, Jingjing broke her piggy bank but found the money was far from enough for the tuition. She sought a summer job at a Taekwondo gym, only to discover Gao Zhan had just been hired. Recognizing her plight, Gao Zhan proposed a co-teaching arrangement to Instructor Fan, offering to split his salary with her.

Jingjing gratefully accepted his help. Gao Zhan revealed he was saving money for myopia surgery, a prerequisite for his dream of attending the Public Security University. He explained his mother would never approve, as his father had died in the line of duty, leaving her with a deep-seated fear of him following the same path. Understanding his struggle, Jingjing approached her art teacher, Miss Zhou, about her own financial difficulty.

Gao Zhan supported her, and Miss Zhou agreed to let Jingjing pay daily for the first five days to see if she was suited for art, after which a lump-sum payment would be required. Jingjing later told her parents she would handle the tuition herself, determined to prove her commitment to her skeptical father. Meanwhile, the dancer Xu Jingjing's mother pressured her to attend intense summer classes with a renowned teacher, Miss Zhao, to prepare for a prestigious dance academy.

She emphasized the years of money and effort invested in her ballet training, making it clear refusal was not an option. Xu Jingjing reluctantly agreed. Jingjing's father also conceded, but to save face, he secretly instructed his wife not to tell Jingjing he had paid the tuition. However, her mother gave her the money anyway, confessing it was from her, given behind his back. Touched, Jingjing promised to work hard.

Hearing that Jingjing and Gao Zhan were working together for the summer left Kang Jiawei feeling downcast. In art class, another student, Wang Jiayao, gave Jingjing a sympathetic look upon learning that the notoriously strict Mr. Qin, nicknamed "Snape," was their teacher. At the same time, during their Technology Thesis Writing Class, the dancer Xu Jingjing secretly asked Kang Jiawei to cover for her, as she had signed up for a hip-hop class without her mother's knowledge.

On Jingjing's first day of art class, her drawing was publicly humiliated by Mr. Qin, who tore it up, criticizing its flawed perspective and lack of shading. He dismissed her explanation of being a beginner as an excuse, declaring his class was not a hobby group. Jingjing's bad mood carried over to the Taekwondo gym. When she complained about Mr. Qin, Gao Zhan suggested the teacher was just being responsible, which he argued wasn't a bad thing.

Infuriated by his lack of support, Jingjing stormed off. Later, Mr. Ni's attempt to propose to Gao Zhan’s mother, Hui, was unexpectedly cut short when she suggested they separate for a while. She insisted the issue was her own, not his or Gao Zhan's, leaving Mr. Ni bewildered. Feeling betrayed by Gao Zhan's earlier comment about her art teacher, Jingjing called Kang Jiawei to vent.

Hearing Gao Zhan's name, Kang Jiawei pretended he was about to have dinner with the dancer Xu Jingjing. Not to be outdone, Jingjing claimed she was also going to dinner with Gao Zhan. This sparked a petty social media battle, with both posting pictures with passive-aggressive captions, each trying to make the other jealous. Gao Zhan later asked his mother about the breakup.

She explained she didn't want the complexities of forming a new family to affect his preparation for the crucial college entrance exam. Gao Zhan relayed this to Jingjing, who advised him to stand with Mr. Ni and help win his mother back. Jingjing accompanied Gao Zhan to meet Mr. Ni and his son, Dapeng, and proposed a plan.

She suggested a sincere, sophisticated proposal—befitting his mother's job as a magazine editor—and that they prove through their actions that the new family would not hinder either Gao Zhan's or Dapeng's studies. Afterward, while admiring Jingjing's room design sketches, Gao Zhan confessed he found her beautiful, humorous, and kind. He then invited her to apply to universities in Beijing with him, noting the city also had excellent art academies.

As Gao Zhan and Jingjing grew closer, Kang Jiawei resolved to tell Jingjing the truth about his online identity. Before he could, Gao Zhan called him for urgent advice on how to talk to girls. He recounted how Jingjing had seemed unhappy and left after he suggested she study in Beijing. Exasperated, Kang Jiawei reminded him of a time he had scientifically explained why Jingjing felt cold instead of simply asking to turn up the AC.

He advised Gao Zhan that being a friend meant being an "ally"—to first join her in her irrational complaints and then, once she had calmed down, gently offer his real opinion, always ready to retreat if she wasn't receptive. Gao Zhan admitted he was restless and could only think of Jingjing, desperate to learn how to understand girls.

Later, Kang Jiawei confessed his own cowardice to his father, using an analogy of a difficult problem he didn't dare solve for fear his answer would be wrong. His father advised him to re-examine the problem, implying some answers take time, and cryptically quoted, "Love is a hand that wants to touch, but pulls back."

Episode 20 Recap

Madam Shi received a frantic call from Xu Jingjing, who claimed Gao Zhan and Ni Dapeng were fighting. Rushing over, Madam Shi discovered it was a ruse for a surprise marriage proposal orchestrated by Mr. Ni. Dressed formally, Mr. Ni was teased by Madam Shi for looking more like a real estate agent than a groom. He sincerely explained his intentions, wanting to ease her worries about their relationship affecting the children's studies.

Citing a "Cathedral Theory" he learned from Xu Jingjing, he argued that a high-ceilinged house would stimulate creative thinking. He showed her a spacious room with a balcony reserved for Gao Zhan, promising it wouldn't hinder his studies and that he would honor all her wishes. Gao Zhan and Ni Dapeng emerged to add their own reassurances. Finally, Mr. Ni knelt with a ring and proposed. A tearful Madam Shi accepted, to everyone's immense relief.

On the way home, Gao Zhan gave Xu Jingjing a personal alarm device for her safety. In class, Wang Jiayao noticed the device and teased her about the gift from Gao Zhan. Later, Madam Shi expressed her wish for a simple, low-key wedding, and Mr. Ni readily agreed to follow her lead. Ni Dapeng was thrilled to receive a rare, unsolicited congratulatory message from Wang Jiayao.

Gao Zhan, however, was preoccupied, worrying that Xu Jingjing had yet to respond to his suggestion that she attend a university in Beijing. Eager to be part of the ceremony, Ni Dapeng enlisted Gao Zhan, Xu Jingjing, and Wang Jiayao to be wedding attendants.

Despite some initial hesitation—Gao Zhan feeling they were too old and Wang Jiayao citing a superstition that being a bridesmaid more than three times dooms one to be single—Xu Jingjing persuaded them to agree, understanding how meaningful the event was for their friends. At a dress fitting, Xu Jingjing and Wang Jiayao's formal attire stunned Gao Zhan and Ni Dapeng. To prepare a surprise for the couple, Gao Zhan suggested the four of them perform a song at the wedding.

Meanwhile, Kang Jiawei saw their social media posts about the wedding and furiously called Xu Jingjing, accusing her of getting distracted from her art college entrance exams. A frustrated Xu Jingjing hung up on him. Separately, Miss Chen and Mr. Zhao were on a clandestine date, constantly on edge about being spotted by students.

Miss Chen was especially anxious, fearing that a revealed relationship would undermine her authority, particularly as she had just been assigned to lead the advanced stream class. While practicing at a KTV, Xu Jingjing helped Gao Zhan with his singing by placing a hand on his stomach to guide his breathing from his core, causing a flustered Gao Zhan to blush. He then inadvertently mentioned that Xu Jingjing's father, Xu Bing, was supposed to be the master of ceremonies.

Xu Jingjing reacted strongly, refusing to attend if her father was involved, forcing Gao Zhan to find a replacement. Elsewhere, Xu Bing complained to someone about being "fired" from the emcee job, blaming his daughter for damaging his professional reputation and costing him income. Kang Jiawei, searching for a microphone, accidentally walked into the room where Miss Chen and Mr. Zhao were on their date. He quickly promised to keep their secret and fled.

Back in their own room, Gao Zhan's affectionate gaze made Xu Jingjing uncomfortable, and she hastily made an excuse to leave. Kang Jiawei later ran into Gao Zhan and seemed relieved to hear Xu Jingjing had already gone. At the wedding, the four friends sang a heartfelt song for Mr. Ni and Madam Shi. During the performance, Kang Jiawei unexpectedly appeared and positioned himself on stage between Xu Jingjing and Gao Zhan.

Afterwards, Xu Jingjing confronted Kang Jiawei about his strange behavior. He responded by reciting obscure movie and anime reviews that Xu Jingjing had posted on her social media. He then revealed that his longtime admired Douban online friend, "Give-up Virtuoso," was a fraud. A girl named Qi had been plagiarizing Xu Jingjing's Weibo content, leading him to believe Qi was the brilliant mind he connected with.

Kang Jiawei confessed that Xu Jingjing is the true "Give-up Virtuoso" and the person he had been searching for all along. Before a confused Xu Jingjing could fully process his confession, Gao Zhan called her away for a group photo. After the wedding, a delighted Ni Dapeng showered Wang Jiayao with toffees and chocolates. Gao Zhan sadly watched Xu Jingjing leave.

Later, Xu Jingjing received a message from Qi, who confessed she knew all along that Xu Jingjing was the original author and felt it was unfair to continue the deception. In their technology thesis class, the two girls no longer sat together.

Subsequently, during an art class, the teacher harshly criticized Xu Jingjing’s drawing, tore it up in front of everyone, and told her to leave if she wasn't serious, declaring that with her attitude, she will never pass the exam. Devastated, Xu Jingjing ran out of the classroom in tears.

Episode 21 Recap

After Wang Jiayao reported that Xu Jingjing was missing with her phone off, Kang Jiawei skipped class to find her, relying on his memorization of all her Weibo posts. He located her at Tom's World, intent on winning every doll. Xu Jingjing persuaded Kang Jiawei to help her catch a specific dog doll she found pitifully ugly, but he failed.

Later, while eating watermelon by the road, Xu Jingjing called it the worst summer of her life, citing her ongoing conflict with her father and exhaustion from drawing classes and part-time work. She confessed that even seeing Gao Zhan daily no longer brought her joy.

Kang Jiawei agreed it was his worst summer too, and they both admitted their relationships were fabricated; Kang Jiawei had lied about dating Xu Jingjing to avoid being outdone by Xu Jingjing's apparent closeness with Gao Zhan, and Xu Jingjing's "date" with Gao Zhan was a staged photo. Kang Jiawei revealed he had already told Xu Jingjing the truth.

Xu Jingjing noted that after Kang Jiawei showed her Xu Jingjing's Douban posts, she could sense Xu Jingjing's deep confusion, which mirrored their own past feelings. Kang Jiawei playfully suggested Xu Jingjing's summer was terrible only because she hadn't spent time with him. They finally acknowledged their long-standing online friendship, revealing their usernames—Kang Jiawei as "Give-up Virtuoso" and Xu Jingjing as "Mayonnaise with Rice"—and celebrated their first true meeting.

Hoping to encourage Xu Jingjing, Kang Jiawei sent her information about a local dance event. After class, he intercepted Xu Jingjing to urge her to attend. Xu Jingjing clarified that neither she nor Kang Jiawei blamed her for the misunderstanding, but Kang Jiawei was concerned about why she hadn't replied to his messages. Xu Jingjing declined the invitation, prioritizing her summer homework over the "dream opportunity."

Kang Jiawei insightfully suggested she lacked the courage to be herself, drawing from his own past struggles. He advised that accepting herself was easier than pretending and that she would grow to like herself by doing what she genuinely excelled at. Later, Xu Jingjing and Kang Jiawei waited at the event, but as Xu Jingjing failed to appear, they grew disheartened. Xu Jingjing was particularly disappointed, having skipped work to support "Alice, The Loneliest Whale," the online dancer she admired.

They bickered, with Xu Jingjing blaming Kang Jiawei for potentially upsetting Xu Jingjing. Eventually, Xu Jingjing arrived, not to perform, but to apologize to Xu Jingjing for the Douban incident, explaining she couldn't delete the account because of cherished memories. Xu Jingjing dismissed the apology, insisting that Xu Jingjing's participation was more important and that the real regret would be missing this chance. Feeling unworthy, Xu Jingjing confessed she saw herself as a "fake" and a "thief."

Xu Jingjing reassured her that she was not a fake and that the only thing that would disappoint her was if Xu Jingjing didn't dance. Xu Jingjing ultimately performed, delighting the audience as she removed her helmet, revealing herself as "Alice, The Loneliest Whale." After her performance, she met a young fan in a wheelchair named Huanhuan.

Huanhuan's father, Mr. Zhang, introduced himself and explained that a childhood illness prevented Huanhuan from attending school, but she had become a huge fan of Xu Jingjing's online dance videos. Mr. Zhang then apologized to Xu Jingjing for previously accusing her of cheating to get into the advanced class, admitting he had underestimated her. He clarified the camera on his desk was to let Huanhuan see him when he worked late, not to monitor students.

Xu Jingjing apologized for her misunderstanding. Mr. Zhang thanked them for making Huanhuan happy before reminding them to focus on their upcoming Grade 12 studies. Reflecting on this, Xu Jingjing understood Mr. Zhang's strictness stemmed from projecting his hopes for Huanhuan onto them, regretting how she had taken her own health and opportunities for granted. Later, Kang Jiawei, conscious of his calorie intake, left Xu Jingjing and Xu Jingjing to have dinner.

Xu Jingjing admitted she was curious why Xu Jingjing had copied her. Xu Jingjing explained she longed to be as popular as Xu Jingjing, feeling that despite being seen as a "goddess," she had no true friends. She used a pickled mustard green fish analogy: while the fish is the main ingredient, true fans love the dish for the pickled greens, implying Xu Jingjing's natural charm ("the greens") outshone her own perceived excellence ("the fish").

Xu Jingjing countered that "excellence is also a kind of cuteness" and that Xu Jingjing was most adorable when being herself. She urged her to forget the past and remember only the day's applause. Inspired, Xu Jingjing asked if she could keep the account that represented her "dark history," reasoning that "to be yourself, you have to accept yesterday's self." Outside, after Xu Jingjing and Xu Jingjing hugged goodbye, Kang Jiawei appeared.

He had stayed away to give them space but revealed he had accomplished an important task: he had finally won the dog doll Xu Jingjing wanted. He jokingly offered it to her if she would be his "domesticated elf" for another year. As they acknowledged they would no longer be deskmates in Grade 12, they bantered about being relieved, though their reluctance to part was clear. Kang Jiawei promised to visit her often.

He then reassured Xu Jingjing that she was the brave, kind, and talented protagonist of her own life and shouldn't be swayed by others. They thanked each other for helping them become better people, and Kang Jiawei loudly declared that Xu Jingjing would always be his best friend. Xu Jingjing mused that her summer hadn't been so bad after all.

On the first day of Grade 12, Xu Jingjing repaid her mother some of the tuition money with her summer earnings before leaving for school. There, Xu Jingjing asked for her help repairing the cracked whale headgear to give to Huanhuan. Miss Chen initially confiscated it but returned it after hearing the story. In class, Kang Jiawei apologized to Xu Jingjing for being assigned as her deskmate again, but she reassured him it was fine.

Meanwhile, Gao Zhan informed Xu Jingjing he had requested they be deskmates so he could continue tutoring her. Miss Chen announced the upcoming coming-of-age ceremony for students and one parent, stressing its importance. Later, Xu Jingjing lamented her poor exam performance, having neglected her studies over the summer. Her relationship with her father remained strained, and she expected her mother to attend the ceremony. Meanwhile, her parents looked at her art.

Her father finally admitted her talent, and her mother suggested the ceremony was a perfect chance for reconciliation. For Xu Jingjing's gift, her father, guided by her note that "Great White is the most important thing" in drawing, bought 100 containers of "Great White" art pigment after a shop clerk identified it for him, a purchase witnessed by Kang Jiawei.

Meanwhile, Miss Chen delivered the repaired headgear to Huanhuan and successfully persuaded a hesitant Mr. Zhang to return to the school, inviting him to help guide the Grade 12 advanced class. On the day of the ceremony, Xu Jingjing told her friends her mother was busy and had sent her father, though she doubted he would come. On his way, her father narrowly avoided a car accident.

The ceremony began with the principal reintroducing Mr. Zhang, who addressed the assembly, apologized for his past shortcomings, and pledged his full support. The ceremony proceeded with all Grade 12 students reciting the "Soar as an Adult" oath, collectively declaring their readiness to embrace their futures.

Episode 22 Recap

The coming-of-age ceremony concluded with parents presenting letters and gifts to their children. Feeling isolated as her family was absent, Xu Jingjing quietly left the gathering. Seeing this, Kang Jiawei and Gao Zhan quickly followed, both carrying gifts. In a playful attempt to get ahead, Kang Jiawei tripped Gao Zhan by pulling his shoelace. Kang Jiawei presented Xu Jingjing with a pencil sharpener, calling it an essential tool for art students that could help her forget her troubles.

Gao Zhan then offered her a complete set of detective novels by his favorite author, Lawrence Block, emphasizing their benefit for creative thinking. After Xu Jingjing left, Gao Zhan confronted Kang Jiawei, reminding him of their agreement where Kang Jiawei was to act as his mentor. Kang Jiawei confessed he could no longer pretend, revealing he wanted to remain in Wuxi and wanted Xu Jingjing to stay there too.

They debated their futures, with Gao Zhan advocating for a police academy in Beijing by citing roasted duck and the Great Wall, while Kang Jiawei promoted Fuxing University in Wuxi with sweet and sour pork ribs and Lake Tai. They agreed to let Xu Jingjing decide her own path. Xu Jingjing’s father arrived belatedly, explaining he was delayed by a rear-end collision.

However, an upset Xu Jingjing refused to listen, accusing him of prioritizing a wedding he was hosting over her ceremony. After she stormed off, Kang Jiawei spoke with Mr. Xu, who reiterated the story about the accident and expressed his regret. Meanwhile, at the ceremony, Wang Jiayao gave Ni Dapeng a hand-drawn sketch as his gift. Another classmate, Xu Jingjing, gave Wei Xue a gift, accepting her apology and regretting not being a better friend.

They agreed to restart their friendship with a new commitment to honesty. Later, Kang Jiawei mediated by explaining to Xu Jingjing that her father's delay was genuinely due to the car accident and that he had bought her special art paint. That evening, Xu Jingjing approached her father with beer, apologizing for her outburst.

Her father shared a painful memory from his youth: he had been a city-level Taekwondo champion with dreams of joining the provincial and national teams, but a severe training injury forced him to retire. This instilled in him a deep-seated fear of injury and failure. He explained that he opposed her art studies not because he doubted her talent, but because he didn't want her to suffer the same heartbreak of losing a passion to setbacks.

Xu Jingjing revealed that her teacher had harshly criticized her work, nearly causing her to quit, but she was now determined to prove him wrong, asserting she was strong enough to face any outcome. Moved, her father acknowledged his mistake and her resilience. Xu Jingjing later confided in Kang Jiawei about her elder sister, Xu Liangliang, who died at age two when a wardrobe fell on her.

This tragedy led her father to see all commercially made furniture as the "murderer" of his daughter. He began building all their furniture himself—heavy, sturdy pieces fixed to the walls—to ensure Xu Jingjing's safety, explaining the unique state of their home. When the mock exam results were released, Xu Jingjing was distraught over her failing grade. Gao Zhan consoled her, pointing out her failure was due to simple calculation errors, not a lack of understanding.

He offered to tutor her daily at a milk tea shop, promising unlimited matcha red bean milk tea. As a thank you, Xu Jingjing gave him a video streaming membership card to watch crime shows. Teasingly, Gao Zhan remarked that he "liked to be taken advantage of." Meanwhile, Kang Jiawei grew annoyed after seeing Gao Zhan’s social media post thanking Xu Jingjing for the gift.

Separately, their teacher, Ms. Tian, criticized Kang Jiawei for submitting an essay on rocket fuel, a topic not on the approved list for an innovation competition. She urged him to choose a pre-approved topic to improve his chances of winning for university admissions. Gao Zhan told Xu Jingjing he needed a pre-operative eye exam for a surgery required to qualify for the Public Security University, and she agreed to accompany him.

Kang Jiawei, who had been waiting to walk home with her, was disheartened to see her leave with Gao Zhan. On the way to the hospital, Gao Zhan again asked Xu Jingjing about her university plans, implying her answer was more important to him than his surgery. She avoided a direct reply.

After his pupils were dilated for the exam, Gao Zhan's vision became blurry, and he jokingly asked her to be his "eyes," using cheesy lines he admitted learning from Ni Dapeng. Later, he had Ni Dapeng read an English email about a book's copyright for him, quickly grasping the key details despite his impaired sight.

In a separate online chat, the classmate Xu Jingjing advised Kang Jiawei to transfer to the arts stream, noting his constant glances towards that classroom and revealing she knew his crush was the "Give-up Virtuoso" (Xu Jingjing's online alias). Urging him not to have regrets, she bid him a final farewell from their chat. The next morning, Kang Jiawei quietly watched Xu Jingjing as she slept at her desk.

Gao Zhan entered, interrupted the moment by claiming the seat near her, and moments later, an announcement was made: to the class's surprise, Kang Jiawei had officially transferred to the advanced arts stream.

Episode 23 Recap

Kang Jiawei transferred to the arts class, much to the surprise of students like Xu Jingjing and Gao Zhan, with Gao Zhan appearing particularly wary of the newcomer. Xu Jingjing asked Kang Jiawei why he transferred, to which he responded with a hint of jealousy, suggesting she had been on a date with someone else the previous night. Xu Jingjing explained that she had accompanied Gao Zhan, who was undergoing astigmatism surgery and seemed lonely.

Gao Zhan, still feigning blurry vision from his surgery, asked Xu Jingjing for help copying notes and assisting him for a few days. Kang Jiawei, however, quickly intervened, declaring himself Gao Zhan's "guide dog" and physically dragging him away, effectively blocking any opportunities for Gao Zhan and Xu Jingjing to interact. Later, Kang Jiawei reviewed Xu Jingjing's test paper and pointed out her unnecessary lost marks, particularly in ancient text memorization.

When Xu Jingjing mentioned Gao Zhan's method of rote memorization, Kang Jiawei proposed a more efficient approach: the memory palace technique. He explained how to transform boring knowledge into familiar images and store them in a known space, demonstrating with the poem "Melody of Water" using landmarks like a breakfast joint, a wine shop, a park tree, and a school notice board. Xu Jingjing quickly grasped the method, using it to memorize three poems in one afternoon.

Kang Jiawei then asked Xu Jingjing about her university plans for a design major. While she hadn't decided, Kang Jiawei stated his goal was Fuxing University, though he also suggested Nanshan University in Wuxi as a safer option. Xu Jingjing expressed interest in Fuxing, despite Kang Jiawei's comment about its high bar for art students, which she perceived as him doubting her abilities. Kang Jiawei quickly reassured her that he was there to help her succeed.

Moments later, Kang Jiawei playfully demanded the return gift from their coming-of-age ceremony, claiming Xu Jingjing had only given one to Gao Zhan, causing Xu Jingjing to run off. Kang Jiawei's thesis on rocket science won an award, a recognition he found surprising. Simultaneously, Mr. Qin praised Xu Jingjing's painting, noting its richness and encouraging her to take an advanced class, stating she could soon catch up to her friend and potentially get into Fuxing University.

Hearing this, Wang Jiayao, who had been listening, walked away looking upset with two drinks in her hand. Meanwhile, Gao Zhan's mother discovered his medical records and became furious, vehemently opposing his decision to attend Public Security University. She expressed her fear of living in constant worry and even suggested he wait until after the college entrance exam for his surgery, stating her decision was final.

Gao Zhan, however, remained determined to have the surgery and enroll in the Public Security University. Ni Dapeng visited a dejected Gao Zhan, offering financial assistance for his surgery and reaffirming his support for Gao Zhan's aspirations. In a surprising turn, Kang Jiawei informed Mr. Chen that he no longer intended to apply to Fuxing University but instead to Nanshan University, offering no specific reason for his change of heart.

Mr. Chen, perplexed, contacted Kang Jiawei's father, who revealed he was aware of the decision and fully respected Kang Jiawei's choice, prioritizing his son's interests. Later, Mr. Chen learned his acclaimed novel, "My Breakthrough Youth," had received a film and television copyright offer from Heniao TV.

The company's purchasing manager, Wang Yue, expressed strong interest in Mr. Chen herself becoming the screenwriter, citing her academic background in literature of theater and film and her unique ability to capture the novel's essence. While Mr. Chen was tempted by this dream opportunity, she was reluctant to leave her students during their crucial senior year.

The real reason for Kang Jiawei's change of mind was to facilitate Xu Jingjing's path, as Fuxing University had very high requirements for art students. However, Xu Jingjing misinterpreted his intentions, feeling he looked down on her capabilities, leading to a heated argument between them.

Observing Kang Jiawei and Xu Jingjing arguing, Ni Dapeng immediately reported back to Gao Zhan, urging him to seize the moment and ask Xu Jingjing if she would attend university with him in Beijing, demanding a clear answer this time. Xu Jingjing continued to ignore Kang Jiawei for several days, prompting Kang Jiawei to repeatedly call Lu Xiaobai for updates on Xu Jingjing and Gao Zhan.

Lu Xiaobai, exasperated by Kang Jiawei's constant demands and his "impractical" plan for Xu Jingjing to attend Nanshan, questioned if he truly believed in Xu Jingjing's potential, reminding him how Xu Jingjing had unwaveringly supported Lu Xiaobai during her own weight loss journey. Despite Lu Xiaobai's critical assessment of his methods, Kang Jiawei reiterated that Nanshan was the most realistic option for them to attend the same university.

Ni Dapeng, still trying to help Gao Zhan, awkwardly tried to facilitate a conversation between Gao Zhan and Xu Jingjing, suggesting they talk about something that "cannot be said in school." Meanwhile, Kang Jiawei secretly followed them, clearly anxious about Gao Zhan's actions. During this time, Xu Jingjing's mother discovered her street dance video and reacted with furious opposition, declaring it an inappropriate activity that would negatively impact her ballet training. She criticized the "uncouth" appearance of street dancers.

Xu Jingjing, tired of hiding, confessed that she had never attended the ballet training sessions her mother enrolled her in, using the money for street dance instead. She asserted her desire to pursue street dance and become a trainee. Enraged, her mother grabbed a knife and threatened to end her life, terrifying Xu Jingjing, who immediately intervened, tearfully promising to abandon street dance. Only then did her mother calm down.

The next morning, Kang Jiawei appeared early with breakfast for Xu Jingjing, seeking to apologize for his earlier remarks. He attempted to subtly caution her against "puppy love," suggesting it would distract from her studies and Fuxing aspirations. This unsolicited advice only served to further annoy Xu Jingjing, who told him to stop following her. Wang Jiayao, feeling that Xu Jingjing possessed more natural talent, dedicated herself to constant practice to improve her painting skills.

Lu Xiaobai found Wang Jiayao to gossip about Gao Zhan and Xu Jingjing. Xu Jingjing, meanwhile, reflected on her recent conversation with Gao Zhan. The previous day, before Gao Zhan could express his feelings, Xu Jingjing gently articulated her own. She shared how happy she was to be his friend, likening him to a beautiful, distant landscape she once yearned to approach, but now understood that sometimes the landscape remains, but the observer changes.

Gao Zhan admitted he was prepared for this, having noticed that Xu Jingjing had stopped writing about him in her "Gaogao Observation Note" since the second semester of eleventh grade. Xu Jingjing clarified that Kang Jiawei's constant pestering had consumed her time. She then presented Gao Zhan with the notebook as a gift, calling it her "most wonderful memory" and expressing no regrets about what she had written. Lu Xiaobai praised Xu Jingjing's "awesome" and poetic rejection.

Xu Jingjing explained her perspective was shaped by Kang Jiawei's comment that her feelings for Gao Zhan were akin to Lu Xiaobai's admiration for her idols—a yearning and adoration that inspired them to become better versions of themselves. In a final, revealing exchange, Kang Jiawei confronts Gao Zhan, showing he knew all along that Gao Zhan was faking his prolonged vision problems after his surgery. Kang Jiawei then acknowledges their rivalry, concluding that their actions are all ultimately for Xu Jingjing.

Episode 24 Recap

After Gao Zhan offered a chicken leg to Kang Jiawei as a "bribe" to ensure he treats Xu Jingjing well, Kang Jiawei clarified he wasn't petty and just wanted to remain friends with Gao Zhan, resolving their misunderstanding. Lu Xiaobai then excitedly told Kang Jiawei that Xu Jingjing had rejected Gao Zhan and would not attend university in Beijing.

Overjoyed, Kang Jiawei immediately asked Miss Chen to change his university application from Nashan back to Fuxing, which she confirmed was still possible. Elsewhere, students discussed a novel by Miss Chen being adapted into a drama, with Lu Xiaobai passionately insisting it must not ruin the original. At another home, the dancer Jingjing practiced her routines under immense pressure from her mother, leaving her father concerned as Jingjing often stayed up late, overwhelmed.

Miss Chen, while pleased by her students' interest in her novel, warned them not to let it distract from their studies, even threatening to withdraw the copyright if their academics suffered. She firmly declined the lucrative opportunity to be the screenwriter, stating her priority was to personally guide her students to university. Meanwhile, Kang Jiawei approached Xu Jingjing, informing her he had switched his application back to Fuxing and presenting her with meticulously organized study materials.

Xu Jingjing, however, accused him of being insincere and two-faced, questioning his sudden change of heart. Hurt, Kang Jiawei admitted his initial mistake in trying to make decisions for her but insisted his current intentions were genuine, lamenting that everything he did seemed wrong in her eyes.

He later shared a presentation with her, expressing his happiness when they are together, his regret for past childishness, and his pride in their shared achievements, framing Fuxing as another miracle they could achieve together. Separately, Jingjing's mother apologized to her for being overly emotional, acknowledging her daughter's desire to pursue hip-hop. She revealed she had already submitted Jingjing’s profile to three top management companies and suggested a balanced approach: continue preparing for the art college exam while awaiting responses.

As Xu Jingjing's anger subsided, she found it awkward to apologize to Kang Jiawei, who also avoided her, fearing another argument. Frustrated by the stalemate, Wang Jiayao confronted Xu Jingjing, revealing that Kang Jiawei was constantly pestering her and Lu Xiaobai for updates. Meanwhile, after hearing Miss Chen decline the screenwriter offer over the phone, Mr. Zhao encouraged her to pursue her dream, reminding her of her own advice to students about choosing their own paths.

The students then gathered on the sports field, affectionately urging Miss Chen to follow her dream, promising to study hard and calling her a role model. Mr. Zhang also offered his support, agreeing to take over her class and emphasizing that she would be setting a responsible example. He informed her that the principal had approved her for unpaid leave, with her position secure should she wish to return.

After Miss Chen's departure, the class morale soared, and the students became more diligent than ever. During a mock exam for art students, Xu Jingjing was extremely nervous, determined to earn a score worthy of Fuxing. After the exam, she learned that Gao Zhan had recently undergone eye surgery, paid for by his brother Ni Dapeng. While discussing the ongoing tension with Gao Zhan, Kang Jiawei expressed frustration that Xu Jingjing was avoiding him.

Gao Zhan remarked that he envied their dynamic, as Xu Jingjing would argue openly with Kang Jiawei but was always strictly polite with him. Later, both Kang Jiawei and Xu Jingjing considered texting each other well wishes for their upcoming exams but hesitated, too proud to make the first move. At home, Kang's dad announced a long business trip and expressed concern about his son's well-being during the exam period, but Kang Jiawei assured him he could manage.

Before leaving, his father gave him a heartfelt hug. The next day, while Kang Jiawei took his independent admission exam at Fuxing University, Xu Jingjing received her mock art exam results, which showed significant improvement. Wang Jiayao’s scores, affected by stress, were not as high but still good. Wang Jiayao then gave Xu Jingjing a deck of study cards from Kang Jiawei, explaining he had dropped them off late the previous night.

Xu Jingjing immediately rushed to the exam venue, finding Kang Jiawei as he was leaving. She sincerely apologized for being overly sensitive, explaining it stemmed from her intense desire to get into Fuxing. Kang Jiawei also apologized for not considering her feelings. Their apologies turned into a playful argument over who was more at fault, during which they crossed the street against a red light.

A traffic officer, who recognized Kang Jiawei from a previous incident, assigned them to direct traffic as a penalty. While working, Xu Jingjing recounted angrily beating a pillow on her 18th birthday, which he had missed. Their reconciliation was cemented with playful banter about gifts, with Kang Jiawei insisting she display his dog gift on her bag and demanding a return gift for his own coming-of-age ceremony.

Meanwhile, the dancer Jingjing resumed her ballet practice, but her mother’s comments about a past failure revealed the pressure she was under. Her true passion for hip-hop remained, as she eagerly asked if any management companies had responded about her application to be a trainee. At Kang Jiawei's home, his dad introduced Madam Gu, a nanny hired to cook for his son during his business trip. After a sentimental hug, his father departed.

However, Madam Gu’s first meal, a Mapo Tofu, was overwhelmingly spicy for Kang Jiawei. This led to a humorous misunderstanding, as Madam Gu, a native of the spicy-food capital Zigong, was perplexed by his request to cook without any chili at all.

Episode 25 Recap

Kang Jiawei, startled by Jingjing at a breakfast spot, lamented about his new housekeeper from Zigong, Sichuan. He complained that her cooking was so laden with chili that he suspected her blood was made of chili oil, forcing him to subsist on takeout. At school, Gao Zhan announced he was moving back to the window seat, which he felt suited him better, and formally entrusted Jingjing's tutoring to Kang Jiawei.

After school, Jingjing came home to a delicious aroma and was shocked to find her mother, Mrs. Xu, cooking. Jingjing deemed this sight "unscientific," but her mother revealed she was using convenient pre-made meals she had bought on sale, emphasizing they were organic and preservative-free. The next day, Jingjing brought several of these semi-finished dishes, including Yuxiang shredded pork and curry chicken, to Kang Jiawei, telling him to simply reheat them.

He offered to pay, but Jingjing suggested he tutor her in exchange, which he accepted as his duty. Kang Jiawei mentioned his father was on a business trip, a common occurrence. Unbeknownst to him, his father, Mr. Kang, was in the hospital with late-stage liver cancer. Dr. Zhou informed Mr. Kang that he would need constant family support post-surgery, but Mr. Kang insisted on hiring a caregiver to avoid burdening his son.

Anxious about the upcoming unified arts exam, Wang Jiayao shared a superstition with Jingjing about a 300-year-old "Wish Tree" at Fuxing University; hanging one's name on it, especially high up, was rumored to guarantee admission. That evening, Kang Jiawei called Jingjing for help after getting stuck in the tree. He admitted he climbed it for her, confessing his wish for them to attend the same university.

He then nervously asked if they could still be together if he failed to get into Fuxing. Jingjing immediately agreed, envisioning a future where they could watch movies, explore Wuxi's food scene, listen to music, and he could model for her drawings. A kind-hearted elderly man helped them down with a ladder. On the morning of the exam, Jingjing’s parents prepared a lucky breakfast to encourage her.

At the venue, Kang Jiawei and Ni Dapeng performed a good-luck ritual for Jingjing and Wang Jiayao. While Jingjing was in the restroom, Wang Jiayao overheard a student plotting to sabotage others by smearing paint on the back of their canvases, saying, "If I can't get in, no one else can." The plot unsettled Wang Jiayao, causing her to lose focus and repeatedly glance at Jingjing's artwork during the exam.

Afterward, a distraught Wang Jiayao left alone, telling a concerned Ni Dapeng that she had "ruined Xu Jingjing." They rushed back to the venue, where an instructor informed them the vandalism had been discovered. The three culprits were caught, their qualifications revoked, and the instructor commended Wang Jiayao for her courage. Meanwhile, Xiong Shuai, a student-athlete, felt anxious about his recruitment test, intimidated by the competition from provincial teams, but his coach encouraged him.

Later, Kang Jiawei's father called from the hospital. When Kang Jiawei explained he fired the housekeeper because Jingjing was providing his meals, Mr. Kang heard a nurse's voice in the background. Kang Jiawei jokingly asked if his father was secretly dating, prompting Mr. Kang to lie that he was in a meeting and would be home in about a month.

That night, Jingjing’s mother caught her taking food from the fridge and, upon learning it was for Kang Jiawei, allowed her to take the rest but wondered how long the arrangement could continue. Separately, Jingjing's friend, a dancer also named Xu Jingjing, was dejected after her applications to three management companies were met with silence. She decided to give up and focus on her dance academy exam.

Later, she overheard her mother, Ms. Liu, on the phone with a management company. She discovered her mother had been ignoring their previous calls about a second interview. When her mother was momentarily distracted, Xu Jingjing (the dancer) seized the phone and accepted the interview offer, which was scheduled for the same day as her dance exam.

She gathered her friends—Jingjing, Kang Jiawei, and Gao Zhan—to devise a plan to distract Ms. Liu, declaring she had long since given up on ballet and would not regret her choice. The plan was to have Jingjing's parents leave for a movie, then have Jingjing feign acute appendicitis, forcing Ms. Liu to take her to the hospital. On the designated day, the plan hit a snag when Jingjing’s parents returned home after selling their movie tickets.

Thinking fast, Kang Jiawei and Gao Zhan told Jingjing to go to the exam venue and fake her illness there, while they improvised at her house. Jingjing rushed to the venue to "support" her friend, then collapsed with feigned lower-right abdominal pain. Meanwhile, the boys distracted Jingjing's parents with a match-three game and a fake leaking toilet, allowing Kang Jiawei to secretly block Ms. Liu's number on their phones.

Unable to contact Jingjing’s parents, Ms. Liu had no choice but to take the seemingly very ill Jingjing to the hospital, allowing Xu Jingjing (the dancer) to attend her interview. At the hospital, the doctor found no issues with Jingjing and prescribed painkillers. At her interview, Xu Jingjing (the dancer) impressed the panel with her confidence and ambition to become a pop idol with a strong academic background. While still at the hospital, Jingjing coincidentally saw Mr. Kang being pushed in a wheelchair.

Episode 26 Recap

Xu Jingjing anxiously followed Kang's dad, who was being pushed in a wheelchair. Seeing her concern, Kang's dad reluctantly admitted he had liver cancer and was about to undergo surgery. He pleaded with Jingjing to keep it a secret from Kang Jiawei, explaining that his son was sensitive and he feared the news would profoundly affect his crucial final year of high school, just as his parents' divorce had years ago, leading to insomnia and binge-eating.

The secret weighed heavily on Xu Jingjing. Upon returning home, she faced a confrontation with her furious mother, who was angry not about Kang's father, but about Jingjing having missed a crucial second-round audition for a performance company. The argument escalated, prompting Xu Jingjing to confess that she had long disliked ballet and that failing to get into the dance academy three years prior had been a relief, not a heartbreak.

She declared she no longer wished to fulfill her mother's unachieved dreams, stating her value should not be dictated by exam scores or ballet. Xu Jingjing's parents later learned from her about Kang's dad's liver cancer and were shocked. While Xu Jingjing felt family was more important than studies, her parents understood Kang's dad's intent and insisted on maintaining the "white lie" to protect Kang Jiawei during his critical senior year.

The next day, as Kang Jiawei recounted a past suspenseful incident of phone unlocking to Gao Zhan, Xu Jingjing was visibly preoccupied by the secret. Soon after, Xu Jingjing's art exam results were released. Her parents, terrified to look, watched as her mother opened the notice.

An initial misreading of her candidate number as a low rank caused a brief moment of despair, but it quickly turned to elation when they realized her total score was 222, well above the threshold for top art colleges. Overjoyed, the family decided to celebrate their little Picasso with a hotpot dinner. Kang Jiawei, upon learning of Xu Jingjing's successful art exam, revealed he had already hung a blessing plaque for her at Fuxing University.

He then proudly showed her the notice of his provisional admission to Fuxing University, confirming they could attend the same school. The two playfully made a pact that whoever failed their academic exams would be "a dog." Meanwhile, Kang's mother, informed of the severity of her ex-husband's condition, made immediate plans to return to care for him, prioritizing his health over her work. Separately, Wang Jiayao, despite scoring an impressive 230 on her art exam, remained disheartened.

Xu Jingjing wanted to talk to her, but Kang Jiawei advised giving her space, urging Jingjing to focus on her own academics. Ni Dapeng found a despondent Wang Jiayao on the sports field. He clumsily attempted to comfort her, offering himself as a punching bag and giving her sweets. Wang Jiayao expressed her deep frustration, lamenting that despite her lifelong dedication to art, Xu Jingjing had nearly caught up in mere months, showcasing a natural talent she felt she lacked.

She questioned the point of continuing to draw. Ni Dapeng passionately argued against giving up, praising Wang Jiayao's own artistic talent and humorously misnaming famous artists to make his point. He then revealed that he had also hung a blessing plaque for her at Fuxing University, a fact Wang Jiayao already knew, as Jingjing had told her.

Discussing Kang's dad's situation, Xu Jingjing's parents decided to invite Kang Jiawei to live with them, wanting to help and acknowledging his contribution to their daughter's academic improvement. Xu Jingjing's father initially expressed reservations about two teenagers living under one roof, but her mother dismissed his worries, insisting on their "pure friendship." Kang Jiawei happily moved in and was greeted by Xu Jingjing's parents' overly enthusiastic welcome at dinner.

Later, while Kang Jiawei tutored Xu Jingjing, her father repeatedly checked in on them, suspicious of their close proximity, especially when they used a memory technique involving facial features. Xu Jingjing's mother defended their academic methods, humorously recalling her own "pure friendship" with her husband before they married. Xu Jingjing later decided to approach Wang Jiayao directly.

Wang Jiayao tearfully apologized for her inaction on exam day: she had overheard students planning to sabotage paintings and realized Xu Jingjing was seated near them. However, a moment of intense jealousy and fear—sparked by a teacher's praise for Jingjing's progress—stopped her from giving a warning. She expressed deep self-loathing for her jealousy. Xu Jingjing, in turn, admitted her own envy of Wang Jiayao's talent, beauty, and academic prowess, normalizing their complex feelings.

The two reconciled, vowing to compete fairly in their academic studies. After the final exams, Xu Jingjing was so stressed about her academic scores that she lost her appetite. Her friend Lu Xiaobai noticed that Xu Jingjing and Kang Jiawei used shampoos with identical scents, despite their claims of using different brands. Pressed for details, Xu Jingjing reluctantly admitted Kang Jiawei was living at her house, clarifying they had separate rooms.

Lu Xiaobai and Wang Jiayao eagerly pressed for "heart-fluttering moments." Xu Jingjing recounted an awkward morning greeting in the bathroom, much to her friends' disappointment in the lack of romance. Meanwhile, Kang's dad called Xu Jingjing, reassuring her about his upcoming surgery and that Jiawei's mother would be returning to care for him. With Valentine's Day approaching, Xu Jingjing's mother planned to extend their milk tea shop's hours.

Overhearing her parents' discomfort about her and Kang Jiawei being alone at home on the holiday, Xu Jingjing quickly arranged a "study group," inviting Lu Xiaobai and Wang Jiayao and designating Kang Jiawei as "Master Kang" for tutoring. However, her friends were well aware of the date. After a brief study session, they made excuses and left, intentionally leaving Xu Jingjing and Kang Jiawei alone together for Valentine's Day.

Episode 27 Recap

During the Chinese New Year, Kang Jiawei celebrates at Xu Jingjing's home, while Gao Zhan's mother also returns. During the New Year's Eve dinner, Kang Jiawei receives a video call from his father, who claims to be working overtime for triple pay. He abruptly ends the call, leaving Kang Jiawei unaware of his true condition. In reality, Kang Jiawei's parents are at the hospital, where his mother reminisces about how quickly their son has grown up.

Gao Zhan's mother tells him she is taking him somewhere important the next day. Along with Ni Dapeng and his father, they visit the memorial for Gao Zhan's father. Giving the family a moment of privacy, Ni Dapeng and his father step aside. Gao Zhan's mother speaks to her late husband, telling him of their son's determination to attend the Public Security University, a childhood promise made to him.

She asks for his blessing, and Gao Zhan vows not to disappoint his parents. Meanwhile, the class's former homeroom teacher, Ms. Chen, focuses on writing her script, entrusting Mr. Zhao to look after the students. As the college entrance examination nears, the students prepare intensely, studying even during P. E. class. Seeing their dedication, Mr. Zhao allows them to continue. Under immense pressure, many students suffer from stress-related symptoms like hair loss and acne.

Ni Dapeng introduces a high-caffeine gum, claiming it will help them stay awake. The students eagerly consume it, ignoring the packaging's warning to limit intake. During the next class, several students feel unwell with racing hearts and nausea. Xu Jingjing faints and is rushed to the hospital with others. Mr. Zhao informs a concerned Ms. Chen that the students overdosed on the gum. Kang Jiawei stays by Xu Jingjing's side at the hospital.

When he briefly returns home, he is surprised to find his mother has come back. The secret of his father's illness is finally revealed, and Kang Jiawei rushes to the hospital, heartbroken to see his father looking frail. His father suggests he and his mother move back home, but Kang Jiawei, hurt and frustrated at being kept in the dark, refuses.

He insists on waiting for his father to recover so they can travel and eat around the world together, adamantly believing he will get better. As Kang Jiawei and his mother prepare to move out of Xu Jingjing's home, her parents express how much they will miss him and reassure him that his father's surgery will be a success. Xu Jingjing awkwardly offers her own words of comfort.

Unexpectedly, Ms. Chen returns to the school, having withdrawn from her screenwriting project. She tells a production executive that while she has a lifetime to pursue her dream, her students' future is her priority now. That Saturday, Ms. Chen takes the class on an outing to a lake to help them relax. While most enjoy the break, Kang Jiawei sits alone, worried about his father.

Xu Jingjing goes to comfort him, reassuring him that his father will be fine before bringing him back to the group. Ms. Chen uses the day to help the students adjust their mindsets, explaining that they need the courage to overcome pressure, not be defeated by it, citing the caffeine gum incident as a warning. Inspired by her sacrifice, the students vow not to let her down, chanting motivational slogans.

Later, a hesitant Gao Zhan prepares to check his Public Security University exam results online. Xu Jingjing helps him and discovers that he has ranked first overall. She congratulates him, envious that he can attend his dream university, but he remains modest, worried that his academic course scores might not be high enough. Xu Jingjing playfully teases him that excessive humility can seem like arrogance.

Gao Zhan also confirms that he has reconciled with his mother, realizing that parents ultimately respect their children's choices. With only a few months left until the exam, they promise to work hard together.

Episode 28 Recap

Concerned for her daughter, Xu Jingjing's mother, who had been absent from home, met with Manager Huang from the agency. Worried that Xu Jingjing might sign with an unreliable company, she sought to understand it better. Manager Huang reassured her, explaining that Xu Jingjing had decided to wait until after her college entrance exam to make any decisions. He added that the company respected this and valued artists with strong academic backgrounds.

Later, Xu Jingjing's father arranged a reconciliation between mother and daughter. He gently reminded Xu Jingjing of her mistake in deceiving her mother about an exam, asking if she would apologize if her mother supported her choices. Xu Jingjing's mother then entered, admitting she had been too self-absorbed and hadn't realized how much pain ballet had caused her daughter. Xu Jingjing, in turn, apologized for her deception and expressed her desire for her mother's support.

Her mother, though unfamiliar with street dance, pledged to learn about it, having watched videos and found them "quite cool." They then shared a meal, solidifying their reconciliation. After failing his sports specialization test, Xiong Shuai decided to quit school to avoid burdening his parents and began working with them at the vegetable market. His friend, Ni Dapeng, visited and tried to convince him to return, even offering to cover his training and re-enrollment fees. However, Xiong Shuai was adamant.

Distraught that he wouldn't even receive a high school diploma, Xu Jingjing devised a plan. She, along with Kang Jiawei, Gao Zhan, Ni Dapeng, Lu Xiaobai, and Wang Jiayao, visited Xiong Shuai's stall and bought all of his vegetables, clearing his inventory for the day. Their teacher, Miss Chen, learned of their actions and, while understanding their intentions, urged them to focus on their studies, assuring them the school was communicating with Xiong Shuai's parents. The students redoubled their efforts.

When a power outage occurred, they used their phone flashlights to insist Miss Chen continue her lesson. After class, they gathered on the playground to shout motivational slogans, and Kang Jiawei put Xiong Shuai on speakerphone so he could hear their collective encouragement. They implored him to return, vowing to face the college entrance exam together.

The next day, Xiong Shuai returned to school, thanking his friends for not giving up on him and joking about the specific vegetable diets they must have endured. He and Gao Zhan promised to help with any academic difficulties, reaffirming their class's united front. Before the second mock exam, Kang Jiawei drew a lucky card for Xu Jingjing as part of their ritual.

He then confided in her his frustration that his father, Kang Minzhi, hadn't told him about his cancer sooner, robbing him of time together. During the exam, Kang Jiawei received an urgent call and rushed to the hospital. Kang Minzhi was in critical condition. Though the surgery was successful, he remained in a coma and was moved to the ICU. Worried, Xu Jingjing received a message from Kang Jiawei asking if any of his father's homemade oat bars were left.

She found the last one and dashed through the pouring rain to the hospital, finding Kang Jiawei sitting alone outside. He tearfully revealed the cancer had spread and wondered if the oat bar was the last thing his father would ever leave him, comparing his prolonged emotional agony to an unbearable "five seconds" he couldn't escape. The next morning, after staying with Kang Jiawei all night, Xu Jingjing curtly dismissed her classmates' questions about him.

At the hospital, Kang Jiawei's mother informed him that the doctors had issued a notice of critical illness for his father. She then unintentionally revealed that Xu Jingjing had known about his father's illness for some time and had helped care for him. Enraged, Kang Jiawei stormed into the cafeteria and confronted Xu Jingjing. He accused her of hiding the truth and robbing him of two precious months with his father.

Xu Jingjing tearfully apologized, explaining his father had forbidden her from telling him, but Kang Jiawei, consumed by grief, was inconsolable. At home, Kang Jiawei's mother found him ill on the sofa. He rebuffed her attempts to care for him, accusing her of abandoning him and his father years ago.

He then smashed the gifts she had sent over the years and played a video he had recorded, bitterly asking why she had returned to find him, "this thief, this sinner," who had stolen her life. Standing outside his room, his mother tearfully apologized, explaining she left the marriage for her own sake, not because of him, and that he was never a thief to her. Finally, Kang Jiawei opened the door and embraced her. Together, they resolved to wait for his father to come home.

Episode 29 Recap

Kang Jiawei returned to school, but a palpable distance now existed between him and Xu Jingjing. Even when Xu Jingjing approached him with her meal tray, he would simply pick up his own and walk away. Gao Zhan, concerned, offered to talk to Kang Jiawei, but Xu Jingjing declined, asserting that as long as Kang Jiawei found some peace, she was fine, believing that right or wrong no longer mattered.

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Kang Jiawei’s mother checked on his father’s improving condition before gently pressing Kang Jiawei about reconciling with Xu Jingjing. She reminded him that Xu Jingjing’s actions stemmed from kindness, especially considering the significant responsibility his father had placed upon her, urging him to consider what he would have done in Xu Jingjing's situation. Later, Xu Jingjing, hopeful that he might still read her messages, sent Kang Jiawei an apology.

She also shared her excitement about getting a perfect score on a math test for the first time, attributing her success to the memory palace technique and wishing to celebrate with him. However, her message was rejected, indicating she was blocked. Soon after, Kang Jiawei, who had been contemplating unblocking Xu Jingjing, received grave news about his father's critical condition.

Xu Jingjing grew increasingly desperate, repeatedly drawing cards from a deck, hoping to get a Queen or a Seven, convinced that if she did, Kang Jiawei’s father would be alright. Her friend, Lu Xiaobai, tried to console her, urging her to stop and questioning if Kang Jiawei would want to see her in such a state upon his return. Lu Xiaobai then tearfully revealed that she had overheard the tragic news about Kang Jiawei’s father.

Overwhelmed, Xu Jingjing rushed to Kang Jiawei’s home, but despite her frantic knocking, he never opened the door.

As she walked away, a wave of despair washed over her, and she found herself reminiscing about cherished moments with Kang Jiawei: his encouragement for her to be the protagonist of her own life, their shared goal of skipping 500 ropes, their alliance, his gratitude for helping him become a better and more dashing person, his playful boasting about his "masterpiece" Pipi merchandise, and the Pop Mart contest they started.

Unseen by Xu Jingjing, Kang Jiawei quietly gathered and put away all items associated with her, preparing to move away. The next day, Xu Jingjing found herself staring blankly at Kang Jiawei's empty desk in class. Below, Gao Zhan spotted Kang Jiawei leaving with his luggage, prompting Xu Jingjing to rush after him.

Kang Jiawei’s mother, waiting outside, insisted he properly say goodbye to Xu Jingjing, revealing that he had completed the withdrawal procedures and was returning to England with her after handling his father’s funeral. She expressed gratitude to Xu Jingjing for her support during this difficult time. Xu Jingjing tearfully confronted Kang Jiawei, asking if he was still angry, why he wouldn’t look at her, and if he hated her.

He denied being angry at her, suggesting he was angry at himself because seeing her reminded him of his father. Xu Jingjing pleaded with him not to leave, conveying how much everyone missed him. Kang Jiawei, however, merely asked her to convey his farewells to their classmates. He then offered her final exam tips, advising her to read the paper thoroughly, check answers, and believe in herself, before finally saying goodbye and walking away.

As he walked off, Xu Jingjing, heartbroken, cried out, reminding him of their promise to attend Fuxing University together, and how he had broken his word, leaving her behind when they were supposed to become better versions of themselves together. Back home, Xu Jingjing secluded herself, losing her appetite and sleep. A surprising delivery arrived—a box of books from Kang Jiawei. Inside, she found a letter.

Kang Jiawei wrote that he was likely on a flight to England as she read it, apologizing for his sudden departure and for the harsh, immature words he had spoken previously. He explained that after reflecting and putting himself in her shoes, he understood her actions. He confessed to having many more things to say but lacked the courage to face her or his current life.

He revealed the box contained all his notes and exercise books from the past three years, with solutions to difficult problems marked, hoping they would help her. He wished her success in getting into Fuxing University, ending the letter by thanking her for appearing in his youth and being his best friend. He quoted Kafka, describing how even in a desert, one can choose their path and transform it into an oasis by walking with happiness, belief, dreams, and love.

He assured her he would never forget her and that she would forever be his best friend. From that moment, Xu Jingjing became a diligent student, spending her days engrossed in Kang Jiawei’s notes.

Her determination was reflected in her study reports on her notice board: she vowed to improve her English cloze scores, celebrated her historic achievement of ranking among the top eighty in her grade during the third mock exam, pinpointed the Industrial Revolution as her weakness, and miraculously scored her highest ever, 130, in a math mock exam just ten days before the Gaokao.

Her only remaining anxiety was the essay, humorously asking Mr. Shuren for help or even a dream hint. The day before the Gaokao, Miss Chen gathered her class for a final pep talk, reminding them of practicalities like light meals and remembering exam slips, and cautioning against comparing answers after tests. She then emotionally likened their high school journey to a drama, with that day being the finale.

Students, teary-eyed, expressed their reluctance to leave her, thanking her for her guidance and care. Miss Chen, too, became tearful, thanking them for helping her become a better version of herself. As she declared them "free," the students erupted in celebration, throwing their textbooks and exam papers into the air before presenting Miss Chen with a bouquet of flowers. Ni Dapeng bravely asked Wang Jiayao for a photo together, which they took.

Xu Jingjing and Gao Zhan also took a slightly awkward photo, and Xu Jingjing also posed with her friend, Xu Jingjing. For their final group photo, they deliberately left an empty space, affirming it was "Kang Jiawei's place." That evening, Xu Jingjing's friend, Xu Jingjing, brought a braised carp dish from her mother, explaining it was a lucky omen for "carp leaping through the dragon gate" for the upcoming exam.

Xu Jingjing and her friend shared a quiet smile, observing their parents' nervous anticipation. The next morning, Xu Jingjing's mother was a bundle of nerves, and after a momentary lapse of memory due to anxiety, she passionately reminded her daughter: "Xu Jingjing, remember, you are always the true protagonist under the spotlight of your life. Go for it! Believe in yourself!" Inside the exam hall, as Xu Jingjing turned to the essay question, a knowing smile spread across her face.

She recognized the topic—it perfectly aligned with the Kafka quote Kang Jiawei had written in his letter about the desert transforming into an oasis. Confident, she began to write, silently wishing Kang Jiawei good luck. Days later, with Gaokao results imminent, Xu Jingjing looked at the drawing of Kang Jiawei on her wall, silently steeling herself. Her parents were bustling, her father playfully accusing her mother of gambling when he found a stash of poker cards.

Her mother confessed she was drawing Queens and Sevens for luck, and to her surprise, she drew a Queen right then. Later, as Xu Jingjing nervously checked her results online, she glanced at the poker cards Kang Jiawei had given her. It dawned on her: the deck only contained Queens and Sevens. It was his way of giving her unwavering confidence. Her eyes wide with realization, she suddenly rushed out of the house.

Her parents, assuming she had failed, anxiously checked her score, only to erupt in cheers upon seeing "483"—a score that secured her acceptance into Fuxing University. Xu Jingjing ran to a pedestrian bridge, and with all her might, she shouted her heart out. She declared her 483 marks, attributing ten of them to Kang Jiawei because of how much she missed him. She promised to scope out attractive senior students on his behalf.

She thanked him for predicting the essay topic, for transforming her desert-like life into an oasis, but then she heartbreakingly questioned why he wasn't there in her newfound oasis. " I. . . I really, really, really like you. I said, did you hear me?" On the final day of school, as Miss Chen encouraged students to express any last wishes, a surprising figure appeared in the classroom: Kang Jiawei.

The students, utterly astonished, immediately asked if he hadn't gone abroad. Kang Jiawei simply stated, "Well, the plan has changed." The students eagerly urged him to stay. Kang Jiawei then turned to Xu Jingjing and asked, "Do you want me to stay?" Xu Jingjing retorted, "Didn't you block my contact?" Kang Jiawei began to explain, "Actually, I've always. . ." but the abrupt ring of the final school bell drowned out his words. Xu Jingjing, frustrated, yelled, "I can't hear you! Stop it, I can't hear him!" as the bell continued to clang.

Episode 30 (Ending) Recap

Xu Jingjing tried to make sense of the words she was hearing, but she woke up to realize it had just been a dream. Her mother called, trying to wake her, though Xu Jingjing insisted she was already awake and making breakfast. Despite her mother's persistence about eating, Xu Jingjing rushed off to work, having recently graduated and moved into her own place closer to the office.

Upon opening her bedroom door, she discovered her apartment in disarray: her computer and tablet were gone, along with half a month's worth of meticulous work. She immediately reported the theft to the police, expressing her anger more than fear, emphasizing the loss of her vital work tools and a designer bag that was very precious to her. The police assured her they would notify her if they found anything.

Meanwhile, Kang Jiawei sat eating at a breakfast stall near Yuming High School, where he used to study, a brief flashback showing him in school with Xu Jingjing. He spoke to his father on the phone, assuring him that he and his mother were getting along well and that he was returning to China to start a business in the education industry. Soon after, Xu Jingjing arrived late to her design company, apologizing to her mentor, Mr. Wei.

She vented her frustration about the theft, to which Mr. Wei kindly offered his own computer and reimbursement for a new one. Mr. Wei then assigned her a new project, asking her to handle it independently. The client, he explained, wanted to preserve some of the original homeowner's design ideas. Xu Jingjing was stunned when the client, Kang Jiawei, arrived. Believing she was still dreaming, she rushed to the restroom to compose herself and borrow makeup from her colleague, Amy.

Back in the meeting, Kang Jiawei, hearing about her theft, expressed concern and inquired about her living situation and security. Xu Jingjing, still seething with resentment, sharply rebuffed him, stating it was her private matter and that they should focus on business. Later, Xu Jingjing met up with her friends, Lu Xiaobai, now a successful director, and Wang Jiayao, who had become an artist and had been with Ni Dapeng for four years.

Xu Jingjing shared her encounter with Kang Jiawei and the design project. Her friends immediately jumped to Kang Jiawei's defense, suggesting he must have returned specifically for her and fabricating excuses like "accidental press" or "low blood sugar" for why he had blocked her four years ago.

Frustrated, Xu Jingjing pointed out that they had supported her anger for four years and that she couldn't simply treat him as a normal client, especially since the project involved renovating his late father's house. Her friends then brought up Teacher Chen's novel, "My Breakthrough Youth," which many believed was based on Xu Jingjing (as Lin Youmei) and Kang Jiawei (as Chen Donglin), but Xu Jingjing dismissed the topic and left.

Kang Jiawei later appeared at Xu Jingjing’s office, specifically requesting her for the project. When told she was no longer assigned to it, he insisted, learning she was at the police station. He waited for her outside her company and apologized for blocking her four years ago. To his surprise, Xu Jingjing calmly stated she had forgiven him long ago, explaining she understood he needed an outlet for his grief after his father's passing.

She then asserted that it had been four years and she had moved on with her own life, leaving Kang Jiawei bewildered. Later, Kang Jiawei met with Gao Zhan, now a detective with a police officer girlfriend. Gao Zhan informed him that Xu Jingjing's stolen computer, tablet, and bag had been recovered. However, Xu Jingjing was still upset because a small white dog charm, which had been hanging on the bag, was missing.

Gao Zhan noted it wasn't valuable, but Xu Jingjing had been insistent on finding it. Kang Jiawei immediately realized it was the charm he had given her. Gao Zhan then bluntly told him that he himself was the biggest obstacle in his pursuit of Xu Jingjing. That evening, Xu Jingjing was drinking heavily with Lu Xiaobai and Wang Jiayao. She bitterly recounted the four years—1,460 days—during which Kang Jiawei never contacted her after he was the one who blocked her.

Just then, Kang Jiawei appeared, and her friends quickly made their exit. Startled, Xu Jingjing spat out her drink. Kang Jiawei told her that Gao Zhan had revealed her true feelings, especially about the dog charm, and offered to "be your dog" from now on. He then asked for another chance, assuring her he was back for good. Xu Jingjing unleashed her pent-up anger, accusing him of being shameless.

She tearfully confronted him about his absence during her darkest moments over the past four years, demanding to know how he could pretend that their four-year separation didn't exist. Before Kang Jiawei could explain, Xu Jingjing, overwhelmed by emotion and alcohol, passed out. He took her home and quietly observed the numerous photos in her room, a silent testament to the life she had built without him.

The next morning, Xu Jingjing woke to find a thoughtful breakfast and a note from Kang Jiawei. He mentioned installing a surveillance camera at her door and gently urged her to reconsider the design project, stating that no one knew the house better than she and his father. This triggered a memory of Kang Jiawei's father on his sickbed, sketching house designs and asking her to one day create a suitable home for his son.

Moved, Xu Jingjing took on the project. Later, Kang Jiawei tried to invite her to dinner to explain why he hadn't contacted her for four years. He revealed his misunderstanding: he believed she had started dating Ma Xiaodong, a senior from her university, after seeing a photo of them online from an orientation event. He thought she had "moved on" from their high school days.

Xu Jingjing was furious, dismissing his explanation as a flimsy excuse and arguing that such a deeply engraved experience couldn't be so easily "moved on" from before leaving abruptly. Later, everyone received a message from Teacher Zhang, now Principal Zhang, inviting them to Yuming High School for the weekend to be extras for the movie adaptation of "My Breakthrough Youth." At the reunion, Ni Dapeng arrived in a flamboyant outfit, and Lu Xiaobai was revealed to be a successful director.

Their old friend Xiong Shuai, now a teacher at the school, openly confessed his past crush on Lu Xiaobai. The movie's lead actress, Jingjing, whose character was based on Xu Jingjing, was struggling to portray the correct emotions in a key scene. Xu Jingjing stepped forward to help, explaining her own profound regret and fear of losing Kang Jiawei forever during that time. She confessed that no one she met since could compare to him.

Unbeknownst to her, Kang Jiawei had quietly approached and stood behind her, listening intently. As she finished, he tearfully stepped forward and apologized profusely, admitting he had been a coward. He then declared, "I like you. You're the most interesting, cutest, kindest, and bravest person I know. I never met anyone like you, and I never will." Amidst cheers from their friends, Kang Jiawei leaned in and kissed her, finally bringing a perfect close to their youth.

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