My Huckleberry Friends Episode 1 Recap
> My Huckleberry Friends Recap
Zhen Hua High School is known as the most desired high school in Shanhai City, upholding the philosophy of "studying inquisitively, practicing earnestly and pursuing uprightness and progress." Yu Zhouzhou, a student from Class 3 of the 2003 cohort, finds herself amidst the typical high school chaos. One day, a math competition between Zhen Hua High School and the High School Affiliated to the Normal University is underway.
When a challenging math problem from the High School Affiliated to the Normal University stumps Zhen Hua's students, a classmate named Weekend rushes to Yu Zhouzhou, who is engrossed in a wuxia novel, and insists she come to save the day for the school's honor. Despite being in a critical part of her novel, Yu Zhouzhou agrees.
As they dash through the campus, Lin Yang, who has been Yu Zhouzhou's classmate since elementary school and always looked out for her, spots them and, curious, follows. At the competition, the opposing team seems confident, offering a concession: if any Zhen Hua student can solve the problem on the blackboard, Zhen Hua wins.
Yu Zhouzhou quickly realizes the problem is flawed; she calmly walks onto the stage, amends a condition, stating it "must be changed to differentiable," and solves it. Her decisive action and correct answer amaze and delight her classmates, and even the opposing team's representative acknowledges her brilliance, securing a victory for Zhen Hua.
After the competition, Yu Zhouzhou returns to class, where Mr. Zhang Feng, the substitute teacher, announces the upcoming division into science and liberal arts classes for the second year. He advises students to choose carefully, considering both their capabilities and interests. Traditionally, students in the top classes almost exclusively choose science subjects. To everyone's surprise, Yu Zhouzhou immediately raises her hand and asks for a liberal arts division form, stating her intention to study liberal arts.
Mr. Zhang Feng, astonished by her choice given her recent triumph in a science competition, urges her to reconsider, reminding her that it's a serious decision about her future. Ling Xiangqian, another classmate, also requests a liberal arts form. That evening, at home, Yu Zhouzhou's aunt and uncle surprise her with a new cellphone. Yu Zhouzhou then presents her filled-out liberal arts division form for her uncle's signature.
Her uncle suggests she think carefully, emphasizing that the decision isn't as simple as she might think and concerns her future. He advises her to eat first before discussing it further. Later, in her room, Yu Zhouzhou feels a sense of uncertainty. Although she initially considers asking Chen An for his opinion, she decides to follow her heart and sends him a text message, informing him of her choice to pursue liberal arts.
The next day, Lin Yang hears about Yu Zhouzhou's decision to study liberal arts. Far from being upset, he is secretly pleased, realizing that since their grades are similar, if he also chooses liberal arts, they are almost guaranteed to be in the same advanced class. Meanwhile, Yu Zhouzhou's classmates, including Weekend, are baffled by her choice, as high-achieving students usually opt for science.
They speculate that Ling Xiangqian, who also chose liberal arts, did so to secure a recommended university admission spot, by competing in a less crowded field. For Yu Zhouzhou, they can only jokingly conclude she's looking for "new students to 'beat'" in the liberal arts class after dominating science. Later, during a casual game, Weekend loses and is dared to draw a mustache on Yu Zhouzhou's face while she sleeps. He reluctantly complies, then quickly flees.
Around the same time, Director Pan announces an upcoming motivational speech by Chen An, an outstanding Zhen Hua graduate who is now a student leader at Peking University. Yu Zhouzhou wakes up to see Director Pan walking by with Chen An, and excitedly follows them, only to realize with embarrassment that Weekend had drawn on her face.
Chen An, seeing her, smiles, having received her text about choosing liberal arts and approving of her decision, though he tells her to wipe her face clean. Director Pan, upon seeing Yu Zhouzhou's defaced face and hearing about her liberal arts choice, mistakenly believes she is fleeing the science class due to bullying. He lectures the pranksters and assures Yu Zhouzhou that no one will bully her, advising her against "escaping" to liberal arts.
Yu Zhouzhou insists that her choice is genuine, driven by her passion for liberal arts, but Director Pan remains unconvinced and later calls her uncle to persuade them to change her mind. After school, Yu Zhouzhou discovers Ling Xiangqian searching her desk for her division form. Ling Xiangqian admits she wanted to confirm Yu Zhouzhou's choice, viewing her as a strong contender for the liberal arts recommended spot she desires. Yu Zhouzhou explains her simple reason: "Because I like it."
She envisions acting like a carefree "master," doing what she loves, believing her late mother would approve. Ling Xiangqian questions her idealistic view, wondering if such "masters" exist or if they, too, face the pressures of college entrance exams. Meanwhile, Yu Zhouzhou's aunt expresses her unhappiness about Yu Zhouzhou's decision to study liberal arts without consulting her, especially after her cousin chose science, which the aunt believes offers better future prospects. Yu Zhouzhou overhears her aunt's complaints, feeling hurt.
In a moment of distress, she modifies her division form, changing her choice from liberal arts to science. She texts Chen An, confessing that "making a choice is really hard." Chen An, in a previous message, had shared that if there is no "right" choice, then any choice made with conviction is the correct one.
Yu Zhouzhou's aunt later discovers the backpack with the changed form and, despite her complaints, feels a pang of sorrow for Yu Zhouzhou, realizing the pressure she is under. Living in her aunt's modest home after her mother's passing, Yu Zhouzhou has always tried to be considerate. Her cousin now sleeps on the sofa to accommodate her.
To free up space in the small living room, Yu Zhouzhou decides to sell her cello, a cherished gift from her mother, despite her reluctance. Her aunt, finding the cello missing, realizes Yu Zhouzhou's intention. She rushes out, finding Yu Zhouzhou returning, having been unable to sell the instrument. Her aunt embraces Yu Zhouzhou, a silent understanding passing between them, resolving their unspoken tension with a shared smile.
The next day, Yu Zhouzhou treats her classmates to drinks, a tradition for students leaving a class. She confirms her final decision to study liberal arts. Mr. Zhang Feng, having accepted her choice, reiterates that there's "no right or wrong" in choosing between science and liberal arts, and that the ultimate decision rests with the students. He also conveys Director Pan's hope that she won't abandon the math competition, encouraging her to pursue what she loves and excels at.
Yu Zhouzhou promises to continue her math studies. Back in the classroom, Yu Zhouzhou reads a comic, smiling, finally at peace with a decision made solely for herself, understanding that "persistence may be more important than anything else" in turning any choice into the right answer.
