My Huckleberry Friends Episode 10 Recap
> My Huckleberry Friends Recap
In the classroom, Mi Qiao admired Ling Xiangqian's newly taken portraits, commenting on their youthful vibrancy. Ling Xiangqian mentioned she got them from a new photographic studio and offered discount cards. Feeling a pang of envy, Yu Zhouzhou suggested she and Mi Qiao get their photos taken, hoping for a similar "youthful and attractive" style.
Mi Qiao, however, teased Yu Zhouzhou about her "baby face," joking that they would resemble "Little Red-Cap and the Big Bad Wolf," "the mushroom-picking girl," or "The Little Match Girl," and suggested they would need a children's photographer, which disappointed Yu Zhouzhou. At that moment, Chen Yao, full of excitement, presented Mi Qiao with a third-place certificate, announcing that their Anime Club had won third place in the school performance evaluation.
Meanwhile, Director Pan expressed his frustration to Wu Wenlu about Zhen Hua High School's website appearing dull compared to the High School Affiliated to the Normal University, fearing it would negatively impact student enrollment. Wu Wenlu proposed electing two students as school image ambassadors, having them professionally photographed in school uniforms with sports equipment on the campus lawn to showcase Zhen Hua's vibrant student image, and then uploading these photos to the school's homepage.
Director Pan found this idea viable and decided to launch a voting campaign on Zhen Hua's online forum to select the ambassadors, with the winning male and female students receiving a professional photoshoot. Wu Wenlu emphasized that student choice would be most representative. Later, in the cafeteria, Mi Qiao was still annoyed with Benben for a mishap during their performance, instructing Yu Zhouzhou to deliver a "declaration of war" to him: a duel at Kunlun Peak in two weeks.
Chen Yao excitedly shared the news about the school ambassador election, which students were calling a "school beauty and school hunk" contest, and pointed out that their table had strong candidates. Yu Zhouzhou shyly lowered her head, thinking Chen Yao referred to her, but Chen Yao clarified she meant Mi Qiao, reiterating that Yu Zhouzhou's "baby face" made her look like a child and more suitable for a "kindergarten ambassador" role.
Mi Qiao dismissed the idea, stating she'd only participate if it were for a "Zhen Hua leader" position, not an ambassador, and left, claiming she was full from laughing. Despite her outward smile, Yu Zhouzhou privately longed to participate. On another side of the cafeteria, Jiang Chuan tried to persuade Lin Yang to join the election, fearing that Chu Tiankuo and Ling Xiangqian would win together.
Lin Yang initially showed no interest, feeling he didn't need such "gimmicks" and that the opportunity should go to those who needed to prove themselves. Jiang Chuan then used Warcraft game cards as a bribe, prompting Lin Yang to consider, though he still doubted Yu Zhouzhou, knowing her aversion to the spotlight. Jiang Chuan insisted this time was different, claiming everyone secretly wanted to be beautiful.
During class, Xu Zhiqiang harshly shoved Xin Rui, who was unprepared and fell, hitting her eye on a desk corner. Xin Rui's hand, pressed against her eye, soon revealed streaks of blood. Yu Zhouzhou quickly accompanied her to the infirmary. The teacher there confirmed it was a minor superficial wound but noted it was a close call and would likely leave a small scar, advising caution.
Feeling utterly defeated, Xin Rui broke down, questioning why all bad things happened to her and why she felt so useless and ridiculed, even by her own mother. To comfort her, Yu Zhouzhou recounted the "Protagonist Game" that Chen An had taught her. She explained that a protagonist, no matter the obstacles—be it betrayal or a fall off a cliff—always finds a way to return, stronger and more radiant, eventually reaching the pinnacle of life.
Yu Zhouzhou shared her own experience of leaving her familiar environment to start anew, not to be a "white swan," but a "heroine," seeking to discover her true potential. Xin Rui, feeling a surge of renewed courage, wondered if someone like her could also be a protagonist. Yu Zhouzhou assured her that she was already one, and from that moment, they were "from the same faction."
She tied a ribbon around Xin Rui's injured eye, imagining her as an "oversized heroine," and promised to help her improve her grades, believing it was Xin Rui's only path at Zhen Hua. Upon returning home, Xin Rui's mother showed no concern for her eye injury, only worrying about potential medical expenses. Instead of feeling the usual sadness, Xin Rui silently encouraged herself, a new resolve hardening her spirit. She later bravely stood up to Xu Zhiqiang.
At Yu Zhouzhou's home, her uncle and aunt proudly presented her with new cartoon-patterned clothes, remarking that her "baby face" made them perfectly suitable. Yu Zhouzhou's smile faltered, replaced by a wry one. Later, Benben climbed through her window, seeking refuge after another fight with his father. Yu Zhouzhou confided in him, expressing her weariness of being a mere observer and her yearning to shine like her friends. Benben, her loyal friend, promised his unwavering support.
He also relayed Mi Qiao's challenge for a "duel at Kunlun Peak." Yu Zhouzhou, amused, told Benben to tell Mi Qiao she accepted. That night, Lin Yang discovered a post on the school forum endorsing him and Yu Zhouzhou as image ambassadors. Initially annoyed, he confronted Jiang Chuan, who revealed that the post was voted for by an anonymous IP address that frequently checked Yu Zhouzhou's affairs—later identified as Yu Zhouzhou's uncle's home, implying it was Yu Zhouzhou herself.
This revelation ignited Lin Yang's determination. He envisioned a photo of him and Yu Zhouzhou on the school website, becoming a legendary symbol of Zhen Hua. He then coerced Jiang Chuan with more Warcraft game cards to help him rig the votes. Jiang Chuan exposed a loophole: while each ID could only vote once, multiple IDs could be registered. They decided to pull an all-nighter at an internet cafe to "borrow the east wind" and boost their votes.
Yu Zhouzhou's uncle brought her milk as she also stayed up late. By dawn, Lin Yang and Yu Zhouzhou's votes had miraculously surpassed Chu Tiankuo and Ling Xiangqian by over thirty votes. The next morning, students buzzed with discussions about the unexpected turn of events, marveling at how Yu Zhouzhou and Lin Yang had leapfrogged to the top overnight.
Uneasy about their victory, Yu Zhouzhou sought out Ling Xiangqian to apologize, confessing that Lin Yang must have rigged the votes and offering to report it to Director Pan to invalidate the results. Ling Xiangqian smiled gently, assuring Yu Zhouzhou she was not angry and didn't blame Lin Yang. In fact, she thanked him for providing her an honorable exit, as she no longer wished to be under the constant scrutiny and gossip that came with being in the spotlight.
She asked Yu Zhouzhou not to involve Director Pan, out of consideration for her. Earlier, Ling Xiangqian had confided in Chu Tiankuo at the library that she had no desire to be the image ambassador, while he embraced the attention. Seeing Chu Tiankuo sullen over their loss, Ling Xiangqian later approached him, inquiring if his anger stemmed from losing the spotlight or from not being able to take photos with her.
She handed him a note with an address, instructing him to come find her if it was the latter, then left swiftly. Summoned to Director Pan's office, Yu Zhouzhou attempted to confess the truth about the rigged votes, but Lin Yang quickly interjected, explaining that Yu Zhouzhou's hesitation was due to her insecurity about her "baby face" and fear of not being photogenic.
Director Pan praised her youthful appearance, emphasizing the historical and commemorative significance of their role as Zhen Hua ambassadors. His heartfelt words, describing how these photos would become cherished memories years later, convinced them both to proceed with the photoshoot. On the day of the photoshoot, the campus was bathed in sunshine.
As Lin Yang and Yu Zhouzhou posed in their school uniforms, the photographer repeatedly asked them to get "closer" and "hold hands," causing Yu Zhouzhou to blush and feel awkward. Meanwhile, Ling Xiangqian met Chu Tiankuo, and they captured their own youthful spirit in sticker photos. Later, at the internet cafe, Lin Yang excitedly recounted to Jiang Chuan how he had held Yu Zhouzhou's hand, describing their "zero-distance contact" and envisioning their photos becoming a timeless symbol of Zhen Hua.
However, when he eagerly checked the official school website, he was dismayed to find their individual photos placed far apart, separated by a title, completely lacking the romantic closeness he had imagined. He lamented that they looked "worlds apart."
