My Huckleberry Friends Episode 27 Recap
> My Huckleberry Friends Recap
Yu Zhouzhou and Lin Yang were in the library, where Lin Yang playfully accused Yu Zhouzhou of not inviting him to study together, to which she retorted that he was stalking her. He clarified it was "following openly."
He then teased her about whether she had truly submitted her recommendation letter for admission, which she confirmed, and they exchanged playful lies before agreeing to spend their post-admission days in the library, with her reading and him sleeping to annoy Jiang Chuan. They also made plans to watch "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies and, more excitingly, to visit Harbin to see ice sculptures after their admissions were secured.
Yu Zhouzhou tried to negotiate for a panda viewing as well, but Lin Yang insisted on just the ice sculpture trip, making her "sign up her name" on the ticket. As Yu Zhouzhou prepared to leave for evening study, Lin Yang called her back. Xin Rui observed their lighthearted interaction from afar, a bitter feeling settling in her heart. Meanwhile, the competition for the recommendation spots was fierce.
After the upcoming five-school joint examination, the spots would be finalized, one for liberal arts and one for science. The liberal arts spot was largely narrowed down to Yu Zhouzhou, Xin Rui, and Ling Xiangqian. Xin Rui approached Mr. Wu under the pretense of correcting a grade. After Mr. Wu praised her for achieving first place in the Liberal Arts Comprehensive Aptitude Test, she subtly inquired about the recommendation spots.
Mr. Wu informed her that he was about to discuss the matter with her, Yu Zhouzhou, and Ling Xiangqian, instructing Xin Rui to fetch the other two. Xin Rui glanced at the ranking list, noting she was first, Yu Zhouzhou second, and Ling Xiangqian had plummeted to 55th place. Students gossiped about Ling Xiangqian's poor performance, with some betting on Yu Zhouzhou to secure the recommendation.
In the restroom, Mr. Zhang reminded Lin Yang and Jiang Chuan about the upcoming five-school joint examination's importance for the recommendation spots, warning Lin Yang not to cause any trouble. Lin Yang promised to take the exam seriously, while Jiang Chuan humorously offered to "accompany the exam."
Overwhelmed by pressure, Ling Xiangqian, who had initially chosen liberal arts for the recommendation, lashed out at Jiang Chuan when he offered her math practice questions, feeling everyone was waiting for her to fail. Xin Rui later found Ling Xiangqian and told her that the upcoming exam was crucial and she still had a chance, adding that she would rather Ling Xiangqian get the spot than Yu Zhouzhou, citing her own "poor foundation and background."
Ling Xiangqian’s stress was compounded when her mother called, scolding her for her declining grades and refusing to accept her daughter's explanation about parental arguments affecting her sleep. Ling Xiangqian then discovered her mother had torn up photos of her with Chu Tiankuo, prompting an emotional outburst where Ling Xiangqian tore the pictures herself before retreating to her room to piece them together, overhearing her mother on the phone desperately seeking ways to get extra Gaokao points.
Despite the mounting pressure, Yu Zhouzhou's learning environment remained calm and supportive. Her uncle and aunt didn't pressure her about her studies. Her uncle even offered to make her favorite breakfast, century egg and lean pork congee and sugar triangles. One evening, Lin Yang texted Yu Zhouzhou about "mosquitoes downstairs," prompting Yu Zhouzhou to use buying cigarettes for her uncle as an excuse to meet him.
Lin Yang gave her her favorite "big ice pop" and a "Question Voucher," allowing her to "ask a question anytime, anywhere." They exchanged playful banter and mutual encouragement. The five-school joint exam began amidst strict warnings against cheating from Director Pan and Mr. Zhang. During the exam, an anxious Ling Xiangqian fumbled a cheat sheet from her pocket, dropping it onto the floor. Xin Rui, seated next to her, quickly noticed.
As the invigilating teacher approached from behind, Ling Xiangqian froze in terror. Xin Rui discreetly stepped on the paper, then, to Ling Xiangqian's stunned disbelief, subtly kicked it directly into the teacher's path as he passed. Xin Rui then turned away, feigning innocence. Soon after, in Director Pan's office, Ling Xiangqian silently admitted to Mr. Wu that the cheat sheet was hers, receiving a look of profound disappointment.
Her mother then burst in, immediately slapping Ling Xiangqian and blaming "that boy" (Chu Tiankuo) for corrupting her daughter. Despite Director Pan’s attempts to explain that the recommendation was canceled but Ling Xiangqian could still take the Gaokao, her mother aggressively tried to force Ling Xiangqian to apologize and beg for a second chance. Overwhelmed and feeling unheard, Ling Xiangqian broke down, screaming at her mother to "Stop forcing me!"
before running out of the school, with her mother shouting after her, "Don't come home if you run!" Upon hearing Ling Xiangqian's mother’s frantic cries, Yu Zhouzhou, who was in another exam room, immediately declared to her teacher that she was quitting the exam and left. In a different room, Lin Yang asked Chu Tiankuo if he would go find Ling Xiangqian; Chu Tiankuo coldly refused.
Lin Yang then sarcastically wished him good luck, and Jiang Chuan, enraged, punched Chu Tiankuo before he and Lin Yang also abandoned their exams. Yu Zhouzhou later explained her decision to her aunt over the phone, stating that her friend was more important than the recommendation, and if she couldn't get the recommendation, she would take the Gaokao. After searching extensively, Jiang Chuan found a distraught Ling Xiangqian hiding in their childhood kindergarten.
He comforted her with candy as she confessed to cheating. Jiang Chuan reassured her that he still believed in her and would not "hate" her, reminiscing about their childhood games and expressing how much he wanted her to be herself again. Ling Xiangqian, deeply moved by Jiang Chuan’s unwavering support, announced that she had "thought through" everything. She declared that despite the challenges ahead, she would no longer be afraid.
She resolved to admit her mistake to Mr. Wu and dedicate herself to studying for the Gaokao, determined to achieve good results. Jiang Chuan, calling her "the best girl in the world," reaffirmed his belief in her. Lin Yang and Yu Zhouzhou then arrived, and Yu Zhouzhou reassured Ling Xiangqian that "you are more important than the exam." Ling Xiangqian expressed her gratitude for their support, finding renewed strength.
Jiang Chuan mused that he found her in the kindergarten because people often feel nostalgia for childhood, but Lin Yang and Yu Zhouzhou both asserted that they preferred "now." Later, Ling Xiangqian texted Jiang Chuan to thank him. Ling Xiangqian returned home, filled with anxiety about confronting her mother.
Her mother immediately interrogated her about her whereabouts and her phone being off, then instructed her to apologize to Director Pan the next day to seek a make-up exam opportunity, while her father would try to secure Gaokao bonus points, emphasizing that Gaokao was now her "only choice." Exhausted, Ling Xiangqian finally broke her silence, tearfully pleading with her mother to "stop commanding me."
She poured out years of frustration, describing how her mother had always pushed her to be "the best" in academics and social situations. She questioned if her mother’s ideal Ling Xiangqian was truly her or a reflection of her mother’s own aspirations. Her mother, in turn, defended her actions, stating she only wanted her daughter to be "well-behaved and outstanding" and to be strong in the face of future challenges.
She expressed "desperate disappointment" that Ling Xiangqian did not understand her love. Yu Zhouzhou informed her uncle and aunt that she had abandoned the exam to help a friend. They were fully understanding and supportive, believing she did the right thing by preventing a potential breakdown, and playfully promised to celebrate her future efforts at every meal. At school, Mr. Zhang was furious with Yu Zhouzhou, Lin Yang, Jiang Chuan, and Ling Xiangqian.
Mr. Wu intervened, announcing the official punishments: all four had their recommendation qualifications canceled. Yu Zhouzhou, Lin Yang, and Jiang Chuan received a "criticized in a circulated notice," while Ling Xiangqian received a "warning" that would not be recorded in her permanent archive, so she shouldn't feel pressured. Ling Xiangqian then decided to study at home for the Gaokao, a decision Mr. Wu accepted. Meanwhile, Xin Rui joyfully informed her mother that she had secured the recommendation spot.
Her mother reacted with unbridled excitement, immediately inquiring about scholarships and financial benefits, dreaming of Xin Rui earning money and buying back their family store. Later, Lin Yang and Yu Zhouzhou reflected on their decision. Lin Yang, checking their "ice sculpture" ticket and noting its "indefinite" validity, humorously pointed out Yu Zhouzhou’s eagerness to go with him.
They then lay on the road together, likening their current freedom to a scene from Doraemon where characters live freely in a miniature city. Ling Xiangqian decided to study at home, with Jiang Chuan enthusiastically offering to "accompany" her, jokingly calling himself a "senior babysitter."
