Glaze of Love resumo, enredo, sinopse

Sinopse de Glaze of Love

Xu Xiao is arrogant and confident in his exceptional restoration skills, while Zhao Xiaocen struggles with social anxiety. They meet in a ceramics restoration class and become partners. With Xu Xiao’s help, Zhao Xiaocen gradually opens up, while Xu Xiao, influenced by her, begins to resolve his family conflicts. After going through misunderstandings and setbacks in their relationship, they reconcile and embark together on a journey to protect cultural heritage and face future challenges.

Resumos de Glaze of Love

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Before the new semester begins at Jingdezhen Ceramic University, Zhao Xiaocen arrives in the city accompanied by her mother, Qingfang. Because Xiaocen has struggled with poor health since childhood and has rarely traveled far, her mother remains deeply concerned about her ability to adapt to a new environment. Fortunately, Xiaocen’s aunt, Qingying, lives locally and welcomes them at the airport. They settle into the aunt’s home, where Xiaocen’s cousin, Xing, has already prepared a cozy room.

While Xiaocen is pleased with the arrangement, her mother immediately sets to work making the bed and assisting in the kitchen, ensuring everything is perfect for her daughter’s stay. On reporting day, Qingying suggests Xiaocen try the local snack street, but Qingfang quickly intervenes, insisting that unhygienic food is strictly off-limits due to Xiaocen’s fragile condition. After her mother and aunt leave, Xiaocen heads to her first class.

She initially tries to sit next to a girl named Yan Xue, but Yan Xue notices a peculiar scent. Knowing the smell comes from the medicine in her bag, a self-conscious Xiaocen moves to a different seat. Their class teacher, Liang Yiqing, who also serves as the professor for Introduction to Cultural Relics Studies, organizes a circle for self-introductions. During the introductions, Xu Xiao keeps his description of himself brief and direct.

Having prepared carefully, Xiaocen identifies as an INFP—a quiet listener who sincerely hopes to make friends despite her initial nervousness. In contrast, a student named Lin Yuexin introduces herself as an ENFJ "Protagonist" type, expressing her love for communicating and helping others. The exercise allows the students to bond, though Xiaocen’s reserved nature makes her stand out among her more outgoing classmates. Despite her shyness, Xiaocen is invited by Lin Yuexin to join a class dinner that evening.

Since Xiaocen was granted medical leave due to her tendency to get heatstroke and missed military training, she has not yet joined the class group chat or bonded with her peers. At the restaurant, the conversation revolves around the shared hardships of the past few weeks—the 5 a. m. wake-up calls, the struggle to fold blankets into perfect "tofu" squares, and the chaotic race to grab food in the canteen.

Xiaocen sits quietly, unable to contribute to the jokes about the training. When the group decides to head to KTV after dinner, Xiaocen declines, explaining that her mother is waiting for her at home. Leaving the restaurant alone, Xiaocen tries to call a ride via an app, but the driver cancels her order. She wanders toward the Taoxichuan creative market, where she unexpectedly runs into Xu Xiao. He is busy browsing the stalls and purchasing fragments of ancient porcelain.

When Xiaocen asks why he is buying broken pieces, Xu Xiao explains they are Ming and Qing dynasty sherds from folk kilns. He teaches her about the differences between folk and imperial kilns, noting that while these pieces are affordable, they still hold historical value. As the market begins to close and taxis become scarce, Xu Xiao leads Xiaocen to the bus stop.

During the ride on the No. 13 bus, Xiaocen asks Xu Xiao why he skipped the class party and if he is worried about being isolated. Xu Xiao remains indifferent, stating that he has his own work to do and is perfectly fine with "isolating" those who might try to isolate him. When the bus reaches Xiaocen’s stop at Yuyao Jingxiang, Xu Xiao gets off with her, claiming it is his stop as well.

He walks her to her door before heading back as a light rain begins to fall. Standing in the drizzle, he reflects on why he went out of his way to ride past his own stop just to ensure she got home safely. The following day, the students attend their first professional course led by Professor Yue Qixin.

Known for his rigorous and strict teaching style, the professor emphasizes that cultural relics restoration is a precise technique that requires a fresh and proper perspective. He instructs the students to select a porcelain plate and pair up with a partner to begin their practical training. While Xiaocen hesitates, still feeling like an outsider in the room, Xu Xiao approaches her and asks to be her teammate.

Following their agreement to team up, Xu Xiao and Zhao Xiaocen attend their professional class led by Mr. Yue. The instructor begins with a startling command: every group must take the porcelain plates they were given and smash them with hammers. Despite Xiaocen’s hesitation and worry that she struck her plate too hard, they follow through. Mr. Yue then gives the class thirty minutes to restore the shattered pieces using the tools on their workbenches.

As Xu Xiao works with focused precision, Mr. Yue circles the room. When the time is up, most students have produced messy, failing results. Mr. Yue examines Xu Xiao’s work and deems it passable but only awards a grade of sixty-five. Xu Xiao is visibly disappointed, but the teacher warns that anyone expecting a perfect grade this early should simply take their diploma and leave.

The challenge intensifies when Mr. Yue orders them to smash the restored plates a second time. He then collects one fragment from each group, leaving them with incomplete sets. He explains that artifacts excavated from the earth are rarely whole and tasks them with restoring the remaining shards as homework. Initially, Xu Xiao tells Xiaocen he will finish the assignment alone, but Xiaocen insists on helping, wanting to be an active partner.

Realizing he should be more inclusive, Xu Xiao takes Xiaocen to the antique shop where he works. He explains that his personal restoration tools are more professional and complete than those at school. While they work, Xiaocen is startled by a voice upstairs talking to a parrot named Mr. Fatty. Xu Xiao explains it is just his boss, who spends his time training the bird. Xu Xiao takes the lead in teaching Xiaocen the technical side of the craft.

He demonstrates how to mix a specific adhesive using three parts of "A" glue and one part "B" glue to match the porcelain’s transparency. For the missing section, they use melted wax sheets to take a mold and fill it with a precise mixture of plaster and water. Xu Xiao tells her that every restoration is a silent conversation with the ceramic, and one must listen with their heart to hear its subtle voice.

Xiaocen reveals that she studied painting as a child before her mother encouraged a more stable path. She applies this skill to mix pigments, carefully coloring the plaster until it blends seamlessly with the original glaze, which deeply impresses Xu Xiao. Proud of their finished product, Xiaocen takes the plate home for the night. Her mother watches her admire the work and reminds her not to sacrifice her health for her assignments.

During the next class, Mr. Yue reviews the homework. Most groups fail, particularly Li Zhuoting and Wang Lin, who tried to take a shortcut by filling their gaps with modeling clay. Mr. Yue admits Xu Xiao and Xiaocen's work is the best in the class but only raises their grade to seventy. He then shocks the students by ordering them to smash the plates for a third time.

After the plates are destroyed again, Mr. Yue collects all the shards and delivers a sobering lecture. He explains that since the founding of the PRC, countless fragments have been unearthed, yet only three significant Ming dynasty blue-and-white dragon jars have been successfully restored. He emphasizes that cultural relic restoration is an arduous journey of breaking and rebuilding that requires lifelong dedication.

Once class is dismissed, Xiaocen lingers by the bin to retrieve a shard of their plate but accidentally cuts her finger. Xu Xiao notices and catches up with her outside to offer a bandage. He asks why she wanted the piece, and she admits she couldn't bear to see their hard work thrown away. Xu Xiao asks to add her on WeChat.

Later that night, Xiaocen browses his profile only to find it completely empty, leaving her curious about his personality. The following Friday, their teacher Liang Yiqing leads the class to the Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Museum. The director, Director Zhou, guides them through exhibits of restored Xuande cricket jars. He explains how these jars were once ordered destroyed by a Grand Empress Dowager to prevent a young emperor from becoming obsessed with games.

As the group wanders, Lin Yuexin stops before a Three-Interconnected-Pot Vessel, where a knowledgeable man explains the mystery of the object's unknown origin and purpose. Xiaocen finds herself at a staircase designed with kiln bricks that act as an echo wall. As she listens to the resonance, Xu Xiao appears and explains how the gaps between the bricks create the musical sound. He then invites her to visit the antique shop again.

At the shop, Xu Xiao presents Xiaocen with a surprise. Knowing her regret over the lost plate, he has used his memory of its shape to create a new greenware replica. He tells her she can paint the original patterns back onto it herself. Touched by the gesture, Xiaocen joins him in finishing the piece. Together, they decide to name their creation "Qing."

Xu Xiao took Zhao Xiaocen to a small family workshop to have her porcelain plate glazed and fired. He introduced her to a young boy named Hu, affectionately called "Hu Ge," who was surprisingly skilled despite his age. Hu agreed to squeeze their project into the kiln's schedule. As they left, Xu Xiao explained that Jingdezhen is filled with these family-run workshops where children grow up learning the craft from their parents, often possessing skills that rival university students.

Xiaocen was deeply impressed, remarking that the city truly lives up to its reputation as the "Porcelain Capital." Later, they visited the antique shop where Xu Xiao worked. The owner was busy lecturing his pampered parrot, Mr. Fatty, who had a habit of stealing shiny objects like Nanhong agate from the desk. Seeing Xiaocen visiting again, the owner felt they shared a special connection and offered her a small unglazed cup as a gift.

He intended to have someone write her name on it, but Xiaocen asked to do it herself. Using a brush, she elegantly wrote the character "Cen" in a beautiful Slender Gold Script. The owner was stunned by her talent and immediately offered her a part-time job decorating cups for five yuan each, noting that she and Xu Xiao would make excellent company for one another. On the way home, Xiaocen shared her excitement about the job.

She admitted that she often felt as ordinary as a pile of dirt by the roadside, but Xu Xiao disagreed. He told her she wasn't just common dirt; she was Kaolin clay—the finest material for creating porcelain. When they arrived at her apartment, they ran into her younger cousin, Xing. Seeing Xu Xiao, the boy cheekily called him "brother-in-law." A mortified Xiaocen quickly dragged her cousin upstairs while Xu Xiao took the interaction in stride.

A few days later, the two met by the lake where Xu Xiao presented the finished porcelain plate. Xiaocen was delighted with the result, and Xu Xiao officially gave it to her as a memento. Nearby, their classmates Li Zhuoting and Wang Lin were attempting to fish in the lake against school rules. Their fun was cut short when a school official spotted them, leading to a frantic chase along the shore.

Back at school, during a lecture on Tang Dynasty pottery, Li Zhuoting and Wang Lin were busy passing messages to organize a session of a murder mystery game. They recruited Lin Yuexin, Yan Xue, and Wu Jing. Lin Yuexin invited Xiaocen to join them, reminding her that she had missed their previous karaoke outing. Not wanting to be a spoilsport, Xiaocen agreed to go along. However, the game proved to be a struggle for Xiaocen.

Unfamiliar with the mechanics, she felt out of place playing the role of "Chief Eunuch Lin." She struggled to summarize her script and felt her contributions were clumsy. Her feeling of exclusion was later confirmed when she overheard her classmates planning another session with a horror theme; Yan Xue remarked that they shouldn't invite Xiaocen because she didn't know how to play and would only ruin the mood. Xiaocen found more comfort spending time at the antique shop.

One afternoon, while assisting Xu Xiao with his restoration work, the rhythmic, steady sound of his brushing and polishing acted like a lullaby, and she fell fast asleep for the entire afternoon. Realizing she had slept more soundly than she had in a long time, she later used her phone to secretly record the sounds of Xu Xiao working, hoping the "white noise" would help with her persistent insomnia at home.

The next day, the atmosphere at the shop was tense. The owner was venting his frustrations about a client who had secretly recorded their conversation to use in a legal dispute, calling such behavior an invasion of privacy. Xiaocen arrived mid-rant and immediately panicked, thinking the owner was talking about her. She guiltily apologized to Xu Xiao, admitting she shouldn't have recorded him. Xu Xiao quickly realized there was a misunderstanding and asked why she had done it.

Xiaocen sheepishly explained that his working sounds were the only thing that helped her sleep. Xu Xiao was touched by her confession. That evening, he went to Xiaocen’s apartment and called her downstairs to hand her a gift, insisting she wait until she was in her room to open it. Inside the box, Xiaocen found a professional recording pen. When she turned it on, she discovered that Xu Xiao had prepared high-quality recordings of his restoration work specifically for her. Listening to the familiar, rhythmic sounds, Xiaocen felt a sense of peace and quickly drifted into a deep, restful sleep.

Waking up to the sight of the voice recorder on her bedside table, Zhao Xiaocen felt a surge of happiness, comforted by the sounds of Xu Xiao working that had helped her sleep. Meanwhile, Xu Xiao sat through a tense breakfast with his mother and stepfather. Despite his stepfather’s kindness in buying him a new phone and offering to cover his living expenses, Xu Xiao remained distant, insisting he could support himself through his part-time job.

His mother, frustrated by his stubbornness, brought up her plan to have him switch majors during his sophomore year. She couldn't understand why he would waste his high entrance exam scores on a niche field like ceramic restoration, fearing he was following the same "ruinous path" as his father. Xu Xiao, however, remained firm in his passion and left the table abruptly.

At school, Mr. Yue organized a practical session for the freshmen in a local residential area, offering free porcelain restoration services to the neighbors. While some students like Yan Xue were nervous about their lack of experience, Mr. Yue encouraged them to do their best. During the event, a man arrived with what he claimed was a family heirloom from the Kangxi period.

After a brief inspection, Xu Xiao informed him that the piece was merely a common folk kiln product with coarse material and uneven glaze. Offended by the assessment, the man quickly took his vase and left. Later, a neighbor named Auntie Wu brought in a teapot from the 1960s. Li Zhuoting dismissed it, arguing that such a modern item wasn't worth the effort of professional restoration.

Auntie Wu was deeply offended, asserting that as long as she liked the object, it deserved protection regardless of its age. Seeing the tension, Wang Lin stepped in to smooth things over and accepted the teapot for repair. Mr. Yue reminded the class that their grades would be based on the residents' satisfaction. When Li Zhuoting eventually returned the teapot to Auntie Wu, she was far from pleased.

To her, the visible glue lines were a poor repair, and she felt the students had failed to restore its original essence. When the students tried to argue that the pot wasn't valuable to begin with, Auntie Wu became even angrier. To save the situation, Xu Xiao stepped forward and volunteered to take over the project, promising to redo the restoration from scratch.

Back at the lab, Xu Xiao explained to Zhao Xiaocen that he intended to use a high-end "porcelain-to-porcelain" restoration method, which involved firing new fragments to perfectly fit the missing areas. He entrusted Zhao Xiaocen with the delicate task of recreating the patterns and colors. To fire the new pieces, they visited a local workshop. There, they encountered Tiger, who had helped them previously.

To keep his father from finding out about his unauthorized side jobs, Tiger pretended he was meeting Zhao Xiaocen for the first time. Once the new pieces were ready, Xu Xiao and Zhao Xiaocen visited Auntie Wu’s home. They were met by her daughter, who explained that her mother’s temper had worsened since the grandfather passed away. She was confused as to why her mother was so obsessed with the teapot, given that she never actually used it for tea.

When Auntie Wu returned and saw the pot, she remained cold and ungrateful. Sensing that something was still missing, Xu Xiao took the teapot back once more. At the antique shop where he worked, Xu Xiao carefully studied the photos Zhao Xiaocen had taken of the pot before it was repaired. He noticed a faint mark on the bottom and recalled seeing specific calligraphy on the wall at Auntie Wu’s house.

Realizing the significance, he called Zhao Xiaocen over to help him restore a blurred character at the base of the teapot. The next day, they returned to Auntie Wu’s house for the final time. When Auntie Wu saw the bottom of the pot, she was stunned to find the character "Wu" perfectly restored.

It brought back a precious memory of her father using a "magic trick" to turn a chip in the porcelain into their family name to make her stop crying when she was a child. Overcome with emotion, she finally found peace with the object. Xu Xiao and Zhao Xiaocen quietly slipped away, leaving her to her memories. As they walked, Xu Xiao reflected that while human life is short, getting to engage with infinite time through restoration is what makes their profession truly fascinating.

Zhao Xiaocen spent a quiet afternoon in the courtyard of the antique shop, mesmerized by the simple beauty of water drops on lotus leaves. When Xu Xiao approached her, she shared her unique perspective: to her, each water bead was a tiny world, and as they merged, they moved together like knights before flowing into the fish pond. She explained that due to her fragile health as a child, she spent a lot of time confined to a bed.

To pass the time during intravenous drips, she learned to find wonder in overlooked details, like the changing colors and shapes of clouds. While she worried her observations were childish, Xu Xiao found her way of looking at the world full of vitality. Later that evening, when Zhao Xiaocen returned home, her mother, who was applying a face mask, expressed concern over her being late and made sure she drank her medicine, highlighting her ongoing health management.

During a professional course, Ms. Yue Qixin lectured the class on the history of Jingdezhen’s official kilns. She explained that in ancient times, only the finest porcelain was sent to the imperial palace, while the remaining pieces were smashed and buried to prevent imitations. Ms. Yue described the evolution of the local "Ghost Market," which originated in the 1990s as a dawn market for unidentified goods.

She then assigned a practical task: students were to visit the local sculpture porcelain factory and select a single fragment dating from before the Republic of China for under 100 yuan. She warned them that despite the stall owners' claims, the market was full of imitations, making this a true test of their discernment. While seeking shelter from the rain, Zhao Xiaocen visited an antique stall where a blue and white porcelain fragment caught her eye.

The owner claimed it was a genuine Qianlong era piece and spoke at length about "destiny," insisting that every fragment has a fated owner. Although he initially asked for 950 yuan, he offered Zhao a "student price" of 300 yuan after learning she was a freshman at the University of Pottery. He also asked if she was a student of Yue Qixin, admitting he was somewhat familiar with the teacher.

The following day, Zhao Xiaocen showed her find to Xu Xiao, who initially believed it was authentic. However, during the class inspection, Ms. Yue quickly identified it as a fake and even knew exactly which shop it came from. She used the moment to remind the students that in the antique world, a lack of knowledge often results in paying a "tuition fee." While Xu Xiao tossed the fragment into a trash can, Zhao Xiaocen secretly retrieved it later.

To her, the piece remained beautiful and personally valuable despite its lack of historical significance. Ms. Yue then transitioned the class to the production side of identification. She explained that to truly understand fakes, one must understand the process of making them. She tasked the students with imitating classic Yuan Dynasty blue and white patterns on porcelain. These works would be fired in a kiln and graded based on their execution.

Meanwhile, Xu Xiao returned home at his mother’s request to look through his father’s old belongings as she cleared out their former house. Among the items, Xu Xiao found a small porcelain rabbit his father had made for him when he was a child.

Despite the sentimental find, the moment was strained; his mother urged him to move on from the past, questioning why he chose a major that reminded them of the man who had caused the family so much suffering and hadn't visited them in years. Later, Zhao Xiaocen encountered their class monitor, Lin Yuexin, at a shopping mall.

Lin Yuexin was struggling with a claw machine until Zhao Xiaocen shared some observational strategies, explaining the mechanical timing of when the claws' grip is strongest and the best positions to aim for. Following her advice, they won several toys. Lin Yuexin was charmed by this side of Zhao Xiaocen and encouraged her to speak up more in class.

At the prize counter, Lin Yuexin used a membership discount to exchange their winnings for a large plush rabbit, which she gifted to Zhao Xiaocen. When Zhao Xiaocen brought the giant rabbit home, her mother was busy tutoring her younger cousin. While her mother questioned where the toy came from, her cousin tried to use the distraction to escape his studies. However, his mother remained firm, using Zhao Xiaocen’s lifelong academic dedication as an example for him to follow.

That night in the dormitory, the female students discussed the boys in their class, ranking Xu Xiao as the most handsome. The conversation turned to the fact that Zhao Xiaocen and Xu Xiao were often seen together, leading to speculation about their relationship. Lin Yuexin insisted they were just ordinary classmates and became evasive when the others teased her about her own supposed interest in Xu Xiao. As Zhao Xiaocen fell asleep hugging her new rabbit, she reflected on Lin Yuexin's kindness and felt grateful for the growth of their friendship.

In the ceramics laboratory, the students are tasked with replicating Yuan-style blue and white porcelain patterns. While Zhao Xiaocen receives high praise from Mr. Yue for the "soul" and charm in her work, Xu Xiao’s attempt is deemed a failure. When Xu Xiao presses for a specific reason for his low grade, Mr. Yue tells him that in the past, such poor workmanship would have been a "beheading" offense.

He reminds Xu Xiao that there are people at the antique market far more professional than himself when it comes to Yuan porcelain and suggests he find the answers there. As the weekend approaches, the antique shop owner, Mr. Wang, asks Xu Xiao to assist a friend with an appraisal of some "everlasting lamps." Xu Xiao declines, lying that he has a prior commitment to play basketball with his classmate, Wang Lin.

However, Zhao Xiaocen later runs into Wang Lin and Li Zhuoting, who are planning a fishing trip instead. When she asks about the basketball game, Wang Lin reveals he doesn’t even play the sport. Zhao Xiaocen realizes Xu Xiao lied to avoid the shop work, leaving her to wonder why he felt the need to deceive her. Later, Zhao Xiaocen joins her friends Yan Xue, Wu Jing, and Lin Yuexin for dinner.

While waiting for a table, her friends discuss their romantic lives and note that Lin Yuexin clearly has feelings for Xu Xiao, recalling how the two were punished together on behalf of the class during military training. They suggest that Lin Yuexin should use the next practical class to team up with Xu Xiao to develop their relationship. Zhao Xiaocen listens quietly, feeling like an outsider to these shared experiences.

At home, Zhao Xiaocen’s cousin, Xiao Xing, complains about his mother’s strictness and suggests Zhao Xiaocen do something to distract her. Troubled by Xu Xiao’s lie, Zhao Xiaocen asks Xiao Xing why someone would deceive a friend. Xiao Xing explains that he often tells people he is busy with homework just to avoid those he doesn't like. This explanation hits home for Zhao Xiaocen, who fears Xu Xiao might feel the same way about her.

Over the weekend, while Xiao Xing is at the antique market for a school activity, he spots Xu Xiao and texts Zhao Xiaocen. Fearing her cousin might cause trouble, she rushes to the market to find him. Xu Xiao enters a small shop in the market and greets the owner, Xu Jinsong, as his father. Xu Jinsong is overjoyed to see his son and critiques the porcelain pattern Xu Xiao brought along.

He notes that while the technique is improving, the color choice leans too much toward the soft tones of the Ming style rather than the bold "Soma Li" blue of the Yuan Dynasty. He then reveals a Ming-style "chicken cup" he recently acquired, hoping it will be the treasure that allows them to "make a comeback" and live together again. Xu Xiao immediately identifies it as a fake, criticizing his father’s obsession with finding a "leak" in the market.

Disappointed that his father is still chasing impossible dreams, Xu Xiao storms out. Outside, Zhao Xiaocen finally catches up with Xiao Xing just as he is being scolded by his teacher for wandering off. When Xu Xiao sees her there, he assumes she has been tracking him and leaves without a word. Later, back at the antique shop, a man named Mr. Zhang brings in a porcelain bowl for appraisal.

Xu Xiao, still in a foul mood, bluntly calls it a fake after a quick inspection. He explains that the sound of the bowl is dull, indicating the material is not as delicate as a real artifact. This sparks a heated argument between Mr. Zhang and his son, who is tired of his father wasting the family fortune on counterfeits. In a fit of rage, the son smashes the bowl on the floor.

Disturbed by the day's events, Xu Xiao asks Mr. Wang for a few days off and heads home. Zhao Xiaocen tries to help by cleaning up the shattered pieces but remains silent. That night, she sends Xu Xiao a text message apologizing and explaining that she only went to the market to find her cousin, not to pry into his life. Xu Xiao, reflecting on his father's old lessons about being honest with oneself, does not reply.

The following day in the laboratory, Mr. Yue begins reorganizing the student groups. When it is Xu Xiao's turn to choose a partner, Zhao Xiaocen speaks up immediately, declaring that she wants to continue working in a group with him.

In the classroom, Mr. Yue turned to Xu Xiao to confirm the new grouping. Xu Xiao remained silent, offering no objection to Zhao Xiaocen’s sudden request to be his partner. Taking his silence as agreement, Mr. Yue finalized the teams and moved on with the lesson. However, the atmosphere turned cold as soon as class ended. Yan Xue, who had intended to pair Lin Yuexin with Xu Xiao, was livid.

She confronted Xiaocen, accusing her of being two-faced and playing games after they had all previously agreed to help Yuexin. Overwhelmed and unable to find the words to explain her impulsive decision, a guilt-ridden Xiaocen could only head home in silence. The tension followed them back to the dormitory. Yan Xue continued to vent her frustrations, feeling that Xiaocen had betrayed their friendship.

Lin Yuexin, ever the peacemaker, tried to calm her down by suggesting that Xiaocen might have simply wanted to focus on her studies. This only made Yan Xue angrier, as she felt her efforts to stand up for her friend were being dismissed as petty bullying. Meanwhile, Xiaocen was back at her own place, unable to sleep.

She confessed her feelings to her stuffed rabbit, admitting that while she felt terrible about hurting Yuexin, she was even more terrified of losing Xu Xiao as a friend. Her spiraling thoughts were interrupted by a phone call from Xu Xiao, asking to meet her. They met at Ceramic Art Avenue, where Xu Xiao apologized for his previous harsh attitude. He admitted he was surprised that she had volunteered to team up with him.

Xiaocen took the opportunity to be honest, explaining that since he was the first friend she made in Jingdezhen, she cherished their bond deeply. She confessed that she had been afraid he would only ever speak to her about work, so she had braced herself and raised her hand just to ensure they stayed connected.

As they walked through the market, Xu Xiao dropped a startling revelation: the vendor who had tried to trick her into buying fake porcelain shards a few days prior was actually his father, Xu Jinsong. The following day, Mr. Yue took the students to the university’s graduate research lab for a hands-on session. He explained that traditional ceramic making involved at least seventy-two intricate steps.

The students began with throwing the clay, then moved on to painting patterns and applying glaze. Finally, their pieces were placed into a traditional wood-fired kiln, a process that required thirty hours of constant monitoring by a kiln master to maintain the perfect temperature. Reflecting on the process in her diary, Xiaocen felt a sense of fulfillment, realizing that every step in pottery was as indispensable as the steps one takes in life.

A few days later, the class gathered to review their finished works. Mr. Yue praised several pieces, including the vase made by Xu Xiao and Xiaocen, noting the dedication evident in their craftsmanship. However, the session was violently interrupted when Mr. Zhang and his son barged into the lab. They were the same pair who had previously confronted Xu Xiao at the antique shop.

The son was still furious, claiming that after Xu Xiao had dismissed their blue-and-white porcelain bowl as a fake, they had sought a second opinion from a professional agency that declared the base to be a genuine piece from the Chenghua reign. Mr. Yue stepped in to mediate and carefully examined the remaining shard of the bowl.

He noted that while the base appeared to be authentic, the piece was likely a "joined" forgery—a deceptive technique where an old base is attached to a newly fired body. The explanation did nothing to soothe the elderly Mr. Zhang, who became hysterical. In a fit of rage, he began smashing the students' finished works on the table, shouting that Xu Xiao's appraisal had cost him 300,000 yuan.

The chaos only ended when the old man collapsed from the stress and had to be rushed to the hospital. The incident caused a scandal at the university. The principal expressed concern that students giving professional-level appraisals was damaging the school’s reputation, while Mr. Yue argued that punishing Xu Xiao would be an indirect admission that the boy was wrong. Ultimately, the administration decided to withhold any formal punishment for the time being but insisted on notifying Xu Xiao’s parents.

The other students were heartbroken over their destroyed projects, but Lin Yuexin tried to lift their spirits by offering to treat everyone to dinner. When Xu Xiao passed by and apologized for the trouble, the class monitor invited him to join them, but Xu Xiao quietly declined. Back at his house, Xu Xiao overheard his mother arguing with his stepfather.

She was terrified that he was following in the footsteps of his biological father, Xu Jinsong, whose obsession with the antique trade had once left the family buried in debt. She lamented that the industry was "poisonous" and feared for her son’s future. Unable to face them, Xu Xiao retreated to his room in silence. The situation escalated the next morning when Mr. Zhang and his son began livestreaming a protest outside the university gates.

They publicly branded Xu Jinsong a fraud and accused Xu Xiao of being a hack who ruined precious relics. Faced with the mounting public pressure, Xu Xiao's stepfather offered to pay 300,000 yuan to settle the matter quietly. However, Xu Xiao’s mother had a different condition: she demanded that Xu Xiao take a leave of absence and abandon his studies entirely to get away from the world of ceramics. Standing his ground, Xu Xiao refused to apologize for being right and made it clear he would not leave school.

A few days after the incident at the school, Teacher Yue finds his students silent and dispirited during class. He encourages them not to let the recent farce discourage them, reminding them that the ability to remain calm is a fundamental quality for any cultural relic repair worker. He reassures the class that he had already photographed and graded their work before it was destroyed, so their efforts were not in vain.

After class, Zhao Xiao Cen asks Teacher Yue if there is any other way to prove Xu Xiao's innocence regarding the "fake" antique. The teacher notes that since the physical fragments are gone, they would need visual evidence to verify the original state of the piece. This reminds Zhao Xiao Cen that the antique shop has surveillance cameras, and she immediately heads there.

At the antique shop, Boss Wang reveals he had already anticipated her visit and saved the footage to his phone. He expresses his own frustration at the situation, particularly how the troublemakers are now bringing up Xu Xiao's father. While Zhao Xiao Cen collects the evidence, the father and son duo responsible for the mess are busy livestreaming.

They claim that Teacher Yue and Xu Xiao’s father, Xu Jinsong, were fellow apprentices, suggesting that any defense from the school is a result of cronyism. Watching the stream, Xu Xiao is reminded of the painful truth of his father’s past, when Xu Jinsong was accused of selling fakes and subsequently had a major falling out with Teacher Yue.

Zhao Xiao Cen brings the surveillance footage to Teacher Yue, but the resolution is too low to clearly identify the patterns on the bowl. As they discuss their options, Xu Xiao arrives to request a leave of absence. Zhao Xiao Cen is desperate to stop him, even suggesting she could dig through the waste treatment plant to find the original fragments.

However, Xu Xiao insists that he has his own way of handling things and formally submits his application, telling her to focus on her own studies instead. Returning home, Xu Xiao informs his mother of his decision. Relieved that her son is finally leaving the ceramic field, she immediately has his stepfather contact a tutor to help him prepare for a new major. She is confident that with his grades, he will excel regardless of what he chooses to study.

In the following days, Zhao Xiao Cen finds it difficult to adjust to the empty seat next to her. Their classmate Wang Lin soon spreads the news that Xu Xiao is changing majors; while some students are surprised, others believe he wouldn't give up his passion so easily. To keep the curriculum moving, Teacher Yue reorganizes the class groups, pairing Wu Jing with Zhao Xiao Cen.

After class, Lin Yuexin takes Zhao Xiao Cen to an arcade to cheer her up. While there, they run into the same girls who had taken advantage of them previously. After the other girls leave a machine, Lin Yuexin and Zhao Xiao Cen take over and have much better luck. During their time together, Lin Yuexin reflects on how she first met Xu Xiao during military training, where his wit and principles stood out when he was punished alongside her.

She admits that her feelings for him were more about admiration and curiosity, and tells Zhao Xiao Cen that if she likes Xu Xiao, she shouldn't let Lin Yuexin's presence hold her back. Lin Yuexin also shares her history of being isolated as a frequent transfer student, explaining that she reached out to Zhao Xiao Cen because she didn't want her to experience that same loneliness.

Lin Yuexin later visits the Imperial Kiln Museum, where she stops to admire a piece from the Chenghua period. A young man who works there and has noticed her frequent visits strikes up a conversation. When Lin Yuexin expresses sadness over the broken fragments on display, he explains that in the past, imperfect pieces were smashed to ensure only the best reached the emperor.

He likens the shards to failed test papers, noting that a perfect creation is only possible after countless trials. Meanwhile, the father and son duo continue their online attacks, falsely claiming that Xu Xiao was expelled from the academy. Zhao Xiao Cen attempts to correct the record in the comments, but she is quickly blocked.

The duo then announces an upcoming offline cultural exchange event and issues a deadline: if they are not paid 300,000 yuan within three days, they will take the matter to court. Xu Xiao eventually asks to meet Zhao Xiao Cen one last time. He presents her with the bronze-porcelain piece that had been smashed during the school incident, which he has painstakingly restored himself. He confirms that he is transferring schools, much to Zhao Xiao Cen’s dismay.

She views him as her mentor, but Xu Xiao reassures her that she has already developed the confidence and love for the craft necessary to succeed. He encourages her to continue walking her path firmly, even if he is no longer there to walk it with her.

Zhao Xiaocen felt dejected after the recent events, but a chance observation sparked a glimmer of hope. Remembering Wang’s comment that his parrot had a habit of collecting shiny objects to grab attention, she checked the bird’s cage and discovered a crucial fragment of the porcelain bowl. Yue Qixin confronted Zhang Jiatian with the fragment and technical verification from the Jingdezhen Ceramic University.

The evidence confirmed that while the bowl’s base was an authentic Chenghua period artifact, the body was a modern "patched" reproduction. Faced with this proof, Zhang Jiatian was forced to apologize during his livestream. Xu Xiao’s father, Xu Jinsong, watched the broadcast and felt deeply moved by Yue Qixin’s efforts to clear his son’s name. Afterward, Xu Xiao thanked Yue Qixin, who rightfully credited Zhao Xiaocen for finding the evidence.

During a round of role-playing games, Xu Xiao effortlessly deduced the culprit's identity, leaving his classmates intimidated. Later, Zhao Xiaocen gifted Yan Xue a piece of pottery that had been smashed by Zhang Jiatian and subsequently repaired. Touched, Yan Xue apologized for her past hostility and encouraged Zhao Xiaocen to pursue her feelings for Xu Xiao honestly, suggesting that he likely reciprocated her interest.

On their commute home, Xu Xiao thoughtfully provided candy for Zhao Xiaocen while she took her medicine. Encouraged by her friends, Zhao Xiaocen secretly wrote Xu Xiao’s name on her bedside table, feeling a flutter of excitement. Meanwhile, Xu Jinsong, moved by his own shift in perspective, shattered the antiques he had long obsessed over. Xu Xiao took his mother out to dinner.

She stood firm, insisting he abandon ceramics, but Xu Xiao responded with maturity, acknowledging the hardships she faced after his father’s past failures. He vowed that he would never let his passion for antiques override his family's well-being. Seeing his growth, his mother finally found peace.

That weekend, while Zhao’s mother was busy preparing an outfit for her sister’s blind date, Zhao Xiaocen declined an invitation to the Imperial Kiln Museum from Lin Yuexin, explaining she had to work at the antique shop where Xu Xiao would be. Lin Yuexin immediately intuited her friend’s true feelings. At the antique shop, Xu Xiao and Zhao Xiaocen worked in peace until the owner arrived.

The owner rambled at length about his past, reminiscing about his college days and former classmates. Xu Xiao eventually took charge of closing the shop. Later, he explained to Zhao Xiaocen that the owner had been a successful businessman who left everything behind after a sudden illness to open the shop in Jingdezhen. Meanwhile, Lin Yuexin visited the Imperial Kiln Museum alone, where she encountered a staff member named Qi Yi, who invited her to visit the university’s museum in the future.

Lin Yuexin guided Qi Yi through the university museum, expressing curiosity about his decision to work as a museum docent. Qi Yi explained that after majoring in liberal arts and travel in college and spending several years exploring the world, he realized his heart belonged in his hometown of Jingdezhen. He then asked Lin Yuexin about her choice to study ceramics.

She shared that her grandfather’s love for collecting antiques deeply influenced her, fostering a passion that led her to enroll at Jingdezhen Ceramic University. Meanwhile, Xu Xiao wanted to thank Zhao Xiaocen for her recent help. Observing her taking medicine at work, he considerately offered her a candy.

When he gently inquired if she had any specific wishes, she found herself unsure; she felt cinemas and concerts were too noisy and realized that her favorite meals were still the home-cooked dishes her mother made. Grateful for her help, Xu Xiao was delighted when Zhao Xiaocen suggested visiting the Ancient Kiln Folk Customs Museum, a place he knew well and was eager to guide her through.

Elsewhere, Liu Qingfang was busy arranging a blind date for her younger sister, Liu Qingying. Despite Liu Qingying’s discomfort, Liu Qingfang insisted that for the sake of her son, Xing’s future, she needed a partner. The suitor, Zhang Hao, worked in the cultural industry and, upon learning that Liu Qingying was a single mother, suggested bringing the boy along to bond.

Liu Qingying felt the pace was too fast, but her sister ignored her hesitation and scheduled a visit to Zhang Hao’s studio for the following day to explore ceramic art together. When Zhao Xiaocen returned home, her mother instructed her to accompany her aunt to the ceramic studio the next day. This conflicted with her plans to visit the ancient kilns with Xu Xiao, leaving her in a difficult position.

Feeling she had to prioritize her aunt’s potential happiness, Zhao Xiaocen regretfully messaged Xu Xiao to cancel their plans. Xu Xiao, who had already secured tickets, remained understanding and kept his disappointment to himself to avoid making her feel guilty. The next day, while Zhao Xiaocen and her family were at Zhang Hao’s studio, her mother made an excuse to leave, forcing Zhao Xiaocen to look after Xing while her aunt interacted with Zhang Hao.

Left without plans, Xu Xiao—not wanting the tickets to go to waste—invited Li Zhuoting to the museum instead. During their outing, Li Zhuoting talked incessantly about the romantic entanglements between their mutual friends Wang Lin and Xiaoyi, leaving Xu Xiao completely distracted and wishing he had invited Wang Lin instead. Back at the studio, Zhang Hao attempted to guide Xing in making pottery but became overbearing and critical, which deeply offended the boy.

The situation escalated when Zhang Hao grew physically inappropriate toward Liu Qingying. Xing, unable to tolerate the man’s behavior, used his mud-covered hands to push him away, causing the gathering to end in a tense and awkward confrontation. After returning home, Liu Qingfang blamed Xing for ruining the match. Xing felt stifled by the pressure of extra homework and being forced to accept a stranger into their lives.

Zhao Xiaocen went to her aunt’s room to comfort her, reflecting on how well her aunt had raised Xing on her own, noting that her aunt possessed a maturity that often surpassed her own.

Zhao Xiaocen spent her evening tutoring Xiaoxing with a Han dynasty folk song titled "Cai Lian" (Picking Lotuses). She explained that the poem describes the joy of young men and women working together and expressing their mutual affection. Xiaoxing quickly made a connection, teasing her by asking if she and Xu Xiao were "picking lotuses" every day when he walked her home. He even managed to snatch her phone, discovering a photo of Xu Xiao on it.

Zhao Xiaocen chased the boy to reclaim her phone just as Aunt Liu Qinghua entered. When the aunt asked what was causing the commotion, Zhao Xiaocen gave Xiaoxing a stern look, keeping him from revealing her secret. The teasing left Zhao Xiaocen feeling self-conscious. At school the next day, she found herself unable to look Xu Xiao in the eye, though she frequently stole glances at him.

When Xu Xiao noticed her strange behavior and offered to help carry her things, she insisted she was fine. He sensed she was hiding something, but she denied it. Their classmate Lin Yuexin joined them, jokingly telling them to stop being so "low-key." During a walk on campus, Zhao Xiaocen confided in Lin Yuexin that Xu Xiao had invited her to Tao Xi Chuan over the weekend.

She assumed it was strictly for schoolwork and invited Lin Yuexin to come along, but her friend already had plans and advised her not to overthink things. Back at home, Zhao Xiaocen agonized over her wardrobe, trying on several outfits before deciding that anything too stylish would look like she was trying too hard. She eventually settled on a simple, everyday jacket. When they arrived at Tao Xi Chuan, Zhao Xiaocen realized the event was a creative ceramic market.

They stopped at a booth run by a girl named Jingjing, who was selling a piece made of porcelain fragments for 280 yuan, themed "rebirth and repair." Xu Xiao, a traditionalist, told the stall owner that simply gluing pieces together was just a creative combination, not true restoration. He also pointed out that the fragments weren't genuine ancient porcelain.

Jingjing was offended by his bluntness, but another girl, Fang Xiaqing, stepped in to apologize for her partner's temper and defuse the situation. In class, Mr. Yue introduced a lesson on "sodium porcelain" (ju ding) repair, specifically focusing on the creation of metal rivets to bind shattered pieces. The task was grueling, leaving many students with blistered hands. During a break, the class teacher, Mr. Liang, noticed Zhao Xiaocen’s finished work.

He correctly guessed that Xu Xiao had helped her, noting that Xu Xiao's experience at the antique shop had already made him a master of such techniques, which most students couldn't perfect so quickly. While Zhao Xiaocen was preparing to leave the antique shop, Fang Xiaqing arrived looking for Xu Xiao. Curious, Zhao Xiaocen pretended she had forgotten something and went back into the studio to watch.

Fang Xiaqing presented a teapot made of pieced-together fragments from Xianghu Village, asking if it had any collection value. Xu Xiao identified the pieces as defective fragments from a kiln. He told her that while the object wasn't a valuable antique, it could have artistic merit if more complex techniques—like using gold thread or metal rivets—were combined with the potter's imagination to make the work stronger and more unique.

With a surge of tourists expected in Jingdezhen, Boss Wang set up a shaded area in the courtyard and tasked Xu Xiao and Zhao Xiaocen with selling small ceramic ornaments. Zhao Xiaocen was visibly nervous around strangers, but Xu Xiao stayed by her side, encouraging her to try. Following his lead, she successfully made a sale by offering a "buy one get one free" deal on small animal decorations.

Their combined efforts resulted in an impressive sales performance for the day. Later, Fang Xiaqing returned to the shop to find the pair. She explained that she and Jingjing were looking for partners for their studio and formally invited Xu Xiao and Zhao Xiaocen to join them. She took them to visit their workspace, which doubled as their living quarters. Inside, they met other artists, Tian Yuan and Xiao Yu, who were busy working on ceramic forms.

Jingjing was just finishing a live stream for a handful of viewers. Fang Xiaqing showed them her "colorful works" made from abandoned porcelain and asked them to seriously consider the collaboration. On the way home, Zhao Xiaocen asked Xu Xiao what he thought of the offer. Xu Xiao was intrigued by Fang Xiaqing’s creative vision and her ability to accept criticism without getting angry.

He expressed a strong desire to explore how traditional restoration techniques could be integrated with modern ceramic art to create something entirely new. Zhao Xiaocen walked beside him in silence, lost in her own thoughts.

Over the weekend, Lin Yuexin and Qi Yi met for a meal. Lin Yuexin offered to treat him as a thank you for taking her to his school's museum recently. During their conversation, Lin Yuexin opened up about why she had seemed so troubled when they first met at the Imperial Kiln Museum.

She explained that she had been caught in a complicated misunderstanding where a roommate mistakenly thought she was dating a boy that another friend liked, and it had taken a long time to clear the air. Qi Yi, in turn, shared his own anxieties. Although he currently works at the museum, he is only a temporary employee. He has reached the interview stage for a permanent position twice before, only to be rejected both times at the final hurdle.

With his third attempt approaching, he admitted to being so nervous that he has been unable to sleep. However, he confessed that seeing Lin Yuexin always seems to help him relax. At the Ceramic University, Teacher Yue conducted a lesson on the art of kintsugi. He explained the meticulous first step of using raw lacquer, derived from the sap of the lacquer tree, to bond porcelain fragments before drying them in a kiln.

After the class, Xu Xiao approached Zhao Xiaocen to ask if she had made a decision about the job offer. While Xiaocen remained hesitant, Xu Xiao praised her artistic skills and encouraged her, believing that working with a young, creative team would help her realize her potential. Later, the two joined Fang Xiaqing for dinner at the Balan Studio. Fang Xiaqing was full of excitement, envisioning a bright future with Xu Xiao on the team.

Xiaocen, feeling a bit out of place, suggested that she might not be of much help to the studio. Xu Xiao quickly reassured her, stating that he was already accustomed to working alongside her and that their best work came from their collaboration. To help Qi Yi prepare for his upcoming interview, Lin Yuexin took him to an empty exhibition hall where she had drawn a simulated map of the Imperial Kiln Museum on the floor.

She acted as his first tourist, asking him to guide her through the collection using only his memory. Qi Yi rose to the occasion, fluently describing treasures like the Ming Dynasty porcelain duck and the Blue Cloud Dragon jar. Lin Yuexin explained that she wanted to create a "new memory" for him in this space to replace the stress of past failures, so that he could think of this happy moment whenever he felt nervous during the real interview.

When Xu Xiao and Zhao Xiaocen began their work at the studio, the manager, Jing, informed them of a potential long-term investor named Mr. Qin. To secure his interest, they needed to produce impressive new work. As Xu Xiao and Fang Xiaqing focused intensely on researching new designs, Xiaocen felt increasingly like an outsider. She stepped away to feed the studio's cat, a former stray named Good Boy.

Noticing Xu Xiao’s gaze lingering on Xiaocen, Fang Xiaqing teased him, asking if he liked her. A flustered Xu Xiao nervously denied it, insisting they were just classmates. Back at home, the family gathered to watch a television drama. When Zhao Xiaocen’s mother, Liu Qinghua, asked about the plot, she noticed her daughter seemed distracted. Liu Qinghua eventually brought up Xiaocen’s recent habit of coming home late and learned she had been working off-campus.

Her mother strongly opposed the idea, arguing that Xiaocen needed to focus on her health after her recovery and that the family did not need her to earn extra money for tuition. Upstairs in her room, Xiaocen’s mood remained low. She couldn't help but notice how much inspiration Fang Xiaqing drew from Xu Xiao and how well they worked together.

She felt as though she was being left behind, comparing their lives to a bus ride where Xu Xiao was already approaching his next stop while she remained stuck at the station, unsure if her bus was late or if she had missed it entirely. The next day at school, Xiaocen found herself listening to her friend Wu Jing gossip about the complicated romantic entanglements of their classmates.

Usually indifferent to such talk, Xiaocen seemed unusually interested this time, watching the "love triangle" between classmates Wang Lin, Li Zhuoting, and Xiaoyi. She remained distant toward Xu Xiao, and when class ended, she declined his invitation to go to the studio, claiming she had plans to get coffee with Lin Yuexin. While working alone at the antique shop, Xu Xiao spoke with Boss Wang, who had noticed that Xiaocen seemed to have something on her mind lately.

Xu Xiao admitted he felt the same way but didn't know the cause. After receiving some advice from the boss on how to handle the situation, Xu Xiao sent Xiaocen a message asking to meet. When they met up, Xu Xiao took the initiative to apologize, even though he wasn't entirely sure what he had done wrong. He acknowledged that his direct personality could sometimes be off-putting. Xiaocen clarified that it wasn't his fault, but rather her own internal struggles.

Their conversation was interrupted by a balloon seller who encouraged Xu Xiao to buy one for his "girlfriend." Though Xu Xiao clarified they weren't in that kind of relationship, he noticed Xiaocen looking at the balloons and bought one for her, hoping it might finally make her smile.

Liu Qinghua was supervising Xiao Xing's homework and was less than impressed with the boy’s morbid sense of humor. When asked to design a slogan to protect a park lawn, Xiao Xing had written a warning suggesting that those who stepped on the grass today would have it growing over their graves tomorrow. After being scolded for copying dark jokes from the internet, he was ordered to rewrite the corrections ten times. His misery was interrupted by Zhao Xiaocen’s arrival.

She was carrying a balloon—a gift from Xu Xiao—which Xiao Xing immediately tried to use as a distraction to escape his studies. Though the boy teased her for bringing home such a childish toy, Xiaocen couldn't hide her smile. Once alone, she sent a grateful text to Xu Xiao, thanking him again for the gift.

Work continued at the Banlan Studio the following day, where the team discussed how kintsugi allowed for a broader range of creative materials compared to traditional ceramic stapling. During the session, Fang Xiaqing accidentally sliced her finger while working. Xu Xiao immediately jumped to help, showing genuine concern as he searched for a first-aid kit to bandage her wound. Watching the intimate scene from the doorway, Xiaocen felt a sharp pang of displacement.

Feeling like an unwanted third wheel in their shared passion, she left quietly and wandered the street corner for a long time, deeply regretting that she had come to the studio at all. As evening fell, Xu Xiao noticed Xiaocen’s absence and felt a sense of unease. He began typing a message on his phone to ask what had kept her busy, but his fingers hovered over the screen in hesitation.

Uncertain of how he should phrase his concern, or if it was even his place to ask, he ultimately deleted the words one by one, leaving the message unsent. The next morning at school, Xu Xiao caught up with Xiaocen to ask why she had skipped the studio over the weekend. Xiaocen, still feeling dejected, claimed that she wasn't of much use there anyway and expressed her intention to quit.

She asked Xu Xiao to relay the news to Xiaqing, but he refused, telling her it was impolite to leave without a personal explanation. He reminded her that she wasn't the type of person to give up halfway, but Xiaocen remained firm, insisting she simply didn't want to go back. Later, when Xu Xiao arrived at the studio alone, he had to inform a disappointed Jingjing and Xiaqing that Xiaocen wouldn't be returning anymore.

During a lecture on kintsugi restoration, Professor Yue posed a question about the balance between preserving the original beauty of an object and secondary creation. Xu Xiao shared his perspective, arguing that respecting the past and creating something new were not contradictory, and that a restorer must find a balance between history and the future. After class, Xiaocen approached Xu Xiao to check on the progress of the studio's exhibition.

When he mentioned that the work was nearly finished, her sense of inadequacy deepened, as if her departure had truly made no difference. Sensing her low spirits, Xu Xiao quickly reassured her, telling her that she had always been an essential partner and that her previous drawings had been a massive help. To support the upcoming exhibition, Xu Xiao rallied several classmates to help out at the studio.

Jingjing was moved by the support and treated everyone to milk tea, asking them to help promote the event on social media platforms like Weibo. After the day’s work, Xu Xiao once again walked Xiaocen toward her home. After they said their goodbyes at the bus stop, Xiaocen realized she should have apologized for her behavior regarding the studio. She ran back to the platform, but Xu Xiao had already boarded his bus.

It was then she realized that the bus he took didn't even go in his direction; he had been going completely out of his way to escort her home every single time. Seeking advice, Xiaocen confided in her friend Lin Yuexin. When she mentioned the bus stop realization, Yuexin was certain of Xu Xiao's feelings, pointing out that no one would go to such lengths just to be "nice."

She encouraged Xiaocen to stop waiting for a confession and to take the initiative herself. Despite the encouragement, Xiaocen struggled with her confidence, find it hard to believe that someone as hardworking and talented as Xu Xiao could truly be interested in her. The day of the exhibition finally arrived, but the turnout was lower than expected, consisting mostly of students they knew. Jingjing remained focused on the arrival of Mr. Qin, the potential investor.

When he finally appeared, he praised Xiaqing's artistic potential and the intricate beauty of her work. However, his final verdict was a blow to their hopes: he felt the pieces were too unique and detailed to be mass-produced as commercial products. The team felt defeated. Jingjing revealed that she had exhausted her life savings on the exhibition and that they would likely have to vacate the studio next month.

Xiaqing even considered giving up on Jingdezhen to find a regular job. In the midst of the gloom, Xiaocen spoke up, expressing how deeply moved she was by Xiaqing's work titled "Freshman," noting that it possessed a power and resilience she admired. Her words gave the team a second wind. Jingjing declared that the worst-case scenario was simply starting over, and they decided to keep going by selling their work at a street stall.

Later, Xiaqing pulled Xiaocen aside for a heart-to-heart, noting that they both suffered from the same habit of feeling "not good enough." Xiaqing then revealed that the central figure in her "Freshman" piece was actually inspired by doodles she had seen in Xiaocen’s sketchbook. She also cleared up the misunderstanding about the bandaging incident, assuring Xiaocen that everyone in the studio knew Xu Xiao only had eyes for her.

That evening, as they traveled together, Xiaocen finally bridged the distance between them by asking to share the music Xu Xiao was listening to. Sitting side-by-side and sharing the same melody, Xiaocen felt that taking things slow was enough for now.

On the way home, Xu Xiao and Zhao Xiaocen shared a pair of headphones, listening to music in a comfortable silence. As their bus stop approached, Xiaocen gathered her courage and whispered, "I like you." Xu Xiao glanced at her, but both immediately retreated into a pretense of not having heard anything, letting the confession hang in the air as they stepped off the bus.

Xu Xiao walked her the rest of the way and stood outside her building, watching the stairwell lights flicker on and off floor by floor until he was certain she was safely inside. The next day, Xiaocen sought out Lin Yuexin to vent her uncertainty, unsure if Xu Xiao had truly missed her words or was simply ignoring them. Yuexin praised her bravery, suggesting that Xu Xiao might just need a "buffer period" to process his feelings.

She encouraged Xiaocen to be persistent, joking that since she had already said it once, she might as well say it a hundred times more. Unbeknownst to Xiaocen, Xu Xiao had heard her perfectly. Seeking advice, he approached Li Zhuoting to ask who had confessed first in his relationship with Xiaoyi. Zhuoting took pride in having made the first move, noting that a girl might feel humiliated if her feelings weren't immediately reciprocated.

Xu Xiao then pressed him for a romantic date location, eventually getting Zhuoting to share the address of a popular open-air music restaurant. Later at the antique shop, Xu Xiao tentatively asked Xiaocen if she was free that evening to visit the music restaurant, and she agreed instantly. However, her nerves got the better of her, and she arrived an hour early. When she saw Xu Xiao entering the venue, she panicked and ducked into a corner to hide.

When he called her, she lied and claimed she hadn't even left the house yet. Xu Xiao played along, telling her there was no rush and claiming he was also just about to leave. A few minutes later, Xu Xiao called again. To mask the sound of the live singer nearby, Xiaocen pretended she was just passing a nearby bar.

When Xu Xiao stood up to look for her, she scrambled to hide again, only emerging once he had passed her by. Finally, she called him back to announce her "arrival." They eventually settled into a private tent to listen to the music. Xu Xiao opened up about his past, explaining that after his father lost the family fortune, his life in Jingdezhen changed.

Coming from a community of established ceramic dynasties, other parents forbade their children from associating with him. He grew used to being alone and began to always expect the worst so that he wouldn't be disappointed by failure. He admitted he couldn't believe that someone as wonderful as Xiaocen actually felt the same way about him. Inspired by her, he decided it was time to be brave.

Xu Xiao reached out and took Xiaocen's hand, looking into her eyes as he officially confessed his feelings. The two shared a quiet moment of joy, finally knowing their feelings were mutual. They began dating shortly after, though they chose to keep the relationship a secret. They spent their days at school together, often visiting a wishing tree on campus to look at the tags left by former students.

During a shopping trip, they nearly ran into Lin Yuexin and Yan Xue. Xiaocen instinctively dove out of sight, leaving Xu Xiao to greet the two girls alone. Yuexin, noticing Xu Xiao emerging from the women's clothing section, immediately suspected the truth and teased him about "shopping alone" before leading a suspicious Yan Xue away. Xiaocen only reappeared once they were gone, admitting she wasn't quite ready for their friends to know yet.

One morning at home, Liu Qinghua prepared a healthy breakfast for the family. While Liu Qingying enjoyed a plate of pasta, Xiaocen was restricted to a bland bowl of millet porridge for the sake of her stomach. Her mother refused to let her even have a taste of the more flavorful food. After finishing her porridge and heading downstairs, Xiaocen found Xu Xiao waiting for her with a surprise breakfast of steamed dumplings.

Not wanting to hurt his feelings, she forced herself to eat a second breakfast. Later in class, Teacher Yue lectured on the differences between ancient and modern pottery-making techniques, explaining the cultural importance of re-firing ancient kilns as a form of "living inheritance." The class then headed out for a field study at Weijiayao. On the way, Xiaocen tried to maintain a discreet distance, but Xu Xiao noticed she seemed uncomfortable.

Having realized she had eaten two breakfasts just to please him, he gently told her that she should feel free to tell him her honest thoughts and feelings about anything rather than suffering in silence.

At the Wei family’s ancient kiln, Master Wei rested in the shade while his apprentice, Guan Lin, reluctantly fanned him. Guan Lin complained about being forbidden from working at other kilns, but Master Wei remained unimpressed, criticizing his lack of skill and warning him that he would only make a fool of himself if he tried to sell his services elsewhere. Soon after, Mr. Yue arrived with his students for a practical lesson.

While Guan Lin led the tour, Xu Xiao impressed everyone with his technical knowledge of kiln restoration. He explained the complexities of repairing a collapsed arched roof, detailing how each brick must be precisely placed to create the necessary tension to prevent another collapse. Because the kiln could not accommodate the entire class, Master Wei agreed to let only two students stay to assist with the firing.

He chose Xu Xiao and Zhao Xiaocen, jokingly suggesting that such a scenic location would be wasted on anyone who wasn't in love. Elsewhere, Qi Yi and Lin Yuexin spent time together after work. As they sat down to rest, Qi Yi finally gathered the courage to confess his feelings and asked her to be his girlfriend. Yuexin, though clearly moved, felt overwhelmed and made a hurried excuse to leave, leaving Qi Yi to wonder about his next move.

Later at school, a group of girls found Zhao Xiaocen waiting by the gate and invited her to dinner. She was hesitant until Xu Xiao appeared. When he initially tried to decline the invitation, Xiaocen reached out and took his hand, persuading him to join them. Seeing this, their classmates were delighted to realize that the two were officially a couple. Meanwhile, Qi Yi found Lin Yuexin at the Imperial Kiln Museum, where she was wandering with Yan Xue.

He apologized for his abrupt confession earlier. Yuexin admitted that she had sensed his feelings for a long time but confessed her lingering fears. She worried that because he was older and appeared so experienced in dealing with women, he might not remain devoted to her in the long run. At home, Zhao Xiaocen dealt with the overbearing care of her mother, Liu Qinghua.

Her mother constantly fussed over her health, forcing a hot water bottle, steamed eggs, and tomatoes on her, despite Xiaocen’s insistence that she was fine and needed to focus on her studies. The girls later gathered to ask Xiaocen about her relationship, and she revealed that she and Xu Xiao had experienced their first minor argument. The tension had started at the Wei family kiln when they witnessed Master Wei smashing a porcelain "fat-bellied" vase Guan Lin had made.

Guan Lin had stormed out in frustration, and Xu Xiao followed him to offer support. Guan Lin explained his resentment, noting that while others praised his work as a masterpiece, Master Wei was never satisfied. He revealed that he had originally stayed to care for the old man five years ago after a terminal stomach cancer diagnosis gave Wei only three months to live. Instead of passing away, Master Wei had only grown more stubborn and physically resilient.

Guan Lin felt insulted that after years of service, the most significant thing Wei had taught him was how to spit into the kiln to judge the temperature by the way the saliva burned. Master Wei, however, explained the weight of his craft to the students, noting that the "art of fire" was the most vital part of traditional porcelain making. He believed that modern equipment could never truly replace the intuition of a master.

Despite the tension, Xu Xiao asked for permission to take the broken porcelain shards home to study. Following the incident, Xu Xiao and Xiaocen debated Master Wei’s harsh mentorship. Xu Xiao felt the old man was being unnecessarily strict, but Xiaocen defended him, comparing his high expectations to the selfless but stifling love her own mother showed her. This difference in perspective led to a brief period of silence between them.

A few days later, they met again at the antique shop. After a while of working in silence, Xu Xiao took the initiative to apologize for his bluntness. Xiaocen admitted she wasn't truly angry but felt he had hit a nerve regarding her own lack of independence. The two shared a quiet moment of understanding, finally putting the disagreement behind them.

Qi Yi meets with Lin Yuexin to address the tension from his previous hasty confession. He explains that his feelings are genuine and that he has been drawn to her since their first meeting at the imperial kiln, where he frequently volunteered to be her guide. Highlighting their shared passion for history and relics, he admits he can't pinpoint one specific reason for his attraction—it is simply a feeling stronger than any he has felt before.

Moved by his sincerity, Yuexin asks him to propose the idea of dating once more, and this time, she happily accepts. At home, Zhao Xiaocen suffers from a stomach ache after eating street food. Her mother, Liu Qinghua, prepares traditional medicine and scolds her for neglecting her health. To give Xiaocen some peace, her aunt, Liu Qingying, convinces Liu Qinghua to go out for a walk.

However, instead of resting, Xiaocen buys breakfast and heads to the antique shop to see Xu Xiao, who has spent the night restoring porcelain. Xu Xiao and Xiaocen travel to Weijiayao, where the relationship between Master Wei and his apprentice, Guan Lin, remains strained. Master Wei is dismissive of Guan Lin’s recent work, stubbornly claiming he would rather see the kiln destroyed than hand it over to someone he deems unready.

To help Guan Lin express his true feelings, Lin Yuexin pretends to be angry, accusing him of using Master Wei’s reputation to take on private work. A devastated Guan Lin defends himself, declaring that since the day Master Wei took him in from the streets, his only goal has been to master the craft and care for his teacher in his old age. Xu Xiao and Xiaocen step in to mediate the generational divide.

Xu Xiao points out the practical challenges of traditional wood-fired kilns, such as high costs and environmental impact, while Xiaocen shares historical records showing that even the "traditional" Weijiayao was once a modern innovation. They argue that for the craft to survive the market, it must evolve with the times. Later, Xu Xiao realizes that Xiaocen has been constantly catering to his interests. When he asks what she enjoys, she suggests going to a claw machine arcade.

The two spend the evening playing and laughing, and their bond deepens as they continue to text each other late into the night. A few days later, Weijiayao receives a new order. Concerned for Master Wei's health, Guan Lin offers to handle the firing under his supervision, but the old master flatly refuses, insisting Guan Lin hasn't finished his apprenticeship.

While walking through the scenic landscapes of Fuliang on their way back to school, Xiaocen asks Xu Xiao if he has ever considered leaving Jingdezhen to see the world, specifically her beautiful hometown. Xu Xiao expresses a strong desire to visit, and the two grow closer, naturally holding hands as they walk. When Xiaocen returns home late, Liu Qinghua expresses concern over the long commute to Weijiayao and the physical toll it takes on her daughter.

Although Xiaocen insists the fresh air and scenery have improved her health, her mother remains worried about her upcoming mid-term exams and urges her to focus on her studies. The lighting ceremony at Weijiayao soon begins, with Xu Xiao and several classmates joining Master Wei as he leads prayers to the Kiln God for a successful firing. After the ritual, the grueling process of feeding the fire starts.

Master Wei remains stubborn, eventually sending the workers home for the night and choosing to watch the kiln himself alongside Guan Lin. The next morning, Xu Xiao and Xiaocen arrive with food, worried about the heat and smoke. As Guan Lin and the workers prepare to eat, they realize Master Wei is still at his post. When Guan Lin goes to call him for breakfast, he finds his master collapsed on the ground.

At the hospital, the doctor reveals that Master Wei was diagnosed with advanced cancer long ago. He had refused proper treatment to avoid worrying his apprentice, instead enduring the pain with maximum doses of medication. Back at the kiln, a grief-stricken Guan Lin struggles to focus, overwhelmed by the realization of the silent sacrifice his master made.

While Xu Xiao and Zhao Xiaocen stayed at the hospital to look after the ailing Master Wei, tension mounted at the Zhao household. Liu Qinghua grew increasingly anxious as she was unable to reach her daughter. Her sister, Liu Qingying, tried to reassure her that Xiaocen was likely just with classmates, but Qinghua remained unconvinced, noting her daughter's strange behavior lately.

Their young relative, Xiao Xing, wandered into the kitchen and innocently mentioned he wasn't worried because a boy walked Xiaocen home every night. This revelation fueled Qinghua’s concern, prompting her to call Teacher Yue and Teacher Liang. Eventually, Qingying suggested calling Xiaocen's classmate Wu Jing to track her down. Back at the hospital, Zhao Xiaocen spoke with Xu Xiao about the high stakes of the project at Weijiayao.

She asked what would happen if the firing of the "Three Goats Bringing Bliss" (Sanyang Kaitai) pieces failed. Xu Xiao explained that rumors would quickly spread that Guan Lin was unable to uphold the legacy of the kiln. They realized that Master Wei, knowing his health was failing, had accepted the massive order as a final gamble to secure the kiln’s future, leaving them to hope for the blessings of the Kiln God. Xiaocen finally returned home late that night.

She apologized, explaining that her phone had died, but Liu Qinghua was furious. Expressing her terror at being unable to reach her daughter in an emergency, she imposed a strict new rule: for the remainder of the semester, Xiaocen was forbidden from going anywhere other than her classes without prior reporting. Meanwhile, at Weijiayao, Guan Lin sat alone by the kiln in the master's chair.

He reflected deeply on Master Wei’s teachings, remembering the delicate balance of wood, fire, and clay, and the importance of patience in controlling the heat. The following morning, Xiaocen slipped out early to check on Master Wei. Finding his condition stable but him still unconscious, she followed Xu Xiao to Weijiayao. Despite Xu Xiao’s concerns about the manual labor, Xiaocen was determined to help and joined the workers in hauling heavy firewood.

She pushed herself through the physical strain and the sweltering heat, but the exhaustion took its toll. Just as the group prepared to sit down for a meal, Xiaocen collapsed. Xu Xiao rushed her to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with chronic urticaria (hives), an allergic condition exacerbated by fatigue and stress. When Liu Qinghua arrived, she was livid.

She lectured Xu Xiao on the severity of the condition, explaining that it could lead to life-threatening swelling in the throat. Upon learning that Xu Xiao was a Jingdezhen local, Qinghua’s attitude turned cold. She bluntly informed him that she intended to take Xiaocen away from the city after graduation, dismissing any future he might have imagined with her daughter.

At the kiln, Guan Lin remained steadfast, carefully managing the final stages of the firing process and waiting for the crucial moment to "cut the heat" (extinguish the fire). He even ignored the workers' pleas for him to eat. Back at the hospital, Master Wei showed signs of stability, but remained in a coma. Guan Lin visited his bedside, emotionally reporting that the firing at Weijiayao had finished and pleading for his master to wake up and see the results.

A few days later, Xiaocen prepared to return to school for exams, but Liu Qinghua staged a formal intervention. She apologized for letting Xiaocen choose her current major, admitting she hadn't realized how taxing the ceramic work would be. She then informed Xiaocen that she and her father had already decided to transfer her to the Museology department for her sophomore year, favoring the stability of a museum job.

Xiaocen was heartbroken and refused to switch, arguing that she loved the ceramic major and her new friends. The discussion turned into a heated argument when Qinghua made it clear this was a command, not a consultation. Xiaocen wept, lamenting that she had never been allowed to have her own agency since childhood. Later, Liu Qingying tried to mediate, pointing out how happy Xiaocen had been since starting her studies.

However, Qinghua remained stubborn, citing a traumatic childhood incident where Xiaocen was hospitalized for a month after an allergic reaction to shrimp. She confessed her control was fueled by both fear for Xiaocen’s health and disapproval of her budding romance, even using Qingying’s own past relationship struggles as a cautionary tale.

After taking a few days off to recover from her illness, Zhao Xiaocen returned to class. Her friend, Yuexin, noted that Xu Xiao had been in a poor state while she was away, clearly consumed by worry for her. When Xu Xiao arrived and saw Xiaocen, he immediately asked if she was feeling better. Though she assured him she was fine, their exchange remained brief and somewhat strained due to the pressure from Xiaocen's mother.

After the final lecture of the semester for Introduction to Cultural Relics Studies, Mr. Yue pulled Xu Xiao aside and asked if he had heard about Xiaocen. He revealed that her mother, Liu Qinghua, had called the department to inquire about changing Xiaocen's major. Concerned, Xu Xiao rushed to find Xiaocen and asked her directly about the change. Xiaocen apologized, admitting she hadn't known how to tell him.

Xu Xiao told her that he was the last person she ever needed to apologize to and urged her to listen to her own heart, promising to support whatever choice she made as long as she wouldn't regret it. That night, torn between her feelings for Xu Xiao and her mother’s demands, Xiaocen turned to her diary to vent her frustrations. At the hospital, Master Wei was recovering under Guan Lin’s devoted care.

When the master asked about the kiln, Guan Lin reported that the fire was out and the cooling process was going smoothly. Master Wei then shared the history of his apprenticeship, explaining the eight traditional levels of wood kiln firing. He recounted how he started at the very bottom as a humble apprentice, working sixteen-hour days and practicing over a hundred times a year. He emphasized that firing a wood kiln is a lifelong pursuit requiring immense patience.

Moved to tears, Guan Lin admitted he had been too impatient and regretted not realizing his master's wisdom sooner. Master Wei comforted him, expressing his desire to see Guan Lin become a master and take over the Wei family kiln. As the semester drew to a close, the students submitted their final papers. Xiaocen’s thesis focused on the inheritance of porcelain restoration, arguing that true inheritance involves passing down fundamental techniques while adapting to modern needs.

Impressed by her thoughtful nature, Mr. Yue told Xiaocen she was perfectly suited for the field. However, knowing her mother was pushing for a change, he asked for her own opinion. Xiaocen admitted she had always just followed her mother’s instructions. Mr. Yue advised her that only genuine love can make the long years of a career feel short, leaving her to find her own answer over the holidays.

Back at the Wei family kiln, the firing was a resounding success. The clients were delighted with the delicate shapes and lustrous glazes, praising the quality of the work. This was the first time Guan Lin had taken charge of the fire, and to celebrate his success, Master Wei insisted that Guan Lin sit in the master’s chair for the commemorative photo. Seeing his apprentice finally "graduate," the old master was filled with pride.

Meanwhile, tension at the Zhao household remained high. Liu Qingying mentioned to her sister, Liu Qinghua, that Xiaocen hadn't been eating and often cried alone at night. Qinghua insisted she was acting out of love to prevent Xiaocen from suffering, believing that staying in Jingdezhen would be a mistake.

When Qingying suggested that Xiaocen could have a successful life there, Qinghua lashed out, reminding Qingying of her own struggles after marrying into the city—the difficult climate, poor food, and a husband who treated her badly. Qinghua vowed not to let her daughter repeat those mistakes. When final grades were posted, Xiaocen discovered she had ranked fifth in her class.

She shared the news with Xu Xiao, who was deeply moved by her progress, though the joy was overshadowed by the possibility of her departure. On the day they were set to leave, the family arrived at the station with luggage packed with Fuliang Tea and porcelain gifts. At the security gate, Xiaocen suddenly stopped and told her mother she wasn't going.

She revealed that she had already spoken to her father and decided to stay with her aunt for the holidays. When her mother tried to force her to leave, Xiaocen stood her ground. She explained that at nineteen, she had the right to make her own choices.

She recounted all the things she had done purely because her mother told her to—from what she ate to the medicine she took—and admitted she could no longer distinguish her mother's thoughts from her own. Xiaocen confessed that she had truly fallen in love with porcelain, Jingdezhen, and Xu Xiao. She told her mother that she had finally found a direction for her life and intended to spend it exploring the art of restoration.

Defiant, she walked away to wait in her aunt’s car, leaving her mother stunned. Liu Qingying spoke to her sister, noting that she had never seen Xiaocen so determined. She told Qinghua that despite her own past marital struggles, she never once regretted coming to Jingdezhen because of the life and career she built there. Eventually, Qinghua approached the car and found her daughter. She admitted she needed to accept that Xiaocen had grown up. The two shared an emotional hug, agreeing to give each other time to process this new reality.

Zhao Xiaocen visits the antique shop to find Xu Xiao and shares a life-changing decision. Inspired by his encouragement to pursue her true self, she decides to stay in Jingdezhen for the summer and stick with her current major. She admits she was once too cowardly to face the consequences of her own choices, but now she has the courage to decide her own future and stay to do what she loves alongside him.

While Xu Xiao is moved, he regretfully informs her that he cannot stay; an old friend of Professor Yue has invited him to Malaysia to help restore a collection of precious artifacts. Despite her disappointment, Xiaocen supports this opportunity and promises to wait for his return. Upon arriving in Malaysia, Xu Xiao is met at the airport by Justin (Zeng Yi), the grandson of Mr. Zeng (Zeng Yuren), a prominent overseas Chinese entrepreneur.

During their first meeting, Mr. Zeng appears somewhat skeptical of the young restorer's skills. After settling in, Xu Xiao calls Xiaocen to let her know he arrived safely. Although Xiaocen expresses her support over the phone, she cannot help but feel a deep sense of longing. Back at school, Xiaocen has a meal with her friends Lin Yuexin and Yan Xue. She expresses envy toward Yuexin, who gets to intern with Qi Yi over the break.

However, Yan Xue discovers through online research that Mr. Zeng is not just a businessman but also a board member of a top Malaysian university. Yan Xue speculates that since their schools have a long-standing exchange program, Professor Yue likely sent Xu Xiao there to compete for a full-scholarship exchange position. This would mean Xu Xiao might stay abroad for two years, a possibility that leaves Xiaocen deeply unsettled.

In subsequent video calls, Xu Xiao enthusiastically describes the progress of his work on Ming Dynasty porcelain salvaged from the seabed, which requires delicate desalination and recoloring. He praises the academic environment in Malaysia, specifically mentioning advanced equipment like an X-ray spectrometer used for precise dating. Seeing Xu Xiao so captivated by the foreign research environment while he remains silent about the exchange program, Xiaocen’s anxiety peaks.

Fearing he might choose his career over their relationship, she abruptly hangs up the phone. Noticing her niece's distress, Liu Qingying consoles Xiaocen with some fruit and sisterly advice. Upon learning of her concerns, Liu Qingying encourages her to be brave and speak her mind, drawing from her own youthful experiences of following her heart. She tells Xiaocen not to be afraid of being "selfish" or being rejected.

Inspired, Xiaocen realizes she wants to fly to Malaysia to tell Xu Xiao her true feelings in person. Her aunt fully supports her, helping her book a flight and promising to keep the trip a secret from the rest of the family. Xiaocen embarks on her journey alone, with Lin Yuexin and Yan Xue seeing her off at the station. Though Yan Xue suggests notifying Xu Xiao, Xiaocen insists on keeping it a surprise.

However, upon reaching Malacca, she quickly finds herself lost in the unfamiliar streets. She calls Xu Xiao to ask when he will arrive in Malacca, and he explains that Mr. Zeng’s rheumatism has flared up, meaning he must stay in Kuala Lumpur to care for him and likely won't leave until the next day. Xiaocen lies and says she is at home, but after hanging up, she feels utterly dejected and stranded in a foreign city.

Worried about Xiaocen’s lack of international travel experience, Lin Yuexin eventually calls Xu Xiao to tell him the truth. Shocked and moved, Xu Xiao immediately calls Xiaocen back. To guide the lost Xiaocen, he describes the landmarks of Malacca over the phone as if he were looking at a map—from the Nyonya-style architecture and the Jonker Walk area to the bridge over the Malacca River.

He leads her toward the famous Stadthuys (Red House) and the Red House Square, mentioning a street performer in black playing a guitar. As Xiaocen follows his descriptions and looks around, she is stunned to find Xu Xiao standing right behind her. The two share a passionate embrace and kiss in front of the romantic Christ Church Malacca, as all misunderstandings and worries vanish. Later, Mr. Zeng welcomes Xiaocen into his home and arranges a room for her.

Seeing the young couple's devotion, he instructs Justin to act as a guide for the next few days, allowing Xu Xiao and Xiaocen to explore Malacca together and enjoy their hard-earned reunion.

In Malacca, Xu Xiao and Zhao Xiaocen spend their final days of vacation exploring the vibrant Chinatown. While walking through streets decorated for the New Year, Xiaocen insists on trying the local durian. Xu Xiao is hesitant, and their friend Justin keeps a safe distance, claiming he is the "least typical Malaysian" because he cannot stand the smell. After some encouragement from Xiaocen, Xu Xiao finally takes a bite and admits it is far more palatable than he expected.

Later, while sharing cocktails, the atmosphere turns serious. Xiaocen reveals she knows about Mr. Zeng’s offer for Xu Xiao to stay in Malaysia as an exchange student. Although her friends urged her to be selfish and ask him to stay, she tells Xu Xiao that she will respect his choice because it is his life, even though she dreads a two-year separation. However, Xu Xiao surprises her by revealing he has already turned down the offer.

He explains that without her, even the grandest stage or the most generous scholarship would be meaningless. He admits he was afraid someone else might win her heart if they were apart, firmly declaring that his life story must include her. At the residence, Mr. Zeng makes one last attempt to persuade Xu Xiao to stay, but the young man politely declines, choosing to continue his studies in Jingdezhen.

Understanding their commitment, Mr. Zeng presents them with a rare Zhizheng-type blue-and-white porcelain vase from the Yuan Dynasty imperial kiln. The vase, decorated with an exquisite sea dragon pattern, is a rare treasure that ended up abroad through illegal salvage. Xu Xiao notes that while the piece is damaged, it is far too precious for him to restore alone with his current skills.

Mr. Zeng then announces his decision to donate the vase to Jingdezhen Ceramic University for restoration and collection. He explains that seeing the passion and professionalism of young people like Xu Xiao and Xiaocen has convinced him that traditional culture is in good hands. He believes returning the artifact to its birthplace is the best possible outcome. Before they depart, Mr. Zeng informs them that the vase has already been shipped and signed for by the university.

Back in Jingdezhen, Mr. Yue welcomes the pair and expresses his satisfaction with their work in Malaysia. While he admits it is a slight shame Xu Xiao passed up the exchange program, he is secretly pleased to keep such a talented student. However, because of a lingering injury to his arm, Mr. Yue cannot lead the restoration of the Yuan vase.

He arranges for the two to work with another expert who has an even deeper understanding of blue-and-white porcelain: Xu Xiao's father, Xu Jinsong. Reunited in the workshop, Xu Xiao and his father begin the delicate restoration. Jinsong shares his extensive knowledge, explaining that they use tea fermented for a week to mix pigments to prevent settling and ensure better absorption into the clay. He demonstrates the use of a "water-distributing brush" and a "rooster-head brush" for coloring.

Despite their past tensions, working together allows them to reconnect. Jinsong credits Xu Xiao for pulling him back to a normal life and vows to be available for any future cultural preservation work Mr. Yue might have. During a visit to the university museum, Mr. Yue explains that many of the precious pieces on display were donated by overseas Chinese. These relics serve as emotional bonds connecting them to their motherland.

He reminds the students that every restoration is more than a technical fix; it is a way to bridge history with the present and pass down cultural heritage to the next generation. As the holiday ends, Xiaocen asks Xu Xiao about their future. Xu Xiao maps out their lives from becoming sophomores to graduation, marriage, and retirement. He reflects on how fired porcelain can remain unchanged for a thousand years, whereas human life is fleeting.

He tells Xiaocen that while he doesn't know where they will be in a thousand years, he knows he will be waiting for her with breakfast every morning and standing by her side through every major milestone. For him, their present moment is eternity. Life continues to move forward for their circle of friends. At the Imperial Kiln Museum, Lin Yuexin begins her part-time job as a docent, with Qi Yi acting as her senior mentor.

Guan Lin continues to care for the recovering Wei Shifu, though he has to constantly scold the older man for trying to sneak cigarettes and alcohol. Meanwhile, Fang Xiaqing and Jingjing find success with their brand, "Balan," through live-streaming. Xiaqing credits her unique creative style to her group of supportive partners. As the new semester begins, Xiaocen moves into the university dorms.

Over the phone, her mother, Liu Qinghua, remains overprotective and worried, but Xiaocen’s aunt, Liu Qingying, reassures her sister that the girl is growing up. Xiaocen is determined to become more independent and realizes she has finally found the path she wants to pursue for the rest of her life. Like a leaf finally landing on the ground after the wind stops, she has found her true home in the world of ceramic art.