Shining Like You resumo, enredo, sinopse

Sinopse de Shining Like You

Lu Qiyi, who excelled in the college entrance examination, chose to major in acting without informing her parents’ when she filled out the application form.

Although this was a huge challenge for her, she remained reluctant to give up. She learned how to integrate. In the wonderful “Experience Life” course, she gradually opened up her nature.

When her father pays a surprise visit to the school, Qiyi is in danger of dropping out and has to fight for her life.

But things don’t go as smoothly as expected, the judges criticize the musical they did and the final performance is unexpectedly canceled.

Just when Qiyi was about to give up, her friends helped her gather students from all majors in the school to present a wonderful show, in which QiYi’s brilliant performance eventually impressed her family.

Resumos de Shining Like You

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In September 2018, Fang Yan reflected on a past moment, recalling how Lu Qiyi once asked him what it felt like to have a crush on someone before a performance. He remembered being unable to answer and instead putting his feelings into a song, wondering if she would still think of him. Lu Qiyi, accompanied by her father, arrived at Southern Foreign Studies University for freshman registration.

However, her name was not called during the roll call for the English major. As her father questioned the teacher, Lu Qiyi secretly asked her childhood friend, Zhang Yang, whose father was Director Zhang, to call her dad urgently. When her father received the call about an urgent medical consultation at the hospital, Lu Qiyi quickly reassured him that she could handle the registration herself. As soon as her father left, she ran off, abandoning the fake registration.

Lu Qiyi's narration revealed that she had secretly applied to Southern University of the Arts, an endeavor her parents opposed. To maintain her deception, she had forged an acceptance letter from Southern Foreign Studies University, embarking on what she called her "absurd college life." Meanwhile, Fang Yan was traveling to Southern University of the Arts on a public bus. He noticed a young man occupying a seat that an elderly gentleman with mobility issues had been offered.

Pretending to feel nauseous, Fang Yan successfully made the young man vacate the seat, allowing the elderly man to sit comfortably. To reach her true university quickly, Lu Qiyi attempted a shortcut, which involved climbing over an iron gate. She got stuck midway, paralyzed by fear. Du Ang, another incoming freshman, passed by and offered assistance. He instructed her to jump, promising to catch her, but when she did, she landed directly on him.

Apologizing profusely and thanking him, a hurried Lu Qiyi quickly left to meet her friend, Bai Qiao. Upon arriving at their dorm, they discovered it was room 671, coincidentally matching Lu Qiyi’s name. Their roommates included the lively Hao Kaixin, a fellow School of Performing Arts student, and Zouyang Zimo, the sole School of Directing student in the room, who constantly recorded her surroundings with a camera.

Hao Kaixin playfully pointed out the coincidence of Lu Qiyi's name and their dorm number. Zouyang Zimo suggested they all go for hotpot that evening, but then declined herself, stating she had other plans. Fang Yan also settled into his dorm with his roommates: Zhang Yang, Du Ang, and Li Sanshang. Zhang Yang was soon called away to play accompaniment for the Freshmen Reception. The remaining three decided to drive out for dinner.

On their way, they had a minor collision with a senior student named Ma Xiangyu. Ma Xiangyu exaggerated the damage and demanded 2000 yuan, but Du Ang, refusing to be extorted, only offered 200 yuan, sparking an immediate animosity between them. Later, Lu Qiyi's mother called, informing her that she and her father were coming to campus and that her father insisted on meeting her head teacher.

Panicked, Lu Qiyi confided in Bai Qiao, who suggested they couldn't simply say the teacher was busy as her parents would then go directly to the foreign studies university. Lu Qiyi tearfully expressed her fear that revealing the truth would lead her father to force her to drop out and retake her exams. Bai Qiao reluctantly agreed to impersonate Lu Qiyi's English teacher, even though she struggled with the subject herself.

After memorizing a fake profile, Bai Qiao met Lu Qiyi's parents at a specialty restaurant, chosen by Lu Qiyi's father to acknowledge Bai Qiao's supposed U. K. education. During dinner, Lu Qiyi's father questioned Bai Qiao about her university (Leicester University) and major (English Literature), even bringing up a medical scholar named Chen Jia’ao who was supposedly an alumnus, which Bai Qiao smoothly sidestepped by claiming different professional fields.

Lu Qiyi’s mother also tried to deduce Bai Qiao’s age and zodiac sign, adding to the tension. While they were dining, Fang Yan received a call from their senior, Li Xiao, asking him to find Lu Qiyi for rehearsal. Fang Yan, unsure who Lu Qiyi was, asked Du Ang to go fetch her. Du Ang entered the private room and announced that Lu Qiyi was needed for rehearsal, almost exposing the lie.

Bai Qiao quickly intervened, clarifying that it was an English play rehearsal, a tradition of Southern Foreign Studies University's English department. Du Ang, catching on, improvised by speaking English, further supporting the fabricated story before excusing himself. Fang Yan, impatient, sent another student to check, who started singing a Mongolian song. Bai Qiao again quickly explained that the student was from the Mongolian Language Department, maintaining the charade. Subsequently, Lu Qiyi's mother went to the restroom and encountered Fang Yan.

Unaware of the intricate lie, Fang Yan innocently chatted with her, sharing that Lu Qiyi was a confident girl who had even slapped an interviewer during her art college admission exam, a widely talked-about incident on campus. Fang Yan also mentioned a performance at the Southern University of the Arts' campus theater the next day, which was part of the Freshmen Reception, and invited Lu Qiyi's mother to attend.

Though shocked by the revelation, Lu Qiyi's mother decided not to expose her daughter immediately. Back at the table, Lu Qiyi's father toasted Bai Qiao, expressing his high hopes for Lu Qiyi to succeed and even study abroad. Bai Qiao subtly tried to guide them towards supporting Lu Qiyi's independence and her true aspirations. After her parents left, a relieved Lu Qiyi thanked Bai Qiao, who reminded her about the upcoming rehearsal.

Lu Qiyi then headed to a school store to buy a dance suit. The enthusiastic salesperson tried to convince her to buy a push-up bra, a moment made awkward by Fang Yan's presence in the same store. Lu Qiyi, embarrassed, ended up buying the bra. She then confronted Fang Yan, reminding him of his "sabotage" during their art college entrance exam, where their melodramatic performance had turned into a comedy, stunning the examiners.

During the rehearsal with Ms. Tang, the body performance teacher, Lu Qiyi was assigned the dance part, while Zhang Yang played piano and Fang Yan sang. Ms. Tang gave Lu Qiyi specific instructions for her dance moves. After a successful rehearsal, Lu Qiyi gave Zhang Yang a gift to thank him for helping her keep her secret from her parents earlier that day.

Fang Yan, observing their interaction, returned to his dorm, only to discover he had accidentally swapped shopping bags with Lu Qiyi, finding the bra among her belongings. On the day of the Freshmen Reception, as Lu Qiyi prepared for her performance, she was already nervous. Fang Yan then informed her that her mother knew about her secret. Simultaneously, Lu Qiyi received a text message from her mother, asking to meet by the lake. Overwhelmed and panicked, Lu Qiyi immediately left the performance venue and rushed to the lake.

Before the performance began, Fang Yan unexpectedly informed Lu Qiyi that her mother was coming. Having invited Lu Qiyi’s mother to the restaurant the previous day, Fang Yan was unaware of the panic his revelation caused. Lu Qiyi’s mother then messaged her, asking to meet by the lake at Southern Art University, prompting Lu Qiyi to rush out, missing the start of the performance. Her mother expressed deep disappointment, feeling that Lu Qiyi had "fooled" them.

She reiterated that Lu Qiyi’s father had opposed acting because of concerns about her fitting into the showbiz industry. Although she hadn't yet told Lu Qiyi's father, she warned that he would eventually find out, and Lu Qiyi would have to face the consequences alone.

However, acknowledging Lu Qiyi was an adult with the right to choose her own life, her mother challenged her: "Since you insist on it, prove yourself to me in the coming days that you can be an actress." Lu Qiyi apologized and pleaded with her mother to believe she could succeed. Her mother then left, telling Lu Qiyi to take care of herself. When Lu Qiyi rushed back, the performance had already begun.

She tried to join Zhang Yang and Fang Yan on stage, but her late entry disrupted their adapted performance, leading to boos from the audience. Fang Yan confronted her backstage, harshly stating, "You didn't have to come. We're good with or without you." That night, Fang Yan’s cutting words and her mother’s challenge echoed in Lu Qiyi’s mind, leaving her sleepless.

The following day, Sun Zhuowen, their chief performance teacher and head teacher, began his class by outlining three strict rules: no tardiness or early departures, no fanciful clothing or accessories, and no allowing campus activities to interfere with academic studies. He emphasized the importance of being a good person before becoming a good artist. Just as he finished, Fang Yan arrived late, explaining he had been dumping garbage.

Sun Zhuowen dismissed his explanation and ordered him to turn to the class and declare, "I am garbage." Fang Yan refused, instead turning to Sun Zhuowen and defiantly stating, "You're garbage." Angered, Sun Zhuowen instructed the entire class to surround Fang Yan and hurl the most vicious insults they could imagine, repeatedly telling him he was "garbage." The students enthusiastically complied, calling him "no man," "dumb ass," criticizing his shoes and even his foot odor. Lu Qiyi, however, remained silent.

Noticing her reluctance, Sun Zhuowen dismissed the other students and singled out Lu Qiyi, urging her to curse Fang Yan. After much hesitation, she meekly said, "Fang Yan, you're not a good student." Everyone laughed, and Sun Zhuowen then asked Fang Yan to help her. Fang Yan, addressing her as "Scholar," invited her to curse him, promising not to get angry.

When Lu Qiyi still couldn't find the words, Fang Yan began a barrage of personal insults, questioning her acting ability, her admission to the university, and her appearance, concluding that she was "not made for performance" and "shouldn't have chosen performing arts." His words pierced Lu Qiyi's sensitive spots, pushing her to her breaking point. She cried out, "You rascal!" and slapped him across the face before running out of the classroom.

Sun Zhuowen then revealed that this entire confrontation was an exercise in "liberating instinct," designed to help students evoke real emotions. He praised Fang Yan for his "perfect performance" in provoking Lu Qiyi and told the class to remember that feeling for future, realistic acting. After class, another student consoled a still-crying Lu Qiyi, explaining that Fang Yan had actually helped her express her pent-up emotions.

During university club recruitment, Lu Qiyi and Hao Kaixin encountered Zhang Yang, who was promoting the Guitarists' Society. Zhang Yang gave Lu Qiyi a toy and invited her to join. Hao Kaixin, impressed, asked Lu Qiyi when she had met him, leading Lu Qiyi to shyly admit her ten-year crush on Zhang Yang. A senior from "The Changes and Life" society approached them, noting Lu Qiyi's "peach blossom" look and offering a fortune reading.

He predicted a "peach blossom curse" and "suffering in love" for her, then, to Lu Qiyi's bewilderment, signed her up for his society. Meanwhile, Fang Yan and Du Ang attempted to join the Experimental Drama Society, but the selection was overseen by Ma Xiangyu, a senior they had previously offended. During the audition, Fang Yan skillfully performed a scene portraying two characters. Ma Xiangyu abruptly stopped him, criticizing him for not introducing himself, calling it "commonsense."

Despite Du Ang's protests about the unfairness, Ma Xiangyu simply dismissed them. Later, Du Ang expressed his disappointment, lamenting that his dream of making a name for himself in the drama society was now shattered, attributing it to their previous conflict with Ma Xiangyu. That evening, students in both the male and female dorms discussed their classmates. In the male dorm, they debated who the most beautiful girl in their class was, with some mentioning Hao Kaixin.

In the female dorm, when asked about handsome guys, Bai Qiao found Fang Yan "cool," but Hao Kaixin thought he was "hypocritical." Lu Qiyi, however, remained silent, clearly still favoring Zhang Yang, whom another dormmate referred to as "the guitarist," teasing Lu Qiyi about having a "story" with him. Zouyang Zimo, from the directing class, commented that he hadn't yet met the girl he liked. Lu Qiyi's sensitive nature made adjusting to dormitory life challenging.

Her roommate, Hao Kaixin, borrowed her lotion without asking and, despite bumping into a senior, pulled Lu Qiyi into a shared apology. Another roommate, Zouyang Zimo, often carelessly kicked away Lu Qiyi's slippers. Hao Kaixin also shared alarming rumors about the annual freshman initiation for performing arts students, describing it as "torture" by "vicious" seniors who forced them into physically demanding tasks like all-day half-squatting or "Thomas Flare," making Lu Qiyi "shudder in fear."

The cumulative effect of these actions left Lu Qiyi feeling disliked and frustrated. Later, Lu Qiyi tried to talk to her friend Bai Qiao, who seemed distant and unwell. Bai Qiao abruptly cut her off, saying she felt "dizzy" and needed to sleep, avoiding Lu Qiyi's concerns about her late-night return with a male friend. Meanwhile, the freshman initiation officially began with their senior student, Ma Xiangyu, in charge.

He introduced traditions like "treasure sharing," where students were expected to showcase their talents in "the four fundamentals." Ma Xiangyu then singled out Fang Yan, Du Ang, and Li Sanshang, withholding their student passes and ordering them to distribute leaflets while wearing humiliating mascot costumes. During this task, Li Sanshang accidentally fell on stage and injured himself.

When Fang Yan and Du Ang tried to take him to the medical office, Ma Xiangyu blocked their path, insisting they couldn't leave until all the leaflets were distributed, citing a "school tradition" that "no one lags behind." The confrontation escalated into a near physical altercation with Ma Xiangyu and his friends. A security guard promptly intervened, breaking up the fight and sending everyone away. Fang Yan then helped the injured Li Sanshang to the medical office. Coincidentally, Lu Qiyi was also at the medical office, buying cold medicine, and encountered Fang Yan there.

After Fang Yan encountered Lu Qiyi in the infirmary, he reminded her to bring the item they had accidentally swapped to the class meeting the next day so they could exchange them back. Lu Qiyi appeared confused, seemingly having forgotten about it. Meanwhile, in the infirmary, Li Sanshang was captivated by a beautiful and gentle doctor named Xiaoyu, who carefully treated his wound, sparking an instant attraction in him.

The next day, Mr. Sun was absent from the class meeting, so Li Xiao, a senior student and their teaching assistant, stepped in to lead it. Li Xiao introduced himself and encouraged the students to reach out to him for any issues. The main agenda was electing a class monitor. When no one volunteered, a female student with ill intentions nominated Lu Qiyi, forcing Lu Qiyi into the role.

Other classmates quickly agreed, and Li Xiao announced that Lu Qiyi's impressive college entrance exam score, ranking first in the department, made her an excellent choice. He then instructed Lu Qiyi to lead the class to collect their textbooks and reminded everyone of the acting class's proud tradition of "drama is bigger than sky" and "stick to your profession." After the meeting, Bai Qiao approached Fang Yan, asking if he was going to eat.

Fang Yan, however, seemed distant, stating he was going to buy something outside the school. Bai Qiao expressed her surprise and delight that they ended up in the same university, but Fang Yan quickly excused himself, appearing uncomfortable, despite harboring some affection for Lu Qiyi. Later, in the cafeteria, Fang Yan, Du Ang, and Li Sanshang found themselves confronted by Ma Xiangyu, a senior with whom they had previous disagreements.

Ma Xiangyu accused them of damaging a costume and threatened to make them kneel and sing "Conquer." Instead, Li Sanshang began singing about overcoming setbacks. Ma Xiangyu, unimpressed, challenged the freshmen to a performance battle. As the conflict escalated, Li Sanshang attempted to pull Fang Yan away. In the scuffle, Fang Yan stumbled and bumped into Lu Qiyi, who was carrying a meal tray. The tray flew through the air and landed squarely on the Dean.

The furious Dean demanded to know who was responsible. Both Lu Qiyi and Fang Yan simultaneously admitted to being involved. The Dean, unwilling to let either off the hook, punished them both by making them clean the classroom for a week. Just then, Mr. Sun arrived, apologizing for his tardiness, having overslept. The Dean scolded Mr. Sun for his students' unruly behavior, but Mr. Sun tried to downplay it, suggesting it showed good camaraderie with seniors.

Despite Mr. Sun's efforts, Lu Qiyi and Fang Yan still had to serve their punishment. Later, while cleaning the classroom, Lu Qiyi diligently worked, but Fang Yan simply stood by, directing her to clean the desks, arrange the chairs, and take out the trash, leaving her to do all the heavy lifting. Lu Qiyi seethed internally, fantasizing about dumping a trash can on his head. Back in the dorm, Lu Qiyi's frustrations mounted.

Her roommate, Zouyang Zimo, was engrossed in a book and ignored Lu Qiyi's query about her missing slipper, which Lu Qiyi eventually found under the sofa. Then, Hao Kaixin burst in, complaining about severe period pain and carelessly dumping her shopping bags on Lu Qiyi's desk, regardless of Lu Qiyi's belongings.

To top it off, Hao Kaixin had used Lu Qiyi's toner without permission and then, as Lu Qiyi was about to take out the trash, she brazenly asked Lu Qiyi to buy her some pads. This was the last straw for Lu Qiyi, who, in a fit of anger, dropped the trash can and stormed out of the dorm. Lu Qiyi sought solace on a sky bridge, feeling like an outcast. Bai Qiao found her there and comforted her.

Lu Qiyi tearfully confessed that she felt like an "oddball" and that no one liked her. Bai Qiao reassured her, explaining that differences in lifestyles and personalities inevitably lead to minor frictions when living together. She clarified that Hao Kaixin, though blunt, never harbored ill intentions. When Lu Qiyi asked if Hao Kaixin disliked her, Bai Qiao firmly denied it and even suggested Lu Qiyi could reciprocate if that were the case.

Bai Qiao emphasized the value of having one true friend and generously offered Lu Qiyi a new bottle of toner to replace the one Hao Kaixin had used. Lu Qiyi initially refused out of politeness, but Bai Qiao insisted, offering to keep it for her. Touched, Lu Qiyi thanked her friend. Soon after, a text message from Hao Kaixin announced a freshman orientation, prompting Lu Qiyi and Bai Qiao to rush back.

During the orientation, a senior student instructed each new student to perform a talent; those who performed well could leave early. Lu Qiyi, to everyone's surprise, told a simple cold joke about two bananas, which the senior student found acceptable, allowing her to be dismissed. When Hao Kaixin, a national martial arts champion, was asked to showcase her skills, she declined, citing period pain. The senior student, remembering Hao Kaixin's energetic morning, suspected she was faking and demanded proof.

Lu Qiyi immediately stepped forward, confirming Hao Kaixin's condition by presenting the pads she had just bought for her, a gesture she made despite her earlier frustrations with Hao Kaixin. Despite this, the senior student punished both Lu Qiyi and Hao Kaixin by making them clean the classroom. As they cleaned, Hao Kaixin wondered why they were the only ones left. Lu Qiyi, though still annoyed, softened and offered to finish the cleaning herself if Hao Kaixin was in pain.

Hao Kaixin insisted on helping. Shortly after, Bai Qiao and Zouyang Zimo arrived with cleaning supplies, offering to help. The four girls playfully cleaned together, their bond strengthening. Bai Qiao then proposed a "bonding night," offering to treat everyone to dinner. Later, they used shadow puppets to express their feelings. Hao Kaixin sincerely apologized for her bluntness and thoughtless remarks, asking for their understanding.

Zouyang Zimo spoke of the serendipitous nature of their shared dorm and the importance of understanding and compromise. Lu Qiyi admitted her earlier anger had subsided and apologized for her sensitivity, expressing how happy she was to be their roommate. They embraced, sealing their reconciliation and embracing their dorm as a new family. The next morning, during morning exercises, Mr. Sun inquired about their chosen clubs. Lu Qiyi announced she had joined "the Society of Changes and Life."

Mr. Sun, clearly unimpressed and speechless, immediately told her to withdraw. Li Xiao then led the students in tongue twister exercises, which began well but quickly devolved into a chaotic mess of jumbled words as the difficulty increased. Meanwhile, at the Society of Changes, the club president was enthusiastically introducing Lu Qiyi as their newest member, an acting student, and declared that her joining made them a "major club." Lu Qiyi, however, interrupted to state her intention to withdraw.

The president, surprised, argued that she hadn't experienced their "regular activities" and couldn't judge its suitability. He then launched into a dramatic ritual involving a "Heavenly and Earthly Formation," which scared Lu Qiyi, causing her to flee. As she ran, Lu Qiyi collided with Fang Yan. Fang Yan casually asked her about the process of starting a school club.

Lu Qiyi explained that he would need to apply through the school and submit a form to Mr. Zhang, noting that the information was in the student handbook. As Fang Yan turned to leave, Lu Qiyi stopped him, looking him in the eye to ask if he still truly believed she was not suitable for acting.

Unsuccessful in his audition for the experimental drama club, Fang Yan resolved to establish his own. He sought out Lu Qiyi, who he affectionately called "Scholar," asking for advice on how to start a club. Lu Qiyi informed him that he needed to submit an application form to Mr. Zhang. Before Fang Yan left, Lu Qiyi stopped him, wanting to know if he truly believed she was unsuitable for acting, a sentiment he had expressed previously.

Fang Yan acknowledged he might have irritated her in class, but ultimately affirmed that her successful admission to the art program meant she had inherent strengths, playfully adding that she was "quite good at slapping people." Fang Yan proceeded to Mr. Zhang's office to submit his application. Mr. Zhang, while playing chess, questioned if Mr. Sun, their homeroom teacher, approved of Fang Yan's participation in club activities, emphasizing the importance of academic studies.

He then delivered a setback: a club needed a minimum of ten founding members, and Fang Yan only had three. With only three days until the application deadline, the task seemed impossible. Du Ang suggested bribing people with 200 yuan each, but Fang Yan refused, stating he'd rather not form the club if they resorted to such measures.

Instead, he declared they would "rob" people, and together with Du Ang and Li Sanshang, they vigorously recruited students, cooks, security guards, and cleaners from around campus. Their efforts paid off, and they successfully gathered ten members, officially establishing the "Little Target Drama Club." Later, Mr. Sun arrived to play chess with Mr. Zhang and noticed the application form on the table, clearly displeased, believing students should prioritize their studies.

During an acting class, Mr. Sun assigned "love" as a theme for the students. Lu Qiyi performed a heartfelt recitation but failed to convey the depth of emotion Mr. Sun sought. He suggested that if she hadn't experienced love in reality, she could explore it through music, novels, or films using the method of empathy. Hao Kaixin was next, also performing on the theme of love, her gaze fixed on Senior Li Xiao, openly expressing her affection.

Li Xiao, however, continuously avoided her eyes. Meanwhile, Du Ang was discreetly distributing flyers for a masquerade during class, an act quickly discovered by Mr. Sun. When asked who planned to attend, students feigned disinterest. After class, Hao Kaixin confirmed with Li Xiao that he was indeed a performer at the masquerade and excitedly told Lu Qiyi that Zhang Yang would also be there, convincing Lu Qiyi to attend despite her earlier intention to go to the library.

Luo Xiuwen, whose theme was "Warrior," struggled with the required assertiveness due to his reserved nature. Mr. Sun instructed him to practice harder. To help Luo Xiuwen, Fang Yan brought him to the Little Target Drama Club, where the members showcased their various (and somewhat unconventional) talents like magic and juggling. Unimpressed, Luo Xiuwen suggested that the club needed more professional actors and recommended Fang Yan promote the club at the masquerade, where many talented individuals would be present.

Separately, Li Sanshang visited Xiaoyu, the school nurse he had a crush on, under the guise of discussing acupuncture points and traditional medicine. He eventually invited her to the masquerade, and Xiaoyu, after being granted the night off, agreed to go. The masquerade tickets became an issue when Senior Ma Xiangyu deliberately claimed they were sold out, despite holding two tickets himself. Hao Kaixin, quick-witted, purchased the remaining two tickets from Ma Xiangyu.

This left Fang Yan, Du Ang, and Li Sanshang without entry. Meanwhile, Zhang Yang, the event's pianist, had extended an internal invitation to Lu Qiyi to attend. However, Lu Qiyi, despite this invitation, chose not to go. Instead, she urged Hao Kaixin and Zouyang Zimo to use the two tickets Hao Kaixin had just bought, asserting that she would "read for empathy and feelings for the lines" at the library and declaring, "Being single is a special feeling.

Being in love is a waste of time." She jokingly told them to go on without her. Undeterred by their lack of tickets, Fang Yan, Du Ang, and Li Sanshang devised a plan. Du Ang approached Ma Xiangyu, pretending to be a ticketless student, prompting Ma Xiangyu to let her in. The three then disguised themselves as waiters, carrying trays of drinks, and successfully entered the "Waiting for Godot Music Restaurant Bar," where the masquerade was being held.

The bar's owner, Xinfei, was also present, and her interactions with Zhang Yang, the pianist she had recently hired, seemed unusually close. Ma Xiangyu almost exposed Fang Yan and his friends, but Zhang Yang intervened, claiming they were his classmates assisting with the event, a statement Xinfei corroborated. Later, the Little Target Drama Club members put on an impromptu and energetic performance that captivated the audience.

Afterwards, Fang Yan introduced the Little Target Drama Club to the crowd, inviting interested individuals to join. Meanwhile, Zouyang Zimo and Hao Kaixin urged Lu Qiyi to confess her feelings to Zhang Yang. They pushed her into the changing room where Zhang Yang was preparing. Lu Qiyi, nervous, tried to approach him, but her dress got caught in the door, causing her to stumble and accidentally pull down Zhang Yang’s pants.

Before she could recover her composure and attempt to speak again, Xinfei entered the room, checking on Zhang Yang. Lu Qiyi's confession attempt was thwarted, leaving her frustrated. Outside, Hao Kaixin complained about Xinfei's poor timing, calling Lu Qiyi too timid. Bai Qiao, who had just arrived looking stunning, found Lu Qiyi feeling dejected. Bai Qiao encouraged her, saying, "Love is like a war. You need to fight for it yourself. You can’t admit defeat in front of love."

She urged Lu Qiyi to try again, even offering to help her "fight for it." As Lu Qiyi prepared to try once more, Bai Qiao unexpectedly witnessed Zhang Yang and Xinfei in what appeared to be an intimate embrace through a window in the changing room. Shocked, Bai Qiao encountered Li Xiao and quickly pulled him away to avoid being seen.

Unbeknownst to Bai Qiao, Xinfei was merely handing Zhang Yang his coat and telling him to go to his "little girlfriend," revealing Bai Qiao had misunderstood the situation. Later, a disoriented and inebriated Lu Qiyi, waiting outside the bar, mistook Fang Yan for Zhang Yang and, with a joyful leap, tackled him to the ground. This scene was witnessed by Bai Qiao, whose expression filled with a mixture of shock and jealousy.

The day after the masquerade, only Lu Qiyi showed up for morning exercises. Mr. Sun was furious at the students' absence, especially after their late-night party. In the subsequent acting class, Mr. Sun tasked the students with simulating a beach scene, urging them to be authentic. When their performance fell short, he grew more frustrated. He criticized Luo Xiuwen for being shy and inappropriately dressed, even instructing other students to help him shed his inhibitions by taking off his clothes.

Fang Yan intervened, stopping the students and confronting Mr. Sun, arguing that the teacher was being disrespectful and should have basic respect for students. Mr. Sun's anger peaked; he chastised them for skipping morning exercises, disregarding his advice against forming clubs, and partying late. Declaring that they should "have fun," he walked out of class. After Mr. Sun's departure, arguments erupted among the students. Some blamed Fang Yan, while others defended him.

Several students also criticized Lu Qiyi for sending the morning exercise notification too late, claiming they were too busy enjoying the masquerade to check their phones. Hao Kaixin stood up for Lu Qiyi, leading to a heated exchange with other classmates. When Mr. Sun failed to return for the next acting class, Li Xiao informed the students that they would have self-study, indicating Mr. Sun was still angry and Li Xiao had tried reasoning with him to no avail.

Bai Qiao, taking the opportunity, apologized to Li Xiao for accidentally dirtying his shirt at the masquerade and offered him a new one as compensation. Determined to mend things, Lu Qiyi and Du Ang went to Mr. Sun's house. However, Du Ang was spooked by a large dog outside, leaving Lu Qiyi to face Mr. Sun alone.

Lu Qiyi apologized profusely, taking full responsibility for the morning exercise debacle and pleading with him to return to teaching, offering to accept any punishment. Mr. Sun, however, posed a question, asking her to recall the most important lesson he taught them about becoming an actor in their very first class. Unable to answer immediately, Lu Qiyi left to ponder his words. During a philosophy class, Lu Qiyi reflected on Mr. Sun’s question.

Looking at her notes, she found "ethics before skills," realizing the true meaning behind his words. Meanwhile, two female classmates gossiped about Bai Qiao’s frequent overnight stays, asking Hao Kaixin and Lu Qiyi if it was true. Hao Kaixin defended Bai Qiao, indirectly confirming the rumors, while Lu Qiyi remained silent. Coincidentally, the philosophy professor also discussed the importance of being a good person before excelling in one's craft, stating, "ethics before skills."

That night, Lu Qiyi heard strange noises emanating from a classroom. Frightened, she called security. It turned out that Fang Yan's "Little Target Drama Club" members were secretly using the classroom to practice wrestling, an activity Fang Yan believed would help them "liberate their nature" and "feel the physical confrontation." The security guard quickly arrived, causing the students to scatter, but surveillance cameras had already captured their unauthorized activities.

The next day, Fang Yan received a call to go to the security office and sign some papers. He went to retrieve his club members, but his defiant attitude further angered the security guard, who threatened to report the incident to the academy and prohibit the club from using any school classrooms in the future.

Upon learning from Fang Yan that her call to security had inadvertently led to the club's predicament and that the club was close to disbanding without a venue, Lu Qiyi felt a wave of guilt. Seeking a solution, she approached a senior from the "Zhouyi and Life Society." She agreed to become his disciple in exchange for the "Little Target Drama Club" being granted a permanent venue for their activities, thereby resolving their immediate crisis.

Still without Mr. Sun, the next acting class was a combined session for freshmen and sophomores, led by Ms. Tang, a dance teacher. She initially focused her attention on the sophomores, largely ignoring the freshmen. Lu Qiyi stepped forward, requesting that the freshmen also be allowed to participate in the exercises. Ms. Tang agreed but subjected them to a grueling "sculpture exercise," requiring them to hold challenging poses for ten minutes.

This difficult experience made the freshmen realize and appreciate the value of Mr. Sun's teaching methods. After the class, Lu Qiyi addressed her classmates. She apologized for her earlier oversight with the morning exercise notification and reminded them of Mr. Sun's teaching philosophy: "ethics before skills." She acknowledged their collective missteps, including their tardiness, their defiance in class, and their partying at the masquerade.

She proposed that the entire class write and sign a joint petition to persuade Mr. Sun to return. While most students eagerly agreed and signed, Fang Yan was preoccupied with his club's issues and left to deal with them, promising to sign later. To show Mr. Sun their collective sincerity and commitment to acting, Fang Yan led the male students to the sports ground. There, they removed their shirts and ran together on the track.

Even the reserved Luo Xiuwen, initially hesitant, bravely joined in. The female students also ran alongside them, smiling and cheering. Mr. Sun observed their display from afar, clearly moved. Later that evening, as Lu Qiyi was secretly viewing photos of Zhang Yang on her phone, she received a call from her father.

He informed her that her high school principal had invited her to give a speech as an outstanding graduate, and he had already accepted the invitation on her behalf. Lu Qiyi was stunned and felt immense pressure, which even caused her to begin sleepwalking.

Hao Kaixin woke up exhausted because Lu Qiyi had been sleepwalking and scared her the previous night. Lu Qiyi, recalling a recent call from her father, sought advice from Li Xiao, her senior, about requesting a leave of absence from school. Li Xiao reminded her that as class monitor, she should set an example and complete the acting assignment from Mr. Sun Zhuowen before considering any leave. Lu Qiyi agreed to this.

Mr. Sun's assignment for the acting class was for students to experience unfamiliar lives and discover another aspect of themselves. During a class exercise where students had to imagine various environments and transformations, Mr. Sun noted that Lu Qiyi's portrayal of a "towering tree" more closely resembled a "sapling." After class, Fang Yan suggested Lu Qiyi try "maniac roles" to find her other self, which Lu Qiyi interpreted as acting like a "lunatic."

Taking the advice seriously, Lu Qiyi secluded herself in her dorm room, diligently watching films featuring characters with mental health issues, meticulously noting down specific actions like eye slants, mouth twists, and giggles. Hao Kaixin expressed concern that Lu Qiyi was getting too absorbed, warning her she was "going crazy" from watching schizophrenic movies. Meanwhile, Hao Kaixin expressed her desire to become more feminine to win the affection of Li Xiao.

She confided in Lu Qiyi, wondering if Li Xiao's disinterest stemmed from her perceived lack of "femininity." Lu Qiyi jokingly offered to teach her femininity in exchange for self-defense lessons, but Hao Kaixin declined, confidently stating she would conquer Li Xiao with her "personality charm." She then sought help from Bai Qiao, known for her sexy and feminine demeanor.

Bai Qiao took Hao Kaixin to a salon for a new hairstyle and then to a shopping mall, where they selected a dress and high heels. The transformation was remarkable, changing Hao Kaixin from her usual tomboy image into a more feminine and eye-catching young woman. During their shopping, Hao Kaixin noticed a small injury on Bai Qiao, who brushed it off as minor and said she had many such marks.

Excited by her new look, Hao Kaixin immediately decided to call Li Xiao to ask him out. Lu Qiyi, who was present, cautioned her against being too impulsive. Undeterred, Hao Kaixin called Li Xiao and enthusiastically invited him to lunch, then suggested afternoon, evening, or even the next day when Li Xiao initially cited being busy. Despite Li Xiao's attempts to politely decline, Hao Kaixin's persistence eventually led him to agree to meet out of politeness.

After securing the date, Hao Kaixin asked Lu Qiyi to accompany her to choose a gift for Li Xiao, but Lu Qiyi refused, stating that a personal choice would show more sincerity and that she needed to focus on her own homework. Later, while Hao Kaixin was out, she unexpectedly witnessed Li Xiao expressing his profound feelings to Bai Qiao. Li Xiao confessed that he had been smitten with Bai Qiao since seeing her at a recent ball.

He acknowledged his uncertainty about his future plans as graduation approached but earnestly promised to strive to make her happy. Bai Qiao appeared thoughtful, recalling having been in that place with a "friend," though she clarified it was just a regular friend. Li Xiao urged her not to feel pressured and to take her time in considering his heartfelt confession. Overhearing this, Hao Kaixin was heartbroken and deeply disappointed.

Du Ang and Fang Yan, after an intense gaming session where they lost, overheard Li Sanshang, who came from a rural background and had never done anything "outrageous," asking them to download a game. Fang Yan remarked that Li Sanshang had never truly "opened himself up." Upon questioning him about a girl he was interested in, they realized he hadn't even held her hand.

Seeing this as an opportunity for him to experience "another side" of life for his homework, Du Ang and Fang Yan gave Li Sanshang a stylish makeover and took him to a bar. At the bar, Li Sanshang initially found the environment too dark, prompting Fang Yan to joke about removing his sunglasses. They then spotted Zhang Yang and Fei Jie.

Li Sanshang suggested they might be discussing "serious business," but Du Ang dismissed this, insinuating that people don't come to bars for serious discussions and that Zhang Yang might have a new romantic interest. After a few drinks, a more excited Li Sanshang joined Du Ang and Fang Yan in approaching a group of "beauties."

Du Ang, being the more outgoing one, introduced himself as "Eric," a renowned fashion designer, and Fang Yan as "Francis," a famous financial IT specialist, encouraging everyone to enjoy themselves. As the night concluded, Du Ang was presented with a bill for 9,180 yuan, which he found outrageously expensive. He accused the girls they had been drinking with of being "cappers" (individuals who lure customers to bars to inflate their tabs).

The disagreement quickly escalated into a physical altercation with the bar's security staff. Hao Kaixin, who was also at the bar, saw Du Ang being pushed and rushed to intervene. Just as the situation grew tense, Zhang Yang (who was with Fei Jie) and Fei Jie intervened. Fei Jie, who appeared to be familiar with the bar owner, Mr. Wang, intervened.

She told Mr. Wang that Du Ang and Fang Yan were her friends and offered to pay the bill herself, diffusing the conflict. Mr. Wang, recognizing Fei Jie's influence, quickly instructed his staff to withdraw, acknowledging the situation as a "misunderstanding."

Meanwhile, Zouyang Zimo, noticing Lu Qiyi's struggles with her "maniac role" acting assignment, suggested that "art comes from life" and proposed they embark on a dangerous adventure: sneaking into a mental hospital to film a unique documentary and find inspiration. Lu Qiyi, spurred by Zouyang Zimo's challenge, agreed to the risky idea. Late at night, they climbed over a wall to enter the mental hospital grounds, cautiously avoiding a security guard and a dog named Blackie.

Once inside, they were unexpectedly separated. Lu Qiyi found herself in an office with a man dressed as a doctor. She apologized for entering the wrong room, but the man calmly advised her to stay put, claiming he had written the "script" for all events, including her presence, and could see her future. To prove his abilities, he orchestrated a "game" where he accurately predicted a nurse's entry, her failure to find them, and her departure, locking the door.

Further astonishing Lu Qiyi, he foretold the hospital bell ringing, lights going out, glass breaking, and the dog barking. Convinced and desperate to leave, especially with her phone dead, Lu Qiyi agreed to accompany him "to a place" to help him "finish his unwritten script." Meanwhile, a worried Zouyang Zimo, unable to find Lu Qiyi, sought help from a nurse.

Reviewing security footage, they made a shocking discovery: the man Lu Qiyi was with was not a doctor but patient ID 2475, a "high-risk patient" with severe delusional disorder who had previously attempted to kill his own daughter. Overwhelmed with anxiety, Zouyang Zimo frantically searched for Lu Qiyi with the staff and sent her a text message, revealing the terrifying truth about the man's identity.

As the patient led Lu Qiyi to the top floor, he vaguely told her she would "know soon" why they were there. Just then, Lu Qiyi's phone received Zouyang Zimo's warning, and she realized the extreme danger she was in.

The mental patient, pretending to be a doctor, questioned why Lu Qiyi was there, promising she would soon understand. He claimed that people often misunderstand genius as madness, stating that there is a fine line between the two. He further asserted that he could see her future and that the path she chose would lead her very far, though it would involve many tricky problems.

He advised her to follow her heart and stick to her choices, assuring her that after the wind and rain, beautiful scenery would eventually be seen. Meanwhile, the group at the bar (including Fang Yan and Hao Kaixin) received an urgent message from Zouyang Zimo, informing them of Lu Qiyi's dangerous situation at the mental hospital. They rushed to her aid and arrived just in time to restrain the patient.

As he was being led away, the patient continued to shout, "I can see your future!" With Lu Qiyi safely rescued, the group returned to their dorms to rest. The next morning, Bai Qiao sent a text message to Li Xiao, apologizing and explaining that after an entire night of thinking, she couldn't accept his confession because she still harbored feelings for someone else.

Simultaneously, Lu Qiyi received a call from her father, reminding her about an upcoming speech at her old high school and mentioning that her flight was booked for tomorrow. Inspired by the mental patient's words about following her heart, Lu Qiyi politely declined, explaining that her university schedule was demanding and that she believed people should be respected for pursuing their own dreams and paths.

While her father agreed, mentioning he had discussed it with her mother, he revealed the school's backup plan: parents would step in to give the speech if students couldn't make it. Lu Qiyi was left speechless as her father hung up. Later, Lu Qiyi and Hao Kaixin saw a poster for the school's Musical Festival. Hao Kaixin suggested Lu Qiyi perform "The White-Haired Girl," a Chinese new opera.

Lu Qiyi was interested but noted that it was different from a musical and she lacked a partner. Back in the dorm, Lu Qiyi invited Bai Qiao to be her partner for the festival, but Bai Qiao quickly refused, stating she already had a partner. After Bai Qiao left, Hao Kaixin expressed her annoyance, calling Bai Qiao pretentious.

Hao Kaixin then confided in Lu Qiyi that she believed Bai Qiao had not rejected Li Xiao's confession, implying they were now together. She urged Lu Qiyi to partner with Zhang Yang for the festival to defeat Bai Qiao and make Li Xiao lose interest in her. Hesitant but encouraged, Lu Qiyi decided to invite Zhang Yang. She closed her eyes and counted to ten, hoping he would appear. Just as she finished, Zhang Yang walked past.

Lu Qiyi gathered her courage and asked him to be her partner for the Musical Festival. Zhang Yang smiled warmly and immediately agreed, promising to connect by phone. Their first rehearsal went late into the evening. Lu Qiyi complimented Zhang Yang on his singing, admitting she only knew him as a good student. He humbly replied that he had only started learning this semester.

She thanked him for rehearsing with her, to which he responded that there was no need for formalities between old friends. As they walked back to the dorm, Hao Kaixin spotted them and playfully accused them of "hooking up behind my back," claiming she saw Zhang Yang pat Lu Qiyi's head. Lu Qiyi denied it, saying their relationship wasn't that far along.

To keep Hao Kaixin quiet, Lu Qiyi offered to treat her to all the skewers she could eat the next day. However, Hao Kaixin remembered a scheduled weigh-in for their upcoming physical education class. The following day after class, Hao Kaixin asked Lu Qiyi if she was rehearsing with Zhang Yang again. Lu Qiyi replied she wasn't. Hao Kaixin then pressed her about when they would make their relationship public, a conversation that Fang Yan, who was nearby, overheard.

Fang Yan's spirits visibly dropped. Back in their dorm, Fang Yan casually asked Zhang Yang about rehearsing with "Xueba Jie," referring to Lu Qiyi. Zhang Yang clarified that he had commitments that day and their rehearsal was set for tomorrow morning. Soon after, Du Ang burst in and rallied his roommates, including Fang Yan and Li Sanshang, to go play basketball. At the basketball court, they encountered a group from another college who had claimed the court using water bottles.

When Du Ang and his friends tried to play, the other group rudely called them "academic losers." Unable to tolerate the disrespect, Du Ang challenged them to a game to decide who would use the court. Despite winning the match, Du Ang sprained his ankle. Fang Yan and Li Sanshang helped him to the cafeteria afterward. There, they ran into Lu Qiyi and Hao Kaixin. Du Ang, feigning helplessness due0 to his injury, asked Lu Qiyi to get his food.

While she was away, he took her phone, knowing her password (671671), and secretly sent a text message to Zhang Yang. The message, seemingly from Lu Qiyi, confessed her feelings for Zhang Yang and asked him to meet her at the West Gate Pavilion at 8 PM that night if he felt the same way, hoping to play Cupid.

Meanwhile, Li Sanshang mentioned Xiaoyu, triggering Hao Kaixin's memory of seeing Xiaoyu and Ma Xiangyu in an unusually close interaction earlier, for which she had photos. Hao Kaixin seized an opportunity when Li Sanshang went to buy drinks and discreetly showed him pictures hinting at an unusual closeness, suggesting Xiaoyu's relationship with Ma Xiangyu seemed more than friendly. Back at the table, Lu Qiyi returned and discovered the message Du Ang had sent from her phone.

She was utterly shocked and furious at his interference. Despite her anger, she was now faced with the dilemma of whether to go to the arranged meeting. In her dorm, she paced anxiously, torn about what to do. Bai Qiao, who also knew about Lu Qiyi's "confession," remembered seeing Zhang Yang and the bar owner, Xinfei, being very affectionate at a previous dance party. She considered warning Lu Qiyi but ultimately decided to keep quiet.

Eventually, Lu Qiyi gathered her courage and went to the West Gate Pavilion. She waited all night, but Zhang Yang never appeared. As a heavy rainstorm began, a heartbroken Lu Qiyi sought refuge at the Restaurant Music Bar, "Waiting for Godot." Inside, she saw Zhang Yang and Xinfei chatting and laughing together, their closeness evident, which confirmed her deepest fears and left her devastated in the rain.

The next morning, Lu Qiyi had a high fever from waiting in the rain all night. Unable to face Zhang Yang, she decided to find a new partner for the Musical Festival. Feeling responsible for the entire debacle, Du Ang took it upon himself to find Lu Qiyi a new partner: Fang Yan. Seeing how unwell Lu Qiyi was, Fang Yan immediately rushed to the Health Center to get her some cold medicine.

Meanwhile, Hao Kaixin, still fuming over Zhang Yang’s perceived abandonment of Lu Qiyi, confronted him in the cafeteria, calling him a "jerk." She angrily demanded to know why he hadn't shown up to meet Qiyi, causing her to fall ill from the rain. Zhang Yang was completely bewildered, claiming he hadn't received any text messages. A senior student, who knew both Zhang Yang and Xinfei, then intervened and informed Zhang Yang that it was Xinfei who had deleted his message.

Realizing what happened, Zhang Yang immediately tried to call Lu Qiyi, but her phone went unanswered. He then rushed to the Restaurant Music Bar, "Waiting for Godot," to confront Xinfei. As he approached, Xinfei unexpectedly fainted in his arms.

After Zhang Yang and a senior student helped the fainted Fei settle down, the senior student explained Fei’s unusual behavior. She revealed that Fei had mistaken Zhang Yang for the former owner of the "Waiting for Godot" bar, her lost lover, due to their striking resemblance. The bar, originally under a different name, was nearly sold by a heartbroken Fei after her lover's disappearance.

However, a dream in which he told her to wait for his return inspired her to rename the bar "Waiting for Godot" and continue running it, clinging to the hope of his eventual comeback. This deep longing was why Fei had deleted Lu Qiyi's confession message to Zhang Yang, treating him as a substitute for her missing lover.

The senior student then asked Zhang Yang about his feelings for Lu Qiyi, noting how he immediately rushed to her side upon learning she had waited for him all night in the rain. Zhang Yang admitted he was unsure, explaining that despite knowing Lu Qiyi since childhood, he had never considered her romantically. The senior student encouraged him to reflect deeply and pursue her if his feelings were genuine.

After rejecting Li Xiao, Bai Qiao approached Fang Yan to be her partner for the upcoming Musical Festival. To her disappointment, Fang Yan informed her that he had already agreed to partner with Lu Qiyi. Bai Qiao, visibly disheartened, accepted the refusal and subsequently partnered with Li Xiao for the competition. Meanwhile, Hao Kaixin's roommate, Zimo, discovered an online post accusing Bai Qiao of being a sugar baby, complete with photographic evidence.

This explosive gossip quickly spread throughout the performance class. Some students found it unsurprising, citing Bai Qiao's expensive possessions, while others dismissed it as mere slander. Hao Kaixin vehemently denied being the poster, stating that her character as a martial artist advocated for transparency, and expressed concern that Bai Qiao might suspect her. Lu Qiyi also worried that her long-standing friendship with Bai Qiao might lead to her being implicated.

Both Hao Kaixin and Zimo assured Lu Qiyi of their belief in her innocence, but Zimo questioned whether Bai Qiao would feel the same. Li Xiao, upon seeing the post, immediately offered his unwavering support to Bai Qiao, assuring her of his belief in her and offering to help uncover the poster's identity.

Bai Qiao, touched, indicated that his trust was sufficient and that she already had a suspect in mind, adding that the identity of the poster didn't matter as long as Li Xiao believed her. Li Xiao reiterated his support, telling her to contact him if she needed anything.

Lu Qiyi received a phone call from her mother, who informed her that her father was coming to Nancheng for a meeting the following day and suggested it was the perfect time to reveal her secret. Shortly thereafter, her father called, proudly sharing the success of his recent high school speech. He then asked Lu Qiyi to arrange a meeting with her "teacher Miss Bai" to discuss the translation of some medical documents from the University of Leicester.

Panicked and still unprepared to confess her true major, Lu Qiyi desperately sought out Bai Qiao. She pleaded with Bai Qiao, reminding her that she was the only person who knew her secret and could help her maintain the deception. Though initially reluctant, Bai Qiao eventually agreed, reasoning she couldn't simply stand by.

Lu Qiyi, expressing her profound gratitude, took the opportunity to tell Bai Qiao that despite their recent distance, she had always considered her best friend and swore she had never spoken ill of her. Bai Qiao responded with indifference, dismissing the significance of such sentiments and urging Lu Qiyi to proceed with the plan. During the arranged meeting with Lu Qiyi's father, Bai Qiao, instead of following the agreed-upon lie, shockingly revealed the truth.

She confessed that she was not "Teacher Bai," nor an English teacher or a graduate from the University of Leicester, but a fellow 2018 performing arts student at Southern University of the Arts, just like Lu Qiyi. Bai Qiao apologized for the deception, explaining that she felt it was important to clarify everything and that Lu Qiyi was actually studying performing arts.

She urged Mr. Lu to engage in more open communication with his daughter and admitted that she had previously encouraged Lu Qiyi to be honest with him. Lu Qiyi, stunned, tried to interject, but her furious father cut her off, demanding she accompany him immediately. Later, Dean Sun Zhuowen informed Lu Qiyi that he had spoken with her father, who, after some persuasion, agreed to give her a final chance.

Her father would attend the Musical Festival to see her perform and determine if she possessed genuine acting talent, which would decide her academic future. Lu Qiyi breathed a sigh of relief. Lu Qiyi confronted Bai Qiao, demanding an explanation for her betrayal. Bai Qiao retaliated, accusing Lu Qiyi of being worse, specifically citing rumors she believed Lu Qiyi had spread about her personal life and relationships with men.

Lu Qiyi vehemently denied the accusations, expressing hurt that Bai Qiao, her best friend, would not trust her. Bai Qiao dismissed Lu Qiyi's pleas, accusing her of merely "pretending to be pathetic," and coldly suggested that Lu Qiyi's personality was "not suitable for arts," advising her to return home with her father. Despite the bitter argument, Lu Qiyi thanked Bai Qiao for, in a way, giving her the courage to finally tell her father the truth.

Following the intense confrontation, Du Ang and some friends discussed the online post, concluding that its intent was to both defame Bai Qiao and frame Lu Qiyi. Determined to clear Lu Qiyi's name, Du Ang gathered his friends and organized an extensive, all-night search at a cybercafe to identify the anonymous poster. Feeling the weight of her actions and unable to return to her dorm, Bai Qiao sought refuge with Li Xiao, asking him for a place to stay.

Li Xiao welcomed her in and later inquired if she truly believed Lu Qiyi was the one who posted the defamatory content. Bai Qiao admitted that she did not believe Lu Qiyi was the culprit but confessed to harboring intense dislike for her. She revealed her deep-seated jealousy, recounting how Lu Qiyi, despite appearing bookish, possessed extraordinary artistic talent, particularly in classical dance.

Bai Qiao shared her frustration that Lu Qiyi, who scored over 640 points on her exams, chose to attend Southern University of the Arts, an art school, rather than a more prestigious university, a path Bai Qiao herself had struggled for two extra years in high school to achieve. She tearfully expressed envy for Lu Qiyi's loving parents, lamenting that she herself felt she had "nothing."

After Li Xiao, offering comfort, promised her a safe haven whenever she faced conflicts with her roommates, Bai Qiao indicated she was ready to return to her dorm. After a thorough investigation, Du Ang and his friends successfully identified the online poster as Zhao Jie, a classmate. Confronted by Du Ang and Lu Qiyi, Zhao Jie tearfully confessed to creating the defamatory post about Bai Qiao.

She explained that her actions were driven by her secret admiration for Li Xiao and her jealousy towards Bai Qiao. Zhao Jie pleaded with Lu Qiyi not to expose her to the other students or Bai Qiao, citing the immense difficulty she faced in gaining admission to the university and her parents' poor health. She promised to never repeat such actions and offered to post a clarification. Du Ang condemned her for defaming Bai Qiao and framing Lu Qiyi.

Lu Qiyi, moved by Zhao Jie's desperate plea, ultimately decided to keep her identity a secret, even if it meant remaining misunderstood by Bai Qiao. Dean Sun Zhuowen announced to the performance class that only one slot was available for the Musical Festival. He proposed that Bai Qiao and Lu Qiyi, the only two entrants from the class, merge their performances into a single act.

Bai Qiao strongly objected, instead suggesting an internal class election where students would vote for one act to represent the class. While Lu Qiyi hesitated, Fang Yan accepted the challenge on her behalf. During rehearsals, Lu Qiyi struggled to focus, leading Fang Yan to express his frustration with her lack of concentration and questioning her desire to win. He suggested they take a break and practice later that evening.

In the meantime, Du Ang actively campaigned for Lu Qiyi, distributing free snacks to their classmates and explicitly asking them to vote for her. Separately, Li Xiao questioned Bai Qiao's decision to compete against Lu Qiyi when they could have partnered, to which Bai Qiao responded that she could only win with Li Xiao as her partner, indicating her strong desire for victory. Concerned about her father's visit and its implications for her future, Lu Qiyi sought out Dean Sun.

She candidly asked if her father would allow her to remain at the university, recalling his initial disapproval of her pursuing arts. Dean Sun reassured her, encouraging her to focus on delivering a strong performance at the Musical Festival, believing her father would eventually come to understand her passion. As Lu Qiyi left Dean Sun’s office, a female classmate witnessed her departure.

This classmate then approached Bai Qiao, implying that Lu Qiyi might be using underhanded "tricks" to secure her victory in the upcoming competition, and advised Bai Qiao to be vigilant. Bai Qiao listened, nodding discreetly without revealing her thoughts.

Fang Yan apologized to Lu Qiyi for his earlier hot-headedness, and Lu Qiyi accepted his apology, then urged him to put the music on, ready for practice. During a rehearsal for the upcoming class competition, Lu Qiyi overexerted herself during a jump and sprained her ankle. Fang Yan and Li Sanshang quickly took her back to the dorm.

Fang Yan expressed concern about her injury and suggested they avoid lift moves in their upcoming performance, but Lu Qiyi, determined to prove herself, insisted on sticking to their original plan. Meanwhile, in the dorm, Hao Kaixin speculated that Bai Qiao had been spending a lot of time with Li Xiao, suggesting a romantic relationship.

Jealous, Hao Kaixin searched Bai Qiao's bag while she was washing up and found dance shoes, seemingly confirming her suspicion that Bai Qiao had found a dance partner in Li Xiao. Bai Qiao later approached Li Xiao, asking him to help her cheat in an upcoming class competition. She admitted her request was improper but felt she had no other choice. Li Xiao refused, stating that the competition was intended for passionate musical theater students nationwide and should be fair.

Bai Qiao countered that it was already unfair, revealing that Lu Qiyi had already spoken to Mr. Sun, and Du Ang was actively campaigning for her. Bai Qiao then confessed her desperate need for the first-place scholarship, but Li Xiao remained firm in his refusal. Zhao Jie found Bai Qiao in the restroom and tearfully confessed that she was the one who posted the defamatory message about her, offering a sincere apology.

Bai Qiao, who had already known this, didn't appear angry. Instead, she coolly told Zhao Jie to carefully consider who she would vote for the next day. Earlier, Du Ang had also approached Zhao Jie, using his knowledge of her actions to pressure her into voting for Lu Qiyi. Zhao Jie was caught in a difficult bind. On the day of the class competition, a broken sound system wire caused a delay.

Li Sanshang and Hao Kaixin volunteered to go to the supermarket to buy a replacement. There, Li Sanshang was heartbroken to see Xiaoyu with Ma Xiangyu, who introduced himself as Xiaoyu's boyfriend. Visibly upset, Li Sanshang quickly left, citing other commitments. Both Lu Qiyi and Fang Yan, and Bai Qiao and Li Xiao delivered strong performances. Despite her ankle injury, Lu Qiyi perfectly executed her routine with Fang Yan.

During the tense voting, the scores resulted in a tie, leaving Zhao Jie's vote to decide the winner. Overwhelmed and unable to choose, Zhao Jie abstained. She then bravely confessed to the entire class that she was responsible for the defamatory post about Bai Qiao. She tearfully explained her struggles with fierce competition and feelings of inadequacy at the university, asking for the class's forgiveness.

Mr. Sun used this moment to impart a lesson, stressing the importance of upholding one's original aspirations and respecting every opponent, as they contribute to one's growth. He then allowed Zhao Jie to leave. Bai Qiao then suggested that Mr. Sun cast the tie-breaking vote. After a moment of thought, Mr. Sun voted for Lu Qiyi. He explained that while Bai Qiao's technique was undoubtedly skilled, Lu Qiyi's performance resonated more deeply with genuine emotion and sincerity.

Following the announcement, Li Xiao, surprised by the outcome, sent Bai Qiao a message offering financial assistance if she needed it. Before she could reply, Bai Qiao received a phone call, promising the person on the line that she would wire the money within two days. Later, at the official Musical Festival, Lu Qiyi's father attended as promised.

Before Lu Qiyi and Fang Yan's performance, Zhang Yang, a guest performer, played an original piano piece called "The Flower Pink," dedicating it to a girl he'd known for a long time and wishing her success. The music helped calm Lu Qiyi's nerves. Lu Qiyi and Fang Yan performed their original musical, "Art Students." However, Fang Yan's father, Mr. Su Wen, was among the judges.

He delivered a harsh critique of Fang Yan's acting, specifically giving him 59 points, stating that he perceived no love in Fang Yan's eyes and a distinct lack of sincerity and detail in his portrayal. Ms. Tang, another judge, concurred with Mr. Su Wen's assessment, adding that Lu Qiyi's emotional expression was more impactful. Disheartened, Fang Yan abruptly walked off the stage. Ultimately, Lu Qiyi and Fang Yan did not receive any awards.

After the festival, Lu Qiyi's father departed Nancheng by plane. He didn't explicitly endorse her continued enrollment in art school but advised her to consider studying abroad and to contact home if she needed money. Lu Qiyi was left feeling anxious about her future. Du Ang and Hao Kaixin tried to reassure her, telling her that her father loved her and would eventually let her stay, but Lu Qiyi felt her destiny was out of her hands.

Fang Yan, still reeling from the competition results, was approached by Bai Qiao. She attempted to comfort him and once again confessed her feelings, mentioning that she had turned down Li Xiao for him. Fang Yan, however, remained indifferent, suggesting she had misunderstood and implicitly indicating that his rejection was due to Lu Qiyi. He then walked away without further explanation. Du Ang asked Hao Kaixin about Li Sanshang's whereabouts.

Hao Kaixin explained that Li Sanshang was heartbroken after seeing Xiaoyu with Ma Xiangyu, who introduced himself as Xiaoyu's boyfriend, though Xiaoyu seemed resistant but didn't refute him. Du Ang, however, was concerned because Mr. Sun had called Li Sanshang away earlier, and Li Sanshang was no longer answering his phone. Around the same time, Fang Yan was stopped by a black car. Inside was Mr. Su Wen, his father, who offered gifts for Fang Yan and his mother.

Fang Yan, however, was cold and dismissive, rejecting the gifts and expressing a desire to leave. Mr. Su Wen tried to smooth things over, suggesting Fang Yan was still upset about his public criticism during the festival, but Fang Yan maintained his distant demeanor and left. Later, Hao Kaixin received a shocking phone call from Li Sanshang. His father had passed away, and he intended to drop out of school.

Overcome with worry, Hao Kaixin, Lu Qiyi, Du Ang, and Fang Yan immediately decided to drive to Li Sanshang's home, about 200 kilometers away, fearing he might do something impulsive in his grief.

After learning that Li Sanshang intended to withdraw from school, Sun Zhuowen reflected on their first encounter during the College Entrance Exam for Art Students. Li Sanshang had performed "Keening" for him, a folk ritual where a keener cries as if they have lost a close relative, an act Li Sanshang described as art "inspired by life but beyond it."

Though Li Sanshang's diction, physical presence, and accent were average, Sun Zhuowen recognized a rare and valuable passion in his eyes, believing it indicated the potential for an excellent actor. Ms. Tang, a fellow teacher, also expressed concern about Li Sanshang's decision. Sun Zhuowen, recalling Li Sanshang's promise from that day—"If you can give me a chance, I will return a miracle to you!"

—firmly declared to Ms. Tang that he would not permit his student to quit, especially since Li Sanshang still owed him a miracle. Worried about Li Sanshang, Lu Qiyi, Hao Kaixin, Du Ang, and Fang Yan traveled to his hometown. They were surprised to find Li Sanshang seemingly calm and composed, not outwardly shattered by grief. After the keening ceremony, Li Sanshang disappeared. His uncle expressed concern that Li Sanshang was suppressing his emotions and might act out.

Li Sanshang's younger brother, Xiaoshang, mentioned seeing him head toward the river bank. Xiaoshang also told the friends that in their village, typically only one child could leave for school, and since Li Sanshang had gone out, he was expected to stay home. His uncle also shared that Li Sanshang had a good exam score but insisted on studying acting, which only his father supported.

Hao Kaixin, sensing something amiss, immediately rushed to find Li Sanshang, with the others and his uncle following closely behind. As darkness fell, they finally located Li Sanshang at the river bank. When his friends asked if he was alright, he simply replied he was fine and explained he was looking for fireflies. He recounted his father’s belief that deceased people transform into fireflies, and the brightest among them represents your closest loved one.

Li Sanshang thought his father should be a firefly by now, and he had come to this very river bank, where his father used to bring him to watch fireflies and teach him to play the suona. He was saddened to find no fireflies there now. Hao Kaixin offered to search elsewhere for them, but Li Sanshang quietly refused and walked away. Hao Kaixin urged him to cry if he needed to.

Witnessing Li Sanshang's grief, Lu Qiyi was reminded of her own parents. She called them, tearfully telling her father that she would give up acting if he did not approve. Her mother then took the phone, reassuring Lu Qiyi not to cry and that her father was no longer angry. He had temporarily agreed to let her continue her studies at the Southern University of the Arts, encouraging her to focus on her education without worry.

That night, Hao Kaixin overheard Li Sanshang discussing his intention to withdraw from school with his family. His family urged him not to worry about them or money, but Li Sanshang remained firm, stating he felt unqualified for acting and believed that by staying, his younger brother could go to school. Hao Kaixin, feigning fear of going to the toilet alone, asked Li Sanshang to accompany her, hoping for a private conversation.

In the darkness, she asked him to sing a song. After he sang, she climbed onto the roof, telling him that quitting would solve nothing and that his friends would help him overcome any financial difficulties if he would only stay in school. When Li Sanshang remained unswayed, arguing that her martial arts skills would prevent injury if she jumped, Hao Kaixin leaped from the eaves, spraining her ankle. Li Sanshang rushed to her side, then carried her back.

As they walked, they noticed a group of fireflies. Hao Kaixin told him that his father surely wouldn't want to see him in such a state. Before returning to school, Sun Zhuowen had spoken with a dean about regulations, implying that while rules are fixed, people can adapt to change them, and that financial or emotional problems can be addressed by communicating. He was likely working to solve Li Sanshang's financial problems, though not explicitly stated.

Lu Qiyi and her friends, still worried about Li Sanshang but needing to resume their classes, reluctantly departed his village, with Fang Yan encouraging him to return soon and Hao Kaixin emphasizing that none of them would agree to his withdrawal, especially after her injury. Time passed. In a performance class, Sun Zhuowen critiqued Fang Yan’s acting, noting that his portrayal of a man whose seven-year girlfriend betrayed him was "programmed" and "overdone."

Lu Qiyi commented that Fang Yan's performance was layered and used props well, but she didn't feel a strong emotional impact. Sun Zhuowen advised new students to avoid formulaic and exaggerated performances. Just as the class ended, Li Sanshang unexpectedly appeared in the classroom, announcing his return. His classmates were delighted, warmly welcoming him back, with some jokingly commenting on his appearance and Hao Kaixin reminding him that he owed her a ride.

However, Hao Kaixin also observed that something about Li Sanshang seemed subtly off, particularly his smile, a sentiment Lu Qiyi shared. Fang Yan suggested he probably needed time to adjust. Later, when asked about the club members, Li Sanshang learned that some were dissatisfied with Fang Yan's training methods and advised him to communicate better. He confirmed his family matters were settled and went directly to the physical training room.

Meanwhile, Du Ang, who harbored feelings for Lu Qiyi, invited her to celebrate his birthday. He brought a bouquet of roses, intending a romantic gesture. However, he was disappointed when Lu Qiyi arrived with Hao Kaixin, Luo Xiuwen, and others, effectively turning it into a group outing. Hao Kaixin jokingly interjected, preventing Du Ang from expressing his feelings. At the restaurant Du Ang had booked, they surprisingly spotted Sun Zhuowen having dinner with the popular actress Xun.

Earlier, the group had seen a news report online about Xun's "underground relationship" with a mysterious man, and Lu Qiyi had pointed out a resemblance to Sun Zhuowen, though the others had dismissed it, remarking that Sun Zhuowen and Xun were from different worlds.

The students gathered by the window, peeking into a private room where their teacher, Sun Zhuowen, was dining with the famous actress, Xun. Xun expressed a desire for Sun Zhuowen to return to something from their past, but he firmly declined, stating his current focus was solely on teaching his students well. Luo Xiuwen attempted to secretly film them, but Xun’s bodyguard quickly intervened, confiscating his phone and deleting the video.

However, this encounter still resulted in the students acquiring Xun's business card. Unbeknownst to them, Ms. Tang was also at the restaurant, visibly troubled, and seemed aware of the situation between Xun and Sun Zhuowen, asking him when he intended to tell "him" about it. Du Ang, whose birthday it was, jokingly lamented that his celebration was overshadowed by this "super shocking secret" surrounding their teacher and the actress.

Back at school, Li Sanshang tried to maintain a normal facade, but his grief over his father's death frequently caused him to lose emotional control, worrying his friends. Hao Kaixin, observing his distress, brought him food, but Li Sanshang, immersed in his sadness, showed no appetite. During a performance class, Li Sanshang's emotional turmoil erupted in a powerful monologue about feeling like a failure, and he then excused himself, still deeply affected by the role.

His friends recognized he was grappling with a profound psychological issue. Du Ang and his friends brainstormed ways to help Li Sanshang. They decided to reach out to his idol, the actor Huang Bo, believing his encouragement could make a difference. Lu Qiyi, using the business card, contacted Xun, explaining Li Sanshang's predicament. Xun, although mentioning that a direct meeting with Huang Bo would be challenging, warmly promised to help find a solution.

Meanwhile, Fang Yan received a score of 59 on his mid-term performance exam. Sun Zhuowen advised him that Su Wen's comments during the musical festival were apt and urged him to reflect on his performance issues. Feeling angry and defiant, Fang Yan returned home, turning down Du Ang's invitation to the Restaurant Music Bar. At home, he discovered numerous gifts sent by Su Wen. Enraged, Fang Yan demanded his mother return them.

When Su Wen himself arrived, Fang Yan defiantly ignored him, staring at his phone. He refused to acknowledge Su Wen as his father and insisted he take the gifts back. Su Wen, attributing Fang Yan’s anger to his performance review, criticized his acting methods, stating he would never achieve anything with them. Fang Yan angrily retorted, accusing Su Wen of abandoning him and his mother years ago, declaring that their connection had been severed from that moment.

He then stormed out of the house. He went to the beach to process his negative emotions and sent a text message to Lu Qiyi, asking her to meet him there and to keep it a secret. Upon receiving Fang Yan’s message, Lu Qiyi immediately hurried to the beach. On her way, she received a call from Zhang Yang, who was waiting for her at the Restaurant Music Bar and claimed to have something very important to tell her.

Lu Qiyi hesitated but ultimately decided to go to Fang Yan. At the beach, Fang Yan hugged Lu Qiyi. Afterwards, he abruptly mentioned being hungry, and they playfully ran together towards the school canteen. During their interaction, Lu Qiyi realized she had truly moved past her feelings for Zhang Yang and was beginning to develop new, distinct emotions for Fang Yan.

Unaware of Lu Qiyi's change of heart, Zhang Yang had meticulously prepared for his confession at the Restaurant Music Bar. Fei, the owner, even brought out the restaurant’s special wine to support him. He waited for a long time, but Lu Qiyi never arrived and did not answer his calls. Disheartened and disappointed, Zhang Yang drank the wine alone. He then walked to Lu Qiyi's dorm and called her again.

Lu Qiyi saw his multiple missed calls and replied with a text message, explaining she had been busy and couldn't make it, then asked what he wanted to talk about. Zhang Yang paused, then simply replied "Nothing" before quietly leaving. Lu Qiyi received a phone call from Xun, who informed her that Huang Bo had agreed to record a message for Li Sanshang and was currently at a press conference.

Recognizing the urgency, Lu Qiyi decided to miss her mid-term exam to go directly to the press conference and obtain the recording. Although Hao Kaixin offered to go in her place, Lu Qiyi insisted that securing Huang Bo's message for Li Sanshang was more important than anything else. During the exam, their classmates covered for Lu Qiyi, telling the teacher she had gone to the hospital.

Later, Hao Kaixin and the others gathered Li Sanshang, and Lu Qiyi arrived with the special recording. They played Huang Bo's audio message, in which he expressed being touched by Li Sanshang's story. Huang Bo acknowledged the pain of losing a loved one but also highlighted the blessing of having caring friends. He reminded Li Sanshang that life, despite its unfairness, also offers gifts like dreams and friendships, concluding with an encouraging "Go, Sanshang!"

Li Sanshang was deeply moved and overjoyed by this heartfelt surprise. Following this, the friends surprised Du Ang with a belated birthday celebration, singing "Happy Birthday." Du Ang was overcome with emotion, shedding tears as he realized Li Sanshang had also been part of the planning. He made three wishes: first, for Li Sanshang to return to his cheerful self; second, for their friendship to last forever.

His third wish, he declared, was not a wish but a direct confession: he loved Lu Qiyi and asked her to be with him. Fang Yan, who was holding the cake, watched with a look of utter shock.

Du Ang confessed his feelings to Lu Qiyi. However, Lu Qiyi, who already harbored feelings for Fang Yan, dodged Du Ang's confession without giving a direct reply, using their familiarity as friends as an excuse. Du Ang, though disappointed, continued to pursue her playfully. Lu Qiyi then met with Xun, who praised her potential and offered to connect her with producers and recommend suitable roles.

Xun then revealed the real reason for their meeting: she needed Lu Qiyi’s help to convince her former teacher, Mr. Sun, to direct Xun’s new film, "Jujiu." Xun explained that directing this film had been Mr. Sun’s long-standing dream and that he held Lu Qiyi in high regard. Lu Qiyi agreed to help, but questioned how she could possibly convince him. Lu Qiyi sought her friends' help to convince Mr. Sun.

The friends decided to uncover Mr. Sun’s core reason for refusing, starting by speaking with Mr. Zhang, who was close to Mr. Sun. Hao Kaixin and Li Sanshang quickly made excuses to leave, subtly creating an opportunity for Du Ang and Lu Qiyi to be alone. Despite his visible discomfort, Fang Yan also excused himself, leaving Lu Qiyi with Du Ang.

Lu Qiyi and Du Ang then visited Mr. Zhang, who informed them that Mr. Sun was once a "rising star" in the directing world, achieving overnight fame with his debut film, "Half Awaken." Du Ang and Lu Qiyi wondered if Mr. Sun and Xun had a past romantic relationship, a suspicion Mr. Zhang also harbored, though he cautioned them against unfounded rumors.

Mr. Zhang also revealed that Mr. Sun had recently expressed no interest in Xun's offer, but suggested they might find a copy of "Half Awaken" in the school library. Later that night, Du Ang and Lu Qiyi decided to sneak into the school library after closing hours to find the film. Lu Qiyi was apprehensive, but Du Ang reassured her, promising to take responsibility if they were caught.

As they searched, Du Ang revisited his earlier confession, asking Lu Qiyi if she would date him. She firmly reiterated that their familiarity made a romantic relationship impossible, stating they were only friends. Frustrated, Du Ang expressed his strong feelings for her and jokingly tried to kiss her, but Lu Qiyi stopped him. They eventually found the CD for "Half Awaken" and managed to evade a seemingly drunk security guard by pretending to be studying.

Meanwhile, the "Little Target Drama Club" was facing a severe crisis. Members were either making excuses to skip activities or outright quitting, complaining about a lack of professional guidance beyond basic warm-ups. Fang Yan became enraged by their apathy, leading to heated arguments. Li Sanshang intervened, suggesting they hire an experienced instructor to professionalize the club and attract new members, citing the success of other campus clubs doing the same.

Fang Yan, still upset, reluctantly agreed to gather all members for a meeting. Subsequently, Li Sanshang and Hao Kaixin approached Bai Qiao for assistance in finding a suitable instructor, and Bai Qiao, eager to help Fang Yan, readily agreed. She introduced them to a contact named Ox, who boasted connections to top actors and directors.

However, when Hao Kaixin inquired about an instructor within their budget of 500 yuan per class, Ox scoffed, stating that his renowned instructors charged a minimum of 20,000 yuan for a 45-minute session, leading Hao Kaixin to believe he was a charlatan. Back at the university, Du Ang and Lu Qiyi set up equipment and arranged an impromptu movie appreciation class to screen "Half Awaken."

Du Ang lightheartedly mentioned his escapade in the library, claiming he talked his way out of trouble. After the film, the classmates were deeply moved and impressed, applauding Mr. Sun’s talent as a director. However, Mr. Sun himself appeared, furious. He demanded to know where they obtained the film, criticized them for watching movies instead of rehearsing, and summarily dismissed everyone, reaffirming his stance that he would not direct films anymore, believing that "time has changed" and "people change."

During their search for an instructor, Hao Kaixin, who was recovering from an injury caused by Li Sanshang and was being playfully pushed by him in a cart, spotted Xiaoyu at the school infirmary. She urged Li Sanshang to go and "clear things up" with Xiaoyu. However, Li Sanshang abruptly sped away, stating that "some people and some things, after the right time has passed, are no longer suitable."

Hao Kaixin was visibly delighted by his response, indicating a growing ambiguity in their own relationship. Believing that Lu Qiyi held feelings for Fang Yan, Du Ang challenged him to a basketball game in the pouring rain. Their intense game quickly devolved into a physical fight, with Du Ang seeking clarification on Fang Yan's relationship with Lu Qiyi. Fang Yan, however, unequivocally stated, "There's nothing between me and Lu Qiyi."

Reassured and relieved by this declaration, Du Ang’s spirits lifted, and he vowed to pursue Lu Qiyi with renewed and fierce determination. To help the struggling drama club, Lu Qiyi successfully persuaded Mr. Sun to become their new instructor, much to the surprise of Fang Yan and Li Sanshang. However, Fang Yan mistakenly believed that Bai Qiao was responsible for this, asking her how she managed it.

While they were talking, Bai Qiao adjusted Fang Yan's sleeve, a scene that Lu Qiyi witnessed as she arrived with a basket of fruit for the club. Heartbroken, Lu Qiyi quietly left, leaving the fruit behind. Back in her dorm, Lu Qiyi video-called her family to explain her decision to study performing arts, which they had recently discovered.

Her father expressed concerns about the instability of the entertainment industry and wished she had pursued a more conventional, stable career, while her grandmother offered immediate support. Lu Qiyi then bravely shared her lifelong passion for acting, recalling her joy on stage as a child, the sadness of being discouraged from performing during middle school, and the fear she felt after a dance injury.

She confessed to secretly applying to art school, emphasizing that at eighteen, she was determined to chase her dream, fearing she would regret it for the rest of her life if she didn't. Moved by her heartfelt explanation and unwavering resolve, her family finally gave her their blessings, urging her to strive for excellence. Feeling relieved and happy, Lu Qiyi twirled around her room and accidentally found a photo of Bai Qiao and Fang Yan, lying face down on her desk.

The Little Target Drama Club began to flourish with the guidance of Mr. Sun. After a productive training session with the club members, Fang Yan prepared to go thank Mr. Sun. On his way, he encountered Bai Qiao, who had come to find him. Bai Qiao once again confessed her feelings for Fang Yan, but he coldly rejected her, explaining that he already had someone he liked. After parting ways with Bai Qiao, Fang Yan headed to Mr. Sun’s office.

He unexpectedly overheard Ms. Tang attempting to persuade Mr. Sun to resume directing. Mr. Sun, however, remained resolute in his refusal. Ms. Tang, unsuccessful in her efforts, left the office and ran into Fang Yan at the door. She stopped him and shared some details about Mr. Sun’s past. Meanwhile, Lu Qiyi faced a predicament. She had missed an exam to secure a recording from Huang Bo and had intended to take a make-up exam.

However, she learned about a new college regulation for the current semester: any student who missed an exam would automatically receive an F, with no opportunity for a make-up. Frustrated, Lu Qiyi approached the Dean, hoping to find an alternative. The Dean explained that the new rule was enforced because many seniors had skipped exams for filming, angering him.

He eventually told her that if she could successfully convince Mr. Sun to return to directing, he would personally arrange her application for a make-up exam. Both the Dean and Li Xun entrusted Lu Qiyi with the significant task of persuading Mr. Sun, placing considerable pressure on her. Lu Qiyi contacted Li Xun, eager to understand why Mr. Sun remained so stubborn despite various attempts to sway him.

Li Xun revealed that Mr. Sun had emerged as a promising new director, achieving immediate success with his debut film. Many investors sought him out, but he patiently waited for a project he truly wanted to direct. For this film, he specifically cast his junior, a rising star, as the male lead. However, during the filming, an unforeseen accident occurred involving his junior, which became a lifelong burden for Mr. Sun.

Armed with an address provided by Li Xun, Lu Qiyi set out to find Mr. Sun’s junior, Lu Tao. Along the way, she met Fang Yan, who had also obtained the address from Ms. Tang. Despite some initial bickering about who was following whom, they realized they were headed to the same destination. Together, they found Lu Tao, who then recounted the tragic events of that year.

During the filming, Lu Tao had fallen from a significant height, resulting in a lifelong disability that prematurely ended his acting career. Mr. Sun, consumed by guilt, blamed himself for the accident and subsequently withdrew from the entertainment industry. Concurrently, Mr. Sun and Ms. Tang met for a meal at the Old Village Gin Joint. Ms. Tang, who was actually a regular at the establishment, subtly cued Mr. Fu, the owner, to pretend they were meeting for the first time.

Mr. Sun introduced them and ordered “the usual three” drinks, explaining the unique way to appreciate the local liquor. He drew a parallel between movies and drinks, both capable of intoxicating people, and quoted a line from "Casablanca". Their conversation was interrupted when Mr. Sun received a frantic phone call from Lu Qiyi, who claimed Fang Yan was in trouble. Mr. Sun and Ms. Tang immediately rushed to the location.

To Mr. Sun’s astonishment, he discovered that Lu Qiyi and Fang Yan had orchestrated a re-enactment of Lu Tao’s accident, intending to help him confront and release his emotional burden. Furious, Mr. Sun accused them of not understanding the pain he carried, questioning their right to persuade him, whom he considered a sinner, to direct again. Just then, Lu Tao arrived.

He addressed Mr. Sun as "brother" and assured him that he had long since come to terms with the past and never blamed him for the accident. Lu Tao reminded Mr. Sun of their shared dream and unwavering dedication to art, urging him not to sacrifice his passion and dreams for a past he had already moved beyond. When Mr. Sun still hesitated, Lu Tao, from his wheelchair, dramatically offered to "stand up" and beg him.

Witnessing Lu Tao’s determined struggle to rise, Mr. Sun, overcome with emotion, finally relented and agreed to take on Li Xun's new project, "Jujiu". Following this emotional breakthrough, Lu Qiyi and Fang Yan’s relationship deepened. As they walked hand-in-hand across campus, they were spotted by Du Ang. Du Ang had meticulously spent the entire day preparing an elaborate confession to Lu Qiyi at the iron gate where they first met.

Seeing Lu Qiyi and Fang Yan together, his heart sank, and he abandoned his plans for a confession. Du Ang was not the only one experiencing heartbreak that day. Hao Kaixin and Li Sanshang visited the school infirmary to have her leg bandage removed. In front of Jiang Xiaoyu, Hao Kaixin jokingly claimed that she and Li Sanshang were a couple, praising his care. Jiang Xiaoyu, visibly disheartened, offered her congratulations before leaving.

Outside, she encountered Ma Xiangyu, who relentlessly pursued her. Jiang Xiaoyu, however, formally rejected his advances. Meanwhile, after her rejection by Fang Yan, Bai Qiao turned to Li Xiao. Distraught, she drank heavily, and Li Xiao found her, offering comfort and suggesting she take a shower. In her vulnerability, Bai Qiao finally began to consider accepting Li Xiao’s feelings.

Lu Qiyi successfully persuaded Sun Zhuowen to direct, which earned her the right to take a make-up exam, where she scored a high 90. Later, her friend Hao Kaixin confronted her, asking if she and Fang Yan were dating. Lu Qiyi admitted they had held hands but wasn't sure if they were officially together. Hao Kaixin, recalling Lu Qiyi's previous feelings for Zhang Yang and dislike for Fang Yan, pressed her to clarify her feelings.

Hao Kaixin then revealed that Du Ang had spent an entire day decorating an old iron gate and even hired a band to surprise Lu Qiyi with a grand confession. However, Du Ang saw Lu Qiyi and Fang Yan walking hand in hand, which led him to abandon his plan.

After hearing Lu Qiyi affirm that Fang Yan was the one she truly liked, Hao Kaixin advised her against confronting Du Ang directly, explaining it would only cause him further embarrassment since Lu Qiyi had never given him any indication of romantic interest. Hao Kaixin urged Lu Qiyi to give Du Ang some space. Meanwhile, Hao Kaixin and Li Sanshang went to the school infirmary to remove Hao Kaixin's leg bandage.

In front of Jiang Xiaoyu, they pretended to be a couple. Jiang Xiaoyu, feeling disheartened, congratulated them before leaving. She then encountered Ma Xiangyu and firmly rejected his persistent advances. The art university's end-term show was announced, requiring the first-year acting class to present their best work. Students were free to form groups and choose their material, with one week to prepare.

The assessment would contribute to their final grades, and for fairness, the Dean and other faculty members would attend. Hao Kaixin informed Lu Qiyi that many influential figures from the entertainment industry would be present, offering a chance for students to launch their careers, much like assistant teacher Li Xiao. However, Hao Kaixin jokingly added that Li Xiao had questionable taste in women.

The friends, Lu Qiyi, Hao Kaixin, Li Sanshang, Fang Yan, and Du Ang, initially planned to form a group. Yet, when Li Sanshang tried to include Du Ang, Du Ang declined, stating he already had a team. This decision left Li Sanshang and Hao Kaixin feeling disheartened. Meanwhile, two other students approached Bai Qiao, hoping to join her team. Bai Qiao explained she had already promised a spot to Xiaoying, leaving only one opening.

When one of the girls, Curly, offered to join, Bai Qiao rejected her, stating she preferred the other girl because of her superior professional skills, leading Curly to angrily call Bai Qiao a "traitor." Concerned about their dissolving friendship, Li Sanshang worried that their "small team" was falling apart. Lu Qiyi and Li Sanshang discussed their options, considering using a pre-existing script to ensure quality, while Li Sanshang volunteered to gather information on other groups' choices.

During this time, Lu Qiyi received a phone call from her aunt, who reiterated the challenges of an acting career, emphasizing the importance of being a lead to be remembered. Lu Qiyi assured her aunt she would work hard and invited her to the upcoming performance. Following her rejection by Fang Yan, Bai Qiao moved out of the dorms and into Li Xiao's apartment, trying to reciprocate his feelings.

Li Xiao assured her that with two properties registered under his name, accommodating her was no issue. He refused any rent, asking only for her company at dinner each night. Meanwhile, the Dean summoned Ms. Tang, introducing her to Wang Hai, the producer of "Jujiu", and Ms. Xun. Sun Zhuowen was also present. The Dean highlighted the close relationship between Sun Zhuowen and Ms. Xun as alumni.

Ms. Xun explained that she and Producer Wang Hai were seeking young actors from the school's performing arts department for "Jujiu", which Sun Zhuowen was directing. Sun Zhuowen suggested they attend the upcoming end-term show to scout talent directly. Ms. Tang sensed a deeper connection between Ms. Xun and Sun Zhuowen, similar to her own feelings for him, and they subtly sparred during their discussion.

After the meeting, Ms. Xun used the excuse of discussing "creative matters" to leave with Sun Zhuowen, leaving Ms. Tang looking disappointed. Producer Wang Hai, however, seemed to seize the opportunity to engage Ms. Tang further, asking her to help find a composer for "Jujiu" from the music department. Separately, Li Xiao informed Bai Qiao about the producers and Ms. Xun attending the end-term show to select actors.

Bai Qiao, hopeful for an opportunity, was later seen contemplating Wang Hai's business card after Li Xiao left to pay the bill. Fang Yan arranged to meet Lu Qiyi on a rooftop, playfully leading her with her eyes closed to a spot he had decorated with lights. There, Lu Qiyi found a "peach blossom charm," which Fang Yan teased was only meant for boyfriends and that he would keep it safe for her.

He then inquired about their play for the upcoming show, and when Lu Qiyi admitted she hadn't decided, Fang Yan suggested she lead the creation of an original play, reminding her of her "improvisation" during a previous art exam. Lu Qiyi, agreeing to write the script, then asked Fang Yan about his relationship with Bai Qiao after seeing a photo of him carrying a drunk Bai Qiao on her table.

Fang Yan explained that they knew each other from an art exam training class in high school. The photo was from a class dinner where Bai Qiao, upset about something, drank too much, and he had to carry her. He recounted how Bai Qiao confessed her feelings for him that night, but he confirmed he never reciprocated those feelings.

To reassure Lu Qiyi, Fang Yan shared that Bai Qiao had informed him earlier that day that she was officially in a relationship with Li Xiao. Feeling down, Ms. Tang went to an old village gin joint alone. By coincidence, Sun Zhuowen also arrived, and the owner, aware of their past, led him to Ms. Tang's private room.

Ms. Tang, noting that she learned her "tricks" from him, asked about his "creative matters" discussion with Ms. Xun, hinting at her jealousy. Sun Zhuowen downplayed the conversation, stating they "just talked briefly" due to their long acquaintance and mutual understanding. Ms. Tang then directly questioned him, asking if a relationship that ended seven years ago could ever be rekindled. Sun Zhuowen, visibly uncomfortable, evaded the question by asking if she was feeling unhappy.

He then feigned ignorance when she asked if he truly didn't know what was bothering her. Later, a visibly drunk Ms. Tang stumbled out of the room, requiring Sun Zhuowen's assistance to navigate, despite her playful resistance. Meanwhile, for the end-term show, Li Sanshang had initially tried to recruit Du Ang to their group.

Du Ang, still hurt by seeing Lu Qiyi and Fang Yan together, had initially declined, stating he was joining Uzhda's team and refusing to talk to Fang Yan. However, Uzhda was frustrated by Du Ang's clinginess and refused to accompany him everywhere. Ultimately, Du Ang found himself without a team. Li Sanshang, undeterred, found Du Ang and physically pulled him into his and Lu Qiyi's four-person group for the end-term show, despite Du Ang's protests.

Du Ang was reluctantly pulled into Lu Qiyi's group for the final showcase by Li Sanshang, but his attitude remained perfunctory. Lu Qiyi, the scriptwriter, unveiled her play: a spectacular musical set on a stormy night in a downtown theater, depicting two actresses, Rufeng and Ruoyu, vying for the lead role.

She assigned Fang Yan to play Tianzong, the noble but superficial lead actor, Li Sanshang as Mr. Three Million, the theater's patron, and Du Ang as the physically demanding clown. Du Ang, however, immediately rejected the clown role, feeling insulted, but softened when Lu Qiyi promised to adjust the script and assured him that a clown could be cool. When it came to casting the female leads, Hao Kaixin enthusiastically pleaded with Lu Qiyi for the role of Rufeng.

Lu Qiyi, remembering her aunt's advice that "nobody remembers roles other than the lead," was conflicted. She proposed a tryout where both she and Hao Kaixin would perform, and the other three group members would vote. After their performances, Fang Yan and Li Sanshang voted for Lu Qiyi, securing her the role. Du Ang, despite acknowledging Lu Qiyi's superior performance, chose Hao Kaixin, still harboring resentment towards Lu Qiyi and Fang Yan.

Hao Kaixin was deeply disheartened by the outcome of not becoming the lead. In the restroom, Hao Kaixin overheard classmates gossiping about her, remarking that her martial arts talent only qualified her for stunt work, and that without good looks, she would never succeed in showbiz, unlike Lu Qiyi. These hurtful comments fueled her frustration, causing her to lash out at Lu Qiyi.

Concerned, Fang Yan confronted Du Ang privately, urging him to direct any anger towards him rather than sabotaging Lu Qiyi during rehearsals. Du Ang agreed to fulfill his part in the play but declared that his brotherhood with Fang Yan was unequivocally over. The group's first rehearsal was chaotic. Fang Yan's absence due to other commitments disrupted the schedule.

When Li Sanshang was asked to fill in for Fang Yan, he pointed out that his own scenes were predominantly with Fang Yan, implying the substitution would be awkward. Du Ang, still unenthusiastic, openly stated he wasn't adept at being a "stand-in" and would only be dedicated if he had the lead role. Lu Qiyi offered to read Fang Yan's lines to keep the rehearsal going, but Du Ang remained uncooperative and eventually left prematurely.

When Li Sanshang later received a disruptive phone call, Du Ang complained about the constant interruptions. Lu Qiyi, trying to maintain momentum, took it upon herself to read Fang Yan's lines. Later, Lu Qiyi spoke with Dean Sun Zhuowen about her play. She explained her belief that actors aspire to be leads, echoing her aunt's sentiment that only protagonists are truly remembered.

Dean Sun, however, offered a different perspective, emphasizing that "there are no minor roles, only blinkered actors" and cited actor Huang Bo's early career as an example of how a supporting role, if cherished and performed well, can be a springboard to success. Inspired by this wisdom, Lu Qiyi approached Hao Kaixin and graciously offered her the role of Rufeng. Lu Qiyi's group's performance for the final showcase selection was a resounding success.

Both the Dean and Dean Sun Zhuowen highly praised their musical as the best among the freshmen and chose them to represent the first-year acting class. However, the Dean then suggested that Bai Qiao would be a better fit for the role of Rufeng and that the clown role, requiring exceptional physical prowess, should be given to a more capable student, implying Du Ang's performance was subpar.

Lu Qiyi defended her team members, but the Dean insisted that to represent the class's highest standard, every role must be filled by the absolute best candidate. With the forced cast changes, the group had to start rehearsals anew. Bai Qiao arrived late for a rehearsal, clearly having consumed alcohol, and struggled to perform. She had been under pressure from her family during a phone call, who questioned her tuition expenses given her lack of acting roles.

Desperate for money, she had contacted "Hai Ge," later identified as producer Wang Hai, whom she had initially turned down, and accepted his offer. During rehearsal, Lu Qiyi, feeling the immense pressure as her family, including her grandparents, were coming to watch, became overly critical of Bai Qiao's performance. Upset by Lu Qiyi's stern tone and feeling unwell, Bai Qiao stormed out of the rehearsal room.

Over lunch with Fang Yan, Lu Qiyi expressed remorse for her earlier impatience and asked for his help in revising the script. Fang Yan, however, was preoccupied by a breaking news report on television. It revealed that his father, Su Wen, was under investigation for tax evasion, and his recent film investments were suspected of money laundering. Although Fang Yan often distanced himself from his father, the news clearly distressed him.

Citing other commitments, he declined Lu Qiyi's request for help and abruptly left. Feeling increasingly marginalized after losing the female lead role, Hao Kaixin wandered off-campus and was approached by representatives from a plastic surgery clinic. They initially complimented her but then subtly highlighted her "featureless" appearance, suggesting it was "unattractive" when viewed as a whole.

They aggressively pitched various expensive surgical packages, assuring her that all celebrities had undergone procedures and that they could make her "prettier and more elegant than those actresses." Convinced that her appearance was a barrier to success, but lacking funds, Hao Kaixin sought out "Ox" (Niu Ge), whom Bai Qiao had previously introduced.

Ox offered her a stunt double job, with strict instructions: she must never allow her face to be filmed and must passively endure any blows, never fighting back. Later that afternoon, the group recommenced their stage play rehearsal. Lu Qiyi began by apologizing for her earlier impatience, and the team resumed practicing. However, Li Sanshang received a frantic phone call from Hao Kaixin.

She reported that she had accidentally injured an actor while working and was being held by Ox, who was threatening to break her legs if she didn't pay compensation. Panicked, Li Sanshang relayed the urgent news to Lu Qiyi. Knowing Ox, Lu Qiyi immediately offered to go with Li Sanshang to help Hao Kaixin. Coincidentally, it was Dean Sun Zhuowen's birthday that day. Ms. Tang called him to arrange a celebration, and he accepted. However, shortly after, he received another call, this time from Xun, summoning him to an urgent meeting, forcing him to cancel his plans with Ms. Tang.

Li Sanshang, Bai Qiao, and Lu Qiyi arrived at a film set to rescue Hao Kaixin, who was being held by Ox. Ox aggressively demanded 50,000 yuan, claiming that the actor Hao Kaixin had injured was severely hurt and his absence from work was costly. Hao Kaixin angrily asserted that the actor had fallen on his own after a missed kick.

The students pooled their money, offering 20,000 yuan as an apology, but Ox refused, threatening to ruin their careers in showbiz and refusing to let anyone leave without the full amount. The verbal dispute escalated into a physical altercation, prompting Lu Qiyi to call the police. Meanwhile, Ms. Tang went to celebrate Sun Zhuowen’s birthday but found he wasn’t home, only a text message saying he had an urgent matter and would contact her later.

Feeling disappointed, she then received a call from the Dean, informing her that students from Sun Zhuowen’s class were in trouble. Unbeknownst to them, Sun Zhuowen had been called to an “emergency meeting” by actress Li Xun, which turned out to be a surprise birthday celebration arranged for him. He spent the evening with Li Xun, completely missing Ms. Tang’s calls and the urgent news about his students.

The following day, the Dean confronted Sun Zhuowen, expressing his severe displeasure at being unreachable during such a critical incident. He reiterated the university’s strict prohibition against first-year students taking private acting jobs. He explained that not only had Sun Zhuowen’s students violated this rule by taking outside work, but they had also engaged in a fight that had caused a scandal online. Consequently, the students would receive disciplinary marks, and their class’s final showcase performance was canceled.

The Dean, however, revealed that an investigation had determined the students were not solely to blame, thus avoiding expulsion. He then stressed that Sun Zhuowen should express his gratitude to Ms. Tang, who had gone to the police station in the middle of the night to pick up the students and had even personally appealed to the principal on his behalf.

The Dean concluded by advising Sun Zhuowen not to waste Ms. Tang’s time, shocking Sun Zhuowen with the news of the showcase cancellation. Bai Qiao had been returning late to her dorm recently, and Li Xiao had tried to find her several times to no avail. He confronted her, asking if she was hiding something and urging her not to lie to him, regardless of the difficulty.

Bai Qiao firmly denied having any secrets, simply explaining that her late return the previous night was due to an incident involving her classmates. The cancellation of the final showcase was a major blow to Lu Qiyi. Fearing that her father would reiterate his belief that she wasn’t suited for acting and force her to withdraw from university, Lu Qiyi was desperate. Fang Yan suggested that the Little Target Drama Club could perform their musical to deceive her parents.

The club, however, had no female members, creating a challenge to cast the female lead. Li Shuang, a member of the club, was reluctant to take on the role due to her inexperience and the extremely short notice, but after hearing about Lu Qiyi's predicament – her high academic scores, her parents’ disapproval of her acting aspirations, and her fear of being forced to drop out – Li Shuang agreed to try.

As Lu Qiyi and Hao Kaixin went to rent costumes, they witnessed a middle-aged woman being struck by a car. The driver, in a rush for a business deal, hastily left 2,000 yuan and a business card before driving away. The disoriented woman repeatedly called for "Niuniu" and recited a phone number. Despite Hao Kaixin’s concerns about potential scams and the urgent need to rent costumes, Lu Qiyi insisted on helping.

They took the woman to the hospital, where a doctor informed them that she had minor injuries and suffered from intermittent amnesia due to a previous cerebral thrombosis. The woman continued to mutter “Niuniu” and the phone number. Lu Qiyi dialed the number, only to be surprised when Bai Qiao answered. Bai Qiao rushed to the hospital, initially distressed and upset with her aunt for not preventing her mother from traveling to Nancheng alone.

Her aunt tearfully explained that Bai Qiao’s mother’s memory had been deteriorating and she frequently called for "Niuniu" – Bai Qiao’s nickname. Bai Qiao then had an emotional reunion with her mother. Lu Qiyi and Hao Kaixin promised to keep the incident confidential. As they were leaving, Bai Qiao offered to join their musical performance. Meanwhile, Fang Yan went to Mr. Zhang’s office to apply for the school auditorium for the play but found Mr. Zhang absent.

He then received a call from his mother, informing him that Su Wen had been hospitalized. In his haste to leave, Fang Yan inadvertently left the application form on Mr. Zhang’s desk. Later, Ma Xiangyu, who harbored a grudge against Fang Yan and his friends, also arrived to apply for a venue. Not finding Mr. Zhang, he noticed Fang Yan’s application on the desk and maliciously threw it into the trash.

That evening, when Lu Qiyi and her group arrived at the auditorium for rehearsal, they discovered Ma Xiangyu’s group already occupying the space. Du Ang humbly approached Ma Xiangyu, attempting to negotiate and even offering to treat his group to Haagen-Dazs ice cream. However, Ma Xiangyu, basking in his triumph, smugly refused to yield the venue, reminding them of their past conflicts.

Faced with the lack of a venue, Lu Qiyi felt overwhelmed and considered giving up on the performance entirely to avoid burdening her classmates. Fang Yan, however, encouraged her not to surrender until the very last moment. Later, Sun Zhuowen gathered his class. He shared his personal story of stepping away from the stage years ago due to setbacks and subsequently lacking the courage to return.

He acknowledged the university's disciplinary actions were a matter of following rules, but he emphasized the sacredness of the stage and the deep respect required for performing arts. He urged his students to reflect on their original passion during their admission exams and to honestly question whether they truly loved the stage and were truly qualified to stand upon it, asking them to ponder these thoughts seriously.

Lu Qiyi's classmates, along with other students from the university and Ms. Tang, rallied together to put on a spectacular multi-person performance for Lu Qiyi's family. The show was a heartfelt portrayal of Lu Qiyi's journey pursuing her dreams, deeply moving her family. Her father, seeing Lu Qiyi's unwavering dedication, finally agreed to support her.

However, he cautioned her that the path of acting would be challenging, and as parents, they would not be able to offer much help; from now on, she would need to rely solely on herself. He expressed his hope that since she had chosen this path, she would pursue it with determination. Meanwhile, Bai Qiao was caught in a scandal when entertainment reporters photographed her secretly meeting Su Wen at a hotel, even helping him unbutton his shirt.

The photos quickly circulated online, causing a stir among her acting class peers. Li Xiao contacted Lu Qiyi, seeking Bai Qiao's whereabouts. Bound by her promise not to reveal Bai Qiao’s personal family matters, Lu Qiyi reluctantly claimed she didn’t know. The production team for the film "Jujiu" began casting at the School of Performing Arts, selecting several students for auditions.

Fang Yan also received a text message invitation, but after seeing Su Wen's scandal, he decided to return home and skip the audition. Lu Qiyi confronted Fang Yan, asking why he was giving up this opportunity. When the conversation turned to Bai Qiao, Fang Yan asked if Lu Qiyi knew where she was. Lu Qiyi informed him that Bai Qiao and her mother were at People's Hospital.

At the hospital, Bai Qiao was caring for her mother alone, as relatives who had taken money to help ended up doing nothing. Fang Yan arrived, questioning Bai Qiao about her relationship with Su Wen and implying she might be involved in "unspoken rules." Bai Qiao vehemently denied engaging in any "dirty things," causing Fang Yan to leave. Concerned about the impact of Su Wen's scandal on his mother, Fang Yan returned home to be with her.

His mother reassured him that she hadn't believed the news. Fang Yan finally learned the truth about his parents' past: their separation was peaceful, not due to emotional discord. They parted ways because their lifestyles were too different, and they couldn't adapt to each other's lives, despite their efforts to make it work. Understanding the truth, Fang Yan gradually let go of his resentment towards Su Wen.

On the day of the auditions for "Jujiu," renowned actress Lee Xun, Producer Wang Hai, and Director Sun Zhuowen were in charge of casting. However, Producer Wang Hai proved to be quite unreliable. After Lee Xun and Sun Zhuowen left early due to investor matters, Wang Hai hastily conducted the remaining auditions, even declaring the session over before Lu Qiyi had a chance to perform.

Unwilling to miss the opportunity, Lu Qiyi chased after the leaving Wang Hai, pleading for another chance. Initially dismissive, Wang Hai, noticing her attractive appearance, became interested and asked Lu Qiyi for her phone number, promising to contact her if suitable roles came up. When Bai Qiao returned to school, she was confronted by jealous classmates who taunted her, accusing her of being a "sugar baby."

Lu Qiyi and Hao Kaixin happened upon the scene and stepped in to defend Bai Qiao. The chaotic situation was eventually diffused by Li Xiao. He picked up Wang Hai's business card, which Bai Qiao had dropped, and confronted her about it. Bai Qiao asserted that she earned her money through her own efforts and had not wronged anyone. She criticized Li Xiao, stating that despite claiming to like her, he never truly believed in her.

Later, as Lee Xun finalized the casting, she noticed Lu Qiyi was not on the list. When she inquired with Wang Hai, he lied, claiming Lu Qiyi had missed her audition. Lee Xun decided to give Lu Qiyi another chance and instructed Wang Hai to invite her to the group meeting scheduled for noon the day after tomorrow. Seizing the opportunity to exploit Lu Qiyi, Wang Hai contacted her, inviting her for a "second audition" tomorrow at midnight.

Although excited, Lu Qiyi discussed the unusual late hour with her friend, who suggested she go at noon first and then at night if no one was there, as a safer approach. Meanwhile, Ma Xiangyu's father met with Director Sun Zhuowen, attempting to secure a position for his son within the "Jujiu" crew. He highlighted Ma Xiangyu's experience and competence in various film roles, including executive director, suggesting he could be Sun Zhuowen's assistant.

Ma Xiangyu, in turn, pledged to behave professionally, stating that outside of school, he would represent SUA, promising to be honest, work diligently, care for his junior peers, and strictly follow all the director's instructions. Sun Zhuowen, satisfied with the assurances, agreed to discuss the matter with the investors.

Lu Qiyi misinterpreted Wang Hai's audition time, believing it was noon instead of midnight. She arrived at the Mei Qiu Fino Hotel, room 1805, at 12 PM, only to find the room empty. Realizing her mistake, she left, wandering dejectedly through the streets. Almost hit by a car, she was pulled to safety by Fang Yan. He asked about her audition, expressing concern about a midnight meeting and advising her not to go.

He offered to accompany her if the audition was indeed scheduled for 12 AM. Unbeknownst to them, paparazzi secretly photographed Fang Yan during their conversation. Meanwhile, Hao Kaixin confided in Lu Qiyi, frustrated with Li Sanshang, who had skipped the audition for an elementary school trainee teacher position. Li Sanshang prioritized a stable job with good salary and the possibility of household registration over his acting aspirations.

Hao Kaixin stressed that they studied acting to perform, but Lu Qiyi reminded her that everyone has their own ambitions. Suddenly, Lu Qiyi received a message from Wang Hai, urging her to come to the hotel quickly. Unable to reach Fang Yan, and unwilling to miss the opportunity, she decided to go to the hotel alone, reasoning that a public hotel should be safe. Upon arrival, Lu Qiyi discovered police cars outside the hotel.

She then witnessed Li Xiao and Wang Hai being escorted away by officers. Shocked, she followed them to the police station and helped Sun Zhuowen pick up Li Xiao. It turned out Li Xiao had assaulted Wang Hai to defend Bai Qiao, warning Wang Hai to stay away from the female students in their acting class. As they left the police station, Lu Qiyi and Sun Zhuowen saw breaking news revealing Fang Yan as Su Wen’s son.

After seeing the news, Bai Qiao contacted Fang Yan and disclosed the truth behind Su Wen's scandal. She explained that Wang Hai, the producer of "Jujiu", had called her to the hotel. When she entered the room, she found Su Wen collapsed on the floor, suffering an asthma attack. Bai Qiao unbuttoned his collar to help him breathe as part of emergency first aid, which was then maliciously photographed and spun into a scandal.

She offered to publicly clarify the situation to the media if Fang Yan consented. Fang Yan later acknowledged that the truth about his father's scandal was a frame-up orchestrated by Wang Hai and vowed to find evidence to clear his name. Despite missing the formal audition, Lu Qiyi successfully joined the "Jujiu" film crew. While initially unfamiliar with the process and making a few mistakes, she generally performed well and eventually got the scenes right.

However, she was constantly harassed by Wang Hai. He frequently approached her with drinks, called her "sister," and made uncomfortable remarks, promising to protect her and introduce her to industry big shots for more acting opportunities, implying she owed him favors. Li Xiao occasionally intervened, creating distance between them. Fang Yan and Bai Qiao decided to confront the boss of "Xiao Wei Entertainment," the company responsible for publishing the fabricated news.

They explained the truth about Wang Hai's setup, hoping he would expose the real story, which would clear Bai Qiao and Su Wen while benefiting the media outlet with a new scoop. However, to their surprise, the boss refused, admitting he had already made enough money from Su Wen's scandal and had known all along that Wang Hai orchestrated the frame-up. Bai Qiao, secretly recording their conversation, attempted to leave with Fang Yan, but the boss blocked their exit.

He demanded they hand over their bags and phones for inspection, stating that nothing discussed in his office could leave. Fang Yan grabbed Bai Qiao and tried to escape, but they were outnumbered. Fang Yan was hit on the head, and their recorded evidence was seized. Wang Hai later invited Lu Qiyi to a supposed dinner with "industry big shots." Reluctantly, and to avoid further harassment, she agreed.

However, Wang Hai took her to a KTV where he tried to force her to drink. As he became intoxicated, Wang Hai drunkenly confessed to Lu Qiyi that he was behind the false accusations of Su Wen abandoning his wife and child, boasting about how he used manipulative tactics to get ahead in the entertainment industry. Lu Qiyi secretly recorded his confession on her phone.

Unable to reach Lu Qiyi by phone, Fang Yan contacted Hao Kaixin, who informed him that Lu Qiyi had gone out with Wang Hai to a party at the Golden Jade Bar, reportedly with industry big shots. Alarmed, Fang Yan rushed to find her.

Fang Yan, having learned that Lu Qiyi was taken by Wang Hai, rushed to rescue her. He found Wang Hai harassing Lu Qiyi, who was telling him to stop. Fang Yan immediately confronted Wang Hai and started beating him. Sun Zhuowen, their teacher, arrived and instructed Fang Yan to take Lu Qiyi away, which they did.

After they left, Sun Zhuowen himself then attacked Wang Hai, calling him a rascal, despite Wang Hai's attempts to explain that he only wanted to introduce Lu Qiyi to new experiences in the crew. Fang Yan, visibly upset, questioned Lu Qiyi about associating with someone like Wang Hai, asking if she was genuinely naive or just pretending. He admonished her for putting herself in a dangerous situation and causing everyone worry.

He urged her to stop acting on her own and to discuss things with him first. Feeling wronged, Lu Qiyi retorted that Fang Yan himself never consulted her on his important matters, including his father Su Wen's case and the truth about Wang Hai, which she had learned from Bai Qiao.

A flashback revealed that Bai Qiao, knowing Lu Qiyi was in the same crew as Wang Hai, had suggested she try to gather evidence to help Fang Yan, which was why Lu Qiyi had agreed to meet Wang Hai. After explaining this, Lu Qiyi handed Fang Yan the recording she had made of Wang Hai and left, initiating a cold war between them. Fang Yan, frustrated, declared that he would no longer meddle in her affairs.

Thanks to the evidence Lu Qiyi collected, Su Wen was finally exonerated. Wang Hai made compensation and subsequently left the film crew. Li Sanshang received a phone call from the vice-principal of Experimental Drama Primary School, offering him an internship as a drama teacher. The vice-principal praised his down-to-earth and motivated nature, believing his unsophisticated quality gave him greater potential than more experienced candidates. Li Sanshang accepted happily.

However, his first day teaching proved challenging as the students were unruly, struggling to follow his instructions to "stop it" and "watch out." The principal was not entirely satisfied and informed Li Sanshang that he had a one-month probation period to prove his capability, otherwise, he would not be formally hired. To assist him, the principal assigned a partner, also a student from Southern Art University. Li Sanshang was surprised to discover his new colleague was Xiaoyu.

While performing the play "Sleeping Beauty," Li Sanshang and Xiaoyu rehearsed a scene involving a "cheat kiss." Hao Kaixin, who had come to visit Li Sanshang at the school, witnessed this. Believing it to be real, she became enraged and stormed off. Li Sanshang ran after her, frantically explaining that it was merely acting.

However, Hao Kaixin angrily accused him of lying and questioned why he had chosen to work at the school instead of joining a film crew, implying he did it to be with Xiaoyu. Their argument was interrupted by the principal, who reprimanded Li Sanshang for being out of class during school hours.

Li Sanshang tried to pacify Hao Kaixin, promising to talk to her after class, but she gave him an ultimatum: either go with her or never see him again. Forced to choose, Li Sanshang returned to his class, leaving a furious Hao Kaixin to walk away alone. Li Xiao found Bai Qiao at the hospital and expressed his concern, asking why she hadn't told him about her mother's situation and if Lu Qiyi had informed him.

Bai Qiao, assuming he was there to see her mother, tried to dismiss him. Li Xiao then apologized for his previous harsh words, hoping she could forgive him. Bai Qiao, however, bitterly agreed with his past assessment, calling herself a liar who would do anything to achieve her goals, and stated she was too busy to be angry.

Disregarding her protests, Li Xiao pressed a sum of money into her hand, urging her to use it for her mother's treatment and promising more if needed. Though initially wanting to refuse, Bai Qiao, desperate for funds for her mother's medical care, accepted the money, vowing to repay him. While at the hospital, Bai Qiao witnessed her aunt struggling to get her mother to recognize her.

Later, a nurse advised Bai Qiao not to let her aunt care for her mother after discharge, revealing that the aunt was often cruel and neglected her mother's medication whenever Bai Qiao wasn't present. Soon after, Bai Qiao witnessed her aunt verbally abusing her mother, accusing her of deliberately making trouble, complaining about inadequate payment, and intentionally spilling water on her.

Enraged, Bai Qiao confronted her aunt, accusing her of mistreatment and questioning why her mother was so terrified of her. The aunt defensively claimed her mother was difficult, constantly trying to run away, hitting people, and destroying things, implying she was a "madwoman." Bai Qiao, in tears, ordered her aunt to leave.

As her aunt departed, still grumbling about the low pay, Bai Qiao embraced her mother, tearfully promising never to leave her side again and vowing that no one would ever bully her. After discharging her mother from the hospital, Bai Qiao rented an apartment through an agency and began settling in.

Her mother, still confused, repeatedly asked if she was causing trouble and offered to return home, but Bai Qiao tearfully insisted they stay together, promising to always be by her side. However, late that night, the landlord unexpectedly showed up, accusing Bai Qiao and her mother of trespassing, claiming she had never rented out the property. Bai Qiao, who had a signed contract with the agency, tried calling them but couldn't get through.

With nowhere else to go in the middle of the night and unwilling to force her ailing mother onto the streets, she pleaded with the landlord for some understanding until morning. The landlord remained adamant, demanding they leave immediately and even insulting Bai Qiao's mother. Frustrated and with no other option, Bai Qiao threatened to call the police, which prompted the landlord to reluctantly leave, though not without a final warning. Bai Qiao and her mother remained in the apartment.

Some time ago, a background actress in a police uniform helped Fang Yan and Bai Qiao when they were beaten while searching for evidence at "Xiaowei Entertainment." After Fang Yan became the assistant director for "Jujiu," he helped this actress, Song Qinqin, also join the crew. Song Qinqin, however, harbored ulterior motives. She quickly befriended Lu Qiyi, then feigned severe menstrual cramps, claiming she desperately needed medication and asking Lu Qiyi to buy it from a distant pharmacy.

Despite Lu Qiyi's hesitation, Song Qinqin convinced her there was enough time before their scene. While Lu Qiyi was en route, even encountering a dangerous taxi driver but managing to escape, Song Qinqin seized the opportunity. When Lu Qiyi finally rushed back to the set, she was severely reprimanded by the director for delaying production. Another crew member, Ma Xiangyu, revealed that Song Qinqin had taken over Lu Qiyi's lines and performed her part.

The director then informed a distraught Lu Qiyi that she was replaced and would no longer play the role. Fang Yan tried to comfort a tearful Lu Qiyi, explaining that Ma Xiangyu was also stressed because the director had just reprimanded him for not managing the actors well. To comfort Lu Qiyi after being dismissed from her role, Du Ang took her out for a late-night meal. There, they unexpectedly met Zouyang Zimo.

Du Ang invited Zimo to join them, and over dinner, Lu Qiyi recounted how she had been replaced after going to buy medicine for Song Qinqin, who claimed to have severe menstrual cramps. Du Ang, observing Song Qinqin's subsequent lively behavior, expressed skepticism about her sudden recovery. He then tried to lift their spirits by describing Jinsha Village, where his family had lived before his father found success as a water gun vendor.

He painted a picture of relaxing days walking on the beach and watching water birds, and peaceful nights listening to the ocean waves from a cabin. Zouyang Zimo was captivated and asked to keep a picture of the village, which Du Ang happily gave her along with another. He then extended an invitation for both Lu Qiyi and Zouyang Zimo to visit Jinsha Village with him after filming wrapped up.

Du Ang approached Lu Qiyi in the hotel lobby, expressing his desire to speak with her. Zouyang Zimo, observing their interaction and holding unspoken feelings for Du Ang, gracefully excused herself, suggesting Lu Qiyi talk with Du Ang and heading upstairs. Du Ang then asked Lu Qiyi if they could find a more private spot to chat. At that moment, Fang Yan arrived back at the hotel and witnessed Hao Kaixin confronting Li Sanshang.

Hao Kaixin declared she wouldn't leave until Li Sanshang forgave her. Li Sanshang retorted, "I hate you," but Hao Kaixin insisted he didn't mean it, claiming he wanted her to stay. She then punched him before angrily walking away. Fang Yan approached Li Sanshang, asking what had happened. Li Sanshang explained his frustrations with his teaching internship, dealing with unruly children, and being scolded by the principal.

He explained he was doing it to earn money and secure his residency by becoming a formal teacher. Fang Yan criticized Li Sanshang for having classes with Xiaoyu and rehearsing "Sleeping Beauty" with her, stating that Hao Kaixin's punch was a well-deserved, light punishment. Li Sanshang regretted the rehearsal if it meant upsetting Hao Kaixin. Fang Yan then offered Li Sanshang advice, telling him to apologize to Hao Kaixin even if he wasn't wrong, as girls are often jealous.

Li Sanshang questioned if Fang Yan would feel the same jealousy if Lu Qiyi were with another man. Fang Yan confidently dismissed the idea, bragging about his indifference. Du Ang, still nearby with Lu Qiyi, interjected that he might be short-sighted for liking Fang Yan, to which Fang Yan retorted that Du Ang was blind.

Seeing Lu Qiyi and Du Ang still engaged in conversation, Fang Yan abruptly approached them, demanding to know what they were talking about and suggesting Du Ang should focus on his own work rather than Lu Qiyi. Du Ang quickly countered, telling Fang Yan to worry about his own scenes for tomorrow. Tired of their bickering, Lu Qiyi declared she was sleepy and needed to get up early, then left for her room.

Fang Yan agreed to join Li Sanshang for drinks. Du Ang, still wanting to compete with Fang Yan, decided to come along. At the bar, Fang Yan confronted Du Ang about breaking his promise not to pursue Lu Qiyi. Du Ang argued that Lu Qiyi's choices were her own and revealed that Lu Qiyi had already confirmed she and Fang Yan were not together. Fang Yan then challenged Du Ang to a drinking contest.

Du Ang ordered a box of beer, and Fang Yan immediately ordered two. Li Sanshang, reminding them they were there to drink with him, ordered a third box for the group. As they became heavily intoxicated, Fang Yan and Du Ang began calling each other "buddy" in a drunken stupor, comically arguing over who "owned" Lu Qiyi, with both insisting she was theirs. All animosity was forgotten in their drunkenness.

In the middle of the night, Bai Qiao and her mother were awakened by their landlord aggressively pounding on the door, demanding entry and threatening to break in. Frightened, Bai Qiao called the police. Upon their arrival, the police confirmed that the real estate agency, Shunlian Real Estate, was operating illegally and Bai Qiao had been scammed. The landlord vehemently denied ever renting out the house or knowing the agency.

Despite the police's plea to let Bai Qiao and her mother stay for one night due to their predicament, the landlord adamantly refused, instructing them to find a hotel. Resigned, Bai Qiao agreed they would leave. Outside, Bai Qiao tearfully apologized to her mother for causing her such hardship and for feeling "useless" because she couldn't even secure a place for them to stay.

Her mother gently comforted her, saying that things would improve by dawn, and offered to return to their hometown since she was feeling better and could find work there. Bai Qiao, however, refused, promising to find a solution by borrowing money from friends and working hard to repay it. They spent the night sleeping in a 24-hour restaurant.

The next morning, Bai Qiao's mother briefly left to buy more affordable food elsewhere, as the restaurant was too expensive, causing Bai Qiao momentary worry. Her mother soon returned, having forgotten to bring money. The next day, Bai Qiao called Lu Qiyi on her phone, asking to borrow 5,000 yuan, or less if possible, and requested that Lu Qiyi keep it a secret.

Lu Qiyi, admitting she didn't have that exact amount, offered 2,000 yuan immediately and promised to find the rest. Bai Qiao gratefully accepted. Moments later, Li Xiao, visiting the film set and having overheard Lu Qiyi's phone conversation, secretly used Lu Qiyi's phone to text Bai Qiao. When Li Xiao met Bai Qiao, she immediately realized he had tricked her. Li Xiao offered her money, explaining he knew she was in need.

Bai Qiao rejected the money and pleaded with him to stop being so kind, explaining that his kindness made her vulnerable and falsely believe she could rely on others, when she knew she could only depend on herself. She told him she had no time for "miserable acting" and asked him not to seek her out again. While out, Lu Qiyi overheard a conversation between the driver who had taken her to buy medicine and another person.

The driver recounted how a young actress had paid him to drive Lu Qiyi to a remote location where she couldn't easily find a taxi back, specifically so the actress could step in and take Lu Qiyi's role. Lu Qiyi was enraged by this revelation. Back on set, Lu Qiyi boldly informed the director that Qinqin, the young actress, was too unwell to perform in the water scene due to severe period pain, effectively reclaiming the role for herself.

Qinqin attempted to protest, but Lu Qiyi quickly silenced her, reiterating Qinqin's supposed illness. After the scene, Qinqin confronted Lu Qiyi, upset about losing her important role. Lu Qiyi justified her actions by reminding Qinqin of her "period pain" and stating she had acted for Qinqin's health, as the director had asked her to step in.

Qinqin argued that she would do anything to act, even with a period, to which Lu Qiyi pointedly asked if that included "cheating a friend." As Qinqin tried to leave, Lu Qiyi stopped her, and their argument escalated, accidentally damaging a film prop. This incident brought them before Xun and Sun Zhuowen.

Qinqin denied deliberately deceiving Lu Qiyi, claiming she did have period pain but didn't expect Lu Qiyi to be gone for so long, and that the director had asked her to take the role. Lu Qiyi countered, stating she believed Qinqin wasn't actually on her period. Xun warned that such deceptive behavior could lead to dismissal from the crew and stressed the need to uncover the truth. Qinqin maintained she was indeed on her period and not lying.

After a check, a nurse confirmed Qinqin's claim, which made Lu Qiyi's accusation seem false. Xun then suggested that Sun Zhuowen, as Qinqin's teacher, should handle the matter. Qinqin was asked to leave. Fang Yan expressed concern that Lu Qiyi might be fired. Though Sun Zhuowen and Ms. Tang both expressed their belief in Lu Qiyi's integrity, they lacked concrete evidence to support her.

Sun Zhuowen, committed to supporting his students, worried about potential negative repercussions for himself but confidently stated he could handle it. Just then, Zouyang Zimo entered, revealing she had unintentionally recorded the driver's conversation on her phone, providing undeniable proof that Lu Qiyi was telling the truth.

Mr. Sun Zhuowen called Lu Qiyi for a private conversation, offering her a meal and listening to her apology. Lu Qiyi admitted she was wrong to argue with Song Qinqin impulsively, but confessed only half of her felt remorse, believing no one would understand the other half. Mr. Sun reassured her that he believed her, but emphasized that her actions today were no different from Song Qinqin's.

He explained that there are many people like Song Qinqin in the industry, and by stooping to their level, Lu Qiyi would become just like them. He urged her to cultivate a "big heart" to go further than others, reiterating his core principle: "To be an artist, one must first be a decent person." Lu Qiyi understood and later offered Song Qinqin a warm drink as a gesture of goodwill.

Shortly after, Song Qinqin was informed that her remaining two scenes had been deleted, effectively ending her role in the production, and she left the set. Zhang Yang's collaboration with "Jujiu" fell through when the crew refused to give him credit for his music. He firmly rejected the offer, stating that compromising once would lead to endless compromises.

He believed that if an opportunity hadn't arrived, it meant he wasn't yet ready and needed to continue working hard and accumulating experience. Despite his clear understanding, Zhang Yang felt disheartened. While wandering in a plaza, he encountered his senior student, who encouraged him not to stay cooped up writing songs. She told him he needed to "get out more to feel life" and that "to make music, you have to have fun first."

They then spontaneously performed a piece together in the plaza, drawing a large crowd. Afterwards, his senior student urged him to "come with me to see the world outside," and he agreed. Du Ang struggled significantly during the filming of his male second lead role in "Jujiu", requiring multiple retakes. He was reprimanded by Mr. Sun for calling a crew member "the prop dude" instead of "teacher."

Despite Fang Yan's efforts to help him rehearse lines, Du Ang continued to make mistakes. Overwhelmed, he broke down, crying and repeatedly expressing, "I can't do this. It's my fault." Concerned, Zouyang Zimo woke up at four in the morning to visit a temple, where she prayed for Du Ang and obtained a blessed amulet for inner peace. However, when she returned to the hotel to give it to him, his room was empty.

A cleaning lady confirmed he had left. Du Ang later sent Lu Qiyi a message indicating he wouldn't be returning to the production. Du Ang's sudden departure put immense pressure on Xun and Mr. Sun from the investors. Mr. Sun proposed replacing Du Ang with Fang Yan and reshooting all his scenes. Xun questioned this abrupt decision, reminding Mr. Sun that he had initially championed Du Ang against her doubts.

She also expressed concern about using the crew as a "classroom" for his students, emphasizing the financial and time risks involved. Ms. Tang also arrived at the hotel, pressing Mr. Sun for the real reason behind Du Ang's departure. Under their combined pressure, Mr. Sun finally revealed the truth: "It’s not Du Ang’s fault. Blame it on Wang Hai." He confessed that Du Ang's mother had bought him the role from Wang Hai.

Upon discovering this, Du Ang's confidence crumbled as he realized he might not be truly capable of playing the part, leading to his emotional breakdown and departure. Zouyang Zimo overheard this conversation from outside the door and recalled Du Ang once mentioning Jinsha Village, speculating that he might have gone back there. Meanwhile, after a period of cold silence, Fang Yan initiated a reconciliation with Lu Qiyi.

He apologized for his behavior, admitting he was wrong to get angry without fully understanding the situation and for not confiding in her. Lu Qiyi told him she wanted them to share everything, to "bear it with you" no matter what happened, and Fang Yan readily agreed. She also acknowledged her own shortcomings, saying she should have understood him better. With mutual apologies, their differences were resolved.

Separately, Bai Qiao was preparing to sneak out to work while her mother slept, but her mother suddenly woke up. Her mother, in a fragile state, expressed fears about Bai Qiao leaving, saying, "Don't go out. You'll get caught. Can't get back." Seeing her mother's distress, Bai Qiao abandoned her plans to earn money and chose to stay by her side. Mr. Sun then approached Fang Yan to take on the male second lead role.

Fang Yan was hesitant, admitting, "I don’t know if I can play the role well. I don’t want to take Du Ang’s place either. I may not be better than Du Ang. I may not be able to meet everyone’s demands either." Mr. Sun challenged him to identify his true fears, beyond merely replacing his friend.

Lu Qiyi also sent Fang Yan a message, urging him to reconsider, stating that Mr. Sun was under immense pressure and that Fang Yan was the only one who could truly help him. To motivate Fang Yan, Mr. Sun took him to watch a basketball game. The team they were watching was losing badly but mounted an unexpected comeback.

Mr. Sun seized the moment, drawing a parallel between the team and their crew: "The crew’s situation is similar to a ball game. When no one is optimistic about us, we can only rely on ourselves, trust our teammates and fight until the last minute. Even if we’re going down, we must fight hard. There are miracles if you persist. Would you like to be my teammate?"

He then reminded Fang Yan of a past critique from his father, Su Wen, who had given him a score of "fifty-nine" at a musical festival, telling him, "You didn’t move yourself, and then how can you move us all? Not convinced? Prove it to me. At least you should act like the son of Su Wen." This was a clear challenge for Fang Yan to overcome his self-doubt and prove his capabilities.

While Fang Yan was still grappling with the decision of whether to accept the supporting male lead role in “Jujiu,” Lu Qiyi and Sun Zhuowen arranged a meeting between Fang Yan and his estranged father, Su Wen. Su Wen, admitting he had been wrong in the past, explained that he separated from Fang Yan's mother because he feared the complexities and potential dangers of the entertainment industry would harm them.

He recounted a past betrayal by a close friend, which profoundly shaped his view of the business. Fang Yan expressed a lack of understanding regarding his father's past choices. Su Wen acknowledged this, stating he didn't demand understanding, but because of these fears, he strongly opposed Fang Yan becoming an actor, worried he would lose his true self and most precious values. However, as Fang Yan grew, Su Wen realized his son genuinely loved acting.

He confessed his pride in Fang Yan's passion and ultimately chose to respect his decision, encouraging him to learn from Sun Zhuowen. Shortly after, Fang Yan successfully completed an audition for the "Jujiu" director. Meanwhile, the Modern Acting Company visited the Southern University of the Arts for their annual "Eyas Program," which selects outstanding students for overseas study and direct contracts. Lu Qiyi was selected for this rare opportunity.

Hao Kaixin was rejected once again, specifically told that her resume had been "misplaced." She was further disheartened when a classmate mocked her for her appearance, suggesting she would have been chosen if she were prettier. In her sadness, Hao Kaixin went to look for Li Sanshang. She arrived just as Li Sanshang and Jiang Xiaoyu were confronted by Ma Xiangyu, a senior who had been harassing Xiaoyu.

To get rid of Ma Xiangyu, Jiang Xiaoyu playfully wrapped her arm around Li Sanshang and announced she had a boyfriend. Hao Kaixin, witnessing this, misunderstood the situation, which intensified her insecurities, reminding her of past taunts about being an "ugly monster" and believing Li Sanshang would never be interested in her. She reflected on her desire to be a lead, not just a stand-in.

Driven by her desire for beauty and a chance at a leading role, Hao Kaixin returned to a plastic surgery clinic. The doctor strongly advocated for a bone-shaving procedure, emphasizing that her facial structure was the issue, not just muscle, and that "looks reign supreme" in the industry. Despite initial hesitation and concerns about safety, Hao Kaixin eventually agreed to the surgery after the doctor assured her of their top-tier services.

While filling out the emergency contact form, she called Li Sanshang. However, Li Sanshang was teaching a class, and his phone was answered by a mischievous student. Hao Kaixin overheard Jiang Xiaoyu playfully offering Li Sanshang candy, further fueling her misunderstanding of their relationship. Believing the worst, Hao Kaixin hung up and signed the surgery agreement. Concerned for Du Ang, Zouyang Zimo took a bus to Jinsha Village.

She missed the last bus at 7 PM and had to wait overnight at the station for a 5 AM bus the next morning. After a long journey and asking locals for directions to the "Du family who sells toy water guns," she eventually found Du Ang in a secluded, small broken house.

Du Ang, startled by her arrival, initially apologized for running, claiming he was being followed, but then insisted he would not return to the crew, feeling ashamed and undeserving of the role, especially since he knew Fang Yan had taken it over. Zouyang Zimo criticized his irresponsibility, but Du Ang was consumed by feelings of neglect, recounting a lonely childhood where his parents, engrossed in business, rarely noticed him or celebrated his birthday.

He felt like an outsider, constantly waiting for parents who never came. Zouyang Zimo, in an attempt to show her care, gave him a peace charm she had obtained from a temple, explaining its purpose was to bring inner peace and to signify that someone cared for him. When Du Ang asked for her reason, Zouyang Zimo confessed her feelings for him, but he dismissed it as a joke.

Back at school, Li Sanshang and Jiang Xiaoyu were telling the story of "The Ugly Duckling" to children when Li Sanshang was overcome with a bad premonition, accidentally knocking over a glass of water. His premonition proved tragically accurate: Hao Kaixin's surgery had failed. In the aftermath, Hao Kaixin refused to see anyone, isolating herself from friends and even Li Sanshang, who visited her daily.

Her mother, too, was unable to bring herself to tell Hao Kaixin the full extent of her facial injuries as the day approached for the bandages to be removed. Lu Qiyi and her friends, regretting not doing more to support Hao Kaixin, decided to visit her the next day, hoping to offer comfort, even if it meant simply being present outside her window. Meanwhile, the filming of "Jujiu" officially wrapped up.

Li Xun, harboring deep affections for Sun Zhuowen, took the opportunity to sincerely confess her feelings and expressed a desire to rekindle their past relationship. However, Sun Zhuowen gently but firmly rejected her, stating that "what's past is already the past; it can be remembered and savored, but it can never truly return." He acknowledged her support, particularly her choice to stand by him and his students despite company objections, but maintained his stance. Following his abrupt departure from the "Jujiu" set, Du Ang's father was furious and stopped paying his tuition fees, forcing Du Ang to take on work to support himself.

A senior from the former "Zhouyi and Life" club, now renamed "Diet and Health Club," invited Lu Qiyi to a welcoming dinner. He greeted her, remarking on how gorgeous she had become. When Lu Qiyi asked about the name change, he responded that it's good for people to move on. Despite his persistence, Lu Qiyi declined the invitation. Fang Yan, overhearing their conversation, intervened. The senior recognized Fang Yan as the chief of the Little Target Drama Club.

When the senior tried to invite both Lu Qiyi and Fang Yan to dinner, Fang Yan declared that Lu Qiyi could only share a meal with him, then promptly pulled her away. Lu Qiyi later teased Fang Yan about knowing "so many weirdos," but he showed his possessive side, not wanting her to associate with them.

She reminded him that the senior had provided the key to their Little Target Drama Club basement, to which Fang Yan retorted he would return it. Playfully, Lu Qiyi asked what if she wouldn't let go of "the key and the girl," prompting Fang Yan to carry her. Lu Qiyi was selected by Modern Acting Company for an opportunity to pursue advanced studies in the United States, which her aunt and grandfather were excited about.

Her aunt had researched the long-standing and reliable program. Her grandfather expressed his eagerness to see her on TV, even asking if it would only be in American shows. Lu Qiyi reassured him he could see her whenever he wished and promised to visit often. Despite the excitement, Lu Qiyi confessed to Fang Yan her hesitation about going to the U. S. , fearing their separation for two years, or even permanently.

Fang Yan sternly told her that if her reluctance was because of him, he would have to break up with her, as he refused to be her "stumbling block." He emphasized that they could stay connected through calls and messages, but this career opportunity was unique and wouldn't come again. Her teacher, Mr. Sun, congratulated her on the hard-earned opportunity but expressed concern, asking if she had "really decided to change your career" from an actress to an entertainer.

He advised her to carefully consider her future, assuring her of his support regardless of her decision. Later, Ms. Tang confronted Mr. Sun, stating that she asked Lu Qiyi the difficult question for him and questioning if he truly wanted to "let her go," reminding him of his role as her teacher. Mr. Sun, however, felt his "hands are tied," acknowledging it was Lu Qiyi's own choice. Hao Kaixin's bandages were scheduled for removal soon.

She overheard the doctor informing her mother that due to her keloid scarring, the facial scars would be difficult to remove. The doctor stressed the importance of monitoring Hao Kaixin's emotional state and providing support. Despite Li Sanshang's daily visits, Hao Kaixin, overwhelmed with distress, repeatedly screamed for him to leave and refused to see him. Hao Kaixin finally had her bandages removed, and seeing the scars on her face, she was unable to accept it.

When her friends gathered at the hospital, Hao Kaixin's mother explained that Hao Kaixin only wished to see Lu Qiyi, calling her her "best friend." Once inside, Hao Kaixin confided in Lu Qiyi, expressing that there were things she only wanted to share with her. Hao Kaixin, distraught, asked if she looked ugly and tearfully stated that she would "never be an actress anymore" and could "barely have the courage to meet anyone."

She declared her decision to "never see anyone from now on," believing that while her friends would become actors and stars, she would "never be able to act again." After sharing her heart, Hao Kaixin asked Lu Qiyi to leave, emphatically pushing her away and insisting that if Lu Qiyi truly valued their friendship, she should "go."

Lu Qiyi, deeply saddened, later shared with Fang Yan that Hao Kaixin "might not be able to perform anymore," but Fang Yan suggested that the doctor hadn't definitively ruled out a full recovery. Determined to accompany Lu Qiyi to the U. S. , Fang Yan met with an agent from SJ Company. The agent acknowledged that while the terms were demanding, it was the best and only opportunity available that year.

Fang Yan's requirements—to leave this year and be based in Los Angeles—were met. However, the contract stipulated a minimum duration of five years, significantly longer than Lu Qiyi's program, which was for advanced studies with a return to China. The agent clarified that Fang Yan's contract was part of a U. S. initiative to train new Asian talents for study and debut in the U. S. , a long-term commitment often lasting ten years for others.

He advised Fang Yan to reconsider, highlighting the thriving entertainment industry in China and suggesting that as a performing arts student, Fang Yan should "stick to this path" rather than becoming an entertainer, which he felt "don't really suit you." Fang Yan dismissed the agent's concerns, emphasizing that he could make his own decisions and that his father didn't need to know.

The agent cautioned him that "Once you sign it, there’s no going back," urging him to "Think before you sign it." Later, after Lu Qiyi expressed her fear of them not being together forever following Hao Kaixin's incident, Fang Yan took her to a wall where he had carved "Qiyi Fang Yan," reassuring her, "Trust me. Everything will work out for the best."

Despite his earlier hesitation, Fang Yan ultimately made up his mind, confirmed he was "sure," and signed the five-year contract. Du Ang, working at a Western restaurant to earn tuition, got into an argument with a customer who complained about his medium-well steak. Du Ang rudely corrected the customer's use of knife and fork and then mocked him for wanting cumin and less pepper on his steak, implying he thought it was a kebab shop.

The manager apologized profusely to the customer and fired Du Ang, stating, "We’re a small shop. There’s no room for you." Du Ang pleaded for another chance, acknowledging his mistake and promising not to argue with customers again, but the manager insisted that "the customer is God" and his behavior would lead to bankruptcy.

When Du Ang asked for his salary, the manager retorted that he was lucky not to be asked for compensation given the number of customers he offended. Du Ang angrily left, scoffing at the "cheap diner." He then tried to call an agent to demand a refund for a commission after failing to find a job, but the agent hung up on him, leaving him frustrated about the difficulty of finding work.

Zouyang Zimo found Du Ang and, realizing he had been fired, offered to lend him money for tuition. Du Ang refused, explaining his desire to prove to his father that he wasn't "useless" and could "support my life" independently. With tuition due in three days, Du Ang, desperate, revealed he had an undisclosed "idea."

This idea turned out to be advertising himself as a "human sandbag" for 100 yuan a minute, allowing people to hit him without him fighting back, with a guarantee of "no charge if it doesn't work." Later, his parents came to visit. His mother was distraught by his injuries, which Du Ang falsely attributed to "rehearsal." She relayed an offer from his father: if Du Ang apologized, his father would pay his tuition.

Du Ang defiantly refused, stating he would "pay the tuition myself" and "make money" independently, telling his father, "That’s none of your business." This escalated into a heated argument with his father, who called him "rogue" and accused him of fighting. Du Ang sarcastically confirmed he "fight with people every day." He then told his mother that if she wanted to visit, she should "come on your own. Don’t bring him along. He and I are incompatible."

His parents left, with his father later admitting his fault to his wife and promising to call their son. Li Xiao diligently brought fresh fruit to Bai Qiao every day. He would chat with Bai Qiao's mother from outside the door, carefully avoiding entering the house, because he didn't want to upset Bai Qiao. Bai Qiao's mother mentioned that he refused her invitations to come inside, saying he was afraid of upsetting Bai Qiao.

She described him as a "nice guy" who would talk to her and wait until Bai Qiao returned home. His persistent and considerate actions gradually softened Bai Qiao's heart. Deeply affected by Hao Kaixin's predicament, Lu Qiyi seriously reconsidered her career path, weighing whether to become an entertainer abroad or an actress in China.

She reflected on past feedback, including a time when Mr. Sun criticized her acting, saying she was "not cut out for acting" and hadn't found the right "feeling." Ultimately, she realized her true passion lay in acting and decided to give up the opportunity to study in the U. S.

She informed Ms. Tang of her decision, who, after confirming Lu Qiyi was "sure" and understood that "there won't be more in the future" if she missed this chance, wished her good luck. However, Lu Qiyi did not immediately inform Fang Yan of her decision. Meanwhile, Fang Yan, also influenced by Hao Kaixin's situation, finally committed to his own path and signed his five-year contract with SJ Company.

Fang Yan presented Lu Qiyi with a contract for him to develop his career in the United States, hoping to give her a pleasant surprise. However, Lu Qiyi was dismayed, asking if he could back out, to which Fang Yan replied that canceling would cost him millions. Lu Qiyi was distraught, unsure how to confess that she had already given up her own opportunity to study in the U. S.

Just then, Fang Yan received a call from Zouyang Zimo saying Du Ang had been beaten and hospitalized. They immediately rushed to the hospital. At the hospital, Du Ang explained that he was working as a "human sandbag," taking punches for money. Zouyang Zimo, who was also there, tried to put a Band-Aid on his wound, but he resisted and tried to remove it.

When Zimo threatened to tell Lu Qiyi about his dangerous way of earning money, Du Ang relented. He lamented that if he could find other work, he wouldn't resort to such methods. Lu Qiyi suggested a job at the Waiting for Godot Bar, a place Zhang Yang had mentioned was hiring. Fang Yan, overhearing this, became visibly jealous.

Du Ang, noticing Fang Yan's reaction, criticized him for being unmanly, revealing that Lu Qiyi had given up her chance to go to the U. S. for him. Fang Yan was utterly shocked by this revelation. Lu Qiyi tried to explain, but Fang Yan, shaken and upset, pulled away from her and ran off to SJ Company, intending to rescind his contract. The company manager informed him that the contract had already been sent to the U. S.

headquarters, and terminating it now would incur millions, possibly tens of millions, in penalties. The manager reminded Fang Yan that he previously said he was fighting hard for a girl, and now he wanted to cancel because of her. She emphasized that some decisions are irreversible and advised him to use the remaining time, as his departure date might be moved up, to do what he wanted. Fang Yan hurried back to school to find Lu Qiyi but missed her.

Meanwhile, Lu Qiyi had been looking for Fang Yan, but she missed him as she was taking Du Ang to his interview at the Waiting for Godot Bar. At the Waiting for Godot Bar, Du Ang was interviewed by the manager, who noted Zhang Yang had been both a waiter and pianist. Du Ang admitted he couldn't play the piano but could box and act, which the manager found unsuitable.

He accepted the waiter position and eagerly offered to start immediately. Day after day, Li Sanshang waited for Hao Kaixin. Her mother told Sanshang that Kaixin had taken his flowers and was talking more than before, showing signs of softening. Sanshang, with the help of his classmates, devised a plan to make her see him. He pretended he was going to jump off the third floor, mirroring how Hao Kaixin once threatened him to return to school.

This desperate act finally brought Hao Kaixin out to confront him. Li Sanshang took the opportunity to pour out his heart, telling her he loved her unconditionally, regardless of her age, beauty, or scars. He reminded her how she had supported him when he was at his lowest, and now he wanted to be there for her, to protect and accompany her until she was happy again. Moved by his sincerity, Hao Kaixin finally accepted his and their classmates' care.

At Hao Kaixin's bedside, Bai Qiao and Li Xiao reunited. Li Xiao tentatively asked Bai Qiao if she was free that evening. Bai Qiao replied she had a class but promised to call him after it finished, delighting Li Xiao. Lu Qiyi received a text message from Du Ang, asking her to meet. After saying goodbye to Hao Kaixin, she unexpectedly encountered Fang Yan, who had been avoiding her.

It turned out that Du Ang and Zouyang Zimo had orchestrated their meeting, hoping to help them reconcile. Lu Qiyi apologized to Fang Yan for not immediately telling him about her decision to not go to the U. S. She asked him to reconcile and declared her willingness to wait for him for five years. Fang Yan, however, was still angry. He expressed how he had gone through immense trouble to arrange his own trip to the U. S.

for her, only for her to unilaterally decide not to go. He felt their commitment had lost its meaning. He did not agree to reconcile and coldly walked away. In the days leading up to his departure, Fang Yan spent time with his family, preparing for his five-year journey to the U. S. He did not attend classes.

On the eve of his departure, Fang Yan returned to the dormitory to drink with Du Ang and Li Sanshang, finally opening up about his feelings. He confessed that he had fallen in love with Lu Qiyi the first time he saw her during the College Entrance Exam for Art Students. He spoke of his pain seeing her struggle for recognition, his desire to help her, and his jealousy when she liked other men.

He admitted his inability to express his feelings, which often led to misunderstandings. He explained that he wasn't angry with her but feared the uncertainties of a five-year separation and didn't want her to wait for him. Unbeknownst to Fang Yan, Du Ang secretly recorded his heartfelt confession and sent it to Lu Qiyi. Upon hearing Fang Yan’s true feelings, Lu Qiyi was deeply moved.

She rushed into the boys' dormitory and declared that no matter how long it took, she would wait for Fang Yan to return. With this, they reconciled. After Fang Yan left for the U. S. , he and Lu Qiyi often video chatted. Zouyang Zimo jokingly complained that their calls, due to the time difference, were causing her to lose sleep. Du Ang, whose relationship with Zimo was now an open secret, playfully teased her about her pale complexion.

One day, the three friends, along with Li Sanshang, went to visit Hao Kaixin at the hospital, only to discover she had left without a word. A nurse handed Li Sanshang a note from Hao Kaixin. In the letter, she apologized for her sudden departure and thanked everyone for their kindness.

She explained that her parents had arranged for her to see a plastic surgeon abroad, and she would return when she felt beautiful enough to be worthy of Li Sanshang. Five years swiftly passed. Lu Qiyi had become a rising actress, yet she remained at Southern University of the Arts. Li Xiao, her senior, had become a teacher at the university and was now in a loving relationship with Bai Qiao.

As Lu Qiyi assisted with new student registration, a young man wearing a baseball cap stood silently before her. Lu Qiyi looked up, her face lighting up with surprise—it was Fang Yan, returned from the United States. They shared a knowing smile, their reunion a testament to their enduring love.