Shining For One Thing Episode 10 Recap
> Shining For One Thing Recap
As Lin Beixing was about to leave, Zhang Wansen emerged, coughing. She noted he had a cold and asked about his parents, who had already returned. Despite Zhang Wansen's reassurances that he was fine, Lin Beixing insisted he take his medicine, urging him not to underestimate the severity of his cold and to rest at home without going anywhere. Observing study materials, she confirmed his plans to study abroad before she departed.
Lin Beixing advised Yang Chaoyang to consider changing classes since he spent so much time in theirs, but he lamented his grades prevented it. Yang Chaoyang then confided a secret to Lin Beixing: a scout contacted him after he passed a crosstalk test, allowing him to bypass the college entrance examination and pursue his dream directly. Lin Beixing, initially skeptical and worried he might be cheated, expressed her strong disagreement with his decision to forgo university.
Yang Chaoyang, however, was resolute, informing her he was not seeking her permission but merely informing her. He showed her his college entrance examination candidate number, No. 01, which he printed as a memento despite his intention not to take the exam. Lin Beixing, upon realizing his conviction, sincerely encouraged him, asserting that he would become a famous crosstalk actor and that the college entrance examination simply was not for him.
Yang Chaoyang appreciated her support, contrasting it with others who would "throw cold water" on his aspirations. Reflecting on Yang Chaoyang's unwavering pursuit of his dream, Lin Beixing realized the impact her previous dismissal of Zhang Wansen's aspiration to be a Veterinarian without Borders must have had. She asked Zhang Wansen how he felt about pursuing such a career abroad. He initially downplayed it as "dirty and tiring," suggesting focusing on the college entrance examination was more important.
Lin Beixing then probed whether he would be upset if a friend asked him to abandon his dream. Zhang Wansen firmly stated that such a friend would not be a true friend, indicating that giving up a dream was not an option for him, despite acknowledging it might be a difficult choice for others.
Zhang Wansen then told her that she was the first person to encourage him, promising that even if he became famous, he would not pretend not to know her. This interaction deepened Lin Beixing's understanding of Zhang Wansen's passion, prompting her to arrange a meeting with him at the zoo to offer a sincere explanation. Zhang Wansen waited at Nanchuan Zoo for Lin Beixing, who arrived late.
She apologized for her tardiness, while Zhang Wansen admitted he had not remembered their meeting very clearly either, offering his own apology. Lin Beixing then took out a childhood photo and sincerely explained that she had misunderstood his previous situation, believing he was forced to study abroad. She clarified that if becoming a Veterinarian without Borders had always been his childhood dream, she would stand by him and support him unconditionally.
Zhang Wansen revealed that others often ridiculed his dream of "saving animals around the world." Lin Beixing, however, assured him that she believed in his ability to achieve it and would support him through any challenge, even declaring she would follow him through "fire and water." Zhang Wansen responded with a knowing smile, recognizing that the girl who once first encouraged him as a child had truly returned.
As Lin Beixing went to purchase two tickets, the conductor mistakenly assumed Zhang Wansen was her boyfriend, remarking on her apparent happiness. The conductor then added that "the whole world is behind you, in your past." Lin Beixing turned to look at Zhang Wansen, a deep realization dawning on her, and he offered her an umbrella because of the heavy rain.
Returning to a familiar area in the zoo, Lin Beixing, who used to work there, felt a sense of familiarity as she observed the same lazy tigers her mother used to tell stories about. When the tigers startled her, Zhang Wansen swiftly pulled her into his embrace, protecting her.
As the zoo prepared to close, the Curator, who appeared to recognize Lin Beixing before feigning ignorance, urged them to leave, adding a philosophical remark that just as fish swim with the waves but must look back to see their own world, one must remember to look back to find their true world. Lin Beixing noticed Zhang Wansen's overseas application form and pressed him on his hesitation to leave, acknowledging the difficulty of returning if he went abroad.
Zhang Wansen admitted his internal struggle, as he wished to stay to accompany Lin Beixing through her college entrance examination. Lin Beixing, understanding his predicament, explained that while separation is hard now, it would become a normal part of life as they grew older. She insisted that his pursuit of a Veterinarian without Borders was what he genuinely loved, and that companionship did not solely rely on physical presence, suggesting they could stay connected through calls and future video chats.
Zhang Wansen revealed his assessment was in April, meaning he would have to leave shortly thereafter. Lin Beixing expressed her regret that they would not be able to attend a fireworks convention together before his departure. Before leaving, Zhang Wansen handed her a small item, telling her it would bring her good fortune in fulfilling her wishes and dreams. On her way back, Lin Beixing was confronted by Zhan Yu, who questioned why she had not answered his calls.
She dismissed his concern, reminding him that she had already told him she did not like him and he should mind his own business. Zhan Yu then challenged her, pointing out that Zhang Wansen's departure for abroad meant there was no future for them, questioning her persistent efforts and citing her past encouragement during his basketball games as mixed signals.
Undeterred, Lin Beixing, determined to create a lasting memory for Zhang Wansen before he left, approached the Curator of Nanchuan Zoo with a proposal for a fireworks party. She argued it would revitalize the zoo's stagnant business by offering visitors a more engaging experience beyond just animal viewing. The Curator initially dismissed her ambitious plan, stating that such an event was far more complex than she imagined, requiring detailed planning, public surveys, and internal discussions, not just "paperwork."
Lin Beixing passionately assured him she could handle all the requirements, explaining that she deeply wished to give a beloved friend a beautiful farewell memory before he left Nanchuan. Convinced by her sincerity, the Curator agreed to review her detailed proposal. At an internet café, Lin Beixing encountered Zhan Yu, who was idly playing games. She criticized his self-defeating behavior after his failed confession before sitting down to work on her fireworks party proposal.
He recognized her project as what she had been working on secretly and offered to help her with the extensive questionnaire survey, but she declined, insisting on managing it herself. Despite her dedication, Lin Beixing's exhaustion began to show. During tutoring sessions with Zhang Wansen, she frequently dozed off and attempted to leave early, which puzzled him. He expressed concern over her skipping evening self-study and napping during the day, fearing it would jeopardize her college entrance examination performance.
Lin Beixing tried to reassure him she would excel and uphold their promise to appear on the honor roll together. However, her distraction severely impacted her studies, as evidenced when she was caught dozing and snoring during a city-wide mock exam, leading to a significant drop in her grades. Her teacher, Liu, called her to the office, expressing deep concern about her academic decline and the large blank spaces on her exam paper.
Teacher Liu reminded her of her initial drive and how she had successfully transferred to Class 1, but now saw her current state as "abandoning herself," urging her to refocus on her studies. Yang Chaoyang diligently practiced crosstalk routines alone on the steps. Gao Ge approached him, urging him to reconsider his decision to forgo the college entrance examination, warning him that the crosstalk training class was a scam designed to defraud him.
Yang Chaoyang, however, perceived her intervention as a dismissal of his aspirations, telling her to mind her own business and warning that if she continued to interfere with his life, their friendship might end. Angered by his dismissal, Gao Ge retorted that if he insisted on pursuing his crosstalk dream, she would enroll in the academy of fine arts herself, emphasizing that dreams were not exclusive to him alone.
Zhang Wansen later visited Lin Beixing, bringing her food his father had made. Lin Beixing questioned why his overseas assessment date had been moved from April to June, deducing it was to stay longer for her, which he implicitly confirmed by remarking on her "love for causing trouble." Zhang Wansen then discovered Lin Beixing still trying to finish the numerous questionnaires late at night, instead of studying.
Frustrated, he attempted to make her go home and focus on her studies, especially with the college entrance examination drawing near. Zhan Yu intervened, telling Zhang Wansen to let Lin Beixing do what made her happy. Zhang Wansen, however, expressed his profound disappointment, feeling betrayed by her deception and neglect of her studies, despite understanding her desire for a fireworks party before his departure.
Overwhelmed, Lin Beixing informed the Curator that she might not be able to continue with the fireworks party planning. The Curator, disheartened, criticized her for her impulsive nature, stating that she did not know what she truly wanted, even with the "answers to the college entrance examination," metaphorically her clear path forward.
Gao Ge presented Yang Chaoyang with her art school examination pass, asserting that she was a person who "does what she says" to prove her commitment to her own dream. Yang Chaoyang, surprised by her decision, questioned why a top student like her would choose such a challenging path instead of an easier one.
Gao Ge firmly stated that she had made up her mind and was merely informing him, adding that if he would not let her interfere with his life, he should not interfere with hers either. Later, to help reconcile Lin Beixing and Zhang Wansen, Yang Chaoyang brought them to a mesmerizing fluorescent beach, presenting it as his farewell gift and suggesting it was even more beautiful than a fireworks party. He then left them to reconcile.
Lin Beixing apologized for her impulsive behavior and for hiding her efforts from Zhang Wansen, who accepted her apology, understanding her worry for him. She expressed sadness about missing the fireworks party, but Zhang Wansen reassured her, noting his wonder at seeing the fluorescent beach for the first time, describing it like the Milky Way.
He then explicitly revealed he had extended his stay by changing his assessment date to June, specifically to remain with her until her college entrance examination concluded. Lin Beixing was overjoyed by this news but then voiced her envy that both Zhang Wansen and Yang Chaoyang had clear dreams and directions, while she felt lost.
Zhang Wansen pointed to the Big Dipper, correcting her when she mistook it for Polaris, and explained that people had long used the Big Dipper to find Polaris, their guiding star in the darkness. He reassured her that not knowing one's path was not frightening; by taking continuous steps forward, she would eventually discover her own guiding star.
When Lin Beixing asked what happened if clouds obscured the Big Dipper, he pointed to himself, implying he would be her unwavering guide. Yang Chaoyang then reappeared, asking if they had reconciled, proudly claiming credit for their renewed understanding. Yang Chaoyang approached Zhang Wansen, handing him a candidate number. He explained that Gao Guangming had made an error, and this number, Candidate number 01, actually belonged to Zhang Wansen.
This revelation deeply impacted Lin Beixing, who now realized that Zhang Wansen had not participated in the college entrance examination that year. She wondered aloud if this previously unknown fact could be the underlying reason for his suicide.
