Summit of Our Youth Episode 4 Recap
> Summit of Our Youth Recap
When accused of throwing a ball at Zhou Shiyun, Gu Xuejiao clearly stated her innocence, explaining that based on the principles of parabolic motion, if she had thrown the ball from her position, the direction Zhou Shiyun fell would not have been towards Mr. Fu. Gu Xuejiao asserted that school surveillance cameras could easily verify the truth.
She further stated that she had recorded the entire interaction, including the accusations, and reserved the right to pursue legal action for slander and mental distress. With Mr. Fu's permission, she then left for her duty, and Yi Dafa, a fellow student, also confirmed Gu Xuejiao's thorough explanation and reserved his own legal rights regarding the slander.
After Zhou Shiyun's parents departed, Lin Zhihua met with Mr. Fu, who was initially dealing with the parents and reassuring them he would resolve the issue. Mr. Fu noted Lin Zhihua's apparent growth and then extended an invitation for Lin Zhihua to give a motivational speech to the high school seniors, drawing on his experiences at Capital University.
Mr. Fu lamented the increasing difficulty in managing students, mentioning he had just suspended a "troublemaker" on the spot, a decision he wouldn't reverse. To Mr. Fu's surprise, Lin Zhihua then revealed that he too had been suspended from his own studies. Later, Gu Xuejiao's mother, Li Sitong, having heard about the school incident from Zhou Shiyun's mother, rushed to the school to confront Gu Xuejiao.
Li Sitong immediately tried to force Gu Xuejiao to apologize to Zhou Shiyun, believing it would smooth things over, regardless of who was at fault. However, Gu Xuejiao adamantly refused to apologize for something she didn't do, asserting that it would mean always being subservient to others.
Zhou Shiyun then approached, feigning concern for Gu Xuejiao's dropping grades and subtly revealing that Gu Xuejiao had stayed out until past midnight previously, causing Li Sitong to erupt in anger and scold her daughter for her secretiveness and suspected involvement with Gu Mingze. Gu Xuejiao, feeling provoked, refused to explain further and left the school. Gu Xuejiao sought refuge at a bookstore, where Lin Zhihua found her.
Noticing her dejected demeanor, a stark contrast to her earlier confident confrontation, he offered her a hot chocolate. Gu Xuejiao admitted her suspension, but Lin Zhihua reassured her it was temporary. Despite her predicament, Gu Xuejiao reaffirmed her dream of attending Capital University.
Lin Zhihua then suggested they go to Capital University, and upon arriving, Gu Xuejiao expressed awe at its size and a desire to explore the lab buildings, to which Lin Zhihua replied she could wander freely once she was admitted. On the university field, Lin Zhihua proposed an informal basketball game: if Gu Xuejiao scored just one point, he would grant her a wish, provided it was legal.
Initially claiming ignorance of the game and professing to be a mere bookworm, Gu Xuejiao then feigned a surrender. Capitalizing on this, Lin Zhihua used a common maneuver to score. Gu Xuejiao then revealed her true wish: she desperately needed Lin Zhihua's help to convince the school to lift her suspension, as her goal of attending Capital University would be impossible otherwise. They lay on the field, continuing their conversation.
Lin Zhihua quizzed Gu Xuejiao on various academic topics, including literature, astronomy, history, and physics. While Gu Xuejiao answered some questions correctly, she struggled with others, jokingly conceding that Lin Zhihua was truly the embodiment of "all-round development." Their discussion was cut short by the sound of a security patrol, prompting Lin Zhihua to pull Gu Xuejiao away as they ran from the field.
Gu Xuejiao expressed her gratitude for the evening, reiterating that despite the recent setback, nothing would deter her from her Capital University aspirations. As it was late, Lin Zhihua insisted on walking her home. The next day, despite being suspended, Gu Xuejiao was seen standing outside her classroom in a raincoat, listening intently to the lesson. Her classmate, Yi Tianyu, expressed confusion over Gu Xuejiao's sudden zeal for studying.
Unbeknownst to him, Gu Xuejiao had anticipated heavy rain and hoped her "sick but persistent" appearance would garner sympathy, though the sun was shining, making her uncomfortably warm. Meanwhile, Lin Zhihua was in Mr. Fu's office, attempting to intercede on Gu Xuejiao's behalf. Mr. Fu expressed his frustration that Gu Xuejiao's parents hadn't shown up, leaving Lin Zhihua, her tutor, to plead her case.
Mr. Fu remained firm, asserting that academic focus was paramount at No. 7 High and any distractions would be removed. Lin Zhihua then suggested they take a walk around campus, subtly guiding Mr. Fu past Gu Xuejiao, who was still enduring her self-imposed "sympathy play" in the sun. Mr. Fu, noticing her, commented on her apparent dedication, which Lin Zhihua affirmed was "eagerness to learn."
Soon after, Mr. Fu called Gu Xuejiao to his office and reinstated her classes, but with a stringent condition: she had to rank within the top 100 in the upcoming mock exam. Gu Xuejiao was stunned by the challenge, considering her previous academic performance, which included a disheartening 58 in math and a second-to-last ranking in her grade of over 400 students. She immediately sought out Lin Zhihua, pleading for his assistance.
Lin Zhihua, seemingly anticipating her need, had already prepared a detailed and customized study plan for her, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the Ebbinghaus curve for effective review. As the Chinese New Year approached, Lin Zhihua's sister, Lin Zhiyue, informed their parents that she would not be returning home for the holidays and had already booked a flight for Lin Zhihua to join her in Hawaii.
Lin Zhihua, however, had no intention of leaving, as he had already made plans. Around the same time, Gu Xuejiao sent him a text, inviting him to her home for a "thank-you feast" before the New Year. Lin Zhiyue, talking to someone else on the phone, expressed her bewilderment at Gu Xuejiao's apparent influence, wondering what "high merits" she possessed to make Lin Zhihua, who was typically reserved and detached, seem like a completely different person.
On New Year's Eve, Lin Zhihua continued to supervise Gu Xuejiao and Gu Mingze's studies, even as Gu Mingze dozed off. Gu Xuejiao secretly checked her phone and discovered that the stock her brother had bought had surged, indicating a significant profit. Later, Lin Zhihua joined the Gu family for their New Year's Eve dumpling dinner. Gu Xuejiao's parents expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Lin Zhihua for his dedicated tutoring.
During dinner, Gu Xuejiao and Lin Zhihua exchanged New Year wishes, with Gu Xuejiao wishing him success and good fortune, and Lin Zhihua wishing her academic progress and a smooth college entrance exam. Gu Xuejiao, feeling a bit full, excused herself to go for a walk downstairs, a cue also taken by Gu Mingze, who attempted to sneak away.
Gu Mingze headed straight to an internet cafe, where he was photographed, and the image was promptly reported online, leading Mr. Fu, who happened to be dining nearby with his family, to the internet cafe. Gu Xuejiao quickly arrived with Lin Zhihua to retrieve Gu Mingze. Seeing Mr. Fu at the entrance, Lin Zhihua strategically engaged him, using the opportunity to agree to give the previously declined speech at school, buying time.
Meanwhile, Gu Xuejiao found a doll ornament and attached it to her head, trying to obscure Mr. Fu's view of Gu Mingze, who attempted to discreetly slip away. However, Mr. Fu still spotted Gu Mingze, who, when confronted, audaciously claimed to have already graduated and was attending "Galidon College in the UK," leaving Mr. Fu to wonder if such a school even existed.
