Summit of Our Youth Episode 9 Recap
> Summit of Our Youth Recap
Auntie Wanjun hosted a dinner, ostensibly to treat the kids who had just finished their college entrance exams, but also to subtly compare her daughter, Zhou Shiyun, with Gu Xuejiao. She brought out a dish she claimed was the signature "boiled cabbage soup" from a fancy restaurant. Gu Xuejiao immediately noted its inauthenticity, pointing out the layer of fat floating on top and stating it wasn't made from fresh stock, even suggesting her own mother's soup tasted better.
Auntie Wanjun then pressed Gu Xuejiao about her exam results. Gu Xuejiao initially downplayed her score, saying she was "a dozen points short." Auntie Wanjun, assuming she meant the first-tier university cutoff, feigned sympathy, suggesting Gu Xuejiao could still aim for a "decent third-tier" university, mentioning that Zhou Shiyun's family had hired a consultant and decided on Veritas University for her, emphasizing playing it safe.
Gu Xuejiao then clarified that she was "a dozen points short of Capital University's usual cutoff," revealing her exact score as six hundred seventy-nine. Upon hearing that Gu Xuejiao's score was higher than Zhou Shiyun's, Auntie Wanjun was visibly upset and quickly pulled Zhou Shiyun aside into the living room, scolding her for not outscoring Gu Xuejiao despite years of effort.
Gu Mingze, overhearing, commented that Auntie Wanjun always seemed to be competing with their family, attributing it to her underlying insecurity despite her wealth, as their Mom was very accomplished in her youth. After the strained dinner, Auntie Wanjun continued to prod, implying that even with her high score, Gu Xuejiao's chances of getting into Capital University were slim, and if she failed, her family wouldn't be able to afford her repeating the year alongside Gu Mingze.
Gu Xuejiao calmly responded that her family's finances were not an issue. Just then, news on the television announced the demolition and relocation plan for the former Jinghai mobile factory's employee housing complex, which was their family home. The government was offering favorable policies, including housing and education subsidies. Back at their home, the family discussed their compensation, realizing they would receive eight apartments, including a commercial unit, making them financially secure.
Gu Xuejiao humorously told Auntie Wanjun that her Mom might no longer be working for her, as she'd be too busy collecting rent. As they deliberated on where to relocate, Dad initially suggested returning to the original site or choosing East City, while Gu Mingze favored West City for its academic environment near Veritas University.
However, Gu Xuejiao advocated for North City, explaining that it was designated as the focus of the city's next ten-year development plan, set to become a new central business district, attracting major internet firms and landmark buildings. She emphasized the importance of looking towards the future, noting that her calculation was based on Lin Zhihua's algorithm model.
During the waiting period for admission results, Sun Tiantian, inspired by a visit to a new high-end dessert shop, decided to pursue her dream of becoming a pastry chef, abandoning her college plans. She then excitedly called Gu Xuejiao, claiming to have uncovered a "big secret" about Lin Zhihua. Sun Tiantian reported seeing Lin Zhihua getting into a rich lady's car near the dessert shop and followed them to a villa, where she witnessed him being affectionate with the woman.
Soon after, the "man of the house" returned, and fighting sounds erupted from inside. Believing Lin Zhihua was caught in a family dispute and possibly in danger, Gu Xuejiao rushed to the villa. Upon arriving, she clarified to the family that she was not an accomplice. Lin Zhihua emerged and explained that it was his own house, and his parents were in the middle of a heated argument, smashing their expensive porcelain.
Lin Zhihua's parents, initially in conflict, immediately became exceptionally polite and hospitable upon seeing Gu Xuejiao, as it was Lin Zhihua's first time bringing a friend home. They warmly shared his childhood photo album, showing pictures of him as a cute child, including one where he was crying. Lin Zhihua's mother proudly stated that Capital University was "our Petal's school" and that Gu Xuejiao would be his junior.
Lin Zhihua attempted to get Gu Xuejiao to leave quickly, citing his parents' frequent overseas travel and an urgent departure. As Lin Zhihua walked Gu Xuejiao home, the evening shadows stretched long behind them, and he took a subtle photo of their silhouettes. Gu Xuejiao playfully suggested he should learn to relax, as he always appeared serious, even having to "play along" with his parents' facade at home.
She then insisted on taking a picture of him smiling, tickling him until he genuinely laughed, and captured the moment, quoting a poem that played on his name, "At a horse raising red dust the imperial concubine smiled; No one knew it was for the 'Lin Zhi' it had brought," celebrating his rare smile. The next day, Lin Zhihua visited Gao Rui in the lab, bringing him medicine and a thermometer as Gao Rui was sick with a fever.
Gao Rui mentioned that an important industry exchange meeting was scheduled to take place at Mount Jun Hotel, an ideal location for his recovery. On the day of the exchange meeting, Lin Zhihua led his team from Capital University's Autonomous Driving Lab. Lin Jiadong diligently distributed flyers about their latest projects.
One investor from Junlian Investment Co., Ltd. directly asked about the project's return on investment, which Lin Jiadong was unable to answer immediately, so he took the investor's business card, promising to contact him after calculating it. Coinciding with the exchange meeting, Gu Xuejiao, Sun Tiantian, Gu Mingze, Yi Tianyu, and Qi Lei embarked on their graduation trip to Mount Jun. Gu Mingze had specially invited Zhou Shiyun, and she rode with them in his car.
Qi Lei brought a camera and took a group photo to commemorate their senior year. Gu Xuejiao later posted the photo online, and Lin Zhihua, at the exchange meeting, quickly saw it. As the exchange meeting concluded, Lin Jiadong complained about the limited number of business cards he had collected. Meanwhile, Dr. Cai, the chief technology officer of B&C Motors, captivated the attendees with his presentation.
Lin Zhihua then presented Capital University's innovative C1 system for autonomous driving, which deeply impressed Dr. Cai, who expressed interest in a private meeting to learn more. At the picnic site on Mount Jun, Gu Xuejiao busily arranged the area. Yi Tianyu, noticing a tent peg nearby, conspired with Sun Tiantian to intentionally trip over it, hoping to fall into Gu Xuejiao's arms.
However, just as Lin Zhihua arrived at the picnic after his meeting, Yi Tianyu, seeing Lin Zhihua approaching Gu Xuejiao, rushed forward to intervene, but instead collided with Qi Lei, causing both to tumble to the ground. Back at Lin Zhihua's home, his sister, Lin Zhiyue, went to retrieve some documents for their parents. Hearing sounds from a bedroom, she initially feared a thief had broken in and texted Lin Zhihua.
He quickly clarified that a feverish classmate, Gao Rui, was isolating there to avoid infecting others. Lin Zhiyue found Gao Rui and helped him with a cold compress before leaving. Later, as Lin Zhihua and Gu Xuejiao were barbecuing, Lin Jiadong called, informing Lin Zhihua that investors were seeking to discuss their project. Lin Zhihua instructed him not to engage with anyone other than Dr. Cai from B&C Motors, prioritizing their lead. Gu Xuejiao excused herself to use the restroom.
On her way back, Zhou Shiyun intercepted her, angrily accusing Gu Xuejiao of intentionally announcing her high score at the previous dinner to mock her, which had resulted in Zhou Shiyun being grounded by her mother. Gu Xuejiao calmly explained that she had simply stated the truth and advised Zhou Shiyun not to misinterpret her intentions.
She further asserted that she never considered Zhou Shiyun a rival due to her "poor eyesight" for "petty people," and bluntly told Zhou Shiyun that she should confront her mother, who grounded her, rather than misdirecting her anger, calling such behavior "either weak or stupid." Gu Xuejiao then walked away, leaving Zhou Shiyun to reflect on her words.
