The Big Boss Recap, Plot, Synopsis
The Big Boss Synopsis
Young girl Ye Muqi and her childhood friend Liao Danyi, who was completely different, are bound together again by fate, and start a magical campus journey in senior class 10, which is full of “freaks and study slackers”.
The Big Boss Recap
Episode 1 Recap
A chalk board eraser struck Ye Muqi, rousing her from a dream as she napped at her desk. Seeing the furious teacher on the podium, Ye Muqi, the class monitor, quickly called out "Stand up!" She turned to find Liao Danyi, the study committee member, staring back at her. Their intense gazes set the scene for the story that began in that hazy classroom.
The alarm clock blared at six-thirty, signaling the start of a new day for Ye Muqi and Liao Danyi, two vastly different teenagers. Ye Muqi, a lively girl with a round, baby-like face, delicate features, and a small stature, was a bit eccentric. She lived with her equally unconventional elder brother, Ye Yihan. It was her first day of high school, and her brother had prepared a delicious hotpot for breakfast.
They engaged in playful kungfu moves in the dining room. Ye Yihan insisted on cycling her to school. On their way, Ye Muqi sensed an unsettling presence, a "whiff of danger," and her nemesis, Liao Danyi, appeared on his bicycle. Liao Danyi, Ye Muqi's childhood neighbor, was seen by others as her childhood sweetheart. Yet, to Ye Muqi, "Lad Danyi" was her sworn enemy.
As long as she could remember, he had always been by her side, consistently her class monitor, and constantly at odds with her. She considered him "the nightmare of her childhood," "crushed stones in her shoes," and "the God of Plague." Ye Muqi stood before Liao Danyi, hands on her hips, projecting an air of defiance. Liao Danyi surveyed her calmly, noting, "The necktie is too loose. The socks are in different heights. The shoelaces have gone loose."
Ye Yihan, embarrassed, quickly knelt to tie Ye Muqi’s shoelaces, explaining they were in a hurry. Liao Danyi suggested Ye Muqi should learn to do it herself. Surprisingly, Ye Muqi remained calm. She declared that her nine years of compulsory education with him were over, and she was finally free from his grasp. From today onward, they would not be in the same class, and nothing could spoil her good mood.
With that, she urged her brother to continue to school. However, Liao Danyi continued to follow them. Ye Muqi eventually stopped him, assuming he was merely escorting her. She told him to go his own way, as she needed to go to school. Liao Danyi simply replied, "Me too." Ye Muqi froze, a bad feeling creeping into her heart, wondering if they were somehow attending the same school. Meanwhile, Guan Xinyi, a dignified and aloof beauty, gracefully entered the school.
Her former middle school classmates had already secured an ideal seat for her in Class One and unanimously recommended her to be their class monitor. Guan Xinyi coolly stated that her becoming class monitor was "taken for granted." Upon finally arriving at the school, Ye Muqi scanned her surroundings anxiously, hoping not to see Liao Danyi.
Relieved by his absence, she bade farewell to her brother, Ye Yihan, who wished her a good start to her first day of high school. As she walked through the campus, she first encountered a group of black-suited bodyguards, then a furious teacher lecturing students undergoing punishment for various infractions like making cheat sheets, being late, cutting classes, and puppy love.
Following this, she saw a throng of fanatical admirers holding signs and chanting the name "Xue Xiaodong," a young celebrity who was now a student at Maple Middle School. After wandering for some time, Ye Muqi realized she had mistakenly entered the junior high section. She eventually found her correct classroom, Class 10 of Senior High Grade 1. The moment she stepped inside, her world, and her expectations for the next three years, were shattered.
To her utter dismay, the person she least wanted to see, Liao Danyi, sat there looking calm and composed. Seated side-by-side, Ye Muqi indignantly asked how he had performed on his high school entrance exam, implying his grades were too high for their class. Liao Danyi explained that he had a fever and missed one subject. Ye Muqi silently vowed that her precious three years of high school would not be ruined by him.
Just then, the class teacher, Wu Heng, a tall, handsome young man, entered. The class then began self-introductions, revealing a diverse group of creative and quirky individuals with hobbies ranging from astrology and drawing to gaming and even running a mock company. Liao Danyi formally introduced himself and stated his desire to serve as Class 10's monitor, citing his nine years of experience as a class monitor since primary school.
Unable to bear the thought of him succeeding, Ye Muqi decided to run against him. The teacher announced that an election meeting would be held the following day to democratically choose the class monitor. The next day, Ye Muqi encountered Liao Danyi. In an attempt to arrive at school earlier, she playfully tossed his new backpack, but then realized she had taken the wrong route to school. Speeding on her bicycle, she accidentally collided with Guan Xinyi's car.
Guan Xinyi calmly offered Ye Muqi compensation, noting that despite Ye Muqi breaking traffic rules, her car had hit the bike. She then pointed out that Ye Muqi was heading in the wrong direction for school. As Guan Xinyi continued to offer more money, Ye Muqi, finally acting on a long-held impulse, grabbed the stack of bills and dramatically scattered them over Guan Xinyi, declaring, "Who cares about your money!" She then fled the scene.
With the help of two classmates, Huang Nan and Huang Yi, Ye Muqi donned rollerblades and sped towards school. Meanwhile, Liao Danyi had already begun his campaign speech, outlining his plan to manage the class systematically based on a questionnaire he had distributed. Just as the teacher was about to conclude the election and declare Liao Danyi the winner, Ye Muqi arrived. She stumbled through her initial self-introduction, admitting her low academic scores and lack of experience.
Then, she dramatically slapped the podium, declaring her desire to become "sworn brothers and sisters" with everyone. She promised to let them "live in the moment" and support their dreams and unique ideas. Her unconventional and passionate speech ignited the class, and students enthusiastically chanted her name. When the voting results were announced, they were surprisingly chaotic. Only seven students had voted for the actual candidates from their class.
The remaining votes were surprisingly cast for fictional characters and celebrities, including twenty for 'Sunshine Girl,' several for Korean entertainers, and others for anime characters like the fourth-generation ninja in Naruto, and even video game characters like 'Arthur the tank.' Of the valid votes, Liao Danyi received three, and Ye Muqi received four, making Ye Muqi the new Class 10 monitor by a single vote. Ye Muqi celebrated her victory with her classmates at the school store.
Liao Danyi then approached her, informing her that he had been elected "commissary in charge of studies." He explained that his role involved overseeing academic progress, managing students who were easily distracted or doodled in their books, seemingly a direct reference to Ye Muqi. Liao Danyi playfully referred to her as "Big Boss," acknowledging her new authority as they would now manage Class 10 together.
Episode 2 Recap
The episode opens with Ye Muqi's dream, where she is a radiant goddess. Liao Danyi kneels before her, begging for forgiveness. With a mere glance from Ye Muqi, the other students begin to condemn Liao Danyi. Ye Muqi declares him guilty and states that anyone without sin can cast the first stone.
After a moment of silence, she hurls an enormous stone at Liao Danyi, and the other students follow suit, pelting him as he covers his head and pleads for mercy. The next day, Ye Muqi, now the class monitor, provocatively approaches Liao Danyi, asking if he, as an ordinary classmate, needs any help from his "Boss." Liao Danyi dismisses her, stating he needs to concentrate on his studies.
Undeterred, Ye Muqi continues to taunt him, asking if he feels displeased, has worries, or is suffering from depression. Annoyed, Liao Danyi warns her to enjoy her moments of complacence, asserting that not everyone is qualified for the monitor position and she will only hold it for fifteen days at most. He predicts she will soon come to him with tearful eyes, begging him to take back the burden, and everything will return to normal.
Ye Muqi scoffs, declaring that whether it's fifteen days, a term, or a year, she will always be a better monitor than him and will forever look down upon him from her position. Soon, the class teacher assigns a barrage of duties to Ye Muqi.
She must create daily duty rosters, collect textbooks from the third-floor office, ensure the weekly blackboard newspaper has a new, suitable theme in coordination with the literature and art commissary, manage homework collection and guide students who don't submit it, handle class expenses, and even feed the school's pet, Little Green, paying attention to its nutrition. Ye Muqi's head spins from the sheer volume of tasks.
Finally, the teacher hands her the classroom key, entrusting her with opening and locking the classroom door daily, which means she must be the first to arrive and the last to leave. Ye Muqi is utterly dumbfounded. Overwhelmed by the complex and unfamiliar responsibilities, Ye Muqi feels like a small rickshaw puller in 1930s Shanghai, unable to move the heavy passenger named "Responsibility." She laments that being class monitor is completely different from what she had imagined.
During English class, lost in thought and doodling, her dinosaur toy, which she refers to as "Crouching Dragon" and thinks of as Zhuge Liang, appears to offer advice. The dinosaur explains that a good leader doesn't need to be highly capable themselves, but merely needs to know one phrase: "Put up or shut up." Ye Muqi grasps this new philosophy.
She immediately applies it to her duties, delegating tasks by simply telling classmates, "If you are capable, you can just do it." She entrusts the blackboard newspaper to the literature and art commissary and hands the keys to the chemical lab to Huang Nan and Huang Yi. She even tells students to collect textbooks based on their "instinct."
Feeling proud of her newfound efficiency, she boasts to Liao Danyi, who warns her that such a casual approach will inevitably lead to problems. Unfazed, Ye Muqi then turns her attention to the issue of two students who have been absent for two days. Liao Danyi expresses his distrust in her ability to handle such a sensitive issue, explaining that school rules stipulate expulsion for five days of unexcused absence, implying there are likely private reasons for their truancy.
Ye Muqi proposes a bet: since one absent student is a girl and the other a boy, she will handle the girl, and Liao Danyi will handle the boy. The first one to get their student back to school wins. Liao Danyi initially dismisses the bet as meaningless, but Ye Muqi successfully provokes him by calling him a "sore loser," forcing him to accept.
Ye Muqi tracks down the absent girl, Zhu Shanqi, who lives alone and whose family fortunes have declined. Zhu Shanqi refuses to open the door, stating she doesn't want to go to school. Ye Muqi forces her way in, but Zhu Shanqi quickly ushers her out, keeping the spicy snacks Ye Muqi brought as a peace offering. Ye Muqi then resorts to drastic measures: she cuts Zhu Shanqi's electricity.
Later, she returns with two portions of mushroom and chicken drumstick rice, bribing Zhu Shanqi to let her inside. As they eat and talk, Ye Muqi discovers that Zhu Shanqi is a devoted fan of the idol Xue Xiaodong and even runs a well-known review blog called "Thorny Flower." Seizing the opportunity, Ye Muqi informs Zhu Shanqi that Xue Xiaodong will be at school that day. Immediately, Zhu Shanqi is revitalized and excitedly rushes off to school.
Meanwhile, Liao Danyi locates the absent boy, Xue Xiaodong, at a dance rehearsal for his latest music video. Xue Xiaodong's manager, Annie, explains that the reason for his absence is the overwhelming and aggressive fan base at school. She shows Liao Danyi the scratch wounds she sustained trying to protect Xue Xiaodong from them. Xue Xiaodong, frustrated by his inability to have a normal school life, contemplates quitting and becoming a trainee abroad.
Liao Danyi, however, adamantly insists that Xue Xiaodong must check into Class 10, revealing that he does not want to lose to someone (implying Ye Muqi). He devises a plan: they will swap clothes, with Liao Danyi acting as a decoy to draw the fans away while Xue Xiaodong, in Liao Danyi's school uniform, makes his way to class. This strategy proves successful. Xue Xiaodong, disguised in Liao Danyi's uniform, and a high-spirited Zhu Shanqi arrive in class simultaneously.
Zhu Shanqi is overjoyed to see her idol. Ye Muqi, exhausted from her efforts, and Liao Danyi, whose clothes are torn from distracting the fans, return to their seats and immediately begin bickering over who won the bet. Their argument is cut short by a loud explosion. It is revealed that Huang Nan and Huang Yi, whom Ye Muqi had given the chemical lab key, conducted unauthorized experiments, leading to an explosion.
Simultaneously, the blackboard newspaper, which Ye Muqi had delegated, is adorned with bizarre and inexplicable drawings. To make matters worse, the road to the Education Department is completely blocked by students, all of whom Ye Muqi had told to go collect textbooks themselves. Liao Danyi scathingly tells Ye Muqi that she has a long way to go to be a qualified monitor. Ye Muqi, overwhelmed by the chaos, declares her intense hatred for Liao Danyi, who calmly returns the sentiment.
Episode 3 Recap
During class, while most students, including their monitor Ye Muqi, were lost in their own worlds or waiting for dismissal, the scheduled end-of-class bell failed to ring. Ye Muqi found herself mentally imagining a war scene, with some classmates claiming to hear the bell while others, like her, heard nothing. The English teacher, engrossed in her lecture, only realized she had overrun the class by nearly seven minutes.
Just as the students hoped for a break, their homeroom teacher immediately entered, announcing that the next class would start three minutes earlier than scheduled, much to everyone's dismay. Outside the school, Xue Xiaodong's private information had been leaked, leading a massive crowd of fangirls to block the entrance. Guan Xinyi, the newly inaugurated Student Union president, noted that Xue Xiaodong's appearance on a reality show had caused the widespread news.
Despite dispatching student union officers, she admitted that the limited school security could not forcibly disperse the overwhelming number of fans, but she vowed to handle the situation to ensure students could enter. Back in the classroom, Ye Muqi and Zhu Shanqi were idly chatting when Xue Xiaodong, having somehow navigated the crowd, entered and took his seat. Zhu Shanqi, thrilled by his presence, immediately became animated.
She urged Ye Muqi to pretend she had just told a funny joke to catch Xue Xiaodong's attention. After he smiled, Zhu Shanqi gushed about his good looks and expressed her desire for a photo and to follow him on social media, explaining that today was his first day in school after being delayed by a concert. She then excitedly told Ye Muqi that Class 10 was fortunate to have two "dream guys": Xue Xiaodong and Liao Danyi.
Upon hearing Liao Danyi's name, Ye Muqi visibly recoiled, questioning Zhu Shanqi's judgment, asking if she or the world was blind to consider Liao Danyi a dream guy, despite his good looks, academic prowess, and intellectual aura. Xue Xiaodong then politely shook hands with them. Ye Muqi, however, felt a strange familiarity about him. She pressed him, asking if he had ever appeared on TV in the past, specifically mentioning an amusement park, a hula hoop, and a child.
Xue Xiaodong reacted sharply, slamming his hand on the desk. He vehemently denied ever being on TV as a child, dismissing her memory and asserting that he had no such past. He then abruptly left the classroom, leaving Ye Muqi and Zhu Shanqi utterly bewildered. From a distance, Xue Xiaodong's manager, Annie, observed the interaction and, hearing his agitated denial, immediately instructed her team to prepare for actions, issuing a level-1 red alert.
Meanwhile, Guan Xinyi, walking past other classrooms that were empty during the break, was surprised to find Liao Danyi still in Class 10, completely absorbed in his studies. Intrigued, she reviewed his middle school mock test transcripts and discovered that he consistently outscored her but had missed one test in the high school entrance exam, which led to his placement in Class 10.
Believing that "only when all outstanding students are gathered, can there be motivation for progress together," she approached Liao Danyi directly and asked if he would like to join Class 1, though he offered no response. During their Chinese class, the homeroom teacher's lecture was repeatedly interrupted by fans chanting Xue Xiaodong's name outside. Frustrated, the teacher assigned Ye Muqi the responsibility of handling the disruptive fans.
As Ye Muqi walked back to the classroom contemplating how to resolve the issue, Xue Xiaodong suddenly appeared with a group of classmates dancing. He performed what he claimed was the title track of his new album, declaring that he wanted Ye Muqi to remember him as the idol he was now, not his past self. Ye Muqi remained unconvinced, however, insisting that she had seen him before in connection with a hula hoop.
This further angered Xue Xiaodong, who abruptly ended the performance and stormed off. Annie, still monitoring the situation, confirmed that "Plan A" had indeed failed and reiterated the need to execute "Plan B." The next day, Xue Xiaodong arrived in class in a noticeably cheerful mood. He distributed homemade desserts to everyone and presented two tickets to his live concert. He then specifically invited Ye Muqi to have afternoon tea with him, which she accepted.
Zhu Shanqi, excited by the invitation, accompanied Ye Muqi to the designated playground. Xue Xiaodong appeared with a guitar and began to serenade them. While Zhu Shanqi was captivated, Ye Muqi's focus remained on his past, expressing that she was "deeply impressed" by him from "before this" and was on the verge of recalling the "hula hoop" connection.
This persistent questioning agitated Xue Xiaodong once more, and he angrily asked if she could simply remember him as he was now before storming off again. Later, as Ye Muqi walked alone, Xue Xiaodong reappeared and led her to the school auditorium, promising to finally reveal where they had met. On the dimly lit stage, he picked up a hula hoop and, with a lack of idol-like grace, began to spin it while singing a "healthy song."
This spectacle instantly triggered Ye Muqi's memory; she recognized him as the "fat hula hoop boy" from her childhood. Xue Xiaodong confirmed it, sarcastically suggesting she go tell everyone about his "embarrassing past." He then passionately explained the immense "suffering" he endured to lose weight, including a strict diet with little meat and daily physical training.
He confided that his "appearance is everything" as an idol, and his initial motivation to pursue this career was simply to avoid being laughed at by others. Annie, reflecting on Xue Xiaodong's past, recalled how the advertisement had deeply hurt him as a child and how his contract required all traces of it to be erased. She mused on the irony of Ye Muqi, in such a vast world, remembering this hidden part of his history.
Ye Muqi, empathizing with his struggles yet maintaining her optimistic outlook, told Xue Xiaodong that he couldn't please everyone and should live for himself, not for others. She then shared her own "secret": she had been a childhood fan of his hula hoop advertisement, finding it "very much" endearing and even practicing martial arts movements while listening to the song. Despite her heartfelt confession, Xue Xiaodong remained despondent.
Ye Muqi then had a brilliant idea and sat at a piano, playing a tune. Xue Xiaodong, a lover of music, was drawn to the instrument and joined her, singing along. As their duet concluded, Annie burst into the auditorium, ready to reprimand Ye Muqi. However, Xue Xiaodong intervened, telling Annie to let Ye Muqi go. He then declared that he had realized he genuinely enjoyed being an idol, his internal conflict finally resolved.
Episode 4 Recap
During a thousand-meter run in gym class, Ye Muqi and Liao Danyi treated it as a fierce competition. Ye Muqi confidently declared it her strong suit, promising Liao Danyi would be left in her dust. However, after just a few minutes, she was utterly exhausted and collapsed on the ground. Liao Danyi, having run a lap faster, taunted her about her poor state, suggesting a rematch another time.
Later, during a class committee meeting, Liao Danyi, as the study monitor, attempted to address the students, who were chatting, eating, and singing, creating a chaotic atmosphere. He reprimanded them, stating that it was a class meeting, not a tea party. When his words had no effect, he turned his anger towards Ye Muqi, blaming her for failing as the class monitor. He pointed out her unbuttoned uniform, calling it indecent.
Ye Muqi, annoyed by his remarks, insisted she liked her "freestyle" look. Liao Danyi then challenged her, claiming she couldn't even button it. To prove him wrong, despite the uniform being a size too small, Ye Muqi struggled to button it. Triumphantly, she declared she could not only button it but also puff out her chest. At that exact moment, a button popped off, flying directly into Guan Xinyi's face as she entered the classroom to find Liao Danyi.
Guan Xinyi loudly demanded to know who was responsible, and the other students immediately pointed at Ye Muqi, calling it her "weapon." That evening, Ye Muqi's brother, Ye Yihan, invited Liao Danyi to their home for dinner, hoping he would look after Ye Muqi at school. At the dinner table, Liao Danyi unreservedly remarked that Ye Muqi had become plump from eating too much, which instantly ignited her fury.
Her "chuunibyou" spirit was ignited, and she mentally pictured herself in a battlefield, throwing grenades at him. Despite her anger, Ye Muqi later had to face the harsh reality of her weight gain. Desperate to lose weight, she thought of Xue Xiaodong, an idol who had famously transformed from a chubby child. She immediately sought his help, and Xue Xiaodong, viewing it as a minor matter, readily agreed to assist her.
Xue Xiaodong began her weight loss regimen by making Ye Muqi solemnly swear, "If I can't lose weight, I'd rather die." After she repeated the oath with high morale, he instructed her to throw away her beloved potato chips. Ye Muqi hesitated, wanting to finish them first, but Xue Xiaodong lectured her on the high-calorie content of snacks, explaining that a single bag contained over half the daily recommended calories for a girl.
Convinced, Ye Muqi tearfully bid farewell to her junk food. Next came the physical training, starting with squats. Ye Muqi found even a few repetitions grueling and tried to stop, but Xue Xiaodong was relentlessly strict, reminding her of her oath and the calories she consumed. He urged her to keep going, even as she struggled, imagining herself as a weary rickshaw puller from the 1930s forced to move forward.
The next day, Ye Muqi limped into the classroom, her body sore from the intense training. She complained to Zhu Shanqi that Xue Xiaodong was a "devil" when it came to weight loss, transforming into a completely different person. Zhu Shanqi, however, found him charming when serious and, naturally slim, didn't understand the struggle. Ye Muqi insisted she couldn't stop due to her oath. Later that afternoon, Ye Muqi reluctantly went for another training session.
Xue Xiaodong surprised her by blindfolding her and leading her to what he called a "healthy hotpot." Ye Muqi, emotional at the thought of finally eating something substantial after days without meat, eagerly asked for mutton and chicken. To her dismay, Xue Xiaodong revealed a hotpot filled only with vegetables like lettuce, day lilies, and water spinach, explaining their low-calorie content. The dipping sauce was simply vinegar and soy sauce, without salt or chili.
Tearfully, Ye Muqi ate the bland meal. Unable to endure the strict diet, Ye Muqi feigned illness and returned to the classroom, pulling out a box of cake. Before she could enjoy it, Xue Xiaodong appeared, causing her to quickly hide the cake. Xue Xiaodong, blaming himself for her supposed illness, apologized and proposed a new, less intensive weight loss plan that wouldn't affect her health.
Ye Muqi quickly agreed to get rid of him and then continued to enjoy her hidden snacks. Later, she even recruited Liao Danyi to bring her chocolate, receiving it covertly while disguised. Just as she savored the treat, Xue Xiaodong appeared, realizing she had faked her illness. He was deeply disappointed, accusing her of lying. Ye Muqi tried to explain, but Xue Xiaodong insisted she tell the chocolate she disliked and hated it.
When she declared her love for it instead, he punished her with one hundred high-knees. The following weekend, Ye Muqi woke up with her entire body aching, only to find Xue Xiaodong already at her house, ready to supervise. He presented them with a "secret recipe" nutritional breakfast: a vegetable juice concoction.
The unappetizing drink successfully scared off her brother, Ye Yihan, who, after a single sip, declared himself energized, full of limitless possibilities, and abruptly left for work to contribute to the motherland, entrusting Ye Muqi to Xue Xiaodong. Exhausted from continued training, Ye Muqi sought a way out. She suggested watching Xue Xiaodong's concert DVD, claiming she "very much" wanted to see it and that she had gone to great lengths to obtain it.
Flattered, Xue Xiaodong agreed to watch for fifteen minutes. While watching, Ye Muqi showered him with compliments about his dancing and stage presence, then, observing his fatigue, suggested he relax. She taught him a "relaxation" technique, guiding him to close his eyes and lean back slowly. Xue Xiaodong soon drifted off to sleep, leaving Ye Muqi to revel in her temporary freedom, feeling like a bird released from its cage.
Episode 5 Recap
Ye Muqi was mindlessly playing on her phone when she received a WeChat message from Liao Danyi asking, "Wanna hang out?" Confused, Ye Muqi's imagination ran wild. In her mind, she was an empress, consulting her ministers about Liao Danyi's message. Her ministers explained that "hang out" refers to a young man and woman spending time together, including dining, watching movies, strolling, and doing other "embarrassing things." They advised her to ask, "Hang out for what?"
When Liao Danyi replied, "for dinner, xoxo," the ministers were alarmed by his "dangerous intention," but ultimately persuaded the "empress" to accept the invitation to maintain her dignity. The conversation continued with Liao Danyi sending "looking forward to tomorrow," a smiley face, and a goodnight message hoping to dream about her. Her ministers offered various strategies to end the conversation, from an ellipsis to a rolling eyes emoji and saying she was taking a bath.
Finally, they settled on the perfect two words: "He he." The next day, on their way to school, Ye Muqi boldly informed Liao Danyi that she was not afraid of having dinner with him that night. Liao Danyi was genuinely surprised, asking who said he was having dinner with her. Ye Muqi reminded him of his WeChat message, only for Liao Danyi to reveal that his WeChat account had been stolen.
A scammer had been using his name to "scam people for money" and had sent the dinner invitation. Liao Danyi mentioned he had "told everyone about it." Realizing she had almost been deceived, Ye Muqi exclaimed, "WeChat scams are so horrible!" During Director Yan's class, Ye Muqi, who was the class monitor, failed to call "stand up" at the beginning of the lesson. Director Yan, visibly angered, chastised her for not abiding by the rules and for zoning out.
He ordered her to take her chair and stand outside against the wall. Ye Muqi, with an unapologetic attitude, retorted that she was accustomed to being punished this way since childhood. Director Yan, further provoked, then sent other students out who dared to gaze around or whisper, stating he intended to "temper all of you." When Xue Xiaodong protested that "physical punishment is wrong," Director Yan accused him of "playing the hero" and also sent him to stand outside.
One by one, more students were sent to the hallway for minor infractions, until only Liao Danyi remained in the classroom, diligently studying. Later, Guan Xinyi walked by and was surprised to see the entire class standing outside. Upon seeing Liao Danyi as the sole student inside, she commented that good students like him "shouldn't stay in this class." Upon hearing about the mass punishment, the class teacher, Mr. Wu, rushed to the scene.
He found Director Yan still chastising the students. Mr. Wu instructed the students to "Put down the chairs," but Director Yan, undeterred, challenged, "I'd like to see who dares to put down the chairs." Mr. Wu asserted that the class was now his, and he was directing his students to enter the classroom and prepare for the next lesson.
Ignoring Director Yan's objections and his claim that students needed to "reflect on themselves" and their "mistakes," Ye Muqi bravely took the lead, putting down her chair and guiding her classmates back into the classroom. Director Yan, infuriated by this public defiance, criticized Mr. Wu for his teaching methods and lack of class management. Mr. Wu, however, firmly stated that he would "never approve of physical punishment for students." Director Yan, defeated, eventually left.
Afterward, students praised Mr. Wu for his "cool" intervention and began calling him "Wu Sir." During lunchtime, Liao Danyi was eating his bento alone in the classroom when Guan Xinyi approached him. She inquired if he had filled out his class transfer form, expressing her strong desire for him to join Class 1, believing he was "not in the same league" as his current classmates.
Liao Danyi, clearly annoyed, curtly told her, "You talk too much," and left, stating he had "suddenly lost my appetite" and would dine elsewhere. He took his lunchbox to eat under a large tree where a golden retriever, Xiaotian, soon joined him. Both Liao Danyi and the dog seemed to smell an intriguing aroma, which led them to Ye Muqi, who was unashamedly cooking and eating hotpot "under the teaching building."
Before Ye Muqi could fully enjoy her meal, Xiaotian's owner, the dorm supervisor, arrived, trying to spray the dog with water to bathe it. Instead, the water accidentally drenched Ye Muqi and ruined her beloved hotpot. The dorm supervisor explained that Xiaotian, a former celebrity guide dog, had been difficult to bathe since its master passed away and was now quite dirty.
She added that Director Yan had threatened to send Xiaotian to an animal shelter if it wasn't bathed soon. Ye Muqi, declaring, "Let me handle this," volunteered to help, confidently adding, "I'm the monitor of Class 10. Don't worry," though the supervisor questioned the relevance of her position. Ye Muqi tried to enlist Liao Danyi's help, but he declined, saying he needed to take a self-study class and had not agreed to bathe the dog.
Annoyed by his "stubborn attitude," Ye Muqi resolved to show him she could do it herself. Ye Muqi then devised three plans to bathe Xiaotian, all of which failed. Her first plan involved luring Xiaotian with a path of its favorite foods, including roasted chicken. However, Huang Nan and Huang Yi appeared and ate the chicken, claiming "first come, first served," much to Ye Muqi's frustration.
Her second attempt involved disguising herself as a bush, hoping to approach Xiaotian unnoticed, but the agile dog easily evaded her, and she almost got trimmed by a gardener. For her third plan, Ye Muqi dressed in a dog costume, hoping Xiaotian "won't fear humans," but this only attracted a group of curious children and still failed to capture the dog. As Ye Muqi walked back dejectedly, she overheard Director Yan's sharp voice, scolding students.
It turned out he had accidentally stepped on Xiaotian's feces. Enraged, Director Yan lambasted the students for buying "dog foods and sausages" for an "animal," accusing them of being "outrageous and unreasonable" when they "can't even feed yourselves." He declared Xiaotian an "unsafe and unhygienic thing" due to its dirtiness and potential for infectious diseases, emphasizing it hadn't bathed since its master's death. He then decided to call the animal management center to "let the professionals handle the matter."
The students explained that if animals weren't adopted from the center, they would eventually be "put to sleep," causing Ye Muqi to resolve, "No, I must find a solution." Running out of options, Ye Muqi decided on a drastic measure: to "lead by example" and show Xiaotian that bathing wasn't scary. She took the hose and drenched herself with cold water. This courageous act surprisingly worked; Xiaotian, witnessing her actions, calmly allowed Ye Muqi to give it a bath.
However, Director Yan reappeared, still insisting on sending Xiaotian away. At that moment, Liao Danyi arrived, accompanied by personnel from the animal management center, who proceeded to take Xiaotian. Ye Muqi, furious, confronted Liao Danyi, but he retorted, "Do you plan to bath with it every day?" and told her, "Ye Muqi, you need to know this is the real world. It's not like the doodles you leave on the books. It's not like the games you play."
Infuriated by his words, Ye Muqi grabbed the hose and sprayed him, declaring, "I'm getting you back on the right track." Later that night, Ye Muqi returned home, still upset and on the verge of tears. Meanwhile, at Liao Danyi's home, Xiaotian was comfortably settled at his feet. It was revealed that Liao Danyi had arranged to adopt Xiaotian immediately after it was taken by the animal management center, ensuring the dog found a warm new home.
Liao Danyi looked at the now docile Xiaotian and recalled an earlier conversation that day. He had personally sought out Guan Xinyi and returned her class transfer form, stating, "Forgive me for refusing to transfer. Because. I have a reason to stay in Class 10." He then added, "It'll take a long time to correct a certain person."
Episode 6 Recap
Ye Muqi and Liao Danyi frequently encountered each other at the same street corner on their way to school. However, they always crossed the road and proceeded in silence, completely ignoring one another. Later, in their classroom, Zhu Shanqi noticed the unusual tension between them and asked Ye Muqi if she had argued with Liao Danyi.
Ye Muqi emphatically denied any friendship, stating that despite knowing him since childhood, she had consistently tried and failed to distance herself from him, describing him as her shadow and expressing a strong desire never to be associated with him. Despite Ye Muqi's clear disdain, the class teacher assigned her and Liao Danyi a joint mission. The teacher explained that students Wang Liangchen and Wu Meijing were displaying an overly close relationship, hinting at an early romance.
To prevent this "beautiful friendship" from evolving into a "dangerous relationship" too soon, the teacher instructed Ye Muqi and Liao Danyi to speak with them separately, urging them to prioritize their studies. Liao Danyi suggested the teacher handle it, but the teacher confessed his previous attempts had been met with laughter and accusations of meddling. He emphasized that he needed Ye Muqi and Liao Danyi, as their peers, to investigate the true nature of the relationship.
Liao Danyi quickly volunteered to talk to Wang Liangchen, assigning Ye Muqi to Wu Meijing. Ye Muqi, annoyed by Liao Danyi's behavior, complained that he always ignored her, which escalated into a petty argument about who was more qualified for the task. Ye Muqi claimed her extensive knowledge of teen dramas provided her with experience, a notion Liao Danyi swiftly dismissed as childish. Ye Muqi found Wu Meijing and engaged her in conversation about love, quickly establishing a friendly rapport.
To encourage Meijing to open up, Ye Muqi shared a personal secret: she loves to jump and sing loudly at home, especially while showering, using the faucet as her microphone, often to the point where her neighbors complain. She then prompted Meijing to reciprocate. At that moment, Meijing received a text message on her phone from Wang Liangchen, arranging a meeting on Jinbao Street the next day at 3 PM.
Meijing promptly excused herself, citing an urgent commitment, leaving Ye Muqi feeling frustrated that her secret had been shared for naught. Simultaneously, Liao Danyi was conversing with Wang Liangchen, even helping him with some academic problems. When Liao Danyi introduced the topic of "feelings," Wang Liangchen also received a text from Wu Meijing, confirming the same meeting time and place. Liao Danyi observed the message, and Wang Liangchen quickly left. Liao Danyi then departed, seemingly with his own strategy.
Later, Ye Muqi sought advice from her two doll followers, Mr. Crouching Dragon and another, regarding love. Mr. Crouching Dragon, describing himself as a practical man who valued stability over intimacy, admitted his lack of understanding of love, subtly disparaging his wife's appearance. The other doll offered similarly unhelpful advice, mentioning his "ferocious" wife who had "killed people." Ye Muqi then turned to "Hua Mulan," who also confessed her ignorance of love, stating that everything she knew was fictional.
Frustrated by their useless suggestions, Ye Muqi concluded she had to solve the problem herself. At his desk, Liao Danyi contemplated a marble, recalling a childhood memory. He remembered a time when, as a young boy, he was engrossed in studying for the Mathematical Olympiad. Young Ye Muqi, restless and finding studying tedious, repeatedly pestered him to play hide and seek.
He eventually relented, telling her to hide while he counted to 100, though his true intention was to simply get her out of his hair so he could concentrate on his math problems. The marble he held was one she had left behind during that time. The following day, Ye Muqi tracked Wu Meijing, only to discover Liao Danyi also present, having followed Wang Liangchen.
Both realized they were aware of the 3 PM meeting on Jinbao Street from their respective targets' phones. They decided to work together to ascertain the true depth of Liangchen and Meijing's "friendship." As they trailed the pair into a bustling mall, Liao Danyi carefully maintained their cover, but Ye Muqi quickly became sidetracked, indulging in milk tea and snacks, forgetting their mission. Liao Danyi had to remind her to focus during the movie they watched.
After a full day of trailing them, Liangchen and Meijing had exhibited no romantic gestures—no hugs, no hand-holding, no kisses. Reflecting on their lack of findings, Ye Muqi pondered whether a pure boy-girl friendship truly existed, while Liao Danyi considered their efforts unproductive. At that moment, a store owner approached them, exuberantly declaring them the "thousandth couple" to visit his establishment and presented them with a "super ice cream" as a prize.
Ye Muqi immediately corrected him, stating they were not a couple, but then playfully embraced the role for the sake of the ice cream, even affectionately calling Liao Danyi "Darling." Later, at a flower shop, they watched Wang Liangchen buy a bouquet of lilies for Wu Meijing, a choice that dashed Ye Muqi's earlier hopes of uncovering romantic evidence.
Another shop owner then hailed them as the "99th couple" to enter his shop, gifting them a bouquet of roses, much to Ye Muqi's annoyance. Continuing their pursuit to a restaurant, Ye Muqi and Liao Danyi grew bored and began to whimsically imagine Liangchen and Meijing's conversation.
Ye Muqi fantasized about the couple discussing her, while Liao Danyi, despite finding her imagination childish, indulged her, creating an elaborate romantic dialogue where Liangchen and Meijing exchanged compliments and expressed their joy in each other's company. At the conclusion of their day-long stakeout, with no conclusive evidence of romance, Ye Muqi and Liao Danyi conceded that Liangchen and Meijing were likely just friends. Liao Danyi then wondered aloud if a purely platonic boy-girl friendship could exist.
Ye Muqi admitted her uncertainty, stating she had no male friends. Liao Danyi then looked directly at her, emphasizing that they were merely neighbors who had grown up together, nothing more. Ye Muqi agreed, adding emphatically that Liao Danyi was "the person I hate the most in this world!" Liao Danyi questioned why she had always played with him as a child if that were true, to which Ye Muqi retorted it was "because I was blind."
She further elaborated that her intense dislike stemmed from his "obnoxious" habit of constantly stopping her from drawing, controlling her, and forbidding her from playing games. Liao Danyi calmly replied that he merely wished for her to "be more mature and take care of yourself," a comment Ye Muqi swiftly dismissed as "none of your business." As they prepared to leave, another uncanny coincidence occurred: a waiter announced they were the restaurant's "thousandth customer" and offered them a 70% discount.
To their profound embarrassment, Wang Liangchen and Wu Meijing then spotted them and greeted them warmly, with Liangchen asking Liao Danyi why he was there, prompting Liao Danyi to awkwardly claim it was a mere coincidence. Returning home, Liao Danyi once again held the marble, his mind adrift in childhood memories. He recalled that fateful hide-and-seek game: after young Ye Muqi had gone to hide, he had not gone to find her, instead returning home to continue his studies.
It was only when Ye Muqi's elder brother, worried about Ye Muqi's disappearance, approached him and asked about her whereabouts that Liao Danyi realized the gravity of the situation. He frantically searched for her, calling out her name. In his desperation, he swore to God that if he found Ye Muqi, he would assume the responsibility of educating her and protect her until she matured into an independent young woman.
Eventually, he located a small Ye Muqi hidden inside a cement pipe. She joyfully announced that he had found her, and he led her home. Ye Muqi playfully chided him for taking so long to find her, and Liao Danyi, filled with remorse, apologized and promised to always find her quickly, no matter where she hid. The weight of this childhood oath continued to subtly shape his actions and his commitment to her.
That night, Ye Muqi experienced a vivid dream. She imagined Wang Liangchen and Wu Meijing as Japanese ninjas, covertly operating in China with the objective of discovering the "spirit of Chinese martial arts." Jolted awake, she exclaimed, "So that is their relationship? !"
Episode 7 Recap
Ye Muqi dreamt she was a beloved goddess, with people hailing her as "My goddess" and "The Boss of Class 10." She even received a call from Ultraman of the M78 Nebula, who invited her to fight alongside him to protect the Earth, a duty she readily accepted as an honor. Her dream continued with her enjoying a meal at a restaurant, where, upon identifying herself as the monitor of Class 10, she was told all food was free.
She promptly ordered "a serve of everything." This grand dream was abruptly shattered when her brother, Ye Gege, woke her by banging a basin, urging her to get up for school. Later that morning, as the bell rang for lunch, students rushed to the cafeteria like a race. Ye Muqi eagerly joined the throng, determined to secure her favorite super-sized golden chicken cutlets.
However, despite her speed, she found that Cheng Ling had already arrived and bought all the cutlets, leaving her heartbroken. Cheng Ling did not eat the chicken cutlets himself; instead, he took them to deliver to some older students who were bullying him. Dejected, he returned to his classroom, only to be stopped by Ye Muqi, who, unaware of his plight, called him the "Chicken Cutlet Robber."
She tried to teach him a lesson by telling a convoluted story about "The Dinosaur That Gives Away Its Pear," but Cheng Ling remained unmoved. Ye Muqi, still frustrated about the chicken cutlets, warned him that it was wrong to take so many for himself and ominously told him she looked forward to his "performance" at the self-study night cafeteria.
Meanwhile, Shen Wei from Class 10 sought out Guan Xinyi, the President of the Students' Union, to request permission to establish an "Astrology Club" dedicated to I Ching Prediction, constellations, and dream interpretation. Guan Xinyi, a firm believer in academic rigor, immediately rejected the idea, stating that the elite school could not support superstition. Undeterred, Shen Wei offered to perform a fortune-telling for Guan Xinyi.
The prediction revealed that Guan Xinyi's "Mr. Right" would appear soon, "stepping on colorful clouds" in a "visually powerful way." Guan Xinyi scoffed at the idea, asking if her Mr. Right was Sun Wukong. Nevertheless, she agreed to approve the club's establishment if Shen Wei's prediction proved true. Later, in the Class 10 classroom, Liao Danyi was diligently helping the English teacher organize educational materials, receiving praise for his thoughtfulness.
His task was interrupted by Huang Nan, who mischievously draped himself in a curtain, causing a commotion. As Liao Danyi tried to stop him, he accidentally tackled Huang Nan. At that precise moment, Guan Xinyi walked in and witnessed the scene. As they continued to struggle, Huang Nan stumbled, and Liao Danyi, caught off guard, lunged forward, inadvertently embracing Guan Xinyi's waist.
Guan Xinyi's mind instantly flashed back to Shen Wei's prediction about her Mr. Right appearing soon, and she found herself momentarily captivated by Liao Danyi. Liao Danyi, realizing what happened, quickly asked if she was okay. That evening, Ye Muqi, still craving chicken cutlets, again rushed to the cafeteria, only to find that Cheng Ling had once more bought them all. Furious, she decided to confront him.
In their conversation, Cheng Ling confessed that he had been buying chicken cutlets for the bullies, who were extorting him. Ye Muqi was outraged, declaring, "This is outrageous. Are they bullying you? You can tell me. I would fight for you. You trust me." Still reeling from the day's events, Guan Xinyi went back to Shen Wei, claiming the first prediction was merely a "coincidence" and challenging her to make another.
Shen Wei obliged, revealing that Guan Xinyi's "love interest will crash into you passionately on wind-and-fire wheels." Guan Xinyi was highly skeptical, questioning if it was I Ching Prediction or the "Investiture of the Gods." Simultaneously, Huang Nan and Huang Yi were in the chemistry lab, attempting to create a small explosion to prank Director Yan. When Guan Xinyi unexpectedly walked past, they panicked, realizing she might be caught in the blast.
They argued over who would be the "hero to save the beauty," both grabbing an electric roller-skate. Just then, Liao Danyi appeared, commandeered the roller-skate, and sped towards Guan Xinyi. As he reached her, the explosion went off, startling Director Yan. Liao Danyi collided with Guan Xinyi, apologizing and promising to explain later before continuing on the roller-skate. Guan Xinyi, astonished, recognized the "wind-and-fire wheels" and the collision, realizing the prediction had, against all odds, come true.
Meanwhile, Cheng Ling, looking exhausted, was approached by Zhu Shanqi, who asked why he never refused requests, particularly for chicken cutlets. Cheng Ling explained that he struggled with communication and had discovered in middle school that running errands for people was a way to connect, make friends, and feel accepted, which is why he willingly helped. Zhu Shanqi then shared her own experience, saying she was the opposite, once preferring computers over human interaction.
She credited Ye Muqi for changing her perspective, showing her the warmth of face-to-face communication, which she found far more fulfilling than online interactions. Zhu Shanqi advised Cheng Ling that friendship didn't need to be complicated, and "one or two confidants are enough." Guan Xinyi, troubled by the uncanny accuracy of the first two predictions, once again sought out Shen Wei for a third. This time, Shen Wei predicted that Guan Xinyi's true love would kiss her that very day.
Guan Xinyi declared it "Impossible." Back in her Class 1 classroom, she was restless, the thought of the third prediction looming. When Liao Danyi arrived, intending to apologize for their earlier collisions, Guan Xinyi, fearing the kiss prediction, frantically told him to "Stay away from me." Liao Danyi, caught off guard, slipped and lunged towards her, causing them both to tumble into a cabinet, which mysteriously locked. Trapped inside, Guan Xinyi became increasingly agitated, screaming in distress.
As Liao Danyi pondered their predicament, the cabinet door suddenly opened, and they quickly escaped. On another front, Ye Muqi, recognizing Cheng Ling's hidden talent for running, took him to the track to compete. Cheng Ling impressed everyone with his speed, and members of the track and field team enthusiastically invited him to join. Just then, the older students who had been bullying Cheng Ling appeared, demanding their chicken cutlets.
However, the track and field team members stepped in, defending their new prospective teammate and scaring off the bullies. Through this experience, Cheng Ling found a passion for running, new friends who shared his interest, and genuine camaraderie that didn't require him to run errands. Later, Liao Danyi persisted in apologizing to Guan Xinyi for his earlier mishaps. Guan Xinyi, as a form of "apology with a gift," asked him to buy her a milk tea.
When he returned with what she identified as original flavor, Liao Danyi insisted it was chocolate and offered her the drink, urging her to "Taste for yourself." He took a sip using her straw, and Guan Xinyi realized this counted as an "indirect kiss." With this, the third prediction also came true. Soon after, Guan Xinyi delivered "The written consent to your club establishment" to Shen Wei, who asked if she now believed in destiny. Guan Xinyi, despite the undeniable evidence, stubbornly retorted, "Don't be ridiculous. I will never believe in destiny."
Episode 8 Recap
One day after school, Zhu Shanqi saw Xue Xiaodong sitting alone and decided to approach him. She wanted to do so in a natural manner. She saw a mug on his desk, pretended to sprain her ankle, and swept the mug to the floor, shattering it. She then feigned a startled apology. While pretending to clean up the broken pieces, her finger was cut, and Xue Xiaodong kindly put a band-aid on it, which she internally vowed never to remove.
She seized the opportunity to invite Xue Xiaodong for afternoon tea, offering to buy him a new mug. Though he initially declined, she insisted on compensating him. Xue Xiaodong, however, had already seen through Zhu Shanqi's intentions. Her acting skills were mediocre, and she had been smiling suspiciously at him from her seat before approaching him. He revealed that the mug she broke was a very expensive, limited-edition item.
Zhu Shanqi was later shocked when she discovered the mug's exorbitant price online. She was "doomed" and couldn't even afford a fake. Classmate Shen Wei, who witnessed the entire incident, capitalized on this, knowing Zhu Shanqi would need a replacement. Shen Wei, who was selling fake mugs online, branded them as "love stops tragedy" and marketed them as a way to "attract the attention and win the heart of the person you love."
Meanwhile, Huang Nan and Huang Yi also saw a business opportunity in the "mug incident." They launched a "mug trend" campaign, encouraging students to break the mugs of their crushes as a way to initiate conversation. They ended up distributing many mugs to various retailers across the school. Later, Ye Muqi approached Liao Danyi, dropping her usual arrogant demeanor and asking him to "be with me" and "come a little closer."
Liao Danyi, looking at her as if she were an idiot, flatly refused. Ye Muqi then revealed her true intention: she wanted to copy his English answers. When he refused, she returned to her seat dejectedly, telling Zhu Shanqi that their "negotiation failed" and they had no answers for the upcoming English exam. Xue Xiaodong, who confessed that his management team usually did his schoolwork and he hadn't prepared, joined them.
Realizing they could only rely on themselves, Ye Muqi, Zhu Shanqi, Xue Xiaodong, and several other classmates formed a cheating alliance. They discussed methods for creating tiny cheat sheets and hiding them in various places, from beverage packages and towels to pencil cases, their arms, handheld fans, and even their clothing. As their "Boss," Ye Muqi rallied them, declaring she wouldn't give up on any of them, and they cheered, "Good luck with cheating!"
However, during the exam, their cunning English teacher was one step ahead. She meticulously checked all the students, collecting pencil cases and prohibiting drinks, effectively eliminating all their cheat sheet hiding spots. Huang Nan and Huang Yi, giving up, submitted blank papers and left, singing as if carefree. The other students struggled, and ultimately, their attempts to cheat ended in failure.
Soon, the mid-term exam results were released, and Class 10 once again had the worst performance in the entire school. Director Yan sternly reprimanded them, declaring that their mistakes were not just wrong, but "outrageously wrong," even suggesting the textbooks could sue them. In Ye Muqi's mind, this scolding transformed into an elaborate court trial. Director Yan was the presiding judge, and the failed students were the defendants. Various academic "representatives" testified against them.
A Chinese literature figure, Mr. Xu Zhimo, criticized Ye Muqi's answer for the "four great writers of the early Tang Dynasty" as "The Eastern Heretic, the Western Venom, the Southern Emperor, and the Northern Beggar," and her classification of Du Fu as belonging to the "egg pie school."
"Newton," representing science, pointed out Zhu Shanqi's answers for biology (starch mixed with iodine becomes a "steamed bun") and chemistry (distinguishing nitrite from salt by "tasting them; the thing that poisons you is nitrite"), labeling it "pseudoscience." English representatives highlighted Ye Muqi's translation of "warm in winter and cool in summer" as "east warm, summer cool," and Huang Nan and Huang Yi's answer for "What happens when an earthquake hits?" as "You die, I die, everybody die."
Even a dinosaur representing history recounted Ye Muqi's answer for the princess who married Songtsen Gampo for peace as "Snow White." Just as Director Yan, the judge, was about to pass sentence, Liao Danyi appeared as their defense lawyer. He pleaded with the judge to give "these idiots" a chance to make amends, acknowledging their serious crimes but suggesting there was a reason for their poor grades.
Back in reality, Director Yan continued his reprimand, mentioning that failing more than four subjects would lead to suspension. To Ye Muqi's horror, she had failed all seven subjects. Many other classmates also performed terribly. However, Director Yan delivered a piece of good news: the principal, showing mercy, had granted them an opportunity for make-up exams in three days. Passing these would prevent suspension.
To help his classmates pass, Liao Danyi, as the class's study representative, decided to hold make-up lessons that night at "this idiot's house," referring to Ye Muqi. The usually arrogant and mischievous students, now facing potential expulsion, eagerly clung to Liao Danyi, begging for his help. That evening, everyone gathered at Ye Muqi's house. Liao Danyi announced that Ye Muqi's brother, Ye Yihan, would also assist with the tutoring.
Ye Muqi was surprised to learn from Liao Danyi that Ye Yihan was once the top student in the city. Ye Yihan humbly downplayed his past achievements. To prove his academic prowess, Ye Yihan agreed to demonstrate a "trick" for solving problems. He spread a test paper on the table, grabbed pens, and expertly threw them like darts, with the pen tips landing precisely on the correct answers. Everyone was astonished, including Ye Muqi.
However, Ye Yihan's teaching method quickly veered off course, transforming into an impromptu hotpot cooking session. Liao Danyi, clearly frustrated by the distraction, gently told Ye Yihan to go and rest, taking over the serious task of tutoring himself. The students continued studying late into the night. Eventually, most of them succumbed to exhaustion and fell asleep. Only Ye Muqi remained awake, diligently working on problems with Liao Danyi's guidance.
As they leaned closer while solving a problem, their hands brushed, and both immediately pulled away, feeling an "uncomfortable," "sick" sensation. They quickly refocused on their studies. Three days later, the make-up exams arrived. The students, brimming with confidence after their intensive night of tutoring, successfully completed the exams. After the results came out, Ye Muqi and the others all passed.
Ye Muqi reflected on the experience, realizing that "there is justice in this world," "hard work pays," and ultimately, "doing is better than saying." She proudly noted that she achieved the minimum passing score for all seven exams, attributing it not to luck, but to her newfound "strength."
Episode 9 Recap
Guan Xinyi's driver got into a car accident on the way to school. The driver apologized, taking responsibility, but worried about Miss Guan being late. Forced to run, Guan Xinyi saw Liao Danyi also hurrying along. She began to daydream, imagining running into school with him at the same time, drawing attention and speculation from their classmates. She mused that if things progressed that way, they might as well start dating, even thinking about a lifelong commitment.
However, she quickly pulled herself back to reality, reminding herself to take things step by step. Despite her determination to catch up, Liao Danyi ran too fast, leaving her far behind and ending her fantasies. Meanwhile, Ye Muqi encountered a perplexing mystery. While still grappling with how to solve the case, a strange graffiti appeared overnight on the white wall of Class 10. Soon after, Dean Yan arrived, furious at the sight.
He reminded the students that the blackboard newspaper was meant to display the class's culture and atmosphere, not for defacing. He gathered Ye Muqi, Liao Danyi, and other students, demanding to know who was responsible. The students remained silent, claiming ignorance. As a result of the incident, Class 10 was disqualified from the blackboard newspaper contest. Many students, and even their class teacher, suspected Ye Muqi, noting that the style and brushstrokes of the graffiti resembled hers.
Ye Muqi adamantly denied it, showing a drawing from her Chinese textbook as proof that her style was entirely different. Determined to clear her name, she vowed to find the real culprit. Ye Muqi announced in class that the student responsible for the graffiti should come forward to her privately, promising no blame. However, she waited all day, and no one came to confess.
Feeling frustrated, she realized she would have to treat the matter like a criminal investigation, drawing on her extensive knowledge from detective novels. She engaged in elaborate deductive reasoning, considering the time, gender, and even the possibility of a group crime. She concluded that the uniform handwriting might be a deliberate attempt to mislead them. This led her to believe it was a group effort designed to confuse investigators.
The most inseparable duo in Class 10, Huang Nan and Huang Yi, immediately became her primary suspects. That night, Ye Muqi was preoccupied with the case and had no appetite, even for her favorite hot pot. Her family urged her to eat to gain strength for solving the problem. In stark contrast, Guan Xinyi was enjoying herself at home, meticulously browsing through secretly taken photos of Liao Danyi.
She chuckled to herself, recalling three accurate fortune-telling predictions about love and a series of coincidental encounters with him, including a fall and an "indirect kiss." She was filled with happiness and sweetness. The next morning, Ye Muqi arrived at school exceptionally early, intent on catching the graffiti artist. She spotted Huang Nan and Huang Yi walking together, engrossed in a comic book.
When she called out to them, they reacted as if they had seen a ghost, scrambling into the boys' restroom. Ye Muqi followed them inside and, after a brief countdown, they nervously emerged. They attempted to hide the comic book behind their backs, which only heightened Ye Muqi's suspicion. She snatched the book, noting their awkward expressions as they tried to stop her.
She immediately suspected it was a restricted adult comic, finding its content "bloody" and "not good at all." Realizing that these two were unlikely to be the sophisticated graffiti artists, Ye Muqi returned the book, deciding to restart her investigation with a more rigorous approach. Her revised reasoning, factoring in various clues, led her to a second suspect: Xue Xiaodong, whom she considered the most fashionable person in Class 10, thus linking him to the trendy act of graffiti.
Ye Muqi confronted him directly, asking if he was hiding something. Xue Xiaodong hesitated, mistakenly believing she had discovered his feelings for her. Just as he gathered the courage to confess, he was abruptly interrupted by Zhu Shanqi. Xue Xiaodong’s expression changed to embarrassment, and he stammered. Ye Muqi impatiently asked him where he was after school the previous night. Xue Xiaodong showed her a photo on his phone, revealing he had been at a fan meeting.
Zhu Shanqi confirmed she was there too, happy to have attended. With this alibi, Xue Xiaodong was cleared. Shortly after, Ye Muqi accidentally bumped into Yuan Ke'er, causing her to drop her art supplies, including paints and spray paint. Ye Muqi quickly helped her pick them up and apologized. This incident, combined with her earlier observations, led her to consider Liao Danyi as her third suspect.
She confronted him aggressively, declaring him the graffiti artist because he wouldn't meet her gaze, a sign of guilt in her detective logic. Liao Danyi, instead of defending himself, led her to Yuan Ke'er. He explained that besides Ye Muqi, Yuan Ke'er was the only other girl in their class who enjoyed comics, specifically dark cartoons. Moreover, Yuan Ke'er was the only art specialist in the class, making her the most capable of creating such creative graffiti.
He also pointed out that the paints for the blackboard newspaper had been left in the classroom for days, easily accessible. Although unconvinced, Ye Muqi had to admit Liao Danyi’s reasoning was sound and his evidence strong. She turned to Yuan Ke'er and asked if she was truly the one who drew the graffiti. Yuan Ke'er readily admitted, "You finally found me out," then left the classroom without further explanation.
Liao Danyi commented that she clearly did not want to discuss it further. Later, Liao Danyi was wiping the blackboard when Guan Xinyi secretly began taking photos of him with her phone. Ye Muqi noticed her suspicious behavior. Guan Xinyi quickly fabricated a story, claiming she was the weekly student on duty for their grade and was assigned to record students performing cleaning duties. She used this as an excuse to inspect the messy Class 10 classroom.
Ye Muqi, being gullible, accepted her explanation. After Liao Danyi finished cleaning and headed to the library, Guan Xinyi insisted she was only there to film him for her "records." Under the cover of night, a girl dressed in a heavy metal style, all in black, was seen freely spray-painting walls. This girl was none other than Yuan Ke'er. During these days, Guan Xinyi's emotions were in turmoil.
She often found herself staring at Liao Danyi's photos and daydreaming, frequently recalling the three accurate fortune-telling predictions. Realizing the depth of her feelings for Liao Danyi, and in line with her proud nature, she decided to give him an opportunity to fall in love with her.
Episode 10 Recap
During a lively break, Class 10 students were enjoying themselves with pranks and chat when Guan Xinyi appeared with good news. She announced that because they had restored their previously erased blackboard newspaper, and Mr. Wu Heng had interceded for them, the principal decided to restore their class's chance to participate in the blackboard newspaper contest.
Just as Class 10 was celebrating, He Lvxi, Guan Xinyi’s loyal follower, sarcastically remarked that it was meaningless for them to participate, as Class 1 would undoubtedly win. Guan Xinyi agreed, which angered Ye Muqi and the other Class 10 students. Liao Danyi calmly observed that Class 1 housed the most talented art students in the school, so naturally, they were skilled. Ignoring Liao Danyi's demotivating assessment, Ye Muqi grabbed Zhu Shanqi, declaring they would go "spy" on Class 1.
Upon reaching Class 1's classroom, Ye Muqi and Zhu Shanqi were astonished by the artistic display. The blackboard newspaper exuded a rich, medieval atmosphere, with incredibly perfect imitations of Raphael's masterpieces like "The School of Athens" and "The Transfiguration." Ye Muqi confessed, "This is too professional. . . It's so professional that it's almost breaking the rule. This is way above the high school standard."
To avoid a crushing defeat, Ye Muqi gathered her classmates to brainstorm themes for their blackboard newspaper. Huang Nan suggested drawing characters from "Honor of Kings," detailing various routes and buffs, believing it would "knock them down." Huang Yi proposed anime characters like Naruto and Luffy, to "bring on the exciting youth!" Xue Xiaodong thought a music theme, combining musical and fashion elements, would "show our uniqueness." Zhu Shanqi imagined a "fairy love story of a prince and a princess."
Ye Muqi was noncommittal about these ideas. Finally, Liao Danyi suggested focusing on academics by creating an "encyclopedia poster." Ye Muqi rejected this, telling him, "You have such a boring life." Students then remembered Yuan Ke'er, noting that "None of us can draw as good as Yuan Ke'er," but some worried that "If Yuan Ke'er doesn't stick to that fancy and flamboyant art style, we would win the contest for sure."
Ye Muqi, believing "Unity makes strength," proposed an unconventional idea: everyone should draw their own ideas on the blackboard, showcasing their individual personalities and styles. The students enthusiastically agreed. However, the completed blackboard newspaper was so ugly that even the students themselves could not bear to look at it. They lamented, "It's so ugly. Gosh! How did it come to this?"
Most students gave up and left, leaving only Liao Danyi and Ye Muqi staring at the blackboard, their minds fixated on "no inspiration." Realizing they had reached an impasse, Ye Muqi called a class meeting. She announced, "One of our schoolmates has been skipping school lately. And that is Yuan Ke'er." She surmised that Yuan Ke'er had been "kidnapped by a mysterious organization." At the meeting, Shen Wei, presenting as "the prophet of Maple Middle School," shared her investigation.
Along with Huang Nan and Huang Yi, who presented themselves as "the strongest duo in Maple Middle School," they identified the "Street Liberation Alliance," a group known for street dancing, music, and skateboards, as the most suspicious group linked to Yuan Ke'er's disappearance. To find Yuan Ke'er, the students ventured out to confront the Street Liberation Alliance at night. Ye Muqi informed the gang, "We are Class 10, Senior 1. I'm Ye Muqi.
I heard that someone called Yuan Ke'er is here at your place. We are here looking for her." The gang leader denied her presence, stating, "I have never met Yuan Ke'er." Ye Muqi insisted, "Stop lying. We know she is here. Hand her out." This quickly escalated into a turf war. Huang Nan and Huang Yi, known for their skateboarding prowess, defeated the first wave of the gang, with Huang Nan boasting, "Nobody is a better player than me."
Next was a dance-off, where Xue Xiaodong easily crushed his opponent. The third challenge was a test of courage. The opposing leader performed a dangerous knife trick between his fingers. Ye Muqi then declared, "I'll show you what brothers mean." She had her classmates hold Liao Danyi's hand, who yelled, "What are you doing? I don't trust you! My hand! My hand!" as Ye Muqi swiftly jabbed a knife between his fingers without harming him.
Liao Danyi cried out in fear, worried about "My exam paper. My future." Ye Muqi proclaimed, "This is called a family. You trust each other so much," forcing the street gang to concede defeat. The Class 10 students began calling for Yuan Ke'er, who eventually emerged, but her heavily made-up face and bizarre attire shocked everyone; she was a stark contrast to the quiet, demure girl they knew at the beginning of the semester.
The gang leader then revealed the mystery: "When the school just started, she was a girl with dreams and aspirations, but someone in your class said her drawings were nothing but crap. That's why she has turned into this person." He then pointedly stated, "This person is your Big Boss."
Ye Muqi froze, then a memory surfaced: at the start of the semester, operating under her "you do it if you can" principle, she had ordered Yuan Ke'er to erase her "strange and flamboyant" blackboard newspaper and redraw it. Liao Danyi intervened, suggesting, "It's an easy problem to solve. You should apologize to her."
Despite her initial reluctance and a comical exchange with Liao Danyi about past apologies, Ye Muqi finally turned to Yuan Ke'er, and under Liao Danyi's strict supervision, loudly apologized. Yuan Ke'er asked, "Why do you apologize to me?" and "So you think my drawings are beautiful now?" Ye Muqi responded, "Because I said your drawings were terrible," and "I have always thought your drawings are beautiful. I just failed to appreciate them."
When Yuan Ke'er questioned, "Now you think Class 10 needs me?" Ye Muqi affirmed, "We need you. Come back to Class 10." Yuan Ke'er replied, "Okay," accepting the apology and deciding to return to Class 10. However, the street gang members were not pleased, declaring, "You think I will let you take her so easily? Because she is the only pretty girl here." As a new conflict brewed, Mr. Wu Heng arrived with an imposing aura.
He immediately challenged the gang leader, asking "Who are you calling little brats?" and when called a "middle-aged man," he retorted, "I'm 34 years old now." The gang leader, known as Goudan'er, recognized Mr. Wu as his "original boss," "the king of punks, the best of the best."
Wu Heng admitted to founding the gang in his youth with intentions of "bringing benefits to society," but seeing its current direction, he angrily dissolved it on the spot, telling them to go home and do their homework. With the issue resolved, Yuan Ke'er officially returned. To show her gratitude, she volunteered to participate in the blackboard newspaper contest, quickly producing an outstanding piece of art. The results of the blackboard newspaper contest were announced.
As expected, Class 1 won first prize. Class 10, however, did not even place in the top three. Director Yan's mockery and He Lvxi's ridicule made the Class 10 students unhappy. He Lvxi mockingly told them, "Class 10 wants to make it to the top three. Hilarious," adding that their "comic strips" lacked "knowledge and learning contents."
Ye Muqi defiantly told He Lvxi, "Class 10 will defeat Class 1 for at least one time in this semester," to which he scoffed, "Dream on." Feeling dejected, Yuan Ke'er apologized, "I'm sorry that I have disappointed you." Ye Muqi quickly comforted her, saying, "Not at all. We should be thanking you. . . You drew the newspaper with all your heart. It's beautiful." When Yuan Ke'er pointed out it didn't win a prize, Ye Muqi declared, "It did.
You have won the Class 10 Award for Best Art." Yuan Ke'er was surprised, asking if such an award existed. Ye Muqi, as the "Big Boss," asserted her right to create awards. To further lift spirits, Ye Muqi decided to treat everyone to ice cream cones, dispelling the gloomy atmosphere and making Senior 1 Class 10 feel more like a warm home.
Episode 11 Recap
The students of Class 10 celebrated their recent unity and renewed spirits with a joyful gathering at a KTV, singing and dancing to their hearts' content. Afterward, Xue Xiaodong and Ye Muqi found themselves walking home together. Xue Xiaodong praised Ye Muqi’s singing, especially an English song she sang, and complimented her beautiful tone. He explained abdominal vocalization and had her sing a bit to determine if she was a soprano, which he concluded she was.
Unbeknownst to them, a hidden camera captured their lighthearted interaction as Xue Xiaodong playfully pinched Ye Muqi's cheek. The next morning, the photo appeared on entertainment news websites and publications, causing a stir. Ye Muqi, completely unaware, was bewildered when she noticed people following and pointing at her on her way to school, asking who she was. Frightened by the attention, she ran to school. At the entrance, Liao Danyi appeared and coldly addressed her as "superstar."
Ye Muqi, still confused about the strange day and the people following her, asked him what he meant. Liao Danyi showed her his phone, revealing news headlines like "Xue Xiaodong Secretly Meets First Love Girlfriend" with Ye Muqi's picture prominently displayed. Ye Muqi was stunned and immediately denied any romantic involvement with Xue Xiaodong, stating she would never date him.
Although she usually couldn't stand Liao Danyi, in moments of trouble, he was the one she trusted and relied on most. Liao Danyi explained that the media, the "paparazzi," only cared about big news, and advised her to calm down and talk to Xue Xiaodong. Ye Muqi went to school, hoping to find Xue Xiaodong, but he wasn't in class. She thought of approaching Zhu Shanqi, but sensed danger.
Zhu Shanqi, having seen the news, was already waiting for Ye Muqi, openly stating she was waiting for her and expressing anger over the perceived betrayal. She frantically asked Liao Danyi if Ye Muqi would truly betray her and if there was nothing between Ye Muqi and Xue Xiaodong. Liao Danyi calmly told Zhu Shanqi to remain sensible. As Zhu Shanqi began to chase Ye Muqi, Xue Xiaodong's agent, Annie, appeared and pulled Ye Muqi into a car.
Ye Muqi was frustrated, exclaiming that Annie's team kept doing this to her. Inside the car, Xue Xiaodong apologized for the situation, attributing it to a paparazzi conspiracy. Annie, however, made it clear that this was not just about them but also the company's interests. She turned to Ye Muqi, speaking of "conditions" for her to distance herself from Xue Xiaodong to resolve the scandal.
Annie asserted that the scandal had already made Ye Muqi famous and that cooperating would bring her benefits. Ye Muqi insisted she was the victim. Annie explained they would hold a press conference the next day to clarify the situation, and Ye Muqi’s role was to do "nothing" by simply keeping her distance from Xue Xiaodong and staying indoors until the news cycle moved on.
Unhappy with this arrangement, Ye Muqi left the car without another word, leaving Xue Xiaodong looking dejected. Back in class, Ye Muqi's mind wandered. She imagined herself as an Empress, consulting ministers about Xue Xiaodong's predicament. Her internal "ministers" offered conflicting advice, some advocating for aggressive action against the paparazzi, while others cautioned against it, citing historical examples of those who suffered by offending them.
One minister even recited a lengthy, irrelevant poem, only to admit he was just showing off his knowledge, leading the Empress to comically order his beheading. Still, the debate raged on, with no clear solution for Ye Muqi. Meanwhile, Guan Xinyi, deeply infatuated with Liao Danyi, concocted a plan to "accidentally" bump into him and drop her books, hoping he would help her pick them up.
Her fantasy of a romantic encounter was shattered when He Lvxi, her dedicated admirer, spotted her from afar. He sprinted over, eager to help, collecting her scattered books while warning her to be careful, as hurting herself would "make my heart ache." He even boasted about his recent workouts and muscle gains, completely derailing Guan Xinyi’s carefully laid plan. Later, Annie informed Xue Xiaodong that the first press conference hadn't been effective and a second one was necessary.
To further boost his image in the entertainment industry, she planned for him to be romantically linked with rising idol Angie, despite Angie being older. Xue Xiaodong expressed discomfort, worrying about what his schoolmates would think. Annie dismissed his concerns, revealing that she had already discussed with his parents and would soon arrange his withdrawal from school, suggesting he could study abroad in a few years if he still desired an education.
Annie insisted she was doing this for his own good. The following day, Guan Xinyi tried another approach. She imagined a perfect romantic scene with Liao Danyi, taking him to see the sunset. However, her attempt to approach him was interrupted when Huang Nan and Huang Yi's chemistry experiment resulted in a small explosion, covering Guan Xinyi in ash and dirt.
She stood there stunned as Liao Danyi merely walked past, offering a simple apology that his classmates had caused her trouble, without any further comfort. That day, Ye Muqi tried to call Xue Xiaodong, but Annie swiftly snatched his phone away. Annie reiterated her instructions to Xue Xiaodong to maintain distance from Ye Muqi and stay indoors.
At the second press conference, where Xue Xiaodong was seated next to Angie, reporters questioned him about the previous scandal and his relationship with Angie. Annie expertly deflected all questions, leaving Xue Xiaodong no chance to speak his mind. Just then, Ye Muqi, along with Zhu Shanqi, Huang Nan, and Huang Yi, burst into the press conference. Having heard about Xue Xiaodong's planned withdrawal from school, they demanded to know his true intentions.
Ye Muqi urged him to speak his mind, dismissing Annie's attempts to intervene. She reminded Xue Xiaodong of his strength and resilience, saying he was the toughest person she knew and there was nothing he couldn't defeat. With his classmates' unwavering support, Xue Xiaodong finally spoke his truth to the media. He declared that he did not want to leave school or participate in the upcoming film. He admitted he was not familiar with Miss Angie.
His only desire was to quietly remain in Class 10 with his beloved schoolmates, expressing his genuine love for them and for learning. His classmates cheered loudly. Annie, ever the quick-thinking manager, immediately adapted her narrative. She told the press that there was no press conference, but rather a clarification of Mr. Xue Xiaodong's scandal, emphasizing his cherished friendship with his schoolmates. She announced that the company would take legal action against those who defamed him.
She quickly ended the conference and blocked reporters from following Xue Xiaodong, ensuring he could leave with his friends. With the truth revealed and his classmates' support, Xue Xiaodong was able to stay in school, and things slowly returned to normal. Later, Guan Xinyi made a third attempt to talk to Liao Danyi. She found him near Ye Muqi, Xue Xiaodong, and Zhu Shanqi, who were happily eating hotpot.
The thick smoke from their meal made it difficult for Guan Xinyi to speak. When they invited Liao Danyi to join, he politely declined, stating he had other things to do. Guan Xinyi followed him, trying to tell him something, but her hesitation made Liao Danyi impatient. He responded that he wasn't available. Undeterred, Guan Xinyi continued to follow him. Finally, at a street corner, with a road separating them, she called out to him, "Liao Danyi, I like you!" Liao Danyi, however, showed no reaction and silently continued walking home, leaving Guan Xinyi standing alone by the roadside, feeling a mix of embarrassment and sadness.
Episode 12 Recap
Liao Danyi found himself restless in bed, unable to sleep as his mind repeatedly replayed Guan Xinyi's confession and her persistent pursuit of him over the past few days. It was the first time he had ever been confessed to, and he was tormented by how to handle the situation. Feeling perplexed, he later opened a document on his computer, intending to express his thoughts through typing.
He wrote about his mixed feelings, admitting he was confessed to by a girl, but then trailed off, wondering what he was even writing about. He concluded that textbooks offered no guidance for such a situation and decided to set the problem aside for the moment. Meanwhile, Ye Muqi's brother, Yihan, a professional writer, was struggling with a looming script deadline and a severe lack of inspiration.
He was frustrated, wondering what he would do if he couldn't finish his script. Giving up on writing for the time being, he began live streaming, promoting himself as "Enigmatic Man" and demonstrating dumbbell lifts. Ye Muqi soon appeared, interrupting his broadcast to demand if he had finished his manuscript. Yihan stammered, attempting to introduce her to his viewers as "Kungfu Lady Ye, my beautiful and beloved younger sister," but Ye Muqi pressed him on his unfinished script.
He insisted he had been working hard, even claiming to have written "as fast as lightning" the previous night, but Ye Muqi quickly saw his blank screen. Frustrated, she left him to his broadcast. Yihan continued his stream, performing "sword swallowing," claiming he had escaped his "psycho sister." The next morning, Ye Muqi found Yihan asleep at his computer. Believing he had pulled an all-nighter to write, she felt a pang of sympathy and gently covered him with a jacket.
To her dismay, she discovered he hadn't been writing at all; instead, his computer displayed a recorded SNH48 concert, indicating he had spent the entire night watching performances. Infuriated, she woke him and demanded a promise that he would finish the script by the time she returned that day. Yihan reluctantly agreed. Despite his promise, inspiration still eluded him. He decided that since Ye Muqi seemed stressed and tired lately, he would cook a lavish meal for her instead.
Upon arriving at school, Liao Danyi immediately spotted Guan Xinyi hiding in wait for him. He quickly turned to flee but then devised a clever plan. He approached his classmate Shen Wei and offered her a deal: if she would distract Guan Xinyi, he would approve her request to hold the class's first "psychic meeting." Shen Wei readily agreed.
She then approached Guan Xinyi, informing her that Virgos, Guan Xinyi's zodiac sign, were currently experiencing romantic difficulties because "Venus has been spinning backward." Guan Xinyi, already a believer in Shen Wei's metaphysical predictions, eagerly followed Shen Wei to discuss her romantic horoscope, allowing Liao Danyi to make his escape. Back in the classroom, Liao Danyi attempted to write a rejection letter to Guan Xinyi.
He found it challenging to compose a message that was neither too blunt nor too ambiguous. Lost in thought, he unconsciously penned the classical Chinese poem, "Once the vast ocean has been crossed, no other water seems difficult; but for the clouds of Wushan, no other clouds are beautiful." To prepare a feast for Ye Muqi, Yihan went shopping. He took his time, wandering through the market, passing by playing children and exercising elders.
He even spontaneously joined a group of square dancers and quickly became the star of the impromptu performance. By the end of the day, his script remained untouched. That evening, Ye Muqi returned home to a table laden with delicious food but was unimpressed, insisting that she would watch Yihan write until he finished. However, the unreliable siblings soon forgot all about the manuscript, succumbing to the temptation of snacks and television.
They eventually fell asleep on the couch, leaving the script untouched. Overwhelmed with his dilemma and tired of constantly avoiding Guan Xinyi, Liao Danyi decided he needed to consult a female friend, believing that only a girl could truly understand a girl's perspective. Ye Muqi was the first person who came to mind. The next day, he found Ye Muqi and hesitantly asked if she had ever received a love confession.
When she answered no, he turned to leave, thinking she couldn't help him. However, Ye Muqi stopped him, insisting he tell her what was bothering him. After much prodding, Liao Danyi reluctantly revealed that Guan Xinyi had confessed to him. Ye Muqi burst into laughter, finding it impossible to imagine the haughty Guan Xinyi professing her love for Liao Danyi.
Despite her amusement, she agreed to help her friend, but on one condition: Liao Danyi had to help her brother finish his manuscript. Liao Danyi agreed. After school, Liao Danyi accompanied Ye Muqi home. Upon entering, he found Yihan enveloped in incense smoke, sitting cross-legged in a white robe on the sofa, with three sticks of incense lit before him, mumbling about lacking "feelings" and "inspiration." Liao Danyi immediately recognized it as an excuse to procrastinate.
He then dragged Yihan into Ye Muqi's room, pointing to the piles of toys, trash, and snacks scattered across her bed. Liao Danyi sternly informed Yihan that Ye Muqi, despite being in high school, was completely incapable of taking care of herself, suggesting she was "mentally disabled."
He emphasized that Yihan had to work, not just for his own sake, but to provide for his sister, warning him that without his support, Ye Muqi might turn to a life of crime, such as becoming a punk who peels garlic for a gang leader. This shocking revelation struck a chord with Yihan, who suddenly felt a surge of inspiration. He immediately began writing furiously.
Ye Muqi and Liao Danyi stayed by his side until he finally completed his manuscript. Ye Muqi was astonished by her brother's sudden transformation and questioned Liao Danyi about what he had said. Liao Danyi simply replied that he had "just told him the truth" and declined to elaborate further. Not particularly bothered by his reticence, Ye Muqi reassured him that she would handle Guan Xinyi's matter.
After a night spent contemplating a solution, Ye Muqi came up with an idea. The following day, she arranged a meeting with Guan Xinyi, using Liao Danyi's name to invite her. She instructed Liao Danyi to remain silent during the entire encounter and let her take charge. When they arrived at the designated meeting place, Guan Xinyi was already waiting.
Ye Muqi wasted no time, directly telling Guan Xinyi to stop pursuing Liao Danyi because he actually liked "her", Ye Muqi. Stunned by this declaration, Guan Xinyi listened as Ye Muqi launched into an elaborate tale of her and Liao Danyi's intertwined past.
She recounted how they had spent every day together as children when their mother worked overtime, and how Liao Danyi had fallen in love with her at first sight and had been relentlessly pursuing her ever since, making her lunchboxes and even promising never to date anyone else if she didn't accept his love. Ye Muqi then forced a bewildered Liao Danyi to admit his "love" for her in front of Guan Xinyi.
Liao Danyi was aghast at Ye Muqi's outrageous scheme, while Guan Xinyi, furious at the thought of losing to a girl like Ye Muqi, stormed off in a rage. Ye Muqi, pleased with her "solution," then smugly declared the problem solved, despite Liao Danyi's clear distress.
Episode 13 Recap
Ye Muqi woke up groggily one morning to find her refrigerator empty and no breakfast on the table, a stark contrast to the usual spread of milk, bread, and various delights. She then noticed her brother, Ye Zihan, asleep on the sofa. He apologized, explaining he had worked through the night on his manuscript and was too exhausted to make breakfast.
He handed her an advertisement, telling her there was a newly opened food court nearby, boasting numerous shops and all kinds of delicious food, including her favorite hot pot. Before he could finish, Ye Muqi had already dashed off. Following the address, Ye Muqi arrived at the bustling food court, just as her brother had described. Faced with an array of hot pot restaurants, she found herself indecisive about which one to choose.
The employees from different shops began aggressively vying for her business, touting their respective "Sichuan-style hot pot of our southern school" or "instantly-boiled meat of our northern school." Overwhelmed and irritated by their incessant arguing, she declared, "Enough. Stop! Stop! I will not eat," and stormed out. As she exited, she collided with Liao Danyi, who was riding his bike. Still annoyed, Ye Muqi snapped, "Do you have eyes? Are you blind?" Liao Danyi retorted, "Come on, explain yourself.
Things turn out to be like this every time. You have been doing things this way since childhood." Ye Muqi questioned his blame, leading to a heated argument on the street. Their loud quarrel attracted the attention of Guan Xinyi, who had been taking selfies nearby. She gracefully approached, dispersing the onlookers, and stood close to Liao Danyi, asking what they were fighting about. Ye Muqi dismissively told her, "It's none of your business. Get lost."
Unfazed, Guan Xinyi then offered Liao Danyi a ride in her car, asking where he was headed. He politely declined, saying he would ride his bike. Seeing an opportunity, Ye Muqi interjected, pretending to Liao Danyi, "You hurried to go out with me to have the hot pot, didn't you?" She subtly winked at him, which he quickly understood as a signal to help him escape Guan Xinyi. He played along, agreeing to go for hot pot.
However, Guan Xinyi insisted on joining them, citing a ridiculous school rule about preventing "puppy love" by monitoring interactions between male and female students. Despite the transparent excuse, Ye Muqi reluctantly allowed her to tag along for the sake of camaraderie. They arrived at a hot pot restaurant, which Guan Xinyi immediately criticized, making veiled jabs at Ye Muqi. Ye Muqi, with her cheerful and straightforward nature, largely ignored her.
During the meal, Guan Xinyi tried to curry favor with Liao Danyi by boiling mutton for him. He politely refused, stating, "I don't like eating mutton." Seizing the moment, Ye Muqi piled a large amount of mutton onto his plate and challenged him, "Liao Danyi, if you like me, you should eat up the meat." To escape Guan Xinyi's persistent attention, Liao Danyi ate all the mutton, much to Guan Xinyi's annoyance and jealousy.
The awkward hot pot meal concluded, and Liao Danyi quickly made his excuses to leave. Suspecting he was hiding something, Ye Muqi mused, "He is in such a hurry, so there must be a secret." She hailed a taxi, instructing the driver, "we will do things that often take place in the TV dramas. . . that is to say, to tail that bike." Liao Danyi led her to a nursing home called "Mingzhu Old People's Home."
Curious, Ye Muqi pondered, "Why did he come to this place? I have to investigate it," and discreetly followed him inside. Suddenly, an elderly woman with red clothes and white hair, wielding a brush, began hitting Ye Muqi, shouting "Beat you! Beat you!" and spouting nonsensical phrases about "Welta" and "Zorro." Ye Muqi protested, "I don't know who you are. I don't know why you beat me. But if you beat me again, I will fight back."
Liao Danyi quickly intervened, stopping the altercation. The old woman, in turn, accused Ye Muqi of hitting her. Liao Danyi explained to a stunned Ye Muqi that this was his grandmother, who had developed a mental condition several years ago, causing her to fluctuate between moments of clarity and confusion. He visited her weekly. Later, the grandmother had a moment of clarity and complained to Liao Danyi that she did not want to stay in the nursing home.
She expressed a desire to live alone, insisting she could manage and support herself. Unable to agree but unwilling to contradict her directly, Liao Danyi skillfully redirected the conversation. Noticing Ye Muqi struggling to fold clothes, he went over to "teach" her, remarking, "Why are you folding clothes this way? Let me teach you." He then gently criticized her technique, saying, "Why are you so clumsy? You are wrong from the first step." His grandmother observed this interaction.
She then sat down with Ye Muqi and began to interrogate her about her family, asking about her parents, their income, and whether their home was bought or rented. When Ye Muqi mentioned she was the class monitor, the grandmother was astonished, accusing her of lying. Ye Muqi, growing frustrated, firmly stated, "Because I am more capable than your grandson." This left the grandmother momentarily speechless. Liao Danyi consulted the superintendent about his grandmother's condition.
The superintendent expressed frustration, explaining that the grandmother's delusions were severe, causing chaos in the hospital. Even during her clear moments, she was disruptive, constantly bothering other patients with her incessant chatter and criticisms, making her a very difficult patient to manage. The superintendent added that when she was sober, "her behavior is worse than she is muddled." The grandmother continued to display open hostility toward Ye Muqi, constantly finding fault with her.
During a meal, she lectured Ye Muqi on table manners, criticizing how she held chopsticks, her eating sounds, and her posture. She even declared, "Who dare marry this kind of girl in the future? No family is willing to take in such a daughter-in-law."
Later, as Ye Muqi and Liao Danyi helped tidy the room, the grandmother, as if possessed, launched into a series of stories about unfortunate marriages, cautioning Liao Danyi that "marrying a wrong girl can spoil your whole life" and "finding a wrong companion will make you regret all your life." Liao Danyi feigned indifference. Suddenly, Ye Muqi found an old box. Casually, she asked, "What is this? If you don't want to keep it, I will discard it."
This simple question unleashed the grandmother's fury. Brandishing her brush, she began hitting Ye Muqi, screaming that the box was her most precious possession and accusing Ye Muqi of trying to steal its contents. Ye Muqi's patience snapped, and she was on the verge of fighting back. Liao Danyi quickly stepped between them to de-escalate. The grandmother then turned her anger on him, berating him, "Nothing has happened between you and her.
You are already taking sides with her and are partial to her." Clearly believing Ye Muqi to be Liao Danyi's girlfriend, she indiscriminately struck both of them and chased them out of the room. Alone on her bed, the grandmother sighed, opened the old box, and retrieved a white jade bracelet wrapped in silk, examining it thoughtfully. She then pulled out a letter, and as she read it, her eyes welled up with tears.
Ye Muqi secretly returned to the room and found the grandmother gone, leaving the open box on the bed. Her curiosity piqued, Ye Muqi couldn't resist picking up the letter. It was a love letter expressing deep longing, and it mentioned a wedding anniversary on March 13th. Ye Muqi realized today was exactly March 13th. Meanwhile, the grandmother was downstairs in the nursing home courtyard, draped in a white bedsheet and holding a green plant, solemn like a bride.
Doctors and nurses rushed to her, attempting to give her an injection. The grandmother resisted. Knowing the situation, Ye Muqi arrived with a bouquet of red flowers to help, announcing that it was the grandmother's wedding anniversary and that she was there to take pictures. Liao Danyi appeared shortly after, carrying a beautiful wedding dress. Delighted, the grandmother put on the dress, and the three of them took many beautiful photos together.
That evening, as they said their goodbyes, the grandmother maintained a stern expression. However, when she later looked at the photos on her phone, a gentle smile involuntarily spread across her face.
Episode 14 Recap
Zhu Shanqi, a student with a touch of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), found herself irritated by a small air bubble trapped beneath her phone's screen protector, an imperfection she was determined to remove. As she worked at it, a fellow student, Xiong Tiancheng, walked past. Zhu Shanqi noticed his disheveled hair, distant eyes, and a phone screen shattered with cracks. She wondered aloud how anyone could continue using such a damaged device.
Recognizing his Maple Leaf Middle School uniform, she felt a peculiar curiosity. She stealthily followed him, intrigued by his eccentric behavior. Xiong Tiancheng led her to a noodle shop that had only a one-star rating online. He entered without hesitation and ordered a bowl of noodles, which he ate with apparent relish. Zhu Shanqi, still observing discreetly, found herself served a bowl as well.
Despite its unappetizing appearance, with a bland-looking broth and meager toppings, she reluctantly took a bite and was surprised to discover the noodles were exceptionally delicious, prompting her to finish the meal. As she continued to follow him, she noticed his shirt was stained with noodle soup, a sight that further solidified her impression of him as an unkempt individual. She thought, "That's horrible!" Later, during Chinese self-study class, their teacher, Mr. Wu, was reviewing assignments.
Most students were engaged in their own activities. Mr. Wu, however, excitedly announced that he had found an outstanding essay among the "Taking Leave of Cambridge Again" book reviews he had assigned. He declared Xiong Tiancheng's work to be the best. He then called for Xiong Tiancheng, but the student was nowhere to be seen. After repeated calls, Xiong Tiancheng slowly emerged from a trash-filled corner of the classroom.
An unpleasant odor spread through the room, causing other students to cover their noses. Unfazed, Xiong Tiancheng calmly walked to the front of the class and began to recite his essay. His writing was indeed exceptional, filled with beautiful language and elegant prose, which explained Mr. Wu's enthusiasm. Classmates whispered about him, calling him "the Garbage King," the legendary source of Class 10's garbage and air pollution.
Mr. Wu, moved by the piece, commented that "Except Xu Zhimo, no one has been able to write such a good article about Cambridge." He praised Xiong Tiancheng's delicate and romantic perception of Cambridge. After class, Mr. Wu called Ye Muqi, the class president, aside. He told her that Xiong Tiancheng was a talented student but was reclusive and unsociable. Mr. Wu expressed his hope that Ye Muqi could help him. Ye Muqi agreed.
She approached Xiong Tiancheng, who had created a secluded "studio" in a corner of the classroom, stating that his condition for attending the school was to have this independent space. Inside, he kept small animals or insects he called "Wang Xiaode and Mao Xiaomu." Ye Muqi carefully greeted him and suggested he become the Chinese class representative. Xiong Tiancheng remained expressionless, rejecting her offer with a curt, "Sorry, I'm busy.
Don't bother me if you have nothing for me to do. Leave now." Undaunted, Ye Muqi decided to gather more information. She learned that Huang Nan and Huang Yi were Xiong Tiancheng's middle school classmates. When she approached them, they shared stories of his notorious sloppiness, like finding a year-old banana or a rice ball in his drawer. They also revealed that he rarely spoke to classmates because he often kept to himself.
Most significantly, they recounted an incident during a parents' meeting when his father publicly scolded him severely, causing him deep humiliation and making him even more withdrawn. Hearing this, Ye Muqi felt a stronger desire to help the peculiar and introverted boy. Xiong Tiancheng's difficult personality was largely a result of his father's behavior. His father was short-tempered, irresponsible, and spent his days playing mahjong, showing little concern for his son.
Though Xiong Tiancheng considered his father the most important person in his life, his father had never reciprocated that value. One day, Xiong Tiancheng fell ill and couldn't attend school. Mr. Wu, having read Xiong Tiancheng's novel, "The Last Inn," about a lonely screenwriter and other strange characters, recalled his belief that art often reflects life. He noticed the protagonist's strained relationship with his father in the novel, which suggested a similar dynamic at home.
Mr. Wu decided to pay a home visit, bringing a printed copy of Xiong Tiancheng's novel to his father. During the visit, Mr. Wu gently but firmly advised Mr. Xiong, emphasizing that parents are their children's first teachers and that their habits influence their children's growth. He urged Mr. Xiong to create a supportive environment for his talented son. Back home, Ye Muqi immersed herself in Xiong Tiancheng's written works, feeling a profound connection to his inner world.
Through his words, and an imagined conversation, she realized his sloppiness and unkempt appearance were a cry for attention, a desire to be valued and appreciated, especially by the person he cared for most—his father—who had consistently ignored him. Deeply moved, Ye Muqi promised to help him, declaring, "I'll change you." She then began to devise a plan to transform him. The next morning, Xiong Tiancheng woke to an empty house, his father gone.
On the table, he found a note. It was from "Kungfu Lady Ye," inviting him to play a "treasure hunt game." He was to follow the instructions step by step, using the secret code, "I want to find Kungfu Lady Ye." His first destination was a barber shop, where he had his hair, which he hadn't cut for over a year, trimmed.
The next clue led him to an optical shop, where he was fitted with new contact lenses, and for the first time, the world—and his own reflection—appeared strikingly clear. " That's what I look like!" he exclaimed. The third step took him to a clothing store, where he was dressed in new, stylish clothes. With this complete makeover, the once "Sloppy King" was transformed into a handsome, clean-cut young man.
He saw himself clearly in the mirror, and a long-lost sense of confidence surged within him. A text message from Ye Muqi, referring to him as "Shadow Thief," asked how he liked his new look. Xiong Tiancheng, now comfortable with his new image, replied, acknowledging "Big Boss" as her true identity. He returned home, where his father had, uncharacteristically, cleaned the entire house.
As father and son met eyes, they shared a silent smile, a gesture that conveyed more than words could. With his newfound appearance and confidence, Xiong Tiancheng was ready to face the world, no longer the reclusive boy, and his positive changes were evident to everyone, including his classmates.
Episode 15 Recap
A new source of unrest had emerged in the class with a student named Li Yao, whose repeated acts of bullying had drawn widespread complaints. Class president Ye Muqi and study committee member Liao Danyi noted the issue. After careful consideration, they decided a gentle and non-threatening person should approach Li Yao first. The task fell to Zhu Shanqi, who, despite her usual carefree demeanor, was known for her kindness. Zhu Shanqi cautiously followed Li Yao to the rooftop.
Li Yao, with her sleek, masculine haircut and imposing physique, exuded a powerful aura. Trying to make conversation, Zhu Shanqi asked if Li Yao liked spicy strips. Li Yao coolly confirmed that she did. Eager to win her over, Zhu Shanqi immediately went to a nearby vendor and spent all her pocket money on four packs of spicy strips. Li Yao snatched them, asking aggressively, “Why did you buy so many?”
Intimidated, Zhu Shanqi burst into tears and fled back to the classroom for help, lamenting that she had spent all her money for nothing and had still been bullied. Undeterred, the classmates devised a second plan. Huang Nan and Huang Yi volunteered to confront Li Yao, asserting they had "at least ten ways to beat her." However, their bravado quickly faded. When they approached Li Yao, she sternly told them not to point fingers and to be polite.
They attempted to flatter her, calling her "pretty," but quickly retreated after being intimidated. Huang Nan and Huang Yi then lamented their failure. The students were at a loss until Liao Danyi arrived. He announced that he had spoken with every student who claimed to have been bullied by Li Yao, concluding that their initial approach was misguided. With newfound confidence, he set off to speak with Li Yao alone.
Curious, Ye Muqi and the others secretly followed him, wondering how he could succeed where they had failed. They found Li Yao eating alone in the cafeteria. Liao Danyi walked directly to her table and sat opposite her, introducing himself as the commissary in charge of studies and stating, “I want to make a friend with you.” The watching students were nervous, bracing for a confrontation.
Li Yao stared at him intently without speaking, but Liao Danyi met her gaze with unwavering determination. Surprisingly, Li Yao eventually accepted his offer, stunning everyone with her unexpected reaction. To clarify the situation for his classmates, Liao Danyi explained his investigation revealed Li Yao was, in fact, a kind person beneath her cold exterior.
He mentioned seeing her feed stray cats between classes, suggesting that someone truly cruel would not perform such acts, and clarified that the spicy strip incident was likely due to her dislike of food waste. He also deduced that her strong personality stemmed from her background: she came from a military family, with her mother being a national champion in Back-fist Boxing. Li Yao confided that she had attended martial arts schools since childhood.
Her father, worried about her being a tomboy and future marriage prospects, had sent her to Maple Middle School. Li Yao expressed her sadness about lacking social skills due to her upbringing and wanting to make friends. She said that since entering the school, she couldn't even find someone to talk to, and noted how some classmates offered her food "like offerings" or avoided blaming her for breaking things, implying she felt isolated.
Ye Muqi immediately assured her that they would be her friends and help her transform into a "pretty girl, a cute and lovely girl." The "Makeover Li Yao" plan then commenced. While initially unsure how to proceed, they soon found inspiration. Ye Muqi spotted a cute bear mascot and encouraged Li Yao to take a photo with it, suggesting it was something young girls enjoyed.
Li Yao agreed but approached the mascot with the intimidating stride of a general leading an army, startling the employee inside, who fled. Li Yao, confused, asked why he was running and pursued him. During the chase, a thief attempting to escape with a stolen wallet collided with Li Yao. She immediately abandoned the mascot chase to pursue the thief, eventually cornering him until he knelt, begged for mercy, and surrendered the wallet.
The grateful victim initially thanked Ye Muqi, who was also present. Li Yao's heroic display impressed all her classmates, especially Zhu Shanqi, who praised her bravery while they were out shopping. Li Yao confirmed her Kung Fu skills were taught by her mother but normally restricted to avoid hurting others. Passing a toy store, Zhu Shanqi suggested they go inside. Li Yao agreed, though she appeared uninterested in the toys themselves.
Her attention was drawn to a small girl, perhaps five or six years old, who seemed to be from a less fortunate background. Li Yao watched as the girl stealthily picked up a toy bear and tried to leave, only to be caught and reprimanded by a store employee. Moved by compassion, Li Yao intervened, gently embracing the trembling child and telling her, “Sister told you to pick what you liked and I would pay for it!”
Her gentle tone was a stark contrast to her usual demeanor. She then purchased the toy for the girl. As the day drew to a close with little progress on Li Yao’s transformation, Huang Nan proposed enlisting a gentle and harmless male classmate to accompany her. They called Cheng Ling, who readily agreed to help. The group headed to an amusement park, starting with the whimsical carousel. Li Yao and Cheng Ling bonded over discussions about martial arts.
For their grand finale, they chose the Ferris Wheel, known as the most romantic spot in the park. The students paired up: Huang Nan with Huang Yi, Liao Danyi with Ye Muqi, Xue Xiaodong with Zhu Shanqi, and Cheng Ling with Li Yao. This was Li Yao’s first time on a Ferris Wheel, and she initially appeared reserved.
Cheng Ling tried to ease her discomfort, but as the ride ascended, Li Yao’s acrophobia took over, causing her to panic and scream for it to stop, feeling helpless despite her fighting skills. Cheng Ling held her hand tightly, calming her fears until Li Yao gradually quieted down. Meanwhile, Ye Muqi chided Liao Danyi for studying on his phone instead of enjoying the rare moment and reminisced about their childhood visits to the park, noting his change.
Xue Xiaodong also expressed mild annoyance about being paired with Zhu Shanqi, but the general atmosphere among the other students was one of enjoyment. As the Ferris Wheel reached its peak, everyone gazed at the distant, colorful sunset, feeling as though they were in a dream. Li Yao thanked Ye Muqi, calling it the happiest day of her life. With the continuous support of her classmates, Li Yao became noticeably more outgoing and learned how to interact with others.
One day, she approached Ye Muqi, volunteering to join the class committee. Her classmates were pleasantly surprised by her change. Li Yao explained that following Ye Muqi's advice to smile at everyone had indeed yielded positive results, with many people beginning to see her differently, though she admitted some found it "creepy" initially.
She was happy that some understood her true intentions, and Liao Danyi had taken the initiative to explain her situation to all the students she had "bullied," leading to their understanding and forgiveness. To express her gratitude and contribute to the class, she wanted to become a committee member. Ye Muqi happily accepted, appointing her as the labor committee member and remarking that it would be 'a piece of cake' considering Li Yao's strength.
Li Yao also asked Ye Muqi to teach her Back-fist Boxing, to which Ye Muqi readily agreed, thus restoring peace and harmony to the classroom. Elsewhere, Guan Xinyi remained infatuated with Liao Danyi. One evening, as she sat alone at a street stall, drinking milk tea, she drifted off to sleep and had a vivid dream.
In her dream, she was a refined lady from a scholarly family during the Republic of China era, and Liao Danyi was a young master from a prominent household. They were childhood sweethearts, deeply in love, and Liao Danyi repeatedly declared his affection for her, promising to accommodate and spoil her despite her temper and capriciousness, asserting that he only wanted her.
However, in another part of the dream, she felt he was trying to turn her into a "yes-man" without her own judgment, and questioned his understanding of love. The dream concluded with her realizing that their desire to be united through all of life's challenges seemed impossible. Waking from her dream, Guan Xinyi couldn't help but feel frustrated and disheartened by Liao Danyi’s indifferent attitude towards her in reality.
Episode 16 Recap
Ye Muqi, a passionate comic artist, recently completed her magnum opus and sent it to a publishing house. In her comic, she crafted an unparalleled fantasy world, using her classmates as prototypes for the characters. In this world, the people of the Spicy Strip Tribe were imprisoned by the tyrannical Evil Lord Liao, who detested spicy strip junk food and forced them to eat tasteless, additive-free food. Princess Latio Zhu was the only one to escape.
Pursued by the Evil Lord's three major assassins, Zheng, Ying, and Sheng, Latio Zhu stumbled into a place called the Village of Brilliant Ideas, a sanctuary for many extraordinary individuals. Among them were the Master of Words Cheng, Magic Girl Shen Luoluo, Dark Girl Dake Yuan, the Twin Brothers Huang Nan and Huang Yi, Howie Yao, and the Bright Star Xiaodong. They immediately came to Latio Zhu's aid.
However, the Evil Lord Liao arrived and easily overwhelmed the Class 10 warriors. Just as despair set in, Goddess Ye, the Kungfu Lady and Superwoman, descended from the sky and turned the tide of the battle. Goddess Ye welcomed Latio Zhu to the Village of Brilliant Ideas and introduced her to the villagers. Among them were Fate Teller Wei, who served as the village prophet, and the Twin Brothers. They also encountered Lackey He and Stupid Guan, two roaming beggars.
Fate Teller Wei informed Goddess Ye that the Evil Lord Liao was shamed by Latio Zhu's escape and would seek them out in three days, having found their location through a resignation letter from his surrendered soldiers. Fate Teller Wei also predicted that Latio Zhu, despite having an unclear fortune, would somehow prove helpful.
Latio Zhu apologized for bringing trouble to the village, but Goddess Ye reassured her, stating that they had lost a fight six years ago and hadn't trained since, but they would fight together, emphasizing their collective morale. The villagers then tested their attributes using a destiny stone. Fate Teller Wei's attribute was fire (bright red), Master of Words Cheng had earth, Goddess Ye possessed water, and Bright Star Xiaodong had gold, making them a group representing all Five Elements.
Latio Zhu's attribute was described as "sky blue," signifying "waiting for rains," and the villagers were waiting for her. However, it was then determined that she actually had "no attribute," which the villagers considered awesome for its rarity but also deemed her useless for learning magic. Latio Zhu expressed a wish to learn skills, like flying like Goddess Ye, who explained that her flying ability came from "Wukong Art," not wings. Goddess Ye assigned specific tasks for the impending battle.
Fate Teller Wei was to predict the enemy's arrival time and troop numbers. Bright Star Xiaodong was tasked with deploying his fans worldwide to ascertain the enemy's direction of approach. The Twin Brothers were to prepare numerous combat tools to quickly diminish enemy forces. Howie Yao was to eliminate as many enemies as possible, while Dake Yuan and Master of Words Cheng were put in charge of shooting. Latio Zhu was instructed to stay close to Goddess Ye for protection.
The most crucial task was given to Lackey He and Stupid Guan: to prepare needle mushrooms and hotpot seasoning for that night. That night, after the villagers dispersed, Lackey He and Stupid Guan, who was now addressed as Miss Xinyi, revealed their true identities as spies sent by the Evil Lord Liao. They confirmed that their plan was progressing smoothly (via a phone call) and proceeded to secretly poison the villagers' drinks. However, Fate Teller Wei had anticipated their deception.
From their very arrival, she had recognized them as undercover agents and had been using their tricks against them. She confessed to Lackey He that every time they added poison, she followed by adding antidotes, ensuring that no one in the village was truly poisoned. On the day of the decisive battle, Lackey He and Miss Xinyi confidently believed their poisoning plot had succeeded.
However, Fate Teller Wei was perplexed as she had administered antidotes, yet the villagers were suffering from stomach aches that didn't feel like poison. The realization dawned that the problem stemmed from the spicy strips that Latio Zhu had generously shared, a "masterpiece from our Latio tribe," which the villagers were unaccustomed to. The powerful "spicy tricks" of the snack proved too much, incapacitating everyone, including Lackey He and Miss Xinyi, who had also partaken.
Consequently, only Goddess Ye and the Evil Lord Liao remained to face each other. Their battle was intense and evenly matched. When Dake Yuan attempted to assist Goddess Ye, she was ambushed by Lackey He. Goddess Ye rushed to save Dake Yuan, and this moment of distraction allowed the Evil Lord Liao to strike, gravely injuring her.
The epic battle between Goddess Ye and the Evil Lord Liao raged for three days and nights, causing mountains to tremble and the earth to shake. As Goddess Ye's strength began to wane, the Evil Lord Liao taunted her, declaring that she and the entire Village of Brilliant Ideas would be destroyed.
Just as she seemed on the brink of defeat, Latio Zhu, who had felt useless, bravely entered the fray, admitting her lack of magic or martial power but vowing to contribute all her strength. Inspired by her courage, the other villagers, having recovered from the spicy strip's effects, also rallied. Goddess Ye then confronted the Evil Lord Liao, asserting that he could never defeat her because he was alone, while she had friends and the entire world on her side.
United by their collective power, the villagers helped Goddess Ye defeat the Evil Lord Liao in a blinding flash of glory. With the battle concluded, peace returned to the Village of Brilliant Ideas. The Evil Lord Liao had been transformed into a harmless figure, waking with no memory of his past or identity. Goddess Ye informed him that he would now live with them and gave him a new name: Lowlife Liao.
The villagers, including Huang Yi, Huang Nan, Latio Zhu, Fate Teller Wei, Master of Words Cheng, and Dake Yuan, warmly welcomed him into their family. Bright Star Xiaodong, who had started preparing hot pot during the final battle, invited everyone to celebrate. Thus, the Evil Lord Liao became Lowlife Liao, losing his memory and living happily with everyone in the Village of Brilliant Ideas, which finally enjoyed its long-awaited peace.
This fantastic tale was the culmination of Ye Muqi's imagination, a masterpiece she had sent to a publishing house. She anxiously awaited a response, dreaming of a significant payment and a career as a cartoonist. Meanwhile, her brother, Ye Zihan, smiled supportively, ready to back her dream regardless of its outcome. At the publishing house, the editor-in-chief vehemently rejected Ye Muqi's submission, dismissing it as "disgusting" and not worthy of publication.
However, the editor was enthusiastic about another manuscript, a cartoon book titled "The Big Boss," which was lauded for its rich content and novel style. The editor instructed an assistant to contact "The Big Boss" author immediately to discuss a potential book series, clearly distinguishing it from Ye Muqi's work.
Despite the publisher's rejection, Ye Muqi remained oblivious, optimistically telling her brother that she expected to be contacted soon after they read her book, fantasizing about making a fortune and treating him to a world tour of hot pots. Her brother, Ye Zihan, humored her, urging her to come down for dinner. Meanwhile, in the real world, He Lvxi and Guan Xinyi, still recovering from injuries, found themselves lost in a forest, lamenting their predicament.
Guan Xinyi, frustrated by their repeated failures, vowed that one day she would restore Liao Danyi's memory and avenge themselves, while He Lvxi tried to calm her down. A flashback revealed the genesis of Ye Muqi's comic. A young Liao Danyi approached a young Ye Muqi, who was drawing "a story of heroes defeating an evil." He eagerly asked to join her, and she agreed, envisioning their comic being read to children.
However, an adult interrupted, scolding them for drawing instead of studying. After being separated, Liao Danyi asked Ye Muqi what the heroes' home would be called, and she responded, "Let's call it the Village of Brilliant Ideas."
Episode 17 Recap
The class committee of Class 10 held a meeting to address their deviation from core responsibilities. Liao Danyi, the study committee member, expressed concern that they had spent too much time on unnecessary tasks, such as searching for a lost cat in a tree, finding a teacher’s missing wallet, and helping girls buy rare snacks. He argued that their role was to assist classmates with learning, not to be a "Society of Good People and Good Deeds."
He specifically told Ye Muqi, as the monitor, to lead by example and bravely say "no" to requests unrelated to academics. In a display of quick wit, Ye Muqi immediately used his own advice against him, responding with a firm "no" to all of Liao Danyi’s suggestions. Their discussion was interrupted by Gao Fei, who rushed into the classroom.
He desperately asked the class committee for help, admitting he had neglected his girlfriend due to his obsession with mobile games, which ultimately led to their breakup. A flashback revealed his girlfriend's ultimatum: "Which will you choose, the game or me?" When he prioritized an in-game "boss" battle, she ended their relationship. Gao Fei explained that he couldn't control his game addiction, even when he knew it was wrong, playing "anywhere and anyhow."
He tearfully begged the committee to help him stop playing mobile games and handed his phone to Cheng Ling, instructing her not to return it no matter how hard he pleaded. Cheng Ling agreed to keep it safe. Soon after, while the others tried to distract him with card tricks, Gao Fei began to hallucinate his phone ringing, insisting that "someone must be calling me for something important."
Liao Danyi urged him to "control yourself," but Gao Fei became increasingly agitated, reaching for where he thought his phone was. Ye Muqi, seeing him lose control, bit his arm to snap him back to reality. Gao Fei momentarily came to his senses, thanking Ye Muqi and promising to quit mobile games, claiming he was "calm and serene now."
He then asked to add Ye Muqi on WeChat, and since his phone was with Cheng Ling, he requested to use Ye Muqi’s phone to enter his number. Ye Muqi agreed, but Gao Fei snatched Ye Muqi's phone, dialed his own number, and followed the ringing. A frantic chase ensued as students tried to keep his phone away from him, passing it like a relay.
Gao Fei eventually tracked his phone to the playground, where Li Yao, called in as backup, knocked him out with a single punch. With the phone-hiding strategy a clear failure, Liao Danyi proposed a new plan. He suggested they all play the game "Legend of the Immortals" with Gao Fei, hoping that by experiencing it together, Gao Fei would lose interest and realize the futility of his addiction. The other students agreed and began downloading the game.
Just then, Guan Xinyi, the Student Union President, arrived, sternly questioning why they were playing games during class break, emphasizing that "game affects learning most." Liao Danyi cleverly challenged her, suggesting she was afraid of losing if she joined. Riled by his words, Guan Xinyi accepted the challenge, declaring, "I won't lose to you," and aimed to reach the highest level in the shortest time. Huang Yi, however, opted out, stating he had "no interest in games."
Upon entering the game, a red-clad fat lady greeted them. Xue Xiaodong soon encountered a drunkard named Bai, who was known as the "Immortal of liquor and Sword." Bai was impressed by Xue Xiaodong's handsome appearance and agreed to meet him later that evening on a mountain behind the restaurant for a test. As the group prepared to depart, the fat lady stopped Zhu Shanqi, demanding she "show me" something she had taken.
Zhu Shanqi initially feigned ignorance, but after being punched by the fat lady, she reluctantly revealed a "Herbal medicine for wound treatment" she had stolen from an inn. She admitted to taking it because the group's initial equipment was poor and she wanted to help them. The fat lady, however, reprimanded her, reminding her that such behavior was not "in line with principle of swordsmen."
She informed Zhu Shanqi that she had already reported the theft to an officer, who promptly arrived and took Zhu Shanqi to jail for three hours, which could be reduced with 50 diamonds. Liao Danyi expressed regret on behalf of the group, and the fat lady rewarded him with the medicinal herb. Continuing their journey, they soon encountered an elderly man with an ethereal aura. Huang Nan, believing him to be a martial arts master, eagerly asked to be taught.
The old man accepted, but as a test, instructed Huang Nan to hit him as hard as he could. Huang Nan complied, only for the old man to dramatically fall to the ground, screaming in pain and demanding 2,000 taels of silver in compensation. An officer quickly appeared and arrested Huang Nan. Learning from Huang Nan's mistake, Huang Yi refused to interact with any more mysterious NPCs.
They then came across a man in green robes, seemingly practicing martial arts in the middle of the road. Guan Xinyi, now wielding a "Dragonslay Wooden Sword plus 5" which she already possessed, attempted to attack him, confident in its "attack force 9999." However, the sword wouldn't activate, and Gao Fei explained that the powerful equipment was only for players at level 50, a detail written in tiny print in the instructions that Guan Xinyi had overlooked.
Disheartened, Guan Xinyi left. Liao Danyi, observing the man closely, realized he was fighting with his eyes closed and appeared to be searching for something. Liao Danyi offered him a bamboo staff, which the man gratefully accepted, revealing he was blind and had simply been looking for his walking stick. Further along, they met Bai again. Xue Xiaodong, excited, prepared to be taught martial arts by the "Immortal of liquor and Sword."
However, Bai explained that after a long conversation with Liao Danyi, he had "realized the true meaning of life and the impact of liquor on my health" and had quit drinking. Since his legendary skills could only be performed under the influence of alcohol, he could no longer teach Xue Xiaodong. He offered "two maxims" instead: "Liquor hurts liver and beer hurts kidney," leaving Xue Xiaodong profoundly disappointed. Finally, they reached their destination: Fairy Island.
Huang Yi, remembering the original game’s plot, eagerly rushed ahead to peek at the mythical Ling'er bathing. To his horror, he found a "large and sturdy old woman," exclaiming, "My eyes!" Gao Fei explained that without topping up diamonds, the chance of encountering Ling'er versus the old woman was 1 to 99. The old woman challenged them, and Liao Danyi, noting her high level, chose the option to "impress" her.
The old woman found Liao Danyi handsome and requested to speak with him alone. The others pushed him forward. Liao Danyi quickly resolved the encounter by paying 5 diamonds to pass the task, thus obtaining the required herb medicine. As they tried to leave, the old woman reappeared on a bridge, blocking their path, declaring, "I won't let you pass." She added, "You can pass the task, but you can't pass my heart." The entire group struggled against her.
Suddenly, Guan Xinyi returned, now at level 50 and wielding the "Dragonslay Wooden Sword plus 5." She had spent a considerable amount of money buying experience and equipment to achieve this status. She effortlessly defeated the old woman, but the thrill of victory seemed to make her lose her composure, continuing to fight even after the foe was vanquished. The other students watched her in disbelief, ridiculing her for spending so much money for mere in-game gratification.
The game finally concluded, and their task was completed. While Guan Xinyi remained engrossed in her virtual triumph, Gao Fei had a moment of profound realization. Seeing Guan Xinyi's ridiculous behavior, he understood how foolish he himself must have appeared when he was addicted to games. Liao Danyi reinforced this, explaining that virtual achievements brought by games were merely "vanity and satisfaction" that couldn't be found in real life. Gao Fei regretted the money and precious time he had wasted.
Determined to mend his relationship, he rushed out of the classroom to apologize to his girlfriend. However, upon finding her, he discovered she was now deeply engrossed in playing the very same mobile game, telling him that he had taught her how to play and she now found it "much more interesting than you."
Episode 18 (Ending) Recap
Maple Leaf High School announced an upcoming English singing contest, which immediately thrilled Ye Muqi. She declared her intention to participate and enthusiastically belted out a Chinese song, "Man Should Be Self-Reliant," to her classmates, successfully startling everyone with her singing. Despite their reactions, Ye Muqi remained undeterred and sought help from Xue Xiaodong, a renowned idol singer. He asked her to sing a few English songs to assess her voice.
After listening, Xue Xiaodong told her that while her tone and pitch were acceptable, her main issue was her English pronunciation. To improve her pronunciation, Ye Muqi first approached the brothers Huang Yi and Huang Nan. Delighted that their class monitor needed their help, they eagerly shared their unique English learning method: using Chinese phonetic annotations.
For example, "someone like you" was annotated as "Sa mu wan la ke you," and "someone like me" as "Sa mu wan la ke mi." After trying their method for a while, Ye Muqi realized it was ineffective and decided to seek assistance from her rival, Liao Danyi, the top-performing student in their class. Liao Danyi initially showed no interest and flatly refused Ye Muqi's request.
Unwilling to give up, Ye Muqi threatened to expose their fake relationship to Guan Xinyi, warning that Guan Xinyi would then relentlessly pursue him again. Left with no choice, Liao Danyi agreed. They went to a banyan tree, where Liao Danyi earnestly began teaching Ye Muqi pronunciation, starting with songs like "Someone Like You" and "You Raise Me Up." However, her English foundation was so poor and her pronunciation so peculiar that Liao Danyi struggled to correct her.
His frustration eventually angered Ye Muqi, who retorted with "Shit," causing Liao Danyi to storm off. Later that evening, Liao Danyi, despite his earlier frustration, visited Ye Muqi at her home. He informed her that he had selected a suitable English song for her, "Hello," explaining that its pronunciation and rhythm were relatively simple, and it was a classic.
As Liao Danyi began to officially teach her, Ye Muqi pulled out a piece of paper, prepared with the Huang brothers' Chinese phonetic annotation method for the lyrics. Liao Danyi was aghast, immediately forbidding her from using such a method. He insisted they would take more time to learn it correctly. The next day, in the classroom, they practiced the phrase "I love you."
Ye Muqi struggled to pronounce it correctly, so Liao Danyi patiently repeated it countless times, and Ye Muqi diligently followed along. From outside the classroom, Guan Xinyi happened to witness this scene and, mistakenly believing they were exchanging declarations of love, became enraged, leaving Liao Danyi and Ye Muqi utterly bewildered. The following day, Liao Danyi accompanied Ye Muqi to Xue Xiaodong's recording studio for a trial performance.
This time, her performance was quite good, earning her rare praise from Liao Danyi, who jokingly suggested she could start a career as a "bathhouse singer" but seriously advised her to keep practicing her pronunciation, especially considering her "special book" of phonetic notes. Returning home in high spirits, Ye Muqi's good mood was contagious, infecting her older brother, Ye Zihan. She promised that if she became famous, he would be her golden manager.
Ye Zihan, who adored his sister, was genuinely happy for her. Soon, the day of the preliminary round arrived. The event was filled with amusing and chaotic performances. Yuan Ke'er presented an "dark rock" style "We Will Rock You," which was swiftly rejected by the judges. Another bizarre group featured one person singing while the other merely clapped. The mischievous Huang Nan and Huang Yi attempted a "Cheering Song" performance, but their antics led to their disqualification from the finals.
Xue Xiaodong showcased his idol-level talent, while Guan Xinyi, as always, aimed for first place. Ye Muqi, performing last, sang "Hello" with great effort and concentration, nervously awaiting the results. The judges announced five students would advance to the finals: Xue Xiaodong, Bobo, Li Qiang, Qi Nuo, and Guan Xinyi. Ye Muqi felt a pang of disappointment. Seeing this, Xue Xiaodong, with a slight smile, approached the stage.
He announced that as a celebrity, he had ample opportunities to perform and thus forfeited his spot, wishing to give another student a chance. Consequently, Ye Muqi, who was ranked sixth, successfully advanced to the finals. Just as she was celebrating, the judges made another announcement: the final round would not be a solo performance, but a duet. Ye Muqi was immediately worried, wondering who she could possibly find as a partner.
Ye Muqi first approached Huang Nan and Huang Yi, but their over-the-top and unreliable ideas, which included performing dialect versions of songs, dressing in peculiar costumes like Calabash Brothers or Matryoshka dolls in bikinis, and even throwing smoke bombs, quickly showed they were not suitable partners. With Xue Xiaodong having already withdrawn, her only remaining option was Liao Danyi. Liao Danyi, however, refused, stating he disliked singing in public. Despite Ye Muqi's pleas, he remained unyielding.
As a result, she was disqualified from the competition for failing to find a partner, though she still wished to perform one last song on stage to fulfill her wish. During the finals, Ye Muqi, disqualified but determined, took the stage to sing and play the piano. She poured her heart into the performance, captivating everyone present. Suddenly, the main doors burst open, and a familiar figure emerged from the light: Liao Danyi.
He appeared like a heroic figure, and the crowd erupted in excitement, knowing he had come to help Ye Muqi. No one had ever heard Liao Danyi sing before, but with such a handsome appearance, they assumed his singing couldn't be bad. He took the microphone, and the audience's hearts pounded with anticipation and excitement. However, a moment later, a rough, guttural shriek pierced through the microphone.
All expressions froze; they couldn't believe that this "pig-slaughtering" howl was Liao Danyi's voice! It turned out he was the true tone-deaf one. Liao Danyi, completely oblivious to the shock and horror of the audience, confidently walked onto the stage and began to sing with Ye Muqi, who was caught between laughter and tears. In the end, despite Liao Danyi's "powerful" assistance, they finished in last place.
On another bright day, the students of Class 10, Senior 1, were out and about. Shen Wei was seen fortune-telling, while Li Yao was instructing Xiong Tiancheng on martial arts moves for his novel. Yuan Ke'er was reluctantly helping the homeroom teacher move textbooks. Xue Xiaodong made a "coincidental" appearance for an announcement, where he ran into Zhu Shanqi and invited her for coffee. Huang Nan and Huang Yi were once again causing mischief and being chased by Director Yan.
Meanwhile, Ye Muqi and Liao Danyi, the bickering duo, were arguing as usual. Ye Muqi asserted that her statements were always true, while Liao Danyi, ever the contrarian, playfully refuted them, leading to their typical playful banter. Having experienced their share of ups and downs, joys and sorrows, the laughter of Class 10, Senior 1 at Maple Leaf High School would never cease, and their story continued.
