The Heart of Genius Episode 16 Recap
> The Heart of Genius Recap
The previous night, Luo Jing expressed concern about Pei Zhi's unusual behavior, but Pei Donglai dismissed it and engaged Pei Zhi in a game of "Fight the Landlord." Earlier, Lin Zhaoxi had called Pei Zhi, discussing the strange turn of events where Ji Jiang, a celebrity in the Strawberry World, had become her younger brother in this Cheese World. She worried that her presence might have altered his fate, making him a struggling student instead of a rising star.
Pei Zhi reassured her, suggesting they discuss it further at school, before hanging up as his parents were present. The next morning, Lin Zhaoxi overslept, causing Ji Jiang to complain as it was her turn to make breakfast. Lin Zhaosheng quickly prepared a simple meal, urging them to hurry to avoid being late. Lin Zhaosheng then took Lin Zhaoxi to the bus stop on his electric bike, having sold his motorcycle previously because she deemed it unsafe.
Despite his efforts, they missed the bus. Lin Zhaoxi, now late for class, was reprimanded by Mr. Xie, who kept a watchful eye on students from outside the classroom. Lin Zhaoxi lamented the struggles of senior year, but Pei Zhi encouraged her to find joy amidst the difficulties. During English class, Lin Zhaoxi passed a note to Pei Zhi, expressing her guilt over Ji Jiang's altered path.
Pei Zhi responded that each world had its unique trajectory and suggested Ji Jiang might thrive through a talent show. Lin Zhaoxi, however, doubted this. When the English teacher noticed them passing notes, Lin Zhaoxi was made to stand up and read from the textbook. To everyone’s surprise, she read fluently with accurate pronunciation, earning applause from her classmates and a reprieve from the teacher.
After class, Pei Zhi candidly asked Lin Zhaoxi about her feelings toward living in the Cheese World. He believed it offered a chance for a fresh start, where their parents were healthy and he and Lin Zhaoxi were together, famed as "mysterious deskmates" or "legends" of Experimental High School. He urged her to consider staying, emphasizing that they had lost everything in the Strawberry World, but here they could study mathematics together at Sanwei University.
Lin Zhaoxi, however, maintained that despite the Cheese World's beauty, they belonged to the Strawberry World. She likened their situation to having "rocks in their socks," asserting that they should remove the stones rather than "change shoes." She spoke of her "sick Old Lin" who needed her, and her inability to lose him.
Pei Zhi then revealed his own pain, explaining that returning to the Strawberry World would mean witnessing his father's disappearance for a second time, a trauma he was "not brave enough" to endure. He desperately pleaded with her to reconsider. During a math class, as the teacher solved a problem, Lin Zhaoxi recalled a past warning not to let her father delve deeply into mathematics if she wished him to live.
This memory, coupled with Pei Zhi’s heartfelt plea, brought her immense inner conflict, but ultimately, she firmly told Pei Zhi, "Sorry, we have to go back." Later, Mr. Xie announced the upcoming basketball game and urged players to prioritize safety. After class, Lin Zhaoxi was confronted by Bao Xiaomeng, who, along with Qi Qi, tried to persuade her to join the cheerleading squad.
Lin Zhaoxi, finding the idea childish, offered various excuses, claiming she was still weak from heatstroke and would faint on stage. Bao Xiaomeng, however, noticed Lin Zhaoxi's recent strange behavior and accused her of being afraid of embarrassment, pointing out that Lin Zhaoxi used to be the most enthusiastic, even "shameless" when chasing Zheng Tianming. Feeling rejected, Bao Xiaomeng declared she wouldn't speak to Lin Zhaoxi anymore. Qi Qi intervened and convinced Bao Xiaomeng to give Lin Zhaoxi another chance.
Bao Xiaomeng returned, issuing an ultimatum: join the squad or she would reveal to Lin Zhaosheng that Lin Zhaoxi and another girl fought over buying Zheng Tianming milk tea. Lin Zhaoxi reluctantly agreed, viewing it as payment for Bao Xiaomeng's imagined help in "taking care of Old Lin," a comment that left Bao Xiaomeng confused. The basketball game between Class 1 and Class 13 began with fervent cheering from both sides.
During halftime, Lin Zhaoxi suggested the cheerleading squad dance with masks, but Bao Xiaomeng adamantly refused. Lin Zhaoxi, despite her initial reluctance, took to the stage with Qi Qi and Bao Xiaomeng, performing a synchronized dance that captivated the audience and earned widespread applause. In the second half, Class 1 maintained a lead of 45:37.
However, the game took a turn when Chen Chu from Class 1 committed an aggressive foul against Zheng Tianming of Class 13, causing him to fall. Zheng Tianming then noticed a suspicious change on the scoreboard, with Class 13's score dropping from 37 to 33. Zhang Liang of Class 1 arrogantly dismissed the issue, claiming they would still win even if they "gave" Class 13 four points. This sparked outrage among Class 13 players, leading to a full-blown brawl.
The commotion drew the attention of Zhang Shuping, the newly appointed principal, whose presence surprised Lin Zhaoxi. Zhang Shuping demanded an explanation. Lin Zhaoxi recounted the events: Chen Chu's foul, the accidental knocking over of the scoreboard, the subsequent change in Class 13's score, Zhang Liang's condescending remarks, and the ensuing fight. Zhang Liang, in turn, accused Class 13 of trying to manipulate the score.
To resolve the dispute, Pei Zhi meticulously recited every single point scored by Class 13, detailing each shot (a lay-up, a perimeter shot, a free throw, a bank shot, two perimeter shots, a three-pointer, two lay-ups, a three-pointer, a bank shot, a tip-in, two free throws, a three-pointer, a perimeter shot, and a lay-up), confirming their score of 37 points. He even offered to provide the names of the scoring players and further match details.
Zhang Liang then conceded that the scoreboard might have been incorrect but blamed Class 13 for escalating to a physical fight. Zhang Shuping, after hearing both sides, declared that Class 13 students would remain for disciplinary action while Class 1 could return to their classroom. He sternly rebuked Class 13 for prioritizing basketball scores over their poor academic performance and for being quick to fight. He announced that those involved would receive "serious demerits."
Lin Zhaoxi vehemently argued against the unfairness of this decision, demanding that he investigate the truth instead of simply siding with the "better performing" class. Angered, Zhang Shuping invoked the pressure of the upcoming college entrance exam before dismissing her. Back in the Class 13 classroom, the returning players were hailed as heroes. Mr. Xie, upon learning that Class 1 had initiated the altercation, marched directly to Principal Zhang Shuping.
During their heated discussion, Zhang Shuping noted that Mr. Xie had reverted to calling him "Teacher Zhang" instead of "Principal Zhang" out of disapproval. Mr. Xie asserted that the principal’s handling of the situation was unfair, with both classes deserving responsibility, and that Class 1 was the aggressor. Zhang Shuping, however, claimed his intent was to "stimulate" Class 13, hoping to motivate them to "focus on their studies" and transform a negative event into a positive one.
Mr. Xie strongly disagreed, warning that such an approach would "ruin their values of right and wrong." Despite the clash, Zhang Shuping, acknowledging Mr. Xie's firm stance, agreed to reduce the "serious demerits" to regular "demerits" that would not be recorded in permanent files and could be "automatically canceled" by the end of the semester for good behavior. This lighter punishment was also extended to the Class 1 students involved.
Zhang Shuping also urged Mr. Xie to "keep an eye on Lin Zhaoxi," recognizing her as a "good seedling." Meanwhile, the Class 1 teacher announced the disciplinary action to her students, lamenting their involvement in a fight with the "worst" Class 13. Zhang Liang and his friends expressed their defiance, but the teacher advised them to strive for good academic performance to have their demerits revoked.
Zhang Liang, however, boasted that his father had connections with the "director of the education authority," implying he could easily resolve the issue. After school, Pei Zhi offered to walk Lin Zhaoxi home. Initially hesitant, she eventually agreed, admitting she found high school "not bad actually," and even confessed to making many mistakes during her cheerleading dance, though Pei Zhi insisted her performance looked intentionally unique and natural.
Their pleasant conversation was interrupted when they encountered Zhang Liang and five of his Class 1 teammates waiting for a ride. Zhang Liang confronted Pei Zhi, calling him a "traitor" for siding with Class 13. Pei Zhi calmly stated he merely presented the facts. Zhang Liang then attempted to persuade Pei Zhi to rejoin Class 1, offering to help him tutor Lin Zhaoxi so she could also transfer.
Lin Zhaoxi vehemently refused the tutoring, exclaiming that Zhang Liang "might as well beat me!" Pei Zhi, stating he could defeat them but didn't wish to harm "children," grabbed Lin Zhaoxi's hand, and they fled. Zhang Liang's group, joined by Lu Zhihao who was passing by, pursued them. As the chase intensified, Lu Zhihao tried to mediate, reminding Zhang Liang and his friends of the potential negative impact on their college applications and overseas study plans.
Just then, a group of ruffians led by Da Tou arrived. Recognizing Lin Zhaoxi as "Xi Ge" (Sister Xi) from the welfare home, Da Tou pledged to protect her. An exchange of insults quickly escalated, and Da Tou struck Zhang Liang. In the ensuing chaos, Lu Zhihao was pushed down a flight of stairs, breaking his arm. Seeing this, Da Tou and his gang immediately fled.
Meanwhile, Zhang Shuping visited Lin Zhaosheng, attempting to persuade him to open a mathematics cram school. Zhang Shuping highlighted the impending college expenses for Lin Zhaoxi and Ji Jiang, estimating tuition and living costs at 40,000 to 50,000 yuan annually, suggesting Lin Zhaosheng’s current salary would be insufficient. Lin Zhaosheng, however, was deeply absorbed in his P/NP research, asserting he was "just one step away" from a breakthrough and unwilling to abandon two decades of work.
Zhang Shuping urged him to be realistic, reminding him that many in fundamental mathematics often spend a lifetime pursuing goals that may prove unattainable or even nonexistent. He noted that even success in P/NP research would primarily yield "academic recognition," not "fame and fortune." Lin Zhaosheng remained steadfast. Zhang Shuping then offered to cover Lin Zhaoxi and Ji Jiang's tuition expenses, but before Lin Zhaosheng could respond, both men received urgent phone calls.
They rushed to the hospital, where Lu Zhihao was being treated for an "ulnar radius fracture and multiple contusions," requiring internal plate fixation surgery. His mother anxiously inquired if this injury would jeopardize his dream of becoming a surgeon, to which the doctor replied it was "hard to say" and depended on his recovery. At the hospital, Zhang Liang's mother tried to deflect blame, arguing that since no one witnessed the fall, her family shouldn't bear sole responsibility.
Zhang Liang, however, took full responsibility, admitting it was his fault for involving Lu Zhihao. His mother then fiercely defended him, characterizing the incident as a mere "accident." This prompted a heated argument with Lu Zhihao's mother, who was furious at the attempt to downplay the incident and argued about responsibility and medical costs.
