The Hope Episode 12 Recap
> The Hope Recaps
In 2009, at Xingzhou Normal University, Sang Xia was preparing for her postgraduate exams amidst a significant increase in applicants. Despite the fierce competition, Sang Xia often felt sleepy, prompting her friend Bai Lu to urge her to stay focused. Bai Lu shared concerns about a senior psychology graduate who had changed jobs three times due to immense work pressure and nearly suffered a psychological breakdown, illustrating the grim reality of their chosen field.
Another student revealed her plan to study abroad for IELTS, openly stating her intention to marry a finance student from Cambridge, believing that for people like them, pursuing a successful partner was a better investment than continued academic struggle. Sang Xia challenged this, asserting that true capability came from self-reliance. This sentiment was echoed by other classmates who expressed frustration with their psychology major, deeming it useless and leading to a difficult job search.
The pressure culminated in one student having an emotional breakdown, declaring she was giving up on further studies. Meanwhile, during a senior year head teachers' meeting, Mr. Xiao announced that the upcoming monthly exam would follow a strict syllabus to instill urgency. He declared that if Class 11's academic performance did not show significant improvement, he would personally recommend its disbandment. Sang Xia immediately objected, arguing that the class needed more time to prove itself.
However, Lei Ming interrupted her, calmly accepting the challenge and setting a target score of 450 points for the monthly exam, pledging to disband the class himself if they failed. Mr. Xiao agreed to the terms. The students were dismayed by the daunting 450-point target, feeling it was unattainable. Sang Xia tried to deflect blame to Lei Ming, but a student pointed out that simply passing all six subjects would collectively achieve that score.
Lei Ming then informed the class that specialized teachers from Minglong Experimental High School would provide substitute classes, grouping students according to their subject choices. A day prior, Lei Ming had met with Mr. Wang, proposing a marketing strategy for Class 11.
He presented each student as a unique "product" with a compelling narrative: Cheng Yushan, a "rebel girl" on the path to a prestigious university; Li Ran, a "handsome, miserable, and talented" underdog; Jiang Qinglang, a "sunny doctor's son" suitable for bundled marketing, predicted to be the first to gain a fan base; Bian Xiaoxiao, a "village girl" symbolizing a "lucky fish" narrative of overcoming adversity; and Yu Yang, described as the "most boring" but a reliable "Monk Sha" whose four years in high school for Qingbei was a "gimmick" in itself.
Lei Ming also boasted that other institutions had previously adopted his marketing ideas. Impressed by Lei Ming's bold, commodity-like analysis of students, Mr. Wang acknowledged the critical importance of the upcoming monthly exam. Later that day, Sang Xia found Lei Ming in the office, behaving secretively after hours. She pointed out his body language, suggesting he was lying about organizing study materials.
Lei Ming dismissed her observations, and Sang Xia clarified her disinterest in his private life unless it interfered with Class 11 matters. Sang Xia and Lei Ming swapped shifts for evening self-study, as Sang Xia had an appointment. It turned out to be an alumni reunion where her best friend, Bai Lu, intended to confront her rival, Song Jie, who had returned from abroad. Bai Lu, having dressed elaborately, was surprised when Lei Ming also arrived.
At the dinner, Bai Lu shocked Sang Xia by introducing Lei Ming as her fiancé, later admitting she had paid him to accompany her. Song Jie dominated the conversation, boasting about her husband's family wealth and belittling the psychology major. Other alumni echoed similar sentiments, sharing how they had abandoned their psychology degrees for more practical careers. Lei Ming seized the moment to promote his career planning philosophy, asserting that subject and major choices were pivotal life decisions.
Disgusted by what she perceived as a "complaint session" about their profession rather than a genuine reunion, Sang Xia abruptly excused herself, claiming school work, ignoring Bai Lu's pleas to stay. That night, while helping his grandmother with recycling, Li Ran discovered Shen Yao in the basement, visibly distressed and groaning in pain. Shen Yao reacted violently to Li Ran's presence, repeatedly shouting at him to leave.
The next day, Shen Yao arrived at school for the monthly exam wearing a wrist brace. This exam was crucial for Class 11's survival, and every student gave their all. Before the test, Lei Ming lightly told the students it would be "okay to disband" if they failed. Strict exam regulations were announced, prohibiting electronic devices and emphasizing silence. When the results were posted, Shen Yao once again topped his grade. The Class 11 students anxiously checked their scores.
Yu Yang, Cheng Yushan, and Jiang Qinglang all celebrated surpassing the 450-point mark. However, Li Ran and Bian Xiaoxiao did not meet the target. Mr. Xiao immediately confronted Lei Ming, demanding he submit the disbandment application. Lei Ming, however, countered that Mr. Xiao was mistaken, as Class 11's "average" score was 452. 2, exceeding the target. He argued this demonstrated "team spirit" and "class honor."
The Principal intervened, acknowledging the significant improvement under Lei Ming's guidance and deferring the final decision until the end-of-semester exam, thereby saving Class 11 from immediate disbandment. That evening, Lei Ming treated the class to a celebratory dinner for their "team victory." He distributed cash bonuses: 100 yuan for every point above 450. Yu Yang received 4400 yuan, Cheng Yushan 1100 yuan, and Jiang Qinglang 500 yuan.
For Li Ran and Bian Xiaoxiao, who fell short, Lei Ming advanced them 1000 yuan each, telling them they now "owed" him points for the next exam. Sang Xia criticized this as "transactional parenting," but Lei Ming countered that the "why" of studying didn't matter as long as there was serious effort. The students eagerly accepted the money, calling him "Boss Lei."
Lei Ming then announced that the students would pay for the dinner, and the target score for the next monthly exam would be 500 points. In a subsequent career planning class, Lei Ming attributed their exam failures to poor subject choices, often influenced by parents or personal interests without strategic foresight. He highlighted that the "new college entrance exam" was a "rare benefit for underachievers" that they were misusing.
He revealed that their current subject combinations, except for Bian Xiaoxiao's and Jiang Qinglang's, would severely limit their university major options nationwide. He then presented new subject combinations, strongly advocating for "pure science" for most students, particularly physics, as it was the most competitive path to top universities like Qingbei. Sang Xia challenged Lei Ming, arguing that career planning should prioritize self-understanding and personal growth, not just enrollment rates. She questioned if he considered the students' "likes, suitability, or willingness."
Lei Ming retorted that such considerations were "meaningless in this adult world." A student remarked that Lei Ming's earlier bonuses were a manipulative prelude to this subject change, and Sang Xia accused Lei Ming of hypocrisy and using "unscrupulous means" under the guise of helping students. The argument ended with Lei Ming inviting them to a "reality experience class" the next day.
The following day, Lei Ming took the class to a job fair for a social experience lesson, arranging for them to act as mock interviewers. They witnessed several candidates, including an anxious postgraduate who had abandoned his passion for philosophy to study finance due to parental pressure, and an outwardly confident Qingbei graduate who was privately struggling with immense pressure and self-doubt.
Deeply affected, Sang Xia confronted Lei Ming, arguing his methods ignored the students' mental well-being and would only create "pathetic survivors" in a lifelong competition. Lei Ming, in turn, challenged Sang Xia's own career choices, asking why she, a graduate of Xingzhou Normal University, pursued a master's degree from Huashi Normal University if not for the value of higher education.
He argued that her actions proved the importance of academic credentials in securing a position at a prestigious institution like Mingying High School. Disillusioned, Sang Xia declared her immediate departure from Class 11, stating her idealistic approach was naive. She emphasized that "liking, suitability, and willingness" always held meaning for a human being. Her students called after her as she left.
Later, Sang Xia reflected on her decision, questioning if happiness was less important than achieving high scores, making money, and buying a house. She pondered the meaning of her own persistence. She then visited her former teacher, Lei Lizhou, who was in a care facility. Speaking to him, she criticized Lei Ming, stating he could never achieve the "Lizhou Miracle" because its true essence was providing "companionship and hope" to lost students, not merely boosting scores.
Lei Lizhou, suffering from memory loss, did not recognize Sang Xia when she introduced herself as his student. Just then, Lei Ming arrived and took over from Chief Nurse Yang to assist Lei Lizhou.
