Twenty Your Life On Episode 1 Recap
> Twenty Your Life On Recap
Jiang Xiaoguo, Luo Yan, and Duan Jiabao are three senior students sharing a dorm at South China University of Finance. They live harmoniously and dislike their fourth roommate, Liang Shuang, who has moved out. Luo Yan even changed the dorm's WiFi password to the initials of "I hope Liang Shuang won't come back," and they pile unused items on Liang Shuang's bed.
Jiang Xiaoguo, who struggles financially, one morning accidentally drops her old iPhone 5 into the toilet after getting breakfast for her roommates. Despite its age and condition, she refuses to discard it, jokingly noting that its outdated appearance deters thieves and ensures she doesn't have to pay for meals.
She borrows new clothes from a colleague to project a professional image for an important interview alongside her supervisor, Yi, with the boss of Yixian Company, hoping to secure a full-time position. After the interview, while changing her high heels for flats outside her company, Jiang Xiaoguo is unexpectedly confronted by her ex-boyfriend, Zhao Dachuan, who had previously cheated on her. He expresses remorse for his past actions.
Though she despises him, Jiang Xiaoguo maintains a facade of indifference, proudly stating she works at "Finance Now" in the prominent building. Zhao Dachuan, impressed by her position at a company he had unsuccessfully applied to multiple times, asks to reconnect on WeChat. Jiang Xiaoguo, momentarily forgetting her composure, pulls out her ancient iPhone 5. To save face, she quickly claims her new iPhone is charging upstairs. Zhao Dachuan then invites her to their class reunion.
Determined not to be outshone, Jiang Xiaoguo resolves to buy a new phone for the event. She ponders whether to impress him with her success or to demonstrate complete indifference, ultimately deciding to attend the reunion to show she is unaffected. Duan Jiabao, at Jiang Xiaoguo's suggestion, attends a film and television company recruitment fair, where she encounters Xiaobing, another fervent "Youlili" solo fan.
Delighted to find a kindred spirit, Duan Jiabao, who had purchased two sets of a limited-edition fan keychain, generously gives one to Xiaobing. They decide to have Japanese cuisine, and Xiaobing, claiming a stomachache, leaves Duan Jiabao to pay the bill of 566 Yuan from her sizable 7,623 Yuan membership card balance. Soon after, Xiaobing brazenly asks Duan Jiabao to buy tickets for Youlili's concert in Hong Kong.
Luo Yan expresses strong disapproval, accusing Xiaobing of extorting money from Duan Jiabao, contrasting Xiaobing's behavior with Jiang Xiaoguo's practice of saving money with coupons. Duan Jiabao, however, staunchly defends Xiaobing, dismissing Luo Yan's concerns. Jiang Xiaoguo's financial woes worsen when her old phone dies while she's on a call with her mother, who is struggling to withdraw money from WeChat. This reinforces Jiang Xiaoguo's determination to buy a new phone, but she finds herself 300 Yuan short.
Luo Yan suggests she collect an old 300 Yuan debt from Wang Wei, a classmate who just received a scholarship. Jiang Xiaoguo goes to Wang Wei, bringing her bananas, and reminds her about the loan, which Wang Wei "forgot." Wang Wei agrees to repay the 300 Yuan once her scholarship is disbursed, assuring Xiaoguo it would be before Saturday. However, Jiang Xiaoguo later spots Wang Wei buying new clothes for job interviews with the scholarship money.
When confronted, Wang Wei claims the new clothes and shoes are crucial for her future, a "steppingstone to success" in her interviews. Jiang Xiaoguo argues that Wang Wei should earn money through her own efforts, for example by passing professional exams like the CFA, instead of relying on others. Wang Wei dramatically breaks down in tears, making it appear that Jiang Xiaoguo is cruelly bullying her.
Onlookers glare at Jiang Xiaoguo, prompting an embarrassed Duan Jiabao and Luo Yan to quickly escort her away. Feeling wronged and hurt by her friends' lack of support, Jiang Xiaoguo is further frustrated when she finds 300 Yuan on her desk, including a Hong Kong dollar, suspecting it was from Duan Jiabao, who along with Luo Yan, urged her to "be generous" and "let it go" for dorm harmony, citing Wang Wei's old shoes.
Jiang Xiaoguo feels deeply misunderstood and betrayed, crying that she is seen as "vain, selfish, and money-loving," and lamenting that she wouldn't be so petty if her family were wealthy. A cold war ensues between Jiang Xiaoguo and her roommates. Meanwhile, Luo Yan accompanies Duan Jiabao to a KTV outing with Xiaobing, concerned that Xiaobing would continue to exploit her friend. As expected, Xiaobing orders lavishly, inviting numerous guests she claimed were Youlili fans.
Luo Yan soon discovers that Xiaobing herself is a "fence-sitter fan" (one who frequently changes idols) and is actually interested in a male star named Zilu, revealing Xiaobing's deception regarding her fandom. Realizing Xiaobing's true manipulative nature, Duan Jiabao, with Luo Yan's encouragement, quietly leaves the KTV after transferring only her and Luo Yan's share of the extravagant bill to Xiaobing, then immediately blocks her.
Duan Jiabao asserts she is rich but "not stupid," marking a significant change in her character. Jiang Xiaoguo, determined to retrieve her money, follows Wang Wei to a shoe store. As Wang Wei attempts to purchase new shoes, Jiang Xiaoguo confronts her, preventing the transaction. Wang Wei, once again, resorts to feigning distress, but this time, Duan Jiabao and Luo Yan arrive, firmly supporting Jiang Xiaoguo.
They challenge Wang Wei's "moral blackmail," asserting that while Jiang Xiaoguo has the means to help, she has "no obligation" and Wang Wei should earn money through work. With her friends' backing, Jiang Xiaoguo successfully reclaims her 300 Yuan. Duan Jiabao then recounts the KTV incident to Jiang Xiaoguo, explaining how Xiaobing's deception led her to stand up for herself. Jiang Xiaoguo is genuinely touched and relieved, acknowledging Duan Jiabao's positive transformation.
With her money recovered, Jiang Xiaoguo buys a new Huawei phone — the same model as her mother's — and patiently teaches her mother over the phone how to withdraw money from WeChat, choosing to skip the class reunion, believing "the best way to get back at your ex is to stand him up and make him disappointed." Later that evening, her own shoes, a pair of fake "Mike" brand, fall apart after dinner.
Upon returning to their dorm, the three friends are stunned to find Liang Shuang, who had moved out long ago, back in residence. Liang Shuang promptly removes all their belongings from her bed and demands they turn off the lights at 10:30 PM, as she wants to sleep. The next morning, Liang Shuang asks for the WiFi password. Duan Jiabao almost blurts out the old password, but Jiang Xiaoguo quickly distracts her and covertly signals Luo Yan to change it.
Luo Yan swiftly changes the password to the initials of "We won't have good days anymore," a remark that visibly causes Liang Shuang's expression to harden. Jiang Xiaoguo then goes to work. She discovers that her supervisor, Yi, who had intended to offer her a full-time position, has suddenly resigned. Later that evening, back in the dorm, Jiang Xiaoguo discusses her plan to secure her full-time position by writing a viral article about online dating sites with Luo Yan.
Liang Shuang emerges from the bathroom and, as on the previous night, declares it's 10:30 PM and demands they turn off the lights for her to sleep. Duan Jiabao and Luo Yan look to Jiang Xiaoguo in silent plea. Jiang Xiaoguo, gathering her courage, attempts to argue with Liang Shuang but is quickly outmatched and reluctantly complies, turning off the lights.
