When I Fly Towards You Recap, Plot, Synopsis
When I Fly Towards You Synopsis
Sixteen-year-old high school girl Su Zaizai grew up in a good family environment and became a person who is not infatuated, does not blindly follow others, and has her own opinions.
On the first day of high school, Su Zaizai, who showed disdain for her good friend's infatuation, was instantly proven wrong when she encountered the aloof and handsome Zhang Lurang.
Su Zaizai fell in love at first sight with Zhang Lurang and decided to immediately take the offensive, transforming herself into a follower behind Zhang Lurang.
However, behind the appearance of excellent academic performance and a privileged family background, Zhang Lurang is a "contradictory" person wrapped in self-doubt.
Due to the existence of his genius younger brother, Zhang Luli, he is always compared to his brother by his mother. For over a decade, Zhang Lurang's life has been like living in a thick shell. He is reserved and speaks little, appearing composed and polite, but always keeps people at a distance.
However, after encountering Su Zaizai, Zhang Lurang's "thick shell" of a life finally starts to let light shine through. The acquaintance between the two brings about a wonderful chemical reaction in their lives.
When I Fly Towards You Recap
Episode 1 Recap
Su Zaizai, a vibrant young girl, was on the cusp of a significant new chapter: high school. Though a bit nervous, she was also filled with anticipation. She couldn't have foreseen that romance would sprout unexpectedly, all beginning with a chance encounter. One rainy day, while at a supermarket, the sky opened up. Su Zaizai took shelter under the store's eaves and noticed a tall boy walking unhurriedly through the downpour.
She muttered to herself, wondering why he wasn't running and calling him an "idiot." The boy, after buying two bottles of Coca-Cola, paused briefly before nonchalantly walking back into the rain. Su Zaizai's gaze lingered on him, and his tall, handsome figure instantly captivated her. On the first day of school, Su Zaizai and her best friend, Jiang Jia, were running late.
In their haste, Su Zaizai dropped her wallet, which was fortuitously picked up by Zhang Lurang, who was also late. Noticing her school uniform, he decided to take the wallet to the school's broadcast studio. Meanwhile, Su Zaizai and Jiang Jia were stopped at the gate by a senior student. As the senior took their names, Gu Ran tried to slip past but was also caught.
Reluctant to give his own name, he remained silent as the senior misidentified him as "Zhang Lurang" from a book he was holding. Gu Ran let the mistake stand. The mix-up was compounded when the real Zhang Lurang, also arriving late, learned that his name had already been taken. In retaliation, he registered under Gu Ran's name, solidifying the identity swap.
Jiang Jia, having spent the previous night on the school's online forum, had learned that Zhang Lurang and Gu Ran were celebrated freshmen. Unaware of the mix-up, she believed the boy at the gate (Gu Ran) was the real Zhang Lurang. Later, when Su Zaizai realized her wallet was missing, it had already been turned in to the broadcast studio by Zhang Lurang.
The staff found a student ID inside with the eccentric name "Audrey Hepburn of the School" and broadcast it, to Su Zaizai's acute embarrassment. She and Jiang Jia rushed to the studio, where they learned two boys, "Zhang Lurang" and "Gu Ran," had returned it. As Jiang Jia called out to the pair leaving downstairs, Su Zaizai’s eyes fell upon the boy from the rainy day.
Her heart pounded as she crouched down, now convinced that her crush's name was Gu Ran. Before classes began, students departed for a week of military training. When the bus for Class 9 was found to be overcrowded, the teacher asked for volunteers to move to the half-empty bus for Class 1. Knowing that the famed freshmen were in Class 1, Su Zaizai immediately volunteered, dragging Jiang Jia with her.
On the Class 1 bus, Su Zaizai was delighted to see the boy she believed to be Gu Ran (who was actually Zhang Lurang). He even helped her place her luggage on the overhead rack. This small gesture filled her with joy, and she told Jiang Jia it was the perfect chance to thank "Gu Ran" for her wallet. Later, Su Zaizai confidently pointed toward her crush when Jiang Jia asked where the famous boys were.
However, Jiang Jia couldn't confirm the identity, as she could only see the back of his head. The military training instructor, Mr. Fang, proved to be incredibly strict, demanding all students surrender snacks and electronics. Jiang Jia’s attempt to hide snacks failed, and she was punished with fifty frog jumps. Gu Ran, caught laughing at her predicament, was ordered to join her. As they exercised, Jiang Jia confronted him about falsely claiming to be from Class 9, which he denied.
When the instructor announced that the last person to finish would have to clean the grounds, Gu Ran quickly completed his jumps and vanished, leaving Jiang Jia to struggle alone. She fumed, calling him a "liar." Seeing Jiang Jia’s leg cramps, Su Zaizai went to the infirmary for medicine. Finding it empty and cool, she decided to rest for a moment. Suddenly, Zhang Lurang entered, claiming he had a unique constitution and needed air conditioning for his "heatstroke."
Mistaking him for a teacher, Su Zaizai tried to turn the AC off, leading to an awkward exchange before she realized he was a fellow student. Witnessing her behavior, Zhang Lurang muttered to himself that she seemed "seriously ill." Later, Su Zaizai recorded a video diary, expressing gratitude that losing her wallet led her to re-encounter the boy from the rain and learn his name: Gu Ran. Completely smitten and influenced by school gossip that praised Gu Ran as superior, she looked forward to the days to come, entirely unaware of the ongoing identity mix-up.
Episode 2 Recap
After taking a shortcut back to her dorm, Su Zaizai was asked by Jiang Jia how she knew the way. Su Zaizai revealed her hidden phone, explaining she had checked old military training gossip posts for tips. Just then, the female instructor arrived for an inspection, warning everyone to hand over any prohibited items, emphasizing it was their last chance before a personal search.
To save Su Zaizai's phone, Jiang Jia quickly declared she had private snacks and surrendered a hidden chocolate bar from under her mattress. Meanwhile, Gu Ran was caught attempting to hide his game player from an instructor. He tried to bargain for more play time by comparing different flavors of chips to game duration, but the instructor demanded he hand it over immediately. Gu Ran fled, distracting the instructor by claiming he didn't know how to fold quilts into cubes.
During the chase, Gu Ran sought Zhang Lurang's help. To evade the pursuing instructor, Zhang Lurang ducked under a staircase, where he unexpectedly found Su Zaizai on her phone. She was telling a delivery person to leave a package by the fire hydrant, explaining it was "anime merch" her parents couldn't know about. As they tensely watched the instructor approach, a student from a nearby dorm suddenly shouted that someone had fainted, drawing the instructor away.
Relieved, Zhang Lurang informed Su Zaizai the coast was clear. In the confined space under the stairs, Su Zaizai leaned on Zhang Lurang's arm, creating a moment of awkward intimacy that caused him to blush, though Su Zaizai seemed oblivious. As they walked away, Su Zaizai affectionately called him "Ran Ran," explaining that it felt more friendly. Zhang Lurang realized she had mistaken him for Gu Ran but didn't correct her.
Thinking she was talking to Gu Ran, Su Zaizai then asked about his relationship with Zhang Lurang. She criticized the Zhang Lurang (Gu Ran) for being dishonest, mentioning how he had been late and impersonated a student from her class, yet she also noted that he was the most popular student on the school's online forum. Seeing his game player, Su Zaizai offered to keep it safe for him, assuring him that girls' dorms were not strictly inspected.
Zhang Lurang handed it over, and Su Zaizai was thrilled, especially when he addressed her by her name. The next day, Gu Ran and Guan Fang were tasked with cleaning the office as punishment. Zhang Lurang attempted to get them excused for singing practice, but Gu Ran cleverly manipulated the situation by asking the instructor if Zhang Lurang could help them, to which Zhang Lurang reluctantly agreed.
Later, as the military training drew to a close, a teacher announced a singing competition between Class 9 and Class 1, asking for volunteers. When no one came forward, Su Zaizai, seeing Zhang Lurang and Gu Ran nearby, had Jiang Jia call out her name. She then dramatically declared she would sing "Secret" for "Gu Ran in Class 1." The students from Class 1 enthusiastically urged Gu Ran to stand up.
As Gu Ran rose, Su Zaizai was struck by a monumental realization: she had confused Zhang Lurang with Gu Ran all along. Fortunately, a sudden downpour brought a swift and awkward end to the competition. Taking shelter from the rain, Gu Ran smugly teased Jiang Jia, implying she had engineered their "chance meeting," but Jiang Jia promptly pushed him out into the rain, claiming there was no space left.
Meanwhile, Su Zaizai frantically searched for Zhang Lurang, wanting to apologize for her mistake. However, upon finding him, she was at a loss for words. Later, Su Zaizai confessed her blunder to Jiang Jia, lamenting that she had completely ruined her image in Zhang Lurang's eyes. Jiang Jia comforted her and suggested they use their upcoming guard duty as an opportunity for Su Zaizai to explain everything.
Su Zaizai felt hopeless, recalling that Zhang Lurang had even retorted in the rain, echoing her earlier insult by telling her to "run if it's raining, you fool." That night, Su Zaizai and Jiang Jia proceeded to their guard post. Faced with a dark, unlit path, Jiang Jia went to the equipment room for flashlights, urging Su Zaizai to be brave and wait. Concurrently, Zhang Lurang and Gu Ran were also on guard duty when the streetlights went out.
A visibly scared Gu Ran suggested Zhang Lurang get a flashlight, and when Zhang Lurang told him to go himself, Gu Ran bravely set off, only to get accidentally locked inside the equipment room. Fortunately, Jiang Jia heard his cries for help. After some playful negotiation where Gu Ran promised her "one favor," she valiantly crashed against the door, breaking it open and causing them both to tumble to the ground. While waiting, Su Zaizai encountered Zhang Lurang.
She awkwardly attempted small talk and offered to protect him, but he playfully spooked her by pointing out a harmless leaf behind her, leaving her flustered. She then took the opportunity to apologize for mistaking him for Gu Ran and for calling him a "fool." Zhang Lurang nonchalantly admitted that he had returned the insult in the rain.
Trying to lighten the mood, Su Zaizai praised his "courage" when scolding people and playfully chided his dismissive "oh," stating classmates should be friendlier. Soon after, Gu Ran and Jiang Jia returned, followed by Guan Fang, who had bought raw sweet potatoes from a vendor. The group gathered to roast them over a fire. While waiting, Guan Fang recalled a childhood prank where Zhang Lurang tricked Gu Ran into catching a jar of cockroaches, thinking they were cicadas.
When Su Zaizai asked about his childhood, Guan Fang noted that Zhang Lurang mostly studied due to strict parents. Just as they were enjoying the moment, their instructor discovered them, and they scattered into the night. The military training concluded, and Su Zaizai realized she was less afraid of ghosts, musing that it was because a quiet, prideful boy had taken up residence in her heart.
She reflected that life's unexpected turns can make even unappealing things memorable and that the uncertainty of youth is what makes each day exciting. On the final day of guard duty, Su Zaizai secretly tried to record herself and Zhang Lurang together, only for a voice to call out from the shadows, "Who's there?" leaving her to think she was doomed.
Episode 3 Recap
At the military training graduation party, Shen Qianyu, a senior and the president of the Dramatic Society, captivated the audience with his guitar performance. Gu Ran and Guan Fang remarked on how he was stealing the limelight from the younger students. Su Zaizai and Jiang Jia were initially among his admirers, but upon noticing Zhang Lurang looking in her direction, Su Zaizai immediately lost interest in Shen Qianyu and decided to leave.
The next day, the students had their first formal class of the new term with their homeroom teacher, Lin Mao, who also teaches mathematics. He introduced himself and, despite his friendly demeanor, emphasized the importance of diligence, immediately administering a pop quiz to gauge their English proficiency. After class, Lin Mao stated there was "no news" yet regarding school societies.
However, a rumor quickly spread that the societies were to be canceled, with many attributing the decision to Zhang Yan, the English teacher and Class 1 homeroom teacher, known as "the Joy Killer" for her tendency to eliminate extracurricular activities. The news made Su Zaizai, already feeling pressured by Zhang Lurang's academic excellence, even more anxious.
Observing Su Zaizai's growing obsession with Zhang Lurang's photos, Jiang Jia suggested that she should proactively learn about his interests, proposing that Gu Ran, as Zhang Lurang's close friend, would be the best source of information. During lunch, Jiang Jia tried to get information from Gu Ran.
She started by asking about his own preferences in a girl, to which he described someone with long hair, small eyes, a round face, and a gentle personality, pointedly adding that her name shouldn't be two characters long or be surnamed Jiang. When she pressed him about Zhang Lurang's type, Gu Ran refused to say, unfazed by her taunts that they must not be very close.
As they talked, Jiang Jia's admiring gaze drifted toward Shen Qianyu, which Gu Ran mistakenly interpreted as interest in himself. Later, Gu Ran and Guan Fang badgered Zhang Lurang about his ideal companion. Unaccustomed to such topics, Zhang Lurang, after some thought, began describing his pet golden retriever. He listed traits like "glossy hair," "big and round eyes," being "very smart," having a "large appetite," "loving sports," and being "passionate, upbeat, and very needy," always loving to "follow me around."
This description was passed along to Su Zaizai, who mistakenly believed he was describing his ideal girlfriend and, even more erroneously, that he was describing her. Determined to become Zhang Lurang's "ideal type," Su Zaizai set out to embody these characteristics. She first attempted to prove her intelligence by loudly reciting a physics problem's solution in front of him, only to embarrassingly state the wrong unit for acceleration.
Undeterred, she declared she would run home to showcase her love for sports, but ended up on the same bus as Zhang Lurang. On the bus, she overtly described herself, highlighting her "big and round eyes," "glossy hair," "large appetite," and love for "sports," particularly emphasizing her "needy" nature and how she loved "following people everywhere."
Recognizing the uncanny similarity to his own words, Zhang Lurang discreetly showed her a photo of his golden retriever on his phone, revealing his "ideal companion" was his pet. Su Zaizai was mortified by the misunderstanding. Su Zaizai shared her humiliating experience with Jiang Jia, who blamed Gu Ran for misleading them and vowed to get even.
The classroom atmosphere was dull due to the uncertainty surrounding the societies, but Lin Mao delivered good news: the societies were not canceled, and registration was about to begin. He warned them, however, that participation would be revoked if it negatively impacted their academic performance. Thrilled at the prospect of seeing Shen Qianyu, Jiang Jia was determined to join the Dramatic Society and urged Su Zaizai to join her.
Su Zaizai, however, was more concerned with which society Zhang Lurang would choose. It was then revealed that Gu Ran and Guan Fang had Zhang Lurang's sign-up form and intended to enroll him in the basketball society. Seizing the opportunity, Su Zaizai and Jiang Jia bribed them with a month's worth of milk tea and the WeChat contact of "the prettiest girl in our grade" to enroll Zhang Lurang in the Dramatic Society instead.
Gu Ran eagerly accepted, only to later discover the contact belonged to Jiang Jia's mother. Zhang Lurang, upon learning his form had been altered, quietly accepted his fate, his expression signaling resignation. Later, on the bus, Su Zaizai paid for Zhang Lurang's fare. She then noticed a man inappropriately leaning against a girl and bravely confronted him. The man became defensive and aggressive, but Su Zaizai stood her ground. Zhang Lurang intervened by corroborating Su Zaizai's accusation.
His support, coupled with condemnation from other passengers, pressured the man into leaving the bus at the next stop. Su Zaizai thanked Zhang Lurang, admitting she was only so brave because she knew he would support her, a notion Zhang Lurang quietly denied. She then continued to follow him home, claiming their paths simply coincided. At the first meeting of the Dramatic Society, the teacher, Xiao Kai, introduced himself.
Su Zaizai and Jiang Jia were disappointed when neither Shen Qianyu nor Zhang Lurang was present. However, their spirits lifted when Shen Qianyu arrived late and was introduced as the society's president, followed shortly by Zhang Lurang. As the meeting progressed, Su Zaizai privately reflected on her recent embarrassing encounters with Zhang Lurang, so lost in thought that she accidentally missed her bus stop on the way home.
Episode 4 Recap
The English teacher distributed the assessment exam papers, and Su Zaizai, realizing she hadn't received hers, asked the teacher about it. The teacher explained that her score, 138, was the highest across both Class 1 and Class 9, so her paper was being circulated in Class 1 as an exemplary model. Her classmates were impressed by her achievement.
When the paper reached Zhang Lurang, he was struck by her English proficiency, a stark contrast to his own failing score in what had always been his weakest subject. Su Zaizai went to Class 1 to retrieve her paper, where Gu Ran informed her that Zhang Lurang had taken it to the reading room. Seeing an opportunity for a private conversation, Su Zaizai found him there.
After jokingly claiming her test paper had a tracking device, she got to the point on their way back to class. She observed that he spent nearly half an hour on the Cloze exercises yet only answered three questions correctly, indicating a fundamental misunderstanding of the material.
Sensing his embarrassment from her directness, Su Zaizai quickly tried to backtrack by admitting her own academic struggles, claiming her combined scores in Physics and Chemistry didn't even reach 100 and that she still couldn't recite the periodic table. Despite her attempt to boost his confidence by making herself sound foolish, Zhang Lurang remained quiet. As they parted, she advised him that memorizing vocabulary would be more effective than mindlessly doing exercises.
Upon returning to class, Gu Ran told Zhang Lurang his mother was at the school. He found her in the English teacher's office, discussing his poor exam result with Ms. Zhang. His mother expressed her disappointment, unfavorably comparing him to his younger brother, Luli, who "performs excellently in all subjects" and had already "skipped to Senior Two," never causing her any worry. She remarked that she would be relieved if Zhang Lurang were even "half as excellent" as his brother.
Ms. Zhang defended him, emphasizing that his performance in science was "among the best" and urged his mother not to "deny his strong points just because of a small flaw." Visibly uncomfortable, Zhang Lurang knocked and entered. After the teacher left, his mother simply told him to focus on his studies and that she would find a way to fix his English problem. Later, Ms. Zhang was personally tutoring Zhang Lurang when Su Zaizai arrived to turn in classwork.
Needing to attend a meeting, the teacher, recognizing Su Zaizai as the high-scoring "English representative of Class 9," asked her to temporarily assist Zhang Lurang. Su Zaizai eagerly agreed. Although Zhang Lurang initially hesitated, concerned about wasting her time, Su Zaizai insisted. She proposed a mutual tutoring arrangement: she would help him with English on Saturdays, and he would help her with Math and Physics on Sundays.
Lin Mao, their math teacher who happened to overhear, praised the idea as "mutual progress." After Zhang Lurang left, Su Zaizai continued to gaze in his direction until Lin Mao asked about their relationship. Flustered, Su Zaizai blurted out, "it's not even close yet," before quickly clarifying that she meant their tutoring arrangement wasn't finalized, leaving Lin Mao bewildered. Despite Su Zaizai's persistent efforts, including offering him her meticulously compiled notes, Zhang Lurang did not agree to her tutoring proposal.
That evening, he returned home to find his mother had hired a new, arrogant tutor, Ms. Chen. Having previously taught his brother, Ms. Chen stated she only tutored top-three students and openly questioned if Zhang Lurang's "bad English foundation" could keep up with her pace. Annoyed, Zhang Lurang curtly stated he "already had a tutor" and walked out, leaving his mother confused by his sudden decision.
Meanwhile, Su Zaizai was eating oden at a supermarket due to a power outage at home. When she spotted Zhang Lurang walking by, she called out to him, lamenting how "pitiful" she felt eating alone and convincing him to join her. She persistently offered him oden, which he finally tried and admitted was tasty. Seeing his chance, Zhang Lurang then surprised her by asking, "I apply to join your English tutoring class. . . the one you mentioned this afternoon."
Thrilled, Su Zaizai assured him that as a key student, he would receive "one-on-one tutoring." She eagerly asked for his WeChat to coordinate, overjoyed by this "milestone step" in their relationship. The next day, they met as planned. Su Zaizai, who had put extra effort into her appearance, was disappointed when Zhang Lurang's only observation was her "dark circles" from a sleepless night. To make their dynamic official, she suggested he call her "Ms. Su."
After outlining her plan to have him memorize 50 words daily, he offered to pay, but she insisted on their "mutual progress" arrangement. He finally relented with a smile, formally addressing her as "Ms. Su." During P. E. class, the teacher made several students with "uncoordinated" movements, including Su Zaizai, Jiang Jia, and the Class 1 monitor Ye Zhenxin, stay behind to practice layups.
Annoyed, Ye Zhenxin, who had seen Su Zaizai tutoring Zhang Lurang, cynically remarked that Su Zaizai was in "hot pursuit." Soon after, a group of boys from another class deliberately kicked their basketball at the girls and refused to return it. Zhang Lurang, Gu Ran, and Guan Fang intervened. Zhang Lurang challenged the boys to a 3-on-3 game: if the boys lost, they had to apologize and give their ball to the girls. Zhang Lurang's team dominated, winning 21-9.
The boys reluctantly apologized and left the ball. Jiang Jia was convinced Zhang Lurang intervened for them, noting he had looked directly at Su Zaizai when accepting the challenge. Ye Zhenxin, however, fumed with jealousy. Afterward, as Su Zaizai and Jiang Jia headed off, Su Zaizai confessed she still hadn't figured out why a top student like Zhang Lurang was so weak in English, deciding to use Jiang Jia as a test subject to practice her teaching methods.
Episode 5 Recap
The basketball game concluded with Zhang Lurang and his team victorious. Gu Ran, basking in the glow of the win, strutted towards Jiang Jia, flexing his muscles and seeking her admiration. He asked if he was handsome, but Jiang Jia's attention was immediately drawn to Shen Qianyu, who had just arrived. Her eyes lit up as she cheered for him. Gu Ran, misinterpreting her enthusiasm, believed her praises were directed at him, blissfully unaware of his mistake.
Jiang Jia continued to focus solely on Shen Qianyu, even jumping up to cheer for him specifically, making it evident to everyone but Gu Ran that her admiration lay elsewhere. Guan Fang, observing the whole scene, found Gu Ran's delusion highly amusing, especially after listening to his boasts about Jiang Jia's supposed fascination with him. Later, Gu Ran confronted Jiang Jia, asking why she had been smiling in his direction if she liked Shen Qianyu.
Jiang Jia candidly stated that she had been looking at Shen Qianyu the whole time and that Gu Ran had simply been blocking her view. She even brought up a past incident where Gu Ran had impersonated Zhang Lurang, causing her to mistakenly praise the wrong person. Upon learning that Gu Ran and Shen Qianyu were family friends through their fathers, Jiang Jia's demeanor instantly shifted.
She began to flatter Gu Ran, showering him with attention and questions about Shen Qianyu's preferences. Gu Ran, trying to escape her relentless interrogation, attempted to run away, but Jiang Jia persistently followed. An opportunity arose when Shen Qianyu invited Gu Ran to dinner after a Dramatic Society meeting, offering for him to bring friends. Jiang Jia immediately declared her intention to join, claiming a "revolutionary friendship" with Gu Ran.
To ensure her inclusion, she subtly threatened to reveal an embarrassing incident where Gu Ran was locked in the equipment room, coercing him into agreeing to bring her along. Meanwhile, Su Zaizai was in high spirits, having secured the opportunity to tutor Zhang Lurang. With some pocket money from her father, she generously treated her friends to snacks and purchased some for Zhang Lurang, including meticulously prepared English notes.
She headed to Class 1 to deliver the items, finding the classroom empty. She placed the bag on Zhang Lurang's desk, attaching a note encouraging him to "Keep it up!" As she left, she encountered Ye Zhenxin, who, still holding a grudge, confronted her. Ye Zhenxin aggressively questioned Su Zaizai's presence in Class 1, to which Su Zaizai retorted curtly that she was there for a reason.
Shortly after Su Zaizai left, Ye Zhenxin discovered that their class fund was missing and immediately reported it to her teacher. Ye Zhenxin recounted her movements, mentioning that she had only seen Su Zaizai alone in the classroom when she returned. The school administrators checked the surveillance footage, which indeed showed only Su Zaizai entering Class 1 during that time, making her the prime suspect. The head teacher, Mr. Chang, summoned Su Zaizai and Lin Mao to his office.
Lin Mao tried to defend Su Zaizai, but Mr. Chang dismissed his concerns, citing the surveillance and Ye Zhenxin's exemplary record. Mr. Chang directly questioned Su Zaizai, hinting that the money she used to treat her classmates might have been the missing funds. Su Zaizai vehemently denied the accusation, asserting that it was her own money. Just as the tension escalated, Zhang Lurang arrived, clarifying that Su Zaizai was in Class 1 to deliver English notes for his tutoring sessions.
He confessed that he had asked her to keep their tutoring a secret, as he was embarrassed about his poor English skills. Despite Zhang Lurang's testimony, Mr. Chang stated that until the class fund was found, Su Zaizai would remain a subject of suspicion. Later, Zhang Lurang privately returned the notes to Su Zaizai, reiterating his trust in her.
Jiang Jia was furious when she heard about the false accusations against Su Zaizai and encouraged Su Zaizai to fake cry to gain sympathy, a skill Su Zaizai demonstrated with surprising realism. Zhang Lurang, witnessing this, decided to take action. After school, Su Zaizai resolved to find the money herself by searching the trash bins. To her surprise, she found Zhang Lurang, Gu Ran, Guan Fang, and Jiang Jia already sifting through the bins on her behalf.
Su Zaizai was deeply touched by their unwavering support. Despite their thorough efforts, the class fund remained missing. The next day, their search continued in the classroom. When they found nothing, Zhang Lurang firmly told Ye Zhenxin to search her own desk properly. Ye Zhenxin, grumbling about their bias towards an outsider, reluctantly emptied her desk. Tucked inside a book, an envelope containing the class fund was finally discovered.
Ye Zhenxin, caught, tried to deny her oversight and even suggested Su Zaizai might have put it there. Zhang Lurang sharply rebuked her, emphasizing the harm of baseless rumors and demanding that she apologize to Su Zaizai. Upon hearing the news, Su Zaizai immediately confronted Ye Zhenxin. Ye Zhenxin offered a terse, insincere apology without looking at her.
Su Zaizai firmly rejected it, explaining that an apology must be sincere to truly rectify harm, not just empty words to pretend nothing happened. The following day, the friends went to an amusement park. Su Zaizai, eager to showcase her affection, chose matching headbands, insisting that Zhang Lurang wear one. Though he initially expressed reluctance, claiming his head was too big, Zhang Lurang eventually wore the headband. The group enjoyed various thrilling rides, exhausting Gu Ran and Guan Fang.
Su Zaizai then suggested the Ferris wheel, and Zhang Lurang readily agreed. Inside the Ferris wheel, at its highest point, Su Zaizai made two heartfelt wishes: first, that everyone would achieve good results in their recent exam, and second, that Zhang Lurang would smile more often. She revealed her observation that he had "little dimples" when he smiled, which she found very charming. Zhang Lurang initially denied smiling, but Su Zaizai affectionately insisted he had, as a subtle smile played on his lips.
Episode 6 Recap
After the joint exam results were released, Su Zaizai nervously checked the scores. She didn't focus on her own performance but immediately looked for Zhang Lurang's results, especially his English score. Upon discovering he scored 101, Su Zaizai was overjoyed. She excitedly found Zhang Lurang to share the good news, but he appeared calm, explaining that he had already estimated his score after the exam.
Disappointed by the lack of surprise, Su Zaizai was then led by Zhang Lurang to see her own scores, revealing she had also done well, with a significant improvement in math thanks to his tutoring. The next day, as promised, Su Zaizai gave Zhang Lurang a talking doll as a reward for his good grades. In class, their teacher, Lin Mao, announced the upcoming autumn sports meet and asked the class monitor, Wang Nan, to handle registrations.
Most students were reluctant to participate, but Su Zaizai and Jiang Jia signed up for the 1,000 meters to help out. Meanwhile, Class 1 used a more direct method: drawing lots. Zhang Lurang drew the 100-meter sprint, while Gu Ran drew shot put. Gu Ran complained that shot put was a waste of his long legs, but when another student offered to trade for his 2,000-meter race, Gu Ran quickly decided that shot put wasn't so bad after all.
That evening, Su Zaizai messaged Zhang Lurang, confidently bragging that she would get a top-three finish in her race, as her mother could never catch her when chasing her with slippers as a child. The next morning, while on her way to buy rice noodle rolls for her father, Su Zaizai saw Zhang Lurang walking his golden retriever, Susu. Startled by the dog, which shares her nickname, she lost control of her bicycle and fell, injuring her leg.
Zhang Lurang immediately rushed her to the hospital. At the hospital, the doctor treated her external wound and ordered a CT scan to check for bone damage. While waiting, Gu Ran's father, a doctor, spotted them and commented on how surprising it was that his boisterous son was friends with such quiet students. Just then, Jiang Jia burst in, whose loud personality immediately reminded Dr. Gu of his son.
While Su Zaizai and Zhang Lurang went to get the CT results, Jiang Jia consulted Dr. Gu about her hair loss problem. Gu Ran arrived to bring his father keys and overheard their conversation, mistakenly believing Jiang Jia had a terminal illness. Distraught, he confessed to all his past pranks against her. Realizing his mistake, Jiang Jia made him promise to keep her "secret" and pulled him away, clarifying she wasn't sick without revealing the truth about her hair loss.
Zhang Lurang took Su Zaizai home, thoughtfully buying her the rice noodle rolls she wanted, and offered to take her to and from school while she recovered. Thrilled at the chance to spend more time with him, Su Zaizai decided to feign continued pain even after her leg had mostly healed. Since she could no longer compete in the sports meet, she took on the role of class photographer.
On the day of the sports meet, Su Zaizai was busy taking pictures. She watched as a teacher, Director Chang, easily won a faculty race, an annual tradition. Later, during the tug-of-war, Su Zaizai and her friends cheered loudly for their class monitor, Wang Nan. However, upon seeing Zhang Lurang in the distance, she immediately quieted down, fearing he might misunderstand her enthusiasm.
She later explained to him that they were cheering for Wang Nan, whom they nicknamed "Nan Shen" (Nan God). When Zhang Lurang asked if she was interested in him, she feigned indifference. That night, privately relieved her leg was fine, Su Zaizai lamented that her injury had healed, wondering how much longer she could keep up the pretense to enjoy rides on Zhang Lurang’s bike.
Episode 7 Recap
Gu Ran noticed Jiang Jia's constant, quiet attention on Shen Qianyu and her reluctance to approach him. Wanting to help her, he offered to bridge the gap, but Jiang Jia adamantly refused, insisting he keep her feelings a secret. She even agreed to be at his beck and call, leading Gu Ran to revel in his newfound leverage, demanding drinks and massages for his "sore" arms after shotput practice. Jiang Jia reluctantly complied, accusing him of blackmail.
Meanwhile, Su Zaizai rushed to congratulate Zhang Lurang on winning the silver medal in the 100-meter dash. Zhang Lurang dismissed it, believing only first place held true meaning. Su Zaizai reassured him that any effort was significant, telling him she would feel great even if she came in last, emphasizing his achievement. She playfully remarked that the silver medal looked as if it were tied to a red scarf. Zhang Lurang, seeing her interest, promptly offered it to her.
When other students called Su Zaizai away for group photos, she excitedly told Zhang Lurang to wait for her that night. Observing this exchange, Ye Zhenxin questioned Zhang Lurang about giving his medal away, to which he simply replied, "She likes it," leaving Ye Zhenxin speechless. Later that day, Su Zaizai returned the medal to Zhang Lurang, urging him to keep it safe as it was his first medal obtained under her watch and thus very meaningful.
She clarified that her interest wasn't in the medal itself. Just as she was explaining, Zhang Lurang suddenly uttered, "You like. . ." Before he could finish, Su Zaizai grew flustered, quickly declaring that she was only sixteen and hadn't considered such matters, then dashed away. Zhang Lurang smiled, amused by her strong reaction. Back home, a bewildered Su Zaizai immediately called Jiang Jia for an explanation.
Jiang Jia, drawing from her extensive experience with dramas and novels, suggested that such a question usually preceded either a confession of affection or a rejection. Su Zaizai decided that as long as they remained friends, it was enough. Elsewhere, Zhang Lurang pondered the interaction, looking at a gift Su Zaizai had given him, feeling his guarded emotions begin to thaw. The consistent mutual tutoring between Su Zaizai and Zhang Lurang began to yield remarkable results.
During a teachers' meeting, it was revealed that while Class 1's overall average scores were high, Class 9's English scores, thanks to some excellent students, surpassed theirs. The Head Teacher praised the idea of excellent students influencing others and suggested top performers share their study methods with other classes. He highlighted Su Zaizai from their class, whose math scores had significantly improved since forming a study group with Class 1’s Zhang Lurang.
Similarly, Zhang Lurang’s English score had jumped from 80 to 100 with Su Zaizai's help. It was decided that the highest scorers in single subjects from the last monthly exam would lead study experience sharing sessions in other classes, using the last two periods of the day. Su Zaizai was chosen to share her math experience in Class 1. She felt nervous about addressing an entire class, fearing she might fail and be mocked.
Jiang Jia, initially supportive, later empathized with Su Zaizai's worries, admitting it sounded daunting. Nevertheless, Su Zaizai went to Class 1 and delivered a successful session. Afterwards, students from Class 1 eagerly approached her for advice. Seeing the time, Zhang Lurang called out to Su Zaizai, who politely excused herself from the eager crowd and left with him.
As they walked, Su Zaizai jokingly asked if he rushed her away because he was afraid she'd neglect him if she tutored everyone. Zhang Lurang denied it, and Su Zaizai playfully promised to be responsible for him to the very end. With the school anniversary approaching, a school-wide directive mandated every student club to prepare a performance. The Drama Society decided to stage a segment of "Cinderella," with main roles to be cast from new students.
Su Zaizai declared she would only audition for Cinderella if Zhang Lurang played the prince, otherwise she had no interest. That evening, Jiang Jia informed her that Senior Shen Qianyu would be cast as the prince, disappointing Su Zaizai. However, because Ye Zhenxin also intended to audition for Cinderella and Jiang Jia strongly disliked her, Jiang Jia persuaded Su Zaizai to compete, reasoning that their combined efforts would increase their chances of winning.
Jiang Jia also pointed out that Cinderella's gown was rumored to be the most beautiful, tempting Su Zaizai with the thought of looking stunning for Zhang Lurang. Su Zaizai readily agreed. During the Cinderella audition, Ye Zhenxin attempted to solicit votes by offering cookies to classmates, including Gu Ran. Gu Ran, however, humorously declined, citing a toothache and the contagious nature of dental pain. He and his friends' votes ultimately went to Su Zaizai.
In the end, Su Zaizai narrowly won the role by a single vote. Ye Zhenxin was visibly upset, convinced Su Zaizai had secretly campaigned or that the audition was rigged. Senior Shen Qianyu calmly advised her to accept the results with an open mind, offering to show her the ballots if she didn't believe him. Ye Zhenxin declined. Su Zaizai then approached Shen Qianyu, requesting to see the voting slips, specifically to confirm who Zhang Lurang had voted for.
Upon seeing his ballot, which indeed bore her name, Su Zaizai was overjoyed. The role itself mattered little to her; Zhang Lurang’s vote was all that she needed. She even noticed Zhang Lurang’s subtle habit of touching his neck when he tried to deny voting for her, finding his shyness adorable. Having secured the role, Su Zaizai asked Zhang Lurang to help her rehearse her lines, admitting the script was extensive and difficult to memorize.
Zhang Lurang responded with a condition: he would consider helping her if she scored 90 points on the next exam he prepared for their tutoring session. Su Zaizai, though slightly disheartened by the challenging target, vowed to achieve it. The following day, with their usual tutoring room unexpectedly closed, Zhang Lurang invited Su Zaizai to his home to work on the test. Su Zaizai scored 85, five points shy of her goal.
As she despondently reviewed her paper, Lin Mao, Zhang Lurang's uncle, unexpectedly entered. Su Zaizai quickly realized that Lin Mao, a math teacher, was Zhang Lurang's uncle, explaining Zhang Lurang's excellent math skills. Lin Mao, seeing Su Zaizai's disappointment, insisted that Zhang Lurang continue tutoring her and offered to have Zhang Lurang escort her home if it got late.
As Su Zaizai was leaving, expressing her concern about rehearsing lines alone, Zhang Lurang, noting her diligent attendance and serious attitude in their recent tutoring sessions, decided to award her ten "daily performance" points. This raised her score to 95, meaning he would now help her with her lines. Su Zaizai was thrilled and thanked him for his kindness. Zhang Lurang's room became their rehearsal space, chosen for its soundproofing.
As Zhang Lurang and Su Zaizai practiced the pivotal "invitation to dance" scene, they received coaching from their classmates to infuse more emotion into Zhang Lurang's delivery. Guan Fang, playing a stepsister, questioned historical details, prompting Zhang Lurang to tell him to practice his own lines. Guan Fang then dramatically rehearsed his "evil" stepsister lines, complete with exaggerated movements. Suddenly, Zhang Lurang's Grandma walked in, mistook Guan Fang's performance for real conflict, and playfully hit him with a broom.
Realizing it was just a play for the upcoming school anniversary, Grandma became excited and settled in to watch their impromptu performance. They began to enact the classic tale, introducing Cinderella, her benevolent mother, her new stepfather, and her cruel stepsisters, who treated her as a maid.
Episode 8 Recap
Mr. Lin summoned Su Zaizai to his office. Su Zaizai was nervous, thinking she was going to be reprimanded. However, Mr. Lin expressed his gratitude for her tutoring Zhang Lurang, whose English grades had improved significantly. He revealed that he was speaking as Zhang Lurang's uncle. Su Zaizai downplayed her contribution, attributing Zhang Lurang's progress to his intelligence. Mr. Lin offered to help her with math questions, also suggesting she could ask Zhang Lurang for help.
Back in the classroom, Su Zaizai told Jiang Jia that she couldn't walk home with her that evening because she was going to tutor Zhang Lurang again. Jiang Jia noticed how happy Su Zaizai was. As Jiang Jia was about to leave, a classmate alerted her to a problem with her skirt. Embarrassed, she waited for most students to leave. She had hoped to walk home with Gu Ran, but he wanted to play basketball, not noticing her situation.
While walking home, she ran into Shen Qianyu, who offered her a ride on his bicycle. Excited, Jiang Jia took out her phone to secretly take a picture of Shen Qianyu. However, Shen Qianyu mistook it as her wanting to photograph the sunset and stopped to let her take pictures, taking pictures himself as well. Jiang Jia then took a photo of them together, cherishing the memory. The school anniversary performance day arrived.
Everyone discovered that Shen Qianyu, who was supposed to play the Prince, was in a bicycle accident and couldn't perform. The "Cinderella" play was almost canceled. Su Zaizai suggested Zhang Lurang as a replacement, as he knew the Prince's lines and had a good memory. Guan Fang pleaded with Zhang Lurang to take the role so his grandmother could see his performance. Faced with their requests, Zhang Lurang agreed to perform.
Before going on stage, Su Zaizai told Zhang Lurang to imagine the audience as cabbages to ease his nervousness. Zhang Lurang called her a "handsome cabbage" in return. The performance of "Cinderella" was a success. Zhang Lurang and Su Zaizai performed flawlessly. Gu Ran filmed the performance for Guan Fang's grandmother. After the show, a student asked Gu Ran for Jiang Jia's contact information, but Gu Ran refused.
Su Zaizai praised Zhang Lurang's performance, and they took a photo together in their costumes. Su Zaizai asked Zhang Lurang if she looked pretty. Zhang Lurang, shyly touching his neck, said, "So-so." Later, everyone visited Shen Qianyu at the hospital. Knowing Jiang Jia's feelings for Shen Qianyu, Gu Ran highlighted the fact that Jiang Jia brought pig's trotter soup made by her grandmother. Shen Qianyu asked Gu Ran to return some theater props.
Jiang Jia offered to accompany Gu Ran, worried he would lose the props. Really, she wanted to thank him for mentioning her to Shen Qianyu. The next day, Gu Ran was confronted by the basketball players he had defeated. Jiang Jia arrived and stepped in front of Gu Ran, claiming to be a martial arts expert, then pulled Gu Ran away, and they ran away from their pursuers. Jiang Jia later admitted that her martial arts claim was a bluff.
After her performance as Cinderella, Su Zaizai received attention from male students, making Zhang Lurang jealous. Noticing this, Su Zaizai mentioned to him that she had rejected requests for her social media contact and warned Zhang Lurang about accepting drinks from strangers. She told him to shout her name if he was in trouble, and she would come to his rescue. Zhang Lurang called out to Su Zaizai and said he would "try it" next time.
Meanwhile, Gu Ran stopped another student from asking Zhang Lurang for Su Zaizai's contact, advising Zhang Lurang to "keep the good things for yourself." Mr. Lin learned that Zhang Lurang had invited Su Zaizai to the aquarium and encouraged Zhang Lurang to treat her well. At the aquarium, Su Zaizai jokingly misidentified marine life, calling a salamander a "dollfish" and a stingray a "devil fish," which amused Zhang Lurang.
When she jokingly suggested cooking a fish, a child believed her, so she reassured them. Zhang Lurang spontaneously told her she was "very cute." Su Zaizai teased him about his skill in coaxing children, to which he replied that he was "forced to," then retorted that "200-month-old kids" were sensible and didn't need coaxing.
Su Zaizai discussed the "Cinderella" play's ending with Zhang Lurang, expressing her dissatisfaction with Cinderella's perceived submissiveness and questioning why a "common" girl couldn't be worthy of a prince. Zhang Lurang suggested, "Perhaps, every girl can become a princess in front of the one she loves."
Episode 9 Recap
Zhang Lurang and Su Zaizai visited the Jiangyi Aquarium, where a lost child named Dou Dou latched onto Zhang Lurang for help. The boy innocently remarked that Su Zaizai looked at Zhang Lurang the same way she looked at the fish, as if she wanted to eat him. Su Zaizai quickly clarified that it was a look of adoration. After they returned the boy to his teacher, she gave them two identical souvenir pendants as thanks.
Su Zaizai gave one to Zhang Lurang, privately cherishing it as their second matching item after their school uniforms. She then playfully told Zhang Lurang that seeing him hold the boy's hand made her picture them ten years in the future, though she quickly downplayed her own comment. Back at school, a rumor about a Mayan doomsday prophecy arriving on the 21st, right after their academic competition, caused anxiety among students.
While tutoring Zhang Lurang, Su Zaizai asked what his biggest regret would be if the world were to end. He replied that it would be not coming to Jiangyi sooner. Su Zaizai agreed, wishing she had met him earlier, and added that even if doomsday were real, getting to know him made it all worthwhile. The day before the competition in Yong'an, Jiang Jia stayed at Su Zaizai’s house.
That night, the two friends discussed their respective crushes, both admitting their feelings had made them see the boys as completely flawless. The next morning, they overslept and missed their train. Su Zaizai informed Zhang Lurang they would be taking a seven-hour bus instead. Calculating their arrival time, Zhang Lurang decided to meet them at the station.
Gu Ran insisted on going with him, grabbing an extra jacket because he predicted the often-careless Jiang Jia would forget one for Yong'an's colder climate. Su Zaizai and Jiang Jia were touched to find the boys waiting with a warm snack. Zhang Lurang explained their room assignments were separate because they had arrived late.
Su Zaizai’s roommate was Xia Ning, a student from Suyang No. 1 High School who was Zhang Lurang's junior high classmate and the daughter of his former physics teacher. Xia Ning described Zhang Lurang as exceptionally popular and asked if he had anyone special. Su Zaizai feigned ignorance, saying many girls were interested in him but he didn't seem to have a particular person in mind.
When Xia Ning inquired if Zhang Lurang's English had improved, Su Zaizai proudly credited his dedicated tutor for his significant progress. Xia Ning then mentioned that Zhang Lurang liked a "Susu," causing Su Zaizai to flush until Xia Ning clarified she meant his pet cat. Feeling unsettled by Xia Ning's familiarity with him, Su Zaizai texted Zhang Lurang, who vaguely replied he had an "impression" of Xia Ning, which Su Zaizai interpreted to mean they weren't close.
After the competition, the group decided to spend a day exploring Yong'an. They ran into Xia Ning and her father, who suggested his daughter act as their guide. Everyone agreed, but Su Zaizai felt uneasy about Xia Ning's long-standing connection to Zhang Lurang. During their visit to Mount Xiaolan, Su Zaizai’s ill-fitting shoes prevented her from hiking. Zhang Lurang stayed behind with her, bringing her jelly and reminding her she once said it cheers her up.
The two then took a cable car to the summit. He revealed he often seeks high places when he's feeling down, which prompted Su Zaizai to share her own coping methods: eating snacks, watching the sea, and, when all else fails, simply seeing him. She told him he was a "magical remedy" for some people, making them "like this world more." He quietly replied, "You already are."
Later, at the hotel, Xia Ning, who planned to study psychology, told Su Zaizai she had sensed her feelings for Zhang Lurang from their first meeting. She advised that for someone like Zhang Lurang, who struggles to express himself verbally, every step toward someone is a major effort. She encouraged Su Zaizai to pay attention to his actions and subtle gestures, as that is how he communicates.
Calling Su Zaizai Zhang Lurang's most trusted friend, Xia Ning offered one last piece of advice: "If he walks slowly, you can take the initiative to step into his world." Lying awake that night, Su Zaizai reflected on these words, pondering how to make the most of her time with Zhang Lurang.
Episode 10 Recap
The students boarded the return train after their competition. Jiang Jia reminded Guan Fang that it was the 20th, which made him suddenly remember the doomsday prediction, stating that after midnight, it would be the end of the world. He hastily sent a farewell message to his grandmother, only to receive a scolding reply.
Su Zaizai joked that they were on a train wandering at the world's end, while Jiang Jia wondered if their train would be the only one to escape the impending doom. Gu Ran then solemnly declared that the train was actually heading to Hogwarts. When Jiang Jia appeared confused, Gu Ran laughed and called her a "muggle," a term she also didn't understand, leading to hearty laughter among them all.
As the journey continued, the train's bumps lulled everyone into sleep. Su Zaizai dozed off with her head resting on instant noodles. Upon waking, she noticed how graceful Zhang Lurang looked even while sleeping and took a picture of him with her phone before contentedly falling back asleep. Only then did Zhang Lurang open his eyes, a faint smile on his face.
Gu Ran, engrossed in a game, saw Jiang Jia sleeping uncomfortably and leaned his shoulder closer for her to rest on, which she accepted with thanks after a brief, playful argument. Suddenly, Guan Fang awoke from his nap, realizing it was 11:55 PM, with only five minutes left until midnight. He roused everyone to count down. Su Zaizai, energized, pulled out her camera, suggesting they each give a one-minute final message.
Guan Fang began, reflecting on how meeting his current friends had genuinely changed and reshaped him for the better. Gu Ran then stated he had no regrets, except for not being able to watch a basketball game in the United States and see Kobe. Jiang Jia, ever the optimist, declared her confidence that the train would reach its destination. Zhang Lurang, opting not to speak, offered his minute to Su Zaizai.
She used the time to express her hope that the world would break up with doomsday, wishing for countless more minutes to spend with loved ones and build a future. As they began the final ten-second countdown, midnight passed without incident, confirming doomsday was merely a rumor. They were now back to facing the "scarier" prospect of another day of school.
Surprisingly, Teacher Zhang assigned no English homework, explaining that as they had just finished the academic competition, they should use the weekend to relax. Guan Fang decided to play basketball after school, but Wang Hao asked him to switch their cleaning duty for the day, promising to cover Guan Fang's shift the following Monday. Guan Fang, being too kind to refuse, agreed.
Gu Ran believed Guan Fang was too easygoing and that Wang Hao was clearly taking advantage of him, citing previous instances where Guan Fang had been a pushover. Recognizing that Guan Fang's good nature made him an easy target, the friends decided to advise him when they visited Madam Guan's Dessert Shop the next day. Madam Guan warmly welcomed the group. Shortly after, two troublemakers deliberately caused a scene, claiming the food was spoiled to avoid paying.
Guan Fang stopped his grandmother from intervening and went to handle the situation. He tried to appease them by offering to waive their bill, but the two men insisted on extorting money for potential medical expenses. Guan Fang gave them some money and escorted them out. However, once out of sight, Guan Fang confronted them and, after a brief scuffle, took the money back. Meanwhile, Gu Ran, noticing Guan Fang's prolonged absence, went to investigate.
Mistaking the situation, he thought the ruffians were still bothering Guan Fang and rushed forward, yelling at them. The two men, already shaken from their encounter with Guan Fang, quickly apologized and fled. Gu Ran proudly believed his actions had scared them off, wondering why they were so timid when he hadn't even laid a hand on them. Upon Guan Fang's return, Madam Guan, concerned her grandson had gotten into a fight, checked him for injuries.
Guan Fang reassured her that he had grown up and no longer resorted to violence to solve problems. As expected, Wang Hao, just as Gu Ran had predicted, tried to sneak away from cleaning duty after school. Gu Ran immediately called him out. Despite Wang Hao's excuses and the fact that both Guan Fang and Zhang Lurang offered to help out, Gu Ran remained firm, leaving Wang Hao no choice but to stay and fulfill his duty.
Later, Guan Fang was stopped by the leader of the two hooligans from the previous day. Not wanting trouble, Guan Fang prepared to leave, but the leader threatened to cause trouble at his grandmother's dessert shop. This instantly enraged Guan Fang, who charged at the three men. He single-handedly held his own, and upon witnessing this, Gu Ran and Zhang Lurang immediately joined the fray, sending the three hooligans scrambling in defeat.
After this incident, his friends finally understood that Guan Fang was not weak but simply preferred to avoid trouble. He then recounted his past from his rebellious phase in 8th grade, confessing he used to believe he could conquer the world with his fists. His temper was explosive, and he often got into fights, earning a reputation as a troublemaker who teachers saw as a bad influence.
He explained that his so-called invincibility came at a cost, as his grandmother silently bore the consequences, apologizing for his wrongdoings. He recalled a humbling moment when his grandmother, a famously fierce woman in her youth, had to humbly beg his teacher not to expel him. Witnessing her vulnerability made him realize the burden she carried. His grandmother told him that fists could not save the world; only education could.
From that day on, Guan Fang turned over a new leaf. His friends were amazed by his past, praising him for changing his ways. Later, Guan Fang assured his grandmother that he didn't blame her for being strict when he was younger and expressed his hope that she would stay with him for a long, long time.
Meanwhile, with an exam just ten minutes away, Su Zaizai was cramming, lamenting that a study method of sleeping on a book only resulted in a stiff neck. Zhang Lurang informed her that he would return to Suyang the following day. He gave her his gloves, and Su Zaizai, sad about their upcoming month-long separation, emphasized the importance of maintaining relationships. Zhang Lurang reassured her he would take the initiative to keep in touch and reply to all her messages.
As they parted ways, the first snow of the season began to fall. The sight made Su Zaizai reflect on her own grandmother—the faint scent of green onions on the apples she cut, her hunched back yet steady steps, and her worn but clean apron. She remembered how her grandmother's small home felt like their entire childhood world and how she always worried they hadn't eaten enough. She missed her grandmother but couldn't tell her father, knowing he missed his own mother just as much.
Episode 11 Recap
As the New Year approached, Su Zaizai's father was busy hanging paper-cut decorations sent by her paternal grandmother, asking Su Zaizai for her opinion on their placement. Su Zaizai's mother then joined them, inquiring about New Year purchases. Su Zaizai immediately requested a new pair of shoes, arguing that a "new look in the new year" would be auspicious. Her mother agreed, and Su Zaizai then nudged her father, who seized the opportunity to request a new belt.
Despite her exasperation, her mother also agreed to buy one for him. Later, while messaging Zhang Lurang, Su Zaizai complained about being treated like household labor, having to clean all the glass in the house. In contrast, Zhang Lurang shared that his parents preferred him to focus solely on his studies, preventing him from helping with chores.
Su Zaizai’s father announced that her paternal grandmother had called, inviting them to their old hometown, Suyang, to celebrate the New Year and her great-grandmother's birthday. Su Zaizai was initially reluctant, citing the inconvenience of travel and accommodation for so many relatives. However, upon hearing that the destination was Suyang—Zhang Lurang's hometown—she immediately changed her mind, enthusiastically declaring they must go and that finding space to sleep was inconsequential. Her parents were astonished by her sudden change of attitude.
Immediately, Su Zaizai called Zhang Lurang, initiating a "phrase chain" game. After a few rounds of playful banter and rule-breaking, she revealed her true purpose: she was coming to Suyang to visit relatives and celebrate the New Year. She teased him, asking if he was surprised and happy, encouraging him not to be shy. He claimed Suyang was boring, but she assured him it wouldn't be with her there. The next morning, Su Zaizai's family set off for Suyang.
Meanwhile, Zhang Lurang's aunt and uncle arrived at his house, effusively praising his cousin, Luli, for his academic achievements and cheerful nature, contrasting it with Zhang Lurang's quiet demeanor. They also pointedly asked about Zhang Lurang’s academic performance. When his mother asked him to take his cousins to the library, he declined, claiming to have other plans, before retreating to his room. Upon arriving in Suyang, Su Zaizai messaged Zhang Lurang her plans to nap before meeting him.
However, her mother insisted she accompany her cousin, Xuan, to the supermarket. Despite having changed into her pajamas, Su Zaizai reluctantly went. At the supermarket, she impulsively joined a timed sales rush and ended up in a tug-of-war with an older woman over a bucket of oil. Just then, Zhang Lurang appeared and called her name, causing her to freeze in embarrassment and release her grip.
On the way back, Su Zaizai tried to maintain a composed image, but her cousin kept exposing her messy habits and her struggles with math. Zhang Lurang stepped in to defend her, highlighting her excellent English skills and how she had tutored him. Her cousin, hearing Zhang Lurang was good at math, eagerly asked for his help. As they neared her relatives' house, Su Zaizai invited Zhang Lurang inside, which he accepted after a moment's hesitation.
Before they arrived, Su Zaizai’s parents received a call from a relative reporting that Su Zaizai was seen returning with a boy. Her parents were instantly alarmed. Her father even grabbed a broom, intending to intimidate the boy. However, their attitude shifted completely when Su Zaizai introduced Zhang Lurang as the classmate who had been tutoring her in math and physics.
Impressed by his handsome appearance, refined demeanor, and academic record, they welcomed him warmly and insisted he stay for dinner. Zhang Lurang later admitted to Su Zaizai that he envied the lively atmosphere of her family, which was unlike his own quiet home. After dinner, Su Zaizai walked him out, telling him he was now her top contact, giving him priority to chat with her. He acknowledged that meeting her had indeed made his boring holiday more interesting.
On New Year's Eve, Gu Ran’s family could not have a traditional reunion dinner. His mother, a doctor, rushed to the hospital for an emergency, while his father was also busy with patient calls. Jiang Jia sent a New Year’s text to Gu Ran, who called her instead.
Jiang Jia was outside lighting fireworks and let Gu Ran listen to the sounds, sharing her grandmother's thought that the New Year is a day people choose to spend with those who matter. As midnight struck, they exchanged New Year greetings. The following day, Jiang Jia’s father decided to pay a New Year’s visit to Dr. Gu, Gu Ran’s father, to express gratitude for his care during Jiang Jia’s grandmother’s hospitalization. He made a reluctant Jiang Jia carry the gifts.
Jiang Jia messaged Gu Ran about her errand, only to be stunned when Gu Ran himself opened the door at their destination. Later, while watching fireworks with Su Zaizai, Zhang Lurang admitted that he hadn't experienced them much before. Hearing this, Su Zaizai cheekily asked if this meant that from now on, he would think of her every time he saw fireworks.
Episode 12 Recap
Jiang Jia arrived at the Gu family home with her father for a New Year's visit, an unexpected turn of events that surprised both her and Gu Ran. Gu Ran's father mentioned having met Jiang Jia previously at the hospital when their friend Zaizai was injured, remarking on the coincidence. Gu Ran's mother, Ms. Chen, encouraged Gu Ran to greet Jiang Jia. The two exchanged polite greetings, pretending to be unacquainted.
Noticing their awkwardness, Ms. Chen suggested they go to Gu Ran's room to play games. Once in his room, Jiang Jia wanted to play games on his computer. As she sat down, Gu Ran remembered he had just been editing a photo of her on his screen. He quickly covered her eyes, closed the image, and opened a game. Jiang Jia, misinterpreting his haste, playfully suggested he had been watching something inappropriate, which annoyed Gu Ran.
He retaliated by trying to close her game, leading to a playful argument. Outside, Jiang Jia's father, unaware of their squabble, proudly declared his daughter was quiet and never argued, only for the sounds of their loud disagreement to drift from the room. Ms. Chen, using the excuse of bringing them fruit, went to check on them, only to find them just playing around.
During the first lesson of the new semester, the teacher warned the class about a severe flu outbreak and instructed the class monitor to fumigate the classroom with vinegar. That evening, Gu Ran's parents, both doctors, informed him they were going to Huiyuan to assist with the flu crisis and would be gone for at least half a month. Gu Ran feigned indifference, joking that he could boast to his friends if his parents appeared on TV.
However, he quietly placed some cold medicine into their luggage before retreating to his room. The next day, Gu Ran told his friends his parents were away and he was free to play games. He invited Guan Fang and Zhang Lurang over, but Guan Fang had to help his grandmother, and Zhang Lurang was focused on studying. Left alone, Gu Ran ate instant noodles.
When his mother called, he lied, claiming he had just eaten with friends to avoid worrying her. Meanwhile, Guan Fang's grandmother urged him to check on Gu Ran. Unable to reach him by phone, Guan Fang asked Jiang Jia for the address and told her to go first since she lived closer. Jiang Jia also couldn't get through to Gu Ran.
Arriving at his house, she knocked until a disoriented Gu Ran opened the door, only to stumble back to his bed. Jiang Jia felt his forehead and realized he had a high fever. She called Guan Fang, telling him she would try to bring the fever down and they would go to the hospital if he didn't improve by the time Guan Fang arrived. After Jiang Jia's diligent care, Gu Ran's fever broke. Exhausted, she dozed off by his bedside.
Gu Ran later awoke and, seeing the towel on his forehead and Jiang Jia asleep next to him, pieced together what had happened. When Jiang Jia woke up, her legs were numb. As she tried to stand, she lost her balance and fell onto Gu Ran, creating an awkward silence. Soon after, Guan Fang arrived and immediately started packing a bag for Gu Ran, announcing he was taking him to his house.
He explained that his grandmother, hearing Gu Ran was sick, had prepared a large meal. Despite the small space at Guan Fang's home, where they would sleep on the floor, Gu Ran, who craved companionship, gladly went along. The next morning, Zhang Lurang received a desperate text from Guan Fang, complaining that Gu Ran snored like "firecrackers" and had kicked him in his sleep. Around the same time, Su Zaizai posted online about her cold and broken hot-water bottle.
Zhang Lurang immediately bought her cold medicine and a new hot-water bottle, claiming he "bought too much" and was just dropping it off "on his way" to Guan Fang's house. Su Zaizai saw through his excuse, playfully noting their homes were in opposite directions, but was touched by his concern. Zhang Lurang's arrival at Guan Fang's made the small room even more crowded but also deepened their friendship.
Later, Gu Ran's mother called with good news: the outbreak was under control, and they would be returning soon. Gu Ran later confided in Zhang Lurang about his lonely childhood, how he used to play hide-and-seek by himself, wishing his parents would find him but always waking up alone. He confessed he had always wanted to "lose" the game just once. Zhang Lurang reassured him, "I found you."
That night, the boys settled down to sleep, with Gu Ran and Guan Fang comically fighting over the blanket. Meanwhile, Su Zaizai texted Zhang Lurang, asking if he was awake because he was worried about her. After confirming she had taken her medicine, he gently told her to get some rest.
Episode 13 Recap
A lecturer from Jiangyi University's Psychology Faculty visited Jiangyi Affiliated High School to hold a psychology seminar, and students were invited to attend voluntarily. Initially, Gu Ran didn't plan to go, but upon learning that Jiang Jia would be there, he immediately changed his mind. During the seminar, the lecturer shared a personal anecdote from his high school days when the school radio often played Jay Chou's song "Her Eyelashes."
He described how his gaze would involuntarily drift to his deskmate's long eyelashes as she napped, a distraction that led him to understand the word "palpitation" or "fluttering feeling." The story resonated deeply with Su Zaizai, who felt the same way about Zhang Lurang. The lecturer's words also struck a chord with Gu Ran, who found himself looking at Jiang Jia, realizing her every expression had quietly captured his heart.
Jiang Jia, however, playfully disagreed with what she perceived as a "sneaky" approach to love, asserting that if she liked someone, she would express it openly. After school, while the friends were getting snacks, Su Zaizai mentioned Jiang Jia had spent all her money on a glass bottle. Gu Ran generously offered to pay for everyone's snacks with his recent contest prize money.
Later, noticing Jiang Jia was missing, Gu Ran feigned forgetting his homework to go back and find her. He discovered her in Shen Qianyu's empty classroom, trying to secretly place a glass bottle filled with meticulously folded stars on his desk. She explained to a teasing Gu Ran that the sender's identity didn't matter, and she wanted to avoid any misunderstandings like the time Su Zaizai was wrongly accused of stealing.
When a classmate entered the room, Jiang Jia quickly pulled Gu Ran under a desk to hide. In the confined space, Gu Ran's heart fluttered. While placing the bottle, Jiang Jia accidentally knocked over some books and found Shen Qianyu's application form to study abroad, leaving her disheartened. The news was officially announced the next day at a Dramatic Society meeting, where the teacher informed everyone that Shen Qianyu would be leaving in about a week.
Feeling the urgency, Jiang Jia decided to write a confession letter to Shen Qianyu, with Su Zaizai's supportive help. As she was drafting it, Wang Nan appeared and mistook them for copying math homework. To avoid being found out, they let him take the homework, accidentally including the confession letter tucked inside. Since the teacher's office was busy, they decided to retrieve it during the lunch break. Meanwhile, Zhang Lurang and Ye Zhenxin were helping to sort math papers.
Ye Zhenxin found the letter in Su Zaizai's notebook and began reading it aloud. Annoyed, Zhang Lurang admonished her for prying into others' privacy, though he was visibly agitated by the letter's contents. Ye Zhenxin retorted that he was only being protective because the notebook belonged to Su Zaizai. Just then, Su Zaizai arrived to get her "homework" back, and a silent Zhang Lurang let her take it. For the next few days, Zhang Lurang was distant toward Su Zaizai.
Sensing the reason, she playfully confronted him, "punishing" him for not recognizing her handwriting after all their tutoring sessions by making him review her notes at home. That night, Zhang Lurang compared the letter's handwriting to a note from Su Zaizai. Upon seeing they were different, a relieved smile spread across his face. Jiang Jia later ran into Shen Qianyu, who confirmed he was leaving in two weeks and gave her a ticket to his farewell recital.
Her initial joy at being singled out faded when she learned he had given tickets to everyone they knew. Determined to look her best, she asked Gu Ran to help her pick out new shoes. At the store, she chose a pair of elegant high heels, despite never having worn them and struggling to walk. She admitted to Gu Ran that she was changing her image to stand beautifully before Shen Qianyu at the recital.
A concluding narration reflects on these teenage feelings, where protective gestures are disguised as clumsiness, seemingly chance encounters are carefully calculated, and heartfelt gifts are delivered under the guise of pranks, all becoming treasured secrets that make the future worth looking forward to.
Episode 14 Recap
At Shen Qianyu's concert, Jiang Jia's formal attire surprises her friends. When Gu Ran asks why she likes Shen Qianyu, Jiang Jia recalls being drawn to his focus while playing the guitar. She recounts a time when Gu Ran was supposed to take her home but went to play basketball, leaving her feeling the road was exceptionally long until Shen Qianyu appeared, walked her home, and shared a beautiful sunset with her.
She describes a unique and wonderful feeling she only experiences with him. After the concert, Gu Ran leads Jiang Jia backstage. She congratulates Shen Qianyu on his performance and, admitting she's not good with words, gives him a letter. Shen Qianyu gently turns her down, saying she reminds him of his younger sister who also writes him letters. He wishes her well in her studies and hopes she finds the right person.
Embarrassed, Jiang Jia quickly retrieves the letter, claiming it has typos. Seeing her disappointment, a subtly pleased Gu Ran offers Jiang Jia slippers for her sore feet. He comforts her with an analogy about stars, explaining that out of billions, no two are identical. He tells her that her carefree, strong-willed, and cheerful self is unique and shines brightly, and one failed confession isn't a major setback.
Though Jiang Jia feigns a "steel heart" and accepts the "sister" role, she is clearly affected. The friends later gather to bid farewell to Shen Qianyu. Jiang Jia arrives last and gives him the thousandth paper star she folded for him, a symbol of good luck.
Shen Qianyu promises to return at the end of the year when it snows in Jiangyi and hopes she will be more mature by then, playfully remarking that she only gives up on things she doesn't truly like. After the goodbyes, the group rushes to check their final exam results. Su Zaizai is focused on Zhang Lurang's English score of 95, a strong result considering the difficult exam had only a 20% passing rate.
Su Zaizai herself scored an impressive 137. To celebrate, they decide to take a summer trip to Baichuan. Zhang Lurang’s mother disapproves of the trip, citing his upcoming Grade 11 year and comparing his English score unfavorably to Zhang Luli's, who consistently scores above 130. However, Zhang Lurang’s uncle, Lin Mao, intervenes, suggesting the trip is an opportunity to see the universities in Baichuan and find motivation. His mother reluctantly agrees.
On the train to Baichuan, the friends relax by playing cards and enjoying the scenery. Su Zaizai rests her head on Zhang Lurang’s shoulder, while Jiang Jia and Guan Fang lean on an exasperated Gu Ran. In Baichuan, their carefree mood is shattered when Jiang Jia realizes her pink wallet—containing her, Gu Ran's, and Guan Fang’s money—is missing. They search the area where she last used it to buy candied hawthorn but find nothing.
A heartbroken Jiang Jia blames herself, but Gu Ran reassures her, telling her to focus on good memories. With insufficient funds for their planned amusement park visit, Su Zaizai suggests they work part-time at the Baichuan Music Festival. Gu Ran boasts he's perfect for security, but he and Jiang Jia are ironically assigned to wear mascot costumes and hand out fliers. Guan Fang is tasked with assembling equipment, while Zhang Lurang and Su Zaizai move heavier materials.
A staff member asks Su Zaizai to fetch number signs from the equipment room. Concerned, Zhang Lurang lets her go, telling her to call if she needs help. Su Zaizai finds the signs but gets lost in a dark warehouse. A sudden, startling phone ring heightens her fear, but her panic turns to relief when Zhang Lurang appears and guides her out.
The group works tirelessly, but their earnings come to 325 yuan after 30 yuan was deducted due to a complaint about the mascots blocking a path. This isn't enough for five festival tickets. They plead with a staff member, who takes pity on them, giving them spare tickets and letting them keep their earnings. The day takes an emotional turn when Shen Qianyu sends a message announcing he's "found someone who's very important."
Jiang Jia is devastated, and Gu Ran, also disheartened, excuses himself. Later, Su Zaizai finds Jiang Jia crying on the rooftop, admitting the news felt sudden and that she saw photos of Shen Qianyu looking happy with his new girlfriend. Despite the setback, the friends attend the music festival.
They get their faces painted: Su Zaizai chooses a white cloud, Gu Ran and Jiang Jia both pick stars, Guan Fang (whose nickname is "Little Sun") gets a sun, and to Su Zaizai's surprise, Zhang Lurang chooses a sunflower. As Su Zaizai excitedly records the vibrant festival, Zhang Lurang watches her and remarks that "the sunflower and the sun illuminate each other," subtly referencing his feelings for her.
As the trip ends, Zhang Lurang’s mother calls, again reminding him to study and comparing him to Zhang Luli. He insists on spending the last day with his friends. He and Su Zaizai share a popsicle, and she gives him one of the coins they earned, a symbol of her first time earning her own money. She tells him she has always considered him better than his brother: "If he's 100 points, you are 101. That one special point is always reserved for you." Touched, Zhang Lurang promises to buy her a popsicle next time.
Episode 15 Recap
The music festival's halftime show featured an interactive segment where a lucky audience member was chosen to sing. The host announced number 49, which, to everyone's surprise, was Zhang Lurang. Though initially hesitant, claiming he wasn't much of a singer, he was encouraged by Su Zaizai and Jiang Jia. Zhang Lurang went on stage and performed while Su Zaizai enthusiastically recorded the moment.
Afterward, she discovered her recording had captured mostly the excited cheers of Gu Ran and Guan Fang, rather than Zhang Lurang's voice. The group later enjoyed a relaxing time at the beach, splashing around playfully before settling down to share what summer meant to them. Guan Fang recalled the refreshing feeling of splashing cold water on his face after playing basketball, while Gu Ran spoke of scooping the center of a watermelon.
Su Zaizai reminisced about her grandmother's mung bean soup and a summer sleeping mat, and Zhang Lurang mentioned banana-flavored popsicles. Collectively, they expressed a wish for the summer to linger longer, with Su Zaizai adding that she especially cherished this particular summer. As the summer break concluded, the new school year for Grade 11 began with students being divided into liberal arts and science classes.
Su Zaizai and Jiang Jia were thrilled to find themselves together in Liberal Arts Class 2, marveling at their shared fate. Their surprise grew when Guan Fang walked in, having also chosen liberal arts. Guan Fang humorously justified his choice, claiming his "reserved and cultured demeanor" made it a perfect fit.
Their new homeroom teacher, Lin Mao, welcomed them and emphasized that Grade 11 was a crucial "dividing line" for their high school journey, urging them to use the evening self-study sessions to address their weaknesses in preparation for Grade 12. Gu Ran, missing Guan Fang, tried to talk to Zhang Lurang during class, prompting a swift rebuke from Teacher Lin, who suggested he sit by the podium if he needed someone to talk to.
After class, Gu Ran and Zhang Lurang visited Guan Fang. Gu Ran playfully claimed they were there to "comfort" the supposedly "frail" Guan Fang. Zhang Lurang handed Guan Fang a stack of compiled study notes and example questions from the summer, though he clarified they were for himself too. Gu Ran then invited Jiang Jia to pick up gifts from Shen Qianyu the next day.
Jiang Jia initially refused but quickly changed her mind at the mention of presents, leading Guan Fang to question the true motive of their visit. At Guan Fang's grandmother's dessert shop, everyone received gifts from Shen Qianyu, but Jiang Jia was the only one without one. Guan Fang quickly reassured her, suggesting her gift was likely too precious and had been shipped separately.
Later, Gu Ran messaged Shen Qianyu, who explained he hadn't known what to buy for Jiang Jia and asked Gu Ran to select something for her. Gu Ran carefully chose a watch and had it nicely wrapped. He struggled with how to present it, but when Guan Fang arrived, he helped by announcing that the gift from Shen Qianyu had arrived.
Jiang Jia was delighted upon receiving the watch, profusely thanking Shen Qianyu, while Gu Ran looked on with a complicated expression. The next morning, Guan Fang and Jiang Jia showed up at Gu Ran's home, concerned because he had missed their planned study session at the library. While Gu Ran went to wash up, Jiang Jia searched for snacks and stumbled upon his laptop.
She found his chat history with Shen Qianyu, revealing that Gu Ran had bought the watch for her. She confronted Gu Ran, asking if he was hiding anything. Gu Ran playfully confessed to secretly eating her watermelon with Guan Fang the day before, leading Jiang Jia to chase them around with a cushion. Later that night, Jiang Jia put on the watch, her spirits lifted.
The following day, when a classmate complimented her watch, she proudly stated it was a gift from a "special friend." One evening, while Zhang Lurang was tutoring Su Zaizai in an empty classroom, the power suddenly went out. Zhang Lurang lit some candles, creating a cozy atmosphere. Su Zaizai playfully attempted to flirt using a complex math concept, but Zhang Lurang calmly responded by explaining the mathematical logic.
Unbeknownst to them, Ye Zhenxin observed their interaction, grew jealous, and secretly took a photo. Soon after, rumors spread through the school about increased strictness regarding relationships. Their teacher, Mr. Lin, addressed the class, warning against "close interaction between male and female students." Su Zaizai and Zhang Lurang were subsequently called to the office, where the head teacher, Mr. Chang, confronted them with Ye Zhenxin's photo.
They insisted they were merely studying, but Mr. Chang accused them of influencing other students. Both Su Zaizai and Zhang Lurang defiantly claimed they could still achieve first place in their upcoming competitions without extra preparation, leaving the head teacher exasperated. After they left, Ye Zhenxin confronted Su Zaizai, admitting she was the one who reported them.
She maliciously called Su Zaizai stupid and threatened to lie to Zhang Lurang by telling him it was Su Zaizai who had reported them to the teachers. Gossip circulated about Zhang Lurang's situation. His mother, summoned by the homeroom teacher, arrived and angrily confronted him about his closeness with a girl from another class.
Despite Mr. Lin's attempts to explain they were only tutoring, his mother insisted Zhang Lurang should focus solely on his studies, unfavorably comparing him to his younger brother. She then announced their decision to transfer him back to Suyang for school. Zhang Lurang pleaded to stay, but his uncle explained that his academic registration was in Suyang, forcing him to return there for the Gaokao.
The uncle warned that a late transfer might prevent him from entering a key class in Suyang due to differing teaching paces, though he offered to explore the difficult options for an out-of-province exam. Deeply troubled by the transfer news, Zhang Lurang became quiet and withdrawn. Su Zaizai noticed his distress and, mistakenly assuming it was due to the school's scrutiny, tried to cheer him up. Overwhelmed, Zhang Lurang abruptly told her to "be quiet."
Hurt by his words, Su Zaizai apologized and quickly left, internalizing recent gossip she had overheard about Zhang Lurang being annoyed by a girl from another class who kept "pestering him."
Episode 16 Recap
Gu Ran shared with Guan Fang and Jiang Jia that Zhang Lurang might transfer back to Suyang for his Grade 12 year due to an enrollment status issue. Jiang Jia, observing Su Zaizai's recent unhappiness and distance from Zhang Lurang, mistakenly believed this was the reason. She kindly approached Su Zaizai after school to offer comfort, only to discover that Su Zaizai was completely unaware of Zhang Lurang's potential transfer.
Shocked and hurt that everyone else knew but her, Su Zaizai waited for Zhang Lurang at a usual intersection to confront him. She explained that his silence made her feel insignificant. Zhang Lurang could only manage a "Sorry" before an overwhelmed Su Zaizai ran off. Back home, Su Zaizai pondered if their relationship would simply end.
The next day, during the Dramatic Society class, Su Zaizai deliberately kept her distance from Zhang Lurang, even making a remark about not wanting to be a nuisance, which confused their friends. After class, Zhang Lurang stayed behind to help clean and offered to carry water for Su Zaizai, but she declined, insisting she could manage herself.
Guan Fang noticed that Su Zaizai bid farewell to everyone else but deliberately ignored Zhang Lurang, concluding that Zhang Lurang must have offended her. He questioned Jiang Jia about the situation, but she pointed out that Zhang Lurang and Su Zaizai were closer, suggesting she wouldn't know the full story. Later, the friends saw Su Zaizai speaking with an unfamiliar boy.
Jiang Jia found him quite handsome, but Gu Ran was suspicious, noting the boy wasn't wearing a school uniform on a school day. Recalling rumors of boys from other schools harassing female students, they grew concerned for Su Zaizai. Meanwhile, Zhang Lurang was so preoccupied with Su Zaizai that he didn't notice his water glass overflowing. He excused himself to go to a convenience store, where he spotted Su Zaizai and the same boy eating together.
The boy, Su Zaizai's cousin, was telling her how he avoided telling a persistently annoying girl about his own school transfer. Finding the situation relatable, Su Zaizai playfully "attacked" her cousin in frustration. Seeing this, Zhang Lurang immediately stepped in to "protect" Su Zaizai and offered to walk her home. Still upset, Su Zaizai refused and walked off with her cousin, whom she told that Zhang Lurang was just an "ordinary classmate."
Her cousin, however, was skeptical, remarking that Zhang Lurang's protective behavior was far from ordinary. The next day at lunch, Jiang Jia clarified that the boy was Su Zaizai's cousin, who might transfer to their school. Zhang Lurang finally understood and broke into a wide smile, a sight that astonished Gu Ran. That evening, Zhang Lurang called out to Su Zaizai.
He apologized for making her angry and explained that he hadn't told anyone about the transfer because he wanted her to be the first to know, but he had struggled to find the right words. He confessed that she was a special friend to him. Though still jokingly complaining about being too angry to eat properly for days, Su Zaizai was delighted that their misunderstanding was resolved.
Later, Zhang Luli, Zhang Lurang's younger brother, arrived in Yong'an for a provincial competition, accompanied by their parents. The parents immediately showed a clear preference for the younger, academically gifted Luli, a dynamic Zhang Lurang was accustomed to. Luli's reputation as a genius preceded him, and after seeing his photo on the school forum, Su Zaizai noted his resemblance to Zhang Lurang.
It was only when Luli came to the classroom looking for his older brother that their classmates made the connection. As some students began to comment on how Zhang Lurang seemed inferior to his brother, Su Zaizai fiercely glared at them in his defense. That evening, Zhang Luli, hoping to mend their bond, invited Zhang Lurang to play a video game. Their parents discovered them and immediately reprimanded Zhang Lurang for being a bad influence.
Luli shouted that it was his idea for them to play, then retreated to his room. Later, Zhang Lurang realized his brother had disappeared. Unable to reach him by phone, a terrified Zhang Lurang woke his parents and uncle to help search for Luli. Su Zaizai ran into a frantic Zhang Lurang at a supermarket. Knowing Yong'an well, she joined the search. After checking the school and bus station without success, it was Su Zaizai who eventually found Zhang Luli.
Luli confided in her that their parents' favoritism had created a rift between them. He recounted his childhood, where he idolized Zhang Lurang as a kind and protective older brother who always waited for him after school. He was saddened that the constant comparisons had made his brother unhappy. Su Zaizai comforted Luli, revealing that she had to "pester" Zhang Lurang to become his friend and affirming that Zhang Lurang was the kindest person she knew.
She told Luli they shared a common idol: Zhang Lurang. The next morning, Zhang Lurang discovered his brother had left his admission ticket behind. He sprinted to the exam venue, where Zhang Luli was being prevented from entering. Zhang Lurang arrived just in time to hand over the ticket, ensuring his brother didn't miss the crucial exam. After Zhang Luli went inside, Su Zaizai appeared, playfully calling Luli "Li Li" and joking about a "fans meet."
Zhang Lurang told her that Luli had left but assured her they would meet again. Su Zaizai realized with a happy sigh that she had an "idol who loves his fan."
Episode 17 Recap
A letter from Zhang Luli arrived for Su Zaizai, indicating an improvement in his relationship with his brother, Zhang Lurang, thanks to Su Zaizai. Zhang Luli noted in his letter that he could no longer use his phone due to the upcoming gaokao and had to rely on writing.
He shared that he had recently spoken to Lurang, who was in a good mood and spoke extensively about Su Zaizai and their friends, sensing from Lurang's tone that they were as interesting as Su Zaizai. He secretly revealed that he had seen Lurang playing with the doll Su Zaizai made him several times, signifying Lurang's happiness in their friendship. Zhang Luli also mentioned his parents were slowly changing for the better, expressing hope for their family.
Su Zaizai was pleased to have played a role in mending the brothers' bond, as she wished for Zhang Lurang's happiness more than anyone. As Su Zaizai's birthday approached, her mood soured, knowing that Zhang Lurang would return to Suyang after her birthday. She even considered not celebrating at all. However, Jiang Jia persuaded her that they must celebrate it meaningfully and joyously.
Later, Jiang Jia, accompanied by Guan Fang and Gu Ran, went to pick out a birthday gift for Su Zaizai. Jiang Jia suggested items like scarves, gloves, or bracelets, noting that most girls liked pretty things. She picked up a bracelet, clearly smitten with it, but quickly put it back after seeing the price tag. Gu Ran observed this interaction.
That night, Gu Ran, unable to stop thinking about it, returned to the store and bought the bracelet Jiang Jia had admired. He called Jiang Jia downstairs late at night, much to her surprise. When she asked why he needed her so urgently, Gu Ran stammered, claiming he had just finished buying Su Zaizai a carved wooden doll.
He then awkwardly produced the bracelet, explaining he had been "tricked" into buying it due to a "buy two, get 20% off" promotion and had no use for it, suggesting Jiang Jia take it. Jiang Jia immediately accepted the free gift but, sensing his unusual behavior, directly asked if he liked her. Gu Ran nearly choked, vehemently denying it.
He tried to list her "flaws"—which ironically sounded like compliments, such as her big eyes, fair skin, small face, curly lashes, and height—insisting she wasn't his type. Jiang Jia, relieved, declared that it was a good thing he didn't like her, as future meetings would have been awkward otherwise. On Su Zaizai's birthday, after school, she eagerly invited everyone to dinner, having already chosen a restaurant.
However, Mr. Lin summoned her, requiring her help in grading English exam papers for the tenth graders. Disappointed but understanding, Su Zaizai had to ask Jiang Jia and the others to go ahead to the restaurant without her, promising to join them later. She toiled late into the evening marking papers, realizing her birthday dinner was off. She messaged Jiang Jia, telling them to just go home.
Feeling disheartened that her memorable birthday plan was derailed by being "drafted" for school work, Su Zaizai was surprised when she saw a series of handwritten signs on her way home, guiding her along the path. These signs indicated her friends hadn't left. Suddenly, Zhang Lurang, Jiang Jia, Guan Fang, and Gu Ran appeared, holding a cake with lit candles. Su Zaizai was deeply moved by their surprise.
She blew out the candles and made two wishes: first, that everyone would be happy and safe every day, which she voiced aloud; and second, that she could celebrate Zhang Lurang's eighteenth birthday with him, a wish she kept to herself. Later that night, Zhang Lurang called Su Zaizai, asking her to come downstairs, where he was waiting. He presented her with a Polaroid camera as her birthday gift, believing she would like it.
Su Zaizai thanked him, calling it the happiest birthday she'd ever had. She promised to use the camera to take many photos and send them to him when he returned to Suyang. In return, she asked him to grant her a wish: to return once she finished all the photo paper. Zhang Lurang agreed. The next day, the friends went to take ID photos at a studio organized by the school.
They found a long queue because the studio's computer was broken. As they waited, Zhang Lurang's friends inquired about his departure time the next day, learning his train was at nine AM. They expressed regret that they would be in class and unable to see him off. Zhang Lurang assured them it was fine, as he wasn't going far and could visit during holidays.
Su Zaizai playfully suggested that Zhang Lurang should stay in touch, to which Jiang Jia teased Su Zaizai about "harassing" Zhang Lurang, a claim Su Zaizai defended as "care." Gu Ran, noticing the delay, offered his computer knowledge to help. The studio staff, impressed by his expertise, quickly allowed him to inspect the computer. To everyone's surprise, Gu Ran swiftly fixed the issue, leading the staff to prioritize him and his friends for photos as a token of gratitude.
During the individual photos, Su Zaizai's picture was lovely. Others' photos were standard, but Guan Fang's looked "creepy," much to the amusement of his friends, who insisted on seeing it. Guan Fang then asked the studio owner if they could take a group photo, and the owner agreed since there were no specific requirements for a group photo and the studio was now empty.
As they took the group photo, the owner asked their age, and in unison, they all shouted "17." Before Zhang Lurang's transfer, Su Zaizai offered him a long list of reminders, from memorizing English words and correcting math problems in Suyang, to drinking milk before bed, being careful walking home alone, and even smiling more—though she quickly retracted that last one, fearing his smile was too attractive.
Zhang Lurang responded by asking her to study hard, and they made a solemn pact to both get into East China University. As snow began to fall, marking their second winter together, Su Zaizai exchanged photos with Zhang Lurang as "proof" of their commitment. She emphasized the significance of the first snow, warning him of serious consequences if he were to break his promise, jokingly adding that she would get angry.
After Zhang Lurang left for Suyang, Su Zaizai began writing letters to him, as she learned he also couldn't use his phone. She described how she was adapting to taking public transport and going home alone by starting to ride her bicycle again and mentioned her pet dog, Su. Zhang Lurang replied, describing his new school as great, though the learning pace was faster than Jiangyi, but he had adapted, scoring 122 on his English monthly exam.
He noted that the supermarket where Su Zaizai once had a flash sale had been converted into a bookstore and invited her to visit. He also commented that spring arrived later in Suyang than in Jiangyi, and that he heard the winter jasmine was blooming on Jiangyi's roadsides. Su Zaizai, in her subsequent letters, playfully chided him for remembering her embarrassing flash sale incident.
She shared amusing anecdotes and reassured him that she was studying hard, even signing up for a summer intensive math class with Jiang Jia, which meant she couldn't visit him in Suyang. She recounted a solo trip to a competition in the south, the furthest she had ever traveled alone, finding it beautiful but feeling a sudden longing for Jiangyi and wishing they had been there with her.
She also shared the good news that Luli had gotten into East China University, choosing Biology, his favorite major, over Finance, which his parents preferred, expressing both envy and happiness for him. Reflecting on her transition to Grade 12, Su Zaizai felt she had matured overnight, experiencing daily exhaustion and wishing for three days of uninterrupted sleep. However, seeing younger students look up to them spurred her to persevere.
She even mentioned a physical exam where her heart raced, attributing it to thinking of him, and concluding her letter with a heartfelt "Rang, I miss you so much." At school, the students underwent a gaokao survey to identify their target universities and majors. Su Zaizai confidently declared her aim for East China University, specifically its foreign language department, having made a pact with Zhang Lurang.
Guan Fang expressed his desire to study economics, asserting his financial acumen from helping his grandmother with accounts since childhood. Gu Ran stated his intention to study medicine, following in his parents' footsteps as doctors. Jiang Jia, however, admitted she hadn't decided yet, though her friends reassured her there was still plenty of time before the gaokao application deadline. Later, Jiang Jia and Gu Ran noticed Su Zaizai seemed unusually distracted, even confusing "tissue" with "diameter" when asked.
They worried she was becoming "dumb from studying" due to immense pressure. Gu Ran suggested a trip to Su Zaizai's grandmother's house to help them relax. After leaving school, Gu Ran went to retrieve his football from the field but found it blown away by a gust of wind. He then saw Su Zaizai sighing. He approached her, asking what was bothering her.
Gu Ran confessed his own anxieties, lamenting that unlike Su Zaizai, who dreamed of being a diplomatic translator, and Guan Fang, who aimed for economics, he had no clear aspirations. He felt lost, having only followed the progression from primary to junior to high school, now realizing he had to forge his own path. He expressed feeling devoid of even strengths. Su Zaizai acknowledged his feelings.
The two then headed to evening self-study class, with Gu Ran remarking that regardless, they first needed to pass the gaokao. As the second semester of Grade 12 approached, Su Zaizai reflected on the New Year, January 1st, 2015. She noted the short holiday meant only more studying. Despite the grind, she was happy to have received Zhang Lurang's seventh letter.
In it, he wished her a happy new year and expressed sadness and guilt for not being by her side. Su Zaizai, being "very forgiving," understood and believed he could make it up to her later. She also acknowledged that she had only used three sheets of the Polaroid photo paper Zhang Lurang had given her.
She had considered using them all at once to make him return sooner but deemed it reckless, determined not to force him to break his promise. She resolved not to finish the photo paper until she achieved "decent grades," signaling her ongoing commitment to their shared goal and his eventual return.
Episode 18 Recap
As Jiang Jia stayed late after school for her duty, she noticed a suspicious man acting furtively near the Grade 11 school building. Aware of recent thefts on campus, Jiang Jia remained vigilant. When she approached him, the man claimed his son, a Grade 12 student, had left a test paper and he was there to pick it up.
However, his movement towards the Grade 11 building despite his claim, along with his uneasy demeanor, convinced Jiang Jia he was lying. She suspected he was the thief, as many items had been stolen from the school buildings and he had come from the direction of the broken west school gate. Without confronting him directly, Jiang Jia went to the main gate and informed the security guards, urging them to apprehend the man for questioning.
As Jiang Jia turned to leave, she found Gu Ran waiting for her. He walked her home, praising her for her calm and brave handling of the situation. Gu Ran told her that her unusual bravery and righteousness were rare and genuine strengths, emphasizing that not everyone would stand up to injustice. Pleased and slightly embarrassed, Jiang Jia joked that he must have spent two evening self-study sessions thinking up such compliments.
Inspired by his words, Jiang Jia later filled out her "gaokao" aspiration form, indicating her dream of becoming a reporter. Meanwhile, Mr. Lin called Su Zaizai to his office to discuss her college aspirations. Su Zaizai confirmed her goal was to attend East China University, just like Zhang Lurang. Mr. Lin encouraged her but pointed out that based on her current grades, even with her strong English scores, her math score would need to reach at least 110.
Recognizing her English proficiency, Mr. Lin suggested she also take the autonomous admission exam, explaining it would provide her with an additional path to a good university, even if East China University wasn't an option through that route. Su Zaizai agreed, motivated not only by Mr. Lin’s advice but also by the fact that the interview was in Suyang, offering a chance to visit Zhang Lurang's school.
At the autonomous admission interview, Su Zaizai coincidentally met a student from Suyang No. 1 High School who knew of Zhang Lurang. The student described him as low-key and uninterested in interacting with girls, advising Su Zaizai to give up if she was trying to get his number.
When Su Zaizai’s phone fell, the student saw a photo of Su Zaizai and Zhang Lurang on her phone case and, assuming it was a photoshopped image, remarked on Su Zaizai's deep "obsession." Su Zaizai offered no explanation, content just to know that Zhang Lurang was doing well. During her interview, Su Zaizai was nervous at first but found her composure and answered all the teachers' questions.
After the interview, Su Zaizai called Jiang Jia, who said she, Gu Ran, and Guan Fang were having dinner near the bus station and could pick her up. Su Zaizai mentioned she had over two hours before her train departed and wanted to visit Zhang Lurang's school. Gu Ran, overhearing on speakerphone, noted that Zhang Lurang couldn't use his phone and wouldn't know she was there, but Su Zaizai insisted she just wanted to see his school.
Upon arriving at Suyang No. 1 High School, she spotted Zhang Lurang’s photo on the honor roll in tenth place and asked the school guard to take a photo of her with it. Just then, Zhang Lurang appeared, explaining that Gu Ran had called Zhang Luli, who then notified him. Zhang Lurang gave Su Zaizai a tour of his school.
Su Zaizai confided that the autonomous admission was just a backup plan and she was still determined to get into East China University. She urged him not to be distracted and to pursue his own dreams, regardless of whether they ended up at the same university. She emphasized that becoming better individuals together was the most important thing and that they should not abandon their dreams for each other. Zhang Lurang agreed, affirming their efforts were what truly mattered.
Back in Jiangyi, Su Zaizai plunged into intense "gaokao" preparation. Mr. Lin later announced that Xu Mingliang had received guaranteed admission to the University of South China, and that Wang Nan, Su Zaizai, and Chen Min had all passed their autonomous admission exams. He delivered an inspiring speech, reminding his students that while textbooks offer clear answers, life's challenges do not, and urged them to work hard to avoid future regrets.
In her final letter to Zhang Lurang, Su Zaizai wrote about time slipping away, her exhaustion, and how the thought of him also working hard motivated her. She shared the good news that her math scores were consistently above 100 and mentioned the school's trend of throwing coins into a wishing pool, a wish she made in the hope that his efforts would not be in vain. After the "gaokao", the students gathered for their graduation ceremony.
Gu Ran found multiple excuses to take photos with Jiang Jia, asking for retakes until they were perfect. Feeling a little left out, Su Zaizai called Zhang Lurang, only to find him standing right behind her. He explained he had come specifically for their graduation, saying that Yong'an felt more like his true home than Suyang. Their friends then gathered them for a group photo, capturing the happy moment.
Later, Guan Fang eagerly led his friends to his grandmother's dessert shop to try her new pineapple shaved ice, but they found the shop unlocked and empty. A neighbor informed them that his grandmother had fallen unconscious and been rushed to People's Hospital. They rushed to the hospital, where Gu Ran's mother, Ms. Chen, was the attending physician. She explained that his grandmother, Chen Lan, had suffered a ruptured spleen and hypovolemic shock, requiring immediate surgery.
Despite the daunting news, Guan Fang calmly signed the consent form. The surgery was successful, and his grandmother was out of danger. The experience forced Guan Fang to mature, realizing that adulthood meant carrying heavy responsibilities. He expressed his gratitude for his friends' support, acknowledging that even adults need friends to be able to let their guard down.
As Zhang Lurang walked Su Zaizai home that evening, he commented on the beautiful post-rain sky and suggested that the next day would be a nice day. When Su Zaizai urged him to go home and rest, Zhang Lurang repeated his observation about the nice weather and subtly asked if she was free tomorrow. Later, Su Zaizai was using a small recording device to capture her feelings about graduation.
She lamented her one high school regret: never having been in the same class as Zhang Lurang. She wished they could have been deskmates, so she could pretend to borrow his pen just to turn and see him. Just then, Zhang Lurang appeared and asked what she was recording. Su Zaizai replied that she was capturing precious high school memories. When he asked if she had recorded him, she confirmed she had and thanked him.
Episode 19 Recap
Su Zaizai excitedly shared with Jiang Jia that Zhang Lurang had invited her to the summer market, and she planned to confess her feelings to him there. Jiang Jia expressed concern about their future should they attend different universities, but Su Zaizai was unworried, confident that distance couldn't stop them. When Su Zaizai described the certainty of her feelings—feeling his joy and sorrow as her own—she asked Jiang Jia if she had ever felt that way about someone.
Jiang Jia denied it, claiming she only admired people for their competence, though an image of Gu Ran flashed through her mind. She deflected by suggesting that one's subconscious doesn't lie and playfully returned the question to Su Zaizai. Drawing inspiration from idol dramas, Jiang Jia outlined a detailed confession plan. First, Su Zaizai was to adopt a softer, more coquettish speaking style and call him "Brother Rang."
She tried, but he immediately told her to act normal, prompting her to blame it on a sore throat. Second, she was to create physical contact by faking a fall into his arms. Su Zaizai attempted a dramatic stumble, but Zhang Lurang, while catching her, simply teased her for being so light. Third, she was to hint at her feelings.
Su Zaizai mentioned her parents wanting her to marry by thirty, implying she needed to start an ideal ten-year romance soon. She also brought up zodiac signs, claiming her Sagittarius and his Aries were a perfect match, only for him to clarify his solar birthday made him a Pisces and express skepticism about horoscopes. When these methods failed, Jiang Jia suggested a "killer move": consulting her distant relative, Hao Zhun, who was running a tarot card stall at the market.
At the stall, Hao Zhun, whose name sounds like "very accurate," read their cards. He declared Su Zaizai a very lucky person who would bring good fortune to her future boyfriend. For Zhang Lurang, he predicted a future girlfriend with bangs, long hair, and a pink outfit, then pointedly asked for Su Zaizai's name and announced she was Zhang Lurang's fated one. Su Zaizai found the stunt too obvious, and Jiang Jia resigned herself to her plan's failure.
Shortly after, Gu Ran appeared with a girl who was interested in him and quickly used Jiang Jia as a shield, declaring Jiang Jia was the one he liked. He gave a heartfelt description of her quirks, from singing off-key to being deeply affected by sad novels, and how her smile was all he could see. To repay Jiang Jia for her help, Gu Ran agreed to get a tarot reading from Hao Zhun.
The reader pulled "The Lovers" card, suggesting a deep connection. Gu Ran dismissed it as a trick, but Jiang Jia argued the situation was not in her favor. Later, Jiang Jia told her friends she would never date a close friend, as it could ruin the friendship if they broke up. Gu Ran, who overheard her, appeared visibly disheartened. Later that evening, Su Zaizai and Zhang Lurang played a word game.
After a few playful rounds, Zhang Lurang gave Su Zaizai the words "Zhang Lurang," "likes," and "Su Zaizai." Before she could form a sentence, he confessed, "I like you," admitting that while he was usually confident, this was the one thing he felt uncertain about. Su Zaizai was stunned, her own elaborate confession plans completely upstaged by his simple, direct declaration. Both were overjoyed, barely able to contain their smiles for the rest of the night.
The next day, Su Zaizai was ecstatic to learn she had scored 586 on her exams, her highest score ever and enough to get into East China University. She tried to call Zhang Lurang to share the news, but his phone was unreachable, making her worry. Soon after, he called and said he was downstairs. Seeing his solemn expression, Su Zaizai began reassuring him that the distance between universities wouldn't affect their relationship.
Zhang Lurang then broke into a smile, revealing he was only joking and that the distance between them would only be from the male dorm to the female dorm. Realizing she'd been pranked, Su Zaizai playfully declared she would be in charge of his university life, to which he replied that he was honored. He then said he wanted to make a list of things to do together before university, starting with watching the sunrise.
Zhang Lurang invited Su Zaizai on a sunrise camping trip, and she dressed up, expecting a romantic date. However, Gu Ran appeared with his luggage, having seen Zhang Lurang packing and deciding to tag along, completely oblivious to their plans. To Su Zaizai's frustration, Gu Ran thought he was being included in a surprise. Fortunately, Jiang Jia arrived and helped create space for the new couple.
While asking Gu Ran to help her fix a light, he took the opportunity to tell her he was going abroad for an important exchange program. Though disappointed, Jiang Jia supported his decision. Later, while stargazing, Su Zaizai and Zhang Lurang shared a hug. A half-asleep Guan Fang spotted them and excitedly told Gu Ran he saw a strange figure that looked like one person with two heads—a man in a black jacket and a woman with long hair.
Gu Ran and Guan Fang quickly realized he was describing Zhang Lurang and Su Zaizai. Gu Ran later confronted Zhang Lurang, asking when the relationship started. He then made Zhang Lurang promise not to tell his grandmother, fearing it would only add to his own pressures. During the serious talk, Zhang Lurang was busy texting "goodnight" to Su Zaizai, much to Gu Ran's annoyance.
In a letter, Gu Ran revealed to his friends that he was already at the airport, explaining he left without a goodbye because he feared he wouldn't be able to leave if he saw them. He reflected on their friendship, calling their meeting a "reunion after a long time apart," and cherished their shared memories. He was happy everyone was on their chosen path—Guan Fang in economics, Jiang Jia in journalism, and Su Zaizai and Zhang Lurang finally together.
He expressed hope they would all reunite as better people. He gave special advice to Jiang Jia, telling her to call his name if she ever felt afraid, as it would give her strength. As the sun rose, Su Zaizai presented Zhang Lurang with the "contract" she had written for him earlier. She explained it needed an update now that she was no longer just his "teacher."
The new note congratulated him on having a girlfriend and urged him to cherish her, declaring that Su Zaizai was the one and only perfect match for him. Zhang Lurang blushed as Su Zaizai playfully teased him.
Episode 20 Recap
Su Zaizai arrived at East China University, calling Zhang Lurang to see if he had also arrived, and he confirmed he was on his way to his dormitory. Upon arriving at the university, Su Zaizai met a kind senior, Xie Linnan, who correctly guessed her major was English and offered to guide her to the reporting desk.
He introduced her to Block C, her dormitory, and the Third Cafeteria, known as the best on campus, and even joked about "dark cuisines" like pineapple with cilantro. When Su Zaizai inquired about the School of Electrical & Mechanical Engineering dorms, Xie Linnan pointed her to Block F, indicating his awareness of Zhang Lurang's location. Inside her dorm, Su Zaizai greeted her new roommates, Zhang Xiaoxiao, Deng Qin, and Chen Xin.
Her roommates expressed envy that Su Zaizai was escorted by such an excellent senior, while one of them had a senior who only promoted phone cards, and another had to carry her broken luggage alone for half an hour. After settling in, Su Zaizai excitedly messaged Zhang Lurang, telling him that the path from her dormitory to his formed a heart shape.
Zhang Lurang, who was in Room 210, was also making friends with his roommates, one of whom discovered they were from the same hometown, Jiangyi. Later, Su Zaizai went to Zhang Lurang's dormitory building and called him to the balcony, making a heart gesture. When Zhang Lurang's roommates invited him to dinner, he politely declined, stating he already had a date.
Su Zaizai and Zhang Lurang then went to a popular snack bar, where Su Zaizai expressed her desire to try all the local delicacies with him. During a 10th-anniversary photo event at the shop, Su Zaizai boldly kissed Zhang Lurang, and when asked to write a message, she wrote "Copy and Paste," explaining it meant she fully endorsed and agreed with his longer, heartfelt message about their special first day.
On the bus ride back, Su Zaizai fell asleep on Zhang Lurang's shoulder. She woke up as he leaned closer, and impulsively kissed him, apologizing for "taking advantage" of him. Zhang Lurang then leaned in and kissed her, playfully telling her he had learned "copy and paste" from her. Military training began, and the intense sun and strict instructor proved challenging. Su Zaizai struggled with marching, moving her same hand and foot together.
The instructor, recognizing her difficulty, called Xie Linnan, an experienced senior who had overcome the same issue, to help her with special training. Su Zaizai realized that Xie Linnan was the same senior who had helped her on arrival. Xie Linnan effectively guided her, earning praise from the instructor for his teaching skills. Zhang Lurang then arrived, interrupting the training to inform the instructor that the chief instructor needed him, and subtly handed Su Zaizai a bottle of water.
Shortly after, Xie Linnan also offered her water, but Su Zaizai politely declined. After the strenuous training, an exhausted Su Zaizai was delighted when Zhang Lurang appeared with a backpack full of her favorite snacks and even thoughtful gifts like shoe insoles for her ill-fitting shoes. Back in her dorm, Su Zaizai's roommates were discussing photos from the military training, excitedly proclaiming a new student from the School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering as the next campus heartthrob.
Su Zaizai realized they were talking about Zhang Lurang and was about to reveal their relationship, but before she could, a roommate challenged everyone, promising a month's supply of milk tea to anyone who could "take down" Zhang Lurang. Su Zaizai eagerly accepted, requesting strawberry milk tea, though her roommates found her ambition amusing and highly unlikely to succeed. Su Zaizai's bold approach quickly yielded visible results, and her close interactions with Zhang Lurang caught her roommates' attention.
The truth about their prior relationship eventually came out during an encounter at a kiosk where a high school classmate of theirs unexpectedly recognized them. Feeling deceived, Su Zaizai's roommates demanded to know how she and Zhang Lurang met and got together. Su Zaizai and Zhang Lurang then recounted their story, starting from their first meeting in high school at a kiosk in the rain.
When pressed for details about who pursued whom, Zhang Lurang admitted he had made many hints and confessions to win her over. Su Zaizai's roommate, Deng Qin, observed that Zhang Lurang, despite being able to reject others, simply couldn't resist Su Zaizai's passionate love for him. Later, Su Zaizai attended her first club activity, only to discover that Xie Linnan was the president of the New Media department.
The department was busy rushing to complete a promotional video for the university website, and Su Zaizai offered her help, using Photoshop to refine the cover's font. Excited by the fulfilling work, she texted Zhang Lurang about her experience. The next day, Su Zaizai, having a seminar followed by two advanced English classes, asked Zhang Lurang to save her a seat in Room 302.
During the class roll call, when the professor called "Su Zaizai," both Zhang Lurang and Xie Linnan answered simultaneously. The professor, noting Su Zaizai was a girl, marked her absent. Afterwards, Su Zaizai texted Zhang Lurang, upset about being marked absent because two people answered. She teased him about feeling a "crisis" now that Xie Linnan, the New Media department president who also took her to her dorm on the first day, was also present.
She playfully asked Zhang Lurang to accompany her to classes, supervising her so no other guy would "target" his "cute girlfriend," to which he playfully admitted he was afraid. Zhang Lurang realized he had left his USB drive, which contained his project presentation, in Su Zaizai's bag. Su Zaizai, who happened to be free, offered to bring it to him, hinting at a "surprise" stored on it.
During his presentation, after playing a clip from "The Shawshank Redemption," Su Zaizai's personal video automatically played. It showed her expressing her affection for Zhang Lurang, telling him she liked him "a little more today than yesterday." Su Zaizai was mortified, blushing profusely and wondering how she could ever face anyone again, convinced the entire campus would know. Zhang Lurang, however, found her embarrassment "cute."
Later, her roommates teased her about becoming famous across the university for playing a "romantic documentary" in public. Su Zaizai insisted it was an accident, but when they questioned Zhang Lurang about why he didn't stop the video, he simply claimed he was "slow to respond."
Episode 21 Recap
The New Media department organizes a gathering at a local restaurant. Su Zaizai's roommate reveals that department president Xie Linnan had given her medicine for Su Zaizai's sore throat a few days prior, making Su Zaizai realize his concern for her might be more than platonic. During a game of "Truth or Dare" at the gathering, Xie Linnan is asked if he likes anyone.
He glances at Su Zaizai and admits he does, but quickly deflects further questions, leaving his feelings unspoken. Meanwhile, Zhang Lurang waits anxiously in his dorm until he receives a message from Su Zaizai: "I'm done. Come pick up your girlfriend." He immediately rushes out, much to the amusement of his roommates, who joke that he's far too eager for someone just picking up takeout.
Outside the restaurant, Xie Linnan offers to walk Su Zaizai home, but she declines, explaining her boyfriend is on his way. Xie insists on waiting with her and asks if her boyfriend is the one who answered roll call for her. Su Zaizai confirms this and happily describes Zhang Lurang as the person she fell for at first sight and the best person in the world.
She is subtly conveying her deep affection and commitment, and Xie Linnan understands, remarking that after hearing her praise, he has no regrets. Zhang Lurang calls out to Su Zaizai, and she joyfully runs to him after saying goodbye to a pensive Xie Linnan. A little jealous, Zhang Lurang asks what she and Xie Linnan were discussing. Su Zaizai reassures him they were talking about him and how he's the best person in the world.
Seeing he's still sulking, she playfully calls herself the "most generous landlady" for letting him "live in her heart" for so long. Moved, Zhang Lurang pulls her into a kiss, declaring that he's "paying rent." The student union's New Media department is tasked with organizing a performance for the New Year's Eve party. The job falls to Zhu Miao, who remembers seeing a video of Zhang Lurang's high school drama performance and suggests they work together.
Though reluctant, Zhang Lurang agrees. Zhu Miao, however, intends to use the opportunity to get closer to him. Later, she keeps Zhang Lurang late to discuss the program, causing him to miss his dinner plans with Su Zaizai, who senses an underlying tension when she arrives to meet him. Su Zaizai's roommates discover posts on Zhu Miao's social media, including a photo of her with Zhang Lurang.
Su Zaizai clarifies that it's a group photo from their department that Zhu Miao has cropped to look like a private picture. Seeing Zhu Miao post more misleading content, Su Zaizai confronts her during lunch, asking her to delete the photos. Zhu Miao feigns innocence and apologizes, but later shows up to a department meeting with red, teary eyes. Her roommate then confronts Zhang Lurang, accusing Su Zaizai of bullying Zhu Miao.
However, Zhang Lurang shows his unwavering trust in Su Zaizai by brushing off the accusation and simply asking if the photos have been deleted. To assert her claim, Su Zaizai dresses up and intercepts Zhang Lurang and Zhu Miao on their way back to the dorm. After confidently taking her place beside Zhang Lurang, Zhu Miao pretends to sprain her ankle for sympathy. Su Zaizai immediately counters by dramatically collapsing into Zhang Lurang's arms, outplaying her.
Frustrated and defeated, Zhu Miao limps away. Later, Zhang Lurang changes his social media profile picture to a photo of Su Zaizai, making a public declaration of their relationship. When his roommate asks if his dog, Su, would be jealous, he humorously replies that he consulted the dog, who approved of the "other Su." As winter break begins, the couple travels back to their hometown, Jiangyi. Their farewell hug outside Su Zaizai's house is witnessed by her parents.
Initially ready to scold her for dating secretly, they are overjoyed when they realize her boyfriend is Zhang Lurang, whom they hold in high regard. The next day, Zhang Lurang visits Su Zaizai's uncle, Mr. Lin, who was also his high school math teacher. Mr. Lin jokes about Zhang Lurang's past performance in his class but affectionately notes how much he has changed for the better since meeting Su Zaizai.
He describes the old Zhang Lurang as quiet and reserved but sensible beyond his years, and thanks Su Zaizai for bringing him out of his shell. Su Zaizai reflects that her mother always advised her to find a quiet boyfriend, concluding that her relationship with Zhang Lurang feels like destiny.
Episode 22 Recap
Su Zaizai and Zhang Lurang found themselves spending the New Year in Jiangyi together, a first for them as a couple, with Su Zaizai staying to accompany her uncle. As snow began to fall, Su Zaizai recalled a wish she had made the previous winter to be with Zhang Lurang when it snowed again, noting that it had come true. Playfully, she mentioned her eyes felt cold, leading Zhang Lurang to gently cover them with his hands.
When she then claimed she couldn't see and needed him to hold her hand, he embraced her. Su Zaizai reflected on how winter was perfectly suited for romance, providing natural reasons for closeness, like hugging amidst the wind and snow or using the warmth of roasted sweet potatoes as an excuse to hold hands. Time passed, and the friends reached their graduation internship period.
Zhang Lurang pursued flight vehicle manufacturing, passionately describing flying as humanity's most romantic pursuit and himself as a "conductor of air currents," which inspired Su Zaizai to strive just as hard. Their friends were also on their own paths: Jiang Jia became an intern reporter at a TV station, Guan Fang was busy with graduation preparations, and Gu Ran, studying abroad, was often absent from their group calls due to the time difference and his demanding schedule.
Despite being busy, everyone was shining in their respective fields. On graduation day, Su Zaizai, who planned to move back to Jiangyi and rent a place with Zhang Lurang, assumed he would be too busy at his company to attend her ceremony. To her delight, he appeared with a bouquet, explaining that he didn't want to miss any of her significant moments and knew she would want to share her happiness.
After graduating, the couple returned to Jiangyi and moved into their new apartment. Zhang Lurang had already set up the place with his belongings, eagerly waiting for Su Zaizai's things to make it truly their home. Su Zaizai playfully remarked on how soft her bed was and suggested he join her to test it that night. Taking her jest seriously, Zhang Lurang gently pushed her onto the bed and kissed her, declaring that they didn't need to wait until nightfall.
Su Zaizai began her internship as a translator in a data department. When a colleague commented on the "ceremonial" act of displaying her boyfriend's photo, Su Zaizai relayed Zhang Lurang's advice that filling a new environment with personal items helps create a sense of belonging. Their bond deepened despite their busy schedules. One evening, Su Zaizai waited for Zhang Lurang after he worked late. Exhausted, he rested his head on her shoulder, joking that he needed to "recharge."
After watching a movie together, Su Zaizai playfully interviewed him for a rating. He gave it a perfect score, explaining the movie itself was worth fifty points, but the person he watched it with made it a hundred. While packing to return home, Gu Ran's roommate asked for his limited-edition game. Gu Ran refused, stating it was for a close friend who loved gaming.
The roommate then pointed out a carefully wrapped ring, guessing it was for someone significant, which made Gu Ran think of Jiang Jia. The five friends later had a video call. Jiang Jia was on the street near Tianmen Bridge, waiting for an interview subject. Noticing she was cold, Gu Ran secretly ordered a scarf to be delivered to her. Jiang Jia accepted the anonymous gift, touched by the gesture.
Su Zaizai mused that Gu Ran and Jiang Jia might get along more harmoniously now compared to their bickering high school days. Zhang Lurang, however, commented that he felt their relationship was already quite good, based on his intuition. While walking together, Zhang Lurang and Su Zaizai ran into their high school acquaintance, Wang Nan, who correctly guessed they were a couple, noting Su Zaizai’s affection for Zhang Lurang was obvious back then.
Soon after, Gu Ran returned, and the five friends finally reunited for a karaoke night. Guan Fang revealed he had declined a job offer to stay in Jiangyi to be near his grandmother and friends. Later, Guan Fang and Su Zaizai both became inebriated after just one drink. Seeing her discomfort, Zhang Lurang carried a tipsy Su Zaizai home, vowing to never let her drink again. Su Zaizai embarked on a business trip.
When Zhang Lurang's colleagues invited him to a gathering, he declined, explaining he needed to call his girlfriend. He confessed to them that contrary to what they might think, he was the "clingy one" in their relationship. His colleagues, observing his devotion, wondered what his girlfriend was like, picturing someone gentle, poised, understanding, and quiet. Later, Su Zaizai called Zhang Lurang, excited about seeing an actor who resembled Guan Fang.
She described her hotel's sea view and a local noodle shop, though she admitted their university spot was better. Before her client meeting, she confessed her nervousness, but Zhang Lurang calmed her by reminding her of her past successes. The business dinner with a British company went smoothly, which was credited to the connections of their partner, Mr. Wei. He praised Su Zaizai for her fluent translation and professionalism but then pressured her to drink wine.
Su Zaizai politely declined, explaining her low tolerance, and offered to toast with tea. Unfazed, Mr. Wei then insisted she eat, even after she said she wasn't hungry. Finally, he dismissively suggested she go "enjoy the views" outside while the others finished their meal.
Episode 23 Recap
Su Zaizai found herself outside, having been encouraged to leave a work event. She tried to order food, but the restaurant was reservation-only. A colleague approached her, bringing a few cold buns, and advised her to go home. She explained that their manager, Mr. Chen, had given permission for her to depart, suggesting it was best to avoid their boss, Mr. Wei, who was heavily drinking inside and might cause trouble if he saw her.
Su Zaizai thanked her colleague and left. Soon after, Zhang Lurang called Su Zaizai. She attempted to sound cheerful, describing a supposedly lavish dinner with roasted duck, brined chicken, candied apples, and spicy boiled meat slices. However, Zhang Lurang immediately detected the sadness in her voice and asked why she was crying. She admitted to feeling homesick after seeing a bus stop sign for "Jiangyi Road."
Zhang Lurang offered to come pick her up, but she insisted it was too late and that she would buy the earliest ticket home the next day. She then asked him if she had done anything wrong, to which he firmly reassured her that she hadn't before her phone died. Later, at a bus stop, Su Zaizai watched the last bus leave. The driver advised her to go home, but she explained she didn't live there.
Alone, she wished for an "Anywhere Door" to take her home. A voice from her memory echoed, questioning her inability to handle such social gatherings. Suddenly, Zhang Lurang appeared in his car, explaining he knew she had been mistreated and came to take her home. Back at home, Zhang Lurang prepared a meal for Su Zaizai. As she ate, she worried he might be tired from the three-hour drive and wondered if she was a nuisance.
He tenderly told her he wouldn't have slept soundly if he hadn't come for her, emphasizing that not everything should be judged by its "worth." He wished for her to trouble him more often. Su Zaizai, touched, playfully covered her ears, remarking that by covering them, his words would stay in her mind. Zhang Lurang then asked if the noodles were too salty, as it had been a while since he last cooked.
Su Zaizai smiled, saying they weren't salty at all, but rather sweet, suggesting the cook himself was "overloaded with sweetness." Meanwhile, Gu Ran called Jiang Jia to invite her to a new couples' restaurant opened by his friend, but she had prior plans. Not wanting to waste his reservation, Gu Ran brought Zhang Lurang and Guan Fang instead. To his dismay, Jiang Jia arrived at the same restaurant with a male friend.
Zhang Lurang and Guan Fang immediately noticed Gu Ran's distress, with Zhang Lurang pointedly asking why Gu Ran hadn't confessed his feelings, stating it was "too obvious." Gu Ran confessed his fear, believing Jiang Jia preferred someone kind and thoughtful and worried that a failed confession would ruin their friendship. However, in a sudden burst of resolve, he declared his intention to confess.
He sought advice from his friends, but Zhang Lurang had no experience, and Guan Fang offered only a history of failed attempts. Realizing he was on his own, Gu Ran decided his strategy would be to discuss Jiang Jia's favorite foods. Later, Gu Ran waited at a street corner for Jiang Jia. When she appeared, he engaged her in small talk about her dinner before abruptly saying good night and leaving. Jiang Jia was left speechless.
Gu Ran later recounted the encounter to his friends, convinced Jiang Jia's "good night" was a positive sign, though they dismissed it as wishful thinking. When Guan Fang mentioned an upcoming high school alumni gathering, Zhang Lurang stated he and Su Zaizai would be too busy to attend.
However, upon hearing from Su Zaizai that Jiang Jia would be there, Gu Ran instantly canceled his prior plans to drink with friends and called Jiang Jia, asking her for help picking out an outfit. At the alumni gathering, Gu Ran meticulously positioned himself to display his "perfect side profile." Jiang Jia approached him, noting his altered appearance, and he in turn complimented her new dress.
Their conversation was cut short when an alumnus, Sun Yuan, asked Jiang Jia to dance. Gu Ran tried to interject, claiming Jiang Jia wasn't a good dancer, but she surprisingly agreed to dance with Sun Yuan, leaving Gu Ran disappointed. Later, Sun Yuan's friend approached Gu Ran, seeking details about Jiang Jia and revealing that Sun Yuan had a long-standing crush. Gu Ran feigned ignorance, claiming he didn't know Jiang Jia well.
Soon after, Fu Yao approached Gu Ran and casually revealed that Jiang Jia had liked him "for ages." Gu Ran was baffled, but Fu Yao clarified, explaining that Jiang Jia had once expressed reluctance to date a good friend, but then added, "But if it's Gu Ran, that'd be nice." The truth dawned on Gu Ran, and he immediately ran to find Jiang Jia. He found her finishing a conference call.
Gu Ran confessed that there was something he didn't finish telling her the night before they watched the sunrise. He then produced a love letter he had written five years ago after leaving the country, explaining he had tried countless times to give it to her but never found the courage. He asked for the honor of reading it aloud.
In the letter, Gu Ran poured out his heart, describing how he never wanted to be "cured" of his feelings for her. He confessed that he once thought he'd loudly declare his love, but instead became timid when he actually fell in love. He revealed he secretly kept a photo of her for five years and how seeing her dance with another man filled him with a jealousy that went far beyond friendship.
He concluded simply by stating, "I like you." Jiang Jia responded, acknowledging that she too didn't see him as "just a friend." The friends reunited after the gathering. Guan Fang humorously lamented his single status, playfully demanding the game console Gu Ran had promised him. Gu Ran, now playfully asserting that Jiang Jia was "in charge" of him, agreed to give Guan Fang the console but refused to play with him.
Guan Fang then pressed Zhang Lurang and Su Zaizai about their marriage plans, claiming he already had their wedding gift money ready. Zhang Lurang revealed his intention to propose to Su Zaizai as soon as he completed his current project. Later, before Zhang Lurang's "new product theme talk" at Luming Technology, Su Zaizai called to say she couldn't attend due to work.
At the talk, Zhang Lurang, introduced as Luming's youngest engineer to build a flying machine, presented the new CW-003 drone and its innovative system. During the Q&A, a reporter asked what belief sustained him through the drone's challenging research. Zhang Lurang confessed that he used to be a self-conscious person who expected a mediocre life, until he met someone.
He spoke of her cheerful spirit, how her eyes always reflected him, and how she would tell him, "It's okay, you are the best for me," whenever he faced failures or wanted to give up. He admitted that having never received such unconditional favoritism before, he felt compelled to persevere because of her "unreserved faith."
He then glanced at a tearful Su Zaizai in the audience, who had managed to come after all, and thought to himself that he had made her cry again and would need to comfort her when they got home.
Episode 24 (Ending) Recap
After his successful product launch, Zhang Lurang surprises Su Zaizai, who was waiting for him, by leading her to a newly purchased house. He reveals it is their home, bought specifically for them. Overjoyed, Su Zaizai excitedly envisions the layout of their future rooms. As she explores, a projector on the wall begins playing a montage of their shared memories Zhang Lurang had secretly recorded over the years.
The video includes significant dates, from surviving the "doomsday" in 2012 to their official first day as a couple in 2015, culminating in a note from that very day, stating his intention to propose. Moved to tears, Su Zaizai realizes he, too, had cherished and documented their journey. Seizing the moment, Zhang Lurang formally proposes.
He shares that for the first seventeen years of his life, his focus was merely on his own existence, but meeting her gave him a reason to look forward to tomorrow. He dreams of a future where she is the first person he sees every morning, where they watch movies, take walks, and raise a child together.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Su Zaizai reveals she has a bank card containing all her red packet money, saved since childhood with the sole purpose of buying rings to marry him. With her lifelong savings dedicated to this moment, she tearfully accepts, and they embrace. Jiang Jia, after being called into her station for an urgent matter, meets up with Su Zaizai to go wedding dress shopping.
Gu Ran calls, offering to join and carry their bags, but Jiang Jia dismisses her now-clingy boyfriend. Later, the two friends enjoy grilled aubergine at a street stall, a favorite spot since junior high. When Jiang Jia asks if Su Zaizai fears marrying early, Su Zaizai says her only regret is not proposing sooner so they could already be celebrating an anniversary. She expresses total confidence in Zhang Lurang, who has been handling all the stressful wedding preparations himself.
After drinking a bit too much, Su Zaizai needs Zhang Lurang to pick her up, and Jiang Jia calls him. Later, while on the phone with Gu Ran, Jiang Jia mentions she couldn't resist trying on a wedding dress. When Gu Ran hints that they could do the same, she immediately shuts him down, stating she will not accept a casual proposal and expects a proper, grand ceremony.
Back home, a tipsy Su Zaizai playfully calls Zhang Lurang "hubby," sings, and fakes crying to demand kisses and hugs, fearing he won't like her when she's being silly. Zhang Lurang patiently humors her, promising to fulfill her every request as the atmosphere grows intimate. On their wedding day, Su Zaizai's father walks her down the aisle to Zhang Lurang, while an emotional Jiang Jia weeps with joy in the audience.
During their vows, Su Zaizai tearfully shares that since she was sixteen, her annual New Year's wish has been to marry him, proving that some wishes do come true. Zhang Lurang smiles, stating he is honored. Urged on by their guests, they share a sweet kiss. As expected, Su Zaizai's thrown bouquet lands directly in Jiang Jia's hands. That night, Su Zaizai writes in her diary.
She reflects that while this was an unforgettable day, her youth was filled with countless other cherished memories: the starlight during military training, the stage lights during their play, and the sunsets they watched together. She muses that the charm of youth isn't about getting everything you wish for, but about every unexpected tomorrow and every person you meet by chance, just as the boy she first saw under a roof became her entire world. Some time passes.
Before Zhang Lurang leaves for a business trip, Su Zaizai asks if he would ever want to travel back in time. He replies that he has no desire to, as only those with regrets wish to change the past, and he has none. Su Zaizai humorously claims her only regret is not kissing him sooner. Their happy life continues, and they have a child whom they nickname You You.
For a high school alumni gathering, they both don their old school uniforms. As Zhang Lurang waits for Su Zaizai, he reflects that if he had known he would meet someone like her, he would have wished to meet her even earlier. He knows he will forever remember the first time he saw her, her bright eyes looking through the rain, a glance that signaled the arrival of his light and brought them together for life.
