When We Were Young Episode 23 Recap
> When We Were Young Recap
Every day, everyone helped Hua Biao clean the waste pool, and they also reviewed their studies together. When Hua Biao received his first payment, he offered to treat everyone to popsicles, but his friends all went straight home. The next morning, Yang Xi helped her mother prepare beef balls, reciting her lessons while cooking, which pleasantly surprised her mother. After the beef balls were ready, Yang Xi secretly packed some to take to Granny Hua.
However, Granny Hua's condition had worsened; she mistook Yang Xi for Hui and Hua Biao for Junsheng, asking Yang Xi to bring Junsheng back from Xinjiang. Later, Yang Xi and Hua Biao studied on the rooftop. Yang Xi expressed her worry about Granny Hua's deteriorating memory and suggested telling the rest of their "Speeding Five" group so they could help care for her.
However, Hua Biao felt he had already bothered them by asking for help with the waste pool and didn't want to overstep their friendship. He told Yang Xi she was different, like "Hui," which puzzled Yang Xi. During their review, Hua Biao was surprised to see Yang Xi solve a challenging four-star problem from a Gaokao problem bank, a feat even excellent students struggled with.
Yang Xi modestly dismissed it as a fluke, but Hua Biao insisted it was due to her hard work and consistent study method. He promised she would continue to improve and told her that only those who believe in miracles can create them, encouraging her to be more confident. Hua Biao then gave Granny Hua an acupoint massage to comfort her. Meanwhile, Yang Xi's mother meticulously organized study notes for all subjects, calling them the "Essence of Gaokao by Yang."
She jokingly remarked that her job loss was worth it if it helped Yang Xi achieve academic breakthrough. Elsewhere, Yang Xi's father discussed university choices with Li Yu, specifically his second preference. Li Yu noticed several boxes of stomach medicine in their home and inquired about his father's well-being. Yang Xi's father assured him his father was fine and that the medicine was for Yang Zhao, who was leaving for America.
However, when Li Yu's father called shortly after, Yang Xi's father spoke evasively. Li Yu, knowing his father suffered from ulcers and recognized the specific medications, grew certain his father was not doing well. Determined, Li Yu decided to go to Guangzhou to see his father himself, despite Yang Xi's father offering to go on Sunday. Li Yu bought two train tickets, implicitly expecting Yang Xi to accompany him.
However, as boarding for the train was closing the next day, it was Huang Chengcheng who appeared at the station, not Yang Xi. Huang Chengcheng joined Li Yu, remarking that she was there for the same reason he was. Back home, as Hua Biao and Yang Xi prepared to go clean the factory waste pool, Granny Hua suddenly gripped Hua Biao tightly, refusing to let him leave.
She insisted on accompanying him to a "far and dark place" to protect him from a "scary monster," even offering to take his Gaokao test for him. For Granny Hua's safety, Yang Xi decided to stay behind and care for her, while Hua Biao left with Ertiao and He Mei for work. Midway, the three were intercepted by He Mei's mother, who was upset about her daughter's whereabouts.
He Mei tried to explain they were helping Hua Biao with his part-time job, but her mother accused her of keeping secrets and neglecting her studies. He Mei asserted her need for personal space and friends, but her mother dismissed it, telling her to be a "normal girl" and not dream of miracles. Yang Xi stayed home with Granny Hua, who alternated between moments of lucidity and confusion.
At one point, Granny Hua recognized Yang Xi and offered to make her buns. However, when she brought out a pot, Yang Xi lifted the lid to find it filled only with boiling water. Granny Hua, startled by her own confusion, accidentally dropped the pot, spilling hot water that scalded Yang Xi. Fortunately, Hua Biao returned just in time and rushed Yang Xi to the hospital.
In Guangzhou, Li Yu meticulously cared for his father, cooking him special meals, cleaning the apartment, and organizing his medications. He gave his father many health-related instructions, reminding him that health was paramount and that he should not over-exert himself for business. Li Yu's father then shared that Li Yu's mother wanted him to live with her in Japan. While his father hoped he would stay, he admitted he couldn't care for him properly at the moment.
However, Li Yu firmly refused the offer, stating he wouldn't leave and didn't want to burden Yang Xi's parents. He also added that he couldn't leave Yang Xi alone in a strange place. After settling his father, Li Yu went to the beach to meet Huang Chengcheng, who had been waiting for him. He then surprised her by producing a Hong Kong Ballet makeup registration form that he had filled out for her.
Huang Chengcheng was furious that Li Yu had acted without her permission and assumed he was trying to push her away. Through a flashback, it was revealed that Li Yu had previously met Huang Chengcheng's mother, who told him Huang Chengcheng had given up her chance to go to Hong Kong for her friends.
Huang Chengcheng then showed Li Yu a collection of English flashcards she had made, expressing her support for his dream of getting into Peking University and becoming a diplomat. Li Yu sincerely thanked her for her constant support, stating that he wanted to support her dream in the same way. He then presented her with a pair of red dancing shoes, a dream of hers.
The two shared a poignant moment, reflecting on their dreams and the "miracle" of that night. The second mock exam commenced, with Yang Xi's mother sending her and Li Yu off, appearing anxious yet hopeful. She reminded Yang Xi to relax, downplaying the importance of grades given Yang Xi's hand injury, which Hua Biao had fashioned a protective cover for to prevent scars. Yang Xi approached the exam with confidence and returned home smiling with her results.
Yang Xi's parents excitedly calculated her total score, arriving at 501 points. While this was generally enough for a first-tier university, they knew Peking University typically required around 520 points, according to past years. Just then, Yang Xi excitedly showed them a newspaper. It announced a new system for long-distance running in high schools, offering 20 bonus points. This meant Yang Xi's score, with the potential bonus, could reach 521, making her eligible for Peking University. This news overjoyed her parents, confirming that miracles often happen to those who are well-prepared.
