When We Were Young Episode 13 Recap
> When We Were Young Recap
Nurses at the nursing home watched Chu Yinyin's popular online English teaching video, praising her proficiency. However, Mr. Xia, while watching the video, recognized the person on screen as his biological daughter, but he insisted she was "the older sister" who had been left at the orphanage entrance, not "Xia Er." He hinted at a past where he had two daughters and abandoned one. The nurses and others dismissed his words as mere confusion.
At New South Vocational Technical School, Teacher Zhu lauded his students for their recent improvement in homework. Qi Xiao Er and Feifei eagerly credited Chu Yinyin's online video tutorials for their rapid progress, finding her teaching methods engaging and fun. Seizing this opportunity, the economically-minded Qi Xiao Er established an "English Tutoring Club" at school with Feifei and Chu Yinyin, recruiting members for a fee. Soon after, Liu Qiang and Du Zizi approached Chu Yinyin.
Instead of demanding repayment for her debt, they offered a deal: if she could help them significantly raise their English proficiency before graduation, their debt would be completely waived. If she failed, however, they warned of severe consequences. Chu Yinyin accepted the challenge, waiving their membership fees. Chu Yinyin's passion for learning deeply moved one of their friends, who had been considering dropping out to manage a family beauty parlor.
After a direct appeal from Chu Yinyin, he decided to remain in school and commit to his studies. Meanwhile, Xia Er, having seen Chu Yinyin's widely circulated English teaching videos on Weibo, lamented her situation. She reflected on how a "study genius" like Chu Yinyin would always command popularity, while she herself was constantly embroiled in various troubles. She noted that Qi Xiao Er, being aligned with Chu Yinyin, seemed destined for success.
At Elite International Academy, preparations were underway for a visit from a foreign delegation. Teacher Lu, acknowledging Xia Er's unique circumstances, secured a special opportunity for her to participate in hosting the visiting foreign university leaders, despite Xia Er not being on the initial interview list. Li Nike, overhearing this development, immediately concocted a scheme. She approached Xia Er in the conference room where Xia Er was arranging the podium and presented her with a box of foreign tea.
Nike deceptively told Xia Er that this was a premium "top-grade Chinese tea" specifically prepared by the principal for Mr. Craig Levin, the chairman of the American delegation. She explained that the foreign language on the packaging indicated it was a special export-only blend for Americans, and emphasized that paying attention to such minute details was crucial for the alliance between their school and the Ivy League.
Xia Er, unable to read the English instructions, believed Nike's fabrication and brewed the special tea for Mr. Levin, while serving regular tea bags to the other delegates. As Xu Konglin was calibrating the audio equipment, Xia Er inadvertently spilled water onto the extension cord, damaging the power socket. Declaring her intent to take full responsibility, Xia Er, convinced of her "born talent" for fixing things, attempted to repair the faulty socket herself. Her efforts, however, only exacerbated the problem.
During the subsequent meeting, Teacher Chen received an electric shock from the malfunctioning outlet, and to add to the chaos, Chairman Craig Levin suffered from severe diarrhea after consuming the tea Xia Er had prepared. The series of embarrassing mishaps infuriated Principal Zhang, who reprimanded both Teacher Lu and Chu Yinyin, highlighting the damage done to the school's reputation.
Teacher Lu expressed profound disappointment in Xia Er, noting that the former Chu Yinyin would have taken responsibility for her mistakes rather than shifting blame to others. Xia Er, however, maintained that Li Nike was the true instigator. Separately, Li Bai confronted Li Nike, asserting his knowledge that she had deliberately orchestrated the incidents. Nike vehemently denied any wrongdoing, sarcastically questioning Li Bai's concern for Chu Yinyin and dismissing Chu Yinyin as an "idiot."
Later, Li Nike continued to taunt Xia Er via phone call in their dorm, prompting Xia Er to vow that she would uncover evidence of Nike's malicious actions. Chu Mingzhu called Xia Er home and insisted on taking her to see a psychologist. During the session, Xia Er fabricated a narrative of academic stress and the pressures of being Chu Yinyin.
The psychologist concluded that Xia Er was experiencing amnesia and a distinct change in personality, which was a normal response to her unique situation, suggesting that exploring past interests could aid memory recovery. Chu Mingzhu expressed her deep concern that years of cultivating Chu Yinyin's brilliance would be wasted if her daughter wasn't "cured" and restored to her former self, pleading with the doctor for a guaranteed outcome, though the doctor stated she could not promise specific results.
Privately, Xia Er reflected on her predicament, realizing she needed to fully embrace the role of Chu Yinyin and acknowledging Xu Konglin's support, determined not to let down the "real" Chu Yinyin. Meanwhile, Qi Xiao Er and Chu Yinyin went to the nursing home with the money Chu Yinyin had earned from tutoring to pay Mr. Xia's care fees.
To their surprise, the nurse informed them that Xia Er had already paid for the next six months during her previous visit. This news perplexed Qi Xiao Er, who wondered how Xia Er, with her existing debts to Liu Qiang, had managed to cover such a significant expense. During a remedial English lesson, Li Nike continued her torment, placing sticky notes on Xia Er's head for every incorrect answer.
When Teacher Lu discovered the sticky notes on Xia Er's head in class, she sternly criticized Xia Er for disrespecting classroom rules. Xu Konglin attempted to defend Xia Er, suggesting that unconventional learning methods could still be effective, but Teacher Lu redirected her criticism towards him as well. Seizing the opportunity, Li Nike announced that she was unable to effectively tutor Xia Er and would no longer provide remedial lessons.
Immediately, Xu Konglin volunteered to take over Xia Er's tutoring, much to Xia Er's delight. Elated, Xia Er orchestrated a formal "Xu Konglin and Chu Yinyin Friendship Tutoring Signing of Contract Ceremony" on the rooftop. She presented Xu Konglin with a contract filled with what she playfully called "Princess clauses," which were effectively "tyrant clauses" from her perspective. The terms dictated daily reports, varied tutoring locations, and Xu Konglin being at her constant command.
If she failed a clause, he owed her one request; if he failed, he owed her two. Xu Konglin, recognizing the disadvantageous terms but doing it for Xia Er, signed the contract with a smile. During their first tutoring session, Xia Er found herself more captivated by Xu Konglin's handsome appearance than by the lesson.
She proposed a reward system: if she answered five questions correctly, he would take her to play the arcade claw machine, with no penalties for incorrect answers. Xu Konglin agreed. After two hours, Xia Er had completed ten questions, all of which were wrong, prompting Xu Konglin to joke about adding a punishment clause to their agreement.
