When You Be Me Episode 26 (Ending) Recap
> When You Be Me Recap
With only three days left until the college entrance exams, the teacher gathered her students, asking them to put down their pens. She announced that this would be their last day in the classroom, as the school would grant graduating seniors two days off to rest and prepare. Over her ten years of teaching, she emotionally declared them the most unique and wonderful class she had encountered, urging them to bravely keep up their efforts before dismissing class.
Just as class ended, the Director arrived, bringing longan fruits for each class, hoping they would "achieve academic success." Qiao Nan invited the Director to share some words with their class. The Director acknowledged that he knew they had given him the nickname "Bone-Melting Palm" behind his back and admitted he had often been dissatisfied with them, labeling them the most mischievous class he'd dealt with.
However, he softened, telling them that studying and the college entrance exam weren't the only things in life. He reassured them that if they failed, they could retake the exams or pursue other talents, as their lives had just begun. He ended by wishing them success and a bright future, expressing confidence that they would all become valuable contributors to their country and society.
As the Director turned to leave, Qiao Nan stopped him, apologizing for the trouble he and the taekwondo club had caused. The whole class bowed, thanking him for his constant guidance. The Director, teary-eyed, told them not to run wild in the future. Once outside the classroom, he couldn't hold back his tears, praising them as truly good kids. Qiao Nan and Mu Xiangxiang recorded a video together on their last day of high school.
Qiao Nan expressed his wish to film a video every year so they could watch them together when they were old. Mu Xiangxiang, initially shy and hesitant, eventually joined in, and they declared together, "College entrance exams, here we come!" After the exams, Mu Xiangxiang and Qiao Nan visited a lake to release wishing boats. Mu Xiangxiang wished to get into Peking University Medical School, estimating her score at 700.
Qiao Nan wished to get into Beijing Foreign Studies University with his estimated 629 points. He then shared another wish: to be together with Mu Xiangxiang forever, asking her to agree. Just as he was about to lean in, an administrator scolded them for littering, fishing their boats out of the water. Mu Xiangxiang worried it might be unlucky. Back home, Qiao Nan received graduation gifts.
His father, Qiao Yuanshan, gave him a figurine, stating he would now support Qiao Nan's hobbies and get him any figurines he liked. Qiao Nan's paternal aunt (Luo Yuansheng) surprised him with a dobok autographed by world champion Kang Shin-chul, which she acquired through a complex network of friends. Qiao Rui, Qiao Nan's brother, then gave him an ordinary 30-yuan book. Qiao Nan, joking that it was the missing piece to his wishes, accepted it, and they all celebrated.
Meanwhile, Mu Xiangxiang excitedly called her parents to tell them she had been accepted into Peking University. Her father, Mu Defeng, was overjoyed, promising a big celebratory meal. Mu Song also got into a music conservatory. In gratitude for their help, Mu Song's mother (Mu Xiangxiang's paternal aunt), after being comforted by Xiaoyu, offered to return their shared house, emphasizing that they were family. Xiaoyu also suggested Mu Song's mother eat with them daily.
Mu Defeng and Mu Song's mother then announced celebratory discounts at their respective businesses—Mu Defeng’s noodle stall would be free for seven days, and the aunt’s hot pot restaurant would be 50% off. As Mu Defeng’s noodle stall gained popularity and became an online sensation, Mu Song's mother proposed a collaboration. The families grew closer, with Mu Song even playing the violin at the noodle stall.
Mu Xiangxiang went to meet Qiao Nan, who showed her his acceptance letter to Beijing Foreign Studies University. They both realized they could now go to Beijing together and would be "tied together for life." Qiao Nan had planned a romantic gesture with a rose, but his friends, including Guo Zhi, unexpectedly arrived, sweeping them away to a graduation party. The rose he had hidden in a tree accidentally fell and was trampled.
At the graduation uniform party, Guo Zhi, addressing Xiaokui, apologized for not getting the exact score she asked for, which was 520 ("I love you"). He revealed he scored 521, meaning "I do." Xiaokui happily accepted his romantic gesture. Other classmates made toasts, expressing gratitude for Qiao Nan's help in getting them into universities and vowing to pursue passionate romances in college.
Mu Xiangxiang spoke, thanking everyone for being her friends, calling them the luckiest part of her high school life, and thanking Qiao Nan for bringing them together. Qiao Nan then stood up, thanking the top students of Class 1 for helping the underachievers of Class 5, enabling them all to get into their dream universities.
He then looked at Mu Xiangxiang and promised that no matter whether she was in college or working, she would never be lonely again, as he would always have her back. After taking group photos, Qiao Nan took Mu Xiangxiang away from the bustling party, as the Director, who was having hotpot with his parents nearby, saw his students' joy and decided not to interrupt them.
Qiao Nan led Mu Xiangxiang to a football field, where he loudly confessed his feelings. He told her he wanted to be with her not just because their soul swapping had tied them together, but because she was the brightest star he had ever met. He admitted it might sound strange given their youth, but he had already imagined spending every fleeting moment of their future lives together with her.
Mu Xiangxiang, smiling, told him she had already said "I do" when she was in his body, and they held hands. Suddenly, Mu Xiangxiang awoke in a futuristic capsule. An elderly man in glasses, the designer of a virtual reality immersive experience game called "Reverse Life," congratulated her on completing the game. Mu Xiangxiang was shocked to learn it was 2031, and she was 28 years old, a PhD student at Peking University Medical School.
The designer explained that the "soul swapping" she experienced was not a game feature, but a manifestation of her own subconscious desires to return to high school, and that all the characters she encountered in her game experience were NPCs. However, he then revealed that only two real players had ever completed "Reverse Life," and Qiao Nan was the other one.
Mu Xiangxiang sadly recalled that in real high school, Qiao Nan didn't know her because she was always an "invisible person." As Mu Xiangxiang left the facility, she coincidentally encountered Qiao Nan. She initially thought he wouldn't recognize her, but he called out her name. They caught up, with Qiao Nan acknowledging her past as the "invisible person from Class 1," but noting that she was different now.
Mu Xiangxiang shared that she eventually pursued a combined master's and PhD at Peking University, while Qiao Nan had become a teacher at Beijing Foreign Studies University and worked as a translator for international sports events. He humbly remarked that he wasn't bad for a "former slacker" who became Yingcheng's "top student." They wondered about their old classmates, and Qiao Nan suggested organizing another school uniform party to reunite everyone.
Before they said goodbye, Qiao Nan called her back and invited her for coffee. During their conversation, they shared a moment of perfect synchronicity, recalling a specific "life hack" they had discussed in the game: "Life hack: add vinegar and chili, sweat but won't catch cold - try it and see," suggesting their connection was deeper than just the virtual reality.
