Your Highness, The Class Monitor Episode 20 Recap
> Your Highness, The Class Monitor Recap
Upon returning to his dorm, Gu Zi Chen found Ye Xing Yu to be unusually dejected. Gu Zi Chen realized that the news of him and Su Nian Nian being in a relationship had spread widely. He then formally informed Ye Xing Yu that Su Nian Nian was now his official girlfriend. Ye Xing Yu questioned Gu Zi Chen's sincerity, fearing that Gu Zi Chen's feelings might be a fleeting infatuation, which would deeply hurt Su Nian Nian.
He declared he would not allow that to happen, emphasizing that both Su Nian Nian and Gu Zi Chen were the most important people to him and he didn't want either of them to suffer. Gu Zi Chen was surprised to learn that Ye Xing Yu thought of him in such a way, and he solemnly assured Ye Xing Yu of his profound seriousness towards Su Nian Nian, vowing to protect her with all his might.
Convinced by Gu Zi Chen’s words and acknowledging that love cannot be forced, Ye Xing Yu accepted the situation and expressed his wish to be the first to bless their relationship. Meanwhile, Zhao Mingyuan was upset to hear about Gu Zi Chen and Su Nian Nian's relationship, feeling that Gu Zi Chen had acted unfairly given Ye Xing Yu's feelings for Su Nian Nian. He decided to confront Gu Zi Chen at a planned group dinner.
Arriving dressed in his mechanic's uniform with unwashed grease stains on his face, Zhao Mingyuan made it clear he was there to cause trouble, declaring it a "Hongmen Banquet" (a dinner set up as a trap) for Xing Yu. At the dinner table, Zhao Mingyuan continuously provoked Gu Zi Chen, who, trying to avoid making everyone uncomfortable, excused himself to use the restroom.
In the hallway, Gu Zi Chen noticed Song Yuxi's boyfriend, Xu Jia, flirting with a waitress at the front desk, confirming his suspicion that Xu Jia was not a good person. He discreetly sent a message to Su Nian Nian, warning her about Xu Jia and advising her to be careful. Back at the table, Gu Zi Chen subtly alluded to Xu Jia's behavior, saying some people like to "eat from their bowl while looking at the pot."
Zhao Mingyuan immediately retorted, saying that looking at the pot was better than habitually eating from other people's bowls, a clear jab at Gu Zi Chen. Losing his patience with Zhao Mingyuan's veiled insults, Gu Zi Chen was on the verge of arguing, but Yin Chuxia intervened. Feeling embarrassed by Zhao Mingyuan's behavior, she pulled him away from the table. Outside, Yin Chuxia scolded Zhao Mingyuan.
He explained that his anger was directed at Gu Zi Chen for Ye Xing Yu's sake, not at her. Yin Chuxia then lectured him, explaining that love cannot be forced and that it was natural for two people who love each other to be together. Zhao Mingyuan, chastened, admitted his actions had been rash. Back in the dorm, Su Nian Nian relayed Gu Zi Chen's warning about Xu Jia to Song Yuxi.
However, Song Yuxi brushed off the concerns, feeling that Gu Zi Chen was being nosy and criticizing him for talking behind people's backs. The dormmates discussed the rampant rumors on the school forum about Gu Zi Chen and Su Nian Nian, linking them to Ye Xing Yu's supposed heartbreak and Zhao Mingyuan's anger. Separately, Gu Zi Chen was diligently spending time with Su Nian Nian at the library and research lab for their studies.
His father, Chairman Gu, instructed his secretary, Liu, to monitor Gu Zi Chen's activities, prompting Secretary Liu to bribe student Xiao Huang for information on Gu Zi Chen's whereabouts. Xiao Huang reported Gu Zi Chen’s frequent visits to the library, canteen, and occasional trips outside school. Later, Zhu Cheng asked Zhao Mingyuan about Song Yuxi’s boyfriend, seemingly interested in Song Yuxi himself, and expressed his dislike for "tall and handsome" guys, hoping the couple would break up.
An unexpected incident occurred when Gu Zi Chen, Su Nian Nian, and Ye Xing Yu stumbled upon Zhao Mingyuan being assaulted by Wang Zhi and his gang at the Garage on Dong Xing Road. Zhao Mingyuan was already unconscious. Seeing the arrival of Zhao Mingyuan’s friends, Wang Zhi ordered his men to attack Gu Zi Chen and the others. In the ensuing chaos, Ye Xing Yu was injured while protecting Su Nian Nian.
After Wang Zhi and his group fled, Zhao Mingyuan and Ye Xing Yu were rushed to the hospital. Gu Zi Chen was taken to the police station for questioning, along with the garage owner. The police reprimanded Gu Zi Chen and informed the school authorities about the incident. The school's Principal was furious, firmly deciding to expel Zhao Mingyuan to address the misconduct of fighting.
Despite Mr. Jiang's persistent pleas for leniency, emphasizing that Zhao Mingyuan was a "kid" and deserved another chance, the Principal remained resolute, stating that such behavior damaged the school’s reputation and Zhao Mingyuan's life was ruined by his own actions. Later, Mr. Jiang informed Gu Zi Chen at the police station that the school's condition for resolution was Zhao Mingyuan's expulsion.
When students learned of Zhao Mingyuan's impending expulsion, they became anxious, worrying about his parents and urging Su Nian Nian to intercede. Although Su Nian Nian was unsure if she could persuade the Principal, she agreed to try. Ye Xing Yu encouraged her, believing the school should know the full truth before making such a severe decision.
At the hospital, the doctor informed Ye Xing Yu that his hand injury was severe and might permanently affect his ability to play the guitar, causing Su Nian Nian immense guilt. Ye Xing Yu reassured her, saying it wasn't her fault and that he had a chance to recover with physical therapy. Zhu Cheng and Chen Yuan visited Zhao Mingyuan, breaking the news of his expulsion.
Initially stoic, Zhao Mingyuan then stated he could find work outside of school, but his friends vowed to stand by him and find a solution. Yin Chuxia also visited, bringing a homemade soup, which Zhao Mingyuan eagerly consumed. Their friends teased them about their budding romance, but Zhao Mingyuan insisted Yin Chuxia was just a friend, especially given his precarious situation with the school.
