WELCOME BACK to the FINAL TWO EPISODES Genius Girlfriend, i am your co-host Rebelarkey, you may call me Shale or Larkey if you want. ( u/akiceman has so generously let me host with them).

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🪴A few housekeeping rules!

• We bash characters and not actors! If a character does something stupid, it's not the actors fault. this is not the place to complain about actors or ages, or acting choices
• Spoilers need to be under the cut OR put in it's proper post. Remember this is ONLY EPISODE 25
• Have fun! Dramas are supposed to be entertaining and enjoyable. If you're not enjoying it, it's okay to duck out and drop.

Masterpost - Table of Contents - Airing Schedule

26 || 27 || 28

Buckle up boys and girls this one is another looooong one- episode wise

EPISODE 27

Class Break has dinner together! (Minus one Shen Fuxuan. Someone did NOT want to be a 7th?? wheel to the triple date) Zeqiu is treating them all to dinner because he has something he would like to share with the group. He and Baihui are dating Getting Married!! They skipped the dating portions.

https://i.redd.it/des4ki07lekh1.gif

Afterwards, Jiang Yubai takes Zhixia, his girlfriend, home. He plans to stay the night, on the floor mind you!!! since it's so late. Zhixia tells him he's being silly and invites him to her bed. TO SLEEP BUDDY BOY you went too far in that brain of yours. she's just offering her bed to fall asleep. Kisses do ensue, but Zhixia is not ready for more and promptly goes to sleep, to the utter dismay of her boyfriend.

https://i.redd.it/8vdl4hb0kekh1.gif

Baihui and Zeqiu have dinner with her parents. ugh. y'all I don't care what they say i'm skipping this scene. Oh wait! Turns out they GOT MARRIED SPONTANEOUSLY. dang that was fast. They really did skip the dating part. Her parents are FURIOUS. Baihui finally puts her foot down and goes no contact. Please? Sigh she does not. She tells them that she's always done what they've told her to do but it's never enough. She can''t make them happy by following their instructions and not happy by rebeling. Like why should she try anymore. They realize they've been terrible parents and uh... *check notes* try to do better in the future. LAME.

https://preview.redd.it/0h5o3vnvlekh1.png?width=1420&format=png&auto=webp&s=123fb78efd4962e383f953362dc86b263f1cb4a8

Jiang Yubai is DEBT FREEEEEEE. He pays his last payment and promptly deletes the debtor's phone contact. Don't blame the dude.

Lin Zhixia meets with the department head. Her project got selected for important awards or something. Yay! Downside is that they want to replace Zhixia as group leader with glasses man. Dept head has a reason but he won't say why. Even glasses douchey tries to argue in her favor. This is Zhixia's project that she's been spearheading from inception, why are they replacing her?

Darling looks so sad :( :(

She's really sad after and Jiang Yubai tries to cheer her up over the phone. He makes an analogy: if she plants a tree, and then someone takes over, she still owns the roots. It's a bad analogy. But it was her project and she will get the credit for the initial stages.

Duan Qiyan returns to his company a changed man. He's nice, pleasant, and willing to work with everybodly since their company will now sign the lead tech engineer he's been trying to get them to hire for the last 10ish episodes. Hooray!

https://preview.redd.it/t7v5ntvdlekh1.png?width=1420&format=png&auto=webp&s=b334b5cbc9c95eac2baa4a1a83e48805d701362b

He takes Tingting out to dinner. He asks her questions about a hypothical friend who's in love with his childhood best friend. Does she have any advice for his friend? Would the girl this friend likes be okay with dating the friend and 'ruining the friendship'? Tingting is a little dismissive and basically tells him that she wouldn't be into it.

After dinner they're walking, and Qiyan goes for it anyways, hugging Tang Tingting and confessing that he likes likes her. She threatens that if he doesn't let go, she's stop liking him

Gasp! She DOES like him! I've been on the fence on if TTT actually does like DQY or just thinks of him as friends and we have CONFIRMATION that she's down bad for him.

He turns her around and kisses her. They makeout for an entire song! Kidding, there's a little break in the middle before they dive back in.

https://i.redd.it/6iv2k6rioekh1.gif

Jiang Yubai invites Lin Zhixia to dinner. He informs her that he's debt free! That he never wants to be apart from her because he loves her and they're binary star systems.

She wonders what he will do now that he's debt free. He doesn't love/have passion for what he does, it doesn't light up his world the way mathematics does for her. She wants to support him. He confesses taht he wants to apply for grad school in physics NGL i thought he'd go for mechanical engineering or aerospace engineering.

https://preview.redd.it/3ojmarwilekh1.png?width=1420&format=png&auto=webp&s=f5308c5b059a2b3985a6f80128bd27d7e9c87733

Shen Fuxuan is hanging out with our sick patient Xiao Shui. She is scared that people won't remember her if she dies. That if she's entirely forgotten, will it be as if she's never existed? And if we lose our memeories are we no longer us? Asking philosophical questions now. This drama is getting too deep. Fuxuan promises her that if anything happens, he will remember her. When she's better and grown up and moved away, he'll remember her. They talk about what she wants to do when she's treated and is no longer confined to the hospital.

Shui is leaving. She comes to say goodbye to Dr Shen. He produces a picture for her, one that they took together, and told her to place it on the back of his nametag. That way, he has a picture to remember her by so that she's always remembered. She bravely walks out the door. He tries to say goodbye, but she just lifts up her hand and waves.

https://i.redd.it/kevl0ks6pekh1.gif

Lin Zhixia is given a new assignment. It's a top secret classified government project. She is not allowed to tell anyone about it. She'd have to move to a controlled facility and not see her friends and family until done. She needs to think about it.

Jiang Yubai, the smart man, questions her about it, and when she cannot tell him anymore, uses deductive reasoning to figure out that she has important™ work assigned to her. Yubai promises her that he will support her, if this is what she wants to do.

They kiss. And kiss some more. and move to the couch to do MORE KISSING PLUS Clothes removal. Ummm guys why the couch. This is a studio apartment the BED was right there! It was even closer than the couch!! I question their placement to have adult relations for the first time.

https://i.redd.it/n87zf7jtpekh1.gif

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NO THOUGHTS - my brain is fried from alllllll the kisses we got this episode. What did you think about the couch vs bed debate?

-Also, are we going to see Shui again? I HAVE HOPE!

WELCOME BACK to Genius Girlfriend, i am your co-host Rebelarkey, you may call me Shale or Larkey if you want. ( u/akiceman has so generously let me host with them).

We only get one episode today *sad face* so it will be short and sweet.

---------------------

🪴A few housekeeping rules!

• We bash characters and not actors! If a character does something stupid, it's not the actors fault. this is not the place to complain about actors or ages, or acting choices
• Spoilers need to be under the cut OR put in it's proper post. Remember this is ONLY EPISODE 25
• Have fun! Dramas are supposed to be entertaining and enjoyable. If you're not enjoying it, it's okay to duck out and drop.

-------------

Masterpost - Table of Contents - Airing Schedule

24 || 25 || 26

EPISODE 25

Lin Zhixia is worried. She's been having really crazy dreams that interrupt her sleep cycle. She's also been having a racing heart. She goes and sees her friend the doctor, Shen Fuxuan.

He runs an EKG on her, lets her know everythings normal. He has her wear monitors for the next day. After the 24hrs are up, he looks over her readings. Sleep isn't normal, but she's been under a lot of stress lately with school. There is one random blip at 7:30 last night.

Zhixia admits that it was caused by Jiang Yubai. Fuxuan calls it case closed, she's normal everythings alright and sends her on her way.

Next she talks to Tingting, who figures out quickly what's wrong with Zhixia. It's puberty. The best way to deal with nervousness is exposure therapy. This is just excuses for Tingting to send them on dates. Their first date was a haunted house escape room which was TOO exciting. Next they attended the movies, where Zhixia and yubai fought over whether they were holding hands or not. They left early, whomp whomp neither could handle the pressure.

https://preview.redd.it/d5xhewt1y0kh1.png?width=1420&format=png&auto=webp&s=cf5e96e54259b9a7b127db3f27f40f96d5b7a3b7

Lin Zhixia is applying for a math scholarship thing and needs a professor's recommendation. Since Duan Qiyan attended a different school than them, she reaches out to him to see if he can talk to Professor Liu. He warns her that prof Liu is his grand-shifu, so he'll need to go through his teacher first.

Qiyan comes back with bad news; Prof Liu won't even look at her paper. He has a grumpy personality so it's no surprise. He gets this news while hanging out with Jiang Yubai.

Jiang Yubai asks some probing questions, and finally determines that Prof Liu is one of Yubai's customers. The irritable old man who is never happy with the speakers Yubai makes, but his most recent purchase is to be delivered to him. Yubai volunteers to take Zhixia's paper to him.

He goes and meets with his customer and sets up a meeting between Zhixia and Professor Liu.

https://i.redd.it/gp7pvvjv61kh1.gif

After getting caught in the rain, and running through the heavy downpour, they make it back to Zhixia's apartment. She changes out of her wet clothing and then brings a towel to dry Yubai's hair. My sister would like to note that they're drying his hair wrong. However, the... aHEM... extra touchy touch of Zhixia's fingers on his face and in his hair drive him over the edge and he pins her to the couch!

KISS? DO WE GET A KISS???

They hold that tension for so long. Yubai breaks it like the gentleman he is, gently, pulling away and immediately leaving. Zhixia realizes in that moment that she likes Likes Yubai.

https://i.redd.it/emixo0in01kh1.gif

Baihui and Zequi

fsad;lkjsdlkjdsa;lkjfd;lksjljkfdsalkjdsa these TWO! They're the ship I didn't expect but it's the ship we needed!

Baihui has a meal with her parents. They once again demand that she leave her boyfriend and date someone else, particularly someone of their choosing. I hate hate hate them so much. They're 'worried' about her future and what kind of life he could provide for her.

https://preview.redd.it/122eywnxx0kh1.png?width=1420&format=png&auto=webp&s=5b3a2e2cbbdfbddf287fe31a8ed44bc1c0f05a53

Baihui loses her temper and tells them exactly what he could give her. Love, a home, children. She likes and cares about him! They've known each other since they were children, what's so bad about that?

When she gets home she takes Zeqiu aside and asks him about the wedding magazines she found. Embaressed, he comes clean. He asks her to be his girlfriend, for real, with the intent of marriage. He pulls out a binder full of brochures, asking her about the pros and cons with a new home. Baihui starts crying, but he's intent on his portfolio. She asks him about schools and he instantly responds which one is better in that regard.

Next she asks him about retirement homes, and he has a tab for those. He's planned out the next 50 years of his life, no-- Their life together, and it's moved her to tears. Lastly, he pulls out ring.

MAYDAY. THERE'S A RING. CODE GOLD THERE'S A RING.

Reader, I squealed!!!!!

Wait it gets better.

Baihui snags the ring and turns him to her, kissing him. FIRST KISS! their first kiss and first kiss of the show! Like damn Baihui knows what she wants and goes out and gets it.

https://i.redd.it/gaegihjs41kh1.gif

Tang Tingting

Tang Tingting is worried that Su Mo might leave her for another agent, but he reassures her that he's not. He comes over to fix her computer when it dies. They hang out for a while as he repairs her computer.

She posted on her moments that Su Mo was handsome and fixed her computer. Duan Qiyan is jealous and gets frustrated by her silence.

Uh, Duan is a stupid boy. He doesnt know why Tingting is mad at him so he ends up a Jiang Yubai's place with beer. This is the second time this has happened. Apparently Yubai's garage is the best place to hangout. Jiang Yubai is no help.

Duan Qiyan drowning his sorrows over Tingting. Poor Yubai, his friends keep crashing at his place.

Shen Fuxuan

He checks up on our girl Shui and asks her if she's nervous about the experimental study. Shui's been doing good, getting all her stickers, and being very cooperative with her treatment. Fuxuan has high hopes for her.

THOUGHTS:

- uhhh how we feeling right now fam? We got a KISS and then an ALMOST KISS, plus a very vivd wet dream. Things are Progressing, shall we say?

- Qiyan and Tingting's relationship MIGHT????? be going in the right direction. have we finally got some move on for this ship or will he end up with Yuanyuan?

WELCOME BACK SUCKERS to Genius Girlfriend, i am your co-host Rebelarkey, you may call me Shale. My awesome cohost is u/akiceman, remember to check out his post tomorrow.

Another 50 minute episode? yeeeeeeesh these are LONG. That's okay, buckle up!

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🪴A few housekeeping rules!

• We bash characters and not actors! If a character does something stupid, it's not the actors fault. this is not the place to complain about actors or ages, or acting choices
• Spoilers need to be under the spoiler markings OR put in its proper post.
• Have fun! Dramas are supposed to be entertaining and enjoyable. If you're not enjoying it, it's okay to duck out and drop.

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Masterpost - Table of Contents - Airing Schedule

22 || 23 || 24

(Express Episodes Link to come)

EPISODE 23 - Shen Fuxuan gets life advice

We spent a LOT of time with Shen Fuxuan, which is why he's at the end. Let's start with our Titular couple!

🍓Jiang Yubai and Lin Zhixia

Uhhhhh our couple spends lots of time together. All the fluff.

Yubai cleans and organizes her apartment and does so good of a job she's amazed. He also cooks for her (this is probably his second time cooking because it takes 3 hours for him to cook the meal).

He brings her a binary star system model for her to play with, and she discovers the emerald she found in the stream all those years prior.

He's about to go home when she insists he stay for the night. They argue over a math thing, and he pretends to fall asleep. She accidentally falls off the couch into his arms where they. brush. noses!

Kiss kiss kissssss please! He pulls away and gets up to get her water. He instead drains an entire water bottle as he... ahem... gets himself under control and adjusts his pants sweatshirt.

They go for a bicycle ride and go eat strawberry crepes. Well, they try to, as the crepes are sold out by the time they get there.

the nose brush!

🌶️Baihui and Zequi

THE MOMENT WE ALL HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR. Well, not quite..

Her parents drop by unannounced. Oh no whatever shall they do? Zeqiu drops EVERYTHING at work to come 'help'. They face her parents together. Her mom wanders around the apartment and takes note: they share a bathroom, they share a room (but with separate quilts), they share a closet.

They want to take Baihui aside away from Zeqiu but she stands her ground. Nope, my boyfriend is not an outsider and whatever you're planning on saying you can say in front of him. She gRABS HIM BY THE HAND and doesn't let go.

Her parents scold her for moving in with him. Then they lay into him. He still rents, how can he provide for his family yada yada yada YADA. Duuuude parentals can you smell your hypocrisy? Her marrying a man she's met once: that's fine. Dating a man she's known for 7-8 years?????? Oh no the heavens will fall. F them.

"No matter what the future holds, I will be with him" i'm screaming y'all. kicking my feet, squealing into my pillow, stupid silly grin on my face!

They (the evil humans) finally depart after berating our couple to pieces. Her mom actually HITS Baihui on the way out!

Zeqiu celebrates that they successfully convinced her parents that they are 'together' which just makes Baihui sad - and us sad- at remember they're fake dating. They're bros who help each other out.

DON'T THEY LOOK LIKE A COUPLE!?!??!!?

🥔Duan Qiyan and Tang Tingting

Very little of them in this episode.

They sit down and have dinner together. However, barely 5 minutes in, Tingting leaves on an 'emergency call' from Su Mo who keeps getting passed over in the audition hall. Omg this actor boy is not cut out for show bus if he can't even handle the audition process. Tingting must go hold his hand. Qiyan calls out this bullshit but Tingting still leaves, taking the bottles of wine with her.

Sad, Qiyan orders several more bottles of wine and gets drunk. The restaurant is empty. But lo, behold, Tingting returns with the two bottles, the 'emergency' apparently handled.

A few days later, Tingting comes to give him coffee and cheer him up. They end up fighting over Qiyan's project, as he refuses to tell her what's actually going on in his business and his problems. Frustrated, he ends up at the Ramen bar and talks to Yuanyuan all night. Readers, i see less and less hope for Duan-Tang ship.

them fighting for the 20th time

🍒Shen Fuxuan

Doctor boy finds out from Zeqiu that Jiang Yubai has been taking care of Lin Zhixia. Realizing finally that he's second best, he mopes by the window. Shui comes over to him and gives him life advice. At least he's not dying, she says. You have all the time in the world to make firends and fall inlove. So what if she's not into you. Can't she still be a friend? Doesn't mean you have to cut her out of your life.

He goes to a restaurant after work. He tries to set up a friend date with Class Break. They all decline, however Duan has the brilliant idea to have a facetime party instead! Fuxuan orders delivery for everyone, and then they all drink and eat while on facetime.

Sidenote: this is a fun idea! However, he's in a NICE, FANCY, RESTAURANT and doing a facetime call with NO HEADPHONES. Can we please not normalize this directors/scriptwriters?? This is also in 2014-2015 where you would probably be kicked out for doing so (it's still rude in 2026 though, but it's more common much to my dismay and dislike)

He talks more the Shui, she's getting sicker. He hears about a revolutionary new study in which she would be a great candidate for. Survival rate is only 10-20%. He, very reluctantly, in the middle of the night, proposes this to her. Compared to her current trajectory, i would say 10-20% is okay. She's already probably not going to get better, this might give her 10% more hope. but what do I know.

Shen Fuxuan being the rudest person in the restaurant

💭Thoughts:

- Okay I have a theory! All four of our focus points show different ways people grow after highschool. Our main couple is actually our static couple. They're our baseline. They were friends in high school and will still be friends & lovers at the end.

Qiyan and Tingting are friends who slowly grow apart due to their differences. That maybe the person you thought you would end up dating in college turns out to not be the person meant for you.

Baihui and Zeqiu are acquaintances that grow into something more, due to difficult situations and parental pressures.

Lastly, Shen Fuxuan is someone who finds peace moving on from what could've been in high school. He doesn't have a love interest because not everyone will find love at the same time, but maybe further down the road. Food for thought.

We'll see if my theory holds any sway as we get these last couple of episodes.

‼️Reminder: Express episodes drop tomorrow!! Iceman and I will still be posting as the later episodes drop next week for those who do not have access to express.

Episode 24 will be posted tomorrow sometime, and we will have a separate post for Express discussing!

WELCOME BACK to Genius Girlfriend, i am your co-host Rebelarkey, you may call me Shale or Larkey if you want. ( u/akiceman has so generously let me host with them).

We only get one episode today *sad face* so it will be short and sweet. Ha! It's over 50 minutes though.

---------------------

🪴A few housekeeping rules!

• We bash characters and not actors! If a character does something stupid, it's not the actors fault. this is not the place to complain about actors or ages, or acting choices
• Spoilers need to be under the cut OR put in it's proper post. We are currently on a 1 day delay from Iqiyi, we'll do our best to catch up.
• Have fun! Dramas are supposed to be entertaining and enjoyable. If you're not enjoying it, it's okay to duck out and drop.

-------------

Masterpost - Table of Contents - Airing Schedule

15 - 16 || 17 - 18 || 19 - 20

--

Lots of a little things happened this episode. I probably won't recap all of them, as it's more of a repositioning episode.

EPISODE 21 - Reunion

Jiang Yubai & Lin Zhixia

As promised, Jiang Yubai takes Lin Zhixia skateboarding. She see the old him in the new and improved man before her. unimproved if you asked me. this man has trauma that is smiling through the pain. I am also sad to see his unique hairstyle depart. C'est la vie.

The police knock on Yubai's door, taking him in for questioning. Some unlabeled speakers have ended up on the market and they want to know more. Yubai comes clean, telling them all about how Cheng is his business partner and the deal he wanted to strike with Yubai.

uh-oh Cheng's going to get him in trouble

They let him go, but require someone to sign him out. Since he has no family, they allow him to call a friend. he calls Lin Zhixia.

She's so excited he called her as that means he's finally reaching out to his friends and not trying to do everything by himself. She gives him a strawberry dessert she picked up on the way.

Class Break reunites! Lin Zhixia brings in Jiang Yubai to everyone's surprise. Neither of our male leads gets to sit next to her and instead sit next to each other. Are we sure these two aren't end game? They ask where he's been all these years. He tells them a sanitized version of the truth. He's been paying off debt and did independent study. So he has a bachelor's degree.

the prodigal son has returned

Shen Fuxuan has brought gifts for everyone: Makeup for Tingting, the newest console controller for Duan Qiyan, a book for Jin Baihui, and for Lin Zhixia, a watch - to replace that old looking one on her wrist. She thanks him nicely but returns it to the box.

Afterwards, Shen recognizes the identical watch on Jiang Yubai's wrist. I'm sorry Fuxuan but you two were never meant to be. It has always been and will always be Jiang Yubai as her number one person.

sorry Shen, her watch doesn't need replacing it just got FIXED

Zhixia's team finds out that the supercomputer will be taken up by Mr. Tan's team gggggg hate that man, and they have no way to use it. Zhixia resolves to break the calculation up into modules and then combine them once they have all the data.

This results in them doing allnighters - especially Zhixia. She comes to Jiang Yubai and complains while he's fixing things*. Domestic couple for the win!* Her team seems to be very down and disappointed. He reminds her that mindset is everything. That eating a sweet treat can cure a bad mood. Or..... a kiss? That could improve her mood.

She passes out on the stairs and is taken to the hospital. Dr. Shen Fuxuan will only let two people in. Zeqiu goes in since he's her brother. Jiang Yubai takes the second spot, refusing any protest.

my beautiful girl passing out from all the stress

Tingting and Duan Qiyan

Tingting comes to work to find Su Mo on the roof, and everyone think he's committing suicide. Once Tingting makes it to the roof, she realizes he's practicing a script. She has everyone leave before convincing him to come down. She encourages Su Mo to work his hardest because she's sacrificing a lot for him. Meanwhile, sending a refusal text to her boss to not switch to Bingbing.

He and Tingting walk home together from the reunion but start arguing almost immediately. Tinting brings up that he never listens to anything she has to say, so he should stop coming to her for advice.

my couple who bickers. aww i love them

She really loves nurturing her current client and doesn't want to switch to Bingbing's team. Qiyan hears this and gets excited, not understanding her vision. He tells her not to waste her time with some nobody who might not get famous in a million years. Why do i feel like they already tried to date and failed? Because this whole 'nobody who won't get famous' sounds a lot like Duan Qiyan at the current stage.

He, meanwhile, is still hanging around the noodle bar. The waitress seems to have fall in love with him because we're getting golden light, he bought her milk as an apology. What is going on here she doesn't even have a name!! At least introduce her before trying to make her a love interest. I've been thinking Tingting and Qiyan were endgame but at this point who knows?

Qiyan's a nice guy at least

Shen Fuxuan

Has started his residency. The sick girl with leukimia, Shui, who has a giant crush on him, starts feeling pain in the middle of the night. He goes to call his supervisor, but she stops Fuxuan. It's his senior's daughter birthday and she doesn't want to interrupt. He sits by her bed and talks her to sleep.

Shen Fuxuan talking his patient to sleep

Jin Baihui

After the reunion dinner, she and Lin Zhixia walk home together. She is impressed that Zhixia found Jiang Yubai and asks what she would've done if she hadn't found him. Zhixia replies that she would never stop looking for him until she found him. Jin Baihui is impressed and expresses that they're different - Zhixia is an optimist.

Baihui's still fielding calls from her parents. Her mother invites her to dinner. No further development on the fake dating trope i'm sorry! We need more Zeqiu!!

I at least have a picture of them standing next to each other? I NEED MORE ABOUT MY SHIP OKAY? i am not well. aren't you two DATING-- Fake Dating?

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THOUGHTS

• Uh, Jiang Yubai seems to have radically improved within a few days. I was thinking that it might take longer to pry him out of his shell considering he up and disappeared for FIVE WHOLE YEARS
• I have Zero idea what is up with Duan Qiyan and the waitress of the ramen bar. I mean it's fineeeee i was just hoping he and tinting would be endgame. Thoughts?

Hello hello, i am your co-host Rebelarkey, you may call me Shale or Larkey if you want. ( u/akiceman has so generously let me host with them).

---------------------

🪴A few housekeeping rules!

• We bash characters and not actors! If a character does something stupid, it's not the actors fault. this is not the place to complain about actors or ages, or acting choices
• Spoilers need to be under the cut OR put in it's proper post. We are currently on a 1 day delay from Iqiyi, we'll do our best to catch up.
• Have fun! Dramas are supposed to be entertaining and enjoyable. If you're not enjoying it, it's okay to duck out and drop.

-------------

Masterpost - Table of Contents - Airing Schedule

15 - 16 || 17 - 18 || 19 - 20

--

Buckle your seat belts, make sure your hands, feet, arms, legs, head, and hearts are inside the ride at all times. And there are tissues at the end for anyone who may need them.

EPISODE 17 - The Fluff Before

They go camping. They all go to college and live the dream.

The End.

kidding

Class Break + Brother goes camping but Shen Fuxuan is missing. They're missing their friend and are hoping he'll show up.

Jiang Yubai crushes their hopes when he produces the letter Fuxuan wrote to them. Shen Fuxuan is going abroad to study, put in a 5 year program set up by his parents. He will miss all of them but hopes the next five years goes as everyone hopes.

https://preview.redd.it/f23osus2p6ih1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=03115a28ab635bafa0e3295cb214f36413711196

The group set up tents, and try to go to sleep. Both Jiang yubai and Lin Zhixia can't seleep so they go for a walk. They find a piece of glass in the stream that looks like an emerald. She has Jiang yubai keep it. She will miss all her friends, but Yubai is different to her. She compares them to Binary Star Systems, where they both have their own orbit but revolve around the same center. Awwww she's so attached to him.

The next day theres' mroe walking and hiking. Jiang Yubai gathers flowers for everyone and gives them to each friend. Each flower means something different. That way they can all keep them and remember this happy time before college.

Duan Qiyan plays this game where only if you make eye contact with someone can you start eating. Zhixia and Yubai both pass but the girls get grumpy with Qiyan. It's a stupid game. the girls agree with me.

The four younger kids go off and mess around, leaving Lin Zequi and Jin Baihui tending the fire. They bond over being the same age (ohhhh i forgot she got held back a year) and hanging out with the others. I'm still shipping them.

https://preview.redd.it/otze1ghjp6ih1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3184aa5442b4eed08bedabac7f19b5557be38d1c

That night they summon the shooting stars by each declaring what their dreams are.

• Tingting wants to be a manager. She wants to get into Qingbei university with her friends, and to travel extensively.
• Qiyan wants to make a mark on the world.
• Lin Zequi wants to be able to see the person he wants to see. Whether that's his parents, his sister, his friends, ect.
• Jin Baihui wants to be further from her parents.
• Jiang Yubai wants to attend Qingbei University with Lin Zhixia.... and watch stars with Zequi, play ball with Qiyan, go to the Library with Baihui, and share stories with Tingting AND Shen Fuxuan. yay! Jiang Yubai remembers their friend that's missing

The shooting star shows up after Lin Zhixia prays silently for it to show itself. Everyone gets excited and runs to make a wish on the shooting stars.

They take a photo, leaving room for their missing friend, to commemorate.

Our 3 couples but missing Shen Fuxuan

They return to their home city. Yubai offers to teach Zhixia how to skateboard. She's scared of falling but he will by protective equipment to keep her safe. They make plans to meet up the next day.

Meanwhile, the banker lady, Ms Guan (aka, Jiang Yubai's mom) realizes that her investment project has gone bankrupt. The police question her, and insist that she make restitution to the victims.

She calls Mr. Jiang to see if he will lend her money. All during the phone call she's rubbing her chest. When Mr. Jiang says that all his money is tied up in real estate and that he's lost money too, she collapses.

When Jiang Yubai gets home, after promising to see his friends again, he discovers his home dark. He finds his mom prone, on the ground, and calls an ambulance.

End of Part 1

--

EPISODE 18 - Five Years Later

y'all i'm a little shook. I was expecting a little mess up, not FAMILY TRAGEDY KEPT LOVERS APART.

Five years later we catch up with our protagonists. Let's just say the years haven't been super kind to them at all. Those dreams that they made have yet to come true.

Qiyan wanted to make a mark on the world. Well, he's having a hard time convincing people to sign up for his bike share services. No one is taking fliers, he has no investers, his small business idea is flopping, big time.

Tingting gets to be a manager. yay! but it's not all roses and sunshine. The one client she has is a C budget actor. She is trying to get him a good part, but the directors won't talk to her. The one script that her client is suited for, he hates. After a small card game, she convinces him to take the small role.

a straight is a stronger hand than an Ace high

Jin Baihui got into Qingbei university. But her parents are still meddling in her life. They have dinner with one of her classmate's parents probably arranging a marriage for her. Like yeeeesh.

They facetime her and sit there are ask 'are you eating okay, you've lost weight, girls shouldn't work too hard'. Um who pushed her to study? and work really really hard? And now you're upset that she takes university very seriously? Her dream was to be further from home, and she still has her parents micromanaging her life.

She looks exhausted my poor girl

Lin Zequi? Missing this entire episode.

Lin Zhixia seems to be succeeding the most. She's in post-graduate studies, giving lectures. However, she has rivals in the department, and inter-office politics to navigate. She is set up to vote on the best candidate for the research team. She has to choose the stronger candidate, but in turn ruins a mentee's best chances to graduate.

Lin Zhixia Adulting

During her presentation later that day, her watch lights up, indicating that Jiang Yubai is close. He watches her through the window, but runs and hides when she comes out. When she can't find him, she resolves to fix her watch.

he's hiding omg look at him he looks like he's been through hell and back

She goes to many different watch repair shops but they all tell her the same thing: only the person who made the watch can fix it, since it's been locked by the creator.

Jiang Yubai, meanwhile, is a handyman, repair electronics man. He runs a shop in a garage, slowly paying off debt. Turns out that 2 million that his mom owed now falls on his shoulders. He wanted to get into Qingbei university with Lin Zhixia, but it seems that was impossible after his mom's death.

A colleague of Jiang Yubai, A Cheng, is in the fancy watch repair shop at the same time as Lin Zhixia. He offers to take it to a guy he knows aka Jiang Yubai, to see if he can fix it. She reluctantly agrees.

A Cheng takes the watch to Jiang Yubai. He refuses initially, saying he's super busy, and dismisses Cheng out of hand. I am SCREAMING for Yubai to just LOOK UP AT THE WATCH.

when he FINALLY looks up

Finally, he does and he realizes it's the watch he made for Lin Zhixia. After listening to Cheng's story about a 'lady gave it to me' and 'we'll all get rich', he assumes that it's a random woman who wants it fixed, and gives the watch back to A Cheng.

i'mma bout to make a new whole in your face Jaing Yubai

A Cheng voice texts Zhixia back, letting her know that the watch is unfixable. Jiang Yubai realizes after hearing her voice and Cheng calling her 'Ms Lin' that it IS Lin Zhixia and she wants her watch fixed!

He stays up all night and fixes her watch. A Cheng delievers it to her the next day and she's so excited. She wants to meet Boss Jiang, since she has the hunch that it is her old friend.

her realizing that Mr. Jiang COULD BE Jiang Yubai her bff

When at the garage, Jiang Yubai refuses to come out as he has no face to face her. He has Cheng lie to her, saying he's 'out on a job'. She refuses to leave, and sits outside waiting for him to come back.

https://preview.redd.it/cf58q33407ih1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e501553913e3eadd1b15428a00cddc9d027be5b5

Finally, after hours, he slips out a window, and comes around front, calling her 'Lin lin lin lin Zhixia". She faints in his arms.

---------------------

Thoughts

- I know they're Chinese but JIANG YUBAI NEEDS A HUG. ZHIXIA YOU NEED TO HUG YOUR BEST FRIEND HIS LIFE HAS BEEN HELL. Sorry I'm yelling but i have Big Feels.

- Uh, anyone else love this new look of Jiang Yubai? Because hot damnnn. I have gifs spammed in the comments.

Hello Hello, I am thy co-host u/Rebelarkey, call me Shale, blah blah blah you've heard it. Episode 13 about killed me from laughing too much. It was a blast! Lets get into it.

---------------

Masterpost - Episode Discussions - Airing Schedule

1-3 || 4-6 || 7-8 || 9-10 || 11-12

--------------

Episode 13 - The Rivals

Alternative title I could've dubbed this episode is the Love Rivals, but considering what happens with Jin Baihui i've shortened it to just the Rivals.

Jiang Yubai vs Shen Fuxuan

Are these two friends? 60% of the time I would say yes, but in this episode they're more competitors than teammates.

Lin Zhixia knocks on Shen Fuxuan's door and thanks him for the gift. He's all nice and 'don't worry about it' and THEN Jiang Yubai turns the corner. Dunnnnn dunnnn dunnnnnnnnnnnnnn. His FACE omg.

when you realize that YOU are the third wheel

Zhixia goes on about how she had a good nights rest thanks to Jiang Yubai and Fuxuan's mind is going places. Dirty places. I love how he's imagining them spending the night together and is mentally freaking out. SFX: 0, JYB: 1

They attend the conference. Lin Zhixia gets up and does her speech. Her two boyfriends -- ahem, friends, start waving their arms to get her attention and start smacking each other, fighting to get her attention more. yeesh, get a room you two.

this is a scene from a BL i just know it

Hubby is a proud husband getting photos of all her slides, while Fuxuan sits there and gloats. They snide comment each other on who's smarter until someone in the audience shushes them

Afterwards, Jiang Yubai shows Zhixia all the photos he took of her presentation. She gets allllllll up in his space, concentrating on the camera and poor Yubai doesn't know what to do with his hand. Its on the chair, it's in the air, it's hovering over her back, it's on the back of his head. Someone is catching feelings i see. hmmmm.

https://preview.redd.it/x1510mj2puhh1.png?width=1430&format=png&auto=webp&s=93d4c8b17c85089dafe1ab81bb34f81fbb14b979

Shen Fuxuan comes back with food... for Lin Zhixia and himself. SFX: 1, JYB: 1

She's happy that he brought her something with strawberries.

Not to be outdone, Yubai steals food from Zhixia's plate. SFX: 1, JYB: 2

Having a day off from school is cool so they go find a movie to watch. The theatre has a special promotion: if you take a picture together, then you can get one of the cool pins. The catch? It's only for couples.

Shen Fuxuan speaks first and steers Lin Zhixia into the frame. SFX: 2, JYB: 2

As the photographer is counting down, Jiang Yubai grabs Zhixia, pulls her OUT of the frame and puts himself IN the frame. With Shen Fuxuan.

https://i.redd.it/b1x58pmqquhh1.gif

THEIR FACE. THE GAY MOMENT. OMG. Would this count as them both losing points? whatever SFX: 2, JYB: 3

They go into the movie, Lin Zhixia almost oblivious to the boys shenanigans. She got the pin she wanted, she's happy.

Jiang Yubai wrestles the middle seat, holder of the popcorn. He gets to sit next to the girl and Fuxuan doesn't 😝. That works... until he notices that both Zhixia and Fuxuan are getting popcorn at the same time. He dumps a load of popcorn in Fuxuan's hands and then takes the bucket away. SFX: 2, JYB: 4

Shen Fuxuan gets up to go use the bathroom. When he comes back, he doesn't climb over everyone and just takes the seat next to Lin Zhixia. SFX: 3, JYB: 4

Immediately, Jiang Yubai is doing all sort of equations to figure out how to out-maneuver his rival. His chance comes when it's Zhixia's turn to use the bathroom. Triumphantly, Yubai takes her place, sitting next to Fuxuan. This way she can sit next to Yubai! And Shen Fuxuan doesn't get to sit by her at all! SFX: 3, JYB: 5

And then..... Zhixia does what Fuxuan did earlier; take the seat closer to the aisle. Now she's sitting by Fuxuan and ONLY Fuxuan. Whomp whomp :( SFX: 4, JYB: 5

These two are RIDICULOUS. If only Jiang Yubai had gone to the restroom then we could've leap frogged our way to the edge of the aisle.

https://preview.redd.it/awoglbzzquhh1.png?width=1431&format=png&auto=webp&s=9b84c6b3750087624f7ef203b31963352bfd48db

After the movie, Shen Fuxuan has to go find his mom. Jiang Yubai offers to accompany Zhixia home. Final Score: SFX: 4, JYB: 6

On waiting for the bus, they talk about the movie and stars and if they found another planet what would happen. Seeing that Lin Zhixia hands are cold, he gives her his jacket scarf?? Buddy, her HANDS are cold give her your jacket! you have a sweater on! how is she to keep her hands warm with the scarf? I mean it could work if wrapped around her hands, but you put it around her neck... Points for trying I guess.

Yubai tries to take photos of them and Sirius (the star) but they're all blurry. She falls asleep on his shoulder. He takes a photo for blackmail later. I MEAN, for a keepsake for later.

https://preview.redd.it/nv1sk518ruhh1.png?width=1435&format=png&auto=webp&s=156e3cc88ab3d450c565e0ecfdd7cf08120671ad

Jin Baihui

Meanwhile, during all these shenanigans, Jin Baihui is having a nightmare of a day. Her parents found the book that Lin Zhixia gave her and freak out. They insist that the book is a distraction, that Zhixia gave it to her out of arrogance, that friends are competition not food, and they FREAKING TEAR UP THE BOOK. okay im out her parents are downright evil. like 0 redemption. JBH needs to go no contact the SECOND shes in college because if not she'll be in an early grave.

To add insult to injury, they MAKE HER TAKE THE RIPPED UP BOOK BACK TO LIN ZHIXIA. ;alkfdj;alkfdsjf;lkdsajl;kfdsajl;kfdsjl;kfdsjlj;kfdslj;kfdsj;lfdsj;fdaj;lkfdsa;jlfds;dlakfjs;lfdjsa;lkfj;safjs;kalfjlksadjfs;kdajfdsjf;lsadjfl;dsajflksjlkfsaj;lkfjd;sadfjlkdsfj;ldsjflk;sdjfldsjakfsjlkfj;lsajf;lsjlfsjdlkfsjklfdsjklfdsjlkfdsjlkdsjlfdsjlkfjslkdjflkdsjfdsajfldsjflksjlksafd

WHAT DO YOU MEAN. WHYYYYYY. these are the chinese karens. I think i hate these parents more than the mom from LLTG. She's mild compared to them.

Jin Baihui does EXACTLY what they tell her to do and shows up at Lin Zhixia. Thank Goodness she's not home, and runs into Lin Zequi. Awwww wait? Maybe? They could be cute.

He talks to her for a while, showing her the drawings Lin Zhixia as a kid. He assures her that Zhixia justs wants friends, and really isn't out to beat or humiliate anyone.

https://preview.redd.it/235li7ukruhh1.png?width=1425&format=png&auto=webp&s=d1199a75e8f0283094150c3f68e30277e9740fea

He asks why Jin Baihui didn't just throw away the book on the way here, and she admits that she does everything her parents ask, to the letter. girl, these are not normal parents they are waaaaayyyyy too hard on you if you run a machine 24/7 at 100% without rest, it WILL implode. They must be bad drivers too.

^(Side Note: the actor who plays is Lin Zequi is really cute.)

He invites her to come to the astronomy club. He's vice president and is always looking for people to join. If that's something she's interested in, she's always welcome.

Zhixia comes home late and Zequi is mad. He decides that it's time for her to get a cellphone. When their parents come home he asks them to get her one. Since she's a girl and is out late, she needs to have a phone Now, and he can wait for a while if needed. Awww he's the best brother.

EPISODE 14 - Zhixia tries to reverse cheat

Lin Zhixia buys a new phone - She goes with Tang Tingting. The latter is pointing out all the major brands, the newest ones, but they're all out of budget range. Then Zhixia spots one that is in budget, she likes it, but tingting calls it knockoff. The storeguy perks up and sells the heck out of it, spitting water on it, cracking walnuts ect. Tingting is not conviced uh neither am I that's a scammer if I ever saw one, but Zhixia wants it. She can by two in her budget! One for her and one for her brother.

She calls Jiang Yubai with her new phone, making him guess who it is. The sucker immediately knows it's her. He wonders what name she gave him in her phone. She doesn't have one yet for him, but got the phone that had the last four digits that matched his birthday. Awwwww shucks that's adorbs.

Jin Baihui shows up at the astronomy club and hangs out with Lin Zequi.

Oh be still my shipper heart. They're so cute! I'm like a child with dolls. Now kisssssss.

The world turns on it's axis when the teacher announces it's time for Finals! If you don't get a good cumulative score, you might have to drop out of the class.

Lin Zhixia is snooping in her brother's room. She finds the book that Jin Baihui returned, and is devastated. Her brother bless his heart he came clean, tells her the truth. Baihui's dad ripped it up and made her return it, Mr Jin is putting a lot of pressure on Baihui to come in first. Zhixia insists that coming in first, there's more to life. Her brother reminds her that's onesided, coming from someone who always (not quite) comes in first.

Oh shoot is she going to do what I think she is?? please don't throw the test.

The highschoolers take the test! Tang Tingting actually drops in points. Lin Zhixia, our genius, comes in 5th! Whaaat? Jiang Yubai, our sucker, is still 2nd. Jin Baihui, the competitive girl, actually came in first!

https://preview.redd.it/xyg0qgdssuhh1.png?width=1424&format=png&auto=webp&s=e34fc5aa5153c1fccf6953b2a181ff6cd08399c9

However, while going over answers together,another student points out that Zhixia actually got all the answers correct, but chose the wrong answer. Jin Baihui overhears this and is devastated. Zhixia let her win. damn that's a blow to her pride. Now her win wasn't justified and now feels cheap.

Jiang Yubai talks to Lin Zhixia. He lets her know that what she did was unsporting. That throwing the competition is rude and makes everyone feel bad. He knows she's trying to make everyone feel better, but it's best to give their all and let the best vs best play out.

The next day, Zhixia brings a practice test to Biahui. She wants to have it out, woman to woman, brain to brain, to see who really would win. it looks like the girl will refuse, but then brings on the challenge.

the face-off 2.0

Lin Zhixia wins, and gets a perfect score.

Jin Baihui goes home and finally!! confronts her parents. She shows them that she got first, but then reveals that Zhixia threw the test. They didn't even notice that Baihui had improved by 20 points from her last test, they're just concerned that she's not 'first'. Not everyone can be first. Her parents believe that there's no difference between second and last place, they're all losers. When it comes to the gaokao, first is all that matters.

Baihui disagrees, and starts standing up for her mental wellbeing. That she's only going to compete against her past self, and do the best she can going forward.

-----------

Thoughts:

- I'm soooo glad that Jin Baihui is getting character growth and isn't a 2d mean girl that doesn't learn anything and just hates the main girl. I love getting her backstory and slowly becoming friends with Lin Zhixia.

- The jealous rivalry between Jiang Yubai and Shen Fuxuan is HILARIOUS. They have me in stitches for most of the episode.

u/akiceman - i believe has your next set of episodes

Welcome back to *check's notes* GENIUS GIRLFRIEND.

I am thy co-host Rebelarkey with u/akiceman.

🪴A few housekeeping rules!

• We bash characters and not actors! If a character does something stupid, it's not the actors fault. this is not the place to complain about actors or ages, or acting choices
• Spoilers need to be under the cut OR put in it's proper post. We are currently on a 1 day delay from Iqiyi, we'll do our best to catch up.
• Have fun? Dramas are supposed to be entertaining and enjoyable. If you're not enjoying it, it's okay to duck out and drop.

---------------

Masterpost - Episode Discussions - Airing Schedule

1-3 || 4-6 || 7-8 || 9-10

--------------

EPISODE 9 - Shen Fuxuan, what are you doing?

Shen Fuxuan is hanging around this group, that is pressuring him into drinking alcohol and smoking. He's spotted by Jiang Yubai.

There are reports of this gang harassing kids at school, someone's wallet even got stolen. It was returned a few days later.

Meanwhile, Lin Zhixia is getting bullied after the month's leaderboard gets displayed. Rotten vegetables are stuffed inside her desk, and paint smeared on her chair.

Jiang Yubai being a gentleman and giving her his sweatshirt to wrap around her waist! Green flag behavior ngl

Now worried about Lin Zhixia, Jiang Yubai finds an excuse to hang out with Duan Qiyan, who lives near Zhixia. They stop in at her grocery store to check in on her, before going to the basketball court.

They play, well, Duan Qiyan plays. All seems to be going well until one kid gets knocked over by Qiyan and accuses him of cheating. The kid runs out, daring them to stay, and returns with the gang.

Qiyan starts getting defensive and Jiang Yubai comes to his aid. There's lots of arguing. Shen Fuxuan gets in between them and warns his school friends that the gang has weapons.

the boys shocked at seeing Shen Fuxuan

There's now bad blood between the boys. At school they avoid Shen Fuxuan, and won't even speak to him or let him sit with them at lunch. Zhixia notices this,

The teacher calls Jiang Yubai in. Kuang Geng had gotten harassed by the outside gang and named Jiang Yubai as the one who runs with them. Kuang Geng wan'ts to get back at Lin Zhixia and so assumes that Yubai has it out for him.

Shen Fuxuan walks in and admits that he's been running with that crowd. Dun dun dunnnnnnnnn

boy boy oh sweet summer child

Lin Zhixia takes him aside. He confesses that this gang uses him for his money, but at least he has friends right? His mom's gone all the time and he's lonely. Lin Zhixia talks him down and wants him to stop being friends with these bullies.

A little while later, the gang confronts Shen Fuxuan. He's no longer been hanging out with them and they want their cash cow back.

Jiang Yubai and the boys hear about this and rush to Fuxuan's aid. Zhixia does one better and goes and seeks out her brother and a bunch of upperclassmen. A whole group of 20-30 students confront the bullies and drive them out.

https://preview.redd.it/6lwuiifgfhhh1.png?width=1431&format=png&auto=webp&s=5b160c3ed3e793892ed428532fff8abc13a1e499

Episode 10 - The Talent Show, Part 1

A celebration is coming and each class nominates a group to compete in a talent show! Tang Tingting makes this her personal mission for their accelerated class to win! or at least beat this other girl, Zhuang Shuran, with whom Tingting has a vendetta against. Her rival, so to say.

During PE, Tingting notices the boys in perfect synch during warmups and wants them to do c-pop dancing! The boys don't think this is a good idea until Lin Zhixia begs J-j-j-jiang Yubai to dance. He reluctantly agrees because he's a big pushover when she asks like that.

https://preview.redd.it/6apacecufhhh1.png?width=1433&format=png&auto=webp&s=9b500dc0f4ecab6ebdbf18263a60da4196554ad0

The dancing goes as well as you expect. Aka awful. It takes years to get to that level.

Tingting doesn't want to give up, but then finds out that her rival Zhao Shuran is doing synchronized dancing, and their group is doing much better than them.

Upon finding out that most of their group play musical instruments, Lin Zhixia has the bright idea of starting a band. They have drums, keyboard, singer, and a cellist, who offers to play bass. Qiyan, wanting to be included, wants to do bass.

They just need a guitarist. Tingting knows a guy, an online friend, who could play. After much convincing, and money, Wind agrees with play C-Pop.

https://preview.redd.it/lqe0hpfbghhh1.png?width=1437&format=png&auto=webp&s=f7caff8ccff83e565b301986458a694ba3e8e182

Their first practice doesn't go well as Duan Qiyan doesn't actually know how to play bass. He's kicked off and replaced by our Cellist.

Meanwhile, Tingting got sick and Jin Baihui who has been lurking around their group unnoticed, offers to sing in her place. Turns out she loves to sing and write her own songs. She performs for the group and the students love it, and bring her in.

https://preview.redd.it/7bd7m0zpghhh1.png?width=1428&format=png&auto=webp&s=aaa03ac3799c936b8be7c786789c883b474aac56

Things are looking much better, they got t-shirts, the whole shabang and thennnnnnn, Wind quits. He has a folk musical festival to play at and is dropping out of this school gig.

Duan Qiyan begs them to let him play guitar. It requires lots of convincing, but the group gives him another chance.

since Qiyan doesn't have the calluses on his fingers, it's really hard for him to play and might not be competition ready. To help him, Lin Zhixia and Jiang Yubai create a one-finger press for the guitar.

https://preview.redd.it/zbtv5rv9hhhh1.png?width=1426&format=png&auto=webp&s=fccc9730aabc10e8c4c63597f5c74705439b1943

THOUGHTS:

- these past two episodes have been like... mini episodes. Almost like old school american television. I like that each episode is almost contained unto itself. This music/band arc will probably last one more episode

-anyone spot the product placement? I haven't seen any guess in the comments yet

- why is Duan Qiyan so eager to be a part of the band when he can't play an instrument? Lin Zhixia doesn't play either and she's not trying to insert herself where her strengths don't lie. Any thoughts?

Hello hello, i am your co-host Rebelarkey, you may call me Shale. ( u/akiceman has so generously let me host with them). I am, apparently gaining a reputation for hosting Modern Cdramas. 😭 i adore my historical romance dramas to bits, they are my cup of tea. However there's always this one modern drama that i start that i enjoy immensely and has no host so i must volunteer.

I have also missed Hu Yitian from my screen as i loved him back in Blossoms in Adversity, so him plus Tian Xiwei? Two pretty people on my screen? yes please thank you!

i digress.

i'm enjoying this show a lot so far! It's made me laugh out loud and almost weep.

---------------------

🪴A few housekeeping rules!

• We bash characters and not actors! If a character does something stupid, it's not the actors fault. this is not the place to complain about actors or ages, or acting choices
• Spoilers need to be under the cut OR put in it's proper post. We are currently on a 1 day delay from Iqiyi, we'll do our best to catch up.
• Have fun? Dramas are supposed to be entertaining and enjoyable. If you're not enjoying it, it's okay to duck out and drop.

-------------

MASTERPOST - Airing Schedule - ToC

1-3 || 4-6 || 7-8

---

Team Genius= Lin Zhixia and Shen Fuxuan Team

Team Underdog = Jiang Yubai and Jin Baihui

EPISODE 4

Duan Qiyan joins team Genius in for the math competition. lin Zhixia assigns them all 10 days of extra math homework to study I agree with Duan's face for 10 days of math homework. My brains hurts just thinking about it.

Jin Baihui comes to Duan Qiyan and convinces him to join Team Underdog, that staying with Lin Zhixia is bad for him.

The teacher wants to know what team Duan Qiyan actually wants to join as both teams submitted with his name on it. he turns traitor and joins Team Underdog. Now Lin Zhixia is without a third teammate.

Duan Qiyan being on TWO teams.

The Case of the Disturbed Answersheet

Duan Qiyan is accused of cheating; the podium has a locked cabinet with the answersheet to the tests inside. Someone has picked the lock and gotten in. Zhu Geng accuses Duan Qiyan as he was the only one in the room during the 20 minutes of break time.

He swears that he didnt' cheat, he only came to download files to his USB drive, he even has the timestamp to prove it. The teacher shows up and all the kids start arguing.

Lin Zhixia solves the case: Zhu Geng was pretending to sleep when Duan Qiyan walked in. Once Duan Qiyan left, Geng picks the lock on the cabinet, looks at the answersheet, but hears students coming back to the classroom and doesn't have time to relock the cabinet.

Lin Zhixia revealing who the true culprit is

Recruiting Teammember 3

Duan is so grateful that she proved his innocence that he recommends Team Genius try and recruit Tang Tingting. She's being pressured by her mom to join the math competition.

After some persuading, she joins as being on the team with the 'Genius' would definitely get her mom off her back and be able to say she was part of a good team.

Teammember No. 3 is Tingting!

Jiang Yubai is now sad boi as he watches his bestfriend joke and laugh with people NOT HIM. Get over yourself dude you chose this. I only feel a tiny bit sorry for you, but this is your pride talking.

Then! in a turn for the dramatic, Lin Zhixia comes to give Jiang Yubai a schedule for him to study with and she overhears him 'trash' talking her, that she's his opponent.

Three-legged sport featuring Qiyan and TingTing (our secondary couple) They're so dang cute and funny!

Lin Zhixia's sad now because she thinks they're not friends anymore, and wanders around for a few days. Jian yubai tries to cheer her up and fails.

Finally she confronts him about what he said that day in the library.

He tells her the truth: He wants to compete in the math competition against her so that he can get into an even more accelerated course of study so that if she decides to go to college early, he can keep up with her.

EPISODE 5

She's very sad now as she belives that he's just been using her these past couple weeks, and that they're not actually friends.

Unsure, she turns to Tingting for advice. (yes please ask Tingting because she's much better at human relationships!) Tingting tells her that Zhixia's friend is terrible and she should dump her friend. That this friend is very jealous of Zhixia. She recommends that 'time will tell' and in the meantime give him the cold shoulder.

Team Genius and Team Underdog keep running into each other during the day, eyeing each other down and then moving on, avoiding each other. Which is hard to do considering their team captains are desk mates.

Zhu Geng threatens Zhixia as retribution for tattling on him with the answersheets. Jiang Yubai steps in and defends her.

That night, Lin Zhixia asks her brother if he would walk with her to school. He wants to know why, as being seen with her would out them as siblings. She won't tell him why but evenso he relents. She has to walk 10 meters behind him.

Awwwww he waited for her!

Jiang Yubai is late for the test. At the very last minute he runs in, with a mark on his cheek. Later, Zhu Geng confronts her, telling her that he will get back at Jiang yubai for beating him up.

They take the test! Zhixia is done first to no ones surprise. Team Genius celebrates and declares themselves friends since they're teammates!

They make it to the finals round but so did Team Underdog. Grrrr I'm conflicted. I want team Underdog to win because of Jiang Yubai but simultaneously want them to fail due to Jin Baihui.

🎖️The Finals

Tang Tingting's mama shows up at the math competition, the only parent in the audience. Tingting is super embarrassed because she knows she's not going to do well and now her mom's there.

Lin Zhiqui sneaks in to watch his sister as a silent support.

There are 3 rounds to the finals:

1. Individual Questions
2. Buzzer round
3. Team essay question/model

The first round goes as expected. Everyone gets thier question, answers it correctly, and sits back down. Tingting gets her question wrong, but the students are agog by how difficult Tingting's question actually is.

Team Genius is in second place, with Team Underdog currently in first.

The second round is the buzzer round. The judge asks a question and the first person to ring in and answer correctly gets the point. Lin Zhixia gets the first two questions really quickly: she rings in and then finishes calculating before the time is up to answer.

Zhixia being the badass she is.

Jiang Yubai catches on to this strategy and comes up with a way to beat her. He rings in before the question is even finished, and answers correctly! They're now evenly matched, but Team Genius still pulls ahead by the end.

Break - Tang Tingting takes a break between rounds, but is feeling sorry for herself. Qiyan tries to cheer her up, but it makes her run away into the bathroom. After several minutes, he's able to coax her and rally her spine enough for her to come back to the final round of the competition.

Qiyan encouraging Tingting

Final round: uhhhhh this is complicated and i don't fully understand it. Essentially they have to answer the question and there's several ways. Jiang Yubai knows that Lin Zhixia, instead of relying on her teammates, will try and answer it all by herself. He proposes they go with the 2nd option to counteract her strategy.

It pays off; the judges find Team Genius's work lacking, evidence that only one person worked on the essay, and not the whole group. Zhixia is lauded as MVP, but final round goes to Team Underdog! They win the competition.

Zhixia is looking stunned. She's never lost before.

Episode 6

Tang Tingting and her Mom go to dinner. Tingting is sad that she lost and her mom witnessed it. Angry, she storms out. Her mom comes and finds her and confesses that her nagging comes from love. She's very proud of Tingting for competing and is ashamed that she hasn't told her before. They have a heart to heart and make up.

Mathlete dinner celebration. Zhixia is still stunned and morose. Her entire world view has been rocked. Jiang yubai tries to cheer her up and reminds their classmates that she was MVP, but no one cares.

https://preview.redd.it/vp9dul87v8hh1.png?width=1429&format=png&auto=webp&s=cde7a4b44b65106b9605b92e785bb58718279b63

Lin Zhixia calls in sick to school. Her brother tries to rouse her, without success. He reminder her that there will always be someone smarter than her. If this little setback outdo hers, how will she be able to handle a larger/bigger setback in the future?

Shen Xuxuan calls to give her cold medicine, she refuses.

Finally, one day she finds paper airplanes in her apartment. Jiang Yubai is throwing paperairplanes to get her attention. Dear reader, the AWWWWW i made was very loud! He's making airplanes like when they were kids!

he's surrounded by airplanes.

She's been trying hard to fit in but it's hard to do so. She was hoping that by leading Tingting to victory she'd be able to be closer friends. Since math is her forte that's how she'd make friends. Instead, she lost, and so she's worried that her friends will abandon her.

Jiang Yubai takes her somewhere. They go back to the old elementary school and dig up the old time capsule they buried the year they were together.

He admits that she's the person he most wants to emulate. That the math competition was him wanting to match her. She's the bar. The person he wants to be friends with forever.

Thoughts

Did anyone else catch the product placement? Recognize the brand?

Jiang Yubai is complicated; he's not the best of friend to Zhixia, but he's currently her only best friend. Hopefully, along the way, she'll gain other friends as well. (Shen Xuxuan is defintely gunning for Jiang's current seat of 'bff')

As far as Chinese Drama endings go, this last episodes was not as bad as i was thinking it was going to be. Overall, this show, while good at some parts and excellent in the beginning, lost it's way in the second half and never really recovered. The romance was good, but the sub-plot of the >!arson case from the past!< and the >!auditing case!< in the present was under developed and left un-answered questions with no resolutions.

Lets get into and I'll leave more of my thoughts at the end. Your mileage may vary, so i'd like to see other's peoples opinions about the show.

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Masterpost: & Airing Schedule

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Chapter 32

We start months later. Zhang Bin, Mr Tao, and Mr Zhai are all convicted of crimes, with Zhang Bing getting a life sentence. Chen Yi was also convicted as an accomplice, but due to his testifying and cooperation with police, was let off.

Captain Zhou visits He Wenjie's apartment and restores it. He also vists her grave, letting her know that Zhang Bin was arrested, that they're gotten her justice. Tells her about Miao Jing and Chen Yi, how proud she would be about them. While picking up his suit at a bridal shop, he hallucinates He Wenjie smiling at him. Their story is soooo sad gosh dang it.

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Our couple has dinner with Bozai, Tu Li and Da Yong, discussing their future. Chen Yi and Miao Jing are moving the Hai City as that's where she's working. BoZai is working on repairing the poolhall as they still have their old students who want to come back and learn pool.

Miao Jing is promoted at work. To celebrate, her and her coworkers go out to eat. Chen Yi joins them, no longer the boss of the 'other company' but as Miao Jing's boyfriend.

https://preview.redd.it/r0dxnc0xkffh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=6be96cc002ed1de954e677b36d8de5359fe1685c

They go for a motorcycle ride. The next day they hang out at a basketball court. Chen Yi confesses that when he got back from Country Jin in 2008, he came to find her in Hai City. However, he was dirty filthy and felt like he didn't deserve her. He thought she'd be better off without him. Once she came back to Teng City, he kept pushing her away to keep her safe but she's the best person in his life. He loves her! awwww And she loves him back! We already knew this but go on Queen.

https://preview.redd.it/yt4pklnkgffh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=9e5ff7beb95417eff1cd0998558aba726f5b6cad

Xiao Yu from Miao Jing's work AND Bozai are both asking about them getting married. Our couple individually shrug it off because they're already together, they're bonded by trauma and the other one really isn't going away. ** Will talk more about this in my thoughts.

Bozai moves to Hai City and they open a Poolhall called Dogged. Think this is call back to the books original title?

https://preview.redd.it/p1ftvcpkkffh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=0d6e5929565d9554f8230ea4addca4f1fa15bbaa

They rewatch Titantic together. Now they're both grown and have more experience in their life it's less awkward. Miao Jing asks him to be her life partner, to have a safe and stable home with him. He agrees.

For New Years fireworks, they go back to Teng City and sit on the roof, just like they had when they were kids.

https://preview.redd.it/elqwu9ofkffh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=5386fc2671242693023c653bc678cfe0e189ce05

The End.

_______

- I know a couple people who are upset that they didn't get married at the end. IMO, that's not Chen Yi and Miao Jing. They come from a family that lived together without getting married, and have no parental influence anymore. If they did, it would be a very small simple thing many years in the future. They're already bound for life, they don't feel that a certificate is needed.

- I'm annoyed at our sub-plot. I was very invested in what happened in the past and i feel like they glossed over this dramatic turning point.

- I had no idea that Mr Zhai was even alive! I thought he died in the arson fire as well.

-Zhang Bin was under utilized and I felt that he was almost another father figure to Chen Yi, rather than being a mastermind, manipulating people.

- There were little things that happened that could've been used to build up to the climax but ultimately left behind. Such as: Wei Mingzhen's notebook hidden under the bed. Miao Jing being attacked at the restaurant. Xiao Yu being stalked at the hotel. the Laptops turning off at the end of ep 29. Tu Li knowing Cen Ye. Mr Sun who set the poolhall on fire, which was done as a favor from Zhang Bin. Why? I have a lot more questions about Country Jin and Chen Yi's mental state being in therapy.

- At the beginning of the show, Chen Yi wanted to be a police officer. I would've liked a call back to that in our final episode, whether it was him giving up the dream entirely, or applying to the police academy in Hai City.

- I guess, my biggest criticism comes from, they have all these loose threads and plot points that could've been developed more to assist in the plot. Had they woven these moments throughout the entire show instead of dropping it all at the same time (looking at you Mingzhen's funeral) , it would've felt more balanced and altogether, a better story. The potential is there, but wasted in the editing and writing.

- The writers chose to focus on Chen Yi's and Miao Jing's romance to the detriment of all the rest of the characters and storyline.

Thank you for participating! It was fun. Let me know your thoughts on how this ended? Were you satisfied? A big thanks to u/katleap13 for their support.

The express episodes for LOVE FOR YOU dropped and you may discuss them HERE.
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Masterpost: & Airing Schedule

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Discussion posts have spoilers for relevant episode. Keep the focus on the current discussion, episode 28. Please don't spoil future episodes. Anything from episodes 29, 30, 31 and 32 needs to use the spoilers tags. Thank you!!

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At the office, Miao Jing and Chen Yi tag team to get shipping docs from a lackey. She wants the docs and the employee needs to call Chen Yi and get approval. He approves it and she takes it to a storage closet to take pictures of the documents.

Bai turns up sick, and there's a whole bunch of new drivers for the Lingang route. Chen Yi takes Bai to the hospital to get treated. the Nurse is angry at the for transporting hazardous material without disclosing to the employees. Since Bai has diabetes, he'd get sick first before all the other employees.

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One of the stuffed bears fell off the truck. Bai found it and was planning to take it home to his family.

Chen Yi takes it to Uncle Zhou who dissects the bear and pulls out a hunk of geranium. This is what Zhang Bin is smuggling. Geranium is used in solar energy and is a precious mineral.

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One set of trucks, call it the White Team, goes through the checkpoint into Lingang. Meanwhile, the Black Team goes on a dirt road to bypass security. Once through, the White Team meet up with the Black Team and switch plates. Now the Black Team has the white team's plates, but they're actually carrying the illegal cargo.

How the dirt road isn't watched is not my problem. Suspending disbelief at the moment.

https://preview.redd.it/sd2f4jpiy3fh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=382494f18ff2996df8febfba3003779611008fc1

They capture a guy who wants revenge on Chen Yi for what he did to Mr. Zhai 6 years ago. He's the one that set the Poolhall on fire. TBH i kinda forgot about that, since i got wrapped up in finally figuring out what happened to Sister Wenjie in the past.

Zhang Bin shows up and takes Chen Yi and Miao Jing away... to play pool. Captain Zhou does not look happy about that at ALL.

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He casually drops hints that Chen Yi has been to Country Jin before and Miao Jing gets upset and hurt. She storms out and he follows. Doesn't she already know? This feels like a playact for Zhang.

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They make it home and are not angry at each other. Me thinks the argument was fake. She sidetracked for pomelo leaves to 'wash off the evil energy' per Uncle Zhou's suggestion.

At the auditing office, the power goes out, causing the laptops to go black.

Um.... aren't they laptops? Why are they going black they run off of BATTERY POWER. I'd understand if the wifi goes out but they're LAPTOPS. le sigh....

https://preview.redd.it/metzfqg204fh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=47910abf97f6acf9194fdf204d3d66e8b64d671e

Stay tuned to next episode!

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Thoughts:

- uh no thoughts except who guessed it was minerals? I honestly thought pharmaceuticals that they were smuggling.

- hopefully Zhang Bin starts being a major villain because he's so lack luster at the moment. he's not scary 🤷‍♀️

The express episodes for LOVE FOR YOU dropped and you may discuss them HERE.

As always, please only discuss this episode (ep 27) and put your spoilers under hidden marks.

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Masterpost: & Airing Schedule

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Episode 27

We open with the aftermath of Wei Mingzhen's death.

Miao Jing has to identify the body, Chen Yi goes with her. She needs to fill out paperwork, Chen Yi goes with her. Shes goes and vomits, Chen Yi goes with her. She needs to transport the body to the cremation mortuary, Chen Yi goes with her ( and calls Uncle Zhou who comes with a hearse). He's a puppy following her around but will bite if needed.

During the funeral, a very awkward funeral ngl, 3 men show up demanding payment of debts. Wei Mingzhen owed them money and they have a contract. Chen Yi insists it's illegal and then Uncle Zhou shows up. He also insists that loan sharking is illegal and the collectors are only owed the principal, not the interest.

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Afterwards, they go back to work, but Miao Jing's hearts not really in it. Zhang Bin is doing shady things and is definitely not really trusting Chen Yi.

Chen Yi is planning to leave for a few days and asks Uncle Zhou to keep an eye on Zhang's people. Zhang Bin knows about the police keeping tabs on them, especially one Zhou Kan An. He believes this trip of Chen Yi's is a great opportunity since he's aware that the latter is a police informant.

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They take her mom's ashes back to Jiang City, where her maternal grandparents are buried. A pickpocket finds the urn and freaks out. Everyone on the bus believes they're jinxes and won't sit next to them.

They bury her in a cemetery. Afterwards, Miao Jing reveals things about her childhood and how her mom failed as a parent. But she just remembers all the good things her mom did.

Chen Yi dreams of running away to Jiang City, opening a little shop, and living above it and leaving all of the pain of Teng City behind. But wouldn't that be a waste of her education? Since Chen Yi sacrificed so much just for her to get out of Teng City?

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THOUGHTS

- k i'm offically done with this mom arc. We spent an ENTIRE episode on her freaking FUNERAL. Even Chen Yi's dad death got like 10 minutes of screen time max and that one was extremely impactful to the plot. this... this is character arc yes but not worth 4 episodes. this is excessive.

- uh, i have no other thoughts besides when do we get to find out about the past and when is Zhang Bin going to make his move? he seems like the tames of all villians. Not even a villian just a businessman who likes Pool.

Is anyone else following the auditing process? I will admit im confused about this other company, Hongshen (iirc) and why they ordered an audit in the first place. I know nothing about auditing so insights would be great. Okay let's get to it.

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Episode 23

Thunderstorm made everything rain. Chen Yi wakes to find the place flooded and Miao Jing cleaning up the front room. At some point they see that it's hopeless and they dance in the rain together. Tired, they fall asleep on the couch like crazy people. wouldn't a bed be bigger and not in danger of falling off into the WATER?? Sometimes people in cdramas are just....dumb. lol . Is it cute? yes. But whyyyyyy. I'm too practical for CDramas sorry byeeee.

https://preview.redd.it/dimcs1z3g9eh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=fdbb2ddf20eb7ec4c3699c934cfe0707dc046f5e

Nevermind i'm back. Sorry i got sidetracked. Anyways.

The smuggling operation goes smoothly for Haoyun. Mr Zhang is showing that Mr. Liu has no reason to be nervous, he can invest in the smuggling rig and will earn lots of money. everything will be fine.

He is counting on Chen Yi to make sure the smuggling route continues to go smoothly. He invites Miao Jing to dinner. As a hostage kinda. Chen Yi finds out and show up to the dinner. Zhang makes veiled threats to both of them before letting them go.

Chen Yi is leaving to go run illegal shit for Mr Zhang. Miao Jing finds out and tells him not to go. That if he goes he won't like the consequences. She calls him 'Owen' and wonders about his time in SE Asia, Country Jin. He admits that's where he's been for 3 years but he knows right from wrong. He tells her 'i'll be back soon' but she reminds him that he said that line 6 years ago and broke their promise.

He goes after she falls asleep but she wakes up enough time to see him leave. Angry, she calls the cops on him.

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Chen Yi down at the dock is about to depart but finds out the goods aren't with him, they're transporting him internationally by himself. The cops interrupt their argument oooh featuring Captain Zhou! and take all of them to the station.

Captain Zhou is given details about the operation (yay CY is an inside man), they didn't have the goods on board and were just testing the route. Chen Yi wonders why the police arrived earlier than planned. Captain Zhou informs him that Miao Jing called his private line to 'report him'. Aka she called Dad, that's funny.

He comes home to find Miao Jing gone! She moved out entirely and is now staying at the hotel with the rest of the auditors. Oh boy he's in trouble.

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Episode 24

Tu Li his ex fake girlfriend, comes to visit Chen Yi and tells him that she still has a crush on him. He lets he know that he doesn't feel the same but if she needs him, she can still call.

Miao Jing, meanwhile, is talking to Cen Ye her exboyfriend. She asks if one person tries and protects another person to their own detriment, is this love? If they give up their entire future for the other person, are they right for each other? Cen Ye says no. He's a biased bastard, girl, don't ask him.

Miao Jing is finishing up the audit but doesn't want to submit the final paperwork yet as they don't have the overseas shipping details aka the illegal stuff figured out yet.

Chen Yi is a police informant working with Captain Zhou. Over a game of pool they discuss next steps, trying to out maneuver Mr. Zhang. Chen Yi mentions Kao, a man who helped him at his lowest, and who Zhang needs to continue his smuggling/tax evasion gig. Hence using Chen Yi at Haoyun.

Captain Zhou also counsels him on relationship advice, that uh, he can't sweet talk Miao Jing out of being made. Chen yi needs to apologize every second 'wear her down'. Eh don't really like this advice.

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Mr Zhang asks if he can trust Chen Yi. Asks if he's really on Zhangs side. As bait, he shows Miao Jings signature on the audit form, that she would take full responsibility for it. Chen Yi gets mad/worried. They have a meeting with the auditors where they speak in double meaning for the INTENSE conversation and afterwards, Chen Yi takes her outside.

He apologizes multiple times, sorry that he kept things from her. He wants her to not put herself in danger, that Zhang Bin is more dangerous than she realizes but she reminds him that she doesn't need his protection anymore. haven't we already had this conversation? can we get back to what really happened 6 years ago????

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Captain Zhou and Miao jing have lunch! He doesn't want to be their mediator, but he does remind her that if Chen Yi had become a police officer, they'd be in a similar situation. Chen Yi wouldn't be able to tell her stuff, would put himself in danger, and continue to try to protect from a dangerous situation. She would accept that if it had matter, but Zhou reminds her it's a gray area. Even if he's not a police officer, other things matter too.

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Miao Jing gets a notification that a money asset has reached maturity. Curious she goes on a search for the owner of said money.

Turns out it's from her mom, who is now in town. Wei Mingzhen seeks out Miao Jing at Chen Yi's place, but he coldly turns her away, refuses to invite her in, and reveals no details about her daughter's whereabouts.

Wei Mingzhen finally makes contact with Miao Jing and buys a gold bracelet to give as a gift. She wants to make up and Miao Jing is having none of it. They wander around town, mother reminiscing, and daughter reminding her of the neglect.

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THOUGHTS

- Chen Yi undercover policeman? I say yes. He's probably just a police informant but my little heart really wants him to be a cop on a paycheck. Pay the man please he's had so much trauma.

- please please lets get to explaining what went down 6 years ago because i feel like a LOT happened and we've gotten very very little of it. If they take only one episode to explain i'll be mad. I feel like at least 2 if not 3 to fulllllly explain.

- bring back the notebook/ledger i beg you

- Wei Mingzhen back in town spells DISASTER i thought we'd gotten rid of her already ngl.

In which we still don't get answers and our main leads are still telling the truth. However we are on to solving the case and we need to investigate Haoyun!

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REMINDER: if you want to talk about spoilers for future episodes, please keep them under the spoiler tag!
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EPISODE 19

We leave off with Cen Ye and Miao Jing leaving he office and being interrupted by Chen Yi. They al go to lunch together where it's revealed that not only is Cen Ye her boss, they dated! and broke up! and there was another guy before him! Aaand not to mention her first love (hehe Chen Yi) . So Now Chen Yi is feeling the competition.

Uncle Zhou and Chen Yi talk while cleaning an apartment. Oooo is this apartment for Bozai and Qiao? Sidenote: men are sexy when they're cleaning. They talk about Zhang Bin, and his associate Mr. Liu. Zhou warns him to stay away from Zhang Bin and to not 'gamble away his future'

We find out that this was the apartment that Captain Zhou got for him and He Wenjie before they got married. nooooooo i'm sad now. Is Uncle Zhou just hanging on to this apartment unwilling to let go after what happened 6 years ago? Maybe this means she's still alive and just in a coma? No body no crime?

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Wang Bo(zai) moves in with his girlfriend and her parents come to visit. Chen Yi is there helping move boxes. Qiao's parents are not very happy and will not agree to their marriage. Chen Yi, seeing this, steps in quickly and calls Bozai 'Boss'. The parents are then impressed and so the charade continues at the pool club.

Chen Yi continues calling Bozai boss, getting Gong on board, fussing up the office and making it look legitly like Wang Bo is manager. Once the parents leave, Chen Yi makes it official: he signs the paperwork over to Bozai making him the Boss!

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The next day, Maio Jing is presenting to Haoyun executives about their missing log, paperwork and such, and needs for improvment. Akak reportcard time.

Guess who comes to interrupt her? The new manager, Chen Yi! Oh no does that mean he's joined Haoyun? What does this meeeean?

Chen Yi starts picking on Miao Jing, calling her out and even dragging her to the hallway for 'discussion'. He's being super sarcastic and teasing. She asks why he joined Haoyun and he dodges, not giving her an answer. Side note did he steal his shirt from Bozai?

The tension was so hot omg.

Chen Yi flippantly says that he took the job to look good in a suit since she said that Cen Ye looked good in a suit, and how was he to make sure she didn't run off with the other guy? As-if.

After work they go downstairs to buy tea since Chen Yi's nose starts bleeding, and run into two of Miao Jing's co-workers. Chen Yi hides so that they don't ask questions about their boss and Haoyun's new manager being together.

She asks him to tell her the truth one more time. He wants her to stop doing dangerous things. She wants him to not 'push her out doing petty things'.

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Episode 20

They drive to work together, but Chen Yi insists they go in separately. Maio Jing starts flirting with him in the car, implying that he wanted them to work together to have some... ahem sexy times as office employees. Also he looks good in the suit.

Chen Yi takes a call from Uncle Zhou but we don't find out what it's regarding.

There are problems with Haoyun's data, the amount that they run should be about 6000 kilos, but instead they tripled their expenses and have 20,000 kilos. Something is up with the shipping and the auditing team want to find out what.

https://preview.redd.it/ky8fg5ucthdh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=a76206e779df2091b82e9515099f05ac2eec6e66

They are stonewalled by Chen Yi, however, who now insists that every data request must be provided with a signature from the Haoyun employee. Methinks that this is a round about way to find a mole and to pin point the bad apples from the good apples. Mr Ding, of course, is on Hoayun's side but pretend to be on the Auditors side. He really likes to point fingers and poke fun at Miao Jing.

Chen Yi is straightening out the managers but as one manager puts it, "Once we sign, we're on the hook". Which is probably Chen Yi's plan, dumbsass.

Chen Yi asks about the old city warehouse and suddenly all the employees get shifty. Bingo. Mr Wang starts to try and block him, but he makes it to the warehouse. They can't find the guard that Mr. Wang is supposedly calling, and Chen Yi shows him up by actually calling the guard and hearing the phone ring. Mr. Tao starts blaming Mr. Wang who is supposed to inspect the warehouse every month. It's kind of a mess.

https://preview.redd.it/leoy8u27thdh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=0d0d619cc2adbc810fbd41909df105e358e90979

Mr. Tao puts Chen Yi in charge of the warehouses now. He starts digging by singling out drivers who've been there for a while. He then goes to a supplier to check on things and runs into Miao Jing and Cen Ye who have been doing the same thing. There's discrepancies in the data between what the supplier told them and what Haoyun actually ships.

Chen Yi and Cen Ye have a sizing up routine. Chen Yi makes him walk in the rain, sit in the back of the car, and even tells Cen Ye that he's booked back to back with meetings as he sits there alone at his desk. Cen Ye even shakes his hand, but then wipes it off with a handkerchief. That handkerchief does NOT go back in the pock but straight into the trash Omg... they hate each other.

https://preview.redd.it/804r8tzwshdh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=cb8f01dcd954f5e940f1fa21da19ee95f0e57457

Chen Yi promises that Cen Ye can search the old warehouse unobstructed but he has to leave Miao Jing out of it. That's his promise and Cen Ye can't get greedy.

but, dear reader, he does. Get greedy.

The next day Cen Ye shows up at the warehouse with Maio Jing in tow. The pretend to be from the steel suppliers and want to look at the data.

Chen Yi is pissed at Cen Ye, but still helps Miao Jing look up the data she needs, and even stands in front of the security cameras.

They follow the trucks out to a backyard. Miao Jing takes pictures but then they almost get caught. They run o her car where they make out like teenagers, Maio Jing keeping a watch the whole time. Classic makeout to avoid detection.

https://preview.redd.it/8s4tu9l9vhdh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=4c3e855026173d3c2f29515a8b115401a9b70ad1

Meanwhile, Tu Li is still jump scaring from her encounter with the man who broke into her shop. She has a little kid that needs watching and she's worried about him. She laments that she 'broke up' with Chen Yi and wanders around the mall looking sad. Okay girl I get it but please move on from Chen Yi he has so much going on in his life at the moment.

------------

Thoughts:
- Episode 20 was a little confusing i got to admit, I think Chen Yi is on Miao Jings side but who knows.. The rewatch made things a tiny bit clearer thought

- i'm loving all this hot make out kisses in the car, sexy tie pull in the hallway, the flirty banter.

- Chen Yi made me laugh so hard with all his sarcastic remarks and petty jealous actions.

Did anyone else find these episodes a little lack-luster? It's all set up for, hopefully, drama and romance and trials to come!

--
Masterpost: & Airing Schedule

Previous Episode Discussions: 1-5,| 6-10, |11-12,| 13-14 | 15-16 | 17-18 |

REMINDER: if you want to talk about spoilers for future episodes, please keep them under the spoiler tag!
---------------

EPISODE 15 & 16

Chen Yi is avoiding Miao Jing. He is sleeping in the billiards spare room just to stay away from her. Bozai finds him in the morning, sick with a chill from last nights rain, and concludes that Miao Jing is jealous due to Tu Li.

To find out more info, Bozai asks Miao Jing to lunch. What starts as his interrogation turns around to her finding more about Chen Yi. She wants to know more about what happened the last 6 years. She asks if Chen Yi has been released from prison two years ago and is now running the billiards hall. Bozai denies, saying that Chen Yi has been abroad working. Miao Jing doesn't believe him since why would Chen Yi come back if international trade is going so well?

Tu Li and Miao Jing go out shopping. Tu Li's assistant misunderstands and stands up for Tu Li, in the process offending both Miao Jing and Chen Yi. The latter came running when he found out that his 'sister' and girlfriend were hanging out. Boy worries too much.

https://preview.redd.it/7z02sbkwz7dh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=353bca4140e6f86644018b16f6597155320b3447

He takes both Tu Li and Miao Jing home. After dropping Miao Jing off, he scolds Tu Li. They promised not to interfere with each others lives. He reveals that they're not really dating, they're just a cover story to benefit each other.

Meanwhile, an audit team is coming in to investigate Hongshen, a company that Mr Zhang has fingers in. Mr Zhang is a little worried but has an ace card called Chen Yi. He believes that as long as Chen Yi is on his side, everything will be alright. Why is Chen Yi the linchpin? What HAPPENED these past years?

Hongshen doesn't have space ready for the Audit team even with a 2 week notice. Miao Jing walks in, handles the Hongshen manager with a few words, and solves all the problems. She's the vice manager of the team!

Turns out she's an auditor investigating Hongshen, hence all the secrecy of the past episodes, the picture taking and the questioning of staff. She doesn't want Chen Yi to know as she doesn't know how deep he's still in with Mr. Zhang, and if he will tattletale and ruin the investigation.

https://preview.redd.it/e4hkijzw28dh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=ccecde7c7ebac3fff4826d51abc619808281c8b7

He picks her up from Hongshen's shipping factory and goes home since he's sick. He refuses a hospital. She revealse that she has a job now that pays pretty well. The next day he takes her to buy shoes. She tries to buy matching couple shoes, but he refuses, buying her heels instead. Metaphor for her wanting him and him thinking that she deserves better and insisting she take something else.

https://preview.redd.it/73t2iyv838dh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=ce4da5b4517a79b720b994da0904aab7f3936c61

She insists that her new shoes will get wet and so she makes Chen Yi carry her to the car. Featuring cute moment in the rain!

https://preview.redd.it/iacwjx2j38dh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=515e9a2b7133c210874fc898bb72f30ecdd76612

Mr Zhang is trying to rope Chen Yi back into his business. He beleives that since Chen Yi was 'ruthless' for the past several years that he can't leave that life behind. Aka Mr Zhang is not letting Chen Yi have a fresh start. Grrrr evil man. He offers Chen Yi a position in Hongshen.

They go to a festival and return to the temple where they both prayed as younger-selves. Chen Yi expresses thanks for having Miao Jing pass the college entrance exam and go to a good school.

https://preview.redd.it/i5oh7fwx78dh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=d717742de1eb9dbd991f63e47184ed2ad5324598

When Chen Yi finds out that the new company Miao Jing is working for Hongshen, he goes to Zhang Bin, probably to get a job to protect her of course, but this will backfire when she thinks he's part of the 'in crowd'. OMG people you two just need to talk to each other.

He has lunch with Zhang Bin's driver/bodyguard, feeling out what the new positions that were hired for Hongshen. She reveals that they haven't hired anyone, but a new group of Auditors have arrived.

Meanwhile, Tu Li opens her new shop. Yay! Chen Yi shows up in support and Miao Jing comes and gets her nails done. Trouble arises when the delivery company tries and passes off counterfeit goods and claims that Tu Li cannot apply for a refund. The assistant goes to Miao Jing and asks for her help. within 3 days, the delivery person apologizes to Tu Li, gives her a full refund, and begs Miao Jing to drop the lawsuit. We love a smart and badass FL.

https://preview.redd.it/jfq8x5yx88dh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=ce56d08a4db50a2a17658500fe240179a894cb97

Miao Jing takes a call from her teammember. Leader Ding is doing something out of protocol and submitting the worksheets now. Fishy fishy i smell fish. Miao Jing hurries back to Hongshen and confronts Mr. Ding, delaying the submission of the paperwork.

THOUGHTS

- Anyone else feel suspicious of Mr Ding?

- From timline flashbacks, Chen Yi has been involved in some sort of boxing/fighting ring and was out of the county. Maybe in Jail? What is this County Jin that Zhang Bin and others keep talking about?

- Oh shiz Miao Jing is an Auditor. I'm thinking she found the notebook of her mom's before she left for college and is now wanting to investigate every company she found in the notebook.

- I'm very worried that Ms. He died in the past cause we haven't seen her and the picture on Captain Zhou's desk is the one that Miao Jing took of her in her wedding dress. 😭

Love for You 6-10

---

Masterpost & Airing Schedule

Episodes 1-5 | Episodes 6-10 | Episodes 11-12 |

Starting where we left off at the end of episode 5

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On the way home after winning the money for Miao Jing's tuition, Chen Yi's beaten up by the angry men who he beat at pool. He's able to keep the money, being saved by a rich guy. This guy offers him a job as a security guard.

When Miao Jing learns about his new job she protests, as she's worried about his safety and that easy money comes with a darker price. The rich guy reveals that Chen Yi saved him under the underpass. This man is named Zhang Bin.

Miao Jing gets really sick. They think it's just a stomach flu but after several days, they finally take her to the hospital and she requires surgery. Her emergency contact is the Police Captain due to her mother's case, Captain Zhou. He has a girlfriend, He Wenji, that works for the government auditing department, they become friends.

https://preview.redd.it/3qg8dmoid3dh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=9770c9456636146457d7fc3e14581ece355d1e8d

Wei Mingzhen shows up, trying to get Miao Jing to come with her. Her new man works with international scholarships or something so they could go abraod for her schooling. Miao Jing protests, worried about Chen Yi, and reminding her mother how much they owe him since Mingzhen stole from him.

Wei Mingzhen goes to pay Chen Yi back but he doesn't take the money. He has a 3rd party investigate Wei Mingzhen and it turns out she's been in prison all this time and the man she's dating is legit. The new beau really works in study abroad and immigration.

Her mother asks her about the notebook that Wei Mingzhen hid under the bed but Miao Jing doesn't know what she's talking about.

Miao Jing goes to leave with her mother but abruptly, Wei Mingzhen gets a call from her beau. His son came home from abroad and so Miao Jing is no longer welcome. Miao Jing gets mad and refuses to leave, planning to stay with Chen Yi. Her mother has left her so many times over the years that she feels safer with Chen Yi.

---

Fast forward, Chen Yi and Miao Jing are partners and family. We meet a girl named Linda, who is a representative of a company that wants to work with Mr. Zhai. She crushes on Chen Yi, and tries to flirt with him by giving him Titanic to watch. He insteads watches it with Miao Jing.

featuring the steaming hot makeout scene in Titanic

During New Year's celebration, Miao Jing and Chen Yi both pray to a shrine, requesting different things. The shells keep telling Miao Jing 'No Answer' while Chen Yi keeps getting 'Yes' as an answer to their prayers.

Captain Zhou and Ms. He come to visit and eat! They're so cute together. Captain Zhou takes Chen Yi aside and reminds him that Kuangxia is not clean. The police even came to the club earlier that day looking for illegal liquor. He's worried that Chen yi will get himself too deep with Mr. Zhang and not have a way out.

They go to an amusement park with Linda. Linda has a crush on Chen Yi, but the more he hangs out with her, the more he begins to realize that he's catching feelings for Miao Jing. The whole time, on every ride, Miao Jing keeps trying to separate the two, until she's pulled into a ferris wheel cubby with Chen Yi's friends. They then watch as Chen Yi and Linda 'kiss' -- which is just Linda fixing something on Chen Yi's face -- but Miao Jing gets very jealous.

Afterwards, Chen Yi buys an apology gift for Miao Jing - a pair of earrings. this shows that he still really cares about her. (and is entirely too self aware knowing what was going through her head with Linda) .

https://preview.redd.it/hhhb1xvqd3dh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=11894ba883bcc2d3b5781966ecc108d32b9d37e5

Mr. Zhang has a business partner, Mr Zhai who deals in more shady, illegal dealings. Mr Zhai is tax evading, and to bury all the evidence, he wants to move his money into Linda's company. They're building a construction site and cutting corners. Chen Yi is sent to these sites as a manager, and really does his job well. he listens to the employees and straightens out the corrupt overseer.

Miao Jing is still in high school and studying for the College Exam. She wants to apply for Teng City University as that would allow her to stay with Chen Yi. He, on the other hand, wants her to apply for Hai City University which has better prospects and far away from the mess he's slowly spiraling into.

They're both developing feelings for each other. Miao Jing won't let anyone sign her school jersey, taking it home for Chen Yi to sign. A week later, she takes the college admission test.

Captain Zhou and He Wenjie are getting married now! They pick out a wedding dress and go to dinner. I love that Chen Yi has a good role model in Captain Zhou.

https://preview.redd.it/ws2ns3cyd3dh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=2fc013d4bb553ed67e986ac394376b13070ee08a

After the test, Chen Yi and Miao Jing go to the scrap yard to hang out. They discuss colleges one more time but Miao Jing wants to be with him. They Kiss!! She asks him to wait for her to come back and he agrees, saying 'shes the only family he has left'

THEY KISSED!!!

However, we find out that He Wenjie is an auditor is working on a Tax Evasion case of Mr. Zhai's company. Right now everything is strict, checking ID badges and working overtime. She is assigned to watch the files at night so that nothing can be stolen or damaged.

The construction workers get laid off. Mr. Zhai is trying to clean up house before the auditors can get to it. Mr. Zhai had Linda buy an expensive pu'er tea in which they were going to bribe someone in the inspection/auditing team. Chen Yi finds the tax certificates.

Chen Yi mentions the tax certificates to Zhang Bin. The older man gives him a calculating look and then brings Chen Yi into the fold. He gives Chen Yi a watch, a thank you gift but also a token that means he works for Mr Zhang and has his backing.

evil mob boss is mob bossing

Chen Yi delivers paperwork to Mr Zhai, who is currently trying to bribe an accountant to move money from Kuangxia to Lingnan. Chen Yi starts to leave the restaurant but hears Miao Jing's voice.

She's at her graduation banquet, and a classmate is confessing to her. She turns him down, saying that there is someone else she likes.

She spots Chen Yi passing by. She runs after him, and he hides the watch that Mr. Zhang gave him. He dodges her questions but then Mr. Zhai comes out and spots Miao Jing. He's really durnk and starts spouting lewd remarks to her and her classmates. Chen Yi escorts him out.

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Captain Zhou joins the Kuangxia investigation police team, as they're about the make a move.

Hello hello and welcome to Love For You episode discussions.

I am your host Rebelarkey, and my co-host is u/katleap13

This is a recap post for the first five episodes.

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Masterpost & Airing Schedule

Episodes 1-5 | Episodes 6-10 | Episodes 11-12 |

Recap!

Episodes 1-5

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2011

Miao Jing is returning to Teng City after many years away. She's goes 'home' and makes herself comfortable. Chen Yi runs a pool hall and when he comes home he finds a woman unexpectedly in his apartment. His 'sister' has returned unexpectedly and has made soup!

1997

Miao Jing is 11 when she and her mom move into Mr. Chen's home. He has a son called Chen Yi, who is 2 years older than her. Chen Yi is not happy about them being here and this leads to some fights.

Chen Yi's dead mother had a statue and it gets broken. Miao Jing takes it to the river to fix it but Chen Yi takes it back, pushing her into the river. He walks away, but goes back and saves her unknown to her.

https://preview.redd.it/yw5vlnsmw2dh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=ddba67c0fe47475387371cf15c3a9e1c63024e71

Later, at school, they take a trip to an amusement park. Chen Yi and friends are bullying Miao Jing. While riding the bumper cars, Chen Yi gets distracted by the electricity arcing above, petrified in fear. Miao Jing is able to escape and make it home.

She finds out that Mr Chen punishes Chen Yi using electricity and jumper cables. He doesn't want anything to do withe power and electricity. Miao Jing, upon finding out this secret, helps him with his burns and gets him nourishment. They come to a shaky truce.

2002

Chen Yi wants to apply to the police program. His dad finds out and ties him up. His friends go and find Miao Jing to help them locate Chen Yi. She distracts Mr. Chen enough for Chen Yi to escape and make it to the police recruitment test. However, Chen Yi is late, the test is over and the police have left.

In anger, he returns home and has an argument with his dad. Mr. Chen wants Chen Yi to get a job at the power company. Chen Yi is scared of electricity and wants nothing to do with the power plant. They argue and Chen Yi leaves. His dad starts drinking and falls, hitting his head. He is hospitalized.

https://preview.redd.it/pup6q2d6x2dh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=988b48894b3ae80bcbbba3e98a84acc8b58d43f9

Meanwhile, Wei Ming Zhen, (MJ's mother) is involved with another man, still living with Mr. Chen. They're part of a supplement company that's doing well, but is actually a pyramid scheme! After being audited, all goes to putt and Greenlife owes people a lot of money.

Mr. Chen being hospitalized throws everyone together and they start worrying over the future. He dies, and Chen Yi only cares about the inheritance. He goes to mortgage the house and finds out it's already mortgages for 250,000RMB. All the paperwork was signed while his father was in the hospital, making it apparent that Wei Mingzhen stole from him.

https://preview.redd.it/gpl4rdejx2dh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=26ef618d218f6f27e19640048c102678bdc4cc83

During this, Wei Ming Zhen keeps hiding from the debt collectors and tells Miao Jing that they're leaving and to get on a bus. She resists, wanting to stay here. Chen Yi shows up angry and wants to find her mother. He using Miao Jing to go find Wei Mingzhen, but she has fled, leaving her daughter in Teng City.

One night by himself, Chen Yi saves a man in the sewer, directing the thugs away. The man tries to give Chen Yi his watch, but he refuses.

https://preview.redd.it/pattdxstx2dh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=17c17674749f266293dd2c463171870689a1f38b

Miao Jing and Chen Yi are the only two left. She's still being hounded by debt collectors. She moves out after an argument and stays in the dormitory, not having enough money for food. She breaks into Chen Yi's house to take back her clothes and is almost hit by him with a baseball bat.

When he finds out from his friends that Miao Jing had helped him escape from his dad the day of the police recruitment, he attempts to win her back and apologize. She ignores him, continuing to gather soda cans to recycle to earn a tiny bit of cash.

https://preview.redd.it/bku9yi95y2dh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=26f2585d1d7f85d56a4e28b662f64546fdbbd246

When the girls dorm is under renovation for two weeks, she has nowhere to sleep. She finds a job as a night shift internet cafe clerk, where she can have a bed, and earn some money for food.

Chen Yi finds out and insists she move back in with him, that way she can actually sleep. He wonders how she can study during the day and work at night, there is no time for sleep.

Finally they come to an agreement and start working together. The both of them are always short on money. The mortgage needs to be paid, the electricity bill paid, ect. They scrap hunt after school/work looking for copper wire at an abandoned factory.

https://preview.redd.it/yzo9pcnay2dh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=b5330335bf8c0e41ae84b30a599c6a7d6576e12b

3 months later

Miao Jing finds out that her mother only paid for one semester of school. The school won't continue her education unless she pays the tuition. When Chen Yi finds out, he enters into a highstakes pool competition, where he wins! The grand prize is 20,000RMB. Unbeknownst to him, he's being watched.

Oh boy, we're at the end. I am a little sorry to see this drama go, it was fun!

(and someone please find me a Xing Wu asap i have things i need fixing)

FUN FACT:

The Book ends when Qing Ye leaves Zhazhating with her father. Which means these past 5 episodes are all made up by the script writer. Thank you script writer for giving us the 5 years later, i take back a lot of bad things i was thinking.

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Masterpost ~ Express Episode Discussions

Episodes 1-5 | Episodes 6-10 | Episode 11-13 | Episodes 14 - 15| Episodes 16-17 | Episodes 18-19 | Episode 20-22 | Episode 23-24 | Episodes 25-26 | Episodes 27 - 28| Episodes 29-30

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Episode 29 - Together At Last

Aunt Fang sends the picture of her and Qing Ye to Xing Wu, telling him that she's in Zhazhating. He immediately books the first flight out. Look at Aunt Fang match making. I was right, she did send the pic to Wu.

That night, Qing Ye, Aunt Fang, and the Aunties all eat together and talk, establishing she's not dating anyone. In the morning, Aunt Fang is needed at the County hairsalon so she will be out all day.

Qing Ye wanders around Zhazhating, remembering all the good times she had here. She goes to the school, the neighborhood, the lavender fields, ect.

Xing Wu gets to the hairsalon and finds noone there. The smart boy figures that it's best if she finds him instead of trying to look for her. He waits for her at their spot, the lighthouse.

Soone enough, Qing ye appears and Xing Wu makes it VERY CLEAR what he wants. He want sher. he runs and embraces her with a kiss! MAYDAY WE FINALLY HAVE OUR KISS.

He breaks away and then she kisses him back! TWO KISSES.

https://preview.redd.it/s3mvznyzlq7h1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=08a5837790f21cf309b43140ac9daf8e54a701d9

Xing Wu explains what happened 5 years ago: when he retook his senior year, they had a new teacher? This teacher saw him and coached him. Seeing that he was good with airplane models, the teacher encouraged him to attend Northwestern Polytech instead of Qingbei, as that would align with his career goals.

Since he knew in order to be on her level he needed good education, he prioritized his career first. Only now, with his dual internship/masters can he be in Beijing and pursue a relationship with Qing Ye.

They run into Cao Ping back at the barbershop, who has become the new Xing Wu: the mechanic. All the neighbors are clamoring him to fix their appliances. The boys decide that as their reunion, they'll have a friendly competition. I thought they'd do basketball, instead it's pushups.

Xing Wu 'loses' intentionally.

Side Note: Xing Wu's tie was driving my sister crazy. Per her: no man wears a tie to the beach. Especially fully closed. And definitely not to do pushups. The stylist does not win any points from her this show.

https://preview.redd.it/bukb1141mq7h1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=1675afe5ecdd908285df9e09c274f7391c25b47e

Our couple gets domestic! Xing Wu starts taking care of his girlfriend; tying up her hair and cooking for her! They start kissing when they're interrupted by his friends.

Turns out, during Ye & Wu's makeout sesh by the lighthouse, a neighbor saw them and informed Xing Wu's friends. Town gossip is faster than twitter.

They both return to Beijing. While going into her apartment, they're stopped by Qing Ye's dad. He wants what makes her happiest, but warns that they come from two different classes and Xing Wu might not make her happy.

https://preview.redd.it/1qxoa3k2mq7h1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=213842a0a9fc423a0a90c3ff4b0c272abbccad88

Xing Wu finally makes his girlfriend food, but gets distracted by kissing her. Her dad texts them offering to spend time with them and to get to know Xing Wu.

They visit her dad. He's out in his wife's garden, as he's taken up gardening recently. Mr. Qing tests Xing Wu using plants as a metaphor for his and Qing Ye's relationship. Xing Wu is adamant that with the right care, the 'plants' will survive.

Episode 30 - Finale

Mr. Qing hosts a golf game. Problem is he invited Meng Ruihang. booooo. Xing Wu rises to the occasion and wins that game. This impresses Mr. Qing.

Meng Ruihang afterwards tries to 3rd Wheel, but Xing Wu and Qing Ye are not having it. They're so wrapped up in each other. No coffee date with them.

https://preview.redd.it/kyq52blulq7h1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=52678a88fc0763767b811fa4337f147c6fd1859b

Xing Wu takes her home and is about to leave when he gets a call from his work buddy. Work buddy has a girl he likes and wants to have intimate relations with, but doesn't want his sister to know yet. Work buddy asks to use Xing Wu's place. This gives him a very adequate excuse to stay over at Qing Ye's place.

Our couple reminisce about the time that QIng Ye got drunk and reenacted titanic. This dissolves into a makeout session. This gets interrupted by first Aunt Fang and then Teacher Zhu. The former wants him to come home for Dragon Boat Festival and the latter wants him to give an inspirational speech to the students at his school.

https://preview.redd.it/fmgnxiwslq7h1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=6b068fd403c3d28f58246d0a8e2c8a811f96452a

Meanwhile, the Aunties have been trying to grow their online platform, doing cooking, dance routines, ect. All this to remind us that Xing Wu and Qing Ye are not related even if they're termed 'cousins.'. Thanks, i've been trying to forget.

Xing Wu and Qing Ye come back to Zhazhating for Dragon Boat festival. They visit grandma together where Xing Wu gives his girlfriend the scarf that Grandma started, but then he learned how to knit just to finish it. Awwwwwwwwwwwww

The friends and family gather at the dinner table. Canine joins them and calls Shu Han so they all can celebrate and congratulate our couple on reuniting. (to correct what i said in a previous post Shu Han and Ye Yingjian are NOT dating/married, they're work colleagues overseas).

After dinner, Xing Wu and Qing Ye go out to the lighthouse to watch fireworks.

https://preview.redd.it/mtmxdxmtlq7h1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=018c8f89131d3d47e9880faca0a1b90716ce2bb8

The next day, Xing Wu gives his speech to the kids. I honestly think all his quotes are from Qing Ye. He talks about how low he was and his family troubles. But he was able to rise and overcome his challenges to be the person he is today.

The end.

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Thank you all for participating and I hope you enjoyed the show! I know I did.

Final Totals:

Fix it Count: 45

-put her hair in a hair tie

- cooked twice

Qing Ye Edition: 6

Carries: 9

Kisses: 8 (1 from a side couple)

Cute Moments: 15

Let me tell you, these two episodes were so frustrating for me. I want to hit these characters over the head with a 2x4, especially our Female Lead. I cannot process her reasoning. Let's get into it.

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Masterpost ~ Express Episode Discussions

Episodes 1-5 | Episodes 6-10 | Episode 11-13 | Episodes 14 - 15| Episodes 16-17 | Episodes 18-19 | Episode 20-22 | Episode 23-24 | Episodes 25-26 | Episodes 27 - 28| Episodes 29-30

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Episode 27 - Five Years Later

Xing Wu is staring at his test scores. His friends try and cheer him up but he's still sad after they leave. Turns out he didn't do very good on the GaoKao :( . He gets a ping alert from Qing Ye, where it's shown he has 800 something kilometers from where he is to Beijing, where she is.

He decides that he will repeat his senior year and try the GaoKao again.

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TIME SKIP

Five years later, Qing Ye is a professional working for a business company. No sign of Xing Wu 😭. She has a great proposal for working with Aquafarms and is pitching it to a client. Who works for the client bu Meng Ruihang, her old best friend. He keeps trying to hit on her but she's not interested. He says he'll wait for her.

She gets a call from Shi Min, who is finally marrying Hu! They're getting marries in Zhazhating and wouldn't Qing Ye please be invited to their wedding? She agrees and finally makes the trip back to the small fishing town.

The small-town residents greet her in the exact same style they did before: with firecrackers! Somethings haven't changed really. Aunt Fang shows her around the new and improved Xuan Island. She actually has a shop in the bigger city where Liu Nian is now working, but the little shop still has a barber stool for her friends and neighbors when they need a haircut.

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Aunt Fang shows her upstairs of her old room, where Wu designed it to Qing Ye's previous specifications. Her Orchid is still alive and Wu nursed it back to health. He installed A/C in the room, with a large mirror and remade a closet for her! He insisted on making it, not ordering it pre-made. Qing Ye is touched. Awwwww wife that man please.

Wu hasn't been back much since he's been working and studying at college. Wait, Wu made it to college? WHAT HAPPENED?!??! Why hasn't he shown up for five years.

Aunt Fang is surprised that they haven't kept in touch. yeah Qing ye, only a psychopath would delete her crushes number from their phone, even Aunt Fang is bewildered.

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Qing Ye catches up at the wedding with all the people she knew from back when. Ye Yingjian and Shu Han got married. Wait what they're a thing? Wow. Shi Min and Hu are getting married obviously. Cao Fang is off working in a big city. And Huang Mao is a business owner who drives his own truck.

No one is talking about Xing Wu. They seem scared to even mention him. He's also missing from the wedding? Why is he missing his best friends wedding? Wu, where are you?

Wedding time! Hu comes out with the harmonica Shi Min gave him all those years ago. It's sweet and cute. We get a kiss between our side characters.

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Shi Min gives her bouquet to Qing Ye, telling her that she always saw the best in Shi Min and pushed her to becoming who she is today. It's a sweet speech. Huang Mao records it and sends it to Xing Wu.

Afterwards, while visiting with the bride and groom, Qing Ye's boss calls her. The Client is spitting mad and has scheduled a meeting for 9 am in the morning. She needs to get her ass back in town and come present. Qing Ye is mad and disappointed but books the earliest flight.

She leaves the wedding without seeing Xing Wu. (We've only had 5 minutes with Xing Wu, he's largely absent from this episode)

Episode 28 - Missing You (aka the worst episode)

Because he's late. Xing Wu is really late, he missed Qing Ye. His flight was delayed and now the wedding guests won't stop talking about her. Where she sat, who she talked to, what she at. Huang Mao takes a picture of him and Xing Wu where he posts it on moments. Qing Ye obviously sees it as she still follows him.

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Xing Wu is apparently doing well. He has an internship at a company that makes airplanes. He sold one of his aircraft designs and now gets royalties from the patent.

He's already paid off Uncle Qing's 100k, he worked really hard so his mom wouldn't need to worry about it. I need a man like Xing Wu like hot damn. A man who takes responsibility.

Qing Ye presents her plan to the client who loves it. Meng Ruihang tries to treat her to a meal to celebrate but she turns him down, planning to eat with her bff from college instead.

Side note: did anyone else notice that she wore JEANS to the presentation? Jeans and a croptop under a casual blazer. And everyone else is super conservative in their business suits. Stop with the office siren stuff - she would have been fired in real life had she shown up like that. Especially since she's head of the project- her client would not have taken her seriously. Even if she'd been a man, wearing jeans to a business proposal is extremely un-professional. End side note.

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She goes to dinner with her best friend who talks to her about her dating life. Qing Ye is still hung up on someone from her past (xing wu) and so her friend talks her into calling him. It's been five years and he hasn't caught up to her. "If you miss him, go find him". So they call him.

Turns out, he's at the same restaurant but in a private room. He does not see her phone call and does not call her back.
Since he doesn't have her contact he probably thinks its a spam call. Only explanation i can think of for her not to call her back. She didn't even leave him a voicemail.

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She's drunk afterwards, drinking away her feelings. He's right behind her waiting for a taxi. She walks home drunk, and he's on the bridge behind her.

I hate hate haaaate this 'just missed you' trope. It's the worse. Like please just TURN AROUND. -10/10. It's not romantic it's frustrating. Every time they passed each other unknowingly i wanted to scream.

Meng Ruihang shows up and sends her to bed. He's kinda a creep at the moment. She said no. Leave her alone. In the morning, her friend decides to start setting her up with people. They plan a group date with the friend, the friend's little brother, and the friend of her little brother. Confused yet?

The little brother is Xing Wu's colleague, who invites him to the dinner. Xing Wu's the friend of the little brother, got it. Xing Wu says no, but once he see the picture, he says yes, because he recognizes Qing Ye.

Please Wu, say yes, say yes, say yes.

Reader, there was yelling during this scene i was so stressed.

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They meet at the restaurant and Qing Ye is sooo awkward. Xing Wu started them off on a new foot, re-introducing himself but she leaves him hanging. He's ordered all of Qing Ye's favorite food, but she can barely stand to interact with him.

Girl, what were you expecting after all these years? He's here! Exactly like you wanted him to be! He's a little late but he's crossed miles to see him, can you PLEASE give him something?

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Turns out Xing Wu went to Northwest University instead of the one in Beijing. He's only just made it to Beijing while studying for his Masters Degree.

Her best friend realizes that there's something going on between them. Once she heard that Xing Wu was from Zhazhating, she put the pieces together. She gave Qing Ye's wechat to Xing Wu, stole her little brother, and high-tailed it out of there to give our two love birds some privacy.

I absolutely love this best friend, i need to figure out her name.

Xing Wu offers to take her home since his cab is here. Qing Ye brushes him off and takes her own cab back home. You can see his heartbreak on his face. Girl, i'm sooooo done with you like why even do this omg. He came all this way and you won't give him the time of day.

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As part of her business proposal, she visits Shi Min's father's fish farm. There she runs into Cao Ping who is Mr. Shi's right-hand man. Xing Wu had hooked him up with the job 5 years ago and now he's practically running the place.

Qing Ye explores Zhazhating again, reminiscing. She visits Grandma and Aunt Fang. They turned grandma's room into the bathroom, so now they don't have to share with the neighbors anymore. One more thing that Xing Wu has done for her.

Aunt Fang does her hair in an updo. Qing Ye expresses her desire for Aunt Fang to do her hair when she gets married, which leads to a discussion about boys. Qing Ye indicates that she doesn't have a boyfriend, which prompts Aunt Fang to take a picture. To send to Xing Wu of course.

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Fix it Count: 42

-fixed the room up: the a/c, the mirror, the closet, the plant

- remodeled the house to have a bathroom

- ordered all her favorite food

Qing Ye Edition: 6

Carries: 6

Kisses: 1- from a side couple

Cute Moments: 12

we only got awkward moments this round i'm so sorry.

As always, let me know if i've missed any to add to the counts above.

Dazzling Discussions

FYI - the express episodes have dropped! If you have been privileged enough to have seen them, i've linked the post below.

Reminder, if there are any spoilers for the last four episodes, please spoil tag them, or better yet, go talk about it on the express episodes. Okay? okay.

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Masterpost ~ Express Episode Discussions

Episodes 1-5 | Episodes 6-10 | Episode 11-13 | Episodes 14 - 15| Episodes 16-17 | Episodes 18-19 | Episode 20-22 | Episode 23-24 | Episodes 25-26 | Episodes 27 - 28|

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Episode 25 - Goodbye

Welp, I was right, her dad warns him away. Xing Wu is told not to speak to Qing Ye ever again and my boy's like.... uh she gets to decide who to talk to.

That night he gives her a vespa ride all over Zhazhating, and takes her to 'their place' the Lighthouse.

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Xing Wu talks about the lighthouse, how it was his safe haven when his dad would get violent. He thought the light was all for him and he'd count down to when it would turn on.

Xing Wu doesn't think his grades are good enough to get into the same college as her. He's letting her go. She's a 'born explorer' and she needs to 'sail her ocean.' He tells her to not look back. They... uh...checks notes... break up? Theyre not even together how are they breaking up.

She tells him that he needs to chase her. She lets him know what college she's applying to, and that if he wants to 'be with her' then he needs to work hard and get it. Qing Ye deletes his contact info.

Girl? What are you doing?! Why why why why why whyyyyy. This is the opposite of the First Frost where Sang Yan never ever deletes her contact info. Where is mY YEARNING ??!?!? This makes no bloody sense. I've rewatched it twice and do not understand her reasoning here.

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The next morning, Mr. Qing and Qing Ye eat at the restaurant across the street. She tells him all about her adventures at Xuan Island. How her first real meal was from this restaurant. How Xing Wu fixed a lot of things for her awww mentioning the list how sweet. Before she leaves, she is requiring her dad to do one thing first.

Mr. Qing offers 100k yuan to Aunt Fang in 'exchange for taking care of Qing Ye'. However, Aunt Fang refutes it, taking out an IOU instead. She plans to payback the money as she doesn't take charity.

Qing Ye sees off all of her friends. Aunt Fang says goodbey, Huang Mao says goodbye, Hu says goodbye, Grandma says goodbye.

The only person who doesn't is Xing Wu as he said it last night. However, this technically breaks his promise from 6 months ago when he promise to come see her when she left.

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Back in Beijing, Mr. Qing is taking her to dinner with the Meng family, the same family that rejected her back in Ep 6. She knows what they're like and doesn't want to go, but her father insists. Its an awkward dinner.

Episode 26- A Second Goodbye

Xing Wu finds a hair scrunchy of Qing Ye's in her room. He pockets it. That night at dinner, the Xing family is morose and silent, missing Qing Ye. Grandma, fed up, insists that they all look on the bright side. Qing Ye was able to leave them for bigger skies. They should be happy for her. And she can always come back if she needs to.

Qing Ye is left at the hotel. Duuude her dad just leaves her all alone at the hotel. She could've stayed at ZZT for like 5 mores days. Her dad isn't the brightest fellow.

They rebuild Xuan Island, and Xing Wu finds the orchid plant of Qing Ye's, in it's blacken container. However, it's still alive! Yeah little plant! You can do it!

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It's Gaokao (aka the college placement test) Season! All the students study hard as they days count down. Xing Wu is doing his best but he's down on himself. His mom and grandma believe that he can do it!

Grandma won't awaken one morning so they take her to the hospital. oh no, i have a bad feeling. The doctors tell them she's old, and can't do intensive surgury. She is placed on hospice (hospice is care that people go on when they're close to the end of their life. it usually includes a DNR)

Everybody is sad. Aunt Fang tells grandma that Xing Guodong is dead, and Grandma reveals that she already knew. Two years ago, Aunt Fang left for the city and came back really sad. I'm confused by this information. Hasn't Xing Wu been saying all along that he's dead? Why is this breaking news?

Grandma passes away in the arms of her family, staring at the sunset. I'm renaming this show to "How to Suckerpunch Xing Wu'. This man can NOT catch a break. it's bad thing after terrible thing, after devastating thing.

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Xing Wu banns anyone from telling Qing Ye. please at least tell her after GaoKao, because i understand not wanting to distract her from her studies, but you should not get to deny her grief. If that makes sense.

They hold Grandma's funeral and Xing Wu reveals to his friends that he's not biologically hers but he loved her all the same. If there's a next life, he wants to be her grandson.

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The episode ends with the Gaokao. The parents see the kids off to the test, with sunflowers. All the students work hard on their test, Xing Wu in Zhazhating, and Qing Ye in Beijing.

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Fix it Count: 36

Qing Ye Edition: 6

Carries: 5 (six if you include Grandma from ep 22)

Kisses: 0 😫😭

Cute Moments: 12

- she cuddles into his shoulder

As always, let me know if i've missed any to add to the counts above.

Welcome back to Zhazhating!
As always, if you want to talk about spoilers, use spoiler tags!

Next post will be for both Episode 25 & 26.

We don't yet have the final schedule out as of posting this, but it will most likely go to one episode a day here on out. that means that discussion episodes will be posted every other day and feature two episodes.

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Masterpost

Episodes 1-5 | Episodes 6-10 | Episode 11-13 | Episodes 14 - 15| Episodes 16-17 | Episodes 18-19 | Episode 20-22 | Episode 23-24 | Episodes 25-26

Episodes 23 - Aftermath

First we check up on Aunt Fang and Grandma. They're having it out a little because they once again lost their home. Instead of letting her friends help, Grandma insists on Aunt Fang helping her instead. Fang is tired and now she has to start over.

Her friends try to cheer her up, and after a long heart to heart they do. Aunt Fang eating the dumplings.

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Grandma gives Aunt Fang a credit card with 10,000 yuan. Aunt Fang doesn't want to use it but Grandma insists. The kids take the card to the bank where they find out that theres' only 300 yuan on it. Two years ago the 10,000 was taken out. Xing guesses that it was his father that stole the money.

Aunt Fang insists that they not tell Grandma. Liu Nian comes by once he hears what happens. He insists that he still wants to work with the Xings and that he won't take a different job. Aww i love how much of a loyal person he is.

Xing Wu visits Xuan Island, reminiscing about his home This part is so sad omg. He breaks down in loss and Qing Ye is there to help pick up the pieces.

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They talk about how life is a box of chocolates from Forrest Gump (third movie reference!) and Qing Ye gives him a piece of chocolate.

They plan to rebuild Xuan Island and make it bigger and better. They hypothetically redesign it, dreaming big. Xing Wu falls asleep while they're talking; he's pulling night shifts for work and study during the day, making him absolutely exhausted.

Xing Wu gets a call that Cao Ping might have been involved in the fire. He breaks into Cao's place and interrogates him. He has a bunch of gasoline at his place but it wasn't used to burn down the barbershop. A flashback shows that he burned a whole bunch of old things, finally letting go of the past and planning to move on.

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He runs into Cao Ping days later at the packing plant. Since he has a criminal record, Cao Ping is fired. Xing Wu gives him water and an opportunity: Shi Min's father's fish farm is hiring. They've already talked to Mr. Shi and he's good with Cao Ping's record.

honestly, i love exploring these two's relationship. It's so messy and complicated. I would be happy with just a 15 episodes short featuring them

The police finally finish the investigation. Turns out that Yang Gang accidentally set the fire. There were a bunch of cardboard (omg the cardboard from that one episode! I totally didn't remember it until this moment. Excellent foreshadowing) that caught fire from his cigarette butt. He's charged with accidental damage/arson as well as his illegal electronics selling.

Episode 24 - An Unexpected Guest

Xing Wu is working his butt off, trying to get work in the next week before he needs to return to school. All his friends keep giving him red envelopes with he rebuffs, wanting work, not charity. Even the shop next his his repair shop tries to give him money.

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The red envelopes keep appearing; Aunt Fang's friends give her some, Qing Ye's friends pitch in. Then entire community comes together to help support the Xing family. Honestly, I love the community and the found family aspects this show.

Aunt Fang also goes to work; she starts giving haircuts in the park. They're quick clips, only 5 yuan. Someone tries to stiff her and teacher Zhu steps in. He's checking in on them as well as feeling out to see if Xing Wu is going to drop out again. Aunt Fang insists that she will drag her son to school if she must.

chat, are we shipping them? I'm still on the fence

Qing Ye takes Xing Wu some leftover food but he ditches work to take her to a 10yuan buffet. They eat themselves sick. Qing Ye lamanets about how uch money she spent in the beginning. Had she saved that 1000, they'd've been in a much better place now.

The next morning, a dark van shows up. He dad has returned!

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He wants to take her back to Beijing. Qing Ye argues with him, insisting that she wants to stay in Zhazhating, she really likes it here. Mr Qing expresses doubt about the character of Xing Wu. He only knows the rumors and wants to take her away from her cousin's 'bad influence'.

Her father ignores her wishes. He gives her until the morning to say her goodbyes.

Her father goes and visits Xing Wu for a mysterious request.

any guess about what they're going to discuss? I bet it's a 'stay away from my daughter' speech

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Fix it Count: 36

-fixed a couple things for customers.

Qing Ye Edition: 6

Carries: 5 (six if you include Grandma from ep 22)

Kisses: 0 😫😭

Cute Moments: 11

- TWO! Hugs!

- he falls asleep on her shoulder,

- he dries her hair

As always, let me know if i've missed any to add to the counts above.