Episode Summary
In Episode 9, Xu Zhi explores her interest in landscape design after Chen Luzhou awkwardly discovers her search history. He gifts her relevant books and tools. Cai Yingying struggles with her future, and Zhu Yangqi suggests she try art school exams. Xu Zhi and Chen Luzhou share a moment discussing his violin playing and her childhood memories. Xu Zhi buys Chen Luzhou a moon lamp, and later encounters Tan Xu, who reassures her about his exam results. Cai Yingying photographs this encounter and shows it to Chen Luzhou, who had asked Zhu Yangqi to look out for Xu Zhi in Beijing. Chen Luzhou participates in a paid filming opportunity. At an experience-sharing event, Xu Zhi meets other top students, including Li Ke, the provincial top scorer. The group discusses a legendary high-scoring student who turns out to be Chen Luzhou, much to Xu Zhi's surprise. The episode ends with Chen Luzhou and Xu Zhi having a playful argument under a sky of fireworks.
Spoiler Alert
Episode 9 Recap & Spoilers
The episode opens with Chen Luzhou feeling incredibly awkward after Xu Zhi discovers his internet search history. Meanwhile, Xu Zhi has been doing some research of her own and finds herself drawn to landscape design. She recalls a childhood dream of owning a large villa with a garden she could design herself. Checking the score requirements, she realizes her grades are good enough to pursue this path. Thoughtfully, Chen Luzhou gifts her a set of books and drawing tools, items she'll soon need for her studies.
Elsewhere, Cai Yingying is down in the dumps, frustrated by her poor gaming performance and feeling like she can't do anything right. Zhu Yangqi suggests she consider retaking her exams, but Cai Yingying dismisses the idea, convinced she's not cut out for academic pursuits. Zhu Yangqi then proposes she explore the art school entrance exams (Yikao). Cai Yingying doubts her abilities, claiming to be tone-deaf and unable to sing or dance. However, Zhu Yangqi points out her sharp wit and eloquence when she's arguing, suggesting she could leverage those strengths.
Later, Xu Zhi notices a violin at Chen Luzhou’s place and remarks that she didn't know he played. She shares that her grandfather also played the violin, though quite terribly, for her grandmother every day after she fell ill. Xu Zhi confesses she never truly understood his persistence back then, but something about the present moment makes her feel she finally does. She playfully tells Chen Luzhou that if he plays for her when they're 80, she'll tell him why. Chen Luzhou jokes that by then, he'll be playing for his wife, or if he doesn't have one, for someone else's.
While out, Xu Zhi spots a beautiful moon-shaped lamp in a shop and decides to buy it for Chen Luzhou, arranging for a local delivery. As she's making the purchase, she bumps into Tan Xu. He assures her that he has explained to his parents that his disappointing exam results were his own fault and that they don't blame her. Xu Zhi encourages him, saying he's talented and could succeed if he retakes the exams with a better mindset.
Unseen by them, Cai Yingying spots Xu Zhi and Tan Xu talking. She quickly snaps a photo and then tries to eavesdrop on their conversation.
Meanwhile, Chen Luzhou is playing basketball with Zhu Yangqi. He asks Zhu Yangqi to keep an eye on Xu Zhi when she's in Beijing, adding that while she's free to date whomever she pleases, he doesn't want her to be bullied. Shortly after, Zhu Yangqi shows Chen Luzhou the photo of Xu Zhi and Tan Xu together, questioning if this situation is also "no problem." Later, while at an amusement park, Chen Luzhou sees someone playing the violin, records it, and posts it to his social media feed.
Back home, Chen Luzhou finds a package at his door – the moon lamp from Xu Zhi. He then sees Xu Zhi's latest social media post and gives her a call. Xu Zhi is in the middle of recording a video with her father's help, sharing her experiences and insights. Her father observes that she seems more reserved than she was as a child.
In another part of town, Chen Luzhou's mother messages him about a filming opportunity. He's initially reluctant, but the offer of 3,000 yuan convinces him to participate.
Xu Zhi attends an event where students share their study experiences. Yang Yijing from Fuzhong (the Affiliated High School) greets her. Xu Zhi clarifies she’s from Ruijun High School. Yang Yijing notes that most of the attendees are from Yizhong (No. 1 High School) and mentions a rumor about an exceptionally brilliant student from Yizhong who scored a raw 713 and could have surpassed 750 with optional subjects, but this student hadn't shown up.
During the recording session for the experience sharing, Li Ke, the provincial top scorer, talks extensively about this "genius" student. After the recording, the group heads out for a meal. Li Ke, perhaps a bit too pleased with his own monologue, asks if the others mind that he dominated the conversation. Yang Yijing quickly reassures him. Li Ke then remarks to Xu Zhi, who ranked 30th in the province, that if the aforementioned genius had taken the optional subjects, she wouldn't have made it to this gathering. Xu Zhi cleverly retorts that if that were the case, then he, Li Ke, wouldn't be the provincial top scorer either.
As they settle down for dinner, Li Ke announces that the "genius" student he'd been talking about will be joining them. Moments later, Chen Luzhou walks in. Xu Zhi is stunned to realize that Chen Luzhou is the academic whiz kid everyone has been discussing. When Chen Luzhou motions for Xu Zhi to come over, she, feeling overwhelmed or perhaps embarrassed, tries to leave. Chen Luzhou quickly follows her outside. He points out that there are fireworks, but Xu Zhi insists she isn't there to see them. As she tries to walk away again, Chen Luzhou stops her, and the two begin to playfully bicker under the night sky.
