Episode Summary
Jiang Qiaoxi deals with the aftermath of his mother's car accident and pressure from school leaders to accept his guaranteed university admission. He finds solace at Ying Tao's home, where her father offers him profound advice. After deciding to follow his own path and giving up the math competition, a new secret surfaces when he's caught studying English, leading Ying Tao to believe he's planning to go abroad without telling her, causing a rift between them.
Spoiler Alert
"Our Generation" Episode 13: A Fork in the Road
The episode opens with Manager Jiang visiting Ying Tao's home, and her parents graciously invite him to stay for dinner. Meanwhile, Jiang Qiaoxi's mother, overwhelmed with anger, drives off alone. Her emotional distress leads to a car accident. Upon hearing the news, Manager Jiang rushes to the hospital, with Ying Tao's concerned parents accompanying him. Fortunately, her injuries are not severe, consisting of soft tissue contusions and a mild concussion.
At the hospital, leaders from the school visit Jiang Qiaoxi's mother. They use the opportunity to lecture Jiang Qiaoxi, urging him not to be rebellious and to reconsider giving up his guaranteed admission to a top university. Ying Tao arrives with soup just in time to overhear the conversation from the doorway. Wanting to spare him further distress, she waits for Teacher He to open the door, then quickly presents the soup and concocts an excuse that her parents are expecting him for dinner. Jiang Qiaoxi obediently follows her, leaving his mother fuming in the hospital bed.
Later, Jiang Qiaoxi and Ying Tao find a quiet moment by the sea. He rests his head on her shoulder, savoring the peacefulness. For the next few days, he stays and eats at Ying Tao's house. The persistent school leaders even show up there to continue their persuasion campaign. After they finally leave, Ying Tao's father, watching Jiang Qiaoxi helping in the kitchen, has a thoughtful talk with him. Unlike the school officials, he offers a different perspective. He tells Jiang Qiaoxi that talent resides within him, not the other way around; he should be the one to control and use his abilities, not be led by them. Ying Tao is deeply impressed by her father's wisdom.
Jiang Qiaoxi takes a two-week break to do things he truly enjoys. Back at school, however, rumors fly as classmates speculate whether he will truly forfeit his guaranteed admission. A worried Cen Xiaoman repeatedly asks Ying Tao when he will return, but Ying Tao insists she doesn't know. She explains that her focus is on his well-being—whether he's happy and eating well—not on reminding him of his troubles.
In an attempt to reconcile, Jiang Qiaoxi brings a meal to his mother and tries to have a heart-to-heart conversation. However, she remains unable to empathize with or understand his decision. His mind made up, Jiang Qiaoxi throws away all his Mathematical Olympiad materials, firmly deciding to pursue what he loves. He happily makes plans with Ying Tao to get a late-night snack after school, just the two of them, which delights her.
The situation takes a sharp turn during math class when Jiang Qiaoxi is caught secretly reading an English book. The furious teacher reports him to the principal. Feng Banzhang (Class Monitor Feng) overhears their conversation and inadvertently reveals it to Ying Tao, speculating that Jiang Qiaoxi might be planning to study abroad. Ying Tao is blindsided and angry, feeling that he has deliberately hidden this huge secret from her. After school, she doesn't wait for him and storms off alone.
