Episode Summary
In this episode, Gu Xuejiao's academic prowess earns her a coveted spot in Professor Tan's self-driving lab, which is simultaneously navigating a tricky partnership offer from Bochi Motors. While Yi Tianyu's attempts to win her over become more direct, the connection between Xuejiao and Lin Zhihua deepens through quiet, thoughtful gestures. The episode ends on a cliffhanger as Xuejiao is assigned menial tasks in the lab and misses a chance to ask Zhihua to stay in the country.
Spoiler Alert
Gu Xuejiao is doubling down on her studies, focusing intently on improving her English. She spends her time studying at the dessert shop where her friend, Sun Tiantian, works. While she’s there, Yi Tianyu shows up, but Xuejiao, wanting to keep her distance, quickly makes an excuse to return to a study room.
In Professor Tan's programming class, the students are faced with a complex virus program as a test. Drawing on her memories from her previous life, Xuejiao recognizes the problem and swiftly codes a solution. Professor Tan is so impressed that he offers her the role of class representative. Seizing the opportunity, Xuejiao negotiates a different reward: a spot in the professor's highly sought-after self-driving car laboratory.
Elated, the first person Xuejiao tells is Lin Zhihua, who praises her and proudly notes that he was the first freshman to ever be admitted to that lab. He asks Lin Jiadong to process her entry. Lin Jiadong is shocked to see her and warns that while getting into the lab is one thing, earning credits is notoriously difficult. Meanwhile, Xuejiao’s stunning performance in class causes a complete shift in Shu Lan's attitude towards her.
The lab's prestige attracts the attention of Bochi Motors, which proposes a corporate partnership with Beijing University. However, their general manager, Zheng Qin, presents extremely demanding terms, seeking a majority stake while contributing little. Lin Zhihua sees through their exploitative intentions but believes they can be used to the lab's advantage. Just as they are discussing this, another investor, Zhao Qiansun of Junlian Investment Company, arrives, also wanting to invest after hearing about Bochi's interest.
Elsewhere, Yi Tianyu is being pressured by his father, Yi Dafa, to pursue a relationship with Gu Xuejiao. When Tianyu complains that she's focused on her English exams and isn't paying him much attention, his father suggests he ask her for tutoring. A newly inspired Tianyu rushes off to buy books.
Seeking inspiration for the Bochi partnership, Lin Zhihua takes a part-time job at a coffee shop. Xuejiao finds him there and, using her foresight from her past career, provides a sharp analysis of Bochi's business model, surprising Zhihua with her insight. When another student tries to flirt with Xuejiao, Zhihua steps in and deftly turns him away.
The romantic tensions come to a head in the university cafeteria. Yi Tianyu pesters Xuejiao for a tutoring session, while Lin Zhihua is eating with his sister, Lin Zhiyue. The two groups cross paths. As Yi Tianyu fumbles to show his affection by piling food onto her plate, Zhihua notices Xuejiao has a cold and quietly gets her a cup of hot water—a gesture she clearly appreciates more. Zhiyue observes the entire exchange and later advises her brother not to use his overwhelming advantage against a rival like Tianyu.
Back at the lab, Lin Jiadong informs Xuejiao that Lin Zhihua will be heading to Germany for the Bochi Motors project. Her own duties in the prestigious lab? She is assigned to wipe down machinery and sweep the floors. Later, while mopping, she runs into Lin Zhihua. When she asks if he is really leaving for Germany, he hints that he might stay if someone asked him to. Unwilling to read too much into his words, Xuejiao simply says it's a shame Professor Tan is losing such a valuable team member.
