Episode Summary
In this episode, Liu Guoning gets his grandma to give him money for expensive shoes after his parents say no. A party craze sweeps through the kids' friend group, causing social drama and peer pressure. Liu Guobao gets mad at Ma Ziheng for not helping her plan a party. Teacher Wang reassures Dai Bing about their relationship.
Spoiler Alert
The Great Shoe Saga
Guoning's Cover-Up
So, Liu Xiangshang finally figures out what's been going on. He comes home ready to discipline Liu Guoning. But before he can, Sun Jiayu shows up. She lays it all out for him and takes the blame. She just hopes he won't hit Guoning. Liu Xiangshang agrees to that. A punishment is still necessary, though. He makes Guoning write out his mistakes ten times.
The Quest for New Kicks
Both Liu Guoning and Liu Guobao want to use their New Year's money. Guoning is desperate for a new pair of basketball shoes. They cost just under a thousand yuan. He says all his teammates have them. Liu Guobao wants to buy a birthday present for her friend, Xu Mengyao. Dai Jing has a simple solution for her. She suggests re-gifting a present Guobao got from her grandma. It's still new. Dai Jing even offers to wrap it nicely. Problem solved and money saved.
Guoning's request gets a hard no. His parents see it as just trying to keep up with everyone else. They are not about to spend a thousand yuan on a pair of kid's shoes.
Guoning is still fixated on the shoes. He's the only one on the basketball team without the new ones now. He tries to borrow money. Bai Xiaotian is a total cheapskate and says no. Sun Jiayu just scoffs at the idea. She hates that he's only doing it to fit in.
He then tries to make a deal with his parents. Dai Jing proposes a challenge. If he scores above 90 in three subjects on his final exams, they will give him the money. Guoning agrees. But he can't wait that long. He goes to his grandma for help. He already has some money saved but is still five hundred yuan short. She adores him, so she agrees to give him the cash.
The Party Epidemic
Everyone's Throwing One
The kids are going to parties all the time. It seems like they use any excuse to have one. Winning an award, a birthday, or even for no reason at all. Xiao Jiarui's family hosts what they call a "high-end banquet." It's really just an excuse to show off how rich they are.
Chu Yi's Turn
Chu Yi asks her mom if she can have a party. She wants her friends to come over and see her new baby brother. Tingting says yes. The party completely exhausts her and Lao Yang. Even after all that, Xiao Jiarui's mom gets passive-aggressive in the group chat. She complains that when she posted photos of her party, people said she was showing off. But when Lao Yang's family posts photos, including one of a hired chef, nobody says a word. Liu Xiangshang sends Lao Yang a private message. He tells them to just ignore it. Responding will only cause more trouble. They take his advice.
Guobao and Sun Jiaxin
Now Liu Guobao wants to throw a party. Liu Xiangshang tells her no. She asks Ma Ziheng to help her come up with ideas. He really dislikes this whole trend. He tells Guobao she shouldn't just follow the crowd. He hasn't even gone to any of the other parties. Guobao doesn't listen. She gets mad when he won't help and threatens to end their friendship.
Sun Jiaxin also wants a party for his upcoming birthday. But he feels bad about how much it would cost his dad. His dad senses something is wrong and talks to him. He tells Jiaxin he will throw him a birthday party. He makes it clear, though, that he will be the one choosing the location.
A Quick Relationship Update
While all this was happening, Liu Xiangshang completely forgot to pick up Liu Guobao from school. Teacher Wang ends up bringing her home. Dai Bing is there, looking miserable.
Teacher Wang explains to Dai Bing why she told someone they weren't getting married. She has an important certification exam coming up. If word got to the school's leadership, it could cause problems for her. She reassures him that her feelings for him are real. This makes Dai Bing very happy. He insists she stay for dinner at his sister's house.
