Episode Summary
A class election between Liu Guobao and Xu Mengyao comes down to a single, tie-breaking vote from their friend, Chu Yi. When Chu Yi votes for Xu Mengyao, it causes a massive rift between her and Liu Guobao, leading to an ultimatum that forces their friends to choose sides. The friendship is only repaired after Chu Yi selflessly recommends Liu Guobao for a different class position, allowing Guobao to overhear her true reasons for the vote. Meanwhile, the adults face mounting financial and personal problems, with Lao Yang's company facing bankruptcy, Tingting's store failing inspections, and Ma Yingjie leaving town amidst a cold war with Tang Xiaowei.
Spoiler Alert
The Great Class Election War
The Tie-Breaker
So, the class is picking committee members. Liu Guobao and Xu Mengyao are both running for the publicity spot. They end up in a dead tie. The deciding vote belongs to Chu Yi, who's been out sick. Liu Guobao is super confident. She and Chu Yi are best friends, so she thinks this is a guaranteed win.
While this is happening, Chu Yi is getting better. Her older brother Shiwu even comes home to see her. He brings her a doll, and seeing him seems to be the best medicine.
The Campaign Trail
This is where it gets messy. Xu Mengyao's mom calls Tingting to "check on" Chu Yi. Really, she's trying to lobby for her daughter's campaign. Tingting is not having it. She says it's a kid issue and parents should stay out. Then she hangs up. Good for her.
Liu Guobao is also campaigning hard. She sees Chu Yi at school and immediately grabs her bag to help carry it. Her dad, Liu Xiangshang, points out that she's just trying to secure the vote. Tingting is ready to just tell Chu Yi to vote for Guobao, but Xiangshang reminds her they should let the kids make their own choices.
Xu Mengyao makes her own move. She gives Chu Yi a box of art supplies as a gift. She hopes this will sway her vote.
The Verdict
Chu Yi is stuck. She asks her brother and Mazi Heng for advice. They both tell her the same thing. She has to decide for herself who she thinks is right for the job. They can't make the choice for her.
In the end, Chu Yi votes for Xu Mengyao.
Liu Guobao is devastated. She goes home and just cries. To make things worse, both girls get made "squad leaders," but that doesn't help. Liu Guobao is convinced Chu Yi is just jealous and doesn't want to see her get a better position.
The Friendship Fallout
The Ultimatum
The drama spills out of the classroom. Sun Jiaxin comes over to get Liu Guobao to play outside. He doesn't mention that Chu Yi is also there. When Guobao comes downstairs and sees her, she loses it.
She actually tries to make the boys—Mazi Heng, Jiang Feihu, and Sun Jiaxin—choose. It's either her or Chu Yi. Mazi Heng calls her out for being bossy. None of them will pick a side.
This just makes Liu Guobao angrier. She turns on Chu Yi and says she never wants to be her friend again. Chu Yi is crushed.
The Resolution
Later, the teacher needs to pick a "Morning Reading Monitor." This person will lead the class in reading every morning. Chu Yi speaks up. She recommends Liu Guobao for the job. All the other kids, including the boys, agree. Liu Guobao gets the position.
After this, Chu Yi finds Xu Mengyao and gives back the art supplies. She explains that she voted for her because she honestly felt she was the better choice for the publicity job. Liu Guobao overhears the whole thing.
Finally, she understands. She and Chu Yi make up. She even becomes friends with Xu Mengyao again. All is right in the world of elementary school politics.
The Adult World Is Crumbling
While the kids are having their world-ending friendship drama, the parents are dealing with actual problems.
Lao Yang's company is in deep trouble. A delivery truck crashed, and all the goods were destroyed. He's facing a massive bill for the damages. He hasn't told his family. He's out trying to borrow money from friends, but everyone is turning him down.
Tingting's store is also having issues. It failed a fire inspection. On top of that, members are demanding refunds for no good reason.
And then there's Tang Xiaowei and Ma Yingjie. They're still giving each other the silent treatment. Ma Yingjie has to leave town for a while. His mom needs to go back to Tianjin for a medical check-up, and he's going with her.
