Episode Summary
The national college entrance exam is reinstated, giving everyone a potential new path. Sheng Xuezhu and Wang Xiao eagerly begin studying. Qiao Zhengjun quits his job to do the same but is blocked by his past criminal record. Liu Tianyao uses her connections to get him into the exam, but forces him to pretend to be her boyfriend and kiss her in return. Meanwhile, Bai Yufei earns Sheng Bailing's trust back by helping her through a personal crisis. Yu Leshan's trip south to sell herbs inspires a new business idea involving silk. The episode ends with everyone taking the first day of the monumental exam.
Spoiler Alert
The College Exam Changes Everything
A Second Chance for Some
The government just brought back the national college entrance exam. This is a huge deal. For people like Wang Xiao and Sheng Xuezhu, it’s the moment they’ve been waiting for. Wang Xiao hears the news first. He immediately runs to tell Xuezhu. They are both beyond excited. They don’t waste a single second. They dive right into studying for the test.
Qiao Zhengjun's Desperate Bid
Qiao Zhengjun is not having a good time. He’s still completely broken over Qu Fangfei’s death. He can’t even think about another person. This becomes a problem when Liu Tianyao’s mother shows up. She wants to arrange a marriage between Tianyao and Zhengjun.
Zhengjun’s mother, Zhao Xianzhi, isn't impressed with Tianyao. But she’s more worried about her son. She agrees to turn down the proposal. Still, she pushes Zhengjun to find someone and move on with his life. He just feels lost.
Meanwhile, Liu Tianyao is furious. She has a massive crush on Zhengjun. He won’t even look at her, and now he’s rejected her family’s offer. So she starts making his life miserable at work. She picks fights with him constantly. He is just trying to get through the day. Then he overhears the news about the college exam. He takes off his work uniform right there. He walks out and goes home to study.
Roadblocks and Favors
A Criminal Record Gets in the Way
Everyone is hitting the books hard. Sheng Xuezhu studies every spare minute she has. Wang Xiao studies right alongside her, cheering her on. Qiao Zhengjun locks himself away. He does nothing but prepare for the exam while his mom takes care of everything else.
Then it’s time to get the official exam admission ticket. Zhengjun is honest on his application. He writes down that he has a past criminal conviction. The education officials check his file. They tell him his case isn't officially closed yet. So, he can’t take the exam. He begs them, but it’s no use. He has to go home with nothing.
Liu Tianyao's Blackmail
Zhengjun’s mom is desperate. She goes to Liu Dasheng for help, but he’s out of the country. His wife can’t do anything. Just when all hope seems lost, Liu Tianyao steps in. She tells Zhengjun's mom to go home. She says she has a way to fix this.
Zhengjun has no choice. He goes to the food shop and asks Tianyao for help. She agrees, but with conditions. First, he has to come back to work at the shop. Second, he has to pretend to be her boyfriend. He’s trapped, so he agrees.
She takes him to meet a family friend. This man is a leader at the Education Bureau. He writes a note that grants Zhengjun permission to take the test. But Tianyao isn't done. She holds the note and gives him one more demand. She tells him to kiss her, or she will rip it up. He has absolutely no choice. He kisses her. She finally hands over the precious piece of paper.
Family Ties and New Ventures
A Thaw Between Bailing and Bai Yufei
Sheng Bailing is still reeling. She found out from her father that Bai Yufei played a role in her mother’s death. Now she hates her. Her dad, Sheng Bijie, tries to explain. He says Yufei is a good person and was a victim, too. Bailing just can’t get over it.
Bai Yufei feels terrible about the tension. She starts cooking for Bailing and her father. One day, Bailing gets her first period. She is young and has no idea what is happening. She is terrified. Bai Yufei immediately steps in to help. She calms Bailing down, makes her warm brown sugar water, and gets her supplies. She gently explains what’s going on with her body. Bailing is incredibly moved by this kindness. She decides she wants to start learning opera from Bai Yufei again.
Yu Leshan's Big Idea
Yu Leshan heads south with some friends to sell medicinal herbs. Along the way, he helps out his friend Hong Qi. Hong Qi needs money for a betrothal gift for his girlfriend, Zhang Yadan. Leshan gives him the cash his sister gave him for the trip.
The business trip is a success. They sell all their herbs in Zhejiang. While there, Leshan sees beautiful silk fabric being made in private workshops. This gives him a brilliant idea. He wants to create a trade route. He can sell herbs in the south. Then he can use the profits to buy silk and sell it back home. He offers his friend Hong Qi a partnership to get the business started.
The Big Day Arrives
It’s finally exam day. Wang Xiao, Sheng Xuezhu, and Qiao Zhengjun all arrive to take the test. We learn that Wang Xiao intentionally chose a university near Xuezhu’s top choice. He could get into a much better school. But he is willing to make that sacrifice to be near her. She is touched.
After the first day of exams, Zhengjun goes home. He finds Liu Tianyao waiting for him. She has cooked his favorite meal. At the same time, Sheng Xuezhu is feeling great about her performance. She’s already dreaming of what college life will be like.
