Episode Summary
Li Wu secretly applies to a local university to get a scholarship and pay back Cen Jin, causing a massive fight that leads to him moving out. Cen Jin struggles to understand his need for independence until her father explains his perspective. They eventually reconcile when Li Wu explains the academic merits of his choice and proves he isn't just chasing quick money.
Spoiler Alert
The Secret Trip to Yan City
Cen Jin spends half the day panicking. Li Wu isn't answering his phone. He finally calls back. His battery died on the train. He is in Yan City. He won't say exactly why. He is covering for a friend. Cen Jin tells him to stay safe and leaves it at that.
Li Wu isn't alone. He and Cheng Rui track down Tao Wanwen at a hotel. Her family situation is a disaster. She knows it. She still wants to follow her gut on her college applications. Yan University is her dream. Her parents will definitely force her to change it if she goes home now. She asks Li Wu about his plans. He is undecided. Tao Wanwen thinks he can easily hit the score for Huaqing University. She drags him to the campus to soak up the atmosphere.
The 100,000 Yuan Shock
Cen Jin is in a good mood. She is having drinks with Chun Chang. They are planning a graduation trip for Li Wu. Maybe the beach. Then her phone buzzes. A transfer of 100,000 yuan hits her account. A text from Li Wu follows immediately. He applied to Yi University for Computer Science.
The mood dies instantly. Cen Jin rushes home.
She finds Li Wu sitting in silence. She loses it. She asks why he didn't discuss this massive decision. Li Wu explains the logic. Yi University offered a full ride plus a 100,000 yuan signing bonus. He wants to stay in Yi City. He wants to pay back the Cen family immediately. He wants independence.
Cen Jin doesn't care about the money. She thinks he is throwing away his future for pocket change. She feels disrespected. She tells him to get out.
The Ledger and the Rain
Li Wu packs his bags. He doesn't argue. He pulls out a notebook. He recorded every single cent Cen Jin spent on him over the last year. He adds the bonus money to the pile. He walks to the living room. He sees a torn poster for Fiji. That was the trip she was planning. He feels guilty. But he stands by his choice. He bows to the room and walks out the door.
The class group chat explodes. Everyone knows his scores were high enough for Huaqing. They think he is crazy. Tao Wanwen is the only one who defends him. It is his life.
Cen Jin is miserable. She visits her parents. Her mom thinks it is fine. She says Cen Jin isn't his real sister anyway. Her dad sees it differently. He tells Cen Jin to look at it from Li Wu's side. The kid is sensitive. The debt weighs on him. He needs to pay it back to feel like an equal human being.
Birthday Surprises
Li Wu lands on his feet. Cheng Rui introduces him to his uncle, Shen Yiyang. Shen does environmental research. He has a spare room and offers it to Li Wu for free. He even gets Li Wu a part-time job at the institute.
Cen Jin’s birthday arrives. Li Wu sneaks into her apartment while she is out. He leaves a gift in the bathroom. He doesn't have the guts to stay. He whispers "Happy Birthday" from outside the door.
It starts raining that night. Cen Jin yells for Li Wu to close the windows out of habit. The silence hits her hard. She goes to wash her hands and finds the cosmetics he bought. She realizes he was there.
The Real Reason
The next day, Li Wu waits outside her office. He apologizes. He mentions he is working at a milk tea shop too. Cen Jin snaps at him again. She hates that he is chasing small money. She hates that he bought expensive makeup when he is broke.
Li Wu finally explains the academic side. He didn't just pick Yi University for the cash. Their AI program is top-tier. They win awards constantly. It is actually what he wants to study. Cen Jin realizes she missed the point. He has a plan. He isn't just being stubborn. She softens up. She tells him to come home.
