Episode Summary
Family tensions, exam pressures, and a missing brother create turmoil. Ma Siyi deals with her half-brother's resentment and disappearance, while also navigating her feelings in a love triangle. The episode highlights themes of family bonds, forgiveness, and the challenges of growing up. Xie Tiancheng's business struggles add another layer of conflict. The resolution sees Siwei and Siyi start to connect, while romantic tensions simmer beneath the surface.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with Ma Siyi returning to the courtyard late at night, witnessing a playful scene between Xia Fenghua and Xie Wanghe. It's clear she's feeling a pang of jealousy and perhaps loneliness. She confides in Granny Ma, asking how to tell if a boy likes her. Granny Ma, wise and understanding, reassures Siyi that she'll find someone who truly cares for her in time.
Meanwhile, the pressure is on as the joint exams between No. 7 and No. 1 Middle Schools arrive. The principals of both schools deliver pep talks, rallying their students. On a different front, Xie Tiancheng starts working with Xia Maotian at the floating supermarket. However, Tiancheng's inexperience leads to some disastrous business decisions. He's practically giving away the merchandise, offering wholesale prices and even throwing in freebies to familiar faces.
Xia Maotian is understandably worried. Back home, he vents to his wife, Li Yan, about Tiancheng's reckless approach. They've worked all day and not only made zero profit but actually lost money. Li Yan, though concerned, urges patience, suggesting Tiancheng might just need time to adjust.
Family drama unfolds as Granny Ma picks up Siyi's half-brother, Ge Siwei, who is resentful and only wants to be with his mother. When Siyi returns home, she finds Siwei pushing Granny Ma to the ground. Enraged, Siyi throws Siwei out. However, Granny Ma's pleas and Siwei's cries outside soften Siyi's heart.
Later, Siyi sits on the rooftop, reflecting on the situation. Fenghua joins her, offering comfort and a promise of unwavering support. Siyi admits that while she dislikes her brother, seeing him cry on the ground stirred unexpected feelings. She recognizes they share the pain of being abandoned by their mother.
The next morning, Xie Wanghe and others give Siwei a ride to school, with Siyi reminding him to wait for her after class. Good news arrives as Mr. Xu announces the joint exam results: Class 3 of Senior Grade 3 at No. 7 Middle School achieved an unprecedented fourth place in Honghuai. The class celebrates with soda, and the principal, deeply satisfied, promises a celebratory dinner for everyone.
However, the joy is short-lived. Siyi can't find Siwei after school. He's not at home either. Fenghua and Wanghe, fearing Siwei might have been kidnapped, alert Siyi, who rushes to the police station. Shen Yong, now working there, reviews surveillance footage and discovers Siwei boarded a long-distance bus to his old home in Suqian.
Shen Yong drives Siyi and the others to Suqian, where they find Siwei outside their old house. Siyi, initially furious, confronts and hits Siwei. But her anger subsides, and she takes him to a street stall to eat. Siwei still yearns for his mother, prompting Siyi to have a heartfelt conversation with him. She encourages him to embrace the warmth of the Flower Street courtyard, hoping he'll eventually come to love it.
Siwei agrees to return with Siyi, and they share a touching moment, holding hands in the car as Shen Yong drives them back. Siyi expresses her gratitude to Fenghua and Wanghe. Wanghe jokingly asks for a treat tomorrow, which Siyi readily agrees to.
Later that night, Siwei, scared to sleep alone, seeks out Siyi. He asks about her relationship with Wanghe. Siyi tells Siwei to be polite to Wanghe. The next morning, Siwei calls Wanghe "brother-in-law," delighting Wanghe and amusing everyone except for Fenghua, who seems downcast. In class, Shao Xingchi tells Fenghua that even if Siyi and Wanghe aren't a likely match, it doesn't mean Fenghua has a chance, advising her to let go of the idea.
