Episode Summary
Mao Tou's jealousy sparks conflict over Qian Jiayue's attention to Chang Wuji. Zhang Qiming seeks a "backdoor" into No. 2 High School for Mao Tou, leading to tension between Xiao Han and Chen Mo. Mao Tou struggles academically and turns to gaming. Zhang Qiming's attempt to use Chen Mo's father for help fails.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off with Mao Tou noticing something's up. He spots Chang Wuji and Qian Jiayue walking home together after school, and he's immediately suspicious. Where are Chen Mo and Ka Men? He remembers seeing Chang Wuji sharing his umbrella with Qian Jiayue during a recent rainstorm, clearly tilting it to keep her dry. Mao Tou's jealousy flares up – he sees Chang Wuji as a rival for Qian Jiayue’s affections. He confronts Chang Wuji, telling him to head home alone, but Chang Wuji, usually a quiet guy, explains that he's going to Ka Men's family's restaurant for wontons and it is on the way.
Qian Jiayue suddenly remembers that Chang Wuji's mom is probably out playing mahjong and hasn't cooked dinner. She decides to take both Chang Wuji and Mao Tou to the wonton restaurant. She even orders Chang Wuji a special treat: two chicken legs, a fried egg, and some side dishes. Qian Jiayue lets it slip that the restaurant is a neighborhood secret – you can order pretty much anything you want, not just wontons, and Ka Men's mom will make it.
Mao Tou, seething with jealousy over Qian Jiayue's attentiveness to Chang Wuji, takes advantage of a moment when Ka Men's mom asks Qian Jiayue for help. He shoos Chang Wuji away and proceeds to dump every condiment on the table into Chang Wuji's bowl.
Meanwhile, Zhang Qiming observes Mao Tou seemingly studying hard, but he knows his son's academic limitations all too well. Wanting to help, Zhang Qiming decides to hire Xiao Han, a top student, as a tutor. To avoid hurting Mao Tou's pride, he frames it as a way to help Xiao Han earn some extra money for his family.
Mao Tou, however, only wants Qian Jiayue to tutor him. The thought of not seeing her every day is a major motivation killer. He's determined to stop his father's plan. After the tutoring session, Zhang Qiming pulls Xiao Han aside. He asks if Xiao Han knows any "backdoor" ways to get into the prestigious No. 2 High School – ways that don't involve good grades. He even mentions that he heard Chen Mo got in through such a method.
Xiao Han volunteers to ask around, and Zhang Qiming is incredibly grateful. The next day, during a break, Xiao Han goes to Chen Mo's classroom. He finds her playfully roughhousing with a male classmate, completely unfazed by traditional gender roles. Chen Mo is known for her boisterous personality. Xiao Han has to ask another student to get Chen Mo's attention.
Chen Mo, interrupted mid-game, is slow to respond. Xiao Han, already impatient from waiting, curtly asks her how she got into No. 2 High School and if her father has any connections. This question deeply offends Chen Mo. She accuses Xiao Han of being condescending and says the student council president is overstepping his bounds. The following day, Chen Mo returns a raincoat and school badge that Xiao Han had lent her. When Xiao Han says he doesn't need them back, she throws them on the ground and walks away.
Mao Tou, after struggling to achieve even a passing grade, has his self-esteem severely challenged. He starts searching for something he's good at and discovers a talent for video games. He sets his sights on becoming a competitive gamer.
Zhang Qiming, seeing his son spending all his time gaming, becomes worried. He visits Chen Mo's house, bearing gifts, but Chen Mo's father, Chen Pengyu, is blunt. He states he has no "connections" and tells Zhang Qiming to take his gifts back.
