Episode Summary
Rain forces Qian Jiayue's mother into an unexpected bonding session with other mothers. Xiao Han's aloofness hides a difficult past and a caring heart, revealed through his sacrifices for his mother. Class elections and a family competition create both excitement and disappointment, while Chen Mo faces the consequences of a forged signature.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with a sudden downpour, forcing Qian Jiayue's mother, Chen Xiu'e, to seek shelter in Ka Men's mother's restaurant. Also present are Ka Men's mother and Chen Mo's mother. Chen Xiu'e, wanting to show off, repeatedly calls her husband to pick her up, but he never shows. Instead, Xiao Han arrives to give his mother an umbrella, revealing that she has to work a second job. As the three women chat, Chen Xiu'e's initial snobbery melts away, and they find common ground.
The next morning, Qian Jiayue bikes to meet her friends, intentionally delaying them. It turns out she's waiting for Xiao Han, but he coldly brushes her off, stating he needs to prepare for the flag-raising ceremony and needs to bike faster. Chen Mo, a new face, is irritated by his attitude. Xiao Han reminds Qian Jiayue, "A man is known by the company he keeps," implying she should distance herself from "bad students" like Chen Mo.
Chen Mo is still upset. During break time, Ka Men shares some background on Xiao Han: his father died saving someone from drowning, leaving him and his mother to fend for themselves. Ka Men emphasizes that Xiao Han, despite his quiet nature, is always helpful. Chen Mo, who has always lived a sheltered life, is deeply affected by this revelation.
Xiao Han is a dedicated student, and with the crucial senior year exams approaching, a classmate recommends a workbook containing past competition problems. Xiao Han desperately wants it, but it costs 180 yuan. That evening, his mother returns from work exhausted but immediately starts doing laundry. Xiao Han, seeing her struggle, takes the 200 yuan she gives him for the book and puts it back in her pocket, suggesting she use it to fix the broken washing machine.
Class elections are coming up, and Qian Jiayue meticulously prepares her campaign speech. She shows it to Xiao Han, but he's preoccupied and gives it a quick, perfunctory approval, telling her to be confident. Disappointed, Qian Jiayue goes online for advice, where a helpful netizen offers her campaign materials. She wonders who this mysterious online helper is, as they always seem to be there for her.
Chen Mo receives a dismal score of 40 on her politics exam and is terrified of her strict father's reaction. She forges his signature on the test paper. Qian Jiayue loses the class president election and is downcast all day. Ka Men and Chen Mo, however, win their respective elections, but Chen Mo, who only ran to support her friends, steps aside.
Xiao Han's mother, Guan Aiping, asks him if he can tutor her employer's son. Xiao Han agrees to support his mother, but the employer's child insults him, calling him a "nanny's son" and refusing his help. Seeing his mother being bossed around, Xiao Han is deeply hurt.
A "Five Virtues Family Competition" is announced, with the prize being a trip to Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. Qian Jiayue's mother is eager to win and take her family on the trip. Ka Men's father, Zhang Qiming, convinces Guan Aiping to participate with him and even picks them up from her employer's house. Xiao Han, recognizing Zhang Qiming's subtle support of his mother, agrees to join the competition.
The episode concludes with Chen Mo's father discovering her forged signature. He severely reprimands her, causing her to run away in tears.
