Episode Summary
Qian Jiayue proves Liu Jianfeng's innocence regarding the missing class funds. Xiao Han struggles with financial difficulties and his reluctance to engage in conflict, stemming from his father's heroic death. Zhang Qiming defends his son, Mao Tou, from a belittling teacher, donating a computer lab to the school. A fight breaks out between Xiao Han, some bullies, and his classmates, during which Qian Jiayue bravely protects Mao Tou. Xiao Han fails to get selected to Math Olympiad.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with Qian Jiayue's homeroom teacher giving the class a heartfelt lecture. The students, moved by the teacher's words, decide to give "that person" another chance. Liu Jianfeng solemnly assures Qian Jiayue that he'll be with Ka Men and the others all afternoon, hoping to prove his innocence by the time Qian returns. Sure enough, in the afternoon, Qian Jiayue finds the class's meal money in her drawer, proving that Liu Jianfeng was not the thief. The class erupts in cheers.
Meanwhile, Xiao Han tries to sell a new washing machine to a junk collector, but the collector only offers him fifty yuan. The receipt clearly shows the machine cost over 1,200 yuan, enough to cover his family's living expenses for several months. Torn, Xiao Han hesitates, needing the money, and goes to blow off some steam by playing basketball for hours.
Mao Tou's class is caught cheating on an exam, resulting in another parent-teacher conference. Zhang Qiming immediately apologizes to the teacher and scolds Mao Tou publicly. However, when the teacher continues to berate Mao Tou, calling him useless and a "bear," Zhang Qiming snaps and kicks the teacher's desk. Mao Tou is facing suspension, but Zhang Qiming uses his "money power," donating an entire computer lab – forty to fifty computers, each costing over 10,000 yuan at the time – to the school. This act of fatherly love deeply affects Mao Tou, who stays out of trouble for a long time afterward.
On their way to school, Ka Men, Chen Mo, and Qian Jiayue witness some bullies harassing a student. Chen Mo confronts them, but when Xiao Han passes by, he merely returns the stolen money to the victim and prepares to leave. Chen Mo, disgusted by Xiao Han's apparent cowardice, grabs his cart, accusing him of being afraid. Xiao Han retorts, questioning what good being a hero would do if it jeopardized his family's well-being. He asks if Chen Mo wants him to risk everything just for a moment of satisfaction.
Chen Mo is stunned, realizing Xiao Han is right. They are students, and fighting could have serious consequences, especially for Chen Mo, who is in her senior year and preparing for college entrance exams. Qian Jiayue then reveals Xiao Han's family history to Chen Mo: Xiao Han's father, Xiao Youguang, died a hero at the factory where he worked. He rushed into a burning workshop to save newly purchased machinery but succumbed to toxic fumes.
Xiao Han forgoes buying an expensive practice book for the Math Olympiad selection exam and, consequently, fails to make the cut. Before the exam, a high-achieving girl in his class had shown him the question booklet. Seeing his poor results, she offers him a photocopy of her booklet, but Xiao Han refuses. The girl, meaning well, points out Xiao Han's flaw – his excessive pride – and urges him to be more practical, as a good score in the competition could earn him extra points on the college entrance exam.
The girl's words, though true, sting Xiao Han deeply. He furiously rides his bike away from school, only to encounter another group of bullies harassing students. This time, Xiao Han doesn't hesitate. He stops his bike and confronts them, leading to a fight.
Just then, Qian Jiayue, Chen Mo, Mao Tou, and the others arrive. Seeing Xiao Han being beaten, they rush to help. Mao Tou is hit on the head, and Qian Jiayue, seeing this, fearlessly runs to him, shielding him with her body. Dazed, Mao Tou opens his eyes to see Qian Jiayue's worried face and her bravery. This image of Qian Jiayue is forever etched in Mao Tou's memory.
