Episode Summary
College entrance exam results are out, leading to decisions and discussions about university choices. Chen Huan'er chooses a local university (Wu'an University), pleasing her parents but slightly disappointing herself. Jing Qichi chooses Bei Jing University, with Wu An as his second choice because of Chen Huan'er. Song Cong, despite wanting to stay close to his mother, is encouraged to attend Bei Jing University Medical School. Romantic tensions rise as Song Cong and Liao Xinyan confess their feelings to Huan'er and Qichi, respectively, leading to rejections and heartbreak. The episode ends on a somber note, with the future of the friendships uncertain.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with the nail-biting reveal of Chen Huan'er's college entrance exam scores. She, along with her parents, Chen Lei and Qian Lina, huddle around the computer, collectively exhaling when a score of 602 flashes on the screen. Relief quickly turns into a debate about university choices. Her parents are visibly pushing for an in-province university, but Huan'er dreams of going further afield. Qian Lina, in classic mom fashion, launches into a tearful plea, worried about her daughter being alone and potentially in danger. Overwhelmed, Huan'er caves and agrees to apply to the local Wu'an University.
Meanwhile, Jing Qichi is still undecided about his university plans. Song Cong, who has the grades to get into the prestigious Bei Jing University, is surprisingly considering Wu'an University as well, to stay close to and care for his mother. Both Qichi and Huan'er try to dissuade him, urging him to follow his own ambitions. Song Cong decides to discuss it with his mother, Hao Mei. While Song Cong is having this conversation, Huan'er and Qichi start making summer vacation plans, and it's revealed that Qichi's exam scores were significantly higher than Huan'er's.
Song Cong's conversation with Hao Mei takes an unexpected turn. He tentatively brings up his desire to study medicine, but Hao Mei has already anticipated this. She's decided he should apply to Bei Jing University's medical school, fully aware of his passion for medicine and his reasons for wanting to stay in Tianhe. However, she firmly states that she doesn't want to be a burden to anyone. On a different front, Lin Yifan, Qichi's mom, is taking a hands-off approach to his college applications, trusting his judgment completely. Li Tian faces a different struggle: he wants to major in English, but his father is insistent on a medical-related field, believing it will pave a smoother path for his son.
Huan'er ultimately sticks with her decision to apply to Wu'an University, realizing it's the best fit for her after all. In a moment of clarity, everyone seems to be following their inner voice. Qichi, however, makes a surprising move: he lists Bei Jing University as his first choice, but Wu'an University as his second, influenced by Huan'er's choice.
The friends gather for a celebratory outing, but Qichi's choice of location – a mountain hike – leaves Huan'er, Qi Qi, and Liao Xinyan utterly exhausted. They call the boys (Qichi, Li Tian, and Song Cong), who are busy setting up a party at a villa in the mountains, to come and rescue them. The boys, caught up in their preparations, ignore the call. When the girls finally arrive, the boys surprise them, but the weary trio is in no mood for celebration.
The episode then reveals everyone's university choices: Xinyan is going to Subei Province Medical School, Li Tian to Shang Hai University Medical School, Song Cong to Bei Jing University Medical School, Huan'er to Wu'an University for pharmacy, and Qichi to Bei Jing University for computer science. A wave of melancholy washes over Huan'er as she realizes her friends are all heading to distant places.
Later, Qi Qi brings out a selection of DVDs. Huan'er volunteers to cook, masking her underlying sadness. They settle on a horror movie, during which Xinyan cozies up to Qichi, while Qi Qi keeps a close eye on Song Cong. Qichi heads to the kitchen to check on Huan'er, followed one by one by Xinyan, Song Cong, and Qi Qi. Huan'er and Qichi engage in their usual playful banter, but a sudden close moment is charged with an undeniable, heart-stopping tension.
Huan'er presents everyone with personalized animal-shaped cookies, a parting gift. She expresses her envy of their ability to attend universities far from home, but emphasizes that no matter the distance, she hopes they'll always remain friends. As they share some drinks, Li Tian, emboldened by alcohol, starts accurately reading the romantic dynamics within the group, much to Qichi's confusion.
Huan'er and Qi Qi step outside for some fresh air, and Song Cong pulls Qichi aside for a private chat. Song Cong asks Qichi point-blank if he likes Huan'er, a question that instantly sobers Qichi up.
Qi Qi confesses her feelings for Song Cong to Huan'er, who admits she already knew, given how obvious Qi Qi's affection was. Qi Qi then probes, asking if Huan'er's feelings for Qichi and Song Cong are the same. Huan'er hesitates, insisting that she and Song Cong are just "brothers." Meanwhile, Qichi vehemently denies having any romantic feelings for Huan'er, also claiming they're just "brothers."
Driven by his conversation with Qichi, Song Cong immediately seeks out Huan'er. Xinyan, seizing the opportunity, approaches Qichi.
In a pivotal scene, Song Cong confesses his love to Huan'er, while Xinyan expresses her long-held feelings to Qichi, asking if he'd be willing to start a relationship with her now that the college entrance exams are over. Huan'er, caught off guard by Song Cong's confession, admits she's always considered them just friends, rejecting him. Qi Qi is heartbroken. Qichi doesn't respond to Xinyan's confession, and she runs off in tears. Qi Qi confronts Song Cong, asking why he wrote a certain line in a book if he liked Huan'er. Song Cong, his heart shattered, reveals he wrote it for a friend. The episode concludes with a somber atmosphere, leaving everyone except Li Tian, who is happily chatting with a Shakespeare book, in a state of emotional turmoil.
