Episode Summary
Chen Huan'er rejects Tian Chi's confession, while Song Cong deals with academic pressure and a new genius roommate. Jing Qichi struggles with his feelings for Huan'er and a significant family date. Qi Qi and Song Cong grow closer, exploring a photography exhibition and discussing life changes. Huan'er and Jing Qichi try to play matchmaker for their friends, unaware of the growing romantic tension between themselves.
Spoiler Alert
In this episode, things are getting complicated for Chen Huan'er. While at the library, Tian Chi makes a move, getting a little too close for comfort while helping her with a book. Huan'er, clearly flustered, makes a quick exit. Meanwhile, Song Cong is bummed about his exam scores. Even though Du Man points out that Bei Jing University is the best in the country, and getting top marks shouldn't be easy, Song Cong is still down. His mood worsens when he meets his new roommate, Lin Jingyi, a 15-year-old prodigy who effortlessly points out an error in Song Cong's notes. Despite the age gap, Jingyi is friendly and shares his notes with Song Cong.
Back in the girls' dorm, it's late-night chat time. Huan'er's friends notice she's been preoccupied. Huang Lu asks if it's about her childhood friend, but Huan'er is confused about her own feelings. Zhou Ye mentions seeing Huan'er and Tian Chi at the library, suggesting they might be dating, which catches Jing Qichi's attention. The next day, Huan'er asks Jing Qichi to lunch, but he declines, claiming he has an intramural soccer game. Instead, Tian Chi invites Huan'er out.
Jing Qichi, feeling gloomy, calls Song Cong. It's Jing Liqiang's birthday, a detail Song Cong always remembers. Jing Qichi realizes Song Cong seems different. Qi Qi then invites Song Cong to a photography exhibition, and he readily agrees. Huan'er, while having dinner with Tian Chi at a Western restaurant, can't stop thinking about Jing Qichi, wondering if he lied about the soccer game.
At the exhibition, Qi Qi reveals it's organized by a friend and features some of her own work. Song Cong is impressed, and seeing Qi Qi so happy and confident sparks something new in him. Qi Qi senses a change in Song Cong, who admits he's still adjusting to the new environment, striving to do better. Qi Qi shares her philosophy that life isn't perfect and everyone has flaws. She also announces her decision to switch to the literature department, a move that surprises and inspires Song Cong. During dinner, Huan'er keeps messaging Jing Qichi, but he doesn't reply. Zhou Ye informs her there's no intramural game. Song Cong messages Jing Qichi about Jing Liqiang's birthday, and Huan'er, sensing Jing Qichi's bad mood, cancels her plans with Tian Chi to go to a bar and heads back to school to find him.
Huan'er finds Jing Qichi sitting alone on the soccer field. She brings snacks, and they share a moment, though Jing Qichi is still visibly upset. Before heading back, Huan'er gives him a big hug. However, Tian Chi is waiting for her at the dorm. He confesses his feelings, but Huan'er gently turns him down, revealing her heart belongs to someone else. He returns a book to her and wishes her happiness. Everyone is surprised by Huan'er's rejection of Tian Chi, but as Jing Qichi says, some things and people are irreplaceable.
Overjoyed that Huan'er rejected Tian Chi, Jing Qichi buys a bunch of her favorite cakes. He subtly tries to find out her ideal type, but Huan'er says she doesn't have one. Qi Qi mentions visiting with Song Cong during the break, exciting Huan'er, who thinks they've made progress. Song Cong books a mountain vacation house, and Huan'er warns Jing Qichi not to bring up grades. The two handsome guys, Song Cong and Jing Qichi, attract attention from girls. Huan'er and Qi Qi, and Jing Qichi and Song Cong, discuss their respective romantic situations. Song Cong has long realized Jing Qichi's feelings for Huan'er, but Jing Qichi fears rejection might ruin their friendship.
In an attempt to play matchmaker for Song Cong and Qi Qi, Huan'er fakes getting her clothes wet, suggesting the two go ahead without her. Later, Huan'er and Jing Qichi brainstorm ways to get Song Cong and Qi Qi alone together, unaware of the irony of their own close proximity on the same bed. The atmosphere becomes charged with unspoken feelings, and Jing Qichi, flustered, changes the subject, suggesting they go out and explore.
