Episode Summary
Jing Qichi and Chen Huan'er contemplate their future together. Song Cong reflects on his past academic pressures. The friends decide their future plans, while Dong Huixin makes a significant sacrifice for her family. Jing Qichi faces challenges at work but finds a way to potentially collaborate with a difficult colleague. Song Cong and Du Man deal with the emotional impact of their first patient death and share an intimate moment. Chen Huan'er gets a recommendation for graduate school, while Dong Huixin's life takes an unexpected turn.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with Jing Qichi having thoughtfully prepared toiletries for Chen Huan'er, giving her space to shower. As she lies in Jing Qichi's bed, unable to sleep, he suggests she think about their future, specifically what their home might look like. Chen Huan'er immediately envisions a place similar to the family compound they're in, with a garden and a kitchen. Jing Qichi, clearly smitten, kisses her forehead as she drifts off, dreaming of a future with her.
Meanwhile, Song Cong, through Du Man's introduction, starts tutoring a high school student. However, the student demands to learn advanced calculus because he can't stand the thought of anyone being better than him. This reminds Song Cong of his own high school experience. He was always the top student, a "study god" in everyone's eyes, until he got to university. There, he encountered people more talented than himself, and he was no longer number one. This realization made studying painful. He studied relentlessly and once achieved second place, but he gave up on striving for first because the top student was a child who rarely attended class. He realized that what he worked so hard for was someone else's natural gift. Letting go of this obsession brought him a sense of relief.
After the tutoring session, Du Man gives Song Cong his payment, revealing that the student has requested a different tutor. Song Cong accepts this gracefully, acknowledging that he can't fulfill the student's unrealistic expectations. He offers to treat Du Man to dinner, but she opts for the cafeteria instead. Du Man, also a high-achieving student, shares that she learned early on that you can't always get what you want.
The core group – Jing Qichi, Chen Huan'er, Song Cong, Du Man, Liao Xinyan, and Li Tian – gather for a meal. They've decided to stay in Wu'an. Du Man and Song Cong are pursuing an eight-year combined bachelor's, master's, and doctoral program. Li Tian plans to intern at the hospital, and Liao Xinyan, deeply in love, decides to take the civil service exam. Chen Huan'er is surprised by Liao Xinyan's decision, realizing that she might be the one who truly knows what she wants. As their junior year winds down, Chen Huan'er decides to take the graduate school entrance exam. Qiu Li's family has found a research company, and Huang Lu is focused on her relationship. During a late-night gathering, Dong Huixin arrives late after a long phone call, revealing that she won't be pursuing graduate studies. She plans to return home and find a job after graduation to support her younger brother, who is in his final year of high school. Her parents' call prompted this change, and Chen Huan'er feels deeply for her friend's sacrifice. Dong Huixin even points out that her withdrawal increases Chen Huan'er's chances of securing a recommendation for graduate school, highlighting her constant selflessness. Huang Lu, Qiu Li, and Chen Huan'er try to convince Dong Huixin to reconsider, and the scene ends with a tearful embrace.
Back at Jing Qichi's company, Mr Jiang sends two new people to assist him, but they clearly look down on the young entrepreneur. Fu Ying informs Jing Qichi that the project launch date has been moved up by two weeks, leaving him and Zhou Ye feeling powerless. The assigned "helper," Engineer Cai, is more of a hindrance, treating them like servants. Chen Huan'er secretly visits Jing Qichi for lunch and reminds Zhou Ye to check on Dong Huixin. During lunch, Mr Jiang calls Jing Qichi, questioning him about Engineer Cai's departure from the project and demanding that the project be completed within the new deadline. Chen Huan'er's words of encouragement give Jing Qichi renewed confidence.
Jing Qichi asks Fu Ying to research Engineer Cai's preferences and past projects. He and Zhou Ye then buy Engineer Cai's favorite roast duck and confront him directly, pointing out his string of failed projects. Jing Qichi emphasizes that Engineer Cai needs a quick, successful launch, and he needs Engineer Cai's expertise – they can help each other succeed. Meanwhile, Song Cong and Du Man rent apartments near the hospital for their internships, becoming neighbors.
Chen Huan'er successfully secures a recommendation for graduate school. However, Dong Huixin's path takes a different turn. She doesn't find a job in her field, as a pharmacy major without further education has limited options. She returns to her hometown and takes a regular job to support her brother's university education, a stark reminder of life's unfairness. At the hospital, Du Man and Song Cong experience their first patient death, leaving them deeply shaken. Song Cong returns home and grabs a beer to cope. Du Man's food delivery mistakenly arrives at Song Cong's apartment. Since he hasn't eaten, Du Man cooks instant noodles for them to share. She had imagined this moment countless times, but the reality is still overwhelming. Song Cong says that maybe one day they'll get used to it. Both having had some drinks, Du Man suddenly kisses Song Cong, ending the moment abruptly.
