Episode 12 recap: Zhang Jun retreated in the face of love.
Under the cover of night, Luo Qi Qi and Zhang Jun sneaked into the swimming pool. Luo Qi Qi asked Zhang Jun why he wanted to reconcile with her. Zhang Jun recounted the day when his aunt wanted to send him to a boarding school. On the way, he saw Luo Qi Qi riding her bicycle and reciting a poem he had never heard before. It gave him the courage to resist his father's decision and stay in Hannan to be with Luo Qi Qi.
Luo Qi Qi believed that everyone has a sea star buried deep in the ocean, waiting for someone to discover and touch it. Zhang Jun wanted to obtain Luo Qi Qi's sea star, so he reached out his hand to her. Suddenly, someone heard their movements, and the flashlight immediately shone upon them. Luo Qi Qi and Zhang Jun quickly submerged into the water, holding their breath until the person's gaze passed.
Ge Xiao Fei was very concerned about the progress between Luo Qi Qi and Zhang Jun. Upon learning that Luo Qi Qi had given her sea star to Zhang Jun, Ge Xiao Fei asked how she felt. Luo Qi Qi lightly touched Ge Xiao Fei's hand with her own hand, giving Ge Xiao Fei a moment of realization. She felt that Luo Qi Qi had completely reconciled with Zhang Jun. However, Luo Qi Qi was not entirely certain. Guan He entered Luo Qi Qi's class and quickly became the center of attention. Luo Qi Qi recalled their elementary school days when Guan He also suddenly transferred to their class. At that time, she always wore fashionable dresses and beautiful hair accessories, as if she had stepped out of a television show. Zhang Jun was punished by Teacher Wang to do cleaning duties and happened to encounter Luo Qi Qi and Ge Xiao Fei on the stairs. Although Luo Qi Qi didn't speak to him, just a single glance filled Zhang Jun's heart with joy. Seeing Zhang Jun in such high spirits while being punished for cleaning, Teacher Wang decided to extend his punishment to include the eighth floor as well. Zhang Jun cheerfully agreed to the additional task.
After school, Zhang Jun asked Luo Qiqi to go with him to a place from their childhood. Walking along the railway tracks they used to stroll on, Luo Qiqi marveled that Zhang Jun still remembered this place. After a falling out during their childhood, Zhang Jun had come to this place, and now seeing Luo Qiqi here, they reminisced about the past. However, they noticed someone approaching and quickly hid behind a pillar. On the opposite pillar, they saw a chalk drawing of two children holding hands, which Luo Qiqi had drawn as a child, competing for first place. Both Luo Qiqi and Zhang Jun understood what it meant. In order to break the silence, Zhang Jun discreetly observed if the person had left, and then he hugged Luo Qiqi tightly. Luo Qiqi thought Zhang Jun was going to kiss her, but he didn't. Instead, he led the way back, and from that moment on, they lost contact. It was only when Luo Qiqi grew up that she realized how the strong desire to become stronger could also instill fear in people.
While driving, Li Jiajie encountered a broken-down bus with Wang Yan inside. He got off the car and volunteered to help, calling on the passing crowd to assist in pushing the bus over a hump so it could continue. Wang Yan missed that bus and was planning to walk back, but Li Jiajie, being enthusiastic, decided to personally drive her back to the bus company. Today was the wedding day of Xu Kang and Xiao Hui. Wang Yan wanted the director to write a thank-you letter to Li Jiajie and Xu Xiaobo. Her appearance sparked discussions among her colleagues, but Wang Yan gracefully toasted the newlyweds and wished them happiness. Li Jiajie was impressed by her openness and integrity, and he became more interested in her. Li Jiajie had thick skin, and under his vigorous pursuit, he and Wang Yan developed a good relationship. Li Jiajie even had Luo Qiqi address Wang Yan as "sister-in-law." On this day, Li Jiajie, Wang Yan, Xu Xiaobo, and Luo Qiqi went for a barbecue. As they were refueling, they coincidentally encountered Lin Yue with Zhang Jun in her car. Luo Qiqi stared at Zhang Jun sitting in Lin Yue's car, feeling a mix of disbelief and discomfort.
Zhang Jun was not himself today. When Luo Qiqi wanted to drink Coke, he insisted on Sprite. Xu Xiaobo ordered one of each, but suddenly Zhang Jun confronted Xu Xiaobo, mocking him for not being able to dominate in this small matter. In order to save Xu Xiaobo's face, Luo Qiqi immediately invited Zhang Jun to bring his friends to play at Xu Xiaobo's place, and they would foot the bill. Seeing Luo Qiqi standing up for Xu Xiaobo, Zhang Jun became even more upset and went off alone to the creek to throw stones. Luo Qiqi noticed and walked in the opposite direction. Zhang Jun quickly caught up with her, and they entered a cave together. Luo Qiqi knew that Zhang Jun thought she was mysterious, so she straightforwardly confessed that she wasn't. Zhang Jun actually knew what she was thinking. He then wrote "Chang Gong" (meaning "long bow") on the earthen wall, a subtle declaration of love. However, Zhang Jun couldn't accept it and chose to escape, greatly disappointing Luo Qiqi. But Xu Xiaobo, who had been observing everything, was very happy.
Ge Xiaofei came to listen to Wang Zheng sing again, beaming with joy. Wang Zheng's female fan disliked Ge Xiaofei's presence and pestering of Wang Zheng, so she told Ge Xiaofei to leave. But Ge Xiaofei refused to go, which angered both of them. They decided to take Ge Xiaofei away and teach her a lesson.
I'm not curious about anything else, I'm just curious if the real-life Qi Qi ended up marrying Chen Jin.
When I was in my teens and reading the novel, Special Forces Zhang Jun, I thought he was Qi Qi's male lead, and they had to be together.
Looking back in my twenties, it seems like Zhang Jun was youth and regret, while Chen Jin represents the future and the rest of their lives. Xiaobo is memories and warmth.
Qi Qi is herself, a unique and divine entity.