Episode 28 recap: Xu Xiaobo gave up going to college and turned himself in.
Luo Qiqi is the top student in her grade, and her classmates admire her. Shen Yuanzhe wanted to invite Luo Qiqi to speak on stage, but since Luo Qiqi is not good at public speaking, Shen Yuanzhe didn't insist. Guan He didn't perform well this time and only ranked eighth. Luo Qiqi noticed that Guan He was absent and understood that he must be unhappy. Shen Yuanzhe had a question to ask Luo Qiqi. He had been busy with exams, and now that he finally had some free time, he wanted to invite Luo Qiqi to have spicy hot pot together and ask her about problem-solving methods. However, when Xu Xiaobo returned, Luo Qiqi declined Shen Yuanzhe's invitation and handed him the two problem-solving methods she had written. If he couldn't understand them, she would find time to explain to him later.
Xu Xiaobo took Luo Qiqi to eat grilled skewers, feeling relieved that she ranked first. They hadn't seen each other for a long time. Luo Qiqi knew that Xu Xiaobo missed the college entrance examination once again and they would have to take it together next year. Luo Qiqi liked spicy food and kept adding chili peppers to the skewers. Xu Xiaobo was worried that it would be too spicy for her and tried to dissuade her, but Luo Qiqi insisted. When Xu Xiaobo wasn't paying attention, she added even more chili peppers and finally felt satisfied.
Xu Xiaobo fixed Luo Qiqi's hair, and she looked at herself in the mirror and felt quite satisfied. It was the same level of skill as Xu Xiaobo's previous haircuts. Xu Xiaobo wanted to celebrate Luo Qiqi's first place, so he took her to buy new clothes and let her experience the joy of shopping.
Before, Luo Qiqi's clothes were randomly bought by her mother. This was the first time Luo Qiqi was actually choosing clothes for herself. Xu Xiaobo made suggestions on the side and encouraged Luo Qiqi to try on all the ones she liked. In the end, she chose a dress. Luo Qiqi knew that Xu Xiaobo didn't have many clothes either, so she dragged him to pick out an outfit.
Seeing himself in the mirror wearing a suit and shirt, Xu Xiaobo remembered the few days when Li Shu hid him in the guesthouse and made him realize that he had grown up. He shouldn't continue studying because if Li Shu wanted him to take the college entrance exam, he would have to reconcile with Chen Xiaojun, and the other party would definitely demand a large sum of money from Li Shu. He could only make this painful decision.
Li Shu put a lot of effort into the riverside business, but after just over a year, he was forced to sell it. Li Shu was very reluctant, but he knew he had to move forward. He realized that Ya'erguai was no longer a lively place, and selling it now could be considered a profit.
Luo Qiqi, wearing her newly bought dress and shoes, danced with Xu Xiaobo at his invitation. Her joyful smile infected Xu Xiaobo, making it one of the few happy days for him.
Xu Xiaobo and Luo Qiqi went for a walk by the river. They sat on a bench and chatted. Xu Xiaobo talked about his father's early death and how his mother worked odd jobs to raise him. Li Shu, his father's friend, found him and his mother and had been taking care of them for many years. Xu Xiaobo had been helping Li Shu all this time, considering it a way to repay a portion of the debt of gratitude he owed. But now, Li Jiajie hadn't come out, Li Shu was sick, and the riverside business had closed down. Xu Xiaobo couldn't leave all of this behind and go to college for four years. He had to make efforts for everyone's safety and carve out a path for himself.
Luo Qiqi knew how hard Xu Xiaobo had worked to become a college student. When she learned that Xu Xiaobo had decided not to go to college, tears immediately welled up in her eyes. She stubbornly turned her head, not letting Xu Xiaobo see her tears. Xu Xiaobo instructed Luo Qiqi to study hard, get into Tsinghua University or Peking University, and fulfill her own dreams.
Luo Qiqi understood the difficulties Xu Xiaobo faced and accepted his choice. She knew how much Xu Xiaobo believed in computer science and had collected a lot of newspaper materials to give to him. But the riverside business was already handling things, and Shu Fang stopped her from entering. Shu Fang conveyed Xu Xiaobo's message, telling Luo Qiqi not to come to him anymore and that she wouldn't be allowed into his place of business.
Upon hearing this, Luo Qiqi was extremely heartbroken. She stubbornly tried to push her way in, but Shu Fang forcefully stopped her, warning her not to make things difficult for herself, or else she would call Luo Qiqi's parents. Luo Qiqi had a confrontation with Xu Xiaobo. She insisted on waiting for him, but she waited for days, and Xu Xiaobo never showed up.
Luo Qiqi was deeply saddened. Angered, she threw the notebook she had diligently collected into the river and then went home, where she slept in bed for several days. This worried her mother, but she couldn't get Luo Qiqi to open up about what had happened.
Xu Xiaobo took the initiative to turn himself in to the police station because he got into a fight and was sentenced to six months. Chen Xiaojun was caught for counterfeit currency, and Mi Mi and Hei Pi were also caught. Zhang Jun, who didn't know about the situation, was a high school dropout who ventured into society. After the police scolded and reprimanded him, they let him go.
I always wonder how lucky I am to have a brother like Xu Xiao Bo. He brought warmth to my entire childhood and school days. The harder I work, the luckier I become. But it also brings more loneliness.
How many peers can withstand such torment? Those who endure and strive are the ones who excel and stand out!