Episode 27 recap: Li Guo Duo Tries to Go Pro, But is Forced to Withdraw from School
In episode 27, Wang Dong brings out a contract and asks Li Guo Duo to sign it, indicating he wants Li Guo Duo to turn professional. Lu Xiao Le overhears their hushed conversation but doesn't pry. Back in the volleyball training room, Lu Xiao Le asks Li Guo Duo what she signed, and Li Guo Duo vaguely reveals her desire to go pro. Lu Xiao Le strongly disagrees, arguing that this is not a good idea for a freshman student.
Li Guo Duo asks Chen Wei Lan about her plans for the future. Although still resting from her injury, Chen Wei Lan expresses interest in also playing professionally alongside Li Guo Duo once she has recovered. Wang Dong arranges for Li Guo Duo to have a new partner named Jing Yi, and the two quickly develop good chemistry, boosting Li Guo Duo's confidence. At a meal, Shao Nian notices Li Guo Duo's increased appetite and she explains she is training for the pro circuit with Wang Dong. Shao Nian has heard of Wang Dong but doesn't know the full details, so he goes to observe the training sessions.
Wang Dong provides an overview of professional volleyball, explaining that winners can earn prize money, and it seems like a good opportunity. Shao Nian informs Lu Xiao Le about Li Guo Duo's contract with Wang Dong. Lu Xiao Le explains that professional players are typically selected from the Seven-School Tournament, but Li Guo Duo has never even participated in that. Lu Xiao Le and Chen Wei Lan try to convince Li Guo Duo to reconsider, but she won't listen.
Chen Wei Lan asks Yan Xiao Jing about the pro circuit, but Yan Xiao Jing only advises her to stay away from Wang Dong. As Li Guo Duo prepares for a match, Shao Nian calls to tell her that the Seven-School Tournament has been embroiled in a scandal - New Port University has been bribing referees. Li Guo Duo rushes back to school to investigate, and Wang Dong again has Yan Xiao Jing step in.
Xia Li Qiang confronts Yan Xiao Jing, and Yan Xiao Jing admits to bribing the referees. Yan Xiao Jing is about to graduate, unlike Li Guo Duo and Chen Wei Lan who have more time, and unlike Shao Nian who has a wealthy family background. Yan Xiao Jing had no clear plan for the future, so he resorted to bribery in an attempt to secure a spot in graduate school.
The school swiftly announces disciplinary action against Yan Xiao Jing, who then proactively breaks up with Xia Li Qiang, saying he doesn't regret his efforts for the future, even though they failed. Li Guo Duo worries the scandal may impact Lu Xiao Le, when the police arrive and ask Li Guo Duo to assist in investigating an underground gambling ring. Shao Nian angrily confronts Wang Dong, who is in the middle of dividing up money, and is promptly arrested by the police as well.
After assisting the investigation, a remorseful Li Guo Duo goes to the beach alone to clear her head. Shao Nian follows and comforts her, and Li Guo Duo lets down her guard, leaning on Shao Nian's shoulder. Facing potential expulsion, Li Guo Duo returns home to await her punishment. Her father, Li Da Fu, simply tells her the door is always open for her to come home, as Li Guo Duo reflects on her once steadfast decisions now seeming foolish. Shao Nian finds Wang Dong's account of the bribery money and proactively provides evidence to the police, leading the school to decide not to expel Li Guo Duo after the matter is clarified.
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