Episode 11 recap: An Yan Persuades Pan Shiyu to Return to School
In Episode 11, An Yan visits the Tian family farm, hoping to encourage the parents to support their children's education. However, Mr. Tian believes that the costs from now until college are too high for their family to bear. An Yan passionately argues about national policies supporting education, but the Tian family remains unconvinced.
An Yan and Cong Jun Sheng then go to visit Ru Lin, who is preparing for his wedding. Unexpectedly, his bride hasn't returned home after the wedding night, leading Ru Lin's mother to suspect that the daughter-in-law is unhappy and has taken the opportunity to escape while styling her hair.
Seeing this situation, An Yan asks Ru Lin about it. Ru Lin fears that his wife left because she might be ashamed of their family's poverty. Meanwhile, their child and Ru Lin's mother are both in tears. Faced with this disruption to his marriage, Ru Lin decides to seek work elsewhere.
Inspired by Pan Shiyu's situation, An Yan shares his thoughts with Ru Lin, expressing confusion over why his father, who fears death, would worry about burdening them when his passing only causes pain. Ru Lin reflects deeply and explains to his children that their mother is gone. Though his daughter cries, she promises to stay with her father, and the young son runs over to hug Ru Lin.
The wedding proceeds as planned. Although Ru Lin's bride has left, he finds strength and thanks An Yan for guiding him. The local community rallies around Ru Lin, vowing to support one another in the future.
On the way back, Cong Jun Sheng makes a flower crown for An Yan, and their laughter echoes through the mountains. An Yan visits Pan Shiyu, but initially, she ignores him. When she hears that An Yan has found her mother a job weaving bamboo baskets, she admits she had already looked for work but found collecting recyclables more lucrative.
An Yan encourages Pan Shiyu to consider the long-term consequences of her choices. If she continues collecting trash with her mother and gives up her education, she risks being trapped in that situation for life. The next day, Pan Shiyu goes to the school area to collect trash and feels humiliated when she runs into familiar classmates. In her embarrassment, she finds a mask in her pocket and puts it on to hide her face.
In class, she tries to study elementary school materials but is reprimanded by the teacher. An Yan steps in to support her, offering to cover the difference in income from the bamboo basket job with part of his salary, suggesting that she can repay him after graduating from college. He even tempts her with the prospect of a good salary after college.
Seeing her wavering, he presents a contract to ease her worries, hoping she can focus on her studies. Cong Jun Sheng helps the students choose better-ranked schools, encouraging them to aim high. Pan Shiyu begins to work hard, and surprisingly, she ranks tenth in a recent mock exam. The teachers are astonished by her transformation since their last talk, noting her remarkable improvement in writing.
Qu Feng approaches Cong Jun Sheng for tutoring, and Cong Jun Sheng tailors a study plan specifically for him. Meanwhile, Pan Shiyu's mother has improved mentally and gifts several baskets to An Yan. An Yan suggests that Pan Shiyu stay in the dorms next semester. Sensing her hesitation, he reassures her that a nearby empty room can be kept secret from the teachers.
Pan Shiyu returns the money she earned from the baskets to An Yan, and her family's welfare benefits have come through, making their situation a bit more comfortable. As the New Year approaches, An Yan's family enjoys a hot pot dinner and learns that her father has been reassigned to the city, adding the responsibility of taking care of Nuan Nuan.
Zhang Nan calls to wish An Yan well and suggests a class reunion. On New Year's Eve, Lu Guang Bin brings various gifts to celebrate, though it’s clear his mother-in-law disapproves, making him feel unwelcome. After dinner, Lu Guang Bin shares his work experiences with his father-in-law, mentioning how the villagers sent him off when he returned to the city, even offering him agricultural products, which he felt obligated to accept. He realizes that he has unknowingly helped them a lot and regrets not supporting An Yan earlier.
Zhang Nan shares his good news about landing a job at a large company with An Yan but expresses his concerns. While Shanghai is appealing, settling there could take years. After An Yan analyzes the situation, Zhang Nan decides to stay in Shanghai.
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