Episode Guide
Episode 1: Underage Girl Forced to Drop Out and Marry
In the first episode, set in 2007 in Huaping County, Lijiang, Yunnan Province, Fang Qiong is rushing on her electric bike to visit Gu Yu's home, carrying Zhang Guimei. On the way, Fang Qiong feels unwell and has to stop at a makeshift restroom in the wild. Meanwhile, Zhang Guimei is anxious about Gu Yu's decision to drop out of school; she can't wait for Fang Qiong to return and heads to Gu Yu's home alone. >>read more
Episode 2: Zhang Guimei Speaks Up for the Girls of the Mountains
In Episode 2, Gu Laosan, clearly intoxicated, storms into the school demanding 30,000 yuan from Zhang Guimei as "compensation," but really hoping to avoid responsibility. To protect Gu Yu from further harassment, Zhang Guimei reluctantly agrees to pay but can only write an IOU promising to repay within five years. Her actions are motivated solely by her desire to help the girl, Gu Yu. >>read more
Episode 3: Construction Begins on the Girls' High School in Huaping County
In Episode 3, during her flight back home, Zhang Guimei unexpectedly encounters a special passenger. Not only does he offer to change seats with her, but he also enthusiastically expresses his admiration for her commitment to educational equity and justice. This passenger turns out to be Liu Qingyong, the Deputy Secretary of the Yunnan Provincial Committee. He praises Zhang Guimei for founding a fully free girls' high school and promises his full support—both in terms of funding and manpower—to ensure the school's successful construction. >>read more
Episode 4: Zhou Shanqun Helps Zhang Guimei Recruit Teachers
In Episode 4, Zhou Shanqun, unable to resist Zhang Guimei's persistent requests, finally agrees to her plea and provides her with twelve positions. However, recruiting teachers is not as simple as catching chickens in a coop; it requires exams, selections, and trial lectures before finalizing any hires. Yet, Zhang Guimei is impatient and wants to skip these tedious procedures, as there are urgent matters to attend to at the school. >>read more
Episode 5: Recruitment Challenges for the Teacher Team in the Mountains
In this episode, Zhang Guimei, after obtaining Chen Sihai's contact information, urgently calls him to sincerely invite him to be the office director at Huaping Girls' High School. Chen Sihai, who has been the deputy director at the county girls' high school for several years, felt frustrated after losing the director position to someone with connections. However, after some persuasion, he finally convinces his family to let him take the job. >>read more
Episode 6: Zhang Gui Mei Appointed Principal of Huaping Girls' School
In Episode 6, Zhang Gui Mei hurried down the mountain to meet Director Zhou Shan Qun, who had been waiting for her. Upon seeing her, Zhou appeared flustered. He handed her a package of Harbin sausage, claiming it was a gift from his wife, and mentioned that he had forgotten to pack some other items. Zhang sensed he had important news and urged him to speak up. Zhou hesitated before revealing that it was unlikely she would become the principal of Huaping Girls' School. Zhang was taken aback by this news. >>read more
Episode 7: Strict Military Training Management for Students
In Episode 7, as everyone busily prepares learning supplies for the students, the family of Master Cai stands out. Master Cai and his wife bring their daughter, Cai Guizhi, to school, and they solemnly promise that there will be no more domestic violence in the future, which brings great relief to Principal Zhang Guimei. Meanwhile, classmate Gu Yu takes special notice of the new student, Cai Guizhi. Although she tries to engage in friendly conversation, she finds Cai Guizhi to be shy and hard to approach. >>read more
Episode 8: Ning Hua Misunderstands Her Menstrual Cycle as a Terminal Illness
In Episode 8, Principal Huang arrives at the cafeteria and notices that the students from Huaping Girls' High School are happily eating while his own students are left without food, looking pitiful. Unhappy about the situation, he confronts Zhang Guimei, insisting she understand whose territory this is. He points out that although Nanzhong had initially agreed to help the girls' school, it now seems that Huaping has taken away their resources. >>read more
Episode 9: Zhang Guimei's Fundraising Efforts
Inside the school building, the faint but determined flicker of candlelight danced alongside the strong, synchronized voices of the students reading aloud, warming everyone's hearts. Zhou Shanqiu used funds from the organization to pay the school's electricity bill, filling Huaping Girls' High School with light once again. Principal Zhang Guimei firmly believes that, regardless of the storms that may come, the school will endure and be revitalized. >>read more
Episode 10: Episode 10
A whole week passed with no news, prompting Zhang to pack her things and set out again, determined to get the money this time Gu Yu felt deep sympathy watching Zhang hustle for the school, and Zhang reassured her to focus on her studies and not to worry too much >>read more
Episode 11: Inappropriate Guest Harasses Gu Yu, Leading to a Confrontation
In Episode 11, Chen Sihai is completely unaware of Liu Qingyong's true identity. He believes that the school is about to welcome a generous donor and enthusiastically shows Liu Qingyong and his group around the classrooms and basic dormitories where the female students attend classes. During lunch, Liu Qingyong witnesses the girls hurriedly heading to the canteen, where the food is simple and sparse, consisting only of some greens, starkly contrasting with the hearty meals at the neighboring school. >>read more
Episode 12: Zhang Gui Mei Refuses Gu Yu's Return to School
In Episode 12, Gu Yu goes to the foot massage parlor where she worked to collect her wages. The owner, having already been shut down for this issue, is furious to see her and kicks her out. Like Zhang Gui Mei, Gu Yu waits under a large tree by the entrance, resembling a gatekeeper. Reluctantly, the owner pays her and throws her luggage outside. >>read more
Episode 13: Zhang Guimei Refuses to Merge with a Key High School
In Episode 13, by evening, the lights are still on in Cai Guizhi's dormitory as the girls gossip about why Teacher Hu Juan chose to leave, worried that something might be wrong at the school. Liu Xiying, full of intrigue, shares what she knows, revealing that the girls from the third high school are set to merge with Nan Zhong. >>read more
Episode 14: Yao Xiaoshan and Zhang Guimei Speak Their Minds After a Few Drinks
In this episode, Gu Yu's tenacity earns her the chance to continue her education, even if it means sitting in the hallway to attend classes. The teachers are moved by her spirit and open their doors, ensuring she can hear everything clearly. In contrast, Liu Xiying takes a different path; she meets Yuan Shuai and often sneaks out at night for secret dates, which Gu Yu unfortunately discovers. >>read more
Episode 15: Zhang Guimei Wants to Keep Yao Xiaoshan
In Episode 15, Zhang Guimei appoints Yao Xiaoshan as the head of the third-year class, but Yao insists on resigning from the girls' high school. He expresses his feelings with the phrase, "I once aimed for the bright moon, but the moon only shines on the ditch!" Zhang Guimei knows how much Yao has contributed to the school over the years and is determined not to let such a great teacher go. To prevent him from resigning, she avoids him and tells Chen Sihai that she needs time. She also arranges for Wei Tingyun to meet her the day after tomorrow. Chen Sihai suddenly asks Zhang Guimei if she has a severed palm, leaving her confused about how he knows. >>read more
Episode 16: Yao Xiaoshan and Wei Tingyun Confess Their Feelings
In this episode, Chen Sihai bows deeply to Zhang Guimei, surprised by the honor she has given him. While everyone else has gone home to celebrate the holiday, Gu Yu stays in the dormitory, focused on her studies. Zhao Xiaolei, who also grew up in the orphanage, comes to find her and invites her to join him somewhere. Meanwhile, Zhang Guimei is in the orphanage making dumplings with the children. When Gu Yu arrives, everyone is thrilled, and she quickly washes her hands to help. Zhang Guimei intentionally puts a coin in one of the dumplings, saying that whoever finds it will have good luck in the New Year. >>read more
Episode 17: High School Girls Fight for Success in the College Entrance Exam
In Episode 17, as the college entrance exam approaches, Director Zhou Shanqun calls in the three high school principals from the county to discuss their plans and goals. Principal Huang expresses his aim to exceed a one-third passing rate, while also striving for a certain percentage of students to enter the 985 and 211 universities. Principal Jiang shares his intention to build on last year's results. When it's Zhang Guimei's turn to speak, she boldly declares that she won't focus on passing rates; her goal is for all the female students to succeed, regardless of whether they aim for top-tier universities, second-tier, third-tier, or vocational colleges. >>read more
Episode 18: High School Girls Face the Gaokao Challenge
In Episode 18, as the Gaokao approaches, Director Zhou Shanqun calls the three high school principals in the county to his office to discuss their plans and goals. Principal Huang expresses his aim to achieve a one-third pass rate, while also striving for a certain percentage of students to qualify for the 985 and 211 universities. Principal Jiang also mentions his intention to improve upon last year's results. When it’s Zhang Guimei’s turn to speak, she confidently declares that she doesn’t care about pass rates; her goal is for all the female students to pass, regardless of whether they qualify for first-tier, second-tier, third-tier universities, or vocational colleges. >>read more
Episode 19: All Students of Huaping Girls' High School Online
In Episode 19, the students of Huaping Girls' High School are taking their exams, while Zhang Guimei and the teachers wait anxiously by the roadside. As time passes, Zhang Guimei can't help but feel restless. When the students finish their exams, she joyfully embraces them and promises to treat them to a nice meal. On the day the results are announced, Chen Sihai reads out each student’s name along with their scores. Liu Xiying and Ning Hua both achieve over 500 points, while Cai Guizhi and Gu Yu rank among the top scorers. Zhang Guimei and the others are so overjoyed they don’t know how to express their excitement. >>read more
Episode 20: Zhang Gui Mei Recognized as an Outstanding Educator
In this episode, the school has opened 150 spots for new students, and they were quickly filled based on academic performance and overall student quality. However, while waiting outside, a girl suddenly faints. Zhang Gui Mei rushes over and realizes the girl is starving. She immediately hands her a bowl of soup to prevent her from choking. >>read more
Episode 21: Gu Yu Returns to Teaching at Huaping Girls' High School after Graduation
In Episode 21, newly hired teachers must pass a teaching demonstration to be evaluated by the faculty. Zhang Guimei goes to the restroom, and when she returns, she finds Gu Yu delivering her demonstration. Gu Yu, a graduate of Yunnan Normal University with a degree in Chinese literature, has often expressed her desire to return to Huaping Girls' High School to teach, but Zhang Guimei has always discouraged her, hoping she would explore a wider world. >>read more
Episode 22: Zhang Guimei Helps Liu Xiyan Find Family Warmth
In Episode 22, the hustle and bustle of the Spring Festival begins to fade as students return to campus. Xin Xin thoughtfully hangs a portrait of her mother by her bed, while also collecting information about art schools for her friend Luo Yiyi, especially details on Tsinghua University’s Academy of Fine Arts, encouraging her to bravely pursue her dreams. However, in stark contrast, Liu Xiyan has yet to show up on campus. >>read more
Ending 23: Zhang Guimei's Devotion to Her Students
In Episode 23, Xin Xin's mother is sentenced to life imprisonment and sent to the Second Prison of Yunnan Province. Overwhelmed with emotion, she attempts suicide multiple times. Out of concern, the prison authorities reach out to Teacher Zhang Guimei, hoping she can visit and provide comfort through familial support. Aware of the gravity of this task, Zhang gently informs Xin Xin and accompanies her to the prison. >>read more
