She and Her Girls ep 22 recap/spoilers

Episode 22 recap: 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.

This worries Teacher Zhang Guimei, who anxiously seeks help from classmate Zhao Xiaolei to find Liu Xiyan. After searching, they discover Liu Xiyan working at the front desk of an internet café.

Seeing this, Zhang Guimei is filled with anger and immediately takes Liu Xiyan out of the café for a stern reprimand. Liu Xiyan, feeling unjustly treated, believes her parents have abandoned her and defiantly claims she wants to give up on herself to make them regret their neglect.

To resolve this issue, Zhang Guimei personally visits Liu Xiyan's mother, Chen Yanping. It turns out that Liu Xiyan's parents have been divorced for some time. After remarrying, Chen Yanping has a new family and children. Due to pressure from her in-laws, she can only send money to her daughter each month but cannot visit in person.

Next, Zhang Guimei seeks out Liu Xiyan's father, Liu Dazhi. As a truck driver who spends long periods away from home, he has overlooked his daughter’s emotional needs. Upon learning that Liu Xiyan has dropped out of school and is absorbed in the internet, he feels a deep sense of guilt. Accompanying Zhang Guimei to the café, he finds Liu Xiyan being cornered by a group of troublemakers. Without hesitation, he rushes in to disperse them. This incident helps mend the relationship between father and daughter, and Liu Dazhi promises to work near Huaping so he can better support Liu Xiyan.

Back in her dorm, Liu Xiyan hears her classmates complaining about the difficulties of studying. Drawing from her own experience, she encourages everyone to cherish their learning opportunities and strive for admission to good universities. She even makes a pact with Xin Xin to compete for a spot at Peking University.

In the following days, Liu Xiyan seems transformed, fully dedicating herself to her studies. She confidently fills out her college application with prestigious schools like Peking University, Fudan University, and Zhejiang University. Inspired, her classmates also apply to renowned universities across the country, much to the teachers' delight.

However, a surprising discovery causes Zhang Guimei to furrow her brow again—Luo Yiyi has applied to the Tsinghua Academy of Fine Arts. Enraged, Zhang Guimei crosses out “Fine Arts Academy” and harshly criticizes Luo Yiyi for taking shortcuts instead of studying diligently.

Luo Yiyi stands firm in her dream; she loves painting and yearns to succeed in that field. Although Zhang Guimei is reluctant to support her, Teacher Gu Yu recognizes Luo Yiyi's talent and decides to back her, arranging art exam preparation classes with Zhao Xiaolei responsible for transportation. Liu Xiyan quietly keeps Luo Yiyi’s secret.

However, the truth eventually comes to light, and Zhang Guimei discovers the situation during a dormitory check. She intercepts Gu Yu, Zhao Xiaolei, and Luo Yiyi outside the school as they prepare to take Luo Yiyi to the station. Faced with Zhang Guimei's questions, Gu Yu and Zhao Xiaolei are speechless, while Luo Yiyi reiterates her determination. To appease Zhang Guimei's anger, Luo Yiyi even offers to take a beating with a rolling pin in exchange for her understanding.

At a critical moment, Teacher Fang Qiong intervenes. She shares Luo Yiyi's sketchbook with Zhang Guimei, admiring the portraits Luo Yiyi has drawn of them. This softens Zhang Guimei’s heart, and she ultimately chooses to understand and support Luo Yiyi's decision.

Soon after, Luo Yiyi sets off for Lijiang to take the art entrance exams. Before leaving, she bids farewell to Zhang Guimei, hoping for her blessing. Zhang Guimei expresses her support in her own way, using one of Luo Yiyi’s paintings as her WeChat profile picture. In the office, the teachers watch a live stream of elephants migrating south, prompting a shift in Zhang Guimei's mindset. She starts to embrace new experiences, becoming gentler and more tolerant, shedding her previous rigid demeanor.