Recaps

Cheng Che returned to Pond Village, reunited with his family, and became the talk of his cousin Xu Qian’s classmates after she shared photos of him. In nearby Batang Village, Yan Ruanning realized she had never added Cheng Che on WeChat and sent him a friend request, then grew annoyed when he did not respond.

• Cheng Che arrived in Pond Village with his parents and reunited with his grandparents, who praised his looks and school ranking.
• Xu Qian recognized Cheng Che from the “Midsummer Reply” music video, asked him for Yan Ruanning’s autograph, and took photos with him.
• Xu Qian posted the photos in her class group chat, where her classmates enthusiastically asked about Cheng Che and joked about becoming her cousin-in-law.
• Yan Ruanning searched her contacts, realized she had never added Cheng Che, and asked Xiao Zhou for his WeChat contact.
• Yan Ruanning sent Cheng Che a friend request, waited without receiving a response, and grumbled that he was acting like a poser.

Cheng Che returned to Pond Village and unexpectedly met his homeroom teacher, Old Xu, at a birthday banquet, earning an invitation to a family meal. When Cheng Che arrived at Old Xu’s house the next morning, he came face-to-face with Yan Ruanning in her pajamas.

• Cheng Che jogged five kilometers through Pond Village, then joined his family on a visit to a birthday banquet in neighboring Batang Village.
• Cheng Che found Old Xu smoking in an alley, and Old Xu invited him to a family meal the next day.
• Cheng Che told his parents about the invitation, and they agreed to stay in the village until after lunch the next day.
• Cheng Che attended the birthday banquet, where young guests secretly took photos of him as he ate.
• Cheng Che arrived at Old Xu’s courtyard with fruit and unexpectedly encountered Yan Ruanning, who had just gotten up.

Yan Ruanning discovered that Cheng Che was her father’s prized student and welcomed him to her home, where the two cleared up a misunderstanding about her WeChat request. As Cheng Che impressed her parents by helping in the kitchen, Yan Ruanning grumbled that she hated the kid next door most.

• Yan Ruanning learned from Old Xu that Cheng Che was his student and had come to their home for lunch.
• Yan Ruanning changed outfits while Cheng Che discovered that she was Xu Ruanning, his homeroom teacher’s daughter.
• Cheng Che sent Guo Xin a photo of Yan Ruanning, but Guo Xin accused him of faking it with AI.
• Yan Ruanning and Cheng Che realized that a mix-up over her profile picture and work account had caused him to miss her WeChat request, then added each other.
• Yan Ping praised Cheng Che as he helped prepare vegetables in the kitchen and compared him favorably with Yan Ruanning, who complained that she hated the kid next door most.

Cheng Che shared dinner with Yan Ruanning’s family, received a red-envelope bonus, and learned that she was Old Xu’s daughter. Six days later, his charm reached 70 and he unlocked the passive talent Bard Incubus Voice.

• Grandpa Xu and Xu Chengguo returned from fishing, and Cheng Che ate dinner with Yan Ruanning’s family.
• Yan Ruanning praised Cheng Che’s tennis talent and said he could consider turning professional while still taking the college entrance exam.
• Yan Ruanning gave Cheng Che a thick red envelope as a bonus for filming her music video and watched him leave the village.
• Cheng Che told Jiang Xue and Cheng Jianguo that Yan Ruanning was Old Xu’s daughter, then returned to school and kept the revelation private from Guo Xin.
• Six days later, Cheng Che’s charm reached its stage limit of 70, unlocking a specialized trait draw.
• Cheng Che drew the passive talent Bard Incubus Voice.

Cheng Che completed the first stage of his stamina trial by finishing four tennis training packs, earning the passive talent Star of the Court and Perfect Hand Cream. He saw that the next stage required a professional tournament victory, but headed to school for his monthly exam instead.

• Cheng Che learned that reaching 70 in stamina, endurance, and intelligence did not grant rewards until he completed their corresponding trials.
• Cheng Che reflected on his recent talents and items, admired his changed appearance, and continued chatting with Yan Ruanning while keeping up his daily routine.
• Cheng Che completed the Backhand Hell, Forehand Heavy Hammer, Lingbo Weibu, and Serve Hell training packs.
• Cheng Che completed Stamina Trial Stage One and received the Star of the Court talent and Perfect Hand Cream.
• Cheng Che read that Stamina Trial Stage Two required advancing from a professional tournament qualifier into the main draw and winning a match, then left for school to take his monthly exam.

Cheng Che earned a perfect math score and placed second in the school with 690 points, completing his trial and receiving two rewards. As the college entrance exam approached, he left his university plans undecided and did not reply to Yan Ruanning’s message.

• During the mock math exam, Cheng Che used Total Concentration to answer the paper while classmates and proctors noticed how easily he worked.
• Cheng Che checked answers with Guo Xin, Lin Xiao, and other classmates, explaining problems; Guo Xin estimated his score had risen to 125, and Lin Xiao said she had improved too.
• Old Xu announced that Cheng Che had scored the only perfect math result in the year, and the score sheet showed him first in class and second in school with 690 points.
• Cheng Che completed the second stage of his Intelligence Trial and received Comprehension by Analogy and Perfect Eye Drops.
• Guo Xin worried that their scores might send them to different universities, and Cheng Che promised to tell him which city he chose.
• Cheng Che showed his results to Jiang Xue and Cheng Jianguo, then saw Yan Ruanning’s congratulatory message but chose not to reply.

After using Perfect Eye Drops, Cheng Che studied with improved clarity and went to the tennis center to test his professional-level skills. He challenged former professional player Qin Lie to a serious match, and his powerful first serve convinced Qin Lie that Old Chen's claims might be true.

• Cheng Che used Perfect Eye Drops and found that his vision had become exceptionally clear.
• Cheng Che studied for three hours, improving his test accuracy through his intelligence and Comprehension by Analogy.
• Old Chen told Qin Lie about Cheng Che's rapid tennis progress and urged him to consider the young prospect.
• Cheng Che arrived at the tennis center, where Qin Lie agreed to play him in a match.
• Cheng Che activated Total Concentration and served a fast, powerful ball that Qin Lie barely returned.

Cheng Che dominated former professional Qin Lie in a showcase match, revealing extraordinary tennis skills, stamina, and recovery. After Qin Lie called him a monster and praised his strength, Cheng Che was mobbed by spectators eager to film him and get his autograph.

• Cheng Che won the opening game with powerful serves and precise one-handed backhands, leaving Qin Lie struggling to return the ball.
• Qin Lie raised his effort and tried to tire Cheng Che by forcing him around the court, but Cheng Che covered every corner and kept attacking.
• Cheng Che’s performance drew a growing crowd, while Old Chen filmed the match and spectators praised the teenager’s speed, footwork, and shots.
• Cheng Che won the final point with a backhand and overhead smash, prompting Qin Lie to repeatedly call him a monster.
• Qin Lie shook Cheng Che’s hand and praised his strength, while the spectators surrounded Cheng Che and asked for videos and autographs.

After his victory, Cheng Che discussed his tennis future with Qin Lie and learned how difficult turning professional in China could be. He chose to test his talent at the National Youth Games and declared that he wanted to win the championship.

• After the match, Cheng Che dealt with fans before joining Old Chen and Qin Lie in the office.
• Qin Lie offered to help Cheng Che pursue a professional tennis career and explained the financial and competitive obstacles.
• Cheng Che revealed that he had scored 690 on his last monthly exam and had strong chances of entering Tsinghua or Peking University.
• Cheng Che said he wanted to test his ability in real matches, and Qin Lie offered to help him register for the June National Youth Games.
• Cheng Che accepted and declared that he wanted to win the championship, while Qin Lie chose not to bring up signing a contract.

Cheng Che finished the college entrance exam in excellent form and told a reporter he expected to enter Tsinghua or Peking University. After secretly waving to a woman across the road, he learned Qin Lie wanted him at the tennis qualifiers and told his parents he planned to compete.

• Cheng Che focused on exam preparation for a month, and his parents supported his plans to play tennis after the exam.
• Cheng Che completed all his college entrance exams smoothly and left the exam venue feeling relieved.
• A reporter interviewed Cheng Che, and he said he aimed for Tsinghua or Peking University, drawing skeptical remarks from nearby students and parents.
• Cheng Che exchanged a quiet wave with a woman in a black sedan across the road before she drove away.
• Cheng Che read Qin Lie's message asking him to arrive on June 27 for qualifiers starting on the 30th, then told his parents he would travel to play tennis; they supported him.

After the college entrance exams, Cheng Che spent the day gaming with Guo Xin before joining their class reunion and impressing everyone with his singing at karaoke. Su Qingyue posted a video of him singing, and strangers quickly began asking for his contact information.

• Cheng Che and Guo Xin played League of Legends at an internet café, where Cheng Che teased Guo Xin for repeatedly feeding.
• Cheng Che and Guo Xin attended their Class Five reunion, where Old Xu offered advice and the students discussed their plans after graduation.
• Old Xu took a group of students to karaoke, where Zhao Lei sang and Guo Xin embarrassed himself with a badly performed song.
• After his classmates urged him to sing, Cheng Che performed "Midsummer Reply" and stunned the room with his voice.
• Su Qingyue posted a video of Cheng Che singing to Moments, and she kept quiet as commenters asked to meet him or get his contact information.

Cheng Che invited Guo Xin to Pond Village, where they fished, studied driving theory, and enjoyed time with Cheng Che’s family. After an online clip of Cheng Che sparked criticism and support, he remained calm and waited for his college entrance exam results, due in three days.

• Cheng Che invited Guo Xin to return to Pond Village with him and his parents, and Guo Xin eagerly accepted.
• Guo Xin charmed Cheng Che’s grandparents, then argued with Cheng Che over the bed before settling onto the floor.
• Cheng Che and Guo Xin went fishing, caught one small crucian carp each, and Zhou Lan made them fish and tofu soup.
• Guo Xin spotted a viral interview clip of Cheng Che and angry comments doubting his claim that Tsinghua or Peking would be within reach.
• Cheng Che dismissed the online criticism and saw his supporters defend him, then said the exam results would come out in three days.

As trolls attacked Cheng Che online, Su Qingyue, Lin Xiao, and Guo Xin tried to defend him. Cheng Che checked his results and scored 732, first in Caiyun Province, leaving him flooded with calls from top universities.

• Su Qingyue defended Cheng Che online by describing his ordinary family and strong mock-exam results, but trolls mocked her.
• Lin Xiao posted about Cheng Che’s hard work and teaching, then was ridiculed by commenters and withdrew from the discussion.
• Guo Xin called Cheng Che after arguing with trolls and joked that their contradictory attacks came from sexual repression.
• Cheng Che checked his results with his family and learned he had scored 732, first in the province.
• Cheng Jianguo and Jiang Xue celebrated the result, while Cheng Jianguo bragged to a colleague.
• Admissions teams from Shuimu University, Yanjing University, Demon City Jiaotong University, and Zhejiang University called Cheng Che, and Teacher Xu advised him to consider his choices carefully.

After earning the provincial top score, Cheng Che received the system’s rewards, chose Peking University, and headed to Hang City for a tennis competition. Guo Xin arrived to surprise him with news of his own Capital City admission, but found Cheng Che had already left and challenged him to return with the championship.

• Cheng Che received the passive talent The Art of the Brain and the active title Zhuangyuan after completing the exam trial.
• The official account announced Cheng Che’s score of 732 and defended him against online smears, prompting trolls to delete their posts and fans to celebrate.
• Cheng Che compared university offers, chose Peking University, and received awards totaling 300,000 yuan, half of which he put into his family’s account.
• Cheng Che prepared for the tennis qualifiers in Hang City and left Spring City after saying goodbye to Jiang Xue and Cheng Jianguo.
• Guo Xin arrived with his admission letter to surprise Cheng Che, learned he had already gone to Hang City, and sent him a message demanding that he return with the championship.

Cheng Che traveled to Hang City for the National Youth Games tennis tournament, drawing attention on the train and reconnecting by message with Yan Ruanning, who was also in the city. After Qin Lie explained the tournament format and offered practical advice, Cheng Che prepared to begin competing.

• Cheng Che took the high-speed train to Hang City and attracted attention from passengers until he covered his face with a mask.
• Qin Lie picked Cheng Che up at the station, and Cheng Che sent arrival messages to Jiang Xue and Guo Xin.
• Cheng Che messaged Yan Ruanning and learned she was in Hang City recording a show; she invited him to visit and said she would watch his matches.
• Qin Lie brought Cheng Che to his apartment and explained the National Youth Games qualifying rounds, main draw, hard courts, and tournament precautions.
• Qin Lie told Cheng Che they would check in the next day and that his first match would be the day after, while Cheng Che looked forward to facing players from across the country.

Cheng Che registered for the National Youth Games and drew online attention, including a challenge from fellow competitor Zhou Kaiyue. Yan Ruanning arranged time off to watch Cheng Che compete, while Cheng Che ignored the online taunts and prepared for his first match.

• Qin Lie took Cheng Che to breakfast before driving him to the Hang City Sports Center, where Cheng Che registered for the tournament and received shirt number 91.
• Zhou Kaiyue photographed Cheng Che and decided to use his fame to attract attention, while his coach warned that tennis was too niche for a win to make him trend.
• Yan Ruanning asked assistant Xiao Zhou for time off to watch the games, and the director approved it after Cheng Che's participation became a trending topic.
• Zhou Kaiyue posted a public challenge hoping to face Cheng Che in the qualifiers, prompting a flood of online praise, criticism, and debate.
• Cheng Che declined Guo Xin's offer to respond to Zhou Kaiyue and prepared his equipment before studying a recording of last year's tournament.

Cheng Che arrived at the tennis qualifiers after using the last of his Perfect Eye Drops, drawing a crowd with his appearance and powerful presence. He opened his match against Zhang Hao with a serve so fast Zhang Hao could not move, then focused on the next point.

• Cheng Che used the last of his Perfect Eye Drops and surprised Qin Lie with his appearance and physique.
• Qin Lie showed Cheng Che Zhou Kaiyue's easy win and heard Zhou Kaiyue say he wanted to face Cheng Che.
• Cheng Che entered Court Three, attracting attention from the spectators and the livestream audience.
• Cheng Che served past Zhang Hao before he could move, leaving the court stunned.
• Cheng Che activated Total Concentration as Zhang Hao prepared for the next point.

Cheng Che dominated Zhang Hao in the qualifying match, finishing with an ace after overwhelming him with powerful serves and precise shots. After Zhang Hao conceded that Cheng Che belonged in the main draw, Cheng Che left the court promising the reporters they would see him there.

• Cheng Che opened the match with four aces and held his serve to love, leaving Zhang Hao struggling to return the ball.
• Cheng Che continued to control the match as Zhang Hao tired, while spectators and viewers watched his performance and Cheng Jianguo, Jiang Xue, Guo Xin, Su Qingyue, Lin Xiao, and Zhao Lei followed the livestream.
• Cheng Che sealed the match with an ace down the T, and Zhang Hao told him he should be waiting in the main draw rather than playing qualifiers.
• Cheng Che told Qin Lie that he was loosened up, and Qin Lie decided he needed to find him stronger opponents.
• Cheng Che told reporters, “See you in the main draw,” then headed toward the players' tunnel.

After winning his match, Cheng Che invited Yan Ruanning to eat, but a delay in replying left her thinking he had forgotten her. They cleared up the misunderstanding by phone and agreed to meet after his qualifying matches, with Yan Ruanning promising to watch him again.

• Qin Lie teased Cheng Che for acting tired and trying to look cool after his victory.
• Cheng Che found Yan Ruanning’s photo of him playing and invited her to a meal, then got caught up in calls from his family and Guo Xin.
• Yan Ruanning accepted the invitation but, after waiting twenty minutes without hearing back, told Xiao Zhou to drive her to the filming location.
• Cheng Che noticed Yan Ruanning had replied and called her, apologizing for missing her message.
• Xiao Zhou joined the call, and Cheng Che agreed to take both women out after he reached the main draw.
• Yan Ruanning told Cheng Che she would come watch him again, then counted the two days until the qualifying rounds ended.

Cheng Che prepared for his final qualifying match against Zhou Kaiyue, whose experience and ranking made him a widely favored opponent. With Court Five packed with spectators eager to see Cheng Che, he activated Total Concentration as the match was about to begin.

• Cheng Che checked his trial progress and online reactions, then dismissed praise that doubted his readiness for professional competition.
• Cheng Che won the second qualifying round with little effort, and organizers moved his match with Zhou Kaiyue to the larger Court Five because of the crowd.
• Qin Lie told Cheng Che that Zhou Kaiyue was considered more experienced, while Cheng Che saw Zhou's Weibo post challenging him to prove himself on court.
• Yan Ruanning sent Cheng Che a photo of the packed stands and told him she had found her seat.
• Cheng Che walked onto Court Five to loud cheers as Zhou Kaiyue steeled himself to return his serves and force long rallies.
• Cheng Che focused on Zhou Kaiyue, activated Total Concentration, and vowed inwardly to knock him back to reality.

Cheng Che dominated Zhou Kaiyue in the opening game, countering his serves and tactics with a series of decisive shots. After winning the game without conceding a point, Cheng Che returned to the court determined to make the match a shadow over Zhou Kaiyue’s life.

• Zhou Kaiyue opened with a wide serve, but Cheng Che returned it for a backhand winner down the line.
• Cheng Che lured Zhou Kaiyue to the net with a short slice, then volleyed his attack past him.
• Cheng Che returned Zhou Kaiyue’s fastest serve with a forehand winner to reach love-forty.
• Zhou Kaiyue roared and risked another wide serve, but Cheng Che sliced the return between his legs to win the opening game.
• Qin Lie warned Cheng Che not to relax, and Cheng Che said he still had two more games to play.

Cheng Che overwhelmed Zhou Kaiyue in their qualifier match, which ended when Zhou retired with a right-leg muscle strain, sending Cheng Che into the main draw. After completing the second stage of his trial and earning new rewards, Cheng Che learned Yan Ruanning had to leave and planned to visit her filming location without telling her.

• Cheng Che dominated Zhou Kaiyue in the second game, and Zhou’s shaken serve and inability to keep up left him unable to continue.
• Zhou Kaiyue retired after a doctor diagnosed a muscle strain in his right leg, and Cheng Che advanced to the main draw.
• Cheng Che completed Stage Two of the Stamina Trial and received the talent Form Moves as the Mind Wills and Perfect Skin Quality Body Wash.
• Cheng Che spotted Yan Ruanning in the stands, but she messaged that she had to leave for an urgent production-team matter.
• After learning the main draw would not start for five days, Cheng Che asked Xiao Zhou for the filming location and told her not to tell Yan Ruanning.

After Cheng Che went to play tennis, Yan Ruanning struggled through filming at the Mushroom House and wished she could be with him instead. Cheng Che arrived at the courtyard and called to her, leaving everyone stunned by his appearance.

• Qin Lie told Cheng Che that sports companies had called to recruit him, but Cheng Che reaffirmed that he planned to attend Peking University.
• Cheng Che got ready, messaged Yan Ruanning that he was going to play tennis, and headed out while she complained about having to film the show.
• At the Mushroom House, Yan Ruanning fed the chickens, startled a rooster, and wished she could go watch Cheng Che play tennis.
• Cheng Che arrived outside the courtyard and called Yan Ruanning, drawing the attention of the cast and crew.

Cheng Che visited Yan Ruanning at the Life Slowed Down set, where the director invited him to appear in the evening livestream for a fee of 150,000 yuan after tax. Cheng Che agreed to stay, and he and Yan Ruanning set off to shop for the livestream.

• Cheng Che arrived at the set and reunited with Yan Ruanning beneath a tree while the crew filmed them.
• Yan Ruanning introduced Cheng Che to Teacher Huang and the other cast members, then walked with him around the village as they talked about his tennis matches and driving lessons.
• The director asked Yan Ruanning to invite Cheng Che to stay for filming and the evening livestream, and Cheng Che accepted after learning his fee would be 150,000 yuan after tax.
• The cast members avoided the shopping task, so the director sent Yan Ruanning and Cheng Che to buy supplies for the livestream.
• Yan Ruanning and Cheng Che rode out of the village in a three-wheeled cart as the cameraman filmed them.

Yan Ruanning and Cheng Che went into town with the production crew to shop at a market, where Yan Ruanning bargained for groceries and later picked out clothes for him. They returned to the village by tricycle, with Yan Ruanning quietly watching Cheng Che as the countryside passed by.

• Xiao Zhou met Yan Ruanning and Cheng Che at the village entrance, and the crew disguised themselves before taking them into town.
• Yan Ruanning bargained for tomatoes and selected vegetables while Cheng Che carried the groceries; people at the market began recognizing and watching them.
• A young woman approached Cheng Che for a photo but lost her nerve after meeting his eyes, and Yan Ruanning led him out of the market.
• Yan Ruanning took Cheng Che to a clothing shop, rejected two outfits, and bought him a fitted black shirt, cardigan, and cargo pants.
• Yan Ruanning and Cheng Che rode back to the village on a tricycle, and she recited a poem in her thoughts while watching him.