Original subtitles

♪There is a secret♪

♪Deep inside my heart♪

♪Hidden as naturally as I breathe♪

♪When I am lost, it lights up my path♪

♪It tells me that I am my own torch-bearer♪

♪It teaches me that sweats♪

♪Can replace my tears♪

♪The flame is burning, waiting for me to wake up♪

♪Don't give up, despite the darkness ahead♪

♪Raising my arms proudly♪

♪The torch in my hand, my courage is bursting♪

♪The fire will not die, regardless of the storm♪

♪Don't forget to seek the light and spark♪

♪Within yourself♪

[Ray of Light] [Adapted from Zhao Xiaying's original story]

[Episode 6]

I often wonder,

in those brightly-lit apartments,

how many feel lonely?

How many eat alone?

How many watch the TV alone?

And how many spend the day alone?

Indeed.

But I quite like

the solitude.

It's much better than yelling and shouting.

You're talking about being alone.

But I'm talking about being lonely.

So you know the difference.

I thought you dropped out of school.

What was in your mind when you ventured

into the ocean that day?

You felt lonely?

The current situation

is way more frightening than that.

At the moment, I feel like

I'm drifting in this society.

I don't know when I'll get to the shore

or if I'll ever find a shore.

Just swim.

Eventually,

you'll find the shore.

Besides, NCEE

is shallow water.

What about you, then?

You made a sand airplane

and it was destroyed by the wave.

Isn't it futile?

If you assume

that it never existed,

you will feel better.

The rain has stopped.

I'm going back.

You should, too.

Your mom must be very lonely now.

She'll be even lonelier when I'm there.

See you.

[Appear Offline]

(The colonel is sexist.)

[High School Chat Group]

(I agree.)

(I'll be so tanned after military service.)

(Tanned?)

(I'll be burnt.)

(I want to go home.)

(School life doesn't look that bad anymore.)

(What have you been doing?)

(You won't pick up)

[Zoey] (your phone or video call.)

(Jetlagged?)

(Talk to me, please.)

(You can't carry your phone with you in military service?)

(Answer me)

(or we won't be friends anymore.)

(Even though you're offline,)

(I still want to share something with you.)

(I met a cute guy)

(during freshers' night.)

(He's so handsome, like a gentleman.)

(Even cuter than the guy we met)

(during our graduation trip.)

(I failed to get into the med school.)

(I'm glad to hear that.)

(Please take good care of yourself)

(now that you're all in your lonesome.)

(Keep yourself warm during winter.)

(Let's hang out)

(when you come back.)

[Teacher's Dormitory]

[Study Hard For A Stellar NCEE Result]

Zhen.

Mom.

It took me a while to locate your classroom.

It's my first time in Qingyun.

I don't know anyone here.

So?

How do I look?

You're not embarrassed by it, are you?

It's a parents' meeting.

Don't worry too much about it.

I have to.

Mom, in this mock exam, I...

Zhen.

Look.

I know that man.

He's a doctor at Hong'an City Hospital.

He always comes to my dumplings restaurant.

Is that his son next to him?

Is he your classmate?

Yes.

Hi!

I always see you in my restaurant.

I didn't expect to see you here, too.

Is this your son?

He studies here as well?

Yes, he's my son, Gao Yuan.

Hi, madam.

Hi.

Gao Yuan, is it?

This is my daughter, Ren Zhen.

Hi, Dr. Gao.

Hi.

Ren Zhen.

Should we head in first?

Let's go inside, Dr. Gao.

Okay.

Morning.

Mr. Hao.

Let's hurry up.

We're already late.

-Watch the steps! -We're late.

-Hi, careful now. -Mr. Hao.

I'm Hao Nan,

Xiaoxiao's homeroom teacher.

Hi, Mr. Hao.

Hi.

I hope Xiaoxiao didn't give you any trouble

at school.

Not at all.

She's a good student.

She helps me a lot.

I always behave.

Come here, please.

Okay.

I told you that we have time.

Careful.

It's my first time meeting the teacher.

I have to be punctual.

It's okay.

Don't worry.

Here, please.

Here.

My kid hasn't reached the 200 mark.

Dear parents,

My kid is...

please be seated.

Come.

[Welcome, Parents!] Take my seat, Grandma.

Take a seat.

Go.

You are...

I'm in the cardiac surgery department.

I mean I'm Gao Yuan's father.

Hi.

Gao Yuan's seat is over there.

Hi, everyone.

Allow me to introduce myself.

I am the homeroom teacher of Class 14,

Hao Nan.

We are having this meeting

because this is a pivotal year

for the students in this classroom.

We

are heading

into a crucial revision period.

It will be long

and arduous.

Therefore, I hope that I can work

with the parents so that we can all

make it through this period together.

Mr. Hao.

If I may ask something...

I believe all of us have this question.

Why a change of staff at this moment

without any prior notice?

Well...

Also,

Mr. Wang led this class

for two years.

But he's gone this year.

This class doesn't have the brightest students

and with this sudden change...

I understand that.

Mr. Wang

is...

Mr. Hao.

Can you explain to me

how my daughter,

who scored 530 in NCEE,

managed to get

371 in this exam?

It doesn't make sense.

See?

The performance has deteriorated.

I will answer all your queries one by one.

First of all,

Mr. Wang

cannot continue teaching

due to personal reasons.

As for their academic performance,

I am not familiar with the students' strengths and weaknesses

because I'm new here.

I need time to assess them.

But no need to panic.

I can reassure you

that I will dedicate my time

to my students.

I will...

Wow.

What an inspiring speech.

Tell us, then.

How will you dedicate your time

to your students?

This is a parents' meeting.

What are you doing here?

May I have your attention, please?

I'd like to ask you this.

Will a gangster,

a criminal who has had run-ins with the police,

be a good teacher?

Show it to me.

Isn't that Mr. Hao?

That's Mr. Hao.

That's right.

It's him.

The school allows him to teach?

He used to look like that?

He shouldn't teach at all.

What's happening?

No wonder their performance

dropped.

Mr. Hao.

Can you explain this to us?

That's right.

He shouldn't be here at all.

My kid got a 70 on his math exam.

That's a fail.

And mine couldn't even score 400 in total.

Wasn't he chosen as the model teacher last semester?

I used to envy that class

but now I know I dodged a bullet.

You are not a good teacher.

We can't believe

a teenager's claim blindly.

Let's give Mr. Hao a chance to explain.

What is this, Mr. Hao?

I think he's a thug.

So our homeroom teacher is a thug.

I knew something is wrong with him from the beginning.

He isn't a thug.

Say something.

Dear parents...

You owe us an explanation.

You see...

Hi, everyone.

I'm the principal here.

I'm here.

Hi.

I'm the principal, Wang Zhiguo.

Thank you for attending this meeting.

Mr. Wang.

Why would you hire a thug to be a teacher?

This is the most important year for the students.

How can you do this?

That's right.

This class is for bad students.

Can he improve their result?

If not, how is my kid going to apply to a university?

I understand your concerns.

This is bad.

But please have faith

in the school.

We went through hundreds of applications

and decided to hire Mr. Hao Nan.

He graduated from Nanhua Normal University

and has proven to be very competent.

In fact,

he has successfully led several batches of students

to graduation in his previous workplace.

His students had good grades and a good passing rate.

So please do not worry about his capability.

Do not worry?

How can we not worry?

Look at this, Mr. Wang.

Look at this photo.

None of us here knows

what he has done before.

That's right.

I cannot entrust my child

to someone like him.

On behalf

of Qingyun High School,

I can give you my word

that we

observe

the Teachers Law of the People's Republic of China.

We do not hire criminals

as our teachers.

We will get to the bottom of this.

Mr. Wang.

Your empty promise here means nothing.

Their score matters.

This is the worst-performing class.

Perhaps

we can give the new teacher more time?

We can give him more time.

But who can give my child more time?

Right?

Yes.

My child's time is just as important.

We will investigate

Mr. Hao's background

and give you a satisfactory response.

Before that, please...

We should

bring this to court.

Right!

And I'm serious.

It'll be too late to get a new teacher by then.

Just fire Mr. Hao already.

Does anyone agree with me?

Yes!

Yes!

Fire him already.

It's Grade 12, for God's sake!

Top three.

What?

What top three?

In the upcoming mid-term exam,

Class 14's overall performance

will reach the top three.

We are in the last place.

Don't be delusional, Mr. Wang.

Top three?

You think it's as simple as that?

And if this class fails to achieve that?

If this class fails to achieve the goal,

I'll be the homeroom teacher.

The principal will be the homeroom teacher?

Top three? That's impossible.

What a joke.

Impossible.

I knew you would come here

after the parents' meeting.

So?

Want some pills?

Do you have some?

No.

Before I could deal with the students,

their parents came yelling at me.

Look.

I can't

catch a break at all.

Coming to Qingyun is a bad decision.

Top three? Does he know how hard it is?

Even if I give them extra lessons

24/7,

they still won't

reach top three

in two months.

No, no.

Forget about extra lessons.

Some parents said that extra lessons

were too late and raised safety concerns.

Therefore, extra tuition is banned in Qingyun.

That's even worse.

I should

go back and run another billiard hall.

In this situation,

you should just take it easy

and do your best.

It's already a great achievement

if you can improve their ranking by one.

How easygoing of you.

You lured me to come here.

And then, Mr. Wang handed me an impossible task.

Did I ever cross any of you?

Can I back out now?

No.

Mr. Wang took the blame for you.

Can't you see?

So you're saying I'm ungrateful?

You manipulative demon.

I'll get you some medicine.

Where are you going, demon?

[Principal's Office]

Mr. Wang.

Are you all right?

Here.

You should...

[Principal Wang Zhiguo]

You should take the pill.

No need.

Well,

you gave them a promise

but can Mr. Hao deliver it?

What was I supposed to do?

I just wanted to help Mr. Hao

and in the heat of the moment,

I made a promise.

I know Mr. Hao is a good teacher

but to bring them to the top three...

It's

okay.

We'll come up

with a solution.

Grade 12.

The syllabus of Grade 12?

I'll bring it to you.

Don't worry.

I'm on it.

(You did not attend the mock exam.)

(Your homeroom teacher talked to me.)

I told him

that you won't do it again.

Now that you're back in school,

get into the right mentality.

The three of us

will still have to live,

to survive.

All right, Dad.

You're a big boy now. I trust you.

I have to work overtime tonight.

After the meal, go home.

Your mother's insomnia is getting worse.

She can only sleep a bit in the morning

for a week now.

Before she gets herself together,

I want you to be more patient with her.

And when you're home,

try not to bother her.

[Ruyi Dumplings]

Eat.

Mom.

The result is out for a long time already.

I just didn't know how to bring it up.

It's okay.

It's the new semester.

You need time to settle in.

And this mock exam

doesn't mean anything.

Mom.

Are you disappointed in me?

Zhen.

You're looking way too much into it.

Are you under a lot of pressure lately?

I know this isn't your usual performance.

Mom,

every time I think about NCEE,

I lose focus

and can't answer properly.

The question becomes blurry.

See?

See?

Your mind is playing tricks on you.

I have never sat for NCEE

but I believe

that exam

is all about mental fortitude.

I know you are smart enough.

So don't

give yourself

too much pressure.

We are redoing the Grade 12

but we have to approach it the normal way.

Study like you normally would,

okay?

Zhen.

If

something is bothering you

you tell me.

Don't keep it bottled up.

Okay?

I knew it.

I could tell you are under the weather.

All right now.

I'll fetch you a bowl of dumplings.

You want some dumplings?

[Ruyi Dumplings]

[Third Brother's Hawker Stall]

Nan.

I didn't know that kid

would take a picture of you.

I was surprised.

And two,

you forbid me from doing him in.

What can I do?

Don't ask me to get down

because I won't.

You have to accept my apology today.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

He is a jinx, isn't he?

Even the Grim Reaper would avoid you.

Bringing the worst-performing class

to the top three?

Building a rocket in your backyard is easier.

Don't be a teacher.

Be a rocket scientist.

The principal made a promise?

Oh, no.

You're gone.

Mom?

Nan.

How have you been?

How's your work?

Couldn't be better.

I'm busy now.

Can we talk later?

By the way,

someone came back from Hong'an

with a beautiful scarf.

When I'm there, I'll buy some.

And I'll wear it when I visit you.

No need.

We'll take a photo together.

No need to visit me.

It's inconvenient for you

and I'm really busy now.

I have booked the train ticket.

I am overwhelmed right now.

I'll

Don't come now.

send the detail to you later.

Mom?

Hello?

Morning.

Morning.

You look kind of down.

No, I don't.

To advance the worst class to the top three, that's tough.

After all, it takes time

to polish a gem.

Yes, but it's not impossible.

My students are good ores.

Ms. Li,

something happened.

What?

I don't know how to explain it.

Please come with me.

What's the matter?

Hurry up.

What's going on?

Let's gamble again.

Let's bet on

whether Hao Nan can stay in Qingyun or not.

You first.

I wager

my life that he can't stay.

Wait, Wang Fang.

This is unfair, Wang Fang.

We don't

get to decide if Hao Nan is leaving or not.

No, he's leaving, for sure.

You're bluffing.

I actually agree with you.

In a way, we decide his fate.

If we want him to leave,

we just have to hand in a blank sheet.

Right?

But for a gamble to work...

Your phone.

Don't let it...

Move aside.

Move!

Why is Li Yaling panic?

Excuse me.

Move.

Move aside.

How can this be?

Ms. Li.

I arrived first

and this is the first thing I saw when I opened the door.

Check

if your valuables are missing.

We have done that.

Nothing is missing

except for the English revision test

you prepared for us.

I was going to distribute it tomorrow

but it went missing before I could make copies of it.

Where did you last place it?

In the cupboard.

People fight too in smart classes?

Oh, goodness.

Someone pried it open.

When did it happen?

We found it this morning.

Class monitor.

Class 1 lost something.

What happened?

What happened?

I'll check myself.

Do you want to check it out?

I'm tagging along.

Let's go.

Who did this?

My papers and books are all wet.

What happened?

When I was leaving yesterday,

all of you were still there.

Can you guys check?

Check what?

Ms. Li put together an exam hack for us

but it went missing before we could photocopy it.

Several cupboards were pried open.

Did your class do it?

What?

That is a huge accusation.

You just said that you were the last one

to leave.

Maybe you took it yourself.

Why would I do that? It was going to be mine anyway.

Other classes are just as smart.

They don't need the exam hack.

Wait, didn't you just say their class

was the last one to leave?

Yes.

You're the thief, then.

You vowed to get into the top three yesterday

so you stole our study materials.

Wow.

An exam hack by Ms. Li, you said?

I wouldn't even use it to wipe my arse.

Bad scores mean you need to study harder.

But stealing means you are rotten to the core.

Say that again!

Being smart isn't everything.

It is here.

Class 14 is the worst class.

It's for the losers.

Say that again.

Who are you calling losers?

Who are you calling losers?

Who are you calling losers?

Move!

What is going on?

Let's go.

Move!

What are you doing?

Say that again.

Silence!

Enough!

Go back to your classroom.

Try harder next time.

You, go back, too.

Go back.

Your bag.

Who are you calling losers?

Stop shouting already.

Go back.

They insulted us first.

Okay. Okay. Just go back.

Back to your seat.

What on earth?

Geez.

I'm so mad.

Ms. Li.

What happened just now?

Listen now.

Never was there

a theft in Qingyun.

I will identify the thief.

This is unbelievable.

Let's calm down first.

I heard some study materials were stolen.

The key question is,

why is the material only available to your class

but not mine?

I need to get ready for my lesson.

Don't worry. I will get to the bottom of it.

Everything

should be fair and square, right?

Yes, equality.

Equality.

We're equals.

Equals indeed.

I'm all for equality.

Me too.

Fair and square, okay?

Definitely. We agree to this.

I'm going to the toilet. Are you following me?

I'm going to the toilet, too.

[Ladies, Gents]

What happened?

Something from Class 1 went missing

and they accused us of stealing it.

They went too far this time.

How could they accuse us falsely?

When did you buy it?

Don't touch my book.

Can you show me the answer to this question?

Ren Zhen?

I'm on the third step...

[English Revision Tips and Tricks] Isn't this what Class 1 was looking for?

Li?

It's the exam hack by Ms. Li?

Why do you have it?

I'm talking to you.

What was that for?

Why do you have Ms. Li's exam hack?

How would I know?

It's not mine.

Not yours?

It's on your table.

You took it out

from your drawer.

Are you

the thief?

You shouldn't have stolen from others.

I told you it's not mine!

Don't shove me!

Liu Qiangqiang, don't hit her.

You're mad?

I would hit her already if she wasn't a girl.

Guys! The exam hack by Ms. Li

is on Ren Zhen's desk.

It's not mine.

Now, we look guilty as ever.

She already said

that it isn't hers.

Wang Fang, say something.

Not yours?

Prove it, then.

Can you?

Yeah, prove it.

We can investigate it.

She said that it isn't hers.

We can't help you if you remain silent.

Go back to your seat already.

Say something!

You're not going to say anything?

Speak!

Shut up!

She stormed off.

Ren Zhen.

Ren Zhen.

She stormed off.

Ren Zhen.

Don't go.

Stop it already.

Ren Zhen, come back.

Ren Zhen.

Ren Zhen.

Calm down, Ren Zhen.

What's going on?

Back to your seat.

What happened?

They said...

Just leave me alone.

Where are you going?

You scared me.

Speak.

They claimed that Ren Zhen

stole Ms. Li's study material.

Did you?

It's none of your business.

I'm your homeroom teacher.

It's my business.

You are my business.

Go back.

You're not going anywhere!

You are unreasonable.

Yes, I am.

I'm telling you now.

If you leave now,

people will think you are guilty.

If you did nothing wrong, you go back.

She's back.

She's back.

What's going on?

Say something.

What's going on?

Guys.

Settle down.

Quiet,

please.

I want the full picture.

Who accused Ren Zhen of stealing?

Good.

You own up.

How manly of you.

Tell me.

What makes you think that she stole it?

She took it out from her drawer.

Isn't it obvious?

If I put my wallet in your drawer,

does it mean you stole my wallet?

Enough.

Are we having this period or not?

We paid for the tuition.

You know how important this year it is

to you

and I will not repeat it.

For me, Grade 12

is war.

And you are comrades.

We have to fight together

if you want to win.

Don't get sidetracked

by these petty things.

Before the truth is revealed,

don't speculate wildly.

Understood?

Understood.

Thanks.

Ten minutes until your morning revision is over.

You will do some stretching with me.

It will stimulate your body to release dopamine

so that you can focus better in your next period.

Come.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.

Two, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.

Where is my wallet?

You lost your wallet?

Whose wallet is missing?

Whose?

Look for it.

Like how you looked for the exam hack just now.

I found it.

It's not over yet.

It's late now. Why are you here?

[Ruyi Dumplings] Because of your stupid husband.

To inherit the property,

he brought his father to court.

And me too,

his brother!

His dear brother!

We raised him for nothing.

He doesn't view me as his brother at all.

And do you know?

My dad has chest pain

because of this the entire morning.

Ren Dawei.

What are you doing here?

He's now in the hospital.

If something happens to him,

I'll come to you.

All of you.

You hear me?

Have you been

drinking again?

Listen here.

My dad is my dad. My mom is my mom.

Settle the beef with him, not with my mom.

Your dad wants the money to send you to the university.

Aren't you applying?

Are you accepted?

No?

Serve you right.

Stop it, Ren Dawei.

Don't throw a drunken fit here.

We can talk inside.

I don't want to deal with you.

Listen here.

Ren Yongqing destroyed

the entire family.

And I will destroy your business.

What are you doing?

Stop!

Take out your fury somewhere.

Leave!

Leave!

Go away.

Zhen.

She's your niece!

Zhen.

Leave now!

What are you doing?

Are you out of your mind?

Are you hurt?

Who are you?

Let me see.

Leave!

Who are you?

Leave now!

Ren Dawei!

Let go!

Leave!

Mom.

Move aside!

Mom!

Mrs. Ren!

Get up.

This isn't over!

Mrs. Ren.

My arm!

Ren Dawei!

Look at this mess.

Careful.

Ren Zhen!

Don't stop me!

Ren Zhen!

Stop!

Don't stop me!

Have you lost your mind?

Don't hold me back!

Stop it!

Go away!

Stop! Go back!

No, he has to pay for it.

Go back.

He has to pay for it.

Don't stop me.

Snap back!

Let go!

You saw what he did back then.

My mom makes dumplings

to feed me.

So I have to make him pay.

Just go back.

You cannot handle this

alone.

My dad is useless.

My mom is doing her best to keep everything together.

And god knows how long she can last.

I wanted to get into the Medical University

and work as a doctor

next to my mom's

restaurant.

But I failed.

Ren Zhen.

It's all my fault.

I'm useless.

Ren Zhen.

You're not useless.

You're not.

You underperformed in one exam.

But you have another chance.

When there's a will,

there's a way.

Hard work

doesn't pay off all the time.

But you still have to try.

You need to help yourself get up.

You need to support your family.

[Ruyi Dumplings]

Do you know what I do

when I'm upset?

♪The crowd is the wind, and I, the dandelion♪

♪As I land, my dream blossoms, leading to a different future♪

♪You mock that my dream is impossible♪

♪No one understands the loneliness of a kite who embraces the rain♪

♪Growing up can be painful♪

♪People say that I'm delusional♪

♪But I forge on in the face of naysayers♪

♪I will not be swayed and walk in someone's shadow♪

♪Don't be scared, just stand out♪

♪Fly against the current to the vision you have in your dream♪

♪Hardship is the catalyst for resolution♪

♪You will witness my resilience♪

♪Don't be scared, just stand out♪

♪The pain will subside, you will shrug it off♪

♪In this ideal world, my courage is the centerpiece♪

♪Look, the rainbow after the rain♪

♪Shine a ray of light♪