Zhuang Da Fei: Li Jin Bu
Zhou Yan Chen: Duan Xiao
Chen Hao Yu: Li Qing Tong
Director
Scriptwriter:
我才不要和你做朋友呢
Network: MangoTV
Mini Recaps
[Ep1] Li Qing Tong is a single mom. Her daughter, Li Jin Bu, has a parent teacher meeting. She never told her mom but Li Qing Tong still appears with swag. She's dressed up and lies about her university background to impress her daughter's classmates. Through many issues, Li Jin Bu, has come to hate her life and her mom. After an unpleasant argument where she lists out all her mom's faults, she finds herself in the year 1999 December 25. Li Jin Bu has transported back to the time and place where her mother was seventeen.
Li Jin Bu is now in a men's sauna. She walks into a naked Duan Xiao who's showering. Utterly confused, she finds herself without her own clothes in a world that's completely unfamiliar to her. She's walking down the street and the ringing from a telephone booth catches her attention. She picks up the phone and a man tells her to take a bike to a specific store and the boss will know what to do. With no other feasible option, she complies. There she meets Duan Xiao again. Seeing the bike, he accuses her of thievery because the bike has been missing. His mom comes in and exclaims in joy to see her bike. Her husband had bought her that. Mom isn't suspicious of her and lets her stay the night. Duan Xiao gives her his clothes. And that was the best decision he could ever make. When he sees her walking down the stairs wearing his clothes, he's in love. Later, when she's cold, he would automatically warm up his hands to place them on her face.
From Duan Xiao, Li Jin Bu learns that her mom is his classmate. She catches her at the bus stop but Li Qing Tong finds herself in an awkward situation. Her head is caught between the bus doors. I guess Li Qing Tong was a klutz since forever.
[Ep2] Li Jin Bu catches her mom after she embarrassingly gets off the bus. She's seventeen just like her. When Li Qing Tong asks her who she is and why she knows her so much, Li Jin Bu lies that she's her childhood friend (Da Hua). LQT believes her and takes her home. There's a scene where she's from Dong Bei but never ate the traditional food there. It's these small things that give off a home feeling to this drama. LQT even lets her stay for an indefinite amount of time because they were "childhood friends". LJB "lies" that her parents divorced and she doesn't want to return home. She also says she's changed her name to Li Jin Bu.
Duan Xiao pays a visit to Li Qing Tong when he never does. He stays for the whole night watching TV with her until there's no more shows airing, ha. By chance, Li Jin Bu comes downstairs and our cute Duan Xiao brightly says, "Oh I forgot you were here too." I was just drinking my water and choked on this. This guy is so eager to see her. When they're alone, he sincerely apologizes to her for calling her names (pervert, thief, etc). They shake hands to be friends. He's shy at even touching her hand, heh.
Li Qing Tong invites Li Jin Bu to celebrate New Years Eee with her friends that includes Wang Xiao Min, Fan Shui Shui, and Duan Xiao. Wang Xiao Min and Li Qing Tong are the bickering type of friends. She always calls herself older than him when there's only a week difference in their birthdays. They crowd around a stall that's selling dessert and the man who's selling them gives them each a pouch. He tells them the pouch will only be lucky if they open it alone past midnight. Li Jin Bu secretly opens hers and inside there's a note: "Think well, Li Jing Bu, What can you do?"
Next day, Li Jin Bu helps her mom bring something she forgot at school. There she meets Chen Jun He. She thinks he's her father. He's bullying someone and that only confirms he's a jerk. On impulse, she stomps him on the face.
[Ep3] Li Jin Bu runs away from the scene with the help of Li Qing Tong and Fan Shui Shui. When they're safe, LJB warns her mom to never befriend Chen Jun He. Li Qing Tong is taken back, she was never friends with him to begin with. LQT vows to protect LJB from the big bad bully. Does Li Jin Bu not understand if they never meet, her existence might be in danger if he is her father? Li Jin Bu has nothing to do other than wait for Li Qing Tong after school. She wants to be enrolled in school but she doesn't have an identity or school transfer forms. Wang Xiao Min had somehow found a fake one for her but it looks way too fake.
It's as if the time-travel god heard her, Li Jin Bu gets an enrollment form to attend the same school as her mom. She's seated with Wu Zhi Xun, her mom's crush and also the school's top student. Duan Xiao immediately recovers from his fever the next day after hearing LJB is in their class. He pretends to conveniently pick them up. Li Qing Tong is befuddled, she's never seen him walk on her street before let alone pick her up. There's another visitor for Li Jin Bu, it's Chen Jun He. He's found the girl who stepped on his face. His potential daughter. Duan Xiao steps in front of Li Jin Bu, the big bad bully, to protect her against him. (:
[Ep4] Time and time again, Duan Xiao is protecting her. However, the bully gets his way. He writes "Ugly" all over Li Qing Tong's backpack. He gets Li Jin Bu in trouble and now she has to apologize to him or else suffer school punishment. No matter what, LJB will not apologize to him. Li Qing Tong wants to protect Li Jin Bu so she confronts Chen Jun He. After class, she gathers her courage and asks for his shoe. She uses it to slap her face, hard.
[Ep5] There's always beginning segments between the original Mom and the young LJB. This one makes me understand why Li Jin Bu is so reclusive. She's always moving and transferring. There's no way she can make long lasting friends. Li Qing Tong is still slapping her own face. With each slap she apologizes for Li Jin Bu and takes on all the responsibility. He's surprised and stares at her in silence. She doesn't stop so he grabs her wrist to stop her. Ah, so her daughter is the one who connected these two. It was brave of Li Qing Tong but we see her weak side as she cries alone in the bathroom cleaning her face. Aw. A mom at such a young age. The next day, Chen Jun He passes by her quickly to drop off a new backpack for her. Aw. It was kind of cool of him. (By the way, Chen Jun He's uncle is the sauna owner who had helped out Li Jin Bu in the beginning)
Bully problem solved. Now there's mom's academics to improve. Li Qing Tong is practically last in class. Li Jin Bu knows her mother didn't make it to university so she's forcing her mom to study. A daughter making her mom study, lol. Fan Shui Shui advises her the best way to make mom study is to get Wu Zhi Xun to be her tutor. Unfortunately, Wu Zhi Xun barely gives a glancing eye to Li Jin Bu to even hear her out on her request.
[Ep6] It's the holidays and the group of friends are tobogganing. Fan Shui Shui crashes into Chen Jun He's snowman and the two groups embroil in another fight. However, Chen Jun He doesn't want to. He likes Li Qing Tong. He backs off for her and our group of friends continue to play in the snow. During a snowball fight, Duan Xiao protects Li Jin Bu by hugging her. This time it's Li Jin Bu who feels the butterflies. Zhuang Da Fei always gets amazing male characters who's sole purpose is to protect her character. I'm so envious of her every time.
There's another issue blocking Li Qing Tong from attending university other than her troubling academics. Her father loses his job but the girls don't know yet. Li Jin Bu continues to sway Wu Zhi Xun to tutor her mom. She promises him that she will improve his basketball skills within a month to win the competition. He accepts the deal. I still don't know who dad is but they better not make dad and daughter have chemistry...
[Ep7] Li Jin Bu hurts her leg from training Wu Zhi Xun. A super worried Duan Xiao literally drags Li Qing Tong to her house to visit Li Jin Bu. He makes her a sled and engraves a flower (because her nickname was Da "Hua" when she initially lied to mom). He tells her he'll take her to school school as long as her leg is injured. So cute of him. When she told him it would be embarrassing, he sulks and drags it away saying he'll make something prettier. Aw. She smiles and calls him back that it's pretty cute. It brightens up his day immediately. Mom has her love interest this episode too. Wu Zhi Xun treats her to dinner to thank her for helping him train.
Wu Zhi Xun wins Duan Xiao at basketball. Her end of the deal is done and WZX promises to deliver on his end too: to study with Li Qing Tong. This big feat was successful only because Duan Xiao played his part at losing. As a result, he's dethroned from his basketball god status. Li Jin Bu comforts him that he's still her basketball god. He smiles and tells her, "Then from now on I'll just be your god." Awww.
At night, Li Qing Tong shares with Li Jing Bu she's worried about studying with Wu Zhi Xun, what if he yells at her because she's too dumb? Li Jin Bu's eyes fly open because she won't allow anyone to yell at her mother, only she can yell at her. Aww. Li Jin Bu has fully assumed the role of mom to her mom.
[Ep8] Even if Wu Zhi Xun helps Li Qing Tong study, improving her marks is harder than making a snail fly. He quits being her study partner. All of Li Jin Bu's efforts go down the drain. LJB also has problems of her own. LQT's mom wants to speak to Lin Jin Bu's mom. It's already been a few months since Li Jin Bu has stayed over. With LQT's family's current situation, it's difficult for them to house a guest. With Duan Xiao's help of recruiting a fake mom (Chen Jun He's aunt, the sauna lady) Li Jin Bu can continue to stay without suspicion.
Although Li Qing Tong's brain is useless, her heart wants to improve her marks (and win over Wu Zhi Xun). She coincidentally shows up at the library and sits beside WZX to study. He's noticed she's been on the same page for twenty minutes down to the exact page number she's on. He tells her that he can help her study but there's one condition.
[Ep9] The condition for Wu Zhi Xun to tutor Li Qing Tong is to memorize a certain study book. The book he wrote for her. That is no easy feat for her but she promises she will. While he's helping her study, she helps him be involved in school (other than academics). When no one else can convince Wu Zhi Xun to participate in the school sports competition, Li Qing Tong can.
DX nonchalantly replies: Then keep being with me and you'll get used to it.
The next morning they manage to see DX's father at least. He's in the military and is barely home. The father-son reunion was sweet. Li Jin Bu and Duan Xiao take the train back. He's peeling an apple for her when she questions him if it was even possible to see the polar lights in May. He gulps. She's disappointed she couldn't make a wish on the lights. Duan Xiao has another killer line.
DX replies: I'll be your polar lights then. I'll make your wishes come true.
There's a voice-over from Li Jin Bu which sounds like she's back in the future and reminiscing this time period. She tells us that only after many years she realized there were polar lights that year in May. Also, she envied Duan Xiao who grew up so well despite being raised by a single mom (because his father was always away).
Chen Jun He gives Li Qing Tong chocolate milk to motivate her for her sports competition. I'm torn between the two men. I like how Wu Zhi Xun is softening up and Chen Jun He who's already a softie. Their classes are on opposite teams for the tug of war. Li Qing Tong and Wu Zhi Xun almost win but Chen Jun He's pride can't let that happen. He cheats. The two men (CJH and WZX) embroil in a fight.
[Ep10] Li Qing Tong puts a band-aid on Wu Zhi Xun's injured face but she accidentally puts it on his lips when a jealous Chen Jun He elbows her. Chen Jun He also tries to help her win first place in her race with another cheating method. In the end, the blame is placed on her and she's disqualified. Since she didn't make it into the finals, the deal she made with Wu Zhi Xun to have dinner together is cancelled. Instead he gives her a tape (of a hot celebrity from back then) as a consolation prize. Chen Jun He sees all of this.
The next time Chen Jun He wants to approach her, Li Qing Tong warns him to stay 10 meters away from her. Meanwhile the distance between her and Wu Zhi Xun is shortening. He wants to help her memorize the book he gave her but she refuses because she can do it by herself. Girl doesn't realize he wants to help her. He also shows up to her skewer dinner with all her friends.
[Ep11] Li Jin Bu is missing. Li Qing Tong and Duan Xiao search for her. Li Qing Tong runs herself into trouble and that's when Chen Jun He protects her. After he saves her, he fixes her bike for her and walks her home. She's not grateful for it though. In the fight, Chen Jun He had broke the watch his father gave him but he doesn't tell Li Qing Tong this.
Duan Xiao is dripping with sweat when he finally finds Li Jin Bu. She's casually enjoying dinner with Wang Xiao Min. He's so worried for her it comes across as anger. She knows his feelings for her but she's hesitant on accepting him. Li Jin Bu doesn't belong in this time and technically, he's seventeen years older than her.
The next day, they're sending off a friend. Li Qing Tong cries and warns Li Jin Bu she better not leave. The truth dawns on Duan Xiao that Li Jin Bu has to leave one day. He's once again so worried that it turns to anger. It's so cute, especially when Li Jin Bu tells him he's raising his voice at her again.
The group of friends have been scammed by a flight attendant school. Li Qing Tong has no time to show up at the library to study but Wu Zhi Xun is waiting for her. They never set a specified time to meet but they usually meet. Now that she's not there, he feels empty. When he's walking home in the rain, that's when Li Qing Tong appears out of nowhere. She tells him she's studied all his notes and starts memorizing it out loud for him right there in the rain.
[Ep12] Chen Jun He helps the group of friends hurdle over the parent-teacher interview by hiring fake parents. Everything falls through though. Li Jin Bu threatens Chen Jun He that she will seek out his uncle to tattle on him. Chen Jun He also has a weakness of hers. He knows that she hired his aunt to be her fake mom. The two fight over this and accidentally injures Li Qing Tong. Chen Jun He quickly carries her on his back to the hospital. Wu Zhi Xun watches from afar. After quite a bit of wailing from Li Qing Tong and her mom, it turns out to be just a case of appendicitis. Chen Jun He feels responsible so he gives money to Li Jin Bu for the hospital fees (which is a great relief to LQT's parents because they're tight on money...)
Chen Jun He is upset he injured his crush but so is Duan Xiao. DX learns belatedly that what started the fight was Chen Jun He pushing Li Jin Bu. Duan Xiao ain't going to have it and runs to punch Chen Jun He in the face.
[Ep13] Beginning segment: Li Jin Bu made lunch to share with Duan Xiao and he wants both because he can't choose between either. She doesn't understand why. It's because both are made by her. When she walks off telling her to eat both of them and leave her none that's when he says he won't eat them. Cuties.
After their fight, Duan Xiao and Chen Jun He sat down and had a man to man talk. Chen Jun He asserts that he would never hit a girl. They also talk about their parents and Duan Xiao sympathizes with him because CJH's father died. Additionally, both their fathers is/was in the army. When the boys arrive at school with bruised eyes, the teacher calls them to his office. They lie that they fell. The teacher calls bull and demands them to fall like that once more in front of him to prove it, lol.
The girls learn that LQT's father lost his job and their family is short on money. With money being such a headache, Lin Qing Tong thought her parents forgot her birthday. Dad's such a sweetie though and had prepared a small event for her. It was small but brimming with sincerity.
Chen Jun He sincerely apologizes to Li Qing Tong for her hospitalization (when technically it's not his fault). Li Jin Bu's opinion of him slowly changes. However, it's Li Qing Tong who doesn't have time to see his worth. She just wants to focus on her academics now that her family is struggling. Hearing that, Chen Jun He moves his desk away from hers. He's doing what he can to help her academics and if moving away from her is what she needs he'll do it. That doesn't mean he's out of her sight completely because he'd buy her milk and leave it at her desk.
While studying with Wu Zhi Xun, Li Qing Tong makes a tiny request if they can be like friends and chit chat for a bit. She doesn't ask for much, just five minutes of socializing without any studying. He's pensive but agrees. Li Qing Tong smiles and is about to tell him something but he cuts her off because five minutes have already passed.
[Ep14] During the five minute of socializing, Li Qing Tong finally convinces Wu Zhi Xun to initiate the conversation for once. What he tells her is that he's accepting the impossible task of tutoring the three extra baggage plus Li Jin Bu. Initially, he was doing this all for her but he's slowing finding joy in hanging out with her friends. That is until Wu Zhi Xun's father pops out of nowhere during their study session. He reprimands Li Qing Tong for negatively affecting his studies. From that day forward, Wu Zhi Xun hasn't shown up at school.
Duan Xiao and Chen Jun He are buddies now. Chen Jun He lent him a guitar (for Li Jin Bu to play) and Duan Xiao returns the favour by repairing his watch.
[Ep15] The group of friends go on a trip for the summer. Duan Xiao invites his new buddy, Chen Jun He. They're on a train. When a luggage almost drops on Li Qing Tong, Chen Jun He's reflexes have never been faster. He prevents the bag from falling and Duan Xiao gives him a thumbs up.
They're spending a few days in the countryside. At night, they're all drunk and Duan Xiao declares he wants to be the first to marry and reserves all his friends to be his groomsmen. He then shouts at the top of his lungs that he wants to date Da Hua (Lin Jin Bu). The next morning everyone teases him on his drunk confession.
The group splits up into pairs to hunt for food. Wang Xiao Min with Fan Shui Shui, Chen Jun He with Li Qing Tong and Duan Xiao with Li Jin Bu. Chen Jun He and Li Qing Tong are returning to their residence but a snake blocks their path. Li Qing Tong runs away. To protect her, Chen Jun He braves it out and stops the snake. He gets bitten. She cries and wants to suck out the poison for him but he stops her. He's actually okay but he likes making her worried for him.
Everyone gets a university acceptance letter, even Li Qing Tong. Surprisingly, Wu Zhi Xun didn't get accepted because he didn't take the exams. Aw, and everyone went to play without him. Li Qing Tong had visited him multiple times but he hasn't opened the door for her.
Li Jin Bu is visiting Duan Xiao before he's leaving for university. He's not worried about leaving because they're going to be in the same city; they can still see each other everyday. She gives him a handmade bracelet and puts it on for him. He tells her he meant what he said last time when he was drunk: "I like you."
[Ep16] He tells her that it's just a matter of time before they're together. He continues to assert that they have to be together. She's shy and asks him what if she has to leave.
DX: Then I'll find you. No matter where I'll still be able to find you.Li Qing Tong and Li Jin Bu are off to the same university. Where is Li Jin Bu getting money to attend university? They're not in the same dorm but Li Jin Bu makes up an excuse that Li Qing Tong is mentally sick and needs to be together with her. The dean doesn't believe it but he finds them amusing and permits them to be in the same dorm. After that's done, Li Qing Tong grudgingly whispers to Li Jin Bu that she's the one who's sick, and adds that her whole family is sick. Snickers. That still means Li Qing Tong is sick. At night, Duan Xiao had paid a visit to the girls dorm but the lady won't let him in.
Li Jin Bu receives a mysterious message from the cafeteria man warning her that she doesn't belong here. It’s the time travel guy’s voice. With that, she starts giving a cold shoulder to Duan Xiao. Duan Xiao who's not getting much luck in love is giving advice to an even unluckier Chen Jun He. He's in the same university as Li Qing Tong who's still refusing his every advances. Li Qing Tong doesn't understand he's in love with her.
[Ep17] Li Jin Bu tells Duan Xiao that she has to leave and doesn't want to start anything with him. Duan Xiao doesn't accept her explanation and even if she has to leave, that's in the future. He cares about the time with her now. She can't deny him of that, can she? She denies him of that. While she's still ignoring him, he misunderstands that it's because of another man (Fang Jin Han). He's the dean who allowed Li Jin Bu and Li Qing Tong share a dorm. Duan Xiao becomes insanely jealous.
DX picks up his courage: I, Duan Xiao, like Li Jin Bu. I, Duan Xiao, am destined to only be nice to Li Jin Bu. I, Duan Xiao, want to be Li Jin Bu's boyfriend. No one else can. I used to listen to whatever you say but today I'm going to be overbearing for once. I forbid you to spend an entire day with him (Fang Jin Han). Even if you need help then it should be me by your side. Not him. If I still see you and him together, I will...I will fracture his legs.
The entire time Li Jin Bu had her face in her scarf as she shies away from his assertive confession but when she hears him being physical, she hits him. Our Duan Xiao is back to being a softie and whines about being hit. xD. However, when he sees Fang Jin Han give Li Jin Bu a bouquet (that she had refused but he didn't see that), he blows another fuse and walks off.
Chen Jun He is also doing his best this episode. He gives a juice box to Li Qing Tong during class. However, he accidentally squirts it all over her. The next day he shows up with another juice box. This time he carefully puts it on her table. He joins her club and they're acting out drama roles. He got too immersed into his and practically confesses to her. With that, she slowly accepts him and gives him a chance to hang out with her. Chen Jun He plans to strike the iron while it's hot and confess.
[Ep18] Chen Jun He asks Li Jin Bu for help. He wants her to ask Li Qing Tong out so he can confess to her. He promises Li Jin Bu that if Li Qing Tong ever becomes his wife, he vows that he'll only ever have one wife his entire life. Wow. With that, Li Jin Bu convinces Li Qing Tong to hear out his confession. However, when it came to D-day, Chen Jun He is called to help his friend who owes a large sum of money to loan sharks. Chen Jun He runs back to the confession place but Li Qing Tong has already left.
One man's peril is another man's opportunity. Wu Zhi Xun appears in Li Qing Tong's life again. His mother called to update her about her son who is repeating the last year of high school in her city. However, he's not performing so well and is skipping school. Mom is asking Li Qing Tong if she can help her son. Li Qing Tong finds Wu Zhi Xun but he ignores her. She follows him all the way home. His room is an utter mess with empty alcohol bottles all over the floor. It takes a while, but Wu Zhi Xun opens up with his story. He purposely skipped out on his exams last year to get back at his parents. Now whenever he's studying he finds it disguising because it reminds him of the stress his father put him through. He can't study anymore. Li Qing Tong doesn't give up on him and is determined to clean up his place (and clean up his life). She still likes him. However, he harshly tells her to leave him alone.
Chen Jun He holds a grudge against Duan Xiao for ditching him and dating. Duan Xiao is like, I can't tell her let's wait until my buddy, Chen Jun He, dates and then we date. I like this friendship. It's potentially a friendship between a son-in-law and a father-in-law xD.
[Ep19] The journal entry was super cute in the beginning highlighting all of Duan Xiao's special moments with Li Jin Bu.
The drunk potential son-in-law and father-in-law show up in front Li Jin Bu, the main person that connects both of them. They make a fool out of themselves. They're swearing to be brothers for life. Drunk Duan Xiao adds Li Jin Bu to this brotherly bond. Li Qing Tong's appearance completes the family.
While Duan Xiao is trying to motivate Chen Jun He to not give up on Li Qing Tong, she's motivating Wu Zhi Xun. She suffers all sorts of criticisms from him. He calls himself useless, a piece of trash and if she wants to follow this piece of trash she can. Li Qing Tong slaps him. She doesn't leave him though and stays in his room. She fell asleep at his place. The next morning she wakes up and finds a cardigan on her. His room is also all cleaned up. The only thing missing is Wu Zhi Xun himself.
Li Jin Bu and Duan Xiao's flirting is unbearable. He asks her for the time. He answers it himself, "It's the start of our happiness." Li Jin Bu happily receives the line. Li Qing Tong is dying from the flirting. That's when Chen Jun He shows up to rescue her (apparently that flirting was all for Chen Jun He to make an appearance, lol). He too asks her what time it is. Li Qing Tong doesn't let him answer and replies, "It's your life's ending point."
Duan Xiao continues to help Chen Jun He and creates a chance for him to be Li Qing Tong's partner in the haunted house. It's an utter failure when he punchs the poor worker's face because he scared Li Qing Tong. Duan Xiao apologizes to the worker on behalf of his idiotic friend. Hahaha. Chen Jun He has just lost another opportunity and possibly his last.
Wu Zhi Xun makes a timely appearance and apologizes to Li Qing Tong. He promises her that he'll focus on studying again as long as she's willing to still be friends with him. Chen Jun He hears of this and his desperation feels very real. That night, he calls her out to confess. He had every intention to profess his love but it's Li Qing Tong who won't let him finish his sentence.
Li Jin Bu is starting to fret now because she's certain that her father is Chen Jun He. She yells at him that he can't just give up, "what about your child!". Haha. Chen Jun He has no intentions of giving up though. During the celebration dinner for Wu Zhi Xun's exam completion, Chen Jun He shows up and declares that he won't give up on Li Qing Tong. However, love isn't something he can just decide on by himself.
[Ep20] Li Qing Tong is trailing after Wu Zhi Xun. He turns around and asks her to patiently listen to what he has to say. He tells her that her slap woke him up. He can accept himself being useless but he can't let her think he's useless. He confesses he loves her but admits that he was afraid to because he doesn't think he's any good for her. Li Qing Tong quickly and loudly accepts his confession. They hug and kiss. Chen Jun He sees all of this. Chen Jun He fans, stay united! I still believe in him! I am happy for Li Qing Tong though.
Li Jin Bu and Li Qing Tong have a fight. It's because Li Jin Bu doesn't approve of Wu Zhi Xu. The major reason for that is her fear of not being born in the future. The minor reason for that is her fear of him not treating Li Qing Tong well. Li Qing Tong and Duan Xiao try to make her approve of Wu Zhi Xun by having a double date. Wu Zhi Xun doesn't understand why he has to impress Li Jin Bu. At one point, she's showing so much contempt at him, he confronts her that he doesn't want to impress her by purposely being nice to Li Qing Tong. He intended to be nice to Li Qing Tong anyways. Li Jin Bu is touched by his words. However, she's still concerned and calls Duan Xiao to share her woes. He advises her that she should just help Li Qing Tong live the life she chose rather than force Li Qing Tong to choose what she thinks is right for her. Li Jin Bu sees her boyfriend in a new light. When given the chance, Duan Xiao quickly gives her a kiss.
It's the holidays and they're all back home. During a dinner get together, a drunk Wang Xiao Min confesses to Li Qing Tong and then adds a confession to Fan Shui Shui. Lol. Fan Shui Shui actually seems giddy about it. When Wang Xiao Min sobers up, he regrets it immediately. He also almost forgot he included Fan Shui Shui in his confession.
The next day Li Jin Bu runs into her time travel man and he tells her it's time to return home. There's no specific time, but it will be soon.
The ending tidbit: After the kiss, Duan Xiao and Li Jin Bu had spent the whole night out. She had fallen asleep on his shoulder at the park. When she woke up in the morning, she found out he had stayed up to cover her from rain the entire night (with his shirt over their heads). Because of this extra scene in the ending credit, I had to go back to every episode to quickly scan if there were more extra scenes like these. There weren't.
It's the holidays and they're all back home. During a dinner get together, a drunk Wang Xiao Min confesses to Li Qing Tong and then adds a confession to Fan Shui Shui. Lol. Fan Shui Shui actually seems giddy about it. When Wang Xiao Min sobers up, he regrets it immediately. He also almost forgot he included Fan Shui Shui in his confession.
The next day Li Jin Bu runs into her time travel man and he tells her it's time to return home. There's no specific time, but it will be soon.
The ending tidbit: After the kiss, Duan Xiao and Li Jin Bu had spent the whole night out. She had fallen asleep on his shoulder at the park. When she woke up in the morning, she found out he had stayed up to cover her from rain the entire night (with his shirt over their heads). Because of this extra scene in the ending credit, I had to go back to every episode to quickly scan if there were more extra scenes like these. There weren't.
[Ep21] With her days numbered, Li Jin Bu cooks for Duan Xiao. When it's her birthday, her wish is for every year to receive his present. Duan Xiao is like of course! Smiling sweetly, Li Jin Bu gives him a peck on the cheek.
Wu Zhi Xun is in a different city to attend university. Every night, Li Qing Tong waits three hours for him to call only to talk for two minutes. Chen Jun He who's in the same city as her is able to help her for things like her convenience store part-time job and computer issues. Wu Zhi Xun sees Chen Jun He on her webcam and makes a grumpy face at her the entire time. This guy forever has a grumpy face and grumpy voice. Wu Zhi Xun does show up when it matters. He makes a surprise visit with a bouquet to celebrate her graduation (yes, three years have gone by).
Li Qing Tong, Wu Zhi Xun, Chen Jun He, Li Jin Bu, and Duan Xiao celebrate at dinner. Li Qing Tong and Chen Jun He bicker nonstop and there's no one who can interrupt these two. Even Wu Zhi Xun feels out of place. He's upset the whole night. He gets a kiss to make up for it. That's not all. They spend the night together. Noooooooo my Chen Jun He ship! I swear there's going to be a twist...
Li Jin Bu and Li Qing Tong are going on a formal date today. She's wearing the skirt he gave her. It's her first time wearing one. On the bus to her date, she meets the time travel man again. The bus takes her back to her time.
[Ep22] Nevermind. She's still in the same time as Duan Xiao. It's the perfect date but Li Jin Bu can't lift her spirits up. During the movie, she's doing everything she can to hold back her tears. Her conclusion to this is to ask him for a breakup. WHY. He knew this day was coming. He prepared a present for her. It's a necklace he made to make up for the polar lights they couldn't see last time. They breakup.
Li Qing Tong isn't any happier. Wu Zhi Xun had taken her to Beijing but ends up neglecting her the entire time for his research position. She packs her bags and leaves without telling Wu Zhi Xun. There time together is also limited. He (and his parents) have plans to study overseas. He's not going to come back for at least a few years. He made the decision without consulting her at all. After a long night of reminiscing her time with him, Li Qing Tong calls him to break up.
[Ep23] Title of this episode: Even if we bid farewell, let's not ever separate.
Both girls have broken up with their respective boyfriends. Both are lonely; both are heartbroken. They also have to say goodbye to their university and friends. The day doesn't get any better for Li Qing Tong as she learns she's pregnant (with Li Jin Bu) and Wu Zhi Xun is already in the States. By chance, Chen Jun He learns she's pregnant. He does everything he can to help her. When she needs a place to live away from Li Jin Bu, Chen Jun He kicks out his roommate to offer his place for her to live. He makes her breakfast every single day and makes sure not to disturb her.
Li Qing Tong's dad is dying (that's why present day Li Jin Bu never got to see her grandfather and only heard of his handsomeness from her mother). Her parents have kept it a secret from her ever since she entered university. After her father's death, Li Qing Tong has decided she cannot abort her child. Li Jin Bu knew of Li Qing Tong's pregnancy and her decision to keep it. Li Jin Bu doesn't know if Li Qing Tong will still give birth to her but all she wants to do right now is to be with her mother. Chen Jun He thinks the same. He proposes to her because he cannot have her child fatherless, just like him. I'm crying happy and sad tears. Last episode, please don't fail me.
Li Jin Bu's peaceful days are interrupted with news of Duan Xiao visiting them. I don't think anyone understands why Li Jin Bu broke up with him. Not that I understand either. When he does visit, Li Jin Bu purposely avoids him. Chen Jun He is also late because of work; he's a teacher. Anyone else find that surprising and unfitting?
This was a flashback from their high school graduation and I completely overlooked this cute scene. They were taking a picture and Duan Xiao awkwardly moves away from Li Jin Bu to show the background, "520", which means "I love you". 
Li Qing Tong is about to give birth. Chen Jun He is at her side and calls Li Jin Bu. Li Jin Bu tells him to treat Li Qing Tong well. She's not planning to be there with her. She's in the woods aimlessly wandering around. Duan Xiao calls her from behind.
Li Jin Bu invites Fan Shui Shui for tea to ask her about Chen Jun He. She learns that he's always been taking care of them secretly. She also asks about Duan Xiao. However, it's not quite the same Duan Xiao. The picture of him looks different but the story sounds about the same (he liked a girl from another class and would do anything for that girl but the girl transferred school).
Li Jin Bu teams up with Fan Shui Shui to organize a dinner between Chen Jun He and Li Qing Tong. I'm so sad I don't get to see the original actors happily together. I want to see the young Chen Jun He happy!!!!!! Not this old man. At the very least, couldn't they have find someone better looking? Turns out they've been keeping tabs on each other. She knows he opened a kindergarten and he knows all her business ventures and where she lives. Both are smitten with each other. They talk about their divorce and blame it on each other. That's when they realize neither of them wanted to divorce. Despite being much, much, much older, this is very them.
Li Jin Bu has transformed into the best daughter ever. She prepares toothpaste on her mother's toothbrush, makes breakfast, and takes care of herself without a word of complaint. Li Jin Bu tells Li Qing Tong she doesn't want her to be her mom anymore. Li Qing Tong is offended until Li Jin Bu asks her to be friends instead. Aw. Li Qing Tong replies with tears in her eyes: "我才不要和你做朋友呢". So it's Li Qing Tong who says this line. It's the Chinese title "I don't want to be friends with you." And that's the end for our mother and daughter who's going to live happily ever after. I was going to yell at the drama for captioning the words "The end" But luckily, there's still fifteen seconds left in the drama.
DX: Even if I can't wait for you, I will still wait for youLi Jin Bu runs to him and kisses him. The kiss brought her back to her present time. She wakes up in the sauna and learns she's been asleep there for one whole night. The next morning Li Qing Tong is frantically looking for her daughter. When Li Qing Tong finds her, she's about to slap her but Li Jin Bu cries for mom and gives her a big hug.
Li Jin Bu invites Fan Shui Shui for tea to ask her about Chen Jun He. She learns that he's always been taking care of them secretly. She also asks about Duan Xiao. However, it's not quite the same Duan Xiao. The picture of him looks different but the story sounds about the same (he liked a girl from another class and would do anything for that girl but the girl transferred school).
Li Jin Bu teams up with Fan Shui Shui to organize a dinner between Chen Jun He and Li Qing Tong. I'm so sad I don't get to see the original actors happily together. I want to see the young Chen Jun He happy!!!!!! Not this old man. At the very least, couldn't they have find someone better looking? Turns out they've been keeping tabs on each other. She knows he opened a kindergarten and he knows all her business ventures and where she lives. Both are smitten with each other. They talk about their divorce and blame it on each other. That's when they realize neither of them wanted to divorce. Despite being much, much, much older, this is very them.
Li Jin Bu has transformed into the best daughter ever. She prepares toothpaste on her mother's toothbrush, makes breakfast, and takes care of herself without a word of complaint. Li Jin Bu tells Li Qing Tong she doesn't want her to be her mom anymore. Li Qing Tong is offended until Li Jin Bu asks her to be friends instead. Aw. Li Qing Tong replies with tears in her eyes: "我才不要和你做朋友呢". So it's Li Qing Tong who says this line. It's the Chinese title "I don't want to be friends with you." And that's the end for our mother and daughter who's going to live happily ever after. I was going to yell at the drama for captioning the words "The end" But luckily, there's still fifteen seconds left in the drama.
Li Jin Bu is at school and there's a new transfer student. It's Duan Xiao! But his name is now Zhou Yan Chen now. He smiles at Li Jin Bu. It has to be Duan Xiao.
Remarks
[First Impression (Ep1-8)] I really wished this aired in December just like the setting of this drama because of its heartwarming theme. It's not the type of drama that grabbed my attention immediately. I'm more excited for what will happen than what has happened. It’s like the Reply series where we're trying to figure out the identity of the FL's father. It’s also more than that though: a daughter returns to the past to fix her mom’s life and therefore her life. Not only does she get to be her mom’s best friend but also her mom’s mom, heh. I just hope she doesn't mess up her own birth.
There's two candidates for Dad: Wu Zhi Xun, the egoistical nerd or Chen Jun He, the overbearing bully. I'm team Chen Jun He, the cute polar bear bully.
[Actors/Actresses] This is good timing for another Zhuang Da Fei (Sabrina Zhuang) drama. She received praises for Closer to You as a first-love type of FL and now she’s a loving daughter.
First time seeing Zhou Yan Chen but I like his role. It also reminds me of Closer to You's Wu Jing Hao. Another loving boy who will do anything for the girl he loves.
Chen Hao Yu’s country bumpkin act is so convincing! She melds perfectly with the original mom character.
[Ending] Was it all a dream? I think not. Or at least I’d like to think so.
[Review & Rating] It certainly had the Reply series vibe with who-the-heck-is-dad question looming every episode. It’s very different though when the main characters are mother and daughter who become the best of friends. That’s the most winning part of this drama. It’s much more heartwarming if you understand Chinese and especially if you speak their dialect. I don't think this will strike gold for international drama fans as much as it did in China. It’s not the type of drama that immediately sucks you in nor does it have the standard good looking leads. For me this drama was slow and steady but it firmly grappled my heart.
[Ending] Was it all a dream? I think not. Or at least I’d like to think so.
I still can’t quite understand the bike in the first episode and how Duan Xiao’s mother knew what to do with Li Jin Bu. Maybe they’re a time travelling family? The name that Duan Xiao introduced himself at the end was "Zhou Yan Chen". There's two characters in there ("Zhou" and "Chen") that are related to time. So...who knows. If Li Jin Bu can time travel, then so can he! He's been saying that he'll be with her no matter what since day one anyway.
Li Jin Bu’s father. Dun dun dun! It makes so much sense for it to be Wu Zhi Xun. Li Jin Bu definitely has his genes. She’s smart, logical, pensive, and a bit depressing (in the beginning). Li Jin Bu is the perfect mix of her mom and dad, haha. In hindsight, it’s pretty sweet how she motivated her father back in high school (playing basketball ball with him and everything). They had a father and daughter moment.
Things I'm disappointed with (for the ending): the adult transformations. Li Qing Tong to Mom transformation is acceptable because there's some resemblance between the two actresses but how could they make Chen Jun He turn to that? C’mon. Sorry actor, but you’re not my Chen Jun He...!
[Review & Rating] It certainly had the Reply series vibe with who-the-heck-is-dad question looming every episode. It’s very different though when the main characters are mother and daughter who become the best of friends. That’s the most winning part of this drama. It’s much more heartwarming if you understand Chinese and especially if you speak their dialect. I don't think this will strike gold for international drama fans as much as it did in China. It’s not the type of drama that immediately sucks you in nor does it have the standard good looking leads. For me this drama was slow and steady but it firmly grappled my heart.
There are three main arcs that were equally compelling. Firstly, mom and daughter being best friends is the core of this drama. Li Jin Bu is willing to improve her mother's life even if it means she wouldn't exist in the future anymore. The time-traveling Li Jin Bu is the best daughter-best-friend any mom-girl can have. The post-time-traveled Li Jin Bu is still the best daughter-best-friend any mom can have. Li Qing Tong had a pretty horrible life but watching her (as the actress portrays her to be) I never sensed how unfortunate her life was. To me she just looks like the world's luckiest mom and luckiest girl.
The romantic arc between Li Jin Bu and Duan Xiao made me so envious of the girl. Duan Xiao has this unwavering silly puppy love towards Li Jin Bu.
The mom's romantic arc was the one that was the most riddled and the most debated. Just who is the father? Until Episode 21 I was still unsure who it was going to be. It certainly didn't feel like things were going my way. Li Qing Tong's romance reminds me of ISWAK. One guy is super smart, super cold, super reclusive but is only nice to her. The other guy is hot headed and keeps making mistakes but he’s got one pure heart who only loves her. It was a pretty close match between the two for a very long time.
The ending might not suit everyone's taste because of its ambiguity but I'm satisfied it took me on this heartwarming journey that allowed me to meet Duan Xiao (and everyone else). The drama left enough hints to twist the ending to one that I favour.
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