A 2021 girl travels to 2010 to find the “world” she left behind, the boy she forgot.
Notable Actors/Actresses
Notable Actors/Actresses
Qu Chu Xiao: Zhang Wan Sen
Zhang Jia Ning: Lin Bei Xing
Wu Xi Ze: Zhan Yu
Fu Jing: Gao Ge
Scriptwriter:
Twinkle Twinkle Shiny Star
Lin Bei Xing takes an injured Zhang Wan Wen home on her bike. She finds a picture of him on the basketball team when he was younger. She remembers Zhan Yu was on the team too and it was him who saved her. Zhang Wan Sen sulks but perks right up when she tells him that Zhan Yu is in her past (future?) now.
All the studying with Zhang Wan Sen comes to fruition. Lin Bei Xing is the new addition to Class 1. She’s assigned to the seat at the back. Sensible Gao Ge gives up hers (that’s next to Zhang Wan Sen) for Lin Bei Xing. I mean, the boy is staring intently at Lin Bei Xing. Anyone with eyes can tell. Lin Bei Xing also calls a truce with Gao Ge, who’s just calmly sipping her drink.
The next day, Lin Bei Xing stays late at school to design a banner. It's to support Zhang Wan Sen for his basketball game (the one in which Zhan Yu challenged him for Lin Bei Xing). There’s paint on her face and it takes some heart-thumping-courage to wipe it from her cheek. For once, Lin Bei Xing is flustered ~ Ah love~~ Teehee. The next morning, Lin Bei Xing finds her banners are ruined. Before she can find the culprit, she needs a new banner. She rummages through the storage room but then she’s locked inside by Han Teng Teng (AKA the banner culprit).
Zhang Wan Sen’s heroism flusters her (again). She’s reminded of the boy who saved her. It was Zhan Yu, wasn’t it? But now she’s starting to doubt herself. Later, she confirms with Zhan Yu that the scar on his left arm was a scratch from a cat, which means it wasn’t from the fire. He didn’t save her. Then who’s her hero? Zhang Wan Sen stands there, awkwardly fixing his sleeve on his left arm. She quickly turns around and shoots a sharp question. 
Lin Bei Xing is at Zhang Wan Sen’s to study. The school is closed because of a typhoon and obviously it’s not dangerous going to his place. Just the school. With the excuse of studying, she finds another chance to strip his shirt, lol. Anyway. Somehow, she ends up pinning him against the couch. Their faces are mere inches away. Zhang Wan Sen closes his eyes! Hahaha. *Knock knock* They’re interrupted. Teacher Gao is outside with his daughter, Gao Ge. Now we’re really studying (and yawning).
At the campsite, Zhang Wan Sen, Lin Bei Xing, Gao Ge, and Yang Chao Yang are celebrating New Years Eve. Coincidentally, Zhang Wan Sen and Lin Bei Xin are in matching outfits. I like the colours! Zhang Wan Sen courageously asks Lin Bei Xin if she likes him (he was motivated by Mai Zi! Oh..Mai Zi...D:)! She’s flustered at his directness, but she doesn’t get to answer. There was an interruption. Then she notices on his wrist, there’s another pink rabbit hairband. How did he get it back from Mai Zi?
After the date. Lin Bei Xing keeps turning back to glance at Zhang Wan Sen, her world that’s right behind her. He laughs as she smiles, but he also tells her to keep her eyes forward so that she doesn’t trip. Boy, with you behind her, nothing will happen.
Lin Bei Xing hugs him. The curse has been broken. He survived gaokao. Zhang Wan Sen is alive! Lin Bei Xing wants a promise that no matter what happens to him, he has to tell her. He promises. But that’s not enough for her and so he pretends to bite his thumb to make it bleed and stamps it on her hand. It’s an old style of sign and stamp. From now on he’s hers. He agrees to that.
Lin Bei Xing isn’t staring at the moon though. She’s staring at her Big Dipper. On her tippytoes, she kisses Zhang Wan Sen on the cheek. He caresses her cheeks, but he doesn’t kiss her. Man, what are you doing? Being all cute, she asks him to bring her home. He bends down for her to get on.
They’re hiding in a photo booth. Zhang Wan Sen has his finger on her lips to keep her silent. Our girl thinks she’s about to be kissed. After the thugs leave, Zhang Wan Sen belatedly realizes how close they are. Kiss her! Lin Bei Xing shyly tells him, "I finished picking.” Yep, she picked you, Zhang Wan Sen! (She finished picking the picture frames.)
Mom Zhang kicks out Zhang Wan Sen. He can only return if Lin Bei Xing is his girlfriend. He asks Mai Zi and Gao Ge for advice. He’s drunk and whines that he, Zhang Wan Sen, cannot allow failure even if it's only 0.001%. You two held hands already! He also wants to give a confession that’s 10x better than Zhan Yu’s aquarium one, ha. The three plan to decorate the zoo tomorrow.
Network: iQIYI
Recap Grade: A/B
First Impression: 3/5
First Impression: 3/5
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| Prefacing the recaps with this collage. These are emblems of Zhang Wan Sen's love for Lin Bei Xing <3</3<3 Do you know each item's significance? |
Mini Recaps
[Ep1] 2010: Zhang Wan Sen falls backward from the top of the lighthouse. As if he was pushed? There was a lot of force in that fall.
2021 June. Lin Bei Xing is hitting 3-0, the age that signifies the death of youth. And only applies to females. Great. Work (at the zoo) is tough and annoying, but what’s worse is her boyfriend of eight years (Zhan Yu) wants to break up with her right before their wedding. I don’t know why she puts up with this jerk. She’s heartbroken and meets a mysterious fisher who gives her a fishing rod and tells her, “The whole world is behind you. It’s in your past”. Confused.
And a blast to the past it is. It’s 2010! Every time Lin Bei Xing deletes a message on her old phone, she returns to 2010. On her trips, she keeps meeting this boy (Zhang Wan Sen). When it’s raining, he’ll shield her with an umbrella. When she leaves the bus, he’ll also give her his umbrella. It seems he’s always behind her. He likes her ~
With the power of time, Lin Bei Xing is determined to change her past and rid Zhan Yu. 11 years late, girl. I mean, early? *Dizzy*. I don’t know. Unfortunately, she travels back to the day of gaokao, pft. She takes the life-changing exam. Did she just ruin her life?
After ruining her life on a piece of paper, she meets Zhang Wan Sen at the bus stop. He’s surprised she’s talking to him and finds it weird she knows which bus he’s taking (#11). She says she remembers him, although he may not. There’s a cute little smile on him as he clutches onto his shirt. Aw. The way he’s shy is cute. He so knows her.
At home, Lin Bei Xing receives a text message from 'tby’ at 18:30:30, “There’s an accident at the lighthouse!”
And we're back in 2021. (Lin Bei Xing knows the way to enter 2010, but she doesn’t know what’s kicking her out.)
Lin Bei Xing is back in her original timeline but nothing has changed. Failing gaokao had no effect on her life. She realizes she didn’t time travel, but rather she entered another dimension, a parallel universe. In the morning, Mom Lin recounts that there was a boy about Lin Bei Xing’s age who jumped from the lighthouse after gaokao. Zhang Wan Sen! Dad Lin thinks it was pressure that forced the boy to commit suicide. Mom counters. The boy had a pink rabbit hairband on him, implying that his suicide was related to a girl.
[Ep2] Lin Bei Xing is determined to ace her gaokao (the ticket to rich and easy life, I guess). She memorized all the answers to the 2010 exam. However, each time she finishes gaokao, there’s that same text message from tby that brings her back to 2021. Interestingly, the text message arrives at different times. Originally, it was 18:30:30, then 18:30:25, and then 18:41:58. During the third time, she catches another text message: “It’s Zhang Wan Sen who jumped off”. Aw. Why would he want to die! He was so cute on the bus with her each time, especially when they shared the earphones (he had to scoot up to the edge of his seat for the cable to be long enough).
And Lin Bei Xing tries again.
2010. There’s two days until gaokao. When she’s walking back home from the convenience store, she’s dragged by Zhang Wan Sen to flee. Why is he running away from thugs and taking her along? The next day at school, her bestie, Han Teng Teng gushes about Zhan Yu. Lin Bei Xing scowls at that name. Our girl is over him. Meanwhile he thinks she’s switching up her tactics to get his attention. LOL.
Lin Bei Xing: Oh my, where does your confidence come from? Why do you insist I’ll revolve around you? Well, girl, you did.Zhan Yu: Oh, you have a new target? Does that person even care about you?Han Teng Teng interrupts: Wait, you have a new crush? How come I don’t know?Zhan Yu: She’s just bluffing.Lin Bei Xing forces a smile: Yep! The class’s top student. Way better than him (Zhan Yu).Han Teng Teng: Zhang Wan Sen? How do you two know each other?Zhan Yu: Does he even know your name? Lol, hahaha. He’s a funny jealous jerk.
At the festival, Lin Bei Xing actually meets up with Zhang Wan Sen. Zhan Yu is jealous and therefore nasty. Lin Bei Xing retaliates by throwing water balloons at Zhan Yu. It’s strong enough that he tips over and drops into a pool. He’s annoyed and shouts that she always embarrasses him. Lin Bei Xing was laughing until that point. She remembers their past (or future) and all the times he yelled at her. She turns gloomy for the rest of the night. To cheer her up, Zhang Wan Sen takes her on a Ferris wheel ride. She asks him if she’s annoying. He’s startled at the question. Hun, he loves you. Lin Bei Xing also asks if there’s a chance to restart his life, would he take it? He shakes his head. Great, there goes his ticket to a new life. She wants to, though.
The next day, it’s the graduation photo (by the way, I love how he’s always looking at her, and it’s caught in the pictures.). Afterwards, Lin Bei Xing grabs Zhang Wan Sen for a selfie. Ahh, he’s so timid~ Meanwhile she thinks of him as a little brother because technically, she’s almost 30. She reminds him to go home after gaokao. Don’t go to any lighthouse. Zhang Wan Sen nods and smiles. However, on the day of gaokao, Lin Bei Xing still receives the text message that Zhang Wan Sen jumped off the tower.
2021. Lin Bei Xing wants to enter 2010 again but deleting messages doesn't work anymore!
[Ep3] A few days later, Lin Bei Xing can enter 2010 again when previously, she couldn’t.
2010. This time Lin Bei Xing “time” travelled to the beginning of third year. She has a whole year until gaokao and also Zhang Wan Sen’s death, which seems to be the trigger to leaving 2010. To protect her (gaokao) future, she introduces herself to him and promises to protect him (this is a day after kicking him for no reason, lol). He’s not confused at all. To better protect him, she also needs to be in the same class (Class 1), which Zhan Yu overhears.
Zhan Yu interjects: Even if you’re the top student, I won’t speak to you. UH. HELLO. Explain speaking. But this is funny, hahaha. His jerk character is hilarious!
Han Teng Teng pouts. She doesn’t want to be separated from Lin Bei Xing (says the bestie who stole her boyfriend in 2021. She's even getting married to him...!). Lin Bei Xing smiles contemptuously at her. (Later she locks Han Teng Teng in the lab. Deserving! But did she steal her boyfriend yet? Lol).
Lin Bei Xing fills her schedule tailing Zhang Wan Sen. Our girl has to safeguard him! xD Now I can see exactly how she annoyed Zhan Yu....Hahaha. Zhang Wan Sen is (a little) exhausted from her overbearing presence. Why! Is he that shy that he doesn’t know how to receive some (very strong) affection? There’s a school speech competition. Winning it is Lin Bei Xing’s ticket to entering Class 1. However, she fails in her speech about the future (of all topics). She turns herself into a public embarrassment, but Zhang Wan Sen smiles up at her. There’s love in his eyes.
[Ep4] Lin Bei Xing confronts Mai Zi for bullying Zhang Wan Sen. (He’s a “thug" working at a bodyshop when he’s around their age.) She accepts Mai Zi’s challenge: a chemistry experiment. Mai Zi doesn't particularly hate Zhang Wan Sen, he just likes Gao Ge and believes Zhang Wan Sen is his rival. Mai Zi actually beats Lin Bei Xing, but it means nothing to Gao Ge. She’s not interested in him. Gao Ge also doesn’t seem to be interested in Zhang Wan Sen. She mainly has beef with her father who is also a teacher at school.
Zhang Wan Sen finally promises to tutor Lin Bei Xing (or she’d keep getting herself in trouble). However, he overhears her inviting Zhan Yu to join the study group. She was sarcastic, but Zhang Wan Sen misunderstands, feels used and ignores her. This isn’t the only misunderstanding. Lin Bei Xing mistakenly believes she messed things up for him and Gao Ge, and asks him, “Do you really like Gao Ge?” Clouded by anger, he lies that he does.
[Ep5] Lin Bei Xing can’t allow Zhang Wan Sen to fall in love with Gao Ge because she's too dangerous (for attracting Mai Zi)! Ha! Lin Bei Xing devises a seduction plan of her own: expand their study group with studious girls who are safer. Congratulations. The boy cannot be more angrier.
Lin Bei Xing (to an angry Zhang Wan Sen): If [Mai Zi] isn’t solved, then I’ll stick to you everyday. I’ll go wherever you go. I need to let that Mai Zi know you’re mine. I can’t let him bully you!
Zhang Wan Sen doesn’t know what to do with his anger after that confession of hers, haha. She asks him if he understands what she’s saying. No. Obediently, he nods. And nods. And nods. SO CUTE.
The next morning, cute Zhang Wan Sen waits for Lin Bei Xing to go to school. He has a warm breakfast ready for her to eat. And she has a cute, studious girl ready for him...to eat? Bon appetit! xD. Zhang Wan Sen is pissed off and ditches the girls to catch the bus.
Yang Chao Yang is accused of breaking Class 1’s window. Zhang Wan Sen finds the real culprit. It’s Mai Zi. He smashed the window for Gao Ge who had suggested that idea in passing. She didn’t mean it. She just wants to annoy her father (= Teacher Gao).
Lin Bei Xing tailed Zhang Wan Sen to the bodyshop. She’s comforted that he stood up for their friend, but she’s angrier that he’s facing danger (= Mai Zi) alone. Zhang Wan Sen is back to being shy and obedient around her. I love it when he’s like this. After lecturing him, she apologizes for misunderstanding him. She also saw the study agenda he planned for her. She promises she won't introduce new girls to him anymore. He likes that a lot, so much that he gives her homework! It’s love.
Zhan Yu has fallen in love with Lin Bei Xing! He’s sitting aisles behind her and somehow he can “see” her face under the glistening sun just by seeing the back of her head. He’s smitten by her integrity and her charisma and the fact that she's no longer crazy about him. The classical case of wanting what you can’t have.
Mai Zi owns up to the crime he committed. He apologizes to Teacher Gao. Mai Zi is punished to sweep the floor. Zhang Wan Sen helps him sweep with an awkward gait and an awkward look. Did I say he was cute? In a soft voice, he assures Mai Zi, there’s nothing between him and Gao Ge. Okay boy, now you just need to say it to the girl who matters in your life.
[Ep6] Zhan Yu challenges Zhang Wan Sen to a battle – a bike race. Zhang Wan Sen finds it childish until Zhan Yu rubs it in that he should wait his turn. It’s first come first serve.
Zhang Wan Sen: How do you know that you were first? Okay sure, love is first come first serve. But I’m more interested in why he thinks he’s first.
Zhang Wan Sen takes on the bike challenge...except he doesn’t know how to ride one! He wobbles and tips over on his own. Lin Bei Xing, the guardian angel, runs to help Zhang Wan Sen. Cue pain exaggeration. Oh! Ah! Ow! Zhan Yu, the innocent jerk, did nothing to deserve the scorn from Lin Bei Xing. Bwahahaha.
Flashback: Young Zhang Wan Sen (#11 jersey) wanted to confess to the girl he liked (should be Lin Bei Xing) with a pink rabbit hair-tie. He was interrupted when she asked him where the washroom was.
Mai Zi and Zhang Wan Sen are buddies now. Mai Zi declares he's giving up on Gao Ge. Zhang Wan Sen envies him for having the courage to openly love someone. You can too! He, on the other hand, is too shy, and he doesn’t even know if Lin Bei Xing likes him. Is she going to his class for him? You betcha. Just not for the reason you’re thinking of :D Mai Zi, the man, takes Zhang Wan Sen to ask Lin Bei Xing directly. To get her attention, the boys throw a pebble at her window late at night. She wonders whose family raised such a rascal. Your rascal. Ready to yell, she spots Zhang Wan Sen and a bright smile paints her face, only to be erased when she sees Mai Zi. But Mai Zi is useful! He asks her the question: Is she in Class 1 because of Zhang Wan Sen?
Lin Bei Xing sternly answers Mai Zi: Of course! I’m going to Class 1 to protect him just so people like you can’t harm him. Zhang Wan Sen must complete his gaokao under my strict surveillance. You got that? I’m not sure anyone got that. Any of that. A) It doesn’t sound romantic. B) It isn’t supposed to be romantic but it is xD.
Lin Bei Xing (to Gao Ge): I won’t mind your business, but Zhang Wan Sen’s, I will. Rest assured, I’m not interested in him.
Gao Ge finishes sipping her drink and eyes Zhang Wan Sen who awkwardly changes the topic.
However, nothing can stop Lin Bei Xing from cheering on Zhang Wan Sen. From the storage room window miles away, she roots for him. He’s so far, but his ears are made for her voice, duh. Among all the other shrilly voices, he can discern hers. He smiles at her, but when he looks up again, Lin Bei Xing is hanging awkwardly from the window. She lost her balance and can’t seem to free herself. Zhang Wan Sen ditches the game to save her. Who is who’s guardian angel?
Lin Bei Xing: Zhang Wan Sen, did we know each other in the past?
[Ep7] Lin Bei Xing asks Zhang Wan Sen if they’ve met each other before high school. Without waiting for an answer, she invites him to breakfast tomorrow while eyeing his left arm. He sweetly nods, quite eager for the date, but she’s just plotting to see his shoulder. Unbeknownst to our cutie boy, he sets two alarms so that he’ll be rising and shining for the morning date. Unfortunately...
Lin Bei Xing is diarrhetic in the morning. She misses the breakfast date. Meanwhile in this heavy, heavy morning rain, Zhang Wan Sen begs the owner to sell him some buns (Lin Bei Xing’s favourite). He’s even waiting for her at the school entrance. However, he meets Zhan Yu first, who lies that Lin Bei Xing is late because she’s designing a jersey for him. Zhang Wan Sen ignores him and still has a smile on but when he sees the jersey, bye-bye smile! The jersey is actually for Zhang Wan Sen to change into so that Lin Bei Xing can see his upper arm.
Lin Da Hai (Lin Bei Xing’s brother) scams our innocent boy, Zhang Wan Sen, into buying a frog rain coat that zips up his face. Not only can he keep his face dry, he also can’t see the rain! Woot! In fact, he can’t see anything ahead. Partly because of that, he’s beaten up by loansharks but mostly, it’s because they mistaken him for Lin Da Hai (thanks to the raincoat). Lin Da Hai owes them money. By the way, the Lin siblings' names are complementary. Da Hai means “Big Ocean” or simply “Ocean” (there’s really no little ocean...). Bei Xing means “Northern Star”. Their names when combined can form a saying: 星辰大海 (xing chen da hai), meaning Ocean of Stars.
Lin Bei Xing apologizes to Zhang Wan Sen for her brother, which prompts another annoying memory of him: it was because of him that she was late to breakfast the other day. Zhang Wan Sen perks up in his frog suit. So cute! (He’s no longer jealous of Zhan Yu). He adorably suggests they can go for another breakfast (date). Sure, sure, sure, but currently Lin Bei Xing is more concerned about his wet clothes. He needs to change! (And let her see his bare shoulder!). With her laser-like eyes, she wants him to change in front of her. Yeah, no.
Gao Ge, Lin Bei Xing, and Zhang Wan Sen stay up to design a statue for the school behind Teacher Gao’s back (because he wants them to focus on their studies). Yang Chao Yang plays his part by distracting Teacher Gao.
As Lin Bei Xing describes the design, Gao Ge draws it. She’s pretty good at grasping Lin Bei Xing’s flimsy description of it, which is a star bursting out of a book. It has a deeper meaning: the book not only provides knowledge but the access to boundless possibilities (星辰大海). Eventually Teacher Gao finds out Gao Ge designed it and compliments his daughter. Gao Ge smirks at the recognition from her father.
Lin Bei Xing finally catches a glimpse at Zhang Wan Sen’s arm when he falls asleep. There is a scar on his upper left arm. It’s shaped like a star because a cookie cutter burned him. She remembers that little detail but not the face of her saviour. Alright.
[Ep8] Episode starts with a dangerous object threatening FL → spin-catch move by ML → romantic stare by CP. Check, check, check! Lin Bei Xing thanks Zhang Wan Sen for saving her a third time: (3) just now, (2) the storage room window, (1) and the fire from elementary school. She believes he forgot that he saved her the first time, but to her, it doesn’t matter because she won’t forget him. Pft. Says the girl who forgot him to the guy who never forgot her. The audacity! Lol.
Zhan Yu saves Lin Bei Xing from thugs. Saving FL is the theme of this episode. He asks her if she can like him again, after all he saved her. It doesn’t work that way. She doesn’t like him anymore. Zhan Yu complains that she should at least consider him as backup, “Plus, this isn’t first come first serve.” The hypocrite! Lol.
Mai Zi is arrested by the police for participating in gang fights. It was Lin Bei Xing who called the police on him. Her motivation behind the call was to protect Zhang Wan Sen, especially after she found a pink rabbit hairband with him. By the time he’s released, it should be around gaokao. I don’t really like Lin Bei Xing hounding Mai Zi all the time ): I get that she means good for Zhang Wan Sen, but she’s not even giving Mai Zi a chance.
[Ep9] Lin Bei Xing buys a New Years present for Zhang Wan Sen. It’s a gorilla keychain. Gorilla = xingxing = Lin Bei Xing. She’s giving “herself” to him. By chance, she meets Zhang Wan Sen’s father and thinks he’s cheating. During the evening, she drags Zhang Wan Sen home to have dinner with her family. It’s a chance for him to rely on her family if his falls apart (but obviously, she doesn’t tell him the last part). I LOVE how he was so resistant on going without buying presents/fruits. It’s the first time the guy is seeing her parents. He’s gotta impress! xD. They’re in her room and she shows him her old photos. She looked like a boy. Zhang Wan Sen smiles at the picture, remembering her. Flashback: he was dressed like a girl and was crying because he was hurt. Lin Bei Xing had cheered him up. The little “girl” is Zhang Wan Sen?! What did your mom do to you, boy? He doesn’t tell her he knows her.
The whole cheating thing was a misunderstanding. The lady who Lin Bei Xing saw was Zhang Wan Sen’s Mom. She’s not just back with a gigantic pink stuffed animal for her 18yo son, but also an enrolment form to apply as a Veterinarian Without Border. If he signs up, he’ll have to study abroad. However, Lin Bei Xing tells Zhang Wan Sen to focus on gaokao. She’s under the impression that he’s being forced by his mother. She even confronts Zhang Wan Sen’s mother and now she gets the truth: Zhang Wan Sen always wanted to be a Veterinarian Without Borders.
Lin Bei Xing finally remembers the little “girl” is Zhang Wan Sen. She was the first person who supported his dream. He gave her one of his pink rabbit hairbands which was a pair with his. It’s their promise to remember each other.
At night, Lin Bei Xing sends a message of the picture when they were younger. She apologizes for misunderstanding him. If being a Vet Without Borders is his dream, she will always support him.
[Ep10] Lin Bei Xing desperately runs to Zhang Wan Sen’s home, thinking he left abroad. He’s just down with a flu. She takes him back inside and notices he attached her gorilla keychain on his phone. He shyly explains that he hasn’t found a place for it yet. She thinks it’s perfect. Me too! Then she realizes his phone broke., Aw, this means he hasn’t seen her message yet and he’s still gloomy about it!
At night, Zhang Wan Sen’s phone works again. He receives a message from Lin Bei Xing. He saved her as “星” (Star), just one character of her name. She's inviting him on a date to the zoo. Zhang Wan Sen has his cute little smile. Aw! It’s a date to his favourite place! He probably knows she remembers. At the zoo, she shows him their group photo. She promises she will always support him. Zhang Wan Sen's lips curl up. That’s all he needed to hear from her! I am so happy for him!
Lin Bei Xing buys the ticket. During checkout, the ticket lady asks if this is her first time at the zoo with her boyfriend. Lin Bei Xing doesn’t know what boyfriend she’s talking about.
Ticket Lady: Behind you. Zhang Wan Sen!Lin Bei Xing recalls the conversation with the fisherman.Fisherman: The whole world is behind you. It’s in your past. – Insert flashback of all the times Zhang Wan Sen was right behind her whenever she turned around – Romantic! (Not creepy!)
Lin Bei Xing looks towards Zhang Wan Sen: It turns out I already found you (my world).
During the date at the zoo, there are some very scary tigers (that are behind glass walls – I think it's sturdy). Lin Bei Xing screams, and Zhang Wan Sen is right there to protect her in his arms.
Lin Bei Xing: You don’t understand! The fishes in the sea swim with the current, but the big sea is behind them, so they have to remember to look back in order to see the world that belongs to them. Lin Bei Xing can’t stop grinning. She finally knows her answer. Zhang Wan Sen is her world.
Zhang Wan Sen wants to postpone his studies abroad. He says he doesn’t have to leave immediately. Lin Bei Xing urges him to chase his dream. She speaks like an adult, Don’t wait. Separation may be tough, but it’s normal. She’s also secretly planning a firework event at the zoo before he leaves (but she doesn’t know he is really postponing his studies until June! For her!). As a result, she’s always dozing off in class . He misunderstands that she’s hanging out with Zhan Yu. The misunderstanding escalates into an argument until he finds out she’s doing everything for him (and nothing for Zhan Yu). Now Lin Bei Xing is giving him the silent treatment.
Yang Chao Yang helps out his struggling buddy. He brings Zhang Wan Sen and Lin Bei Xing to see the bioluminescent sea, a natural phenomenon that's better than fireworks. He excuses himself, leaving the two alone. Zhang Wan Sen and Lin Bei Xing apologize at the same time. Forgiven!
Zhang Wan Sen and Lin Bei Xing sit down to admire the sea and the stars (cue the names of the Lin siblings). He points to the North Star (Polaris) and the Big Dipper. There’s not a lot of connections between them but people always use the Big Dipper to find the North Star and use the North Star to find their way in the dark. His star talk is packed with advice: “It also isn’t scary not knowing what you want to do but as long as you walk forward step by step, one of these days, you’ll find a star that belongs to you.” She questions him that even the Big Dipper will be covered by clouds. How can she find her own North Star then?
Zhang Wan Sen: That’s okay. Right here – points to his left arm – I have a star that shines just for you.
I LOVE the analogy! Lin Bei Xing is the North Star. Zhang Wan Sen is Lin Bei Xing’s Big Dipper. Her question about finding Big Dipper to find the “North Star” can be interpreted as where she can find him to find herself and her direction in life.
Other happenings:
→ Yang Chao Yang won’t be taking gaokao. He dreams of being a crosstalk performer (xiangsheng). Gao Ge thinks the school is a scam. Yang Chao Yang thinks she’s not supportive enough.
→ Zhan Yu is an idiot in love. He’s going to give up his PE exam because she’s no longer cheering for him. What a change in character, lol. But dude, it's you who didn’t cherish her when you had will have her!
Cliffhanger: Lin Bei Xing finds out Zhang Wan Sen never took gaokao (in the original timeframe). Is this why he committed suicide? Because he failed gaokao?
[Ep11] Lin Bei Xing regrets letting Zhang Wan Sen leave. She asks him to stay. She’s scared they won’t see each other anymore. (It’s also because it seems he’ll still die anyway. If so, she wants him to stay with her so that she can protect him.) There’s a veterinarian program in Beijing too. She promises she’ll study hard and make it to the same university as him.
Zhang Wan Sen: Serious?
Lin Bei Xing nods. That’s all Zhang Wan Sen needed. He’ll stay. What a mooshy, tender smile. He makes her rip his application form as a promise that she’ll work hard. Guilt-tripping her? Lol. Back at home, she also rips her answers to the gaokao that she memorized. She will depend on herself (and him).
Yang Chao Yang is in trouble. The school is a scam and demands money from his family. Gao Ge drags Lin Bei Xing and Zhang Wan Sen to save Yang Chao Yang. The girls will go in, pretending to be Yang's sisters while Zhang Wan Sen will be their backup. He doesn’t like the sound of that. Lin Bei Xing teasingly pinches his mooshy cheeks that he looks too soft to be a mean family member. Aw. Good thing he was backup because everyone was tied up and he, being the only sensible guy, called for help to save them. Once again, Zhang Wan Sen is Lin Bei Xing’s hero.
Lin Bei Xing tells her friends to wish on fireworks. Ah, so the star (Xing) is telling them to wish on something other than stars. Zhang Wan Sen wishes to go to university in Beijing, and to go with Lin Bei Xing. Yang Chao Yang wants to be a crosstalk performer. Gao Ge wants to continue drawing. As for Lin Bei Xing, she wants everyone’s wishes to come true. She doesn’t really have a dream of her own. Hm.
[Ep12] Two more days until gaokao! This means two more days until Zhang Wan Sen’s death. At night, Lin Bei Xing calls him. She’s so worried, she can’t sleep. I love how he’s clutching the gorilla on his phone. He recites study notes as a lullaby.
It’s the graduation photos. Now that they’re in the same class, they stand closer. Zhang Wan Sen asks Lin Bei Xing to stand in front of him. Why not beside him! But I love how in every picture, he’s always staring at her. Aw!!! The two of them walk back to class. There’s barely a gap between them. Even their posture is the same. Zhan Yu's eyes are like lasers. His jealousy is so funny.
Lin Bei Xing’s anxiety isn’t calming. Gao Ge invites her home so that she can rest better since she’s neighbours with Zhang Wan Sen, aw. However, Gao Ge fights with her father about her program. Lin Bei Xing leaves her home to tell Zhang Wan Sen everything. He suggests she sleep at his home. Awkward. He rambles on that he meant nothing of it, but it’s still awkward. Then Teacher Gao frantically barges in. Gao Ge is missing.
Gao Ge is at Yang Chao Yang’s secret spot. He wants her to know her father really does love her. His advice: stop exploding at him and start communicating. She envies him that he’s honest with his parents about his dreams. But she doesn’t know he envies her too. His parents never care about him. Before they leave, Gao Ge makes Yang Chao Yang promise that if she can accomplish her dreams, she wants him to leave for Beijing with her. He’s so shy he runs away before answering her.
Cliffhanger: Mai Zi is released from prison on the day of gaokao. He’s unable to escape his destiny and he’s back with the thugs. Can Zhang Wan Sen escape his fate then?
[Ep13] Lin Bei Xing and Zhang Wan Sen are in a Ferris wheel. She’s uncomfortable. She may be the one who dragged him to the area but he’s the one who suggested they ride one. Heights on this day...seems ominous. Meanwhile he says it’s quite romantic to be in one on a rainy day, aw. And as if feeling her anxiety, he shares an earphone with her.
Zhang Wan Sen: I always thought you were someone who wasn’t afraid of anything. You have your fragility too. You’re scared too. I think that’s pretty neat because then I can...I can always be at your side to protect you. Don’t be nervous. Tomorrow will be here.
Lin Bei Xing smiles her kitty cat smile. Then the Ferris wheel cranks and stops. LOL. My nightmare. They’re hanging in midair. Don’t be afraid, though! Zhang Wan Sen is next to Lin Bei Xing. And, omg, they’re actually stuck there the whole night. In the morning, she freaks out when he’s missing, but he’s just gone to buy breakfast. Safe!
The graduating class have a get-together. Lin Bei Xing is jealous when the pretty and mature senior girls advance on Zhang Wan Sen. She’s alone by the sea where Zhan Yu, who’s a little drunk) approaches her, still pursuing her. For her, he’s going to Beijing. He even threatens to jump in the water for her when he can’t swim. And he actually jumps? He’s saved? Not sure. But he’s wet for some reason. The two finally communicate. She tells him she did give him a chance. He doesn’t get it. Boy, it’s okay. She tells him they’re adults now. It’s time to grow up.
Gao Ge messed up gaokao. She needs her marks to enter her arts program. It doesn’t matter how many prizes she won. Yang Chao Yang motivates her. He has no accomplishments but he’s still pursuing his dreams. He reminds her to keep her words and that she said she was going to pursue him. He self-argues that he hasn’t agreed to going out with her yet, but she hugs him anyway, sniffling at his shoulders. A second couple I’m rooting for! I love how their passion overlaps.
Loansharks are after Lin Da Hai, but he’s hiding and so they target Lin Bei Xing. She’s at an aquarium. She thought it was a date with Zhang Wan Sen, but it was Zhan Yu who invited her. As she ditches the date, Zhang Wan Sen catches her by the hand to run. At the crossway, Mai Zi is standing there. Are they running away from Mai Zi?
[Ep14] Mai Zi helps Lin Bei Xing and Zhang Wan Sen escape from the loansharks. He tells them about Lin Da Hai’s debt. At night, Lin Bei Xing, who’s a little afraid, calls Zhang Wan Sen. She hears his ringtone! He's right outside, guarding her at night. Aww. However, thugs are combing the neighbourhood for the Lin siblings. It’s time to find narrow hallways to hide in! We all love some crampy romance in a dark alley.
Lin Bei Xing apologizes to Mai Zi for the way she treated him. He’s currently helping her lie that she’s studying abroad. The two clink their glasses to get their past behind them. This apology isn’t enough!! D:
Gao Ge plans to retake third year. She also won’t pursue arts anymore. Lin Bei Xing helps her to confront Teacher Gao. They have a drink, lol. Over alcohol, Lin Bei Xing has the courage to call Teacher Gao by his nickname (光明頂 = Baldness that shines), but more importantly, she tells him about Gao Ge’s passion for art. Teacher Gao is convinced.
Zhang Wan Sen piggybacks a drunk Lin Bei Xing. She starts crying about her marks. It’s high but it might not be high enough to go to Beijing. He settles her down and hugs her. She snuggles in until she notices the moon. She asks if he believes in the theory of relativity. “When we stand in the same place, as long as we look up, we can see the moon, the same moon!” I’m certain I translated it properly. I get what she's trying to say, but that’s not how she should have said it.
The next day, Teacher Gao gives Gao Ge an application for an arts program. Yang Chao Yang runs in between them. He thinks he’s being all heroic in protecting her dream, but also half expecting Teacher Gao to blow a fuse, but he doesn’t. Gao Ge laughs at him. When Teacher Gao retreats, Gao Ge asks Yang Chao Yang why he’s helping her. He mutters that it’s for her dream...and well, he’s still waiting for her to pursue him. Aw. She takes his hand and they interlace fingers. Then they run for it. Why do people like running after reciprocating their feelings? Is it because I’m not a runner?
Zhan Yu confesses again! He learns how to swim and scuba-dive to give Lin Bei Xing a confession in an aquarium. You’re too late! She admits that she had once loved him so much that she forgot who she was, but now she understands that she needed to find herself to be loved. She tells him she loves someone else. This person is like the sun. He shines. And now she needs to go meet him to tell him she likes him.
The next morning, Lin Bei Xing phones Zhang Wan Sen to wish him a happy birthday. She has two presents for him: the news that she’s accepted to a university in Beijing, and an invitation to a date at a nightclub. Where’s the confession! They dance the rabbit dance.
Zhan Yu is drunk and heartbroken. He bumps into the thugs who then learn from him that Lin Bei Xing never went abroad. Great. Zhan Yu, man, I kinda liked you for a while.
[Ep15] Zhan Yu drunk calls Lin Bei Xing. She visits him. Zhang Wan Sen politely stands at the back, giving them space. She asserts to Zhan Yu that there won’t be anything between them. Then she walks back to Zhang Wan Sen and holds his hand. She asks if she was mean to Zhan Yu. Zhang Wan Sen has a small smile and admits he’s not that gracious to his love rival. Although there's no confession scene, I love the way they’re expressing their love through their actions.
Zhan Yu’s big mouth puts Lin Bei Xing in danger. Through him, the thugs know that Ling Bei Xin is still in the city. Mai Zi and Zhang Wan Sen keep her safe, while she’s completely unaware. She thinks she’s on a date with Zhang Wan Sen at an arcade.
While Lin Bei Xing is having romantic dreams (of kissing Zhang Wan Sen), he’s trying to solve her problems. Lin Da Hai did return the money but the interest is more than what he borrowed!
Zhang Wan Sen also has problems of his own. His mother is back. Lol. He runs away from her the moment she asks for a hug. Well, now all her enthusiasm shifts to Lin Bei Xing. Mom gives her a present. It’s a jade bangle. Nothing special. It’s just a hand-me-down from Zhang Wan Sen’s grandmother. No biggie! Then she asks Lin Bei Xing about her parents and that they should meet. Lin Bei Xing flees.
However, the next day, Zhang Wan Sen can’t reach Mai Zi. Is he in trouble for lying to his leader about Lin Bei Xing? He is. They’re beating him up. In hopes of saving his buddy, Zhang Wan Sen calls the police. As a result, Lin Dai Hai is also arrested. Mom doesn’t blame Zhang Wan Sen for it.
Afterwards, Zhang Wan Sen and Lin Bei Xing take a walk on the beach. Construction workers are taking down the lighthouse. It’s blasted. Is Zhang Wan Sen’s danger all over?!
Lin Bei Xing asks Zhang Wan Sen if he was planning to confess today. He’s awkward and stutters, but then Lin Bei Xing interrupts. She should be the one confessing. She takes him to a mall, tells him to close his eyes. Pink balloons float down. She starts telling him she has something to say to him.
But!
Thugs are here. Omg, get out of my drama! Zhang Wan Sen and Lin Bei Xing flee. Mai Zi helps distract the thugs. Now they’re on a roof with nowhere else to run. In the end, Zhang Wan Sen falls off the building to protect Lin Bei Xing. Seriously, why are we running to the roof?! His last words: “Lin Bei Xing, I like you!” I don’t want the confession anymore! T__T Give me back a Zhang Wan Sen!
To make you all feel better (sniffles), here are some photo booth pictures from Weibo (not in the drama):
[Ep16] Lin Bei Xing is back in 2021 June. Nothing has changed. She asks her brother what happened during the days of her gaokao. Lin Da Hai admits of the debt. He also received a message telling him to turn in, and another one saying, “If you don’t want Lin Bei Xing in trouble, come to the lighthouse. It’s your last chance. I’ll go with you to the police.” When he arrived at the lighthouse, he saw a person fall from it. Zhang Wan Sen T_T. Eventually, he had gathered enough money, but no one was chasing him anymore.
Deleting messages doesn't work anymore. Lin Bei Xing can’t return to the world where Zhang Wan Sen is. Mom thinks she’s still heartbroken about Zhan Yu. Wow, she suffered two heartbreaks in “2021”. But this one hurts the most.
Lin Bei Xing visits the lighthouse. It’s no longer there. Currently, it’s a planetarium. Lin Bei Xing thinks she sees someone at the top. Could it be Zhang Wan Sen? Was she just imagining it? It’s closed for the day. There’s no way anyone could be there. She breaks down and cries. The security helps her call her mother, who’s rushing over on a limped leg. Mom comforts Lin Bei Xing that even if the sky falls, mom is here to protect her. T_T But then Mom curls in pain. Her knee will require surgery. Please, I cannot handle another death in this drama. Mom Lin, please be okay.
Lin Bei Xing is at the library. There’s a card sticking out of a book. It turns out “Zhang Wan Sen” had borrowed this book on May 20, 2021! 520? The Chinese I-love-you! Zhang Wan Sen, is it you!! She asks the owner for this Zhang Wan Sen’s contact. He won’t give it. It’s customer confidentiality. And so Lin Bei Xing helps him for the day. The owner is touched and asks about her relationship with Zhang Wan Sen. They’re only friends. Not even. They're classmates. Ah right. This is the original timeline. None of the romance happened T_T. He had said he liked her but she hasn’t replied yet. She just wants to see him again.
Owner: Is he that important?Lin Bei Xing: It’s him who allowed me to see this world more clearly. He’s like a ray of light that warms me.
She knows this Zhang Wan Sen may not be her Zhang Wan Sen, but even if the chance is slim (0.001%), she’ll bet on it. He who won’t take the risk even if there’s a 0.001% of failure and she who will take the risk even if there’s only 0.001% of success. At the very least, she wants to know what this man with the same name looks like. Is it a coincidence that this library is decorated with stars?!?! Could this owner be testing Lin Bei Xing for Zhang Wan Sen?!
The owner asks Lin Bei Xing if she knows why his library is called "Ocean of Time and Space”, instead of the normal saying “Ocean of Stars”. Stars will die, but space and time will not and that as long as there’s light, then there is time and space. As long as there’s light there is life. After that enlightenment, the owner gives Lin Bei Xing the contact information she wants. The owner got Zhang Wan Sen’s permission.
But the call doesn’t go through.
The next day, Lin Bei Xing visits Zhang Wan Sen’s home. He’s no longer there. She meets Gao Ge instead. Currently, she’s an artist. In this universe, Gao Ge isn’t familiar with her. She does tell Lin Bei Xing that after the lighthouse incident, Zhang Wan Sen’s parents moved away and they haven’t kept in touch. “Perhaps it’s like what everyone said. Zhang Wan Sen isn’t here anymore.” Wait, could he be alive? Gao Ge doesn’t know if he died or not.
Lin Bei Xing’s messages finally get through! They’re to meet at the Ocean of Time and Space. But a kid shows up. He’s like, Are you the weirdo auntie who wants to meet me? Lin Bei Xing apologizes for calling him so much. The kid clarifies he doesn’t have a phone. The number was his tutor's. The tutor!! Zhang Wan Sen!! He’s at the back! Lin Bei Xing runs out to see the tutor. And it’s not him!! T_T Show, you cruel.
Lin Bei Xing visits her other friend: Yang Chao Yang. He just finished a show and is living his dream just like Gao Ge. But once again, it’s not the same universe. Still, Yang Chao Yang is friendly with Lin Bei Xing. He’s willing to believe her space-time voyage and that they were friends in their third year.
Lin Bei Xing is at the planetarium again. She uses a telescope to look for her star, the Big Dipper! Zhang Wan Sen! The real stars aren’t as bright as she thought. As Lin Bei Xing leaves, she accidentally drops her old phone and it breaks. She messed up. She really messed up everything. She cries alone at the top of the tower.
All alone.
The fact that she realized the real stars aren’t as bright made my heart drop. Does this mean Zhang Wan Sen died? But even then, the light that Zhang Wan Sen gave her will shine brightly within her heart T_T.
[Ep17] Lin Bei Xing returns to work at the zoo. She appreciates her job now. At work, she hears “I like you.” It’s from a parrot. Apparently, that’s the only sentence the parrot will speak. Chen Yi Chen, a new employee who’s in charge of the parrot comments they must be fated. Boy, not your fate.
Mai Zi works at a bodyshop. Zhan Yu is a client. Mai Zi finds out he’s getting married and congratulates him as if Mai Zi knows him. Hm.
The parrot is stolen. Mai Zi did it! (Interestingly, Zhan Yu was a client at his bodyshop and he congratulated Zhan Yu on his marriage as if he knew him. Hm.) When Lin Bei Xing traces Mai Zi down, he’s beaten up by the same thugs, ugh. This thug plot. He’s hospitalized. From his belongings, Lin Bei Xing finds an old picture of Mai Zi and Zhang Wan Sen, but the printed date is 2020! Ling Bei Xing goes to a repair shop to ask about the photo. The owner confirms the printed date is wrong. It’s a picture from ten years ago. She’s disappointed, but there’s a silver lining. The owner fixes her phone and she finally sees two unread messages from an unknown number. The first message’s preview is “I am Zhang Wan Sen. Do you still remember me...”. The next message is “I like you.”
After Lin Bei Xing’s mother’s surgery is successful, Lin Bei Xing deletes a message (Zhang Wan Sen’s introduction). She’s back in 2010! It’s raining at the bus stop. Zhang Wan Sen glances at her then shyly looks away when he’s caught. Lin Bei Xing notices the gangsters and takes his hand to flee. When they’re safe, she hugs him. She tells him she likes him. But she’s snapped back to 2020! Snap!
Lin Bei Xing (devastated): Why? I saved him! But why am I back?
[Ep18] Drama rewinds a little for the full conversation between Lin Bei Xing and Zhang Wan Sen.
Zhang Wan Sen: You know me...?Lin Bei Xing (nods): We’ve known each other for a long time. If you think that’s not enough, we can familiarize with each other again. I know you’ve always been protecting me. I want to protect you too. [...] Zhang Wan Sen, I like you! I really like you.
2021. Lin Bei Xing doesn’t understand why she’s back. He didn’t die.
Lin Bei Xing tries again. She deletes the last message, which means it’s her last chance. She’s back in 2010. It’s raining again. She spots Zhang Wan Sen from afar. She bolts towards him, accidentally bumping into a girl carrying flyers. She quickly drags him to run. His phone drops. She sees the message that he was about to send, “I like you”.
2021. The space-time travel ends again. Once again, Zhang Wan Sen didn’t die.
Lin Bei Xing asks Mai Zi for information about Zhang Wan Sen. He ignores her. When he’s beaten up again by gangsters, Lin Bei Xing helps him escape, but then he disappears. She thinks he’s really gone now because he was supposed to take a plane this afternoon.
Mai Zi is still here! He’s at the planetarium saying goodbye to Zhang Wan Sen.
Flashback: Lin Bei Xing walks back from the convenience store. Zhang Wan Sen is guarding her. This explains why he pulled her at the 2nd space-time-travel. Mai Zi feels bad for Zhang Wan Sen. He’s doing all this, but Lin Bei Xing doesn’t even know he exists. To Zhang Wan Sen, he just wants her to be happy, pass gaokao, and to find love with Zhan Yu. Mai Zi and Zhang Wan Sen take a picture together to commemorate their time together. Zhang Wan Sen is leaving abroad. They write 2020 on the picture as a promise to meet ten years later. Could Zhang Wan Sen be back in ten years?!?!
It’s only after Mai Zi finds out Zhan Yu is marrying someone who’s not Lin Bei Xing that he’s finally willing to talk to her. I like that he punches Zhan Yu. He tells her he was friends with Zhang Wan Sen and they were both protecting her. Zhang Wan Sen used all his allowance (money for his basic necessities) to pay back Lin Da Hai’s debt. Mai Zi had folded a paper airplane to tell her the details. Ep1. He also gives her Zhang Wan Sen’s old phone. The lighthouse incident is the last piece of news he knows about Zhang Wan Sen.
Lin Bei Xing recalls all the memories of Zhang Wan Sen, the little parts that never made sense: 1) Zhang Wan Sen fled with her at the convenience store to protect her, 2) he threw a water balloon at her to have her turn away from the gangsters, and 3) all the times he was on the bus, standing behind her was to guard her. He also followed her home to make sure the gangsters didn't catch up to her. How could Lin Bei Xing not know a single thing he did for her! T_T
Flashback: At the lighthouse, Zhang Wan Sen grabbed onto Lei Ge's (leader) ankle, preventing him from leaving until the police arrived. During the fight, he sent the text message, “I like you”. Then Lei Ge kicked him away. And that’s how Zhang Wan Sen fell off the lighthouse. As he’s falling, there’s his voiceover: “Lin Bei Xing, I like you."
Lin Bei Xing arrives home. She rummages through her room to find the paper airplane. It’s a letter written by Zhang Wan Sen.
Letter: Lin Bei Xing, you probably will never know that I started liking you when I was very young. She knows!!! But it’s just too late T____T.
Can I be optimistic that he didn’t die? No one ever saw him dead or visited his grave. Everyone just says that Zhang Wan Sen disappeared. Then there’s his ten year promise with Mai Zi. Zhang Wan Sen has to be back, right?
[Ep19] Zhang Wan Sen’s perspective. In 1999 Zhang Wan Sen and Lin Bei Xing met at the zoo, but before he could introduce himself, he transferred. In elementary school, he transferred back to the same neighbourhood. He overheard she likes basketball players and this is how he joined the team! Omg. Everything is for her! He was too shy to approach her, but still, he saved her during the fire. He was proud that he could protect her. He was her hero from this point forward T_T. He ran to find a doctor and wished he could run back faster and faster, but it was still too slow. She didn’t know he saved her. Then in the first year of high school, they were finally in the same school and class. Although he never said anything to her, he was still happy to spend that year with her. Lin Bei Xing is blind!!! He was there all the time!
During the first year, there was a class event. Lin Bei Xing darted forward to leave, but Zhang Wan Sen took the chance to take it as her volunteering to help with the event. The hopeful expression he had when she ran forward >.< He suggests for the class to play harmonica. She’s like Whatever you want, I don’t even know the names of the whole class yet. But girl, don’t you notice that he knows yours! She’s rushing to pack her bag so that she can catch up with Zhan Yu. While she’s BLINDLY chasing Zhan Yu, Zhang Wan Sen had his unrequited love towards her, always watching from the sidelines.
But he wanted to take action! Zhang Wan Sen was hesitating on sending Lin Bei Xing a text message that he liked her but when he saw her ditch their class performance to join Zhan Yu’s class to be a tree!!, he drafted his message.
Zhang Wan Sen wrote study notes for Lin Bei Xing so that she could pass her exams to go to Beijing with Zhan Yu. “Idiot!” On the way, he encountered the thugs, and the rest is history. He planned to leave after paying all of Lin Da Hai’s debt.
Lin Bei Xing finishes reading the letter.
Letter: Lin Bei Xing, You can now safely take gaokao, go to Beijing with Zhan Yu. As for me, and you, the you who never knew me, I shall officially bid farewell. Lastly, I want to say something I never had the courage to say: I like you. Even if the stars and rivers change, I still like you.
Her face is wet from tears. Then she notices the letter is part of a book. It’s part of Zhang Wan Sen’s diary! She runs out to find Mai Zi, who’s already waiting for her at her door. He gives her the book and bids his farewell. He will be leaving the city to start his new life.
Lin Bei Xing reads the diary. The entries are all about her.
Zhang Wan Sen’s voiceover: From the bottom of my heart, I envy how Zhan Yu can watch the fireworks with you, take graduation photos with you, dance the rabbit hop with you, take gaokao with you, and leave together with you after the exams.
In the end, Zhang Wan Sen never took the exam to protect her. He never left for Africa for his dreams to protect her. T_T. Can he not be like this? Omg. Stop loving her!! T_T. After the exams, he rode the bus with her to keep her safe.
Zhang Wan Sen’s voiceover: I wished we could go back to those moments that I regretted, but I may still not have the courage to sit beside you, let alone ride a bike with you, watch a concert together, experience the first snow together, and to grow up together to be the adults that we dream of. The scene during this voiceover where he’s struggling to sit next to her on the bus is so cute, but so sad.
Lin Bei Xing realizes all the times she traveled to 2010, it was during the moments he regretted: fireworks, graduation photo, rabbit dance, taking gaokao. If she had turned back to look at him, would he still have all these regrets? Why is it that she’s given a chance to to turn around, but they still ended?
Lin Bei Xin also realizes every time the voyage ends is when either of them say “I like you.” Lin Bei Xing shouts to the sea, “Zhang Wan Sen, I like you. I really, really like you! Do you hear me?” How long is this heartbreak going to last?
[Ep20] Lin Bei Xing has one more message left to delete. It’s her last chance. She’s using Zhang Wan Sen’s phone. She already deleted all hers. The only message left on his phone is in the sent folder – the confession. As she’s contemplating, Yang Chao Yang visits Lin Bei Xing at the zoo. He believes in her parallel universe story. He may look all happy, but he doesn’t really have friends so when she said he was her best friend, he appreciates that. She shares with him that she’s afraid to go back. As long as there’s a confession, then that’s it. Yang Chao Yang asks her a question: “Is your love more important or is his life more important?” He also asks her to tell her best friend in that universe to enjoy life. Don’t just think of succeeding immediately.
Lin Bei Xing stares at the last message. She’s reminded of Zhang Wan Sen’s words: “What tomorrow is like, what the future is like, we’ll know the answers to those very quickly so don’t be afraid of anything.” Lin Bei Xing gathers her courage and deletes the message.
2008. Lin Bei Xing is in Year 1! There’s two more years that she can spend with Zhang Wan Sen! It’s the harmonica class performance. Yang Chao Yang tattles on Lin Bei Xing that she’s skipping practice to be a tree for Zhan Yu's class. Heck no, Lin Bei Xing ain’t being no tree anymore. Surprised at her arrival, Zhang Wan Sen quickly hides his phone. He still has his draft text “I like you.” Lin Bei Xing smiles at him. He’s all shy and averts her gaze. Awwww. Zhang Wan Sen, I missed you! She sits with him at the back and gently asks him to teach her how to play harmonica.
The next practice, Lin Bei Xing waits for Zhang Wan Sen outside the room to introduce herself (sweetly this time). He introduces himself too, but she knows him already. Well, he knows her too. She also adds this to his intro: “When you smile, you look really good.” I concur!
After practice, they’re on the bus, sitting next to each other. Aw, this counts as one of his regrets too, right? T_T He’s nervous and so she shares an earphone with him to listen to music. I don’t know if he can actually hear the music when his heart is erratic. And is this a nod to the Ferris wheel ride? Lin Bei Xing offers to teach him how to ride the bike. He takes it with that cute little smile of his! I know it that his heart is bursting.
Bike lesson! Zhang Wan Sen can’t get both his feet on the pedals. He’s wobbling so much and her presence isn’t worsening it. He makes Lin Bei Xing ride ahead. She keeps turning back to check on Mr. Wobbly, and she ends up falling. Zhang Wan Sen learns in a jiffy to save her. Why am I crying? This is romantic but I’m reminded that he will do anything for her. They spend more time at the lighthouse and they have a promise to go to school together tomorrow on their bikes.
The next day, it’s pouring. But rain or shine, she will fulfill their promise. Girl, now you appreciate this, eh! But it really is raining too heavily and so they take the bus instead.
It’s still raining a lot after school. Zhang Wan Sen improvises and steals a beach umbrella from a table. The man who won’t let his girl be rained on. Lin Bei Xing chases after him and accidentally knocks down the flyer girl, the same flyer girl from when Zhang Wan Sen’s phone dropped. She finally learns Zhang Wan Sen’s confession text was drafted since first year. Everything she’s doing now is giving him hope for him to say “I like you” Lin Bei Xing wonders if her purpose in this dimension is to end his hope and to stay away from him. NO! You’re supposed to not make him regret anymore!!
Other happenings:
→ Lin Bei Xing cheers up Yang Chao Yang (and tells him to enjoy high school life)
→ Lin Bei Xing also stops her brother from his business ventures. She reported him for selling counterfeit products.
→ Lin Bei Xing meets Gao Ge, who just fought with her dad. She advises Gao Ge to be honest with her father and tell him of her dreams. I like that Lin Bei Xing is also fixing up everyone else’s problems while trying to make it up to Zhang Wan Sen.
[Ep21] Zhang Wan Sen has detailed notes on Lin Bei Xing’s music sheets. They’re playing “送別”. It means “farewell” T_T. The English title is “Dreaming of Home and Mother”. The notes are beautifully thorough, but she’s not here to see it. She’s quitting the performance. She thinks avoiding Zhang Wan Sen will save him and while she’s doing this, her idiotic brother is still planning to open his shop. Why are my couple suffering from this brother’s idiocy?
No matter what Lin Bei Xing does, Lin Da Ha still finds a way to borrow from the same loansharks. GAH. Lin Bei Xing’s offensive remarks indirectly helped. >_> Then the gangsters beat her up for insulting them. Zhang Wan Sen flies to her rescue. He takes all the beating for her. He’s hospitalized. His leg is in a cast. There’s a silver lining! Lin Bei Xing takes care of Zhang Wan Sen because of his injuries but she’s still purposely mean about it to keep up her act that she hates him.
On the weekend, Lin Bei Xing brings food for Zhang Wan Sen. His leg is actually fine, but he pretends to limp in front of her. Lol. He’s a good limper. Lin Bei Xing keeps her eyes fixed on the TV, while he’s awkwardly eating in this stifling atmosphere. When he tries asking her about the gangsters, she curtly replies she doesn’t need his help. That’s the end of the only conversation. Silence. Suffocating. Zhang Wan Sen stuffs himself with food because that’s all he can do. Lin Bei Xing ignores him as she keeps her eyes forward, holding back her tears and forcing herself to look away from his pain. Of all people, how can Lin Bei Xing do this to him? T_T
Zhang Wan Sen has concert tickets for Lin Bei Xing, but how does he give it to a girl who looks like she hates him?
During class, there’s an earthquake. The students scatter. Among the chaos, Zhang Wan Sen finds Lin Bei Xing and pulls her out of the crowd. Lin Bei Xing is reminded of the moment he died for her.
Lin Bei Xing: It was so dangerous back there, why did you save me? From now on stay away from me. T_T.
Other happenings:
→ Lin Bei Xing and Zhang Wan Sen don’t make it to Yang Chao Yang’s performance. But Gao Ge is there because she saw his flyer.
→ Zhang Wan Sen and Zhan Yu become friends! Zhan Yu was only a jerk when he’s with the annoying version of Lin Bei Xing, eh.
[Ep22] Zhang Wan Sen brings homework (and medicine) for Lin Bei Xing who’s sick at home, but she remains curt to him. They’re alerted when Mom Lin falls. She’s hospitalized. Osteoarthritis is happening now (instead of 2021). Lin Bei Xing realizes the universe is in disarray because of her.
Lin Bei Xing writes in her diary, “If my return to this world was for you to give up on me, will you agree to that?” No! Flashback: Zhang Wan Sen protects Lin Bei Xing from the gangsters. She knows he won’t but she’s determined to make him hate her to protect him.
Lin Da Hai borrows money from Lei Ge (ahead of schedule which means Lin Bei Xing couldn’t stop him in time). She tells Lin Da Hai she’s quitting school to manage his store with him. She won’t quit unless he quits. Then Lin Bei Xing approaches Mai Zi (who isn’t yet friends with Zhang Wan Sen). She wants him to quit being a thug. She tells him that he’s different from the others.
Although Lin Bei Xing is absent, Zhang Wan Sen prepares notes for her every class. There’s a whole stack on her desk. He’s doing this even though she told him Mai Zi is her boyfriend. But then again, he was always like this (e.g. Zhan Yu)
Lin Bei Xing tails Lei Ge. She’s gathering evidence to report him to the police, but then Lin Da Hai says his friend mailed him evidence. Lin Da Hai also has concert tickets which he says were from her friend. Lin Bei Xing knows it can only be Zhang Wan Sen. Oh, so is this “friend” who mailed the evidence also Zhang Wan Sen then?
Lin Bei Xing goes to the concert! It’s one of Zhang Wan Sen’s regrets. It’s the song he let her listen to in the Ferris wheel (previous dimension). After the concert, Zhang Wan Sen has a chance to go on stage. He finally spots Lin Bei Xing among the crowd. But she walks away! She mutters inaudibly, “Sorry,” and never turns around.
Zhang Wan Sen (continues his speech even if she’s not looking his way): “I want to say to the girl who is here with me that I hope she’ll always be happy.” T_T
After the concert, Lin Bei Xing receives a call from Lei Ge. He knows she reported him to the police. He threatens her with Zhang Wan Sen’s safety because he knows she cares about him. When Zhang Wen Sen approaches her, she’s overly sensitive. She lies that she’s annoyed with him. “Did you think I would be moved [that you saved me]? Did you think you’re protecting me?" He’s rendered to silence. Still, after that brutal lecturing, he cares about her. He wants to know where she’s going when it’s so late. And he’s met with another cold response. “It’s none of your business.” Zhang Wan Sen cries.
Lin Bei Xing walks away, holding back her tears.
Lin Bei Xing’s voiceover: If someone has to sacrifice, then let it be me this time. Even if I’m sacrificing myself, I have to protect you. I can’t let you be hurt again. BUT YOU’RE HURTING HIM. Omg, get out of this loop!! T_T.
Lin Bei Xing wishes his future all the best. Without her, he should be fine. No he won’t be!
Cliffhanger: Lei Ge dies. Lin Bei Xing is on the scene. Did she kill him?
[Ep23] Zhang Wan Sen decides to study overseas. Lin Bei Xing asks about it but he returns the “None of your business” line. Now that Lei Ge is gone, she still can’t be with Zhang Wan Sen T_T. His indifference is what she wanted, but it hurts.
Three days earlier. Zhang Wan Sen wanted to talk to Lin Bei Xing but she swung off his hand. She didn't realize she dropped her diary with all her entries about her space-time voyages. After reading it, he knows she was purposely distancing him. T___T. Her last entry: “As long as you still love me, the possibility of danger will always be with you. I’m sorry. I hope this time you will hate me.” I didn’t know my heart could break even more. He’s leaving abroad to make it easier for her. He’s being cold to her on purpose for her T__T. He will also believe whatever she says no matter how much it defies reality.
Present. Zhan Yu hosts a farewell party for Zhang Wan Sen. Although I love how Zhan Yu is friends with Zhang Wan Sen, I still cannot forgive his big mouth in the previous dimension. Gao Ge asks if they should invite Lin Bei Xing. Zhang Wan Sen is silent. He’s not inviting her. But Lin Bei Xing baked a cake for him! She phones Yang Chao Yang if he could give the cake that “she bought” to Zhang Wan Sen instead. They come up with another plan: she dresses up as a mascot. However, she trips and cakes him. Her identity is revealed.
Zhang Wan Sen snaps: Lin Bei Xing, do you love messing with me?
He’s harsh to her (as she wanted). She offers to make it up by inviting them to the beach to see the bioluminescence. He’s not going.
Lin Bei Xing shouts after him: Don’t you want to see the first snow with me?
Clearly, he’s hesitating, but he's not turning around to let her see. There’s another reason for his cruelty. Zhang Wan Sen is under the impression Lin Bei Xing killed Lei Ge. There was a pink rabbit hairband on the scene. That night, he had followed her after the concert. He knows she went there. Zhang Wan Sen isn’t actually going abroad. He’s planning to go to jail for her!!!!
The sea is absent of bioluminescence. Cue episode title: “The Galaxy Without the Milky Way”. But Zhang Wan Sen shows up! Except he ignores her (because he’ll be turning himself in for her) GAH!!. She follows him along the beach and tries to speak to him.
Lin Bei Xing: It looks like the Big Dipper was always here.
 |
| I like it that she’s following him. She’s finally seeing the world in front of her. (And is that the lighthouse at the back?) |
Zhang Wan Sen: I’m sorry. I can’t watch the snow with you. There’s a saying in Chinese that if you watch the first snow together, you’ll grow old together. The fact that they couldn’t watch the snow together breaks my heart.
The next day, Zhang Wan Sen surrenders himself to the police. Lin Bei Xing learns everything (and that it was also Zhang Wan Sen who gave Lin Da Hai the pictures). She runs to the station but he’s already released. The real murderer (Lei Ge’s underling) is arrested. Lin Bei Xing was only a witness to the whole murder.
Lin Bei Xing searches everywhere for Zhang Wan Sen. She arrives at the classroom, but he’s not there. She sits at his seat, looks at the class from his view, and then from inside his desk, she finds the bookmark she uses for her diary. Lin Bei Xing breaks down in tears. He read her entries. He knew all her secrets. He turned in for her. Once again, he was sacrificing for her.
Zhang Wan Sen is at the airport. He’s leaving abroad. He still has his pink rabbit hairband, which prompts a flashback of how he followed Lei Ge to gather the evidence and then handed it to Lin Da Hai with instructions to conceal it from Lin Bei Xing.
Zhang Wan Sen (looks down at the hairband and scoffs at himself): You make me look like an idiot.
Gao Ge tells Lin Bei Xing that Zhang Wan Sen is at the airport. She runs there.
Lin Bei Xing’s voiceover): Why must you always run in front of me? (But you didn’t notice when he was behind you anyway!) No matter what I do, in front of your sacrifices, mine are always insignificant.
T_T. At least he’s alive this time...?
[Ep24] Lin Bei Xing promises to (the illusion of) Zhang Wan Sen that she will work hard to improve herself and to forget his name. She will live courageously. She won’t disappoint him.
August 2021. Mom (who’s fine!) prepares breakfast for everyone. Lin Bei Xing tells Mom to rest. From now on, she will be in charge of breakfast duties. Then she snatches her brother’s half peeled egg to give him a fully peeled one. Mom gets an egg too. Aw! I also like how she doesn't hate her brother.
And so every morning, Lin Bei Xing prepares breakfast for her family. Every day at work she’s enthusiastic and puts in her best effort.
Lin Bei Xing visits Gao Ge’s art exhibition. She sees Zhan Yu and Han Teng Teng who have an argument. Lin Bei Xing smiles warmly at them.
Yang Chao Yang is at the exhibition too. Gao Ge recognizes him immediately. She starts listing out all his faults. Even if she doesn’t want to remember him, all his news would trigger her memories. He smiles and invites her to one of his crosstalks. She’s busy (she really is). And so he invites her for dinner. Gao Ge accepts, but she says she’s treating. These two always find each other no matter time or space. Will it be like that for our leads?
At the high school’s anniversary, Lin Bei Xing is invited to make a speech. Teacher Gao is still a director and he’s on much better terms with Gao Ge. In Lin Bei Xing's speech, she tells the audience that fear is something you have to overcome on your own and once you’ve defeated your fears, you can tell the person who you care about the most that you’ve succeeded and that you’ve grown up. Zhang Wan Sen ah, Lin Bei Xing has grown up because of you!
Lin Bei Xing interviews for an opportunity to study abroad as a vet with borders. She studied hard for it. After the interview she walks on the streets. A big screen reports the weather. Tonight will be the first snow!! Is this hope?!
Lin Bei Xing gets a call from her manager that she’s accepted! She can be a borderless veterinarian. The manager wants her back asap to finish the paperwork. She gets off the bus and it starts snowing. She smiles up and asks the vast sky, “Zhang Wan Sen, it’s snowing. Are you still doing well? I miss you. I really miss you.” Then it stops snowing. Someone covered her with an umbrella. It’s a man holding an umbrella!
The end.
We don’t see the man’s face.
We don’t know if he’s real.
But we all want him to be.
And if he is Zhang Wan Sen, then our couple just watched the first snow together – his last regret.
In Chinese, there’s a special meaning for couples to experience the first snow. It’s a blessing to be together forever. It’s based off an idiom 白頭偕老 (bai tou xie lao), meaning to live to an old age in conjugal bliss. Taking the idiom literally, it means “white head” (白頭) and “growing old together” (偕老). And so if the only condition to grow old together is to have white head then our hair just needs to be covered with snow.
Remarks
[First Impression (Ep1-6)] The story: Lin Bei Xing can travel back to 2010 by simply deleting a message, but it may not be a simple “time” travel because nothing she does in the past affects her future. Still, she thinks she can change her past for the better and dump her boyfriend before he dumps her 11 years later. In this new 2010, she meets Zhang Wan Sen, the boy who’s always around her and seems to be affecting her time-(space-)loop.
By Ep6, I like the romance. The ML is so shy! Kyaa ~ He’s always been in love with her but she never noticed him in the original timeline (boo). Now that she’s “rewriting” her past, she’s barging into his life, telling him “You’re mine." and that she’s going to protect him. She’s sweeping him off his feet, and I really don’t get why he’s resisting her!!
The jerk boyfriend is hilarious at times. I like his character now that I’m six episodes in. There’s a nice reversal for him (but there’s definitely no second lead syndrome).
OST is pretty too!
[Ep15 Update] Show is so KIND to give us all tissue paper on its Weibo page.
[Glossary]
[Ending] Lin Bei Xing finds a career she loves. As she’s walking in the snow – the first snow – there’s suddenly an umbrella shielding her. A man is standing behind her. Is he the “world” she has forgotten? Is he Zhang Wan Sen?
Sad ending interpretation: Zhang Wan Sen died, but to Lin Bei Xing, he’s always there. Even without his physical presence, he is still her world. He taught her to find herself even when she can’t see her Big Dipper. He gave her the confidence and the courage to walk forward. Zhang Wan Sen, her Big Dipper, lives on in her heart. She will never be lost because he will always be there with her.
Happy ending interpretation: Not one person confirmed Zhang Wan Sen’s death in the original timeline. Not Mai Zi. Not Gao Ge. There’s no grave. Ten years ago, he could have been saved and then went to study abroad. His appearance at the end is about 10 years after gaokao, which is when he promised Mai Zi he’d be back. The fact that he’s here during the first snow is an indication that Zhang Wan Sen is here to rewrite the last regret. They get to experience the first snow. They get to be together forever, 白頭偕老.
Miscellaneous:
- Lin Da Hai really did change a lot. He dotes on Lin Bei Xing. He would stand up for her when Zhan Yu dumped her. It makes me feel better that Zhang Wan Sen’s sacrifice at least gave her a better brother. In fact, I think Zhang Wan Sen changed a lot of people’s lives. There’s also Mai Zi.
- Zhan Yu isn’t a jerk as long as he’s not with Lin Bei Xing (who I think was pretty annoying in the beginning). He values loyalty, which is how he fell in love with Lin Bei Xing.
- Gao Ge and Yang Chao Yang – the second couple who always find each other in every dimension. Is this a hope for our main CP?
- Who’s tby? S/he’s the one who messages Lin Bei Xing about Zhang Wan Sen’s death.
- How come deleting messages work sometimes but not all the time? (Ans inspired from Geo: Deleting texts with keywords about his regrets would bring her back)
[Review & Rating]
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