Amid a snowstorm, a group of individuals is in search of a destination. “I think it’s here. It must be close by. I think it’s here,” declares a man amongst them. Meanwhile, another man bundled up in winter attire, navigating through the blizzard. This man encounters the group. Someone from the group asks whether he is someone named Lin Yi Yang. Due to his hooded appearance and partially obscured face, he denies being Lin Yi Yang and starts to walk away. However, he quickly returns to advise the group to hire a taxi immediately as the snowstorm has disrupted public transportation, for which they express their gratitude.
In a separate scenario, a young woman, accompanied by a young man and carrying luggage, is hurrying to a location. She urges the young man, Meng Xiaotian, to quicken his pace. He retorts, questioning how she can move so swiftly despite her short stature, to which she responds by reminding him that she is his elder sister, albeit only by three hours. Their journey concludes in front of a Chinese restaurant, where they sigh in relief. The woman then makes a phone call to discuss accommodations, struggling to secure a room and considering reaching out to someone named Zheng Yi.
Meanwhile, the man from the initial scene arrives at the same restaurant and glimpses the woman through the glass door, watching her with a hopeful gaze and a soft smile. Upon entering the restaurant, he meets his friend, revealing that he is indeed Lin Yiyang. His friend introduces Lin YiYang to Meng Xiaotian, revealing that Meng Xiaotian is the brother of the woman Lin YiYang had been observing with affection.
Lin Yi Yang – You came alone?
Meng Xiaotian – With my big sister. She’s on the phone over there.
Lin Yi Yang – Got any drinks?
The Other Friend – No, I was waiting for you.
Lin Yi Yang – And you?
Meng Xiaotian – I got some snacks, not drinks. Want some?
Lin Yi Yang – No, thanks.
While settling down , he notices a bag which draws his attention to their luggage.
Later on, Meng Xiaotian is seen by himself when his sister informs him that Zheng Yi is attempting to secure a hotel for them. Choosing to rest, she lays her head down on the table for a nap. When her brother tries to rouse her, she responds irritably, only to notice a man standing nearby, offering her a drink, which he says is courtesy of him. The man is revealed to be Lin Yi Yang. Curious, the girl inquires of her brother if he is acquainted with them. He explains that he approached them because they were speaking Mandarin, prompting him to reach out.
Lin YiYang and His Friend
His Friend – Was the metro already out of service?
Lin Yi Yang – Yeah.
The friend tells the brother – sister duo – Kiddo. You’d better get a hotel now. It’s hard to get cabs later.
The Girl – Did she text me?
(she is waiting for zheng yi to call.)
Meng XiaoTian – Nope.
Lin Yi Yang informs his friend Wei – I got a cab. I can wait until they get a hotel and then drop them off first.
Wei – But you just got here.
Lin Yi Yang – Something came up.
Wei lets them know that his friend has managed to hail a cab, and they could offer them a lift once they find a hotel. While the brother has no objections, the sister feels it’s not right to impose. She politely declines their offer, saying, “I… I mean, I don’t want to impose. We can manage on our own. Thank you, though.”
Lin Yi Yang reassures her, “It’s no trouble at all.”
Wei adds, “We’ve hit it off with your brother, so please don’t feel awkward about it.”
As they decide to make the most of their evening, Guo receives a call from her friend, who has located a less expensive hotel, though it’s a bit out of the way and has only one room left. Lin Yi Yang takes the initiative to arrange for the cab as Wei and Meng Xiaotian excuse themselves to the restroom, leaving Guo and Lin Yi Yang alone at the table.
Guo – Are you a student? Or are you working here?
Lin Yi Yang – I’m a student. Why? I look suspicious? Here’s my ID. My student ID. Take a look. And my passport. Take a look. Is that my face?
Guo – Yeah… Thanks.
Wei – Lin Yiyang, what are you doing? Getting her contact when we’re not looking? Tell you what. He’s a fraud. It’s way too easy to forge his ID. Ask for his Hukou registration.
Guo – No need. Thanks.
Lin Yi Yang – The car is here. Help with the luggage.
Guo attempts to settle the bill, only to discover that Lin Yi Yang has already taken care of it. While loading their luggage, she discreetly snaps a photo of the taxi’s license plate for safety, feeling a bit sheepish when Lin Yi Yang notices her precaution. Nonetheless, they proceed to get into the cab. It turns out that Lin Yi Yang has specifically requested a slight detour to ensure Guo reaches her hotel safely. Upon arrival, he advises them to stay vigilant since the hotel is situated a distance from the main city. Grateful, Guo thanks him warmly. Just as he’s about to leave, her brother calls him back, and they exchange WeChat contacts.
Later, Lin Yi Yang arrives at his dormitory only to realize that his roommate, Wu Wei, is out and he has forgotten his keys. Seeking an alternative place to spend the night, he visits the home of another Chinese individual, only to learn that space is unavailable due to the return of the homeowner’s son. Left with no other options, Lin Yi Yang ends up spending the night on a bench inside the same restaurant, braving the cold with just a thin quilt for warmth.
Inside the Hotel Room
Exhausted from their day, the brother and sister duo immediately collapse onto their bed upon reaching the hotel. In their conversation, they bring up Lin YiYang, with the sister revealing her surprise to learn that he is from the same university as Zheng Yi. Moreover, she mentions that Lin YiYang is not just any student but a top achiever at their university.
Meanwhile, after a cold night spent on a bench, Lin Yi Yang wakes up to find the middle-aged man offering him a warm gesture of hospitality—a bowl of noodles. This act of kindness provides Lin Yi Yang some comfort after his uncomfortable night.
The Man – First noodle of the day. Here you are.
Lin Yi Yang – Thanks.
The Man – No, thank you. I repaid your (Transfer) 200k. Check it.
Lin Yi Yang – Sorry. It’s urgent, otherwise, I won’t urge you to pay back.
The Man – I owe you money. Not the other way around. Silly kid.
AT THE HOTEL DURING BREAKFAST
The brother takes the initiative to add Lin YiYang to his sister’s WeChat, doing so rather abruptly and insistently. Caught off guard and unsure of how to proceed, she hesitates on what to communicate to him. Meng Xiaotian then proposes that she should invite Lin YiYang out for dinner, reminding her that they had promised such an invitation. This suggestion aims to provide a straightforward and polite way for her to initiate conversation and express their gratitude.
She messages him – Hi, I’m Yin Guo, You helped me and my little brother.
Lin Yi Yang is at the station while chatting with her. He replies – I know.
Yin Guo – Thank you so much for getting us to the hotel. If you’re available, let us buy you food to show our gratitude. What do you think?
Lin Yi Yang – Not scared to be scammed?
Yin Guo – We just arrived. It’s our first visit. Plus the storm. I was totally lost. Sorry, I doubted you.
Lin Yi Yang – No problem.
Yin Guo – Where are you? We can come by.
Lin Yi Yang – At the train station. Heading back to school.
Curious about Lin YiYang’s response to the dinner invitation, her brother eagerly inquires, “What did he say?” Upon learning that Lin YiYang is already on his way back to school, Meng Xiaotian expresses disappointment, surprised by the sudden departure. He briefly considers chasing after Lin YiYang to spend more time together, hoping for a bit of fun. However, his sister firmly intervenes, stating that pursuing him further would be an intrusion on his time and plans. She insists on respecting his schedule and privacy, putting an end to the idea of following him.
While they are shopping in a supermarket, she discovers that her brother took the initiative to reach out to Lin Yi Yang, who has extended an invitation for them to visit his campus. However, she is not in favor of the idea, feeling perhaps that it might be imposing or inconvenient. Despite her reservations, her brother nudges her towards accepting the invitation, pointing out that she will soon begin her training, after which she will not have the opportunity for such visits. He implies that this could be a rare chance for them to explore the campus and spend time with Lin Yi Yang before her schedule becomes too busy.
At the train station, Lin Yi Yang gazes at her display picture on his phone, a smile spreading across his face. He affectionately saves her contact under the nickname “RED FISH” before boarding his train. Coincidentally, Yin Guo and her brother are also catching a train around the same time. Seizing the moment, she decides to message him, coupling her text with a transfer of money. Her message conveys gratitude and a hope for reciprocity: “I hope I can repay your kindness soon. But before that, please accept this money for the taxi and the drinks.” This gesture subtly indicates her wish to maintain self respect.
Lin Yi Yang – Don’t mention it.
She tells Meng Xiaotian – Pay him back once we arrive. I made a transfer but he didn’t accept it.
His friend boards the train.
His Friend – There you are, finally. She’s almost there. And you left. What was that? Come back with me. Or I’ll be stuck on you.
Lin Yi Yang – I went broke, buying drinks for those kids. I can’t afford a ticket back.
His Friend – I can. I know it’s not enough for the train. Let’s get on the bus after we arrive. I can afford that.
Lin Yi Yang – What if I just don’t want to go back?
His Friend – Actually, it’s your teacher’s daughter who wants to see you tonight. She’s coming to attend her nephew’s graduation ceremony and insists on meeting you. Her mom prepared many things you liked when you were a kid. She’s coming all the way here and you’re avoiding her. It’s not very nice. So I’ll get tickets?
Lin Yi Yang – Whatever. Leave me alone.
His Friend – I knew it. Someone is just pretending to be tough.
Upon arriving in HeXin, Yin Guo and her brother decide to explore the local cuisine. At the same time, Lin Yi Yang and his friend also reach their destination. Eager for a reunion, her brother reaches out to Lin Yi Yang to propose a dinner meeting, only to learn that Lin Yi Yang has returned to Hel, missing the opportunity for them to connect.
Feeling slighted by what she perceives as being stood up, Yin Guo expresses her frustration towards her brother. Despite the setback, they resolve to make the most of their visit by exploring HeXin on their own. During their exploration, a cab driver inquires if they are international students at Hexin University, sparking a conversation about the institution’s steep tuition fees. Yin Guo mentions to her brother that Zheng Yi had already briefed her on the high costs associated with attending Hexin University, indicating that they had some insight into what to expect during their stay in the area.
They decide to chat with her friend – Not so handsome. He’s lying.
Her Friend – Got any photos? Your brother has been mentioning him. How does he look? So curious.
Her Brother – I won’t lie to you. If I were a girl, I’d fall for him.
Yin Guo – Mediocre. Just ordinary.He’s exaggerating.
Her Brother – Be honest, okay?
Her Friend – Yeah, be honest. Be objective.
Yin Guo – Fine. I admit. He’s not bad.
Lin Yi Yang – The Ebbitt Grill there is nice. Try it.
She gets flustered that she forgot he could see it.
Meng Xiaotian pacifies her – It’s okay. You didn’t badmouth him. You actually praised him.
Yin Guo – I totally forgot about it.
Meng Xiaotian – It’s okay. Lin is such a nice guy.
Yin Guo – So embarrassing.
Meng Xiaotian – It’s okay. I’ll be quiet.
While Lin Yi Yang is occupied with messaging, his friend takes notice of his unusual engagement on the phone. Lin Yi Yang makes a phone call to someone else, requesting a favor. He says, “Hey, it’s me. I need you to host two kids for me. I can’t make it back. Please take care of them. I’ll attend once, that’s my condition. This is a one-time deal. Here, take it.” This conversation implies that Lin Yi Yang is arranging for someone to accommodate Yin Guo and her brother in Lin Yi Yang’s absence, ensuring they are looked after even though Lin Yi Yang cannot be there in person.
The Brother – Sister duo takes the life.
Meng Xiaotian – Lin said he was sorry to make us come in vain. Dinner is on him.
Yin Guo –You agreed?
Men xiaotian – Nope. He said his friend would come. I said sure but I had to pay for dinner.
Yin Guo – And?
Meng Xiaotian – And he said that we are guests here. So dinner is on him. This is how it works with Chinese even if we’re abroad. But I didn’t agree.
Yin Guo – That’s more like it. Well done. We’re already in debt. He can’t pay for us again. Give him the money for the ride and the drinks.
Meng Xiaotian – Sis, you’ve said it twice. I’m not a kid anymore. He didn’t accept it. He said next time when we meet.
Yin Guo – Next time?
Meng xiaotian shows her the message from Lin Yi Yang which says that they will meet later.
Lin Yi Yang visits her sister.
She mentions how good as a senior Yi Yang was in dongxin City.
Her sister – Jiang Yang is in trouble. He wants to talk to you.
Lin Yi Yang – I have no money or connections. If he needs help, I’m the last one he should talk to.
Her sister – What if he doesn’t need money or connections?
Lin Yi Yang – I don’t think I can offer anything.
Her sister – Fine. This is between you and your brother. I won’t meddle with it. Right. My mom made pickles for you and wanted me to bring them here. I managed to dissuade her, but she made me bring you these instead. I was so worried during the trip that it’d be confiscated by the Customs. Have them. They should keep these for themselves. Yeah. I told them that you were only 27 and wouldn’t need these. But she got really upset and insisted that I bring these. So I thought I’d better let her be. Besides, these are all gifts from others. They don’t eat those things. So I thought I’d bring them to you. You can make these into soup or tea. You know. My mom loves keeping the good stuff for you.
Lin Yi Yang – Sis. No need.
Her Sister – You finally called me sis after a whole night.