Lin Yi Yang returned to The Apartment, where he and Wu Wei reflected on Jiang Yang’s significant impact on Dongxin City. Wu Wei mentioned that the lease was prepared, allowing both Meng XiaoTian and Yin Guo to move in soon.
As Lin Yi Yang started arranging a room for Yin Guo, Wu Wei playfully remarked that he was even offering her his desk.
As they continued their casual conversation, Lin Yi Yang asked Wu Wei, “Do you think I was a good person?”
Wu Wei responded, “You tend to have a short fuse, and there are times you come off as harsh.”
Lin Yi Yang clarified, “I’m talking about in the context of relationships with women.”
Wu Wei candidly replied, “Honestly, you’re quite popular among women. Here in Dongxin City, several women have shown interest in you. Don’t tell me you’re unaware. That would only make you oblivious.”
Lin Yi Yang then inquired, “What do you think I should wear to appear more attractive?”
Wu Wei suggested, “The best look for you? Definitely sportswear or a hoodie. Girls say You’re tall and lean, and those outfits suit you well. They give off a youthful vibe.”
At a restaurant, Wu Wei enjoys breakfast with Yin Guo and Meng Xiaotian. They converse about Lin Yi Yang’s hectic schedule and his assistance in securing their rental apartment. Meng Xiaotian and Yin Guo agree they should express their gratitude properly. Wu Wei informs them that Lin Yi Yang will return in one or two months, and since Yin Guo will be in town for the competition, she might have the opportunity to meet him.
Yin Guo sends him a message, expressing her deep appreciation for his help with the apartment. He responds with his usual “no problem.” Yin Guo playfully asks if “no problem” is his go-to phrase.
Meanwhile, Lin Yi Yang is seen concluding a class, indicating he was teaching. Two female students approach him, and he inquires if their visit concerns homework grades or journals. They express their desire to treat him to dinner as a form of gratitude, but he declines, citing a lack of time and suggesting that completing their assignments would be thanks enough.
In a different scene, Wu Wei escorts Yin Guo and Meng Xiaotian to their new apartment. Elsewhere, Lin Yi Yang arrives at a billiards club and checks with a friend to confirm if the money he provided has been transferred, receiving affirmation. Another friend arrives, congratulating him on the acquisition of the billiards place, acknowledging Lin Yi Yang’s efforts in taking over. Despite an offer of assistance, Lin Yi Yang declines, noting his friend’s marital status.
He then assembles all the participants of the Nine-Ball open, distributes the training schedule, and advises them to contact him with any issues.
At the apartment, Meng Xiaotian takes stock of the place and feels somewhat slighted when he notices that his sister’s room is better equipped with a wardrobe, bookshelf, sofa, and cabinet. Wu Wei playfully suggests that his sister merits the finest amenities. Yin Guo and Wu Wei then decide to head over to the Billiards’ Room.
Upon arrival, Wu Wei introduces Yin Guo as a friend of Lin’s, and she receives a warm welcome from everyone there. It turns out there’s a table specifically reserved for Lin Yi Yang. Yin Guo begins practicing at this table. It’s revealed that Lin Yi Yang had previously worked there, giving billiards lessons, which explains his close relationship with the owner. Yin Guo remarks on how Lin Yi Yang seems to have a presence everywhere.
Wu Wei shares that Lin Yi Yang juggled working for a bus company, teaching billiards, and taking on various other jobs, yet he always made time for playing pool despite never entering competitions. Yin Guo is intrigued by the fact that he practices daily without competing. After some time, Wu Wei leaves her to continue and exits the Billiards’ Room.
Wu Wei & Meng XiaoTian decide to visit Opera.
Lin Yi Yang visits Yin Guo at Billiards’ Room.
Lin Yi Yang – Good shot.
Yin Guo – You… Aren’t you in class?
Lin Yi Yang – I came after class. I heard you were here. I dropped by. Surprised?
Yin Guo – Wu Wei said you only come back every month or two. That’s why I text you to thank you.
Lin Yi Yang – I’m free these days. So, are you used to the environment here?
Yin Guo – It’s good. They say you usually use this table. Thank you.
Lin Yi Yang – Will you head back? You must have been here for a long time.
Yin Guo – I’ve been practicing alone today. If you have time, you play with me?
Lin Yi Yang – I fear I’ll make you cry.
Yin Guo – I’m actually pretty good.
(I’m a semi-professional player.) (Even if I lose, I won’t cry.
Lin Yi Yang – I’ve made many kids cry when playing pool. Wu Wei was among them.
Yin Guo – Does that mean he was too weak?
Lin Yi Yang – Actually, he’s not bad. But, I’m better than him.
Lin Yi Gang contemplates whether he should pull his punches during the game, opting to restrain himself and not reveal his true skill level. Yin Guo questions if she might be challenging him too much.
Yin Guo – Maybe we should go for a meal instead.I forgot you just got off the train.
Lin Yi Yang – It’s okay. I’m not hungry. Best of five games. If you’re not tired, best of nine is okay too.
They decide to play the pool together.
Lin Yi Yang – You serve. Want to play it fast? Or you want to play it safe?
Yin Guo – Either way is fine.
Lin Yi Yang – There’s a seeded player in the women’s division. Someone specializing in speed. I’ll help you get used to it.
Yin Guo – Are you familiar with the players in the women’s division?
Lin Yi Yang – Not very.
Once Yin Guo finishes her turn, Lin Yi Yang steps up for his shot, yet she swiftly realizes he’s holding back, not playing to his full potential.
Yin Guo – You’re hiding your strength.
Lin Yi Yang – Am I?
Yin Guo – No need to concede points. I can stand to lose. If I take your place now, I’ll win this round. If you fail, you’re throwing the game.
Lin Yi Yang ends the game and they decide to eat together.
Lin Yi Yang – It’s getting late. Let’s go back.
Yin Guo – Okay, time to have dinner.
They leave the billard room and starts walking together.
Yin Guo – We’ve prepared a hot pot for tonight. You can join us. By the way, I have a very good friend. She is your alumna. She’s from the law centre.
Lin Yi Yang – Your brother has told me.
The dialogue comes to a halt, leaving Yin Guo at a loss for words. Out of the blue, Lin Yi Yang inquires, “Why the silence?”
As they approach the restaurant, he shares, “I’m usually not one for many words. However, I’d like to have a conversation with you. Let’s head inside.”
Upon arriving at the apartment, they discover that Wu Wei and Meng XiaoTian are nowhere to be found.
Yin Guo – They said they went to see an opera. So what should we do? Do you still want to eat?
Lin Yi Yang – Of course.
Lin Yi Yang decides to prepare food while Yin Guo decides to help him. She is interested in his tattoo.
Yin Guo – What is that on your arm?
Lin Yi Yang – A classmate of mine studies body painting. I visited his exhibition a while ago. He painted one on me.
Yin Guo – It’s beautiful.
Lin Yi Yang – You go with me next time.
Yin Guo – How long can this last?
Lin Yi Yang – About three or four days.
Yin Guo gets ready to set up dinner, while Lin Yi Yang goes to change his clothes, finding himself indecisive between choosing a sweatshirt or a hoodie, recalling Wu Wei’s fashion advice.
In the meantime, Wu Wei contacts Lin Yi Yang, informing him that due to heavy snowfall, both Meng Xiaotian and he are unable to make it back, leaving Lin Yi Yang and Yin Guo alone in the apartment.
They start chatting while having dinner.
Yin Guo – It’s all ready. Feels like every time we meet, we are eating.
Lin Yi Yang – It’s nice.
Yin Guo – What’s so good about eating? One has to eat three meals a day.
Lin Yi Yang – I’ve been busy this semester. It’s rare to have a meal on time.
They decide to have drink together.
Lin Yi Yang – I’ll go get the wine, and you put food in the pot. Put in whatever you like
He takes out the alcohol bottle from refrigerator. They do the cheers.
Yin Guo is drunk now and looking at Lin Yi Yang Wistfully.
Yin Guo – Do you miss home?
Lin Yi Yang – Yes.
Yin Guo – Who do you miss the most?
Lin Yi Yang – Maybe my grandpa.
Yin Guo – Grandpa? Well, are you pursuing someone? I saw what Wu Wei posted on his Moments. Although it was deleted instantly, I still saw it.
Lin Yi Yang – Really?
Yin Guo – Don’t be sad. You’re such a good person. If you like someone, you’ll get a response.
Lin Yi Yang – Do I look very sad?
Yin Guo replies by wishing him good luck with a small smile on her face.
They decide to clean up when Yin Guo gets a call on her phone. It was her grand mother calling her up while her cousin is sitting beside her.
Grand Ma -Are you happy about moving?
Yin Guo- Yeah. It’s much cheaper than staying in a hotel. I mean it.
Grand Ma -Where’s Tian?
Yin Guo- He went to see an opera.
Meanwhile Meng Xiaodong , her cousin intervenes.
Meng Xiaodong – He hung out again?
Grand Ma -Xiaodong. He rarely goes abroad. Let him have more fun.
Meanwhile , inside the other room , Lin Yi Yang stops whatever he was doing hearing Meng Xiaodong’s voice.
Yin Guo- That’s right. And he’s happy because we just moved into a new house today. Please don’t scold him. He’s been pretty well-behaved.
Meng Xiaodong – I don’t intend to scold him. I’m afraid he disrupts your training.
Yin Guo – He won’t.
Meng Xiaodong – This is your first international game. I won’t ask you to take first place. At least the runner-up.
Grand Ma – Why set such high expectations?
Meng Xiaodong – I’ve coached her since she was little. I’m responsible for her.
Grand Ma – If you are, you have to make her happy.
Meng Xiaodong – If I just wanted to make her happy, I wouldn’t have kept her by my side.
Lin Yi Yang listens to the whole conversation outside and is at his wit’s end. A realisation dawns on him.
Grand Ma -Don’t mind your brother. Is your flatmate there?
Yin Guo- Yes, he’s there.
Grand Ma – I want to thank him personally.
Yin Guo- That’s not necessary. I will thank him.
Grand Ma – He’s looked after you for so long. I must thank him.
Meng Xiaodong – You get him here. I would like to thank him.
Grand Ma – Get him over.
Yin Guo- Okay.
She goes out of the room to find Lin Yi Yang only to find out the apartment being empty.
Yin Guo- He’s not here. He might have gone out.
Meng Xiaodong – All right. Focus on your training. Don’t forget the training plan, got it?
Yin Guo – I know. Bye.
Both Grand Ma and Meng Xiaodong discusses about how he is being overtly strict about her training.
Meng Xiaodong – If I’m not strict with her, she wouldn’t have achieved what she has. Oh, Grandma. About their roommate, do you know his name?
Grand Ma -They call him Lin. Well, Lin Yiyang.
Meng Xiaodong is shocked to hear the name.
Meng Xiaodong – Who?
Grand Ma – Right, his name is Lin Yiyang.
As Meng Xiaodong reflects, a wave of realization washes over him, accompanied by a surge of childhood memories. It turns out they were childhood friends. Meng Xiaodong hails from Bei City, and alongside Jiang Yang and Lin Yi Yang, they were all prominent young talents in their respective fields.
Upon returning to his apartment, Yin Guo informs Lin Yi Yang that her grandmother wishes to express her gratitude towards him. He modestly deflects, suggesting that their thanks should be directed towards Wu Wei instead. However, Yin Guo insists that Wu Wei credited everything to him. In a moment of curiosity, Lin Yi Yang discreetly inquires if she has a brother. Yin Guo clarifies that her cousin, XiaoTian’s older brother, has been coaching her since she was young, which explains his strict demeanor towards her.
Yin Guo- He has a knack for coaching.
Lin Yi Yang – For example?
Yin Guo – When I was little, to make me good under pressure, he would take me to the noisiest billiard room. And he let me play in the corner. He would pick someone at random to play against me. So now, any on-the-spot environment is easy for me. Just like listening to light music.
Lin Yi Yang – Master of emotions. On the court, an unemotional winning machine.
Yin Guo- How do you know?
Lin Yi Yang – I read your interviews when I searched for the Nine-Ball Open online.
Yin Guo- I see. Sounds like what the journalists said.
The night is called, and under the duvet, Yin Guo is found tossing and turning. Upon checking the time, she realizes it’s 2 am and wonders if she has overeaten, deciding then to head to the drawing room. There, Lin Yi Yang is discovered working on his laptop.
“Have you not slept yet?” is asked by Yin Guo.
“Did I disturb you?” is responded by Lin Yi Yang.
“No. I just wanted to go to the bathroom,” is stated by Yin Guo.
A good night is bid by Yin Guo, but not before she assures him that he isn’t disturbing her and it’s merely that she isn’t sleepy yet.
“I have something to say. I promised your brother to take him to a place tomorrow,” is revealed by Lin Yi Yang.
“Okay. Actually, you don’t need to tell me. He usually acts alone,” is replied by Yin Guo.
“Wu Wei will also go,” is added by Lin Yi Yang.
“Okay,” is acknowledged by Yin Guo.
“We won’t be back until the afternoon. So, are you okay to be home alone?” is inquired by Lin Yi Yang.
“Of course, sure. And I have training tomorrow afternoon. I won’t be at home either,” is confirmed by Yin Guo.
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