Lin Yi Yang is seen enjoying drinks with two of his friends, celebrating their graduation.
He brings up the topic of returning to China, engaging them in a discussion about the advantages and disadvantages. Lin Yi Yang mentions that he has begun to contemplate his future more seriously.
The following morning, Yin Guo visits the owner of a Chinese restaurant to inform him that she will be moving out next week because her team and coach have arrived. She extends an invitation to him to attend a game, offering a ticket, but he politely declines, advising that young people should focus on saving money while abroad. Receiving a message that Lin Yi Yang is on his way back, she decides to head to the apartment.
Upon her arrival, she overhears Meng Xiaotian speaking with someone and wonders if it’s Lin Yi Yang. It turns out to be Meng Xiaodong, who has come for a visit. Surprised to see him, Yin Guo learns that Meng Xiaodong’s visit is actually to see Lin Yi Yang, not her.
Yin Guo initially suspects that Meng Xiaotian might have informed Meng Xiaodong about Lin Yi Yang, but Meng Xiaotian reassures her with a look that he hasn’t disclosed anything.
Meng Xiaodong – When is he coming back?
Yin Guo – N-No idea.
Meng Xiaodong – Aren’t you very close to him?
Yin Guo -We… We are getting along with him. But he wouldn’t update us about his schedule, would he?
Meng XiaoTian – No…
Meng Xiaodong – Do you have his contact?
Meng XiaoTian -Yeah. Don’t look at her. She doesn’t. They’re not that close.
Yin Guo thinks – My sweet little brother is repaying me for looking after him.
Meng Xiaodong – Ask him when he’s coming back. Don’t tell him I’m here.
Meng XiaoTian – Okay. I-I’ll ask him now. I’ll ask him.
Yin Guo – Well, he may not come back this week. He goes to school in another city. Want some more?
Yin Guo silently questions him with her eyes if he’s truly contemplating reaching out to him. Meng Xiaotian concedes, admitting he feels he has no other choice.
Soon, Meng Xiaotian receives a message from Lin Yi Yang stating he’s arrived and is downstairs. Yin Guo gives him a look that could only be described as shooting arrows with her eyes, filled with silent questioning and concern.
Both Yin Guo and Meng Xiaotian are apprehensive about the potential confrontation between the two; it’s been years since Lin Yi Yang and Meng Xiaodong last saw each other, dating back to their high school days.
When the doorbell rings, Yin Guo hesitantly opens the door. Lin Yi Yang immediately senses something is amiss from her expression and wonders aloud what’s wrong. She, with a troubled look, urges him to look to the other side. As he slowly turns his gaze, Lin Yi Yang’s eyes land on Meng Xiaodong standing there, marking a moment filled with tension and unspoken questions.
Lin Yi Yang – That’s so not you. Don’t you always button up till here?
Meng Xiaodong – It’s hot in here. I unbuttoned it.
Lin Yi Yang – People may think that you’re about to fight me.
Meng Xiaodong -Hard to say.
Lin Yi Yang – Let me wash my face.
Meng Xiaodong – Save the formality.
Lin Yi Yang – You got me wrong. My neck is hurting from the trip. I’m putting ointment. Wait for me if you want to talk.
After emerging from the bathroom, Lin Yi Yang finds Meng Xiaodong making himself comfortable. He then turns to Meng Xiaotian, questioning why he’s just standing around, and asks Yin Guo if she’s had anything to eat.
Meng Xiaotian and Yin Guo, sensing the tension, excuse themselves from the room. They’re left wondering if Lin Yi Yang and Meng Xiaodong are about to have a confrontation. Curiosity gets the better of them, and they decide to sneak a peek from outside. However, Meng Xiaodong, noticing their attempt, sternly instructs them to close the door, emphasizing the need for privacy in the moment.
Lin Yi Yang – Why? Trying to say something?
Meng Xiaodong – I don’t know how to put it.
Lin Yi Yang – Keep thinking then.
He gives him some time and asks again – Ready to talk?
Meng Xiaodong – I’m here for you.
Lin Yi Yang pauses his actions and remarks, “People keep coming for me, seriously. You should find something to keep yourselves busy. What’s going on?”
Meng Xiaodong expresses his surprise and concern, saying, “I haven’t heard from you for years. I wouldn’t have imagined finding you here if it weren’t for Xiaotian. You quit playing. Isn’t that a pity?”
Lin Yi Yang, preferring to avoid dwelling on the topic, dismissively responds with, “Next subject.”
Meng Xiaodong – What else is there to talk about?
Lin Yi Yang – That’s so not you. Don’t you always button up till here?
Meng Xiaodong – You’ve got a temper, huh?
Lin Yi Yang – I’m talking to you just to be polite, okay? Why is a world champion picking on a nobody like me?
Meng Xiaodong – Self-mockery? What happened to your pride?
Lin Yi Yang – I’m a grown-up now. What pride? That’s it. I don’t mind dining out with an old acquaintance. But I’m not interested in reminiscence.
Meng Xiaodong – Okay. My sister, then.
Yin Guo and Meng Xiaotian are left wondering about the unfolding events outside. Xiaotian thinks about calling their grandmother for advice, but Yin Guo advises against it.
Lin Yi Yang comments, “Nice tactic,” acknowledging the strategic maneuvering.
Meng Xiaodong, with a satisfied smile, asserts, “I’m not dumb. So I was right?”
Lin Yi Yang responds, trying to keep the situation light, “Meng Xiaodong, don’t be a child.”
Meng Xiaodong, feeling triumphant, says, “I finally got something on you. Feels great. There’s a billiard room nearby. Let’s see if you’re qualified to be one of my sister’s suitors.”
Lin Yi Yang retorts, “You don’t need to find excuses to play snooker with me.”
Meng Xiaodong, ready to challenge him, states, “See you later. Put on a shirt. I don’t play with someone in sloppy clothes.”
Lin Yi Yang, acknowledging Meng Xiaodong’s unchanged demeanor, replies, “Still so cocky. That hasn’t changed.”
Meng Xiaotian realizes his brother, Meng Xiaodong, has departed from the apartment. Emerging from their hiding spot, Yin Guo approaches Lin Yi Yang’s door. She inquires from outside if he has remained unharmed by Meng Xiaodong, seeking confirmation of her assumption. Lin Yi Yang replies that he is changing clothes.
Yin Guo is taken aback to see him dressed so meticulously upon his emergence. He shares with her that it’s been ages since he dressed up for snooker. Lin Yi Yang then explains that Meng Xiaodong has challenged him to a game of snooker, offering Yin Guo and Meng Xiaotian the choice to join them or stay behind. Following this, he heads out.
Upon arriving at the billiard venue, the manager mentions that his girlfriend frequents the place for rigorous practice. Meng Xiaodong is surprised by this revelation. Lin Yi Yang clarifies to the manager that she is training for a global tournament.
Meng Xiaodong starts by expressing his dedication to his profession, “You know me. Unless I retire or change my profession, I won’t play Nine-Ball. I’m very loyal to my career.”
Lin Yi Yang responds with a hint of nostalgia, “I haven’t played snooker with anyone since I quit the club. Snooker on the table of Nine-Ball. We’ll each take a step back. Get the cue sticks.”
Meng Xiaodong suggests, “Same old rule. Flip the coin.”
Lin Yi Yang offers, “You’re a guest. You go first.”
Meng Xiaodong, confident, replies, “Then you’re bound to lose.”
Lin Yi Yang then requests a snooker referee. The referee is taken aback upon recognizing Meng Xiaodong, a world champion, opting to play in such a casual setting.
The game commences, with both players showing their skills. However, the outcome of the match remains ambiguous, leaving it unclear who emerges victorious.
Yin Guo arrives to visit them towards the end of their game. Afterward, Meng Xiaodong asks her to accompany him outside, suggesting a moment for them to converse privately.
Yin Guo expresses surprise at Meng Xiaodong’s request for company, pointing out his usual preference for undisturbed training, “What? You never asked for that. You wouldn’t want anyone to disrupt your training. What happened today?”
Meng Xiaodong dismisses her concerns with a hint of teasing, “You never overthink like this. Who’s led you astray? Let’s go.”
Yin Guo suggests calling a cab for him, but he declines. Instead, he buys a hot dog, which he finds too spicy to eat. During their conversation about Lin Yi Yang, Meng Xiaodong mentions his approval of him, but Yin Guo interrupts to clarify that they aren’t a couple, a point Meng Xiaodong seems to overlook.
Meng Xiaodong then asks, “Are you going to marry him? He’s a nice guy. Poor family, though. No parents. That’s not a problem. I can make your parents accept that.”
Yin Guo is taken aback, “He lost his parents? W-Wait. Why did you mention my parents?”
Meng Xiaodong advises, “Try harder. Lure him back home.”
Yin Guo tries to set the record straight, “You got us wrong. We’re not there yet. W-We’re not a couple.”
Meng Xiaodong passionately discusses Lin Yi Yang’s prospects, emphasizing his potential in the sport and his character, “He can easily play until he reaches 40. He’s only 27. It’s his prime time. He has many chances. Guo. Make him come home. You’ll see how talented he is. We trained hard together back then. There were so many players. Only a few remained. It’s so good to see him again. You found a good boyfriend. Morality matters the most, got it?”
Yin Guo, unsure of how to respond to his assumptions and advice, simply says, “Gaga…”
Continuing his encouragement, Meng Xiaodong adds, “I can guarantee that he’s a decent guy. You got us wrong. Get married.”
Again, Yin Guo can only muster, “Gaga…”
Before leaving, Meng Xiaodong invites her to meet up, “Alright. Come and join us at the hotel. See you.” He then sends her a parting message, “You chose a pretty face.”
Yin Guo replies with a smile, yet clarifies her relationship status, “We’re not a couple yet. Seriously.”
As Lin Yi Yang emerges, he gazes at Yin Guo thoughtfully, fiddling with his lighter.
Yin Guo notes his early arrival compared to the previous week, to which Lin Yi Yang confesses his eagerness to see her. Upon complimenting the lighter and discovering it isn’t his, Yin Guo expresses interest in taking a closer look. In a playful maneuver, as she reaches for the lighter, Lin Yi Yang switches hands, capturing hers instead and pulling her closer.
Yin Guo inquires about the duration of his journey today, and Lin Yi Yang details the extensive hours spent traveling by train, bus, and metro, totaling around six or seven hours. Yin Guo points out the lengthy travel equates to a direct flight back home, a comment Lin Yi Yang doesn’t directly respond to. As he playfully engages with her hand, he asks for a hug, which she shyly declines. However, the bustling crowd at the club pushes her into him, leading to an unintended closeness.
Attempting to lighten the moment, Lin Yi Yang teases her about leaning on him, to which Yin Guo defensively cites the crowd’s push and the narrow space. She suggests grabbing a hot dog to escape the awkwardness, but Lin Yi Yang opts for a grill instead. Their plan is interrupted by a hockey tournament celebration, forcing them to abandon the cab midway and proceed on foot.
Eventually reaching the restaurant, they decide against eating there, leading Lin Yi Yang to choose cooking at home instead. Upon their return, they’re greeted by Meng XiaoTian and Wu Wei, who have prepared dinner, a gesture orchestrated by Lin Yi Yang for Yin Guo. However, a call from her coach interrupts the moment, prompting her to step away, and urging them not to wait.
During her absence, Wu Wei and Meng XiaoTian discuss Yin Guo and mention a childhood friend who has long harbored feelings for her, unsettling Lin Yi Yang. Yin Guo returns from her call to find Lin Yi Yang engaged in his call with a mentor. She signals that she’ll wait for him and retreats to her room, leaving a mix of emotions and unsaid words hanging in the air.
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