At the opening ceremony, Su Mengyao runs into trouble while giving a speech as the freshman representative. Jiang Yichen steps in at the last minute, and when their eyes meet for the first time, something strange passes between them.
The seating plan puts them at the same desk. Su Mengyao tries to strike up a conversation, but Jiang Yichen responds coolly. Still, she notices him quietly picking up her stationery and setting it in order.
Su Mengyao discovers that Jiang Yichen stays in the classroom alone after school every day, studying late into the evening. She suggests they study together, and they have their first academic showdown.
In math class, the teacher poses a difficult problem. Su and Jiang come up with different solutions at the same time. After class, they discuss it in depth and discover that their ways of thinking complement each other.
The class organizes an autumn outing, and Su Mengyao warmly invites the solitary Jiang Yichen to join her group. When they get lost along the way, they work together to find their way out.
After getting lost together, their relationship grows closer. Jiang Yichen starts discussing problems with Su Mengyao on his own initiative, but when their classmates tease them, he retreats to a safe distance.
Just before the midterm exams, Su Mengyao suddenly comes down with a high fever. Jiang Yichen spends the night organizing his notes and brings them to her house. Through the door, he hears her playing the piano.
They tie for first place in their grade on the midterms. Su Mengyao catches Jiang Yichen’s rare smile on the awards stage, and it becomes the talk of the school.
The two are assigned to opposing teams in the school debate competition. They clash fiercely onstage, but offstage Jiang Yichen helps Su Mengyao strengthen her arguments.
After the debate final, Jiang Yichen walks Su Mengyao home. Passing the music room, they spontaneously play a piano duet, and for the first time, the air between them turns flirtatious.
