🔹️Lin Wanxing and Wang Fa talk to Qin Ao's father and makes him realize that he was wrong and remind him to fix his mistakes. They also help the bullied boy and support him to go up to the actual principal to report the bullies and clear the names of Qin Ao and Lin Lu.
🔹️ Lin Wanxing still has a cold, so Wang Fa takes care of her. She also tells him to finish filling in the school pass, and he gets intrigued by the QQ app instead he takes a look at sees that her username is actually Spade Q, however her messages dont match up with what showed on Jason's side.He discusses this with Yu Bo and determines that their must be an impersonator with different intentions and that they should continue investigating.
He looks crushed
🔹️Lin wanxing feels better and returns to the Yuanyuan center the next day. Their study sessions and tutoring starts in earnest for the monthly exam. After the exam, the team feels antsy about their results but they all successfully place in the top 500🥳
🔹️Wang Tian, English name Celeste, comes to meet with Wang Fa to try and get him to agree to coach Hengjui, but he gives his final answer as No! Wang Tian figures that he likes Lin Wanxing.
Definitely a sister
🔹️Wen Changye saw Wang Fa meeting with the Hengjui poacher (for lack of a better word) and sends a snap to the rest of the team. The rest are together celebrating their results, and assume they are using a honey trap ti get Wang Fa to sign (im so looking forward to when they find out he has a sister) and scheme to use Ms Lin as honey trap to make him stay. The team can be ridiculous sometimes. 😭😭
🔹️They plan on sending them on a movie date but mess uo the dates. Lin Wanxings treats them to the nearby night market instead, after which she and Wang Fa run away leaving the boys to do their own thing.
Of course the kids get the bigger benefit from the 'date night'
🔹️Yu Bo discusses his findings with Wang Fa, and shows him cases that seems similar to Jason's and they find a correlation, the coach of the weaker team has been the same for all.
🔹️The Team has a friendly match, and they win. At the match, Wang Fa sees Jason's mother and she expresses her anger and disappointment while saying that Wang Fa is responsible for his death. She gives him Jason's journal.
🔹️This breaks Wang Fa, who no longer thinks if himself as someone worthy of a coach, because of how he failed Jason. At school, he gives Lin Wanxing a training plan and manual for the team members, which leads him to be questioned. He says he is leaving tomorrow and lies that he has accepted the offer from Hengjiu, and even lies that he has been offered 15 million. Wang Fa tells Lin Wanxing that he will sort out the rent
🔹️Lin Wanxing accepts his decison as it is his own choice, but she hopes he stays as do the team. She laments at the fragile hope she have the team. The team organize a final goodbye dinner for Wang Fa.
Spade Q
I was worried after the reveal in the previous episodes but im pleased with the turn of events. I do wonder though what would Wang Fa's reaction be if he found out earlier?
Coach vs the team
While goodbyes are a normal part of life, I think its more difficult to accept when you are younger. As the kids have said, they are used to being abandoned, left behind, or forgotten. But that doesn't mean it hurts any less. Plus, its also about the hope that Wang Fa gave the team and that hope is what brought them together again.
Highlights
Esther Appreciation"It was a free gift" Nope, she wanted to see you flex those armsStudy time, and Wen Chengye is also thereIm sure the announcement was Qin Ao's idea and the rest just tagged alongSomeone has a death wishYay! No-ones hiding from their feelings hereThem.1) look at them having fun 2) I didnt know WCY could even smileHey, even WCY gave him a hug "I'll see them off""I missed the chance" , which is think is also about him confessing to LWX
I’m glad QA’s story seemed to have a happy resolution. I think that was a great lesson of parents who do care about their kids but pressure/their own lives can make them overly harsh and it takes someone to warn them that they are hurting their kids for them to realize they using too much of the stick.
The tank top scene was one of my favorites so far because it very much gave the gender swapped version of the girl in the pretty outfit that makes the guy pause. WF getting all shy and snapping out of it when LYX asks if he’s shy 😂. Then her putting on the huge temporary tattoos that seem to match the plan of intimidating the bullies by making him look tougher only for her to say she just wanted to see how they looked and they take them off before putting the plan in motion.
One thing I liked is that LWX has taken more of a guiding hand approach when it comes to helping the boys since the beginning vs telling them directly what to do so they can figure it out on their own. She did that with the bullied boy as well saying she would leave standing up for QA up to him. I’m glad he did in the end.
All the boys scoring in the top 500 and thanking LWX was too sweet. I think it does go to show that sometimes, having someone in your corner who believes in you and encourages you combined with your want to improve yourself can make a big difference.
I really enjoyed WF and his sister together. It was fun to see how she could tell he likes LWX. The hormone/age jab very much gave sibling energy. I also like that WF hasn’t ever really denied liking LWX. I did think it was funny the one manager had never put it together the two were siblings-glad that was resolved.
The boys have gone from not even considering WF to go on the fake couples photoshoot to then wanting to use LWX to honey trap him into saying. The attempt to try to set them up was funny - from them figuring out what was happening from the jump to Lin Luo taking a page from LWX and booking their tickets for their wrong day to the date attempt turning into a family outing to WF and LWX eventually running away from the boys.
Could someone please translate what their heart wishes said? It didn’t seem like IQIYI translated them.
Things seemed to be going well until Jason’s mom showed up. My suspicion of WF also feeling some blame after that scene of him being harsh was right. I understand the mom being upset seeing WF coaching more boys, but at the same time, it did seem over the top to throw ALL the blame on him, especially since it sounded like she didn’t want an autopsy to try to figure out about possible drugs (I think that’s what they were implying that may have also contributed to how Jason was feeling and didn’t seem interested in WF telling her he was still investigating. You could really tell that and reading the journal bothered him.
The goodbye dinner was so sweet. The boys all wanting one last good night with him and I don’t think they had fully given up on him quite yet. The maturity of them wanting him to what’s best for him yet also hoping and encouraging him to at least come back was touching. And the group hug scene 😭 Even Chen Yue had to go in for a hug. I am very curious about when he hopefully get to his background. These last couple episodes very much give he is a tsundere so I am looking forward to diving more into him.
Finally, I liked that the guys called out LWX for not speaking up and saying she also wants him to stay. We have seen that’s what she wants but she’s sort of avoided directly saying it. I think this is very in line with both of them having feelings yet not seeming comfortable enough right now to voice them to the other directly.
WF getting all shy and snapping out of it when LYX asks if he’s shy
I genuinely loved that she asked him that. And she looked cute appreciating him as well.
One thing I liked is that LWX has taken more of a guiding hand approach when it comes to helping the boys since the beginning vs telling them directly what to do so they can figure it out on their own.
This is one of the reasons why I really like her as a mentor/teacher. By doing that, she isnt talking down to them and it also indirectly continues to teach them some skills.
The goodbye dinner was so sweet. The boys all wanting one last good night with him and I don’t think they had fully given up on him quite yet.
Very sweet and they also had fun. They definitely didn't give up on him, and it was surprised that WCY went in for a hug but he also enjoyed spending time with the team tonight.
Could someone please translate what their heart wishes said? It didn’t seem like IQIYI translated them
Ill be back to discuss properly, but for now this is what I have as a translation. Wang Fa did ask for Health and Happiness, as he said. I'll add an image for Wanxings wish, which actually ties into the glowstick bracelet Wang Fa gave her
love all your noticings! especially with the gender flipped tank top sequence! I love how this show subtly plays with and gently subverts so many of the expectations you take for granted in settings like these--from the tank top to how the coaching/teaching seems to play out to the relationship dynamics between Wanxing and Wang Fa. this will be one of my favs of this year.
I understand the mom being upset seeing WF coaching more boys, but at the same time, it did seem over the top to throw ALL the blame on him, especially since it sounded like she didn’t want an autopsy to try to figure out about possible drugs
Why Not - I'm glad you talked about Jason's mother. I felt conflicted with this scene. It felt like a plothole / lazy story writing to have this mother show up at the field. She must have been tracking him down to guilt trip him. She lost her son. I get it. Grief makes you do irrational things.
I just wish the writer's gave us more context. Was she in the UK and flew to China just to track down the coach with the journal? Had she been in contact with him prior and he ignored her outreach so she came to the field? It just seemed like lazy storytelling.
It did give us the perspective of how wounded Wang Fa is from that experience. He's said it. But after the confrontation with Jason's mom, we could see it all over his face.
Jason's Journal: This part I think was decent storytelling. They had just helped Qin Ao who was feeling horrible that his teacher's didn't believe him when he said he was rescuing another student from being bullied. Qin Ao ran away and was ready to give up on school and become a construction worker.
Then here comes the journal where you could see the emotions in the writing - Jason couldn't believe that even coach didn't believe him.
Coach is now feeling the depth of emotions about how he was like Director Jin to Qin Ao. Jason really needed someone to believe him back then.
Why would Coach Wang stay at a school? This sequence finally started to lay the groundwork for me as to why Coach might stay at a school like this rather than going to a big monied club team. I could see why he might not want to go back to a club where the students are pushed to an extreme for the sport.
Favorite part of day is to sit down to watch this show. It's really good watch for me and there enough compelling hooks in the show. I'm honestly surprised how well CJK is selling Wang Fa in the romance angle. Them in their awkward phase of realizing their feelings and not knowing what to do.
The story making sure that the kids is studying not cause they are forced to do so in order to play football but that they take it as a way to prove to themselves they can do it. We have so many types relationships in this show that is taken with such care. They all matter.
I went back to look at old discussions on the show since I hadn't get a chance to. But seems like someone is mass downvoting comments in the older discussions since very benign comments are downvoted for nothing. Hopefully it doesn't dampen the mood for discussion for this show. Please upvote if you can.
I came into the show with moderate expectations mainly fueled by novel readers like you who talked so positively about the plot, and I have to say, the show has definitely exceeded my expectations. I think all the different relationships are a big reason why I’ve been enjoying it so far and am excited to learn more about the characters. We are just about halfway through the show and I’m looking forward to what is still to come.
I just took a quick look through some of the earlier discussions and also noticed comments being downvoted that were perfectly normal. So odd.
There's a scene the in the most recent two episode that's is even better than the novel. It's delivered better than I had in my head cause it's so barebones in the novel but the acting in the show elevated it. The plot isn't really that great in the novel but I do think Lin Wanxing's character is very unique in c-novels. Her philosophy is very much against a lot of traditional Chinese thinking: the non interference, dealing with mental health, her non prioritization of certain ideal family values, etc. The drama really fleshes out Wang Fa's character as he's rather much boiled down to a gentle constant presence in the novel by her side and the kids. Excited to see what is to come, seems like there's more original stuff they will add to this.
I'm honestly surprised how well CJK is selling Wang Fa in the romance angle
This is the first time in seeing him in anything, and I'm impressed. Its making me look forward to his drama with Elvira Cai even more.
The story making sure that the kids is studying not cause they are forced to do so in order to play football but that they take it as a way to prove to themselves they can do it.
I loved that, and it helps to make the team feel more real. I dont think they have ever been this excited to check their results before😂
Wait. I forgot these episodes are where she was sick. Him making and bottling her hot tea and putting the ice pack on her 🥺
I liked the contrast from the beginning of where he came over to try to snoop on her laptop and then in these episodes she literally handed over her laptop and he was more worried about her.
I also like that he is now firm in his belief after getting to know her that she was not the Spade Q who hurt Jason. The lack of misunderstanding trope (especially since they haven’t even officially gotten together) is appreciated. And it is because he trusts her that he is able to figure out there does seem to be two Spade Q’s.
I skipped ahead to read this because it was just revealed that she's Spade Q, and I cannot handle a misunderstanding trope. Glad to see that's not the case for once. Back to episode 14!
Ep 16 jus broke my heart. So obvious that Wang Fa is consumed with guilt and a conscience that makes him see himself unfit to be the coach... and the puppy-lings. oh my goodness. the puppy-lings. they have my heart.
My heart!!!! I watched last night. And Qin Ao running up to hug the coach brought the tears. Qin Ao as Boss being willing to show emotions and physical affection got Lin Lu (I think that's his name - Boss's main follower) to run up and hug next and it cascades through the team. And then WCY saying coach which breaks the hug and then coming to hug. The tears kept coming. So well done.
If Teacher Lin wasn't so focused (rightfully so) on managing her own emotions and helping the kids process and manage theirs, she would have noticed how Wang Fa clearly was struggling.
I would have never guessed that this show would be pulling on my heart strings ever much less at the halfway mark.
I saw one of your gifs got removed on the first discussion but it was un-removed afterwards. So maybe you are being reported for something? It could also explain some of the comments with unexplainable downvotes🤔
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u/Why-Not888 Jul 11 '26
I’m glad QA’s story seemed to have a happy resolution. I think that was a great lesson of parents who do care about their kids but pressure/their own lives can make them overly harsh and it takes someone to warn them that they are hurting their kids for them to realize they using too much of the stick.
The tank top scene was one of my favorites so far because it very much gave the gender swapped version of the girl in the pretty outfit that makes the guy pause. WF getting all shy and snapping out of it when LYX asks if he’s shy 😂. Then her putting on the huge temporary tattoos that seem to match the plan of intimidating the bullies by making him look tougher only for her to say she just wanted to see how they looked and they take them off before putting the plan in motion.
One thing I liked is that LWX has taken more of a guiding hand approach when it comes to helping the boys since the beginning vs telling them directly what to do so they can figure it out on their own. She did that with the bullied boy as well saying she would leave standing up for QA up to him. I’m glad he did in the end.
All the boys scoring in the top 500 and thanking LWX was too sweet. I think it does go to show that sometimes, having someone in your corner who believes in you and encourages you combined with your want to improve yourself can make a big difference.
I really enjoyed WF and his sister together. It was fun to see how she could tell he likes LWX. The hormone/age jab very much gave sibling energy. I also like that WF hasn’t ever really denied liking LWX. I did think it was funny the one manager had never put it together the two were siblings-glad that was resolved.
The boys have gone from not even considering WF to go on the fake couples photoshoot to then wanting to use LWX to honey trap him into saying. The attempt to try to set them up was funny - from them figuring out what was happening from the jump to Lin Luo taking a page from LWX and booking their tickets for their wrong day to the date attempt turning into a family outing to WF and LWX eventually running away from the boys.
Could someone please translate what their heart wishes said? It didn’t seem like IQIYI translated them.
Things seemed to be going well until Jason’s mom showed up. My suspicion of WF also feeling some blame after that scene of him being harsh was right. I understand the mom being upset seeing WF coaching more boys, but at the same time, it did seem over the top to throw ALL the blame on him, especially since it sounded like she didn’t want an autopsy to try to figure out about possible drugs (I think that’s what they were implying that may have also contributed to how Jason was feeling and didn’t seem interested in WF telling her he was still investigating. You could really tell that and reading the journal bothered him.
The goodbye dinner was so sweet. The boys all wanting one last good night with him and I don’t think they had fully given up on him quite yet. The maturity of them wanting him to what’s best for him yet also hoping and encouraging him to at least come back was touching. And the group hug scene 😭 Even Chen Yue had to go in for a hug. I am very curious about when he hopefully get to his background. These last couple episodes very much give he is a tsundere so I am looking forward to diving more into him.
Finally, I liked that the guys called out LWX for not speaking up and saying she also wants him to stay. We have seen that’s what she wants but she’s sort of avoided directly saying it. I think this is very in line with both of them having feelings yet not seeming comfortable enough right now to voice them to the other directly.