To try to revive his students' attention, Ma Debao organizes a trip to the ancient city of Zhouzhuang.

Lin Yuxiang joins his friend Luo Tiancheng and class representative Shen Xi'er.

While visiting the tourist area of the city, crossed by canals and bridges, Shen Xi'er spots her friend, the beautiful Susan.

Emboldened by his literary notoriety, Yuxiang writes to her in old Chinese letters of love, wishing her success in her application to one of the prestigious universities in Shanghai.

Before the final exam, Yuxiang receives a secret tip from Liang Zijun on the title of the theme.

A friend of his mother manages to get him admitted to the even more prestigious High School Number 3 South of Shanghai for "sporting merits", subject to payment of a bribe.

When the school year begins, Yuxiang is excited by the prospect of living in a dormitory, away from his family, but his enthusiasm soon disappears.

He makes a show of impartiality, so when the old director resigns he advises members to replace him with Lin Yuxiang.

Both are hit virtually simultaneously by misfortunes of love: Quiang Rong's girlfriend Yao Shuqin leaves him and Yuxiang receives a letter from Luo Tiancheng, saying that Susan has a new science genius boyfriend.

In addition, the school management discovers that Yuxiang has spent a night out without authorization: his father is warned and a disciplinary sanction is triggered.