Zhu Zhu feels deeply embarrassed when her parents’ attempt to bribe Coach Han with fruit, and hidden cash is exposed. The incident leaves her mortified as Coach Han directly calls out their ulterior motives. Zhu Zhu pulls her parents away, scolding them for their suffocating behavior and telling them not to visit again. Her parents, however, dismiss the blame, claiming the gesture was a show of generosity that Coach Han failed to appreciate.
Later, Zhu Zhu performs well in training, matching skills with her teammate Jin Ting. However, a knee injury worsens, and despite the doctor’s recommendation for surgery, she opts for conservative treatment to focus on her goal of joining the national team. Zhu Zhu reflects on the perceived favoritism Coach Han shows Lin Ge, feeling that the coach’s patience and attention now go exclusively to Lin Ge, a luxury Zhu Zhu didn’t experience when she joined.
Meanwhile, Lin Ge is impressed by Jin Ting’s skills, acknowledging the gap between them and aspiring to improve. During training, Nie Chi notices Lin Ge admiring their senior’s prowess, becoming jealous and secretly crumpling a note left for her by the senior.
After grueling training sessions, the team prepares for Olympic qualifiers. Coach Han emphasizes the importance of mastering the new starting technique to gain an edge over competitors. Lin Ge pushes through leg pain, dismissing Nie Chi’s concerns and resuming training after a short rest.
The team celebrates their opportunity to compete in front of a home audience, but Zhu Zhu privately confronts Coach Han about her exclusion from the Olympic lineup. Despite her injury, Zhu Zhu insists this could be her last chance to compete and pleads for a spot. Coach Han, moved by her determination, reluctantly agrees.
Nie Chi and Zhu Zhu share a heartfelt conversation about their shared aspirations. Zhu Zhu reveals her parents have always pushed her to join the national team, shaping her relentless drive for a gold medal. Nie Chi, in contrast, deals with his own family struggles, with his parents pressuring him to quit the sport entirely. Lin Ge and Fang Chao grow increasingly concerned for Nie Chi, but he keeps his troubles to himself, vowing to stay focused until after the competition.
