Chen Long’an and He Jiashu come downstairs together. He Jiashu complains that Chen Long’an is so stingy he won’t even pay for a taxi for him. Right after he finishes complaining, they spot a taxi not far away. Chen Long’an tells the driver to head to the station, then turns around and shouts for He Jiashu to hurry up. He Jiashu mutters that he can hear just fine—no need to shout so loudly.
Not far away, Chen Afu and Chen Junli also hear Chen Long’an’s shout. Chen Junli notices it’s Brother Long and He Jiashu and wonders why they’re heading to the station. Suddenly, he seems to realize something and asks Chen Afu to help him request a leave of absence from their teacher. Then he dashes off. Meanwhile, back at home, He Jiahao is lying on his bed, feeling down.
He’s visited by his mother, who tells him that one of his classmates has come over to study. Seeing that he’s still lying in bed, not moving, she scolds him for being so impolite—how can he not greet his classmate? He Jiahao says he doesn’t want to study. Chen Junli, who has just arrived, tells He’s mother that he needs to go over some problem areas with He Jiashu. Hearing that, she leaves them alone.
Once He’s mother is gone, Chen Junli tells He Jiahao he overheard that his older brother, He Jiashu, is leaving—he’s already on his way to the station. Alarmed, He Jiahao immediately tries to rush out to find him, but Chen Junli stops him and says he’ll first think of a way to distract He’s mother.
Chen Junli then comes out of the room, clutching his stomach and complaining of severe stomach pain. He says he needs the bathroom, so He’s mother offers to take him downstairs. With them gone, He Jiahao hurries out of the house, only to bump into his grandfather and aunt, He Hongjuan, at the door. Worried they might stop him, he freezes in place. But when his grandfather and aunt see how anxious he is, they guess he’s going to look for He Jiashu and step aside, telling him to hurry. Overjoyed, He Jiahao dashes out.
He makes it to the station and finds He Jiashu already at the ticket gate. He pulls He Jiashu aside and begs him not to leave. In response, He Jiashu takes He Jiahao’s phone and deletes his own contact information, explaining that only if he (Jiashu) leaves will Lin Junrong finally back off.
He Jiahao starts apologizing for how he treated him in the past and wants to make it up to him. He Jiashu just tells him to look forward, let go of the past, and then leaves. Feeling empty, He Jiahao returns to Xiqiao Village.
Elsewhere, He Hongguang and others realize that He Jiahao has taken off. Chen Junli admits that he was the one who let He Jiahao go. He Hongguang tells him just to head home for now. Meanwhile, He’s mother finds medication for depression, along with a diagnosis note, in He Jiahao’s room. She shows them to He Hongguang. Infuriated, he complains that the whole family treats He Jiahao like royalty, so what is there to be dissatisfied about? He says He Jiahao just can’t handle any pressure.
At that moment, He Jiahao returns. Furious, He Hongguang picks up a feather duster, ready to beat him, but He’s mother blocks him. He Jiahao glares angrily at him. He Hongguang shouts that surely He Jiahao knows how people in the village gossip about his uncle and their family, and how he’s dragged their family name through the mud. Enraged, He Jiahao shouts back that he hasn’t wanted to stay in this family for a long time. He Hongguang yells at him to get out, so he runs off. His mother gives chase, but can’t catch him and returns alone as evening falls.
She reminds everyone that even He Jiashu said He Jiahao’s condition is such that he shouldn’t be left by himself for too long—depression can be fatal. She pleads with He Hongguang to go find him. But his pride won’t let him move until Grandpa arrives, drawn by their arguing. Grandpa says all he wants, in his remaining years, is to see the family live in harmony. Now one grandson has run away, and the other is ill—he orders He Hongguang to hurry and find him. Faced with Grandpa’s anger, He Hongguang finally heads out. The entire family goes out to search for He Jiahao. Qiu Qiu also comes by; she says He Jiahao rarely hangs out with classmates, so maybe they can ask He Jiashu. He Hongjuan says since they aren’t calling him, she will.
When He Jiashu hears that He Jiahao has gone missing, he rushes back. Everyone is out searching. He Jiashu checks the secret place where He Jiahao has been making lanterns in secret, but it’s empty. Meanwhile, He Jiahao is actually hiding in an arcade with Chen Ruonan, who tries to comfort him.
