Episode 6 of "The Only One" unfolds with a somber note as Tian notices Wang's profile picture morphed into a blank slate, signaling a shift in mood. Just as he's poised to knock on Wang's door, the interior light abruptly flickers off, prompting him to send a quizzical text instead. Wang's silence echoes through the void, and he instead immerses himself in crafting a meticulous weekly schedule, outlining aspirations as far-reaching as overseas studies.
Crab's call interrupts the stillness, and they delve into a tale of a boy enslaved by routine yet unfulfilled, a cautionary parable that resonates with Wang's current state. As dawn breaks, Wang finally responds to Tian's message, only to be met with Tian's dismissive brush-off. Over breakfast, Wang eavesdrops on his parents' muted debate over Auntie Jiang's career prospects, their whispers silenced by his presence. The meal ends hastily, and the boys dart out, Tian hot on Wang's heels, offering a Hawthorne sweet now deemed unnecessary as Wang's palate has grown accustomed to Auntie Jiang's cuisine.
Tian diligently fills out the school dormitory application form, while at school, he propositions a lunch excursion to Uncle Ding's, an idea Wang readily embraces. Little does Tian know, Wang's gesture of a new fridge for Uncle Ding is a subtle yet profound attempt to sever ties of obligation, Ding himself acknowledging this silent repayment for past favors. Tian's attempt to reciprocate with a bottle of water triggers a stubborn insistence from Wang, who insists on paying him back, Ding's words echoing in Tian's mind, revealing Wang's intent to forge emotional boundaries. Frustration boils over, and Tian storms away in a huff.
Returning to class, the announcement of impending parent-teacher conferences casts a shadow over their day. Wang's haste to evade the situation leads to a misdialed call, intended for his uncle but mistakenly connecting with Tian, who, mistaking a stain on a skirt for menstrual blood, frets over an imagined emergency.
In the teacher's office, Wang and Tian each concoct excuses for their parents' absence, with Wang citing business trips and Tian claiming his mother's unavailability. The teacher, unfazed, insists on a reschedule exclusive to their families. The duo is then escorted to the Dean's office, where Xi has assembled the bullies who had ambushed Wang, their presence a stark reminder of the challenges they face. The episode ends on a cliffhanger, leaving their fate and the resolution of these tensions hanging in the balance.
The bullies' revelation stunned the air, exposing Qi Jiahao as the mastermind behind Wang's beating, a sinister plot to keep him from his exam. Teachers united in condemnation, stripping Qi of his esteemed model student title, which seamlessly transitioned to Wang's grasp. Yet, Wang humbly relinquished it, and when it fell to Tian, he too declined the honor, a testament to their unwavering camaraderie.
As they exited the stuffy confines of the teacher's office, Wang, unguardedly, confessed his inadvertent neglect towards Tian. Sensing the shift in mood, Xi and Lin extended a warm invitation, hosting the boys over for a heartfelt meal at their restaurant. Over delectable dishes, Xi regaled them with the tale of his and Lin's chance encounter and the impulsive decision that birthed Alors Cafe, its enigmatic name piquing Wang's curiosity. The conversation meandered to the heady days of youth, its reckless abandon celebrated by Xi, who mused that life's joys often stem from unplanned adventures.
Wang's thoughts drifted back to Crab's poignant tale, recalling the protagonist's melancholic realization that life diverges from neatly written scripts. The return journey was hastened by Tian's urgent whispers, their hands entwined in a sprint back to class. Tian's bold announcement to the class monitor shocked all – he declined the school's accommodation, striking a deal with Wang: shared lunches in exchange for a roof under Wang's home. Wang's grin could not be contained.
Amidst the buzz of class commencing, Tian's text lingered, a gentle reminder not to treat him with indifference ever again. Wang nodded in silent agreement.
Their stroll home traced a familiar path, lined with memories of Wang's childhood excursions with his parents. He reminisced about his fleeting desire for a sibling, the topic fleetingly dancing before settling by the river's edge.
Later, Crab's call interrupted the tranquility, ranting about the schoolgirls' confessional posts, adorned with Wang's images and a subtle admiration for Tian, whose silhouette lingered in the background. Wang's swift profile picture change caught Tian's eye, prompting him to visit Wang's room, armed with a practice book but ultimately transforming into an impromptu writing workshop. After arduous practice, exhaustion claimed Wang, and he found solace in a dreamy slumber on Tian's bed, the boundary between their worlds momentarily blurred.
In a poignant epilogue to The Only One's Episode 6, we witness 'Jang Tian's Very Moment' – a moment of panic as Wang, in a flurry, misdialed Tian instead of his uncle, inadvertently weaving a web of secrets. Tian, ever the protector, lied to his mother, sparing her the need for a parent-teacher meeting, a testament to their growing bond amidst life's unexpected twists and turns.
