Always Home (树下有片红房子)

Set in the summer of 2007, sixteen-year-old Chen Huan'er (Yang Xizi) moves with her mother from her small hometown of Sishui to the big city of Tianhe, settling in a hospital staff compound. There, she meets two classmates: Jing Xichi (Zhai Xiaowen), an energetic football-loving athlete who often slacks off in class, and Song Cong (Zhou Keyu), a quiet and straight-A student. The story follows this group of friends — along with their companion Qi Qi — from high school to college and beyond, as they navigate friendships, family roles, first loves, shattered dreams, and the loss of loved ones. Through every challenge, they support one another and grow from naive teenagers into adults who find their place in the world.

The 30-episode series (approx. 45 min each) follows the friends' journey over the course of a decade, which can be broadly divided into four main story arcs:

• Act 1: A New Beginning & High School Bonds (Episodes 1-10 approx.): Chen Huan'er moves to Tianhe and struggles to adjust to her new environment. She befriends Jing Xichi and Song Cong, and the trio begins navigating the ups and downs of high school life — studying, weekend outings, sports meets, and book exchanges. Early romantic feelings and secret crushes begin to emerge among the group.
• Act 2: Growing Pains & First Heartbreaks (Episodes 11-18 approx.): The friends face their first major setbacks — academic pressures, family upheavals, and the bitterness of unrequited love. Jing Xichi suffers a football injury that threatens his athletic dreams, while the group must also confront the reality of growing apart as college entrance exams approach.
• Act 3: College Life & New Challenges (Episodes 19-25 approx.): The friends enter university and begin to carve their own paths. They deal with the complexities of long-distance friendships, new romantic relationships, and the realization that their childhood dreams may not align with reality. The question of "social compatibility" in relationships arises as the friends grapple with class differences and family expectations.
• Act 4: Adulthood, Careers & Forever Friends (Episodes 26-30): As the friends graduate and enter the workforce, they face the full weight of adult responsibilities — career choices, family obligations, and the loss of loved ones. In the finale, the group reflects on their journey over the past decade and realizes that, no matter how much life changes, they will always be there for each other.