The Meaning Behind the Ending of Better Days (2019)

The Meaning Behind the Ending of Better Days (2019)

Better Days (Chinese: 少年的你; pinyin: Shàonián de nǐ) is a 2019 drama film directed by Derek Tsang and written by Lam Wing Sum, Li Yuan and Xu Yimeng. Based on the Chinese young adult novel In His Youth, In Her Beauty by Jiu Yuexi, the film stars Zhou Dongyu and Jackson Yee, and follows a high school girl struggling with severe bullying and the pressure of upcoming college entrance exams, whose life becomes intertwined with that of a teenage street thug.

Many people wonder what the ending of the film Better Days really means. Some viewers think the ending is confusing and unsatisfying. However, I believe the ending is actually clear and meaningful if we carefully follow and understand the story.

If you watch Better Days more than once, you will begin to understand its real meaning. Chen Nian was going through many difficulties in her life Her mother was forced to leave for Beijing after selling fake cosmetic products, leaving Chen Nian to face her problems alone. At the same time, she was under intense pressure to pass the Gaokao exam. After the tragic death of her friend and the constant bullying she experienced at school, her life became even more complicated. Her relationship with Liu Beishan was also affected when he was arrested after trying to protect her.

In the ending, Liu Beishan is always seen walking behind Chen Nian. He keeps a distance from her because he does not want people to misunderstand their relationship or think that he is threatening her. As someone with a rough background who is often seen as a delinquent, he chooses to stay behind her. However, his real intention is simply to protect Chen Nian and make sure that no one bullies or hurts her again.

In the end, Chen Nian finally succeeds in passing the Gaokao exam. Several years later, she becomes an English teacher at an elementary school. One day, she notices a quiet student who does not seem to pay attention during the lesson. After school, Chen Nian walks the student home, showing the same care and protection that she once needed. At the same time, Liu Beishan has already been released from prison. He still walks behind Chen Nian from a distance, quietly making sure that she is safe.

This is the real meaning of the ending.

Liu Beishan still keeps the same habit of protecting Chen Nian from behind Why? Because his desire to protect her has never changed since they first met when Chen Nian was in her last year of high school.z

What makes this scene touching is that Liu Beishan is no longer afraid of the CCTV cameras. In the past, he used to hide his face with his jacket to avoid being recognized. But now, he no longer hides his identity. He simply walks behind Chen Nian, showing that he will always protect her.