Because of Love Episode 23 Recap
> Because of Love Recap
Tan Jing and Nie Yusheng, evading a security guard, carefully climbed over the wall to sneak into their old high school. Inside, Nie Yusheng enthusiastically joined a group of students playing soccer. To their surprise, they encountered their former classmate, Hu, who was now a physical education teacher. When Hu asked Nie Yusheng if he was married, Nie Yusheng, living in a past memory, claimed they were still in college.
Tan Jing quickly intervened, diverting the conversation before privately explaining Nie Yusheng's condition to Hu, who then understood and apologized for his remarks, assuring Tan Jing he would help if needed. Tan Jing watched Nie Yusheng, wishing time could stop so he could remain happy forever. After leaving the school, the couple went to their favorite noodle shop. They ordered the same noodles they used to enjoy, but the taste was different.
Upon inquiry, they learned that Mr. Li, the original owner, had retired. Tan Jing reflected on how the world is constantly changing and they must learn to face it. Nie Yusheng, touched by her wisdom, declared he would never allow her the slightest chance to leave him. Meanwhile, Sun Zhijun took his son, Sun Ping, out for a fun day.
They enjoyed snacks, and Sun Ping delightedly rode on his father's scooter, wishing his father could spend more time with him. That night, a rainstorm raged, and Nie Yusheng woke from a terrifying nightmare. He had dreamed that he and Tan Jing married overseas, only for her to suddenly break up with him, claiming she never loved him.
Terrified, he clung to Tan Jing, who embraced him and reassured him that it was just a dream and she would never leave his side. For several days, Tan Jing stayed by Nie Yusheng’s side, taking him to familiar places to revisit their past, including eating ice cream outside a convenience store. One morning, Nie Yusheng quietly left the house.
Tan Jing, sensing something amiss, followed him and saw him burying a wishing bottle under a large tree, a tradition she had taught him years ago. Later, Tan Jing retrieved the bottle and found it filled with wishes all about her, which brought a smile to her face. On their way home, a passenger on their bus suffered a sudden heart attack. Nie Yusheng immediately rushed to perform CPR, instinctively proclaiming, "I'm a doctor."
After successfully stabilizing the patient, and as paramedics arrived, fragmented memories flashed through his mind, causing him to correct himself and say, "I'm a medical student." He then felt a little dizzy. In another part of town, Shu Qin introduced Sheng Fangting to her parents. Knowing they had broken up before, her parents were hesitant. Sheng Fangting sincerely promised them he would make Shu Qin happy and never let them down.
Impressed by his earnestness, Shu Qin's father invited him to stay for dinner and offered him his prized rice wine. Despite recently undergoing gastric ulcer surgery and being advised against alcohol, Sheng Fangting drank several glasses to please Shu Qin’s father. After her parents left, Shu Qin found Sheng Fangting quite intoxicated. He apologized to her for his past behavior, admitting he had always struggled with a "black hole" in his heart, making him unable to trust others or love.
He explained that he had always run away and hid behind a closed door, even when Shu Qin tried to get closer. Shu Qin revealed that her "breakup" had been an attempt to force him to open that door, but he refused to open it. She confessed that she still wasn't sure if his emotional door was truly open, but she was willing to take a chance on him.
Considering Nie Yusheng's condition, Tan Jing and Nie Dongyuan played along, pretending it was their first meeting during dinner. Nie Yusheng proudly informed his father that he and Tan Jing had gotten married in Belgium. Nie Dongyuan was shocked but managed to compose himself, careful not to upset his son further. Nie Yusheng walked his father home, allowing Tan Jing to return to her son, Sun Ping.
That night, as Tan Jing read him a story, Sun Ping asked if Nie Yusheng's "malfunction" had been repaired and if he could visit him. Tan Jing gently told him they would visit once Nie Yusheng's condition stabilized, but not now. The following morning, Nie Yusheng returned to his work apartment. The familiar surroundings seemed to trigger a few vague memories. Soon after, Chubster called Nie Yusheng, revealing that Tan Jing’s father's death was indeed connected to Nie Dongyuan’s company.
This news severely stimulated Nie Yusheng, causing more painful memory fragments to surface. Overwhelmed with anguish, he isolated himself in his room. Tan Jing, worried, desperately knocked on his door. His father, Nie Dongyuan, arrived and learned from Dr. Wen and Danielle, a Belgian psychologist, that Nie Yusheng's condition had worsened significantly. He had entered a "morphological regression," a state of complete mental breakdown where he completely shielded himself from external pain.
Dr. Wen explained the risks of this regression, including continuous regression to a younger age or permanent social isolation. Danielle, however, noted two optimistic signs: Nie Yusheng's questioning of "Belgium" suggested a subconscious awareness of his age, and his looking at the calendar indicated he might be acknowledging the present time. Danielle recommended stimulation therapy, but Dr. Wen cautioned that this method could also lead to Nie Yusheng's complete collapse.
