Dear Diary Episode 1 Recap
> Dear Diary Recap
At the end of summer when she was 12 years old, Chen Meiru's imagination blossomed, and she began to fantasize about her very own prince charming, firmly believing he would one day arrive. This newfound romantic idealism deepened during a school trip to a museum showcasing ancient Babylonian civilization.
There, she was captivated by its rich history, the renowned Hammurabi's Code, and tales of young girls who inscribed heartfelt love stories in cuneiform, convinced that under the mystical blood moon, their earnest words could manifest their fantasies into reality. During her visit, a small boy named Chen Jin Xin, steadied her when she was jostled in a crowd, leaving a lasting impression on Meiru.
Later, she poured her feelings into her diary, expressing profound awe for Babylon and a secret longing to be part of such a legend. She imagined herself as a Babylonian maiden, patiently awaiting the arrival of a mixed-race prince—a formidable warrior, adored by all, whose heroic exploits surpassed even those of the chief guard. Despite the king's potential disdain for his mixed heritage, the prince's valor captivated all, leading many to believe he was divinely destined to rule.
Meiru, however, felt too young for love at 12 and decided to defer her romantic aspirations until her 24th birthday, believing it would be the perfect moment for her prince to appear, making her the center of everyone's admiration. Years later, on September 21, 2019, 24-year-old Chen Meiru was a diligent content moderator at a technology company in Yuzhou.
Her day began with her immediately confronting a security guard reading an inappropriate magazine, swiftly tearing off the explicit pages, citing them as non-compliant. She then, with her sharp attention to detail, pointed out his grimy cup and a hole in his sock, suggesting toothpaste for cleaning. In a team meeting, Meiru efficiently led her colleagues in addressing a surge of obscene online content caused by a "massive data attack" and "malicious uploads."
She elevated the filtering protocol to Level 5 manual inspection, emphasizing that "slowness is the biggest taboo" and mandating direct account termination for repeat offenders, resulting in the removal of hundreds of illegal images and videos and the shutdown of numerous live streams. Meanwhile, her best friend, Jiang Hui Zhen, was meticulously preparing a surprise birthday party for Meiru, even arranging for "Korean and British hot guys," though a "biracial guy" was delayed in traffic.
However, Meiru, exhausted from working three overnight shifts, was reluctant to celebrate. While talking to Jiang Hui Zhen on the phone in the restroom, Meiru overheard an influencer, Gigi the Pink Lady, live-streaming nearby. Gigi complained about having to pay penalties to Meiru's company, lambasting their strict moderation as the actions of "lonely," "unloved," and "dreamless" individuals. This critique deeply resonated with Meiru, stirring up her childhood dream of a princely encounter on her 24th birthday.
Upon returning to her office, Meiru, still contemplating Gigi's "ghost" remark, sensed a presence behind her. Instinctively grabbing her "Pervert Repellent" pepper spray, she accidentally sprayed her boss, who had been hiding to surprise her with a cake. Cake-faced, the boss, along with the cheering colleagues, wished her a happy birthday.
Despite her discomfort when her boss tried to get close during a group photo, he insisted they all join Meiru and Jiang Hui Zhen at the "Love Bar" on Guang'an Road for further celebrations. At the "Love Bar," Jiang Hui Zhen had orchestrated a vibrant celebration with dancing men. Meiru, however, was visibly uncomfortable with Jiang Hui Zhen's revealing attire and the provocative performances, a stark contrast to her professional sensibilities.
Despite her discomfort, she was constantly urged to drink, forcing her to feign enjoyment until she could escape to the restroom. There, she called Jiang Hui Zhen, venting her unhappiness with the party and her exhaustion. Jiang Hui Zhen, in turn, chided Meiru for her emotionally detached, "nun-like" existence, highlighting her inability to express joy at weddings or sorrow at funerals, and her relentless pursuit of self-control.
Nevertheless, Jiang Hui Zhen promised to let Meiru leave after the midnight candle-blowing, suggesting she use the back exit. As the countdown reached midnight, Meiru blew out her birthday candles, a cherished childhood dream echoing in her mind: her prince celebrating her 24th birthday. Suddenly, a loud crash startled everyone. A man in ancient Babylonian attire burst into the bar.
He dramatically declared himself "Chen Meiru's prince," and despite her protests and cries of "dirty" and "shameless," he kissed her forcefully. He then asserted, "It is your destiny to be with me," warned of impending danger, and, as Meiru screamed, believing it was just another one of Jiang Hui Zhen's elaborate "pranks," carried her away. Meanwhile, Jiang Hui Zhen awoke to find the chief guard from Meiru's fantasy by her side.
He promised to fulfill all her dreams, revealing he had purchased the entire bar for her. Jiang Hui Zhen, still hazy from alcohol, dismissed their encounter as a drunken indiscretion, claiming she didn't remember kissing him first. He, however, insisted it was destiny and that his "unparalleled" wealth, enough to "buy a country," would make all her dreams come true.
Jiang Hui Zhen, skeptical of his "rich guy's son" claims, tried to leave, but he corrected her, stating he was a "top-tier billionaire." The following morning, Meiru was jolted awake by a loud argument outside her apartment. Opening the door, she found Murong Jielun, the man in Babylonian attire, now identified, brandishing a sharp sword, the Deborah Sword, at a neighborhood residents' committee madam. The madam was demanding compensation for the emotional distress he had caused.
Meiru, disoriented, denied any connection to Murong Jielun and called him "obsessive," but he insisted she had brought him home. When he implicitly asked if he should spare the madam, Meiru, fearing for the woman's life, affirmed that she should live. During an impromptu negotiation in Meiru's apartment, the madam demanded an apology and monetary compensation. To demonstrate "sincere apology," Murong Jielun dramatically bit his own lip until it bled, much to Meiru's dismay.
For the compensation, he then took Meiru's phone and with his sword, sliced it apart, proceeding to damage other items in her home, including the table and curtains. This extreme display terrified the madam and her companions, who quickly dropped their demands and fled, warning Meiru that her "boyfriend" was "too expensive." Frustrated, Meiru ordered Murong Jielun to leave, but he refused.
He then performed a bizarre act, holding water in his mouth and spitting it out to clean her feet with his sleeves, a strange mirroring of a scene from her fantasy. He declared, "I am willing to be your defeated subordinate. My love for you is unparalleled. It will light up your life. We will create new history." He initially stated his name as Murong Jielun. Confused by his overall demeanor, Meiru asked him to repeat his name, and he affirmed, "I, Murong Jielun, your prince."
