Dear Diary Episode 16 Recap
> Dear Diary Recap
Duan Shuiliu, who had been investigating a foreigner named Sin, learned from a friend that Sin was an Iraqi collector located at Ouyang Wen Shan's hospital. Duan Shuiliu was puzzled by Ouyang Wen Shan's connection to Sin. Realizing his motorcycle keys were missing, he used a GPS tracker to locate his motorbike, finding it headed towards Ouyang Wen Shan's hospital, confirming Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady had gone there.
Meanwhile, Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady arrived at the hospital basement to confront Sin, whom she believed was a cunning woman trying to manipulate Duan Shuiliu. However, she was surprised to find Sin-Muballit was a man. Sin, noticing her initial intent to leave, offered her an exotic wine that felt strangely familiar to her.
He confessed to feeling like an outsider in the world and wondered if others shared his experience, like a man he had seen at the hospital with similar, unbelonging eyes. Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady immediately recognized this man as Murong Jielun, her "special prince." Sin expressed interest in meeting Murong Jielun, citing his own loneliness and desire for friends. He felt it was fate that Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady had come to him, allowing him to share his feelings.
Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady then revealed that she understood his sentiment, explaining that her previous love for the prince was an artificial destiny set by Chen Meiru's diary. She confided that both she and Murong Jielun originated from Chen Meiru's writings, which dictated their lives and destinies. She added that even with her feelings for Murong Jielun fading, she still harbored a strong hatred for Chen Meiru.
She then proudly stated that thanks to Duan Shuiliu revealing the truth, she had broken free from Chen Meiru's control and was now a free person, capable of discerning her own desires and, most importantly, realizing her love for Duan Shuiliu. Sin, in turn, expressed envy, wishing he too knew his origin and destiny, and then subtly inquired about the diary's whereabouts. Just as Sin asked about the diary, Duan Shuiliu burst in, interrupting their conversation.
He sternly warned Sin to stay away from Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady and asserted that Sin would never get his hands on the diary. Sin retorted, suggesting Duan Shuiliu remain a bystander and that ignorance offered safety. Outside, Duan Shuiliu, still worried, apologized to Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady for his abruptness, assuring her that he respected her autonomy but could not bear to see her in danger.
He confessed his worry and love for her, explaining how much he had searched for her and how her disappearance tore him apart. Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady, moved by his concern, reiterated her newfound freedom and declared she would only follow her own heart, then sealed her declaration with a kiss for Duan Shuiliu. They then rode off on his motorbike, heading home.
Concurrently, at the wedding banquet, Murong Jielun overheard the groom, Chen Jin Xin, mention a diary and his (Chen Jin Xin's) role as its prototype. Murong Jielun later confronted Chen Meiru about these comments. Though Chen Meiru tried to evade, Murong Jielun, having learned to read her emotions, knew she was lying. He pressed her for answers about his connection to her, the diary, and why Chen Jin Xin mentioned his name and prototype status.
Chen Meiru then confessed that at age twelve, she had written a diary, imagining a "mixed-race prince" based on a classmate named Chen Jin Xin, the current groom. She explained that Chen Jin Xin was merely the "starting point" for her fantastical story, and all of Murong Jielun's traits, including his bravery and singular love for her, were creations of her imagination.
Murong Jielun was heartbroken by the revelation, feeling like a "fake person," a mere "surrogate" or "shadow" without a true existence. Overwhelmed by anger and sadness, he felt empty, lacking a past, and needing to learn everything from scratch, describing himself as living in mid-air and speaking words he didn't understand.
He insisted that he was "fake" and ordered Chen Meiru not to call him by his name again, telling her to let go and stop pestering him before walking away. Distraught, Chen Meiru silently apologized for her deception, admitting she had hidden the truth out of fear of losing him.
She affirmed that despite his origins, his presence had made her the happiest girl in the world, and she refused to give up on their relationship, pledging her life and story to him. Later, as Chen Meiru walked alone, a man in a car harassed her, but Murong Jielun suddenly appeared, smashing the car. He saved her but remained conflicted, torn between his love for her and the pain of being her creation.
He questioned if his emotions—his anger, his heartache, his desire to both leave and embrace her—were also predetermined. Chen Meiru reassured him of his worth, affirming he was her prince, and that her joy in his presence was real. Moved by her words, Murong Jielun embraced her tightly. Later, Duan Shuiliu met Ouyang Wen Shan at a restaurant. After a playful squabble over ordering food, Duan Shuiliu questioned Ouyang Wen Shan about Sin-Muballit, the foreigner in his basement.
Ouyang Wen Shan clarified that Sin was a scholar and collector who had provided the copyright for Jiang Hui Zhen's Babylonian love story performance, assuming Jiang Hui Zhen had informed Duan Shuiliu. Duan Shuiliu noted that Jiang Hui Zhen hadn't contacted him since Ouyang Wen Shan became involved with her. He warned Ouyang Wen Shan that Sin was dangerous and might be targeting them, mentioning Sin's suspicious demeanor and a previous attempt to search Chen Meiru's home.
Duan Shuiliu brought up the "diary" as a potential key to understanding the situation. Ouyang Wen Shan's reaction indicated he knew about the diary, confirming he had seen a "yellow-covered book" in Jiang Hui Zhen's cabinet. Duan Shuiliu stressed that his primary concern was Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady's safety and warned Ouyang Wen Shan to handle Sin, holding him responsible since he introduced Sin.
He threatened Ouyang Wen Shan with severe consequences if he discovered any collusion or secrets involving Sin, himself, and Jiang Hui Zhen. Ouyang Wen Shan promised to investigate everything but also commented on Duan Shuiliu mentioning Jiang Hui Zhen's name too frequently. Back at home, Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady waited for Duan Shuiliu downstairs. Duan Shuiliu playfully chided her for her earlier dangerous act of rushing towards his motorbike.
Duan Shuiliu presented her with a GPS bracelet, explaining it would allow her to see his location anytime, ensuring her peace of mind. As he showed her their respective locations on the device, she exclaimed with joy, "We are really together." She then lightheartedly told him she would head inside and monitor his progress home.
