Dear Diary Episode 21 Recap
> Dear Diary Recap
Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady carefully bandaged Duan Shuiliu's hand wound. She recounted her tragic origins as the Hittite princess, born amidst raging winds and years of drought, which led everyone to brand her a demon. Her only perceived worth was to be married off to a foreign land, an arranged marriage to secure peace.
She had no family or friends, never knew warmth or love, and her future was destined for either the bloodthirsty prince's bedroom or a dark, desolate prison cell, uncared for whether she lived or died. Despite this grim reality, Duan Shuiliu still urged her to return, stating that his only desire was for her to live, regardless of her hatred for those who wronged her.
He explained that she didn't need to trust them, but their desperate need for her to return would forge a strong, stable alliance. Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady, however, felt she would return with no emotional attachment or a place to call home. Duan Shuiliu reassured her, emphasizing that she still had herself, and as long as she was alive, there was hope.
He placed a watch on her wrist, explaining that knowing she was alive, no matter how far or long they were separated, would give him a constant belief, a certainty that he could eventually find her. Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady expressed her disbelief, finding such a reunion impossible. Duan Shuiliu implored her to believe, just as his childhood belief in meeting her had come true.
He asked her to trust him one more time and to live for him, explaining that her survival was his courage to continue living. She agreed to believe him. He advised her to cherish the good and discard the bad, to abandon revenge and hatred, and to embrace her true self as the Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady he knew.
Duan Shuiliu reflected on how he had envisioned facing all hardships with her but now could only send her away on a path he couldn't follow. Meanwhile, Jiang Hui Zhen and Ouyang Wen Shan were stargazing on the grassland. Jiang Hui Zhen, surprisingly gentle, wished for the moment to freeze, for all negativity to dissipate, and for Ouyang Wen Shan to stay with her forever, and for them to stay together.
Ouyang Wen Shan explained that while the stars were romantic to her, for his ancient tribe, they were crucial for survival, guiding them to water and fruitful lands, enabling a peaceful life. This peace was shattered by a bloodthirsty and warlike prince from Babylon, Murong Jielun, who massacred his people and abducted their women and children but spared Ouyang Wen Shan, the chief's son, to serve as his guard.
Ouyang Wen Shan admitted he was merely a defeated prince who failed to protect his own and whose name might not even be remembered in history. He then revealed he couldn't stay because he was burdened by the need to avenge his tribe and family, needing to live for his people, even at great personal cost, a cost that included Jiang Hui Zhen.
When Jiang Hui Zhen suggested they find a solution together, Ouyang Wen Shan firmly stated that he chose not to stay. He tried to distance her further by claiming his past kindness was merely a habit of a guard, not love. He asserted that he had no self or heart, and thus, no capacity for love. Jiang Hui Zhen was devastated, feeling insignificant to him and questioning his cruelty.
She confessed her unbearable dilemma: she could endure losing herself or being abandoned, but she couldn't bear to see him disappear or Mei Ru get hurt, as either would leave her with an incurable wound. Ouyang Wen Shan urged her to live for herself and forget him. Distraught, Jiang Hui Zhen expressed her deep longing for him and lamented that the grassland and sky were all that remained, ensuring she would always remember him.
The next morning, Mei Ru watched Murong Jielun sleeping, lost in thought, before being interrupted by a phone call from Zhen, who was crying on the grassland. Mei Ru rushed to her side, initially joking to lighten the mood, but Zhen tearfully confessed she felt their diary was cursed, having taken away everyone important to them.
Mei Ru then comforted Zhen, urging her to remain strong and "cool," as described in their diary, regardless of Ouyang Wen Shan's departure or Mei Ru's own. Zhen pressed Mei Ru on her ominous words about leaving. Mei Ru explained that her story, as written in the diary, outlined a life for the female protagonist filled with love's joys and pains, constant crises, and unexpected tribulations, concluding that "the destiny of great love is not being afraid to sacrifice."
Zhen dismissed it as nonsense and forbade Mei Ru from undertaking any dangerous actions. Mei Ru revealed that the blood moon would appear tomorrow night, and her wish was for Murong Jielun to live and return to his homeland. She planned to take him to Wushan to perform a sweet and unforgettable ritual. Zhen vehemently opposed this, pleading with Mei Ru to stay safe and even threatening to restrain her.
Mei Ru, however, softly declared her love for Murong Jielun, stating this was her choice, and that encountering them had been the best part of their lives, witnessing miracles. Despite Zhen's tearful pleas for her to listen, Mei Ru apologized and affirmed her resolve to go, even without Zhen's agreement. Zhen expressed her pain at being abandoned by everyone, feeling she was treated as insignificant while others played the hero.
Mei Ru insisted that Zhen would understand, being the only one who truly did, but Zhen countered, saying not this time, as all she had ever wanted was Mei Ru's happiness. Mei Ru then returned home to find Murong Jielun awake and searching for her. She playfully announced she would take him somewhere special and urged him to get ready. They arrived at her old classroom, where her diary had once been publicly read.
Murong Jielun acknowledged it as the place where his existence was revealed, causing her distress. Mei Ru, however, now believed that sincerely written words held magical power, bringing not only sorrow but also happiness and courage. Murong Jielun then affectionately recited passages from the diary describing him as a wild and handsome half-blood prince, surrounded by a saintly glow, whose strength melted before her charm, born to love her with passionate words and touches.
He then asked about the ending of their story. Mei Ru quoted another passage from the diary: "The King of Babylon is destined to destroy everything. If the story between Murong Jielun and Mei Ru has come to an end, they will not regret. As the destiny of great love is not being afraid to sacrifice." She then declared that she would marry her prince and wrote "Happily married ever after" on the blackboard.
Murong Jielun, surprised, reminded her of her previous dislike for marriage. Mei Ru responded that it depended entirely on whom she was marrying. They exchanged vows, promising to love and cherish each other through all circumstances until death parted them. Murong Jielun, embracing her, proposed a monogamous marriage, vowing never to leave her.
Mei Ru agreed, suggesting their wedding take place tomorrow night on Wushan, a special ceremony where she, having written him into her life on the night of a blood moon, would give herself to him on the next blood moon. Murong Jielun eagerly agreed, expressing his anticipation. Mei Ru then playfully invoked modern wedding customs, stating that the bride and groom shouldn't see each other before the ceremony.
She told him she was returning to her "parental home" and urged him to go to Wushan to prepare for their wedding, promising to see him tomorrow. Later, a radio broadcast announced a rare "blood moon," a supermoon and red moon, set to appear tomorrow night. The broadcast mentioned ancient myths of catastrophe associated with blood moons but clarified it was an astronomical phenomenon that could be a romantic sight for lovers.
