Dear Diary Episode 22 Recap
> Dear Diary Recap
Jiang Hui Zhen, dressed in a performance costume and wearing the crown Ouyang Wen Shan gave her, danced the three unfinished stories of Babylon. The first story featured a prince born out of wedlock and a humble chronicler who sacrificed for him, through whom the prince learned what love truly meant, abandoning his destructive ways. The second tale depicted a wandering princess saved by a commoner, who, despite their bond, never spoke of his love before his death.
The third story spoke of a quiet guard and a traveling female artist, clearly in love, yet keeping their relationship ambiguous. All three narratives concluded tragically, with a massacre extinguishing their love. Jiang Hui Zhen reflected on her past belief that tragedy was the highest form of art, now expressing a profound dislike and even hatred for such endings. Duan Shuiliu hailed a taxi for Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady to take them to Wushan.
However, Dragon Lady initially refused, deeming taxis "slave cars" for commoners and preferring the "city dragon" (bus) or simply walking as "free people." They ultimately decided to walk. Along the way, Duan Shuiliu suggested eating at a revolving restaurant, but Dragon Lady declined, remarking that the "loser would be spun dizzy" by its rotation, a punishment she did not wish to endure.
Duan Shuiliu then confessed that his previous grand stories about "city dragons" and "spinning punishments" were merely fabrications born out of his lack of money. Dragon Lady, however, expressed her unwavering trust in him, even if he lied, stating that he was the only one she believed. She deeply appreciated him spending all his savings to buy a house that would allow her to see Murong Jielun, providing her with a home and a sense of belonging.
Duan Shuiliu expressed regret, wishing he could restart and be honest with her from their very first meeting. Dragon Lady, in turn, quoted an old saying: "Words are like a breeze, blown away without leaving a trace; action is like a stone that can stand the severe test of years," noting its profound meaning in modern language. She told him that his love and the sanctuary he offered made her life worthwhile.
They continued their journey, acknowledging that the path ahead was still long. Meanwhile, Mei Ru tried on her wedding dress at home, admiring herself in the mirror. Her younger self appeared, commenting that the dress didn't look good and that growing up seemed too troublesome. Mei Ru gently rebutted, teasing her younger self for being picky, and declared she wouldn't listen this time. Her younger self, curious about adult life, asked if she had met "our Prince Murong."
Mei Ru, with a smile, confirmed that she had indeed met him and was going to marry Murong Jielun. Her younger self was surprised, thinking dating was the goal, and joked that marriage would turn her into "Second Aunt." Mei Ru explained that "went to Wushan", when love is deep, signifies marriage.
Looking at her younger self, Mei Ru apologized for having betrayed her naive and earnest belief in love, surprises, and miracles for twelve years, having buried her "girl's fantasy" and intentionally giving up her capacity to love due to the pain caused by the diary.
However, she affirmed that Murong Jielun was the "most precious person" who had rekindled her courage and determination for love, enabling her to proudly declare that writing the diary back then was a truly wonderful thing. She promised her younger self that she would write a perfect ending for their diary. Jiang Hui Zhen, worried, spoke with Mei Ru, trying to persuade her against her path.
Mei Ru was resolute, proclaiming she was risking her life for Prince Murong and that it was worth it. Jiang Hui Zhen admitted that she had always accompanied Mei Ru in everything since childhood and would not be absent this time. Mei Ru calmly stated she had known Jiang Hui Zhen would come, finding comfort in her presence.
Jiang Hui Zhen expressed frustration, acknowledging that while she often seemed to have things under control, she could never stop Mei Ru from doing what she truly intended, even when it was clearly wrong. Mei Ru asked if Jiang Hui Zhen would make a similar choice for Ouyang Wen Shan, to which Jiang Hui Zhen claimed she wouldn't, attributing her dramatic tendencies to being an actress.
Mei Ru, however, asserted that her current moment was her happiest, and if given the choice between a long life and being buried with love, she would undoubtedly choose the latter. Though Jiang Hui Zhen expressed concern that Mei Ru would have no chance to regret, she ultimately conceded, telling Mei Ru she would pay her back in their next life.
As Mei Ru and Jiang Hui Zhen were leaving, Second Aunt praised Mei Ru's beautiful white dress, wondering about the occasion. Jiang Hui Zhen jokingly greeted her former homeroom teacher, explaining her habit of shouting from the doorway came from being scared of her as a child. Mei Ru hugged Second Aunt tightly, wishing her and Second Uncle long and happy lives, which unsettled Second Aunt.
Despite Second Aunt's questions about their destination, Mei Ru and Jiang Hui Zhen simply bade farewell and departed. At Wushan, Duan Shuiliu and Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady arrived. Sin appeared and attacked Duan Shuiliu, striking him in the chest with his staff, declaring that a "lowly man" like Duan Shuiliu was unworthy to witness their holy ritual and that his death was inconsequential. Duan Shuiliu fell, bleeding profusely. Enraged, Dragon Lady vowed to kill Sin and Ouyang Wen Shan.
However, Duan Shuiliu, holding her hand, pleaded with her not to seek revenge, to put aside her hatred, and to live and return home as she had promised him. He assured her he was not in pain, only cold, and urged her to continue trusting him and to survive, as he would watch over her.
Recalling a past conversation where he had spoken of sending her on a path he could never follow, Duan Shuiliu realized he was now the one going first. He acknowledged her status as a princess and his as a "nobody," but affirmed that her trust had made his life meaningful. With those words, he intentionally released her hand and plummeted from the cliff, shouting "I love you" as he fell.
Sin dismissed Duan Shuiliu's death as deserved, reminding Ouyang Wen Shan not to let this "nobody" delay the important ritual. He also muttered that he would have liked to eliminate the "Hittite woman" if she weren't necessary for the ceremony. Mei Ru and Murong Jielun arrived at the altar. Mei Ru praised the decor Murong Jielun had arranged for their wedding, though Jiang Hui Zhen remarked that it looked spooky.
Murong Jielun asked if Mei Ru was nervous, to which she replied she was not, with him by her side. He apologized if the hastily prepared wedding wasn't what she had imagined, but Mei Ru insisted their wedding would be special. Sin then confronted Jiang Hui Zhen, demanding to know who she was. Ouyang Wen Shan intervened, explaining that Jiang Hui Zhen was Mei Ru's guest, important to both Mei Ru and him, and requested that she not be disturbed.
Murong Jielun echoed this, asserting that no one or nothing could separate him and Mei Ru, and that Jiang Hui Zhen’s presence was important to them both. Sin grudgingly allowed Jiang Hui Zhen to stay and prepared to begin the ritual. Murong Jielun inquired about Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady and Duan Shuiliu, but Sin proceeded to initiate the ritual, invoking the "great and dreadful lunar deity, Nanna," for a miracle.
Jiang Hui Zhen, now fully understanding the implications, cried out her regret, protesting that the ritual must not continue. Ouyang Wen Shan gravely informed her that once started, the ritual must be completed, for the good of all. Jiang Hui Zhen retorted, accusing them of being selfish and knowing Mei Ru would die, a claim Ouyang Wen Shan denied by saying "not necessarily". As Murong Jielun began his wedding vows to Mei Ru, promising monogamy and lifelong devotion, outside observers wondered about the unfolding events within the ritual.
