Dear Diary Episode 9 Recap
> Dear Diary Recap
Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady skillfully playing mahjong with a group of older women, winning several rounds. As the game progresses, the doorbell rings persistently, disturbing Duan Shuiliu, who had been sleeping on the sofa. Three internet influencers from Duan Shuiliu's company burst in, furious that he had been ignoring their calls and messages.
They complain that he didn't give them a key to his new place, unlike when he used to live in a warehouse – a detail Duan Shuiliu quickly tries to cover up to prevent Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady from hearing.
The aunts at the mahjong table notice the commotion and begin to tease Duan Shuiliu, remarking that they initially thought he was a single and reliable man, but now see he's a playboy, which causes Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady to grow suspicious. She directly confronts Duan Shuiliu, demanding to know who these women are. He can only weakly explain that they are his colleagues.
The influencers then reveal the grim situation: their company has been targeted as a scapegoat, and their accounts, particularly those who "flaunted male charms," have been "fully blocked on the internet" or "all deleted," likened to an extreme form of punishment. They accuse Duan Shuiliu of neglecting them while he stays home playing mahjong. The aunts, still present, continue to fuel Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady's doubts, advising her not to stay with Duan Shuiliu.
Duan Shuiliu, flustered, ushers the aunts out. When he returns, he finds the internet influencers sitting with Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady. They manipulate her, accusing Duan Shuiliu of having treated them, his former colleagues, like princesses as well, and now he is merely using Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady because her "utilitarian value" is higher as a potential artiste. They claim he will dump her once he's used her.
Duan Shuiliu tries to explain, but his previous words to Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady—that he sees himself as her "guard" who "serves the princess" and "only admires her to some extent"—are used against him. Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady, hurt and confused, asks if he's using her, having fun at her expense, and if his "princess" talk was all a lie.
Duan Shuiliu denies lying, suggesting he told "white lies" and reminding her that she initially didn't want him to love her, so his feelings were "just a little admiration, very peaceful and stable." He states he has "personal liberty" and must go resolve the company issues, asking her to wait for him at home. He leaves, feeling that she doesn't appreciate his efforts and that he is just a "guard who doesn't even deserve to talk about love."
Duan Shuiliu arrives at Chen Meiru's company, where the internet influencers believe she is responsible for deleting their accounts. Duan Shuiliu confronts Chen Meiru, sarcastically reminding her of the "twelve years" it took her to start over. Chen Meiru insists that their content likely violated regulations and suggests they register new, compliant accounts.
This infuriates Duan Shuiliu, who accuses her of being "incapable of love" and "frigid," stressing that the influencers are real people with dreams whose lives she shouldn't ruin. He implies she has done something similar before, warning her not to do it again and calling her actions "immoral." Chen Meiru counters that he has no right to define her feelings. Just then, Chen Meiru's boss enters.
He reveals that the IP address that watched "improper videos" last night belongs to Chen Meiru. Chen Meiru tries to explain it was an "accidental operation" (though she later confides it was Murong Jielun), but her boss dismisses it. He insults her, calling her a "24-year-old hooligan woman" and a "12-year-old hooligan woman" in reference to her diary, accusing her of jeopardizing the company's Series B financing due to her "desire." Enraged by the boss's insults, Duan Shuiliu punches him.
Later, Duan Shuiliu apologizes to Chen Meiru for his earlier harsh words. Chen Meiru, feeling humiliated, laments that her "fantasy is guilty," liking someone is wrong, and that "loving someone will become a scandal," returning her to square one after twelve years. She describes Murong Jielun as a "prince made up out of thin air" and states she is "still paying the price for her fantasy spring dream," making her "fated to be unfortunate."
Duan Shuiliu argues that Murong Jielun and Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady are equally unfortunate, like "dolls" whose fates are "set by the system." He also states that those who know the truth but remain silent are guilty. He confesses his guilt for not telling Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady the truth, fearing she would "leave," "be mad," or "cause trouble."
He deeply wishes she would forget Murong Jielun and accept him, expressing his desire to give her a future, even though he can't change her past. However, he acknowledges that due to the diary, Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady is fated to love only Murong Jielun. He recounts denying his love for her, describing himself as merely a "guard," and questions whether he is a disaster to others or if others are a disaster to him.
He then admits to only loving himself and vows to continue lying to keep Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady by his side. He concludes by saying Chen Meiru is lucky that her "ideal type (Murong Jielun) loves her so dearly," urging her to cherish him. Meanwhile, Jiang Hui Zhen and her troupe are rehearsing for her first stage show. Chen Meiru arrives, visibly distressed and asking for alcohol.
She tells Jiang Hui Zhen that she didn't just skip work but is "going to quit" entirely. Jiang Hui Zhen offers unconditional support, declaring that anyone who made Chen Meiru cry is a "bastard." Chen Meiru speaks of feeling like "everything's back," comparing her current situation to when she was twelve. She recounts having an "erotic dream" earlier that morning and feeling that the "nightmare is back," connecting it to her diary.
Jiang Hui Zhen gently reminds Chen Meiru about her own impending first show and expresses hurt that Chen Meiru seemed to overlook her feelings. Chen Meiru, remorseful, apologizes, acknowledging she neglected Jiang Hui Zhen. She wishes Jiang Hui Zhen success, assuring her she will become a "big star." Jiang Hui Zhen accepts the apology, telling Chen Meiru to compose herself, warning her not to show up with a swollen face for the premiere.
Jiang Hui Zhen then explains that the diary isn't a nightmare; it brought Chen Meiru into her life, making her "the most important person." The diary also led her to Ouyang Wen Shan, her chosen "nice" man, and predicts she will be a big star, a destiny she intends to fulfill to prove their mockers wrong.
Jiang Hui Zhen then reads a heartfelt note she prepared for Chen Meiru, reiterating their bond and shared dreams, and signing it as "Big Star Jiang Hui Zhen." Playfully, Chen Meiru offers Jiang Hui Zhen the diary and Murong Jielun, stating she prefers Ouyang Wen Shan, despite Jiang Hui Zhen's observation that he gives her the "silent treatment."
Chen Meiru declares her intention to "break the diary curse" after the show, to embrace happiness, proclaiming that "it's not shameful to fantasize" and she wants to "keep dreaming." Back at Duan Shuiliu's home, he returns to find Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady has left. He frantically searches for her in all the places they've been together, but she is nowhere to be found. Duan Shuiliu is very anxious.
Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady is seen sitting by the Wushan river, reflecting on Duan Shuiliu's confusing words and struggling to understand her own feelings. Suddenly, Chen Meiru's Second Aunt spots her, recognizing her from a previous encounter when she was caught with Chen Meiru. Identifying herself as Duan Shuiliu's former class teacher and Chen Meiru's Second Aunt, she takes Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady home, cooks for her, and attempts to comfort her.
However, Second Aunt's casual remarks about Duan Shuiliu's childhood—how he "has always liked to hang out with girls" and "loved to follow Chen Mei Ru," with rumors suggesting he liked her—further deepen Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady's misunderstanding. She misinterprets this to mean Duan Shuiliu was using her as a means to get closer to Chen Meiru or to protect her.
Feeling "completely deceived," Ninth Heaven Dragon Lady becomes furious and vows, "Chen Mei Ru, I won't go easy on you," as heavy rain begins to fall, reflecting her emotional turmoil. Later, Murong Jielun finds a distraught and drunk Chen Meiru and carries her home. She thanks him for picking her up, declaring that she is no longer afraid of any curse, will "break the curse," and that "my fantasy is not guilty" and she wants to "keep dreaming."
She also states that "every girl in the world is a dreamer." Meanwhile, an unseen, powerful entity tasks its "most loyal messenger" with finding "the bastard child" and delivering a "message of death" to a "distant kingdom," asserting, "Only I am the eternal king," and vowing to eliminate the child wherever he may be.
