Fifteen Years to Wait for Migratory Birds Episode 23 Recap
> Fifteen Years to Wait for Migratory Birds Recap
Li Li once harbored a wish to construct a bird observatory in the reed marsh to fully observe migratory birds in flight. She had been battling a serious illness for many years, enduring unimaginable difficulties and constant unexplained pain, which ultimately led her to despair. Li Li's mother's dying wish was to see her daughter marry.
Pei Shangxuan, having tricked Li Li into going to the reed marsh, later earned his first fortune (during Li Li's fourth year of disappearance) and utilized it to build the bird observatory she had once dreamed of. This act, while appearing to be an investment in wetland industry to outsiders, was secretly intended to win Li Li's affection.
Inside the observatory, he placed a feather painting by Li Li, which he had purchased from an art exhibition, recognizing it as her work. Despite being deeply touched by Pei Shangxuan's efforts, Li Li remained resolute, insisting their relationship was over. He emotionally embraced her and pleaded with her to change her mind, but she remained firm, leaving him heartbroken and their relationship ended.
To fulfill Li Li's deceased mother's wish, and out of pity for Li Li's serious illness, Liu Father facilitated a marriage between Liu Qianren and Li Li. Liu Qianren, who had silently cared for Li Li for seven years, affirmed his desire to marry her. Li Li, aware of her deteriorating condition and believing she had no future, agreed to the proposal. Pei Shangxuan received the wedding invitation from Li Li and Liu Qianren, realizing his efforts were futile.
In his despair, he called Li Jun to express his frustration. Meanwhile, Han Yichen received a call from Liu Qianren. Unaware that Li Li had been fighting illness for seven years, Han Yichen, fueled by jealousy, adamantly refused to attend the wedding. On the day of the wedding, in the bride's preparation room, Li Li, dressed in her white wedding gown, vomited blood and secretly hid the stained tissue.
Confronted with the medicinal soup Li Jun brought from Liu Qianren, Li Li reflected on her situation. She felt selfish for having made Pei Shangxuan wait seven years and Liu Qianren care for her for seven years. Believing she, a woman with no future, should not drag another man into her fate, and wanting to definitively end Pei Shangxuan's hopes, she decided to run away from the wedding.
After a brief meeting with Li Jun, during which she suffered a nosebleed, Li Li disappeared again, completely despairing about her illness. A search for Li Li ensued, involving Pei Shangxuan, Liu Qianren, and Li Jun. Li Jun, in a panic, revealed the truth about Li Li's illness to Pei Shangxuan. Subsequently, Pei Shangxuan read Li Li's personal notebook, which contained her feelings over the years, leading him to discover that he had always been her true love.
Having known Li Li for fifteen years, Pei Shangxuan accurately guessed where she would go. Liu Qianren also deduced her likely destination, believing she had run away because she couldn't let go of Pei Shangxuan. During the search, Daniel accompanied Li Jun. They encountered several reporters, and as Li Jun began to give a standard entertainment reporter's statement, Daniel unexpectedly interrupted.
He publicly confessed his enduring love for Li Jun to the media, vowing to win back the girl who had foolishly loved him. His honesty led to Li Jun's forgiveness, and they reconciled after seven years apart. Pei Shangxuan and Liu Qianren met in the reed marsh, both searching for Li Li. Pei Shangxuan thanked Liu Qianren for his years of meticulous care for Li Li, acknowledging that Li Li's disappearance had brought the two men closer.
In the marsh, Liu Qianren found a painting left by Li Li—a migratory bird and a feather. He recalled Li Li's wish: "In her next life, she wants to be a migratory bird, quietly fly away, leaving only a feather to prove she was once here." He initially believed they were too late and implicitly felt Li Li might never reappear.
However, Pei Shangxuan's words, "Migratory birds always return," made Liu Qianren realize that he might not understand Li Li as well as Pei Shangxuan. One month later, Liu Qianren returned to Ouchuang. He smiled silently when a woman who had previously collaborated with him on product packaging design applied for a job.
