Love Formula Episode 22 Recap
> Love Formula Recap
Monkey frantically searched for Jiang Zhishan at the airport. When he called her, she revealed she was standing right behind him. He earnestly asked if she could reconsider leaving, but Jiang Zhishan explained that she had received an invitation to an international rock climbing competition and couldn't break her promise, clarifying that she wasn't leaving for good. She also mentioned that Jason, whom Monkey had previously met, was the coach she had hired for the competition.
Monkey, relieved, then nervously presented her with a deck of playing cards featuring himself in women's attire, which he had secretly worked overtime to photograph and create. He stated that she was now in charge of the cards, and since she had been in charge of him for a while, he was entrusting both the cards and himself to her.
Jiang Zhishan, deeply touched by his trust, made him promise not to back out, to which he firmly agreed before they shared an emotional embrace. Han Yansheng remained withdrawn, causing Jian Dan considerable worry. She decided to record her thoughts and feelings, wondering how she could help him.
She watched the movie "Good Will Hunting," a film about psychology, noting that its main character, a traumatized boy who eventually heals with the help of loved ones, reminded her of Han Yansheng's situation. She recorded a message suggesting he watch the movie, hoping it would help him regain his confidence. Her friend, Mi Fen, encouraged her dedication, assuring her that Han Yansheng would recover. Han Yansheng later went to the hospital to get his previous check-up results.
The doctor informed him that his psychological evaluation results were not ideal, though he reassured Han Yansheng not to be too disheartened as many successful recovery cases existed, emphasizing the need for gradual treatment without excessive stress. Feeling discouraged, Han Yansheng did not watch the movie Jian Dan had recommended, which in turn made Jian Dan feel disheartened. Su Lishi went to pick up Gu Entong, who had returned.
Gu Entong brought gifts for everyone, including Monkey, who received a useful item, and Su Lishi, who received a coffee mug tailored to his liking. Su Lishi expressed his affection, stating he would love anything from her, which prompted Monkey to playfully question if they were secretly dating. Gu Entong quickly dismissed his suggestion and announced she was heading to the Rock Climbing Club. Distressed by Han Yansheng's condition, Jian Dan went to the seaside with her voice recorder.
She spoke into it, expressing her frustration that Han Yansheng hadn't watched "Good Will Hunting," a movie she hoped would encourage him, and questioned whether she should stop pushing him. She wondered if she should give up trying to help him heal. Gu Entong then approached her, asking if she had seen Han Yansheng, as she needed to give him her resignation letter from her role as Swimming Club manager.
Gu Entong explained that she had decided to step down to dedicate more time to her studies. She then sincerely apologized to Jian Dan for her past wrongdoings and the misunderstandings she had caused between Jian Dan and Han Yansheng. Gu Entong expressed her hope that Jian Dan would help Han Yansheng overcome the trauma related to Nan Yuan, which would alleviate some of her own guilt. Jian Dan assured her she would help.
After Gu Entong left, Jian Dan, feeling a little better, recorded another thought, pondering whether to abandon her efforts, realizing she wouldn't care if Han Yansheng swam or not, as long as he was happy. She noted that Gu Entong seemed to have changed significantly since her return. Jiang Zhishan returned to school after her competition, welcomed warmly by Jian Dan and Mi Fen, to whom she distributed gifts.
Upon hearing that Gu Entong was back, Jiang Zhishan immediately cautioned Jian Dan to be wary of her, suggesting that "old habits die hard" and fearing Gu Entong might cause trouble again. Jian Dan, however, mentioned that Gu Entong seemed noticeably different this time. Jiang Zhishan then asked about Han Yansheng, and Jian Dan confessed that he wasn't doing well and seemed to be resisting treatment. Jiang Zhishan encouraged her to take it slowly, confident he would recover.
The next morning, Jian Dan prepared breakfast for Han Yansheng. Monkey told her that Han Yansheng was in the music room but also subtly hinted that Han Yansheng preferred to train on an empty stomach. When Jian Dan arrived at the music room, she found only Gu Entong and Han Yansheng there, with Gu Entong playing the piano for him. Feeling disappointed, Jian Dan turned and left without being noticed.
Inside, Gu Entong explained that she had learned about music therapy from a master at a recent music exchange and had selected the current piece specifically for Han Yansheng, hoping it would help with his insomnia. Han Yansheng acknowledged the music's calming effect but stated it had limited impact on his unique condition. Gu Entong, attributing the limited effect to her own playing, then suggested they attend the master's upcoming solo concert that weekend as a change of scenery.
Noticing Han Yansheng's hesitation, she proactively suggested that Jian Dan and Shi also join them, making it a group of four. Han Yansheng later confronted Jian Dan about the breakfast she had brought to the music room. Jian Dan, still feeling hurt, accused him of ignoring her and joked that he was already "full" from listening to music with Gu Entong, not wanting to interrupt their "romantic scene."
Han Yansheng quickly clarified that Shi had also been present, explaining that he and Gu Entong were exploring music therapy to help his condition. Although Jian Dan initially dismissed his explanation, her mood visibly brightened. Han Yansheng then presented her with a dress, explaining that it was for the upcoming concert that Gu Entong had invited all four of them – himself, Jian Dan, Shi, and Gu Entong – to attend that weekend.
Jian Dan, no longer upset, happily made an excuse to rush back to her dorm. At the concert, while waiting for Shi, Jian Dan noticed Gu Entong's hair clip was broken and generously offered her own to Gu Entong. Inside, Jian Dan actively engaged with the music, even explaining its nuances to Han Yansheng, expressing her commitment to understanding music therapy for his sake. Later, Han Yansheng and Jian Dan departed the concert together.
Afterward, at the Rock Climbing Club, as Jian Dan was preparing to leave with friends for dinner, Gu Entong arrived to return the hair clip. Jian Dan, preoccupied with grabbing her phone, placed the hair clip along with her voice recorder on a nearby table. She then left with Gu Entong and Jiang Zhishan. However, upon returning later, Jian Dan realized her voice recorder was missing.
Back at the Swimming Club, as Han Yansheng was getting ready for afternoon training, he unexpectedly found Jian Dan's voice recorder in a drawer. Playing it, he heard Jian Dan's voice expressing deep despair: "The condition is getting worse. It might never get better. I feel more lost and helpless than ever. Maybe I should give up. I should tell him I don't love him and break up with him." Han Yansheng's face darkened with anger and hurt.
He immediately confronted Jian Dan, who was surprised to see her lost recorder. He played the incriminating segment again, demanding if those were her words. When she confirmed it, he coldly stated that he understood how she felt, then threw the recorder at her and stormed off. Jian Dan, realizing he had only heard a part of her thoughts and misunderstood, desperately tried to explain, asking why he was so angry and if he hadn't heard the full context.
She tried to follow him, but he sternly told her to stop. Han Yansheng's anger led him to ban Jian Dan from the Swimming Club during training, even threatening Monkey with punishment for allowing her in. Jian Dan expressed her frustration to Monkey, lamenting that Han Yansheng was avoiding her and refusing to talk. Monkey, along with Mi Fen, Shi, and Yuan Sen, convened to brainstorm a solution.
Jian Dan explained that the misunderstanding arose because Han Yansheng had only heard a fragmented part of her voice recording about his condition, which was now broken and needed time to be fixed. While her friends considered extreme measures, a new plan was devised. Monkey called Han Yansheng, fabricating a story about Yuan Sen needing his help to plan a surprise for Mi Fen's 214-day anniversary, urging him to come to the Swimming Club.
Simultaneously, Jian Dan's friends ushered her into the club, encouraging her to use this opportunity to talk to Han Yansheng. As Jian Dan entered, she overheard Dr. Li Meng's voice, detailing the grim prognosis for PTSD if one lacks willpower. The doctor emphasized the need to overcome mental barriers and "let go of oneself," warning that desensitization therapy could otherwise lead to anxiety, irritability, depression, and in extreme cases, self-harm or suicidal thoughts.
