Love in Time Episode 24 (Ending) Recap
> Love in Time Recap
After a distressing night, Jialan awakens to find He Zhengyu by her bedside and is shocked by his presence. She desperately asks what happened, but he can only confirm his knowledge of the abandoned car factory and Sun Defeng's involvement, admitting he is unaware of what transpired after the other He Zhengyu left with Sun Defeng. He apologizes and offers to make her breakfast, including her favorite river snails rice noodles.
He also suggests they watch "La La Land," but the overwhelmed Jialan asks him to leave, unable to reconcile the connection between him and the man she lost. Understanding her need for space, He Zhengyu departs, urging her to call if she needs anything. Meanwhile, He Zhengyu confronts a terrified Sun Defeng at his law firm.
He accuses Sun Defeng of setting a trap and demands he publicly confess the truth, pointedly asking how there could be "two of me" at the same time. After He Zhengyu leaves, a shaken Sun Defeng, convinced the real He Zhengyu would never be so compliant, orders his staff to intercept him. In a separate, more intense confrontation, He Zhengyu reveals the full truth, telling Sun Defeng, "That stone you hit me with hurt a lot."
He explains that while he survived the attack, the He Zhengyu from the future died, and he has now absorbed all of his memories. The revelation causes Sun Defeng to break down, hysterically denying he is a murderer. Learning the devastating truth about the other He Zhengyu’s fate, Jialan locks herself in her apartment. Worried, He Zhengyu has food delivered, including her favorite river snails rice noodles, but she refuses to open the door.
He tries to explain that because he possesses all of the other He Zhengyu's memories, the man she knew is not truly gone. Jialan tearfully rejects this, insisting that in her heart, they are two different people and that he is not her He Zhengyu. Unable to persuade her, He Zhengyu brings her grandmother to the apartment. Alarmed by Jialan's gaunt appearance, Grandma coaxes her to eat some homemade porridge.
She then shares a story about Jialan’s late grandfather, who had told her that while grieving is necessary, she must not let sadness consume her. He wanted her to cry it out, then live fully so he could rest in peace. Moved by her grandmother's words, Jialan tearfully promises to live well. Later, as she rests against He Zhengyu’s shoulder, he reassures her that he will always be there for her, reminding her that her happiness is his.
Jialan wakes up and, finding comfort in his presence, promises to pull herself together. Life gradually finds a new rhythm. Jialan returns to her work as a journalist, and He Zhengyu resumes his legal career, now taking on cases of all sizes. His colleagues notice a significant transformation; his formerly cold demeanor has been replaced with warmth and friendliness, which he acknowledges by saying, "That was before."
He learns that Sun Defeng is suffering from severe mental health issues and has disappeared with Zhang Hui. Meanwhile, Gao Ming has been arrested for sexual assault, a victory Zhang Xiaojiang wants to celebrate with everyone on New Year's Eve. That evening, the group gathers at Manman Cafe. Jialan arrives late from work but seems to be in better spirits.
During the celebration, He Zhengyu thoughtfully offers her a hair tie, and friends remark on his change, noting he's become much more approachable. As the countdown to midnight begins, fireworks light up the sky, welcoming the New Year. He Zhengyu then gives Jialan a New Year's gift: a video from the other He Zhengyu’s phone. In the recording, the other He Zhengyu reveals he had already made a choice—if one of them had to disappear, it would be him.
Overcome with emotion, Jialan cries. He Zhengyu gently comforts her, pointing out that she has also changed. They playfully reminisce about their past, clearing up old misunderstandings: he reveals that his answers to the "ideal type" questions were always describing her, and he clarifies that he missed their meeting after the bet not because he lost, but because he was buying medicine for Mu Shiming.
After they agree to keep a respectful distance from others, including Wu Jirong, Jialan looks at him with newfound acceptance and asks, "Is it really you?" He reaffirms his presence, promising to always be by her side before embracing her, a hug she warmly returns. In the aftermath, Wu Anwen is sentenced to a year in prison for assault. He sends a message urging Wu Jirong not to divorce Jiang Shenghao, but she decides to handle her marriage herself.
She meets with Jiang Shenghao, who respects her decision to divorce but vows to win her back honorably. Holding hands on January 7th, 2022, He Zhengyu and Jialan reflect on how they triumphed over fate together. Jialan shares her renewed commitment as a journalist to be an objective "speaker" of truth. Later, while recording a video together, He Zhengyu, sporting a new hairstyle, looks at Jialan and asks, "Chen Jialan, will you marry me?" With a radiant smile, she replies, "Yes."
