Mysterious Love Episode 9 Recap
> Mysterious Love Recap
Ruan Nianchu has been haunted by the same recurring dream for over three years, always set in the same place. She confides in a therapist that she can't imagine whether "Lee," the subject of her constant dreams, is alive or dead. The therapist reassures her that these dreams and persistent sadness are typical symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and advises her to revisit places from her past to cope. A friend offers to accompany Ruan Nianchu to Tai City.
Later, while out, Ruan Nianchu instinctively rushes toward a man who strongly resembles Lee, calling out his name, only to realize her mistake and apologize. Li Teng, appearing troubled, reflects on Xia Fei's funeral from three years prior, a somber memory during which Xia Fei's wife was inconsolable. He visits Xia Fei's wife, offering her water and asking if she resented Xia Fei for his frequent absences.
She admits to past conflicts but asserts that she never regretted their fated meeting. She then suggests to Li Teng that a certain girl is his own fate, urging him not to run from it. When Li Teng asks if she would still choose Xia Fei if she could start over, she steadfastly replies yes, stating that meeting him was the best thing that ever happened in her life. This conversation appears to give Li Teng a profound realization.
The next morning, Li Teng attempts to reconcile with Ruan Nianchu, offering her a lift to the Morninglight Troupe and presenting her with a gift as he explicitly asks her to be his girlfriend. Ruan Nianchu, still annoyed, rejects the ride, revealing she's already called a cab, and questions his decision-making process, suggesting he should consult her before making plans or even before kissing her.
Despite her protests, Li Teng charmingly asserts that she loves him, which she admits, and he reciprocates. Later, Ruan Nianchu's rehearsal is interrupted when Mr. Zhao, the troupe leader, formally introduces a new art director, Chen Guozhi, whom Ruan Nianchu recognizes from college. Chen Guozhi announces that he will lead the troupe to the Bian City Drama Festival, with preparations beginning immediately by traveling to Bian City the following day.
To celebrate, Mr. Zhao invites everyone to dinner, and Li Teng joins them. Qiao Yufei confides in a doctor about her conflicting feelings for Jiang Hao, whose daughter, Jiang Xingxing, she dislikes. The doctor advises her to embrace Jiang Hao wholly, including his daughter, if she truly loves him. Inspired, Qiao Yufei declares her intention to "deal with" Jiang Xingxing. At the celebratory dinner, the atmosphere grows tense as Li Teng and Chen Guozhi subtly compete for Ruan Nianchu's attention.
Li Teng highlights his long-standing support for the troupe, implying a prior claim, while Chen Guozhi compliments Ruan Nianchu's past performances. Overwhelmed, Ruan Nianchu retreats to the restroom to call Qiao Yufei, complaining that Li Teng is following her everywhere and preventing her from talking to Chen Guozhi. Qiao Yufei advises Ruan Nianchu to use the situation to test Li Teng's commitment and avoid being too easily won over.
Meanwhile, Li Teng calls Jiang Hao to inform him of the trip to Bian City. Overhearing, Jiang Xingxing insists on going with her father. Qiao Yufei then arrives at Jiang Hao's doorstep and attempts to win Xingxing's favor with toys and snacks, but Xingxing defiantly rejects her attempts to be "bought over." Despite this, Qiao Yufei secures permission from Jiang Hao to join the trip, using her "kid" as a convenient excuse.
On the day of departure, Chen Guozhi offers Ruan Nianchu breakfast, which Li Teng conspicuously intercepts. In front of the troupe, Chen Guozhi directly asks Ruan Nianchu about her relationship with Li Teng, prompting Li Teng to interject and declare himself her boyfriend. To diffuse the tension, Ruan Nianchu quickly claims he is her "ex-boyfriend," causing a stir. Mr. Zhao thanks Li Teng for providing the car for their journey.
The rivalry continues as Li Teng prevents Chen Guozhi from sitting next to Ruan Nianchu. Upon arriving in Bian City, the group is impressed by the luxurious mansion that Chen Guozhi personally paid for. A troupe member comments on the escalating "triangle love show." During room assignments, Qiao Yufei volunteers to share a room with Jiang Xingxing, and to everyone's surprise, Jiang Xingxing agrees, seemingly with her own intentions.
The other girls decide to share the double rooms, with Ruan Nianchu rooming with her friend Shiqi to facilitate rehearsal. This leaves Jiang Hao, Li Teng, and Chen Guozhi assigned to a triple room. Shiqi playfully teases Ruan Nianchu about the love triangle, presenting her with a metaphorical choice between the "hot tea" from the gentle Chen Guozhi and the "icy water" from the intense Li Teng. Ruan Nianchu chides her for gossiping and urges her to focus on rehearsal.
Later, the tension in the men's shared room becomes palpable for Jiang Hao, who excuses himself for fresh air. When Chen Guozhi attempts to follow, Li Teng blocks his path, sternly warning him to stay in the room and asserting that Ruan Nianchu is "his girl." Undeterred, Chen Guozhi counters that he is becoming increasingly interested in Ruan Nianchu, escalating their rivalry.
