The Starry Night, The Starry Sea Episode 23 Recap
> The Starry Night, The Starry Sea Recap
An Zuo approached Wu Jingjing, expressing that he knew she would come. He admitted he understood something now and couldn't bear to lose her, though she countered that his wish couldn't come true. He confessed that during their time apart, he tried various methods to forget her, including drinking heavily, seeing a psychologist, and even dating someone he didn't like, but nothing worked because he couldn't forget her.
He insisted he doesn't hide his emotions like she does and acknowledged her suffering over the years. When Wu Jingjing asked if his goal was more important than her, he questioned what if he was willing to give it up. An Zuo then announced his decision to bury his father the next morning at St. Barbara church, inviting Wu Jingjing and her grandmother, Violet, to participate.
Wu Jingjing hesitantly asked if he truly intended to give up on the spiritual pearl. Meanwhile, Shen Luo regained consciousness to find herself bound in a dilapidated warehouse. Zhou Buwen revealed to her that An Zuo's actions were solely aimed at acquiring the spiritual pearl inside her, to use against Wu Julan, as An Zuo had long known about its presence. An Zuo then dismissed Zhou Buwen, intending to extract the pearl himself.
Elsewhere, Jiang Yisheng and Wu Julan were frantically searching for Shen Luo. A breathless Zhou Buwen arrived, admitting that Shen Luo was in An Zuo's custody. At the church, Violet confronted An Zuo, stating he had no right to her forgiveness after all the harm he had caused Regulus. She explained that she was only there because Wu Jingjing had pleaded with her all night. She urged An Zuo to be sincere with Wu Jingjing and not betray her trust.
An Zuo thanked Violet, claiming he invited her to alleviate her worries, but his true intentions were sinister. He activated a trap, surprising Violet and Wu Jingjing. An Zuo then callously told Wu Jingjing that while he loved her, he loved his father even more. He dismissed her pain, stating he never expected her forgiveness and that she was merely sedated. He declared that after he acquired the mermaid's spiritual pearl that day, he would release her.
In a separate disheartening conversation, Wu Jingjing broke up with Jiang Yisheng. When he initially thought she was joking, she insisted she was serious, stating she had never loved him and had only used him as a means to forget someone else. A heartbroken Jiang Yisheng refused to believe her, but Wu Jingjing firmly reiterated that she had never loved him and couldn't continue lying to herself and him.
Later, Zhu Yiyang tried to comfort a despondent Jiang Yisheng, suggesting he should have given up on Wu Jingjing and prepare for her marriage. However, Jiang Yisheng was resolute, declaring he couldn't give up and would fight to the end as Wu Jingjing was not yet married and he still had a chance. He was determined not to abandon Wu Jingjing. Back at the warehouse, Shen Luo managed to fray her ropes.
As she attempted to flee, An Zuo discovered her and knocked her unconscious. Zhou Buwen then guided Wu Julan's group to the warehouse. Jiang Yisheng rushed towards the bound Shen Luo, but inadvertently stepped on a trigger, revealing a bomb attached to her. They quickly realized it was a dummy disguised as Shen Luo. Wu Julan, with superhuman speed, rescued Jiang Yisheng and flung the bomb into the sea, preventing an explosion.
Although Shen Luo's trail was lost, Zhou Buwen's foresight in placing a tracker on her provided a new lead. An Zuo had already taken Shen Luo onto a boat. He used a knife to cut her arm and extracted the spiritual pearl. Wu Julan, having transformed into his mermaid form, swiftly pursued them. He conjured a massive wave, overturning An Zuo's boat.
The spiritual pearl slipped from An Zuo's grasp as Wu Julan plunged into the sea with both the pearl and Shen Luo. A sudden, violent storm erupted, accompanied by lightning and thunder. Wu Julan used his powers to strike An Zuo, knocking him into the churning waters. After the storm subsided and the sea grew calm, An Zuo was washed ashore, unconscious. Jiang Yisheng performed CPR, successfully reviving him.
Meanwhile, Wu Julan prepared to return the spiritual pearl to Shen Luo. Wu Jingjing arrived and attempted to stop him, but Wu Julan remained steadfast. He believed Shen Luo's life was more precious than his own. He returned the spiritual pearl to Shen Luo with a true love's kiss, causing her to awaken. Witnessing this tender moment, Zhou Buwen quietly departed. Wu Julan gently carried the awakened Shen Luo along the beach.
She excitedly envisioned him as a heroic rescuer, but then Wu Julan, weakened by his actions, collapsed on the sand. Violet later explained that Wu Julan's increasing weakness was due to the loss of his most vital possession, the spiritual pearl, which grants mermaids eternal life. Without it, his body had been deteriorating for 150 years, and he only had one month left.
Wu Julan himself confirmed to Shen Luo that in a month, he would have to return to the ocean forever. An Zuo, after being revived, learned that his boat had exploded and his father's body was lost to the sea. He was devastated, lamenting to his deceased father that he couldn't save him, but vowed to resurrect him one day.
Wu Jingjing, witnessing his despair, attempted to console him, urging him to release his obsession and accept reality, as there were things more important than life itself. Shen Luo returned home, where Zhou Buwen followed. She reacted with anger, striking him with a broom. Zhou Buwen earnestly apologized, confessing that his misguided love for Shen Luo led him to become An Zuo's accomplice, causing harm to his lifelong friends and nearly to the woman he loved.
He returned a childhood photo of the three friends to Jiang Yisheng. Both Jiang Yisheng and Shen Luo, understanding his predicament, eventually forgave him. Earlier, Jiang Yisheng had vehemently confronted Zhou Buwen for abducting Wu Julan, accusing him of being a monster. Zhou Buwen retaliated, calling Wu Julan a monster and threatening to kill him.
Jiang Yisheng condemned Zhou Buwen's despicable tactics, recalling their shared childhood and expressing his heartbreak that the "Da Tou" he once knew had transformed into a frightening stranger, effectively disowning him as a brother. Later, Zhu Yiyang informed Zhou Buwen that Zhou Buyan had purchased a boat ticket, planning to leave the island. Zhou Buwen rushed to the pier, desperately pleading with Zhou Buyan to stay. She insisted on leaving, feeling she was an unnecessary presence.
Zhou Buwen, however, promised to start a new life with her and cherish their relationship. His heartfelt words moved Zhou Buyan, and she chose to remain on the island. After enduring numerous trials and overcoming all obstacles, Shen Luo and Wu Julan were finally together. Shen Luo envisioned a future of traveling the world with Wu Julan, growing old together, and even transforming into a fish to be with him eternally.
Wu Julan promised to take her into the vast ocean. An Zuo prepared to depart from the island. He shared with Jiang Yisheng the story of his relationship with Wu Jingjing, regretting that their deep love had ultimately succumbed to fate. He resolved to let go of his feelings for her. Wu Jingjing joined Jiang Yisheng to bid An Zuo farewell. Jiang Yisheng, now free of his rival, was visibly delighted. Shen Luo remained constantly by Wu Julan's side, even accompanying him to the restroom, her actions stemming from a profound fear that he might leave her at any moment.
