The Starry Night, The Starry Sea Episode 26 Recap
> The Starry Night, The Starry Sea Recap
Shen Luo was restless when she found Wu Julan right behind her. He was much weaker and soon fainted again. Shen Luo quickly called for Grandma Olivet, who revealed that Wu Julan had been poisoned by hidden needles in Shen Luo's wedding dress. Fortunately, the poison had receded, but Wu Julan's body was even weaker.
Wu Jingjing also noted that the drugs only offered temporary relief and Wu Julan's condition was worsening, warning that he would become too weak to function like a normal person if it continued. Wu Jingjing also expressed concern about An Zuo, noting no news from the Black Wizards since the New York incident and believing An Zuo was dead set on getting the spiritual pearl.
She promised Wu Julan to add more support, convinced An Zuo wouldn't give up easily and that something suspicious was at play. Despite Grandma Olivet's arrangement for Wu Julan to return to New York that night, he refused, fearing that if he left, the island residents' fear of his exposed identity would be directed at Shen Luo.
In a cherished memory of a happier time, Shen Luo playfully chided Wu Julan for running off without a word from the night market, causing her worry. He apologized sincerely, promising not to repeat the action. Shen Luo "forgave" him, teasingly allowing him to be her bodyguard for an upcoming fire-shooting performance. Later, as they settled in, Shen Luo jokingly asked if he thought she would secretly climb into his bed to take advantage of him.
She then declared her intention to "take advantage" of him, asserting it was her right as his girlfriend. Wu Julan simply told her to sleep, pulling her close, and Shen Luo noted his rapidly beating heart as they embraced. On another occasion, at a festive event on the island, Shen Luo and Wu Julan enjoyed the atmosphere, with Shen Luo ensuring Wu Julan wore a festive hat.
Wu Julan playfully accused Shen Luo of touching his butt, then promised to protect her from anyone who might try to take advantage of her, to which Shen Luo gladly accepted his protection. Zhu Yiyang confronted Zhou Buwen, blaming him for not keeping his promise. Feeling that Zhu Yiyang posed a serious threat to his life, Zhou Buwen decided to retaliate.
An Zuo then called Zhou Buwen, informing him that they had to officially start taking action today, pushing Zhou Buwen to get rid of Wu Julan, so Zhou Buwen could have Shen Luo. Around this time, Zhou Buyan found Zhou Buwen distracted and asked him if he was still working for An Zuo. Zhou Buwen tried to dismiss her, but she insisted on answers, questioning if An Zuo had forced him.
Zhou Buwen defiantly stated that no one forced him, and he acted willingly, confessing his motive: he wanted Wu Julan to die because Wu Julan had shamed him at a banquet in America. Zhou Buyan was shocked by his transformation, but Zhou Buwen claimed she never truly knew him. As Zhu Yiyang prepared to deliver a gift to Zhou Buyan, he was intercepted and assaulted by two men.
Zhu Yiyang suspected Zhou Buwen was behind it and, in the ensuing chaos, managed to hide a memory card inside the music box intended for Zhou Buyan before the assailants stole his phone. This entire incident was orchestrated by Zhou Buwen to neutralize Zhu Yiyang's threats. Before leaving, the attackers intentionally inflicted wounds on Zhu Yiyang that resembled merman claw marks, intending to frame Wu Julan.
The mayor and island residents then arrived at Shen Luo's house, demanding that she drive Wu Julan away, calling him a monster. Under pressure, Shen Luo admitted that Wu Julan was a merman. However, the residents remained adamant. Shen Luo patiently explained that Wu Julan would not harm anyone and recounted the many ways he had helped them, leading them to realize they had misunderstood him. Zhou Buwen watched, disappointed as the residents left empty-handed.
After the residents left, Shen Luo expressed her hope that Wu Julan would not resent them, as they were merely afraid. Wu Jingjing began investigating who framed Wu Julan, suspecting Zhou Buwen because only he and An Zuo knew about the mandrake grass that could reveal Wu Julan's merman form, and An Zuo had already left. Jiang Yisheng, however, found it hard to believe, thinking Zhou Buwen had reformed.
Later, Zhou Buwen feigned concern, accompanying Zhu Yiyang's mother to the hospital where Zhu Yiyang remained in a coma due to a severe head injury. Zhou Buwen seized this opportunity to falsely accuse Wu Julan of the assault. Zhu Yiyang's mother then approached the mayor, and Zhou Buwen further incited their anger, leading them to confront Wu Julan once more. Children began to bully Shen Luo, causing Wu Julan distress.
However, Shen Luo declared that she cared about nothing as long as she was with him. At that moment, Zhou Buwen led the enraged residents to Shen Luo's house. They refused to listen to her explanations and began assaulting her. Enraged, Wu Julan transformed into his merman form to protect Shen Luo. To prevent further misunderstandings from the villagers, Shen Luo quickly led Wu Julan away.
Wu Julan looked at Shen Luo with anguish, regretting her impulsive actions for him, as his body grew increasingly weak. Shen Luo wanted him to take her away from the island, far from the trouble, but Wu Julan refused, unwilling to make her homeless because of him. Shen Luo resolved to find another solution. Jiang Yisheng and Wu Jingjing painstakingly found the people who injured Zhu Yiyang and learned the truth.
Jiang Yisheng confronted Zhou Buwen, who, seeing his plot exposed, tried to escape. Jiang Yisheng advised him to stop before it was too late. Zhou Buwen, in a fit of rage, explained that everything he did was out of love for Shen Luo. Jiang Yisheng accused Zhou Buwen of being unworthy of Shen Luo, and their argument escalated into a fight, ending their 26 years of friendship.
During the chaos, Wu Julan was seen chasing a black-clothed figure, with Shen Luo following him, frustrated by being left behind again. Wu Julan, along with Wu Jingjing and Jiang Yisheng, searched frantically for Shen Luo. Wu Julan deduced that she must be in An Zuo's hands. Zhou Buwen appeared, claiming he had come to lead them to Shen Luo.
Meanwhile, An Zuo had Shen Luo captive, where she tried to escape by threatening to jump, declaring that she wouldn't be used to kill Wu Julan. An Zuo calmly told her he wanted her, not to kill Wu Julan. Zhou Buwen led Wu Julan and the others to a location, but Shen Luo was not there, causing them to split up and search. During the search, Jiang Yisheng stepped on a landmine.
Wu Jingjing explained the dire situation: the bomb would detonaten if he moved, or automatically in one minute. Wu Julan quickly devised a plan, realizing there was a brief time lag between the pressure change and the explosion. He pushed Jiang Yisheng off the mine, taking his place, and then used his powers to distance himself before detonating it.
After the explosion, Jiang Yisheng lunged at Zhou Buwen, but Wu Jingjing restrained him, explaining that Zhou Buwen himself was nearly killed by the bomb, revealing An Zuo knew of Zhou Buwen's betrayal. Zhou Buwen, realizing An Zuo had indeed intended to kill him, revealed he had placed a tracking device on Shen Luo earlier and urged them to save her.
An Zuo had earlier learned from an accomplice that Shen Luo had been resurrected and that the spiritual pearl was in her body, promising his deceased father they would be reunited soon. Wu Julan had to make a sacrifice to save Shen Luo, which resulted in the spiritual pearl returning to him from Shen Luo's body. Shen Luo appeared to be dead or in a critical state following these events.
Wu Jingjing urged Jiang Yisheng to perform CPR on An Zuo, who was still alive after the attack. An Zuo woke up, disoriented, calling for his father. Wu Jingjing told him his father died long ago and could not be brought back to life, prompting a despairing cry from An Zuo. Wu Jingjing then spoke to Wu Julan, acknowledging that he now had the spiritual pearl again, and Shen Luo had returned to her normal state after drowning.
Wu Jingjing questioned Wu Julan, asking what use love would be if he died. Wu Julan responded that Shen Luo was more important than his life, and suffering loneliness without her would be more intolerable than death itself. Shen Luo later woke up, confused about her whereabouts, and gratefully thanked Wu Julan for being there. Jiang Yisheng expressed his annoyance at having to save An Zuo, who also woke up asking for his father.
Jiang Yisheng brutally told An Zuo that his father was dead and could not be revived. Wu Jingjing sent Jiang Yisheng away, leaving An Zuo to his despair. After the immediate crisis, Shen Luo told Wu Julan she was relieved the "black cloaked guy" (An Zuo) would no longer trouble him.
She playfully recounted her imagined scenario of Wu Julan, her powerful boyfriend, rescuing her from the intense fight and then asked how he intended to portray their romantic love scene. However, Wu Julan suddenly collapsed in her arms, intensifying her worry as his condition worsened. In a moment of quiet reflection, An Zuo reminisced about his childhood with his father, recalling their shared dreams and his father's words about the cycle of life.
Wu Jingjing tried to counsel him, urging him to let go of his attachments, telling him that his father wouldn't be happy with his actions and that true gain comes from disengagement. Zhu Yiyang's nurse delivered the music box to Zhou Buyan. Heartbroken upon hearing of Zhu Yiyang's injuries, Zhou Buyan discovered a memory card inside. Playing it, she was horrified to find a video revealing her brother's involvement in the death of Shen Luo's grandfather.
When Zhou Buwen returned home, Zhou Buyan confronted him, expressing her desire to leave with him and imploring him to stop his destructive path. Zhou Buwen finally dropped his facade, confessing that he had been manipulating her all along, using her to project an image of reform. His terrifying demeanor and deranged eyes left Zhou Buyan utterly horrified.
Soon after, Zhou Buyan was seen buying a ferry ticket, declaring her intention to leave the horrible place forever and stating her willingness to leave both Zhou Buwen and Shen Luo behind. Shen Luo, seeing her, expressed concern for Wu Julan's health. Later, Shen Luo confronted Zhou Buwen for his past wrongdoings, ready to retaliate. However, Jiang Yisheng and Wu Julan intervened, explaining that Zhou Buwen had actually helped save them by leading them to Shen Luo's location.
Zhou Buwen then sincerely apologized to everyone present, confessing that his jealousy and hatred for Wu Julan, driven by his love for Shen Luo, had led him to foolishly become An Zuo's accomplice, hurting Jiang Yisheng and nearly causing Shen Luo's death. He returned a childhood photograph of the three of them, stating he was no longer worthy to keep it. As Zhou Buwen prepared to leave, Jiang Yisheng offered him a tangerine, suggesting a potential path to reconciliation.
At night, Shen Luo and Wu Julan remained outside, not daring to return home. Shen Luo lay against Wu Julan’s chest, gazing at him with tender affection, while Wu Julan held her close, sharing her heartache. In that moment, with only the two of them, they wished time could simply stop.
