The Starry Night, The Starry Sea Episode 5 Recap
> The Starry Night, The Starry Sea Recap
Wu Jingjing was meticulously tracking the black wizard, almost catching him when Jiang Yisheng unexpectedly intervened. The black wizard seized the opportunity to remove his tracker and hastily made his way to the dock. By the time Wu Jingjing managed to shake off Jiang Yisheng and arrive at the dock, the black wizard was already on a boat, poised to depart. Their eyes met, and both were stunned.
The black wizard was revealed to be An Zuo, her former university boyfriend. Recalling their once inseparable closeness, Wu Jingjing was deeply saddened by his transformation. She implored him not to return, expressing her wish to avoid any conflict between them. Sometime earlier, Shen Luo had engaged in a routine morning, instructing Wu Julan to buy vegetables and wash her Grandpa's clothes.
Meanwhile, Wu Julan received a mysterious text message asking him to meet at the island's mountain forest at noon, to which he agreed. Shen Luo later had a poignant conversation with her Grandpa, who was in a hospital bed. He lovingly reflected on their years together, worried about her future, and made her promise to live a happy life after his passing, so he could leave in peace.
Shen Luo, deeply moved, wished aloud for time to turn back so they could remain as they were. Soon after, Shen Luo left the house briefly. Upon her return, she found Wu Julan absent, despite having tasks for him. She prepared soup for her Grandpa, but when she went to his room, he was gone. Panicked, she, Da Tou, and a nurse began searching for him. Meanwhile, Wu Julan met Shen Luo’s Grandpa in the forest.
Wu Julan directly confronted Grandpa, identifying him as Du Xiaolin's descendant and demanding the spiritual pearl. Grandpa noted that 150 years ago, Du Xiaolin hadn't killed Wu Julan, and expressed surprise at Wu Julan's continued murderous intent. Grandpa defended Du Xiaolin, claiming he felt guilt and created the Mermaid Festival as a form of atonement and comfort for Wu Julan. Wu Julan, however, dismissed this, accusing them all of being selfish and despicable, disguising contemptible deeds as kindness.
He declared he would never forget the betrayal and would never forgive them. Grandpa then apologized, stating he didn't truly wish to kill Wu Julan, and attempted to explain his actions were "because of Xiao Luo—" before Wu Julan cut him off. Grandpa pleaded with Wu Julan not to harm Shen Luo, emphasizing that she knew nothing about the matter. Wu Julan reiterated his demand for the spiritual pearl, leading to a physical confrontation.
Wu Julan ultimately spared Grandpa due to his age but warned him to watch himself. Simultaneously, Shen Luo, Da Tou, and Jiang Yisheng continued their frantic search for Grandpa, expanding their efforts to the beach and forest. Eventually, Shen Luo discovered her Grandpa deceased. A shadowy figure then appeared, taking a silver box, presumably containing the spiritual pearl, from Grandpa. Shen Luo, Da Tou, and Jiang Yisheng were present as Shen Luo collapsed in shock.
When Shen Luo awoke, Jiang Yisheng gently informed her that Grandpa was truly gone, having already stopped breathing when found. Recalling her promise to Grandpa, Shen Luo resolved to live happily. Later, as they reflected on Grandpa's sudden death, Jiang Yisheng noted the oddness of Grandpa going to the forest alone without company, suggesting he might have gone to meet someone. Examining Grandpa's belongings, they discovered his final call was placed to their home.
Shen Luo confirmed she hadn't answered, having left early. Jiang Yisheng deduced someone must have picked up, suspecting Wu Julan, who had been missing since the previous afternoon. He concluded Wu Julan must be involved in Grandpa’s death. Jiang Yisheng's friend, Da Tou, who was also there, agreed, saying he'd told Shen Luo earlier that there was nothing good about Wu Julan.
Shen Luo, however, urged them not to jump to conclusions, suggesting they find Wu Julan and ask him directly. They searched the house for Wu Julan, but he was nowhere to be found, leading Jiang Yisheng to conclude he had fled out of guilt. Shen Luo, Jiang Yisheng, and Da Tou then confronted Wu Julan, demanding to know his whereabouts and actions since the previous day. Shen Luo directly asked if he had killed Grandpa.
Wu Julan, shocked by the news of Grandpa's death, denied it, asserting Shen Luo had no right to question him. As they pressed him further, Wu Julan maintained he had nothing to say. Jiang Yisheng accused him of evil deeds, reminding him of Shen Luo's kindness in taking him in, and declared he would punish Wu Julan for Grandpa's death.
Just then, Wu Jingjing arrived, revealing that Wu Julan was a Chinese-American doctorate student in Chinese antiques from New York, and had come to the island to relax. She further explained that Wu Julan suffered from mild depression, characterized by weakness, low spirits, slow thought, and withdrawal. She cautioned them against accusing a patient without evidence. Jiang Yisheng was immediately smitten by Wu Jingjing's beauty and intelligence, which he openly expressed, much to Da Tou's dismay.
Despite Wu Jingjing's explanation, Da Tou remained suspicious. Wu Jingjing clarified she was not only Wu Julan's friend but also his long-time psychologist, vouching for his character and stating he would never commit murder. With that, she departed. Wu Jingjing later spoke to Wu Julan, referring to him as Regulus.
She confirmed Grandpa was Du Xiaolin's descendant but the spiritual pearl was gone, and noted Grandpa's death meant Shen Luo might be the only one who knew its location, a claim she doubted. Wu Julan reiterated his warning against exposing his identity to humans. Wu Jingjing also informed him that a black-clad individual, whom she had encountered fighting for the pearl, bore a fire tattoo.
She speculated this individual was the black wizard who 150 years prior had obtained the spiritual pearl from the mermaid people, only for it to be stolen by Du Xiaolin. Wu Jingjing noted the individual was seriously injured and wouldn't be leaving soon, promising to find him. Wu Julan also thought about Shen Luo’s Grandpa’s last words and the Angel’s Trumpet flowers. He secretly believed Shen Luo might know about the pearl, despite what Grandpa had said.
Since Grandpa's passing, Shen Luo had been reading joke books to find solace. She now decided to extend this method to help Wu Julan with his depression, believing a job would both earn her money and aid his recovery. Without waiting for his response, she excitedly went to the service center. Suddenly, Shen Luo's stepmother, Su GuiFang, arrived uninvited. Finding Wu Julan alone at home, she rudely criticized his manners and accused him of illegally cohabiting with Shen Luo.
When Shen Luo returned, Su GuiFang wasted no time in declaring her purpose: to sell the ancestral home and divide the family assets. Shen Luo, deeply attached to the house filled with memories of her and Grandpa, adamantly refused. Su GuiFang, citing inheritance law, pressured Shen Luo, demanding 300,000 yuan to drop her claim. Unable to raise such a sum, Shen Luo consulted Jiang Yisheng and Da Tou. While Jiang Yisheng sympathized, he couldn't help financially.
Zhou Buwen, however, unexpectedly offered to lend Shen Luo the money, a gesture for which she was profoundly grateful. Da Tou also approached Shen Luo and candidly expressed his feelings for her, reminiscing about their childhood and wishing they could be together, mutually supportive and warm. Shen Luo, however, gently deflected his advances, urging him to rest. Meanwhile, the avaricious Su GuiFang had already brought potential buyers to view the house, extolling its virtues.
Upon returning home, Shen Luo informed her stepmother that she had secured the money, prompting Su GuiFang to dismiss the buyers. Just then, Da Tou called, confirming the money had been transferred to Shen Luo's account, and Shen Luo hurried to the bank to withdraw it. Unbeknownst to Shen Luo, Zhou Buwen paid a visit to Su GuiFang.
He proposed buying the ancestral home for double the market price if Su GuiFang would first demand an inflated sum of 500,000 yuan from Shen Luo, knowing Shen Luo wouldn't be able to pay it. He then promised to buy the house for 1,000,000 yuan. Su GuiFang, puzzled as to why Zhou Buwen would both lend money to Shen Luo and simultaneously sabotage her, listened as Zhou Buwen explained his affection for Shen Luo.
He planned to buy the house and let Shen Luo live there, believing she would be eternally grateful, thus achieving both love and wealth. Su GuiFang understood his cunning plan. When Shen Luo presented the 300,000 yuan to Su GuiFang, her stepmother's demeanor instantly changed, and she demanded 500,000 yuan. Shen Luo was aghast, knowing she couldn't possibly raise that much. She once again sought advice from Jiang Yisheng and Zhou Buwen.
Zhou Buwen secretly delighted in her predicament while feigning regret and helplessness. Jiang Yisheng, after some thought, decided to resort to an unconventional method. That night, Su GuiFang's bedroom was suddenly filled with smoke, and the lights flickered eerily. Jiang Yisheng, disguised in a white robe and a fake beard, impersonated Shen Luo's Grandpa's ghost, angrily scolding Su GuiFang for bullying Shen Luo. Guilt-ridden, Su GuiFang trembled with fear. However, Jiang Yisheng's overconfidence led to his disguise being exposed.
The feisty Su GuiFang grabbed a broom and chased Jiang Yisheng out of the house. Jiang Yisheng made a hasty and undignified retreat, while Su GuiFang, emboldened, continued her pursuit. Suddenly, Wu Julan emerged from the darkness, his eyes emitting a terrifying blue light. Su GuiFang initially dismissed him as another prankster, but witnessing his eerie transformation into a monstrous form, she fainted in terror.
The following morning, Su GuiFang swiftly departed with the 300,000 yuan Shen Luo had given her, unable even to meet Wu Julan's gaze. Shen Luo was perplexed by her stepmother's abrupt change of heart but relieved to have saved their home. Zhou Buwen's scheme had failed, and he felt a profound sense of loss, noticing Wu Julan's intense, meaningful stare directed at him.
Zhou Buwen was still troubled by what he had seen on An Zuo's iPad: a photo of Du Xiaolin and Wu Julan together, which professional appraisal confirmed was not photoshopped, despite Wu Julan's 19th-century attire. He also found cryptic astrological charts he couldn't comprehend. At some point, An Zuo had contacted Zhou Buwen, asking him to urgently procure bandages, gauze, and blood-clotting medicine, indicating his location and instructing him to avoid attracting attention.
Zhou Buwen had attended to An Zuo's wounds, enduring An Zuo's reprimand not to inquire about his injuries. Later, An Zuo initiated a video call via the iPad, startling Zhou Buwen, who stumbled backward. An Zuo, having discovered his iPad missing and seeing records of it being accessed multiple times, concluded Zhou Buwen had seen things he shouldn't have. He decided to reveal his secrets.
An Zuo confessed to Zhou Buwen that while publicly a scientist, he was also a wizard with knowledge of various sorceries. He asserted Zhou Buwen still held value to him, so he wouldn't harm him for now. However, he warned that if Zhou Buwen failed to perform his duties diligently, An Zuo would end his life in a minute. Zhou Buwen was too terrified to utter a single word.
Wu Jingjing informed Wu Julan that she had previously seen Zhou Buwen in An Zuo's room, suspecting an illicit collaboration between them. Wu Julan instructed Wu Jingjing to closely monitor Zhou Buwen and uncover the truth. The next day, while out, Zhou Buwen sensed someone trailing him. As he attempted to identify his pursuer, he was suddenly attacked by an unknown assailant and knocked unconscious. The assailant, who was Wu Jingjing, took him to her home.
Upon his awakening, Wu Jingjing hypnotized Zhou Buwen, questioning him about his relationship with An Zuo. Zhou Buwen stated he only had business dealings with An Zuo and knew nothing else. Wu Jingjing implicitly trusted Zhou Buwen's hypnotized testimony. However, she was unaware that An Zuo, knowing her well, had anticipated such an attempt and had taught Zhou Buwen anti-hypnosis techniques beforehand. As Zhou Buwen departed Wu Jingjing's home, a faint, sly smile played on his lips.
The next day, Zhou Buwen insisted on taking Jiang Yisheng to the dock to pick someone up. Jiang Yisheng initially complained but instantly brightened upon seeing a beautiful woman. Zhou Buwen introduced her as his stepsister, Zhou Buyan, the daughter of his stepfather. Zhou Buyan, an outgoing and straightforward woman, quickly corrected him, stating they were not blood-related. She also confessed to Jiang Yisheng that she harbored feelings for Zhou Buwen, leaving Jiang Yisheng somewhat bewildered.
That afternoon, the group had lunch at Shen Luo's house. After the meal, Shen Luo unexpectedly demanded payment for the food. She explained her dire financial situation, noting that even Wu Julan had gone out to find work, and insisted they either pay up or help her secure employment.
