Timeless Love Episode 21 Recap
> Timeless Love Recap
Cheng Feng ultimately signed the choreography contract, a sacrifice made for Dai Baoling and Lian Ruoshen. When Jiang Dian discovered the signed contract, his emotions erupted. He confronted Cheng Feng, demanding to know why she had broken her promise, accusing her of ignoring his words while he waited for her at the hospital. Refusing to listen to her explanations, his grip tightened on her arm, and his escalating distress led him to forcefully kiss her.
Later, realizing his actions stemmed from his paranoid personality disorder, Jiang Dian remorsefully apologized. Cheng Feng, exhausted, simply said she was tired and needed space. Meanwhile, Lian Ruoshen shared drinks with Jiang Dian, expressing his deep disillusionment with the entertainment industry's vicious nature. He felt immense guilt for burdening Dai Baoling, recalling her past as a respected celebrity manager who now endured disdain and neglect because of him.
He wondered if Pei Xiaoyun would pity his current plight, but ultimately resolved to stand by Dai Baoling, no matter the difficulties. Jiang Dian confided his own diagnosis of paranoid personality disorder, explaining his childhood trauma and overwhelming fear of abandonment. Lian Ruoshen, trying to reassure him, suggested that Cheng Feng's love for Jiang Dian would only deepen, not diminish, if she knew about his illness.
This led Jiang Dian to a disturbing thought: his illness could be a way to ensure Cheng Feng would not leave him. Jiang Dian later called Dai Baoling to pick up a heavily intoxicated Lian Ruoshen from the school rooftop. Despite his drunken state, Lian Ruoshen apologized for being a burden and reaffirmed his unwavering dream of singing. Dai Baoling, deeply touched, promised to support him fully, telling him to focus on his music while she handled everything else.
She left Lian Ruoshen in Lu Bie's care and went to confront DK, demanding he leave her and Lian Ruoshen alone. DK, dismissing his staff, propositioned Dai Baoling by offering a hotel room key card. Unbeknownst to them, Zhou Yao recorded this exchange, then distorted the footage to suggest Dai Baoling was willingly selling herself to DK, sending the misleading video to Lian Ruoshen.
Waking up disoriented in a hotel room with Lu Bie, Lian Ruoshen was consumed by rage upon receiving Zhou Yao's fabricated video. He and Lu Bie rushed to 24K to confront DK, with Lu Bie frantically calling Jiang Dian for help when he couldn't reach Cheng Feng or Dai Baoling. At 24K, they found Dai Baoling absent. Lian Ruoshen angrily demanded her appearance, threatening to kick down the door.
DK's bodyguards then attacked Lian Ruoshen and Lu Bie, with Jiang Dian soon arriving to join the brawl. DK, calmly recording the entire fight on his phone, later used the video to claim self-defense. Dai Baoling, having received the video from DK, immediately called him, warning that she would contact the police if the assault didn't cease. She and Cheng Feng swiftly arrived, putting an end to the fight.
After DK and his bodyguards left, Dai Baoling, overwhelmed and suffering from a gastric issue, collapsed into Lian Ruoshen's arms. Dai Baoling was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with gastric perforation, necessitating immediate surgery. Outside her room, Cheng Feng clarified to Lian Ruoshen that Dai Baoling had unequivocally rejected DK's advances. Realizing he had been manipulated, Lian Ruoshen suspected Zhou Yao's involvement and wanted to confront him, but Jiang Dian advised against it without solid evidence.
Lian Ruoshen remained by Dai Baoling's side, filled with self-reproach for her suffering. Meanwhile, Cheng Feng returned home to tend to Jiang Dian's injuries, urging him to protect himself, and he found comfort in her embrace. The next morning, Dai Baoling awoke, moved to see Lian Ruoshen by her side. He offered to get her breakfast. Soon after, DK visited, cruelly questioning if sacrificing her career for Lian Ruoshen, a "stupid boy," was truly worth it.
He highlighted her deep affection, detailing her sacrifices—selling her car and house, enduring humiliation—all for Lian Ruoshen. He then threatened her with the video of Lian Ruoshen assaulting him, implying he could sue him or release it online. Dai Baoling, seeing through the facade, realized that Zhou Yao had orchestrated the entire setup, including informing Lian Ruoshen of her meeting with DK.
Lian Ruoshen, overhearing this painful revelation of Dai Baoling's profound feelings for him, became overwhelmed and fled the hospital. Distraught by Lian Ruoshen's disappearance, Dai Baoling sought out Pei Xiaoyun. Pei Xiaoyun, having had time to reflect, showed no resentment. She explained her realization that she and Lian Ruoshen were fundamentally different, with contrasting values and aspirations, absolving everyone of blame.
Pei Xiaoyun acknowledged Dai Baoling's immense sacrifices for Lian Ruoshen, reassuring her that he would eventually understand, and urged her not to feel guilty. Pei Xiaoyun, who was preparing to return to her hometown to care for her ailing mother, gave Dai Baoling 200,000 yuan, asking her to pass it to Lian Ruoshen. She firmly stated her decision not to see Lian Ruoshen again, believing it was best to preserve their memories as they were.
Simultaneously, Lian Ruoshen, alone in a multimedia classroom, reminisced about his early days of singing for Pei Xiaoyun and then pondered Dai Baoling's unwavering support and immense sacrifices. Overwhelmed by these thoughts, he decided to abandon his singing dream entirely. Unwilling to let Jiang Dian and their friends suffer injustice, Cheng Feng went to Royal Entertainment to confront Zhou Yao. She strategically provoked him into a deal by demanding he fire Pang Ting.
Zhou Yao, eager to secure Cheng Feng as his dance partner for "Dancing Stars," readily agreed. Later, when Pang Ting confronted Cheng Feng, Cheng Feng astutely pointed out Zhou Yao's inherent selfishness, stating he only truly loved himself and was unworthy of Pang Ting's devotion. Cheng Feng proposed they unite against Zhou Yao, but Pang Ting, wary of the significant career risks, declined the alliance.
Lian Ruoshen eventually returned to the hospital to visit Dai Baoling, expressing his belief that he was unworthy of her affection. Undeterred, Dai Baoling poured out her heart, confessing her deep love for him. She recalled how his captivating voice first drew her in during the school anniversary, despite her initial disdain for his perceived clumsiness. His dedication to his dream and his pure, straightforward nature, she revealed, had gradually won her over.
She reiterated her "You stay, I stay" promise, revealing her willingness to sacrifice her own dreams for his. She clarified that her confession was not meant to burden him with guilt, and she would not accept his affection if it were born purely out of obligation. She then handed him the 200,000 yuan from Pei Xiaoyun, informing him of Pei Xiaoyun's impending flight and urging him to go to the airport if he wished to reconcile. Lian Ruoshen, prompted by this news, immediately left, leaving a heartbroken Dai Baoling behind.
