Unrequited Love Episode 11 Recap
> Unrequited Love Recap
Luo Zhi and Sheng Huainan were walking together, and Luo Zhi felt pressured to initiate conversation, considering talking about the weather or his interests. She then realized she already knew all his interests. Sheng Huainan pointed out the beautiful scenery, then clarified he was referring to her. He mentioned having a similar dress and wished he had worn it, suggesting they could have worn matching outfits, a hint Luo Zhi didn't quite grasp.
Their hopeful date was interrupted by a call from Ding Shuijing, alerting Sheng Huainan that Ye Zhanyan was in distress. Luo Zhi asked Sheng Huainan why he always stepped on the cross marks of the floor tiles. He explained it was a childhood habit his mother taught him to distract him from leg pain, and then expressed his wish to be the one who could teach her how to alleviate her pain in the future.
Sheng Huainan apologized for cutting their trip short to Gu Lang Island. Despite his apology, Luo Zhi, fearing he would abandon her again due to Ye Zhanyan or other reasons, decided to be brave and insisted on accompanying him to Zhenhua, hoping that by following him, her secret love wouldn't get lost.
Upon their arrival at Zhenhua High School's art studio, they found Ding Shuijing desperately trying to get Ye Zhanyan to open the locked door, fearing for her safety as Ye Zhanyan was smashing things inside. Ding Shuijing was surprised to see Luo Zhi with Sheng Huainan, explaining that Ye Zhanyan only wanted Sheng Huainan to enter. Luo Zhi offered to step aside if necessary.
Ding Shuijing recounted how Ye Zhanyan had shown up, shared some family issues, including her womanizing father's plan to remarry, and then locked herself in. Sheng Huainan was also concerned, asking if Ye Zhanyan had similar episodes before, and Ding Shuijing hinted that Zhang Min knew more. Ye Zhanyan eventually allowed only Sheng Huainan to enter. Inside, Sheng Huainan found the studio in disarray and Ye Zhanyan holding a palette knife.
She tearfully declared her belief that he still loved her and pleaded with him not to abandon her, promising to be good and asking if he would stay with her forever, smiling gently. Sheng Huainan carefully disarmed her. Ding Shuijing entered, but when Ye Zhanyan saw Luo Zhi at the doorway, she became frantic, begging Sheng Huainan not to leave her for anyone else.
Sheng Huainan tried to explain that Luo Zhi was there to help, but Ye Zhanyan, overcome with emotion, fainted. Sheng Huainan immediately carried her to the hospital. At the hospital, after Ye Zhanyan's condition stabilized and she fell asleep, Sheng Huainan and Ding Shuijing stepped out to talk. Ding Shuijing invited Luo Zhi to join them. Ding Shuijing asked Luo Zhi if she had heard about Ye Zhanyan's past from Zhang Min.
Luo Zhi confirmed that Zhang Min had advised her to keep her distance from Ye Zhanyan, implying she was "not like what you see." Sheng Huainan questioned Luo Zhi about her seemingly cold demeanor towards them, to which Luo Zhi replied that she was simply not good at interpersonal relationships. Sheng Huainan then asked Ding Shuijing what had caused Ye Zhanyan's drastic change from an optimistic girl.
Ding Shuijing revealed that Ye Zhanyan had witnessed her mother's suicide during their second year of high school. She explained that Ye Zhanyan masked her deep emotional pain with a cheerful facade, living with immense energy, and would never let go of anyone she cared about unless she herself chose to.
A flashback showed a high school peer, who had also experienced a mother's suicide due to depression, trying to offer comfort and suggesting Ye Zhanyan talk to friends, but Ye Zhanyan angrily rejected the offer, insisting her mother wasn't crazy and that she herself wouldn't be weak like her mother. During this emotional outburst, Ye Zhanyan accidentally cut her hand. Ding Shuijing quickly came to her aid, promising she would never leave her.
Back in the present, after waking up, Ye Zhanyan asked for Sheng Huainan. Ding Shuijing then directly urged Sheng Huainan to reconcile with Ye Zhanyan, emphasizing her deep need for him. Sheng Huainan glanced at Luo Zhi, who then stated that she would go home and encouraged Sheng Huainan to stay with Ye Zhanyan. Ding Shuijing reacted angrily, accusing Luo Zhi of being cold-blooded and mocking Ye Zhanyan's pain.
Luo Zhi calmly countered that she was not mocking anyone, explaining that everyone carries their own past, and while others can accompany one for a while, eventually, one must face their inner demons alone, making it an individual journey. She silently urged herself not to cry. After Luo Zhi left, Sheng Huainan sat by Ye Zhanyan's bed to counsel her. Ye Zhanyan noted he had changed and suspected Luo Zhi's influence.
Sheng Huainan admitted he used to pretend to be perfect in front of others, but Luo Zhi could always see through his facade, inspiring him to be more authentic. Soon after, Jiang Bailing called Luo Zhi, excited about her date and asking for spicy duck neck. Luo Zhi sadly informed her that she couldn't bring it, revealing she was in Harbin with Sheng Huainan and felt that despite her efforts to get closer to him, she had ultimately lost everything.
Jiang Bailing urged her to buy a ticket back, but noted her financial constraints to help, and Luo Zhi decided to stay at her home for the night and return the next morning. After Luo Zhi ended the call, Sheng Huainan appeared and followed her, though she initially didn't want to talk to him. Ding Shuijing returned to Ye Zhanyan, learning Sheng Huainan had left.
She criticized him for not staying, calling him a typical man, and advised Ye Zhanyan to forget him. Ye Zhanyan refused porridge, only wanting Coke. She explained that during a past conflict with Zhang Min, when she had hurt her hand, Sheng Huainan's unexpected kindness at the infirmary, offering her Coke, had given her a long-lost sense of warmth and respect, changing her negative perception of men.
From that moment, she believed Sheng Huainan was the one who could help her move past her pain. Ding Shuijing expressed surprise that Luo Zhi, who had always been so focused on her studies, had become Ye Zhanyan's biggest rival. Ye Zhanyan expressed her resentment that Sheng Huainan had initiated their connection, yet he changed his feelings for her because of Luo Zhi, who seemingly did nothing.
Ding Shuijing advised her that she had invested too much of herself in him. Despite this, Ye Zhanyan still wanted to see Sheng Huainan. As Sheng Huainan and Luo Zhi walked outside, he took off his gloves and offered one to her, suggesting they enjoy the scenery. This tender moment was observed by Luo Zhi's mother. In a flashback, Luo Zhi's mother was seen pleading with Mrs. Sheng, who remained unyielding.
Luo Zhi's mother, reflecting on her deceased husband, felt a pang of guilt but ultimately decided not to interrupt her daughter's "beautiful dream," considering how much Luo Zhi had already sacrificed for their family. Meanwhile, Luo Yang returned to the chaotic art studio and called Ding Shuijing. She fabricated a story about losing emotional control during a "creative process" that led to the destruction.
When Luo Yang, relieved that she was alright, prepared to hang up, Ding Shuijing strategically mentioned she was in the hospital, ensuring he would remain worried. Later, Ding Shuijing confessed to Ye Zhanyan that she had no plans to tell Luo Zhi about her unrequited feelings for Luo Yang, as it had always been a one-sided endeavor, but she still wanted to see him happy. Ye Zhanyan encouraged her to go meet him.
Luo Zhi arrived home early and made a bowl of hot noodles for her mother. During this time, she received a message from Sheng Huainan informing her that Ye Zhanyan's father had picked her up and she was safe. Luo Zhi's mother watched her daughter's joyful smile, feeling both content and a touch of melancholy, as if she had a thousand words she couldn't express about Luo Zhi's journey. Sheng Huainan and Luo Zhi planned to return to Xiamen together the next morning.
