Unrequited Love Episode 15 Recap
> Unrequited Love Recap
Sheng Huainan confided in Luo Zhi about his father's fury over his participation in the Entrepreneurship Competition. His father had issued an ultimatum: either withdraw and join the family business, or pursue studies abroad. Sheng Huainan found this predetermined path, devoid of challenges, to be without promise. He articulated his frustration that his father consistently prioritized commercialization over students' passion and creativity.
His resolve to prove himself and forge his own path, rather than being overshadowed by his family's prestige, was only strengthened. Luo Zhi offered encouragement, reminding him that "Trying to wear the crown must bear the weight." Inspired, Sheng Huainan decided not to commercialize their handband project, instead wanting it to be a contribution to society. He conveyed this decision in a voice message to Zhang Mingrui, expressing his desire to maintain their student ideals without excessive commercial entanglement.
While some teammates, like Lei Tian and Xu Zhian, initially yearned for the financial success the project could bring, they soon re-embraced the spirit of youth and friendship. The next day, as Sheng Huainan and Luo Zhi headed to the competition, they found themselves stuck in heavy traffic. With time running out, Sheng Huainan called Zhang Mingrui, instructing him to lead the rest of the team into the venue while he and Luo Zhi continued on foot.
Rushing to make up for lost time, Luo Zhi was accidentally hit by a bicycle, injuring her leg. Sheng Huainan immediately carried her on his back and ran towards the competition hall. Meanwhile, Chen Yongle’s team taunted Zhang Mingrui and the others, hinting at plagiarism accusations against Sheng Huainan. Ye Zhanyan countered by asserting their copyright, but Chen Yongle's team confidently claimed their own patent application was further along, implying Sheng Huainan's project would be deemed a copy.
Despite the provocations, the team stood firm, refusing to enter without Sheng Huainan. With only five minutes left, Luo Zhi insisted Sheng Huainan put her down and enter the competition, emphasizing that the team's honor was paramount and she would feel guilty if her injury jeopardized their chances. She assured him she would arrange for Jiang Baili to pick her up.
Luo Zhi's earlier message to the team, explaining Sheng Huainan's motivations and the immense family pressure he faced, had already united them. She reminded them that their original purpose in joining the team was to create "passionate and unforgettable memories" and foster "innocent and sincere friendship" during their youth. This message resonated, solidifying their support for Sheng Huainan's vision. When he finally arrived, they affirmed their commitment and readiness to showcase their team's strength against Chen Yongle.
Despite their efforts, Sheng Huainan's team did not place in the top three, and Chen Yongle’s team was awarded the championship. Chen Yongle and his teammates continued their taunts, but Sheng Huainan exposed Chen Yongle’s plagiarism, detailing how Chen Yongle's greenhouse design and wireless control system were strikingly similar to a multi-year project from Wageningen University.
When challenged for proof, Ye Zhanyan, drawing on her foreign language expertise, declared she would compile and present the foreign research data to the judges, effectively silencing Chen Yongle’s team. Afterward, Sheng Huainan reassured his teammates that he would formally report the plagiarism to the school, ensuring their reputation was cleared. Ge Bi, acknowledging the wisdom in Luo Zhi’s message, pledged his continued support for future research and development, prioritizing their shared passion over immediate financial gain.
Sensing a positive shift in his teammates’ outlook, Sheng Huainan asked Zhang Mingrui to forward Luo Zhi’s message to him, then rushed off to find her. Sheng Huainan found Luo Zhi walking alone, still nursing her injured foot, and expressed his concern. Luo Zhi, in turn, inquired about his well-being and the competition. He thanked her for her unwavering presence and support.
Sheng Huainan promised to report Chen Yongle’s dishonest tactics to the school and voiced his relief at seeing her smile, valuing the team's unity above the competition's outcome. Luo Zhi, ever the optimist, suggested that perhaps they just weren't fully prepared, but "good things take time." Sheng Huainan then reminded her of his outstanding "Gulangyu Island trip" promise, bringing a smile to her face.
That evening, Sheng Huainan brought snacks to his dorm as a gesture of apology for the competition's outcome and any communication gaps. Initially met with silence, his roommates swiftly warmed up when he humorously threatened to take the food elsewhere. He formally apologized for the unsatisfactory results and his poor communication.
Lei Tian, still incensed by Chen Yongle's "arrogant" demeanor, shared the news that Ye Zhanyan had meticulously exposed Chen Yongle's plagiarism by comparing his report to foreign research, submitting a detailed dossier to the judges. The news was already spreading, indicating significant trouble for Chen Yongle. Sheng Huainan thanked his team for their enduring trust. Despite the setback, the team's spirits were high.
They joked about their previous "luxurious office" being a mere vacation and reaffirmed their commitment to Sheng Huainan, vowing to remain his core team for future projects, even if it meant seeking angel investors in the coming years. Zhang Mingrui, however, brought a dose of reality by mentioning their dwindling funds for everyday expenses like Xiamen thin pancakes. Sheng Huainan understood and declared he would "start taking orders," indicating his intention to find ways to earn money.
To address their financial needs, Sheng Huainan officially opened "Huainan's Repair Station" for mobile phone repairs. Zhang Mingrui enthusiastically promoted it, and the station immediately attracted a long line of students seeking his services. In another part of the campus, Zheng Wenrui faced a different kind of struggle.
Her roommates complained about the strange smell emanating from her bag, which contained Yunnan specialty bugs, to which Zheng Wenrui retorted with a defiant defense of her eccentric diet as the source of her academic success. Later, Zhang Mingrui overheard Zheng Wenrui angrily confronting her mother on the phone about being pushed into blind dates.
Venting to Zhang Mingrui, she felt her mother saw her as nothing more than a "burden" and that her hard work, scholarships, and part-time jobs could never elevate her above her brother in her mother's eyes. She questioned the persistence of "preference for boys over girls" in modern times. Zhang Mingrui tried to console her, suggesting her mother simply wished for her happiness, but Zheng Wenrui, feeling profoundly misunderstood by people like him and Sheng Huainan, dismissed his attempts.
She confessed her desire to be as "excellent and popular" as them, and her quiet longing to merely observe Sheng Huainan from a distance. When Xu Riqing intervened, somewhat crudely agreeing with Zheng Wenrui’s self-description as a "freak," Zheng Wenrui was further distressed. Zhang Mingrui chided Xu Riqing, admitting his own past criticisms had contributed to Zheng Wenrui’s current state. Xu Riqing, however, argued that only Sheng Huainan could truly bring Zheng Wenrui happiness.
Having meticulously planned their Gulangyu Island trip overnight, Sheng Huainan and Luo Zhi set out. To their surprise, they encountered Professor Wen Yuan from their university working as a tricycle driver at the scenic area. He initially feigned ignorance, claiming to be his twin brother, Wen Bo, until they pressed him. Despite their reluctance to hire his tricycle, Professor Wen persistently followed them, playfully singing "Happy Breakup" and teasing Sheng Huainan about their meager budget.
Eventually, Sheng Huainan and Luo Zhi relented and agreed to an eighty-yuan ride. As they navigated the narrow streets in the tricycle, Professor Wen quizzed Sheng Huainan on the meaning of "门当户对" (matching families or social status in marriage).
Sheng Huainan playfully deferred to Luo Zhi, who impressively explained that "门当" refers to the stone piers or drums placed at the entrance of large residences, believed to ward off evil, while "户对" refers to the wooden or brick carvings on the door lintels, always in even numbers. Luo Zhi then felt as though she was in a dream, savoring the intimate moment but also fearing that this fleeting "mirage" would vanish.
Sheng Huainan subtly placed his hand on the back of the seat, creating a tender, almost embracing gesture. Later, while admiring the scenery, Sheng Huainan focused on the distant landscape, while Luo Zhi found herself gazing at his back, enchanted by the feeling of a romantic outing, even as she tried to temper her own hopes and fantasies.
