Unrequited Love Episode 16 Recap
> Unrequited Love Recap
Sheng Huainan and Luo Zhi were on Gulangyu, where Sheng Huainan mused that he preferred falling leaves and bare branches to blooming flowers, connecting it to Luo Zhi's essay "To the Youth That We Will Be Gone." He quoted Neruda, noting how life's essence becomes visible when beauty fades, which Luo Zhi's writing echoed. Sheng Huainan praised her high school composition skills, prompting Luo Zhi to ask if he had ever read her essays.
He apologized, admitting he had not read a single one, dismissing school compositions as "fake and vulgar." A flashback revealed that Luo Zhi's essay had received the highest score in her grade and was circulated as a model. At the time, she had meticulously revised the piece, hoping her words would convey her innermost feelings to Sheng Huainan, only to realize he never saw them.
Sheng Huainan expressed regret for not having met Luo Zhi sooner, feeling he had missed a significant part of her past. He promised to read any future essays she might write for him.
Their conversation was interrupted by Professor Wenyuan, who, after learning their names, joked if they were destined for a "baby engagement" because their names, Sheng Huainan and Luo Zhi, echoed the famous idiom: "An orange grown south of the Huai River is an orange, but grown north of it, it becomes a trifoliate orange." Sheng Huainan acknowledged the coincidence but wondered why Luo Zhi had never mentioned it, guessing she desired a kindred spirit who understood her without needing words.
Luo Zhi, however, countered that perfect understanding was an "irresponsible myth" that set unrealistic expectations. She stated that ordinary people, lacking great wisdom, yearned for others to comprehend them, but she herself never explained when misunderstood, nor did she expect anyone to truly understand her. Despite her philosophical stance, Sheng Huainan expressed his hope that they would never misunderstand each other and playfully vowed to undertake the "difficult task" of achieving such a connection with her.
Zhang Mingrui was discreetly following Zheng Wenrui when she confronted him. She initially assumed he harbored feelings for her, despite her having previously treated him harshly. Zhang Mingrui clarified that he had come to apologize for past remarks, admitting he had found her behavior "weird" and had called her a "negative energy transmitter." Zheng Wenrui accepted his apology, acknowledging her own unpopularity.
He then offered to intervene with Professor Wenyuan on her behalf regarding a recent warning, but Zheng Wenrui angrily refused, threatening him if Sheng Huainan learned about her blind date or the disciplinary action. She declared her inability to tolerate Sheng Huainan looking down on her, even if everyone else did.
Later, Luo Zhi received a taunting text message from Zheng Wenrui, accusing her of using "tricks and schemes" since high school to approach Sheng Huainan and vowing to prevent him from being a "fool" again. Luo Zhi simply ignored the message, though it reignited her inner turmoil. During their date, Sheng Huainan tried to persuade Luo Zhi to try local Xiamen snacks, including "frozen bamboo shoots," which she comically refused to eat, calling them "bugs."
They playfully debated the merits of Harbin versus Xiamen, and Sheng Huainan teased her about her "second stomach" for sweets. Sheng Huainan shared an anecdote about Zhang Mingrui's failed attempts to engineer "accidental encounters" with girls in the library. He stressed that genuine coincidences felt more authentic, considering "routines" as "emotional fraud" and emphasizing his desire for "true and pure" feelings.
Luo Zhi agreed, but his words sent a pang of fear through her, realizing her long-term planning to be near him could be seen as manipulative. They then went ice skating, where Sheng Huainan playfully asked if a "Harbin girl" like her was afraid. When Luo Zhi took an accidental fall and injured her leg, Sheng Huainan was quick to offer aid.
She playfully noted his preparedness, to which he responded that the first-aid kit was actually hers, which she had stored with him. Luo Zhi, lost in his gentle care, barely felt the pain, though a sense of unease lingered, fearing the fleeting nature of their sudden happiness. As their date concluded, Sheng Huainan waited outside Luo Zhi's dorm. He surprised her with a gift of several Gibran books, which he had carried with him all day.
He explained he had seen her reading Gibran in the library and had bought the books, intending to give them to her later, but felt "excited" and brought them. Luo Zhi was deeply touched but also worried about his back, asking if it hurt. Sheng Huainan dismissed her concern, saying her happiness was all that mattered. He recounted his surprise when she quoted Neruda earlier and considered giving her Neruda's poems.
Luo Zhi, delighted, jokingly listed a complete set of Jin Yong books as her next desired gift, making Sheng Huainan feign protest at the thought of carrying so many. As they bid goodnight, Zheng Wenrui appeared, confronting Luo Zhi and calling her a "liar," warning that Sheng Huainan would eventually uncover her "lies."
Back in her dorm, a still-troubled Luo Zhi confessed to Jiang Baili that Sheng Huainan's increasing kindness only heightened her fear that their "understanding" would be revealed as a deliberate "lie" and he would see her as a "deceiver." Jiang Baili, trying to lift her spirits, showed her a flyer for an upcoming new book forum featuring Luo Zhi's beloved mystery author, Mo Dan. Jiang Baili, however, had to reveal that Ye Zhanyan was slated to host the "first-in-Asia" event.
Luo Zhi remained unfazed, deeming Ye Zhanyan suitable. Jiang Baili, convinced Luo Zhi was better qualified, revealed she had recommended Luo Zhi to the student council to review the interview draft, an offer Luo Zhi declined. Jiang Baili encouraged her to reserve a spot the night before, promising they would set up tents to ensure she met her idol.
Luo Zhi's mood visibly brightened, and Jiang Baili shared anecdotes about Mo Dan's rare public appearances and his viral photo, eagerly joining Luo Zhi in the excitement. Meanwhile, Ye Zhanyan was furious about the online criticism Sheng Huainan faced after the venture capital competition, blaming rival participants for plagiarism that undermined his work. She lamented that her efforts to rekindle their relationship during the project had failed, as Sheng Huainan seemed only to focus on Luo Zhi.
She felt increasingly distant from him, sensing that even his friends preferred Luo Zhi, which she saw as an ominous sign. She also revealed that Ding Shuijing, who was currently in Xiamen for an art exhibition, had confessed to drawing on a shirt bought by Luoyang's fiancée, and then retrieved it after Luoyang discarded it, an act Ye Zhanyan found baffling, professing she would have destroyed such an item herself.
Amidst her frustrations, an old news article caught Ye Zhanyan's eye. She showed Ding Shuijing a report about a technician who died in a fire at Shengshi Enterprise in Harbin. To Ding Shuijing's shock, Ye Zhanyan revealed this technician was Luo Zhi's father. While Ding Shuijing felt pity for Luo Zhi's tragic past, Ye Zhanyan, with a sinister glint, concluded that Luo Zhi's true motive for approaching Sheng Huainan was not love, but revenge against the Sheng family.
Acting on her new suspicion, Ye Zhanyan arranged to meet Sheng Huainan. She pretended to have come to terms with their breakup, claiming she had tried to move on and bless his new relationship, but still felt conflicted.
She then fabricated a story, claiming that Ding Shuijing had messaged her saying Sheng Huainan had important things for Luo Zhi to return to Ye Zhanyan, and Ye Zhanyan specifically claimed that Luo Zhi was meant to return a breakup letter and the crystal necklace Sheng Huainan had given her. Sheng Huainan was confused, clarifying that the necklace was a gift from him to Ye Zhanyan and asking why Luo Zhi would be involved.
Ye Zhanyan then claimed she was not "generous" enough to return those items directly to him. She accused him of prioritizing Luo Zhi's feelings during the competition, ignoring her own, and consistently siding with Luo Zhi on important decisions. She concluded that this made her realize she had to give up on him. She further lied, stating she had asked Ding Shuijing to handle the return because she feared Luo Zhi's mockery.
When Sheng Huainan confirmed he had not received any items, Ye Zhanyan feigned surprise, implying Luo Zhi had deliberately hidden them to prevent their reconciliation. Sheng Huainan cut her off, firmly stating that they had already broken up and he had no intention of getting back together with her.
