Unrequited Love Episode 19 Recap
> Unrequited Love Recap
In a pouring rain, Luo Zhi felt deeply hurt by Sheng Huainan's obvious test, realizing her lie was exposed. She thought about how Sheng Huainan had come to pick her up with his ex-girlfriend's raincoat, questioning if he knew all her secrets and if he wanted to confirm that their supposed telepathic connection was merely a result of her fifteen years of observing and secretly liking him.
After Luo Zhi walked away in the rain, Sheng Huainan, equally distraught, discarded his umbrella and left in the opposite direction. Luo Zhi found her way to a school balcony, where she moved her secret flower pot. She tried to wipe the words "Sheng Huainan" off the wall, but like the person deeply ingrained in her heart, the marks remained, unyielding to her efforts.
Back in her dorm, Luo Zhi felt like a lost soul, but she would fill herself with various texts, and study diligently, a coping mechanism to prevent herself from falling apart, no matter how riddled with holes her heart was, so that others wouldn't discover her deep-seated pain. She found it unbearable to stop studying even for a moment. In his own dorm, Sheng Huainan sat silently, appearing distraught.
His roommate, noticing his soaked clothes, handed him a towel, but Sheng Huainan covered his face, unable to hide his sorrow, even admitting he hated himself. Later, his roommates tried to cheer him up, offering snacks and games, but he remained listless. They then surprised him with a cake, claiming it was their "500th day of living together," even though he corrected them that it was closer to 400.
Sheng Huainan eventually joined in their playful cake fight, looking more like himself. He admitted he felt unmotivated to do anything, prompting a roommate to directly ask if it was "because of Luo Zhi." In their dorm, Jiang Baili wondered if their "dorm feng shui" was bad, as both she and Luo Zhi were experiencing relationship troubles.
She then revealed that a recent message to her from Ge Bi's phone was actually sent by Chen Mohan, who wanted her to see how she and Ge Bi were inseparable in the student union. Jiang Baili wished she could have taken the invitation from Chen Mohan and slapped it on Ge Bi's face. Jiang Baili contrasted Luo Zhi's "study well" approach with her own "loser" style of crying, eating, and sleeping after a breakup.
Luo Zhi explained that her heart felt empty, and she had to fill it with studying and writing to avoid falling apart. Jiang Baili, seeing Luo Zhi's silent struggle, pulled her into a hug. Luo Zhi and Sheng Huainan found themselves repeatedly in the same places—the library, the cafeteria, the basketball court—but they consistently avoided each other.
On one occasion, while walking past the basketball court with Jiang Baili, Luo Zhi involuntarily searched for Sheng Huainan's figure, a habit she'd had since high school. Jiang Baili, noticing Luo Zhi's pensive mood, urged her to return to the dorm to eat instant noodles. Hidden nearby, Sheng Huainan overheard their conversation. He silently apologized to Luo Zhi, admitting he had hurt her but couldn't give up, pondering how one could "sort out" feelings once fallen in love.
Later, Zhang Mingrui met Luo Zhi at the cafeteria, offering her a bread slice, claiming he bought it "on the way." He then invited her to walk dogs with him, explaining it was "physical labor" but "well-paid." Luo Zhi accepted. As they walked the dogs, Zhang Mingrui revealed he was working multiple jobs to save money to buy a gift for Xu Riqing. Luo Zhi encouraged him, promising to join him for future dog-walking jobs.
Zhang Mingrui then took Luo Zhi to his next job in a lab, offering to show her human genes. However, upon seeing Sheng Huainan there, Luo Zhi immediately found an excuse and fled. Zhang Mingrui was confused by their behavior and confronted Sheng Huainan.
He reminded Sheng Huainan that he had been buying Luo Zhi her favorite bread and taking her dog walking at Sheng Huainan's request, because Sheng Huainan was "afraid that Luo Zhi will think too much in the dormitory." Zhang Mingrui demanded an explanation for the awkward atmosphere between them, but Sheng Huainan merely gave him instructions about lab work and a parcel, skillfully avoiding the topic.
Meanwhile, Luo Yang visited Ding Shuijing in the art room and presented her with a book of Modigliani's paintings, knowing it was her favorite artist from a recent exhibition. Ding Shuijing passionately discussed Modigliani's unique style, his pursuit of the subconscious over reality, and how he depicted figures without eyeballs as a form of introspection. Luo Yang agreed, appreciating Modigliani's courage to transcend tradition. Ding Shuijing admitted she had long wanted the book but couldn't afford it.
Luo Yang explained he was helping her because he felt bad she had dropped out of school to retake exams, hoping she would get into a better university. Ding Shuijing dismissed his "reason," suggesting he should paint if he felt inspired. Luo Yang’s blushing face hinted at deeper feelings. Later, Luo Yang attended a "boring seminar" with his fiancée, Chen Jing. He texted Ding Shuijing from the bathroom, but she didn't reply, intending to surprise him.
When she entered the seminar hall, she saw Chen Jing introducing Luo Yang to a professor as a "die-hard fan" and a highly honest art teacher at Zhenhua High School, hoping the professor could help him become a "museum director" or "gallery manager." Luo Yang was visibly upset, telling Chen Jing that the seminar had no meaning for his art and that she had lied about him being a fan.
He valued the fulfillment and happiness he found teaching high school students and their uninhibited creativity, which he felt was much better than "climbing the social ladder." Chen Jing argued that he deserved "a better life" and that her actions, as his fiancée, were "for our own good" to plan for their future, mentioning buying a "new house" and "new car." Luo Yang responded firmly that this was "the life you want, not mine."
Chen Jing apologized, offered to find another professor, and insisted he follow her advice for a better future, reminding him they had "wedding photos" in Xiamen tomorrow. Ge Bi was having dinner with Chen Mohan. Earlier, while Chen Mohan was practicing piano, she saw a message from Jiang Baili on Ge Bi's phone and became angry. Ge Bi immediately apologized and promised to delete and "block" Jiang Baili, as encouraged by another friend.
At the restaurant, Ge Bi tried to appease Chen Mohan by cutting meat for her, apologizing for interrupting her practice. Chen Mohan accepted the meat and, after tasting it, requested to be fed again, playfully calling him a "single dog." Ge Bi became distracted, recalling the first time he saw Chen Mohan playing the cello under the "spotlight," describing her as beautiful as a goddess.
Chen Mohan coldly stated she didn't like "meaningless recollections" and only remembered being interrupted during her first performance. In a vivid flashback to the same restaurant, Ge Bi remembered celebrating his birthday with Jiang Baili. Jiang Baili, despite having eaten earlier, insisted Ge Bi order whatever he liked, including a "2608 yuan" set meal.
She then pretended not to be hungry but devoured the meat Ge Bi fed her, exclaiming how "delicious" it was and that her "tongue was so happy." She wished him a happy birthday and hoped to celebrate with him again next year. Back in their dorm, Jiang Baili was enthusiastically trying on various dresses for an upcoming alumni sharing session. She consulted Luo Zhi, who, though busy, helped her choose.
Jiang Baili ended up buying several outfits, joking that she would have to live on "bread" for the next two months because of the cost. She then considered a "backless" dress, calling the event a "battlefield where women must never admit defeat," and playfully tried to put an "eye mask" on Luo Zhi.
