Unrequited Love Episode 2 Recap
> Unrequited Love Recap
Coincidence seemed to follow Luo Zhi and Sheng Huainan when they found themselves reaching for the same bottle of red tea in a supermarket. Back in her dorm, Luo Zhi stared dreamily at the red tea, a gesture her roommate Jiang Baili quickly noticed. Jiang Baili, suspecting a crush, asked if the tea was connected to the person Luo Zhi liked and if any sparks flew. Luo Zhi admitted she was content just being closer to him.
Jiang Baili, deeming Luo Zhi's approach too passive, offered to share her extensive experience in dating, requesting Luo Zhi's notes in return. She recommended "The Complete Guide to Love" and advised Luo Zhi to learn her crush’s usual haunts. Luo Zhi revealed her crush was a "top student in science," leading Jiang Baili to deduce he was Sheng Huainan, a "Male god" from Sichuan University.
Jiang Baili confidently stated that most top male students are inexperienced in love, making them easy targets for a "little trick." Jiang Baili then comically attempted to demonstrate her flirting techniques in various campus locations—the library and cafeteria—all of which failed and even annoyed Ge Bi, her boyfriend. Luo Zhi intervened, explaining Jiang Baili's actions were for her, appeasing Ge Bi.
Ge Bi then asked Jiang Baili to bring him Xiaolongbao with authentic Zhenjiang vinegar while he was out for a student union photoshoot. Later, at the supermarket entrance, Luo Zhi witnessed Xu Ri-qing persistently confessing her feelings to Sheng Huainan, even holding onto his clothes and mentioning Zhang Mingrui’s affections for her. Sheng Huainan had already broken up with Ye Zhanyun, but Xu Ri-qing refused to give up.
Luo Zhi deliberately bumped into Xu Ri-qing, prompting an apology from Luo Zhi. Sheng Huainan, recognizing Luo Zhi, used her appearance as an excuse to politely disengage from Xu Ri-qing. Seeing her chance, Luo Zhi playfully demanded a "thank you." Sheng Huainan responded by inviting her for coffee. At the coffee shop, Sheng Huainan attempted to initiate conversation, mentioning an expensive, "unattractive" cup and a childhood memory of a girl who bravely questioned older people.
He then asked Luo Zhi about her freshman Marxism class and introduced himself. Luo Zhi, already well aware of his reputation, acknowledged his fame, saying, "Everyone knows you" and "You are excellent and famous." She even recalled hearing people point him out on the street.
Sheng Huainan then mused about how people become "familiar" over three years in the same school through chance encounters like "stepping on each other's feet on the bus," borrowing money, or "spilling water on each other." Luo Zhi, with a knowing look, added, "Just like you and your ex-girlfriend." Luo Zhi, sensing the conversation dwindling, called for the bill and left. Sheng Huainan followed, offering to walk her back, but she declined, saying she was just out for a stroll.
Just then, Zhang Mingrui, the "Instant noodle man" Luo Zhi recognized from online, greeted Sheng Huainan, mistakenly assuming they were on a date and quickly rode off on his skateboard. Luo Zhi then admitted to Sheng Huainan that the coffee was "extorted," explaining she intentionally intervened at the supermarket to help him out, and confessed she had worried he wouldn't remember her.
Sheng Huainan advised against handling such situations in public and expressed regret that he only knew her name in high school but not her as a person. He then asked for her WeChat. Luo Zhi, claiming her phone was dead, offered to enter her WeChat ID into his phone. The next day in law class, Professor Wen Yuan introduced himself and called roll. When he called Luo Zhi’s name, he inquired about its origin.
Luo Zhi explained, "A tangerine in Huainan is a tangerine; a trifoliate orange in Huaibei is a trifoliate orange." She privately reflected on how she had often imagined showing Sheng Huainan this poem if they ever became a couple, and fantasized about receiving his first WeChat message. Now, one of those wishes had come true, bringing her a sense of fulfillment. Meanwhile, Zhang Mingrui discussed Luo Zhi with Sheng Huainan.
Sheng Huainan confirmed Luo Zhi was a high school classmate from the arts class, but he didn't have a strong impression of her. He found it "strange," however, that talking to her reminded him of a "little girl I met when I was young." He recalled her protecting him from bullies, though he couldn't remember her face. Zhang Mingrui jokingly called it an "early first love."
Sheng Huainan clarified they were just "simple and beautiful small memories" and concluded that "Romance is just not having a later." The conversation then shifted to Xu Zhian, Sheng Huainan's roommate (nicknamed Lao Si), who was in a predicament. His girlfriend, Xiaosen, was expecting a new phone as a birthday gift, having heard their dorm offered free repairs and upgrades. However, Xu Zhian was broke, a fact evident by his limited wardrobe.
Lei Tian urged Sheng Huainan, as the eldest, to help Xu Zhian. Sheng Huainan and Zhang Mingrui went to a used phone shop. Sheng Huainan secretly bought a second-hand phone, intending to refurbish it for Xiaosen. Zhang Mingrui, noting Xu Zhian's financial struggles, praised Sheng Huainan for his "great sacrifice." Sheng Huainan, in turn, playfully blamed Zhang Mingrui for bringing him so much trouble by promoting his technical skills.
In the law class, while on a call with her brother Luo Yang, Luo Zhi noticed Sheng Huainan enter the classroom and sit behind her. She saw her notebook on the desk, its pages fluttering in the wind, threatening to reveal its contents to Sheng Huainan. She quickly rushed to cover it.
She then had a sweet fantasy: Sheng Huainan invited her for coffee after class to discuss law course questions, and she happily agreed, teasing him that he would pay. However, the scene was just a dream, and she was roused by a classmate. After the actual class, Zhang Mingrui, carrying two coffees, accidentally spilled one on Luo Zhi, who was sitting in front of Sheng Huainan. Sheng Huainan immediately offered her tissues.
He asked if she was hurt and suggested she rinse her clothes with cold water to prevent blisters. Luo Zhi insisted she was fine because her shirt was thick. Zhang Mingrui then jokingly attributed the spill to Sheng Huainan's "history of splashing water," implying a "connection" between Luo Zhi and Zhang Mingrui, which Luo Zhi quickly dismissed. As Luo Zhi walked back to her dorm, her pleasant mood was disturbed when Ge Bi stopped her.
He handed her Jiang Baili's belongings, which included "your exclusive Cancer potato chips," revealing he had seen her notes. He complimented her detailed and exquisite handwriting, then claimed he had corrected some typos. He proceeded to "show off" his "best way to strike up a conversation" and advised Luo Zhi to learn his "standard operation procedure" (SOP) for future success. Luo Zhi found his methods cliché, suggesting he consult Molière’s "Don Juan."
Ge Bi misheard this and asked, "Who are you talking about?" Sheng Huainan returned to his dorm to find Lei Tian and Zhang Mingrui playfully forcing Xu Zhian to wash his clothes. Xu Zhian resisted, claiming the shirt was from his first date with Xiaosen and washing it would be "unlucky." They threatened to cancel Xiaosen's plane ticket if he refused, finally coercing him to comply.
As Lei Tian went to supervise Xu Zhian, he told Sheng Huainan to "make time." Sheng Huainan was confused, but Zhang Mingrui explained that Xiaosen loved the refurbished phone, and Lei Tian's girlfriend wanted to meet Sheng Huainan, the "hero." Zhang Mingrui implied that Sheng Huainan should go alone, stating he (Zhang Mingrui) was not important. Later, Sheng Huainan asked Luo Zhi about her "burned place" from the coffee spill, but she quickly said she was "fine" and left.
Zhang Mingrui caught up to her, offering to treat her to ice cream as an apology. Sheng Huainan excused himself, saying he had other plans. Luo Zhi watched Sheng Huainan's retreating back, her gaze clearly showing her feelings. Zhang Mingrui, observing her, commented, "You must like Sheng Huainan, too." Intrigued by the "too," Luo Zhi asked if he had previously liked a girl who liked Sheng Huainan. She then agreed to get ice cream with him.
She clarified to Zhang Mingrui that she didn't mind the dirty clothes, nor did she believe in a "fate of splashing water" for them, especially since Sheng Huainan and his girlfriend had broken up, making "the same pattern not auspicious." Zhang Mingrui clarified he wasn't trying to copy Sheng Huainan, implicitly admitting he did like a girl who liked Sheng Huainan (Xu Ri-qing).
Luo Zhi expressed her admiration for Zhang Mingrui's maturity and his reasonable and generous nature, particularly in not resenting Sheng Huainan and remaining his friend. As they ate ice cream, their conversation inevitably revolved around Sheng Huainan. Zhang Mingrui explained that he had enrolled in a double major in law because Sheng Huainan wanted to "experience the life of a liberal arts student."
He then revealed that the girl he liked also liked Sheng Huainan, referring to Xu Ri-qing, and added that Sheng Huainan had rejected her. Zhang Mingrui then shared details about Sheng Huainan’s past relationship with Ye Zhanyun, describing how Ye Zhanyun would treat Sheng Huainan like a trophy, publicly displaying gifts and messages, and turning their dates into public spectacles.
Zhang Mingrui declared, "love is a very private thing" and "showing off love leads to a quick end," sentiments Luo Zhi agreed with, admitting she had heard similar stories. Zhang Mingrui concluded by telling Luo Zhi that "from the perspective of a buddy," she and Sheng Huainan were "quite a match," then asked her what qualities girls found attractive in Sheng Huainan, hoping to "learn a bit."
Just then, Luo Zhi received a message from Sheng Huainan, who, assuming she and Zhang Mingrui were on a date, sent his "blessings." Luo Zhi was instantly annoyed, feeling they were making fun of her. She expressed her confusion about "boys' thoughts" and told Zhang Mingrui not to "make fun of me." Zhang Mingrui denied any such intention, saying he didn't know why Sheng Huainan had sent the message.
