Unrequited Love Episode 24 Recap
> Unrequited Love Recap
Ye Zhanyan struggled to comprehend how she had allowed Luo Zhi to claim all the attention, praise, and most importantly, Sheng Huainan. Yet, reflecting on it, she realized she would make the same choice again. She regretted the effort she had put into preparing a Chinese translation of Baudelaire's poem "The Albatross" from "Flowers of Evil", which she had intended to recite on stage but now had no opportunity to do so.
Zhuo Chen, a science student more accustomed to solving equations, found the only way to help was to lead Ye Zhanyan to the platform in front of the track, urging her to imagine it as her stage. Despite her initial impression of his gesture as childish, Ye Zhanyan found Zhuo Chen's presence uniquely special. When Zhuo Chen began to recite the beautiful poem in a flat, emotionless tone, like a mathematical formula, Ye Zhanyan turned around.
Bathed in the light from behind, she appeared pure and beautiful, captivating Zhuo Chen's gaze. After her own heartfelt recitation, she received genuine applause from the students watching, lifting her spirits. Following the symposium, Zhang Mingrui apologized to Sheng Huainan for missing the event due to work. Sheng Huainan, however, assured him that a replay was available online.
Sheng Huainan then expressed his admiration for Luo Zhi's selfless dedication to the student union, acknowledging her deep affection for Professor Mo Dan's work. Seeing through his words, Zhang Mingrui pressed Sheng Huainan about his feelings for Luo Zhi, to which Sheng Huainan implicitly admitted his fondness. Zhang Mingrui playfully chided Sheng Huainan for his overly rational approach to love, comparing him to a character in an idol drama who was too concerned with "saving face."
Sheng Huainan conceded that he had been "a bastard" recently and offered to let Zhang Mingrui vent his frustrations. Zhang Mingrui, in turn, advised Sheng Huainan to be more proactive, seizing the moment while Luo Zhi's feelings for him were still strong. Later, Jiang Baili showed Luo Zhi a trending online discussion about the symposium, complete with numerous photos and posts featuring Luo Zhi and Sheng Huainan.
Although Luo Zhi feigned disinterest, she was secretly pleased when Jiang Baili presented her with an edited photo, removing Professor Mo Dan to create an exclusive image of Luo Zhi and Sheng Huainan, framed by a heart. Luo Zhi asked for both the original and edited versions. Squeezing onto Luo Zhi's bed, Jiang Baili then admired pictures of Gobi, crediting Luo Zhi for stepping in and saving Gobi from embarrassment.
Luo Zhi, in turn, thanked Jiang Baili for recommending her to the student union, which had given her the opportunity to share the stage with Professor Mo Dan and Sheng Huainan. They both reflected on their recent heartbreaks but found joy in their shared happiness. Sheng Huainan invited Luo Zhi to the library, but she declined, stating she needed to make final preparations for her IELTS exam the following day.
Luo Zhi then teased Sheng Huainan, blaming him for Zheng Wenrui's absence from law class after his actions inadvertently led to Zheng Wenrui being disciplined by the professor. Sheng Huainan felt it was unfair to place the blame on him. Luo Zhi then departed on her bicycle. Zhang Mingrui, observing Sheng Huainan's lingering gaze, commented on how the tables had turned, with Sheng Huainan now experiencing the pain of watching Luo Zhi walk away.
He urged Sheng Huainan to pursue Luo Zhi while her feelings still remained. After her IELTS exam, Luo Zhi met Jiang Baili, confident about her performance. She shared an anecdote about a well-off girl in line who worried about not scoring above six, contrasting it with her own anticipated score of seven. Luo Zhi expressed that she felt no envy.
Jiang Baili, using tarot cards, confirmed Luo Zhi's success, interpreting the "Queen" card as a sign that her efforts would yield satisfying results. To celebrate Luo Zhi's recovery and the completion of her exam, Zhang Mingrui treated them to ice cream. Later that night, Sheng Huainan and his roommates discussed the mating habits of albatrosses during a quiz game, noting their loyalty and prudence in choosing their mates, before the dorm lights out.
The next day, Luo Zhi, with her luggage, took a taxi home to Harbin, declining a new invitation from Zhang Mingrui for Christmas Eve, as she already had plans. She received joyful messages from her mother and cousin, Luoyang. Sheng Huainan called Luo Zhi, hoping to invite her out, but was disappointed to learn she had made other arrangements.
Meanwhile, at the university, Sheng Huainan, after carefully grooming himself and even applying moisturizer, woke his roommates, mistakenly believing it was a weekday and they were late for an experimental class. They corrected him, reminding him it was Saturday. Sheng Huainan's roommates teased him about his elaborate preparations, correctly guessing he was getting ready for the student union's celebration party and hoping to impress Luo Zhi. His friends pledged to help him in his pursuit.
Sheng Huainan and his three roommates arrived at the celebration venue an hour early, striking "Terminator" poses with sunglasses, eagerly anticipating Luo Zhi's arrival. However, Gobi, leading other student union members, informed them that Luo Zhi had a prior engagement and would not be attending, adding that she had sent the message only to him. Sheng Huainan was visibly disappointed, worrying that Luo Zhi was intentionally avoiding him.
His friends tried to console him, reminding him that love often involves waiting and persistence, and that they needed to eat to gain strength for the long journey ahead. Inside the celebration, the atmosphere felt unusual. Zhang Mingrui revealed that Gobi and Chen Yongle, the student union president, had a major disagreement after the symposium, with accusations exchanged regarding preparation and responsibility. Sheng Huainan's mood remained low, lamenting that the celebration felt incomplete without Luo Zhi and Jiang Baili.
Gobi then mentioned that Chen Mohan would also be arriving, adding that he couldn't have his ex (Jiang Baili) and current (Chen Mohan) girlfriends meet. Sheng Huainan reminded Gobi that Jiang Baili had helped voluntarily and wasn't his girlfriend, implying that bringing Chen Mohan to an event where Jiang Baili might appear was insensitive. Gobi promised to thank Jiang Baili privately. Gobi then questioned Sheng Huainan, asking why he cared so much about Luo Zhi, as she was not "his."
Back home, Luo Zhi was in her room, looking at postcards. Her mother expressed concern, noticing she seemed less cheerful than on her previous visit, and asked if everything was alright at school. Luo Zhi assured her mother she was fine and gently urged her to rest, reminding her that she needed to visit her father the next day.
Luo Zhi’s mother mentioned that her grandmother’s family would also be there, prompting Luo Zhi to plan an early visit to avoid them, admitting that their encounters were always awkward. Later, Luo Zhi had a private conversation with her cousin, Luoyang. While she found him relaxing and warm to talk to, like family, she couldn't fully understand his perspective on marriage.
Luoyang, despite his own unspoken regrets, viewed his upcoming marriage to Chen Jing as a man's responsibility, especially since Chen Jing had supported him through a difficult period. He reiterated that he now considered Chen Jing family, and marrying her was a way to provide her with security and acknowledgment.
Luo Zhi, sensing his underlying unhappiness, subtly brought up Ding Shuijing, a high school classmate who was retaking exams to transfer to Zhenhua, implying that Ding Shuijing’s motivations were not as straightforward as they seemed and that she knew Luoyang. Luoyang acknowledged her words, promising to ensure the happiness of both Luo Zhi and Chen Jing, as they were the most important women in his life.
