Unrequited Love Episode 3 Recap
> Unrequited Love Recap
Luo Zhi returned to her dormitory in a state of distress. Li Mi was heading out for her part-time job, while Jiang Baili lay crying in her bed. It wasn't until later that Li Mi and Guo Xiaoxiao noticed Jiang Baili. Li Mi, in a rush, promised to bring back a midnight snack, while Guo Xiaoxiao offered both Luo Zhi and Jiang Baili a lollipop.
Jiang Baili then confided in Luo Zhi, revealing that Ge Bi had been seen flirting with freshman girls who had taken photos with him in the pool at a coffee shop. Jiang Baili, furious, had splashed water on his face, which in turn angered him. Luo Zhi did not mince words, calling Ge Bi a "jerk" and urging Jiang Baili to break up with him. Jiang Baili, echoing Luo Zhi's sentiment, vowed not to reconcile with him this time.
Luo Zhi, still grappling with her own complex emotions, felt as though she was "going crazy," her mood swinging wildly with every interaction. To cope, she decided to immerse herself in memorizing vocabulary, asserting that she had an "endless" supply of words, no matter how long she felt "stuck in this stage." Meanwhile, Zhang Mingrui confronted Sheng Huainan, questioning the meaning behind a text message Sheng Huainan had sent.
Zhang Mingrui suspected it was Sheng Huainan's attempt to "compensate" him for Xu Riqing's crush on Sheng Huainan. Sheng Huainan denied any romantic interest in Luo Zhi, stating he was not in the mood for a relationship. He elaborated on his disillusionment with love, explaining that growing up in a high-ranking family compound, he often felt that people were more attracted to his background and achievements than to him as a person.
He admitted to being "very sensitive to girls" but desired genuine connection, not "blind worship," which made him feel like a "designer bag" being evaluated. Zhang Mingrui, understanding Sheng Huainan's weariness, asked him to promise to disclose it immediately if he ever developed feelings for Luo Zhi. Sheng Huainan agreed, vowing to be more honest about his emotions and to conceal nothing from Zhang Mingrui.
Zhang Mingrui then informed Sheng Huainan that Luo Zhi had seen the text message and was very unhappy, urging him to explain the situation to her in person. Later, at a supermarket, Luo Zhi encountered Ge Bi, who tried to enlist her help in delivering flowers to Jiang Baili as an apology. Luo Zhi, disgusted by Ge Bi's insensitivity and his flirtatious history, refused, discarding the bouquet in a trash can.
She rebuked him for being an inattentive boyfriend, unaware of Jiang Baili's pollen allergy or her favorite snacks despite dating for over a year. Sheng Huainan, passing by coincidentally, stepped in to de-escalate the argument. Ge Bi, not wanting Sheng Huainan to witness their dispute, quickly left. Luo Zhi thanked Sheng Huainan by offering him a drink. Sheng Huainan then followed Luo Zhi to the library.
Luo Zhi, observant of his un-sweaty basketball and lack of a backpack, astutely deduced that his presence was not accidental. Sheng Huainan, impressed by her reasoning skills, admitted his intentionality. Their conversation flowed from discussing the German philosopher Kant's ideas on "sublime moral standards" and the "brilliant starry sky" to literature, and then to the varied attitudes towards love observed in the animal kingdom.
They discussed the monogamous albatross, the rare and dedicated Pasco beetle, and the "playboy" tendencies of the mandarin duck. Luo Zhi mused that the animals' approach to love seemed "more steadfast than humans." Sheng Huainan humorously suggested a toast to Zhang Mingrui and him being "as inseparable as mandarin ducks," a comment that made Luo Zhi "furious," knowing the male mandarin duck's unfaithful nature. Sheng Huainan acknowledged Luo Zhi's subtle concern about their lack of acquaintance in high school.
He proposed that their shared experience of borrowing books and liking the same author made them friends. Luo Zhi, however, emphasized that true friendship depends on "how they interact." Following this, they began exchanging messages frequently via WeChat, both expressing a sense of regret that they had not connected earlier in life.
Back at the dormitory, Jiang Baili, despite her earlier anger, confessed to Luo Zhi that she had been "quite happy" when Ge Bi sent flowers for the first time. Realizing Jiang Baili's vulnerability, Luo Zhi decided to act. She secretly ordered a succulent plant online and had it delivered to Jiang Baili, fabricating a story that it was another apology from Ge Bi. The succulent, unlike traditional flowers, would not trigger Jiang Baili's allergies.
Overjoyed and believing Ge Bi had made a thoughtful gesture, Jiang Baili enthusiastically ran laps around the campus, declaring her happiness. Later, at the cafeteria, Ge Bi gestured for Jiang Baili to join him. Feeling awkward, Jiang Baili persuaded Luo Zhi to accompany her. Ge Bi then sent Jiang Baili away to get duck neck, only to immediately begin harassing Luo Zhi. Enraged, Luo Zhi walked away, with Jiang Baili quickly following, apologizing on Ge Bi's behalf.
Jiang Baili explained that while others often told her to be content with Ge Bi, Luo Zhi was the only one who genuinely cared for her well-being. Seeing her friend's sincerity and desire for harmony, Luo Zhi relented and encouraged Jiang Baili to return to Ge Bi. As they walked, Jiang Baili pointed out Zheng Wenrui, the "weirdo" from the computer science department, known for her eccentric habit of wearing shorts in winter and her fiery temper.
Luo Zhi recognized Zheng Wenrui as an alumna from Zhen Hua High School, from her own graduating class. Zheng Wenrui approached them and invited Luo Zhi to dinner. At a barbecue stall, a visibly inebriated Zheng Wenrui confronted Luo Zhi, declaring that she knew everything about Sheng Huainan, including Luo Zhi's secret crush on him.
Luo Zhi was unnerved, recalling Zheng Wenrui's intense yet rejected confession to Sheng Huainan in high school, where Zheng Wenrui had professed her unwavering love for every aspect of him. Zheng Wenrui's obsession stemmed from her unrequited love for Sheng Huainan, which had intensified into paranoia. She had previously stolen Luo Zhi's diary, and the words within, fueling her resentment, led her to deface it. Luo Zhi regretted accepting the dinner invitation.
Jiang Baili came to her rescue, and together they began to lead the drunken Zheng Wenrui back to her dormitory, eventually joined by Li Mi and Guo Xiaoxiao who helped carry her upstairs. Luo Zhi mused that while she was cautiously and excitedly drawing closer to Sheng Huainan, completely unaware, Zheng Wenrui was secretly plotting behind the scenes to sabotage everything she had carefully nurtured.
