Unrequited Love Episode 31 Recap
> Unrequited Love Recap
Jiang Baili, desperate for a reason to see Ge Bi, found an opportunity when Luo Zhi and Sheng Huainan successfully resolved Chen Yongle's plagiarism issue. Their efforts helped Chen Yongle receive an invitation from a Dutch experimental team interested in his greenhouse design. Jiang Baili, accompanied by Zhang Mingrui, delivered the relevant documents to Chen Yongle at the student union.
Zhang Mingrui also presented a patent application acceptance notice that Sheng Huainan had already secured for Chen Yongle, highlighting Sheng Huainan and Luo Zhi's intuitive coordination. Zhang Mingrui sternly reminded Chen Yongle that despite the good news, the university would still place him on probation for plagiarism, expecting him to genuinely reflect and reform. Chen Yongle expressed deep gratitude to Luo Zhi and Sheng Huainan, accepting his punishment and promising to change his ways.
While at the student union, Jiang Baili repeatedly cast furtive glances at Ge Bi. As she left, Ge Bi followed, expressing concern that Chen Mohan might have physically harmed her, a notion Jiang Baili dismissed by noting Ge Bi understood Chen Mohan's domineering personality best. Ge Bi then pressed Jiang Baili about whom she spent New Year's Eve with, clearly bothered that she had declined his invitation for the first time.
Jiang Baili vaguely referred to "a new friend," but two other women, Liu Jing and Xiaoxue, who were also vying for Ge Bi's attention, mocked Jiang Baili, accusing her of fabricating a new relationship. Jiang Baili simply stated that "fate is here and it can't be stopped" before walking away. Sheng Huainan continued his persistent pursuit of Luo Zhi. At the cafeteria, he joined Luo Zhi and Zhang Mingrui, offering Luo Zhi a bread cake.
Luo Zhi mentioned Zhang Mingrui had already bought her one, opting to eat Zhang Mingrui's instead and suggesting Sheng Huainan eat his own. Zhang Mingrui playfully took a bite of Sheng Huainan's bread cake. After a brief exchange, Luo Zhi abruptly left, claiming she was full and had to work, leaving her wonton for Zhang Mingrui. Sheng Huainan immediately snatched the wonton away from Zhang Mingrui.
Sheng Huainan then self-satisfiedly remarked on his increasing boldness, to which Zhang Mingrui encouraged him. Luo Zhi's next tutoring session for Tiffany and Jack was unexpectedly joined by Sheng Huainan, who had already completed their homework. Tiffany's mother encouraged Luo Zhi to relax and play with the children, as Sheng Huainan had already finished their academic duties.
Tiffany then insisted that Luo Zhi team up with her brother for a game, as she and Sheng Huainan were already a team, effectively pairing Sheng Huainan and Luo Zhi. Later, on their way back to school, Sheng Huainan confessed his feelings to Luo Zhi, suggesting they be together and playfully using a movie analogy that stepping on someone's shadow meant they'd follow you forever.
Luo Zhi responded with a playful kick, then explained her principled nature, recounting a childhood incident where she insisted on a deduction for a perfect math score because her solution was incomplete. She stated her inability to tolerate ambiguity in life or relationships. Sheng Huainan wondered about the probability of her accepting his confession.
Luo Zhi retorted with a question about the probability of him eventually growing tired of her and wanting to "return" her if she didn't live up to his expectations. Angered, Sheng Huainan pointed out that she was already contemplating a breakup before they had even started, to which Luo Zhi clarified that wasn't what she meant. Sheng Huainan then insisted his fifteen years of admiration for her were not superficial.
Luo Zhi then kicked Sheng Huainan and left him on the street. The next day, Ge Bi arrived at Haida University with a bouquet of roses to apologize to Chen Mohan. He attributed his past transgressions to loneliness and promised it wouldn't happen again, declaring her the "white moonlight" of his heart. Chen Mohan agreed to forgive him on the condition that he fully disclose all his whereabouts and phone contacts.
Ge Bi, after some hesitation, agreed to her terms and deleted contacts he deemed unnecessary. Soon after leaving Chen Mohan, Ge Bi found Jiang Baili, laden with her favorite snacks like Orange Soda, spicy duck neck, calcium tablets, and cocoa powder, showcasing his surprising knowledge of her preferences. He then begged her to help him find a lost "Si Xiu" textbook, essential for his graduation.
Jiang Baili, despite her resolve to avoid further entanglement, agreed and began searching the library, where all copies were already borrowed. Luo Zhi pulled Jiang Baili aside, urging her to shed her "saintly persona" of self-sacrificing behavior. Jiang Baili explained Ge Bi's predicament, but Luo Zhi suggested it was his responsibility. Jiang Baili, feeling obligated, decided to seek Zhang Mingrui's help, as he knew many people who might have the book.
After Jiang Baili left, Luo Zhi continued searching for the textbook. She spotted Sheng Huainan and tried to slip away unnoticed, but he quickly followed. He messaged her, asking what music she was listening to; she sent him the link, and he put on his headphones to listen with her from a distance.
Sheng Huainan then sent her a long message, vowing to find her even if she felt lost and asking if she would consider being with him, hoping for a reply at their next meeting. Later, Jiang Baili delivered the "Si Xiu" textbook to Ge Bi, complete with highlighted notes and an exam outline she had prepared.
Ge Bi noticed her dark circles and expressed concern, making Jiang Baili momentarily touched before she reminded him that such care was Chen Mohan's prerogative. Ge Bi then invited her to dinner as a thank you. During their meal, both received phone calls. Jiang Baili quickly dismissed a call from Gu Zhiye. Ge Bi, however, received a video call from a suspicious Chen Mohan, who demanded to know his whereabouts.
Ge Bi lied, claiming to be alone at a vintage café. As he tried to pan his phone quickly to show the "empty" cafe, Jiang Baili, understanding the situation, swiftly hid under the table. When a waiter brought their order and announced "private kitchen duck neck," Chen Mohan questioned why he was eating her favorite dish. Ge Bi quickly improvised, claiming he ordered it for the "junior" who brought his textbook. After Chen Mohan hung up, relieved, Jiang Baili emerged.
Though she initially wanted to leave, she reluctantly stayed after Ge Bi reminded her that the duck neck was her favorite. Later, Jiang Baili inquired about Ge Bi's recent life and observed that he and Chen Mohan were experiencing some difficulties. Ge Bi remarked that Chen Mohan seemed to have changed, but Jiang Baili countered that Chen Mohan's personality remained the same; it was only now that Ge Bi was truly paying attention to it.
Meanwhile, Ye Zhanyan received a call from Lan Xin, who was astonished to learn that Zhuo Chen had skipped his final exams to embark on a quest to a snow mountain, determined to find a unique item for Ye Zhanyan. Ye Zhanyan later called Ding Shuijing, recounting how, after Sheng Huainan had accused her of creating misunderstandings and asked her not to contact him, she impulsively told her suitors that she would date whoever could bring her something truly unique.
To her surprise, Zhuo Chen had taken this challenge seriously, disregarding his own safety. Ye Zhanyan expressed her bewilderment, as she had always believed men were selfish, prioritizing their own interests. Ding Shuijing, however, viewed Zhuo Chen's actions positively, suggesting that Ye Zhanyan should consider him, even if he wasn't Sheng Huainan. Xu Riqing, having dressed up, deliberately invited Zhang Mingrui to the library for studying, subtly attempting to capture his attention.
Luo Zhi joined them, asking about Sheng Huainan, to which Zhang Mingrui informed her that he was with a professor. Xu Riqing then purposefully asked Zhang Mingrui for help with a math problem to keep his focus on her. During lunch, Sheng Huainan joined their table and directly asked Luo Zhi if she had found an answer to his earlier proposal. Luo Zhi replied that his question was too profound and required more time for reflection.
Sheng Huainan then observed Luo Zhi and Zhang Mingrui's similar food orders, playfully hinting at their "tacit understanding" or a "secret relationship." Luo Zhi dismissed it as an illusion, leading to a complex, academic debate between her and Sheng Huainan about emotions, logic, and quantification, which left Zhang Mingrui and Xu Riqing utterly confused. Sheng Huainan expressed frustration that Luo Zhi hadn't "finalized" their "joint work" (their relationship), while Luo Zhi maintained her independent thoughts and resistance to being rushed.
Feeling disheartened by Luo Zhi's evasiveness, Sheng Huainan went to his favorite rooftop spot to clear his head. He noticed a flowerpot that seemed out of place. Moving it, he discovered Luo Zhi's confession carved on the wall, along with answers to a question he had previously written there. In that profound moment, Sheng Huainan realized that the mysterious song he had heard on the rooftop and the insightful answers on the wall had always been from Luo Zhi.
He felt an overwhelming sense of a deep, telepathic connection with her, even without explicit communication, and was overcome with joy, like a child. Filled with renewed hope, Sheng Huainan went to meet Ding Shuijing to retrieve Luo Zhi's high school diary. Ding Shuijing directed him to a locker at Zhenhua High School. She then asked why he hadn't inquired about Ye Zhanyan's crystal necklace incident.
Sheng Huainan stated he never doubted Luo Zhi's integrity and knew she wouldn't act out of jealousy. Impressed by his unwavering trust, Ding Shuijing admitted that she missed the purity of their high school days—pure happiness, tears, and love. She confessed that she, Luo Zhi, and Ye Zhanyan had all been caught in a cycle of self-deception for unrequited loves, and she was tired of it.
Ding Shuijing revealed that if Luo Yang could honestly acknowledge his true feelings and dreams, she might finally be able to let go of her lingering resentment for him. Later, at the library, Sheng Huainan arrived with drinks for Luo Zhi, Zhang Mingrui, and Xu Riqing, to which Zhang Mingrui teasingly told him he could leave now that his mission was accomplished.
Ignoring him, Sheng Huainan sat next to Luo Zhi and casually placed his hand on the back of her chair. Zhang Mingrui playfully kicked Sheng Huainan, reminding him to be mindful in a public setting. Sheng Huainan kicked back, but inadvertently caused an accidental exchange of kicks that also involved Luo Zhi and Xu Riqing, with Sheng Huainan apologizing for accidentally kicking someone else. Xu Riqing complained, "Why do you always kick the wrong person?" while Luo Zhi, making light of the situation, told Zhang Mingrui to kick more accurately next time, implying his lack of athletic coordination.
