Unrequited Love Episode 37 Recap
> Unrequited Love Recap
Luo Zhi had just received exciting news; despite not yet being old enough for an internship, her professor's recommendation led to Dasan Mountain Law Firm offering her an early internship with the promise of a full-time position after graduation. She expressed her long-standing admiration for the firm and gratefully accepted the opportunity, becoming a colleague with Mr. Liu. As she was about to leave, she noticed Jiang Baili entering a hotel elevator with Mr. Gu, appearing quite close.
Luo Zhi immediately called Jiang Baili, who excitedly told her it was Mr. Gu's birthday and they were going to have a grand dinner on the hotel's top floor. However, when Luo Zhi inquired at the front desk, she learned that the top floor consisted solely of high-end suites, with no restaurant, confirming her suspicion that Jiang Baili was being deceived.
On the top floor, Jiang Baili noticed the absence of a restaurant, but Mr. Gu reassured her they would order room service and celebrate while enjoying the view. As Mr. Gu was about to open the door to a suite, Ge Bi and Chen Mohan unexpectedly appeared. Chen Mohan immediately launched into an accusation, implying Jiang Baili was having an illicit encounter with Mr. Gu, sarcastically remarking on her alleged lack of a boyfriend and Mr. Gu's prominent status.
Jiang Baili was speechless, but Luo Zhi arrived just in time, exposing Chen Mohan's scheme by revealing that she was the one who booked the hotel room. Inside the empty suite, where only a cake was present but no celebratory decorations, Ge Bi pressed Chen Mohan about her involvement in the setup. Mr. Gu intervened, confessing he was Chen Mohan’s uncle and that he had been "acting" all along.
He explained that Chen Mohan had asked him to approach Jiang Baili. Ge Bi realized the whole setup was a trap orchestrated by Chen Mohan to slander Jiang Baili's character, making it seem like she was having an affair. Chen Mohan admitted her intention was to prevent Ge Bi from lingering over Jiang Baili, stating that his indecision about whom he truly loved led to her insecurity.
When Ge Bi demanded an apology from Chen Mohan, she refused, arguing that he shouldn't be angry at her for making her feel insecure. Tired of the charade, Mr. Gu pulled Chen Mohan aside, scolding her for her manipulative behavior and reminding her there was a limit to her willfulness. He then sincerely apologized to Jiang Baili for his involvement in the deception.
Turning to Ge Bi, Mr. Gu, speaking as a man, urged him to clearly define what love truly is, stating that Ge Bi didn't love Chen Mohan herself, but rather the image of Chen Mohan playing cello under the spotlight. After forcefully taking Chen Mohan away, Luo Zhi led a distraught Jiang Baili out, leaving a reflective Ge Bi behind. Luo Zhi comforted a tearful Jiang Baili, advising her to forget about the "jerks" Ge Bi and Mr. Gu.
She explained that Chen Mohan's true intention was to ruin Jiang Baili's reputation by spreading rumors that she was a gold-digger. Jiang Baili, however, couldn't bring herself to blame them, even trying to rationalize Chen Mohan's domineering personality and Mr. Gu's loyalty to his niece. She felt foolish for believing she had found true love and questioned why she was always the one being deceived, tearfully wondering if she was undeserving of love.
Luo Zhi strongly urged her to stop making excuses for her tormentors and instead focus on herself and her own worth. Sheng Huainan received his withdrawal notice from Si University. His professor expressed deep concern, urging him to prioritize his studies, even if it meant transferring to another institution, and to always seek help if facing difficulties.
Later, in their dorm, Sheng Huainan confessed to his friends that his family had gone bankrupt, relatives had abandoned them, and his mother was hospitalized, leaving him as the sole support. He described it as his "stupidest decision" but felt he was at his "wit's end" and couldn't bear to watch his mother suffer.
Later, in their dorm, Zhang Mingrui, Lei Tian, and Xu Zhi'an confronted Sheng Huainan, angry that he had kept his struggles and decision to drop out a secret, especially from Luo Zhi. Zhang Mingrui asked what Sheng Huainan thought of them, emphasizing their bond. Sheng Huainan initially retorted that he didn't treat them as brothers but then tearfully corrected himself, declaring them his "best brothers." His friends, understanding his plight, assured him of their unwavering support.
Sheng Huainan then requested one last drink together as a farewell. As they shared drinks, they reminisced about their time together – from their first meeting when Sheng Huainan fixed Zhang Mingrui's phone, to their daily classes, basketball games, and late-night gaming sessions. Xu Zhi'an recalled how they believed their bond would last forever. Lei Tian, who usually wasn't good with words, expressed how much their brotherhood meant to him.
They worried about who would help with homework and phone repairs after he left, to which Sheng Huainan jokingly offered a discount for his services. Despite the sadness, they tried to cheer each other up, affirming Sheng Huainan's capability to succeed wherever he went. They shared hugs, sang, and drank until they were all intoxicated, believing they would reunite one day.
The next morning, as Luo Zhi helped Jiang Baili back to school, she overheard classmates discussing Sheng Huainan's withdrawal, the news having spread across the entire campus. Learning from forum posts about his family's troubles, Luo Zhi immediately rushed to his dorm with Jiang Baili. Xu Zhi'an opened the door, and they found Sheng Huainan's belongings gone. Luo Zhi woke up Zhang Mingrui, Lei Tian, and Xu Zhi'an, who had passed out from drinking.
Realizing Sheng Huainan had left without a word, they all hurried to the school gate. Meanwhile, Sheng Huainan was already in a taxi at the school entrance, placing his luggage inside. He took a final, longing look at the campus, which held all his youth and cherished memories, especially those of Luo Zhi. He silently hoped Luo Zhi would continue to a better, brighter future, and confessed, "I love you."
He remembered a personal video where he stated, "My name is Sheng Huainan. . . I like a person called Luo Zhi. Sheng Huainan loves Luo Zhi, the whole world knows it." Just as Luo Zhi and the others arrived, frantically chasing after him, Sheng Huainan's taxi drove away, leaving them a step too late. Although Sheng Huainan was gone, his presence lingered in their dorm. His friends began tidying his belongings, finding books and project plans he left behind.
Lei Tian picked up a calculus book, recalling how Sheng Huainan had spent an entire afternoon teaching him calculus as freshmen, which led him to score third highest in the class. Xu Zhi'an revealed that Sheng Huainan’s detailed career planning had helped him decide to enter the workforce directly after graduation rather than pursuing further studies.
Zhang Mingrui, finding one of Sheng Huainan’s cherished project plans, declared his intention to form his own team for the next startup competition, inspired by Sheng Huainan’s past encouragement. His friends resolved to use Sheng Huainan’s books and notes to study harder, aiming to become strong enough to be his "strongest support" and give him a surprise upon his return.
Meanwhile, Luo Zhi found herself habitually returning to places where she used to see Sheng Huainan, a painful process of realizing his complete disappearance and grappling with the regret of not having a proper farewell. Far away, Sheng Huainan sat in a hospital corridor, watching over his sick mother. On his phone, he replayed old videos: one of his friends excitedly celebrating his birthday, and another of Luo Zhi having afternoon tea in England, repeatedly saying, "I miss you."
These memories brought him profound sadness. With graduation approaching, everyone began to forge their own paths. Jiang Baili, after all her emotional turmoil, decided to volunteer as a teacher in the countryside. She explained to Luo Zhi, Li Mi, and Guo Xiaoxiao over a farewell meal that she had seriously considered her options; as a psychology student, this experience would serve as a practical internship, an alternative to pursuing a master's degree.
Li Mi jokingly teased Jiang Baili about her sudden shift, contrasting it with her recent heartbreak, and playfully suggested she was "traveling around" for love. However, Guo Xiaoxiao supported Jiang Baili's choice, believing it was better to explore and find her true calling by traveling around than to continue studying without a clear direction. Guo Xiaoxiao also shared her own anxieties about the competitive job market, especially in Xiamen.
Inspired by their successful small game project, she invited Li Mi to join her in starting a studio. Li Mi enthusiastically accepted the offer, and they all raised their glasses, toasting to each finding their own place in the world, and celebrating Jiang Baili's new journey.
