Unrequited Love Episode 38 (Ending) Recap
> Unrequited Love Recap
That summer, Sheng Huainan completely disappeared from Luo Zhi's life and the campus, while Jiang Baili left school to volunteer in Guizhou, following a new love. Almost everyone was busy with post-graduation employment, trying to find their footing as their innocent college lives quietly concluded. Luo Zhi, reflecting on her 15-year unrequited love that eventually became mutual, hoped that their separation would lead them to become better people for each other, anticipating their eventual reunion.
Luo Zhi, now a capable lawyer, earned praise from a junior lawyer named Zhang for her incredible performance in court. Zhang noted her effortless use of legal statutes and evidence, resulting in a clear defeat for Mr. Gu. Luo Zhi, however, attributed her win to Mr. Gu's carelessness and being undermined by his own client in a domestic violence case.
Luo Zhi asked Zhang to prepare for an upcoming rental dispute case and, despite a meeting request from Manager Liu of Dacheng Group for Friday afternoon, prioritized a scheduled public legal service event for migrant workers, instructing Zhang to reschedule with Manager Liu. Later, a surprised Luo Zhi received a phone call from Jiang Baili, who informed her that her manuscript was finished and she needed legal advice.
Luo Zhi playfully offered a discount before agreeing to a free consultation, to which Jiang Baili jokingly referenced "Jiang Baili by Daming Lake." Luo Zhi later learned that Dacheng Group specifically requested her as their intellectual property consultant, an opportunity usually reserved for gold medal lawyers with over a decade of experience, acknowledging her significant achievement.
Meanwhile, Zhang Mingrui drove Sheng Huainan to an apartment complex for a delivery before an important evening presentation, unknowingly passing Luo Zhi at a traffic light. After their delivery, Sheng Huainan and Zhang Mingrui diligently promoted their "Southern Cross Computer Company" to residents, offering 24-hour on-site computer installation and repair services. Noticing Zhang Mingrui's nerves before the venture capital meeting, Sheng Huainan encouraged him to relax.
He then drew strength from Luo Zhi's diary, silently promising to bring her the fruits of his five years of hard work. At the venue, their teammates Lei Tian and Xu Zhian hurried them to change into suits, as their creative presentation was imminent. While preparing, Sheng Huainan recalled his aunt's offer to send him to America to study five years prior.
He had thanked her for managing his mother's affairs and the family's debts, but affirmed his decision to build his own path from scratch, aiming to recover all he had lost, step by step, believing this was the only happiness he could give Luo Zhi. His aunt, expressing her belief in him, had urged him not to let Luo Zhi wait too long.
Sheng Huainan presented his "Guardian Bracelet" project, explaining its origin from a college competition where his team had initially developed a child anti-lost app for Luo Zhi with limited resources. The project had since evolved into a public welfare initiative, and now aimed to reach more consumers.
He highlighted its core purpose: to be "always by your side, guarding your loved ones," capable of monitoring the health of the elderly and sick, and ensuring the travel safety of friends and relatives. His presentation received enthusiastic applause. The host then announced the "Guardian Bracelet" startup team as the winner of the angel investment, prompting joyful celebrations from Sheng Huainan, Zhang Mingrui, Lei Tian, and Xu Zhian.
Immediately after, a junior student confessed her long-standing affection for Zhang Mingrui, stating she had fallen for him the first time she saw him, untidy and arrogant, not just his polished appearance that day. In their separate yet parallel lives, Luo Zhi and Sheng Huainan pursued their careers, working hard for each other with a tacit understanding, even in places unseen by the other.
Luo Zhi felt an enduring presence of Sheng Huainan, believing he had never truly left her, always silently supporting and encouraging her, much like her pursuit of his shadow during their 15 years of secret love. Though they had walked past each other many times in the bustling city, they remained unaware of each other's proximity. Jiang Baili, arriving late for her meeting with Luo Zhi, presented her with her newly published book.
Luo Zhi remarked that Jiang Baili's past tumultuous relationships had not been in vain. Jiang Baili shared how she had impulsively followed a boy to Guizhou to volunteer, only for him to return to Beijing days later for a corporate job. These "bumpy love experiences," she explained, inspired her novels, which had since generated significant income and boosted her standing. She then showed Luo Zhi a message from Ge Bi.
Jiang Baili revealed that Ge Bi messaged her almost daily with expressions of love and longing, like "good morning, good afternoon, good evening, I love you, I miss you, I miss you every day." Luo Zhi observed the striking role reversal in their dynamic, noting Jiang Baili's current reluctance to reply.
Jiang Baili also shared that Ge Bi and Chen Mohan had broken up, and Ge Bi, who was studying in Australia, was struggling to graduate, facing a threat of disinheritance from his father if he failed to earn his degree. Jiang Baili believed it was time for Ge Bi to take responsibility and that some hardship might be beneficial for him.
Luo Zhi toasted Jiang Baili, congratulating her on shedding her "saint" persona to become a "leader," wishing her continued success in her career and reassuring her that she would eventually find love. Luo Zhi received a message from her junior, Geng Geng, who, during an outdoor wedding photoshoot, had captured a picture she thought Luo Zhi would want to see. Luo Zhi then returned to Zhenhua High School to give a speech.
She recounted the historical tale of "citrus growing south of the Huai River is citrus, growing north is hawthorn," but offered her own interpretation: while environment can influence people, it cannot alter their inner hearts. She emphasized that individuals should not be judged solely by their origin, nor should all their actions be blamed on their surroundings. She encouraged the student ambassadors to take initiative with unwavering will, asserting that even barren soil can yield beautiful flowers and sweet fruits.
After her speech, Director Wang thanked Luo Zhi for her invaluable guidance, recalling her past excellence representing the school during an exchange program in Myanmar. He lightheartedly questioned her name, asking if she was from "HuaiBei or HuaiNan," to which Luo Zhi confidently declared, "I'm from HuaiNan," implying that "Zhi" (her name) only belongs to Huainan. As Luo Zhi signed the red guest book, a hand appeared beside hers, writing "Sheng Huainan."
Sheng Huainan, having prepared himself to protect Luo Zhi, greeted her with "Long time no see." Standing in the sunlight, they embraced their reunion, everything feeling as if it were just yesterday, bringing their long-awaited secret love story to a joyful conclusion.
