Unrequited Love Episode 7 Recap
> Unrequited Love Recap
As students buzzed about Sheng Huainan's impressive performance at the debate competition, Luo Zhi spotted him helping an elderly man push a cart and pick up fallen books. She admired his kindness but didn't approach him. Earlier, after leaving the auditorium, Luo Zhi had made it her first priority to instruct her brother, Luo Yang, to take good care of Ding Shuijing.
Shortly after, Luo Zhi received a call from Luo Yang, who updated her on their aunt's health, reassuring her that the doctor said it was not serious. Luo Zhi then took the opportunity to reiterate her request to Luo Yang, asking him to look out for their high school classmate, Ding Shuijing, who she heard was returning to Zhenhua High School to retake her exams. Luo Zhi explained that Ding Shuijing had a somewhat unpredictable personality and needed careful attention.
Luo Yang agreed to take care of her. Later, Ding Shuijing, in a playful but intrusive gesture, drew on Luo Yang's white shirt with an oil pen. Luo Yang chided her, explaining it was a shirt, not a canvas, and that the marks wouldn't come off. He then asked her to go home, saying he was leaving too.
After he departed, Ding Shuijing returned, picked up his discarded shirt, and murmured that his painting was priceless, as was his affection, hoping he felt the same. Back in her dormitory, Jiang Baili cried over Ge Bi, and this time, her tears surpassed her self-imposed ten-minute rule. This extended crying hinted at the increasing accumulated pain in Jiang Baili's heart, where even a small thing was enough to deeply hurt her.
Luo Zhi reminded her of her own "woman rules" about knowing when to stop crying to avoid being despised. Jiang Baili, however, insisted she was too upset to stop, stating she would extend her crying time. Luo Zhi then pointed out that Jiang Baili had never truly put those rules into practice. The narrative noted that these numerous "woman rules," along with tarot cards, were supposed to guide Jiang Baili's life.
During a quiet moment in the library, Sheng Huainan found himself drawn to Luo Zhi, who was reading a book while enjoying a lollipop. She wrote a poignant phrase on the glass window: "Deep feelings, shallow fate. Warm and cold are known only to oneself." After she left, Sheng Huainan approached the window, breathing on it to create condensation, and read her words, unable to control his urge to follow her.
Later, in a law class, Sheng Huainan naturally snatched the seat originally reserved for Zhang Mingrui, positioning himself beside Luo Zhi. Even Sheng Huainan himself didn't realize that when Luo Zhi wanted to give her seat back to the late Zhang Mingrui, he instantly wanted to prevent this from happening, instead directing Zhang Mingrui to another available spot. Sitting side by side, the distance between their hands was again reduced to 0. 6 cm.
Sheng Huainan then engaged Luo Zhi, asking about the previous lesson. Despite her slightly sarcastic tone as she referenced her notes that Zhang Mingrui had used, she told him. Throughout the lecture, Luo Zhi subtly shielded her eyes from the sunlight streaming into the room. Sheng Huainan noticed her gesture and instinctively leaned back, blocking the sun for her. Zhang Mingrui observed these subtle interactions between them.
Unable to speak aloud in class, Sheng Huainan and Luo Zhi communicated through notes. This interaction, particularly the shared space, triggered Luo Zhi's memory of a past scene from Zhenhua High School where they had a similar interaction. Sheng Huainan penned a question, asking if she had seen an animated film called "Only Yesterday" (岁月的童话).
Luo Zhi responded, clarifying it wasn't a Disney film, and then inquired if he had been the one there last time, hinting at a past connection. Sheng Huainan replied, thanking her for recommending the film and expressing his enjoyment, a statement that seemed to hold a deeper meaning. As Sheng Huainan recalled the past, seeds of doubt about the film's original recommender were planted in his mind. Luo Zhi simply replied that she was glad he liked it.
The student union was preparing for the annual Alumni Sharing Meeting, which also functioned as a job fair, offering a rare opportunity for students to find good jobs if they performed well and gained favor from alumni entrepreneurs. Senior Chen Yongle informed Ge Bi that Chen Group's CEO, a notable alumnus, couldn't attend as he was in South Africa establishing a new company.
Chen Yongle tasked Ge Bi with the important responsibility of inviting the CEO's daughter, Chen Mohan, described as a "big shot" at Hai University, to represent her father and share his success story. He emphasized this was an important opportunity for Ge Bi. Ge Bi then met Jiang Baili, bringing her a beverage.
Despite his claim of finding one without ice because she had a cold, Jiang Baili disliked the brand and later confessed it tasted terrible, yet she continued to drink it. When Ge Bi questioned her constant obedience, she explained it was out of love for him, stating she'd pour the soda over anyone else's head if they bought her a drink she didn't like.
Ge Bi informed her of his new, important role as PR and co-organizer for the Alumni Sharing Meeting. Understanding its career benefits, Jiang Baili requested two invitations for herself and Luo Zhi to gain early exposure. Ge Bi agreed. She then asked him to accompany her shopping for new clothes and shoes for the event, but he demurred due to student union commitments, instead offering her his credit card. Suspecting something amiss, Jiang Baili pressed him to be honest.
Ge Bi finally confessed, asking for a breakup, stating that he intended to personally deliver an invitation to Chen Mohan and declare his feelings for her at the sharing meeting. Since entering university, Ge Bi and Chen Mohan had no further contact, and this was undoubtedly his last chance to express his feelings. He admitted that Chen Mohan was his "inner demon" and that he wanted to finally confront his feelings.
He believed Jiang Baili had been prepared for this outcome. Overwhelmed, Jiang Baili finally expressed her long-held dislike for the soda, calling it "terrible." Through her tears, she held onto him, insisting that she would remain his girlfriend until the Alumni Sharing Meeting, to which Ge Bi silently acquiesced. After their law class concluded, Luo Zhi initially told Sheng Huainan and Zhang Mingrui to go ahead for lunch, as she had questions for the professor.
Zhang Mingrui, however, seized the opportunity, playfully teasing Sheng Huainan about his earlier gesture in class, then openly encouraged him to invite Luo Zhi to lunch, announcing that Sheng Huainan would treat. Sheng Huainan extended the invitation, and Luo Zhi accepted, his joyful appearance fully revealing his inner expectations. This marked the beginning of rekindling their friendship after three weeks of no contact.
As the three walked, discussing restaurant options and harboring individual joys, Zhang Mingrui suggested a popular spot for couples. Both Sheng Huainan and Luo Zhi simultaneously dismissed the idea, prompting Zhang Mingrui to note their "tacit understanding." As Sheng Huainan was about to ask Luo Zhi for her preference, Ge Bi approached, visibly distraught and with a tearful Jiang Baili in tow.
Ge Bi urgently pulled Sheng Huainan aside, claiming pressing student union matters, as if Jiang Baili was a plague to be avoided. Seeing Jiang Baili's distress, Luo Zhi, unable to ignore her, quickly declined the lunch invitation, suggesting they reschedule, and actively gave up the chance to interact further with Sheng Huainan. She then created an excuse to lead Jiang Baili away. Left alone, Zhang Mingrui texted Xu Riqing, inviting her for ice cream.
Xu Riqing's response, implying a preference for Haagen-Dazs over the suggested "Snow Queen" and a subtle jab about Sheng Huainan, effectively declined his invitation, leaving Zhang Mingrui frustrated and heading to the cafeteria by himself. After Jiang Baili confessed her breakup with Ge Bi, Luo Zhi, initially unaware of the full situation, immediately took her from the crowded ice cream shop to a secluded riverside.
Luo Zhi apologized for taking her to a public place and urged her to cry freely without time limits, promising to buy her more ice cream later. Prior to this, at the crowded ice cream shop, Jiang Baili had defiantly declared she would eat as much as she wanted to forget her sorrows, to which Luo Zhi gently advised her to take smaller bites.
Jiang Baili had also asked Luo Zhi about her feelings for Sheng Huainan, and Luo Zhi admitted they had lost contact for three weeks, with the debate being their only recent interaction. Jiang Baili affirmed Sheng Huainan was worthy of Luo Zhi's "fifteen years of never forgetting," but Luo Zhi wondered if he remembered her at all.
Now at the riverside, Jiang Baili admitted she didn't know how to mourn this breakup, as Ge Bi was fully intent on winning back Chen Mohan at the upcoming Alumni Sharing Meeting. Luo Zhi, indignant at Ge Bi's actions, wanted to confront him, but Jiang Baili stopped her, explaining it would be embarrassing for a top student to get involved.
Jiang Baili then confided that she had always anticipated this breakup, often wishing "that girl" would simply take Ge Bi away, as she herself lacked the courage to end things. She recounted how she had doted on Ge Bi, always catering to his every need, only to be cast aside, yet she insisted that her actions were voluntary and brought her happiness.
Luo Zhi, who could readily confront Ge Bi on Jiang Baili's behalf, found herself lacking the same courage when it came to her own feelings. Jiang Baili then elaborated on Chen Mohan, the girl Ge Bi was pursuing. She described Chen Mohan as the most artistic person she had ever met, especially captivating when she played the cello. In Jiang Baili's heart, Chen Mohan playing the cello was like an untouchable goddess.
Jiang Baili was like a fangirl and servant to Chen Mohan, and even though this woman was her love rival, Jiang Baili never harbored any resentment or jealousy towards her. Recalling a past practice session in "Practice Room 205," Jiang Baili vividly described how Chen Mohan, seated with her cello, seemed to be bathed in a spotlight, making Jiang Baili feel like merely a shadow beside her.
Chen Mohan's performance had been so stirring it brought tears to Jiang Baili's eyes. After finishing, Chen Mohan refused Jiang Baili's offer to carry her cello, declaring it "a part of me" that no one could touch. She then critically remarked on the high humidity in the practice room, stating it affected her cello's tone and demanded that Jiang Baili ensure the dehumidifier ran for an hour before her next visit, threatening not to return otherwise.
Jiang Baili, profusely apologetic, promised to comply, and Chen Mohan provided her contact details for reminders. Jiang Baili also recollected her past devotion, actively arranging all trivial matters for her, such as offering to bring Chen Mohan breakfast from a distant vendor, despite it being out of her way, and even taking Chen Mohan's lunchbox home to wash.
