Unrequited Love Episode 9 Recap
> Unrequited Love Recap
Luo Zhi felt a heavy burden of deception, unable to fully immerse herself in the fabricated "understanding" she shared with Sheng Huainan. All the small coincidences, from using three chopsticks to avoiding fatty meat, and even her pronouncement that "romance is having no aftermath," were lies designed to draw them closer. She suffered in this web of her own making, unable to find joy in the perceived understanding.
Unbeknownst to Luo Zhi, the childhood encounter she considered without a future, for Sheng Huainan, "did" have a "later." He couldn't recall what he had said to the little girl then, but she had become a cherished memory, forever in his heart. While Luo Zhi romantically mused that "it's more romantic because there's no future," Sheng Huainan clarified that there "was" an aftermath for him.
He recounted how he would frequently pause near the square where they met, silently hoping for another chance encounter with the girl who had protected him without expectation. He confessed that he had always wished he could have held her hand and kept her by his side. Ge Bi, meanwhile, was orchestrating his own deceptions.
He deliberately sent Jiang Baili on an errand to buy crawfish, then quickly called Chen Mohan, swearing he had broken up with Baili and begging for another chance with her. His excitement at Chen Mohan's non-committal response to bring her an invitation revealed his desperate nature. Jiang Baili, standing nearby, overheard the entire conversation.
Heartbroken, she handed Ge Bi the crawfish and fled, running as fast as she could, terrified that he would catch her and force her to confront the painful reality of their breakup. She tearfully confronted him about his callousness and her tireless efforts, recalling how she had supported him through his previous heartbreak over Chen Mohan and helped him with student union affairs for days on end.
Yet, in a desperate act of self-preservation, she still clung to the hope of their relationship, vowing to continue saving him a seat in class the next morning. Ge Bi, acknowledging his own "scoundrel" behavior, bluntly told her that he loved Chen Mohan, not her. Jiang Baili, choosing denial, simply walked away, murmuring to herself that she would be okay.
Late that night, Jiang Baili stumbled back to the dormitory, her hands ice cold, and collapsed onto Luo Zhi's bed, too distraught to climb her own. Luo Zhi, who had been worried sick and even prepared to go looking for her, gently tried to comfort her. Jiang Baili, still clinging to her routine, urged herself to sleep so she could save a seat for Ge Bi, despite Luo Zhi's protests against such self-abuse.
Tearfully, Jiang Baili wondered if she would ever find someone who loved her more, lamenting that "first love will never have a good ending" because it was "too bitter." Luo Zhi observed that in matters of love, Jiang Baili might be even more humble than herself, as at least Luo Zhi had maintained her dignity in her own unrequited affection. Elsewhere, Zhang Mingrui's long-standing devotion to Xu Riqing was reaching a breaking point.
He performed an elaborate magic show, producing pigeons, silk scarves, and even a prop rose, hoping to confess his feelings. However, Xu Riqing was unimpressed, dismissing his "prop rose" as lacking sincerity and impatiently demanding to know Sheng Huainan's whereabouts. She steadfastly believed Sheng Huainan was interested in her, citing his daily Weibo likes, his gentle smiles, and an instance where he had covered her with his coat when she fell asleep in the library.
His roommates, witnessing Zhang Mingrui's fruitless efforts and Xu Riqing's sole focus on Sheng Huainan, couldn't help but feel sorry for him, even as they themselves worried their girlfriends might also be captivated by Sheng Huainan. Eventually, Zhang Mingrui, in a moment of despair, revealed that Sheng Huainan was in the library. Xu Riqing immediately rushed there, finding Sheng Huainan and Luo Zhi together.
Believing Luo Zhi was intentionally sabotaging her, Xu Riqing aggressively confronted Sheng Huainan, demanding to know if he liked her. Sheng Huainan unequivocally stated that Zhang Mingrui liked her, not him. He further clarified that the Weibo likes were not from him but from Zhang Mingrui, who had used his account to make her happy. He also revealed that the coat she mentioned was actually Zhang Mingrui's. Humiliated by the public revelation, Xu Riqing turned her anger on Zhang Mingrui.
Zhang Mingrui tried to explain his good intentions, but Xu Riqing declared she hated him for the embarrassment. Feeling betrayed by Sheng Huainan for exposing his secret, Zhang Mingrui impulsively slapped him. Luo Zhi intervened, urging Zhang Mingrui to calm down, explaining that Sheng Huainan's honesty might help Xu Riqing recognize Zhang Mingrui's genuine feelings.
Zhang Mingrui chased after Xu Riqing, further explaining that Sheng Huainan's smiles were merely part of his good manner and the coat was indeed his own. He then challenged her, asking if her inability to let go of Sheng Huainan stemmed from true affection or merely bruised pride. Xu Riqing offered no reply. Later, as Luo Zhi helped Sheng Huainan apply medicine to his injured lip, she apologized for implicating him.
Sheng Huainan dismissed it, stating that "disillusionment is the beginning of growth," and people must face difficult emotions to truly mature. He then invited her to a special place, his rooftop "secret base," which he considered his "charging station" and was sharing for the first time. There, he pointed to a wall where he had once written a question, amazed that someone had answered it.
He recounted an earlier time when he was feeling down due to family issues, but a girl singing there had soothed him and made him forget his worries. He then sang a snippet of the song she had performed, confessing his own singing was terrible compared to hers. Luo Zhi recognized the song and the handwriting on the wall – she was that girl.
Though delighted that she had inadvertently touched his heart, she lacked the confidence to confess, deflecting his questions about the identity of the girl and the answer on the wall. Despite the unspoken connection, she couldn't bring herself to reveal the truth. Back in the dorm, Jiang Baili continued to mope, refusing food. Luo Zhi tried to encourage her, but Jiang Baili insisted she had no other aspirations besides Ge Bi, and merely wanted to pass her exams.
Noticing Luo Zhi's changed demeanor after receiving a message, Jiang Baili correctly guessed it was from Sheng Huainan and urged her to reply before going to shower. Luo Zhi then secretly sent a voice message to Sheng Huainan. Meanwhile, Sheng Huainan was working with Ge Bi on an alumni event poster. Ge Bi, still consumed by Chen Mohan, repeatedly suggested changes to fit her preferences, even suggesting a pink background, which Sheng Huainan subtly questioned.
After receiving Luo Zhi's voice message, Sheng Huainan declared the poster done and handed the distribution task to Ge Bi, stepping away to respond to Luo Zhi. In a law class, Zhang Mingrui was visibly distracted, still reeling from the day's events. Luo Zhi, after excusing herself for a tutoring job, left early. Sheng Huainan approached Zhang Mingrui, subtly offering an invitation to play basketball.
Later, in their dorm, his roommates fretted about their girlfriends showing excessive interest in Sheng Huainan, fearing they might suffer Zhang Mingrui's fate. Sheng Huainan continued his playful intellectual exchanges with Luo Zhi via message, where he taught her that mayflies are the "luckiest insects" because they "lives only one day" and "celebrate their birthdays all their lives." He then challenged her to explain "the romance of a legal person" on the definition of love.
In class, during a discussion about an elderly man's right to remarry and his son's refusal of support, Luo Zhi, drawing on legal statutes, correctly articulated that a child's filial obligation to parents does not cease with a change in the parents' marital status, demonstrating her sharp legal mind. Their interactions continued to deepen, revealing a unique understanding between them that transcended simple friendship.
