Unusual Idol Love Episode 13 Recap
> Unusual Idol Love Recap
After months of absence, Hu Li made his first public appearance, where he declared Ji Nian his girlfriend and vowed to protect her, aiming to quash ongoing rumors and speculation about his disappearance and alleged memory loss. This move, however, deeply angered Ji Nian, who confronted him in the car, accusing him of manipulating her for his comeback after promising to restore her normal life.
Hu Li argued that publicizing their relationship was the quickest way to calm public opinion, suggesting they could officially break up once the storm passed and he would help her resume a normal life. Ji Nian viewed this as a transactional deal and vehemently refused, asserting her desire to be left alone, even if it meant facing public criticism.
Her frustration escalated when Hu Li revealed he had already canceled her participation in an upcoming competition, promising to compensate the organizers. Feeling powerless and enraged by his control over her life, Ji Nian demanded he release her. Meanwhile, reporters continued to hound Ji Nian. Upon learning of the situation, Zhou Hongwei, her boss, was furious. He immediately ordered his top public relations team to suppress all news about Ji Nian and delete her information from online platforms.
He also instructed his staff to closely monitor Hu Li, suspicious that Hu Li would not easily let go of Ji Nian despite their agreement to break up after the media frenzy. Zhou Hongwei stated that if Hu Li continued to cling to Ji Nian, he would take the drastic step of eliminating Hu Li, regardless of the risks.
Soon after, Zhou Hongwei made arrangements for his daughter, Zhou Yifei, to be picked up from the airport by Bai Dong Chen, believing he was the only one who could manage her. Bai Dong Chen met Zhou Yifei at the airport. She was annoyed that Hu Li hadn't come to pick her up, but Bai Dong Chen assured her he hadn't seen Hu Li at the cafe.
Later, Zhou Yifei questioned Bai Dong Chen about Hu Li and Ji Nian's relationship, refusing to believe they were truly together, dismissing Ji Nian as "nothing special." She then tried to persuade Bai Dong Chen to act as a "spy" and help her win Hu Li back, offering him a carefully chosen gift. Bai Dong Chen declined, stating his busy schedule. Zhou Yifei, undeterred, declared her confidence in winning Hu Li back regardless of his help.
She then abruptly left the car. A flashback revealed Bai Dong Chen's own struggles as a young aspiring independent singer. He had presented a song he had spent six months writing to Zhou Hongwei, only for it to be dismissed. Zhou Hongwei told him he wasn't talented enough to debut alone and reminded him that all the company's efforts were focused on Hu Li, warning him against "unrealistic fantasies."
Frustrated, Bai Dong Chen had thrown his guitar on a rooftop, where he encountered a tearful young Zhou Yifei, who had just faced rejection. She criticized him for giving up, passionately asserting that strong will could overcome any obstacle and that one should never let others' opinions dictate their dreams. She confessed her tears were from defiance, not weakness, and vowed to prove her worth to those who doubted her.
The two bonded over their shared frustrations, promising to keep each other's vulnerable moments a secret. Zhou Yifei then playfully warned Bai Dong Chen not to fall for her, as her heart already belonged to someone else. Back in the present, Ji Nian expressed her exhaustion to a friend, lamenting the seemingly endless ordeal.
Her friend advised her to be grateful, pointing out that Hu Li could have easily branded her a malicious anti-fan and sued her, which would have had far worse consequences. The friend urged Ji Nian to maintain her public persona, reminding her that they had financially gained from the situation. However, the friend cautioned Ji Nian not to be swayed by Hu Li's charm, a warning Ji Nian dismissed, vowing not to be fooled.
Zhou Yifei then appeared at Ji Nian's cafe, introducing herself as "an old friend of Hu Li." She made it clear that she had come to assess Hu Li's rumored girlfriend, remarking that Ji Nian was "nothing special." Zhou Yifei’s ambiguous declaration of her claim over Hu Li led Ji Nian to mistakenly believe she was the woman Hu Li truly loved.
Feeling disappointed and like an insignificant pawn, Ji Nian became even more determined to sever ties with Hu Li. Zhou Yifei warned Ji Nian not to mistake Hu Li's public declaration as anything more than a temporary measure, reminding her of Hu Li's discerning taste and cautioning her against taking the "show" too seriously.
Ji Nian, agreeing that she had no real say in the matter and wished to avoid the entertainment industry entirely, then politely but firmly asked Zhou Yifei not to visit her again, stating that private meetings were inappropriate. Zhou Yifei agreed, confident that her warning had been delivered. Moments later, Bai Dong Chen observed Hu Li looking dejected and asked if Ji Nian's lack of forgiveness was the cause.
He questioned if Hu Li, as an artificial intelligence, truly possessed a heart. Hu Li, still unable to reveal his true identity, wondered if Ji Nian would accept him if she knew. He decided that the time wasn't right to tell her, preferring to wait until his "repairs" were complete before attempting to win her back on genuine terms. Bai Dong Chen, however, warned that Hu Li's current secretive approach might leave him with nothing in the end.
Bai Dong Chen also mentioned that Zhou Yifei had returned, a piece of news Hu Li dismissed as irrelevant to him. Ji Nian, trying to resume normalcy, called Fei Ouna, the cafe owner, to reassure her about the cafe's improving situation. To her shock, Fei Ouna revealed she had already sold the cafe to "Shi Tou" (Bai Dong Chen's nickname) and was now traveling abroad.
Feeling utterly displaced and helpless, Ji Nian found her home surrounded by reporters, preventing her from returning. Hu Li intervened, trying to calm her. Ji Nian angrily blamed him for her predicament, accusing him of manipulating her and buying the cafe, making her homeless. She attempted to push past him to confront the reporters, but Hu Li restrained her, urging her to come with him to devise a plan. Hu Li brought Ji Nian to his villa.
With Bai Dong Chen present, Hu Li proposed a solution: they would maintain their public "couple" status by participating in a reality show. In exchange, Hu Li offered Ji Nian full ownership of the cafe after their agreement ended, promising to clear her home loan and help her find a new job.
Ji Nian, recognizing it as a transaction, agreed but demanded a written contract specifying the terms and a maximum duration of one month for their public relationship, rejecting Hu Li's proposal for two months. She initially resisted the idea of living in the villa during the show, but Bai Dong Chen convinced her it was the safest option given the media frenzy surrounding her home. The filming for the reality show began.
On camera, Hu Li and Ji Nian played the role of a sweet, doting couple. Hu Li woke early to prepare honey water for Ji Nian, playfully calling her his "little lazy pig." He surprised her with a lavish breakfast, feeding her with loving gestures. The director pushed them for more intimate moments, seeking a "heartwarming feeling." They continued to enact romantic scenes, including sharing heart-shaped eggs. Off-camera, however, Ji Nian appeared visibly exhausted and distant.
News reports celebrated Hu Li's successful comeback and the "high-sweet romance" and "high-profile daily life" he shared with his non-celebrity girlfriend on the reality show, effectively dispelling rumors. During a scene where Ji Nian was meant to act surprised by crystal shoes, a crew member coached her on exaggerated reactions and offered eye drops for emotional tears.
As they continued filming, looking at dresses, Hu Li made an unscripted gesture, kneeling to put a high-heeled shoe on Ji Nian's foot, hinting at a deeper connection beneath their contractual facade.
