Episode Summary
Episode 14 of "Be Passionately in Love" sees Chen Luzhou and Chen Xingqi caught near an explosion, traumatizing Chen Xingqi and Chen Luzhou's mother. This event prompts Chen Luzhou to cancel his plans to study abroad, leading to a severe conflict with his father and his mother threatening divorce. Chen Luzhou injures his hand protecting his mother during an argument. Meanwhile, Xu Zhi starts university, where she meets new people and receives a generous gift. Despite the turmoil, Chen Luzhou secretly arranges for medicine to be sent to Xu Zhi, while his friend Li Ke warns him of potential romantic competition. The episode ends with Chen Luzhou's family in crisis and his academic future uncertain.
Spoiler Alert
Be Passionately in Love: Episode 14 Recap & Spoilers – An Explosive Turn of Events
The episode kicks off with Chen Luzhou and Chen Xingqi out together when an unexpected explosion shatters the peace near a restaurant. In a terrifying coincidence, Chen Luzhou's parents are returning at that exact moment and witness the horrifying aftermath: people fleeing and a young man, covered in blood, collapsing right in front of them. Instinctively, Chen Luzhou shields Chen Xingqi, but amidst the panicked crowd, Chen Xingqi gets bumped. Chen Luzhou's mother manages to call him, and he reassures her that both he and Chen Xingqi are unharmed.
However, in the commotion, Chen Luzhou's phone is knocked from his hand and subsequently trampled. The phone case, holding a precious four-leaf clover given to him by Xu Zhi, breaks off. His parents quickly arrive and rush a shaken Chen Xingqi to the hospital. Meanwhile, Xu Zhi sees the news report of the incident and frantically tries to call Chen Luzhou, but his phone is broken, and he can't answer.
Desperate to connect, Chen Luzhou scours the area and finally finds a phone booth to call Xu Zhi. They share a heartfelt conversation, confirming they're okay and exchanging questions about whether they miss each other.
The trauma of the event deeply affects Chen Luzhou's mother. After a nightmare, she overhears Chen Luzhou arguing with his father. The argument centers on Chen Luzhou's sudden decision to abandon his plans to study abroad, a plan his parents had invested so much effort into. Chen Luzhou firmly states that this is his decision and not up for discussion. His mother, profoundly shaken by the sight of the injured young man who was about Chen Luzhou's age, supports his choice to return home. She cannot bear the thought of her son facing such dangers. Chen Luzhou's father dismisses the explosion as an isolated incident, but his mother is resolute and declares she will book their tickets back to their home country immediately.
Following their return, Chen Xingqi, still traumatized by the explosion, falls ill. When he expresses a craving for ice cream, Chen Luzhou goes out to buy some for him. Chen Xingqi observes that Chen Luzhou seems different since the incident, more distant from them.
Elsewhere, Xu Zhi is preparing to leave for university. Her friend Cai Yingying and Cai Yingying's father come to see her off. In a touching gesture, Cai Yingying's father gives Xu Zhi a large red envelope containing 10,000 yuan. He explains that he’d promised her this "lucky money" when she was six, telling her to save it for university because if he gave it to her then, her father would take it. Xu Zhi's father thinks the amount is too generous, but Cai Yingying's father insists it's for Xu Zhi. Cai Yingying is emotional about Xu Zhi's departure and vows to join her in Beijing next year.
Upon arriving at university, Xu Zhi meets her new roommates. A senior student informs them about an upcoming mixer and has already signed them up. Later, Xu Zhi realizes one of her earrings is missing and frantically searches for it. Lin Yu, a student who had previously performed on stage, kindly helps her find the lost earring.
Witnessing this interaction, Li Ke immediately messages Chen Luzhou, warning him about potential competition for Xu Zhi's affections and urging him to be "vigilant." Chen Luzhou, meanwhile, is researching supplementary university admission options. The tension at his home is palpable as his parents argue heatedly in another room. His father argues that even if the original country for his studies is now considered dangerous, Chen Luzhou could study elsewhere. However, Chen Luzhou's mother stands firm, retracting her earlier promise to send him abroad when he turned 18. She confesses she can no longer cope with the fear of him being in danger and issues an ultimatum: if her husband doesn't agree, she wants a divorce.
Her words enrage Chen Luzhou's father, who accuses her of deceiving him all along. In his anger, he throws an object. Chen Luzhou quickly steps in to protect his mother, injuring his hand in the process. As his mother tends to his wound, Chen Luzhou expresses a bleak thought – that perhaps if he just left, many of their problems would be solved. His mother reassures him, telling him not to think that way and that the issues between her and his father are theirs to resolve.
The family turmoil leaves Chen Xingqi worried. He asks if his parents will actually divorce and, if so, who Chen Luzhou will live with. Chen Luzhou replies that he wouldn't live with either of them, prompting Chen Xingqi to ask if he could then stay with Chen Luzhou.
In a separate conversation, Xu Zhi is on the phone with Cai Yingying. Cai Yingying recounts overhearing a conversation between her father and his colleague. The colleague had expressed the outdated view that education isn't important for girls and that marriage should be their priority. Cai Yingying's father strongly disagreed, emphasizing the importance of education and stating that his daughter is not inferior to anyone. He proudly declared that Cai Yingying could achieve great things and support him, but even if she didn't, he would support her, and whether she married or not was her own choice.
The episode closes with a subtle romantic gesture. Xu Zhi had previously told Chen Luzhou about a knee problem from her childhood that flares up in rainy weather. Li Ke delivers medicine to Xu Zhi, revealing that it was Chen Luzhou who asked him to bring it. Li Ke playfully chides Chen Luzhou for his indirectness, asking why he doesn't just pursue Xu Zhi openly if he likes her, instead of having him deliver things under pretense. Chen Luzhou offers no response, leaving his true feelings and intentions unspoken.
