Episode Summary
A suitor's outdated public confession for Xu Zhi is met with her disapproval. Meanwhile, Zhu Yangqi reveals Chen Luzhou had asked him to look after Xu Zhi in Beijing. The major development is Chen Luzhou's surprise return; he has forgone studying abroad and successfully gained supplementary admission to Huaguang University, where Xu Zhi studies. He becomes roommates with Zhu Yangqi and decides to tell Xu Zhi about his return when the time is right. The episode ends with Chen Luzhou seeing a shocked Xu Zhi in the university cafeteria.
Spoiler Alert
"Be Passionately in Love" Episode 15 Recap & Spoilers: The Return
The episode kicks off with a rather cringeworthy public confession. A young man stands outside the dorms, flowers in hand and megaphone blaring, ready to declare his love. Xu Zhi's roommates find the spectacle hilariously outdated. Xu Zhi, however, sees it as more than just old-fashioned; she calls it "moral blackmail," especially if the feelings aren't mutual, as it puts the girl in an incredibly awkward position. To everyone's surprise, the grand gesture is for Xu Zhi herself.
Meanwhile, Xu Zhi is on the phone with her father, who inquires about her leg injury. She assures him it's much better. He hears the commotion outside, and Xu Zhi explains someone is confessing to her. Her father advises her not to get caught up in such things at the moment. Xu Zhi dismisses the admirer, commenting that he's "not even as handsome as Chen Luzhou," a remark that piques her father's curiosity about Chen Luzhou's relevance. She further criticizes the confessor, a literature student, for lacking originality by using someone else's poetry for his big moment.
One of Xu Zhi's roommates goes down to tell the persistent suitor to give it a rest, mentioning that many are pursuing Xu Zhi and he should "get in line." The guy argues that love isn't about "first come, first served," to which the roommate retorts that even Jiang Yu is still "in line." The roommates generally find Jiang Yu quite handsome, though Xu Zhi remains unimpressed. They tease her, saying "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and perhaps her ex-boyfriend wasn't all that handsome either. Xu Zhi coolly replies that it's a matter of her "own aesthetic standards."
In a lighter scene, Zhu Yangqi is video chatting with Cai Yingying while working out. Cai Yingying spots a very muscular guy in the background and playfully asks Zhu Yangqi to move aside so she can get a better look. Later, when Xu Zhi and Zhu Yangqi are out eating, he brings this up, a bit miffed that his own physique was overlooked. Xu Zhi explains that perhaps Cai Yingying and others prefer the "lean when clothed, muscular when unclothed" type.
Zhu Yangqi then shares something more serious: Chen Luzhou had asked him, back when they were heading to Beijing, to look out for Xu Zhi and ensure she wasn't bullied. However, Chen Luzhou also said she was free to date whomever she pleased. Xu Zhi presses for more details about Chen Luzhou's exact words. Zhu Yangqi reiterates that the main point was her protection. He then suggests that Xu Zhi should perhaps try dating someone new instead of constantly seeking Chen Luzhou's "shadow" in other guys.
The big twist: Zhu Yangqi bumps into Chen Luzhou! He's stunned and asks when Chen Luzhou returned. Over a meal, Chen Luzhou reveals he's no longer going abroad and has applied for supplementary admission to Huaguang University. Zhu Yangqi is ecstatic and asks if Chen Luzhou's family approved. Chen Luzhou firmly states that from now on, he'll only listen to himself. Zhu Yangqi, desperate to escape his current roommate's snoring, asks where Chen Luzhou is staying and proposes they become roommates. Chen Luzhou agrees, stipulating they'll split the utility bills.
Back at university, Xu Zhi and her roommates head to class, only to find Jiang Yu has saved them seats. Her roommates tease her, asking if she and Jiang Yu are now an item, which Xu Zhi denies. The topic of supplementary admission comes up, with the current students feeling a bit anxious – if these latecomers, who've missed a month of classes, turn out to be academically superior, it would be quite embarrassing. On their way back, Jiang Yu approaches Xu Zhi to ask if she's available for overtime work during the National Day holiday, clearly hoping to spend more time with her. Xu Zhi turns him down.
Chen Luzhou checks his results and confirms his supplementary admission to Huaguang University was successful! Zhu Yangqi is overjoyed for him.
Later, Cai Yingying drops by Zhu Yangqi's place and notices everything is in pairs (two sets of items), leading her to jokingly ask if he has a girlfriend. As she's about to leave, Chen Luzhou walks in. Naturally, Cai Yingying wants to immediately tell Xu Zhi the news. However, Chen Luzhou requests her to keep it a secret for now, promising he'll tell Xu Zhi himself when the "time is right." Cai Yingying agrees.
Shortly after, Cai Yingying meets up with Xu Zhi, and they have a cheerful reunion. The episode culminates with Chen Luzhou spotting Xu Zhi in the university cafeteria. Xu Zhi looks up and is visibly stunned to see him there, setting the stage for a highly anticipated reunion.
