Episode Summary
In "Be Passionately in Love" Episode 20, Zhu Yangqi faces harsh criticism about his art but is comforted by Cai Yingying. Meanwhile, Chen Luzhou impresses Professor Bai Jiang in a class he's auditing, only to discover the professor is the father of his friend Jiang Cheng's girlfriend. The episode's emotional center is Xu Zhi, who suffers a nightmare about her deceased mother's disapproval. In a deeply moving gesture, Chen Luzhou writes a letter to Xu Zhi's late mother, asking her to praise her daughter in future dreams. The episode also reveals Xu Zhi's father has a new girlfriend and concludes with a farewell dinner for Cai Yingying.
Spoiler Alert
Be Passionately in Love Episode 20 Recap & Spoilers: A Letter to the Afterlife
This episode delves deep into the insecurities and emotional scars that haunt the characters, even as they find solace and strength in each other. From artistic rejection to lingering family trauma, the group navigates a series of emotional hurdles, culminating in one of the most touching gestures of the series.
A Painter's Spirit is Tested
Zhu Yangqi's artistic ambitions face a harsh reality check when he approaches a senior student to ask for a small space to display his paintings. The senior bluntly refuses, telling him his work wasn't even good enough for the freshman exhibition, let alone the all-school show. He cruelly adds that the university only accepted people like Zhu Yangqi to make others feel more confident. He advises him to give up painting and become a fitness instructor instead.
Just as Zhu Yangqi is absorbing this brutal critique, Cai Yingying arrives. Mortified, Zhu Yangqi tries to downplay the situation, but Cai Yingying offers him comfort. She reminds him that he's already succeeded by getting into a top-tier university, while she is still struggling in prep school. She delivers a powerful and comforting speech, explaining that while most people are destined to be part of the 99 percent rather than the top one percent, it doesn't stop them from working hard to achieve their dreams. Her words lift his spirits, and he promises to invite her to his first solo exhibition one day.
New Connections and Surprising Relatives
Meanwhile, Chen Luzhou decides to audit a class with the highly-regarded Professor Bai Jiang. During a practical business simulation, Chen Luzhou's group is one of only two to turn a profit. Impressed, Professor Bai asks about his strategic thinking. Chen Luzhou explains his reasoning, earning a nod of approval from the professor.
Later, Chen Luzhou tells his friends, Li Ke and Jiang Cheng, that he's considering transferring to Professor Bai's department, feeling that the professor's style and energy are a better fit. With a two-to-one vote in favor, Li Ke agrees. Jiang Cheng casually mentions that he can get Professor Bai's contact information for them, which puzzles his friends, as he is a computer science major. The surprise comes when Jiang Cheng reveals the connection: Professor Bai is his girlfriend's father.
A Nightmare and a Heartfelt Wish
The emotional core of the episode revolves around Xu Zhi, who is plagued by a nightmare in which her late mother berates her relentlessly. In the dream, Xu Zhi cries out, wondering what she has to do to ever earn a word of praise. The dream leaves her listless and withdrawn. When Chen Luzhou comes to take her to dinner, he finds her in low spirits, and she confides in him about the nightmare. [1] To lift her spirits, he suggests they visit a temple to offer prayers.
At the temple, they unexpectedly run into Zhu Yangqi and Cai Yingying. Chen Luzhou attempts to leave a letter he has written, but the attendant informs him they only accept prayer plaques, not personal letters. He seemingly gives up on the idea.
Later that day, Xu Zhi discovers the letter tucked into her pocket. She opens it to find that Chen Luzhou has written a letter to her deceased mother. In it, he explains that Xu Zhi had a dream about her and was deeply hurt by the constant criticism. He respectfully asks her mother, should she visit Xu Zhi in her dreams again, to please offer her a word of praise and tell her that she is wonderful.
Deeply moved by his profound act of kindness and understanding, Xu Zhi finds Chen Luzhou and embraces him, thanking him for the letter.
Family Ties and Farewells
The episode also touches on Xu Zhi's family life. She calls her father, but a woman identifying herself as a caregiver answers. She explains that Xu Zhi's father took a minor fall while trying to break up a disturbance at the hospital but is otherwise fine. In reality, this woman, Director Wei, is his girlfriend. She tells him she isn't ready to remarry while her son is still in high school, preferring to wait until all their children are grown and settled. He lovingly agrees to her terms.
The episode concludes with the friends gathering for a farewell dinner for Cai Yingying, whose prep school courses have finished. She is emotional about leaving Xu Zhi, but her friends reassure her. Chen Luzhou encourages her to stay confident, telling her that based on her previous year's scores, getting into a good university shouldn't be a problem. As the dinner winds down, Chen Luzhou, ever attentive to Xu Zhi, makes an excuse to leave early with her, bringing their eventful day to a quiet close.
