Episode Summary
In "Be Passionately in Love" Episode 24, Xu Zhi and Chen Luzhou's relationship deepens as they discuss their future plans. While their friends Cai Yingying and Zhu Yangqi navigate a fight and reconcile, Chen Luzhou executes a heartfelt surprise proposal to Xu Zhi by hiding a ring in a felt doll he had given her. Shortly after, Chen Luzhou leaves for an exchange program in Ruicheng. Xu Zhi surprises him with a visit, and he, in turn, shows her two meaningful locations: a bridge from a movie they both love and a building designed by her late mother. The episode concludes with the newly engaged couple taking their wedding photos.
Spoiler Alert
Be Passionately in Love Episode 24 Recap: A Surprise Proposal and a Journey into the Past
The episode opens with Xu Zhi waking up early, eager to work on her architectural drawings. Chen Luzhou, still sleepy, wishes she would come back to bed for a little longer, but she insists she’s on a tight deadline.
Later, while home for the university holiday, Chen Luzhou accompanies Xu Zhi on an errand. They run into her father, who is returning from grocery shopping. Chen Luzhou quickly steps in to carry the bags, a simple gesture that delights Xu Zhi’s dad, who happily remarks that it feels like he has gained a son.
Their peaceful day takes a turn when they meet up with their friends, Cai Yingying and Zhu Yangqi, for a meal. The tension between the couple is thick enough to cut with a knife; they’re in the middle of a fight and refuse to speak to one another. Sensing the awkwardness, Chen Luzhou drags Zhu Yangqi away under the pretense of buying drinks, giving the guys a chance to talk. Zhu Yangqi vents his frustrations about Cai Yingying, clearly upset about their argument.
Meanwhile, Cai Yingying chats with Xu Zhi about the future. Now in her fifth year of university, Xu Zhi reveals she has received several job offers and is weighing her options. When the conversation turns to Chen Luzhou, who is in his second year of graduate school, Xu Zhi shares that she believes he wants to stay at their university to teach. She explains that he is inspired by his professor, Bai Jiang, a talented academic who has struggled for years to be promoted to a full professor. Xu Zhi thinks Chen Luzhou wants to follow in his mentor's footsteps and challenge the system. She fully supports his ambition.
The conversation is interrupted when Zhu Yangqi returns, holding a bouquet of flowers for Cai Yingying. Not to be left out, Chen Luzhou presents a bouquet to Xu Zhi as well. Just as it seems the conflict might be resolved, Cai Yingying gets an urgent call from work. A host has canceled, and she needs to fill in for an interview at the last minute.
Zhu Yangqi accompanies her to the shoot, where things quickly go south. A heated dispute breaks out between the shop owner and the production crew. Without hesitating, Zhu Yangqi steps in to de-escalate the situation, calmly stating that he has already called the police. He later explains to Cai Yingying that he doesn’t oppose her career but worries for her safety in unpredictable situations like this. All he asks is that she promises to protect herself, no matter what. She agrees, and the two finally reconcile.
In a stunning turn of events, Chen Luzhou asks Xu Zhi for her phone. He then takes a pair of scissors and carefully cuts open a small felt doll he had gifted her long ago. Tucked safely inside is an engagement ring. As their friends, including Li Ke, watch with joy, Chen Luzhou proposes. A tearful Xu Zhi accepts, and he slides the ring onto her finger.
The celebration is short-lived as reality sets in. Chen Luzhou is scheduled to leave for an exchange program in Ruicheng, and their fifth anniversary is just around the corner. When Li Ke learns they aren't celebrating early, he jokingly wonders if their honeymoon phase is finally over.
The day of Chen Luzhou’s departure arrives, but a last-minute, urgent assignment from her team leader prevents Xu Zhi from seeing him off at the airport. She has no choice but to let him go alone, leaving him feeling disappointed.
After settling in Ruicheng, Chen Luzhou calls Xu Zhi. She mentions that a movie they both love is being re-screened in the city and suggests he see it if he has time. "I miss you," he tells her, and she softly replies, "I miss you, too."
Following her advice, Chen Luzhou goes to the movie. As he walks out of the theater, he’s stunned to see Xu Zhi waiting for him. She flew all the way to Ruicheng to surprise him. Overjoyed, he tells her he has a surprise for her as well. He takes her to a picturesque bridge, and after snapping a photo, he shows it to her. She’s amazed to realize it’s the exact same bridge featured in the film they love.
But Chen Luzhou isn't done. He leads her to a building and points to a dedication plaque listing the names of its designers. At the very top of the list is Lin Qiudie—Xu Zhi’s late mother. Xu Zhi is overcome with emotion, having never known that her mother had designed a building in this city.
As they stand there, Xu Zhi asks him, "What is love?" Chen Luzhou thoughtfully replies that love is hoping the person you care about is by your side, always becoming a better version of themselves. For Xu Zhi, the answer is simpler: "Love is a story that never ends."
The episode concludes with the couple returning to their hometown, where they are seen taking their wedding photos, ready to begin their own story.
