Falling Into Your Smile Episode 1 Recap
> Falling Into Your Smile Recap
On a rain-slicked street, Chen Jinyang rushed into an internet cafe, where a crowd enthusiastically watched a large screen. Tong Yao, the national server's top Tamamo-no-Mae player, was skillfully playing, achieving a pentakill that drew cheers from the audience. After the game, Chen Jinyang immediately pulled Tong Yao away, revealing that she had broken up with her boyfriend, Ai Jia, who prioritized gaming over their relationship.
As they shopped, Tong Yao received a message from a professional team, ZGDX, inviting her to join. Chen Jinyang, initially skeptical and thinking it was a scam, realized it was indeed ZGDX, the famous team where Lu Sicheng played. Back home, Tong Yao told her parents about the offer, but her mother dismissed it as a scam, reminding her she was about to start a corporate job.
Despite her mother's strong disapproval and a scolding about her gaming habits, Tong Yao, contemplating in bed that night, decided to take the leap and booked a flight to Shanghai to learn more about professional e-sports. In Shanghai, Tong Yao met Xiao Rui, the manager of ZGDX, outside the arena. Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the ZGDX team bus, which was immediately swarmed by reporters.
They cornered God Ming, the team's Mid laner, questioning him about rumors of his retirement due to a hand injury. God Ming remained silent as his teammates coolly walked past the media. Xiao Rui then formally invited Tong Yao to join ZGDX, stating that her joining would be the biggest news of the year, especially with God Ming's impending retirement creating a vacant Mid laner spot. Tong Yao later went to a supermarket to buy supplies.
Finding only one large bottle of water, she hid it on the highest shelf. Lu Sicheng, ZGDX's captain and famed AD player, coincidentally entered the aisle and observed her actions, musing aloud about "short people" who hide things on high shelves. After Tong Yao left, Lu Sicheng retrieved the water.
Back at the team base, his teammate Fatty immediately drank from the bottle, much to Lu Sicheng's quiet displeasure, as he recounted the strange encounter with "a short girl" in the supermarket. Later, in an elevator, Tong Yao was surprised to find herself sharing the space with Lu Sicheng. Flustered and carrying many items, she struggled to reach the button for the 46th floor. Lu Sicheng, seeing her predicament, silently pressed the button for her.
Embarrassed, Tong Yao stammered that she could have reached it, but Lu Sicheng simply acknowledged her with a terse "OK." On the day of the OPL Spring Championship finals, Tong Yao attended the match with Chen Jinyang. The hosts introduced the CK team, highlighting their popular Jungler, Jian Yang, also known as God Yang. Next, ZGDX was introduced, featuring Lao Mao, God Ming, K, Fatty, and their captain, Lu Sicheng.
As the players settled into their booths, Jian Yang spotted Tong Yao in the audience via the broadcast screen. Startled, he spat out his water and referred to her as his "ancestor," who was there to "collect a debt." The Ban/Pick phase began. ZGDX banned Yamakaze, Miketsu, and Satori, while CK banned Kosodenote, Enma, and Aobozu. For their first pick, ZGDX chose Menreiki.
CK intended to counter with Tamamo-no-Mae, but Jian Yang, distracted by seeing Tong Yao, made a crucial error and accidentally locked in Ootengu instead, shocking everyone. The first game commenced with Jian Yang clearly off his game. He made repeated mistakes, getting caught and killed multiple times, collapsing his team's tempo. His teammates grew frustrated as he accumulated a dismal score of zero kills, eight deaths, and two assists.
During a crucial team fight, Jian Yang made another misplay, leading to his demise. ZGDX capitalized on CK's disarray and won the first game. Afterward, a visibly annoyed Jian Yang left the stage. Outside, he encountered Tong Yao and tried to apologize for their past, but she remained cool, stating their relationship was over and that ZGDX had invited her to play professionally.
Jian Yang scoffed at the idea of a girl playing professionally, prompting Tong Yao to retort about his own embarrassing performance. In the second game, Jian Yang picked his signature Shikigami, Mannendake, determined to vent his frustration. He displayed high-level maneuvers, securing first blood on ZGDX's Jungler, K. However, Lu Sicheng countered with a brilliant play in the mid lane, securing a double kill and giving ZGDX an advantage. A tense period of maneuvering ensued.
Suddenly, Jian Yang's Mannendake ambushed and eliminated Lu Sicheng, shifting the momentum. Jian Yang then went on a rampage, securing a triple kill as CK wiped ZGDX and won the second game, tying the series 1-1. The third game began with ZGDX strategically targeting Jian Yang, forcing CK onto the defensive. As a critical fight for Orochi began, Jian Yang successfully stole the objective, turning the tide for CK.
A fierce battle erupted, and in the end, only Jian Yang and Lu Sicheng remained. After a dazzling display of skill from both players, Jian Yang ultimately defeated Lu Sicheng, securing a quadra kill and leading CK to victory, crowning them the champions. As CK celebrated, God Ming looked at his hands, silently blaming his injury for the loss. Just as the crowd prepared to leave, God Ming returned to the stage.
He delivered an emotional speech, announcing his official retirement. He spoke about his journey, his family's initial disapproval, and his dream for e-sports. He expressed regret that his hand injury forced him to step down, making way for fresh blood. He looked toward Tong Yao, saying he hoped someone would carry on his dream. Inspired, Tong Yao stood up and publicly declared her decision to join ZGDX. Outside the arena, Jian Yang confronted Tong Yao again.
He was shocked that she had actually joined ZGDX, questioning why she didn't join his team instead since he was the one who taught her how to play. Tong Yao firmly told him that her decision was her own dream and had nothing to do with him, criticizing his poor performance in the first game. Jian Yang angrily retorted that he could have intentionally lost the other two games as a "gift" to her new team.
Tong Yao defiantly stated that ZGDX didn't need his charity. Their heated argument concluded with both agreeing to face each other on the battlefield. As they argued, Lu Sicheng appeared. He stated he had overheard their loud argument and sarcastically remarked he was enjoying the "sweet" drama. Acknowledging his new "interesting" teammate, he noted that the fun of life and gaming lies in its unpredictability. He then asked Tong Yao if she was ready for all that lay ahead.
