Falling Into Your Smile Episode 31 (Ending) Recap
> Falling Into Your Smile Recap
The grand finals of the National Championship were about to begin. Off-stage, Tong Yao's parents eagerly watched the television, anticipating their daughter's performance, while the members of the CK team gathered around a computer screen to spectate. During the Ban/Pick phase, the pre-game trash talk was in full swing across the team channels. Fatty confidently claimed that ZGDX's bottom lane was so strong they could win with "a dog" as support.
Lee Gun Hyuk of YQCB, known as Hierophant, issued a public challenge to Lu Sicheng, declaring his intent to defeat him on his home turf and witness his "tears of regret" while lifting the trophy. Lu Sicheng, unfazed, retorted that the answer to "who's the World's Best AD" would always be himself. In the mid-lane channel, YQCB's Ai Jia condescendingly stated that "e-sports is a men's world" and promised to teach Tong Yao a lesson.
Tong Yao fired back, calling him a "cowardly farmer who only waits for team fights" and daring him to fight her head-on instead of hiding under his tower. The banter escalated with playful arguments about ZGDX's infamous "duo top lane" and Lu Sicheng's supposed tantrums, prompting Lu Sicheng to jokingly threaten his teammate with a lawsuit for spreading rumors. Finally, a stern God Ming interrupted their playful chatter, urging them to focus as the Ban/Pick phase officially commenced.
As the first game began, Fatty, playing Umibozu, attempted an early invade into the enemy jungle but was quickly spotted by Hierophant. His risky move cost him both his Flash and Bind, earning a sharp rebuke from Lu Sicheng. Familiar with Hierophant's aggressive style, Lu Sicheng warned that a gank was coming at level three. True to his prediction, Hierophant attempted a tower dive on the bot lane.
However, he miscalculated by taking tower aggro first, which allowed Lu Sicheng to shield Fatty and save him. Hierophant was forced to flee with critical health. Meanwhile, in the top-side jungle, Lao K discovered YQCB's jungler, Kim Eun Suk, stealing his creeps and called Tong Yao for help. Their coordinated attack successfully eliminated Kim Eun Suk, securing First Blood for ZGDX.
Despite the early advantages, God Ming cautioned the team against overconfidence, noting that Ai Jia excelled at finding opportunities under pressure. His warning proved prescient when a confident Tong Yao overextended, attempting a solo tower dive on Ai Jia. Kim Eun Suk emerged from a nearby brush, ambushing and killing her. YQCB then began to relentlessly target Tong Yao, severely stunting her in-game economy. As the game progressed, YQCB grouped up in the mid lane.
Tong Yao impulsively initiated a fight, and though ZGDX followed up, the poor timing resulted in a devastating 2-for-4 exchange in YQCB's favor. With their significant lead, YQCB moved to secure Orochi. However, the revived ZGDX members rushed to contest. While the team engaged from the front, Lao K snuck in from behind, creating an opening for Lu Sicheng to skillfully steal Orochi from under YQCB's noses. Caught off guard, YQCB was forced to retreat to their high ground.
ZGDX pushed relentlessly, picking off the YQCB members one by one. Lu Sicheng secured a Triple Kill, and as the last opponent fell, ZGDX destroyed their base, claiming victory in the first game. Before the second game, still mindful of her previous overaggression, Tong Yao repeatedly chanted "farm timidly, don't throw" to herself, amusing her teammates. In the bot lane, Lu Sicheng cleverly baited Hierophant, leading to an easy First Blood for ZGDX and prompting Fatty to taunt his counterpart.
However, YQCB quickly retaliated. Their jungler, Kim Eun Suk, coordinated with Hierophant to gank and eliminate Lu Sicheng. Kim Eun Suk then rotated mid, catching an overconfident Tong Yao off guard and securing another kill, which allowed him to snowball his advantage. Finding themselves at a disadvantage, ZGDX made a desperate attempt to sneak Orochi. But YQCB anticipated the move and collapsed on them, turning a two-man attempt into a five-on-two slaughter.
Lu Sicheng and Lao K were eliminated, and the rest of ZGDX fell shortly after, resulting in a team wipe and the loss of Orochi. YQCB then pushed to ZGDX's base and destroyed it, evening the series 1-1. After the loss, Lu Sicheng reminded Tong Yao of his old adage: "In e-sports, being a noob is a crime," stressing the need to win the final game. The third and final game began with the score tied.
The immense pressure was palpable, especially on Tong Yao, who hesitated during hero selection. At God Ming's urging, she locked in Onikiri, a hero she had previously lost with against YQCB, surprising commentators and fans. The game started with Ai Jia immediately pressuring Tong Yao under her tower. Seeing she needed help, Lao Mao and Lao K rotated mid. Ai Jia, having pushed too far, was caught out and eliminated by Tong Yao and Lao Mao, giving ZGDX First Blood.
Kim Eun Suk, who had also come to gank Tong Yao, was then swiftly killed by Lao Mao, resulting in a crucial two-for-zero trade for ZGDX. The team then secured the Kraken, engaging in lighthearted banter during the lull, with Lu Sicheng joking that the long match was making him need a restroom break. The game stretched past the 50-minute mark, becoming a "bladder game," as the commentators called it.
Fatigue set in, with Lu Sicheng feeling pain in his hand. Just as morale began to dip, Fatty spontaneously started singing a silly song. The other ZGDX members joined in, creating a singing relay that instantly lifted their spirits. The critical moment arrived as ZGDX pushed YQCB's high ground. In the ensuing team fight, Hierophant managed to eliminate Tong Yao, and Fatty also fell.
Lu Sicheng traded back, killing Kim Eun Suk and Hierophant before being taken down by Ai Jia, leaving only Lao Mao and Lao K to defend their base. Just as YQCB prepared for a final push, Tong Yao revived. Rushing back into the fray, she eliminated Ai Jia with a single combo and went on to secure a Triple Kill, single-handedly turning the tide.
With Lu Sicheng also reviving, the commentators dubbed them the "Condor Heroes of e-sports" as they charged YQCB's base. Lu Sicheng intercepted a respawning Hierophant, allowing Tong Yao to bypass him and directly assault the enemy crystal. Seconds before YQCB's other players could respawn, Tong Yao destroyed the crystal, sealing a dramatic victory for ZGDX and punching their ticket to the World Championship. The arena erupted in cheers.
On stage, Lu Sicheng and Tong Yao shared a passionate kiss amidst the celebration. Across the platform, Ai Jia spotted his girlfriend, Chen Jinyang, in the crowd, jumped down from the stage, and embraced her with a kiss of his own. Sometime later, Ai Jia and Chen Jinyang held their wedding. Tong Yao, serving as a bridesmaid, caught the bride's bouquet. At that exact moment, a well-dressed Lu Sicheng, looking like a groom-to-be, slowly emerged from the crowd and walked towards her.
