Make My Heart Smile Episode 17 Recap
> Make My Heart Smile Recap
Ye Weimian, Zuo Sichen, and another friend returned for dinner after a morning of sketching, only to find Gu Yanluo had not come back. Worried, Ye Weimian volunteered to find him. Despite the darkening sky and the sudden rain, Ye Weimian set out, calling for Gu Yanluo, certain he would not have an umbrella. She suspected he might be sleeping in his car or still at their morning sketching spot.
Meanwhile, Mu Ze had located a suitable engine for Lu Yao’s motorcycle at a shop, excitedly telling her it would be a "big surprise." He brought Lu Yao to the shop, but the owner explained the engine was a discontinued model, kept only as a collector's item and not for sale. The owner recognized Mu Ze, recalling how Mu Ze had poured water into Lu Yao's motorcycle's fuel tank, despite the owner's warning not to mistreat an old engine.
Lu Yao was shocked to realize that Mu Ze was responsible for her motorcycle breaking down. Ye Weimian returned to their sketching spot and discovered a bracelet with "Y&y" engraved on it. She then found Gu Yanluo there. He teased her, asking if she had come to find him and implying she "didn't care" about him. She admitted Grandma was worried and sent her. Their conversation quickly turned to their recent misunderstanding.
Gu Yanluo was upset that she had gone out with Zuo Sichen, especially since he, as her boyfriend, hadn't even visited her home. Ye Weimian clarified that her anger wasn't about him being with Xia Yuanqing but about him letting Xia Yuanqing wear the T-shirt he had given her and being in "their" space, causing a misunderstanding.
Gu Yanluo, acknowledging Ye Weimian's observation that he had become an "Asian jealous king," apologized and promised such a thing would never happen again. He then explained that the bracelet, which had seemingly found its way to her, was designed by him with their initials, symbolizing "Gu Yanluo will always love Ye Weimian." As they reconciled, Zuo Sichen arrived and saw their intimate moment.
He quietly left, returning to his room to draw, while Gu Yanluo later came back with a blanket, stating Mian was afraid he would be cold. The next day, Ye Weimian and her friends bid farewell to Grandma before returning to school. Ye Weimian was reluctant to leave her grandmother alone, so Gu Yanluo promised that in the future, Grandma would come and live with them.
While stopped at a traffic light, Zuo Sichen saw Gu Yanluo and Ye Weimian being affectionate in their car. He interjected, telling Gu Yanluo to focus on driving. Gu Yanluo retorted that improper driving leads to tears and advised Zuo Sichen to stop looking into other people’s cars. Upon returning, Ye Weimian greeted Lu Yao enthusiastically, but Lu Yao was unusually quiet and aloof, cleaning the glass with unusual vigor.
When Ye Weimian jokingly suggested she might be heartbroken, Lu Yao quickly changed the subject to the upcoming fashion design contest, which Ye Weimian then went to prepare for by buying snacks. At the contest, backstage, Mu Ze called out to Lu Yao. Lu Yao quickly made an excuse to Gu Yanluo, saying she had something urgent to attend to, and urged him to go encourage Ye Weimian, who she felt needed support.
Backstage, Zuo Sichen came to speak with Ye Weimian, congratulating her as the "most potential candidate" and asking if she was nervous. Gu Yanluo, seeing Zuo Sichen, quickly walked over and embraced Ye Weimian, implicitly asserting his presence. Zuo Sichen, acknowledging Gu Yanluo's arrival, then left to prepare for the front stage. Gu Yanluo took Ye Weimian's bag and escorted her out. Ye Weimian was announced as the winner of the National University Student Fashion Design Contest.
However, another contestant immediately challenged the result, claiming unfair judging due to Ye Weimian's close relationship with Zuo Sichen. She even presented a photo of Zuo Sichen touching Ye Weimian's head as "proof." The audience murmured in disagreement, feeling their hard work had been for naught. Zuo Sichen stepped forward, defending Ye Weimian by showcasing her award-winning design and its inherent warmth and optimism, asserting its worthiness.
The contestant, realizing her own work couldn't compare, then accused them of having the theme leaked beforehand, leaving Ye Weimian speechless. From the audience, Gu Yanluo, a representative of Gu's Group, stepped onto the stage. To resolve the dispute and ensure fairness, he announced an impromptu additional contest round. He stated that the judges would issue a new theme, and if Ye Weimian's subsequent design failed to impress, her championship would be revoked.
However, if she delivered a convincing piece, she would be crowned the undisputed champion. Gu Yanluo and Zuo Sichen both expressed their strong belief in Ye Weimian’s talent, declaring that "art and strength should speak for themselves." Zuo Sichen voluntarily withdrew from his judging position to ensure impartiality. Ye Weimian accepted the challenge. The theme for the added contest was "So Close Yet So Far." Inspired by Gu Yanluo and Zuo Sichen, Ye Weimian designed a flawless piece.
She explained her design philosophy to the audience: "So Close Yet So Far" represents the duality of life. She admitted that she, like many, had faced difficulties and felt hesitant or even suffocated. However, she emphasized that the nature of the difficulty is less important than how one faces it. If one hesitates, even a short distance can feel like a vast expanse; conversely, if one bravely moves forward, the vast distance feels within reach.
Her design incorporated intricate patterns, including two intertwined ouroboros, subtly referencing the Mobius Band principle. She showcased how the dress could transform from a short to a long gown, symbolizing a bud blooming into a flower, representing youthful growth and the idea that through courage and resilience, a bright future is attainable. The judges praised her as a "Girl of Inspirations" for her astounding creativity and the speed with which she executed her design. The audience erupted in applause.
Ye Weimian was congratulated for her well-deserved victory, with Lu Yao hugging her and affirming her brilliance. After the contest, Lu Yao said she had to leave for another commitment, promising to celebrate with Ye Weimian later. Gu Yanluo intervened, asserting that Ye Weimian had a prior engagement with him, thus declining the offer for a group celebration.
Later, while Ye Weimian was learning to drive with Gu Yanluo in the car, he received a call but declined to join for a swim, stating he was with Mian. He cryptically advised the caller about road safety and precautions, which the caller misinterpreted, before clarifying he simply meant to be safe. As Ye Weimian was unsure about the car pedals, Gu Yanluo took over the wheel, allowing her to observe his driving technique.
