Smile to Life Episode 1 Recap
> Smile to Life Recap
Xu Duocheng, a recent piano graduate from the Xinhai Conservatory of Music, found herself at a Death Experience Hall, participating in their inaugural trial, which also broke their opening record. The experience, meant for two hours, extended by an additional five minutes, much to the exasperation of the owner, Brother Liu, who had to pay her an extra 2,000 yuan for the overtime.
Xu Duocheng, however, was unfazed, telling Brother Liu that she was fully conscious and had profoundly grasped the sensation of death. She then excused herself, claiming an urgent matter. She revealed that this "death experience" was a preview for her, a preparation for what was to come. Three months earlier, Xu Duocheng had been diagnosed with ALS, an extremely rare, incurable disease. The news left her shocked, fearful, unwilling, and utterly helpless, plunging her into a life countdown.
She concealed the grim diagnosis, struggling to find meaning in continuing her life. Fortunately, a beacon of hope appeared in the form of singer Jiang Nan's words: "Death stands like a lighthouse, waiting for everyone to arrive. We were born to die. So we should grasp the present and seize the day." Inspired by his message, Xu Duocheng resolved to bravely express herself and pursue her dreams, beginning with an audition for the Star Band.
During her audition, Xu Duocheng performed a highly challenging piano piece. Although the judges praised her rhythm and the overall completion of the track, she made a critical error in the most important section. Consequently, they informed her that they required a more mature and stable professional player, and she was not selected. Despite the setback, Xu Duocheng felt no regrets, content that she had persevered to the very end.
Later, at a jewelry store, Xu Duocheng bought a Wish bone bracelet as an entry gift for her best friend, Keqin, hoping it would bring her good luck. While in the ladies' room, a male voice from the adjacent stall startled her by asking for toilet paper. Initially, she panicked, believing him to be a pervert.
The man quickly realized his mistake, apologized profusely for being in the wrong restroom, and offered her a concert ticket for pop singer Jiang Nan in exchange for the paper. Xu Duocheng, a devoted fan, was skeptical, as she hadn't heard of any upcoming performances. However, upon closer inspection, she confirmed the ticket's authenticity and handed him some tissue. He asked her to check if anyone was outside before he emerged.
After she gave the all-clear, he exited, where his friend, Du, jokingly chided him for his frequent stomach issues and lack of foresight in carrying paper. Xu Duocheng remained unaware that the man was her idol, Jiang Nan. Meeting Keqin at a coffee shop, Xu Duocheng’s friend tried to comfort her about the audition, assuring her it was the Star Band's loss, not hers.
Xu Duocheng dismissed her sadness, declaring it to be in the past, and then presented Keqin with the Wish bone bracelet. She excitedly recounted how she had received a genuine Jiang Nan concert ticket simply by exchanging toilet paper, believing it to be a sign of her destined connection with her "prince charming Nan." Keqin, who had just secured a full-time position at a company called "The Truth," shared her struggles with her demanding boss.
Meanwhile, Jiang Nan received unwelcome news from his manager: his solo concert had been downgraded to an opening act for an undisclosed artist due to sponsor demands. His manager explained that refusing would incur a 1 million yuan penalty, and implored him to prioritize the team's livelihood. Reluctantly, Jiang Nan agreed to perform.
At the concert, a dedicated Xu Duocheng was overjoyed to see her idol, even as many in the sparse audience and a critical reporter (Chief Qin) dismissed Jiang Nan as an "outdated" artist. Jiang Nan performed his single "Island," with only Xu Duocheng singing along passionately in the crowd. Determined to get an autograph, Xu Duocheng headed backstage. Moments after she left the seating area, Gu Jiayi appeared on stage, embracing Jiang Nan, much to his visible anger.
He immediately pushed her away, but the cameras were already flashing. Gu Jiayi addressed the media, clarifying that their interaction was strictly professional—a future musical collaboration—and urged everyone to support Jiang Nan. Just as Jiang Nan was about to leave the stage, a video of him walking into the ladies' room, followed by Xu Duocheng, was unexpectedly displayed on the big screen, leaving Keqin utterly astonished.
Backstage, Jiang Nan was startled by Xu Duocheng's sudden presence, causing them both to tumble onto a sofa. Reporters, who had followed them, quickly captured the scene. Jiang Nan swiftly pulled Xu Duocheng away, fleeing the area. Once they reached a safe distance, Xu Duocheng recognized Jiang Nan's voice from their earlier toilet encounter. Mortified, Jiang Nan made her promise not to disclose the embarrassing incident to anyone.
As they continued their escape in Jiang Nan's car, with Xu Duocheng (who had just gotten her driver's license) erratically driving, causing him to feel nauseous, she reveled in the thrilling experience of being with her idol. After dropping Jiang Nan home, Xu Duocheng secured an autograph, ecstatic about her lucky day and the shared car ride. Later, at home, she realized she had left her scrapbook in Jiang Nan's car.
Without his contact information, she messaged him on Weibo, providing her phone number and reminding him that she was the "girl who gave you paper in the ladies' room and drove you home." The following day, Jiang Nan's manager informed him that paparazzi were still tracking them due to the previous night's scandal.
Upon arriving at the recording studio, Jiang Nan was furious to discover that he was scheduled to collaborate with Gu Jiayi, not the "Mr. Hu" he had been led to expect. He attempted to leave, but his manager earnestly persuaded him to stay, emphasizing the team's financial struggles and the need for him to compromise for their collective livelihood, citing a colleague, Du, whose marriage was delayed due to lack of funds.
Jiang Nan reluctantly agreed, stipulating it would be the "only and last time." During the recording, Jiang Nan repeatedly halted Gu Jiayi's performance, criticizing her for singing off-key, being out of tune, and failing to convey the song's emotional depth. Despite Gu Jiayi's manager suggesting that her status as an actor meant they could rely on auto-tuning, Jiang Nan insisted on professional quality and suggested recording his part first.
Following the session, Gu Jiayi expressed to her manager her belief that she had the power to help Jiang Nan regain his fame. Meanwhile, Keqin called Xu Duocheng on her phone, excitedly telling her that she had become "popular" and urged her to check their company's public account. Xu Duocheng opened the app to find a headline, realizing she was embroiled in a massive misunderstanding.
Concurrently, Jiang Nan's assistant discovered Xu Duocheng's scrapbook in Jiang Nan's car during a car wash. Flipping through it, Jiang Nan found records detailing childhood experiences they had shared, hinting at a connection deeper than either realized. Xu Duocheng met Keqin, who was eager for details about the brewing scandal. Xu Duocheng explained the toilet encounter, confirming that the mysterious man was indeed Jiang Nan. Keqin, surprised, playfully "interviewed" Xu Duocheng about her "dream come true" with her idol.
Xu Duocheng reiterated that it was all a misunderstanding and implored Keqin not to tell anyone, especially her boss, Chief Qin, who was already showing interest in Jiang Nan's story. Just then, Xu Duocheng received a phone call from Jiang Nan, who instructed her to pick up her scrapbook at Sakuragi Coffee, prompting her to abruptly leave Keqin.
