Smile to Life Episode 14 Recap
> Smile to Life Recap
After a photoshoot where Xu Duocheng and Jiang Nan took many beautiful pictures, Jiang Nan admired Xu Duocheng's sweet smile. They decided to keep all the photos, much to the annoyance of Zhu Linfeng, who, witnessing their affectionate display, stomped away in a fit of jealousy. Later, while looking at the photos, Ke Qin expressed surprise that they were actual wedding photos, teasing that their "fake relationship" was becoming too real.
Xu Duocheng clarified it was merely for work to promote Jiang Nan's music, but Ke Qin insisted the photos were "so sweet." Meanwhile, at a family meal, Da Lin, who secretly admired Xu Duocheng, became visibly jealous when the wedding photos were mentioned. Feeling that Jiang Nan should have taken wedding photos with her, Gu Jiayi devised a plan to trouble Xu Duocheng. She went to Zhan Zhilin's music store, where Xu Duocheng worked, to take piano lessons.
Xu Duocheng was surprised but agreed to teach her for work. During a lesson, Gu Jiayi casually inquired about Jiang Nan. Unsuspecting, Xu Duocheng openly described Jiang Nan's noisy sleeping habits, including snoring, grinding his teeth, and kicking blankets. Gu Jiayi feigned politeness, but was inwardly furious. Afterwards, Gu Jiayi asked Xu Duocheng not to tell Jiang Nan about the lessons, citing his overthinking nature.
Meanwhile, Xu Daqiang, Xu Duocheng's father, playfully tried to get money from his wife to buy her a big diamond ring, despite her annoyance over his hidden private savings. He presented her with a small "Mosang stone" ring and promised a real diamond in the future, professing his love and acknowledging she suffered with him.
Their tender moment was interrupted when Jiang Nan, wearing a mask for a low profile, arrived at the "He Jia Huan" restaurant's grand opening, making the situation awkward. Xu Daqiang then expressed dismay that Xu Duocheng was at the music store for an extra class instead of at the family restaurant's opening. As the restaurant officially opened, Xu Daqiang proudly introduced Bao Rui, an investor, and then Jiang Nan, his daughter's talented musician boyfriend, to his guests.
The festivities took an unexpected turn when Zhan Zhilin arrived and openly declared himself as one of Xu Duocheng's suitors, much to Xu Daqiang's surprise. Xu Duocheng's mother, however, seemed pleased, noting that both Jiang Nan and Zhan Zhilin were handsome and talented, remarking how popular her daughter had become.
Jiang Nan later confronted Zhan Zhilin, urging him not to treat Xu Duocheng or her family as pawns, as they were people he cherished and he would not allow them to be harmed. Zhan Zhilin, however, retorted that Jiang Nan was scared, stating the "game" had just become interesting and that he would never give up on Xu Duocheng, intending to make Jiang Nan worry and feel helpless. He also referenced his own mother, claiming "they" had caused her death.
Separately, Zhan Zhilin met with Gu Jiayi, angrily questioning why she sought out Xu Duocheng for piano lessons, especially after the wedding photos. Gu Jiayi feigned innocence, claiming familiarity. Zhan Zhilin warned her not to provoke Xu Duocheng, threatening repercussions. When Gu Jiayi suggested they were alike, Zhan Zhilin countered that he would compete fairly with Jiang Nan for Xu Duocheng, further infuriating Gu Jiayi that Xu Duocheng, whom she considered a "bean sprout," had become such a coveted prize.
At home, Jiang Nan had elaborately decorated the room with flowers, planning a surprise for Xu Duocheng. However, Xu Duocheng had just returned from a hospital check-up, where her doctor reminded her to regularly take her Edaravone injections, acknowledging that her condition was worsening. Xu Duocheng wrestled with the reality of her uncertain future, resolving to cherish the present. Upon seeing the romantic setup, she immediately realized Jiang Nan's intentions.
Pre-empting his proposal, she told him she planned to move out the next day, stating that his scandal had subsided and their contract had run its course. Jiang Nan was stunned, confessing that the contract no longer mattered and asking her not to mention repayment. He pressed her about her true feelings.
Xu Duocheng admitted she liked him, but clarified it was the "love of a fan for a singer," not a romantic love for the "real him," asserting they were fundamentally incompatible. Jiang Nan was left speechless. The next morning, Xu Duocheng found Jiang Nan still waiting outside her door, having stayed there all night, afraid she would quietly leave.
He pleaded with her to work through their differences, offering to change for her, but Xu Duocheng firmly refused, reiterating that she had thought it through and he didn't need to change. She reflected internally on her "no future" and the impossibility of accompanying him through mountains, witnessing his starry path, or walking hand-in-hand through life.
Just then, Bao Rui called Jiang Nan on the phone, reporting that the address of Lu Youyou, Jiang Nan's mother's nursing home, had been exposed, and reporters were swarming. Jiang Nan and Xu Duocheng rushed to the nursing home. The doctor there advised relocating Lu Youyou to a familiar environment, such as her hometown, to prevent further psychological distress, as her condition was critical and another shock could undo all progress.
Chairman Zhan, Zhan Zhilin's father, also learned of his son's frequent visits to the nursing home and suspected his involvement in the address leak. He immediately went to the nursing home. There, Jiang Nan angrily confronted Chairman Zhan, accusing "them" of causing his mother enough suffering and demanding he leave.
Chairman Zhan offered a bouquet of flowers, hoping Jiang Nan would pass it to his mother to ease tensions, but Jiang Nan dismissed his efforts as futile, lamenting that his mother didn't even recognize him, let alone Chairman Zhan, and refusing to accept the flowers. Later, Chairman Zhan called Zhan Zhilin on the phone, questioning if he was responsible for exposing the address and urging him to let go of the past.
Zhan Zhilin defiantly declared that the matter would "never be over." Jiang Nan, his mother Lu Youyou, and Xu Duocheng then traveled back to their hometown. Jiang Nan's aunt greeted them warmly, but Lu Youyou did not recognize her sister-in-law, instead mistaking Jiang Nan for her deceased husband. The aunt comforted them, and Xu Duocheng was introduced.
Inside, Xu Duocheng saw Jiang Nan's childhood photos, commenting on his cuteness when he was three and his achievements, like the many trophies he won. She then subtly tried to get Jiang Nan to reconsider her rejection before quickly suggesting they hide photos of them together, fearing Lu Youyou might misunderstand. Jiang Nan agreed.
Xu Duocheng also saw a picture of Jiang Nan's father, remarking on his admirable qualities, to which Jiang Nan sadly commented that his father, a "heaven-gifted talent," had "left early" but remained alive in his heart. Meanwhile, Zhan Zhilin called Xu Duocheng on the phone, questioning her whereabouts and if she was "risking her life" for Jiang Nan. Xu Duocheng calmly replied that she didn't have much time left anyway and had no regrets, implicitly confirming her deteriorating health.
Later, Xu Duocheng suddenly felt dizzy and stumbled. Jiang Nan's aunt quickly helped her, attributing it to sitting in the sun for too long and getting dizzy when standing up. When Xu Duocheng took some medication, Jiang Nan, unaware of her condition, assumed it was Vitamin C and asked for some. Xu Duocheng refused, claiming she only had a few and it was a rare brand that couldn't be bought at a pharmacy, prompting Jiang Nan to call her "stingy."
