Smile to Life Episode 15 Recap
> Smile to Life Recap
Xu Duocheng was attempting to have a heartfelt conversation with Jiang Nan when their aunt suddenly arrived, distraught, to inform them that Caiyun was missing. The two immediately rushed out to search for Jiang Nan's mother. Xu Duocheng then remembered Caiyun's previous desire to see a movie and headed towards the cinema. Meanwhile, Zhan Zhilin was also driving towards Xu Duocheng, aware that her ALS had worsened, and any delay in treatment outdoors would be dangerous.
Caiyun had indeed gone to the cinema, only to find that it had been demolished years ago, leaving her deeply saddened. She had fond memories of Jiang Hai, her husband, often taking her to the movies, especially at the old Red Star Cinema on Lide Road. On her way back, she encountered Zhan Zhilin driving by.
Upon seeing Caiyun, Zhan Zhilin became enraged, accelerating his car towards her with murderous intent, convinced that Caiyun was responsible for the disintegration of his family. At the critical moment, Xu Duocheng appeared and blocked Zhan Zhilin's car. Zhan Zhilin, without explanation, pulled Xu Duocheng into his car, intending to take her away, leaving her with no choice but to comply.
Xu Duocheng demanded that Zhan Zhilin stop the car, expressing her confusion and belief that Caiyun was innocent of any wrongdoing that would warrant such aggression. Zhan Zhilin offered no explanation, only stating that his current circumstances were "all thanks to Caiyun" and insisted that Xu Duocheng's priority should be to return for her medical treatment. Just then, Jiang Nan pursued them in his car, cut them off, and got into a physical altercation with Zhan Zhilin.
Xu Duocheng quickly separated them, and then returned with Jiang Nan. Zhan Zhilin, in his fury, blamed Jiang Nan and his "crazy mother" for his current state, to which Jiang Nan warned him that if such an incident recurred, he would not be spared. Back at home, Xu Duocheng tended to Jiang Nan's injuries, but her questions about the animosity between Zhan Zhilin and Caiyun were met with silence.
Jiang Nan, in a somber mood, simply told her to rest and proceeded to drink alone. He expressed a deep fear that everyone would eventually leave him, reminiscing about a happier past when his father was alive, and he and Zhan Zhilin could play music without a care. Overcome with drink, Jiang Nan pleaded with Xu Duocheng not to abandon him, begging her to stay by his side forever.
Xu Duocheng, moved by his vulnerability, agreed, and they shared a night of intimacy. The next morning, Xu Duocheng awoke filled with regret. She hadn't been drunk, yet she had been swept away by emotion. When Jiang Nan woke and subtly inquired about the night, Xu Duocheng quickly denied anything happened, claiming his "alcohol smell was too strong."
Believing her, Jiang Nan prepared to leave to check on his mother, instructing Xu Duocheng to pack up, as his aunt would relocate his mother to her home to evade media attention. Jiang Nan's aunt later confirmed that Caiyun was doing well and had even recognized her, reassuring them that she would take good care of Caiyun.
Jiang Nan then suggested to Xu Duocheng that they buy a birthday gift for Doudou, explaining that he had been invited to the party. As they browsed for toys, Jiang Nan remarked on how unfortunate Doudou's ALS was, making it impossible for him to enjoy complex toys, and expressed his admiration for Doudou's mother's strength. A store assistant mistakenly referred to them as Doudou's parents, causing a moment of awkwardness.
Xu Duocheng proposed buying a pet, specifically a Pomeranian, which they agreed was perfect for Doudou due to its gentle nature, low maintenance, and affectionate demeanor, unlike the playful Shiba Inu or the delicate Schnauzer. On their way back, Jiang Nan received a phone call from Bao Rui, who revealed that Gu Jiayi was responsible for leaking Caiyun's nursing home address. Enraged, Jiang Nan told Xu Duocheng to stay home and take care of the new puppy, then abruptly left.
Alone in Jiang Nan's apartment, Xu Duocheng was overwhelmed by memories evoked by the shared spaces. Heartbroken and unwilling to burden Jiang Nan with her illness, she packed her bags and decided to leave. Jiang Nan confronted Gu Jiayi, warning her to cease harassing Xu Duocheng and holding her accountable for exposing Caiyun's location. Gu Jiayi vehemently denied it, attempting to shift suspicion onto Xu Duocheng. Jiang Nan dismissed her claims, reaffirming that he and Xu Duocheng would remain together.
Upon returning home and finding Xu Duocheng gone, Jiang Nan was deeply saddened and tried repeatedly to call her, but she did not answer. Xu Duocheng confided in Keqin, who advised her to embrace her feelings for Jiang Nan if he was sincere. However, Xu Duocheng explained that she desired a return to a normal life, viewing her relationship with Jiang Nan as merely a contract.
She believed that making a "fake play real" would only lead to a bad outcome. She reiterated that nothing had happened between them in his hometown and that she had simply "figured things out." Keqin, as her best friend, offered her unwavering support. Later, Keqin messaged Jiang Nan to inform him that Xu Duocheng would be staying with her for a few days. The next day, Jiang Nan waited downstairs for Xu Duocheng.
When Keqin appeared, he inquired about Xu Duocheng's well-being. Keqin informed him that Xu Duocheng was fine but wished not to see him, advising Jiang Nan to communicate directly with her. She then hastily left with Zhu Xiaopang to avoid further questioning from Jiang Nan. Xu Duocheng went alone to Doudou's birthday party, bringing dog food and toys. Doudou, confused, pointed out that he didn't own a dog.
Xu Duocheng promised to bring the puppy soon and left to fetch it. Moments later, Jiang Nan arrived at the party with a toy for Doudou. Doudou excitedly told him that Xu Duocheng had just left. Jiang Nan quickly gave Doudou his gift and rushed out after her. Seeing Jiang Nan, Xu Duocheng hailed a taxi and made her escape, leaving Jiang Nan feeling helpless.
Later, Xu Duocheng encountered Zhan Zhilin by a bridge and asked him about his past grievances with Jiang Nan. Zhan Zhilin initially avoided the topic, asking if Jiang Nan had discovered her illness, which she denied. He offered his shoulder for her to cry on and dismissed her apologies for involving him, stating he enjoyed being her shield and irritating Jiang Nan.
Pressed by Xu Duocheng about his "possessed" behavior in Jiang Nan's hometown, he claimed that was his "true self," implying she didn't know him well. He refused to discuss the matter further. Alone, Zhan Zhilin recalled a past memory of seeing his own father giving money to Jiang Nan. He believed Jiang Nan knew the truth all along and blamed him for his mother's death, thinking she could have been saved if Jiang Nan had revealed the truth earlier.
He bitterly remembered Jiang Nan's dismissal of "previous generation's grudges" and accused him of protecting his mother, concluding that Jiang Nan disbanded their group because he was too ashamed to face him. Zhan Zhilin then vowed to make Jiang Nan and his mother suffer. Meanwhile, Gu Jiayi contacted Zhan Zhilin by phone, inquiring if he had leaked the nursing home address. Zhan Zhilin evasively suggested that Liang Zhe, among others, desired to "mess with Jiang Nan."
He then informed Gu Jiayi that Xu Duocheng had moved out of Jiang Nan's house, which delighted Gu Jiayi, who promptly messaged Jiang Nan with the news. Zhan Zhilin later met with Liang Zhe, who celebrated their "staged victory" against Jiang Nan. Zhan Zhilin sternly warned Liang Zhe not to harm Xu Duocheng, declaring that doing so would make them enemies.
Liang Zhe, claiming no interest in Xu Duocheng, agreed, reiterating that his only goal was Gu Jiayi and asserting that Jiang Nan's mother, and now Xu Duocheng, were Jiang Nan's weaknesses. Subsequently, Gu Jiayi instructed her assistant, Xiao Mei, to accept a previous show offer, aiming to re-establish her "shining" image for Jiang Nan.
