Smile to Life Episode 20 Recap
> Smile to Life Recap
Qin Shan visited Bao Rui, who was initially confrontational, questioning her apparent animosity towards Jiang Nan. Qin Shan explained that the damaging article was not published by her, stating that Truth had been acquired and she had been sidelined, with Liang Zhe now only trusting Qiqi. She promised to personally mitigate the impact the article had on Jiang Nan and indicated she would not be returning to Truth immediately, saying she would "earn it back myself."
Qin Shan warned Bao Rui that Jian Xing was about to go live, which would be detrimental to Jiang Nan. Jian Xing's live stream began, where he claimed that Jiang Nan had brutally beaten him three days prior, accusing Jiang Nan of saying he got on "Cool Singing Producer" through connections and was unqualified.
Jian Xing presented a diagnosis report showing a mild concussion and multiple bruises, and mentioned that Jiang Nan had also beaten him to the point of hospitalization three years ago. Bao Rui scoffed at Jian Xing's "pity play," speculating that Jian Xing might be supported by Liang Zhe, especially since Jian Xing's contract with Shengyu had recently expired.
Qin Shan expressed her long-standing curiosity about why Jiang Nan hit Jian Xing three years ago, recalling Jiang Nan's defiant words to reporters at the time: "Is it true or not? It's always up to you. So what I say will be useful? You guys are the ones that lead the truth to where it goes. Stop following me like a fly." She revealed that Jiang Nan's words had, in fact, inspired her to independently establish Truth.
Recognizing the severe public opinion against Jiang Nan, Qin Shan offered to leverage her media contacts to help. Bao Rui apologized for his initial rudeness, admitting he now saw Qin Shan as a "warm-hearted" person rather than just an "iron lady." Meanwhile, Alex, the program director, instructed his team to issue a statement claiming ignorance of the conflict between Jiang Nan and Jian Xing and announcing a temporary suspension for both contestants from recording until the matter was investigated.
Gu Jiayi arrived to speak with Alex, bringing a bottle of expensive red wine. She expressed concern that suspending Jiang Nan would validate the accusations of him hitting someone for no reason, especially since Liang Zhe was clearly targeting Jiang Nan. Alex, however, viewed the controversy as beneficial for "Cool Singing Producer," creating "heated discussions" and elevating the show's profile.
He suggested that if Jiang Nan was truly innocent, the truth would eventually emerge, and he could reinstate Jiang Nan later, allowing him to benefit the most. Gu Jiayi then revealed her knowledge that Liang Zhe had arranged for Jian Xing to join the show, citing Jian Xing and Jiang Nan's "old grudge." She pressed Alex, asking why he hadn't warned Jiang Nan if he knew this information and questioning his true intentions regarding Jiang Nan's career.
Alex admitted he was conflicted; he feared if Jiang Nan regained fame, he would lose the chance to help him, yet he felt profound sadness seeing Jiang Nan framed. He also hinted at having a "suitable candidate" in mind, deeming no one "more suitable than him." Later, Jiang Nan visited his former assistant, Du Hua, who had recently married and whose wife was pregnant. Jiang Nan congratulated them, explaining he couldn't attend their wedding due to work.
Du Hua's wife brought up the recent gossip, mentioning Jian Xing allegedly copied Jiang Nan's song and then accused Jiang Nan of assault, but she asserted Jiang Nan would never plagiarize. Jiang Nan presented a red envelope as a gift for their baby, which Du Hua initially refused, but Jiang Nan insisted, acknowledging Du Hua's loyalty during the company's difficult times.
After Jiang Nan departed, Du Hua's wife confronted Du Hua, asking if Jiang Nan's current troubles were related to him, but Du Hua vehemently denied it. His wife remained suspicious, pointing out Jiang Nan's unusual visit and the timing of his gift. Xu Duocheng went to the Xuanse bar, where she spoke with the owner, Brother Cheng, about Jiang Nan's current difficulties.
She noted that Zhan Zhilin used to visit frequently and asked Cheng to inform her the next time Zhilin came, hoping to enlist his help for Jiang Nan. When Xu Duocheng encountered Zhan Zhilin, she immediately asked him about the true reason for 2BeOne's disbandment. Zhan Zhilin, however, curtly told her to stop speaking on Jiang Nan's behalf, stating he didn't need Jiang Nan to "take the blame" for him, and advised her to "mind her own business."
Meanwhile, Bao Rui discussed the chaotic situation at Truth with a colleague. He described it as an "Asura Field," where Qiqi was actively targeting employees who supported Qin Shan. He expressed his worry that he would be next, and lamented that Jian Xing's recent live stream had resurfaced the incident from three years ago, turning public opinion against Jiang Nan. His colleague reassured him, stating that many employees were privately committed to standing by Qin Shan and refusing to resign.
Suddenly, a colleague informed Bao Rui that Qin Shan had issued a statement on Weibo, declaring that Truth's current actions did not reflect her views and that she would continue reporting on Jiang Nan and Jian Xing's situation through her personal account. Excited by this development, Bao Rui immediately began planning more interviews for Jiang Nan.
Jiang Nan then arrived and announced his intention to hold a live performance at Xuanse, coupled with an interview, to publicly expose "these clowns" and reveal the truth, including the release of a crucial recording. Bao Rui and Xu Duocheng readily agreed to manage the public clarification efforts, allowing Jiang Nan to focus on his concert. Zhan Zhilin’s father confronted him about his actions against Jiang Nan, expressing concern that the plagiarism accusation could ruin Jiang Nan’s future.
Zhilin retorted, accusing his father of hypocrisy and of having previously given Jiang Nan "hush money" to cover Shengyu's penalty, thereby causing Zhilin to lose his best friend and his dreams. His father sternly clarified that he had unilaterally fallen in love with Tian Caiyun, but she had never reciprocated, and there was no "out of line" conduct between them. He then dropped a bombshell: Zhilin’s mother was the one who had cheated first and had initiated the divorce.
He even provided the name of the man, a painter with the signature "ZF," explaining he had kept this secret to spare Zhilin. He further revealed that he had offered Jiang Nan money when he learned Jiang Nan was selling his properties to pay the termination fee to Shengyu, but Jiang Nan had refused it and had specifically asked him not to tell Zhilin. His father concluded by telling Zhilin that "many people protect you without you knowing it."
Zhilin, stunned, immediately tasked someone to investigate the painter "ZF." Later, Zhan Zhilin confronted Jian Xing, who readily admitted his actions were motivated by self-preservation and ambition. Jian Xing acknowledged that he dared not provoke Zhilin, being the son of Kanglin Group. He explained that Jiang Nan had monopolized all of Sister Yun's resources at Shengyu, leaving Jian Xing no room for advancement.
Seizing the opportunity, Jian Xing decided to "push the boat with the current" and let Jiang Nan be the scapegoat for the assault, as public opinion was already swayed. He further revealed that Jiang Nan had sold multiple properties to pay Shengyu's substantial termination fee, having chosen to go solo before Liang Zhe could take punitive action against him.
Back at Truth, colleagues gossiped that Liang Zhe was furious about Qin Shan's independent reporting and had met with Qiqi, sparking fears that Qin Shan might be fired. Keqin observed that Qin Shan was under immense pressure. Soon after, Qiqi confronted Keqin about a manuscript, demanding she revise the conclusion and title to align with Qiqi’s biased perspective, despite Qin Shan having previously approved it.
Keqin refused to "turn black and white upside down and deceive the public," and her colleagues echoed her sentiments, praising Qin Shan's respect for their opinions and expressing fear of legal repercussions if they followed Qiqi's unethical directives. Enraged by their defiance, Qiqi threatened to fire them all.
Qin Shan arrived just in time, telling Qiqi not to be "excessive," reminding her that she had hired these employees and that Liang Zhe might not necessarily support all of Qiqi's unreasonable demands. Qin Shan then addressed her team, confirming her departure to focus on her personal account for independent reporting. She acknowledged her strictness, joked about being called "Devil" behind her back, apologized for any shortcomings, and expressed gratitude for the privilege of working with them.
She reassured them that her departure was temporary and urged them to continue their good work, entrusting Keqin with her valuable work experience and insights. Xu Duocheng and Bao Rui grew increasingly anxious as Jiang Nan was nowhere to be found, just before his concert was scheduled to begin at Xuanse. Jiang Nan had told them he was going to pick up a "mysterious guest."
Bao Rui, observing the audience primarily consisted of reporters and curious onlookers rather than genuine fans, stressed the importance of winning this "battle." Jiang Nan was, in fact, on the phone with Zhan Zhilin, requesting him to perform one song together at the concert, adding that it was also Xu Duocheng's wish. Zhilin, skeptical, accused them of "taking turns playing the love card."
Jiang Nan then confessed the truth: he was the one who hit Jian Xing all those years ago. He explained that he disbanded their group because Zhilin's father did not support his son's musical aspirations, and any further trouble would have jeopardized Zhilin's career and left them vulnerable to Liang Zhe. Zhilin, however, believed Jiang Nan disbanded the group because he had learned about his father's relationship with Jiang Nan's mother.
Jiang Nan revealed that he hadn't known about their parents' past until Zhilin's mother visited him, shortly before she committed suicide. She had desperately asked him to prevent her husband's pursuit of Tian Caiyun (Jiang Nan's mother) from ruining Jiang Nan's friendship with Zhilin, revealing their affair. Overwhelmed and needing time to process this shocking information, Jiang Nan couldn't bring himself to tell Zhilin, especially after Zhilin's mother's death had left him in such a fragile state.
Jiang Nan also clarified that Zhilin's father had offered to pay his penalty to Shengyu, but he had refused the money and asked Zhilin's father to keep it secret from Zhilin. Jiang Nan stated that he chose to take the blame for hitting Jian Xing to protect Zhilin, and paid his own termination fee by selling his houses.
Overwhelmed by these revelations, Zhan Zhilin realized Jiang Nan's profound self-sacrifice and protection, feeling immense guilt for his long-held resentment and calling himself "the biggest idiot in the world." Back home, Du Hua's wife passionately urged him to come clean, asserting that she could not accept their child having a "perfidious" father. Guilt-ridden, Du Hua confessed he had been "blinded" by his desire to provide for her and their child, and agreed to rectify his mistake.
At the Xuanse concert, with Jiang Nan still absent, Bao Rui took the stage to address the anxious crowd. He admitted that Jiang Nan had indeed struck Jian Xing backstage at "Cool Singing Producer," but only after discovering Jian Xing had plagiarized his song. Bao Rui assured the audience that Jiang Nan would personally apologize upon his arrival. To support his claims, Bao Rui played a recording of Xu Duocheng confronting Jian Xing.
In the recording, Xu Duocheng accused Jian Xing of plagiarism, noting that his song was identical to Jiang Nan's and that she had heard him modifying music backstage. Jian Xing, while initially denying it, made statements implying guilt, such as confidently asking if Xu Duocheng thought he was "unprepared" to present the song and arrogantly declaring, "Jiang Nan will be done for sooner or later. Don't overreach yourself."
However, some audience members remained skeptical, questioning if the recording could be "edited or forged" and demanding more concrete proof, as well as an explanation for Jiang Nan's alleged violence three years prior. Just as doubt lingered, news broke on Weibo: Du Hua, Jiang Nan's former assistant, had publicly confessed to secretly photographing Jiang Nan's original manuscript and leaking it to Jian Xing. This decisive admission swiftly turned public opinion overwhelmingly in Jiang Nan's favor.
Liang Zhe, informed by Alex of Du Hua's confession, declared Jian Xing "can no longer be used." Alex, ever calculating, then contemplated how to effectively "play the trump card of Xu Duocheng" for maximum advantage.
