Smile to Life Episode 8 Recap
> Smile to Life Recap
Gu Jiayi met with Zhan Zhilin, confidently asserting that her secret photographs of him and Xu Duocheng were a "gift" that would create a misunderstanding with Jiang Nan, thereby advancing Zhan Zhilin's pursuit of Xu Duocheng. Zhan Zhilin, however, found her actions excessive and warned her that her schemes should not interfere with his own plans, or there would be severe repercussions.
Gu Jiayi, observing the men's focus on Xu Duocheng, expressed her annoyance and confusion about what was so appealing about the "ordinary girl" that commanded their attention, feeling threatened by the situation. Later, Jiang Nan invited Xu Duocheng to his home for an important discussion. Though initially hesitant to apologize for his previous demeanor, when Xu Duocheng arrived, she found a table filled with dishes. Jiang Nan tried to impress her, but Xu Duocheng noticed a takeout receipt for catfish.
Caught in the act, Jiang Nan admitted the takeout. Xu Duocheng then pressed him on the real reason for her visit, prompting Jiang Nan to sincerely apologize for his poor attitude from the day before. Xu Duocheng then asked to sample a specific dish, an egg and tomato concoction that Jiang Nan had personally prepared. Despite his embarrassment, Xu Duocheng found the homemade dish "not bad," appreciating his effort even if it wasn't perfectly refined.
She questioned why he bothered cooking one dish if he ordered takeout, and Jiang Nan confessed he wanted to see if he could cook and that "it can't all be fake." Xu Duocheng later met Keqin, revealing that someone had secretly photographed her with Zhan Zhilin. To diffuse potential rumors, Jiang Nan suggested she move in with him. Keqin supported the idea, but Xu Duocheng was unsure how to explain it to her parents.
Keqin proposed a cover story: Xu Duocheng would tell her parents she found a job that required her to live with Keqin. During a family dinner, Xu Duocheng's father, Xu Daqiang, dotingly served her favorite Chinese kale and griddle chicken, expressing concern about her weight. Xu Duocheng then announced her new job as a piano teacher at Xinhai Musical Instrument Store, which she enjoyed and found well-paying. Her mother voiced concern about the long commute.
Xu Duocheng then stated her intention to move out. Her father immediately objected, fearing she would be led astray or that a "brat" would take advantage of her, clearly suspecting Jiang Nan. Her mother also worried about her moving in with Jiang Nan so early in their relationship. Xu Duocheng, frustrated by their assumptions, clarified that she would be moving in with Keqin.
Keqin quickly vouched for the plan, citing her own desire for independence and complimenting Xu Duocheng's mother as a role model. Convinced, her mother finally agreed. Meanwhile, Jiang Nan was diligently tidying his apartment for Xu Duocheng's arrival, even removing a large personal poster he felt made his home too recognizable. He found himself feeling like an assistant rather than the homeowner.
As Xu Duocheng was leaving her parents' home, her mother returned, sent by her father to check on her. She discovered Xu Duocheng's forgotten medical record book and, unable to read the doctor's handwriting, grew concerned. Xu Duocheng offered a vague explanation, assuring her mother she was fine. Her parents then accompanied her to the new apartment. Xu Daqiang was visibly displeased to find Jiang Nan there, immediately suspecting him of ill intent.
Jiang Nan quickly offered an excuse, claiming the apartment belonged to a friend and he was merely helping to clean. He skillfully distracted them by highlighting the apartment's appealing features and explaining that the numerous musical instruments were due to his friend also being a musician. When Xu Daqiang inquired about Keqin's luggage, Keqin swiftly concocted a story about being too busy with work to pack. Xu Duocheng then showed her parents her beautifully decorated room, complete with cosmetics.
Her mother was surprised by the cosmetics, but Keqin quickly claimed they were a surprise she had prepared. In Keqin's larger room, Xu Duocheng's mother noticed its masculine decor and discovered a razor, leading her to happily conclude that Keqin had a boyfriend, thus alleviating the family's concerns. As her parents departed, Xu Daqiang attempted to outlast Jiang Nan, giving him suspicious glances. Jiang Nan pretended to be waiting for a car.
Xu Duocheng eventually had to push her father out the door. Once alone, Jiang Nan felt a mix of unreality and nervousness, questioning why he was hiding in his own home. After Xu Duocheng had returned to her room, she went to wash her underwear, but Jiang Nan also came into the bathroom. Feeling extremely embarrassed, Xu Duocheng quickly grabbed her underwear and retreated to her room.
Jiang Nan then began playing loud games and music, which soon disturbed Xu Duocheng. At 10 p. m. , she confronted him, asking him to go to sleep and accusing him of disturbing the peace. Jiang Nan retorted that it was his home and he wasn't singing karaoke. Xu Duocheng explained the health benefits of early sleep, but Jiang Nan simply told her to retire. Frustrated, Xu Duocheng returned to her room and used earplugs to block out the noise.
The next morning, Jiang Nan was irritated to be woken at 6 a. m. by Xu Duocheng, who was live-streaming a cooking show featuring health and wellness tips. He told her to be quiet, but Xu Duocheng snapped back that her cooking wasn't disturbing anyone, unlike his nighttime activities. She offered him ganoderma lucidum stewed chicken soup for breakfast.
Jiang Nan was appalled by the expensive ingredient, questioning how they could afford such lavish meals daily, listing other costly traditional tonics. Xu Duocheng calmly stated that Bao Rui would cover all the expenses. Meanwhile, Qin Shan instructed Keqin to secure an exclusive interview with Jiang Nan for his upcoming new song, stressing the importance of being the first to publish. Keqin expressed apprehension, reminding Qin Shan of their previous criticisms of Jiang Nan's company.
Qin Shan dismissed her worries, asserting that their company targeted no one, and that the success of the interview would depend solely on Keqin's capabilities. Keqin reluctantly accepted the assignment. Back at the apartment, Jiang Nan entered the kitchen, met by a strange, pungent odor. Xu Duocheng explained she was boiling mugwort leaves for a foot bath, citing its health benefits.
Jiang Nan sarcastically inquired if she was "protecting a fetus," to which she suggested he consult an encyclopedia if he lacked knowledge. She then asked him to help pour the medicinal water into the foot bath. Overwhelmed by the strong smell, Jiang Nan quickly fled the kitchen, demanding she ventilate the house before his return. Frustrated, he called Bao Rui, likening Xu Duocheng to an "old Chinese medicine practitioner" and himself to someone in "confinement."
He dictated new clauses for their agreement: he would choose the recipes, no more strange concoctions in the house, and no noise before 10 a. m. Coincidentally, Xu Duocheng also called Bao Rui, demanding her own clause: no talking after 10 p. m. Caught between the two, an exasperated Bao Rui hung up on them both. Keqin later met with a tired Xu Duocheng, who attributed her sleepless night to Jiang Nan's nocturnal habits.
Xu Duocheng lamented their incompatible lifestyles—Jiang Nan's late nights and early mornings disrupting her routine, and their differing food preferences, making her feel her initial admiration for him had "shattered." Keqin then explained her interview assignment with Jiang Nan and implored Xu Duocheng to "act cute" or engage in "pillow talk" to persuade him, fearing for her job. Xu Duocheng reluctantly agreed to try. Bao Rui presented the proposed supplementary agreements to Jiang Nan and Xu Duocheng.
Jiang Nan found his terms reasonable, which included prohibitions on boiling mugwort leaves, noise before 10 a. m. , and his sole authority over daily menus. Xu Duocheng felt his demands were excessive compared to hers and wanted to add more clauses regarding shared common spaces and strict bathroom usage times, even dictating rules about bath towels and closing bathroom doors. Jiang Nan countered with additional rules.
Bao Rui attempted to mediate, suggesting some details didn't need to be formally written. Xu Duocheng then threatened to go home, accusing Jiang Nan of seeking a live-in nanny. Jiang Nan readily accepted her challenge, instructing Bao Rui to draft a contract termination. He then left to answer a phone call, leaving Bao Rui and Xu Duocheng in a tense silence.
After calculating Xu Duocheng's meager bank balance, which was less than two thousand yuan, Jiang Nan issued an ultimatum: either repay him immediately to terminate the contract or "sell herself to pay off the debt" by staying. Xu Duocheng conceded, but insisted that Jiang Nan agree to Keqin's interview.
Jiang Nan accepted this condition but imposed further demands: Xu Duocheng must report all her outings, keep her phone on at all times, and be on call 24 hours a day, essentially making her his personal assistant. He offered "overtime pay" and stipulated that any illness or special circumstances would require his express permission for leave. For Keqin's sake, Xu Duocheng reluctantly agreed.
