Sparkle Love Episode 13 Recap
> Sparkle Love Recap
Mei Weiwei found Peng Pai on campus and immediately suggested arranging a meeting between Xun Yang and Mai Sichong, hoping it would lift Mai Sichong's spirits. After some thought, Peng Pai reluctantly admitted that it would be difficult to arrange. Though Mei Weiwei claimed it was fine, her mind raced for other ways to help Mai Sichong, eventually concluding that she would need to get Lin Baihui, the class monitor, to move into Mai Sichong’s dorm for massage therapy.
Mei Weiwei recruited Ding Yi to help with the move, and the three of them carried boxes into the dorm building. This plan, however, came at the cost of Mei Weiwei agreeing to participate in a track and field competition. Ding Yi updated Mei Weiwei on Mai Sichong's condition, stating that Mai Sichong had taken leave and his phone was off because he was too ashamed to return to school.
Ding Yi added that while Mai Sichong's knees might not fully recover to their original state, good rehabilitation could still allow him to enter the province team. Mei Weiwei then sought Lin Baihui's confirmation, ensuring he would help Mai Sichong if she joined the track and field event. She also playfully teased Lin Baihui about alternative names like "Baibai" or "Huihui."
Meanwhile, Mom Mai was distressed, complaining to her husband on the phone that Mai Sichong had locked himself in his room for two days. When the doorbell rang, she eagerly pulled Mei Weiwei inside. Hearing a familiar voice, Mai Sichong, who had been sulking in his messy room, quickly tidied up and pretended to be engrossed in a complex book. Mom Mai seized the opportunity to leave them alone, encouraging Mei Weiwei to call her "Mom Mai" from now on.
Mei Weiwei entered Mai Sichong's room and, after he jokingly questioned her reading comprehension, informed him that she had arranged for Lin Baihui to move in to assist with his rehabilitation. Mai Sichong, however, rejected the offer, stating he was too ashamed to return to school. Mei Weiwei, unfazed, reminded him that he was no stranger to embarrassment and that people didn't have high expectations for him anyway.
When Mai Sichong refused to get out of bed, Mei Weiwei tried to pull him up, but he accidentally yanked her onto the bed. At that moment, Mom Mai re-entered with a fruit platter, witnessed the scene, and quickly made an excuse to leave. Soon after, Mom Mai called Mai Sichong out to take out the trash, then jokingly asked if they were playing sumo.
Mei Weiwei tried to leave again, but Mom Mai insisted she stay, pulling out a photo album to show embarrassing childhood pictures of Mai Sichong. She pointed out a photo of him as a child with a "little watermelon" belly and another of him wearing swimming goggles at his first gold medal ceremony because he had conjunctivitis. Annoyed, Mai Sichong sent his mother off to her yoga class. Once alone, Mei Weiwei asked Mai Sichong why he loved swimming.
He vaguely recalled his high school coach, Mr. Yang, recognizing his talent and believing he could win many gold medals. Mai Sichong then expressed uncertainty about his current condition, prompting Mei Weiwei to suggest they go visit Mr. Yang. They met Mr. Yang at a restaurant. Mr. Yang expressed his joy at seeing Mai Sichong again, though he playfully chided him for not visiting sooner.
He then asked if Mei Weiwei was Mai Sichong's girlfriend, to which Mai Sichong quickly responded that she was just a classmate. During their meal, Mai Sichong explained his knee injury and how it prevented him from attending the province team selection. Mr. Yang asked if he was giving up, then presented Mai Sichong with a childhood "declaration of ambition."
In the note, a young Mai Sichong, upset about losing to a "little fat boy" and throwing a tantrum, vowed never to cry or give up again, promising Mr. Yang his unwavering commitment. Mr. Yang then passionately told Mai Sichong that he was a uniquely talented and hardworking individual, the best he had seen in over a decade, and expressed his firm belief that Mai Sichong would stand on podiums both nationally and internationally.
Mai Sichong thanked his former coach, who, slightly tipsy, then advised Mai Sichong to treat his "girlfriend" well, claiming he could see Mai Sichong's feelings. After seeing Mr. Yang off, Mei Weiwei offered to buy Mai Sichong some yogurt. In the car ride back to school, Mei Weiwei reiterated Mr. Yang's high regard for Mai Sichong. Mai Sichong, still somewhat insecure, asked Mei Weiwei if she thought highly of him too, confident that he was the best swimmer she knew.
Mei Weiwei responded by reminding him that the Mai Sichong she knew was always full of passion and confidence when it came to swimming, and if he gave up now, she would admit she had misjudged him. As they neared the school, Mai Sichong hesitated to enter, still wearing his hat, prompting Mei Weiwei to tease him about being afraid of shame. Mai Sichong claimed he was actually trying to protect her from gossip.
He then suggested a less-trafficked route to her dorm, asserting it was safer. Mei Weiwei challenged him to remove his hat if he wasn't ashamed. When Mai Sichong spotted Ding Yi, he tried to avoid him. Mei Weiwei pressed him further about his perceived shame, to which Mai Sichong, after much stuttering, confessed that he simply wanted to spend a little more time with her.
Back in her dorm, Mei Weiwei informed her roommates of her success in convincing Mai Sichong to return to school. Jun Jun explained Mai Sichong’s strong self-esteem by recounting the same conjunctivitis story that Mom Mai had shared, highlighting his reluctance to be photographed with red eyes. Yuxin playfully commented on Lin Baihui's appearance, drawing teasing from her roommates about a potential crush, which she quickly denied.
Their phones buzzed with a message from Lin Baihui, stating that the 4x100m mixed relay race team needed one more girl. They initially assumed it would be the introverted Yuxin, but to their surprise, Yuxin had already signed up, while Jun Jun could not participate. The girls chuckled, now certain of Yuxin's feelings for their class monitor.
Meanwhile, in the boys' dorm, Ding Yi expressed his frustration to Mai Sichong, feeling Mai Sichong confided more in Mei Weiwei than in him, his best friend. Mai Sichong tried to smooth things over by offering games and food money, which Ding Yi accepted. Lin Baihui then entered, announcing it was time for Mai Sichong's rehabilitation. Later that night, a scream echoed from the dorm.
The following day, Mei Weiwei was running on the track, reminiscing about a conversation with her father from high school. Her father had playfully complained about her mother's cold feet and his growing belly from accompanying Mei Weiwei on her early morning runs. He had also questioned how she would find a boyfriend with her "special constitution" and why she loved running so much.
Mei Weiwei had responded that running made her happy, comparing her joy to the heroic acts of the Flash and Pikachu. Her father had lovingly affirmed that her happiness was his happiness. Exhausted from her run, Mei Weiwei was about to rest when Mai Sichong appeared. Noticing her fatigue, he scooped her up and carried her on his back, playfully charging her for the "friendly" ride and subsequent massage.
In an empty classroom, Yuxin was hunched over her desk, clutching her stomach in pain, seemingly on her period. Lin Baihui sat beside her, proudly showing off an egg cake he had gotten from the cafeteria, boasting that he'd had five eggs added. Yuxin's initial flicker of happiness at the thought of food quickly vanished as he started eating it himself.
He then pulled out a hot water bottle and asked her to open it for him while he searched for something. Annoyed by his insensitivity and the strong smell of his egg cake, Yuxin told him to keep his distance. Lin Baihui then asked Yuxin to call Mei Weiwei, wondering why she hadn't arrived yet. Moments later, Mei Weiwei received a text message that filled her with immense joy.
She excitedly pulled Mai Sichong to a secluded corner of the school. Mai Sichong, already in a foul mood, scowled even more upon seeing Peng Pai. Just as his anger was about to erupt, his eyes widened in disbelief as he spotted an unfamiliar figure standing with Peng Pai.
