Sparkle Love Episode 17 Recap
> Sparkle Love Recap
After a hot spring trip, the group decided to part ways. Some friends planned to go to a Comic-Con, others to a cafe, while Mei Weiwei and Li Daixi went shopping. Mai Sichong initially intended to go home but eventually joined Mei Weiwei and Li Daixi. As the others left, Jun Jun followed Xia Rui. Jun Jun asked Xia Rui about his wish, to which he replied he "had one before, now. . ."
Jun Jun then shared that she "didn't have one before, but now I have one." Xia Rui offered her a taxi, but Jun Jun declined, saying she could walk. Xia Rui then promised he would no longer interfere in her affairs with Mai Sichong, leaving her with a lingering thought she couldn't express. Meanwhile, Mai Sichong expressed his desire to spend more time alone with Mei Weiwei before he left for training.
Mei Weiwei teased him, claiming his mind was "dangerous" and she couldn't be alone with him, suggesting he go find Li Daixi instead. Back in the dorm, Li Daixi pressed Mei Weiwei about what she and Mai Sichong had done the previous night, noting Mei Weiwei's blushing face. Li Daixi, trying to act as Mei Weiwei's relationship coach, advised her to control the pace of their relationship and not let Mai Sichong lead.
Mei Weiwei hesitantly admitted she "would love to" go further, but Li Daixi dismissed this as Mei Weiwei being "obsessed with his good looks." Li Daixi then messaged Ding Yi to keep an eye on Mai Sichong. Ding Yi called Mai Sichong on the phone to ask about his "progress" with Mei Weiwei, mentioning Li Daixi's concern.
Mai Sichong clarified that he and Mei Weiwei had only held hands and kissed, surprising Ding Yi who had assumed their public displays of affection meant more. At a cafe, Bai Hui kept Zhang Yuxin company while she worked overtime, reading a book nearby. He simply stated he wanted to find a place to read. Soon, Zhang Weixin, Zhang Yuxin’s father, arrived.
Bai Hui, introducing himself as Zhang Yuxin's classmate and monitor, boldly warned Zhang Weixin not to resort to violence or shouting in a public place. Zhang Weixin assured him that Zhang Yuxin was his daughter. Zhang Yuxin asked Bai Hui to wait, saying she needed to face her father alone. Zhang Weixin expressed how much he missed her during the winter break and apologized for not taking good care of her.
He announced that he had resigned from his company and planned to open a coffee shop, which would allow him more time to be with her. He sincerely regretted his impulsive actions previously, vowing to be a good father from then on and welcoming her home anytime. After her father left, promising to visit often, Zhang Yuxin broke down in tears and cried on Bai Hui's shoulder.
Later, Peng Pai was at a work dinner, forced to drink heavily by his manager to secure a project. The manager criticized him for not learning the ropes and risking being "eliminated by this age." Despite having already thrown up three times, Peng Pai was made to drink more. Disoriented, he later looked at a photo of himself with Mei Weiwei, reflecting on their past, before stumbling away, too inebriated for deep thought.
Mei Weiwei learned from her teaching secretary that her GPA met the requirements to change her major. She hesitated, unsure of her next step. Li Daixi suggested she could become Mai Sichong's personal rehabilitator, accompanying him to competitions. Mei Weiwei indulged in a daydream where Mai Sichong proudly introduced her as "my personal rehabilitator Mei Weiwei, the best in the world, and my favorite person."
Her fantasy was abruptly shattered when a drunken Peng Pai appeared downstairs, shouting her name at the dorm entrance. The dorm manager asked Mei Weiwei to handle him. As Mei Weiwei struggled to support a staggering Peng Pai, she tried to call Mai Sichong. Peng Pai snatched her phone, declaring, "Weiwei is mine. You are nobody!" He produced a keychain Mei Weiwei had once given him, pleading for her to stay by his side.
He then forcefully embraced her, attempting to kiss her, claiming she truly loved him and that Mai Sichong only cared about swimming. Just then, Mai Sichong arrived, furious, and punched Peng Pai. Mei Weiwei intervened, stopping Mai Sichong. Mai Sichong, though angry, clarified that his anger was not directed at Mei Weiwei, but at himself for not being able to arrive faster or constantly protect her, and for letting her suffer as her boyfriend.
He asked her to share all her emotions with him, promising to be her "strongest support." They then embraced under the dim streetlights, while Peng Pai, defeated, sat alone and wept. The next morning, Mai Sichong went to Peng Pai's company. He sternly warned Peng Pai not to use any excuse to approach Mei Weiwei again, threatening severe consequences if he did.
Peng Pai retorted that he would do anything for Mei Weiwei and that they shared many memories unknown to Mai Sichong. Mai Sichong dismissed his words as "bullshit," reiterating his command to stay away from Mei Weiwei. Peng Pai challenged him, asking who said he couldn't like her. Mai Sichong disdainfully replied that Peng Pai shouldn't need a junior to teach him "what is like." Peng Pai was left standing there, stunned.
Mai Sichong then prepared to leave for the provincial team training, with his mother offering many last-minute instructions: controlling his temper, getting along with teammates, and not secretly playing with his phone after lights out. Mei Weiwei gave him a durian candy, confessing that she now found it "okay," even though she used to dislike it. He teasingly took it for himself.
Mei Weiwei instructed him to video call her daily, report his schedule, eat well, sleep well, and train diligently. As Mai Sichong got into the taxi, Mei Weiwei felt a pang of sadness. To her delight, he unexpectedly ran back for a final, heartwarming hug before finally leaving. Upon arriving at the training camp, a team leader announced that during closed training, all communication equipment must be handed in uniformly.
Phones would only be distributed for one hour daily to allow contact with family and girlfriends, with no distractions permitted otherwise. Mai Sichong initially tried to claim he hadn't brought his phone, but eventually had to hand it over. Meanwhile, Mei Weiwei, receiving no response to her messages asking about his arrival and teammates, felt a growing sense of emptiness.
