Sparkle Love Episode 19 Recap
> Sparkle Love Recap
Mai Sichong's mother waited for him outside the training hall, eager to know what the leaders discussed. Mai Sichong simply stated that they only asked basic questions. His mother then pressed him about his knee, but he claimed it had healed long ago and that good athletes are allowed to have past injuries. She also suggested that a drug test would clarify everything.
With Mei Weiwei waiting, Mai Sichong quickly excused himself, leaving his parents, with his mother commenting about their son growing up and prioritizing his girlfriend. Rushing back to school, Mai Sichong pulled Mei Weiwei into a hug. Though she playfully denied missing him, he apologized for not replying to her messages, vaguely mentioning provincial team matters.
Mei Weiwei sensed he was hiding something, but Mai Sichong reassured her with promises of instant replies and treats, dispelling her anger and filling her with joy. Meanwhile, Li Daixi confronted Ding Yi about publicly announcing their relationship. Ding Yi's evasive replies, citing shyness and comparing it to a celebrity announcement, irritated Li Daixi. She angrily accused him of being ashamed of her, which he denied.
As Mai Sichong and Mei Weiwei approached, a provincial team colleague mentioned Mai Sichong's situation, but Li Daixi stormed off, with Ding Yi scrambling to follow her. Mai Sichong then informed Mei Weiwei about the anonymous report alleging he used stimulants during the trials. Just then, he received a text message warning him not to take the drug test if he didn't want a certain video to be made public.
Dismissing it as spam, Mai Sichong assured Mei Weiwei that a drug test would clear his name, and she insisted on accompanying him. At the hospital for the drug test, Mai Sichong and Mei Weiwei cheerfully made plans for the day, including ice skating and seafood, bantering playfully about a past movie outing with Peng Pai where Mai Sichong admitted to intentionally sabotaging it out of jealousy. While Mei Weiwei went to the restroom, Mai Sichong received another text.
His expression immediately changed as he realized the "video" referred to the surveillance footage of Mei Weiwei accidentally shocking the security guard. To protect her, Mai Sichong abruptly grabbed Mei Weiwei’s hand and, despite her confusion, told her the provincial team had suddenly instructed them to switch to another hospital for a more comprehensive drug test, whisking her away from the building.
Mei Weiwei took Mai Sichong to her home, hoping to cheer him up with a home-cooked meal, as she worried he wouldn’t eat well with his impending provincial team responsibilities. Despite her dishes being excessively salty, Mai Sichong valiantly ate every bite, showering her with compliments and even asking to pack the leftovers, all to protect her feelings.
Privately, he mused about women being made of "salt water" and decided he needed to learn to cook to prevent them from starving. Over dinner, Mei Weiwei shared the painful story of her special ability causing misunderstandings and ostracization, leading her to transfer schools and take her graduation photos alone. Hearing her hardships, Mai Sichong’s resolve to keep her secret and protect her from further hurt strengthened.
He lied again about the drug test, assuring her they were just looking for a facility to conduct more tests. Later, Mai Sichong received a call from Coach Peipei, but recalling the day's events, he chose not to answer. Meanwhile, Ding Yi finally caught up with Li Daixi, who was still upset. She pressed him for a real reason why he wouldn't publicize their relationship.
Ding Yi, in a moment of honesty, confessed he felt unworthy of her, comparing himself unfavorably to his accomplished friends Mai Sichong (the pride of the swim team), Huihui (the health master), and Xia Rui (the perfect good man), while he was bad at everything, only good at eating, last in swimming, and a game noob.
Li Daixi found his sudden awkwardness amusing but reassured him, affirming that she loved his passion for food, didn't care about his swimming performance, and appreciated him playing games with her, regardless of his skill. Her words brought a smile back to Ding Yi's face, and the two reconciled over crab. Back in his room, Mai Sichong reflected on a past conversation with Peng Pai about feeling "electrified" after seeing Mei Weiwei.
His mother then entered, asking about the drug test. Mai Sichong lied, saying the results would take a while. After his mother left, Mai Sichong, suspecting Peng Pai might be the anonymous reporter, sent him a text warning him not to harm Mei Weiwei, then began searching for the unknown number's origin. Downstairs, Mai Sichong's mother received a call from Coach Peipei, who revealed that Mai Sichong had not taken the drug test and might face expulsion from school.
Rumors quickly spread throughout the swim team and school that Mai Sichong had missed his drug test, confirming cheating allegations and leading to his potential removal from the provincial team. Mei Weiwei, deeply worried, repeatedly messaged Mai Sichong but received no response. Li Daixi, having received a message from Ding Yi about the situation, tried to comfort Mei Weiwei, but Mei Weiwei remained visibly distressed by the escalating rumors.
Mai Sichong's parents confronted him, his mother asking if he had indeed gone to the hospital and gotten tested. He admitted to going but not taking the test. When questioned if he had taken any substances, Mai Sichong vehemently denied it, asserting that swimming was his dream and he would never jeopardize it. He maintained his innocence but stated he could not explain his reasons for missing the test, reiterating that he had a clear conscience.
His father tried to impress upon him the gravity of the situation, warning of potential demerits or expulsion, but Mai Sichong stood firm, unwilling to disclose the truth to protect Mei Weiwei's secret. He ended the conversation by stating he was full and leaving. Coincidentally, Peng Pai learned about the doping allegations and Mai Sichong's missed drug test from a colleague, who urged him to talk to Mai Sichong. Just as he was processing this information, Mai Sichong arrived to meet him.
