Smile Code- Episodes 15-16
Episode 15 Recap: Scandals, Birthdays, and a Broken Home
This episode of Smile Code hit us right in the feels, balancing dramatic confrontations, bittersweet moments, and unexpected twists. Gu Yi faced public gossip, Liang Daiwen wrestled with his emotional walls, and a well-meaning birthday party turned into chaos. Let’s dive into the drama!
Rumors, Gossip, and Scandalous Speculation
Gu Yi’s day started on a sour note when she overheard coworkers gossiping about her, comparing her to Penny, who was rumored to be involved with a rich man. The whispers hinted that Gu Yi’s connections were the reason for her success. Furious, Gu Yi nearly confronted them but was stopped by a friend. She later admitted to herself that such rumors about women often come at a steep cost.
Meanwhile, Liang Daiwen quietly worked to defend Gu Yi online, reducing the harm of the vicious comments. His subtle support didn’t go unnoticed by Gu Yi, who later brought joy to her talk show audience with a stellar performance. Even Mr. Zhang showed up to watch, keeping a close eye on both Gu Yi and Liang. The talk show was peppered with juicy confessions, including Gu Yi’s revelation that she lived with a “handsome guy”—one on the bed, the other on the sofa. Liang was left stunned, caught off guard by her candor.
Jealousy, Fireworks, and Bandages
Outside the show, Gu Yi witnessed Liang in a scuffle, thrown to the ground and injured. Mr. Zhang skillfully tended to Liang’s wounds, leaving Gu Yi feeling an uncomfortable pang of jealousy. Comparing herself to Mr. Zhang, she couldn’t help but feel inadequate.
Sensing her unease, Xu Guanrui arrived with fireworks to cheer her up, but Liang observed from a distance, his hands shaking and his expression sour. Later, when Liang returned home, he asked Gu Yi to bandage his injury, bluntly dismissing Mr. Zhang’s earlier words. Gu Yi was struck by this small yet meaningful change in Liang’s behavior—was he finally opening up?
A Birthday Party Gone Wrong
Gu Yi learned that Liang rarely celebrated his birthday, so she decided to throw him a party, hoping to bring some light to his life. Liang, however, was far from thrilled. The celebration triggered painful memories of his childhood, transforming his emotions from discomfort to outright anger.
As everyone sang “Happy Birthday,” Liang reached a breaking point, demanding that everyone leave. Left alone, he collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air. The moment was raw, heartbreaking, and a glimpse into the deep pain Liang carried.
A Haunting Past
Lao Shen visited Liang and attempted to comfort him. He revealed the root of Liang’s trauma: his mother, confined to a wheelchair, had passed away while Liang had gone to pick up his father. Birthdays, ever since, were a reminder of guilt and loss. Guan Xingxin was less forgiving, calling Liang selfish for pushing away the people who cared about him.
Gu Yi, despite their fight, couldn’t leave Liang in his state and tried to understand him. But Liang’s guilt kept him from fully opening up, and he began packing his things to leave. Watching him prepare to move out shattered Gu Yi, who compared herself to a dog—loyal and unappreciated.
A Home Torn Apart
Lao Shen urged Liang to stop ignoring his feelings and answer Gu Yi’s questions honestly. But Liang couldn’t bring himself to face her. In one of the most emotional moments of the episode, Gu Yi pressed on Liang’s wound to show him her own pain, explaining that she wasn’t angry—just deeply sad. Despite her words, she left in tears, and Liang, now alone in his empty apartment, felt as though he had lost the only place that ever felt like home.
Episode 16 Recap: Homes, Heartbeats, and Lingering Longing
This episode of Smile Code was packed with emotional revelations, unexpected encounters, and a slow unraveling of Liang Daiwen’s guarded heart. Gu Yi is determined to navigate her own complicated feelings while Liang Daiwen wrestles with the ache of their separation. Let’s dive into the drama!
Liang Daiwen: Haunted by the Old House
Liang Daiwen couldn’t stop himself from lingering in front of his old home, reminiscing about the life he shared with Gu Yi. Lao Shen quickly saw through Liang’s attempt to decorate his new house to look like the old one—it wasn’t just about the aesthetics, it was about recreating the feeling of home Gu Yi gave him.
When Lao Shen pointed out that Liang’s loss of appetite might be tied to missing Gu Yi, Liang tried to brush it off, but the truth was clear: his body and mind had grown accustomed to her presence. Lao Shen encouraged him to follow his heart instead of pushing Gu Yi away.
Mr. Zhang’s Complicated Advice
Meanwhile, Mr. Zhang met with Gu Yi to address her frustrations. He explained why he hadn’t promoted her yet, emphasizing that holding onto her individuality was more valuable than being weighed down by official roles. His words struck a nerve, but Gu Yi couldn’t shake the feeling that Liang Daiwen’s senior sister had ulterior motives—especially since taking back the house seemed like an effort to push her out of Liang’s life.
Guan Xingxin’s Confessions and Yu Dule’s Sweetness
Elsewhere, Guan Xingxin struggled with her family’s constant push for blind dates, unable to tell them about her boyfriend. She confessed to envying Gu Yi’s independence and ability to live on her own terms. Meanwhile, Yu Dule, ever the romantic, couldn’t stop sneaking glances at Guan Xingxin, even as she dealt with work drama and sarcastic texts from Mr. Huang.
Lingering Feelings and Heartfelt Moments
Liang found himself drawn back to the memories of Gu Yi’s hurt and abandoned expression when he left. Similarly, Gu Yi couldn’t help but check her messages, wondering if she was the source of the pressure Liang had spoken about. Her attempt to move forward led her to seek Yu Dule’s help with a talk show, where she also sought advice about what Liang might find attractive.
Amidst her quest for clarity, Xu Guanrui noticed her struggling with high heels and offered quiet assistance, gently tending to her wounds. For a brief moment, Gu Yi felt her heart flutter, but she quickly refocused on the one she truly wanted—Liang. Her honesty with Xu about her crush made it clear: she was willing to wait.
A Jealous Encounter
Just as Gu Yi shared a lighthearted conversation with Xu Guanrui, Liang arrived with an umbrella and saw the two laughing together. Though he didn’t say anything, his complicated expression spoke volumes. Jealousy, confusion, and longing swirled within him, leaving him visibly unsettled.
New Beginnings and Lingering Confusion
Gu Yi successfully rented a new, spacious house, but it felt strangely empty. She mused that while Liang’s physical presence felt real, his soul often seemed distant. Determined to understand him, she tried to make sense of the barriers he’d built around himself.
Liang, too, found himself in turmoil. His lyrical disorder began to shift, and he found himself speaking to a flowerpot—perhaps a sign that he was ready to let his emotions out. Deep down, Liang’s desire to see Gu Yi grew stronger, even as he struggled to decide how to approach her again.
DramaZen's Opinion
I knew there would come a day when she would have to leave his home, but I didn't expect it to play out like this. His cold and unyeilding demeanor as he pushed her out of his life seemed so cruel to me. I almost felt like shaking him and saying, "Wake up, you are losing her!"
When she realized he pushes everything away before they can abandon him, I was proud that she took it in stride and was strong-willed to not let him break her. Although you could see it was killing her inside as she relived his words and actions. I just wanted to reach into the tv and tell her it would be okay as I hugged her tightly. 😢
I must add that whole birthday fiasco was just too hard to watch. Watching him throw everyone out and then fall down while having a panic attack was too hard to watch. I'm glad Guan Xingxin came back and said what she did though. I feel like he needed to hear those words, no matter how bad he was hurting inside. Poor Gu Yi was innocent and just wanted to share his birthday with him, thinking she was doing a good thing.
Lao Shen finally had some good advice when he told Liang to listen to his heart. I like that he tried his hardest to point out why Liang had lost his appetite and was listless.
Also, I'm glad Liang saw her smiling with Xu Gaunrui, that lets him know that she is lovable even if he refuses to accept her. It also fuels his feelings and will make him take a hard look at what he is missing now that he is back in his cold lifeless world. Sometimes jealousy can open the heart and soul to realize just what it is we want. I'm hoping it does in this case!
