Smile Code- Episodes 21-22

Episode 22 Recap: New Year Feasts, Escape Rooms, and Love in the Air

This episode of Smile Code was packed with heartwarming family moments, emotional revelations, and a few love triangles simmering in the background. From Gu Yi’s overachieving mom in the escape room to Liang Daiwen confronting his past, let’s break down the New Year chaos!

Home for the Holidays

The New Year brings everyone home, and Gu Yi’s return is no exception. She’s greeted by her mother on the street, their reunion more like best friends than mother and daughter. Gu Yi even brought Guan Xingxin along, making it a festive house full of laughter and warmth.

Gu Yi’s mother, thrilled to have her daughter and friends home, whipped up a feast. Yu Dule wasted no time recording her funny comments, and even Xu Guanrui showed up to join the celebrations. Polite and charming, Xu quickly won Gu Yi’s mom over, especially when he instinctively stepped in to protect Gu Yi during a playful scolding.

Liang Daiwen’s Struggles and Realizations

While Gu Yi enjoyed her festive gathering, Liang Daiwen was far from cheerful. Watching his father and stepmother celebrating without him, he felt like an outsider. Unable to bear it, he left abruptly and went to his mother’s grave. There, he confronted the truth his father had finally revealed: his mother, who had been seriously ill, had chosen to end her own life.

Liang expressed his guilt and regret to his mother’s memory, vowing to start a new life and move forward.

Escape Room Queen: Gu Yi’s Mom Steals the Show

Gu Yi and her friends, along with her mom, decided to spice up their holiday with an escape room adventure. To everyone’s surprise, Gu Yi’s mom became the MVP, fearlessly solving puzzles and handling NPCs like a pro. The group was in awe, dubbing her the queen of the escape room.

But the experience brought out some deep emotions for Gu Yi’s mom. She reflected on her struggles raising Gu Yi alone and the sadness of not being able to spend her whole life by her daughter’s side.

Tensions, Confessions, and…Dog Food?

The drama didn’t stop there. Guan Xingxin revealed to Gu Yi that Liang Daiwen’s plagiarism scandal had taken a toll on him, and his return to Dalian was spurred by his father’s health crisis. Though Gu Yi tried to act unaffected, the news clearly struck a chord. Meanwhile, Guan Xingxin also shared her own emotional baggage, explaining how her godparents’ control had shaped her life, leaving Gu Yi feeling deeply sympathetic.

On a lighter note, Yu Dule prepared a romantic surprise for Guan Xingxin, despite a power outage almost derailing his plans. The gesture left Guan Xingxin unsure of how to respond—but ultimately, she accepted his confession. Gu Yi, watching the couple share a sweet moment, joked about the “dog food” she was being fed before quietly slipping away.

Lingering Love and Unspoken Words

Back at their old shared home, Gu Yi found herself surrounded by memories of Liang. Though she tried to seem unaffected, it was clear she was still struggling to move on. Liang, meanwhile, watched her surveillance confession with sadness, knowing how deeply he had hurt her.

Episode 23 Recap: Love Confessions, Family Secrets, and a Viral Crush

This episode of Smile Code gave us a whirlwind of emotions, from Gu Yi navigating family drama and workplace struggles to Liang Daiwen’s return stirring up unresolved feelings. Let’s unpack the chaos and heartfelt moments:

Gu Yi’s Mom: Is It Love or Something Else?

Gu Yi came home to see her mom chatting warmly with Uncle Yun, immediately assuming her mom had a new romance brewing. But when her mom quickly shooed Uncle Yun away, Gu Yi couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. She brushed it aside, thinking her mom’s behavior might just be a “New Love, New Me” phase.

What Gu Yi didn’t realize was that her mom’s health had taken a turn for the worse, and she was hiding it from her daughter, choosing instead to plan a quiet goodbye.

Workplace Stress and Farewell to the Stage

At work, Zhang Junjie tasked everyone with heavy projects, leaving the team feeling overwhelmed. Xu Guanrui, ever the supportive friend (and maybe more?), encouraged Gu Yi not to overwork herself. Meanwhile, Gu Yi lamented her talk show’s uncertain future, revealing that Uncle Lu had been struggling to keep the theater afloat. As the realization set in that the stage might truly be gone, the mood turned somber.

Xu Guanrui stepped in with comfort, spending time with Gu Yi to lift her spirits. When he confessed his love, Gu Yi was caught off guard—but before she could answer, Liang Daiwen made his grand return.

Liang Daiwen Returns (With Complications)

Gu Yi was immediately annoyed. Liang’s habit of coming and going as he pleased without a word left her feeling used. She couldn’t hide her frustration, snapping that he always expected her to be there waiting. Liang, oblivious to the tension, was surprised at the chilly reception.

Gu Yi’s mom, however, was thrilled to see Liang and even hinted she’d be happy to be a “second mom” to him. Liang softened at her warmth but confessed he couldn’t accept it while Gu Yi was still mad at him. Determined to win Gu Yi back, Liang began asking his colleagues for advice on how to make amends.

Love Triangles and Viral Videos

While Gu Yi mulled over Liang’s return, she stumbled upon a video of him online. Liang’s charm clearly hadn’t faded—his handsome looks drew countless likes and comments, and Gu Yi found herself rewatching the clip obsessively, even on her way to work.

Meanwhile, Guan Xingxin warned Gu Yi not to dwell on the past and “reverse the car” into old feelings. But Gu Yi’s heart was already tangled up, especially when Liang started sending her romantic gestures—flowers, notes, and more. Her coworkers noticed the flood of love-filled deliveries, sparking office gossip.

Mixed Signals and Misunderstandings

Despite the grand gestures, Liang’s efforts to reconcile hit a bump when Gu Yi spotted a girl leaving his office. Her smile instantly disappeared, and any chance of forgiveness evaporated. Liang, confused by her coldness, didn’t realize the damage had been done.

Gu Yi, still hurt, couldn’t decide if Liang’s return was genuine or just another fleeting moment. She asked him through the camera, “Will you run away again this time?” Her own feelings were a complicated mess, caught between hope and doubt.

Family Revelations and Shocking Encounters

As Gu Yi wrestled with her emotions, her mom continued hiding her illness. She quietly watched her daughter’s turmoil, knowing she couldn’t reveal the truth. Meanwhile, Guan Xingxin faced a shocking moment of her own when her adoptive parents unexpectedly showed up, adding another layer of tension to the episode.

DramaZen's Opinion

Omg, where do I even start? Episodes 21 and 22 of Smile Code had me screaming at my screen, laughing, and crying all within the same hour. This show just knows how to play with my emotions!

Liang Daiwen is infuriating. Like, how hard is it to let Gu Yi in on your plan instead of telling literally everyone else? Watching him act all distant and "noble" while Gu Yi spirals is so frustrating. I get that he’s trying to protect her, but dude, she’s capable of handling things—especially when it’s about her life too! I wanted to shake him and yell, “JUST TALK TO HER!” That being said, the moments where he let his guard down hit me right in the feels. When he went to his mom’s grave and vowed to live differently? 🥺 Yeah, that was heartbreaking.

Gu Yi was all over the place, and honestly? Same, girl. Her meltdown about Liang leaving and the chipped tooth? Iconic. The way she tries to pick herself up with work, only to keep spiraling back into Liang’s orbit, is so relatable. But I have to admit, seeing her obsess over Liang’s viral video was kind of hilarious. Like, same, Gu Yi—if my crush had a random fan-cam circulating, I’d probably watch it on loop too.

But her strength shines through in those quiet moments where she faces her emotions head-on, even when she doesn’t have the answers. She’s messy, she’s dramatic, but she’s trying, and I’m rooting for her so hard.

Can we take a moment for Xu Guanrui? The guy is out here being the emotional rock Gu Yi needs, showing up at her lowest points and confessing his feelings in the sweetest way. Of course, Liang Daiwen had to swoop back in right after the confession to ruin the moment (classic Liang), but Xu deserves a round of applause for trying. He’s the kind of guy we all know is the better choice, but we’re still secretly rooting for the messy bad boy. I can’t help but feel bad for him though—he’s so patient, but Gu Yi’s heart is clearly stuck on someone else. Stay strong, Xu!

Gu Yi’s mom is the unsung hero of these episodes. From casually dominating the escape room (seriously, queen behavior) to cooking up a feast for New Year’s, she’s a total vibe. But her hidden illness? It broke me. She’s trying so hard to stay strong and cheerful while quietly planning to leave her daughter without causing pain. Watching her connect with Liang Daiwen and offer him a motherly presence was such a bittersweet moment. I don’t know how much longer she can keep this secret, but I’m not ready for the fallout. 😭

The tension between Liang, Gu Yi, and Xu Guanrui is at an all-time high. Liang’s grand return stirred up so many emotions, and while I wanted to root for him, his inability to fully commit makes it so hard! On the other hand, Xu Guanrui is ready to give Gu Yi everything, and she just doesn’t see it. The scene where Liang’s gifts flood Gu Yi’s office? Absolute chaos. And the cherry on top? Gu Yi’s mom shipping Xu while acknowledging her daughter’s love for Liang. The messiness of it all is chef’s kiss.

In the end, I'm emotionally drained but in the best way possible. The love triangles, the secrets, the subtle heartbreaks—they all come together so perfectly. Smile Code keeps proving that it’s not just about romance; it’s about the messy, beautiful chaos of being human.

I’m already counting down the days until the next episode. Will Liang finally step up and fight for Gu Yi? Or will Xu Guanrui quietly win her over with his unwavering devotion? Either way, I’ll be here, popcorn in hand, ready to scream at my screen all over again. 🌟