Smile Code- Episodes 25-26
Episode 25 Recap: Village Shenanigans, Family Secrets, and Budding Romance
This week’s Smile Code gave us all the warm and chaotic feels as Gu Yi brought Liang Daiwen back to her hometown. From heartfelt family moments to hilarious misunderstandings, these episodes proved why this show keeps us hooked. Let’s dive in!
Welcome to the Village!
The villagers rolled out the red carpet as Gu Yi and Liang Daiwen arrived. Gu Yi proudly introduced Liang to her relatives, who were curious (and maybe a little nosy) about the dashing man at her side. Liang, meanwhile, seemed fascinated by Gu Yi’s childhood stories, soaking in every detail.
But things turned bittersweet when Gu Yi revealed her family history. She shared how her father had divorced her mother after an affair, leaving her to grow up in a broken home. Liang gently comforted her, stroking her head in a rare display of tenderness.
Bonding Over Dinner
At dinner, Gu Yi’s mom spilled the tea about Gu Yi’s “resistance” to cozy family dynamics. Meanwhile, Liang happily drank every glass of wine poured by Gu Yi’s mom, clearly trying to win her approval. He also opened up about his own troubled past, sharing how his mother, bound to a wheelchair, once helped his father deal with sleepwalking. Gu Yi’s mom couldn’t help but notice how similar Liang and Gu Yi were—two people with deeply ingrained scars but big hearts.
Liang the Softie
Liang continued to charm everyone, marveling at Gu Yi’s childhood home and even helping her with chores. When Gu Yi’s mom gifted him a shaving kit, his excitement was adorably over the top. Later, Liang proposed revisiting Gu Yi’s old haunts with her mom, solidifying his spot as the family’s new favorite.
But things got even sweeter (and funnier) when Gu Yi’s mom started spilling all of her daughter’s quirks to Liang—down to the tiniest details—and Liang actually took notes in a little notebook. Who else is swooning? 😍
Opening Up Old Wounds
Gu Yi’s mom, always the matchmaker, pushed Liang to share more about his past. Liang opened up about his mother’s cancer diagnosis and how she quietly chose to fade away rather than burden anyone. The revelation hit Gu Yi’s mom hard as she reflected on her own secret illness. Fighting back tears, she urged Liang to treat Gu Yi with the love and care she deserved.
Romantic Progress (and a Messy House)
In one of the most heartwarming moments, Liang and Gu Yi shared a tender kiss, marking a new chapter in their relationship. But their domestic skills? Not so great. Gu Yi’s mom handed over household chores to the couple, and they promptly turned the place into chaos. Watching Liang awkwardly try to impress Gu Yi’s mom by following her “stupid bird flies first” advice was equal parts hilarious and endearing.
Later that night, Gu Yi’s mom caught Liang doing something very odd while she tried to rest, leading her to secretly record him on her phone. Whatever it was, it left her in stitches and solidified Liang as the lovable dork we can’t get enough of.
Square Dancing and Hormonal Hijinks
Gu Yi’s mom dragged her daughter out for an early-morning square dancing session, much to Gu Yi’s embarrassment. Meanwhile, Liang was busy flexing his “male hormones” (whatever that means) to get Gu Yi’s attention. His antics, from silly gestures to outright biting her (yes, really), had Gu Yi both annoyed and amused.
Family Fun and Mom’s Big Plans
The trio spent a blissful day together, taking photos and sharing laughs. Gu Yi’s mom even sang a duet with her daughter, bringing a youthful energy to the group. But as the good times rolled on, Gu Yi stumbled upon two real estate deeds her mom had prepared for her.
Gu Yi’s mom revealed her pragmatic view on relationships—if it works, great; if not, be prepared to part ways. Her words were pragmatic, but Gu Yi couldn’t shake the feeling that her mom was acting strangely.
Episode 26: Recap: Love, Loss, and New Beginnings
This episode of Smile Code delivered all the feels, blending heartbreak, hope, and a touch of humor. From strained relationships to life-changing revelations, the drama kept us on edge while tugging at our heartstrings.
Yu Dole’s Plea for Answers
Yu Dole showed up at Gu Yi’s place looking like a man on the brink of collapse. When he asked Gu Yi to help him figure out why Guan Xingxin was avoiding him and talking about breaking up, my heart broke for him. He genuinely had no idea what went wrong and was desperate for answers.
Gu Yi, ever the detective, suspected Guan Xingxin might be dealing with something she couldn’t share. Yu Dole, however, wasn’t satisfied—he believed couples should face challenges together, not run away from them. Watching his pained expression as he walked away was enough to make anyone tear up.
Guan Xingxin’s Breaking Point
Meanwhile, Guan Xingxin was trapped in a dinner from hell with her overly controlling adoptive parents. The micromanaging was intense—they even tried to dictate her phone calls and outings! When they accused her of surrounding herself with "bad friends," Guan Xingxin finally snapped and stormed out.
Later, when she and Yu Dole crossed paths, the tension was palpable. She admitted she wanted to leave her stifling home life and live with him, but Yu Dole, emotionally drained, couldn’t commit. The unspoken distance between them felt like an uncrossable chasm, and it was heartbreaking to watch.
Liang Daiwen’s Wake-Up Call
Liang Daiwen had a vivid dream about his late mother, which made him realize something was off with Gu Yi’s mom. His suspicions were confirmed when he found her talking to a potted plant, hinting at her darker thoughts. Liang tried to use his own experience to convince her that giving up wasn’t the answer. Gu Yi’s mom, though touched, swore him to secrecy—her daughter was never to know.
Gu Yi’s World Shattered
But secrets don’t stay hidden for long. When Gu Yi learned her mom had terminal breast cancer, she was completely blindsided. Her first reaction was denial, demanding to know if the diagnosis was a mistake. The emotional weight of this revelation hit hard as Gu Yi struggled to process the reality.
Her mom, ever the optimist, told her to stay strong and not waste energy on hopeless treatments. Instead of being bedridden, she wanted to live each day with vibrancy, leaving behind beautiful memories.
Liang Daiwen’s Support
Liang Daiwen stepped in to comfort Gu Yi in one of his most genuine moments yet. He helped her piece together her mother’s recent actions—bringing her back to her hometown, giving her a bankbook, and quietly preparing for the inevitable. Liang shared his own pain of missing the signs with his mom, creating a touching moment of understanding between the two.
Gu Yi’s Mom’s Courage
Gu Yi’s mom wasn’t about to fade quietly into the background. In a surprising twist, she stepped onto a stage for her own talk show. Her speech was filled with wisdom, humor, and an unexpected declaration: she wanted a "honeymoon" with life before her time was up.
It was an empowering moment that showed her strength and positivity in the face of the unthinkable.
Liang Daiwen’s Devotion
Liang continued to be the awkward but endearing guy we’ve grown to love. In one scene, he called Gu Yi repeatedly until she showed up, then promptly forced her to eat in the most hilariously bossy way. He also tried to immortalize Gu Yi’s mom by painting her, showing how much he respected her as part of Gu Yi’s life.
Guan Xingxin’s Crossroads
Meanwhile, Guan Xingxin was still grappling with her overbearing family. Her mother’s obsession with blind dates left her feeling lost and unsure of where to turn. She leaned on Liang for advice and help, but her path forward still felt uncertain.
DramaZen's Opinion
Oh my gosh, Smile Code just served up two of the most heart-wrenching yet beautiful episodes yet! Episodes 28 and 29 hit me like a tidal wave of emotions—there were tears, laughter, and moments where I just wanted to hug my screen. These episodes perfectly captured the highs and lows of love, family, and resilience, and I can’t stop thinking about them.
Watching Gu Yi’s world crumble after learning about her mother’s terminal cancer was devastating. Her initial denial, her desperate plea to the doctor for hope, and the slow realization of all the clues she missed—ugh, my heart just shattered for her. But can we talk about how incredible her mom is? Even with such a heavy diagnosis, she chooses to live life with energy, humor, and grace. That talk show moment? ICONIC. It felt like her final gift to Gu Yi—a reminder to find joy, even in the hardest moments.
And let’s not forget Liang Daiwen stepping up to comfort her. Seeing him share his own pain about losing his mom made me tear up. He finally gets how to support someone emotionally, and it’s so satisfying to see his growth.
Liang Daiwen really brought his A-game in these episodes. From painting Gu Yi’s mom to calling Gu Yi a hundred times just to drag her to eat (LOL), he’s finally learning how to be there for her in his own quirky way. His interactions with Gu Yi’s mom were heartwarming and hilarious—I couldn’t stop laughing at the "stupid bird flies first" advice and the recorded antics. Liang might still be awkward, but now he’s awkward and emotionally present, and I love it.
I’m still rooting for Yu Dule and Guan Xingxin, but wow, they’re going through it. Yu Dule’s heartbreak over Guan Xingxin pushing him away was so raw, and her struggle with her controlling adoptive parents felt suffocating to watch. When she admitted she wanted to leave her parents and live with him, only for him to hesitate, I felt that pain. They’re like two puzzle pieces that almost fit, but something keeps pulling them apart. I’m hoping they find a way back to each other, but the gap between them feels bigger than ever.
Can we talk about how Gu Yi’s mom is the real MVP of these episodes? She’s dealing with her illness with so much strength and humor, all while making sure Gu Yi has the tools to live a happy life after she’s gone. Her bond with Liang Daiwen was such a surprise highlight—her sly matchmaking attempts and candid conversations made me laugh and cry. The moment she told Liang about his responsibility to love and protect Gu Yi? Chills.
These episodes were a masterclass in balancing heartbreak and hope. The writing was on point, the performances were stellar, and the emotional depth was just chef’s kiss. Watching Gu Yi navigate her grief while Liang Daiwen stepped up to support her was so satisfying, and I’m fully invested in where this story is heading.
Will Liang and Gu Yi finally get their happy ending? Can Yu Dule and Guan Xingxin bridge their divide? And how much more emotional devastation can my heart take?! 💖
