A Lonely Hero's Journey Episode 12 Recap
> A Lonely Hero's Journey Recap
Confronted by Xiao Ruotong, Gu Yizhong adamantly denied being Cell 8 or being involved in any killings, maintaining his innocence. Ruotong pressed him for the truth, insisting that if he was innocent, he must go with her to the organization to explain himself, even threatening to personally kill him as a traitor if he refused. Gu firmly refused, stating he couldn't leave. The standoff was abruptly interrupted by Haimo, who arrived and quickly subdued Ruotong, holding her head down.
Gu noticed Ruotong was suffering from a high fever and immediately decided to take her for medical attention. At Dr. Lu's clinic, seemingly associated with Zhaohe Hospital, he arranged for Haimo to look after her while he secretly contacted his organization. Faced with urging from his contacts, who reminded him that his father's sacrifice would be in vain if he quit, Gu struggled internally.
He was shown an early copy of the Communist Manifesto to help him understand the organization's beliefs. Ultimately, Gu decided to honor his father's dying wish, suppressing his grief and preparing to return to No. 90 to continue his mission. Waking up at Dr. Lu's clinic/Zhaohe Hospital, Xiao Ruotong learned from Dr. Lu that she had malaria and had just received a quinine injection. Dr. Lu explained one shot wasn't enough and Gu was trying to find more.
The mention of quinine was a crucial piece of information. Despite being sick and advised to rest, she insisted on leaving and quickly relayed the information about the availability of quinine via Zhaohe Hospital's channel to the organization, understanding its importance given the scarcity of medical resources. Meanwhile, Zhou Zhifei was burdened by a letter from his son, Youfei. The eleven dots at the end of the letter weighed heavily on him, suggesting his son had been beaten multiple times.
Yuqing saw the letter and was visibly upset, asking about Youfei and blaming Zhou for not getting him back from Kondo earlier. Zhou was caught between worrying about Youfei returning changed by his experiences and the fear of losing him entirely, which led him to suggest they have another child. Yuqing angrily declared she would never have another child if something happened to Youfei.
A sudden crash downstairs startled them, but they relaxed slightly when they learned it was just Liu妈, the servant, accidentally knocking over a vase containing a gun. Zhou reminded Yuqing not to hide weapons everywhere and to instruct Liu妈 where not to clean, while Yuqing commented that he treated their home like a special agent station. Before departing from Gu's Garden, Haimo paid her respects at Gu Xixing's spirit tablet, performing a Suzhou ballad on the pipa as a tribute.
Afterward, she left a letter for Gu Yizhong, gently advising him to move past his sorrow and find a trustworthy person to help look after him, noting that the former servants had left. She emphasized that Gu Garden was his father's life's work and shouldn't fall into ruin. Haimo reflected that in these chaotic times, everyone is helpless and their fate is not their own. She then left Suzhou.
Upon his return to No. 90, Gu Yizhong was met by Xie Wenchao, who conveyed Vice Director Huang Xinzhai's instruction for him to report to Huang's office immediately. Stepping into the office, Gu found Kondo Masao already waiting. Kondo, seemingly interested in Gu's architecture background, used a bonsai as a starting point for conversation, inviting Gu's expert opinion.
Gu analyzed the piece, identifying it as Suzhou-style bonsai and appreciating its artistry, but pointed out that the stand was mismatched for the pot, suggesting a different style of stand would better complement the overall composition. Kondo was impressed and immediately ordered his attendant to procure the suggested stand. Kondo then offered his condolences for Gu's father's death, disturbingly adding that Gu should not regret his actions, expressing admiration for Gu, and stating his anticipation for Gu's performance.
Despite Gu's hesitation, Kondo assigned him the critical task of investigating Zhou Zhifei, specifically focusing on the Ding Jiansheng military supplies smuggling case. Kondo ordered Gu to handle this investigation alone and report only to him. This unexpected command left Gu with mixed feelings, realizing he was being drawn into a complex and dangerous situation.
Gao Hu visited Zhou Zhifei and informed him that Vice Director Huang Xinzhai had ordered him to move out of Gu Yizhong's living quarters and cease his surveillance of Gu, stating the order came directly from Kondo. Zhou, however, instructed Gao not to follow Huang's orders but to remain in place and continue monitoring Gu.
As Gao attempted to ask for money again, explaining his urgent need before payday, Zhou was called away by an urgent phone call but arranged for Gao to receive the requested ten yuan via someone else. Meanwhile, Quan Shui (Spring) arrived at Zhou's residence, introducing herself using the false identity of Mrs. Weng and asking for Ji Yuqing after initially being told she had the wrong address. Zhou, concealing his surprise and annoyance upon recognizing her, introduced her to Yuqing.
Yuqing sensed something was amiss from Zhou's demeanor and excused herself to the kitchen. As soon as Yuqing left, Zhou confronted Spring, questioning why she was there and ordering her to leave immediately to avoid exposing them both to Kondo. Spring insisted she had no intention of leaving. Yuqing then reappeared and called Zhou to the kitchen.
Zhou initially feared exposure, but Yuqing merely asked about the relationship between "Mrs. Weng" and Mr. Li, recalling "Mrs. Weng" mentioning playing cards with them. Yuqing, eager to please Mr. Li, readily agreed to host "Mrs. Weng" in their guest room. Zhou noticed a valuable bracelet Spring had given Yuqing. Yuqing was aware of its high value ("worth two small gold bars") and refused to return it when Zhou suggested it, so Zhou let the matter drop.
Yuqing also inquired about Spring's dietary restrictions, learning she doesn't eat spicy food. Later, when Yuqing's daughter Yu approached Zhou, Yuqing warned her not to interact with someone who had killed his father (referring to Gu Yizhong) and told her to go home, advising Spring to treat their house as her own and ask Liu妈 for anything needed.
While discussing family matters, Yuqing mentioned receiving a letter from Xiaolan in Yixing who planned to remarry a doctor and decided against giving a gift as it hadn't been long since Jin Hai's death, though they continued to send money for his son. Yuqing also speculated about whether Mrs. Li knew about "Mrs. Weng," recalling Mrs. Li's previous actions regarding other mistresses, noting Mr. Li's recklessness.
Yuqing cautioned Zhou to be careful, talk less with Spring, and not pry into her affairs, worried that Mr. Li's complications might affect them. Yuqing even questioned if "Mrs. Weng" might be a spy, noting her sharp eyes. After calming Yuqing, Zhou went to Spring's room. Spring embraced him from behind, speaking softly, calling him by another name (Xinping) and Zhifei, talking about their shared past and the hardships she endured, traveling alone through various cities.
Zhou confided in her about his current predicament: his son being held in Japan as a hostage, his station filled with informants and spies from multiple factions including Mr. Li, the Japanese lackeys, KMT agents ("Little Juntong"), and even the New Fourth Army, leaving him in a difficult dilemma. Spring acknowledged that everyone faced challenges during these years, having traveled to many places alone.
As the conversation deepened and became more intimate, Zhou abruptly brought up a sensitive topic, asking if she had been intimate with an Englishman to obtain intelligence during a mission in Hong Kong years ago. Spring's demeanor immediately changed; her tenderness vanished, and she angrily pushed him away, demanding he leave. Zhou repeated his question, and she repeated her command to him to get out.
Zhou then suggested he would find her a new place to stay and send her there tomorrow. Meanwhile, Gao Hu was packing his belongings to move out of Gu Yizhong's room as ordered by Huang Xinzhai. Gu happened to see a prescription on Gao's table and learned that Gao's mother was suffering from a severe illness with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. Gu recognized the signs during a time of cholera outbreak and suspected she had the potentially deadly disease.
He advised Gao against relying solely on the local doctor known for treating diarrhea and instead urged him to seek Western medical help immediately at Minsheng Hospital in Pingqiao, where Director Wang Chuanjie specialized in infectious diseases, giving him a note for the director. Gu also generously offered Gao money for the treatment.
Deeply moved by Gu's kindness, Gao confessed, tearfully kneeling, that he was not a wealthy young master as Gu might have thought, that his family lived simply near Diaohua Mansion, and admitted that Zhou Zhifei had ordered him to monitor Gu and told him not to reveal it.
Gu helped him up, gave him the money and the note, and stressed the urgency of the situation, telling him to hire a car and take his mother to the hospital without delay, and they could talk further upon his return. Gu had initially questioned Gao's true identity, knowing the owner of Diaohua Mansion was named Jin, not Gao. In Suzhou, Haimo decided to stay. She visited Feng Garden Story-telling Theatre and showcased her skill on the pipa.
The owner, Mr. Du, was impressed, recognizing her mastery of the Old Yu Tune and even more so when he learned she was a student of the renowned Zhang Yuquan, who had innovated the style.
Despite the current difficult business climate for theaters, Haimo earnestly requested an opportunity to perform on stage, offering to do so without payment as long as the theater could provide her with food and lodging, explaining that performing in Suzhou was the aspiration of ballad students.
