A Lonely Hero's Journey Episode 24 Recap
> A Lonely Hero's Journey Recap
Zhou Zhifei encountered Huang Xinzhai as he fled from Willow Garden. Huang was distraught, incoherently accusing Xie Wenchao of betrayal. Before Huang could say more, Zhou Zhifei shot and killed him. Subsequently, Zhou met with Kondo Masao, informing him that Huang Xinzhai was a Chongqing mole who had colluded with Chongqing to allow Jiang Boxian to escape, while also framing Huang for his past wrongdoings.
Kondo Masao examined evidence confiscated from Huang Xinzhai's residence, including gold bars, a boat ticket, and a contact photo. Though the evidence seemed conclusive, he still harbored doubts. He then questioned Zhou about his past relationship with Ou Xinping, asking if it was true that they were former colleagues and lovers, a fact Zhou confirmed, adding that everyone in the CBIS knew about it and it was in his official records seen by Mr. Li and Mr. Seiki.
Zhou denied having any recent contact with Ou. When Kondo mentioned Huang suspected Ou was staying at Zhou's house, Zhou offered to have military police search his home immediately to prove Huang was lying and trying to frame him as the Chongqing spy. Zhou insisted that if he had ties to the CBIS, Mr. Li would be the first to go after him, subtly suggesting he didn't know if Mr. Li himself was colluding.
Kondo stated that since Zhou and Ou were old acquaintances, he would leave her to Zhou to handle and persuade her to join them. Zhou expressed difficulty in this task, describing Ou as a "die-hard factionist," but Kondo insisted Zhou, as her former boyfriend, would find a way. Kondo considered Huang Xinzhai a disgrace to No. 90. Following the events, Zhou Zhifei's actions at Willow Garden were remarked upon by someone who called it a masterful execution of his plan.
Zhou explained his strategy: he deliberately spread the news of Jiang Boxian's outing, killed Huang Xinzhai to silence him, set up Ou Xinping to attempt a rescue, leaked the information to Kondo to allow the Japanese to intercept the CBIS, and finally arranged gunmen to massacre the dozens of people involved. He defended his actions, stating he had no choice; it was either them dying or him, his son, and his entire family dying.
He questioned if the work of a spy was truly noble, calling it the dirtiest job in the world where people use and destroy each other. Upon returning home, Gu Yizhong was met by Haimo, who tearfully informed him of her cousin Ou Xinping's arrest. Haimo was deeply worried, recalling Ou's past words about facing death either on the battlefield or at the enemy's hands. She knew Ou was in grave danger but desperately hoped Gu could help.
Haimo also confided in Gu, explaining that her cousin was a CBIS agent who had used Haimo's identity to infiltrate Gu's Garden for her work, an incredibly dangerous task. Haimo admitted she was terrified daily, sometimes waking up in the night thinking about the guns her cousin carried.
She explained that she felt she had no choice but to cooperate because her brother in the air force would be harmed if she didn't, adding that she still failed to protect her brother. She revealed her real name was not Haimo but asked Gu to continue calling her Haimo. Meanwhile, Ou Xinping was subjected to inhumane torture during interrogation. Zhou Zhifei entered the interrogation room and sent his subordinates away.
Through subtle gestures, he attempted to communicate the danger of her situation to her. To gain her trust, he showed her a notebook containing a pressed leaf, a memento of their shared past. He then began a staged conversation aloud for the benefit of any listeners, telling Ou that Kondo Masao admired her and wished for her to join their "peace movement."
Ou scornfully rejected this proposal, calling them afraid of war and reminding him of the Bombing of Chongqing and the Nanjing Massacre as examples of Japanese brutality that had devastated Chinese families and left countless people displaced. Zhou argued that these were matters between nations and ordinary people should focus on their own families, citing Suzhou's peace as a benefit of their current path.
Ou retorted by stating that thirty-nine members of her family of forty had died in Japanese bombings, leaving her the sole survivor, and she felt compelled to seek revenge. Zhou called her stubborn and "stuck in her old ways," urging her to set aside personal grudges and join them. Ou refused, saying if she changed, the person she held dear would no longer be in her heart. She told him to get to the point.
Zhou, acknowledging her refusal to join, asked for a small favor in exchange for seeking leniency from Kondo Masao. Ou agreed to help him, but on the condition that she never had to see his face again, delivering a parting insult by calling him a "filthy traitor." Zhou accepted the deal.
He then asked how the CBIS had learned Jiang Boxian was at Willow Garden, noting that infiltration was their specialty and asking if they had a mole at No. 90. Ou confirmed there was one mole. Zhou guessed several names, finally naming Huang Xinzhai. Ou confirmed it was Huang, calling him a "bastard" and saying she must kill him. Zhou thanked her for her cooperation, reaffirmed his promise of leniency, and stated they would never see each other again.
Ou repeated that she never wanted to see him again. Zhou Zhifei returned home carrying a heavy heart. Yuqing tried to talk to him, mentioning household matters and asking about his work and if the one surnamed Ou had returned to Suzhou, quickly dropping the subject as agreed. She informed him that Mr. Li had called and was in Suzhou, asking Zhou to meet him.
When Zhou met with Mr. Li, Mr. Li expressed dissatisfaction that Jiang Boxian had escaped and been taken by the CBIS, citing pressure from the Mei Agency and reminding Zhou that he had advised eliminating Jiang if necessary. Zhou apologized, stating the situation was complicated. Mr. Li questioned Zhou's actions, calling him meticulous and wondering what was wrong, possibly implying it was related to his son. Zhou denied this and asked about Ou Xinping.
Mr. Li confirmed his informant reported Jiang Boxian was back in Chongqing. He then brought up Zhou's past relationship with Ou in 1927, noting he nearly married her and truly cared for her, asking if Zhou could bear the outcome. Mr. Li revealed that Kondo Masao had found Zhou's "weakness" and the Japanese viewed Ou as useless. He confirmed he had approved their requests for her execution, scheduled for the following day.
He asked if there was any chance of persuading her again, but Zhou said he had tried and she refused. Mr. Li offered to send Zhou to Shanghai on a pretext, but Zhou declined. Mr. Li asked if Zhou was going to the execution ground, perhaps to help, and concluded that the next day would be a major test for Zhou. Gu Yizhong visited Ou Xinping in prison, bringing Cantonese small dishes that Haimo had prepared.
Ou immediately recognized Haimo's gesture and began eating, noting it was likely her last meal. She implored Gu to take care of Haimo, calling her a good girl with a tragic background who was now completely alone. She asked him to prevent Haimo from becoming homeless or being bullied and to cherish Haimo's sincere feelings. Gu promised to treat Haimo like his own sister. Ou responded that he didn't understand women and told him to disregard what she said.
She also asked him to tell "Mr. Huang" that she regretted not taking his advice and would see him in the next life. On the execution ground, Ou Xinping faced her fate. Zhou Zhifei was present. He recalled a day in 1927 when he went boating in Suzhou with a woman, describing it as the happiest day of his life. A gunshot ended Ou's life.
Later, a subordinate presented Zhou with a 200-yuan payment, explaining it was the standard bounty for executing a Chongqing agent, specifically calling it "Ou Xinping's head money." Zhou took the money silently. Gu Yizhong met with Mr. Huang and described the events at Willow Garden as a massacre. He explained he had acted unilaterally due to the emergency, a decision Mr. Huang approved as it prevented Jiang Boxian's capture.
Gu confessed his profound exhaustion and desire to quit his work, feeling he had lost his sense of self and could no longer distinguish truth from falsehood, fearing he would break down. He apologized for not persevering, but Mr. Huang said he respected Gu's decision. Gu stated he absolutely could not return to the "hellhole" of No. 90 and wanted to leave Suzhou immediately, seeking a burden-free life on a hopeful path.
Mr. Huang agreed he also desired this and believed that day would come, concluding with "China will win." Haimo happily told Gu that he was coming with them to the base, showing him a note confirming his decision. She acknowledged he needed a break after all he'd endured.
They discussed alternative routes out of the city, planning to travel by water disguised as fishermen from Shui Sheng's place early in the morning and locating their troops, possibly the 18th Brigade near Mount Maoshan. Haimo later asked Gu if Ou Xinping suffered when she died. Gu told her that Zhou Zhifei had personally executed Ou. Haimo was shocked, questioning how Zhou could kill Ou, who loved him deeply, calling him inhuman.
When Haimo asked if Ou had left any message, Gu fabricated one, saying Ou called Haimo a good girl, that the situation was Ou's fault for involving her, and Ou was sorry. Haimo realized he was lying but said she liked hearing it. Gu then informed Haimo he was leaving Suzhou and wouldn't be back soon.
Haimo offered to look after the house, but Gu insisted she must leave too, warning that No. 90 would search for him, putting her in danger. He suggested she go to Hong Kong where he had connections to help her settle. Haimo asked if she could accompany him, stating she had nowhere else to go. Gu refused, explaining his situation was complex and would involve a lengthy investigation at the base, causing her hardship.
He felt she had suffered enough and should stay away from these conflicts to live a better life. Haimo questioned what her "proper life" was, describing her current existence of performing and forcing smiles as no different from being dead. Gu urged her to believe that the War of Resistance would ultimately be won and the Japanese expelled from China.
Haimo agreed they would win but expressed doubt about whether they would ever see each other again before saying goodbye to Mr. Gu. On the early morning of December 7, 1941, 183 Japanese aircraft attacked Pearl Harbor from six carriers, causing immense damage to the American fleet and facilities. This surprise attack, described as achieving great results, drastically altered the international situation. Kondo Masao received the news, but despite someone calling it tremendous news, his mood was low.
Kondo argued that going south to fight the British and Americans was not the optimal strategy for the Empire; he believed Japan should have attacked the Soviet Union to the north. The other person reacted with anger. Later, at No. 90, someone showed Kondo Masao a portrait found at Huang Xinzhai's house. They noted they hadn't paid attention to it before but now realized it strongly resembled Gu Yizhong's butler, Fu Gui, questioning why Huang Xinzhai would have drawn him.
