A Lonely Hero's Journey Episode 25 Recap
> A Lonely Hero's Journey Recap
Captain Zhang Jiping examines a painting found in Huang Xinzhai's possession. He identifies the brushwork as belonging to Painter Li from the Fourth Branch, known for creating portraits of suspects. Captain Zhang realizes the painting is a likeness of Fu Gui, Gu Yizhong's butler, whom he believes was the mastermind behind the tunnel operation. Captain Zhang suggests to Zhou Zhifei that capturing Fu Gui would expose Gu Yizhong's activities.
Zhou Zhifei agrees with the plan, noting Captain Zhang's aspiration for the Vice Director position. He promises to support Captain Zhang's promotion when the time is right, though he expresses concern that the Japanese might have different personnel plans for No. 90, suggesting the Director ultimately decides personnel matters there. Zhou Zhifei orders Captain Zhang to proceed to Dingjue Temple, where Fu Gui is located, and apprehend him to force a reaction from Gu Yizhong.
Meanwhile, Gu Yizhong is summoned to meet Kondo, who expresses his admiration for Suzhou gardens. Kondo reveals his intention to establish the Sino-Japanese Cultural Association, aimed at cultural exchange including architecture and fostering growth between Chinese and Japanese children, and offers Gu Yizhong the position of President. Gu Yizhong initially declines, citing his relative inexperience and lower rank compared to Director Zhou and other heads within No. 90, feeling he would struggle to gain their respect.
Kondo perceives this as a concern about Zhou Zhifei, stating his own dislike for Zhou Zhifei, whom he sees as self-serving rather than dedicated to the peace movement, predicting Zhou Zhifei has no future. Kondo praises Gu Yizhong's educational background, knowledge of architecture, and skills, contrasting him with others in the station. He assures Gu Yizhong that he is capable of the President role and suggests that with effort, Gu Yizhong could eventually become the Director of the agent station.
Gu Yizhong accepts the appointment as President of the Sino-Japanese Cultural Association. At Dingjue Temple, Fu Gui is praying when Captain Zhang Jiping arrives with No. 90 agents and Japanese Military Police. Captain Zhang orders Fu Gui to return with them to No. 90. As agents attempt to apprehend him, Fu Gui resists. During the struggle, he declares that Chinese will not be traitors for the Japanese.
He then activates a hidden hand grenade, sacrificing himself and killing several Japanese soldiers and agents in the process. Upon hearing of Kondo's proposal to Gu Yizhong and then receiving Captain Zhang's report of Fu Gui's death, Zhou Zhifei's anger escalates. Determined to assert his authority within No. 90 and pressure Gu Yizhong, he orders the arrest of Haimo, claiming she is a CBIS agent from Chongqing.
He specifies she be taken to the interrogation room and subjected to torture, joking about the prison being full and suggesting sending her to someone's house if there's no space. Gu Yizhong confronts Zhou Zhifei, demanding Haimo's release and accusing him of framing her, stating that their affairs have nothing to do with her. Zhou Zhifei insists their investigation confirms Haimo is Zhang Haimo, a CBIS agent from Chongqing and a subordinate of Ou Xinping, whom Zhou Zhifei personally executed.
He coldly warns Gu Yizhong to cooperate, implying Haimo will confess under torture just as Ou Xinping did, threatening her hands with electric shock. Kondo arrives during the confrontation. Zhou Zhifei presents his evidence, including travel records and a CBIS payroll book listing "Zhang Haimo," arguing she is a spy.
Gu Yizhong vehemently denies this, stating Haimo is his fiancée, bound by an engagement made fifteen years prior between their fathers, and that she is a simple lady performer of storytelling, not involved in politics. He points out inconsistencies in the payroll book, suggesting her name was added last, like it was temporary, and the signature is not hers.
Gu Yizhong argues Haimo has primarily stayed in his garden caring for his late father since arriving in Suzhou, only occasionally visiting a storytelling venue, and was even given the property's title deed by his dying father. Gu Yizhong insists Haimo is naive and could only be involved if manipulated. Zhou Zhifei proposes torturing Haimo to verify her identity.
Gu Yizhong offers his life as a guarantee that Haimo is innocent, while Zhou Zhifei offers his life to guarantee she is a spy. Kondo questions why they haven't married if there's an engagement and mutual affection, and Gu Yizhong explains they delayed due to his father's recent death, deeming marriage during the mourning period inappropriate. Kondo dismisses such formalities in wartime. Convinced by Gu Yizhong's earnest pledge, Kondo decides to order Haimo's release.
Following Huang Xinzhai's death, Kondo seeks to balance the internal power dynamic within No. 90. Kondo then suggests that Gu Yizhong and Haimo get married, viewing it as a positive event for No. 90, and instructs Zhou Zhifei to allocate funds to arrange a proper, dignified, Western-style wedding with station funds. Later, in private, Zhou Zhifei attempts to recommend Captain Zhang for the vacant Vice Director position.
Kondo dismisses Zhou Zhifei's recommendation, revealing he has already decided, stating he has other plans for Gu Yizhong. He presents an appointment letter signed by Mr. Li, officially appointing Gu Yizhong as the Vice Director of the Suzhou Agent Station. After their meeting, Zhou Zhifei sarcastically congratulates Gu Yizhong. He warns Gu Yizhong that Kondo is likely pushing the marriage to sever his ties with the Communist Party, comparing it to Kondo forcing him to execute Ou Xinping.
Zhou Zhifei advises Gu Yizhong to understand the Japanese's motivations to survive in No. 90, noting their difficulty in truly trusting Communists due to their strong beliefs, contrasting them with turncoat KMT/CBIS agents who are more easily trusted. He observes Kondo seems to trust Gu Yizhong for now. Gu Yizhong confronts Zhou Zhifei about the arrest and reveals he killed the sniper Zhou Zhifei had positioned at Willow Garden, viewing the act as retribution for the sniper's excessive killing.
Zhou Zhifei acknowledges Gu Yizhong's presence that day, noting Gu Yizhong's ability to see far with his father's German military binoculars. Gu Yizhong retrieves Haimo after her release. She expresses her confusion and notes his somber mood. Gu Yizhong tells her to wait at home while he goes to meet someone. Gu Yizhong meets with his contact, who confirms his appointment as Vice Director was requested by the Japanese.
Gu Yizhong feels the Japanese are deliberately dragging him deeper into their affairs, just as they did with his father. His contact explains he has two paths: leave No. 90 or go along with the flow and marry Haimo. His contact informs him of Fu Gui's death; he fought back against the agents who came to arrest him and died with them.
Gu Yizhong is devastated, refusing to believe Fu Gui was still in Suzhou after arrangements were made for him to leave with Xiao Ruotong. His contact explains Fu Gui's refusal to abandon his hometown, unwilling to stand by as his home was surrendered to the Japanese, choosing to fight back and die instead.
Gu Yizhong reads a letter from Fu Gui expressing unwavering loyalty to the Gu family name and his commitment to dying for Suzhou, stating he was a soldier who should have died in battle and felt shame for living longer, and promising to take care of Gu Yizhong's master (likely Gu Yizhong's father) in the afterlife and see the Japanese driven out of Suzhou. Heartbroken, Gu Yizhong asks for guidance.
His contact suggests a fake marriage with Haimo as a necessary tactic in their undercover work, referred to as 'zuo jiguan', which is an invaluable opportunity allowing Gu Yizhong to potentially gain access to critical intelligence as Vice Director. Gu Yizhong is reluctant, having proposed to Xiao Ruotong, stating he doesn't want this.
Gu Yizhong speaks to Haimo, explaining he must remain in No. 90 to earn Kondo's complete trust and continue his work for their cause, which requires cutting off his past connections and fully solidifying his identity within No. 90. He emphasizes the dire state of the country and their need to fight with all their might. He then asks Haimo to marry him.
Haimo senses his feelings for Xiao Ruotong but tells him she is willing to follow his lead and listen to him. Gu Yizhong clarifies that it must be a fake marriage for their operation, not a real one. Haimo, though aware his heart belongs to Xiao Ruotong, agrees to the fake marriage, expressing confidence in her ability to play the role of the wife but jokingly doubting his ability to play the husband convincingly given his true feelings.
She also states her only wish is to avenge Gu Yizhong's father, cousin, and Fu Gui. Meanwhile, Xiao Ruotong is knitting a scarf for Gu Yizhong, expecting him to join her soon as they planned to leave. His contact visits and tells her Gu Yizhong cannot leave with them for the time being. When she presses for an explanation, despite his contact's reluctance, he eventually reveals that Gu Yizhong is getting married.
Xiao Ruotong is shocked and disbelieving, questioning how he could marry someone else when she believed he was with her, and insisting she will go find out why. A Western-style wedding ceremony is held in a church for Gu Yizhong and Zhang Haimo after two days. Kondo receives an invitation and attends, presenting a gift of fine fabric.
Agents at No. 90 also discuss the wedding invitation, speculating about Haimo's identity and whether the marriage is genuine, noting she is not the Communist woman they heard about. Recognizing Gu Yizhong's new position as Vice Director and his favor with Kondo, they decide to send significant gifts, despite their doubts, reasoning it is better to have a friend and that their gift should be genuine even if the marriage isn't.
During the ceremony, the officiant presides as Gu Yizhong and Haimo exchange vows and rings, committing to each other as husband and wife, before the officiant suggests the groom kiss the bride.
