A Lonely Hero's Journey Episode 5 Recap
> A Lonely Hero's Journey Recap
Gu Yizhong sat at the table, his meal untouched. His father, Gu Xixing, commented on the uneaten food and the cook Mr. Liu's skill. Gu Yizhong pleaded with his father to believe he had not done anything to betray the Gu family. Gu Xixing revealed that the Japanese actions were directed at him personally, aiming to implicate him. After careful consideration, he saw only one solution: Gu Yizhong must leave Suzhou for Hong Kong.
He mentioned a former subordinate, Chen Hanyu, in Hong Kong who would look after him with a letter of introduction. Gu Yizhong refused to leave, insisting he must stay and clear his name, stating he was not a traitor. His father asked if he had evidence. Gu Yizhong claimed someone at Station 90 could prove his innocence and indicated a drawing of a man.
Gu Xixing questioned Gu Yizhong's ability to outmaneuver the agents at Station 90, mentioning his cousin was still imprisoned there. He also showed Gu Yizhong an item that Ruotong had given him, explaining the Japanese had sent it. Gu Xixing stated he was old and had sworn not to leave Suzhou, his wife, or the family estate, but Gu Yizhong was different; staying would only make him a tool for the Japanese to threaten his father.
Therefore, he had to leave. He believed the accusations of being a traitor and collaborator would eventually be cleared by time. Gu Yizhong countered that his departure would make his father a more exposed target. Gu Xixing recounted his history with the Japanese, including the 1928 incident in Jinan where he ordered resistance but was ordered to withdraw, leading to significant casualties. He stated he resigned in anger but had never forgotten the desire for vengeance.
He urged Gu Yizhong to escape the immediate danger and flee, emphasizing the importance of his survival, while stating he, at sixty, was not afraid of death or the Japanese. Fu Gui entered, reporting that Gu Yizhong's luggage had already been sent to the train station as instructed.
Gu Xixing told Gu Yizhong it was time to go, and Fu Gui also encouraged him, noting how much effort Gu Xixing had put in for him, using the saying, "Where there is life, there is hope." Gu Yizhong then shared the news that his sister had given birth to a boy, and his father congratulated him. As they prepared to leave, Spring and Haimo appeared, blocking their path.
Spring demanded to know where Gu Yizhong was going, claiming it was her business because of a childhood engagement arranged by his father between Gu Yizhong and Haimo, calling herself his sister-in-law. Gu Yizhong claimed he had never heard of it and asked to discuss it later as they were in a hurry. Spring insisted Haimo was a proper lady and told Gu Yizhong to keep his hands off her. They argued, preventing them from leaving.
Gu Xixing arrived, and Spring addressed him. Gu Xixing offered to treat Haimo like his own daughter, but Spring rejected this, stating they would discuss what they wanted later as the current situation was urgent. Gu Xixing then told Fu Gui to proceed with Gu Yizhong. Fu Gui informed them that there were two groups of agents from Station 90 monitoring outside the courtyard and that several rickshaws, likely also targeting Gu Yizhong, had recently appeared at the alley entrance.
Gu Xixing confirmed Gu Yizhong had a weapon, and they decided to go to the train station openly. As Gu Yizhong rode in a rickshaw with Fu Gui, he spotted the agents following them. He offered the rickshaw driver extra money to lose their tails. The driver sped up, but the pursuing rickshaws kept pace. Gu Yizhong suddenly jumped out of the moving rickshaw, making his escape.
The driver demanded payment from Fu Gui, who was left behind, unable to follow Gu Yizhong. Fu Gui later reported to Gu Xixing that Gu Yizhong had run off. He showed Gu Xixing an item that belonged to Gu Yizhong, confirming his identity, and presented Gu Yizhong's unused train ticket to Shanghai. Elsewhere, agents at Station 90 discussed Gu Yizhong's escape.
Zhou Youfei ordered men to find him quickly, despite another agent questioning why, since they had already handed Gu Yizhong over to Kondo and he had escaped, making it the Japanese's problem. Zhou Youfei cautioned against trusting the Japanese, suggesting they might demand Gu Yizhong back. Meanwhile, Gu Yizhong had captured and tied up a man named Lian Qiangbao. Lian Qiangbao was surprised to find Gu Yizhong alive. Gu Yizhong said Lian Qiangbao should thank him.
Lian Qiangbao accused Gu Yizhong of framing him. Gu Yizhong confirmed his name was Lian Qiangbao, not Liu Qiangbao, and interrogated him about being from the New Fourth Army's 6th Division and being at Station 90. Lian Qiangbao denied being part of the New Fourth Army, admitting he had only pretended. Gu Yizhong ordered him to write down a statement. Gu Yizhong later called Gu's Garden, and Haimo answered.
He asked her for a favor, explaining he was in a lot of trouble. Haimo was surprised he was still in Suzhou, asking where to find him if something happened at home. Gu Yizhong instructed her to retrieve his bank card from his room, withdraw money, and bring it to him. He stressed the secrecy of their meeting, telling her not to tell anyone, including his father, Fu Gui, and her cousin-in-law.
Haimo met Gu Yizhong and gave him the money she had withdrawn. Gu Yizhong reiterated he was "big trouble" and emphasized secrecy before leaving. In his haste, he left his umbrella behind. At Gu's Garden, Xiao Ruotong arrived looking for Gu Yizhong. She spoke with Gu Xixing, who explained that her organization had misunderstandings about Gu Yizhong and wanted him back to clarify things.
Gu Xixing expressed his concern about "misunderstandings" in such chaotic times, questioning if the organization had already condemned Gu Yizhong as a traitor and planned to eliminate him. He vouched for Gu Yizhong's character and the Gu family's principles, which Ruotong acknowledged, stating her belief in Gu Yizhong's innocence. She understood her difficult position, having to balance personal loyalty and organizational orders.
Gu Xixing recounted his attempt to send Gu Yizhong to Hong Kong and how he had run away before reaching the station, leaving his current whereabouts unknown. He offered to have Fu Gui provide details, but Ruotong declined. Gu Xixing added that he didn't interfere with Gu Yizhong's activities and mentioned that Gu Yizhong's cousin, Lu Zheng, was detained at Station 90 because of him, and his companions from the Architecture Research Society hadn't seen him in weeks.
He stated Fu Gui and others were searching Suzhou for him. Gu Xixing swore on his life that no traitor would come from Gu's Garden and that if Gu Yizhong were guilty, he would deal with him himself, but if innocent, he would clear his name. As Ruotong was leaving, Haimo appeared and asked if she was looking for Gu Yizhong. Ruotong confirmed.
Haimo said she had met him recently to give him money but didn't know where he lived, noting that he seemed to be hiding and afraid of meeting familiar faces. Ruotong asked if she could contact him. Haimo explained that Gu Yizhong wouldn't reveal his location, but they had arranged that Ruotong would call Gu's Garden every day at 6 p. m. to reach Haimo, and Haimo would pass along any news.
They introduced themselves as Zhang Haimo and Xiao Ruotong. Ruotong thanked Haimo. Meanwhile, Station 90 agents searched for Lian Qiangbao, having noticed his two-day absence. The station head led the search to Lian Qiangbao's usual residence, ordering the door kicked open, but it was empty. The head mentioned seeing Lian Qiangbao leave in a car towards Pingjiang Road earlier. They planned to check the Sanbao Casino. Haimo, walking in an alley, saw the agents at a building and hid.
After they left, she noticed an umbrella by the door and recognized it as Gu Yizhong's from their recent meeting. Guessing he was inside with Lian Qiangbao, she knocked. Gu Yizhong let her in; Lian Qiangbao was also present. Haimo explained how she found him. Gu Yizhong admitted his carelessness in leaving the umbrella. Haimo informed Gu Yizhong that Xiao Ruotong had come looking for him and that she had promised to notify Ruotong if she heard anything.
Gu Yizhong confirmed Ruotong's visit. Haimo explained their arrangement for Ruotong to call at 6 p. m. Gu Yizhong asked who knew about this, and Haimo assured him no one else did. Gu Yizhong then asked Haimo to tell Ruotong that he had found a witness who could prove his innocence and needed to meet her immediately. Later, Haimo answered a call at Gu's Garden from Ruotong. Haimo relayed Gu Yizhong's message: meet tomorrow at 2 p. m.
at Zhang's Feng Village Noodles, where he would bring an agent from Station 90 who could clear his name. While Haimo was eating with Spring, Spring asked who she was talking to on the phone, but Haimo claimed it was a wrong number. Spring, having overheard the conversation, later reported to Zhou Youfei that Gu Yizhong had arranged a meeting for 2 p. m. the next day at Zhang's Feng Village Noodles and had caught an agent from Station 90.
Zhou Youfei found the meeting place unusual and ordered his men to gather immediately. The next day at Zhang's Feng Village Noodles, Gu Yizhong was with Lian Qiangbao, offering him noodles. Lian Qiangbao joked if Yizhong was going to kill him after feeding him.
Gu Yizhong said no, he needed him to meet people and explain everything that happened at Wangshudun, including how Lian Qiangbao was used in a trap to help Gu Yizhong escape the execution site, claiming he was forced. Xiao Ruotong and Zhou Zhenwu arrived for the meeting. Gu Yizhong introduced Lian Qiangbao as his witness, the fake New Fourth Army soldier he had mentioned, insisting only Lian Qiangbao could prove he wasn't lying, wasn't a traitor, and wasn't "Cell 8".
Lian Qiangbao seemed to recognize Zhou Zhenwu from being on the truck. Gu Yizhong mentioned Lian Qiangbao had written a confession and told Ruotong to take it. Just then, Zhou Youfei burst in with agents from Station 90. Zhou Youfei announced their presence and ordered his men to take Gu Yizhong and Lian Qiangbao. A shootout erupted. In the chaos, Lian Qiangbao grabbed Ruotong as a hostage, shouting for the agents not to shoot.
Zhou Zhenwu identified Lian Qiangbao as someone who had captured a communist and provided cover before shooting Lian Qiangbao dead. Ruotong cried out, asking Zhou Zhenwu why he had killed Lian Qiangbao, his witness. Zhou Youfei declared the meeting was Gu Yizhong's trap and demanded to know who else knew about it besides Ruotong and Haimo. He then accused Gu Yizhong of being "Cell 8". Gu Yizhong vehemently denied it. Zhou Youfei asked for the confession.
Gu Yizhong searched for it, finding it on the floor. As he reached for it, Zhou Youfei repeatedly shot the document, destroying it. Gu Yizhong was devastated, realizing all his evidence was gone and no one could prove his innocence. Ruotong urged him to come back with her, assuring him the organization would find a way to prove his innocence. Gu Yizhong, distraught, refused to go, maintaining his innocence. Zhou Youfei called him a traitor.
Enraged and desperate, Gu Yizhong charged towards Zhou Youfei. Zhou Youfei shot him, and Gu Yizhong fell. Ruotong cried out his name, and Zhou Zhenwu pulled her away, warning that they had to leave or they would both die there.
