Cambrian Period Episode 15 Recap
> Cambrian Period Recap
Jian Zi confronted Zhan Shili, questioning if his "sons" were merely tools for service and sacrifice, devoid of any genuine affection. Zhan Shili responded that relentless struggle was essential for strength. He recounted saving a 12-year-old Jian Zi from a street fight, seeing his own past stubbornness in the boy.
He claimed he valued Jian Zi the most among his sons, teaching him ambition, but lamented Jian Zi's impatience and his own mistake of teaching him too much greed without showing him how to control it. He said that if Jian Zi had only waited, everything would have been his, adding that emotions were a hindrance, a "shackle" for people like them.
Jian Zi argued that they revered him like a father, even willing to die for him, and asked if Zhan Shili viewed them as hunting dogs or disposable garbage, comparing his method to "Gu," where only the strongest survive to be king. Jian Zi then brought up Suo Tou, who had endured to the end, yet was still forced by Zhan Shili. Zhan Shili explained that the "black world" had changed, and the "Lianpu" identity was no longer needed.
He told Jian Zi he didn't need to die, as the world only knew "Lianpu" and not Jian Zi. Jian Zi then pulled out a gun, demanding Zhan Shili either kill him or set him free. Zhan Shili promised his freedom after he completed one final task, assuring him that this time it was real. Reluctantly, Jian Zi agreed, then screamed his frustration into the vast sea.
Zhan Shili observed Jian Zi, noting that he had learned to suppress his emotions. Later, Song Mingzhu meticulously bandaged Jian Zi’s wounds at the small pub, instructing him to avoid certain foods that would hinder his recovery, implying that Brother Quan Cheng might have bought inappropriate items. Just then, Tang Yin arrived to bid farewell.
She explained that she had stayed to care for him while he was recovering, but with Song Mingzhu, a capable doctor, now present, she could return to her hotel. As Tang Yin turned to leave, Jian Zi embraced her from behind, imploring her to stay. Tang Yin, though secretly angered, feigned indifference, telling Song Mingzhu that Jian Zi was merely dependent on her because she had cared for him for so long, like a child throwing a tantrum.
Song Mingzhu acknowledged Jian Zi’s occasional willfulness. To demonstrate his earnestness, Jian Zi cupped Tang Yin’s face and kissed her deeply. Surprised, Tang Yin paused for a few seconds before pushing him away, playfully scolding him for acting like a "rascal" and hastily departing with a flushed face. Jian Zi jokingly retorted that it wasn’t being a "rascal" if it wasn't obvious, recalling a previous intimate moment where she had kissed him claiming it was to save him.
Walking alone, her mind reeling from the kiss, Tang Yin was suddenly met by a car, which turned out to be driven by Li Yongji. At Li Yongji's home, Tang Yin confided her emotional turmoil, expressing confusion about people's "inconsistency" and her recent argument with Jian Zi. She mentioned that Jian Zi had a childhood sweetheart, Song Mingzhu, living at his house, yet he had pursued her.
Li Yongji advised her to clear up any misunderstandings, suggesting she might be overlooking a good man. He then reminded her of a note she had left him, mentioning an "encoder." Tang Yin remembered and handed over the encoder, begging him to find Coco's killer. She recounted Suo Tou's dying words, which suggested he was not Coco's killer and not the real "Lianpu."
Li Yongji corroborated that Suo Tou was indeed not the true "Lianpu" and that the actual killer remained at large. He explained that he was currently suspended and unable to conduct official investigations. He then returned the encoder to Tang Yin, assuring her it was safer with her for the time being, but cautioned her against revealing its existence to anyone, promising to ensure her safety.
Meanwhile, Jian Zi candidly told Song Mingzhu that he harbored no romantic feelings for her and could no longer abide by his father's arrangements. Song Mingzhu, understanding his plight, stated that if liking him was a problem, it was her own. She wished him happiness and encouraged him to seek his own bliss. She mused that some things were beyond their control and not something they could choose, but hoped he would live without regret.
Jian Zi, unable to let go of Tang Yin, used his phone's location tracker to pinpoint her at Li Yongji's apartment. Seeing them enjoying drinks and conversation, he became infuriated and conceived a mischievous plan. As Li Yongji subtly probed Tang Yin about the ambulance incident from the airport, the doorbell rang. They became alert at the late-night visitor, only to find a delivery person with takeout food ordered in Tang Yin's name.
Over the next few minutes, more prepaid deliveries arrived, all addressed to Tang Yin. Tang Yin quickly realized it was Jian Zi’s doing, calling him a "bastard kid" and finding his childish antics both irritating and endearing. Deciding to play along, she called Jian Zi and began a deliberately flirtatious conversation with "Officer Li." True to her expectations, Jian Zi, fueled by jealousy, pounded on Li Yongji's door and refused to leave.
Unable to reason with him, Tang Yin had no choice but to take him away. Outside, Jian Zi urged Tang Yin to return with him, explaining that his relationship with Song Mingzhu was solely orchestrated by Zhan Shili and held no personal meaning for him. Tang Yin, knowing he couldn't defy Zhan Shili, feigned exhaustion, claiming she was tired of everything and simply wanted to go home.
She insisted they couldn’t give each other what they truly desired and that separating was the best option. She told him not to seek her out again, confessing that she had "had enough" and was plagued by nightmares of Coco's death and Suo Tou's bloody struggle, witnessing people die in front of her. She admitted to being an ordinary person who was afraid and longed for her former stable life. Jian Zi asked if she truly had a choice.
Tang Yin retorted that neither of them did, and she told him to go back, explicitly stating, "I don't love you." She apologized for intruding into his world, explaining that he couldn't provide the security she craved, just as she couldn't offer him the bright future that Song Mingzhu could. Jian Zi, distraught, declared that his future was with her and pleaded with her to trust him, promising he would soon be free, and they could live together.
Tang Yin, however, walked away, stating it wouldn't be that simple. Watching Tang Yin leave, heartbroken and defeated, Li Yongji made a profound decision. He resolved that perhaps the only thing he could do for her was to transform Nanda Island into the peaceful haven she envisioned in her heart. He whispered an apology.
