Cambrian Period Episode 16 Recap
> Cambrian Period Recap
Jian Zi, impatient for clarity, confronted Zhan Shili, demanding to know the nature of his final mission. Zhan Shili explained that Jian Zi’s identity as "Facebook" was a thing of the past; he would now assume the role of Qiumen's heir to expose and eliminate their hidden enemies, after which he would finally be free. Jian Zi accepted the task but insisted that Tang Yin should not be further entangled.
Zhan Shili, however, countered that Tang Yin was irrevocably drawn into their affairs the moment Shen Keke entrusted her with the encoder, adding that her involvement would also serve as a means to control Jian Zi. Zhan Shili further instructed Jian Zi to cultivate a good relationship with Mingzhu, even if it was merely a facade of familial affection. Li Yongji and Tang Yin both received invitations to the Qiumen heir, Jian Zi's, engagement banquet.
Li Yongji urged Tang Yin not to force herself, but she responded that she was fine and intended to go, explaining that it was a political marriage between the Li Han and Song families. She dismissed any notion of trying to stop it, assuring Li Yongji she had no such inclination, and viewed the invitations as a warning to him and an attempt to drive a wedge between her and Jian Zi.
She reaffirmed her commitment to staying involved, just as he would not abandon his investigation into Qiumen. At the opulent banquet, Jian Zi was met with congratulations, confused as he believed it was solely a celebration for Director Song's promotion. His confusion grew when Tang Yin arrived, escorted by Li Yongji, who offered his congratulations. Jian Zi, misunderstanding the situation, suspected Li Yongji of scheming against him.
Throughout the event, Jian Zi's eyes remained fixed on Tang Yin, who, despite her unease, feigned indifference. Mai Quancheng discreetly approached Tang Yin, remarking that this was the first time he had seen Jian Zi so captivated by a woman. He suggested that Jian Zi must be unaware it was an engagement banquet, or his character would prevent him from appearing.
Tang Yin remained tight-lipped, cynically calling Jian Zi a "scum man," before acknowledging Mingzhu's impressive background as a medical genius, proficient in six languages, the daughter of the Second Attorney General of the High Police Department, and Jian Zi's childhood sweetheart, noting their perfectly matched status now that Jian Zi was Qiumen’s heir. Meanwhile, Li Yongji used the opportunity to question Cai Jiayi about the ambulance from a previous incident. Cai Jiayi’s evasiveness suggested she was withholding information.
Li Yongji pressed her to be honest, and she eventually confessed that she had taken and destroyed the item hidden in the vehicle, explaining her desire to be a principled public servant and emphasizing the importance of strategic patience over impulsive actions. She advised him not to make decisions that could harm himself or others, hoping they could maintain their professional relationship.
When Zhan Shili formally announced the commencement of the engagement ceremony between Mingzhu and Jian Zi, the true nature of the event dawned on Jian Zi. Zhan Shili sternly reminded him of their agreement and his mission. Jian Zi struggled to suppress his rage, but as he prepared to place the ring on Mingzhu's finger, he found himself unable to go through with the deception.
Instead, he turned, walked directly to Tang Yin, placed the ring on her finger, and then swept her into his arms, carrying her out of the shocked ballroom. Tang Yin initially resisted, but Jian Zi held her close and kissed her passionately, a moment that sealed their feelings for each other. As Zhan Shili’s men began their pursuit, the couple made their escape by car. Tang Yin took the wheel, determined to escape their relentless pursuers.
They managed to evade capture when a section of the road was deliberately closed off, a move orchestrated by Li Yongji through his contacts, blocking Zhan Shili’s men. Observing Jian Zi and Tang Yin’s dramatic escape, Li Yongji crushed a wine glass in his hand, filled with regret over his own inability to fight for Tang Yin's love with the same courage.
An officer, who had previously assisted Li Yongji, remarked on Jian Zi's passionate display, praising his commitment to love. Back at the banquet, Zhan Shili was incandescent with rage over Jian Zi's defiance. He was forced to humble himself before Director Song, offering half of Qiumen's assets to Mingzhu as a dowry and pledging all his political and business connections to Director Song to salvage the alliance.
Mingzhu, despite her father's outrage, displayed a surprising understanding, suggesting Jian Zi’s actions were due to a rushed arranged marriage and urging Zhan Shili to retract his extravagant promises, but he firmly refused, reiterating Mingzhu as his chosen daughter-in-law. Later, Zhan Shili, noticing Li Yongji's evident distress, mockingly highlighted his recent professional and romantic misfortunes.
Li Yongji retorted with a grim wish for Zhan Shili's death, but Zhan Shili, unfazed, cryptically suggested that Li Yongji, though "toothless" now, could regain his power and become even more formidable, hinting at a potential future alliance or an offer for a new direction.
