Cambrian Period Episode 23 Recap
> Cambrian Period Recap
After losing those he held dear, Jian Zi fell into a deep depression, spending days drinking in his car. His subordinate worried to Zhan Shili that Jian Zi hadn't eaten anything for days, only smoking and drinking, and was given nutrient solution in the "Tiger Ward," fearing his body would collapse.
Zhan Shili, however, seemed unconcerned when he heard Jian Zi was missing, stating that Jian Zi had "broken through Longtan tiger crab" and a "small hospital can't shut him down," believing he would "naturally appear when it is time to appear." Soon after, Jian Zi cleaned himself up and found his Facebook mask in a box, a mask that held great significance for him. As he put it on, he recalled Tang Yin's question, "Are you a good person?"
Jian Zi, now in his Facebook persona, launched a series of attacks on Qiu Men's casinos. Li Yongji received a report about these attacks and ordered for all procedures to be followed normally, viewing this as an opportunity to strike a blow against Qiu Men. The news reported that the attacked locations were primarily warehouses where casino chips were stored, with the police not ruling out revenge from an organization against the South Island Casino interest group.
Li Yongji, watching the news, remarked to himself, "Zhan Shili, it seems that someone is more restless than me. Such a good opportunity, I will definitely not let it go." He then received a phone call from an informant, who reported that Qiu Men's people had arrived at the chip warehouse, prompting Li Yongji to exclaim, "Ah, it's him," and rush to the location alone. At the warehouse, Facebook confronted Li Yongji, greeting him, "Long time no see."
Li Yongji, surprised that Facebook was alive, asked about "him," but Facebook feigned ignorance. When Li Yongji asked if he was there to surrender, Facebook instead produced an item belonging to Tang Yin. Li Yongji questioned why it was in Facebook’s possession and if he knew Tang Yin's whereabouts, but Facebook claimed ignorance.
Facebook then exposed Li Yongji's secret, stating that "this encoder is fake" and remarking that Li Yongji’s "swapping trick is very good," implying Li Yongji had a history of manipulating such items. Facebook further revealed that the "address" for Genie's hoarded chip-making materials was placed in Li Yongji's home by Facebook, and the Qiu Men operatives who came to seize them were dispatched by Facebook himself.
Facebook sarcastically told Li Yongji not to "think naively, God helps you with all this." Li Yongji then directly asked Facebook's intentions, to which Facebook declared his aim was to "overthrow Qiu Men" and invited Li Yongji to join him. Li Yongji, suspicious of betrayal, questioned Facebook's loyalty to Qiu Men.
Facebook explained that his relationship with Qiu Men was purely transactional, and since "they can't give me what I want, and I know too much," he questioned what would happen next. Li Yongji demanded to know why he should trust him, and Facebook responded, "You know me better than yourself." Facebook declared he was "starting to act" and warned Li Yongji not to "let me down."
Meanwhile, Zhan Shili was fully aware of Li Yongji's secret chip manufacturing and Jian Zi's actions. His subordinate reported Li Yongji's progress with manufacturing chips using new materials. Zhan Shili dismissed concerns about Jian Zi for now, saying Li Yongji was "already very proud, he thought God was helping him." He ordered his subordinates to "grab all his things back" so Li Yongji could "experience the feeling of Genie at that time."
Zhan Shili also learned about the chip recall order and the repurchase at original price, noting it was "quite like the handwriting of my Zhan Shili." When a subordinate expressed concern about the increasing number of chips and suggested pausing the recall, Zhan Shili insisted, "Those who come will not refuse," even if it became "worse and worse" to manage.
He elaborated on Jian Zi's strategy, involving recalling chips and reaching an agreement with the police to attack Qiu Men's capital chain. Zhan Shili saw this as Jian Zi "closely linked" in his plan, expressing satisfaction, "If they don't die, will he make such progress?" implying Tang Yin and Mai Quancheng's deaths were a catalyst. He added, "Unfortunately, it is still not tough enough.
I'd better add more oil," and ordered his people to stir up trouble among small groups to make the chaos "more interesting." He appreciated Jian Zi's ruthlessness in dealing with Qiu Men's old structure, recognizing that 70% of Qiu Men's chips had been destroyed and no new ones could be produced without the encoder, forcing a recall. He suggested Li Yongji could profit from this, effectively making him a "fisherman."
When Li Yongji, on a phone call with Facebook, wondered who was behind the recent chaos, Facebook clarified that Zhan Shili "always likes to win by chaos" and his purpose was "diverting attention, put pressure on the police." Facebook advised Li Yongji not to "guess if you can't guess. Otherwise, you will be led away by him."
Facebook then presented Li Yongji with a list of clubs suppressed by Qiu Men, urging him to leverage his contacts to create internal and external pressure, thereby "completely drag them down." Li Yongji noted Jian Zi had "changed a lot," to which Jian Zi replied, "Thanks to you." Jian Zi, still in his Facebook persona, confronted Zhan Shili. Zhan Shili told his subordinate that Jian Zi's "talent is good."
Zhan Shili then told Jian Zi, "You finally come to see me," praising him for shedding "unnecessary emotional fetters" and adopting a "by no means" approach to achieve his goals, which he believed was "what a strong man should do." He declared, "You did well. Qiu Men to you, I am at ease." Zhan Shili further asserted that Jian Zi's actions were merely his way of "resistance and revenge" against the destiny Zhan Shili had set for him.
He claimed that the world was "intertwined with black and white, just like the alternation of sun and moon," and that Jian Zi already understood these principles but refused to accept them. Dismissing Jian Zi's hatred as something that "doesn't hurt," he instructed Jian Zi to "shoot." However, Jian Zi hesitated, his hand trembling. To provoke him, Zhan Shili reminded Jian Zi of his "dead brothers," claiming they "all died for you."
He continued, "Think about Tang Yin and your good friends. Also die for you. What else do you have to worry about?" He then delivered a final, cruel blow, stating, "I have never regarded you as my own son. . . I just regard you as my tool to continue my glory." Enraged, Jian Zi pointed the gun at himself and pulled the trigger, but it was empty.
Zhan Shili then lamented that if Jian Zi had "half the decisiveness," their relationship would not have reached "this point today." Outside, Li Yongji arrived with a large police force, shouting, "Zhan Shili, your good life is over! Come out and face everything!" Zhan Shili responded defiantly, threatening to "lose both sides" in a fight with the police. He then invited Li Yongji to come in alone for a "negotiation," promising "no casualties."
Li Yongji entered and was immediately ambushed and restrained. Zhan Shili thanked Li Yongji for his "help" in "clearing all the black market forces," announcing that Qiu Men was now "completely whitewashed" and "has nothing to do with the dark world anymore." Li Yongji realized he had been played, confirming Zhan Shili had set a trap.
Zhan Shili then exposed Li Yongji's past, revealing him to be an "undercover at the top of the police" who had "worked with Genie" and "with me," a high-ranking officer "who was already black and could not be black any more." He mockingly told Jian Zi to "study hard" from Li Yongji. Zhan Shili then declared he had transferred Qiu Men's management rights, telling Jian Zi to play with his "heir" from now on.
He concluded, "If you want Qiu Men to be good or not, I have already done what I should do." Zhan Shili then told Li Yongji, "I said, I will give you an explanation." Following Zhan Shili's signal, his butler struck Li Yongji, knocking him unconscious, then shot Zhan Shili himself. Jian Zi was shocked, calling out, "Master!" as the butler declared, "The old man said, at this time, he is dead, also want to die in their own hands.
Others can't take his life away." The butler explained that Zhan Shili did not want to "leave with your hatred for him." After handing the Qiu Men transfer papers to Jian Zi, the butler said, "Buddy, I'll find you," implying he would join Zhan Shili in death, and then committed suicide. Jian Zi, holding the transfer papers, was overcome with pain as both his father and master died before him.
Qiu Men officially announced that Zhan Shili had died of a sudden illness. Jian Zi met with Li Yongji, who accused him of framing him, pointing out that his own gun couldn't have killed anyone. Jian Zi retorted that Zhan Shili had many ways to deal with him and wouldn't have needed to frame Qiu Men, reiterating the official story.
Jian Zi then proposed a final deal: if Li Yongji would "let Qiu Men go," Jian Zi would "destroy all records" of Li Yongji's past dealings with Han Qing and "one person carried all the charges." Li Yongji scornfully dismissed the offer, stating he no longer cared for such evidence, desiring only for Qiu Men to "never come back."
He asserted that Jian Zi alone was not enough to destroy Qiu Men and that Jian Zi would not have a chance. Jian Zi became the new chairman of Qiu Men, presenting a mature, steady, and decisive demeanor. He convened a meeting, where he first noted that he didn't need an introduction, then announced his father's death to the assembled subordinates.
He then declared that the company's assets would be evaluated and sold, with the proceeds distributed to every employee as "compensation from the former chairman." Jian Zi also acknowledged Qiu Men's past crimes, vowing to "bear all these by myself" and "try to give everyone a good end." He warned those with "ambition" against "any foul play" during the evaluation process, urging them to "think about it first. Can you bear the consequences?" before acting. He then dismissed the meeting.
Li Yongji, despite Jian Zi's firm stance, continued to provoke Qiu Men, ordering his subordinates to cause trouble. His men complained that Qiu Men remained unresponsive, "just like a little turtle." Li Yongji assured them that Qiu Men would eventually lose patience and that they would act if no one else did. A police report to Li Yongji confirmed that searches of casinos yielded no evidence.
News reports highlighted the increase in gang violence on South Island, negatively impacting tourism and drawing criticism from the national police headquarters, which prohibited the use of "violence for violence" tactics. Despite this, Li Yongji remained determined to push Qiu Men to react. Qiu Men's subordinates grew agitated, urging Jian Zi to retaliate. However, a manager, Mr. Meng, took matters into his own hands to avenge his brothers, leading a group to smash a venue.
Dozens were arrested, and despite lawyers' efforts, the police refused to release them, demanding Jian Zi present himself. Jian Zi, aware of Li Yongji's tactics, decided to handle the matter himself. He warned his subordinates not to "act rashly" if he was taken away, advising them to "endure for a while, can change for a lifetime of stability." Jian Zi then went to the police station for interrogation.
Li Yongji remarked that Jian Zi's confession was "very detailed," to which Jian Zi replied there was "no need to hide" and sarcastically added, "Otherwise, it would be a waste of your painstaking efforts," implying he was aware of Li Yongji's manipulative game.
