City of Streamer Episode 11 Recap
> City of Streamer Recap
"Rong Dingkun, oh Rong Dingkun! You think you're very powerful. In my opinion, sooner or later, you'll be ruined by women!" Concubine Sun, pregnant with Rong Dingkun's child, declared as she experienced a sudden and severe hemorrhage, screaming in fright. Maids and house staff rushed her to the hospital where Dr. Feng Shixun, Feng Shizhen's elder brother, was on duty.
Despite initial hesitation from a maid who questioned his ability and insisted on saving only the child, Feng Shixun declared that in their hospital, "both adult and child are lives" and must be saved. He successfully delivered a premature baby boy. Concubine Sun was overjoyed, exclaiming, "I have a son! Huang Shujun! I have a son! Rong Dingkun, I gave you a son!" Mrs. Rong, upon learning of the birth, was secretly displeased but dutifully informed Rong Dingkun.
A servant reported to Mrs. Rong that the baby was premature and very weak, currently in an incubator, advising them to be prepared for the worst. Feng Shizhen completed her resignation from the hospital. The staff member processing her resignation noted her short tenure and the inconvenience caused, but Feng Shizhen apologized. She then found her elder brother, Feng Shixun, dozing in the corridor after an all-night surgery.
She woke him and offered to treat him to breakfast, suggesting Guangzhou Guild Hall. Feng Shixun mentioned he delivered a premature baby, "your master's concubine," and commented on the "drama" in the Rong family. He expressed concern about Feng Shizhen returning to the Rong Residence, especially now that Concubine Sun had a son, giving her "more leverage." Feng Shizhen reassured him that she was "just a teacher" and would be fine. They decided to go for dim sum.
As they left, they encountered Rong Dingkun, Mrs. Rong, and the entire Rong family who were on their way to the hospital to visit Concubine Sun and the newborn. Feng Shizhen introduced her brother, and Rong Dingkun thanked Feng Shixun for delivering his son, calling him "our family's great benefactor," and presented him with a generous red packet.
Rong Fanglin and Rong Fanghua warmly greeted Feng Shizhen, expressing how much they missed her and enjoyed her teaching, eager for her return. Feng Shixun observed that Rong Jiashang was not with his family. He also noted the Rong family's extravagance, comparing the red packet to his annual salary, but Feng Shizhen urged him to accept it. The following morning, Feng Shizhen returned to the Rong Residence.
Rong Jiashang opened the door for her, explaining that Mrs. Rong and Concubine Wang were at Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, and Rong Dingkun "seldom comes home these days," ensuring a period of peace. Rong Fanglin and Rong Fanghua were delighted to have her back, preferring her teaching style over the previous tutor, Miss Gao.
They also playfully complained that Rong Jiashang had stopped studying seriously since Feng Shizhen left, to which Feng Shizhen promised to make him do extra test papers. Rong Jiashang invited Feng Shizhen to his upcoming 20th birthday ball on the ninth of next month, and she readily accepted, promising to celebrate with him despite worrying about not being able to afford a "proper gift." He assured her that her presence was enough.
Their lesson was interrupted by Yang Xiucheng, who informed Rong Jiashang that he was there to question Feng Shizhen as part of an investigation into a "previous leak." He stated that after checking Mr. Zhao's men, the focus was now on everyone in the Rong Residence, as per Rong Dingkun's orders.
Rong Jiashang tried to intercede for Feng Shizhen, arguing she had been cleared, but Yang Xiucheng insisted on treating everyone equally, citing "new leads" and the need for a thorough inquiry. Feng Shizhen agreed to cooperate. Yang Xiucheng then conducted a polygraph test on Feng Shizhen using a machine Rong Dingkun acquired from the British, which measured pulse and heartbeat. Rong Jiashang stayed by her side, clearly concerned, but Yang Xiucheng reiterated that everyone in the house would be tested.
Feng Shizhen calmly answered questions about her name, age, and family. She denied being sent by anyone to the Rong's or leaking information. When asked if she encouraged Sun Shaoqing to escape, Feng Shizhen admitted she had, explaining that as Sun Shaoqing's confidante, she sympathized with her suffering and encouraged her to seek freedom, adding that "men like you wouldn't understand."
However, she denied helping to plan the escape, contact outsiders, or send messages, stating they only discussed "A Doll's House by Ibsen and how women could be independent from their family." She pointed out that despite her best efforts to stay out of the situation, she was still implicated and even fired by Rong Dingkun. Rong Jiashang interjected, assuring her it wasn't her fault and she meant well.
Yang Xiucheng then questioned her friendship with Xiao Baoli, a well-known showgirl and aspiring movie star, wondering why a "college graduate" with a "decent job" would befriend an "escort." Feng Shizhen explained that her family was once "knee-deep in debt," leading her to consider becoming a showgirl. Xiao Baoli dissuaded her, warning that "once I got in, I could never be out," and instead introduced her to a reputable moneylender, Mr. Xiong, who offered reasonable terms.
This is how their friendship began. Feng Shizhen defended Xiao Baoli, asserting that "identity has nothing to do with friendship" and that Xiao Baoli was "an upright woman and a loyal friend." She reflected on how "one decision could change everything," acknowledging that she could have been a showgirl herself. Finally, she denied any further contact with Sun Shaoqing since her departure, expressing worry for the "simple girl" who might be vulnerable to bad people.
After the questioning, Rong Jiashang personally removed the wires from Feng Shizhen, who gently teased him for being more nervous than her, adding that some things are "better to get those things off my chest" before remarking on Jiashang's impending marriage to Miss Du. Rong Jiashang instructed Feng Shizhen to stay in her room and avoid coming out while he and Yang Xiucheng interrogated the other servants and staff, as it would be "a lot of work."
He also had Butler Zhang inform Rong Fanglin and Rong Fanghua to stay in their rooms. Before leaving, Rong Jiashang asked Feng Shizhen why she had asked him to dance that day. She responded with a playful "You tell me why a woman asked a man to dance." Later, Rong Fanglin and Rong Fanghua, ignoring Rong Jiashang's warnings, sought out Feng Shizhen, curious about the investigation. Feng Shizhen explained they were looking for a mole within the residence.
Rong Fanglin questioned why the police weren't involved, but Feng Shizhen explained it was a "sensitive matter" that Rong Dingkun wanted to keep private "for the sake of your family's image." Unable to resist her curiosity, Rong Fanglin insisted on peeking at the interrogation, and despite Fanghua's reluctance, Feng Shizhen agreed to accompany them. They observed the interrogation of a servant named Guo Dazhuang.
He initially denied sending messages for Miss Sun, stealing from the family, or having contact with Miss Sun. However, when pressed by Yang Xiucheng about how he paid for his mother's medical bills, Guo Dazhuang's composure faltered, and he tried to flee. He burst out the door, grabbing Feng Shizhen and holding a knife to her throat, declaring he wasn't a fool and knew the Rong family was ruthless.
He demanded a car with the engine running and doors open, threatening to "slit her throat" if they made any "funny business." Rong Jiashang agreed to his demands, ordering his men to drop their guns and stay back to ensure Feng Shizhen's safety. As Guo Dazhuang pushed Feng Shizhen away and prepared to get into the getaway car, Rong Jiashang quickly drove his own car into him, injuring him. A bullet grazed Feng Shizhen's neck.
Rong Jiashang immediately rushed to her side, instructing his men to get a doctor for Feng Shizhen and to stop Guo Dazhuang's bleeding while ensuring he didn't commit suicide. Inside, Rong Jiashang tended to Feng Shizhen's wound. He then sternly reprimanded Rong Fanglin and Rong Fanghua for leaving their rooms, pointing out that Feng Shizhen had been harmed because of their recklessness. Both girls tearfully apologized to Feng Shizhen, who comforted them and sent them back upstairs.
Feng Shizhen urged Rong Jiashang to continue his interrogation of Guo Dazhuang, suspecting him to be another "tool" planted by Meng Xu'an, and wondering if he knew her true identity. She had an unsettling thought: if Rong Jiashang were to discover her own secrets, would he "shoot me the way you just did without hesitation?" Rong Jiashang returned to interrogate Guo Dazhuang, who was feigning unconsciousness. Rong Jiashang warned him that his cooperation determined his fate.
He theorized that while Guo Dazhuang, a mere gardener, might not have stolen information, he could have been the messenger. He pressed Guo Dazhuang for the identity of the person behind him. Guo Dazhuang, despite Rong Jiashang's persistence, repeatedly pleaded ignorance and begged for mercy, mentioning his ailing mother. Yang Xiucheng suggested torture, but Rong Jiashang refused, stating it was "not my style," and ordered Guo Dazhuang to be locked up "until he wants to talk."
Later, Rong Jiashang visited Feng Shizhen, concerned about her injury. Feng Shizhen admitted she was "terrified." Rong Jiashang then confided in her that he too was deeply affected, as this very day marked the anniversary of his younger brother, Jiaxin's, death. He recounted that when he was twelve and Jiaxin was eight, they attended a church school. One day, the attendant responsible for them, who had been bribed by kidnappers, took them to a circus instead of home.
The kidnappers demanded ransom. When rescue efforts began, the kidnappers attempted to flee. They initially planned to kill Rong Jiashang (the older boy) and take Jiaxin (the younger), but Jiaxin's crying changed their minds. Tragically, Jiaxin was "stifled to death bit by bit" before Rong Jiashang's helpless eyes. Rong Jiashang admitted he believed he would have been the one to die if Jiaxin hadn't cried.
Feng Shizhen comforted him, emphasizing that the kidnappers were "evil" and "killed your brother in cold blood," and that his brother's death was not his fault. She insisted he was a victim, merely a "survivor," and there was no guilt in that. Rong Jiashang then revealed that Mrs. Rong, who was once kind to him, now "hates my guts" and blamed him for Jiaxin's death.
Relatives gossiped, and his father, Rong Dingkun, eventually "kicked me out" by sending him to military school. Feng Shizhen reassured him that he was "not alone" and that he would "get back what you've lost" in the future.
