City of Streamer Episode 14 Recap
> City of Streamer Recap
Rong Dingkun repeatedly attempted to reach the mayor by phone early in the morning, but his calls failed to connect. This was due to Du Lanxin's prior intervention; she had bribed someone close to the mayor to ensure his phone would remain unreachable.
Du Lanxin, speaking with her contact, initially stated, "Looks like I came to the wrong person" (implying she couldn't directly influence the mayor), but then confirmed her ability to prevent the call from going through, saying, "Although I can't control the mayor, I can make sure this call doesn't go through. That's enough. I helped you, you owe me a big favor. You'll have to repay it in the future." Her contact agreed.
Feng Shizhen was preparing to take a rickshaw to a winery for a wine tasting. Rong Jiashang appeared and offered to drive her instead. Feng Shizhen observed his cheerful demeanor, but he offered no explanation for his mood. She asked why he, being so busy, had time to accompany her, to which he replied that he always had time for her if she needed him.
Feng Shizhen then playfully accused him, saying, "Haven't seen you in a few days, you've learned quite a bit of Mr. Wu's sweet talk." Feng Shizhen suggested that the winery could send samples for selection, but Rong Jiashang preferred to go himself, believing it was better to choose the wine in person than to rely on the winery to send only the most expensive options.
Feng Shizhen light-heartedly told him to "just have a taste and definitely don't get drunk," to which he replied, "Don't worry." Meanwhile, Rong Fanglin and Rong Fanghua were at a department store, admiring a pair of kitten heels. They decided the shoes, with their three-centimeter heels, were perfect for dancing and agreed to try them on. Rong Fanglin offered to buy both pairs for her sister if she liked them, as their mother had provided them with ample spending money.
As the sales assistant was about to finalize their purchase, another lady intervened, demanding the shoes despite having previously dismissed them for having low heels. The sales assistant explained that the sisters had already decided to buy them. The lady rudely insisted, telling Rong Fanglin and Rong Fanghua to give up one pair since they didn't need two.
Rong Fanglin firmly refused, asserting their right to purchase both pairs as they liked them and could afford them, emphasizing that buying was "first come, first served." The lady then physically pushed Rong Fanghua. A Japanese girl, witnessing the scene, quickly intervened to assist Rong Fanghua, asking if she was startled. Rong Fanglin thanked her for her help. Noticing the girl's Japanese origin, Rong Fanglin complimented her fluent Chinese, which the girl attributed to being born and raised in China.
Rong Fanglin then admired the girl's kimono, prompting the Japanese girl to invite them to her newly opened kimono counter nearby. The girl mentioned she had just moved to Shanghai and had no friends, expressing her joy at meeting them. In return, Rong Fanglin invited the Japanese girl to Rong Jiashang's upcoming birthday celebration, an invitation the girl gladly accepted, saying it would be her "honor."
As they drove, Rong Jiashang suddenly stopped the car and instructed Feng Shizhen to get out and walk the remaining distance to the winery, stating it was just ahead. Feng Shizhen sensed his unusual demeanor and pressed him about what was wrong. He initially tried to dismiss her, telling her to go on, but she insisted.
Rong Jiashang then revealed that the car had been tampered with, and he suspected a bomb had been planted, which activated when he pressed the brake. He urged her to leave quickly, not wanting to put her in danger. However, Feng Shizhen refused to abandon him and demanded to know how she could help. Rong Jiashang instructed Feng Shizhen to open the car's hood, where she discovered a timed bomb with only ten minutes remaining on its clock.
Rong Jiashang immediately recognized it as a sophisticated "double-setting" device, explaining that the detonator wire was tied to the brake line, designed to trap the driver. He stated that removing his foot from the brake pedal or stalling the engine during a swap would instantly detonate the bomb. Feng Shizhen, refusing to panic, reassured him that there must be a solution since he had seen such bombs before.
Rong Jiashang mentioned his military academy friend, Yun Chi, was a bomb disposal expert, prompting Feng Shizhen to offer to go find him, but Rong Jiashang quickly stated there was no time. Feng Shizhen then attempted to use a large stone to hold down the brake pedal, but it didn't fit or provide enough pressure. When Rong Jiashang urged her to leave, she insisted on finding another way and asked him to guide her.
He directed her to the tools in the back of the car. With the tools in hand, Feng Shizhen, under Rong Jiashang's precise instructions, cut a series of wires: first the blue, then the purple, and then the pink. When they reached the final step, she found two red wires. Rong Jiashang admitted he didn't know which one was correct, leaving them with a fifty-fifty chance.
Taking a deep breath, Feng Shizhen made the brave decision to cut one of the red wires. The bomb was successfully disarmed just as the timer approached zero, saving Rong Jiashang. Feng Shizhen, visibly shaken by the ordeal, received Rong Jiashang's heartfelt thanks for saving his life once more. The day marked Generalissimo Cao's deadline for Rong Dingkun.
Rong Dingkun frantically tried to contact the mayor, unaware that Yang Xiucheng had already visited City Hall and found the mayor's office empty all day. Generalissimo Cao then called Rong Dingkun, asking if he enjoyed the "surprise gift"—the bomb in his son's car. He clarified that he had not intended to kill Rong Jiashang, but merely to deliver a warning.
Generalissimo Cao sternly reminded Rong Dingkun that only a few hours remained until sunset, after which he could not guarantee what other "surprises" might befall Rong Dingkun and his son if the payment wasn't made. Desperate, Rong Dingkun pleaded for more time, explaining he couldn't gather such a large amount of cash on short notice. He then offered his opium den as compensation, an offer Generalissimo Cao readily accepted, stating "That is excellent."
Rong Dingkun agreed to transfer the opium den immediately. Upon Rong Jiashang's safe return, Rong Dingkun, relieved, announced his decision to place his son in charge of the Rong Family Merchant Firm, acknowledging Rong Jiashang's youth and inexperience but promising personal mentorship. Rong Jiashang questioned this sudden change, pointing out Yang Xiucheng's competence.
Rong Dingkun retorted that as his son and heir, he could not entrust the family business to an "outsider," emphasizing his role in paving the way for Rong Jiashang. He then declared that Rong Jiashang's marriage to Du Lanxin was now a priority. He elaborated on the dire financial state of the company, which had been exacerbated by losing the opium den to Generalissimo Cao and failing to secure a crucial shipping route.
Stressed by the urgent need for capital, Rong Dingkun presented the prenuptial agreement from the Du family, explaining that signing it would immediately secure a much-needed loan. Rong Jiashang reviewed the document, reading aloud a clause stating that if Du Lanxin bore no sons, her dowry would pass to her daughters, and if she remained childless, the Du family could reclaim it. He remarked sarcastically that it "sounds very reasonable."
Rong Dingkun dismissed his son's reservations, framing marriage as a mere "business transaction" where a contract ensured that lawyers, not the couple, would handle future disputes. He urged Rong Jiashang to sign, but his son firmly refused. Realizing Feng Shizhen was the reason for his defiance, Rong Dingkun warned him against letting emotions cloud his judgment and threatened to ensure Rong Jiashang would "never see her again."
In the courtyard, Feng Shizhen helped Rong Fanglin and Rong Fanghua decorate with balloons. Rong Jiashang, visibly troubled, joined them. Rong Fanglin eagerly recounted meeting a Japanese girl, Miss Hashimoto, at the department store who invited them hunting at her new large estate. She added that she had already invited Miss Hashimoto to Rong Jiashang's upcoming birthday party, assuring him he would find her lovely.
Rong Jiashang reacted with contempt, calling the girl a "glib Japanese woman" and launching into an angry tirade about Japanese people buying land and building factories, growing opium in the Northeast, and exploiting Chinese workers, predicting they had "wolfish ambitions" and would cause "greater trouble." Feng Shizhen calmly retorted, asking if his own father wasn't "birds of a feather" with them. Annoyed, Rong Jiashang decided to return to work. Later, Rong Jiashang met Du Lanxin at a café.
She inquired about his recent car incident, to which he replied it was a "false alarm" and thanked her for her help in "disconnecting the phone" (referring to the mayor's call). Du Lanxin then questioned why he hadn't signed their prenuptial agreement. She highlighted his family's financial difficulties and reiterated her offer of banking support, suggesting it was a pragmatic "shortcut" to solve his problems and gain a strong marital alliance, asking, "Why not kill two birds with one stone?"
Rong Jiashang, however, insisted he would find his own solutions and refused to "sell his marriage," saying, "Not taking a shortcut is not a smart person's way." He asked why she was so keen on marrying him, and she frankly stated he was her "optimal choice." He remarked that she seemed "more of a businesswoman" than him, capable of treating marriage as a transaction, which he found "truly admirable."
Twice rejected, Du Lanxin directly confronted him, asking if his refusal was due to Feng Shizhen, and if he intended to make a mere "governess" the "legitimate Mrs. Rong." Rong Jiashang dismissed her remarks as "meddling" and turned to leave. Just then, Yang Xiucheng arrived and suggested Du Lanxin accompany him to a newly opened French perfume shop at Yongan Department Store, which she readily agreed to, pulling a reluctant Rong Jiashang along.
Yu Zhihui returned home with her luggage, only to find her room occupied by her nieces. She complained to her mother, accusing her of trying to kick her out since she had started living on campus. Her mother explained that Yu Zhihui's brother had just made an investment in a supposedly "lucrative business," guaranteeing it would make big money, and planned to buy a house and move out once he earned enough.
Yu Zhihui was cynical, reminding her mother of her brother's history of failed investments that only led to more family losses, noting that her tuition had to be paid by her aunt. Her mother then pulled her aside, strongly encouraging her to "hurry up" with Yang Xiucheng, fearing that he might not even marry her if she continued to delay. Yu Zhihui admitted she had previously turned down Yang Xiucheng's proposal, hoping to find "someone better."
However, her mother countered that Yang Xiucheng, a manager at Rong Company earning over a thousand yuan annually, was already considered "a highly sought-after eligible bachelor" in most people's eyes. Rong Jiashang arrived at the Rong Family Merchant Firm for his first day as the new general manager. Yang Xiucheng introduced him to the various assistant managers, explaining that Rong Dingkun wanted him to familiarize himself with their respective duties before taking over the firm's business.
Some older managers, including Mr. Liu and Mr. Xie, asserted their seniority, with one reminding Rong Jiashang of his childhood visits to the company and suggesting he should address them as "uncle." Others, however, expressed resentment, implying Rong Jiashang didn't "put them, old veterans, in his eyes" and warning him not to disrespect "old veterans" whose contributions were vital to the company's success, lest he "fall hard."
Rong Jiashang thanked them for the "heads-up" and expressed his eagerness to discuss work with the other assistant managers, whom Yang Xiucheng introduced as capable "backbones" promoted from the grassroots for their excellent performance. Yang Xiucheng then led Rong Jiashang to his new, dedicated office. There, he outlined the company's operations, explaining that assistant managers were each responsible for a specific business, primarily "shipping, tea, spices, and silk" trade, with recent expansions into "real estate, shopping malls, and stores."
He presented him with the "account books and documents" for each project, suggesting they would offer a comprehensive overview of the company's activities. Rong Jiashang, suspecting undisclosed illicit operations, pressed Yang Xiucheng for more information. He specifically referenced their previous visit to a teahouse that was clearly collecting money for opium, and recalled that their recent troubles with Generalissimo Cao originated from helping him smuggle antiques.
He demanded to know if there were any other businesses Yang Xiucheng had "left out." Yang Xiucheng, however, dodged the questions, claiming Rong Dingkun had only authorized him to disclose "company-related information" and that for anything else, he merely followed "Uncle's orders." After work, Rong Jiashang offered to buy Yang Xiucheng dinner, but Yang Xiucheng declined, stating he had plans to dine at Yu Zhihui's house, as she had just returned.
At her doorstep, Yu Zhihui apologized to Yang Xiucheng for a past misunderstanding, assuring him she hadn't seen the person she was previously pressured to meet. Yang Xiucheng brushed off her apology, and then presented her with a new pair of leather shoes to wear at Rong Jiashang's upcoming birthday party. Confident they would fit, Yu Zhihui invited him inside. Once indoors, she quietly proposed marriage to him.
Her mother and sister-in-law warmly welcomed Yang Xiucheng for dinner, and during the meal, Yu Zhihui's mother directly asked about his intentions with her daughter, suggesting they arrange a meeting with his parents in "a few days" to finalize the wedding. Yang Xiucheng expressed that it felt "too rushed."
Yu Zhihui's older brother seized this opportunity, accusing Yang Xiucheng of not wanting to marry his sister and then aggressively demanded a substantial dowry, stating, "The bride price must be at least this much, otherwise, don't even talk about it." He further threatened that if Yang Xiucheng refused, a loan shark named Old Liu was eager to marry Yu Zhihui, even promising to divorce his current wife and make a public announcement in the newspapers, an "open and legitimate marriage."
Yu Zhihui attempted to calm her brother, explaining he was drunk. Yang Xiucheng then directly asked the brother about his debts, to which the brother admitted to owing five thousand yuan, which would be cleared if Yu Zhihui married Old Liu. Shortly after, Yang Xiucheng handed a stack of money to the family, then, citing urgent business from Rong Dingkun, made a hasty departure, leaving Yu Zhihui's mother surprised by his sudden exit.
After careful consideration and facing immense pressure, Rong Jiashang reluctantly signed the prenuptial agreement. Rong Fanglin and Rong Fanghua left for a fashion company to try on their custom-made dancing dresses, entrusting Feng Shizhen to oversee the remaining decorations in the courtyard. Soon after, Yu Zhihui arrived with a jar of homemade orange marmalade for Mrs. Rong, as her mother knew it was her aunt's favorite. Feng Shizhen informed her that Mrs. Rong was out but invited her to wait.
While waiting, Yu Zhihui commented on the beautiful decorations and fondly recalled her childhood, mentioning that she lived at the Rong household for a year when she was twelve, a period she considered "the most unforgettable time of my life." She reminisced about playing on the handrail of the stairs with Rong Fanglin and Rong Fanghua, whom she said used to follow her everywhere as she was a few years older.
Yu Zhihui then asked Feng Shizhen if she had seen Yang Xiucheng recently, confiding her fear that he might "not want to see me again" because she believed she had offended him. Feng Shizhen tried to console her, suggesting that Yang Xiucheng was likely preoccupied with work, much like Rong Jiashang. She encouraged Yu Zhihui to attend Rong Jiashang's upcoming birthday party looking her best, believing it would make Yang Xiucheng "feel truly regretful" for neglecting her.
Yu Zhihui, though appreciative of the comfort, expressed concern about wearing "an old dance dress" and hoped "no one will laugh at me," to which Feng Shizhen reassuringly replied, "Who would laugh at you?"
