City of Streamer Episode 15 Recap
> City of Streamer Recap
Feng Shizhen encouraged Yu Zhihui to attend Rong Jiashang's upcoming birthday party looking her best, suggesting it would make Yang Xiucheng regret his recent coldness. Zhihui expressed concern about her old gown, fearing she would be laughed at. Rong Dingkun overheard their conversation and remarked on how much Zhihui had grown.
Learning of her concern about her dress disgracing him, he suggested she select a suitable dress from the many clothes left behind by Sun Shaoqing, which were originally intended for donation to the church. He noted that Sun Shaoqing had many unworn gowns as she did not enjoy dancing. Zhihui gratefully accepted and asked Feng Shizhen to accompany her, to which Feng Shizhen agreed.
Accompanying Zhihui to Sun Shaoqing's room, Feng Shizhen listened as Zhihui wondered why Miss Sun, who had lived a comfortable life, still chose to run away. Feng Shizhen speculated that Miss Sun might have simply desired freedom more. Zhihui selected a French dress that Feng Shizhen recalled Miss Sun frequently wore, finding it quite suitable for herself. Shortly after, Mrs. Rong returned home with Rong Fanglin and Rong Fanghua.
Zhihui presented Mrs. Rong with orange jam from her mother and explained how Rong Dingkun had offered her a dress from Sun Shaoqing’s collection for the upcoming birthday celebration. Mrs. Rong expressed regret for her oversight and then gifted Zhihui a pair of earrings.
She confided in Zhihui, bitterly complaining about her unsupportive maternal family, the Huangs, who disregarded her once they perceived her influence in the Rong household waning, lamenting that only Zhihui and her mother truly cared for her. Hearing about Zhihui's quarrel with Yang Xiucheng, Mrs. Rong assured her that if Yang Xiucheng remained cold, she would introduce her to several eligible young men at the party.
Concubine Sun returned home from the hospital with her infant son, much to Mrs. Rong’s annoyance, as she was still within her confinement period. Concubine Sun immediately began issuing orders to the servants, demanding a hot water bottle, hot tea, and that her room's furniture be sterilized three times for her delicate son. Mrs. Rong chastised her, suggesting she should have remained at the hospital where she could receive better care without disrupting the family's preparations for Jiashang’s birthday.
Concubine Sun offered a curt, sarcastic apology before retreating to her room with the baby. Later, Concubine Sun visited Feng Shizhen, announcing that since Feng Shizhen’s brother had cared for her at the hospital, they should now consider themselves sisters. She then presented Feng Shizhen with a new gown for Jiashang’s birthday party. Despite Feng Shizhen’s protests about its value, Concubine Sun insisted, offering to take her to choose accompanying jewelry from the many pieces Rong Dingkun had given her.
Feng Shizhen reluctantly accepted the dress as a loan, promising to return it cleaned after the event, but politely declined the jewelry. Unbeknownst to Feng Shizhen, Rong Jiashang later left a bottle of perfume outside her door, accompanied by a note stating he found its aroma suited her and expressed gratitude for her efforts with his birthday party. On Rong Jiashang's birthday, the family gathered for a photograph.
Concubine Sun arrived late with her baby, prompting Rong Dingkun to take the infant for the family portrait. As the birthday party commenced, esteemed guests and family friends streamed in, greeted by Rong Dingkun, Mrs. Rong, and Rong Jiashang. Yu Zhihui made a stunning entrance in her new dress, which Rong Dingkun praised as looking custom-made. She wished Jiashang a happy birthday, then scanned the room for Yang Xiucheng.
Feng Shizhen descended the stairs, wearing the elegant gown and perfume gifted by Rong Jiashang, instantly captivating him. She presented him with a sextant, explaining that ancient navigators used it to find their way. She drew a parallel between sailing the seas and his dream of becoming a pilot, soaring through the "sea of clouds," and expressed her heartfelt wish for him to bravely pursue his ambition to be a "free and fearless pilot."
Just as Rong Jiashang was about to respond, Rong Fanglin interrupted, introducing him to Shiori Hashimoto. Shiori Hashimoto immediately recognized Rong Jiashang, affectionately calling him "Jiashang" and embracing him, which left him visibly stunned. She expressed surprise at his current name, "Mr. Rong," recalling him as "Mr. Tang" from their time in Chongqing. Rong Fanglin clarified that Jiashang had used their maternal uncle's surname for safety while studying there.
Shiori then revealed to the sisters that Jiashang was the mysterious young man she had often mentioned, who used to listen to her play the piano. Apologizing for her emotional outburst, Shiori explained that her father was a Japanese merchant, and after Jiashang's departure from Chongqing, she and her brother were taken to Tokyo where their Japanese identity was restored.
She spoke of her long, fruitless search for him and recalled her parting words that they would meet again if destined, marveling at their unexpected reunion. Du Lanxin then approached, complimenting Feng Shizhen's appearance before being introduced to Miss Hashimoto. Shortly after, Du Lanxin subtly drew Jiashang away to greet her father and brother, pointedly reminding him not to announce their engagement in front of his "new girl and ex-girlfriend" at the party. Jiashang, excusing himself, reluctantly followed.
Rong Fanglin and Rong Fanghua discussed the situation, noting that Du Lanxin, the second daughter of Fumin Bank's owner, was Jiashang's current girlfriend. Feng Shixun found Feng Shizhen on the second floor, observing the guests. He inquired about her new dress, and she explained that Concubine Sun, whose attitude had become unexpectedly warm since her discharge from the hospital, had given it to her.
Feng Shizhen playfully asked if Shixun, a doctor, had given Concubine Sun some "elixir," to which he simply replied that he had exercised "medical benevolence" as she was just his patient. Reminiscing about their childhood, Feng Shizhen recalled listening to the radio and dancing in their yard. Shixun then promised that once he earned enough money, he would commission the most beautiful dress for her, so she would never again need to borrow one.
Feng Shizhen continued to observe Rong Dingkun's interactions. Shixun joined her, commenting on Rong Dingkun's close dealings with the Japanese, whose increasing activities in the Northeast revealed their considerable ambition. He branded Rong Dingkun and his Japanese associates as "birds of the same feather" and "partners in crime." Feng Shizhen noted that Shixun's sentiment echoed one expressed by Rong Jiashang, which Shixun found hard to believe, thinking Jiashang wouldn't speak so negatively about his own family.
As Rong Dingkun prepared to deliver his speech, Meng Xu'an, the chairman of Yongli Bank, made an unexpected entrance to congratulate Jiashang. His arrival sent a wave of surprise through the guests, who buzzed about Yongli Bank's recent rise as a powerful private institution with foreign backing. Rong Dingkun and Mrs. Rong's faces instantly fell, revealing deep alarm, and Zhao Huaan stood ready, his hand on his gun.
Unbeknownst to most, Meng Xu'an had anticipated this moment, having previously expressed a keen interest in witnessing Rong Dingkun's reaction upon their reunion. Meng Xu'an greeted Rong Dingkun, urging him to proceed with his speech. Rong Dingkun, regaining his composure, welcomed him as an old friend and promised to "reminisce" later, ordering a drink for Meng Xu'an. Whispers among the guests suggested a deep-seated animosity, even a "blood feud," between the two families.
Rong Dingkun delivered a brief speech, explaining that the party was to celebrate Jiashang's twentieth birthday, making up for a lack of celebration on his eighteenth due to his schooling. He expressed his hope for Jiashang to become an upright, filial, and honorable man who would bring glory to their family and nation. Rong Jiashang then took the stage, thanking everyone and wishing them an enjoyable evening before ceremoniously opening a bottle of champagne.
Noticing his father and Meng Xu'an retire to the study, Rong Jiashang questioned Ms. Chen about the history between them, particularly his mother’s evident displeasure. Ms. Chen reluctantly disclosed that over a decade ago, while Mrs. Rong was pregnant with Jiashang's brother, Rong Dingkun had an affair with Meng Qingzhi, Meng Xu'an's sister. This affair had led to Rong Dingkun neglecting his family for months, infuriating his pregnant wife, who eventually confronted Meng Qingzhi.
Meng Qingzhi, advocating for "free love," refused to leave Rong Dingkun; ultimately, a later event caused Miss Meng to leave in anger. Ms. Chen confirmed that the Meng boss upstairs was Meng Qingzhi's younger brother. Jiashang understood it was an old romantic entanglement. Elsewhere, Rong Fanglin and Rong Fanghua discussed the unexpected revelation of Shiori Hashimoto being Jiashang's former girlfriend from Chongqing, acknowledging the awkwardness with Du Lanxin also present, but resolving to be polite hosts.
In the study, Meng Xu'an and Rong Dingkun faced each other. Meng Xu'an, while inviting Rong Dingkun to sit, subtly reminded him of his current vulnerability within his own home amidst numerous guests. Rong Dingkun, expressing surprise at Meng Xu'an’s success with Yongli Bank, commented on his "low profile."
Meng Xu'an responded modestly, asserting that while his family was no longer as glorious, "a lean camel is still bigger than a horse," implying their enduring power, and then subtly complimented Rong Dingkun's current prosperity. Rong Dingkun then feigned remorse over Meng Qingzhi, claiming he often thought of her but lacked the courage to inquire about her whereabouts, unaware of her early demise.
Meng Xu'an, however, dismissed this as insincere, revealing that Meng Qingzhi had died in San Francisco shortly after their family emigrated, having succumbed to illness after struggling for half a year, and that she had passed peacefully without ever mentioning Rong Dingkun again. Meng Xu'an then sharply highlighted Rong Dingkun’s past "courage" in tricking his sister into smoking opium.
He then demanded the return of the Gold Kylin, a family heirloom he claimed Rong Dingkun had "swindled" from Meng Qingzhi, stressing its importance over mere wealth. Rong Dingkun claimed Meng Qingzhi had gifted it to him during his financial struggles, and he had sold it to pay debts, only to later seek its recovery as his fortunes improved. Meng Xu'an rejected this narrative, stating his sister had confirmed it was stolen, and unequivocally demanded its return.
Rong Dingkun, agreeing, promised to deploy more resources to find it. Meng Xu'an’s demeanor hardened as he escalated his accusations, revealing his profound determination. He accused Rong Dingkun of orchestrating the murder of his first wife and their two children in Bailiu Town twenty years prior, all to facilitate his marriage to the literary Miss Tang. He ominously pondered how Jiashang’s elder brother, if alive, would have resembled him.
Rong Dingkun vehemently denied the accusations, calling them baseless and asserting that while he might not be a good man, he would never commit such atrocities, citing the proverb "A tiger doesn't eat its cubs." Meng Xu'an countered that Rong Dingkun knew the truth in his heart.
Finally, Meng Xu'an threatened to expose Rong Dingkun as a "devil" and "murderer" to the public, questioning who would maintain close ties or seek marital alliance with such a ruthless individual, and highlighting the unique ruthlessness of killing his own family for ambition. Rong Dingkun then asked if Meng Xu'an had come to avenge his sister.
