City of Streamer Episode 23 Recap
> City of Streamer Recap
Feng Shizhen and Feng Shixun discussed the recent newspaper article exposing Rong Dingkun's alleged involvement in the Wenchunli fire. Feng Shixun asked Feng Shizhen who she thought was behind the leak. Feng Shizhen mused that it couldn't be Meng Xu'an, as his approach would be far more decisive, aiming to utterly destroy Rong Dingkun, and the timing wasn't right for such an all-out attack.
She also considered Yang Xiucheng, reasoning he must harbor resentment after falling out of favor, but quickly dismissed him too, not believing he would betray Rong Dingkun. She then briefly thought of Rong Jiashang before concluding it was impossible for him to betray his own father. Feng Shizhen then asked Feng Shixun to inform their parents about the news, and she left in a hurry.
Meanwhile, Rong Fanglin and Rong Fanghua were terrified by the newspaper’s claims, wondering if the accusations against Rong Dingkun were true. They recalled that Feng Shizhen’s family was among the victims of the Wenchunli fire and worried about how she would react to the news. They also speculated that the "Mr. Yang" mentioned in the report might be Yang Xiucheng.
Their parents expressed concern for Feng Shizhen's reputation and urged Feng Shixun not to get involved, fearing he might lose his job. Feng Shixun, however, remained resolute, vowing to seek justice for their neighbors. Feng Shizhen went directly to Meng Xu'an, who confirmed he was not the source of the leak. He commended her keen analytical mind for deducing this.
Meng Xu'an then suggested that Rong Jiashang, driven by love, might be responsible for leaking the information to expose his own father, a notion Feng Shizhen dismissed as impossible. Meng Xu'an provocatively envisioned Feng Shizhen eloping with Rong Jiashang, then changing her mind and returning to him, reminding her that while there were many men, there was only one "smart little Shizhen."
At the Rong mansion, Yang Xiucheng fervently denied any betrayal to Rong Dingkun, emphasizing that ruining Rong Dingkun's reputation would bring him no benefit, especially since his own family depended on the clan. He suggested that Feng Shizhen was the true culprit, pointing out that she had joined the Rong household after the fire that devastated her own home, and that her tenure had been marked by continuous troubles.
He also highlighted the suspicious timing of the scandal breaking right after her resignation, and her easy access to information and familiarity with the household staff. Rong Jiashang immediately jumped to Feng Shizhen's defense, accusing Yang Xiucheng of blindly blaming a woman and reminding him that he and Mrs. Rong had thoroughly vetted and even polygraph-tested Feng Shizhen, finding nothing.
He argued that a mere governess couldn't have uncovered such detailed information, like the shell company, nor could she be linked to other complex incidents like Sun Shaoqing's escape or Zhihui's affair. Rong Dingkun cut their argument short, instructing Yang Xiucheng to uncover the real perpetrator and ordering Rong Jiashang to find a scapegoat to quell public outrage and prevent the Wenchunli residents from stirring up trouble.
Rong Jiashang countered that using force would only escalate the situation, drawing more negative attention to the Rong family, especially with an unknown enemy operating covertly. He insisted that the immediate priority was to quickly distance the Rong family from the scandal. Rong Dingkun agreed with this assessment, and Rong Jiashang volunteered to resolve the issue within three days, even if it required a significant financial outlay, to which Rong Dingkun readily assented.
Feng Shizhen sought out Xiao Baoli, sharing her inner turmoil about the news and her conflicting feelings for Rong Jiashang. Xiao Baoli observed that Feng Shizhen seemed to be genuinely in love with him. Feng Shizhen, however, expressed her apprehension, fearing that if she truly loved Rong Jiashang, she would be condemning him to a dark path rather than saving him.
Meanwhile, Feng Shixun convened a meeting for the Wenchunli residents, inviting Editor Zhang of Xianmin Weekly, and brought Feng Shizhen along. The residents, intimidated by Rong Dingkun's power, expressed fear of retaliation and skepticism about the effectiveness of public opinion. Feng Shixun passionately reminded them of their profound losses, recounting stories of lost eyesight, deceased children, and broken families, hoping to ignite their resolve for justice.
However, many residents prioritized their families' safety and immediate needs over a potentially perilous fight. They squabbled amongst themselves about who should represent them and, in a moment of frustration, even accused Feng Shizhen of having an illicit relationship with Rong Jiashang and plotting to embezzle any potential compensation. Editor Zhang intervened, acknowledging that hardship often makes people self-interested, but urged them to unite, leverage the current public attention, and use their available evidence to negotiate with the Rong family.
Suddenly, Rong Jiashang arrived with his guards. He explained that his father had initially considered acquiring Wenchunli but abandoned the plan due to high prices. He claimed that the actual arsonist, who owed his father a substantial debt, had set the fire to settle the debt by transferring the land, and that this individual had subsequently died in a conflict with the Green Gang. He stated that all pertinent documents had been submitted to the police for verification.
The residents, however, were unconvinced, demanding to see the arsonist, believing it was a fabricated story because the person was conveniently dead. Rong Jiashang conceded that his father's greed had led him to accept the land without thorough investigation, indirectly causing the tragedy, and therefore, the Rong family would take responsibility. He presented large boxes of gold bars, offering one bar, valued at 300 silver dollars, to each family upon signing a "Statement of Understanding."
Families with disabled members or fatalities, verified by neighbors, would receive an additional bar. Feng Shizhen watched in dismay, condemning this as a blatant attempt to silence the victims with money. Despite her protests, the sight of the gold bars swayed most of the residents, who began queuing up to sign the agreement. Feng Shixun, reluctantly accepting the grim reality, signed for his family, claiming double compensation for their large house and two shopfronts.
In a defiant gesture, Feng Shizhen, after condemning this as a blatant attempt to silence the victims with money, also signed the agreement and took the gold bars. Rong Jiashang pursued Feng Shizhen, apologizing profusely and promising to punish those who had set the fire. Feng Shizhen, deeply disappointed, retorted that he knew the truth all along and was merely punishing "lackeys" instead of the "commander."
She challenged him, asking how he would feel if her father had burned his home, and she then offered him money while still expecting a romantic relationship. She concluded that he would never truly abandon his family for her, and she didn't deserve such a sacrifice anyway. With a heavy heart, she returned the red jade bracelet to him and walked away without looking back.
Later, Shiori Hashimoto paid a visit to Rong Dingkun, subtly hinting at her concern for Rong Jiashang and claiming her feelings for him had never wavered. She presented him with intimate photographs of Du Lanxin and Yang Xiucheng together in Hangzhou. Shiori proposed that if Rong Dingkun canceled Rong Jiashang’s engagement to Du Lanxin, she would marry Rong Jiashang, bringing the precious Gold Kylin and sharing all of the Hashimoto family's northern shipping routes with the Rong family.
She revealed that Hashimoto Taiichi, her elder brother, suffered from a severe heart condition and was unlikely to live much longer, with any external shock potentially proving fatal. She also implied that her younger brother, Hashimoto Taiji, was a hedonist, suggesting she would eventually assume control of the Hashimoto family, thereby effectively merging their considerable assets with the Rong family through her marriage to Rong Jiashang.
Rong Dingkun found her offer compelling but was wary of her ambition and willingness to harm her own family for power, noting that such a person, while useful for cooperation, was unsuitable for family. He made it clear he would not directly offend Hashimoto Shozo by harming Taiichi. Shortly after Shiori's departure, Rong Jiashang returned home. Rong Dingkun informed him of Shiori's visit and her surprising proposal.
Upon seeing the incriminating photos of Du Lanxin, Rong Jiashang immediately suggested breaking off his engagement to Du Lanxin. Rong Dingkun advised him to proceed cautiously and strategically. He instructed Rong Jiashang to attend the upcoming Central China Antique Charity Auction with Du Lanxin, and to extend invitations to the Hashimoto family, including Shiori and her brother, Hashimoto Taiichi. This move aimed to create an opportunity for Shiori to act on her intentions without Rong Dingkun's direct involvement.
