City of Streamer Episode 34 Recap
> City of Streamer Recap
Overcome by sorrow, Feng Shizhen found solace in Meng Xu'an and Yang Xiucheng's gentle words. She decided to return to the old house in Wenchunli, asserting that Rong Dingkun had avoided touching that particular building because her father's body was hidden inside it, even going so far as to burn other parts of Wenchunli to conceal the truth.
Meng Xu'an and Yang Xiucheng, despite their attempts to persuade her to rest and not push herself too hard, accompanied her, along with Wen and others, back to the old house amidst a heavy snowfall. Rong Jiashang, who had been waiting outside Meng Xu'an's mansion, eventually left after Feng Shizhen failed to appear. At Wenchunli, they subdued the gate guard and entered the dilapidated house. Initially, Wen reported that the interior was empty except for some worn-out beds.
Feng Shizhen, however, was not convinced. She reasoned that if Qin Shuigen had committed a murder there, he would have needed to dispose of the body quietly and quickly, impossible with other lodgers around. She deduced that he must have first cashed his lottery ticket, then bought the house to evict the tenants, allowing him to conceal the body in a wall since her aunt had mentioned her father's friend, a mason, who looked like him.
Feng Shizhen pointed to the walls. Wen quickly checked, found a hollow section, and Meng Xu'an ordered him to break it open. Behind the wall lay a dried corpse. Feng Shizhen broke down, realizing her father had been so close all these years. Meng Xu'an found a longevity lock on the body, which Feng Shizhen recognized as one her father had bought for her younger brother, intensifying her grief.
Meng Xu'an comforted her, assuring her that her father would not blame her for her past hatred, as she had ultimately found him. Meanwhile, Rong Dingkun was startled awake by a vivid nightmare, crying out "No!" He imagined someone coming for him, claiming he had made them do it, and urged Rong Jiashang to "kill him" and "defend our family." A butler quickly summoned Rong Jiashang, reporting his master was having a bad dream and screaming.
Rong Jiashang asked for the downer the doctor had left, which the butler retrieved from the storeroom. Rong Fanghua and Rong Fanglin, alerted by the commotion, arrived. Rong Jiashang assured them everything was fine and told them to go back to sleep, reminding Rong Fanghua she needed to try on her wedding dress the next day.
Rong Fanghua questioned the propriety of getting married given her father's condition, but Rong Jiashang insisted everything would proceed as planned, promising their father would attend her wedding. Rong Dingkun, still in a daze, murmured about having "sealed him up," prompting Rong Jiashang to wonder if he was referring to "He" or "Qin Shuigen." The next morning, Wen called a newspaper, providing an anonymous tip about a dead body found in the Rong family's old house in Wenchunli.
The news quickly spread, with headlines questioning if the "blessed house" was now "blooded." Rong Jiashang, informed of the news by his secretary, rushed to Wenchunli. Reporters swarmed the entrance, but he managed to address them, stating that the Rong family had acquired the plot by chance and had no knowledge of the body. He vowed to cooperate with the police to find the truth.
Inspector Wang, present with his officers, showed Rong Jiashang the body, which was difficult to identify. Rong Jiashang pointed out that reporters had already tampered with the scene, questioning if it was a genuine discovery or a setup. Inspector Wang then revealed a strange detail: a scrip, an IOU from "Qin Shuigen" to "Rong Dingkun," was found in the corpse's mouth.
Noticing the paper was new, Inspector Wang suggested it was likely a prank and allowed Rong Jiashang to take it for his father. Rong Jiashang thanked him as the body was removed. At the New Metropolis Club, Feng Shizhen, deep in thought and drinking, recalled her first dance with Rong Jiashang there. Xiao Baoli joined her, acknowledging the pain of finding her father but also the closure it brought.
Feng Shizhen affirmed her resolve to seek justice against Qin Shuigen for his heinous acts against her family. When asked if Rong Jiashang knew she was in Shanghai, Feng Shizhen believed he probably did but decided it was better not to see him, given their current relationship. Rong Jiashang confronted his father with the IOU, demanding to know if he remembered lending the money. Rong Dingkun was visibly shaken, asking where the paper came from.
Rong Jiashang also pressed him on his insistence on buying the Wenchunli property. Rong Dingkun, fearful, asked if something had happened in Wenchunli. Rong Jiashang confirmed that the entire area had been renovated except for that specific old house, questioning why it remained untouched. Rong Dingkun, panicking, ordered for Zhao Hua'an to be summoned, but Rong Jiashang intercepted, assuring him he could handle it and demanding the truth about Qin Shuigen and the secrets of the old house.
Rong Dingkun pleaded with his son to prevent anyone from entering or damaging the old house, claiming its destruction would lead to the Rong family's downfall. Rong Jiashang then revealed that it was already too late; someone had broken in, discovered the body, and the news was now public, with newspapers claiming their "blessed house" hid a corpse. Rong Dingkun was in denial, repeating "Impossible!"
Rong Jiashang urged his father to reveal any disgraceful family secrets before they became public knowledge, warning that he would be powerless to help if he remained in the dark. At the Rong Mansion, Mrs. Rong discovered reporters swarming outside. Distraught, she ordered the gates secured and all household members to remain inside, except for those on errands. She called Zhao Hua'an, expressing her concerns about the newspaper's insinuations of concealed bodies and even sorcery.
Zhao Hua'an, reassuring her, dismissed it as sensationalism and rivals' attempts to discredit the Rong family, suggesting she take the children to their villa outside the city until the rumors subsided after the New Year. He promised to discuss countermeasures with Rong Jiashang at the company. Rong Jiashang, meanwhile, reflected on his father's fragmented confessions about Mrs. Bai, his brother, and "He," and the name "Qin Shuigen."
Still unclear about the true relationship between Qin Shuigen and He, he instructed Secretary Chen to investigate Qin Shuigen. Back at the mansion, a reporter managed to sneak in, photographing Rong Fanglin and Rong Fanghua. Rong Jiashang quickly intervened, forcefully expelling the reporter and smashing his camera, then angrily reprimanded his staff for the security breach, demanding improved electrified fences. Rong Fanglin, terrified by the commotion and news of the company's troubles, wondered if their family was doomed.
Rong Jiashang firmly reassured her that as long as he was there, he would not let the Rong family fall. At a board meeting, the Rong company's stock continued to plummet. Shareholders, demanding an explanation from Rong Dingkun, threatened to withdraw their investments. Rong Jiashang sharply criticized their disloyalty, reminding them of the many years they had profited without contributing, now abandoning the company in a minor crisis.
Zhao Hua'an attempted to mediate, acknowledging the crisis but advocating against dissolving the partnership. Rong Jiashang, while agreeing to their withdrawal, made a single demand: that out of respect for their past relationship with his father, they sell their shares exclusively to him, promising fair compensation. The shareholders reluctantly agreed. Just then, Inspector Wang arrived with crucial news for Rong Jiashang. A few days prior, an old widow had reported her husband's tomb desecrated and his body stolen.
The physical characteristics of her husband's body matched the one found in Wenchunli. Further investigation confirmed they were the same. The IOU, being brand new, was clearly a fabrication placed by someone intent on framing the Rong family. This proved the entire incident was a setup.
Relieved, Rong Jiashang offered Inspector Wang a sum of money, asking him to give it to the widow to help her rebuild her husband's tomb and properly rebury him, which Inspector Wang agreed to do. Later, Feng Shizhen placed her father's memorial tablet in a temple. Xiao Baoli accompanied her to pay respects. Meng Xu'an hosted a New Year's Eve dinner at Astor House, inviting Feng Shizhen and Xiao Baoli.
Meng Xu'an and Xiao Baoli discussed the outcome of the Wenchunli incident, agreeing that while the Rong family had been weakened, Feng Shizhen had not yet achieved her full objective, and that Rong Dingkun's true crimes would eventually be exposed to the world. As Feng Shizhen and Meng Xu'an were leaving the Astor House, wrapped warmly by Meng Xu'an in a coat, they were observed by Rong Jiashang, who was dining with Inspector Wang and others, causing him visible distress.
Feng Shizhen then asked Meng Xu'an to drive her home, acknowledging it was time to face her family. She asked Meng Xu'an to continue looking after her aunt, promising to bring her home after she had settled things. Arriving home, Feng Shizhen walked through the bustling streets filled with neighbors celebrating the New Year, her heart heavy with her unresolved burdens.
