City of Streamer Episode 36 Recap
> City of Streamer Recap
Rong Jiashang returned home late and learned from the butler that Mrs. Rong was handling Rong Jiakang's funeral arrangements. The butler informed him that Mrs. Rong had sent people to observe the fengshui at the ancestral grave, ordered a coffin, and Concubine Sun was recovering, even taking walks in the courtyard. Rong Dingkun had also chosen a piece of jade to be buried with the youngest master.
Rong Jiashang, though offered mutton soup, declined as he had drunk a lot at a dinner party and had no appetite. He then went to see Rong Dingkun, who feigned weakness from a minor stroke affecting his arms. Rong Dingkun instructed Rong Jiashang to take 30,000 silver dollars from his private coffer for Fanghua's wedding dowry and to keep the rest safe for Fanglin's future marriage, emphasizing that his daughters should not marry miserably.
After asking about Mrs. Rong and being told she was at her maternal family's house but would return tomorrow, Rong Dingkun told the butler to have her see him. Once Rong Jiashang left, Rong Dingkun's expression changed, revealing his cunning pretense. Rong Jiashang, knowing Mrs. Rong was not at home, brought his men directly to Zhao Hua'an's residence. He found Zhao Hua'an in his bedroom with Mrs. Rong, Shujun.
Rong Jiashang pretended to want to play cards with Zhao Hua'an but then exposed their affair. Zhao Hua'an admitted it was a mistake and tried to keep it quiet, concerned about the Rong family's reputation. However, Shujun, furious, lashed out at Rong Jiashang, accusing him of murdering her son Xin'er and detaining Rong Dingkun, calling him a "conscienceless rascal" and "like father, like son." Zhao Hua'an dismissed her as "shortsighted."
Rong Jiashang then revealed that the man he knew as his father, Rong Dingkun, had confessed to being Qin Shuigen and killing the original Rong Dingkun for a lottery ticket years ago. He told Zhao Hua'an that "fire cannot be wrapped in paper," and the original Rong Dingkun's daughter, Feng Shizhen, was back.
Zhao Hua'an realized Feng Shizhen was Rong Jiashang's governess, recalling that Rong Dingkun had broken out in a cold sweat upon seeing her and was afraid of her. He admitted to hiding the body but stated that Qin Shuigen was the murderer and had been plagued by guilt ever since. Rong Jiashang sarcastically acknowledged his father's "hard work." Shujun then argued that without Qin Shuigen's ruthlessness, the Rong family would have collapsed, and Rong Jiashang would have been nothing.
She reminded him that he would always bear his father's crimes. Rong Jiashang countered by accusing Zhao Hua'an of embezzling funds by reselling "lost goods" from the southern You and Wu lines, stating he had witnesses and physical evidence. Zhao Hua'an, unperturbed, suggested that Rong Jiashang was too young to deal with the other powerful uncles and proposed taking over the dark businesses of the Rong Company, offering a yearly dividend.
Shujun vehemently rejected this, calling Zhao Hua'an and Rong Dingkun "two birds of a feather." Zhao Hua'an warned her that the other "murderous" elders could wipe out the Rong family. Rong Jiashang corrected him, clarifying that the original Rong family had already been exterminated, with only Shizhen remaining. Rong Jiashang, understanding Zhao Hua'an's ambition and expressing his own detestation for the family's dark industries, offered to discuss a share transfer.
Shujun protested, but Rong Jiashang reminded her of her own infidelity after her son's death. They agreed on an 80% market price for the shares, to be paid in cash, with lawyers meeting the next day. Rong Jiashang then took Mrs. Rong home. At home, Rong Jiashang suggested Shujun divorce Rong Dingkun and return to her maternal family, acknowledging that his father was not a good husband and her life had been difficult.
Shujun, however, wanted to wait until Fanglin was married to avoid damaging her daughter's prospects. Rong Jiashang agreed to draw up a divorce agreement, promising to help her get his father's signature for her freedom and to ensure Fanglin received all Shujun's dowry, as caring for his sister was his duty.
Shujun then told Rong Jiashang that while she knew he resented her for sending him to military school, she now saw it as a blessing that saved him from becoming "another Qin Shuigen." Rong Jiashang responded that he no longer hated her and wished them both well. Meanwhile, Feng Shizhen asked Yang Xiucheng to gather detailed background information on all the executives of Rong Company.
Yang Xiucheng also intercepted a telegram regarding Zhao Hua'an's acquisition of Rong Company shares, remarking that the Rong family was heading for major unrest. Feng Shizhen then requested more information about the Rong family's opium business. Meng Xu'an worried that Feng Shizhen still harbored feelings for Rong Jiashang, but she firmly stated their relationship was over and a man should not need a woman's protection.
She reiterated her primary goal: to utterly destroy the Rong family's "evil business" and let its managers fight among themselves, before catching them all. She insisted they must pay. Later, at a restaurant, Rong Jiashang met Wu Yunchi, who revealed he had sent reporters to cover the Rong family's affairs.
Rong Jiashang explained that he intended to let the shareholders fight for power, weakening themselves, after which he would step in to destroy all of the Rong family's "dirty" grey businesses, especially the opium trade, which he had always detested. Wu Yunchi expressed concern that this would lead to the Rong family's complete collapse and leave Rong Jiashang with nothing, questioning if Feng Shizhen would still want him, as women often required "material comforts."
Rong Jiashang assured him that Fanghua was taken care of with a dowry, and he planned to send Fanglin abroad to study. He dismissed Wu Yunchi's concerns about Feng Shizhen, finding the topic bitter. Shiori Hashimoto, seeing the news about the Rong family, expressed her concern for Rong Jiashang to her father, Hashimoto Shozo. She reminded him of her past relationship with Rong Jiashang in Chongqing and how she differed from other women who might be after his wealth.
Hashimoto Shozo then arranged a meeting with Rong Jiashang. During their tea, Hashimoto Shozo acknowledged Rong Jiashang's difficult situation and his rebellious uncles, advising him not to impulsively abandon the lucrative transportation and opium growing businesses, which constituted 60-70% of the family's assets.
Rong Jiashang, however, reiterated his intention to sell these businesses, stating his dislike for "blood money" and his desire to do good deeds to atone for his father's sins, as even his father now believed his injury was retribution. He described himself as cautious and conservative. Hashimoto Shozo then attempted to orchestrate a marriage between Rong Jiashang and Shiori, highlighting their previous connection and their suitability. Shiori, born of a concubine, was presented as equally talented and attractive.
Rong Jiashang politely declined, citing his youth and desire to keep business and emotions separate. He firmly rejected Shiori's offer of help, stating he did not need women to climb. Shiori confessed her genuine feelings and her desire to marry him, but Rong Jiashang told her their Chongqing relationship was merely a youthful crush and he now had a love interest, urging her to move on.
Back at Meng Xu'an's residence, Yang Xiucheng delivered a newly intercepted telegram, informing Feng Shizhen that Zhao Hua'an had upgraded his transportation code. Feng Shizhen worked tirelessly through the night and successfully deciphered the code. Meng Xu'an visited her, praised her work, but voiced his suspicion that Rong Jiashang might be colluding with Zhao Hua'an for the lucrative grey businesses. Feng Shizhen, however, staunchly believed Rong Jiashang would not be corrupt.
Seeing her focus, Meng Xu'an, slightly jealous, suggested she go out for a change of pace. Xiao Baoli took Feng Shizhen shopping, with Wen providing protection. Xiao Baoli encouraged Feng Shizhen to buy more clothes, remarking that being associated with Mr. Meng meant she shouldn't appear "shabby," but Feng Shizhen clarified she was not Meng Xu'an's woman. While shopping, they saw a newspaper headline announcing the Rong family's impending collapse due to a "weak leader and strong members."
They mused that while Rong Jiashang was young, the family's legitimate businesses were sufficient without the risky, unethical ones. From a distance, Rong Jiashang, leaving his company, saw Feng Shizhen and Xiao Baoli driving away. Later, Yang Xiucheng reported that a gang fight had erupted among the Rong family's factions in the south, resulting in three opium dens being destroyed and the newly planted opium bulbs crushed.
Feng Shizhen proposed sending a "secret letter" to Zhao Hua'an's rivals, such as Liu Sanwan, revealing the destination of his most important cargo. She believed this would incite further conflict among them, thereby helping to create more trouble for Zhao Hua'an. Meng Xu'an approved, calling her plan brilliant.
