City of Streamer Episode 4 Recap
> City of Streamer Recap
Rong Jiashang mistakenly identified the English word "retribution" as "contribution." Feng Shizhen, his governess, decided to administer a penalty by blindfolding him and having him shoot at target words. To her surprise, Rong Jiashang hit every word perfectly, impressing her. He then offered to teach her archery, showing her how to concentrate, control her breathing, and aim for the bullseye. Feng Shizhen successfully hit the target herself.
A servant soon interrupted their lesson to announce Rong Dingkun's return, asking Rong Jiashang to greet him at the front hall. Rong Dingkun arrived with his pregnant wife, Concubine Sun, and her sister, Sun Shaoqing. After a warm reception from the children, Rong Dingkun informed Rong Jiashang that the recent attackers were from the Wang family. Due to the increasing instability in the concession, he decided to assign two bodyguards to each of his children for their safety.
As Feng Shizhen descended the stairs, Rong Dingkun was struck by her appearance, finding her face very familiar, though he couldn't quite place her. Mrs. Rong introduced Feng Shizhen as the children's governess, reassuring Rong Dingkun that Feng Shizhen’s background had been thoroughly checked and was clean. Feng Shizhen politely introduced herself. Rong Dingkun, after examining her profile, approved of the choice, apologizing for his initial confusion and attributing it to his age.
Feng Shizhen, in turn, complimented him, stating he was in his prime. It was noted that both Rong Jiashang and Rong Dingkun found Feng Shizhen familiar. Feng Shizhen, however, simply suggested she must have an ordinary face, often eliciting such remarks. Rong Dingkun then probed about her family's herb store, which had been destroyed by fire.
Feng Shizhen recounted how the police blamed a household that perished in the blaze, leaving no one to hold accountable, and concluding it was fate. Rong Dingkun agreed, offering philosophical words of comfort and assuring her that she would be well taken care of in the Rong household for teaching his children. Feng Shizhen then excused herself to prepare for her afternoon classes. Mrs. Rong expressed satisfaction with her choice of governess.
Shortly after, Rong Dingkun took Sun Shaoqing aside for a private discussion. Feng Shizhen later discreetly overheard Rong Dingkun expressing his fury to Yang Xiucheng. The Guo family had snatched the Nanyang Route by altering their bid at the last minute, nullifying all of Rong Dingkun's careful plans. He warned Yang Xiucheng that the Rong family's dominance in Shanghai was at stake and ordered him to stabilize the situation immediately.
Rong Dingkun then inquired about the trip north, revealing a new alliance with Generalissimo Cao, whose support would secure their business. He instructed Yang Xiucheng and Zhao Hua'an to meticulously handle an incoming cargo from Peking expected next week. Afterwards, Feng Shizhen found Rong Jiashang and reminded him of their afternoon class. He remarked on her considerate nature, noting how much his father seemed to like her.
Feng Shizhen, however, candidly stated her job required her to please her "boss," referring to Rong Dingkun. Rong Jiashang, asserting himself as her "boss" too, questioned why she didn't treat him with the same deference. Feng Shizhen retorted that he had been the one to initially bully and mock her, adding that he wasn't the one paying her salary and should refrain from throwing his weight around until he was the true master of the house.
She concluded by threatening him with a spanking board if he failed his English word test that afternoon. Meanwhile, Concubine Sun, feeling threatened by Feng Shizhen's presence, confided in her sister, Sun Shaoqing, about Mrs. Rong's perceived plot to undermine her. Sun Shaoqing tried to calm her, suggesting Mrs. Rong's plan wouldn't benefit her and Rong Dingkun didn't seem interested in Feng Shizhen. Concubine Sun remained unconvinced, convinced Feng Shizhen was trouble.
Later, while out with Wu Yunchi, Rong Jiashang was anxious to return home for his lessons, prompting Wu Yunchi to tease him about being afraid of Feng Shizhen complaining to his father. As they drove, Rong Jiashang spotted a deceased dog with its wailing puppies nearby. The sight triggered a painful memory: his mother, Shujun, had blamed him for the death of her son, Jiaxin, and demanded Rong Dingkun send Rong Jiashang away from the family home, which he did.
Moved by the puppies, Rong Jiashang took one home. Feng Shizhen was immediately captivated by the puppy. She instructed Ms. Kang to warm some goat milk, explaining that young puppies couldn't drink cow milk. Rong Jiashang, who admitted he'd never cared for an animal due to joining military school at a young age, struggled to feed the anxious puppy.
Feng Shizhen gently took over, demonstrating how to feed and bathe it, and proposed naming it "Moon Cake" in anticipation of the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival. Rong Jiashang, though not keen on the name, conceded to her choice. Before he left for an evening outing, Rong Jiashang entrusted Feng Shizhen with the puppy's care. Later, Feng Shizhen took Moon Cake to the vicinity of the West Hall, where she overheard Rong Dingkun's ongoing conversation.
However, Rong Dingkun, Rong Jiashang, and others suddenly emerged. Feng Shizhen quickly released Moon Cake and pretended to be searching for a lost puppy. Rong Dingkun, seeing the dog, declared his dislike for such animals and ordered Rong Jiashang to get rid of it. That evening, Feng Shizhen questioned Ms. Chen about Sun Shaoqing, noting her infrequent appearances. Ms. Chen revealed that Rong Dingkun was an opium addict, and Sun Shaoqing served as his "opium maid."
Feng Shizhen expressed surprise, observing Rong Dingkun's healthy appearance. Ms. Chen explained he consumed a rare and expensive type of opium. She then confided that Concubine Sun used to perform this duty but, after two miscarriages, quit and brought her sister, Sun Shaoqing, to take her place, fearing someone else would gain favor. Feng Shizhen deduced that Sun Shaoqing was now Rong Dingkun's most trusted confidante. Ms. Chen then reported Feng Shizhen's inquiries to Mrs. Rong.
Mrs. Rong, sensing Feng Shizhen's potential interest in Rong Dingkun, yet noticing his lack of overt attention, speculated that he might be deliberately "ignoring" Feng Shizhen to provoke her. She instructed Ms. Chen to continue monitoring Feng Shizhen. Feng Shizhen informed Rong Jiashang that Mrs. Rong had approved separate lessons for him from his sisters. She handed him a book with a middle school cover but filled with college-level content, explaining she would write explanations on paper to maintain discretion.
Rong Jiashang, still wary, accused her of intentionally being in West Hall the previous night. Feng Shizhen clarified that Moon Cake had been startled by the crowd in the courtyard and fled to the quiet West Hall. She apologized for the misunderstanding, adding that Ms. Chen had told her West Hall was Sun Shaoqing's residence, while Rong Dingkun and Mrs. Rong lived on the second floor of the East Wing.
Rong Jiashang, however, simply reiterated that she should stay away from West Hall and promised to "properly settle" Moon Cake. Feng Shizhen then inquired about his self-study of college courses, which he began in middle school after mastering his regular curriculum. She pointed out that self-study could lead to gaps and proceeded to correct his work on a college-level exam, demonstrating alternative problem-solving methods. As he worked, Rong Jiashang sneezed.
Feng Shizhen realized he had a fever and insisted he rest, offering to call a doctor and promising to have soup made for him. Despite his protests that it was "just a cold," she forced him to return to his room, advising him to eat before taking medicine to protect his stomach and to drink plenty of water. Annoyed, Rong Jiashang called her "garrulous as a grandma." He then asked for her name.
Feng Shizhen, suppressing an urge to slap him, firmly stated her name was Feng Shizhen and insisted he address her respectfully as "Miss Feng." Rong Jiashang found her honesty and unconventional nature intriguing, noting she was the first woman he'd met who openly admitted to being motivated by money. Feng Shizhen countered that all household staff worked for money, not charity, and warned him against disrespect, threatening to use the teacher's disciplinary board on him.
He apologized, and she walked him back to his room. There, he showed her his collection of model airplanes, explaining the purpose of gliders for low-altitude supply drops and fighters for combat, and expressing his aspiration to fly them someday. She offered to stay with him, but he demurred. As she prepared to leave so as not to be an "eyesore," he told her she was "actually quite good-looking."
As the Mid-Autumn Festival approached, Feng Shizhen prepared to go home, but Mrs. Rong invited her to a pre-festival dinner. At the dinner, Rong Dingkun asked Feng Shizhen if she would be visiting her hometown. She explained her father’s ill health meant they would remain in Shanghai. He then inquired if she had considered a career in foreign or trade firms, as many educated girls did.
Feng Shizhen humbly replied that she only knew how to teach and wished to fulfill her responsibilities to the Rong family. Concubine Sun interjected, subtly mocking Feng Shizhen for not being more ambitious, but Mrs. Rong quickly defended Feng Shizhen's grounded nature. Rong Fanglin then openly scoffed at Concubine Sun's constant apologies, suggesting her seemingly innocent demeanor would be better suited for resolving international disputes at the Executive Yuan.
Mrs. Rong quickly quelled the argument and asked about Rong Jiashang’s absence. Feng Shizhen confirmed he was genuinely ill with a fever, sneezing, and a runny nose, suggesting it would be best for him to stay home to prevent infecting others, effectively convincing Rong Dingkun to abandon his plans for a family trip to their ancestral home. Later that night, Feng Shizhen saw Rong Jiashang vomiting. She immediately went to check on him, asking if he was alright and offering to make him some porridge. He simply responded, "Whatever."
