City of Streamer Episode 7 Recap
> City of Streamer Recap
Feng Shizhen and Rong Jiashang found themselves drawn to each other, their feelings deepening with time. However, Feng Shizhen suppressed her burgeoning emotions, recalling Meng Xu'an's stark reminder: "Shizhen, you're the one who baits the hook. Don't let the fish drag you into the water." She reaffirmed to herself that Rong Jiashang was merely a stepping stone, a tool to use against Rong Dingkun.
Rong Jiashang, too, was captivated by Feng Shizhen and wished to confess his feelings, but he ultimately held back. Feng Shizhen soon caught a cold and was confined to bed. She assured those attending her that it was a simple cold, easily cured with rest and medicine, thanking Xiao Yu for her care. When Xiao Yu informed the family that Feng Shizhen had canceled classes, Rong Dingkun expressed concern.
Hearing she had a slight fever, he worried about a recent deadly flu outbreak and stated that if Feng Shizhen had the flu, she couldn't stay. His daughters, Rong Fanglin and Rong Fanghua, defended Feng Shizhen, believing it was just a cold. Concubine Sun seized the opportunity, expressing concern for her unborn son and implying Feng Shizhen should leave. Mrs. Rong, in turn, subtly cautioned Concubine Sun to stay indoors herself to protect her precious health and the baby.
Unsettled, Rong Jiashang left dinner early, citing homework. Mrs. Rong remarked on his newfound diligence, praising his governess. Concubine Sun then revealed that Sun Shaoqing was also studying English literature with Feng Shizhen, prompting Mrs. Rong to muse that such a learned woman might seek a better match than their household. Later, Rong Dingkun questioned Sun Shaoqing about her conversations with Feng Shizhen.
Sun Shaoqing spoke warmly of Feng Shizhen's knowledge and kindness, describing her as different from the other girls Rong Dingkun usually associated with, and explicitly told him not to have "wrong ideas" about her. Rong Dingkun flirtatiously brushed off the suggestion of jealousy from Concubine Sun, reassuring her of his affection. That night, Rong Jiashang placed a bouquet of forget-me-nots, along with Feng Shizhen's silk scarf he had found, outside her door.
Feng Shizhen discovered them and placed the flowers in a vase. A few days later, Feng Shizhen recovered and resumed her duties. Xiao Yu informed her that Rong Jiashang had been diligently studying in his room during her illness, earning praise from Rong Dingkun and Mrs. Rong. When Feng Shizhen began teaching, Rong Jiashang brought up a difficult math problem.
Before she could explain, he warned her against associating with Sun Shaoqing, implying that gossip could arise, just as it had with Concubine Sun. Feng Shizhen understood he was worried she might end up a concubine and reassured him that she had more ambition than that. He then apologized for his previous rudeness, admitting he was afraid of causing her trouble and that a personal apology was more sincere.
He emphasized that Feng Shizhen was different from the others, and she accepted his apology. Later, Wu Yunchi arrived to take Rong Jiashang to the New Metropolis Club. On their way out, they spotted Feng Shizhen and Sun Shaoqing chatting in the garden, with Wu Yunchi remarking on their close bond and teasing Rong Jiashang about his obvious interest. Wu Yunchi urged him to be bolder, suggesting men like them could afford to have fun without consequences.
Rong Jiashang firmly stated that Feng Shizhen was not "that kind of woman," prompting Wu Yunchi to playfully accuse him of being truly smitten. Meanwhile, in the garden, Feng Shizhen confirmed Sun Shaoqing was ready for their escape plan that night. She warned of the "storm" awaiting her outside the estate but urged her to live and find hope, reminding her not to turn back.
Sun Shaoqing expressed gratitude and worried about the repercussions for Feng Shizhen, but Feng Shizhen dismissed her concerns, stating they had no evidence. Elsewhere, Yang Xiucheng concluded a business dinner for the Rong Company. Outside, he saw Yu Zhihui arm-in-arm with another man. Confronting her, he angrily questioned their intimacy.
Yu Zhihui tearfully explained that the man was a blind date arranged by her sister-in-law, insisting it was their first meeting and that her difficult family situation forced her to comply. Yang Xiucheng accused her family of only caring about money and lamented his own heartfelt devotion. He begged her to leave with him, but she refused, fearing her sister-in-law's wrath. Disheartened, Yang Xiucheng left.
He then encountered Du Lanxin, who noted that his girlfriend had left with another man and tried to invite him for a drink. Yang Xiucheng politely but firmly declined, stating he had work to do and was not interested in her games. That evening, Rong Dingkun went to Concubine Sun's West Hall. She had prepared mutton soup for him and, after dinner, suggested they try some new opium. Rong Dingkun, calling her "greedy," readily agreed to smoke with her.
Meanwhile, Feng Shizhen left a jar of wine for the gatekeeper, knowing his weakness for alcohol would make him pliable. She made a show of going upstairs from the living room, ensuring Mrs. Rong and her daughters saw her, then slipped out a window and headed to West Hall. There, Sun Shaoqing, dressed identically to Feng Shizhen and wearing her scarf, prepared to leave.
Feng Shizhen reiterated her instructions: stay at a wharf hotel overnight, board a ship for Japan in the morning, send a telegram upon arrival, and trust no one. She also warned Sun Shaoqing about Rong Dingkun's true nature, calling him a liar responsible for many deaths. As Sun Shaoqing left, the gatekeeper, mistaking her for Feng Shizhen, opened the gate and wished her a safe journey.
Once Sun Shaoqing was safely away, Feng Shizhen, now disguised as Sun Shaoqing, returned to West Hall. At the New Metropolis Club, Du Lanxin approached Rong Jiashang. After some teasing about his preference for "respectable women" like his governess, she introduced him to Miss Li from the Zhonghua Book Company. Seeing Du Lanxin's provocative gaze, Rong Jiashang promptly invited Miss Li to dance. In West Hall, Feng Shizhen found Rong Dingkun drowsy from the opium.
She put on a record player loudly and took his hand, pressing his finger onto a bill of lading to get his fingerprint. Rong Dingkun stirred, hallucinating, and mistook Feng Shizhen for his deceased friend, A He, whom he had buried. Terrified, he begged A He to stop haunting him. Guards, hearing the commotion, rushed in. Feng Shizhen, leveraging his hallucination, threatened him as "A He" to send the guards away.
Once they were gone, she interrogated him about the Ming dynasty antiques scheduled for shipment on the 18th, pressing him for the warehouse number. In his drugged state, Rong Dingkun revealed it was Warehouse No. 21. Feng Shizhen then stamped his seal onto the bill of lading, telling him that "A He" would no longer bother him. Back at the club, Rong Jiashang danced with Miss Li, momentarily imagining her as Feng Shizhen.
He abruptly realized his mistake, pushed her away, and excused himself, consumed by thoughts of his governess. At the Rong residence, Yang Xiucheng arrived to report to Rong Dingkun but was told by a servant that his master was in the smoking room and would not wake for some time. He resigned himself to waiting. Meanwhile, Feng Shizhen, her mission complete, briefly considered choking Rong Dingkun to death. But he let out a sudden scream, startling her, and she quickly hid as guards rushed to check on him.
