City of Streamer Episode 9 Recap
> City of Streamer Recap
Meng Xu'an proposed a contract to Xiao Baoli, intending to cultivate her as a celebrity. Xiao Baoli, surprised by the generous terms, questioned why he suddenly wanted to promote her. Meng Xu'an told her she deserved it after years of working for him and urged her to sign, which she gratefully did.
Meanwhile, Meng Xu'an's subordinate informed him that Feng Shizhen and her family were in the process of moving, having found a new house that morning and planning to relocate the next day. Feng Shizhen moved into a spacious new house with her parents and Feng Shixun. Her parents were delighted with the improved living conditions. Feng Shizhen gently urged her father to quit opium, especially since his injury was healing, emphasizing its harmful effects on his health.
He agreed to quit, promising a new start for their family. Feng Shixun, who had secured an internship as a doctor at the Red House Hospital and was living in a dorm, mentioned to Feng Shizhen that a Jewish doctor there needed an assistant. He believed her excellent qualifications would make her a perfect fit, offering a starting salary of fifteen silver dollars a month, with potential for increases.
However, Feng Shizhen expressed a desire to find her own job, feeling it was time for her to face challenges independently, despite Feng Shixun's protective instincts to keep her close. While out buying vinegar, Feng Shizhen realized she was being followed. She deliberately took a winding route, and Meng Xu'an arrived just in time to pick her up, successfully shaking off the tail.
During their conversation, Meng Xu'an criticized Feng Shizhen for rescuing Sun Shaoqing without informing him, concerned that Rong Dingkun’s suspicions might lead him to move the illicit goods. Feng Shizhen apologized, acknowledging her impulsiveness. Meng Xu'an cautioned her that while mercy was commendable, in their line of work, it could jeopardize their plans. He advised her to exercise discretion, knowing when to show compassion and when to hold back.
He also told her that Rong Dingkun was likely monitoring her closely and that they should avoid meeting until she had returned to the Rong family. Feng Shizhen assured him she would be more careful. Back at the Rong mansion, Mrs. Rong, concerned about her children’s education, interviewed several governesses. She eventually chose an average-looking one, believing this would prevent Rong Jiashang from developing an attachment, as he had with Feng Shizhen.
Rong Dingkun declared that Rong Jiashang must either attend university or marry Du Lanxin, as the Rong family would not support idlers. Rong Jiashang, though seemingly agreeing to attend the new tutor's classes the next day, left dinner in a huff to study alone, as if still guided by Feng Shizhen. The next day, he deliberately ignored the new tutor's instructions, challenging her teaching methods and stating that passing the exam was his only goal, regardless of true understanding.
Meanwhile, Meng Xu'an, masquerading as one of Rong Dingkun's men, arrived at the warehouse to retrieve a shipment. He presented a seemingly legitimate pick-up order bearing Rong Dingkun's stamp and fingerprint. The warehouse keeper, finding the man unfamiliar as Zhao Hua'an usually handled such matters, attempted to call Rong Dingkun for verification. However, Meng Xu'an had already arranged for the phone lines to be cut.
Convinced by the authentic documents and the urgency conveyed by Meng Xu'an's men, the keeper reluctantly led them to the number 21 goods. Feng Shizhen started her new job as an assistant to a Jewish obstetrician. She stopped by to see Feng Shixun at the Red House Hospital, impressed by his skillful and compassionate interaction with a young patient. She noted how handsome he looked in his white coat and how popular he was with the nurses.
Later, Rong Jiashang directly confronted his father, demanding Feng Shizhen's return as his tutor. Rong Dingkun refused. Rong Jiashang then presented a completed university sophomore-level exam paper, boasting that his performance depended on his mood, not his need for a tutor. He only wanted Feng Shizhen to teach him. Rong Dingkun deduced that Rong Jiashang was infatuated with Feng Shizhen, but insisted he marry Du Lanxin to benefit the family business.
Rong Jiashang vehemently rejected the idea, asserting that he did not need a woman to pave his way. Soon after, Rong Dingkun received a call from the warehouse, frantic over the theft of Generalissimo Cao's Ming Dynasty antiques. Rong Jiashang offered to recover the stolen goods, but only if Feng Shizhen was reinstated as his tutor. Desperate, Rong Dingkun reluctantly agreed. Rong Jiashang then accompanied Zhao Hua'an to the warehouse.
Zhao Hua'an, seeing the complete and seemingly authentic pick-up documents, was at a loss for where to begin the investigation. Rong Jiashang instructed his men to draw a portrait of the man who picked up the goods, described by the warehouse keeper as having a prominent scar on his chin. Returning home from her new job, Feng Shizhen sensed she was being followed again.
Grabbing an iron bar from a nearby alley, she struck the person trailing her, only to discover it was Rong Jiashang, whose nose was bleeding from the blow. She took him home to tend to his injury, chiding him for his surreptitious behavior. Rong Jiashang, checking his nose in a mirror for damage, explained he had been following her to protect her from Rong Dingkun's surveillance, which he didn't want her to know about initially.
Inside her home, Rong Jiashang noticed Feng Shizhen and Feng Shixun did not resemble each other. He also admitted that he had requested her background information from Yang Xiucheng shortly after she joined the Rong family, a precaution taken since he and his brother were kidnapped by an insider as children. He expressed admiration for her resilience after reading her file. When Feng Shizhen asked why he had come, Rong Jiashang confessed he missed her.
Feng Shizhen offered to make him noodles, remembering his preference for spicy food. He eagerly accepted, complimenting her cooking and acknowledging his past arrogance. He then earnestly pleaded with her to return to the Rong family as his teacher. He claimed his father had agreed and that both he and the two Misses disliked the new tutor. Feng Shizhen, citing her new job and the gossip that would arise if she returned, initially refused.
Rong Jiashang, filled with remorse, spoke about the profound impact she had on his life, making him feel less alone in his own home. Deeply moved by his sincerity, Feng Shizhen promised to consider his request. After their emotional farewell, Rong Jiashang went to meet Zhao Hua'an, who was still interrogating the warehouse staff without success.
One of the warehouse keepers then mentioned that they had sent a telegram to Rong Dingkun after the goods were transferred, implying an internal leak. He suggested the possibility of a mole within the Rong mansion, specifically mentioning Sun Shaoqing, who had been frequently seen in Rong Dingkun’s study shortly before her disappearance. Rong Jiashang instructed Zhao Hua'an to investigate the household staff but advised against excessive torture, suggesting a more psychological approach, particularly since these men had served their family loyally.
