Resumen del episodio 5 de The Company
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News of the artist Lu Feng’s long-awaited solo exhibition began to spread, but it was quickly accompanied by a brewing scandal. Paparazzi had captured intimate photos of him with the popular influencer Nana, leading to a flurry of dating rumors. In reality, this "leak" was a calculated move by Lu Feng himself to generate traffic.
After seeing that the video had reached a million views, Lu Feng settled the remaining balance with the paparazzi and ensured they signed a non-disclosure agreement. Despite his outward success, Lu Feng was plagued by chronic stomach pain.
When his assistant, Xiao Zhang, asked if he wanted to follow up with Su Beilu—the young man who had added him on WeChat at a restaurant—Lu Feng dismissed the idea, telling Zhang to ignore him while sending the assistant out for medication and more wine. Meanwhile, Bi Zhi remained focused on a different prize: the Wu Blade, one half of the legendary Kunwu Blade set. Knowing Lu Feng possessed it, Bi Zhi prepared to infiltrate the exhibition.
He purchased an electronic ticket and took Su Beilu to a high-end tailor, insisting that the young man dress in a formal suit. Though Su Beilu was hesitant about the cost, Bi Zhi assured him the purchase was already made. Dressed like a successful businessman, Su Beilu hoped he could fool the artist, while Bi Zhi reminded him that his best strategy was simply to stay quiet.
Su Beilu couldn’t help but feel a sense of disappointment; in his recent memory of Tianguang Market, Lu Feng had seemed sincere, but here in the modern world, he had become a calculating playboy who had seemingly abandoned his past and the woman he once loved. The following day, Lu Feng’s exhibition opened to great fanfare.
During a press interview, Lu Feng leaned into a pretentious persona, quoting François Millet and speaking of "viewing ordinary things with a noble heart" to give art power. He hid his commercial compromises behind a facade of surrealist narrative. Even during the event, his philandering ways were on full display as he flirted with the interviewer, Xuan, and added her on WeChat for "private consultations."
The arrival of Ms. Kaihua, a wealthy patron, further boosted his ego, even as he ignored a threatening text from Nana demanding that he either go public with their relationship or face a breakup. When Zhang informed him that a mysterious "big client" had purchased several of his works and was waiting in the tea room, Lu Feng eagerly went to greet them. The meeting in the tea room was a game of social posturing.
Bi Zhi introduced himself as a representative of Rain Manor, the legendary estate known for its collection of rare treasures. To gain Lu Feng's trust, Bi Zhi claimed his great-grandfather had been the secret financier for the manor's late owner, Mr. Yu. Impressed and instantly subservient, Lu Feng apologized for his previous dismissiveness. Bi Zhi then revealed his true intention: he wanted to buy the Wu Blade, which he claimed was an heirloom belonging to a deceased friend.
Lu Feng was initially confused, unable to recall owning such an item. However, later that night, a flash of memory returned to him. He remembered a small knife he had used to carve the very work that launched his career. He located the dagger in his storage and, the next day, offered it to Bi Zhi for free as a gesture of friendship, hoping to secure an introduction to the prestigious Rain Manor.
Su Beilu immediately recognized the dagger as the token of affection Xia Zelan—the woman from the market known as Lan—had given Lu Feng. His disgust for the artist only deepened when Lu Feng immediately tried to leverage the "gift" to get his work exhibited at Rain Manor. Su Beilu could not contain his anger, berating Lu Feng for his greed and for betraying Lan’s memory.
Bi Zhi led Su Beilu away, advising him not to waste energy on someone who would soon be irrelevant to their lives. As they left, Lu Feng’s world began to crumble. A massive scandal broke online, revealing his history of using women for PR and exposing his affairs with various socialites. His reputation vanished instantly, and his wealthy patrons, including Ms. Kaihua, turned their backs on him.
Struggling with the weight of his downfall, a drunken Lu Feng wandered the streets at night, hounded by persistent media crews. In his desperation to escape, he stumbled toward a roadside food stall. In a blur of exhaustion and alcohol, he saw a chef dressed in ancient attire and caught a glimpse of a familiar face. He collapsed, and when he finally woke up, he found himself back in the misty, timeless realm of Tianguang Market.
Confused, he asked Lan where he was, and she described it as a hidden paradise where people from different eras often find themselves lost. Desperate to return to his life, Lu Feng sought an exit at the River of Oblivion, but the guards informed him that the rafts were reserved for guests of Luoxia Manor. They warned him that the water was dangerously deep and that it was not his time to leave.
Resigned to staying for a while, Lu Feng returned to Lan’s fried rice stall. Since he had no money, they agreed to trade goods and services. He used his skills to repair her broken cleaver using the very same Wu Blade, noting its incredible sharpness. To pass the time, he shared his knowledge of "sculpture" with her, explaining the concepts of perspective and light. He even sketched a portrait of her, which left Lan deeply impressed by his talent.
Encouraged by her, Lu Feng opened his own repair stall, becoming a useful member of the market community. Over time, the two grew close. Lu Feng confessed his frustrations with his past life and his failed exams, admitting he planned to give up art once he escaped. Lan, in turn, shared her own heartbreaking story. Her mother had exhausted the family’s savings and worked herself to death to secure Lan a position as a chef in a royal residence.
Lan had only been there a few days before she got lost in the mist of the back mountains and ended up in the market. She felt she had failed her mother’s sacrifice and worried she would never return. Moved by her story, Lu Feng promised to help her find a way out, even suggesting they steal a raft to row into the fog together. However, his journey in the market was cut short.
In the real world, Lu Feng had been rushed to the hospital with a perforated stomach. As Dr. Xu prepared him for surgery, Lu Feng’s consciousness flickered between the two worlds. When Lu Feng finally regained consciousness in the hospital, the experience had changed him. The energy of the Wu Blade had acted as a catalyst, restoring his memories of both his modern life and his time in Tianguang Market.
Realizing the emptiness of his pursuit of fame, he made a radical decision to donate all his assets to charity and rededicate himself to the pure creation of art. Watching the news of Lu Feng’s "change of heart" from a distance, Su Beilu wondered if the man had finally found his conscience. Bi Zhi noted that while the memories were back, the past could not be changed.
As they moved on to their next task, Bi Zhi looked at the Wu Blade, knowing that without its counterpart, the Kun Blade, the weapon's energy remained unsettled. He considered using the Yashe to look deeper into the past, but for now, he remained hesitant, not yet ready to face what might be revealed.
