Fall in Love Episode 11 Recap
> Fall in Love Recap
As Tan Xuanlin decided to temporarily settle his army, workers surrounded the cotton mills, holding banners and loudly demanding a pay raise. The cotton mill bosses were distressed by this situation and sought an audience with Commander Tan Xuanlin. They explained that while Tan Xuanlin’s two thousand soldiers, primarily allocated to their mills and Mu’s cotton mill, were physically strong, they lacked the technical skills required for mill work.
Five or six soldiers combined could not match the efficiency of a single skilled worker, and each soldier occupied a weaving machine, significantly lowering their production, which was now only half of what it was before the soldiers arrived. The bosses further complained that these soldiers received the same wages as skilled workers, leading to discontent among their experienced staff, despite some subsidies from the Chamber of Commerce.
With the cotton industry struggling against foreign competition, notably Japanese cotton, and profits already low, the bosses were unable to afford pay raises and pleaded with Tan Xuanlin to take his soldiers back. Tan Xuanlin feigned helplessness, stating that upon taking office as Shanghai Commander, he had made a three-point agreement with Military Governor Xu, the first of which was to disband the Tan Army. He claimed he could not recall his soldiers without the Military Governor's explicit instruction.
The cotton mill bosses then approached Mu Zhiyuan for help. Mu Zhiyuan, in turn, discussed the matter with Military Governor Xu. However, Military Governor Xu was shrewd; he had already received a call from Mu Zhiyuan, who, under the guise of New Year’s greetings, was lobbying on behalf of the cotton mill bosses. Military Governor Xu dismissed the bosses' complaints as a ploy for more money or to return the soldiers, suspecting Tan Xuanlin was deliberately stirring up trouble.
He decided to ignore the cotton mill bosses for the time being, believing that Tan Xuanlin's disbanded soldiers, without proper management, would eventually commit illegal acts, giving him a legitimate reason to deal with Tan Xuanlin. Meanwhile, Yueshuang discussed the situation with Tan Xuanlin, acknowledging that he had skillfully anticipated every development. She remarked on his recent change in demeanor, noting his uncharacteristic seriousness and lack of jokes.
When Tan Xuanlin asked if she preferred serious gentlemen, she denied it, prompting him to ask if she liked him as he was. Her evasive reply left him visibly disappointed. Later, Joseph, a major Jewish merchant in the Far East, discovered his cat, Cindy, brutally killed at his home. Blaming the Revolutionary Army, he feared for his life and confronted Tan Xuanlin, demanding constant protection by soldiers at his home and company, and close bodyguards.
Tan Xuanlin expressed sympathy but claimed he was merely a commander in name only, with no authority to deploy the headquarters' troops due to his agreement with Military Governor Xu. He also stated his own army had been disbanded and disarmed. However, Tan Xuanlin suggested Joseph seek help from Fei Andong.
Subsequently, Min Dacheng informed Tan Xuanlin that Military Governor Xu, pressured by Fei Andong who was acting on behalf of his "old friend" Joseph, had reluctantly agreed to the establishment of a militia. Min Dacheng noted the irony that a dead cat achieved what Yueshuang could not. Tan Xuanlin, while acknowledging this victory, instructed Min Dacheng to credit Yueshuang for it. Military Governor Xu, however, confided in Xu Cheng that he felt outmaneuvered by Tan Xuanlin.
He viewed Tan Xuanlin as cunning for exploiting the factory unrest and the British desire for security in the concession to establish his own armed force. Military Governor Xu planned to observe the militia's performance, confident that if it failed to maintain order, he would have reason to abolish it and withdraw British support. Cui Lianfeng, Mu Zhiyuan's wife, confessed to Min Dacheng that she had underestimated Mu Wanqing.
Mu Wanqing had become Guangyao’s secretary, gaining Mu Zhiyuan's trust, and her assertiveness had grown to the point of hitting Mu Wanting. Cui Lianfeng was further enraged to learn Mu Wanqing had spent the night in Guangyao's lounge. Fearing that Mu Wanqing might marry Guangyao instead of Mu Wanting and seize the Mu family's assets, Cui Lianfeng expressed the urgent need to eliminate her. Min Dacheng assured her he had a method to do so without drawing suspicion.
As New Year's Eve arrived, Shanghai was illuminated by dazzling fireworks. Tan Xuanlin, alone, meticulously cleaned his late father’s pistol, his thoughts drifting to his sister, Tan Sangyu. He expressed his wish for Sangyu, now eighteen, to marry a scholar or businessman and live a peaceful life, fearing the dangers of a military career, and hoped for a safe future for both Sangyu and Yueshuang. Tan Sangyu, along with Pei Shaojun, Yueshuang, and Marshal Su, was also watching the fireworks.
Tan Sangyu feigned a sprained ankle to gain Pei Shaojun’s attention, though Yueshuang advised her to maintain a distance from him. Later that evening, Sangyu brought dumplings, which Tan Xuanlin recognized as hers, along with Yueshuang. Mu Wanqing, meanwhile, was on a balcony watching the fireworks with Guangyao, holding an amulet close to her chest. At the same moment, Tan Xuanlin, possessing a matching amulet, looked up at the sky, his thoughts drifting to Mu Wanqing.
The following morning, Mu Wanqing visited Tan Xuanlin, bringing snacks. She commented on his recent serious demeanor, to which he playfully retorted about women's conflicting expectations. He then urged her to leave quickly to avoid misinterpretation should Xu Supervisor arrive. The next day was the inauguration ceremony for the militia. Mu Zhiyuan had planned to attend with Mu Wanqing, but Mu Wanting suddenly fell ill with a severe stomachache.
Mu Zhiyuan, after checking on Mu Wanting, instructed Mu Wanqing to proceed to the ceremony first, promising to join her shortly. Mu Wanqing agreed to cover for him should he be asked to speak. As Mu Wanqing’s car drove through an unusually quiet alley, it was suddenly ambushed. Mu Wanqing was violently kidnapped. News of her abduction quickly reached the Mu Mansion. Later, at the ceremony, as Tan Xuanlin delivered a speech, he received an urgent update.
Cutting his speech short, he immediately rallied his men and rushed to investigate. The kidnappers, revealed to have been targeting Mu Zhiyuan, were reprimanded for their mistake, having abducted Mu Wanqing instead of her father, despite having trailed Mu Zhiyuan’s car from the Mu Mansion. They confirmed her identity as Mu Zhiyuan’s daughter.
