Fall in Love Episode 28 Recap
> Fall in Love Recap
Seeking revenge for his ousting, Xu Bojun approaches Mr. Yamashita of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce with a proposition to eliminate Tan Xuanlin. Mr. Yamashita, who already harbors resentment towards Tan Xuanlin, readily accepts Xu Bojun's generous offer. Xu Bojun assures Mr. Yamashita that once Tan Xuanlin is removed, his men will seize control of Shanghai, and all assets of the Mu family will fall under the Japanese Chamber of Commerce.
Xu Bojun cautions Mr. Yamashita against underestimating their opponent, highlighting that Tan Xuanlin and Mu Wanqing's impending marriage would unite Tan Xuanlin's military power with Mu Wanqing's financial resources, making them a formidable alliance. Following Mu Zhiyuan's assassination, Mu Wanting returns from Hong Kong. She expresses regret to Wanqing for her hasty return, but Wanqing reassures her it is fine and mentions that Commander Tan had arranged for her care in Hong Kong.
After asking to see her old room, Mu Wanting takes some photos of their mother from a photobook. When Wanting calls her own situation pitiful, Wanqing retorts that losing her former status is hardly a punishment compared to the cruel actions she inflicted on Wanqing in the past and declares that she will not forgive anyone who has harmed her.
Later, Tan Xuanlin notes Mu Wanting's subdued demeanor but warns Wanqing that people rarely change their true nature so quickly, advising caution. While looking through a photo album, Tan Xuanlin discovers a picture of Wanqing with Xu Guangyao. He learns they knew each other since childhood and expresses a hint of jealousy, noting that Xu Guangyao had known her for over a decade, while he had only known her for a few months.
Wanqing playfully acknowledges his jealousy and reassures him that after their marriage, they can take photos together for the rest of their lives, from their youth into old age, promising to record every moment. A photograph of Mu Zhiyuan with several foreign individuals catches Tan Xuanlin's eye, prompting him to question Butler Fang.
The butler explains that Mu Zhiyuan had hired a White Russian gun squad, renowned for their marksmanship and use of incredibly destructive "dumdum bullets," capable of severely wounding a person with a single shot. Butler Fang then presents Tan Xuanlin with a bullet head extracted from his father's wound, identifying it as a dumdum bullet. The mention of this specific ammunition strikes a chord with Tan Xuanlin.
Pressing for more details, Tan Xuanlin learns that ten years prior, Mu Zhiyuan was transporting Xu Bojun's military supplies. Near Jiangpu, his river passage was blocked by a battle between Governor Luo's and Xu Bojun's forces. Forced to travel by land, Mu Zhiyuan hired the White Russian squad for protection. This account triggers a vivid memory for Tan Xuanlin: his father, Commander Tan, ordering their troops to camp near Jiangpu so a sick Tan Xuanlin could recover.
A chilling premonition settles over him, and he abruptly departs for his command headquarters. Deeply troubled, Tan Xuanlin seeks out Mr. Liao for information about the White Russian gun squad. He explains the connections: Mu Zhiyuan had hired such a squad, they used dumdum bullets, and they were in Jiangpu at the exact same time as his father. Mr. Liao attempts to soothe him, suggesting it could be a coincidence, but promises to locate any surviving members of the squad.
Before leaving, Mr. Liao also secures Tan Xuanlin's help in transshipping military supplies through Shanghai. Later, Tan Xuanlin is too preoccupied to have dinner with Mu Wanqing, citing an urgent matter. Mr. Liao locates Sergey Onegin, a former sharpshooter from the squad. Through an interpreter, Sergey recounts that while escorting Mu Zhiyuan's cargo at Jiangpu, they encountered another group of soldiers, identified by Mu as their enemy, Governor Luo's forces.
For safety, Mu Zhiyuan ordered Sergey's squad to ambush the soldiers in a valley, leaving no survivors. The words "We fired at them" echo in Tan Xuanlin's mind, and he collapses. He awakens from a nightmare, calling out for his father, realizing the horrifying scene was not merely a dream. He instructs his aides that he needs to rest and cannot be disturbed. Mr. Liao cryptically tells the aides that the commander is facing "the biggest problem in his life."
Meanwhile, Mu Wanqing tries on her wedding dress with Gu Yueshuang, worried because Tan Xuanlin is uncharacteristically absent and unreachable. Gu Yueshuang offers to find him, just as a servant announces the return of Su Hongchen. Overjoyed, Gu Yueshuang rushes to meet him. Su Hongchen declares his deep affection for her and asks for an answer to his proposal that evening, but she deflects, citing urgent matters. Gu Yueshuang finds Tan Xuanlin at the shooting range, drinking heavily.
He cryptically speaks of being given a "poisonous cake" and his dilemma over whether to consume it. In his drunken state, Tan Xuanlin mistakes Gu Yueshuang for Mu Wanqing, holding her close and lamenting his inability to face her. Gu Yueshuang gently reminds him he is drunk and acknowledges that while she once envisioned a life by his side, she sees his deep love for Wanqing and urges him to treat her well.
Just then, Su Hongchen arrives downstairs and furiously accuses Gu Yueshuang of spending the afternoon in drunken revelry with Tan Xuanlin. She vehemently defends their relationship as "family" and not the "filthy" affair he implies. Enraged, Su Hongchen challenges Tan Xuanlin for pursuing "his woman," but Gu Yueshuang retorts that she never accepted his advances and is not his. Mu Wanqing then arrives to witness the tense standoff.
