Forward Forever Episode 19 Recap, Plot

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Before departing to Sichuan to escort the British delegation, Wagner visited Qinger to bid her farewell. He presented her with a painting and promised to explain its meaning upon his return. Qinger, sad about his departure, learned that the brilliant situation team had a new mission: to escort foreign representatives for a contract signing in Sichuan, and they were leaving soon.

On the day of the journey, Chongliming dispatched A Yi, Si San, and Wagner to inspect the guesthouse where the British delegation would be staying. Chongliming, along with the other members of brilliant situation, arrived early at the train station, where Zhe Yu personally led the security detail. Chongliming assured Zhe Yu that comprehensive arrangements were in place. Still feeling uneasy, Zhe Yu summoned Wen Gou and Can Yan Xin to report.

They explained that they had spent a day role-playing as assassins, identifying three main threats: long-range shooting from a high position, close-range attacks during disembarkation, and roadside ambushes. They had deployed countermeasures for each scenario, including securing the second carriage platform for the delegation and establishing checkpoints along the route, assuring Zhe Yu that everything was foolproof. Chongliming was puzzled about the motive for assassinating the British delegation, but Zhe Yu strictly forbade him from inquiring further.

Meanwhile, Sichuan revolutionaries Qiusheng and Zhang Jiankui were positioned in a clock tower across from the train station, planning to snipe members of the British delegation through the clock's gaps. Wang Dequan, a guard from The infantry led Yamen, noticed Chongliming leading brilliant situation and discreetly approached the clock tower to warn Zhang Jiankui and Qiusheng. Zhang Jiankui, unwilling to miss such a prime opportunity, instructed Qiusheng to prepare for the assassination.

However, Yu Chu and her team arrived to search the clock tower. They quickly hid. Yu Chu meticulously inspected the area, noting scratches on the wall but no footprints on the dusty floor, which led her to deduce that an assassin had been there and deliberately concealed their presence. She left guards to secure the location. As the train slowly pulled into the station, Chongliming and Zhe Yu personally went to greet the delegation.

To Chongliming's surprise, the leader of the British delegation was Mary, an old acquaintance he called "James." Mary enthusiastically embraced Chongliming, causing Yu Chu to feel a pang of jealousy. Zhe Yu, having other matters to attend to, asked Chongliming to host a welcoming banquet for the delegation. Mary, however, insisted on eating Peking duck at Bianyifang, recalling an old promise Chongliming had made to treat her to it.

Chongliming, concerned about security, tried to dissuade her, but Mary was adamant. He eventually relented and instructed Wen Gou to arrange for the Bianyifang chef to come to Shanglin Xianguan instead. Zhe Yu later reported to De Qi on the British delegation's situation, revealing that Mary was the adopted daughter of a wealthy British-Jewish tycoon in the Shanghai concession. She wielded significant influence, skillfully navigating relations between foreigners and the Qing government.

De Qi expressed his concern that the local populace in Sichuan would oppose the British construction of the Sichuan-Han Railway and advised Zhe Yu to proceed with caution. Zhe Yu countered, urging De Qi to consider the long-term economic benefits for the Qing dynasty and reassured him that Chongliming and brilliant situation were providing protection, ensuring the signing would be successful. De Qi remained skeptical about Chongliming's ability to avoid trouble.

Qiusheng had initially chickened out of the assassination attempt at the station, much to Zhang Jiankui's frustration, who worried about how they would report back to their leader in Sichuan. Wen Gou, meanwhile, had sent Wang Dequan and another Qing soldier to Bianyifang to fetch the duck chefs. Wang Dequan seized the opportunity, knocked out his companion, and then met with Zhang Jiankui and Qiusheng.

He proposed that they impersonate the duck chefs to carry out the assassination, explaining that the banquet was at Shanglin Xianguan and they could jump out a window after the attack. Despite Zhang Jiankui's earlier misjudgment of Wang Dequan as a coward, Wang Dequan showed his conviction by explaining how the railway deal would displace many families in his hometown. Wang Dequan then took Qiusheng to Shanglin Xianguan, leaving Zhang Jiankui outside as a lookout.

Chongliming escorted Mary to Shanglin Xianguan, where Wen Gou had meticulously overseen the security arrangements. Yu Chu insisted on guarding the private room on the second floor, ostensibly to monitor Chongliming's every move. Mary attempted to engage Yu Chu in polite conversation, but Yu Chu responded curtly, declining a handshake and making pointed remarks about Mary's foreign name and heritage. Chongliming intervened, smoothly directing Yu Chu to guard the door.

Mary then expressed her lingering affection for Chongliming, who skillfully dodged her advances and redirected the conversation to the details of the railway construction. Suddenly, Wen Gou burst into the room, fabricating a story about rebels attacking the Shenji camp arsenal. Chongliming exchanged knowing glances with Wen Gou, and they exaggerated the severity of the fictional attack, using it as an excuse to quickly exit the room.

As Chongliming left the private room, Wang Dequan saw his chance and led Qiusheng inside. Disguised as Bianyifang chefs, they were stopped by Si San for a routine check. Si San questioned the large knife Qiusheng carried, but accepted their explanation that it was for carving duck. Finding nothing else suspicious, he allowed them to pass. Yu Chu escorted the two "chefs" into Mary's private dining room, stating that Chongliming was unable to return and she would dine with Mary.

As Qiusheng opened the food box, Yu Chu's keen eye spotted a pistol hidden inside. She swiftly intervened, subduing Qiusheng as he attempted to draw his weapon and assassinate Mary. Wang Dequan, witnessing the failure, immediately jumped out of a window to escape. Si San apprehended Qiusheng on the spot. Maintaining her composure, Yu Chu calmly continued dining with Mary, revealing that Chongliming had anticipated and orchestrated the entire scenario.

Wen Gou and Can Yan Xin immediately set off in pursuit of Wang Dequan. Wang Dequan rendezvoused with Zhang Jiankui, and they both realized their dire situation. Wen Gou and Can Yan Xin soon caught up, only to find Wang Dequan already dead, presumably killed by Zhang Jiankui to prevent his capture and interrogation. After the incident, Yu Chu was impressed by Mary's remarkable composure.

Yu Chu questioned Mary about the details of the railway signing, but Mary gave vague answers, instead pressing Yu Chu about Chongliming's security measures. Yu Chu admitted that they had detected the assassins' presence earlier and suspected an insider within The infantry led Yamen. To expose and apprehend all conspirators, they had allowed the assassination attempt to proceed. Mary was infuriated, condemning Yu Chu for using her as bait.

Wen Gou and Can Yan Xin reported to Chongliming that Wang Dequan had been killed. Shortly after, A Yi returned, informing Chongliming that the captured assassin, Qiusheng, was a mute, unable to speak or write, effectively cutting off further leads. Chongliming expressed his frustration. Yu Chu then guided Mary to a secret, windowless room within the Shenji camp mansion, explaining it was the safest location due to the remaining assassin still at large.

Mary was displeased with the cramped quarters and insisted on staying on the second floor. Yu Chu reiterated the importance of security, but Mary demanded that Chongliming personally guard her. Yu Chu firmly refused and, to Chongliming's annoyance, assigned him to guard the courtyard instead. Later that night, Mary, provocatively dressed in a nightgown, was surprised to find Yu Chu, not Chongliming, standing guard.

Mary recounted various romantic and embarrassing anecdotes about her time with Chongliming in England, affectionately referring to him by his English name, James. Yu Chu, growing increasingly impatient, emphasized that Chongliming had changed significantly and that her relationship with him was different. Mary retorted, suggesting that a "good man" like Chongliming was good to everyone, and being his friend might be better than being his lover.

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