Forward Forever Episode 35 Recap, Plot

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Upon their arrival in Shanghai, Chong Liming's delegation, including Lord Deqi, Xie Daren, Yu Chu, Si San, Wen Gou, and Can Yan Xin, was met by Governor Chen's subordinates at the station. Can Yan Xin and Wagner, who had arrived ahead, confirmed that the hotel arrangements were in order. Xie Daren, however, immediately began to assert his authority, demanding Can Yan Xin carry his luggage. When Can Yan Xin used only one hand, Xie Daren harshly criticized him.

Chong Liming intervened by snatching the suitcase and tossing it away, confronting Xie Daren directly until Lord Deqi stepped in to de-escalate the situation. Si San and Wagner were furious with Xie Daren's arrogance and vowed to teach him a lesson once the negotiations were concluded. Meanwhile, Chong Liming noticed a street advertisement for "The National Competition Conference" and inquired about it with Wagner.

Wagner explained that the event, sponsored by the Concession Bureau of Public Works and funded by the Far East Company, was a high-profile martial arts tournament offering a ten thousand pounds prize. He noted that no Chinese were permitted to participate and suspected it was merely a pretext to gather foreign envoys in Shanghai for other undisclosed agendas, a revelation that greatly displeased Chong Liming. As they neared the Ritz Hotel, a large crowd of reporters had gathered.

Xie Daren, mistaking the commotion for a welcoming party, suggested addressing them. Can Yan Xin and Wen Gou investigated and quickly realized the crowd was there for Joe Smith, a prominent British boxer known as "Death Da Qiao," who was considered a favorite to win the competition. When a reporter questioned the exclusion of Chinese participants, Da Qiao arrogantly stated that Chinese people were simply not qualified to compete.

This angered Wen Gou, who lunged forward to challenge him, but Yu Chu quickly restrained him, urging him not to cause trouble. With the main entrance blocked by the press, Yu Chu advised everyone to use the back door. Xie Daren complained about the indignity of using a back entrance, accusing their guards of disgracing the Qing Dynasty, to which Yu Chu pointed out the crowd was never there for him.

At the hotel, Can Yan Xin had secured premium suites, including room 410, for Lord Deqi and Xie Daren. Xie Daren, however, grumbled about the room number being unlucky and disliked being overshadowed by foreign competitors who had booked other prime rooms months in advance. Can Yan Xin appeased him by revealing that former US President Grant had once stayed in room 410, which finally satisfied Xie Daren.

Can Yan Xin also highlighted that each room had a telephone for emergency communication. They then sorted out sleeping arrangements, with Chong Liming and Yu Chu each getting their own rooms, while Can Yan Xin and Wen Gou would share a room, and Si San would share with another person. Wen Gou expressed his discontent about sharing a room, especially after feeling unwell from the journey, but Chong Liming offered him medicine rather than sympathizing with his complaints.

Standing on his balcony, Chong Liming observed the magnificent buildings lining the Bund, noting with sadness that none were built by Chinese, all by foreigners. Yu Chu joined him briefly. He then decided to go downstairs, where he coincidentally ran into Hua Jiuqing at a coffee shop. Hua Jiuqing greeted him warmly and explained her presence in Shanghai was to resolve internal youth gang matters.

Chong Liming asked her more about "The National Competition Conference," expressing his concern about the foreigners' intentions to influence China's political future regardless of who was in power. Hua Jiuqing confirmed she was invited to the official welcome banquet that evening at the Ritz Hotel.

Chong Liming, eager to attend, asked her to take him and Wen Gou along, to which Wen Gou enthusiastically agreed after making a secret shift swap with Si San to attend, intentionally keeping the banquet a secret from Si San. Later, as Chong Liming and Wen Gou attempted to use the hotel elevator, they were forcibly removed by Da Qiao, who declared, "Chinese and dogs are not allowed to enter."

Wen Gou immediately reacted with a punch, but Chong Liming held him back, advising him not to stoop to a dog's level. Hua Jiuqing then escorted Chong Liming and Wen Gou to the banquet, cautioning them to behave.

The Far East Company representative, William, introduced each of the elite international contestants: Ivan "Big White Bear" from Russia, Prince Pinoa from France, Colonel Sam from the United States, Storm Rudolph from Austria-Hungary, Pope Anthony from Italy, Plum from Japan, Mr. Muller 'the Meat Grinder', and "Death Da Qiao" from Britain. As the presentations concluded, Chong Liming, simmering with anger over the exclusion of Chinese, ignored Hua Jiuqing's pleas and walked directly onto the stage.

He publicly challenged William, demanding an explanation for why Chinese people were barred from a competition held in their own country. When William offered no substantial reason, Chong Liming accused the organizers of being afraid that Chinese competitors would expose their weakness. Pope Anthony, enraged by Chong Liming's accusation, challenged him to a fight. Chong Liming swiftly defeated him with a few precise blows. Humiliated, Anthony eventually yielded after two rounds.

Da Qiao then stepped forward, acknowledging Chong Liming's fighting prowess and challenging him to a formal match in the arena, declaring that Chong Liming had earned the right to compete. William then announced an entry fee of ten thousand pounds. Hua Jiuqing, without hesitation, offered to pay the hefty sum on Chong Liming's behalf. Following this dramatic turn of events, Hua Jiuqing arranged for Chong Liming's official contestant photos and fitting for his competition attire.

News of a Chinese competitor entering "The National Competition Conference" quickly spread across Shanghai, appearing in newspapers. Mr. Jin, having heard the news, sought out Hua Jiuqing, expressing his interest in meeting Chong Liming. Hua Jiuqing revealed to Mr. Jin that Chong Liming was her savior from past dangers.

Mr. Jin, in a conversation with his subordinate, approved of Hua Jiuqing's decision to support Chong Liming, viewing it as a shrewd move to win public support for the youth gang, a strategy he believed was more beneficial than solely cooperating with foreigners. Meanwhile, Mary, learning of Chong Liming's participation, was informed by her associate about protests from the Italian envoy regarding Pope Anthony's public humiliation and replacement.

Mary chose to allow Chong Liming to compete, believing Da Qiao would ultimately defeat him, thus serving their agenda by demonstrating Chinese inferiority. She later directly told Chong Liming that she was the one who organized the tournament. Chong Liming rigorously trained each day, a sight that brought Yu Chu a sense of relief.

She remarked that he seemed to have found a new purpose, no longer appearing lost as he had been in previous months, and she expressed her support for his meaningful pursuit. Soon after, Lord Deqi and Xie Daren summoned Chong Liming, ordering him to withdraw from the competition. They emphasized the importance of maintaining good relations with foreign powers for the ongoing peace negotiations and warned him against causing further trouble.

Chong Liming vehemently refused, lashing out at Xie Daren as a "foreign lackey" for his subservient attitude, before storming out of the room. Immediately upon exiting, he encountered Mary, who also urged him to withdraw, warning of severe consequences. Chong Liming, however, accused her of orchestrating the entire competition to humiliate China.

They engaged in a heated argument, with Chong Liming asserting that Shanghai, despite being a concession, was Chinese territory, and he would not stand by idly while foreigners bullied his people. Mary, for her part, denied any Chinese heritage and insisted he couldn't handle the repercussions of his defiance, but Chong Liming maintained his resolve, saying he would participate no matter what.

Later, Inspector Huang confronted Xie Daren regarding the international outrage caused by Chong Liming's actions, particularly from the Italian ambassador. Xie Daren assured Inspector Huang that Chong Liming was a disgraced former noble, now merely a guard, and his actions were personal, not reflective of the Qing government's stance. He promised that Chong Liming would not appear in the arena and offered Inspector Huang a bribe to appease the foreign directors and the Far East Company.

Si San and Wagner, overhearing this exchange, were seething with anger. Inspector Huang then proceeded to entice Xie Daren with a description of the lavish "Night Rose Club," Shanghai's most exclusive club, inaccessible to ordinary Chinese, offering to take him there that very night, to Xie Daren's eager acceptance. Acting on Mr. Jin's instructions, Hua Jiuqing met with Lord Deqi, who reiterated his insistence that Chong Liming withdraw from the competition and advised Hua Jiuqing to cease her involvement.

Hua Jiuqing conveyed this to Chong Liming, who remained unyielding, stating he would see the competition through to honor her (and her organization's) investment. Hua Jiuqing then informed him that Mr. Jin wished to meet him.

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