Forward Forever Episode 37 Recap, Plot

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Chong Liming and Hua Jiuqing arrived at the Catherine Cafe, awaiting a call from the mysterious supplier, San Ge. The phone rang precisely at the appointed time, and Chong Liming answered. The caller instructed him to pick up the package at 3 PM from the light box behind the telephone booth at the Yidingpan Road intersection. Hua Jiuqing, accompanied by Big Cat, went to the specified location ahead of time.

They observed a young man placing a package into the light box before quickly leaving. Hua Jiuqing retrieved a packet of capsules from the light box. Big Cat pursued the young man, but he skillfully evaded capture. Chong Liming intercepted the young man in a small alley, recognizing him as San Ge. Together with Hua Jiuqing, Chong Liming interrogated him. San Ge admitted that he knew they were after him for infringing on the Qingbang's business by selling Fulong San.

He confessed to stealing the capsules from weekly shipments of British medicines after they cleared customs, then selling them to A Gui, who would then process them into Fulong San. San Ge explained that he grew up at the docks and was familiar with the layout, allowing him to sneak in and steal a hundred capsules from each bulk box.

He went on to enthusiastically suggest that this business was far more lucrative than opium, requiring no capital and offering stable profits, and could become a new venture for the Qingbang. Hua Jiuqing, uninterested in his lengthy pitch, simply remarked on his business acumen despite his youth and ordered Big Cat to take San Ge into custody. San Ge made a final, unsuccessful attempt to persuade them to collaborate.

Meanwhile, Peter Hong planned to establish a gambling ring to coincide with the International Convention. He successfully convinced Mr. Jin to participate, promising substantial financial gains and an increase in the Qingbang's prestige. Peter Hong elaborated on his detailed plan, having already secured arrangements with the Municipal Council.

He outlined plans for ten betting points in the Public Concession, ten in the French Concession, and an initial twelve in the Chinese areas, specifying locations like Baili South Road, Jiaozhou Road, Hongqiao Road, and Robergen Road. He estimated significant profits, projecting tens of thousands even after giving the Far East Company a seventy percent cut from the concession profits, with all earnings from Chinese areas going directly to the Qingbang.

Impressed by Peter Hong’s thorough planning, Mr. Jin agreed to cooperate with William of the Far East Company, granting Peter Hong full authority over the operation. Subsequently, Peter Hong approached his friend Yang Zhen for assistance. Yang Zhen, however, declined, expressing his desire for a peaceful life at the orphanage and stating that he was content with just enough money to live. Peter Hong respected his decision.

Later, Peter Hong casually mentioned that a Chinese contestant, Chong Liming, had joined the competition and had defeated a foreign player, creating unexpected interest in what was originally a foreign event. Yang Zhen reacted subtly to Chong Liming's name, then returned to the orphanage to give his mother, Ruowan, a Keliline capsule to relieve her cough. Chong Liming assembled the Yan Shi Fan members to discuss confronting the British drug smuggling operation.

Yu Chu initially cautioned against it, citing the delicate political climate where both the Northern and Southern factions needed foreign support, fearing that an investigation might displease the court. However, Chong Liming was resolute. He explained that Xie Daren’s death in a pleasure house was a scandal that the Southern government could exploit, further eroding public trust in the imperial court.

By exposing and stopping the British from smuggling a new type of drug that could "poison compatriots," the court could turn a negative situation into a positive one, salvaging its image and gaining public support amidst the ongoing peace talks. Convinced by his reasoning, the Yan Shi Fan members agreed to proceed with the investigation. At the same time, A Yi, who was accompanying Zhou Jue to Shanghai for peace talks, expressed his suspicions about the negotiations.

He felt they were essentially negotiating with Yuan Shikai, rather than the Qing imperial court, and believed the talks would stall if Yuan Shikai remained silent. Zhou Jue, however, dismissed A Yi's concerns, explaining that Yuan Shikai was gauging international attitudes, with many countries observing the North-South peace talks. He asserted that the establishment of a republic was an inevitable trend and that anyone attempting to impede it would be futile.

Zhou Jue then revealed that Sun Yat-sen would be returning in a few days, which he believed would fundamentally alter the political landscape. A Yi expressed hope that the world was finally changing. Chong Liming continued his intensive training, with Yu Chu providing unwavering encouragement. She affirmed his decision to investigate the dangerous drug and reminded him not to neglect his training, to which Chong Liming agreed, asking for her continued motivation.

Upon his arrival in Shanghai, Mr. Su, the Southern Revolutionary Party's negotiation representative, was visited by Mary and British Consul Leon. They extended an invitation to a welcoming banquet in the Public Concession, subtly probing his ultimate objectives for the peace talks. Mary, familiar with Shanghai and the concession, praised Mr. Su's role in the Wuchang Uprising and offered assistance.

Mr. Su, however, politely declined their hospitality, remarking on the irony of foreigners hosting a Chinese man in his own land. He stated that the Southern government's demands were clear and refused to disclose further details before the talks concluded. Mary pressed, implying that British support was vital and that they expected a "redefined relationship" with a new Chinese government. Mr. Su, acknowledging their "profound" considerations, preferred to wait until the outcome of the peace talks was clearer.

Mary and Leon left, with Leon expressing his frustration at Mr. Su's uncooperative stance. Mary, however, explained her strategic manipulation. She intended to publicly support the Southern government and the idea of a republic to make the Qing government anxious. This would lead the Qing to become more accommodating and reliant on British support. She confirmed that previous actions, such as leaking the scandal of Xie Daren's death, were deliberate attempts to weaken the Qing's image.

Once the Qing agreed to their cooperation, she reasoned, the Southern government would fear losing British support and would also seek to appease them. By playing both sides, creating an imbalance and making both Chinese factions dependent on British influence, Mary sought to achieve her own objectives. Leon was deeply impressed by her shrewdness. Chong Liming sought Hua Jiuqing's assistance in investigating British drug smuggling.

Hua Jiuqing was initially reluctant to get involved, but Chong Liming argued that unchecked British drug trafficking would severely impact the Qingbang's business. He reminded her of their past experience with Dong Lianhai's drugs in Dongjia Village, emphasizing the devastating effects of such potent substances which he described as more addictive and harmful than opium. He warned that if this new drug became widespread, it would render the Qingbang's opium dens obsolete.

He also pledged to keep the details of their shared experience with Dong Lianhai's drugs a secret. Convinced by the threat to her organization and the drug's inherent danger, Hua Jiuqing agreed to help, suggesting they begin their investigation at the docks. Chong Liming dispatched Si San and Wagner to scout the docks.

They quickly identified the Taihe Foreign Company's warehouse as the probable storage and packaging site for the capsules, noting its heavy security, including a guard post and a half-hourly patrol. They reported back to Chong Liming, detailing that loaders were present from 6 AM to 2 AM, leaving the late night as the only window.

They proposed waiting for the patrol to pass, knocking out the guard, and then entering the warehouse using the key hanging in the guard post, allowing them a thirty-minute window before the next patrol. Chong Liming decided to conduct a reconnaissance with Yu Chu that night.

Si San and Wagner, eager to join, pleaded with Yu Chu, who in turn convinced Chong Liming to allow them to accompany, despite his initial concerns about too many people making them an easy target. That night, Chong Liming, Yu Chu, Si San, and Wagner quietly infiltrated the warehouse during a break in the patrol. Inside, they discovered large boxes filled with capsules and packaging bearing the name "Keliline."

Before they could fully react, William arrived with Da Qiao and several armed men, surrounding them. Chong Liming confronted William, accusing his company of selling contraband and blaming them for Xie Daren's death by Fulong San, which he claimed was made from Keliline. William defiantly asserted his right to defend his property, even to the point of lethal force, citing British law, and accused Chong Liming of defamation. Just as tensions escalated, Inspector Huang arrived with patrolmen to intervene.

He urged both parties to calm down, reminding them of the importance of maintaining peace during the ongoing negotiations. Chong Liming presented the Keliline capsules they found, reiterating his belief that they were the primary ingredient of the Fulong San that killed Xie Daren, and urged Inspector Huang to test them for hallucinogenic properties. William, however, produced official customs documents for Keliline, asserting it was a "legal medicine" that had undergone proper inspection and was authorized for sale in China.

He dismissed Chong Liming's accusations, stating that Taihe Foreign Company had no connection to Fulong San or Xie Daren's death, and suggested Chong Liming should pursue the actual sellers of Fulong San. Inspector Huang examined the customs clearance, confirmed its authenticity, and stated that Keliline was indeed a legally imported and sold British medicine. He advised Chong Liming against impulsive actions and urged him and his team to leave, emphasizing the need to avoid disturbances during the peace talks.

After Chong Liming's group left, William angrily confronted Inspector Huang, chastising him for allowing them to leave. He argued that he could have pressed charges of defamation against Chong Liming and had him imprisoned, thus preventing him from competing. Inspector Huang tried to appease William by reminding him that Chong Liming was a "Royal Noble" and therefore difficult to handle. Da Qiao vowed to defeat Chong Liming in the upcoming competition.

Later, Chong Liming went to Mary's office to confront her about the Keliline smuggling. He stated that their investigation confirmed Xie Daren died from Fulong San, which used Keliline as a raw material, and accused her company of involvement. Mary denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that Xie Daren died from Fulong San, not Keliline, and demanded concrete evidence.

Chong Liming admitted he lacked immediate proof but declared his unwavering intuition, promising to find evidence soon and warning her to "take care of yourself." Mary dismissed his reliance on intuition as "ridiculous" for an educated man. Concerned about Chong Liming escalating the issue, Mary summoned William that very night.

William reassured her that all the import documents for Keliline were flawless, asserting it was a legal, effective cough medicine, identical to one sold in Britain, and that their import channels were entirely legitimate. He dismissed Chong Liming as a persistent opponent who would find no fault given the official customs approval.

Mary, still wary of Chong Liming, who had caused significant losses in Sichuan previously, warned William not to be complacent, fearing further disruptions during the peace talks and accountability to Mr. Kane. William, however, remained confident that Chong Liming would find nothing if the medicine was truly harmless. Back with the Yan Shi Fan, Chong Liming reflected that the warehouse confrontation, though unsuccessful in seizing the drugs, had revealed the complicity of customs officials.

The paradox of Keliline having hallucinogenic properties yet being legally approved for import became their new investigative focus. Recognizing the challenges of operating within the concession where foreigners held sway, Chong Liming emphasized gathering evidence discreetly to avoid further conflict. Since he and his immediate team had already been exposed at the warehouse, he assigned Wen Gou to covertly observe Taihe Foreign Company's warehouse to track Keliline's distribution.

Si San and Wagner were tasked with investigating Keliline's sales in various pharmacies to understand how and where it was being sold. Ke Yanxin, being unknown to William, was assigned to follow him and map out his movements.

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