Forward Forever Episode 38 Recap, Plot

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Si San and Wagner went to the British-owned Huawei pharmacy for an investigation, observing a long queue of customers eager to purchase Keliline. Upon questioning the owner, they learned that the medicine was in high demand but not distributed to other pharmacies. Meanwhile, Wen Gou conducted surveillance near the Taihe Yanghang warehouse, quickly identifying the British cargo ships' regular departure and return schedule.

Lord Deqi sought Chong Liming's attendance at peace talks, but Chong Liming, unwilling to be a mere figurehead, vehemently refused, which angered Lord Deqi. Chong Liming made a swift exit after making an excuse. Chong Liming then met with A Yi as arranged. Their reunion was emotional after a long separation. Chong Liming, happy to see A Yi in military attire, eagerly boasted about his upcoming fight against foreign competitors.

However, A Yi felt Chong Liming's efforts were misplaced, urging him to abandon the corrupt Qing government and sever ties with the imperial court. Chong Liming dismissed A Yi's suggestions, leading to a heated disagreement and an unhappy parting. Dejected, Chong Liming returned to his lodging. When Yu Chu learned A Yi was in Shanghai, she expressed a desire to see him. Chong Liming quickly stopped her, explaining that they were now on opposing sides, which Yu Chu reluctantly accepted.

Elsewhere, Can Yan Xin tracked William to a bank, where William was escorted to a VIP room upstairs. Can Yan Xin, lacking the necessary qualifications, was forced to wait downstairs, discovering from a bank employee that VIP status required a deposit of at least one million Pounds. Later, Si San and Wagner reported back to Chong Liming about their visit to the concession's betting points, noting the public's enthusiastic participation in wagers for the upcoming International Competition.

They had been eager to place bets themselves but lacked funds. Can Yan Xin and Wen Gou also returned with their findings. Chong Liming concluded that the British aimed to monopolize the pharmaceutical market. Wagner suggested enlisting medical experts to produce an authoritative report proving Keliline's addictive and hallucinogenic properties to expose the conspiracy to the public.

Chong Liming was incensed upon learning that betting companies offered odds for his championship victory dozens of times higher than those for Da Qiao. He led the Yanshi Fan members to the betting point. Wen Gou, Can Yan Xin, Wagner, and Yu Chu each placed bets on Chong Liming to win. Chong Liming then publicly declared his unwavering commitment to victory, aiming to showcase Chinese strength to the world.

Inspired by his words, many citizens followed suit and placed bets on him. Si San, however, placed one hundred taels, splitting his bet equally between Da Qiao and Chong Liming, reasoning that it was both emotional support and a pragmatic safeguard against losses. Yu Chu, Si San, Wagner, and Wen Gou discussed their findings, suspecting that the betting points were a joint venture between the youth gang and foreigners.

This led them to believe Keliline might also be connected to the youth gang, which could explain the slow progress in their investigation. They wanted to report these new suspicions to Chong Liming, but he had not yet returned. Meanwhile, Lord Deqi, representing the Qing government in peace talks with the Southern government, faced a deadlock as the Southern representatives demanded the emperor's abdication. Desperate, Lord Deqi sought assistance from Mary.

Mary, feigning disinterest, listened as Lord Deqi pleaded for her mediation, ultimately offering her a priceless jade ruyi, originally a costly tribute crafted for the Empress Dowager. Mary, captivated by its beauty, accepted the gift. As Chong Liming remained absent, Yu Chu grew increasingly anxious. Mary, leaving her meeting, encountered Yu Chu and directed a mocking remark towards her regarding Chong Liming's participation in the competition. Yu Chu quickly retorted, asserting Chong Liming's certain victory against foreign competitors.

Chong Liming found Hua Jiuqing suffering from opium addiction. He vowed to help her break free, forcibly bringing her to his quarters. There, he gently but firmly bound her to a bed, promising to check on her every half hour, assuring her that with three days of endurance, she could overcome her addiction. Wen Gou and Si San questioned his drastic method, while Wagner explained the medical term "Withdrawal" and its severe, even life-threatening, symptoms.

Yu Chu, however, understood Chong Liming's deep concern and good intentions. Hua Jiuqing suffered intensely from withdrawal, screaming and cursing Chong Liming. He stayed by her side, silently enduring her outbursts, offering only a steady, comforting presence. As her anger subsided, Chong Liming embraced her, offering words of encouragement and reminding her of his own past struggle with addiction and his unwavering support. Hua Jiuqing gradually calmed down in his arms.

When Chong Liming stepped out, he found Yu Chu waiting. Before he could offer any explanation, Yu Chu stopped him, expressing her complete trust in his character. Mr. Jin searched for Hua Jiuqing. Big Cat, attempting to protect Hua Jiuqing, claimed ignorance of her whereabouts. Peter Hong, however, revealed to Mr. Jin that Hua Jiuqing was with Chong Liming at the Ritz Hotel. Mr. Jin, appreciating Big Cat's loyalty, did not punish her.

Instead, he instructed Peter Hong to attend the next day's lottery ceremony on his behalf, a task Hua Jiuqing was originally meant to perform. The team continued their efforts to expose Keliline. Wagner reported that the medical professor he approached refused to analyze Keliline, fearing repercussions from foreigners. Wen Gou suggested a new approach: searching for the drug test report, which should be attached to customs approval documents and would reveal Keliline's chemical composition and harmful effects.

Chong Liming decided they needed to obtain this report from either the customs office or Taihe Yanghang. Wagner noted that stealing from a government agency like customs would be extremely difficult. Just then, a servant from the Ritz Hotel delivered a bottle of red wine, stating it was a gift from Far East Company, wishing Chong Liming success in the upcoming competition.

The servant also reminded everyone about the opening ceremony scheduled for the next day in the hotel's banquet hall. The following day marked the opening of the International Competition. A large crowd gathered outside the Ritz Hotel, cheering loudly for Chong Liming. International delegates arrived and took their seats, but Chong Liming was notably absent. Mary, representing the Far East Company as the event's organizer, gave an interview to reporters. Da Qiao provocatively walked to Chong Liming's empty seat.

As the opening ceremony was about to begin, Wagner went upstairs to urge Chong Liming to come down. However, Chong Liming insisted on spending a little more time with Hua Jiuqing. Yu Chu, Wagner, and Si San waited downstairs, growing increasingly anxious. Upstairs, Chong Liming tried to feed Hua Jiuqing porridge, but she, still deep in withdrawal, desperately demanded medicine.

He encouraged her to hold on just one more day, promising that after tomorrow, she would be completely free of her addiction. In a fit of desperation, Hua Jiuqing struck the bowl from his hand, picked up a shard of porcelain from the floor, and stabbed Chong Liming in the back. Enduring the pain, Chong Liming embraced her tightly, reaffirming his promise to stay by her side until she fully recovered. Hearing the commotion, Yu Chu rushed upstairs, only to find Hua Jiuqing sobbing uncontrollably in Chong Liming's arms, a sight that left Yu Chu with a heavy heart.

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