Hu Tong Episode 6 Recap
> Hu Tong Recap
Tian Zao fell severely ill with a high fever after catching a cold and worrying excessively. Her Aunt Li and Meihe discussed her condition, with Aunt Li expressing frustration that Tie Dan was nowhere to be seen. Uncle Gui, equally upset, decided to confront Tie Dan, but Tian Zao, though weak, pleaded with him not to go, still protecting Tie Dan. Just then, Li Hongying arrived, concerned by Tian Zao’s grave condition.
Despite Tian Zao's reluctance, Li Hongying insisted she be taken to the hospital immediately, fearing for her life. Uncle Gui carried Tian Zao, and they headed to the hospital. At the hospital, Li Hongying comforted Tian Zao, acknowledging her distress about Tie Dan. She advised Tian Zao that suspicions about Tie Dan being a spy were just guesses without evidence and that healing was paramount.
Tian Zao tearfully confessed that Tie Dan had lied to her and had indeed been an instructor for spies. She recounted how Tie Dan's parents said he had left in a hurry to "do something" and told them not to worry or tell anyone, further fueling her fears that he was involved in something terrible. Li Hongying reassured Tian Zao that Tie Dan’s actions wouldn't affect her, praising her revolutionary spirit and contributions.
She urged Tian Zao to focus on her recovery and follow her own path. Li Hongying stayed by Tian Zao’s bedside all night, eventually drifting off to sleep. When Tian Zao awoke, her fever had subsided, and she felt a surge of warmth seeing Li Hongying there. Soon, Xiulan arrived with breakfast, allowing a relieved Li Hongying to leave for work, promising to return after her shift. Xiulan spoke highly of the Communist Party cadres after witnessing Li Hongying's dedication.
Meanwhile, Wu Feng met Tie Dan in prison to discuss the intelligence he had gathered. Tie Dan reported that Liang Liqun did not know Luo Wenhui's exact hiding place, as top killers like Luo Wenhui typically operated alone. Recognizing Tie Dan's mission in prison was complete, Wu Feng informed him there was no need for formal release procedures as his undercover operation was top secret.
He then escorted Tie Dan to the Central Ministry of Social Affairs’ temporary headquarters, where he was formally welcomed as a full member of the special task force created to solve the assassination plot. Meihe began his training as Tong Xiaoting’s apprentice, enduring rigorous exercises to stretch his body. Tong Xiaoting, though strict, encouraged Meihe to persevere, explaining that hard work now would lead to success later. Suo Qian arrived, criticizing Tong Xiaoting for his harsh methods.
A heated argument ensued, with Tong Xiaoting mocking Suo Qian as an idle loafer who couldn't even afford prostitutes. Meihe fiercely defended his sister, Chunxi, stating she was not a prostitute. Realizing his blunder, Tong Xiaoting apologized to Meihe and encouraged him to master his skills, earn money, and redeem his sister from her difficult circumstances. Overcome with shame and regret about his own inability to help Chunxi, Suo Qian slapped himself and left.
Later, Tian Zao returned home from the hospital, feeling much better. Meihe excitedly told her about becoming Tong Xiaoting's apprentice, and Tian Zao expressed her deep gratitude to Tong Xiaoting. At the command post, Wu Feng and Tie Dan met with Section Chief Gao Zhiyuan. Gao Zhiyuan explained that based on Tie Dan's intelligence, the special agents were likely hiding in the Tianqiao area, known for its slums and chaotic establishments.
Gao Zhiyuan acknowledged the difficulty of searching such a vast and complex area without alerting Luo Wenhui. Tie Dan proposed that they disguise themselves as street vendors to covertly search the area, but Wu Feng dismissed this idea, deeming it too time-consuming given the looming celebration in five days. Wu Feng then suggested a new approach: analyzing Luo Wenhui’s existing personal information to uncover his living habits and characteristics, then focusing surveillance efforts accordingly.
Gao Zhiyuan agreed this was a more practical strategy, and the three began meticulously reviewing Luo Wenhui’s file, looking for a breakthrough. Later, Suo Qian visited Chunxi, and in a drunken state, poured out his despair. He lamented his inability to provide for Chunxi or redeem her, comparing his idleness to Meihe's newfound ambition. Chunxi, despite her own struggles, consoled him, assuring him he was the man who truly loved her.
They both wept over their demanding lives and the difficulties they faced in being together. Meihe continued his rigorous training, driven by the desire to earn money for his sister. He asked Tian Zao why Tie Dan hadn't visited her during her illness. Tian Zao, unwilling to reveal her true suspicions, lied and told Meihe that Tie Dan had died, claiming he had drowned in a cesspit. Meihe was shocked but Tian Zao refused to elaborate.
Back at the command post, Wu Feng discovered from the file that Luo Wenhui was from Sichuan, a key detail indicating his likely preference for spicy food. Gao Zhiyuan also noted Luo Wenhui's neat appearance in his photo, contrasting with the poor sanitary conditions of Tianqiao. Tie Dan added that most Beiping restaurants served Shandong cuisine, but there were bathhouses in the Tianqiao vicinity.
Gao Zhiyuan suggested focusing the investigation on Sichuan restaurants and bathhouses, as well as any vegetable stalls selling chilies, as Luo Wenhui might cook for himself. Tie Dan expressed concern about the broad scope of this search. Gao Zhiyuan ordered his men to cooperate with local authorities to check migrant registrations and household information in the area. Wu Feng also added that they should place guards along the leaders' parade route, as Luo Wenhui would likely scout the location beforehand.
With the plan set, they split up to carry out their respective tasks. Suo Qian was complaining to Tian Zao about Tie Dan's prolonged absence when Da Yong and Xiao Feng arrived. Tian Zao was relieved to hear they were now working for Kong San at the wrestling ground to earn money for the orphans, rather than collecting scraps. Meanwhile, in Tianqiao, Tie Dan continued his disguise as a vegetable vendor.
While performing with Kong San, Da Yong and Xiao Feng spotted Tie Dan. Da Yong immediately ran back to inform a surprised Tian Zao and Suo Qian of what he had witnessed. Meanwhile, Zheng Qiang instructed his subordinate, Laosan, to prepare for their operation scheduled for the day after tomorrow. Laosan inquired about the identity of "Killer One," but Zheng Qiang forbade him from asking, emphasizing that their only task was to create chaos and ensure Killer One's safe evacuation.
He assured Laosan that the higher-ups would arrange their immediate withdrawal from Beiping after the mission, addressing Laosan's anxieties about the increasing Communist presence and constant household surveys in the city. Zheng Qiang reminded Laosan of their past successful escapes and urged him to endure for two more days until they could flee. Back in Tianqiao, Tie Dan continued his disguise as a vegetable vendor. He encountered a Sichuanese woman from Luzhou and engaged her in conversation about chili peppers.
She told him about a small shop called "Mingyuan Sauce Restaurant" that occasionally sold delicious homemade "douban" chili sauce, a rarity in Beiping. Tie Dan immediately went to the shop and, identifying himself as from the Public Security Bureau, showed the owner a photo of Luo Wenhui. Initially hesitant, the male owner recognized Luo Wenhui, describing him as disheveled but with fierce eyes, having bought douban chili sauce from them four days prior.
He indicated Luo Wenhui likely lived nearby, to the south. Tie Dan left his contact information, asking them to report any further sightings. He then reported his discovery to Wu Feng. Wu Feng praised Tie Dan's initiative, and Gao Zhiyuan immediately organized a team to investigate the Mingyuan Sauce Restaurant area and cross-reference migrant records. That night, Wu Feng and Tie Dan cautiously approached Luo Wenhui’s suspected residence.
They saw a light inside but decided against a direct confrontation, concluding it was too risky to apprehend a skilled killer with only the two of them. They returned to report to Gao Zhiyuan. Gao Zhiyuan swiftly led a larger team to the address that night. As they approached, the light in the house vanished. Upon forcing the door open, they found the residence empty, though a jar of douban chili sauce was present, confirming Luo Wenhui had been there. Luo Wenhui had already fled. Gao Zhiyuan questioned Tie Dan, who confirmed he had not seen Luo Wenhui.
