Love in Flames of War Episode 1 Recap
> Love in Flames of War Recap
In 1917, Beixin City buzzed with unrest. Against this backdrop of political turmoil, two luxury cars sped through the streets, carrying Xiao Beichen and his friends, Mo Weiyi and Xu Zijun. Despite Commander Xiao Haishan, Beichen’s father, being occupied with suppressing rebels, his son remained carefree, indulging in pleasures. Mo Weiyi and Xu Zijun joked about Xiao Beichen's reckless nature as they raced to the Liyuan Opera House, the loser, Xu Zijun, footing the bill for the night.
At the opera house, the audience was thrilled by a rare performance from Boss Jiu, known for his unpredictable appearances. However, the evening was marred by several boorish soldiers harassing the performers backstage, demanding the actress who played Yang Yuhuan. The troupe leader intervened, asserting that they were in Commander Xiao's territory, not a place for such antics.
When the defiant soldier boasted that his uncle was the first staff officer under Commander Kang of the Luanhe Armed Forces, the troupe leader firmly reiterated the authority of Beixin City's true master, the "Third Young Master," Xiao Beichen. Meanwhile, a refined young woman, Lin Hangjing, arrived at Beixin Station from Yulin. The Xiao family's butler, Mr. Gui, was there to greet her, though she initially tried to conceal her identity.
At the same time, Commander Xiao Haishan, having just carried out Warlord Jin's order to execute rebels, reflected on the grim task. The young rebels reminded him of his own son, and he pondered the instability of a country torn between the Chairman and Premier, with various warlords like Sir Yan and Sir Xun vying for power. He noted that even his solidified position as Commander-in-Chief of Defense of the Zhibei Three Lands offered little solace in such "twilight" times.
Back at the opera house, Xiao Beichen, in his characteristic style, had disciplined the unruly soldiers, first with a water gun, then tying them up for public display, drawing a curious crowd. Mr. Gui, observing the scene with Lin Hangjing, advised her that this was Xiao Beichen's way of having "fun" and that to maintain peace in the household, she should always strive to keep him happy.
Later, as Lin Hangjing was being driven to the Xiao Family residence, she saw the bound soldiers. Seizing an opportunity, she requested to step out for fresh air and discreetly approached a group of "foreigners," whispering instructions. Soon after, reports emerged from "foreign reporters" condemning Xiao Beichen for using private torture. Xiao Beichen, learning of this, was initially enraged and ordered the "reporters'" cameras destroyed.
However, Mo Weiyi cautioned against it, citing diplomatic immunity and the risk of his father finding out. Mo Weiyi quickly pacified the "reporters" by explaining it was "just a game." A servant then informed Xiao Beichen that Mr. Gui had picked up the new Miss Lin from the train station. Xiao Beichen's friends joked about her being ugly and troublesome, but he dismissed the thought. The night before his father's inauguration, Xiao Beichen gambled with his friends until dawn.
Despite his refusal to attend the "hypocritical" ceremony, he was forcibly brought back to the residence the next morning by his father's subordinates, much to his chagrin. At the inauguration ceremony, Commander Xiao Haishan's seventh wife, Madam Qi, adeptly deflected attempts by other influential ladies to arrange marriages with Xiao Beichen. She advocated for personal choice, emphasizing that arranged betrothals no longer held sway with the younger generation.
The commotion escalated when a disheveled and protesting Xiao Beichen was dragged into the main hall, causing an awkward stir. Xiao Haishan attempted to scold him, but Madam Qi intervened, reminding him not to do so in front of guests. She then ushered Xiao Beichen to meet the matchmaking mothers, where he quickly found an excuse to escape.
He then learned from Mo Weiyi that the "foreign reporters" were merely ordinary tourists, orchestrated by a young woman from the Xiao family's car, recently picked up from the station. Xiao Beichen and his friends initially assumed this new "sister" would be unattractive and difficult. However, their preconceived notions shattered when Lin Hangjing descended the stairs, exuding an ethereal grace that immediately captivated Xiao Beichen.
Commander Xiao Haishan formally introduced Lin Hangjing as his sworn daughter, the daughter of his dear brother Lin Tangsheng, and promised her a secure home, urging her to report any mistreatment. Madam Qi then introduced her to Xiao Beichen, Xu Zijun, and Mo Weiyi. Xiao Beichen, his earlier annoyance replaced by a complex intrigue, was particularly charmed when she addressed him as "Third Brother."
Madam Qi then instructed Xiao Beichen to escort Lin Hangjing to the west hall for a youth ball, sternly reminding him to take good care of her. At the ball, Lin Hangjing remained composed, sitting quietly and politely declining all invitations to dance, stating she couldn't. Her rejections prompted Xu Zijun and Mo Weiyi to observe, betting that even Xiao Beichen wouldn't succeed. Undeterred, Xiao Beichen approached, dismissing her maid, Jin Xiang, with an unspoken threat.
When Lin Hangjing again demurred, citing her inability to dance, Xiao Beichen's tone hardened, subtly hinting at repercussions for Jin Xiang if she did not comply, reminding her that she was living under the Xiao family roof. Faced with the implicit threat, Lin Hangjing agreed to dance. During the dance, she deliberately stepped on Xiao Beichen's feet with every move, causing him public embarrassment.
She offered insincere apologies, claiming she simply couldn't learn, though he noted the precise targeting of her steps. After the dance, Xu Zijun and Mo Weiyi, amused by Xiao Beichen’s predicament, challenged him to win Lin Hangjing's affections within a month, betting a luxury car each. Confident despite his initial setback, Xiao Beichen raised the stakes significantly, declaring he would bet his entire Ming Yu Yue property if he lost.
Later, Commander Xiao Haishan and Madam Qi discussed Lin Tangsheng's current predicament; he was secretly being handled by Warlord Cheng, and Xiao Haishan was discreetly working to ensure his safety. Madam Qi expressed heartfelt sympathy for Lin Hangjing, whose concubine mother had tragically committed suicide after being ostracized by Lin Tangsheng’s first wife. Madam Qi, herself an illegitimate child, vowed to treat Lin Hangjing as her own and hold her in high regard.
The next morning, Xiao Beichen, despite Lin Hangjing's protests that Madam Qi had arranged a car, insisted on driving her to Shengyi Girls School, claiming it was on his way to his own boys’ school. He even informed the school gatekeeper he would wait to pick her up after class, much to Lin Hangjing's subtle displeasure.
At school, during her introduction to Mr. Chi and her classmates, the students gossiped about Xiao Beichen's personal escort, noting that even Xiao Shuyi, Xiao Beichen's biological sister, didn't receive such preferential treatment. Xiao Shuyi confronted Lin Hangjing, dismissively calling her an "illegitimate child," but Lin Hangjing simply smiled and walked away.
After classes, Xiao Shuyi eagerly approached Xiao Beichen's car, assuming he was there for her, only to be told he was waiting for Lin Hangjing, sparking her complaints of favoritism. Lin Hangjing, observing Xiao Beichen waiting, discreetly slipped out through the back door and gave the pastries he had bought for her to a classmate, who commented on Xiao Beichen's kindness.
Realizing Lin Hangjing was deliberately avoiding him and playing "hard to get," Xiao Beichen decided to let her be for now. Meanwhile, in Dongping, Kang Jingxiong, the Commander of the Luanhe Armed Forces, discussed Xiao Haishan's increasing influence, noting his rising power with Warlord Jin's backing. Kang Jingxiong vowed to find an opportunity to elevate Xiao Haishan to a precarious position. His aide then reported Warlord Jin's sudden dispatch of Shen Changhe south to retrieve a critical list.
This list, detailing revolutionaries secretly operating within the Beiyang State Council, had been uncovered by Falcon, Warlord Jin's undercover agent in the Southern Revolutionary Party, who had been exposed and assassinated but managed to transmit the location of the list via coded telegram before his death. Kang Jingxiong recalled that six months prior, Xiao Haishan had rescued Zhao Xueli, a known leader of the Southern Revolutionary Party in the north, but they had lacked concrete evidence of their collusion.
Recognizing that Shen Changhe would have to pass through Xiao Haishan's territory to retrieve the list, Kang Jingxiong planned an "accident" for him, aiming to exploit the situation without directly implicating himself.
