Love in Flames of War Episode 11 Recap
> Love in Flames of War Recap
Mo Weiyi and Xu Zijun revealed the truth about past events to Xiao Beichen, explaining that they only wanted to help him because they saw how much he liked Lin Hangjing, and her father's letter had arrived at just the right time. However, Xiao Beichen was too enraged to listen and ordered them to leave. Later, Lin Hangjing returned to the Xiao Family and heard that Xiao Beichen was heavily intoxicated at Luminous Jade, causing Madam Qi considerable worry.
Madam Qi, impatient, urged a servant to bring him back, but the servant reported that the Young Master was too drunk to be moved and intended to stay there. Madam Qi then asked Lin Hangjing if she knew what had caused Xiao Beichen's sudden moodiness, but Lin Hangjing claimed she didn't know. At Luminous Jade, staff expressed concern over Xiao Beichen's unprecedented heavy drinking, wondering what terrible news had driven him to it.
The director of Luminous Jade remarked that "the bell could only be untied by the person who tied it," implying that only Lin Hangjing could resolve Xiao Beichen's emotional distress. Meanwhile, news arrived that President Sato Maruo of Yamato Co., Ltd. intended to visit. Xiao Haishan and his generals were wary, noting Japan's aggressive expansion and the political implications of Japanese companies in China. They decided to hear the Japanese delegation out first.
At the East Camp, Xiao Haishan questioned Mo Weiyi and Xu Zijun about Xiao Beichen's prolonged absence. Xu Zijun falsely reported that Xiao Beichen was resting after a series of social engagements, a cover Xiao Haishan saw through immediately. Back at the Xiao Family, Madam Qi pressed Xiao Rong for information about Xiao Beichen's behavior.
Xiao Rong eventually revealed that Xiao Beichen had waited for Lin Hangjing at the park for hours to no avail, and then something happened on his way back from trying to find her. Subsequently, Mo Weiyi and Xu Zijun sought out Lin Hangjing to apologize for their past actions and pleaded with her to go to Luminous Jade to speak with Xiao Beichen, fearing he would drink himself to death otherwise.
Lin Hangjing initially refused, saying she couldn't help, but the two friends insisted, revealing the depth of Xiao Beichen's feelings. They explained that despite his hatred for war, Xiao Beichen joined the military academy because Lin Hangjing had called him ignorant and incompetent, wishing to prove himself a true man and her hero. He trained relentlessly, suffering numerous injuries, finding solace only in the poetry book she had given him.
During the battle in Feng City, he was shot in the shoulder and endured surgery without anesthetic, his survival driven solely by the thought of Lin Hangjing waiting for him at home. They also clarified that the Matryoshka doll he gifted her was not a cheap street item but was carved by him personally, leaving him with many cuts on his hands. They stressed that his affection for her was deeply rooted and only she could alleviate his suffering.
Yielding to their pleas, Lin Hangjing reluctantly went to Luminous Jade. She found Xiao Beichen in a drunken stupor, surrounded by revelers. Upon seeing her, his eyes briefly flickered before he resumed drinking and began to mock her sarcastically. In response, Lin Hangjing poured a drink on his face, demanding to know how long he would indulge in self-pity.
She conceded she had no right to control him but reminded him that his behavior would deeply distress Xiao Haishan and Madam Qi. Xiao Beichen retorted bitterly, asking if she was enjoying the spectacle of his unrequited love all these years. Lin Hangjing expressed her astonishment, stating that she had always believed he disliked and teased her, never imagining he held feelings for her.
She explained that her only desire was to reunite with her father and that she saw Xiao Beichen as a dear family member, like a blood relative. She emphasized that love required mutual affection and that she would eventually leave Beixin, feeling undeserving of his sacrifices. Enraged by her words, Xiao Beichen grabbed her and pressed her onto a table, attempting to forcibly claim her. However, the sight of her tears made him falter.
Lin Hangjing slapped him fiercely and, with red eyes, left the establishment. Mo Weiyi's father gave him a haircut, asking about Xiao Beichen's recent disappearance, to which Mo Weiyi vaguely responded that it was a private matter. The slap from Lin Hangjing seemed to have jolted Xiao Beichen back to reality. He returned to the Xiao Family, looking composed, and went directly to his study, skipping breakfast, to deal with business matters. Lin Hangjing was visibly nervous upon seeing him.
Xiao Beichen avoided her gaze, but once alone in his study, his profound sadness became undeniable as he looked at the poetry book Lin Hangjing had given him, lost in thought about their past. Later, President Sato Maruo of Yamato Co., Ltd., accompanied by Yoshida, formally visited Xiao Haishan, ostensibly to pay respects and request a piece of calligraphy. Xiao Haishan, wary of Japanese intentions, politely declined, stating his calligraphy skills were rusty.
President Sato pressed him, implying that a refusal would be disrespectful. At that moment, Xiao Beichen arrived, informing President Sato that his father had a recurrent hand ailment that prevented him from writing. Xiao Beichen offered to write in his father's stead, an offer Sato Maruo readily accepted. Xiao Beichen then penned two lines of classical Chinese poetry: "Rolling clouds make the sky look gloomy; waves and the rocks form spindrifts."
Yoshida was pleased, envisioning the publication of this calligraphy as a public declaration of the Xiao family's goodwill towards them, which would facilitate their business in Beixin. However, President Sato, recognizing the poem’s subtle but clear message of defiance, tore up the calligraphy. He realized that Xiao Beichen had unequivocally communicated that they would "not give up an inch of land" and would allow no exploitation.
Understanding that the Xiao father and son were not easily swayed, President Sato decided they needed to find another approach. Separately, Xiao Beiyi, Xiao Beichen's younger sister, found him, wanting him to play with her. She innocently asked if he had quarreled with Lin Hangjing, having heard rumors of his heavy drinking at Luminous Jade.
Xiao Beichen gently dismissed her curiosity about adult affairs and eventually agreed to tell her a story, choosing one about Pang Tong at Fengweipo, a tale that hinted at unforeseen dangers and potential entrapment. Meanwhile, President Sato met with Kang Jingxiong, acknowledging that Xiao Haishan would not allow his opium shipment to transit through Beixin. He sought Kang Jingxiong's help, flattering him as the rightful leader of Zhibei and promising full support if he chose to challenge Xiao Haishan.
Simultaneously, at a YMCA meeting, their leader, Yong, revealed that Kang Jingxiong, due to his exploitation and abuse of laborers, was on their list of targets. Kang Jingxiong's upcoming attendance at Madam Qi's birthday banquet in Beixin, with only a few guards, presented a unique opportunity for an operation. Yong was hesitant to involve Mu Zizheng directly in the field due to his friendship with Lin Hangjing, who resided in the Xiao Family. However, Mu Zizheng insisted on participating, assuring Yong that he would be careful not to be recognized by Lin Hangjing. Yong agreed, promising to arrange assistance for him.
