Love in Flames of War Episode 18 Recap
> Love in Flames of War Recap
Jin Rouke carefully tended to Mu Zizheng, who was still recovering from his injuries. However, her father, Jin Cheng, soon discovered Mu Zizheng hidden in their home. Enraged, Jin Cheng ordered his men to throw Mu Zizheng out, dismissing him as a mere "wild cat or dog" and declaring that his festering wounds were beyond saving. Rouke immediately intervened, asserting that she had saved Mu Zizheng and wanted him to live.
To prove his unyielding will to survive, Mu Zizheng, with a determined resolve, grabbed a scalpel and carved out the rotten flesh from his own shoulder, proclaiming, "This lady saved my life. She wants me to live, so I must live." Although impressed by Mu Zizheng's grit, Jin Cheng still refused to provide medicine.
In a desperate act, Rouke drew a knife and cut her own arm, pleading with her father that she could not be so heartless as to abandon Mu Zizheng, regardless of his background. She argued that a man willing to sacrifice his life for someone he held dear could not be a bad person. Faced with his daughter's unwavering determination, Jin Cheng reluctantly yielded and gave her the necessary medicine.
Meanwhile, at the Xiao residence, Zheng Fengqi invited Lin Hangjing to join Xiao Beichen and Mo Weiyi at the racecourse. Lin Hangjing declined, citing teaching preparations and her inability to ride a horse. Xiao Beichen, confirming Lin Hangjing's inability to ride, left with Zheng Fengqi without offering any explanation, leaving Lin Hangjing feeling disheartened. Madam Qi expressed her concern over the growing closeness between Xiao Beichen and Zheng Fengqi, worrying about Lin Hangjing's feelings.
Xiao Shuyi, however, defended Zheng Fengqi and criticized Lin Hangjing for her perceived indifference towards Xiao Beichen. Xiao Haishan intervened, scolding Shuyi and assuring Madam Qi that both Xiao Beichen and Zheng Fengqi were sensible. He stated his belief in Xiao Beichen's unwavering devotion to Lin Hangjing, attributing their recent discord to a simple misunderstanding, and cautioned Madam Qi against interfering.
During dinner, Xiao Beichen deliberately singled out Zheng Fengqi, having a special dish, "Rice balls with meat and vegetable," her favorite from childhood, prepared exclusively for her. This overt display of favoritism visibly upset Madam Qi, while Lin Hangjing maintained a quiet composure. Xiao Beichen then abruptly excused himself to attend to matters at the East Camp.
Zheng Fengqi followed him, expressing her frustration that their orchestrated attempts to provoke Lin Hangjing seemed to have no effect and only created an awkward situation for her with her friend. Xiao Beichen, however, remained convinced that Lin Hangjing simply did not care about his actions.
Alone, Lin Hangjing reflected sadly on her situation, reminding herself that as she had initiated their contractual marriage and would eventually leave, it would be for the best if Xiao Beichen genuinely found happiness with someone else. Later, Qiao Jiang met Lin Hangjing at a café, offering an apology for any previous misunderstandings and proposing to clarify matters with Xiao Beichen. Lin Hangjing assured him she would handle it herself.
While Lin Hangjing was in the restroom, Qiao Jiang secretly drugged her coffee. Shortly after, Xiao Beichen received an anonymous letter disclosing that "Mrs. Xiao is meeting Qiao Jiang privately" at a hotel. Lin Hangjing regained consciousness in a hotel room to find Qiao Jiang attempting to undress her. She screamed for help, prompting Qiao Jiang to flee. Xiao Beichen arrived, furious at Lin Hangjing's disheveled state, and harshly accused her of lacking self-respect.
He vehemently claimed she was substituting Qiao Jiang for Mu Zizheng, comparing her to "being connected with kites." Lin Hangjing attempted to explain that she had been drugged and it was a trap, but Xiao Beichen refused to believe her, questioning how he could trust her when he felt she never cared for his feelings. Realizing the futility of explanation, Lin Hangjing bitterly told him to believe what he wished and to stay away from her.
In a fit of uncontrolled anger, Xiao Beichen fired his pistol several times. Afterwards, Zheng Fengqi found a heavily intoxicated Xiao Beichen, who, mistaking her for Lin Hangjing, tearfully pleaded with "Hangjing" not to leave him. He confessed that despite their "contractual marriage," he had always longed to annul the agreement, lamenting the growing distance between them. This emotional revelation inadvertently exposed the true nature of their marriage to Zheng Fengqi. The following day, Xiao Shuyi received an anonymous letter.
The scandal involving Lin Hangjing and Qiao Jiang was widely publicized in newspapers, complete with photographs. Xiao Haishan and Madam Qi confronted Lin Hangjing and Xiao Beichen for an explanation. Lin Hangjing recounted that Qiao Jiang, a school sponsor, had invited her to the café for a discussion, but she lost consciousness after drinking the drugged coffee and woke up in the hotel, convinced it was a deliberate setup.
At that moment, Xiao Shuyi dramatically produced the marriage contract she had found, exposing their union as a sham. While Xiao Beichen tried to take the blame, Lin Hangjing immediately interjected, confessing that the contractual marriage was her idea, though she adamantly denied any involvement in the newspaper scandal. Xiao Haishan was furious, expressing his profound disappointment that they had treated marriage as a farce, potentially bringing dishonor upon the entire Ying Army.
The scandal's fallout extended to the girls' school, where enraged parents protested and vandalized the premises, demanding their daughters be withdrawn, fueled by the sensationalized newspaper reports. Investigating the pervasive leaks, Xiao Beichen discovered that despite their efforts to suppress the news, it had spread widely, confirming a premeditated scheme. A search of Qiao Jiang's deserted home yielded only a photograph with a commemorative postmark. It was then revealed that Zheng Fengqi was the architect of the scheme.
She tearfully confessed to her father her enduring love for Xiao Beichen, a man she had dreamed of marrying since childhood. She recounted her selfless journey to France to study film because of his interests, enduring immense hardship, only to return and find him married.
Her father, seizing the moment, assured her that with Lin Hangjing's public disgrace shaming the army, the Xiao family would have no choice but to divorce her, thus paving the way for Zheng Fengqi and Xiao Beichen's "destined" union. The scandal involving Lin Hangjing quickly became widespread gossip within the military.
Xiao Haishan conveyed to Xiao Beichen that while he respected Lin Hangjing's character, if there was no genuine affection between them, their marriage, now free from previous political pressures, should not continue. However, Xiao Beichen staunchly declared Lin Hangjing his sole wife for life and the rightful daughter-in-law of the Xiao family.
He vowed that even if their love was destined to be a mistake and lead to hardship, he would "make the mistake to the end and never regret it." Accepting his son's resolute decision, Xiao Haishan implored them to at least present a harmonious front and cease their constant bickering. Later, in their room, Lin Hangjing proposed a divorce, believing it was the only way to safeguard Xiao Beichen's and the Xiao family's reputation.
Xiao Beichen, however, misconstrued her intentions, accusing her of simply seeking freedom to "choose again" and dismissing her feelings of torment as her own unique burden. He refused to agree to a divorce, reminding her of their two-year marriage contract and asserting that she would not leave the Xiao family "until I say yes."
Undeterred by Xiao Haishan's previous conversation with his son, Zheng's father visited Xiao Haishan again, suggesting Xiao Beichen grant Lin Hangjing a divorce so she could return to the south. He then proposed that Xiao Beichen marry Zheng Fengqi, an alliance that would restore Xiao Beichen's reputation and merge their influential families, backed by his "more than ten thousand soldiers." Xiao Haishan, while "touched and grateful" for the offer, politely declined.
He reiterated his unwavering trust in Lin Hangjing's character, whom he regarded as his own daughter, and deemed the idea of Xiao Beichen divorcing and remarrying as "not practical." He firmly stated that the decision rested with the young couple. Zheng's father departed angrily. Seizing this opportunity, Mo Xibai, Mo Weiyi's father, approached Zheng's father, subtly criticizing Xiao Haishan for his supposed lack of loyalty and suggesting an alliance with Commander Kang.
Mo Xibai revealed that Commander Kang had a plan to allow them to "share Family Xiao's force" if Zheng's father cooperated. He argued that under such circumstances, Xiao Beichen would view Zheng Fengqi differently. Recognizing his daughter as his only vulnerability, Zheng's father, despite his initial reluctance to engage in such schemes, was swayed by the prospect of advancing Fengqi's position. Meanwhile, Mu Zizheng was making a remarkably swift recovery, driven by his desperate desire to reunite with "that girl."
As Jin Rouke changed his dressing, he noticed self-inflicted scars on her arm. He pressed her about the source of his rare German anti-inflammatory drugs, which were not available on the black market. Realizing she had sacrificed her own well-being to obtain the medicine, Mu Zizheng expressed his profound gratitude. Rouke, however, humbly dismissed his thanks, remarking that "there are few spoony men in the world," and she simply could not bear to see one less exist.
