Love in Flames of War Episode 2 Recap
> Love in Flames of War Recap
Lin Hangjing submitted an article to Pioneer News, which its editor-in-chief, Mr. Lu, greatly admired. He immediately recognized her distinct writing style, knowing she was "Qing Yong," an author who had previously published many articles in a southern city newspaper. Lin Hangjing shared her desire to use her writing to connect with more people, particularly women, as she believed they should engage with current politics and society.
She chose to write about the plight of refugee orphans, stating that they were displaced and homeless and needed more care and help. Mr. Lu eagerly anticipated her work. That morning, Xiao Beichen waited for Lin Hangjing to come downstairs, intending to take her to school, but Mr. Gui informed him that she had already left for the academy much earlier. In the evening, as Lin Hangjing left the academy, she noticed someone following her.
Hastening her steps, she was suddenly dragged into an alley. Just then, Xiao Beichen appeared to "rescue" her, driving away the assailants. He smugly opened a car door for her, boasting about his timely arrival. However, Lin Hangjing quickly noticed tomato sauce on his hand, realizing that his "heroic" act was a staged drama.
She confronted him about his persistent attempts to approach her, whether for revenge or courtship, and told him she didn't need him to bring her to and from school. She then hailed a pulled rickshaw and departed. At breakfast, Xiao Beichen announced to Madam Qi that he wanted Lin Hangjing to tutor him a few days a week. Both Madam Qi and Xiao Shuyi were surprised by his sudden interest in studies.
Lin Hangjing tried to decline, citing her own student responsibilities. However, Madam Qi insisted, urging Lin Hangjing to help them "discipline" Xiao Beichen, and Lin Hangjing reluctantly agreed. Later, Xiao Beichen presented Lin Hangjing with a wardrobe full of new clothes, calling it an apology for his previous rudeness. Despite her initial reluctance to accept expensive gifts, she relented when he implied that refusing meant she hadn't forgiven him.
In return, she penned a poem for him to express her gratitude. Meanwhile, Shen Changhe received a letter from Jin Cheng at Ziyun Hotel. As he was about to open it, the hotel experienced a power outage. Standing on the balcony to read the letter by moonlight, he was fatally shot from a distance.
Lieutenant Zhou reported the assassination to a high-ranking commander, noting that Shen Changhe died in an area under Xiao Haishan's jurisdiction and an Ying Army pass was found at the scene. Lieutenant Zhou suggested Xiao Haishan might be involved, but the commander cautioned against groundless speculation while ordering a full investigation to gather more evidence.
Elsewhere, Xiao Haishan’s subordinates worried about the implications of the assassination, but Xiao Haishan maintained his innocence, asserting his loyalty and emphasizing the importance of performing their duties. The poem Lin Hangjing wrote for Xiao Beichen was praised by a teacher and posted on the school's bulletin board as a top example. Xiao Beichen, feeling proud, began attending school daily, much to the surprise of his friends.
However, students soon gathered around the bulletin board, discovering a hidden message within the poem's lines that spelled out "Xiao Beichen is a good-for-nothing," causing his mood to immediately sour. Xiao Beichen approached Lin Hangjing with a pearl necklace, a tribute from the German royal family, and invited her to be his companion at a party he was hosting for his friends at Luminous Jade that Saturday.
Lin Hangjing refused, stating she wasn't accustomed to such social gatherings and would not embarrass him. She reminded him that as her student, he had no right to dictate her whereabouts. Losing his patience, Xiao Beichen sternly declared that she "had to go whether she wanted to or not." In her instinctive reaction, Lin Hangjing accidentally slapped him across the face, leaving them in an awkward silence.
Separately, Lieutenant Zhou reported to the commander that the investigation had uncovered evidence from Citi Bank: Xiao Haishan had once saved a revolutionary liaison named Zhao Xueli and transferred a large sum of money to him. With this new evidence, the commander summoned Kang Jingxiong. Meanwhile, Xu Zijun and Mo Weiyi teased Xiao Beichen about the mark on his face, commenting on the toughness of Lin family women, whose teachers even dared to criticize the Queen Mother.
They joked that Xiao Beichen might lose his bet for a convertible car, but he defiantly refused to back down. Xiao Beichen, still pursuing Lin Hangjing, followed her to Pioneer News. He bought a newspaper and saw her article published. The article received a passionate response, with many readers sending letters expressing concern for the children and their desire to help.
Mr. Lu informed Lin Hangjing that the newspaper had been planning to build an orphanage and would soon hold fundraising activities. Lin Hangjing was overjoyed, volunteering to participate and contribute as much as she could.
Later, as Madam Qi played mahjong with other wealthy wives, they gossiped about her past, mentioning that she, Gu Saizhen, was the daughter of the Nanjing Garrison Commander's mistress who had "seduced Commander Xiao" and became his "wife of the commander in the army camp" without official status. Madam Qi's servant, Yunyi, overheard and became indignant, but Madam Qi calmly stopped her, advising her not to take idle gossip to heart.
That evening, Xiao Beichen requested dinner be sent to the west hall so he could eat with Lin Hangjing alone. His patience finally exhausted, Xiao Beichen confronted Lin Hangjing, revealing he knew she was "Qing Yong," the author of articles criticizing warlords for "being militaristic and amassing private wealth." Lin Hangjing tried to clarify that she was not referring to "Uncle Xiao," but Xiao Beichen threatened to have Pioneer News permanently sealed if she dared to publish such articles again.
He demanded that she attend the Luminous Jade party with him, wearing the clothes and pearl necklace he bought, and, most importantly, that she obey his every command there. Lin Hangjing was forced to agree. The following day, Lin Hangjing saw a crowd gathered outside Pioneer News. A pulled rickshaw driver informed her the newspaper had been sealed, and people who had donated to the orphanage fund were shouting "Liars! Pay us back!" and pelting Mr. Lu with rotten vegetables.
Realizing Xiao Beichen was behind it, Lin Hangjing, filled with worry, rushed to Luminous Jade. At Luminous Jade, Xiao Beichen, Xiao Shuyi, Xu Zijun, and Mo Weiyi were enjoying tea and music. Xiao Beichen proudly watched Lin Hangjing arrive. Xiao Shuyi immediately approached Lin Hangjing, cruelly revealing that Xiao Beichen's pursuit of her was merely a bet he made with his friends for a convertible car, adding that he and Zheng Fengqi were the true couple.
Enraged, Lin Hangjing grabbed Xiao Beichen by the arm and shoved him into the pond. She berated him, accusing him of wasting his life on pleasure and bullying, declaring that without his powerful family, he was "nothing." She criticized his arrogance and lack of understanding of equality and respect, telling him she had looked down on him since their first meeting.
She challenged him, reminding him of his privileged background and the power he held to change countless lives, yet questioning if he possessed any ideals for society, the country, his loved ones, or even himself. Xiao Beichen, furious, demanded an immediate apology, threatening that if she refused, her life in Beixin would change drastically. Lin Hangjing, however, stood her ground, declaring it "impossible" and inviting him to "wait and see."
Late that night, Xiao Beichen was haunted by Lin Hangjing's harsh words. He confided in Mr. Zhao, asking if he was truly a person without dreams or ambition. Mr. Zhao confirmed that he was. Mr. Zhao then advised him not to resent his father, as carrying such hatred would only bring uneasiness to his late mother.
Xiao Beichen then recalled a childhood memory of his mother singing him a Beijing opera, telling him to eat well to grow up and become a general like his father, but he had declared his wish to be a hero instead. After the weekend, Lin Hangjing returned to school. She found her desk in disarray, and her classmates cast hostile glances her way.
Xiao Shuyi and her friends continued their torment, putting chalk in Lin Hangjing’s lunchbox and then locking her inside a storage room. Lin Hangjing, trapped and alone, shed tears, but her expression remained stubborn and unbroken.
