Love in Flames of War Episode 24 Recap
> Love in Flames of War Recap
President Sato met with Zheng Fengqi and revealed his knowledge of her involvement with Qiao Jiang, which Zheng Fengqi recognized as a direct threat. Sato, however, offered to keep this information secret if Zheng Fengqi would agree to "imitate someone" to approach Lin Hangjing, suggesting they could mutually benefit from helping each other. Zheng Fengqi understood the implication. Meanwhile, Mu Zizheng visited the orphanage where Lin Hangjing was.
He told her he had reflected on his past actions and decided to let go of their romantic history, expressing a desire to rekindle their friendship. Lin Hangjing, valuing their bond, happily agreed. They spent time together, helping the children make dolls, seemingly returning to simpler times. News of Mu Zizheng's frequent visits to the orphanage reached Jin Cheng, who was displeased.
Jin Rouke covered for Mu Zizheng by saying he was helping with charity work, but later, Mu Zizheng confided in her that he intended to use this method to show Lin Hangjing his sincerity, hoping she would eventually decide to leave Xiao Beichen. Witnessing his deep affection, Jin Rouke felt a complex mix of emotions. Upon Xiao Beichen's return home, he found Lin Hangjing already asleep.
Jin Xiang, observing their prolonged estrangement, informed him that Lin Hangjing would be attending an auction the next day to raise funds for the orphanage. She urged Xiao Beichen to make a good impression, noting that Lin Hangjing was secretly soft-hearted and had been worried about his Tiger Regiment.
Separately, Jin Cheng received a report from his deputy that the President had learned of Jin Cheng's intention to transfer the Tiger Regiment and that Minister He of the Military Department had dispatched an envoy to Beixin. Jin Cheng speculated that the President held a grudge against him for his lack of loyalty, and Minister He, described as an "apple polisher," likely sought to manipulate the situation to force Jin Cheng to relinquish power.
Jin Cheng believed the envoy could serve as a "touchstone" to test Xiao Beichen's loyalty, especially given Xiao Beichen's lingering resentment towards him. At the auction, Xiao Beichen appeared, confident that Lin Hangjing would maintain appearances and not reveal their marital discord. He also spotted Mu Zizheng. During the auction, a doll made by the orphanage children was presented as the third item.
Xiao Beichen and Mu Zizheng engaged in a bidding war, with Xiao Beichen eventually securing the doll for a high price. When the auctioneer announced Mu Zizheng as the donor, he went on stage and deliberately emphasized that he and "Miss Lin from the orphanage" had made it together, using his speech to subtly undermine Xiao Beichen. However, the final item up for bid was a military medal donated by Xiao Beichen himself.
He took the stage and explained its profound significance. It was an honor he received at 19 during his first battle, an experience that shifted his perspective from a carefree life. He recounted meeting Luo Dou, a 13-year-old boy who joined the army to escape hunger and cold. Luo Dou had a simple dream of opening a tailor shop after the war to make a wedding dress for his sister.
Luo Dou tragically died in battle, expressing his happiness to have been brothers with them. Xiao Beichen questioned why such a young boy couldn't live a peaceful life or achieve a simple dream. He shared his personal tragedy of losing his mother at age seven, believing his life to be the most miserable, until he realized that in this war-torn era, many children never even met their parents.
He stated that auctioning the medal was his prayer for world peace, hoping for the nation's early stability so that young children like Luo Dou would be spared from hunger, cold, and the pain of losing loved ones. Lin Hangjing was deeply moved by his words, her eyes filled with tears. Later that night, Mu Zizheng secretly investigated Jin Cheng and discovered that Yakov was indeed in his custody.
He overheard Jin Cheng discussing Yakov's interrogation with a subordinate, emphasizing the need to transfer Yakov to the Premier within five days, before the Fish Lantern Festival, as Yakov could be a crucial bargaining chip for the Premier's political comeback. Jin Cheng stressed the importance of discretion and avoiding any mistakes. Mu Zizheng narrowly avoided detection. Lin Hangjing, reflecting on Xiao Beichen's moving speech, felt a surge of admiration and comfort.
However, when Xiao Beichen entered her room, she pretended to be asleep. He gently placed a glass of milk by her bed, adjusted her blanket, and quietly left. Hearing him depart, Lin Hangjing felt a pang of disappointment. Separately, Mr. Zhao, an envoy from the Military Department, met with Xiao Beichen at Hua Xing Hotel. Zhao informed him that President had been displeased with Jin Cheng for two years due to his efforts to help the Premier make a comeback.
Zhao explained that the President, through Minister He, proposed that Xiao Beichen should imprison Jin Cheng while he was in Beixin, seize his military power, and the Beiyang Government would help the Xiao family take control of the 17 northern cities. Xiao Beichen questioned whether this was the President's direct order or Minister He's personal vendetta. Zhao insisted it was Minister He's "kind recommendation," which reflected the President's true intentions, given Minister He's high regard.
Zhao urged Xiao Beichen to seize this opportunity under the President's support, but Xiao Beichen did not give a definitive answer. Shortly after leaving the Hua Xing Hotel, Zhao Special Envoy was apprehended by Jin Cheng's men. Under duress and interrogation, Zhao confessed that Xiao Beichen had agreed to imprison Jin Cheng and force him to relinquish his military authority, with the operation scheduled for that very night at 10 PM.
That evening, as Xiao Beichen and his entourage were enjoying an opera at Luminous Jade, Jin Cheng had already set a trap. Xiao Beichen received a cryptic note claiming that someone intended to seize Jin Cheng at 10 PM. Believing this was a preemptive move due to his ambiguous response to Zhao, Xiao Beichen immediately led his troops to the Hot Spring Villa to "protect" Jin Cheng. However, upon arrival, they were surrounded by Jin Cheng's forces.
Hearing the alarming news of conflict at the villa, Madam Qi grew frantic. Lin Hangjing was shocked and rushed to the Hot Spring Villa; her car broke down midway, but she abandoned the vehicle and driver, continuing on foot. When her high heels broke, she took them off and kept running barefoot. Inside the villa, Jin Cheng angrily confronted Xiao Beichen, demanding to know his intentions with such a heavily armed presence.
Xiao Beichen presented the note he received, reiterating his purpose was to protect Jin Cheng from being kidnapped. Jin Cheng dismissed the note as a trivial piece of paper, then had the captured Zhao Special Envoy brought forward, claiming Zhao had confessed to Xiao Beichen's plan to overthrow him. Jin Cheng declared Xiao Beichen's actions as treason, stating that if he hadn't been prepared, he would have been the one at gunpoint.
Xiao Beichen remained composed and declared Zhao a fake envoy, offering to prove it by asking a few questions. Xiao Beichen proceeded to question Zhao about basic details of the Military Department, such as its supreme commander and his entry date, which Zhao answered correctly, demonstrating his preparation.
However, when asked about the Military Department envoy's special car license plate number and the first three digits of the internal phone number, Zhao hesitated and looked nervously at Mu Zizheng, unable to answer. Exposed, the fake Zhao snatched a gun and shot himself before Jin Cheng or Xiao Beichen could press further for the true mastermind.
Jin Cheng, enraged by the deception, kicked the body before dramatically embracing Xiao Beichen, praising him as his "dear nephew" for his quick thinking, which prevented a family conflict. Xiao Beichen reaffirmed the Xiao family's unwavering loyalty to Jin Cheng, explaining that in such turbulent times, many sought to drive a wedge between them. Jin Cheng then declared a celebration with drinks for everyone.
Later, discussing the incident with his subordinates, Jin Cheng dismissed Mu Zizheng's offer to investigate, preferring caution, and instructed that Xiao Beichen was not to be touched during the ongoing joint military exercise. Lin Hangjing, having arrived and witnessed Xiao Beichen's safety from a distance, sighed in relief. She then instructed her attendant not to reveal her hurried, barefoot journey.
