Love in Flames of War Episode 25 Recap
> Love in Flames of War Recap
Xiao Beichen confronted Mu Zizheng, waiting for him to deliver a warning. Xiao Beichen directly told Mu Zizheng that the person he found to impersonate the envoy was skilled at acting. Mu Zizheng feigned ignorance, but Xiao Beichen made it clear he preferred frank and forthright opponents, stating that villains who resorted to underhanded tricks were not worthy of being his adversaries. He then departed.
A flashback revealed that Mu Zizheng had captured the real Mr. Zhao and subsequently threatened a performer, whose child was gravely ill, into impersonating Mr. Zhao. Mu Zizheng offered the performer money to save his child, leveraging his acting skills for the deception. Later, Mo Weiyi asked Xiao Beichen when he had realized the envoy was fake. Xiao Beichen explained that his initial suspicions arose when the fake envoy unconsciously covered his sleeve while drinking.
His suspicions were confirmed when Mu Zizheng later provided him with a crucial note. Mo Weiyi noted Mu Zizheng's deep cunning in orchestrating such a scheme, involving Xiao Beichen, Jin Cheng, and the Beiyang Government, and advised Xiao Beichen to be wary. Jin Rouke confronted Mu Zizheng, directly asking if he had used a fake envoy to frame Xiao Beichen.
She was distressed, emphasizing the human life involved and accusing him of being ruthless in his attempts to eliminate Xiao Beichen. She questioned if he was still the Mu Zizheng she once knew. Mu Zizheng apologized, claiming he never intended for the envoy to die and that his sole objective was Xiao Beichen. Rouke retorted by pointing out that he had also exploited her own father in the process.
She implored him not to be blinded by hatred, warning that it would only lead him astray and deeper into trouble. She sternly cautioned him that she would not tolerate such actions again. Xiao Beichen noticed Jin Xiang carrying bloody cotton swabs and learned that Lin Hangjing had injured her foot the previous night. Jin Xiang informed him that Lin Hangjing had specifically asked her to keep it a secret, fearing his worry, indicating her concern for him.
Xiao Beichen then personally tended to Lin Hangjing's injured foot, applying medicine and asking if she was in pain. He gently confronted her, observing that she clearly cared for him and urging an end to their prolonged cold war. Lin Hangjing articulated that what she valued most in their marriage was fundamental trust and complete honesty, emphasizing that her husband should never conceal anything from her.
Xiao Beichen sincerely apologized for his past actions concerning Mu Zizheng and solemnly swore never to deceive her again. Seeing her smile, he asked if they were reconciled, and she affirmed it. Despite their reconciliation, Xiao Beichen expressed his continued disapproval of her associating with Mu Zizheng, or even mentioning him.
Lin Hangjing clarified that she only regarded Mu Zizheng as an ordinary friend and reminded him that they owed Mu Zizheng for the suffering he endured in the labor camp, which was indirectly caused by them. Xiao Beichen, exhibiting a playfully possessive streak, insisted she should not meet Mu Zizheng or any other unfamiliar men, leading to a lighthearted argument where she teasingly called him narrow-minded, prompting him to playfully chase her.
Lieutenant Zhou reported to Jin Cheng that Yakov had been abducted and was now back in Soviet territory, making his retrieval impossible. Jin Cheng was enraged by the news and declared he would personally contact the Premier to explain the situation. Shortly after, a report announced that Commander Kang Jingxiong would arrive the day after tomorrow to brief Jin Cheng on the garrison.
Jin Cheng instructed Lieutenant Zhou to arrange accommodations for Kang Jingxiong at the Hot Spring Villa, facilitating their discussions. Mu Zizheng was present and overheard these arrangements. Madam Qi began teaching Lin Hangjing how to knit gloves, explaining that Xiao Haishan and the children would soon return from the United States.
She planned to knit new gloves for them as the weather was getting colder, noting that while she usually made a pair for Xiao Beichen, it was now Lin Hangjing’s responsibility as his wife. Lin Hangjing admitted she didn't know how, but Madam Qi insisted on teaching her, emphasizing the warmth of handmade gloves. Separately, Mo Weiyi requested to accompany Xiao Beichen and Xu Zijun to the meeting with Jin Cheng and Kang Jingxiong.
Although Xiao Beichen initially hesitated, Mo Weiyi assured him that he understood the political ramifications of acting rashly; killing Kang Jingxiong now would incur Jin Cheng’s wrath upon the Ying Army. He vowed to remain patient but reaffirmed his intention to avenge his father by killing Kang Jingxiong eventually. Xiao Beichen then promised that the day would come when he would hand Kang Jingxiong over to Mo Weiyi.
Jin Cheng hosted a banquet at the Hot Spring Villa to welcome Kang Jingxiong. At the dinner, Jin Cheng congratulated Xiao Beichen on his recent promotion to Deputy Commander of the Ying Army, acknowledging his early achievements and the prospect of inheriting his father’s legacy. Kang Jingxiong also offered his congratulations and recognized Mo Weiyi and Xu Zijun as Xiao Beichen’s key aides. Jin Cheng inquired about Mu Zizheng's absence.
Jin Rouke explained that Mu Zizheng had caught a cold the previous night and was receiving an intravenous drip at the hospital. Kang Jingxiong, having heard of Jin Cheng's godson, expressed his keenness to meet the young talent. Rouke apologized on Mu Zizheng’s behalf for his illness and offered a toast to Kang Jingxiong.
Dismissing the cold as a minor ailment, Jin Cheng dispatched Lieutenant Zhou to the hospital to bring Mu Zizheng back, emphasizing that it would be disrespectful for his godson not to greet Kang Jingxiong. Despite his weakness and reluctance, Mu Zizheng yielded to the pressure to preserve Jin Cheng’s reputation and returned to the villa. Upon his arrival, a visibly ill Mu Zizheng was introduced to Kang Jingxiong.
Kang Jingxiong, scrutinizing Mu Zizheng, felt a sense of familiarity, wondering if they had met before. Mu Zizheng, feigning ignorance, insisted it was their first encounter. As Jin Cheng and Kang Jingxiong departed for the hot springs, Xiao Beichen sarcastically remarked to Mu Zizheng that he had fallen "sick at the right time" before also taking his leave.
While at the hot springs, Kang Jingxiong updated Jin Cheng on the military situation and attempted to raise doubts about Xiao Beichen's loyalty, referencing the fact that Xiao Beichen had provided Division 1 Regiment 2 instead of his elite Tiger Regiment. However, Jin Cheng dismissed these concerns, affirming Xiao Beichen's loyalty, influenced by his father Xiao Haishan’s reputation, and emphasizing the current need for unity.
Meanwhile, Mu Zizheng met with Yong, informing him that Kang Jingxiong had arrived in Beixin but had not recognized him. Yong cautioned Mu Zizheng to remain vigilant. Yong then revealed that Yamato Co., Ltd. was transporting a shipment of illegal salt to Beixin City via the Baiyundu Wharf, which was Kang Jingxiong's private property and highly secure. The organization tasked them with blowing up the ship and destroying the salt.
Yong proposed that Mu Zizheng leverage his status as Jin Cheng's godson to act as the cargo owner, assuring him the wharf would not refuse. Mu Zizheng agreed to this plan, intending to rent a warehouse and have his men prepare for action. Separately, Lin Hangjing entered Xiao Beichen's study and, to his curiosity, secretly traced his hand on paper, hinting at a surprise.
Simultaneously, Xiao Rong informed Xiao Beichen that all preparations for a surprise for Lin Hangjing, scheduled for the following Wednesday, were complete, receiving a strict instruction from Xiao Beichen to maintain absolute secrecy. On their first wedding anniversary, Lin Hangjing meticulously prepared for her evening date with Xiao Beichen, who had invited her out for dinner. Jin Xiang noted the romantic gesture, linking it to Lin Hangjing's recent glove knitting.
Meanwhile, Zheng Fengqi, waiting for a delayed President Sato, overheard a crucial report from Kang Jingxiong's dock worker to Sato. The worker reported that Mu Zizheng's men were at Baiyundu Wharf, noting their lack of experience with manual labor and the presence of sulfur traces on their hands, strongly implying they were involved with explosives.
Considering the wharf's secluded location and the limited vessel traffic, Mu Zizheng’s presence was deemed highly suspicious, especially with Kang Jingxiong’s prior warning about potential disruptions. Sato, undeterred by the ambiguity, resolved to act decisively, stating it was better to kill by mistake than let anyone escape, and immediately adjusted his plans. Xiao Beichen had romantically arranged a cafe for his anniversary date with Lin Hangjing.
However, upon her arrival, Lin Hangjing received a letter warning her that Mu Zizheng was in danger and would be killed at Baiyundu Wharf at nine o'clock. Disregarding her date, she immediately hailed a rickshaw and rushed to the wharf. Unbeknownst to Xiao Beichen, who was still expecting her at the cafe, she had learned of Mu Zizheng's plight and was heading to the location mentioned in the note.
At Baiyundu Wharf, as Mu Zizheng and his group, including Yong, prepared to act, they fell into an ambush set by Sato's forces. Japanese soldiers surrounded them. In a critical moment, Lin Hangjing bravely drove her car into the fray, rescuing Mu Zizheng and some injured men. The Japanese hesitated to fire upon her after recognizing her as Xiao Beichen's wife. Their standoff persisted until Xiao Beichen himself arrived on the scene, at which point the Japanese withdrew.
Lin Hangjing urgently pleaded with Xiao Beichen not to harm Mu Zizheng and his injured companions, promising a full explanation for her actions. With a stern, unyielding expression, Xiao Beichen remained silent. Taking his silence as tacit approval, Lin Hangjing quickly urged Mu Zizheng to depart with the wounded. Instead of returning to the Xiao Family estate, Xiao Beichen drove Lin Hangjing to a separate residence, where he finally unleashed his pent-up fury.
Lin Hangjing, disoriented and alarmed, demanded to know where they were and tried to explain her actions, but he silenced her. Xiao Beichen vehemently expressed his heartbreak and anger, revealing that he had meticulously prepared a surprise for their first wedding anniversary, waiting all night for her. Yet, she chose to rush to Mu Zizheng's rescue, even risking her own life for him. He asserted that his love and devotion were not meant for her to sacrifice herself for others.
His voice filled with pain and possessiveness, he declared that from that day forward, Mu Zizheng's life or death would be utterly irrelevant to her; Lin Hangjing would exclusively remain his beloved and his wife. The following morning, maids attempted to attend to Lin Hangjing at the residence. She instructed them to inform Xiao Beichen of her imminent return to the Xiao Family estate.
However, when she tried to arrange for a car, she was informed that Xiao Beichen's explicit permission was required. Xiao Beichen then appeared, stating that he had already arranged for her leave from school and that she would remain at the mansion indefinitely, or, if he had his way, for the rest of her life, without his permission to leave. Lin Hangjing, furious but helpless, was trapped.
Meanwhile, a subordinate reported to Kang Jingxiong about the failed operation at Baiyundu Wharf. He confirmed that the attempt to blow up the salt ship was indeed orchestrated by workers hired by Mu Zizheng, who were ambushed in Mu Zizheng’s warehouse by Yoshida’s men. Xiao Beichen’s unexpected intervention, however, led to the seizure and destruction of the illegal salt. Sato reportedly attributed the significant losses to Yoshida's incompetence, exonerating Kang Jingxiong.
When Kang Jingxiong inquired if Mu Zizheng himself was present during the ambush, the subordinate couldn't confirm, as all the assailants were masked. This incident further deepened Kang Jingxiong's suspicion regarding Mu Zizheng's true identity.
