Love in Flames of War Episode 37 Recap
> Love in Flames of War Recap
After learning about Lin Hangjing's supposed death, Mu Zizheng impulsively sought revenge by attempting to assassinate Xiao Beichen. His attempt failed, but Xiao Beichen spared him, stating that his life belonged to Lin Hangjing. Mu Zizheng, however, accused Xiao Beichen of causing Lin Hangjing's death and now keeping a substitute by his side, asserting that Xiao Beichen was unworthy of Lin Hangjing's love.
Xiao Beichen planned to take Sheng Hanjun to a literary exchange event, presenting it as a surprise reunion with her former writing teacher, Ms. Evan, who was among the British authors visiting. Sheng Hanjun feigned a smile, remarking on the unexpected nature of the surprise, as they hadn't seen each other in a long time. She tried to excuse herself to buy a gift, but Xiao Beichen revealed he had already arranged for Mo Weiyi to handle it.
Upon arriving at the hotel, Sheng Hanjun deliberately bumped into a waiter, spilling coffee on herself, and retreated to the restroom. Outside the restroom, she discreetly asked a lady to help her call Shen Yanqing, offering a sum of money. Meanwhile, Xiao Beichen received urgent news that gunshots at the East Camp entrance had caused a commotion, requiring his immediate return. Sheng Hanjun breathed a sigh of relief, but just as she considered leaving, Xiao Beichen reappeared.
She reluctantly followed him into the hotel lobby. Facing several British attendees, Sheng Hanjun felt anxious, as she had never actually met Ms. Evan. At that moment, Ms. Evan returned from outside and warmly embraced Sheng Hanjun, greeting her enthusiastically. Xiao Beichen's face noticeably paled, indicating his attempt to verify Sheng Hanjun's identity had failed. As they parted ways, Sheng Hanjun quietly asked Ms. Evan why she had helped.
Ms. Evan explained that before leaving England, she had visited Mr. Sheng Tian, who told her that Lin Hangjing would continue to live as Sheng Hanjun. Though Ms. Evan did not know the specific reasons, she trusted Mr. Sheng Tian's judgment. Unconvinced, Xiao Beichen pressed Ms. Evan again to confirm Sheng Hanjun's identity, but received the same unwavering answer. Sheng Hanjun then genuinely thanked Xiao Beichen for the "surprise" and urged him to stop testing her.
She firmly declared that no matter how many times he tried, she would always be Sheng Hanjun, and questioned why he would subject himself to repeated disappointment. Xiao Beichen, however, maintained that while it might be disappointment for others, for him, each test brought a renewed sense of hope. Consumed by despair, Xiao Beichen returned to the East Camp and engaged in a furious training session with his soldiers, accidentally injuring his hand. His soldiers noted his desperation.
With the infirmary empty, Mo Weiyi asked Sheng Hanjun for help. Xiao Beichen's wound required stitches, but he refused anesthesia. After Sheng Hanjun finished bandaging his hand, Xiao Beichen confronted her, demanding to know her true intentions. He stated that everyone who approached him had ulterior motives—some seeking military power, some the port, others his life—and he couldn't believe it was a coincidence that someone so closely resembling his beloved had suddenly appeared in his life.
Sheng Hanjun reminded him that he was the one who insisted she work at the East Camp, and that not everyone sought to exploit him; her presence in Beixin was merely to accompany her husband, Shen Yanqing, for his work. As she prepared to leave, Xiao Beichen grabbed her hand.
Sheng Hanjun sternly warned him to compose himself, declaring that his actions were a desecration of his deceased wife and a pathetic act of self-deception by refusing to acknowledge her departure. She reiterated that in her life as Sheng Hanjun, there was only one man: her husband, Shen Yanqing.
Tormented, Xiao Beichen drank heavily, confessing to Madam Qi his long-held belief that he would instantly recognize Lin Hangjing if she stood before him, but now, even he could no longer discern if Sheng Hanjun was truly Lin Hangjing. A flashback to five years prior showed Lin Hangjing frantically searching for a ferry ticket to Yulin from Beixin, but none were available. A local innkeeper suggested she try the smaller private docks.
In her haste, she left her luggage and accidentally dropped her earrings, which were picked up by the innkeeper. When she returned, the inn was engulfed in flames. Seeing Xiao Beichen rush towards the inferno, she quickly hid in a nearby car. This car belonged to Shen Yanqing, who later drove her away from Beixin. Remembering this, Lin Hangjing silently reminded herself, "No matter what happens, remember that you are Sheng Hanjun."
Madam Qi invited Sheng Hanjun to dinner and gave her a tour of the Xiao residence. Upon entering the former wedding room, the memories flooded back. Madam Qi recounted how Xiao Beichen had kept the room untouched for five years after Lin Hangjing's departure, not allowing a single item to be moved, and how he still dreamed of and called out Lin Hangjing's name.
Overwhelmed, Sheng Hanjun urged Madam Qi to forget such painful memories and quickly tried to leave the room, deeming it inappropriate to tour the private chambers of Xiao Beichen and his wife. Downstairs, she encountered Jin Xiang and Xiao Rong, who were now married with a child. Jin Xiang instantly recognized her as Lin Hangjing, calling her "Miss" and "Mrs. Xiao." Fighting back tears, Sheng Hanjun denied her identity, claiming Jin Xiang had mistaken her for someone else.
Jin Xiang, with tears in her eyes, understood that Lin Hangjing had reasons for not wanting to be recognized and silently vowed to support her, regardless of her difficulties. Madam Qi, overhearing the exchange, was surprised by Jin Xiang's resolute denial of Lin Hangjing's identity. Leaving the Xiao residence, Sheng Hanjun, still tearful, met Xiao Shuyi. Xiao Shuyi, noticing her distress, asked why she was crying.
Sheng Hanjun attributed her tears to being touched by the Xiao family's profound remembrance of Lin Hangjing, reminding her of her own lost family. Xiao Shuyi offered to walk with her and shared the true reason behind Lin Hangjing and Xiao Beichen's separation: a miscarriage. Xiao Shuyi revealed her youthful naivety had been exploited by Zheng Fengqi, who had bribed Lin Hangjing's maid, Xiu, to administer an abortifacient, causing Lin Hangjing to lose her child.
She explained that Xiao Beichen had intended to execute Zheng Fengqi, but Zheng's father saved his daughter by pledging his own life and his division of ten thousand soldiers, with Xiao Haishan interceding out of forty years of brotherhood with Mr. Zheng. Devastated by this revelation, Lin Hangjing realized her misunderstanding of Xiao Beichen and walked home crying in the rain.
Shen Yanqing comforted her, acknowledging her annual tradition of making clothes for their lost child, noting that if the child had lived, he would be a year older than Ke and capable of much conversation. He suggested that with the misunderstanding resolved and knowing Xiao Beichen was not responsible for the child's death, she should return to Xiao Beichen after their mission was complete, sensing her lingering affection for him.
Lin Hangjing, however, shook her head, stating there were too many irreparable cracks between them, making it impossible to ever go back. She asserted that the mission was her sole priority. Meanwhile, Mr. Ding provided Shen Yanqing with background information on the shortlisted companies for the Beixin Port bid, confirming his earlier suspicions. The port bidding had narrowed down to Han's Group and Yang Wendao, both having tied for the top score in all aspects.
Mo Weiyi noted the recent rumors of accounting loopholes in Han's Group, though their detailed report had cleared it. He found Yang Wendao, a seemingly clean and patriotic figure, more appealing. However, Xiao Beichen discovered that the blueprints from both Han's Group and Yang Wendao were printed on the same unique paper, similar to that used in Japanese railway construction, suggesting they originated from the same Japanese paper mill.
His suspicions were confirmed when he received a letter containing a photograph of Yang Wendao and Sato, clearly indicating their long-standing collusion. With Han's Group ultimately winning the Beixin Port development rights, Sato was furious at the failure of his plan. Zheng Fengqi suggested a new strategy: securing Jin Cheng's signature on the Mutual Prosperity Agreement, a document the Japanese military had long desired.
She believed this would be a significant achievement, potentially offsetting their current setback, despite Commander Kang's previous failures to persuade Jin Cheng. She reasoned that the terms offered previously must not have been sufficient. At the same time, Warlord Cheng, representing the Nanjing Government, met with Xiao Beichen. He revealed that the Nanjing Government deeply valued the Ying Army and wished to grant them significant authority.
He proposed that if Xiao Haishan publicly declared support for the central government's disarmament plan, the Xiao family would become the most powerful faction in Zhibei after reorganization. Xiao Beichen, loyal to Jin Cheng, respectfully declined, stating the Xiao family would not engage in mutiny. Warlord Cheng then exposed Jin Cheng's treachery, revealing that Jin Cheng was negotiating with the Japanese to sign the Mutual Prosperity Agreement.
He warned Xiao Beichen that if Jin Cheng colluded with the Japanese, it would lead to widespread devastation, ruin of cities, and destruction of families, urging him to convince Commander Xiao Haishan not to follow a traitor. Xiao Beichen, now aware of the gravity of the situation, promised to consider the proposal.
