Love in Flames of War Episode 38 Recap
> Love in Flames of War Recap
Sheng Hanjun, whose true identity is Lin Hangjing, submitted her resignation, informing Xiao Beichen through a subordinate that her work on the Beixin Port bidding was complete and she would finalize all documents within three days. Xiao Beichen, however, dismissed the subordinate, preoccupied with Sheng Hanjun’s departure. Xiao Beichen then brought Sheng Hanjun to a familiar spot, the place where he and Lin Hangjing had first dated and released sky lanterns.
He confessed that from their first meeting, he was convinced she was Lin Hangjing, refusing to believe he could be wrong, yet all the evidence and people around him pointed to the contrary, leaving him with an unprecedented sense of helplessness. Sheng Hanjun urged him to stop, acknowledging that this was their last encounter.
Xiao Beichen recalled that day years ago when they kissed beneath a sky full of lights, and he knew then that Lin Hangjing was the one for him for life. Tears welled in Sheng Hanjun’s eyes as she apologized, stating she was not the person he believed her to be. Xiao Beichen, heartbroken, told her to leave and never appear before him again, declaring that their time together was merely a dream from which he had now awakened.
Sheng Hanjun, with immense pain in her heart, turned and walked away. Meanwhile, Kang Jingxiong discovered that the Japanese had promised Jin Cheng the position of chairman of the four provinces if he signed the Mutual Prosperity Agreement after the establishment of the Manchurian Government. Kang Jingxiong, who had served the Japanese for years, was enraged, realizing all the benefits would go to Jin Cheng, leaving no room for him.
He was shown photos of Xiao Beichen secretly meeting with Cheng Ling. Kang Jingxiong knew that Jin Cheng’s informers in Nanjing had already reported the central government’s attempts to sway Ying Army to defect. However, since Xiao Haishan and Xiao Beichen had previously ignored these overtures, Jin Cheng had not believed them.
Now, with concrete evidence, Kang Jingxiong saw an opportunity to not only deal with Xiao Haishan but also eliminate Jin Cheng, believing that monopolizing power was superior to dividing the land. He planned to take the photos to Dongping the following day. Xiao Haishan confronted Xiao Beichen about his meeting with Cheng Ling. Xiao Beichen informed his father that Jin Cheng was already negotiating with the Japanese to sign the Mutual Prosperity Agreement.
Despite this, Xiao Haishan still harbored hope for Jin Cheng, believing he could be convinced to change course. He resolved to speak with Jin Cheng at the upcoming Suiling conference, though Xiao Beichen advised him to bring extra men. At the Suiling meeting, Xiao Haishan expressed his strong opposition to wars that caused public suffering and advocated for negotiation to resolve central government suspicions of local authorities.
Jin Cheng, however, accused Xiao Haishan of siding with the central government and plotting to usurp his position, showing him the photos of Xiao Beichen and Cheng Ling. Xiao Haishan, revealing his disappointment, presented Jin Cheng with evidence of his collusion with the Japanese, stating he could no longer support a brother who had abandoned principles. Jin Cheng, in turn, branded Xiao Haishan as ambitious, desiring to control all of Zhibei, and drew a pistol.
Jin Cheng then ordered his men to inform the Xiao family that Xiao Haishan had heroically died in an ambush on his way to Suiling and to eliminate all his accompanying soldiers. Kang Jingxiong revealed his true treachery to Jin Cheng, stating his intention to frame Xiao Haishan for Jin Cheng’s death and then avenge him, thereby seizing control of Jin Cheng’s forces.
Suddenly, Xiao Haishan emerged from the room, revealing that he and Jin Cheng had staged the entire confrontation to expose Kang Jingxiong. While inside, Xiao Haishan had presented Jin Cheng with undeniable proof of Kang Jingxiong's extensive plotting, from the hidden military trucks to the distinct sandalwood scent on Jin Cheng's personal guard captain, indicating a long-standing conspiracy. Convinced that Kang Jingxiong intended to kill him, Jin Cheng had chosen to trust Xiao Haishan to expose the real traitor.
However, Jin Cheng's own Lieutenant Zhou Zhiping, a long-serving subordinate, betrayed them, revealing himself to be Kang Jingxiong's mole. Kang Jingxiong then took Jin Rouke, Jin Cheng's daughter, hostage. To protect her, both Jin Cheng and Xiao Haishan were forced to order their soldiers to lay down arms and retreat.
Kang Jingxiong then taunted Jin Cheng, recounting how Jin Cheng had sent his only son to serve under Xiao Haishan to control him, which resulted in his son’s death and an incomplete burial. Kang Jingxiong vowed to exact revenge for both old and new grievances, determined to make Jin Cheng suffer the agony of watching his own child die. As Kang Jingxiong moved to shoot Jin Rouke, Jin Cheng heroically lunged forward to shield her, taking the bullet.
Xiao Haishan was also shot in the arm. Du Heng and his men arrived on the scene, but Jin Cheng had already succumbed to his injuries. While being transported, Kang Jingxiong was ambushed and rescued by the Japanese. It was revealed that Sato had met with Lieutenant Zhou Zhiping, offering to secure his family’s future in exchange for taking all the blame for Jin Cheng's murder.
The Nanjing Military Commission later issued a public announcement, falsely claiming that Lieutenant Zhou Zhiping, out of resentment for being overlooked, had murdered Jin Cheng and attempted to frame Xiao Haishan. The announcement also stated that Kang Jingxiong arrived to rescue Jin Cheng but, due to a misunderstanding with Xiao Haishan, Jin Cheng was killed by Zhou Zhiping in the ensuing chaos. Following these events, Kang Jingxiong was transferred from Luanhe to Beixin as the garrison commander.
Upon learning this, Shen Yanqing decided it was too early for his team to evacuate, despite earlier orders from their organization about the risk of exposure. Xiao Haishan, meanwhile, prepared to travel to the United States for a medical review and to bring his children, Beiwang and Beiyi, back, concerned they would forget their roots. He expressed deep regret over Jin Cheng's death, lamenting that his attempt to persuade him to mend his ways had ended in tragedy.
While acknowledging the official story was nonsense, he took some comfort in knowing that once Jin Rouke, who was still unconscious, recovered and testified, Kang Jingxiong would be brought to justice. He reflected on the complex political climate, with the Japanese threatening and Kang Jingxiong twisting the truth, making it increasingly difficult for Ying Army to remain neutral. Elsewhere, Mu Zizheng was seen outside Jin Rouke's hospital room, overcome with guilt and sorrow.
Later, Sheng Hanjun received a letter from her newspaper pen pal, Mi'an, inviting her to a meeting. However, upon arriving at the private room, she found only Xiao Beichen. He explained that her pen name, Qiu Zhu, and Lin Hangjing’s former pen name, Qing Yong, both originated from the same poem, "Answers to Mr. Liu in the Mountains" by Li Shanfu.
He further pointed out the striking similarities between Sheng Hanjun’s writings about children and an article titled "Nowhere to Place Childhood" that Lin Hangjing had written while residing at the Xiao Residence. Xiao Beichen then revealed that he had forged the letter from Mi'an to arrange this meeting, viewing it as a divine opportunity after five years of relentless waiting. Sheng Hanjun finally admitted her true identity: she was Lin Hangjing.
Overwhelmed, Xiao Beichen, who had held onto hope for five years, was overjoyed at her return and questioned if her marriage to Shen Yanqing was a pretense. Lin Hangjing recounted that after losing her child and being led to believe by Xiu that Xiao Beichen was responsible, she was utterly devastated and sought to escape him permanently.
While evading Xiao Beichen, she encountered Shen Yanqing, eventually traveling to the Soviet Union where, under his and his comrades’ influence, she forged a new life. Xiao Beichen expressed deep remorse, admitting his failure to trust her then and to protect their child, taking full responsibility for his past mistakes. Lin Hangjing confirmed she was now aware that Zheng Fengqi had orchestrated everything. However, she firmly stated that they could not go back.
Despite the resolution of misunderstandings, the profound pain and emotional scars were real and indelible. She asserted that she could never return to being the Lin Hangjing of old, nor was Xiao Beichen the same man. They now carried their own distinct responsibilities and missions. She wished for them to forget the past and pursue their separate paths. Xiao Beichen was heartbroken, unable to comprehend why she would cut ties so definitively after finally returning to him.
