Love in Flames of War Episode 39 Recap
> Love in Flames of War Recap
Lin Hangjing expressed her remorse to Shen Yanqing, admitting her negligence in not anticipating that Xiao Beichen would recognize her from an essay she had written years ago and her pen name, "Qing Yong." Shen Yanqing, however, absolved her of blame, stating that since Beichen already suspected her, he was bound to investigate thoroughly. Lin Hangjing reassured him that she would not let this incident affect their larger mission, affirming her commitment to remain Mrs. Shen and Sheng Hanjun.
Shen Yanqing reiterated his trust in her ability to balance personal emotions and professional duties. He also saw a positive side to the confrontation, believing that Beichen's willingness to speak with them indicated he didn't view them as enemies. He suggested it was an opportune moment for the organization, which had always sought to win Beichen over, to engage him in a frank discussion.
Shen Yanqing and Xiao Beichen met, where Beichen angrily confronted Shen Yanqing for deceiving him about Lin Hangjing's identity for so many years. He was even more furious that Shen Yanqing had drawn her into such a perilous situation. Shen Yanqing apologized and explained that his encounter with Lin Hangjing was accidental. At that time, she had just lost her child and was utterly despondent, desperate to leave Beixin City.
He took her to the Soviet Union, where, after interacting with their organization, she expressed a desire to join. To complete a crucial assessment mission, Lin Hangjing had to assume the identity of Sheng Hanjun, the long-lost granddaughter of the patriotic capitalist Sheng Tian. Shen Yanqing recounted how Sheng Tian had kept his granddaughter's death a secret for years, hoping she would one day return.
To fully embody Sheng Hanjun, Lin Hangjing cut her long hair and undertook unimaginable efforts, making the mission a personal rebirth. Shen Yanqing revealed that he and Lin Hangjing posed as husband and wife and adopted Shen Ke, the child of fallen comrades. Xiao Beichen was deeply moved, realizing the immense suffering Lin Hangjing had endured. Shen Yanqing emphasized that she was now transformed, reborn with her own goals and faith, contributing to the nation's future.
Xiao Beichen questioned the Communist Party's methods, noting the widespread arrests in major cities and the Nanjing government's insistence on internal pacification, which led to bloodshed. He challenged Shen Yanqing about the consequences of their "fighting against the current." Shen Yanqing asserted that they had no choice but to continue, even if it meant bloodshed. He described a hypothetical comfortable life he could have had as a journalist, but dismissed it as self-deception while his compatriots suffered.
He highlighted the Japanese influence on Kang Jingxiong and his manipulation of the courts, emphasizing the need for strong forces like Xiao Beichen to join their cause. Xiao Beichen understood their unwavering faith and readiness for sacrifice, stating he would not pursue Shen Yanqing's past actions. However, he declared that Lin Hangjing was his wife, and he would not stand by and watch them endanger her.
Shen Yanqing met Ding Ruoyong, who was surprised to learn that Shen Yanqing was Migrant Bird. Shen Yanqing explained that the Japanese influence in Beixin City was complex and they had likely allied with Kang Jingxiong. He had requested permission to stay longer to observe the situation. Ding Ruoyong, impressed by their courage, vigor, and unwavering faith, agreed to join their organization.
As Shen Yanqing and Ding Ruoyong left their meeting point, Mu Zizheng, who had been secretly following Ding Ruoyong, discovered Shen Yanqing's true identity. Mu Zizheng, revealed to be the Japanese agent "Copper Sparrow," later met with Sato. Sato, who had kidnapped Mu Zizheng's mother and taken her to a Japanese sanatorium, used her declining health as leverage to force Mu Zizheng's cooperation.
Sato mentioned that if Mu Zizheng needed to avoid suspicion from the Youth Association, he could kill He Zhongyi. Zheng Fengqi, who had already colluded with the Japanese, was also present, reminding Mu Zizheng that they were now working under the same roof. A telegraph arrived from Nanjing, ordering Xiao Beichen to apprehend Shen Yanqing and his associates within three days, or face severe punishment by the Armed Forces.
When the Armed Forces surrounded their residence, Lin Hangjing quickly called to warn Shen Yanqing not to return, then hid in a safe house with Shen Ke and Zhang Ma. Shen Yanqing, fleeing the pursuit, encountered Xiao Shuyi. She helped him hide in an orphanage. Although she didn't know why he was being chased, Xiao Shuyi expressed her unwavering trust in him.
She urged him to stay hidden and promised to bring Lin Hangjing and Shen Ke back to the safety of the Xiao family residence. Meanwhile, Xiao Beichen arrived at the Shen residence and drove away the Armed Forces. Hearing Xiao Beichen and Xiao Shuyi's voices, Lin Hangjing emerged from the safe house, relieved. Xiao Shuyi conveyed Shen Yanqing's wish for Lin Hangjing and Shen Ke to come to the Xiao residence.
Xiao Beichen also insisted she return, pointing out that as Sheng Hanjun, she could do nothing, but as Lin Hangjing, she could appear openly and freely. This revelation stunned Xiao Shuyi, Mo Weiyi, and Xu Zijun, who finally grasped that Sheng Hanjun was indeed Lin Hangjing. As Shen Ke developed a fever, Xiao Beichen arranged for him to be taken to a private clinic in the north of town, with round-the-clock guards.
Concurrently, he tasked his men with finding a death row inmate who resembled Shen Yanqing in height and build, to be used in a staged bomb attack to fake Shen Yanqing's death and mutilate the body beyond recognition. Just then, Commander Kang Jingxiong's forces arrived at Xiao Beichen's residence, intending to arrest Sheng Hanjun. Lin Hangjing bravely confronted them, identifying herself as the Third Young Madam of the Xiao family.
When Zhang Sheng, Kang Jingxiong's deputy, countered by stating that Lin Hangjing had died five years ago in a fire, Xiao Beichen defiantly asked if the Xiao family had ever held a funeral or made a public announcement of her death. He dismissed Zhang Sheng's accusations of his past misconduct towards Sheng Hanjun as a personal matter, not for the Armed Forces to interfere with.
Faced with Xiao Beichen's firm stance and the threat of severe repercussions, Zhang Sheng and his men eventually retreated. Lin Hangjing thanked Xiao Beichen, apologizing for the trouble she caused. Xiao Beichen, feeling a rush of emotions that transported him back years, told her that he was willing to do anything for her, Lin Hangjing, not Sheng Hanjun.
He emphasized that they were now "riding a tiger" and, regardless of her personal feelings, she had no choice but to resume her role as his wife. Lin Hangjing apologized again, acknowledging their debt to him, and expressed her intention to find a way to leave once the current crisis passed. Unbeknownst to them, Sato, Kang Jingxiong, and Zheng Fengqi were conspiring. Realizing that Sheng Hanjun was Lin Hangjing, they saw an opportunity to bring down the Xiao family.
The next day, Xiao Beichen brought Lin Hangjing back to the Xiao family home. Madam Qi wept tears of joy upon seeing her, expressing her relief that Lin Hangjing was finally back after five long years. Xiao Shuyi also tearfully apologized for her past mistakes and her role in Lin Hangjing and Xiao Beichen's separation. Lin Hangjing, however, gently dismissed the past, asking Xiao Shuyi to let go of her guilt and live without that burden.
Later, Zheng Fengqi revealed to Mu Zizheng that Sheng Hanjun was Lin Hangjing, a fact he initially found hard to believe, especially the implication that Lin Hangjing was associated with the Communist Party. Sato, through Zheng Fengqi, demanded that Mu Zizheng publicly expose Lin Hangjing's identity, which would surely lead to Xiao Beichen's downfall.
Mu Zizheng adamantly refused to harm Lin Hangjing, but Zheng Fengqi then presented him with a photograph of his mother, reminding him of Sato's continued leverage over his family and implicitly threatening her safety if he did not comply.
