Love in Flames of War Episode 40 Recap
> Love in Flames of War Recap
After the Japanese left, Yong confronted Mu Zizheng, confirming he was a mole when he saw Yoshida departing. Yong expressed his shock, stating he never suspected Mu Zizheng, especially after Shen Yanqing was hunted everywhere and two comrades died in the YMCA crackdown. Mu Zizheng claimed he had his reasons, but Yong refused to listen and pulled a gun, intent on avenging the fallen comrades. However, a gunshot from behind felled Yong.
The Japanese, who were responsible for the shooting, left the scene, leaving Mu Zizheng distraught and apologetic to Yong’s lifeless body. Meanwhile, Lin Hangjing penned a letter to Shen Yanqing, informing him that under the circumstances, she had temporarily returned to the Xiao family as Lin Hangjing, assuring him that she was fine.
She mentioned that Liang would arrange his departure from Beixin the following day and wished him all the best, regretting she could not bid him farewell in person. Elsewhere, Xiao Shuyi brought a mink coat to Shen Yanqing, noting the colder weather and his impending departure. She declared that she didn't care who he was or what he had done, as her feelings for him had never changed.
She revealed her pain upon hearing of his marriage, but now that "everything was back to zero," she was willing to wait until he reciprocated her feelings. She hoped they could "create their own time" together, asking him not to forbid her love, before rushing off, promising to see him at the train station. The next day, Xiao Beichen attempted to substitute Shen Yanqing with a death row inmate's body. Kang Jingxiong arrived, skeptical and impatient, to verify the identity.
Xiao Beichen insisted the body was Shen Yanqing, claiming he was killed in an operation at No. 36 Chunfeng Lane, a Communist meeting point, and offered evidence from the site or local residents. Kang Jingxiong suspected a trick, and Xiao Beichen openly admitted to stalling.
Kang Jingxiong then presented a captured YMCA member named Big Head, who revealed that the body was not Shen Yanqing and that the real Shen Yanqing was at the train station, scheduled to depart Beixin for Tianjin and then sail to the UK. Big Head confessed that Mu Zizheng had accused Shen Yanqing of killing Yong, leading him to believe Shen Yanqing was a traitor and to disclose the escape plan.
Kang Jingxiong then gave Xiao Beichen an ultimatum: either send his men to the train station to arrest Shen Yanqing or face arrest himself. At the train station, Xiao Shuyi heard that Xiao Beichen was in trouble. She quickly entrusted a pocket watch, symbolizing her unchanging love and hope for a shared future, to an attendant to give to Shen Yanqing, urging him to take care, before hurrying back to the East Camp.
Lin Hangjing, alerted by a phone call, also rushed to the East Camp, declaring she knew the Communist Party's whereabouts to protect Xiao Beichen. Just as the tension escalated, Shen Yanqing appeared, boldly identifying himself as the Communist Kang Jingxiong was seeking. He passionately declared his willingness to die for his nation, stating that revolutionary will could not be extinguished by killing a few Communists.
He challenged Kang Jingxiong to sever ties with the Japanese, whose "wicked ambition" was like a "Sword of Damocles" hanging over them, warning him against becoming a "sinner in history." He rallied for national unity, urging every Chinese person to fight for their homeland and descendants, to "contest every inch of ground."
Shen Yanqing then offered parting words to Lin Hangjing, urging her to shed her temporary disguise for her true feelings when the time came, and advised both her and Xiao Beichen to make choices from the heart to avoid regret. With this, he charged at Kang Jingxiong, stabbing him. Simultaneously, Kang Jingxiong's soldiers opened fire, hitting Shen Yanqing, and both men collapsed.
Xiao Shuyi arrived to a scene of chaos and devastation, crying out for Shen Yanqing, questioning why he hadn't left. With his dying breath, Shen Yanqing urged Xiao Beichen to "take good care of Hangjing," and his last words to Xiao Shuyi were, "I'll see you in my next life."
Later, Xiao Beichen and Lin Hangjing scattered Shen Yanqing's ashes into a river, expressing sorrow that they could not erect a tombstone for him, but vowed that everyone would forever remember him, "like the river never dries up." Xiao Beichen reflected on Shen Yanqing's words about revolutionary change and the need for new systems. A telegram arrived from Xiao Haishan, expressing deep grief over Shen Yanqing's sacrifice.
He praised Shen Yanqing as a national hero and Xiao Beichen’s lifelong role model for killing Kang Jingxiong who colluded with the Japanese. Xiao Haishan encouraged his son to wholeheartedly pursue anything beneficial to the nation and its people, promising his full support, and warned against losing military integrity by colluding with enemies.
In the Japanese headquarters, Sato and his aide discussed the central government's intention to appoint Xiao Haishan as the Commander-in-Chief of the Zhibei Delta Army, acknowledging Xiao Haishan's superior experience and prestige. Sato lamented that their plan to elevate Kang Jingxiong had "failed at the last step." His aide pointed out that the Xiao family was clearly against them, and if they gained power, the Zhibei Delta troops would become their enemies.
The aide proposed a new plan to target Xiao Haishan, who was flying from the USA to Peking and then taking a special car back to Beixin on the fifth of the month, to prevent him from returning easily. Meanwhile, Xiao Shuyi, still heartbroken, posed for wedding photos holding a portrait of Shen Yanqing.
Xu Zijun, witnessing this, felt deep sadness but expressed that if it brought her happiness, he would wish her well, recognizing that Shen Yanqing was a spiritual sustenance and a faith for her, surpassing ordinary love. That night, Xiao Beichen received an urgent cipher telegram sent overnight from the intelligence office.
The message confirmed that Xiao Haishan, along with his twin sons Beiyi and Beiwang, had been killed when their special car was attacked on the road from Peking to Beixin, with no survivors. The next morning, newspapers carried reports of Commander Xiao's car being attacked. Madam Qi and Xiao Shuyi rushed to the East Camp in distress. Xiao Beichen, trying to maintain calm and protect them from the truth, dismissed the reports as "fictitious."
He claimed that his father, with Beiyi and Beiwang, had decided to stay in Peking for two days after the twins insisted on getting sugar-coated haws. He also mentioned that his father had telegraphed him that morning. He then urged Madam Qi to focus on preparing for Xiao Haishan's upcoming 60th birthday, calling it the "top priority," and ordered the unreliable newspapers to be shut down, ensuring support for the victims' families.
After Madam Qi and Xiao Shuyi left, visibly relieved, Xiao Beichen's composure shattered, and he collapsed in tears, grieving his father. Sato's men were baffled by the newspaper reports, as they had personally witnessed Xiao Haishan boarding the car. Sato suspected it was Xiao Beichen's "stalling tactic" to prevent disarray within the Ying Army.
He immediately dispatched an urgent telegram to their intelligence agency in Peking for verification and ordered close surveillance of the Xiao Family residence for any unusual activity. Xiao Beichen, having successfully concealed the news of his father's death, focused on stabilizing military morale and preventing any pro-Japanese factions from seizing the position of Commander-in-Chief. He engaged in numerous social engagements to present an image of normalcy. He planned to personally send a telegram to Cheng Ling, requesting his full mediation.
Meanwhile, Madam Qi happily immersed herself in preparations for the alleged 60th birthday celebration. Lin Hangjing overheard maids gossiping about the car accident and noticed the lack of newspaper deliveries and Xiao Beichen's absence from the villa. Yunyi reassured her, repeating Xiao Beichen's story of the false report and the telegram from Xiao Haishan confirming his and the young masters' safety, now busy preparing for the birthday. Despite the reassurances, Lin Hangjing felt an unsettling premonition.
Xiao Beichen returned to the Xiao residence, seeing the preparations for the birthday party. With a heavy heart, he informed Madam Qi that his father and the twins would return in ten days. Madam Qi expressed relief but observed his bloodshot eyes, which he attributed to fatigue.
