Love in Flames of War Episode 6 Recap
> Love in Flames of War Recap
Mo Weiyi and Xu Zijun dragged a reluctant Xiao Beichen to the Lingxi Lantern Festival. Mo Weiyi asked why he was so unhappy, reminding him it was boring to stay at home, but Xiao Beichen insisted he had been forced to come. Mo Weiyi then predicted Xiao Beichen was in luck today. Soon after, they spotted Lin Hangjing, and the two friends swiftly departed, saying they would leave the couple alone and wished Xiao Beichen "all the best."
Xiao Beichen and Lin Hangjing shared an awkward silence until Lin Hangjing suggested they visit a riddle stall. He readily agreed. At the stall, Lin Hangjing impressed Xiao Beichen by effortlessly solving two riddles. She then challenged him to solve one, remarking, "I've been the one solving these riddles. All right, it's your turn now." They then moved on to light Kongming lanterns.
Lin Hangjing commented on how efficacious Kongming lanterns were for wishes, to which Xiao Beichen added that it also required determination. She expressed her wish to reunite with her father soon, and when she asked for his wish, he stammered for a moment before finally saying he hoped the lantern would fly high enough for his mother in heaven to see it, and that one day, she would be proud of him.
After a countdown, they released their lanterns into the night sky. Lost in watching the lanterns ascend, Lin Hangjing stumbled and fell into Xiao Beichen's arms, their lips accidentally meeting. Flustered and blushing, Lin Hangjing hurried back to the Xiao Family residence, unable to sleep that night due to her agitated state. Xiao Beichen, too, found himself unable to sleep, but his sleeplessness was born of happiness.
The following day, Madam Qi observed Xiao Beichen intently gazing at Lin Hangjing and playfully remarked, "I saw a big dumb goose fly by," adding, "I assume that this wild goose must be gazing upon our blooming Malus." She then called Lin Hangjing over, explaining that Xiao Beichen was soon to depart for the military school in Xinping and asked for Lin Hangjing's help in motivating him to prevent any further trouble or upsetting Commander Xiao.
Xiao Beichen tried to interrupt, concerned about inconveniencing Lin Hangjing, but she promptly suggested, "why don't I give him a book? He can read it in his spare time." Madam Qi approved, and Xiao Beichen thanked her. In her room, Lin Hangjing presented her book collection. Xiao Beichen selected a small, charming poetry collection she had personally compiled.
When Lin Hangjing showed a moment of hesitation, Xiao Beichen challenged her, reminding her that she had told him to pick any book he liked and questioning if she now regretted it. Lin Hangjing then conceded, telling him, "If you really like it, you can have it, then," and he thanked her. On New Year's Eve, the Xiao Family gathered. Xiao Shuyi inquired about the fireworks.
Xiao Haishan, addressing Xiao Beichen, expressed doubt about his ability to endure the military school's hardships, saying, "I don't think you can withstand the hardships of military school." Xiao Beichen defiantly responded, "I could choose to stay. But since I'm going, I'll endure all the hardships awaiting me there," adding that he would never seek special treatment or leverage his father's name.
Xiao Haishan then proposed a bet, confidently stating, "I bet that in a month, you will run home in despair." Xiao Beichen accepted the wager. Madam Qi stepped forward as his guarantor, assuring everyone that he would "bring honor to our ancestors this time," and predicting that upon his return, "there will be double happiness in our family," casting a meaningful glance at Lin Hangjing.
Xiao Shuyi, however, misconstrued this remark, excitedly asking if it meant her wedding to Young Master Shen. Prompted by Madam Qi, Lin Hangjing raised her cup of tea, wishing Xiao Beichen "a brighter future, timely graduation, and an early family reunion." He graciously thanked her. As the family gathered in the courtyard to watch the fireworks, Xiao Beichen approached Lin Hangjing.
He playfully suggested she must be joyful now that she would finally "get to enjoy a quiet life after I leave." However, he quickly expressed his concern, wondering who would protect her if someone were to bother her in his absence. Lin Hangjing, in turn, thanked him but advised, "I think you should worry about your studies instead."
Xiao Beichen then asked her to care for Madam Qi, Xiao Shuyi, and the two children, as well as his two dogs, Maose and Hanyang, admitting they only listened to her. Lin Hangjing agreed to his requests. Before leaving, he looked at her and said, "Wait for my return." At that moment, Lin Hangjing recalled, she "couldn't understand the dismay in his eyes," and he "couldn't understand the confusion in my eyes."
Their next encounter would not be for another three years. After the New Year, Xiao Beichen reported to the military school, where he was unexpectedly joined by Xu Zijun and Mo Weiyi, whose fathers had also sent them there. Xu Zijun remarked, "We three are just inseparable." Mo Weiyi complained about the inability to leave, and Xu Zijun jokingly worried that Xiao Shuyi might find someone new.
When asked about Lin Hangjing, Xiao Beichen confidently dismissed any similar concerns, stating that with her personality, "if she loves someone, it's going to last forever." Their diverse group of new classmates included Ye Shengchang, a lecturer from Xiangming Medical College, and Kong Zuqing, a former Jin Army platoon leader who joined to learn actual fighting skills.
Then, a thirteen-year-old boy named Luo Dou appeared, explaining that his sister, a personal maid for Mr. Sun's third wife, had secured his admission. Xu Zijun playfully nicknamed him "Little Bean," assuring him that with the five of them as his "brothers," no one would dare to bully him. The headmaster soon arrived to introduce their drill sergeant, Du Heng, announcing that he would be their "responsibility drill sergeant" and that "all of you must obey his commands."
Du Heng immediately ordered them to unpack their luggage for inspection. During the inspection, he discovered ginseng among Xiao Beichen's belongings and sternly questioned, "Are you here to be a soldier or a young master?" He then confiscated all personal items. Xiao Beichen protested, asking, "Who are you to confiscate our personal items?" Du Heng retorted, "If you don't like it, pack your stuff and go home. Stand up straight if you don't want to go home."
All the confiscated items were then burned in front of them, much to Xiao Beichen's dismay, as he lamented the loss of his ginseng, cologne, and rackets. Next, their hair was uniformly cut short. Mo Weiyi complained about their appearance, to which Xiao Beichen responded he was no better, and Mo Weiyi jokingly vowed to "kill" Du Heng. Meanwhile, Lin Hangjing visited the Beixin Orphanage, where children enthusiastically showed her the many new items they had received.
She learned that Boss Jiu had not only purchased these gifts but also donated a substantial sum for the orphanage's construction. This information surprised Lin Hangjing, who remarked, "I didn't expect him to be such a righteous person." Back at the military school, the intense training regime began. Mo Weiyi and Xu Zijun complained about their drill sergeant, Du Heng, with Mo Weiyi stating, "Beichen and I hate Du Heng the most."
Xu Zijun added that Du Heng, despite being multitalented and living a healthy lifestyle, was "notoriously harsh," earning him the nickname "Crazy Du." Xiao Beichen approved of the moniker, declaring, "That's a cool name. I'll just call him Crazy Du," and vowed that they "must find a chance to set him straight." Luo Dou, the youngest dormmate, often took on the chore of washing everyone's clothes. Xiao Beichen told him to stop pampering the others, insisting, "Little Bean.
Next time, just let them be. They should do their own laundry." Luo Dou, however, smiled and replied, "Never mind, it's no trouble at all. I have nothing to do anyway. To me, such a simple task is considered a rest." Late one night, Du Heng blew his whistle, ordering, "Fifth term, third class. Everybody fall in!" He proceeded to rouse any sleeping cadets by splashing them with water, initiating a night training session.
When Xu Zijun finished last, Du Heng punished him, commanding, "You stay in the muddy water tonight," and warned that subsequent last-place finishers would face the same fate. Xiao Beichen stepped forward to protest on Xu Zijun's behalf, but Du Heng sharply rebuked him for speaking without permission and punished the entire class, ordering them to remain standing in the muddy water until his whistle sounded, forbidding them to move.
As they shivered, Mo Weiyi exclaimed, "Has Crazy Du gone insane? He's torturing us to death," and Xu Zijun suggested they drop out. But Xiao Beichen refused, asserting, "If we drop out now, we lose. Hang in there." The next day's training involved digging machine gun field fortifications, requiring precise measurements of ten meters long, three meters wide, and two meters deep, with Du Heng threatening to withhold food from anyone who failed.
Xiao Beichen stood defiant, prompting Du Heng to accuse him of "disregarding my orders" due to his "dissatisfied" attitude. Xiao Beichen then challenged Du Heng's authority, asking, "Do you know who established Xinping Military School? Do you have any idea who owns Beixin, Xinping, and Huyang? And do you know who you are dealing with?"
Du Heng acknowledged him as "Commander Xiao Haishan's eldest son" but firmly reminded him of the military school's rules: "I will treat all of you the same. No special privileges." He further added that as someone with "vested interest," Xiao Beichen "should appreciate it all the more." Xiao Beichen, however, retorted, "Drill Sergeant Du, that's why I'm advising you to exercise prudence, especially towards someone with a vested interest like me."
Du Heng, addressing him as "Third Young Master Xiao," noted his unrestrained life in Beixin and suggested he either didn't understand many things or chose not to. Xiao Beichen then challenged Du Heng to a wrestling match, proposing that if he lost, he would accept his punishment, but if Du Heng lost, he "must resign and never return to the military school." Du Heng accepted the challenge despite the concerns of Mo Weiyi and Xu Zijun.
Xiao Beichen, though clearly outmatched and repeatedly thrown to the ground, fiercely refused to admit defeat, stating, "I can lose, but I'll never admit defeat!" Impressed, Du Heng declared, "Good lad, you're a tough person. But you still lost today. I'll punish you to dig the field fortifications by yourself tomorrow."
Disappointed at not being able to thank him in person, Lin Hangjing went to Luminous Jade, only to be told by the Zhao Ban Master that Boss Jiu was not receiving guests and "has already left Beixin City." When she inquired about his return, the Ban Master said he was unsure. Lin Hangjing left, pondering, "I wonder who Boss Jiu is." Meanwhile, as Xiao Beichen toiled alone, digging field fortifications as punishment, Luo Dou brought him food.
Upon opening the meal, Xiao Beichen recoiled, asking, "What's that smell? The turnip is rancid. It's even oozing its juice! How is this edible?" He initially refused to eat it. Luo Dou then picked up the food and began to eat, telling Xiao Beichen, "You probably didn't know. But there are many people who can't even get to eat rotten food."
He shared his poignant story: his family, originally from the south, was torn apart by ongoing warlord conflicts, with his parents perishing while seeking food. He and his sister fled north, only to find war raging there too. With no other options, his sister sacrificed herself, selling herself as a maid to Mr. Sun's third wife "to keep me from starving" and secure his opportunity at military school. He recounted, "We even had to consume soil along the way.
If we were given such a dish and such a bun, we would have been so grateful." Luo Dou ate the spoiled food with contentment. Witnessing this, Xiao Beichen's heart softened. He eventually partook of the food, finding it "not too bad," and later, when feeling low, he would embrace Lin Hangjing's poetry collection to sleep. A letter arrived from Xiao Beichen.
Xiao Shuyi eagerly snatched it from Madam Qi, insisting, "No, I'm going to read it in my room" before dashing off. Madam Qi explained to Lin Hangjing that Xiao Shuyi had always been very close to Xiao Beichen, and this was his first letter from military school, hence her excitement. Madam Qi then shared the letter's contents, confirming that Xiao Beichen was doing well and had sent his regards to the family.
She then added, "He also asked about you," detailing that he inquired about Lin Hangjing's studies, diet, lifestyle, and health. Madam Qi praised him, saying, "I knew that he just appears to be a naughty and unruly youth. But deep down, he's gentle and considerate." Finally, Madam Qi asked Lin Hangjing to help pack some clothes from Xiao Beichen's room to be sent to him at the school.
