Love in Flames of War Episode 9 Recap
> Love in Flames of War Recap
Mu Zizheng was walking Lin Hangjing home when a sudden downpour forced them to take shelter. Lin Hangjing mentioned that it was fine if she returned to the Xiao family later, as there were many people there to welcome Xiao Beichen. She expressed her dedication to the newspaper, stating that her father would be released in six months, and she would soon return south, so she wanted to do as much as possible for the paper before then.
Mu Zizheng congratulated her on her upcoming reunion with her father. He then hesitantly asked if she would consider staying for him. When Lin Hangjing remained silent, he quickly rephrased, asking if she would return to Beixin City after settling her father in the South. Lin Hangjing replied that she thought so.
Seeing the rain would not let up, Mu Zizheng went to a street vendor and bought an umbrella with his last few copper plates, handing it to her and urging her to go home so her family wouldn't worry. He assured her he would wait for the rain to stop. As Lin Hangjing walked away, Mu Zizheng stood alone, repeating his unspoken plea for her to stay. Back at the Xiao family residence, Lin Hangjing encountered Xiao Beichen.
Before they could speak much, Madam Qi arrived to summon them for dinner. She inquired about Lin Hangjing's late return, who cited the rain, and noted how much more heroic Xiao Beichen appeared. At the rare family reunion, a toast was raised to celebrate Xiao Beichen's victorious return and the family's togetherness. Madam Qi proudly mentioned a special Huso dauricus fish that Xiao Haishan had arranged to be transported from the Songhua River for Xiao Beichen.
Xiao Shuyi, Xiao Beichen's sister, commented on the strictness of military life, which Xiao Beichen confirmed was rooted in obedience to orders. Madam Qi then brought up marriage, noting that many local madams were eager to marry their daughters to Xiao Beichen, who was now a prominent figure in the military.
When Xiao Shuyi inappropriately mentioned Zheng Fengqi's childhood marriage arrangement with Xiao Beichen, Madam Qi quickly dismissed it as a youthful joke, emphasizing the numerous admirers Xiao Beichen now had. Xiao Beichen, however, stated he was not in a hurry to marry, much to Madam Qi's concern, who pointed out that Xiao Shuyi couldn't marry before him. The lively dinner continued with family banter.
Mu Zizheng met with Yong from the YMCA, where he was praised for his previous patriotic efforts. Yong then outlined their new mission: to confront local warlords who had forcibly conscripted over 300 tobacco factory workers to build barracks and allowed soldiers to abuse them. Mu Zizheng was outraged, calling it blatant atrocity. The YMCA in Dongping would lead a strike, and other local YMCAs were urged to use public opinion and newspapers to demand the workers' immediate release.
Mu Zizheng suggested the democratic Pioneer News for publication, and Yong assigned him to negotiate with the paper. Mu Zizheng, while assuring his identity would remain secret, expressed concern about Xiao Haishan's reaction to such articles. Yong, however, noted that Xiao Haishan had historically avoided aggressive warfare and never interfered with their previous actions, suggesting he might be different from other warlords. Xiao Haishan summoned Xiao Beichen to discuss the current political climate.
Xiao Beichen, now more mature, stated that the Ying Army's strength allowed them to become independent from Jin Cheng's command. He argued that Jin Cheng's neutrality wasn't out of loyalty, but caution. He reminded his father that while Xiao Haishan regarded Jin Cheng as a brother who once aided them when they ran out of ammunition and food, Jin Cheng did not reciprocate this sentiment.
Instead, Jin Cheng viewed the powerful Xiao family as a threat whose credit overshadowed his, and, influenced by Kang Jingxiong, had been suppressing the Ying Army for years with the aim of destroying them. Xiao Haishan adamantly refused to entertain such disloyalty, declaring he would never be ungrateful to a benefactor who enabled the Xiao family's rise. He then stressed that the immediate top priority was to transform the Ying Army into a united force of excellent quality.
Xiao Beichen, skeptical, muttered that achieving such unity and quality was easier said than done, but then dismissed his own words as drunken rambling. As Xiao Beichen prepared to leave, Xiao Haishan gave him a box of walnut sweet cakes, claiming it was an extra one originally meant for Beiyi and Beiwang. Xiao Beichen thanked him as "Commander," which visibly disappointed Xiao Haishan, who lamented his son's reluctance to call him "Dad."
Later, Madam Qi confided in Xiao Beichen that Xiao Haishan had personally sent someone to queue for four hours specifically to get those cakes for him. As Lin Hangjing was engrossed in drawing kites, Xiao Beichen unexpectedly appeared, startling her. He presented her with a Matryoshka doll. When she seemed unsure about it, he enthusiastically demonstrated how it worked, revealing the smaller dolls within.
However, he quickly grew self-conscious, mumbled that he "just bought it at the street stall" and it was "nothing special," then tried to leave, claiming he had "something else to do." Lin Hangjing stopped him, clarifying her gratitude was for his help with the Beixin Orphanage, revealing that she knew he was Boss Jiu.
She explained that she only learned his secret identity after he had already left for military school, but still wanted to thank him on behalf of the children. Feigning nonchalance, Xiao Beichen teasingly asked how she planned to thank him, suggesting she pledge to marry him. Seeing her shy reaction, he quickly dismissed it as a joke. Xiao Beichen, accompanied by Xu Zijun and Mo Weiyi, visited Luminous Jade, where Director Zhao enthusiastically welcomed them.
Xiao Beichen announced he would no longer be performing, having found a new path, marking a gorgeous curtain call for his stage career as Boss Jiu. Later, in a formal assembly, Xiao Haishan publicly appointed Xiao Beichen as the Commander of the First Legion of the Zhibei Border Defense Army, to be stationed at the East Camp. Praised as the backbone of the Ying Army, Xiao Beichen humbly accepted, acknowledging his junior status compared to the experienced uncles present.
He declared his intention to reorganize the former subordinates upon assuming command, aiming to address malpractice and bad habits and improve the training level and weaponry of the army. This pronouncement caused visible discontent among the veteran officers. Xiao Haishan, while affirming the need for reform, cautioned Xiao Beichen against undue suspicion and creating unnecessary trouble, emphasizing that unity was paramount for the Ying Army's cohesion.
In the following days, Xiao Beichen, with the help of Xu Zijun and Mo Weiyi, began arresting idle soldiers. Despite their thorough checks of veterans' communications, no anomalies were found. Xiao Beichen then shared his suspicions with his two trusted aides. He recalled the defective guns from Kang Jingxiong's underground arsenal during the Huyang Pass battle, noting that only someone powerful could have procured them within the Ying Army.
He also highlighted how their calls for reinforcements during the Fengcheng battle remained unanswered, implying a right-hand man of his father must have blocked the telegrams. These incidents led him to conclude that a mole, connected to Kang Jingxiong, was among them. He tasked Xu Zijun and Mo Weiyi with a meticulous, veteran-by-veteran investigation, stressing that even their own fathers were not exempt from scrutiny.
They agreed to proceed without discrimination, planning to start their investigation with Chief Sun's upcoming munitions shipment, while ensuring they did not act rashly and alert the enemy. At the Universal Emporium, Xiao Shuyi was shopping with her friends, who joked about her constant desire for new jewelry. Xu Zijun spotted her and eagerly offered to accompany her, but Xiao Shuyi, asserting her independence, rebuffed him.
Mo Weiyi then arrived, teasing Xu Zijun and criticizing Xiao Shuyi for indulging in self-admiration since she had no boyfriend. Annoyed, Xiao Shuyi left, with Xu Zijun following. Later, Xiao Beichen visited the Beixin Orphanage, explaining to Lin Hangjing that he was there as a friend of Boss Jiu to check on the children.
When Lin Hangjing needed to attend to matters with the teachers, she playfully challenged him to take over her class, recalling his earlier boast about handling any difficult task after being on the battlefield. Confidently, Xiao Beichen accepted, only to be quickly overwhelmed by the boisterous children. Upon her return, Lin Hangjing found him awkwardly struggling with washing diapers, and lightheartedly reminded him of his earlier boasts.
She then shared her philosophy: everyone has their own duties, and for him, focusing on every battle and defending every city was the greatest contribution he could make to the children. Several times, Xiao Beichen tried to confess his feelings to Lin Hangjing, but each time, he faltered and couldn't find the words. Mu Zizheng faced hardship as his kite shop's business declined, forcing him to seek credit for his mother's medicine at the pharmacy.
The owner tried to offer cheaper alternatives, but Mu Zizheng firmly insisted on the prescribed medicine, promising to repay his debt. The owner, however, reiterated that he couldn't constantly provide charity. Meanwhile, Xu Zijun, consumed by unrequited love for Xiao Shuyi, became heavily intoxicated. He tearfully confessed his long-standing feelings, heartbroken that she loved someone else, and in his drunken state, lashed out at Xiao Beichen.
Despite the pain, Xu Zijun found solace in having expressed his true emotions, a sentiment Mo Weiyi pointedly conveyed to Xiao Beichen, urging him to vocalize his own unspoken feelings rather than keeping them "for a lifetime." Across town, Kang Jingxiong received a report from his adjutant about Xiao Beichen's aggressive reorganization of the East Camp.
The adjutant dismissed Xiao Beichen's actions as ill-considered, noting the widespread discontent among veteran generals and deeming him an "arrogant and stubborn" hothead with an unstable foundation. However, Kang Jingxiong, recalling Xiao Beichen's surprising victories in Huyang Pass and Fengcheng—the latter despite Kang's efforts to block reinforcements—remained wary. He suspected Xiao Beichen might be engaging in one thing under cover of another and ordered his men to keep an eye on him.
