Siege in Fog Episode 18 Recap
> Siege in Fog Recap
In a field of vibrant flowers, Pan Jianchi was flying a kite, joyfully anticipating Qin Sang’s arrival. His smile, however, faltered when Tian Shu unexpectedly appeared. Pan Jianchi, without defending himself, stated that since he had chosen to become a deserter, he would accept any punishment from the organization. His only request before dying was to see his beloved.
Tian Shu sternly replied that a betrayer had no right to make demands and handed Pan Jianchi a pistol, instructing him to take his own life. Pan Jianchi, with a heavy heart, slowly raised the gun to his head and pulled the trigger, only to find it was empty. Tian Shu then revealed that sparing Pan Jianchi was a warning. He explained that Pan Jianchi had joined the revolution out of hatred but was now disobeying orders out of love.
Tian Shu refused to kill someone with deep emotions, as such feelings are a driving force for dreams, whether it be love for people, the world, or freedom. He expressed hope that Pan Jianchi would transform his personal affection into a greater love, extending the same spirit to all people. Tian Shu confessed that he had already informed their comrades that Pan Jianchi was in Yongnan on an important mission, not as a deserter.
He then presented Pan Jianchi with a choice: to flee with the woman he loved or to join him in saving the world. Pan Jianchi decisively chose to save the world. Shortly after, Qin Sang arrived at the flower field with her luggage. Spotting the kite hanging from a tree, she sat dejectedly on her suitcase, tears welling in her eyes. Footsteps approached, and she turned hopefully, only to be disappointed when she saw Yi Liankai.
He claimed to have followed her out of concern that she might get lost. Struggling, he climbed the tree, intending to retrieve the kite and reattach its string to ease her sadness. During his attempt, Yi Liankai accidentally fell. Qin Sang then tore the kite apart, explaining that if something could never be truly free, it was better to destroy it and sever all ties to the past.
Yi Liankai, observing her, mused about the beauty of a field of fire replacing flowers, mirroring her current expression. On the street, Tian Shu and Pan Jianchi found themselves encircled by a group of individuals in black, carrying black umbrellas. Tian Shu unfurled his own umbrella and recited a verse, to which the men responded in unison, much to Pan Jianchi's surprise.
Tian Shu then introduced Pan Jianchi as the lead commander for an important mission in Yongnan, these men being his subordinates. He explained that Yi Jipei had sent Yi Liankai to meet Old Mr. Cheng, a former imperial scholar and prominent businessman. Tian Shu warned that if warlords and capitalists combined forces, creating a "heaven for violence and money" in Jiangzuo, it would plunge the common people into hell.
The Tian Meng Association would never permit such an outcome, and thus, they were embarking on a full-scale revolution in Yongnan. Back in the flower field, Qin Sang confronted Yi Liankai, questioning why he had followed her when he claimed to be letting her go. Yi Liankai admitted he knew she had come to meet another man and still held feelings for him. He asserted that this man, who had abandoned her, was not worthy of her love.
Yi Liankai revealed that he had originally intended to help them escape if the man had shown up, even personally assisting them in going abroad. However, seeing Qin Sang alone, he urged her to forget the man. Qin Sang asked if he wished to know the man’s name, but Yi Liankai refused, fearing he would go mad upon hearing it. He confessed his intense jealousy, angered that Qin Sang still deeply loved someone who had hurt her.
His suppressed fury erupted as he grabbed her hands, demanding if she had ever considered his feelings while consumed by thoughts of another. He lamented his constant anguish, seeing her hesitation, reluctance, and longing, none of which were for him. When he leaned in to kiss her, Qin Sang fiercely pushed him away and slapped him, then turned to leave. Yi Liankai pursued her, pulling her back and pinning her down in the flower field.
He accused her of using him and demanded to know if she had ever loved him over the years. He questioned why he should be gentle and thoughtful if she held no affection for him. Qin Sang retorted by asking if he had ever loved her. Yi Liankai, in a raw, desperate cry, affirmed that he had, he always had. Qin Sang expressed her astonishment, having believed he married her merely to conceal his feelings for Fan Yanyun.
Yi Liankai explained that her coldness over the past three years had prevented her from perceiving his love, as he had loved only her from the very beginning. He revealed that his mother had warned him that the first person to confess love becomes a slave, the lowest kind of servitude, willingly sacrificing their soul and being used. Qin Sang, deeply moved but still hurt, called herself foolish and questioned why he hadn't told her sooner.
She declared that if she had known, she would have held his heart securely, forcing him to avenge her instead of humbly begging him. Yi Liankai listened, visibly heartbroken. Meanwhile, Min Hongyu purchased oil tofu and visited her mother's grave. She apologized for her long absence, attributing it to her lack of achievements, but declared that she had returned to make "that person" repay everything owed to her and her mother, asking for her mother’s blessings from above.
Elsewhere, Yi Lianshen informed Fan Yanyun that his leave was ending soon, and he would return to the military. He reassured her not to worry despite the ongoing conflict. Fan Yanyun, noticing the scars on his back, lovingly questioned their origins. Yi Lianshen recounted tales of various wounds, including one from his early days in the army during a battle between Jiang Shuangxi and the Murong family, where a subordinate saved his life from a cannon attack.
He speculated that Murong Chen might have intentionally misdirected the attack to his tent to use his death as leverage against Yi Jipei. Fan Yanyun, disturbed by his scars, confessed her fear. Yi Lianshen dismissed it, stating that fear was not in the Yi family's lexicon, and he now viewed battle as a chess match, focused only on winning.
Fan Yanyun pledged to record every future scar in a notebook and nag him until he learned to value his own life as much as he loved her. Yi Lianshen promised to try his best. Separately, Murong Qian helped Yi Lianyi, who had fallen asleep in his wheelchair amidst paperwork, tidying his desk. Yi Lianyi, jealous of Yi Lianshen's vacation, felt he was the only one in the family constantly working.
Fan Yanyun then approached Huaixiu with a box containing her father’s Cheng army uniform, requesting that Huaixiu use its measurements to tailor a Fu army uniform. In another conversation, Yi Jipei told Yi Lianshen that he had extended his leave specifically for him to conceive a child with Fan Yanyun, emphasizing that there would be no more breaks for the next three years. After Yi Liankai's emotional confession, his interactions with Qin Sang remained strained.
The situation at Old Mr. Cheng's manor was also complex; Old Mr. Cheng intended to collaborate with Fu Rongcai, who, being a coward, planned to remain within the manor's protection until Yi Liankai departed. Old Mr. Cheng had even increased his guards, making any direct action against Fu Rongcai difficult. Since Fu Rongcai refused to leave, Qin Sang resolved to force his hand. She successfully bribed a servant in the Cheng manor to add ink to Fu Rongcai's tea.
Meanwhile, Old Mr. Cheng engaged Yi Liankai in conversation, reminiscing about Mr. Fan’s "bird"—a metaphor for a protégé whose wings were clipped and mouth tied, not to harm but to protect, allowing it to mature before taking flight. He lamented not having witnessed this "extraordinary thing" before Mr. Fan's death.
Yi Liankai corrected him, stating that his teacher had nurtured a "dragon" rather than a bird—a dragon hiding in a deep pool, awaiting its moment to awaken and bring forth change. Old Mr. Cheng, preferring directness over poetic allusions, dismissed Yi Liankai’s words and told him to leave. Yi Liankai understood that Old Mr. Cheng intended to abandon the Yi family alliance.
Accepting the decision, he nonetheless requested a favor: that Old Mr. Cheng instruct his son, Cheng Yunzhi, to assign guards to watch Qin Sang. Yi Liankai claimed to fear that Qin Sang, having previously discharged a gun in the manor, might cause further trouble, especially since he himself "dared not" keep her contained. Old Mr. Cheng agreed and ordered Cheng Yunzhi to send two guards. Later, Qin Sang saw Yi Liankai and Cheng Yunzhi approaching her room with two guards.
She deliberately smashed a cup. Upon entering, Yi Liankai loudly chastised her for her unruly behavior in their host’s home. However, upon seeing Cheng Yunzhi, Qin Sang quickly apologized, and Cheng Yunzhi, feeling awkward, promptly excused himself. Once alone, Qin Sang informed Yi Liankai that their plan was in motion, and it was now up to Fu Rongcai to take the bait.
Yi Liankai expressed skepticism, but Qin Sang predicted that Fu Rongcai would interpret their actions and Old Mr. Cheng's increased security as a concerted trap, a "catching the turtle in the jar" maneuver, forcing him to act rashly rather than wait patiently.
