The Guardians Recap, Plot, Synopsis
The Guardians Synopsis
In 1939, Shanghai intelligence agent Gu Yangshan abducted Joseph Lee, a blind cryptography expert and his former Oxford classmate, in an attempt to force him to abandon his work of developing cryptographic systems for the Japanese army. Ding Yi, a minor actor from the Chaosheng Theatre Troupe, had originally been hired by the fearful Joseph Lee to impersonate him but unexpectedly found himself caught up in the incident.
To sabotage the development of the cryptographic system, Gu Yangshan had no choice but to continue "employing" Ding Yi to pose as "Joseph Lee," while he himself took on the role of Ding Yi's assistant. The two successfully infiltrated the heavily guarded Japanese military institution after passing numerous tests. Throughout their mission, they constantly lived on the edge of death—not only did they have to undermine the Japanese army's cryptographic development, but they also had to avoid exposing the fact that Ding Yi was neither blind nor knew the first thing about cryptography.
The Guardians Recap
Episode 1 Recap
In mid-1940, as the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression reached a stalemate with battles raging on open fields, a covert war unfolded in the shadows. Here, Morse code dots and dashes became weapons, and cipher systems acted as shields. Both sides leveraged radio waves in aerial combat, with enemy defenses growing stronger while Chinese code-breakers drew closer to cracking them.
In Shanghai, at the Southeast Trading Company, a branch of the Mei Secret Service, Joseph Lee, a renowned cryptographer, was invited to lecture the Japanese. Though appearing blind, Joseph could see perfectly well. During the lecture, he explained how a seed key and a key derivation function could generate a key stream, which then applied a one-time pad rule for encryption, a type of symmetric algorithm.
When Kondo Saburo, a cipher officer, pressed him with a question, Joseph feigned a lack of English comprehension, then arrogantly delayed answering, dismissing the Japanese students as a waste of his time until the class ended. Section Chief Takeda, despite Joseph's disdain, promptly offered him double the payment, grateful that Joseph's encryption method had successfully evaded Chinese military reconnaissance. Takeda noted that the Chinese army in Northern Jiangsu was on the verge of total defeat, making Joseph's contribution invaluable.
Back in his hotel room, the man who had just lectured the Japanese, an actor named Ding Yi, removed his disguise and ceased feigning blindness. The real Joseph Lee was also present in the room. Ding Yi tried to discreetly pocket some of the double payment, but Joseph, who had deliberately omitted details from the day's lecture to provoke the Japanese, called him out. Joseph reasoned that the Japanese, believing Ding Yi's feigned dissatisfaction, had overpaid.
Ding Yi, realizing Joseph had orchestrated the situation, reluctantly handed over the extra money, complaining about the constant scheming. Joseph, meanwhile, felt confirmed that the enemy was stumped by his cipher system but found their slow reaction unsettling, sensing an unknown factor at play. Ding Yi, initially attempting to slip away through the window after changing clothes, decided to return to the hotel. As he knocked on the door, he heard a struggle inside.
When the door abruptly opened, he was pulled in by a man in black. Joseph lay unconscious, and Ding Yi was startled by a dark opening that he only briefly saw. After Ding Yi had first left, Gu Yangshan, an old acquaintance of Joseph's, had entered Joseph’s room.
Gu recognized Joseph's specific expertise in stream ciphers and XOR operations from their past academic interactions, and knowing Joseph had studied at Oxford, he believed Joseph was the designer of the Mei Secret Service's new, unbreakable cipher. He confronted Joseph, revealing that many lives were being lost on the Northern Jiangsu front due to the Japanese's new cipher.
Joseph, however, was indifferent to the human cost, seeing it as their personal "battlefield" and only cared if Gu Yangshan had managed to crack his code. He accused Gu of trying to "blackmail" him with "unrelated individuals' lives." Joseph revealed his deep-seated resentment towards Gu, who had eclipsed his career at Oxford by cracking his encryption model, leading to the International Mathematicians Association withdrawing his invitation and plunging him from academic heights into obscurity.
Joseph confessed that a brain tumor had pressed on his optic nerve, causing his blindness just as he completed his masterpiece cipher to defeat Gu. He vowed to be Gu's eternal enemy, refusing to serve anyone else, asserting that his cipher would be Gu's lifelong nightmare. As Ding Yi knocked, Joseph, in a fit of rage, lunged at Gu with a small knife, forcing Gu to knock him unconscious. Ding Yi, terrified, confessed he was just an actor.
Gu, claiming to be from the Anti-Traitor Squad, injected Ding Yi with a neurotoxin from his cufflink, warning him that he would die in six hours without an antidote, which he would only receive if he helped. Moments later, Section Chief Takeda and Kondo Saburo arrived at the room to offer their apologies.
Ding Yi, improvising, introduced Gu as "Charlie," his new assistant recently returned from the UK and suffering from jet lag, explaining why "Charlie" almost let the Japanese guards carry Joseph’s suitcase, which contained the real Joseph. The two quickly left the hotel in a car, with Ding Yi desperately pleading for the antidote. Gu, however, noticed they were being followed by Kondo's men and prioritized their escape.
Gu drove them to the Chaosheng Theatre, where Ding Yi, thinking it was safe, led them and the suitcase into the backstage props storage. Their hopes for safety were dashed when theatre staff arrived to move props, and the Japanese pursuers closed in. They hid in a cabinet, but Ding Yi's cane was left outside, and Gu's blood from an earlier injury attracted the Japanese's attention. Inside the cabinet, Joseph regained consciousness.
Gu reiterated his invitation to Joseph to join the resistance, emphasizing that the national crisis was no time for personal vendettas. Joseph, however, remained resolute, expressing his lifelong desire to defeat Gu. Their argument escalated into a struggle, during which Joseph lunged for Gu's gun, resulting in Joseph being accidentally shot. With his dying breath, Joseph told Gu that his cipher would become Gu's "lifelong nightmare."
As Section Chief Takeda and his men arrived at the theatre, Xian Biyun, the leader of the Chaosheng Troupe, confronted them. Unaware of Gu Yangshan's identity or the full situation, she firmly declared that she would not let a few "uninvited guests" disrupt her theatre.
Asserting the sanctity of the Public Concession and her connections with William, a director at the Municipal Council, Xian Biyun orchestrated a frantic prop change, ingeniously hiding Ding Yi, Gu Yangshan, and Joseph’s body inside a large stage tree. The disguised prop was then moved onto the stage as the next act began, successfully concealing them from Takeda and his searching men.
Episode 2 Recap
Xian Biyun, who maintains connections within the Municipal Council, navigates the Public Concession with ease. As the play commenced, Ding Yi and Gu Yangshan, concealed within a prop tree on stage, held their breath. An actor accidentally noticed the two hiding. Gu Yangshan and Ding Yi quickly threatened him to continue the performance and not expose them. However, blood from Gu Yangshan's wound continued to flow, eventually dripping outside the tree.
Ding Yi silently pleaded with the actor on stage for cover. The actor, improvising, altered the script to include a fight scene, stabbing a prop to create a splash of "blood" that effectively concealed Gu Yangshan's real bloodstains. After the curtain call, Takeda Eisho led his men backstage. He had previously arrived at the Chaosheng Troupe, where Xian Biyun greeted him and other Municipal Council officials.
Takeda hinted at the Empire of Japan eventually taking over the Public Concession, hoping for Xian Biyun's continued kindness. Xian Biyun playfully dismissed the notion, suggesting that in the Concession, luck is fickle, and one must always have backup, just like a play needs understudies. She added that if there's food, everyone should eat. Takeda's search had yielded nothing, and the car Gu Yangshan and Ding Yi used was already gone.
The prop tree was then wheeled back to the props room. Inside the props room, Gu Yangshan attempted to apologize to the actor, Long Er, for threatening him with a gun. But Hongyu, furious at the trouble Gu Yangshan had brought upon the troupe, struck him with a gun, knocking him unconscious. Xian Biyun confiscated Gu Yangshan's pistol and ordered the disposal of Joseph Lee's body later that night, ensuring no one would see.
She then instructed her staff to tie up Gu Yangshan and Ding Yi and confine them in the basement, stating she would interrogate them once the immediate crisis was handled. Waking up in the basement, Ding Yi, his hands and feet numb, desperately demanded the antidote from Gu Yangshan, believing he had been poisoned. Gu Yangshan revealed his trick, admitting it was merely a cufflink and he was just trying to scare Ding Yi.
Gu Yangshan then requested Hongyu to make a phone call, asking her to arrange for a British passport entry record for "Charlie Gu" (his alias) at customs before dawn. He emphasized the urgency, warning that if the record wasn't created, the Japanese, having been told by Ding Yi (impersonating Joseph Lee) that Gu Yangshan (under the alias 'Charlie Gu') was Joseph Lee's recently returned assistant, would uncover the deception. Hongyu, concerned, rushed to Xian Biyun’s office.
Despite Mr. Wu’s (her elder) reminders to knock, she explained Gu Yangshan's urgent request for the passport. Xian Biyun, after a moment of consideration, agreed, and the call was made to Changze Shipyard. Back in the basement, Ding Yi, famished, struggled to eat a bun. Gu Yangshan observed Ding Yi's vastly different demeanor compared to his polished performance as Joseph Lee. Gu Yangshan then proposed that Ding Yi continue impersonating Joseph Lee for double the pay.
He explained the severe consequences if the Japanese discovered the real Joseph Lee was dead and the fake one was within the Chaosheng Troupe. Ding Yi initially refused to play a "traitor," but Gu Yangshan argued that by helping him, Ding Yi would be aiding the Anti-Traitor Squad. Overhearing their conversation, Xian Biyun untied Ding Yi and ordered him out, choosing to question Gu Yangshan alone. Gu Yangshan effortlessly freed himself from his restraints.
He then asked Xian Biyun how she had managed to dispose of the body and the car. Xian Biyun explained that the Japanese, suspicious of a large box being moved from the theatre, pursued it, only to find it contained theatrical costumes. This distraction allowed her to secretly remove Joseph's body. She pointed out that in such turbulent times, one needs to be resourceful to survive.
Gu Yangshan, impressed by her capabilities, introduced himself as Gu Yangshan, recently returned from abroad. He identified the deceased as Joseph Lee, his former classmate, and explained that Joseph had refused to cooperate with them and died during a transfer. He then reiterated his desire to cooperate with Xian Biyun, suggesting Joseph Lee was a traitor, and left, accompanied by an agent from Changze Shipyard. Meanwhile, the members of the Chaosheng Troupe gathered for a meal, a close-knit family.
Ding Yi, having learned from Gu Yangshan that Joseph Lee was a traitor, was visibly upset and clarified to others that he was merely hired to teach mathematics to Japanese businessmen, unaware of Joseph Lee's true loyalties or the nature of the Japanese organization. He apologized profusely to Xian Biyun for the trouble he had caused.
Long Er, however, reprimanded Ding Yi, revealing that the "Japanese businessmen" were in fact agents from the Japanese Mei Agency, and Takeda Eisho was the head of their Cipher Section. He stressed that Ding Yi's actions had nearly cost the lives of everyone in the troupe. Recognizing the immense danger Ding Yi's presence posed to the troupe, Xian Biyun decided he had to leave.
She instructed Long Er to take Ding Yi to the train station and send him to Baimahu to be with his mother, also providing money for his mother. Despite Ding Yi's heartfelt pleas and offers to stay hidden, Xian Biyun remained firm, believing his continued presence would only lead to greater trouble. Long Er escorted a reluctant Ding Yi away.
Gu Yangshan returned to the BIS intelligence station, located within the Xinfu Flour Company, where he met Luo Han, a commissioner sent from Chongqing by Director Dai. Luo Han expressed his anger over Joseph Lee's death, emphasizing the critical importance of Joseph Lee's uncrackable cipher, which had caused many deaths on the front lines. Gu Yangshan presented his audacious plan: instead of trying to decrypt the cipher, they would make the Japanese change it.
He proposed using Ding Yi to impersonate Joseph Lee and convince Takeda that the cipher had been compromised, forcing them to implement a new system. Gu Yangshan argued that since the real Joseph Lee was a recluse who rarely appeared in public, many already believed Ding Yi was Joseph Lee, making the deception plausible.
Cao Yuanzhong, the Acting Chief of the Shanghai BIS, supported the plan, viewing Ding Yi as mere "cannon fodder" whose loss would be negligible if the plan failed, but whose success could be a game-changer. Gu Yangshan had investigated Xian Biyun thoroughly. She had started as a maid at sixteen and rose to become a renowned actress in Shanghai before surprisingly retiring at her peak to establish the Chaosheng Troupe.
His subordinates found no clear patterns in her past film investors and noted that the troupe sustained itself purely through ticket sales, indicating no overt external backing. They explained that searching the theatre was impossible due to its location in the Public Concession and Xian Biyun's extensive network within the Municipal Council, with many foreign dignitaries attending her shows, which was why Takeda hadn't dared to disrupt her performance earlier.
Deciding against a forceful approach, Gu Yangshan resolved to find a "softer" way to gain her cooperation, speculating that despite her strong front, a woman responsible for over twenty people must have her own vulnerabilities. Xian Biyun, looking at an encore performance poster for the troupe, then stated, "I've got a plan. Help me find some people."
Episode 3 Recap
Long Er forcibly placed Ding Yi in the car, as Ding Yi vehemently protested, refusing to leave the troupe. Ding Yi screamed at Long Er to put him down, but Long Er simply retorted that soon he wouldn't have a voice left, glad that Ms. Xian had finally gotten rid of him and there would be no one to steal roles from him. Meanwhile, Gu Yangshan had rented the Maxin Troupe's venue with a substantial amount of gold.
The Maxin Troupe then provoked the Chaosheng Troupe by posting their performance posters, featuring "A Midsummer Night's Dream" for the same night, on Chaosheng Troupe's bulletin board. This led to a large number of audience members demanding ticket refunds from Chaosheng Troupe. Inside, Xian Biyun was anxiously tallying numbers, a clear sign the troupe was low on funds, and worried about how they would survive this "internal and external trouble."
Gu Yangshan appeared and presented Xian Biyun with a theater deed, stating it was merely his way of repaying her kindness for saving his life. Xian Biyun recognized his intent, saying he wanted Ding Yi, but she refused to hand over anyone under her care to a dangerous man.
Gu Yangshan then offered ten boxes of sulfa as a further token of gratitude, remarking on its scarcity on the black market and how resourceful Xian Biyun seemed to be with such information. He insisted these were personal thanks, but reiterated his desire for Ding Yi, adding that Xian Biyun could name any condition if she handed Ding Yi over.
Xian Biyun declared she couldn't make that decision for Ding Yi, as he wasn't her property, and told Gu Yangshan to discuss it directly with Ding Yi. Gu Yangshan agreed, stating that once Ding Yi left Chaosheng Troupe's doors, the matter would be between them, and he expected Xian Biyun to keep her word. Xian Biyun initially tried to return the sulfa, but Gu Yangshan left it with her.
Shortly after, Long Er rushed back to Xian Biyun, reporting that four masked men in suits had ambushed him just outside the city and taken Ding Yi. Xian Biyun immediately realized it was Gu Yangshan's doing. Xian Biyun, an underground Communist Party member, then went to the Rose Barber Shop to meet Comrade Xiao, also an underground Communist Party member. She informed him about Ding Yi's abduction by Gu Yangshan.
Comrade Xiao told her that Gu Yangshan was the son of Gu Zhengze, the deputy commander of the Chongqing Garrison Command, and worked for the BIS Shanghai Bureau. He had kidnapped Ding Yi to force him to continue impersonating Joseph Lee, aiming to find a breakthrough in decrypting the mysterious Japanese code being used in the Northern Jiangsu battlefield. Xian Biyun expressed concern that such an operation was too dangerous for Ding Yi.
Gu Yangshan tried to persuade Ding Yi, offering him five gold bars to play Joseph Lee. Ding Yi flatly refused, stating that he wouldn't do it even for ten gold bars, fearing he would die before he could spend the money. He also complained to Luo Han, whom he referred to as "leader," that Gu Yangshan, a member of the Anti-Traitor Squad, was harassing an ordinary citizen like him.
Ding Yi recounted how he had just saved Gu Yangshan's life, only for Gu Yangshan to repay kindness with enmity by tying him up and trying to force him into a suicide mission. He insisted he was a coward and would easily reveal everything under Japanese torture, even with just two slaps, begging to be released so he could return to his mother in his hometown, who depended on him.
Luo Han initially doubted Ding Yi's suitability, but Gu Yangshan requested six hours to convince him. Chief Cao, the head of the Shanghai Bureau, intervened, agreeing to give Gu Yangshan the time. He privately told Luo Han that the Gu family was a powerful clan in the Shanghai area, even Chairman Chiang owed them favors. Chief Cao suggested that if the mission failed, Gu Yangshan would take the fall, protecting the Shanghai Bureau from repercussions.
Luo Han criticized Chief Cao's approach, but Chief Cao dismissed it, saying that at his age, "social connections are more important than getting things done." Gu Yangshan confronted Ding Yi, asking if he truly believed he could return to his carefree life on stage. He pointed out that Ding Yi, a Northeasterner, fled to Shanghai after the September 18th Incident, but with North China fallen and Shanghai besieged, the Japanese would soon enter the concessions, leaving nowhere to run.
Ding Yi argued that common people had nothing to do with the war, blaming the Northeastern Army's officers for abandoning resistance and using civilians as shields. He angrily questioned Chairman Chiang's whereabouts, accusing him of fleeing to Chongqing and expecting common people to take bullets for him. Gu Yangshan agreed that Ding Yi's point about his own privileged background was valid; his father, Gu Zhengze, was a high-ranking official who could dine with Chairman Chiang.
However, Gu Yangshan countered that if everyone thought this way, the country would soon be destroyed. He explained that by previously teaching the Japanese for Joseph Lee, Ding Yi had effectively opened the city gates for the enemy and turned his blade against his own compatriots. Ding Yi adamantly denied this, proclaiming himself merely an actor trying to survive for his mother, who was waiting for him in Baimahu.
Gu Yangshan then revealed his family motto: "Take the lead in battle," vowing to always stand in front of Ding Yi, no matter the danger. Ding Yi, however, muttered his own "motto": "Of the 36 Stratagems, running is the best." Meanwhile, Luo Han reported to Gu Yangshan that Joseph Lee's assistant, Charlie Gu, who held a British passport, had entered four days prior, and his record was verified as genuine.
Joseph Lee's car was found parked at Director William's Residence in the Municipal Council, a British territory where they couldn't easily search, so it was under surveillance. It was noted that Joseph Lee's behavior was abnormal; for the past two months, he rarely left his room, making his sudden visit to Director William's Residence highly suspicious.
Ding Yi, left alone in his room, defiantly drank all of Gu Yangshan's wine, declaring he would "deal with it" and see who could outlast the other. Suddenly, a radio broadcast announced a fierce Japanese offensive in Northern Jiangsu and Northern Anhui, with three columns of troops encircling Baimahu. The villagers were mobilizing for armed resistance. Hearing the name "Baimahu," Ding Yi instantly sobered up, remembering his mother was there.
He frantically pounded on the door, begging Gu Yangshan to let him go back to Baimahu to save her. Gu Yangshan emerged, explaining that Baimahu would not last 72 hours under the current circumstances. He reiterated that sending reinforcements without understanding the Japanese operational plans would be futile; the most crucial task was to replace the enemy's operational code to gain intelligence and turn the tide, which was the only way to save Baimahu and his mother.
Ding Yi, realizing the gravity of the situation and with his mother's life at stake, reluctantly agreed to Gu Yangshan's terms. Gu Yangshan then began a more in-depth training session for Ding Yi. He offered Ding Yi a bowl of noodles, but Ding Yi, fully committing to his role, refused, declaring, "I, Joseph Lee, never eat this kind of thing."
He then demonstrated his knowledge of Go, explaining how Joseph Lee had trained him for a month to play at Takeda's level. Luo Han, observing from a distance, was impressed, remarking that Gu Yangshan had found a "good helper." Ding Yi, eager to proceed, mentioned that Joseph Lee had already taught him Morse code and suggested moving on to more advanced topics.
Gu Yangshan agreed, explaining the intricate process of encrypting and transmitting messages using codebooks, cipher officers, telegraphers, receiving operators, and decryptors. He clarified that stealing the codebook was nearly impossible due to its immense value, but they could still crack the code by comparing ciphertexts and existing intelligence to find patterns, especially if the numbers corresponding to a message were not fixed.
Meanwhile, the organization had approved Xian Biyun's request to stay and support Ding Yi, recognizing that cracking Joseph Lee's code would greatly benefit the overall war effort. Comrade Xiao instructed her to protect Ding Yi's safety but emphasized that she must not reveal her true identity. In the Japanese camp, a codebreaker named Kondo expressed his suspicions to Mr. Takeda about Joseph Lee.
Kondo noted that Joseph Lee always claimed an eye condition as an excuse to take his calculations back to his hotel suite, never performing them on-site. Kondo suspected the eye condition was merely a cover, as the coefficients of the key derivation function consistently remained the same. He believed Joseph Lee's hotel suite harbored an important secret.
Episode 4 Recap
Joseph Lee's cryptographic system, an extremely complex one-time pad that uses intricate functions to encrypt information, made it nearly impossible to decipher simply by intercepting existing messages. The immense computational demands of this system required a large pool of trained cipher specialists. Ding Yi, leveraging his exceptional memory, asserted to Takeda Eisho that he had already mastered the core algorithm and held the key, guaranteeing the system's continued operation even without Joseph Lee.
Gu Yangshan then briefed Ding Yi on his next mission: during his upcoming class at the MSS, he was to inform Takeda Eisho that the cipher system he had designed had been compromised and that he no longer wished to work for the Japanese. Ding Yi was skeptical, believing the Japanese wouldn't readily accept such a story. Gu Yangshan, however, assured him that they would orchestrate an operation to lend credibility to his claims.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Luo expressed concern about the cipher's security if Joseph Lee were indeed an enemy spy, especially given that the new algorithm he provided had significantly aided their efforts in northern Jiangsu. Luo ordered a discreet search of Joseph Lee's room at the Metropolitan Hotel and tighter surveillance on William's Residence, noting the difficulty of penetrating the British Director's territory but hinting at a potential solution. Gu Yangshan questioned Ding Yi about his flawless memorization skills.
Ding Yi, proud of his "people skills, mimicry, and great memory," explained he simply memorized the correct solutions Joseph Lee presented. To test this, Gu Yangshan gave Ding Yi a thick book of problems. Ding Yi confidently stated he could memorize and write them all down within a few hours. After Ding Yi successfully completed the task, Gu Yangshan was impressed, realizing Joseph Lee had chosen the right person.
He advised Ding Yi to slow down his writing to appear as if he was thinking, but Ding Yi retorted that true genius doesn't require such deliberation. Soon after, Xian Biyun arrived, requesting to see Gu Yangshan. At Maxin Theatre, she reminisced about her past desire to rent the venue, a dream thwarted by her limited funds. She astutely deduced that Gu Yangshan was hiding Ding Yi there, describing Ding Yi as a "ticking time bomb" in Shanghai.
Gu Yangshan, in a gesture of gratitude for her insight, offered her the use of Maxin Theatre for three days. Xian Biyun then revealed that Mrs. William had invited her to a farewell banquet at William's Residence that evening and, critically, that Japanese spies had already observed Joseph Lee's car there. Gu Yangshan immediately grasped the urgency and assured her that Joseph Lee would be present at the banquet.
He asked Xian Biyun to persuade Mrs. William to corroborate the story that Joseph Lee had been a guest at their home. Xian Biyun, however, merely stated that her informing him was "kind enough." When asked what he could do for her, she simply instructed him to "take good care of Ding Yi," and promised to pick them up at six o'clock.
Gu Yangshan then informed Ding Yi that the plan had changed: Takeda Eisho was sending Japanese agents to the banquet to verify Joseph Lee's presence, making Ding Yi's attendance mandatory. He emphasized that this event would demand more than mere memorization; tonight, Ding Yi had to truly "become" Joseph Lee, as the real challenge was beginning ahead of schedule.
With only seven hours remaining until the banquet, Gu Yangshan began transforming Ding Yi into the image of a sophisticated, British-educated Joseph Lee. This involved a bespoke suit fitting, during which Gu Yangshan meticulously taught Ding Yi the proper way to wear a tuxedo, including leaving the front button unfastened and ensuring no shirt showed between the vest and trousers. He noted Ding Yi's natural resemblance to Joseph Lee but stressed that appearance alone was insufficient.
Gu Yangshan then presented Ding Yi with a pair of genuine cufflinks, explaining that Joseph Lee had coveted membership in the International Mathematicians Association and had worn imitations, while his own were authentic. Ding Yi, surprised by this detail, remarked on the "vanity" of intellectuals, a comment Gu Yangshan swiftly corrected. Additionally, the importance of facial grooming was highlighted. With less than three hours to spare, Gu Yangshan focused on teaching Ding Yi table etiquette.
He corrected Ding Yi on how to use a napkin, demonstrating it should be folded and placed on the lap, not used as a bib. He further instructed Ding Yi never to serve himself. For their meal, Gu Yangshan ordered Angus ribeye, precisely 150 grams, to mimic Joseph Lee's specific dining habit.
Ding Yi found the portion extravagant and was visibly repulsed by the rare, bloody meat, refusing to eat it due to fear of stomach upset and asking for French escargot instead, as it had no blood. Shortly before the banquet, Xian Biyun arrived to pick them up, only to find Ding Yi thoroughly intoxicated.
Gu Yangshan explained that he had initially tried to get Ding Yi just one glass of wine to avoid awkwardness, but Ding Yi, eager to prove his superior alcohol tolerance and encouraged by another individual, had consumed an entire bottle. Xian Biyun, seeing Ding Yi's state, was alarmed and suggested canceling the operation, fearing he would betray their secrets. Gu Yangshan, however, insisted it was too late to back out, as Mrs. William's crucial cooperation was hard-won.
In his drunken stupor, Ding Yi mistook Xian Biyun for "Juliet," affectionately addressing her and reminding her to keep safe the rose he had given her. Upon their arrival at William's Residence, Xian Biyun was welcomed by Mrs. William's servant and apologized to Mrs. William for her late arrival, an apology graciously accepted. As Xian Biyun went to speak with Mrs. William, she sternly warned Gu Yangshan to closely supervise Ding Yi to prevent any mishaps.
Gu Yangshan then roused a nauseous but less dizzy Ding Yi. Just before entering the hall, Ding Yi realized he didn't have Joseph Lee's specific glasses, to which Gu Yangshan clarified he had given Ding Yi his "own" glasses, which Ding Yi put on. As Gu Yangshan and Ding Yi entered the banquet hall, Gu Yangshan spotted Meng Jie accompanied by two Japanese men, Kobayashi and Kondo Saburo.
He realized that Meng Mingyi, Meng Jie’s father and the Deputy Director of the Health Agency, had become a collaborator. Gu Yangshan noted that Meng Jie appeared nervous, suggesting she was being coerced. Ding Yi, feeling increasingly ill from the alcohol and the sight of raw snails, complained about being on the verge of vomiting. Gu Yangshan urged him to hold on until Kondo Saburo and Kobayashi noticed Joseph Lee.
As Kondo Saburo approached, Gu Yangshan quickly escorted Meng Jie away to prevent her from accidentally revealing their identity. Unable to hold back, Ding Yi unfortunately vomited in front of Kondo Saburo. Kondo Saburo, already suspicious, then led Ding Yi towards the restroom, deliberately testing his "eye problem" along the way. Ding Yi cleverly feigned a stumble to maintain his blind facade. Meanwhile, Xian Biyun encountered her former movie-making friend, Ye Yin, at the banquet.
Ye Yin discussed her husband's mistreatment by the BIS and his subsequent support for Chairman Wang's peace movement, and also hinted at some information she heard from Director William that might interest Chairman Wang. Xian Biyun, however, deferred the conversation. In the restroom, Kondo Saburo continued his tests, first asking for a towel that was directly in front of a "blind" Ding Yi, then pointedly asking if "Mr. Lee" liked eating snails, a question Ding Yi answered with visceral disgust.
He then threw a cake on the floor to see Ding Yi's reaction. Ding Yi responded by stumbling over it. Unsatisfied, Kondo Saburo then took off his own suit, draped it over Ding Yi's, and challenged him to pick out his own suit. Kondo Saburo asserted that a truly blind person would either take the top suit or feel from the top down. However, Ding Yi accurately and swiftly retrieved his own suit from underneath.
This prompted Kondo Saburo to draw a pistol, accusing Ding Yi of faking his blindness. Gu Yangshan intervened, reminding Kondo Saburo that Joseph Lee was Takeda Eisho's guest, but Kondo declared Ding Yi an enemy. Undeterred, Ding Yi challenged Kondo Saburo, calling his accusation "barbaric" and "ridiculous" for trying to kill him over picking the right suit. He claimed any gentleman could distinguish two suits without sight, "except for you," and offered to prove it using Kondo's suit.
Ding Yi then meticulously explained that a bespoke suit's fabric and weave are its "face." He elaborated that his suit was uniquely hand-stitched with a wool lining, perfect for Shanghai's unique weather, allowing him to recognize it by touch. In contrast, Kondo's suit had no lining.
When Kondo Saburo countered that Ding Yi hadn't touched the suits but had grabbed his directly, Ding Yi agreed, revealing he identified his suit instantly by a distinct, mended hole on its lapel, a subtle detail he felt immediately. Ding Yi then gave a detailed historical and technical explanation of the boutonnière, or "flower hole," on a suit lapel, noting his tailor's unique, world-exclusive stitching method.
He sarcastically suggested that Kondo's suit might also have been made by his tailor, implying he should have taken more time to "feel" for a boutonnière. Defeated, Kondo Saburo admitted his suit had no boutonnière. At that moment, Mrs. William appeared, chastising Kondo Saburo for his aggressive behavior and demanding to know who allowed Japanese individuals to bring weapons into her residence. She apologized to Mr. Lee, but informed him that Takeda Eisho wished to see him.
