The Justice Recap, Plot, Synopsis

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The Justice Synopsis

In the 1920s and 1930s Shanghai, Cheng Yizhi, who comes from a humble background, befriends a banker, Wu Zhifu, and his daughter, Lizi, by chance.

Since then, it was like being illuminated by a little light, igniting the ideal within him. He quit the store and entered the money industry, growing rapidly and becoming the most trusted person of the owner of the money shop, Mr. Huang.

Cheng Yizhi and Lizi married, but they found that the boss Huang who made the death of Wu Zhi Fu but also colluded with all the forces to build a huge black finance empire.

Knowing the truth, Cheng Yizhi resolutely chose the ideal belief and national righteousness and left Mr. Huang. Cheng Yizhi and Lizi used to be a fake couple, but they finally became soul mates after experiencing difficulties.

They defied the odds and created a new bank together. Cheng Yizhi supports the national industry with sincerity as if he was once illuminated. During the period, the bank was attacked by Mr. Huang and the Japanese, and even the bank nearly fell into the hands of the Japanese.

Eventually, with the help of the underground party, Cheng Yizhi and the industrialists united and joined hands to break through the barrier, doing their little power to benefit the people and the country.

The Justice Recap

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Episode 1 Recap

Cheng Yizhi, a young man from a humble background, worked diligently as a clerk at Chu's Dried Food Shop on Sima Road. He yearned to earn a fortune to change his circumstances. His boss, Mr. Chu, was so preoccupied with horse racing that he entrusted Cheng Yizhi with all the shop's affairs, from wholesale purchases and accounting to cleaning and handling transactions.

Cheng Yizhi demonstrated a keen understanding of the business, listing best-selling items like watermelon and sunflower seeds, preserved kumquats, and haw flakes, as well as less popular items like areca palm (due to health reports), and high-profit goods such as Almond Strip with Salty Cream from the French Firm. One day, after collecting debts, Cheng Yizhi stopped by his friend Xiaolingdang's clothing shop to pick up his mended clothes and thank her with some newly arrived haw cake.

Back at Chu's, Mr. Chu eagerly searched him, taking all the collected money for gambling. Unbeknownst to his boss, Cheng Yizhi had secretly saved an initial silver dollar, gradually accumulating a total of 200 yuan, dreaming of expanding the shop by leasing the adjacent vacant space. Driven by ambition beyond being a mere clerk, he spent his free time at Yaen University's library, copying economics textbooks.

During one of his library visits, a security guard urged Cheng Yizhi to leave, suggesting his efforts to copy books were futile for a dried food seller. Cheng Yizhi, however, firmly believed in the power of knowledge, stating that "in the book, there is a house of gold." Drawn by a beautiful piano melody, he approached an adjacent room and was mistakenly accused of being a thief by Wu Lizi, a university student.

She believed he was responsible for recent thefts of wallets, leather cases, and money from students. After she inadvertently knocked his bag to the floor, revealing only his diligently copied notes, Wu Lizi realized her error and apologized. Impressed by his neat handwriting and interest in economics, she advised him to attend Professor Lu Caifu's lectures and gave him an economics textbook, asking him to complete two 200-word essays by 5 PM the next day.

Wu Lizi introduced herself by her full name, explaining that "Lizi" represented magnificence and heroism. Wu Lizi’s father, Wu Zhifu, a bank director, often missed her piano performances due to his demanding work. He met her at a movie theater, apologizing for not being able to spend more time with her over the years. Wu Lizi brushed off his apologies, content to watch the film, unaware of her father's underlying anxieties.

Back at his shop, Cheng Yizhi, having finally accumulated 200 yuan, tried to persuade Mr. Chu to take over the neighboring shop. Mr. Chu was initially reluctant, preferring a life of leisure over expansion and chiding Cheng Yizhi for secretly saving money. However, faced with Cheng Yizhi's threat to quit if the business didn't improve, Mr. Chu reluctantly agreed. Just then, a debt collector, Mr. Qiu, arrived, demanding immediate payment.

Mr. Chu, desperate, handed over Cheng Yizhi's 200 yuan but still owed 200 yuan in interest. As Mr. Qiu threatened violence, Cheng Yizhi stepped forward, promising to secure the remaining amount within an hour, on the condition that Mr. Chu vow to stop gambling. Mr. Chu readily agreed. Cheng Yizhi declined financial help from his friends, telling them their combined small sums wouldn't be enough. To obtain the money, Cheng Yizhi went to Longying Private Bank.

Knowing that a direct loan without collateral would be difficult, he applied as an apprentice to earn Mr. Xu's trust. During his interview, Cheng Yizhi demonstrated exceptional mental arithmetic, accurately calculating complex sums involving various silver currencies like Suzhou Silver, Hangzhou Silver, and Zhenjiang Silver. He impressed Mr. Xu with his comprehensive knowledge of market dynamics and business details. He explained his unusual approach, emphasizing Longying Private Bank's esteemed reputation and the Jing'an Branch's success under Mr. Xu's management.

Cheng Yizhi offered to work as an apprentice, deducting half of his monthly salary of 20 yuan to repay the 200 yuan loan within two years, confidently asserting he could clear the debt in half a year if promoted to assistant manager. Impressed by Cheng Yizhi’s talent and determination, Mr. Xu agreed to the terms, lending him the 200 yuan, with the stipulation that if Cheng Yizhi were dismissed, the remaining debt would incur high daily interest.

Having successfully secured the loan, Cheng Yizhi returned and paid off Mr. Chu's debt. He then informed Mr. Chu of his decision to leave and join Longying Private Bank. Mr. Chu, devastated, pleaded with him to stay, but Cheng Yizhi's mind was made up.

As Cheng Yizhi prepared to leave, Wu Zhifu suddenly appeared, handing him a copper box and urgently instructing him to keep it safe, not to open it, and promising to retrieve it by the end of the following week. Moments later, secret agents swiftly apprehended Wu Zhifu outside the shop. Cheng Yizhi bade farewell to Xiaolingdang and his friends, reminding them to take care of themselves and each other.

The next day, Wu Lizi waited at the school gate for Cheng Yizhi, but was unexpectedly picked up by a car. Cheng Yizhi arrived to deliver her homework but found her gone. He then proceeded to Longying Private Bank, where he was assigned to the Jing'an Branch. There, a senior clerk named Tan immediately asserted his authority over the new apprentices, including Cheng Yizhi and a young man named Pang Feng, whom Tan nicknamed "Lianguazi."

Tan assigned them menial tasks like cleaning and strictly warned them against handling money, threatening immediate dismissal and salary confiscation for any violation. While going about his duties, Cheng Yizhi noticed a newspaper headline reporting that "Banker Wu Zhifu Committed Suicide for Fear of Punishment," leaving him deeply concerned about the mysterious copper box.

During his lunch break, Cheng Yizhi revisited his old neighborhood and learned from his friend Lyu that Mr. Chu had sold the dried food shop immediately after his departure. Back at the bank, Tan began inspecting the apprentices' belongings. He discovered the copper box in Cheng Yizhi’s bag and tried to take it.

Cheng Yizhi, having returned just in time, quickly intervened, concocting a story that a fortune teller had sealed a "Ghost of Poverty" inside the brass box, which had caused his recent misfortunes. He warned that opening the box or giving it away would bring dire consequences and retribution, successfully scaring Tan away. Tan continued to verbally abuse the apprentices, prompting Pang Feng (Lianguazi) to argue with him, accidentally spilling Tan's soybean pudding. The commotion drew Mr. Xu's attention.

Seizing the opportunity, Cheng Yizhi subtly exposed Tan's ignorance of market conditions, correcting his erroneous statements about the exchange rate for silver coins (Yangli) and the comparative values of various silver currencies like Shanghai's Guiyuan, Beijing's Gongfa Silver, Yangzhou's Yangcaoping Silver, and Tianjin's Xinghuaping Silver. Cheng Yizhi confidently demonstrated his accurate knowledge, even calculating the precise exchange rate between Yangzhou's Yangcaoping Silver and Tianjin's Xinghuaping Silver.

Impressed by Cheng Yizhi's intelligence and quick thinking, Mr. Xu immediately promoted him to a regular clerk responsible for customer inquiries and assigned him to oversee the other apprentices. The other apprentices, now convinced of Cheng Yizhi's capabilities, started calling him "Bro Cheng" and expressed their admiration. He explained complex concepts like "fictional silver" (Guiyuan, Yangli, Xinghua) as units of measurement, emphasizing the importance of understanding the intricate exchange rates between real and fictional currencies.

Cheng Yizhi also astutely observed that Mr. Xu suffered from asthma, noticing his daily medicine intake and coughs in dusty environments, an opportunity he felt Tan had missed. To further curry favor with Mr. Xu, Cheng Yizhi offered to buy his hard-to-find asthma medicine, insisting his time was "worthless." Just then, the bank's powerful owner, Huang Ruhong, arrived for an inspection.

Mr. Xu and Tan immediately showed extreme deference, with other apprentices marveling at Huang Ruhong's legendary status as the man who single-handedly challenged the "Eight Brokers" of government debt, leading Longying Private Bank to overnight wealth, and whose wife was the daughter of Commander Liao, a Shanxi warlord. While his colleagues were busy observing Huang Ruhong, Cheng Yizhi discreetly visited his old friend Lyu at the Great Stage.

He discussed popular snacks like chocolates and hazelnut candy, and current opera performances, asking Lyu to reserve two box seat tickets for him. Later, Cheng Yizhi used these coveted theater tickets to easily acquire Mr. Xu's rare asthma medicine from a pharmacist, an interaction witnessed by Wu Lizi, who recognized him and smiled. Meanwhile, Mr. Xu worried about how to reconcile the accounts before Huang Ruhong's next inspection. Cheng Yizhi's colleagues remarked that Mr. Xu seemed upset after Huang Ruhong left.

Episode 2 Recap

Huang Ruhong, referred to as the "Elder Master," recently visited the Jing'an Branch of Longying Private Bank, leaving Mr. Xu in a foul mood. Mr. Xu's aide, noting Clerk Tan's ambition for promotion, suggested he be made a drummer. However, Mr. Xu dismissed the idea, subtly highlighting Tan's lack of acumen compared to Cheng Yizhi. Shortly after, Cheng Yizhi presented Mr. Xu with two bottles of asthma medicine, a quantity Mr. Xu found surprisingly difficult to acquire.

Cheng explained that he had used balcony tickets for the Great Stage to entice Mr. Qian, the owner of the pharmacy, to deposit money at Longying Private Bank. Mr. Qian, a keen theater enthusiast, readily agreed, promising to deposit 100 taels of Erqibao Silver immediately and a total of 1,000 taels by the end of the month in exchange for more tickets.

Cheng confessed he had overstepped his authority as a clerk by handling such transactions but asserted it was for Mr. Xu's health. Impressed by Cheng's initiative and resourcefulness, Mr. Xu made an exception, promoting Cheng to drummer and establishing a commission system of one li for every tael of deposit he secured. Cheng then requested that Heart-shaped Face be assigned as his assistant, a suggestion Mr. Xu approved.

Meanwhile, Wu Lizi, now working as a maid in the Lin Residence, was sent by Secretary Jia to procure a golden pen from Charlie, a dealer in antique goods. Upon examining the pen, Wu Lizi recognized it as belonging to the prominent Moro family, French aristocrats who had recently been elected as directors of the Municipal Council in the French Concession. She concluded the pen was stolen and refused to complete the purchase.

Charlie, in response, cruelly mocked Wu Lizi, reminding her of her father, Wu Zhifu's, recent death. He insinuated that if she truly sought revenge, she would need to delve into the "underneath world" and find him there. This triggered a flashback: Wu Zhifu, a general manager at Shanghai Deposit Bank, had tragically fallen to his death from the rooftop of the Fu Lin Building, leaving a suicide note confessing to embezzlement.

Subsequently, police raided their home, leading to Wu Lizi and her mother moving to a modest room in the slums. Later, subjected to continued condescension from Secretary Jia and still stung by Charlie's remarks, Wu Lizi defiantly resigned from her position at the Lin Residence, lamenting the unused piano left there. As a newly appointed drummer, Cheng Yizhi, accompanied by Heart-shaped Face, began his door-to-door solicitations.

They distributed half a kilo of flour and four eggs to residents, advocating for Longying Private Bank's competitive interest rates and superior service compared to other institutions like Si Da Private Bank. During his rounds, Cheng visited Wu Lizi's mother, offering her the provisions. She invited him in for tea, but soon experienced a sudden chest pain. Cheng immediately assisted her in taking her medicine.

At the bank, a frantic Sun Dahu demanded to withdraw 50,000 silver dollars from his account, convinced that a fortune-teller's prophecy guaranteed him winnings at the casino. Assistant Manager Wan attempted to placate him by offering only 50 taels, but Sun Dahu insisted on the full amount, eager to gamble. When Wan sought Mr. Xu's intervention, he expressed frustration over Cheng's supposed inability to manage clients like Sun Dahu.

Cheng interjected, reminding Wan that Sun Dahu had always been his client. Cheng then proposed a daring wager: he would borrow 100 silver yuan from the bank to provide to Sun Dahu. If Sun Dahu won at the casino within the hour, he could keep the 100 silver yuan. However, if he lost, he would not only be prohibited from withdrawing his existing deposit but would also owe Cheng an additional 100 silver yuan.

Believing his luck was assured, Sun Dahu enthusiastically agreed and led Cheng to the Atlantic Club. Meanwhile, Charlie took Wu Lizi to the Great Stage, explaining that it was a gathering place for influential bankers, tycoons, warlords, and gang leaders. He clarified that he was not asking her to be a mere hostess, but to utilize her intelligence and proficiency in English and French to discreetly gather valuable commercial intelligence from their conversations.

He offered a cash reward for any useful information, implicitly suggesting this could also be a way for her to uncover details about her father's case. Reluctantly, Wu Lizi agreed, hopeful that she might find clues to the truth behind her father's death. At the Atlantic Club, Sun Dahu quickly began to lose heavily. Cheng observed the game closely and noticed the dealer and a gambler colluding.

He exposed their cheating by pointing out the presence of two nine of spades in the cards. The club manager, however, dismissed Cheng's accusations, accusing him of causing a disturbance and slandering the club, suggesting he was an agent sent by a rival. When Cheng defiantly demanded to speak with the true owner of the club, he was severely beaten and forcibly ejected. Later, Mr. Xu visited a bruised Cheng, expressing his concern and offering a tonic for his recovery.

Cheng assured him that the incident was not directed at Longying Private Bank. Sun Dahu, having witnessed Cheng's integrity and courage, decided not to withdraw his deposit. Instead, he lauded Cheng's righteousness and, honoring their wager, gave Cheng the 100 silver yuan he had "lost." Cheng promptly returned the money to Mr. Xu.

Impressed by Cheng's handling of the crisis, Mr. Xu formally promoted him to Assistant Manager, noting that Cheng's outstanding debt of 50 yuan to the bank would soon be settled. Upon assuming his new role, Assistant Manager Wan deliberately assigned Cheng Yizhi to a small, isolated desk in a corner of the office.

Wan emphasized Cheng's youth, lack of experience, and outstanding debt to the bank, restricting his duties solely to collecting existing payments and explicitly forbidding him from approving new loans. Undeterred, Cheng Yizhi continued his compassionate outreach, bringing more food and a bottle of Heartache Reliever to Wu Lizi's mother. She recognized him as the dry goods store clerk who had once returned her lost earring.

During their conversation, Cheng learned that her daughter worked as a tutor and often returned home very late. Observing the simple and potentially indigestible dinner she had, Cheng grew concerned for her health. He then went out of his way to prepare a bowl of red bean soup and delivered it to her.

That night, Wu Lizi, using the alias "Hennessey," returned home late after a long evening at a foreign firm, where she used her English skills to gather commercial intelligence. She found her mother asleep, with the bowl of red bean soup and a note from Cheng reading, "Your mother is unwell, please take good care of her." She drank the soup. The next morning, Wu Lizi questioned her mother about the young man who had delivered the soup.

Her mother spoke highly of him and mentioned he planned to return at the end of the month. Suspicious of his intentions, Wu Lizi decided she would personally ascertain his identity. Later, Huang Ruhong conducted an inspection at Longying Private Bank. Mr. Xu delivered his monthly report, highlighting Assistant Manager Wan's successful investment in 1924 government bonds, which had generated an impressive profit of 8,000 taels.

However, Wan then accused Cheng Yizhi of gross negligence, claiming Cheng had irresponsibly approved a 4,000-tael loan to the faltering Lin Fu Rice Store. Cheng vehemently denied the accusation, demanding to inspect the ledger. Despite Cheng's protests, Mr. Xu, desperate to conceal the bank's underlying deficit from Huang Ruhong, dismissed Cheng Yizhi on the spot, using him as a scapegoat. Huang Ruhong merely affirmed Mr. Xu's prerogative to manage his staff without external interference.

Cheng Yizhi, maintaining his dignity, declared he would leave immediately, forgoing his remaining salary. Separately, Wu Lizi purchased some dim sum from Siruchun, her mother's favorite treat. As her mother enjoyed the pastries, Wu Lizi overheard customers discussing her father's death in connection with a figure known as White-faced Wei Delong. Outside the bank, Heart-shaped Face offered to leave with Cheng.

However, Cheng, determined to clear his name, instructed Heart-shaped Face to remain at the bank and act as his informant. Cheng then went to the Lin Fu Rice Store, where he confronted Mr. Lin and discovered that the actual loan amount was only 1,000 taels, not the 4,000 taels Cheng was accused of. Cheng took possession of the ledger and promised Mr. Lin he would resolve the misunderstanding.

He also advised Mr. Lin to consider changing the store's name to avoid confusion with the much larger Lin Shou Rice Store, an idea Mr. Lin rejected. The following morning, Assistant Manager Wan arrived at Lin Fu Rice Store to demand the 1,000 tael repayment. When Mr. Lin admitted he could not pay, Wan ordered his men to seize all the account books and arrest Mr. Lin. Cheng Yizhi arrived, attempting to intervene, but Wan ignored his pleas and proceeded with the confiscation and arrest.

Episode 3 Recap

Following a pre-arranged plan with Cheng Yizhi, Heart-shaped Face returned to Longying Private Bank and spoke negatively about Cheng Yizhi to Clerk Tan, successfully lowering Tan's guard. Meanwhile, in the wider financial world, government bonds crashed overnight due to widespread short-selling. Wu Lizi rushed to the theater to inform Charlie of the news. Charlie, having anticipated this outcome, revealed that he had already sold his bonds and profited from the market collapse.

Taking the opportunity, Wu Lizi asked Charlie to help her meet White-faced Wei Delong, whom she suspected was involved in her father's death. Charlie, hesitant to get involved with such a dangerous individual, only shared that Wei Delong frequented Fuxiang Hall, a brothel, and the Atlantic Club, a casino where he exclusively played high-stakes Five-card Stud. Realizing she would need a significant sum (around 800 tael) to approach him, Wu Lizi secretly resolved to seek revenge.

She then borrowed 800 silver tael from a loan shark, Mr. Qiu. Impressed by her youth and beauty, Mr. Qiu waived the interest but stipulated an 18-day repayment period, warning that if she failed, she would "belong" to him. Wu Lizi accepted the terms. Back at Longying Private Bank, Mr. Xu reported the bond market losses to Huang Ruhong.

Cheng Yizhi entered, exposing a scheme by Mr. Xu and Assistant Manager Wan to embezzle bank capital and cover their losses with fraudulent loans. Cheng Yizhi explained that he had been unjustly fired a week prior, falsely accused of lending 4,000 tael to Lin Fu Rice Shop. He then produced Lin Fu Rice Shop's true account book as evidence, which clearly showed Mr. Lin only owed 1,000 silver tael to Longying Private Bank.

He exposed Mr. Xu and Assistant Manager Wan's scheme to frame him for an additional 3,000 silver tael loan to Lin Fu, thereby inflating the supposed debt to 4,000 tael to cover their own deficit. Impressed by Cheng Yizhi's integrity and intelligence, Huang Ruhong immediately appointed him as the new manager of Longying Private Bank's Jing'an Branch, entrusting him with restoring the bank's integrity.

Cheng Yizhi formally took office, announcing strict new regulations and promoting Heart-shaped Face to assistant manager in recognition of his role in the exposé. Wu Lizi later went to the Atlantic Club, attempting to get close to Wei Delong. She sat at his table and engaged him in a Five-card Stud game, but despite her efforts to change her luck, she lost all of her borrowed money. Desperate and penniless, she sought out Charlie again.

Charlie, unable to lend her money as he had spent his bond earnings on an apartment for Guan Xiuyue (a female opera performer he admired), listened as Wu Lizi requested a colorless, odorless, and easily dissolvable poison, declaring her intent to kill Wei Delong that very night and flee Shanghai with her mother. Meanwhile, Cheng Yizhi dedicated himself to his new role. He reviewed Chen Chen Tung Oil Factory's large outstanding loan.

Although initially skeptical of their financial struggles, his research in the library revealed that their tung oil, despite production challenges, was of exceptional quality, suitable for lucrative foreign markets beyond ordinary uses (such as artificial leather and synthetic rubber). He approved an additional 3,000 silver tael loan for Director Gao to upgrade machinery and expand production, promising the full backing of Jing'an Branch. Cheng Yizhi also visited Mr. Lin of Lin Fu Rice Shop.

He revealed that he knew Mr. Lin was the illegitimate son of the owner of Lin Shou Rice Shop, a fact that had caused Mr. Lin much humiliation. Cheng Yizhi empathized deeply, sharing his own painful experiences of being called a "bastard" since childhood. He understood Mr. Lin's refusal to change his shop sign as a tribute to his loving father, who had cherished and supported him and his mother.

Cheng Yizhi encouraged Mr. Lin to stand firm against Lin Shou Rice Shop, revealing that he had secured an agreement through Assistant Manager Guan of Beidang Branch: Lin Shou Rice Shop would cease interfering with Lin Fu Rice Shop's business to avoid public exposure of Mr. Lin's heritage. Mr. Lin was profoundly grateful for the opportunity to compete fairly. Just as Cheng Yizhi was leaving Mr. Lin, he received an urgent message: Heart-shaped Face had been detained at Fuxiang Hall.

Rushing there, Cheng Yizhi found Heart-shaped Face unable to pay his substantial bill after enjoying expensive drinks, cigarettes, and entertainment, with his banknote having gone missing. Cheng Yizhi paid the debt and requested that the incident be kept confidential to preserve Heart-shaped Face's dignity. The proprietress, Luzhu, agreed, and Heart-shaped Face promised to avoid such establishments in the future. Cheng Yizhi then visited Wu Lizi's mother, bringing her medicine.

Wu Lizi's mother offered him pastries, and as he was about to depart, Mr. Qiu, the loan shark, arrived with his men to collect the debt. Cheng Yizhi quickly intervened, pretending to be Wu Lizi's son and claiming the borrower had moved, prompting Mr. Qiu to leave. Wu Lizi's mother, realizing her daughter had borrowed from loan sharks for revenge, was heartbroken. She asked Cheng Yizhi to leave, intending to speak with Wu Lizi.

When Wu Lizi returned home, her mother, distraught and angered by her daughter's dangerous pursuit of revenge, suffered a severe angina attack. Despite Wu Lizi's desperate attempts to give her medicine, it was too late, and her mother tragically passed away, leaving Wu Lizi devastated.

Episode 4 Recap

Director Gao of Chen Chen Tung Oil Factory expressed his profound gratitude to Cheng Yizhi, whose assistance led to the successful operation of their new machines. Cheng Yizhi, in turn, reminded him of their agreement regarding repayment to Longying Private Bank's Jing'an Branch. A child affectionately called him "Uncle Cheng," thanking him for his kindness. Meanwhile, Wu Lizi received a potent, colorless, and slightly bitter poison from Charlie.

Charlie cautioned her about Wei Delong's suspicious nature, but Wu Lizi, burdened by high-interest debts, was resolute in her plan to poison Wei Delong that very night and flee Shanghai with her mother. Cheng Yizhi later visited Wu Lizi's mother, bringing two bottles of medicine. Mrs. Wu thanked him, saying her daughter had already bought her medicine, but Cheng Yizhi insisted on leaving his.

She then offered him pastries, prepared by her daughter, which she had kept for him from the previous month. As Cheng Yizhi was about to leave, Qiu Dafang, a loan shark, unexpectedly arrived with his men, demanding repayment from "Miss Wu." Cheng Yizhi quickly pretended to be Mrs. Wu's son, deflecting Qiu Dafang by claiming "Miss Wu" had moved to Sanyang Garden.

After Qiu Dafang departed, Mrs. Wu, distraught, revealed that her daughter had borrowed money for revenge, lamenting her daughter's foolishness. She confessed her own failing health, stating she was on the verge of death and pitied her daughter, who would soon lose both parents. Cheng Yizhi offered to call a doctor, but Mrs. Wu refused, expressing a desire to speak with her daughter alone, and asked Cheng Yizhi to leave.

Shortly after, Wu Lizi returned home with Guanshengyuan pastries, only to be confronted by her mother about the loan shark. Wu Lizi initially denied it, but her mother recounted how Cheng Yizhi had protected her from Qiu Dafang. Mrs. Wu then tearfully confessed her terminal illness and desperately pleaded with Wu Lizi not to seek revenge. Overwhelmed by emotion, she suffered a severe heart attack. Wu Lizi frantically searched for her heart medicine, but it was too late.

Her mother passed away in her arms. Heartbroken, Wu Lizi vowed to find her father's murderer. At the Longying Private Bank, Liao Lan, Huang Ruhong's wife and Commander Liao's daughter, warmly greeted Cheng Yizhi, insisting he call her "Sister Lan." After inquiring about his background and marital status, she playfully suggested finding him a good wife and then took him to the Atlantic Club for some recreation. At the club, Wu Lizi approached Wei Delong, seeking his guidance in cards.

Wei Delong, unaware of her true intentions, began boasting to a friend about how he had humiliated her father, Wu Zhifu. He recounted kidnapping Wu Zhifu's new shareholder, forcing Wu Zhifu to beg for his release. Wei Delong then proudly described slapping Wu Zhifu twice, leaving him looking like "a mangy dog with a broken backbone," and questioned why he would bother killing such a humiliated man.

Wu Lizi listened in agony, her heart heavy with grief, and sought solace in heavy drinking, eventually retreating to the restroom to cry. Meanwhile, Cheng Yizhi, after helping Liao Lan win some money at the card table, began observing the dealer closely. He soon exposed the dealer as a cheat. The club staff, trying to control the situation, attempted to apprehend Cheng Yizhi amidst the ensuing chaos.

As the disturbance unfolded, Wu Lizi emerged from the restroom, only to spot Qiu Dafang and his men in the crowd, also searching for her. She seized the opportunity to escape unnoticed amidst the pandemonium. Cheng Yizhi was escorted to meet the club's "big boss," who was none other than Huang Ruhong. Huang Ruhong revealed that he had already known about the cheating dealer and that Liao Lan's outing with Cheng Yizhi was a deliberate test.

He praised Cheng Yizhi's courage, astuteness, and commendable conduct at Fuxiang Hall. Huang Ruhong confessed he had been closely observing Cheng Yizhi since the Lin Fu Rice Shop incident and assured him that his position as manager of Jing'an Branch was well-earned, not a mere favor. He concluded by reminding Cheng Yizhi of his mother's approaching death anniversary.

Later, Leizi reported to Huang Ruhong about his failure to secure an increase in Chinese director positions at the Municipal Council, citing resistance from French and incumbent Chinese directors. Huang Ruhong chastised Leizi, emphasizing the critical importance of Chinese representation in the concession. Liao Lan interceded on Leizi's behalf, prompting Huang Ruhong to grant him one more month to resolve the issue, though he subtly hinted at Cheng Yizhi as a potential alternative.

Huang Ruhong then accompanied Cheng Yizhi to his mother's grave. Cheng Yizhi reminisced about his difficult childhood, marked by his mother's mental illness and the derogatory names he endured. Huang Ruhong offered comfort, assuring him that he would achieve even greater dignity. He then declared that Cheng Yizhi would henceforth represent Longying Private Bank at all Banking and Monetary Association events, becoming the respected "face" of the institution, and urged him to stand tall and proud.

Unaware of her mother's passing, Wu Lizi packed her belongings and left her home. Shortly after, Cheng Yizhi arrived to deliver medicine for Mrs. Wu, only to find the house empty with a note confirming her death. He left the medicine and departed, unknowingly passing Wu Lizi on the street. Cheng Yizhi diligently attended the Banking and Monetary Association meeting. Song Tianfang from Tongtai Private Bank greeted him warmly.

However, Assistant Manager Wan, now the manager of Zhenhai Private Bank, openly mocked Cheng Yizhi's youth and Huang Ruhong's absence. Professor Lu of Yaen University attempted to maintain decorum. When challenged by Wan to speak for the monetary industry, Cheng Yizhi confidently asserted that while banks profited from silver and silver dollar conversions, Longying Private Bank's Jing'an Branch allocated over half its loans to real industries, challenging the assembled bank managers to match his commitment.

His remarks left Assistant Manager Wan and the other bank managers visibly embarrassed. Impressed, Professor Lu invited Cheng Yizhi to an exclusive gathering of prominent banking industry figures. There, Professor Lu introduced him to influential individuals such as Mr. Chen, the founder of Shanghai Bank, and Secretary Feng of the Inspector-General of Chinese Maritime Customs Service.

The bankers spoke ill of Huang Ruhong, labeling him an "adventurer" who had leveraged his wife's powerful background and public debt speculation to amass his wealth. Cheng Yizhi deftly turned the tables, subtly questioning whether their own investments in public debt or their wives' prominent families made them similar "adventurers," and challenging their disdain for Huang Ruhong or the entire monetary industry.

He eloquently advocated for mutual understanding and cooperation between the two sectors, proposing a toast to becoming a bridge between them. Meanwhile, at a club, Mr. Hu drowned his sorrows in drink, having suffered significant losses in public debt investments. Wu Lizi approached him, attempting to console him. She then noticed Cheng Yizhi across the room and discreetly observed him. Later, Qiu Dafang and his men arrived at the club, still searching for Wu Lizi.

As Wu Lizi tried to hide, she unexpectedly collided with Cheng Yizhi, who was settling his bill. They recognized each other. Startled, Wu Lizi fled, dropping her brooch in her haste. Cheng Yizhi searched for her, eventually learning she was in the dressing room. He retrieved her brooch and went to find her. In the dressing room, Wu Lizi was drinking heavily. Cheng Yizhi returned a book she had left behind and her lost brooch.

He offered to help her overcome her difficulties. Wu Lizi, feigning indifference, initially declined his offer but then, to his astonishment, proposed marriage to him. After a moment of shock, Cheng Yizhi agreed. Cheng Yizhi promptly instructed Heart-shaped Face to book four tables for a wedding banquet at Huizhong Restaurant, much to Heart-shaped Face's surprise, as he had no prior knowledge of Cheng Yizhi having a girlfriend. Cheng Yizhi distributed wedding invitations to Bell and his other friends.

Bell, concerned, cautioned him against a hasty decision. Cheng Yizhi, however, admitted to being smitten with Wu Lizi from their first meeting and warmly invited Bell to the wedding. Cheng Yizhi then delivered invitations to Huang Ruhong and Liao Lan, describing his fiancée simply as a "waitress." Huang Ruhong offered his congratulations, reminiscing about his own marriage to Liao Lan. He shared that despite her virtues, her inability to bear children remained his lifelong regret.

As a wedding gift, Huang Ruhong presented Cheng Yizhi with a new house. When Cheng Yizhi informed Wu Lizi of the wedding preparations, she confessed that her proposal had been a spontaneous remark, never intended to be taken seriously. She revealed her crippling debt to Qiu Dafang, the loan shark, and expressed fear of implicating Cheng Yizhi. It was then that Cheng Yizhi realized she was Wu Zhifu's daughter. He vowed to help her resolve the high-interest debt.

Upon seeing Cheng Yizhi's wedding invitation, Liao Lan chided Huang Ruhong for not intervening or investigating the bride's background. Huang Ruhong, however, dismissed her concerns, resolute in his plan to cultivate Cheng Yizhi. Wu Lizi bid farewell to the club manager and her colleagues, who offered their congratulations on her impending marriage.

Episode 5 Recap

Lianziguazi returned the 800 silver dollars, along with the daily interest, to Qiu Dafang's man. The man expressed his disappointment at not having the opportunity to exploit Wu Lizi and wondered aloud who her powerful backer was. Lianziguazi sternly warned him against speaking ill of Wu Lizi and told him to inform his boss that she was not to be trifled with. Lianziguazi later reported back to Cheng Yizhi that Wu Lizi's gambling debt had been settled.

Lianziguazi then voiced his concerns to Cheng Yizhi about marrying a woman from "entertainment venues," calling them unreliable and suggesting they investigate Ms. Lizi first. Cheng Yizhi, however, stood firm in his decision, referring to her simply as "Lizi." In his private thoughts, Cheng Yizhi reflected on the revelation that Lizi was Wu Zhifu's daughter, the same Ms. Wu he had heard was "afraid of the spider web and bad at sewing and cooking."

He felt a profound sense of serendipity. He secretly resolved to protect this woman, initially perceiving her as "weak and helpless," and later recognizing her incredible perseverance mirrored his own. He vowed that the ruthless past would not harm her again, understanding that his protection was akin to one of his own kind safeguarding another. Wu Lizi went to the theater to invite Charlie to her wedding.

Charlie was shocked to learn that Cheng Yizhi not only paid off her gambling debt but was also marrying her. Wu Lizi revealed that her fiancé, Cheng Yizhi, was the manager of Longying Private Bank's Jing'an Branch, hinting at his powerful connections. Charlie found it puzzling why Cheng Yizhi would marry her so quickly. Wu Lizi simply implied that Cheng Yizhi was "not an ordinary man." Wu Lizi then visited Professor Lu at Yaen University.

Professor Lu expressed concern for her well-being and urged her to return to her studies, offering to cover her tuition. Wu Lizi politely declined, stating she was getting married soon and wished for him and his wife to be her only guests. Professor Lu, still hoping she would reconsider her future, eventually agreed to attend, promising to learn about her intended husband at the ceremony. The wedding ceremony for Cheng Yizhi and Wu Lizi took place at Huizhong Restaurant.

Among the guests were Huang Ruhong and his wife, Professor Lu and his wife, and Cheng Yizhi's friends, including Xiaolíngdang. Liao Lan observed the bride and felt she looked familiar but couldn't place her. Cheng Yizhi thanked his guests, acknowledging the hurried nature of the wedding. He then introduced Professor Lu as his respected teacher and officiant, emphasizing his prominent position as an economics professor at Yaen University and a preparatory consultant for the Shanghai Banking and Monetary Association.

During the ceremony, Professor Lu praised both Cheng Yizhi and Wu Lizi. He then caused a stir among the guests by revealing Wu Lizi as the daughter of Wu Zhifu, the former general manager of Shanghai Deposit Bank and his close friend.

He spoke of Wu Zhifu's sudden and tragic death, which was a great sorrow to the banking community, and expressed his hope that Wu Lizi's marriage to a promising young man would bring comfort to her father's spirit in heaven. Professor Lu concluded by wishing the couple, "May you support each other and grow old together." Tearfully, Wu Lizi addressed the guests, apologizing if her identity offended anyone.

She recounted her privileged life as a student at Yaen University, which was abruptly shattered by her father's death. She described her subsequent descent into "hell," unable to continue her studies or find employment, her mother falling ill, and former classmates ridiculing her. Her mother eventually passed away from "heartache," following her father. Wu Lizi confessed that she had contemplated suicide, feeling her life was "meaningless" and that she was "not qualified to be a human being."

She then credited Cheng Yizhi for appearing in her darkest hour, willing to "take care of me, protect me," and marry her despite her impoverished state. She told Cheng Yizhi that while he had other choices, she "only had him." She concluded by publicly declaring herself no longer "Wu Zhifu's daughter" but "Cheng Yizhi's wife," promising to be a good wife and repay him for the rest of her life.

A deeply moved Cheng Yizhi then placed the wedding ring on her finger. During the reception, Cheng Yizhi and Wu Lizi toasted Professor Lu. Professor Lu gently urged Wu Lizi to clear her father's name, asking if she truly believed her father could have done wrong. Wu Lizi, however, insisted that as a married woman, she simply wished to live her own life. Huang Ruhong highly praised her desire to live a stable life.

Cheng Yizhi then introduced Wu Lizi to Huang Ruhong and his wife. Huang Ruhong mentioned he recalled meeting Wu Lizi at a Banking and Monetary Session banquet where she played piano. He then confirmed he had also met her father, Wu Zhifu, to discuss the Banking and Monetary Association, praising Wu Zhifu as an "eloquent and charming" leader in the banking industry. As Huang Ruhong asked, "Is Zhifu here?"

, Wu Lizi was visibly shaken, realizing that Huang Ruhong's voice matched the last phone call her father had received. Later, Liao Lan expressed her disapproval of Wu Lizi to Huang Ruhong, criticizing her for getting drunk at her own wedding and questioning her motives for marrying Cheng Yizhi so quickly.

Huang Ruhong defended Wu Lizi, pointing out that it was challenging for a fallen rich girl to become a waitress and that her desire for respect from her in-laws and her sincere public speech were understandable. He advised Liao Lan to mind her own business on their wedding night.

That night, Wu Lizi, having drowned her sorrows in alcohol and become unconscious, was carried back to the bridal chamber by Cheng Yizhi, who felt distressed and secretly vowed to treat her well and never let her suffer again. Later, Cheng Yizhi watched Wu Lizi sitting alone in the courtyard, deep in thought under the starry sky. He realized his earlier perception of her as "weak and helpless" was mistaken.

Instead, he recognized a woman of "incredible perseverance" who had survived a disaster, much like himself. He reaffirmed his commitment to protect her, not as a strong man protecting the weak, but as a man protecting his own kind. He then quietly returned to bed, pretending to be asleep when Wu Lizi eventually came back to the room. The next morning, Wu Lizi apologized to Cheng Yizhi for her behavior at the wedding.

He reassured her that no one was upset, mentioning Huang Ruhong's positive impression of her, and promised no one would hurt her again. Feeling protected, Wu Lizi subtly began questioning Cheng Yizhi about Huang Ruhong, asking if he was highly regarded by his boss and how long he had been with him. Cheng Yizhi explained he had not been with Huang Ruhong long, having been a dried goods vendor when they first met at Yaen University.

Wu Lizi pressed on, implying he must have done "something incredible" with Huang Ruhong. Cheng Yizhi denied it, expressing a wish to do so in the future. Wu Lizi quickly shifted, expressing "surprise" and admiration for marrying such a "capable man." Cheng Yizhi arrived at Longying Private Bank, where his colleagues congratulated and playfully teased him about his marriage. He then asked Lianziguazi to find a reliable photographic studio.

Wu Lizi went to Charlie, excitedly revealing that Huang Ruhong's voice matched the last phone call her father had received. She firmly believed Huang Ruhong was involved in her father's death. Charlie was skeptical, arguing there was no known connection between Huang Ruhong and Wu Zhifu and no clear motive for Huang to harm her father. Wu Lizi relied on her "instinct," stating this time it was different.

She informed Charlie that Cheng Yizhi might be her "only breakthrough" to investigate Huang Ruhong. Cheng Yizhi visited the Starlight Theater for a "secret investigation," assessing its operations before Longying Private Bank approved a loan. Wu Lizi secretly followed him there. When Cheng Yizhi spotted her, she pretended to be there to watch a movie. He offered to join her and even bought her favorite snacks.

As they watched the movie, Wu Lizi was reminded of the last time her father took her to the cinema, and tears welled up in her eyes. After the movie, Cheng Yizhi observed the high sales of snacks from nearby vendors, confirming good customer traffic for the theater. He decided to approve the loan. Meanwhile, Liao Lan happened to pass by and took Wu Lizi shopping. Cheng Yizhi later developed the film roll Wu Zhifu had entrusted to him. It revealed a series of incomprehensible accounting records. Recognizing the sensitive nature of the information, Cheng Yizhi decided to keep this discovery a secret.

Episode 6 Recap

Cheng Yizhi visited Huang Ruhong, who instructed him to treat Wu Lizi well. Huang Ruhong then assigned Cheng Yizhi a crucial task: to secure his appointment as a Chinese director in the French Concession Municipal Council, a goal Leizi had failed to achieve. Cheng Yizhi pledged to do his utmost to complete the mission. Meanwhile, Wu Lizi accompanied Liao Lan shopping. Wu Lizi felt that Liao Lan was wary of her.

Upon returning home, Wu Lizi indirectly questioned Cheng Yizhi about Huang Ruhong's stance on their marriage. She disclosed that Liao Lan had given her a "fertility wine" before their wedding, which led to her getting drunk and missing their wedding night, causing her discomfort for several days afterward. Cheng Yizhi was not upset, instead, he comforted her, stating that they could wait until they knew each other better.

Wu Lizi later asked Charlie about the relationship between Cheng Yizhi and Huang Ruhong. Charlie confirmed that Cheng Yizhi had not known Huang Ruhong previously; he gained Huang Ruhong's appreciation and was promoted to bank manager only after exposing an embezzlement scheme involving the manager and assistant manager of the Jing'an Branch of Longying Private Bank. Despite this, Wu Lizi still suspected Huang Ruhong of involvement in her father's death.

However, Charlie had investigated and found no connection between Huang Ruhong and her father or the banking industry, concluding that her suspicions were ill-founded. Charlie then presented Wu Lizi with a wedding gift. Cheng Yizhi learned that Jin Yishan, a Chinese director with voting rights, wished to build a sanatorium. Disguised as "Mr. Zhao" from the Tongzhou Charitable Foundation, Cheng Yizhi visited Jin Yishan's Foundling Hospital.

Ms. Ding, the managing director, gave him a tour, proudly displaying photos of Jin Yishan with the children. Cheng Yizhi, observing that Jin Yishan wore a different expensive watch in each photograph, deduced that Jin Yishan had a passion for collecting fine watches. Separately, Liao Lan deliberately took Wu Lizi to the Atlantic Club, a casino. Wu Lizi became visibly uncomfortable, stating her dislike for such places and her fear of being recognized due to past gambling debts.

She insisted on going to a department store instead, prompting Liao Lan to notice her apprehension. Cheng Yizhi then acquired a rare Angelus split-seconds pocket watch, which he knew Jin Yishan desired. He presented it to Jin Yishan, who immediately recognized Cheng Yizhi's intention to secure Huang Ruhong's appointment as a Chinese director. Jin Yishan bluntly refused, declaring his strong personal dislike for Huang Ruhong and making it clear he would never facilitate Huang Ruhong's entry into the municipal council.

Later, Wu Lizi surprised Cheng Yizhi by picking him up from the bank. He took her to the Lujue Dance Hall, which had once been owned by Jin Yishan. Cheng Yizhi claimed he wanted to dance, and Wu Lizi, realizing he couldn't, taught him the steps. She noticed his interest in the hall's condition and deduced he was conducting a "secret investigation."

She recalled that Jin Yishan had built the dance hall for his wife, who loved dancing but had ceased to appear in public after suffering leg problems following the birth of their second son. Meanwhile, Cheng Yizhi’s subordinate, Heart-shaped Face, reported that Jin Yishan led a simple life, free of vices, and frequently visited the Foundling Hospital every Friday. Cheng Yizhi, connecting this to the information about Jin Yishan's wife, requested further investigation into her health.

Cheng Yizhi returned to the Foundling Hospital, again posing as "Mr. Zhao" from the Tongzhou Charitable Foundation, claiming a meeting with Jin Yishan had been arranged. After a brief conversation with Ms. Ding, he subtly followed her to the backyard, where he observed Jin Yishan instructing Aunt Liu, a maid, to care for his wife. Cheng Yizhi then followed Aunt Liu to a small, secluded room and deduced that the deranged woman confined within was Jin Yishan's mentally ill wife.

At home, Liao Lan visited Wu Lizi and praised her for keeping such a tidy house. Wu Lizi, feeling melancholic, reminisced about her carefree past and the joy of receiving dim sum from her father. She confessed that after her father's "misfortune," people's attitudes shifted, and she was forced to work as a bar hostess out of desperation.

She tearfully apologized to Liao Lan for lying about not having been to clubs before, explaining her reluctance to enter the Atlantic Club was due to fear of being recognized and reliving painful memories. Liao Lan, touched by Wu Lizi’s honesty, apologized for her previous guarded behavior and promised to treat her as family. Later, Cheng Yizhi made another visit, posing as "Xiao Fan," a distant relative sent by Jin Yishan to help Aunt Liu with errands.

While there, he feigned stomach discomfort and asked to use a toilet near the secluded room. He then heard a woman screaming from inside. Aunt Liu quickly pushed him out and locked the door. Equipped with this new knowledge, Cheng Yizhi confronted Jin Yishan. He revealed his knowledge of Jin Yishan's past conflict with Huang Ruhong over land for the Lujue Dance Hall, which Jin Yishan believed caused him significant financial losses and fueled his animosity towards Huang Ruhong.

Cheng Yizhi then exposed Jin Yishan’s deeper secret: his wife's mental illness following childbirth and her confinement to a small room, cared for solely by Aunt Liu, with her own children never having met her. Cheng Yizhi pointed out the hypocrisy of Jin Yishan’s public philanthropy while isolating his wife, warning that this secret could damage his reputation and charitable endeavors. Jin Yishan, angered, accused Cheng Yizhi of being no different from Leizi, using intimidation tactics.

Cheng Yizhi denied coercion, asserting he understood Jin Yishan's "helpless misery" and deep love for his wife, which compelled him to lead a "fragmented and contradictory life" due to her "insanity." He advised Jin Yishan to publicly disclose his wife's tragedy before breaking ground on the sanatorium, turning a personal sorrow into a source of public understanding and allowing him to live without the burden of a hidden secret.

Despite appreciating Cheng Yizhi's understanding, Jin Yishan still refused to recommend Huang Ruhong for the directorship. At that moment, Jin Yishan received a frantic phone call from Aunt Liu, who reported that Leizi and his men had taken Jin Yishan’s wife hostage, forcing her to make the call. Leizi, speaking through Aunt Liu, demanded Jin Yishan stop obstructing Huang Ruhong’s appointment.

Enraged, Jin Yishan vowed he would resign his directorship rather than yield to the coercion, expressing profound disappointment in Cheng Yizhi, whom he now saw as a mere tool of Huang Ruhong, just like Leizi. Leizi, proud of his "success," returned to Huang Ruhong to boast, mocking Cheng Yizhi in the process. Huang Ruhong instructed Leizi to collect his reward from Liao Lan, while Cheng Yizhi silently disapproved of Leizi's ruthless methods.

Episode 7 Recap

Leizi reported to Huang Ruhong that he had exploited Jin Yishan's weakness, leading Jin Yishan to promise his resignation from the Chinese director position. Huang Ruhong acknowledged Leizi's intelligence and sent him to Liao Lan for his reward. When Huang Ruhong questioned Cheng Yizhi about Leizi's methods, Cheng Yizhi expressed his disapproval.

He explained that he had already known Jin Yishan's wife's whereabouts, but he believed that comforting a sorrowful man was more effective than threatening him, especially since their conflict was purely business. Cheng Yizhi felt the situation could have led to a friendship, but now Jin Yishan, out of spite, had chosen to resign the respectable position rather than yield.

Huang Ruhong, having great expectations for Cheng Yizhi, who he considered a potential son, announced he would personally reward Cheng Yizhi and then presented him with a brand new Cadillac. Cheng Yizhi bowed deeply in gratitude. Cheng Yizhi eagerly took Wu Lizi for a drive in the new Cadillac. Wu Lizi, initially surprised he could drive, teasingly tried to instruct him, believing he was nervous. Cheng Yizhi played along before demonstrating his masterful driving skills.

Wu Lizi then pressed him, inquiring what significant task he had completed for Huang Ruhong to earn such a gift. Cheng Yizhi downplayed it, claiming he had failed his assignment, and the car was merely an encouragement for future success. Wu Lizi remained unconvinced, remarking that if failure led to such rewards, all of Huang Ruhong's associates would own cars.

Cheng Yizhi, teasingly calling her out on her earlier feigned nervousness, commented that she was skilled at acting, but reaffirmed that he would never put her in danger. Wu Lizi mused that her father had never taken her for such drives. Later, Bell asked to borrow Cheng Yizhi's Cadillac for a day, and Cheng Yizhi generously offered it for the entire weekend.

Bell informed him that Jin Yishan had not only resigned from the Chinese director position but also from his role as director of the General Chamber of Commerce of Shanghai, attributing this to fear of Leizi. Meanwhile, Leizi presented a Hetian Jade Ruyi to Liao Lan, a gift for Commander Liao, and then proposed to Huang Ruhong the idea of opening a new club, essentially a casino, on Bixun Road in the French Concession.

Leizi argued that such a bold move, in a location overseen by the Municipal Council, would solidify Huang Ruhong's reputation as the true power in the area. Huang Ruhong gave him full authority to proceed. Other associates offered congratulatory remarks to Cheng Yizhi regarding Huang Ruhong's favor, but Cheng Yizhi humbly deflected their praise. Cheng Yizhi was then summoned to Huang Ruhong's study, where Leizi was also present.

Huang Ruhong asked Leizi about recent events, and Leizi reported on Jin Yishan's resignation from the General Chamber of Commerce director role. Huang Ruhong then recognized the now-vacant position. Cheng Yizhi seized the opportunity, volunteering to spearhead Huang Ruhong's campaign for the directorship and vowing to ensure his victory without compromising his reputation.

Huang Ruhong agreed, and Cheng Yizhi then requested permission to make donations to Jin Yishan's Tongzhou Charitable Foundation, explaining it was to show respect for Jin Yishan's decision to withdraw. Huang Ruhong granted his approval. Cheng Yizhi met with Secretary Feng of the Customs Bureau to discuss Huang Ruhong's bid for the directorship. Cheng Yizhi lauded Secretary Feng's influence over import-export trade, which he believed was crucial to the election's outcome.

Secretary Feng, however, expressed a lack of interest in Huang Ruhong, instead stating he thought highly of Cheng Yizhi himself. Nonetheless, he offered to assist Huang Ruhong out of respect for Cheng Yizhi's loyalty, on the condition that Longying Private Bank participate in Shenqin Cotton Mill's fundraising efforts. Cheng Yizhi and Bell visited Shenqin Cotton Mill, but a guard turned them away, claiming Director Zhao refused to meet with banks and private banks due to prior commitments with larger institutions.

Despite the rejection, Cheng Yizhi observed the mill's strong financial standing, evident in its ability to thrive amidst Japanese yarn dumping, and realized Secretary Feng was challenging Longying Private Bank to stand out. Cheng Yizhi then sought out Director Zhao at the cotton market. There, he impressed Director Zhao by expertly identifying cotton that had been adulterated with gypsum powder and grease.

Cheng Yizhi introduced himself, explaining how he deduced Director Zhao would be at the market, much like his friend Director Gao Dayong who sought specific tung trees for tung oil purification. Recognizing Cheng Yizhi as a financier for Zhenzhen Tung Oil Factory, Director Zhao apologized for earlier turning him away and extended an open invitation to visit the mill anytime. Cheng Yizhi continued to visit the mill frequently.

Secretary Zhang, a mill staff member, subtly warned him that despite his efforts, success was unlikely as another person was even more diligent in their pursuit of the financing deal. Cheng Yizhi discovered this person was Ki, who was skillfully explaining machine principles and combed cotton weaving techniques to the workers.

Cheng Yizhi tried to engage Ki, who preferred to be called by his nickname and declined to disclose his banking affiliation, citing a confidentiality agreement with Director Zhao regarding his presence in the workshop. Ki did mention Shenqin's ambition to produce combed standard yarn. Cheng Yizhi later asked Wu Lizi to translate technical textile books, admitting his lack of expertise in the field. Wu Lizi attempted, but explained the difficulty without a specialized dictionary.

Cheng Yizhi decided to tackle the material himself. Bell's investigation into Ki yielded no results, with no major Chinese or foreign banks knowing him. Cheng Yizhi suspected Ki might be working for foreign interests, though he found it improbable that a foreign bank would place a Chinese person in such an important role. Concluding that Ki would likely secure the financing, Cheng Yizhi quickly revised his assessment, believing Director Zhao was holding out for an even more advantageous partner.

Recognizing he couldn't outcompete Ki on technology, Cheng Yizhi resolved to find "another way," focusing on worker welfare. He then prepared a comprehensive proposal outlining plans for worker dormitories, a kindergarten, a basketball court, and disability insurance, and submitted it to Director Zhao. Bell delivered a newly made long shirt for Cheng Yizhi to Wu Lizi, expressing her acceptance of Cheng Yizhi's marriage and trusting his choices.

Wu Lizi took the shirt to Cheng Yizhi's study and, while there, discreetly searched through his books, discovering a car dealership contact card. When Cheng Yizhi unexpectedly returned, she feigned a phone call. As Cheng Yizhi made a genuine business call to Bell, requesting him to arrange a meeting with the general manager of Kangtai Insurance, the card slipped from the book. Cheng Yizhi picked it up and casually pocketed it.

Wu Lizi then urged him to try on the shirt. While he was in the bedroom, she quickly checked the book again, confirming the card was gone. After Cheng Yizhi put on the shirt, Wu Lizi unexpectedly remarked that he looked handsome. At a meeting with sixteen banks and private bank representatives, Director Zhao announced that Shimazaki Tadashi from Zhaozheng Bank and Cheng Yizhi from Longying Private Bank would jointly finance Shenqin Cotton Mill.

Director Zhao praised Shimazaki Tadashi's expertise in machinery and technology and his commitment to industrial advancement. He then lauded Cheng Yizhi for his profound concern for worker welfare, highlighting his proposals for dormitories, a kindergarten, a basketball court, and disability insurance, commending his "foresighted" vision and "generosity." Assistant Manager Wan offered mock congratulations to Cheng Yizhi for having to collaborate with a "Japanese," to which Cheng Yizhi retorted it was merely "sour grapes."

Chen General Manager congratulated Cheng Yizhi and proposed a celebratory drink. Meanwhile, Wu Lizi accompanied Liao Lan to visit Commander Liao in the hospital. Commander Liao, still recovering, expressed his anger that Huang Ruhong had not visited him, bitterly calling him "ungrateful." Wu Lizi, hearing this, discreetly left to peel an apple.

Liao Lan later confided in Wu Lizi, clarifying that contrary to rumors, Huang Ruhong did not marry her for money or power; rather, she had "desperately wanted to marry him," going against her father's wishes. She revealed that a childhood horse-riding accident had left her infertile, a fact she disclosed to Huang Ruhong soon after their marriage. Despite this, he remained devoted to her, making her feel eternally indebted.

She recounted how Huang Ruhong, even when he was a poor clerk, showed immense compassion by helping an injured gatekeeper, ultimately describing him as a "real tough guy." Returning home late, Wu Lizi found Cheng Yizhi waiting. He asked if she had noticed anything different, then proudly revealed he had bought her a piano, which he had ordered a month ago and was eager to surprise her with.

Seeing the piano and recalling the car dealership contact card she had found, which was in fact a musical instrument shop card, Wu Lizi was overcome with guilt for having misunderstood Cheng Yizhi. She profusely thanked him, feeling manipulated by her own suspicions. When everyone urged her to play, she explained she couldn't without sheet music. Despite the late hour, Cheng Yizhi enthusiastically offered to take her out to buy some.

As they drove through the night, searching for an open bookstore, Wu Lizi's eyes fell upon the sign for "Innovation Construction," bringing to mind her father's recommendation of Xu Shu, a returned PhD scholar, to that company.

Episode 8 Recap

Cheng Yizhi drove Wu Lizi around Shanghai, hoping to buy sheet music, but all the bookstores were closed. He felt disappointed because he had planned for it to be a day of "double happiness," especially after Shenqin Cotton Mill chose Longying Private Bank's Jing'an branch for financing. Wu Lizi reassured him not to overthink things, saying she wasn't expecting anything from him.

Later, at a celebration, Secretary Feng and others congratulated Cheng Yizhi on successfully securing the financing for Shenqin Cotton Mill. Secretary Feng praised Cheng Yizhi’s outstanding ability, but Cheng Yizhi humbly attributed the success to Longying Private Bank's commitment to supporting industry. Professor Lu, however, sharply criticized Cheng Yizhi, suggesting his participation was for vanity rather than genuine concern for the factory.

He challenged Cheng Yizhi, asking if he truly cared about the factory's well-being, why he wasn't worried about Japanese yarn flooding the market or the real intentions behind Zhaozheng Bank's involvement. Professor Lu asserted that if Cheng Yizhi genuinely thought of the factory, he should be anxious, not complacent. Cheng Yizhi was left deep in thought.

Meanwhile, Wu Lizi, using the alias Judy from Harold Daily, visited Innovation Construction to interview Dr. Xu Shu about the soon-to-be-completed building of Jinghua No.2 Middle School. Secretary Guan informed her that Dr. Xu was on an indefinite vacation. He described Dr. Xu as a young, erudite all-rounder who studied civil engineering and architectural design at a university based in Naples, Italy, but had only completed one project: the Jinghua No.2 Middle School building.

Wu Lizi hinted that her newspaper only published interviews with the person themselves and that failing to secure one would be a significant missed opportunity for Dr. Xu and the company. This subtle pressure led Secretary Guan to disclose some places Dr. Xu frequently visited. Upon returning home, Wu Lizi found Wang Ma ill with a fever and immediately showed concern, asking if a doctor had been called.

She learned that Cheng Yizhi was already in the kitchen preparing hot red bean soup for Wang Ma. Wu Lizi tasted the soup and praised Cheng Yizhi's cooking skills. He explained he learned from various ladies, like Mrs. Zhang, Mrs. Li, and Mrs. Wang, back when he worked in a dried goods shop selling ingredients like red beans, lotus seeds, tangerine peel, and brown sugar.

Cheng Yizhi almost confessed that he had once cooked red bean soup for Wu Lizi's mother, but he stopped himself, instead promising to cook it for Wu Lizi anytime she wished. Wu Lizi playfully responded that she would become too fat if she ate it every day. Cheng Yizhi later initiated a private meeting with Shimazaki Tadashi over coffee. Cheng Yizhi noticed a discrepancy between Shimazaki's Chinese business card, which listed him as "Clerk of the Credit Dept.

," and his Japanese business card, which said "Investigator of the Credit Dept." He questioned Shimazaki about his investigations in Shanghai. Shimazaki explained it was a translation difference and that he was merely an analyst. Cheng Yizhi then directly confronted Shimazaki, reminding him of the May Thirtieth Movement and the cruel exploitation of Chinese workers by Japanese mills, which were financially backed by Zhaozheng Bank.

Cheng Yizhi accused Shimazaki's apparent sincerity and empathy of being a mere "fig leaf" for economic invasion, making Shimazaki a "major accomplice" in their scheme to seize Chinese industries like Shenqin Cotton Mill. He urged Shimazaki to consider his actions carefully. Afterward, as Wu Lizi was returning home by rickshaw, she spotted a distraught Cheng Yizhi walking alone. She got off and joined him.

Cheng Yizhi confessed that being a bank manager was more complex than he imagined, explaining that the competition between Chinese and Japanese textile mills was not just about industrial development but also national interests. Wu Lizi praised his profound thoughts. She then produced a piece of the special candy Cheng Yizhi had left in their old "room" and asked how he knew to buy that particular kind.

Cheng Yizhi revealed that Wu Lizi’s mother had told him that Wu Lizi loved that candy, and he had wanted to bring Wu Lizi "a little sweetness" during her difficult life. He explained that when he finally went to visit her mother, he discovered she had passed away and Wu Lizi had moved. Wu Lizi then told him she found the candy when she returned to the "room" to retrieve a forgotten brooch.

She expressed how much she cherished that candy but had stopped eating it to savor it, and that she couldn't find it anywhere in Shanghai. Cheng Yizhi told her he bought it at the Wharf market, a hub for imported goods, and offered to take her there on a sunny day. Following their meeting, Shimazaki Tadashi intervened, leading Zhaozheng Bank's director to withdraw the financing for Shenqin Cotton Mill.

Director Zhao immediately sought Cheng Yizhi, expressing his disappointment at losing access to advanced Japanese technology and equipment. Cheng Yizhi assured him it was a blessing in disguise, explaining that Zhaozheng Bank likely intended to take over the mill, and by agreeing to share creditor rights, Longying Private Bank had foiled their plan. Cheng Yizhi promised to use Longying's full support to help Director Zhao secure advanced machinery and technology elsewhere.

Cheng Yizhi's persistent efforts paid off, and Huang Ruhong was successfully elected as a director of the General Chamber of Commerce of Shanghai. Huang Ruhong celebrated with a lavish banquet attended by Shanghai's elite, including Commander Liao, who had returned from the hospital. Liao Lan praised Cheng Yizhi for his excellent work and asked him to deliver a bottle of imported French perfume to Wu Lizi, thanking her for her help when her father was hospitalized.

Cheng Yizhi returned home happily, only for Wang Ma to inform him that Wu Lizi had left just fifteen minutes ago to have tea with Mrs. Huang (Liao Lan). Cheng Yizhi realized Wu Lizi had lied, which left him displeased. Around the same time, Leizi reported to Huang Ruhong, admitting his focus on the Bixun Road Casino construction meant he hadn't contributed to the election campaign.

Huang Ruhong, however, praised Cheng Yizhi's public success and Leizi's efficient completion of the casino, noting Leizi's merit. Leizi then proposed capitalizing on the goodwill from General director Merieux of the Municipal Council by gifting the land at No. 136 Rue Amiral Bayle to him and Vice General director Schweitzer, which he believed would secure Huang Ruhong's influence in the French Concession. Huang Ruhong, however, advised caution, suggesting they "lay low for a while" due to their recent high-profile activities.

Huang Ruhong then showed Leizi a "Rejuvenation Agent" and instructed him to investigate its growing popularity in the market if it posed a problem. Later that evening, Wu Lizi rushed home and presented Cheng Yizhi with a silk scarf. When he asked if she had bought it with Liao Lan, she insisted she had. Cheng Yizhi, still suspicious from Wang Ma's earlier revelation, later secretly followed Wu Lizi. He observed her going to Innovation Construction.

Shimazaki Tadashi, feeling disillusioned, visited Cheng Yizhi and expressed his desire to work at Longying Private Bank. He confessed that his mother was Chinese and that he had come to Shanghai full of hope for economic cooperation, only to realize his expectations were naive, and his efforts within Zhaozheng Bank were merely a "fig leaf" for economic aggression.

Cheng Yizhi acknowledged his feelings but advised him that rather than leaving, he could achieve his ideals by staying at Zhaozheng Bank and helping Longying Private Bank acquire advanced Japanese textile technology and machinery, which were currently restricted by Japanese firms. Shimazaki understood Cheng Yizhi's counsel and promised to deliver good news soon. Cheng Yizhi then contacted Secretary Guan and arranged a visit to Xu Shu at Innovation Construction.

Secretary Guan enthusiastically tried to show Cheng Yizhi Xu Shu's designs, but Xu Shu, clearly irritated, stopped him and sent him away. Cheng Yizhi, impressed by the uniqueness of Xu Shu's designs compared to the prevailing Western styles in Shanghai, expressed his interest. Feeling understood, Xu Shu passionately recounted his design philosophy, drawing inspiration from his childhood experiences in a traditional Chinese courtyard with rockeries, long corridors, pavilions, and glassless windows.

He aimed to blend the efficient use of space in Western tall buildings with classical Chinese elements, envisioning a building that was both modern and traditional, possessing both Western appearance and Eastern spirit, standing in the French Concession to showcase true beauty. When Cheng Yizhi asked about the building's specific purpose to facilitate investment, Xu Shu grew enraged.

He scornfully dismissed the need for investment, accusing Cheng Yizhi of being arrogant and narrow-minded like other "sordid merchants" who would criticize an artist's meticulously developed concept with their "idle money." Cheng Yizhi, rebuffed, wished him good luck and left. Returning home late, Wu Lizi tried to sneak in but was caught by Cheng Yizhi.

He had bought a professional textile dictionary and asked her to help translate documents related to textile machinery; in turn, Wu Lizi encouraged him to learn English. Meanwhile, Cheng Yizhi learned from Heart-shaped Face that Leizi was attempting to sell Huang Ruhong's land at No. 136 Rue Amiral Bayle to Xu Shu for construction, having twice inflated the price. Cheng Yizhi immediately set out to intervene.

Episode 9 Recap

Cheng Yizhi directly approached Huang Ruhong, requesting to manage the vast land on Rue Amiral Bayle. Huang Ruhong, who had already intended to put Cheng Yizhi in charge of it, readily agreed, expressing confidence in Cheng Yizhi's dedication despite their unspoken agreement regarding the director's post. Cheng Yizhi then confronted Xu Shu, presenting the land transaction contract Xu Shu had signed as the representative of Innovation Construction.

He revealed that Liwei Realty was defrauding Xu Shu and that the contract was illegitimate, noting that Leizi and the police were involved in the scheme. Cheng Yizhi urged Xu Shu not to pay the remaining 200,000 yuan, explaining that Liwei Realty would declare bankruptcy, and Xu Shu would discover the land never belonged to them, making his investment unrecoverable.

Xu Shu, however, stubbornly dismissed Cheng Yizhi's warnings, insisting his lawyer had advised differently and claiming to have seen the legitimate title deed. Cheng Yizhi then produced the authentic endorsement certificate, clearly stating that the land belonged to Longying Private Bank's Jing'an Branch, asserting that only he could authorize its sale. Feeling humiliated and believing Cheng Yizhi was mocking him, Xu Shu angrily rejected Cheng Yizhi's offer of cooperation.

Cheng Yizhi tried to reason with him, explaining that the 300,000 yuan already paid was all of Xu Shu's capital for starting a business in Shanghai, as revealed by Secretary Guan. Xu Shu, however, remained defiant, claiming his father would continue to fund him and that he could endure any setbacks to achieve his ambition. Cheng Yizhi questioned how he could achieve anything without money or land, but Xu Shu was unwilling to listen. Cheng Yizhi left in anger.

As Cheng Yizhi prepared to drive away, he spotted Xu Shu rushing out, wearing a scarf identical to one Lizi had given him. Intrigued and suspicious, Cheng Yizhi followed Xu Shu and was dismayed to see him meeting Lizi. Their lively conversation deeply upset Cheng Yizhi, who was left wondering if his suspicions about Lizi and Xu Shu's "secret relationship" were paranoid, or if Lizi was truly being deceptive.

In his frustration, he tore off his own scarf and threw it aside. Meanwhile, Lizi, posing as a reporter, interviewed Xu Shu, seeking to uncover information about her father's death. Xu Shu was reluctant to discuss his painful past, especially his experience cooperating with capitalists. Lizi, assuring him that she was not just a reporter but a friend and would not publish anything, encouraged him to bravely face his past.

Xu Shu eventually opened up, recounting his return from Italy when Wu Zhifu, the general manager of Shanghai Deposit Bank, personally invited him to bid on the bank's expansion project. Despite newspaper reports of Wu Zhifu's corruption, Xu Shu believed in him. However, his design efforts were repeatedly thwarted, and he was eventually removed from the project, which was then taken over by a shareholder named Zhou Guangxian.

He described the period as extremely difficult, humiliating, and despairing, making him consider returning to Italy. Lizi comforted him, urging him to see that his difficulties were not necessarily due to working with capital itself, but rather the actions of unscrupulous individuals. She encouraged him that his next partner might be someone who shares his vision. Later, Cheng Yizhi, still reeling from his encounter, returned home to find Lizi.

He tried to act normal and took her to the Wharf Market. Lizi found the foreign goods market expensive and uninteresting, likening it to a relocated department store. She then convinced Cheng Yizhi to explore the local herbal medicine and general goods market, which she found more engaging. As they sampled goods like Bashu Odd-flavor Broad Beans and Yunnan Rushan cheese, a young beggar stole their money.

Cheng Yizhi, accustomed to being pickpocketed there, suggested letting the child keep the money for a good meal. However, Lizi then discovered her wedding ring was also missing. Cheng Yizhi, without hesitation, went after the thief. He confronted the group of beggars and their leader to retrieve the ring. A fight ensued, but Lizi quickly intervened to help Cheng Yizhi. They managed to grab the ring and escape on a borrowed bicycle.

Cheng Yizhi sought out Xu Shu again, this time for a game of tennis. He reiterated his desire to collaborate, acknowledging Xu Shu's talent and promising not to interfere with his architectural vision. Xu Shu, still wary of "capitalist habits," expressed concern that Cheng Yizhi might prioritize profit over the building's integrity, and worried about the building potentially falling into disuse. Unaware of these renewed efforts, Leizi reported his failure to find any leads on the Rejuvenation Agent.

He then learned that Huang Ruhong had given Cheng Yizhi full authority over the Rue Amiral Bayle land. Enraged, Leizi saw this as Cheng Yizhi encroaching on his territory, snatching food right from his mouth. Cheng Yizhi observed Lizi secretly meeting Xu Shu at a piano store again. He watched as Lizi played the piano for Xu Shu, laughing and chatting happily. This sight pierced Cheng Yizhi, as Lizi had previously claimed she couldn't play the piano without sheet music.

He was deeply pained by her apparent deception and questioned the sincerity of her smiles, wondering whose smile was real. At a gathering of monetary industry colleagues, Professor Lu and Cheng Yizhi met Zhou Guangxian, the current general manager of Shanghai Deposit Bank and Wu Zhifu's successor. Professor Lu openly questioned the suspicious circumstances of Wu Zhifu's suicide and urged Zhou Guangxian to investigate thoroughly.

Zhou Guangxian, however, deflected, emphasizing the bank's precarious financial situation and citing the need to secure new shareholders. He even referenced Lizi's marriage to Cheng Yizhi as a positive sign of new beginnings for the bank. Cheng Yizhi, still preoccupied with his own troubled thoughts about Lizi, largely ignored their conversation, prompting Professor Lu to suspect discord between him and Lizi. Professor Lu then extended an invitation from his wife for Lizi to visit their home.

That evening, Lizi tried desperately to appease Cheng Yizhi, telling him anecdotes and asking him about his cooking skills, even suggesting he cook for her. Cheng Yizhi, however, was in no mood for pleasantries and feigned sleep, leaving Lizi greatly bewildered by his coldness. The following morning, Cheng Yizhi visited Xu Shu for a third time, urged by Secretary Guan who didn't want to see Xu Shu lose his land or his ambition.

Cheng Yizhi again pressed Xu Shu to implement his design, warning of lifelong regret if he didn't. He clarified that he didn't envision a luxurious department store, which Xu Shu had previously accused him of, but rather a public space for ordinary citizens.

He proposed turning the building into a "Wandeyuan" – a recreational and entertainment center with affordable shops (of various sizes for people to operate businesses), discounted roller rinks and cinemas, free gardens and promenades, and children's play areas with seesaws and funhouse mirrors. Cheng Yizhi shared his own humble origins, emphasizing his understanding of the common people's needs and dreams.

This vision resonated deeply with Xu Shu, who, regaining his confidence, began enthusiastically outlining his ideas for the building, and they decided to name it "Wandeyuan." Coincidentally, Leizi deliberately spread rumors among other businessmen that he had originally intended to give the Rue Amiral Bayle land to the Municipal Council, but Cheng Yizhi had donated the land instead. This move aimed to discredit Cheng Yizhi, leading to a flurry of indignant phone calls from various businessmen to Cheng Yizhi.

Episode 10 Recap

Incited by Leizi, the local store owners confronted Huang Ruhong, demanding that Cheng Yizhi return the Rue Amiral Bayle land to Huang Ruhong. They also disparaged the common people as "poor folks." Cheng Yizhi, enraged, retorted sharply, reminding them that many successful individuals, including themselves, started as "poor folks" and that the land at No. 136 Rue Amiral Bayle would provide opportunities for others to rise.

Leizi, however, interjected with cynical remarks, suggesting that the "poor folks" would be unable to afford the rent for the planned high-rise building, causing the land to depreciate and Jing'an Branch to incur losses. Huang Ruhong then appeared, acknowledging the shopkeepers' grievances. He revealed that he had already met with other store owners on Rue Amiral Bayle, including Mr. Shen of Gaodeng Restaurant and Mr. Miao of Long's Trading Cooperation, and they had agreed to the Wande Garden project.

He publicly pledged to compensate them for any land value depreciation after Wande Garden's completion, but if the value increased, the profits would be shared as a collective achievement. He then sternly rebuked Leizi, who had previously spread rumors that Cheng Yizhi "donated" the land, reminding him that true leaders do not falter under threats. Leizi, realizing his mistake, affirmed his loyalty and the other bosses dispersed.

Cheng Yizhi apologized to Huang Ruhong for the trouble but assured him that investing in Wande Garden would greatly benefit Longying Private Bank. Huang Ruhong then inquired about the unique design of Wande Garden and its designer. Cheng Yizhi explained that Xu Shu, a young architect who graduated from the University of Naples Federico II, possessed a rare combination of modern elegance and traditional Chinese and Western essence in his designs.

Despite Xu Shu's limited experience, having only designed the Jingying No. 2 Middle School building, Cheng Yizhi expressed profound trust in his naive and unyielding personality, believing that such individuals are capable of creating unprecedented miracles beyond the reach of the experienced and sophisticated. Huang Ruhong, though unfamiliar with Xu Shu, entrusted Cheng Yizhi to proceed. Later, while playing tennis, Xu Shu shared his personal struggles, feeling like an outsider despite his education abroad and return to Shanghai.

He then revealed he was deeply in love with a woman he had recently met, who understood architecture, his inner thoughts, and music. He believed their connection was instant and mutual, and planned to propose to her the next day at a French restaurant. Cheng Yizhi, recognizing the description of Wu Lizi, wished him good luck with a heavy heart.

Back home, Cheng Yizhi wanted to prepare a birthday dinner for Wu Lizi, having remembered her birth date from their marriage registration. However, Wu Lizi declined, claiming she needed to help Liao Lan fetch Commander Liao's medicine in Hongqiao, as Commander Liao was seriously ill. Cheng Yizhi, hurt and angry, feigned sleep. The following day, Wu Lizi met Xu Shu at the French restaurant.

Xu Shu enthusiastically detailed the Wande Garden project, crediting Cheng Yizhi for inspiring him to consider the needs of common people and rethink architecture's purpose beyond aesthetics, towards contributing to society. He even compared Cheng Yizhi to Wu Zhifu, the former manager of Shanghai Deposit Bank, whom he had admired greatly and who had called him to apologize just before his untimely death. Wu Lizi feigned ignorance of Cheng Yizhi.

As Xu Shu proposed to her, Wu Lizi was taken aback. She gently refused, offering only her friendship. She then confessed that she was not a reporter from Harold Daily and that her real name was Wu Lizi. She explained that she had approached him to investigate the truth behind her father Wu Zhifu's death, which she suspected was not a suicide. Having witnessed their encounter, Cheng Yizhi, heartbroken, went to a lawyer, Mr. Baker, to arrange a divorce.

He stated his intention unequivocally, explaining that there was no bride price, proposing to give Wu Lizi the house (as she was unsettled), keep the car for his work, and split the remaining assets. He confirmed his decision was final due to "broken affection." Meanwhile, Wu Lizi returned home to find a large birthday cake from Cheng Yizhi but no sign of him.

After calling the bank and learning he hadn't returned, she realized Cheng Yizhi must have discovered her interactions with Xu Shu. A wave of guilt washed over her, acknowledging his unwavering support despite her deception. Cheng Yizhi, after spending the night in his car, appeared tired but composed as he met Xu Shu to sign the Wande Garden construction contract. Xu Shu, still reeling from the rejection, confided in Cheng Yizhi about the woman's marriage, wondering who her husband was.

He signed the contract, affirming his trust in Cheng Yizhi and once again comparing him to Wu Zhifu, the last person he had trusted wholeheartedly and who had helped him upon his return from Italy. Hearing about Wu Zhifu, Cheng Yizhi finally understood Wu Lizi's true motive for approaching Xu Shu—it was to investigate her father's death, not out of romantic interest.

Overwhelmed by this realization and shame for his misunderstanding, he immediately tore up the divorce papers and rushed home, hoping Wu Lizi was still there. He arrived to find Wu Lizi and the household staff, including Wang Ma and Agui, waiting with the birthday cake. Cheng Yizhi fabricated a story about an urgent matter at the bank keeping him out all night. Wu Lizi, though aware of his lie, accepted it as his way of forgiving her.

They shared the cake, and in a lighthearted moment, playfully smeared icing on each other's faces. Later, Cheng Yizhi and Wu Lizi visited Professor Lu and Mrs. Lu. Mrs. Lu lovingly prepared Wu Lizi's favorite dishes, including braised noodles with yellow croaker, and presented her with an original manuscript of Chopin, knowing her love for piano.

Mrs. Lu expressed concern that Wu Lizi no longer played the piano and encouraged Cheng Yizhi to buy a piano for her, which he readily agreed to do. While Wu Lizi learned to make osmanthus candy with Mrs. Lu, Professor Lu invited Cheng Yizhi to his study for a private conversation.

Professor Lu, who had watched Wu Lizi grow up, shared his worries about her emotional state since her father's death, noting her transformation from an ambitious girl to someone who wished to forget her past. He implored Cheng Yizhi, as her husband, to help her open her heart and rediscover her former self, handing him a notebook to better understand her past.

Professor Lu then cautioned Cheng Yizhi against supporting Huang Ruhong's bid for the board, expressing doubt about Huang Ruhong's commitment to industrial growth and the economy, and predicting Wande Garden's eventual failure.

Episode 11 Recap

Professor Lu expressed his disappointment to Cheng Yizhi regarding Huang Ruhong's election as a Huadong (Chinese Director) of the French Concession Public Concessions Bureau, especially after learning that Huang Ruhong's first act was to open a new opium den on Bixun Road, disregarding the welfare of the Chinese people.

Cheng Yizhi, who was unaware of the opium den, defended Huang Ruhong's capabilities in commerce, citing the ongoing construction of Wande Garden on Rue Amiral Bayle as an initiative to benefit common people and small vendors.

Professor Lu, however, warned Cheng Yizhi that the true purpose of Wande Garden might not align with his expectations and urged him not to be led astray by Huang Ruhong in the pursuit of wealth and fame, reminding him that true dignity comes from using capital to benefit society. Later, Cheng Yizhi read a stack of letters from Wu Zhifu to Professor Lu.

In one letter, Wu Zhifu recounted a phone call with his daughter, Wu Lizi, who was upset he missed her speech. She playfully threatened to revoke his fatherly title and call him "brother." Wu Zhifu was particularly struck by Wu Lizi's sharp critique of the financial sector, which she viewed as inherently exploitative.

This conversation, he wrote, reminded him of his discussions with Professor Lu about providing loans to rural areas, a venture that might not yield profit but would greatly benefit the people, affirming his belief that finance should serve the populace. Cheng Yizhi found himself smiling at Wu Lizi's rebellious yet earnest spirit as described in the letters.

Meanwhile, Leizi's efforts to trace the source of the Rejuvenation Agent proved futile; his investigations into various gangs, Nanyang bars, and foreign brothels yielded no results. Unable to report a lead, he was ordered to fabricate evidence to frame Cheng Yizhi. Huang Ruhong then tasked Cheng Yizhi with falsifying the account books for an opium den on Bixun Road, to conceal its exorbitant profits due to his new position as a director of the General Chamber of Commerce.

This assignment deeply unsettled Cheng Yizhi, reinforcing Professor Lu's earlier warnings. He later learned that Jin Yishan had suffered a stroke, and seeing Jin Yishan being helped back to his home from the hospital filled Cheng Yizhi with guilt. Commander Liao's health deteriorated rapidly, prompting Huang Ruhong and Liao Lan to rush to his hospital bed.

Leizi took the opportunity to inform Huang Ruhong that the person most deeply implicated with the Rejuvenation Agent was Pang Feng, also known as Heart-shaped Face, Cheng Yizhi's trusted assistant manager at Longying Private Bank. Leizi voiced his concern about the extensive implications of this discovery.

As Huang Ruhong absorbed this unsettling news, Commander Liao, in his final moments, asked Liao Lan to put on his military uniform, lamented his inability to protect her, and uttered Huang Ruhong's name before succumbing to his illness. A lavish funeral was held, attended by many prominent figures in Shanghai. At the funeral, Wu Lizi overheard Leizi openly disparaging Commander Liao, implying his hospital care was only due to Huang Ruhong's influence, and boasting about Huang Ruhong's power.

Wu Lizi sharply retorted, accusing Leizi of having a "stinky mouth." Searching for Cheng Yizhi during the vigil, Wu Lizi later found him at Fuxiang Hall. Leizi had earlier mockingly told her that Cheng Yizhi was there with Huang Ruhong, describing the place as Huang Ruhong's "other residence" where women were "gorgeous and charming." He also taunted Wu Lizi, suggesting her "fake bar-hostess tricks" couldn't satisfy Cheng Yizhi.

At Fuxiang Hall, Huang Ruhong, who was meeting Luzhu, confronted Cheng Yizhi about the Rejuvenation Agent, revealing it was opium-derived, highly addictive, and responsible for numerous deaths. He stated that credible intelligence linked Longying Private Bank's Jing'an Branch, specifically Heart-shaped Face, to the illicit substance. Cheng Yizhi vehemently denied any involvement, expressing his profound hatred for opium and his disbelief that Heart-shaped Face, whom he considered neither an addict nor an evil person, could be involved.

He suspected a setup, but Huang Ruhong stressed that public perception would link him and the bank to the scandal, given his new role as a director. Cheng Yizhi, taking full responsibility, requested ten days to thoroughly investigate and clear Heart-shaped Face's name, to which Huang Ruhong assented. Cheng Yizhi immediately confronted Heart-shaped Face (Pang Feng), discovering multiple vials of Rejuvenation Agent in a drawer.

Heart-shaped Face, terrified, swore he had not touched opium since Cheng Yizhi forbade him and claimed he was only selling the agent for profit, having only acquired the latest batch the previous day without selling any. Cheng Yizhi was enraged, reminding Heart-shaped Face of his deep-seated hatred for opium and its destructive nature, expressing profound disappointment. After hearing Heart-shaped Face's desperate oath of innocence, Cheng Yizhi demanded to know his supplier.

Heart-shaped Face led him to "Yin," but Yin had fled. Realizing that Heart-shaped Face had been framed, Cheng Yizhi stressed the urgency of finding the true culprits, emphasizing that Huang Ruhong's new position made him a prime target. Returning home late, Cheng Yizhi was met by a suspicious Wu Lizi, who noted the "smell of perfume" on him and accused him of frequenting Fuxiang Hall. Cheng Yizhi denied this, explaining the smell was from burning paper money at the mourning.

Wu Lizi, echoing Leizi’s earlier taunts, mentioned Fuxiang Hall's reputation for its "gorgeous and charming" women and implied that Cheng Yizhi might be seeking intimacy there due to their own strained relationship. Cheng Yizhi, visibly hurt, stated he was a normal man, but his desire for her didn't mean he would seek other women, asking her to trust him.

He then reluctantly confessed that Huang Ruhong had indeed visited Fuxiang Hall for a rendezvous, urging Wu Lizi to keep this secret from Liao Lan, especially after Commander Liao's death. Realizing Cheng Yizhi had known earlier, Wu Lizi playfully but firmly ordered him to strip and wash himself thoroughly, citing a headache from the lingering perfume smell, and insisted his clothes also be cleaned.

Wu Lizi later shared the revelation about Huang Ruhong's mistress at Fuxiang Hall with Charlie, who was surprised and expressed concern for Liao Lan. Driven by her own quest for truth, Wu Lizi then sought out Mr. Jiao, her father's former colleague at Shanghai Deposit Bank. She questioned his transfer to Tianjin after her father's death and his subsequent promotion to Deputy General Manager under Zhou Guangxian, suspecting he had betrayed her father to gain Zhou Guangxian's trust.

Mr. Jiao feebly explained his transfers as bank decisions and claimed he had tried to locate her and her mother. Wu Lizi pressed him, reminding him of her father's animosity with Zhou Guangxian and accusing him directly, stating that "there must be conditions behind benefits." She pleaded with him to reveal the truth to clear her father's name. Mr. Jiao angrily rebuffed her accusations, threatening to take her directly to Zhou Guangxian if she persisted.

Heartbroken, Wu Lizi left in tears. Heart-shaped Face reported to Cheng Yizhi that his investigations showed Kaiqi Apartment, Fengsi Dancing Hall, and Glock Road Opium Den were all places where the Rejuvenation Agent was bought, not sold. Buyers indicated they discovered the drug upon arriving in Shanghai, suggesting it wasn't foreign.

Cheng Yizhi dismissed Heart-shaped Face's earlier hunch about gang involvement, explaining that gangs still dealt in traditional opium, which was suffering a price drop due to the Rejuvenation Agent, and were punishing their own members for dealing in it. Cheng Yizhi deduced that the Rejuvenation Agent might have originated as a medical substance, later illicitly exploited for profit.

He instructed Heart-shaped Face to investigate pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals for patients who had experienced symptom relief from a now-unavailable "wonder drug" and were resorting to the Rejuvenation Agent due to its perceived similarity. Following this lead, Cheng Yizhi, posing as a buyer named "Miss Zhiyun" from Linglan Parlor, met with Mr. Xue, a Rejuvenation Agent seller. During their negotiation for two five-Jin cartons, Mr. Xue mentioned the agent's rising price and scarcity, stating more stock would take four days.

Suddenly, other buyers burst in, demanding all the remaining stock. When Mr. Xue attempted to stall, they fatally stabbed him and fled with the goods. Cheng Yizhi was jolted awake by a nightmare. Wu Lizi comforted him with honey water and sang a lullaby, revealing she had lost her mother at a young age. Later, Wu Lizi confided in Charlie about Huang Ruhong's mistress, acknowledging her previous misjudgment.

She asked Charlie to discreetly investigate Cheng Yizhi, noting his recent unusual behavior and nightmares, as he wouldn't disclose details of Huang Ruhong's errands. She also requested a business card for Daisy, the casting director of the Chunqiu English Club, which was rehearsing "Northanger Abbey." Meanwhile, Cheng Yizhi was pursuing a postman who was delivering Rejuvenation Agent, but his chase was thwarted when a drug-addicted woman grabbed him, begging for money for opium, claiming it was for her pain. In a separate event, Mr. Jiao, after his confrontation with Wu Lizi, was introduced by his daughter, Yu, to Daisy, the casting director of the Chunqiu English Club.

Episode 12 Recap

Cheng Yizhi, having witnessed the drug-dealing postman escape and learned from an addicted woman that the Rejuvenation Agent could alleviate pain, tasked Heart-shaped Face with discreetly investigating pharmacies and clinics that dispensed the agent for pain relief. Heart-shaped Face discovered that Ren'an Pharmacy on Erma Road had been secretly selling a "magical oral liquid," the Rejuvenation Agent, to cancer patients, which was remarkably effective in stopping pain.

The demand for this oral liquid grew beyond cancer patients to include smokers and cigarette dealers, leading the clinic to cease sales four months prior due to concerns about potential trouble. Heart-shaped Face further revealed that the oral liquid was Ren'an Pharmacy's exclusive secret formula, developed by Zhou Wenquan, a Chemistry lecturer at Huhai University, at the request of the pharmacy owner, Zhou Ren'an, who was his cousin.

Meanwhile, Wu Lizi, under the alias Miss Daisy, the casting director for the Chunqiu English Drama Club, helped Mr. Jiao's daughter, Shao Yu, secure an audition for a play. Shao Yu and her mother were overjoyed and profusely thanked "Miss Daisy" (Wu Lizi) for the opportunity, while Mr. Jiao harbored internal distress.

Shao Yu excitedly recounted to her father how her small role as Mary in "Pride and Prejudice" unexpectedly led to an invitation for a subsequent audition, thanks to Miss Daisy's recognition of her talent. Cheng Yizhi went directly to Huhai University to find Zhou Wenquan.

Introducing himself as the manager of Longying Private Bank and a friend of Mr. Fu, an executive at the university, Cheng Yizhi was warmly received by Zhou Wenquan, who was already aware of Cheng's intention to donate to the Chemistry Department. Inside the lab, Cheng observed Zhou working on a project to improve milk products for a French firm, a task Zhou explained was simply a means to earn extra funds for the laboratory.

Despite the meager payment, Zhou intended to acquire an ultra-low-temperature reactor. He then enthusiastically spoke about the pervasive importance of chemistry in all aspects of national development, from metallurgy and dyeing to everyday items like matches and soap, and crucially, in pharmacy. Cheng Yizhi acknowledged Zhou's desire to allocate a portion of the donation specifically to the Chemistry Department. Cheng then directly inquired if Zhou Wenquan was indeed the inventor of Ren'an Pharmacy's renowned "magical oral liquid."

Cheng Yizhi, having earlier claimed a bank employee's illness as his reason for inquiry, listened as Zhou Wenquan's cheerful demeanor immediately faded upon being asked about the "magical oral liquid." He somberly confessed that the invention was a "stain on his career." He explained that he had initially developed the pain-relieving agent at his cousin Zhou Ren'an's behest, intending to ease the severe suffering of cancer patients, a task he undertook with a deep sense of duty.

However, to his dismay, the oral liquid, while more potent than opium in alleviating pain, proved to be even more addictive. He tragically realized his medicine had transformed into a dangerous drug. Zhou Wenquan revealed that he personally intervened to stop Ren'an Pharmacy from selling it after observing individuals without cancer using it to numb themselves and seek pleasure.

He expressed profound relief at having "stopped it from getting worse," fearing he would be responsible for countless ruined families if it proliferated. Cheng Yizhi then suggested that mass-producing the formula could benefit patients and doctors alike, promising a high price for the formula, enough to purchase any desired lab equipment. However, Zhou Wenquan adamantly refused to sell the formula, asserting that its potential societal harm far outweighed its medical value.

Despite listing the costly equipment he yearned for—an ultra-low-temperature reactor, a centrifugal extractor, a vacuum reactor, and a temperature-controlled thermal conductivity meter—Zhou Wenquan steadfastly declared that his "conscience is priceless" and reiterated his refusal. The next morning, Mr. Jiao, after dropping off Shao Yu at school, anxiously waited for Wu Lizi at the school gate. When Wu Lizi arrived, she confronted him, threatening to continue intruding on his family's life if he did not reveal the truth.

She sarcastically expressed envy for Shao Yu's "happy and innocent" life, a stark contrast to her own after her father, Wu Zhifu, allegedly "embezzled and killed himself." Wu Lizi warned Mr. Jiao that she was no longer the "old Lizi" he knew and had already gained Shao Yu's trust, implying she could disrupt his daughter's life if he didn't cooperate. Mr. Jiao furiously demanded she leave his daughter alone and target him instead.

Wu Lizi reminded him of his previous dismissal of her, forcing her to approach his daughter. She threatened that if he didn't confess, Shao Yu would experience "a different kind of life." Under immense pressure, Mr. Jiao disclosed that before Wu Zhifu's death, he possessed a roll of film containing crucial evidence to "clean the financial mess inside the Shanghai Deposit Bank."

He denied knowing the film's exact contents and stated he was unsure if Zhou Guangxian had acquired it, though he suspected not, as Zhou had later inquired about its whereabouts. Mr. Jiao desperately pleaded with Wu Lizi to spare his innocent daughter and promised he had told her the truth. Lei Zi reported to Huang Ruhong that Zhou Wenquan, a Chemistry lecturer at Huhai University, was the inventor of the Rejuvenation Agent.

Lei Zi recommended arresting Zhou Wenquan and sending him to the Smoking Regulating Department to quash rumors linking Longying Private Bank to the drug, which he believed had arisen due to Heart-shaped Face's actions and could have severe consequences. Huang Ruhong, however, decided to consider it further and dismissed Lei Zi as Cheng Yizhi arrived. Cheng Yizhi then presented his findings, confirming Zhou Wenquan as the inventor but vehemently disagreeing with Lei Zi's suggestion.

He argued that Zhou Wenquan was not the true initiator of exploiting the Rejuvenation Agent as a drug; he had simply created a pain-relieving oral liquid for cancer patients, unaware it would be exploited by others for profit. Cheng Yizhi emphasized Zhou's strong aversion to drugs, noting his refusal of substantial money.

He warned that sending Zhou Wenquan to the ineffective Smoking Regulating Department, a hub of gang conflicts over drug profits, would make him a target for assassination or abduction by gangs whose opium trade was threatened by the Rejuvenation Agent.

Cheng Yizhi also expressed suspicion about the origin of the rumors linking Longying Private Bank to the Rejuvenation Agent, especially since Heart-shaped Face (Pang Feng) had admitted to possessing the agent but not selling it, and no other connections were found. He believed someone was orchestrating a scheme to create discord. To protect Zhou Wenquan and the bank's reputation, Cheng Yizhi proposed that Longying Private Bank "befriend" Zhou Wenquan, leveraging Huang Ruhong's prestige to deter gang interference.

When Huang Ruhong asked for specific details on how to execute this "friendship," Cheng Yizhi requested more time to devise a plan. Alone, Cheng Yizhi pondered his deep concern for Zhou Wenquan, questioning if it stemmed from mere sympathy, admiration for Zhou's unwavering conscience, or a nascent desire to experience the dignity found in social responsibility as a financier. He knew it was more than just simple pity.

Cheng Yizhi, struggling to find a way to help Zhou Wenquan, was advised by Wu Lizi to approach the problem by understanding Zhou's true desires. She observed his distress and urged him to open up, suggesting that to help someone, one should "give him what he lacks, what he wants, or help him pursue what he yearns for." Taking her advice, Cheng Yizhi directly asked Zhou Wenquan about his dream, offering ample funds and equipment.

Zhou Wenquan responded by taking Cheng to witness the plight of ordinary people suffering from tuberculosis, showing him the agonizing struggles of those gasping for breath. Cheng Yizhi was deeply moved. Zhou Wenquan explained the stark contrast between the care rich patients received in beautiful sanatoriums and the grim reality for the poor, who were left to "wait for death here or at home."

He revealed that his own father had died of tuberculosis, a prevalent disease among workers at the iron factory where he labored. Since then, Zhou Wenquan had dedicated himself to creating "real medicine"—an effective antituberculosis drug. He acknowledged the immense difficulty and cost of such research, contrasting expensive but effective European drugs with cheap, ineffective domestic alternatives, and lamented the historical lack of investment in local pharmaceutical factories.

Cheng Yizhi, profoundly affected by what he saw, promised to help Zhou Wenquan overcome these obstacles, expressing unwavering faith in his ability to succeed and inviting him to discuss a concrete plan. Cheng Yizhi reported to Huang Ruhong about his proposal to establish a pharmaceutical factory for Zhou Wenquan. Initially concerned about the significant expenditure, Huang Ruhong was swayed by Cheng Yizhi's compelling arguments.

Cheng highlighted Zhou Wenquan's financial acumen, assuring Huang that funds would be managed prudently and that even if antituberculosis drug research failed, other products would ensure a respectable return on investment. More importantly, Cheng emphasized Zhou Wenquan's brilliant research capabilities, asserting that with Longying Private Bank's financial backing, the antituberculosis drug was within reach.

He strategically appealed to Huang Ruhong's position as a Director of the General Chamber of Commerce of Shanghai, framing the investment as fulfilling a critical mission to support industry, invigorate the economy, and set an example for others in embracing national responsibility. Huang Ruhong reluctantly agreed, noting Cheng Yizhi's newfound "fancy words" and deducing he had been influenced by Professor Lu.

Cheng Yizhi explained his frequent visits were primarily due to Mrs. Lu's longing for Wu Lizi, with Professor Lu's financial insights being a secondary benefit. Huang Ruhong accepted this explanation without further inquiry. Through Cheng Yizhi's persistent efforts, the Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory was successfully established. During the opening, Zhou Wenquan enthusiastically showcased his new facility to reporters and Cheng Yizhi.

While confident in the factory's initial success, Zhou expressed apprehension that the visible acquisition of advanced equipment might inadvertently reveal his true goal of developing an antituberculosis drug. He feared foreign firms, protective of their monopolies, would "destroy" any Chinese competitor and obstruct his access to raw materials, equipment, and licenses. Cheng Yizhi reassured him, emphasizing that discretion would keep their true intentions hidden.

Zhou Wenquan then unveiled his comprehensive plan for profitability: a range of successful cosmeceuticals, including Hundred Flower Dew, skin creams, and whitening creams, all with appealing designs, which had already secured orders. He also developed child-friendly medicines like antipyretic pills, wind-cold pills, anti-diarrhea agents, and calcium tablets, strategically rebranding the factory's logo to a puppy to capture the children's market.

Cheng Yizhi was greatly impressed, commending Zhou Wenquan as not just a scientist but also a "management genius" with a keen "economic mind." Zhou Wenquan explained his commitment to profit generation as a necessary step to honor Cheng Yizhi's "huge loan" and support for his dream, particularly given the arduous and lengthy nature of antituberculosis drug research, assuring Cheng he would not disappoint him. Cheng Yizhi reaffirmed his unwavering trust.

Lei Zi was incensed, as his attempt to use Heart-shaped Face to undermine Cheng Yizhi had spectacularly backfired, instead boosting Cheng Yizhi's standing. Meanwhile, Zhou Wenquan was formally welcomed as a new member of the General Chamber of Commerce of Shanghai. During the ceremony, he publicly expressed his gratitude to Huang Ruhong, the founder of Longying Private Bank, for investing in his factory, acknowledging that it was their first direct meeting.

Taking the stage, Huang Ruhong delivered an impassioned speech, highlighting his mission as a Director to support young entrepreneurs. He proudly affirmed Longying Private Bank's role in Zhou Wenquan's success and then, to Zhou's dismay, publicly wished him "great success" in developing an antituberculosis drug. This public announcement immediately worried Zhou Wenquan, who recalled Cheng Yizhi's earlier warnings about foreign firms' reactions to challenges in their monopolized sectors.

Indeed, several compradors from foreign firms promptly approached Zhou Wenquan, probing him about the veracity of his antituberculosis drug research. To mitigate the damage, Cheng Yizhi proposed a "remedy plan": Zhou Wenquan must "act" by confidently and grandiosely announcing his intention to develop "all" drugs currently monopolized by foreigners, including those for liver disease and rheumatism, with aggressively short timelines. Cheng believed this would lead foreign firms to dismiss his ambitious claims as mere marketing bluster.

Separately, Cheng Yizhi was in a noticeably better mood, confiding in Wu Lizi that the troubles involving Heart-shaped Face had finally subsided, leading to his improved sleep, a detail Wu Lizi had observed from sleeping beside him. Wu Lizi then asked Cheng Yizhi to accompany her to the upcoming prospectus party hosted by Shanghai Deposit Bank, for which she had acquired two invitations from Mrs. Tang of Si Da Private Bank.

Her true intention was to seize this opportunity to investigate her father's cause of death. Cheng Yizhi expressed concern about the potential for gossip regarding her and her deceased father. Wu Lizi, however, declared her resolve: though she had always feared such talk, she now intended to "walk in proudly" and demonstrate to everyone the wonderful husband she had and how happily she lived.

When Cheng Yizhi raised the issue of the bank's suit-only dress code, contrasting it with his traditional long gowns, Wu Lizi insisted they could have a suit custom-made and expedited, playfully but firmly overriding his objections until he agreed to attend. Satisfied, she then sang him a lullaby. Cheng Yizhi and Wu Lizi made a grand entrance at the Shanghai Deposit Bank's prospectus party, immediately becoming the center of attention.

Guests whispered, recognizing Wu Lizi as Wu Zhifu's daughter and speculating about her presence and her escort, suspecting she had gained entry with someone else's invitation and intended to investigate the bank's fundraising. Deputy General Manager Jiao, concerned that Wu Lizi might seize the opportunity to inquire about their fundraising, was instructed by Zhou Guangxian to prevent her from speaking with Mr. Zhai.

Zhou Guangxian tasked Jiao with finalizing terms with Mr. Shi of Juwen Leather and discussing investment details with Mr. Zhai of Guanfeng Real Estate, reiterating the importance of keeping Wu Lizi away from Mr. Zhai. When Wu Lizi attempted to dance with Mr. Zhai, Deputy General Manager Jiao intervened, trying to redirect her, claiming he and Mr. Zhai had important business discussions.

Wu Lizi confronted him, questioning if her father's passing and loss of his General Manager position meant she no longer had the right to dance at the bank's event. Overhearing, Mr. Zhai, after confirming her identity as Wu Zhifu's daughter, graciously invited her to dance. Meanwhile, Zhou Wenquan spotted Cheng Yizhi and enthusiastically approached him, jokingly asking why Cheng had abandoned such a beautiful lady for him.

Cheng Yizhi, mistakenly believing Zhou Wenquan was referring to his "own" uncle, inquired, "Your uncle?" Zhou Wenquan clarified, "Who is "your" uncle?" to which Cheng Yizhi replied, "Zhou Guangxian, General Manager of Shanghai Deposit Bank." As Wu Lizi danced, her partner's wife discreetly inquired to Zhou Guangxian about the identity of the dancing woman, to which he simply replied, "Miss Wu, she's becoming more and more beautiful."

Cheng Yizhi and another male guest discussed Wu Lizi's presence, with the other man implying she was there to probe the prospectus. Cheng Yizhi dismissed this, stating Lizi was merely there for leisure and to enjoy a waltz. The other man then sarcastically commented on Cheng Yizhi's "generous mind" for allowing his wife to dance freely, recalling her past as a bar waitress. Cheng Yizhi calmly retorted that Lizi had once encountered "well-dressed beasts" during her time as a waitress, subtly implying his hope that the current company was more refined.

Episode 13 Recap

At a lavish evening banquet, Mrs. Zhai complained to Mr. Zhou Guangxian about Wu Lizi dancing with her husband, Mr. Zhai. Mr. Zhou intervened, taking over the dance with Wu Lizi himself. As they danced, Wu Lizi expressed her belief that Mr. Zhou was also unhappy she was there and disliked her, recalling a time when he was kind to her, buying her chocolates, clothes, and even checking her homework.

Mr. Zhou responded that her father's actions had affected many, causing pain, but people had given him grace due to his hard work. Wu Lizi retorted, asking if it was her fault and stating she had come hoping for forgiveness, but everyone still seemed to hate her. Meanwhile, other guests muttered about Wu Lizi's drinking, comparing her to a "dance girl" and speculating that her behavior would deter potential investors from buying Shanghai Deposit Bank stocks.

Zhou Wenquan, Mr. Zhou Guangxian's nephew, attended the banquet with a female companion. Upon seeing Cheng Yizhi, he mentioned Huang Ruhong's public announcement about developing a tuberculosis medicine. Cheng Yizhi suggested that Huang Ruhong's announcement might be a slip, and advised Zhou Wenquan to seize the opportunity to research and develop medicines currently monopolized by foreign firms, using this as a way to challenge them. Later, as Wu Lizi continued to drink heavily, she approached Mr. Shi of Juwen Leather.

Mr. Zhou Guangxian and Mr. Jiao rushed to intercept her. Suddenly, Zhou Wenquan's female companion strode forward and slapped Wu Lizi, loudly accusing her father, Wu Zhifu, of enriching himself and committing suicide out of guilt, which led to the interruption of the Shanghai Deposit Bank's agricultural loan. She claimed this caused immense suffering, forcing many in her hometown to take their own lives. She condemned Wu Lizi for enjoying herself despite her father's "crimes," calling her shameless.

Cheng Yizhi quickly stepped in to defend Wu Lizi, clarifying to the guests that the Shanghai Deposit Bank's agricultural loan was a pioneering initiative by Mr. Wu Zhifu, benefiting over 600 peasant households in 42 villages across Jiangsu and Zhejiang, a fact known to all present. He asserted that the true reasons for the loan's interruption were also clear to everyone, implicitly refuting the accusations against Wu Zhifu.

After the banquet, which ended on a sour note, Mr. Zhou Guangxian sternly reprimanded Zhou Wenquan, whose female companion's outburst had ruined the evening and forced Mr. Zhou to apologize to Mrs. Cheng. Zhou Wenquan, frightened, repeatedly apologized. Mr. Zhou then discovered that Cheng Yizhi had invested in Zhou Wenquan's pharmaceutical factory, an important detail Zhou Wenquan had not disclosed.

Zhou Wenquan explained that he had tried to tell his uncle many times about his dream of building a pharmaceutical factory, but his uncle had always discouraged him and refused to provide funding. He emphasized that Cheng Yizhi had shown faith in his ambitions, which made the factory possible. He also pointed out that Mr. Zhou had been too preoccupied with the Shanghai Deposit Bank's stock prospectus to even attend his factory's opening.

Mr. Zhou accused Cheng Yizhi of teaching Zhou Wenquan to conceal the Longying Private Bank's investment. Zhou Wenquan denied this, asserting that the source of funding was less important than the achievement of establishing the factory, and questioned if his uncle was not happy for him. Mr. Zhou then pressured Zhou Wenquan to abandon Cheng Yizhi's investment and instead accept funding from the Shanghai Deposit Bank.

Later, Wu Lizi, curious about Cheng Yizhi's accurate knowledge of her father's past, asked him how he knew so much. Cheng Yizhi revealed that Professor Lu had given him a collection of letters from Wu Zhifu, hoping that Cheng Yizhi would better understand Wu Lizi. Reading these letters, Wu Lizi learned of her father's profound aspirations and deep affection for her.

Cheng Yizhi reminded her of her earlier declaration on their wedding day to leave her father's past behind, but acknowledged that she still held onto the belief in her father's innocence, a belief he shared. He drew parallels between Wu Lizi's character and her father's, recalling her advice about supporting someone's dreams. Cheng Yizhi quoted from Wu Zhifu's letters, where he stated that the greatest utility of capital was not merely wealth, but supporting ambitious individuals in realizing their ideals.

This profound philosophy, Cheng Yizhi argued, proved Wu Zhifu was not a corrupt or self-serving man, and he had never encountered another financier with such a vision of capital. Cheng Yizhi conveyed that Professor Lu had given him the letters so he could grasp the immense loss Wu Lizi had endured: a broad-minded father, a gentle mother, and her entire home.

He then sincerely offered to build a home for her, hoping it could, at least in part, compensate for what she had lost. Overwhelmed, Wu Lizi expressed her understanding of his feelings, but then softly apologized, making Cheng Yizhi think he had been too hasty in his advances. The next morning, Cheng Yizhi woke to find Wu Lizi gone. Concerned, he asked Wang Ma and Gui about her whereabouts, fearing she regretted their intimacy from the previous night.

He rushed out to find her, only to discover she was simply out buying breakfast. Relieved, Cheng Yizhi joined her, and they shared a tender and playful conversation over their meal. Meanwhile, Mr. Zhou Guangxian’s plans to sell bank shares faced a setback. Mr. Jiao reported that Mr. Zhai from Guanfeng Real Estate had backed out, citing the need for capital turnover, while Mr. Shi of Juwen Leather was unreachable, with only his secretary providing excuses.

Mr. Zhou Guangxian suspected Wu Lizi's interference and ordered Mr. Jiao to investigate what she had discussed with them during the dance. Mr. Jiao, however, assured Mr. Zhou of his loyalty, denying any contact with Wu Lizi and reiterating that Wu Zhifu's death had nothing to do with them. Mr. Zhou Guangxian then visited Zhou Wenquan's pharmaceutical factory, praising its efficient operation.

He offered the Shanghai Deposit Bank's investment and pressured Zhou Wenquan to terminate his partnership with Longying Private Bank. Zhou Wenquan, caught between loyalty to Cheng Yizhi and respect for his uncle who had nurtured him since childhood, explained to Cheng Yizhi that his uncle's insistence was due to the deep familial obligation.

Cheng Yizhi, understanding Zhou Wenquan's dilemma, agreed to terminate the partnership but insisted that all contractual obligations be met, including compensation for any losses and a fifteen-day notice period for account preparation and capital withdrawal. Zhou Wenquan accepted the terms, hoping their friendship would endure. Wu Lizi met with Charlie, who immediately noticed a change in her demeanor. She pressed him for news on Mr. Zhai and Mr. Shi, learning that neither had purchased any Shanghai Deposit Bank shares.

Wu Lizi revealed her analysis: Mr. Zhou Guangxian had offered generous dividends but demanded that future shareholders forfeit voting rights, a contradictory offer that made her simply pose the question, "What if Uncle Zhou ends up like my father?" This question alone was enough to make Mr. Zhai and Mr. Shi withdraw.

She further noted the suspicious "stable earnings growth" of the Shanghai Deposit Bank after her father's death, leading her to suspect Mr. Zhou Guangxian was involved in illicit dealings, which her father must have known about, thus explaining the mysterious film Mr. Jiao had mentioned.

Charlie then revealed his own discovery: Cheng Yizhi had recently provided a significant loan to Zhou Wenquan, Zhou Guangxian's nephew, to establish a pharmaceutical factory, raising questions about a potential connection between Cheng Yizhi and Mr. Zhou Guangxian. Cheng Yizhi explained to Heart-shaped Face that his strategic withdrawal of investment from Zhou Wenquan's factory was to lower Mr. Zhou Guangxian's guard.

Heart-shaped Face reported his unsuccessful attempt to track the drug dealer and the mailbox for payments; all leads were dead ends, indicating extreme caution from the mastermind. Cheng Yizhi decided to change tactics, employing "backward induction." Assuming Mr. Zhou Guangxian was indeed involved in drug trafficking, the Shanghai Deposit Bank would need to launder the illegal profits into legitimate income to appease shareholders. Heart-shaped Face likened this to their own Master's method of legitimizing gambling house earnings.

Cheng Yizhi instructed Heart-shaped Face to pose as Mao Fuxing, a compradore from Tianjin Huacai Carpet Factory, and meet Mr. Jiao to discuss purchasing Shanghai Deposit Bank shares. To prepare, Cheng Yizhi provided Heart-shaped Face with detailed knowledge of Huacai Carpet Factory and its business, anticipating that Mr. Jiao, having worked in Tianjin, might try to test his authenticity.

He specifically coached Heart-shaped Face to feign surprise if Mr. Jiao mentioned Wan's Wool Firm, then to claim that Huacai had severed ties with Wan's years ago due to their fraudulent practice of selling inferior goods. Heart-shaped Face was to emphasize the difficult business climate in Tianjin and their desire to invest in Shanghai's more active market. Heart-shaped Face, disguised as Mao Fuxing, met Mr. Jiao and directly stated his interest in purchasing Shanghai Deposit Bank shares.

Mr. Jiao, eager for investors, asked about Huacai Carpet Factory's recent cooperation with Wan's Wool Firm. Mao Fuxing acted surprised, then gravely revealed that Huacai had cut ties with Wan's years ago due to their poor quality products, explaining that Tianjin's carpet business was struggling, which prompted their interest in investing in Shanghai. Mr. Jiao then inquired about the form and quantity of their intended investment.

Mao Fuxing replied that it depended on the bank's profitability and requested to see some of the bank's accounts. Mr. Jiao politely declined, explaining that access to all bank accounts required a collective resolution from the board of directors. He assured Mao Fuxing of the bank's substantial profits.

Mao Fuxing pressed further, citing his imminent departure from Shanghai and his need to provide some information to his superiors, specifically asking to see the bank's loan records and a general overview of its profits. Yielding to this request, Mr. Jiao provided him with a simplified profit statement.

Upon reviewing the simplified profit statement, Heart-shaped Face pointed out a startling detail to Cheng Yizhi: Fumantang Grain and Oil Shop, a rice and oil company, was listed as having higher profits than Sanhe Cement Factory. This discrepancy immediately aroused Cheng Yizhi's suspicion. He took Heart-shaped Face to a local rice shop, Lin Fu Rice Shop, where they observed Mr. Ge and Mr. Lin discussing various rice orders for Zhang's Rice Cake.

Cheng Yizhi attempted to place an urgent order for 1,200kg of Wuxi Rice but was informed that urgent orders were not accepted, and deliveries would take 25 to 40 days, significantly longer than other rice shops. He then inquired about Tongli Rice, Changshu Yiziqing, and Beipu Rice, only to be told that all were out of stock. The shop manager explained they ordered rice only as needed and rarely kept inventory, making shortages common.

Cheng Yizhi expressed his skepticism to Mr. Lin, stating that he did not believe the shop's business was so good that all rice was sold out; instead, he suspected they were not genuinely operating as a rice business at all.

Episode 14 Recap

Heart-shaped Face insisted on reviewing the accounts before committing to buying shares. Unable to decide, Manager Jiao made a phone call to Zhou Guangxian for approval, then handed over the financial records to Heart-shaped Face. Examining the ledger, Heart-shaped Face noted the first five investors, among them Fumantang Rice Shop. Cheng Yizhi sought assistance from Mr. Lin, who accompanied him to Fumantang Rice Shop to place a rice order.

To their surprise, the most common varieties of rice were all out of stock. Mr. Lin, testing the manager, fabricated several rice names like Wuxi Rice, Tongli Rice, Changshu Yiziqing, and Beipu Rice, all of which the manager claimed were also unavailable. Mr. Lin pointed out that Beipu Rice didn't even exist in Shanghai. This confirmed Cheng Yizhi's suspicion: Fumantang was merely a front, and Zhou Guangxian was using it for money laundering.

Recalling the accounts left by Wu Zhifu, Cheng Yizhi now had proof that Zhou Guangxian was the mastermind behind the illegal production of Rejuvenation Agent. He returned home, intending to retrieve Wu Zhifu's ledgers for a detailed comparison. Wu Lizi, having drawn a hot bath, playfully offered to scrub his back, urging him to relax and get some sleep. Cheng Yizhi, however, felt far from relaxed. He knew that exposing such secrets could unleash new dangers.

He was particularly anxious about keeping Wu Lizi out of this perilous truth, promising her that he would personally clear her father's name and restore his reputation. The next morning, Cheng Yizhi confronted Zhou Guangxian directly. He accused Zhou Guangxian of stealing his nephew Zhou Wenquan's formula for an oral analgesic and illicitly manufacturing Rejuvenation Agent, using Fumantang Rice Shop to launder the proceeds.

Cheng Yizhi threatened to inform Richardson, the tax officer of the Municipal Council, about Fumantang's suspicious operations and tax evasion. Zhou Guangxian countered, questioning Cheng Yizhi’s influence in the International Settlement compared to his own. Cheng Yizhi then warned that the proliferation of Rejuvenation Agent was hurting the opium market, and powerful gangs were already seeking the mastermind behind it.

He explained that he would not reveal Zhou Guangxian's drug activities to any third party, including Zhou Wenquan, if Zhou Guangxian agreed to his terms: resign immediately as general manager of Shanghai Deposit Bank, cease all involvement with drugs, and publicly restore Wu Zhifu's reputation. Zhou Guangxian questioned if Cheng Yizhi was doing all this for Wu Lizi.

When Cheng Yizhi confirmed it, Zhou Guangxian cryptically hinted at Wu Zhifu's true cause of death, warning Cheng Yizhi not to let Zhou Wenquan get involved with "Persian Red" and "Dianchuan Aroma." Suddenly, newsboys outside shouted about an extra edition of Shen Bao. Manager Jiao rushed in, presenting Zhou Guangxian with the newspaper.

The headlines exposed Zhou Guangxian's secret production and sale of Rejuvenation Agent, his money laundering through the grain and oil company, and announced the rehabilitation of Wu Zhifu. Almost immediately, law enforcement officers from the Anti-Smoking Department arrived and arrested Zhou Guangxian for drug manufacturing and trafficking, taking him into custody. Cheng Yizhi, seeing the newspaper, immediately suspected Wu Lizi. He hurried home to confront her.

Wu Lizi, unaware of his anger, was jubilant, preparing a special meal and a bottle of ten-year-old Taidiao wine to celebrate her father's vindication. Cheng Yizhi sternly asked if she had taken documents from his study and given them to Shen Bao. Wu Lizi admitted to it, defending her actions by reminding him of his promise to help. Cheng Yizhi was furious, feeling used as a "tool."

Wu Lizi retorted, accusing him of doing nothing and protecting Zhou Guangxian because of his significant investment in Zhou Wenquan's factory, implying he didn't want to suffer a financial loss. Cheng Yizhi was deeply hurt, realizing she had been investigating him and didn't trust him. He lamented that her reckless actions had ruined his carefully planned, less destructive solution, leading to the collapse of Shanghai Deposit Bank, his father-in-law's legacy, and harming countless innocent depositors.

Wu Lizi countered that the bank had "died" when her father died, and a bank engaged in criminal activities deserved to be ruined. The argument escalated, and they parted ways unhappily. Wu Lizi later reflected, wondering if she had been too impatient and if Cheng Yizhi would have kept his promise given more time. Outside Shanghai Deposit Bank, angry depositors clamored for their money. Cheng Yizhi witnessed the chaos, a heavy burden on his heart.

The collapse of the bank was exactly what he had wanted to avoid. Zhou Guangxian deserved his fate, but his mysterious words about "Persian Red" and "Dianchuan Aroma" still troubled Cheng Yizhi. Meanwhile, Huang Ruhong met Secretary Feng. Huang thanked Secretary Feng for his support in Huang's election as a director of the General Chamber of Commerce, explaining that he had used Cheng Yizhi's name to secure the meeting, knowing Secretary Feng might not meet him otherwise.

He praised Secretary Feng's appreciation for Cheng Yizhi. Huang Ruhong then advised Secretary Feng on the changing political landscape, noting the Northern Expedition and the National Government's moves toward customs autonomy, including the establishment of the Customs Administration under the Ministry of Finance to take over customs affairs. He suggested Secretary Feng, with his extensive experience and connections in the Inspector-General of Chinese Maritime Customs Service, should seize the opportunity to join the Kuomintang for a promising career.

Secretary Feng agreed. Cheng Yizhi went to see Zhou Wenquan, who was distraught and blamed himself for his uncle's arrest, believing his pursuit of chemistry and painkiller research brought disaster. Cheng Yizhi reassured him that Zhou Guangxian's fate was his own doing. He revealed that Zhou Guangxian had been involved with drugs, specifically "Persian Red" and "Dianchuan Aroma," long before, and faced severe consequences. Cheng Yizhi promised to continue supporting Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory.

He explained that the factory's cooperation with Shanghai Deposit Bank had not yet fully commenced, and the termination of their contract with Longying Private Bank was not yet effective. Cheng Yizhi assured Zhou Wenquan that Longying Private Bank would remain his steadfast supporter. Zhou Wenquan was moved by Cheng Yizhi's loyalty. Later, Cheng Yizhi chose not to go home, instead sitting alone at the private bank.

Heart-shaped Face brought a pearl necklace, a gift from the Jing'an Branch staff for Wu Lizi, celebrating her father's rehabilitation. He also mentioned meeting a nurse during the Rejuvenation Agent investigation. Cheng Yizhi, still cautious, instructed Heart-shaped Face to continue investigating the source of opium. Cheng Yizhi then orchestrated a transaction to trace the opium supply. He met a seller, inquiring about "Big Persia" opium.

He demanded a thousand cakes for delivery the day after tomorrow, paying a 3,000 yuan deposit upfront and promising 13,000 upon delivery. The seller was hesitant due to the large quantity and tight timeline, fearing repercussions from "Persian Red," but Cheng Yizhi persisted, mentioning the "Gang of Dai" and the widespread availability of various opium types, such as "Big Persia, Small Persia, Local Persia, Foreign Persia."

Wu Lizi confided in Charlie at a cafe, regretting her impulsive decision to leak the accounts to Shen Bao without Cheng Yizhi's knowledge. She explained her rationale: Zhou Guangxian's efforts to raise funds for the struggling bank, even after her father's death, suggested he didn't desire her father's demise. His involvement in the dangerous opium trade, which was typically controlled by gangs, also seemed atypical for a banker, leading her to believe he was manipulated by a more powerful "mastermind."

Charlie understood, concluding she suspected this mastermind was the real killer. Meanwhile, Leizi reported to Huang Ruhong about the Atlantic Club's declining performance compared to the new Bixun Road casino. Leizi suggested differentiating the clubs to reduce internal competition. Huang Ruhong approved and encouraged Leizi to be more assertive, affirming his trust in him.

Huang then explained his seemingly benevolent investment in Zhou Wenquan's factory as a strategy of "trying peaceful means before resorting to force," hinting that his true intentions were far from friendly. Later, Huang Ruhong made a public show of goodwill, distributing rice to needy families at a grain store, with Leizi by his side, singing his praises.

Cheng Yizhi observed from a distance, seeing Leizi's subordinate report something to Leizi, who then added embellishments to the report for Huang Ruhong to take credit. Although Cheng Yizhi couldn't hear their conversation, he pieced together clues, concluding that Huang Ruhong was not genuinely helping Zhou Wenquan. His fear intensified. That evening, Mrs. Wang informed Cheng Yizhi that Wu Lizi was playing mahjong at Shanghai Cafe and would be home late.

Zhou Wenquan called Cheng Yizhi, mentioning Huang Ruhong's public announcement praising his anti-tuberculosis medicine research at the General Chamber of Commerce. This detail chilled Cheng Yizhi, making him realize Huang Ruhong's apparent support for Zhou Wenquan was a deceptive facade, intended to set a trap. Overwhelmed, Cheng Yizhi sought Professor Lu's counsel. He confessed to having "gone astray" and leading others into peril, expressing his deep regret and confusion about how to rectify his mistakes.

Professor Lu, without demanding specifics, understood Cheng Yizhi's dilemma. He advised Cheng Yizhi to confront reality, abandon the wrong path, and start anew, emphasizing that while difficult, it was the only way to atone for his mistakes. Inspired, Cheng Yizhi revisited Zhou Wenquan. He explained that Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory's debts with Longying Private Bank must be settled promptly.

He clarified that this decision was not due to any issues with the factory's progress in developing antibacterial medicines, but rather for Zhou Wenquan's and the factory's own good. He promised to arrange alternative funding from other institutions, urging Zhou Wenquan to quickly review and sign the new contract. Suddenly, Cheng Yizhi received an urgent call from a subordinate: "Ms. Lan asked you to return to the Huang residence immediately; the Elder Master has been shot!"

Rushing back, Cheng Yizhi found the residence in turmoil. Ms. Lan quickly took control, silencing the panicked subordinates, assuring them Huang Ruhong's injuries were not severe but required rest, and strictly forbidding anyone from leaking news of the incident. When Cheng Yizhi and Wu Lizi arrived, they found Huang Ruhong bandaged. Leizi, distraught, demanded to kill "General Luo Rengu," whom he called a "lunatic."

Cheng Yizhi, however, questioned this, noting General Luo Rengu's reputable Yizhong Company and his generally polite demeanor. He suggested there might be a misunderstanding, implying that Luo Rengu's violent act was uncharacteristic. Sensing a deeper, undisclosed conflict, Cheng Yizhi respectfully asked to be excused from the room. Leizi remained downstairs, ready for Huang Ruhong's orders.

Episode 15 Recap

Cheng Yizhi, concerned for Zhou Wenquan's safety, visited him with investment contracts from Longying Private Bank and the pharmaceutical factory. He instructed Zhou Wenquan to organize all his accounts and expedite the debt settlement with Longying Private Bank. Cheng Yizhi promised to secure new investments from other institutions, leaving Zhou Wenquan puzzled about the sudden urgency. Without time for elaborate explanations, Cheng Yizhi simply urged him to follow his instructions.

Shortly after, Wu Lizi rushed to inform Cheng Yizhi that Huang Ruhong had been shot in an assassination attempt. Cheng Yizhi immediately left to investigate. Huang's subordinates were clamoring for revenge, but Liao Lan intervened to calm them. She insisted that Huang Ruhong's injuries were not severe and he only needed a few days of rest.

Liao Lan sternly warned them against leaking any information, emphasizing that Huang had been very busy, even purchasing large amounts of grain and oil to help the poor celebrate the Spring Festival when the attack occurred. She was furious with the men for failing to protect him, saying that the bullet had just barely missed a vital spot.

Wu Lizi tried to comfort Liao Lan and offered to find some skilled Belorussian bodyguards, known for their marksmanship and quick reflexes, to enhance Huang Ruhong's protection. Liao Lan, still seething, agreed to try them out. When Cheng Yizhi and Wu Lizi visited Huang Ruhong, they learned that General Luo Rengu was behind the attack. Leizi loudly demanded retaliation, but Huang Ruhong cautioned against rash actions.

Cheng Yizhi expressed confusion, finding it hard to believe General Luo Rengu would resort to such violence, especially given the good reputation of his Yizhong Company. Leizi, however, curtly told Cheng Yizhi to stop prying. Cheng Yizhi, offended, made to leave, prompting Huang Ruhong to dismiss Leizi and then disclose the full extent of the situation to Cheng Yizhi.

Huang Ruhong confessed that he had been deeply involved in the smuggling and sale of opium, a business he had intentionally kept hidden from Cheng Yizhi. Cheng Yizhi, who detested opium, accused Huang Ruhong of abandoning his conscience for profit. He revealed Huang Ruhong’s true motive behind investing in Zhou Wenquan's factory: to gain control over Zhou Wenquan. If Zhou Wenquan failed to repay the investment, he would be at Huang Ruhong's mercy and forced to produce drugs.

Huang Ruhong did not deny Cheng Yizhi's accusations, explaining that without the immense profits from illegal businesses, his "empire" would not exist. He argued that "illegal gold and silver are two sides of the same coin" and that Cheng Yizhi’s ability to operate in "white silver" was due to the "illegal gold." Suppressing his indignation, Cheng Yizhi advised Huang Ruhong to reconcile with Luo Rengu, warning that otherwise, a bloody conflict was inevitable.

Recognizing Luo Rengu's determination to see Huang Ruhong perish, Cheng Yizhi offered to mediate. He then declared his intention to leave Longying Private Bank. Huang Ruhong, unwilling to lose him, pleaded with Cheng Yizhi to stay, even promising to abandon all illegal businesses if Cheng Yizhi returned alive from mediating with Luo Rengu. Cheng Yizhi, however, remained skeptical of this surprising promise.

Later that evening, Cheng Yizhi presented Wu Lizi with a pearl necklace from Heart-shaped Face, a congratulatory gift from their colleagues after her father's vindication. As he carefully fastened it around her neck, Cheng Yizhi pondered telling her the truth about the dangers he faced, fearing he might not return. He asked if her birthday wish was to vindicate her father and noted that everyone wishes for their dreams to come true, especially one so important.

Ultimately, he chose to remain silent. Early the next morning, Cheng Yizhi sought out Leizi to uncover the true nature of the dispute between Huang Ruhong and Luo Rengu. Leizi casually explained that Luo Rengu's Yizhong Company had ordered goods from Fengdebao Firm, but the Northern Expedition prevented the merchant ships from docking. Huang Ruhong had offered a full refund, which Luo Rengu refused, leading to his violent attack on Huang. Cheng Yizhi pressed Leizi for Yizhong Company's order list.

The document listed 140 cameras, a quantity that baffled Cheng Yizhi; he couldn't imagine General Luo Rengu risking his life over mere cameras. Walking down the street, a series of gunshots in the distance brought a chilling realization: the "cameras" were code for weapons. This discovery terrified Cheng Yizhi, making him realize the true, dangerous nature of the cargo. He then instructed Heart-shaped Face to discreetly investigate all of General Luo Rengu's properties.

Meanwhile, Wu Lizi and Charlie meticulously planned her entry into the Smoking Regulating Department to get information from Zhou Guangxian. Charlie waited outside as a lookout, giving her keys to the main gate and the documents room, and instructing her to enter during a one-minute guard change at 8:30 PM and exit precisely at 9:00 PM when he would set off fireworks as a signal.

Once inside, Wu Lizi located Zhou Guangxian's confinement area, only to find him assassinated, his blood still warm. Realizing the killer was likely still nearby, Wu Lizi was overcome with terror. As someone approached, she quickly hid. The person searched carefully but found nothing, then quietly left. Wu Lizi then whispered to Charlie on the phone that the killer must have heard her footsteps.

Charlie tried to calm her, assuring her that Zhou Guangxian had many enemies and no one could identify her by mere footsteps. With fireworks exploding outside, Wu Lizi seized the moment to escape and rendezvous with Charlie. Immediately after this, Cheng Yizhi, on his way home, was abducted and taken to General Luo Rengu's confidant, Sun Zongguan.

Sun Zongguan had received intelligence that Cheng Yizhi intended to retaliate against General Luo Rengu, leading Cheng Yizhi to suspect that Leizi had leaked information. Cheng Yizhi, seeing an opportunity, feigned defection. He presented himself as a disgruntled talent unappreciated by Huang Ruhong, confined to the Jing'an branch while Leizi controlled profitable ventures like casinos and opium. He claimed that Huang Ruhong had deliberately withheld major business opportunities from him, and only Luo Rengu's attack had revealed this hidden truth.

Though initially skeptical, Sun Zongguan grew intrigued when Cheng Yizhi revealed his knowledge of General Luo Rengu's order of 220,000 yuan worth of pistols, bullets, and explosives from Huang Ruhong. Cheng Yizhi further offered to ensure the safe delivery of these weapons, proposing a direct meeting with General Luo Rengu to discuss the arrangement and offer the arms as a gesture of goodwill upon his acceptance. Distraught, Wu Lizi hurried home, and Cheng Yizhi soon followed.

He proposed they go to a photo studio the next day, explicitly stating that it would be for a keepsake in case he didn't return from the dangers he faced. When Wu Lizi expressed concern about his safety, he asked her to touch the bed board, believing wood could ward off evil. The following morning, Wu Lizi carefully selected a light-colored dress (specifically a Suzhou long-staple cotton one) and a matching suit for Cheng Yizhi.

Manager Jiao then called, requesting a meeting with Wu Lizi for two days later at Yaxuan Restaurant's Meilan private room. She quickly fabricated an excuse to Cheng Yizhi, saying that her mahjong game with the madams had been rescheduled to deflect suspicion. At the photo studio, Wu Lizi clung tightly to Cheng Yizhi's arm, quietly urging him to come back alive, which deeply moved him.

Based on Heart-shaped Face's investigation, Cheng Yizhi learned that Yuebin Hotel and Sheng'an Hospital were solely owned by Luo Rengu, while Meiyuan Hotel was a regular venue for Luo's gatherings. Deciding to investigate Sheng'an Hospital personally, Cheng Yizhi asked Heart-shaped Face for the full name of a nurse he knew from Ren'an Pharmacy, Meng Shirou. Discovering a shortage of medical cotton gauze at Sheng'an Hospital, Cheng Yizhi posed as Manager Zhang from Zhang's Cotton Shop.

He approached Nurse Xu, claiming to be a friend of her former student, Meng Shirou, and offered to supply cotton gauze. Amidst the chaos of busy patients, Nurse Xu inadvertently mentioned that the hospital's morgue had been closed for renovations because its freezers were being renovated. Cheng Yizhi immediately deduced that Luo Rengu was using the morgue to hide the weapons. Wu Lizi arrived punctually for her meeting with Manager Jiao.

He presented her with an account book, explaining it was entrusted to him by Zhou Guangxian before his death. Manager Jiao began deciphering the cryptic entries: "Round 2," "Steel 38," "Steel 14," which were code names for pistols, rifles, bullets, and explosives. He revealed that Zhou Guangxian had acted as an intermediary, using Fengdebao Firm to guarantee arms deals, marking them as "Beidang 49."

Jiao then disclosed that the former owner of Fengdebao Firm was Huang Ruhong of Longying Private Bank, revealing Huang Ruhong as the mastermind behind the arms dealings and opium trade, and heavily implicating him in the death of Wu Lizi's father, Wu Zhifu. Manager Jiao further explained that Zhou Guangxian had initially been drawn into the opium trade by Huang Ruhong years ago, only later realizing that their cooperation extended to a larger arms conspiracy.

A copy of this very account book, he noted, had fallen into Wu Zhifu's hands, linking it to the unaccounted-for negatives her father possessed. Back at Meiyuan Hotel, Heart-shaped Face returned to Cheng Yizhi, confirming he had hidden a pistol in the most discreet location he could find: a restroom. Just as he reported this, Sun Zongguan called Cheng Yizhi, demanding an immediate meeting with General Luo Rengu at Edoia Junction. Heart-shaped Face expressed his worry, but Cheng Yizhi, acknowledging his concern, instructed him not to follow and to keep their actions a secret.

Episode 16 Recap

Manager Jiao relayed Zhou Guangxian's dying wishes to Wu Lizi. Zhou Guangxian and Huang Ruhong cooperated in selling opium, but Huang Ruhong later started smuggling arms, so Zhou Guangxian had to go along with him. Wu Zhifu obtained the account book of Zhou Guangxian and Huang Ruhong's arms dealing cooperation and photographed it as evidence. Wu Zhifu repeatedly advised Zhou Guangxian to stop, but he couldn't turn back.

Zhou Guangxian told Huang Ruhong about this, and Huang Ruhong, ignoring Zhou Guangxian's obstruction, sent people to kill Wu Zhifu to silence him. Wu Lizi finally learned the cause of her father's death. She was heartbroken and thought Manager Jiao wanted to use her against Huang Ruhong. She tore the account book to shreds on the spot and then slammed the door and left.

Mr. Sun brought Cheng Yizhi to Meiyuan Hotel, specifically asking him to enter through the back door and searching him. Luo Rengu had been waiting for a long time. Cheng Yizhi got straight to the point, explaining that the batch of goods Luo Rengu ordered from Huang Ruhong was not floating at sea at all but had already arrived in Shanghai. Luo Rengu already knew about this and even accurately stated the storage location of the goods.

Cheng Yizhi immediately became alert, unsure if Leizi intentionally concealed it or if Luo Rengu was trying him. Cheng Yizhi answered cautiously, knowing that any impropriety would bring him disaster. Cheng Yizhi excused himself to relieve himself. Luo Rengu sent someone to follow him to the restroom. Cheng Yizhi secretly took the gun. As soon as he entered, he revealed that Luo Rengu had hidden all the arms in Sheng'an Hospital's morgue and advised him to abandon the weapons.

Luo Rengu saw that he was not sincerely surrendering and immediately drew his gun. Cheng Yizhi displayed the pistol at his waist and earnestly persuaded Luo Rengu, warning that otherwise, he and Huang Ruhong would both suffer heavy losses. Luo Rengu was unwilling to give up so easily. He fired a warning shot in anger. The guards rushed in upon hearing the sound. Cheng Yizhi remained fearless and unyielding. Luo Rengu sent the guards out.

Cheng Yizhi promised that Fengdebao Firm would compensate Luo Rengu for the goods. Then, Longying Private Bank would intervene, arranging for Shenqin Cotton Mill to provide Sheng'an Hospital with six thousand kilograms of medical cotton yarn for free, alleviating the difficulties caused by the rising price of cotton yarn. He also agreed to let bygones be bygones regarding Luo Rengu's assassination action against Huang Ruhong. Luo Rengu considered it carefully and accepted Cheng Yizhi's suggestion.

Cheng Yizhi returned to report to Huang Ruhong, openly stating that Huang Ruhong had secretly hoarded Luo Rengu's batch of arms. Huang Ruhong gave him full authority to deal with that batch of goods, even allowing them to be publicly burned. Huang Ruhong treated Cheng Yizhi as his own child and was willing to yield to him. Wu Lizi found several Belorussian bodyguards. Liao Lan tested their marksmanship on the spot. Huang Ruhong bravely endured to see Cheng Yizhi off.

He saw Wu Lizi and Liao Lan together. Huang Ruhong congratulated Wu Lizi on her father being rehabilitated. Wu Lizi forced a smile and greeted him. Cheng Yizhi wanted to donate that batch of arms to the National Revolutionary Army, and Huang Ruhong let him decide how to handle it. Cheng Yizhi took Wu Lizi to the photo studio to retrieve their photos. He noticed that Wu Lizi had been restless, thinking she was worried about his safety.

Cheng Yizhi promised to live a good life with Wu Lizi from then on. He wanted to kiss Wu Lizi on the street, but Wu Lizi desperately pushed him away. That night, Wu Lizi went to bed early. She pretended to be asleep, and Cheng Yizhi found it inconvenient to disturb her. Cheng Yizhi came to the private bank early in the morning and gave Heart-shaped Face a piece of money.

Mr. Sun arrived shortly after, bringing the contract signed by Yizhong Company and Fengdebao Firm, entrusting Cheng Yizhi to seek compensation from them. Mr. Sun interpreted the names of the firearms and ammunition represented by the coded language in the contract one by one. Cheng Yizhi went home and found the account book left by Wu Zhifu, organizing the quantities and names of the sold arms according to what Mr. Sun had said.

Wu Lizi found herself gradually falling in love with Cheng Yizhi. She dared not face this feeling, yet she couldn't control it, leaving her conflicted. Wu Lizi came to Charlie for help and recounted everything about Huang Ruhong killing her father. Wu Lizi wanted to kill Huang Ruhong with her own hands. Charlie advised her to calm down, stating that if Huang Ruhong was truly her father's murderer, he couldn't possibly be unwary of her.

However, Wu Lizi had already obtained concrete human and material evidence, and she was determined to kill Huang Ruhong, otherwise she would not rest in peace. Huang Ruhong told Leizi to dispose of the arms hidden in the wharf warehouse, shut down all the opium dens and gambling houses on Bixun Road, and suspend opium transportation from other places. Leizi immediately went to handle it.

Cheng Yizhi asked Shimazaki Tadashi to help investigate Fengdebao Firm and the whereabouts of the arms hidden at the wharf. Cheng Yizhi found out that Huang Ruhong was the real murderer of Wu Zhifu. He felt an unprecedented fear and dared not let Wu Lizi know the truth, worried that she would fall into greater danger for revenge. Cheng Yizhi went home and spoke about Zhou Guangxian's death, stating that from then on, her father's matter was completely over.

Cheng Yizhi advised Wu Lizi to forget the pain of the past and for the two of them to live a good life. Wu Lizi said nothing, but became even more certain that Cheng Yizhi knew Huang Ruhong had killed her father and was deliberately lying to her. Huang Ruhong's birthday was approaching. Wu Lizi wanted to give Huang Ruhong high-quality ginseng, but Cheng Yizhi knew Huang Ruhong disliked tonics, so he decided to give him cigars.

Liao Lan invited Cheng Yizhi and Wu Lizi to her home for dinner and asked Leizi to bring out her Fenjiu, which she had treasured for years, to celebrate. Wu Lizi forced a smile and toasted Huang Ruhong. Liao Lan wanted to host a grand birthday banquet for Huang Ruhong, inviting all their relatives and friends to celebrate together. Wu Lizi planned to act on the day of the birthday banquet. She immediately went to Charlie to discuss it.

Charlie tried every means to stop her, but Wu Lizi was already prepared to die with Huang Ruhong. Wu Lizi proactively helped Liao Lan prepare for the birthday banquet and deliberately revealed to her that Huang Ruhong had recently bought a three-carat diamond necklace from Zhu Kebao at Lushan Hall and also an expensive mink fur coat from a department store.

Liao Lan was completely unaware of this and tried her best to defend Huang Ruhong, explaining that he had given them to important clients. Director Gao came to ask Cheng Yizhi to go to Changsha with him to find land for the Zhenzhen branch factory. Cheng Yizhi had just heard that the firearms in the wharf warehouse had been transferred, and he wanted to investigate the whereabouts of the arms, but Director Gao couldn't make decisions alone.

Cheng Yizhi had no choice but to agree to go with him. Before leaving, Cheng Yizhi called Shimazaki Tadashi to inform him of his address in Changsha, asking Shimazaki Tadashi to notify him immediately if he had any news. Liao Lan found out that Huang Ruhong was having an affair with Luzhu from Fuxiang Hall and confronted Huang Ruhong. Not only did Huang Ruhong not admit his mistake, but he also spoke with conviction.

Shimazaki Tadashi quickly found out that all the arms in the wharf warehouse had been sold to the National Revolutionary Army's 26th Army, and they were planning to ambush the Communist-led labor movement team and armed workers tomorrow night. Cheng Yizhi learned from Director Gao that Professor Lu was helping to write a petition. He immediately called Professor Lu, learning that he and his wife had gone to Suzhou and had not yet returned.

Cheng Yizhi asked the nanny to inform Professor Lu not to return to Shanghai for the time being. Cheng Yizhi asked Director Gao to inform Mr. Fan to let the Communist Party prepare early, but Director Gao could not reach Mr. Fan. Cheng Yizhi immediately decided to rush back to Shanghai. Wu Lizi came to Charlie to borrow a gun and learned that the 26th Army was going to ambush the Communist Party. Cheng Yizhi rushed to inform Professor Lu.

Episode 17 Recap

The nanny was just about to go out to send a telegram to Professor Lu when she was blocked at home by Leizi and others. Professor Lu and his wife returned to Shanghai in the heavy rain, and as soon as they entered the house, they were taken hostage by Leizi's subordinates. Leizi forced Professor Lu to write a confession, publicly stating that he would no longer participate in the workers' movement.

Professor Lu would rather die than give in, so Leizi ordered Professor Lu to be killed. Cheng Yizhi arrived in time to stop them, repeatedly apologizing to Professor Lu. Leizi forbade him from meddling, but Cheng Yizhi desperately protected Professor Lu, not allowing Leizi to act rashly, and repeatedly emphasizing that Professor Lu was a consultant to the Monetary Association, and even Huang Ruhong showed him some respect.

Leizi took out the regulations for the workers' movement written by Professor Lu. Professor Lu admitted that he wrote it. Leizi, in a fit of rage, shot and killed Professor Lu on the spot. Cheng Yizhi watched this bloody scene with his eyes wide open, completely scared stiff. Leizi was not reassured, and fired several more shots at Professor Lu before leaving with his men.

Wu Lizi came to Professor Lu's house in the heavy rain to deliver a message, and when she saw Professor Lu lying in a pool of blood, she was heartbroken. As soon as Cheng Yizhi returned home, he admitted his mistake to Wu Lizi, saying he failed to protect Professor Lu and his wife. Cheng Yizhi knew that Professor Lu and his wife were Wu Lizi's closest relatives, and Wu Lizi lay on the bed, her face bathed in tears.

Early in the morning, Wu Lizi came to Charlie to borrow a gun. She wanted to personally kill Huang Ruhong to avenge Professor Lu. Charlie didn't want her to take risks, falsely claiming he lent the pistol to the famous actor Boss Guan for self-defense. Wu Lizi earnestly begged Charlie to help her get a pistol, but Charlie flatly refused. Huang Ruhong supplied weapons to the Twenty-Sixth Army, and also sent people to suppress the workers' movement.

He credited all achievements to Secretary Feng. Secretary Feng was about to be promoted, so he specifically came to thank Huang Ruhong for his strong support. Mrs. Lu and the students held a funeral for Professor Lu. Cheng Yizhi saw this scene from afar, feeling very uneasy. Wu Lizi came to the supervisor of the Atlantic Club, wanting to borrow the pocket pistol she hid in her trouser leg. The supervisor handed her the pistol without asking any questions.

Huang Ruhong hosted a banquet to celebrate the success of Leizi and others, and planned to reward them for their merits. Huang Ruhong wanted to wait for Cheng Yizhi to arrive before starting the banquet, and Cheng Yizhi arrived late. Leizi taunted Cheng Yizhi with sarcasm and hurled insults at him, making fun of Cheng Yizhi for losing Professor Lu as a father. Cheng Yizhi retorted sharply.

Huang Ruhong called Cheng Yizhi in, telling him to speak directly and not to hide his thoughts. Huang Ruhong claimed that he had given the firearms to the National Revolutionary Army according to Cheng Yizhi's wishes. Cheng Yizhi angrily denounced him for colluding with the Twenty-Sixth Army to harm the innocent. Huang Ruhong explained that the reason he kept it from him beforehand was to let Cheng Yizhi see the true face of this world.

Huang Ruhong listed the darkness and infighting of the National Revolutionary Army one by one, not wanting to see Cheng Yizhi being deceived. Huang Ruhong encouraged Cheng Yizhi to cheer up and get ready; he planned to announce Cheng Yizhi as his successor at the birthday banquet.

Episode 18 Recap

Cheng Yizhi drove home, his mind racing all the way. He shuddered recalling Huang Ruhong's actions, and wanted to quickly break free from Huang Ruhong's control, worried about Wu Lizi's safety. Cheng Yizhi drove distractedly, almost hitting an oncoming cyclist, which startled him. Early in the morning, Cheng Yizhi held a meeting to announce that his men should audit the Longying Private Bank's accounts within three days as a birthday gift for Huang Ruhong.

Cheng Yizhi was going to see Director Gao to discuss finding land to open a branch factory, leaving Heart-shaped Face to keep an eye on things at the bank. Heart-shaped Face curiously asked about his whereabouts, and Cheng Yizhi told him truthfully. Upon leaving, Cheng Yizhi discovered he was being followed, suspecting that someone had leaked his whereabouts. He calmly drove around and returned to the bank.

Heart-shaped Face hurriedly came over to inquire about the true purpose of auditing the accounts. Cheng Yizhi grew suspicious of him but insisted it was a birthday gift for Huang Ruhong. Before leaving, Cheng Yizhi locked the documents in a box and deliberately left a mark. Wu Lizi borrowed a pocket pistol from the foreman.

She came to Charlie asking for a type of poison that could be hidden in her teeth, so that if the operation to assassinate Huang Ruhong failed, she would commit suicide by taking the poison. Charlie advised her not to bang her head against a stone wall, not wanting to lose his only friend. But Wu Lizi's mind was made up; she wanted to use this poison pill to give herself more confidence.

Charlie couldn't dissuade her and had to agree. Immediately after, Wu Lizi came to find Liao Lan to discuss the arrangements for Huang Ruhong's birthday banquet. Liao Lan had gone to attend a Shanxi Provincial Association meeting and wasn't home. Wu Lizi wanted to change the round tables to long tables. Huang Ruhong let Wu Lizi handle these matters completely.

Just as Wu Lizi was about to leave, Huang Ruhong suddenly called out to her, advising her to quickly have a child with Cheng Yizhi so that Cheng Yizhi could fully enjoy family happiness. Leizi carefully selected a pair of priceless calligraphy and paintings by famous artists, intending to give them to Huang Ruhong as a birthday gift.

He sent people to monitor Cheng Yizhi's every move, learning that Cheng Yizhi was leading his men to work overtime day and night to audit the bank's profits, hoping to give this as a gift to Huang Ruhong. Early in the morning, Cheng Yizhi came to the bank and discovered that the documents in the box had been tampered with. He suspected there was a mole in the bank but suffered from a lack of concrete evidence.

Charlie helped Wu Lizi find that poison, but it required a dentist's help beforehand to hide the medicine in her teeth gaps. Wu Lizi impatiently put the poison in. She suddenly felt constant abdominal pain. Charlie took her to the hospital for examination, where they found out Wu Lizi was pregnant. Wu Lizi was dumbfounded. Charlie advised her to temporarily give up this revenge mission for the sake of the child.

Wu Lizi resolutely refused; she did not want to miss this excellent opportunity and begged the doctor to perform an abortion. The doctor dared not do it immediately, needing to find out the cause of her abdominal pain before operating. Wu Lizi couldn't wait and had to leave in tears, with Charlie following closely behind. After Cheng Yizhi and his men's unremitting efforts, the audit work was finally completed ahead of schedule.

He treated his men to a meal at a restaurant. Liao Lan suddenly came to find Cheng Yizhi. She was dissatisfied with Wu Lizi's arrangements. Wu Lizi had changed the round tables for the banquet to long tables and even arranged for her to sit opposite Huang Ruhong. Huang Ruhong also agreed to this arrangement. Liao Lan was very angry. Cheng Yizhi repeatedly explained that Wu Lizi was decorating according to Westerners' ways.

Liao Lan believed that Huang Ruhong did not want to sit next to her, and then revealed Huang Ruhong and Luzhu's affair. Cheng Yizhi had no choice but to tacitly agree. Wu Lizi, disregarding Charlie's dissuasion, went overnight to find a private clinic to have an abortion. Cheng Yizhi secretly returned to the bank and discovered Heart-shaped Face looking through his account books. Cheng Yizhi came in to demand an explanation, suspecting Leizi secretly instigated him.

Heart-shaped Face confessed that it was Huang Ruhong who arranged it, worried that Cheng Yizhi was going down the wrong path. Cheng Yizhi had to admit that he wanted to leave Longying Private Bank. He suddenly remembered Liao Lan's words and only then realized that Huang Ruhong had long begun to suspect Wu Lizi. He deliberately remained inactive, waiting for Cheng Yizhi's decision.

If Cheng Yizhi supported Wu Lizi in harming him, the two of them would have nowhere to be buried. Cheng Yizhi did not want to implicate Heart-shaped Face, and hurriedly took out all the bank's cash for him, telling Heart-shaped Face to immediately leave Shanghai. Wu Lizi was at the small clinic having an abortion. She fell into a coma due to heavy bleeding. Thankfully, Charlie arrived in time. He immediately called to inform Cheng Yizhi.

Cheng Yizhi accidentally discovered Charlie gave the clinic doctor hush money and only then realized that Wu Lizi was suffering from heavy bleeding due to the abortion. He and Charlie took Wu Lizi to Sheng'an Hospital for emergency treatment. After the medical staff's full efforts to rescue her, Wu Lizi was finally out of danger, but the child could not be saved. Cheng Yizhi suppressed his grief, staying by Wu Lizi's hospital bed without leaving her side. Wu Lizi finally woke up. Seeing Cheng Yizhi watching over her, her heart was filled with self-reproach.

Episode 19 Recap

Cheng Yizhi learned from Charlie that Wu Lizi had an abortion. Due to improper operation by the doctor at the small clinic, Wu Lizi's reproductive organs were severely damaged, and her uterus had to be removed. Wu Lizi would never be able to have children again. Cheng Yizhi was heartbroken and blamed Wu Lizi for harming herself. If he had known beforehand that Wu Lizi detested him so much, they would not have been together that night.

Wu Lizi was even more grief-stricken and fainted from excessive sadness. Today was Huang Ruhong's birthday, and the Huang Residence was holding a grand banquet, with celebrities from all walks of life in Shanghai attending to show their support. Only Cheng Yizhi was late, and Huang Ruhong insisted on waiting for him to arrive before starting the banquet. Before the banquet began, Liao Lan proactively toasted Huang Ruhong, wishing him a long life.

The maid searched everywhere for Wu Lizi but couldn't find her, so she had to go to Liao Lan. When Liao Lan learned that Wu Lizi had not yet arrived, she rushed to see what was happening. Wu Lizi woke up groggily, and she fully revealed how Huang Ruhong had murdered her father. She wanted to kill Huang Ruhong to avenge her father, and had no choice but to have an abortion.

Cheng Yizhi had known about this for a long time, and Huang Ruhong had also seen through Wu Lizi's motives. The reason he remained inactive was that he had been waiting for Cheng Yizhi to make a choice. Cheng Yizhi unhesitatingly chose Wu Lizi, and then carried Wu Lizi to a certain place. Cheng Yizhi pushed Wu Lizi to the former Shanghai Deposit Bank building, now called Rebang Bank.

Cheng Yizhi had been busy for a long time, wanting to build an ideal bank, not a financial institution controlled by powerful officials and nobles. Cheng Yizhi wanted to do his utmost to fund struggling industries and help the impoverished masses overcome their difficulties. Leizi explored that Cheng Yizhi and Hardoon had teamed up to establish Rebang Bank. Immediately after, Huang Ruhong received Cheng Yizhi's resignation letter. Huang Ruhong reluctantly announced the start of the birthday banquet.

Leizi searched everywhere for Heart-shaped Face, but he had vanished without a trace as if he had evaporated. Leizi suggested completely suppressing Cheng Yizhi. Huang Ruhong didn't want to be ridiculed, so he could only endure it for now. Liao Lan came to Huang Ruhong to confront him, asking him to choose between her and Luzhu. If Huang Ruhong chose Luzhu, the two of them would divorce.

Huang Ruhong tore up the divorce agreement on the spot, coercing Liao Lan to remain Mrs. Huang. Cheng Yizhi carefully selected three high-achieving university graduates, intending to choose a manager assistant from them. The first two arrived for the interview on time, but the third person was late because he helped set up a wooden stake at the entrance. Cheng Yizhi hired him on the spot and asked him to start work immediately.

Cheng Yizhi went to Mr. Zhai to invest in Wande Garden. Mr. Zhai was worried about attracting too much attention and wanted to use the newly established Xianyi Timber Company to invest. As soon as Cheng Yizhi finished his work, he came to the hospital to take care of Wu Lizi. He publicly announced that she was hospitalized for an appendicitis operation. Charlie came to see Wu Lizi.

Wu Lizi told Cheng Yizhi to go attend to his own affairs and asked Charlie to stay and take care of her. Charlie showed great concern for Wu Lizi. Liao Lan insisted on divorcing Huang Ruhong, not wanting to remain a mere ornament at home. Huang Ruhong kept saying that he hadn't changed, instead blaming Liao Lan for not understanding him. For all these years, Liao Lan and Commander Liao had never taken him seriously.

Liao Lan gnashed her teeth in anger, cursed Huang Ruhong vehemently, and swore she would divorce him. Wu Lizi was urgent to be discharged and go home, falsely claiming that her fever had subsided. Cheng Yizhi found that she was still feverish and told her to stay obediently in the hospital to recuperate. Huang Ruhong returned home from Fuxiang Hall early in the morning, only to find that Liao Lan had left without saying goodbye last night.

Huang Ruhong read today's morning paper and learned that Cheng Yizhi was preparing to establish Rebang Bank; he was furious. Cheng Yizhi came to the hospital to see Wu Lizi, but found she wasn't in her ward, and the nurse hadn't seen her either. Cheng Yizhi quickly called Charlie, but Charlie also didn't know Wu Lizi's whereabouts. Wu Lizi came to Liao Lan for help, but Liao Lan shut her out.

Wu Lizi repeatedly apologized to her, wanting to go inside and explain previous matters. Liao Lan no longer believed what she said, and Wu Lizi's desperate pleas were fruitless, so she had to leave in disappointment. Cheng Yizhi wanted to go find Wu Lizi, but the nurse forced him to pay the outstanding hospital fees. But he didn't have that much money on him, so he had to escape through the window.

Unexpectedly, Wu Lizi suddenly returned, claiming she had gone out for a walk. Cheng Yizhi didn't believe her at all, so Wu Lizi had to admit she went to Liao Lan. She wanted Liao Lan to invest in Cheng Yizhi's bank, but she was rejected. Cheng Yizhi advised her not to worry about this matter. Charlie rushed over upon hearing the news.

Cheng Yizhi asked Charlie to investigate the details of Mr. Zhai's newly established Xianyi Timber, worried that Huang Ruhong and Leizi might be playing tricks. Real estate agents, fearing Huang Ruhong's influence, dared not find a house for Liao Lan. Liao Lan was burning with anxiety. Wu Lizi visited Liao Lan again to apologize. She even helped her find a house, but Liao Lan didn't appreciate it at all.

Wu Lizi admitted that she had used her to get revenge on Huang Ruhong for her father's murder. She advised Liao Lan absolutely not to reconcile with Huang Ruhong. Commander Liao almost killed Huang Ruhong back then, and Huang Ruhong had held a grudge ever since, making it impossible for him to be sincere with Liao Lan. Before leaving, Wu Lizi placed the keys to that house at the doorstep.

Charlie quickly handed the investigation results to Cheng Yizhi, who found no abnormalities. Wu Lizi suddenly remembered something: Liao Lan had once revealed that Huang Ruhong sent gifts for the opening of Xianyi Company. However, Cheng Yizhi found no clues of Huang Ruhong and Leizi's involvement in Charlie's investigation results.

Episode 20 Recap

Huang Ruhong originally wanted to secretly invest in Cheng Yizhi's bank under the name of Xianyi Timber Company, but Cheng Yizhi rejected the investment. Huang Ruhong learned that Cheng Yizhi had raised a huge sum of money and invested it in Wande Garden, and that Rebang Bank would open on time the day after tomorrow. Huang Ruhong gnashed his teeth in anger. Wu Lizi recovered and was discharged from the hospital. Cheng Yizhi came to pick her up.

Dr. Tang advised Cheng Yizhi not to despise Wu Lizi for being unable to have children and to be considerate of her. As soon as Wu Lizi returned home, she proposed divorce to Cheng Yizhi, admitting that she had married for revenge initially. She dared not explain the real reason, feeling extremely guilty towards Cheng Yizhi.

Seeing that her mind was made up, Cheng Yizhi agreed to divorce her and voluntarily offered to move out, letting Wu Lizi stay at home. Today was Rebang Bank's opening day. Cheng Yizhi, Director Gao, Xu Shu, and other shareholders cut the ribbon and held the first shareholders' meeting. Cheng Yizhi publicly announced that the bank's purpose was to help businesses and revitalize the nation.

Liao Lan moved into the house provided by Wu Lizi and invested all her dowry in Rebang Bank. Wu Lizi was naturally only too happy to accept. Cheng Yizhi publicly announced that Wu Lizi was the bank's deputy general manager. Wu Lizi brought Liao Lan to attend the board meeting. Cheng Yizhi also revealed the news of his divorce from Wu Lizi. Wu Lizi promised to work diligently and help Cheng Yizhi manage the bank's business well.

After the meeting, Xu Shu came to talk privately with Cheng Yizhi, mistakenly thinking that his actions had caused Cheng Yizhi and his wife to divorce. Cheng Yizhi clearly stated that it had nothing to do with him and advised him not to have a psychological burden. Charlie asked Wu Lizi to hand a gold pen to Cheng Yizhi. Wu Lizi then revealed the news of her divorce from Cheng Yizhi.

Charlie was very surprised and couldn't help but complain to Wu Lizi. Wu Lizi had bitterness in her heart but couldn't express it. Huang Ruhong deliberately had people extensively publicize Cheng Yizhi and Rebang Bank in the newspapers, wanting to see him fall harder the higher he climbed. Huang Ruhong gnashed his teeth in anger when he heard that Liao Lan had taken out her dowry to help Cheng Yizhi.

The enforcement team suddenly broke into Zhou Wenquan's pharmaceutical factory and sealed it off on the spot, on the grounds that Zhou Wenquan had not obtained a new production license. Zhou Wenquan immediately came to Cheng Yizhi to report. Cheng Yizhi told him to retain the key staff to prevent them from being poached. Cheng Yizhi then went to Director Fang to get a new license, but the effective date was three months later.

Cheng Yizhi pleaded with him to make an exception for an urgent application. Director Fang seized the opportunity to make an exorbitant demand, asking for a 30,000 yuan bribe. A man named Zheng burst into Rebang Bank to cause trouble, clamoring to see Cheng Yizhi. Wu Lizi quickly called him to the office. Mr. Zheng claimed to be Cheng Yizhi's elder brother and insisted on meeting Cheng Yizhi in person.

Wu Lizi had no choice but to come out and find Cheng Yizhi. Cheng Yizhi had just returned from an errand and recognized him as the person who bullied him when he was a child as soon as he entered. He then called him to the office for a private chat. Mr. Zheng forced Cheng Yizhi to give him 10,000 silver dollars and a ship ticket. Cheng Yizhi guessed that he had offended a gang and wanted to run away.

Mr. Zheng took out a newspaper, which reported that Cheng Yizhi came from a prestigious family and had become a renowned banker through his own abilities. Mr. Zheng threatened to make it public that Cheng Yizhi was an illegitimate son. Cheng Yizhi promised to buy him a ship ticket, but Mr. Zheng was relentless, threatening to ruin Cheng Yizhi and Rebang Bank's reputation, and then swaggered away.

While Cheng Yizhi was at a loss, he learned that Zhou Wenquan had been arrested. He had no choice but to steel himself and go to Director Fang to negotiate. Director Fang made an excuse of having something to do and slipped away. Wu Lizi came to visit Zhou Wenquan in prison. Zhou Wenquan desperately pleaded with Wu Lizi to save him.

Wu Lizi learned that the enforcement team tortured Zhou Wenquan every night, and he was already scared out of his wits. Wu Lizi warned the enforcement team captain that she would seek accountability from him through the General Chamber of Commerce of Shanghai. Cheng Yizhi went to see Feng Youru and reported to him in detail about Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory's development of a tuberculosis medicine.

He explained that if Feng Youru offered his help and the anti-tuberculosis medicine went on the market, Feng Youru would gain immeasurable merit. Feng Youru weighed the pros and cons repeatedly and agreed to step forward and help Cheng Yizhi. The enforcement team captain received orders from his superiors. He personally escorted Zhou Wenquan and Wu Lizi back to Rebang Bank, and Zhou Wenquan's pharmaceutical factory could resume production tomorrow. Cheng Yizhi was very happy.

Mr. Zheng called to urge Cheng Yizhi to pay the money as soon as possible, otherwise, he would gather tabloid reporters to expose Cheng Yizhi's lot. Cheng Yizhi falsely claimed he needed 10,000 yuan to bribe Director Fang, and that this amount would be deducted from his salary monthly. Zhou Wenquan voluntarily offered to bear this public relations expense for Cheng Yizhi. Wu Lizi suggested that Rebang Bank pay the money.

Cheng Yizhi brought the money and ship ticket to Mr. Zheng and only left assured after personally watching him board the ship. Wu Lizi suggested to Cheng Yizhi that they establish a credit investigation section, which could not only prevent them from being cheated by unscrupulous merchants but also avoid the input of unknown funds. Cheng Yizhi readily agreed. Leizi found out that Feng Youru had stepped forward to help Zhou Wenquan's pharmaceutical factory obtain a production license.

He immediately reported it to Huang Ruhong, who was very surprised. Charlie wanted Wu Lizi to forget Cheng Yizhi as soon as possible and advised her to meet a new boyfriend. Wu Lizi resisted in every way, but she couldn't withstand Charlie's persistent nagging. Wu Lizi followed Charlie to the grand ballroom, where Charlie introduced a man who had returned from studying abroad to dance with Wu Lizi.

Wu Lizi couldn't help but recall the scene of dancing with Cheng Yizhi in the past. She was absent-minded, slipped, and almost fell. Wu Lizi had to apologize to the man, but to her surprise, Charlie had arranged for her to dance three songs with him, making Wu Lizi complain incessantly. Wu Lizi suddenly saw Cheng Yizhi coming to find Charlie. She was so scared that she quickly hid.

Cheng Yizhi learned that Foreman Tang and Xu Shu had a conflict, so he hurried to see what happened. Wu Lizi came to question Charlie angrily. Charlie forced her to finish dancing three songs with that man. Luzhu tried every means to please Huang Ruhong by catering to his preferences and took the opportunity to suggest moving into Huang Mansion to help Huang Ruhong manage household chores.

Huang Ruhong flatly refused, giving her an important task: to find a girl who resembled Feng Youru's first love. Wu Lizi came to the hospital to see Xu Shu. Xu Shu poured out his grievances to her, saying that Foreman Tang had unilaterally changed his blueprints, and the two had gotten into a big fight over a disagreement. Wu Lizi advised him kindly and promised to handle the matter properly. Meanwhile, Cheng Yizhi took Foreman Tang to bandage his wounds. Foreman Tang slandered Xu Shu to him, and Cheng Yizhi went with him to inspect the construction site.

Episode 21 Recap

Cheng Yizhi came to the construction site of Wande Garden and personally demonstrated the skills and methods of French style bricklaying. The worker Luo quickly grasped the essentials, and others gathered around to learn. Cheng Yizhi asked Luo to lead a few people to lay bricks. Foreman Tang was completely convinced by Cheng Yizhi. Cheng Yizhi guessed that Leizi had bribed Foreman Tang, which was why he deliberately caused trouble and dragged his feet.

Foreman Tang slapped himself hard and hurriedly took the workers to get to work, promising to complete the task on time. Wu Lizi recruited talents and carefully selected 5 Credit Dept. section members. She quickly prepared the Information Investigation Department. She came to report to Cheng Yizhi and saw him drinking alone. Wu Lizi accompanied him, casually mentioning that her stage name at the restaurant was Hennessey.

Cheng Yizhi, emboldened by the alcohol, revealed that the brandy at the restaurant was mixed with water. Wu Lizi admitted it without hesitation and also shared interesting stories about working at the restaurant. The two toasted each other, becoming happier as they talked. Wu Lizi praised Cheng Yizhi for being reliable and promised to fight alongside him to make Rebang Bank stronger and stronger. Bell came to Wu Lizi to loan 500 taels to open a tailor shop.

Wu Lizi had to follow the rules and regulations. Bell mistakenly thought she was unwilling to help, left in a huff without looking back, and Wu Lizi hurriedly chased after her. Cheng Yizhi went to see Xu Shu, encouraging him to do things boldly and confidently, promising to be his strong backing. Xu Shu had always thought Cheng Yizhi and Wu Lizi were a match made in heaven, so he was surprised to learn they were divorced.

Cheng Yizhi admitted that he and Wu Lizi seemed to be happy but it's unhappy, not suitable to be husband and wife, but more suitable as business partners. Cheng Yizhi, on the other hand, felt that Xu Shu and Wu Lizi were a better match. Wu Lizi waited opposite Bell's tailor shop for a whole morning. Seeing that the shop had good customer traffic, she personally visited Bell and agreed to give her a loan to open the shop.

Wu Lizi also took Bell to a Western restaurant for coffee, asking her to carefully observe the western-style clothes worn by the customers dining there. Bell was full of gratitude towards Wu Lizi. Wu Lizi asked her to make two suits for Cheng Yizhi and revealed the news of their divorce. Bell was deeply surprised. Wu Lizi helped Bell get a loan to open a western-style clothes shop.

Bell quickly finished two suits for Cheng Yizhi, and Wu Lizi personally helped him try them on. Cheng Yizhi found a new place to live. He came home to pack his things. Wu Lizi went to the bedroom to help him pack clothes, and Cheng Yizhi went to the study to organize books. Suddenly, there was a crisp sound from the bedroom.

Cheng Yizhi rushed over and saw that Wu Lizi had accidentally dropped the photo frame containing their group photo on the floor. Cheng Yizhi quickly picked up the broken glass. Cheng Yizhi quickly packed his luggage. He handed the house key to Wu Lizi. Wu Lizi reminded him to be careful, and Cheng Yizhi drove away without looking back. Wu Lizi returned to the empty house. Every corner bore the traces of Cheng Yizhi's life.

She took out the note Cheng Yizhi had left in the rented room and the receipt from the piano shop. Seeing these items, her heart was filled with mixed emotions as she thought of him. Cheng Yizhi came to the unfamiliar house alone. He took out his clothes one by one, but Wu Lizi's image lingered in his mind. Cheng Yizhi angrily threw his clothes on the ground and lay on the bed, silently shedding tears.

Shimazaki Tadashi personally visited Cheng Yizhi to congratulate him. He immediately took a liking to the suit Cheng Yizhi was wearing and wanted to order an identical one. Cheng Yizhi introduced him to Bell's western-style clothes shop. Shimazaki Tadashi found the western-style clothes shop according to the address. Bell greeted him warmly. Shimazaki Tadashi wanted to order a suit. Bell looked him up and down and accurately stated his height and shoulder width, suggesting a waist-cinching suit.

The shop didn't have high-end fabrics suitable for him, but Shimazaki Tadashi didn't mind and asked Bell to tailor a suit for him. Shopkeeper Lin came to Cheng Yizhi to borrow one hundred thousand taels of silver for working capital. Cheng Yizhi suggested that Linji Rice Shop go public and issue shares. Shopkeeper Lin worried that being too prominent would attract envy, but Rebang Bank was still not wealthy. Cheng Yizhi needed three months to raise this amount.

Shopkeeper Lin couldn't wait and had no choice but to agree to raise funds by issuing shares. Shimazaki Tadashi fell in love with Bell at first sight and highly praised her craftsmanship, but he dared not leave his real name, falsely claiming to be Dafeng. Xu Shu asked Secretary Guan to help him get two concert tickets. He invited Wu Lizi to go with him.

Wu Lizi knew that tickets for this concert were hard to come by, but she was busy helping Shopkeeper Lin prepare for the stock listing. Wu Lizi didn't want to disappoint Xu Shu, so she agreed to have dinner with him tonight. Cheng Yizhi personally saw the two of them leave together, feeling a pang of jealousy. Shimazaki Tadashi gave Bell a copy of the latest European model images of the western-style clothes.

Bell loved it and wanted to know where he got the book. Shimazaki Tadashi took the opportunity to invite her to dinner, promising to tell her the truth afterward. Wu Lizi and Xu Shu chatted happily over drinks. Xu Shu repeatedly explained that he had no improper intentions towards Wu Lizi, only wanting to offer her some comfort as a friend. Xu Shu also spoke about his first love, which ended without resolution.

Bell followed Shimazaki Tadashi to the restaurant, eager to know the origin of the model images. Shimazaki Tadashi admitted he obtained it through bank connections. Bell casually mentioned Cheng Yizhi, and Shimazaki Tadashi admitted he knew Cheng Yizhi. After dinner, he walked Bell home, and the two found more and more common ground as they talked. Director Zhao of Shenqin Cotton Mill requested a loan of three hundred thousand from Cheng Yizhi to open two branch factories.

Cheng Yizhi learned that he had already chosen a new factory site and promised to grant him the loan six months later. Director Zhao was greatly displeased, complaining that he was too dogmatic in his work. Cheng Yizhi convened a board meeting, explaining to everyone that the bank's accounts did not have much money. Director Zhao suggested buying the 25% government bonds issued by the Ministry of Finance to make a large profit.

Cheng Yizhi did not want to make money through speculation. Zhou Wenquan, Wu Lizi, and Xu Shu all supported Cheng Yizhi. Director Zhao immediately became furious. He only gave Cheng Yizhi one month. If Cheng Yizhi did not make changes by then, he would withdraw from Rebang Bank.

Episode 22 Recap

Bell and Shimazaki Tadashi agreed to come today to try on clothes. Shimazaki Tadashi came very late due to work, and Bell had been waiting for him. Shimazaki Tadashi gave Bell a high-end woolen fabric, which Bell liked very much. When she learned that Shimazaki Tadashi worked at the Zhaozheng Bank, run by Japanese people, her expression changed dramatically. She deeply hated the Japanese and advised Shimazaki Tadashi to leave there.

Wu Lizi suggested to Cheng Yizhi that they open safe deposit boxes, which was exactly what Cheng Yizhi had in mind. Foreign banks charged exorbitant fees for safe deposit boxes, making them unaffordable for ordinary people. Cheng Yizhi wanted to provide rock-solid safe deposit services for depositors. Wu Lizi went to reporter Wang to help promote the matter.

Cheng Yizhi haggled with a comprador from a trading company, and they finally agreed to purchase two hundred safe deposit boxes in four batches. Due to Leizi's mischief, the trading company's comprador refused to sell safe deposit boxes to Cheng Yizhi. Wu Lizi was unwilling to give up. She went to Cheng Yizhi to discuss countermeasures. Cheng Yizhi found out that Carney, the manager of the Municipal Council, strongly disliked Huang Ruhong, and wanted Carney to help resolve the matter.

Wu Lizi first went to the club to return the gun to the manager, and then went to Carney. Finally, they agreed to host a dinner party for Mr. and Mrs. Carney. Wu Lizi also catered to his preference by finding Tchaikovsky's records, and asked Cheng Yizhi to pretend to be her husband, promising to teach him the western table manners. Bell helped Shimazaki Tadashi alter his suit and gave him a handkerchief as a thank-you gift.

Shimazaki Tadashi casually mentioned that for Japanese people, giving a handkerchief meant breaking up. Bell found it incredible. Shimazaki Tadashi took the opportunity to kiss Bell, and she blushed deeply. Wu Lizi personally taught Cheng Yizhi the western table manners, but unexpectedly, Cheng Yizhi already knew everything clearly. Wu Lizi thought Cheng Yizhi was teasing her, and pretended to leave the table. Cheng Yizhi hurriedly persuaded her to stay. Wu Lizi, Gui, and Aunt Wang cleaned the house thoroughly.

Wu Lizi specially prepared French cuisine and red wine. Mr. and Mrs. Carney arrived on time for the appointment. Cheng Yizhi played Tchaikovsky's record and shared his thoughts. Carney disagreed with him. Gui accidentally spilled red wine on Carney's clothes. Wu Lizi quickly went to get Cheng Yizhi's commemorative shirt for him to change into, but Carney was completely unappreciative and angrily threatened to leave with his wife. Cheng Yizhi hurriedly changed to a Peking Opera record.

Carney was very interested, and Cheng Yizhi promised to accompany him to the theater to watch Peking Opera next week. Wu Lizi casually mentioned that the bank needed two hundred safe deposit boxes, and Carney agreed to help resolve it. Thanks to Carney's help, the Rebang Bank's safe deposit box service was officially launched, and the number of new account holders quadrupled. Huang Ruhong learned that Leizi was stirring up trouble behind the scenes and severely reprimanded him.

Huang Ruhong didn't want such petty revenge against Cheng Yizhi; he wanted to find an opportunity to completely bring him down. Xu Shu came to invite Wu Lizi to a play. Wu Lizi suddenly received a message that Director Yin had sold the shares of Lin Fu Rice Store to Wuzhou Firm. Wu Lizi had to apologize to Xu Shu, saying she needed to handle this urgent matter, so Xu Shu had no choice but to drop it.

Cheng Yizhi went to Director Zhao, explaining in detail the previous unpleasantness. The two resolved their past grievances, and Director Zhao apologized to him. Luzhu found a girl named Yingzi who closely resembled Feng Youru's first love. Huang Ruhong desperately tried to please Feng Youru, having Yingzi play music for him. Feng Youru happily left with Yingzi. Before leaving, he provided Huang Ruhong with inside information about the New Three-Four National Bonds.

Huang Ruhong invested heavily in national bonds, planning to make a fortune with Feng Youru. Wu Lizi quickly found out that someone was maliciously acquiring shares of Lin Fu Rice Store, and their shareholding was about to be equal. Cheng Yizhi and Wu Lizi both guessed that Huang Ruhong was behind it. They sent all their staff out to acquire shares of Lin Fu Rice Store at all costs.

As Cheng Yizhi expected, Huang Ruhong was desperately acquiring shares of Lin Fu Rice Store, intending to completely ruin Rebang Bank and Lin Fu Rice Store. Leizi sent people to raise the acquisition price for shares, and the acquisition price for Lin Fu Rice Store shares quickly rose to 50 yuan. Cheng Yizhi wanted to continue acquiring, but Wu Lizi advised him not to be impulsive, otherwise, he would fall into Huang Ruhong's trap.

Wu Lizi went to Charlie to ask for help buying shares. Charlie did not want to get involved. Wu Lizi earnestly persuaded him to join Rebang Bank, thereby gaining the favor of the famous actress Guan Xiuyue. Charlie couldn't resist Wu Lizi's persistence and agreed to personally discuss the matter with Cheng Yizhi. Charlie straightforwardly proposed to Cheng Yizhi that he would take a commission from every deal and also participate in the operation of Rebang Bank.

Wu Lizi helped mediate, and finally, Cheng Yizhi and Charlie reached a cooperation agreement. Charlie advised Cheng Yizhi to focus on Huang Ruhong's weakness, the New Three-Four National Bonds. He also had Cheng Yizhi spread rumors that Rebang Bank would acquire Lin Fu Rice Store's shares at a price five yuan higher than Longying Private Bank. The 25th Treasury Bonds were national bonds issued by the Ministry of Finance.

Due to Huang Ruhong's vigorous promotion of the New Three-Four National Bonds, the 25th Treasury Bonds continuously fell. Charlie incited officials at the Ministry of Finance and also made the 17th Army, the financial backer behind Huang Ruhong along the Qingdao-Jinan Railway, retreat thirty li. Upon hearing this news, customers rushed to sell New Three-Four National Bonds and bought large quantities of 25th Treasury Bonds.

Watching the New Three-Four National Bonds continuously decline, Huang Ruhong had Feng Youru spread false news, claiming that high-ranking officials of the Nationalist Government were coming to inspect the Qingdao-Jinan Railway, and also making the New Three-Four National Bonds rise by four fen. Charlie personally staked out the stock exchange and sent people to spread news of the Japanese army committing atrocities of burning, killing, and looting in Jinan, destroying Huang Ruhong and Feng Youru's lies.

The New Three-Four National Bonds quickly plummeted to rock bottom and were eventually forced to suspend trading. Charlie bought a large mansion and excitedly went to the grand theater to find Guan Xiuyue, desperately trying to win her favor. Guan Xiuyue was completely unappreciative; not only did she refuse the mansion, but she also ridiculed Charlie for being a generalist. Charlie was deeply ashamed.

The newspaper reported that Shopkeeper Lin was an illegitimate son of the Lin family, and that poor management led to financial losses. It also maliciously slandered Shopkeeper Lin. The shares of Lin Fu Rice Store plummeted, and Cheng Yizhi was burning with anxiety.

Episode 23 Recap

Lin Fu saw the malicious defamation against him in the newspaper and fainted on the spot in anger. Cheng Yizhi learned about this and immediately took Wu Lizi to the hospital to explore. The Jinan tragedy caused the new three-four national bonds to hit rock bottom. Feng Youru immediately panicked and couldn't help but complain to Huang Ruhong. Huang Ruhong, however, was very eased the pain.

He analyzed that this matter was not done by the Ministry of Finance, but Cheng Yizhi was manipulating things behind the scenes. He called Leizi to keep a close eye on Lin Fu and find an opportunity to buy all the shares of Lin Fu Rice Store. As soon as Lin Fu saw Cheng Yizhi, he poured out his grievances to him. Wu Lizi kindly advised Lin Fu, and Cheng Yizhi could only quietly stay by his side.

Charlie acquired 900 shares of Lin Fu Rice Store at once. Coupled with the shares held by Lin Fu and Cheng Yizhi, the proportion had reached fifty-two percent, successfully saving Lin Fu Rice Store. Lin Fu learned about this, was so happy he couldn't close his mouth, and fainted again due to emotional excitement. Zhou Wenquan brought Ningning to pay respects to Zhou Guangxian, complaining that she should not have hit Wu Lizi last time.

Wu Zhifu had nothing to do with the tragedy of his hometown folks. Ningning repeatedly claimed that Wu Lizi exposed Zhou Guangxian for manufacturing and selling drugs to Shen Bao reporter Wang, which led to Zhou Guangxian's arrest and he later died an unnatural death. Zhou Wenquan forbade her from talking nonsense, but Ningning spoke with certainty, and firmly asserted that Cheng Yizhi was instigating Wu Lizi from behind.

Zhou Wenquan began to feel suspicious, and Ningning took the opportunity to provoke his relationship with Cheng Yizhi. Huang Ruhong was unwilling to admit defeat just like that. He firmly believed that someone was supporting Cheng Yizhi and Wu Lizi from behind, and sent Leizi to investigate who bought 900 shares of Lin Fu Rice Store. Charlie, as always, came to the grand theater to support Guan Xiuyue. Wu Lizi and Cheng Yizhi came to hold Charlie accountable.

They thanked Charlie for stepping in to save Lin Fu Rice Store, complained that he should not have used the Jinan tragedy as a bargaining chip, and even more, should not have revealed Lin Fu's lot. Charlie, however, spoke eloquently. Wu Lizi guessed that he was sulking because Guan Xiuyue had snubbed him. Cheng Yizhi openly exposed that Guan Xiuyue's singing was mediocre and was not worth his fervent support.

Charlie immediately became angry out of embarrassment and fell out with Cheng Yizhi on the spot. Wu Lizi came backstage to find Guan Xiuyue, trying her best to speak well of Charlie. Charlie not only joined Rebang Bank, but also became a major shareholder of Lin Fu Rice Store. Guan Xiuyue didn't believe it at all. Charlie retorted sarcastically to Cheng Yizhi, and even brought up his and Wu Lizi's relationship.

Cheng Yizhi also realized that what he said just now was unpleasant, and repeatedly apologized to Charlie. Charlie asked Cheng Yizhi to find two invitations for a weekend champagne party. Guan Xiuyue had always wanted to go to such a social venue, and Cheng Yizhi readily agreed. Ningning came to find Zhou Wenquan for a date. Zhou Wenquan was still busy with work. Ningning was greatly displeased.

Zhou Wenquan mentioned that Cheng Yizhi had exerted his utmost effort to obtain the license, and he could not let Cheng Yizhi down. Ningning deliberately revealed that the pharmaceutical factory's license was handled by Feng Youru, and didn't cost a single cent. Cheng Yizhi quickly helped Charlie find two invitations for the champagne dance. Charlie eagerly went to Guan Xiuyue to take credit. Carney and his wife invited Cheng Yizhi and Wu Lizi to attend the champagne dance.

Cheng Yizhi originally didn't want to go, but Wu Lizi had already told Carney about their divorce, so Cheng Yizhi reluctantly agreed. On the weekend, Cheng Yizhi and Wu Lizi came to attend the champagne dance. Carney and his wife praised them for being very modern, saying they could still be friends even after divorce. Charlie brought Guan Xiuyue, dressed elegantly, to the champagne dance. Cheng Yizhi recommended Charlie to Carney to talk about the public bonds situation.

Charlie spoke eloquently. Guan Xiuyue looked at Charlie with new respect, and Carney also praised Charlie as an expert. Cheng Yizhi introduced Guan Xiuyue to Carney. Wu Lizi invited Carney and his wife to the grand theater to watch Guan Xiuyue's performance. Huang Ruhong also came to attend the dance; he constantly watched every move of Cheng Yizhi and others. After the banquet, Wu Lizi once again solemnly introduced Charlie's new identity to Guan Xiuyue.

Charlie was very grateful for Cheng Yizhi's help. Director Fang of the Registry came to find Zhou Wenquan to apologize to him about the license matter. Zhou Wenquan had always thought that he had received ten thousand yuan in kickbacks. Director Fang vehemently denied it, and revealed that the license was handled by Feng Youru. Zhou Wenquan determined that Cheng Yizhi not only deceived him, but also embezzled ten thousand yuan of public funds without authorization.

Wu Lizi invited Cheng Yizhi to watch Charlie Chaplin's new movie "The Circus" together. Cheng Yizhi had already seen it, and gave Wu Lizi a detailed account of the plot. Wu Lizi invited Cheng Yizhi to watch it again, but Cheng Yizhi flatly refused. Wu Lizi went to buy a ticket alone, but the movie had already started. Wu Lizi lost interest; she didn't want to wait another hour for the next showing.

As Wu Lizi was about to leave, Xu Shu happened to be there to watch a movie and invited Wu Lizi to watch it together. Wu Lizi lied that she had already seen it, but couldn't resist Xu Shu's earnest pleading, so Wu Lizi had to accompany him to watch it. Cheng Yizhi drove halfway, feeling sorry for Wu Lizi. He quickly turned his car around and hurried back.

He saw Wu Lizi and Xu Shu walking side by side into the cinema from a distance. Cheng Yizhi felt a sense of loss and had to leave silently. After the movie ended, Wu Lizi laid her cards on the table to Xu Shu, telling Xu Shu to call her Section Chief Wu from now on. Xu Shu was completely disheartened. Cheng Yizhi convened a board meeting. Director Zhao admitted his mistake to Cheng Yizhi.

Zhou Wenquan suddenly announced that he would withdraw from Rebang Bank, forcing Cheng Yizhi to process the settlement for him as soon as possible. Zhou Wenquan insisted that Cheng Yizhi manipulated him, deceived him, and didn't give Director Fang ten thousand yuan for the license at all, but Feng Youru handled it, implying Cheng Yizhi embezzled ten thousand yuan of public funds.

After the meeting, Zhou Wenquan sent someone to find Cheng Yizhi, urging him to complete the settlement procedures as soon as possible. Cheng Yizhi readily agreed. Wu Lizi advised Cheng Yizhi not to be impulsive, because the bank could not produce so much cash at once.

Episode 24 Recap

Wu Lizi wanted to go discuss with Zhou Wenquan, but Cheng Yizhi firmly refused. His attitude was resolute, and he promised to complete the transaction within a week. After Zhou Wenquan received this money, there was still a shortfall of up to 120,000 yuan. Zhou Wenquan went to other banks and private banks to raise funds, but he met with rejection everywhere. He was so Urgent he didn't know what to do.

Leizi proactively came to find Ningning and revealed that Longying Private Bank was willing to invest in Zhou Wenquan. Ningning advised Zhou Wenquan to accept Huang Ruhong's sponsorship. Zhou Wenquan worried that Huang Ruhong had other intentions, but he couldn't think of a better solution at the moment. Cheng Yizhi came to the finance office to inquire and learned that the check he gave to Mr. Zheng had not yet been cashed.

Liao Lan and other shareholders all contributed to help, and Rebang Bank temporarily emerged from its predicament. Wu Lizi discovered that Cheng Yizhi had invested his entire 10,000 yuan salary into the capital. She came to the finance department to check the whereabouts of the check and learned that Cheng Yizhi had issued a 10,000 yuan check to Mr. Zheng. Leizi reported to Huang Ruhong the news of Cheng Yizhi and Wu Lizi's divorce, and Huang Ruhong was deeply surprised.

Cheng Yizhi came to the monetary industry association to attend a gathering, persuading private bank owners to invest in Zhou Wenquan. Manager Liang of Sanxin Bank wanted to achieve something to prove himself, so he proactively offered to invest in Zhou Wenquan's pharmaceutical factory. Huang Ruhong also came to the gathering, and he called Cheng Yizhi aside.

Wu Lizi came to the western-style clothes shop to ask Bell about Cheng Yizhi's childhood, wanting to know why Mr. Zheng was blackmailing Cheng Yizhi. Bell revealed that Cheng Yizhi's family was very poor when he was a child. There was a flour mill next to his house, and Cheng Yizhi often received half a steamed bun. He couldn't bear to eat it himself and shared it with his friends.

Bell had to go meet Shimazaki Tadashi at six o'clock, so Wu Lizi had to leave first. Huang Ruhong showed his cards to Cheng Yizhi, admitting that he sent Mr. Zheng to extort Cheng Yizhi. Cheng Yizhi warned him not to take out his anger on Zhou Wenquan. Huang Ruhong then brought up Cheng Yizhi's failed marriage as a joke, making Cheng Yizhi furious. Huang Ruhong threatened to fight Cheng Yizhi to the end.

Bell hurried to the appointment, where Shimazaki Tadashi had been waiting for a long time. Bell wanted to know everything about him, and Shimazaki Tadashi promised to tell her everything. Bell saw a Japanese family of three come here to eat and immediately lost all interest. Shimazaki Tadashi promised to find another time to tell her. After dinner, Shimazaki Tadashi took Bell home.

Bell invited him for a weekend picnic, but Shimazaki Tadashi lied, saying he had to go to Nanjing for official business. Bell saw that he had something difficult to say and encouraged him to speak directly. Shimazaki Tadashi worried that his lot would scare Bell away, so he remained silent with her. Wu Lizi came to Cheng Yizhi's hometown, Suzhou, inquiring about Cheng Yizhi everywhere, but found nothing. Cheng Yizhi met with Manager Liang of Sanxin Bank as agreed.

Manager Liang promised to invest in Zhou Wenquan's pharmaceutical factory and asked Cheng Yizhi to ask Xu Shu to help design the Sanxin Bank building. Cheng Yizhi knew Xu Shu's personality well and advised him to find others, but Manager Liang was determined to have Xu Shu. Secretary Guan took on many jobs for Xu Shu, but Xu Shu turned them all down.

Secretary Guan advised him to earn more money to marry a wife and not to always focus on Wu Lizi, a divorced woman. Xu Shu immediately became angry and ashamed; he was determined to marry Wu Lizi and no one else. Cheng Yizhi came to find Xu Shu, and after hearing his words from outside the door, he still braced himself and went in.

Cheng Yizhi saw the residential area model designed by Xu Shu, and Xu Shu eloquently explained his design philosophy. Cheng Yizhi casually asked about the romantic progress between Xu Shu and Wu Lizi. Xu Shu had to admit that Wu Lizi was not yet willing to accept him, and Cheng Yizhi encouraged him to pursue her boldly.

Wu Lizi eventually found an old neighbor of Cheng Yizhi's family and found out that Cheng Yizhi's mother was mentally unstable and a young bully named Zheng always bullied him. Zhou Wenquan's pharmaceutical factory had run short of funds and was forced to stop production. Ningning advised Zhou Wenquan to accept Huang Ruhong's funding. Just as Zhou Wenquan was about to sign the contract, he suddenly received a call from Manager Liang of Sanxin Bank.

Manager Liang promised to invest in Zhou Wenquan and would sign a contract with him tomorrow. Zhou Wenquan was overjoyed. Zhou Wenquan's pharmaceutical factory resumed production. Cheng Yizhi stood outside the main gate, seeing everything normal in the factory, and he was incredibly excited. Cheng Yizhi came to the hospital to visit Shopkeeper Lin, encouraging him to cheer up and get through this difficult period as soon as possible. The Japanese army launched a large-scale invasion of the Shanghai-Wusong area.

The KMT's Nineteenth Army rose in resistance, and anti-Japanese sentiment among Shanghai citizens ran high. Bell led her employees in putting up slogans to boycott Japanese goods. Shimazaki Tadashi quietly came to the western-style clothes shop in the heavy rain and saw Bell leading everyone busy writing slogans. He stood silently outside the door.

Episode 25 Recap

Bell called Shimazaki Tadashi to the western-style clothes store, asking him to take off his wet clothes and helping him sew on the fallen buttons. Shimazaki Tadashi repeatedly admitted his mistakes to Bell, confessing that he was Japanese and his mother was Chinese, which is why his Chinese was very good. Bell believed that Shimazaki Tadashi was Chinese because he followed his mother, but in fact, Shimazaki Tadashi was Japanese. Bell was so angry that she gnashed her teeth.

If Shimazaki Tadashi had clarified earlier that he was Japanese, Bell would not have liked him. In a fit of anger, she drove Shimazaki Tadashi away. Before leaving, Shimazaki Tadashi expressed his love for Bell. After the unremitting efforts of Director Gao and the workers, the tung oil order was finally completed. Liao Lan personally came to the factory to make knife-shaved noodles for the workers.

The workers joked with Liao Lan, and Director Gao's son, Gao Xiaocong, was very angry, shouting at the workers. Director Gao expressed his true feelings to Liao Lan, wanting to spend the rest of his life with her. Liao Lan worried that Gao Xiaocong would not agree, but Director Gao believed he would accept her. Director Gao brought Liao Lan to take wedding photos. Wu Lizi and Cheng Yizhi accompanied them.

Liao Lan smiled brightly, and Wu Lizi was also happy for Liao Lan. Bell made a suit for Shimazaki Tadashi as a keepsake, vowing never to have anything to do with him again. Shimazaki Tadashi had originally intended to propose to Bell, but out of pique, he threw the ring into the Huangpu River. Wande Garden was opening tomorrow. Cheng Yizhi brought the shareholders here overnight.

Xu Shu pressed Wande Garden's launch button, and a dazzling array of lights illuminated a small, Sino-Western style mansion before them. Everyone was amazed, and Xu Shu was particularly excited, thanking Cheng Yizhi for helping him realize his dream. Cheng Yizhi visited Shopkeeper Lin, who had recovered completely and could be discharged from Sheng'an Hospital the day after tomorrow. He thanked Cheng Yizhi for his encouragement and support.

As Cheng Yizhi emerged from Sheng'an Hospital, Wu Lizi happened to come looking for him, taking his hand and going home. Wu Lizi personally played a song for him. The first time Cheng Yizhi saw Wu Lizi, she was playing this very song. Cheng Yizhi was captivated, unable to extricate himself. When the song ended, Cheng Yizhi still felt a lingering sense of enjoyment.

Wu Lizi explained that the reason she didn't want to play the piano, and even detested it, was because it reminded her of her parents and the past. Wu Lizi thanked Cheng Yizhi for giving her hope in life, for helping her emerge from the gloom of losing her loved ones, and for experiencing unprecedented joy. Cheng Yizhi wished her to find her own happiness, then hastily bid farewell and left.

Wu Lizi watched Cheng Yizhi's determined departing figure, feeling a mix of emotions. Cheng Yizhi proposed the reform of unifying silver dollars. The Ministry of Finance fully supported his decision. This matter caused a huge uproar, bringing a fatal blow to the money houses. Huang Ruhong was unwilling to let it go. He arranged to meet Feng Youru for a private chat. Since the new three-four national bonds plummeted, Feng Youru had not appeared.

Huang Ruhong invited him for a private meeting, promising to help him regain momentum and suppress the Ministry of Finance's arrogance. The two immediately hit it off. Cheng Yizhi went to find Mr. Chen of Shanghai Bank. Mr. Chen's wife's sister, Dai Ailing, had just returned from England and was working as a general agent at Shanghai Bank. Dai Ailing had long heard of Cheng Yizhi's reputation and eagerly pulled him aside, asking him many questions.

Dai Ailing had organized a proposal for unifying silver dollars. Cheng Yizhi read it from beginning to end and couldn't help but look at her with new admiration. Wu Lizi went to confront Xu Shu, explicitly announcing that they were merely ordinary colleagues. When Huang Ruhong learned that Liao Lan and Director Gao were married, he was so angry that he gnashed his teeth.

He immediately convened an emergency meeting of the major money house managers, calling on everyone to unite against the banking industry reform led by Cheng Yizhi. The major money houses lowered their loan rates and raised deposit interest rates, hoping to win public support. Dai Ailing suggested that Cheng Yizhi come forward to confront the monetary industry to the end. Mr. Chen promised to fully support Cheng Yizhi. Wu Lizi complained to Charlie.

Charlie learned that she had rejected Xu Shu's feelings and suspected that Wu Lizi still couldn't let go of Cheng Yizhi. Wu Lizi denied it, so Charlie revealed that Dai Ailing admired Cheng Yizhi. Wu Lizi came to Cheng Yizhi to report on work, suggesting an increase in small loans. Wu Lizi proactively offered to help Cheng Yizhi proofread the joint statement for unifying silver dollars, but Cheng Yizhi politely declined.

Dai Ailing helped Cheng Yizhi revise the joint statement, pointedly remarking that his language was too solemn and should include some witty and humorous elements. Cheng Yizhi agreed, and the two of them revised the joint statement together. On the day of the press conference, an explosion occurred at Zhou Wenquan's pharmaceutical factory, plunging the factory into chaos. Dai Ailing personally helped Cheng Yizhi adjust his suit, encouraging him not to be nervous when going on stage.

Wu Lizi rushed over to report the explosion at Zhou Wenquan's pharmaceutical factory to Cheng Yizhi. Cheng Yizhi asked Dai Ailing to speak on his behalf, and he took Wu Lizi to the pharmaceutical factory. Zhou Wenquan was injured while trying to rescue equipment, but Manager Liang of Sanxin Bank was late to appear. Cheng Yizhi felt something was amiss but lacked conclusive evidence. Dai Ailing spoke passionately and eloquently, explaining the benefits of unifying silver dollars in an easy-to-understand manner, earning praise from the guests.

Episode 26 Recap

Cheng Yizhi and Wu Lizi came to the hospital to inquire about the injuries of the injured workers and Zhou Wenquan from the doctor. Ningning kept comforting Zhou Wenquan, but he was emotional and yelled at Ningning. Cheng Yizhi and Wu Lizi wanted to visit Zhou Wenquan, but Ningning shut them out and spoke ill of them, so the two of them had to leave first. The more Cheng Yizhi thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong.

Zhou Wenquan was very serious about the safety of the pharmaceutical factory, so such a terrible explosion was impossible. Wu Lizi suspected Huang Ruhong was behind it, but she lacked conclusive evidence. Cheng Yizhi got off the car halfway from the banking industry association. Dai Ailing was waiting for him at the entrance. The two of them went in together, chatting and laughing. Wu Lizi saw this scene and felt a pang of jealousy.

Dai Ailing and Cheng Yizhi discussed and decided that Cheng Yizhi should negotiate directly with the managers of the monetary industry alliance. Cheng Yizhi arranged to meet with the private bank managers, explaining the pros and cons to them and advising them to assess the situation and accept the reform of unifying silver dollars. They insisted on listening to Huang Ruhong.

Cheng Yizhi publicly exposed Huang Ruhong's collaboration with government officials, who wanted to use the monetary industry alliance to gain the position of Chamber of Commerce president. Only then did everyone realize the truth. The managers of various private banks all stepped forward to support Cheng Yizhi, leaving Huang Ruhong isolated. He was furious and gritted his teeth. The banking industry alliance held a celebration party, and bank managers all extended their congratulations to Cheng Yizhi.

Dai Ailing pulled Cheng Yizhi aside and asked for his opinion on women pursuing doctorates. Cheng Yizhi believed that female doctors were even more remarkable. Dai Ailing wanted to continue her doctoral studies, but her two sisters disagreed and tried to set her up with prospective partners.

Dai Ailing asked Cheng Yizhi to pretend to be her boyfriend so she could take the opportunity to finish her thesis, then contact foreign universities, and break up with Cheng Yizhi once her application was successful. Cheng Yizhi couldn't argue further and had to agree to her request. Dai Ailing cheered happily, and Mr. Chen saw everything.

Wu Lizi accompanied Charlie to watch Guan Xiuyue perform opera and asked him to help check the police dispatch records for Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory. Immediately after, Wu Lizi poured out her grievances to Charlie. She thought Dai Ailing was a cultured, smart, and lovely girl, and firmly believed Cheng Yizhi would fall in love with her. Zhou Wenquan saw the pharmaceutical factory in ruins after the explosion, and his heart ached.

Ningning desperately comforted him, repeatedly emphasizing that the explosion was an accident. Zhou Wenquan, utterly disheartened, came to find Manager Liang, begging him for a loan of forty thousand yuan to rebuild the pharmaceutical factory. Manager Liang flatly refused, forcing him to repay all his debts within this month, otherwise Sanxin Bank would forcibly take over the pharmaceutical factory.

Wu Lizi went to the police station's archives to check police dispatch records and accidentally saw Mr. Zheng's wanted poster, learning that he had raped and murdered two young girls. Cheng Yizhi came to Manager Liang to reason with him, condemning him for taking such a drastic measure against Zhou Wenquan.

Manager Liang forced Cheng Yizhi to quickly find Xu Shu to design the Sanxin Bank building, and also demanded Cheng Yizhi repay the twenty thousand yuan penalty for guaranteeing Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory. Cheng Yizhi was so angry that he turned and left. Zhou Wenquan came to the hospital to visit the injured workers. Seeing their severe injuries, he repeatedly apologized to them and advised them to recuperate with peace of mind.

Zhou Wenquan asked Ningning to withdraw his last savings to treat the workers' injuries, but the money was a drop in the bucket and couldn't last for a few days. Ningning advised him to seek help from Longying Private Bank. Zhou Wenquan was at his wit's end and reluctantly agreed. Wu Lizi voluntarily came to find Zhou Wenquan, promising to lend him forty thousand yuan for urgent needs. Ningning refused to let her see Zhou Wenquan.

Wu Lizi guessed that Ningning was going to seek help from Leizi. She loudly called Zhou Wenquan out to talk. Zhou Wenquan was very impatient and reluctantly came to meet Wu Lizi. Wu Lizi admitted that she had exposed Zhou Guangxian's drug manufacturing and trafficking crimes behind Cheng Yizhi's back. Cheng Yizhi had a big argument with her because of this, which also led them down the path to divorce.

Wu Lizi enumerated Huang Ruhong's crimes one by one: he used Zhou Guangxian and also sent people for the assassination action against Zhou Guangxian. Wu Lizi produced Zhou Guangxian and Huang Ruhong's secret ledger, but Zhou Wenquan still held a grudge against Cheng Yizhi. Wu Lizi clearly stated that Cheng Yizhi had personally asked Manager Liang of Sanxin Bank, and only then was Manager Liang willing to invest in Zhou Wenquan.

Wu Lizi advised Zhou Wenquan to return to Rebang Bank, and assured him that Cheng Yizhi would welcome his return at any time. Zhou Wenquan learned the truth, and he was so furious that he pounded his chest and stamped his feet, rejecting Wu Lizi's suggestion outright. Wu Lizi returned to report to Cheng Yizhi, and Ningning followed, unable to find Zhou Wenquan anywhere.

Cheng Yizhi was relieved to learn that Zhou Wenquan had not yet signed a contract with Longying Private Bank, and immediately dispatched people to search in different directions. Leizi reported Zhou Wenquan's disappearance to Huang Ruhong. Huang Ruhong noticed that he liked Ningning and let him decide whether or not to look for Zhou Wenquan. Cheng Yizhi sent his employees to look for Zhou Wenquan in different directions.

Wu Lizi worried that if anything happened to Zhou Wenquan, Cheng Yizhi would not let her off the hook. Charlie advised Wu Lizi to calm down and not to have Cheng Yizhi on her mind all the time. Leizi led people to search for Zhou Wenquan everywhere, but found nothing. After everyone's unremitting efforts, Zhou Wenquan was finally found in an opium den, where he was smoking opium and used it to numb himself.

Cheng Yizhi gave him a stern lecture. Zhou Wenquan was already disheartened, but Cheng Yizhi encouraged him to quickly develop medicine for tuberculosis to bring solace to the deceased workers. Cheng Yizhi threw the opium pipe on the ground, promising to cover the medical expenses of the injured workers, and forcibly pulled Zhou Wenquan out of the opium den.

Huang Ruhong learned that Cheng Yizhi had fully taken over the debts of Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory, and that Ningning had also left Zhou Wenquan. Huang Ruhong decided to seize the opportunity to severely suppress Cheng Yizhi. He hired a lawyer to sue Cheng Yizhi for occupying the plot of land on Beile Road to build Wande Garden. Cheng Yizhi held the authorization letter for that plot of land, but Huang Ruhong had the land deed. Cheng Yizhi was helpless.

He asked Wu Lizi to find out what Huang Ruhong intended to do with Wande Garden. Ningning came to Leizi to complain tearfully. Leizi took the opportunity to say many bad things about Zhou Wenquan and showed concern for Ningning. Wu Lizi quickly found out that Huang Ruhong had sold the Wande Garden plot to two major foreign firms at the lowest price.

Charlie also received inside information that Huang Ruhong planned to publish an article in major newspapers tomorrow about Cheng Yizhi forcibly occupying the land to build Wande Garden. Cheng Yizhi realized that Huang Ruhong was preparing for open warfare with him. He immediately convened a meeting with his employees and made meticulous arrangements to deal with the run on the bank that would occur tomorrow.

Episode 27 Recap

Cheng Yizhi asked Wu Lizi to send people to investigate the profitability of each merchant in Wande Garden. He took Wu Lizi to a restaurant to find Boss Yan of the Grand Theater, suggesting that he open tomorrow. Wu Lizi also chimed in to help. However, the Grand Theater was not yet fully completed. Cheng Yizhi claimed to have found a copy of the latest movie and promised to let Boss Yan premiere it at the Grand Theater.

Wu Lizi even suggested that ladies be admitted for free, which Boss Yan naturally gladly accepted. Cheng Yizhi took Wu Lizi to visit various merchant bosses, suggesting that everyone unite to hold a grand opening promotion. He proposed that Rebang Bank provide manpower and resources to help them and offer them rent discounts. Boss Yang suspected that Cheng Yizhi was involved in a lawsuit, which was why he was so Urgent to organize a promotional event.

Leizi had approached him beforehand, asking him to unite the merchants against Cheng Yizhi. Cheng Yizhi requested Boss Yang's support to provide a stable investment environment for all merchants. Boss Yang knew Leizi's character and promised to rally the other merchant bosses to support Cheng Yizhi. Wu Lizi and Cheng Yizhi were busy all night, finally settling agreements with all the merchant bosses. It was already bright morning, and both of them were exhausted.

Wu Lizi wanted to lean on Cheng Yizhi's shoulder for a sleep. Cheng Yizhi suddenly remembered something. He immediately drove to buy ribbons and balloons. The two of them squatted by the roadside blowing up balloons. Cheng Yizhi tied the balloons to the car and took Wu Lizi to Wande Garden to attend the opening ceremony. Today was the opening day of Wande Garden. Customers came in an endless stream, and everything was orderly.

Cheng Yizhi felt very pleased to see the promotion in the newspaper. Wu Lizi was extremely hungry, so Cheng Yizhi took out a piece of candy to satisfy her hunger. Huang Ruhong sent people to plant explosives at Rebang Bank, intending to detonate the building tomorrow. Cheng Yizhi and Wu Lizi returned to Rebang Bank. They were fully prepared, but a malicious bank run still occurred.

Cheng Yizhi instructed his employees to work separately with large depositors who came to withdraw funds. Huang Ruhong and Leizi brought people to the station to pick up Demi, the new consul of the French Concession. Students swarmed the station, strongly demanding that Huang Ruhong return Wande Garden. Leizi quickly escorted Demi's family away from the station. Cheng Yizhi heard the news and rushed to the station afterward.

French Consul General Homer came directly to Huang Ruhong to demand an explanation. Huang Ruhong repeatedly assured him that he would handle the matter properly. He sent Leizi to investigate the students who led the troublemaking. Leizi admitted his fault to Huang Ruhong. Huang Ruhong's conspiracy was completely thwarted. Wu Lizi and Cheng Yizhi drank and chatted happily, celebrating their hard-won victory together. Director Zhao rushed to Cheng Yizhi to report on the issues at Shenqin Cotton Mill.

Foreign firms had successively canceled their orders for gauze, resulting in a backlog of two thousand tons of gauze in the warehouse. Director Zhao wanted to sell them to old customers at an 80% discount, but they were unwilling to buy. Cheng Yizhi analyzed that this was due to the promulgation of the U. S. Silver Act and advised Director Zhao to close the third and fourth branch factories.

He also promised him that he could temporarily postpone the repayment of the Rebang Bank loan. Cheng Yizhi went to Mr. Chen for help, asking him to temporarily postpone Director Zhao's loan. Mr. Chen readily agreed and formally introduced his brother-in-law, Commander Pan, to Cheng Yizhi. Dai Ailing's elder sister and second sister both came over to greet Cheng Yizhi. Dai Ailing pretended in front of them that she was dating Cheng Yizhi every day.

Cheng Yizhi echoed her words from the side. Shimazaki Tadashi put on the western-style clothes Bell made for him and mustered up the courage to confess his feelings to Bell. Customers at the western-style clothes shop were becoming fewer, and Bell could not make ends meet. She reluctantly dismissed all four of her female apprentices. They were as close as sisters to Bell and were reluctant to leave. Bell was helpless and could only give each of them severance pay.

Bell watched as her apprentices left one by one, and she wept sorrowfully. Wu Lizi came to see Bell and gently advised her. Bell spoke of her relationship with Shimazaki Tadashi that ended without progress, and finally sobbed loudly while hugging Wu Lizi. Cheng Yizhi sought help from Shimazaki Tadashi. Shimazaki Tadashi helped promote a batch of gauze, and Director Zhao temporarily overcame the crisis. Cheng Yizhi expressed his gratitude to Shimazaki Tadashi.

Shimazaki Tadashi was powerless against the dumping practices of Japanese textile mills; he could only do his best. Wu Lizi revealed Bell's and Shimazaki Tadashi's situation to Cheng Yizhi, hoping to bring them together. Cheng Yizhi promised to give it good consideration. Bell specifically came to the restaurant where Shimazaki Tadashi had lunch. Shimazaki Tadashi arrived on time.

He claimed that he had not been doing well lately, watching helplessly as Japan invaded China, and he was powerless to change it. Shimazaki Tadashi wanted to be with Bell, but he couldn't shake off his identity as a Japanese person. Cheng Yizhi came to see Bell and advised her to choose carefully regarding her relationship with Shimazaki Tadashi. Bell asked Cheng Yizhi in return how he would choose between love and external conditions. Cheng Yizhi unhesitatingly chose love. Wu Lizi heard everything clearly from outside the door.

Episode 28 Recap

Shimazaki Tadashi came to find Bell. Cheng Yizhi quickly found an excuse to leave. Shimazaki Tadashi learned that Bell's western-style clothes shop was doing badly; even the apprentices had been dismissed. He promised to help Bell introduce customers, took her hand and left, directly arriving at the place where Bell had given him a suit. Shimazaki Tadashi proposed to Bell on the spot, and Bell happily accepted.

Since Feng Youru did not lend a hand, Huang Ruhong lost the election for the Chamber of Commerce president. Feng Youru, under the order of General Secretary Han of the National Government, had to respond to the crisis caused by the US Silver Act on Shanghai's economy. He came directly to Huang Ruhong to discuss countermeasures. Huang Ruhong promised to help with all his might. Cheng Yizhi and Xu Shu had arranged to play tennis together.

Cheng Yizhi came to the training ground alone this time. Xu Shu arrived later, mistakenly thinking that Cheng Yizhi was avoiding him because of Wu Lizi. Cheng Yizhi felt that they were a good match. Today was the big day for Shimazaki Tadashi and Bell's wedding. They held a simple ceremony, with only Wu Lizi and Cheng Yizhi coming to congratulate them. Bell was still very nervous. Wu Lizi encouraged her and cheered her on. Cheng Yizhi officiated their wedding.

Shimazaki Tadashi held Bell's hand tightly, expressively declaring his feelings to her, willing to accompany her through the upcoming misunderstandings and difficulties. The two exchanged rings, and Wu Lizi and Cheng Yizhi witnessed the beginning of their happy life together. Wu Lizi mustered up the courage to confess to Cheng Yizhi, apologized to him for past events, and wanted to start over with him.

Cheng Yizhi did not want to go back to the past, nor did he want to ruin her relationship with Xu Shu. Wu Lizi clearly stated that she had politely refused Xu Shu long ago, and the person she truly liked was Cheng Yizhi. Cheng Yizhi did not want to listen to her rambling and turned to leave in a huff. Wu Lizi desperately begged Cheng Yizhi to give her another chance.

Cheng Yizhi condemned Wu Lizi for being too selfish; marrying on a whim back then, and then making a fuss about divorce when heartbroken, completely disregarding the pain she left in his heart, and also failing Xu Shu's devotion to her. After venting his resentment, Cheng Yizhi walked away. Cheng Yizhi urgently came to see Dai Ailing. Dai Ailing could tell at a glance that he had something on his mind.

Cheng Yizhi made an excuse that he was touched by attending the wedding ceremony of an old couple of friends. Dai Ailing then pulled him for a walk, curious about the reason for his divorce from Wu Lizi. Cheng Yizhi explained that their attitudes towards relationships were different, and Dai Ailing did not ask further. Wu Lizi was cruelly rejected by Cheng Yizhi, and she was heartbroken.

Her assistant found out that the check Cheng Yizhi gave to Zheng Shanfeng had been cashed in Shanghai four days ago. Wu Lizi sent people to pleasure quarters to investigate Zheng Shanfeng's whereabouts, and then asked Charlie to find two tight-lipped thugs. Wu Lizi followed Zheng Shanfeng back to his temporary residence. Just as she was about to leave, Zheng Shanfeng suddenly rushed out and abducted her.

Wu Lizi remained fearless in the face of danger, skillfully maneuvering with Zheng Shanfeng. Zheng Shanfeng threatened to demand money from Cheng Yizhi. Wu Lizi threatened and intimidated him, but he was fearless, tightly choking Wu Lizi, intending to sexually assault her. Fortunately, Charlie arrived with people in time and drove Zheng Shanfeng to Nanyang. Wu Lizi woke up groggily, only then realizing that Charlie had saved her. She then felt afraid and asked Charlie to send her home.

Due to the impact of the US Silver Act, the government ordered Mr. Chen to unite several banks to sort out government bonds. This move caused an uproar, and depositors stormed into banks to cause trouble. Mr. Chen was besieged on all sides and found himself in a desperate situation. Not long after her wedding, Bell became pregnant. She told Wu Lizi the good news immediately. Wu Lizi was happy for her. Bell asked about her relationship with Cheng Yizhi.

Wu Lizi had no choice but to admit that Cheng Yizhi and Dai Ailing were dating, and Bell had to drop the matter. Cheng Yizhi wanted to buy land to build an apartment for Xu Shu, but that piece of land was in the hands of Jinlin Rubber Mr. Wang. Wu Lizi came to negotiate with Mr. Wang, explaining the current tense economic situation and advising him to weigh the situation.

Mr. Wang agreed to sell the land to Rebang Bank. Wu Lizi reported back to Cheng Yizhi, and also revealed the news of Bell's pregnancy to him. Wu Lizi advised Cheng Yizhi to cherish Dai Ailing's feelings, promising never to disturb him again, and wished them both happiness. Dai Ailing urgently came to find Cheng Yizhi. Wu Lizi quickly hid and left. Dai Ailing took out a newspaper; the front page headline reported the news of their engagement. Dai Ailing did not know how to deal with these rumors.

Episode 29 Recap

Dai Ailing asked Cheng Yizhi to clarify things with her family, and Cheng Yizhi readily agreed. Wu Lizi saw the news of Dai Ailing's engagement, and her heart was filled with mixed emotions. Cheng Yizhi and Manager Song of Tongtai Private Bank signed the land transfer agreement. He immediately went to Xu Shu, who then showed him the memorandum from Leizi about Cheng Yizhi signing a contract with Manager Liang.

Xu Shu was furious, never expecting Cheng Yizhi to betray him by asking him to design a building for Sanxin Bank just to help Zhou Wenquan raise money. Cheng Yizhi repeatedly explained that it was an act of desperation, and Rebang Bank had already paid twenty thousand yuan in liquidated damages. Xu Shu complained that he shouldn't have hidden this matter.

Cheng Yizhi didn't want to make things difficult for him and also wanted to protect his innocence, but Xu Shu didn't need that kind of protection. From a young age, Cheng Yizhi understood the hardships of life, and as he grew up, he gradually saw through the darkness of society and the ugliness of human nature.

He knew that Xu Shu grew up in an environment free from worries, with a simple and pure character, and Cheng Yizhi did not want him to be tainted. Xu Shu didn't buy it at all. He had grown up under his father's protection and no longer wanted to live such an empty and ignorant life. In a huff, he decided to leave Cheng Yizhi and pursue his ideals independently from now on.

Xu Shu thanked him for his consistent support and help, gifted all his shares to Rebang Bank, and also rejected the land from Tongtai Private Bank. Rebang Bank launched one hundred and forty thousand yuan in Chen Chen Tung Oil Factory bonds, which the public eagerly subscribed to and quickly sold out. Wu Lizi reported the good news to Cheng Yizhi, and Cheng Yizhi asked her to complete the procedures with Xu Shu as soon as possible.

Liao Qing was pregnant with Gao Dayong's child. She proactively arranged to meet Huang Ruhong, proposing face-to-face that they should keep to their own business, and also advised Huang Ruhong and Luzhu to have a child soon. Xu Shu convened a board meeting and announced his withdrawal from Rebang Bank. Director Zhao quickly changed the subject, inquiring about the wedding date of Cheng Yizhi and Dai Ailing, which Cheng Yizhi covered up with an excuse.

Wu Lizi asked Cheng Yizhi for leave to go to Changsha to accompany Liao Lan during her confinement period. Dai Ailing brought Cheng Yizhi home, and her two sisters urged them to marry. Dai Ailing repeatedly explained that the news in the newspaper was purely baseless, and Cheng Yizhi stepped forward to help Dai Ailing out of the situation. Dai Ailing had already received an invitation letter from a foreign university.

She thanked Cheng Yizhi for his cooperation and help, and Cheng Yizhi congratulated her on achieving her wish. Wu Lizi rushed back from Changsha to report to Cheng Yizhi. Gao Dayong had promised to use the funds raised from the bonds to purchase four new oil presses, but Wu Lizi discovered at the factory that what he bought were not the latest models. She worried that this matter would affect the interests of the creditors and also implicate Rebang Bank.

Dai Ailing stood by, hearing everything clearly. Cheng Yizhi decided to send an accountant to the tung oil factory to audit the accounts. He hastily bid farewell to Dai Ailing and left with Wu Lizi. Cheng Yizhi found out that Gao Dayong's son, Gao Xiaocong, had incurred huge gambling debts, so he directly confronted Gao Dayong to hold him accountable. Gao Dayong brought Cheng Yizhi to the club, where they found Leizi.

Cheng Yizhi learned that Leizi had taken Gao Xiaocong to gamble, causing Gao Xiaocong to accumulate over eighty thousand in gambling debts. Leizi also introduced Gao Xiaocong to two dudes. Cheng Yizhi knew that Leizi was targeting him and Rebang Bank. Cheng Yizhi immediately sought Charlie to discuss countermeasures. Charlie suggested releasing false information to confuse the public, claiming that the two dudes had borrowed gambling debts under Gao Xiaocong's name.

However, it was already too late; individual investors of Chen Chen Tung Oil Factory bonds swarmed Rebang Bank demanding redemption. Cheng Yizhi had no choice but to call Director Zhao and Manager Lin for help. They quickly produced cash, but unexpectedly, Rebang Bank's fixed deposit holders also came to withdraw funds early. Wu Lizi instructed the finance department to place cash boxes on the counter, with real money on top and blank paper underneath, to stabilize public sentiment.

In just one day, Rebang Bank redeemed over thirty thousand yuan in Chen Chen Tung Oil bonds and withdrew over twenty thousand yuan in savings. Rebang Bank's shareholders generously helped Cheng Yizhi out of his predicament, but over 230 people were still stranded outside the bank.

Wu Lizi predicted that tomorrow, an additional sixty thousand yuan of Chen Chen bonds would need to be redeemed, and savings would amount to two hundred and fifty thousand yuan, leading to a cash deficit of up to two hundred and twenty thousand yuan. Cheng Yizhi decided to borrow money tomorrow and have Wu Lizi guard the bank. Cheng Yizhi went to Mr. Chen early in the morning for help. Mr. Chen promised to allocate one hundred thousand for emergencies.

When Rebang Bank opened for business, depositors and individual investors clogged the hall, making it impossible to pass. Wu Lizi personally came forward to persuade everyone, but the scene was in chaos. Mr. Chen brought Cheng Yizhi to attend the Shanghai Bank board meeting. The shareholders unanimously demanded that Cheng Yizhi get rid of the big trouble of Chen Chen Tung Oil Factory. Cheng Yizhi could not stand by and do nothing.

Mr. Chen asked Cheng Yizhi to wait for news in the office while they discussed and made a decision. There were still three hours until closing, and Rebang Bank's accounts had very little left. The financial supervisor suggested closing early, but Wu Lizi worried about causing greater unrest and didn't know what to do, so she could only wait for news from Cheng Yizhi.

After discussion among the shareholders, it was decided to transfer three hundred thousand yuan in financial support to Rebang Bank. Should an unexpected situation arise, Shanghai Bank would be willing to acquire Rebang Bank, accepting all its debts and bonds. Cheng Yizhi was immensely grateful to Mr. Chen. Cheng Yizhi immediately rushed back to the bank and dispatched everyone to prepare separately.

Unexpectedly, the newspaper exposed Cheng Yizhi's lot and the matter of him having used the cheque to cover up the murderer, Zheng Shanfeng. This caused a huge uproar. Mr. Chen was held accountable by the shareholders. Dai Ailing saw the news in the newspaper and was instantly stunned. Mr. Chen called Cheng Yizhi to inform him that Dai Ailing had broken off their relationship and would be going abroad to study immediately.

Shanghai Bank would also no longer add three hundred thousand yuan in funds and and had canceled its acquisition plan. Subsequently, the Bank Association and the Monetary Industry Association also expelled Cheng Yizhi and Rebang Bank. Huang Ruhong arrived at the entrance of Rebang Bank, saw the depositors and individual investors jamming the doorway, and quietly left in his car. The finance department brought out the last of the cash.

Cheng Yizhi instructed Wu Lizi to issue a notice that Rebang Bank's bankruptcy and liquidation meeting would be held tonight. Jin Yishan sent his son to find Cheng Yizhi. Cheng Yizhi immediately rushed to the hospital. Jin Yishan understood his feeling of having his pain dug up and was willing to contribute all his money to help Cheng Yizhi. Wu Lizi announced the news of Rebang Bank's bankruptcy to everyone, promising them corresponding compensation.

The employees didn't believe the bank would collapse and didn't want to leave. Huang Ruhong specifically waited for Cheng Yizhi at the hospital entrance and exposed face-to-face that Cheng Yizhi had not been there for his mother's final moments; his mother's death was only discovered by neighbors seven days later when her body had begun to decompose. Huang Ruhong had initially wanted to return his mother's ashes to Cheng Yizhi, but Cheng Yizhi unexpectedly took him to his mother's cenotaph.

Huang Ruhong exposed Cheng Yizhi's hypocrisy, personally returned the ashes to Cheng Yizhi, and advised Cheng Yizhi to come back and help him, promising to keep Rebang Bank from going bankrupt.

Episode 30 Recap

Huang Ruhong promised to wait for Cheng Yizhi in the study until tomorrow noon. Cheng Yizhi held his mother's ashes, squatting on the ground and weeping bitterly. Cheng Yizhi was at his wit's end, trapped in a desperate situation. He wanted to end his life, driving directly into a stone pillar, suffering severe injuries and losing consciousness on the spot. Wu Lizi announced Rebang Bank's bankruptcy to the shareholders. She apologized to them on behalf of Cheng Yizhi.

Wu Lizi admitted that what was reported in the newspaper was largely true, but Cheng Yizhi had been coerced by Zheng Shanfeng. Liao Lan apologized to everyone, admitting that her family had implicated them all, and was willing to work like an ox or a horse to repay them. Shopkeeper Lin and Director Zhao immediately stated that no compensation was needed. Zhou Wenquan finally developed the anti-tuberculosis drug. He immediately delivered the good news to the shareholders.

Shortly after, everyone received news of Cheng Yizhi's car accident, and they all rushed to the hospital. After the medical staff's full efforts in resuscitation, Cheng Yizhi finally regained consciousness. His injuries were severe, but he was still very lucid. Wu Lizi reported the news of Zhou Wenquan's development of the anti-tuberculosis drug to him. Cheng Yizhi needed to see Huang Ruhong before twelve o'clock to save Rebang from ruin. Wu Lizi guessed that Huang Ruhong wanted him to return.

Leizi heard that Huang Ruhong had prepared 500,000 in cash, hoping to save Cheng Yizhi and Rebang Bank. Leizi swore to put Cheng Yizhi to death. Wu Lizi was unwilling to give up just like that. She asked Charlie to prepare 60,000 yuan in startup capital. Charlie immediately found 100,000 in cash. Wu Lizi rallied all employees to seize today's last chance and make sure to save the bank. Rebang Bank exclusively issued Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory bonds.

Anyone depositing more than 200 yuan at Rebang Bank could exchange for bonds, with no upper limit, and depositors flocked to purchase them. Retail investors of Zhenzhen Tung Oil bonds came out to protest. Wu Lizi promised that anyone holding 300 yuan in bonds could exchange them for an equivalent amount of Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory bonds. The retail investors cheered and queued up to exchange for Wenquan bonds.

Both Zhenzhen Tung Oil bonds and Wenquan bonds soared, and Rebang Bank's doors were almost burst open by purchasers. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Wu Lizi and her employees, Rebang Bank's crisis was successfully resolved. Wu Lizi encouraged everyone to work together and continue their efforts. Liao Lan and Gao Dayong stayed by Cheng Yizhi's bedside, not leaving for a moment.

Gao Dayong worried that Liao Lan couldn't handle the strain and asked her to go back and rest first. A nurse came to inform Gao Dayong that the police station called for him. Gao Dayong learned that Gao Xiaocong had committed a crime and been arrested, so he quickly called Rebang Bank, asking Wu Lizi to send someone to the hospital to care for Cheng Yizhi.

Just as the nurse was about to harm Cheng Yizhi, fortunately, Xu Shu and Secretary Guan arrived in time to stop her. Cheng Yizhi vaguely dreamt that his mother beat him every day, forcing him to beg in the streets. Cheng Yizhi, unable to bear it any longer, had no choice but to run away from home, fortunately taken in by Boss Chu. Cheng Yizhi vaguely woke up and learned from Wu Lizi that Xu Shu had visited.

Cheng Yizhi felt very guilty, and Wu Lizi gently consoled him. Cheng Yizhi immediately decided to entrust Rebang Bank to Wu Lizi. Wu Lizi politely declined, admitting that she had investigated Cheng Yizhi's lot, and understood his actions, knowing that Rebang Bank was Cheng Yizhi's ideal, and urged him not to give up. Huang Ruhong had been continuously following news of Cheng Yizhi. He hadn't eaten or drunk all day.

Wu Lizi asked the doctor about Cheng Yizhi's injuries and learned that his leg nerves were damaged and might never reconnect. Cheng Yizhi, hiding nearby, heard everything clearly. The court sent a summons to Cheng Yizhi, who was suspected of harboring Zheng Shanfeng in the rape and murder of a young girl. Wu Lizi rushed to lawyer Jiang for help. Lawyer Jiang clearly stated that this summons had no legal effect on Cheng Yizhi in the French Concession.

The only evidence was that check. As long as lawyer Jiang proved that the check was stolen by Zheng Shanfeng, Cheng Yizhi would be innocent. It turned out that Leizi was behind all of this, playing tricks. He had originally intended to secretly collapse Rebang Bank first, then kill Cheng Yizhi, but all his attempts ended in failure, making him gnash his teeth in anger. Cheng Yizhi wanted to stand up soon but fell to the ground.

Wu Lizi advised him to accept help and care from others, promising never to leave him. Cheng Yizhi quickly recovered and was discharged from the hospital. Liao Lan, Zhou Wenquan, Gao Dayong, and others all came to congratulate him. The police suddenly came to arrest Cheng Yizhi. Zheng Shanfeng accused Cheng Yizhi of giving him a check and harboring him in the rape and murder of a young girl.

The doctor wanted to issue a certificate to protect Cheng Yizhi, but Cheng Yizhi was willing to attend the trial. On the day of the trial, Wu Lizi pushed Cheng Yizhi into court in a wheelchair. Cheng Yizhi admitted that he was coerced by Zheng Shanfeng and had no choice but to give Zheng Shanfeng a 10,000 yuan check.

Cheng Yizhi did not want to return to his hellish past, and even less did he want to implicate Rebang Bank because of this. Zheng Shanfeng insisted that Cheng Yizhi, having been abused by his mother since childhood, had sought his help, and that he (Zheng Shanfeng) truthfully told Cheng Yizhi that he had raped and murdered two young girls, and Cheng Yizhi gave him a check to flee. Cheng Yizhi gnashed his teeth in anger.

He struggled to stand up from his wheelchair and questioned Zheng Shanfeng. Wu Lizi promptly presented the time and location where Zheng Shanfeng cashed the check, which were both before Zheng Shanfeng's crimes, thereby proving that Cheng Yizhi did not harbor Zheng Shanfeng. The judge immediately declared Cheng Yizhi not guilty in court.

Episode 31 Recap

Wu Lizi sent Cheng Yizhi home. Cheng Yizhi was unwilling to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. He seized every moment to practice, hoping to stand up one day. He almost fell due to exhaustion, and Wu Lizi quickly helped him. Dai Ailing suddenly came to find Cheng Yizhi. The two apologized to each other. Dai Ailing felt that she had pushed Cheng Yizhi into the limelight, causing him to be slandered.

Cheng Yizhi, however, thought it was a good thing, allowing him to completely let go of his inner turmoil. Dai Ailing was leaving for overseas study tomorrow. She came to bid farewell to Cheng Yizhi, admitting that she had gradually fallen in love with him. Although she liked Cheng Yizhi, she still didn't want to give up the opportunity to pursue a doctorate.

Before leaving, Dai Ailing advised Cheng Yizhi and Wu Lizi to reconcile, as she could see that they loved each other. Feng Youru recommended Huang Ruhong to serve as the loan committee member for the Federation of Industry and Commerce. Huang Ruhong thanked him and specifically asked Luzhu to bring out his treasured fine wine for Feng Youru to taste.

Feng Youru had thought that Huang Ruhong would seize the opportunity to completely suppress Cheng Yizhi, but to his surprise, he showed leniency towards Cheng Yizhi. Huang Ruhong just smiled and moved on. Cheng Yizhi returned to Rebang Bank. He admitted his mistake to the employees, acknowledging that he had given Zheng Shanfeng a 10,000 yuan check in the name of public relations, and promised it would never happen again.

Cheng Yizhi asked everyone to cast anonymous votes to decide his future at the bank. Wu Lizi suggested a show of hands on the spot, but Cheng Yizhi's mind was made up. Shareholders and employees voted one by one. Wu Lizi felt uneasy, anxiously waiting for Cheng Yizhi's fate. The voting results showed two abstentions, four against, and everyone else supported Cheng Yizhi continuing as Rebang Bank's manager.

Cheng Yizhi publicly announced that he would use all the proceeds from his shares to reward every employee of Rebang Bank, and everyone cheered. Immediately after, Cheng Yizhi came to the tung oil factory to see Gao Xiaocong, and pointed out bluntly that Gao Xiaocong was not a gambler at all; he was acting deliberately because his father remarried.

Gao Xiaocong admitted this without hesitation, believing that Cheng Yizhi had arranged for Liao Lan to seduce his father so that his father would wholeheartedly serve Rebang Bank. Cheng Yizhi clearly stated that the tung oil factory was Gao Dayong's dream, and he clearly remembered Gao Dayong coming to the money house to borrow money. Gao Dayong knelt down and pleaded with Cheng Yizhi.

Cheng Yizhi was moved by his sincerity and not only funded him but also helped him debug equipment, eventually extracting tung oil. Cheng Yizhi advised Gao Xiaocong to understand Gao Dayong and help him manage the Chen Chen Tung Oil Factory well. Gao Xiaocong wanted to intern at Rebang Bank, and Cheng Yizhi readily agreed; Gao Dayong was even more delighted. Cheng Yizhi personally buried his mother's ashes and built her a tombstone.

Wu Lizi asked Charlie to teach Gao Xiaocong. Charlie told Gao Xiaocong to start with tasks like serving tea and water and cleaning, and to report to him after a month. Gao Xiaocong worked diligently for a full month. He came to report back to Charlie. Charlie asked about one employee's dietary preferences and the name of a new employee, but Gao Xiaocong couldn't answer. Charlie then told him to do odd jobs for another month.

After another full month, Gao Xiaocong came to Charlie again. Charlie asked several questions, and Gao Xiaocong answered them all fluently. Charlie then posed a very professional question, which stumped Gao Xiaocong. Charlie took the opportunity to have him learn the most basic banking knowledge. An old employee of Rebang Bank had voted against Cheng Yizhi. He had been feeling uneasy and had the idea of changing jobs.

Wu Lizi returned his resignation letter, knowing his deep love and hatred for Cheng Yizhi, and assured him that Cheng Yizhi would not hold a grudge over the voting, advising him to stay in the bank with peace of mind. Leizi had followed Huang Ruhong for twenty years. Huang Ruhong told him to go out and work independently.

Leizi took the opportunity to instigate discord between Huang Ruhong and Cheng Yizhi, but Huang Ruhong forbade him from interfering in the matter. Charlie took Gao Xiaocong to the grand theater, taking the chance to test his observation skills on the people coming and going. Gao Xiaocong accurately stated everyone's thoughts, and Charlie was deeply pleased. Cheng Yizhi came home from work and saw Wu Lizi waiting for him at home. Cheng Yizhi was puzzled.

Wu Lizi admitted that she had found a way to get the house key and intended to live there, offering to sleep on the sofa. Cheng Yizhi brought up Wang Ma and Gui to object, only to learn that Wang Ma had gone home to see her grandson and Gui was busy with a blind date. Cheng Yizhi was about to object, but Wu Lizi quickly urged him to go back to his room to sleep.

Seeing that it was already late, Cheng Yizhi had no choice but to give up. Liao Lan successfully gave birth to a son. Cheng Yizhi and Wu Lizi personally visited to offer congratulations. Gao Xiaocong held his younger brother, unable to stop doting on him. Gao Dayong thanked Cheng Yizhi, saying that since Gao Xiaocong started learning with Charlie, he not only became sensible but also began to slowly accept Liao Lan.

Episode 32 Recap

Liao Lan and Gao Dayong gave Cheng Yizhi a Stick cane. Cheng Yizhi loved it. Liao Lan inadvertently revealed that Wu Lizi and Cheng Yizhi were living together, and Wu Lizi quickly changed the subject. As soon as Cheng Yizhi returned home, he urged Wu Lizi to move out. Wu Lizi didn't want to go back to an empty home. Cheng Yizhi firmly refused, and Wu Lizi, in a huff, lay on the sofa pretending to be asleep.

The Japanese army wantonly trampled on China's territory, and Shanghai was not spared, leaving the people in a state of panic. Wu Lizi pretended to want to move out. She repeatedly cautioned Cheng Yizhi, who was worried about her living alone and agreed to move back home with her. Wu Lizi was naturally delighted. The Japanese army bombed the Chinese sections of Shanghai. Merchants affiliated with Rebang Bank were tragically bombed. Gao Dayong suggested moving the factories westward.

Cheng Yizhi sent people to notify Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory and Shenqin Cotton Mill to transfer their valuable machinery and equipment. Subsequently, Japanese bombers left both factories in ruins. Cheng Yizhi came to the wharf to book a forty-ton cabin to transport the machinery and equipment, but the cargo ship's cabins were already full. Assistant Manager Wan also came to the wharf. He scoffed at Cheng Yizhi, telling him to give up early.

Cheng Yizhi pulled out a government official document, which clearly stated that essential civilian goods had priority for transportation. Assistant Manager Wan reminded him that there were supplementary clauses, and that special periods required approval from the Ministry of Finance. Xu Shu joined an anti-Japanese organization, actively contributing money and effort to the resistance. The target of the organization's assassination action was Japanese Colonel Liu Erlang. Cheng Yizhi, after careful consideration, decided to relocate Shenqin Cotton Mill to the concession.

However, land in the concession was outrageously expensive and also required foreign capital certification. Cheng Yizhi promised to preserve the cotton mill at all costs. Leizi came to negotiate with interpreter Dou, hoping to cooperate with the Japanese army. Anti-Japanese organization members came to carry out the assassination action against Liu Erlang, but it ended in failure; they were all shot. Xu Shu was waiting in a car outside for backup.

Seeing the Japanese army searching everywhere, he quickly drove away. Huang Ruhong contributed money and effort to the anti-Japanese national army. Feng Youru came to Huang Ruhong for help again, asking him to find supplies like cotton yarn and medicine. He specially approved a twenty-five-ton warehouse for him, and the two immediately hit it off.

Cheng Yizhi sought General Luo's help to buy land in the concession, but he had already retired from the business world and was powerless to assist. Xu Shu came to bid farewell to Cheng Yizhi, thanking Cheng Yizhi for everything he had done for him. Cheng Yizhi asked about his whereabouts, but Xu Shu avoided answering. Cheng Yizhi advised him to return soon to realize his ideals.

Cheng Yizhi received the foreign capital certification documents, and he guessed that Xu Shu had helped arrange them. Shimazaki Tadashi returned to his western-style clothes shop after work, seeing his child already asleep. Due to the war, Bell Western-style Clothes Shop had no customers. In fact, Huang Ruhong had helped arrange the foreign capital certification.

The reason he helped Cheng Yizhi was because he coveted the cotton mills and tung oil factories funded by Rebang Bank, wanting to use them as leverage to bargain with Feng Youru. Most banks in Shanghai had already moved westward. Gao Dayong rebuilt Chen Chen Tung Oil Factory in Chongqing. Cheng Yizhi wanted to send Gao Xiaocong with three employees to Chongqing tomorrow, but Gao Xiaocong insisted on staying in Shanghai to share the fate of Rebang.

Feng Youru sent people to invite Liao Lan and Gao Dayong. He claimed to be Cheng Yizhi's friend. Liao Lan exposed Feng Youru and Huang Ruhong's collusion right to their faces. Feng Youru claimed that Huang Ruhong had sided with the Japanese for personal gain and that they had parted ways. He then produced a document, forcing Gao Dayong to hand over the tung oil factory to support national defense.

Liao Lan had long seen through Feng Youru's wild ambitions, using the excuse that she needed to go back and discuss it with Cheng Yizhi. Feng Youru threatened to requisition the tung oil factory in the name of the government.

Episode 33 Recap

Feng Youru feigned concern for Gao Dayong and Liao Lan, promising to reserve 30% of the shares for them. Gao Dayong was willing to hand over the factory but worried about it being slept with by those who didn't understand the business, wanting to continue managing the factory himself. Feng Youru firmly refused, repeatedly claiming he would find experts to manage it, forcing Gao Dayong to sign the contract.

Otherwise, Minister Kong from the Ministry of Finance would talk to them both, which would result in forced confiscation. Gao Dayong was compelled to sign the contract. Gao Xiaocong discovered tung oil on the market. Laboratory analysis confirmed it was exactly the same as Chen Chen Tung Oil. He immediately reported to Cheng Yizhi, who asked him to continue keeping a close eye on the matter. Leizi persuaded Huang Ruhong to cooperate with the Japanese and acted as a go-between.

Huang Ruhong braced himself to meet Liu Erlang. Liu Erlang invited him to enjoy Japanese music and dance, but Huang Ruhong could not appreciate it. Liu Erlang asked him to help promote Japanese goods. Huang Ruhong dared not proceed rashly, worrying about causing public outrage, and suggested trading in British pounds. Manager Song asked Cheng Yizhi to help find several printing presses. Cheng Yizhi set aside past grievances and readily agreed.

He casually asked him about the Chen Chen Tung Oil Factory and only then learned that the government had sent Feng Youru to forcibly take over the Chen Chen Tung Oil Factory. Cheng Yizhi worried that Liao Lan and Gao Dayong were in danger. Wu Lizi promised to send someone to investigate their current situation. She suddenly remembered that someone had called their home in the past two nights.

Wu Lizi answered, but the other party hung up without saying a word. She suspected the caller was looking for Cheng Yizhi. That very night, Cheng Yizhi sat on the sofa waiting for the call, asking Wu Lizi to go back to bed. Wu Lizi insisted on waiting with him. The call came punctually; the other party only mentioned a street corner mailbox and then hung up.

Cheng Yizhi went to that street corner and took out a letter for help written by Gao Dayong from the mailbox. Gao Dayong explained that the Chen Chen Tung Oil Factory had been seized, and he and his wife were under house arrest in an apartment. Cheng Yizhi told this news to Gao Xiaocong. Gao Xiaocong was extremely anxious. Cheng Yizhi asked him to write a letter to Gao Dayong to reassure him.

Huang Ruhong had Manager Liang of Sanxin Bank convert all the money into British pounds and deliver it. Immediately after, the Shanghai Bankers Association held a charity auction, and Japan's Yokohama Bank also grandly came to participate. Liu Erlang stood on the second floor, witnessing the auction. The scene was extraordinarily lively, and successful bids had to be paid in British pounds. Wu Lizi hurried over, bringing a "Magnificent Mountains and Rivers" painting as an auctioned item.

She also played a piece of music live, winning warm applause from all the guests. Wu Lizi reminded everyone to keep the motherland in their hearts. Manager Wan helped Leizi exchange fifty thousand British pounds. Leizi then asked Manager Wan to exchange another fifty thousand, as he wanted to challenge Huang Ruhong. Mr. Chen suddenly called Cheng Yizhi, asking him about the person who understood the market best in the banking industry. Cheng Yizhi recommended someone to him.

Liu Erlang asked Huang Ruhong to close down Longying Private Bank. Huang Ruhong readily agreed. Liu Erlang wanted to hire the female banker Wu Lizi for help, but Huang Ruhong felt Wu Lizi was not worthy and recommended Manager Liang to him. Wu Lizi received a letter from Xu Shu sent half a year ago. Xu Shu admitted to liking Wu Lizi, but Wu Lizi still loved Cheng Yizhi.

Xu Shu had left Rebang Bank in a fit of pique due to jealousy. He felt that Cheng Yizhi also liked Wu Lizi and advised Wu Lizi to boldly pursue Cheng Yizhi and never give up. Wu Lizi suddenly felt relieved. Wu Lizi specially changed into her prettiest dress, wanting to give Cheng Yizhi a surprise. However, Cheng Yizhi came home with the news of Xu Shu's death; the cruise ship Xu Shu was on hit a reef and sank.

Wu Lizi was very sad. She could not accept such a fact for a moment and ran out overnight to get some air. Wu Lizi couldn't help but remember how she had cruelly rejected Xu Shu's love again and again, not even accepting his friendship, and had never considered Xu Shu's feelings. The more she thought about it, the sadder she became. Cheng Yizhi rushed out after her. Wu Lizi poured out her guilt towards Xu Shu in her heart to him. Cheng Yizhi couldn't help but kiss Wu Lizi.

Episode 34 Recap

Cheng Yizhi and Wu Lizi kissed passionately on the street. That night, Wu Lizi and Cheng Yizhi snuggled in bed, lamenting the impermanence of life together. Early in the morning, Cheng Yizhi again heard the bad news of the Japanese army shooting down a plane flying to Hong Kong. Among the victims were Mr. Sun and Mr. Liu, fellow bankers, who were going to Hong Kong to discuss overseas loan matters. Cheng Yizhi felt very heavy-hearted.

Mr. Chen suddenly called Cheng Yizhi, asking him to go to Hong Kong to continue handling the loan matters. Wu Lizi firmly disagreed with him taking the risk. Cheng Yizhi wanted to go by boat. Wu Lizi didn't want to be separated from Cheng Yizhi. Cheng Yizhi wanted to contribute his small share to the national crisis. He painstakingly advised Wu Lizi to prioritize the national interest.

Wu Lizi worried that Japanese secret agents would learn of Cheng Yizhi's whereabouts and seize the opportunity to attack Rebang Bank, bringing catastrophic disaster to the bank. Cheng Yizhi entrusted Wu Lizi with the full responsibility of managing the bank's business and asked her to conceal his itinerary. Wu Lizi reluctantly agreed after much consideration, telling Cheng Yizhi to come back alive. Cheng Yizhi disguised himself as a bearded man and left before dawn.

Japan produced a large quantity of fake legal tender, intending to disrupt the Chinese financial market. Liu Erlang carefully scrutinized them to distinguish between genuine and fake, repeatedly praising the fake legal tender for being even more realistic. interpreter Dou revealed to Liu Erlang the matter of Zhou Wenquan developing anti-tuberculosis medicine and also disclosed his relationship with Rebang Bank, as well as with Cheng Yizhi and Wu Lizi. Liu Erlang came up with a wicked idea.

Director Zhao inquired with Wu Lizi about Cheng Yizhi's situation. Wu Lizi lied, saying Cheng Yizhi was sick and resting at home. Director Zhao wanted to explore visiting him, so Wu Lizi had to admit that she and Cheng Yizhi lived together, reassuring Director Zhao. Cheng Yizhi eventually arrived in Hong Kong. Mr. Chen and the consultant team members had been waiting for a long time.

Cheng Yizhi ignored his travel fatigue and sat down with the financial consultants to discuss overseas loan matters. Cheng Yizhi suggested first discussing the types and quantities of collateral. Opinions varied, so Mr. Chen suggested continuing the discussion after dinner. Cheng Yizhi called Wu Lizi to report his safety. Wu Lizi poured out her lovesickness to him. Cheng Yizhi deliberately changed the subject. During dinner, a consultant proposed using tea as collateral. Cheng Yizhi felt that tea wouldn't work.

Manager Dai suggested using cotton yarn. Cheng Yizhi strongly opposed this, stating that the troops urgently needed cotton yarn and it absolutely could not be sold overseas again. Cheng Yizhi suggested using tung oil. Mr. Chen supported him, and the consultant team members unanimously agreed. Cheng Yizhi proposed that the government must return the tung oil factory to Gao Dayong and appoint Gao Dayong as the loan technical consultant, which received everyone's support.

Bell came on behalf of Shimazaki Tadashi to report information to Wu Lizi: Japan had manufactured counterfeited 10 million of legal tender and transported them to Yichang. Wu Lizi was extremely anxious and wrote a letter to the organization seeking help overnight. After the meeting, Cheng Yizhi explained the truth to Mr. Chen: his relationship with Dai Ailing was a pretense, merely to enable Dai Ailing to study abroad. Only then did Mr. Chen suddenly realize.

Cheng Yizhi apologized that he couldn't go overseas to participate in the negotiations. He worried that Rebang Bank would be in danger if he was away for too long. Only by protecting Rebang Bank could the safety of its affiliated industries and depositors be ensured, and it could also contribute a small share to the war of resistance. Mr. Chen supported his decision. Wu Lizi put the letter in the designated mailbox.

She quickly received a reply, asking her to meet at the cafe. Wu Lizi followed the instructions, tucking the intelligence about the Japanese army printing fake legal tender into the money. Unexpectedly, Liu Erlang suddenly came to greet Wu Lizi. He persistently questioned Wu Lizi's purpose for being there. Wu Lizi answered fluently, and Liu Erlang didn't find anything unusual. He proposed that the Japanese bank invest in Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory through Rebang Bank.

Wu Lizi retorted sharply, suggesting they invest in Japanese enterprises through Japanese banks, leaving Liu Erlang speechless. Wu Lizi paid for the money containing the intelligence, using the excuse of having an appointment with a friend. Liu Erlang voluntarily offered to escort her. Cheng Yizhi returned to Shanghai smoothly, finding his home empty. Cheng Yizhi was very worried. Liu Erlang escorted Wu Lizi to the agreed location and intended to stay with Wu Lizi and the others. Wu Lizi casually mentioned that she was going to play bridge with General Aoki.

Episode 35 Recap

Wu Lizi brought up Senior General Aoki to threaten Liu Erlang, and only then did he leave reluctantly. Before leaving, Liu Erlang also sent Japanese secret agents to watch Wu Lizi at the door. Wu Lizi made a call in the lobby and then swaggered into the hotel. The secret agents followed closely behind her. Wu Lizi hid in the corridor, and taking advantage of their inattentiveness, she safely withdrew from the hotel.

Cheng Yizhi called around looking for Wu Lizi but had no news of her. Wu Lizi rushed home. Cheng Yizhi eagerly told her the good news about his trip to Hong Kong: from now on, he would formally engage the Japanese army economically, becoming a guerrilla fighter on the economic front. Wu Lizi was overjoyed. Cheng Yizhi spoke to Wu Lizi about the pain of missing her.

Wu Lizi sent him to take a bath, seizing the opportunity to report to her superior. The underground party courier disguised himself as Zuo Laosan to transport counterfeit money, but he was exposed on the spot. Both sides engaged in a fierce battle, resulting in ten million in counterfeit currency being unable to be transported. Liu Erlang wanted to issue reserve notes to disrupt Shanghai's financial market. Huang Ruhong disagreed, believing the time was not yet ripe.

Cheng Yizhi came to the grand theater to find Charlie, asking him to come out of retirement to short Japanese business stocks. Charlie knew that those Japanese businesses were backed by the Japanese navy and felt powerless. Cheng Yizhi suggested starting with newly listed stocks. Charlie asked shareholder Xiao Bai to buy shares of Wodefeng Dock and Angie Pharmacy, which would open tomorrow. He also found others to buy newly issued Japanese business stocks.

Wu Lizi sent people to investigate Liu Erlang's family background. They found out that he had no family, was opinionated and self-willed, and was at odds with Zhaozheng Bank. Liu Erlang had a good relationship with Huang Ruhong, and his subordinates, interpreter Dou and Leizi, were in close contact. Leizi forced the manager of Zhenhai Private Bank to distribute 100,000 reserve notes as soon as possible. Manager Song realized that Leizi wanted to work independently, cutting Huang Ruhong out.

Gao Xiaocong learned that Charlie wanted to short Japanese business stocks and promised to help him wholeheartedly. Cheng Yizhi meticulously deployed the plan. Charlie and Gao Xiaocong joined forces, causing the stocks of Takada Terminal and Yoshida Pharmacy to fall three consecutive times, eventually breaking below their issue price and forcing them to suspend trading. Other Japanese business stocks were also affected. Cheng Yizhi was very satisfied with Charlie's approach.

As soon as Wu Lizi walked out of Rebang Bank, she discovered Japanese secret agents discreetly following her. She deliberately weaved through the alleys and finally shook off their tail. Huang Ruhong actively sought out Liu Erlang, offering to quell the storm himself. However, a large sum of money was needed. Huang Ruhong asked Liu Erlang to permit his casinos and opium dens to reopen, which would allow him to raise sufficient funds in a short time.

Liu Erlang readily agreed. Huang Ruhong investigated and found that Charlie was behind the mischief. He personally came to the grand theater to find Guan Xiuyue, asking her to persuade Charlie to work for him. Guan Xiuyue made various excuses to prevaricate. Huang Ruhong promised to send her to Tianchan Grand Theater, allowing the renowned performer White Peony to share the stage with her. Guan Xiuyue was immediately swayed.

Charlie imparted his knowledge and skills of stocks to Gao Xiaocong, then went to meet Guan Xiuyue. Guan Xiuyue wanted to perform on the same stage as White Peony at Tianchan Grand Theater. Charlie promised to find a way to help her achieve her dream. Guan Xiuyue asked Charlie to cooperate with Huang Ruhong, with Huang Ruhong helping her get into Tianchan Grand Theater.

Charlie was very reluctant; he knew Huang Ruhong colluded with the Japanese, but he couldn't resist Guan Xiuyue's persistent persuasion. Leizi and interpreter Dou also came to this coffee shop for a meal. Leizi wanted to get ahead and take down Charlie. If Charlie didn't submit, he would kill him. Charlie came directly to Cheng Yizhi and Wu Lizi to resign. Both of them were surprised. Charlie admitted he was going to work for Huang Ruhong.

Cheng Yizhi learned the whole story and was helpless. Wu Lizi severely reprimanded Charlie, but his mind was made up. Cheng Yizhi wanted to talk to Charlie alone, so Wu Lizi had to leave first.

Episode 36 Recap

Cheng Yizhi knew Charlie was unwilling to serve the Japanese, but for Guan Xiuyue, he was willing to go through fire and water. Charlie took the opportunity to pour out his grievances to him. Cheng Yizhi advised Charlie to think twice; even if Guan Xiuyue was infinitely glorious at Tianchan Theatre, she would not escape the notoriety of being a traitor. Guan Xiuyue would push all the blame onto Charlie, and the two would develop a rift because of this.

Cheng Yizhi also brought up his reconciliation with Wu Lizi to persuade Charlie. Charlie suddenly understood and decided to go find Guan Xiuyue to make things clear. He wanted to stay at Rebang Bank and would never be a traitor. Charlie firmly believed that Guan Xiuyue would understand his choice. Charlie came to the Grand Theater to confront Guan Xiuyue.

Guan Xiuyue believed that she would only be able to sing for a few more years and did not want to miss this rare opportunity, pleading with Charlie to understand her difficulties. Charlie adamantly refused to yield, stating that this matter concerned national righteousness. As soon as Charlie finished speaking, he was shot dead. Guan Xiuyue was heartbroken and inconsolable. Cheng Yizhi, Gao Xiaocong, and Wu Lizi came to see Charlie.

Seeing him lying on the cold bed, Wu Lizi was heartbroken. Cheng Yizhi was also too sad to speak. Gao Xiaocong remembered Charlie's earnest teachings to him, feeling an unspeakable pain in his heart. Wu Lizi curled up on the sofa, secretly shedding tears. Cheng Yizhi saw it and was Urgent in his heart. Wu Lizi suspected that Guan Xiuyue and Huang Ruhong conspired to kill Charlie.

Cheng Yizhi thought Guan Xiuyue was not that vicious, and Huang Ruhong would not be so reckless. Wu Lizi couldn't figure out who could be so cruel as to murder her best friend. Cheng Yizhi kindly advised her. Huang Ruhong was furious when he learned of Charlie's death, grinding his teeth. Leizi pushed all the blame onto interpreter Dou. Huang Ruhong guessed that Leizi would be eager to find Liu Erlang to claim credit.

interpreter Dou reported to Liu Erlang about Charlie's relationship with Rebang Bank and suggested that Leizi come forward to undermine Rebang Bank. Before Liu Erlang could make a decision, he received news that Takada Terminal and Yoshida Pharmacy shares were suspended from trading as soon as they opened. These two stocks faced delisting, and four other Japanese company stocks fell sharply. Liu Erlang severely reprimanded interpreter Dou and sent people to investigate who was behind these manipulations.

It turned out that this was all Gao Xiaocong's doing. He used the methods Charlie taught him to suspend these two stocks, hoping to avenge Charlie. Liu Erlang soon received news that several banks in Shanghai used 500,000 French currency and three black market stock buyers to short Japanese company stocks. Liu Erlang ordered to cut the weeds and eliminate the roots. Japanese secret agents openly stormed into banks to kill people.

Cheng Yizhi advised Gao Xiaocong to be careful with his movements. Wu Lizi prevented employees from wearing bank uniforms to avoid assassination action. Bell took her son Xiaofeng to the western-style clothes shop. The mother and son called Shimazaki Tadashi. Shimazaki Tadashi promised to come home after he finished work, but unexpectedly, Japanese secret agents opened fire, carrying out an assassination action on Xiaofeng. Bell tried to stop them, but it was too late. Xiaofeng was cruelly murdered.

Shimazaki Tadashi and Bell could not accept the fact that Xiaofeng was killed. Both of them were heartbroken. Shimazaki Tadashi came to confront the manager, admitting that he had married a Chinese woman. Their child was subjected to an assassination action. The manager, instead, congratulated Shimazaki Tadashi, saying that if his child hadn't been killed, he would have lost his job long ago. The manager promoted Shimazaki Tadashi to head of the Credit Dept.

and arranged a new residence for them. Cheng Yizhi and Wu Lizi came to see Bell. Shimazaki Tadashi revealed to Cheng Yizhi that Zhaozheng Bank was accelerating its procurement of military supplies. Cheng Yizhi worried that the Japanese army would target Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory, so he asked Zhou Wenquan to relocate the factory as soon as possible. Wu Lizi contacted people from Chongqing to discuss the relocation matters.

Cheng Yizhi came to the designated meeting point, unexpectedly finding that the contact person was Heart-shaped Face. Cheng Yizhi then realized that he had always been responsible for the mailbox used for communication. Cheng Yizhi was very happy and asked Heart-shaped Face to ensure the safe transfer of Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory to Chongqing. Leizi wanted to team up with interpreter Dou to intercept the equipment of Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory and achieve a great merit in front of Liu Erlang.

The two immediately hit it off. Zhou Wenquan had the workers expedite packing. Heart-shaped Face came to Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory to help. Wu Lizi arrived shortly after. Heart-shaped Face repeatedly apologized to Wu Lizi, admitting that he was the one who called every night. Cheng Yizhi heard that the Japanese army was conducting a major sweep of passenger ships at sea, so he rushed to Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory to deliver the news.

Heart-shaped Face decided to find another way to transport the equipment to Chongqing. interpreter Dou suddenly brought people and burst into Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory, demanding to take full control of the factory.

Episode 37 Recap

Cheng Yizhi strongly opposed interpreter Dou taking over Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory. He clearly stated that Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory still had multiple assets, and anyone wanting to take full control must conduct an inventory and organize the accounts. Interpreter Dou gave Cheng Yizhi a 48-hour deadline to complete the inventory, threatening to execute one factory worker for every fifteen minutes of delay. He also ordered Zhou Wenquan to return all machinery and equipment to their proper places within the specified time.

Huang Ruhong heard that interpreter Dou had led people into Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory and guessed that this was all Leizi's conspiracy. At the same time, Japanese troops broke into the concession, forcibly drove away all staff from other foreign banks, and then completely took control of the concession. Leizi came home very late. Ningning was listening to the news on the radio.

Leizi declared that the Japanese army had taken over Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory and wanted to know if she still cared about Zhou Wenquan. Ningning did not want to mention Zhou Wenquan and, in a fit of pique, stopped talking to him. Early the next morning, the employees of Rebang Bank gathered, discussing animatedly, unsure of what to do. Gao Xiaocong arrived in time, telling everyone to return to their respective posts and suspend external business.

Wu Lizi was very satisfied with Gao Xiaocong's calm and composed performance and entrusted him with protecting the bank. Cheng Yizhi arranged to meet Shimazaki Tadashi on a bus and told him about the Japanese army taking control of Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory. Cheng Yizhi worried that other merchants and industries under Rebang Bank would also suffer this calamity. Shimazaki Tadashi suggested that Zhaozheng Bank take over Rebang Bank.

Shimazaki Tadashi and Manager Ban Yuan applied for Zhaozheng Bank to take over Rebang Bank. Liu Erlang strongly opposed it, insisting on military control over Rebang Bank. Senior General Aoki finally decided that the troops would take over Rebang Bank, with Zhaozheng Bank assisting. Shimazaki Tadashi immediately announced the result to Cheng Yizhi, who fell into confusion once again.

Interpreter Dou sought credit from Liu Erlang, claiming that it was thanks to him arriving with people at Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory in time, otherwise the factory would have been emptied. Huang Ruhong blamed Leizi for his incompetence, promised to hand over all profits from opium sales to offset military expenses, and ordered Leizi to proceed with it. Cheng Yizhi called Manager Lin and Director Zhao for an Urgent meeting.

Liu Erlang suddenly sent someone to pick up Cheng Yizhi for a meeting. Liu Erlang accused Cheng Yizhi of transferring Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory to avoid a Japanese acquisition. Cheng Yizhi repeatedly explained that Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory had no anti-Japanese intentions, only that employees had some negative sentiments. Furthermore, Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory had previously reached an agreement with Chongqing, stating that if the factory relocated inland, Rebang Bank could rejoin the Bankers' Association. Liu Erlang was half-convinced.

Cheng Yizhi proposed that Rebang Bank cooperate with the Japanese side to help coordinate relations between factories and merchants. Liu Erlang readily agreed and decided to send someone to replace Cheng Yizhi as general manager. Heart-shaped Face secretly called Wu Lizi to inquire about the situation at Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory. Wu Lizi truthfully informed him and also urged him to protect himself. Cheng Yizhi returned and explained the situation to Wu Lizi.

Wu Lizi complained that he shouldn't have agreed to Liu Erlang. Cheng Yizhi handed over the entire responsibility of protecting Rebang Bank to Wu Lizi. Wu Lizi did not want to work with her father's murderer, nor could she stand by and watch the Japanese destroy Rebang Bank. Cheng Yizhi explained the stakes to her, but Wu Lizi refused to listen and, in a fit of pique, went to stay at a hotel instead of going home.

It turned out that Liu Erlang had previously sent someone to find Wu Lizi, forcing her to divorce Cheng Yizhi, threatening to kill Cheng Yizhi if he continued to bother her. Wu Lizi had no choice but to turn against Cheng Yizhi. Cheng Yizhi asked Gao Xiaocong about Wu Lizi's whereabouts, but he was also unaware. Cheng Yizhi tore up all the documents and stamped the resignation letter.

Cheng Yizhi packed his belongings early in the morning and reluctantly bid farewell to his employees. Leizi led people to Rebang Bank and presented the appointment letter from the Japanese General Staff Headquarters. Huang Ruhong was deeply surprised to learn that Leizi had been appointed as the general manager of Rebang Bank. He completely saw through Leizi's ulterior motives and firmly believed that Cheng Yizhi would not let Leizi off the hook.

After Cheng Yizhi left, Wu Lizi introduced each employee to Leizi. Leizi declared that he personally pushed Wu Zhifu downstairs. Wu Lizi realized that Leizi wanted to force her to leave. She suppressed her anger and reminded Leizi to lift the military control over Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory as soon as possible.

Episode 38 Recap

Gao Xiaocong installed an interference device on the telephone at Cheng Yizhi's home, preventing others from eavesdropping on his calls. Cheng Yizhi instructed Gao Xiaocong to assist Wu Lizi in protecting Rebang Bank. The Japanese army beat and kicked Zhou Wenquan. Fortunately, Wu Lizi arrived in time to stop them. Leizi first introduced himself and appointed Ningning as the production supervisor of Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory. Zhou Wenquan strongly objected.

Ningning claimed to be Leizi's woman, then canceled all existing orders and handed Zhou Wenquan an order for urgently needed army medicines, telling him to deliver on time. Wu Lizi returned to the hotel after work and saw Liu Erlang brazenly appearing in her room. Liu Erlang tried to coerce and tempt her. Wu Lizi threatened to die, even opening the window, wanting to ruin Liu Erlang's reputation.

Liu Erlang wanted to possess her, but Wu Lizi pulled out her gun, threatening to kill Liu Erlang. Liu Erlang had no choice but to leave dejectedly. Wu Lizi found the hotel surrounded by Japanese special agents. She called home, and Cheng Yizhi answered after the phone rang for a long time. Wu Lizi asked him where he had been so late. Cheng Yizhi urged her to return home as soon as possible.

Wu Lizi told him to go back to the bank, otherwise she would never go home. Leizi carefully examined the accounts of Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory and found that the cooling ointment production had stopped and restarted many times. Leizi concluded that this was a cover, and the cooling ointment must contain controlled antibiotics. Ningning told him to submit the ledger to the military. Leizi wanted to profit exorbitantly from the antibiotics.

Ningning came early in the morning to confront Wu Lizi and Zhou Wenquan, insisting that the cooling ointment contained antibiotics. Zhou Wenquan vehemently denied it. Ningning forced Zhou Wenquan to submit 2000 boxes of cooling ointment by the end of the month, otherwise he would be removed from his position as factory director. Zhou Wenquan gritted his teeth in anger, swearing that he would never hand over the antibiotics to the Japanese.

Wu Lizi concluded that Leizi wanted to sell the antibiotics to the rear to profit from the national disaster. Huang Ruhong guessed that Leizi and Feng Youru were collaborating to make a fortune using the industries under Rebang Bank, and firmly believed that Cheng Yizhi would not let the matter rest. Cheng Yizhi went to a large dance hall to drink and found Lili to accompany him. Shopkeeper Wan suddenly appeared and asked Lili to accompany Chief Kawano.

Wu Lizi pointed out incisively that Ningning still loved Zhou Wenquan, and also wanted to use this to confirm that Zhou Wenquan still had her in his heart. Wu Lizi saw that everything Ningning did was to protect Zhou Wenquan. Ningning was stunned, not expecting her thoughts to be seen through by Wu Lizi. Kawano, Manager Liang, and Shopkeeper Wan were enjoying drinks and conversation. Kawano invited Cheng Yizhi to sit down for a drink.

Shopkeeper Wan and Manager Liang were sarcastic and verbally abusive towards Cheng Yizhi, but Cheng Yizhi dealt with them neither humbly nor arrogantly. Kawano saw Xu Shu enter and quickly greeted him with a smiling face. Cheng Yizhi was deeply surprised. When he learned that Xu Shu was now an advisor to the Great East Asia Bureau of Chinese Affairs, he proactively greeted Xu Shu. Cheng Yizhi thanked Xu Shu for his help.

He and Wu Lizi had reconciled, and Wu Lizi had been sad for a long time about the news of Xu Shu's maritime accident. Xu Shu merely smiled faintly, then left in a hurry. Someone came to the western-style clothes shop to customize clothes for General Secretary Han's wife, giving Bell detailed information about the wife's measurements and delivery location. Bell found it very strange and reported it to Cheng Yizhi immediately.

Cheng Yizhi immediately went to confront Heart-shaped Face, insisting that he had hidden high-end western-style clothes and contraband in the goods. Heart-shaped Face came to the Laorui warehouse overnight to investigate and indeed discovered items like luxury watches and coffee. Ningning heard that Leizi had loaded many valuable items while transporting medicines and complained that Leizi should not have kept it from her. Leizi forbade her from inquiring further.

Cheng Yizhi subtly inquired from Lili and learned that Xu Shu's return this time was related to national treasures. He had an idea. Cheng Yizhi took Lili out, found someone tracking them, gave Lili some money, and asked for her help. The two of them then took the opportunity to shake off their pursuers.

Episode 39 Recap

Xu Shu introduced Cheng Yizhi to Matsumura. Cheng Yizhi chatted with Matsumura about antiques, appealing to his interests. He believed antiques were not suitable for long-distance transportation and suggested depositing them in Rebang Bank's vault. Matsumura had long heard of Cheng Yizhi's great reputation and felt his words made sense, deciding to deposit the antiques in Rebang Bank.

Cheng Yizhi seized the opportunity to mention that he had already resigned as general manager and that Leizi, recommended by Liu Erlang, was now in charge. Matsumura was already at odds with Liu Erlang, and he was greatly angered. Wu Lizi called Cheng Yizhi to report on the progress of affairs. Ningning promised to investigate Leizi's orders for secretly transporting antibiotics to the rear without Liu Erlang's knowledge.

Wu Lizi suggested handing the orders to Liu Erlang, letting Leizi and Liu Erlang fight among themselves. Cheng Yizhi wanted to use Leizi to send these emergency medicines to the frontline of the Anti-Japanese War. He told Wu Lizi the good news that Xu Shu was still alive, and Wu Lizi was greatly surprised. Wu Lizi returned to her room and saw Chopin's manuscript sent by Liu Erlang. In a fit of anger, she threw it on the ground.

Late at night, Ningning thought Leizi was fast asleep. She secretly got up and took out the order from his pocket. In fact, Leizi was pretending to be asleep, deliberately not alarming Ningning. Cheng Yizhi came to the cemetery to pay respects to Professor Lu. Xu Shu arrived shortly after, and he recounted his previous experiences to Cheng Yizhi in detail. Xu Shu had once participated in an anti-Japanese organization, which ended in failure.

Discouraged and wanting to end his life, he took a boat out to sea. Mrs. Lu saw that he intended to commit suicide and spoke to him about life ideals and beliefs. Xu Shu then disembarked with Mrs. Lu and subsequently met many enlightened individuals. Later, Xu Shu met Matsumura, and they became immediate friends. Xu Shu promised to fully help Cheng Yizhi, using Matsumura's connections to drive away Liu Erlang.

Wu Lizi returned to the hotel after work and found someone in her room. She immediately drew her pistol, but to her surprise, Cheng Yizhi was waiting for her in the room. Wu Lizi worried that the sergeant was targeting Cheng Yizhi and urged him to leave quickly. Cheng Yizhi didn't care at all; he was also being followed by the sergeant. He had to use the waitress Lily as a cover. Wu Lizi was very jealous.

Cheng Yizhi couldn't help but hug her tightly. The two confessed their longing for each other. That night, Cheng Yizhi stayed in Wu Lizi's room. Leizi personally supervised the pharmaceutical factory to complete the order. He had the workers load the goods overnight. Immediately after, Leizi delivered four gold bars to interpreter Dou. Interpreter Dou reminded him to act carefully and by no means let Liu Erlang notice anything suspicious.

Leizi swore confidently that there would be no problem, as he had Feng Youru's backing. Cheng Yizhi and Wu Lizi enjoyed drinks and conversation. Cheng Yizhi laid out his plan in detail. He had Heart-shaped Face impersonate a staff member from Feng Youru's Society Department to transport that batch of medicine. After the medicine was transported away, Ningning destroyed the order. Zhou Wenquan arrived shortly after, thanking Ningning for her strong assistance and reminding her to be careful.

Ningning felt a warmth in her heart. Heart-shaped Face and others were escorting the goods when they were intercepted and inspected halfway by customs officers. Many prohibited luxury items were found, and Feng Youru was held accountable as a result. Liu Erlang learned that the smuggled goods belonged to Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory. He was furious, not expecting Leizi to have secretly done this behind his back. Interpreter Dou was so frightened that he repeatedly begged for mercy.

Matsumura learned that a large batch of antibiotics had gone missing and ended up in Chongqing. He determined that it was due to Liu Erlang's poor supervision. Xu Shu seized the opportunity to badmouth Liu Erlang in front of him. Manager Ban Yuan heard about the smuggling incident and waited expectantly, wanting to see Senior General Aoki's attitude towards the matter. Leizi was at his wit's end, extremely anxious and overwhelmed. Wu Lizi came to question him.

Leizi was furious and forcibly expelled Wu Lizi from Rebang Bank. Wu Lizi ran into Liu Erlang as she went out. Liu Erlang heard she was fired and advised her to work at a Japanese bank. Cheng Yizhi arrived in time, clearly stating that Wu Lizi was his lover. He reminded Liu Erlang to first think of a way out for himself, otherwise there would be endless trouble. Senior General Aoki sent someone to summon Liu Erlang.

Liu Erlang dared not delay and hurried back to see Senior General Aoki. Sato summoned Leizi and Zhou Wenquan for questioning. Zhou Wenquan deliberately exaggerated the quantity of the medicine. He also stated that the smuggled medicines by Leizi all belonged to the Army Staff. Leizi was so anxious that he loudly cried out for justice.

Episode 40 Recap

Aoki called Liu Erlang to account. Bankaki, Matsumura, and Shimazaki Tadashi were also present. Liu Erlang promised to find out the truth as soon as possible, give the parties involved due punishment, and also suspend Rebang Bank's business. Bankaki strongly objected, proposing to re-appoint a general manager. Shimazaki Tadashi recommended Cheng Yizhi. Liu Erlang firmly refused. Matsumura also nominated Cheng Yizhi. Aoki ordered Liu Erlang to clarify the whole story as soon as possible.

Liu Erlang brought interpreter Dou to question Leizi. Leizi repeatedly begged for mercy, blaming Ningning for everything. Liu Erlang wanted to shoot him dead. interpreter Dou advised Liu Erlang to think twice. He insisted that Cheng Yizhi was behind all this mischief. Only then did Liu Erlang spare Leizi. Cheng Yizhi returned to Rebang Bank as general manager. Friends, relatives, and employees all came to congratulate him.

He publicly promised to operate the bank with all his might, so that all employees would feel at home. Liu Erlang also came to the banquet with interpreter Dou. Cheng Yizhi publicly thanked Wu Lizi for her continuous support and help. He proposed to Wu Lizi again. Wu Lizi readily agreed. Everyone congratulated them together. Liu Erlang gritted his teeth in anger, pretending to clap for Cheng Yizhi without a change in expression.

After the banquet, Cheng Yizhi and Wu Lizi went home together. Cheng Yizhi suddenly took out the wedding ring. Wu Lizi was surprised; she thought Cheng Yizhi had thrown the ring away. Cheng Yizhi knelt on one knee to propose to Wu Lizi and personally put the ring on her finger. The two embraced affectionately, unable to help themselves. Cheng Yizhi exposed Wu Lizi for deliberately getting drunk on their first wedding night.

This time, he didn't want to miss out again, and the two spent a passionate night together. interpreter Dou came to the prison early to see Leizi. He told him to pin all the responsibility on Cheng Yizhi. Liu Erlang, out of jealousy, would never let Cheng Yizhi off lightly. Leizi told him to find Zhou Wenquan to inquire about Ningning's whereabouts, so Ningning could come out and testify against Cheng Yizhi. interpreter Dou immediately went to find someone.

General Secretary Han personally interrogated Feng Youru. Feng Youru desperately argued, claiming the goods had been opened beforehand. Deputy Director Yao had eyewitness Heart-shaped Face and others testify in court. Heart-shaped Face confirmed the goods were intact, with no signs of tampering. However, the other two team members insisted that Heart-shaped Face had gotten them both drunk and then secretly tampered with the cargo boxes. Heart-shaped Face's desperate explanations were futile. interpreter Dou quickly sent someone to find Ningning's whereabouts.

They arrested her and took her to Liu Erlang. Leizi tortured her, relentlessly questioning her about the mastermind. Ningning exposed to Sato that Leizi had connections with Chongqing. He also colluded with Feng Youru to resell medicines and deliberately framed her. Leizi, furious, strangled Ningning to death on the spot. Wu Lizi informed Zhou Wenquan of Ningning's sacrifice. Zhou Wenquan was deeply saddened. Huang Ruhong learned that Leizi had framed Ningning and was worried it would affect Cheng Yizhi.

He found out that Leizi's subordinate was Li'er and sent someone to find him. Leizi and interpreter Dou came together to apologize to Liu Erlang. Leizi pinned all the blame on Cheng Yizhi. interpreter Dou also fanned the flames, inciting Liu Erlang to deal with Cheng Yizhi. Li'er was brought in to testify. He fully confessed about Leizi reselling medicines. Leizi, enraged, rushed forward and fought with Li'er, resulting in him being shot dead.

Huang Ruhong, putting aside past grievances, gave Leizi a lavish burial. He sent his butler to arrange a meeting with Feng Youru. Huang Ruhong felt that Cheng Yizhi should also return. Cheng Yizhi worried that Shenqin Cotton Mill and Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory would be shut down if they didn't accept Japanese military orders. Wu Lizi suggested accepting Japanese military orders as usual, and then transporting the manufactured medicines and cotton yarn to the rear for the resistance. Zhou Wenquan and Director Zhao worried that Liu Erlang would not let the matter rest. Wu Lizi told them to find excuses to deliberately delay the delivery time.

Episode 41 Recap

Director Zhao worried that the cotton yarn could not be smoothly transported to the rear. Xu Shu arrived in time, saying he could transport the cotton yarn and medicine to the rear. He needed a warehouse that could store thousands of tons of goods, and Cheng Yizhi promised to help him find one.

As the Japanese army suffered successive defeats on the Pacific battlefield, Huang Ruhong proactively wrote a secret letter to Feng Youru, offering to supply materials without charge to quell the chaos. Feng Youru guessed that Huang Ruhong was using him as a retreat, so he went with the flow and accepted everything. Wu Lizi reported the production situation of Shenqin Cotton Mill for the last quarter to Ban Yuan. Ban Yuan felt that the output was too low.

Wu Lizi repeatedly explained that it was caused by machine wear and tear and worker attrition. Ban Yuan did not want the military to make fun of them, so he sent Shimazaki Tadashi to keep a close eye on the cotton mill's production. Sheng'an Hospital discovered a fever epidemic. General Luo immediately reported it to his superiors.

Sato personally came to Sheng'an Hospital for inspection and learned from Dr. Lu that this fever epidemic was caused by the plague, which was highly contagious. The hospital had already admitted fifteen patients, and even one doctor was unfortunately infected. Due to the inability to replenish antibiotics in time, none had recovered yet. Infected individuals with fever also appeared on the ship "Pariyah". Sato dared not board the ship for investigation.

He inquired about the epidemic from Captain Mukoda and chief mate Yamamoto, learning that all infected individuals were Chinese laborers, and no Japanese personnel had been found infected. Sato immediately ordered the Chinese laborers to be left on board for isolation, and Japanese personnel to return home to rest. It turned out that all this was carefully arranged by Cheng Yizhi.

He deliberately spread rumors of a fever epidemic, concluding that Sato would temporarily abandon the ship, allowing Xu Shu to store goods on the seven-thousand-ton "Pariyah" ship. Liu Erlang drowned his sorrows in alcohol all day long. interpreter Dou repeatedly apologized to him. Liu Erlang sent people to investigate, and it was confirmed that the fever epidemic was real. He ordered the news of the epidemic to be sealed off and the ship "Pariyah" to be sealed on the spot.

The rumors spread wider and became more believable, with external reports claiming that 36 Chinese laborers had died on the ship. Xu Shu revealed to Matsumura that a Japanese person from the High Commission Trading Company suspected he had contracted the fever. Matsumura concluded that Liu Erlang would no longer dare to block the news, otherwise, it would be impossible to end.

Liu Erlang reported the fever epidemic to Aoki and suggested sealing the ship on the spot and withdrawing all Japanese troops from the wharf. Aoki readily agreed. Cheng Yizhi's plan was successfully completed, finding Xu Shu a large warehouse with a capacity of seven thousand tons. Tomita, the owner of the trading company, suddenly called Cheng Yizhi for a meeting. Cheng Yizhi learned from him that Feng Youru had executed Heart-shaped Face as a scapegoat.

Tomita admitted that he was ostensibly the owner of the trading company, but in fact, he was sent by Chongqing to be responsible for transporting supplies. Cheng Yizhi hated Feng Youru's actions and completely gave up hope on Chongqing. Tomita entrusted Cheng Yizhi to continue fulfilling Heart-shaped Face's last wish, which was to transport four hundred tons of cotton yarn to the rear.

Tomita promised that after the matter was accomplished, he would apply to Chongqing for a retrial of Heart-shaped Face's case to clear his name. Cheng Yizhi was half in doubt, but Tomita revealed the secret code that Heart-shaped Face had once told Cheng Yizhi. Cheng Yizhi then believed him without a doubt and promised to raise the cotton yarn as soon as possible. It turned out that Huang Ruhong had sent Tomita to find Cheng Yizhi.

He firmly believed that Cheng Yizhi would be willing to do whatever it took to get justice for Heart-shaped Face, and also knew that Cheng Yizhi was a person who longed for light and would never serve the Japanese. Cheng Yizhi provided Tomita with evidence of Feng Youru's embezzlement of the Chen Chen Tung Oil Factory, wanting to put Feng Youru to death.

Shimazaki Tadashi quickly obtained the allocation order for 400 tons of cotton yarn, which had the seal of Aoki's nephew, Hiroshi Nishio. Subsequently, Cheng Yizhi came to Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory and, under the guise of treating the laborers on the ship for fever, transported six thousand boxes of antibiotics out, delivering them to the "Pariyah" ship overnight. Cheng Yizhi had Zhou Wenquan seal the factory.

On the sixteenth, he arranged for Wu Lizi, Director Zhao, and Zhou Wenquan to evacuate together. Xu Shu had stored 2400 tons of cotton yarn on the ship. Mrs. Lu had already prepared the passes. As soon as the antipyretic medicine arrived, this batch of supplies would be smoothly transported to the rear. Xu Shu asked Cheng Yizhi to evacuate with him, but Cheng Yizhi wanted to stay to raise cotton yarn for Tomita.

Immediately after, Cheng Yizhi closed down Rebang Bank, which he had painstakingly established. He was filled with emotion. Wu Lizi asked Gao Xiaocong to write a notice, using the excuse of a bank inventory to extend the holiday by one day, allowing everyone to take the opportunity to evacuate. Cheng Yizhi asked Wu Lizi to go first with Director Zhao and Zhou Wenquan. Wu Lizi wanted to stay with him, but Cheng Yizhi did not want her to take risks.

If anything happened to him, Wu Lizi could re-establish Rebang Bank. Wu Lizi bid him a reluctant farewell. Cheng Yizhi arrived at the wharf with the cotton yarn delivery order. Tomita was directing the workers to load the goods. A worker accidentally fell, and several large packages of opium fell out of a box. Cheng Yizhi was immediately stunned.

Tomita explained that the opium was used to cover the cotton yarn, but Cheng Yizhi didn't believe it at all and wanted to personally supervise the loading of goods. Huang Ruhong suddenly appeared, and Cheng Yizhi immediately understood everything, realizing that he had fallen into Huang Ruhong's trap. Ban Yuan quickly discovered problems with the cotton yarn assembly order, severely reprimanded Shimazaki Tadashi, and suspected him of working for the Chinese.

Wu Lizi, Zhou Wenquan, and Xu Shu waited for Director Zhao to meet up, and then they would evacuate together. Gao Xiaocong rushed back in a hurry; he saw Huang Ruhong's subordinates at the entrance of the cotton mill and worried that something had happened to Director Zhao. Wu Lizi realized the situation was bad and worried that Cheng Yizhi was in danger. She immediately called Shimazaki Tadashi to inquire about the situation.

Episode 42 (Ending) Recap

Wu Lizi suspected that Huang Ruhong had imprisoned Cheng Yizhi, but she couldn't guess where he was held. Xu Shu firmly believed that Cheng Yizhi would bring Huang Ruhong to the Pariah steamboat. Wu Lizi, Gao Xiaocong, Zhou Wenquan, and Xu Shu immediately rushed to rescue him. Shimazaki Tadashi rushed home in a hurry and found that Bell had been killed; he was heartbroken.

Cheng Yizhi concluded that Feng Youru used Futian to ask him to raise cotton yarn, and Huang Ruhong came to finish Feng Youru's work. Huang Ruhong admitted this without hesitation. He produced the allocation order given to Director Zhao by the Japanese fifty days ago, but Director Zhao had not yet delivered the goods, while the allocation order Shimazaki Tadashi gave to Cheng Yizhi was for this month.

Huang Ruhong knew that Cheng Yizhi would not be able to justify himself to the Japanese side, leaving him with only one way out: death. Director Zhao arrived soon after. Cheng Yizhi instantly understood everything. Huang Ruhong threatened him with the cotton yarn factory, forcing Director Zhao to expose him. Director Zhao repeatedly apologized to Cheng Yizhi, saying he couldn't bear to lose the factory he had worked so hard to build.

Cheng Yizhi was heartbroken, never expecting that Director Zhao, who had shared life and death with him, would betray him. Huang Ruhong sent Director Zhao away. He negotiated with Cheng Yizhi, promising not to report Cheng Yizhi to the Japanese if Cheng Yizhi was willing to come back and help him.

Huang Ruhong openly exposed Cheng Yizhi for using Rebang Bank as a cover to raise large quantities of cotton yarn and medicine, which he was preparing to transport to the rear using the Pariah steamboat. Huang Ruhong brought Cheng Yizhi to the wharf, intending to hand over the entire ship full of goods to General Secretary Han. Cheng Yizhi could then use the collected evidence to completely bring down Feng Youru.

Cheng Yizhi finally understood Huang Ruhong's true purpose: he used four hundred tons of cotton yarn as bait, but it was actually for this entire ship of goods. Liu Erlang suddenly arrived at the wharf with his troops, pressing Huang Ruhong and Cheng Yizhi hard about their intentions. Cheng Yizhi admitted that Huang Ruhong had discovered that the Pariah steamboat had fabricated illnesses, so he brought him here to confront him. Liu Erlang ordered Cheng Yizhi to be killed.

Huang Ruhong quickly stepped forward to stop him, explaining the stakes to Liu Erlang. If Aomura found out about this, Liu Erlang would be held responsible. Huang Ruhong pleaded with Liu Erlang to hand Cheng Yizhi over to him for full discretion. Liu Erlang wanted to have a private chat with Cheng Yizhi, so Huang Ruhong had no choice but to get in the car first. Before he could even sit still, he was shot dead by Japanese soldiers.

Cheng Yizhi was instantly stunned. interpreter Dou took out the intercepted telegram Huang Ruhong sent to Chongqing. Huang Ruhong exposed Cheng Yizhi for secretly hoarding large quantities of cotton yarn and medicine, preparing to transport them to the rear. interpreter Dou forced Cheng Yizhi to reveal the hidden location of the goods. Cheng Yizhi agreed to confess everything, on the condition that interpreter Dou must be executed.

Cheng Yizhi reported that interpreter Dou was acting in public but opposing in private, colluding with Feng Youru to illicitly sell supplies, and also fabricated telegrams to frame him. Liu Erlang shot interpreter Dou dead on the spot. Xu Shu, Zhou Wenquan, and Wu Lizi slowly approached the Pariah steamboat in a small boat. Xu Shu boarded the ship alone, telling them to wait in the small boat.

Cheng Yizhi brought Liu Erlang to the Pariah steamboat's cargo hold, where there was only one-tenth of the goods. Liu Erlang was greatly angered and pressed him about the whereabouts of the other supplies. Unexpectedly, Cheng Yizhi had already sent people to take them away, and they had now reached the rear.

Cheng Yizhi pretended that the trucks were loaded with laborers who had died of fever, and the Japanese guards dared not inspect them, so the supplies were successfully transported out. Liu Erlang gritted his teeth in anger, drawing his gun to threaten Cheng Yizhi. Xu Shu, hiding on the side, saw everything clearly. He timely fired and hit Liu Erlang. Cheng Yizhi seized the opportunity to jump into the river and escape. Cheng Yizhi swam to the small boat.

Xu Shu fiercely fought with the Japanese soldiers. He shot a large oil drum inside the cargo box, and the cargo ship immediately burst into flames. Xu Shu, Liu Erlang, and others were all engulfed in the fire, leaving Cheng Yizhi heartbroken. Eight months passed in a flash. Japan unconditionally surrendered, and the Anti-Japanese War was declared over. The shareholders and employees of Rebang Bank gathered together to celebrate its reopening.

Cheng Yizhi arrived afterward and publicly pledged to uphold the original intention of establishing the bank and continue to punish evil and promote good. Wu Lizi and Cheng Yizhi took the bank employees to sweep the tombs of the fallen martyrs. Madame Lu handed the design drawings that Xu Shu had entrusted her to keep to Cheng Yizhi, asking him to fulfill Xu Shu's last wish. Gao Xiaocong asked Madame Lu to be his introducer for joining the party.

Madame Lu gladly agreed, firmly believing that one day light would shine on everyone. Finally, Cheng Yizhi, Wu Lizi, Madame Lu, Gao Xiaocong, and others walked side by side towards a bright future.