The Justice Episode 9 Recap
> The Justice 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.
