The Lion's Secret Episode 25 Recap
> The Lion's Secret Recap
As Yan Jing held Fu Jundie at gunpoint, he taunted, "Such an important occasion can't be without her." He demanded that Mu Wanqing come out. Before stepping forward, Mu Wanqing whispered to Pa Tong to hide under the bed and find a way to inform Liu Qing about their situation. Shortly after, Liu Qing called. Pa Tong answered, urgently telling Liu Qing that Mu Wanqing had been kidnapped and pleading for him to come and save them.
Liu Qing asked for Pa Tong's location, and upon hearing he was still at the school, instructed him to stay put. When Liu Qing arrived at the school, Pa Tong reiterated that Yan Jing had kidnapped Mu Wanqing. Pa Tong wanted to join Liu Qing, but Liu Qing asserted that as Mu Wanqing’s husband, it was his responsibility to save her. He told Pa Tong to protect the school, their “base camp,” and promised to bring everyone back safely.
Meanwhile, Yan Jing had gathered his captives, including his mother, Miss Yan, and the children. Miss Yan desperately begged Yan Jing not to harm the children. Yan Jing reassured her he wouldn't hurt her, but stated he had "important matters to deal with" and couldn't release anyone until his task was complete. Taisa's mother then confronted Yan Jing, asking if he was involved in her daughter Taisa's abduction.
Yan Jing admitted his involvement, causing Taisa's mother to call him a maniac. Yan Jing pulled out a gun, terrifying both Taisa's mother and Miss Yan. Yan Jing declared, "This is my place, and you can only obey me," before ordering his men to guard them and departing. Mu Wanqing and Fu Jundie were held separately. Fu Jundie speculated that Yan Jing simply wanted the school property.
Mu Wanqing, however, felt it was more complicated and suggested Liu Qing was investigating the true reasons. She believed that if Yan Jing's sole motivation was the land, she would willingly give it to him in exchange for their and the children's safety. Just then, Yan Jing entered. Mu Wanqing offered him the land, but Yan Jing retorted that the property "originally belonged to us, not you outsiders."
Mu Wanqing asserted that Yan Jing's ambition was greater than mere land acquisition; unlike Pakse and Atuna, he sought to dominate Bazhen. She deduced that Yan Jing intended to leverage her to retrieve criminal evidence from Liu Qing. She explained that Liu Qing possessed information that could expose Yan Jing's illicit activities, potentially uniting other factions with the police to oust him. Yan Jing conceded that Mu Wanqing’s deductions were entirely correct but claimed it was "too late."
He proposed a "game," warning Mu Wanqing not to "watch your mouth," or he would kill Fu Jundie. Yan Jing then called Liu Qing, provocatively inviting him to "my place and have fun" with Mu Wanqing. Liu Qing demanded to hear their voices. Mu Wanqing, under duress, confirmed she and the children were safe.
Liu Qing cautioned Yan Jing against harming them, threatening that if any harm came to Mu Wanqing or the children, Yan Jing would never see him again. Yan Jing dismissed the threat of a "small storage card" in the complex world of Bazhen, implying Liu Qing wouldn't ruin his own intricate plans.
Liu Qing revealed he had just met Atuna, emphasizing that while he hadn't yet handed over Yan Jing's incriminating information, he would if Mu Wanqing or the children were hurt. Yan Jing then admitted needing Liu Qing's "stuff" but claimed to hold more leverage. Liu Qing offered his life in exchange for their release, but Yan Jing rejected it, demanding that Liu Qing appear before him "alive."
On his way, Liu Qing called Wu Fengyu, confirming Yan Jing was behind the kidnapping and urging him to "come to help me as soon as possible." Wu Fengyu then relayed the grim news to Lei Shuo, stressing the need for them to "get together immediately." Lei Shuo, meanwhile, informed a subordinate that the materials had been sent and confirmed.
He advised staying calm, confident that Yan Jing's focus on Liu Qing would buy them time, allowing their plan to proceed flawlessly. Lei Shuo further explained that the charity school, once a chemical plant with an adaptable waste disposal system and old machinery, was ideal for converting into a clandestine drug manufacturing facility for trending new drugs. He suspected a "mysterious person" had guided Yan Jing there, also noting the location's strategic importance in targeting Liu Qing and Mu Wanqing.
Separately, Na Mu, who was pregnant with Yan Jing's child, met with Pakse at his territory. She announced her departure, having realized Yan Jing only saw her as a "killer pawn." Pakse, observing her enduring feelings, noted her pregnancy. Na Mu asked Pakse to deliver an explanation to Ma Kulu (Yan Jing) stating she wanted him to know he was the father, assuring Pakse he wouldn't be implicated.
Before Na Mu left, Pakse revealed that her sister, Su Pan, had been murdered by Neuch. Soon after, Yan Jing received a call from Pakse, informing him that Na Mu was fleeing Bazhen. Furious at her "betrayal," Yan Jing ordered Paitun to provide her criminal evidence to the police, vowing to "find her no matter where she is." He cut off the conversation, prioritizing "bigger business," effectively ending any further discussion about Na Mu.
Liu Qing eventually confronted Yan Jing face-to-face, attempting to negotiate for Mu Wanqing and the children's release by offering the school property. Yan Jing then revealed his true identity, declaring, "I'm Ma Kulu. I'm Neuch's son." Realizing Yan Jing's motive was revenge, Liu Qing offered his own life for the release of his friends. Yan Jing, scoffing at his "naivety," ordered his men to beat Liu Qing, wanting to watch him suffer and die slowly by his own hand.
Mu Wanqing cried out for them to stop. Despite the severe beating, Liu Qing, driven by his responsibility to protect Mu Wanqing, managed to seize a gun. Just as he struggled, Lei Shuo and his team arrived, surrounding Yan Jing and his men. Lei Shuo informed Liu Qing that he had secured aid from an "old boss," but the condition was that Yan Jing "cannot be killed; he must be kept alive."
Before anyone could react, a single shot rang out from an unknown direction, striking Yan Jing dead. Mu Wanqing and the children were rescued, and Yan Jing's entire gang was apprehended. Pakse and Paitun were killed in a shootout with local police, and Atuna was captured on a flight attempting to escape, facing a probable death sentence. Mu Wanqing, however, remained concerned about other groups coveting the school property.
A representative from Nawa's faction came to thank Mu Wanqing and her friends, pledging Nawa's full commitment to protecting the children and the school. Taisa expressed her gratitude to Mu Wanqing, promising to grow up well and become a teacher in Bazhen, never leaving with her mother. Later, as Liu Qing, Wu Fengyu, and Lei Shuo drank together, Liu Qing was still troubled by the identity of Yan Jing’s killer.
Wu Fengyu and Lei Shuo confirmed that the bullet did not come from any of their weapons and concluded that given Bazhen's complex political landscape, many would have wanted Yan Jing dead, making it impossible to trace the shooter. They decided to let the matter rest, as everything was over, and they were preparing to leave Bazhen. A waiter then delivered more beer, saying it was a gift from a "friend." With the beer came a folded paper currency.
The sight of it instantly reminded them of Li Mo, but his death in Bazhen had been confirmed, leaving them in profound confusion. Liu Qing voiced his thought, asking if it could simply be a "coincidence." Before leaving Bazhen, Mu Wanqing, feeling a pang of sadness at parting with the children, agreed to Liu Qing's suggestion for a group photo. He gathered all the children and Miss Yan for a memorable picture with Mu Wanqing.
Upon their return to China, Liu Qing and Mu Wanqing finally arrived home. After their shared ordeal in Bazhen, Mu Wanqing's perception of Liu Qing had profoundly shifted; her mind was now filled with thoughts of him. She texted Liu Qing, inviting him to her room. Though surprised and still pondering the mystery of Li Mo, Liu Qing went upstairs. He found Mu Wanqing already asleep. He gently held her hand, finding contentment in simply watching her.
The next morning, Mu Wanqing woke to find Liu Qing gone. At breakfast, she asked if he was awake, only for him to appear. Liu Qing jokingly said he had seen and carefully read her text message that morning. Suddenly, Mu Wanqing's mother called, her tone sharp, demanding Mu Wanqing return to the family's old mansion immediately. Liu Qing commented that they were "going to get scolded."
At the old mansion, Mu Wanqing's mother was visibly upset, criticizing them for not contacting her sooner. Mu Wanqing tried to explain her trip to Bazhen was to fulfill her grandmother's wish, but her mother dismissively walked away, refusing to hear explanations. Soon after, Fu Jundie called Mu Wanqing, confessing that she had succumbed to Mu Wanqing's mother's persistent questioning and had revealed "everything in Bazhen," including Liu Qing's identity.
She advised Mu Wanqing and Liu Qing to quickly "figure out a strategy," or perhaps not even go home. Mu Wanqing replied it was "too late" as they were already there, stating she would find a way to handle it.
