THE REBEL Episode 10 Recap
> THE REBEL Recap
After Lin Nansheng informed Chen Moqun about Zhu Yizhen's hairpin, Chen Moqun visited Lin Nansheng, disguised as a colleague of his attending physician, claiming the regular doctor couldn't make it. Lin Nansheng reported that Zhu Yizhen was communicating with the Communists through a flower-shaped hairpin, noting she cared about it greatly and wore it on a day she supposedly had an exam but no classes were scheduled.
Chen Moqun instructed him to keep a close watch and report any new developments, anticipating Zhu Yizhen would soon report Lin Nansheng's situation to her superior. Lin Nansheng asked if they would apprehend her, to which Chen Moqun replied it depended on her actions and cooperation. Chen Moqun emphasized that Lin Nansheng must seize this opportunity to make Zhu Yizhen fall in love with him, allowing him to contact her superior and ultimately identify "Mailman."
Lin Nansheng expressed that Zhu Yizhen's feelings for him were merely gratitude, but Chen Moqun asserted that love was more than just gratitude, suggesting her innocence and kindness could be used to his advantage. Lin Nansheng questioned why the government had beaten students who were merely advocating for a boycott of Japanese goods as a patriotic act. He pointed out the government's failure to defend the country, citing the lost northeastern region and the imperiled northern region.
Chen Moqun dismissed this, stating national defense was the government's responsibility, not students'. He then produced a gun, sternly reminding Lin Nansheng that his mission was to make Zhu Yizhen fall for him, not the other way around, and warned him against using communist rhetoric to criticize his superiors. Just then, Zhu Yizhen returned home and learned a doctor was checking on Lin Nansheng. She immediately went to his room to inquire. Chen Moqun quickly put away his gun.
Lin Nansheng assured her everything was fine, explaining Dr. Chen had come in place of Dr. Meng. Zhu Yizhen greeted Chen Moqun, who confirmed Lin Nansheng was recovering well. After Zhu Yizhen left, Chen Moqun issued a final warning: if Lin Nansheng wavered in his commitment to the party-state or showed any sign of betrayal, Chen Moqun would execute him personally. Lin Nansheng acknowledged the order. That evening, Lin Nansheng was preoccupied with Chen Moqun's words and barely ate.
Zhu Yizhen, noticing his subdued mood, later brought him his favorite roast pork and duck soup. Lin Nansheng, touched by her care, explained he was recovering well but felt it was time to return to campus. He thanked her for her hospitality. Zhu Yizhen asked if he disliked living there, but Lin Nansheng confessed he had never experienced such a comfortable life. He then asked why she would risk her life when she had such a privileged existence.
Zhu Yizhen calmly replied that revolution always came at a price, a consequence she had considered. She admitted to disliking her current life, despite loving her family, feeling suffocated by the constant meticulous care. She expressed her desire to awaken more people, to overthrow a world of poverty and suffering, and to create a new, equitable life, even if it meant bleeding or dying.
The next morning, as Lin Nansheng, still recovering, walked with a cane, Zhu Yizhen offered to support him, recounting a story of her mother assisting her injured father to maintain appearances. Upon reaching the school, Lin Nansheng met Hu Daoyi. Zhu Yizhen promised to wait for Lin Nansheng after his classes.
Hu Daoyi then privately informed Lin Nansheng that Chen Moqun had arranged a room in the teachers' dormitory for him, specifically room 207, to facilitate his closeness to Zhu Yizhen. He gave Lin Nansheng the key and explained that time off from his university work had been arranged for his recovery, providing more opportunities to interact with Zhu Yizhen. For security, weekly meetings would be held at Lin Nansheng's off-campus apartment, unless there was an emergency.
Lin Nansheng and Zhu Yizhen later visited his new dormitory. Though small compared to her house, Lin Nansheng declared he preferred its "atmosphere," as it aligned with the life he wished to lead. While walking on campus, Zhu Yizhen spotted a notice board displaying a message, "Notice: Discussion about Wuthering Heights," which she recognized as a contact signal. She quickly headed to the library. Noticing her unusual behavior, Lin Nansheng approached the blackboard to examine the notice.
Meanwhile, Ji Zhongyuan confirmed with a comrade that their campus contact point could be reopened, as all suspicious individuals had been investigated. He also revealed that the organization had received confirmation of Xu Li Wen's (Lin Nansheng's alias) background, including his admission year and lack of disciplinary records, validating his identity and suggesting he could potentially be developed into a Communist, though a more cautious assessment was still needed.
Later, while out, Zhu Yizhen asked Lin Nansheng for a favor: to deliver an important letter before 5 PM to No. 16, Route Gustave de Boissezon, and place it in a hidden compartment in the mailbox. She asked him to trust her and not inquire further. Lin Nansheng took the letter, intending to open it in his dormitory. However, he realized it was likely a test set by the Communists, so he delivered the letter untouched to the designated location.
Upon returning to his dormitory, he found a note slipped under his door. Lin Nansheng then received a phone call from Chen Moqun. He reported that he had delivered the letter on time and unopened. Chen Moqun commended him, explaining the letter was a trap designed to leave a trace if opened, and that Lin Nansheng had been under constant surveillance. Satisfied with Lin Nansheng's performance, Chen Moqun predicted a leader from the Communist party would soon meet with him.
He advised Lin Nansheng not to employ any tactics or acting skills, as these underground party members were highly experienced. Instead, he should simply be himself and answer honestly whatever questions were posed. Later, Zhu Yizhen met Lin Nansheng at the Fangli Cafe. She told him she had asked him there to discuss something important, expressing her trust in him as a decent person with aspirations.
She then used a phone to make a call, instructing someone, "You can come now." She told Lin Nansheng that a car would soon arrive, and he needed only to get in, urging him to trust her without asking questions. Outside, Chen Moqun and his men monitored the cafe, but no suspicious individuals were seen entering or leaving.
When Lin Nansheng entered the car, Chen Moqun instructed his men not to follow, reasoning that the Communists were likely conducting a surprise operation for monitoring and risk assessment. He hoped Lin Nansheng would perform well and earn their trust. Lin Nansheng was driven to the Fuli Photo Studio. He was directed to the second floor, where he entered a dimly lit room. Bright camera flashes momentarily blinded him, preventing him from seeing the person questioning him.
The interrogator asked if he knew why he was there. Lin Nansheng replied that Zhu Yizhen had asked him to come. When asked if he would undertake dangerous or life-threatening tasks for her, Lin Nansheng affirmed he would, if necessary, for a friend's life or in times of national need. The interrogator questioned his fighting prowess during the student march, noting he had overpowered several police officers.
Lin Nansheng attributed this to learning a few martial arts moves from a village artist in his youth to protect his younger siblings. Lin Nansheng attempted to learn the interrogator's name, but was told it was unnecessary, only that they were Zhu Yizhen's friends. Lin Nansheng introduced himself as Xu Li Wen, and the interrogator stated, "I'll see you again," before disappearing. After the meeting, Hu Daoyi reported to Chen Moqun.
Hu Daoyi also mentioned that Gu Shenyan wanted Chen Moqun to personally sign some reimbursement forms. Gu Shenyan, while discussing the allowance, subtly probed Chen Moqun for details about the confidential mission. Chen Moqun, however, only instructed him to write a code name for the mission and list four people involved, instead of the actual two, to inflate the allowance and maintain secrecy. Gu Shenyan understood the discretion required.
Meanwhile, Ji Zhongyuan briefed Zhu Yizhen on the preliminary inspection of Xu Li Wen. He noted that while Lin Nansheng completed his assigned task, he gave a "mixed impression." Ji Zhongyuan described Lin Nansheng as a calm, collected, smart, and tactful young man, but found his composure too perfect for someone who had just arrived in Shanghai and narrowly escaped death, making him seem almost "prepared."
He also questioned Lin Nansheng's story about learning martial arts from a village artist, finding it implausible given his ability to overpower trained police officers. Ji Zhongyuan cautioned Zhu Yizhen not to let her personal feelings influence her judgment of Lin Nansheng, a warning Zhu Yizhen accepted. He also informed her that the photo studio contact point could no longer be used, and that they would make direct contact with Lin Nansheng when the time was right.
