THE REBEL Episode 11 Recap
> THE REBEL Recap
Despite Lin Nansheng and Zhu Yizhen's seemingly smooth relationship, it draws the attention of Ji Zhongyuan, who cautions Zhu Yizhen about her role as a Communist Party member, reminding her that organizational procedures must be strictly followed when assessing Lin Nansheng's (alias Xu Li Wen) suitability, despite their growing closeness. Meanwhile, Gu Shenyan, observing Hu Daoyi deliver an allowance to Lin Nansheng, realizes Lin Nansheng is the focus of Chen Moqun's secret operation.
Hu Daoyi conveys Chen Moqun's praise for Lin Nansheng's performance, urging him to remain vigilant and avoid exposing their cover. The next morning, Lin Nansheng, on his way to Shenjiang University, hears a familiar piano piece, Tchaikovsky's "The Seasons," playing from a cake shop – a tune Zhu Yizhen often listens to. He enters, eager to find the record, which the shopkeeper reveals is an import unavailable in Shanghai.
Lin Nansheng insists on acquiring it, eventually purchasing numerous pastries to persuade the reluctant shopkeeper to part with the album. Gu Shenyan, having followed Lin Nansheng into the university, immediately contacts Ji Zhongyuan via a public phone. Gu Shenyan informs Ji Zhongyuan that he has confirmed "Xu Li Wen" is Lin Nansheng, presenting his official record. Ji Zhongyuan confirms that Lin Nansheng is indeed the individual Zhu Yizhen had been considering for recruitment.
Gu Shenyan emphasizes that Chen Moqun orchestrated the student march to create an opportunity for Lin Nansheng to get close to Zhu Yizhen. Although Ji Zhongyuan maintains confidence in Zhu Yizhen's discretion, he acknowledges the risks and decides that all operatives and contact points must be moved immediately to prevent Chen Moqun from exploiting the situation further. He stresses the need for swift action and discretion during the evacuation.
Later, at the university library, Ji Zhongyuan observes Lin Nansheng and Zhu Yizhen reading together, their harmonious interaction only deepening his unease. Zhu Yizhen, captivated by Lin Nansheng, presents him with a precious gift: an original English edition of "Leaves of Grass," which she had searched extensively to find. Lin Nansheng expresses his gratitude, considering it the most cherished gift he has ever received.
He had also prepared a record for Zhu Yizhen but before he could give it to her, a student delivers a book to Zhu Yizhen, who then excuses herself to go upstairs. She meets Ji Zhongyuan, who asks about "Xu Li Wen's" recent behavior. Zhu Yizhen reports nothing unusual, but Ji Zhongyuan solemnly reveals that "Xu Li Wen" is actually Lin Nansheng, a Nationalist Party special agent.
Zhu Yizhen is shocked and struggles to accept the truth, even though Ji Zhongyuan explains that Lin Nansheng's act of saving her life was likely part of a larger conspiracy. He instructs her to evacuate immediately to a safe contact point, providing an address and a key, and to avoid all contact, even with her family, until he can join her. Unable to find Zhu Yizhen, Lin Nansheng grows concerned.
After confirming she has not returned home, he calls Chen Moqun to report her disappearance. Chen Moqun orders Lin Nansheng to return to the reading room and await further instructions. Seeing Chen Moqun mobilize his team, Gu Shenyan calls the operational team, feigning an inquiry about personnel lists to subtly gather information, learning that the captain is out with the Station Chief.
At the library, Lin Nansheng informs Chen Moqun that Zhu Yizhen left abruptly, contrary to their earlier plans to see a movie. Chen Moqun investigates the book delivered to Zhu Yizhen, discovering that a watchword had been erased. He concludes that Lin Nansheng's cover has been compromised, causing Zhu Yizhen to flee after receiving an urgent notice.
Lin Nansheng attempts to defend Zhu Yizhen, suggesting she might be on an urgent mission, but Chen Moqun dismisses this, accusing Lin Nansheng of exposing himself and jeopardizing their efforts to locate "The Mailman." Chen Moqun orders an extensive search of the campus, the immediate arrest of everyone connected to Zhang's Clothing tailor shop, and intensified surveillance on Zhu Yizhen and Gu Shenyan. Meanwhile, at the tailor shop, one of the operatives receives Ji Zhongyuan's urgent evacuation order.
After hearing that Ji Zhongyuan has already left, the operative insists on staying behind to destroy documents before following. However, Zhu Yizhen, struggling with the revelation about Lin Nansheng, believes she can still pull him back to the right side. She leaves the safe house, leaving a note declaring her belief in Lin Nansheng and her intention to recruit him. Ji Zhongyuan, returning to an empty safe house and finding her note, is frustrated by her rash decision.
Lin Nansheng rushes back to his dorm, finding Zhu Yizhen there. She confronts him, declaring he is not the Xu Li Wen she knew, but asserting that his ideals of democracy and freedom were genuine. She questions his loyalty, urging him not to align himself with those who betray their own people in the face of a greater enemy. As she tries to reason with him, Chen Moqun and his men arrive, arresting Zhu Yizhen.
A hidden gift, the record Lin Nansheng had bought for her, is left untouched on his desk. Concurrently, the operational team raids Zhang's Clothing. Fu'an, delayed by burning documents, is apprehended and taken to the Secret Service. Wang Shi'an, intending to invite Gu Shenyan for dinner, sees Chen Moqun return with the arrested individuals, including Zhu Yizhen, making it clear he was excluded from the operation.
Wang Shi'an complains to Gu Shenyan about Chen Moqun's secrecy and how his position as deputy chief feels titular. Gu Shenyan, feigning to have forgotten his wallet, returns to his office. He calls the Fu Lai Restaurant, asking for Ji Zhongyuan, only to be told he is not there. As Wang Shi'an approaches, Gu Shenyan quickly changes the subject, pretending to be discussing a dinner reservation and ordering a specialty dish, thereby avoiding suspicion.
Back at the Secret Service, Chen Moqun instructs Hu Daoyi to deflect all calls from powerful figures attempting to intercede for Zhu Yizhen, publicly stating that she is merely assisting with an investigation. In front of Lin Nansheng, Chen Moqun discusses the urgency of making Zhu Yizhen confess, implying that cooperation is her only path to survival, otherwise, she faces a dire fate.
Mindful of the brutal interrogation methods used by the Secret Service, and fearing for Zhu Yizhen's safety, Lin Nansheng volunteers to interrogate her, believing he can make her speak. Chen Moqun agrees, confident that Zhu Yizhen's feelings for Lin Nansheng will make her drop her guard, allowing them to extract information about her superior. Lin Nansheng begins the interrogation, formally identifying himself as Lin Nansheng from the Shanghai Branch of the Secret Service of Reconstruction Society.
He presses Zhu Yizhen, emphasizing that her silence will only harm her and that cooperation is her only way out. He demands to know who informed her of his identity and details about her Communist superior, questioning if she is from the Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee or Northern Shaanxi. However, Zhu Yizhen steadfastly maintains her innocence, claiming to be an ordinary student and feigning ignorance of all his questions. Lin Nansheng offers her more time to reconsider.
Observing her defiance, Hu Daoyi grows impatient, suggesting he take over the interrogation. Meanwhile, Wang Shi'an, still troubled by Zhu Yizhen's arrest, expresses his anxiety to Gu Shenyan over dinner, lamenting how the incident has ruined his cousin's plans to do business with the influential Zhu family and reflecting on the constant unease within their department.
