THE REBEL Episode 5 Recap
> THE REBEL Recap
A man on the second floor of the hotel loudly knocked on a room door and then barged in without the owner's permission, causing a major disturbance. Amidst the chaos, Fukuan discreetly entered the building through the second-floor toilet, walked down the corridor, and hid in the unoccupied Room 213 after picking its lock. Lin Nansheng remained vigilant, patrolling every checkpoint, but failed to notice Fukuan. His attention was instead drawn to a gunshot.
Although the action squad had agents guarding the fourth-floor fire exit, one of the "Chinese detectives" intentionally discharged his weapon, prompting all the guards to rush to assist downstairs. Lin Nansheng, suspicious of their identity, called the Garrison Command during the incident, who confirmed that two detectives named Li Ashui and Ding Fusheng were on duty but had been out of reach all night. He was also unable to confirm if they were specifically assigned to the Ta Tung Hotel.
With a clear, windless night providing ideal conditions for light and visibility, Fukuan swiftly climbed the fire escape to the rooftop. He then rappelled down to the fourth-floor window of Wang Zhi's room, aimed carefully, and killed both Wang Zhi and another agent inside, using a silencer. The loud noise from the fake detectives' car exhaust below, created by them fumbling with keys and intentionally revving the engine, masked the gunshots.
Lin Nansheng, still unable to conclusively identify the detectives, watched them leave. He observed one of them deliberately taking time to find car keys, subtly challenging him. After they finally drove off with the noisy exhaust, Lin Nansheng called the Garrison Command again but received no further information. Wang Zhi died from his injuries despite emergency treatment. Chen Moqun was deeply disappointed upon hearing the news.
Lin Nansheng later submitted an analysis report, detailing the Communist Party's assassination method and admitting his own negligence. Chen Moqun acknowledged Lin Nansheng's keen insight but pointed out that such a precise analysis highlighted the severe flaws in their security arrangements. He sternly reminded Lin Nansheng that Shanghai operations were vastly different from training; here, a single mistake could cost one's life. He warned Lin Nansheng to be constantly alert, or he might be the next one bleeding out.
Lin Nansheng pleaded for another chance. Chen Moqun then convened an internal meeting, announcing that Wang Zhi was fortunate to have survived and was recovering in the hospital. He claimed Wang Zhi had revealed the existence of a long-term Communist mole known as "the Mailman," who had been active since 1934 and was responsible for a significant information leak that year. Chen Moqun stated that Wang Zhi's assassination proved the Mailman's deep infiltration.
He proposed a comprehensive station-wide investigation to uncover the mole, suggesting they start with Gu Shenyan's archives and screen everyone's personal history and social connections. Gu Shenyan immediately expressed full cooperation, while others at the meeting cautiously tried to clear their names. Deputy Chief Wang Shi'an was skeptical, believing the "Mailman" story was merely a tactic to shift blame. After the meeting, Chen Moqun invited Gu Shenyan to his office for tea.
He used Lin Nansheng's "negligence of duty" in Wang Zhi's assassination as an excuse to transfer him to the archives, effectively placing him under Gu Shenyan's supervision as a form of "repentance." Gu Shenyan understood Chen Moqun's true intentions but feigned hesitation, suggesting that this transfer would only make him appear suspicious. Chen Moqun insisted on Lin Nansheng's capabilities and expressed his trust in Gu Shenyan, who reluctantly accepted the assignment. The same afternoon, Lin Nansheng reported to the archives.
Gu Shenyan greeted him warmly, empathized with his family background, and assigned him to organize files at a desk within his own office, making sure to keep Lin Nansheng close by. Gu Shenyan encouraged Lin Nansheng to relax and informally call him "Old Gu" when they were alone.
Meanwhile, Chen Moqun instructed Xu Bin to withdraw surveillance from Cafe Le Cancoll, believing that since Wang Zhi's location was compromised, the "Mailman" must have already contacted the Communist Party and established new meeting points. Lin Nansheng felt a pang of disappointment as the photos he had diligently developed from the cafe were now rendered useless. Lin Nansheng diligently worked in the archives, tidying up and assisting Gu Shenyan, quickly earning his favor.
The relaxed atmosphere and Gu Shenyan's amiable demeanor made Lin Nansheng wonder if his superior was truly a carefree individual or a cunning mastermind. Deputy Chief Wang Shi'an visited Gu Shenyan, complaining about the extensive internal investigation and suggesting that Gu Shenyan’s proposal at the meeting had made him a prime suspect. Gu Shenyan calmly dismissed his concerns, reiterating that the investigation was standard procedure and Lin Nansheng's transfer was due to a mistake, not as a spy.
Lin Nansheng meticulously documented Gu Shenyan's movements, contacts, and documents in a work notebook for Chen Moqun. Chen Moqun reviewed the notes and emphasized that Lin Nansheng needed to use his intuition to find abnormalities hidden within seemingly trivial details. Chen Moqun also informed Lin Nansheng that he had other agents monitoring Gu Shenyan's movements outside the office.
Gu Shenyan successfully eluded surveillance by meeting Ji Zhongyuan at a new, strategically chosen contact point: a barbershop situated behind the Fu Lai Restaurant, with Communist agents providing cover at both locations. Gu Shenyan informed Ji Zhongyuan about Chen Moqun’s claim that Wang Zhi was still alive. Ji Zhongyuan found this difficult to believe, as his comrade had confirmed shooting Wang Zhi in the face.
Gu Shenyan asked Ji Zhongyuan to verify Wang Zhi's actual condition by investigating the three nearby hospitals (Ren Ji, Hua Mei, and De Qing) and to plan their next steps accordingly. Ji Zhongyuan also pointed out that Chen Moqun assigning Lin Nansheng to Gu Shenyan’s department was a clear sign of suspicion.
