The Romance of Hua Rong Episode 9 Recap
> The Romance of Hua Rong Recap
Hua Rong dreamt of the Cloud Crane hero appearing after she rang a bell, waking her with a smile. Later, a tipsy Qin Shang Cheng knocked on her door, teasing her and eager to hear about heroic deeds from the previous night. Hua Rong recounted how Cloud Crane hero rescued abducted girls and herself, subtly criticizing Qin Shang Cheng for his inaction.
As Qin Shang Cheng prepared to leave, he twirled a chopstick between his fingers, a gesture that immediately reminded Hua Rong of her admired Cloud Crane hero, sparking her suspicion. To dispel her doubts, Hua Rong questioned the inn's waiter about Qin Shang Cheng's whereabouts the previous night. The waiter confirmed that Qin Shang Cheng had spent the entire night drinking in his room, consuming all the inn's alcohol, which put Hua Rong at ease.
Shortly after, Hua Rong encountered Jin Yiwen, who informed her that he and Lai Sheng had been detained overnight at the government office while trying to stop Yuan Ming. Hua Rong expressed her apologies and excitedly shared her encounter with Cloud Crane hero, mentioning the bell he gave her and his promise to appear whenever she rang it.
Meanwhile, at their hideout, Pei Yong reported to his gang leader that someone using the name "Cloud Crane hero" had caused trouble at the docks. The leader surmised that this imposter might know about their half of the treasure map, and perhaps even possess the other half, ordering Pei Yong to immediately investigate the true identity of this "Cloud Crane hero." Back at the inn, Hua Rong prepared an elaborate meal in her room, hoping to summon Cloud Crane hero.
Outside, Zhang Xian, a subordinate of Qin Shang Cheng, startled Xiao Hui, who was guarding the door, causing her to faint. Qin Shang Cheng then entered Hua Rong's room and began to feast on the prepared dishes. When Hua Rong awoke and saw Qin Shang Cheng, she was furious. He playfully teased her with the bell, asking if she still believed Cloud Crane would appear and stating she wasn't ringing it hard enough. During their playful struggle, they accidentally kissed.
Enraged, Hua Rong punched Qin Shang Cheng in the eye. Separately, Lai Sheng discussed Hua Rong with Jin Yiwen, noting her noble background and close ties to a prince. Despite these complications, Jin Yiwen affirmed Hua Rong's generous nature and his steadfast resolve to pursue her, promising to reveal his true identity once his current mission was complete. He then instructed Lai Sheng to prepare for important matters.
The next day, Xiao Hui informed Hua Rong that Cloud Crane hero had been sighted at the Lantern Festival the previous night. Hua Rong rushed to the streets, asking passersby for details. She learned that Cloud Crane hero had saved people from a fire, and his hair was scorched in the process, almost turning him into a "roasted duck."
Back at the inn, Hua Rong noticed candle wax on Jin Yiwen's clothes and, upon closer inspection, saw singed ends on his hair. This observation renewed her suspicion that Jin Yiwen might be Cloud Crane hero. Hua Rong decided to test Jin Yiwen's martial arts, observing his seemingly weak skills, which made her wonder if he was deliberately hiding his abilities. Later, she secretly entered Jin Yiwen's room and hid.
To her delight, she witnessed Jin Yiwen, dressed in Cloud Crane hero's attire, leap through the window. Overjoyed, Hua Rong confronted him, immediately forgiving him for not appearing when she rang the bell, assuming he was busy fighting for justice. She assured him she would keep his secret, stating her unwavering admiration for him. Hua Rong began doting on Jin Yiwen, bringing him water and expensive buns, much to Qin Shang Cheng's visible annoyance.
Qin Shang Cheng disrupted their meal, criticizing Jin Yiwen's perceived weakness and tearing his fan. He offered a quick apology, but Hua Rong was furious at his rudeness. At that moment, Yuan Ming arrived at the inn. Jin Yiwen quietly informed Qin Shang Cheng that Yuan Ming was Hua Rong's childhood friend and adopted brother. Hua Rong took Yuan Ming to her room, where he pressed her to return home and account for her absence to her father.
Hua Rong pleaded for two more days, insisting she needed to bid farewell to Cloud Crane hero. Yuan Ming reluctantly agreed but cautioned her against getting entangled in the "fighting and killing of the underworld." Later, Hua Rong walked with Jin Yiwen through the streets, telling him she would be returning home with Yuan Ming. Jin Yiwen then confessed that he might not be the real Cloud Crane hero, lamenting that bearing his fame was an "inevitable misery."
Misinterpreting his words, Hua Rong reassured him that her admiration stemmed from his character, not his fame, asserting he would always be her idol regardless of his identity. Jin Yiwen sighed, promising to visit her and explain everything after completing his tasks. Qin Shang Cheng, observing them from a distance, wondered if Hua Rong had truly fallen for Jin Yiwen. That night, assassins from the Black Long Gang, who had been tracking Hua Rong and Jin Yiwen, infiltrated the inn.
Jin Yiwen fought them, realizing he was their primary target, and urged Hua Rong to flee. Just then, Qin Shang Cheng, disguised as Cloud Crane hero, appeared and diverted the assassins' attention, leading them away from the inn. Qin Shang Cheng captured one of the assassins and began interrogating him. Hua Rong, having heard the assassins' earlier conversation, interjected, revealing that they were there to kidnap Cloud Crane hero.
Before Qin Shang Cheng could press further for information, the assassin committed suicide by crashing his head into a pillar. Under Qin Shang Cheng's persistent questioning, Jin Yiwen finally admitted that he was not the true Cloud Crane hero. He explained that he was from Wan Jiang, a prominent family, and his mother suffered from a chronic respiratory illness.
The only cure was a rare spiritual object called "Yue Ying Dong Zhu," which had been in the possession of a notorious pirate. Two years prior, the real Cloud Crane hero had killed this pirate, and the Yue Ying Dong Zhu had disappeared ever since. Jin Yiwen confessed that he had been impersonating Cloud Crane hero to attract the real one's attention, hoping to inquire about the item's whereabouts.
He expressed regret for involving Hua Rong and Qin Shang Cheng in his dangerous charade. Qin Shang Cheng scoffed at Jin Yiwen for making such a spectacle while being a mere imposter. Hua Rong, however, defended Jin Yiwen, calling Qin Shang Cheng rude and urging him to apologize, to which Qin Shang Cheng retorted that he needed to secure the inn with his own guards given the threat. Jin Yiwen thanked Qin Shang Cheng for his assistance. Hua Rong offered to tend to Jin Yiwen's wounds and asked if he was upset with her.
