The Silence of the Monster Episode 18 Recap
> The Silence of the Monster Recap
He Chufeng headed to class, instructing Luo Bin to keep Fang Qi company at the shop.
While Sui Yi provided legal aid services in the community and He Chufeng taught a class on the basics of lock cylinders—explaining the three safety levels: Class A, B, and C, noting that Class A is designed to be anti-bug, anti-wax, anti-collision, and anti-pry—Luo Bin gave Fang Qi a tour of the vintage boutique, detailing that the first floor housed vintage items, some from Granny Mi’s collection, and others consigned by customers.
After their respective duties, He Chufeng arrived to pick up Sui Yi. Sui Yi, conscious of their budding relationship, asked him to walk a few steps ahead of her, suggesting they maintain a slight distance. As they walked, Sui Yi counted off ten paces, ensuring they were sufficiently separated. However, Chen Xiaoyuan, a colleague of Sui Yi's, spotted He Chufeng.
She immediately intervened, playfully scolding Sui Yi for still being at work when He Chufeng was waiting, insisting she go home with him. Chen Xiaoyuan took over Sui Yi's remaining tasks and, along with Jia Xiaoguo, watched the couple depart, speculating on who had confessed their feelings first. Chen Xiaoyuan believed it was He Chufeng, while Jia Xiaoguo thought Sui Yi had made the first move, concluding they were both equally transparent about their affections.
Back at the shop, Luo Bin provided Fang Qi with his old phone and helped her register a WeChat account, assuring her that she would eventually regain her memories. Meanwhile, He Chufeng and Sui Yi enjoyed a leisurely trip to the supermarket, browsing items like "Peach and red grapefruit" juice and "Rainbow cereal." Sui Yi admitted to eating the cereal to avoid gaining weight, a detail He Chufeng had noticed from her room.
She playfully made him choose between her and the cereal, to which he enthusiastically chose her. Separately, a group of men, including one named Wen, were discussing Fang Qi, whom they referred to as "Qiqi." They were concerned about her whereabouts, especially since her "Uncle Fang" was expected to return soon, and they needed to find Qiqi before his arrival.
That evening, Sui Yi tidied up a room and invited Fang Qi to share her bed, which Fang Qi gratefully accepted. Later, as Luo Bin attempted to impress Fang Qi with his cooking, He Chufeng pointed out his culinary shortcomings, criticizing his overcooked ribs. He Chufeng instructed Luo Bin, via a phone call, to procure a detailed list of ingredients for dinner, including specific dishes and snacks, along with toiletries.
Luo Bin dramatically complained about He Chufeng's demands, threatening to leave, but He Chufeng reminded him that Fang Qi was waiting for the meal. Luo Bin, feeling unappreciated, suggested they just buy pre-made food or order takeout instead. Elsewhere, Liu Xingyu, referred to as Dali, was working at a barbecue restaurant. She repeatedly asked her boss for her wages, which the boss continuously deferred, telling her to come back another day or to get back to work.
Observing this interaction was Dali's master, Gu Nan, who was having dinner at the shop. He offered to help Dali, noting her young age and the boss's exploitation. Dali confided in Gu Nan that she was owed 600 yuan for ten days of work, having been promised 60 yuan a day, and she was determined to reclaim her rightful earnings. The group celebrated Christmas. Luo Bin announced the traditional gift exchange, the first one for their shop.
Fang Qi, having no gift, had one prepared for her by Luo Bin. They decided to play rock-paper-scissors to determine the order of gift selection. Luo Bin won, but then playfully asserted his authority as the organizer to influence the gift choices, much to He Chufeng's annoyance. Fang Qi received a note as a gift. She recognized the meaning of Luo Bin's name from a bird painting, "Robins never do bad things. They only sing for someone kindly," impressing him.
She then wrote a note stating, "I owe Robin a gift," but without a name, which prompted Luo Bin to suggest they all come up with a name for her. After they each wrote down a suggestion, Luo Bin picked "An," which Fang Qi liked and accepted. The final gift was a cat tree from Luo Bin for Bean Bun, which the cat adored, bringing joy to everyone.
Luo Bin captured the heartwarming scene with photos, though He Chufeng grumbled about the cost of photo paper. The festive mood was interrupted when He Chufeng received a phone call informing him that Dali had assaulted the barbecue shop owner, sending him to the hospital. Unsure of the full situation, He Chufeng and Sui Yi went to investigate. They found Dali, apparently unharmed, accompanied by Gu Nan.
Upon seeing He Chufeng, Gu Nan attempted to leave, but He Chufeng called out to him, stopping him. Gu Nan remarked on the coincidence of their reunion at a police station. A flashback to 2011 showed a young He Chufeng working at an auto repair shop. He skillfully unlocked a scrapped car without a key, impressing Gu Nan, who was watching nearby. Recognizing He Chufeng's natural talent, Gu Nan offered to teach him locksmithing, leaving him a business card.
Initially hesitant due to a painful memory, He Chufeng eventually decided to join Gu Nan after seeing him rescue a child locked inside a safe. Gu Nan explained that locksmithing itself wasn't good or bad; its morality depended on the locksmith's intentions, whether to save or harm. Motivated by Gu Nan's ability to help people, He Chufeng expressed his desire to become a locksmith like him.
Back in the present at the police station, He Chufeng reflected on a past incident during a heavy rain where Gu Nan had helped him get into a car, only for Gu Nan to be surprised later to see He Chufeng standing with the police when they arrived. He also recalled going to pick up Gu Nan upon his release from prison, only to find he had already left.
He Chufeng had kept Gu Nan’s letters safe for him over the years. Gu Nan dismissed the items as unimportant, thanking He Chufeng for his care. Jia Xiaoguo informed He Chufeng and Sui Yi that the barbecue shop owner was accusing Dali of assault, but there was no clear surveillance footage, and Dali herself was vague about what happened. As Dali was a minor without a guardian, the police felt limited in their actions.
He Chufeng then asked Gu Nan why he was with Dali. Gu Nan explained that he had gone to the barbecue shop for dinner and witnessed Dali demanding her rightful wages. He described how the boss was extorting Dali, who merely wanted her money. During the confrontation, the boss pushed Dali, then slipped and fell himself, but blamed Dali for hitting him. Gu Nan confirmed that Dali did not physically assault the boss.
He admitted to telling the police his account, but expressed concern that his credibility might be doubted, given he had just been released from prison. Sui Yi acknowledged the challenge, confirming that the alley was a surveillance blind spot, making it difficult to find conclusive evidence.
She reiterated her belief in Dali's innocence, and He Chufeng stated that he and Gu Nan had known each other for a long time, validating Gu Nan's character to Jia Xiaoguo before she took Gu Nan to give a formal statement.
