The Silence of the Monster Episode 8 Recap
> The Silence of the Monster Recap
He Chufeng approached Director Ji Xiuyi at the Qianhe Art Museum, expressing his desire to purchase the magpie lock. Ji Xiuyi stated that the lock, along with the artwork "One & Only," belonged to Dong Li's lover, not the museum. He noted that Meng Ziyang, however, claimed the lock belonged to the museum, suggesting a discrepancy in knowledge. Ji Xiuyi admitted he was merely a nominal director with limited information.
He Chufeng questioned the circumstances surrounding the deaths of both Dong Li and Curator Meng Qianhe, and the true nature of "One & Only." He pointed out that the box for "One & Only" clearly didn't fit the fish bone found inside, wondering what the box was truly meant to contain. Ji Xiuyi initially deflected, asking why a locksmith like He Chufeng was so concerned. He Chufeng then revealed that the magpie lock was coated with psilocybin, a hallucinogen.
He recalled the museum's old slogan, "Qianhe Art, the genuine fantasy," and boldly suggested that Curator Meng Qianhe might have intended to put Dong Li's actual body in the box. Ji Xiuyi quickly denied any wrongdoing by the curator, asserting that the box contained only sculptures. He Chufeng reiterated his request to know the lock's origin and to purchase it. Ji Xiuyi then divulged what he knew.
He recounted a past conversation where Dong Li, whose real name was Li Zhe, had proposed a shocking idea to Meng Qianhe: after his death, he wanted his body preserved and given to his lover, Li Yun. Meng Qianhe, surprised by this "shocking idea," did not agree, advising Li Zhe to see a doctor for his condition.
Li Zhe, who believed he only had a month left and was nearing completion of his final work, offered half his money for the arrangement, but Meng Qianhe declined any illicit earnings and insisted Li Zhe focus on his health. Ji Xiuyi further recalled an incident where he drove a sickly Li Zhe home.
During the drive, Li Zhe appeared unwell and dismissed Ji Xiuyi's concern about seeing a doctor, stating his condition was an "old problem that can't be cured." When Ji Xiuyi dropped him off, he noticed Li Zhe heading towards a medical university. This raised a crucial question for Ji Xiuyi: why would Li Zhe go to a medical university, especially since Wang Wenxin's fiancée, Li Yun, was also a medical student? He wondered if there was a connection between them.
Sui Yi received some materials about Dong Li that Wang Qian had found. She then sought out Professor Liu Zhengzheng from the Fine Arts Academy. Liu Zhengzheng harbored deep resentment towards the late Meng Qianhe. He accused Meng Qianhe of using the "young talent project" as a trap, fraudulently acquiring artists' works, and then aggressively hyping them.
Liu Zhengzheng recounted how Meng Qianhe orchestrated a plagiarism scandal against him by commissioning a similar painting, tarnishing Liu Zhengzheng's reputation with accusations of plagiarism that were, in fact, untrue. When Sui Yi asked about Dong Li, Liu Zhengzheng confirmed he knew the famous artist, acknowledging Dong Li was far more renowned than himself, despite being a dropout.
Liu Zhengzheng revealed that Dong Li's real name was Li Zhe and that he was two years his junior at the Fine Arts Academy. Liu Zhengzheng was shocked to learn from Sui Yi that Li Zhe had passed away two years prior. Sui Yi then cautiously inquired if Liu Zhengzheng knew Li Zhe's lover.
Liu Zhengzheng recalled that during their college days, Li Zhe had a girlfriend from a neighboring medical university who was an excellent student, possibly studying surgery, and was planning to intern at a hospital. Luo Bin initially dismissed the idea of a connection between Li Zhe (Dong Li) and Li Yun as far-fetched, based solely on their shared surname and Li Yun's additional name, Olive.
However, He Chufeng presented a compelling case: Wang Wenxin worked at Qianhe Art Museum and met Li Yun there; coincidentally, Li Zhe was also an artist at the museum. He Chufeng argued that these seemingly improbable connections, including Li Zhe's link to a medical university and Li Yun's medical background, pointed to an inevitable truth that needed to be proven. He emphasized that names were merely labels, and their focus should be on the person connecting to the world.
Luo Bin pondered their potential relationship—siblings, friends, or lovers—and whether Li Yun's demeanor had changed due to these events. Meanwhile, Sui Yi found a significant clue in a college photo that depicted Li Zhe. At the same time, He Chufeng made a similar discovery, confirming their need to confront Li Yun. Luo Bin went to meet Li Yun at the flower shop where she worked, and he posed a series of pointed questions.
He began by asking if constantly switching between identities might lead to losing oneself, subtly hinting at her dual names. Li Yun, sensing she was being followed, accused Luo Bin of tracking her on behalf of Wang Wenxin, asserting that Wang Wenxin had no secrets from her. Luo Bin acknowledged his presence was due to Wang Wenxin's inability to directly address their relationship issues.
He then directly questioned Li Yun: "Why would a top graduate from a medical university become a shop assistant in this flower shop? And, Miss Li Yun, is Li Zhe your lover?" While He Chufeng and Sui Yi continued their search for Dong Li's lover, they met with a Clinical Medicine professor. He Chufeng showed the professor a photo of Li Yun, who the professor recognized instantly.
The professor recalled Li Yun as the top student in their eight-year clinical medicine program. Although the professor wanted Li Yun for scientific research, Li Yun chose to follow Professor Jiang into clinical practice. During her sixth academic year, Li Yun and Professor Jiang were involved in a tragic car accident that killed Professor Jiang. Li Yun, deeply affected, dropped out of university for a period and was not seen again by the professor.
It was later revealed that Professor Jiang had been financially supporting Li Yun, who was an orphan raised in an orphanage. After their meeting, Sui Yi offered to pay for the meal, but He Chufeng discreetly settled the bill first. The restaurant owner told Sui Yi that He Chufeng always pays when they're together and welcomed Sui Yi, a new tenant of Granny Mi, to frequent her establishment.
Luo Bin tried to recount Sui Yi's rough first encounter with them, but Sui Yi quickly interrupted, not wanting the embarrassing story of her "knocking them down" to be widely known. That night, Wang Wenxin found Li Yun awake and tried to offer her money, food, and rest, expressing his concern for her well-being. He pressed her about their impending marriage, asking if she had anything to discuss, but Li Yun remained silent.
Wang Wenxin, unable to get a response, suggested they go to bed. Luo Bin contacted He Chufeng and Sui Yi, arranging to meet them at their usual spot. He Chufeng emphasized that their immediate goal was to get Li Yun to admit she was Dong Li's lover, as this was the only way for the Qianhe Art Museum to release "One & Only." Luo Bin, however, worried about the subsequent challenges even if she admitted it.
He Chufeng stated that completing this first step was crucial to eventually help Wang Wenxin and provide Mr. Jin with an answer. He announced his intention to visit the orphanage the next day. Sui Yi, eager to help, offered to join them, asking them to wake her up as she was often busy.
After a playful debate about their departure time, they settled on 9:30 AM, with Sui Yi asserting her legal experience by saying she had already been in court and was preparing for another case soon. The next morning, He Chufeng and Sui Yi arrived promptly at Luo Bin's apartment. While waiting for him to wake up, they engaged in some morning exercises.
A groggy Luo Bin eventually emerged, lamenting that they hadn't woken him and complaining about having no time to style his hair. He surprised them by revealing he had a driver's license and offered to drive to the orphanage, with He Chufeng driving back. During the car ride, Luo Bin continued to talk, and Sui Yi felt a pang of sympathy for He Chufeng, who usually spoke so little.
Luo Bin, appreciating the beautiful weather, suggested they take a group photo. At the orphanage, they met the director, who provided more details about Li Yun. She was abandoned at birth, spent time in a local asylum, and was then adopted by a couple unable to conceive. Though her early years with her foster parents were good, they later abandoned her when the foster mother unexpectedly became pregnant. Fortunately, Li Yun found a friend at the orphanage: Li Zhe.
The director also revealed that Li Zhe had been abandoned due to a heart condition. Li Yun, despite finding her passion after meeting Professor Jiang and being sponsored by her, had abandoned her aspirations after Professor Jiang's sudden death in the car accident. He Chufeng and Sui Yi lamented her decision, understanding that sometimes people choose to escape when tragedy strikes.
They discussed the nature of pain and the need to face it, acknowledging that while it takes time, one shouldn't have to endure it alone, and often, people simply haven't found someone to share their burdens yet. Granny Mi returned home and was joined by Aunt Liu, who immediately started chatting about the young men in the house. Aunt Liu initially expressed concern about He Chufeng, a locksmith, given the valuable items in Granny Mi's antique shop.
Granny Mi quickly defended He Chufeng as a righteous and decent man, warning Aunt Liu against gossiping. Aunt Liu then admitted she liked He Chufeng and had even considered him for her daughter, wondering if He Chufeng and Luo Bin were a couple. When He Chufeng, Luo Bin, and Sui Yi arrived, Granny Mi and Aunt Liu greeted them warmly.
Aunt Liu, upon meeting Sui Yi, immediately inquired about her name, profession as a law intern, age, zodiac, and relationship status. Granny Mi intervened, noting Aunt Liu was overwhelming Sui Yi. Aunt Liu then enthusiastically offered to set Sui Yi up with a suitable young man, pointing out the two "handsome boys" in the house and directly asking Sui Yi whom she liked between He Chufeng and Luo Bin.
Luo Bin quickly clarified that he and Sui Yi were just friends, and Sui Yi echoed that she didn't have romantic feelings for Luo Bin. Aunt Liu then suggested that He Chufeng and Sui Yi would make a good match, a sentiment Granny Mi seemed to agree with. Looking displeased, He Chufeng quietly walked upstairs. After He Chufeng went upstairs, Luo Bin playfully teased Sui Yi about whom she might like, referencing a joke about sneezing indicating affection.
He suggested she observe if she sneezed around He Chufeng or Luo Bin, or if either of them caught a cold, as a sign of mutual feelings. Later, Luo Bin joked that Sui Yi must have "hurt her brain" and suggested He Chufeng prepare chicken soup or steamed bass to help her recover, even playfully suggesting He Chufeng learn Northeastern Chinese cuisine.
When He Chufeng offered to "build up his health" too, Luo Bin quickly declined, saying it was only for Sui Yi. Later that night, He Chufeng's master stood outside the antique shop, gazing silently, as if pondering if this was truly what He Chufeng desired.
