Bright Eyes in the Dark Episode 17 Recap
> Bright Eyes in the Dark Recap
Lin Qi confided in Jiang Ge about his struggles, feeling increasingly distant from his musical aspirations while performing at bars. He explained that his brother's support for his violin playing, contrary to what Jiang Ge thought, actually put more pressure on him to prove himself. Jiang Ge reassured Lin Qi, telling him not to doubt his own talent, which Jiang Ge insisted he understood despite admitting he didn't know how many strings a violin has.
Praising the powerful emotional impact of Lin Qi's music, Jiang Ge suggested they collaborate, urging Lin Qi to stop working for Mr. Ma, even though Jiang Ge hadn't yet figured out what their project would be. Meanwhile, at the station, when rookie firefighters Shao Yijiu and Qin Shiquan commented on the taste of the chicken drumsticks, Yang Zhengang shared the story behind them.
The drumsticks were made by Auntie Cai, the mother of Li Weitong, a former firefighter from their station. Yang recounted how they had treated Weitong like a younger brother. A flashback to a news report confirmed that Li Weitong was one of three firefighters who died in a fire at the Pinglang Science and Technology Park.
After her son's death, Auntie Cai stayed at the station and began making his favorite dish for the firefighters, worried they might not eat enough or well. Hearing this, Shao Yijiu and Qin Shiquan gained a new appreciation for the meal. Suddenly, a massive explosion at South Bay Harbor prompted a large-scale mobilization. Though officially suspended, Lin Luxiao insisted on joining the response, stating he was "suspended from my job, not my duties," and boarded a fire truck.
On the way, Meng Guohong briefed all responding teams via radio, confirming a fierce explosion, multiple fire points, and that they were the third wave of responders. He stressed the importance of protecting the public and, unusually, of protecting themselves. Lin Luxiao reassured the nervous Shao Yijiu and Qin Shiquan, promising to bring them back safely and treat them to a meal. Following tradition, Yu Qilei prompted the firefighters to send any last words to their families.
In a call with Nan Chu, Lin Luxiao told her to go home and that he would contact her later. Worried, Nan Chu instead went to the Heping Road station to wait for him. Upon arriving at the fire scene, the teams were briefed by Cui: the first brigade was out of contact, a secondary explosion had already occurred, and hundreds of people were trapped inside. Lin Luxiao, Yang Zhengang, and Yu Qilei were assigned to lead separate teams.
Lin Luxiao ordered Shao Yijiu and Qin Shiquan to remain on the perimeter, stating they couldn't handle the core fire zone. Despite their protests, he reiterated his command. Frustrated but obedient, the two rookies decided to contribute by helping with stretchers and assisting the injured. At the station, Auntie Cai welcomed Nan Chu, inviting her inside to wait and offering her food.
Nan Chu remarked that the chicken drumsticks tasted like home, a sentiment Auntie Cai said her son had shared. As Nan Chu waited, news reports detailed the escalating disaster: over a thousand firefighters on scene, more than 160 people rescued, over 400 evacuated, and the explosion's power estimated at 400 tons of TNT equivalent. Two days passed with news of rising casualties.
Nan Chu maintained her busy schedule of photoshoots and dance practice but returned to the station each evening to wait. Her colleague Shen Guangzong suggested to their boss, Han Beiyao, that Nan Chu be given leave, but Han believed keeping her busy was better for her.
Elsewhere, a worried Lin Qi was calmed by his father, who recalled a firefighter tradition during major incidents: not to ask for or discuss updates, but to focus on daily life with the faith that their comrades would return. He expressed his firm belief that Lin Luxiao would come back safely. Back at the fire ground, Meng Guohong gave the Heping Road station a new, formidable assignment: to tackle the largest remaining fire point.
Lin Luxiao accepted without hesitation, and his team roared their readiness to fight and return triumphant. As they prepared to engage the main burning tank, Lin Luxiao offered to lead the charge, but Yang Zhengang asserted his authority as the mission's on-site commander, since Lin Luxiao was suspended. Yang ordered himself, Zheng Yang, and Dagang to lead the assault, while Lin Luxiao and Liu Ruyi provided covering fire from below.
Upon assessing the tank, Yang determined he had to climb it to extinguish the fire effectively. Overruling volunteers, he ascended the tank himself. Shortly after, a violent explosion blew him off. As rescue efforts began amidst shouts about failing water pressure and foam, Yang, though injured, tried to continue directing his team. After an agonizing wait, Nan Chu saw the firefighters return to the station, but Lin Luxiao was not among them.
She learned from Shao Yijiu that he was at the hospital. Rushing there, she found him safe and ran into his arms, overcome with relief. Lin Luxiao explained what happened, expressing deep guilt. Because he was suspended, Yang Zhengang had acted as commander, ordering Lin Luxiao to a supporting role while he personally climbed the tank, leading to his critical injuries.
