Bright Eyes in the Dark Episode 20 Recap
> Bright Eyes in the Dark Recap
Lin Luxiao and a fellow firefighter found themselves trapped in an elevator in Lanyu Bay. Not wanting to cause a scene, they discreetly called Yang Zhengang, asking him to bring a couple of team members for a quiet rescue. Lou Mingye discussed his ideas for equipment reform with Zhengang, noting the rapid development of new, domestically produced equipment that Heping Road Special Division Station would have priority to test.
He planned for the team to integrate the new equipment into their training and missions, adopting a philosophy of combining human capability with advanced gear. Lou Mingye acknowledged that he and Lin Luxiao were similar in some ways but aimed to prove through this reform that his leadership would result in a stronger team. He asked Zhengang to share details about how the Heping Road Station team was previously trained and led.
Nan Chu's dance club, Dream Dance Club, received a visit from a choreographer she had hired. While acknowledging their technical skills were solid, he pointed out that their dance lacked distinctiveness and direction, suggesting they postpone competing this year. Feeling discouraged, the club members lost confidence, but Nan Chu rallied them to regain their spirits and work together to adjust their choreography.
At the station, Lou Mingye introduced new measures focused on rigorous training and a rewards-and-punishment system, which included forming a special division unit for high performers. While many firefighters eagerly signed up, Liu Ruyi remained skeptical of Lou Mingye's leadership. Lou Mingye secured a derelict building for a simulated internal fire attack search and rescue training. Liu Ruyi boasted that he could achieve first place even without joining the special division unit, aiming to outperform Lou Mingye.
After the training, Lou Mingye criticized Lei Dagang and Shao Yijiu for not keeping their search ropes taut, a significant error that could lead to disorientation. He sternly warned Lei Dagang, the leader of Combat Unit 2, that another such mistake would result in a request to revoke his position. Liu Ruyi was also singled out for a major error: failing to prioritize establishing a smoke passage upon entering the dark, smoke-filled environment.
When Liu Ruyi questioned the criticism, Lou Mingye systematically explained how smoke impairs visibility, generates toxic gases, and accelerates fire spread, emphasizing that the correct procedure is always to clear smoke, then enter, then search. He warned Liu Ruyi that his position as Assistant Director and Combat Unit 1 leader was also at risk if he didn't set a better example.
Dissatisfied with the team's overall performance, Lou Mingye identified a lack of solid theoretical knowledge as their biggest issue and announced that upcoming theoretical evaluations would be included in their performance records. Qin Shiquan, Zheng Yang, and the brothers An Weiren and An Weiming were praised for their performance and invited to join the special division unit. Lou Mingye's emphasis on theoretical study caused frustration among some firefighters, including Lei Dagang and Liu Ruyi, who found the memorization challenging.
Conversely, Qi Huo viewed the reform positively, seeing it as a fair opportunity for those like himself, who had less seniority, to prove their capability. He set his sights on the single spot in the special division unit allocated for the driving unit. During the theoretical exam, Liu Ruyi, who hadn't studied, left early after filling in random answers. Qi Huo achieved a perfect score, earning him the top rank, while Liu Ruyi placed last.
Liu Ruyi brushed off his result, claiming he wasn't interested in the special division unit anyway. Later, when Liu Ruyi needed money for a family emergency, Qi Huo lent it to him without hesitation, declining an IOU. Meanwhile, Nan Chu faced difficulties with her television show filming. A leaked behind-the-scenes video led to harsh online criticism of her acting, prompting her manager, Han Beiyao, to temporarily suspend all her work. Lin Luxiao saw the negative comments online.
During a date, Nan Chu confided in Lin Luxiao, feeling she had no acting talent and questioning her current path. Lin Luxiao reassured her that everyone starts somewhere and that improvement requires a process of learning and effort. He then took her to his childhood neighborhood, a firefighter family apartment complex.
He recounted how his firefighter father was often absent but seeing him rescue children from a roof made him realize his father's absences were to help those in greater need, cementing his view of his father as a hero and inspiring his own career choice. Touched, Nan Chu shared her own childhood story of feeling insecure due to a lack of parental presence and finding joy and self-worth by secretly dancing in an empty studio.
Lin Luxiao encouraged her not to lose hope, promising to support her if she felt afraid walking her chosen path alone. Nan Chu remarked that Lin Luxiao, despite seeming formidable, was like a warm "little sun," while he called her a "piece of candy" the world gave him after all his hardships. Motivated to improve, Nan Chu decided to enroll in a two-month acting course taught by the renowned Professor Jin Kexi, a decision Han Beiyao fully supported.
Elsewhere, Lin Luxiao visited Yang Zhengang and was pleased to see Li Lei diligently caring for him. As they talked, Lin Luxiao expressed his understanding of Lou Mingye's reform efforts, acknowledging that new technology and stricter training were necessary to minimize risks for firefighters. He stated that as long as the changes benefited the Heping Road Station, he supported them. Zhengang agreed on the need for reform but maintained that the station still needed Lin Luxiao.
Back at the station, in the wake of the exam results, Shao Yijiu and Qin Shiquan planned to film a promotional video featuring their new 101-meter aerial ladder firetruck for the brigade's official Douyin account. They had Qi Huo, who ranked first in the exam, drive the truck out for filming. Lou Mingye discovered them and reprimanded them for prioritizing promotional activities over training. Liu Ruyi intervened, accusing Lou Mingye of simply trying to erase Lin Luxiao's influence.
Lou Mingye retorted that a firefighter's primary focus must be on technical skill and professional capability to earn the public's trust. The episode also included an informational segment on common fire hazards, such as the careless use of open flames, improper electrical wiring, and overloading circuits.
