Bright Eyes in the Dark Episode 24 Recap
> Bright Eyes in the Dark Recap
During a fire assessment, conflict erupted between firefighters. While attempting a drill involving drones, Shao Yijiu and Qin Shiquan argued, accusing each other of causing mistakes. Director Lou Mingye arrived and stopped the fight, demanding an explanation. Shao Yijiu blamed Qin Shiquan for not paying attention to the hose, while Qin Shiquan retorted that Shao Yijiu was too slow.
Exasperated, Lou Mingye declared that their excuses were unacceptable, canceled all leave starting immediately, and ordered everyone to run a 10K with weights as punishment and reflection. Liu Ruyi confronted Lou Mingye, stating that Lou Mingye should be the one reflecting on why the team had become this way since his arrival. Liu Ruyi questioned Lou Mingye's fitness to be director and refused to do the run.
Later, Qin Shiquan stopped Shao Yijiu, asking about his recent strange behavior and stating that he had noticed Shao Yijiu's problematic attitude towards him. Shao Yijiu then accused Qin Shiquan of changing and forgetting who had saved them from the earthquake and taken them as apprentices (Lin Luxiao) by apprenticing with Lou Mingye. Qin Shiquan clarified that while he had apprenticed with Lou Mingye, he still considered Lin Luxiao his master and saw no conflict.
He acknowledged Lin Luxiao's prowess but also praised Lou Mingye's strengths, particularly his new equipment, concepts, and the use of drones, which he felt offered valuable insights and helped him strive to be a better firefighter. Shao Yijiu dismissed this, arguing that Lou Mingye was an incompetent director whose focus on competition had divided the team.
He reminded Qin Shiquan of Lin Luxiao's teaching that firefighters must be able to trust their brothers with their lives and the stories they saw in the award room. Shao Yijiu called Qin Shiquan utilitarian for prioritizing advancement, leading to a heated exchange where they accused each other of mixing concepts and being biased, before parting ways frustrated. After a workout, Yu Qilei found Liu Ruyi looking pale and out of breath.
Despite Liu Ruyi's initial reluctance to see a doctor, especially if it meant going to Dr. Xia Wan and being reminded of Lou Mingye, Yu Qilei insisted, convincing him to get checked out. At the hospital, Dr. Xia Wan examined Liu Ruyi and concluded his symptoms were likely due to work-related stress. Liu Ruyi voiced his frustration with Lou Mingye's new approach, including the unfamiliar equipment and technology, and the intense competition mechanism that made him fear being eliminated.
Xia Wan advised him to focus on solving the problem and proving himself through his abilities rather than complaining. As Liu Ruyi prepared to leave, Xia Wan gave him a cup she had gotten from a "buy one get one free" sale, which lifted his spirits. Yang Zhengang informed Lin Luxiao that his application to transfer to the administration had been approved and he would report the following Monday.
Yang Zhengang expressed concern for the Heping Road Special Division Station, which he felt was in trouble after the recent disastrous assessment, exacerbated by new initiatives like the drone program. While understanding Lin Luxiao's reluctance to interfere with Lou Mingye's reforms, Yang Zhengang argued that reform needed to be gradual and cited issues like Lou Mingye filing a report to remove Liu Ruyi from his assistant position as evidence of problems.
Calling the station their "child," Yang Zhengang proposed that Lin Luxiao return as the station's instructor, taking over his vacant role. Lin Luxiao hesitated, questioning whether it would be appropriate and if he was suited for the role after being the former director, but Yang Zhengang urged him to consider it, reminding him of their commitment as veteran firefighters and the principle of going where needed. Lin Luxiao agreed to think about it.
Nan Chu was leading rehearsal for the Dream Dance Club, working on a piece about losing a child. The dancers were struggling to express the emotion effectively, making Nan Chu anxious, although she couldn't directly intervene or say too much for fear of affecting their mood. She called Lin Luxiao, describing the rehearsal difficulties. Lin Luxiao took her out to relax. During their outing, he shared that this was essentially their second real date due to their past schedules.
He then told her about Yang Zhengang's request for him to return to the Heping Road station as the instructor. Lin Luxiao confessed his conflicting feelings: concern for his brothers and the station's issues, especially as they had faced dangers together, but also the worry that returning to the demanding role would mean very little time for Nan Chu. He asked for her opinion.
Nan Chu immediately stated she would support him if it was what he wanted to do, saying she believed he belonged on the front line. Later that night, Nan Chu spoke with Xi Gu, admitting she couldn't sleep. She confirmed Lin Luxiao was returning to the front line as instructor and worried about how little time they would have, though she added she was used to it.
She then confided her fear, citing the South Bay Harbor explosion where many firefighters died and Yang Zhengang was injured, admitting she feared for Lin Luxiao's safety if he returned to the front line. Xi Gu suggested she talk to him about her worries, but Nan Chu felt conflicted and selfish.
She knew she should respect his profession and let him do his duty, but she couldn't shake the selfish desire for him to stay in the Fire Investigation Department so they could spend more time together. Xi Gu observed her internal struggle and told her she didn't need to be so torn, predicting that she would ultimately choose to support Lin Luxiao. Nan Chu agreed, resolving to support him and make time for him if he was busy.
Yang Zhengang and Lin Luxiao visited Captain Meng Guohong. Yang Zhengang expressed concern over the recent poor assessment at the Heping Road station, emphasizing its decline from its former excellence. He proposed that Lin Luxiao return as the station's instructor, a position that had been vacant since his accident. Lin Luxiao added that he had initially doubted his suitability but decided to accept the challenge.
He argued that as the former director, he had strong relationships with the firefighters and familiarity with the station, making him a suitable candidate to address morale and unity issues. Captain Meng acknowledged their resolve but warned that they needed to demonstrate significant improvement and professionalism at the station. He agreed to give them a chance and tasked Lin Luxiao with resolving the complaint report Lou Mingye had filed against Liu Ruyi as his first mission.
Lin Luxiao promised to address the problems and rebuild a cohesive team. Lou Mingye addressed the firefighters, outlining three measures: increased training with real combat opportunities, the option for those lacking commitment to transfer, and the immediate cancellation of all leave until the station returned to peak condition, emphasizing that he would cancel his own leave first as a leader. Following this, Lin Luxiao was formally introduced as the new instructor, to the visible delight of many of the firefighters.
Yu Qilei, whose accumulated leave was canceled, called his wife Milan to explain that he couldn't come home for their daughter Miaomiao's birthday due to the new policy. Milan sounded disappointed and told him to explain it to Miaomiao himself, suggesting his past unfulfilled promises had made it difficult for her to believe him. Later, in the mess hall, Liu Ruyi and others warmly welcomed Lin Luxiao back. Liu Ruyi immediately asked about the report filed against him.
Lin Luxiao confirmed Captain Meng Guohong had given it to him and he would investigate the situation to determine who was at fault. Lin Luxiao then turned his attention to Shao Yijiu, expressing dissatisfaction with his low assessment score and questioning his attitude and recent performance. Meanwhile, Yu Qilei quietly approached Lin Luxiao, explaining his predicament with the canceled leave preventing him from attending Miaomiao's birthday and asking for help talking to Lou Mingye.
Lin Luxiao understood and agreed to discuss it with Lou Mingye, reminding Yu Qilei that he was now the instructor. Lin Luxiao spoke with Director Lou Mingye about Yu Qilei's request for leave. He advocated for Yu Qilei, highlighting his long service and the importance of this leave for his daughter's birthday, and asked Lou Mingye to show understanding and consider humane management.
Lou Mingye initially expressed frustration at Lin Luxiao asking for leave right after his no-leave announcement but agreed to consider Yu Qilei's case. He then brought up Liu Ruyi's report, which was now with Lin Luxiao. Lin Luxiao confirmed he would handle it, stating Liu Ruyi would continue working normally for the time being.
Lou Mingye clarified that he didn't file the report to get rid of Liu Ruyi but felt he was not currently capable of performing the Station Assistant duties. Lin Luxiao acknowledged this and explained his role as instructor was to assist Lou Mingye, with Lou handling operations and Lin Luxiao focusing on other issues that needed time to resolve. Yu Qilei excitedly told Liu Ruyi that his leave had been approved, crediting Instructor Lin Luxiao for talking to Lou Mingye.
Liu Ruyi interpreted this as Lou Mingye trying to curry favor and win people over now that Lin Luxiao was back. Yu Qilei disagreed, defending Lou Mingye as serious but not unreasonable, merely intensely focused on improving the team's performance and technology. Liu Ruyi remained unconvinced and found Lou Mingye annoying. Separately, Xi Gu took Nan Chu to a new apartment she had rented.
Nan Chu worried about the cost, but Xi Gu reassured her that Shen Guangzong had arranged for the company to cover the rent. Nan Chu was surprised and pleased to discover the apartment had a direct view of the Heping Road Special Division Station.
Xi Gu gave her a pair of binoculars as a gift, saying she could use them to see Lin Luxiao when he was busy, and expressed her hope that they would have a happy relationship, calling Nan Chu her "love template." Han Beiyao summoned Nan Chu to her office.
She implied Nan Chu's recent lack of work assignments was due to past disappointments but stated that after months, including acting classes nearing completion, it was time for Nan Chu to contribute again. When Nan Chu expressed a desire to balance company work with time for the Dream Dance Club, Han Beiyao cut her off, declaring that from now on, Nan Chu's primary work was dancing.
Han Beiyao revealed that the company would support the Dream Dance Club project with Nan Chu as the lead, aiming for a performance at the Beixun Theater. She explained that Shen Guangzong showing her a video of Nan Chu rehearsing had inspired her to promote Nan Chu by showcasing her authentic state in life.
