Bright Eyes in the Dark Episode 28 Recap
> Bright Eyes in the Dark Recap
Nan Chu took Lin Luxiao home, where she noticed he was still recovering from an injury. She suggested he take a few days off from the station, but Lin Luxiao insisted on returning the next day. Nan Chu revealed she was leaving soon to shoot a drama for several months and expressed concern about being separated for so long, worrying about missing him or getting upset without him nearby.
Lin Luxiao promised they could video call every day and that he would visit whenever he had time off. Nan Chu questioned his limited days off and worried about who would care for him if he got injured again and didn't tell her. Before leaving, Lin Luxiao reminded her to eat the breakfast he had prepared for her. The following morning, Nan Chu woke to find Lin Luxiao had already left for the station after preparing her breakfast.
She sent him a message, urging him to stay safe and rest. Arriving at the station, Lin Luxiao found Yijiu and Shiquan distracted while washing the tender. He called them over and directly addressed them for their internal conflict and unruliness. He scolded Yijiu and Shiquan for their internal conflict, emphasizing that while people might call firefighters heroes, the real truth is that individual strength in a fire is limited.
He stressed that what truly helps them is strict training and the support of their comrades. If they can't trust each other and have conflicts, they can't overcome difficulties. He reminded them of the importance of unity, like ropes twisted together, so they can charge forward as one. Lin Luxiao also recalled saving them both when they were young and how they grew up together and became firefighters together, emphasizing they should be the closest of brothers.
Both Yijiu and Shiquan apologized to him and each other. As punishment, Lin Luxiao ordered them to hold hands until dinner, despite their embarrassment, and made them walk around the station together while others watched. Lou Mingye observed Lin Luxiao's interaction with the two younger firefighters. Later, Shiquan apologized to Yijiu. They then reminisced about their early days at the special division unit, remembering their initial simple, naive, and passionate excitement for missions and how the older members supported them.
They reflected on their original reason for becoming firefighters – to help more people – and resolved to uphold that initial intention together. Lin Luxiao and Lou Mingye attended a firefighting exhibition. Lou Mingye commented that he felt others at the station had issues with him and didn't believe he deserved to be the director, feeling that everything he did was wrong, especially compared to Lin Luxiao, whom they saw as their reliable leader.
Lin Luxiao looked at an exhibit detailing the dangers and casualties in forest fires due to difficult terrain. He acknowledged that Lou Mingye had brought significant improvements to the station with new equipment, technology, and training methods, which were beneficial. However, he stressed that their profession wasn't just about technology and skill, but also spirit.
He stated that the core of their team lies in its people, in their unity and trust, forged through comradeship, "holding hands, shoulder to shoulder, life for life." He then told Lou Mingye that he was the one currently leading the team forward. Meanwhile, Lei Dagang saw Fang Xiangqian taking leave and overheard him on the phone, seemingly being pressed for money and asking for a delay in repayment.
Concerned, especially since Fang had borrowed money from him and others, and worried Fang might have been scammed, Lei Dagang gathered Liu Ruyi and others. They speculated on what might have happened, discussing possibilities ranging from various types of fraud to gambling, before concluding that something serious was definitely wrong. They decided to go to Lin Luxiao since Fang had to get his leave approved by the instructor.
They informed Lin Luxiao that Fang had taken leave due to "something at home" but expressed their strong suspicion that he was in serious trouble, citing his borrowing money from them and others outside the station and his inability to speak clearly on the phone. They panicked when they realized Lin Luxiao didn't know the full details either. Unbeknownst to them initially, Fang Xiangqian was at the hospital with his sick mother.
He struggled to get a bed for her due to the shortage, unable to afford the more expensive special or international wards that would be faster, and found himself short of funds for her upcoming surgery. He also received a call from the bank, notifying him that his credit card payment was overdue and demanding the full amount immediately. Overwhelmed by the financial burden and stress, Fang Xiangqian was later found crying alone in a hospital stairwell.
Lin Luxiao and the other firefighters located him and comforted him. The team had mobilized, and arrangements were made for his mother to get a regular ward bed. At the hospital, the firefighters reassured Fang's mother that the ward issue was resolved and that their leaders had applied for subsidies, so she shouldn't worry about medical expenses. Fang apologized to his comrades for keeping his troubles a secret.
Lei Dagang and others lightly but earnestly scolded him for not sharing such a big family issue with them, the team, and for causing them worry. Upon Fang Xiangqian's return to the special division unit after his leave, Lin Luxiao held a meeting. He called out Fang for hiding his family issues, telling him that his apology for lying was not the core problem.
Lin Luxiao reiterated that when Fang joined the station and became a firefighter, his mother gained dozens more sons, and it was wrong for him not to share such a big issue with them. Other firefighters also voiced their opinions, criticizing Fang for his pride and for not treating them truly like brothers, which had caused them considerable worry.
They reiterated that the station would support him with work and that he shouldn't worry about the medical expenses, assuring him that they would help, and that they weren't in a hurry for repayment of the money he owed them. Lin Luxiao then asked if Fang had truly recognized his mistake and, citing their rule of clear rewards and punishments, asked Fang for his phone.
He then proposed in their group chat that everyone voluntarily donate to help Fang with the remaining surgery fees, emphasizing that they were all brothers and should contribute as much as they could. The other firefighters readily agreed, offering support and telling Fang not to feel pressured. Witnessing the display of unity and support among the team during the fundraising, Lou Mingye finally understood the importance of camaraderie and cohesion.
Lin Luxiao spoke with Lou Mingye afterward, acknowledging that Lou Mingye had worked hard for Fang's matter, arranging leave with Captain Meng and coordinating with the hospital. Lin Luxiao observed that Lou Mingye wasn't emotionless but perhaps just shy about expressing his feelings. He encouraged Lou Mingye, telling him that as the director, it was important to let the team know that he cared about them; doing so would strengthen the team's bond and cohesion.
