Bright Eyes in the Dark Episode 36 Recap
> Bright Eyes in the Dark Recap
A flashback shows a conversation in 1993 where Li Xuejun apologizes to Nan Yueru because their relationship has been discovered by his organization and is against the rules. He tells her he knew this day might come since they first got together and blames himself for not being able to protect her or give her happiness as a soldier.
He tells her he has been reading a book that says the toughest path is the best path because he holds onto the hope of meeting her again. Li Xuejun asks Nan Yueru to wait for him until he becomes more outstanding and a better firefighter, capable of giving her the best future. Nan Yueru asks if this is his promise, and he confirms it is.
They make a pact to stop seeing each other for now and only meet again when they become better people. Li Xuejun again asks her to wait for him. After Nan Chu moves out, Xi Gu finishes moving her things. Shen Guangzong sees how much she has.
When Xi Gu mentions she plans to temporarily stay at the Dream Dance Club, Shen Guangzong immediately dismisses the idea, stating it's not safe for a girl alone at night and there's nowhere to put her things during the day's rehearsals. He offers her the empty bedroom at his place, arguing it would be convenient for work communication and they could help each other in life. Despite Xi Gu's initial uncertainty, Shen Guangzong declares it settled.
Lin Qi suggests they hold an online concert on the platform, thinking it could attract many new users. Jiang Ge agrees and tells him to go ahead with it, but then says Lin Qi will need to handle the planning department himself from now on. Lin Qi is confused, and Jiang Ge explains he wants to give Lin Qi the platform as a gift, making Lin Qi the person in charge.
Jiang Ge reveals he's been rewatching "Flaming Youth" and feels deeply excited each time, a feeling he only experienced previously with extreme sports. He believes this is his true passion and he has found his life direction. He tells Lin Qi he wants to become a firefighter, stating that Deputy Director Yu's sacrifice and Nan Chu going to America have solidified his decision.
He believes people should pursue their passions for their careers to find life value, encouraging Lin Qi to do the same with art. Lin Qi accepts. Jiang Ge gives Lin Qi a necklace, and Lin Qi gives Jiang Ge a song he wrote, wishing him peace and safety. Jiang Ge goes to his father's office late at night and waits for him to finish work.
He asks his father why he built Fude Group, and his father replies it was simply to ensure their family had a good life and he could enjoy his later years. Jiang Ge points out this has already been achieved and questions why his father still works so hard. His father says it's hard to maintain an empire and many people in the company rely on it, plus Jiang Ge always worried him.
Jiang Ge tells him he was right about him lacking direction before, but now he has found it, partly thanks to his father allowing the "Flaming Youth" program. Jiang Ge reveals he has applied to be a firefighter.
He explains that he used to want to prove himself to his father but realized the only person he needs to face is himself, and the sense of accomplishment and presence he seeks can be found in firefighting, which he sees as his life's value. His father supports his decision, saying he has grown up.
Jiang Ge then urges his father to hand over the company to a professional management team, arguing he has already achieved so much and it's time to enjoy life with his mother. His father finds the idea of enjoying life difficult and initially wants to continue working, but Jiang Ge insists, playfully "kidnapping" him to go home. Shi Lei and Qin Yue discuss their situation after Nan Chu's departure.
Shi Lei plans to take care of other artists and seek more opportunities until Nan Chu returns, when he will resume being her manager. Qin Yue decides to work hard to become a famous makeup artist so she can continue collaborating with Nan Chu upon her return. They wish Nan Chu, and also Lin Luxiao, all the best. Lin Luxiao arrives in Lushan and is met by Zhao Guo from the Lushan Fire Brigade.
Zhao Guo drives him to the station in an old electric vehicle, which they call a "broken electric vehicle." Along the way, they interact with villagers farming and herding cattle, who greet Zhao Guo warmly and ask for his help. Zhao Guo explains the difficulty in recruiting and that half the team comes from the local village.
Upon arrival, they have trouble pushing the vehicle, which they mention is one of only four vehicles at the station, typically reserved for emergencies. They find the Lushan Fire Brigade station is located right next to Lushan Primary School due to limited resources, making the area quite lively with children.
Zhao Guo gives Lin Luxiao a tour, showing him the living quarters, the area for washing up, the canteen where Zhao Guo is also the head chef, the solar panels used for power, and the dormitory. Zhao Guo explains the other team members are currently out on mountain patrol and will be back the next day. Lin Luxiao is shown where he will sleep. In America, Nan Chu is studying. She finds a diary belonging to her mother, Nan Yueru.
Reading an entry from March 2, 1995, Nan Yueru writes about marrying Li Xuejun and their decision to be together despite opposition, vowing to ignore gossip and be happy. Another entry from April 5, 1995, records Li Xuejun's departure, her decision not to see him off, keeping him in her heart, and counting the days until they meet again. Lin Luxiao in Lushan is also reading Li Xuejun's work notes, dated from 1995.
An entry from April 16, 1995, mentions settling in Lushan, finding the forest vast, constantly getting lost on patrols, and realizing the difficulty of the work. An entry from April 19, 1995, mentions getting lost again but feeling progress, understanding that forest fire work is different from his previous experience, with the focus being on prevention rather than rescue, and acknowledging he has much to learn.
Another entry from April 27, 1995, reveals his sadness because Nan Yueru hasn't sent a letter in a long time. He mentions missing home, the loneliness and difficulty of forest life, sometimes wanting to give up, but thinking of Nan Yueru waiting for him gives him strength. He wants to tell her he has become a better person in the mountains and hopes she will understand when he returns home.
While reading the notes, Lin Luxiao sees the names "Nan Yueru," "Li Xuejun," and "Nan Chu" written together and seems to make a connection between them. The next morning, Lin Luxiao greets the team members returning from their mountain patrol, including Wang Ben and Du Baohua. They joke amongst themselves and tease Lin Luxiao about his fair skin compared to their tanned faces. Zhao Guo tells them to wash up quickly for dinner.
At dinner, Zhao Guo serves them Western food, specifically pizza, which he made to accommodate Lin Luxiao. The team members are curious why Lin Luxiao transferred from the big city to Lushan. Afterwards, Zhao Guo suggests Lin Luxiao rest as the mountainous roads are difficult and the work is tiring, initially saying he should stay at the station during the next patrol. Lin Luxiao insists on joining, stating he is there to learn from them.
Zhao Guo agrees to let him join the afternoon field training. During the afternoon training, Lin Luxiao joins Zhao Guo and the team on patrol. Zhao Guo explains they must check 27 key monitoring areas and 19 easily flammable spots, calling them "firefighters on foot" because they have to walk everywhere.
He emphasizes the need to clear fallen trees blocking paths, even if they could walk around, because they become dangerous obstacles during fires or retreats – addressing future risks proactively is crucial experience. While walking, the team sings "Unity is Strength." Lin Luxiao suddenly feels dizzy. Wang Ben and Du Baohua notice and ask if he's alright, suspecting high altitude sickness. Zhao Guo agrees, noting Lin Luxiao's larger build might mean higher oxygen consumption.
He instructs Du Baohua to carry Lin Luxiao's backpack, but Lin Luxiao attempts to refuse, insisting he can walk alone, though he is clearly struggling. Back at the station, Zhao Guo brings Lin Luxiao ginger soup and medicine, seeing he has a fever. Lin Luxiao apologizes for causing trouble, but Zhao Guo dismisses it, saying they are a team. Lin Luxiao feels nauseous and can't drink the soup.
Later, waking up, Lin Luxiao gets water and overhears Wang Ben and Du Baohua talking about him. They question why he came to Lushan from the city, calling him useless and speculating he is just building his resume before leaving. Zhao Guo defends him, stating that as the youngest station chief in Beixun, Lin Luxiao is definitely not simple. Lin Luxiao returns to the dorm without revealing he overheard them.
The next day, a notice arrives from the Forestry and Grassland Administration about a newly discovered flammable area. The firefighters prepare to leave. Lin Luxiao, despite his recent fever and high altitude sickness, insists on joining them. Zhao Guo is hesitant, reminding him he was just sick and the task could take all day, risking another collapse. Lin Luxiao is stubborn, stating he is a member of Lushan and cannot be lazy, insisting he is recovered. Zhao Guo finally agrees, and they head out.
