Bright Eyes in the Dark Episode 9 Recap
> Bright Eyes in the Dark Recap
A new assessment was established for the artists: if they could navigate a smoke-filled maze in the training building, they would be cleared to accompany firefighters on missions as trainees. The task was simplified, requiring only that they find the exit without any rescue component, but failure would mean elimination with no second chance. The groups were set, pairing Lin Luxiao with Nan Chu, and Liu Ruyi with Jiang Ge, among others.
When Xu Zhiyi requested to be paired with Lin Luxiao, she was firmly told to obey orders. Instructor Yang reiterated the absolute rules: obey commands and never act alone. Lin Luxiao and Nan Chu entered first. Overwhelmed by her fear of fire, Nan Chu struggled to breathe and hesitated. Lin Luxiao calmly coached her to control her breathing, and his reassuring presence reminded her of the firefighter who had rescued her years prior.
With his guidance, she overcame her psychological barrier and successfully exited the maze, earning praise for her performance. Next, Liu Ruyi and Jiang Ge entered. Jiang Ge, struggling with the heat, recklessly deviated from the mission. Ignoring Liu Ruyi's reminders that their only task was to exit, he insisted on attempting the full firefighter training exercise of searching for a victim. He severely overestimated his physical limits and collapsed from exhaustion.
Liu Ruyi quickly located him and carried him to safety. Lin Luxiao harshly reprimanded Liu Ruyi for not stopping Jiang Ge's dangerous and foolish deviation. Though Jiang Ge took full responsibility after recovering, Lin suspended all training for the artist group. He explained that in firefighting, they are a team, and one person's mistake can lead to a teammate's injury or death.
Nan Chu countered his decision, arguing that everyone, including experienced firefighters, makes mistakes and deserves a chance to learn from them. Persuaded by the pleas from Nan Chu and the others, Lin agreed to give them one final chance with some basic real-fire drills, acknowledging that full-scale firefighting was too dangerous for them. With Jiang Ge now prioritizing safety above all else, he and Nan Chu successfully completed the real-fire drill, demonstrating improved teamwork.
Acknowledging their progress with a thumbs-up, Lin announced the official truck assignments: Nan Chu and Jiang Ge to Truck One, Yan Dai and Xu Zhiyi to Truck Two, and Zheng Ping and Liu Xiahan to Truck Three. He presented them with special trainee armbands, clarifying they were not firefighters and warning that the true test of their discipline had just begun. Any failure to comply with rules would result in immediate removal. That evening, an emergency assembly was called.
The artists arrived late and disheveled, earning a sharp rebuke from Lin Luxiao for their lack of urgency. He then revealed the "emergency" was a screening of the first episode of their show, "Flaming Youth", explaining that at the Heping Road station, they do everything as a family. The show was a massive hit, topping ratings and trending online. The "CP" pairing of Nan Chu and Lin Luxiao became especially popular, much to the frustration of a jealous Xu Zhiyi.
Yan Dai advised her that in their industry, good character and professional skill are more important than manufactured popularity on a reality show. Jiang Ge's assistant suggested they capitalize on the popular pairing, but Jiang Ge firmly rejected the idea, stating the show's purpose was to highlight the firefighters' difficult work and promote fire safety, not to create a romance plot. He later invited Nan Chu to dinner to propose a long-term professional partnership.
When he brought up the online comments about her and Lin Luxiao, Nan Chu dismissed it as a "show effect." After a misunderstanding where Jiang Ge thought her friend Lin Qi was her boyfriend, Nan Chu clarified she was single. Jiang Ge then revealed he was also single and asked about her ideal type, only for Nan Chu to bluntly state it was "definitely not you."
She added that her feelings aren't based on a standard, but on a feeling, and that she once fell for someone who was a hero. Later, Lin Luxiao found the book "Mental Training Guide for Firefighters" and brought it to Nan Chu. He admitted that no one, including himself, ever truly overcomes fear, recalling a tragic mission where he couldn’t afford to hesitate.
He advised her that when she feels afraid, she can try cheering for herself internally, a method that works for him. Nan Chu then asked if she could contact him with questions and requested his WeChat. A slightly surprised Lin Luxiao agreed, and they exchanged contact info. Moments later, the fire alarm blared: a residential fire with two men on fire.
Trucks One, Two, and Three were dispatched, with Nan Chu and Jiang Ge joining Truck One for their first real mission. Upon arrival, the fire was under control, but the scene was chaotic. The two victims, a father and son, were arguing. Lin Luxiao learned they had been drinking and had splashed Baijiu on each other, which then ignited. He assessed their severe burns, noting the high risk of infection, and instructed the son to calm his father down so they could both be transported to the hospital immediately.
