Episode 11 recap: # Gu Yi Zhong's Father's Death
In Episode 11, Gu Yi Zhong anxiously waits for a phone call. When it finally rings, it’s Zhou Zhi Fei reaching out. Gu Yi Zhong is shocked to learn that his father has fallen into the hands of the 90th unit. Zhou Zhi Fei confronts the father-son duo, revealing their ploy; Gu Yi Zhong had only pretended to be shot, allowing his father a chance to escape.
Zhou Zhi Fei, being cunning, presses Gu Yi Zhong for answers. He hopes that Mr. Gu will agree to become the magistrate of Wu County and asks Gu Yi Zhong to persuade his father. After Zhou Zhi Fei leaves, Deputy Huang enters with a gun, stating there’s only one bullet. He hints that if Mr. Gu refuses the position, only one of the two will leave the 90th unit alive, before putting down the gun and exiting.
Mr. Gu, fully aware they are being eavesdropped on, prepares for sacrifice. He refuses to serve the Japanese and doesn’t want his son to be in danger. To make it convincing, he pretends to reprimand Gu Yi Zhong, picks up a gun from the table, and takes his own life. Gu Yi Zhong quickly grabs the gun. When Zhou Zhi Fei and Kondo Masao arrive, they see Gu Yi Zhong aiming the gun at his father, a facade meant to conceal the truth and protect the meaning of his father's sacrifice.
Outside Gu Xi Xing’s home, Quan Shui and Hai Mo exit, the atmosphere heavy with tension. Gathering her courage, Hai Mo quietly asks Quan Shui if she has completed her mission and can leave. She understands that Quan Shui initially brought her to Suzhou to leverage their connection with the Gu family, but now it seems pointless.
Quan Shui’s expression is complex; her hidden malice dissipates in the face of Hai Mo’s genuine concern. As she decides to let Hai Mo go free, she delivers tragic news: Hai Mo's brother has been killed in an aerial battle. This news shatters Hai Mo’s world. The letters Quan Shui had shown her were all fabricated, and as they part, Quan Shui hands Hai Mo a stack of letters before turning away without looking back.
Gu Yi Zhong carries his father’s body heavily into Gu Garden. As he sets it down, Fu Gui angrily accuses him of patricide. Hu Zhi Ping rushes in with the dreadful news of Mr. Gu’s death. Gu Yi Zhong’s world collapses, and he tries to rush back to Gu Garden, but Hu Zhi Ping urgently stops him.
Meanwhile, Xiao Ruo Tong hears the news and is frozen in shock, as if time has stopped. At a train station, Hai Mo sees the newspaper announcing Mr. Gu’s death and decides against leaving—she turns back to Gu Garden to pay her respects. Mr. Gu had wished not to be buried after death but to be placed at Ding Jue Temple. Zhou Zhi Fei understands that this is Mr. Gu’s way of wanting to watch the Japanese defeat and leave Suzhou.
Gu Yi Zhong is viewed as a traitor by the entire family, and Gu Hui Zhong cuts ties with him, vowing to avenge their father’s death when they meet again. Upon returning to Gu Garden, Gu Yi Zhong finds that the household staff also plans to leave. Having served Mr. Gu for years, their sense of national duty compels them to abandon the traitor.
The once-bustling Gu Garden is now left with only Gu Yi Zhong and Hai Mo. Although she wishes to stay and support him, he insists that she leave. Just as the door closes, Xiao Ruo Tong appears, gun pointed at Gu Yi Zhong’s head. Uncertain of whether to trust him, she has always believed he wouldn’t betray his country. Now, she demands to hear the truth from him directly.
Comments(Episode 11)