Episode 24 recap: Ep 24
In episode 24, Huang Xinzhai frantically escapes from Liuyuan and unexpectedly runs into Zhou Zhifei. In a panic, he can barely speak, exclaiming that Xie Wenchao has betrayed him Before he can finish, Zhou Zhifei pulls out a gun, and Huang Xinzhai's life comes to a sudden endAfterward, Zhou Zhifei meets with Kondo Masao, firmly claiming that Huang Xinzhai was actually a spy from Chongqing and that Jiang Boxian's escape was orchestrated by him He also frames Huang Xinzhai with a slew of charges Though Kondo sees the gold bars, boat tickets, and photographs of meetings seized from Huang Xinzhai's home as evidence, he still harbors doubts
Kondo then inquires about Zhou Zhifei's past with Ou Xinping and plans to have Zhou persuade her to work for the Japanese. This reflects Kondo's mixed feelings of trust and suspicion towards Zhou Zhifei, as he seeks to both utilize and test him.
When Gu Yizhong returns home, Hai Mo rushes to him, her eyes red, saying that her cousin has been captured. She is anxious, recalling her cousin's words about either dying in battle or at the hands of the enemy; the current situation looks dire. Nonetheless, she pleads with Gu Yizhong to come up with a solution.
Meanwhile, Ou Xinping endures severe interrogation but remains steadfast, refusing to divulge any information. When Zhou Zhifei enters, he sends everyone else out and discreetly signals to Ou Xinping just how dangerous her situation is. He then produces an old notebook containing a leaf, a shared memory between them.
Zhou Zhifei begins to act, loudly urging Ou Xinping to surrender, which is meant for the ears of the listeners. Ou Xinping retorts, calling him a "traitor," and their back-and-forth manages to deceive Kondo Masao.
During the interrogation, Zhou Zhifei asks clever questions, and Ou Xinping responds skillfully, leading Kondo to believe that all information regarding Jiang Boxian came from Huang Xinzhai, the only spy in Room 90. After the interrogation, Zhou Zhifei feels heavy-hearted and struggles to respond to Yuqing's concern at home until a call from Li Xiansheng becomes his saving grace.
Li Xiansheng is quite dissatisfied with Zhou Zhifei for not handling Jiang Boxian and informs him that Kondo Masao plans to execute Ou Xinping. He analyzes that Kondo is testing the relationship between Zhou Zhifei and Ou Xinping, as well as assessing Zhou's loyalty. Zhou Zhifei feels a complex mix of emotions, realizing he must be more cautious to protect the ones he loves and fulfill his mission.
Gu Yizhong brings a dish from Guangzhou, prepared by Hai Mo, to visit Ou Xinping. Upon seeing it, Ou Xinping immediately recognizes it as Hai Mo's work. As she eats, she urges Gu Yizhong to treat Hai Mo well. Gu Yizhong promises to care for her like a younger sister. Ou Xinping laughs and shakes her head, saying Gu Yizhong doesn't understand a woman's heart.
At the execution site, as Ou Xinping prepares to leave, Zhou Zhifei approaches her slowly, reciting the poem he wrote for her. After finishing, he confesses that meeting her has been the greatest fortune of his life. When the gunshot rings out, Ou Xinping smiles and departs, her last words expressing that meeting Zhou Zhifei was her fortune as well.
Gu Yizhong tells Old Huang about the incident, feeling distressed and wanting to return to the base immediately. Old Huang understands and agrees. However, when Hai Mo insists on going with him, Gu Yizhong hesitates. He knows the base is heavily monitored and doesn't want Hai Mo to suffer, urging her to go to Shanghai first. But Hai Mo refuses to leave, insisting she will stand by Gu Yizhong no matter what.
At this moment, the Pearl Harbor incident of 1941 erupts, and Kondo Masao is in a state of panic, like a cat on a hot tin roof. Meanwhile, in Room 90, Zhou Zhifei stares blankly at the portrait of Fu Gui left by Huang Xinzhai, filled with questions: What does this painting mean? What secrets is Huang Xinzhai hiding?
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