Episode 31 recap: # The Murder of Wang Ming Zhong
In Episode 31, Gu Yi Zhong touches the newspaper and accidentally brushes fingers with Xiao Ruo Tong, quickly pulling his hand back out of politeness. Overwhelmed by her emotions, Xiao Ruo Tong quietly expresses her longing for him. However, Gu Yi Zhong remains silent, fully aware of his duties as a member of the New Fourth Army and the impossibility of giving her the response she desires. He explains to her that he has sworn to protect his beliefs and mission with his life.
Meanwhile, Zhou Zhi Fei tightly clutches the poetry collection gifted to him by Wang Ming Zhong, struggling to understand its deeper meaning. He decides to leverage their past relationship as a way to reach Wang Ming Zhong, hoping to rekindle his feelings. They have known each other since childhood, and during the times when Zhou Zhi Fei faced abuse from his stepfather, Wang Ming Zhong’s home was a warm refuge, especially the kindness of Wang Ming Zhong’s mother, which he still cherishes. Zhou Zhi Fei hopes these memories will awaken Wang Ming Zhong's warmth and their old friendship.
When Zhou Zhi Fei sees Wang Ming Zhong battered and in a tragic state, his anger surges. He harshly reprimands Captain Zhang and others before recklessly rescuing Wang Ming Zhong from the dark cell, treating him to a lavish meal to soothe his body and mind. During the meal, Zhou Zhi Fei earnestly asks Wang Ming Zhong to reveal the true identity and contact information of “Lonely Boat,” mentioning Wang Ming Zhong’s mother’s past kindness and offering his full support. However, Wang Ming Zhong is evasive and refuses to respond directly.
In a fit of emotion, Zhou Zhi Fei loses control and overturns the table, causing the atmosphere to become icy. Just then, Luo Wu Qiang leads a team to raid 90, gunfire erupting as he demands Zhou Zhi Fei release Wang Ming Zhong. Although Kondo Masao has heard rumors of Wang Ming Zhong's connections to the Communist Party, he orders his release to prevent further escalation.
To cover up the truth, Zhou Zhi Fei quickly concocts a lie, claiming that Wang Ming Zhong was mistakenly killed by his subordinates, and executes the innocent subordinate on the spot to appease Luo Wu Qiang. However, this lie only complicates the situation further. On his way out from 90, Luo Wu Qiang is ambushed by the Japanese military police, putting his life in grave danger.
At a critical moment, Gu Yi Zhong and Liu Ge arrive just in time to launch a thrilling rescue operation. Gu Yi Zhong presents important intelligence to Luo Wu Qiang, while Liu Ge heroically chooses to sacrifice himself to buy time for their escape, ultimately falling under the gunfire of the Japanese soldiers.
Upon learning of this, Kondo Masao is furious and urgently summons the Japanese military police captain, Shioi, issuing a strict order: Luo Wu Qiang must be stopped from escaping Suzhou—alive or dead. Shioi confidently asserts that the city is securely locked down, leaving no possibility for Luo Wu Qiang to escape.
Zhou Zhi Fei, anxious after hearing about Luo Wu Qiang’s predicament, immediately calls Li Xian Sheng to report the situation. Li Xian Sheng is angered by the incompetence of the Japanese, believing they are more of a hindrance than a help.
Meanwhile, Gu Yi Zhong seeks assistance from Lv Zhu to borrow Li Xian Sheng's vehicle to rescue Luo Wu Qiang. Lv Zhu playfully sets a condition, asking Gu Yi Zhong to spend a night with her. Gu Yi Zhong is visibly embarrassed, causing Lv Zhu to chuckle.
In the end, Lv Zhu arranges for Gao Hu to drive and personally escort Luo Wu Qiang out. At the city gate, Lv Zhu shows her credentials with determination. The guard, seeing the lipstick mark on Luo Wu Qiang's face, mistakenly thinks he is Li Xian Sheng and quickly lets them pass.
Li Xian Sheng, however, incorrectly assumes that Lv Zhu has fallen into Luo Wu Qiang’s hands, when in fact she is heading to the military camp to provide assistance. Zhou Zhi Fei begins to doubt Luo Wu Qiang’s loyalties, suspecting he may have defected to the New Fourth Army. Li Xian Sheng, feeling confident, reveals that he has captured Luo Wu Qiang’s love interest—tutor Lu Jun Nuo. He plans to use her as leverage to force Luo Wu Qiang to comply.
Just as Li Xian Sheng prepares to execute his plan, the phone rings—it’s Luo Wu Qiang calling. Luo Wu Qiang asks Li Xian Sheng to find Xiao Ruo Tong, unaware that she has already fallen into Li Xian Sheng’s hands. Li Xian Sheng secretly calculates how to use Xiao Ruo Tong as a bargaining chip to coerce Luo Wu Qiang into cooperation.
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