Episode Summary
Lin Siyun sets up a charity as a cover to acquire medicine for Cheng Ao's cause. Cheng Ao confronts his brother, Zeng Dalun, about his illegal dealings with opium and the Japanese, but Zeng Dalun denies it. While with Lin Siyun, Cheng Ao is stabbed by an assassin but survives. At the hospital, Lin Siyun rejects Shen Yiqun and admits her feelings for Cheng Ao. It is revealed that Zeng Dalun's own man acted alone in the attack, leading to a violent confrontation between them. The episode concludes with Cheng Ao's pregnant stepmother secretly asking Lin Siyun for an illegal abortion, a secret Cheng Ao insists on keeping.
Spoiler Alert
Footprints of Change: Episode 8 Recap
Alright, let's get into it. This episode was all about secrets, lies, and some seriously questionable family loyalty.
The "Charity" Operation
The episode kicks off with Lin Siyun playing a very smart game. She goes to see Aunt Nan at the hospital. She tells her she wants to organize a charity drive to send medicine to a disaster area. Aunt Nan is all for it and praises Lin Siyun for being so noble.
Of course, this is only half the story. While the disaster relief is real, Lin Siyun is also using this as the perfect cover. She plans to get medicine to Cheng Ao for his own operations. It's a classic two-birds-one-stone situation.
A Brother's Betrayal
Things get heavy over on Cheng Ao's side. His men have been busy. They managed to get photographic proof of his adoptive brother, Zeng Dalun. It turns out Zeng Dalun is dealing with opium sellers. He's also working with the Japanese.
This is a huge deal. Their adoptive father absolutely hates the Japanese. He constantly warned his sons to never get involved in the opium trade. Zeng Dalun is ignoring all of it.
Cheng Ao decides he has to step in. He is the man's brother, after all, even if he's adopted. He invites Zeng Dalun over for a meal and tries to talk some sense into him. He brings up their father's warnings. Zeng Dalun just denies everything. He claims he doesn't know any opium dealers and would never work with the Japanese.
So, Cheng Ao pulls out the photos. You'd think that would be the end of it. But Zeng Dalun just doubles down and changes the subject. Cheng Ao isn't buying it. He tells his guys to keep a close watch on his brother.
A Walk, Wontons, and a Knife
Later, Cheng Ao and Lin Siyun are working on the medicine plan. It gets late, and he asks her to grab some wontons with him. It's a sweet moment that goes south very fast.
On their way, a man walks up and stabs Cheng Ao directly in the stomach. It was sudden and brutal. Luckily, Cheng Ao reacts fast. He grabs Lin Siyun and they manage to get away.
Lin Siyun spends the entire night waiting outside the operating room. While she's there, Shen Yiqun shows up. He heard about the attack and brought some of his own men to stand guard. He even drapes his coat over Lin Siyun's shoulders.
This is where Lin Siyun finally makes her choice clear. She gently tells Shen Yiqun that they aren't right for each other. She admits that her feelings are for Cheng Ao. It's a quiet, but major, turning point.
Rooftop Confessions and a Loose Cannon
Zeng Dalun also pays a visit to the hospital. He and Cheng Ao meet on the rooftop. Cheng Ao, even after being stabbed, warns his brother again to stop working with the Japanese. He also tells him to release one of his men, A Cheng.
Zeng Dalun is stunned. He had no idea A Cheng was captured. He immediately goes to find out what happened. He learns that his own subordinate, A Jin, went rogue. A Jin investigated Cheng Ao, kidnapped A Cheng, and ordered the stabbing, all without telling Zeng Dalun.
Furious, Zeng Dalun beats A Jin up. He warns him in no uncertain terms to never, ever touch Cheng Ao again. It seems there's a line Zeng Dalun won't cross, after all.
Meanwhile, Shen Yiqun's assistant, Old Huang, mentions hearing a rumor that Cheng Ao might have ties to the Communist Party. Shen Yiqun immediately shuts him down. He tells him not to spread stories without proof. For all their issues, both Shen Yiqun and Zeng Dalun seem to have a protective instinct towards Cheng Ao.
A Desperate Plea
The episode ends with another hospital bombshell. Lin Siyun meets Cheng Ao's stepmother, the Sixth Mistress. She's pregnant and comes in for what looks like a routine check-up.
But once her servants are gone, her story changes. She begs Lin Siyun to help her get an abortion. She says she hates the baby's father and feels like a prisoner in the family. Lin Siyun has to refuse. The government has made the procedure illegal.
Lin Siyun later tells Cheng Ao what happened. He listens and tells her to keep the entire thing a secret.
