Episode Summary
During a tense dinner, discussions arise about Liu Zhendong potentially becoming a Hall Master, with some supporting it and others suggesting a lower position first. Cheng Hui resolves a conflict involving Hei Hu and a restaurant owner, Xiao Lin, by revealing a past debt owed to Xiao Lin's family and arranging for Hei Hu's troublesome relative to learn a trade. Meanwhile, Zheng Qiu and Cha Peng plot to assassinate Cheng Hui. Liu Zhendong faces pressure from Hong Yan regarding his past actions while reaffirming his commitment to reform the gang and restore her family's status. Concerned about assassins, Cheng Hui dons a protective vest and disguises himself as a rickshaw puller, coincidentally picking up his reporter daughter, Cheng Nanping, as his first fare, sharing stories of the gang's origins as they head to the docks.
Spoiler Alert
"Contenders" Episode 9 Recap & Spoilers: Dinner, Debts, and Danger
The episode kicks off with a tense dinner meeting. Our main man Cheng Hui is there with the crew, and Zhuang Bo senses something's weighing on him. Cheng Hui, ever the believer in transparency (at least when it suits him!), says if anyone's got issues, they should lay them out.
Right on cue, She Yan speaks up, basically singing Liu Zhendong's praises again and saying he's totally cool with Liu Zhendong taking over as Hall Master (Tang Zhu). But hold your horses! Lian Liuliu and Zhuang Bo aren't so sure. They argue that Liu Zhendong just ditched his police uniform; jumping straight to the top spot seems a bit much. They float the idea of maybe starting him as a Vice Hall Master (Fu Tang Zhu) or one of the "Three Great Vice Generals" (San Da Fu Jiang) instead. Seems like Liu Zhendong's path to power isn't going to be a smooth ride.
Just as things are simmering, the restaurant owner, Xiao Lin, accidentally spills some tea while serving. Hei Hu, ever the hothead, immediately blows up at the poor guy, making everyone super uncomfortable. Cheng Hui, radiating that quiet authority, gives Hei Hu a look and a subtle hand gesture that basically screams "Sit down and shut up." Hei Hu reluctantly backs off.
This is where Cheng Hui masterfully turns the awkward moment into a teachable one. He brings up a story from the bad old days – how they lost a big fight with a rival gang and had to hide out in an ice cave owned by a certain "Boss He." While hiding, a father and son brought them a huge pot of chicken rice, a kindness they swore never to forget. Then comes the punchline: Cheng Hui reveals to a stunned Hei Hu that the father and son who saved their butts back then were none other than Xiao Lin's father and grandfather. Oof.
Twist! It turns out Hei Hu's good-for-nothing brother-in-law has been throwing his weight around town, using Hei Hu's name to collect protection money, and even smashed up Xiao Lin's shop (who's apparently getting married soon!). Hei Hu looks absolutely mortified and genuinely apologizes, promising to personally deal with his troublesome relative. Cheng Hui, ever the strategist, has Lian Liuliu write a letter arranging for the brother-in-law to be sent off to a fish stall – not as punishment, but to learn an honest trade and become a better person. Classy move, Cheng Hui. Before leaving, Cheng Hui pays the bill and announces he's going to help find Xiao Lin a spouse (wait, wasn't he getting married? Maybe Cheng Hui means confirm the marriage or help with arrangements?) and expects all the "brothers" to attend the wedding.
Meanwhile, in sneakier corners of the city, Zheng Qiu meets with Cha Peng again. Zheng Qiu complains that Cheng Hui is cunning as a fox and hard to pin down. Cha Peng just smirks, hinting that if luck is on their side, tomorrow might be the perfect day to get rid of Cheng Hui for good. Uh oh, the plotting thickens!
Back at the Shanhai Gang headquarters, Cheng Hui checks out a rickshaw that's been custom-modified by a mechanic, and he's clearly pleased with the results. Foreshadowing, perhaps?
Elsewhere, Liu Zhendong has apparently been kneeling outside someone's door all night (dramatic much?). He admits the Shanhai Gang's rules are old-fashioned and harsh, promising that if he ever becomes the leader, he'll bring reforms. But Hong Yan confronts him, tears in her eyes, asking if he's forgotten what he did to Liu Xiongwu in the past. This clearly hits a nerve. Liu Zhendong looks grim but insists no one will suspect him. He claims his biggest goal is to restore Hong Yan's family status and stop foreigners from pushing them around. There's some heavy history between these two, and it involves someone named Liu Xiongwu.
Finally, the ever-loyal Huang Zhongxin expresses concern that assassins might still be lurking in Shicheng (Lion City - likely their fictional Singapore). He urges Cheng Hui to wear a special horsehide vest (Ma Pi Yi) made by his late wife for protection before going out. Cheng Hui puts it on and then... disguises himself as a rickshaw puller, using that newly modified ride!
And who should be his first customer? None other than his own daughter, Cheng Nanping, who happens to be a reporter assigned by her editor to interview him. Talk about coincidence! So, Cheng Hui starts pulling his daughter through the streets, telling her stories about the early days of the Shanhai Gang, all while Huang Zhongxin faithfully follows behind, pulling another cart, as they head towards the docks.
So, we've got internal power struggles, past debts coming due, a brewing assassination plot, complicated personal histories bubbling up, and Cheng Hui playing dress-up while potentially riding into a trap. Just another day for the Shanhai Gang, right? Can't wait to see what happens next!
