Episode Summary
Guilin becomes a safe haven and creative hub for patriotic writers and artists. Xia Yan turns down a leadership position in a Nationalist faction, citing his Communist identity. Tian Han finishes a powerful new play, and director Hong Shen selflessly passes the project to a director he believes is a better fit. Finally, Ren Suning's dedication pays off as she is formally inducted into the Communist Party.
Spoiler Alert
The Writers' Circle Gathers in Guilin
The city of Guilin is enjoying a moment of peace. This makes it a magnet for patriotic artists looking for a safe place to work. Everyone is showing up.
Ye Shengtao runs into his friend, Fu Binran. Fu Binran was just passing through. He wasn't planning on staying. But Ye Shengtao tells him all the heavy hitters are in town. Wang Luyan, Xia Yan, and Lao She are all there. It's a chance for them to collaborate and learn from each other. Hearing this, Fu Binran decides to stick around. You can feel a real creative community starting to form.
A Risky Political Offer
A patriotic group within the Nationalist party is in trouble. Their leader was just assassinated. They need someone to fill the void. So, they approach Xia Yan.
They want him to lead their group. Xia Yan immediately shuts it down. He is a Communist. Taking a leadership role inside the Nationalist party would be a disaster waiting to happen. It's just too obvious. He does, however, promise to recommend someone else for the position. They accept his offer.
A New Play Sparks Excitement
With so many creative people in one place, the energy is electric. The writers and dramatists get together whenever they have free time. They discuss literature and theater. Everyone is focused on a single goal. They want to use their words and stories to save the country.
Xia Yan gives his stamp of approval to a new script that's in the works. The director, Ju Yin, is busy refining the story.
Tian Han's Masterpiece
We get to see some of this creative work up close. Tian Han has finished his new play, "Ode to the Autumn Sound." He looks exhausted but driven. He clearly poured everything he had into it.
He gives the script to An E first, just as she had suggested. She reads the entire play in one sitting. She remembers something Hong Shen once told her. He said Tian Han is a true playwright. He focuses on the big picture and doesn't get lost in minor emotional details. She sees that Hong Shen was right. The play uses the historical figure Qu Yuan as its main character. It manages to feel both grand and deeply personal. Tian Han makes abstract ideas feel real and grounded in everyday life.
A Director Steps Aside
Director Hong Shen gets his hands on the script next. He reads it and knows it's something special. He immediately brings it to Xia Yan and the rest of the theater group. They start discussing how to bring it to the stage.
By tradition, the director who discovers a script gets to direct it. So, the job should go to Hong Shen. But he does something unexpected. He turns it down. He says the play's style doesn't really match his own strengths as a director.
Instead, he recommends Qu Baiyin, also known as Ju Yin. He argues that Qu Baiyin is the perfect choice. Qu Baiyin studied drama abroad. He knows how to handle a play with a grand, sweeping scale. He is also great at capturing the small, lifelike details that make a story feel real. The group is impressed by Hong Shen's integrity. They give him a round of applause.
Party Lines and Personal Growth
While the artists work, other plans are moving forward. We check in with a character who left Guilin earlier. He's teaching now, but he's heard the situation has improved back in the city. He's thinking about returning, especially since Xia Yan is there.
Suddenly, the classroom door opens. Xia Yan walks right in. The teacher is overcome with emotion. The two friends grab each other's hands in a powerful reunion. Their students just watch, moved by the deep bond between them.
Ren Suning's Big Moment
Ren Suning's journey reaches a major milestone. The Communist Party has officially approved her application for membership.
Xia Yan and An E go to tell her the news themselves. They find her at an orphanage, teaching the children how to sing. An E has been a witness to Ren Suning's growth. Under the party flag, Ren Suning takes her official oath. She has transformed completely. The timid, shy girl is gone. In her place stands a tough and courageous party member.
