Episode Summary
Jiaxin's fake suicide attempt to frame Gao Shen backfires when Gao Shen produces a recording of Fang Xueqin planning the scheme. As the family argues, Fang Yangtian's health deteriorates, and he begins to go blind from a brain tumor, a fact he hides from his family. Suspicions arise about a girl who may be Kwong Shan Tsuen and Gao Shen's daughter. The family's legal case takes a hit when Lin Yao causes a scene in court. The episode ends with Fang Xueqin stealing his father's medical records, intending to use them as a weapon in court.
Spoiler Alert
Golden Forest: Episode 18 Recap
You know a plan is bad when it involves faking a suicide. You know it’s even worse when your opponent has a secret recording of you planning it. This episode was a mess of backstabbing, secret illnesses, and family implosions. Let's get into it.
The Suicide Ploy Backfires
Jiaxin goes through with her plan to frame Gao Shen. She pretends to attempt suicide. Fang Xueqin is right there with her, convinced this public scandal will finally be the nail in Gao Shen's coffin. He tells her his father has called a family meeting. He's sure Gao Shen is finished.
Elsewhere, Kwong Shan Tsuen happens to see the news about the scandal. He looks pleased. He clearly sees some kind of opportunity for himself in all this chaos.
A Battle of Recordings
The Fang family gathers to confront Gao Shen. They play a recording of a conversation between him and Jiaxin. They think they have him trapped.
Gao Shen is completely calm. He pulls out his own phone. He plays another recording. This one features Fang Xueqin telling Jiaxin exactly how to fake her suicide attempt. Gao Shen says they should call the police and let them figure out which recording is real.
Xueqin completely panics. He begs his brother, Fang Xueli, to back him up. Instead, the two brothers start fighting and blaming each other. In the heat of the argument, the whole truth comes out. Everyone learns that Fang Xueqin orchestrated the entire scheme.
Out of respect for the family patriarch, Fang Yangtian, Gao Shen agrees to drop the matter. We later learn his recording was a clever fake. He edited a conversation between Zhijun and Jiaxin to turn the tables on his accusers.
The Family Crumbles
A Father's Secret
Fang Yangtian's health is getting much worse. His brain tumor has grown. He experiences a sudden moment of blindness and goes to the hospital. To keep his family from worrying, he tells the doctor to increase his medication. He is determined to hide his condition from everyone.
Brothers at War
Jiaxin is out of the hospital. Fang Xueli proudly shows off a new car he just bought. This sends Fang Xueqin into a rage. He screams that he's been working nonstop on the family's legal battles. Meanwhile, his brother is out spending money and enjoying life. The two have a massive fight.
Later, Gao Shen and Fang Yangtian are preparing their statements for court. The ever-observant Lin Cheng notices that Yangtian is unwell. She asks if his condition is getting worse. She even offers to drop everything to help him get treatment. He refuses. He says his priority is to secure his sons' futures before he dies.
New Mysteries and Old Enemies
The Girl in the Photograph
At the children's home, a young girl named Jasmine has a minor fall. Kwong Shan Tsuen completely overreacts. He makes a huge scene and rushes her to the hospital. Fang Xueli witnesses this and finds it very suspicious.
At the hospital, Xueli gets a look at Jasmine's camera. He finds photos of her with Kwong Shan Tsuen. He also finds photos of her with Gao Shen. A doctor's previous comment comes back to him. He starts to suspect that Jasmine might be Kwong Shan Tsuen and Gao Shen's secret daughter.
A Disaster in Court
Lin Cheng's brother, Lin Yao, is just out of prison. The family is back in court for another hearing. The opposing lawyer brings up a promise Fang Yangtian made to his own dying father. He also mentions that Lin Yao was heard bragging in prison that he could easily get a lot of money from the Fang family.
Just then, Lin Yao himself bursts into the courtroom. He starts screaming at the lawyer. This outburst makes Lin Cheng look incredibly guilty by association.
The Final Betrayal
As Fang Yangtian leaves the courthouse, he's swarmed by reporters. In that moment, his vision goes completely black. He is suddenly blind. Lin Cheng sees it happen instantly and rushes to his side, grabbing his hand to steady him. She asks him again what's wrong with his health. He refuses to answer.
That night, Jiang Huanqiu begs Lin Cheng to tell her what is happening with Yangtian. Lin Cheng finally breaks down and tells her about his illness. Jiang Huanqiu knows a traditional Chinese medicine doctor and rushes off to get help.
On her way, she runs into Fang Xueqin. He physically grabs Fang Yangtian's medical report out of her hands. He now has the proof of his father's illness and plans to use it against him in court.
