Episode Summary
Shen Yiqun sets a trap for Zeng Dalun, creating a rift between them and accidentally framing Cheng Ao in the process. After helping Lin Siyun save her hospital from Shen Yiqun's father, Cheng Ao and Lin Siyun officially become a couple. The Japanese pressure Zeng Dalun to get his father into the opium trade, leading to a violent falling out between him and Cheng Ao. Sensing his life is in danger, Zeng Peide changes his will to protect his family's future.
Spoiler Alert
A Messy Political Web
This episode kicks off with some political trouble.A reporter named Kang Kaisheng had been sniffing around Cheng Ao, asking some very pointed questions about his ties to the G-Party.Cheng Ao never liked the guy, and it turns out his instincts were right.A friend tips Cheng Ao off that Shen Yiqun arrested Kang Kaisheng yesterday, claiming he was a G-Party member and shipping him off to Nanjing.The twist is that Kang Kaisheng was one of Zeng Dalun's men, a fact Shen Yiqun didn't know.This move just created a serious grudge between Shen Yiqun and Zeng Dalun.
A Personal Attack
The drama doesn't stop there. Lin Siyun's hospital is suddenly shut down.The official story is a complaint about it being irregular, but Lin Siyun knows her paperwork was solid.Shen Yiqun shows up to explain the real reason.Lin Siyun had given some birth control pills to a woman named Auntie Mei.It turns out Auntie Mei is the concubine of Shen Yiqun's powerful father, the mayor.The old man was furious but couldn't take it out on his mistress, so he went after Lin Siyun's hospital instead.
Cheng Ao knows that fighting this through legal channels could take months, or even over a year.He decides on a more direct approach.He gives Lin Siyun a few photos and tells her to deliver them to the mayor personally.The next day, she does just that.After one look at the photos, the mayor's face falls, and he immediately cancels the order to close her hospital.
A New Couple and a Birthday Bust
Later, by the river, Lin Siyun is buzzing about the scene with the mayor.She's incredibly grateful for how Cheng Ao always manages to get her out of trouble.He asks for a reward, and she accepts his kiss.With that, they are officially a couple.That same night, Cheng Ao takes her home to meet his adoptive father, Zeng Peide, for his birthday.
Zeng Peide is thrilled to see his son with a smart, beautiful doctor.He even gives Lin Siyun a gold bar as a welcoming gift.The party is in full swing, but then soldiers suddenly arrive.The military police have a tip that Zeng Dalun is colluding with the Japanese to sell opium.Smuggling opium is a major crime.Zeng Peide has no choice but to let them search the house.They find a huge stash of opium hidden inside the birthday gifts, and Zeng Dalun is immediately taken away.
The Frame-Up
Everyone knows something is off.Zeng Dalun has always been careful, and he would never be foolish enough to hide contraband in his own home during a party.Sure enough, he's released the very next day.The first thing he does is confront Cheng Ao.He says his contacts in the military police told him a "lawyer named Cheng" was the informant.He lays into Cheng Ao, believing he was betrayed.
Cheng Ao knows he's been framed.It's obvious someone is trying to destroy his relationship with his brother.He doesn't have to guess who.He goes straight to Shen Yiqun, who immediately admits to setting the whole thing up.Shen Yiqun's goal was to force Cheng Ao to join him in his fight against Zeng Dalun.Cheng Ao is disgusted.He tells Shen Yiqun the sight of him makes him want to vomit, and cuts ties with him on the spot.
An Ultimatum and a Broken Brotherhood
Zeng Dalun is later seen drinking with his Japanese business partners.They want him to convince his father, Zeng Peide, to get into the opium business with them.Zeng Dalun knows this is a non-starter; his father despises both opium and the Japanese.The Japanese give him a chilling ultimatum: either Zeng Peide works with them, or he becomes their enemy, which is a death sentence.
Desperate to protect his father, Zeng Dalun tries to get Cheng Ao on his side.He invites him to dinner and asks for his help in persuading Zeng Peide.He even suggests Cheng Ao should also start working for the Japanese.Cheng Ao is so enraged he flips the dinner table.As he leaves, he tells Zeng Dalun that from this moment on, they are no longer brothers.
A Father's Final Stand
After failing with Cheng Ao, Zeng Dalun tries to convince his father directly.Zeng Peide explodes, calling his son a traitor.Realizing the danger he is now in, Zeng Peide calls for Cheng Ao late that night.He needs to change his will.He divides his assets into four parts: one for Cheng Ao, one for Zeng Dalun, one for the pregnant Yan Hong and her unborn child, and the final portion to be donated to his hometown.After Cheng Ao leaves, Zeng Peide sits alone with his thoughts.He is a man who values profit, but he has always held one line he would never cross: he will not deal in opium, and he will not work with the Japanese.It is his bottom line as a proud Chinese man.
