Episode Summary
Cui Wei confirms Jin Xiasheng as the fifth robber and suspects deeper secrets behind Qin Xiaoming. Jin and Cui Ye seek a new partner for a risky job, reconnecting with an old associate nicknamed "One-Ear," though trust remains an issue. Family tensions rise as Cui Wei and Cui Ye clash over Yanyan’s care. Meanwhile, Xia Yu remains in a coma, and a sudden lead sends Cui Wei and Xiao Ding racing to the hospital—only to be preempted by Cui Ye.
Spoiler Alert
Things are heating up fast in Episode 15 of Playing Go, as the lines between justice, family, and loyalty start to blur.
Back in Town, Back on the Case
Cui Wei returns to the city police department from Dantong, and his team’s investigation quickly zeroes in on Jin Xiasheng—now confirmed as the fifth suspect in that credit union robbery. Ties between Jin and a young woman named Xia Yu raise further suspicions. The department starts suspecting Jin and Qin Xiaoming of blackmailing Wang Hongyu, but Cui Wei isn’t buying it—he’s convinced Qin Xiaoming is hiding something much bigger.
️♂️ The Old Crew and a New Job
Meanwhile, Jin Xiasheng has been eyeing a loan shark group, but unlike Wang Hongyu, these guys aren’t pushovers. Cui Ye insists they move forward, but they’re short a man. Jin takes Cui to a now-defunct forum where they had originally met their old robbery crew—hoping to find someone new. No luck. The forum’s long gone.
That’s when Jin drops a bomb: back before the robbery, there was another guy—a driver—who got attacked and suffered a head injury, so he never made it to the job. They track this guy down using a description (he’s missing an ear), and someone at his old workplace points them toward an emergency center.
Since Cui Ye can’t risk being seen, Jin goes in alone to meet “One-Ear,” who’s busy fiddling with a digital pet the entire time. Jin subtly floats the idea of “one more job.” One-Ear? He’s in. But from a distance, Cui Ye isn’t convinced—he’s suspicious and not sold on bringing him into the crew.
Digital Pets & Real Responsibilities
Despite doubts, there are no better options. On the way home, Cui Ye buys a digital pet—maybe trying to understand One-Ear, maybe just curious. When Gao Shuhua asks him to babysit Yanyan while she goes job hunting, he catches on. He finds her job flyer, storms into the office, and gets her fired—demanding she stay home with the kid.
Fishy Lies & Family Tension
Cui Wei, meanwhile, forgets to bring back the famous Dantong silverfish for his daughter, so he buys cheaper ones from the market and pretends they’re the real deal. Classic dad move.
At home, his father-in-law brings up competition for a prestigious training program. Cui Wei dodges the topic—his mind’s stuck on the unsolved case.
♟️ Chess, Psychology & Comas
Back at the Masterclass, Cui Ye casually asks Zhang Yingjie what kind of man plays with digital pets. Zhang doesn’t hold back: “A lunatic.” This only makes Cui more intrigued by One-Ear.
Meanwhile, Jin is tending to Xia Yu, who’s still in a coma. He organizes her clothes, visits her in the hospital, and tries to keep hope alive. A nosy old woman next door claims coma patients never wake up. Jin isn’t having it—he yanks the curtain shut.
️ Dinner Disaster
Cui Wei invites Cui Ye and Gao Shuhua to a family dinner, hoping to patch things up. Instead, it turns into another explosive argument.
Cui Ye insists Yanyan is his son, and not Cui Wei’s business. But Cui Wei sees Yanyan as his nephew—he just wants to help. Cui Ye accuses his brother of showing off just to feel important. The dinner ends in yet another fight.
Gao Shuhua’s had enough—she snaps at Cui Ye for twisting people’s goodwill. In the heat of the moment, she lets it slip: Cui Wei just got back from Northeast China. That hits Cui Ye like a truck.
Panic Mode Activated
Cui Ye rushes to find Jin Xiasheng, grilling him about what exactly he’s been up to. He wants to believe everything is under control, but he’s clearly rattled.
Later that day, he shows up with medicine for Cui Wei and offers an olive branch—he’ll use Cui Wei’s money to pay for Yanyan’s treatment. Peace at last? Not quite.
Xiao Ding bursts in with a lead on Xia Yu. He and Cui Wei race off, sirens blazing. But Cui Ye, now very much alert, calls Jin and heads to the hospital first—beating them there.
Final Thoughts
Episode 15 is a slow burn with explosive tension. The plot thickens, alliances shift, and family ties are tested. As everyone plays their own game of Go—both on the board and in life—there’s no telling who’s making the next move… or where it will lead.
Spoiler Level: ??
Mood: Tense, emotional, and quietly thrilling
Next episode prediction: Cui Ye may have seen something in the hospital he wasn’t supposed to...
