Episode Summary
Ding Dang is kidnapped, and Lin Guoqiang is severely injured trying to save her. Xu Xiao investigates, while Chen Nan is kidnapped by Wang Bingde. Chen Nan and Ding Dang are taken to a sacrificial altar in an abandoned factory. Xu Xiao arrives to confront Wang Bingde.
Spoiler Alert
"Hanging Mirrors" Episode 17: Recap & Spoilers
Episode 17 kicks off with some serious adrenaline. Lin Guoqiang spots Ding Dang arriving downstairs and rushes out to meet her. But in a blink, a car speeds by, and Ding Dang vanishes! Lin Guoqiang, quick on the uptake, figures Ding Dang's been snatched. He hops on his electric scooter and gives chase. The scooter's nimbleness gives him an edge in the narrow streets, making it hard for Wang Bingde to shake him. Wang Bingde, not one to be outsmarted, ambushes Lin Guoqiang, knocking him out cold. Things are not looking good for Lin Guoqiang.
Meanwhile, Xu Xiao bails Chen Nan out of the police station, giving him a stern warning to keep his cool to avoid jeopardizing his chances of graduating. Chen Nan, grateful for the assist, invites Xu Xiao over to his place. Their conversation turns to Wang Bingde, with Chen Nan voicing his concerns that Wang Bingde might strike again. Chen Nan suspects that Wang Bingde is hiding the bodies in a location with strong positive energy. Just then, Xu Xiao gets a call – Lin Guoqiang's back in the hospital, and it's bad. Xu Xiao rushes to the hospital and learns from colleagues that Lin Guoqiang's injuries are severe, and his survival is uncertain. Before losing consciousness, Lin Guoqiang managed to give the taxi driver a crucial clue. Xu Xiao immediately acts on this new lead. Seizing the opportunity with Xu Xiao gone, Wang Bingde sneaks into Chen Nan's home and kidnaps him.
Xu Xiao tracks Wang Bingde's Buick through traffic cameras, pinpointing its arrival at Chen Nan's apartment complex. Frantically, Xu Xiao calls Chen Nan, but there's no answer. Fearing the worst, he races to Chen Nan's apartment, only to find it empty.
The scene shifts to Chen Nan and Ding Dang, both drugged and bound. Wang Bingde drives, keeping a close watch on his captives. Feigning unconsciousness, Chen Nan and Ding Dang quietly plan their escape. As Xu Xiao and his team search, he recalls their earlier discussions about the case. Chen Nan had speculated that Wang Bingde might have built a sacrificial altar in a location with strong positive energy. Xu Xiao distributes copies of Lin Guoqiang's map, urging everyone to head to the marked locations to buy them some time.
Wang Bingde takes Chen Nan and Ding Dang to an abandoned factory. During a moment when Wang Bingde opens the car door, Chen Nan attacks, blinding him with a piece of clothing. He and Ding Dang make a run for it, but Ding Dang is recaptured. To buy time and save Ding Dang, Chen Nan turns himself in. Xu Xiao and Da Fei are on their way to the factory. Chen Nan sees Wang Bingde's altar, its walls eerily similar to those in ancient tombs. As Wang Bingde prepares Ding Dang for sacrifice, Chen Nan tries to stall him, arguing that immortality is a myth. Wang Bingde ignores him and cuts open Ding Dang's clothes, revealing a symbol on her back, which he proceeds to carve into her skin. Chen Nan, seeing Wang Bingde's obsession, begs him to release them. Xu Xiao and Da Fei arrive at the factory and split up to search. Xu Xiao finds the altar and confronts Wang Bingde. During the fight, Chen Nan tries to cut his bonds, but the noise alerts Wang Bingde, who charges towards him.
