Episode Summary
Li Ge suspects Han Yao, leading to a chase. Huo Min's true identity as an undercover cop is revealed. We learn about his past and connection to another agent, Huo Jun. A complex web of trust and betrayal unfolds.
Spoiler Alert
"Secret Files of XSA" Episode 9: Double Crosses and Deep Cover
Episode 9 throws us right into the action! Li Ge, suspicious as ever, forces Han Yao and Huo Min to unlock their phones. Huo Min's checks out, but Han Yao gets a mysterious message. Li Ge, predictably, pulls a gun on Han Yao. In the chaos, Huo Min shoves Li Ge down, and both he and Han Yao make a run for it. Meanwhile, Yang Xiao Yi gets the order to take out Luo Shanshan and Hu Fei, but luckily, they sense the trap and manage to evade him.
Back at the actor's garden, Zhao Jizheng tells Luo Shanshan to provide backup. Li Ge is hot on the heels of Han Yao and Huo Min, and Han Yao takes a bullet. Huo Min manages to escape. Li Ge and Yang Xiao Yi vanish into thin air. Turns out, Li Ge bribed a band member and hid inside a giant bass case, exploiting a 15-minute blind spot in the firewall Luo Shanshan's team was trying to breach. Once she's clear, she wastes no time eliminating the band member. Lu Chen and his team spot a suspicious vehicle, but it's not carrying the expected number of people.
Hu Fei and Lu Chen lock onto their target, and Luo Shanshan orders Lu Chen to maintain surveillance. Huo Min arrives on the scene, revealing his true identity: he's "The Actor." With the situation unclear, Huo Min volunteers to scout ahead. As soon as he reaches the door, Li Ge grabs him at gunpoint and drags him inside. Li Ge assumes Huo Min is working for Matt, and Huo Min plays along, promising to deliver them if he gets 20 million. During the payoff, Yang Xiao Yi uses the opportunity to tase Huo Min, planting a bomb on him. Despite being captured, Huo Min works with Luo Shanshan and Hu Fei to take down Yang Xiao Yi and Li Ge. The bomb is defused, and Huo Min reveals to Li Ge that he's a cop. To sell the act, Huo Min handcuffs himself and returns to the police station.
Zhao Jizheng officially introduces Huo Min as a member of the investigation unit, code name "The Actor." Two and a half years ago, Huo Min went undercover in a charity organization to gather evidence. Meng Li was also planted by Zhao Jizheng to assist Huo Min. Luo Shanshan jokingly asks about Huo Min and Meng Li's relationship, and Huo Min pauses before saying they share a bond where they would trust each other with their lives.
We then learn that Han Yao had close ties with the Energy Association in Ying Zhou before his debut, and Matt is the man behind the Energy Association. During a mission, Huo Min mentioned that Luo Shanshan was investigating him. Zhao Jizheng told him that he was aware of the investigation and that it would help Li Ge trust him more. He also instructed Huo Min to share all the information he gathered with Luo Shanshan, which is why Luo Shanshan was able to see the photos he took on his phone. Later, at the hotel, Luo Shanshan and her team discovered that Li Ge had hacked into the hotel's surveillance system. They intentionally sent a message to Han Yao's phone as part of their plan to remove him from the equation. Zhao Jizheng announces that Luo Shanshan will now be Huo Min's direct supervisor.
Huo Min visits Lao Wan's favorite noodle shop, stating that he, like Lao Wan, has never forgotten his original purpose and is protecting it with his life. During his initial interview, Huo Min completed Zhao Jizheng's test in under ten minutes. Zhao Jizheng reveals that the last person to pass the test in under ten minutes was Huo Jun. Huo Jun received a top-secret undercover assignment overseas, and his parents understood and didn't ask many questions. Huo Min mentions that he also passed the test, and the two brothers share a knowing smile. Huo Min sees Huo Jun off, but they don't take a photo together. Instead, Huo Min draws a picture of them together and keeps it in his wallet. Absolute loyalty to the Party and a willingness to be an unsung hero are the beliefs of national security personnel. Huo Jun, sitting in a wheelchair, looks at the red flag in the courtyard, which represents what he has always stood for.
