Episode Summary
Zhao Jiadi rescues Li Zhijin from the unhinged Wei Jinghai after a tense setup by Xiao Lin. Following a dramatic confrontation where Zhao Jiadi outmaneuvers Xiao Lin's thugs and later Wei Jinghai himself, the police arrive to arrest Wei Jinghai and dismantle his extensive criminal smuggling operation. In the aftermath, relationships find new footing: Shang Bao and Fang Jie are a happy family, Ming Gu has reformed, and Zhao Jiadi reconciles with Wu Dengke. Zhao Jiadi plans to start his own company. Importantly, both Li Zhijin's grandfather, Li Minxian, and Zhao Jiadi's father, Zhao Xin, come to accept Zhao Jiadi and Li Zhijin's relationship, culminating in a heartwarming reconciliation between Zhao Jiadi and his father. Li Minxian also entrusts Zhao Jiadi with important business negotiations.
Spoiler Alert
We kick things off with Zhao Jiadi having a quiet moment, watching the sunset. But, as always in dramaland, peace is fleeting. He gets a call from Xiao Lin, and it's not a friendly chat. Xiao Lin's got Li Zhijin and issues an ultimatum: Zhao Jiadi shows up alone tonight, or Li Zhijin pays the price.
Meanwhile, in a starkly contrasting and seriously creepy scene, Wei Jinghai is in surprisingly good spirits, whipping up some scrambled eggs with tomatoes. He serves the dish at a table where Li Zhijin is tied up. If that wasn't unsettling enough, he then introduces her to his "father" and "mother"—two scarecrows propped up opposite her. Li Zhijin, understandably terrified, begs to be untied, but Wei Jinghai isn't having any of it. Yeah, this guy is officially off his rocker.
Night falls, and Zhao Jiadi, true to his word, goes to meet Xiao Lin solo. Xiao Lin, of course, didn't come alone and has a whole crew of thugs with him. But this is Zhao Jiadi we're talking about. What follows is an intense brawl. Picture this: Zhao Jiadi, one man against many, moving with precision and power, dodging blows, landing decisive hits, and basically cleaning house. He systematically takes down the goons until it's just him and Xiao Lin. After a final, satisfying takedown, Xiao Lin is on the ground, defeated.
Just as Zhao Jiadi is worrying about Li Zhijin's whereabouts, he hears Xiao Lin's phone ringing. Quick-thinking as ever, Zhao Jiadi grabs it and, mimicking Xiao Lin, texts Wei Jinghai to find out where he's taken Li Zhijin.
Wei Jinghai, meanwhile, is driving Li Zhijin to a pier. He spots Zhao Jiadi approaching and reaches for a gun, but before he can even aim, Zhao Jiadi is on him, taking him down with a swift kick. The chase continues up a small hill, where Zhao Jiadi finally corners Wei Jinghai and gives him a much-deserved beatdown. But then, instead of finishing him off, Zhao Jiadi sits down beside him and starts listing all of Wei Jinghai's past crimes.
Wei Jinghai, ever defiant, spits back that what he hates most about Zhao Jiadi is his self-righteous attitude, his eloquent pronouncements that Wei Jinghai believes are just a cover for calculated self-interest. He sneers that Zhao Jiadi's talk of kindness and righteousness is just a luxury afforded by his privileged background. As the sound of police sirens grows closer, Zhao Jiadi gets up to leave. Wei Jinghai makes a last-ditch attempt to attack him but fails spectacularly, tumbling down the hill instead. Zhao Jiadi tells him that relationships aren't just about personal gain and that he’d told him from their first meeting that even if they couldn't be friends, they didn't need to be enemies. Wei Jinghai had choices, Zhao Jiadi says, but he chose the worst possible path.
And so, Wei Jinghai's smuggling and criminal empire comes crashing down. He and his associates are arrested for a laundry list of charges, including smuggling, assault, and gang-related activities. The police also uncover that this group had been operating like a corporation, hiding in plain sight in Hangcheng city for years.
With the dust settling, we see some happier resolutions. Shang Bao and Fang Jie are officially a couple, and her child is now calling Shang Bao "dad." They're running a small restaurant, living a simple, warm life. Ming Gu, influenced by Zhao Jiadi, has turned over a new leaf, a change that Lin Peng has noticed and appreciates. Song Jianming gets an offer from a friend to start a new business and build an elite team, but he doesn't give an immediate answer.
Zhao Jiadi, turning down offers from big corporations, decides to start his own small company. He's sharing a lighthearted moment with Li Zhijin when Wu Dengke walks in, suitcase in tow. The old friends shake hands, their past conflicts seemingly resolved.
Far away in Jinhai, Zhao Xin (Zhao Jiadi's father) learns about his son's relationship with Li Zhijin. While he verbally expresses disapproval of the match, it's clear he's come to respect Zhao Jiadi's decision. Li Minxian (Li Zhijin's grandfather), now recovered from his illness and out of the hospital, finds himself liking Zhao Jiadi more and more, truly accepting him as his grandson-in-law. The whole ordeal with Fan Longquan and Wei Jinghai has given Li Minxian a new perspective, admitting that even at his age, he hadn't seen things as clearly as Fan Longquan did.
Now, Zhao Jiadi is set to represent the Nanshan Chamber of Commerce in negotiations in Hai Cheng. Li Minxian advises him that whatever past grievances exist between the Li and Zhao families, business must come first. He also encourages Zhao Jiadi to try and understand his father, Zhao Xin, suggesting that while he might not get it now, he will when he becomes a father himself and has his own complex considerations.
Li Zhijin initially plans to accompany Zhao Jiadi to Hai Cheng, but Li Minxian playfully shoots down the idea, urging her to focus on having children instead. The three share a laugh. Later, in a heartwarming moment, Zhao Xin personally meets with Zhao Jiadi. The father and son shake hands, sit together on the sofa, and share a knowing smile.
