Episode Summary
Yang Guang's suspicions about Zhao Yaning deepen as he investigates Lu Ka, who has been tasked by James to spy on him. Lu Ka, in turn, tries to secure an escape route for himself and Xie Xiaoman. Yang Guang uncovers Lu Ka's connection to a previous crime scene (Baihua Mountain, on the day Duke and Shirley were caught), leading to official surveillance on Lu Ka. Meanwhile, Zhao Yaning invites Yang Guang to a banquet where he meets the influential James. James shares his personal history and high regard for Zhao Yaning, while also setting up a situation to test Yang Guang's composure through a drinking contest with Taylor. Yang Guang, prepared with sobriety aids, navigates the tense evening.
Spoiler Alert
So, our main man, Yang Guang, is taking a breather at his parents' place, but his mind is anything but quiet. All the recent craziness has him seriously side-eyeing Zhao Yaning. That trust? Yeah, it's looking about as solid as a sandcastle in a hurricane. And, of course, Mom picks this moment to ask if he's found a girlfriend. Yang Guang’s reaction was pretty much a "Seriously, Mom?" – bless her heart for trying, though!
Meanwhile, in the shady corner of our story, Lu Ka has a little tête-à-tête with James. Lu Ka lays out his current predicament, and James, ever the opportunist, tasks him with tailing Yang Guang. The reward? A ticket out of the country. But wait, there's a plot twist! Lu Ka suddenly pipes up, "Hey, can we add Xie Xiaoman's name to that passport?" James, surprisingly, is cool with it.
The next morning, Yang Guang gets the lowdown on Lu Ka from Li Jian. This prompts him to give Xie Xiaoman a call, and what do you know, she invites him over. Guess who’s also there? Yep, Lu Ka. Awkward family photo, much? While Xie Xiaoman is showing Yang Guang her study, he clocks a bunch of travel photos of her and Lu Ka. One, in particular, catches his eye – a snap from Baihua Mountain. The kicker? It was taken the exact same day Duke and Shirley were nabbed. Lightbulb moment for Yang Guang! He calls a meeting with the National Security Third Division, confirming Lu Ka is their "fish that got away." Full surveillance on Lu Ka is now a go.
Back at their place, Lu Ka subtly tries to get intel on Yang Guang from Xie Xiaoman, mentioning how he’s not really a fan of people just dropping by and disrupting their "peaceful life." Xie Xiaoman, though she finds Lu Ka a bit odd sometimes (ya think?!), agrees not to have random guests over anymore.
Then, Zhao Yaning pops up, inviting Yang Guang to a family banquet – as her date. Yang Guang tentatively agrees and immediately loops in Zhang Baiqing. He requests some new tech, and boy, does the tech department deliver! He gets a smartwatch that can record audio and video, jam cameras, and even pick simple locks. Plus, they throw in three packs of special sobriety pills. You know, for "networking."
Xie Xiaoman hands over her final translated manuscript to Lu Ka and asks if he’s contacted a publisher. Lu Ka, smooth as ever, brushes her off with an excuse. He then drives to the library, fully aware that National Security is on his tail. So, he spends the entire day acting like a model citizen, just reading books. No suspicious moves. Later that evening, he heads home and suggests to Xie Xiaoman that they move to the US so he can work on a new project. And Xie Xiaoman? She's totally on board. Oh, honey.
At the same time, Yang Guang is all suited up for the banquet. He wasn't expecting Zhao Yaning to show up looking like she’s ready for the Oscars, making him quip that he feels more like her driver. Turns out, James has given Taylor and Li Taiheng a very specific mission for the evening: verify Yang Guang and Zhao Yaning. No pressure!
At the banquet, Zhao Yaning introduces Yang Guang to the big boss, James. Over dinner, James shares his story: he was among the first to go abroad after China's reform and opening up. His Chinese name is Zhan Minsheng. He mentions a tough childhood as an orphan, relying on the kindness of strangers, before finding success overseas where his wife and kids now live.
James tells Yang Guang that even though he left China young, he’s always missed his homeland. So, when his company decided to expand into Greater China, he jumped at the chance to return. He explains that Taylor and Li Taiheng are talents he brought in, but the real star, the one he pursued relentlessly (the "five-time visit to the thatched cottage" kind of pursuit, if you know your Chinese idioms!), is Zhao Yaning. He’s convinced she’s destined for big things.
After a few drinks (wink, wink), Yang Guang excuses himself to the restroom and pops one of those sobriety pills. Smart move! Because James then nudges Taylor to really ply Yang Guang with alcohol to see how he handles it. Taylor, ever the instigator, challenges Yang Guang to a drinking contest – chugging straight from the bottle, with Zhao Yaning, Li Taiheng, and the others cheering them on.
