Episode Summary
Zhao Yazhu tests Yang Guang but he doesn't break character. She later discovers Taile was spying on her, a move orchestrated by Zhanmusi, who then gives her $100,000 as "dating funds" and more operational freedom. Meanwhile, Luka, under Zhanmusi's orders, prepares for a task involving Yang Guang, evading police detective Li Jian by using swapped license plates. Yang Guang meets with Zhang Baiqing, providing him with a recording and discussing the large volume of goods imported by "Yanping." Yang Guang considers trying to flip Zhao Yazhu to their side, as he suspects she's not a core member of Zhanmusi's group, but Zhang Baiqing advises caution. Luka is spotted spying on Yang Guang and Zhang Baiqing's meeting but manages to escape Li Jian's subsequent pursuit, again using a car with switched plates, much to Li Jian's frustration.
Spoiler Alert
So, we kicked off with Zhao Yazhu still trying to figure out if our man Yang Guang is legit. She throws back several drinks, getting pretty tipsy, and spills that life’s been tough, but things have been genuinely happy since she met him. Aww, right? Well, she eventually passes out, and Yang Guang, ever the gentleman, carries her to her bedroom and then crashes on the floor himself. Class act or clever move? You decide!
The next morning, Zhao Yazhu wakes up, looks at Yang Guang, and you can just see the storm of emotions brewing in her. Yang Guang’s in the kitchen whipping up breakfast, but she’s all business, claiming she has urgent company matters and dashes off without a bite. Yang Guang, bless his heart, rushes out to see her off. As she’s driving away, Zhao Yazhu spots a white car and who’s inside, snoozing away? None other than Taile. And guess what? Yang Guang, through his own surveillance wizardry, clocks this exact same moment. The plot, I tell you!
Back at her company, Zhao Yazhu gives her report to Zhanmusi (James, for those playing catch-up). She pretty much clears Yang Guang of suspicion, and even Zhanmusi is impressed by Yang Guang’s chivalry. However, Zhao Yazhu is not happy that Zhanmusi had Taile tailing her. No sooner does she get home than Zhanmusi calls, apologizing for the whole Taile situation. He then lays out the next phase of their plan, telling her she has free rein to do as she pleases and, get this, transfers a cool $100,000 to her as "dating expenses." Talk about a complicated expense report!
Meanwhile, on the law enforcement side, Li Jian and Tian Ziwei are on a stakeout in their car. Upstairs in a building, Xie Xiaoman and Luka are having a bite, but Luka soon cooks up an excuse to head out. Li Jian, after grabbing some breakfast, shares some wisdom with Tian Ziwei about needing to be quick and decisive with their food during operations – a true pro. Just then, Zhanmusi messages Luka with Yang Guang's address, and Luka heads off to the location Zhanmusi provided to pick up some "equipment." Shady!
Li Jian, still in the car with Tian Ziwei, is keeping an eye on the comings and goings of the residential complex. He spots a taxi that’s been empty for way too long – red flag! He immediately starts tailing it and gets the tech department to run the plate. Sure enough, Luka, disguised with a hat and mask, hops out of the taxi and scurries into a mall. He slips into the underground parking garage and, quick as a flash, swaps the license plates on a car. By the time Li Jian gets to the garage, he sees Luka driving off in the newly re-plated vehicle. He radios the tech guys to track it, and they eventually find the car outside a shop. But plot twist – the owner is a woman, confirming Li Jian’s suspicion that Luka was using swapped plates. This guy is slippery!
Our boy Yang Guang isn't just sitting around, though. He proactively contacts Zhang Baiqing to meet up at Zhang's usual fishing spot. On his way there, Luka’s car starts tailing him, but Yang Guang, with some slick driving, manages to shake him off. At the rendezvous, Yang Guang hands over a copied recording to Zhang Baiqing. Zhang stresses that they need to figure things out ASAP because Yanping (the organization/place they're investigating) is importing a massive amount of goods daily, and without solid intel, it’s like finding a needle in a haystack.
Yang Guang had been thinking of using his budding relationship with Zhao Yazhu to get deeper into their plans. However, seeing Taile tailing her made him reconsider. He now suspects Zhao Yazhu isn't a core member of their organization and might not even be entirely loyal to Zhanmusi. This sparks an idea: maybe he can try to turn her to their side. Zhang Baiqing, ever the voice of reason, reminds Yang Guang that their enemies play dirty and have no bottom line, but they must maintain theirs. If they're going to try and flip Zhao Yazhu, they need to be patient and wait for the perfect moment. Just as they're having this crucial chat, Yang Guang spots Luka hiding behind a rock, snapping photos! They quickly pack up their fishing gear, and Luka, realizing he's been made, also vanishes.
Not long after Yang Guang leaves, Li Jian drives up to the fishing spot. He spots Luka, who seems to have twisted his ankle, trying to hide. Luka ducks behind another car and, seizing a moment when Li Jian is distracted, makes a break for it in his car. Li Jian and his team give chase but, you guessed it, they lose Luka again. To add insult to injury, the tech department calls in to report that the car Luka is currently driving is also a swapped-plate vehicle. Li Jian is, understandably, furious.
