Episode Summary
Yang Guang surveils James at the airport, confirming a chip match, but is ordered to let James proceed to Lianhai to catch bigger players. James tasks Luca with retrieving goods in Lianhai within three days, incentivizing him with a large sum of money. While Xie Xiaoman remains naively in love with Luca, Yang Guang sets up surveillance in Lianhai. A key meeting concerning a nuclear power plant is planned, but James, having already removed a crucial chip from his laptop, senses he's being watched after Yang Guang's covert room search. With the meeting canceled and pressure mounting, Luca fails to retrieve the goods due to Li Jian's tailing. He then confesses his true identity to a devastated Xie Xiaoman, who ultimately sides with him. Meanwhile, Zhao Yazhu makes a suspicious solo move, observed by Yang Guang.
Spoiler Alert
The Long Game and a Pricey Persuasion
The episode kicks off with Yang Guang glued to the airport security monitors, liaising with the tech department. They confirm that the chip in James's laptop is a match for the one found in that microwave – ding, ding, ding! But, since other crucial equipment is still missing, the ever-cautious Zhang Baiqing gives the order to let James and his crew proceed. The plan? Play the long game, let them lead the way, and hopefully, catch the bigger fish. Smart.
So, James and company land in Lianhai and check into their hotel. First order of business for James? He immediately pings Luca with an urgent new mission: retrieve "the goods" and get them to Lianhai within three days. Luca, understandably, is hesitant. He's already feeling the heat from the MSS (Ministry of State Security) and even calls James out on unfulfilled promises. But, surprise, surprise! A cool three million USD appearing in his personal account is apparently all the convincing Luca needs. Money talks, folks.
James assures Luca his new passport is in the works, and Luca, now motivated by the cash and the promise of escape, agrees to this one last job before skipping the country.
Love, Lies, and Eavesdroppers
Meanwhile, Xie Xiaoman, bless her heart, notices Luca seems to be in a surprisingly good mood. Over dinner, she brings up the publishing house issue again. Luca spins a tale about a publisher offering a massive advance, which is why he's decided to head to the US. Xie Xiaoman, seemingly placated by this explanation, starts to cool down. Watching this whole exchange, Li Jian and Tian Ziwei (who are clearly listening in) are practically facepalming at Xie Xiaoman's love-struck naivety. You just want to shake her sometimes, right?
Back at MSS headquarters, Yang Guang requests to personally head to Lianhai to keep an eye on James. Zhang Baiqing greenlights the solo mission but with a critical reminder: they can follow the leads, but the absolute priority is the safety of the national tech projects and personnel involved. No cowboy stuff. Armed with advanced gear from Director Liu of the Lianhai MSS, Yang Guang quickly sets up shop in a hotel room opposite James's, ready for some serious surveillance.
Meetings, Missed Chips, and Mounting Suspicions
Zhang Baiqing calls Yang Guang with an update: a crucial meeting is scheduled for the next morning at 9:40 AM at the Xinghai Hotel. Representatives from Huaze, Taiyu, and Lide will be there to discuss preparations for the Lianhai nuclear power plant. Since "the goods" haven't arrived yet, James instructs Zhao Yazhu to make sure their PR contact stalls and sticks to the original plan.
Later that evening, Xie Xiaoman and Luca have another one of their little tiffs, but Luca, the smooth talker, coaxes her back into a good mood. The surveillance team listening in? Utterly exasperated. I mean, can you blame them?
While James and his team are presumably tied up with meeting prep, Yang Guang seizes the opportunity to sneak into James's hotel room. Plot twist: the laptop chip is already gone! James is one step ahead.
Just then, Yang Guang gets word that the big meeting has been abruptly canceled. He manages to slip out of James's room just before James and Zhao Yazhu return, leaving no trace. Phew, close call! But James, with his strong intuition, senses something is off. He suspects their pursuers have followed them to Lianhai and immediately informs Luca that the next day is the final deadline. The pressure is ON. Zhao Yazhu, meanwhile, starts scouting the area and eyes the hotel across the street, with one particular room (Yang Guang's, perhaps?) raising her suspicions.
A Supermarket Run and a Shocking Confession
Luca ventures out alone, with Li Jian hot on his tail. He heads straight for the Dahua Supermarket, but with Li Jian watching his every move, he can't make his pickup. Li Jian observes Luca simply browse, buy a few things, and head home. Seems like a dead end for now.
Unable to retrieve the package, Luca improvises. Back home, he cranks up the range hood, creating enough noise to interfere with Tian Ziwei's listening devices. Then, he drops the bomb on Xie Xiaoman: he confesses his true identity. Xie Xiaoman is, understandably, devastated and tearful. Torn between her love for Luca and her loyalty to her country, she ultimately chooses to trust Luca, especially after he swears he'll never harm her country or anyone in it. Oh, Xiaoman. This is a recipe for disaster, isn't it?
As this emotional drama unfolds, Zhao Yazhu is seen leaving her hotel alone. Across the way, Yang Guang, ever watchful, clocks her departure.
