Episode Summary
Episode 28 sees Zhao Yaning capture James, while Luka is found dead and Xie Xiaoman is arrested, foiling Lide's plans and a U.S. conspiracy. The National Security Third Division, Yang Guang, and Tian Ziwei receive commendations, though Yang Guang is hospitalized in a coma. Li Jian and Tian Ziwei begin a relationship. The major revelation is that Zhao Yaning is "Jiangshan 2047," a secret agent under Xie Rujun as part of the long-term "Jiangshan Plan." Her past actions were part of this mission. She leaves Yang Guang a letter and a photo revealing their past connection before departing for a new mission. A year later, Yang Guang and Zhao Yaning share a meaningful glance during one of his assignments.
Spoiler Alert
The Takedown and the Tragic Wait
The episode kicked off with some serious action. Just when James thought he was about to slip away, Zhao Yaning, cool as ever, fired a warning shot right at his feet. Boom! End of the line for James; he was promptly taken into custody.
Meanwhile, a more somber scene played out on a fishing boat. Xie Xiaoman was anxiously waiting for Luka, but her hope turned to horror when Li Jian arrived instead, not with Luka, but with a pair of cold, hard handcuffs. The heartbreaking truth soon followed as Luka's body was recovered from the water. It was a grim end to that particular chase.
With these key players neutralized, the National Security department went into overdrive, successfully arresting a whole slew of spies who had been embedded within the country. Lide's elaborate plan? Completely foiled. And that shadowy American organization pulling the strings from afar? Their whole conspiracy crumbled.
Celebrations, Confessions, and a Coma
Amidst the fallout, there was also a moment of triumph. At the strategic ceremony for the fourth-generation nuclear technology, Huaze Group and Taiyu Group officially sealed their cooperation. The National Security Third Division, having aced their mission, received a collective second-class merit award. Yang Guang and Tian Ziwei also earned individual second-class merit medals for their efforts.
However, Yang Guang wasn't there to receive his honor in person. He was laid up in the hospital, seriously injured and in a coma. Talk about a bittersweet victory! On a slightly more romantic note, with the tension easing somewhat, Li Jian finally laid his cards on the table and confessed his feelings to Tian Ziwei. Looks like we have a new couple to root for!
The Shocking Truth Unravels
When Yang Guang finally regained consciousness, he learned that Zhao Yaning was the one who got him to the hospital. Even more surprising? She had been recovering in the very next room! He immediately rushed over, but she was already gone. This is where things got really juicy.
Zhang Baiqing then sat Yang Guang down and dropped the mother of all bombshells. It turns out, Xie Rujun, way back during his time in the national security system, had an incredible foresight. He predicted China's significant future development and the increasingly severe international challenges it would face. So, he devised a long-term strategy. He appeared to resign from the national security agency, using his public role as the president of the Jiangcheng International Trade Association as a clever cover to continue undertaking top-secret missions.
Xie Rujun then meticulously selected qualified individuals from within the national security system. These recruits underwent rigorous, specialized training and were deployed to the front lines of intelligence battles to protect national security interests. This entire clandestine initiative was codenamed the "Jiangshan Plan" – essentially a program to cultivate top-tier national security talent.
And guess who was one of Xie Rujun's prized recruits? None other than Zhao Yaning! She was chosen for her exceptional foreign language skills and remarkable adaptability, with Xie Rujun as her direct superior. It wasn't until Xie Rujun regained consciousness just half a month prior that Zhang Baiqing finally learned the truth: Zhao Yaning was one of them, operating under the codename "Jiangshan 2047." This secret was fiercely guarded to protect both Zhao Yaning and Yang Guang.
Zhao Yaning's Perspective and a Calculated Move
Parallel to this, Zhao Yaning had her own meeting with Xie Rujun, where they reviewed all their past operations. From the very beginning in Jiangcheng, she had been coordinating with Xie Rujun. To avoid raising suspicion or causing unnecessary complications, she employed counter-surveillance techniques when dealing with Yang Guang and his team.
Remember when she was meticulously checking her hotel room? She wasn't just being paranoid. Zhao Yaning had already detected Yang Guang's presence in the room! Knowing that Xie Rujun had woken up and that Yang Guang would be coming to Lianhai (meaning she wouldn't be fighting solo anymore), she decided to play along with the situation. Clever, right?
A Letter, a Photograph, and a Glimmer of Dawn
For Zhao Yaning, it felt like finally seeing the dawn after a long, dark night. But her work was far from over; a new mission awaited. Before departing, she entrusted Xie Rujun with a letter to deliver to Yang Guang.
Inside the envelope was a group photo from the 2006 freshman opening ceremony – the very day Yang Guang started college, eighteen years ago. And who else was in that photograph, a hidden connection from their past? Zhao Yaning.
In her letter, Zhao Yaning revealed that they had, in a way, known each other for a very long time. Though she had long since set aside her real name, the name "Zhao Yaning" had become her mission, her identity. She reminisced about their time in Yanping, describing those days as walking through darkness. Yang Guang, she wrote, was like a warm beam of light that accompanied her, illuminating the path ahead. Though they were parting ways again, destined to return to their separate, parallel lives, she believed they would never truly walk alone.
A Year Later: A Fateful Glance
On the road back to Yanping, Yang Guang sat in the car, a whirlwind of emotions stirring within him as he watched the bustling streets and the sunlight outside. The immense weight of their sacrifices, their unwavering commitment – it was a poignant moment of reflection. They carried heavy burdens, but their actions were without regret.
Fast forward one year. Yang Guang is on a new mission, reporting his observations through his earpiece. Suddenly, a familiar face catches his eye. Zhao Yaning. She turns her head, and their eyes meet across the distance.
