Episode Summary
The investigation into Moss Trading intensifies as a remote computer breach is confirmed, linked to Moss Trading's Duke via an ID obtained from tour guide Pang Shuqin. This connection also implicates Duke in Sun Yaokuan's death. Meanwhile, Zhounan Power Plant makes a bold claim of mastering fourth-generation nuclear technology, which Yang Guang suspects is a bluff to interfere with a deal between Huaze Group and Shoucheng Power. A cardiac specialist, Hermann, potentially linked to Sun Yaokuan's "heart attack," flees the country. Another operative, restaurant manager Wood, dies in a fiery car crash while escaping Yang Guang's team, who discover Duke has been surveilling them. The episode culminates with the shocking revelation from Director Qu that Sun Yaokuan was actually murdered with a pufferfish-derived TTX variant toxin, not a heart attack. Sander prepares to initiate an operation codenamed "The Whale."
Spoiler Alert
Things kicked off with James putting the screws to Zhao Yaning about her dealings with Moss Trading, letting her know he's clued into the whole nuclear power plant intel leak. Meanwhile, our tech whiz Tian Ziwei did her magic and got 100% confirmation: that computer was definitely accessed and copied remotely. Just as she figures this out, Li Jian barrels in, all worked up, convinced the car that was tailing him earlier is seriously bad news.
So, the team starts pulling at threads. They discover that Liu Yuwen never actually lost her ID card, nor did she lend it out. Well, almost never. There was this one time, a two-hour window, when a travel agency had it to book her hotel and flights. And who was the helpful travel agent handling her ID? A tour guide named Pang Shuqin. Tan Yaoduo gets a hunch that this two-hour window is where all their problems started.
Following that lead, Li Jian and Tan Yaoduo pay Pang Shuqin a visit. After a bit of pressure, she spills the beans: she did lend the ID to her boss at the travel agency. And guess who that boss is? None other than Duke, the guy from Moss Trading! Ding, ding, ding! This is the smoking gun they needed, directly linking the illegal remote copy, and likely Sun Yaokuan's suspicious death, straight to Duke and Moss Trading. Yang Guang immediately gives the green light for a full-scale investigation into the company.
But hold on, because the plot thickens! Zhounan Power Plant decides it's a great time for a press conference. Their rep, Henry, struts out and announces that they've totally mastered the high-temperature gas-cooled reactor technology – that's fourth-gen nuclear tech, folks – and have cracked all the tough parts. One gutsy reporter basically asks if Zhounan just ripped off the Chinese tech. Henry, smooth as ever, claims Zhounan actually finished their experiments earlier but just decided to announce it later. Oh, and naturally, their tech is superior, and they're already gearing up to partner with Shoucheng Power Company. Riiight.
After the cameras stop rolling, Henry gets on the phone with Sander, giving him a heads-up: Huaze Group and Shoucheng Power are getting a little too chummy. Henry wants Sander to muscle in and secure a prime position for them. James, who also caught the press conference, is now breathing down Zhao Yaning's neck, urging her to sign that contract with Sander, like, yesterday.
Back with our heroes, Yang Guang isn't buying Zhounan's big announcement for a second. He lays out his theory to Zhang Baiqing: Zhounan probably hasn't mastered the tech. This whole flashy press conference is likely a bluff, a desperate move to slow down the cooperation between Huaze Group and Shoucheng Power. If Yang Guang's right, Moss Trading is running out of time. He wants to put them under surveillance, and Zhang Baiqing agrees, but stresses they need to be super careful not to tip anyone off.
As the National Security Bureau digs into Moss Trading, another name pops up: Hermann, a cardiac specialist. Now, isn't that a little too coincidental, given Sun Yaokuan's fatal "heart attack"? Yang Guang wants to put Hermann under surveillance, but wouldn't you know it, Hermann has already skipped town and is back in Switzerland. Talk about convenient timing! However, the team uncovers a crucial detail: on the day of the conference, both Hermann and Sun Yaokuan were spotted at the Huasong Restaurant. This immediately gets the attention of Yang Guang's unit (let's call them the Third Division).
So, Yang Guang and his team descend on Huasong Restaurant. While questioning the staff, they spot a very suspicious-looking guy. Li Jian, ever the action hero, immediately gives chase. The guy makes a break for it in his car, and in the ensuing chaos, Li Jian is hit and knocked unconscious! Wang Hong and the others continue the pursuit, but it ends horrifically: the suspect's car gets T-boned by a large truck and explodes, killing him instantly. Well, that's one way to silence a loose end.
Sander, hearing about his operative's fiery demise, confirms the guy kept his mouth shut and left no traces. With time becoming a critical factor, Sander decides it's time to activate something called "The Whale." Meanwhile, the Third Division's investigation identifies the deceased driver as the restaurant manager, a man named Wood (Wu De). A search of Wood's home turns up something chilling: Duke had been secretly taking photos of Yang Guang and Li Jian. This Duke guy is clearly a pro at counter-surveillance. Realizing they're up against a formidable opponent, Yang Guang warns his team to play it extremely cool and not spook Duke, who apparently spends his days either shopping or hitting the gym.
Always on the move, Yang Guang tracks Sander to a book signing event for an author named Luca. Who does he bump into there? Zhao Yaning. Yang Guang plays it off, saying he's just there to support a friend, Xie Xiaoman.
But the biggest bombshell of the episode drops thanks to Director Qu. Back at the lab, she found something fishy in Sun Yaokuan's blood samples from before his death. After running more tests, she confirms the shocking truth: Sun Yaokuan didn't die from a myocardial infarction. He was poisoned! The toxin is a variant of TTX, derived from pufferfish. And the reason it was missed in the initial blood work? Its unique alkaline nature allowed it to dodge the first round of tests.
So, Sun Yaokuan was murdered, Moss Trading is definitely dirty, Duke is a slippery character, and "The Whale" is about to be unleashed. Phew! What an episode! What exactly is "The Whale," and can Yang Guang's team expose Moss Trading before it's too late, especially with Duke watching their every move? We'll have to tune in next time to find out!
