Episode Summary
Despite gang objections due to his police status, Liu Zhendong insists on performing the traditional Kang Fan funeral duty for his father, Liu Xiongwu. The procession is interrupted by rival gang leader Wu A'Nan seeking revenge for a past death, but the returning former boss Cheng Hui de-escalates the situation with threats and diplomacy. Cheng Hui then hides inside the coffin to evade Chief Superintendent Zheng Qiu, who surrounds the cemetery hoping to catch him and exploit gang conflict. Later, Cheng Hui declines Hong Yan's plea to flee with her, vowing to uncover the truth behind Liu Xiongwu's death and settle gang affairs before narrowly escaping another police arrival prompted by Zheng Qiu.
Spoiler Alert
Contenders Episode 2 Recap: Funerals, Feuds, and Fugitives
So, the episode kicks off with some heavy traditional duties. It's customary for the eldest son to carry the funeral banner (it's called Kang Fan) for his father. Simple enough, right? Wrong. The son in question is Liu Zhendong, and he's a cop. His dad, the late Liu Xiongwu, was the big boss of the Shanhai Gang. Understandably, the gang elders (the "uncles," so to speak) are sweating bullets, worried that having a police officer front-and-center at a gang leader's funeral might attract the wrong kind of attention.
But Liu Zhendong isn't backing down. This is his dad, and he's determined to fulfill his filial duties. Despite everyone trying to talk him out of it, he literally gets on his knees and begs. It takes some sharp words from a figure named Lian Liuliu to finally make the elders cave – they just can't bear to see him like that and agree to let him carry the banner.
Fast forward to the funeral procession itself. Just when you think things couldn't get more tense, guess who shows up to crash the party? Wu A'Nan, the head honcho of the rival Shanding Zai gang, rolls up with his crew, blocking the path. He's not there to pay respects; he's there to settle old scores. Apparently, there's some serious bad blood between the Shanhai Gang and the Shanding Zai. Years ago, the previous Shanding Zai leader, Jin Yaju (Wu A'Nan's brother), was killed, and fingers pointed straight at Cheng Hui, who was leading the Shanhai Gang at the time. Wu A'Nan has been itching for payback ever since.
Things are looking seriously dicey, like a full-blown brawl is about to erupt right there in the middle of the road. But just as blades are about to be drawn (metaphorically, maybe literally!), a gunshot cracks through the air.
And who strolls onto the scene, calm as you please? None other than Cheng Hui himself, accompanied by Huang Zhongxin. Cheng Hui, the very guy Wu A'Nan wants revenge on, addresses him directly. He suggests Wu A'Nan might have been manipulated by someone else. He tells him if he really wants revenge based on truth, he should take some time to investigate properly. But, if he insists on starting something right now, the Shanhai Gang will go all out and wipe the Shanding Zai off the map. It's a classic carrot-and-stick approach – a mix of reasoning and a stone-cold threat. Wu A'Nan, weighing his options, clearly decides today isn't the day and retreats with his men, though definitely not happy about it.
With the immediate crisis averted, the procession continues. We see a touching moment where Cheng Hui steps in to help carry the coffin for a guy named She Yan, who apparently has an old leg injury. It's a sign of respect for the deceased Liu Xiongwu.
Meanwhile, we get a peek behind the curtain at the police side of things. The Chinese Chief Superintendent in Shicheng (Lion City), Zheng Qiu, had apparently been pulling strings, hoping the two gangs would tear each other apart so he could clean up the mess. He's pretty smug, thinking his plan worked... until he gets word that Cheng Hui, the man he likely wants behind bars (or worse), has secretly returned to Shicheng.
Zheng Qiu immediately mobilizes his forces and surrounds the cemetery. He puts on a show for the grieving gangsters, pretending to offer condolences and promising to bring Liu Xiongwu's killer (wait, was his death not natural?) to justice. He casually reminds everyone to provide any clues they might have about Cheng Hui's whereabouts. Smooth, right?
Once the police clear out, we get the episode's big reveal: Cheng Hui climbs out of the coffin he was just helping to carry! He was hiding in plain sight the whole time. Standing there amidst the graves of old comrades, he's clearly overcome with emotion.
Later, back at the mourning hall, a woman named Hong Yan is overseeing the burning of funeral offerings. She locks eyes with Cheng Hui across the room. The tension is palpable; we learn she has deep feelings for him, but it seems like it's always been unrequited. In this moment of reunion, she pleads with Cheng Hui to take her and her son far away from all this danger and drama. But Cheng Hui gently turns her down. He can't leave – not yet. There's unfinished business within the Shanhai Gang, old scores to settle, and crucially, he needs to find out the truth behind Liu Xiongwu's death.
Just then, Liu Zhendong rushes in with an urgent warning: the police are on their way back! Cheng Hui makes a hasty exit. Seconds later, Chief Superintendent Zheng Qiu appears downstairs, his arrival perfectly timed to meet Hong Yan's gaze. Talk about a cliffhanger moment!
Spoilers & Thoughts:
- Cheng Hui is Back: The former boss is back in town, but he's clearly a wanted man, both by rival gangs and the police. His coffin escape was slick, but how long can he stay hidden?
- Zheng Qiu's Game: The Chief Superintendent isn't just upholding the law; he's actively manipulating the gangs. He wanted them to fight, and now he knows Cheng Hui is back. This makes him incredibly dangerous.
- Liu Zhendong's Conflict: The cop son of a gangster is walking a tightrope. He fulfilled his duty to his father but also warned Cheng Hui about the police. Where do his loyalties truly lie?
- Unanswered Questions: How did Liu Xiongwu die? Was it foul play? And what's the real story behind Jin Yaju's death years ago? Cheng Hui seems determined to find answers.
- Hong Yan's Plight: Her unrequited love for Cheng Hui and her desire to escape add a layer of personal tragedy to the gangland conflict. Her encounter with Zheng Qiu at the end feels ominous.
Episode 2 definitely cranked up the intrigue! We've got a returning fugitive leader, a scheming cop, simmering gang warfare, and mysteries surrounding multiple deaths. Can't wait to see how Cheng Hui navigates this minefield.
