Episode Summary
Han Xiaojie pressures Cheng Nanping to proceed with her wedding to avoid trouble with her brother-in-law, Huang Zhongxin. However, Cheng Nanping prioritizes rescuing trafficking victims. Their attempt to gather evidence at a warehouse goes wrong, and they are captured by kidnappers who plan to kill them. Liu Zhendong stages a dramatic rescue, leading to a large fight as Cheng Hui and his men also arrive. The police, led by James, intervene; everyone is arrested except Liu Zhendong, whose mysterious credentials earn him respect from James. Later, as Huang Zhongxin leaves the police station, he believes he sees his long-lost father, Huang Jinhu, only for the man to be struck by Zheng Qiu's car and abducted. Huang Zhongxin confronts Zheng Qiu, who denies the man could be his father, but Huang Zhongxin remains certain.
Spoiler Alert
So, Han Xiaojie is practically vibrating with anxiety. He's dead set that Cheng Nanping needs to get married, like, yesterday. Why the rush? Well, if her brother-in-law, the formidable Huang Zhongxin, finds out she bailed on her own wedding, Han Xiaojie is convinced he's in for a world of hurt. But Cheng Nanping? She's got her priorities straight. With dozens of lives hanging in the balance, she firmly believes saving them trumps saying "I do." After a quick huddle, they decide to tackle the dangerous warehouse situation together. The plan: Cheng Nanping will try to distract the baddies by pretending to look for a specific cargo hold, while Han Xiaojie sneaks around outside, snapping photos for evidence. Once they have the goods, one will stay to keep an eye on things, and the other will bolt to call the cops. Solid plan, right?
Wrong. Things go south pretty fast. Their little recon mission gets blown, and both Cheng Nanping and Han Xiaojie are captured. The kidnappers don't waste any time knocking them out and tying them up, with Han Xiaojie getting an extra dose of roughing up for his troubles. Cheng Nanping, though terrified, quietly urges Han Xiaojie to hang on. Meanwhile, the criminals are busy herding their other captives onto a cargo ship. Fearing Cheng Nanping and Han Xiaojie might still cause trouble, they come up with a truly horrifying plan: bury them alive. And as a gruesome cherry on top? They decide to cut off their ears as a "warning." Seriously, these guys are playing for keeps.
Just when you think it's curtains for our heroes, Liu Zhendong bursts onto the scene in a classic, action-hero entrance, rescuing Cheng Nanping from the brink. She's understandably a mess, but there's no time for tearful reunions. Liu Zhendong, all business, tells her to focus on freeing the other captured women while he draws the kidnappers' fire. And draw their fire he does, leading them on a chase as he strategically retreats. This gives Cheng Nanping the opening she needs. She quickly cuts the ropes binding the women, and in a powerful moment, they all start helping each other to freedom.
As if on cue, Cheng Hui arrives with his own backup, and an all-out brawl erupts between his crew and the kidnappers. Huang Zhongxin spots Cheng Nanping and gets visibly emotional, but she gives him the cold shoulder, her attention solely on Cheng Hui, who seems to have taken a hit (though he tries to wave it off like it's nothing). The chaos escalates until James and his police squad show up. Citing the massive fight, they start searching everyone. Anyone caught with a firearm is immediately detained. When James discovers Liu Zhendong is armed, Liu Zhendong coolly presents some kind of identification card or name card. James's entire demeanor shifts. Suddenly, it's all "Mr. Liu, it's an honor!" and he respectfully addresses him. The end result? Liu Zhendong is the only one allowed to walk free. Everyone else gets a trip downtown.
Later, after questioning, Cheng Hui and his associates are released. Zhao Tiehan, ever the thinker, puts two and two together. The way James was kowtowing to Liu Zhendong (using the super respectful term "Nin") makes him suspect Liu Zhendong has recently landed a significant government position. This sparks a new worry: will Liu Zhendong use his newfound influence to settle old scores? Cheng Hui, however, doesn't believe Liu Zhendong is the vengeful type.
As they're leaving the police station, something catches Huang Zhongxin's eye – a man whose figure is strikingly familiar. He's convinced it's his father, Huang Jinhu! Just as Huang Zhongxin is about to give chase, the man is suddenly hit by a car driven by Zheng Qiu. Before anyone can react, the man is dragged into the vehicle, and it speeds off. Talk about a cliffhanger moment!
Naturally, Huang Zhongxin immediately confronts Zheng Qiu, demanding to know what happened to Huang Jinhu. Zheng Qiu scoffs, coldly stating that Huang Zhongxin's father died in an explosion decades ago, an event witnessed by many. How could he possibly be alive? But Huang Zhongxin is unshakeable. He knows what he saw. He recounts his childhood, losing his mother young and being raised by his father, who struggled immensely, even going overseas to work just to provide for him. The image of his father's stooped back, he says, is etched into his very soul.
