Episode Summary
Steven tortures Liu Zhendong to force a confession. Cheng Hui decides to meet Zheng Qiu to save Liu Zhendong, despite warnings from Huang Zhongxin and Fa Shu that it's a trap. Hong Yan threatens Zheng Qiu to expose him if he doesn't help. Zheng Qiu attempts to manipulate Liu Zhendong into betraying Cheng Hui or Huang Zhongxin, but fails. Fa Shu obtains a gun, goes to the police station, confesses, shoots Zheng Qiu (injuring him), and is killed by police. Fa Shu had pre-arranged for his confession clearing Cheng Hui to be published, swaying public opinion and forcing Superintendent Charles to order Zheng Qiu to close the case, ruining Zheng Qiu's plans. Lian Liuliu strengthens ties with Charles.
Spoiler Alert
So, we kick things off with Liu Zhendong in a really tight spot. Steven isn't buying any of his explanations and goes straight to torture, trying to force a confession out of him. Yeah, it gets ugly fast. Seeing his buddy in deep trouble, A'Qi does the only thing he can think of and tips off Cheng Hui.
Now, Cheng Hui feels he has to do something to save Liu Zhendong (who, remember, is Liu Xiongwu's son – adding another layer of obligation). His plan? Go meet with the slippery snake himself, Zheng Qiu. But his loyal buddies, Huang Zhongxin and Fa Shu, are practically screaming, "Don't do it! It's a trap!" They know Zheng Qiu is playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers, and walking into Zheng Qiu's turf, especially the police station, is basically asking for a one-way ticket to jail. Fa Shu lays it out plain: Zheng Qiu won't let him walk away.
Despite the warnings, Cheng Hui's mind is made up. He's ready to take the fall if it means getting Liu Zhendong out. Huang Zhongxin and Fa Shu, seeing they can't change his mind, decide to give him a proper, if somber, send-off dinner. It gets emotional, with Huang Zhongxin, tears in his eyes, offering to go in Cheng Hui's place. But Cheng Hui shuts that down immediately – this is his burden to bear. After a few too many drinks, Cheng Hui passes out cold. Seeing his chance, Fa Shu quietly asks Huang Zhongxin to hand over Jin Yaju's gun. Uh oh, you can already feel something brewing here, right?
Meanwhile, Hong Yan decides to play her own hand. She marches right into the police station and confronts Zheng Qiu, warning him that if he doesn't help, she'll spill everything she knows to the public. Zheng Qiu, being Zheng Qiu, puts on a helpful face and pretends to agree. But behind the scenes? He's scheming to pressure Liu Zhendong into naming either Cheng Hui or Huang Zhongxin as the scapegoat. Classic Zheng Qiu. However, Liu Zhendong isn't falling for it. He sees right through the manipulation and refuses point-blank to sell out his uncle (Cheng Hui) or his brother (Huang Zhongxin). It's a tense standoff.
Just when things reach a boiling point, guess who walks into the police station? Fa Shu! He strolls in, claiming he's there to confess. When Zheng Qiu finally shows his face, Fa Shu doesn't hesitate. He whips out the gun and fires. Zheng Qiu's got quick reflexes, though, and only takes a bullet to the shoulder – he'll live. But Fa Shu? In the chaos that follows, he's gunned down on the spot. A truly shocking moment.
Later, Cheng Hui wakes up from his drunken stupor, probably with a killer hangover, only to get the devastating news from Lian Liuliu: Fa Shu sacrificed himself. Turns out, before heading to the station, Fa Shu wrote a full confession letter, taking responsibility, and made sure it got published in all the major newspapers.
Fa Shu's dramatic death and public confession ignite a firestorm. The whole city is buzzing, people are outraged, and public opinion swings heavily in favor of Cheng Hui being innocent. The pressure mounts, forcing Police Superintendent Charles to step in and order Zheng Qiu to wrap up the case immediately. This completely torpedoes whatever twisted plan Zheng Qiu was cooking up.
To add insult to injury for Zheng Qiu, Lian Liuliu later hosts a little shindig at the club for Superintendent Charles and his crew, clearly strengthening their own alliances and leaving Zheng Qiu further out in the cold. His schemes? Up in smoke, at least for now.
