Episode Summary
Episode 7 sees Zan Maochang share his regret about an unfinished Great Wall survey in Yusai with Fang Kun. Their conversation is cut short by a pursuit of tomb raiders, during which Zan Maochang tragically falls and later dies from a brain hemorrhage, deeply affecting Fang Kun. A year and four months later, stolen artifacts are returned, while Mu Jianhui expands his illicit operations with Li Yuanguang, setting up a scrap yard as a front. Luo Qing forgoes a career opportunity to return to archaeology in Qinchuan, just as Fang Kun decides to go to Yusai to follow Zan Maochang's path; Guo Shilin also pursues his own career. Five years pass: Luo Qing is a team leader, and learns Fang Kun is married and expecting a child. Mu Jianhui and Li Yuanguang continue their illegal activities, with Mu Jianhui warning Li Yuanguang to be cautious and to get rid of Wenwen, a newly arrived acquaintance of Li Yuanguang. The episode ends with Yan Shoucun's concerns about potential looting being dismissed by authorities, forcing him to call Yang Qingshi for help.
Spoiler Alert
We kick things off with Fang Kun and Zan Maochang having a pretty deep conversation. Turns out, Zan Maochang spent a good chunk of his life stationed out in Yusai. He describes it as this huge, sprawling desert – desolate, yeah, but also a place where he found some real inner peace. The kicker? He had to leave Yusai in a hurry and never got to finish his big survey report on the Great Wall resources there. It's clearly a major regret for him, something he’s always hoped he could go back and make right.
Just as Fang Kun is about to hand over a self-criticism report (seems like he was in a bit of hot water), all hell breaks loose. They hear Yan Shoucun shouting – he's in pursuit of some tomb raiders! Zan Maochang, ever the protector, immediately tells Fang Kun to go rally the villagers for backup while he takes off after Yan Shoucun. This is where things take a tragic turn. In the heat of the chase, Zan Maochang loses his footing and tumbles down a steep slope. Despite Fang Kun and Yan Shoucun’s desperate efforts, the tomb raiders manage to speed off in their vehicle.
By the time Qi Dacang and a group of people make it to the plundered tomb site at dawn, the thieves are long gone, leaving behind only the faintest of traces – nothing really useful. When everyone gets back to the small courtyard, they find Zan Maochang collapsed and barely breathing. They rush him to the hospital, but tragically, it’s too late. Zan Maochang dies from a cerebral hemorrhage. The grief is palpable, and for Fang Kun, sitting alone by Zan's grave, it's a moment of painful clarity as he finally understands the old man's unwavering dedication. Cue the waterworks, and rightfully so.
We then jump forward a bit. After a grueling year and four months of effort, the six black pottery figurines that had been smuggled overseas are finally returned to their homeland – a small victory, at least. In the meantime, Mu Jianhui has been busy. He moves Liu Shulan out of her rather grim, damp living situation and into a new house he’s purchased. He’s also taken over a scrap recycling station, which, as you might guess, is a front for more illegal schemes he's cooking up with Li Yuanguang. And in a little twist, on the opening day of Mu Jianhui's new antique shop, he spots his brother-in-law, Liu Shusheng, outside.
Our main trio is also heading in different directions. Luo Qing, after finishing her internship, decides to pass on an interview with the Academy of Social Sciences. Instead, she’s drawn back to Qinchuan, determined to dedicate herself to archaeology. What she doesn’t realize is that Fang Kun has made his own life-altering decision: he’s heading to Yusai, wanting to follow in Zan Maochang’s footsteps and perhaps finish what the old man started. As for Guo Shilin, he’s submitted his resume to the Municipal Archaeological Institute. And just like that, the friends part ways, each embarking on a new chapter.
Hold on, because here comes another time jump – five years, to be exact! Luo Qing has really come into her own and is now a respected archaeological team leader, heading up the excavation at the Tao Slope site. One day, she gets word that an archaeological team from Yusai is scheduled for a visit, and who’s on the list? Fang Kun. Naturally, she’s anticipating this, but on the day of the visit, Fang Kun is a no-show. She casually asks one of the team members, Bai Yusheng, about it and gets some unexpected news: Fang Kun couldn’t make it because his wife, Xiao Xue, was about to give birth. This is clearly a surprise for Luo Qing. Later, back at her place, she does a little social media digging and discovers that Xiao Xue was actually Fang Kun's colleague back in Yusai. As if on cue, her phone rings – it’s Qi Xiaoman, inviting Luo Qing to her child’s 100-day celebration, an invitation Luo Qing happily accepts.
Meanwhile, our antagonists haven't been idle. Li Yuanguang is still operating out of that seemingly ordinary scrap yard, which, of course, has a secret room stashed with valuable, illegally obtained artifacts. Mu Jianhui swings by to inspect their latest haul and is pretty pleased with what he sees. He casually tosses Li Yuanguang a hefty sum of cash – tens of thousands – but also delivers a stern warning: things are tense right now, with various factions keeping a close watch. His advice? Lie low and let their rivals take each other out before they make their next big move.
Just as he’s laying down the law, they hear a woman's voice outside. Li Yuanguang goes to investigate and finds Wenwen, a young woman from his hometown. She’s new to the city, knows no one, and has come looking for him for help. Li Yuanguang gets her settled in a hotel for the time being and then rushes back to the junkyard. Mu Jianhui is definitely not thrilled about this development. He tells Li Yuanguang in no uncertain terms that he needs to get rid of Wenwen, and fast, using whatever means necessary. Absolutely no outsiders are allowed anywhere near their operation.
The episode closes out with Yan Shoucun being woken up late at night by his dog, Heizui, barking like crazy. He takes the dog and goes out to investigate, also making a call to the cultural relics protection office for backup. However, the two staff members who eventually show up are completely unhelpful. They do a quick, careless patrol, basically tell Yan Shoucun he’s making a mountain out of a molehill, and then just drive off, leaving him frustrated. With no other immediate options, Yan Shoucun makes another call, this time to Yang Qingshi.
