Episode Summary
In this episode, Zong Qing returns to his demanding military life, while Lan Yangyang finds a new purpose in helping other mothers after her miscarriage. Tang Xin definitively ends things with Han Yuhang and, inspired by a major breakthrough in the Dayanjiao shipwreck case, embarks on a new journalistic project about protecting cultural artifacts. Meanwhile, a palpable tension grows between Tang Xin and Wu Si.
Spoiler Alert
"Rose and Gun" Episode 24: New Paths and Lingering Feelings
The episode picks up with Wang Chen bravely enduring the pain of his rehabilitation training, with the steadfast Bai Zijian constantly by his side offering encouragement.
Meanwhile, Zong Qing's ten-day leave comes to an end, forcing a difficult goodbye with Lan Yangyang. Worried about her being lonely, especially without a child to care for, Zong Qing considers extending his leave. However, Lan Yangyang, understanding his duties, doesn't ask him to stay. Upon his return to the base, Zong Qing's unit is thrown into a surprise emergency drill, complete with a smoke bomb in their dorm room. The chaotic drill results in everyone failing to assemble on time, angering Wu Si, who punishes the special forces team with a long run.
Back home, Lan Yangyang is once again alone. Her concerned mother offers to move in, but a resilient Lan Yangyang declines, comforting her parents instead. Still worried, her mother calls Tang Xin and asks her to visit Lan Yangyang. Tang Xin agrees, but her plans are interrupted by a call from Han Yuhang. He pleads with her to meet him, using his birthday as leverage, leaving Tang Xin unable to refuse.
The separation seems to affect Zong Qing, who channels his feelings into extra shooting practice at the base, a behavior Wu Si notices and tries to curtail. Elsewhere, acting on his father's advice, Han Changzhou begins an internal investigation at his company, looking into employees with access to confidential information to uncover the source of the leak to Tang Xin.
When Tang Xin meets with Han Yuhang, he makes another attempt to win her back, but she firmly rejects him. Afterward, Tang Xin visits Lan Yangyang, who correctly guesses that her mother arranged the visit. Lan Yangyang reveals a major life change: following her miscarriage, she has decided to give up her career as a beauty blogger. She now plans to use her personal experience to help expectant mothers. A heartbroken Han Yuhang, reeling from Tang Xin's rejection, gets drunk and vents his frustrations to his secretary.
Tang Xin also pays a visit to Wang Chen. She finds him resting after a rehab session and strikes up a conversation with Bai Zijian. He delivers some critical news: the archaeological team's investigation of the Dayanjiao shipwreck revealed that most of the artifacts are missing. Furthermore, the photo of a man named William that Tang Xin had previously provided has been identified by the police; he is the head of an international artifact smuggling ring, making her information invaluable.
Inspired by this development, Tang Xin returns to the news center with a new mission: to produce a program focused on the protection of cultural relics. To ensure her program is well-informed, she invites Bai Zijian to the news center to share his expertise on underwater artifacts.
On the personal front, there's tension between Tang Xin and Wu Si. She pointedly ignores a message from him, feigning anger. The awkwardness spills over into a weekend family dinner hosted by Tang Xin's father. She maintains a cold silence towards Wu Si, and her parents quickly notice the friction. After the meal, they strategically leave the two alone to resolve their issues.
