Episode Summary
Gao Ying's team learns the devastating truth about Tang Boju's death and launches a high-stakes operation to plant a listening device. The mission is complicated when the "Twelve Golden Hairpins" are abducted by human traffickers. While Xia Yingqi tracks the girls and attempts a daring rescue, Gao Ying must contend with a new order from Gao Susheng, all while knowing time is running out for the captive women.
Spoiler Alert
"Rosefinch" Episode 28: Spoilers
The situation grows more desperate as Song Mama and the girls confront Kong Shun, finally learning the grim truth: Tang Boju was brutally murdered by Gao Susheng after refusing to be his accomplice any longer. With Gao Fei also dead, the group realizes they have no path of retreat. Their only option is a life-or-death struggle against Zhao Jin and Gao Susheng. Gao Ying entrusts Kong Shun to Song Mama's care, also asking her to look after Zuo Ping. Song Mama expresses her unwavering faith that Gao Ying will emerge victorious.
Gao Ying then outlines her plan. Xia Mo and Tang Zhenyun are to sneak into the secret residence's screening room via a hidden passage, while she and Xia Yingqi provide cover from the outside.
Inside the secret residence, Gao Ying and Xia Mo successfully plant the listening device. In a surprising turn of events, Shen Ruchun provides an unexpected cover, helping them evade a search by Sun Mei.
Meanwhile, the Twelve Golden Hairpins face a new nightmare. They are hijacked by a man named Liu Er'tiao and his gang, who intend to assault and sell them into human trafficking. To protect the others, Li Huimin temporarily endures their captor's advances. Following the trail, Xia Yingqi locates their hiding spot, guided by secret signals left by the girls.
After Zhao Jin's meeting with a special commissioner concludes, Gao Susheng informs Gao Ying that she is to give a public speech the next day. Realizing the urgency, Gao Ying meets with Xia Mo and Tang Zhenyun. She correctly guesses that Xia Yingqi is searching for the girls alone and that finding her is the key to their rescue. She leaves her trusted subordinate, A Hu, to assist Xia Mo and Tang Zhenyun with their mission.
In a remote house in the countryside, the situation escalates as Liu Er'tiao attempts to assault Li Huimin. The other girls cleverly stall for time while Xia Yingqi creates a diversion, climbing through a broken window to pass along information.Though most of the traffickers are oblivious, Liu Er'tiao grows suspicious and declares that the girls must be shipped out the very next day.
