Episode Summary
In this episode, multiple plotlines converge. Zhao Shuangxi, after partnering with a meth cook, challenges a rival gangster, Meng Hanchiu, creating a rift with his own brother and setting up a large drug deal. Meanwhile, two desperate colleagues, Lu Shaohua and Deng Jianli, are on the verge of producing a massive batch of meth. The police face a dilemma when two separate sting operations targeting Meng Hanchiu and Zhao Shuangxi conflict with each other, forcing a last-minute cancellation of one raid, allowing a major drug deal to succeed under their noses.
Spoiler Alert
The Narcotic Operation: Episode 11
After his release from prison, Zhao Shuangxi wants to join his older brother, Jin Yongxiang, in the drug business. Wary of his brother's volatile temper, Jin Yongxiang forbids it and sends him to a beauty and hair salon in the city of Renbin to keep him out of trouble. However, there, Zhao Shuangxi meets Lao Gui, a methamphetamine cook, and the two quickly form a partnership. Two years prior, Zhao had arranged a meeting in Renbin between his brother and Lao Gui. Jin Yongxiang, who had been distributing heroin for Long Ge (Luo Bingzhang), a subordinate of the Wanbei drug syndicate leader Yun Ding'en, reluctantly attended. He discovered that Lao Gui's meth was far superior to the heroin supplied by Yun Ding'en. Unwilling to let the opportunity slip by, but fearful of what Luo Bingzhang and Yun Ding'en would do if they found out, he was caught in a difficult position.
In a separate storyline, Shen Ping buries her son, Xia Xun, and commits to entering drug rehabilitation. Lin Qiangfeng, showing his support, destroys all the videotapes of her consorting with men while under the influence. Wang Qi, relieved to see Xia Xun finally laid to rest, brings alcohol to thank Lin Qiangfeng and takes the opportunity to confess her feelings for him, but he skillfully deflects her advances.
Meanwhile, Deng Jianli discovers his colleague, Lu Shaohua, secretly taking ephedrine from their lab. Lu lies, claiming he's making weight-loss drugs to pay back over two million in debt to merchants. Deng, who owes Lu over thirty thousand for his wife's medical treatments, sees through the lie. Knowing Lu is actually producing drugs, and desperate for money himself, Deng offers to join the illegal operation, fully aware it's a capital offense. Lu Shaohua readily agrees.
Their paths begin to cross when Zhao Shuangxi, after getting beaten up by Meng Hanchiu's men, decides to retaliate. He leaves the salon in the care of Xiao Yu and goes looking for Meng. Unbeknownst to him, he is being monitored by officers Lin Qiangfeng and Feng Hao. Zhao finds Meng Hanchiu at an arcade and provokes him by getting involved with his girlfriend, Nana.
Back at a discreet warehouse, Lu Shaohua is overjoyed to find that Deng Jianli has not only improved their drug-manufacturing equipment but has also procured a large box of ephedrine.
The confrontation between Zhao and Meng escalates when Meng returns to find Zhao with Nana. Zhao claims Nana prefers him and even pulls a gun on Meng, who fearlessly disarms him and fires a warning shot, terrifying Zhao. Meng then calls Jin Yongxiang, who furiously reprimands Zhao over the phone, ordering him to leave Xigang for Renbin immediately to evade the police. Zhao, unwilling to give up the money from a deal scheduled in two days, has a falling out with his brother and storms off.
Lu Shaohua and Deng Jianli work tirelessly until they are exhausted, with only the final crystallization step remaining to produce ten kilograms of meth, which Lu estimates will earn them three million.
An informant, Tuzi (Rabbit), witnesses the clash between Zhao and Meng and reports it to Lin Qiangfeng. Shortly after, Tuzi receives a tip that Meng is planning a deal with Liao Qiming and rushes off. Lin immediately reports this new development to his superior, Tan Qinglin.
The police force is now facing a conflict between two separate operations. Officer Li An has Liao Qiming under his control and forces him to arrange a drug deal with Meng Hanchiu for that very night. This directly interferes with Lin Qiangfeng's plan to bust Zhao Shuangxi's meth deal two days later, as arresting Meng's crew would certainly spook Zhao into canceling his own transaction. Lin pleads with Tan Qinglin to call off Li An's raid. Tan is initially skeptical about the reliability of Lin's informant but is eventually persuaded. As this unfolds, a typhoon begins to bear down on Xigang.
Zhao Shuangxi prepares for a fight, buying several guns on the black market and distributing them to his men, determined to make a name for himself. He is being tailed by officers Ban Dehai and Feng Hao.
As a torrential downpour begins, Lu Shaohua receives a call from his wife, Liu Qing, telling him their son, Sensen, has a fever and is in the hospital. Deng tells him to go, assuring him he can handle the final crystallization process alone. At the hospital, Liu Qing notices a strange chemical smell on Lu and that he also has a high fever.
Later that night, Liao Qiming arrives at the designated meeting spot for the trade, with Li An and his team lying in ambush. Meng Hanchiu is already waiting. Just as Li An is about to give the order to move in, he receives a call from Tan Qinglin ordering him to abort the mission. Frustrated but bound by his orders, Li An can only watch as Liao Qiming and Meng Hanchiu complete their transaction and leave.
