Episode Summary
The police successfully use Meng Hanchiu's estranged son to provoke an emotional breakdown during his trial, causing him to appeal and cooperate. His subsequent confession implicates Lu Shaohua and Jin Yongxiang. Lu Shaohua makes a daring escape after a car crash but is now a fugitive, while Jin Yongxiang is arrested after a clever search of his office reveals hidden drugs.
Spoiler Alert
"The Narcotic Operation" Episode 17: A Son's Tears Turn the Tide
The episode opens with a crucial flashback to three months prior. Jin Yongxiang, representing the town, meets with Wang Hui to discuss funeral arrangements for Xu Desheng's grandmother. Their meeting is interrupted by Lu Shaohua, who has come to ask Wang Hui for help in getting his brother's sentence reduced. This brief, chance encounter between Jin Yongxiang and Lu Shaohua subtly connects two key players in the unfolding drama. Pressured by Lu Shaohua, Wang Hui reluctantly agrees to set up a meeting for him with Lin Qiangfeng.
In the present, Qiu Laibao, now deep into drug manufacturing with Lu Shaohua, understands he is on a path of no return. He pays a visit to his sister, Qiu Xiaoyun, giving her a precious gold bracelet left by their mother. After a brief, heartfelt moment with his nephew, Maomao, he leaves a sum of money and disappears, fully aware of the dark road ahead.
Meanwhile, the police investigation hits a wall with a non-cooperative Meng Hanchiu. Officer Li An tracks down Meng's former girlfriend, Gu Meixin. Though initially hostile, Li An’s discovery of her eight-year-old son, Gu Nianqiu, changes everything. Deducing the boy is Meng Hanchiu's son, Li An persuades a hesitant Gu Meixin to bring the child to see his father, hoping it will break Meng's silence.
The reunion is fraught with emotion. When Gu Meixin has their son, whom she calls Xiao Qiu, recite a classic Chinese passage about self-improvement, Meng Hanchiu instantly recognizes the boy as his own and is overwhelmed. However, knowing his own fate is sealed, he denies being the boy's father to protect them from his criminal life. The police learn that Gu Meixin had told her son his father was a heroic firefighter who died in the line of duty. Lin Qiangfeng makes a heartfelt appeal to Meng Hanchiu, urging him as a father to consider his son's future. Meng's resolve begins to crumble, but with his sentencing scheduled for the next day, he remains silent about who is behind the operation.
The trial begins, and Meng Hanchiu confesses to charges of drug trafficking and intentional homicide. Just as the judge is about to deliver the sentence, Lin Qiangfeng's plan comes to fruition: Gu Meixin and Gu Nianqiu enter the courtroom. The sight of his son, and the thought of the psychological scar his conviction would create, shatters Meng Hanchiu's defenses. He dramatically declares his intention to appeal. This sudden turn provides immense relief for Lin Qiangfeng and Li An. In the audience, Lu Shaohua witnesses the entire scene and, realizing his own doom is imminent, hastily exits the courthouse.
Sensing the net closing in, Lu Shaohua immediately calls his associates, Wang Lin and Qiu Laibao, telling them to clear out the drug lab and relocate. By a stroke of bad luck, Wang Hui spots Lu Shaohua outside the courthouse and, needing a ride, gets into his car.
Back in the interrogation room, Meng Hanchiu finally breaks. Shown a photo of Lu Shaohua, he confesses everything. He reveals that Zhao Shuangxi was dealing methamphetamine with Lu Shaohua and that after Zhao's murder, Jin Yongxiang had tasked him with investigating Lu, leading to the discovery of his entire drug operation. With this confession, the police issue a warrant for the arrest of Lu Shaohua and his crew.
The climax of the episode unfolds on the road. As Lu Shaohua is driving, Wang Hui receives the newly issued arrest warrant on his phone and reports Lu's location to Lin Qiangfeng. Realizing he's been discovered, a furious Lu Shaohua deliberately crashes the car into a large stone bollard. Wang Hui is thrown from the vehicle, and Lu Shaohua, suffering only minor injuries, flees the scene just before Lin Qiangfeng and his team arrive.
The police raid the drug manufacturing site but find it deserted. At a nearby riverbank, they discover discarded equipment, concluding that Wang Lin and Qiu Laibao escaped by boat. Lu Shaohua successfully reunites with his men and, fulfilling a promise, scatters the ashes of Deng Jianli at sea.
The episode concludes with the arrest of Jin Yongxiang. During a search of his office, Li An initially finds nothing. However, his attention is drawn to several pots of kumquats on the balcony. In a moment of sharp intuition, he uproots the plants and discovers bags of drugs hidden in the bottom of the pots, securing the final piece of evidence.
