Episode Summary
Luo Bingzhang is finally captured after a violent confrontation, bringing immense relief to Lin Qiangfeng. Meanwhile, the "resurrected" Lu Shaohua is courted by a new, powerful player named Gonzalez, a move that puts him in direct conflict with his current benefactor, Xie Guohao. To appease Xie and buy time, Lu promises to produce a massive quantity of meth for free. The episode ends with Lin Qiangfeng using psychological tactics to break the uncooperative Luo Bingzhang in interrogation.
Spoiler Alert
"The Narcotic Operation" Episode 30: A Kingpin Caught, A New Alliance Forged
The hunt for Luo Bingzhang reaches a dramatic climax as Li An and his team, with the full cooperation of Jacqueline, the head of Maoguo's narcotics division, close in on his location. At the same time, Lin Qiangfeng confirms his suspicion that the supposedly deceased chemist Lu Shaohua is, in fact, alive and hiding out in Jinchuan.
The situation escalates when an assassin storms the safe house, killing Liang Hongmei. Luo Bingzhang and Liang Dongchao fight for their lives, but Liang Dongchao is tragically killed in the struggle. Li An's team arrives in the nick of time, causing the assassin to flee and allowing them to capture Luo Bingzhang. Li An immediately relays the news to Lin Qiangfeng, who feels a profound sense of relief and justice; having witnessed Luo Bingzhang murder Li Baichuan, his capture finally brings closure.
As the year 2000 begins, Lin Qiangfeng shares a heartwarming moment with Wang Hui, setting off New Year's fireworks together. Meanwhile, Lu Shaohua's New Year is far more complicated. He is with Wu Yanping but ignores persistent calls from Ma Yingzi. When Wang Lin goes to check on Ma Yingzi, he finds her missing, with only a note left behind, and quickly alerts Lu Shaohua.
Lu Shaohua and Wang Lin track Ma Yingzi to a bar, where they find her safe and sound with a man named Gonzalez. It is revealed that Gonzalez was sent by a figure named Guste, to whom Luo Bingzhang had sold Lu Shaohua's location. Gonzalez wants to partner with Lu, but Ma Yingzi insists they already have a partner. However, Gonzalez tempts Lu by showing him a video of his advanced labs. Intrigued, Lu Shaohua gives Gonzalez a tour of his own lab, revealing he is developing a new morphine-like painkiller with the potential for massive profits. Impressed, Gonzalez promises to send two chemistry professors to assist him.
The web of relationships grows more tangled. Wu Yanping, after preparing a large meal for a no-show Lu Shaohua, removes her cochlear implant in frustration. Ma Yingzi confronts Lu Shaohua about his interest in Gonzalez's offer, reminding him that their current partner, Xie Guohao, has been lenient about a confiscated 12-ton shipment of methamphetamine. Lu, however, believes he now holds all the cards and dismisses her concerns, returning to his lab.
While Lin Qiangfeng begins his interrogation of a defiant and provocative Luo Bingzhang, Lu Shaohua meets with Gonzalez, who now ups his offer to four professors. Their dinner is shockingly interrupted by Xie Guohao. Xie warns Gonzalez away from his "cash cow," but neither man is willing to back down. Feeling betrayed, Xie reminds Lu that he holds evidence of Lu's faked death. Cornered, Lu Shaohua makes a desperate play: he promises to produce twenty tons of methamphetamine for Xie, free of charge, and tells Gonzalez he will need three months before they can proceed. With that, he storms out, leaving his two would-be partners in a tense standoff.
Back in interrogation, the police try to use Luo Bingzhang's son to pressure him into a confession, but he remains silent. In a final, powerful attempt to break him, Lin Qiangfeng confronts him, speaking from the perspective of the man Luo murdered, Li Baichuan, and recounting the harrowing details of his betrayal and death as an undercover agent in the Wanbei cartel.
