Episode Summary
The episode reveals through a flashback that Lin Qiangfeng's partner, Li Baichuan, was killed five years ago during an undercover operation. In the present, Lin investigates the death of Xia Xun and uncovers the tragic truth: Xia Xun died from an accidental overdose while trying to get his mother, Shen Ping, to stop her own drug addiction. Elsewhere, chemist Lu Shaohua forces Lao Gui to produce meth but flushes it after confirming their buyer is under suspicion. Cartel politics shift as a high-ranking member arrives demanding Lao Gui be found alive, putting local boss Luo Bingzhang in a difficult position until his orders are clarified.
Spoiler Alert
"The Narcotic Operation" Episode 8 Spoilers
The episode opens with a harrowing flashback to five years prior, revealing the tragic history between two undercover officers, Lin Qiangfeng and Li Baichuan. While embedded in the Wanbei drug cartel, they successfully eliminated its leader, Huzi. Seizing the opportunity, Li Baichuan was tasked by the new boss, Yun Ding'en, to investigate a rival drug lord, Long Ge, in Xigang. Before his departure, Li Baichuan met with Lin Qiangfeng at an abandoned factory. Despite Lin's fears that his cover was blown, Li Baichuan was determined to see the mission through, warning Lin to sever all contact to protect his own identity. Their farewell was cut short by the arrival of Mo Kang's men. In a desperate move, Li Baichuan took Lin's pistol, claiming he would handle some "fishermen" who had stumbled upon them. Helpless, Lin Qiangfeng watched as his colleague was brutally beaten to death.
In the present, this history haunts Lin Qiangfeng as he delves into another tragedy—the death of a young drummer, Xia Xun. He learns from Wang Qi that Xia Xun's grieving mother, Shen Ping, has refused to bury her son, keeping his body at home. Lin sends Wang Qi to learn more, and she spends a night talking with the distraught mother. The next morning, a weary Wang Qi reports back, but is too exhausted to eat the breakfast Lin prepared for her. The investigation takes a dark turn when Lin watches a tape provided by Wang Qi, which contains disturbing footage of Shen Ping using drugs with other men.
The truth behind Xia Xun's death is finally revealed in a heartbreaking confrontation. Lin brings Shen Ping to a dance hall where Wang Qi and her band perform a song written by Xia Xun. Overwhelmed with grief, Shen Ping listens as Lin explains that her son died from a sudden overdose after trying drugs for the very first time. In his intoxicated state, he played the drums uncontrollably until his body gave out. Shen Ping collapses in tears, confessing her role in the tragedy. She recalls that on the day he died, she was suffering from withdrawal before an important performance and begged him to buy her drugs. Furious, Xia Xun had thrown them away. The episode flashes back further, showing Shen Ping's struggle with addiction; Xia Xun had discovered her drug use and, in a desperate attempt to help her quit, even threatened to use drugs himself so they could stop together. Shen Ping now believes she is the one who truly killed her son.
Meanwhile, a parallel storyline follows the desperate chemist Lu Shaohua. He has coerced a drug maker known as Lao Gui to produce 100 grams of methamphetamine using ephedrine and equipment stolen from his factory. However, their plan hits a snag when they realize their intended buyer, Jin Shuangxi, may have been arrested. Lu Shaohua goes to the Jiulong Beauty Salon to investigate and confirms his suspicion: Jin Shuangxi is now operating under the alias Zhao Shuangxi. In a moment of panic or clarity, Lu Shaohua rushes home and flushes all the newly made meth down the toilet. Undeterred, he later sneaks back into his factory's lab to steal more ephedrine, narrowly avoiding his returning master.
The wider drug world also sees significant movement. Zhou Shaoxiong, the son-in-law of the powerful cartel leader Yun Ding'en, arrives in Xigang with his wife, Yun Anna. He is greeted by local boss Luo Bingzhang, whom he pressures to find Lao Gui. Luo is caught in a difficult position, as his other superior, Mo Kang, had ordered him to kill Lao Gui. However, he correctly deduces that Zhou wants Lao Gui alive to produce meth. The conflict is resolved when Mo Kang calls and instructs Luo to obey Zhou Shaoxiong's wishes.
Simultaneously, officer Li An's long-term surveillance of dealer Meng Hanchiu pays off when Meng meets with Liao Qiming from Donggang. Although the Donggang police arrest Liao first, Li An secures three days to interrogate him. Liao confesses to a planned 10kg heroin deal and agrees to cooperate with Li An to set a trap for Meng Hanchiu.
