Episode Summary
Forced to confront the truth, Liu Yan learns from her brother Kevin that he lured her to Gaya to pay off their mother, Jiang Fang's, massive gambling debt to a dangerous loan shark named Mr. Luo. After being evicted by Mr. Luo's men, Liu Yan and her younger brother, Li Zan, are left homeless. They manage to retrieve their luggage with the help of their newly hired lawyer, Lu Tianchi, and find temporary, reluctant shelter at his home. As they adjust to their new, cramped living situation, Lu Tianchi begins his investigation into Jiang Fang's disappearance, starting with a clue found in a photograph.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with a desperate scene: Kevin is tied tightly to a post by the sea, at the mercy of the whipping wind. Liu Yan stands before him, her eyes filled with authority and anger, spraying him with a water gun as she demands to know why he tricked her into coming here. Under pressure, a dejected Kevin finally confesses the truth. Their mother, Jiang Fang, is a compulsive gambler who lost the entire family fortune. When she had nothing left, she nearly sold Kevin to pay her debts. After she fled, Kevin became the target of the debt collectors. In his desperation, he posed as a lawyer and lured Liu Yan from Beijing to Gaya, hoping that she, as the biological daughter, would settle Jiang Fang's crushing debt.
Kevin's expression darkens as he explains that in this country, no one dares to owe a debt to Mr. Luo; the price for doing so is one's life. Hearing this, Liu Yan is overwhelmed with mixed emotions. With no other choice, she and her brother return to Jiang Fang's old house. Though they share the space, they keep to themselves, each lost in their own thoughts.
The next day, clutching Lu Tianchi's business card with a look of determination, Liu Yan enters his tiny law office. She had considered finding another lawyer in this foreign land where she has no connections, but after much thought, she grits her teeth and gives her remaining money to Lu Tianchi. She earnestly pleads with him to find the missing Jiang Fang. Lu Tianchi agrees, but on three conditions, one of which is that Liu Yan is strictly forbidden from using violence. She silently agrees.
One day, Liu Yan receives an unexpected call from her brother Li Zan's teacher. She learns that Li Zan has gotten into trouble at school, and since they couldn't reach his mother, Jiang Fang, they had to call his older sister. That evening, Li Zan comes home and shows his disdain for Liu Yan having answered the teacher's call. The following day, Liu Yan goes to the school in her capacity as his sister. The teacher tells her that Li Zan is exceptionally talented and achieves excellent grades, but he has been doing other students' homework for money. The teacher believes that with the right guidance, Li Zan could have a bright future. Liu Yan also learns some fond details about her mother's past from the teacher, which brings a flicker of warmth to her heart.
Returning home that night, Liu Yan earnestly tries to persuade Li Zan to focus on his studies to get into a good university. However, Li Zan is dismissive, a smirk of contempt on his face, and the two end up arguing. Just then, Mr. Luo's men show up again to collect the debt, sending the siblings into a panic. They flee in terror. When they return, they find the house has been completely emptied, with all their furniture sold off.
With Lu Tianchi's help, they track their belongings to a warehouse. After getting out of the car to speak with one of the men, Lu Tianchi gives Liu Yan a meaningful look. He lies, telling the man that Liu Yan has a crush on him. The man is instantly delighted and starts a conversation with her. Seizing the opportunity, the agile Li Zan climbs onto the truck and quickly retrieves their luggage.
Now homeless, Liu Yan and Li Zan drag their luggage aimlessly down the street. Li Zan looks off into the distance wistfully, remarking that at least Liu Yan can remember their mother's face, whereas his own birth mother left him when he was just five. He reveals that while living with his father and Jiang Fang, he never felt a mother's love, as Jiang Fang was only concerned with her own pleasure. With nowhere else to go, they show up at Lu Tianchi's home late at night, hoping to stay there for a low price.
That night, Liu Yan asks Li Zan to split the rent with her, but he completely ignores her and carries on with what he's doing. Liu Yan laments that Jiang Fang is the cause of all her troubles in this foreign country. At that moment, Lu Tianchi's stomach growls with hunger. Liu Yan then shows him a unique way to prepare instant noodles. After tasting it, his eyes light up, and he declares it's the most delicious thing he's ever eaten, suggesting she should open a noodle shop.
Lu Tianchi begins his investigation into Jiang Fang's whereabouts and discovers a hotel bag in a photograph. The next day, he follows the clue to the hotel, a mix of nervousness and anticipation in his eyes. However, he is spotted. He quickly pulls some money from his pocket, hoping to bribe the person for information about Jiang Fang, who hesitates at the sight of the cash.
