Episode Summary
The landlord of the Reunion Diner creates a crisis by drastically increasing the rent, but Wu Bin, a corporate executive, steps in to save the diner. Auntie Zhang emotionally rejects an offer to join a new charity project, wanting to remain at the diner where her daughter was lost. The police corner the trafficker Huang Chuan with DNA evidence and the powerful testimony of a past victim, Ruan Meiyu, forcing him to confess. His confession provides new leads on long-unsolved cases, including one that is deeply personal to Yin Jiansheng, setting the stage for the next phase of the investigation.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off with a crisis at the Reunion Diner. The landlord, Xiao Qian, suddenly hikes the rent to an unaffordable 48,000. He creates a scene by bringing a new tenant to the diner to pressure Auntie Zhang. The situation is saved by the timely arrival of Wu Bin, the Vice General Manager of the Dingshun Group. He resolves the conflict by renting the diner himself for 60,000 a year, allowing Auntie Zhang to continue her business. Wu Bin, revealing himself to be a cousin of Ye Xiuming and Deng Yan, further helps by donating 210,000 from a charity and 50,000 of his own money to support the cause of finding abducted children.
Later, Fang Zilin informs Deng Yan about a new charity project by the Dingshun Group called "Finding Children and Bringing Them Home." She extends an invitation for the members of the Reunion Diner to join. While it's a great opportunity, Auntie Zhang firmly refuses to leave the diner. She explains that it is the last place she saw her daughter, Lin Ranran, before she went missing, and she is determined to wait there for her return, even if it means selling her old house to cover the costs.
Meanwhile, the police investigation tightens its grip on the suspected child trafficker, Huang Chuan. During interrogation by Yin Jiansheng and Chang Rui, Huang Chuan denies all accusations, maintaining he is just a simple farmer. However, the forensic evidence is irrefutable. The tech department confirms Huang Chuan's DNA on a note and a candied hawthorn from a crime scene. Additionally, his hair was discovered at the home of his partner and fellow suspect, Auntie Hong, confirming their connection.
Yin Jiansheng plays his trump card by bringing in a past victim, Ruan Meiyu, whom he had rescued years ago. At the Anti-trafficking Office, Ruan Meiyu bravely confronts and identifies Huang Chuan as the man who kidnapped and brutally abused her. Faced with his victim's testimony, mounting evidence, and the news that his partner Auntie Hong has absconded with all his money, Huang Chuan finally breaks down. He confesses to all his crimes and discloses the locations of the children he trafficked.
The confession brings a wave of mixed emotions to the Reunion Diner. As Auntie Zhang removes the photos of now-rescued children from the wall, the sight brings both joy and renewed grief for those still missing. Huang Chuan's information leads the police to a new lead on Yang Caiyun, a girl sold to Wushun County in a case that was Yin Jiansheng's first and has haunted him ever since. An initial search proves fruitless. The investigation also turns towards locating a man named Fei Yan, who is believed to be the key to finding another trafficker known as "Brother Cripple."
