Episode Summary
Zhang Xiaochu is rescued from captors and emotionally reunited with her husband, Wen Xu. A major new case of international human trafficking begins, with the investigation pointing to a labor company run by Zhen Ni, who is then linked to a previous kidnapping case by a jade bracelet. Meanwhile, Auntie Zhang's health declines as she fears she has Alzheimer's, and the relationship between Fang Zilin, Ye Xiuming, and Wu Bin becomes more complicated.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off with a dramatic rescue. Yang Caiyun stumbles upon a harrowing situation where the Tu family has bought a bride and is keeping her locked in a room. Hearing her cries, Yang Caiyun investigates and discovers a deaf-mute girl desperately signaling for help. She immediately reports this to the Anti-trafficking Office. With the help of the local police, the girl is saved and identified as none other than Wen Xu's missing newlywed wife, Zhang Xiaochu.
Zhang Xiaochu is found badly beaten and traumatized by her ordeal. Ashamed of what she has been through, she begs Ai Xin not to tell Wen Xu, wanting him to remember her as she was. After being released from the hospital, Zhang Xiaochu goes to the Reunion Diner to remove her own missing person poster. Ruan Meiyu recognizes her, causing a startled Zhang Xiaochu to flee. However, Ruan Meiyu quickly calls Wen Xu, who rushes to Linshan without a second thought. The two are finally reunited in a deeply emotional scene, with Zhang Xiaochu heartbroken to see how haggard Wen Xu has become from searching for her.
Meanwhile, a new and dangerous case unfolds. The parents of Tong Xiaoling report her missing to the Anti-trafficking Office. She had told them she was going abroad to make a lot of money but has since vanished, save for a cryptic text message for help. The investigation, led by Deng Yan, reveals that Tong Xiaoling was sent to Qinmang Country by a company called Mixin International Labor Service, along with nine other girls who are also now unreachable. This is quickly identified as a fraudulent, cross-border human trafficking operation. A special task force is formed, headed by Xiao Wenjin and Han Liang.
The company's boss, Zhen Ni, is revealed to be the trafficker who sold the girls to a man named Liu Gang in Qinmang Country. In a risky move, Ruan Meiyu applies for a job at Mixin, where Zhen Ni offers her a position in Qinmang Country. Simultaneously, an officer sent to investigate abroad, Zou Yuhuai, confirms the ten girls were forced into prostitution at a hotel with ties to organized crime.
The investigation in Linshan City intensifies. Yan Lei and Ai Xin question Zhen Ni, who gives them a polished, unshakeable story. However, as they leave, Ai Xin notices a distinctive jade bracelet on Zhen Ni's wrist—the same kind worn by the trafficker who kidnapped Tang Zhikui. This crucial link places Zhen Ni under suspicion and surveillance. The police also begin to watch Ye Xiuming, suspecting his involvement in the Tang Zhikui case. A nervous Zhen Ni calls her contact, Liu Gang, who tells her to cease all operations immediately.
On the personal front, the love triangle between Fang Zilin, Ye Xiuming, and Wu Bin deepens. Wu Bin thoughtfully brings Fang Zilin her favorite snack, something even Ye Xiuming didn't know she liked. To Fang Zilin's astonishment, her daughter Qianqian warmly calls Wu Bin "daddy" but refuses to do the same for Ye Xiuming. Fang Zilin decides to make Wu Bin Qianqian's godfather, a role he eagerly accepts.
A sad subplot develops at the Reunion Diner. Auntie Zhang, in a state of confusion, accidentally uses cleaning powder instead of salt, causing a child to become ill. The incident leads to the Bureau for Industry and Commerce banning her from working at the diner. Fearing she has Alzheimer's, Auntie Zhang's greatest fear is forgetting her daughter, Lin Ranran. She begins writing down all her memories in a notebook. Deciding to move into a nursing home, she entrusts the notebook and her daughter's childhood keepsakes to Deng Yan for safekeeping.
