Episode Summary
Tang Deyuan's new restaurant opens with a bang, but a confrontation with a drunken officer reveals Tang's powerful connections. An old comrade, Gao Yunhu, appears under desperate circumstances, but he is secretly working undercover to turn Tang back to the resistance. As the Japanese military closes in, suspecting Tang's loyalty, a wounded man claiming to be a resistance fighter arrives at the restaurant, setting a trap in motion.
Spoiler Alert
A Grand Opening and a Drunken Mess
The episode kicks off with a celebration. Xiao Tielin has opened a new restaurant, the "Tiantian Hao Restaurant," and he's put Tang Deyuan in charge of everything. The place is decked out for its grand opening, complete with drums and festive decorations. Every important person in Mudanjiang is there to congratulate them. Xiao Tielin even sends Section Chief Zhao over with a fancy gold plaque and a cash gift. Tang is busy playing the host at the door while his wife, Caifeng, helps manage the kitchen.
Caifeng hired an opera troupe to provide some entertainment. This is where the night takes a turn. An officer, Deputy Xu, who works for a Commander Liu, has a little too much to drink. He starts getting handsy with one of the female performers and tries to force her to leave with him.
A Powerful Friend Steps In
Caifeng immediately tries to defuse the situation. Deputy Xu isn't having it. When Tang Deyuan comes over to try and smooth things over, Xu doubles down, insisting the singer drink with him. Caifeng, trying to protect the girl, drinks the cup for her. This only makes Xu angrier, and he starts throwing Commander Liu's name around as a threat.
Thankfully, another guest, Commander Guo, decides he's seen enough. He stands up for Tang Deyuan, gets in Xu's face, and physically kicks him out of the restaurant. Caifeng is worried she's made a powerful enemy, but Tang isn't concerned. He tells her that with Commander Guo and Xiao Tielin backing them, a guy like Xu is nothing. He does, however, tell Caifeng not to drink for guests ever again.
An Old Friend Shows Up
As the party winds down, Section Chief Zhao pulls Tang Deyuan aside before he leaves. He tells Tang to go see Xiao Tielin that night. He also gives him a strange piece of advice to dress warmly and be careful of the "strong wind."
Later, after closing up, Tang hears a noise from the back kitchen. He goes to investigate and finds Gao Yunhu, his old comrade-in-arms, stealing leftover food. Seeing his friend reduced to this hits Tang hard. He quickly gets Gao Yunhu a proper meal.
A Secret Meeting and a Guilty Conscience
Gao Yunhu lies, claiming he's been begging on the streets and just happened to find Tang's restaurant. Tang offers him a place to stay. Soon after, Tang leaves for his late-night meeting with Xiao Tielin. The moment he's gone, Gao Yunhu goes to report back to his real commander, Lu Changshan.
Seeing Gao again has clearly shaken Tang. It makes him think about the order from Lu Changshan for their unit to gather at Songlin Town. Tang ignored that order and chose to work for Xiao Tielin instead. He's obviously feeling the weight of that decision.
Everyone's Playing a Role
Tang Deyuan meets with Xiao Tielin and gives him a pile of cash from the restaurant's profits and his side business selling opium. Xiao Tielin is ecstatic and gives Tang a solid gold bar as a reward.
Back at the restaurant, Gao Yunhu settles in. Caifeng treats him with kindness, even giving him a new set of clothes. Not wanting him to feel like he's getting a handout, Tang lets him work in the kitchen.
At the same time, other members of the resistance are also undercover. Lu Changshan is disguised as a shoeshiner, and Wan Fuqing is pretending to be a wine deliveryman. Neither has been able to get close to Xiao Tielin. They are pinning all their hopes on Gao Yunhu, trusting he can bring Tang Deyuan back to their side.
The Japanese Get Suspicious
Another old acquaintance, Xiao Hong Zao, is singing at a different restaurant when she spots Gao Yunhu. She recognizes him and immediately suspects he's still with the resistance. She knows he was deeply in love with a woman named Da Kuo Zhi and wouldn't have just abandoned her for no reason.
Meanwhile, the Japanese commander, Kawano, is on high alert. He has his subordinate, Morita Saburo, put the entire city on lockdown. They are searching for three resistance instructors who recently arrived from the Soviet Union. Kawano learns about Xiao Tielin's new restaurant and knows its manager, Tang Deyuan, is a former resistance fighter. He orders Morita Saburo to test Tang's loyalties by sending an agent to pose as a resistance member.
The Test Begins
The restaurant is a hit and so busy that Caifeng has to put up a sign to hire more staff. Just then, a man with a fresh gunshot wound stumbles into the restaurant. He claims he's a soldier with the resistance and desperately needs help.
