Episode Summary
Ding Yi survives a terrifying loyalty test from Takeda, who kills his own man as an "apology." Gu Yangshan secures approval for a risky plan to discredit the cipher, but the Station Chief betrays him, withholding support. Despite the danger and lack of backup, Gu Yangshan sends Ding Yi into the Japanese party alone, promising a diversion that may never come.
Spoiler Alert
Takeda's Twisted Apology
So, Ding Yi agrees to meet with Section Chief Takeda. Gu Yangshan isn't allowed to go. This already feels like a bad idea. Ding Yi gets in the car, and Takeda starts with a half-baked apology about the chaos from the night before. He claims they were just trying to "protect" Joseph Needham.
Then, just as Gu Yangshan predicted, the test begins. Takeda pulls a gun on Ding Yi. While this is happening, Gu Yangshan is frantically trying to get foreign troops involved. He tells them Joseph Needham has been kidnapped. Back in the car, a gunshot goes off.
But it wasn't for Ding Yi. Takeda shot his own man, Kondo. He calls this a sincere apology and hopes Ding Yi will now cooperate. A completely terrified Ding Yi agrees to attend the Japanese party the next day. Gu Yangshan pulls him from the car, and Xian Biyun watches from a distance, relieved to see them both alive.
A Plan on Shaky Ground
Gu Yangshan sends Ding Yi home with Uncle Gu. He stays behind to face a furious Xian Biyun. She rips into him about the plan. Ding Yi almost got himself killed on the very first step. Gu Yangshan can only promise that next time, he'll be the one to stand in front of the bullet.
The Station Chief also wants to pull the plug. He refuses to let Ding Yi attend the party. But Gu Yangshan vouches for him. He insists Ding Yi has what it takes to be an agent and says he'll take full responsibility.
The Noodle Confession
Later, Gu Yangshan can't find Ding Yi. He finally spots him at a street stall, just eating noodles. Ding Yi confesses he's never been more scared in his life. His biggest regret from the night before was not getting to eat his bowl of noodles. He figures if you have to die, you might as well die on a full stomach. He's not doing any of this for a grand cause. He's just trying to save his mother.
The Station Chief's Betrayal
Gu Yangshan gets his father's blessing for the dangerous plan. The goal is to make the Japanese believe the "Needham" cipher is insecure, which requires military coordination. He needs the Station Chief's help and demands total secrecy. Luo Han agrees the plan, while risky, is worth a shot.
But the Station Chief has other ideas. After Gu Yangshan leaves, he decides he's not helping. He dismisses Gu Yangshan as a naive, spoiled rich kid who has no idea what he's doing.
Walking into the Lion's Den
Gu Yangshan takes Ding Yi to his family's ridiculously luxurious mansion. Ding Yi can't believe his eyes. While Ding Yi enjoys a bath, Gu Yangshan gets a call from an anxious Luo Han. Luo Han feeds him a lie, straight from the Station Chief. He says he couldn't reach the chief and that the car broke down.
Ding Yi, sharp as ever, immediately catches the lie. How do you know the car broke down if you couldn't get in touch with anyone?
Realizing he's been betrayed, Gu Yangshan has to act fast. He tells Ding Yi and Uncle Gu to go to the party without him. He has to go to the station to fix this. He assures Ding Yi that Takeda won't touch him. He promises an air raid siren will sound before 8:00 PM. Ding Yi is clearly worried, but he puts his faith in Gu Yangshan and goes.
