Episode Summary
Gu Zhengwen betrays his subordinate Yu Xiaonan, leading Yu to confess to framing Wu Shi. Both men are executed. Li Qing is revealed to be the sister of a fallen pilot, Lin Feng. She confronts Nie Xi but is ultimately won over by Wu Shi, who tells her the truth about her brother's death. She returns key evidence before disappearing. The episode ends with Nie Xi successfully passing new intelligence during a celebratory dinner.
Spoiler Alert
The Interrogation Room Game
Gu Zhengwen Throws His Man Under the Bus
The episode kicks off with Duan Tuizhi interrogating Gu Zhengwen. Gu plays completely dumb. He claims to know nothing. He pushes all the blame onto his subordinate, Yu Xiaonan. He even has the nerve to suggest they just kill Yu. Gu is arrogant. He basically dares Duan Tuizhi to throw him in the ocean.
Yu Xiaonan Finally Breaks
Nie Xi hears the interrogation is a bust. Yu Xiaonan is taking the fall for everything. He's protecting Gu. But Gu is doing the exact opposite. So Nie Xi gets an idea. He tells Director Zhang to play Gu's interrogation tape for Yu. Yu hears the recording. He listens as Gu betrays him without a second thought. He is completely devastated. He thought Gu was coming to save him. Instead, Gu kicked him while he was down.
Yu finally confesses. He admits Gu gave him the folder numbers. He switched the files to frame Wu Shi. He still denies leaking the actual Haidongqing plan, though.
The Dominoes Fall
Two Death Sentences
Duan Tuizhi and Zhou Zhirou decide to pin the whole leak on Yu Xiaonan. This is enough to satisfy their bosses and get Wu Shi off the hook. Yu gets thrown into a cell right next to Gu. They argue, but Gu just makes excuses. It doesn't matter in the end. Yu Xiaonan is sentenced to death for leaking state secrets. Gu Zhengwen is also sentenced to death. His charges are corruption and framing a superior officer.
Nie Xi Gets Sick, Li Qing Gets Curious
Nie Xi suddenly feels unwell. He calls Wu Shi to ask for time off. Li Qing happens to be nearby. She fusses over him and shows a lot of concern. Later, after work, she insists on taking him to the hospital. On the way, she casually asks about her brother who died.
The Seaside Standoff
A Stolen File and a Race Against Time
While Nie Xi is at the hospital, Gao Xiumei shows up to take care of him. Li Qing sees her arrive and decides to wait downstairs. She notices a file on someone named Lin Feng. She quietly steals it. After his treatment, Nie Xi starts driving. He realizes the file he hid in his car is missing. He immediately suspects Li Qing took it. He rushes back to the dorm, but she isn't there. Lu Zhenhua mentions that Li Qing has been going to the seaside a lot lately. Nie Xi bolts for the coast.
The Truth Comes Out
At the same time, Wu Shi confirms a terrible suspicion. He learns from Wang Jifu that Li Qing is actually Lin Feng's sister. He panics. He knows this could blow Nie Xi's cover. He rushes out to find him. Nie Xi finds Li Qing sitting on a rock by the sea. He puts it all together. She must be Gu Zhengwen's informant. He confronts her and demands the file back. They both pull their guns on each other.
Wu Shi arrives just in time. He drops a bombshell. He tells Li Qing her real name is Lin Qing. Her brother, Lin Feng, was a pilot. His plane was shot down by their own side, the Nationalists. The Communists didn't even have fighter jets back then. He orders Nie Xi to put his gun down. He then gives Li Qing a photo of her brother and a roll of film. He explains that Lin Feng has been officially recognized as a martyr. She is free to return to the mainland. Wu Shi then grabs Nie Xi and they leave.
A Night of Uncertainty
Wu Shi's Gamble
Nie Xi is furious. He can't believe Wu Shi just let her go. He argues that she could turn them in. Wu Shi could be exposed and killed. Wu Shi admits it's a huge gamble. He had no other choice. Nie Xi is so worried that he stays with Wu Shi all night. Li Qing, meanwhile, goes straight to see Mao Renfeng.
An Uncomfortable Morning
Wu Shi has a restless night full of nightmares. In the morning, Nie Xi drives him to work. He then goes back to his dorm. Gao Xiumei is waiting for him. She says Li Qing came by last night. She returned the roll of film. Gao has seen enough. She tells Nie Xi she can see there is something between him and Li Qing. She says she will step aside to let them be together. She puts her house key on the table and tries to leave. Nie Xi grabs her. He insists there is nothing romantic between him and Li Qing. But he can't explain the real situation. Gao Xiumei leaves, clearly hurt.
A Quiet Victory
Loose Ends Are Tied
At work, Wu Shi runs into Zhou Zhirou. He learns that Yu Xiaonan and Gu Zhengwen have been executed. He feels a small sense of relief. Nie Xi shows up and gives him the film roll that Li Qing returned. The evidence is secure. Wu Shi is pleased. He tells Nie Xi to bring Gao Xiumei over for a celebratory dinner.
A Moment of Peace
That evening, they gather at Wu Shi's home. Wang Bikui and a woman named Zhu Feng are cooking. During the preparations, Nie Xi discreetly slips a new piece of intelligence into Zhu Feng's bag. At dinner, the mood is light for once. Nie Xi sings a song from his hometown. Wu Shi, Wang Bikui, Gao Xiumei, and Zhu Feng all clap along. The house is filled with laughter.
