Episode Summary
The new Cheetah members, led by Chen Hansheng, defeat the veterans in a training exercise using clever tactics. Ling Zhengrong reveals he was the student of Chen Hansheng's father and gives him a keepsake. In the corporate subplot, Shen Yang's snooping is discovered by Chen Jun, creating a conflict with their aunt, Zhou Tianna. The episode ends with Chen Hansheng saving Shen Yang from a deliberate hit-and-run, leaving them both hospitalized.
Spoiler Alert
Recap for Episode 18
A Lesson in Deception
The episode opens with a training exercise. Ling Zhengrong pits the new Cheetah members against the veterans. The goal is to fight until one team is completely exhausted. This should be tough for the rookies. They learned everything they know from the old-timers.
But Chen Hansheng has a plan. He wants to surprise them. He and the new guys carry a box of landmines right past the veterans. It's a very obvious move. They then use this as a distraction to plant the real mines elsewhere. The vets don't understand what's happening at first.
They see the obviously placed mines and split up. Wen Bin goes to disarm them. The other veterans try to circle around from behind. This was a huge mistake. They walk just a few steps before stepping on the real, hidden mines.
Wen Bin finishes disarming the fake mines. He realizes they are just empty shells. His entire team is already "dead." With no one left, Wen Bin has to "kill" himself to end the exercise. The whole battle is over in ten minutes.
Ling Zhengrong is surprised. The Chief of Staff had cleared his whole afternoon for this. He calls everyone together for a debriefing. He tears into the veterans. He tells them they were "sacrificed" in under ten minutes on the battlefield. He says he can't face the country or their families with that kind of performance. From now on, they must always be in a state of combat readiness.
A Commander's Confession
Ling Zhengrong can't believe the veterans fell for it. He complains that they've been with him for so long. Yet they haven't learned any of his cunning or suspicion. He sends them to the library to study.
Later, he finds Chen Hansheng in the gym. Ling Zhengrong uses the opportunity to have a real talk with him. He shares the story of his first battle. He was the sniper on that mission. His master was killed because he hesitated. He was too slow to take the shot. It's a pain he has carried with him his whole life. But he didn't let it become an obstacle.
Then he reveals something huge. His master was Chen Weiguo. Chen Hansheng's father.
Ling Zhengrong says the veteran Cheetahs will do everything they can to help the new members. The team had hit a wall before the new guys joined. Now, both sides can improve together. Before leaving, Ling Zhengrong gives Chen Hansheng something that Chen Weiguo had left for him.
Corporate Games and Shifting Loyalties
Now for the corporate subplot. Shen Yang is still trying to get company data. She attempts to copy some files but fails. Chen Jun spots her snooping again. He immediately tells Zhou Tianna what he saw.
At the same time, Shen Yang contacts Zhou Tianna. She tells her aunt that she suspects Chen Jun. She warns her to be careful. But Chen Jun seems determined to help Zhou Tianna his own way. He tells her he's called her "sister" for over a decade. He knows how hard things have been for her. He promises he won't let Shen Yang mess things up.
A Brush with Death
The veterans challenge Chen Hansheng's team to a 4v4 basketball game. It's a bit of friendly revenge for the training exercise. The rookies are fearless. They play hard, but they get completely crushed.
After the game, Chen Hansheng and Lei Peng go to meet Shen Yang. While she is crossing the street, a car suddenly accelerates right toward her. Chen Hansheng reacts instantly. He pushes her out of the way. The car hits them both. They end up in the hospital with broken bones.
Lei Peng was smart enough to get the license plate number. The traffic department is already investigating. The doctors say Chen Hansheng and Shen Yang are not in mortal danger. They are also unlikely to have any long-term complications after they recover.
Zhou Tianna is worried her secrets will be exposed. She wants to send Chen Jun abroad. In her mind, both Chen Jun and Shen Yang are her family. She doesn't want either of them to get hurt. She tells Chen Jun to stop getting involved. She will handle it herself.
