Episode Summary
A high-stakes protection mission to Eriniya is announced, and the entire base competes for a spot on the six-man team. Zhang Lan, despite being a new father on the verge of retirement, fights for and earns his place. Before the team deploys, the base hosts a Family Day, which ends with a shocking revelation: Zheng Yunxiao comes from an incredibly wealthy family.
Spoiler Alert
The Cheetah Episode 24: A New Mission and a Big Secret
A Debt Repaid
The episode opens with some follow-up on Zhang Lan. His wife, Wang Xina, and their new baby are both healthy and safe. He knows this is all thanks to the late Dr. Qiu. His family is deeply grateful. Wang Xina even tells Qiu Tian that her family will never have to buy eggs again once their new chicken farm is running. It's a really sweet, down-to-earth way to say thank you.
Qiu Tian is also trying to move forward. The military gives her condolence money for her father's death. The Chief of Staff then asks her to give a speech at a big military conference. She's surprised by the request but, as a soldier, she accepts the order. She decides to write about her father, Dr. Qiu Zhenhua. She frames his life as a constant battle for his patients. He was her role model. We also learn that Dr. Qiu once saved Wang Xina's life during a medical emergency, which makes Zhang Lan's gratitude even deeper.
Trouble Abroad
The focus then shifts to a new global crisis. A dangerous illness called the Alpha Virus is spreading in a country named Eriniya. The Chinese doctors sent there to help are now in danger. Local opposition forces have started launching terrorist attacks. Their safety is not guaranteed.
High command makes a decision. They need to send a protection squad. The mission is to guard the Chinese liaison and medical staff in Eriniya. The job falls to the Zhongnan Base. The Chief of Staff has just one week to assemble a six-person team. He picks Ling Zhengrong to be the team leader. The other five spots will be filled through a base-wide selection. Lei Peng gets wind of this and starts training like a madman. He wants a spot on that team.
The Selection Process
Applying for Danger
Ling Zhengrong and Qiu Tian officially announce the overseas mission. Any soldier who wants to volunteer must submit an application.
Qiu Tian is shocked when she receives an application from Zhang Lan. His child was just born. He's also on the verge of retiring from the military. She pulls him aside and tells him to think this through very carefully. But Zhang Lan's mind is made up. He says the country needs him, and it's his duty to answer the call. Seeing how determined he is, Qiu Tian agrees to submit his application.
The Competition
It turns out that every single soldier on the base submitted an application. The Chief of Staff decides to handle this the old-fashioned way. He's going to make them compete for the spots.
The competition is intense. Everyone is pushing their limits because they all want in on this mission. Zhang Lan might be one of the older guys, but he proves he's still got it. He keeps up with all the younger soldiers.
The final round is a five-on-five team challenge. The original Cheetah members want to recruit Chen Hansheng. But Chen Hansheng wants to stick with his own crew. He asks Zhang Lan to join his team instead. He tells his friends that if even one of them disagrees, he'll drop it. They all agree instantly.
Their team's performance is incredible. They work together so well that they actually break the base record for the course. But there's something else going on. The old Cheetah members know that Ling Zhengrong has always admired Zhang Lan. They also know how much Zhang Lan wants this. So, they decide to hold back during the competition. They basically throw the match to give Zhang Lan a better shot. Ling Zhengrong sees it all. After just the first round, he already knows who his new team is.
Family Day Surprises
The timeline for the mission is tight. There's no time for the selected soldiers to go home for a visit. The base decides to host a Family Day instead, bringing their relatives to the base.
Chen Hansheng doesn't want his elderly grandfather to make the long trip. Lei Peng definitely doesn't want to see his father. He's fine with his aunt coming to make dumplings, but he's not happy when his dad tags along anyway. Yan Su invites his girlfriend, Xiao Lan, who is eager to come and thank everyone.
Zheng Yunxiao is the only one who seems really hesitant to call his family. Lei Peng starts gossiping and trying to figure out why. He guesses that maybe Zheng Yunxiao's family is poor, or perhaps his parents are divorced and have new families.
Zheng Yunxiao eventually calls his parents. When they arrive, Chen Hansheng and Lei Peng go to the main gate to meet them. They're expecting a humble couple. Instead, a Rolls-Royce pulls up. It's Zheng Yunxiao's parents. The big secret is out. Zheng Yunxiao is a rich kid. Everyone is completely stunned.
