Episode Summary
New team members arrive with supplies and fix the communication issues. The main mission becomes clear. They must help the medical team find Patient Zero to stop the Alpha Virus. A reconnaissance mission goes bad when Qiu Tian and Zhang Lan are attacked, highlighting the extreme danger they face. Chen Hansheng's request for more troops is denied due to political reasons, forcing the team to work with the limited resources they have.
Spoiler Alert
Reinforcements and a Taste of Home
The Cheetah Guard team is trying to make the best of a tough situation. They are learning the local language to help with the mission. Zhang Lan is the language expert, so he's teaching everyone else. The conditions are rough, but they're adapting.
A big problem is the terrible communication system. The Chief of Staff sends in a support team to fix it. This team includes some familiar faces. Qiu Tian, Xiao Ran, Sun Ke, and Captain Ji arrive on the scene.
They also brought some very important cargo. They have instant noodles, Lao Gan Ma chili sauce, and pickled mustard greens. Lei Peng and the others are overjoyed. They finally get a real taste of home. It’s a small thing, but it means a lot.
Ling Zhengrong makes sure the women on the team get the better quarters. Zhang Lan even rigs up a special shower so they can have hot water. Qiu Tian doesn't ask for special treatment, though. She knows they are all soldiers here. Everyone is just trying to get used to the local food, which is not easy.
The Mission Gets Real
This isn't just about guard duty. The Alpha Virus is spreading fast. The medical team has a new plan. They believe they need to find Patient Zero. He or she is the key to creating a drug that can fight the virus.
The Hunt for Patient Zero
The problem is resources. The guard team is small. The local government can only offer limited protection. Qiu Tian knows they need a solid plan to keep the medical team safe. She decides they must map out every route and destination the doctors will take.
Ling Zhengrong thinks that’s a good start. But he says just mapping isn't enough. They need to survey the routes in person. They have to know exactly how long it takes to get from point A to point B.
A Dangerous Survey
Qiu Tian decides to go on the first survey with Captain Ji. Zhang Lan immediately volunteers to join them. He speaks the language. He can talk to locals and get better information.
During their survey, things go wrong. Qiu Tian and Zhang Lan are attacked by opposition forces. They react fast. We get to see that Qiu Tian is a seriously skilled fighter. Back at the base, Ling Zhengrong learns about the attack. He sends Xiao Ran and Chen Hansheng for backup. Luckily, everyone makes it back in one piece.
Reality Bites
The attack was a wake-up call. The team is in more danger than they thought.
A Request Denied
Chen Hansheng talks to Dr. Cao. He learns the medical team needs to search for Patient Zero in areas controlled by the opposition. This is incredibly dangerous. Their safety is not guaranteed at all.
So, Chen Hansheng goes to Ling Zhengrong. He suggests they need more people on the guard team. Ling Zhengrong has to shut him down. He explains that it's not that simple. They are in a foreign country. If the Chinese military sends in a large number of troops, it could be seen as interfering with another nation's politics. They are on their own.
Small Comforts
Even with all the stress, life goes on. It’s almost Dr. Cao’s birthday. Chen Hansheng wants to get her a gift, but there’s nothing to buy out here. Ling Zhengrong steps in with an idea. He writes a piece of calligraphy for her. He’s pretty proud of his brushwork.
We also learn that Zhang Lan keeps a diary. He writes down what happens every day and how he feels about it all. It’s his way of processing everything.
