Episode Summary
In this episode, the team honors Zhang Lan's sacrifice and makes a lifelong promise to his family. Most characters find closure and start new chapters, from marriage to grad school. Just as the team steps up to train new recruits, a final, shocking death occurs, ending one last storyline abruptly.
Spoiler Alert
A Hero's Welcome and a Painful Goodbye
The episode starts on a heavy note. Zhang Lan’s body is brought back home, his casket draped in the national flag. Wang Xinna is completely heartbroken. It’s a tough scene to watch.
The escort team gets a big honor for their mission. They receive a collective first-class merit award. Zhang Lan is also awarded a personal first-class merit. His old Repair Squad is officially renamed the Zhang Lan Squad in his honor. It’s a fitting tribute, but it doesn’t make the loss any easier.
Tying Up Loose Ends
This episode felt like a big check-in with everyone. We see where a lot of the characters land after all the chaos.
Chen Hansheng and Shen Yang's New Paths
Chen Hansheng meets up with Shen Yang. He gives her his military medal, which is a pretty significant gesture. She tells him she got into graduate school. She’s going to keep studying.
Shen Yang also finally meets with her father, Dr. Shen. The reunion goes well. All her old resentment is gone. She understands now that they never knew about each other for years. He went through a lot just to get back to the country to see her. She sees him for who he is. He's a good dad and a brilliant scientist.
Family Matters
We get a few more family moments. Lei Peng has a video call with his mom. In the background, he sees his dad bragging about him to relatives. He looks so proud. His mom tells him that his father was always proud. He just never showed it directly to Lei Peng.
On a happier note, Yan Su and Xiao Lan officially get their marriage certificate. They’re married!
Ling Zhengrong goes home with Qiu Tian again. Qiu Tian’s mom, Lin Ying, has a whole meal prepared for them. During dinner, Lin Ying keeps putting food on Ling Zhengrong’s plate. Qiu Tian gets a little jealous, which is pretty funny to see.
Zheng Yunxiao’s parents also step up. They sort out the school situation for Saji and Seli so they can study in China. Zheng Yunxiao thanks them. He admits he always wanted to do things on his own. But he realizes his own power is limited. Sometimes you just need your parents. His folks also found out he wanted to open a restaurant. They went ahead and got a storefront ready for him. He’s shocked. He only mentioned it once, but they took it seriously and set everything up.
A Trip to See the Pandas
Saji and Seli finally get their wish. They come to China to see the giant pandas. Xiao Ran, Sun Ke, Lei Peng, and Yan Su take them out. The kids are thrilled. They don't just see pandas. They also get to see fireworks and experience more of the culture. It's a really sweet and happy side plot.
A Promise to a Fallen Brother
Ling Zhengrong takes Chen Hansheng and the rest of the team to Zhang Lan’s house. Qiu Tian comes along, too. The whole group pitches in. They help cook and clean up the house. Qiu Tian looks after the baby, Nianhua. Ling Zhengrong plays chess with Zhang Lan’s father.
Then comes the real reason for the visit. Chen Hansheng speaks for the whole team. He formally asks Wang Xinna if they can be Nianhua’s godfathers. She is so happy she cries. They all give her red envelopes with money for the baby.
Later that night, Wang Xinna finds another envelope. Inside is a bank card and a letter. The card is from Chen Hansheng and the team. The letter explains they will all deposit money into the account regularly. They will do it until Nianhua is grown up. Wang Xinna is completely moved by their promise.
The Circle of Life (and Death)
Time passes. The Cheetah unit is recruiting again. Ling Zhengrong has a new training plan this year. He wants Chen Hansheng and his three teammates to train the new batch of soldiers. Chen Hansheng can’t believe it. He’s now standing where Ling Zhengrong once stood, leading new recruits. We also learn one of the older Cheetah members has retired.
Shen Yang is getting ready to leave for her PhD program. Her dad, Dr. Shen, has prepared a mountain of stuff for her. She’s touched by how thoughtful he is. But she also thinks it’s way too much. She reminds him that online shopping is super convenient in China.
Then, the episode hits you with a final shock. Cheng Yong contacts Dr. Shen. He asks for a recent photo of him and Shen Yang together. Dr. Shen sends it. The moment Cheng Yong gets the photo, he turns on the music in his car. A gunman appears and shoots him dead. He never got to return to his home country.
The final shot shows Chen Hansheng and his team training the new recruits. They are passing down the same lessons and words that Ling Zhengrong once gave them. The legacy continues.
