Episode Summary
Zhuang Mingcheng uses hypnosis to manipulate Zhang Yutong, exacerbating her instability. Xu Jingzhi investigates the toxic history between Zhang, Wang Chen, and Chen Danling, suspecting Wang is covering for the women. Wang Chen confesses that he protects Zhang out of guilt for a past incident where he abandoned her. It is revealed Zhang Yutong killed Zheng Xintao and Wang hid the body in a wax figure. The episode ends with Xu Jingzhi busting into Zhang's apartment just as she attempts to kill Zhuang Mingcheng with nitrogen gas.
Spoiler Alert
Mind Games and Hypnosis
Zhuang Mingcheng is playing a dangerous game. He thinks people shouldn't make choices until they are fully ready. So, he hypnotizes Zhang Yutong again. He plants images of betrayal in her mind. She wakes up rattled. The manipulation works immediately. She asks him point-blank if he actually likes her. Her emotions are all over the place. She barely keeps a lid on them. Zhuang Mingcheng plays dumb. He looks at her with deep affection. It is a terrifying performance.
Xu Jingzhi is watching everything closely. He analyzes the expressions of the core group. He knows Wang Chen, Zhang Yutong, and Chen Danling are hiding something big. The two women clearly hate each other. It probably started over a boyfriend. Wang Chen is stuck in the middle. He acts like the peacemaker. Xu suspects Wang Chen would go to jail just to protect them.
The Spiral Begins
Zhang Yutong is losing her grip. She tries to see her psychiatrist. The assistant tells her the doctor is booked. She starts biting her fingers aggressively. It is a clear sign of severe anxiety. Xu Jingzhi arrives at the clinic. Zhang Yutong hides just in time. She calls Chen Danling from her hiding spot. She brags that Wang Chen loves her. She wants to bet on his loyalty. Meanwhile, Zhuang Mingcheng gets his hands on a bracelet Zhang gave away. He plans to use it to provoke her.
Xu Jingzhi notices the nail-biting habit. He knows she is unstable. Liu Ming is confused. He doesn't get why she is hiding if she is innocent. It makes her look guilty. Xu sends Liu to check on Zhang’s parents. He hopes for a lead. He Ya hits a dead end with her investigation. She still thinks Zhang is guilty. Xu visits the parents himself. The mother wants to talk. The father shuts her down immediately. They argue. Xu leaves with nothing.
The Ugly Truth
Zhuang Mingcheng meets Zhang Yutong. He brings the bracelet as a "gift." It is a calculated move to upset her. Elsewhere, He Ya pressures Wang Chen. She tells him to speak up. She warns him that the killer will only get worse. Wang Chen finally cracks. He explains the past. Chen Danling was jealous of Zhang Yutong years ago. She set a trap to hurt her. Wang Chen was there. He was a coward and ran away. He left Zhang alone. He swore to protect her from that day on.
The Wax Figure and the Nitrogen
We finally get the answer. Zhang Yutong killed Zheng Xintao. Wang Chen arrived too late to stop it. He helped her hide the body inside a wax figure.
Xu Jingzhi heads to Zhang’s house. He makes sure no one is following him. Zhuang Mingcheng is already making his move. He shows Zhang a book written by Chen Danling. This triggers her completely. He pretends to be drunk. She ties him up. Xu Jingzhi knows Zhang bought a lot of nitrogen under her grandmother's name. He figures she is planning another murder.
Inside the apartment, Zhang prepares the gas. She wants to kill Zhuang Mingcheng. She thinks he betrayed her just like her ex. She is lost in her delusion. Suddenly, there is a knock at the door. It’s Xu Jingzhi. He hears noise inside. He doesn't wait. He bursts into the room before she can react.
