Episode Summary
Mai Hongchao tries to go rogue to solve a murder, but Qin Feng warns him against it. We learn that Su Hongbao entered the criminal world specifically to investigate the same case. Meanwhile, Liu Tianye expands his influence by bribing officials and recruiting a disgraced doctor.
Spoiler Alert
A Gift with Strings Attached
It’s 2005. Qin Feng and Hu Xiaoyue decide to help Mai Hongchao out. They buy him a taxi. They want him to have a steady job. Mai is thrilled. He has no idea about the real source. Ye Tianyou actually provided the car. He used the "master's" name to give this gift.
Su Hongbao has his own company now. Qin Feng sees an opportunity here. He plans a special operation. He wants to use Su’s new status to rattle He Biao.
Power Plays and Trash Talk
Zhang Xin walks into City Hall. She runs right into Qiao Defu. They don't exchange pleasantries. They trade insults. Neither one backs down. They both have powerful backers. They feel untouchable.
Liu Tianye makes a move too. He takes Zhou Sisi to a restaurant. He hands her the keys. She is the manager now. Zhou Sisi is happy. She immediately suggests improvements. Liu is pleased. He picked the right person.
Desperate Measures
Mai Hongchao and Su Hongbao get drunk together. The alcohol loosens Mai's tongue. He brings up the past. He buried Su’s father years ago. He calls in that favor. He demands to know who backs Ma Jin. Su refuses to speak. He keeps his mouth shut.
Qin Feng tries to reach Mai. He gets no answer. He rushes over and finds Mai on the couch. Mai looks wrecked. He is wallowing in guilt. He feels he failed Hu Xiaoyue. He can't catch the killer.
The Brawl
Mai tries a new tactic the next day. He claims his taxi is broken. He forces himself into Su Hongbao’s work day. Su isn't stupid. He knows Mai is investigating Xu Li’s case. He knows Mai wants answers about Hu Xiaoyue’s death.
Su doesn't want Mai to get hurt. He makes Mai dress up. They go to collect a debt from Boss Zhou. Su tries to be polite first. The other side gets violent. They attack. Su fights back. He claims self-defense. He beats them down.
The Aftermath
They end up at the police station. Qin Feng puts the pieces together. He realizes Su Hongbao joined the underworld for a reason. Su is investigating the case from the inside.
Mai is furious. He followed the rules before. It got him nowhere. He wants to break the rules now. Qin Feng shuts him down. He reminds Mai of his past as a cop. The bad guys will suspect him. Qin Feng doesn't want to collect Mai's corpse.
Mai calms down enough to think. He analyzes the debt collection job. He Biao didn't really want Boss Zhou. He targeted Qiao Defu. There is a bigger boss behind Qiao Defu.
Clues and Corruption
Qin Feng pays a visit to Qiao Defu. He uses an anti-drug event as an excuse. He invites Qiao. Qiao declines. He claims his schedule is full. Qin Feng spots something on the desk. It’s paperwork about sea tourism. He suspects illegal activity there.
He Biao gets wind of the debt collection mess. He knows Mai went with Su. He warns Su to watch his back.
Liu Tianye’s restaurant thrives under Zhou Sisi. A new character enters the scene. It’s Director Chen, a former chest surgeon. He got fired for gambling. He loses big at Liu’s place. He can't pay. Liu hears that Chen frequents He Biao’s spots. Liu sees an opening. He waives the debt. The doctor is grateful. Liu now owns him.
Liu makes another connection. He treats a different Director Chen from the Development Zone to dinner. He brings expensive gifts. This official loves the gifts. He also likes staring at Zhou Sisi. He agrees to help Liu develop the village. The next day, Liu signs a contract with the city. He gets exactly what he wanted.
