Episode Summary
Ma Weiguo reveals he always intended to save Wang Chunsheng and produces a document proving Wang's ownership of the restaurant. Despite this, old resentments flare up, leading Li Lianbao to physically fight Ma Weiguo over his sister, Jin Tong. Meanwhile, Tong Qiu hides her job demotion from her boyfriend, and Wang Fei grows closer to Ma Weiguo, alienating his father.
Spoiler Alert
The Truth About Ma Weiguo
Li Lianbao and Li Jing look like they saw a ghost when they walk into the meeting room. Seeing Wang Fei there just adds to the confusion. Ma Weiguo doesn't waste time. He calls everyone together to clear the air.
We find out that Wang Fei went to Ma Weiguo for help a few hours earlier. Ma stayed silent at first. Wang Fei got desperate. He brought up the past and reminded Ma how Wang Chunsheng helped him with police trouble back in the day. But Ma wasn't ignoring him. He was just zoning out because he was already five steps ahead. Ma reveals he planned to help Wang Chunsheng all along. He pulls out an old joint signature document. This paper is the golden ticket. It proves Wang Chunsheng is the rightful owner of Penglexuan. Ma wanted to hand this over as soon as he got back to the country. He held back because the old crew gave him the cold shoulder.
Li Lianbao Can't Catch a Break
Legal troubles are settling down, but Li Lianbao’s personal life is heating up. His ex-wife calls with demands. She wants to take their child abroad. She thinks the education over there is better. Li Lianbao shuts that down immediately. He isn't letting his kid go.
Things get worse on the career front. Li Lianbao loses his job. He is older now. Finding a new position is tough. He decides to try entrepreneurship instead. He runs into his sister, Jin Tong, later that night. She wants to film some nostalgic footage of the old gang. Li Lianbao isn't in the mood. He makes an excuse and bails.
Tong Qiu's Secret Demotion
Tong Qiu failed to land the deal with CEO Qiu. The consequences are swift. She gets shipped off to a remote bank branch. It’s a punishment, but the branch manager doesn't get the memo. He thinks she is there to observe and teach them because she came from the main office. He treats her like royalty. He even asks her to train the staff.
Tong Qiu plays along. She is chatting with the manager when Zhang Xiaoshi calls. He wants to meet up. Tong Qiu has too much pride to admit she got exiled to the middle of nowhere. She lies. She tells him she will come to Xi'an to see him instead.
The Dinner From Hell
Wang Chunsheng gets released. The group gathers for a celebratory meal. It should be a happy moment. It isn't. Wang Chunsheng and Li Lianbao are convinced Ma Weiguo is just here to flex his success and humiliate them. Ma Weiguo doesn't help matters. He demands they sign an apology. That kills the vibe instantly. Wang Chunsheng and Li Lianbao storm out.
Wang Chunsheng finds out later that his son, Wang Fei, went to Ma for help. He scolds the kid. Wang Fei pushes back. He tells his dad that Ma Weiguo isn't the villain they think he is. He even drops a heavy line. He says Ma understands him better than his own father does.
Old Scars and Rooftop Fights
Wang Chunsheng confronts Ma Weiguo that night. He wants to know Ma's real angle. Ma takes him to an old wall where they used to draw tally marks as kids. It’s a trip down memory lane. Tong Qiu shows up with Li Lianbao, hoping for a reconciliation. It backfires. Li Lianbao punches Ma Weiguo.
The violence doesn't stop there. Li Lianbao calls Ma later and tells him to meet on a rooftop. He wants to fight again. This time, he reveals the real reason. It’s about Jin Tong.
The next day, Li Lianbao shows Jin Tong his torn clothes. He uses the damage to prove a point. He warns her to stay far away from Ma Weiguo. Meanwhile, Wang Fei is impatient. He visits Ma at night to ask about the "second step" of their plan. Ma uses the chance to dig for intel. He learns Li Lianbao is planning to start his own business.
Tong Qiu’s father intervenes in the drama. He calls Ma Weiguo and Jin Tong together. Apparently, the two of them gave him some artistic inspiration. He thanks them and insists they accompany him to the publisher.
