Cambrian Period Episode 18 Recap
> Cambrian Period Recap
Li Yongji arrived at Qiu Men to meet Zhan Shili, seeking the conditions under which the latter would surrender the incriminating evidence. Zhan Shili stated that he would do so if Li Yongji, once promoted to a higher police position after Director Song’s eventual departure, would protect Qiu Men's interests.
Zhan Shili offered Li Yongji any form of power, wealth, or women he desired, emphasizing the mutually beneficial nature of their arrangement and openly expressing his high regard for Li Jinghuan, as he called Li Yongji. Feeling the terms were uneven, Li Yongji insisted on the immediate reinstatement of his former position. Zhan Shili requested three hours to provide a definitive answer, which Li Yongji accepted before departing.
Meanwhile, Jian Zi watched a sleeping Tang Yin, determined to secure a stable and peaceful life for her. He called his father, Zhan Shili, demanding the return of the encoder. Zhan Shili refused, explaining that Tang Yin, an ordinary tourist, was an ideal bait and a crucial asset to control Jian Zi and lure out their enemies.
Jian Zi argued that the encoder was a ticking time bomb on Tang Yin, putting her in constant danger, but Zhan Shili remained unyielding, warning Jian Zi against any rash actions. Soon after, Li Yongji was informed that a review had cleared his name, and he was promoted to Director. Director Song congratulated him, reminding him of the greater responsibilities his new position entailed.
Li Yongji then subtly mentioned that Chairman Zhan had sought him out, expressing a desire for a stable alliance with Qiu Men, similar to Director Song's past relationship with the group. This information infuriated Director Song, confirming Li Yongji's suspicion that their alliance was fragile. As his first official act, Director Li Yongji ordered the release of Jin Lin’s ship, B235, which Inspector Wu had impounded at customs.
Li Yongji publicly reprimanded Inspector Wu, stressing the importance of thoroughness and evidence in police work and making it clear that the Nandao Police Department had no place for lax officials. Later, discussing Li Yongji’s rapid promotion with his subordinate, Zhan Shili saw it as a timely warning to Director Song. Despite his subordinate’s concerns about a potential fallout with Director Song, Zhan Shili believed it wouldn’t escalate to that.
He instructed his subordinate to send a lavish gift to Director Song, reaffirming Qiu Men’s unwavering support regardless of Director Song’s future career path, and confirming that the planned marriage alliance remained unchanged. Jian Zi confronted Zhan Shili, accusing him of going back on their agreement that both he and Tang Yin would serve as bait, with Jian Zi being freed once their enemies were eliminated.
Jian Zi insisted that he alone was sufficient as bait and demanded Tang Yin's release. Zhan Shili threatened to keep Jian Zi confined if he wouldn't comply. Jian Zi promised to obey all his father's commands if only the encoder was retrieved from Tang Yin. Zhan Shili offered a deal: if Jian Zi apologized to Director Song and immediately married Mingzhu, he would investigate Keke's death and ensure Tang Yin's safe return to her home country.
Driven to desperation, Jian Zi threatened to personally retrieve the encoder. Enraged, Zhan Shili suffered a health episode and ordered the butler to confine Jian Zi to his room, forbidding him from leaving. Jian Zi expressed his deep concern for Tang Yin, alone at the pub, fearing for her safety.
In his office, Li Yongji learned that Da Nian, a subordinate assigned to monitor targets, had gone missing after visiting the dock the previous day, and his family confirmed he hadn't returned. This news, reinforcing the previous episode's tragic revelation of Jin Lin killing Da Nian, solidified Li Yongji's fear of losing more people important to him. He quickly resolved to send Tang Yin away to ensure her safety.
Confined to his room, Jian Zi tried to reason with his master, the butler, to let him go, worried about Tang Yin, who still had the encoder. The butler spoke in riddles, urging Jian Zi to let go of his desire for an "easy life" and to break free from his current constraints. Jian Zi maintained that his desire for a stable life was not a mistake.
He attempted to use his phone to locate Tang Yin, only to discover that Zhan Shili had installed a signal shielding instrument in his room. The butler then informed him that Tang Yin was with Li Yongji, which intensified Jian Zi's alarm. The butler challenged Jian Zi, stating that the only way to leave was to defeat him in a fight.
Jian Zi initially hesitated to resort to violence, but a sudden message from Tang Yin confirming her dangerous situation compelled him to confront his master physically. Meanwhile, Li Yongji went to the pub where Tang Yin was. With Jian Zi absent, he confessed his complicated past, revealing that he was not as morally upright as she believed. He shared his difficult upbringing in the slums, where he witnessed rampant injustice.
He recounted how the Han Qing Group had funded his police academy education, only for him to later realize that their leader, Pei Yancheng, was precisely the kind of criminal he had vowed to fight. He acknowledged his past moral compromises but expressed his renewed commitment to becoming a truly just police officer and asked if she could still trust him.
Tang Yin reassured him, affirming her belief in his good intentions and promising to keep his secrets, not wanting the world to lose a capable and just officer. Moved by her trust, Li Yongji then urged her to leave the island and return to the mainland, revealing he had already booked a ticket. Tang Yin refused, citing her determination to find Keke's killer and to stay by Jian Zi's side.
Li Yongji warned her of Zhan Shili's dangerous nature and, seeing no other option, handcuffed her and drove her away. However, Tang Yin feigned severe stomach pain, reminding Li Yongji of her previous gastroenteritis. Concerned, Li Yongji unlocked her handcuffs and allowed her to go to a nearby restroom, giving her the chance to escape. After escaping from Li Yongji's car, Tang Yin fled down the road.
A car pulled up, and Jin Lin's female subordinate, Miss Huang, offered to take her to safety, claiming Jin Lin had sent her. Tang Yin hesitated, then heard Li Yongji shouting for her to run, confirming her suspicion of danger. Tang Yin continued running and found refuge in a dilapidated house, locking the door behind her. Miss Huang insisted that Jin Lin had sent her, arguing that Jin Lin wouldn't harm Tang Yin, especially since Tang Yin had saved Xiuer.
Tang Yin briefly considered opening the door, but then remembered Jian Zi's earlier warning to be wary of both Li Yongji and Jin Lin. Feeling anxious and trapped, she repeatedly tried to call Jian Zi, but he was unable to answer. As Li Yongji arrived outside the dilapidated house, he immediately engaged in a fierce struggle with Miss Huang, Jin Lin's subordinate. Tang Yin, observing the escalating fight, realized they were after the encoder.
Determined not to let it fall into their hands, she quickly removed the device from her bracelet and swallowed it. Meanwhile, Jian Zi continued his intense fight with the butler, who acknowledged Jian Zi's impressive fighting skills even as he tried to prevent him from leaving.
