Mobius Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Mobius Synopsis
In a specific space-time, detective Lu Tianfeng accidentally discovers that he possesses a unique ability—he can repeat the same day up to five times in an irregular cycle. Using this extraordinary power, he successfully solves numerous complex cases.
One day, a murder warning letter from the mysterious suspect X suddenly appears. The flawless execution of several previous crimes, suspected to be X’s work, makes Lu Tianfeng question whether X also has the ability to loop through time. As the leader of the investigative team, Lu Tianfeng and his colleagues dive into the case. During the investigation, he finds an increasing number of clues pointing toward a certain genetic research corporation. As the case unfolds, more and more people become entangled in the mystery—including those close to Lu Tianfeng himself.
Through countless time loops, Lu Tianfeng carefully pieces together the truth, which gradually comes to light. In the end, he overcomes his own obstacles and, together with his team, successfully solves the case. At the same time, he gains a clearer understanding of his extraordinary ability and prepares to face new challenges in the next cycle of time.
Mobius Recap
Episode 1 Recap
Time seemed to bend and distort for Ding Qi as he walked down the street, when a powerful explosion rocked his world. He stared at the ruined buildings, and in an instant, time inexplicably rewound. This was his third time reliving the same day. He immediately contacted his leader, Duan Zheng, to report an impending bank robbery.
Qi, as Ding Qi was known, told his boss about an anonymous tip-off regarding a robbery at Fortune Bank on Old Street, expected around 5 PM that day. The robbers would be in a white van, carrying guns and bombs. He urged for SWAT assistance, explaining that his team couldn't handle it alone and that intercepting the van beforehand was too dangerous due to the bomb.
Duan Zheng, however, was skeptical, pressing for details like the license plate, the number of robbers, or their appearance, which Qi couldn't provide. Frustrated, Duan Zheng dismissed his concerns and told him to go to bed, leaving Qi to mutter to himself, wondering how he could possibly know such specifics if he was always blown up before even entering the bank. Undeterred, Ding Qi went to the bank himself.
At the precise time he'd anticipated, a robber disguised as a deliveryman entered the Fortune Bank, swiftly followed by his accomplices. The robbers declared a "robbery," ordering everyone to cooperate, warning, "Money belongs to the government, but your lives are yours." Ding Qi attempted to make a discreet call amidst the chaos. Despite his efforts to fight back using his knowledge from previous loops, the explosion was unavoidable, causing mass casualties.
A news report later confirmed the explosion at Old Street around 6 PM, resulting in seven deaths and fourteen injuries, alongside a robbery at the adjacent Fortune Bank where four robbers were killed. The connection between the incidents was under investigation. Following this devastating outcome, Ding Qi reflected, "Don't be scared. The fifth time is the final ending." He pondered why it was always five times, admitting he wanted to know the answer too.
In the fourth loop, Ding Qi decided on a new strategy. He made an anonymous call to Duan Zheng using a distorted voice, informing him that Fortune Bank at Old Street would be robbed at 5:40 PM. He provided detailed information: a robber disguised as a deliveryman would enter first, followed by four others in a white van carrying AKs, shotguns, and bombs, emphasizing that there was also a bomb inside the van.
Duan Zheng questioned the caller's identity and source, but Ding Qi hung up. Shortly after, Duan Zheng called Qi, recounting the anonymous tip he had just received about a deliveryman robbing the bank. Ding Qi feigned surprise, claiming he had received an identical tip, including details about the white van and AK shotguns, and assured Duan Zheng that the information "should be true." The next day, the deliveryman robber indeed entered the bank.
Despite the police setting up preventive measures, the explosion still occurred, tragically killing Ding Qi. Meanwhile, a small boy at a local noodle shop looked at an empty table, wondering why "Ding Qi brother," who often ate there, hadn't appeared. Entering the fifth loop, Ding Qi was now convinced, "The experiments are over. This time is the final ending." He contacted Duan Zheng, asking, "Do you trust me?" The following day, he chose not to resist.
As the robbers stormed the bank, he pretended to be terrified and, alongside the bank staff, promptly handed over all the cash. The robbers, taken aback by such easy cooperation, were unaware that the money was fake. As the robbers sped away in their van, a sense of unease settled among them. One remarked on how smoothly and quickly everything had gone, while another admitted, "Yeah, it feels off."
Several confessed to having dreamed the previous night that they all died, experiencing a strange sense of déjà vu. Their escape was short-lived. A sudden road blockage, caused by traffic police diverting vehicles due to "construction ahead," forced them onto an alternative street, leading them directly into a police trap under a bridge. Trapped and surrounded, a robber cried out, "The police are here, Boss! We're surrounded!" The police ordered them to open their doors and surrender.
However, the robbers attempted to ram their way out before pretending to surrender and then initiating a fierce shootout. Aware of his time-looping ability, Ding Qi courageously charged forward, helping to subdue several robbers with Duan Zheng's assistance. After the successful operation, a news report stated that five armed robbers were involved in the Fortune Bank robbery near Old Street. Four were killed, and one was apprehended, with no other casualties, thanks to the police's effective response.
At the station, Ding Qi's colleagues teased him about his exhaustion, joking about "weak kidneys," while one still expressed lingering nervousness and the recurring dream of dying. Duan Zheng pressed Ding Qi for the true source of his incredibly accurate intelligence. Ding Qi, deciding to be honest, revealed, "I have special powers.
I was in a time loop," explaining that he had repeatedly experienced the day and thus knew all the specific details, including the white van and the types of weapons. Duan Zheng scoffed, calling it "a load of crap" and demanding a more logical explanation. Frustrated, Duan Zheng told Ding Qi to write the report himself, sarcastically suggesting he would describe Ding Qi as "heroic, skillful in battle, and decisive in command."
Ding Qi, accepting his leader's reluctant acknowledgment of his success, thanked him. The "time loop" Ding Qi experienced was not infinite; each cycle lasted exactly five loops, beginning at 00:00 and resetting him to his 00:00 location at 24:00, regardless of where he was. His unique ability first manifested seven years prior. While playing an online game with his university roommates, Ding Qi's skill annoyed an opponent, who swore revenge.
That night, drinking by a river, Ding Qi fell into the water, triggering his first loop. He repeatedly experienced falling into the river, each time encountering the same passerby asking if he was okay. He adapted, learning to hold his breath underwater, and used his foreknowledge to preemptively counter the vengeful gamer's attacks. During this period, he discovered the crucial rule: "The fifth loop is the final ending." After this initial series, the loop days became random.
He noted that sometimes they occurred on undesirable days, like when his thesis was deleted, and other times on enjoyable ones, allowing him to win football matches. He realized that "on the loop day, I can be bold and take risks." He experimented, visiting a barber five times to find his ideal hairstyle, eventually agreeing to a membership on the final, satisfactory attempt. He understood that everyone else experienced the loop, but only he retained the memories. "
Gradually, I found that I can alter some endings." He even used his ability to win the lottery and become wealthy, yet he "still felt unhappy," sensing something profoundly missing. This pervasive unhappiness drove him to seek a more meaningful purpose. He declared, "I want to do. . . something crazy." His turning point came during a bus ride when he witnessed a man harassing a woman. Through several loops, Ding Qi refined his intervention.
In the final loop, his direct, intimidating stare, combined with the man's own inexplicable sense of déjà vu, prompted the man to nervously ask the driver to stop and let him off. The woman gratefully thanked Ding Qi. This experience solidified his conviction that "With this power, I'm sure I can make a change in the world. So, I want to do something more meaningful."
Through countless such opportunities, Ding Qi found his true calling: to eliminate evil and protect society. He diligently pursued this ideal, enrolling in the police academy. Upon graduation, Intern Officer 2254, Ding Qi, proudly reported for duty, ready to dedicate his unique ability to upholding peace and order.
Episode 2 Recap
On November 26, 2024, the same day as the Fortune Bank robbery, Tang Shaorong, a chief scientist at Moma Biotechnology with a net worth exceeding 100 million, was killed by a falling billboard. Initial police investigations, led by Huang Yuan of Division 1, concluded it was an accident due to years of disrepair, a common issue with other nearby signboards. However, Tang Xin, Tang Shaorong's daughter, strongly disagreed, insisting it was murder.
She told Ding Qi that her father, a scientist who never believed in superstitions, had a premonition of his death after his colleague, Han Song, also an executive at Moma Group, died a month prior. Ding Qi, whose girlfriend An Lan also works at Moma, was intrigued. He had heard of Han Song’s case, which Division 1 had closed as an accidental electrocution. Upon reviewing the billboard incident, Ding Qi found evidence of tampering with the screws.
He then visited the site of Han Song's death, a park where Han Song routinely jogged. Surveillance footage showed Han Song being accidentally electrocuted by an aged wire while touching a railing. Ding Qi noted the dates of both deaths: October 25 for Han Song and November 26 for Tang Shaorong. He realized with alarm that both dates coincided with his mysterious "loop days."
Meanwhile, during a police briefing, it was confirmed that Tang Shaorong’s death was not an accident, as explosion residue was found near the billboard's welding. They also reviewed Han Song's electrocution, attributed to a typhoon causing damaged wires. The meeting was interrupted by an alarming video message from an anonymous sender known as "Squid."
A woman's voice accused Moma Biotechnology of being criminals, pushing the world towards destruction, and threatening the CEO, Mo Yuanzhi, stating he would soon "reunite with his friends" and Moma would be "destroyed in an instant." Further investigation revealed that Tang Shaorong, Han Song, and Mo Yuanzhi collectively held 61% of Moma's shares, with Tang Shaorong and Han Song each having 20%, and Mo Yuanzhi 21%.
Due to the escalating threats and suspicious deaths, the Chief ordered the three cases to be merged, forming a task force to protect Mo Yuanzhi and apprehend "Squid." Ding Qi volunteered to lead the task force, which consisted of officers from Division 1 and Division 4. They were to pose as Moma employees and private bodyguards to investigate discreetly. Ding Qi personally bought expensive monitoring equipment to ensure comprehensive surveillance.
He also expressed deep concern for An Lan, urging her to work from home, but she insisted on staying at the lab, highlighting the dedication of her colleagues. An Lan acknowledged Ding Qi's worry stemmed from the past: three years ago, during Ding Qi's pursuit of a criminal, he had ordered Ailin Road to be blocked to protect schoolchildren.
The criminal's car, attempting to escape, then crashed into a crowd, inadvertently killing An Lan's mother who was on her way to An Lan's graduation. Ding Qi had confessed his role and his guilt to An Lan. He had since repeatedly wished for a loop day to change that tragic outcome, but it never arrived. An Lan told him she had come to terms with it and encouraged him to let go of his guilt.
Assuming the role of Mo Yuanzhi's assistant, Ding Qi began his protection detail. He encountered Han Yufei, Han Song's son, a "playboy" who inherited his father's shares and was now Moma's second-largest shareholder. Han Yufei was dismissive of Ding Qi. Ding Qi also met Tang Xin, who had recently graduated and joined Moma as an intern researcher, now holding 20% of the shares, making her the third-largest shareholder. Later, Ding Qi ran into An Lan in the elevator.
She commented on his formal attire, and he awkwardly explained his new role was to protect "your boss." When the elevator became crowded, Ding Qi instinctively shielded An Lan, an action that touched her. Ding Qi then accompanied Mo Yuanzhi home. Mo Yuanzhi's wife, Yu Shiya, is the daughter of a prominent investor, Yu Yinghua.
Married for six years, they have no children, making Yu Shiya the primary beneficiary of Mo Yuanzhi's substantial assets and shares if anything were to happen to him. Mo Yuanzhi explained to Ding Qi that Moma's groundbreaking genetic technologies, RAN and the upcoming RAN-X (entering clinical trials), had created many adversaries among traditional pharmaceutical companies, which he believed might be the motive behind "Squid's" threats.
While inspecting Mo Yuanzhi's residence, Ding Qi subtly directed his team to enhance surveillance on the southeast corner of the yard. He noted Yu Shiya's contemplative gaze during his inspection, suggesting she might be harboring secrets. Days turned into December 11, and no further incidents occurred during Mo Yuanzhi’s protection.
At a team dinner, the officers expressed their frustration about being assigned bodyguard duty, but Ding Qi joked that a quick resolution would send them back to Huang Yuan, whom they disliked. He suggested they might prefer staying in Division 4, which felt "like family." Later, An Lan observed Ding Qi, sensing a suppressed intensity in him.
She spoke about her own "Genetic experiment on nerve growth" and Ding Qi, recalling the ongoing Moma threats, cautioned her against talking to strangers or walking alone at night, emphasizing it as a "personal request." Finally, An Lan confronted Ding Qi, asking if his kindness towards her was born of guilt for her mother's death or "another reason." Ding Qi, feigning ignorance, replied, "What reason?" An Lan then pressed him, questioning if he truly didn't understand, or simply "dared not understand."
Episode 3 Recap
Mo Yuanzhi, An Lan's senior, had always recognized her professional capabilities and offered her a generous compensation package to join Moma Biotechnology. An Lan accepted, primarily because she was interested in Moma's RAN Project, specifically its potential for neuronal repair. She confessed to Mo Yuanzhi that her mother was in a vegetative state following a car accident, and she was doing everything to save her.
Mo Yuanzhi, empathizing deeply, assured her that Moma would provide all the necessary resources for her research. Soon after joining, An Lan secretly called Wanqing, promising to get closer to the truth regarding past events. Later, at Mo Yuanzhi's home, Ding Qi arrived to discuss the day's schedule. Mo Yuanzhi informed him of his plans to give a speech at Ivy Bay University and attend the Zhao family wedding.
Ding Qi expressed concern about the crowds at these events, stating that police wouldn't have enough time to deploy adequate security. He suggested canceling them, but Mo Yuanzhi refused. He explained that the university speech was scheduled a month in advance, and he couldn't postpone it again. As a businessman, he also had to attend the Zhao family wedding because they were his biggest client.
Mo Yuanzhi also felt that since 15 days had passed since he received "Squid's" threat with nothing happening, the threat might not be serious. Ding Qi, however, insisted on cooperation, stating that lives were at stake and police were not "playmates." Ultimately, Ding Qi acknowledged he couldn't restrict Mo Yuanzhi's freedom. As Ding Qi escorted Mo Yuanzhi to the company, Yu Shiya, Mo Yuanzhi's wife, watched their departure from an upstairs window, her gaze thoughtful.
Inside, Mo Yuanzhi informed Ding Qi he had a private meeting in his office. Ding Qi maintained that he was only concerned with Mo Yuanzhi's safety, not his private affairs. Meanwhile, Ding Qi made calls to his team, instructing Fang Lu to carefully inspect the security at Ivy Bay University and Peishan to obtain guest and staff lists for the Zhao family wedding, emphasizing focusing on Mo Yuanzhi's protection. Ding Qi then saw An Lan entering Mo Yuanzhi's office.
He waited outside, appearing slightly jealous, and watched her. After An Lan exited the office, Ding Qi asked her what Mo Yuanzhi had discussed with her. An Lan, initially hesitant, eventually revealed that Mo Yuanzhi intended to promote her, recognizing her expertise in neuronal repair, which was the next stage of RAN technology. Ding Qi, though happy for her, warned of an impending "uproar" within the company due to the complex internal dynamics.
An Lan then playfully asked Ding Qi if he wouldn't try to persuade her to go home this time, to which he replied that if this was what she wanted, he would take care of everything. An Lan also inquired if he would be in danger while protecting Mo Yuanzhi. Separately, a former Moma Biotechnology technician named Fu Jun attempted to enter the building, demanding his unpaid compensation from HR.
He explained that he hadn't received his severance pay for three months and was struggling with mortgage payments. The HR manager, Ms. Cai, informed him that the company found he had violated rules, so compensation was withheld. Fu Jun, denying any wrongdoing, threatened to confront Mo Yuanzhi, but Ms. Cai dismissed him. Just as An Lan was discussing her promotion with Ding Qi, they heard a cup shatter in Mo Yuanzhi's conference room.
Ding Qi rushed in, but Mo Yuanzhi casually explained it was an accident and calmly resumed the meeting. Later, An Lan attempted to access the company intranet but was denied. On the way to Ivy Bay University, Mo Yuanzhi's car was rerouted due to a blocked road caused by a jumper at Yuehai Building on Paris Middle Street. This forced them to take a detour, but they eventually arrived at the university.
Before his speech, Mo Yuanzhi told Ding Qi that he knew Ding Qi had agreed to the day's schedule because he believed it might draw out "Squid." He added that he and his team were exhausted from constant protection, and he was tired of it too. Mo Yuanzhi began his speech to students and faculty, humorously recounting how he initially refused the principal's invitation but accepted after being offered payment.
He then addressed the recent news, admitting that Moma Biotechnology had "offended many people" and that it was a "miracle" he stood there "with all four limbs intact." He shared a comedic anecdote about receiving a "death threat" from a digital "squid" that his antivirus software eliminated, eliciting laughter. However, the light mood was soon broken by a commotion outside.
Ding Qi's team reported a group of protesters against genetic engineering attempting to enter the auditorium, chanting to "boycott Moma Biotechnology." Ding Qi ordered his officers to prevent them from entering. Mo Yuanzhi, unfazed, continued his speech, defiantly asserting that Moma's research challenges "natural laws" to allow humanity to "defy fate" and benefit from technological advancements in healthcare. He declared that he and his team would gladly "take the blame" for this "sacrilegious deed."
During the speech, a female student approached the stage with flowers, causing Ding Qi to alert his team. However, it turned out to be a misunderstanding; the student only wanted Mo Yuanzhi's autograph, which he happily gave. The situation escalated when the protesters breached security and stormed into the auditorium, yelling "Mo Yuanzhi, get out!" Ding Qi swiftly called for the car and began to escort Mo Yuanzhi.
The principal apologized for the security breach, but Mo Yuanzhi, amidst the chaos, rhetorically asked Ding Qi if this was what he wanted. As they tried to exit through a back door, they found it also blocked by a crowd. Suddenly, You Yuxiang, a former associate professor at Ivy Bay University with a grudge against Mo Yuanzhi for academic issues, lunged at Mo Yuanzhi with a syringe.
Ding Qi intervened, preventing the attack and firing a warning shot, causing the crowd to scatter. Ding Qi's team apprehended You Yuxiang and another protester, Fu Jun. During interrogation, officers confirmed the syringe contained a neurotoxin from You Yuxiang's lab, capable of causing rapid organ failure. You Yuxiang, having lost his professorship due to online attacks, admitted to organizing the student protests but denied attempting to murder Mo Yuanzhi, claiming the crowd pushed him.
Ding Qi questioned him about previous murders of Han Song and Tang Shaorong, and why he chose such a direct method and the specific timing for the attack. However, another officer informed Ding Qi that You Yuxiang had an alibi for those earlier murders and no explosive residues were found in his property. Fu Jun also explained he just wanted his unpaid compensation.
Realizing that neither You Yuxiang nor Fu Jun was the "Squid," Ding Qi urgently radioed his team to redouble their efforts to protect Mo Yuanzhi. Despite the renewed alert, tragedy struck at the Zhao family wedding. While Ding Qi was still trying to coordinate his team, an explosion ripped through the wedding venue. The aftermath was catastrophic, with numerous casualties, including Mo Yuanzhi and several of Ding Qi's colleagues.
Overwhelmed with guilt and grief, Ding Qi was confronted by an angry colleague, who blamed him for bringing them to the dangerous event. Ding Qi tearfully recounted how his colleagues, including Kai, an only son, and Fang Lu, an inexperienced team member, had perished. The day ended in despair, only for Ding Qi to wake up in his home, realizing with a mix of relief and terror that it was another "loop day," and the events were about to restart.
Episode 4 Recap
Years before, Yu Shiya visited Mo Yuanzhi at his laboratory, finding him there as they were deeply in love. Yu Shiya, holding a drink despite laboratory rules, complained about the company's many rules. Outside, rumors circulated that Mo Yuanzhi, merely a staff member, was only pursuing her for her father's angel investment. Upon hearing this, Mo Yuanzhi jokingly agreed with the rumors, then declared, "You are my angel."
Though they eventually married, they each harbored unspoken thoughts, making it difficult to truly understand each other. Ding Qi found himself in the second loop, his mind racing. He immediately invited his colleagues, who had just died in the previous loop, for a late-night snack, yearning for their presence. As they arrived, he embraced them tightly, his eyes tearful, much to their confusion.
He then called Duan Zheng, stating he wanted an early deployment and warning that something significant would happen that day. When his colleagues gathered, expressing their exhaustion from the demanding work, Duan Zheng teasingly asked for a hug, but Ding Qi turned his attention to meticulously planning the day's mission, deliberately sidestepping Duan Zheng. Ding Qi announced that Mo Yuanzhi had several crowded events that day, making it highly probable that "Squid" would make a move and cause massive casualties.
Taking charge, he assigned tasks, instructing his team to shadow Yu Shiya, Tang Xin, and Han Yufei, treating them as potential suspects for being "Squid." He emphasized recording their every move. Meanwhile, in his office, Han Yufei stood before his father's portrait, solemnly vowing to find his killer and ensure justice. The following day, Ding Qi arrived to pick up Mo Yuanzhi for a speech at their alma mater. He meticulously scanned their surroundings, determined to eliminate any potential threats.
As he saw An Lan in the company hallway, he covertly placed a listening device on her. Overhearing her conversation with Mo Yuanzhi, Ding Qi learned that Mo Yuanzhi was promoting An Lan. Mo Yuanzhi expressed the company's unrest since the incidents involving Han Song and Tang Xin's father, noting that An Lan had remained committed to her work.
He proposed appointing her as Assistant to the Chief Scientist, giving her control over the research team, a move he would announce at the upcoming shareholders' meeting. Mo Yuanzhi confided that his own time might be limited, hinting at a similar fate to Han and Tang's father, but quickly dismissed the thought, stressing that genetic research must continue and that An Lan, as a fellow scientist, would understand his sentiments.
He then asked An Lan to wait outside until the latter half of the meeting. Simultaneously, a multi-vehicle collision near Highway 1, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries, was reported on the radio. During this time, one of Ding Qi's team members remarked on Mrs. Mo's rare appearances at the company. Aggrieved former employees, demanding compensation, gathered outside Moma Biotechnology but were stopped by the police.
Inside the shareholders' meeting, Mo Yuanzhi faced pressure from the board to temporarily relinquish his management control, ostensibly for his safety but with ulterior motives. Han Yufei, who had proposed the idea, argued that it was for both the company's future and Mo Yuanzhi's personal safety, hoping "Squid" would spare him. Mo Yuanzhi challenged the proposal, asking for how long this "temporary" relinquishment would last and who would manage the company in his absence.
He reminded Han Yufei that he inherited shares, not his father Han Song's position, and that his presence at the meeting was a courtesy to Han Song. Han Yufei, undeterred, voted to remove Mo Yuanzhi's management rights. Yu Shiya also voted in favor, explaining that while she could forsake all business interests, she didn't want to lose Mo Yuanzhi and wanted him to be safe.
Tang Xin, however, voted to retain Mo Yuanzhi, asserting that her father, a lifelong researcher, would have wanted Moma's authority in the hands of someone who understood scientific research. With his own vote, Mo Yuanzhi secured his position as Moma's leader. He then announced An Lan's appointment as Assistant to the Chief Scientist for the R&D Department.
This enraged Han Yufei, who shattered a glass, accusing Mo Yuanzhi of consolidating his own power with researchers who he claimed had achieved little. Mo Yuanzhi countered, emphasizing that Moma was an R&D company and its most valuable assets were those who mastered core technologies. Ding Qi, observing from outside, realized this was how the glass had broken in the previous loop.
An Lan entered, confidently accepting the challenging role, promising to manage the R&D department effectively and pledging to be as fearless as Tang Xin's father and Mo Yuanzhi. After the meeting, Yu Shiya approached Mo Yuanzhi, taking his hand in an unspoken acknowledgment. Later, Yu Shiya secretly met Han Yufei on the rooftop. Plainclothes police, stationed on the floor below, could only faintly hear their conversation.
Yu Shiya expressed concern that Mo Yuanzhi was growing suspicious of her and worried that their plan to ensure the shareholder meeting went smoothly had failed. Han Yufei insisted that if Mo Yuanzhi wouldn't relinquish control of Moma, "Squid" would target him, warning her that she wouldn't want her husband to meet the same fate as his father and Tang Xin's father. Meanwhile, at the police station, an agitated former delivery driver who had protested at Moma was being interrogated.
He vehemently denied any murderous intent, explaining he only went to Moma to demand his rightful severance pay, arguing that Mo Yuanzhi's death would prevent him from getting his money. An automated message from his phone confirmed a timed-out delivery. Mo Yuanzhi began his speech with the same words as in the previous loop, stating his exhaustion and acknowledging that if he was too well protected, "Squid" would never appear.
Ding Qi, recognizing the familiar rhetoric, instructed his colleague Wang Haoxin to protect Mo Yuanzhi at the event. He then called the police, inquiring about the delivery driver's motive and You Yuxiang's guilt, asking for another half-hour to stall. An officer on the line seemed to mock him. Mo Yuanzhi continued his speech, humorously recounting the death threats he had received and defiantly asserting Moma's right to "defy nature" through genetic research, accepting any "sacrilege" this might imply.
Concurrently, Ding Qi visited You Yuxiang at his flower shed, discussing the importance of time and the Soviet entomologist Lyubishchev. As You Yuxiang spoke of doubling time for meaningful pursuits, Ding Qi subtly confiscated a poison syringe from his pocket. You Yuxiang felt an unsettling familiarity with Ding Qi. Subsequently, You Yuxiang was brought to the police station. He repeatedly denied being reported and claimed his innocence, questioning the lack of evidence.
During the speech, Mo Yuanzhi also noticed a girl leaving early. Ding Qi, feeling an uneasy sense that he had overlooked crucial details, decided to have his colleagues escort Mo Yuanzhi home while he departed to investigate the Zhao family wedding. He received a call from Fang Lu, who reported that Tang Xin and An Lan were discussing what to wear for the wedding that evening. Fang Lu also mentioned that most of Moma's executives would be attending.
Ding Qi instructed Fang Lu to keep a close eye on An Lan, realizing that as Tang Shaorong's successor, An Lan might now be "Squid's" next target. He pondered the true identity of "Squid" and the implications of so many changes in this loop.
Episode 5 Recap
Detective Ding Qi, deeply immersed in the time loops, has utilized his unique ability to effortlessly apprehend cunning thieves and even defeat a formidable boxing opponent. However, these extraordinary powers have brought about subtle physical changes, leaving him with a sense of unease. Upon learning that An Lan is also slated to attend the Zhao family wedding, Ding Qi becomes highly alarmed.
He instructs his colleagues to monitor An Lan closely, fearing she might become a target for the ruthless killer known as Squid. He finds An Lan's presence at the wedding perplexing, as she did not attend during the first loop. This change makes him question who or what altered the timeline.
Later, at a cake shop, Ding Qi and his team mistakenly arrest a cake employee, believing he was planting a bomb when he was merely placing a surprise gift inside. Ding Qi realizes their conspicuous actions might have alerted Squid to the presence of a time loop perceiver within the police force. After being released from the police station, a delivery driver named Fu Jun, who was seeking compensation, rushed to deliver his orders on time.
The immense strain led to a heart attack, and he died on the road. Duan Zheng, devastated by the news, blames himself, expressing that his delay in processing Fu Jun's case led to his demise. Hearing this, Ding Qi resolves to use his loop ability to prevent Fu Jun's tragic fate in the next cycle. That evening, at the Zhao family wedding, Ding Qi encounters a beautifully dressed An Lan, captivated by her appearance.
Mo Yuanzhi introduces An Lan to various clients, a sight that stirs sadness in Yu Shiya. As the ceremony begins with the groom, Liu Haotian, and the bride, Zhao Zixin, exchanging vows and rings, Ding Qi and his team meticulously scan the surroundings for any anomalies. During the ring exchange, Yu Shiya, Tang Xin, and Han Yufei leave the ceremony early.
Ding Qi instructs his team to discreetly follow them, noting that these three individuals were not on the death list in the previous loop's explosion. Shortly after, as the wedding cake is presented, the bride, Zhao Zixin, is suddenly taken hostage by her ex-boyfriend. Ding Qi quickly subdues the assailant, rescuing the bride.
Han Yufei, who initially believed Ding Qi was Mo Yuanzhi's bodyguard, realizes he is a police officer and asks if the kidnapper is the same person who killed his father, hoping for swift justice. Ding Qi informs him that it is not yet confirmed but promises to investigate thoroughly. Ding Qi discovers an LSD "Stamp," a potent hallucinogen, on the bride's ex-boyfriend, absorbed through the skin, indicating that someone else applied it.
Reviewing surveillance footage from an hour prior to the kidnapping, Ding Qi spots a man dressed as a clown behind the ex-boyfriend. This same figure's back had also appeared in the Tang Shaorong crime scene. Ding Qi pinpoints this individual and, locating a frontal view from another camera, quickly identifies him from the database. Just as this crucial information is gathered, another time loop silently begins.
In the early hours of the new loop, Ding Qi convenes an emergency meeting with his team. He informs them of a suspicious individual named Ye Kun and asks Yu Peishan to retrieve his records. However, they discover Ye Kun's registered address was demolished two years ago, complicating their search. Ding Qi assigns new tasks: Fang Lu is to follow Tang Xin, Yu Peishan is to follow Yu Shiya, and Gu Song is to follow Han Yufei.
He instructs them to treat these three individuals as if they were Squid, and he assigns another officer to accompany him. He emphasizes that they must adapt to this intense workload, as this is not their first time. Later that morning, Ding Qi learns that Mo Yuanzhi's routine has changed; he did not wake up for his usual morning boxing. Mo Yuanzhi's assistant informs him that Mo Yuanzhi didn't sleep until 4 AM.
Mo Yuanzhi later explains this was due to a high volume of calls and emails concerning company turmoil and personnel changes. Pondering Mo Yuanzhi's altered movements, Ding Qi asks Yu Peishan to pull Mo Yuanzhi's call records and emails from the previous night, suspecting something important occurred. Yu Peishan reports that at 2 AM, while planting a GPS tracker on Mo Yuanzhi's car, she noticed the engine hood was still warm, suggesting he had gone out.
Reviewing Mo Yuanzhi's 3 AM schedule, Ding Qi and Yu Peishan deduce that Ivy Bay University, where Mo Yuanzhi is scheduled to give a speech about Moma Biotechnology, would be Squid's most likely target for an attack. Yu Peishan also reveals that An Lan was the one who frequently contacted Mo Yuanzhi early that morning, prompting Ding Qi to demand the content of their conversations, despite it being a violation.
Episode 6 Recap
As the loop reset, Ding Qi and his team were diligently searching for Ye Kun, questioning villagers if they had seen him. They eventually located Ye Kun in the village. As the team moved in for an arrest, Ye Kun unexpectedly attacked Ding Qi, striking him. Ding Qi’s colleagues rushed to his side, urging him to "Hang in there!" and calling for an ambulance, but he tragically passed away.
As the new loop began at midnight, Ding Qi reflected on his experiences, noting that because of the loops, he was "no longer afraid of death." With the third loop underway, Ding Qi began investigating the details of An Lan's late-night work with Mo Yuanzhi. He learned that An Lan had proactively contacted Mo Yuanzhi at 12:25 a. m. However, when Mo Yuanzhi arrived at the company, he made no mention of An Lan, a subtle deviation from previous loops.
Ding Qi's personal device, used for tracking, displayed "Verification failed" twice. Meanwhile, Fu Jun, a former employee of Moma Biotechnology, arrived at the company to demand his overdue compensation, explaining to Ms. Cai of Human Resources that he was struggling with his mortgage. Ms. Cai initially claimed the company withheld payment due to his alleged regulatory violations, which Fu Jun denied, threatening to speak directly with Mo Yuanzhi.
Mo Yuanzhi then called Ms. Cai, sternly warning that if the "aftermath of the workforce optimization" was not handled correctly, the Human Resources Department would also face "optimization." After the call, Ms. Cai tried to explain the company's difficulties, mentioning the need for "cutting costs and improving efficiency," and somewhat accusatorily asked if he had written to Mo Yuanzhi, which Fu Jun denied.
Ultimately, she promised that his compensation would be paid within two days and asked him to "stop making a scene." Ding Qi observed that An Lan, unlike in the previous loop, was not present at the company. Instead, she had gone to the airport to meet a client. Mo Yuanzhi received a call from Maggie, an investor from the U. S. company Volly, welcoming her and arranging a meeting.
An Lan, on the phone with Mo Yuanzhi, informed him that Maggie, currently in Xinggang, could extend her itinerary to Hua'ao for a two-hour visit. Mo Yuanzhi was pleased and acknowledged An Lan's initiative. He then announced to the company that Volly had offered to invest, crediting An Lan as the intermediary. He further revealed An Lan’s promotion to Assistant to the Chief Scientist of the R&D Department, stating that Moma Biotechnology values those who hold core technologies.
Han Yufei, upon hearing this, visibly reacted with anger and shattered a cup. An Lan and Maggie met, with Maggie commenting on An Lan's weight loss since their "exchange program" in the U. S. Maggie expressed surprise that An Lan was the one handling the connection, having thought she was always engaged in scientific research, to which An Lan replied she was "tasked to pick [her] up." Maggie agreed to meet Mo Yuanzhi after their initial conversation.
Later, the company received an update that An Lan and Maggie were on Highway 1 and would arrive soon. A news report indicated a multi-vehicle collision on Highway 1 near the M15 Junction at 10:15 a. m. Ding Qi contacted An Lan, who was on Highway 1 near the M17 Junction, and urged her driver to change routes, exiting early at the M16 Exit.
An Lan initially worried that the longer route would make them miss the important meeting, but Ding Qi insisted, and the driver complied. However, their car later got stuck on Paris Middle Street due to a standoff at Yuehai Building where someone threatened to jump, causing massive traffic jams.
With Maggie needing to catch an afternoon flight, An Lan had no choice but to suggest to Mo Yuanzhi that they hold the meeting at a nearby establishment, Super Coffee, which he agreed to. As Ding Qi escorted Mo Yuanzhi to the coffee shop, Yu Shiya sought out Tang Xin, attempting to persuade her to join forces in opposing Mo Yuanzhi's chairmanship. Yu Shiya probed Tang Xin about her allegiance within Moma's "tech faction and finance faction."
Tang Xin asserted her neutrality, stating she didn't like picking sides and preferred to be "my dad's shadow," belonging to the tech faction. Yu Shiya, however, insisted there was "no middle ground," implying that those who don't choose a side "never get any bread." She implied Tang Xin was opportunistically seeking alliances and invited her to join her faction.
Tang Xin, referencing her father, maintained her stance against picking sides and revealed she had already voted, a decision that "can't be changed." When Yu Shiya questioned her opposition to her husband, Tang Xin clarified that her actions were not against Mo Yuanzhi but aimed at "maintaining balance" within the company and her family, comparing Moma to a "weighing scale."
Undeterred, Yu Shiya tried to convince Tang Xin that aligning with her would provide more stability and bluntly warned her not to expect favors from Mo Yuanzhi, stressing, "You're not An Lan. You're of no use to him." An Lan and Maggie met Mo Yuanzhi at the Super Coffee shop.
While Maggie ordered a "dark roast flat white with ice," and Mo Yuanzhi a "hot Americano," they began discussing a potential "bet agreement" for Volly to invest approximately $200 million in Moma Biotechnology, conditional on Moma achieving 50% performance growth within three years. During this, Ding Qi noticed celebrity Fang Zhou and his assistant enter the café.
Remembering a past incident where Fang Zhou's appearance led to a fan stampede and casualties, Ding Qi tried to warn Mo Yuanzhi to move, but it was too late. A surge of fans poured into the café, chanting Fang Zhou's name. Amidst the pandemonium, Ye Kun covertly deployed a smoke bomb, plunging the scene into disarray. Ding Qi swiftly shattered a window, helping fans, including Maggie, escape safely. He then spotted the killer advancing towards Mo Yuanzhi and gave chase.
After a tense pursuit, Ding Qi successfully apprehended the culprit. To test if the man was also a time loop perceiver, Ding Qi fired a blank; the man's genuine fear confirmed he was not. Despite the capture, Ding Qi couldn't shake the feeling that someone was meticulously orchestrating these events from behind the scenes.
After the harrowing incident, Maggie expressed deep gratitude to Ding Qi and Mo Yuanzhi for their help, stating she would remember him and wanted to be friends. An Lan also thanked Ding Qi. Maggie then questioned Ding Qi about how he knew about the earlier car accident. Later, Mo Yuanzhi encouraged An Lan to "tell Qi the truth," acknowledging they "don't deserve to keep any secrets anymore." An Lan explained that she had met Maggie during a "U. S.
exchange program" and that Maggie had long expressed Volly's interest in investing in Moma. However, An Lan had lacked influence at the time, and Moma hadn't needed the investment. Following the "executives' murder cases," An Lan, acting on Mo Yuanzhi's instructions, reconnected with Maggie, whose interest in investing had surprisingly grown. Maggie had texted An Lan at "0:15 a. m." from Xinggang, offering to visit Mo Yuanzhi in Hua'ao.
Mo Yuanzhi then candidly informed Maggie about Moma's severe financial difficulties and the recent murders of two executives, explaining that these attacks were due to their RAN gene-based drug research threatening traditional pharmaceutical companies. He emphasized the excellence of Moma's RAN technology and challenged Volly to invest, testing their "judgment and courage." Maggie agreed to report to her headquarters and provide a response.
As Maggie departed to catch her flight from Xinggang to New York, she promised to communicate via email or video. Ding Qi, however, suspected that despite her departure, she would "still return to Hua'ao" after midnight. He also pondered whether Maggie and Mo Yuanzhi were truly unfamiliar with Ye Kun, or if there was a "skilled performer hidden" among them. In the interrogation room, Ye Kun refused to confess.
Ding Qi pressed him, stating that surveillance footage would prove he threw the smoke bomb. Ye Kun, in turn, accused Ding Qi of shooting at him and recalled Ding Qi saying, "People like us don't fear death," a phrase he found deeply perplexing. Meanwhile, Fu Jun, while making a delivery, was nearly struck by a car, leaving him visibly shaken.
A news report confirmed that the cafe incident resulted in no serious casualties, with all those hospitalized sustaining only minor injuries. Yu Shiya received relayed images confirming Mo Yuanzhi's successful communication with Maggie. Later, as Ding Qi accompanied Mo Yuanzhi to a university lecture, they revisited the investment. Mo Yuanzhi reiterated his belief that "Squid's motive for murder" was to "destroy Moma Technology," citing the recent murders.
An Lan then disclosed that Maggie had initiated contact with her via text message at "0:15 a. m." This revelation struck Ding Qi, who realized that Maggie was "the first person to break the loop." Reflecting on the situation, Ding Qi acknowledged he was "in the open," while "Squid is in the shadows."
He expressed concern that the previous loops might have been designed to "obstruct my sight" in the "final loop," preventing him from anticipating "the direction from which danger comes." He pondered the true identity of Squid, even suspecting that Squid might also be a loop perceiver, feeling that all events were cleverly circumventing his predictions.
Episode 7 Recap
An Lan diligently watched over her comatose mother at the hospital. She had hoped that recalling cherished memories might rouse her, but her efforts proved fruitless. Although Dr. Chen patiently advised her to accept the situation, noting that her mother had long lost all higher brain function and suggesting to reduce the 24-hour EEG monitoring, An Lan refused to give up. She firmly believed her mother would want her to persevere.
With steadfast determination, An Lan produced a newly developed drug, a product of her research, hoping to achieve a miracle. As the third loop of the day began, despite the chaotic incident at the café, Mo Yuanzhi insisted on proceeding with his afternoon lecture. Ding Qi, concerned for his safety, urged him to cancel. Mo Yuanzhi, in an uncharacteristic display of anger, refused, explaining that as long as he was alive, some things must continue.
An executive had been killed, causing investors to pull out, and he needed to project an image of stability for Moma Group. He then apologized to Ding Qi for his outburst, acknowledging his own emotional state was "a bit off." Ding Qi noted Mo Yuanzhi's change from previous loops and worried that the chaos might be a trap set by Squid, potentially endangering many innocent people if Mo Yuanzhi insisted on giving the speech.
Mo Yuanzhi, however, countered that Squid's objective was to halt his genetic research, which aimed to save lives through RAN technology. During a lunch break, Ding Qi and his colleagues discussed recent dreams of their own deaths, some in explosions, which felt incredibly real. Ding Qi's colleagues found him strange, recalling his uncanny predictions, such as identifying a suspicious individual named Ye Kun from a list of three and knowing precise details about a bank robbery.
One colleague suggested that their boss might possess precognition through dreams. Duan Zheng, jokingly, then claimed that Ding Qi had the ability to enter a time loop, a suggestion that was met with laughter from the others. After the discussion, Ding Qi instructed Peishan to investigate a professor named You Yuxiang from Ivy Bay University. Ding Qi later sought out An Lan in the laboratory, finding it difficult to gain entry at first.
An Lan met him and led him outside, asserting that the lab held commercial secrets. Ding Qi questioned her about her whereabouts during the early hours of the morning. An Lan explained that she had been in the lab, working on a special drug in its animal testing phase, when some data had unexpectedly changed. Ding Qi, with his keen insight, correctly surmised that she was researching a drug to awaken PVS patients.
An Lan admitted that she had left the lab at 2:15 AM to visit her mother at the hospital after discovering something incredible on the monitor—a test subject had briefly regained mobility. At the hospital, she checked her mother's EEG, which showed a transient change an hour prior that hospital staff had missed. An Lan asked Dr. Chen if it was possible for the brain to awaken while the body remained stiff.
Dr. Chen recounted a similar, painful case from five years prior. An Lan, convinced that her drug was working, vowed to find a way to awaken her mother's body as well, though she couldn't yet disclose her methods to Ding Qi. She then prepared to leave for Ivy Bay University, where she had been invited to speak due to her new appointment, acknowledging she had to shoulder responsibilities she didn't particularly enjoy.
Ding Qi reassured her, telling her he had everything covered. Meanwhile, at the airport, the Chinese American Maggie, whom Ding Qi's team had been escorting, cleared customs. As she paused to look at her reflection in a glass pane, she offered a subtle, knowing smile to the escorting police officer, a gesture that hinted at untold secrets.
Back at the police station, Ding Qi interrogated Ye Kun about the attempted murder of Mo Yuanzhi and the deaths of Han Song and Tang Shaorong. Ye Kun denied direct involvement, claiming he was merely "passing by" during Tang Shaorong's death. Ding Qi pointed out Ye Kun's uncanny awareness of the billboard's fall and future events, but deduced that Ye Kun was not the mastermind. He pressed Ye Kun about who was truly behind these incidents.
Ye Kun repeatedly glanced at the clock, seemingly anticipating twelve midnight, for "everything to start over" or "to enter the loop." When Ding Qi explicitly mentioned "the loop," Ye Kun became visibly flustered, reinforcing Ding Qi's suspicion that Ye Kun's handler was also a loop participant. As police officers attempted to detain Professor You Yuxiang at Ivy Bay University under the pretense of investigating a toxic drug leakage, he cleverly slipped away during a bathroom break.
Ding Qi was immediately notified of You Yuxiang's escape and rushed to the university. Just then, Peishan called Ding Qi with urgent news: You Yuxiang had been diagnosed with an advanced malignant brain tumor a month prior, with only two months to live, leaving him with just one month remaining. This information resonated deeply with Ding Qi, linking back to a question from his dream: "A life for a life, is it worth it?"
At the university lecture, Mo Yuanzhi, after a private conversation with An Lan, reaffirmed her official appointment as his "right-hand person" for Moma's future, dismissing any potential opposition from a board member named Han Yufei. He expressed his trust in An Lan and asked for her trust in return. Separately, in a conversation about company loyalty with board member Han Yufei, Tang Xin likened Moma to a precarious balance where one must choose a side.
Acknowledging she could never reach the "top of the core technology pyramid," she declared her allegiance to Mo Yuanzhi and the "tech faction." Han Yufei then countered that she didn't need to be at the top—she only needed an "access card to the base of the pyramid." Mo Yuanzhi then began his lecture, speaking about the concept of "defying fate" with RAN technology.
During the Q&A session, a male student posed an unexpectedly challenging question, a different one than in previous loops, about the safety and long-term testing of RAN technology. Mo Yuanzhi defended RAN's safety and Moma's integrity against accusations of suppressing experts. However, the student escalated, alleging that RAN had already caused deaths, citing the cases of executives Han Song and Tang Shaorong, and accusing Mo Yuanzhi of covering up academic disagreements with his mentor.
As commotion erupted, a video suddenly appeared on the main screen, showing You Yuxiang holding a female student hostage. Mo Yuanzhi identified the location as an underground laboratory. You Yuxiang then revealed to Mo Yuanzhi, and the public, that this was the very place where Mo Yuanzhi had killed his mentor, Jiang Yuwen, whose disappearance had been covered up.
While Mo Yuanzhi calmly offered to cooperate with police investigation to prove his innocence, Ding Qi and his team arrived at the underground lab. For the safety of the hostage, Ding Qi bravely disarmed himself and approached You Yuxiang. You Yuxiang looked at Ding Qi, finding him familiar but unable to recall from where. He then confessed to Ding Qi a dream he had last night, where someone asked him, "A life for a life, is it worth it?"
He tearfully realized it was "not worth it" and declared his true purpose was to expose Mo Yuanzhi's crimes, not to kill him. Ding Qi promised to investigate thoroughly and pleaded for You Yuxiang's cooperation. You Yuxiang urged Ding Qi to find the evidence himself, telling him he was "different" from other police officers he had met. Before You Yuxiang could reveal anything more, he was tragically shot and killed by a police officer.
Episode 8 Recap
Nine years ago, Mo Yuanzhi was a student with a fervent desire to dedicate himself to scientific research. He earnestly sought to be accepted by Jiang Yuwen as a PhD student. Jiang Yuwen, however, saw through Mo Yuanzhi's underlying motive—to use research as a means to save someone—and initially refused him, stating that the path of genetic research was long and uncertain, often yielding no light even after a decade. Undeterred, Mo Yuanzhi left his research proposal for Jiang Yuwen.
Upon reviewing it, Jiang Yuwen's interest was piqued, and he enthusiastically agreed to take Mo Yuanzhi on as his student. Meanwhile, Professor You Yuxiang was explaining tree annual rings and other natural time-keeping mechanisms to his students, such as a bird from Guatemala called the Dina bird which chirps every thirty minutes, the time-telling insect that changes color hourly, and the South African large-leaf tree whose leaves flip every two hours.
He described how shells record seasonal rings, nautiluses contain month rings, and coral polyps secrete calcium carbonate daily to form tiny daily rings. These daily rings accumulate into growth belts, from which paleontologists can deduce the number of days in a year. He noted that modern corals have exactly 365 daily rings. However, he was bewildered by strange findings in recent years where many corals exhibited over 400 daily rings within a single year, pondering why this anomaly occurred.
During his lecture, You Yuxiang was shot and killed by a female police officer, Fang Lu, causing the students in the hall to flee in terror. Afterwards, Ding Qi discovered that the weapon You Yuxiang had brandished was a fake, utterly harmless. Seeing You Yuxiang's body being removed, Fang Lu was filled with remorse, grappling with the feeling of having killed someone for the first time.
Ding Qi reassured her that she had simply fulfilled her duty as a police officer, as they could not gamble with the hostages' lives. Back at the police station, Ding Qi learned that Fu Jun, the delivery driver he had been trying to help in previous loops, had died in a car accident. He wondered why Fu Jun's fate seemed inescapable, questioning why his attempts to help only pushed Fu Jun's destiny to extremes within the loop.
Separately, Duan Zheng reviewed footage of Ding Qi's interrogation of Ye Kun. Initially dismissing Ding Qi's mention of a "loop" as a joke, Duan Zheng now became convinced that Ding Qi was indeed experiencing a time loop, especially after Ye Kun’s panicked reaction when questioned about waiting for the loop. Duan Zheng later asked Ding Qi about the "loop" and Ye Kun's statement about "the same kind of people" knowing future events and specific time points.
Ding Qi, however, vehemently denied knowing anything about a loop or predicting the future, leaving Duan Zheng to doubt his own memory. An Lan arrived at the police station for questioning. When asked about Jiang Yuwen, she shared rumors that he had committed suicide before his disappearance, burning down his lab to destroy experimental data, though his body was never found. She confirmed her attendance at the canceled Zhao family wedding as a chief assistant, considering herself half an executive.
Ding Qi showed An Lan a photo of Ye Kun, and she felt a sense of familiarity but couldn't recall where she might have seen him. Ding Qi pressed An Lan about how she knew about a highway accident that morning, implying she had foreknowledge. An Lan initially deflected, mentioning checking the news and having a traffic police colleague, but eventually suggested she knew because Ding Qi was on that road.
In another room, Mo Yuanzhi expressed his confusion as to why You Yuxiang had accused him of killing Jiang Yuwen, questioning You Yuxiang's mental stability and the absence of a body for the alleged murder. He stated that on the day Jiang Yuwen disappeared, evidence like the timeline, witnesses, and surveillance footage showed he never entered the lab. He then recounted his past with Jiang Yuwen, who was his PhD supervisor and once his idol, despite his eccentric personality.
In his final doctoral year, Jiang Yuwen treated him as a partner, which Mo Yuanzhi greatly appreciated. However, their relationship deteriorated when Mo Yuanzhi sought to co-author a cutting-edge research paper with Jiang Yuwen. Jiang Yuwen repeatedly refused, accusing Mo Yuanzhi of taking "shortcuts" in science and predicting his downfall. Mo Yuanzhi interpreted this as jealousy from his idol.
He applied to change supervisors, but before the request was approved, an explosion occurred in the lab, and Jiang Yuwen disappeared without a trace, his body never found by the police. Yu Peishan inquired about Jiang Yuwen's case with her former teacher. The teacher confirmed the lab fire was an accident, leading to significant research loss for students, but Mo Yuanzhi cleverly changed his research topic, graduated successfully, and founded Moma Biotechnology.
Rumors also circulated that Jiang Yuwen suffered from depression and had committed suicide by jumping into a river. Yu Peishan obtained photocopies of the fire incident records, discovering that her superior, Huang Yuan, was the official recorder. Meanwhile, Yu Shiya received news that the Zhao family wedding for the evening was canceled, which she reacted to with anger.
Ding Qi, sensing something mysterious about the B1 lab next to An Lan’s, instructed Yu Peishan to retrieve surveillance footage from Moma Biotechnology’s R&D department, assuring her he would take responsibility for any issues. Yu Peishan's monitoring later revealed Mo Yuanzhi and Yu Shiya appearing at the lab in the early morning.
Yu Shiya went to the hospital to confront a person who had been impersonating a student and was injured at the lecture hall, questioning why her messages went unanswered. Ding Qi and other police officers arrived and apprehended Yu Shiya. At the police station, Ding Qi suspected Yu Shiya of intending to murder Mo Yuanzhi, noting she had previously used similar methods to monitor Han Song and Tang Shaorong.
Yu Shiya admitted to monitoring all three men, explaining that they had been colluding to "eat away at her family's shares" and were ruthless businessmen beneath their scientific facade. She claimed she had observed discord among them, which she viewed as a positive for maintaining corporate balance. She was surprised when both Han Song and Tang Shaorong died within a month.
Yu Shiya further revealed that on the mornings of Han Song and Tang Shaorong's deaths, and again this morning, Mo Yuanzhi had woken up early and left his home. She followed him today to the B1 lab at Moma Biotechnology but was blocked by access restrictions. She then observed An Lan entering the same B1 lab. Unsure if it was a date or work, Yu Shiya requested Ding Qi to investigate and inform her if her husband was being unfaithful. She concluded by admitting that she did want to kill Mo Yuanzhi, echoing a sentiment that every married couple experiences moments of wishing to kill each other.
Episode 9 Recap
An Lan found her opportunity to study at Stanford Medical School maliciously replaced, leaving her disheartened and contemplating giving up her dreams. However, her friend Feng Wanqing stood by her, reminding An Lan of her academic achievements, including a paper published in SCI, and urging her to believe in her own capabilities. Feng Wanqing clarified that fate offers multiple choices, not just one.
She asked An Lan if she truly loved her chosen field, explaining that devotion meant she couldn't live without it for even a minute. An Lan confirmed her deep devotion, which prompted Feng Wanqing to offer her entire savings of 50,000 yuan to support An Lan's self-funded pursuit of her dream. Initially reluctant, An Lan eventually accepted, vowing to regain her rightful spot, a determination that Feng Wanqing welcomed.
Meanwhile, Ding Qi returned to the laboratory where Jiang Yuwen's explosion occurred, hoping to uncover new clues. Concurrently, Duan Zheng angrily confronted Huang Yuan with Jiang Yuwen's case files, demanding to know why cold cases, including the lab explosion and university protests, were being assigned to his team. Duan Zheng then led Huang Yuan to the remnants of Jiang Yuwen's laboratory.
Huang Yuan recounted that the incident happened on November 6, 2016, after 8 PM, when the lab suddenly burst into flames. The fire was so intense that by the time firefighters arrived, the interior was mostly destroyed. Despite a report of a teacher inside, no casualties or bodies were found. Huang Yuan noted that surveillance cameras clearly showed Jiang Yuwen entering the lab at 8:05 PM, and many students, including Mo Yuanzhi, witnessed his entry.
However, no one saw Jiang Yuwen exit before the explosion occurred just thirty seconds later, providing Mo Yuanzhi with a complete alibi. After extensive searches yielded no trace of Jiang Yuwen, the case went cold. Duan Zheng inquired about You Yuxiang, who had reported witnessing Mo Yuanzhi kill Jiang Yuwen with a dagger. Huang Yuan, however, dismissed this account due to the absence of bloodstains or a body.
He also asserted that Mo Yuanzhi had no motive for murder, as he was the one who suffered the greatest loss in the fire, losing nearly complete groundbreaking research data. Back at his home, Mo Yuanzhi awaited Yu Shiya's return and asked her about the police questioning. Yu Shiya revealed she told the police about their marital relationship to clear herself of suspicion, and starkly stated that Mo Yuanzhi had never loved her.
Mo Yuanzhi momentarily contemplated removing his wedding ring, but a flashback brought him to his internship days. He had just started at the hospital, introducing himself to Feng Wanqing, his mentor, as a biomedical engineering graduate from Ivy Bay University with five consecutive years of scholarships. During ward rounds, Feng Wanqing and Mo Yuanzhi attended to a patient suffering from a Grade 4 spinal tumor, writhing in unbearable pain.
Mo Yuanzhi suggested increasing the fentanyl dosage, but Feng Wanqing adhered to hospital regulations. Later, he secretly administered an increased dose of the painkiller to the patient. Feng Wanqing, observing him, simply questioned if he was there to ask her questions. An Lan, seeking to review early research data from 2018 for comparative study, found her access permissions denied. Judy, an archivist, explained that due to strict security measures against hackers, only Mr. Mo could approve access to electronic documents.
However, Judy informed An Lan that she had full permission to review hardcopy documents. An Lan requested to see data starting from 2018. Judy then provided An Lan with a shelf of archived materials. When An Lan noted the absence of early genetic data, Judy left to retrieve more specific files, giving An Lan a brief window to surreptitiously photograph some of the 2016 data. An Lan then discovered a clear connection between Feng Wanqing's disappearance and Moma Biotechnology.
Meanwhile, Mo Yuanzhi confronted Yu Shiya, revealing he knew she had hired a private detective to investigate him. He correctly surmised that she would have told the police he married her for her family's assets and social connections. Mo Yuanzhi admitted that her family's background and her father's investments were indeed what he "desperately needed back then." However, he declared that after all these years, he had long replaced her father as her new backbone.
He coldly stated that while feelings might fade, interests would not, asserting they were "a match made in heaven." Ding Qi, back at the explosion site, pondered whether Mo Yuanzhi was the killer, recalling the lack of evidence of Jiang Yuwen leaving the lab. As he meticulously examined the laboratory, he discovered a hidden compartment within a cabinet. Upon entering it, Ding Qi realized that this secured space could have offered protection during the explosion.
This startling discovery caused him to experience a sensation of "death," and the loop day restarted. Concurrently, You Yuxiang and Kai also felt a similar, unsettling sensation, mistaking it for a dream. In this new loop, An Lan's lab mice showed renewed activity, and her paralyzed mother also began to awaken. As An Lan exited the laboratory, she encountered Mo Yuanzhi.
She quickly informed him that her mother's EEG was showing changes and she was rushing to the hospital, inadvertently distracting him. This allowed Yu Shiya to discreetly slip into the B1 laboratory just as the door was closing and quickly photograph the access code. An Lan arrived at the hospital and found her mother's eyes open. Though her mother couldn't move, she blinked in response to An Lan's voice, confirming she could hear her, bringing An Lan immense joy.
Shortly after, during a moment when Mo Yuanzhi was away, Yu Shiya returned to the B1 laboratory and used the code she had photographed to enter. She was visibly terrified by what she saw inside, emerging from the lab looking utterly distraught. Ding Qi, now aware of Mo Yuanzhi's repeated early morning visits to Moma Biotechnology in previous loops, decided to track him.
He instructed his team: plainclothes officers were dispatched to Mo Yuanzhi's home for surveillance, while Kai was sent to locate Ye Kun and install a tracking device on him. Ding Qi himself covertly entered Ye Kun's residence. Inside, he discovered an elaborate setup of wiring equipment and a wall covered with detailed information about Mo Yuanzhi, Han Su, and Tang Shaorong. Simultaneously, at Mo Yuanzhi's home, plainclothes police meticulously monitored his every move.
Another officer, acting on Ding Qi's orders, placed a listening device on Ye Kun's clothing at a film set. Moments later, Yu Shiya, still visibly shaken from her visit to the B1 lab, returned home. Upon seeing Mo Yuanzhi, she attempted to feign normalcy, a struggle observed by the hidden police officers. Soon after, Kai reported to Ding Qi that Ye Kun had woken up and was on his way back.
Episode 10 Recap
In 2016, in the United States, a young Maggie watched as her mother delved into stock market research and worked diligently. Just a few days later, her mother surprised her by purchasing luxury cars and office buildings, bringing Maggie immense joy. The fourth loop day began. As was their routine, the team searched Ye Kun's room for clues.
A minute before Ye Kun entered, Ding Qi subtly returned everything to its original place and left, ensuring Ye Kun noticed nothing amiss. Ding Qi then returned to the police station and showed his team a video playback of Jiang Yuwen's explosion scene from eight years ago at the Ivy Bay University's biology lab. At first, the officers didn't spot anything unusual.
However, after Ding Qi pointed it out, they were astonished to realize that while six firefighters entered the laboratory, a seventh person, difficult to discern without close inspection, emerged with them. This individual had cleverly used a blind spot for concealment, leading Ding Qi to conclude that Jiang Yuwen had disguised himself as a firefighter to escape the lab. This indicated a meticulously planned escape, likely utilizing a fireproof cabinet inside the lab as a hiding spot during the fire.
Ding Qi revealed his plan to activate mass surveillance, suspecting that Jiang Yuwen was currently hiding in Hua'ao. Ding Qi later arrived at Mo Yuanzhi's home, finding Mo Yuanzhi practicing his boxing as he always did. Mo Yuanzhi acknowledged the demanding nature of his work and his need to recover daily, noting, "The loop is back." Meanwhile, Fu Jun appeared at Moma Biotechnology, not to demand compensation as before, but to deliver a takeout order.
He then asked for paper and a pen to write a letter to Mo Yuanzhi. Ding Qi decided to focus his investigation on Maggie. Conveniently, An Lan was unable to pick someone up at the airport, so Ding Qi volunteered for the task. He learned from Duan Zheng that an important American investor was arriving in Hua'ao, and An Lan, who was supposed to meet her, was held up.
Ding Qi promptly offered to go, stating he would be the quickest. Duan Zheng had already investigated Maggie's background and informed Ding Qi that she was born and raised in the U. S. in a single-parent household, graduated from a top university as a math prodigy, and joined the prestigious investment firm Volly.
Most notably, her mother, a housewife with little education and poor English, had suddenly won the lottery in 2016 and then expertly invested in stocks, rapidly escalating their wealth from poverty to middle class. Ding Qi found the 2016 timeline and the sudden acquisition of wealth strikingly similar to his own experiences. Upon Maggie's arrival at the airport, Ding Qi positioned himself directly in front of her to test if she was a time loop perceiver.
She walked past him without any recognition of him or his car. On the drive to Moma, Ding Qi continued his tests, offering her a dark roast flat white with ice, and observing her unfamiliarity with the M17 intersection and the car accident site that occurred in the loop. Her immediate reactions seemed too genuine, leading Ding Qi to conclude that she was not a time loop perceiver. However, he remained convinced that a time loop perceiver was influencing her.
He reflected on her mother's sudden financial acumen and Maggie's decision to invest in Moma during a crisis, coupled with her strong interest in gene technology. He deduced that if Maggie wasn't a perceiver, someone else was behind her. As Ding Qi successfully brought Maggie to Moma Biotechnology, ensuring events were back on their established course (confirmed by a reported glass-breaking incident at the shareholder meeting), Yu Shiya unexpectedly appeared in the parking lot.
Ding Qi noted that her trajectory had changed, as she was supposed to be on the rooftop at this time. Han Yufei rushed towards her, confronting her about abstaining from the shareholder vote. He reminded her of their agreement to combine their shares to take control of Moma once Mo Yuanzhi fell.
Yu Shiya declared their deal over, stating she no longer wanted his shares and would pretend she had never seen him, telling him he was no match for Mo Yuanzhi. Han Yufei then demanded the lab access code, threatening to reveal how Mo Yuanzhi's wife had schemed for his assets. Yu Shiya warned him not to go, but eventually relented and gave him the password, instructing him not to seek her out again.
Ding Qi then confronted Han Yufei, identifying himself as a police officer. He surmised that Han Yufei believed his father's death was suspicious, especially after the appearance of "Squid," and was seeking revenge. Ding Qi assured Han Yufei that he shared his goal of finding his father's killer, but stressed that such matters should be handled by the police. Han Yufei recounted overhearing his father, Han Song, arguing with Mo Yuanzhi about a "secret laboratory" in his father's office.
Han Song had expressed his intent to sell his shares and distance himself from Moma, believing Mo Yuanzhi's actions would destroy the company. Han Yufei, suspecting his father's death was linked to the lab, had sought the password. His father had vehemently warned him against getting involved and to never speak of the secret lab to anyone, displaying an unprecedented level of nervousness.
Ding Qi informed Han Yufei that Mo Yuanzhi would be at the Zhao family's wedding tonight, presenting an opportunity, but reiterated his advice to stay out of the dangerous affair. After her visit to the lab, Maggie departed from Moma, with plainclothes police following her to the airport to ensure her exit from the country. Meanwhile, Yu Peishan was reviewing surveillance footage. An Lan, desperate to help her mother, had been secretly administering medication to her.
This action was noticed by Dr. Chen, who questioned her about it, noting that her mother's condition had improved overnight in a way no known drug could achieve, though he warned the effect might be temporary. Dr. Chen recalled a similar, unverified case in 2016: an anonymous patient at a hospice who recovered in seven days before suffering a complete systemic collapse.
An Lan, realizing the significance, confirmed the patient suffered from a late-stage malignant spinal tumor, and requested to use the hospital's computer. She found a medical record with the name Wanqing. An Lan watched a video call from 2016 with Wanqing, who was noticeably thinner and seemed to be in a hospital. An Lan realized that Wanqing, like her mother, had suffered from a spinal coma, and recognized the "Moyunshan Care" logo in the background of Wanqing's video chat.
Wanqing mentioned her condition was "fifty-fifty" and asked An Lan to review her records. Yu Peishan subsequently reported her findings to Ding Qi. She discovered that Jiang Yuwen had a daughter, Tang Xin, whom he had given up for adoption to a childless couple after his wife died and he became engrossed in research. Yu Peishan had unearthed the confidential adoption records.
Ding Qi wondered if Jiang Yuwen was indeed Squid, given that Tang Xin was one of the three survivors of the cake bombing. Yu Peishan then revealed another child of Jiang Yuwen: one he had with an Asian woman while he was a visiting scholar in the U. S. in 1995. This child and their mother had later disappeared without a trace. Connecting this to Maggie's background—U. S.
birth, no information about her father, and her mother's sudden wealth in 2016—Ding Qi suspected Maggie was this child. He promptly instructed Yu Peishan to take a water cup Maggie had used and arrange a paternity test with Jiang Yuwen's DNA. The results confirmed Ding Qi's theory: Maggie was indeed Jiang Yuwen's biological daughter.
Episode 11 Recap
In 2008, a fierce street brawl erupted where Feng Qiming, then known as Ye Kun, accidentally caused a death and was subsequently sentenced to 15 years in prison in Mabu. Before being incarcerated, his brother assured him that he would take care of their mother. Years prior, Mo Yuanzhi and Feng Wanqing had grown close, with Wanqing playing music for Mo Yuanzhi to soothe his troubled mind. Their romance blossomed, but Wanqing's health soon began to deteriorate.
On the fourth loop day, Fang Lu, under Ding Qi's orders, was secretly tracking An Lan as she headed toward Mourn Vale. Ding Qi was surprised by An Lan's destination, unaware she was investigating where Wanqing had received treatment. Meanwhile, Feng Qiming also arrived at Mourn Vale and accidentally knocked Fang Lu unconscious. An Lan explored a dilapidated hospital room, seeking answers about Wanqing's past treatment.
To her shock, Feng Qiming had locked the door and silently approached her from behind. Ding Qi, upon arriving and discovering the unconscious Fang Lu, frantically rushed into the medical center through a back window. An Lan, not recognizing Feng Qiming, desperately pleaded for her release, explaining she was searching for her best friend, who had gone missing eight years ago after falling severely ill.
She had only just found this hospice and had been looking for her since returning home. Noticing Feng Qiming's resemblance to Wanqing, An Lan tentatively asked if he was Wanqing's brother. It was then that Feng Qiming realized his sister had been treated there. When Ding Qi inadvertently made a noise, Feng Qiming went to investigate, allowing An Lan to break free.
She discovered a test tube with a drug code on the floor and a hidden room behind a wardrobe. Ding Qi then knocked Feng Qiming unconscious and found a shaken An Lan, who informed him that the man was Feng Wanqing's brother, Feng Qiming. After regaining consciousness, Feng Qiming engaged in a fierce struggle with Ding Qi.
Ding Qi tried to explain he wasn't there to arrest him and simply wanted to talk, but Feng Qiming, distrustful, threatened to blow him up before drawing a dagger and lunging. During their fight, just as Ding Qi uttered Feng Wanqing's name, Fang Lu, who had revived, intervened and shot Feng Qiming, killing him. Fang Lu vaguely recalled having fired a gun before. Soon after, an explosion ripped through Mourn Vale Medical Center.
News reports confirmed three fatalities, with the cause under investigation. Ding Qi remarked that making someone "lower their guard" sometimes required "death." He later called his "Boss," Yu Peishan, confirmed that he and An Lan were safe, and decided to regroup. Earlier, An Lan had found Feng Wanqing's personal notebook hidden under a bed in her old hospital room.
She read entries detailing Wanqing's fear of losing the ability to paint and write as her hands weakened, and a poignant line: "The world keeps repeating, and the pain keeps multiplying. I'm in so much pain, so much so that I can't breathe. . . it's all happening again."
An Lan recounted that eight years ago, Feng Wanqing and other terminal patients at Mourn Vale Medical Center had illegally received early experimental RAN treatment, a drug still in the animal testing phase. This RAN technology had achieved a significant breakthrough with Wanqing, who was declared cured for a brief seven days, a "medical miracle" that Mo Yuanzhi had celebrated as a second chance for them to be together.
However, Wanqing's condition rapidly deteriorated after those seven days, leading to immense suffering and a desire to escape the world, though she couldn't bear to leave someone behind. An Lan deduced that only Mo Yuanzhi and Jiang Yuwen had access to RAN technology and experimental drugs then, and it must have been Mo Yuanzhi who refused to let Wanqing die.
Ding Qi observed that the actual notebook didn't contain all the details An Lan was recounting, and An Lan subsequently lost consciousness. Meanwhile, police found a tracker installed on An Lan's car. Yu Peishan's investigation revealed that Feng Qiming, initially known as Ye Kun, had served 15 years in a Mabu prison for accidentally causing a death during a brawl and used "Ye Kun" as an alias after returning home.
She also discovered a missed call on Ye Kun's new phone from someone located inside the Moma building. Fearing An Lan was being monitored, Ding Qi used a signal jammer before confiding in her. He explained that Feng Wanqing's "world repeating" was a reference to "loop days," revealing he himself was a loop participant who retained memories while others forgot. This ability allowed him to anticipate events, though people often mistakenly called it "foreknowledge."
An Lan, convinced, led Ding Qi to a secret room. She revealed that for the past two years, during her RAN experiments, two inexplicable phenomena occurred that she kept secret, knowing no one would believe her. After exploring numerous scientific theories, she hypothesized "foreknowledge" as the only explanation for the behavior of RN356, a lab mouse with abnormal behavior that she had brought home for constant observation.
A year prior, in a complex maze designed to test memory and learning, RN356, a healthy mouse, exhibited a unique ability to consistently avoid dangers and find rewards, regardless of maze changes, indicating "inexplicable foreknowledge." When she reported this to Chief Scientist Tang Shaorong, the ability vanished during the demonstration, and he dismissed it as a coincidence. Undeterred, An Lan continued her experiments at home, meticulously recording the specific, seemingly random dates when RN356's predictive ability reappeared.
Ding Qi then recited a list of these exact dates from 2023: January 1, February 25, March 3, March 29, April 16, and May 19, confirming they were all "loop days," matching An Lan's records precisely.
