Never Say Goodbye Episode 8 Recap
> Never Say Goodbye Recap
Police operations began near Xiaofoye's lair. Zhao Ran discovered a gun inside Xiaofoye's house, prompting Rong Yao to order an immediate strike. A fierce shootout erupted between the police and Xiaofoye's men. During the chaos, Xiaofoye, protected by a bulletproof vest, managed to escape to the rooftop and eventually fled the scene, where he was met by Dakun's men. A bomb inside the lair then detonated, but Rong Yao quickly led his team to safety.
Li Yimeng, acting as Sniper One, initially hit Xiaofoye from her position on the third-floor corner, but his vest prevented a serious injury. Disregarding orders, she pursued him independently. Xiaofoye responded by throwing a grenade, but Rong Yao arrived just in time, tackling Li Yimeng to the ground and saving her life. Following the failed capture, Director Liu expressed his profound dissatisfaction with the operation, demanding an explanation from Rong Yao.
He was particularly frustrated that Xiaofoye, despite the extensive efforts, had escaped using a vehicle with a fake number plate, which allowed him to evade the surveillance system. Rong Yao acknowledged a critical error in command: a team member had disobeyed orders by acting without authorization, putting everyone at risk. Li Yimeng stepped forward, taking full responsibility for her impulsive actions, while Rong Yao also accepted accountability as the commander.
Director Liu informed them that their handling would be decided by the Bureau's Party Committee. He then reminded Rong Yao that each member of Task Force 84 had been personally selected by him, and he expected them not to disappoint the organization in future missions. Xiaofoye, having been rescued by Dakun's men, attempted to thank Dakun, but was met with a furious rebuke.
Dakun lambasted Xiaofoye for his recklessness, which had led to police involvement and the capture or death of several associates. Xiaofoye desperately apologized, begging for mercy and promising absolute obedience if given another chance. However, Dakun declared their shared debt settled and coldly handed Xiaofoye over to Li Ruosheng and Mu Qing, instructing them to deal with him as they saw fit.
As Dakun departed, Li Ruosheng turned to Xiaofoye, stating that he couldn't blame them for his impending fate, but rather Dakun. Meanwhile, Director Liu received a message from Mu Qing (codename Yuanwen), indicating he was ready to "collect Xiaofoye." Director Liu then reiterated to Rong Yao that his paramount task was to ensure Yuanwen's absolute safety while working closely with him. This cooperation was vital, as Yuanwen's provided clues were essential to dismantle the drug trafficking network.
Alone with Xiaofoye, Li Ruosheng relentlessly taunted him, reminding him that his bulletproof vest couldn't protect him now. He initiated a brutal game of "truth or dare," pressing Xiaofoye to admit if Dakun had ordered the hit on Mu Qing. Xiaofoye defiantly claimed sole responsibility for the assassination plot, even boasting of his desire to kill both Mu Qing and Li Ruosheng, then dismember them and feed them to sharks.
Provoked by Xiaofoye's insults, Li Ruosheng reached for a knife, intending to kill him. Mu Qing intervened, offering to perform the execution himself and asking for a gun. Observing Mu Qing's hesitation, Li Ruosheng misinterpreted it as shyness over a first kill and led his men out, leaving Mu Qing and Xiaofoye alone. Once alone, Mu Qing revealed his true intentions, stating that as a businessman, he preferred to avoid bloodshed.
He offered Xiaofoye an escape, providing him with new identification, a plane ticket scheduled to depart in three hours, and a bank card containing enough money for six months of living expenses. A grateful Xiaofoye acknowledged that he now owed Mu Qing his life. To cover his actions, Mu Qing then staged a convincing scene, pushing a large oil drum into a water-filled pit, creating the illusion that he had carried out a complete "killing and collecting corpses" service.
When Li Ruosheng and his men returned, they found Mu Qing visibly shaken, believing he had just committed his first murder. Impressed, Li Ruosheng invited Mu Qing to drink to calm his nerves. Later, Li Ruosheng teased Mu Qing about his reliance on intellect over physical strength, to which Mu Qing retorted that strategic thinking was more effective in large-scale business.
He also warned Li Ruosheng against impulsively targeting Dakun, emphasizing that Dakun had been a loyal associate of Mr. Ou for many years and was not easily removed. At Mr. Ou's residence, Ou Kexin playfully measured him for a custom-made suit, expressing gratitude for his support in opening her clothing studio. Mr. Ou, surprised by her newfound dedication, inquired about the reason for her change of heart.
Ou Kexin credited Mu Qing entirely, explaining how he constantly encouraged her to pursue a serious career and help lighten her father's burdens, even teasing that Mu Qing nagged more than Mr. Ou himself. When Mr. Ou asked if she had developed feelings for Mu Qing, Ou Kexin, with playful affection, declared that he, her father, was the only man she would ever steadfastly love in her life.
This delighted Mr. Ou, and the two shared a lighthearted moment, with Ou Kexin asking him to encourage his associates to patronize her new business. Concurrently, Director Liu confirmed with Rong Yao that Yuanwen had successfully released Xiaofoye according to their plan, and Rong Yao assured him that Xiaofoye would remain within the reach of the Sky Eye surveillance system.
Rong Yao, disguised as a taxi driver, personally picked up a jubilant Xiaofoye, who was humming happily, dreaming of starting a new life abroad in places like Turkey, Tokyo, and Paris. However, their destination was the police station. During the interrogation, Xiaofoye suffered from severe drug withdrawal. A police officer confronted him about the devastating impact of drug use and trafficking. Desperate for relief, Xiaofoye promised to confess everything in exchange for ice water.
He then revealed a crucial piece of intelligence: Dakun frequently visited the Haoran Auto Shop every Friday. Rong Yao, cross-referencing this with surveillance footage showing Dakun's unusually long stays at the shop, concluded that it served as a front for a drug transaction point, with its owner, Mr. Qi, being Dakun's subordinate. Given that it was Friday, Rong Yao decided to act immediately. He assigned Li Yimeng and Zhao Ran to pose as a couple and infiltrate the auto shop.
Their primary mission was to plant a replica lighter, equipped with a GPS tracker and listening device, into Dakun's car. Despite initial arguments between Li Yimeng and Zhao Ran about the awkwardness of their cover, Rong Yao emphasized that Zhao Ran's knowledge of underworld customs and Li Yimeng's expertise in cars were indispensable for the mission's success. He stressed that they would have only one chance to complete the task.
Zhao Ran and Li Yimeng arrived at Haoran Auto Shop in a modified car. They were initially met with suspicion by a mechanic. Li Yimeng, feigning expertise, immediately began critiquing the modifications of a car, demanding to speak with the renowned Mr. Qi. Zhao Ran then took over, using specific code phrases like "black-framed glasses" and "Tieguanyin tea" to signal their insider status, hinting that they were seeking "new tea" (code for drugs) from the "teahouse owner" (drug supplier).
After a phone call to his superior to verify the code words, Mr. Qi invited them upstairs for tea. Li Yimeng, however, feigned a need for the restroom, strategically remaining downstairs. Soon after, Dakun arrived and headed upstairs to join Mr. Qi and Zhao Ran. Seizing her opportunity, Li Yimeng approached Dakun's driver, asking to borrow a lighter, and subtly swapped it with the prepared tracking device before returning it.
Upstairs, Mr. Qi introduced Zhao Ran to Dakun, who was using the alias "Mr. Dafeng." Zhao Ran, getting straight to the point, explained his need for a substantial quantity of "goods" (drugs) to sell outside the city, assuring Dakun of his understanding of the underworld rules. Dakun, cautious by nature, questioned Zhao Ran's qualifications for such a large-scale operation.
Zhao Ran pressed him, asking if he would refuse money offered directly to him, but Dakun cryptically replied that while some money was acceptable, other money was "too hot to handle," indicating his wariness about new, large-scale deals.
