Ordinary Greatness Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Ordinary Greatness Synopsis
The four young police officers who just joined the police force had various imaginations about the police career at the beginning.
When faced with enormous work pressure, acute social contradictions, and new challenges brought to the work of police stations in the age of self-media, they experienced confusion and frustration and had thoughts of doubting themselves and even giving up.
But under the inculcation of the glorious tradition of the police and the guidance of the veteran police officers, the young people withstood the test and grew rapidly, gaining a new understanding of the mission and honor of the police. They became qualified police officers finally.
Ordinary Greatness Recap
Episode 1 Recap
The Balihe Police Station, situated in an urban-rural fringe area, faces a complex resident demographic and consistently ranks at the bottom for public satisfaction among 163 stations in the city. Despite the best efforts of Chief Wang Shouyi and his officers, their ranking remained low. To address the severe shortage of young police officers, Director Song approved the assignment of four new cadet police officers to the station.
Wang Shouyi, who is 54 and set to retire next year, expressed his frustration to Director Song. He lamented that among the four new recruits, Yang Shu, a Peking University Master of Law, was merely "gilding" and would soon leave. Xia Jie was the daughter of the station's former chief, a martyr named Xia Junxiong, meaning everyone would feel obligated to take special care of her.
Zhao Jiwei was a top graduate, leaving only Li Dawei, who had scored at the bottom of the enrollment exam and had a disciplinary record. Wang Shouyi suggested swapping personnel with the high-ranking Shilihe Police Station, even offering to trade two of his cadets for one outstanding graduate, but Director Song firmly refused, announcing he would personally attend the welcoming ceremony. Wang Shouyi, flustered, quickly ordered the station to be thoroughly cleaned and prepared.
He also tried to get veteran officer Chen Xincheng to take a disciple, but Chen Xincheng dodged the request, mentioning his fatigue from an overnight shift and the ridiculous "diaper-stealing" case he had been working on. Meanwhile, Li Dawei was on his way to the station by bus. The crowded bus became chaotic when a small child in an elderly woman's arms cried incessantly.
Other passengers grew suspicious, accusing the woman of being a human trafficker and covering the child's mouth. Li Dawei, identifying himself as a police officer, pushed his way through the crowd, asking the woman for identification. When she failed to produce any, he instructed the bus driver to pull over, called the Balihe Police Station to report the suspected human trafficking, and then escorted the woman and child off the bus to await a police car.
However, when the bus driver and other passengers demanded proof of his identity, Li Dawei admitted he was only a cadet and had no police certificate yet, leading the passengers to accuse him of being an accomplice. Back at the station, Zhao Jiwei, another new cadet, had already arrived and diligently began sweeping the yard, earning a nod of approval from Chief Wang Shouyi. Shortly after, Xia Jie arrived.
Wang Shouyi extended a warm welcome, mentioning her mother had called asking for special care, though he assured her they would look after her regardless. He assigned Deputy Chief Cheng Hao, who had been Xia Jie's father's disciple, as her master, noting the symbolic "inheritance." Xia Jie offered to help with the cleaning, but Wang Shouyi insisted she rest in the office.
Before the official welcoming ceremony, Wang Shouyi had instructed his officers to take a simple approach, avoiding formalism and speeches. He was then informed of the "human trafficker" report from the Balihe bus stop and instructed Chen Xincheng to resolve it on the spot if possible, without bringing anyone back to the station.
Wang Shouyi also decided to release the Xu family boy, involved in a dispute with the Qiao family, immediately rather than after the ceremony, to facilitate face-to-face mediation, despite initial advice to hold off. Director Song then arrived, bringing Yang Shu with him, whom Wang Shouyi enthusiastically introduced as a Peking University Master of Law.
Just as the ceremony was about to begin, Li Dawei pulled up in a police car with Chen Xincheng, bringing the elderly woman and child from the bus incident. Wang Shouyi quickly pulled Li Dawei aside, scolding him for being late and causing trouble, but then, for Director Song's benefit, praised him for his initiative in "catching a suspect" on his first day. As the welcome ceremony commenced, Director Song addressed the new recruits by name.
Seeing Xia Jie, he was visibly moved, recounting the tragic day ten years prior when her father, Xia Junxiong, then a police officer at Balihe, had bravely shielded him from a knife-wielding assailant during a mission, sacrificing his own life. Wang Shouyi interjected to assure Director Song of Xia Jie's safety at the station. Director Song then shifted his tone, sternly criticizing the Balihe Police Station for its dismal public satisfaction rate of 93.
4%, ranking 144th out of 163 stations in the city. He brushed aside Wang Shouyi's usual excuses about the area's complex demographics, reminding him of his impending retirement and urging him to improve the station's performance. Suddenly, a commotion erupted from inside the station. Wang Shouyi explained that the Qiao family's daughter had tragically committed suicide after her boyfriend, Xu Ziming, dismissed her threats during a breakup. The Qiao family was now demanding retribution, accusing Xu Ziming of murder.
The situation escalated into a brawl in the office as the Qiao and Xu families started fighting. Li Dawei, Xia Jie, and Zhao Jiwei, along with Wang Shouyi, rushed in to break up the fight. Wang Shouyi attempted to mediate, pointing out that Xu Ziming's actions didn't constitute a crime, while the Qiao family's assault and obstruction of duty did. Furious, Director Song ordered that everyone involved be detained.
Wang Shouyi frantically tried to dissuade him, promising they could mediate and explaining the public relations risks in the age of social media, where any forceful intervention could spark an online controversy. Director Song, however, accused Wang Shouyi of deliberately orchestrating the scene to garner sympathy and highlight the station's challenges, even suggesting Wang Shouyi had intentionally released Xu Ziming to create the confrontation.
He reiterated his expectations for Wang Shouyi to uphold the "Fengqiao spirit" and improve the station's ranking significantly, aiming for the top 100, before retirement. With Director Song eventually persuaded to leave, Wang Shouyi promised to meet his demands. Later, the chaos from the Qiao and Xu families was finally resolved. Chen Xincheng's investigation confirmed that the elderly woman Li Dawei brought in was indeed the child's grandmother, leading her son, Mr. Shen, to angrily confront the police.
Wang Shouyi reprimanded Li Dawei for his rash actions, dismissing his attempts to explain the suspicious circumstances on the bus. Mr. Shen accused the police of being prejudiced against his poorly dressed mother, implying snobbery. Li Dawei apologized but attempted to clarify the situation, noting the lack of identification. However, Mr. Shen's wife stepped in to defend Li Dawei, acknowledging the police's good intentions and the necessity of investigating potential human trafficking, which helped calm her husband.
Instructor Ye Wei then intervened to defuse the situation, introducing herself and offering Li Dawei some guidance. Wang Shouyi then turned his attention to Yang Shu, extending preferential treatment, which Li Dawei noticed with a sarcastic remark about his "face-changing" behavior. Meanwhile, officer Zhang Zhijie, overwhelmed by 500 hours of surveillance footage for a trivial "diaper-stealing" case, requested assistance.
Zhao Jiwei eagerly volunteered, initially believing it to be a significant case, but his enthusiasm quickly deflated upon learning the mundane task. Suddenly, Deputy Chief Gao Chao rushed in, reporting that a murderer he had been tracking was now at home, requesting immediate backup. Li Dawei, Xia Jie, and Yang Shu all enthusiastically volunteered to join the mission. Wang Shouyi expressed concern about the danger, initially reluctant to send the new cadets.
However, Yang Shu insisted he was there to gain real experience, not just for a resume, and Li Dawei also stated he was not afraid. Seeing their determination, Wang Shouyi reluctantly permitted Yang Shu to go, specifically instructing Gao Chao to ensure the "bureau's treasure" remained safe and in the back. Yang Shu insisted he could protect himself.
Xia Jie also pleaded to join, but her mother called at that moment, and Wang Shouyi used the opportunity to tell Xia Jie to go home and rest, so as not to worry her mother. He then commanded a reluctant Chen Xincheng, who complained of fatigue and a stiff neck, to accompany Gao Chao instead.
Gao Chao and Ye Wei gave Li Dawei and Yang Shu a stern briefing as they collected their equipment, emphasizing the importance of securing their body cameras and handcuffs, obeying commands, staying alert, and prioritizing safety. Later, Xia Jie called her mother back, who questioned her about receiving special care.
Xia Jie voiced her frustration about her mother's calls making her seem different, but her mother dismissed her concerns, insisting on preferential treatment and demanding fresh abalones for dinner, threatening to call Wang Shouyi if Xia Jie had to work overtime. Feeling sidelined, Xia Jie watched with a touch of envy as Li Dawei and Yang Shu departed for their first important mission.
Episode 2 Recap
The unit, including probationary officers Li Dawei and Yang Shu, was dispatched with two cars and over a dozen officers to apprehend Ding Dayong, a most wanted criminal responsible for two murders and known to be armed. Gao Chao, the deputy director leading the mission, informed the team about Ding Dayong's dangerous nature and the opportunity for them to make a significant contribution.
He instructed everyone to rest and conserve energy, emphasizing strict adherence to orders and caution due to the suspect carrying weapons. However, Li Dawei, unable to sleep, grumbled about the large number of officers being deployed for a single individual, suggesting it was overkill. Officer Chen Xincheng, trying to keep Li Dawei quiet, sharply told him to stay silent unless necessary, accusing him of disturbing others.
Li Dawei felt unfairly reprimanded by Chen Xincheng, questioning if he had a personal issue with him. Gao Chao and Chen Xincheng led the team into Ding Dayong's home but found only his elderly parents, who claimed to know nothing of their son's whereabouts. Yang Shu attempted to reason with the parents, explaining that Ding Dayong faced legal consequences but could receive a lighter sentence by surrendering, stating it was his last chance.
As Gao Chao prepared to withdraw, Li Dawei called him aside, confidently asserting that Ding Dayong was hiding in a wardrobe, citing details like the warmth of his bed and the parents' unusual placement of chairs in front of the wardrobe. Chen Xincheng, impressed by Li Dawei's sharp observation, acknowledged his police academy training while lightheartedly noting that Yang Shu, a Peking University law master, might not be as adept at such practical observations.
Gao Chao then instructed Chen Xincheng to stay outside with Li Dawei and Yang Shu as backup, while he and other officers re-entered the house, using a side window that Li Dawei had already opened for them.
While waiting outside, Li Dawei, curious, questioned Yang Shu about his decision to work at a police station despite having a master's degree in law from Peking University, especially since he was initially assigned to the Municipal Bureau but redirected for a year of grassroots training. Yang Shu explained it as gaining necessary work experience. Their conversation was cut short by Chen Xincheng, who reprimanded them for chattering.
Shortly after, Gao Chao successfully apprehended Ding Dayong, but as they brought him out, his elderly parents chased after them, crying for help and eventually falling. Yang Shu, witnessing their distress, instinctively rushed back to assist them, only to be slapped by Ding Dayong's mother without a word. The commotion drew out enraged villagers, armed with sticks, who surrounded the officers, accusing them of kidnapping.
Yang Shu, holding up his body-worn camera, attempted to explain the legal basis for the arrest, but the villagers, fueled by Ding Dayong's mother's cries of injustice, created a chaotic scene. The situation was finally diffused when the village director arrived and persuaded the villagers to disperse. Afterward, Yang Shu apologized to Gao Chao, expressing regret for his impulsive action, acknowledging that his compassion for the parents had put the team at risk and admitting his inexperience.
The next morning, as Li Dawei was informally questioning Ding Dayong during transport, Zhao Jiwei and Xia Jie, back at the station, expressed admiration for Li Dawei and Yang Shu, envying their opportunity to participate in such an important mission on their first day. Overhearing this, Deputy Director Cheng Hao took Xia Jie out on duty, ostensibly to familiarize her with the area.
Meanwhile, Zhao Jiwei approached Director Wang Shouyi, asking him to be his master, expressing great admiration for his perceived heroic deeds. Wang Shouyi modestly declined, citing his age and lack of notable merits, but assured Zhao Jiwei that the station would arrange a suitable master for him and all the new recruits. Shortly after, Gao Chao and his team returned with Ding Dayong, whom Wang Shouyi immediately ordered for interrogation.
At the same time, Cao Jianjun, a renowned police hero, unexpectedly arrived with two motorcycle thieves he had apprehended on his way back, showcasing his capability. Li Dawei, upon learning of Cao Jianjun's reputation, was curious about who was more skilled between him and Gao Chao.
Director Wang Shouyi commended the returning officers for their hard work and announced that Yang Shu, being new to the city and without rented accommodation, would be given the best bed in the dorms, despite Yang Shu's modest protests. Wang Shouyi then convened a meeting with his senior officers to discuss assigning mentors to the new recruits. During the discussion, Gao Chao praised Li Dawei's intelligence and potential, noting his sharp observations during the capture of Ding Dayong.
Chen Xincheng further highlighted Li Dawei's vigilance and sensitivity during the previous day's bus incident. However, Gao Chao dismissed Yang Shu as merely a "nerd." Wang Shouyi defended Yang Shu, emphasizing that all the new recruits were good and their development depended on their mentors. When Wang Shouyi began discussing who would take on the mentoring roles, Gao Chao quickly excused himself, claiming exhaustion from the all-night operation.
Chen Xincheng and Cao Jianjun followed suit, leaving Wang Shouyi frustrated and forcing him to adjourn the meeting, as Deputy Director Cheng Hao was also absent. Meanwhile, back in the dorms, Li Dawei was proudly recounting his role in Ding Dayong's capture to another officer, expressing his eagerness for more field experience. During their patrol, Cheng Hao deliberately took Xia Jie to the square where her father, Xia Junxiong, had sacrificed his life years ago, recounting his bravery.
Suddenly, they witnessed a bag snatching. Cheng Hao quickly directed the victim to their car, and he and Xia Jie pursued the thief into a dead end. When the thief brandished a knife, Xia Jie instinctively moved to confront him, but Cheng Hao held her back, deciding to disengage to avoid escalating the danger in a potentially crowded area. He later explained to Xia Jie the importance of not rushing an armed suspect or cornering them.
Xia Jie then took the victim's statement, learning that the snatched Prada bag was actually a high imitation. As she finished, Cheng Hao received a phone call from Director Wang Shouyi, informing him of a new mission. He instructed Xia Jie to drive back to the station alone, as he had to join Wang Shouyi.
Wang Shouyi was briefing his officers on a new conflict between residents of Li Village and Liu Village, now living together in Sunshine Community after their villages were demolished. The current dispute stemmed from a Li Village resident losing a chicken and accusing a Liu Village resident of theft, leading to a heated brawl. Wang Shouyi emphasized de-escalation, ordering officers to prioritize persuasion and avoid physical confrontation or verbal abuse.
As officers arrived, they found the situation chaotic, with villagers shouting and pushing over whose cat ate the chicken, recalling past grievances like children urinating on "their territory." Wang Shouyi dispatched Zhijie to locate the village directors, who, as usual, had gone into hiding when trouble arose. The officers struggled to separate the fighting villagers. Xia Jie and her colleagues worked hard to calm the situation.
During this time, Xia Jie's mother called her, but Xia Jie, preoccupied with the escalating conflict, had to hang up. Wang Shouyi attempted to pacify them, first by addressing their shared neighborhood and calling for peaceful negotiation. When this failed, he brought out four live chickens, offering them to the Li Village resident who had lost one, hoping to compensate for the loss.
However, both Li Village residents, feeling insulted, and Liu Village residents, equally defiant, rejected this gesture, intensifying their arguments. Eventually, the village directors, whom Zhijie had retrieved, arrived, but admitted their powerlessness to control the situation since their villages no longer formally existed. Li Dawei impulsively suggested building a wall between the "east" and "west" districts where the two groups lived.
While Wang Shouyi initially reprimanded him for the suggestion, the villagers and even the village directors surprisingly embraced the idea, demanding the government build a wall and vowing to protest at the Planning Bureau. Amidst this, Li Dawei called Cheng Hao, asking him to come to the scene as the situation was escalating rapidly towards a protest at the municipal government. Soon after, Cheng Hao arrived, forcefully bringing Division Chief Xu from the Planning Bureau to address the crowd.
Xu, however, denied responsibility for resolving the issue and managed to escape amidst the renewed chaos. Just then, a woman urgently rushed forward, screaming for help, revealing that her son, Er Bao, had fallen into a dry well. Xia Jie, trained in first aid, immediately volunteered to descend into the well, despite Wang Shouyi's initial reluctance due to her being a woman. With the assistance of Cheng Hao and other officers, Xia Jie was lowered down using ropes.
She expertly secured Er Bao with a rope, and the boy was safely pulled up. Subsequently, Xia Jie was also brought to safety, receiving applause from the relieved villagers and gratitude from both village directors, who, moved by the police's life-saving actions, promised to work on reconciling their respective communities.
Episode 3 Recap
Xia Jie receives a phone call from her mother, who is crying and extremely worried. Her mother explains that she had been unable to reach Xia Jie, so she called Wang Shouyi and Ye Wei, learning about Xia Jie’s dangerous act of descending into a dry well to save a child. Xia Jie’s mother, distraught, tells her to immediately come home, insisting she leave Balihe Police Station.
When her mother threatens to call the Director, Xia Jie desperately stops her, promising to return home at once. Later, Wang Shouyi comments to Xia Jie that her mother had called them that morning, asking them to take good care of her, emphasizing that they would have done so anyway. As Cheng Hao drives home after work, his thoughts drift back ten years to a tragic incident.
He recalls pursuing a criminal with Xia Junxiong, who bravely charged forward and was fatally stabbed by the assailant before Cheng Hao’s eyes. The memory is still vivid, particularly the heart-wrenching cries of Xia Junxiong’s wife and young daughter, Xia Jie, who at that moment learned she had lost her father. Returning home late, Li Dawei is greeted by his mother, Xu Cuiping, who is joyfully singing and dancing.
She excitedly welcomes her “big handsome guy,” praising his appearance and encouraging him after his first busy day at work. She tells him that although it's his first day, he's been working constantly, and offers him a prepared meal. As Li Dawei eats, his mother expresses concern, asking if the police station’s food is poor, to which he explains that their unpredictable work schedule often prevents them from eating on time during missions.
Recognizing the difficulty of his job, she offers him more soup. Xia Jie rushes home to find her mother lying in bed, tearful and claiming to feel unwell with no appetite. Her mother confronts her, having learned from Wang Shouyi about Xia Jie’s dangerous mission. Xia Jie tries to reassure her that it was an ordinary dispute and many colleagues were present, but her mother insists it was too risky, especially on her second day.
She accuses Wang Shouyi of pushing their luck and suspects Cheng Hao of influencing Xia Jie, which Xia Jie denies. Her mother reiterates her opposition to Cheng Hao being Xia Jie’s master, bitterly recalling how, when Cheng Hao was her father’s apprentice, Xia Junxiong wouldn’t have been sacrificed if Cheng Hao had been “more clever and smarter.”
Xia Jie pleads with her mother not to dwell on the past, asserting that she no longer suffers from her previous fear of blood, but her mother remains unconvinced, stating that “the tea cools down as soon as the person is gone.” Xia Jie, exhausted and hungry, eventually persuades her crying mother to join her for a meal. She reflects that everyone at the station is kind to her, but she doesn’t want special treatment as a police officer.
Later, Xia Jie raises the idea of renting a house near the police station, explaining that it’s far from home and dormitory space is limited. Her mother, however, becomes emotional and firmly rejects the idea, threatening instead to call the bureau to have Xia Jie transferred to a station closer to home. Begging her mother not to interfere, Xia Jie reluctantly drops the plan, agreeing to commute daily.
Meanwhile, Li Dawei’s mother, doting on her son, suggests renting a larger apartment for him near the police station. She stresses the importance of his dedication to work and being on call. Although Li Dawei tries to decline, mindful of her hard-earned money and wanting to ease the family’s financial burden, his mother insists.
She affectionately calls him sensible and asserts that as “the top-flight lady of the labor collective” and “the devil of the earthwork,” she is responsible for earning money so he can happily pursue his calling. When Li Dawei attempts to compromise by offering to pay rent from his future salary, she playfully scolds him and silences him.
During the morning meeting, Wang Shouyi emphasizes the importance of applying the “Fengqiao experience” in concrete work, especially for the new cadets, rather than just discussing it or documenting it. He uses the Sunshine Community incident as an example, stressing the need for thorough investigation and sincere, empathetic engagement to resolve conflicts at the grassroots level.
He then singles out Xia Jie, praising her as a “hero’s descendant” for her brave actions in the incident and her ability to move people through her deeds. Xia Jie, feeling embarrassed, humbly clarifies that it was a team effort. Wang Shouyi acknowledges her modesty but warns her against taking such risks again. Li Dawei immediately volunteers to handle any future risky situations, prompting Wang Shouyi to tell him off.
Wang Shouyi then addresses criticisms about his leniency towards Sunshine Community residents, explaining that having worked there for thirty years, he’s witnessed their transition from farmers to city dwellers who are still learning urban “survival laws.” He sees it as the police’s duty to guide them.
After a brief motivational speech, Wang Shouyi announces the new mentor assignments, emphasizing the station’s tradition of “inheritance” where experienced officers guide new recruits not only in skills but also in the honor and mission of policing, noting that learning can go both ways. He states that Cheng Hao will mentor Xia Jie in public security. Cao Jianjun, described as a “star” with many achievements, is paired with Yang Shu, a top student and key bureau trainee.
Cao Jianjun expresses modesty about mentoring a Peking University student, but Yang Shu promises to learn diligently. Zhang Zhijie, an “all-rounder,” is assigned to Zhao Jiwei for community work. Finally, Wang Shouyi announces that Li Dawei will be mentored by Chen Xincheng, whom he describes as the station’s most capable and experienced officer. Chen Xincheng immediately protests Wang Shouyi’s decision, claiming he is not capable, but Wang Shouyi dismisses the meeting before Chen Xincheng can argue further.
Chen Xincheng, persistent, waits for Wang Shouyi outside his office, squatting due to back pain. Wang Shouyi finds him, helps him up, and invites him inside. Chen Xincheng complains about being “tortured” by the assignment, reiterating that he is too old and lacks the patience to mentor Li Dawei. Wang Shouyi challenges his age claim, stating that age represents experience, and dismisses his request to mentor someone else.
He reminds Chen Xincheng that he already announced the assignments and cannot change them. Wang Shouyi then appeals to Chen Xincheng, acknowledging Li Dawei’s impatience but highlighting his potential. He specifically entrusts Li Dawei to Chen Xincheng, believing only he can make the young officer more steady and keep a close eye on him. Sensing Chen Xincheng’s continued reluctance, Wang Shouyi directly addresses Chen Xincheng’s “painful point,” acknowledging that his mindset shifted after he was wronged in a past case.
He urges Chen Xincheng to let go of the past, assuring him that he won’t be assigned dangerous frontline tasks like Gao Chao. Instead, his main responsibility will be to perform his current duties and mentor Li Dawei. After a moment of thought, Chen Xincheng reluctantly agrees.
As a parting gesture, Wang Shouyi offers him some plaster for his back pain, which Chen Xincheng declines, suggesting Wang Shouyi use it for his neck instead, prompting Wang Shouyi to playfully scold him for his childlike stubbornness. Cheng Hao initially prepared an office desk for Xia Jie, but she declines it, asserting that since all new police officers are equal, she should not receive special treatment. Despite Cheng Hao’s insistence, she gracefully refuses the offer and returns downstairs.
Meanwhile, Li Dawei constantly follows Chen Xincheng, attempting to curry favor. Chen Xincheng, however, is unreceptive. He interrogates Li Dawei about his age and why he joined the police academy, sarcastically suggesting his mother sent him there because she couldn't control him, treating the academy like a daycare. Li Dawei even offers Chen Xincheng wolfberries from his mother, but Chen Xincheng rebuffs him, making it clear he doesn't want to be his mentor.
Li Dawei assures him of his good behavior and willingness to report everything, big or small. Frustrated, Chen Xincheng tells him to stop talking and finds an empty desk for him, explicitly telling him to stop following him around. Li Dawei then asks Yang Shu to share a drawer at his desk, as if it’s no big deal. The Balihe Police Station is a hive of activity, with alarm bells ringing incessantly.
Gao Chao, Cheng Hao, and Chen Xincheng, each accompanied by their new apprentices, are constantly dispatched to various emergencies. Cheng Hao remains highly protective of Xia Jie, instructing her to merely observe and learn from a distance, keeping her away from the most dangerous situations. Meanwhile, Li Dawei, driven by youthful enthusiasm, often charges headfirst into action, prompting Chen Xincheng to repeatedly warn him against impulsiveness. Yang Shu struggles to match Gao Chao’s rapid pace, often appearing slow to react.
Zhao Jiwei, assigned to community work with Zhang Zhijie, spends his days reviewing hundreds of hours of surveillance footage, despite craving more active assignments. That night, as Li Dawei, Yang Shu, and Xia Jie finally rest in the duty room, they discuss their experiences. Li Dawei complains about being constantly scolded by Chen Xincheng, wondering why his master wears long sleeves in the heat, while Yang Shu praises his own mentor, Cao Jianjun, as a “real cop.”
Xia Jie notes that everyone at the station is particularly kind to her, which makes her determined to prove herself as a capable police officer and live up to expectations. Zhao Jiwei, listening to their conversations from a distance, feels a sense of yearning, silently wishing for more active duties. He stays up late, continuing to pore over surveillance footage after Zhang Zhijie tells him to go home.
The next morning, Zhang Zhijie gives Zhao Jiwei a proper notebook, instructing him to meticulously record all case details and prepare another one specifically for meeting minutes, emphasizing that “a good memory is not better than a pen,” and such records can be crucial later. Initially, Zhao Jiwei thinks these measures are excessive, preferring to use his phone, but accepts his mentor’s advice.
Zhang Zhijie then takes Zhao Jiwei out for community rounds, where Zhao Jiwei is struck by how many residents greet and know his master. Zhang Zhijie explains that making friends with the community is a vital part of their job, as it helps them gather information and address daily “trivial matters” which accumulate into significant insights.
Their patrol is interrupted by two children asking for help with a pregnant stray cat, explaining they used their pocket money for a cage but couldn’t afford a vet. Zhao Jiwei suggests it’s outside police jurisdiction, but Zhang Zhijie readily agrees to take the cat to the hospital, remarking that “kids are also friends.”
Episode 4 Recap
Li Dawei and his master Chen Xincheng returned late after handling an incident where two cyclists collided and fought. Li Dawei suggested detaining them, to which Chen Xincheng retorted, asking if Li Dawei only knew how to detain people and if he found catching people enjoyable.
While getting water for Chen Xincheng, Li Dawei noticed his master wearing long sleeves on a hot summer day and inquired about it, but Chen Xincheng told him to stop talking and bring the two men in. Once inside, the two men immediately began to argue vehemently, blaming each other, despite Chen Xincheng's attempts to quiet them.
Suddenly, assistant policeman Sun Qiancheng rushed in to inform Chen Xincheng that Grandpa Sun from the Shangding Neighborhood parking lot had reported a possible sighting of the two robbers they had been tracking. Sun Qiancheng admitted that the information was vague and he wasn't certain. Chen Xincheng dispatched Sun Qiancheng and Li Dawei to investigate the situation, primarily to scout the robbers' former residence as part of a patrol.
He sternly reminded them to call him first and, under no circumstances, to act rashly, specifically telling Sun Qiancheng to watch Li Dawei closely. Meanwhile, Cao Jianjun received an urgent call about a young man named Yuhao, who was threatening to jump from a building after an argument with his mother. Cao Jianjun and Yang Shu immediately drove to the location.
Yang Shu suggested waiting for the fire department to arrive before ascending to the roof, but Cao Jianjun insisted they assess the situation immediately. He questioned if Yang Shu was afraid of heights and stressed that police officers must overcome such fears, instructing Yang Shu to follow him. As they drove, Li Dawei chatted with Sun Qiancheng, surprised to learn he was a 985 university graduate working as an assistant policeman.
Sun Qiancheng explained he had always dreamed of being a police officer and, after failing the civil service exam for an official position, chose to work as an assistant for less than 3,000 yuan a month while preparing to retake the exam. He expressed a strong "heroic spirit" and a desire to fulfill his dream before he died. Li Dawei empathized, revealing he hadn't initially aspired to be a police officer.
He described himself as a mischievous student with poor grades but a good heart, often helping classmates and even receiving an award for bravery. His mother, seeking to discipline him, sent him to the police academy. Despite sometimes feeling their work was like being a "rag of society," Li Dawei remained optimistic, believing opportunities favored the prepared. Meanwhile, on the rooftop, Cao Jianjun and Yang Shu confronted a distressed Yuhao and his emotional mother.
Yuhao's mother tearfully explained that they had a minor argument before she went grocery shopping, and upon her return, Yuhao was already on the ledge, threatening to jump. When she defiantly stated she would jump with him, Yuhao became more agitated. Cao Jianjun quickly intervened, telling Yang Shu to remove the mother from the scene to prevent further escalation. Cao Jianjun attempted to engage Yuhao, acknowledging his recent return from Beijing, but Yuhao immediately pushed him away.
Cao Jianjun asserted his duty as a police officer to protect Yuhao's life, only for Yuhao to declare his life worthless, calling himself a "puppet" who needed no one's protection. Cao Jianjun tried to reason with Yuhao, questioning how much longer his mother could control him given his impending master's degree graduation. To empathize, Cao Jianjun even fabricated a story about his own controlling mother and years of no contact, which Yang Shu affirmed.
Yang Shu then opened up about his own struggles, sharing that despite his master's degree from Peking University and excellent academic performance, his mother would still scold him for anything less than first place. In a defiant act, he moved from Beijing to become a police officer there after graduation.
Yuhao, however, remained convinced he couldn't escape his mother's pervasive control, believing she would rather die with him than release him, and that only death would bring an end to his struggles. Both Cao Jianjun and Yang Shu desperately continued their attempts to persuade him otherwise. While scouting the neighborhood, Sun Qiancheng and Li Dawei spotted the two robbers attempting to flee.
Sun Qiancheng suggested calling Chen Xincheng, but Li Dawei, disregarding his assistant's caution about regulations and their limited numbers, impulsively charged forward. Sun Qiancheng immediately called Chen Xincheng, reporting Li Dawei's rash action, which Chen Xincheng was too late to prevent. Li Dawei directed Sun Qiancheng to pursue one robber while he tackled the other. After Li Dawei quickly subdued his target, he joined Sun Qiancheng, and together they apprehended the second robber.
With a slight hand injury, Li Dawei proudly told Sun Qiancheng to inform Chen Xincheng that the mission was complete, proclaiming, "Opportunities are for those people who are prepared." Simultaneously, at the building, firefighters arrived. Yuhao, still on edge, warned people to keep their distance, fearing he might accidentally harm innocent bystanders if he fell. Cao Jianjun cautiously approached, explaining he was merely ensuring public safety.
Working collaboratively with Yang Shu and the arriving firefighters, Cao Jianjun successfully rescued Yuhao from the ledge. Below, grateful residents cheered and applauded Cao Jianjun, hailing him as a "big hero," which clearly delighted him. Yang Shu, observing from a distance, felt a quiet sense of pride. At the prostitution den, Cheng Hao, prioritizing Xia Jie's safety, instructed her to remain at a distance with Qizi, explaining the difficulty in securing evidence in such cases.
On his command, officers stormed the building, with Qizi restraining an eager Xia Jie. Meanwhile, Li Dawei and Sun Qiancheng successfully apprehended the two robbers and loaded them into the car. Sun Qiancheng bandaged Li Dawei's hand, which had been scratched during the pursuit. A furious Chen Xincheng arrived, taking a seat between the two culprits for the ride back.
At the station, after the robbers were secured, Chen Xincheng severely reprimanded Li Dawei for his unauthorized action, reiterating his prior instructions to call first and not act rashly. Li Dawei argued that the quick escape of the robbers left no time for reporting. Chen Xincheng accused him of seeking personal glory and highlighted the danger of the armed robber. Li Dawei dismissively claimed Chen Xincheng was overreacting, as the knife was far from him.
Enraged, Chen Xincheng ordered Li Dawei to his office while Yang Shu stood by, at a loss. Back at the station, Wang Shouyi, barely containing his anger, summoned Li Dawei and Yang Shu to his office. He ordered them to face away, stating their presence elevated his blood pressure. He then harshly questioned Li Dawei's "heroic" actions.
Wang Shouyi revealed Chen Xincheng's tragic past: years ago, Chen Xincheng bravely attempted to rescue a suicidal girl from a building, holding onto her for over twenty minutes until his elbow was raw to the bone. Despite his efforts, the girl, determined to die, slipped and fell. Her family subsequently blamed Chen Xincheng for negligent rescue, leading to disciplinary action from the bureau and a substantial compensation payment. This devastating event had left Chen Xincheng profoundly disillusioned.
Li Dawei was visibly moved by Chen Xincheng's story. Wang Shouyi continued his reprimand, pressing Li Dawei on his unauthorized actions. He reiterated that a police officer's first duty is self-protection, and disregarding orders for "personal heroism" was foolish. He pointed out the dangers of confronting a habitual offender, especially alone, and highlighted the risk Li Dawei posed not only to himself and his family but also to Sun Qiancheng, an assistant policeman earning a modest salary.
Turning to Yang Shu, Wang Shouyi acknowledged Cao Jianjun's impetuous nature in acting before the firefighters arrived. He explained that Yang Shu was assigned to Cao Jianjun specifically to integrate Yang Shu's theoretical knowledge with Cao Jianjun's practical experience, encouraging mutual learning. He strictly instructed Yang Shu to intervene and persuade Cao Jianjun to wait in future similar situations.
Wang Shouyi concluded with a heartfelt declaration that he, as a chief, would rather visit his officers in confinement than at their graves, citing Xia Jie's father as a sobering example, and urged both Li Dawei and Yang Shu to prioritize their safety while performing their duties. During the raid, Cheng Hao's team apprehended many individuals. A mother, Xiang Cuihua, was brought out with her young daughter, Wang Shuaiyang.
Xiang Cuihua desperately pleaded that she was merely a worker and innocent, worrying about her child. Cheng Hao instructed an officer to find a family contact for the child. Xia Jie comforted Wang Shuaiyang and took her aside. Xiang Cuihua provided her husband's phone number to Xia Jie. Xia Jie assured Xiang Cuihua that her husband would be contacted to pick up Wang Shuaiyang, but Xiang Cuihua still had to go to the station for investigation.
As Xia Jie and Zhi Gang escorted Xiang Cuihua to the station, Xiang Cuihua tearfully confessed her desperate circumstances, having been repeatedly exploited during her three years in the city. She recounted working grueling hours moving bricks for meager pay, only to have half her wages withheld, and admitted considering suicide. She expressed her fear of family disapproval if they discovered her line of work, stating she felt she had no other choice.
Xia Jie listened and reassured her that a truthful explanation at the station would lead to her release if she was innocent. Later, Li Dawei learned that Yang Shu had been staying in a chain hotel since his transfer to Balihe had prompted him to return his previous rental.
Li Dawei invited Yang Shu to share a three-bedroom apartment his mother had rented for him nearby, citing her concern about his commute and his desire to alleviate her financial burden by sharing rent. Yang Shu readily accepted, expressing admiration for Li Dawei's cheerful and optimistic outlook, which contrasted with his own upbringing under strict and often scolding parental guidance. Yang Shu assured Li Dawei that he had internalized Wang Shouyi's earlier admonishments.
Zhao Jiwei then joined them, expressing envy for their active field assignments. He advised them not to resent Wang Shouyi, explaining that the chief's sternness was a sign of valuing their potential. Zhao Jiwei lamented his own routine of trivial community tasks, such as assisting with a pregnant stray cat, which he felt offered no chance for significant "achievements."
Zhang Zhijie proudly showed Zhao Jiwei photos of a mother cat and her newborn kittens, joyful that he had personally ensured the pregnant stray cat received care at a rescue center, even paying 200 yuan for the delivery. Zhao Jiwei, however, dismissed this as a trivial matter. Zhang Zhijie firmly corrected him, emphasizing that all community work, no matter how small, is important.
He recounted a grave past incident where a seemingly minor issue – a resident's broken toilet window – was ignored despite his warnings. This neglect led to a thief entering through the broken window, stealing money, and raping the female homeowner, tragically demonstrating how seemingly insignificant details can escalate into serious crimes. This story finally made Zhao Jiwei understand the meticulousness of Zhang Zhijie's approach to community policing.
Episode 5 Recap
Officer Cheng Hao and Xia Jie interrogated a female suspect involved in prostitution. Cheng Hao pressed her with a harsh tone, demanding to know how long she had been involved and details about her past activities, including a crime in Zhuma Alley. Xia Jie, finding Cheng Hao's aggressive questioning disrespectful, quietly left the interrogation room. Cheng Hao followed, thinking she might be unwell.
Xia Jie then confronted him, stating that his approach was disrespectful and humiliating, reminding him that even a suspect deserves basic respect before trial. Cheng Hao dismissed her concerns, suggesting she rest and asking Officer Dou to take over the interrogation. As Xia Jie walked past another interrogation room, Xiang Cuihua, the woman arrested earlier, desperately waved and pleaded with Xia Jie to call her husband, worried about her seven-year-old daughter, Wang Shuaiyang.
Xia Jie then stepped away to call her own mother, who was recovering from a cold. When Xia Jie explained she was busy and wouldn't be able to come home that night, her mother became upset, accusing Cheng Hao of overworking her. Xia Jie tried to explain her desire to learn and grow as a police officer, but her mother persisted, even threatening not to eat if Xia Jie didn't return. Feigning urgency, Xia Jie quickly ended the call.
Cao Jianjun had not returned to the police station, and Wang Shouyi correctly deduced that he was counseling Yuhao, the young man who attempted to jump from a building. Wang Shouyi waited downstairs for Cao Jianjun, who emerged after settling Yuhao. Wang Shouyi acknowledged Cao Jianjun's bravery but immediately admonished his impulsiveness, citing his actions in the current situation where he acted without waiting for the fire brigade.
Cao Jianjun defended his actions by explaining that the fire brigade was stuck in traffic and Yuhao's emotional state was critical. Wang Shouyi sternly warned Cao Jianjun against such unauthorized actions in the future, even threatening punishment, explaining that he did so for Cao Jianjun's own good. He urged Cao Jianjun to consider his wife and child, reminding him of Chen Xincheng’s tragic past where a similar situation led to disciplinary action and a fractured family.
Xia Jie unexpectedly received a call from Xiang Cuihua's husband, who quickly arrived at the police station. He tearfully explained that their daughter, Wang Shuaiyang, suffered from asthma and urgently needed her medicine, begging Xia Jie to ask Xiang Cuihua where the medicine was, emphasizing his wife's desperation to support their family. Xia Jie reassured him that she would handle the situation.
Upon returning to the station, Xia Jie learned that the suspects, including Xiang Cuihua, were being transferred to the detention center. Wanting to help, Xia Jie bought several drumsticks from the cafeteria, intending to personally escort Xiang Cuihua and deliver the food. However, as she was assigned to a transport vehicle, she overheard another officer, Ms. Xu, confirm that Xiang Cuihua was the main culprit.
Realizing she had nearly been misled, Xia Jie quickly withdrew her offer to switch cars and, feeling disappointed, left with the chicken drumsticks without passing any message to Xiang Cuihua. Xia Jie returned home late that night, bringing her mother's favorite Shaomai and char siew pastry. Her mother, still concerned, asked if anything bad had happened at work, expressing worries about Xia Jie going hungry or being mistreated by Wang Shouyi.
Xia Jie assured her that everyone at the station was overly kind, making her feel stressed, as she simply wished to be an ordinary police officer. Her mother then mentioned wanting to apply for recuperation from the bureau, but no one answered her calls. Xia Jie advised against bothering the bureau, explaining the strict welfare policies, and promised to fund her mother's recuperation once she received her salary.
Meanwhile, Zhao Jiwei, noticing that instructor Ye Wei was working during the day and caring for an elderly family member at the hospital at night, offered his help, explaining his past experience caring for his own grandfather. Ye Wei politely declined his offer. Wang Shouyi, overhearing their conversation, approached Ye Wei to offer arranging help from the station, but Ye Wei indicated she could manage for now, adding that Chief Gao and Chief Cheng were already assisting with shifts.
Li Dawei approached Chen Xincheng, offering him freshly made tea and repeatedly apologizing for his unauthorized actions during the recent robber apprehension. He tried to explain that the robbers were about to flee, and his prompt action was necessary to prevent their escape. Chen Xincheng, however, was clearly still upset, sarcastically asking if he should be grateful and declaring that from now on, Li Dawei was on his own and should consider Chen Xincheng a non-factor.
Early the next morning, a young woman named Li, the victim of the robbery, arrived to reclaim her recovered phone and wallet. Cheng Hao credited Xia Jie for the successful recovery, then Xia Jie advised the victim to be more vigilant about her belongings. After the victim left, Xia Jie eagerly pressed Cheng Hao for details, recalling that they had initially given up the chase.
Cheng Hao revealed his "indirect" strategy: knowing the robber only had the phone and would likely try to sell it quickly at smaller shops, he alerted local store owners, leading to the swift capture of the perpetrator and recovery of the stolen goods. Xia Jie, realizing her misunderstanding, apologized for thinking ill of her master.
Just as she was about to confess another "mistake," Cheng Hao received an urgent call from Captain Wu about a meeting at the district bureau, interrupting their conversation. He then assigned Xia Jie, Li Dawei, and Yang Shu to handle a nuisance complaint from Guiyuan Community. Xia Jie, Li Dawei, and Yang Shu arrived at the Guiyuan Community to investigate the disturbance.
They met the reporting neighbor, an aunt, who complained that the couple upstairs on the fourth floor was excessively loud during their intimate moments, causing her walls to sway and disturbing her family, especially her school-aged child. The three young officers were at a loss, exchanging awkward glances. The aunt then criticized the police station for sending "young guys" to handle such a sensitive matter. Li Dawei suggested that the aunt accompany them upstairs to "remind" the couple.
However, the aunt, fearing repercussions, vehemently refused to go or act as a witness, arguing that the couple would just scold her after the police left, and without her testimony, the officers couldn't act either. Seeing her reluctance, the officers had no choice but to get her to sign an agreement not to pursue the matter further, officially closing the case. On the drive back, Xia Jie remained silent, seemingly lost in thought.
Yang Shu noticed her preoccupation, while the usually boisterous Li Dawei remained oblivious. Yang Shu praised Li Dawei's quick thinking in resolving the nuisance case, and again brought up the idea of them co-renting an apartment, even suggesting Xia Jie could join. Xia Jie then voiced her deeper concerns, questioning if her ideals of being a "good police officer" were truly achievable, acknowledging that "no one is God's favored one."
Meanwhile, Zhang Zhijie and Zhao Jiwei were on a community visit, responding to an elderly couple's complaint about their unfilial children. The children, two sons and a daughter, had returned only after hearing about a demolition fund, engaging in a heated argument and even a physical fight over the money. Zhang Zhijie intervened, sternly stopping their quarrel. He then instructed Zhao Jiwei to take the couple's grandson, Bao, out to eat.
Zhao Jiwei took Bao to a nearby restaurant, but the owner, upon seeing the police, panicked and tried to hide. Finding his behavior suspicious, Zhao Jiwei followed him into a nearby alley. After verifying his ID, Zhao Jiwei discovered the owner was a recently released convict. Zhao Jiwei immediately reported this to Zhang Zhijie, who calmly responded that such a finding was normal and they would discuss it further back at the station.
As Li Dawei, Xia Jie, and Yang Shu drove back to the station, Li Dawei suddenly spotted his father, Li Yisheng, hurrying along the street. He quickly got out of the car and found his father, who recognized him and teased him about being a policeman. Li Yisheng claimed to have returned after traveling to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, implying he made a lot of money.
Li Dawei insisted on taking his father back, but Li Yisheng resisted, causing a struggle in the street that was filmed by passersby. Xia Jie, seeing the situation, shouted a warning to Li Dawei about being recorded in uniform. Taking advantage of the distraction, Li Yisheng broke free and fled, with Li Dawei giving chase. Zhao Jiwei continued to work late every night, often dozing off at his desk during the day.
Instructor Ye Wei, concerned about his lack of sleep, offered him a bed in her office. However, Zhao Jiwei politely refused, stating he wasn't sleepy and wanted to learn more, choosing instead to go outside for fresh air. She also mentioned to another officer that Zhao Jiwei had been sleeping in the office for days and had inquired about dormitories, but then claimed to have a place to live, finding his behavior a bit strange.
Meanwhile, Xia Jie and Yang Shu, worried about Li Dawei after the incident with his father, called him. Li Dawei assured them he was fine and explained that he had settled his father in a small hotel, strictly forbidding him from leaving. Wang Shouyi and Cheng Hao prepared flowers and fruits to visit Xia Jie's mother. Cheng Hao, feeling nervous about facing her, questioned whether the gift was appropriate, expressing his reluctance.
Wang Shouyi reminded him that as Xia Jie's master, he had to face it eventually, and that Xia Jie's mother would likely be more reserved in front of her daughter. When Xia Jie arrived, they praised her dedication to staying with her male colleagues despite having an office, likening her to her father. They then offered to drive her home and visit her mother.
However, Xia Jie declined, explaining she had a reunion with classmates that night to celebrate her official entry into the police force. Wang Shouyi handed her the gifts to give to her mother instead. Shortly after, Wang Shouyi received an urgent phone call. He became very agitated, demanding to know where Li Dawei was and instructing Chen Xincheng to call him back to the station immediately, threatening to fire him if he no longer wished to be a police officer.
Episode 6 Recap
A video of Li Dawei pushing and shoving his father on the street quickly spread online, becoming the city's top trending topic overnight. Wang Shouyi was already furious and sent someone to bring Li Dawei back. Li Dawei’s superior, Chen Xincheng, confronted him furiously. Li Dawei insisted he could handle the "personal matter" himself, but Chen Xincheng argued that wearing a police uniform made it official business.
He lectured Li Dawei on responsibility, stating that as his master and like a father, he shouldn't be kept in the dark. When Li Dawei refused to explain, simply saying he wouldn't say anything if Chen Xincheng spoke that way, Chen Xincheng called him a "bastard" and declared he couldn't mentor him anymore. Chief Wang Shouyi then called Li Dawei into his office, demanding to know the identity of the man and the details of the incident.
Wang Shouyi pointed out the public outrage and the attention from the district bureau, emphasizing that despite Li Dawei's claim of it being a private matter, his actions while in uniform and on duty constituted a disciplinary violation. He listed the possible disciplinary actions, from a warning to dismissal, to pressure Li Dawei. When Li Dawei remained stubborn, Wang Shouyi ordered him to reflect and write a 3,000-word self-examination.
Wang Shouyi then instructed Ye Wei to report to the district bureau that the incident was Li Dawei’s private matter, that the station was investigating, and that Li Dawei had already received severe criticism and was preparing a profound self-examination. Meanwhile, Zhao Jiwei brought red-braised spareribs and steamed buns for Li Dawei, who, feeling wronged, refused to eat.
Zhao Jiwei shared stories of his humble past, dreaming of eating meat regularly, to encourage Li Dawei to eat, but Li Dawei insisted he wasn't hungry. Separately, Cao Jianjun and Yang Shu responded to a call from Ms. Ma, whose husband had left home after a heated argument. Ms. Ma, unable to leave her child, asked the officers to check their suburban villa, specifically requesting that they only confirm her husband's car was present.
She stressed not to call or knock, explaining her husband suffered from severe insomnia and should not be disturbed. Upon arriving at the unlit villa, Cao Jianjun and Yang Shu located an Audi A6 with the reported license plate, Ping E58080, in the yard. Yang Shu immediately called Ms. Ma, who reiterated her instructions not to disturb her husband.
Yang Shu then received a series of urgent messages from Xia Jie, informing him that Li Dawei was in serious trouble and might even face resignation if he didn't reveal the identity of the man he pushed. Concerned, Yang Shu asked Cao Jianjun to drive them back to the station so he could investigate. Back at the station, Zhao Jiwei, seeing Li Dawei’s inability to write, offered to help with the 3,000-word self-examination.
He boasted about his experience writing official documents from his civil servant exam preparation. Zhao Jiwei dictated a highly eloquent and "soul-touching" self-examination, which Li Dawei wrote. Ye Wei later presented the completed self-examination to Wang Shouyi, remarking on its depth. Meanwhile, Yang Shu, using his police PDA and the intranet, confirmed that the man Li Dawei had shoved was his father, Li Yisheng. Xia Jie was surprised but couldn't fathom the reason for such a fierce altercation.
Upon learning this, Chen Xincheng immediately took Yang Shu and Xia Jie to report to Wang Shouyi. In Wang Shouyi's office, Chen Xincheng, now knowing the truth, passionately defended Li Dawei, urging Wang Shouyi to release him. Wang Shouyi, however, reiterated the gravity of the situation, mentioning calls from the bureau's inspector and even the Director, who suggested Li Dawei might have to resign if the matter wasn't handled properly.
Wang Shouyi insisted on a full investigation into the "whys and wherefores" to maintain the police's image. Chen Xincheng retorted that despite his initial reluctance to take on Li Dawei as a "not an important person" and finding him annoying, he believed Li Dawei was a good kid at heart and must have a reason for his actions. Their argument escalated until Ye Wei intervened, asking Yang Shu and Xia Jie to lead Chen Xincheng away.
Ye Wei then tried to reason with Wang Shouyi, who, despite wanting to help, was frustrated by Li Dawei’s refusal to explain himself. While Li Dawei was still reflecting, Zhao Jiwei revealed that he had solved the case of the stolen disposable diapers; it was a five-or-six-year-old boy who took them for his five-or-six-month-old sister, whose parents were migrant workers too busy to care for them properly.
Li Dawei felt a mix of emotions upon hearing this, lamenting the parents who couldn't properly care for their children but still chose to have them. Xia Jie returned home late to find her mother in tears, worried because Xia Jie hadn't answered her calls. Her mother revealed she had also called Cheng Hao and Wang Shouyi out of concern. Xia Jie grew agitated, expressing that she disliked the special treatment and felt like a burden to the station.
Her mother, still traumatized by her husband's sacrifice, declared she wouldn't go to her planned recuperation in Qingdao, opting to stay by Xia Jie's side, despite Xia Jie having already booked the flight and accommodation. Meanwhile, Li Dawei arrived home to find his father, Li Yisheng, had secretly returned. Li Yisheng swore he wanted to live a good life with Li Dawei’s mother, Xu Cuiping.
Li Dawei, however, was skeptical, reminding his father of his pattern of returning only to ask for money and then disappearing. He told Li Yisheng that Xu Cuiping had filed for divorce and he should wait for the court's judgment. When Xu Cuiping returned from grocery shopping, she surprisingly defended Li Yisheng, stating that she understood he was like an overgrown child and that they would "live together" now.
Li Dawei tried to persuade her, offering to cancel his rental and live at home with her, to prevent her from being deceived again. However, Xu Cuiping firmly rejected his interference, insisting on her decision to reconcile with Li Yisheng. Enraged by his mother's stubbornness and his father's empty promises, and feeling protective of his mother who had worked tirelessly to pay off Li Yisheng's debts, Li Dawei stormed out of the house.
That night, Li Dawei moved into his rental apartment. Xia Jie soon arrived with her luggage, revealing she intended to move in with him. She told him that Chen Xincheng and Wang Shouyi had a heated argument over his case, and that everyone at the station was trying to protect him. Xia Jie urged Li Dawei to "grow up" and explain the full story to Wang Shouyi, warning that otherwise, even Wang Shouyi wouldn't be able to protect him.
Li Dawei, still reeling from the events at home, remained reticent about his private life, reiterating he wanted to live alone. Elsewhere, Wang Shouyi was at the hospital for physical therapy, his old back pain flaring up from overwork. His doctor, a long-time friend, advised him to rest, but Wang Shouyi dismissed the idea, claiming he was too busy and worried about the new recruits.
The doctor offered to give him massages at home, a gesture Wang Shouyi politely declined, citing concerns about imposing on the doctor's family. As Cao Jianjun returned to the police station, a colleague informed him that the husband of Ms. Ma, the woman whose villa they visited last night, had committed suicide. Ms. Ma was at the station, causing a scene and blaming the police for not properly handling the situation, claiming it led to the tragic outcome. Yang Shu had already been called to address the matter.
Episode 7 Recap
Yang Shu provided a detailed account to Wang Shouyi of how he and Cao Jianjun handled Ms. Ma's call. They had located her villa at the given address, observing her husband's car parked in the yard. Ms. Ma had explicitly stated that her husband suffered from insomnia and that they should only confirm the car's presence, strictly avoiding knocking or calling to prevent disturbing his rest. This instruction was recorded on the police report and signed by her.
After learning that Ms. Ma's husband was found dead in his car this morning, Cao Jianjun attempted to shift blame onto Yang Shu, claiming he was busy on a phone call and Yang Shu should have checked the car. Yang Shu, angered by this evasion of responsibility, was left speechless. Wang Shouyi affirmed that the signed police report clarified their lack of responsibility in the matter.
However, he warned Yang Shu and Cao Jianjun to be prepared, as Ms. Ma was vehemently accusing the police of negligence leading to her husband's death. Wang Shouyi initially intended to handle Ms. Ma alone, taking the report. Yang Shu, however, insisted on accompanying him, stating he had audio recordings of his phone call with Ms. Ma from the scene, where she re-confirmed her instructions. Cao Jianjun tried to interrupt Yang Shu, urging him to defer to the Chief's decision.
Yang Shu, visibly frustrated by Cao Jianjun's reluctance to take responsibility, declared he would go with Wang Shouyi. En route, Wang Shouyi advised Yang Shu to remain calm, explaining that Ms. Ma was likely seeking a scapegoat after her husband's suicide following an argument with her.
Yang Shu clarified his anger was directed at Cao Jianjun's behavior, not Ms. Ma's grief, and assured Wang Shouyi he understood the importance of presenting a united front to the public while resolving internal issues privately. Meanwhile, Li Dawei approached Chen Xincheng to apologize for previous misunderstandings. Chen Xincheng, still visibly upset, sarcastically stated he was no longer Li Dawei's Master and indicated he had his own problems.
Li Dawei earnestly expressed deep regret for his mistakes, acknowledging his inadequate ideological and political awareness and lapse in police responsibility. Chen Xincheng, in turn, teased him about writing a 3,000-word self-criticism. Li Dawei responded that mere reports were useless and that he was ready for any "torture" or "torment" through work to elevate his awareness. Chen Xincheng then handed him a large stack of files to process.
Later, Ms. Ma confronted Wang Shouyi and Yang Shu, accusing the police of irresponsibility and indirectly causing her husband's death by not checking the car. Wang Shouyi presented the signed police report and asked Yang Shu to play the audio recording and show video of his phone call with Ms. Ma from the night of the incident.
The recording clearly captured Ms. Ma confirming that she only needed them to verify her husband's car was in the yard, and to absolutely not knock or call to avoid disturbing his rest. Despite this evidence, Ms. Ma became hysterical, claiming her husband's car was running and they should have heard it and checked, accusing them of "letting him die."
Yang Shu calmly explained that they genuinely hadn't heard the car from outside the locked gate and would never intentionally neglect someone in need. Ms. Ma refused to listen, accusing Wang Shouyi of protecting his officers and threatening to escalate her complaint to higher authorities. Ye Wei anticipated that Ms. Ma would indeed contact superior departments. Wang Shouyi, however, stated that since their officers had acted legally and with a clear conscience, they would face any challenge.
When inspectors from the bureau arrived to investigate the husband's death, Wang Shouyi instructed Cao Jianjun to go and report. Cao Jianjun once again tried to deflect responsibility to Yang Shu, claiming Yang Shu handled the case. Wang Shouyi firmly reminded him that he was the Master and ordered him to comply, which Cao Jianjun reluctantly did.
During the investigation, the inspector reviewed the collected evidence, including the phone recording, and confirmed that the officers' handling of the incident was not improper, although a physical check of the car "would have been better." He acknowledged the difficulty in foreseeing the situation given Ms. Ma's explicit instructions and concluded that there were no wrongdoings.
Cao Jianjun later informed Yang Shu that the matter was resolved and that any responsibility would fall on him, not Yang Shu; Yang Shu responded with sarcasm. At lunchtime, Li Dawei, after being scolded and made to write a 3,000-word self-criticism, chatted with a disheartened Yang Shu. Yang Shu expressed admiration for Li Dawei's optimistic outlook and nonchalant attitude, and Li Dawei revealed that Xia Jie had already moved into their shared apartment, urging Yang Shu to join them soon.
Li Dawei then light-heartedly complained about Chen Xincheng deliberately giving him a massive pile of files, interpreting it as intentional "trickery." Unbeknownst to him, Chen Xincheng was standing behind him and sternly asked if he had finished, threatening him with more work. Wang Shouyi convened an all-officer meeting where Ye Wei announced the "advanced individuals" for the past quarter, including Zhang Zhijie, Yuan Shiqi, Jiang Zhigang, Xia Jie, and Sun Qiancheng.
Wang Shouyi also emphasized the need for new officers to transition from students to qualified police. After the meeting, Cao Jianjun approached Ye Wei, complaining about not being recognized. Ye Wei later reported this to Wang Shouyi, who recognized Cao Jianjun's competitive nature and his tendency to seek glory but deflect blame. Ye Wei attempted to defend Cao Jianjun, explaining the pressure he faced from his mother-in-law, who constantly compared him to his more successful brother-in-law.
Wang Shouyi dismissed this, asserting that Cao Jianjun's personality was the core issue, and that police work should not be about personal ambition or family approval. He tasked Ye Wei with conducting "ideological work" with Cao Jianjun. Earlier, Xia Jie had confided in Cheng Hao about almost being misled into passing a message for Xiang Cuihua's "husband," feeling naive for sympathizing with the woman and her child.
Cheng Hao reassured her that such compassion was natural for a new officer and advised her not to report it to Wang Shouyi. He then revealed that the man was not Xiang Cuihua's husband but a partner in a prostitution ring disguised as a foot therapy center. The arrested man confessed that the "asthma medicine" he sought was actually obscene videos of the exploited girls, used to threaten them into prostitution, and he was trying to locate them.
Cheng Hao reiterated that Xia Jie should not blame herself. Simultaneously, Xia Jie's mother called to congratulate her on being named an "advanced individual," expressing hopes that the recognition would lead to a transfer away from frontline duties to the bureau. Xia Jie, frustrated by her mother's persistent interference in her career, informed her that she had moved out and would only consider returning home once her mother stopped contacting her superiors.
The following morning at the station, Li Dawei questioned the night-duty officer about any incidents, prompting Chen Xincheng to jokingly warn him about being a "jinx" who calls forth cases. True to Chen Xincheng's words, a dog-biting incident in Xiao Xin Zhuang was reported. Chen Xincheng again playfully called Li Dawei a "jinx." Cao Jianjun volunteered to handle the call and departed with Yang Shu and Ding.
Zhao Jiwei expressed envy at Yang Shu's opportunity to go on a call, while Zhang Zhijie took him for community patrolling. Moments later, a report came in about a fight on Bus 323, leading Chen Xincheng to, once more, jokingly call Li Dawei a "jinx" before taking him to the scene. At the dog-biting scene, Cao Jianjun and Yang Shu found Liu Qiang and an elderly man in a heated dispute.
Liu Qiang explained that the elderly man's large, unleashed dog had chased and injured his child, yet the old man was demanding compensation from him. Yang Shu attempted to explain city regulations requiring dog licenses and leashes, but the old man stubbornly refused, claiming it was his "turf" and he could do as he pleased.
Cao Jianjun tried to mediate, suggesting Liu Qiang, as an educated person, should be magnanimous and consider reconciliation, especially since the old man was likely unaccustomed to city life. However, the elderly man remained aggressive, demanding money from Liu Qiang. Amidst the heated exchange, the elderly man suddenly collapsed, prompting Cao Jianjun to rush him to the hospital.
Concurrently, Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei arrived at the Bus 323 station, where an elderly man and Ms. Zhou, who was holding a baby, had been fighting over a seat. After reviewing surveillance footage, Li Dawei immediately identified the elderly man as the aggressor and suggested he be detained. Chen Xincheng reminded him of Clause 3, Article 21 of the Law on Penalties for Administration of Public Security, which prohibits administrative detention for individuals over 70.
He also pointed out that Ms. Zhou had retaliated, legally making it a mutual fight. Li Dawei, frustrated by this legal constraint, learned from the elderly man's senior citizen bus pass that he was 71. Chen Xincheng decided they would both speak with Ms. Zhou. Suddenly, Ms. Zhou's one-year-old child fainted. Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei quickly took the mother and child to the hospital.
The elderly man from the bus, witnessing this, also dramatically collapsed, feigning illness and demanding hospital treatment, insisting Ms. Zhou should pay. Li Dawei suspected he was faking. Coincidentally, Cao Jianjun and Yang Shu arrived at the same hospital with the elderly man from the dog-biting incident. A doctor informed them that the dog-walking elderly man had no health issues whatsoever; his vitals were all normal.
Li Dawei and Yang Shu, realizing they were both handling complicated cases involving difficult elderly individuals, children, and women, briefly exchanged notes on their shared predicament. Soon after, Ms. Zhou's enraged husband arrived at the hospital, attempting to confront the elderly man from the bus.
Episode 8 Recap
Li Dawei and Yang Shu met at the hospital and discussed the complexities of their respective cases. Li Dawei's case involved an old man, a child, and a woman, while Yang Shu's case had an old man, a child, a woman, and her husband, making Yang Shu's situation more complicated. Suddenly, a commotion erupted in the corridor, and they both rushed to the scene.
Ms. Zhou's husband arrived at the hospital, agitated and demanding to get even with the "old man" whom he called a "rascal" for scaring his child. Chen Xincheng intervened, calming the husband and urging him to first check on his child, who was still undergoing emergency treatment. Chen Xincheng explained that the old man was also hospitalized, which further infuriated the husband, who accused the old man of "pretending to be the victim."
After much effort, Chen Xincheng managed to persuade Ms. Zhou and her husband to leave, then instructed Li Dawei to contact the old man's family. Soon after, the son of the dog owner arrived with others. They angrily demanded that Liu Qiang pay for their father's medical expenses, insisting their father was sick and had been "hit down" by the other party.
Yang Shu tried to explain that the old man was well just moments ago, but the family accused the officers of taking benefits and being biased. Yang Shu then asserted that their body camera footage proved the old man had collapsed on his own and was initially at fault for not leashing his dog and not having a dog license. The family dismissed Yang Shu, calling him a "yellow-haired kid" and telling him to stop interrupting adults.
Cao Jianjun then stepped in decisively. He declared their actions constituted "Hospital Violence" and warned that he would take "forced measures" if they didn't calm down. Subsequently, security personnel escorted the family away. Zhang Zhijie and Zhao Jiwei were on a community visit when they encountered a resident on the 18th floor who had forgotten his keys. His wife was away on a business trip. The resident suggested that an officer climb from his neighbor's unsealed balcony into his window.
Zhao Jiwei immediately expressed his disbelief, asking if the resident watched too many "American blockbusters" and thought police officers were "Spiderman." The resident, offended, questioned Zhao's remarks, reminding them that "taxpayers pay" their salaries. Zhang Zhijie intervened, introducing Zhao as a new officer and calming the resident. He then explained the extreme danger of climbing 18 floors and suggested hiring a locksmith, which would cost "one or two hundred yuan."
The resident initially balked at the cost, stating it was "not easy to make money now." To resolve the situation, Zhang Zhijie offered to pay the 200 yuan himself, remarking that it was "worth buying our lives for 200 yuan." The resident then agreed and promptly called a locksmith. The old man involved in the bus incident was identified as Wang Jianguo.
Since he had no identification, Li Dawei took a photo of him while he was unconscious and began contacting various police stations. After sending the photo to 16 different stations, Tunhou Zhuang Police Station responded, stating the man looked similar but couldn't be definitively identified, partly because Wang Jianguo's photo was taken with his eyes closed.
Li Dawei later learned from Tunhou Zhuang Police Station that the Wang Jianguo in their records had been "abandoned by his family and no one cared about him," living in a "semi-homeless, semi-isolated state," which confirmed it was likely the same person. Meanwhile, doctors diagnosed the Wang Jianguo in their care with late-stage liver cirrhosis. Upon waking, Wang Jianguo immediately demanded Ms. Zhou pay for his treatment, claiming her actions caused his illness.
Li Dawei clarified that his cirrhosis was a long-standing condition, unrelated to Ms. Zhou, as it had developed over several years. When Chen Xincheng asked for his family's contact information, Wang Jianguo initially denied having any family. However, Li Dawei, having checked the household registration, revealed that Wang Jianguo indeed had a wife and a son and had lived in Tunhou Village. Confronted with this, Wang Jianguo broke down crying.
He confessed that after being diagnosed with a terminal illness, his family had "driven him out," leaving him with "no choice" but to resort to scamming. He lamented, "What's the point of living like me? I'd rather die." Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei tried to comfort the distraught old man. Yang Shu was deeply frustrated, complaining that the dog owner was "obviously pretending to be sick," yet they seemed powerless.
He felt it was "unreasonable" to let such a person go, questioning what would happen if the old man were genuinely ill next time and lamenting the time being wasted by officers like Li Dawei. Cao Jianjun, however, advised him to be more pragmatic. He emphasized that "reality is reality, theory is theory," and their primary goal was "to solve the problem" and "calm things down," rather than "to argue who's right or wrong."
He pointed out that endlessly reasoning with unreasonable people would only prevent them from leaving and disrupt the hospital's normal operations. Cao Jianjun urged Yang Shu to "learn to weigh what is more important." Cheng Hao found out that Xia Jie had "run away from home" due to conflict with her mother. Xia Jie was annoyed, asking who her mother had contacted at the station, to which Cheng Hao replied her mother was "familiar with most people" there.
Xia Jie declared she would not return and had already rented her own place. Cheng Hao empathized with both Xia Jie and her mother, advising Xia Jie to "talk to her properly." He suggested that moving out should be for "work convenience," not out of anger, believing her mother "should understand" such a reason. Xia Jie expressed her desire to do something to make her mother change. Cheng Hao then offered to drive her home.
Late that night, Li Dawei and Chen Xincheng went to report to Wang Shouyi. Wang Shouyi informed them that he had spoken with Director Tong from Tunhou Zhuang Police Station, who confirmed that Wang Jianguo's medical insurance "hasn't been paid for over two years." Director Tong had already made arrangements, and the insurance would be reactivated once the outstanding fees were settled. Chen Xincheng, frustrated, dismissed this as "nonsense," suggesting they should simply pay the fees to activate the insurance.
Li Dawei added that even with insurance, Wang Jianguo's severe liver cirrhosis wouldn't be 100% covered, and warned that the hospital would "send Wang Jianguo to our station" the next day if the medical bills weren't paid. Wang Shouyi reiterated that "finding his family" remained the immediate priority. Although Li Dawei explained they were already searching, Wang Shouyi had called them back for this report to discuss. Wang Shouyi then dismissed them, stating he would "figure out" the hospital fees.
Chen Xincheng immediately instructed Li Dawei to precisely confirm Wang Jianguo's son's home address, emphasizing they would go "today" and not wait until tomorrow. Observing Zhao Jiwei sleeping in the duty room every day, Zhang Zhijie advised him to find a rental place. Zhao Jiwei claimed he had relatives in the city and preferred not to spend money on rent, wishing to save money and get familiar with colleagues at the station.
Ye Wei noticed Zhao's situation and spoke to Li Dawei, suggesting he convince Zhao to join their co-rental arrangement. Li Dawei explained that Zhao had initially declined, citing his relatives in the city. Ye Wei expressed concern about the inconvenience of staying with relatives long-term and acknowledged that a cadet's income could be tight after supporting parents and paying rent. Li Dawei admitted Zhao declined because "he thought it was too expensive."
Understanding the underlying issue, Li Dawei later, while Zhao was out on patrol, called Zhao Jiwei and offered the living room at a reduced rate of 400 yuan, down from 800 yuan. Zhao Jiwei, still haggling, initially offered 300 yuan, promising to "clean and cook." Li Dawei playfully countered with 200 yuan, to which Zhao Jiwei protested, "Do you think I'm a cheap worker?" They eventually settled on 400 yuan.
Balihe Police Station received an urgent report of a "melee in Jinbao Street" with "many participants." As officers were dispatched, another call came in reporting a fight with "knives on Second Road." Ye Wei, the instructor, personally led a team, ensuring officers were "geared up" for the situation. Zhao Jiwei eagerly volunteered to join the Jinbao Street response, and after a moment's hesitation, Ye Wei permitted him.
Zhang Zhijie, despite not being on night duty, also joined, stating that if his "disciple is here, I can't not be here." The teams quickly mobilized. Upon arrival at Jinbao Street, officers immediately ordered everyone to "Stop! Police! Freeze! Drop the weapon!" and instructed "unrelated personnel to evacuate," effectively intervening in the violent altercation. Li Dawei and Chen Xincheng located the house of Wang Jianguo's son, Wang Gang.
When they knocked, a man answered and denied being Wang Gang or knowing Wang Jianguo, claiming they had the "wrong person" and that they were disturbing his family. After some initial resistance, Chen Xincheng firmly insisted on checking his ID, reminding him that "every citizen is obligated to cooperate with the police." The man, identifying himself as Qi Gang, agreed to discuss the matter downstairs.
Downstairs, Chen Xincheng presented their findings, confirming his original name was Wang Gang, he had lived in Tunhou Village, and moved due to "family disputes." Chen Xincheng stressed that the "factual father-son relationship cannot be changed." In response, Wang Gang produced a signed document, a "certification for breaking off the father-son relationship." Li Dawei openly criticized Wang Gang for his lack of conscience, telling him he "can't ignore your father because he got an incurable disease."
Wang Gang defiantly declared he had "no conscience" and expressed indifference to any criticism, even stating he "should be heartless to that old man." Chen Xincheng tried to mediate, emphasizing that familial conflicts often have "no right or wrong" and are "trivial matters," but reiterated Wang Gang's legal "obligation to take care of him" as his father, especially with Wang Jianguo hospitalized.
Wang Gang dismissed their pleas, stating he "just doesn't fulfill his duty to support" and challenging them, "What can you do about me? You want to arrest me?" Chen Xincheng tried to calm him, suggesting resolution through negotiation, but Wang Gang abruptly told them to leave, threatening to complain about "disturbance" if they knocked on his door again.
As they departed, Li Dawei expressed some understanding for Wang Jianguo's situation, but Chen Xincheng questioned if having problems justified abandoning a parent. Upon returning home after work, Xia Jie found her mother packing for a recuperative trip to Qingdao.
Her mother explained she wished to "go to the beach to have some peace" and no longer "annoy" Xia Jie, having reflected that her constant worry and attempts to control Xia Jie, influenced by "thinking blindly by myself," only caused unhappiness for both of them. She assured Xia Jie she would stay with her aunt in Qingdao.
Xia Jie apologized for her "rude attitude yesterday" and helped her mother pack, having already prepared essential items like plasters for back pain, mosquito repellent, and cold medicine. She also transferred money to her mother, who initially demurred but accepted after Xia Jie insisted, explaining that with free food at the station and provided uniforms, she had "not much to spend money on."
Her mother reiterated her deep concern about Xia Jie's police job, emphasizing its inherent danger and how it made her "worried." She suggested Xia Jie request an "easier office job" from the bureau to avoid overwork and danger. Xia Jie gently deflected the conversation, but her mother further elaborated on her internal conflict: she hadn't worked in years, and if Xia Jie weren't a police officer, she worried they would "have lost contact with the bureau."
Xia Jie once again diverted the topic to ensure her mother got rest for her travels. Li Dawei was frustrated by Zhao Jiwei's thunderous snoring, which kept both him and Yang Shu awake; Yang Shu even complained his bed was "trembling." They tried vigorously shaking Zhao, calling out "Earthquake!" and even pinching his nose. Zhao briefly opened his eyes but remained largely unresponsive, continuing to snore. Giving up, Yang Shu told Li Dawei, "you brought him in.
You must be responsible," suggesting Zhao hadn't "slept well" recently, which explained the severe snoring, and advised Li Dawei to let Zhao sleep in his room while he took Li Dawei's bed. Li Dawei, grumbling, reluctantly managed to move the still-snoring Zhao Jiwei into the bathroom, muttering, "I deserve it." The next day, Cao Jianjun and Yang Shu were dispatched to investigate a report from Qiu Chenli about electric bike thefts in his community.
Qiu Chenli reported that "seven or eight electric bikes" had recently gone missing from their neighborhood. Residents were agitated, questioning police effectiveness, but Cao Jianjun reassured them, explaining that a special team had been formed for the case, which he was personally leading, and asked for their cooperation and patience while they began registering details. Concurrently, the dog owner from the previous day's incident arrived at the police station with his family, who were "carrying" him on a "door panel."
The family angrily demanded that Liu Qiang be handed over. Wang Shouyi attempted to calm the commotion. Cao Jianjun intervened, criticizing the family for bringing their elderly father, who seemed unwell, to the police station instead of a hospital, and offered to have him sent for medical attention. However, the old man, still lying on the door panel, instructed his children to "go inside and tell the police about the problem," while he would wait outside.
Concerned about the elderly man's health, Wang Shouyi discreetly dispatched Zhang Zhijie to the "community hospital" to "get a doctor and a nurse," "just in case." When they attempted to carry the old man inside, the door proved too narrow. The old man then suggested they "just lie on the table" and instructed them to place the "door panel" on the conference table, where he then lay down as doctors were called to examine him.
As the doctor attended to the dog owner lying on the conference table, the old man claimed he was "not feeling well anywhere." Wang Shouyi then called the old man's children outside and presented them with video evidence from street surveillance. The footage clearly showed their unleashed dog running after a child, causing the child to fall and get injured. Wang Shouyi further presented body camera footage from the initial incident, which depicted police officers attempting to mediate.
This footage showed the old man becoming agitated and collapsing on his own after being provoked by a comment about his age. Wang Shouyi explained that their father was at fault for not having a dog license and for walking his dog unleashed, which violated "urban management regulations." He asserted that the "other side did nothing wrong," and the old man's collapse was "mainly due to his poor health." The family, however, immediately accused Wang Shouyi of bias and of receiving benefits from the other party.
Episode 9 Recap
Wang Shouyi presented Mr. Sun's children with video recordings and body camera footage, concluding that their father was fully responsible for the incident as he walked his dog without a leash, frightening a child and leading to the fall due to his personal health. Despite the clear evidence, the children were unconvinced, accusing Wang Shouyi of bias and asking, "Why do you always take their side? What did you get out of them?" When pressed for proof, they became defensive.
Wang Shouyi instructed them to pursue legal action for their father's medical expenses and to sign the Findings of Fact. However, they refused to sign, demanding of the police, "Why not sign? The fact is established. Why haven't you given me an answer on how to handle it?" They declared their intention to resolve the matter directly with the Liu family, saying, "If that's what the police believe, why are we here?
Why don't we just go straight to their house? . . . He fell because he fought with them. They should pay for the medical bills. Let's block their doors. Thus, they can't get home. If it doesn't work, we can drop him off at his place. Let's see what he'll do." Shortly after, Mr. Sun, who had been lying on a door panel, stood up and left with his children, threatening to go to Liu Qiang’s home for money.
Cao Jianjun and Yang Shu returned to the Balihe Police Station and witnessed this scene. Wang Shouyi chastised Cao Jianjun for mishandling the situation, remarking, "Yesterday I said you were good at solving complex problems. So you didn't take it seriously? . . . A whole bunch of people came in here with their teeth and claws out this morning. Did you have an estimate?" He suspected the family's true motive was to extort money.
Wang Shouyi instructed Cao Jianjun and Yang Shu to calm the Liu couple and advise them to move out for a while if necessary, preparing for "a long war." He also assigned Cheng Hao to investigate Mr. Sun's social connections within the community and coordinate with the relevant police stations to prevent further escalation. Meanwhile, Chen Xincheng visited Wang Jianguo at the hospital.
A doctor urged him to pay Wang Jianguo's treatment fees, emphasizing, "You can't just leave him in our hospital. . . He eats, drinks and defecates on the bed. What should we do?" Chen Xincheng called Li Dawei, instructing him to come to the hospital immediately. Li Dawei, who was waiting downstairs at Wang Gang’s house, finally encountered Wang Gang.
Li Dawei tried to persuade Wang Gang to visit his father, informing him, "Your father is in the hospital with cirrhosis. You are the only family he has left. Even if you get rid of me today, someone else will come to you. So you'd better come with us." Wang Gang responded curtly, "I don't have a father."
Li Dawei explained that their private agreement to break off their relationship would not supersede legal maintenance obligations, and the court would likely still impose them. Wang Gang remained defiant, inviting Li Dawei to "arrest me," then walked away, stating he had to go to work. Cao Jianjun and Yang Shu arrived at Liu Qiang’s apartment building to find Mr. Sun’s children and others causing a disturbance at Liu Qiang’s door, which was covered in spilled paint.
The Liu family was terrified. Upon seeing the police, Mr. Sun's family quickly scattered. Cao Jianjun and Yang Shu pursued them to the parking lot. Yang Shu confronted them, saying, "You spilled paint upstairs at Liu's house. You are destroying public property." However, they adamantly denied any wrongdoing, demanding proof, "You didn't see it? You didn't see it. How could you say we spilled paint at their house? . . . Do you have any proof?"
They accused the police of framing good people. Yang Shu warned them against committing crimes, but they dismissed the warning, telling the officers, "If you have proof, come here, cuff us. If not, I'm sorry, get out of my way." They then brazenly walked off, leaving Cao Jianjun and Yang Shu frustrated. Li Dawei rushed to the hospital. Chen Xincheng, dealing with Wang Jianguo's medical insurance, left Li Dawei to care for Wang Jianguo.
Li Dawei found Wang Jianguo incontinent, having soiled his bed. Despite his discomfort, Li Dawei diligently cleaned him, changed his sheets, and fed him porridge. He muttered to Wang Jianguo, "Sir, you were fine when you hit someone. Why are you incontinent now?" Meanwhile, Cao Jianjun and Yang Shu reviewed security footage from Liu Qiang’s route but found no useful leads, as Mr. Sun’s family had cunningly avoided the cameras.
Wang Shouyi called Cao Jianjun, stressing the urgency, "The masses can't lead normal lives. Their safety can't be guaranteed. We are failing in our duty to allow them to live in such a state of panic. This must not happen again." Cao Jianjun expressed his frustration, "I'm ashamed of myself. I wish I had all the Sun family members in custody right now." Wang Shouyi urged him to find a civil breakthrough to achieve reconciliation quickly.
While on the phone, Cao Jianjun received a call from Cheng Hao and promptly hung up on Wang Shouyi. Cheng Hao and Xia Jie traveled to Majiagou Police Station, Mr. Sun’s local precinct, to investigate. Chief Liang informed them that Mr. Sun's two sons were involved in gang activities, and his second son-in-law was a drug addict—a significant lead.
Chief Liang then attempted to persuade Cheng Hao to transfer to Majiagou Police Station, saying, "You'll lose at least five years of your life. Come to our station. We can be partners." Cheng Hao politely declined, asserting his loyalty, "I'm not a fickle person. We have our own fun." Upon learning that Xia Jie was the daughter of his former Master, Xia Junxiong, Chief Liang affectionately recalled her father and asked Cheng Hao to take good care of her.
During lunch, Wang Shouyi received a call from the hospital, once again demanding payment for Wang Jianguo's hospitalization fees. Chen Xincheng's repeated attempts to resolve Wang Jianguo's medical insurance issues had been unsuccessful. Recognizing the dire situation, Wang Shouyi initiated a collection at the station, stating, "I'd like to start a fundraiser at the station. Pay for his hospitalization first." He appealed to everyone, "Think of it as taking care of your own father, okay?
If your father is in the hospital, aren't you going to pay the bill?" Some officers were hesitant, arguing, "We don't have a father like that. . . . His son leaves him alone. Why should we take care of him?" Wang Shouyi then led by example, donating over a thousand yuan, explaining, "We're not doing this for him. We do it for our job, okay?" Chen Xincheng also contributed all the money he had.
Other officers followed suit, with Zhao Jiwei reluctantly donating fifty yuan. After lunch, Zhao Jiwei visited Li Dawei at the hospital. Li Dawei complained about the unpleasant task of caring for Wang Jianguo. Zhao Jiwei humorously suggested, "If you don't take photos, how can the boss see it? You even took care of his shit. This is a once-in-a-century opportunity." Li Dawei declined. Zhao Jiwei then shared information he had found about Wang Jianguo's past.
He showed Li Dawei photos revealing a history of domestic violence, explaining, "Wang Gang reported the crime every time. Wang Jianguo beat his wife when he drank too much. It has been years. He deafened the old lady in one ear." Li Dawei was enraged by this revelation, stating, "He deserves to be left alone. . . . If I were him, I wouldn't come." He finally understood Wang Gang’s resentment.
Seeing Li Dawei’s exhaustion, Zhao Jiwei offered to take over, suggesting, "You go back. I'll do it for you. Take a shower and change your clothes." He explained his motivation: "I only donated 50 yuan. I have no money. But I have the strength. The rich can contribute money. The strong can contribute labour." Li Dawei, touched by Zhao Jiwei’s sincerity, agreed to stay with him at the hospital.
Li Dawei then called Chen Xincheng to report Wang Jianguo's history of domestic violence, only to find that Chen Xincheng was already aware. Chen Xincheng further revealed that Wang Gang was a driver for bus route 323, making Li Dawei realize that Wang Jianguo had deliberately caused trouble on Wang Gang's bus. That night, Wang Shouyi convened a meeting with the leadership of the Balihe Police Station to discuss Mr. Sun and Liu Qiang's dispute.
He suggested attempting reconciliation between the two families. Just as the meeting was concluding, Chief Liang from Majiagou Police Station arrived, bringing with him incriminating evidence of the Sun family's criminal activities. Wang Shouyi proposed a joint operation between the two police stations to dismantle the Sun family's gang. Earlier in the meeting, Cao Jianjun had expressed his frustration about Wang Shouyi's suggestion for reconciliation, "They shouted, abused, and destroyed public and private property.
What's the difference between them and the underworld? You even asked me to reconcile them?" Gao Chao supported him, stating, "You've never relented before with a bully like this. Why can't you punish the family this time?" Wang Shouyi then reminded them of the Liu couple's predicament, living in "fear" and having "their life is hell." He urged them to prioritize the immediate well-being of the Liu family before focusing on the larger criminal investigation.
Later, Li Dawei tracked down Wang Gang to a noodle shop, knowing his habit of eating there after finishing his bus route. Li Dawei again attempted to persuade Wang Gang to take responsibility for his father's medical treatment. He shared his own complicated relationship with his father, admitting, "My dad is a jerk, too. . . . He never told my mom the truth. . . . I almost took my uniform off again because of something my father did."
Li Dawei explained his persistence by stating he was fulfilling his duty. Wang Gang, visibly emotional, then recounted his father’s long history of abuse towards his mother: "He's always picking on my mom for no reason. . . . He hit my mom when he was drank. . . . He got my mom on her knees and beat her in front of my kid." Overwhelmed, Wang Gang left the shop in tears.
As he departed, Li Dawei called out to him, reminding him that both incidents involving Wang Jianguo occurred on bus route 323—Wang Gang's route. Li Dawei watched Wang Gang leave, contemplating the complexities of father-son relationships. Outside the noodle shop, Chen Xincheng was waiting for him.
Episode 10 Recap
The Liu family arrived at the police station, frantic and fearful, with their child crying due to the continuous harassment by the Sun family. Mr. Liu explained that the Sun family had been making trouble day and night, even following them when they tried to send their child to the grandparents' house. The officer on duty reassured them, promising that the police would do everything possible to protect them and resolve the issue.
Mr. Liu, however, insisted they would not leave until a solution was found, expressing fear that they couldn't endure the situation much longer. Meanwhile, members of the Sun family were discussing increasingly aggressive tactics, including breaking down the Liu family's door, until a phone call informed them that "Dabao was arrested." At the Majiagou Police Station, the Sun family caused a commotion, demanding Dabao's release. Mrs. Sun confronted Officer Cao Jianjun, questioning his presence at their district's station.
Cao Jianjun calmly informed her that her son, Zhao Jinbao, was detained for drug use. When Mrs. Sun claimed her son had stopped, Cao Jianjun presented irrefutable urine test results. He further revealed evidence suggesting Zhao Jinbao might be involved in drug trafficking, emphasizing the severe legal consequences. The Sun family was silenced, and a settlement for the original dog bite dispute was signed.
Cao Jianjun then spoke to Chief Cheng, confirming that Sun's second daughter had been dealt with and their focus would now shift to ensuring the Liu couple could live in peace. Following the incident, Yang Shu approached Cao Jianjun, questioning whether using Zhao Jinbao's drug addiction to coerce the Sun family into settling was inappropriate.
Cao Jianjun rejected the term "blackmail," asserting that Zhao Jinbao's arrest was legal and that the discovery of drug activities occurred during their efforts to resolve the civil dispute. He argued that direct, effective solutions that save time were the most "reasonable" approach. Yang Shu expressed concern that this method might only treat symptoms without addressing the root cause.
Cao Jianjun countered that the Sun family was well aware of their wrongdoing and that the immediate priority was to restore peace to the Liu family's life. Cao Jianjun and Yang Shu then went to the Liu family's home to encourage them to sign the settlement. Mr. Liu, however, was unwilling, demanding punishment for the Sun family for the prolonged harassment that had driven their family and neighbors to distress.
He felt that a simple "reconciliation" after so much suffering was insufficient and questioned why his innocent family should bear any responsibility in the dispute. Cao Jianjun apologized on behalf of the police for their shortcomings and urged the Liu family to step back from the conflict, explaining that facing unreasonable people, compromise was often the best solution. He clarified that the current settlement addressed the dog bite, and any further harassment would be dealt with separately.
Yang Shu then advised the Liu family to pursue legal action against the Sun family for their harassment and extortion, assuring them that the law would not tolerate such "scoundrel" behavior. Convinced, the Liu family agreed to sue. Visibly angered, Cao Jianjun abruptly left the house.
Outside, he furiously reprimanded Yang Shu, accusing him of a personal vendetta stemming from a previous case and explaining the practical disadvantages of litigation, such as lengthy, costly proceedings without guaranteed compensation, and the deepening of animosity between the families. He pointed out that elderly individuals over seventy, like Grandpa Sun, cannot be administratively detained, and that such disturbances were civil disputes that had already drained significant police resources and led to case backlogs.
Yang Shu maintained that his advice was objective and that legal procedure was the correct path. Meanwhile, at the hospital, Wang Gang arrived to witness his father, Wang Jianguo, being rushed to the emergency room. Zhao Jiwei informed him that Wang Jianguo was suffering from acute liver failure and would likely require a liver transplant, with only a family member capable of donating in time. Wang Gang grimly muttered "karma."
Chen Xincheng later spoke with Wang Gang, revealing that he had informed Ms. Zhou about Wang Jianguo's critical condition, and despite her anger, she had agreed to settle and not pursue charges. Chen Xincheng presented the settlement to Wang Gang, emphasizing that the decision to sign on his father's behalf was entirely his own, urging him not to be swayed by external opinions about his personal pain. Wang Gang silently signed the settlement.
Later, Li Dawei returned home from work to find his father, Li Yisheng, playfully entertaining his mother. Initially annoyed by his father's antics, Li Dawei was unexpectedly touched when Li Yisheng prepared dumplings and his favorite childhood millet chili sauce. Despite the gesture, Li Dawei struggled to forgive his father, using work as an excuse to leave without eating, though he offered to pay his mother rent for his shared apartment.
He later sat downstairs, shedding tears, realizing that after all these years, his father still remembered his favorite dish, leaving him with a mix of complex emotions. That night, Cao Jianjun called Wang Shouyi to vent his frustration about the Liu family's stubbornness and Yang Shu's interference, feeling caught in the middle. Back at their shared apartment, Li Dawei returned late and went straight to his room, unnoticed by Xia Jie and Zhao Jiwei, who were playing games.
Yang Shu, feeling down, also stayed in his room. After Xia Jie and Zhao Jiwei went to bed, both Yang Shu and Li Dawei, each troubled by their thoughts, came out to the living room, but their initial attempts at conversation were terse, and they soon retreated to their rooms. Later, Li Dawei, after much consideration, invited Yang Shu to play games and talk.
During their game, Yang Shu confided in Li Dawei about his "complex feelings" regarding the Sun-Liu dispute and his renewed disagreements with Cao Jianjun. He shared Cao Jianjun's perspective that "not everything is black or white; right and wrong are relative," admitting that firsthand experience had deeply changed his understanding of these ideas. Li Dawei expressed his agreement with Cao Jianjun's more pragmatic view. The next morning, Yang Shu sought guidance from Wang Shouyi.
Wang Shouyi, acknowledging Yang Shu's academic background, emphasized the importance of understanding "human relations" and the nuances of life. He reiterated that "nothing is black or white, and even right and wrong are not fixed," encouraging Yang Shu to use his knowledge to grasp these complexities. Yang Shu expressed his newfound understanding.
He then went to the Liu family's home and apologized for his earlier "impulsiveness" in suggesting litigation, explaining that while legal action was not inherently wrong, choosing a path more conducive to solving the problem was key. He concluded that reconciliation had more benefits than drawbacks.
Mr. Liu agreed, stating that the temporary peace they had experienced recently was "so good" and that he now valued "peace and tranquility" above further conflict, admitting he couldn't afford to continue fighting with the Sun family. He also credited the police for this newfound calm. Yang Shu then asked them to sign a settlement, only to discover that the Liu couple had already signed one with Cao Jianjun.
Later, Li Dawei observed Yang Shu and Xia Jie on a night run, sensing their unusual demeanor. Yang Shu articulated his feelings of alienation at the station, perceiving himself as an "outsider" with a strained mentoring relationship and distant colleagues, feeling as if everyone expected him to leave. Xia Jie echoed similar sentiments, feeling "special" and "needing protection," which made her feel "lonely" and lacking a sense of purpose, despite her normally outgoing personality.
Li Dawei dismissed their feelings as "cheesy" self-pity, attributing it to their privileged backgrounds and a tendency to "overthink." He contrasted their struggles with his own "anti-shock numbness" from years of setbacks, advising them to stop overthinking and "just do it." Yang Shu continued to practice.
Episode 11 Recap
Officer Zhao Jiwei arrived with his Master, Officer Zhang Zhijie, at the Service Center for the Party and the People to conduct a basic investigation and check for any lingering issues from their previous case. Zhang Zhijie instructed Zhao Jiwei to wait inside. While waiting, Zhao Jiwei spotted a man known as Scar, the boss of a restaurant in Shangjiazhuang, hurrying past.
Zhao Jiwei discreetly followed Scar into a supermarket, where he discovered what appeared to be a gambling den in a back room. Just as he was about to investigate, Zhang Zhijie called, ordering him to return immediately. After the phone call, the supermarket owner approached Zhao Jiwei, inquiring if he was working on a case and inviting him to look around. Zhao Jiwei noticed Scar among the people casually drinking tea and chatting inside.
Upon returning to Zhang Zhijie, Zhao Jiwei reported his findings, reiterating his suspicion about Scar and the gambling sounds he heard earlier. Zhang Zhijie dismissed his concerns, reminding him of the Fengqiao Experience principle: police officers should not harbor prejudice against ex-convicts but instead focus on rehabilitation, legal education, and helping them become self-reliant. He sternly warned Zhao Jiwei against acting alone or disturbing Scar's life again. Zhao Jiwei reluctantly agreed.
Meanwhile, Yang Shu approached Cao Jianjun, apologizing and expressing his continued respect and eagerness to learn from him. Cao Jianjun downplayed the apology, sharing good news about the successful resolution of the Sun family's gang-related harassment, which was handled in cooperation with Majiagou Police Station. Yang Shu acknowledged Cao Jianjun's wisdom, and they prepared for a new call. Elsewhere, Li Dawei attempted to get Chen Xincheng's attention while Chen Xincheng was busy with paperwork.
Officer Zhang Zhijie approached Chen Xincheng, sarcastically asking to "borrow" his "beloved disciple," Li Dawei, for a "big case," clearly trying to show off. Li Dawei eagerly volunteered, but Chen Xincheng, seeing through Zhang Zhijie's antics, forbade Li Dawei from getting involved.
He explained that it was a standard Balihe Police Station tradition for all officers, regardless of experience, to consult with a Deputy Chief for any case, big or small, to ensure caution and proper resource allocation, as well as to ensure that all members of the station work as one team. Chen Xincheng revealed that Zhang Zhijie was simply boasting about being on the trail of a "big fish."
Cao Jianjun and Yang Shu responded to a dispute where a delivery driver was arguing with a security guard. The driver, who also rented an apartment in the community, was barred from entry while in uniform because he lacked a key card. The security guard insisted on property rules, and when asked, the driver couldn't produce his lease. The conflict escalated, and property management was called.
The property staff called the driver's wife to the scene, where she revealed that she was divorcing him. Overwhelmed with emotion, the delivery driver tearfully expressed his frustration, feeling that both the security guard and his wife looked down on him for his profession. He collapsed into sobs in a corner. Yang Shu immediately went to console him, explaining that it was all a misunderstanding and no one looked down on his job.
At the station, Ms. Wu frantically reported her twelve-year-old daughter, Jingjing, missing. She explained that after school, Jingjing had been reluctant to go to her math tutoring class, and Ms. Wu had scolded her. Now, Jingjing hadn't returned home from class, and her phone was off. Cheng Hao instructed Xia Jie to take down the details. Ms. Wu insisted that Jingjing was an obedient child who never disappeared and shared everything with her.
However, Xia Jie observed that Ms. Wu seemed overly controlling, suggesting that such strictness could be difficult for a child to bear. Offended, Ms. Wu became agitated and lashed out at Xia Jie. Cheng Hao quickly stepped in, calming Ms. Wu down. He took a photo of Jingjing and promised to organize a search of the school and nearby CCTV footage. Xia Jie continued to meticulously gather details from Ms. Wu, who grew increasingly agitated, concerned about the time passing.
Following standard procedure, Xia Jie requested a blood sample for potential DNA matching, should "anything happen." This suggestion enraged Ms. Wu, who accused Xia Jie of cursing her daughter and disrespecting her maternal concern, threatening to complain to Xia Jie's superiors. Cheng Hao quickly intervened again, pacifying Ms. Wu with a glass of water and assuring her of their full support. He then sent Xia Jie to check on the CCTV footage, effectively removing her from the tense situation.
After successfully calming Ms. Wu, Cheng Hao promised her that additional officers would be sent to search for Jingjing within the Wenge Garden community and review more surveillance footage. Needing more manpower, Cheng Hao then approached Gao Chao, who was preparing his team for another assignment. Gao Chao agreed to lend him two officers, Liu and Zeng, for the search. Cheng Hao then reassigned Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei to assist Gao Chao with his original mission.
Cheng Hao found Xia Jie and advised her not to take Ms. Wu's outburst personally, reminding her that police officers encounter all kinds of people. He then briefed the search teams, instructing one officer, Zeng, to visit Jingjing's school to inquire about her close friends, while others would canvass the Wenge Garden community and along the routes. Meanwhile, on their way back, Cao Jianjun prompted Yang Shu to reflect on their cases.
Yang Shu articulated that the key to the delivery driver's dispute lay in his marital issues, particularly with his wife, and that addressing that would resolve the conflict with the security guard. Cao Jianjun praised Yang Shu's keen observation and advised him on the importance of listening during interrogations and conversations, noting that the more a suspect talks, the more loopholes appear, and the more a party talks, the faster their anger dissipates.
Yang Shu further noted that the incident served as a public education moment, emphasizing that property management rules cannot supersede law. Impressed by Yang Shu's analytical skills and eloquence, Cao Jianjun encouraged him to write down his insights and experiences to inspire other officers. Gao Chao and Zhang Zhijie led a team of officers to execute an arrest. Zhao Jiwei, recognizing the supermarket where he had previously seen Scar, became visibly enthusiastic, seeing an opportunity to contribute significantly.
Gao Chao gave the order over the radio: all teams were to move in and storm the premises in five minutes once the door opened. Separately, after extensive searching, Jingjing was located at a classmate's house. Ms. Wu, relieved but still agitated, tried to compel Jingjing to return home immediately. However, Jingjing tearfully resisted, blaming her mother for always pushing her, and then broke free, running away from them all.
Back at the classmate's house, Ms. Wu angrily confronted the parent, accusing her of harboring Jingjing and threatening legal action. The classmate's parent retorted that Ms. Wu was responsible for her own child's behavior. Amidst the shouting, Jingjing seized the opportunity to flee again. Cheng Hao dispatched Xia Jie and another officer, Xu, to pursue Jingjing, while he stayed to mediate the argument between the two women. Meanwhile, at the supermarket, officers forced their way in.
They quickly subdued the gamblers inside. Zhao Jiwei searched frantically for Scar but couldn't find him. To his shock and fury, Li Dawei recognized his own father, Li Yisheng, among the detainees. Enraged, Li Dawei lashed out at his father, accusing him of being an incorrigible gambler and demanding his arrest. Li Yisheng tried to explain, but Li Dawei was too upset to listen. After searching the community, Xia Jie located Jingjing.
Jingjing was upset, telling Xia Jie she hated her for bringing her mother and that now she was too ashamed to face her friends, declaring all adults "bad people." Xia Jie empathized with Jingjing, acknowledging the girl's feelings, and shared that she also felt stifled by her own mother's strictness, then patiently advised Jingjing. Shortly after, Ms. Wu arrived, still fuming. She immediately lunged at Jingjing, attempting to hit her.
Xia Jie instinctively stepped in to shield Jingjing, taking a slap across the face from Ms. Wu. Ms. Wu dismissed it as an accident, blamed Xia Jie for interfering in their family matters, and threatened to file a complaint before forcibly dragging Jingjing away. Back at the station, Li Dawei immediately called his mother, expressing his frustration over his father's repeated gambling and urging her to sever all ties with Li Yisheng.
His mother, however, was more concerned about how Li Yisheng's arrest for gambling would impact Li Dawei's future as a police officer, leaving Li Dawei feeling helpless and questioning his destiny. Xia Jie, visibly distraught from being slapped, sat alone in the yard, having overheard Li Dawei's phone call. Li Dawei, also needing to clear his head, noticed her sorrow. He recognized a handprint on her face and immediately asked who had bullied her. Xia Jie then recounted her ordeal.
Li Dawei, trying to comfort her, bought several popsicles, suggesting that the coldness would numb the pain, a method he used when he was upset. Chen Xincheng, recognizing Li Yisheng among the gambling suspects, handed him over to Officer Ding for initial interrogation, specifically instructing Ding to keep the case isolated and that he would handle it later. Concerned, Chen Xincheng immediately went to report the grave situation to Chief Wang Shouyi.
He informed Wang Shouyi that Li Yisheng, Li Dawei's biological father, was involved in the gambling bust. Chen Xincheng expressed his worry that if Li Yisheng were found to be an organizer, Li Dawei's career would be completely jeopardized. Wang Shouyi shared his concern, lamenting Li Dawei's misfortune with such a father, especially given how hard his mother raised him and Li Dawei's cheerful personality despite his challenging upbringing.
Wang Shouyi asked Chen Xincheng to summon Zhang Zhijie for more details. Li Dawei then opened up to Xia Jie, expressing deep resentment toward his father, Li Yisheng. He felt that Li Yisheng had disappeared from his life years ago, especially after his police academy training, and that his father had only reappeared now to cause trouble, just when Li Dawei no longer needed him. Xia Jie listened empathetically, then shared her own contrasting feelings. She confessed that she often wished her own father, who died in the line of duty, could come back, just so she could tell him how much she missed him.
Episode 12 Recap
Zhao Jiwei, returning late, found Li Dawei restless in bed, fretting over whether his father Li Yisheng's involvement in gambling would jeopardize his probation. Zhao Jiwei expressed this concern directly to Li Dawei, who firmly stated that he and his father were separate individuals and he had nothing to do with his father's actions.
When Yang Shu later arrived and inquired about Li Dawei, noting he was in a bad mood, Yang Shu offered to check on him, but Zhao Jiwei advised against it, suggesting Li Dawei needed some time alone. Zhang Zhijie meticulously investigated Li Yisheng's involvement, reporting his findings to Wang Shouyi. He clarified that all gamblers had to pay a venue fee via WeChat, and Li Yisheng had no such transfer record. The casino owner didn't accept cash.
Surveillance footage and witness testimonies further confirmed Li Yisheng had not participated in the gambling. Instead, he was there to retrieve money for a collector's item he had pledged with a friend, who was a regular at the casino. Although his friend tried to persuade him to join the game, Li Yisheng had no money to chip in.
Zhang Zhijie then explicitly praised Li Dawei for his proactive and commendable performance during the raid, requesting commendation for him and advocating for his protégé not to be penalized due to his father's presence at the scene. Wang Shouyi agreed to consider the matter. During breakfast, Zhao Jiwei discreetly inquired about Li Dawei's situation, and Zhang Zhijie reassured him that Li Yisheng's presence at the gambling den shouldn't significantly impact Li Dawei, as his father's situation was already clarified.
Zhao Jiwei then brought up Scar, noting his absence during the raid. When Zhao Jiwei hinted that Scar might be an informant whose identity Zhang Zhijie was protecting, Zhang Zhijie dismissed the idea, stating they simply offer care and help to released individuals, which naturally fosters their cooperation. Zhao Jiwei then expressed his frustration with handling "trifles" daily and his desire to achieve something significant.
Zhang Zhijie cautioned him against prioritizing achievements over diligent work, warning that such an approach would be counterproductive. Ms. Wu returned to the police station, vehemently accusing Xia Jie of cursing her daughter to die and demanding a face-to-face apology. Cheng Hao initially tried to defuse the situation by intercepting Ms. Wu and attempting to establish a friendly rapport, but she was unyielding, declaring her dignity was paramount and reiterating her demand for Xia Jie to apologize.
Xia Jie, hearing the commotion, emerged despite Cheng Hao's attempts to keep her out of sight. She confronted Ms. Wu, asserting she had done nothing wrong and had merely followed police procedures. Li Dawei then rushed in, forcefully defending Xia Jie and reminding Ms. Wu that she had slapped Xia Jie, warning her about the implications of assaulting a police officer. Concerned about escalating the conflict, Cheng Hao quickly intervened and ushered Li Dawei away.
When Ms. Wu insisted on an apology or threatened to report Xia Jie to higher authorities, Xia Jie steadfastly refused, maintaining she had done nothing wrong. Cheng Hao, as her Master, attempted to defuse the situation by offering a sincere bow and apologizing on her behalf, taking responsibility for any perceived shortcomings in her training. However, Xia Jie rejected his apology, stating she didn't need his protection as she was an officer, not a child, and had her own dignity.
Ms. Wu, still unsatisfied, warned Xia Jie to remain "tough" and never apologize, before departing. Afterwards, Cheng Hao tried to reason with Xia Jie, urging her not to engage with such people and explaining his actions were to prevent further conflict and protect her. Xia Jie, however, pushed back, expressing her frustration that his constant protection, much like her mother's, left her feeling "suffocated." Li Dawei came to the station to process the paperwork for his father, Li Yisheng's, release.
Chen Xincheng, who identified himself as Li Dawei's master, assisted, bringing Li Yisheng to the entrance and instructing Li Dawei to get the car to take his father home. Before leaving, Li Yisheng anxiously asked Chen Xincheng if his actions would negatively impact Li Dawei's career. Chen Xincheng sternly admonished him, highlighting the inconsistency of a police officer's father engaging in illegal activities.
Li Yisheng expressed deep remorse, admitting his fault and acknowledging he had missed the opportunity to properly guide Li Dawei, which was why his son now rejected him. He promised Chen Xincheng to strictly regulate his behavior and sever ties with unreliable friends, vowing not to bring further disgrace upon his son. He then bowed deeply to Chen Xincheng, entrusting Li Dawei's future to him. Li Dawei observed this interaction.
Director Song contacted Wang Shouyi, relaying Ms. Wu's formal complaint and insisting that Xia Jie apologize to resolve the public's grievances. Wang Shouyi staunchly defended Xia Jie, arguing that she had acted strictly according to normal procedures, including the necessary blood test, and therefore had done nothing wrong. He also urged the higher-ups to protect frontline officers. Director Song, however, was resolute that the complaint must be resolved to the public's satisfaction, regardless of whether an apology was given.
Later, Yang Shu approached a dejected Xia Jie during lunch, providing her with legal context from the Police Law, confirming her actions were within regulations, and assuring her that even in court, she would be justified. He cautioned her not to let others' opinions affect her mood, sharing his own past experiences with his master.
Xia Jie confided in him, expressing frustration that despite knowing she was right, Cheng Hao's insistence on apologizing for her made her feel "suffocated" and "immature." Wang Shouyi summoned Xia Jie to his office, with Ye Wei present. He expressed concern for Xia Jie, describing her as a good person with a strong will, much like her late father.
Wang Shouyi attempted to gently persuade Xia Jie to apologize to Ms. Wu for the sake of the station, suggesting it was a minor issue and an act of "forgiving a small wrong for a greater good." Xia Jie, however, demanded to know specifically what she had done wrong, reiterating her adherence to procedure. Ye Wei supported Wang Shouyi, pointing out that Xia Jie's manner might have inadvertently triggered Ms. Wu's emotional state.
Unmoved, Xia Jie maintained her innocence, stating she simply followed protocol and didn't understand why she should apologize. Wang Shouyi then shifted his approach, emphasizing the disruption Ms. Wu's complaints were causing to the bureau and station's work, and urged Xia Jie to consider compromising for the greater good.
Xia Jie viewed this as an accusation of her impeding their work, and when Wang Shouyi tried to temper his words by saying they shouldn't "behave like them," she sarcastically asked if he meant the public had "low quality." Frustrated, Wang Shouyi directly asked if she would apologize if the station explicitly ordered her to. Xia Jie defiantly declared she would "not obey" and invited them to punish her if she had violated any rules.
With that, she stormed out, leaving Wang Shouyi exasperated. Ye Wei then commented that Xia Jie was acting like this "just because her dad is a hero," which Wang Shouyi promptly refuted, reminding her of the significance of Xia Jie's father's sacrifice and that everyone at the bureau benefited from it. Later, Xia Jie sat despondently in the courtyard.
Zhao Jiwei approached to comfort her, revealing that colleagues were privately discussing her refusal to apologize, speculating she was leveraging her father's hero status. Xia Jie emphatically stated that her father was her father and she was her own person, having no intention of relying on his legacy. Elsewhere, Li Dawei experienced a vivid nightmare where he was dismissed from the police force due to his father's actions, waking in a cold sweat.
Checking his phone, he saw a group message about a broken faucet in their shared house; the landlord had provided a new one, but Yang Shu and Zhao Jiwei were working late. Feeling he was the only one available, Li Dawei decided to install the faucet himself, only to create a large mess. Upon returning home, Xia Jie found their apartment flooded and Li Dawei frantically calling for help to contact property management.
She calmly located and turned off the main water valve, much to Li Dawei's surprise, explaining that she had experience replacing faucets at her own home. As they worked together to clean the flooded room, Xia Jie asked Li Dawei what he would do if he couldn't be a police officer. He admitted he had no other aspirations, wanting only to be a cop. Xia Jie then mentioned hearing his father had gone home, picked up by his mother.
Li Dawei clarified that he was the one who drove his father home but deliberately avoided going upstairs to see his mother, a decision that left him feeling deeply distressed. Xia Jie praised his maturity in handling the situation. The following morning, Chen Xincheng informed Li Dawei that the higher authorities had decided not to pursue the matter concerning his father, as it was confirmed Li Yisheng was not involved in the gambling itself. Chen Xincheng emphasized that Li Dawei's father's actions would not reflect on him. Li Dawei was deeply grateful for the news.
Episode 13 Recap
Cheng Hao visited the Wenge Garden community to investigate Ms. Wu's situation. He reported to Wang Shouyi that Ms. Wu was leading a difficult life: her husband had an affair, they were nearing divorce, and he had left home long ago. Consequently, Ms. Wu poured all her energy into their daughter, Jingjing, becoming distraught if she couldn't see her. She also had a history of conflicts with neighbors.
Cheng Hao observed that Ms. Wu was a pitiful figure, and Wang Shouyi decided to leverage this to persuade Xia Jie to apologize, believing her soft heart would be moved. Cheng Hao agreed to try. During lunch, Li Dawei noticed his colleagues discussing Xia Jie's dispute with Ms. Wu. He pulled Zhao Jiwei and Yang Shu aside, cautioning them not to mention it to Xia Jie to avoid adding pressure.
However, when Xia Jie arrived, Yang Shu immediately brought up the apology, stating that Xia Jie should decide for herself whether to apologize, and offering to negotiate with the station if she chose not to. Xia Jie politely declined, thanking him but maintaining her principles. Li Dawei was exasperated by Yang Shu's unhelpful intervention. Wang Shouyi summoned Xia Jie, who correctly anticipated it was about Ms. Wu.
She firmly stated her sympathy for Ms. Wu but flatly refused to apologize, leaving Wang Shouyi helpless. Shortly after, Ms. Wu, having learned of Cheng Hao's community visit, returned to the Balihe Police Station, causing a scene. She accused the police of infringing on her rights, secretly collecting negative information about her, and ruining her reputation, making it impossible for her to live in the community. She demanded an explanation.
Cheng Hao reported this renewed disturbance to Wang Shouyi, who had no choice but to face Ms. Wu. Wang Shouyi, attempting a conciliatory approach, tried to move Ms. Wu to a conference room, explaining that their visit to the community was merely to understand the situation, not to defame her. Ms. Wu, however, was unconvinced. She insisted that their investigation in her community without her consent was inappropriate and had worsened her standing after her divorce.
Wang Shouyi apologized for any perceived offense from their information-gathering but denied spreading rumors. Unappeased, Ms. Wu demanded that Wang Shouyi and Xia Jie publicly apologize to her in front of all community residents to "eliminate the ill effects." Wang Shouyi deemed this an unreasonable demand and refused. Enraged, Ms. Wu slammed the door and stormed out. Cheng Hao volunteered to handle the situation, but Wang Shouyi instructed him to continue working on persuading Xia Jie.
Ms. Wu's incessant calls to the 12345 mayor's hotline escalated the issue to the municipal and provincial authorities. Director Song called Wang Shouyi, expressing his displeasure and setting a strict deadline: the issue must be resolved by tomorrow. Under immense pressure, Wang Shouyi personally visited Wenge Garden with the property manager to negotiate with Ms. Wu.
He initially suggested an expansive public apology, but Ms. Wu, fearing further damage to her reputation, revised her demand: she insisted that Wang Shouyi and Xia Jie come to her home to apologize. Meanwhile, Zhao Jiwei informed Xia Jie that due to her refusal, the station planned to send another female officer, Dou, to impersonate her during the apology. Wang Shouyi even gave detailed instructions to Officer Dou on how to cry and apologize convincingly.
Upon hearing this, Xia Jie, unexpectedly, agreed to go herself. Wang Shouyi then gave Xia Jie and the team detailed instructions, emphasizing to maintain composure, agree to Ms. Wu's every word, and stay for at least 45 minutes to demonstrate sincerity. Wang Shouyi, Cheng Hao, and Ye Wei accompanied Xia Jie to Wenge Garden. Xia Jie was instructed to hold flowers as a gesture of apology.
Upon arriving at Ms. Wu's home, Wang Shouyi formally apologized on behalf of the Balihe Police Station for any shortcomings in their work and for the distress caused by Xia Jie's initial handling of the situation. To their surprise, Ms. Wu was profoundly moved and burst into tears. After drying her eyes, Ms. Wu poured out her heart, explaining her struggles. She worked tirelessly as a doctor, often on three shifts, only for her husband to have an affair.
He then blamed her for being too busy and neglecting the family. She felt she had nothing left but Jingjing and confessed her extreme fear whenever she couldn't reach her daughter, imagining the worst-case scenarios and declaring that Jingjing was her sole reason for living. Listening to Ms. Wu's painful confession, Xia Jie was deeply affected, recalling her own mother's suffocating care and concern for her. Feeling overwhelmed, Xia Jie abruptly left the apartment.
Wang Shouyi then explained Xia Jie's reaction to Ms. Wu, clarifying that Xia Jie was deeply moved, not disrespectful. He revealed that Xia Jie's father was a police officer who had died in the line of duty ten years prior, and like Ms. Wu, Xia Jie's mother had become overly protective. Wang Shouyi apologized once more on Xia Jie's behalf, asking for understanding. Meanwhile, Xia Jie, standing outside, called her mother on her phone, urging her to come home.
Her mother informed her that she was with Xia Jie's aunt, who was planning to accompany her home, and had already bought tickets. Xia Jie's efforts to dissuade her or offer to pick her up were gently dismissed by her mother. Jingjing, Ms. Wu's daughter, returned from school but lingered downstairs, hesitant to go home. Xia Jie approached her, gently encouraging her to go inside, as her mother would be worried.
Jingjing admitted that while her father had done wrong and hurt her mother, she still enjoyed being with him but felt guilty towards her mother. Xia Jie offered comfort, encouraged Jingjing to understand her mother's difficulties, and added her as a WeChat friend, telling her to reach out anytime she needed help or someone to talk to. Wang Shouyi, Cheng Hao, and Ye Wei emerged after successfully comforting Ms. Wu.
Xia Jie joined them, and they returned to the police station. On the way back, Cheng Hao apologized to Xia Jie for his previous attitude. Xia Jie, however, apologized for her own previous attitude and asked him to treat her as an ordinary apprentice, without special considerations due to her father's legacy, emphasizing that she wanted to move past that. Back at the station, Wang Shouyi and the team arrived during lunchtime.
Wang Shouyi addressed everyone, reflecting on Ms. Wu's case. He acknowledged that while police once held unquestioned authority, in the current information age, citizens are more aware of their rights and often record police actions. He framed this as a positive challenge, urging officers to improve their law enforcement standards and philosophy, uphold the dignity of the law, and maintain police authority. Cao Jianjun led the team in applause.
Later, Xia Jie went to the station to pick up her mother. Her aunt was also there, attending her 40th-anniversary class reunion, and her classmates had arrived to greet her. Xia Jie's mother watched them with a touch of envy. At home, Xia Jie had prepared dinner. Her mother, still concerned, reiterated her desire for Xia Jie to switch to a less demanding office job, fearing she would suffer more grievances.
Xia Jie realized her mother had contacted the station leadership again and urged her to stop interfering with her work, expressing her desire to forge her own path, independent of her father's heroic legacy. Her mother was deeply hurt, recalling how Xia Jie's father, in his dying moments, had called out Xia Jie's name. She couldn't believe Xia Jie now saw her father as a "trouble."
Xia Jie tried to explain, but her mother was inconsolable, further threatening to leave home if Xia Jie continued to push her away. Li Dawei waited late into the evening for Xia Jie, but she didn't return. Yang Shu finally told him that Xia Jie was spending the night with her mother, which annoyed Li Dawei for not being informed sooner. Meanwhile, Xu Cuiping, Li Dawei's mother, sent him a message on his phone, asking him to come home for dumplings. Li Dawei was left with a complex mix of emotions.
Episode 14 Recap
Xia Jie met her aunt, who had arranged a quiet spot for them. Xia Jie apologized for her mother troubling her aunt, but her aunt waved it off, reminiscing about how much the family cherished her mother as the youngest sibling. Her aunt then revealed that a man named Liang Wei, who used to be Xia Jie's father's disciple and partner, had gone to Qingdao to see her mother.
Her aunt observed that her mother seemed happy with Liang Wei, who was now divorced with his child living with his ex-wife. When asked for her opinion, Xia Jie said that Liang Wei had always been kind to her and her mother, and she would support her mother's decision to remarry, seeing it as a positive step for her mother to have someone to care for her.
Zhang Zhijie and Zhao Jiwei responded to a theft case in an old residential community. On their way, they observed seven young to middle-aged men pushing tricycles, one of whom had numerous scars on his back and stomach, piquing Zhang Zhijie's suspicion. At the community, the security guard explained that thefts were frequent because the community lacked surveillance cameras; over half of the residents hadn't paid property fees, leaving no funds for installation.
Zhang Zhijie decided to design a low-cost surveillance system for the community, but Zhao Jiwei questioned if this was their responsibility. Zhang Zhijie then tasked Zhao Jiwei with investigating local phone shops for clues about a stolen new phone, having already sent him a list of addresses and contacts via text. Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei investigated another theft case.
Finding no immediate clues at the scene, Li Dawei suspected an inside job and impulsively collected fingerprints from the shop owner and employees. Chen Xincheng reprimanded him for his rashness, explaining that without concrete evidence, such an action was premature. As they left, Chen Xincheng spotted his daughter, Jia, with a man. He called out to her, but Jia quickly grabbed the man's hand, hailed a taxi, and sped away, leaving Chen Xincheng furious.
Meanwhile, Cao Jianjun and Yang Shu were looking into a string of electric bike thefts in a different community. They found that recent demolition of roadside shops had led to the removal of all surveillance cameras along that route, creating a blind spot for thieves. Cao Jianjun also addressed a resident about the dangers and legal penalties of charging electric bikes using private, illegally run wires, stressing that even seemingly minor issues can have significant consequences.
Zhao Jiwei reported back to Zhang Zhijie that his inquiries at several phone shops had yielded no useful leads. Meanwhile, Zhang Zhijie continued his investigation into the community theft, learning from the security guard that seven young to middle-aged men had been group-renting a fifth-floor apartment in Building 5 for about three months, often going out early and returning late with tricycles. Zhang Zhijie appreciated the guard's observation skills, even suggesting he apply for an auxiliary police position.
Having meticulously planned the camera placements, Zhang Zhijie concluded that just five cameras would provide full coverage for the entire community at minimal cost, far more effective than continuous patrols. He advised the security guard to discuss this with the property management and seek his help if needed. Zhang Zhijie then informed Zhao Jiwei that the suspect in the phone theft case had gone to Xianfu Street, adding that he had already contacted neighboring police stations.
The Xianfu Street police had a lead: a phone shop owner was detaining a man trying to sell a new phone, claiming he needed to verify its authenticity. Zhang Zhijie had arranged for the Xianfu Street police to apprehend the suspect. Eager to make a contribution, Zhao Jiwei pleaded with Zhang Zhijie to let him participate in the arrest, emphasizing his lack of experience with "genuine" cases since joining.
Zhang Zhijie reluctantly agreed, but sternly warned Zhao Jiwei to "say less and do less," especially in an unfamiliar environment, to avoid causing complications. Upon arriving at the Xianfu Street Police Station, Zhao Jiwei was greeted by Chief Zeng, who noted his eager attitude. Zhao Jiwei was then instructed by a captain to change into plain clothes before they proceeded to stake out the phone shop. As they waited near the shop, the suspect eventually arrived and entered.
Zhao Jiwei, eager to apprehend him, was restrained by the captain, who revealed that police officers were already positioned inside the shop. The plan was to let the suspect complete the transaction and then follow him to his hideout. However, after the suspect received money for the phone and exited the shop, Zhao Jiwei impulsively rushed forward, shouting "Police!" and tackled the man. The suspect resisted violently, pulling out a knife and slashing Zhao Jiwei's arm.
Despite the injury, Zhao Jiwei managed to subdue him, but during the struggle, the suspect threw the phone into a nearby river. The captain accompanied Zhao Jiwei to get his wound dressed.
There, Zhao Jiwei learned the full extent of his mistake: his unauthorized action had jeopardized the case, as they now only had proof that the man sold a phone that wasn't his, but no direct evidence that it was stolen, especially since the suspect claimed he "picked it up." He was deeply regretful that his eagerness had ruined their careful planning.
Zhao Jiwei insisted on bringing the criminal suspect back to the Balihe Police Station, and Chief Zeng of Xianfu Street reluctantly agreed, though not without a taunt about future competitions between their stations. However, the suspect complained of feeling unwell and was sent for a medical check-up before being transported. Zhao Jiwei was eventually sent back to Balihe with the suspect, expecting a hero's welcome. To his dismay, no one was there to greet him, leaving him feeling profoundly disappointed.
Meanwhile, Li Dawei and Yang Shu discussed the ongoing electric bike theft cases. Inspired by shared bikes, Li Dawei proposed a solution: integrating GPS tracking into residents' electric bikes through a partnership with charging pile companies. He acknowledged that residents might be reluctant to pay for GPS, preferring to use unsafe private wiring for charging. After brainstorming, they devised a plan: charging pile companies would offer free GPS installation for electric bikes to residents who purchased charging cards.
Li Dawei mentioned that he had a classmate working for a charging pile company who was struggling to meet sales targets, making them likely to accept the partnership. He offered to contact his classmate to initiate discussions. Later, Li Dawei received a call from his mother urging him to come home for dinner, but he politely declined, citing his busy work schedule with multiple ongoing cases.
Zhao Jiwei reported his capture to Wang Shouyi, who first inquired about his injured arm. Gao Chao then severely reprimanded Zhao Jiwei for his insubordination at Xianfu Street, emphasizing the critical importance of unified action and following orders during police operations, and questioning his self-perception as a hero. Wang Shouyi intervened, instructing Gao Chao and Zhang Zhijie to interrogate the suspect.
Zhao Jiwei vehemently demanded to participate, arguing that he had been following the case from the start and his injury was minor. Wang Shouyi, after some hesitation, allowed him to join. Later, Cao Jianjun reported on the electric bike theft cases, explaining that the ongoing road construction had led to the removal of surveillance cameras, allowing thieves to escape easily. He suggested contacting the construction team to speed up work and increasing patrols and cameras within the communities.
Chen Xincheng immediately pointed out the impracticality of speeding up a year-long highway project due to bike thefts. Wang Shouyi agreed, noting that such a suggestion was unrealistic. He then suggested resorting to the "old method" of organizing manpower for rotating stakeouts, a suggestion Cao Jianjun quickly dismissed as unfeasible given their limited resources. Gao Chao personally interrogated Liu Xiaoguang, with Zhao Jiwei tasked with recording the statements.
Liu Xiaoguang adamantly maintained that he had merely "picked up" the new phone from a holly bush by the roadside. Gao Chao immediately exposed his lie, pointing out the absurdity of an unopened new phone being found in such a place and the inconsistency in Liu Xiaoguang's recollection of when he found it. Despite being confronted with evidence from the body camera, Liu Xiaoguang remained evasive and uncooperative, claiming he ran because he mistook the plain-clothed officers for robbers.
Frustrated by his lack of confession, Gao Chao ended the interrogation and ordered Liu Xiaoguang to be detained for further reflection. Zhang Zhijie tried to defend Zhao Jiwei's youthful zeal, but Gao Chao was furious, blaming Zhao Jiwei's rash actions for allowing Liu Xiaoguang's accomplices to escape. Indeed, a search of Liu Xiaoguang's rented residence revealed that his four housemates had hastily checked out and fled before the police arrived.
Gao Chao suspected this group was responsible for the recent series of storage room thefts. Although Zhang Zhijie found a silver lining in having the case still in their hands, Gao Chao remained critical of Zhao Jiwei's blunders. Zhao Jiwei later apologized to Gao Chao, who advised him to learn from his master, Zhang Zhijie. Meanwhile, Zhang Zhijie dispatched officers to retrieve the phone from the river, hoping to find contact information to trace Liu Xiaoguang's accomplices.
Yang Shu approached Cao Jianjun to discuss Li Dawei's idea of installing GPS systems on electric bikes. Yang Shu explained the concept, including Li Dawei's classmate who works for a charging pile company. Cao Jianjun was skeptical, dismissing it as an impractical and massive undertaking that wouldn't provide immediate relief for the current thefts.
He advised Yang Shu to let Li Dawei pursue it if he wished, but insisted that they would continue with their established methods, such as increasing police presence and stakeouts, believing Wang Shouyi would eventually adopt his advice. Meanwhile, through thorough investigation, Gao Chao confirmed Liu Xiaoguang's involvement as a thief. Wang Shouyi then instructed Gao Chao to formally detain Liu Xiaoguang.
Gao Chao, confirming Liu Xiaoguang's involvement as a thief through thorough investigation, also presented additional grounds for detention: obstructing justice and assault due to Liu Xiaoguang's attack on Zhao Jiwei, making detention possible even without the phone as direct evidence of theft. He directed Gao Chao to arrange a medical check-up, obtain a detention warrant from the Legal Brigade, and then transport Liu Xiaoguang to the detention center.
Zhao Jiwei, learning that the interrogation was being stopped and the suspect was being sent to a detention center, tried to go along, but Gao Chao firmly refused his request. Li Dawei and Yang Shu successfully contacted both the charging pile company and the GPS company, quickly facilitating an agreement between them. Both officers were pleased with this breakthrough.
Li Dawei joked about the "Six Degrees of Separation" theory, attributing the successful connection to a chain of acquaintances, and humorously suggested his gift for communication might have led him to a career in stand-up comedy had he not joined the police force. While celebrating their success, Li Dawei received another call from his mother, again declining to go home for dinner by citing his demanding workload and ongoing cases.
Meanwhile, Gao Chao proceeded to take Liu Xiaoguang to the detention center. However, the detention officer there insisted on seeing Liu Xiaoguang's medical report before admitting him. Shortly after, Wang Shouyi called Gao Chao with urgent news: Chief Zeng from Xianfu Street had informed him that Liu Xiaoguang's medical report indicated he had hepatitis. Wang Shouyi immediately instructed Gao Chao to reroute Liu Xiaoguang to an infectious disease hospital instead of the detention center.
Episode 15 Recap
As Gao Chao was about to transport Liu Xiaoguang to the infectious disease hospital, Liu Xiaoguang suddenly fainted. Gao Chao immediately contacted Wang Shouyi, informing him of the situation, and then rushed Liu Xiaoguang to the hospital for emergency treatment. The doctors diagnosed Liu Xiaoguang with fulminant hepatitis, a life-threatening condition, and issued a critical illness notice. Gao Chao reported this to Wang Shouyi, who instructed him to spare no effort to save Liu Xiaoguang.
Meanwhile, the Municipal Bureau’s technical department quickly decrypted Liu Xiaoguang's WeChat chat records, revealing over 500 contacts, with conversations predominantly focused on selling stolen goods. Wang Shouyi tasked Cheng Hao and Zhang Zhijie with leading a team to investigate the suspicious contacts on the list, while he went to arrange payment for Liu Xiaoguang's medical expenses. Cheng Hao divided the officers into three groups.
Zhao Jiwei volunteered to join the investigation, but Cheng Hao insisted he stay and rest his injured arm, departing with Xia Jie and others. Upon returning to the station, Li Dawei and Yang Shu observed everyone wearing masks and the entire premises being disinfected. It was then that Li Dawei learned the thief Zhao Jiwei had apprehended, Liu Xiaoguang, was suffering from hepatitis. Zhao Jiwei stood aside, visibly distraught.
Li Dawei approached him, offering comfort and eventually coaxing him to eat. However, Zhao Jiwei, in low spirits, had no appetite. Li Dawei continued to console him, reminding him that the incident was simply bad luck and not his fault. Zhao Jiwei mentioned that Chief Gao had reprimanded him, to which Li Dawei responded that Chief Gao was merely worried.
With Liu Xiaoguang falling ill while in the custody of the Balihe Police Station, and his family refusing to take responsibility by stating it was the station's duty to care for him, Wang Shouyi struggled to gather funds for his medical care. Zhao Jiwei, feeling immense guilt, volunteered to go to the hospital to look after Liu Xiaoguang.
Li Dawei also eagerly offered to help, but Wang Shouyi forbade either of them from interfering, explaining he was already working on a solution and that a police station operates as a team. Later that night, after treating his own arm injury, Zhao Jiwei called his parents back home to reassure them, carefully omitting his troubles.
Li Dawei, overhearing the conversation from outside the door, entered to comfort him and re-bandaged his inflamed wound, urging him to take better care of himself. Touched by Li Dawei's concern, Zhao Jiwei tearfully thanked him. Li Dawei, feigning discomfort, tried to lighten the mood. Soon after, Yang Shu entered, and together, he and Li Dawei led Zhao Jiwei to a hotpot dinner prepared by Yang Shu and Xia Jie.
The gesture deeply moved Zhao Jiwei, who expressed his gratitude to his friends for their support during his difficult time, declaring them his family. The four shared a meal filled with laughter and camaraderie. The following morning, Zhao Jiwei learned that Zhang Zhijie had spent the previous night on duty at the infectious disease hospital, despite not being able to enter Liu Xiaoguang's ward and having to sleep on a chair outside. Feeling remorseful for causing trouble, Zhao Jiwei apologized.
Zhang Zhijie reassured him that everyone makes mistakes. He also informed Zhao Jiwei that Liu Xiaoguang’s family had arrived, so they no longer needed to worry about his care. Regarding the theft, Zhang Zhijie noted that Liu Xiaoguang's accomplices had fled, and the receiver claimed ignorance of the stolen nature of the goods. Zhang Zhijie, however, remained optimistic, believing that their efforts to treat Liu Xiaoguang might lead him to confess once he recovered.
He then instructed Zhao Jiwei to change into plain clothes for a new mission. Yang Shu reported to Cao Jianjun about the proposal to install charging piles in the community. Cao Jianjun was skeptical, believing residents wouldn't pay for charging cards when they had home electricity, but Yang Shu explained he had already secured agreements from the charging pile manufacturer and the GPS company.
Cao Jianjun, preoccupied with an antique theft case, delegated the task of mobilizing residents to purchase charging cards to Yang Shu, reminding him to embody the "Fengqiao spirit" by engaging with the community. Meanwhile, Zhang Zhijie and Zhao Jiwei, dressed in plain clothes, began their stakeout in the old residential community. They soon spotted the seven men they were tracking, leaving on two electric tricycles. The two officers discreetly followed them on their own electric scooters.
Concurrently, Yang Shu struggled with his community outreach. He displayed banners promoting charging cards that came with a free GPS system for electric bikes, but residents showed little interest. Ms. Feng, a resident whose electric bike had been stolen previously, recognized Yang Shu. He tried to convince her to buy a charging card. Ms. Feng was reluctant to spend money and even asked Yang Shu to pay for her.
After a moment of hesitation, Yang Shu agreed to give her the first card for free if she helped him gather more residents. Ms. Feng returned with several other women, all expecting free cards. Yang Shu patiently explained that 200 yuan was already the heavily discounted price, which they refused to accept. Amusingly, some of the older women then tried to set Yang Shu up with their nieces and granddaughters, much to his exasperation.
Zhang Zhijie and Zhao Jiwei continued to tail the seven suspects, following them to a construction site where they witnessed the men stealing fasteners. Zhang Zhijie, having already identified two previous disposal spots for stolen goods, aimed to uncover more leads. He explained to Zhao Jiwei that he deduced their method by observing the peculiar wounds on their bodies, which were consistent with carrying the angular fasteners inside their clothes.
They waited until the suspects finished work and then tracked them to a third disposal point. Zhang Zhijie recorded the entire process with his phone, confident in the evidence they had gathered. They then returned to the station to report to Wang Shouyi, planning to strategize how to apprehend the entire group and dismantle their operation without alerting them prematurely. Zhao Jiwei expressed his admiration for Zhang Zhijie's investigative prowess, remarking that his abilities were on par with Cheng Hao's.
He wondered why Zhang Zhijie had not been promoted to Deputy Director. Zhang Zhijie, however, was content, stating that he and Chief Gao had joined the force around the same time and that he was meant to learn from Gao Chao, not the other way around. He dismissed concerns about rank and promotion, explaining that his wife was very supportive and that he simply wished to do his job well and retire on time to spend more time with her.
That night, Gao Chao led a team of officers back to the community. With the assistance of property management staff, they knocked on the door of the suspects' rented apartment. The seven men were caught off guard and apprehended without resistance. Gao Chao, needing to respond to a taxi driver's report, instructed Zhang Zhijie to escort the arrested suspects back to the station. Sun Shijie then directed Zhao Jiwei to accompany Gao Chao to the new call.
Gao Chao and Zhao Jiwei arrived at the scene, where a taxi driver explained that a young boy had entered his cab but could not articulate his destination. Gao Chao gently questioned the boy, who remained silent. Observing the boy hadn't eaten, Gao Chao took him to a restaurant. There, over a meal, the boy broke down in tears, revealing that his father had scolded him, prompting him to run away.
His true intention was to visit his deceased mother's grave. Gao Chao patiently comforted the distraught child, promising to take him to his mother's cemetery after they found his father, and gently reminded him about the worries his father must be experiencing.
Episode 16 Recap
Yang Shu informed his master, Cao Jianjun, that a resident whose electric scooter was equipped with the GPS tracking system had reported their vehicle stolen. Cao Jianjun initially confused it with a charge card but quickly understood the GPS was working. He remarked on Yang Shu's intelligence, acknowledging his "Doctor" status. The owner, present at the police station, anxiously watched the GPS location on a screen, which was still moving.
Cao Jianjun assured her that with the GPS, they would track the thief to their selling point. Leading Yang Shu and other officers, they pursued the moving signal. Upon reaching the location, Cao Jianjun instructed the owner to wait in the car while the officers moved in. They successfully raided the hideout, apprehending numerous thieves involved in the theft ring. Back at Balihe Police Station, Wang Shouyi commended Cao Jianjun for solving the major case.
Cao Jianjun confidently took full credit, attributing the success to "technology" and claiming he learned from the "Doctor" (Yang Shu), though he gestured to his own head. Wang Shouyi then encouraged Yang Shu, saying that knowledge is power and that field work is more fulfilling than desk work. Later, Cao Jianjun instructed a visibly somber Yang Shu to write a detailed report about the electric scooter tracking case for Instructor Ye Wei, citing Yang Shu's strong writing skills.
Noticing Yang Shu's unresponsiveness, Cao Jianjun asked if he was upset for not being recognized. He tried to brush it off, suggesting that Wang Shouyi was smart enough to know the truth anyway, and that as master and disciple, their accomplishments were shared. However, when other colleagues approached, Cao Jianjun stated that Yang Shu was upset because he hadn't "shown him off" to the Chief.
The colleagues then teasingly remarked that Yang Shu, being a Doctor, shouldn't be so petty about credit, suggesting his purpose there was to build a "shiny resume." Xia Jie silently observed the entire interaction. After work, Xia Jie brought back many grilled skewers. Zhao Jiwei tried to call Yang Shu out for dinner, but Yang Shu, secluded in his room, claimed he was writing a report. However, Zhao Jiwei noticed Yang Shu's computer screen displayed information about PhD applications.
He then shared this observation with Xia Jie and Li Dawei. Xia Jie revealed that Cao Jianjun had taken all the credit for the GPS tracking system and the scooter recovery, leading colleagues to label Yang Shu as petty. Li Dawei was indignant, recalling how Cao Jianjun had previously shifted blame onto Yang Shu and was now snatching credit.
He also mentioned that the GPS system was Yang Shu's idea, and he himself helped Yang Shu contact a classmate and Yang Shu implemented it alone. Li Dawei suggested confronting Cao Jianjun directly, but Xia Jie cautioned against it, fearing it would create hostility. Li Dawei insisted that at least Wang Shouyi should know, believing the Chief would uphold justice.
Xia Jie, however, was skeptical, pointing out Wang Shouyi's strong emphasis on collective honor and questioning what the Chief could realistically do. Despite the concerns, Li Dawei decided he still needed to talk to Yang Shu, worried that Yang Shu was internalizing his frustrations. The next morning, Wang Shouyi decided on a specific strategy for returning the scooters.
Despite Cheng Hao's concern that Cao Jianjun would be angry, Wang Shouyi assigned Cheng Hao to lead the return of the "recovered" scooters, while Cao Jianjun was tasked with addressing the residents whose scooters "had not yet been found". At the handover site, grateful residents eagerly collected their recovered electric scooters, expressing immense thanks and even bringing flowers. Meanwhile, Cao Jianjun faced a volatile crowd of residents whose vehicles remained missing.
He brought the apprehended thieves to the scene, instructing one to demonstrate how he used a "master key" to steal the vehicles. When questioned about their lost scooters, Cao Jianjun explained that these particular vehicles had been sold to rural markets, making immediate recovery difficult. The residents grew increasingly agitated, protesting loudly about their unrecovered property and lost money. In the midst of the chaos, dirty water was suddenly splashed on Cao Jianjun from an upstairs window.
One resident further provoked him by questioning the police's competence. Yang Shu stepped forward, defending Cao Jianjun by pointing out that the police officers were also soaked and were victims themselves. Cao Jianjun then tried to defuse the situation, promising an investigation into the dirty water incident and assuring the residents that their missing scooters would still be pursued. He eventually managed to persuade the disgruntled residents to disperse.
Yang Shu checked on Cao Jianjun, who claimed to be fine, though his uniform was visibly soiled. He advised Cao Jianjun to change back at the station. Later, residents arrived at the police station with gongs and drums, bearing a banner to express their gratitude. Cheng Hao specifically urged Cao Jianjun to accept the accolade.
Cao Jianjun, however, stated publicly that the success was a collective effort of all officers at Balihe Police Station and acknowledged the public's crucial support, emphasizing their "family" relationship. He had the banner in his hands and wanted to take a photo of it to show his daughter, Yaya.
Li Dawei offered to take the picture, then insisted Yang Shu join for a group photo with Cao Jianjun and himself, reminding Yang Shu that the achievement was largely due to his efforts and ideas. Yang Shu initially declined, offering to photograph Li Dawei instead, but Li Dawei persisted, urging him to be a "sport." They all posed for a photo with the banner.
As Cao Jianjun was about to leave for his in-laws', Yang Shu returned to his task of writing the report. That weekend, Xiaohui and Yaya prepared to visit Xiaohui's parents. Yaya was excited to show her grandparents her perfect homework. Cao Jianjun arrived unexpectedly with many gifts, offering to accompany them, a rare occurrence that surprised Xiaohui, who knew her mother's admiration was reserved for her elder son-in-law Youguang and by extension, his wife, Xiaohui's twin sister Xiaocong.
Upon arriving, Yaya greeted her grandparents warmly and presented her perfect homework. Cao Jianjun also offered his gifts, which Xiaohui downplayed, saying he "just goes with his heart" when shopping. Soon after, Xiaocong and Youguang arrived. Xiaocong proudly mentioned that their son, Taotao, was attending an international school because Youguang believed children shouldn't "lose at the starting line."
Youguang then presented his mother-in-law with a jade bracelet, which he confirmed cost 160,000 yuan, much to her delight and his father-in-law's visible discomfort. Cao Jianjun, ever the police officer, tried to warn them about jade scams, citing a recent case where a jade bracelet was sold for hundreds of thousands but only cost a couple of hundred.
Youguang, a self-proclaimed jade enthusiast, confidently produced an official receipt and an identification certificate to prove its authenticity, while the mother-in-law dismissed Cao Jianjun's concerns, stating that as a police officer he probably only encountered fake goods. The mother-in-law continued to shower Youguang with praise, contrasting her twin daughters' lives and suggesting their family's prosperity was entirely due to Youguang. She even disparaged her own husband, calling him "useless" for only being a director.
The father-in-law, attempting to defend Cao Jianjun, spoke about the importance of police protection in society, but the mother-in-law continued her criticisms, lamenting that Xiaohui lived a hard life with Cao Jianjun. Youguang then offered to help Xiaohui if she ever faced financial difficulties. Infuriated by her mother's continuous belittlement and the comparison, Xiaohui declared she was "full of anger," grabbed Yaya, and left the house without eating, despite her sister's attempts to calm her.
Cao Jianjun quickly apologized to his in-laws, acknowledging Xiaohui's temper was like her mother's, and hurried after his wife and daughter. His father-in-law tried to reason with his wife, but she remained unyielding. That night, a distraught Cao Jianjun returned to the station, where Yang Shu was still working overtime and contemplating his future, acknowledging the practical benefits of a PhD while appreciating the fulfillment of his current work, despite its many dissatisfactions.
Cao Jianjun invited Yang Shu to dinner, but Yang Shu initially declined, stating he wasn't hungry. Cao Jianjun then attempted to take over a colleague Xu's night shift, but Xu politely refused, saying he had nothing else to do at home. Noticing his master's clear distress, Yang Shu eventually agreed to join Cao Jianjun for a meal. At the restaurant, Cao Jianjun produced a flask of alcohol, prompting Yang Shu to remind him of the police station's no-drinking policy.
Cao Jianjun retorted that it was off-duty hours and he was "at home" with his disciple, expressing a deep need to voice thoughts he normally couldn't. He assured Yang Shu he would not drive after drinking and asked for a ride home. Under the influence, Cao Jianjun tearfully confessed his long-held frustrations.
He spoke of his brilliant wife, Xiaohui, who came from an influential family and selflessly managed their household and cared for their child without complaint, despite his demanding police work. He explained his deep desire to be an excellent police officer and achieve recognition, primarily to impress his mother-in-law, who consistently looked down on him and considered him unworthy of her daughter.
He recalled the pain of seeing Xiaohui argue fiercely with her mother, defending him with "eyes angry on fire," and feeling "ashamed" in her own home. He expressed profound remorse for his actions, including taking Yang Shu's credit, driven by this desperation to prove himself, only to realize his mother-in-law still disapproved. Yang Shu listened in silence, occasionally pushing food towards his master, as Cao Jianjun poured out his heart.
Episode 17 Recap
Xia Jie returned home to find her mother eager to join her aunt and Uncle Liang for a vacation in Dali. Her mother wished to apply for recuperation funds from the bureau, citing a promise made after Xia Junxiong's sacrifice ten years prior. However, Xia Jie, not wanting to burden the bureau, offered to cover the expenses herself.
Her mother then expressed a desire to pursue a relationship with Uncle Liang, but found the idea of staying with her sister inconvenient, prompting her to seek a separate rental in Dali. Xia Jie's online search for Dali rentals revealed exorbitant prices due to peak tourist season, making her hesitant. Her aunt called, suggesting Uncle Liang could help secure a dormitory from his workplace.
Xia Jie politely declined, explaining that her mother's relationship with Uncle Liang was still undefined, and she feared her mother would feel indebted or coerced into a relationship she might later regret. Xia Jie insisted on paying the rent herself and asked her aunt to create opportunities for her mother and Uncle Liang to spend time alone, cautioning against pressuring her mother into an impulsive decision.
After dropping her mother off at the airport, Xia Jie returned to the station for her shift. As Li Dawei was preparing to leave, Ms. Wu rushed in, reporting her daughter Jingjing missing again. Ignoring Xia Jie, Ms. Wu demanded Li Dawei’s help. Li Dawei directed her to Xia Jie, who was on duty. Xia Jie revealed she had Jingjing's WeChat. Ms. Wu immediately accused Xia Jie of instigating her daughter's frequent disappearances.
Li Dawei defended Xia Jie, stating her intention was concern. Xia Jie quickly messaged Jingjing and learned she was at the same classmate's house as last time. To prevent future runaway incidents, Xia Jie offered to retrieve Jingjing herself, advising Ms. Wu not to appear, which Ms. Wu reluctantly accepted. Li Dawei decided to accompany Xia Jie. Xia Jie asked Officer Cheng to cover her shift.
On the way, Li Dawei expressed his concern about Xia Jie adding a minor like Jingjing on WeChat without parental consent, fearing Ms. Wu might accuse her if anything went wrong. Xia Jie, however, empathized deeply with Jingjing, seeing her own past reflected in the girl's struggles. She recounted how, like Jingjing, she lost her father at age twelve and felt burdened by her mother's expectations, leaving her no escape.
Upon meeting Jingjing, the girl confessed she didn't want to go home. Xia Jie gently advised her that while her mother might have flaws, she ultimately loved her. She urged Jingjing to communicate her feelings, suggesting small steps like asking for half an hour of playtime after dinner, rather than running away. Jingjing shared that her mother never praised her, questioning why she wasn't first when she ranked second.
Xia Jie explained that running away only worried her mother and promised to be there for her. Jingjing, tearfully, apologized and promised to message Xia Jie instead of disappearing again. When Xia Jie returned Jingjing to Ms. Wu, the mother took her daughter home without a word of thanks. The next morning, Ms. Wu stormed into the police station, accusing Xia Jie of instigating Jingjing's disappearance and demanding she be disciplined for adding Jingjing on WeChat without permission.
Wang Shouyi, alarmed, summoned Officer Cheng and Ye Wei, expressing his dismay at Xia Jie's actions and instructing Xia Jie to apologize and delete Jingjing's WeChat in front of Ms. Wu. In the ensuing meeting with Ms. Wu, Xia Jie presented her chat logs with Jingjing, showing mostly Jingjing's messages, highlighting the girl's loneliness and need for a confidante. Ms. Wu, however, dismissed this, asserting her right as a mother to know her daughter's contacts.
Officer Cheng then attempted to take responsibility, claiming he had instructed Xia Jie to add Jingjing for her safety and apologizing for not having informed Ms. Wu. Xia Jie countered Ms. Wu's accusations, arguing that Jingjing, at twelve, needed her own life and space, and that Ms. Wu's control was too stifling. Ms. Wu, enraged, accused Xia Jie of provoking their mother-daughter relationship.
Despite Xia Jie wanting to inform Jingjing before deleting her, Ms. Wu adamantly refused, prompting Wang Shouyi to firmly order Xia Jie to delete the WeChat on the spot. Li Dawei then burst into the meeting, passionately defending Xia Jie. He reiterated that Xia Jie’s actions were born of genuine concern, highlighting Jingjing's lack of friends and how Xia Jie's WeChat contact had allowed for her quick recovery this time.
He challenged Ms. Wu to consider what would happen if Jingjing disappeared again without that contact. Ms. Wu remained unyielding, declaring her family affairs were her own. Xia Jie, with a heavy heart, deleted Jingjing's WeChat and apologized. As Cheng Hao once again tried to take responsibility for Xia Jie's actions, Xia Jie insisted on taking full responsibility herself.
She then issued a final warning to Ms. Wu: her controlling "love" was overburdening her daughter, and without change, Jingjing would likely run away again. Ms. Wu, furious, accused Xia Jie of meddling, prompting Wang Shouyi to officially declare that Xia Jie would no longer be involved in any of Ms. Wu's family cases.
Outside, Xia Jie was still upset, but Li Dawei forcefully pulled her away, advising her not to interfere further in Ms. Wu's family, as her efforts were only worsening the situation and fueling Ms. Wu’s prejudice. He compared Xia Jie's stubbornness to Ms. Wu's own, suggesting that Jingjing could grow up without Xia Jie's constant involvement. Xia Jie worried about Jingjing misunderstanding the WeChat deletion. Li Dawei promised to handle it.
Soon after, Xia Jie received a phone call, informing her that her application to become a ride-share driver had been approved. Li Dawei overheard and vehemently questioned her, fearing she was ruining her police career. Xia Jie remained tight-lipped about her reasons. To prevent Jingjing from feeling abandoned, Li Dawei went to her school and fabricated a story, telling her that Officer Xia Jie was on a secret mission and had to delete all her contacts.
Jingjing, understandingly, accepted this explanation. Li Dawei then gave Jingjing his phone number, assuring her she could contact him if she ever needed help. Later that night, Xia Jie, with a small bag of belongings, prepared to leave to drive for the ride-share company. Li Dawei, Yang Shu, and Zhao Jiwei confronted her, stopping her from leaving.
Li Dawei warned her that driving a ride-share car was a disciplinary offense that could lead to dismissal, emphasizing that in their small town, she risked encountering acquaintances. Xia Jie, struggling financially to afford a separate rental for her mother in Dali, explained that if she couldn't earn money this way, she would have to give up her apartment.
Seeing her distress, Li Dawei, Yang Shu, and Zhao Jiwei all offered financial assistance, promising to cover her rent until she was stable. Deeply touched by their support, Xia Jie abandoned her plan to drive for the ride-share company. Officer Cheng, learning of Xia Jie's resolve to be treated as any other police officer, regardless of gender, and to shoulder all responsibilities, was visibly impressed.
Meanwhile, Cao Jianjun and Yang Shu were staking out the "Lanting Pavilion," a high-end club that Cao Jianjun suspected was a front for prostitution services. Yang Shu was surprised that such an elegant establishment could be involved in illicit activities. Cao Jianjun, with his experience, explained that such "members-only" places were designed to be exclusive and difficult to infiltrate without connections, making it challenging to gather evidence.
Yang Shu, adhering to the principle of "presumption of innocence," argued that they couldn't simply label it a sex-trade venue without concrete evidence. Cao Jianjun jokingly called him a "nerd" but vowed to find the proof. Separately, Chen Xincheng received an urgent phone call from his ex-wife, Shang Zhen, looking visibly distressed. He rushed off work, declining Li Dawei's offer of assistance as he was still in uniform. Chen Xincheng met Shang Zhen, who was crying.
She revealed their daughter, Jiajia, had stopped her art lessons, refused her mother's money, and was now working as an "atmosphere host" in a nightclub, which Shang Zhen clarified meant "drinking with men." Chen Xincheng was furious, lashing out at Shang Zhen for not being a responsible mother.
He immediately drove to the nightclub, found Jiajia, and despite her protests about being at work and the bouncers' attempts to stop him, he forcefully pulled her out of the establishment, revealing he was a police officer to gain passage.
Episode 18 Recap
Chen Jiajia desperately pulled away from Chen Xincheng, refusing his interference. She listed his many neglects due to his busy work, causing Chen Xincheng deep self-reproach. He apologized profusely and offered to send her to Beijing to study art, even proclaiming he would "sell his kidneys and liver" to support her. However, Jia dismissed his offers, insisting on returning to the nightclub to support herself. Enraged, Chen Xincheng picked up a roadside trash can, threatening to smash the nightclub.
Jia, heartbroken, cried that she had no home and no other choice before running off, leaving Chen Xincheng in anguish. Chief Wang Shouyi was unable to reach Chen Xincheng and, concerned, asked Li Dawei for information. Li Dawei also felt Chen Xincheng had been behaving unusually. Wang Shouyi surmised the issue involved Chen Xincheng's ex-wife and daughter. Li Dawei offered to look for Chen Xincheng and first went to Aunt Shang's home, Chen Xincheng's ex-wife.
Aunt Shang informed him that Chen Xincheng had gone to find Jia, but Jia was not home either. Aunt Shang was reluctant to talk further, hurrying Li Dawei away. After numerous attempts, Li Dawei finally reached Chen Xincheng by phone. He immediately drove to a small restaurant on Bangpeng Street, where he found Chen Xincheng deeply inebriated and unconscious. With great effort, Li Dawei brought Chen Xincheng back to their shared apartment.
Zhao Jiwei and Yang Shu, witnessing the scene, learned of Chen Xincheng's troubles and expressed their sympathy as Li Dawei carefully gave his master water and settled him into bed. Later, Aunt Shang called Chen Xincheng's phone, which Li Dawei answered. Aunt Shang was frantic, stating Jia had returned to the nightclub and asking if Chen Xincheng would "do something or not." Learning Jia was again working there, Li Dawei immediately left to find her.
At the nightclub, he saw the boss lady pressuring Jia to drink with a guest. Li Dawei pretended to be a customer and booked Jia, then used the opportunity to urge her not to descend into self-destruction or spite her father. Jia defiantly claimed Chen Xincheng couldn't protect her, leaving her to rely on herself.
After much persuasion, Jia feigned agreement to go home with him but then hailed a taxi and sped away as soon as they exited the club. The next day, Li Dawei brought Zhao Jiwei and Sun Qiancheng to the nightclub. He tasked them with patrolling the entrance, while he confronted Jia, trying to prevent her from entering for work. Jia resisted fiercely, and other club girls reported the commotion to the boss lady.
When the boss lady came out to confront Li Dawei, he identified himself as a police officer and falsely claimed Jia was his sister. Not wanting trouble, the boss lady paid Jia 200 yuan for her day's work and fired her on the spot. Jia's pleas were in vain, and Li Dawei seized the opportunity to take her back to the shared apartment.
Meanwhile, Xia Jie received a call from her mother, who was enjoying a trip in Lijiang and Xishuangbanna and planning to extend her stay. Xia Jie transferred 5,000 yuan to her mother's account, urging her to spend it freely and offering to cover an extra month's rent for her lodging. Back at the apartment, Li Dawei chastised Jia. Xia Jie, hearing the commotion, came out and recognized Jia as a childhood friend. She took Jia to her room to talk.
Xia Jie then called Li Dawei, who was at the supermarket buying snacks, asking him to also purchase sketch pencils (3H, HB, 2B, 4B) and sketch paper for Jia. Jia drew a portrait for Xia Jie, and when Li Dawei requested one, Jia mischievously depicted him as a dog. Just then, Jia's mother, Aunt Shang, and her stepfather, Mr. Yu, arrived to take Jia home.
Li Dawei and Xia Jie reassured Aunt Shang that they would take good care of Jia, and after some hesitation, Jia's mother agreed to leave her, asking Jia to listen to her "brother and sister" and not cause trouble. Later that night, Jia was jolted awake by a nightmare, crying out, "Don't touch me!" Xia Jie, comforting her, was horrified when Jia tearfully confessed to being sexually harassed by her stepfather and presented video evidence she had recorded.
Xia Jie immediately woke Li Dawei. After watching the video, Li Dawei was furious and threatened to "kill that brute" as he stormed out to confront Mr. Yu. Xia Jie desperately restrained him, reminding him of his promise to be calm and the importance of not escalating the situation, as Jia wanted the matter kept private. Despite Xia Jie's pleas, Li Dawei left before dawn. Zhao Jiwei, concerned, woke Xia Jie and Yang Shu.
Yang Shu and Zhao Jiwei then rushed out to pursue Li Dawei, while Xia Jie remained at home to watch over Jia. Li Dawei found Mr. Yu during his morning run at Riverside Park and violently attacked him. Yang Shu and Zhao Jiwei quickly arrived to pull Li Dawei off, leading to a scuffle. Back at the apartment, Xia Jie tried to convince Jia to tell her mother, but Jia, afraid and pessimistic about her mother's reaction, refused.
Episode 19 Recap
Jia confided in Xia Jie about her mother's plight, revealing that her mother was in poor health and unable to work. Her stepfather, Uncle Yu, subjected her mother to verbal abuse and humiliation, but Jia didn't want to tell her mother about his behavior, fearing it would only cause more sadness, especially since her mother would only cry when asked why she stayed with him due to her lack of economic independence.
Xia Jie was deeply sympathetic to Jia and her mother's difficult situation. Soon after, Li Dawei, Zhao Jiwei, and Yang Shu returned, bearing minor wounds from having confronted and beaten Uncle Yu. Xia Jie immediately chastised them for their rashness, worrying that Uncle Yu might report them, which would result in disciplinary action for all three. She specifically questioned why Zhao Jiwei and Yang Shu, whom she had asked to restrain Li Dawei, had instead joined the altercation.
Yang Shu clarified that Uncle Yu had first scratched his face, and the situation quickly devolved into a chaotic brawl. Li Dawei took full responsibility, stating he initiated the fight alone. However, Xia Jie emphasized that if Uncle Yu escalated the issue, all three would face consequences. Yang Shu, concerned, asked if this would jeopardize his chances of becoming a permanent employee.
Li Dawei suggested that since Uncle Yu had committed vile acts first, they could expose him if he dared to file a complaint. Jia, upon realizing they knew her private struggles, was overcome with shame and retreated to her room, crying uncontrollably. Xia Jie rushed to apologize, admitting her error in revealing Jia's secret without permission, though she had meant to help.
Jia, however, explained through her tears that she wasn't angry but deeply touched and grateful that Li Dawei and the others were willing to risk disciplinary action for her sake. Li Dawei, along with Yang Shu and Zhao Jiwei, joined Xia Jie in the room to apologize to Jia. Li Dawei reassured Jia, stating that as her brothers and sister, they would always protect her, regardless of the difficulties she faced.
He also explained his reasoning for resorting to physical force, noting that Uncle Yu knew Jia's biological father was a police officer yet still dared to harass her. While Jia had video evidence that could lead to five days' detention for Uncle Yu, Li Dawei felt such a minor punishment would not alleviate Jia's trauma and publicly exposing the incident for so little effect might worsen her pain.
He believed his actions were necessary to demonstrate that she had family who would stand up for her, especially given her strained relationship with Chen Xincheng, and to avoid deepening the conflict between Jia and her father. Chen Xincheng, having been informed of the beating by his ex-wife, angrily confronted Li Dawei at the police station the following morning. Li Dawei admitted to hitting Uncle Yu but insisted on taking sole responsibility.
Just then, Jia arrived, intervening in Li Dawei's defense. She criticized Chen Xincheng for his past neglect, recounting how he had never protected her, unlike Li Dawei and the others. She then showed him a video she had secretly recorded of Uncle Yu sexually harassing her. Witnessing the disturbing footage, Chen Xincheng was overcome with fury and vowed to kill Uncle Yu.
Li Dawei desperately held him back, reminding him to consider Jia and her need for his protection, especially since her mother was unable to protect her. Chen Xincheng broke down, expressing deep regret that Jia hadn't told him sooner and admitting his own incompetence as a father. Father and daughter embraced, weeping together, a sight that moved Li Dawei. Later that evening, Chen Xincheng calmly spoke with Jia.
He recounted his own past struggles, explaining that after a prior disciplinary action, he became deeply depressed, and his negative emotions permeated their home life. Over time, her mother lost hope and initiated a divorce. Feeling he had failed them, Chen Xincheng agreed, believing it was better for them to seek a happier life without him.
He also explained that as a police officer on call 24/7, he couldn't adequately care for Jia, which led him to concede custody to her mother, though he regretted it deeply when her mother decided to marry Uncle Yu. Jia acknowledged her mother's hardships over the years. Chen Xincheng then told Jia that as she was now eighteen, she had the right to choose who she lived with, and he hoped she would choose him.
Jia hesitated, inquiring about his own future and potential remarriage. Chen Xincheng promised her that until she became independent and found her own happiness, he would remain by her side, just the two of them. Moved by his words, Jia agreed to live with him. Meanwhile, a passerby had recorded Li Dawei, Zhao Jiwei, and Yang Shu beating Uncle Yu. Uncle Yu, armed with this edited video, came to Wang Shouyi at the police station.
He accused Chen Xincheng of instigating the attack and demanded that all four be fired from the police force, that they publicly apologize, and that they provide a written guarantee to stay away from him. Otherwise, he threatened to release the video online. Chen Xincheng, unaware of these developments, was in high spirits, tidying his home in anticipation of Jia moving in soon.
He cheerfully discussed his plans with Li Dawei, instructing him to deny any involvement and claim Chen Xincheng had coerced them, should the incident surface. Shortly after, Gao Chao approached Chen Xincheng, informing him about Uncle Yu's report to Wang Shouyi. Chen Xincheng immediately tried to shoulder all the blame, falsely claiming he had coerced the three rookies, including Li Dawei, to beat Uncle Yu out of personal resentment for stealing his ex-wife.
Gao Chao expressed skepticism, knowing Wang Shouyi, whom he described as an "old fox," would see through the lie, and that implicating himself as the instigator of a "premeditated crime" would only worsen matters for everyone. Wang Shouyi then called Chen Xincheng into his office, where Cheng Hao and Ye Wei were also present. Chen Xincheng repeated his fabricated story about personal grudges and coercing the younger officers to vent his anger.
Wang Shouyi, however, saw through his thinly veiled attempt to protect his apprentices. He angrily pointed out that Chen Xincheng's story of pre-meditated coercion would not only fail to protect the others but would also severely implicate himself. Wang Shouyi berated Chen Xincheng for his foolishness and lack of awareness, comparing it to a past incident where Chen Xincheng had stubbornly refused to admit fault. As tensions rose and voices were raised, Ye Wei tried to calm the situation.
Cheng Hao suggested that since Uncle Yu's demands were only for an apology, it implied he might have a secret that Chen Xincheng held. Wang Shouyi, however, insisted on a thorough investigation to uncover the full truth before making any decisions, rather than making decisions based on assumptions. Xia Jie, learning of Uncle Yu's report, immediately warned Li Dawei.
Unwilling to implicate Chen Xincheng, Zhao Jiwei, or Yang Shu, Li Dawei ignored Xia Jie's pleas to wait and rushed to Wang Shouyi, confessing to the entire incident and taking sole responsibility. He insisted that Yang Shu and Zhao Jiwei were merely trying to intervene and that Chen Xincheng knew nothing. Xia Jie, following closely, also tried to take responsibility, claiming she provoked Li Dawei.
Wang Shouyi, exasperated by their collective sense of loyalty, reminded them that the police force was not a "band of brothers" and ordered Gao Chao to detain Li Dawei for reflection, prohibiting his release without his permission. Chen Xincheng stormed in, vehemently protesting the decision, declaring that anyone who touched his apprentice would be his enemy. Wang Shouyi sternly warned Chen Xincheng against such emotional outbursts.
Finally, Chen Xincheng, his voice breaking, revealed the truth: Uncle Yu had sexually harassed Jia, and he, as her father, was a "loser" who couldn't protect his own daughter. He admitted that Li Dawei had intervened to save Jia. Overwhelmed by the shocking revelation, Wang Shouyi dismissed everyone from his office, needing time to himself. Outside the office, Cao Jianjun confronted Yang Shu, inquiring about his involvement in the fight.
He criticized Yang Shu for getting entangled with Li Dawei and advised him to prioritize his future career at the bureau by clearly stating he was only trying to break up the fight, thus shifting responsibility to Li Dawei. As Cao Jianjun offered this pragmatic but ethically questionable advice, Chen Xincheng, Li Dawei, Cheng Hao, and Xia Jie emerged from the office, overhearing his words and casting disapproving glances.
Later, Zhang Zhijie and Zhao Jiwei were on patrol in a residential area when they encountered city management officers confiscating goods from street vendors. Zhang Zhijie intervened, advocating for the struggling vendors, explaining that many were community residents, mostly former rural residents relying on their small businesses to support their families.
With Zhao Jiwei's active help in reorganizing their goods, Zhang Zhijie successfully convinced the city management to return the confiscated items, promising to work with the community to find a long-term solution. Zhao Jiwei actively participated, helping vendors retrieve their items and showing genuine concern for the residents' livelihoods, expressing that they needed to find a proper place for them to set up their stalls, a marked change in his attitude.
Noticing Zhao Jiwei's empathy and growth, Zhang Zhijie, his master, decided to revisit the earlier incident, asking Zhao Jiwei again for the full truth behind the fight involving him, Li Dawei, and Yang Shu.
Episode 20 Recap
Chief Cheng invited Cao Jianjun, Zhang Zhijie, and Chen Xincheng to dinner, making sure to order their favorite dishes. During the meal, he emphasized that all of them shared a common identity as masters. Cao Jianjun spoke nostalgically about a time early in his career when he and his master were on a stakeout to catch a drug dealer, and the delicious spiced beef his master bought him afterwards.
Zhang Zhijie praised Zhao Jiwei's recent progress, noting that both, coming from the countryside, were cautious and determined to succeed. Cao Jianjun also spoke of Yang Shu, acknowledging their initial clashes but highlighting Yang Shu's kind heart and their eventual bond. Chen Xincheng remained quiet until prompted, admitting he felt touched that everyone shared such deep feelings for their apprentices, not just him and Li Dawei.
He then revealed his weariness after being a police officer for half his life and suggested he might quit, but his colleagues urged him to reconsider, reminding him of his daughter, Jia. Meanwhile, Li Dawei, Xia Jie, Yang Shu, and Zhao Jiwei gathered to discuss how to handle Old Yu's accusation. Zhao Jiwei asserted that they didn't initiate the fight, as Li Dawei had already been restrained when they arrived.
He wondered if surveillance cameras could prove they acted in self-defense. Yang Shu, however, believed that even with proof, it wouldn't matter much. He argued that Old Yu's "the villain who complained first" tactic, coupled with a potentially edited video, would sway public opinion. He lamented that by resorting to fists instead of legal channels, they had already lost their principles as police officers.
Li Dawei countered that Old Yu's actions wouldn't warrant a severe legal punishment, and their primary concern was Jia's psychological well-being. He insisted that sometimes ordinary men had to act decisively, and they had no choice but to intervene. Xia Jie expressed concern about how this incident would affect their chances of becoming regular employees. Li Dawei volunteered to take full responsibility to protect the others. Later, Wang Shouyi visited his doctor for back physiotherapy.
The doctor advised him to rest more, but Wang Shouyi, ever busy, promised to treat him to a meal, specifically a "pig face" dish. Back at the station, Wang Shouyi was informed that Old Yu had returned. Wang Shouyi changed into his uniform and went to his office. He then surprised Old Yu by showing him a video of him sexually harassing Jia. Wang Shouyi explained that Jia herself had provided the video, emboldened by the interns' bravery.
He warned Old Yu about the legal implications of sexual harassment, especially against his stepdaughter, and revealed that Jia was prepared to sue him if he continued his antics. Faced with this evidence, Old Yu, stunned, immediately withdrew his complaint against Li Dawei. When Li Dawei, Yang Shu, Zhao Jiwei, and Xia Jie learned from Gao Chao that Old Yu had dropped the charges, they were greatly relieved.
Wang Shouyi called a meeting and sternly reprimanded the four interns for their reckless actions. He chastised them for resorting to violence instead of upholding their roles as "symbol of the country's law," questioning their commitment to being police officers. When Chen Xincheng tried to intervene, Wang Shouyi turned his criticism on him, an experienced officer, for setting a poor example and influencing Li Dawei to act impulsively.
The interns apologized profusely and promised it wouldn't happen again, offering to write extensive self-criticism. Wang Shouyi warned that any future similar infractions would result in their immediate dismissal. He then dismissed the interns, asking only the masters to remain. Wang Shouyi continued to address the masters, criticizing them for letting emotions override their principles and discipline. He emphasized that their "master-apprentice relationship," while seemingly deep, had led them to prioritize personal feelings over their duties.
He stressed that teaching young officers required setting an example, making them understand the immense responsibility, meaning, and honor of being a police officer. Ye Wei, the instructor, reinforced Wang Shouyi's message, reminding them that as veterans, their mission was to maintain social order and protect the people, requiring them to put the interests of society, the nation, and the people first.
She stated that police officers, unlike ordinary citizens, could not be swayed by their own emotions and must embody the spirit of self-sacrifice for the greater good. Li Dawei accompanied Chen Xincheng to pick up Jia from her mother’s home. Jia and her mother shared a tearful farewell. Back at Chen Xincheng's apartment, he excitedly showed Jia her newly decorated room, complete with blue bedsheets, and promised to indulge her wishes, even getting her fried chestnuts with sugar.
Jia was visibly delighted. Later, Li Dawei received an urgent call from his crying mother and asked Chen Xincheng for leave, who instructed him to change out of his uniform at the station before going home. Rushing home, Li Dawei learned his father, Li Yisheng, had been diagnosed with an incurable brain glioma. Initially, Li Dawei was furious, accusing his father of only returning to "extort" them for care after years of neglect.
He wanted to confront Li Yisheng, but his mother stopped him, confessing that she had called Li Yisheng back herself, knowing he was ill. She revealed her lifelong, unwavering love for Li Yisheng despite his flaws, saying he had given Li Dawei his carefree and sunny disposition. She pleaded with Li Dawei to provide for his father, as she didn't want him to die alone.
When Li Yisheng returned home with mutton soup for his wife, Li Dawei urged him to pursue active treatment. However, Li Yisheng refused, explaining that he had consulted experts abroad who advised him to simply enjoy his remaining life. He stated that the tumor was already large and further treatment would only cause more suffering for everyone.
Li Dawei's mother supported this decision, adding that they planned to use their savings to travel and fulfill their youthful dreams, which Li Yisheng had once promised but never delivered. Reluctantly, Li Dawei agreed. Li Dawei then drove his parents to a cruise ship. Onboard, Li Yisheng lightheartedly joked about a "sea burial" if he were to die at sea, but his wife playfully scolded him, insisting he return with her.
Li Dawei took photos of his parents, then tearfully said goodbye, urging them to travel safely and promising to wait for their return. His mother affectionately told him he was grown up and that she and his father would now enjoy their time together.
Episode 21 Recap
Cao Jianjun and Yang Shu were eating noodles at a restaurant across from Lanting Pavilion, a high-end club, with Cao Jianjun keeping a close watch on everyone entering and exiting the establishment. Yang Shu sensed a mission was underway. Suddenly, Bai Xiaoyu, a target, entered the same noodle shop.
Cao Jianjun approached him, revealing his extensive knowledge of Bai Xiaoyu's background: he had joined the club after college, engaging in unspeakable work, torn between resigning due to the nature of the job and staying for the high salary to support his single mother. Bai Xiaoyu admitted his predicament, stating he initially joined hoping to network with successful entrepreneurs, but was instead instructed by Ms. Zhong, the club owner, to entertain wealthy but emotionally empty women.
Cao Jianjun proposed they collaborate to dismantle this criminal organization. However, Bai Xiaoyu was terrified of Ms. Zhong, fearing severe repercussions. He impulsively declared his intention to quit. Cao Jianjun relented, asking Bai Xiaoyu instead to introduce an undercover agent into the club, but not to resign until the introduction was made. After careful consideration, Cao Jianjun decided to send Yang Shu in as the undercover agent.
Both Wang Shouyi and Cheng Hao strongly objected, arguing that Yang Shu's inherently righteous demeanor made him unsuitable for such a role. Despite their concerns, Cao Jianjun was resolute, believing that if successful, it would be a major case. Wang Shouyi reluctantly agreed to let Yang Shu try. Yang Shu was then seen researching "how to attract rich women" online, much to Cao Jianjun's amusement.
Yang Shu, frustrated, complained about being sent into a "tiger's den," but Cao Jianjun assured him he could handle it. Cao Jianjun instructed Yang Shu to pose as Bai Xiaoyu's cousin. When Bai Xiaoyu met Yang Shu, he was impressed by Yang Shu's tall and handsome appearance, confidently predicting Ms. Zhong would be pleased. Bai Xiaoyu even nicknamed him "Wei."
Yang Shu, however, insisted on being called by his real name and maintaining a professional demeanor, reminding Bai Xiaoyu that he was a police officer. Bai Xiaoyu then introduced Yang Shu as "Wei," his cousin seeking employment after college, to Ms. Zhong at Lanting Pavilion. Ms. Zhong was indeed very satisfied with Yang Shu's looks and physique, readily accepting him and telling Bai Xiaoyu he could resign.
Bai Xiaoyu offered to stay a few days to mentor Yang Shu, but Ms. Zhong, clearly smitten with Yang Shu, eagerly dismissed Bai Xiaoyu, wanting Yang Shu for herself. Yang Shu, equipped with a body camera, changed into a handsome suit. Ms. Zhong made overt advances, attempting to seduce him and teaching him techniques to please guests. Yang Shu, overwhelmed and disgusted, resisted fiercely and fled the club.
Back at his shared apartment, Yang Shu was violently ill in the bathroom, reliving the repulsive experience. Li Dawei and Zhao Jiwei, after some initial teasing, listened as Yang Shu recounted how he narrowly escaped Ms. Zhong's aggressive advances, managing to push her away and anger her into retreating. The next morning, Cao Jianjun reported Yang Shu's failed mission to Wang Shouyi, showing him the video from Yang Shu's body camera.
Wang Shouyi found it amusing but deemed the evidence insufficient for an arrest. Wang Shouyi then suggested sending Li Dawei as the new undercover agent. Chen Xincheng initially opposed, worried about Li Dawei's impulsive nature. However, Wang Shouyi had faith in Li Dawei's abilities. Li Dawei, eager for the assignment, confidently assured Wang Shouyi he could gather all necessary information within five days. Cao Jianjun summoned Bai Xiaoyu, instructing him to introduce Li Dawei as his "second oldest cousin."
Li Dawei introduced himself as "Yang Shu" and asked to be called "Da Shu." Bai Xiaoyu attempted to resign again, but Li Dawei insisted he stay and assist with the introduction. Bai Xiaoyu reluctantly took Li Dawei to meet Ms. Zhong. Ms. Zhong noted that while Li Dawei wasn't as handsome as "the other cousin" (Yang Shu), he seemed more cunning.
Li Dawei introduced himself as "Da Shu," claiming he hadn't attended college like his brother but had played various instruments in a bar band. Ms. Zhong accepted him, allowing Bai Xiaoyu to resign immediately but warning him not to disclose any information about the club. Li Dawei quickly started his undercover work, massaging Ms. Zhong, playfully calling her "Mama Zhong" much to her annoyance.
Ms. Zhong then briefed him on how to serve the club's billionaire clients, emphasizing the potential for high earnings if he could keep them happy. Over the next few days, Li Dawei seamlessly blended in with the club's patrons and staff, diligently collecting crucial evidence, including a comprehensive list of members, staff, and their prices. He also uncovered that Ms. Zhong had a high-ranking "protective umbrella."
Upon reporting back to Wang Shouyi, Li Dawei revealed the name of the official involved, which Wang Shouyi said he would escalate to his superiors. Cao Jianjun recognized a photo of his brother-in-law, Sun Youguang, on the client list. He privately asked Li Dawei to keep an eye on him, which Li Dawei agreed to do, soon establishing Sun Youguang's regular visits on Monday and Wednesday nights, and sometimes Sundays.
On a Friday, Wang Shouyi called an emergency meeting, instructing everyone to hand over their phones. He announced that the undercover operation had yielded significant results, confirming Lanting Pavilion was a high-end prostitution ring masquerading as an entrepreneurs' club. The bureau had approved a full-scale raid, codenamed "No. 1 Cleaning Campaign," scheduled for 8 PM that night. He also stated that the official protecting the club would be investigated by the Commission for Discipline Inspection.
Wang Shouyi outlined the detailed deployment plans, assigning Cao Jianjun, Gao Chao, Chen Xincheng, and Cheng Hao to lead separate teams. Cao Jianjun expressed concern, knowing his brother-in-law was a client. At 7 PM, the police units mobilized.
Episode 22 Recap
The police raid on Lanting Yashe, code-named "Cleanliness No. 1," began promptly as Chief Cheng Hao issued the order to "Action." Four teams swiftly moved in. Li Dawei, already undercover inside, facilitated their entry by opening the club door. Officers flooded the premises, instructing everyone to squat down with their hands behind their heads. Police quickly secured the club, apprehending all suspected prostitutes, guests, and staff, and escorting them into waiting police vehicles.
Cao Jianjun, after witnessing his brother-in-law, Sun Youguang, being apprehended during the raid, deliberately approached the detention cells to check the register. Sun Youguang, from inside his cell, desperately called out to "Jianjun" for help, asking him to rescue him. Feigning surprise and ignorance, Cao Jianjun exclaimed, "How can there be someone calling my name here? Jianjun? Brother-in-law? Why are you here? Were you caught by mistake? Tell me what happened! I shall go ask them!"
Sun Youguang admitted that he was at Lanting Yashe "to have some fun" and was caught "in the bed." He desperately pleaded with Cao Jianjun, "You don't care if it's right or wrong. Just get me out of here first." Cao Jianjun explained that the operation was a bureau-wide initiative with strict discipline, and anyone interfering would be fired. He assured Sun Youguang he would be fine as long as he hadn't broken the law.
Sun Youguang confessed, "I truly went whoring. . . They got me caught naked in the bed." Feigning shock, Cao Jianjun then listened as Sun Youguang begged him to lie to his wife, Zhou Cong. Sun Youguang wanted Cao Jianjun to claim that "an employee of my company was kidnapped by pirates in Somalia. And I have to go negotiate there to save him, so I can't go back home recently."
Cao Jianjun initially questioned the plausibility of this lie, suggesting his wife, Zhou Hui, tell Zhou Cong, but Sun Youguang dismissed it, saying, "Your wife is too clever. She's able to tell that it's a lie." Cao Jianjun reluctantly agreed to the lie before leaving, telling Sun Youguang to "take good care of yourself here. I shall go see if there's any other way."
Returning home, Cao Jianjun planned to take Zhou Hui and their daughter Yaya out for dinner, feeling a sense of satisfaction. However, his sister-in-law, Zhou Cong, was already at their house, distraught. She had been unable to reach Sun Youguang, whose phone was off, and his car was missing from his company. Zhou Cong confided in Cao Jianjun, "Your brother-in-law may get into trouble. I'm very worried about it.
I really have no other way, so I can only come to ask for your help, Jianjun." Cao Jianjun calmly asked her to sit down and sent Yaya to do homework. Later, Cao Jianjun called Zhou Hui aside to explain, initially trying to use Sun Youguang's fabricated story: "He has gone to Somalia. One of his employees got kidnapped. And he's gone to Somalia to rescue the employee."
Zhou Hui immediately saw through the lie, exclaiming, "Cao Jianjun, you think I'm a fool? I definitely won't believe it. That can't be what Sun Youguang would do." After some prodding, Cao Jianjun revealed the truth, albeit in a hushed tone: "He got arrested for going whoring." Zhou Hui was furious, calling Sun Youguang "something" for fabricating such a lie and insisted on telling Zhou Cong.
Cao Jianjun was hesitant, fearing it would lead to divorce, but Zhou Hui was resolute, stating, "Just tell the truth. We must let my sister and my mom know what kind of person he is." Zhou Hui then broke the news to Zhou Cong, who asked, "What happened to your brother-in-law? What on earth happened to him?" Zhou Hui confessed, "He committed going whoring, and got caught by the police."
Zhou Cong, seeking confirmation, turned to Cao Jianjun, who reluctantly affirmed it. Zhou Hui then elaborated that Sun Youguang was caught naked in bed with a prostitute and that getting him released was impossible. She further revealed that the club, Lanting Yashe, had a VIP card costing 1. 2 million. Overwhelmed and heartbroken by the revelation and the exorbitant amount, Zhou Cong declared, "I'll divorce him," and left the house immediately, despite Zhou Hui's attempts to stop her.
Zhou Cong immediately went to her parents' house, where she tearfully told them about Sun Youguang's actions. Her father was furious, agreeing with Zhou Cong, exclaiming, "Damn Sun Youguang! Divorce! This time, no matter what, she must divorce him! I've long seen that he's not a good guy. He deserves to be caught. He deserves to be punished by the police. He should never be released before he gets well reformed. Such a man deserves to be punished, you know?"
However, her mother took a different approach. Instead of comforting Zhou Cong, she harshly told her, "If you don't want to live anymore, then just go die. And leave the house, the properties, and the money to him. Later, he still can find another woman younger than you and prettier than you. Just leave all these to him. Go die."
She then sent her husband to cook for Zhou Cong and took Zhou Cong to the bedroom for a private talk. Inside, the mother continued her cynical advice, telling Zhou Cong that "no cat can refuse the fresh fish" and blaming Zhou Cong for not controlling Sun Youguang. Zhou Cong tried to defend Cao Jianjun, saying, "Mom. Sun Youguang indeed went whoring. You blame Jianjun for that? I'll divorce him." But her mother was unyielding.
She criticized Cao Jianjun for not helping Sun Youguang get out of police custody. She then advised Zhou Cong that divorce was too easy an option. Instead, she should "take advantage of his mistake. . . To take hold of him tightly, and to get him strictly under your control. Then find a chance to hold the purse strings. This is what you should do."
Her mother also reminded her of her age and child, questioning if she could find another husband as rich as Sun Youguang, or guarantee he wouldn't cheat. Zhou Cong, resigned, asked if she should just tolerate it, to which her mother emphatically said, "Yes." When Sun Youguang was released, Cao Jianjun was there to pick him up. He informed his brother-in-law that Zhou Cong knew the truth and was very upset.
Sun Youguang was surprisingly nonchalant, commenting that he found the detention center "clean" and only wished for better food. He added, "Doesn't matter. The truth will come to light sooner or later. She eventually will know it. Never mind. I can divorce her at worst. . . I can manage with a new wife. If she really wants to divorce me, I can fulfill her wish."
Cao Jianjun, realizing Sun Youguang's indifference, stepped away to call Zhou Hui and reported, "I feel that he just thinks it's not a big deal. No. It's like that he doesn't care about your sister at all." After the call, Cao Jianjun urged Sun Youguang to make amends, reminding him of his reputation and Zhou Cong's loyalty in covering for him with the Somalia story. " Can you find another wife better than her?
And in terms of sister's personality, she's much gentler than Hui, right? So, brother-in-law, just get off your high horse, and go back to comfort her." Sun Youguang initially stated, "Anyway, I can't be held by her," but after some thought, he agreed to visit his in-laws, but only "for the sake of you," and requested time to clean up. Sun Youguang arrived at his in-laws' home, announcing, "Mom, I'm back."
Zhou Hui immediately retorted, "Brother-in-law, how dare you come back?" Sun Youguang claimed he was there "to confess my mistakes." Zhou Cong's mother then intervened, first chiding Sun Youguang for bringing shame to the family and not considering his child. She then revealed, "Cong made up her mind to divorce you. But I stopped her." She pressed him to acknowledge his mistake and go reconcile with Zhou Cong, reminding him that a divorce would cost him half his assets. "
Confess your mistakes and comfort her, you hear me? Make use of your ability in this." The tension escalated when Sun Youguang, to deflect from his own actions, alluded to the father-in-law's past infidelity, causing the father-in-law discomfort, especially with Cao Jianjun present. Zhou Hui, disgusted, declared that her sister "shouldn't have forgiven him. His face makes me feel disgusting." Her mother, however, snapped at her, accusing her of jealousy because "your sister lives a richer life than you."
The mother-in-law then turned her anger towards Cao Jianjun, criticizing him directly: "I really don't bother to criticize you. Look at you! You are a policeman. Your brother-in-law was arrested in your police station, right? Couldn't you say a word to get him released? If you had been capable, he couldn't have had this suffering." Zhou Hui furiously defended her husband, "Mom, what on earth do you mean? Are you now blaming Jianjun for Sun Youguang's going whoring?
Just because Sun Youguang's rich, even he went whoring, you still think he's better, right? Jianjun works so diligently, but he's still looked upon by you. You obviously despise the poor and favor the rich. Why did you marry my dad?" The argument reached a boiling point, with Zhou Hui shouting that she was "fed up with your snobbish attitude. And I've been sick of your snobbish words." She grabbed Cao Jianjun and stormed out, slamming the door.
Her mother yelled after her, "If you leave now, then don't come back here forever!" Zhou Hui defiantly responded that "This home, I really don't want to come back to it!" Outside, Cao Jianjun asked Zhou Hui if she thought he was "really a loser." Zhou Hui embraced him, reassuring him, "Of course I do [find you unaccomplished]. But you're my man, and you've never betrayed me. Only I can judge you.
But no one else is allowed to do so. Let's go home, and just focus on our own life." Cao Jianjun then vowed, "One day, I'll make you be proud of me!" as they drove away. Li Yisheng and Xu Cuiping returned from their extensive international travels, with Li Yisheng visibly weakened and exhausted, prompting Li Dawei to carry him from the car. While offering his mother food, Li Dawei asked if his father was asleep.
His mother, however, revealed, "He's not able to fall asleep. It's in his brain. I'm afraid it will be difficult for him to sleep in the rest of his life." She decided it was time to "Contact the hospital. Get your dad hospitalized." She then spoke about the need for constant care, saying, "If he is hospitalized, I'll attend to him twenty-four hours a day. And you. . .
But I hope before your dad leaves this world, you can spend more time being with him." Li Dawei promised to speak to his leader about it. The next morning, Li Dawei spoke with Wang Shouyi. Wang Shouyi informed him that the doctor estimated Li Yisheng had "less than a month" to live, noting that his mother "almost carried him all the way back."
Wang Shouyi immediately granted Li Dawei a month-long leave to care for his father, saying, "You don't have to come to work. Just go take care of your dad in the hospital. Spend as many days as possible being with him." However, Li Dawei declined a full leave, explaining, "My mom won't let me do so. She doesn't hope my work get influenced. I just hope I can have less night shifts this month.
My mom and I have decided that she will be with my dad in the daytime, and I'll be there at night." Wang Shouyi accepted his request. Wang Shouyi then called Ye Wei to his office and, after hearing about Li Dawei's father, asked her to "mobilize all in our station, make a schedule, and see if they can go to the hospital to help look after Li Dawei's father."
Ye Wei then confessed that she wanted to "get transferred," clarifying, "I don't want to be a police officer anymore." She tearfully explained her overwhelming situation: "My dad's still sick. And my father-in-law is now in hospital too. You know it. Either my husband or I am the only child of our parents. We two have four elders to take care of. . . And there are still two kids in the family.
I'm really worried and running around in circles every day. I'm almost about to forget my surname." She elaborated that her husband couldn't take unpaid leave, and frequent leaves were inappropriate for a police officer. She hoped to "get transferred to somewhere with less busy work so that I can better balance the work and the family." Wang Shouyi, while acknowledging the difficulties, disagreed with her leaving.
He emphasized the unique nature of their profession: "The more difficult it is, the more we need this group. The group can help us." He suggested she create another schedule for colleagues to help care for her family's elders, just as they would for Li Dawei's father. Ye Wei initially resisted, feeling it was inappropriate for an instructor to ask for such personal help, but Wang Shouyi insisted, reminding her, "the police should all care for and help the ladies." Overcome with emotion, Ye Wei tearfully agreed and returned to her duties.
Episode 23 Recap
Li Dawei received grave news from the doctor that his father, Li Yisheng, might only have a few days left to live and would soon fall into a deep coma without feeling pain. Heartbroken, Li Dawei stayed by his father's side, wanting to spend his father's last moments with him. His master, Chen Xincheng, visited him in a hurry, quietly offering support.
Li Dawei confided in Chen Xincheng that he had finally felt like he had a father, only to now lose him. Chen Xincheng tried to console him, saying that finding his father was what mattered most. Later, Xia Jie, Zhao Jiwei, and Yang Shu also arrived. Zhao Jiwei, along with Xia Jie and Yang Shu, also arrived, trying to ease Li Dawei's sorrow with their lighthearted banter and showing concern for Li Yisheng as 'our dad'.
Despite the medical team's best efforts, Li Yisheng's condition worsened, and he passed away. A devastated Li Dawei, though heartbroken, managed to handle the funeral arrangements with the help of Wang Shouyi and other officers from Balihe Police Station. Wang Shouyi assured Li Dawei's mother that the station would provide any assistance needed. Li Dawei's mother reflected that while his father used to be alone, this time, so many people came to bid him farewell, making his journey less lonely.
After the funeral, Li Dawei offered to move back home to live with his mother, but she firmly refused. She explained that she had become accustomed to living alone since Li Yisheng was rarely home. She also stated her intention to get back to her earthwork business and make money, not wanting to be cheated again. She insisted that her life hadn't changed and must continue, and sent Li Dawei back to his rental apartment.
Li Dawei started his intense work, posting on Moments whenever he had time to reassure his mother. Later, Li Dawei discussed this with Xia Jie, who suggested that his strong-willed mother might be intentionally pushing him away to prevent herself from becoming overly dependent on him emotionally after her husband's passing. Later that night, around 3 AM, after finishing a shift, Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei received a call about a rape at the T-junction of Shunhe Street.
Chen Xincheng instructed Li Dawei to call Xia Jie to meet them at the station, while they immediately headed to the scene. There, a woman named Liu Xiaoli, appearing distraught, claimed she had been raped by a black car driver, Yue Wei. She recounted that she had been drinking alone at a bar, became a little drunk, and accepted a ride home from a man she had just met. Instead, he took her to his home and raped her.
Liu Xiaoli insisted he was a terrifying pervert and that she nearly couldn't escape. When asked if she took money, Liu Xiaoli admitted receiving 200 yuan from him but swore she didn't ask for it, claiming he forced it on her. Li Dawei, observing her, whispered to Chen Xincheng that he suspected it was a prostitution deal gone sour.
Chen Xincheng noted the lack of surveillance cameras in the area and resolved to report it, deeming it a security blind spot. Guided by Liu Xiaoli, they went to the man's house. The man, Yue Wei, confirmed he knew Liu Xiaoli and stated she had just left his place. Upon hearing the rape accusation, Yue Wei vehemently denied it, claiming their encounter was consensual and that Liu Xiaoli had even taken 200 yuan from him.
He suggested that if she was unhappy with the amount, she shouldn't resort to false accusations, and that at most, it would be a prostitution case, which still violated public security regulations. Chen Xincheng sent Li Dawei to secure Liu Xiaoli in the car while he questioned Yue Wei further. Yue Wei maintained his story, stating Liu Xiaoli had flirted with him at the bar, leading him to believe she was interested.
He claimed he offered her 200 yuan for a taxi when she refused to stay or let him drive her home, and was shocked by her accusation. Liu Xiaoli, however, maintained her account, describing how she felt dizzy after getting into Yue Wei's car and woke up at his home with her clothes partially removed.
She said she desperately tried to escape and pleaded with him, but he threatened to kill her with a knife, boasting that no one ever left his house once they entered. Fearing for her life, she had no choice but to comply. She added that he was a pervert and tortured her for three or four hours.
Back at the station, after Li Dawei confirmed Yue Wei's consistent claim of consensual sex, Chen Xincheng had Xia Jie examine Liu Xiaoli, who reported no physical injuries. Li Dawei reiterated his belief that it was a prostitution case where Liu Xiaoli regretted the price and falsely accused rape, judging her as "not a decent girl."
Chen Xincheng decided to transfer the case to the criminal police team, as per regulations for rape accusations, and informed them by phone to take over the case by daybreak. Li Dawei, still convinced it was prostitution, joked that they would likely encounter them again soon. Li Dawei then used his phone to post on Moments, reassuring his mother. Later, Chen Xincheng returned home and found his daughter, Jia, withdrawn under her blanket in a messy room.
He had bought her food, including a chicken drumstick, and tried to coax her to eat. Jia, however, expressed that she found life meaningless and uninteresting, even refusing to consider pursuing art further. Chen Xincheng, deeply concerned, confessed his worries to Li Dawei, who suggested it was typical adolescent melancholy and advised encouraging her to socialize more. Chen Xincheng lamented the difficulty of raising an adolescent daughter alone.
Soon after, a tearful Liu Xiaoli appeared at the station, appealing to Chen Xincheng. She insisted she had been raped, not involved in prostitution, and felt deeply wronged that she was being labeled a prostitute after her assault. She told him that her family now knew about the incident and her stepmother wouldn't even let her into the house.
Chen Xincheng offered to speak to her stepmother and encouraged her to find a proper job, avoid risky places, and cherish herself. Still feeling uneasy about the case, Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei visited Captain Luo at the criminal police team to review the evidence. Captain Luo showed them surveillance footage from the bar and a nearby intersection.
The clips showed Liu Xiaoli and Yue Wei interacting intimately at the bar, walking out together, and her leaning her head on his shoulder in his car. Captain Luo pointed out that she walked steadily despite claiming to be drunk, questioned why she would get into a stranger's car late at night, and highlighted the lack of physical injuries on her and the 200 yuan she received.
He also noted that their investigation into Liu Xiaoli's background revealed no proper employment, a history of relationships with multiple men, and instances of receiving money from them. Furthermore, Captain Luo revealed that when questioned about Yue Wei's "perverted" actions, Liu Xiaoli provided inconsistent accounts across multiple interrogations, leading him to believe she was fabricating details.
Based on this, Captain Luo concluded that the case lacked evidence for rape but had sufficient evidence for prostitution and whoring, which was how they intended to classify it. Chen Xincheng requested to review the confessions, which Captain Luo initially declined but eventually allowed him and Li Dawei to read at the station. Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei then thoroughly reviewed Liu Xiaoli and Yue Wei's interrogation records, working until dawn.
While reviewing the documents, Li Dawei, still convinced of her prostitution, questioned Chen Xincheng if he truly didn't believe she was a prostitute, pointing to her demeanor. Chen Xincheng cautioned him against prejudice, stating that police shouldn't judge based on appearance and that a girl who doesn't 'love herself' isn't necessarily a prostitute, as there's no definite connection. Chen Xincheng decided they needed to speak to Liu Xiaoli again.
He instructed Li Dawei to keep their private investigation confidential, treating it as a "personal hobby" since the criminal police team had already made their conclusion. Li Dawei eagerly agreed to learn from his master. Chen Xincheng subsequently called Liu Xiaoli back to the station. He confronted her about her inconsistent testimonies with the criminal police team.
Liu Xiaoli admitted that she had deliberately exaggerated details to try and get the police to take her case seriously, but it had backfired, making her story convoluted. She then provided a more detailed and consistent account of Yue Wei's actions, confirming he was a pervert. She explained that she had a previous boyfriend with similar disturbing tendencies, which taught her that resisting was futile.
Instead, she chose to comply, trying to find an opportunity to escape, which also explained the lack of physical injuries. She recounted how Yue Wei tortured her for three or four hours and reiterated his boast that no one brought to his home ever escaped. Chen Xincheng pressed her on why Yue Wei would then let her go.
Liu Xiaoli revealed her strategy: she had set up a timed auto-dial function on another phone at her home, configured to call her mobile phone at 2:30 AM. When the call came through, she feigned a conversation with a "girlfriend," fabricating a story that her friend would call the police if she didn't return home by a certain time.
Yue Wei, seemingly convinced, allowed her to answer the phone and then, after some hesitation, let her leave, giving her 200 yuan. She took the money out of fear that he wouldn't release her otherwise. Liu Xiaoli swore her story was true, even offering to be struck by lightning if she lied. Chen Xincheng acknowledged the current lack of strong evidence for rape but assured her the police would not abandon the investigation.
He advised her to keep their conversation confidential, avoid any further contact with Yue Wei, and encouraged her to find a respectable job, care for herself, and provide solace to her deceased mother's spirit. Liu Xiaoli was deeply moved, expressing that no one had shown such concern for her since her mother's death. Reflecting on the case with Li Dawei, Chen Xincheng found Liu Xiaoli's updated account credible but still puzzled by several aspects.
He questioned how Yue Wei, an unofficial car driver, could afford to frequent a motorcycle bar across the city from his jurisdiction. He also found the timeline suspicious: Liu Xiaoli arrived at Yue Wei's at 10:30 PM and left at 3 AM. This extended period didn't align with a quick, illegal prostitution transaction, nor did her departure at 3 AM fit a consensual overnight stay.
Chen Xincheng also pondered if 200 yuan was "too cheap" for a young woman involved in prostitution. He concluded that there were two possibilities: either Liu Xiaoli was a habitual liar who had even managed to deceive an experienced officer like himself, or they had encountered an extremely cunning and dangerous criminal. Li Dawei, greatly impressed by Chen Xincheng's astute observations, joked about his initial assumptions of his master.
Episode 24 Recap
Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei visited the communities where Liu Xiaoli and Yue Wei lived to gather information. They learned that after Liu Xiaoli's mother passed away, her father remarried. Her stepmother frequently spoke ill of Liu Xiaoli in front of her short-tempered father, who would then beat her severely. Consequently, Liu Xiaoli became self-destructive.
Neighbors also mentioned that Yue Wei, who had lived there for about four or five years, was a reclusive individual who made a living driving an unofficial car. One neighbor, with whom Yue Wei had a prior parking dispute, reported seeing him bring a girl home one night, adding that Yue Wei had a "killing" look in his eyes when he confronted him once.
Li Dawei speculated that if Liu Xiaoli's claims were true, Yue Wei's unusually clean room, described as "abnormally clean," could be a trait of a psychopath and potentially a crime scene. Observing Liu Xiaoli's plight, Chen Xincheng reflected on his own daughter, Jiajia, admitting he felt like "a loser" and didn't know how to be a "qualified father" as Jiajia had been in a very unstable and unpredictable mood recently.
Chen Xincheng called the Linchang Police Station, Yue Wei's registered household, confirming his identity and learning that Yue Wei had not returned home for over a decade. He then brought Li Dawei to Captain Luo, explaining his growing suspicion. Chen Xincheng highlighted that if Yue Wei, a former assistant policeman, had indeed forced the 200 yuan onto Liu Xiaoli, it indicated a strong anti-investigation awareness, as he would know how to evade legal punishment.
He also pointed out that Yue Wei had concealed his past experience as an assistant policeman during their previous encounter, which was unusual. Despite their suspicions, Captain Luo noted the absence of concrete evidence, such as bodies or missing persons. Chen Xincheng also observed the lack of surveillance cameras around Yue Wei's residence and requested Captain Luo to install one at a key intersection, offering for his team to monitor the feed.
Li Dawei further questioned why Yue Wei chose to drive an unofficial car instead of registering for a ride-hailing service, suggesting it might be to avoid having his movements tracked by a platform. Suddenly, Jiajia called Chen Xincheng, informing him that she intended to move out and live with Miss Ling. Chen Xincheng, having just reunited with his daughter after many years, was distraught.
He pleaded with her not to "torture" him, emphasizing how her return had finally made his house feel like a home. He offered to change anything she found unsatisfactory, admitting he felt like a "disqualified father" who knew nothing about his own child. Li Dawei, witnessing Chen Xincheng's distress, suggested that Jiajia's behavior might be a phase of adjustment, proposing that she could move in with him and Xia Jie.
He reasoned that their closer age might facilitate communication, allowing Jiajia to open up about her reasons for wanting to move out, which would then help Chen Xincheng address the underlying issues. Just then, an emergency call reported a suicide attempt at No. 118, Jiankang Road. Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei rushed to the scene. Breaking into a gas-filled room, they found a migrant worker who had slit his wrist. They quickly rescued him, administering first aid, and called 120.
The man, who had been drinking, explained he wanted to die because his partner, Yuqin, had left him without a word, and he couldn't find any odd jobs. Chen Xincheng patiently reasoned with the distraught man, even personally helping him put on his shoes, despite the man's resistance and dirty feet, saying it was merely a matter of washing his hands later if he could offer the man some warmth.
Li Dawei couldn't help but tease Chen Xincheng, remarking on the striking resemblance between him and the suicidal man, not just in appearance, but even in their drunken state, although Chen Xincheng insisted he never drank. They both eventually conceded the resemblance. Chen Xincheng reflected on the loneliness of migrant workers and the importance of offering help. Later, Jiajia moved into the shared apartment with Xia Jie, Zhao Jiwei, and Yang Shu.
Xia Jie had thoughtfully replaced her large bed with two single beds, welcoming Jiajia to stay as long as she wished. The group playfully welcomed her, with Li Dawei being playfully dubbed "the landlord" for charging a small fee for errands. Jiajia expressed a wish for good friends, and Li Dawei assured her they were now her friends.
That night, Xia Jie took Jiajia for a walk, sharing her own complex relationship with her mother, who had been overprotective, then overly dependent, and finally controlling, leading Xia Jie to join the police academy for independence. Jiajia then confided that she felt immense pressure living with Chen Xincheng.
His constant efforts to cautiously "make up" for years of lost fatherly love only served to painfully remind her of what she had missed, making it difficult for her to communicate with him and causing her distress. The next day, Xia Jie relayed Jiajia's sentiments to Chen Xincheng, leaving him in a quandary about how to appropriately express his fatherly love.
He admitted feeling like he "owed her a lot" and always tried to compensate, but found himself unable to strike the right balance, doing either "too little or too much." Li Dawei advised him to simply be "normal." Meanwhile, Cao Jianjun and Yang Shu were approached by Qiao Damei, Bao Daquan's ex-girlfriend, who suspected something terrible had happened to him. Qiao Damei explained that she had broken up with Bao Daquan after he lost over a million yuan gambling.
Despite their breakup, she lent him her car at 5 AM when he came to her door, saying he needed to return to his hometown. Later that morning, he called her, sounding agitated and speaking incoherently, expressing feelings of self-pity and being unable to "turn back." Qiao Damei noted that while he spoke clearly, unlike his usual drunken slurring, his emotional state felt intensely wrong. She tried to call him back, but his phone was unreachable, intensifying her fears.
Cao Jianjun contacted the traffic police department, who confirmed that Bao Daquan's car had been involved in a high-speed accident at a highway toll station around 12:20 PM, hitting an isolation pile and leaving extensive bloodstains. However, when the traffic police transported the injured driver to the hospital, Bao Daquan disappeared shortly after arrival.
Rushing to the accident scene, Cao Jianjun noted the excessive amount of blood in the car, suspecting it wasn't from a single person, and requested an immediate blood test. He and Yang Shu then checked hospital surveillance, which showed Bao Daquan, his head bandaged, escaping the hospital wearing a stolen, ill-fitting pink woman's hoodie. Further reviewing street surveillance along the route he took, they discovered he had visited a sports shop.
The shop owner, recalling Bao Daquan's "crazy" and evasive demeanor, confirmed he had purchased a skipping rope and a pair of dumbbells, openly wondering if he intended to "do something bad." Realizing the gravity of the situation, Cao Jianjun immediately called Chief Wang Shouyi, reporting the two different blood types found in the car and speculating that Bao Daquan might have picked up another person between 5 AM and 11 AM that day.
Given Bao Daquan's agitated state and the purchase of potential weapons, Cao Jianjun strongly suspected he was desperate and likely to commit further crimes, urging a city-wide manhunt. Wang Shouyi, after consulting with Gao Chao who fully supported Cao Jianjun's assessment, instructed Chief Cheng to immediately report the situation to the bureau for unified deployment and to also inform Captain Luo. He then ordered Gao Chao to mobilize all officers for overtime and tasked him with commanding the operation.
He also directed Zhijie to coordinate with community police points and the Joint Defense Team to prevent any emergencies and to decisively apprehend the suspect. Wang Shouyi emphasized that their primary mission was to protect public safety.
Shortly after, the command center broadcast an update: Bao Daquan had hijacked a taxi on Yaojia Road near the Second Ring Road but had abandoned the vehicle on Wangcheng Road East after realizing all roads out of the city were blocked, returning to the city on foot. He was deemed "highly dangerous." Wang Shouyi urged all teams to remain vigilant.
Cao Jianjun, anticipating Bao Daquan might return to his ex-girlfriend's place, instructed Zhigang and others to maintain their positions at Yida Center, while he and Yang Shu covertly staked out Qiao Damei's home from a nearby kitchen in Qiao's compound. He decided against informing Qiao Damei, fearing she might inadvertently alert Bao Daquan if "old feelings" lingered, reasoning that it was their job to protect her if Bao Daquan returned.
Meanwhile, Wang Shouyi, separately concerned about Qiao Damei's safety, contacted Gao Chao, inquiring if her house was under surveillance. Gao Chao confirmed that Captain Luo's team should have it covered as he had shared all relevant clues with them. Moments later, Yang Shu messaged Wang Shouyi, informing him that he and Cao Jianjun were already at Qiao's compound, specifically in the kitchen.
Realizing Cao Jianjun's insubordination, Wang Shouyi immediately messaged Yang Shu, emphatically instructing him and Cao Jianjun not to act rashly and to cooperate with Captain Luo's team, who had eight officers deployed in the vicinity. Yang Shu relayed the message to Cao Jianjun, who resisted the instruction to cooperate by leaving their current position, arguing that moving would alert the suspect if he arrived and that they were already at a "designated location" for the stakeout.
Episode 25 Recap
After meticulously examining surveillance footage, Li Dawei identified a young woman in the passenger seat of Bao Daquan's car, leading him to believe she was hitchhiking back to her hometown. The footage showed Bao Daquan and the woman, later identified as Miss Yang, chatting and laughing on the way up Lotus Mountain, but only Bao Daquan was seen descending. Suspecting foul play, Li Dawei immediately took Xia Jie to Lotus Mountain late that night to search.
Navigating the treacherous and narrowing mountain paths, Xia Jie suggested they get out and search on foot. Their search through the dense woods led them to a grim discovery: a battered and unconscious Miss Yang. Xia Jie was visibly shaken by the sight. They rushed Miss Yang to the hospital, where medical staff worked tirelessly to save her life. Xia Jie remained deeply distraught, and Li Dawei quietly stayed by her side, offering support.
Meanwhile, Cao Jianjun and Yang Shu continued their stakeout until late that night. When Bao Daquan arrived furtively at his ex-girlfriend's residence, they swiftly moved in and apprehended him. Other officers quickly arrived to take Bao Daquan into custody. Following the intense efforts of the medical team, Miss Yang's condition stabilized. Director Song, accompanied by Wang Shouyi and other officials, visited Miss Yang at the hospital.
Director Song explained that Bao Daquan, a desperate gambler heavily in debt, had abducted Miss Yang after learning she earned a significant income selling cosmetics. He then attacked her with a wrench on Lotus Mountain. Director Song praised the police station's accurate premonition of Bao Daquan's subsequent actions, which prevented further harm, and noted that Cao Jianjun was instrumental in both discovering the initial lead and making the arrest.
He resolved to officially commend Cao Jianjun, recognizing his previous unacknowledged contributions. A commendation ceremony was held at the police station where Miss Yang's grateful family presented Cao Jianjun with a banner, thanking him for protecting the community. Amidst the fanfare and media interviews, Cao Jianjun gave an impassioned speech, introducing his apprentice Yang Shu, who briefly expressed his pride in learning from such an exemplary officer.
As Wang Shouyi returned to the station and witnessed the celebration, he encountered Captain Luo of the Criminal Investigation Team, who congratulated him on the successful apprehension of Bao Daquan. Despite the praise, Wang Shouyi managed only a strained smile, deflecting the compliments and appearing less than thrilled. Later, Wang Shouyi called Ye Wei to his office, instructing her to summon Li Dawei and Xia Jie.
He sternly reprimanded the two rookies, expressing his displeasure at their unauthorized actions, despite the positive outcome. He emphasized that police officers must strictly adhere to orders, stating that their independent operation, though leading to a rescue, violated protocol. When pressed, Li Dawei honestly admitted to having been eager for a commendation, though he also affirmed his genuine desire to save the victim. Wang Shouyi acknowledged Li Dawei's candor but reiterated that, as uniformed officers, obeying orders was paramount.
He then ordered them each to write an 18,000-word self-criticism. Xia Jie, refusing special treatment, accepted the same penalty. Before dismissing them, Wang Shouyi specifically warned Xia Jie not to mention the incident to her mother. Ye Wei, the instructor, perceived Wang Shouyi's deeper frustration, realizing his anger extended to Cao Jianjun's similar disregard for unified command.
She encouraged him to consider Cao Jianjun's motivations, suggesting that his eagerness to prove himself, especially to his in-laws, might be a driving factor. Wang Shouyi, initially resistant, viewing Cao Jianjun as a "showman," eventually conceded to submit a commendation report for him, swayed by Ye Wei's argument that, despite his flaws, Cao Jianjun's substantial contribution warranted recognition, and that past commendations had often eluded him.
Subsequently, Cao Jianjun was awarded a second-class merit and nominated as a candidate for "Top Ten Police Officer." His colleagues celebrated his achievement. However, Wang Shouyi remained concerned, believing Cao Jianjun’s actions were driven by a desire for personal glory, and that such accolades might lead to overconfidence. He advised Ye Wei to exercise caution regarding the "Top Ten Police Officer" nomination and instructed her to ensure colleagues did not inflate Cao Jianjun with excessive flattery.
Cao Jianjun proudly brought his second-class merit medal home. Zhou Hui was ecstatic and insisted they immediately visit her parents to show off his accomplishment. At her parents' house, her mother, whose demeanor had always been cold towards Cao Jianjun, now offered effusive praise. Soon, her true agenda was revealed: she and Sun Youguang, Zhou Hui's brother-in-law, asked Cao Jianjun for a favor.
Sun Youguang explained his business failure, which led to significant debt and his inclusion on the court's list of "discredited persons," severely restricting his travel and impacting his wife and daughter. He requested Cao Jianjun's help to "bend the rules" and remove him from the list. Cao Jianjun patiently explained that police and court systems are separate and independent, making it impossible for him to interfere.
His mother-in-law reacted with furious indignation, lambasting Cao Jianjun for being unhelpful and questioning the purpose of having a police officer in the family if he couldn't use his position to their advantage. Unable to tolerate her mother's hypocrisy and unfair criticism, Zhou Hui fiercely defended Cao Jianjun, exposing Sun Youguang's past indiscretions, including infidelity, and rebuking them for asking Cao Jianjun to compromise his integrity and career.
She declared they were unwelcome and angrily left with Cao Jianjun and Yaya. Still fuming in the car, Zhou Hui swore she would never return to her mother's house. Deeply touched by her unwavering support, Cao Jianjun stealthily kissed her, expressing his profound gratitude for having the best wife in the world. Later, feeling the weight of his recent accomplishment, Cao Jianjun invited his colleagues to celebrate over dinner.
However, one after another, they offered excuses, citing duties or suggesting a later, grander celebration for a first-class merit. Cao Jianjun grew increasingly frustrated, sensing a lack of respect. His attempts to insist were cut short by an urgent call for a fight, and everyone quickly dispersed, leaving him alone. Still stewing, he called his old friends, including Old Ding, for a dinner.
At the gathering, Cao Jianjun drank heavily, waxing philosophical about how a man’s true worth lies in the respect earned through genuine achievement, not mere wealth or fame. Yang Shu arrived and tried to remind his master of the station's strict no-drinking policy, even off-duty. Cao Jianjun brushed off the warning, insisting his happiness was profound and warranted celebration, and that anyone refusing to drink was disrespecting him.
Episode 26 Recap
Cao Jianjun, celebrating his recent recognition, drank heavily with his classmates, ignoring Yang Shu's repeated pleas to stop. Yang Shu constantly reminded his master that he had consumed a significant amount of alcohol and would get too drunk to function. However, Cao Jianjun, feeling challenged, asked Yang Shu if he despised him, dismissing his concerns and stating he had a high tolerance for alcohol.
Their friends, upon leaving, also cautioned Cao Jianjun against driving under the influence and reminded him to use a designated driver. As Yang Shu prepared to drive Cao Jianjun home, Cao Jianjun realized he had left his phone in the private room. Yang Shu quickly offered to retrieve it, instructing his master to wait. While Yang Shu was inside, a restaurant staff member asked Cao Jianjun to move his car to make space for another vehicle.
Despite his intoxicated state, Cao Jianjun attempted to comply, but accidentally collided with another car on the road. The female driver, enraged, immediately confronted Cao Jianjun, accusing him of breaking traffic rules and driving too fast. Seeing a traffic police officer nearby, she hailed him for help, bypassing the need to call the police. The traffic officer arrived and requested both drivers' licenses.
Cao Jianjun, still in a drunken haze, tried to pull rank by revealing he was a police officer and implying they were "family," suggesting the officer be lenient. However, the female driver, realizing Cao Jianjun was a policeman, pointed out his strong smell of alcohol and insisted he was driving under the influence, demanding the officer handle the situation impartially. Just then, Yang Shu returned.
He quickly tried to defuse the situation, apologizing to the female driver and explaining that Cao Jianjun had no intention of driving, merely moving his car, and that he himself had come to drive Cao Jianjun home. He even offered to compensate her for the damage to her car. Yet, the female driver remained unyielding, stating she only wanted to see how the traffic police would handle a drunken police officer.
As Cao Jianjun continued to argue defiantly, Yang Shu desperately tried to quiet him, reminding him how serious the repercussions would be if his actions became known to their station. The traffic officer instructed Yang Shu to drive Cao Jianjun to the traffic police station. The female driver, having recorded the entire incident on her phone, departed, vowing to ensure justice was served.
On the way to the traffic police station, Yang Shu admonished Cao Jianjun for displaying his police ID, pointing out that it only made matters worse. Cao Jianjun, still defiant, boasted about his dangerous work compared to traffic police. Yang Shu then attempted to call Wang Shouyi for help, but Cao Jianjun stopped him, insisting that Yang Shu keep the matter a secret, fearing the embarrassment it would bring.
At the station, Yang Shu again pleaded with the traffic officer, emphasizing Cao Jianjun's recent bravery in solving a major case and suggesting he only drank excessively out of happiness. The traffic officer dismissed Yang Shu’s lengthy explanation, stating he talked too much. Feeling overwhelmed, Yang Shu finally called Wang Shouyi, who was out shopping with his wife. Upon hearing the news, Wang Shouyi immediately rushed to the station.
At the station, the traffic officer administered an alcohol test to Cao Jianjun, who reluctantly complied after the officer reminded him that it was his job. The officer sternly informed Cao Jianjun that he had made a grave mistake. While the officer momentarily left the room, Cao Jianjun, realizing the severity of his situation, grabbed his car keys and fled. Wang Shouyi, arriving just then, witnessed Cao Jianjun’s escape, shouting his name in dismay.
The traffic police immediately coordinated an interception, and Cao Jianjun was apprehended after crashing his car again around a corner. Wang Shouyi was heartbroken by the turn of events. Sitting distraught with Yang Shu, Wang Shouyi explained the grim reality: "Two accidents and a hit-and-run, Jianjun is doomed." Yang Shu, blaming himself for not stopping his master, argued that Cao Jianjun was simply a straightforward person who got carried away by the joy of his recent meritorious service.
He offered to take responsibility, but Wang Shouyi reminded him that everyone must be accountable for their own life and that some things were beyond their ability to fix. He confirmed that Cao Jianjun would lose his police job and likely face criminal charges, emphasizing that the severity of the sentence depended on his alcohol level and the additional charges of two accidents and fleeing the scene.
Wang Shouyi then sought out Captain Wei of the traffic police to request a meeting with Cao Jianjun before he was taken into formal custody, citing the need to transfer Cao Jianjun's ongoing police work.
During this discussion, Wang Shouyi was informed that Cao Jianjun's alcohol test results showed a blood alcohol content of 127 mg per 100 ml, far exceeding the drunk driving limit of 80 mg, classifying it as severe drunk driving, compounded by two accidents and fleeing the scene. After some persuasion, Captain Wei allowed Wang Shouyi and Yang Shu to see Cao Jianjun.
Cao Jianjun, upon seeing Wang Shouyi, broke down in tears, apologizing profusely for embarrassing the police station, which had recently been honored. He desperately suggested sacrificing his second-class merit to atone for his mistakes and be allowed to remain a police officer, but Wang Shouyi angrily rebuked him for such foolish talk. Yang Shu, also emotional, apologized and reaffirmed Cao Jianjun as his master, stating that this incident was a painful but profound lesson.
Cao Jianjun then asked Wang Shouyi to keep the matter secret from his wife, Zhou Hui, out of concern for her constant struggles with her mother and his desire to shield her from further distress, lamenting that he had failed her and their child. Before they left, Cao Jianjun tearfully asked Wang Shouyi if he could ever be a police officer again.
On their way to inform Zhou Hui, Wang Shouyi mentioned that Cao Jianjun’s phone had been ringing continuously, likely Zhou Hui, but Cao Jianjun hadn't answered, unsure how to explain the situation. Yang Shu, still processing the gravity of the situation, wondered if his master's life was truly over if he couldn't be a police officer anymore.
Wang Shouyi comforted him, saying that life isn't over just because one can't be a police officer, though he acknowledged that for Cao Jianjun, it might feel that way. Upon arriving at Zhou Hui's home, they found her distraught, repeatedly calling Cao Jianjun. Wang Shouyi gently broke the news, informing her that Cao Jianjun had driven drunk, caused two accidents, fled the scene, and was now detained by the traffic police.
Zhou Hui was shocked and tearful, but her main concern was Cao Jianjun's well-being. Wang Shouyi, while reassuring her that he was physically unharmed and no one else was seriously injured, warned her of the severe legal consequences and the high probability that he would lose his job. Zhou Hui, still hoping, implored Wang Shouyi to use his influence to help Cao Jianjun keep his career.
Wang Shouyi, however, explained that while some things could be helped, others, like legal responsibilities, could not be avoided. He pledged the station's full support for her and their family in handling domestic matters. Zhou Hui, regaining her composure, stated she could manage as long as Cao Jianjun was safe. She thanked them for bringing her the difficult news.
As they prepared to leave, Yang Shu, full of regret, apologized to Zhou Hui for not taking better care of his master. Zhou Hui, with a stoic expression, acknowledged Yang Shu, mentioned that Cao Jianjun often spoke highly of him, but then firmly told him to forget Cao Jianjun, stating that their paths would no longer cross.
Episode 27 Recap
When Wang Shouyi returned to the Balihe Police Station, officers were waiting in the yard, pleading for Cao Jianjun. They urged their Chief to speak for Jianjun, saying he had only made a mistake and asking for help so he wouldn't be sent to prison, even if it meant a demotion. They emphasized his recent success in solving a case and catching a criminal, arguing his contributions outweighed his errors. Heartbroken, Wang Shouyi silently retreated to his office.
Gao Chao entered Wang Shouyi's office, expressing that despite his personal dislike for Cao Jianjun’s competitive nature and self-serving tendencies, he believed they should still try to help him. Wang Shouyi grew furious, slamming his cup on the ground. Later, Chen Xincheng and other officers appealed to Wang Shouyi, highlighting Cao Jianjun's sixteen years of dedicated service, numerous injuries, and his efforts in solving problems for the community.
They argued that while his mistake was serious, it was understandable, and not supporting him would demoralize the entire station. They even proposed asking Director Song for leniency or submitting a formal report. Wang Shouyi sharply rebuked them, asserting that police officers, as law enforcers, could not expect special privileges when breaking the law. He angrily declared that no one was to mention Cao Jianjun's case again, emphasizing that his punishment would be determined by law, not by them.
He then adjourned the meeting, but an officer made a final plea, reminding Wang Shouyi that Jianjun was their comrade. Zhou Hui’s mother and sister, Zhou Cong, arrived at her home. Zhou Cong gently tried to console her, but their mother launched into a tirade. She blamed Zhou Hui for marrying Cao Jianjun, remarking on how his police identity failed to protect him now that he was in trouble for drunk driving.
She compared him unfavorably to Sun Youguang, Zhou Hui's brother-in-law, boasting that Sun Youguang had paid back a three-million-dollar debt and was removed from the blacklist. She criticized Zhou Hui's marriage and lifestyle, repeatedly urging her to reflect on her choices and insinuating that Cao Jianjun would soon become an ex-convict. Zhou Hui, enraged, lashed out, defending Cao Jianjun as a devoted husband and father.
She exposed her brother-in-law's philandering and financial troubles, despite his wealth, and questioned her sister's happiness. Zhou Hui then declared her unwavering loyalty to Cao Jianjun, vowing to stand by him no matter the hardships. She told her mother that if she disliked him, she should no longer visit her home, and Zhou Hui would cease visiting her mother's home, suggesting they ignore each other.
When her mother protested, claiming to act for Zhou Hui's own good, Zhou Hui dismissed her. As Zhou Hui insisted it was time to pick up her child, she urged her mother and sister to leave. Her mother, furious, told Zhou Hui never to seek help from the Zhou family again, slammed the door, and departed. Left alone, Zhou Hui broke down in tears. Wang Shouyi went to the Municipal Bureau to seek a favor from Director Song.
Upon arrival, he was informed by Lv, an assistant, that Director Song was in a long meeting and knew Wang Shouyi’s purpose, suggesting he return first. However, Wang Shouyi insisted on waiting, explaining his own morning meeting had ended early and he had no other engagements. Lv served him tea, expressing that Director Song was also upset about Cao Jianjun’s situation. Wang Shouyi acknowledged that Jianjun had failed them and apologized for causing trouble.
Lv later interrupted Director Song's meeting to inform him that Wang Shouyi was still waiting. Director Song eventually met Wang Shouyi, respectfully addressing him as "Master" and recalling Wang Shouyi's mentorship since he joined the force. He then directly asked if there were any new developments beyond what Wang Shouyi had mentioned the previous night.
Wang Shouyi, with a heavy heart, admitted he had nothing new to say, expressing his shame for shamelessly seeking help for a subordinate who had committed such a serious crime. He pleaded with Director Song, hoping to secure "the last bit of hope for Jianjun," reminding him that Jianjun was his junior and asking if there was "a way to not let him get sent to prison."
Director Song, calling him "Master," regretfully stated he couldn't make such an assurance, as it depended on the law. He firmly reiterated that drunk driving carries a "no pardon" policy, stipulated long ago, and while he couldn't say if Jianjun would go to jail, he confirmed Jianjun "can't be a policeman anymore." He gently admonished Wang Shouyi for not having disciplined Jianjun more strictly earlier. Wang Shouyi left, heartbroken and in tears. Director Song later visited the Balihe Police Station.
Addressing the officers, he acknowledged their differing opinions on Cao Jianjun's criminal punishment. He reminded them of Cao Jianjun's second-class merit, a medal he had personally awarded, but firmly stated that "everyone is equal in front of the law" and "merits won't spare you from punishment when you make mistakes." He stressed that for law enforcers who break the law, the punishment would be even more severe.
Director Song then assigned blame, stating that both the bureau and the Balihe station were responsible for failing to educate and discipline Cao Jianjun. He announced the bureau’s decision to use Cao Jianjun as a negative example and launch a comprehensive education and rectification campaign across the entire bureau to strengthen self-discipline. Since Cao Jianjun's predicament, Yang Shu had been visibly dispirited, unable to focus at work and isolating himself in his room at home.
His colleagues noticed his listlessness; Li Dawei even wanted to talk to him, but Jia told him to give Yang Shu some space. Xia Jie, Zhao Jiwei, and Li Dawei were all concerned, unsure how to provide comfort. Wang Shouyi met Captain Luo for dinner, where they enjoyed pig face, a dish Wang Shouyi had promised Captain Luo. Wang Shouyi, still drinking tea instead of alcohol, confided his deep sadness over Cao Jianjun’s downfall.
He explained that Cao Jianjun, a capable colleague who had recently made contributions, had destroyed his career with alcohol and drunk driving. Captain Luo observed that while things are unpredictable, one should learn to take things easy. Wang Shouyi attributed Cao Jianjun’s fate to his personality, a trait he had often warned him about. Captain Luo agreed, musing that if personality could change, so could fate.
Wang Shouyi then shared another dilemma: the Municipal Bureau had launched a major investigation requiring a skilled writer and had specifically requested Yang Shu, the Peking University top student and Cao Jianjun's disciple, from their station. Wang Shouyi suspected the bureau was concerned Yang Shu might also get into trouble if he stayed at Balihe. Feeling anxious, Wang Shouyi sought Captain Luo's advice on whether to agree to the transfer or resist, mentioning that Director Song was his former apprentice.
Captain Luo, respecting Wang Shouyi's professional boundaries, offered personal counsel: "when you are capable of it, then just try your best, but when you're not, then just let it be." This advice left Wang Shouyi in deep contemplation about what was "capable" and "not capable." The next morning, Wang Shouyi held a meeting with his leadership team and Yang Shu.
He announced what he called "very good news": the Municipal Bureau was launching a major special research project and had specifically requested Yang Shu for his legal background, writing skills, and excellent performance. Wang Shouyi presented this as an honor for Yang Shu and a demonstration of Balihe Police Station’s commitment to the greater good. He instructed Yang Shu to complete his handover procedures promptly and report to the Municipal Bureau, assigning the instructor and Cheng Hao to assist him.
Zhao Jiwei quickly learned of Yang Shu’s transfer and, along with Xia Jie, suspected it was due to the bureau’s distrust of their station following Cao Jianjun’s incident. They decided to organize a farewell dinner for Yang Shu that evening and asked Li Dawei, who was out on duty with Chen Xincheng, to buy groceries and return early. However, when Li Dawei arrived home with a large haul of groceries, Jia informed him that Yang Shu had already left.
Yang Shu had packed his luggage earlier that afternoon and sent a message to Xia Jie, Li Dawei, and Zhao Jiwei via WeChat group, explaining his early departure to adapt to his new environment and work schedule, promising to visit often. Li Dawei was disappointed by Yang Shu’s unannounced departure, while Zhao Jiwei speculated that Yang Shu had left quietly to avoid a difficult farewell. Xia Jie’s mother returned home earlier than expected from Dali.
Xia Jie picked her up at the station, but her mother was in a foul mood, sighing about the trip being "meaningless" and complaining that Xia Jie was too busy to accompany her. She even grumbled about the bureau not sending a car to pick her up. Back home, she immediately retired to bed for a nap. Concerned by her mother's disposition, Xia Jie discreetly called her aunt. Her aunt revealed that the issue stemmed from Mr. Liang.
Initially, he had been quite enthusiastic, but Xia Jie’s mother, always "so proud," had kept her distance. As a result, Mr. Liang had started seeing someone else and returned home early from Dali. The next morning, Xia Jie visited Mr. Liang, thanking him for taking care of her mother during the trip.
She inquired about his new relationship, and he admitted a friend had introduced him to someone, but he hadn't made a decision, implying his heart remained with Xia Jie's mother. Xia Jie, speaking candidly, told him that her mother couldn't find anyone better than him and that missing this opportunity would be her mother’s regret, not his.
Mr. Liang confirmed that despite her mother’s rejection, he knew she relied on him emotionally and he, too, found it hard to let her go. He explained his initial care was out of gratitude to Xia Jie’s father, but it had evolved into pity for her mother. Xia Jie promised to get her mother's response to him as soon as possible. Back home, Xia Jie attempted to discuss Mr. Liang with her mother, who was watching television.
Her mother immediately grew defensive, accusing Xia Jie of wanting to "get her married" and "get rid of her." She tearfully recounted her sacrifices for Xia Jie, stating that all Xia Jie seemed to want was for her to move out or marry Mr. Liang. Xia Jie tried to explain that her intention was only to alleviate her mother’s loneliness, but her mother retorted that she had been alone for years and still had Xia Jie.
Xia Jie then tried to convey that her work would only get busier and, at twenty-two, she also desired "her own life." This further upset her mother, who interpreted it as Xia Jie wanting to get married and leave her. Her mother cried, lamenting her "miserable" life, first abandoned by Xia Jie's father, and now, she felt, even by Xia Jie.
Episode 28 Recap
Xia Jie was burdened by worries concerning her mother. Upon returning from a police call, Li Dawei noticed Xia Jie's preoccupation and inquired about her troubles, but she was reluctant to share. Meanwhile, Chen Xincheng learned that Liu Xiaoli had been brought into the Balihe Police Station after causing a disturbance and fighting in a local bar. He, Li Dawei, and Xia Jie went to the interrogation room, where Liu Xiaoli, upon seeing Chen Xincheng, burst into tears.
Chen Xincheng asked Xia Jie to bring Ye Wei, the Instructor, to question Liu Xiaoli. Li Dawei, observing Liu Xiaoli’s heavy makeup and dyed blue hair, commented to Chen Xincheng that Liu Xiaoli was likely engaged in sex work and that her previous accusation against Yue Wei was probably false, concluding she was beyond help.
Instructor Ye Wei later informed Chen Xincheng that Liu Xiaoli had deliberately come to a bar within the Balihe Police Station’s jurisdiction to cause trouble and get arrested. Her intention was to draw Chen Xincheng’s attention because she believed he was the only person who truly listened to her and would help her.
Instructor Ye Wei added that the bar fight was a minor dispute, and Liu Xiaoli would be released after a warning, but she had requested to see Chen Xincheng before she left. Chen Xincheng asked Li Dawei to continue looking for clues while he went to speak with Liu Xiaoli. Chen Xincheng and Xia Jie found Liu Xiaoli still crying. Chen Xincheng urged her to calmly explain her situation so he could assist.
Liu Xiaoli tearfully recounted that since the previous incident, she had been ostracized; her neighbors accused her of provoking the assault, her stepmother refused to let her come home, and her father offered no support, leaving her homeless. She lamented the difficulties of life. Chen Xincheng, visibly angry, scolded her for blaming others and urged her to take responsibility for her own life, criticizing her self-destructive appearance. Liu Xiaoli explained her stepmother would not allow her into the house.
Chen Xincheng then calmed down, advised Liu Xiaoli not to continue going astray, and promised to help her wholeheartedly. Liu Xiaoli implored Chen Xincheng to bring Yue Wei to justice, to which Chen Xincheng promised to investigate the truth as soon as possible. He then personally assured her that he would address her housing issue and "see this through," reiterating the importance of self-respect. He then asked Li Dawei and Xia Jie to escort her out.
After Liu Xiaoli left, Xia Jie commented on Chen Xincheng's unusual anger. Li Dawei suggested that Chen Xincheng likely saw Liu Xiaoli as his own daughter, Jia, feeling sympathy for her plight but frustration at her lack of initiative. Noticing Xia Jie's continued distress, Li Dawei tried to probe, mentioning her recent financial struggles, a loan application he’d glimpsed on her phone, and her mother’s return from Dali. He asked why she was still so unhappy.
Xia Jie snapped at him, telling him to mind his own business, but Li Dawei insisted he wouldn't back down when provoked and continued to press her, offering his help. Their conversation was cut short when Chen Xincheng returned with news of another police call, instructing them to change and meet him in the car. On their way, Chen Xincheng confided in Li Dawei that he was convinced Liu Xiaoli had been raped, despite the lack of evidence.
He stressed that protecting her was their priority, even if she was outside their jurisdiction, because she was their client. Concerned for Liu Xiaoli, Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei accompanied her to her home, where they found her stepmother forcefully trying to evict her.
Liu Xiaoli defiantly demanded her biological mother's hair salon back, escalating into a heated argument with her stepmother, who hurled insults, calling Liu Xiaoli a disgrace and accusing her of seducing "wild men," and now, even police officers. Chen Xincheng warned the stepmother that slandering police officers was a legal offense. Just then, Liu Xiaoli’s younger half-brother returned from school. The stepmother quickly ushered him inside, locking the door and leaving Liu Xiaoli, Chen Xincheng, and Li Dawei outside.
Chen Xincheng told Liu Xiaoli to wait at the community office. He then took Li Dawei to a nearby police station to seek assistance from Chief Song. Chen Xincheng requested help finding Liu Xiaoli a place to stay and a job. Chief Song recognized Liu Xiaoli as a recurring problem in his jurisdiction.
Chen Xincheng explained that he had come to know her through a case and believed her to be fundamentally good, but a victim of an early maternal loss and an irresponsible father. After some discussion about the limits of police involvement in family matters, Chen Xincheng emphasized that Liu Xiaoli might be a crucial witness in a major case, necessitating her protection.
Chief Song ultimately agreed to help, promising to arrange for low-rent housing and a job so Liu Xiaoli could support herself. Soon after, Chief Song secured a low-rent apartment for Liu Xiaoli and arranged for her to work as a cashier at a local supermarket. Chen Xincheng visited her at her new workplace, advising her to cherish the opportunity and be meticulous in her duties, especially since the job was arranged through Chief Song’s connections.
He also gifted her a water bottle, reminding her to stay hydrated. Liu Xiaoli confirmed her apartment was good and safe, being right behind the police station. Chen Xincheng reassured her that they were still investigating her case, promising to bring the perpetrator to justice once evidence was found, no matter where he might be. Liu Xiaoli expressed her heartfelt gratitude. Later, Chen Xincheng took his daughter, Jia, out to dinner.
He spoke about Liu Xiaoli’s situation, mentioning how outsiders often misjudged her due to her appearance and behavior, unaware of her underlying misfortunes. He admitted to initially disliking Liu Xiaoli but came to understand and pity her after learning her story. Jia empathized, recognizing Liu Xiaoli as a girl lacking love. Chen Xincheng then spoke of his own feelings, assuring Jia of his love, though he struggled to express it.
Jia, in turn, confessed that she knew he loved her and that she, too, struggled to express her affection, sometimes getting angry when she tried to show care. After this emotional exchange, Chen Xincheng gently suggested that it might be inconvenient for Jia to continue staying with Xia Jie. He offered to rent an apartment for Jia near his home, but Jia, touched by their conversation, agreed to move back in with him, much to his delight.
Li Dawei, meanwhile, delved deeper into the Yue Wei case. He discovered a closed case from 2014 where a girl named Lin Cuicui had reported Yue Wei for rape to the police station in Xianqian Street. Similar to Liu Xiaoli’s situation, the case was dismissed due to a lack of conclusive evidence, making it difficult to distinguish between rape and consensual activity.
Li Dawei presented this finding to Chen Xincheng, noting the similarity in the victims' appearances and obtaining Lin Cuicui's contact details. They promptly went to Lin Cuicui’s workplace. Lin Cuicui, now a manager, was visibly agitated and refused to cooperate, citing fear of Yue Wei's retaliation and concern that police involvement would affect her job. Chen Xincheng left his business card, urging her to call if she remembered anything.
Shortly after Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei left, Lin Cuicui called Chen Xincheng. He acknowledged her desire to forget the painful experience but stressed that justice was necessary for her true healing and safety, given their belief that Yue Wei was a repeat offender. Lin Cuicui revealed that Yue Wei had threatened her with a "slit throat" gesture after encountering her on the street, intensifying her fear.
Persuaded, Lin Cuicui recounted her experience: at 18, new to the city, she worked as a foot therapist and, needing money, sometimes "went out" with clients for extra payment. Yue Wei offered her 500 yuan to go home with him, bypassing the shop's commission. Desperate for money, she agreed. At his home, she realized her mistake, but Yue Wei tied her to the bed, torturing her for several hours and threatening her with a cleaver.
She believed she was going to die when, miraculously, Yue Wei received a phone call. After a moment of distress, he untied her and angrily told her to leave before he changed his mind. Frightened and unpaid, she escaped and immediately reported the incident to the police. However, Yue Wei claimed the encounter was consensual and threatened to expose her workplace for prostitution, leading her to drop the case.
She confirmed the incident occurred a few days before her police report on August 21, 2014. Li Dawei and Chen Xincheng discussed the case further. Li Dawei shared that Yue Wei had been away from his hometown for many years, making him unrecognizable to local police. Chen Xincheng voiced his strong suspicion that Lin Cuicui and Liu Xiaoli were merely the "luckiest" of Yue Wei’s victims, fearing other girls never left his apartment alive.
He instructed Li Dawei to search for missing women, particularly those from nightclubs, foot massage parlors, and bars. Li Dawei directly asked if they suspected Yue Wei was a serial killer targeting "fallen women." Chen Xincheng conceded it was too early to conclude but highlighted the compelling similarities and suspicious aspects of the cases.
Wang Shouyi then instructed them to hand over their findings to Captain Luo of the criminal police group, reiterating that major case investigations fell under the criminal police's purview. Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei went to meet Captain Luo, proposing an investigation into missing women from entertainment venues over the past decade.
Captain Luo agreed to investigate and keep them informed, though he expressed skepticism about the "serial killer" theory, noting Yue Wei's quiet behavior since the Liu Xiaoli incident did not fit the profile. Later, while Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei were on a police call responding to a fighting with weapons incident on Jinbao Street, Li Dawei received a call from another police chief with a crucial update.
On the night of August 20, 2014, around midnight, Yue Wei’s mother passed away. His family contacted him shortly after to inform him. Li Dawei deduced that Yue Wei was likely in the midst of assaulting Lin Cuicui when he received the news, disrupting his plans and allowing her to escape. He enthusiastically concluded that Yue Wei was indeed a "perverted killer."
Chen Xincheng, however, cautioned against making such a definitive conclusion, stating it was still just a "possibility" and suggested they report this new information to their chief. Wang Shouyi, now aware of these developments, explained that Captain Luo’s criminal police group had also found a girl who went missing from a nightclub nine years prior. Her case was initially closed because her ID was fake, and despite investigations, no further leads were found until now.
Captain Luo showed Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei old surveillance footage from the nightclub, where they recognized a younger Yue Wei, though the image was blurry. Captain Luo acknowledged the increased suspicion towards Yue Wei but noted the lack of concrete evidence and the missing girl's fake ID hindered further investigation. Wang Shouyi confirmed that Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei’s investigative direction was accurate.
Due to manpower shortages in the criminal police group, Captain Luo asked Balihe Police Station to take over the surveillance of Yue Wei, mentioning that two new surveillance cameras had been installed near his frequent routes. Chen Xincheng immediately volunteered his station for the task, which Wang Shouyi approved, declaring a "net" had been cast for Yue Wei. While Li Dawei was diligently analyzing the surveillance videos, Xia Jie approached him, finally ready to confide.
She admitted she felt no one could help her, but Li Dawei encouraged her, suggesting an outsider's perspective might be beneficial. Xia Jie then revealed that her mother was experiencing problems again.
Episode 29 Recap
Li Yisheng's illness led Xu Cuiping to entrust her company to Fang, who managed it so capably that upon returning after Li Yisheng's funeral, Xu Cuiping granted him 30% of the shares and embraced a relaxed retirement filled with square dancing and mahjong. Meanwhile, Li Dawei, concerned about Xia Jie’s mother’s current state, sought his own mother's help to lift her spirits. The following weekend, Li Dawei and Xia Jie planned a trip to a countryside resort with their mothers.
Xu Cuiping teased Li Dawei, suggesting he had feelings for Xia Jie, a notion he vehemently denied, insisting they were merely colleagues. As they drove, their cars met on the road. Xu Cuiping enthusiastically greeted Xia Jie’s mother, who responded with aloofness, much to Xu Cuiping’s chagrin. Annoyed, Xu Cuiping called Xia Jie's mom "that old woman" whom you "can't be nice to" because "if you are nice to them, they flatter themselves."
She angrily told Li Dawei to drive them back home. Xia Jie chastised her mother for her behavior, but her mother justified her actions, calling Xu Cuiping "vulgar." Li Dawei, however, earnestly persuaded his mother to reconsider, highlighting Xia Jie’s "pitiful" situation with such a mother, and how it affected not only Xia Jie's work but also his own as partners.
Xu Cuiping, swayed by his plea, agreed to turn the car around after Li Dawei argued, "Because she's hopeless, we need you to step up." When they returned to the countryside resort, Xu Cuiping made another attempt to engage with Xia Jie’s mother, but Xia Jie’s mother remained distant. Xia Jie and Li Dawei had no choice but to take their mothers home.
Xu Cuiping vowed to completely change Xia Jie's mother and decided she had to devise a plan to "get her mother married soon, so that she won't bother her daughter at home," even mentioning the need for a "KPI" for this project. The next morning, Xu Cuiping went to Xia Jie’s building and repeatedly called for her mother to join a mahjong game.
When Xia Jie’s mother ignored her, Xu Cuiping enlisted the help of neighbors to get her to open the door. Xu Cuiping then physically drew Xia Jie's mother out of her car, linking arms and talking about fate and the connection formed through their children, and insisted on taking her to a park.
Xia Jie's mother initially refused to play mahjong, but Xu Cuiping eventually convinced her to sit down, clarifying to the other players that they "cannot bet money" as they are "mothers of police officers." Later that night, both mothers vented their frustrations to their children. Xu Cuiping complained to Li Dawei about Xia Jie’s mother being "pretentious" and "tacky," and how she had even dared to ask Xu Cuiping to do "bookkeeping for her construction project."
She admitted to merely thinking about slapping her. Meanwhile, Xia Jie’s mother complained to Xia Jie about Xu Cuiping’s "vulgar" behavior, expressing her disdain for Xu Cuiping's pickup truck. Despite their complaints, Li Dawei and Xia Jie believed their mothers were secretly enjoying each other’s company. During lunch, Xia Jie and Li Dawei discussed their ongoing "reformation" efforts regarding Xia Jie's mother.
Their conversation was abruptly cut short when Cheng Hao received an urgent call reporting a violent medical dispute at the Second Hospital. Xia Jie, Li Dawei, and Zhao Jiwei immediately left their meal and rushed to the scene. Learning the incident involved Dr. Zhuo Liming at the Second Hospital, Wang Shouyi, deeply concerned, quickly hailed a taxi and also headed to the hospital. Upon arrival, they found a chaotic scene: a man, covered in blood, was holding a hostage.
The sight of blood triggered a traumatic memory for Xia Jie, reminding her of her father's death, and she swayed, feeling faint. Cheng Hao quickly supported her. Li Dawei attempted to de-escalate the situation, appealing to the man as a father whose child would become an orphan if he continued his actions. The officers worked together and successfully subdued the assailant.
The tragic background of the incident soon emerged: the assailant's wife had died from an amniotic fluid embolism during childbirth in the OB/GYN department. Overwhelmed by grief, he had sought revenge, wielding a knife and threatening a nurse. Dr. Zhuo Liming, passing by and witnessing the crisis, bravely intervened to save the nurse and was tragically stabbed seventeen times. Wang Shouyi, rushing to the hospital, learned of Dr. Zhuo’s severe injuries and hurried to the operating room.
Despite the medical team's desperate efforts with CPR and AED, Dr. Zhuo Liming succumbed to his wounds. Devastated, Wang Shouyi was inconsolable, crying that he "can't" save his friend, whom he respected the most. He was told by a doctor that "Life is unpredictable. When you can do nothing, just let it go." Back at the shared apartment, Xia Jie retreated into her room and locked the door.
Li Dawei and Zhao Jiwei tried to coax her out, but she refused, telling them, "You two are really annoying" and that their "OCD care stresses me a lot." Meanwhile, Xia Jie's mother, unable to reach her daughter, called Ye Wei for an update. Ye Wei then contacted Li Dawei, who confirmed Xia Jie was in her room. Xia Jie finally realized her phone had died and was being charged.
The next morning, Xia Jie's mother appeared at the police station, visibly upset that Xia Jie hadn't answered her calls. Xia Jie explained her phone battery was dead, which only further infuriated her mother, who insisted on speaking directly with Wang Shouyi. However, Wang Shouyi had taken two days of leave due to his grief over Dr. Zhuo Liming's death, leaving a message that he had applied for two days of leave and they should handle matters at their discretion.
Ye Wei, Gao Chao, and Cheng Hao convened to discuss the work arrangements in Wang Shouyi’s absence. Ye Wei decided she would oversee the overall operations, while Cheng Hao would temporarily manage the community work Wang Shouyi typically handled. Xia Jie's mother, refusing to be placated, continued to demand a meeting with Wang Shouyi. Ye Wei, Gao Chao, and Cheng Hao arrived to explain that Wang Shouyi was on leave. They escorted her into an office.
As Xia Jie’s mother stepped into the station, which had been her late husband Xia Junxiong's workplace, she was overcome with emotion and began to cry. In the mediation room, she sharply criticized Wang Shouyi for assigning Xia Jie to dangerous missions, explicitly stating that Xia Jie faints at the sight of blood and should not be put in such perilous situations. She also sternly rebuked Cheng Hao for not protecting Xia Jie adequately.
Episode 30 Recap
Li Dawei offered Xia Jie a sandwich to help her de-stress. Xia Jie expressed her frustration, lamenting that she knew her mother too well, and the "knot in her heart wouldn't be easily untied." Li Dawei gently advised her not to be pessimistic and to take things slowly, assuring her that he was there for her. Meanwhile, at the police station, Cheng Hao, Ye Wei, and Gao Chao attempted to appease Mrs. Xia.
Mrs. Xia angrily accused Wang Shouyi and Cheng Hao of being ungrateful and failing to protect Xia Jie, despite Xia Junxiong's dying wish. When Gao Chao attempted to calm Mrs. Xia by praising Xia Jie's dedication, Mrs. Xia vehemently reiterated her concerns, arguing that Xia Jie's father sacrificed his life, and she didn't want Xia Jie to face the same danger. She then accused Wang Shouyi and Cheng Hao of betraying Xia Junxiong's dying wish, failing to protect Xia Jie.
Unable to listen further, Gao Chao impulsively slapped the table in protest. Mrs. Xia then realized they were in a conciliation room and accused Ye Wei of treating her like a suspect or a troublesome person. Gao Chao apologized, explaining that hitting the table was an oversight. Mrs. Xia, unrelenting, claimed Wang Shouyi was deliberately avoiding her and declared her intention to speak with Director Song to have Xia Jie transferred to the Household Registration Department.
Ye Wei agreed to provide a response within three days. After Mrs. Xia left, Gao Chao questioned Ye Wei's promise, but Ye Wei believed Wang Shouyi would return within three days to handle the matter. Gao Chao also remarked on Mrs. Xia's demanding nature, suggesting Xia Jie had no choice with such a mother. Ye Wei then recalled an urgent meeting called by Secretary Wei of the Balihe subdistrict office, which she was supposed to attend with Wang Shouyi.
This meeting was to organize a joint operation as part of the population census, involving a comprehensive review of the population, including illegal property rentals, unlicensed operations, and foreign resident registration, as well as safety inspections. She asked Gao Chao and Zhang Zhijie to attend with her. Gao Chao initially resisted, citing a case he needed to investigate, but Ye Wei insisted, reminding him of his responsibility for community affairs.
Gao Chao then instructed Zhang Zhijie to lead a team with Sun Qiancheng and Auxiliary Police Wang to encourage residents with expired ID cards to renew them. Later, Qizi approached Cheng Hao, looking unwell, and asked about Wang Shouyi and Ye Wei. He learned Wang Shouyi was on leave and Ye Wei was at a meeting. Qizi confided in Cheng Hao that he desperately needed to take leave, or his wife would divorce him.
Cheng Hao, unable to approve the leave himself, promised to speak to Ye Wei upon her return, although he noted that "divorce" might not be a valid reason for a leave of absence. Meanwhile, unable to reach Ye Wei on her phone, Mrs. Xia called Cheng Hao, demanding to know when Xia Jie's transfer would be settled and insisting that Xia Jie stop going on duty immediately. Cheng Hao assured her he would relay the message to Ye Wei.
After the meeting, Ye Wei received a phone call from her son's teacher, Mrs. Wu, informing her that her son was in trouble again and she needed to go to the school immediately. Feeling overwhelmed because her husband was on a business trip, Ye Wei was hesitant to leave the station before assigning the important post-meeting tasks.
However, Gao Chao and Zhang Zhijie convinced her to go, promising they would convey the meeting's spirit to the entire station and handle the workload. They even offered her the police car. After settling her son for the night, Ye Wei called Gao Chao late to check on the station. Gao Chao informed her that he and Cheng Hao had organized a meeting, conveyed the municipal and district directives, and made deployment plans for the population review.
He also mentioned rejecting Qizi's leave request, having assigned him to the joint operation due to the existing staff shortage. Ye Wei acknowledged Qizi's situation and mentioned Mrs. Xia's continuous calls. Gao Chao confirmed Mrs. Xia had also called him, but he was busy dealing with other cases. He continued his interrogation of the convenience store owner regarding a recent theft.
The theft was complicated by the store's broken surveillance cameras and the owner's social media post about the broken cameras, which was seen by over three thousand friends. Gao Chao noted the lack of forced entry and the large number of fingerprints collected, making it difficult to identify suspects due to high foot traffic. He also asked for the contact of the store owner's partner, who also had a key.
Gao Chao's night was relentless; he dealt with an elderly woman reporting her lost "son" (a dog), and later, two drunk men who made a false police report for a bet, whom he then brought back to the station for violating public security laws. The next morning, Xia Jie visited Ye Wei, expressing her strong desire not to be transferred to the Household Registration Department.
She stated that being a police officer was her choice, and she was willing to face all dangers and difficulties. Ye Wei, concerned about Mrs. Xia's persistence, decided to assign Xia Jie to the joint enforcement team for the population review, a comparatively safer task, explaining that the team was severely understaffed. Xia Jie, however, felt her life was her own and not her mother's.
Ye Wei empathized with Xia Jie's mother's protective instincts, especially given her family's past trauma, and urged Xia Jie to try and understand her mother. When Xia Jie wondered why Wang Shouyi hadn't told her directly, Ye Wei reminded her that he had promised not to overprotect her. Soon after, Qizi once again requested a long leave from Ye Wei.
Ye Wei explained the station's severe manpower shortage and heavy workload, especially with Wang Shouyi's absence, making a long leave impossible for now. She assured him they would discuss it with Wang Shouyi upon his return, but for now, he needed to join the community joint operation. Adding to Ye Wei's stress, her husband, Lao Wang, called to inform her that he was coming home tomorrow, but his father had gone to the hospital alone.
Gao Chao then briefed the officers for the joint population review, dividing them into several teams led by Zhang Zhijie, Qizi, himself, and Ye Wei. However, just as they were about to deploy, Ye Wei received another call from her husband, Lao Wang, informing her that her father had gone to the hospital alone. Concerned, she told Cheng Hao, who immediately instructed her to go to the hospital and offered to lead her team.
At the hospital, Ye Wei accompanied her father for his check-up. She called Mrs. Wu, her son's teacher, to apologize for missing another parent-teacher conference, promising to visit the school later. Mrs. Wu expressed her annoyance, noting Ye Wei's repeated absences and the importance of a child's education, before Ye Wei had to abruptly hang up as her father's number was called for his appointment.
During their part of the population review, Zhao Jiwei and Auxiliary Police Wang encountered an elderly man named Lu Fugui whose ID card had expired. Lu Fugui, feeling neglected by his children, resisted their advice to renew it, joking about being a "dead" illegal resident. Zhao Jiwei, concerned, obtained the contact for Lu Fugui's son, Lu Changsheng, and called him.
Meanwhile, Qizi and his team went to investigate an illegal rental at the home of an old Mrs. Zhang, a notoriously difficult resident. After a long wait, Mrs. Zhang finally opened the door and immediately started verbally abusing Qizi. Already stressed, Qizi angrily reprimanded her. Gao Chao, hearing the commotion, arrived to mediate, but Qizi, still furious, lashed out at Gao Chao. Back at the station, Ye Wei saw her officers still busy.
Gao Chao reported Qizi's difficult behavior with Mrs. Zhang and his outburst at him. As Ye Wei contemplated talking to Qizi, Mrs. Xia called her again. Ye Wei reluctantly answered and tried to explain the situation. Xia Jie, nearby, overheard the call and, frustrated, called her mother to threaten to "cut ties" if she didn't stop interfering. Cheng Hao, also nearby, clearly heard Xia Jie's desperate words.
Later, Li Dawei and Zhao Jiwei returned to their shared apartment to find a dejected Xia Jie. Li Dawei offered to help her with whatever was troubling her. Separately, Cheng Hao went to see Mrs. Xia, who accused him of being responsible for Xia Junxiong's death and questioned his motives for visiting, asking if he was there to discuss Xia Jie's transfer or to persuade her. Cheng Hao replied that he was there to talk about his relationship with Xia Junxiong.
Episode 31 Recap
Gathering his courage, Cheng Hao visited Xia Mother, aiming to confess the truth about the past and find closure. Xia Mother, however, was wary, asking if he was there to discuss Xia Jie's job transfer or to try and change her mind. Cheng Hao clarified he was there to speak about what transpired between him and her late husband. Xia Mother initially rebuffed him, telling him there was nothing to say and to leave.
Despite her resistance, Cheng Hao persisted, pouring out his confession and regret. He admitted that ten years ago, during the confrontation with a ruthless criminal alongside Xia Junxiong, he was overcome with fear. His feet felt rooted to the ground, and his legs turned weak, preventing him from rushing forward as Xia Junxiong was killed. He openly declared himself a coward, confessing that he had never possessed the courage to admit this truth to anyone, including himself.
Though he knew his words couldn't change the past, he expressed deep remorse for Xia Junxiong, Xia Mother, and Xia Jie, acknowledging the constant self-condemnation and repentance he carried. His confession, however, was interrupted by a phone call from Instructor Ye Wei, summoning him back to the police station for an urgent matter. Before departing, Cheng Hao promised Xia Mother he would do everything to protect Xia Jie, always respecting her wishes.
He reiterated that his visit was to finally put an end to his long-held burden and hoped that Xia Mother too could find a way to move past the painful memories. Cheng Hao hurried back to the Balihe Police Station, where Ye Wei had just finished a call with the Municipal Bureau. She quickly briefed him on a critical situation.
During a previous joint operation, when Qizi tried to investigate a tenant at an old lady's home, the lady, in her seventies, had been uncooperative, leading to a heated argument that Gao Chao had to mediate. It was later discovered that one of her tenants, aware of the large-scale investigation, had moved to the Xinjie Police Station's jurisdiction overnight, taking a hidden detonator with him. This detonator then accidentally exploded in Xinjie.
Although there were no casualties, the incident caused a significant uproar, especially as it occurred during a city-wide safety inspection. Consequently, Deputy Chief Chu of Xinjie Police Station was immediately dismissed, with even their chief potentially facing removal. The Xinjie station felt wronged, believing Balihe had failed to properly address the safety hazard, effectively passing it to them. An inspection team from the Municipal Bureau was now investigating Balihe.
Qizi, consumed by guilt, claimed full responsibility, stating he should have followed up. Gao Chao tried to shield him, taking the blame himself, reminding Qizi that he had halted the initial investigation. Ye Wei urged them to stop arguing, emphasizing that the bureau would make the final decision and they should focus on compiling an honest report.
Qizi, expressing his disillusionment, announced his intention to resign from the police force, claiming he couldn't even get a leave of absence and this incident might be his chance to leave. Gao Chao also tried to leave, but Ye Wei insisted they needed to discuss it. Meanwhile, Gao Chao was intensely interrogating the owner of the convenience store, who was discovered to have embezzled company funds and filed a false police report.
Gao Chao meticulously explained the gravity of her actions, clarifying that the store's earnings were company assets, not personal, and her false report was a criminal offense punishable by detention. He informed her that due to the substantial amount, she would be handed over to the Economic Investigation Brigade. The owner tearfully protested, claiming she had built the business from scratch, handling everything, and felt wronged that she couldn't use the money she believed she earned alone.
Amidst the mounting pressure, Wang Shouyi made an unexpected return to the station, instantly easing the tension. He addressed Qizi, revealing his medical report, which showed he suffered from minor depression. Wang Shouyi acknowledged that the station had been negligent in not noticing Qizi's condition, attributing it to the irregular hours, lack of rest, and immense stress faced by frontline officers.
He stressed the importance of mental and physical health and granted Qizi several days of leave to rest and seek psychological help, assuring him there was no shame in his illness. Wang Shouyi then took charge of the explosion incident, framing it as a demonstration of their joint enforcement preventing a greater disaster, while also acknowledging flaws in their work that required self-reflection.
He firmly stated that the Municipal Bureau considered it an isolated incident and, regardless of the consequences, he would personally bear full responsibility. When Gao Chao and others tried to take the blame, Wang Shouyi asserted his authority, stating that he would take responsibility for any issues arising during his absence. He then assigned Gao Chao to continue overseeing community and criminal investigation work, and Cheng Hao to manage security, encouraging them to be bold, knowing he had their back.
Ye Wei, relieved, praised Wang Shouyi as the station's mainstay. Before commencing further discussions with his leadership team, Wang Shouyi ensured Qizi left for his much-needed break. After a late night at work, Xia Jie approached Cheng Hao, asking about his visit to her mother. Cheng Hao confirmed his visit, reiterating his confession of fear during Xia Junxiong's death and his responsibility.
Xia Jie, however, comforted him, reminding him that fear is a natural human emotion and questioning if he could have saved her father even if he had rushed in. Cheng Hao insisted he should have tried. Xia Jie urged him not to be hard on himself, acknowledging that no one is perfect. Cheng Hao agreed, emphasizing his desire to be honest and accountable. Xia Jie, taking his words to heart, said she would remember this.
She also shared her recent realization that being consistently heroic wasn't necessary; performing everyday tasks diligently was equally challenging. Xia Jie then confided that her mother seemed to have changed; she no longer pressed about the job transfer, avoided discussing Cheng Hao's visit, and didn't pressure her about work that morning. Cheng Hao was pleased, advising patience, as such deep-seated changes take time. Xia Jie agreed, finding that psychologically accepting her mother had significantly reduced her own anxiety.
Meanwhile, Xu Cuiping, also known as Dawei's mom, continued to encourage Xia Mother to engage in social activities. Initially resistant to square dancing, Xia Mother eventually showcased her elegant moves, reminding everyone of her youthful days winning dance awards with Xia Junxiong. Xu Cuiping later arranged a coffee shop meeting between Xia Mother and Liang Wei, her old flame. Both had mistakenly believed the other had moved on, leading to initial awkwardness.
Liang Wei, breaking the silence, expressed his enduring affection for Xia Mother. Xu Cuiping, sensing their need for privacy, feigned a work emergency and departed. With misunderstandings resolved, Xia Mother and Liang Wei decided to take a trip. Xia Mother took a taxi to meet him, explaining to Liang Wei that Xia Jie was busy, and her personal travel did not warrant involving the bureau.
Liang Wei mentioned booking economy class tickets, and Xia Mother readily agreed, expressing her willingness to follow him anywhere as he planned to ease out of frontline work and travel the world. Back at the station, Wang Shouyi held a meeting, urging his team to maintain vigilance for the final stretch of the "100 Days Without Burglary" campaign, promising rewards for their success. Just then, Zhao Jiwei received a report of multiple burglaries in the Xiaoxinjia Community.
With Zhang Zhijie out on another call, Zhao Jiwei took an assistant policeman to investigate. At one victim's home, they found nothing missing, but a kitchen knife was inexplicably placed on the living room coffee table. Investigating the community, Zhao Jiwei discovered the building's surveillance cameras were non-functional. Zhang Zhijie, investigating other affected homes, confirmed the consistent modus operandi: kitchen knives on coffee tables, with cash and jewelry stolen, but no signs of forced entry.
Reviewing remaining surveillance footage, Zhang Zhijie and Zhao Jiwei identified a suspect, with Zhang Zhijie even noting a distinct crack on the suspect's windshield. They decided to pursue the lead further using more surveillance. Separately, Wang Shouyi decided to transfer Xia Jie to the Household Registration Department to temporarily replace Officer Wang, who was about to go on maternity leave.
Despite Xia Jie's earlier efforts to convince her mother (and herself) not to transfer, Wang Shouyi informed her this was an organizational decision, which her master, Cheng Hao, also agreed to. Xia Jie accepted the assignment. Soon after, while Xia Jie was being introduced to her new role by Officer Wang, Officer Wang's water unexpectedly broke, leading to her immediate transfer to the hospital. With Officer Wang officially on leave, Xia Jie quickly took over the Household Registration Department.
In her new role, Xia Jie was faced with a resident who had bought a house last year and sought to register. Auxiliary Police Chen explained that while the resident met last year's criteria, the policy had changed this year, requiring a college degree or above. New to the role, Xia Jie discreetly called Officer Wang, who had just given birth, for advice.
Guided by Wang, Xia Jie instructed Auxiliary Police Chen to process the registration, applying the principle of "old problems, old solutions" to old issues. She took full responsibility for the decision, asserting it aligned with the city's goal of expanding its population and enhancing its competitiveness. The grateful resident's registration was quickly processed.
Episode 32 Recap
Zhao Jiwei and Zhang Zhijie worked overnight to review surveillance footage. Zhao Jiwei theorized that criminals often leave distinctive marks and may carry their own weapons, rather than using those found at the crime scene. Their investigation led them to identify the suspect's car, which they tracked as it drove onto the south highway and then into Liuhang Town. They immediately headed to Liuhang Town.
Once there, Zhao Jiwei claimed to have a stomachache and remained at the local police station's monitoring room to continue searching for clues. Meanwhile, Zhang Zhijie joined the local officers for an on-the-ground investigation. The chief of the Liuhang Police Station, Chief Zhang, engaged Zhang Zhijie in a friendly debate about which jurisdiction would get credit for the arrest, but they agreed to prioritize catching the suspect first.
In their own station, Xia Jie was informed about 76-year-old Mrs. Zhang, a childless woman who relies on a subsistence allowance and scavenging. Six years ago, Mrs. Zhang found an abandoned infant, Bao, by a garbage bin and has raised her since. With Bao now approaching school age in September, Mrs. Zhang desperately sought to register her household. However, Bao lacked a birth certificate, Mrs. Zhang had no formal adoption papers, and their 70-year age difference violated adoption policies.
Xia Jie showed her empathy by giving Bao a candy. Mrs. Zhang revealed they had even tried to get Bao to call her "Mom" to meet adoption criteria. Seeing Mrs. Zhang's struggles, Xia Jie promised to find a proper solution and urged her not to repeatedly visit the police station. As Mrs. Zhang left, she placed a bag of plastic bottles at the station, which an officer later brought inside, finding the act unusual.
Xia Jie reported Mrs. Zhang's case to Wang Shouyi and Ye Wei. Ye Wei confirmed their previous efforts to help, reiterating that household registration was impossible under current policies. Wang Shouyi emphasized the long-term concerns, particularly Mrs. Zhang's advanced age, and what would happen to Bao if Mrs. Zhang could no longer care for her. Both agreed that sending Bao to a social welfare center was the most beneficial option for the child's health and education in the long run.
They decided to visit a welfare center after an upcoming meeting. While Zhang Zhijie's ground investigation in Liuhang Town yielded no immediate results, Zhao Jiwei had a breakthrough back at the monitoring room. He realized the suspect wore a hoodie during the crime but not on the return journey, and a distinct crack on the car's windshield created a recognizable reflection under streetlights, allowing his face to be captured on camera.
Zhao Jiwei explained his reverse reasoning, concluding that the suspect had used Liuhang as a deceptive maneuver before changing license plates in a blind spot and heading north towards Qibei. Zhang Zhijie praised Zhao Jiwei, acknowledging his talent as a top detective from the police academy. Xia Jie later visited a local social welfare center and found its conditions to be excellent, with children appearing happy and even calling adult women "Mom" out of a longing for maternal love.
The director, President Xu, agreed to accept Bao and register her household at the center. However, when Xia Jie went to Mrs. Zhang's home with a schoolbag, fruits, and snacks, Mrs. Zhang eagerly anticipated news of Bao's household registration. Seeing the grandmother and child's deep bond and hopeful eyes, Xia Jie couldn't bring herself to deliver the news about the welfare center.
Instead, she vaguely reassured Mrs. Zhang that they were consulting with superiors and there would "definitely be a good result," urging them to wait. Later, Xia Jie returned to her station and sought help from Wang Shouyi regarding Mrs. Zhang and Bao. Wang Shouyi, finding no immediate solution, advised her to consult Ye Wei. Xia Jie then revisited the social welfare center, where she serendipitously learned about their "foster mother" policy.
With this new information, Xia Jie and the welfare center's director then went to Mrs. Zhang's home, where the director agreed to process the foster mother application for Bao. Back at the station, Zhang Zhijie and Zhao Jiwei reported their findings: the suspect, who had stolen over 80,000 yuan in goods, was likely a Qibei local and would stay there for the New Year. Wang Shouyi summoned Captain Luo of the criminal police team for a discussion.
Captain Luo, however, dismissed the case as not a "major" one for his unit and explained his team was overwhelmed with two unsolved robbery and murder cases, with officers having worked 48 hours straight. He suggested either coordinating with the Qibei police or postponing action until after the Spring Festival due to manpower shortages. Cheng Hao, however, argued passionately that they couldn't wait.
He insisted on catching the suspect before the New Year to provide a sense of security and a "good omen" for the coming year. Convinced, Wang Shouyi agreed to proceed with the arrest before the holiday. Meanwhile, Chen Xincheng approached Wang Shouyi to request leave to investigate Yue Wei's background in his hometown in Northeast China with Li Dawei.
Chen Xincheng explained that constant surveillance of Yue Wei had yielded no results, and he felt compelled to check Yue Wei's former workplace for new leads. Wang Shouyi approved, suggesting it be classified as a business trip, but Chen Xincheng insisted on it being personal leave. Later, Chen Xincheng expressed concern for his daughter Jia, who was packing his belongings. Li Dawei suggested Jia spend the New Year with Xia Jie and her mother, a proposal Jia happily accepted.
Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei journeyed to Yue Wei's snowy, cold hometown in the Northeast. At the local police station, Deputy Chief Niu greeted them. He explained the station's severe personnel turnover due to harsh winters and the region's transition from a bustling logging area to a quiet forest protection zone. Most current officers had no knowledge of Yue Wei, who had worked as an assistant policeman there fifteen or sixteen years prior.
Chief Niu, however, suggested they seek out the retired Chief Zhou, who might vaguely remember Yue Wei. Concurrently, Zhang Zhijie and Zhao Jiwei led their team to the Qibei Police Station. The local chief there was reluctant to cooperate, explaining that the suspect's residential area was a converted community of rural-to-urban migrants, prone to tensions, with two recent armed conflicts.
He feared a police presence during the sensitive New Year period would cause unnecessary misunderstandings and advised them to return after the holiday. Zhang Zhijie proposed they go in plain clothes, but the Qibei chief still deemed it too risky. Undeterred, Zhang Zhijie decided his team would stay and pursue the lead independently. That evening, Zhang Zhijie’s team ate a simple meal, expressing homesickness but resolved to catch the suspect so they could return home for the New Year.
Separately, Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei visited retired Chief Zhou at his home, bringing gifts. Li Dawei noted the early darkness and the warmth of the traditional heated "kang" bed. Chen Xincheng inquired why Yue Wei, with such a promising future, left the police force. Chief Zhou described Yue Wei as an enigmatic individual, speculating that exposure to the outside world during various cases might have made him restless, leading him to seek new ventures.
Chief Zhou also revealed he had retired early due to "something" that happened at the station, which Chen Xincheng pointed out was unusual given his age at the time. However, Chief Zhou did not elaborate further on the incident.
Episode 33 Recap
Li Dawei asked Chief Zhou about his early retirement 15 or 16 years ago, noting it was not typically retirement age. Chief Zhou vaguely stated that "there was an incident at the police station" which led him to retire early. He then mentioned that Yue Wei also quit shortly after his own retirement, having stopped by to say goodbye with some bacon, but they hadn't been in contact since.
Chen Xincheng inquired if Chief Zhou had noticed anything unusual about Yue Wei. Chief Zhou described Yue Wei as "very meticulous" and someone who "got along with everyone at the station" but kept a certain distance from everyone, including himself. When Li Dawei pressed about any "women-related" incidents, Chief Zhou initially hesitated.
He then revealed that Yue Wei had difficulty finding a partner; he was unwilling to marry a country woman, and city women looked down on him as an auxiliary policeman. Chief Zhou recalled an incident where he had dealt with some women selling sex in the forest area. A few days later, one of them accused Yue Wei of rape, claiming he threatened to expose her if she didn't comply.
Yue Wei, however, insisted it was a consensual encounter, and the woman had no evidence. The police station, not wanting to publicize the matter, still gave Yue Wei a serious warning for having an improper relationship with someone who was a target of their crackdown. After this, Chief Zhou retired, and Yue Wei quit shortly thereafter. Just then, Chen Xincheng received a phone call from Wang Shouyi.
Wang Shouyi reported that Captain Luo had informed him that Yue Wei was seen driving out of the city, heading northeast towards his hometown. Chen Xincheng told Wang Shouyi that he and Li Dawei were currently with Yue Wei's former police chief, and if Yue Wei was indeed home, they would likely need to extend their stay. Meanwhile, in Pingling, Wang Shouyi and Cheng Hao visited Zhou Hui and Yaya with New Year's gifts.
Zhou Hui initially refused to let them in, stating that since Cao Jianjun was no longer a police officer, there was no need for them to visit, and she certainly didn't need anyone's pity. Wang Shouyi earnestly argued that "Jianjun is not a police officer anymore, but in our hearts, he will always be one of us," and they had simply come to see her and Yaya for the new year.
After some convincing from both Wang Shouyi and Cheng Hao, Zhou Hui eventually let them inside. Wang Shouyi and Cheng Hao both gave lucky money to Yaya, expressing their hopes for her happiness and growth. Wang Shouyi also offered Zhou Hui some money from the station, which she reluctantly accepted. When asked about her New Year's Eve plans, Zhou Hui stated she and Yaya would spend it alone.
Wang Shouyi, aware of her strained relationship with her mother, encouraged her to spend it with her family, or at least come to the police station. He explained that families of officers on duty would be gathered there to make dumplings and celebrate together. He urged her to come for Yaya's sake, disregarding what others might think, and Zhou Hui finally agreed. In Qibei, Zhang Zhijie instructed Zhao Jiwei and their team to check various residential areas.
He specifically told them to note the suspect's license plate, but if that wasn't found, to look for a car with a cracked front windshield. He emphasized reporting back without alerting the suspect. Meanwhile, Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei rented an inexpensive car and drove to Yue Wei's hometown. Chen Xincheng was feeling unwell with a cold. Li Dawei, having anticipated Yue Wei might recognize them, had prepared disguises, including sunglasses.
Upon arriving in the village, they quickly spotted Yue Wei's car parked outside his house. They put on their disguises and sought a hidden spot to observe. Chen Xincheng found Yue Wei's return suspicious, wondering if he might have detected Captain Luo's surveillance. Li Dawei speculated that if the earlier rape accusation against Yue Wei was true, his "killing behavior" might not have been completed, suggesting a continued threat.
To confirm, Chen Xincheng called Captain Luo, inquiring about any major cases in the city, particularly disappearances or murders of sex workers. Captain Luo reported that two robbery and murder cases had recently occurred but were already solved, and the perpetrators arrested. Relieved but still puzzled about Yue Wei's presence, Chen Xincheng relayed the information to Li Dawei.
Sensing Chen Xincheng's cold, Li Dawei suggested they take turns watching, with one person warming up in their rented car, which Li Dawei had refueled earlier. Chen Xincheng went to warm up. Meanwhile, Zhao Jiwei and his team continued patrolling residential areas in Qibei. While helping a child who had fallen in the snow, Zhao Jiwei spotted a car with a distinct cracked front windshield and immediately recognized the driver as the suspect from their surveillance footage.
Keeping his composure, he allowed the car to pass and then reported the sighting to Zhang Zhijie. Zhang Zhijie, considering the local police's initial reluctance for an immediate arrest and the holiday, told Zhao Jiwei to gather the team, cautioning against rash action if the suspect was merely visiting relatives. He then called Wang Shouyi, informing him of the confirmed target but noting the Qibei comrades' disagreement with an immediate arrest, requesting Wang Shouyi's intervention.
Wang Shouyi promised to speak with them. Back at Yue Wei's hometown, Chen Xincheng, despite the cold, was heartened when Liu Xiaoli called to wish him a happy new year, excitedly sharing that her parents had invited her home for dinner. Chen Xincheng expressed his happiness for her, advising her to cherish her family and live well, reflecting on how her situation reminded him of his own daughter, Jiajia.
Suddenly, Yue Wei emerged from his house, got into his car, and drove off. Chen Xincheng quickly instructed Li Dawei to start their car, and they began discreetly tailing Yue Wei, with Chen Xincheng reminding Li Dawei not to follow too closely to avoid being noticed. On New Year's Eve, Balihe Police Station buzzed with activity. Wang Shouyi and Ye Wei stood at the entrance, warmly greeting arriving officers and their families.
Xia Jie's mother, Xu Cuiping, and Liang Wei arrived together, happily chatting. Ye Wei playfully hinted at a potential wedding between Xu Cuiping and Liang Wei. Li Dawei's mother also joined, jokingly remarking on Wang Shouyi's solitary New Year's Eve, to which Wang Shouyi replied that he would be spending it with his "sister" and Xia Jie.
Wang Shouyi took a call from Director Liu of the Qibei Public Security Bureau, thanking him for his strong support for Zhang Zhijie's arrest operation. He stressed the importance of solving the case on the final day of the "100-day operation" and extended an invitation for Director Liu to visit Pingling. Shortly after, Zhou Hui and Yaya arrived, and Wang Shouyi affectionately embraced Yaya, while Ye Wei welcomed Zhou Hui.
Meanwhile, Zhang Zhijie's team in Qibei had surveyed Zheng Youqian's house, confirming he was inside preparing for the New Year's Eve dinner. Two officers from Qibei arrived to assist, bringing walkie-talkies. They informed Zhang Zhijie that Director Liu had approved the arrest but with a strong caution not to "destroy the atmosphere of people's New Year." They confirmed the suspect's identity as Zheng Youqian, lamenting his criminal path given he had elderly parents and two young children.
Zhang Zhijie decided to postpone the arrest until after Zheng Youqian's family had their New Year's Eve dinner. With all local restaurants booked, the team played in the snow to pass the time. Back at the station, Wang Shouyi delivered a New Year's speech, expressing gratitude for everyone's support and soliciting continued dedication for the upcoming year. Everyone raised their glasses in a toast.
Far away, Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei continued their pursuit, following Yue Wei's car deep into a dense forest. They found his car parked by the roadside, but Yue Wei himself was nowhere to be seen. Chen Xincheng instructed Li Dawei to remain in their car with the lights off and phone unused while he ventured into the woods to search. Hesitantly, Li Dawei parked their vehicle discreetly and then also disembarked to join the search for Yue Wei.
Zhang Zhijie's team strategically surrounded Zheng Youqian's house. Just as they were about to move in, they saw Zheng Youqian setting off firecrackers with his elderly parents and young children. Zhang Zhijie immediately called off the operation, stating firmly, "Don't arrest him in front of the old people and children." He instructed his team to remain hidden and await his command, with Zhao Jiwei agreeing that they should wait until the firecrackers were done and the family settled.
After the New Year's Eve dinner, back at the Balihe Police Station, Wang Shouyi, Cheng Hao, and Gao Chao saw off the departing officers and their families. Wang Shouyi urged Ye Wei to go home and spend the holiday with her parents and children, assuring her that he, Cheng Hao, and Gao Chao would handle the duty at the station. Later that night, after the firecrackers had finished, Zheng Youqian's parents and children went back inside.
Zheng Youqian remained outside to sweep up the debris. Seizing this moment, Zhang Zhijie gave the order, and the officers swiftly moved in to apprehend Zheng Youqian, handcuffing him. They informed him they had waited for hours specifically to avoid disturbing his family, and he was being criminally detained on suspicion of burglary. Zheng Youqian, however, pleaded to be allowed to go inside and say goodbye to his family, expressing concern that they would be anxious if he simply disappeared. Understanding his sentiment, Zhang Zhijie granted his request, ordering the handcuffs to be removed and instructing Zheng Youqian to bring his car keys when he came back out.
Episode 34 Recap
Li Dawei searched for Yue Wei in the dense forest but found nothing. Chen Xincheng then returned, having followed Yue Wei's footprints for a long distance only to see them disappear. Deciding it was too dark to continue, Chen Xincheng told Li Dawei they would return in the morning. Concerned for his master, Li Dawei asked if Chen Xincheng was alright before they headed back.
Meanwhile, Zhang Zhijie's team was waiting to apprehend Zheng Youqian and bring him back to Balihe Police Station. However, officers from the Qibei sub-bureau arrived, stating that Zheng Youqian had also committed crimes in their jurisdiction and their bureau wanted to handle the case. Zhang Zhijie protested, pointing out that Zheng Youqian had committed a series of residential burglaries in their area. Unable to make a decision, he called Wang Shouyi for instructions.
Cheng Hao, overhearing the call, ingeniously suggested that if Qibei wanted to keep Zheng Youqian, Balihe Police Station should transfer all the related burglary case files to them, which would help Balihe achieve its "100 days of no residential burglary" goal. Wang Shouyi readily agreed, praising Cheng Hao's clever thinking, and instructed Zhang Zhijie to hand over Zheng Youqian and all relevant case documents, then return immediately. Zhang Zhijie's team handed Zheng Youqian to the Qibei officers.
On their way back, they realized it was past 11 p. m. , meaning they would be celebrating the New Year on the road. Li Dawei jokingly offered to charge Zhang Zhijie for the free highway travel. The officers sang songs to lift their spirits. They finally arrived back at Balihe Police Station around 3 a. m. on New Year's Day. Wang Shouyi, who had been waiting at the entrance, personally welcomed them, calling them heroes.
He had prepared a New Year's Eve dinner for everyone and even recorded the Spring Festival Gala's countdown, playing it for the team so they could experience the joy of the New Year together. The entire station shared a heartwarming meal, toasted to the new year, and sang, celebrating their camaraderie and hard work. The next morning, Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei drove back to the dense forest for further investigation.
They found no trace of Yue Wei but discovered a makeshift hut, likely used by illegal loggers or poachers. Chen Xincheng found Yue Wei's presence in such a remote area in the middle of the night, especially during the New Year, highly suspicious. Lacking immediate evidence, Chen Xincheng photographed the hut and its surroundings, intending to return later for a stakeout. Back at the station, Gao Chao convened a meeting to launch an anti-telecom fraud special campaign.
He selected Li Dawei and Zhao Jiwei for the special task force, subtly asking the "old but vigorous" officers for their advice. Wang Shouyi lamented the rapid evolution of fraud, noting how much harder it was now to find swindlers compared to when he first became a police officer. Chen Xincheng, taking Li Dawei with him, then visited Captain Luo at the Criminal Investigation team to inquire about Yue Wei.
Captain Luo informed them that Yue Wei had indeed returned from the Northeast on New Year's Day. While his regular activities—driving an unofficial car and occasional visits to entertainment venues—showed no abnormalities according to surveillance footage, Captain Luo admitted Yue Wei's timing was suspicious. He also confirmed no missing person reports had been filed in the jurisdiction, though he acknowledged the high turnover of women in such venues, especially during the festive season.
Despite the lack of concrete evidence, Chen Xincheng’s suspicions about Yue Wei intensified after their trip to the Northeast; he was convinced Yue Wei was hiding something. Captain Luo advised patience in handling such cases. Later, reflecting on Captain Luo's use of the word "operate" for cases, Chen Xincheng explained it as a methodical process of tracking clues, identifying suspects, and understanding relationships to solve a case.
However, he admitted his discomfort with the term, fearing it might cause them to forget that they are dealing with "living people," not just "cold, impersonal cases." Li Dawei agreed to adopt this perspective. During an anti-telecom fraud briefing, Zhao Jiwei reported on 32 unresolved telecom fraud cases, with most money unrecoverable and suspects often overseas. Li Dawei observed that many cases involved high-interest schemes, remarking on how easily people are swayed by greed.
Suddenly, the station received a transferred call from 110. An anonymous caller from the US reported seeing a girl, Wu Yu, live-streaming her suicide attempt on Weibo. The caller had chatted with Wu Yu and believed she was within Balihe's jurisdiction and was still trying to keep her talking. Gao Chao immediately sent Wu Yu's photo to all teams and asked the US caller to try and obtain her phone number, prioritizing the rescue.
He also instructed the command center to maintain close contact with the US caller to keep Wu Yu talking. Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei, being closest to the identified area, were dispatched. The news that Wu Yu was at Xinxing Garden deeply affected Chen Xincheng, as it was the same residential complex where he had been wrongly accused years ago for failing to save a suicide victim.
He immediately called the Xinxing Garden property manager, Mr. Yuan, instructing him to gather security and property staff at the west gate. Chen Xincheng stressed to Li Dawei that Xinxing Garden was an old, densely populated area, making it difficult for fire trucks to enter, and therefore, their direct intervention would be crucial. He contacted the command center to ensure close communication with the fire brigade.
Upon arrival at Xinxing Garden, Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei spotted Wu Yu perched precariously on a rooftop. Li Dawei quickly reported the situation to the command center and requested the fire department. Chen Xincheng directed the property management and security staff to clear the area, especially evacuating elderly residents and children, and to ensure smooth access for the incoming fire brigade.
As they ascended to the rooftop, Li Dawei noticed Wu Yu had posted three new farewell messages on Weibo: to her parents, her young nephew (warning him not to trust others), and her cat (claiming it was the only one who never lied to her). Li Dawei suspected she had been defrauded. On the rooftop, Wu Yu was highly agitated, warning them not to approach or she would jump.
Chen Xincheng tried to calm her, urging her to talk about what happened so they could help. Wu Yu declared she was saying goodbye to this "ugly world," hurt that even the US netizen she confided in had "betrayed" her by calling the police. Li Dawei explained the netizen's actions were out of a desire to save her, not to deceive her, but Wu Yu had lost all trust.
Chen Xincheng subtly instructed Li Dawei to re-confirm the fire brigade's location and ensure crowd evacuation. Observing Wu Yu's unsettling calm, Chen Xincheng realized she had likely made up her mind, understanding that her previous concerns about harming others below had been alleviated by the ongoing evacuation. Wu Yu then thanked them, stating she was no longer afraid. Suddenly, Wu Yu slammed her phone to the ground, signaling her decision to end her life.
Chen Xincheng swiftly intervened, attempting to distract her by suggesting she at least leave a message for her parents, explaining her reasons, so they wouldn't live in a lifetime of self-blame and unanswered questions. He shared his own experience as a father to his daughter, Jia. He then offered Li Dawei’s phone to Wu Yu so she could call her parents. As Wu Yu reached for the phone, she lost her balance and began to fall.
Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei immediately grabbed her arms. Wu Yu, being heavy, struggled against their grip, desperate to fall, shouting for them to let her go. Li Dawei, exerting all his strength, asked Chen Xincheng what would happen if she dragged them down, to which Chen Xincheng resolutely replied, "She won't!" Other police officers quickly arrived to provide much-needed assistance, and together, they managed to pull Wu Yu to safety.
Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei collapsed on the rooftop, exhausted but relieved. Back at the station, Gao Chao held a debriefing, revealing that Wu Yu had fallen victim to a "pig-butchering scam." He explained the scam's modus operandi: scammers identify targets ("pigs"), "fatten them up" over time, and then "slaughter them" by extracting all their money before disappearing. Wu Yu was described as an ordinary-looking, overweight woman with a self-deprecating personality, who had struggled to find a boyfriend.
Her deceased father had left her an inheritance of over a million yuan and two properties. After her father's passing, a man in his thirties entered her life, lavishing her with paternal-like care. After she had spent most of her inheritance on him, he cruelly humiliated her and vanished. Heartbroken, Wu Yu sought solace and a new relationship on a dating website called "Long Distance Romance."
There, she met Tian Gaoping, who claimed to be a mobile phone repair shop owner from Haiming County, from a military family. They never met in person, only communicating via QQ voice messages and videos of his surroundings (never of himself), which created a sense of mystery that, ironically, appealed to Wu Yu due to her insecurities about her appearance. Tian Gaoping was exceedingly caring and understanding, often telling her how much she had suffered and promising to protect her.
Wu Yu, deeply touched, confided in him about her money and properties. Tian Gaoping, feigning disinterest, "warned" her not to share her wealth with anyone, including him, which only made her trust him more. After four months, Wu Yu was deeply in love, and the "pig" was ready. Tian Gaoping then claimed his uncle worked for a gambling website and could provide insider information for winning the lottery, though he pretended it was illegal and something he accidentally revealed.
Wu Yu, moved by his apparent honesty, decided to try. She initially invested 100,000 yuan, quickly winning 20,000 yuan. Convinced this was more profitable than a bank, she asked him to continue. Tian Gaoping, pretending to be ethical, insisted she manage her own money, further solidifying her trust. He gave her a QR code to register on the website herself. She made several small profits, fueling her greed. Eventually, she invested all her money.
Knowing about her two properties, Tian Gaoping sweet-talked her into selling one. Wu Yu initially resisted, wanting to save it as their future wedding home, but Tian Gaoping promised to buy their wedding home himself and portrayed the investment opportunity as "rare" due to a supposed website maintenance requiring a large sum. He swore she would double her money if she invested the three million yuan from the house sale.
Wu Yu secretly sold her house and, along with her previous winnings of over a million yuan, invested all her funds. Tian Gaoping told her the "maintenance" would take two days. After two days, she couldn't reach him; he had blocked her on QQ, and the website was inaccessible. She realized she had been completely scammed.
Wu Yu then clarified that she did not borrow high-interest loans; Tian Gaoping had, claiming his company had cash-flow issues and needed her to be his guarantor, which she, as his girlfriend, agreed to do. Utterly despairing after losing everything, Wu Yu decided to end her life.
Episode 35 Recap
Police officers gathered to discuss the pig-butchering scam that had devastated Wu Yu, driving her to a suicide attempt. Gao Chao elaborated on the scammers' maliciousness, detailing how they not only stripped Wu Yu of her assets but also left her with crippling high-interest debt, devoid of any sympathy. He drew a parallel to historical atrocities, where perpetrators objectified victims to normalize their actions, turning murder into a "normal job" with no moral guilt.
The internet, he explained, further distanced scammers from their "objectified" victims, whom they labeled as "pigs," allowing them to feel no remorse. Wang Shouyi, incensed, declared that they must apprehend all these fraudsters and bring them before Wu Yu. He believed this confrontation would force the perpetrators to face their victim, and perhaps, allow Wu Yu to find the courage to "become human again."
He tasked Gao Chao and his team with ensuring all criminals were caught, regardless of how many cases were solved or how much money was recovered. Li Dawei and Zhao Jiwei began tracing Wu Yu’s money, only to discover it had been transferred to an overseas cash pool, making it virtually untraceable, much like a drop of water lost in the ocean. The money was quickly moved between multiple cash pools, disappearing without a trace.
This realization left Li Dawei deeply concerned about Wu Yu's well-being. Recognizing the dead end in financial tracking, Gao Chao instructed the team to pivot their focus to the information flow, starting with the online origins of the scam. Late that night, Li Dawei and Zhao Jiwei returned to their shared apartment, ravenous. They immediately began devouring Xia Jie's instant noodles. Xia Jie, though initially protesting, shared her meal.
Amidst their hunger, they discussed the frustrating case, acknowledging the inherent difficulty of solving telecommunications fraud. Xia Jie, who had transferred to the Household Registration Department, reflected on her work, finding it increasingly meaningful. She expressed that being a police officer held special significance, as they were the last resort for victims. The investigation into the information flow led them to Haiming County, strategically located on the border with Southeast Asia, offering an easy escape route for criminals.
However, the local Haiming police informed them they couldn't proceed without more precise information, as the identity used by the scammer, Tian Gaoping, belonged to a man who had died two years prior, and his QQ account had been stolen. With this new roadblock, Wang Shouyi reiterated his demand for the scammers' capture. Li Dawei then proposed a new strategy.
Since Wu Yu had met her scammer on the "Long Distance Romance" dating website, he and Zhao Jiwei searched the platform and found another victim, Fan Wenxiu, a 54-year-old widow. She had also been defrauded by a man named Tong Lei, who claimed to be a network maintenance engineer and used identical tactics and videos as Wu Yu's scammer, suggesting they were part of the same criminal group.
Tong Lei had already stolen over a million yuan from Mrs. Fan and was attempting to get her anticipated demolition compensation. However, due to urban planning changes, her house demolition was delayed. Tong Lei's "sister" then messaged Mrs. Fan on QQ, claiming Tong Lei had died from inhaling toxic gas while repairing a lottery website – a detail Li Dawei found absurd.
The team suspected Tong Lei faked his death to cut ties after getting a large sum but before the demolition money came through. Li Dawei suggested a bait operation: he would impersonate Mrs. Fan and message Tong Lei's "sister" about a sudden, lucrative demolition payout of six million yuan, hoping to lure Tong Lei out. Wang Shouyi approved the plan. Li Dawei, with Zhao Jiwei's help, sent the bait message.
The "sister" quickly replied, claiming Tong Lei had miraculously "come back to life" three days after his burial. She recounted a fantastical story of digging him out of his grave, where he immediately asked for porridge and then expressed remorse for Mrs. Fan's losses, promising to make them up, and even told her to guard her demolition money.
The entire team found the story ridiculous but was excited that Tong Lei had taken the bait, revealing his desperation for the substantial compensation. Li Dawei was eager to reply. Gao Chao, however, urged caution, warning against rushing and startling the scammer. Li Dawei then suggested they express skepticism about Tong Lei's resurrection, pushing him to prove he was alive. Wang Shouyi, though concerned about the risk of losing the lead, agreed it was worth a try.
Li Dawei messaged, "Are you really Tong Lei? Are you really alive? Where are you? How's everything? I want to see you, okay?" Tong Lei replied with an overly sentimental message, refusing a meeting and claiming he looked "like a living dead." He promised to recover, visit his uncle in Macau to win back her money, and sent a video taken from his hospital room window as proof.
Wang Shouyi immediately forwarded the video to the Haiming police, who used it to precisely locate the suspect in room 602 of the Old Pier Hotel. Undercover investigation revealed that rooms 601 and 602 housed a dozen individuals, and the entire fifth floor, with over forty people, appeared to be a fraud training center, evidenced by "slogans and lessons" heard.
Officer Zhao of the Haiming Criminal Police Department explained that many local scammers had been trained in Southeast Asia, where fraudulent organizations controlled their recruits and took high commissions. He described telecoms fraud as a sprawling "centipede" industry, noting that hitting one part would not hurt its core, necessitating international cooperation. Gao Chao, Li Dawei, and Zhao Jiwei arrived in Haiming. Officer Zhao outlined a meticulous deployment plan, instructing Gao Chao's team to cooperate without acting rashly.
Inside the hotel, Li Dawei continued to chat with Tong Lei, who was being coached by Ms. Bao in a training session on "client psychology"—how to use "pressure, cherish, progress, motivation, and enjoyment" to manipulate victims into "voluntarily" handing over money. At the pre-determined moment, the police stormed the hotel, overwhelming the lookouts and raiding the training center, arresting everyone involved in chatting, money transfers, and training. Li Dawei called Wang Shouyi and Chen Xincheng, excitedly reporting the successful raid.
He expressed his desire to bring the scammers back to apologize to Wu Yu. Haiming police managed to freeze over a million yuan that the fraudsters hadn't yet transferred. However, Officer Zhao was initially reluctant to release the two specific suspects responsible for defrauding Wu Yu and Fan Wenxiu, citing ongoing investigations and similar local victim situations. Gao Chao received an urgent call, informing him that Wu Yu had attempted suicide again.
He pleaded with Officer Zhao, emphasizing that while full recovery of funds was impossible, bringing the perpetrators to face their victim might save a life. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Officer Zhao reluctantly agreed to seek permission for the transfer.
Back at the station, a jubilant Wang Shouyi instructed Ye Wei, the instructor, to immediately go to the hospital and share the good news with Wu Yu: the fraudulent group had been apprehended, and the perpetrators would be brought before her to apologize. Ye Wei, however, demurred, admitting she felt helpless in counseling Wu Yu, who had lost all faith.
Wang Shouyi then asked Xia Jie to accompany Ye Wei, believing Xia Jie could recount the dramatic details of the arrest, inspiring Wu Yu with a renewed sense of hope. Xia Jie agreed, with Ye Wei noting her positive transformation since joining the Household Registration Department. As they rushed to the hospital, they saw Wu Yu standing on the rooftop, preparing to jump. They desperately shouted, urging her not to, informing her that the scammers were caught.
But it was too late. Wu Yu leaped from the building, ending her life. Li Dawei and Zhao Jiwei, returning with the arrested criminals, were devastated upon hearing the news of Wu Yu's death. Xia Jie sat in the cold courtyard, visibly distraught, the image of Wu Yu's jump seared into her memory. Li Dawei and Zhao Jiwei quietly sat beside her. Li Dawei reflected on their efforts, acknowledging that despite their best, some things remained beyond their control.
This tragedy profoundly affected everyone. Wang Shouyi, while sharing his own feelings of helplessness after the death of Dr. Zhuo, reminded his officers that while they might not eradicate all crime or protect every individual, the police served as society's vital defense line, embodying kindness and justice. He revealed that Mrs. Fan, upon learning of the arrests, had called him, expressing newfound hope and reconciliation with her daughter and son-in-law, a testament to the profound meaning of their work.
Gao Chao then announced an anti-fraud initiative, including the distribution of anti-telecoms fraud manuals and community lectures by experts, emphasizing the importance of proactive prevention over reactive enforcement. This anti-fraud effort would become a continuous, routine task for the precinct. Six months later, Cao Jianjun was released from prison. Due to other commitments, Wang Shouyi called Yang Shu and asked him to pick up Cao Jianjun. Yang Shu arrived at the prison gates to find Zhou Hui already waiting there.
Episode 36 Recap
Cao Jianjun was released from prison, and Zhou Hui was there to embrace him tightly. Yang Shu, who had come to welcome him, explained that he was there at Chief Wang Shouyi's special request, as the Chief was too busy at the station to come himself. Zhou Hui had opted not to bring their daughter, Yaya, as she believed Jianjun wouldn't want their daughter to see him emerge from such a place.
Yang Shu reassured Zhou Hui that society was more inclusive now, and Jianjun's past mistake of drunk driving wouldn't significantly impact the rest of his life, advising her not to dwell on it in front of Jianjun or Yaya. After his reunion with Zhou Hui, Cao Jianjun spotted Yang Shu.
Yang Shu addressed him as "Master" and conveyed Chief Wang's greetings, adding that the Chief and other comrades at the station would help him if he faced any difficulties in work or life. Zhou Hui then invited Yang Shu to join them for a celebratory meal, but Yang Shu politely declined, stating that it was a time for their family reunion.
Cao Jianjun then asked Zhou Hui to wait in the car, as he wished to speak with Yang Shu alone. He thanked Yang Shu and the Chief. Cao Jianjun then asked Yang Shu about everyone at the station. Yang Shu hesitantly revealed that he had been seconded to the Municipal Bureau for research, a transfer that Cao Jianjun suspected was a consequence of his own actions.
Cao Jianjun told Yang Shu not to call him "Master" anymore, feeling he was unworthy, perhaps serving as a "negative example." Yang Shu, however, insisted that Cao Jianjun would always be his master. Cao Jianjun then asked what the station had been busy with. Yang Shu reluctantly relayed Chief Wang Shouyi's message: since Cao Jianjun was no longer a police officer, he should no longer concern himself with the station's affairs and instead focus on living his own life.
With tears in his eyes, Cao Jianjun received the message, then expressed how much he missed the station and its collective, and reminded Yang Shu, who was seconded to the Municipal Bureau, to visit the station often himself. He then left with Zhou Hui. Chief Cheng Hao noticed Cao Jianjun lingering outside the police station and reported it to Wang Shouyi. Wang Shouyi went out to meet Cao Jianjun. Cao Jianjun expressed his gratitude to the station.
Wang Shouyi remarked on Zhou Hui's resilience during the past six months and urged Cao Jianjun to cherish Zhou Hui, their child, and his family, to live well, and to help more with housework. However, due to his status, Wang Shouyi could not bring Cao Jianjun inside the station. With a heavy heart, Wang Shouyi watched Cao Jianjun's disappointed figure walk away.
Cheng Hao later approached Wang Shouyi about helping Cao Jianjun find a job, noting his age and recent criminal punishment. Wang Shouyi suggested Cheng Hao inquire in other precincts for a security captain position. Gao Chao proposed placing Cao Jianjun in their own precinct, arguing it would be easier to look after him, as they all knew Jianjun well. However, Wang Shouyi disagreed, believing it was important to sever Cao Jianjun's lingering hopes of returning to the police force.
He specifically instructed Cheng Hao to contact Chief Qi at the Miaoqian Street police station, as new malls there might need an experienced security captain. He stressed finding a captain position so Cao Jianjun could earn a decent living. Meanwhile, Li Dawei and Chen Xincheng continued to monitor Yue Wei, finding nothing unusual in his daily activities. Chen Xincheng then noticed Cao Jianjun outside the station and invited him in. Cao Jianjun expressed a desire to see the office.
Li Dawei led him inside. As Cao Jianjun looked at his old office, seeing his award photo still hanging and the familiar setup, he was overcome with sadness, realizing he was now an outsider. Chen Xincheng gently advised him to live well for his wife and daughter. After working through the night, Li Dawei took a taxi home. To his surprise, the driver was Wang Gang.
Wang Gang revealed that his father, Wang Jianguo, had passed away due to organ rejection after receiving a liver transplant. The transplant only happened because a donor became available after another patient's condition worsened, and despite the successful surgery, rejection ultimately claimed his life. Wang Gang, now driving for an online car-hailing service in addition to his bus driver job, mentioned he was working hard to pay off the medical debts.
Cheng Hao successfully found Cao Jianjun a position as a deputy security captain at Lanming Building on Liyuan Street, offering a monthly salary of just over 5,000 yuan. Although it was a newly created "deputy" position due to the rarity of such roles in small security teams, Zhou Hui was reportedly pleased, just happy that Cao Jianjun would be out working instead of staying home. Wang Shouyi noted how fortunate Cao Jianjun was to have such a loyal wife.
In positive news for the Balihe Police Station, Wang Shouyi announced that Interpol had successfully arrested the head of the major fraud syndicate they had been pursuing, recovering most of the stolen funds. The Municipal Bureau highly praised the Balihe Police Station for their significant contribution.
However, a new issue arose at the household registration center when an old man caused a commotion, crying that his daughter had died mysteriously and that her son-in-law, Xu Jianshi, had hastily cremated her and canceled her household registration without the physical household register. The old man, who still possessed the register, accused Xu Jianshi of destroying evidence and implicated the police in a collusion to assist him.
Xia Jie investigated and learned that Xiao Wang had processed the cancellation prior to her vacation, despite the lack of a physical household register. Xu Jianshi had presented a marriage certificate, property certificate, and a hospital death certificate, tearfully claiming his father-in-law was away and he wished for his wife to rest in peace promptly. Xiao Wang, moved by sympathy, had made an exception, believing the household register would be provided later.
The old man abruptly left, but his complaint reached the 12345 hotline. Ye Wei informed Xia Jie of the serious complaint from higher-ups, who demanded an investigation into the officer responsible. Xia Jie immediately took full responsibility, promising to uncover the truth swiftly, and asked Li Dawei to go to the hospital to verify the death certificate. Later, Gao Chao responded to a report of a fight at a mall in their precinct.
To his surprise, he found Cao Jianjun, now working as an ordinary security guard at that mall for a monthly salary of less than 4,000 yuan, had already expertly de-escalated the situation. Seeing everything handled, Gao Chao and his team quietly left. Wang Shouyi learned from Cheng Hao that Cao Jianjun had resigned from the higher-paying security captain position after only a few days and had chosen to work as a regular security guard in their precinct.
Wang Shouyi went to the mall to speak with Cao Jianjun. Cao Jianjun assured him he wouldn't cause trouble for the station and simply wanted to work closer to home. Wang Shouyi spoke candidly about his own impending retirement at the end of the year to an investigator role at the bureau, expressing how much he now cherished simple family life.
He advised Cao Jianjun to forget about being a police officer, as it was no longer possible, and to focus on supporting his family. However, Cao Jianjun, deeply saddened, broke down in tears, insisting that he could not forget his past identity. Wang Shouyi, with a firm yet empathetic tone, told him he must. Xia Jie, Zhao Jiwei, and Li Dawei gathered for hot pot to discuss the household registration case.
Through their combined efforts, they uncovered the truth: the old man's accusations of foul play were malicious, instigated by his second wife, who coveted the deceased daughter's property. The daughter had indeed died of an illness, and shockingly, her father had never visited her in the hospital. Conversely, Xu Jianshi was found to be a truly loyal husband to his late wife.
While the accusation of collusion was unfounded, Xia Jie admitted there were shortcomings in the police's household cancellation procedures. Xia Jie and Li Dawei exchanged compliments on their investigative work, much to Zhao Jiwei's playful annoyance.
Episode 37 Recap
Wang Shouyi's old waist injury had flared up again, but he insisted on coming to work. Fellow officers carefully carried him into the station on a stretcher. Wang Shouyi noted that his time at the Balihe station was nearing its end, as he was moving to a second-line role as a researcher at the bureau, and every day was precious.
Gao Chao, however, declared that the station must achieve first place in the rankings before Wang Shouyi's transfer, ensuring he departed with honor. Wang Shouyi, tempering expectations, simply wished for the station to achieve a new historical high, finding that sufficient. Next, Wang Shouyi announced that Zhang Zhijie would be attending Party School for six months, a decision met with applause. With Zhang Zhijie away, the question arose of who would mentor Zhao Jiwei.
Wang Shouyi tasked Gao Chao with looking after Zhao Jiwei, especially concerning community affairs, and encouraged Zhao Jiwei to work diligently for his upcoming transition to a full-time police officer. Soon after, Zhao Jiwei was dispatched to an old neighborhood to investigate a series of car trunk thefts, with three similar incidents having occurred recently. The area lacked underground parking, forcing residents to park along the street, and surveillance cameras were scarce.
Zhao Jiwei explained the inherent difficulties in solving such cases, but the exasperated car owner retorted that if Officer Zhang Zhijie were still around, he wouldn't shirk responsibility. Zhao Jiwei walked around the neighborhood, observing the cars parked on the roadside. He had already contacted the municipality to request more surveillance cameras, but was told to wait until a new highway was completed, which left him in a bind. Later, Cao Jianjun passed by, noticing Zhao Jiwei looking despondent.
Upon learning about the theft cases and the lack of surveillance, Cao Jianjun suggested using the old police method of "keeping watch" to catch the culprit red-handed and offered to help. Zhao Jiwei politely declined, citing instructions from Wang Shouyi not to involve him, and urged Cao Jianjun to return home to his wife. That night, Zhao Jiwei, along with Li Dawei, Xia Jie, and other officers, returned to the neighborhood for a stakeout.
Zhao Jiwei outlined a plan to cover two streets with two officers on each side, predicting the thief would strike again within a day or two based on previous patterns. Some officers expressed skepticism about their ability to block the thief in the dark, but Gao Chao reiterated Zhao Jiwei's instructions. As the teams deployed, Cao Jianjun again appeared, telling Zhao Jiwei he couldn't stay indoors due to the heat and offering to help analyze the thief's probability of appearance.
The officers endured the night, battling swarms of mosquitoes, but remained silent to avoid alerting the potential thief. The stakeout, however, yielded no results. The following day, Zhao Jiwei reported Cao Jianjun’s assistance to Wang Shouyi and requested a reward for him. Wang Shouyi flatly refused, stating that Cao Jianjun was not police personnel, and no one had officially requested his help, then dismissed Zhao Jiwei.
Word spread among the officers, who grumbled about Wang Shouyi's cold treatment of Cao Jianjun. Gao Chao quickly intervened, dispatching them to various community safety inspections. Later, Wang Shouyi found Cao Jianjun working at a mall. Cao Jianjun tried to avoid him, but Wang Shouyi blocked his path. Wang Shouyi asked about his family, Zhou Hui and Yaya, then inquired about his salary, which Cao Jianjun admitted was 3,500 yuan, less than half of Zhou Hui's earnings.
Wang Shouyi gave a heartfelt speech about Zhou Hui being a good woman who had suffered for him, emphasizing that she deserved a better life, and Cao Jianjun needed to work hard to support his family. He then sternly reiterated that Cao Jianjun was no longer part of the station and should not get involved in their work, adding that he did not wish to see him again. Cao Jianjun was deeply saddened, feeling utterly cast aside by the station.
Despite Wang Shouyi's warnings, Cao Jianjun continued to assist Zhao Jiwei and the team during their nightly stakeouts. Zhao Jiwei, feeling bad, again offered to seek a reward for Cao Jianjun, but he declined, telling Zhao Jiwei he was a good person and should cherish his position as a police officer. Zhao Jiwei grew increasingly anxious as days passed without the thief appearing. Cao Jianjun advised him to be patient, explaining that impatience often deterred the target.
After four consecutive nights of unsuccessful stakeouts, the officers began to complain bitterly about the lack of progress and the relentless mosquito bites. Gao Chao supplied essential balm for Zhao Jiwei to distribute to ease their discomfort. Zhao Jiwei took further initiative, purchasing eight boxes of expensive mosquito repellent cream, bottled water, and prepared food like chicken drumsticks and pork for everyone, distributing them as a midnight snack to boost morale.
Many officers appreciated his efforts but expressed that they would only help for one more night. Zhao Jiwei also offered his own mosquito repellent cream to Cao Jianjun. The next morning, a resident reported a new trunk theft in an area that was not under surveillance that night. The officers were frustrated, questioning Zhao Jiwei's analytical accuracy and suggesting the thief might have either noticed their stakeout or expanded his range of operations.
Zhao Jiwei defended his analysis, pointing out that the thief did strike within his predicted 3-5 day window, but admitted that the thief might now be committing crimes at separate locations, making a stationary stakeout ineffective. He profusely apologized to his team for their suffering. The officers, exhausted, gritted their teeth and persevered. However, three more days passed without any sign of the thief.
The officers' patience wore thin, and they expressed their unwillingness to continue what seemed like a futile effort, with some criticizing Zhao Jiwei for his self-centered talk. Zhao Jiwei, again apologizing for their hardships, declared his resolve to continue the stakeout alone if necessary. In the middle of the night, Li Dawei woke up to find Zhao Jiwei gone. He quickly roused Xia Jie, telling her that Zhao Jiwei had left for the stakeout by himself at 1 AM.
They rushed to find him. Meanwhile, Wang Shouyi arrived at the station, where officers were still debating the futility of the stakeout. He questioned why they hadn't accompanied Zhao Jiwei. After hearing their complaints about Zhao Jiwei's communication style, Wang Shouyi firmly instructed everyone to apply mosquito repellent cream and join the stakeout. Simultaneously, Zhao Jiwei was already at the designated spot when Cao Jianjun arrived, expressing concern that Zhao Jiwei was alone.
Cao Jianjun reassured him that even the two of them could manage and proposed a two-person strategy. Zhao Jiwei, touched, thanked Cao Jianjun. Shortly after, Wang Shouyi arrived at the stakeout location. Then, Cheng Hao arrived with the rest of the police force as reinforcements. Seeing his entire team, Zhao Jiwei was deeply moved, tears streaming down his face.
Wang Shouyi, initially teasing him, quickly offered comfort, assuring him that the entire station was united in this effort and would not retreat until the thief was apprehended. Despite his waist injury, Wang Shouyi sat down beside Zhao Jiwei. Zhao Jiwei confessed his feelings of inadequacy, admitting he felt clumsy with words and actions, often making mistakes, and missing his master's guidance. Wang Shouyi, a rural native himself, understood Zhao Jiwei's struggles.
He shared his own story of joining the police force after serving in the army, emphasizing that rural children like them had to work harder, run faster, and endure more to establish themselves. He asserted that Zhao Jiwei's hardworking spirit would undoubtedly make him an excellent police officer. However, Wang Shouyi also reminded Zhao Jiwei of Cao Jianjun's past mistakes, warning him to learn from them and prevent Cao Jianjun from harboring any false hopes of rejoining the force.
As they spoke, the suspect suddenly appeared, riding a tricycle and searching for a target. He then began to pry open the trunk of a Mercedes. Wang Shouyi immediately ordered Zhao Jiwei to move in. The officers rushed forward and quickly subdued the thief. Cao Jianjun, watching the scene unfold from a distance, quietly turned and left. Wang Shouyi noticed Cao Jianjun's retreating figure and instructed Cheng Hao not to provoke him.
Back at the station, Wang Shouyi commended Zhao Jiwei to the entire force. He announced that the suspect was caught red-handed, with over 50,000 yuan worth of stolen goods recovered from his home, marking a significant case solved, and proposed a commendation for Zhao Jiwei. A visibly emotional Zhao Jiwei humbly credited the success to everyone's collective effort. Wang Shouyi playfully praised his newfound humility, prompting Zhao Jiwei to deliver a heartfelt speech.
He acknowledged his year-long confusion about whether he could be a good police officer but stated he now understood his master's words: with hard work and dedication, his efforts would eventually be recognized. Just then, Captain Luo called, bringing news about another case, and Zhao Jiwei, along with his team, promptly prepared to respond.
Episode 38 (Ending) Recap
Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei arrived at the criminal police team, where Captain Luo informed them about two new cases, including a murder. Captain Luo stated that another prostitute had gone missing, and this time, he was sure it was directly related to Yue Wei. He showed them surveillance footage from outside the nightclub where the woman worked, which captured Yue Wei's car following her.
They confirmed that the woman got into Yue Wei's car, as she was not seen in subsequent surveillance. Li Dawei questioned if there were previous cases, prompting Captain Luo to reveal a report from May about a missing female attendant from a bath center. Her family and workplace had mistakenly assumed she was elsewhere for the Spring Festival, only confirming her disappearance three months later.
Captain Luo explained they lacked evidence to link it to Yue Wei at the time, but Li Dawei immediately recalled their past tailing of Yue Wei near the Spring Festival and suggested the missing woman could have been in his car then, and that Yue Wei might have gone to the mountains to dispose of her body.
Chen Xincheng agreed that they might have missed something, emphasizing that Yue Wei, having worked in public security, was a highly cunning criminal with strong anti-investigation abilities, which explained his years of undetected crimes. Captain Luo then asked Li Dawei and Chen Xincheng if they were still monitoring Yue Wei's home. Li Dawei confirmed that Yue Wei's daily routine was unchanged, driving his unlicensed taxi in the morning and returning at night, with no one else observed in his car.
Chen Xincheng pointed out that given Yue Wei's anti-investigation skills, he wouldn't risk committing crimes near his home's monitor. Both Li Dawei and Chen Xincheng then suggested that Yue Wei likely committed crimes in his car, as he spent most of his time there, viewing it as his safest and most familiar space.
Captain Luo proposed applying for a search warrant for the car, but Chen Xincheng hesitated, fearing it would alert Yue Wei due to the lack of concrete evidence beyond the surveillance footage. Instead, Chen Xincheng suggested focusing on entertainment venues Yue Wei frequented, and Li Dawei mentioned the Sleepless Bar. After work, Yue Wei drove to the Sleepless Bar for a drink. He found the road outside under construction, making parking impossible.
Cao Jianjun, disguised as a bar security guard, offered to park Yue Wei's car for him in the Green Island Building's underground parking garage. A fellow bar employee expressed concern about Cao Jianjun's driving skills, but Yue Wei, after Cao Jianjun's assurance, handed over his keys. This was part of a planned operation. Cao Jianjun drove the car to the garage, where Chen Xincheng and Captain Luo, along with forensic technicians, were waiting.
They quickly searched the car and collected bloodstain samples. Fearing Yue Wei would become suspicious, Captain Luo instructed Cao Jianjun to return to the bar promptly. Inside the bar, Yue Wei became suspicious after a server told him that the road construction had only just begun. When Cao Jianjun returned with his car keys, Yue Wei, now wary, demanded to be taken to his car.
Cao Jianjun led him to the Green Island Building's underground garage, intentionally stating the car was on the third sub-level and that the elevator was "under repair," forcing them to take the stairs. This clever tactic bought critical time for Chen Xincheng, Captain Luo, and the forensic team to finish their work and withdraw from the car. After Yue Wei drove off, Cao Jianjun returned to the others, informing them of Yue Wei's vigilance and urging them to act quickly.
As Chen Xincheng and Captain Luo prepared to leave to process the evidence, Cao Jianjun expressed his desire to participate in the upcoming arrest operation, highlighting his experience with such criminals. Chen Xincheng then spoke with Wang Shouyi, appealing to let Cao Jianjun join. However, Wang Shouyi firmly rejected the request, reminding Chen Xincheng of the danger and threatening to remove both Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei from the operation if he continued to press the issue.
Captain Luo later informed Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei that the forensic analysis of blood samples from Yue Wei's car had identified DNA from three individuals. One sample conclusively matched the missing female attendant from the bath center, proving she had been in Yue Wei's car and bled there. With this breakthrough, Captain Luo gave special permission for Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei to join the arrest operation.
Wang Shouyi personally saw them off, providing them with protective vests and reminding them of the serious nature of the mission. While preparing, Chen Xincheng received a phone call from Cao Jianjun, who was inquiring about the DNA results. To maintain secrecy, Chen Xincheng lied, stating the results were still pending and urged Cao Jianjun to go home to his family. Wang Shouyi then reminded Chen Xincheng to be careful.
Chen Xincheng also tried to get more officers to join, but was informed by Gao Chao that Captain Luo had only allowed Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei to participate as a special recognition for their dedication to the case. Under a pouring rain, Captain Luo led the team, including Chen Xincheng and Li Dawei, to stake out Yue Wei's residence.
As Yue Wei arrived home, just as Captain Luo was about to initiate the arrest, Cao Jianjun suddenly appeared, having been waiting there every day since the initial car search. He pleaded with Chen Xincheng and Captain Luo to let him participate, even offering to act as a member from the joint defense.
Captain Luo, seeing the urgency of the situation and unable to send him away, reluctantly agreed but strictly warned Cao Jianjun, who was unarmed, to stay back from the dangerous fugitive. Meanwhile, Chen Xincheng received an urgent call from Chief Zhou. Chief Zhou, explaining his early retirement due to punishment, revealed a critical piece of information: a Type 54 pistol had gone missing from his station years ago.
Chen Xincheng immediately realized that Yue Wei was likely armed with this stolen police weapon. Inside his house, Yue Wei was browsing photos on his phone when he suddenly recalled that his car door was unlocked when he retrieved it from the garage. This detail made him realize that the "security guard" was a police officer. Hearing movement outside, he quickly hid, bracing for confrontation. Captain Luo led his team into Yue Wei's house, finding the rooms seemingly empty.
Li Dawei, searching diligently, discovered Yue Wei hiding beneath a bed. As Yue Wei emerged, he opened fire, aiming directly at Li Dawei. In a heroic act, Cao Jianjun lunged forward, pushing Li Dawei out of harm's way, and was struck by multiple bullets. He collapsed, fatally wounded. The officers swiftly moved in and apprehended Yue Wei. The tragedy left everyone devastated. Wang Shouyi arrived at the scene, overcome with grief and anger upon seeing Cao Jianjun's lifeless body.
A distraught Li Dawei clung to Wang Shouyi, sobbing and blaming himself for Cao Jianjun's sacrifice, and begged Wang Shouyi to punish him. Wang Shouyi, in his sorrow, instructed an officer to inform Zhou Hui, Cao Jianjun's wife, that Jianjun was a hero. Concurrently, in Yue Wei's hometown, local police discovered three female bodies buried deep within a forest. Chief Zhou arrived, heartbroken by the grim confirmation of Yue Wei's horrific crimes.
Back at the station, Li Dawei locked himself in his room, weeping inconsolably, haunted by guilt. Zhao Jiwei and Xia Jie stood silently outside his door, at a loss for how to comfort him. Yang Shu unexpectedly returned to the shared apartment. Zhao Jiwei immediately called Li Dawei out, who, upon seeing Yang Shu, rushed to embrace him, both shedding tears over Cao Jianjun's death. Zhao Jiwei and Xia Jie watched, deeply moved.
Later, Wang Shouyi informed Cheng Hao that Cao Jianjun's funeral was scheduled for the next day, with bureau leaders in attendance. Wang Shouyi insisted that Cao Jianjun's body be brought to Balihe Police Station for his final journey, declaring, "He is our man. This is his home. Let him leave from here." The following morning, a banner proclaiming "Welcome home, Jianjun" adorned the entrance of Balihe Police Station.
Wang Shouyi and all the officers stood in solemn salute as Cao Jianjun's casket was carried away, honoring his sacrifice. After the ceremony, Yang Shu formally returned to Balihe Police Station. Wang Shouyi welcomed him back, then personally conducted the commissioning ceremony for Li Dawei, Xia Jie, Zhao Jiwei, and Yang Shu, officially elevating them to People's Police officers.
He delivered an impassioned speech, reminding them of the inherent honor of the police profession, especially in peacetime, and urged them to uphold its solemn duty and mission throughout their lives, even into retirement. The four officers, now formally sworn in, reaffirmed their commitment. Immediately afterward, an emergency call came in: in Daxing Village, Mr. Liu's chicken had allegedly flown onto Mr. Fu's roof, causing damage and sparking a fight between the neighbors.
Li Dawei, Xia Jie, Zhao Jiwei, and Yang Shu eagerly volunteered to respond, and Wang Shouyi sent them all together. They set off in high spirits to resolve the seemingly trivial but important community dispute.
