Rose and Gun Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Rose and Gun Synopsis
Tang Xin, a self-proclaimed tough and independent career woman, has always been a workaholic and never considered marriage a necessity—though deep down, she yearns for a true hero. Her blind date, Wu Si, is an outstanding naval officer whose life has followed a rigid path: excelling in academics, enlisting in the military, and meticulously planning every step, including marriage. Though seemingly perfect for each other, the two initially clash, only to gradually fall in love after a series of comical and heartwarming misadventures.
In contrast to the work-obsessed Tang Xin is Lan Yangyang, a fresh medical school graduate who falls head over heels for the handsome officer Zong Qing and impulsively marries him. As both couples navigate career differences, clashing values, the challenges of daily life, and the unique sacrifices demanded by a military spouse’s role, they begin to question their choices. However, after witnessing the resilience and quiet strength of military wives, they come to deeply respect this noble, enduring love.
Through youthful joys and sorrows, the two couples ultimately choose to walk life’s path together, hand in hand. Love in military blue continues to flourish.
Rose and Gun Recap
Episode 1 Recap
A joint sea-land military exercise is underway in a southern maritime area. Advanced warships are cutting through the waves, and the navy has dispatched a vanguard unit to the island to clear obstacles for the main force’s landing. Every member of the vanguard unit is elite among elites, and the chief of staff, who is serving as the overall commander, has been closely monitoring their movements.
While dealing with enemy sentries, the vanguard unit was forced to open fire, which exposed their position. Realizing the situation had changed, the team leader quickly adapted and redirected the assault team. The assault team provided precise coordinates for missile strikes. After destroying the defense targets, the main force began landing operations swiftly. During the exercise, the unit received a distress signal. However, there were no coast guard units in the vicinity.
The chief of staff immediately dispatched a special operations brigade landing craft that was closest to the signal to carry out the rescue. At that time, the fishing boat that had sent the distress signal was in a dire situation, with some people even trapped in flames and unable to escape. Upon receiving the order, the special operations unit rushed to the scene.
When someone fell into the sea, the special operations captain put on an oxygen mask and immediately jumped into the water for the rescue. Other team members worked to save the crew members stranded on the surface. The special operations captain eventually found the most seriously injured girl and gave her his own oxygen. After surfacing, he used a signal flare to alert nearby rescuers, and a helicopter spotted the signal from the air. The rescue mission was a success.
Just as the brigade commander was about to dismiss the special ops team for rest, Captain Wu Si stepped forward and voluntarily requested disciplinary action. Everyone knew that during the day’s operation, Yi Nanwang had made a mistake by opening fire and revealing their position before reaching the designated attack zone. Although Wu Si tried to take full responsibility, Yi Nanwang’s actions were still problematic.
The brigade commander had to seriously consider whether he was fit to remain in the special ops unit, given the high-risk nature of their missions where no errors can be tolerated. Although Tang Xin was rescued by Wu Si, she was injured and taken to the hospital. When she woke up, she was still disoriented by her surroundings. Her mother told her that it was the navy who had saved her.
At that moment, Tang Xin recalled seeing a navy serviceman just before she lost consciousness and felt an urgent need to find him. Tang Xin’s boss, who worked at a newspaper and happened to witness her rescue, wanted to turn it into a compelling story. At the debriefing meeting, Wu Si took full responsibility, but Yi Nanwang admitted fault and believed he no longer had a chance to join the special ops team.
The brigade commander visited the hospital to meet the rescued female journalist and happened to run into his old ship captain — who turned out to be the journalist’s father. The old captain asked the brigade commander to find a suitable partner for his daughter. Initially, the commander was a bit hesitant, but suddenly thought of Wu Si. That evening, the brigade commander approached Wu Si, claiming he needed him for a mission.
Meanwhile, Tang Xin’s parents told her they were taking her on a blind date, but she was unwilling to go. Tang Xin approached the director, asking for the rescue footage to be deleted. She felt she hadn’t actually saved anyone and had even risked her own life. But the director believed it would make for a sensational story.
Moreover, since the footage involved the military, it was a very sensitive matter, and they couldn’t guarantee how timely the news would be. Tang Xin took full responsibility herself. Wu Si and Tang Xin were brought together for the blind date. When Wu Si realized it was a matchmaking setup, he became very nervous. Coincidentally, Commander Wang received an emergency call and had to leave. Tang Xin deliberately messed up the date and didn’t end up meeting Wu Si.
Episode 2 Recap
It turned out that Tang Xin had arranged to meet with her friend, hoping that her friend could help inquire about the unit that had saved her that day, but because it involved military secrets, her friend was helpless, and Tang Xin had no choice but to contact the unit herself. Lan Yangyang was queuing with her colleagues to buy bubble tea, and while taking photos, she happened to capture Zong Qing.
Lan Yangyang thought he was very handsome and wanted to add him on WeChat. Coincidentally, at that moment, she received a notification that she needed to hurry back to her unit, so she left. Tang Xin snuck back home, knowing that her father would be angry, so she was very cautious, but she still couldn’t avoid being caught.
Under her father's repeated questioning, Tang Xin explained why she was unwilling to choose a soldier as her partner: it all stemmed from her childhood, when her father, being a soldier, was often away from home, and she never got to see him. Hearing Tang Xin’s words, her father was filled with guilt, his eyes reddening.
He pleaded with Tang Xin desperately, and in the end, under the coercion of her father’s pleas, Tang Xin reluctantly agreed to go to the meeting. Yet that night, as she lay in bed, her mind was flooded with the image of the moment she was rescued when she fell into the water. Lan Yangyang was drinking bubble tea when, despite her pretty looks, she was accosted by a delinquent.
Just then, Zong Qing happened to pass by and helped extricate her from the situation. This heroic rescue was the kind of scene every young woman dreams of, and this time Lan Yangyang didn’t want to miss the opportunity; she proactively wanted to add Zong Qing on WeChat. Tang Xin learned that a jewelry store frequently deceived its customers, so she planned to secretly investigate in order to obtain evidence.
However, due to an act of righteous behavior, a misunderstanding arose between Wu Si and Tang Xin—Wu Si actually pinned Tang Xin to the ground and broke her bracelet. While registering at the police station, Tang Xin learned that Wu Si was from the Marine Corps, and she wanted to inquire about the person who had saved her that day, but due to military confidentiality regulations, Wu Si was unable to say anything.
Tang Xin went home and told her parents about her act of valor, not even minding the injury on her leg. The next day, Tang Xin attended her good friend Lan Yangyang’s graduation ceremony. Lan Yangyang and her classmates were all very excited; after taking graduation photos, they tossed their caps into the sky. When Tang Xin and Lan Yangyang met, they happily embraced each other.
Lan Yangyang was also very grateful that she had finally made it to graduation and planned to go out and celebrate with Tang Xin. Since Lan Yangyang studied medicine, as graduation approached, her father kept sending her messages, wanting her to work at a military hospital, but Lan Yangyang was unwilling to follow her father’s arrangements.
She wanted to choose her own career path and was very envious of Tang Xin, because Tang Xin’s father never imposed anything on her and always respected her choices. Lan Yangyang decided to celebrate by drinking bubble tea, but the shop she chose was very popular, with many people queuing to buy.
The reason she kept coming to this shop was that she wanted to encounter Zong Qing again; she even showed Tang Xin the photos she had taken of him, and Tang Xin also praised how handsome Zong Qing was. Lan Yangyang also explained to Tang Xin the whole story of how Zong Qing bought her a cake.
It was another meeting between them, and Lan Yangyang believed that Zong Qing buying her a cake meant that he was interested in her, especially since Zong Qing was also a soldier. Lan Yangyang also warned Tang Xin not to tell her father about it. Originally, Tang Xin had given a broken camera to Wu Si, hoping to strengthen her connection with him in order to gain access to the military camp for an interview. After learning that Zong Qing was also a soldier, Tang Xin devised another plan: if the camera idea didn’t work out, she intended to seek Lan Yangyang’s help.
Episode 3 Recap
The brigade commander found Wu Si and wanted to take him out for another blind date. Wu Si felt a bit embarrassed, but under the brigade commander’s strong urging, he couldn’t refuse and had no choice but to go along. On Tang Xin’s side, she was also brought along by her father after repeated requests. She even followed his orders and wore a pink dress, looking very beautiful.
Wu Si took the opportunity to contact Tang Xin while out and returned the camera to her. The two met just outside the blind date venue. Tang Xin used the opportunity to try to ask about the rescuer, but since it had happened during a military exercise and involved classified information, Wu Si couldn’t say anything. Tang Xin told Wu Si that the rescue video wasn’t accurate and that she wanted to understand the truth of what had happened.
But Wu Si, as a soldier, had to follow orders and strictly abide by regulations, firmly refusing to reveal anything. When they entered the room for the blind date and saw each other, both Wu Si and Tang Xin were surprised. The brigade commander and Tang Xin’s father recognized each other and decided to leave the two alone to talk. During the date, Tang Xin was quite forward, making Wu Si very uncomfortable.
Tang Xin’s mother had been worried the entire time about what had developed since she’d been gone so long. When Tang Xin returned, she deliberately told her parents that they had nothing in common and that Wu Si had only followed confidentiality regulations. Wu Si, however, had a different impression of Tang Xin—he thought she was quite interesting, although she kept asking about the rescue location.
The two made a mutual agreement to pretend the blind date was successful, so they could both be free from further matchmaking arrangements. Suddenly, Tang Xin received news that someone had discovered cultural relics under the sea in the Dayanjiao maritime zone. She planned to investigate and once again contacted Han Yuhang.
Han Yuhang, who had long admired Tang Xin for bravely saving him last time, had already developed feelings for her and agreed immediately, ignoring his friends’ advice and claiming this would be the last time. Meanwhile, Wu Si received orders to assist in a search operation because criminals were suspected of surveying the waters. He was to lead the special ops team to assist with the mission.
Tang Xin arrived at the location for undercover investigation, but contraband was found in her bag. Tang Xin had no idea the contraband was there or what it was. The police wanted to take her away for questioning. Just then, Wu Si happened to be passing by while leading his team on patrol. To avoid affecting her investigation, Tang Xin told the police that Wu Si was her boyfriend.
Because of Wu Si’s status as a soldier, the police hesitated for a moment. But since there were prohibited items in Tang Xin’s bag, they couldn't let her go. The police explained everything to Wu Si and clarified that he was not expected to intervene. They moved aside to let the police take Tang Xin away. Although Wu Si let the police take Tang Xin, he still helped her search for evidence, wanting to find out what had really happened.
After Tang Xin was brought to the police station, Yang revealed her identity as a journalist. Since it was confirmed that Tang Xin was unlikely to carry contraband on purpose, the police did not detain her. Wu Si came to pick Tang Xin up at the station entrance. When she saw Wu Si, Tang Xin was still a bit angry. She deliberately tried to get Wu Si to reveal who had participated in the rescue that day.
But even with Tang Xin’s anger, Wu Si still didn’t say anything, strictly following confidentiality rules. What Tang Xin didn’t know was that her computer had already been secretly copied by someone else. Tang Xin’s parents also learned that she had been taken to the police station, and as soon as she returned home, she was scolded by her father.
Episode 4 Recap
Yi Nanwang expressed his disappointment in his marksmanship, feeling like the worst soldier Wu Si had trained. He greatly admired Sergeant Cheng, an ace sniper in the special operations brigade. Wu Si reassured Yi Nanwang, telling him he wasn't bad, just not in the right position, and reminded him that Cheng Yuan hadn't started out as a marksman either but earned his skill step by step.
Wu Si revealed that Sergeant Cheng had high praise for Yi Nanwang's awareness, reaction, and information-gathering abilities, noting they surpassed others on the team, but pointed out Yi Nanwang needed to be more steady. Motivated by this, Yi Nanwang declared his determination to stay in the Blue Blade and become an ace sniper like Sergeant Cheng.
Wu Si acknowledged his resolve but emphasized the need for strength and continuous learning to address weaknesses and build on strengths, highlighting the importance of steadiness in the person, the gun, and the mind. Yi Nanwang dedicated himself to training, improving significantly with the help of others. He worked on various skills, including underwater exercises, crawling, and shooting drills, pushing himself constantly.
During one training session, he successfully took down Squad Leader Dai in a combat drill, surprising Wu Si with his unexpected improvement. Wu Si noted that Yi Nanwang's progress was faster than anticipated, praising his diligence and natural talent. Despite his hard work, Yi Nanwang still needed to refine his skills, particularly his speed in certain exercises, as noted by Wu Si during a slow-moving drill.
Meanwhile, Tang Xin, with assistance from Han Yuhang, returned to the location of the sunken ship. Han Yuhang arranged for experienced divers to help search the seabed. Tang Xin had received approval to interview Wu Si regarding the Dayan Reef rescue but Wu Si was reluctant to meet her or reveal his role in the rescue. After a prolonged search, Tang Xin and the divers found no trace of a sunken ship at the provided coordinates.
Tang Xin grew anxious, but Han Yuhang suggested the location might be wrong and they decided to move further. Still finding nothing, Tang Xin contacted her anonymous source via email. The source, also puzzled by her lack of discovery, suspected her boat might have been anchored incorrectly and sent a new set of coordinates. Observing the different coordinates, Tang Xin was suspicious and asked for clarification.
The source insisted the new coordinates were the same as the previous ones, leading Tang Xin to believe her computer had been compromised and the coordinates altered. She established a new contact method with the source, recommending they also switch emails for security. Tang Xin suggested meeting the source to investigate the perpetrators of the illegal salvage, but the source was afraid of the people behind it and refused to appear.
Instead, Tang Xin asked for any information about the group involved. The source could only reveal that the group started as fishermen but had rapidly developed into a large enterprise group. Tang Xin arrived at the military base for her approved interview and was met by Instructor Liu Shihua, Wu Si, and Cheng Yuan.
During the interview, Tang Xin tried to ask core questions related to the rescue operation and the team's duties, but Wu Si obstructed her efforts, citing confidentiality and refusing individual interviews. Tang Xin, frustrated by Wu Si's lack of cooperation, directly asked who saved her during the Dayan Reef incident. Wu Si remained silent and did not admit to being the rescuer, deflecting the question to Cheng Yuan.
Cheng Yuan, seeing Wu Si's reluctance, stated he needed to get permission from the person involved before answering. Tang Xin understood and left, requesting permission to visit the military camp for a broader interview, which required higher-level approval. Wu Si reported Tang Xin's request to the brigadier, who advised sending a reply welcoming her visit but arranging a more suitable interviewee due to the team's training schedule.
Tang Xin, needing to find a way to get information about the rescue since her interview at the base was unsuccessful, asked her friend Lan Yangyang to arrange a meeting with Zong Qing, believing an interview with a single team member might yield results. Unexpectedly, Wu Si also showed up at the meeting. Wu Si had anticipated Tang Xin would inquire about the rescue and had already instructed Zong Qing on what to say.
Lan Yangyang teased Tang Xin about Wu Si's appearance. Tang Xin expressed her frustration with Wu Si, describing him as unyielding and difficult to get information from, comparing herself to a corrosive substance trying to break him down. Wu Si, upon hearing this, pointed out Tang Xin's persistence despite her assessment of him.
Tang Xin attempted to get Wu Si to leave so she could speak to Zong Qing alone, but Wu Si insisted on staying, stating he needed to observe Zong Qing's blind date and ensure military secrets weren't revealed. When Tang Xin asked when he would leave, Wu Si replied he would leave when she did. Zong Qing, caught in the middle, asked what they should do, and Wu Si told him they were free to do as they pleased.
Episode 5 Recap
宗卿 and Lan Yangyang attempted to have a date, but it was interrupted by Wu Si and Tang Xin. Tang Xin discreetly sent a message to Lan Yangyang, bribing her with milk tea to help gather information about the rescue operation. Lan Yangyang readily agreed. Meanwhile, Wu Si, sensing Tang Xin's intentions, quickly messaged Zong Qing, ordering him not to reveal anything about the rescue.
Consequently, Lan Yangyang tried to press Zong Qing for details, but he remained tight-lipped, claiming he never liked asking or answering questions since he was a child and was simply following rules about not taking credit for good deeds. Tang Xin visited the military camp again for an interview. Wu Si arranged for Squad Leader Wang Chen and Political Instructor Jiang Yajie to speak with her.
Tang Xin immediately inquired about the Dayan Reef Rescue operation, but Wang Chen politely declined to discuss it, stating that the information was the same as what Wu Si and Cheng Yuan had already provided.
Tang Xin then shifted the focus to discussing female soldiers and the unique challenges they face in training and balancing military life with personal lives, particularly mentioning the difficulties of being a wife and daughter while serving on the front lines and the struggle to find balance. Wang Chen revealed she had been married for eleven years but lived separately from her husband and they had not had children yet, admitting she was currently stressed about family matters.
Jiang Yajie explained to Tang Xin that Wang Chen was not being uncooperative but was genuinely going through personal issues. The interview was interrupted when Wang Chen was called away. Outside the camp gate, a woman named Luo Tong was asking for Wang Chen. She identified herself as a colleague of Wang Chen's husband, Bai Zijian, and explained she knew Wang Chen's address because she had helped Bai Zijian previously.
Luo Tong suggested that if Wang Chen truly loved Bai Zijian, she shouldn't leave him living alone. Wang Chen confronted Luo Tong, stating that her marriage was a private matter and not Luo Tong's concern, and asked her to leave the premises. As Tang Xin was leaving, Luo Tong approached her, claiming to be Wang Chen's friend and offering to share information. Tang Xin agreed to speak with Luo Tong.
Luo Tong explained she had worked with Bai Zijian on an internship project and developed feelings for him, but he had made it clear he was married and only loved his wife. She recounted that Bai Zijian had avoided her after that.
Luo Tong questioned why Wang Chen had come all the way to the camp if she wasn't causing trouble and seemed fixated on the idea that Wang Chen and Bai Zijian's marriage must be unhappy because they don't live together. Luo Tong shared details about how Wang Chen and Bai Zijian met through diving and both chose careers related to the ocean.
She described the rigorous frogman selection process Wang Chen endured, where she was the only one to complete the challenge and swam for seven hours to safety. Tang Xin, hearing this, questioned Luo Tong's actions, pointing out the difficulty and dedication of Wang Chen as a soldier and stating that hurting her was wrong. Luo Tong insisted that Bai Zijian's life was also difficult and their marriage seemed like it was only held together by law.
Tang Xin became visibly upset, arguing that Wang Chen's military marriage is legally protected and accusing Luo Tong of hurting a soldier, a family, and a military marriage with her misplaced affections, which Tang Xin described as curiosity, possessiveness, and self-pity, not love. Luo Tong dismissed Tang Xin's words, questioning if she had ever been in love. Just then, Wu Si approached and introduced himself as Wang Chen's captain. Wu Si sat down with them.
Tang Xin initially tried to leave, but Wu Si suggested Luo Tong speak to him as Wang Chen's captain. Wu Si apologized for overhearing their conversation but explained he needed to understand as it concerned his teammate. Luo Tong admitted she had a crush on Bai Zijian. Wu Si and Tang Xin explained that while a crush is not illegal, pursuing a married military spouse is a serious matter with legal implications.
Luo Tong called Tang Xin an "old lady" and challenged her authority. Wu Si intervened, claiming Tang Xin was his family, which gave her the right to speak on behalf of his teammate. Tang Xin, confused, pointed out that Wu Si knew she had never been in love. Wu Si quickly improvised, claiming they had met through a matchmaker, had love at first sight, and gotten married immediately.
He then returned to the topic of Wang Chen and Bai Zijian, emphasizing that Bai Zijian was aware of Wang Chen's profession and the challenges they would face before getting married, but they chose to be together, and the military's role is to protect such brave couples. He advised Luo Tong that she is young and will find love someday, but Bai Zijian is not that person, urging her not to harm Wang Chen.
Zong Qing and Lan Yangyang continued their conversation. Lan Yangyang asked Zong Qing if he always knew what he wanted to do. Zong Qing admitted he didn't have everything planned initially. He enjoyed military-related things as a child, chose communications engineering in military school based on his interests, and felt lost during his junior year.
He decided to join the Marine Corps after a recruitment presentation gave him goosebumps and clarified his life goals, although he did hesitate for a night, partly due to his political commissar's encouragement. He also mentioned being a strong swimmer. Lan Yangyang confided that she feels uncertain about her future, as her father wants her to become a doctor, but she wants to pursue her own dreams.
Zong Qing suggested she follow her heart, acknowledging her youth and the time they have to make corrections, but jokingly added that if she became a doctor, he would feign illness just to stay at her place. Lan Yangyang playfully scolded him for saying something inauspicious. They ended their call as lights out was approaching. Wu Si walked Tang Xin back towards the base gate, arranging for her to get a taxi from inside for safety, as it was late.
They engaged in awkward small talk while waiting. Tang Xin asked Wu Si when he learned about Wang Chen's situation; he replied he overheard it during the interview and at the gate. Tang Xin asked what he would have done if Luo Tong had not listened. Wu Si jokingly said he would introduce her to Han Yuhang to "free" Bai Zijian, then clarified that Han Yuhang wasn't suitable for a young girl.
Tang Xin questioned why he helped Wang Chen since he didn't know her well. Wu Si reiterated his earlier joke about being a military spouse and that he felt it was his duty to support the military and its families, expressing admiration for Wang Chen as both a soldier and a woman. Tang Xin was touched by his words. He jokingly suggested a hug, but Tang Xin pointed out the sentries.
Tang Xin then gave Wu Si a voice recorder containing the conversation with Luo Tong, asking him to pass it to Wang Chen and expressing hope that Bai Zijian would not face misunderstanding due to Luo Tong's actions, as finding true love is rare. Tang Xin asked to meet again to learn more about him, and Wu Si agreed. Wang Chen spoke on the phone with her mother, who expressed concern that she hadn't been home for weekend dinners recently.
Wang Chen explained she was very busy with work and had an upcoming business trip but promised to visit after. Her mother worried about her being alone since her husband wasn't there, but Wang Chen assured her mother she could take care of herself and that her marriage was fine, urging her mother to also take care. Bai Zijian's brother, Yuhang, arrived at Bai Zijian's place with wine and found him reading documents about ancient shipwrecks.
Bai Zijian explained he was researching ancient Chinese shipwrecks, including information verified by national experts and details about illegal salvaging by "treasure hunters." Yuhang mentioned the reporter (Tang Xin) and the failed search for the shipwreck artifact, asking if she had given up. Bai Zijian evaded the question, claiming he was the one who guessed she might give up but wasn't sure, as he couldn't ask her directly.
Yuhang, suspecting Bai Zijian was hiding something, warned him not to get involved in any more trouble with the reporter or ask to borrow his boat again. Wang Chen discussed Bai Zijian's transfer to Wenzhou with someone. While finding his decision to move romantic, she questioned if it was the right one. She mentioned listening to the recording from Tang Xin and thanked her for it.
During obstacle training, Private First Class Yi Nanwang was observed by the brigadier and Wu Si. The brigadier asked Yi Nanwang what he would do if he failed the evaluation. Yi Nanwang declared he would continue training until he made it into Blue Blade, expressing strong determination. The brigadier announced Yi Nanwang's passing scores in combat skills, military tactics, special reconnaissance, and sniper specialization, explaining that the evaluation was cumulative, based on every training session.
Yi Nanwang was officially approved to join the Blue Blade Special Ops Team, becoming visibly emotional. Wu Si noted that it was also Yi Nanwang's birthday, the first day of his twenties. Wu Si declared a break and presented a large cake. Yi Nanwang explained that his name, given by his orphanage director, means "never forget the country's care," and now also means "never forget the bond with comrades."
He called the army his home and his team his family, thanking his squad leaders. Tang Xin contacted her source regarding the sunken artifacts. She shared that based on the provided hints, she suspected a connection to the Changzhou Group. She asked if the source had further evidence of illegal underwater looting, specifically mentioning the artifact fragments recovered from the seabed at Dayan Reef. She proposed they meet and asked the source to set the time and place.
Episode 6 Recap
Tang Xin arrived at the Wenzhou Mall for a scheduled meeting in Zone C on the second floor. She was supposed to meet someone wearing a black baseball cap and carrying a white tote bag, who claimed to have salvaged artifacts and more detailed leads regarding smuggled goods. However, her contact didn't show up. Tang Xin tried calling them but couldn't reach them. Unexpectedly, she encountered Wu Si near Zhenyu Restaurant.
Tang Xin explained the situation, expressing frustration that the person she was supposed to meet didn't appear, while she kept having strange encounters with someone she wasn't looking for. Wu Si listened sympathetically, suggesting the contact might have run into trouble or felt followed. They had a pleasant conversation, during which Wu Si returned a recording pen she had lent Wang Chen, who asked him to thank her.
Wu Si then presented Tang Xin with a physical copy of his resume, explaining it was the official military version and completely authentic. He said he wanted her to know more about him for their future interactions. Tang Xin was surprised and amused, joking about it being like a date with a resume, but she agreed to send him her own digital resume later.
Noticing that he had specifically prepared this for her, she asked about it, which made Wu Si awkward. He quickly excused himself, saying he needed to return to base, and left after paying for her meal, reminding her about the resume. Watching him leave, Tang Xin found his awkwardness endearing. Meanwhile, Lan Yangyang quietly returned home but was met by her father, Lan Weiguo, who had been waiting.
He immediately pressured her about her future, expecting her to take a position as a doctor at a military hospital after studying medicine for seven years and earning a master's degree. Lan Yangyang firmly refused, stating she didn't like medicine and didn't feel she was cut out for the path. She explained she wanted to follow her inner intuition, a sentiment she had expressed before university but felt was ignored.
Lan Weiguo became enraged, questioning who had put such "nonsense" ideas in her head. As he argued, Zong Qing called Lan Yangyang, and she tried to hide her phone. During the confrontation, Lan Weiguo snatched her phone. He saw a photo of a man on the screen and aggressively demanded to know who he was, suspecting him of being her boyfriend or the source of her ideas. Lan Yangyang's mother tried to calm Lan Weiguo down, but the argument continued.
At the same time, Bai Zijian returned to his apartment where Wang Chen had left a simple meal for him. Though she wasn't there, he felt a sense of warmth and home. Tang Xin received an email from the contact she missed at the mall, who apologized, explained they felt like someone was following them, and promised to contact her again once they felt safe.
Following her argument with her parents, Lan Yangyang ran away from home and sought refuge with Tang Xin, who secretly let her into her apartment. Later, Lan Yangyang's mother called Tang Xin's mother, asking if Yangyang had contacted her because she had run away. Tang Xin initially said she didn't know but later admitted to her mother that Lan Yangyang was staying with her.
Hiding in Tang Xin's room, Lan Yangyang confided in Tang Xin about the fight with her parents over her career choice and her decision to leave. She expressed her determination not to return home and even jokingly suggested staying permanently and becoming "Tang Yangyang." Tang Xin, concerned about the trouble they would both be in, urged her to go back.
Lan Yangyang insisted she would rather stay and be a maid at Tang Xin's place than face another argument about her career, leading Tang Xin to humorously list demanding chores for her. Back at the base, Lan Weiguo met with Brigadier Wang, describing the tall soldier with distinct features he saw in the photo on his daughter's phone, mentioning his graduation from the National University of Defense Technology.
Brigadier Wang identified him as Zong Qing, a Captain and squad leader in Wu Si's team, specializing in Communications Engineering. Brigadier Wang praised Zong Qing's military performance, noting his strong skills and discipline, but also commented playfully that he seemed good at charming girls. Lan Weiguo inquired about his political standing, and Brigadier Wang confirmed he was sound and one of his best soldiers.
They decided against calling Zong Qing directly for fear of interfering before anything was official and turned their attention to discussing an upcoming drill. Zong Qing called Lan Yangyang, expressing concern after hearing she was in trouble. Lan Yangyang told him her parents found out about "them" and blamed him for her decision not to become a doctor.
Zong Qing, somewhat flustered, clarified he had meant she should follow her heart and not specifically told her not to be a doctor. Lan Yangyang confirmed she had made her decision clear to her parents, they had argued, and she had run away. Zong Qing supported her decision, teasingly adding that he wouldn't get to see her for checkups anymore.
Wu Si's team prepared for a combat drill simulating a hostage rescue and the capture of a high-value target codenamed "A" alive. The mission required the teams to infiltrate the target building and complete the rescue and capture within fifteen minutes by executing simultaneous breaches from multiple points. Wu Si led a team entering through the main entrance on the first floor.
Zong Qing, a sniper, was assigned to lead the team breaching from the right side of the second floor, a decision acknowledged as potentially weakening their team's overall strength but necessary for utilizing sniper advantage. Another team was assigned to breach from the left side of the second floor, and a fourth from an opening on the roof. The teams synchronized their watches and confirmed their plans before moving out.
Once in position, they reported readiness and commenced the multi-directional attack. After fourteen minutes and thirty seconds, Zong Qing reported the drill was complete. The participants, including the "bandits" from the exercise, gathered together. Some of the "bandits" complained that the special ops team was too aggressive, even in a drill. Wu Si defended the intensity, stating a real combat drill required seriousness and pointed out that the opposing team had also set obstacles.
Both sides acknowledged each other's fighting prowess. Yi Nanwang, who participated in the drill, asked Wu Si if he had performed well, and Wu Si praised him. Wu Si then formally reported to a commander that the Blue Blade assault team had completed the drill, rescued the hostage, and captured "A" alive within the timeframe.
The commander commended every participant for their bravery, tactical thinking, teamwork, and individual skills, noting the "A" team's commitment to realism by not wearing face protection. When asked if they were satisfied with finishing only thirty seconds ahead of schedule, the team stated they were not and needed to train harder. A Marine Corps chief who had observed the exercise was en route to meet with them.
Separately, Tang Xin discussed the resolution of the jewelry store covert filming incident with a colleague. The store agreed not to file a lawsuit if they ceased all future filming and investigation. While accepting the terms, Tang Xin decided to pursue the matter indirectly by passing all the gathered materials, including the covert footage, to a colleague who had previously helped with a bravery news story.
Her colleague worried about potential retaliation, but Tang Xin was resolute, stating that if they wanted to retaliate, they would find a reason anyway. Since they were preventing her from filming, she would find someone else to do it.
Episode 7 Recap
During military training, Wu Si noticed that Cheng Yuan had injured his knee. Despite Cheng Yuan's insistence that it was a minor injury, Wu Si took him to the hospital. At the hospital, they coincidentally met Captain Tang, Tang Xin's father, who was there for an old ailment. While they were talking, Captain Tang mentioned that Tang Xin was parking the car in the basement garage.
Meanwhile, in the basement garage, Tang Xin had just parked when she saw a group of men looking for her car, specifically mentioning its license plate, WEN V67321. Sensing danger, she began to record them with her phone. Back upstairs, Captain Tang called Tang Xin, but she spoke in a hushed tone, saying it wasn't convenient to talk. Wu Si overheard her low voice and found it suspicious.
Remembering seeing some shifty individuals earlier, he quickly left the hospital to check on her. He arrived in the basement just as the men were starting to smash Tang Xin's car. Wu Si intervened, confronting the men who told him to mind his own business. He refused to back down and fought them off. Later, Tang Xin confided in Lan Yangyang, feeling unsettled.
She wondered if Wu Si was the person who had saved her in the past, questioning whether it was just wishful thinking or if he truly resembled him. Tang Xin's damaged car incident reached the attention of Mr. Tian, her manager. He expressed concern for her safety, reminding her that her investigative reports, which expose hidden secrets, have likely made her enemies.
He warned her to be more cautious, but Tang Xin asserted that she wouldn't let the incident go unpunished. Elsewhere, Zong Qing was preparing to propose to Lan Yangyang. He expressed his anticipation for this day and his belief that they were on the same page about their future. At the same time, Lan Yangyang was having a job interview for a public relations position.
Despite her high academic achievements in medicine, a field her parents chose for her but which she disliked, she struggled to answer the interviewer's questions about PR. Her lack of relevant experience and understanding of the corporate world led to her rejection. Wu Si, worried about Tang Xin's safety after the car incident, called her to check in.
Tang Xin told him that the person who originally provided the coordinates for her investigation insisted the coordinates hadn't changed, but the ones on her computer were different, leading her to suspect her computer had been tampered with. Wu Si advised her to change her email password and keep her laptop with her. He also offered to accompany her to the new coordinates the coming weekend to investigate together.
Tang Xin gratefully accepted his offer, admitting she was struggling with how to arrange the third trip herself. On the weekend, Wu Si and Tang Xin went to the coast to rent a boat. Wu Si told the boat owner they wanted to go diving near Dayan Reef. As they arranged for the boat, they observed something that made them uneasy. Meanwhile, feeling down after her failed interview, Lan Yangyang called Zong Qing.
She sensed a strange cheerfulness in his tone, and he cryptically told her he would find a way to make her happy and asked her to come to a specific location quickly. Zong Qing, who had arranged for friends to be present at a precise time for his proposal, suddenly heard cries for help – a child had fallen into the water.
Without hesitation, Zong Qing jumped into the water, despite being in his proposal clothes, and successfully rescued the child. A crowd gathered, praising his heroic actions and bringing him the flowers he had prepared. Lan Yangyang arrived and was surprised to see Zong Qing soaking wet. The bystanders recounted his bravery. As Zong Qing prepared to propose, he realized he had lost the ring in the water during the rescue.
Despite this, he knelt down, holding the flowers, and asked Lan Yangyang to marry him for life, expressing his love and acceptance of her as she was. Lan Yangyang, touched by his heroism and sincerity, happily accepted his proposal, and the surrounding crowd celebrated. Later, on the boat trip to Dayan Reef, Wu Si and Tang Xin discussed the case.
Tang Xin explained that she had received multiple anonymous emails over time, not just one, and had corroborated information with the Cultural Relics Bureau, who confirmed that sunken cultural relics were appearing in international markets. This information motivated her to pursue the investigation herself. Wu Si suggested contacting Bai Zijian, the husband of Captain Wang Chen, whom Tang Xin had previously interviewed, as he recently transferred to the Wenzhou Marine Museum.
He also suggested involving the Cultural Relics Bureau to lead an official underwater survey, believing it would help bring the investigation to fruition if they found something that day. Wu Si and Tang Xin further discussed the implications of her computer being tampered with. Wu Si pointed out that if her suspicion was correct, it meant the people she was investigating knew about her activities. Tang Xin confirmed that the men who smashed her car were likely sent by them.
She named the people who knew about her investigation: herself, Mr. Tian, Hai, and Han Yuhang, who had helped her rent the boat for a previous trip. Wu Si questioned why she would involve Han Yuhang, given that her research now pointed towards his family's company, Changzhou Group, as the likely culprits. Tang Xin explained she had asked him for help before she had those specific clues and admitted it was an oversight.
She clarified that Han Yuhang didn't have access to her computer during their previous trip. She suspected the tampering occurred when she was framed at Baitun Bay, as the police entering her room at the guesthouse would have had the opportunity. Wu Si emphasized the importance of keeping her investigation details secret from Han Yuhang and urged her to prioritize her safety.
Episode 8 Recap
Wu Si and Tang Xin were on a boat, secretly photographing each other. When caught, they both claimed they were just taking pictures of the sea. Despite their lies, they exchanged knowing smiles. Later, after returning, Tang Xin found herself thinking about the time spent with Wu Si, so lost in thought that she didn't notice the traffic light had turned green until a car behind her honked.
Shortly after getting engaged, Lan Yangyang excitedly met with Tang Xin to share the news of Zong Qing's proposal. Tang Xin, concerned about the speed of the engagement and the differences between dating and marriage, urged Lan Yangyang to think carefully. However, Lan Yangyang was resolute, eager for a fast-paced relationship leading quickly to marriage. She expressed a strong desire to marry Zong Qing for love and insisted she would not regret it.
Lan Yangyang then asked Tang Xin to be her bridesmaid and help plan a romantic wedding, including preparing a confession video. Tang Xin was surprised by Lan Yangyang's unusual assertiveness and worried about the impulsive decision given their limited relationship experience. Lan Yangyang went home to inform her parents about her plan to marry Zong Qing. Her father, Lan Weiguo, and mother were taken aback by how quickly things had progressed, having not even met Zong Qing yet.
Lan Yangyang formally introduced Zong Qing and spoke highly of him, highlighting his qualities and saying he reminded her of her father when he was young. She apologized for not telling them sooner, explaining she was afraid they still saw her as a child and wanted to choose her own path, marrying the person she loved.
Her parents expressed concern about the practicalities of marrying a frontline soldier and whether she and Zong Qing were prepared for the realities of military marriage, given their youth and limited experience. Lan Yangyang insisted she was sure Zong Qing was the right person, citing his character and love for her and his profession, stating she was not afraid with him. Her mother then acknowledged she had grown up and congratulated her.
Later, Lan Weiguo confessed to his wife that he wasn't optimistic about the marriage due to their age and the challenges of being a military wife, worrying if Lan Yangyang, who was pampered, could handle it or if Zong Qing could handle a spoiled wife. His wife countered by pointing out Zong Qing's positive attributes. Meanwhile, Zong Qing's comrades teased him about his upcoming marriage and his efforts to dress up, suspecting he was going to meet Lan Yangyang's family.
Tang Xin called Wu Si, ostensibly to discuss Zong Qing and Lan Yangyang's engagement. Wu Si stated his full support, praising Zong Qing's abilities and character extensively. When pressed for a flaw, Wu Si paused and stated Zong Qing being a frontline soldier was his only one, noting it means he cannot always be with the one he loves. Tang Xin acknowledged this.
Elsewhere, Han Yuhang spoke with a Mr. Han about the man seen with Tang Xin on the fishing boat, identifying him as a soldier named Wu Si. Mr. Han instructed his assistant, Ms. Zhou, to investigate Wu Si and determine if he was related to Wu Tongshu, an undercover police officer. Tang Xin prepared for an interview at the military camp. She called Wu Si to confirm his availability.
During the call, she asked if he could support her during the interview and not leave abruptly as before, which he agreed to. She hesitated, seemingly wanting to ask another question, but ultimately ended the call without doing so. Later, her parents observed her behavior when discussing Wu Si and the upcoming interview. Noticing her shyness and blush, they felt optimistic, believing she might have found someone special.
A special forces assessment was conducted, led by Zong Qing and observed by superiors, including Lan Weiguo. The scenario involved the team landing on H Island, facing heavy artillery, losing communication equipment, and needing to contact the fleet for fire support. Challenges included evading fire and their boat being disabled. Strong electromagnetic interference cut off their radio communication. Zong Qing decided to use flag signals, but the distance was too great for the main ship to see.
He devised a plan for a relay, having a team signal from the beach while another team member went out to sea to receive and relay the message to the distant ship. The team successfully restored communication and transmitted the target coordinates with only minutes remaining, impressing the observers. Lan Weiguo expressed satisfaction with the team's ability to handle unexpected situations in combat. After the assessment, Lan Weiguo returned home and found Lan Yangyang happily looking at her phone.
He affectionately told her to bring Zong Qing over to meet him, signifying his approval for the relationship. Lan Yangyang was overjoyed. Zong Qing, nervous about meeting Lan Yangyang's parents, especially her father whom Yangyang described as strict, prepared for the meeting. He knew asking for her hand after proposing might face difficulties. He arrived at Lan Yangyang's home, where Tang Xin was also present. Lan Yangyang introduced him to her mother and then her father.
To his astonishment, Lan Yangyang's father was his superior officer, Chief Lan Weiguo. Zong Qing stiffened, addressing him formally as "Chief" and reporting his height. Lan Weiguo told him to relax at home, but Zong Qing remained visibly surprised.
Episode 9 Recap
Zong Qing visited Lan Yangyang's home to meet her parents. Her father, Lan Weiguo, was a high-ranking officer, which made Zong Qing noticeably nervous. At dinner, he sometimes spoke like he was giving a report. Lan Yangyang's mother tried to ease his tension. Mrs. Lan expressed interest in their plans, and Zong Qing assured them he would prioritize Yangyang.
However, when asked if he would choose between military orders and Yangyang, he responded without hesitation that he would prioritize his duty to follow military orders. Lan Weiguo seemed satisfied with this answer. Lan Yangyang's mother, having experience as a military spouse, understood the sacrifices involved and, while not emotionally attached to Zong Qing, worried if her daughter would be truly happy marrying a soldier.
Lan Weiguo later told Zong Qing's parents that they had always respected Zong Qing's decisions and believed in his choices. Zong Qing's parents stated they liked Yangyang and respected their son's choice as well. Lan Weiguo then confirmed they would have a collective military wedding. Meanwhile, Wu Si and Tang Xin were invited to the Brigadier's home, where his wife, Wang Chen, was visiting.
Wang Chen spoke about supporting military families through initiatives like the military families' challenges support network and group chats for spouses, children, and employment assistance, emphasizing how military families look out for each other. The Brigadier facilitated an opportunity for Tang Xin, arranging for her to stay on the military base to interview soldiers returning from a recent fleet review. He planned for Wu Si to accompany her, providing them with time together. Tang Xin appreciated their help.
Tang Xin's investigation into the illegal salvaging of underwater cultural relics at Dayan Reef had caused trouble for Han Yuhang's father and brother. Han Yuhang's brother suggested teaching Tang Xin a lesson, but their father dismissed the idea. He explained that they had already salvaged most items from the Dayan Reef site, considering what was left as mere "scraps."
He revealed he had found a more valuable target overseas – a sunken Song Dynasty ship – and instructed his son not to waste time on the Dayan Reef leftovers or the journalist. He also identified the person who had tipped off Tang Xin as their primary threat and ordered his son to deal with them. Seeking more information for her investigation, Tang Xin contacted Bai Zijian, an expert on sunken ships, recommended by Wu Si.
When she met him, he confirmed Wu Si's referral and mentioned his wife was Wang Chen. Tang Xin explained the tip she received about illegal activity at Dayan Reef and her unsuccessful attempts to investigate. Based on the resistance she faced, she believed a sunken ship was likely present in the area, historically a major route of the Maritime Silk Road. She inquired if the Cultural Relics Bureau could conduct an underwater archaeological survey based on her leads.
Bai Zijian advised her to prepare a formal written report for him to pass on to his superiors, hoping to facilitate an underwater archaeology activity at Dayan Reef. He showed her a nautical chart highlighting the area and its many hidden reefs, confirming the high probability of shipwrecks there. Back at the base, Zong Qing was visibly anxious about his parents visiting Lan Yangyang.
Lan Yangyang was also nervous, especially because she didn't know how to cook and her parents decided to leave the house, asking her to handle the meeting alone. In a panic, she called Tang Xin for help. Lan Weiguo observed his daughter seeking assistance and, in a jesting remark to his wife, "deducted one point" from Yangyang on a five-point scale for being helpless and relying on Tang Xin.
Tang Xin arrived and helped prepare several dishes, instructing Yangyang to claim they were all her own cooking. When Zong Qing's parents arrived, they were greeted by Tang Xin, who introduced herself as Yangyang's friend and mentioned Yangyang was in the kitchen. Yangyang then emerged to greet them nervously. During dinner, Zong Qing's parents praised the cooking.
Zong Qing's mother later spoke with Yangyang, mentioning the difficulties faced by military parents and spouses and urging Yangyang to be understanding of Zong Qing, who would often be busy with duties. Before leaving, Zong Qing's parents hugged Yangyang. Lan Weiguo and his wife, who had been waiting outside, were pleased to see the warm interaction and invited Zong Qing's parents to watch the training exercises.
With both sets of parents approving the marriage, Zong Qing and Lan Yangyang began making wedding preparations. They rented a small house by the sea in the suburbs, which Yangyang decorated herself. Tang Xin left a bag of snacks for Wu Si before she left, prompting Wu Si to thank her. Later, while Yangyang and Zong Qing were trying on wedding attire, with Tang Xin accompanying them, Yangyang insisted Tang Xin also try on a wedding dress for fun.
Tang Xin reluctantly agreed. As Tang Xin appeared in a wedding dress, Wu Si arrived. He saw Tang Xin and announced that the wedding plan was canceled. He clarified that the plan was changed to a collective military wedding, and he was there to bring Zong Qing back to the base.
Episode 10 Recap
A grand collective wedding ceremony for numerous naval personnel was held on a warship, with the vast sea as a witness. Brigadier Wang Lang served as the officiant, celebrating the couples, including Staff Sergeant Liang Xuguang and Zhou Dan, who had postponed their wedding three times for peacekeeping missions, Sergeant Peng Tiechao and Xu Jing, whose campus romance blossomed in the military, and Master Sergeant Wang Yongjun and Miss Ning Juan, who as a lecturer also cared for his parents.
Deputy Commander Lan, whose daughter Lan Yangyang was also getting married, spoke about his pride in the brides choosing to become military spouses, acknowledging the courage required and their vital role in supporting the soldiers who are the "Great Wall" of the nation.
As the ceremony concluded, Lan Yangyang specifically saved her wedding bouquet for Tang Xin, insisting she take the "lucky" flowers despite Tang Xin's reluctance to marry soon, saying she was not just a reporter but also Yangyang's bridesmaid. Tang Xin also mentioned that Lan Yangyang had suggested Wu Si could help with her interview needs, and Lan Yangyang directed her to where Wu Si was. Later, at home, Tang Xin watched footage of the wedding with her parents.
Her parents expressed their excitement and emotion watching the couples marry on the warship, with her father tearfully wishing to see his own daughter marry one day. Tang Xin later lay in bed, looking through photos of Wu Si. Suddenly, an urgent assembly alarm sounded during the night. Soldiers quickly gathered in the dark and boarded waiting vehicles. They were being deployed for disaster relief due to a severe typhoon.
Among them was Zong Qing, who quietly left his newlywed wife Lan Yangyang while she was still asleep to join his unit, carrying his medical books. The troops soon arrived at the disaster zone. Back home, Lan Yangyang woke to find Zong Qing gone. She searched for him and tried calling his phone, but it was off.
She called her mother, who told her that her father, Deputy Commander Lan, had also left in the middle of the night for typhoon emergency response. Lan Yangyang asked her mother to find out where Zong Qing had gone. While they were talking, Tang Xin arrived at Lan Yangyang's door. Tang Xin explained that Zong Qing had asked her to take Lan Yangyang to her parents' home for safety before he left for the disaster relief mission.
Concerned for Zong Qing, Lan Yangyang wanted to accompany Tang Xin, who was heading to the disaster area to report, but Tang Xin refused to let her go. The typhoon, named Sunny, had made landfall and caused severe flooding in Mazhan Town. Rescue forces immediately began operations. Tang Xin reported live from the scene for New Perspective, describing the ongoing rescue efforts, including soldiers helping villagers stranded on rooftops and trapped in vehicles.
One rescue involved helping an art teacher retrieve a valuable acrylic painting created by her students from the flooded school office, which was crucial for an upcoming exhibition. Soldiers also worked to rescue people from a submerged bus, breaking windows to get the children, elderly, and women out first. The relief efforts were challenging due to the relentless rain and harsh conditions. Tang Xin's live reports from the disaster area were well-received.
Her boss, Mr. Tian, praised her work but suggested focusing on interviews with individual soldiers to make the reporting more impactful, while being mindful not to disrupt their critical work. Tang Xin acknowledged the instruction. Amidst the challenging conditions, communication was difficult, but a communication support vehicle became available, allowing each person one minute for a call. Zong Qing, missing Lan Yangyang, was eager to call her.
However, when he tried, his calls were either not answered or hung up, possibly showing up as a suspected scam call due to the base number. He worried that Lan Yangyang might be upset that he had left without telling her, especially on their wedding night. Despite the short time limit, Zong Qing declined Wu Si's offer to give him his minute, knowing everyone needed the time. Wu Si then called Tang Xin, who immediately expressed concern for his well-being.
Tang Xin was helping at a temporary medical aid station when Wu Si arrived. She noticed a wound on his hand and offered to bandage it. Wu Si explained that his index finger was needed for his trigger and bandaging it would make it less flexible, dismissing the pain. In a separate matter, Yuhang, referred to as Mr. Han, visited his brother Yutian, called Mr. Han Jr. , at the office.
Yuhang learned that Yutian was investigating an email address (jn56789@qq. com) registered at the Red Sea Internet Café because a friend had been scammed. Despite difficulties in tracing the user due to the number of people at the internet café and the seeming temporary nature of the email account, Yutian's team was trying to identify the user, considering matching the initials "JN" to possible names and exploring the possibility of investigating a female reporter in connection to the email.
Yuhang expressed concern about Yutian handling the investigation himself, suggesting involving the police, although Yutian mentioned they had already reported it. Yuhang offered to help with the investigation, but Yutian suggested they relax and talk since Yuhang rarely visited the office.
Episode 11 Recap
Tang Xin insisted on bandaging Wu Si's finger, expressing concern that injuring a finger connected to the heart must hurt. Wu Si replied that his index finger is needed for pulling the trigger and bandaging it would make it stiff. He initially refused but relented under Tang Xin's persistence. As she bandaged his hand, he told her she shouldn't have risked her life climbing onto a roof to save people during her previous interview.
Tang Xin defended her actions, saying she couldn't just stand by when there were elderly people and children needing help. Wu Si urged her to avoid dangerous situations in the future and thanked her on behalf of the children. Meanwhile, Han Yuhang instructed his assistant to investigate the owner of an email address, explaining that the person behind it had scammed his friend out of a sum of money.
His assistant suggested investigating through the female reporter, but Han Yuhang told him not to. Lan Yangyang restlessly flipped through television channels, searching for news about Zong Qing. Desperate, she pleaded with her mother to ask her father to let her go to the disaster site. Her mother refused, pointing out that the site was not a place she could just go and she would only get in the way, not help.
Lan Yangyang insisted she just wanted to see Zong Qing because she was worried about him, especially since they had just married and been separated for so long. Her mother remained firm, telling her not to even think about it and that whining wouldn't work. Wu Si received an urgent order from the Brigadier. Heavy rainfall had put the Shiqiao Dam on the Wenhe River, northwest of their coordination zone, at risk of bursting due to erosion at its base.
This posed a great danger to downstream cities. The Sixth Unit stationed there was severely understaffed, and all units were needed for emergency reinforcement. Wu Si accepted the mission and ordered his unit to bring all remaining sandbags. The Brigadier acknowledged their unit had already been fighting for days and was tired, but stressed that in such a critical time, they must continue to brave dangers and overcome difficulties through continuous action.
At the Shiqiao Dam, Tang Xin reported on the Marine Corps Blue Blade Special Ops Team's efforts to save the dam by blocking tributaries. However, the current was too strong, making it impossible to effectively place sandbags to block the main breach. With limited sandbags left and time running out, Wu Si realized they had to block the opening first.
He ordered Zong Qing and Cheng Yuan to jump into the icy water and use their bodies to hold the line so others could fill the breach. As Wu Si and his team struggled against the torrent, Tang Xin, despite the danger, ran to the edge and jumped into the water to join them. Their combined efforts held the flood back. The flood peak successfully passed, and the dam was saved. The soldiers on the dam celebrated their hard-won victory.
Undeterred after her mother's refusal, Lan Yangyang sought out Mr. Tian, Tang Xin's supervisor. She introduced herself as Tang Xin's friend and expressed her concern, explaining she hadn't been able to reach Tang Xin since she went to Mazhan Town. While Mr. Tian assured her Tang Xin was fine and they were in contact with other reporters, Lan Yangyang seized the opportunity when she heard supply trucks were heading to Mazhan Town.
She requested to join one of the trucks to reach the disaster zone. Wu Si approached Tang Xin and asked to speak with her privately. He confessed that he was the one who saved her life at Dayan Reef. He apologized for hiding it, explaining that protecting civilians is a soldier's duty and he didn't want her to feel indebted or approach him only because he saved her. He wanted her to see the real him outside of the uniform.
Tang Xin told him she had suspected it all along while spending time with him and wasn't surprised by his confession. She thanked him formally for saving her life that day and for everything else he had done. With things cleared up, Tang Xin asked him a question: Since their relationship had initially been a pretense for their parents' matchmaking and a mission, was there still a reason to continue it now?
Lan Yangyang arrived at the disaster site via the supply truck and immediately began looking for Zong Qing. She met Yi Nanwang, who recognized her as Zong Qing's wife. Yi Nanwang informed her that Zong Qing was helping at the medical tent with injured civilians and offered to take her there. When she found Zong Qing, Lan Yangyang excitedly embraced him, saying she missed him.
However, Zong Qing angrily told her to let go and questioned why she had come to such a dangerous place while he was on duty. He yelled at her to go back the way she came and ordered Yi Nanwang to escort her out. Upset, Lan Yangyang later confided in Tang Xin, explaining she was scolded by Zong Qing. Yi Nanwang, also present, confirmed that Zong Qing was just worried about her.
Bai Zijian's mother arrived at his new home in Wenzhou, displeased that he had moved his job and home without telling her. She initially expressed concern that he didn't want her or his wife, Wang Chen, around. Bai Zijian clarified that moving to Wenzhou was his own decision and his primary reason was to try and have a child with Wang Chen soon.
Upon hearing about the possibility of a grandchild, his mother became happy and urged them to make it happen quickly while she was still healthy enough to help. Lan Yangyang returned home still upset and was scolded by her mother for going to the dangerous disaster zone. Her mother told her she was wrong to go and cause Zong Qing worry, pointing out that her concern was misplaced given the circumstances.
Lan Yangyang complained that Zong Qing had yelled at her in front of others, causing her embarrassment. Her mother reiterated that she was in the wrong and needed to adjust to married life, though she eventually indulged Lan Yangyang's playful remark about making Zong Qing do push-ups as punishment. The anti-flood mission was successfully completed. The troops were announced to be returning for rest.
As they withdrew, locals lined the streets, cheering, expressing heartfelt thanks, and offering tokens of gratitude to the soldiers who had protected them. Wang Chen also returned home and was greeted by Bai Zijian and his mother. Bai Zijian's mother mentioned seeing his unit on television and how hard the soldiers worked. She quickly brought up the topic of children again, urging them to start a family soon so she could help.
After his mother left, Wang Chen confronted Bai Zijian about telling his mother they were planning to have a child, reminding him that the doctor had clearly stated their chances were very low. She accused him of lying, but Bai Zijian dismissed it as just playing along to make his mother happy. Tang Xin discussed her relationship with Wu Si with her father.
Her father expressed surprise that things weren't working out, saying he thought they had gotten closer during the mission. Tang Xin explained that they were simply not compatible and it was better to end things early. She reminded her father that she had told him from the start she didn't want to date a soldier. Later, Wu Si sat alone, looking at the bandage Tang Xin had placed on his finger.
Some time later, during what appeared to be a break or honeymoon period, Lan Yangyang tried to wake a tired Zong Qing, who hadn't slept well during the mission. Her mother called, telling her not to rely on takeout and to learn to cook. Lan Yangyang attempted to make breakfast but accidentally caused a small fire or smoke, startling herself. Zong Qing quickly came to her aid, ensuring she wasn't hurt and comforting her with a hug, despite her mishap.
Episode 12 Recap
Lan Yangyang prepared breakfast for Zong Qing, and despite her concerns that it wasn't good, he insisted it was delicious because she made it, though he later admitted it was a little bitter. He ate it all, however, but offered to order takeout for her instead.
Discussing their honeymoon plans, Lan Yangyang suggested distant destinations like Hangzhou, Xi'an, Dali, or Lhasa for a romantic trip, but Zong Qing worried that he might be suddenly recalled to the military if they went too far. While she was disappointed, he promised to create a perfect honeymoon itinerary for her. Working on her disaster response report and future work plan, Tang Xin saw a call from Wu Si come in.
His text messages appeared on her phone, expressing his desire to talk and see her, mentioning a question she'd asked him earlier in Mazhan Town. Her notifications were muted, and she did not answer the call. For their honeymoon trip, Zong Qing took Lan Yangyang hiking in a wild area he had visited during training. Lan Yangyang struggled with the pace and complained about the strenuous hike and the remote location.
Zong Qing encouraged her, pointing out natural features and recalling how much wilder the area used to be during his training. He tried to lift her spirits by singing a military song, but she asked for something more romantic. Eventually, exhausted and unhappy, she begged to stop the hike and find an internet-famous homestay to rest. Zong Qing initially reminded her their plan was to hike but relented after her repeated pleas.
During training, Yi Nanwang had trouble with his shooting, describing the gun as "not cooperating." Wu Si initially criticized his technique, suggesting he wasn't "feeding" the gun enough bullets. Sergeant Cheng intervened, explaining that Yi Nanwang was suffering from muscle strain due to being overworked during the flood relief efforts in Mazhan Town, where he never had a break.
Wu Si immediately changed his tone and ordered Yi Nanwang to return his firearm and go to the infirmary for medical treatment. Sergeant Cheng also mentioned that some female soldiers who ignored similar pain in Mazhan ended up with tendonitis, and briefly noted his own girlfriend, who works in the staff department, had been out of contact. Tang Xin interviewed Ms. Wu, a woman who had been scammed through a dating website.
Ms. Wu explained that she had lost around 70,000 to 80,000 yuan to two individuals she met on the site. She described one of the scammers as tall, slim, fair-skinned, wearing glasses, and seemingly gentle, but ultimately heartless. Ms. Wu had reported it to the police but couldn't locate the scammers as their names were fake and phone numbers disconnected. She implored Tang Xin to expose the fake daters to prevent others from being victimized.
Based on this, Tang Xin and her colleague decided to attend an upcoming matchmaking event hosted by the same website to investigate. When Tang Xin's father learned of her plan to attend a blind date event, he became very angry, specifically mentioning he had introduced her to Wu Si and couldn't believe she would look for someone else. Back at the internet-famous homestay, Zong Qing and Lan Yangyang explored, taking photos near a bird's nest.
While taking a picture together on a hammock, Zong Qing accidentally dropped her, causing her back pain, which he massaged for her. Later, Zong Qing received a message informing him he might have to go to training soon. Lan Yangyang was visibly upset, but when he offered to request leave to stay with her, she stopped him, telling him not to skip training.
She playfully listed all the things he now "owed" her, including the honeymoon, trips, movies, snacks, and camping. Seeing the limited time before he had to leave, Zong Qing proposed they go camping right away to make the most of their remaining two hours. Wu Si arrived at the matchmaking event looking for someone, politely turning down invitations from other women to connect.
A financially independent woman, Ms. Li, approached him, introducing herself as a 35-year-old divorced businesswoman who was now financially free. She questioned his choice to be a soldier in today's society, highlighting the hardships of military life and suggesting he was wasting his potential by not focusing on making money, claiming that without economic means, one cannot succeed.
She directly propositioned him, offering to support him financially if he would leave the military for her, even stating that taxpayers like her were paying his salary. Tang Xin overheard this conversation and stepped in, citing the law that protects the honor and reputation of military personnel and stating that no one should slander or diminish them.
She challenged Ms. Li, pointing out that the freedom Ms. Li enjoyed to speak her mind was possible precisely because of soldiers like Wu Si. Annoyed, Ms. Li left. After Ms. Li departed, Tang Xin sat down with Wu Si, making a sarcastic comment about him receiving dating profiles. Wu Si admitted he had come to the event specifically to find her after receiving "intel" (implying it was from her father) and taking leave.
The scene then shifted to Tang Xin speaking with a man named Li Xiangdong at the event. Ms. Sun Qing, the woman Tang Xin had previously interviewed, identified Li Xiangdong as the man who had scammed her out of a large sum of money. Tang Xin immediately accused Li Xiangdong of being a scammer. When he tried to run, Wu Si quickly stopped him.
Wu Si told Tang Xin that her mission was complete, indicating he had known all along that she was there not for a blind date, but to apprehend the scammer. That night, Tang Xin lay in bed, unable to sleep, preoccupied by Wu Si's confession of his feelings to her at the matchmaking event. Zong Qing returned to the base early, bringing the essence face masks Lan Yangyang had given him.
He distributed them to his comrades, calling them "emergency masks." When he offered one to Wu Si, Wu Si was initially reluctant, questioning why Zong Qing would use such products. Zong Qing responded by telling Wu Si that Lan Yangyang had said Tang Xin likes men who use face masks and had specifically suggested that Wu Si use them to improve his skin if he wanted to impress Tang Xin.
The next morning, as the soldiers were washing up, Wu Si suddenly ordered an emergency assembly. He commanded them to put on their full gear immediately and prepare for battle, initiating the start of their training period. Unaware that Wu Si had entered a training period, Tang Xin frequently checked her phone, hoping he would call. When she didn't hear from him, she felt disappointed.
Wanting to contact him but also wanting to save face, she considered sending him a work-related message, like a draft of her matchmaking scam press release, as a pretext to reach out. She spoke with Lan Yangyang, both lamenting their partners' constant training commitments which disrupted their plans, including Lan Yangyang's inability to travel abroad to review a lotion.
Tang Xin mentioned her new idea to start a public livestream using her medical knowledge to provide scientific skincare advice and expose dishonest beauty influencers, a project inspired by encountering a misleading one.
Episode 13 Recap
Lan Yangyang was planning to become a beauty blogger, intending to provide expert analysis of skincare products from a medical perspective. She suggested taking Tang Xin on an international trip, mentioning that their other friends were unable to go and Tang Xin was her last hope. Tang Xin, however, felt like a last resort and declined, citing her busy work schedule. Later, at home, Tang Xin was visibly anxious, constantly checking her phone.
Her father noticed her behavior and playfully teased her about waiting for a message from Wu Si. Tang Xin denied it, claiming she was preoccupied with an article. She tried calling Wu Si, but his number was unavailable, leaving her frustrated and feeling like he had disappeared. Her father offered to ask Wang Lang for information, but she refused, insisting she didn't need to know and wanted to be alone.
Once her father left, Tang Xin expressed her unhappiness and distress at being unable to contact Wu Si. Meanwhile, the Blue Blade Special Ops Team was assembled. The Brigadier announced they would represent the Chinese Navy in the annual International Navy Friendship Competition in An. Captain Wu Si was named the team leader, and Private First Class Yi Nanwang was introduced as a rookie member.
The Brigadier emphasized the competition's significance and the need to uphold the honor of the Navy Marine Corps. As part of their preparation before heading abroad, the team was instructed to visit the Navy Museum to learn about the Navy's history and growth. Tang Xin's father called her, sharing the intelligence he had received from Wang Lang that Wu Si was taking his unit to the museum and urged her to go immediately to see him.
Tang Xin, still claiming to be busy with work, refused and hung up, though her father was confident she would go anyway. Later, Wu Si and his team toured the museum, learning about key historical moments, naval heroes like Wang Wei, the challenging lives of reef garrison soldiers in stilt houses, their reliance on infrequent letters via supply ships, and the development of submarines like Changcheng 200 capable of launching ballistic missiles.
They paid their respects, reflecting on the Navy's journey and expressing their commitment. After their tour, Wu Si's team was given a short break. Tang Xin, who had arrived at the museum, spotted Wu Si and called him, but quickly hung up when he answered. Wu Si was standing behind her and asked why she ended the call. She nervously claimed it was a misdial.
When he asked why she was at the museum, she replied she could be there if he was. Wu Si admitted he thought she had come looking for him. Tang Xin changed the subject to her article, asking if he had read it and why he hadn't replied. Wu Si apologized, explaining he had been in intense lockdown training for the upcoming competition abroad and couldn't receive messages.
Tang Xin then asked about his destination and the duration of his trip. Wu Si commented that her reports were always reliable and reminded her of their previous conversation, stating he was waiting for her response. As his team was called to assemble, Tang Xin asked if he was leaving immediately, expressing a wish for him to show her around the museum since she hadn't explored it.
Before joining his team, Wu Si gave her a small item and promised to give her a tour when he returned. He then departed with his unit. Back at home that evening, Tang Xin was lost in thought while looking at the item from Wu Si. Her father startled her, having noticed the museum brochure she brought back, which she had folded into a heart shape, and teased her about her true reason for visiting the museum.
Separately, Lan Yangyang was getting her beauty blogger career underway. She introduced herself online as King Lan, a medical graduate specializing in skincare science, and began by explaining the difference between chemical and physical sunscreens. Meanwhile, Zong Qing was preparing an emergency kit with supplies like iodine, a thermometer, a whistle, and a compass. A teammate observed him and joked if it was for Lan Yangyang.
Zong Qing confirmed it was, expressing concern for her, especially since she was planning to travel, despite not necessarily heading into the wilderness. The teammate suggested that Wu Si should also prepare something similar, perhaps a survival guide, for Tang Xin, noting her work as an investigative reporter might take her to isolated places, and emphasizing that for girls, showing care is what matters.
Wu Si was later seen sending a document, possibly helpful information or a guide, to Tang Xin. The military team then prepared for their departure. The Chinese Navy team boarded their flight to An for the military competition. At the same time, Lan Yangyang and Tang Xin also arrived in An for their trip. Lan Yangyang immediately started filming for her blog, showcasing their hotel and its beautiful pool, and sharing her initial impressions of her makeup's performance.
She mentioned that her mother was her biggest fan and watched her livestreams more than checking her messages. They went to their room, admiring its unique straw roof shaped like a boat. Though Tang Xin was tired and wanted to rest, Lan Yangyang was eager to take photos by the pool. After taking pictures, they noticed a vendor selling local skincare products by the pool.
They asked about "after-sun recovery" and learned the product was made from the seed extract of a fruit found in the forest, described as a traditional local formula that they harvested themselves. Intrigued, Lan Yangyang asked about the forest's location and if the fruit was easy to find inside. The front desk told them the forest was very close but advised that tourists usually didn't go there and inquired if they had a guide.
Lan Yangyang was determined to go to the forest to find the fruit for her blog, believing it would help her gain followers. Tang Xin was hesitant, pointing out they were in a foreign country, unfamiliar with the area, and Lan Yangyang lacked wilderness survival skills, though Lan Yangyang claimed Zong Qing had taught her the skill of carving on trees.
Lan Yangyang persuaded Tang Xin to accompany her, and they asked for directions to an outdoor supplies store before heading towards the forest. Elsewhere, Han Yuhang saw Tang Xin's social media posts indicating she was overseas and instructed his secretary, Ding, to find out when and where she had traveled. As they journeyed towards the forest, Lan Yangyang began live streaming, excited about the prospect of discovering the special fruit.
Han Yuhang's team managed to contact the individual who had previously supplied information to Tang Xin. Han Yuhang sent an email to this contact, falsely presenting himself as Tang Xin's friend who was taking over her investigation while she was away on assignment, and requested that the contact forward future leads to him.
The contact person, being cautious, sent an email directly to Tang Xin to confirm the identity of the person contacting them and inquire if they should share the information. Meanwhile, in the forest in An, Lan Yangyang asked Tang Xin if the photo she had shown her matched the fruit they were searching for. Tang Xin checked her phone, confirmed the photo's shape didn't match, and commented on Lan Yangyang's inability to spot the correct fruit.
Tang Xin then noticed she had lost cell signal. She suggested they turn back, arguing it was unsafe to venture deeper into the forest without communication. Lan Yangyang dismissed her concerns, optimistically suggesting the signal might improve further inside, and insisted they continue until they found the fruit. The military competition officially began with the first task: a submerged search mission. Teams were required to find hidden mission boxes underwater within a set time limit.
They were informed that they could not swap team members during the task and would be disqualified if they called for rescue. Captain Wu Si assigned himself and Wang Chen as the primary diving team, with Zong Qing and Yi Nanwang providing backup support. Wu Si instructed Wang Chen that they would split up once they were underwater. The dive commenced.
Sometime later, a team member informed Zong Qing that Captain Wu had surfaced, bringing with him a member of An's navy whose oxygen tank had malfunctioned. The team member expressed concern for Captain Chen, who was still underwater.
Episode 14 Recap
During an underwater competition, several foreign team members surfaced prematurely due to malfunctioning oxygen cylinders. This caused concern among the observers. It was later revealed that this was a surprise emergency rescue assessment built into the mission. Some participants' oxygen cylinders only had one-third of the basic oxygen, although the readings were normal, and spare cylinders were hidden underwater, but few found them.
The organizers explained that being a top soldier requires not only strength but also qualities like prioritizing comrades' safety over winning and adapting in extreme situations. The Blue Blade Special Ops Team from the Chinese Navy was announced as the winner, being the first to identify the oxygen issue, responding quickest, and demonstrating strong teamwork.
Captains Wu Si and Zong Qing, who experienced short periods of drowning during the test, were checked and expected to recover from temporary hearing loss after rest, with no impact on future competitions. Later, while exploring a dense forest, Tang Xin and Lan Yangyang discussed how long they would continue searching. They suddenly heard a sound that they identified as a wolf howling, terrifying them. They ran a long distance and eventually confirmed the wolf seemed not to be following.
Shaken, they decided to rest briefly. They noticed the forest had changed, dominated by pine trees, suggesting they had gone deeper than intended and should turn back. They agreed to rest for just five minutes before trying to return. They attempted to start a fire using a fire starter, referencing notes Tang Xin said Wu Si had written in a survival guide, but they couldn't get it to light.
They decided against a fire and instead used a lamp, hoping its light would deter wild animals at night. Exhausted from running all day, they prepared to rest and conserve energy. The military competition continued the next day. Various national elite teams competed, with some being eliminated. The Blue Blade Special Ops Team emerged victorious in the Sniper Honor Match, leading to celebrations among the team.
During their celebration, where they toasted with juice, Yi Nanwang was acknowledged for his impressive performance despite only being in the service for two years. Wu Si received a call from the Chinese Embassy. The military attaché informed him that two Chinese citizens, Tang Xin and Lan Yangyang, were missing in the area, having gone into the forest two days prior, and the hotel had filed a police report.
Wu Si and three other team members were assigned to assist in the search and rescue operation, cooperating with the local police. Upon arrival at the forest entrance, where many tourists start their hikes, they were briefed by the local authorities. They were told they were specially approved to assist due to their connection to the missing persons but were strictly prohibited from carrying weapons and must comply with local laws. They handed over their equipment.
Recognizing the vastness of the forest, Wu Si decided to split their group into two teams: himself with Zong Qing, and Cheng Yuan with Yi Nanwang, to increase their chances of finding the girls. They were warned about wild animals in the forest. Meanwhile, Tang Xin and Lan Yangyang were struggling, lost and exhausted. Lan Yangyang expressed her fatigue and desire to rest, but Tang Xin urged her to keep moving.
However, Lan Yangyang insisted she could not continue without a break. Tang Xin conceded and agreed to a two-minute rest. Tang Xin then began making marks along the path, explaining they were lost and needed to mark their route to avoid going in circles and in case someone might find the marks and follow them. She mentioned that Zong Qing had taught her this method for getting lost in the forest.
Despite the slim hope of rescue, they felt leaving marks was better than nothing. After the brief rest, they continued, determined to find their way out before dark. They checked their remaining supplies, finding only two packs of compressed biscuits, half a piece of bread, and a small bottle of water. Tang Xin insisted Lan Yangyang drink the water, and they decided to keep the empty bottle in case they found more water later.
They worried about their situation if they didn't find a way out the following day. They eventually found a stream, offering some relief and a chance to refill their bottle, boosting their morale. Wu Si and Zong Qing pressed on with their search. Zong Qing asked Wu Si about his ear recovery after the earlier incident, which Wu Si confirmed was fine and wouldn't affect the upcoming competition.
They discussed the search, wondering how far the girls might have wandered while lost and if Yangyang would remember the marking technique Zong Qing had taught her during a trip. They came across a path and decided to follow it, suspecting the girls would stick to a clear route rather than dense woods given their presumed stamina. They proceeded cautiously, calling out Tang Xin and Yangyang's names as they searched.
They discovered signs of a recent campsite and knots tied with domestically made 550-grade paracord. Zong Qing recognized the knots as the type he had taught Tang Xin using a method from a survival guide inspired by Wu Si. This confirmed the girls had been in the area, and they eagerly followed the trail of knots. Continuing to call out their names, Wu Si and Zong Qing finally heard a response. They located Lan Yangyang.
Overwhelmed, Yangyang tearfully rushed to Zong Qing and they hugged. Wu Si quickly asked where Tang Xin was. Yangyang explained that Tang Xin had gone ahead alone in the direction they had come from to try and find a way out. Wu Si instructed Yangyang to stay put while he went after Tang Xin. Tang Xin had indeed gone ahead and was resting when a wolf suddenly appeared nearby. Terrified and alone, she instinctively told the animal to stay back.
As the wolf approached, Wu Si appeared. He calmly told Tang Xin not to be scared and to be quiet. The wolf turned and left. Wu Si assured Tang Xin that the danger had passed and she was safe. He then offered to carry her.
Episode 15 Recap
Upon seeing Wu Si, Tang Xin is astonished, questioning if she is dreaming and wondering why he is there. Wu Si explains they were in An for a military competition and rushed over after the embassy notified them that two Chinese citizens had gone missing nearby. A doctor examines Tang Xin, assuring them she is fine, just a little dehydrated, and needs rest.
Later, as Wu Si naps from exhaustion after the competition, Yi Nanwang, holding a hearing aid, tells Tang Xin that Wu Si suffered temporary hearing damage from diving too deep and too fast during the competition, adding that Wu Si is refusing to wear the hearing aid despite the severity. Feeling for Wu Si, Tang Xin sits beside him, thinking he is asleep and cannot hear.
She reflects on avoiding him since returning from Mazhan Town, admitting she was not mad about the Dayan Reef or the secrets but because he had made her look foolish. She confesses her struggle with having fallen for him, a soldier, after having always declared she would never date one. She mentions finding him handsome, recalling his military uniform at Lan Yangyang’s wedding and the unexpected joy of being attracted to someone in uniform.
Thinking he is still asleep, she thanks him for always being there for her and apologizes for kissing him earlier in the jungle. To her surprise, Wu Si opens his eyes, revealing he is already healed and heard everything, though he offers to pretend he didn't. Tang Xin is flustered and embarrassed.
Meanwhile, Zong Qing, finding Lan Yangyang safe, expresses his immense worry and scolds her for her reckless actions, like going into a foreign jungle she knew nothing about without preparation, emphasizing the potential dangers. He points out that her safety was due to sheer luck: going with Tang Xin, the hotel receptionist calling the police, and the embassy approving their search.
Lan Yangyang apologizes, understanding his concern and feeling guilty that he came looking for them directly after his competition without resting. Zong Qing reassures her that his only concern was her safety, not the trouble she caused. Later, Wu Si reiterates that the choice regarding their potential relationship is entirely hers, offering her more time to decide and pretending not to have heard her earlier confession if she needs it.
Tang Xin opens up about her childhood in military camps and her internal conflict about dating a soldier, admitting she was just contradicting herself. Wu Si acknowledges her concerns, assures her he respects them, and will not pressure her, waiting for her to make a decision she won't regret. His conversation is cut short by a notification that he must return to the unit.
Tang Xin is disappointed he has to leave so quickly and prompts him to ask her something. Wu Si directly asks, "Tang Xin, will you be my girlfriend?" After a moment of stuttered hesitation, Tang Xin accepts. Back at the unit after the competition, the Brigadier is pleased with the team's performance but stresses that learning from the experience is more important than winning, specifically advising Wu Si to keep Yi Nanwang grounded.
He mentions the upcoming naval training and potential long convoy mission, telling Wu Si to take advantage of the downtime he'll have before then. Separately, Tang Xin meets with Lan Yangyang, who teases her about Wu Si and the kiss, having heard about it from Zong Qing. Lan Yangyang directly asks Tang Xin if she likes Wu Si, and despite her past declarations, Tang Xin admits her feelings, leading to playful teasing from Lan Yangyang.
At Bai Zijian's home, his mother finds Wang Chen's pre-pregnancy examination report. She confronts Bai Zijian and Wang Chen, revealing she knows Wang Chen cannot have children due to a uterine injury and low hormone levels, as stated in the report. She scolds them for deceiving her, stating her only wish was for a grandchild and feeling hurt that they would lie to her.
Wang Chen is visibly embarrassed, while Bai Zijian tries to explain, but his mother walks away, feeling like an outsider. Tang Xin's father paces worriedly about her late return but pretends to be indifferent when she arrives home. He only reacts when she mentions Wu Si. Later, Tang Xin communicates with her informant via email.
The informant reveals someone claiming to be Tang Xin's friend contacted their old email address, asking for the sunken ship lead because Tang Xin was supposedly busy abroad. Tang Xin confirms she did not authorize this and is surprised the person had the informant's email, which she had kept private, except potentially if they had accessed her computer previously.
Wu Si is seen with his comrades reviewing naval training subjects but accidentally shares a detailed personal "Dating Timetable," leading to his comrades teasing him about his new relationship. Later, Tang Xin meets with Wu Si and tells him about the mysterious person who contacted her informant, claiming to be her friend and trying to obtain the lead and arrange a meeting.
Tang Xin is concerned about the informant's safety and wants Wu Si's advice on whether the informant should agree to meet this person to find out who they are. Wu Si advises agreeing to a meeting, suggesting it happen on the weekend but without setting a specific time or place until shortly before, so he can accompany her to ensure their safety. Wu Si then receives a call and must leave for the unit, much to Tang Xin's disappointment.
Meanwhile, Han Yuhang learns Tang Xin has returned to work and contacts the informant. He then visits Tang Xin, informing her that he was the one who contacted the informant using her email while she was abroad, claiming to be her friend to try and help her. He admits he has arranged to meet the informant this Sunday, and the informant requires Tang Xin to be present at the meeting.
Tang Xin again questions how he obtained the informant's email, but Han Yuhang refuses to disclose his methods, claiming he just wants to help. Later, Han Yuhang is with Tang Xin, preparing to meet the informant, who says they will provide the specific location only an hour before.
Episode 16 Recap
Han Yuhang and Tang Xin traveled to Rainbow Park to meet the informant, whose exact location was only disclosed via messages on the day of the meeting, specifying a trestle bridge near the west entrance. They arrived and waited. While waiting, Han Yuhang discussed the economy and praised Tang Xin's work as a journalist, noting her courage and sense of responsibility. Simultaneously, Wu Si met the informant separately. The informant immediately questioned Tang Xin's relationship with Han Yuhang.
Wu Si clarified that they had only met through an interview and that Tang Xin's explanation in her email was truthful, arguing that the detailed arrangements for the meeting demonstrated there was no secret relationship between them. The informant handed Wu Si artifact fragments salvaged from the seabed near Dayan Reef and asked him to give them to Tang Xin.
When Wu Si inquired about the other promised leads, the informant stated he would continue contact via email, expressing his reservations about Tang Xin's connection to Han Yuhang. The informant then revealed he had investigated Wu Si and knew his identity as Wu Tongshu's son. He explicitly stated that he agreed to meet Wu Si because of his father's admirable reputation, not because Wu Si was Tang Xin's boyfriend. They parted, suggesting they might meet again in the future.
After a significant wait, the informant did not appear, and Tang Xin suggested they leave. Han Yuhang agreed, deeming the informant unreliable, and offered to drive her. He dropped Tang Xin off at her office's underground garage, where Wu Si was waiting to pick her up. Tang Xin introduced Wu Si to Han Yuhang as her boyfriend, who was there to meet her after work. Han Yuhang then departed.
Getting into the car with Wu Si, Tang Xin eagerly asked about his meeting with the informant and the promised leads. Wu Si gave her the fragments and reiterated that the informant would communicate further via email, still seemingly concerned about her knowing Han Yuhang.
Tang Xin wondered if the informant might suspect she and Han Yuhang were collaborating, but Wu Si reassured her this was unlikely, reasoning that if he truly believed that, he would have stopped contacting her entirely. They discussed Han Yuhang's reaction to the no-show, noting he seemed disappointed and troubled. They concluded that their initial suspicion regarding the Changzhou Group likely held true.
As Wu Si drove Tang Xin home, they reached her apartment building when her father, Captain Tang, called. Upon discovering Wu Si was with her downstairs, he immediately invited him up to their home. Tang Xin openly told her father on the phone that she was dating Wu Si. After the call ended, Tang Xin and Wu Si shared a heartfelt embrace. Unexpectedly, Captain Tang suddenly appeared, having come downstairs himself.
Captain Tang greeted Wu Si and made a comment implying Wu Si was heading back to his unit. Captain Tang then instructed Tang Xin not to go to such dangerous places on her own again. Tang Xin affectionately called Wu Si "Si." Elsewhere, Bai Zijian had been searching for his mother, who left feeling upset after feeling she had been deceived.
He found her and accepted all blame, telling her Wang Chen was not responsible and had even advised him against lying. He asked his mother to sit and listen. Bai Zijian explained Wang Chen's medical situation, acknowledging the doctor's report but emphasizing that conception was not impossible, just requiring time and treatment. He then revealed "how" Wang Chen's health had been impacted: by her dedication as an exceptional soldier in the elite Blue Blade special forces.
He described the incredibly difficult training, including prolonged immersion in icy water for stealth practice, and the extreme demands of their missions, particularly for divers like Wang Chen dealing with intense underwater pressure and heat loss. He emphasized that she endured these hardships to avoid being a burden on her comrades. Bai Zijian argued that the peaceful lives civilians enjoyed were due to the sacrifices of soldiers like Wang Chen.
He stated he could not abandon Wang Chen simply because she might struggle to have children, arguing it would be cruel after her physical sacrifices. He powerfully conveyed that Wang Chen was someone who "bears the weight" for others. He told his mother that whether or not they could have children, he had decided they would be happy together, if necessary as a couple without children. He vowed never to divorce Wang Chen, affirming his lifelong commitment to her.
Moved by his words, his mother agreed to return home with him. Later that evening, Tang Xin used her email account to contact the informant. She confirmed receiving the fragments Wu Si had given her and thanked him for providing the physical evidence, then inquired about the new lead he had mentioned.
Addressing his apparent apprehension about her relationship with Han Yuhang, she asked for his trust and explained that if she intended him harm, she would not have told him that Han Yuhang was the one who had arranged their potential meeting. The next day, Tang Xin took the artifact fragments to Bai Zijian at the laboratory for analysis.
She informed him that the fragments were given to her by an informant who claimed they were recovered from the seabed near Dayan Reef and asked for his expert examination. Bai Zijian agreed to examine them, noting that if they were confirmed as authentic underwater artifacts, it would be significant and could help the Cultural Relics Bureau prioritize an underwater archaeological investigation at Dayan Reef. He advised her to hand them over to the bureau if they were authenticated.
On the weekend, Wu Si and Tang Xin visited the home of Zong Qing and Lan Yangyang. Lan Yangyang welcomed Tang Xin warmly. Zong Qing had some playful interactions with his comrade Cheng Yuan. Later, Zong Qing gathered his comrades, including Yi Nanwang, via video call to introduce Tang Xin. Seeing Wu Si and Tang Xin together, especially cooking dumplings, the comrades recognized the seriousness of their relationship and insisted on an official introduction.
With Tang Xin by his side, Wu Si formally introduced her as his girlfriend, prompting applause from his comrades. Tang Xin greeted them and thanked them for looking after Wu Si, playfully adding that she was the one who looked after them. The comrades saluted Tang Xin, addressing her warmly as "sister-in-law." Meanwhile, back at Bai Zijian's home, Wang Chen returned with groceries, intending to make amends with her mother-in-law.
She greeted Bai Zijian's mother, who had arrived downstairs with Bai Zijian, and apologized for having upset her. However, Bai Zijian's mother was no longer angry. She told Wang Chen that Bai Zijian had explained the true extent of her sacrifices and suffering in the military, expressing regret for her misunderstanding and thinking they had been dishonest. She urged Wang Chen to prioritize her health going forward. Reconciled, both Wang Chen and her mother-in-law affectionately debated who should cook dinner.
Bai Zijian suggested they sit and chat instead. Wang Chen, still surprised by her mother-in-law's softened stance, asked Bai Zijian what he had told her, but he teasingly kept it a secret. Later, while Tang Xin was at work, she received a message from Han Yuhang asking to meet and discuss the underwater artifact investigation. He claimed he wanted to help and hoped she had other leads they could explore together. Tang Xin agreed to the meeting.
Han Yuhang apologized for the previous failed meeting with the informant, expressing his genuine desire to assist her investigation. He asked if she possessed any other clues. Tang Xin stated that the fragments were her only lead. She pressed Han Yuhang again, demanding to know the source from which he obtained the informant's email address, a question he had previously avoided answering.
Han Yuhang once more declined to reveal his source but reiterated his sincere intention to help and assured her he had no malicious intent. Tang Xin asked if he would share information if he acquired more through his channels. Han Yuhang promised to share any future information or materials with her immediately. He also admitted that he still didn't know why the informant failed to show up that day and that his attempts to contact him afterward had been unsuccessful.
Wu Si also visited Tang Xin's father, Captain Tang. Captain Tang spoke about Tang Xin's interests, noting she inherited his love for museums, with her favorite being the Navy Museum. He suggested Wu Si take her there on the upcoming weekend and then come to their home for dinner, which Wu Si readily agreed to. Later, Wu Si sent Tang Xin a dress.
Lan Yangyang was with Tang Xin when it arrived and playfully teased her, suggesting Wu Si intended for her to wear it and share photos online to proudly display their relationship, which Tang Xin found a bit embarrassing. Meanwhile, Wu Si urgently summoned his team, including Yi Nanwang, calling for a quick assembly.
Episode 17 Recap
Wu Si shared something he created on social media, which drew unexpected reactions from others. They found it surprising and urged him to delete the post. Lan Yangyang quickly messaged Zong Qing, asking him to convince Wu Si to take it down, stating it was serious. Wu Si's comrades saw the post and called him a creative genius, then immediately worried if Tang Xin had seen it. They suggested deleting it, but realized it was probably too late.
Wu Si explained Zong Qing had suggested he make his relationship public. Zong Qing clarified he meant announcing the relationship, not posting Tang Xin's photo in a way that looked like a "wanted notice," which his comrades agreed could be seen as a "Level-One Kill Order." While they were discussing what to do, Tang Xin called. Wu Si was hesitant to answer, fearing trouble. His comrades passed the phone around, none daring to take it.
Finally, Zong Qing suggested putting it on speaker and preparing to blow an assembly whistle if needed. With trepidation, Wu Si answered. Tang Xin simply asked if he was busy and mentioned she had sent a package he should check later before saying good night. Wu Si was greatly relieved after hanging up. His comrades commented on Tang Xin's pleasant personality and the dynamic in their relationship.
Soon after, Wu Si received a message from Tang Xin confirming the relationship publicly. Later, Tang Xin's father, Lan Weiguo, wanting his daughter to understand the life of a military family, especially with the Navy's 70th anniversary approaching, arranged for Wu Si to take her to the Navy Museum.
Lan Weiguo explained to his wife that this wasn't just about an exhibition; having spent most of his life in uniform, he regretted not being there for them and felt Tang Xin's hesitation about military partners stemmed from her feeling of an incomplete childhood. He believed Wu Si was the only one who could help her overcome this, and he wanted her to see the history and responsibility of military life to accept their relationship.
At the museum, Tang Xin noted a warship resembled one her father had served on. Wu Si provided details about the "Jinan" ship, describing its history as the first domestically developed destroyer, its significant missions, and its role in the Chinese Navy's growth. He shared part of the military oath about defending the nation's dignity, explaining it applied to the ships as well as the flag.
Meanwhile, Lan Yangyang's online reviews exposing issues with Meiduo cosmetic products had negatively impacted the company's sales. Meiduo employees, led by their manager Xu Ning, confronted Lan Yangyang outside her building, demanding she retract her statements and clear the company's name, accusing her of slander. Lan Yangyang maintained her reviews were factual, revealing outdated formulas and the resulting skin problems experienced by users. She attempted to leave, but the employees blocked her, insisting on an apology or compensation.
Zong Qing arrived and, seeing his wife being surrounded, questioned who they were. When Lan Yangyang introduced him as her husband, a soldier, the employees argued he should side with them as civilians and make her apologize and stop posting. The confrontation escalated, and when employees grabbed Lan Yangyang, Zong Qing intervened to protect her, resulting in a physical altercation where Xu Ning fell. The incident quickly gained attention online through a shaky video circulating on social media.
Wu Si received a call informing him Zong Qing needed to report back to the military. While Wu Si returned to the army base to check on Zong Qing, Tang Xin went to the news center to view the online video, which appeared maliciously edited to portray Zong Qing unfavorably. Lan Yangyang spoke with her father, Lan Weiguo, explaining Zong Qing had only been trying to protect her.
However, Lan Weiguo stated that the military was obligated to investigate any public complaint against a soldier regardless of the details, emphasizing the strict rules against conflict with civilians, especially for officers. He refused to intervene, stressing that Zong Qing, as a soldier, must cooperate with the investigation and trust the process. Feeling she had to resolve it herself, Lan Yangyang went to the hospital where Xu Ning was admitted.
She apologized for her role in starting the incident but insisted her husband was not at fault. Xu Ning and her associate claimed Zong Qing had pushed her, causing a lumbar spine fracture, citing the video and witnesses, and demanded 500,000 RMB and a public apology online to Meiduo. Lan Yangyang refused this, calling it extortion, stating her reviews were truthful and she trusted the military to uncover the facts.
Xu Ning threatened legal action and warned that an investigation would ruin Zong Qing's military career. Zong Qing later told Lan Yangyang he would feel disgraced if he compromised. Lan Yangyang apologized for getting him involved, but he reassured her his conscience was clear. Shortly after, Zong Qing was officially notified by a military officer that the Brigade Safety and Security Department was opening an investigation into the incident. His superior encouraged him to remain focused and trust the organization.
Separately, Tang Xin assigned her colleague Hai to investigate the Meiduo manager's background and check past consumer complaints against the company. She told Wu Si not to worry, stating she had a plan to handle the situation outside of the military's standard procedures. Wu Si visited the hospital on behalf of the military. Coincidentally, Tang Xin also arrived, identifying herself as a news reporter investigating the alleged assault.
She presented medical records and a traffic accident report for Xu Ning from 2017. The documents showed Xu Ning had suffered a lumbar compression fracture on the same date in a car accident for which she was at fault, and had been treated at the same hospital. Tang Xin stated this evidence contradicted the claim that Zong Qing's actions caused Xu Ning's injury. Faced with the documents, Xu Ning and her associate were left speechless regarding the assault accusation.
Tang Xin then shifted the focus to the Meiduo products. She challenged Xu Ning about the truthfulness of Lan Yangyang's review, which Xu Ning denied. Tang Xin then brought in several consumers who had used Meiduo's essence and experienced severe adverse reactions like rashes and scarring, requiring medical treatment. She also presented a lab report confirming Lan Yangyang's finding that Meiduo's product was only approved as a cosmetic, not a "cosmeceutical" as advertised.
As the manager became flustered, worried about the recording, Tang Xin explained that while this specific issue wasn't military business, the evidence could be shared with the army. The manager pleaded with Wu Si not to cause trouble for their jobs.
Tang Xin sternly stated she was taking the matter seriously because she herself was from a military family – her father, boyfriend, and his father were all soldiers – and having been protected by them, it was her turn to protect them. She offered a deal: withdraw the complaint against Zong Qing and issue a public apology to the military, Zong Qing, and Lan Yangyang.
Following these events, a military officer announced the official closure of the investigation into Captain Zong Qing, stating it was fully cleared. Zong Qing rushed home excitedly to share the news with Lan Yangyang, who responded with a subdued "That's good." Sensing her low mood, he asked if something was wrong, and she revealed she was pregnant. Zong Qing was overjoyed at the news of becoming a father, but Lan Yangyang expressed hesitation.
She worried if they were ready, having just married and still feeling she hadn't become a good wife yet. She mentioned her mother still saw her as a child and she didn't know how she could care for another person if she hadn't grown up herself. Zong Qing reassured her they weren't alone and would face challenges together, promising to do his best to take care of and protect her. Despite his reassurances, she asked to be alone.
Discussing the situation with Wu Si, Tang Xin noted that Lan Yangyang, having been pampered growing up, seemed hesitant about keeping the baby. She questioned Zong Qing's plan to simply "try to understand" Lan Yangyang's fear, calling him an "ostrich." Tang Xin decided to help him gain a deeper understanding. She took Zong Qing to experience a pain simulation designed to mimic the physical discomfort of pregnancy and labor.
After enduring simulated pain levels up to ten, Tang Xin explained that while the physical pain was real, Lan Yangyang, as someone with medical knowledge, wasn't primarily afraid of that. She told Zong Qing he needed to understand Lan Yangyang's "true" fear and show her his unwavering commitment to their future as a family. Zong Qing tried to call Lan Yangyang, but she didn't answer. He was later seen looking for her, appearing visibly downcast. He confided in Wu Si that Lan Yangyang wasn't answering his calls and he couldn't find her, asking what he should do.
Episode 18 Recap
Zong Qing was noticeably distracted during training, consumed by worry because Lan Yangyang wasn't answering his calls. Wu Si, observing his state, attempted to offer comfort and guidance. Zong Qing expressed his deep desire for the child but shared his anxieties about being frequently absent due to his military duties.
Wu Si spoke candidly about the significant challenges military life poses for families, especially during pregnancy and raising children, emphasizing that Zong Qing needed to understand Lan Yangyang's perspective and potential fears about facing these challenges alone. Zong Qing admitted his own emotional struggle, imagining his partner facing pregnancy difficulties without him present. Wu Si reiterated the heavy responsibility involved but urged Zong Qing to face it head-on.
To help Lan Yangyang cope with her situation, Tang Xin arranged for her to meet Lin Lan, the wife of Brigadier Wang, who was heavily pregnant with her second child. Lin Lan shared her personal experience of her first pregnancy with their son, Wang Zhaoyang. She recounted how her husband, Wang Lang, was often away on duty and even missed Wang Zhaoyang's birth due to an urgent recall while he was on leave.
Lin Lan spoke honestly about the physical and emotional toll of pregnancy and childbirth, describing moments of fear and loneliness, but also the overwhelming love and sense of fulfillment she felt upon holding her baby. She stressed to Lan Yangyang that choosing to have a child is a deeply personal decision, not an obligation.
Lin Lan encouraged Lan Yangyang by describing the joy she found in watching Wang Lang's clumsy attempts at caring for their newborn son, which made all the hardships feel worthwhile. She allowed Lan Yangyang to touch her pregnant belly, letting her feel the baby move.
Lan Yangyang confessed her own fears and lack of excitement, wondering if she was fit to be a mother, but Lin Lan reassured her that her feelings were normal and that the bond with the child would grow. Meanwhile, Tang Xin received information about a company named "Atocha" registered in the Roman Islands, suggested to be connected to the stolen relic case. She was given only the company's name and address.
Recognizing the limited information, she initiated a search but found only basic registration details, noting that companies in the Roman Islands often have their information kept private, which attracts businesses involved in illegal activities. Tang Xin discussed this lead with Wu Si. Wu Si speculated that the informant might be cautious after past events but could hold further clues.
He suggested that traveling to the Roman Islands could either be a test from the informant or might lead to progress that prompts the informant to reveal more. Tang Xin saw the potential value in pursuing the lead in the Roman Islands, but Wu Si emphasized the importance of safety abroad and insisted she should not go alone and must report her intentions to the relevant authorities.
Shortly after discussing the Roman Islands lead, Tang Xin was summoned to a meeting with Mr. Tian. During the discussion, Tang Xin received a call from Bai Zijian. Bai Zijian informed her that the porcelain shards she had provided had been examined and confirmed to be valuable relics from a sunken ship. He also relayed that the Cultural Relics Bureau, based on her findings, was now preparing to launch an official underwater archaeological expedition at Dayan Reef.
Tang Xin used this significant development to argue to Mr. Tian that her planned investigation in the Roman Islands was crucial to connect the underwater relics to the potential theft and recovery efforts. Hearing the confirmation of the relics' origin and the upcoming archaeological work, Mr. Tian reluctantly approved her trip, reiterating his concern for her safety. Concurrently, the Navy was preparing for a new escort mission.
Brigadier Wang (Wang Lang) announced that the mission's special operations team would be selected from Wu Si's unit following an intensive training period. The special ops candidates underwent rigorous physical drills, including running, carrying heavy objects, boat drills, and overcoming obstacles. The demanding nature of the training was evident, with some soldiers needing medical attention for injuries. During a sea drill, one soldier, Yi Nanwang, visibly struggled with seasickness.
Brigadier Wang later announced the selection list for the escort mission, which included Wu Si, Zong Qing, Cheng Yuan, Yi Nanwang, and several others. He addressed the assembled team, highlighting the critical importance of the mission through potentially unfamiliar waters and expressing his confidence in their ability to lead and perform. Immediately after the selection list was announced, Cheng Yuan sought out Ke'er, a fellow member of the Marine Corps.
He informed her that he had been chosen for the overseas escort mission, which would keep him away for at least two months and likely result in him missing her planned discharge from the military in September. Ke'er expressed her hurt and frustration, upset that he waited until the list was official to tell her and interpreting his delay as an attempt to avoid being present for her departure from the service.
Cheng Yuan apologized, explaining that participating in the mission was his duty. Ke'er acknowledged his military obligation but resented the lack of prior communication and the familiar apologies, stating she was used to hearing him say he was sorry and that she needed to take care of herself. She told him she didn't need him to care for her and that she could manage on her own, concluding by wishing him safety at sea before leaving.
Zong Qing managed to return home for a brief period before his deployment. Lan Yangyang greeted him warmly, expressing her joy at his return. She eagerly showed him baby clothes she had bought in neutral colors, revealing her decision to embrace the pregnancy and her hopes of being "the coolest parents." She shared that she was feeling less scared than before, although she still worried about the physical changes pregnancy would bring.
She began making plans for his limited time home, hoping he could join her for birthing classes and help decorate the baby's room weekly. Zong Qing, clearly moved by her acceptance and enthusiasm, then had to deliver difficult news: he had been selected for the overseas escort mission departing the very next day and would be gone for a minimum of two months. He apologized for having to leave her alone again so soon.
Lan Yangyang, despite her disappointment, bravely reassured him that she and the baby would be fine with her mother's support and that they would wait patiently for his safe return. Brigadier Wang (Wang Lang) also prepared for his departure on the same escort mission. Knowing he would likely miss the birth of his second child, he spoke tenderly to his unborn daughter, promising to hold her and her mother when he returned.
His wife, Lin Lan, bid him goodbye, urging him to complete his mission and return safely and soundly. Later that night, he spoke with their young son, Wang Zhaoyang, who was still awake. Wang Lang asked Wang Zhaoyang if he would be scared if his father wasn't present when his sister was born. Wang Zhaoyang maturely stated he wouldn't be scared and that he knew how to take care of his mother.
Brigadier Wang then gave his son detailed instructions on what to do if his mother needed help, including whom to call and where to find the maternity bag, listing its essential contents such as toiletries, baby items, cash, identity documents, health records, and medical records. He formally entrusted Wang Zhaoyang with the responsibility of looking after his mother and new sister while he was away. Lin Lan was later seen shedding tears after her husband's departure.
The following morning, Lan Yangyang awoke to find Zong Qing gone. She discovered a heartfelt letter he had left behind. In the letter, Zong Qing explained he had left without waking her and described the numerous detailed preparations he had made for her and the baby's arrival.
He listed thoughtful actions such as setting up a new, simple-to-use soy milk maker with notes, ensuring her fridge was stocked with healthy food while removing sodas, scheduling daily deliveries of fruit and milk, organizing the baby items she had purchased, and even taking books to study at sea. He also highlighted safety measures, strongly advising her to wear non-slip slippers in the bathroom and arranging for a cleaning service, forbidding her from doing chores.
He mentioned recording a video tutorial for the baby heart monitor and acknowledged his inexperience in some domestic tasks, hoping she would understand. Zong Qing promised to send daily messages despite communication challenges at sea and stated that her only job was to remain healthy and happy while waiting for him with the baby. He ended the letter by expressing his love for them both.
Upon reaching the designated sea zone for the mission's next phase, the team was ordered to assemble immediately due to an urgent situation. During this assembly, Yi Nanwang was observed suffering from severe seasickness and vomiting.
Episode 19 Recap
During a sea training session aimed at preparing special forces members for escort duties, Yi Nanwang experienced seasickness and vomited. Hearing the noise, the Brigadier immediately questioned Wu Si about it. The Brigadier expressed his extreme disappointment, stating that a Marine Corps special forces member becoming seasick would significantly impact future combat operations. He stripped Yi Nanwang of his arm badge, telling him he would only be qualified to wear it again after overcoming his difficulties.
The Brigadier also removed Wu Si's arm badge, holding him responsible as Yi Nanwang's captain. The Brigadier warned all the soldiers that while anyone else might falter, they, as special forces, could not, and threatened anyone who became seasick again with swimming back to base. Later, Wu Si began targeted training with Yi Nanwang to help him overcome his seasickness.
He took Yi Nanwang to the highest point on the ship, explaining that it was the most unstable spot and everyone had to overcome the rocking. Wu Si reassured Yi Nanwang, telling him he had never been a disappointment and urging him not to give up on himself. Yi Nanwang vowed to earn both their armbands back quickly. Lan Yangyang returned to her parents' home.
While she felt a sense of loneliness being home alone, she understood her husband Zong Qing's duty as a soldier on the escort mission. Greeting her mother warmly, she playfully hugged her and shared the news of her pregnancy. She told her parents she had decided to have the child. Her parents were overjoyed and prepared many nutritious meals for her, emphasizing the importance of her health.
Her mother reminded her to be careful and slow in everything now that she was expecting, especially with Zong Qing away, and to let them know if she needed anything. Lan Yangyang assured them she would be careful and understood Zong Qing's military duty. Her mother also confirmed that Lan Yangyang had already registered at the hospital and made an appointment for her prenatal checkup, offering to accompany her.
Tang Xin arrived in Roman with her assistant, Hai, and checked into a hotel. They went to observe the Atocha company building, but found the door continuously closed and no sign of anyone entering for two days. Hai expressed disappointment and suggested the company might have gone out of business, having found no clues. Tang Xin agreed it didn't look like a typical company but decided to wait longer.
Wu Si continued training Yi Nanwang, using various methods to help him overcome seasickness and dizziness, including exercises involving walking in a straight line while spinning. Wu Si pushed him to keep going, emphasizing that as a special forces soldier, he was capable. After days of observing the Atocha company with no results, Tang Xin emailed the informant who had provided the lead.
The informant replied, stating that a "bigwig" would be arriving soon and typically stayed at the high-end Aston Hotel in Roman. Tang Xin found the informant's indirectness frustrating but noted their timely information, prompting her to wonder about their identity and access to such details. Deciding to act on the tip, Tang Xin and Hai moved to the Aston Hotel. Unbeknownst to Tang Xin, Han Yuhang had also been following her.
Upon learning she had moved to the Aston Hotel, which he noted was the most expensive and exclusive hotel in Roman, he was puzzled but also checked in there secretly with his assistant, taking precautions not to be discovered by Tang Xin. Through continued effort and training, including the specific exercises with Wu Si, Yi Nanwang successfully overcame his seasickness. He reported to the Brigadier, confidently stating that he no longer got seasick.
He first asked for Captain Wu Si's armband back, then his own. The Brigadier returned their armbands, sternly warning them not to become arrogant and reminding them of the consequences if they faltered again. With the training complete, all the special forces members were deemed fit for the Gulf of Aden escort mission. The escort fleet prepared for departure. Fleet Commander Xu Jianhua and Political Commissar Song Guoqing oversaw the preparations.
The Brigadier addressed the soldiers, emphasizing that they represented the Chinese military and Navy, and expressed his expectation for their safe return. The order was given to board the ship and set sail. As they departed, Wu Si took a moment to look back. Later at the Aston Hotel, Han Yuhang's father, the Chairman, and his brother, Mr. Yutian, arrived and checked in. Han Yuhang's assistant spotted them in the lobby.
Han Yuhang realized that his father and brother were the "bigwig" the informant had mentioned and understood why Tang Xin had moved to the Aston Hotel. He instructed his assistant to be even more cautious when going out to avoid being seen by Tang Xin. Tang Xin, also learning that Han Yuhang's father and brother had arrived at the Aston Hotel, realized that the important target she was waiting for had finally arrived.
Eager to investigate, Tang Xin and Hai went down to the lobby to observe the Chairman and Mr. Yutian from a distance. Hai asked about their room number, but Tang Xin only knew they had gone up to the 41st floor.
Episode 20 Recap
My friend, William, arrived and was welcomed. He immediately got to the point, explaining that his exploration team had found some artifacts and were now locating the sunken ship they came from. He was confident they would find the ship soon, suggesting it would lead to a large profit, which was met with enthusiasm. They agreed that once the ship's location was confirmed, salvage operations would begin immediately, sealing the deal.
Later, someone reported to Han Yuhang about the Atocha Company investigation, confirming it was a partnership between several foreigners and one Chinese person. However, due to the local registration system, they couldn't identify the Chinese individual involved. Han Yuhang thanked them for their help and asked to be notified of any further information.
Reflecting on Tang Xin following his father and brother from China to Roman and her interest in Atocha Company, Han Yuhang expressed concern to his subordinate that she might make discoveries, though accessing direct information from his father would be difficult for her. He worried that Tang Xin's continued close observation of his father and brother would eventually lead to her being discovered by them.
He instructed his subordinate to keep a close eye on Tang Xin and report to him immediately if his father or brother found out about her activities. Tang Xin sent photos of Han Changzhou meeting with foreigners in Roman to Bai Zijian, asking him to forward them to the police to see if any valuable clues could be found.
Han Yuhang's father and Han Changzhou discussed the news that the Cultural Relics Bureau had formed an underwater archaeology team and begun exploring the Dayan Reef area, where they had previously operated. They noted that even though they had abandoned a certain ship there, the archaeologists would realize it had been tampered with and report it to the police. The father cautioned Han Changzhou to be more careful.
They then discussed Han Yuhang's arrival in Roman and his stay at their hotel, expressing suspicion about his true purpose there. Han Yuhang met with Han Changzhou and their father. Han Changzhou questioned why Han Yuhang hadn't informed them of his arrival. Han Yuhang explained he was there on business but also admitted he came with Tang Xin, saying he was mainly focused on business but would spend some time with her.
They discussed the father's plan to establish an offshore fishing hub in Roman. Han Yuhang offered to stay permanently to help manage it since he had free time, but his father and brother dismissed the idea, saying he wouldn't understand the business and suggesting he return home once he finished his leisure activities in Roman, as someone needed to be at the company headquarters.
After Han Yuhang left, the father reiterated his suspicion about Tang Xin and felt she knew a lot about them. He suggested they needed to come up with a solution, pondering if they should "settle her here." Han Changzhou objected, pointing out their presence in Roman was traceable and if anything happened to her, they would be the main suspects, especially if she had informed others about her investigation.
They decided against drastic measures for now, agreeing to find another way to control her. Meanwhile, Lan Yangyang received distressing news from a doctor regarding her prenatal screening, which indicated a high risk for fetal abnormalities, possibly Down syndrome. The doctor explained the meaning of "high risk" and suggested further diagnostic tests like amniocentesis or non-invasive DNA to confirm any chromosomal abnormalities. If confirmed as Down syndrome in early pregnancy, the doctor advised considering termination.
Visibly upset, Lan Yangyang later told her mother she wanted to meet a friend from medical school who worked nearby, politely refusing her mother's offer to accompany her and asking for directions to schedule an amniocentesis. Alone, she looked at her phone, scrolling through chat logs with Zong Qing, which were full of messages she had sent him, with no replies, highlighting the lack of communication due to his mission at sea.
On the ship, the escort fleet celebrated postponed birthdays. The brigadier announced that birthday sailors could use the commanding officer's cabin to call home. It was mentioned that Yi Nanwang was at his promotion ceremony to become a sergeant and would be called to have longevity noodles and join future group birthday celebrations. Sailors recorded video messages for their families back home. Tang Xin was at a bar and ordered a California Sunset cocktail. Soon after, she felt unwell.
Two men helped her, one on each side, guiding her away as she seemed disoriented. Han Yuhang witnessed this and quickly followed them discreetly, making a phone call to arrange for a car to pick him up at the hotel's back door immediately. Back with the Han family, William received expert confirmation that the porcelain artifact was from the Song Dynasty's official kiln and highly valuable.
He was excited to learn it was found near the sunken ship's area and speculated it might have fallen off during the sinking, suggesting the ship likely contained many more such items. Han Changzhou's father spoke separately with someone, confirming Tang Xin had been controlled and was being held at a temporary location. He was assured she was being watched carefully, although she was heavily drugged and would sleep longer.
He stated firmly that he did not want this person to return to China. Tang Xin woke up to find herself tied up. She saw Han Yuhang was also tied up nearby. He told her they were on a cargo ship that seemed to be heading overseas. He explained that he had tried to save her when she was drugged and kidnapped but got caught in the process. He identified their captor as merely a guard. Tang Xin, realizing he had followed her to Roman, questioned his true intentions.
Episode 21 Recap
While held captive, Tang Xin questioned Han Yuhang about why he had followed her to Roman. Han Yuhang explained that he knew she was investigating the illegal salvaging of underwater relics and had come to help her. Tang Xin was hesitant to share her findings, expressing mistrust, but Han Yuhang pressed her, pointing out their uncertain future. He admitted that he suspected his own family might be involved, a suspicion that began when he learned about a certain email account.
He had tried to meet the informant but failed, leading him to follow her as he had no leads of his own. He pledged to do everything possible to make his family stop if they were proven to be involved. Meanwhile, Tang Xin's disappearance caused concern. Mr. Tian attempted to contact her but her phone was off.
He spoke to Hai, who was searching for her in Roman, confirming he had reported her missing to the police, though they were unhelpful. Mr. Tian instructed Hai not to worry Tang Tang Xin's family yet, but to keep searching and pushing the local police. Separately, Han Zhangzhou was searching for his brother, Han Yuhang, who had not returned to his hotel and whose whereabouts were unknown to his secretary and family back home.
Elsewhere, Lan Yangyang, having recovered her spirits, resumed her live stream as "King Lan," focusing on a "moms-to-be" theme due to her own pregnancy. She advised pregnant viewers on which cosmetic ingredients to avoid, listing retinol, vitamin A, benzophenones, 2-fluorotoluene, ethanol, and salicylic acid as strong irritants. She emphasized checking ingredient lists and ideally avoiding makeup altogether during pregnancy for the health of both mother and baby.
After the stream ended, she accidentally stepped on cosmetics on the floor and fell. Back at sea, the naval fleet received a request from the International Maritime Bureau to rescue a foreign cargo ship hijacked by pirates. Brigadier Wang informed Captain Wu Si that the pirates were likely already onboard and holding hostages, necessitating a covert boarding operation to ensure their safety. Wu Si was tasked with the mission.
The hijacked vessel was, unbeknownst to the naval team initially, the same ship where Tang Xin and Han Yuhang were being held by traffickers. Hearing gunfire erupt elsewhere on the ship, their guard fled. Tang Xin and Han Yuhang began attempting to untie themselves. Under the cover of night, Wu Si led his special forces team in a discreet boarding of the cargo ship, avoiding detection by the pirates.
Tang Xin and Han Yuhang managed to free themselves but found themselves trapped as pirates were now swarming the ship. Wu Si's teams began clearing sections of the vessel. When one team was discovered, a firefight broke out, alerting the remaining pirates. The special forces then engaged the pirates directly. As the battle raged, Tang Xin and Han Yuhang tried to find the ship's safe room, growing increasingly anxious from the sounds of combat nearby.
Using smoke grenades, Wu Si's team advanced against the pirates who were using the ship's layout for cover. The team successfully eliminated the resistance and secured the area where hostages were believed to be held. However, just as the immediate threat seemed over, a lone pirate who had evaded the sweep encountered Tang Xin and Han Yuhang, taking them hostage on the deck with a pistol and a grenade.
Tang Xin was frightened but felt a sense of relief upon seeing Captain Wu Si arrive with his team. Wu Si and Yi Nanwang coordinated a plan. The pirate was using Tang Xin as a shield, preventing a clear shot. Wu Si calmly spoke to the pirate while preparing for a shot, calculating the ship's sway. He instructed Yi Nanwang to fire at a precise moment during the ship's movement. Yi Nanwang successfully shot the pirate.
The pirate's grenade detonated during the confrontation, and Wang Chen was injured in the explosion. With the pirate neutralized, Tang Xin and Han Yuhang were safely rescued. Back home, Bai Zijian, Wang Chen's husband, felt a sudden unease and watched old videos of her training, seemingly sensing her distress or danger. Lan Yangyang went to the hospital after her fall. Doctors confirmed her baby was safe, alleviating her fear. She began frequently visiting Lin Lan, who was heavily pregnant.
During one visit, they received news that Wang Chen's mother-in-law, Mrs. Bai, had fallen. Lan Yangyang and Lin Lan, accompanied by Lin Lan's son Wang Zhaoyang, rushed to the hospital to help. Despite her pregnancy, Lin Lan was active, but Lan Yangyang took on tasks like handling hospital fees, showing concern for Lin Lan's condition. On the ship heading back, Wu Si approached Han Yuhang on deck, advising him not to stand too close to the railing.
Han Yuhang thanked Wu Si for saving him a second time. He expressed his surprise that Wu Si, whom he believed was Tang Xin's boyfriend, hadn't known she was going to Roman, stating he wouldn't have let her go alone. He acknowledged Tang Xin's work as inherently dangerous and asked Wu Si to help keep her safer in the future, to which Wu Si simply thanked him for the reminder. On the journey home, Lin Lan unexpectedly went into labor.
After waking up, Tang Xin sought out Wu Si and found him standing on deck duty. She watched him from a distance, choosing not to disturb him. Back home, Lan Yangyang experienced discomfort with her pregnancy, likely due to recent stress and exertion.
A doctor noted frequent fetal movement and a possibility of early placental abruption, advising her to monitor fetal movement, rest, avoid being alone, and maintain a positive attitude, especially as it was her first pregnancy and her husband was not present. Meanwhile, Wang Chen was in the hospital, having sustained a torn Achilles tendon and a comminuted fracture in her calf from the grenade explosion. The injury was more severe than initially thought.
Doctors discussed her condition, noting that despite surgery, complications like tendon contracture were possible and her full recovery level was uncertain. Knowing Wang Chen's strong will, Dr. Lin and others, with the Brigadier's approval, decided not to disclose the full severity of her injuries immediately, fearing it might hinder her recovery.
One of her teammates visited, offering to become her baby's godmother, and Wang Chen attempted to sit up to look at her injured leg, but was told she couldn't be helped with that. Brigadier Wang received a call from the Political Commissar, informing him that his wife had safely delivered a baby girl and was being looked after at the base.
Episode 22 Recap
As mealtime approached on the warship, reporter Tang Xin spoke with Dr. Qiu about her recovery and the condition of Captain Wang Chen, who was injured during the rescue. Dr. Qiu assured Tang Xin that her physical injuries were minor but advised her to adjust her mindset. Tang Xin inquired about Captain Wu Si, asking if he had visited her while she was unconscious.
Dr. Qiu explained how busy Wu Si was as both a special operations member and an officer, rarely having set meal times, but she conveyed his message for Tang Xin to eat and rest well, as they would be home soon. Meanwhile, Lan Yangyang sat dejectedly on the floor in a hospital hallway. A child, Zhaoyang, tried to comfort her, showing her a picture of their baby sister, Xi, and thanking Lan Yangyang for staying with their mother and sister.
Lan Yangyang, grieving her own loss, apologized for not being more helpful but just being present. She made a secret pact with Zhaoyang, instructing the child to tell their parents that nothing significant happened, only that they had gone home to retrieve clothes. After being discharged, Lan Yangyang returned to her empty home. Her mother called, worried about her being alone while Zong Qing was away on escort duty, urging her to come stay with them.
Hearing her mother's concern, Lan Yangyang broke down and wept privately. When she later visited her parents, she put on a brave face, chatting and laughing with them. Her father, Lan Weiguo, and mother spoke excitedly about their future grandchild, discussing how they would spoil and raise the baby. Lan Yangyang listened, tears welling up again, and she finally confessed that she had lost the baby. Later, Tang Xin found Wu Si on the ship's deck.
She apologized for Wang Chen's injury, feeling it was her fault, but Wu Si took responsibility. He explained that Wang Chen needed quiet rest and couldn't receive visitors, even from him. He gave Tang Xin a shell casing containing seawater from China's traditional territorial boundary, symbolizing his journey and allowing her to feel as though she had walked the path with him.
As they spoke, an announcement blared: the fleet was about to cross the boundary and return to China, signifying they were going home. At her parents' home, Lan Yangyang asked her mother if she ever regretted marrying a soldier like her father. Her mother said she had never considered regretting it and would choose the same path again.
Lan Yangyang then admitted how difficult military marriage was, much harder than she had anticipated, finding the lack of steady companionship and consistent presence challenging. She wondered if her decision to marry Zong Qing was impulsive, feeling she was not mature enough to handle the responsibilities. Her mother understood her feelings and emphasized the dedication and sacrifice of soldiers and their families. Upon the fleet's successful return, Zong Qing immediately called Lan Yangyang, but she didn't answer.
Her father, Lan Weiguo, picked up the phone, saying Lan Yangyang was busy but that Zong Qing should come home quickly as she missed him. Meanwhile, an officer named Cheng Yuan drove Tang Xin home. On the way, Cheng Yuan told Tang Xin how much Wu Si had thought of her during the escort mission, mentioning that Wu Si often tried to call her and recorded videos for her whenever he couldn't get through, showing her the sea and sky.
Tang Xin was touched by these revelations and promised Cheng Yuan not to tell Wu Si what he had shared. Back at home, Lan Yangyang remained locked in her room, distraught. Her parents were anxious, particularly as Zong Qing was about to arrive. When Zong Qing finally arrived, looking tired but strong, he was warmly welcomed by his parents. He had brought baby clothes, eager to see Lan Yangyang and the baby.
His parents, Lan Weiguo and his wife, tried to deflect his questions about Lan Yangyang by enthusiastically asking him about his escort mission, prompting him to recount the incident with the hijacked cargo ship and the rescued hostages. As Zong Qing spoke, his mother became visibly emotional, crying. Noticing their distress and finding Lan Yangyang's phone, Zong Qing pressed them for the truth. Tearfully, Lan Weiguo confessed that they had lost the baby while Zong Qing was away.
Distressed by the news, Zong Qing went to Lan Yangyang's room and spoke to her through the closed door. He called her name, urging her to open the door so he could see her, telling her he missed her and apologizing for her having to face this difficult time alone. He promised to stay with her now that he was back. Captain Wang Chen, severely injured with a shrapnel wound to her Achilles tendon, was being treated in the hospital.
She told Qiu Xiao and Wu Si, who were with her, not to inform her husband, Bai Zijian, immediately. She was worried he would be overly concerned and not rest, adding to the stress, especially since his mother had been hesitant about his move to Wenzhou, only agreeing for pregnancy plans. Wang Chen stated that losing the baby was already a difficult issue for their family, and she didn't want to worry them further with her injury.
However, Qiu Xiao explained the seriousness of the Achilles tendon injury and the long recovery ahead, emphasizing the need for strict rehabilitation and facing reality. Wang Chen accepted the prognosis but asked for the news to be kept from her mother-in-law for the time being, as she had promised to return safely. Reporter Tang Xin met with her supervisor, Mr. Han, back at the office.
Mr. Han acknowledged that her experience was potentially explosive news but agreed to hold the story pending the official investigation, crediting her for her contributions. He sternly warned her against undertaking such dangerous assignments alone in the future, stressing his responsibility for her safety and accountability to their superiors and her family. He advised her to rest and then focus on reviving her column. At the hospital, Brigadier Wang visited his wife, Lin Lan.
They embraced, expressing their concern and apologies for the hardship they had endured. Their child, Zhaoyang, excitedly told his father how he had helped care for his mother and baby sister, Xi, while the Brigadier was away. Lan Yangyang finally opened the door to her room and was embraced by Zong Qing. They shared their feelings and grief. Meanwhile, Lan Yangyang's parents felt deep sorrow, feeling they had let Zong Qing down by the loss of the baby.
Tang Xin arrived home and was greeted warmly by her parents, who were relieved and emotional to see her safe after her long and dangerous absence. She presented them with gifts and spoke to her father, addressing him as "Captain Tang," expressing that her recent experience had helped her understand the sacrifices he made being away from home for so many years, realizing that his absence was what ensured their safe and happy life.
Episode 23 Recap
Upon returning home, Han Zhangzhou and his father immediately called for Han Yuhang. Both expressed concern, questioning his whereabouts and why he became unreachable after arriving in the Roman Islands. Han Yuhang responded with a cryptic smile and a vague explanation, claiming he met an old classmate and went boating for several days, which caused his phone to lose signal. He added that he accidentally threw his phone into the sea after drinking heavily upon returning.
His father noted a distinct change in Han Yuhang's tone, sensing he was holding back the truth, but Han Yuhang simply brushed it off, attributing his behavior to exhaustion from having "too much fun" at sea. Tang Xin, now back in the country, emailed the informant who had provided her with crucial leads. She confirmed her return and stated she had identified the influential figure they discussed.
She expressed understanding for the informant's previous caution, acknowledging the target's deep roots and influence in the field, making exposure difficult without solid evidence. The informant congratulated Tang Xin, recognizing her as a resourceful reporter, and stressed the increasing danger as they get closer to the truth. They reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate, emphasizing the goal of finding evidence to bring the culprits to justice.
At the hospital, Bai Zijian remained by Wang Chen's side, caring for her after she awoke. He shared how difficult her absence had been for him, recounting small gestures like buying flowers daily and learning to cook in anticipation of her return. He reassured her that he was incredibly proud of her actions, mentioning that Captain Wu had told him everything.
He then revealed he had secured ten days of special leave just to be with her, dismissing her suggestion that he leave to avoid further burdening him. He insisted they would use this time to make up for their interrupted honeymoon, even if it meant staying home. Meanwhile, Lan Weiguo and his wife discussed Zong Qing and Lan Yangyang, expressing their worry for the young couple.
Lan Weiguo advised his wife to let them handle their situation themselves, noting that they needed to learn to cope with difficulties, much like military wives must adapt to their husbands' absences. Wang Chen, determined to return to her unit, expressed her strong desire to begin rehabilitation immediately to Bai Zijian. He gently tried to dissuade her, explaining that her Achilles tendon injury was severe and required a slow, gradual recovery according to the doctors.
He informed her that even with full recovery, returning to high-intensity training would be difficult. Wang Chen became distressed, insisting she couldn't wait and demanded to speak with Dr. Yang directly. Bai Zijian agreed to call the doctor. As they waited, Wang Chen, frustrated, attempted to get out of bed to start exercising. Wu Si arrived at that moment and firmly stopped her, reiterating that she must follow medical advice as it was an order.
When Dr. Yang arrived, he confirmed that intense rehab was not recommended yet but agreed to conduct a simple test first to assess her current recovery level. Tang Xin also visited Wang Chen, accompanied by Bai Zijian and Wu Si. Tang Xin sincerely apologized to Wang Chen, feeling responsible for her injury, stating Wang Chen was hurt saving her.
Bai Zijian and Wang Chen both reassured her that Wang Chen was simply performing her duty as a soldier and Tang Xin should not feel guilty. While they were at the hospital, Zong Qing was also present. He shared the heartbreaking news that he and Lan Yangyang had lost their baby due to a miscarriage.
Tang Xin reacted with immediate distress and wanted to rush to Lan Yangyang's side, but Wu Si and Zong Qing calmly restrained her, urging her to give Lan Yangyang some time and space. Wu Si then gently advised Zong Qing to return home and focus on taking care of Lan Yangyang, who needed him. Later, Lan Yangyang received a phone call from the hospital regarding the results of her earlier amniocentesis.
The doctor informed her that the tests showed no abnormalities, confirming the baby's chromosomes were normal and healthy, without risk of Down Syndrome. This news arrived after the miscarriage, adding another layer of profound sadness for Lan Yangyang. Han Zhangzhou hastily informed his father that Tang Xin had returned to China unharmed and was back at work, which shocked them as they believed she had been successfully sold.
Han Zhangzhou contacted someone named William, who explained that the cargo ship Tang Xin was on was hijacked by pirates in international waters but was subsequently rescued by a Chinese Navy escort fleet. Later, Wu Si had a serious conversation with Tang Xin, expressing his relief at her survival but also his concern over the risks she took.
He reminded her about reporting her dangerous assignments to relevant authorities for safety, emphasizing that her encounter with the rescue fleet was a mere stroke of luck in a perilous situation. He argued that ensuring her safety should be her priority, suggesting official reporting could provide crucial backup. Tang Xin, however, defended her methods as an investigative journalist, explaining that her work often required secrecy and independent action.
She insisted she knew the risks and was willing to accept them for her profession, while acknowledging his concern and thanking him for saving her. Han Zhangzhou later expressed his suspicion to his father that Han Yuhang's Roman trip was not just about Tang Xin but might have exposed him to knowledge of their family's activities. He worried Han Yuhang could side with Tang Xin and suggested preventing them from interacting.
His father downplayed the severity but agreed that the informant was a greater threat and instructed Han Zhangzhou to investigate within their inner circle. Zong Qing and Lan Yangyang shared a quiet moment together in a park. As they walked, Lan Yangyang mentioned feeling tired, and Zong Qing offered to comfort her.
She reminisced about their first date at the same park, recalling a failed job interview but a successful connection that led to their marriage, which Zong Qing playfully called her smartest decision. They continued their walk, finding solace in each other's presence.
Episode 24 Recap
Wang Chen continued her rehabilitation exercises, enduring the pain with resilience. Bai Zijian stayed by her side, offering encouragement. Her teammates also cheered her on during her sessions on a specialized restraint-style table. Later, the Brigadier visited Wang Chen, praising her for her injury sustained while saving others and urging her to follow the doctor's advice so she could recover quickly and return to the unit for the annual competition.
The ten-day holiday passed quickly, and Zong Qing prepared to return to his unit. Lan Yangyang felt a sense of loss at their impending separation. Zong Qing, concerned about her being alone, especially after their recent loss, offered to request more leave to stay with her longer. However, Lan Yangyang, understanding his duty, insisted he should go back first, telling him she was feeling better and could manage on her own.
She even joked about him installing a camera if he was worried, promising to stay healthy. Before leaving, he massaged her legs and reaffirmed his commitment to her, telling her never to doubt how much he cares for her. Upon returning to his unit, Zong Qing brought snacks for his comrades, only to find they had sworn off snacks until Wang Chen recovered. Suddenly, an emergency assembly whistle sounded. The soldiers were slow to react.
Wu Si was furious that none of them met the required assembly time despite hearing the whistle. He threw a tear gas canister into the dorm as a demonstration, declaring their slowness nearly cost the entire squad and punishing them with a demanding 15-kilometer run with full gear. He sternly warned them that the Blue Blade unit would not tolerate soldiers who didn't learn from their mistakes and ordered them to clear their heads.
Later, Zong Qing was seen training alone, intensely practicing shooting. His teammates reported he seemed upset. Wu Si approached him, stopping his practice. He told Zong Qing the training ground was not a place for personal venting and that he needed to be mature and responsible, asking who would trust him to watch their back if he behaved this way. Left alone after Zong Qing's departure, Lan Yangyang received a call from her mother, Ms. Wang.
Her mother was worried and urged her to move back home or let her come stay and take care of her. Lan Yangyang gently refused, assuring her parents that Zong Qing had prepared everything and she was fine on her own. Her mother continued to express concern, emphasizing the importance of resting well during her recovery period and mentioning another woman who had complications after a miscarriage.
Lan Yangyang reassured them, stating she was alright and that life had to continue. Her parents advised her to forgo her current online assessment activities, suggesting she find a stable job interacting with people to improve her mood and routine. Lan Yangyang agreed she understood their concerns and would visit them on the weekend.
Later, Ms. Wang, still worried, called Tang Xin, explaining the situation and asking Tang Xin if she could perhaps stay with Lan Yangyang for a few days to keep her company. Tang Xin immediately agreed, saying she had been wanting to visit Lan Yangyang anyway. Around the same time, Han Yuhang called Tang Xin, noting they hadn't met since their trip to Roman. He invited her to dinner to chat.
Tang Xin declined, stating she had plans to accompany her best friend who was going through a "special situation." Han Yuhang pressed, saying a meal wouldn't take long, but Tang Xin reiterated her friend's urgent need for support. Finally, Han Yuhang revealed it was his birthday and asked her to celebrate with him, just the two of them, appealing to their shared experience and reminding her they had faced life and death together.
Meanwhile, Han Zhangzhou instructed his subordinates to investigate several individuals within the company who had access to core confidential information. He told them to focus all their efforts on finding the mole who had been leaking information to the outside, giving them one week to uncover the truth by any means necessary.
When a subordinate mentioned they would need to check the suspects' computers and phones, potentially alerting them, Han Zhangzhou reminded them how they had previously accessed information from the "female reporter's" computer, implying they should use similar discreet methods. When informed that three of the five suspects were currently at sea, making the one-week deadline difficult, Han Zhangzhou immediately ordered his secretary, Ms. Zhou, to contact them and demand their immediate return to headquarters for questioning.
He stressed the critical importance of finding the mole and threatened to fire everyone if they failed. Tang Xin went to meet Han Yuhang for his birthday. She apologized for not knowing and brought a cake. During their meeting, Han Yuhang reiterated his feelings and asked if she would consider accepting him, suggesting their shared experiences showed they had an understanding.
Tang Xin politely but firmly refused again, expressing gratitude for his help and saving her life but explaining that they had no chance of being together, stating she already had a boyfriend and even without one, they were not suitable, and that he should understand why. Han Yuhang acknowledged her implication that his family was involved in illicit activities, stating he understood why she wouldn't marry into a "den of thieves."
He then explained that while he didn't choose his family or upbringing, he could choose his future, asking her not to refuse him entirely and to give him time to prove himself. Later, a despondent Han Yuhang was seen drinking heavily with his secretary, Ding. He lamented his life, which he felt was perfect on the surface, born into wealth and privilege with a good education, respected by everyone.
He confessed his internal pain, revealing that his father and brother had another "true face" beyond their public image as successful businessmen and philanthropists. Ding tried to comfort him, saying he was different from them and she saw him as an upright person, but Han Yuhang questioned what good that did, as he couldn't change his family reality. After the meeting, Tang Xin visited Lan Yangyang's home.
Lan Yangyang greeted her warmly, having suspected her mother might have asked her to visit. Tang Xin noticed Lan Yangyang had packed away her beauty blogging equipment. Lan Yangyang confirmed she was giving up that career, which she admitted she started partly to spite her father but found unfulfilling.
She revealed a new path she intended to pursue: using her experience as a doctor who couldn't save her own child (referring to Xi) to help other pregnant mothers successfully carry their babies to term, which she felt was the only thing she could and wanted to do now. Tang Xin supported her friend's decision. While visiting Wang Chen in the hospital, Tang Xin spoke with Bai Zijian.
He updated her on the underwater archaeology work at Dayan Reef, revealing that although the sunken ship had been found, most of the relics were missing, presumed looted. He added that the Cultural Relics Bureau had reported the situation to the police, who were taking it seriously.
Bai Zijian also shared that the photo Tang Xin had sent back from Roman had been identified through facial recognition; the man was William, the leader of an international relic looting and smuggling group tracked by ICPO. He informed her that the police had officially opened an investigation into Changzhou Group regarding suspected underwater relic looting, acknowledging that much of this progress was due to Tang Xin's efforts and persistence.
Inspired by this, Tang Xin decided to develop a news program focusing on the protection of underwater cultural relics. Tang Xin returned to her news office to plan the program. She discussed her idea, suggesting it could be a series covering topics from the Maritime Silk Road to the origins of sunken relics and the damage caused by illegal looting. Recognizing the need for expertise, she proposed inviting Bai Zijian to join their planning sessions to provide insights and guidance.
Later, Wu Si texted Tang Xin, asking if she was angry because of his previous criticism. Tang Xin gave short replies, acting distant. That weekend, Tang Xin's father, Captain Tang, invited Wu Si over for dinner. During the meal, Tang Xin remained mostly silent and seemed deliberately cold towards Wu Si. Her parents noticed the tension, and her mother, Mrs. Tang, asked if they were having a disagreement.
Wu Si tried to explain, but Tang Xin continued her behavior, even refusing his offer to serve her food. After dinner, Tang Xin's parents, claiming it was time for their nightly walk, intentionally left Tang Xin and Wu Si alone. Tang Xin then confronted Wu Si, asking if he had said anything to her father. Wu Si denied it, but Tang Xin commented that with her father's experience and Wu Si's lack of composure, he had given himself away.
Wu Si retorted that he thought she had high mental resilience, but it seemed she could only handle praise, not criticism. Tang Xin defended herself, saying she had always been praised. Wu Si admitted he realized his mistake and would change how he spoke to her, but Tang Xin dismissed the need. Zong Qing was still struggling emotionally after his return to duty.
Bai Zijian spoke with him about Lan Yangyang's recovery, both physical and mental, emphasizing that it would take time but also reminding Zong Qing of his responsibility as a man to take care of her. He offered his support if Zong Qing needed anything. Later, Wu Si also spoke with Zong Qing, who confided that his heart ached. Wu Si admitted he didn't know how to comfort him but assured him he was there for support.
Zong Qing shared a painful memory of calling Lan Yangyang from the ship and telling the baby not to bully her and let her eat, using a loud voice. He wondered if the first and last sounds his baby heard from him were "fierce" and questioned if he was the worst father. He blamed himself for not taking care of them.
Wu Si listened and gently reminded him that they were just starting out, there was a long road ahead, things would get better, and he should live well. Tang Xin brought Bai Zijian to the news center for the planning meeting. Bai Zijian had brought reference materials. He apologized for being away from Wang Chen but said he couldn't help much at the hospital anyway. They went to a meeting room where Bai Zijian gave a presentation.
He explained the history of maritime navigation in China, the expansion of trade via the Maritime Silk Road (also known as the Maritime Spice or Porcelain Route), and how Chinese ceramics were highly valued exports that survived well underwater due to their durability. He highlighted that the increasing value of ancient Chinese ceramics and other treasures found in sunken ships had led to a rise in looting by criminals and smugglers.
Episode 25 Recap
Bai Zijian lectured a group, including Tang Xin, about underwater archaeology, specifically the history and significance of the Nanhai One shipwreck. He recounted how the government invested 300 million yuan for its salvage and shared the story of Mark Hatcher, a professional looter who stole over a million Chinese porcelain relics in 1986, destroying many and auctioning the rest in the Netherlands for an amount far exceeding what Chinese experts could afford, calling it a painful moment in Chinese history.
He explained how this led to the establishment of the Center for Underwater Archaeology in 1987 and the naming of the discovered ancient ship as Nanhai One. He highlighted that due to limited technology, it took nearly two decades to fully salvage the ship and that the recently announced excavation results revealed over 180,000 relics, primarily ceramics, estimated to be worth hundreds of billions of dollars, emphasizing the cultural and economic value of Tang Xin's investigation and promotional efforts.
While attending the lecture, Tang Xin received a message from Wu Si asking to meet to discuss her kidnapping at the Roman Islands, stating he could analyze who was behind it and would wait for her regardless if she came. They met, and Tang Xin feigned annoyance. Wu Si began his analysis, suggesting someone had deliberately drugged her drink and that the person who paid for it knew her habits and frequented the location.
He asserted that the culprit was not a typical trafficker but someone who wanted to harm her. He reasoned that if they were traffickers, she would have been directly taken to the ship, not held captive. Tang Xin agreed, finding it puzzling that if Han Changzhou was involved, they would drug her instead of just dealing with her, and she couldn't understand why Han Yuhang was also taken onto the ship.
Wu Si proposed that something unexpected might have happened and suggested that Han Yuhang seemed different from his father and brother, implying separate agendas. Tang Xin considered that she might have been wrong about Han Yuhang but remained suspicious about how he obtained the informant's email address, acknowledging his many questionable actions despite potentially trying to save her. Wu Si reiterated his belief that Han Yuhang was fundamentally different from his family.
At the hospital, people gathered to help Lin Lan as she was discharged. The Brigadier also arrived with his wife and baby Xi, mentioning that he had been meaning to pick up his wife earlier. He spoke with Zong Qing, expressing gratitude for Yangyang's help in caring for his wife and her mother-in-law during her recent difficulties, and discussing naming his baby Xi. He also offered Zong Qing the chance to be Xi's godfather.
The group then helped Lin Lan gather her belongings. Seeing everyone together, Tang Xin suggested taking a group photo. Yi Nanwang noticed tension between Tang Xin and Wu Si and later gave Tang Xin a video Wu Si had recorded for her during the escort mission.
In the video, filmed in the Indian Ocean on the day of a group birthday celebration (which included Wu Si), he explained that he gave up his satellite phone call opportunity to Zong Qing and recorded the video for her. He spoke about how his perspective had changed, now looking towards Wenzhou at the sea's horizon and saying good morning and good night, knowing she was waiting for him. He concluded the video by telling her he loved her.
After watching the video, Tang Xin's anger subsided, and she embraced Wu Si. Lan Yangyang contemplated returning to her profession as a doctor but was unsure whether to join a military or civilian hospital. She sought advice from Dr. Yang (likely the same person referred to as Dr. Qiu). Dr. Yang presented some of Zong Qing's medical records, detailing various injuries like fractured bones, torn ligaments, and concussions, illustrating Zong Qing's tendency to hide his serious injuries.
Dr. Yang also shared that while Zong Qing couldn't fully comprehend Yangyang's pain from the miscarriage, he had been trying his best to support her. Later, Zong Qing was shown alone in a room, looking at baby clothes and gifts they had prepared, visibly heartbroken and crying privately. During a holiday, Wu Si and Zong Qing met with Tang Xin and Lan Yangyang. Lan Yangyang was working on her resume, preparing to apply for jobs.
Zong Qing looked at it, suggested it needed some refinement to be more effective for interviews, and offered to help her improve it while she continued reading a professional book. Meanwhile, Cheng Yuan met with his girlfriend, Wu Ke'er, a conscript who was due to be discharged at the end of the year. She expressed her desire for him to also leave the military so they could be together, but Cheng Yuan was reluctant to leave his unit.
He discussed the challenges of their relationship with Wu Si later, citing their conflicting schedules and limited communication opportunities, acknowledging that their future was uncertain if he couldn't leave the service. Han Changzhou conducted an internal investigation to find the source of the leak but found no leads among the current employees with access to core secrets. He then remembered Xu Genshui, a former employee who had passed away many years ago but had also known sensitive information.
Han Changzhou decided to have someone visit Xu Genshui's parents' grave, as Xu had no other living relatives, to pay respects for his past contributions. His subordinate later reported finding evidence that someone had recently visited the grave and left flowers, prompting Han Changzhou to order surveillance to identify the mysterious visitor. Zong Qing and Lan Yangyang visited Lin Lan.
Lin Lan felt a sense of guilt towards Yangyang, believing that Yangyang's miscarriage might have been connected to helping her when she needed it. Han Yuhang contacted someone to arrange a dinner with Wu Si, wanting to thank him for saving his life. Wu Si was initially hesitant, aware of Han Yuhang's feelings for Tang Xin.
However, Tang Xin suggested they accept the invitation, seeing it as an opportunity to make their relationship clear to Han Yuhang and discourage him from pursuing her further. While they were having dinner with Han Yuhang, Han Yutian unexpectedly appeared, stating he was dining nearby and came to greet his brother. After introductions, Han Yutian immediately began questioning Wu Si about his military background and family, seemingly trying to pry into sensitive information.
Wu Si, unwilling to disclose details related to his service, politely excused himself, citing duty that required his return to the base. After Wu Si left, Tang Xin wondered how Han Yutian knew where they were dining. Later that evening, back at the base, Zong Qing talked with Wu Si.
Zong Qing noted how Wu Si seemed to have matured and reminisced about their early days in the military, recalling how Wu Si had initially struggled and considered quitting, but was kept in the unit and trained rigorously. They reflected on their long-standing camaraderie.
Episode 26 Recap
Han Yutian instructed one of his men to monitor the tomb of Xu Genshui's parents after someone was seen laying flowers there. The man was described as being in his fifties with no other distinguishing features. Han Yutian ordered his man to follow the individual, find his home, and observe his contacts. The man was tracked to Hongya Village, a small, almost deserted place, and the man reported back their location.
Han Yutian then ordered his men to go to the house, detain the man, and find his identification to learn his name and identity. Later, Tang Xin met Han Yuhang for coffee. She expressed surprise he agreed to meet her but stated she had questions about her abduction in the Roman Islands. She questioned why, if they were traffickers, they didn't take them directly to a boat but held them elsewhere first.
She also pointed out that she saw the drink passed directly from the bartender to the waiter and then to her, making it unlikely for traffickers to tamper with it unless the staff were bribed. She suggested it wasn't a random event but a premeditated kidnapping by someone who knew her movements. Han Yuhang acknowledged the possibility of bribery but doubted traffickers were behind it, agreeing it was likely a third party who knew her whereabouts.
He maintained that current evidence couldn't definitively prove it wasn't random but conceded the incident was likely linked to her investigation into artifact smuggling. He offered to take her evidence and investigate on her behalf. Tang Xin asked if he would expose his family if they were involved. Han Yuhang stated he could never "betray his own family" but insisted he had his own methods to make them stop if his father or brother were proven to be the masterminds.
Tang Xin noted he would have more opportunities to investigate if he was serious. Back in Hongya Village, Han Yutian's men detained the man. During interrogation, he identified himself as Wei Jiangnan when shown his ID and claimed Xu Genshui's parents were his relatives. He was forced to reveal his computer and email passwords.
Han Yutian received a report confirming the detainee was Wei Jiangnan and that email exchanges with Tang Xin were found, confirming he was the source of the leaks. Han Yutian expressed unfamiliarity with the name Wei Jiangnan within their organization and ordered further investigation into his identity and how he obtained their information. Tang Xin and Lan Yangyang had a meal together. Lan Yangyang shared her plan to return to being a doctor.
She ideally wanted to join a military hospital but missed the deadline for special recruitment this year and would have to wait until next spring. Impatient, she decided to start as a resident at the hospital where Lin Lan gave birth, with the eventual goal of joining the anesthesiology department, acknowledging its difficulty but citing the need for more staff in emergencies like Lin Lan's.
She mentioned her senior, Qiu Xiao, advised that a good doctor focuses on treating patients regardless of the hospital. At the news center, Bai Zijian was giving a presentation on the East Sea and South Sea Maritime Silk Roads. Tang Xin received an urgent email from Wei Jiangnan's account stating he had new evidence about the smuggling gang and needed to meet face-to-face.
Tang Xin told Bai Zijian her informant had contacted her and she needed to leave immediately, declining his offer to accompany her for fear of spooking the informant. As she prepared to leave, Tang Xin messaged Wu Si, asking if he was free and if she should pick him up to meet the informant together. Wu Si was shown undergoing training and did not receive her message. Tang Xin traveled to the location, Hongya Village.
Upon arriving, she felt like she was in the wrong place and messaged Wu Si, asking for his location. She received a reply from Wei Jiangnan's email confirming she was in the right place and he was staying there for safety. She was directed to a specific house. As she walked toward it, she realized it was a trap. Several men chased her. She ran but fell. Police sirens were heard approaching.
The police arrived quickly, apprehending the men and rescuing Tang Xin and Wei Jiangnan. Tang Xin was confirmed to have sustained a minor injury to her neck. Wu Si finished his training and checked his phone, seeing Tang Xin's missed calls and messages about meeting her informant and heading to Hongya Village. He immediately called her and learned she was in the hospital due to injuries sustained during a work-related incident.
Alarmed, Wu Si rushed to the Brigadier's office and requested leave, explaining Tang Xin's situation. The Brigadier granted him several days of recovery leave, suggesting he use the time to tend to his own past injuries and accompany Tang Xin. Han Yuhang confronted Han Yutian, accusing him of using Wei Jiangnan's email to lure Tang Xin out and having her kidnapped. Han Yutian denied involvement. Han Yuhang revealed that Tang Xin and Wei Jiangnan had been rescued by the police.
He admitted he was the one who called the police, stating he did so to save Han Yutian and prevent him from ending up in prison. Han Yutian and his associate realized Han Yuhang knew about their activities and that Tang Xin and Wei Jiangnan being in police custody presented a significant problem as they likely held evidence. At the police station, Wei Jiangnan was questioned about who kidnapped him.
He said he didn't know them but believed Han Changzhou ordered it. He explained he was a former mid-level employee who became an executive at Changzhou Group and thus knew a lot about their operations, including the artifact smuggling. He confessed his real name was Xu Genshui and he had been forced to adopt the name Wei Jiangnan after the group tried to kill him when they discovered he was collecting evidence against them.
He explained he didn't report it immediately after escaping because he lacked evidence and feared they would find him if they knew he was alive. He got plastic surgery and obtained a fake ID to hide his identity. He was informed that the municipal police had already opened a case regarding the artifact theft and he would need to provide further statements at the city headquarters.
He expressed gratitude for the rescue, stating he only did what a conscientious citizen should. Wu Si visited Tang Xin in the hospital. He apologized for missing her messages while he was training and expressed regret that she had to face danger alone. Tang Xin downplayed her injuries and acknowledged the police arrived just in time. She wondered aloud who called the police, as the rescuing officer mentioned an anonymous report that knew the exact location.
She speculated it must have been someone who knew about the planned kidnapping. Tang Xin thanked Wu Si, attributing her increased vigilance and reporting her location to his previous firm advice. Wu Si felt relieved that his advice had helped keep her safe. Tang Xin called her mother, lying that she had to leave for an urgent business trip for a few days and would buy necessities later, asking her mother to inform her father and not worry.
Lan Yangyang arrived at Tang Xin's hospital room after learning about her injury from Zong Qing. She entered loudly, causing Tang Xin to remind her they were in a hospital. Lan Yangyang expressed concern about Tang Xin's neck and asked what happened. Tang Xin joked that she angered someone while investigating a news story and was kidnapped. Lan Yangyang was shocked.
Tang Xin confirmed Zong Qing told Lan Yangyang that Wu Si had rushed to the hospital, which is how Lan Yangyang knew Tang Xin was there. Lan Yangyang teased Tang Xin about acting differently now that she had a boyfriend and joked about interrupting their "hospital honeymoon." Meanwhile, Han Changzhou spoke with his father, blaming Han Yuhang's actions for the current problems, specifically mentioning his placing a camera in the conference room and calling the police.
Han Changzhou suggested sending Han Yuhang abroad to stop him from causing further trouble, although his father was unsure if that would prevent him from causing problems or if he would ever return. Han Changzhou warned his father that he would not recognize Han Yuhang as his brother if he continued to interfere. Separately, Wang Chen was undergoing physical therapy, assisted by Zong Qing. Lan Yangyang arrived to visit Wang Chen.
Wang Chen joked that Lan Yangyang was using her visit as an excuse to see Zong Qing. Wang Chen attempted to get them to leave so she could practice her rehabilitation exercises alone, but Zong Qing encouraged her to continue. Later, Wu Si and Tang Xin were together in her hospital room. Wu Si showed her how to make a heart shape with his hands. Cheng Yuan suddenly entered energetically and offered to take a photo of them.
Tang Xin objected because she wasn't wearing makeup. Cheng Yuan persisted, trying to capture different shots. Suddenly, Tang Xin heard her father's voice calling her name. She quickly attempted to hide under the bed. Her father found her and expressed extreme frustration that she hadn't informed them she was hospitalized and had lied about a business trip. He and her mother were upset, having learned about her situation from Lan Yangyang. Cheng Yuan awkwardly attempted to defuse the situation by making a heart shape toward Tang Xin's bewildered father, who continued to scold Tang Xin for her secretive and unruly behavior.
Episode 27 Recap
During a meal, team members Zong Qing and Yi Nanwang discussed Cheng Yuan, who was troubled by his girlfriend Wu Ke'er's desire for him to leave the military. They noted that Wu Ke'er had even enlisted herself because of Cheng Yuan, but the long distance had only worsened their relationship, leading her to now pressure him to retire.
Cheng Yuan was questioning everything and felt guilty, but his teammates believed he would not quit, acknowledging the difficulty of balancing love and career. Later, Tang Xin's father visited her in the hospital. He expressed his worry but also his frustration that she constantly got into trouble, questioning why she entangled herself with kidnappers. Tang Xin retorted that she was the one who had been kidnapped.
He continued to scold her for her attitude, prompting Wu Si, who was also present, to try and mediate. Tang Xin's father asked Wu Si to lecture her, but Wu Si, stating Tang Xin only listened to their captain, quickly excused himself. Left alone, her father's demeanor softened, and despite their continued banter, he showed deep concern for her well-being by checking on her injuries. Cheng Yuan confided in Wu Si about his history with Wu Ke'er.
They had planned to attend the same university, but he decided to enlist. Wu Ke'er went to college alone, waiting for his return. However, Cheng Yuan fell in love with military life and stayed. Unable to endure the long-distance relationship, Wu Ke'er impulsively joined the army, believing they would be closer. To her dismay, their units were in different locations, making it even harder for them to see each other.
Cheng Yuan expressed his guilt for not having given her anything during their nearly ten-year relationship. Wu Si advised him that he needed to give her a clear answer and warned him not to hurt her, as she had already sacrificed a lot. Meanwhile, Han Zhangzhou and Han Yutian, who had fled abroad, observed the calm situation back home.
Han Yutian noted that the police had not visited their company, leading them to conclude that Xu Genshui likely possessed no substantial evidence against them. Han Yutian expressed a desire to return to China, but Han Zhangzhou preferred to wait and observe further. Wu Ke'er had an interview for a position in the Anesthesiology Department.
The director, the same doctor who had performed a previous surgery on Lin Lan, noted her lack of practical experience and gave her a written test covering epidural anesthesia procedures and complications. Wu Ke'er later called Cheng Yuan, excitedly reporting that she had answered all the questions and felt the interview went smoothly. The military command issued a new winter combat training plan.
This intensive training would deploy the Marine Corps to a southern training base thousands of kilometers away, signifying their evolution into an elite force capable of long-distance missions in diverse environments. The plan included joint training with other branches and live combat exercises against a mechanized infantry brigade. Brigadier Wang urged his soldiers to bring their best gear and demonstrate their dominance. Lan Weiguo shared his ideas for improving aiming stability on moving platforms, drawing inspiration from camera stabilizers.
Brigadier Wang then instructed Lan Weiguo to pause their work and accompany him to the hospital to visit Wang Chen, telling him to bring their captain along. Upon his return to the country, Han Zhangzhou called a family meeting that included Han Yuhang. Han Yuhang immediately confronted his father and brother, revealing he knew they had returned the previous day and suspected they were conspiring against him.
He declared he possessed video evidence of Han Yutian planning the entire operation to kidnap Tang Xin in Roman. While tolerant of their "dirty money," Han Yuhang stated he could not accept attempted murder. He accused his father of owning the Atocha Company, which his father confirmed, explaining that he and Han Yutian had kept Han Yuhang out of their dangerous business to protect him.
Han Yuhang countered that if they truly cared, they should withdraw from Changzhou Group and let him restructure it into a clean enterprise. Han Yutian resisted, dismissing his brother’s idealism, but Han Yuhang argued they had enough money for generations and should retire. Han Zhangzhou then agreed with Han Yuhang, proposing they both move overseas and leave the company to him. Despite Han Yutian’s objections, Han Zhangzhou declared his decision was final.
At the hospital, Brigadier Wang, accompanied by Wang Chen's husband Zijian, visited Wang Chen and commended her miraculous recovery. He assured her that Blue Blade would always have a place for her if she desired to return, dispelling her fears of holding the team back. Zong Qing and Cheng Yuan also offered encouragement. Brigadier Wang informed Wang Chen that she met the discharge criteria and could go home, tasking Zijian and his family with continuing her rehabilitation.
Wu Si called Tang Xin to apologize, explaining he couldn't pick her up from the hospital because he had to lead his team on an urgent mission. Tang Xin told him he didn't need to explain. Wu Si shared the good news about Wang Chen's excellent rehabilitation progress, hoping she would soon return to Blue Blade.
Tang Xin, however, questioned this, highlighting Wang Chen's painful recovery and how remarkable it was for her to return to a normal person's physical level. She argued that Wang Chen, as a woman with a family, should not feel pressured to return to the front line by others' expectations but should have the right to choose her own life. Wu Si acknowledged her point, and Tang Xin suggested he visit Wang Chen before his deployment.
Cheng Yuan and Yi Nanwang also visited Wang Chen, congratulating her on her upcoming discharge. Cheng Yuan reminded Wang Chen that she was Yi Nanwang's role model and recalled how she had advised Yi Nanwang to train progressively to preserve his body, urging her to follow her own advice. They bid her farewell, as they too were departing for the mission. Later, Wang Chen's mother picked her up from the hospital.
At home, her mother and husband, Zijian, had set up rehabilitation equipment, assuring her it would be more comfortable than the hospital. Wang Chen and Zijian playfully referred to the equipment as a "big toy," indicating their acceptance of the new normal. As Tang Xin was driving home after her discharge, Zong Qing called, mysteriously asking her to meet him and Cheng Yuan at an address for a matter that couldn't be discussed over the phone.
Puzzled, Tang Xin tried calling Wu Si, but he didn't answer. She proceeded to the address, which turned out to be a homestay. There, she found Zong Qing and Cheng Yuan struggling to set up a romantic display. Wu Si then appeared and proposed to Tang Xin. He expressed his constant longing for her, apologizing for not having a ring due to the rush and offering a bouquet as a token, promising to return before the flowers wilted.
He solemnly vowed that although he was in uniform and couldn't kneel, he would protect her and their home with the same loyalty he held for his country. Touched, Tang Xin asked about the sudden proposal, and Wu Si replied that he could no longer wait and desired a home where she would always be waiting for him. Zong Qing and Cheng Yuan, needing to return to their unit, interrupted, encouraging Tang Xin to say yes.
Tang Xin told Wu Si she couldn't give him an answer immediately, asking him to return safely from the military exercise, at which point she would reply. Wu Si accepted, promising to wait. Tang Xin then changed his contact name in her phone to "Fiancée?" , implicitly accepting his proposal.
Episode 28 Recap
Military units mobilized for a combat drill, with various special operations brigades like the Black Shark Squad, Blue Blade Special Ops Team, and Tiger Shark Squad assembling and receiving their orders. Commanders emphasized that the exercise would adhere to real combat standards, where a hit meant elimination. Captured personnel would be considered eliminated if their armbands were removed, or held as hostages if their armbands were kept. Meanwhile, Tang Xin returned home and found her father asleep.
She told her mother about Wu Si's marriage proposal, which moved her mother to tears. Her mother asked if Tang Xin was ready for the challenges of being a military wife, recalling a childhood memory where Tang Xin, in first grade, had comically mismatched words in a school exercise. Tang Xin suggested keeping the proposal a secret from her father, planning to reveal it as a surprise for his upcoming birthday. Concurrently, Han Yuhang formally took charge of Changzhou Group.
He addressed the staff, stressing that past issues concerning the former chairman were behind them and announced a comprehensive restructuring of business operations and human resources, warning against any unethical conduct. As Han Yuhang took the reins, Han Zhangzhou quietly departed without a farewell. Elsewhere, Lan Yangyang reported for duty as an anesthesiology resident at Wenzhou University Medical School and was introduced to her new colleagues.
The military drill commenced with a crucial mission: Wu Si's Blue Blade First Squad was ordered to infiltrate L Island within 48 hours to execute a decapitation strike, ensuring the main force's safe landing. They reviewed the island's terrain to plan their infiltration. Tang Xin, discharged from the hospital, returned to work.
She assured her concerned colleagues that she was well and mentioned that the Public Security Bureau, while grateful for her past intel, had advised her to avoid further involvement in the case for her own safety. Wu Si's squad successfully landed on L Island and moved to bypass the Blue Team's defenses by traversing a dense forest. When they spotted a six-man Blue Team patrol approaching, Wu Si ordered an ambush, and his team successfully eliminated the patrol.
At the same time, Wang Chen was at home, pushing herself in her rehabilitation. Her mother, a doctor, found her attempting to walk without her support gear and sternly warned her that improper methods could cause further injury and negate her progress. Wang Chen insisted she needed to recover quickly to avoid being a "dead weight" in the Marine Corps, but her mother emphasized the importance of scientific recovery methods.
Back on L Island, the deployment of military dogs forced Wu Si's team to move quickly through the forest. Alerted to a small enemy unit's presence, the Blue Team command suspected a decapitation strike and decided to lure the intruders into a kill zone. As her birthday approached, Tang Xin received a call from Han Yuhang, who offered to celebrate with her at a restaurant he had specially booked.
She politely declined, explaining that her father was already planning to cook a birthday meal at home. On the island, Wu Si's team deduced they had been exposed, likely by undetected infrared sensors in the forest. Realizing evasion would impede their mission, Wu Si decided to engage the enemy. They strategically retreated to prepare and, noting the forest was now a primary search area, opted for a shortcut to the outer perimeter of the Blue Team's headquarters.
Despite an electric fence and patrols, he ordered his team to cross without a trace, sending Zhou Keyang, Dai Wei, and Ye Haiyang to seize Blue Team gear for disguise. Meanwhile, Lan Yangyang finished her shift. Seeing a colleague get picked up by her husband, she politely declined a ride, hiding her disappointment and stating her own husband couldn't make it.
Later that night, Wu Si's team observed the Blue Team's patrol routes and identified a three-minute window to cross a critical area. The Blue Team commander, after receiving reports that all search teams found nothing—except for the one that had been completely wiped out—correctly inferred that the Red Team had already infiltrated his camp. He prepared a trap, intending to "welcome them properly."
Wu Si's team noticed the camp was heavily guarded on the outside but lax inside, suspected an ambush, and decided to hold their position overnight. By morning, Wu Si determined a full assault was too risky. Instead, he decided to send only two men in disguise to infiltrate the command center during a shift change. Wu Si and Dai Wei volunteered, and he instructed Zong Qing to remain outside and keep a firm watch on the Blue Team's commander.
As Wu Si and Dai Wei infiltrated the camp, Zong Qing observed from afar that they were spotted almost immediately, confirming it was a trap. The Blue Team, knowing the remaining Red Team members wouldn't charge in recklessly, decided to bait them by spreading news that Wu Si and Dai Wei had been captured alive and were being transferred. Zong Qing recognized this as a diversion and adhered to Wu Si's order to focus on the commander.
On her birthday weekend, Tang Xin called Lan Yangyang and, intrigued to hear she was heading to a military wives' meetup, decided to join as a "quasi-military wife." At the event, Lan Yangyang shared her experience of a "flash marriage," advising others to be mature and independent before marrying. Tang Xin then recounted a childhood story of a typhoon when her mother had a high fever.
With her father deployed and no transport available, a young Tang Xin tried to push her sick mother to the hospital in a grocery cart until a passing police officer helped them. She concluded that military marriage involves significant hardships, or "typhoons," as well as romance, advising the women to love not just the uniform but also the person wearing it.
Meanwhile, the Blue Team commander, realizing his bait had failed, concluded he was the true target and deployed all troops for a sweeping hunt. Observing this, Zong Qing saw the "carpet search" as an advantage, as a dispersed enemy was more vulnerable. His team prepared to evade the search and then strike back.
Episode 29 Recap
Following Wu Si’s capture, Zong Qing led his special operations team under the cover of night to assault a Blue Team camp. They swiftly neutralized the defending soldiers, but the camp was a decoy; the Blue Team’s commander and command vehicle were missing. As the Blue Team began to encircle them, Zong Qing ordered his team to abandon their vehicles and retreat. With the 48-hour exercise concluding at noon the next day, time was running out.
Despite extensive drone reconnaissance, there was no sign of the command vehicle, heightening the team's anxiety. Zong Qing urged them to remain calm, reminding them of the vast, jungle-covered island. Meanwhile, Wu Si and Dai Wei, another captured teammate, feigned an emergency, with Wu Si claiming he needed life-saving medication. When a Blue Team soldier approached with pills and water, Wu Si seized the opportunity to overpower his captors.
Once free, Wu Si and Dai Wei sent new coordinates to Zong Qing, reporting they were closing in on the Blue Team's high command and directing the team to rendezvous with them after a 20-kilometer forced march. Tang Xin was celebrating her birthday at home with her parents. Her father playfully teased her about wanting presents as an adult, saying he was saving his gifts for his future grandchildren.
The celebration was interrupted by a call from Tang Xin’s colleague, Hai, who reported that Han Yuhang had sent a full set of new photography equipment to their company as a lavish birthday gift. Hai explained they had to accept it as it was delivered directly to the reception. Tang Xin’s parents grew concerned, worrying about how this would look to Wu Si and the potential for rumors.
Tang Xin reassured them that she had no romantic interest in Han Yuhang and that they were merely friends. Acting on the intelligence from Wu Si and Dai Wei, Zong Qing’s team converged on the Blue Team's true location. As Zong Qing’s unit launched an external assault to create a diversion, Wu Si, who had infiltrated the enemy camp, successfully located and apprehended the Blue Team's commander from within.
With the "decapitation" mission a success, the Red forces were ordered to launch a full-scale offensive on L Island, swiftly securing victory. Following the exercise, Wu Si’s squad regrouped, with all members accounted for, and were ordered to rest while on standby. Sometime later, Han Yuhang visited Tang Xin at her company, announcing in person that Changzhou Group had completed its restructuring and he had been appointed the new Chairman.
He reiterated his offer to help her with anything she needed. Tang Xin used the opportunity to ask about his father, Han Zhangzhou, and brother, Han Yutian. Han Yuhang vaguely stated they had "stepped back," assuring her that the new Changzhou Group would be transparent and free from corruption. Shortly after, a colleague named Chen Yue distributed wedding sweets.
Tang Xin asked her for advice on wedding planning, and Chen Yue, noting Tang Xin might be getting married soon herself, offered to share her wedding planner’s contact information, advising her to start preparations early. Immediately after the exercise, Wu Si’s unit received an urgent combat assignment. Two marines on D Island had been attacked by unidentified armed individuals, prompting headquarters to order a shift to Level One combat readiness.
Wu Si’s team was dispatched to investigate, with authorization to engage. They were warned this mission against separatist elements was far more dangerous than any exercise. The team located and assaulted the hostile camp. As Wu Si and Cheng Yuan led the charge, an enemy fired a rocket, striking and critically wounding them and other teammates. In the chaos, Zong Qing pursued and captured a fleeing combatant but was cut by the man’s knife during the struggle.
The captive then revealed he had HIV. Officer Wang informed Zong Qing he must take post-exposure medication within 72 hours and maintain a safe distance from others pending test results. Cheng Yuan was rushed to the hospital where surgeons removed five shrapnel fragments from his brain. However, two smaller fragments remained, which would press on his optic nerve, causing progressive and irreversible vision loss.
Later, Tang Xin called Zong Qing, who lied about his whereabouts to avoid worrying her, confirming they won the exercise but ending the call abruptly by claiming he had to assemble for a briefing, which left her concerned. On her father's birthday, Tang Xin surprised her parents by announcing that Wu Si had proposed to her before his deployment. Her father was visibly moved, feigning a need to go for a walk to hide his tears of joy.
Meanwhile, Han Yuhang discovered that his father and brother had not retired but had relocated to Rome. There, Han Zhangzhou told an associate, Mr. William, that he had left the domestic business to Han Yuhang to focus on his "hobbies." During a discussion about a slow-moving shipwreck recovery, Han Yutian aggressively demanded a larger profit share. Han Zhangzhou quickly intervened, smoothing things over with William and underscoring their continued involvement in the illicit sale of salvaged artifacts.
After the mission, Wu Si returned to base, and news of his and Tang Xin's engagement spread among her friends and colleagues. Her father proudly boasted about his future son-in-law to his friends, claiming Wu Si had bought him a new jacket, a detail Tang Xin playfully corrected, revealing she was the one who bought it. Meanwhile, Zong Qing waited for Lan Yangyang at the hospital while she finished a surgery.
She found him asleep and was touched, but then noticed a bandage on his hand. He dismissed it as a minor exercise injury and refused to let her examine it. At Tang Xin's office, her superior, Mr. Tian, discreetly asked about her relationship with her navy boyfriend. Upon learning that marriage was imminent, he gathered their colleagues to secretly plan a surprise engagement party for her.
Episode 30 Recap
Lan Yangyang noticed Zong Qing seemed unusually quiet and unwell. Despite his insistence that he was fine, her persistent questioning led him to confess that he had sustained a small cut during a recent mission, and the person involved might be HIV positive. Zong Qing confirmed he had been tested, was awaiting results, and his unit had arranged for him to rest at home.
Concerned about potential transmission, he suggested they maintain distance, offering to sleep on the couch and then move to a hotel. However, Lan Yangyang, who had studied medicine, dismissed his fears, asserting that she understood the risks of HIV and would face any outcome with him, refusing to let him hide.
Later, Zong Qing again proposed they sleep separately, citing a doctor's advice on maintaining a "safety distance," but Lan Yangyang challenged his interpretation, emphasizing her commitment to staying by his side. Her parents called, having learned about Zong Qing's situation from Wang Lang, and expressed their worry and displeasure that she had kept it from them. Lan Yangyang assured them that she and Zong Qing were facing it together.
Although her mother cried, Lan Yangyang composed herself, stating she was a qualified military spouse, which made her father proud of her growth. Meanwhile, Han Yuhang's assistant reported an unusual transaction: the Bo'xing, the group's largest deep-sea fishing vessel, had been transferred to the Atocha Company in Roman just before Han Yuhang took control. Han Yuhang called his father, who explained it was compensation for a partner after he and Han Yuhang's uncle pulled out of a venture.
Han Yuhang questioned why his father and uncle were still in Roman, but his father vaguely stated they were handling business and would return to Hong Kong. Han Yuhang suspected the partner wanted more, but his father suggested the partner was simply unsure about their continued involvement in that line of business. Han Yuhang then confronted Tang Xin outside her home, demanding to know what she thought of him, frustrated that she never sought his help unless she needed it.
Tang Xin firmly stated that she could achieve her goals independently and wished to maintain distance because she was engaged to Wu Si. Despite her clear boundaries, Han Yuhang grabbed her, confessed his feelings, and attributed her disinterest to his family's past issues. He vowed to build a "clean" Changzhou Group and invited her to witness his transformation. At that moment, Wu Si appeared, intervening and telling Tang Xin to go inside.
Wu Si confirmed his engagement to Tang Xin when questioned by Han Yuhang and told him to stop visiting her at night. Han Yuhang retorted that he could offer Tang Xin a better life and things Wu Si couldn't, highlighting Wu Si's unpredictable disappearances. He mentioned a memo on Tang Xin's computer that read, "Did Wu Si come back today?" , suggesting her constant worry.
Han Yuhang pressed Wu Si to consider the possibility that his dangerous profession might one day prevent his return, leaving Tang Xin alone and devastated. Wu Si acknowledged that Han Yuhang had made him realize the depth of Tang Xin's love. Later, Tang Xin waited downstairs for Wu Si. However, Wu Si's demeanor was distant.
Influenced by Han Yuhang's words, he admitted that his proposal before the military exercise was rushed and ill-considered, stating he needed time apart to sort himself out. Tang Xin was heartbroken, reminding him of all the adjustments she had made, including her lifelong vow never to marry a soldier. She recounted waiting for him during his unit duties, escort missions, and exercises, explaining that her endurance and compromises stemmed from her love for him.
She directly asked if he still wanted her answer to his proposal, but he reiterated his desire to separate for a while. Elsewhere, Wang Chen, who had been recovering from an injury, proudly walked without her crutches to show Bai Zijian, who was delighted by her progress. Later, she visited a doctor to inquire about returning to the Marine Corps.
The doctor informed her that while her recovery was remarkable, she could only expect to return to a normal person's level of function, making it impossible to meet the demanding physical standards of the Marine Corps. Distraught, Wang Chen conveyed the news to her mother, who had been encouraging her to continue intensive training. At Tang Xin's workplace, her colleagues had prepared a surprise engagement party.
Tang Xin arrived wearing sunglasses and tearfully announced that the engagement was off, apologizing for their wasted efforts. Later, Captain Tang, Tang Xin's father, visited Wu Si, seeking an explanation. He expressed that he wasn't there to scold but needed to understand why Wu Si would propose and then back out. Wu Si admitted his fear of not being able to make Tang Xin happy, believing she deserved a safer, better life.
He cited Cheng Yuan's recent injury, expressing his fear of suffering a similar fate, and stated he wanted Tang Xin to forget him while there was still time. Captain Tang, a former soldier himself, acknowledged Wu Si's feelings but firmly stated that his daughter, as a military spouse, understood the inherent risks. He warned Wu Si not to burden Tang Xin by pushing her away, asserting that such an action was not characteristic of a soldier.
Wu Si's superior, the Brigadier, noticed his emotional distress and breakup with Tang Xin, and ordered him to take a leave for recuperation and attend three weekly psychological counseling sessions. The Brigadier then allowed Wu Si a brief five-minute visit with Cheng Yuan, who was still comatose in the ICU. Wu Si spoke to the unconscious Cheng Yuan, praising him as his best sharpshooter and urging him to wake up.
The Brigadier also spoke to Cheng Yuan, recalling their past and expressing his constant worry for his soldiers. Wu Si was overcome with guilt, believing he had failed to protect Cheng Yuan. Their words seemed to have an effect, as Cheng Yuan showed signs of consciousness. When visiting hours ended, Wu Si desperately tried to stay and continue talking to him.
After Cheng Yuan's condition stabilized and he was cleared to be moved from the ICU, the Brigadier advised Wu Si not to visit him immediately, fearing Wu Si's emotional state would be unhelpful. He sternly rebuked Wu Si for taking all the blame for Cheng Yuan's injury, reminding him that a battlefield is unpredictable. The Brigadier then revealed that Zong Qing was also on leave because he had been scratched by a suspected HIV-positive drug dealer during an arrest.
He used Zong Qing's situation to illustrate that accidents happen and that fear should not dictate a soldier's actions. He ordered Wu Si to rest, attend counseling, and keep his distance from both Cheng Yuan and Zong Qing. Soon after, Wu Si's mother arrived, immediately noting his weight loss. Unaware of his breakup with Tang Xin, she eagerly inquired about meeting Tang Xin's parents to discuss the engagement.
Wu Si tried to evade her questions, but when Tang Xin called, his mother insisted he answer. Tang Xin questioned why Wu Si was avoiding her, to which he curtly replied he was busy and hung up. Observing his unusual behavior, his mother pressed him for answers. Wu Si confessed his fear that the proposal was impulsive and that he was deeply shaken by Cheng Yuan's injury.
He worried about suffering a similar fate or ending up like his own father, who never returned from a mission. Meanwhile, in his hospital room, Cheng Yuan had his eye bandages removed. He asked Qiu Xiao, who was present, if he was still a sniper. Her silence confirmed his deepest fear. " I'm no longer a sniper, am I?" he asked. Despite this devastating realization, his next words were of their mission's success: "We won."
Episode 31 Recap
Wu Si's mother arrived in Wenzhou after hearing her son was returning. When Tang Xin offered her a place to stay, she politely declined, explaining she had already settled into a hotel. She then directly asked Tang Xin about the issues between her and Wu Si. Tang Xin explained that Wu Si had proposed to her before his deployment, and she had intended to accept upon his safe return.
However, everything changed when he came back; he seemed to rescind the proposal and began avoiding her, leaving her confused. Wu Si's mother then recounted the story of Wu Si's father, who had been a police officer specializing in maritime anti-smuggling after serving in the Navy. He went undercover for ten months under a false name. She recalled his last phone call, which he made when Wu Si was very young.
During that call, his father used a pre-arranged code about buying a "game console" for Wu Si, their secret signal that he had been exposed. He subtly conveyed critical coordinates for Liubu Reef and Luzhuang Reef, along with the speed of smugglers' boats, instructing her to notify "Old Liu" that the coast guard was heading in the wrong direction. She immediately called the police, but it was too late.
Wu Si’s mother speculated that Wu Si’s recent change in behavior stemmed from a deep-seated fear rooted in their family's past. She believed the recent drill exposed him to dangers that made him fearful of subjecting Tang Xin to the same potential fate his mother endured. While she voiced her disapproval of the marriage from a military spouse's perspective to encourage careful consideration, she ultimately gave them her blessing as Wu Si's mother.
Later, a retirement ceremony was held for members of the Marine Corps. Staff Sergeant Wang Jun, Staff Sergeant Li Tianjie, and Private First Class Wu Ke'er were officially discharged. Wu Ke'er expressed her gratitude for the care she received from her comrades and confirmed she would be returning home. The ceremony also honored fallen heroes, emphasizing that all soldiers who wear the uniform are eternal comrades.
Wang Chen, who was retiring due to a foot injury, signed the guest book at the base, where Cheng Yuan had previously signed, "If there's war, I'll return." She then tearfully embraced her comrades, who wished her well and urged her to visit often. At the hospital, Wu Si visited Cheng Yuan, who was also being discharged because his eye injury prevented him from continuing as a sniper.
Cheng Yuan told Wu Si he wouldn't be returning to Blue Blade and dismissed Wu Si's apologies, stating that while his own time as a sniper was over, Blue Blade had many other excellent marksmen, like Yi Nanwang. He affirmed that he had no regrets and would make the same choice again, even if it cost him his sight.
He expressed his desire to spend more time with Wu Ke'er, who had joined the military because of him, and be a normal boyfriend before his vision deteriorated further. Following this, Cheng Yuan formally requested to be discharged. To honor their unbreakable bond and shake the team from their somber mood, Wu Si took a roll call of the entire Blue Blade Special Ops team roster.
He called out every name, including those of the recently discharged Wang Chen and Cheng Yuan, who both responded from where they were, affirming their lasting connection to the unit. Meanwhile, Zong Qing had a meeting about an investigation into an international art smuggling ring. He later met with Tang Xin and tried to persuade her to give Wu Si another chance, explaining that Wu Si was still recovering from his injuries.
Seeing her frustration, Zong Qing revealed a collection of letters Wu Si had written to her. He explained these were "letters of intent," a military tradition where soldiers write to family before dangerous missions, to be delivered with a death notice if they don't return. Zong Qing told Tang Xin that Wu Si began including her in these letters after they started their relationship, preparing for the worst.
He revealed the letters grew longer over time, filled with his unfulfilled dreams and future plans with her. Zong Qing clarified that Wu Si's hesitation stemmed from a lack of faith in himself, not in her, describing dating a soldier as a "test of humanity" and marrying one as an "extreme challenge." In their personal lives, Zong Qing's partner, Lan Yangyang, expressed her desire to have another child but wanted to be more prepared and self-sufficient first.
She also suggested moving, as she felt their current home was filled with memories of their separations. Zong Qing promised they would move wherever she wished once he returned from training. As Zong Qing departed, his father, having been told about the situation by Lan Yangyang, playfully urged him to hurry up with his matchmaking efforts for Wu Si and Tang Xin.
As Wu Si was seeing off his comrades, he received a text message from Tang Xin, stating that if he truly wanted to break up, they needed to meet and discuss it clearly first. Acting on his wish, Cheng Yuan met with Wu Ke'er in a park.
With her now discharged, they reflected on their time in the city and how they rarely had time to explore it together, and he reiterated his desire to spend time with her like a normal boyfriend. Wu Si arrived at the location Tang Xin specified and was led into a beautifully decorated room filled with flowers. Tang Xin stood there, radiant in a wedding dress.
She asked him if she looked beautiful, and he confessed that he had missed her every single day. Tang Xin confronted him about his avoidance, stating that she had read his "letter of intent" and interpreted it as a love letter. She told him to stop writing such letters and instead write her true love letters. She reminded him of his promise to take wedding photos with her in that dress.
When Tang Xin extended her hand, asking him to fulfill his promise, Wu Si hesitated, his hand trembling. Understanding his anxieties after reading his letter, Tang Xin took the initiative. She embraced him tightly, realizing the depths of his unspoken fears and love. She then proposed to him, holding him to his promise to marry her upon his return. Unable to suppress his emotions any longer, Wu Si held her close.
Episode 32 Recap
Following a romantic wedding photoshoot by the sea, Wu Si returned to Tang Xin’s home. Tang Xin’s mother openly expressed her admiration for Wu Si, noting that both she and Tang Xin’s father were fond of him. She acknowledged Wu Si was a good man and that her affection for him stemmed from her daughter’s love.
Entrusting their only daughter to him, Tang Xin’s mother asked Wu Si to promise he would never make Tang Xin shed a single tear, to which he readily agreed. Later, Tang Xin and Wu Si found her father, who had gone out for some air, participating in square dancing. He playfully pretended to be annoyed by their interruption before happily heading home with them. Meanwhile, Cheng Yuan and his girlfriend, Ke'er, enjoyed a romantic hot air balloon ride.
Ke'er remarked that while a trip to Turkey was out of reach, they could still appreciate the beauty of their local Wenzhou. Cheng Yuan reflected that after years in the military, he had never truly seen his hometown. Later, Qiu Xiao thoughtfully provided Cheng Yuan with corrective glasses, explaining his eyesight would gradually worsen, and painkillers for the intensifying pain.
Qiu Xiao then wished Cheng Yuan a Happy New Year and a happy wedding in advance, extending good wishes for every future holiday and reminding him that while training is temporary, his body is for life. During a rigorous training assessment that included tear gas escape and underwater shooting, Zong Qing announced that only Yi Nanwang had achieved a perfect score.
He then declared that because of Yi Nanwang's performance, everyone else received a zero, a tactic designed to motivate them by making them remember Yi Nanwang's face and strive for his level of excellence. Separately, Han Zhangzhou reported to his superior that the first batch of about one hundred salvaged artifacts had been delivered to the island base. His superior acknowledged the effort and stated he would visit in a couple of days to inspect them.
Brigadier Wang Lang informed Wu Si that Wang Chen was being reassigned to the base’s instructional unit as an instructor. He explained that Wang Chen had not wanted Wu Si to know, as she felt like a deserter, but her past injuries prevented her from handling the high intensity of Blue Blade's training. Believing it was best for her well-being, the brigadier had arranged a more suitable role.
He then invited both Wu Si and Wang Chen to a farewell hotpot dinner. Zong Qing was exceptionally strict with the new recruits, particularly during underwater exercises. He sternly reminded them that descending too quickly could lead to nitrogen narcosis and decompression sickness, posing severe risks to their health and lives. He punished one recruit, Zheng Hao, by ordering him to copy the training manual 100 times and withheld food from the hungry team to build their endurance.
Later, during a break, Zong Qing called his wife Lan Yangyang, who was working overtime at the hospital. They exchanged longing sentiments, both missing each other dearly. In a concealment training exercise, Yi Nanwang successfully hid inside a tent, an unconventional method he revealed was taught to him by Cheng Yuan. Zong Qing later confided in Yi Nanwang about the emotional difficulty of watching soldiers he had personally trained leave the unit, admitting his powerlessness to make them stay.
At the dinner, Brigadier Wang Lang toasted to Wang Chen, celebrating her recovery and bidding her farewell. He praised Wang Chen and Wu Si as the foundation of his confidence for the past ten years, acknowledging their outstanding performance on every difficult mission. He noted that Wang Chen’s journey had been hard and that as a married woman, her responsibilities now extended beyond the military, emphasizing the sacrifices made by military spouses.
He advised her to live her life well after leaving the front line, as that too was a contribution to the country. Wu Si then stunned everyone by requesting a transfer away from the front line. Brigadier Wang Lang, though surprised, acknowledged that Wu Si had been considering this for some time.
Wu Si explained that he no longer felt mentally capable of leading the team, believing that staying in his position would be irresponsible to his soldiers and that someone more suitable should take his place. Wang Chen fiercely interjected, expressing disbelief. She reminded him that she and Cheng Yuan had endured immense hardship in rehabilitation precisely to rejoin the team and had not left by choice.
She declared that their injuries were not his fault and were not an excuse for him to retreat. Brigadier Wang Lang concluded the emotional discussion by reminding them that while soldiers may come and go, the same military flag would always shine over them, no matter where life took them. On New Year's Day, while Wu Si and Tang Xin were playing games at home, her parents arrived.
Tang Xin reminded them that it was also the 100th-day feast for Brigadier Wang Lang’s daughter. Elsewhere, Zong Qing visited Lan Yangyang at the hospital, only to find she was about to enter surgery. Understanding the couple's limited time together, her colleague volunteered to perform the surgery in her place. At Brigadier Wang Lang’s home, the families celebrated.
Wang Lang expressed his unwavering trust in Wu Si to Tang Xin’s mother, calling him the best soldier he had ever led and jokingly entrusting him to their family. Tang Xin playfully pointed out that his words made it sound like Wu Si was marrying into her family, before voicing her concern about his decision to transfer off the front line. Outside, Tang Xin confronted Wu Si, who revealed he had just been to buy an engagement ring.
Realizing his decision to leave his post was influenced by a desire to give her a stable life, she refused his proposal. She explained that she could sense he was running away from his calling and that she could not accept a marriage built on him becoming a "deserter" from who he truly was. As Tang Xin and Wu Si talked, their families waited anxiously inside.
Brigadier Wang Lang’s wife wanted to check on them but was advised by her husband and Tang Xin’s father to let them have their private conversation. Tang Xin’s father then turned to his wife and asked her what she had said to him when he was transitioning out of the military, prompting a knowing smile from her.
Episode 33 Recap
Tang Xin expressed her desire for Wu Si to make choices based on his own wishes, hoping he would remain where he truly belonged, even if it meant a front-line position. She conveyed her concern that marrying a soldier on the front line would present challenges, suggesting that his current indecision could lead to future regrets for both of them. Tang Xin emphasized her wish for an equal marriage, one that fostered mutual love without binding either partner.
When Wu Si asked if she would still marry him if he persisted in his current path, Tang Xin firmly stated that she would not marry the person he was at that moment. Having grown up in a military family, she understood a soldier's deep connection to the army and reiterated that she did not require him to change for her sake, only to make choices aligned with his true desires.
Meanwhile, at Tang Xin’s workplace, a news report about an upcoming festival was being reviewed. An editor, dissatisfied with the footage shot by a colleague’s team, ordered a reshoot. Shortly after, Mr. Tian summoned Tang Xin to his office. Mr. Tian informed Tang Xin about a significant lead obtained by the Ministry of Public Security in cooperation with Interpol, related to a wanted artifact smuggler. Although the specifics were still undisclosed, official media outlets had been notified to prepare coverage.
Mr. Tian believed the case was connected to Tang Xin's previous investigation into underwater artifact smuggling, implying that the operation was about to conclude. He suggested she continue to follow the case as an embedded reporter. Tang Xin, who had invested considerable time in the investigation, confirmed her determination to see it through to its resolution. Mr. Tian then agreed to submit her request for embedded coverage. Later, Wu Si’s mother prepared to leave.
She mentioned she could use a ride-hailing app and asked Wu Si to check the bathroom for any forgotten items. While Wu Si was checking, she claimed to have an unexpected meeting with a friend and departed, arranging to meet Wu Si at the airport later. Wu Si’s mother then made her way to Tang Xin’s home, where she met Tang Xin’s father. She introduced herself as Wu Si's mother, and they sat down to talk.
During their conversation, Wu Si’s mother recounted how in 1999, she had gone to the dock to identify Wu Si’s father. Young Wu Si had secretly followed her, and the traumatic experience caused him to fall ill with a fever, crying in his sleep. She had always hoped someone could support Wu Si through his unresolved trauma and expressed her surprise and gratitude that Tang Xin, Mr. Tang’s daughter, was that person, praising Tang Xin for her understanding and tolerance.
Tang Xin’s father, a military man himself, understood the perspectives of both Wu Si and Tang Xin. He suggested that despite their differing approaches, their intentions were rooted in care for each other and expressed confidence that they would navigate their challenges. Wu Si's mother, relieved by his words, entrusted Wu Si to Mr. Tang’s care, who affirmed that he already regarded Wu Si as his own son.
Meanwhile, the Brigadier addressed Yi Nanwang and other soldiers, explaining the continuity of military service across generations, likening it to new warships replacing old ones. He spoke of the sacrifices soldiers make, ensuring peace for families back home. Yi Nanwang affirmed that their presence allowed for the "warm homes and peace" on the civilian side, and that their awareness of their own purpose was enough, even if the world outside did not know their efforts.
The Brigadier later commended Yi Nanwang for his excellent training results and informed him of his transfer back to the Blue Blade Special Ops Team. He explained that due to personnel reassignments and retirements, Yi Nanwang, being the closest to Wu Si, was needed to help him support Blue Blade.
Yi Nanwang inquired about Captain Wu’s destination and Captain Wang Chen’s departure, to which the Brigadier stated that Captain Wu had other matters to consider and that reassignments were organizational decisions. He then challenged Yi Nanwang to step up and stand on his own, reminding him of the achievements of Captain Wu, Zong Qing, and Cheng Yuan at the same age.
He reiterated that a soldier's duty is to obey orders, designating Yi Nanwang as a sniper on Blue Blade's front line. On a heavily guarded island, Han Changzhou arrived and was given a tour by William, who pointed out the numerous sentry posts manned by retired special forces personnel. Han Changzhou was impressed by the natural caves on the island, which served as their base. He inspected some retrieved artifacts, which William confirmed were high-quality goods.
Alex, Han Changzhou’s subordinate, informed him that Johnson, the security officer, was out training with some men. Back home, Tang Xin's father waited up for her. He shared his meeting with Wu Si’s mother, recounting their conversation about the 1999 incident. Tang Xin, connecting the dots, realized that the little boy from the warship incident was indeed Wu Si, confirming their long-standing connection.
Later, Yi Nanwang spoke with Wu Si, reflecting on what having a family might entail and recalling Sergeant Cheng Yuan’s similar questions about leaving the military. Yi Nanwang reiterated his commitment to stay in the army until he was physically unable to serve. He then directly asked Wu Si if he was leaving the Blue Blade Special Ops Team, expressing his reluctance for him, Sergeant Cheng, or Captain Wang Chen to depart.
He acknowledged that Wu Si might be making the right decision, suggesting that while Blue Blade would lose a formidable captain, the world would gain a devoted husband and father. Yi Nanwang assured Wu Si that he would uphold his promise to Sergeant Cheng to protect Blue Blade and strive to become the best sniper. Wu Si, in a counseling room with the Brigadier, indicated that he had resolved his internal conflict.
He expressed his desire to return to the army, but the Brigadier, noting his previous indecision, held off on approving his application, reminding Wu Si that soldiers are expected to comply with the needs of the military. The next day, Mr. Tian personally delivered good news to Tang Xin, informing her that her significant contributions to the case had been acknowledged, and her request to witness its conclusion was granted.
She was instructed to gather at a designated location the following day. Meanwhile, Yi Nanwang, usually eager for food, had lost his appetite, much to the surprise of his comrades during a meal. Han Changzhou and his associate discovered a new Southern Song merchant shipwreck, measuring 24. 2 meters long and 9. 15 meters wide, consistent with the Fujian-ship type.
The shipwreck was located in Chinese territorial waters, a risky area due to increased coast guard patrols following a previous incident. Despite the danger, Han Changzhou decided to proceed with the salvage after clearing the mud and sand, emphasizing the immediate transfer of all retrieved artifacts to their island base. Director Qu Gang of the Wenzhou Public Security Bureau and Deputy Commander Liu from SWAT met with Interpol officers Thomas and Peter.
Director Qu Gang explained that the situation on the island was more complex than anticipated, requiring more personnel. He confirmed that Han Changzhou and William had hired mercenaries for island defense, and drone footage indicated numerous sentry posts, mercenary activity in the rainforest, and two caves, suggesting a significant enemy presence. Recognizing their limitations in naval and island reconnaissance, Director Qu Gang stated he would request military assistance from higher command.
A joint operation request from Public Security was approved by the Navy. The Blue Blade Special Ops Team, led by Wu Si, was tasked with the island operation. Command would be held by Public Security, with the Navy and SWAT operating under separate, independent plans to capture the smuggling ring. Back at the temporary base, an officer met with reporters from Minghua News, including Tang Xin, Tan Hai, Jian Ao, and Jia Nan.
When asked about access to the island, the officer explained that they would have to wait for instructions from higher authorities. Director Qu Gang formally introduced himself, Deputy Commander Liu, and Interpol officers Thomas and Peter to Wu Si’s Blue Blade Special Ops Team. Wu Si confirmed his team had reviewed the drone footage and was ready.
Director Qu Gang assigned Blue Blade the crucial pre-operation reconnaissance mission: infiltrating the island undetected to determine the number, distribution, and weaponry of the mercenaries. He provided Wu Si with a hand-drawn map based on drone images, detailing two sentry posts, each manned by two mercenaries. Wu Si affirmed his understanding, stating they would launch their underwater infiltration that night to sneak into the enemy base.
Concurrently, Lan Yangyang returned home, feeling tired, and found comfort lying in her mother’s lap. Her mother reminisced about Lan Yangyang’s childhood, recalling the challenges of her own difficult pregnancy while Lan Yangyang’s father was on missions. She shared a frightening incident where she fell, fearing she would lose the baby. Lan Yangyang’s mother expressed how her daughter's arrival made her feel brave and determined to provide her with a good life. Lan Yangyang thanked her parents for their protection.
Her mother noted that while starting a family was a natural step, maintaining it required great confidence, and she hoped Lan Yangyang and Zong Qing would embody that resilience. She praised Zong Qing’s efforts as a soldier and affirmed that Lan Yangyang had made a good choice, concluding that their generation would face challenges but would ultimately thrive. Unaware of the impending infiltration, Han Changzhou and William enjoyed a special, rare red wine.
William explained he had obtained ten boxes of this exclusive wine by exchanging a cherished piece of blue and white porcelain. Han Changzhou then directed two of his men to move through the woods for an operation, while others provided cover. Wu Si's Blue Blade Special Ops Team commenced their underwater infiltration, silently approaching the island under the cover of darkness.
Episode 34 (Ending) Recap
Based on reconnaissance, a joint military and police command finalizes their plan to assault the island. The intelligence reports approximately thirty mercenaries: two at an outpost, at least six guarding the caves, a four-man patrol rotating every two hours, and the remaining twenty concentrated in the left cave, which serves as their camp and likely storage for cultural relics. The right cave is identified as the residence for Han Changzhou, his son Han Yutian, and William.
Drone footage reveals dense vegetation inland, offering excellent concealment. Wu Si and Deputy Commander Liu agree that a daytime operation is preferable, as their preparedness gives them an advantage despite the jungle. The plan is to covertly neutralize the outposts to reduce pressure on the main assault on the caves, with the operation set for ten o'clock. Meanwhile, after failing to find the boats and warehouses his father requested, Han Yuhang discovers a hidden compartment in the company's finance department.
Inside are numerous cultural relics, believed to be those the former chairman failed to take with him. Elsewhere on the island, Han Changzhou and William observe their mercenaries, with William noting some are in poor condition and are being sent for intensive strengthening exercises. The operation begins with SWAT teams successfully landing on the island, sabotaging the suspects' rubber boats, and linking up with the Blue Blade unit after neutralizing the outposts.
The mercenaries are taken by surprise when the joint force storms the caves. During the chaos, Han Changzhou, Han Yutian, and William flee through a hidden tunnel; Han Changzhou has to forcibly pull his reluctant son away, who wanted to grab some of the valuables before escaping. A command center drone locates the trio on the island's west side, where they regroup with eight or nine more mercenaries.
William confidently assures the Hans that his remaining men can ensure their escape. However, Wu Si's team, anticipating their escape route, has already set up an ambush ahead of them. After a brief firefight, Wu Si's forces overwhelm the mercenaries and successfully capture the three main culprits: Han Changzhou, Han Yutian, and William. Police, accompanied by a press team including Tang Xin, wait at a safe distance.
Once the all-clear is given, they are permitted to land and film the aftermath. Tang Xin, noticing the Marine Corps gear, soon encounters Wu Si. In the following days, news breaks about the city's Public Security Bureau cracking the major cultural relic smuggling case, implicating Han Changzhou and Han Yutian. Wracked with guilt, Han Yuhang contacts Tang Xin for a meeting.
He reveals the hidden compartment in the company finance room and its contents, showing her photos of the relics and documents. He asks for her help in turning everything over to the authorities, hoping this act of cooperation might lessen the sentences for his father and brother. In a lighter moment, Tang Xin's father is caught faking a deep clean of the house to impress Wu Si’s mother, who is visiting for the Chinese New Year.
His ruse is exposed when an employee from the housekeeping service he and Tang Xin hired returns to retrieve forgotten gloves, much to Tang Xin's embarrassment. Brigadier Wang, enjoying a walk with his wife and child, receives an urgent work call and apologetically departs. Having had time to reflect, Wang Chen decides to start a new chapter, officially beginning her life as a retired veteran.
Wu Si reports to the Brigadier, who, after briefly discussing the tough selection for the tri-service competition, assigns Blue Blade a new mission: a South China Sea patrol and maritime resupply training exercise. Wu Si is instructed to prepare his team to depart immediately. On a sun-drenched beach, a joyous wedding ceremony unfolds.
Among the guests are Wang Chen and Bai Zijian with their baby daughter, Luoluo, as well as Cheng Yuan and Qiu Xiao, who announce their own wedding is coming soon. After four navy sailors place a veil on her head, Tang Xin, radiant in her wedding dress, is escorted down the aisle by her father, Tang Yuanchao, a retired Navy veteran. The Brigadier proudly officiates the ceremony.
Wu Si’s mother gives a heartfelt speech, calling Wu Si her life's most beautiful gift and thanking Tang Xin for choosing to be a soldier's wife. Tang Yuanchao, equally emotional, describes Tang Xin as the best and most beautiful medal he has ever received, entrusting her care to Wu Si. Wu Si and Tang Xin then exchange vows. Wu Si reaffirms his unwavering love, telling her that if he had another lifetime, he would want to spend it with her.
Tang Xin joyfully accepts her new title as a "military wife," promising to accompany Wu Si through all of life's challenges and to always love, support, and watch over him. As they exchange rings, the Brigadier offers a final blessing for their happiness, the nation's prosperity, and a future where families remain united.
Wu Si and Tang Xin share a loving embrace, declaring their love for one another as the blue and white décor around them symbolizes their vows to each other and the Navy's promise to the nation.
