Storm Eye Episode 10 Recap
> Storm Eye Recap
As Ma Shang ate, Du Meng expressed his suspicion about Miao Fei, noting her hesitation and repeated questioning about their investigation into Xu He. Ma Shang admitted to also sensing her evasiveness, although she usually appeared normal at the company. While they planned to keep a close watch on Miao Fei, An Jing suggested they also focus on Wu Miao, whose suspicious sick day was noted by Du Meng.
Both Ma Shang and Du Meng agreed that Wu Miao's absence seemed to be an attempt to evade questioning. Later, Miao Fei asked Ma Shang to elaborate on his network security proposal. He explained that despite the technical isolation, the laboratory network still had vulnerabilities and recommended physical isolation, a method used by many large companies.
To Ma Shang's surprise, Miao Fei immediately decided to implement physical isolation, starting that very day, and scheduled a meeting with the IT department head to arrange it, impressing Ma Shang with her efficiency. Meanwhile, An Jing and Du Meng continued their investigation into Jia Changan, searching hotel records for the past six months without success. Hotel staff explained that only overnight guests after 11 PM were registered strictly, not daytime visitors.
However, they found a check-in record for Yu Haoran from three weeks prior, though surveillance footage from that period was already overwritten. A hotel service person recalled an incident two months ago where Jia Changan, without a room key, had a dispute with him. Jia Changan eventually called a female friend, who came down to meet him. The woman wore a hat, concealing her face, but the staff noted her good figure.
An Jing deduced that this hat-wearing woman could not be Miao Fei, as Miao Fei would not need such a disguise. She also reasoned that a business transaction would not require registration at a hotel, leading her to believe that Jia Changan and the woman were likely lovers.
However, Du Meng pointed out the suspicious detail that Jia Changan's last phone call before his death was to a number registered under a fake identity, which cast doubt on a simple romantic affair. An Jing concluded that the woman possessed strong anti-detection capabilities, using a fake identity for a long-term hotel rental to avoid drawing attention. She assigned Du Meng and his team to search nearby road surveillance videos for clues.
At Dinghua, Miao Fei used a pretext to send Professor Zou and his colleagues to a meeting. She then entered Professor Zou's office and, using a card provided by Xu He, inserted it into his computer, implanting a virus. As she left, she was startled to encounter Ma Shang, who claimed he was looking for Professor Zou to discuss recruitment. Miao Fei, visibly flustered, quickly diverted him, saying Professor Zou was not involved in recruitment details.
After she hurried away, Ma Shang noticed her agitated demeanor and the warmth of Professor Zou's computer hard drive, immediately alerting Chief Song to shut down Dinghua's network. Ma Shang reported his findings, expressing certainty that Miao Fei had entered Professor Zou's office and activated his computer, but was unsure of the exact activity.
An Jing confirmed Yu Haoran's lead about Jia Changan staying at the hotel with an unidentified woman using a fake identity, suspecting this woman was the one Jia Changan called before his death. He Zixuan humorously speculated that Jia Changan might have been simultaneously having an affair and conducting a secret meeting. Chief Song revealed he had erased the surveillance footage of Ma Shang and Miao Fei entering the R&D passage but assured them he had a backup.
He praised Professor Zou and President Lin for their cooperation in handing over the computer without questions. Miao Fei visited her father, Miao Huanyang, in the hospital. She hypothetically asked him what he would do if she were involved in Jia Changan's smuggling case. Miao Huanyang became agitated but vehemently stated he would never report her, affirming she was his daughter and he would not let her go to jail. He expressed confusion over her sudden line of questioning.
Meanwhile, Zhou Lian met with Qiao Xichuan while intoxicated after drinking with Yang Xun. Qiao Xichuan admonished her for her state but also seemed to show concern. He pressed her to obtain ore quotas through Yang Xun, but Zhou Lian angrily retorted that she felt like a mere tool to him. Qiao Xichuan was frustrated, as the administrative documents Miao Fei had sent were largely useless, leading him to suspect she had tampered with them.
An Jing reported that Miao Fei had stayed with Miao Huanyang at the hospital all night, without leaving. Ma Shang wondered if Miao Huanyang had instigated Miao Fei's actions, and An Jing pondered if Miao Fei knew about Jia Changan's other woman. Ma Shang advised An Jing against being subjective, noting her rare display of empathy for Miao Fei, which An Jing defended by saying she could relate to Miao Fei's pain as a woman.
He Zixuan confirmed that a Trojan horse virus was implanted in Professor Zou's computer, capable of hacking all local network computers and transmitting data to a specific address. He estimated cracking the virus's original code to identify the recipient or the leaked information would take at least a year. Fortunately, Ma Shang's quick intervention, coupled with the lab's recently implemented physical isolation, prevented any core technical data from leaking. Du Meng suggested arresting Miao Fei, but An Jing disagreed.
She highlighted Miao Fei's contradictory actions of initiating physical isolation before implanting the virus, suggesting Miao Fei was likely coerced and trying to minimize the damage. An Jing argued that a premature arrest would alarm the person coercing her. She proposed comprehensive monitoring of both Miao Fei and Miao Huanyang, recommending starting with Miao Huanyang's background, given his approval of Jia Changan's ore quota and his likely involvement if Miao Fei was implicated.
Chief Song approved the plan and instructed Ma Shang to subtly extract information from Miao Fei without compromising his cover. As they left, An Jing asked Ma Shang to drive her, implying she had something important to say. In the car, Ma Shang confessed his decade-long guilt and helplessness, not knowing An Jing's whereabouts or if she was even alive. An Jing, who had initially intended to speak, decided against it, simply saying it was nothing.
The next day, President Lin convened an emergency meeting following the near data breach. Professor Zou expressed his outrage, emphasizing that only Miao Fei's prior arrangements for enhanced network security had prevented the loss of his life's work. Lao Zhao, the head of security, apologized and reported that R&D passage surveillance had been compromised and frames erased. President Lin then concluded this indicated a long-planned crime. Pang Yishan questioned the timing, suggesting someone exploited the network rectification.
Ma Shang intervened, clarifying that he had proposed the network rectification plan to President Lin and developed it with Miao Fei. President Lin cautioned against internal suspicion, stating that the perpetrator might not be an insider, and urged the rapid implementation of new security systems. After the meeting, Ma Shang found Miao Fei and subtly questioned her about seeing any suspicious individuals in Professor Zou's office. Miao Fei only mentioned seeing him.
Ma Shang, noting her defensiveness, reminded her of President Lin's words about not suspecting colleagues. He then pointed out that if she had delayed the virus implant by just one day, more core secrets could have been obtained, implying her actions were unusual. He reiterated his lack of suspicion but warned that corporate theft involving rare resources carried severe penalties and that relationships within the company were complex.
Meanwhile, Qiao Xichuan found the administrative documents from Miao Fei largely useless and noted interruptions during their transmission. Jeffrey, concerned that Dinghua's heightened security measures would attract official investigations, ordered Qiao Xichuan to withdraw. Qiao Xichuan, however, defiantly refused, stating he was motivated by a promise, not money, and intended to finish what he started. Zhou Lian, who had suggested withdrawing was a good idea, was dismissed by an agitated Qiao Xichuan, who claimed she didn't understand Jeffrey.
He then instructed her to focus on compelling Miao Fei to cooperate, as Yang Xun currently offered no value and was too close to Miao Fei to approach directly without raising suspicion. He advised Zhou Lian to remain calm and prioritize her safety. While Miao Fei was grocery shopping, Xu He appeared and confronted her. He revealed his knowledge of her "tricks" and her efforts to physically isolate the lab computers, indicating he understood her intent.
He warned her to cease her interference and to cooperate fully next time if she wanted her father's incriminating evidence back. Miao Fei questioned his extensive knowledge of Dinghua and his access to Professor Zou's office, wondering why he still needed her help. Separately, Du Meng received a call from his mother, who was unwell. An Jing suggested he bring his mother to Shuangqing for better medical care, but Du Meng wished to prioritize the case.
Du Meng presented An Jing with old Dinghua trade records that showed many transactions at suspiciously low prices, which An Jing identified as a serious commercial crime. They planned to use this information to pressure Miao Huanyang. Lao Liu reported that while Junhai Logistics' books were clean, something felt off. He noted that despite Ma Junhai's long-standing partnership with Dinghua, his company remained small, suggesting a lack of business acumen.
This conflicted with Ma Junhai's seemingly upright character, making his action of getting his son, Ma Shang, a managerial position at Dinghua through a "back door" highly contradictory. Lao Liu suggested informing Ma Junhai that their investigation was complete to make him relax, then focusing on Ma Shang, whose entry into Dinghua during a sensitive period and rapid promotion to manager, despite lacking management experience, warranted close attention. An Jing agreed that Ma Shang was suspicious and decided to integrate his investigation into the task force's broader inquiry into Dinghua.
