Storm Eye Episode 33 Recap
> Storm Eye Recap
As Qiao Xichuan's communication signal was suddenly lost and the entire hotel experienced a power outage, An Jing and Du Meng found themselves trapped in the elevator. An Jing swiftly instructed Unit Two to proceed directly to Qiao Xichuan's room without waiting. Her team discovered Qiao Xichuan in the bathtub, having apparently attempted to commit suicide by slitting his wrists.
They quickly confirmed he still had a pulse and called for an ambulance, with An Jing emphasizing that they must ensure he survived. Shortly after, Du Meng informed An Jing that the technology department had recovered part of Qiao Xichuan's call logs, confirming his involvement in the case concerning her father's death ten years ago. This provided sufficient grounds to merge the two cases for investigation.
An Jing, emotionally stirred, resolved to personally tell her mother about the truth, declining Du Meng's offer to accompany her. Director Qin arrived and was briefed by Department Chief Song on the situation. Qiao Xichuan remained in a coma, with doctors reporting brain damage and a high probability of never regaining consciousness. Meanwhile, Yang Xun, who had been apprehended, steadfastly refused to cooperate during interrogation, repeatedly claiming wrongful accusation and demanding a lawyer, indicating he was well-prepared.
An Jing presented the collected evidence: an array of disguise equipment, including wigs, canes, various paints, glues, and a voice-changing device, found at Qiao Xichuan's residence. Based on testimonies from Miao Fei and Miao Huanyang, it was concluded that Qiao Xichuan was also Su He, responsible for coercing Miao Huanyang into insider trading a decade ago and recently forcing Miao Fei to steal the key.
Furthermore, Fu Dayong's testimony confirmed He Ping as another of Qiao Xichuan's aliases, orchestrating Fu Mengyao's kidnapping and coercing Fu Dayong into ore smuggling. Recovered data from Qiao Xichuan's destroyed computer revealed that Yang Xun and Qiao Xichuan had planned the technical theft in Shuangqing and the ore smuggling from both inside and outside Dinghua.
Yang Xun's role was to lurk within Dinghua to steal information and provide cover, while Qiao Xichuan managed all external operations, coercing individuals like Jia Changan, Zhou Lian, Liu Baoqiang, and Chen Can. An Jing noted Qiao Xichuan's ruthless nature, suggesting he likely killed Jia Changan and staged it as a suicide after exposure, and may have been connected to Zhou Lian's traffic accident.
Director Qin, acknowledging Qiao Xichuan's central role in both the current and the decade-old case, including the death of Comrade An Wei, ordered the hospital to do everything possible to revive him. Meanwhile, Ma Shang confided in his father about how to reveal his true identity to his mother. His father advised him to be direct and promised to manage his mother's reaction.
Ma Shang then spoke to his mother in the kitchen, who initially misinterpreted his serious tone, thinking he had resigned from Dinghua due to its troubles. Ma Shang clarified that since graduating from university, he had been an officer with the National Security Department, and his roles as a headhunter and at Dinghua were merely covers for his real work as an investigator. His mother was shocked and needed time to process this revelation.
Later, at dinner, though she cooked a feast and pretended nothing happened, Ma Shang and his father were still worried. She eventually expressed understanding for his secrecy, acknowledging the nature of his work, but voiced concerns about his safety and marital prospects. Ma Shang's father subtly reminded his wife not to accidentally reveal their son's identity, to which she retorted, affirming her capability to keep secrets. That evening, An Jing, her mother, and Uncle Wang had dinner.
An Jing's mother, feeling happy, ordered red wine. Afterward, Uncle Wang offered to drive them home, but An Jing declined, opting for a walk with her mother to sober up. During their walk, An Jing bravely revealed to her mother that her father's death was not an accident and that the ongoing case was unexpectedly linked to the events of ten years prior.
An Jing's mother, tearful but deeply relieved that those who harmed her husband had been caught, expressed a desire to visit his grave soon. Later, Ma Shang met An Jing by the sea. He shared his relief after finally disclosing his true identity to his family. An Jing, having reflected on her feelings, then asked Ma Shang if he wanted to be with her. Overjoyed, Ma Shang embraced and kissed her, confessing he had waited ten years for this moment.
He recalled her initial coldness upon their reunion but soon recognized her unwavering sense of justice, passion, independence, and strength, just as she was a decade ago. Learning the truth behind her past, he felt a profound desire to protect her for life. He pointed out their similar natures – rational at work, emotional with family – and their enduring unspoken understanding.
Their intimate moment was interrupted by a call from Department Chief Song for An Jing, who promptly stated that work took priority and she needed to return to the bureau. Ma Shang lamented his bad luck, joking about starting a long-distance relationship just after finding a girlfriend. He informed An Jing that the provincial department wanted him to withdraw from Dinghua and return to Beijing in two days, believing they had enough evidence.
However, Ma Shang still harbored doubts about the case's seemingly "smooth" resolution. An Jing assured him that the National Security Bureau would investigate thoroughly. An Jing's calm acceptance, attributing his departure to a leader's order, made Ma Shang slightly jealous. Ma Shang went to Miao Fei to tender his resignation. Miao Fei reacted calmly, stating she had long suspected his true identity.
She also revealed her own plans to leave Dinghua soon, as her father's past involvement would likely become public knowledge once state-owned enterprises injected capital. Miao Fei inquired if the case was concluded and, still troubled, asked who truly killed Jia Changan. She had narrowed it down to an insider, specifically Yang Xun, but found it difficult to believe he possessed such ruthlessness.
She theorized that Yang Xun might merely be an internal asset, and the true killer could be someone else. Miao Fei requested that Ma Shang inform her immediately if he discovered the actual murderer. Elsewhere, Cheng Lei shared good news with Ma Shang and Miao Lu: he had been appointed Professor Zou's special assistant. Ma Shang congratulated him, playfully hinting at "double happiness" concerning his professional success and his relationship with Miao Lu, causing her to shyly excuse herself.
Late that night, Cheng Lei made a phone call, revealing his status as a sleeper agent to Jeffrey. Cheng Lei noted that Miao Fei was still at Dinghua and his suspect remained there. Jeffrey issued a "simple" mission: acquire the technology and extract himself swiftly. Cheng Lei pushed back, highlighting the unforeseen complications he had already navigated and warning Jeffrey not to allow his operatives to interfere with his actions. Later, Ma Shang found An Jing by the sea.
He playfully offered her a choice between good news and bad news. The "bad news," he revealed, was that after discussing with Director Qin, he still believed the case had suspicious elements and required further investigation. The "good news" was that he would, therefore, not be leaving Shuangqing yet, giving them more time together. An Jing remarked that both sounded like bad news, but she was not surprised.
The task force continued its work, but they faced a passive situation with no new leads. Miao Huanyang, Chen Can, and Liu Baoqiang offered no valuable information, and Qiao Xichuan remained unconscious. Du Meng was assigned to monitor Qiao Xichuan at the People's Hospital. Simultaneously, Jeffrey instructed his operative, Bat, to cease all further actions and remain hidden until further notice. Bat acknowledged the order and subtly claimed responsibility for Qiao Xichuan's current state.
