Storm Eye Episode 8 Recap
> Storm Eye Recap
Yang Xun was meeting with Zhou Lian when he received an urgent call from President Pang Yishan, who asked him to come over immediately. Yang Xun apologized to Zhou Lian, explaining that an urgent company matter required his attention, and he quickly left, insisting on treating her next time. Rushing to meet Pang Yishan, Yang Xun was surprised to learn that Ma Shang would be joining the company and taking his position as head of the personnel department.
Pang Yishan expressed his shock that Miao Huanyang still wielded such influence even after his departure. He instructed Yang Xun to try and win Ma Shang over before Miao Fei's return. However, if Ma Shang proved uncooperative and didn't align with their interests, Pang Yishan demanded that Yang Xun find a way to remove him from the company before he could establish himself. He urged Yang Xun not to be indecisive and to seize control of the situation.
Ma Shang's parents were overjoyed by his success in securing a position at Dinghua. His father advised him to work diligently and with integrity, while his mother suggested visiting Miao Huanyang to express their gratitude. Ma Shang's father deemed it inappropriate to visit Miao Huanyang at this time, suggesting they wait.
His mother then excitedly wondered if Ma Shang could eventually become a vice president, but his father quickly cautioned against such ambitious thinking, emphasizing the importance of taking one step at a time. Recognizing Ma Shang would need a car for work, his father insisted he take his newer car, offering to drive the old one himself. Ma Shang's mother agreed, stressing the need for the head of the personnel department to have a respectable vehicle.
Ma Shang accepted, promising to buy his father an even better car in the future. Ma Shang then texted An Jing, informing her of his new job. An Jing's concise reply, "Impressive," left Ma Shang feeling slightly annoyed, and he messaged back, teasing her about being a "person of few words." An Jing responded by reiterating the inherent dangers, citing Jia Changan's death, and asked if he had truly considered the risks.
After a long pause, Ma Shang replied that he had thought it through; entering the company was crucial to advancing the investigation, and he had to go. An Jing then assured him of their full cooperation. Du Meng presented a list of freight companies that had transported ores for Changan Science and Technology. He highlighted Junhai Logistics, a company small in scale whose boss was an old acquaintance of Miao Huanyang, having worked with him since Dinghua's founding.
Du Meng suspected foul play, believing the company should have grown larger given the connection. Meanwhile, He Zixuan reported on Jia Changan's funeral attendees, noting that while most were matched, there was one mysterious individual, referred to as Xu He, whose background was completely untraceable. This man had spoken with Miao Huanyang for about 20 minutes, a significant interaction given Miao Huanyang hadn't greeted anyone else. An Jing requested authorization to use the SkyEye system to locate Xu He.
Director Song initially worried this investigation would sidetrack them from their primary objective of identifying the secret information thief, emphasizing the need to support Ma Shang, who was starting at Dinghua the next day. An Jing countered that Jia Changan's killer was likely from Dinghua, the source of smuggling, and all clues ultimately pointed back to Dinghua.
She argued that Xu He's close ties to Miao Huanyang and Dinghua made him a crucial lead, and investigating him would also provide cover for Ma Shang's undercover operation. Convinced, Director Song approved the use of SkyEye. Du Meng then reported another significant finding: Junhai Logistics, which had shipped many batches of ore to Changan Science & Technology, was owned by Ma Shang's father.
Director Song instructed An Jing to handle the matter according to regulations but reminded her to be sensitive to Ma Shang's feelings, a directive that caused An Jing some concern. Later that evening, An Jing met with Ma Shang. He playfully asked if she had brought him to watch meteor showers or was hinting at something with the card she gave him.
An Jing clarified that the card was a universal access card from Director Song, allowing him to open all doors at Dinghua, and could be hidden within his company ID. Ma Shang, sensing her hesitation, pressed her for what was truly on her mind. An Jing, though believing Director Song should have been the one to reveal it, confessed that their investigation showed Junhai Logistics, the company that transported ore for Jia Changan, was owned by Ma Shang's father.
Ma Shang was surprised, stating he only knew his father had business dealings with Dinghua, not Changan Science & Technology. An Jing assured him it was a routine investigation, and she and Du Meng would manage its impact, but by regulation, he should recuse himself. Ma Shang insisted on his father's integrity and told An Jing to investigate thoroughly, even suggesting they make a big show of it.
He reasoned that his sudden ascent to a senior management role at Dinghua, combined with his family being investigated by national security, would make the opposing party drop their guard, as they wouldn't expect National Security to investigate their own. An Jing agreed with the logic but worried about the practicalities and impact on his mood. Ma Shang brushed off her concerns, confident in his acting abilities and his composure.
The following day, Ma Shang officially commenced his role at Dinghua. Yang Xun warmly welcomed him and took him on a tour of the company's departments, particularly highlighting the crucial Research and Development Center. Ma Shang felt apologetic for taking the head of personnel position, but Yang Xun graciously acknowledged Ma Shang's abilities and stated he lost willingly, emphasizing Dinghua's merit-based work culture. Meanwhile, Miao Fei also returned to work.
Her sister, Miao Lu, was anxious and wanted to stay with her, as their father had tasked her with monitoring Miao Fei. Miao Fei, however, insisted that focusing on work was her way of coping and assured Miao Lu she would not attempt suicide, dismissing her sister's worries as a student's lack of understanding about company affairs.
During the tour, Yang Xun explained that the R&D department occupied the entire third floor, housing 38 expanding project teams led by industry experts, including Professor Zou Jue, known for his difficult temperament. In the core R&D laboratory, where DS Materials' Artificial Synthesis Technology was being developed, they found Professor Zou and researcher Cheng Lei. Ma Shang extended a handshake to Cheng Lei, which was ignored, mirroring Professor Zou's gruff demeanor.
Yu Haoran, a young and promising project leader, greeted them enthusiastically but was promptly scolded by Professor Zou for idling. After an awkward encounter, Yang Xun and Ma Shang left the R&D center, with Yang Xun remarking on the eccentric personalities of scientific researchers. Subsequently, Yang Xun escorted Ma Shang to meet President Lin, where Miao Fei was also present. President Lin then dismissed Yang Xun, leaving only Ma Shang behind.
Concurrently, An Jing and Du Meng arrived at Ma Shang's home to question his father, Ma Junhai. Ma Shang's mother, vigilant, demanded to see their credentials before allowing them inside, proudly stating she herself was a security assistant. An Jing inquired if Junhai Logistics cooperated with Changan Science & Technology. Ma Junhai denied direct cooperation but confirmed they shipped goods to Changan Science & Technology based on orders from Dinghua, with whom they frequently collaborated.
He also asked if their visit was related to Jia Changan's death. An Jing requested shipping records, including bills of lading and delivery notes. Ma Junhai readily provided photographic evidence from his phone, assuring them original documents were at the company. Du Meng then asked for staff personnel files. Ma Shang's mother grew defensive, worried if a company worker had committed a crime, but Ma Junhai offered to tell them everything.
An Jing clarified they needed written materials, to which Ma Junhai explained his small company didn't always follow formal procedures but would arrange a copy. An Jing further inquired if Ma Junhai and his wife had plans to leave Shuangqing, explaining they might have follow-up questions and appreciated their cooperation. She assured him their routine investigation would not impact his business and urged him to report any unusual findings, however small.
Back at Dinghua, President Lin summoned both Miao Fei and Ma Shang. Lin Xiaolan praised Miao Fei's meticulousness and suggested Ma Shang seek her advice. Ma Shang thanked Miao Huanyang for his new position, but Miao Fei firmly stated that he was hired based on his own skills and to focus on his work. Lin Xiaolan elaborated on upcoming manpower needs for Dinghua's new product launch and Ma Shang inquired about security measures for recruitment.
Miao Fei offered to personally introduce him to the company's security and secrecy protocols. Afterwards, Miao Fei invited Ma Shang for coffee. Ma Shang explained his questions about security were to create a recruitment plan, and Miao Fei commented that he was "more professional than I thought," promising to provide him with relevant materials that afternoon.
Miao Fei then shared that her father, Miao Huanyang, had often spoken highly of Ma Junhai, describing him as the most "upright and kind-hearted," albeit a bit "old-fashioned," which Ma Shang readily agreed was an accurate description. Miao Fei concluded by stating she wasn't trying to sway him, but rather to caution him against company factions and to emphasize that recognition through his own capabilities was paramount.
Meanwhile, Du Meng expressed concern to An Jing about the investigation into Junhai Logistics, fearing that a thorough check might inadvertently list Ma Shang as a suspect. An Jing explained that Ma Shang's high-profile entry into Dinghua made him conspicuous, and the investigation into his family's company was actually intended to provide him with cover, making their true target more likely to emerge from those observing him.
While their team continued to investigate Xu He's identity, they made no significant progress, finding his fabricated information flawlessly executed. At home, Miao Lu discovered her father, Miao Huanyang, collapsed and immediately called for an ambulance. Back at the company, Yang Xun brought documents for Miao Fei and noticed her distress, subtly mentioning it to Ma Shang. Miao Fei was crying incessantly looking at her photo with Jia Changan.
Just as Ma Shang was about to discuss a project with Miao Fei, she received a frantic phone call from Miao Lu, learning that her father had suffered a heart attack and was en route to the hospital. Miao Fei rushed out, and Ma Shang, seeing her distraught state, offered to drive her to the hospital. Later, An Jing addressed her team, acknowledging their unspoken frustrations about not being part of the central task force.
She offered a self-criticism for not addressing their morale sooner, emphasizing that every team member was a capable backbone of the investigation department and deserving of recognition. She clarified that the task force, formed by the provincial department and Shuangqing's bureau, was primarily for inter-departmental coordination, which involved significant administrative burdens.
An Jing stressed the gravity of their current mission, describing their opponent as potentially the most formidable they had ever faced, and reminded them that failure was not an option. She assured them that if the case was solved, the honor would belong to everyone, and their responsibilities were equally crucial. Concluding the meeting, An Jing announced that with the Changan Science & Technology lead now exhausted, their focus would shift back to Dinghua. The investigation section would be divided the next day, with teams questioning Dinghua employees about Jia Changan's death.
