The Knockout Episode 13 Recap
> The Knockout Recap
Six years after the events surrounding Cao Chuang's death, An Xin continues to be affected by the past, particularly a traumatic incident where he had to shoot Li Qing, who was holding Gao Qiqiang's son, Gao Xiaochen, hostage. Li Qing, desperate for revenge for his father's death, had declared his intent to make Gao Qiqiang pay. Though Li Xiang urged An Xin to shoot, An Xin hesitated before ultimately pulling the trigger.
This event, coupled with his right arm sustaining severe injuries in the line of duty—once fractured and later perforated by rebar while rescuing someone—left him with psychological trauma and a significant impairment in his shooting abilities. During target practice, An Xin consistently missed, leading colleagues to jest about his poor performance, some mistakenly linking it to An Changlin’s transfer.
An Changlin, now the Director of Bobei Public Security Bureau, frequently returned to Jinghai to help An Xin find medical treatments for his arm, but without success. An Xin had resigned himself to his physical limitations, but he remained consumed by suspicions regarding Cao Chuang's death, believing the fatal bullet did not come from Xu Jiang's direction, suggesting another perpetrator. Despite repeatedly submitting reports to reopen the case, his requests were ignored by his superiors.
An Changlin advised him to move on, but An Xin, feeling like a police officer who couldn't even shoot straight, was determined to learn to shoot with his left hand. Meanwhile, Gao Qiqiang had ascended to become the general manager of the Construction Engineering Group. His wife, Chen Shuting, now focused on raising their son, Xiaochen. His younger brother, Gao Qisheng, was celebrating his birthday and the opening of his Qiangsheng PHS Store chain supermarket at the Platinum Palace nightclub.
Tang Xiaohu, congratulating Gao Qisheng with flowers, reported that Gao Qisheng had amassed over 600,000 yuan in tabs at the nightclub the previous month, a sum Gao Qiqiang nonchalantly accepted. Gao Qiqiang had also arranged for Chen Feng, a court president, to facilitate Tang Xiaolong’s early release, much to Tang Xiaohu’s gratitude. At the party, Gao Qisheng boldly proclaimed that anything the Gao family desired in Jinghai would eventually become theirs.
Chen Shuting made a dramatic entrance, her presence causing all the other women in the room to discreetly leave. On their way home, she informed Gao Qiqiang that Uncle Tai wanted to see him, sensing Uncle Tai's displeasure and advising Gao Qiqiang to handle the meeting with caution and respect, despite Gao Qiqiang now holding significant power in the group. Gao Qiqiang, reflecting on his family, emphasized the importance of self-preservation.
The next day, Gao Qiqiang met Uncle Tai, showing utmost respect. Uncle Tai, however, was stern, using a golden toad figurine to criticize Gao Qiqiang's perceived lack of tangible results despite his outward swagger, urging him to be more diligent. When asked about the Mang Village project, Gao Qiqiang confidently reported smooth progress, detailing his dealings with village chief Li Youtian and the involvement of Qinghua District Mayor Gong Kaijiang in the relocation plan.
Gao Qiqiang assured Uncle Tai that Li Youtian was unaware of the true intention to build a highway, a secret he claimed was leaked by Gong Kaijiang himself, who had benefited greatly from their group. Uncle Tai expressed deep suspicion of Gong Kaijiang, calling him an "ungrateful bastard" who might be colluding with both sides. To Gao Qiqiang's shock, Uncle Tai then revealed that Li Youtian's son, Li Hongwei, had already begun construction on the disputed land two days prior.
Furious at what he considered a betrayal, Uncle Tai expressed his frustration at having a lucrative opportunity snatched away. Gao Qiqiang apologized for his oversight and vowed to reclaim the land. After Gao Qiqiang departed, Chengcheng, Uncle Tai’s long-serving secretary who had been imprisoned for the company, voiced her concerns, fearing Gao Qiqiang might become disloyal like "Lü Bu." Uncle Tai, however, believed in Gao Qiqiang's loyalty and affection.
Meanwhile, Li Xiang submitted an application to resign as the chief of the Criminal Investigation Unit, citing his perceived incompetence and suggesting that more suitable comrades, like An Xin, could take his place. The Director, however, dismissed his application, acknowledging Li Xiang's commendable work over the years and instructing him to remain in his position until a suitable replacement was found.
An Xin, still struggling with his left-handed shooting, felt the pressure of the upcoming Provincial Police Competition, fearing he would hinder his team's performance. Li Xiang tried to reassure him, but An Xin couldn't shake off his anxieties. Elsewhere, Gao Qiqiang and Gao Qisheng met Gong Kaijiang for dinner, where they presented him with a substantial sum of money disguised as "local specialties."
Gong Kaijiang claimed that Li Youtian had secured the land use approval directly from the municipal government, leaving him with merely a formality to process. Despite Gong Kaijiang's assurances of loyalty, Gao Qiqiang was enraged by Li Youtian's actions. He instructed Gao Qisheng to have Uncle Tai verify Gong Kaijiang's information, vowing that the Construction Engineering Group would not tolerate such a slight and promising to "skin alive" Li Youtian for his audacity.
The Provincial Police Competition began, an anti-terrorism drill set in a derelict building with complex, unknown terrain. Li Xiang outlined the mission: two teams, Team Eagle and Team Sparrow, were each to rescue one hostage. The overall goal was to rescue two hostages with a casualty rate below 20% to secure the championship. The planned armed police support was unexpectedly withdrawn, escalating the challenge.
An Xin, assigned to Team Sparrow, was ribbed by a colleague for trying to shoot left-handed, a technique deemed impractical in real combat. An Xin admitted his left-handed shooting was still inferior to his right. During the drill, An Xin’s Team Sparrow successfully apprehended a "robber" and rescued their assigned hostage. However, An Xin inadvertently shot a "robber" in the leg from a close distance. The "robber" feigned severe injury, diverting An Xin’s attention.
While An Xin checked on him, the "robber" seized the opportunity to "shoot" An Xin in the leg, temporarily putting him out of action. Just as the initial hostages were secured, a new announcement came: a "random hostage" had been introduced. It was revealed to be a medical orderly, tricked into the building by a false distress call.
Li Xiang attempted to negotiate with the "robber" holding the orderly, trying to stall for time and offering a month of free meals at Jinghai Private Kitchen for the "robber" and his team if the hostage was released. The "robber" refused, declaring he had quit drinking for the competition. Despite his injured leg, An Xin, ever the maverick, climbed to the rooftop and made a dangerous leap to reach an anti-theft window, intending to enter the room.
His daring move alerted the "robber" inside, while his worried colleagues watched from below. An Xin managed to steady himself, then eliminated the "robber" and successfully rescued the third hostage. Although the Criminal Investigation Unit failed to win any team awards, Li Xiang was awarded an individual prize. The team was disheartened, with some blaming An Xin for their overall performance.
Soon after, Li Shan, Li Xiang's father, arrived at the police station with several neighbors from Mang Village, eager to brag about his son. He greeted An Xin warmly, extending an invitation for him to dine at their home. Li Xiang, embarrassed by his father's antics, quickly pulled him aside, scolding him for creating a commotion. Li Shan, however, urged his son to foster his relationship with An Xin, believing An Xin had powerful connections.
He also pressed Li Xiang to help a lazy and uneducated relative find a job. Frustrated, Li Xiang gave his father some money and eventually managed to usher him and the other villagers out of the station.
