The Knockout Episode 25 Recap
> The Knockout Recap
An Xin and Lu Han visited the Old Factory Street market, where An Xin questioned a fishmonger about the stall next door. The fishmonger explained that the owner of that stall, Chen Jinmo, was not usually present, but Tang Xiaohu, the former market manager, often came to see him. Realizing it was Gao Qiqiang's former stall, An Xin surmised that their earlier actions had alerted the suspect, causing him to flee.
Subsequently, An Xin showed Chen Jinmo's photo to a construction foreman, who confirmed Chen Jinmo as the individual responsible for Li Shun's death on the scaffolding, noting that Chen Jinmo’s ID had been left as a pledge. The Jinghai Public Security Bureau then issued an arrest warrant for Gao Qisheng and Chen Jinmo, identifying them as prime suspects in cases involving drug trafficking and kidnapping, urging public cooperation and warning against harboring fugitives.
An Xin brought Gao Qiqiang in for questioning. Gao Qiqiang claimed that Chen Jinmo had asked him to care for his daughter, Yao, and that he knew nothing else, explaining that Yao was currently on a trip with his wife and son. An Xin emphasized that concealing the suspects would not make the situation disappear, explaining that province-level instructions demanded a thorough investigation of the interconnected cases.
He urged Gao Qiqiang to persuade Chen Jinmo and Gao Qisheng to surrender for investigation. Gao Qiqiang deflected, saying An Xin, as an only child, couldn't understand the difficulties of being an elder brother. An Xin retorted that regardless of family role, one must first be law-abiding. During the interrogation, Gao Qiqiang recognized the room from his past, recalling how An Xin's master had offered him New Year's Eve dinner there years ago.
He subtly mocked An Xin's lack of promotion, to which An Xin replied that his slow advancement was due to not yet apprehending Gao Qiqiang. Feeling cornered, Gao Qiqiang sought help from Uncle Tai, kneeling and pleading for his only brother, Sheng. Uncle Tai, however, claimed the matter was too significant for him to intervene.
He announced plans for a medical check-up in Hong Kong and entrusted Gao Qiqiang with full authority over the Construction Engineering Group, advising him to focus on his own life rather than his brother's predicament. Gao Qiqiang, left with no options, expressed his inability to manage the group under such family stress. Simultaneously, An Xin approached Meng Dehai, requesting the cancellation of Construction Engineering Group's bidding qualification due to Gao Qiqiang's alleged involvement in murder cases.
Meng Dehai initially hesitated, fearing that such a drastic measure might destabilize the business environment and lead to accusations of biased intervention. An Xin, drawing on Meng Dehai's past as a police officer, passionately argued that the ongoing cases, stemming from the Mang Village project, highlighted their passive position against Gao Qiqiang's influence. He pleaded for help to gain time for the investigation, stressing that this action would benefit Qinghua District and Jinghai City as a whole.
Meng Dehai eventually agreed to instruct relevant departments to review Construction Engineering Group's qualifications and construction conditions, thereby buying An Xin some crucial time. Back at the Construction Engineering Group, Gao Qiqiang faced intense scrutiny from multiple government departments. During an emergency meeting, he furiously chastised his senior staff for their inability to find solutions and demanded a viable plan by midnight.
He instructed Tang Xiaohu to contact Gong Kaijiang for assistance, but Tang Xiaohu reported that Gong Kaijiang and other officials were actively avoiding them. Tang Xiaohu then suggested a drastic solution: eliminate Li Hongwei to clear Gao Qisheng and Chen Jinmo. Desperate, Gao Qiqiang called Chen Jinmo, instructing him to return. Chen Jinmo expressed reluctance to harm Li Hongwei if An Xin was present, acknowledging An Xin's past kindness to him.
Gao Qiqiang acknowledged the importance of repaying kindness and then made a phone call to Shuting, connecting Chen Jinmo with Yao. During the call, Yao, enjoying a trip with Shuting and Gao Qiqiang's son, mentioned going to Disneyland. Shuting then passed the phone to Tang Xiaolong, who casually greeted Chen Jinmo, mentioning he was playing with Yao and making a subtle remark about Chen Jinmo never having visited Hong Kong.
Chen Jinmo understood the unspoken threat: his daughter was under Tang Xiaolong's watch, implicitly a hostage. With a heavy heart, Chen Jinmo thanked Gao Qiqiang for years of care, implicitly accepting the mission, and headed to the hospital. At the hospital parking lot, An Xin identified Chen Jinmo's refrigerated truck, recognizing a distinctive mark he had made on its side, despite a changed license plate. He quickly deduced that Chen Jinmo was there to assassinate Li Hongwei.
Ordering backup to secure the hospital exits, An Xin, with Lu Han, rushed to Li Hongwei’s ward. They intercepted and apprehended Tang Xiaohu, who was found lurking nearby. Suddenly, the hospital plunged into darkness. Chen Jinmo, disguised as a doctor and strapped with explosives, confronted An Xin, taking him hostage. He threatened to detonate the explosives, warning that the entire floor would be destroyed.
An Xin calmly ordered his officers to withdraw and evacuate all patients, doctors, and nurses to a safe zone. Director Guo arrived on the scene to take command. Chen Jinmo then forced An Xin into Li Hongwei's ward, only to find Zhang Biao, who was posing as Li Hongwei in the bed. Chen Jinmo ordered Zhang Biao to drop his gun.
An Xin then revealed that Li Hongwei had actually died of natural causes two days prior, and the police had intentionally spread false information about his recovery to flush out those behind him. Chen Jinmo was momentarily stunned but insisted on seeing Li Hongwei's body. As An Xin and Zhang Biao tried to disarm him, Chen Jinmo aimed his gun at An Xin. From outside the room, Zhang Biao ordered Li Hongwei's body to be brought up from the morgue.
Growing increasingly agitated and stating he had too many lives on his conscience, Chen Jinmo confessed to killing Dai Yongqiang, who made fake documents, Zhong Asi from the scrap recycling station, and Li Shun and Li Youtian from Mang Village. He made a final plea to An Xin, asking him to tell Yao that her father was not a bad person. He then lured An Xin closer by offering to reveal two more victims.
Leaning in, An Xin heard Chen Jinmo confess to killing Xu Jiang and also Officer Cao Chuang, who was present at the scene. As he finished, Chen Jinmo collapsed into a pool of blood, having committed suicide. Learning of Chen Jinmo's deathbed confession about Cao Chuang, Li Xiang confided in An Xin. He realized his perjury would soon be exposed, meaning he would no longer be able to serve as a police officer, but expressed no regret.
He bade An Xin farewell, asking to remain comrades for a few more days, and promised to reveal the full truth one day. Meanwhile, Zhao Lidong, facing new accusations from Tan Siyan, discussed countermeasures with Secretary Wang. Wang revealed that Tan Siyan's accusation letter contained "hard evidence" and even mentioned a voice recorder, indicating he was a dangerous individual who needed to be dealt with quickly.
Wang suspected Li Xiang from the Public Security Bureau was providing Tan Siyan with information, noting Li Xiang's previous reluctance to cooperate. Wang suggested Li Xiang was unreliable and proposed forming an alliance with Gao Qiqiang. Despite initial hesitation about involving Gao Qiqiang, who was under police surveillance, Zhao Lidong agreed. Secretary Wang later met with Gao Qiqiang in a private room equipped with hidden cameras (which Gao Qiqiang dismissed as mere ornaments).
Wang, representing Zhao Lidong, subtly offered to help resolve Gao Qisheng's troubles, hinting that higher-ups could intervene. Gao Qiqiang, recognizing the opportunity, expressed profound gratitude, promising to be at Zhao Lidong's service for the rest of his life. Wang then presented a task: arrange for the disappearance of Li Xiang and Tan Siyan, who were causing significant problems. Gao Qiqiang expressed concern about Li Xiang, a police chief, stating his disappearance would cause a major scandal.
Wang challenged Gao Qiqiang to demonstrate his capability. Gao Qiqiang, excusing himself for another meeting, left the discussion open. Later, Gao Qiqiang instructed Tang Xiaohu to investigate Tan Siyan and "do away with him first" as a gesture of allegiance to Zhao Lidong. Shuting called Gao Qiqiang, distressed that Yao was missing Chen Jinmo and wanted to talk to her father.
Gao Qiqiang then revealed Chen Jinmo's death, instructing Shuting to tell Yao that he would be her new father, as he had promised Chen Jinmo. Shuting reacted with anger, accusing Gao Qiqiang of being self-righteous and questioning if Yao would even accept him, or if their family could ever live a peaceful life under his influence. She pleaded with him to stop his dangerous activities and "live a different life."
Gao Qiqiang, however, argued that it was too late; he had his brother and many others depending on him and couldn't simply quit. He ended the call, mentioning he had found a new "friend" who might help resolve Gao Qisheng's situation.
