The Knockout Episode 3 Recap
> The Knockout Recap
An Xin brought Xu Zhong and Ji Ze to Gao Qiqiang's former residence, an old and dilapidated building left by his parents in Old Factory Street. The building stood out, completely out of place amidst the surrounding modern architecture. Xu Zhong wondered why this particular building was spared during the Old City reconstruction project that Qiangsheng Group undertook in 2010.
An Xin explained that Gao Qiqiang deliberately kept it as a memorial, often bringing his employees for team-building events and his entire family for New Year's Eve to make dumplings and celebrate. He wanted his children never to forget their roots and would have a "meal to remember past sufferings" there every year.
An Xin reflected on his past with Gao Qiqiang, regretting that if he had known how Gao Qiqiang would turn out, he would never have given him the New Year's Eve dumplings that Aunt Cui had given him. He pondered how no one could have foreseen what the future held. The narrative then flashed back to 2000. An Xin was on an undercover mission, sent to a detention center to get close to Feng Dazhuang, also known as Crazy Donkey.
To establish his credibility, An Xin deliberately provoked a fight over food and a bunk with Feng Dazhuang. When the prison guards interrogated them in solitary, An Xin took full responsibility, claiming he was hungry and beat Feng Dazhuang when denied food. Feng Dazhuang, impressed by An Xin's loyalty, asked for his name.
An Xin gave his initial fake name, Gao Xin, and concocted a story about being a former wrestling team member at a sports school, now working as a security guard for a meager 800 yuan a month. Feng Dazhuang promised him a life of luxury if he joined his crew, boasting, "The road is cemented and cleaned for you. Luxury cars are lined up. Lads welcome you."
Meanwhile, Gao Qiqiang arrived at the police station with fresh mantis shrimps, hoping to give them to An Xin. Officer Li Xiang intercepted him, informing him that An Xin was on a mission and politely but firmly refused the gift, citing regulations. He confirmed Gao Qiqiang's fish stall was back open in the same market, hinting that the previous troubles Gao Qiqiang faced were over.
Gao Qiqiang, expressing gratitude, tried to offer the shrimps to Li Xiang, but Li Xiang once again declined. After ten days, Feng Dazhuang and An Xin were released. There were no "luxury cars" or "lads" to greet them, just an arranged taxi. Feng Dazhuang, still suspicious, took An Xin to a dock, where he was strung up and subjected to a harsh interrogation.
An Xin calmly stuck to an even more elaborate fabricated story: his original name was also Gao Xin, but after his father died, his mother remarried a sports coach who abused him. He ran away, was sent to Shenyang Sports School, and later stabbed a girl's brother in a fit of rage, fleeing and obtaining a fake ID under the name Zhang Xin. He listed his past workplaces like Haifu Group, Huamao Real Estate, and Fontainebleau as proof.
Feng Dazhuang, after verifying some details through his subordinates, appeared convinced. To further test An Xin, Feng Dazhuang handed him a knife and took him to a sand quarry to participate in a violent raid. An Xin pretended to be fierce, but secretly allowed their opponents to escape. Later, when Feng Dazhuang was in danger, An Xin courageously stepped in, blocking an attack and saving his life, completely earning Feng Dazhuang's trust.
During this time, Gao Qiqiang needed An Xin's help to resolve a friend's dispute but couldn't find him for days. He decided to tackle it himself, going to the Wanhong DVD shop to meet the local hooligan leader, Brother Hong. Gao Qiqiang boldly introduced himself as an informant for An Xin, and then audaciously claimed to be An Changlin's nephew, leveraging his fabricated relationship with the Deputy Director to intimidate Brother Hong.
Brother Hong quickly changed his tune, acting friendly and settling the dispute. Feng Dazhuang then brought An Xin to Platinum Palace nightclub for a celebration, formally introducing him to his gang members. As the party progressed, Feng Dazhuang discreetly slipped into a private, secured room, with An Xin covertly following him, observing from a distance. Meanwhile, Meng Yu, home from her university break, was at the club with her friend Nana.
Feng Dazhuang's subordinate, Camel, harassed Nana, prompting Meng Yu to bravely intervene. Nana, terrified, fled the scene, leaving Meng Yu surrounded by Camel and his men. An Xin appeared just in time, claiming Meng Yu was his girlfriend to protect her and further solidify his cover. Recognizing An Xin's undercover situation, Meng Yu played along, even allowing Camel to address her as 'sister-in-law'. Feng Dazhuang called An Xin back to the private room.
Before leaving, Meng Yu, in a show of anger, kicked An Xin and hailed a taxi. Meng Yu returned home late, prompting a stern lecture from her father, Meng Dehai, who expressed concerns about her future after graduation. She ignored his words and retreated to her room. Back at the Platinum Palace, after Feng Dazhuang learned about the altercation, he told Camel to apologize to An Xin.
Suddenly, a motorcyclist in black rode past and shot Feng Dazhuang in the shoulder. An Xin gave chase but lost the assailant. Unbeknownst to An Xin, Feng Dazhuang and his men had previously raided a sand quarry, resulting in injuries on both sides. Cao Chang, suspecting a connection between the shooting and the sand quarry robbery, visited the Xiabai sand quarry with Li Xiang. The owner, Bai Jiangbo, was uncooperative, directing them to Director Yuan Dong of the Xiabai Sub-bureau.
Meanwhile, An Xin met his superior, Cao Chang, at a breakfast stall. An Xin reported the sand quarry robbery, and Cao Chang realized Huang Cuicui's murder was now intertwined with a 'black-eat-black' scenario, instructing An Xin to investigate the mastermind. Later, An Xin brought food to Feng Dazhuang and his injured men at the hospital.
An Xin tried to pry information about Feng Dazhuang's boss, but Feng Dazhuang remained evasive, stating that seeking revenge required finding the "owner" of the "hound" who fired the gun. An Xin then pressed about "going up the mountain," a phrase Camel had inadvertently mentioned earlier. Feng Dazhuang denied ever saying such a thing and scolded Camel for his loose lips, swiftly changing the subject.
Meanwhile, a police briefing revealed that Feng Dazhuang's criminal group had seven core members, with Camel being responsible for organizing prostitution. The gang's operations extended beyond this, as many other peripheral members were involved in the sand quarry robbery. The mastermind behind Feng Dazhuang remained unknown, and vital evidence for Huang Cuicui's murder was still elusive. The officers emphasized An Xin's safety, noting that he hadn't yet gained the organization's full trust.
At Gao Qiqiang's home, his younger brother, Gao Qisheng, returned prematurely from college, expressing his desire to open a Xiaolingtong business with Gao Qiqiang in Jinghai. Gao Qiqiang vehemently opposed the idea, urging him to pursue opportunities in the provincial capital to distance himself from Jinghai's troubles. Gao Qisheng passionately argued the lucrative potential of Xiaolingtong, highlighting its affordability and the first-mover advantage they would have in Jinghai. Gao Qiqiang, initially resistant, slowly warmed to the idea.
An Xin met with Li Xiang at a movie theater, reporting Feng Dazhuang's cryptic "going up the mountain" remarks. He proposed a plan to pressure Feng Dazhuang by arresting his subordinates involved in less severe crimes, forcing him to take An Xin along when he finally "goes up the mountain."
Li Xiang also updated An Xin that Gao Qiqiang had tried to give him fish and appeared to be still facing some form of bullying, suggesting An Xin visit him in his uniform next time. Following their plan, Li Xiang visited Gao Qiqiang at the market, ostensibly to check on him. Gao Qiqiang once again used the opportunity to subtly flaunt his connection to An Xin and Deputy Director An Changlin to the other vendors.
Li Xiang then asked for Gao Qiqiang's help in gathering information about Huang Cuicui, providing a photo and allowing Gao Qiqiang to make copies. Gao Qiqiang readily agreed to help, further cementing his perceived influence in the market. Soon after, the police, acting on intelligence, arrested Feng Dazhuang's men who were selling the stolen circuit boards from the sand quarry.
Feng Dazhuang, discussing the arrests with his remaining men, worried about their subordinates turning informants, acknowledging the severe consequences of confessing versus staying silent. Despite the setbacks, he reiterated that they were still "going up the mountain" this weekend and that they couldn't afford to lose more manpower or income.
