The Knockout Episode 38 Recap
> The Knockout Recap
Gao Qilan confronted Gao Qiqiang on the beach. Having realized from seeing the two assassins that he intended to kill Xiaochen, she questioned him directly. She expressed her deep distrust, feeling overwhelmed by the lies and unable to discern truth from falsehood, likening Gao Qiqiang to the boy who cried wolf from her childhood stories.
Gao Qiqiang attempted to dismiss her concerns, blaming An Xin for manipulating her and insisting that all his actions were for the benefit of their family. Gao Qilan remained firm, demanding to know the complete truth about his dealings. Gao Qiqiang initially hesitated, recalling how his second brother had suffered from getting involved in his affairs, but ultimately agreed to reveal everything.
When Gao Qilan asked directly if he planned to kill Xiaochen, Gao Qiqiang confirmed it, confessing his enduring hatred for him. He explained that Xiaochen was responsible for the infamous "228 shooting case" in Jinghai, an incident that nearly destroyed their entire family. Gao Qiqiang elaborated on the origins of the incident, recalling a time seven years prior when Yang Jian and Wang Li were rivals for the Power Supply Bureau director position.
To help Yang Jian, Gao Qiqiang instructed Tang Xiaolong and Tang Xiaohu to simply intimidate Wang Li. Xiaochen, then a young man, saw Wang Li's photo and, eager for excitement, borrowed a motorcycle and a gun from his friend, Chen Atai. He proceeded to threaten Wang Li by firing shots in a busy area of Jinghai. Gao Qiqiang explained that Xiaochen, naive to the severity of his actions, caused immense trouble.
Gao Qiqiang managed to resolve most of the fallout with money, but a persistent detective, Lu Han, relentlessly pursued the case. Gao Qiqiang also recalled how his wife, Shuting, ingeniously arranged for Chen Atai, a repair shop owner, to dismantle Xiaochen's motorcycle to destroy evidence, but Lu Han remained a constant threat. Gao Qilan speculated if Gao Qiqiang had killed Lu Han, but he denied it, stating that he had promised Shuting never to kill again.
It was then that Jiang Tian appeared, introducing himself with a "small gift from Hong Kong" (food) and expressing his ambition to expand his business in Jinghai. Gao Qiqiang cautioned him to "follow the rules" if he wanted to succeed. Jiang Tian questioned which rules Gao Qiqiang meant and clarified that he wasn't seeking to be a subordinate but a partner, a notion Gao Qiqiang quickly dismissed, asserting that no one in Jinghai would demand fair play from him.
Jiang Tian then presented a watch, revealing it belonged to Lu Han and boasting that he had "done away with him" for Gao Qiqiang, offering this as a "gift" to cement their partnership. He flaunted his ability to commit murder without leaving any police evidence, and, aware of Gao Qiqiang's promise to his wife, challenged his perceived newfound "saintly" status, offering to kill on his behalf.
Gao Qiqiang, however, defiantly responded that while he promised Shuting to put down his sword, she also allowed him to "draw my sword" if pushed too far. He then insulted Jiang Tian's accent and ordered him to take his "gift and get out of my room," prompting Jiang Tian to reveal his Hunan origin. Gao Qiqiang explained that his support for Yang Jian's appointment as Deputy Director earned him Zhao Lidong's animosity.
During this period, Jiang Tian, sensing an opportunity, constantly flattered Zhao Lidong, who, in turn, helped Jiang Tian seize many of Gao Qiqiang's projects. Gao Qiqiang chose to tolerate these provocations to avoid open conflict. Gao Qilan initially believed Gao Qiqiang's hatred for Xiaochen stemmed from these business disputes, but Gao Qiqiang clarified that Shuting's death was the primary reason. He recounted the day he thought he had secured the Couple Street project.
At a celebratory banquet, Tang Xiaohu delivered devastating news: Jiang Tian's Shahai Group had snatched the project, and Zhao Lidong had even redirected all their important guests to Jiang Tian's own celebration. Shuting, ever the pragmatist, urged Gao Qiqiang to exercise restraint. However, Xiaochen, infuriated, declared he would confront Jiang Tian directly. Shuting, fearing the consequences, intervened, forcing Xiaochen into her car and instructing Tang Xiaohu to keep the incident from Gao Qiqiang.
On the way back, as Shuting frantically scolded Xiaochen for his impulsiveness and reckless behavior, their car crashed, killing her instantly. Gao Qiqiang, heartbroken and convinced of Jiang Tian's culpability, swore revenge. Gao Qiqiang then recounted his confrontation with Jiang Tian. Wang Secretary, representing Zhao Lidong, intervened to mediate, stressing the importance of the "big picture" and promising to return the Couple Street project to Gao Qiqiang, along with overlooking his past dealings with Meng Dehai and Yang Jian.
Jiang Tian, meanwhile, insisted that Shuting's death was a mere accident, as concluded by the police. Unconvinced, Gao Qiqiang, having secretly bribed one of Jiang Tian's bodyguards to hide a gun in a food cart, retrieved it. As wine was served to supposedly bury their animosity, Gao Qiqiang swiftly shot Jiang Tian in the leg. Wang Secretary furiously warned Gao Qiqiang against sacrificing his entire Qiangsheng Group for "a woman."
Gao Qiqiang, however, defiantly commanded Jiang Tian to "tuck your tail between your legs" whenever he saw him in Jinghai. Later, Gao Qiqiang dismissed the bribed bodyguard, stating he would never keep someone who betrayed their own boss. Gao Qiqiang admitted that despite years of investigation, he found no evidence regarding Shuting's true killer.
Gao Qilan, observing the deep-seated animosity, proposed taking Xiaochen away from Jinghai, believing it would be better for both of them and provide Gao Qiqiang some peace. Simultaneously, the guidance team, led by Xu Zhong, intensified its investigation into Jiang Tian's criminal organization.
Fang Ning and Sun Xu's team uncovered information about Guo Shanfeng, an assassin and Jiang Tian's trusted subordinate from his hometown who handled "dirty work" and was strongly suspected in multiple murders, including the disappearances of Lu Han and Wang Li. The team also received an anonymous video tip specifically addressed to Xu Zhong. The video, timestamped February 28, 2014, 23:34, showed Shuting instructing Chen Atai, the repair shop owner, to dismantle Xiaochen's motorcycle and ensure there were no witnesses.
Recognizing this as the date of the 228 shooting case, Xu Zhong immediately ordered Xiaochen's apprehension. When Sun Xu and his team arrived to arrest Xiaochen, Gao Qilan tried to intervene, but Xiaochen, asserting that Gao Qiqiang had pushed him too far and that he now had to consider Gao Qilan and Yao's future, voluntarily surrendered. Gao Qilan, distraught, urged Sun Xu to ensure Xiaochen's unhealed injuries were treated daily.
She then called Gao Qiqiang, who, upon hearing the news, instructed her to go abroad alone, stating that he would be free of worries once she was safe. Gao Qilan began to suggest they surrender together, but Gao Qiqiang abruptly ended the call. Faced with the incriminating video and Chen Atai's testimony, Xiaochen confessed his involvement in the 228 shooting case.
Seizing this critical moment, An Xin, who had initially harbored reservations about the guidance team, finally presented all the evidence Li Xiang had secretly entrusted to him, including 30 gas cards and 60 shopping cards. An Xin also revealed that Tan Siyan, a former municipal research office worker, had disappeared in 2006 after submitting over a dozen unanswered anonymous reports to the provincial government around 2005.
An Xin speculated that if Zhao Lidong was Gao Qiqiang's protector, an even higher power must be shielding Zhao Lidong. Xu Zhong and Ji Ze, understanding An Xin's initial distrust, were relieved that he finally decided to come forward, recognizing his belief that the time was right to expose the truth. An Xin then suggested locating Tan Siyan's father, Tan Bing, who had tirelessly reported his son's disappearance for years until being wrongly diagnosed with a mental illness.
An Xin revealed that Tan Bing was already waiting downstairs. Xu Zhong, on behalf of the guidance team, then convened a meeting with Jinghai City department heads, requesting their cooperation in excavating a section of the Qinghua District highway where Tan Siyan's body was believed to be.
The department heads raised numerous objections, citing the highway's status as a vital provincial road, the potential damage to the city's image and public trust, and severe disruptions to traffic and the local economy. Zhao Lidong, concerned about the implications, advised Xu Zhong to seek approval from higher provincial authorities first. Xu Zhong, however, clarified that the Provincial Party Committee had already been informed, and they were merely seeking preparatory measures to minimize disruption.
Later, Zhao Lidong, gravely concerned about Tan Siyan's potential discovery, immediately contacted He Liming. He played a compromising recording of He Liming with Huang Cuicui, reminding him that this secret had been kept for two decades but was now on the verge of exposure. Zhao Lidong warned that if the highway was dug, he wouldn't be the only one facing ruin. He demanded that He Liming recall Xu Zhong in exchange for the original recording.
He Liming then called Xu Zhong, attempting to dissuade him from the excavation, emphasizing the "big picture" and dismissing Tan Bing's claims as "groundless rumors" from a "mental patient." Xu Zhong countered, stating that hospital evaluations confirmed Tan Bing's mental soundness, and powerfully argued that finding the son of a father who had searched for over a decade, especially if that son died "for what he knew and buried under the highway," was a matter of paramount importance.
He Liming reminded Xu Zhong of his role in his promotion, but Xu Zhong asserted that at this critical juncture, there was "no turning back." Enraged, He Liming declared that as long as he held his position, the highway would not be dug, "unless they remove me."
