The Lion's Secret Recap, Plot, Synopsis
The Lion's Secret Synopsis
One is a female CEO with a fortune of over 100 million, and the other is a penniless “hobo”. The first meeting between Mu Wanqing and Liu Qing was at the wedding site of them.
From mutual hostility to mutual support, Liu Qing secretly helps Mu Wanqing solve the company’s crises while wisely confronting Mu Wanqing’s former boyfriend Feng Cong who appears out of nowhere.
When the relationship between them went through a lot of tests, a dark force behind them also gradually surfaced.
In order to fulfill the wishes of the old generation, Mu Wanqing and Liu Qing embarked on a trip to Thailand and fought head-on with the dark forces and won, and they decided that the other was their love. The two returned home to live a happy and successful life.
The Lion's Secret Recap
Episode 1 Recap
Liu Qing, a former member of the Heijing Security Company, was abruptly woken by a nightmare while lying in his hotel room in Aokawen City. The haunting memory stemmed from a special operation in Bazhen, where he and his team, including teammates codenamed Lion, Fox, and Otter, encountered several imprisoned children.
Overwhelmed by compassion, Liu Qing attempted to save them against the mission's priority, an action that led to a grenade explosion and the tragic death of a teammate, Viper, and the forced evacuation of Liu Qing. This unresolved trauma weighed heavily on him. Putting his past aside, Liu Qing had an important task today: to marry Mu Wanqing, a woman he had known since childhood.
This marriage was orchestrated by Wanqing's father, Mu Jianjun, who intended for Liu Qing to secretly protect his daughter and help her stabilize Maoyuan Heavy Industry. Once the company was secure, Liu Qing and Wanqing could divorce by agreement. Liu Qing had initially questioned the arrangement, but Mu Jianjun insisted, explaining that Wanqing needed a wedding to solidify her position and that Liu Qing, having known her since childhood, was the right person to help and protect her.
Mu Wanqing, the CEO of Maoyuan Heavy Industry, was reluctant about the marriage, viewing it merely as a transaction. The wedding ceremony was minimalist, with only one table of guests. Wanqing briefly introduced Liu Qing to her father's friends, Mr. Quan and Aunt Quan, and her father's old army comrades. After a quick toast, she excused herself, stating she had a company meeting to attend.
Mu Jianjun tried to persuade her to stay for dinner, but Wanqing, a dedicated workaholic, was adamant, citing Maoyuan's ongoing crisis and the fact that the marriage was just a formality. Liu Qing felt awkward by her abrupt departure. Immediately after the ceremony, Wanqing changed out of her wedding dress and into a business suit. Her best friend, Fu Jundie, owner of a martial arts club, was waiting outside to drive her to the office.
Fu Jundie expressed her suspicions about Liu Qing and wanted to investigate him. Wanqing, preoccupied with work, reassured her. At the office, Wanqing convened a meeting to address Maoyuan's severe crisis: a recent lab explosion had caused the company's stock to plummet, resulting in a loss of 200 million yuan. She demanded that the cause of the explosion be identified within fifteen days, threatening collective resignation otherwise.
Her assistant, Li Na, brought wedding photos that Mu Jianjun had specifically requested be displayed. Wanqing dismissed them, instructed Li Na to contact Yu Manshan, a researcher from the East R&D Department, for a private meeting, noting that Li Na identified Yu Manshan as the researcher who "blew up" the lab. Wanqing then took a photo of the wedding picture to send to Fu Jundie before discarding the physical photo into a drawer.
Meanwhile, Liu Qing was taken to Wanqing’s home, where he was greeted by Mi, the housekeeper, and Gua, the nutritionist. They gave him a detailed tour and outlined a strict set of house rules, including maintaining absolute silence (under 20 decibels) at night, cleaning up his own messes, and informing them in advance if he wouldn't be home for meals.
Liu Qing found the rules overly restrictive and noticed Mi's skepticism about his marriage to Wanqing, with Mi explicitly stating it seemed impossible that they were truly married and noting that only Ms. Fu was typically allowed to stay in the house. Later that day, Wanqing returned home to find Liu Qing casually playing video games in the living room.
She was irritated and reminded him of the agreement to keep personal items in his room, but Liu Qing playfully retorted that playing games didn't violate marriage law. At dinner, Liu Qing complained about the small portion sizes, suggesting they prepare three to five times more food, which further angered Wanqing. She felt so frustrated she wanted to kick him out.
Mu Jianjun had previously confided in Liu Qing that despite her cold exterior, Wanqing was fragile, often locking herself in her room after work due to the many challenges she had faced in the past two years. He trusted Liu Qing to protect her. Driven by a desire to understand Wanqing, Liu Qing used a wire to open her locked bedroom door while she slept. As he watched her, he reminisced about her as a cute and affectionate child.
When he tried to gently take a self-defense spray from her hand, he accidentally startled her awake and quickly hid before she could see him. The next morning, Wanqing, suspecting an intrusion, called Fu Jundie, convinced Liu Qing had entered her room. She decided to have the lock on her door replaced with one only she could open. That same morning, Liu Qing encountered Gua while she was going grocery shopping.
He attempted to be friendly, offering to drive, but Gua, wary of him, took the car keys and insisted he take a taxi and bill Wanqing for the fare. At the office, Li Na informed Wanqing about an issue with a partner. Wanqing then met with Ms. Lan, a representative from the BlueBerry company. Ms. Lan demanded 60 million yuan in compensation for product delivery delays caused by Maoyuan's lab explosion.
Wanqing skillfully countered by revealing her knowledge of Ms. Lan's connection to the new, small logistics company that was actually responsible for the delays. Wanqing offered 15 million yuan as Maoyuan's share of responsibility for the explosion-related losses. Ms. Lan, upon noticing Wanqing's wedding ring, softened her stance and agreed to a compensation of 13 million yuan, offering the remaining 2 million as a wedding gift.
Wanqing then instructed Li Na to expedite the process with BlueBerry (Lanmei) and explained how she deduced the logistics company's connection, noting that the deal was crucial to prevent a funding chain break during a critical R&D stage. She handed Li Na the information about Ms. Lan's logistics company connection, calling it a "negotiation tool," before leaving to meet Fu Jundie. Meanwhile, Fu Jundie had hired Emicton Consulting Company to investigate Liu Qing.
However, Liu Qing's exceptional counter-reconnaissance skills allowed him to detect and evade the tracker, leading to the consultant's failure. Fu Jundie angrily confronted Lei Shuo, the head of Emicton Consulting, accusing his company of incompetence. Lei Shuo, after reviewing the case and recalling shared memories, recognized Liu Qing as his former teammate from the Heijing Security Company's special operation in Bazhen, where Lei Shuo served as the leader of the field operations team.
He agreed to personally oversee the investigation, impressing Fu Jundie with his keen observational skills and ability to deduce personal details about her, such as her recent visit to a coffee shop, the scent of Espresso Con Panna on her (though he deduced she avoided cream herself), and her close friendship with a female acquaintance (possibly her only friend). Later that evening, Liu Qing found a bottle of red wine in the house and poured himself a glass.
As he drank, Fu Jundie dropped off Wanqing, who accidentally sprained her ankle while getting out of the car. Liu Qing, seeing this, quickly handed his wine glass to Mi and rushed to help Wanqing upstairs. However, Wanqing caught sight of the wine bottle Liu Qing had been drinking from, her expression instantly changing. She then threw the contents of the glass in her hand directly into Liu Qing's face.
Episode 2 Recap
The previous evening, Liu Qing, feeling thirsty, drank a bottle of red wine he found in the cabinet, unaware of its significance. Mu Wanqing had then poured the remaining wine on him, leaving him bewildered. The next morning, Mu Wanqing, reflecting on the incident, recalled her ex-boyfriend Feng Cong, who had given her that specific bottle of wine.
He had told her that the wine shared her birthday and that they should open it only when they got married, so they could taste a flavor unique to them. When Mi asked what to do with the wine, Mu Wanqing, with a heavy heart, allowed Liu Qing to finish it, concluding it was "just a bottle of wine."
Feeling frustrated, Mu Wanqing called her household staff and implicitly encouraged them to "fight back" against Liu Qing, assuring them she would be too busy with company matters to intervene. The staff, including Mi, took this as a cue to install surveillance cameras and play pranks. One morning, while staff were "checking circuits," Liu Qing deliberately made one of them fall from a ladder, pretending to be sorry.
Later, that evening, they locked Liu Qing in his room and played a horror movie. Liu Qing, however, feigned terror, making exaggerated screams and jumps. During this commotion, he discovered Mu Wanqing's hidden "Wanqing's Diary" under a chair in the home theater and a "Big Eye Cat" doll, which he started playing with. Lei Shuo, after learning of Fu Jundie's request to investigate Liu Qing, initially decided against personally tracking him, believing it was too early to reveal himself.
However, when his subordinate failed to evade Liu Qing's counter-reconnaissance, Fu Jundie, frustrated with the consulting firm's lack of results, took matters into her own hands. Liu Qing quickly detected Fu Jundie's presence and cleverly led her to Mu Jianjun’s house, where Mu Jianjun and Uncle Quan were playing Mahjong. Mu Jianjun then called Mu Wanqing, insisting she join them for dinner, leading her to suspect her father might have discovered her investigation into Liu Qing.
At dinner, Liu Qing and Mu Wanqing were forced to put on a show of affection to deflect Uncle Quan's suspicions about their marriage's legitimacy. Fu Jundie secretly informed Mu Wanqing that Liu Qing had deliberately lured her to the house to create suspicion. Uncle Quan, still doubtful, suggested that Mu Wanqing introduce Liu Qing to the board members, which Mu Wanqing reluctantly agreed to, vowing to set the timing herself.
Later, Mu Jianjun confided in Liu Qing that while Mu Wanqing holds a high position at Maoyuan, many covet her role, and he wished to relieve her burden by having Liu Qing join the company. Despite Mu Wanqing's strong objections, arguing that appointing a "relative" after recent layoffs would damage her credibility, Mu Jianjun and Uncle Quan pressured her to give Liu Qing a job at the company, even threatening to involve her grandmother.
Cornered, Mu Wanqing relented but assigned Liu Qing to a low-level position as an underground garage manager. Liu Qing showed up for his first day dressed in a new suit, but Mu Wanqing quickly instructed him to change into a security uniform. He was briefed by a security guard on his new duties, which primarily involved patrolling and monitoring cameras, with the guard joking about "studying corporate culture."
When Mu Wanqing arrived at work, Liu Qing confronted her, urging her to stop investigating him covertly, warning that it could arouse suspicion about their marital status. He asserted his right to know about her affairs as her husband and offered to be a loyal ally within the company, suggesting she call the security section if she ever needed help. Mu Wanqing dismissed his advice, instructing him to relay to her father that she would fulfill her commitments.
During a board meeting, Mu Wanqing presented a bold plan to revitalize the company by discontinuing outdated R&D projects and launching a new department dedicated to high-performance aeroengines, led by Yu Manshan. Uncle Quan, however, interrupted her, urging her to reconsider the far-reaching implications. He then unexpectedly announced Mu Wanqing's marriage to the board, causing a buzz among the directors, who questioned why such significant news was kept secret and accused her of treating Maoyuan as a family business.
Although furious, Mu Wanqing maintained a calm demeanor, acknowledging her oversight. Uncle Quan then advised her to prioritize her marriage over work, reassuring her that he would handle the R&D issues. Back in her office, Mu Wanqing instructed Li Na to prevent any contact between Yu Manshan and Qian Chang and to ensure strict confidentiality of Yu Manshan's innovative proposal. Meanwhile, company employees gossiped excitedly about Mu Wanqing's mysterious and presumably handsome and wealthy husband.
Liu Qing, observing the chatter while eating lunch outside his underground garage post, was amused. An employee from Emicton Consulting, recently fired for leaking documents, desperately pleaded for his job back. Noticing Fu Jundie's complaints against Emicton, he vowed to impress Lei Shuo and headed to the Dongchuan Martial Club, which Fu Jundie owned, to stir up trouble. There, he provoked a confrontation with the instructors, accusing them of false advertising and demanding compensation.
Fu Jundie intervened, personally challenging and quickly subduing him with her martial arts skills. To cement their marriage in public and dispel any rumors, Mu Wanqing took Liu Qing to the Civil Affairs Bureau. On the way, she strictly warned him not to reveal their true relationship to anyone at the company or to get too close to her family, a demand Liu Qing, after some resistance, agreed to.
A security guard at the bureau, seeing them arrive in Mu Wanqing's car, commented on their unexpected trip to the City Hall. Inside, Mu Wanqing took both marriage certificates, frustrating Liu Qing who wanted to take a picture as a souvenir. Later, Mu Jianjun, learning of Liu Qing's menial garage security job, decided to intervene. He subtly took Mu Wanqing's phone while she was making coffee and texted Liu Qing, inviting him to dinner at the Wanhao Hotel.
Mu Wanqing, who had planned to meet Fu Jundie, was surprised to find Liu Qing there instead. Liu Qing, having rushed home to change into a suit for their "first official date" as he put it, tried to present Mu Wanqing with a gift and romantic sentiments. However, Mu Wanqing, deeply annoyed by her father's meddling, rejected his advances.
She made a quick excuse to use the restroom and called Fu Jundie, only to discover she was still held up at her martial arts club, having agreed to a late-night snack with the troublesome Emicton employee to resolve the conflict. Mu Wanqing, realizing her father's manipulation, abruptly left the hotel, leaving Liu Qing alone. Returning home, Mu Wanqing found Liu Qing brazenly lying on her bed. She furiously ordered him out, reminding him that her room was off-limits.
Liu Qing, however, jokingly asserted his rights as her legal husband, claiming he had even taken off his clothes. Annoyed, Mu Wanqing eventually managed to drive him out, sarcastically throwing the used bedsheets at him, telling him they were now his. Liu Qing, accepting defeat, then announced he had to return to the company for night duty.
Episode 3 Recap
Mu Wanqing arrived at work and deliberately found fault with Liu Qing, telling him to park her car. Liu Qing, distracted on his phone, deliberately refused, causing clients from Huayue to be stuck in the underground garage. Furious, Mu Wanqing went down to investigate and found Liu Qing's car blocking the entrance.
When confronted, Liu Qing provocatively explained that he didn't enter her car because she had previously instructed him not to enter her "private territory," and he considered the car's interior her private space. Mu Wanqing, realizing he was playing word games, angrily demanded her car keys.
She considered firing Liu Qing on the spot, but Li Na advised against it, explaining that an irregular dismissal would pressure other employees and transferring him to a different department might make her seem petty after such an incident. Mu Wanqing, left with no good options, decided to tolerate Liu Qing for the time being. Meanwhile, news of Mu Wanqing's marriage had spread from the board of directors, and her office was overflowing with wedding gifts, with more expected.
Mu Wanqing, annoyed, told Li Na to take any gifts she liked, remarking there were enough for several girlfriends. Fu Jundie then arrived, commenting on the numerous wedding gifts before giving Mu Wanqing Liu Qing’s personal data. The documents indicated a history of misconduct and expulsion from both a hotel job at Jiameisi Hotel and Orting University for aggressive fighting.
However, Fu Jundie's investigation revealed that neither the hotel nor the university had a strong recollection of Liu Qing, leading her to suspect the resume was fabricated. Mu Wanqing, dismissive, remarked that a rogue like Liu Qing wouldn't have an honorable resume anyway. Fu Jundie then received an urgent call about a serious incident at her Dongchuan Martial Club; the person she previously fought was back, faking an injury with a group of accomplices.
Fu Jundie was ready to go resolve it herself, describing the initial incident as a mere soft tissue contusion, but now they were engaging in accident faking. Concerned about Fu Jundie's potentially impulsive nature, reminiscent of her father, Mu Wanqing insisted on accompanying her and asked Li Na to prepare some cash for a monetary settlement. As Mu Wanqing rushed out, Liu Qing, who was on his time-off, saw her and requested a lift home.
Upon learning of Fu Jundie's predicament, he offered his help. Mu Wanqing skeptically questioned his abilities, especially since she had cash to deal with the problem. Liu Qing then took the wheel and drove them to the Dongchuan Martial Club, assuring Mu Wanqing that he wouldn't harm Fu Jundie, his "mahjong partner."
He then told Mu Wanqing to stay in the car, giving himself ten minutes to resolve the issue without money, promising she could "kill them with cash" if he failed. Inside, Liu Qing observed the commotion where the thugs from Emicton Consulting Company presented a fake hospital diagnosis claiming a "comminuted tibial fracture" for their supposed victim.
Liu Qing subtly used a slingshot to hit the "injured" man's foot, causing him to cry out in pain and immediately stand up and walk around, exposing his fraudulent injury. Returning to the car, Liu Qing casually informed Mu Wanqing that the problem was solved, claiming he just "got beaten." Mu Wanqing was confused and called Fu Jundie, who confirmed that everything was indeed settled and that the other party would cover all the aftermath expenses.
She asked Mu Wanqing to thank Liu Qing for his help, unaware of the details. Mu Wanqing began to see Liu Qing in a new light. Unbeknownst to them, Lei Shuo, the actual boss of the thugs, arrived shortly after Liu Qing left. He had previously seen Liu Qing with Mu Wanqing, prompting him to investigate.
He chastised his subordinates for their incompetence, pointing out the discrepancy between their claim of a comminuted fracture and the reality of a soft tissue injury to the ankle. He apologized to Fu Jundie for his team's actions, admitting they were misled and acted wrongly, and offered to cover all repair and medical expenses. Fu Jundie, wanting to avoid escalating the situation, accepted his apology and declined his offer to punish the thugs further.
Lei Shuo's subordinate reported back that Liu Qing was seen with Mu Wanqing, the general manager of Maoyuan Heavy Industries, and that they had already registered their marriage. The subordinate also noted that Liu Qing only observed the situation at the martial club for a short time before leaving.
Lei Shuo, recalling previous warnings about Liu Qing, reiterated to his subordinate that they should always avoid Liu Qing and never confront him, then asked about Fu Jundie's relationship with Mu Wanqing, learning they were close friends and that the Mu family financed the martial club. He also urged his team to use their martial arts training for legitimate purposes, not to act like a gang.
The next morning, Mu Wanqing's changed attitude was evident when she told her assistant not to wake Liu Qing, allowing him to sleep longer, and even offered him a ride to work. Liu Qing, initially surprised by her politeness, observed that she didn't like owing favors. Upon arriving at the underground parking lot, Mu Wanqing abruptly told Liu Qing to get out, clearly not wanting to be seen with him.
She then struggled to reverse her car into a large parking spot, prompting Liu Qing to tease her about her driving license. With a sigh, he took over and expertly parked the car, leaving Mu Wanqing astonished. Later, in her office, Mu Wanqing discussed the company’s cash flow situation, noting that selling departments could alleviate pressure and that the board was mostly in agreement.
Yu Manshan then approached Mu Wanqing, expressing her desire to independently assemble her R&D team without Qian Chang's interference. She explained that Qian Chang was pushing to place his own people in the team, making it difficult to advance their work, especially after many of his previous R&D projects were cut, leaving him and President Quan unreconciled.
Mu Wanqing acknowledged the existing prejudices against her since she took over Maoyuan, and the long-standing control President Quan and Qian Chang had over the R&D department. She passionately articulated her vision for Maoyuan, stressing the need for radical change to keep up with evolving times, asserting that the company must adapt or be left behind. She gave Yu Manshan her full support, assuring her to proceed confidently and promising to personally handle President Quan.
Yu Manshan then presented her bold plan to develop independent engine technology using a new ceramic sponge, showing an experiment where a petal remained intact at 400 degrees on the sponge, which currently withstands 1100 degrees. Her ambitious goal was to create a ceramic sponge capable of tolerating 3000 degrees, a target Mu Wanqing deemed challenging but worth pursuing, pledging her full support. Meanwhile, Liu Qing had observed Qian Chang covertly bribing a thug on surveillance footage.
That evening, as Yu Manshan left work, she noticed she was being followed by the same thug Liu Qing had seen. She pretended to call her husband to deter the follower, but he persisted. Just as the situation grew tense, a masked Liu Qing appeared. He swiftly rendered Yu Manshan unconscious to protect her, then scared away the thug.
When Yu Manshan awoke, Liu Qing pretended to be a concerned passerby who had found her, claiming he was on his way to an internet cafe and knew nothing about the chase. Suspicious of his opportune presence, Yu Manshan feigned interest in the internet cafe and followed him to observe his behavior. At the internet cafe, Liu Qing played a game, seemingly carefree, while Yu Manshan subtly questioned the staff about him, learning he had become a frequent customer recently.
The next day, President Quan, influenced by Qian Chang, stormed into Mu Wanqing's office, angrily demanding to know why she was handing the entire R&D department to Yu Manshan, interpreting it as an attempt to dismiss him. Mu Wanqing, prepared for this confrontation, calmly invited President Quan to dinner at a restaurant he particularly enjoyed and hadn't visited in a long time.
Over dinner, in a private room called Yue Yuan Hall, she reminisced about his and her father, Mu Jianjun’s, past triumphs, particularly a bold move early in their careers that defied expectations and led to immense success, highlighting their innovative spirit. Leveraging this nostalgia, Mu Wanqing then unveiled her plan to establish a new Financial Department to streamline the company's accounts and cash flow, emphasizing that President Quan was the most suitable person to manage it.
She reiterated that entrusting Yu Manshan with the R&D department was crucial for the company's future and its need to break free from traditional constraints. Initially reluctant and wary of Yu Manshan's new power, President Quan eventually softened, acknowledging the need for change and the potential for setbacks, much like their own experiences. He finally agreed to Mu Wanqing's proposal, to her relief.
Later, while on the phone confirming Mu Wanqing's schedule, Li Na accidentally bumped into a woman named Sister Mumu, who feigned a twisted ankle. Feeling apologetic, Li Na offered to take her for a meal and even bought her a pair of shoes. As Li Na was preoccupied, Sister Mumu seized the opportunity to secretly photograph Mu Wanqing's schedule. That evening, Mu Jianjun called Mu Wanqing, asking her to bring Liu Qing home for dinner.
On their way, Mu Wanqing, in high spirits after successfully handling President Quan, used an analogy about a hunter and an old fox to describe her situation. Liu Qing quickly grasped her meaning, cautioning her that the "old fox" (Qian Chang) was still a threat. He advised her to "beat it at its own game" by luring Qian Chang into a trap.
Liu Qing then tried to stop the car to buy some fruits, but Mu Wanqing, irritated, refused, reminding him he was going to "their home" and implying no need for gifts. Upon arriving home, Mu Wanqing was overjoyed to see her grandmother, whom she hadn't seen in a while. Liu Qing attempted to greet the grandmother, but Mu Wanqing tried to subtly deter him.
To her surprise, her grandmother already knew Liu Qing's name, having apparently been informed of his presence. After dinner, the family played mahjong. Liu Qing, trying to curry favor with the grandmother, subtly orchestrated the game to help her win the challenging "Thirteen Orphans" hand, despite Mu Wanqing's attempts to disrupt his efforts. The family celebrated the grandmother's win, teasing Mu Wanqing about her poor mahjong skills.
Episode 4 Recap
After the family finished their mahjong game, Liu Qing was watching TV when his grandmother sat down next to him. A news report about Maoyuan Heavy Industries selling its home appliance department began to play, featuring an interview with Yang Zhentian, who appeared arrogant. Seeing this, Grandma became visibly anxious, prompting Mu Wanqing to quickly turn off the TV.
She explained that the sale was part of her strategic plan and assured her grandmother that she would never collaborate with Zhentian, as their reputation was poor and she was close to finalizing a deal with Risheng. Grandma nodded, recalling how Yang Zhentian had resorted to many underhanded tactics in his previous attempts to acquire Maoyuan.
Liu Qing noticed a plaster on Grandma’s body and later saw Wang Ma bringing her medicine, which made him suspect her health was not as good as she claimed. His suspicions were correct; Grandma was secretly undergoing chemotherapy. An individual posing as a repairman entered the R&D department and swapped a data hard drive. Fortunately, Yu Manshan quickly realized what happened and chased after the thief.
As the thief was about to escape the parking lot, Liu Qing, hearing the commotion, intervened and tackled the thief, recovering the hard drive. Witnessing Liu Qing's quick actions, Yu Manshan became increasingly convinced that he was the one who had saved her on a previous occasion. In recognition of Liu Qing's efforts in recovering the company's lost data, he was promoted to deputy head of security, specifically assigned to the R&D department.
When Mu Wanqing learned of the promotion from Li Na, she signed off on it, albeit reluctantly. Liu Qing later approached Mu Wanqing playfully, asking if she was worried about him, before reminding her he was now busy with his new role and that tomorrow was Saturday. Meanwhile, Lei Shuo had finished renovating the martial arts club, restoring all the damaged items and even customizing special sandbags for Owner Fu.
Owner Fu, surprised by the extensive work, tried to settle matters quickly, but Lei Shuo expressed a desire to learn from her, which she agreed to discuss once the club reopened. That evening, Li Na met with sister Mumu for drinks. After Li Na became intoxicated, sister Mumu covertly copied all the data from her phone. During the weekend, Liu Qing and Mu Wanqing visited Mu Jianjun's home.
Grandma, trying to conceal her illness from Mu Wanqing, forced herself to stay in the living room despite feeling unwell. Liu Qing noticed her discomfort and urged her to rest upstairs when Mu Wanqing went to answer the door for Fu Junidie. As Liu Qing helped Grandma up the stairs, she almost collapsed, feeling feverish and weak. Mu Wanqing and Fu Junidie witnessed this and mistakenly thought Liu Qing was not supporting her properly.
They rushed to help Grandma to the second floor and called Doc Wang. Following Grandma's instructions, Doc Wang reported that she had merely sprained her back. However, Mu Wanqing, noticing Grandma’s fever and sweat, insisted on taking her to the hospital for a thorough check-up. Knowing Grandma wanted to keep her condition a secret, Liu Qing tried to divert Mu Wanqing, suggesting the room might have been too warm and that a hospital visit would be inconvenient.
Mu Wanqing misconstrued this as Liu Qing fearing responsibility and not caring enough for Grandma. Feeling wronged, Liu Qing remained silent while Grandma intervened to calm Mu Wanqing, putting an end to the discussion. After Mu Wanqing and Fu Junidie left, Grandma called Liu Qing for a private conversation.
She acknowledged that he had detected her illness the day she returned and that he believed she should have continued her treatment abroad, but she stated she had her own reasons for returning. Grandma then recounted how Liu Qing had always protected Mu Wanqing, even saving her from drowning when they were children.
She explained that after the incident, Mu Wanqing had forgotten him, and Liu Qing had chosen to remain out of her life to spare her from remembering the traumatic event. Expressing her deep satisfaction with Liu Qing, Grandma lamented her limited time.
Later that night, Liu Qing and Mu Wanqing argued about their relationship, with Mu Wanqing insisting on maintaining distance and dismissing his genuine efforts, to which Liu Qing expressed his indifference, mentioning his lack of interest in her family's wealth, having learned about her pre-marital property protections. Before going to bed, Liu Qing urged Mu Wanqing to spend more time with Grandma. On night duty, Liu Qing discovered a damaged door and an intruder in an office during his patrol.
He confronted the intruder, realizing he was a trained mercenary. Simultaneously, Mu Wanqing, needing a forgotten document, drove to the office after failing to reach anyone in security. Inside, the mercenary used a fire extinguisher to spray Liu Qing, causing his body temperature to drop, triggering a traumatic memory and rendering him immobile. The mercenary then stabbed Liu Qing, who collapsed. At that moment, Lei Shuo appeared, prompting the mercenary to flee. Lei Shuo then took Liu Qing to safety.
Mu Wanqing, finding her office door disturbed and the security room empty, called Fu Junidie for help. Following traces of a struggle, she discovered Liu Qing's phone and pieces of fabric, realizing he had been on duty and was likely injured. Lei Shuo, having received a mysterious tip-off about the incident, suspected that the anonymous caller and the assailants were the same group, intentionally orchestrating his encounter with Liu Qing.
Believing the situation to be more complex, he instructed his subordinate to investigate any connections between Maoyuan's recent explosion and their own organization. Unbeknownst to them, sister Mumu was orchestrating these events from behind the scenes. The mercenary, reporting back to sister Mumu, revealed Liu Qing's weakness: a rapid drop in temperature triggers his stress response, rendering him helpless like "a weak cat." Sister Mumu remarked that the real show was just beginning.
Episode 5 Recap
Liu Qing awoke from a nightmare, disoriented and recalling fragmented images of a recent struggle. He noticed his wounds were already bandaged, leaving him to wonder who had saved him. Across town, Mu Wanqing, still troubled by the previous night's events, called in the company's security team. She learned that the main power for the surveillance system had been intentionally shut down since seven o'clock.
The security staff, eager to deflect blame, accused Liu Qing, the newly appointed Assistant Director, of being an inside thief, citing his disappearance and the fact that he had "volunteered" for night duty. They even urged Mu Wanqing to call the police to apprehend him. Li Na, Mu Wanqing's assistant, further reported that all traces of a fight at the scene had been meticulously cleaned up, and their own cleaning department denied any involvement.
Enraged by the team's excuses and perceived incompetence, Mu Wanqing threatened to fire the entire security department. Just then, Liu Qing, feigning drunkenness, stumbled into the office. He lied, claiming he had simply gone out for dinner, gotten drunk at a nearby bar, and lost track of time until morning. Mu Wanqing, who had found his phone the previous night, saw through his lies. She angrily dismissed him from Maoyuan, telling him not to treat everyone like a fool.
As she returned his phone, her hand accidentally pressed against his bandaged shoulder. Liu Qing, determined to conceal his injuries, gritted his teeth and remained silent. Liu Qing's dismissal quickly became company news. However, he remained unfazed, even catching Sun Yu, one of Lei Shuo's subordinates, following him. Liu Qing confronted her, asking her to take him to Lei Shuo, warning that he would otherwise storm Lei Shuo's cellar himself. Sun Yu, knowing her boss's temperament, reluctantly agreed.
Upon meeting, Lei Shuo, without a word, challenged Liu Qing to a fight. During their intense sparring, Lei Shuo initially found himself at a disadvantage, but upon noticing Liu Qing's slightly diminished reflexes and strength, he targeted Liu Qing's healing shoulder wound, eventually gaining the upper hand.
After the fight, Liu Qing thanked Lei Shuo for saving him the previous night and demanded his security uniform back, explaining that it was necessary for him to re-enter Maoyuan and that he had no intention of leaving the company. Lei Shuo, amused, teased Liu Qing about his predicament, then offered him a specialized capsule to counter his traumatic stress, explaining it could alleviate symptoms triggered by low temperatures during emergencies.
Liu Qing expressed skepticism about the "elixir of life," but Lei Shuo reaffirmed his commitment to protect him. Liu Qing then aired his grievances, complaining about being taken away from his night shift, which led to his current dismissal, and about Lei Shuo's earlier attempts to test him with a poorly executed fake resume and operatives clumsily trailing him. Lei Shuo admitted he orchestrated these events to assess Liu Qing's crisis management abilities.
Meanwhile, Lei Shuo also visited Fu Jundie's martial arts club. Dressed in a suit, he endured her playful jabs about his attire before reiterating his desire to train under her. Despite her initial skepticism, they engaged in a sparring match. Spectators were impressed by Lei Shuo's agility, noting Fu Jundie's difficulty in landing a hit. Lei Shuo eventually feigned exhaustion and requested a break.
Fu Jundie complimented his potential, to which Lei Shuo jokingly agreed, and he persistently pressed her to accept him as a student. Although she initially stated she had pushed him hard to make him give up, she eventually relented, telling him to return "at the same time next week." As she turned away, Lei Shuo quickly took her phone, found it unlocked, and added her WeChat contact, much to her exasperation.
He jokingly reminded her to be responsible for her new student, to which she expressed regret for accepting him. Lei Shuo later questioned Liu Qing about his secretive nature and his refusal to be honest with Mu Wanqing, even suggesting he could have fabricated a heroic story to gain her sympathy. Liu Qing insisted such a theatrical display was "not his style." Lei Shuo countered that "playing the pig to eat the tiger" was Liu Qing's specialty.
Liu Qing complained about Mu Wanqing's transformed personality, her quick temper, and how she held grudges. He even mentioned her jealousy over his grandmother's affection for him. When Lei Shuo suggested divorce if he was so unhappy, Liu Qing firmly rejected the idea, revealing that while their shared childhood experiences were a factor, Mu Wanqing ultimately made him "feel good to be alive." Lei Shuo advised Liu Qing to return to Mu Wanqing, rest, and "confess his past."
However, Liu Qing felt Lei Shuo "overestimated his importance to her." Concurrently, Mu Wanqing confided in Fu Jundie about her growing suspicion of Liu Qing. She felt strange occurrences at the company and Liu Qing's unbothered return after his disappearance were linked. She believed he was hiding many secrets and intended to "force him to speak the truth," feeling he treated everyone else like fools. Fu Jundie, however, doubted Liu Qing would readily comply.
Suddenly, Liu Qing received alarming photos showing Wu Feifei, Lei Shuo's younger sister, kidnapped and appearing drugged. Lei Shuo quickly identified the location from the kidnappers' message, recognizing it as a trap due to the fake tenant information. Despite Liu Qing's concern, Lei Shuo urged him to call the police, and they proceeded to the location. They successfully rescued Wu Feifei, who was indeed sedated. Lei Shuo instructed Liu Qing to take her directly to the hospital.
Immediately after, Liu Qing received more disturbing photos: Mu Wanqing had also been kidnapped. Unbeknownst to them, Wu Feifei's two brothers, including Wu Fengyu, also received her kidnapping location from the same orchestrator. Believing Feifei was still captive, Wu Fengyu tracked the signal and intercepted Liu Qing and Lei Shuo in a tunnel under construction. Wu Fengyu mistakenly thought Liu Qing and Lei Shuo were the kidnappers and tried to block them.
Lei Shuo quickly intervened, blocking Wu Fengyu's car and instructing Liu Qing to leave with Feifei to save Mu Wanqing. Lei Shuo then stepped out to confront Wu Fengyu, a former comrade. Wu Fengyu, still harboring resentment over the death of their comrade, Fox, during a past mission in Bazhen, spoke harshly to Lei Shuo, accusing him of abandoning their brothers.
Lei Shuo tried to assure him that Feifei was safe in Liu Qing's car and on her way to a doctor, but Wu Fengyu was unconvinced, telling both Lei Shuo and Liu Qing to stay away from him. Lei Shuo, however, warned Wu Fengyu that the kidnappers were sophisticated, knew their past intimately, and had motives far more complex than simple abduction.
Liu Qing arrived at Mu Wanqing's location and was immediately attacked by the same mercenary he had fought the previous night. After a struggle, Liu Qing managed to subdue the mercenary. He found Mu Wanqing inside, unconscious and with a head injury, having been injected with a powerful tranquilizer. Overwhelmed with guilt for not protecting her, Liu Qing gently embraced Mu Wanqing, whispering reassurance as he remembered saving her from drowning as a child.
As he tried to untie her, cold air suddenly blasted from the ceiling pipes, triggering his traumatic stress and paralyzing him. Sister Mumu appeared, confronting Liu Qing and chastising him for falling into her trap. The mercenary offered to finish Liu Qing, but Sister Mumu insisted it was her task. However, Liu Qing, fueled by his unwavering resolve not to abandon Mu Wanqing, mustered a surge of strength, blocking Sister Mumu's knife.
The sounds of approaching police sirens signaled their impending arrival. The mercenary swiftly pulled Sister Mumu away, and they made their escape. Medics arrived and took Mu Wanqing to the hospital. Liu Qing, wounded, quietly slipped away to maintain his cover. Unbeknownst to him, his keys, bearing distinctive identification marks for Maoyuan's security and garage departments, had fallen during the struggle and were found by a medical staff member, who later handed them to Mu Wanqing.
Liu Qing soon arrived at the hospital, pretending to have just heard the news and claiming he was "playing games in an internet bar." Mu Wanqing, however, confronted him with the keys, her eyes filled with suspicion. She accused him of being involved in her kidnapping and demanded a "reasonable explanation" within a week, threatening to turn the keys over to the police if he failed. Liu Qing was devastated by her accusation.
Meanwhile, Mu Wanqing's father learned from doctors about the powerful tranquilizer "Ver" used on his daughter, confirming it would cause immediate sedation and likely memory loss. He also informed Mu Wanqing that the police had launched an investigation. Mu Wanqing then questioned her father, suggesting that the online rumors about Maoyuan's financial difficulties and the kidnapping being a fabricated event might have been "secretly manipulated," possibly linking Liu Qing to the scheme.
Lei Shuo, also at the hospital, promised to check on Mu Wanqing, subtly deflecting Mu Wanqing's father's inquiries about how Liu Qing had learned of the incident and arrived so quickly.
Episode 6 Recap
Liu Qing returned home alone while Mu Jianjun, after spending the night at the hospital, went back to his own residence, careful not to worry his family about Mu Wanqing's recent ordeal. The following day, after Mu Wanqing was discharged, she arrived at her office to find Mu Jianjun already waiting. He had arranged for two bodyguards to protect her, a precaution Mu Wanqing reluctantly accepted.
She shared her suspicion that Liu Qing might be involved in her kidnapping, but Mu Jianjun vehemently dismissed the idea. He hinted that she had forgotten something important, implying that Liu Qing would explain it to her himself when the time was right. Meanwhile, Liu Qing was withdrawn, seemingly struggling with memories of a past mission that had deeply affected him. The housekeeper cautiously inquired why Mu Wanqing hadn't returned home with him, but he chose to ignore her question.
Mu Wanqing soon discovered that her kidnapping had been sensationalized online. Malicious comments suggested she had staged the event to conceal the company's financial losses, with some even speculating that Liu Qing was her kidnapper. Troubled by these rumors, Fu Junxie reached out to Lei Shuo for assistance. Lei Shuo swiftly identified a network company responsible for orchestrating the smear campaign.
He and Fu Junxie confronted the company, collecting evidence of their illegal activities and threatening them with legal action and cyber police intervention if the defamatory posts were not immediately removed. Lei Shuo explained that such companies exploited public interest in major enterprises like Maoyuan, especially those with numerous shareholders, to manipulate public opinion for their competitors. To thank Lei Shuo, Fu Junxie invited him to dinner.
Lei Shuo chose her regular hotpot restaurant, where people from her martial arts club, seeing Fu Junxie serve him food, playfully implied a romantic connection, much to Fu Junxie's discomfort. She clarified that her presence was solely out of obligation for his help to Mu Wanqing, as she generally preferred dining alone. During the meal, Lei Shuo, claiming a British upbringing, expressed his distaste for certain "three-fingered" foods like chicken feet.
Fu Junxie, however, insisted he try them, along with duck blood and tripe, emphasizing traditional Eastern dining etiquette and their nutritional value, playfully challenging his preferences. After dinner, Lei Shuo feigned a severe stomachache and, citing his mysophobia, refused to use the public restrooms in the mall. He persistently demanded to use the private toilet in Fu Junxie's room at her martial arts club. Despite her initial reluctance and strict personal boundaries, Fu Junxie eventually relented.
Once inside, Lei Shuo deliberately procrastinated, instead admiring her pristine room, noting its lack of a "feminine touch," and even examining her skincare products. His antics deeply annoyed Fu Junxie. He then attempted to sit on her bed, prompting a warning from her. Lei Shuo finally backed down and left, casually remarking that he had enjoyed their dinner and would invite her again.
Meanwhile, Liu Qing's grandmother, concerned about the growing distance between Liu Qing and Mu Wanqing, visited their home for dinner, intending to stay the night to foster intimacy between them. She affectionately urged Liu Qing to clarify any misunderstandings with Mu Wanqing, reminding him that he was no longer alone and shouldn't shoulder burdens in silence.
Liu Qing, however, remained evasive, dismissing their issues as "trivial fights" to reassure his grandmother and maintaining that some truths, even if explained, would not be believed by Mu Wanqing. Later, when Grandma insisted on staying the night and proposed that she take the master bedroom while Liu Qing and Mu Wanqing shared the guest room, Mu Wanqing initially tried to offer the master bedroom to Grandma while she and Liu Qing slept separately.
However, seeing Grandma's resolve, Mu Wanqing ultimately retreated to the bathroom, locking both the door and window, to avoid sharing a bed with Liu Qing. After Grandma finally fell asleep, Liu Qing quietly opened the bathroom door, gently carried the sleeping Mu Wanqing to their bed, and covered her with a blanket. He then spent the rest of the night sleeping in the bathtub.
Mu Wanqing awoke on the bed that night, confused and left to ponder Liu Qing's enigmatic actions. The following morning, during breakfast, Grandma noticed the absence of wedding photos in their home. Recalling her own regret of never having taken one with her late husband, she tasked Liu Qing with arranging a wedding photoshoot for him and Mu Wanqing. They maintained their façade of a loving couple for Grandma during breakfast, after which she departed, seemingly relieved.
Separately, Lei Shuo took Liu Qing to an autism rehabilitation center. There, they observed Wu Fengyu with his autistic daughter, Youyou. This revelation provided Liu Qing with an understanding of Wu Fengyu's previous secrecy about his family, suggesting that the kidnappings were orchestrated to bring together the various individuals connected to their shared past. Liu Qing then visited Wu Feifei at a sanatorium. She remained unconscious due to the injected drugs.
Doctors informed them that the medication could cause memory loss, rendering her unable to provide any useful clues upon regaining consciousness. At Maoyuan, Yang Zhentian from Zhentian Group unexpectedly sought a partnership with Mu Wanqing, which she firmly rejected. However, a call from her manager revealed that Zhentian Group had acquired the engine patent previously provided by Huayue, thereby halting Maoyuan's ongoing experiment. This development compelled Mu Wanqing to continue negotiations with Yang Zhentian.
He proceeded to mock her, suggesting that Maoyuan, grappling with financial difficulties, could meet the same fate as the bankrupt Feng Group if she refused to cooperate. The mention of the Feng Group and her ex-boyfriend, Feng Cong—who disappeared after his family's company collapsed, a painful memory that resurfaced for Mu Wanqing from a past conversation where she was advised to break up with him due to his family's unscrupulous dealings—enraged her. In a fit of anger, she splashed coffee on Yang Zhentian and stormed out of the meeting.
Episode 7 Recap
Lei Shuo sent Sun Yu to offer financial assistance to Wu Fengyu for his daughter Youyou's treatment, via a card with Wu Fengyu's birthday as the password. However, Wu Fengyu politely declined the offer, asking Sun Yu to thank Lei Shuo for him. While Yang Zhentian was at a restaurant conducting business, Liu Qing, disguised as a waiter, interrupted him. Liu Qing cornered Yang Zhentian, threatening him with chopsticks and demanding to know his involvement in Mu Wanqing's kidnapping.
A terrified Yang Zhentian swore he knew nothing, claiming he only went to Maoyuan to discuss business with Mu Wanqing and had done nothing untoward. Liu Qing then warned Yang Zhentian to stay away from Mu Wanqing before departing. Lei Shuo’s investigation confirmed that Yang Zhentian was responsible for spreading malicious rumors online to discredit Maoyuan. Lei Shuo also found information on Yang Zhentian's phone suggesting he was working for someone else.
Liu Qing and Lei Shuo concluded that their adversaries were well-prepared and knew about their past, making them a significant threat. Liu Qing decided to seek clues from Wu Fengyu. Following his encounter with Liu Qing, a rattled Yang Zhentian secretly called his mastermind, assuring them he had revealed nothing.
While Liu Qing was observing Wu Fengyu, Mu Wanqing called him, reminding him of their one-week agreement and asking him to come to the company, stating she had something for him. Liu Qing agreed, despite his previous ban from Maoyuan. Wu Fengyu, after picking up his wife and daughter Youyou, noticed Liu Qing's presence and followed him to Maoyuan, first dropping off his family. At Maoyuan, Liu Qing met Mu Wanqing.
She confronted him, expressing discomfort about his presence in her room during the kidnapping and demanding an explanation. When he remained silent, she handed him a divorce agreement, giving him three days to offer a "reasonable explanation" or finalize it. Liu Qing, despite his sadness, lightheartedly accepted it, promising to review it. As Liu Qing left Maoyuan, he found Wu Fengyu, who had been tracking him, and joined him in his car.
Liu Qing brought up the unresolved kidnapping of Wu Feifei. Wu Fengyu, wary of his past catching up to him and endangering his family, sternly told Liu Qing to stop tracking him and investigating, reiterating his desire to shield his family from their past. He explicitly blamed Liu Qing for the failure of a previous mission and the death of their teammate, Fox, accusing him of "showing off gallantry."
Wu Fengyu declared his intention to sever all ties with Liu Qing and Lei Shuo, emphasizing his wish for a normal life and his refusal to be forced into a choice between missions and lives again. While Liu Qing and Wu Fengyu had their tense conversation, Mu Wanqing encountered Wu Fengyu's wife and their autistic daughter, Youyou. Youyou was captivated by a Black Forest cake, which Mu Wanqing playfully described, likening it to the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland.
Mu Wanqing kindly offered Youyou a piece of cake, pretending it was her birthday, and even promised to feed Youyou's rabbit doll, Lala. Mu Wanqing initiated a friendship with Youyou, asking if she could be her friend. Youyou's mother was pleasantly surprised by her daughter's cheerful interaction with Mu Wanqing. As they were leaving, Mu Wanqing noticed from Youyou's mother's notebook that she had studied quantum mechanics, which Youyou's mother confirmed, though she stopped after Youyou's birth.
Liu Qing packed his belongings and moved out of Mu Wanqing's house, leaving her with a sense of loss as she looked at their marriage certificate. He moved to Lei Shuo's place. Lei Shuo confronted Liu Qing, asking why he wouldn't tell Mu Wanqing the truth about saving her. Liu Qing explained that their unknown enemies were targeting the three of them, and revealing the truth would put Mu Wanqing in greater danger.
He asserted his commitment to protecting her from afar, vowing to make those who hurt her suffer dearly. Lei Shuo then discussed Wu Fengyu's lingering pain from a past mission. He confessed his own long-held guilt and self-blame, admitting he resigned and avoided Liu Qing because he felt responsible for their teammates' deaths, believing Liu Qing and Wu Fengyu thought he chose Liu Qing over Fox during a critical moment.
Lei Shuo recognized Liu Qing's deep suffering and urged him to let go of the past, acknowledging that it had already passed. Overwhelmed, Liu Qing finally broke down in tears, releasing his bottled-up pain. Mu Wanqing went to the R&D department to review Yu Manshan's experimental progress. Yu Manshan reported that their research was stalled because Zhentian had reclaimed Huayue's patent, forcing them to restart from basic mathematical principles.
She also inquired about Mu Wanqing's kidnapping, expressing relief when Mu Wanqing confirmed that the online rumors accusing Liu Qing were false. Yu Manshan then spoke favorably of Liu Qing, stating that despite his casual demeanor and occasional clever tricks, he was fundamentally kind and trustworthy. Lei Shuo arrived at the boxing gym for his scheduled training with Fu Junhie, who was annoyed by his slight tardiness. During their session, Lei Shuo noticed Fu Junhie was in a bad mood.
She confided that someone she deeply cared about had an accident but didn't tell her directly, leaving her feeling hurt and unneeded. Lei Shuo patiently explained that she should be happy for her friend's growth and ability to handle things independently. His advice seemed to lift her spirits. When Lei Shuo jokingly asked for a meal as thanks, she tossed him a bag of snacks.
Recognizing the R&D department's stalled progress and recalling Youyou's mother's background, Mu Wanqing invited her to Maoyuan to consult with Yu Manshan. Before this, Mu Wanqing visited Youyou at a rehabilitation center, bringing a new rabbit toy, Nini. She then directly asked Youyou's mom if she was "Modern Euler," the quantum mechanics expert renowned on online forums, which Youyou's mom tacitly acknowledged.
While Youyou's mom was at Maoyuan meeting Yu Manshan—where she immediately began correcting formulas on a whiteboard, impressing Yu Manshan—Mu Wanqing was left to care for Youyou. However, during a brief phone call to discuss a contract, Mu Wanqing turned her back for a moment. Youyou, attracted by a cartoon, wandered off unnoticed.
Realizing Youyou was missing, Mu Wanqing immediately alerted security, and a frantic search began, with Youyou last seen on security footage walking out of the building towards the roadside, in a dangerous situation.
Episode 8 Recap
As Youyou wandered near the roadside, oblivious to the approaching danger due to her autism, Liu Qing swiftly appeared, pushing her out of the path of an oncoming car. He was struck himself, sustaining injuries and bleeding significantly. Mu Wanqing, feeling guilty for Youyou going missing, apologized sincerely, while Wu Fengyu expressed his relief that Youyou was unharmed, also remarking critically on the lack of proper supervision.
Liu Qing, despite his injuries, went to the restroom to treat himself, then emerged acting as if nothing had happened. Mu Wanqing noticed blood on his sleeve and tried to call out to him, but Liu Qing walked away without a word, leaving her confused. Later, Youyou's mother celebrated her new job at Maoyuan with Wu Fengyu at a restaurant, while Youyou played happily nearby. Suddenly, a child handed Wu Fengyu a phone.
The caller's voice was threatening, using Youyou to demand his compliance. Seeing Youyou playing with a colorful ball, Wu Fengyu, fearing for her safety, immediately snatched her up and rushed away. That evening, Liu Qing unexpectedly showed up at Mu Wanqing's house, having opened her combination lock. He claimed he came to thank her for hiring Youyou's mother at Maoyuan, explaining that Youyou's father was a very important friend of his from many years ago.
Before Mu Wanqing could ask further questions, he left abruptly. The next day, Mu Wanqing was informed by her assistant about a stray cat that Liu Qing had secretly been caring for near her house even before she moved in; she decided to continue looking after it. Later, Mu Wanqing received a call from the police, informing her that the suspect in her kidnapping had been apprehended and her lost car recovered.
Despite the news, she still felt unsettled, especially regarding how the kidnapper obtained her keys. When she returned home and saw Liu Qing, she pressed him for answers about what really happened, reiterating her intent to divorce him if he wouldn't explain. Liu Qing remained tight-lipped, only stating that he would go for a drink and await her decision.
Meanwhile, Wu Fengyu, now under threat, decided to cooperate with Lei Shuo and Liu Qing, recognizing he couldn't escape his past and needed to protect his family. Liu Qing, still uncontacted by Mu Wanqing, secretly returned to her house. He went to check on the cat he had been feeding and found one of Mu Wanqing's hair ties on the cat food bag, realizing she had also been looking after it.
He took the hair tie and put it on his wrist. As he prepared to retrieve some personal items from his room, he heard Mu Wanqing cry out from a nightmare. Rushing to her side, he embraced her, offering comfort. The familiar embrace and a glimpse of his wounded arm made Mu Wanqing recall details of her kidnapping. She pulled back his sleeve, revealing a healing scar, and demanded to know if he was her rescuer.
Liu Qing, seeing he could no longer hide the truth, admitted that he had saved her on the rooftop. When she asked why he kept it secret, he simply replied that protecting her was his responsibility, requiring no further explanation. He then asked if she was serious about divorcing him.
When she affirmed it, he proposed to become her bodyguard, staying by her side to do whatever he could to ensure her safety and prevent her from experiencing such terrifying events again. Mu Wanqing agreed to Liu Qing's request but intended to set rules.
However, Liu Qing quickly listed his own: Mu Wanqing was not allowed to engage in anything he deemed a safety risk without his permission; he would be present at any event he deemed necessary, and she couldn't dismiss him; and she would need to report her whereabouts and contacts to him and maintain communication. Mu Wanqing, in turn, demanded that Liu Qing not enter her office, as she required a private workspace.
Liu Qing then publicly announced his new role as Mu Wanqing's private bodyguard to Director Yu at the company, emphasizing that Mu Wanqing needed him. Mu Wanqing later confirmed Liu Qing's new position to her assistant. Upon arriving at the company, Uncle Quan was waiting for Mu Wanqing in her office. He informed her about an upcoming charity auction, the proceeds of which would fund the construction of schools and tuition fee reductions for migrant workers' children.
He was actively seeking co-organizing rights for Maoyuan. He specifically mentioned that Mr. Gu Xiongchuan, a highly respected figure who had weathered multiple financial storms and had even helped Maoyuan in the past, was likely to attend. As Gu Xiongchuan rarely made public appearances, Mu Wanqing saw this as a rare opportunity to thank him for his past support. Learning of this, Liu Qing contacted Lei Shuo, who quickly located Gu Xiongchuan.
Liu Qing then took Mu Wanqing to a shopping area, playfully pretending to "kidnap" her for some leisure time. There, they encountered Gu Xiongchuan, who was browsing a store and seemed to be bothering the staff. When Gu Xiongchuan suffered a sudden chest tightness, Liu Qing promptly helped him take his medication, and Mu Wanqing offered comforting words, unaware of his true identity.
Touched by their kindness, Gu Xiongchuan, who felt lonely despite having family, decided to purchase several pots from the store and was grateful for their help. Meanwhile, Yang Zhentian unexpectedly arrived at Lei Shuo's wine cellar, requesting to see him. Lei Shuo's assistant was concerned that their previous attempt to copy Yang Zhentian's phone data might have been discovered. Lei Shuo, however, greeted Yang Zhentian calmly. Yang Zhentian explained his visit, stating he wanted Lei Shuo to recommend a meaningful item to donate to the upcoming charity auction.
Episode 9 Recap
Yang Zhentian came to Lei Shuo, stating that he heard Lei Shuo had many valuable collections and asked for a special item to donate to a charity auction. Lei Shuo, suspecting Yang Zhentian was sent by someone to probe his assets, decided to show him around. He led Yang Zhentian through his collections, then opened the door to his renovating room, claiming it was just a small space for repairs.
Inside, Yang Zhentian saw a Ding Ware from the Northern Song Dynasty that had been previously broken (by Liu Qing, though Lei Shuo falsely claimed his cat broke it) and was currently being repaired. Yang Zhentian noted the visible gap from the repair and assumed its value had dropped significantly.
Despite Lei Shuo stating he had no intention of selling it, Yang Zhentian insisted on buying the repaired vase as his donation, confident that the attendees wouldn't be experts and that he would have it re-appraised after its completion to ensure no flaws were visible. After Yang Zhentian left, Lei Shuo remarked to an assistant that the person behind Yang Zhentian wanted to "sound them out" and expressed surprise at Yang Zhentian's "stinginess" for choosing a repaired item.
Recognizing that Maoyuan had also invited Yang Zhentian, Lei Shuo found it "interesting" and requested two invitations for himself and a companion to attend the auction. He also messaged Liu Qing to be careful of Yang Zhentian. Meanwhile, Lei Shuo went to meet Fu Junidie, picking her up outside her lesson. He drove her to a rooftop, where he spoke indirectly about his past struggles with expressing emotions and finding purpose.
He asked her if she knew what she truly wanted to protect, and then mentioned Mu Wanqing, identifying her as Fu Junidie's "only friend and the one you cares about most." Lei Shuo proposed that they protect Mu Wanqing together, as the previous kidnapping incident was not fully resolved, and the mastermind was still at large. He asked Fu Junidie to contact him once she had thought about his offer.
Later, as Mu Wanqing and Liu Qing were driving home after shopping, Mu Wanqing's navigation system led them down an increasingly desolate road. The car eventually stalled in a pit, and they discovered there was no mobile phone signal. Mu Wanqing realized the navigation had failed, causing them to get lost. Concerned for Mu Wanqing's safety due to her recent kidnapping, Liu Qing immediately became alert and got out of the car with a broken window tool to guard.
Mu Wanqing, seeing him standing in the heavy rain, persuaded him to come back inside, reassuring him that it was just a simple mishap with the car and signal. They decided to stay in the car overnight and figure out a plan in the morning. Inside, they spoke about their inner struggles, with Mu Wanqing noting Liu Qing's guarded nature and admitting she often used strength to deceive herself, while he used a "cad" persona to deceive others.
They implicitly agreed not to delve into each other's past secrets. Mu Mu Jie, who was seeking a contract from Mu Wanqing on behalf of her boss, faced pressure as her boss became increasingly insistent. Mu Mu Jie then had her subordinate contact Wu Fengyu, threatening his wife and child if he didn't immediately obtain Mu Wanqing's fingerprint. Left with no choice, Wu Fengyu agreed.
He suggested to his wife that they invite Liu Qing for dinner to thank him for saving Youyou's life earlier. Youyou's mom, who had started working at Maoyuan, mentioned this to Mu Wanqing. Mu Wanqing, finding it a fated coincidence, readily agreed to host the dinner at her home that evening, offering to send the address. That night, Wu Fengyu and his family arrived at Mu Wanqing's house, surprised she was hosting.
At dinner, Mu Wanqing tried to learn about the past relationship between Liu Qing and Wu Fengyu. Their answers were inconsistent; when asked about their major and workplace, one said "classmates" then "colleagues" in "logistics" and the other mentioned two different companies, "Sharry Veitch" and "Jujiasha." Liu Qing tried to cover their discrepancies. Eager to get the fingerprint, Wu Fengyu then suggested they take a group photo since they hadn't seen each other in so long.
He asked Mu Wanqing to take the picture using his phone. As Mu Wanqing held his phone, Wu Fengyu subtly obtained her fingerprint from the screen. Liu Qing, however, keenly observed Wu Fengyu's unusual behavior. After careful consideration, Fu Junidie contacted Lei Shuo, accepting his proposal to work together. The next morning, Lei Shuo picked her up and took her to a shop to choose an evening dress for the auction, explaining that it was part of their investigation.
Meanwhile, Liu Qing and Mu Wanqing also prepared to attend the charity auction. On their way, Mu Wanqing received a call from Uncle Quan, who informed her that Mrs. Quan's old illness had recurred, preventing them from attending the auction. Uncle Quan asked Mu Wanqing to extend his greetings to Gu Xiongchuan. Upon arrival at the charity auction, Lei Shuo and Fu Junidie were greeted by an usher who referred to Fu Junidie as Lei Shuo's "wife."
Mu Wanqing and Liu Qing also saw Lei Shuo and Fu Junidie, and Mu Wanqing was surprised to see Fu Junidie in an evening dress. Liu Qing reassured Mu Wanqing that Fu Junidie was unaware of their actual relationship. Mu Wanqing then approached Yang Zhentian, who was proudly displaying his donated item: a Meiping with lunar-white glaze, a Ding Ware from the Northern Song Dynasty, valued at a starting price of 20 million yuan.
As staff members were preparing to put the vase away, a passing server accidentally collided with the vase, causing it to crash to the ground and shatter. The incident caused a commotion, but Yang Zhentian remained composed. He calmly instructed the staff that since Maoyuan was the host of the event and Mu Wanqing was present, she should handle the matter.
Episode 10 Recap
During a charity gala, Yang Zhentian proudly displayed a vase as his donation, claiming it was worth over 20 million yuan. When a waitress accidentally broke it, he challenged Mu Wanqing, as the host, to resolve the situation. Before Mu Wanqing could respond, Liu Qing intervened. He informed everyone that the vase was a restoration and, with a subtle prompt from Lei Shuo, identified the repair material as epoxy resin.
An appraiser was summoned and confirmed Liu Qing's statement, thoroughly embarrassing Yang Zhentian. Yang Zhentian's wife, Mrs. Yang (Ms. Yu), quickly stepped in, apologizing for the incident and absolving the waitress of any responsibility. She announced that Mr. Yang would personally donate 20 million yuan in cash and provide a new item for the auction, asking Mu Wanqing to accept this resolution. As the situation settled, Gu Xiongchuan arrived at the gala, commending Mrs. Yang's swift actions.
Mu Wanqing then realized that he was the elderly gentleman she had encountered previously. While the evening progressed, Wu Fengyu, using Mu Wanqing's fingerprints obtained earlier, secretly entered Maoyuan's research and development department, where he stole sensitive data. Later, as Mu Wanqing was momentarily occupied, Gu Xiongchuan approached Liu Qing, asking if their previous meeting had been orchestrated.
Liu Qing frankly admitted that it was, explaining that Mu Wanqing greatly admired Gu Xiongchuan, and he simply wanted to facilitate a closer connection for her. Meanwhile, Lei Shuo, observing Yang Zhentian's diminished influence, decided to leave the event with Fu Junhie. On their way home, Fu Junhie inquired if Lei Shuo and Liu Qing knew each other and if he, too, was concealing his true abilities.
Lei Shuo acknowledged that he had been hiding his skills and revealed that he had tracked Yang Zhentian's phone, discovering that the mysterious caller was the true mastermind behind the Maoyuan incident and Mu Wanqing's kidnapping. He emphasized that the conspiracy was far from over. During the initial commotion with the broken vase, Liu Qing had recognized the waitress as Li Yuting, Li Mo's sister. This unexpected encounter deepened his suspicion of a larger conspiracy targeting those connected to him.
A flashback showed Liu Qing previously informing a heartbroken Li Yuting of Li Mo's death, a truth she struggled to accept. Li Yuting also recognized Liu Qing at the gala, realizing he was the one who helped her. Back at home, Mu Wanqing directly questioned Liu Qing about his prior knowledge of Gu Xiongchuan's identity. She firmly instructed him to cease interfering with Maoyuan's business operations and to focus solely on his duties as her bodyguard.
Liu Qing, though outwardly acquiescent, was secretly pleased by her words, interpreting them as a sign of her growing acceptance of his presence by her side. Separately, Wu Feifei, having recovered, was set to go abroad for her safety, a plan devised by Wu Fengyu and Lei Shuo. Liu Qing drove her to the airport that night.
He presented her with a Polaroid camera and a French dessert recipe book, expressing his wish for her to become a successful pastry chef. The next day, Liu Qing arrived late for work and requested a leave of absence, which Mu Wanqing granted. He and Lei Shuo spent the day secretly observing Li Yuting, witnessing her arduous life as she juggled multiple part-time jobs to support herself, even after securing a postgraduate recommendation.
Lei Shuo urged Liu Qing not to meddle in her life, but Liu Qing felt compelled to continue watching over her. Li Yuting returned home with food for her boyfriend, who was immersed in gaming, dreaming of becoming a professional e-sports player. He informed her that he had signed a contract as a game host but needed to pay a deposit.
Concerned that he might be scammed by a company demanding a deposit, Li Yuting initially hesitated but ultimately agreed to provide him with the money after seeing his desperate plea. Back at the office, Mu Wanqing grew increasingly frustrated with the new temporary assistant, who was filling in for Li Na (currently on leave). The assistant's inexperience caused numerous mishaps, further exasperating Mu Wanqing.
Upon Liu Qing's return to the office, Mu Wanqing, still annoyed, immediately assigned him to take over the assistant's duties. She imposed strict rules, forbidding him from handling any outside affairs and requiring him to remain on standby outside her office at all times. Meanwhile, Gu Xiongchuan, expressing keen interest in Maoyuan's engine project, scheduled a meeting with Mu Wanqing for the day after tomorrow.
Mu Wanqing instructed the new assistant to clear her schedule, but the assistant's confusion about the meeting demonstrated her lack of experience. In a poignant moment, Fu Junhie visited her parents' graves on the anniversary of their death. She reflected on the tragic circumstances: her parents had accrued massive high-interest debts, leading her father to commit a violent act in a fit of rage, before both parents ultimately fell to their deaths from a building.
Lei Shuo, aware of the anniversary, deliberately appeared at the cemetery, hoping to offer comfort. Fu Junhie, initially angered by his presence, accused him of prying into her past. Lei Shuo clarified that he came because he believed she might need someone to talk to. Despite her initial resistance and a declaration of disinterest in romantic relationships, she eventually softened and allowed him to accompany her.
At Maoyuan's research and development department, under the leadership of Director Yu Manshan and Youyou's mother, the engine model demonstration was successfully completed, with theoretical feasibility confirmed by Euler's calculations. Unbeknownst to them, the data had been tampered with. Later, as Liu Qing drove Mu Wanqing home, he spotted a thief stealing someone's belongings. Driven by his strong sense of justice, he promptly stopped the car and pursued the thief.
Episode 11 Recap
Liu Qing quickly apprehended the thief. The woman claiming to be the owner rushed over, demanding the stolen items. Observing her, Liu Qing deduced she was not the actual owner, noting her clothes bore stains from oil and cheap detergent and she smelled of stir-fried vegetables, inconsistent with someone who would purchase an expensive branded men's suit. He insisted on waiting for the police, prompting the woman to reluctantly leave, realizing her deception had been exposed.
Liu Qing, trying to impress Mu Wanqing, explained his deduction process, but his triumph was short-lived as he remembered his illegal parking. Their car had been towed, leaving them with no choice but to take the subway home.
On the subway, Mu Wanqing remarked that she hadn't taken the subway in a long time, recalling how she and Fu Jundie used to ride it to a small, delicious dessert shop in Nancheng, near the starting station of Line 1, which served her grandmother's favorite secret sauce. She noted the subway was much older back then, and found the experience of "getting down to earth" occasionally refreshing.
As they observed their fellow passengers, Liu Qing playfully pointed out a seemingly ordinary office worker who was actually an indoorsman, evident by a girlish garage kit on his backpack and possibly an R-rated comic book in his bag. Mu Wanqing then noted a hardworking mother, burdened by family responsibilities, who might have once harbored extraordinary dreams.
When Mu Wanqing asked about his role, Liu Qing mused that he once envisioned himself as a lion traversing vast grasslands, but now saw himself as a lazy cat napping on a windowsill. He added that this "lazy cat" was quite capable, serving as a bodyguard, protecting her safety, catching thieves, and maintaining social harmony. The day for Mu Wanqing’s agreed meeting with Gu Xiongchuan arrived, and she was full of confidence.
As Liu Qing drove her to the company, he received a call from Sun Yu. Li Yuting had fainted from overwork at her part-time job, and with Lei Shuo unreachable, Sun Yu had turned to Liu Qing for help. Liu Qing requested leave from Mu Wanqing to attend to a personal matter. Sensing his evasiveness, but choosing not to press for details, Mu Wanqing generously offered him her car.
Liu Qing took Li Yuting to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with low blood sugar. Upon waking, Li Yuting was surprised to find Liu Qing attending to her. Before leaving, Liu Qing gave her a note with his contact information, advising her to reach out if she ever faced trouble. However, as Li Yuting was discharged, a person in black covertly swapped the note in her hand.
At Maoyuan, the first public test of the company's newly developed engine commenced, with Gu Xiongchuan present as promised. Unbeknownst to many, Wu Fengyu had previously confessed to Liu Qing and Lei Shuo that he had been blackmailed by a mastermind into planting a virus in the lab to sabotage the test. Liu Qing had anticipated this, and instead planted a counter-virus that would activate if anyone attempted remote interference.
During the test, sister Mumu, acting on behalf of the mastermind, managed to hack into the lab system and began her interference. However, as the engine's temperature rose abnormally and Yu Manshan ordered a slowdown and a restart of the cooling system, sister Mumu suddenly lost all access to the system due to Liu Qing's counter-virus. The cooling system was successfully restarted, and the experiment proceeded without further hitches, concluding with resounding success.
Gu Xiongchuan, impressed by the outcome, endorsed Mu Wanqing's investment in the research and development, acknowledging it as a sound investment despite the time and funds it would require. Afterward, Liu Qing called the mastermind, warning him not to threaten Wu Fengyu's family again and vowing to find him no matter where he hid. Meanwhile, Lei Shuo took Fu Jundie to a high vantage point overlooking Maoyuan, pointing out an individual within the company whom he identified as the mole.
He cautioned against immediate action, explaining that there was someone even higher up pulling the strings, and they needed more information before alerting them. When Fu Jundie asked how he discovered the mole, Lei Shuo attributed the finding to Liu Qing, who then appeared, bringing coffee. Fu Jundie realized that Lei Shuo and Liu Qing had known each other for a long time, confirming her suspicions from the previous auction.
She confronted Liu Qing about his intentions with Mu Wanqing, to which he stated that Mu Wanqing had proposed marriage to him, not the other way around. Fu Jundie threatened to expose them to Mu Wanqing, but Lei Shuo intervened, warning that revealing the truth now could put Mu Wanqing in danger. Feeling manipulated and used as an accomplice, Fu Jundie stormed off, refusing to cooperate further with Lei Shuo and resolving to investigate the mastermind on her own.
To celebrate the successful test, Mu Wanqing treated the entire R&D department to a celebratory dinner. Afterward, Wu Fengyu arrived to pick up Youyou's mother and brought a heavily intoxicated Liu Qing along. Wu Fengyu then offered to drive both Liu Qing and Mu Wanqing home. Back at the house, Mu Wanqing struggled to manage the drunken Liu Qing. As she removed his coat, his wallet fell out.
Recalling his previous possessiveness over it, her curiosity piqued, and she attempted to open it. However, a groggy Liu Qing lunged to stop her. Mu Wanqing pressed him about the secret contents, and he revealed that the photo inside was of a girl who had sustained him through life. Unaware that the girl in the photo was herself, Mu Wanqing was irritated by his words and stomped on his hand in a fit of pique.
She went upstairs to bed, but unable to sleep, she softened, came back down, and gently covered the sleeping Liu Qing with a blanket before returning to her room. Li Yuting received a call from the police station, informing her that her boyfriend, Zhou Xiao, had claimed some expensive clothes he had reported missing.
Searching their home, she discovered a bag of luxury items, realizing he had lied about needing 5,000 yuan for work and had instead used it to buy these expensive clothes. When Zhou Xiao emerged from the shower, his deception exposed, he attempted to lie, claiming the clothes were company-issued. Li Yuting, no longer believing him, had already packed her bags. She ended their relationship, stating that she didn't need him anymore, and resolutely left.
Shortly after stepping out, Li Yuting was struck by a car and fell unconscious. A person in black appeared, moved her to the roadside, gave her a scarf, and told her to seek help from someone who could assist her in her time of need. The next morning, Liu Qing woke up with a sore hand and jokingly asked who had stepped on it. Later, Liu Qing and Mu Wanqing spent the night at her parents' house.
Mu Wanqing patiently taught her grandmother how to use the television remote control. Afterward, Liu Qing and Mu Wanqing began assembling a Lego set. Liu Qing used the task as an opportunity to flirt with Mu Wanqing, asking her to help him hold pieces while attempting to get closer.
Mu Wanqing recounted that her father used to buy her Lego sets whenever he returned from abroad, which is how she became skilled at it, though she never truly considered it a hobby. Liu Qing remarked on her fortunate childhood, contrasting it with his own, which involved beatings for mistakes. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Mu Wanqing went to answer it, leaving Liu Qing to finish the Lego. In her absence, he accidentally broke the partially assembled structure.
The delivery person at the door, who had arrived with a bottle of champagne for Mu Wanqing, stated that the anonymous sender included a message: "Be good to Liu Qing. Life without love will not be happy."
Episode 12 Recap
At Mu Wanqing's parents' house, where Mu Wanqing and Liu Qing are building Lego blocks, a security guard informs Mu Wanqing that a sick young woman is asking for Liu Qing. Mu Wanqing discovers it is Li Yuting, who is suffering from a high fever. To avoid alarming her grandmother, Mu Wanqing hastily concocts an excuse about an urgent contract and leaves with Liu Qing, bringing Li Yuting to their own home.
Before heading home, Mu Wanqing instructs Mi to prepare the study for Li Yuting. Witnessing Liu Qing's obvious concern for Li Yuting, Mu Wanqing grows suspicious, believing he had already connected with Li Yuting at the auction and was helping her due to a prior relationship. She pointedly questions if Li Yuting is his "type."
Liu Qing, unable to fully explain at the moment, denies any romantic involvement, asserting that Li Yuting is not an "unknown girl," and promises to explain everything once she is well enough to speak for herself. Mi then gives Li Yuting medicine to reduce her fever. Later, while Mi tidies Li Yuting's belongings, she discovers a note in Li Yuting's pocket with the address of Mu's old mansion.
Mu Wanqing sees this note and, recalling Liu Qing's previous remarks about a girl who had helped him endure and "was not unknown," her suspicions intensify. She begins to believe that Li Yuting is the significant girl Liu Qing has been keeping secret from her. The next morning, Li Yuting wakes up feeling much better and finds her way to the dining room.
There, she overhears Liu Qing telling Mu Wanqing that he plans to visit Li Yuting's school to understand her situation after dropping Mu Wanqing off at the office. When Li Yuting joins them, she introduces herself and expresses surprise upon learning that Mu Wanqing is Liu Qing's wife. She asks when they got married and why she wasn't informed.
Liu Qing explains their wedding on August 6th, at 10:08 AM, was very rushed, preventing them from inviting many friends and relatives. Li Yuting shares that her late brother and Liu Qing were very close friends, and Liu Qing used to take good care of her, remarking that the woman he married must be "very amazing." Feeling somewhat awkward, Liu Qing quickly excuses himself to prepare the car.
Later, Li Yuting asks Mu Wanqing if she made Liu Qing uncomfortable, to which Mu Wanqing offers reassurance. Before heading to the company, Mu Wanqing instructs Liu Qing to take Li Yuting to the company's medical examination center for a check-up, commenting on her tendency to faint. At the center, the doctor confirms that Li Yuting has no major health issues, attributing her condition to malnourishment and fatigue, which has weakened her immunity.
Liu Qing then asks Li Yuting about her living situation. She explains she does not live at school because she works and was recently evicted by her landlord, leaving her homeless. Liu Qing saves his phone number in her phone, advising her to call him if she ever faces trouble. Li Yuting asks if Mu Wanqing dislikes her, and Liu Qing reassures her that Mu Wanqing is just shy with strangers.
Liu Qing then questions how Li Yuting found his father-in-law's house, and Li Yuting replies it was from "the note you gave me." Liu Qing realizes something is amiss but keeps his thoughts to himself. Li Yuting then asks if she can store her luggage at his house. Back at the office, Liu Qing explains to Mu Wanqing that Li Yuting is the sister of a close friend, a brother to whom he "owed a great deal."
He explains that since her brother's passing, Li Yuting's situation has been unstable, compelling him to help her. He apologizes if his actions caused her any "displeasure" but firmly assures her that their relationship is strictly like "brother and sister." Mu Wanqing feigns indifference, claiming she never suspected anything, but scolds him for giving her a "hard time" the previous night, remarking that it "wasn't funny at all."
She tells him not to use Li Yuting as an excuse for not working and to stop "embarrassing" her with the matter, though she playfully admits to enjoying his occasional cute acts and tantrums. Later, Mu Wanqing meets with Gu Xiongchuan to discuss a potential business collaboration.
Gu Xiongchuan, whose company is now managed by professional managers, expresses reluctance, explaining that his domestic business has reached its peak and he isn't seeking significant growth; he merely wants to maintain stability to prevent his employees from losing their jobs. He suggests that Maoyuan consider partnering with Weikai Group instead, describing them as a vast financial entity formed by three long-established families, involved in diverse industries, and actively seeking a domestic partner.
Although initially concerned about Maoyuan meeting Weikai's high standards, Mu Wanqing is encouraged by Gu Xiongchuan, who advises her that excessive humility can be a form of pride and assures her that this is "the best time for you." As Liu Qing drives Mu Wanqing to meet Fu Jundie, he playfully complains about not being invited inside for tea after her meeting.
Noticing Mu Wanqing's lingering unhappiness, he suggests they go out, but she retorts that he can take leave and "go find Li Yuting," dismissing his protective duties. Liu Qing attempts to explain his continued involvement with Li Yuting, reiterating that he felt responsible after her brother's death but admits he "messed it up." Mu Wanqing cuts him off, declaring the matter closed and instructing him to "get her settled in."
At the martial arts gym, Mu Wanqing encounters Lei Shuo, who asks her for advice on how to appease an angry Fu Jundie, estimating her anger is "about this high." Mu Wanqing jokingly replies that he might have to "die for it." Fu Jundie, initially reluctant to see Lei Shuo due to his alliance with Liu Qing, eventually comes downstairs and tells Mu Wanqing to wait while she "deals with him."
Lei Shuo confronts Fu Jundie, accusing her of spying on him out of fear he would expose her "collusion with Liu Qing." He then informs her that "Yu Manshan has a problem" and asks her to join him for an investigation the following day at 1 PM. Flustered, Fu Jundie returns to Mu Wanqing, who teases her about having a new boyfriend, complimenting her "good eye for men." Fu Jundie denies it.
Mu Wanqing then reveals she knows "Liu Qing's thing," claiming he thought he could keep secrets from her. She expresses her annoyance at Liu Qing bringing Li Yuting, a "friend's sister," with "big luggage" to the old mansion, viewing it as an intentional slight. Fu Jundie then reveals that Li Yuting has come to her again.
Fu Jundie goes on to explain to Mu Wanqing that Li Yuting's boyfriend, Zhou Xiao, had lied to Li Yuting about needing money for a company deposit, instead using it to buy expensive clothes. Liu Qing had unknowingly complicated matters when he recovered Zhou Xiao's stolen clothes and returned them to the police, which led to Li Yuting discovering Zhou Xiao's deception and breaking up with him. Mu Wanqing dismisses this as "childish."
Liu Qing arranges accommodation for Li Yuting at the Element Hotel, in room 5106, assuring her it's close to his home and he'll always be there if she calls. When Li Yuting expresses concern about the cost, Liu Qing tells her not to worry. He also informs her that he has contacted her school about a dormitory vacancy and that she should move back once a bed becomes available, emphasizing that "being with your classmates is what's normal."
Furthermore, he reveals that her brother, Li Mo, left a sum of money with him, so she doesn't need to work and can focus solely on her studies. After a moment of silence, Li Yuting then tells Liu Qing that she "doesn't like the way you smell right now." Liu Qing returns home to find Mu Wanqing asleep on the sofa, with candies scattered around. The candies trigger childhood memories of Mu Wanqing eating them.
He sits beside her and gently dozes off. Mu Wanqing, half-awake, dreams of Liu Qing, feeling a sense of comfort seeing him there before drifting back to sleep. The next morning, Mi wakes Mu Wanqing, who feels a pang of disappointment when she realizes Liu Qing is no longer beside her. Mi then informs her that a box of "romantic" flowers arrived without a sender's name.
Mu Wanqing initially wants to discard them as "unknown," but after Mi suggests they might be from Liu Qing, she reconsiders and keeps them. Liu Qing later greets Mu Wanqing, playfully touching her face, which she warns him not to do. At her office, Mu Wanqing receives another anonymous gift, a large bottle of champagne, brought in by Li Na. Mu Wanqing dismisses it, instructing Li Na not to accept unidentified deliveries in the future.
Li Na then informs her that Li Yuting is downstairs, insisting on a meeting. Mu Wanqing tells Li Na to have Li Yuting wait in the reception room. After her meeting, Mu Wanqing arrives to find Li Yuting, who complains about the long wait. Li Yuting confronts Mu Wanqing, claiming she wants to discuss Liu Qing.
She criticizes Mu Wanqing for being "high and mighty" in the company and bringing that attitude into her personal life, urging her to "be good to Liu Qing" because "life without love will not be happy." Li Yuting further points out the absence of wedding photos in their "big house" and their "cold" interactions, suggesting Liu Qing doesn't owe her anything and implying Mu Wanqing is using him.
Mu Wanqing tries to interject, but Li Yuting, assuming she's hit a nerve, asks if Mu Wanqing will have her "kicked out." Mu Wanqing calmly explains that the only reason she hasn't is because Li Yuting is "Liu Qing's best friend's sister." She states she is busy and suggests they schedule another time to talk. Li Yuting defiantly asks Mu Wanqing, "Do you love Liu Qing? If you don't love him, don't use him," before storming out.
Lei Shuo waits for Fu Jundie, having prepared food, confident she would come despite her earlier anger. He assures her he's "always ready" even for a "small chance." When she demands answers, he agrees to share "what you need to know" but insists on keeping some "privacy." They then drive to a bar to interrogate a man whom Lei Shuo suspects was involved in tracking Yu Manshan.
Upon being shown Yu Manshan's photo, the man denies knowing her and attempts to flee. Lei Shuo swiftly pursues and corners him on a rooftop, where the man desperately tries to take Fu Jundie hostage. Lei Shuo easily subdues him. Enraged, Fu Jundie lunges to punch the man, but he dodges, causing her fist to accidentally strike Lei Shuo's face.
Episode 13 Recap
Lei Shuo and Fu Jundie interrogated the stout man they had been pursuing. Lei Shuo had a red mark on his nose from Fu Jundie's accidental punch during the capture. The man stated he only wanted to scare Yu Manshan into telling the truth. He revealed that his father, the assistant production manager at the experimental factory, had personally witnessed Yu Manshan removing a thermal insulation spacer, which led to the factory explosion.
His father was subsequently dismissed for negligence, and he sought justice for him. Back at the martial arts gym, Fu Jundie and Lei Shuo discussed their surprise at this revelation, wondering why Yu Manshan would intentionally cause the explosion and acknowledging they were seeking answers. Fu Jundie then playfully teased Lei Shuo, calling him Batman and herself Catwoman. Suddenly, Mu Wanqing arrived at the martial arts gym.
A guilty Fu Jundie quickly hid Lei Shuo behind the shower curtain in her room. Mu Wanqing then joined Fu Jundie, complaining about Li Yuting's earlier visit to her office, where Li Yuting had demanded to know if Mu Wanqing loved Liu Qing. Mu Wanqing found Li Yuting's aggressive questioning akin to attempting to force her to abdicate her position, and remarked on the apparent scarcity of suitable men.
Mu Wanqing also noted Fu Jundie's unusually subdued reaction, remarking that normally Fu Jundie would be indignant and curse Liu Qing. Fu Jundie, worried about Lei Shuo being discovered, became flustered. She suggested that while Liu Qing was mysterious, he had saved Mu Wanqing from kidnappers. Mu Wanqing then brought up Fu Jundie's past relationship with Feng Cong, observing a similar pattern in her current attitude towards Liu Qing. Fu Jundie denied any such feelings.
After Mu Wanqing finally left, an hour and forty-two minutes later, Lei Shuo emerged, commenting on the women's long conversation and considering it "patience training." Meanwhile, Yu Manshan contemplated reaching out to Liu Qing. Before she could act, Uncle Quan visited her. He directly addressed her past, mentioning that Yang Zhentian and Qian Chang had threatened her. Yu Manshan admitted her responsibility for the factory explosion and stated her willingness to bear any consequences.
Uncle Quan proposed a different path: she should cooperate with Qian Chang and keep this alliance entirely secret from Yang Zhentian. He emphasized that Mu Wanqing trusted her deeply and that Yu Manshan had the capability to advance Maoyuan. He advised her that mistakes could be remedied, and she should simply follow Yang Zhentian and Qian Chang's instructions.
Later, Liu Qing burst into Mu Wanqing's room while she was exercising, claiming his water heater was broken and he needed to use her "high-class" bathroom after being exhausted by Li Yuting's affairs. Mu Wanqing, infuriated by his presumption, tried to kick him out, but he ignored her and stripped for a shower. In retaliation, Mu Wanqing used her phone to remotely control the hot water, scalding him.
The next morning, on their way to work, Liu Qing, still amused by their playful dynamic, presented Mu Wanqing with a recording of her saying "Liu Qing is my husband." Mu Wanqing, though denying it, seemed to enjoy their banter. She informed him she couldn't go to the old mansion for dinner as she was engrossed in a major project and would return for a longer stay once it was complete.
Liu Qing observed that her sentence length when speaking to him had noticeably increased, even offering explanations, and playfully asked if she had fallen in love with him, or at least had a little crush. Mu Wanqing quickly denied it, telling him to focus on driving. At the office, Mu Wanqing finalized plans for the Weikai Group collaboration. Li Na reported a last-minute change in the responsible party from Weikai, an individual with no information available through public searches.
Mu Wanqing remained unfazed, resolving to handle whatever came their way. Li Na also mentioned that anonymous gifts continued to arrive. She then presented several evening gown styles for a welcome dinner with the Weikai Group representative. Mu Wanqing selected a gown that perfectly matched a necklace she possessed, a gift from Liu Qing's mother.
That evening, Mu Wanqing, dressed in the gown, asked Liu Qing to help her fasten the necklace, pointedly reminding him that it was his mother's gift for their wedding, suggesting he acknowledge his family's hidden wealth. Liu Qing complimented her appearance, though he playfully remarked that the necklace didn't quite match, only to be corrected by Mu Wanqing that a gift from his mother always matched.
Their moment was interrupted by a phone call from a KTV employee, who reported that Li Yuting was drunk and alone, asking Liu Qing to pick her up. Liu Qing, after being sent the address, prepared to leave, explaining the situation to Mu Wanqing. When Liu Qing arrived, he found Li Yuting being harassed by several thugs. He quickly subdued them.
The KTV employee then confessed that Li Yuting was not drunk; she had paid the employee to pretend she was, as a trick to get Liu Qing to come. Liu Qing angrily confronted Li Yuting about the dangerous situation her deceit had created. Mu Wanqing called Liu Qing, concerned for Li Yuting's safety given the late hour, and instructed him to bring Li Yuting home to settle for the night instead of a hotel.
Back at the martial arts gym, Lei Shuo outfitted Fu Jundie in a more feminine outfit for a mission to a bar. He explained they needed to obtain information and a password from a key individual who knew about Yu Manshan. At the bar, Fu Jundie, pretending to be a socialite, cleverly engaged the target, a man known as "Long," and successfully copied data from his phone.
Lei Shuo, watching from a distance, acknowledged her success for a first-timer but also revealed he could have handled it himself, much to Fu Jundie's annoyance at being dressed up unnecessarily. Meanwhile, back home, Mu Wanqing was diligently researching the elusive Weikai Group representative, only finding a blurry photo with no clear face despite extensive cyber manhunts.
After Mu Wanqing retired for the night, Liu Qing secretly took a photo of the image on her computer screen and sent it to Sun Yu, asking her to investigate the man's background. The next day, Sun Yu visited Lei Shuo and Fu Jundie, interrupting their discussion about Yu Manshan. She informed them that the person in Liu Qing's photo was the new Weikai Group representative.
To their surprise, Fu Jundie immediately recognized him: it was Feng Cong, Mu Wanqing's ex-boyfriend, who had been missing from the city for a long time. Lei Shuo promptly informed Liu Qing of this development via phone call. Liu Qing rushed to Maoyuan. However, Mu Wanqing was already in a meeting with Feng Cong. During their discussion, Feng Cong dismissed business matters and brought up the anonymous gifts, admitting they were from him.
He openly expressed his desire to reconcile with Mu Wanqing, stating how much he missed her. Mu Wanqing maintained a professional demeanor, asserting that the cooperation was important for Maoyuan and that she understood the nature of absolute statements. She noted that Feng Cong seemed to enjoy pushing others against their will. Liu Qing arrived just in time, introducing himself as Mu Wanqing's husband to Feng Cong, and then led Mu Wanqing away.
On the drive home, a visibly distressed Mu Wanqing broke down in tears. Liu Qing awkwardly tried to comfort her, reminiscing about a philosophical concept of speed making objects disappear and offering her some of her favorite childhood candy. Mu Wanqing, after regaining her composure, asked Liu Qing to keep the day's events a secret from her parents, not wanting to cause them further worry, and Liu Qing agreed.
Episode 14 Recap
Mu Wanqing instructed Liu Qing not to tell her parents about the day's events to prevent them from worrying. In a flashback, Mu Wanqing's father, Mu Jianjun, strongly opposed her relationship with Feng Cong, accusing Feng Cong's father, Feng Yueren, of being a swindler. Mu Wanqing defended Feng Cong, asserting that his father's misdeeds were separate from who he was and that she could make her own choices in love.
Despite her father's disapproval, Mu Wanqing was determined to be with Feng Cong and suggested they move to Europe to start a new life together, away from her father's interference. She would pursue a new major, and they could be together forever. Feng Cong agreed, promising to stay together forever. Liu Qing sought answers from Fu Jundie regarding Feng Cong's sudden disappearance. Fu Jundie revealed that she had helped Mu Wanqing deceive her father at the time.
During that period, she overheard Feng Yueren discussing a scheme with a Mr. Yang to exploit a situation for financial gain. Unable to bear the thought of Mu Wanqing eloping with someone from such a dishonest family, Fu Jundie exposed Feng's secrets, leading to the Feng Group's bankruptcy and the disappearance of Feng Yueren and Feng Cong. This left Mu Wanqing heartbroken. Fu Jundie admitted regretting her actions, but she lacked the courage to tell Mu Wanqing the truth.
Mu Wanqing remained in despair until Maoyuan faced a crisis and Mu Jianjun fell ill, prompting her to take over the company. Hearing this, Liu Qing criticized Fu Jundie for making Mu Wanqing endure so much pain alone, but Lei Shuo defended Fu Jundie, saying that Fu Jundie had also suffered greatly. Back home, Liu Qing returned a box of Mu Wanqing's personal items that he had found in her audio-visual room.
Mu Wanqing confronted Liu Qing about touching her belongings. Liu Qing tried to defuse the situation with humor, pretending they were arguing about retaking their wedding photos. Mu Wanqing asked Liu Qing if he believed nothing was important, like him. Apologizing, Liu Qing said he hadn't realized the items were so meaningful to her. He then introduced a stray cat, Er Gou, and encouraged her to let go of the past and embrace a new life, offering his companionship.
Although Mu Wanqing tried to dismiss him, his persistence seemed to lift her spirits slightly. The scene transitioned to a flashback showing Mu Wanqing impulsively agreeing to marry Liu Qing to satisfy her family's wishes after her father's illness, without even meeting him. Meanwhile, Lei Shuo comforted a distressed Fu Jundie, acknowledging her long-standing pain and affirming that no one can completely erase their past. They drank together.
After getting Fu Jundie to her bed, Lei Shuo tried to leave, but she stopped him, asking if he was accompanying her because he liked her. She declared she was ready to be his girlfriend. Overwhelmed, Lei Shuo embraced and kissed her. The next morning, Mu Wanqing was in a good mood, eating an extra fried egg and inviting Liu Qing to dinner at the old mansion that weekend.
However, she soon called Li Na to arrange another meeting with Feng Cong, expressing her intent to continue their business discussions. Feeling jealous, Liu Qing intentionally drove slowly to make her late for her meeting with Feng Cong, which Mu Wanqing considered childish. Qian Chang handed Yu Manshan a file containing information about Wu Fengyu's family and instructed her to give it to the police.
Mu Wanqing met with Feng Cong, stating they couldn't get to business until he had explained himself. Feng Cong presented a handmade marriage certificate they had made and expressed his hope to complete it together someday. Mu Wanqing stated that she was already married. Feng Cong likened her to a kite whose string remained forever in his heart, regardless of her marital status.
Mu Wanqing dismissed him and stated that there was no possibility for them, but he retorted that her hatred proved she still had feelings for him. As Feng Cong attempted to touch her, Liu Qing burst into the office, pushed Feng Cong away, and identified himself as Mu Wanqing’s bodyguard. Liu Qing told Feng Cong to refer to Mu Wanqing as "Ms. Mu" in public and to maintain professionalism.
Mu Wanqing tried to get Liu Qing to leave, reminding him of his duties, but he refused. Frustrated, Mu Wanqing angrily ordered him out. Outside the office, Mu Wanqing scolded Liu Qing for his childishness and for creating such an awkward situation, explaining that she only wanted to discuss the case with Feng Cong. Liu Qing, assuming her anger was concern for Feng Cong, warned that he would not show such leniency if Feng Cong tried anything again.
Liu Qing complained to Gu Xiongchuan, who playfully accused him of being narrow-minded and jealous. Gu Xiongchuan warned Liu Qing not to let his insecurities push Mu Wanqing away, emphasizing that Liu Qing was her lawful husband. Following Gu Xiongchuan's advice, Liu Qing went to the old mansion to spend time with his grandmother. Mu Wanqing arrived soon after, bringing the same fruits as Liu Qing. Their grandmother pointed out their connection.
Despite their earlier argument, their banter lifted Mu Wanqing's spirits. Their grandmother advised them to cherish both their loving and argumentative moments, and they all posed for a family photo. While doing Mu Wanqing's nails, the grandmother showed them a photograph of Bazhen in Southeast Asia. She explained that her late husband had bought the land and turned it into a charity school for children. Liu Qing found this story unsettling.
Shortly after, Lei Shuo called Liu Qing, informing him that Wu Fengyu was detained by the police as a suspect in a murder case. Yu Manshan saw the news on television. Wu Fengyu was being interrogated, with all evidence pointing to his guilt. Lei Shuo and Liu Qing discussed how to help Wu Fengyu, learning from a lawyer that an alibi was crucial.
Mu Wanqing asked if their company lawyer could assist Wu Fengyu, but Liu Qing suggested he would discreetly investigate the matter first. Lei Shuo reminded Liu Qing of their promise to protect Wu Fengyu, noting that the attacks on Mu Wanqing and Wu Fengyu couldn't be coincidences. They also found out there was a survivor at the crime scene who could clear Wu Fengyu's name, but they expected their adversaries would make it difficult to find him.
At that moment, sister Mumu called Liu Qing, taunting him for ignoring her warnings. She said that the victims were too weak and died before she could fully enjoy herself, adding that the survivor's fate depended on her mood. Enraged, Liu Qing demanded to know what she wanted and why she continued to harm people. She replied that a story of a lion saving a wolf should be exciting and promised to contact him again when she was pleased.
Liu Qing then informed Lei Shuo about Mu Wanqing's grandfather establishing a charity school in Bazhen. Lei Shuo felt that it was all connected to their past mission. He proposed they report their findings to the police.
Episode 15 Recap
Yu Manshan grew anxious after seeing the news about Wu Fengyu, looking at a family photo with a conflicted heart. Liu Qing returned home, feigning sleep outside Mu Wanqing’s room. She was startled upon leaving and, noticing his continued worry for Wu Fengyu, felt a pang of sympathy. The next morning, Liu Qing requested leave from Mu Wanqing to investigate leads at Wu Fengyu's car factory to gather alibis and help clear his name.
Mu Wanqing granted his request, mentioning she had meetings scheduled all day and Lina would accompany her. Soon after they departed, Li Yuting arrived, looking for Liu Qing. Unable to reach him by phone, she decided to wait for him at Mu Wanqing's house. Meanwhile, Mu Wanqing met with Feng Cong and learned that Yang Zhentian had also submitted a bidding document for the Weikai Group project.
Yang Zhentian himself appeared, stating that a large opportunity would naturally attract other "hunters." Mu Wanqing retorted that she would not easily relinquish what was already within her grasp. Yang Zhentian cryptically remarked that there were many things Mu Wanqing was unaware of before making his exit. Feng Cong then discussed the project in detail, highlighting the high stakes given their lack of practical experience but emphasizing its potential for significant technological breakthroughs and independence from imported aviation technology.
He advocated for a global production strategy to reduce costs and attract capital, noting that Zhentian Group had only offered a "blank check" thus far. He urged Mu Wanqing to be fully prepared for the upcoming negotiation, then asked to meet her privately. Simultaneously, the mastermind, Sister Mumu, sent a message to Lei Shuo, demanding the safe from the Mu family's old mansion in exchange for the survivor who could prove Wu Fengyu's innocence.
Liu Qing investigated the old mansion, locating the safe in the second-floor study. He discovered it had a fingerprint lock and a protection mechanism that would trigger an alarm if forcibly opened or if the power was cut for more than five minutes. Lei Shuo suggested telling the Mu family the truth, but Liu Qing rejected the idea, proposing they steal the entire safe instead. They decided to seek Fu Junidie's assistance, but she initially refused.
Noticing the close relationship between Lei Shuo and Fu Junidie, Liu Qing insisted that Lei Shuo convince her to help. While Fu Junidie was wrestling with her decision, Mu Wanqing visited her and informed her of Feng Cong's return. Fu Junidie felt a pang of guilt, and her answers were unnatural. Mu Wanqing, mistaking Fu Junidie's apprehension as concern for her, reassured her that she was fine, which brought Fu Junidie a sense of relief.
Later, Lei Shuo met Fu Junidie for dinner and attempted to discuss "that night" when they were drunk. Fu Junidie quickly dismissed it, claiming she remembered nothing. Lei Shuo then appealed to her compassion, explaining Liu Qing’s history of profound suffering. He elaborated that Liu Qing, scarred by past traumas, unconsciously pushed away or destroyed any happiness that came his way, unknowingly sabotaging his own life.
Lei Shuo expressed his deep desire for Liu Qing and Wu Fengyu to find peace and urged Fu Junidie to help them retrieve the safe. Finally, Fu Junidie agreed. Lei Shuo then outlined the plan: Fu Junidie's role was to obtain Grandma Lin's fingerprint and distract the family while Liu Qing and he secretly took the safe, intending to return it stealthily after rescuing the hostage.
He noted that the ideal time for the operation would be when Grandma was taking her afternoon nap, Aunt Lin was watching TV, and Mu Jianjun and Uncle Quan were out playing golf. Feng Cong met Mu Wanqing at a restaurant, choosing a location they used to frequent, which Mu Wanqing found to be a manipulative tactic to evoke old memories.
He presented her with a divorce lawyer's business card, hoping she would divorce Liu Qing to give him an "equal opportunity" to win her back. Mu Wanqing was taken aback, arguing that Feng Cong's limited interactions with Liu Qing made his negative impression biased. Feng Cong countered by asking if the time she spent with Liu Qing was longer than the time she had spent with him.
Their heated discussion was cut short when Mu Jianjun and Uncle Quan unexpectedly arrived. Seeing Mu Wanqing with Feng Cong, Mu Jianjun grew angry and immediately ordered his daughter to return home. Back at the old mansion, Liu Qing and the team prepared for the safe operation. Fu Junidie successfully acquired Grandma Lin's fingerprint while she was napping. However, just as Liu Qing was about to proceed, Mu Jianjun, Uncle Quan, and Mu Wanqing returned earlier than expected.
Lei Shuo, acting as an outside lookout, immediately spotted them and called off the mission. Witnessing the sudden complication, Fu Junidie expressed her desire to give up. Liu Qing waited until nightfall and decided to initiate Plan B. Lei Shuo plunged the entire mansion into darkness by remotely cutting off the electricity. Liu Qing used the power outage as an excuse to go check the circuit breaker upstairs, covertly heading towards the study to retrieve the safe.
Downstairs, Fu Junidie diligently distracted the Mu family, even putting on an exaggerated "stress reaction" during the blackout to draw their attention. Upstairs, Liu Qing skillfully replaced the real safe with a fake one, which Sun Yu had provided. As he was finishing, Mu Wanqing unexpectedly announced she was going to the study to find headphones for Grandma. Fu Junidie quickly relayed this critical information to Lei Shuo and Liu Qing.
Liu Qing swiftly lowered the real safe from the window using a rope. Simultaneously, Sun Yu, posing as a property security guard, arrived to "inspect" the electricity, effectively stalling Mu Jianjun. Moments later, Lei Shuo restored power to the mansion. Shortly after, another community security guard arrived to check on the situation, but Lei Shuo, who was still at the gate pretending to be Mu Wanqing's friend, quickly sent him away, explaining that everyone inside was already asleep.
The operation was successfully completed without further incident. Liu Qing transported the safe to the designated exchange location to meet Sister Mumu. He successfully traded the safe for the survivor, a man named Fei Ge. Fei Ge immediately confirmed that Wu Fengyu was being suspected of killing five of his companions and was currently in police custody. Using a password she had obtained from Fei Ge, Sister Mumu opened the safe and found a "Charity Donation Plan Agreement."
Immediately after, Sister Mumu called Liu Qing, warning him that she would make him experience the pain of losing the "love of his life," subtly implying Mu Wanqing was now in grave danger. Alarmed, Liu Qing frantically tried to reach "Mi" and "Gua" and, on a call with Lei Shuo, urgently warned him not to approach him, realizing that Mu Wanqing's safety was now precarious and she could be in danger at any moment.
Episode 16 Recap
Liu Qing, realizing Mu Wanqing was in grave danger, rushed home while urgently instructing Lei Shuo to pursue the attackers. Meanwhile, Mu Wanqing had just returned to her house, calling out for Mi and Gua, but receiving no reply. She found Li Yuting asleep in the living room, having fallen into a drunken slumber. Unbeknownst to them, an assailant had hidden in the trunk of Mu Wanqing's car and stealthily infiltrated the house, preparing to attack her.
Hearing the commotion, Li Yuting startlingly awoke. Seeing Mu Wanqing in peril, she bravely grabbed a wine bottle and struck the attacker, successfully fending them off and buying Mu Wanqing precious time. In the chaos, she missed a call from Liu Qing. The assailant continued to pursue Mu Wanqing, but just as she faced imminent danger, Feng Cong arrived at the house.
He had been monitoring the Mu family and, after discovering two of Lei Shuo’s unconscious men outside, realized Mu Wanqing was in trouble. Feng Cong courageously intervened, holding off the attacker and urging Mu Wanqing to escape. However, Mu Wanqing hesitated, concerned for Feng Cong’s safety. Liu Qing finally reached home, causing the assailant to flee. Feng Cong, unfortunately, sustained a serious knife wound to his abdomen. Mu Wanqing cradled him anxiously, while Li Yuting instinctively hid behind Liu Qing.
Despite a flash of irritation, Liu Qing quickly called for an ambulance. Concurrently, Lei Shuo and Fu Jundie, tracking the safe, were discovered by sister Mumu. To evade them, sister Mumu killed her driver, took the donation agreement, and escaped, later reporting her success to her boss and planning their next move. Fu Jundie immediately reported the murder to the police. Feng Cong was rushed to the hospital.
Mu Wanqing waited anxiously outside the operating room and expressed her gratitude to Li Yuting for saving her. Li Yuting, curious, asked about Feng Cong's identity. Upon learning he was Mu Wanqing's ex-boyfriend, she directly asked if Mu Wanqing still loved him. Mu Wanqing remained silent, and Li Yuting did not press further. Fortunately, Feng Cong’s life was not in danger. Soon, Mu Jianjun and Mu's mother arrived at the hospital.
Liu Qing, after cooperating with the police at home, also arrived. From outside Feng Cong's room, he observed Mu Wanqing and Feng Cong in a seemingly intimate moment, causing him considerable distress, and he silently departed. Mu Jianjun visited Feng Cong in his hospital room. He spoke of Mu Wanqing's profound suffering and depression after Feng Cong had left years ago, even hinting at her suicidal thoughts.
He explained that he had given her a position as General Manager to help her recover, a challenging role for a "young lady" with no prior experience. Now that Mu Wanqing was finally recovering, he urged Feng Cong to not disturb her current life. Feng Cong acknowledged that the past was unchangeable but vowed to make it up to Mu Wanqing in the future.
Later, on their way back, Mu Jianjun expressed his concerns to Liu Qing about Mu Wanqing and Feng Cong rekindling their old relationship. He also inquired about Li Yuting. Liu Qing explained that Li Yuting was his close friend’s sister, whom he was entrusted to care for, much like Mu Jianjun had cared for him.
Mu Jianjun reassured Liu Qing of his trust in his character, promising that both he and Grandma would support him, confident that Mu Wanqing would move past Feng Cong and return to Liu Qing. Both Liu Qing and Lei Shuo were questioned by the police. Liu Qing explained that he hadn't reported the kidnapping of Wu Fengyu's subordinate earlier due to threats from the kidnappers.
He then informed the police about the contentious relationship between Maoyuan Group and Zhentian Group, describing Yang Zhentian as conniving but lacking both intelligence and appeal, and suggested the kidnapping and the attack on Mu Wanqing were likely connected. Lei Shuo was also questioned by the police. He identified the two drugged security guards at Mu Wanqing's home as his employees, whom Chairman Mu had entrusted to protect his daughter.
Lei Shuo also confirmed his long-standing friendship with Liu Qing and Wu Fengyu from years ago but cited confidentiality clauses for not disclosing further details about their past work. With a survivor's testimony, Wu Fengyu was cleared of murder allegations and released. However, Wu Fengyu was resolute in not abandoning their cause, stating that avoiding the fight would not guarantee his family’s safety; true security only comes when everything is fully resolved.
Mu Wanqing, driving home, reflected on her past with Feng Cong and her present with Liu Qing, feeling a deep conflict. Entering her house, she felt a strange emptiness without Liu Qing in the living room. She then found Liu Qing drunk and sprawled by the bed in her room. Mu Wanqing suddenly asked him why he married her, seeking to understand his intentions.
Liu Qing, in his inebriated state, turned the question back on her, asking if only Feng Cong could make her happy. When she pressed for an answer, he slurred that he gained nothing, but she had been there for him through countless painful nights. Mu Wanqing dismissed this, believing he was too drunk to think clearly.
Liu Qing then took out photos of his grandparents, suggesting they create a composite wedding photo for his grandmother as a gift since they never had one. Mu Wanqing, seeing his state, curtly stated she had already bought a gift and asked him to leave so she could sleep. Liu Qing, as he left, repeated his question about Feng Cong being her only source of happiness, urging her to tell him if it were true.
Later, Feng Cong met with Fu Jundie, hoping she would help him reconcile with Mu Wanqing. He even revealed his knowledge that she had exposed the Feng Group, which led to his separation from Mu Wanqing. As Fu Jundie found herself in a difficult position, Lei Shuo dramatically burst in, pretending to be her jealous boyfriend, claiming she stood him up for Feng Cong. He secretly urged Fu Jundie to play along and then pulled her away.
Fu Jundie expressed her intention to determine if Feng Cong knew about her role in exposing the Feng Group, but Lei Shuo advised her that some things were better left unknown. Meanwhile, Yang Zhentian accompanied his pregnant wife, Yu Lu, to her parents' house. On the way, they encountered Yu’s father. Yu Lu pleaded with her father to take Yang Zhentian to the company, hoping to give him more opportunities, despite her father’s belief that Yang Zhentian was incompetent.
Yang Zhentian, keen to prove himself, promised Yu’s father he would secure the lucrative cooperation with Weikai Group. Yu’s father, though reluctantly agreeing due to his daughter's insistence, warned Yang Zhentian of severe consequences if he ever mistreated Yu Lu. On their way home, Yang Zhentian and Yu Lu unexpectedly met Na Mu. Yu Lu, who had been engrossed in Na Mu’s live stream, was thrilled and asked for a photo. Yang Zhentian quickly pulled her away, citing her pregnancy.
Unbeknownst to Yu Lu, Na Mu subtly slipped a room key into Yang Zhentian's pocket. Later, Yang Zhentian, after dropping Yu Lu home, went to the hotel room to meet Na Mu, embracing her happily. He chastised her for the risky move with the room key, fearing Yu Lu's discovery, but Na Mu teased him, implying he wouldn’t need to see her if he was so worried.
Yang Zhentian explained his need to maintain appearances with Yu Lu to secure financial and material resources from the Yu Group. Na Mu, feeling slighted, then provocatively asked him who he found prettier between her and Yu Lu.
Episode 17 Recap
Liu Qing, Lei Shuo, and Wu Fengyu gathered to discuss their current situation, having discovered that Yang Zhentian was being manipulated by Na Mu. Lei Shuo advocated for aggressive action against Na Mu, identifying her as the employer of assassins who had entrapped Yang Zhentian. However, Liu Qing advised caution, suggesting they wait for the police as he believed Na Mu would contact him directly, now that she had achieved her objectives.
Meanwhile, before the highly anticipated "Forward No.1" product launch and partnership announcement with Weikai Group, Yu Manshan received a cryptic phone call from Qian Chang. He vaguely warned her about "strange people" she had encountered recently and hinted at consequences depending on her choices, but Yu Manshan proceeded to the Maoyuan board meeting. There, Mu Wanqing, after outlining the evening's event, noted Yu Manshan appeared unwell.
As Mu Wanqing was driven to the venue by Liu Qing, they discussed an earlier agreement for her to take wedding photos with him for her grandmother. She playfully accused him of overestimating their compatibility, finding his public display of affection "boring," but ultimately agreed to the photoshoot. At the product launch, Mu Wanqing, despite her excitement, was concerned when Li Na reported that Yu Manshan was missing and unreachable. Mu Wanqing quickly dispatched someone to find her.
The event swiftly turned chaotic when Yang Zhentian burst in, publicly accusing Maoyuan's "Forward No.1" of being an exact copy of Zhentian Group's "Optimus Program." He demanded Yu Manshan come forward to explain, leaving Mu Wanqing speechless. The situation escalated dramatically when a video played on the large screen, revealing Yang Zhentian's illicit affair with Na Mu. In the video, he callously admitted to pursuing Yu Lu solely for her family's wealth and resources.
Yu Lu, present at the event, collapsed in distress with signs of premature labor. Her furious father immediately slapped Yang Zhentian before rushing Yu Lu away. Another video then played, exposing Yang Zhentian's plot to kidnap Mu Wanqing, stating his goal to "defeat Maoyuan" by targeting her. Reporters swarmed him, and plainclothes police moved in for an arrest.
In a desperate attempt to escape, Yang Zhentian grabbed Uncle Quan, threatening to kill him, and dragged him into a restroom, barricading themselves inside. Outside the restroom, police and Mu Wanqing's father tried to negotiate with Yang Zhentian. Her father urged him to remain calm and release Uncle Quan, suggesting there were misunderstandings. Yang Zhentian, however, defiantly confessed to orchestrating Mu Wanqing's kidnapping and murder plot, driven by a desire to prove his superiority and eliminate anyone who opposed him.
He then made a final call to Yu Lu, who informed him she had safely given birth to their son. She told him she did not blame him and would wait for him to raise their child together. Overcome with remorse, Yang Zhentian expressed his love for Yu Lu, asking her to care for their son and ensure he did not follow in his footsteps.
Despite Yu Lu's tearful pleas, Yang Zhentian declared, "I have no future anymore," before taking his own life. Uncle Quan emerged from the restroom unharmed. In the aftermath, Mu Wanqing's father informed her that the board of directors demanded an immediate halt to "Forward No.1" development and a full explanation for the plagiarism allegations.
Meanwhile, police analyzing the incident found it suspicious that Yang Zhentian, amidst the chaos, had chosen to abduct Uncle Quan, a former Maoyuan veteran who had once vied for leadership against Mu Wanqing. They suspected Uncle Quan might have conspired with Yang Zhentian to sabotage Mu Wanqing. At a subsequent board meeting, Mu Wanqing defended Yu Manshan, arguing against condemning her based solely on Yang Zhentian's claims.
However, evidence from the Information Department revealed that Yu Manshan had copied all data from the R&D Center. Board members, labeling Yu Manshan a "traitor," insisted on a decisive leader and voted to appoint Uncle Quan as interim CEO, a decision Mu Wanqing reluctantly accepted. Immediately, Qian Chang led a team to Yu Manshan's office to clear her belongings, disparagingly referring to her as "traitor Yu."
Despite the unfolding crisis, Feng Cong, maintaining faith in Maoyuan's innovative proposal, overruled his assistant's suggestion to report the failed partnership to their company, opting to wait for the truth to emerge and uphold their commitment to Maoyuan. Emotionally drained, Mu Wanqing isolated herself in her room. To cheer her up, Liu Qing, along with Lei Shuo and Fu Jundie, gently persuaded her to go on a camping trip he had meticulously planned.
The outing, which Liu Qing described as an expression of his "sincerity" and "love," saw him playfully trick Mu Wanqing and Fu Jundie into eating various insects, much to their initial enjoyment and subsequent horror. During this time, Mu Wanqing's grandmother secretly endured worsening health, determined to hold on until her birthday.
After returning from camping, Liu Qing announced their next outing: a visit to a photo studio he had found, reminding Mu Wanqing of her promise to take wedding photos with him for her grandparents. As they prepared to leave, Feng Cong called Mu Wanqing, but she chose not to answer. At the photo studio, Liu Qing explained their wish to combine their wedding photos with her grandparents' images.
The photographer, however, insisted that Liu Qing and Mu Wanqing personally pose for the pictures, emphasizing that it was a "kind of inheritance" for them as a couple. Mu Wanqing was initially hesitant, especially when asked to pose affectionately, given the intention to use only the bodies for the composite. The photographer clarified that genuine expressions influenced body language, and a wedding photo required "affection."
He comically instructed Mu Wanqing to imagine herself as a "gentle kitty" looking at her favorite yarn ball or dried fish. Liu Qing, captivated by Mu Wanqing in her wedding dress, complimented her, leading her to playfully accuse him of conspiring with the photographer. Mu Wanqing then thanked Liu Qing, specifying her gratitude was "for grandma," as they continued to pose for the photos.
Episode 18 Recap
After their wedding photos were taken, Feng Cong called Mu Wanqing again. She hesitated but answered the call, and he asked for her decision regarding their past relationship. Mu Wanqing suggested they meet in person. Liu Qing had noticed Mu Wanqing's unusual behavior but remained silent, pretending not to know anything. The next day, Mu Wanqing received a call from the photo studio, informing her that their wedding photos were ready for pickup.
She then decided to arrange her meeting with Feng Cong at the photo studio. When Feng Cong arrived at the studio, he asked if she had made a decision. Mu Wanqing arrived with a box filled with her and Feng Cong's memories. She asked Feng Cong to take out the marriage certificate they had drawn together, placed it into the box, and returned all these items to him. Feng Cong was confused.
Mu Wanqing explained that she had moved on from the past, holding no hatred, only cherished memories of their happy times, and that she would not be with him again. When Feng Cong asked if she had fallen in love with Liu Qing, Mu Wanqing stated that even without Liu Qing, their relationship was over the moment he broke his promise to her. She expressed her hope that they could remain friends and keep the good memories in their hearts.
As she left, Feng Cong called out her name. Later, Feng Cong met with Mr. Gao, Mr. Chen, and another Mr. Liu, who represented their respective companies. Mr. Gao, an old family friend, expressed regret for not being able to help Feng Cong's family during past troubles. The men wanted to discuss a cooperation project with Weikai Group, hoping to combine their resources, including those from Yu Group, to compete with Maoyuan and Gu Xiongchuan.
Feng Cong, however, pointed out existing issues within each of their companies, such as ongoing lawsuits, tied-up funds, and loan defaults. He then questioned their authority to make decisions for Mr. Yu. Just then, Feng Cong received a call from Mr. Yu, who informed him that Yu Group was withdrawing from the engine project, effectively ending the potential alliance.
Mr. Gao apologized for the abrupt meeting, but Feng Cong assured him that future cooperation for Weikai Group's Asia-Pacific expansion was still possible. Feng Cong's assistant later remarked on the hypocrisy of the businessmen, calling it "a fickle world." The assistant then asked if Feng Cong was using this project to help Mu Wanqing regain her position at Maoyuan and doubted whether she would appreciate his efforts.
Feng Cong responded that her appreciation was his concern and instructed the assistant to focus on his own duties. Li Na arrived at Mu Wanqing's house with her personal belongings, assuring Mu Wanqing of his loyalty. Mu Wanqing inquired about Yu Manshan's whereabouts. Li Na revealed that he had investigated surveillance footage near Yu Manshan's home and discovered some "unusual" activity. He showed Mu Wanqing a video clearly showing Liu Qing interacting with Yu Manshan after the bombing.
This discovery caused Mu Wanqing to suspect Liu Qing's involvement in leaking company data to Yang Zhentian. She quickly called Fu Jundie to discuss her concerns. Although Fu Jundie initially considered Uncle Quan, Mu Wanqing argued against it, stating a shareholder wouldn't risk such a scandal. Faced with mounting evidence, Mu Wanqing, though reluctant, admitted her suspicions about Liu Qing and sought Fu Jundie's help. Together, they searched Liu Qing's room, noting his recent frequent absences.
They found nothing obvious until Mu Wanqing discovered an encrypted USB drive. Meanwhile, at the company, Na Mu handed a file to Li Na, telling him she was counting on him that night. It was Mrs. Lin's birthday. Mu Wanqing, still wrestling with her suspicions about Liu Qing, decided to put them aside for the celebration.
Unknown to most, Mrs. Lin was gravely ill and was secretly given maximum doses of painkillers to endure the party, bravely asserting it was her birthday despite the obvious pain. At the party, Liu Qing presented his gift: a large framed wedding photo of himself and Mu Wanqing. Mrs. Lin was deeply touched by the thoughtful gesture, which Mu Wanqing credited to Liu Qing. As the celebration continued, Li Na abruptly arrived at the old mansion, interrupting the festivities.
Despite objections from others, Li Na insisted on speaking with Mu Wanqing, claiming to have found Yu Manshan and stating that her disappearance was linked to Qian Chang, a former subordinate of Uncle Quan. Following Li Na's startling revelation, Uncle Quan and Mu Jianjun returned to the company. Li Na presented his findings, claiming Qian Chang had taken Yu Manshan and was now unreachable, implying Uncle Quan might know how to contact him due to their past association.
Uncle Quan attempted to call Qian Chang, but the phone was off, leading him to believe there was a misunderstanding. Mu Jianjun, however, accused Uncle Quan of colluding to eliminate Yu Manshan. This ignited an angry exchange where Uncle Quan, feeling betrayed, offered to relinquish his company position if Mu Jianjun didn't trust him. Mu Wanqing arrived and intervened, affirming her trust in Uncle Quan, recalling his discreet efforts to invite Gu Xiongchuan and his unwavering support.
She then revealed the encrypted USB drive she found earlier, explaining it contained a video and information about Yu Manshan's younger brother being kidnapped, suggesting this was the true reason for Yu Manshan's actions and disappearance. Earlier, on her way to the company, Mu Wanqing had received a phone call from Gu Xiongchuan, who was with Yu Manshan.
During this call, Yu Manshan herself had confessed that Li Na was the true mastermind behind her actions, detailing how he threatened her family to coerce her into cooperating against the company. She also revealed that Liu Qing had successfully rescued her brother and placed her under Gu Xiongchuan's protection. Armed with this critical information, Mu Wanqing then took Li Na aside for a private confrontation.
She questioned his betrayal, accusing him of orchestrating Yang Zhentian's crimes, framing Uncle Quan, and using Yu Manshan to target Liu Qing. Li Na initially feigned ignorance, but Mu Wanqing's complete knowledge of the situation left him cornered. He confessed. He admitted he was behind everything, including swapping the presentation materials to expose Yang Zhentian, forcing him to take responsibility and commit suicide by threatening his family, especially his newborn son.
He confessed that his actions were driven by his deep love and jealousy for Mu Wanqing; he couldn't bear to see her with Liu Qing, a stranger, after she had helped him during his lowest point. He recounted how Na Mu then leveraged his initial act of leaking company secrets to frame Liu Qing, blackmailing him into further criminal activities by threatening to expose him to Mu Wanqing.
He tried to withdraw after Mu Wanqing's kidnapping, but Na Mu refused, implicitly threatening Mu Wanqing if he stopped. Li Na tragically concluded that some things, once started, cannot be stopped, but insisted he never wished to harm her. He promised to surrender to the police the next day. As he left the company, he discreetly placed a USB drive into Liu Qing's pocket, asking him to protect Mu Wanqing. Moments later, Na Mu's people abducted Li Na.
Na Mu, seeing him as a liability, intended to silence him. Li Na desperately managed to escape their car but was knocked unconscious. He awoke to find himself trapped in the driver's seat of a car, a liquor bottle placed beside him, at an intersection.
He made a desperate final call to Liu Qing, informing him about the USB drive containing Na Mu's criminal evidence and reiterating his plea to protect Mu Wanqing, just before a truck violently collided with his car.
Episode 19 Recap
After Li Na secretly placed a USB flash drive containing evidence of Na Mu's crimes into Liu Qing's pocket, he called Liu Qing, urging him to protect Mu Wanqing. However, before he could finish the call, a truck crashed into his car, leading to his death. Na Mu, realizing that the situation had not been fully resolved, understood that Li Na had failed to cover his tracks completely.
Following Li Na's death, Uncle Quan addressed the board of directors, explaining the circumstances and emphasizing the need to continue negotiations with Weikai Group. He asked Mu Wanqing to return to her position at Maoyuan. Liu Qing also encouraged Mu Wanqing to compose herself, reminding her that Maoyuan still needed her. Mu Wanqing, putting aside her grief, returned to the company.
She announced that Uncle Quan would continue to manage the overall affairs of the company, while she would oversee the "Forward No.1" project and the cooperation with Weikai Group. She then appointed Liu Qing as her new special assistant, taking over Li Na's former role.
On Liu Qing's first day as her special assistant, Mu Wanqing recalled Li Na's first day and questioned Liu Qing about any other secrets he might be keeping from her, referencing the matters concerning Mr. Gu and Yu Manshan. Liu Qing denied hiding anything else, promising that from then on, he would report every detail to her as it was his duty.
Reassured, Mu Wanqing invited him to the old mansion for dinner that evening, expressing how much she missed her grandmother. That night, after Mu Wanqing had fallen asleep, Liu Qing gently urged Grandma to go to the hospital, knowing her condition was critical and she didn't have many days left. Grandma understood the severity of her illness and, before leaving for the hospital with Liu Qing, kissed Mu Wanqing's forehead and entrusted her care to Liu Qing.
On the way, she advised Liu Qing not to bear all burdens alone and to care for himself, regretting that she would no longer be able to send him photos of Mu Wanqing. Liu Qing promised to take care of himself. The next morning, Mu Wanqing awoke to an empty house. Unable to find Grandma or Liu Qing, she drove herself to the office.
Midway, Liu Qing called her, informing her that Grandma had been fighting for her life all night at the hospital and had just passed away. Mu Wanqing rushed to the hospital, devastated that she had missed Grandma's last moments. The doctor explained that Grandma had been diagnosed with advanced lymphoma upon her return to the country and had been relying on significant doses of painkillers to maintain her condition. Her passing, the doctor added, was a release from her suffering.
Mu Wanqing angrily accused the doctor of concealing Grandma's illness from the family. When she learned that Liu Qing had also known about Grandma's condition since her return, she confronted him, furiously asking why he had secretly taken Grandma away without waking her, preventing her from saying a final goodbye. Liu Qing revealed that Grandma had asked him to keep her illness a secret, wishing to spend her last days peacefully without burdening the family with her pain.
Mu Wanqing, however, denounced his actions, accusing him of hurting everyone around him with his secrecy and declared that she never wanted to see him again. Overwhelmed with grief, Mu Wanqing called Fu Jundie to share the news of Grandma's passing. Fu Jundie was heartbroken, recalling how Grandma had taken her in and treated her as her own child after her parents died. She blamed herself for not being there to care for Grandma.
Lei Shuo, seeing Fu Jundie's distress, took her back to his place. Mu Wanqing decided to move to a hotel for a few days to find some solace. When Liu Qing returned home, he saw her packed bags. He then gave a USB drive to Gua, asking him to deliver it to Mu Wanqing, saying it contained information about Grandma. Realizing Mu Wanqing didn't want to see him, Liu Qing also packed his bags, intending to stay at Lei Shuo's.
Arriving at Lei Shuo's and mistaking Fu Jundie for Lei Shuo in the dark, Liu Qing playfully touched her rear, leading to a brief, comical scuffle until Lei Shuo intervened and clarified the situation. Meanwhile, Uncle Quan informed Mu Wanqing that he had privately given Yu Manshan's phone recording to Feng Cong. He explained that their efforts should not be abandoned, and the Weikai Group remained a promising partner.
He assured her that once Feng Cong returned from his business trip to Singapore, the investment cooperation would formally proceed to contract. Uncle Quan then proposed a request: that the matter be handled discreetly, avoiding any further damage to Zhentian Group. Mu Wanqing agreed and, in turn, asked Uncle Quan to conclude Li Na's death as an "accident" and cease any further investigation, to which Uncle Quan reluctantly conceded.
While out, Mu Wanqing encountered Yu Manshan, who tried to apologize for her past actions. However, Mu Wanqing apologized first for not recognizing Yu Manshan's internal struggle with Yang Zhentian, and thanked her for ultimately making the right choices. Later, Wang Ma, who had cared for Grandma for decades, announced her departure from the Mu family.
Mu Wanqing tried to persuade her to stay, but Wang Ma insisted on leaving, wishing to travel and clear her mind now that Grandma was gone. Mu Wanqing respectfully offered her money as a token of appreciation, which Wang Ma initially refused but eventually accepted. Before leaving, Wang Ma gave Mu Wanqing a recording pen, explaining that Grandma had left it for her and urging her to listen carefully, as Grandma loved them all deeply.
After Wang Ma left, Mu Jianjun tried to persuade Mu Wanqing not to blame Liu Qing, explaining that Liu Qing had acted with good intentions for the Mu family's sake. Mu Wanqing, however, remained unreceptive, stating she needed time alone and asked her father not to pressure her. Mu Wanqing later met with Lawyer Hao to review Grandma's will. The will stipulated that all Grandma's real estate would go to her daughter, Lin Yalian, and son-in-law, Mu Jianjun.
However, her valuable securities, including her Maoyuan shares, were bequeathed to Mu Wanqing. Additionally, Grandma and Mr. Lin had established a charity school in Bazhen, a legacy from her grandfather. Grandma specifically entrusted this school to Mu Wanqing, with a note urging her to cherish this gift and to be with the person she trusted the most when managing it. Later, Mu Wanqing listened to the recording from the pen Wang Ma had given her.
In the recording, Grandma softly explained that she was tired and no longer wanted to fight her illness. She urged Mu Wanqing not to blame Liu Qing, revealing that he had anonymously sent her numerous treatment plans and contacted overseas cancer rehabilitation centers, but she had chosen not to continue the struggle. Grandma advised Mu Wanqing to be softer, to understand that there weren't absolute rights or wrongs, and to consider the hidden difficulties of others before judging.
She reminded Mu Wanqing that she always had choices and implored her not to create new partings in her life due to Grandma's death. Meanwhile, Lei Shuo shared new findings with Fu Jundie. All documents stolen from the Mu family's safe had been recovered, except for a donation agreement for a charity school in Bazhen. All clues now pointed to Bazhen, and Lei Shuo was hesitant about continuing the investigation.
Fu Jundie pressed him for details, and Lei Shuo recounted their past. He, Liu Qing, Li Mo, and Wu Fengyu were members of the special field group of the Heijing Security Company. They had successfully completed hundreds of missions. However, their last mission in Bazhen, to capture a man named Niusha, almost cost him and Liu Qing their lives. He then detailed the layout of the enemy's defenses, the plan to apprehend Niusha, and the retreat strategy.
Lei Shuo expressed that the fact he was sharing this meant Fu Jundie had become very important to him, but he was unsure about returning to Bazhen. Mu Wanqing, having now learned about the charity school in Bazhen from Grandma's will, expressed her desire to visit it. She told Liu Qing she was going there later.
Episode 20 Recap
Liu Qing, Lei Shuo, Li Mo, and Wu Fengyu, members of the Black Whale Security Company's special field group, were on a mission in Bazhen to apprehend a drug lord named Niusha. Li Mo, codenamed Fox, was assigned to the high tower. Liu Qing, codenamed Lion, and Lei Shuo entered the building to make the arrest.
Wu Fengyu, codenamed Aardwolf, was positioned as the getaway driver, waiting at the west side of the tropical rainforest for extraction, with the team planning to meet at the designated retreat point in five minutes. Their cover was compromised inside the outpost, leading Niusha to order his men to kill them all. A fierce gun battle ensued as they tried to retreat. Amidst the chaos, Liu Qing discovered several imprisoned individuals.
Despite Lei Shuo's insistence that accomplishing the mission was more important and there was no time to spare, Liu Qing declared his intent to save them. During the rescue, a teammate made the ultimate sacrifice, dying while protecting civilians from a grenade. Liu Qing himself was shot and wounded. They sought refuge in a cold storage facility, pursued by the drug dealers.
An enemy suggested blowing up the facility, but Shan Biao, one of the gang leaders, stopped him, reminding everyone that their boss was still inside. Instead, they ordered the cold air to be turned to maximum, planning to storm the storage in five minutes. Inside, the extreme cold quickly claimed the lives of the rescued civilians. Liu Qing struggled to stay conscious, with Lei Shuo urging him to wake up and not fall asleep.
Lei Shuo spotted a river behind the facility, offering a potential escape route. A teammate identified a weak point in the wall, but it was blocked by a large stone, making blowing it open very dangerous. However, Lei Shuo concluded it was better than waiting to die. As enemies breached the main door, Li Mo bravely stayed behind to block them, while another teammate detonated the back exit, ensuring the escape of Liu Qing, Lei Shuo, and Wu Fengyu.
Lei Shuo directed Wu Fengyu to prioritize saving Liu Qing and completing the mission, leaving Li Mo to his fate. Liu Qing, Lei Shuo, and Wu Fengyu made it out, but Li Mo did not. Later, Lei Shuo shared this traumatic experience with Fu Jundie, explaining that Liu Qing developed traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because of it. Lei Shuo also confessed that he had never been able to forgive himself for what happened.
He told Fu Jundie that by confiding this painful story, she had become a very important person to him. Meanwhile, Feng Cong made a significant sacrifice for Maoyuan. He gave up a substantial company fund to convince his company's superior to renew their partnership with Maoyuan. His assistant questioned his sanity, pointing out that this was not just about money, but also about his hard-earned position within the company. Feng Cong, however, cared little for such things.
When the assistant suggested that Mu Wanqing would not even know of his efforts, Feng Cong simply stated she did not need to. The assistant then revealed that Mu Wanqing had moved out of her house, and her husband Liu Qing was not with her. Concerned, Feng Cong immediately went to the hotel where Mu Wanqing was staying.
She received a call from the front desk about his arrival and asked them to tell him to wait for her in the lounge. Meeting Feng Cong in the lounge, Mu Wanqing acknowledged his condolences regarding her grandmother's passing, admitting she was upset but learning to accept things calmly. Feng Cong urged her not to keep her feelings to herself.
Mu Wanqing then shared that her grandparents had spent a wonderful time in Bazhen, a place that witnessed their love, and she envied their pure happiness. She expressed a desire to visit Bazhen and, more importantly, take over the charity school her grandparents founded there and deal with some related matters. Feng Cong offered to accompany her, but Mu Wanqing politely declined, explaining that some things she needed to face alone, and she wished to find an answer there.
Before her departure for Bazhen, Mu Wanqing called Fu Jundie to inform her. Fu Jundie, worried, offered to go along, but Mu Wanqing, already at the airport, reassured her and light-heartedly questioned Fu Jundie's newfound sentimentality. Meanwhile, Liu Qing, who was staying at Lei Shuo's place, tried calling Mu Wanqing, but she did not answer. Fu Jundie later visited Liu Qing and Lei Shuo, who were relaxing, and sternly informed them that Mu Wanqing had gone to Bazhen alone.
She revealed that the Mu family's charity school in Bazhen was the actual target of Na Mu's group, warning of the potential trouble in such a place. Alarmed, Liu Qing immediately prepared to go to Bazhen and instructed Lei Shuo and Wu Fengyu to quickly deal with Na Mu's people and then meet him there.
Unbeknownst to Mu Wanqing, Feng Cong had also tracked her flight and followed her to Bazhen, having guessed she would visit a particular tree he saw on her phone. He had been waiting for her all day. As Feng Cong was taking pictures of Mu Wanqing, a child suddenly snatched her phone and wallet. They managed to catch the child who stole the phone.
Mu Wanqing, needing the school's address from her phone, tried to reason with the silent child, offering compensation for its return. With a spare phone provided by Feng Cong, Mu Wanqing decided against taking the child to the police, instead planning to bring him to her grandparents' charity school. However, upon hearing "charity school," the child attempted to run, but Feng Cong, who had stayed nearby, quickly blocked his escape.
Concerned about Mu Wanqing handling the child alone, Feng Cong opted to stay at her hotel, securing a separate room for himself and the child. He made it clear he would accompany, protect, and follow her. Liu Qing also arrived in Bazhen, covertly observing and protecting Mu Wanqing from the shadows. Fu Jundie and Lei Shuo arrived at the address of the school, but were immediately suspicious of its appearance.
Fu Jundie commented that it did not look like a school, a sentiment Lei Shuo shared, noting its gloomy facade, lack of signs, and the presence of barbed wire and surveillance cameras. Miss Yan, the person in charge, emerged and questioned their identity. Fu Jundie showed a photo of herself with Mu Wanqing, explaining they were friends who had become separated and wished to wait for Mu Wanqing there, as they knew she would arrive.
Miss Yan confirmed that Lawyer Hao had informed her of Mu Wanqing's visit and welcomed them inside. She explained that the exterior signs had been removed and the barbed wire fences were later additions for "safety guarantee" due to the "complicated" local situation. Inside, she introduced her son, Yan Jing, and the school's teacher, Tata.
Mistaking Fu Jundie for Mu Wanqing, Miss Yan addressed her as the Lin family's granddaughter, prompting Fu Jundie to clarify that she was Mu Wanqing's friend, and Lei Shuo introduced himself as well.
Episode 21 Recap
Mu Wanqing and Feng Cong had dinner with Patong, the child who had stolen Mu Wanqing's phone and wallet. Feng Cong urged Patong to contact his accomplices to retrieve Mu Wanqing's belongings. Patong, however, explained that he was at the lowest level of his organization, which was powerful in Bazhen, monitoring every street, and that Mu Wanqing's items had likely already been sold.
He warned them that if his gang discovered he was with them, Mu Wanqing and Feng Cong would face serious trouble. Feng Cong suggested sending Patong to the police, but Mu Wanqing felt a strong sense of pity for the boy. She asked Patong if keeping him would implicate his parents, to which he sadly revealed they were deceased. Mu Wanqing decided to take Patong under her wing and asked for his name.
Feng Cong, still concerned, tried to dissuade Mu Wanqing, reminding her that she was there for vacation and not to care for a stranger. Mu Wanqing, however, insisted that she simply could not abandon him. The next day, Mu Wanqing and Feng Cong continued their search for the charity school, with Patong accompanying them. While they were asking around, Patong suddenly slipped away. Mu Wanqing became anxious, frantically calling his name.
Unbeknownst to them, Liu Qing, who had been secretly observing, noticed someone trailing Mu Wanqing. He swiftly intervened, apprehending Patong. Meanwhile, Lei Shuo and Wu Fengyu intercepted the person who was following Mu Wanqing. Upon realizing this individual was merely pursuing Patong and not a larger threat, they allowed him to leave after a brief scuffle. Mu Wanqing and Feng Cong decided to rest at a local shop.
There, Mu Wanqing was surprised and moved to find an old photograph of her grandparents, taken to commemorate the establishment of the very charity school she was seeking. She felt a profound connection to them, finding solace in this discovery despite Patong's temporary disappearance. Feng Cong, however, spotted Liu Qing outside and promptly tried to get Mu Wanqing to leave. It was too late; Liu Qing was already waiting for them back at their inn, having brought Patong with him.
Mu Wanqing expressed her wish to send Patong to the charity school, hoping it would offer him a chance at a new life. Liu Qing initially objected, concerned that Patong might exert a negative influence on the other children and reiterating the suggestion to send him to the police.
Mu Wanqing countered that sending him to the police would only address the immediate issue and would not help his future, insisting that she wanted to give him an opportunity for a different path. She then successfully persuaded Patong to try living at the charity school, promising him many friends and daily rewards if he refrained from running away. Liu Qing clarified that he had been "protecting" them, not "monitoring," having intervened when he noticed them being followed.
Mu Wanqing found his interference unwelcome. Liu Qing then confronted Feng Cong, accusing him of having ulterior motives. He pointed out the suspicious timing of Mu Wanqing's phone theft coinciding with Feng Cong's arrival in Bazhen. Feng Cong denied any involvement, but Liu Qing sternly warned him against any harm to Mu Wanqing. The following day, Mu Wanqing, Liu Qing, Feng Cong, Patong, Fu Jundie, and Lei Shuo converged at the charity school.
Mu Wanqing introduced Patong to Miss Yan, the school's supervisor. Miss Yan, upon learning that Patong's parents had passed away, welcomed him into the school, offering him a sense of belonging. Later that evening, Mu Wanqing discussed the school's dire situation with Miss Yan. Miss Yan revealed that since the previous year, the school and its children had been subjected to constant harassment, including intermittent cuts to electricity and water supply.
Despite seeking police assistance, local authorities had been unable to resolve the issues, and all other local shareholders had mysteriously vanished without a trace. Liu Qing, overhearing their conversation from outside, sensed significant trouble. Lei Shuo suggested taking Mu Wanqing back home immediately. However, Mu Wanqing appeared and firmly declared her refusal to leave. She asserted that the school was her grandparents' legacy, and it was her responsibility to ensure its well-being.
Liu Qing voiced his suspicions, explicitly naming Feng Cong as the "chief culprit" behind a series of incidents targeting Maoyuan. He highlighted the "too coincidental" timing of her phone theft after Feng Cong's appearance. Mu Wanqing, due to Liu Qing's past actions, flatly stated that she had lost all trust in him. Liu Qing insisted he was only trying to protect her, but Mu Wanqing remained resolute.
Separately, Patong, disliking the school, tried to run away but was convinced to stay by Mu Wanqing with promises of fun and rewards. Mu Wanqing arranged for a significant shipment of supplies to be sent to the school from China. Miss Yan was deeply grateful and proposed that Mu Wanqing teach a class, suggesting it would be a good way for her to get to know the children.
Mu Wanqing agreed, leading an art class where the children were encouraged to draw about "My happy day." The next day, while Lei Shuo and Fu Jundie were out collecting daily necessities, and Mu Wanqing and Miss Yan were teaching, an uninvited guest arrived at the school. He introduced himself as Tau, the chief executive of UT Enterprises, claiming his company held shares in the school's land.
Mu Wanqing asked for proof of his identity and the purpose of his visit. Tau presented documents confirming his company's 8% stake. He then stated that the land was too valuable to be merely a school and expressed his intention to develop it into an amusement park. Mu Wanqing, identifying herself as Mrs. Lin's inheritor and the largest shareholder, vehemently rejected his proposal and ordered him to leave.
Tau's demeanor immediately changed, and he summoned a group of armed thugs into the school. Mu Wanqing quickly instructed the children to go upstairs, but Patong, wanting to protect her, bravely stood his ground. In the tense standoff, Liu Qing called Tau, threatening to shoot his tie with a sniper rifle if he didn't retreat. Uncertain of Liu Qing's capabilities, Tau reluctantly ordered his men to withdraw.
After Tau's departure, Liu Qing contacted his friend Nawa in Bazhen, who commanded a local armed force, to secure the school. As Nawa's armed men approached, Mu Wanqing and Patong initially mistook them for Tau's returning thugs and frantically tried to shut the gate. Liu Qing calmly opened the gate, explaining the situation and reassuring Mu Wanqing.
Nawa informed Liu Qing that he had apprehended a suspicious individual on his way to the school, who turned out to be Feng Cong. Liu Qing instructed Nawa to release Feng Cong, who left the premises indignantly. Later, Liu Qing, Lei Shuo, and Feng Cong gathered Mu Wanqing to insist she leave for her safety. They explained that today's attackers were likely connected to her previous two assaults and were part of an organized, illegal drug trafficking ring.
Feng Cong added that Tau's real name was Basse, a key member of a local drug cartel, whose crony was Paitun, and their leader was Ma Kulu. Hearing the name Ma Kulu, Liu Qing realized the gravity of the situation, recognizing him as the leader of MAPAGO, a rapidly growing and clandestine drug organization operating across Southeast Asia from the Golden Triangle.
Emphasizing the extreme danger, Liu Qing informed Mu Wanqing that he had already booked tickets for her departure the next day. However, the mastermind behind these events, unwilling to let Liu Qing and Mu Wanqing leave so easily, hacked into the school's network. A disturbing video suddenly appeared on the computers, showing two captive girls. Mu Wanqing quickly alerted Liu Qing. Liu Qing identified it as an illegal live-streaming auction site, with numbers indicating bids and a countdown.
Once the timer reached zero, the girls would be taken away. Teacher Tata then arrived and, to her horror, recognized one of the girls in the video as her own daughter, Taisa. Mu Wanqing, distressed, stated that they could not abandon the girls and promised Teacher Tata that they would find and rescue Taisa. Teacher Tata placed her trust in Mu Wanqing's words.
Episode 22 Recap
Tata collapsed in grief as she watched the live stream, recognizing her daughter, Taisa, among the two girls displayed on the illegal website. The fluctuating numbers and countdown indicated Taisa and the other girl were being auctioned off. Miss Yan anxiously asked Liu Qing if Taisa would be alright, but he could only offer a tentative "Maybe."
Liu Qing explained that Taisa, Tata's daughter, had vanished two years prior, and Tata had remained at the school ever since, holding onto hope for her return. Overwhelmed by the horror of the situation, Mu Wanqing confided in Fu Jundie that she felt compelled to stay and help, unable to abandon the helpless children. Fu Jundie echoed her resolve. Liu Qing, discussing the escalating dangers with Lei Shuo, worried about Mu Wanqing and Fu Jundie's safety.
He believed even Fu Jundie couldn't persuade Mu Wanqing to leave, though he felt the school offered a temporary haven. He also voiced his growing distrust of individuals like Feng Cong and Yan Jing, asserting that absolute trust was impossible. Meanwhile, Wu Fengyu interrupted their conversation, accusing them of planning without him. He passionately argued that having a family fueled his determination to rescue the girls, emphasizing that more hands would hasten their liberation.
Liu Qing, still haunted by a past impulsive mission that cost his comrades their lives, confessed his uncertainty, but Wu Fengyu and Lei Shuo offered unwavering support. The next morning, Lei Shuo noticed an old scar on Yan Jing's hand. Yan Jing explained it was a remnant from the severe war that ravaged Bazhen a decade ago, which also claimed his parents' lives and led Miss Yan to adopt him.
Shortly after, Liu Qing, having just returned from seeking Nawa's assistance, gathered everyone for a meeting to finalize their rescue plan. He assigned Lei Shuo and Fu Jundie to continue monitoring the live-streaming website, which featured a broadcast titled 'Twins,' for any new clues. Mu Wanqing was to stay at the school to comfort the children, while Liu Qing, Wu Fengyu, and Feng Cong would venture out to investigate.
Liu Qing, Wu Fengyu, and Feng Cong headed to the police station. Liu Qing sought information about another missing girl named Xiang, whose file, located in the police chief's office, might offer crucial leads since Tata struggled to recall the specifics of Taisa's disappearance. Concurrently, at the school, Lei Shuo asked Miss Yan for a physical map of the area. Yan Jing chimed in, explaining that recent heavy rains had rendered all modern maps unusable, leaving only an old one.
Lei Shuo accepted this and, with Miss Yan's permission, inquired if Yan Jing would join their perilous mission. Miss Yan, expressing regret for not having done more for Tata in the past, readily agreed. Wu Fengyu and Feng Cong located Xiang's father. They hired a local boy to deliver Xiang's bracelet, instructing him to claim she had lost it. However, the father vehemently denied having a daughter and dismissed the boy.
Wu Fengyu quickly deduced that Xiang’s father had sold her. Pressing him further would only alert the buyers and jeopardize their rescue operation, so they decided against it. Disappointed by their lack of progress, the trio returned to the school. Liu Qing revealed that he had used a special device to access and download three years' worth of missing persons records from the police database.
He proposed that by cross-referencing these 142 cases for similarities with Taisa and Xiang, they could potentially map the perpetrators' operational area. Everyone agreed to comb through the extensive documents throughout the night. During a brief respite from their all-night efforts, Mu Wanqing acknowledged Liu Qing's genuine compassion for the children and thanked him, understanding his earlier reluctance to offer Tata false hope.
Later, they joined Tuo Ya and Pa Tong in a local custom of releasing sky lanterns to ward off ill fortune and wish for Taisa's swift return, hoping their prayers would aid the rescue. Unbeknownst to the team, Pakse learned of Ma Kulu's imminent return to the base. Harboring deep resentment over Ma Kulu's control of their business, he secretly ordered his subordinates to ambush and kill Ma Kulu on the treacherous mountain roads.
However, Na Mu intervened, subtly warning Pakse against plotting behind Ma Kulu's back, especially while Ma Kulu was focused on expanding their operations using Liu Qing as a diversion. Pakse feigned compliance but, once Na Mu departed, reconfirmed his assassination order. Lei Shuo, keeping an eye on Yan Jing, witnessed a car accident involving him. Yan Jing promptly called the police and was driven away in their patrol car. Lei Shuo attempted to follow but was blocked by another vehicle.
Unbeknownst to Lei Shuo, Yan Jing, who was actually Ma Kulu, arrived at the base in the police car, much to Pakse's frustration over the failed assassination. Ma Kulu, feigning ignorance of Pakse's treachery, reprimanded him for the botched "accident" and ordered him to eliminate the driver who had tried to make the staged crash real.
Speaking to Na Mu, who was at the base, Ma Kulu assured her that he would maintain his cover at the school by making a quick phone call to Miss Yan. He promised Na Mu a trip together once their business stabilized, recognizing Liu Qing's rescue mission as a useful distraction for his own schemes before swiftly leaving the base to avoid suspicion. Back at the school, the team watched the live stream in horror, realizing Taisa's dire condition.
She had not consumed food or water since her capture, evidently having lost all will to live. With time running out, Liu Qing and Mu Wanqing urgently approached Tata, asking if she and Taisa shared any secret words or messages that could convey hope. Tata was initially overcome with grief, but after Mu Wanqing underscored the extreme urgency and Taisa's critical state, a unique message finally came to Tata's mind.
Meanwhile, the live stream displayed a new, chilling command from the captors: Taisa and Xiang were ordered to fight each other, as their tormentors sought to witness their despair. Amidst this horrific scene, Xiang appeared to be subtly trying to communicate a message to the outside world.
Episode 23 Recap
Taisa was in a critical state, having lost her will to survive and refusing to eat or drink. Mu Wanqing asked Tata if there were any secret words only she and Taisa understood, as Taisa was in grave danger and could be sold or die at any moment. Initially, Tata couldn't recall anything and wept, but Mu Wanqing urged her to remember, confirming Taisa's grim situation. Tata then remembered their special code word: "wax apple."
Liu Qing decided to send a message to Taisa. He placed a bid of 100,000 dollars to have two wax apples delivered to Taisa and Xiang, requesting them to dance with them. When Taisa saw the heart-shaped wax apple, she immediately recognized it as a message from her mother. She exclaimed, "Wax apple means mom! My mom found me!" Xiang, however, was skeptical, questioning if Taisa's mother was rich enough to save them.
Taisa admitted her mother wasn't wealthy but insisted it was her mother's signal. Despite Xiang's warning to be quiet, Taisa, filled with renewed hope, began to eat the wax apple. Soon after, the live stream received a new, horrifying instruction. Despite Liu Qing's high bid, an old client demanded that Taisa and Xiang kill each other, or both would die.
The team realized this customer was driven by a desire to witness their despair, not by a specific interest in twins, and that their auction strategy to contact the traffickers wouldn't work because the traffickers didn't trust them. Inside the room, the trafficker relayed the command: "Now you have to strike the other down, or neither of you will survive." Xiang, remembering Taisa's mother was looking for her, quickly devised a plan.
She urged Taisa to fight her to buy time and satisfy the traffickers, even though Taisa was physically weaker. Xiang deliberately took Taisa's blows, feigning a struggle, which was evident to Liu Qing and his team, who observed that Xiang was clearly trying to delay. Seeing Mu Wanqing's distress, Liu Qing advised her to rest, promising to inform her of any critical developments.
While the team was engrossed in the live stream, Feng Cong, having previously given Mu Wanqing a drugged drink, quietly carried the unconscious Mu Wanqing out of the school and drove away. The others, busy with the urgent situation, didn't notice Feng Cong's absence. The next morning, Mu Wanqing woke up in Feng Cong's car, bewildered by their location.
Feng Cong revealed they were heading to the airport for her safety, claiming it was a "cutting loss" strategy because the school situation was too complex for them to help, and Liu Qing's profile was top secret. He even stated that taking her away was a joint decision with Liu Qing. However, Mu Wanqing vehemently refused to abandon the children, insisting she wouldn't be selfish and demanded to be driven back to save Taisa and Xiang.
She stressed her responsibility as the school's largest shareholder to ensure the children's safety and complete her mission. Faced with her unwavering determination, Feng Cong had no choice but to comply. Upon their return, Mu Wanqing immediately confronted Liu Qing, accusing him of restricting her personal freedom. She warned him that while she wouldn't interfere with his dangerous plans, she would never accept being removed from the situation while others faced peril.
She rejected his claim of acting for her sake, telling him not to impose his idea of "good" on her. With just fourteen hours left on the auction countdown, the same account issued a new chilling command: provide Taisa and Xiang with a knife and double the countdown speed, forcing them to stab each other. Taisa, terrified, cried out for her mother.
As the trafficker pressed them to act or die, Xiang, in a desperate act of defiance, grabbed the knife and, looking directly at the camera, shouted, "Ugople will drive you to hell!" before cutting the camera's wire, instantly stopping the live stream. This drastic action angered the traffickers, who then retaliated by tying up Xiang and injecting Taisa with a lethal dose of ketamine, intending for Xiang to watch her die a slow, agonizing death.
The trafficker explicitly told Xiang, "According to your weight, 500 milliliters is enough to kill you. Then she can watch you die." Xiang begged him to kill her instead and fake her death for the livestream, but he refused, saying their boss wasn't naive and he would still get paid after Taisa's death.
Liu Qing and his team, piecing together Xiang's cryptic message about "Ugople," a god from Feircona, and recalling how Ugople saved a princess from "Devil Nuzana," Liu Qing asked if there was a temple of Nuzana. Lei Shuo, investigating, found no temple dedicated to such an evil figure, but instead, a deserted Nuzana Steelworks. They immediately recognized this as the likely location. Liu Qing quickly sent the location to Nawa, who was tasked with an outer perimeter encirclement.
He instructed Feng Cong to stay at the school with the others to protect the children. Liu Qing, along with Wu Fengyu and Lei Shuo, then set off, with Liu Qing leading the charge and Lei Shuo coordinating the outer flank. As Taisa weakened, Xiang, with a surge of strength, managed to break free from her bonds.
Seeing Taisa's dire condition, she rushed to her side and pulled out the syringe, saving Taisa from the immediate threat of the lethal solution. Just then, a trafficker entered, noticed the detached syringe, and turned furiously towards Xiang. Xiang quickly knocked him down, attempting to escape with Taisa. However, the trafficker recovered, grabbed his gun, and aimed at Taisa. In a heroic act, Xiang bravely lunged forward, shielding Taisa and taking the bullet meant for her.
At that very moment, Liu Qing and his team burst in, with Liu Qing kicking the trafficker to the ground. Taisa was finally safe, but Xiang, having sacrificed herself, succumbed to her injury. Liu Qing, witnessing Xiang's bravery and loss, was deeply saddened. The rescue operation freed many children, and the entire human trafficking group was apprehended. Following the rescue, Taisa reunited with her mother, Tata, who expressed immense relief and sorrow for her daughter's suffering.
Taisa, though injured, was deemed out of danger by the doctors. In the interest of avoiding complications and publicity, Liu Qing had Nawa take full credit for the successful operation, a move Nawa accepted, even using bureaucratic language when addressing the press. Nawa later introduced Liu Qing to Atuna, a prominent local entrepreneur from Bazhen, who expressed profound gratitude for saving the children.
Atuna, also revealed to be preparing for next year's election, announced that he would cover all medical and psychological intervention costs for the rescued children before leaving to visit them. Meanwhile, Liu Qing gave Nawa instructions regarding the other rescued children, tasking him with verifying their identities, reuniting them with parents if possible, or contacting welfare houses for those without families. Wu Fengyu, staying at the hospital, gently questioned Taisa about her kidnapping.
Despite her trauma and guilt over Xiang's death, Taisa bravely recounted her two-year ordeal. She remembered being snatched while walking behind her mother with another child, gagged and blindfolded, and later finding herself in a deserted Nuzana Steelworks, specifically a smelter, where she met Xiang. She vividly recalled the kidnappers' car having a "green license plate with white characters" and described the despair before the camera's installation marked the beginning of their nightmare.
Later, as Liu Qing drove Mu Wanqing back to the school, Mu Wanqing confessed her initial belief that he would save both girls. She reflected on his resilience, stating that Fu Jundie had shared the traumatic past experiences of Liu Qing, Lei Shuo, and Wu Fengyu, finally helping her understand why he was so reluctant to discuss his past. Liu Qing acknowledged the world's inherent unfairness, stating they could only strive to do their best and live without compunction.
After Liu Qing dropped Mu Wanqing off, Wu Fengyu called him, urging him back to the hospital. Wu Fengyu suspected a shadowy figure was orchestrating events, pointing out how Taisa's identity and the leaked video suggested someone intimately familiar with their operations was manipulating them. Immediately after, Lei Shuo called with urgent news: all the captured traffickers had been silenced, except for one, who was being brought to their hospital. Liu Qing rushed to the designated ward.
After briefly getting Nawa's permission to enter the guarded room, Liu Qing confronted the lone surviving trafficker, trying to persuade him to cooperate by highlighting the fate of his dead comrades. However, just as Liu Qing began to question him, the trafficker suddenly foamed at the mouth and collapsed. Liu Qing, realizing the nurse who had just left the room was suspicious, quickly gave chase. He saw the nurse, who was Naam in disguise, escaping.
As Liu Qing pursued Naam, he witnessed Atuna abducting a young girl. The girl desperately cried out for help, pleading with Liu Qing to save her sister. Atuna quickly intervened, claiming the girl was his mentally unstable maid whose mind had been affected after her sister went missing. He dismissed Liu Qing's offer of assistance, insisting it was a "housework" matter he would handle himself.
Liu Qing, unable to press further given Atuna's explanation, could only watch as the girl was taken. On the ground, he found a photograph of a little girl, a potential clue. Atuna brought the abducted girl to his compound. Soon after, Yan Jing, who was actually Ma Kulu, and Naam arrived. Atuna mocked the girl for believing Liu Qing was a "savior" who could help her find her sister.
He then ordered his subordinates to kill the girl, saying he would "satisfy" her desire to be with her sister by sending her to "hell." As the girl, identified as Su Pan, tearfully called out for her sister, Naam, unexpectedly, drew her gun and stopped Atuna's men, seemingly moved by the girl's plight as she remembered her own sister.
Episode 24 Recap
Na Mu, accompanying Yan Jing to meet Atuna, was deeply moved when she witnessed Atuna attempting to execute a young girl who was searching for her sister. This disturbing scene brought back painful memories of her own sister, Su Pan, prompting Na Mu to draw her gun. However, Yan Jing intervened, ordering her to lower her weapon and apologize to Atuna.
Atuna, dismissive of the apology, instructed his men to hold back from harming the girl, but his true ire was directed at Yan Jing for orchestrating Liu Qing's raid on his operations and the death of many of his subordinates. Atuna, revealed to be the mastermind behind the human trafficking ring, wanted to kill Yan Jing, but Yan Jing possessed incriminating evidence against him. This leverage forced Atuna to let Yan Jing and Na Mu leave.
As soon as they were out of sight, Atuna brutally ordered his men to kill the girl. Back at their hideout, Na Mu confronted Yan Jing, demanding to know why he would align himself with a man like Atuna, who showed no mercy even to an innocent girl searching for her sister.
Yan Jing, focused solely on his business objectives, retorted that he didn't need to explain himself and warned Na Mu that if she continued to be so impulsive, she should stay out of his life. Na Mu pressed further, showing him a lock of Su Pan's hair and asking if he remembered her sister. She recounted how, as children, she and Su Pan had lost their parents in a war and were adopted by Niusha.
Yan Jing then reminded Na Mu of how Su Pan had pleaded with his father to take her along for a transaction, which tragically ended in an ambush where his father was gravely wounded and Su Pan was killed. Yan Jing, overcome with grief, had vowed revenge for his father and asked Na Mu to join him, promising to help her avenge Su Pan's death and build a peaceful life together.
However, Yan Jing, now solely driven by profit, dismissed his past promises, telling Na Mu that he had already shown her leniency and that her misplaced sympathy would lead to dire consequences if she didn't learn her place. He snatched the lock of hair from her, reiterated that they were now in business, and once again ordered her to disappear from his sight. Meanwhile, Atuna paid a visit to Taisa in the hospital, feigning concern and charity.
During the visit, Taisa caught sight of a distinct mark on Atuna's sleeve—a mark she recognized from before her traumatic ordeal. This triggered a severe emotional breakdown, causing her to scream and recoil from him. Tata, Taisa's caregiver, quickly intervened, asking Atuna to leave and apologizing for Taisa's erratic behavior.
Though maintaining a facade of understanding, Atuna secretly instructed one of his men to remain at the hospital, monitor Taisa's memory recovery, and eliminate her if she recalled anything that could expose him. Soon after, Wu Fengyu contacted Liu Qing, relaying the unsettling news about Taisa's sudden and extreme reaction during Atuna's visit.
Liu Qing, along with Mu Wanqing, then had to field calls from their concerned parents, assuring them they were fine and on a "honeymoon trip" in Bazhen to prevent them from coming. That night, Na Mu, feigning repentance, approached Yan Jing with a bottle of wine, suggesting they celebrate their recent tactical victories against Atuna. Yan Jing, still suspicious, was momentarily swayed when Na Mu took the first sip, then convinced him to drink his own glass.
The wine, however, was drugged, and Yan Jing soon passed out. Na Mu then carefully cut into his arm and retrieved a hidden storage card. She left without further harming him, having secured what she came for. She then arranged for the storage card to be delivered to Liu Qing. Upon receiving the mysterious chip, Liu Qing and his team quickly analyzed its contents.
To their astonishment, it contained comprehensive drug transaction records belonging to Ma Kulu, providing the police with enough evidence to dismantle his entire criminal organization. The card also revealed disturbing videos of Atuna engaged in sadistic acts of violence, exposing his true identity as a cruel and hypocritical individual who used his illicit activities to gain influence among the elite. In a separate development, Pakse's associate attempted to bribe Nawa to withdraw his forces from the charity school.
Nawa, demanding two million, received immediate agreement from Pakse, who saw it as a worthwhile investment for future control of the school. Elsewhere, Yan Jing was informed that Na Mu had absconded with the storage card and was proving difficult to track down. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Yan Jing ordered his men to intensify the search, threatening to accelerate his overall plan if she wasn't found soon.
He also instructed them to summon his brother, Pakse, for an urgent task. After his meeting with Atuna, Liu Qing contacted Wu Fengyu. They exchanged information and confirmed their suspicions that there was a hidden mastermind behind Atuna and a shadowy figure orchestrating the events. Liu Qing, now armed with the damning evidence, arranged a meeting with Atuna, who was dining with his father.
Liu Qing confronted him, implicitly threatening to expose his illicit activities if he didn't guarantee the safety of Liu Qing, his friends, and the children. With his reputation and political future at stake, Atuna reluctantly agreed to Liu Qing's demands. Liu Qing pressed further, attempting to uncover the true mastermind behind the school's troubles, but Atuna remained tight-lipped. Liu Qing warned Atuna that while the evidence currently served as his protection, it could swiftly become his downfall.
Meanwhile, back at the school, Aunt Yan expressed her concerns to Mu Wanqing, explaining that even with the land deed, the situation in Bazhen was too volatile to ensure the school's safety, especially now that Nawa's formidable presence had been bought off. Fu Jun Die echoed these sentiments, noting that Liu Qing, Lei Shuo, and Wu Fengyu had been acting evasively, hinting at a deeper crisis they were investigating but were hesitant to reveal.
On the investigation front, Wu Fengyu and Sun Yu, working together, then identified Bangbang, a firearms expert who had served as their local contact during a failed mission in Bazhen years ago, and was the sole local survivor. Lei Shuo, who had left Bazhen to investigate the past mission, called Wu Fengyu with a critical revelation: Niusha had a missing son who was now in Bazhen.
Lei Shuo suspected that this missing son was, in fact, Ma Kulu, and that his grand scheme wasn't merely about acquiring the school's land, but a meticulously planned act of revenge against Liu Qing, Lei Shuo, and Wu Fengyu for their past actions.
He recounted how Ma Kulu had systematically orchestrated every event, from Liu Qing's ambush to the kidnapping of Mu Wanqing and Fei Fei, framing Wu Fengyu, coercing them to steal the Mu family's title deed, and ultimately luring them to Bazhen through the charity school. As Wu Fengyu and Sun Yu closed in on Bangbang's location, their pursuit took a grim turn.
Just as they found him, Bangbang was suddenly killed by a sniper, his last words, "They are all still alive," hanging heavy in the air. Wu Fengyu immediately informed Liu Qing of the assassination. Liu Qing, now able to piece together Ma Kulu's true identity, realized the imminent danger to Mu Wanqing and rushed towards the school, despite Wu Fengyu's plea to wait for Lei Shuo's arrival.
Simultaneously, Yan Jing, having been informed by Atuna that Liu Qing possessed the incriminating storage card, decided to accelerate his plans. Ma Kulu's forces, led openly by Yan Jing, stormed the school, seizing children and causing chaos. Yan Jing confronted Fu Jun Die, mocking her fear and demanding Mu Wanqing's presence, threatening her friends if she didn't comply.
Mu Wanqing, instructing Pa Tong to hide under the bed and find a way to alert Liu Qing, then emerged to confront Yan Jing, pleading with him not to harm the children.
Episode 25 Recap
As Yan Jing held Fu Jundie at gunpoint, he taunted, "Such an important occasion can't be without her." He demanded that Mu Wanqing come out. Before stepping forward, Mu Wanqing whispered to Pa Tong to hide under the bed and find a way to inform Liu Qing about their situation. Shortly after, Liu Qing called. Pa Tong answered, urgently telling Liu Qing that Mu Wanqing had been kidnapped and pleading for him to come and save them.
Liu Qing asked for Pa Tong's location, and upon hearing he was still at the school, instructed him to stay put. When Liu Qing arrived at the school, Pa Tong reiterated that Yan Jing had kidnapped Mu Wanqing. Pa Tong wanted to join Liu Qing, but Liu Qing asserted that as Mu Wanqing’s husband, it was his responsibility to save her. He told Pa Tong to protect the school, their “base camp,” and promised to bring everyone back safely.
Meanwhile, Yan Jing had gathered his captives, including his mother, Miss Yan, and the children. Miss Yan desperately begged Yan Jing not to harm the children. Yan Jing reassured her he wouldn't hurt her, but stated he had "important matters to deal with" and couldn't release anyone until his task was complete. Taisa's mother then confronted Yan Jing, asking if he was involved in her daughter Taisa's abduction.
Yan Jing admitted his involvement, causing Taisa's mother to call him a maniac. Yan Jing pulled out a gun, terrifying both Taisa's mother and Miss Yan. Yan Jing declared, "This is my place, and you can only obey me," before ordering his men to guard them and departing. Mu Wanqing and Fu Jundie were held separately. Fu Jundie speculated that Yan Jing simply wanted the school property.
Mu Wanqing, however, felt it was more complicated and suggested Liu Qing was investigating the true reasons. She believed that if Yan Jing's sole motivation was the land, she would willingly give it to him in exchange for their and the children's safety. Just then, Yan Jing entered. Mu Wanqing offered him the land, but Yan Jing retorted that the property "originally belonged to us, not you outsiders."
Mu Wanqing asserted that Yan Jing's ambition was greater than mere land acquisition; unlike Pakse and Atuna, he sought to dominate Bazhen. She deduced that Yan Jing intended to leverage her to retrieve criminal evidence from Liu Qing. She explained that Liu Qing possessed information that could expose Yan Jing's illicit activities, potentially uniting other factions with the police to oust him. Yan Jing conceded that Mu Wanqing’s deductions were entirely correct but claimed it was "too late."
He proposed a "game," warning Mu Wanqing not to "watch your mouth," or he would kill Fu Jundie. Yan Jing then called Liu Qing, provocatively inviting him to "my place and have fun" with Mu Wanqing. Liu Qing demanded to hear their voices. Mu Wanqing, under duress, confirmed she and the children were safe.
Liu Qing cautioned Yan Jing against harming them, threatening that if any harm came to Mu Wanqing or the children, Yan Jing would never see him again. Yan Jing dismissed the threat of a "small storage card" in the complex world of Bazhen, implying Liu Qing wouldn't ruin his own intricate plans.
Liu Qing revealed he had just met Atuna, emphasizing that while he hadn't yet handed over Yan Jing's incriminating information, he would if Mu Wanqing or the children were hurt. Yan Jing then admitted needing Liu Qing's "stuff" but claimed to hold more leverage. Liu Qing offered his life in exchange for their release, but Yan Jing rejected it, demanding that Liu Qing appear before him "alive."
On his way, Liu Qing called Wu Fengyu, confirming Yan Jing was behind the kidnapping and urging him to "come to help me as soon as possible." Wu Fengyu then relayed the grim news to Lei Shuo, stressing the need for them to "get together immediately." Lei Shuo, meanwhile, informed a subordinate that the materials had been sent and confirmed.
He advised staying calm, confident that Yan Jing's focus on Liu Qing would buy them time, allowing their plan to proceed flawlessly. Lei Shuo further explained that the charity school, once a chemical plant with an adaptable waste disposal system and old machinery, was ideal for converting into a clandestine drug manufacturing facility for trending new drugs. He suspected a "mysterious person" had guided Yan Jing there, also noting the location's strategic importance in targeting Liu Qing and Mu Wanqing.
Separately, Na Mu, who was pregnant with Yan Jing's child, met with Pakse at his territory. She announced her departure, having realized Yan Jing only saw her as a "killer pawn." Pakse, observing her enduring feelings, noted her pregnancy. Na Mu asked Pakse to deliver an explanation to Ma Kulu (Yan Jing) stating she wanted him to know he was the father, assuring Pakse he wouldn't be implicated.
Before Na Mu left, Pakse revealed that her sister, Su Pan, had been murdered by Neuch. Soon after, Yan Jing received a call from Pakse, informing him that Na Mu was fleeing Bazhen. Furious at her "betrayal," Yan Jing ordered Paitun to provide her criminal evidence to the police, vowing to "find her no matter where she is." He cut off the conversation, prioritizing "bigger business," effectively ending any further discussion about Na Mu.
Liu Qing eventually confronted Yan Jing face-to-face, attempting to negotiate for Mu Wanqing and the children's release by offering the school property. Yan Jing then revealed his true identity, declaring, "I'm Ma Kulu. I'm Neuch's son." Realizing Yan Jing's motive was revenge, Liu Qing offered his own life for the release of his friends. Yan Jing, scoffing at his "naivety," ordered his men to beat Liu Qing, wanting to watch him suffer and die slowly by his own hand.
Mu Wanqing cried out for them to stop. Despite the severe beating, Liu Qing, driven by his responsibility to protect Mu Wanqing, managed to seize a gun. Just as he struggled, Lei Shuo and his team arrived, surrounding Yan Jing and his men. Lei Shuo informed Liu Qing that he had secured aid from an "old boss," but the condition was that Yan Jing "cannot be killed; he must be kept alive."
Before anyone could react, a single shot rang out from an unknown direction, striking Yan Jing dead. Mu Wanqing and the children were rescued, and Yan Jing's entire gang was apprehended. Pakse and Paitun were killed in a shootout with local police, and Atuna was captured on a flight attempting to escape, facing a probable death sentence. Mu Wanqing, however, remained concerned about other groups coveting the school property.
A representative from Nawa's faction came to thank Mu Wanqing and her friends, pledging Nawa's full commitment to protecting the children and the school. Taisa expressed her gratitude to Mu Wanqing, promising to grow up well and become a teacher in Bazhen, never leaving with her mother. Later, as Liu Qing, Wu Fengyu, and Lei Shuo drank together, Liu Qing was still troubled by the identity of Yan Jing’s killer.
Wu Fengyu and Lei Shuo confirmed that the bullet did not come from any of their weapons and concluded that given Bazhen's complex political landscape, many would have wanted Yan Jing dead, making it impossible to trace the shooter. They decided to let the matter rest, as everything was over, and they were preparing to leave Bazhen. A waiter then delivered more beer, saying it was a gift from a "friend." With the beer came a folded paper currency.
The sight of it instantly reminded them of Li Mo, but his death in Bazhen had been confirmed, leaving them in profound confusion. Liu Qing voiced his thought, asking if it could simply be a "coincidence." Before leaving Bazhen, Mu Wanqing, feeling a pang of sadness at parting with the children, agreed to Liu Qing's suggestion for a group photo. He gathered all the children and Miss Yan for a memorable picture with Mu Wanqing.
Upon their return to China, Liu Qing and Mu Wanqing finally arrived home. After their shared ordeal in Bazhen, Mu Wanqing's perception of Liu Qing had profoundly shifted; her mind was now filled with thoughts of him. She texted Liu Qing, inviting him to her room. Though surprised and still pondering the mystery of Li Mo, Liu Qing went upstairs. He found Mu Wanqing already asleep. He gently held her hand, finding contentment in simply watching her.
The next morning, Mu Wanqing woke to find Liu Qing gone. At breakfast, she asked if he was awake, only for him to appear. Liu Qing jokingly said he had seen and carefully read her text message that morning. Suddenly, Mu Wanqing's mother called, her tone sharp, demanding Mu Wanqing return to the family's old mansion immediately. Liu Qing commented that they were "going to get scolded."
At the old mansion, Mu Wanqing's mother was visibly upset, criticizing them for not contacting her sooner. Mu Wanqing tried to explain her trip to Bazhen was to fulfill her grandmother's wish, but her mother dismissively walked away, refusing to hear explanations. Soon after, Fu Jundie called Mu Wanqing, confessing that she had succumbed to Mu Wanqing's mother's persistent questioning and had revealed "everything in Bazhen," including Liu Qing's identity.
She advised Mu Wanqing and Liu Qing to quickly "figure out a strategy," or perhaps not even go home. Mu Wanqing replied it was "too late" as they were already there, stating she would find a way to handle it.
Episode 26 Recap
Upon returning home from Bazhen, Mu Wanqing went upstairs to her mother, attempting to smooth things over, but found herself facing her mother's palpable wrath. Her mother vehemently expressed concern over Liu Qing's identity, insisting that his profession put Mu Wanqing in constant danger, citing past kidnappings and the recent events in Bazhen. Mu Wanqing earnestly defended Liu Qing, clarifying that past incidents were malicious plots against him, and her visit to Bazhen was to manage her grandmother's charity school.
She emphasized that Liu Qing's timely intervention in Bazhen had, in fact, saved her life. However, her mother dismissed her explanations as "sheer nonsense," refusing to listen and adamantly forbidding Mu Wanqing from continuing her relationship with a man whose life seemingly attracted so much peril. Liu Qing, overhearing the tense exchange, understood the depth of Mu Wanqing's mother's worries and did not take her harsh words personally.
Frustrated by her mother's stubbornness and Liu Qing's perceived lack of appreciation for her defense, Mu Wanqing asked Liu Qing to take her to Fu Jundie's martial arts club. During the drive, Liu Qing attempted to comfort Mu Wanqing, suggesting her mother's anxieties were natural and that Mu Wanqing's fervent defense of him only intensified her mother's distress.
At the club, Mu Wanqing poured out her heart to Fu Jundie, recounting the argument with her mother and Liu Qing's surprisingly "ungrateful" response—his defense of her mother that left Mu Wanqing feeling caught in the middle. Fu Jundie, however, subtly highlighted Mu Wanqing's growing affection for Liu Qing and explained that Liu Qing was likely trying to spare Mu Wanqing further embarrassment while respecting her mother's feelings. She promised to speak with Mu Wanqing's mother later.
Their conversation was interrupted by a noise from upstairs, explicitly from Fu Jundie's room. Though Fu Jundie quickly dismissed it as an object falling due to her uncleaned room, Mu Wanqing, sensing a hidden presence, made an excuse about "someone being impatient" and left. After Mu Wanqing departed, Fu Jundie confronted Lei Shuo, who had been hiding in her room, for his carelessness.
Lei Shuo, unapologetic and lamenting Fu Jundie's refusal to stay at his place, questioned why their relationship needed to be kept secret from Mu Wanqing, of all people. Fu Jundie admitted feeling guilty that her accidental mention of the charity school to Mu Wanqing's mother had complicated Mu Wanqing's situation. Lei Shuo advised her to let Liu Qing and Mu Wanqing resolve their own issues.
Driven by a persistent suspicion that Li Mo might still be alive, Liu Qing visited Li Yuting. He subtly inquired if she had received any strange calls or messages. Li Yuting confirmed she hadn't, then light-heartedly asked Liu Qing if he would take her on a trip to Bazhen. Liu Qing then posed a hypothetical question: "If your brother was still alive, where do you think he would be right now?"
Li Yuting, clearly irked by the thought, declared that if Li Mo were indeed alive but hadn't contacted her, she would "kick his ass" when they next met. Their conversation, however, was secretly observed and photographed by an unknown person. Later, determined to make Liu Qing happy, Mu Wanqing sought assistance from Xiao Gua to learn how to cook, specifically preparing a pot of chicken soup.
Over the phone, Fu Jundie jokingly encouraged her, advising that "the worse you cook it, the more he can eat it," implying it would be a testament to his love. When Liu Qing returned home, he was genuinely touched by Mu Wanqing's effort. After tasting a spoonful, he declared it "good" and then, with a mischievous grin, asked if she had made it just for him.
When she affirmed, he playfully insisted on consuming the entire pot himself, leaving Mu Wanqing convinced of her newfound culinary talent. That evening, while they watched a movie, Liu Qing’s discomfort became apparent. He excused himself to the bathroom, where he painfully vomited the incredibly salty chicken soup, attempting to conceal his distress from Mu Wanqing. Despite his pale appearance, he downplayed her concerns, blaming it on being "unacclimatized."
Mu Wanqing, however, later tasted the remaining soup in the kitchen, realizing it was unpalatably salty, and felt a pang of sympathy for Liu Qing's stoic endurance. She called Fu Jundie, lamenting that Liu Qing had, indeed, drunk the entire, awful pot, confirming Fu Jundie's cynical prediction. The following day, Liu Qing consulted Lei Shuo about Mu Wanqing’s recent, enthusiastic displays of affection since their return from Bazhen.
While pleased, Liu Qing admitted to deep worries that the unresolved conflicts from Bazhen and his persistent suspicion of Li Mo's survival could still pose a threat to Mu Wanqing. Lei Shuo inquired if Mu Wanqing was aware of his concerns. Later, in an attempt to provoke Liu Qing, Mu Wanqing dressed elaborately and announced she was going out with Feng Cong for dinner.
Liu Qing initially maintained a facade of calmness, but after she left, he rushed to the martial arts club, bursting into Fu Jundie's room where Lei Shuo was training. Lei Shuo, amused by Liu Qing's obvious distress, taunted him about his "hypocritical" behavior of ignoring Mu Wanqing's affections while also preventing others from approaching her. He then proposed a bold plan.
Despite Liu Qing's hesitation, Fu Jundie interjected, sending him Mu Wanqing's current location and urging him to act decisively, threatening to make him "suffer" if he didn't treat Mu Wanqing well after making his decision. Lei Shuo also encouraged Liu Qing to go after her. Mu Wanqing waited anxiously on the rooftop, hoping Liu Qing would join her. However, Liu Qing remained downstairs, consumed by fears that his past would continue to endanger her.
After a prolonged internal conflict, he ultimately chose not to go up, and Mu Wanqing watched his retreating figure, deeply disappointed. Back home later, she confronted him, asking if he had gone out. Liu Qing lied, claiming he had been playing games all afternoon without moving from his spot. Distraught by his continued emotional distance, Mu Wanqing sought solace and advice from Fu Jundie. Fu Jundie, sensing Mu Wanqing needed a more direct approach, encouraged her to be more assertive.
Determined to help her friend, Fu Jundie then enlisted Lei Shuo's assistance to orchestrate a dramatic plan. That evening, Liu Qing returned home to a dark house, where a masked figure was sitting on the stairs. The figure then activated the television, displaying a live video of Mu Wanqing, tied up and helpless, with another masked individual standing over her. Overcome with dread for Mu Wanqing, Liu Qing accepted a hood offered by the masked figure and was led away.
When the hood was removed, he found himself facing Mu Wanqing, still bound, as a masked assailant aimed a gun at her. In a desperate plea, Liu Qing struggled fiercely, offering his own life in exchange for Mu Wanqing's safety, vehemently declaring that she was innocent. Just as he believed the worst was about to happen, the room was suddenly flooded with light, revealing Lei Shuo, Fu Jundie, and other friends, who burst into a chorus of "Happy Birthday."
Lei Shuo, grinning, explained that the elaborate "kidnapping" was a ruse, designed to force Liu Qing to openly express his hidden feelings for Mu Wanqing, as he believed only such a shock could break through Liu Qing's emotional barriers. He also revealed that Mu Wanqing initially resisted the extreme plan but agreed, understanding its potential to foster honesty in their relationship. The event was also a surprise birthday celebration for Liu Qing.
Though initially angry at the deception, Liu Qing soon understood the underlying intent. The group then tactfully withdrew, leaving Liu Qing and Mu Wanqing alone. Alone with Liu Qing, Mu Wanqing, despite his solemn expression, bravely confessed her feelings. She admitted her flaws – her lack of cooking skills, her inability to do housework or care for others, and her notoriously bad temper – yet she yearned for an honest and beautiful marriage, just like any other woman.
She expressed deep regret for not cherishing their early days together but was immensely grateful that Liu Qing "never gave up on me, not once," especially after they had faced life-and-death situations and shared numerous happy moments. With unwavering conviction, she proposed that this very day mark a new beginning for their marriage. Overwhelmed by her heartfelt declaration, Liu Qing could no longer suppress his emotions. He simply responded, "Yes," and embraced her tightly, finally reciprocating her affections and transforming their relationship into a genuine, loving partnership.
Episode 27 Recap
Mu Wanqing arranged a vacation for two couples, herself and Liu Qing, and Fu Jundie and Lei Shuo. She intentionally booked a single room for Fu Jundie and Lei Shuo, signaling her awareness of their romantic relationship. Fu Jundie, uncomfortable with the implied acknowledgment, insisted that Lei Shuo book a separate room, to which he reluctantly agreed. Liu Qing, concerned about the company's busy schedule, questioned the necessity of Mu Wanqing bringing a large group of people on vacation.
Mu Wanqing clarified that the trip was primarily for him, asking if he would have come otherwise. She then addressed his assumption that she might be shifting her focus to family life, emphasizing her belief in pursuing one's strengths and assuring him of her full support, regardless of his chosen path. She then unveiled a surprise: a visit to an ice skating rink. Liu Qing, suffering from PTSD, was visibly distressed by the cold environment, feeling inadequate.
Mu Wanqing reassured him, explaining that overcoming trauma required familial support and encouragement. Inspired, Liu Qing promised to try, asking her to stay by his side, which she did. Later, when Mu Wanqing accidentally fell and narrowly avoided being cut by another skater's blade, Liu Qing, overcoming his deep-seated fear, bravely rushed to her rescue. The shock, however, caused him to collapse. Wu Fengyu quickly carried Liu Qing to a warmer area.
Upon regaining consciousness, Liu Qing immediately asked for Mu Wanqing. Lei Shuo, along with Wu Fengyu, indicated that she was in the adjacent room with Fu Jundie. The men quietly listened as Fu Jundie recounted the ice rink incident, highlighting the danger and praising Liu Qing's bravery. Mu Wanqing, touched by Liu Qing's selflessness, expressed how courageous he was to defy his fears for her, emphasizing her significance to him. She affectionately described him as looking exceptionally handsome.
The conversation then shifted to Liu Qing's PTSD. Mu Wanqing explained its severity and the difficulty of treatment, particularly given Liu Qing's past reluctance to acknowledge and seek help for his condition. She reiterated the importance of continuous encouragement and support. Fu Jundie expressed concern about potential failures, but Mu Wanqing confidently declared her ability to help him recover and vowed to keep him warm and safe, regardless of the outcome.
Fu Jundie, finding her declaration overly sentimental, then playfully pried into the details of Mu Wanqing and Liu Qing's private night. Before Mu Wanqing could fully answer, Liu Qing inadvertently made a noise, abruptly ending their conversation. As part of Mu Wanqing’s plan to surprise Liu Qing, Li Yuting also arrived at the hotel. Liu Qing, anticipating potential issues, privately warned Li Yuting to be on her best behavior, given Mu Wanqing’s kindness.
Unbeknownst to anyone, a mysterious person had planted a tracking device in Li Yuting’s bag. During their vacation, Li Yuting deliberately targeted Mu Wanqing. In one incident, she ordered extra spicy hotpot base and poured it into the non-spicy section where Liu Qing was eating, then urged him to try it. Liu Qing, who was sensitive to spicy food, began to sweat profusely and his mouth went numb.
Li Yuting then mocked him, suggesting he was "allergic to her" rather than chili. Witnessing the affectionate interactions between Liu Qing and Mu Wanqing, Li Yuting grew jealous, believing Mu Wanqing was deliberately flaunting their happiness. She expressed a desire to leave prematurely, but Mu Wanqing reassured her, stating her genuine intent to help. Li Yuting then provocatively challenged Mu Wanqing to let her move into their home to "see for herself," a challenge Mu Wanqing readily accepted.
Mu Wanqing then discussed this decision with Liu Qing, explaining that after learning about his past with Li Mo, she understood his sense of obligation to Li Yuting. As his wife, Mu Wanqing felt it was her responsibility to accept Li Yuting and vowed to treat her well, regardless of whether Li Yuting reciprocated. Liu Qing, concerned that Mu Wanqing would be made uncomfortable, initially hesitated, but Mu Wanqing dismissed his worries.
During the vacation, Lei Shuo surprised Fu Jundie by taking her to an art studio to present her with a painting he had commissioned. Fu Jundie was pleased by the thoughtful gesture. After the vacation concluded, Lei Shuo invited Fu Jundie to stay at his wine cellar, having instructed Sun Yu to prepare all her personal necessities, including her preferred moisturizing products. However, Fu Jundie felt that Lei Shuo had been secretly "investigating" her since their return from Bazhen.
A few days later, Fu Jundie announced her return to her martial arts club, citing the new gym nearby that was siphoning off her customers and the need to oversee her employees. She explicitly forbade Lei Shuo from interfering in her business. At the club, Fu Jundie was initially pleased by a sudden influx of new enrollments, believing her "hunger marketing" strategy was highly successful.
Her joy turned to anger when she discovered that a significant number of the new recruits were employees from Lei Shuo's company. She confronted Lei Shuo, accusing him of undermining her autonomy and success. Lei Shuo denied direct interference, suggesting his employees might genuinely want to exercise and that they shouldn't be so rigid about boundaries between them.
Fu Jundie, however, interpreted his actions as a lack of faith in her capabilities, making her feel he saw her as destined for failure. Feeling disrespected and distrusted, she declared that they needed to maintain clear boundaries in the future and packed her belongings to return to the martial arts club. Lei Shuo's attempts to calm her, by calling her "childish" and "immature," only further inflamed Fu Jundie.
She retorted that his perception of her as naive highlighted their fundamental differences in life and values, concluding that they were incompatible and initiating a breakup. Li Yuting’s relocation to Liu Qing and Mu Wanqing's home created an awkward living situation. Mu Wanqing initially planned to dine out but Li Yuting insisted on a home-cooked meal. With their house staff, Mi and Gua, on holiday, Mu Wanqing decided to cook, with Liu Qing assisting her in the kitchen.
Despite Liu Qing's encouraging remarks and efforts to eat the food, Mu Wanqing’s cooking proved to be exceptionally bad, particularly salty. Li Yuting openly expressed her distaste for the food, complaining about the time spent for such a poor outcome, and ordered takeout for herself. Mu Wanqing, tasting the food and realizing its quality, stopped Liu Qing from eating more, and they, too, ordered takeout.
Later that evening, Li Yuting played video games loudly, disturbing Liu Qing and Mu Wanqing upstairs. Liu Qing went down to ask her to lower the volume, which angered Li Yuting, who accused him of yelling. Mu Wanqing intervened, suggesting Liu Qing join Li Yuting in playing, but he declined, citing exhaustion. Mu Wanqing then simply advised Li Yuting not to play too late.
Later, Liu Qing confided in Mu Wanqing, asking if he had been as difficult as Li Yuting when he first moved in. Mu Wanqing conceded he was "almost" but quickly added that he was more polite. She assured him she understood Li Yuting’s emotional state and had a plan to manage the situation. The next morning, a bouquet of white roses arrived at their home.
Li Yuting received them and, upon seeing Feng Cong’s card, attempted to conceal it and claim they were from a secret admirer to avoid an awkward situation for Liu Qing and Mu Wanqing. However, Mu Wanqing immediately recognized the sender. Li Yuting eventually revealed the card to Liu Qing, confirming the flowers were from Feng Cong, and then claimed credit for "saving them from embarrassment." Liu Qing, though visibly jealous, did not dwell on the matter.
Soon after, Yu Lu arrived, seeking to discuss her company's, Zhentian, involvement in the partnership between Maoyuan and Weikai Group. Liu Qing explained Mu Wanqing’s absence and offered to relay her message, accepting the relevant documents. He then called Lei Shuo, who, upon hearing of Li Yuting's presence, jokingly wished him good luck. When Mu Wanqing returned, Liu Qing informed her about Yu Lu's visit and placed the cooperation agreement in her room.
Mu Wanqing was surprised that Liu Qing hadn't opposed Zhentian's inclusion. Liu Qing responded that he trusted her judgment. Mu Wanqing, having reviewed the proposal, agreed that a tripartite partnership with Zhentian would create a healthy system of checks and balances, ultimately benefiting Maoyuan. Liu Qing then inquired about her meeting with Feng Cong. Mu Wanqing reported a pleasant and productive discussion.
Despite his underlying jealousy, Liu Qing praised her increasing maturity and strategic business acumen, which Mu Wanqing acknowledged with a kiss. Later, in a meeting with Feng Cong and Yu Lu, Mu Wanqing reaffirmed her decision to include Zhentian, noting Feng Cong’s impression of her growing confidence and vitality, which she attributed to being in a good relationship. As the collaboration between Maoyuan, Weikai Group, and Zhentian moved forward, rumors began to circulate within Maoyuan.
Employees speculated that the successful partnership was not due to merit but rather Mu Wanqing’s past relationship with Feng Cong, even implying that she used personal connections to secure the deal. During a corporate meeting, a manager questioned the unproven market viability of Maoyuan's new technology. Mu Wanqing confidently detailed her R&D team’s continuous testing since the start of the Weikai Group partnership and extended an invitation for the manager and Feng Cong to visit the lab for reassurance.
Yu Manshan, concerned by the persistent gossip and its potential impact, approached Mu Wanqing to warn her. Mu Wanqing dismissed the rumors with a laugh, stating that they both overestimated her capabilities and underestimated Feng Cong’s professional integrity. She firmly believed in the principle that "a clean hand needs no washing" and that any attempt to explain would only worsen the situation.
She then received a call from the board of directors, who were aware of the rumors and expressed concerns about the company's image, promising to monitor the situation. Despite Yu Manshan’s offer to uncover the source of the rumors, Mu Wanqing insisted it was unnecessary to be distracted by such trivial matters.
Episode 28 Recap
Lei Shuo and Fu Jundie were in a cold war after Fu Jundie moved out, feeling that Lei Shuo interfered in her affairs. Lei Shuo, on the other hand, was unhappy that Fu Jundie kept their relationship so clearly separated and felt he had nothing to explain. Sun Yu confessed to Lei Shuo that it was his fault, having secretly signed company staff up for Fu Jundie's martial arts classes, which Fu Jundie must have misunderstood.
Lei Shuo, aware of the situation, indicated he had no interest in explaining if Fu Jundie insisted on drawing such clear lines between them. Meanwhile, Liu Qing picked Mu Wanqing up from work, expressing his frustration with Li Yuting still staying at their house. He jokingly suggested Mu Wanqing should be the "bad guy" and kick Li Yuting out, but Mu Wanqing refused, saying she wouldn't play that role.
Liu Qing worried that Mu Wanqing might eventually take out her frustrations on him. The highly anticipated contract signing meeting between Weikai Group and Maoyuan Zhentian commenced. Before the meeting, Yu Manshan confided to Mu Wanqing that the board was already aware of rumors circulating about her and Feng Cong, expressing concern about the company's image. However, Mu Wanqing dismissed the need to investigate who spread the gossip, believing that rumors would eventually dispel themselves.
At the meeting, some directors voiced their concerns about these rumors, suggesting they could affect the company. Mu Jianjun tried to reassure them, stating that such gossip was baseless and would soon fade. Just as doubts lingered, Gu Xiongchuan arrived with Liu Qing. Gu Xiongchuan, claiming to be just "dropping by," introduced Liu Qing as his young friend and, more importantly, as Mu Wanqing's husband. Mu Wanqing confirmed that Liu Qing was the man everyone had urged her to marry.
The directors, who had previously shown some disdain for Liu Qing and questioned Mu Wanqing's integrity, were visibly embarrassed upon learning his true identity and his connection to Gu Xiongchuan. One director recognized Liu Qing from his time as a parking attendant at Maoyuan, to which Liu Qing confirmed he had voluntarily worked at the grassroots level for experience, even opening doors for the director. Liu Qing then requested to chair the meeting.
He delivered a confident presentation, highlighting Weikai Group International Limited as a leading aviation integrator and operator, and Maoyuan as the top supplier for independently developed turbine engines. He emphasized that the collaboration of the three companies represented the strongest alliance in history, ultimately leading to a successful signing. The directors praised Liu Qing's capabilities and expressed optimism for Maoyuan Group's future. After the meeting, Mu Wanqing brought Liu Qing to her office.
She expressed her appreciation, noting his usual aversion to business negotiations and how touched she was that he made such an effort for her. Liu Qing playfully responded that he was merely seizing an opportunity to establish himself on the board and "seek a chance to take over Maoyuan." He also commented on how he had noticed her looking out the window, a sign of her being bothered by the rumors.
He then tried out her office chair, concluding that "the driver's seat suits me better." Despite her serious demeanor in public, Mu Wanqing became more affectionate and impulsive in private, surprising Liu Qing by kissing him in the office, then suggesting he go home first as she still had work to finish, but to be available if she called.
Later that night, at home, Mu Wanqing playfully questioned Liu Qing about how he knew to come to the meeting so perfectly. Liu Qing explained that Yu Manshan had called him, sensing the directors' aggressive intentions, and quickly reassured Mu Wanqing that there was nothing romantic between him and Yu Manshan. Mu Wanqing admitted that despite their complicated past, she still respected Yu Manshan's talent.
Liu Qing then clarified that he and Lei Shuo had secretly protected Yu Manshan after discovering she was blackmailed by Yang Zhentian, and he hadn't seen her since he and Mu Wanqing went to Bazhen. Mu Wanqing then gave Liu Qing permission to leave when Lei Shuo messaged him about a relationship problem. Liu Qing met Lei Shuo, who spent the evening complaining about his relationship troubles with Fu Jundie.
Lei Shuo recounted how he always meticulously planned and cared for others, yet Fu Jundie misunderstood him, claiming they were from "two different worlds." Liu Qing, growing tired of the rambling, eventually warned Lei Shuo that if he left his relationship to "dry" for too long, it would surely end. This advice struck a chord with Lei Shuo. Meanwhile, at her martial arts club, Fu Jundie furiously punched a sandbag, consumed by anger.
The staff, trying to clear up the misunderstanding, explained that Sun Yu, not Lei Shuo, had enrolled company colleagues in her classes and had cancelled them when she seemed displeased. Despite this, Fu Jundie remained upset. Mu Wanqing visited her, trying to cheer her up and teasing her about being "down" because of relationship issues. Fu Jundie denied it and left, claiming she needed to "think it over." Mu Wanqing accompanied her.
Fu Jundie then went to Lei Shuo's wine cellar, only to be told by Sun Yu that Lei Shuo had gone to find her. Returning to the martial arts club, she found Lei Shuo waiting for her. Lei Shuo expressed his sadness at being misunderstood and his unwillingness to end their relationship so easily. When he prepared to leave, assuming her silence meant she didn't want to talk, Fu Jundie stopped him.
She tearfully revealed her deep-seated fear of being a burden, having felt like a drag on others since childhood. Lei Shuo, finally understanding her true struggle, embraced her tightly, reassuring his "silly" Fu Jundie that she would never be a burden to him, and that true partners support each other. He told her to trust him, and they reconciled.
Later, Lei Shuo gently advised Fu Jundie to stop using her anger as a defense mechanism, acknowledging that he understood her past struggles. He promised to always be there for her. He then playfully refused to leave the martial arts club, saying that if her temper flared again, at least she couldn't run away from there. Upon learning about Li Yuting's stay at Mu Wanqing's house, Fu Jundie, incensed on her friend's behalf, immediately drove there.
Xiaomei, Mu Wanqing's assistant, had already expressed frustration about Li Yuting's disrespectful behavior, such as using Mu Wanqing's skincare products and even cutting up ostrich feathers to make a shuttlecock. When Fu Jundie arrived, she confronted Li Yuting directly. She revealed she had seen Li Yuting at a past auction during an embarrassing moment for Li Yuting, but now she had no patience for her.
Fu Jundie accused Li Yuting of deliberately playing the victim to gain sympathy and attention, calling such behavior "dumb," especially considering Mu Wanqing's tolerance was out of respect for Liu Qing. Just as Fu Jundie finished her stern lecture, Liu Qing and Mu Wanqing returned home. Fu Jundie simply stated she had said what she needed to and left the rest to them. That evening, a visibly changed Li Yuting announced her decision to leave the next morning.
She explained that Fu Jundie's words had made her realize she needed to stop running away and face life independently, having already started sending out résumés for internships. Liu Qing and Mu Wanqing were pleased by her newfound resolve. Li Yuting expressed her gratitude to Mu Wanqing for her hospitality and apologized for causing trouble, even giving small gifts to Xiaomei and the chef before her departure.
Wu Fengyu and his wife took their daughter Youyou and her doll, Lala, shopping at a mall. While Youyou's mother was paying for toys, Youyou was lured away by a person in black. The parents frantically searched for her, calling out her name in despair. Their panic subsided only when an announcement from the service desk alerted them that a lost child had been found. Rushing to the service desk, they were relieved to reunite with Youyou, who appeared unharmed.
A staff member informed them that a large bag of belongings was found with Youyou. When asked, Youyou said a "sir in black clothes" had given them to her. Upon inspecting the bag, Wu Fengyu discovered items belonging to Li Mo, instantly suspecting Li Mo's reappearance. In a fit of agitated anger, he tried to throw the bag away, scaring Youyou. His wife quickly intervened, reminding him that he was frightening their daughter.
Wu Fengyu apologized for his overreaction, assuring Youyou he would buy her new things, but his wife remained concerned, asking if this was related to past unresolved issues. Meanwhile, a mysterious person called Feng Cong, instructing him on his next move. Feng Cong, annoyed at being dictated, retorted that he would decide what to do. The mysterious person, however, asserted that Feng Cong could only win back Mu Wanqing by following their orders.
Shortly after, Yu Manshan, who was also in Feng Cong's room, presented him with a drafted contract and the laboratory itinerary for Maoyuan, confirming she was still working closely with him, despite previously warning Mu Wanqing about the rumors. The next day, Li Yuting went for a job interview and was surprised to find Feng Cong as her interviewer at a restaurant, rather than a corporate office.
He explained that their domestic subsidiary was still in preparation, and he was screening candidates. Feng Cong offered her an exceptionally generous package, including a fully-funded internship with training in Europe. Suspicious of such a good offer, Li Yuting directly asked if he was trying to impress Mu Wanqing. Feng Cong brushed it off as a coincidence, attributing his recognition of her to Mu Wanqing's assistant, Xiaomei, who often talked about him, and to photos he found online.
He urged Li Yuting to consider the offer quickly. As Li Yuting left the interview, she was almost knocked down but was caught by a black-clothed man. After thanking him, she had an unsettling feeling and found his retreating figure eerily familiar.
Episode 29 Recap
Wu Fengyu, still shaken by Youyou's recent abduction, went to the martial arts gym to train with Lei Shuo. Lei Shuo, observing Wu Fengyu's stiff movements and distracted state, suspected something was amiss, but Wu Fengyu only vaguely mentioned needing to be prepared for future incidents. While they were training, Li Yuting arrived, looking for Lei Shuo. She confided that she had been feeling uneasy and wanted to confirm if they had seen her brother Li Mo's body or ashes.
Lei Shuo and Wu Fengyu grew tense, but Lei Shuo explained that Li Mo had sustained fatal injuries to his neck and head during a mission, and the scene was so heavily damaged that they had been forced to evacuate, unable to retrieve his body. Li Yuting was visibly shaken by the details of her brother's death, which she was hearing for the first time, yet she couldn't shake the feeling that he was still alive and around her.
She later reiterated these suspicions to Wu Fengyu, who, despite his own doubts, tried to reassure her, suggesting that her feelings stemmed from missing Li Mo and that it was unlikely Li Mo had survived such circumstances. Unbeknownst to them, Li Mo had indeed survived his injuries. In a flashback, after he was gravely wounded and left behind, Yan Jing found him.
Yan Jing, instead of killing Li Mo, questioned why he was still alive, attributing it to fate, and subtly began to manipulate Li Mo. He taunted Li Mo about being an "abandoned orphan" and suggested that his own comrades had been responsible for his plight, asking if he hated them. Li Mo was later heard discussing plans to compensate "Drago" for lost goods and stating that Feng Cong would convey his message to "Lion."
Li Mo believed that once Li Yuting arrived at Drago, "Lion" would seek him out, deeming "Lion" the most suitable person to solve their problems, though he admitted nothing was certain. Li Yuting called Feng Cong to decline his internship offer, citing family issues and her preference to gain experience domestically for the next two years. Feng Cong, who had been instructed by Li Mo to ensure her recruitment to Drago, reported her refusal to Li Mo.
Li Mo abruptly ended their call, texting Feng Cong to leave Li Yuting's matter to him and to instead focus on winning back Mu Wanqing. Feng Cong then visited Mu Wanqing, mentioning her father, Mr. Yu, was hospitalized due to heart problems, causing internal conflict within the Zhentian Group and prompting shareholders to oppose Yu Lu. Feng Cong suggested this presented an opportunity to remove Zhentian from their upcoming collaboration.
However, Mu Wanqing surprised him by insisting Zhentian remain part of the project. She explained that, professionally, Zhentian's plan was beneficial, and personally, she sympathized with Yu Lu's difficult position, recalling her own struggles when she first took over Maoyuan. She emphasized the importance of setting aside past rivalries to cooperate and grow stronger, rather than capitalizing on Zhentian's misfortune. Feng Cong was taken aback by her perspective, agreeing with her words.
Later, Feng Cong was found drinking on a rooftop by Shen Ye, his assistant. Shen Ye, having seen the contract on Feng Cong's computer, questioned why he was now planning to sabotage Mu Wanqing with "sophisticated commercial traps," especially since he had initially intended to help her. Shen Ye warned that such actions would only drive Mu Wanqing further away.
Feng Cong revealed he had changed his mind and "pulled back from the brink," showing Shen Ye the new, fair contract. He confessed that his interactions with Mu Wanqing made him realize she had matured significantly, becoming a better version of herself, while he remained "stuck in the past." He concluded that he no longer deserved her and chose to give up.
Symbolically, he then shared a bottle of wine with Shen Ye—a replica of one he had given Mu Wanqing for her birthday, which she had intended to save for their wedding, but whose original contents had been spoiled. This act signified his final acceptance and letting go of his past with Mu Wanqing. The next day, the contract signing proceeded smoothly, with Yu Lu's lawyer representing the Zhentian Group.
After the ceremony, Mu Wanqing offered Feng Cong some snacks, a gesture he acknowledged with gratitude, noting their consistent quality, seemingly marking a peaceful end to their business dealings. Feng Cong then prepared to return to the head office, informing Mu Wanqing that new personnel, including Shen Ye, would take over his responsibilities. He shared a farewell hug with Mu Wanqing, which Liu Qing observed with a touch of jealousy.
When Mu Wanqing questioned his departure, Feng Cong candidly admitted it was because he couldn't bear to watch her and Liu Qing's growing affection. He declined a farewell dinner, humorously suggesting that his presence might lead him to "flatter himself" and run off with Mu Wanqing, upsetting Liu Qing. Before leaving, Feng Cong requested a private conversation with Liu Qing, explaining that he wanted a "farewell just between men."
He then revealed that on the day Yan Jing was shot, he received a mysterious phone call proposing a plan: if he tampered with the contract, he could win Mu Wanqing back. Although he initially considered it, he ultimately chose not to proceed. Feng Cong also shared a puzzling detail: the caller had instructed him to use a fake job offer to send Li Yuting to Drago, but Li Yuting had refused, greatly angering the caller.
Liu Qing thanked him, assuring him he would handle the rest. Feng Cong, before departing, made Liu Qing promise to protect Mu Wanqing from any harm, at any time or place, calling him a "lucky guy." Liu Qing relayed Feng Cong's revelations to Lei Shuo, confirming Li Yuting's persistent questions about Li Mo's fate.
Lei Shuo affirmed that Li Mo's survival made "everything make sense," as they had suspected "someone who knew them well" was manipulating events, which also explained the familiar shot that had killed Maluku and Bangbang. Recognizing the grave danger of Li Mo operating from the shadows without a clear motive, Lei Shuo cautioned Liu Qing to be "extra careful." That evening, Liu Qing was lost in thought, looking at a childhood photo of Mu Wanqing he kept in his wallet.
He reflected on how "this girl" had been his strength, enabling him to persevere until today. Mu Wanqing awoke and noticed him quickly hiding the photo. Recalling his past secretive behavior regarding the picture, she grew curious about the girl's identity and her significance to him. The next morning, as Liu Qing drove her to work, Mu Wanqing directly confronted him, playfully asking about the photo and whether, as a couple, they shouldn't be honest with each other.
Liu Qing admitted he had been looking at the photo and that he had loved the girl in it. Mu Wanqing pressed further, asking if he still couldn't forget her, or if there was a special reason they hadn't been together. Liu Qing clarified that he was merely "worried about her."
He then playfully teased Mu Wanqing, saying the girl in the photo had found true love, and when people do, "their IQ will drop and they'll be dumb, just like you." Mu Wanqing then posed a more serious question: if that girl were to reappear, would he leave her for her? Liu Qing turned to her, emphatically stating, "How could I?" This reassurance touched Mu Wanqing, who subsequently decided to plan another wedding to publicly affirm their relationship.
Fu Jundie, still feeling vulnerable about becoming a burden, discussed her fears with Lei Shuo. He reassured her, dismissing her concerns and affirming his commitment, even jokingly stating that if she were to fall for someone else, he would fight to win her back, but the reverse was an impossibility. Lei Shuo then pressed her for his 200-day anniversary gift, having noticed her secretive behavior.
Fu Jundie initially tried to pass off plans for renovating their room as his gift, but inadvertently revealed she had bought him something better. She eventually called Sun Yu, who informed Lei Shuo that Fu Jundie had acquired his treasured, discontinued bottle of wine and stored it in the cellar. Fu Jundie explained she had personally pleaded with Gu Xiongchuan for the rare vintage, detailing their relationship and promising Lei Shuo would never part with it.
She further joked that Gu Xiongchuan had requested her "most precious thing" in exchange, implying she had "lost" Lei Shuo to him, though she quickly clarified that Gu Xiongchuan was simply moved by her sincerity. Lei Shuo was deeply touched by her efforts. Meanwhile, Mu Wanqing decided to organize a second wedding, feeling their first one had been too informal, and wanting to publicly acknowledge her relationship with Liu Qing to silence rumors.
Her mother offered her own vintage wedding veil and the family album, though Mu Wanqing gently implied the veil was not to her taste. Fu Jundie teased Mu Wanqing about the extravagance of a second wedding, but Mu Wanqing admitted she genuinely desired to walk down the aisle with Liu Qing and receive everyone's blessings. Lei Shuo, learning of Mu Wanqing's plans from Fu Jundie, discreetly informed Liu Qing via phone.
While he acknowledged it was joyous news, he expressed concern about the timing, given the ongoing, unseen threats. Liu Qing later went to quietly watch Mu Wanqing trying on wedding dresses, telling her she looked "beautiful" and "stunning." In that moment, he received a shocking call from Li Yuting, who tearfully declared that she had seen her brother Li Mo, confirming he was alive, and that she was currently with him.
Episode 30 Recap
Li Yuting, in a distressed phone call to Liu Qing, informed him that she had seen her brother, Li Mo, and that he was alive and she was currently with him. Liu Qing immediately contacted Lei Shuo, who traced the call to Drago. Lei Shuo noted that the communication line was unencrypted, suggesting Li Mo intentionally wanted to be found, which made him suspicious.
Liu Qing, however, felt a deep sense of obligation to Li Mo, his long-lost brother-in-arms, and declared his intention to go to Drago, believing they owed Li Mo an explanation for the past. Lei Shuo cautioned him, pointing out that Li Mo’s actions, like the killings of Bangbang and Ma Kulu without revealing himself, indicated he might be a foe seeking revenge. Despite this, Liu Qing insisted on going alone, feeling it was his personal responsibility.
Wu Fengyu, who had been called by Lei Shuo, arrived and confirmed he also suspected Li Mo was alive after recognizing his unique shooting style. Both Lei Shuo and Wu Fengyu refused to let Liu Qing face Li Mo alone, emphasizing that they all shared a debt to him and would go with him. Meanwhile, Li Mo received a stern warning from his boss, Andrew, to retrieve the goods quickly, or he would lose his value.
Li Mo defiantly sent a message back, telling Andrew not to impede his plans. Oblivious to these unfolding dangers, Mu Wanqing was fully immersed in planning her wedding. Fu Jundie, aware of the gravity of the situation, attempted to dissuade Mu Wanqing from continuing with the preparations, suggesting the wedding be paused. However, Lei Shuo quickly intervened, fabricating an excuse about the wedding being too simple for Mu Wanqing's dedicated efforts.
Mu Wanqing, enthusiastic about her once-in-a-lifetime event, continued with her plans, even mentioning the special lily of the valley she received for her bouquet. After Mu Wanqing departed, Fu Jundie expressed her discomfort with lying, but Lei Shuo emphasized the need to protect Mu Wanqing from the perilous truth, promising to explain everything once Liu Qing returned. He acknowledged that, while difficult, keeping her safe from this dangerous situation was paramount.
Back at home, Liu Qing had sent their cat, Er Gou, away, explaining to Mu Wanqing that it was for the cat's "true freedom and happiness" as he feared he couldn't care for it properly. He then engaged in a somber conversation with Mu Wanqing, reminiscing about childhood dreams and reflecting on the inevitability of facing an ordinary life, despite youthful aspirations of being outstanding. Mu Wanqing noticed his unusual melancholy.
As she drifted to sleep, Liu Qing quietly left the house. The next morning, unaware of his departure, Mu Wanqing happily went to a bridal shop to choose a wedding suit for Liu Qing. Unable to reach him by phone to confirm his choice, she asked Xiao Gua to check on him at home. Xiao Gua discovered Liu Qing's room was empty, all his belongings were gone, and only a divorce agreement, already signed by Liu Qing, remained.
Devastated, Mu Wanqing returned home, read the agreement, and locked herself in her room, refusing to see anyone. Fu Jundie waited anxiously outside, offering silent support. After a night of solitary reflection, Mu Wanqing began to process Liu Qing's departure. She recalled seeing him look at a particular photo and then realized a picture was missing from her old album, which Liu Qing had kept hidden.
This triggered a painful realization about the "girl" Liu Qing had mentioned loving in the past. Emerging from her room with a renewed sense of composure, Mu Wanqing instructed her assistant, Mi, to cancel the wedding, return or discard all the ordered items, and donate the banquet to a charitable organization. Fu Jundie, still concerned, commented on Mu Wanqing's surprisingly calm demeanor, having expected a more furious reaction.
Despite her lingering worries, Fu Jundie remained by Mu Wanqing's side, who, however, appeared to resume her normal work routine. Yu Manshan, under the pretense of delivering a document, came to check on Mu Wanqing. Mu Wanqing straightforwardly told her that Liu Qing "cheated on me," admitting he claimed to have left for a girl he always loved.
Yu Manshan expressed disbelief, convinced that Liu Qing would never do such a thing, but Mu Wanqing sadly concluded that they "were all fooled by him," acknowledging their limited understanding of his true self. She asserted that the matter was closed and she intended to move forward. Before their perilous journey, both Wu Fengyu and Lei Shuo made their farewells.
Wu Fengyu took Youyou's mother on an uncharacteristically romantic date, showering her with flowers and a custom-made gift – a replica of the dress she wore when they first met. He recounted his initial attraction to her and his anxiety during Youyou's birth, expressing a desire to make up for all the romance he owed her. Youyou's mother was deeply moved by his heartfelt gestures and words.
Meanwhile, Lei Shuo said goodbye to a distraught Fu Jundie, who was acutely aware of the danger he faced. He reassured her, promising to return safely for her. He then revealed his dream of retiring to a house he bought in Provence to live a simple life with his beloved. To seal his commitment, Lei Shuo presented her with a custom-made diamond ring, engraved with their names, and proposed marriage. Fu Jundie tearfully accepted, and he confessed his love.
Upon arriving in Drago, Liu Qing quickly realized he was being followed. He effortlessly evaded his pursuers, a fact that Li Mo, his estranged brother, learned with an unconcerned attitude, confident that Liu Qing would eventually find him. Li Yuting, however, was deeply troubled by Li Mo's manipulative methods of summoning Liu Qing, questioning why he wouldn't simply ask for help directly and expressing anxiety for Liu Qing's safety in this unfamiliar land.
She sensed Li Mo was concealing something, but he deflected her concerns. Li Mo's associate explained that the indirect approach was to ensure Liu Qing's presence, as he was needed, and to test Liu Qing's feelings for Li Yuting, which were clearly evident. Liu Qing, after shaking off his tail, proceeded to a bar named Victoria, where he sought out a contact named Victor. He bought information about Li Mo, providing Li Mo's serial number.
Victor confirmed he had Li Mo's expensive information, which Liu Qing readily paid for. Equipped with this intelligence, Liu Qing made his way directly to Li Mo's location. He confronted Li Mo, demanding to know if he orchestrated his previous kidnapping. When Li Mo tried to deflect, Liu Qing attempted to leave, stating he's glad everyone is safe.
Li Mo, however, stopped him, explaining he went to great lengths to bring Liu Qing there because they faced a critical problem that, if left unsolved, would cost Li Mo his life. Li Yuting observed a significant change in her brother.
Episode 31 Recap
After observing Li Mo's villa, Liu Qing left. Later, one of Li Mo's subordinates informed him that Liu Qing, identified as "Lion" via phone tracking, had visited Victor's pub, confirming Li Mo's suspicion that Liu Qing was investigating him. The subordinate then added that Liu Qing was now at their main entrance.
Meanwhile, inside Li Mo's villa, Li Yuting attempted to leave but was prevented by Li Mo's men, who stated they were acting on Li Mo's orders for her safety, claiming it was dangerous outside. Li Yuting, however, found herself unable to even leave her room. She noticed a scar on one of the subordinates, which was identical to a scar on one of her kidnappers in Ocarwen.
This sparked her suspicion, and when Li Mo returned, she confronted him, asking why he was confining her and if he had orchestrated her previous kidnapping. Li Mo remained silent, but a subordinate quickly intervened, explaining that the scar was a local gang mark and that Andrew had initially hired these men to target Li Mo, but Li Mo had won them over. The subordinate claimed Andrew's influence reached Ocarwen, which was why Li Yuting was kidnapped.
He emphasized that Li Mo had risked everything to reunite with her. Li Yuting then questioned why they returned to the dangerous Drago, and the subordinate explained they could not be truly safe until Andrew was eliminated. She realized they had lured Liu Qing there and expressed guilt, worrying about Mu Wanqing, but the subordinate brushed off her concerns. Liu Qing and Li Mo finally met. Liu Qing demanded to know why Li Mo hadn't contacted them despite being alive.
Li Mo explained that after their past incident, he had been under constant surveillance, making it impossible to reach out without endangering them further. Liu Qing's primary concern was Li Yuting's safety, and Li Mo assured him she was secure. Satisfied, Liu Qing prepared to leave, but Li Mo quickly stopped him, admitting he faced a grave problem that would cost him his life if unsolved.
He emotionally pleaded with Liu Qing not to abandon him again, to which Liu Qing reluctantly agreed. Li Mo then introduced Liu Qing to his partners, Parenka and Simon. They had lost a large shipment of goods intended for Andrew, a ruthless figure who would kill them if the goods weren't replaced. The only supplier in Drago with sufficient inventory was Septis, but they had a long-standing feud with him.
Li Mo proposed Liu Qing, as an unfamiliar face, approach Septis pretending to be a buyer. He handed Liu Qing $500,000 as a deposit for negotiation. Liu Qing expressed skepticism, wondering why Septis would easily deal with an Asian stranger, especially given their cautious nature. However, Simon mentioned that Septis was desperate to sell a large quantity of goods, and his usual clients lacked the funds.
Liu Qing, though finding the situation absurd, agreed to go along, warning Li Mo that success was not guaranteed. Liu Qing proceeded to meet Septis. Septis, after greeting Liu Qing, dismissed the $500,000 as insufficient, mockingly offering only a single gun for the sum. Liu Qing retorted that they might as well just rob him. Septis, amused, agreed to a game to decide their dealings. They played cards, a single game for the win.
Despite having a strong hand, Liu Qing conceded the game, leaving the money behind. Simon was furious at the loss. However, shortly after, Jerry, one of Septis's men, called Liu Qing, informing him that Septis was impressed by his courage and would arrange the deal. Later, Liu Qing met Jerry alone. Jerry delivered only half of the goods, demanding the remaining payment before handing over the rest. Liu Qing called Li Mo for instructions.
Li Mo, without consulting Liu Qing, declared that half the goods were sufficient and ordered Liu Qing to handle the men in front while he took care of those behind. Confused and alarmed, Liu Qing tried to intervene, but it was too late. Li Mo's men ambushed Septis's crew, seizing the goods and leaving Jerry as the sole survivor. Liu Qing confronted Jerry, demanding to know his true identity.
Jerry, seeing Liu Qing's seriousness, and fearing Li Mo's reputation for torture, confessed he was an undercover agent for a special task unit. He revealed their objective was to dismantle Drago's entire criminal network, not just Septis. Liu Qing, recognizing the name "Tom," offered his assistance. Liu Qing then angrily confronted Li Mo for ambushing Septis's men without informing him.
Li Mo explained that he feared Liu Qing's softheartedness, recalling an incident in Bazhen where Liu Qing's compassion had led to Li Mo being left behind and other comrades like Otter and Leopard losing their lives. Liu Qing then directly accused Li Mo of killing Yan Jing. Li Mo admitted it, saying he acted out of loneliness and wanted Liu Qing and their other friends to be with him and help him.
He added ominously that "this is just a beginning." Li Mo wanted to eliminate Jerry, but Liu Qing revealed Jerry's true identity as Tom's undercover agent, convincing Li Mo that keeping him alive would be strategically beneficial. Li Mo then allowed Liu Qing to visit Li Yuting. Liu Qing went to see Li Yuting. She tearfully asked if he was angry and if he noticed Li Mo's drastic changes.
Liu Qing acknowledged the changes people undergo for survival, especially after such experiences, but affirmed his belief that "deep down inside, he's still the Li Mo we knew before."
Aware that Li Mo was likely monitoring their conversation, Liu Qing subtly conveyed a message to him, saying that with his and Li Mo's combined efforts, they could overcome any danger, but he also mused that some people, like him and Li Mo, are destined for an unsafe life, hinting at Li Mo's dangerous path. Li Mo, listening in, understood Liu Qing's words were meant as a lecture and an acknowledgment of his sincerity to help.
Liu Qing then met with Jerry. Jerry initially doubted the Special Unit's willingness to collaborate with criminals. Liu Qing emphasized that without his cooperation, Jerry had no value. Liu Qing explained he was merely a man trying to take his friends home, not a killer, distinguishing himself from Drago's criminals. He pressed Jerry for his superiors' true objective.
Jerry admitted their ultimate target was Andrew, but his entrenched power and government connections made a direct assault difficult, necessitating a gradual approach. Liu Qing countered that taking down minor figures like Septis was futile. He proposed a three-way alliance—Li Mo's group, Septis, and the Special Unit—to eliminate Andrew, arguing it was the only way to dismantle Drago's entire criminal network. Jerry was swayed, agreeing to use his undercover status to help negotiate with Septis.
Liu Qing then presented his comprehensive plan to Li Mo. He outlined how Jerry's discovery as an undercover agent could be leveraged as a trump card to force Septis into an alliance against Andrew. By provoking a conflict between Andrew and Septis, they could create an opportunity for Tom's Special Unit to intervene and "clear the field," significantly weakening Andrew.
Recognizing the deep animosity between Li Mo's group and Septis, Liu Qing volunteered to negotiate with Septis, making a somber request to Li Mo to spare his loved ones if he were to die. Li Mo would be responsible for dealing with Tom, offering him a portion of the seized goods for military cover, and, most crucially, convincing Andrew to join forces with them to eliminate Septis, using the goods as leverage.
The ultimate goal was to strategically provoke Andrew into revealing himself, allowing them to finally eliminate him. Meanwhile, Lei Shuo and Wu Fengyu arrived in Drago and checked into their hotel. Mu Wanqing called Lei Shuo, revealing she was also in Drago and had easily seen through Liu Qing's divorce agreement ruse, calling it "naive" and an insult to her intelligence.
She informed them she had already contacted local authorities, who introduced her to the head of a special task unit, possibly their old acquaintance Tom. She proposed they split up: she and Lei Shuo would meet the task unit head, while Wu Fengyu would go to Victor's pub, a comrade of theirs in Drago, to find clues about Liu Qing and Li Mo.
Lei Shuo initially objected, wanting to protect her, but Mu Wanqing firmly stated that they didn't understand what true protection meant for a woman, insisting on her plan. Lei Shuo eventually agreed to accompany Mu Wanqing, while Wu Fengyu set off to find Victor. Liu Qing, following his plan, went alone to meet Septis again. Septis, enraged by the stolen goods and the attack on his men, had Liu Qing cuffed and violently assaulted him.
Liu Qing, unflinching, revealed Jerry's undercover status, presenting a military eavesdropping device as proof, and stated he was there to help Septis. Septis, challenging Liu Qing, demanded he kill Jerry first before any talk of cooperation. Liu Qing adamantly refused to betray Jerry, even under threat of immediate death. Impressed by Liu Qing's courage, Septis demanded to know his true intentions.
Liu Qing explained that he and his brother, Li Mo, were being manipulated by Andrew and wanted to break free and return home. He then proposed an alliance: by working together to eliminate Andrew, Septis could take over Andrew's vast business network, which Tom's Special Unit also targeted. Septis, seeing the potential, agreed to the alliance, sealing it with a toast.
Episode 32 Recap
Despite having secured Septis’s cooperation, Liu Qing knew that convincing Tom and his special task force to collaborate would be a greater challenge. Li Mo, unwilling to hand over Jerry, revealed that Andrew was preparing for a major transaction but was short on goods, making him vulnerable. Liu Qing then confronted Li Mo about the hidden listening device in his clothes. Li Mo admitted to placing it there, claiming it was for Liu Qing's safety.
Liu Qing met with Jerry to secure the crucial intelligence. Jerry expressed concern for his safety after giving up the information, but Liu Qing reassured him, promising to do his best to protect him. Convinced, Jerry handed over the intelligence, calling it his "lifeline." Liu Qing then proceeded to a church to meet Tom’s representatives. Inside, signal jamming devices prevented Li Mo, who had bugged Liu Qing, from eavesdropping on the conversation.
Liu Qing offered both the seized goods and Jerry’s intelligence in exchange for collaboration. The representatives were initially hesitant, stating that Septis was not a high priority for them. Liu Qing, however, countered by suggesting a world without Andrew and unveiled his comprehensive plan for a three-way partnership to eliminate Andrew, arguing that merely targeting smaller figures like Septis was a futile endeavor.
One of Tom’s men noted Liu Qing’s similar determination to a woman who had recently arrived specifically to see him, a claim Liu Qing denied, asserting he had no female friends in Drago. The man countered that the woman claimed to have come specifically for Liu Qing. They then directed Liu Qing to Tom’s home.
At Tom’s residence, where signal blocking was also active, Liu Qing met Tykwer, who greeted him warmly and reminisced about their past, specifically mentioning their last meeting after the Eight Zhens operation in 2015. Eager to advance his agenda, Liu Qing pressed to speak with Tom and then fully disclosed his plan: to eliminate Andrew and personally apprehend Li Mo, while also pleading for Li Mo’s life to be spared.
Tykwer expressed satisfaction, recognizing that Liu Qing was not truly complicit with Li Mo. It was then that Mu Wanqing, Wu Fengyu, and Lei Shuo were brought in. Mu Wanqing, having just learned from Tykwer that Liu Qing’s past actions made him indefensible under local law and that he was about to be arrested, tearfully embraced Liu Qing.
She passionately appealed to Tykwer, urging him to give Liu Qing a chance to explain, believing he might have been acting under duress. Moved by her plea, the special task force agreed, and Liu Qing finally met Tom. Tom questioned Liu Qing about his specific plan to capture Andrew. Liu Qing proposed fabricating news that the special task force was aggressively targeting Septis. This would deceive Andrew into believing Li Mo was collaborating with him against Septis.
Once Andrew and Septis were embroiled in a fierce gunfight, Tom’s special task force would intervene to clean up. Tom approved the plan, emphasizing that Liu Qing must successfully lure Andrew out and, critically, avoid exposing his own identity, as law enforcement currently considered him a criminal. Liu Qing accepted the risks, even offering himself as a casualty, but demanded Tom ensure Mu Wanqing’s safety and her secure departure from Drago. Tom assented to this request.
After his meeting with Tom, Liu Qing was joined by Lei Shuo and Wu Fengyu. Lei Shuo informed him that tasks had been assigned: Wu Fengyu would manage communications between all parties, while Lei Shuo himself would serve as Mu Wanqing’s personal bodyguard, reassuring Liu Qing that they would "fight side by side again." Liu Qing expressed his full confidence in them.
The special task force promptly fabricated news, broadcast by reporter Danny Fernice, detailing their intensified efforts against Septis, including a large-scale search. Andrew's subordinates, upon hearing the news, understood Li Mo's request to cooperate against Septis by offering goods he had taken from Septis. Andrew, convinced by this opportunity, decided to use it to force Li Mo to hand over the goods and instructed his assistants, Bill and Solo, to meet Li Mo and retrieve the shipment.
Li Mo met Andrew's representatives, Bill and Solo. Upon realizing Andrew himself was absent, Li Mo intended to leave. However, Solo explained that Andrew was out of the city and offered Li Mo a chance to cooperate if he returned the stolen goods from Septis. Li Mo stubbornly insisted he would only hand over the cargo if Andrew first helped him deal with Septis. Impatient, Bill drew his gun, demanding the goods.
Liu Qing, observing from a hidden position, was concerned, but Li Mo discreetly signaled him, then agreed to give Bill the cargo. Liu Qing confronted Li Mo about giving the goods to Andrew. Li Mo explained that Andrew wouldn't engage without the shipment, stressing the importance of Andrew’s trust to draw him into the trap. He alluded to a larger plan by his "boss," suggesting this humiliation was necessary to make Andrew believe the goods were taken by force.
Liu Qing, somewhat dissatisfied with Li Mo's unauthorized action, reiterated the terms agreed with Tom: ensuring Jerry's safety and maintaining coordination throughout the operation. Li Mo agreed to uphold these conditions, and the two finalized their plans to eliminate their targets the following day. The next day, Bill, representing Andrew, met Septis for the supposed transaction. Andrew was still conspicuously absent, leading to a heated argument as Septis refused to proceed without Andrew present.
In the midst of their confrontation, Liu Qing initiated the attack by shooting Septis, igniting a chaotic gunfight between Septis’s and Andrew’s forces. Tom’s special task force was positioned on the perimeter, ready to move in. During the intense battle, Andrew, who had orchestrated the conflict as a diversion, ordered his men to prepare and transport a shipment of goods from the docks, exploiting the chaos to move his cargo.
As Septis’s forces crumbled, Liu Qing signaled for Tom’s men to prepare to enter. As Septis’s forces were overwhelmed, Liu Qing urged Li Mo to retreat. However, Li Mo was determined to personally kill Bill. Before the special task force fully entered, Li Mo used Bill as a shield, leaving him behind as he and Liu Qing made their escape. Bill, attempting to resist arrest, was quickly shot and killed by the special task force.
Outside the perimeter, Mu Wanqing and others anxiously awaited news of Liu Qing. While Lei Shuo reassured them that Liu Qing and Li Mo were safe, Jerry informed Mu Wanqing that Liu Qing and Li Mo were to be arrested. Seeing Mu Wanqing’s distress, Wu Fengyu took charge, quickly retrieving a car and, amidst the ensuing chaos, helped Liu Qing and Li Mo flee the scene.
Episode 33 (Ending) Recap
Liu Qing and Li Mo managed to escape, but they were now wanted by the police. Once they reached a safe location, Liu Qing questioned Wu Fengyu about Mu Wanqing's presence at the earlier chaotic scene and why the police were pursuing them. Wu Fengyu explained that Mu Wanqing was gravely concerned for Liu Qing's safety and insisted on coming, despite their attempts to stop her. He admitted he was also puzzled by the sudden police warrant.
Liu Qing then turned to Li Mo, who dismissed the police pursuit as normal, believing the authorities wanted them dead to control the narrative. Li Mo assured Liu Qing that "tomorrow will be a different story" once the night was over, despite Liu Qing's frustration at becoming a wanted man. Li Mo received a phone call, after which his mood visibly brightened. Liu Qing inquired about the call, and Li Mo excitedly revealed that Andrew had made a significant blunder.
He explained that Andrew’s earlier move with Bill was merely a distraction. Andrew's true intention was to use the resulting gun battle to divert police attention while he shipped an entire cargo of goods to Africa. Li Mo confessed to tampering with the shipment he had supplied to Andrew, causing the freighter carrying the goods to be bombed and sunk. He gloated that without the goods for his clients, Andrew would be "dead."
Andrew, meanwhile, was enraged upon learning that Li Mo's shipment was the cause of the explosion that destroyed his cargo. His subordinate advised him to leave due to the immense losses and angry clients in Africa and Ireland, but Andrew refused, vowing to find and kill those responsible. Returning to the villa, Liu Qing and Li Mo discovered Li Mo’s subordinate, Old Yang, gravely injured on the floor.
Liu Qing rushed inside, frantically calling for Li Yuting, only to find she was gone. Old Yang, barely conscious, confirmed that she had been kidnapped. At the same time, Lei Shuo and Mu Wanqing, having learned of the incident, decided to seek out Tom. Lei Shuo instructed Mu Wanqing that if they became separated, she should go to Victor’s bar and then contact Tom for support, emphasizing that she must not go alone as Andrew's men were likely watching.
As they got into their car in the parking lot, they were ambushed. Wu Fengyu arrived just in time, and Lei Shuo, giving Wu Fengyu his gun, urged him to take Mu Wanqing and retreat while he stayed behind to cover their escape. Overwhelmed and outnumbered, Lei Shuo was shot twice but managed to eliminate all the attackers before collapsing. Lei Shuo was rushed to the hospital, gravely wounded.
Mu Wanqing, after receiving treatment for a minor injury, anxiously waited for news about Lei Shuo’s condition. Wu Fengyu informed her that Lei Shuo had suffered significant blood loss but his wounds were not in vital areas. He advised against informing "Jundie", to avoid worrying her prematurely. Soon after, Wu Fengyu received word that Liu Qing needed his help.
He reassured a worried Mu Wanqing that he would bring Liu Qing back safely and left her to care for Lei Shuo. Meanwhile, Li Mo was distraught over Li Yuting's abduction. He remembered their past conversations, including his explanations to Li Yuting about why he hadn't returned sooner: he was gravely injured on his last mission and then coerced into revenge by Ma Kulu. He only dared to come back after Liu Qing helped him eliminate Ma Kulu in Bazhen.
He recalled Li Yuting asking him if they could finally live together forever, and his promise to always protect her, a vow he'd made at the orphanage. She had expressed how alone she felt when he was gone and pleaded with him not to leave her again, no matter the danger, a promise Li Mo regretfully acknowledged and affirmed he would uphold.
Andrew contacted Li Mo, demanding that he appear at his dock warehouse at eight the next morning for Li Yuting’s exchange. In preparation, Li Mo instructed Wu Fengyu to covertly install bombs outside Andrew’s warehouse, where a large quantity of his goods were stored, capable of destroying the entire facility upon detonation. The next morning, Liu Qing and Li Mo arrived at the warehouse. Andrew emerged, holding Li Yuting, and threatened to shoot her if Li Mo did not comply.
Andrew, in a foul mood, proposed a deadly game: Liu Qing and Li Mo must fight each other, and the survivor would be allowed to leave with Li Yuting. Li Mo quickly drew his gun, pointing it at Liu Qing. However, he used Morse code with his hand gestures to signal Liu Qing to shoot him, intending to draw Andrew’s attention while he fired at Andrew.
Li Yuting, terrified and distraught, begged them not to fight, reminding Li Mo of his promise to stay with her and wanting both of them to live. Before Liu Qing could react, Li Yuting struggled, causing Andrew’s gun to misfire. Seeing Li Yuting no longer directly held by Andrew, Li Mo immediately shot Andrew. Andrew’s return fire hit Liu Qing, but fortunately, Liu Qing was wearing a bulletproof vest and was unharmed. Andrew was killed.
Li Mo and Li Yuting rushed to Liu Qing, relieved to find him safe. As they prepared to leave with Li Yuting, another group of men entered the warehouse, calling out for Li Mo. Li Mo recognized the voice of Molson, one of Drago's police officers whom he had paid off.
Li Mo informed Liu Qing that Molson was his ally, intended to help him become the most powerful figure in Drago, and even proposed that Liu Qing join him in a "big" venture. Liu Qing was appalled, calling Li Mo crazy and reminding him that they didn't belong there. Li Yuting desperately pleaded with Li Mo to keep his promise and leave with them, to start anew elsewhere.
But Li Mo, blinded by ambition, declared that he would soon own Drago and become one of the most powerful people in the world, believing that without money or power, they would always be hunted. Li Mo stepped out to confront Molson, who immediately shot him. Molson revealed his betrayal, stating that he had wanted Li Mo and accusing him of attempting to seize Andrew's business.
Molson declared his own ambition to control the entire market, asserting that Li Mo’s money could not buy him. He further revealed that Solo had defected to his side, understanding the market better than Li Mo, and coldly told Li Mo to "just die here." A fierce gunfight erupted. Wu Fengyu, who Li Mo had called earlier, suddenly drove into the warehouse to provide cover.
Liu Qing questioned Li Mo's reckless actions, asking if he hadn't implicated enough people, but Li Mo insisted he was there to cover their retreat. Wu Fengyu confirmed that "all 12 time bombs are perfectly located," and Li Mo grimly declared, "No one else can have what I can't have." Severely wounded, Li Mo heroically covered Liu Qing and Li Yuting's escape, urging them to leave him behind, just as he had done in Bazhen.
Li Yuting pleaded with him not to break his promise, reminding him he was not going to leave her alone again. Li Mo, remembering his promise to protect her for a lifetime, made the ultimate sacrifice. After Liu Qing and Li Yuting safely retreated, Li Mo detonated the bombs, perishing with his enemies in a massive explosion. Half a month later, Wu Fengyu woke up in the hospital.
Lei Shuo, now able to walk, visited him, and the two shared a moment, happily eating bananas. Three months after the battle at the Drago warehouse, the underground trading network collapsed, and all truth was finally revealed. The government subsequently withdrew its warrants for Liu Qing and his companions, and their lives returned to peace.
Liu Qing and Mu Wanqing revisited the charity school in Bazhen, spending joyful time with the children, allowing Liu Qing to finally overcome his past shadows and embrace a normal life.
