The Lion's Secret Episode 22 Recap
> The Lion's Secret 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.
