Truth or Dare Episode 26 Recap
> Truth or Dare Recap
Xiao Wanzi suggested that Mei Shiqing, who had been cooped up indoors, get some fresh air in the garden. Mei Shiqing responded that he never felt bored when she was by his side. Xiao Wanzi expressed concern about constantly seeking doctors and disturbing the household, but Mei Shiqing assured her he didn't mind because her efforts were for his own good. She then vowed to find a way to cure his eyes.
Mei Shiqing recalled their first meeting, lamenting that he hadn't opened his eyes to fully appreciate her adorable appearance and wished he had seen her more often after she entered the Mei residence. Xiao Wanzi, teasingly, remembered his arrogant face. Mei Shiqing then wondered when he would be able to see her again, and Xiao Wanzi promised that it would be soon.
Later, as Xiao Wanzi offered Mei Shiqing his medicine, he found it too bitter and playfully requested a reward, which she provided with a kiss. Mei Shiqing then took Xiao Wanzi to a place of great significance to him: the secluded house where his mother had hidden him during a past tragedy. He explained that only a few cautious servants knew of this place.
Xiao Wanzi questioned how the bandits had discovered their whereabouts, a mystery that Mei Shiqing also pondered. He also revealed that as he was about to be found, a mysterious person had hidden him again before slipping away, leaving Mei Shiqing to wonder about that individual's identity and connection to the bandits. Siheng reported that someone was following them.
Mei Shiqing, playing on his perceived blindness, instructed Siheng to wait until Situ Lin and the Salter Cartel became overconfident, then activate their hidden agents. Meanwhile, Wang Biao informed Situ Lin that Mei Shiqing was indeed blind and had visited his deceased mother's old residence. Situ Lin dismissed this as a sign of weakness, believing Mei Shiqing was merely crying over his lost mother, and instructed his men to resume their illicit salt business.
Wang Biao also mentioned that Felicity Tavern had located Crazy Chen, prompting Situ Lin to order his capture. Upon their return, Mei Changyun questioned Mei Shiqing about his outing, expressing frustration when his son avoided a direct answer. After Mei Changyun left, Xiao Wanzi told Mei Shiqing that his father was genuinely concerned, and Mei Shiqing decided to tell him everything once all current matters were resolved.
Mei Changyun, while out, purchased a "Yingfish" toy, recalling a time when a young Mei Shiqing had wanted one, but he had refused, insisting his son focus on martial arts and studies. He later brought the toy to Mei Shiqing's room. After Siheng departed, Mei Changyun asked about the blind doctor's medicine, to which Mei Shiqing replied there was no improvement.
Mei Changyun criticized Xiao Wanzi's "nonsense," but Mei Shiqing defended her, noting she had risked her life for the doctor. Angered, Mei Changyun left the toy behind. Xiao Wanzi discovered the Yingfish, and Mei Shiqing, touching it, understood his father's hidden affection. Siheng informed Mei Shiqing that the Salter Cartel, under Situ Lin's instruction, had begun large-scale illicit salt trafficking across all its operations.
Recognizing Situ Lin's impatience, Mei Shiqing ordered all his hidden agents to act that night, using a unified signal to take down the entire Salter Cartel. The agents executed the plan flawlessly, raiding and seizing illicit salt from all the cartel's stores, warehouses, and granaries without a single loss. Wang Biao relayed the devastating news to Situ Lin, who, enraged, swore to personally kill Mei Shiqing.
Xiao Wanzi expressed concern to Mei Shiqing that Situ Lin might retaliate, but Mei Shiqing reassured her, calling Situ Lin a "toothless wolf" whose power was now gone. They discussed interrogating the captured Salter Cartel members to secure confessions and written statements. Suddenly, Siheng burst in with news from Felicity Tavern: Crazy Chen had escaped that morning, and his hideout had been located.
Mei Shiqing declared it "good news" and decided to go after Crazy Chen alone, despite Siheng's worries for his safety, sending Siheng to gather more intelligence on the Salter Cartel instead. Mei Shiqing arrived at Crazy Chen's hideout and, when Crazy Chen hesitated to appear, threatened to burn the place down. Crazy Chen emerged, cautiously asking if Mei Shiqing's promise of safety was genuine. Just then, Situ Lin ambushed Mei Shiqing, expecting him to be blind.
Mei Shiqing agilely dodged the attack, then dramatically removed his blindfold, revealing his sight was restored and stating that his eyes had recovered. As the two men fought, Crazy Chen unexpectedly cried out "Li Tianlong!" at Situ Lin, calling him a "treacherous bastard" for betraying him after he had helped kill people. Fearing further revelations, Situ Lin turned his attack on Crazy Chen. Mei Shiqing attempted to intervene, but Situ Lin seized Crazy Chen before making his escape.
Before succumbing to his wounds, Crazy Chen gasped to Mei Shiqing that his mother's hiding place had been revealed ten years prior by a "rock-breaker with a cat mask." Mei Shiqing returned to his room, his face heavy with dread. Xiao Wanzi, overjoyed to see his eyes had recovered, quickly noticed his somber mood.
Mei Shiqing then asked her, with a chilling intensity, if she and He Yizhi were the "only" people in Qingzhou City who performed "break rock with cat masks." Xiao Wanzi confirmed it, adding she had told him before, sensing his distress. Wishing he was mistaken, Mei Shiqing recounted Crazy Chen's dying words. Disbelieving, Xiao Wanzi rushed to He Yizhi's room to confront him.
Under Xiao Wanzi's distraught questioning, He Yizhi confessed that he had indeed provided the address of Mei Shiqing's mother to Penglai Casino for money. However, he claimed he was desperate to support Xiao Wanzi and pay off gambling debts, and genuinely had no idea it was Mei Shiqing's mother or that the information would lead to murder. Xiao Wanzi was devastated, grappling with the truth that her own father had caused Mei Shiqing's mother's death.
Seeing his daughter's profound anguish, He Yizhi tried to flee, but Xiao Wanzi stopped him. He Yizhi then hurried to Mei Shiqing's room, intending to apologize and beg for mercy. He admitted his actions, pleaded with Mei Shiqing not to blame Xiao Wanzi, and even offered his own life or to disown his daughter. But Mei Shiqing, overwhelmed by despair and rage, was beyond listening and furiously ordered He Yizhi out of his room.
