Episode Summary

Fo Ye’s criminal origins unfold through flashbacks, revealing his barbershop theft "graduation" and recruitment of ruthless Li Xiaolian. In 2004, cop Guo Pengfei investigates a thief couple’s tragic motives while obsessively surveilling Li Xiaolian, whose clinic hides dark ties. Meanwhile, street hustlers Siyan and He Xiaozhu navigate Fo Ye’s mentorship and Uncle Guang’s twisted tests.

Spoiler Alert

Fo Ye’s Barber Shop Heist (1988)

Our man Fo Ye’s origin story gets messy in 1988 Licheng City. The budding troublemaker strolls into Uncle Guang’s barbershop for a haircut… and a little light theft. After swiping scissors mid-trim (smooth, dude), he gets caught red-handed by the barber himself. But here’s the kicker: Fo Ye still pockets a comb on his way out! Surprisingly, Uncle Guang ain’t mad—he’s practically handing out diplomas. According to barbershop bylaws, anyone who successfully steals from him gets to "graduate" to full-time criminal life. Consider this Fo Ye’s twisted commencement ceremony.

The Rise of a Ruthless Duo (1998)

Fast-forward a decade: Fo Ye’s now scoping out the Station Square when he spots Li Xiaolian literally biting off a thug’s ear to rescue her long-lost brother Xiaojun. The girl’s got moxie—and bloodlust. Watching her pummel the human trafficker who’d been exploiting Xiaojun, Fo Ye decides, "Yep, that’s my new protégé." Meanwhile, the universe reminds us Fo Ye didn’t become kingpin overnight—flashbacks show teenage Fo Ye getting his pinky chopped off by Uncle Guang’s crew for poaching territories. Ouch.

Guo Pengfei’s Moral Dilemma (2004)

Cut to 2004, where cop Guo Pengfei and partner Hua Jie bust a pair of pickpocketing lovebirds. Their sob story? Stealing to pay for sick daughter Xiao Hua’s treatment. But here’s the twist: Hua Jie’s squad visits their shack and… yikes, poverty porn confirmed. The thieves’ desperation hits different when you see their kid wheezing in a ratty bed. Meanwhile, Guo’s spider-sense tingles about local doctor Li Xiaolian—the same ear-biting vigilante Fo Ye recruited years prior. Coincidence? Not in this town.

The Great Police Radio Heist

Back at the barbershop, Uncle Guang schools another wannabe thief—He Xiaozhu—who botches a key steal. As punishment, Guang orders him to swipe a cop’s walkie-talkie mid-patrol. The result? A Benny Hill-style chase through the streets while Fo Ye watches snickering from the shadows. Later, when street rat Siyan gets jumped by rivals, guess who plays Good Samaritan? Yep, Fo Ye feeds him, houses him, and probably adds him to his growing collection of stray criminals.

Guo’s Creepy Crush (Or Is It?)

Detective Guo’s obsession with Li Xiaolian hits peak Single White Female energy. After a suspect mysteriously collapses in her clinic (plot device!), he assigns lackey Dong Fugui to stalk her 24/7. Even colleague Li Tang thinks Guo’s got a crush, but nah—this cop smells something rotten. Meanwhile, a wild red herring appears! Guo crashes a pyramid scheme seminar (complete with cult-leader vibes) to dig up cold case clues.

The Takeaway:

  • Fo Ye’s crew keeps growing—next week’s betting pool: How long ’til Siyan betrays him?
  • Li Xiaolian’s clinic might be a front, but that ear-biting trauma’s 100% real.
  • Guo Pengfei either needs a promotion or a therapist. Maybe both.

That abandoned railway warehouse Guo’s racing toward? Place is gonna be lousy with incriminating paperwork. Popcorn ready!