Episode Summary

In 1988, young sisters Fang Hui and Fang Xue confront a thief who steals their wallet. By 2003, adult Fang Hui navigates family tensions as her cousin Yao Guilan confesses to stealing money for medical bills. Meanwhile, Hua Jie deals with her unreliable husband Liang Jiye’s latest failed investment, while the Anti-Theft Unit prepares to bust thief trio Fo Ye, Siyan, and Li Xiaolian during a high-stakes medal transport operation in Licheng City.

Spoiler Alert

Episode 22: A Storm of Schemes (and Umbrellas)

Let’s rewind to 1988 first, because every Chinese drama loves a good flashback. Sisters Fang Hui and Fang Xue, walking home on New Year’s Day, stumble upon a chaotic crowd scratching lottery tickets. While they’re distracted by the hype, a pickpocket swipes Fang Xue’s wallet. Cue big sis Fang Hui chasing down the thief like a tiny avenger. When he denies it? She drops the ultimate mic drop: "My dad’s an anti-theft cop, FYI." Thief instantly folds, returns the wallet. Classic Fang family power move.

Fast-forward to 2003 (no, we don’t get to see the Y2K panic), where adult Fang Hui’s grinding hard at English textbooks. Enter Jiang Jifeng, her maybe-shady acquaintance, who takes her for seafood… then conveniently "forgets" enough cash to pay. Fang Hui rushes home to grab money, only to find her stash mysteriously shrinking. Jiang suggests banking her savings (solid advice, honestly), but Fang Hui’s side-eyeing her cousin Yao Guilan. Confrontation time! Guilan tearfully confesses she’s been "borrowing" 40,000-50,000 yuan over three years for her mom’s medical bills. She scribbles an IOU and vows to leave town once repaid. Awkward family dinners incoming!

Meanwhile, Hua Jie’s dealing with her human tornado of a husband, Liang Jiye. He’s skipping their niece’s celebration to tour factories (again), after borrowing 85,000 yuan from her dad for another doomed business venture. Spoiler: Hua Jie’s over it. Over at the Anti-Theft Unit, moody cop Li Hongqi is forced to resign post-mission, hiding his heartbreak behind a fake smile. Hua Jie can’t stomach the secondhand embarrassment and bolts. Also on his way out? Guo Pengfei, the brains of the unit, who skips breakfast to scheme with tech whiz Li Tang. Their target: notorious thief trio Fo Ye, Siyan, and Li Xiaolian.

Cut to the thieves’ masterplan meeting. Li Xiaolian, the group’s icy strategist, lays out a heist to steal medals transported to Licheng City. Their play: sabotage the police escort. Siyan (the tech guy) gets tasked with cutting power to the parking lot gate, forcing the medal-carrying police van to detour. Fo Ye, the old-school ringleader, hands over his clock shop keys like a weird farewell gift.

Rain pours on Licheng’s Station Square as undercover cops blend into the crowds, eyeing multiple thief factions all after the same prize. Guo Pengfei, however, has cracked Li Xiaolian’s game. He predicts they’ll strike where Fo Ye appears—and bam, Siyan’s already snipping wires at the parking lot. The police van reroutes to the exit… where a deranged passenger suddenly causes chaos, drawing crowds with a screaming fit. Guo orders his team to hold position, but Li Xiaolian doubles down, calling in a fake "syringe threat" to evacuate the area.

Spoiler Snacks:

  • Fang Hui’s trust issues are growing faster than her English vocabulary.
  • Hua Jie’s "sigh Men, am I right?" energy is palpable.
  • That "last day on the job" tension between Guo Pengfei and Li Tang? Chef’s kiss.
  • Li Xiaolian’s "Let’s weaponize a mental health crisis" move? Bold. Messed up. Very on-brand.

Stay tuned for Episode 23, where someone’s definitely getting drenched and arrested.