Episode Summary

In 1988, Li Xiaolian’s disabled brother Xiaojun is abandoned by their mother. By 1989, Xiaolian finds him begging at Licheng Station, battling traffickers to rescue him with help from mysterious ally Fo Ye. Meanwhile, cop Guo Pengfei solves a hotel heist involving a bribing mayor, a stolen Han Dynasty artifact, and a cunning "honey trap" robbery scheme.

Spoiler Alert

Let’s rewind to 1988 in Nanxiong, where the Li family’s drama hits harder than a ’80s soap opera. Young Li Xiaolian’s little brother Xiaojun, who has a leg disability, gets abandoned by their mom Huangcheng during a phony "doctor’s trip" to the city. Heartbroken but no dummy, Xiaolian knows her mom’s lying and vows to find Xiaojun herself. Cut to 1989: Our girl’s now hustling through nursing school, plastering missing posters everywhere, and working double shifts at a diner—talk about multitasking!

The Big Reunion (Sort Of): After graduating, Xiaolian lands a gig at the railway hospital. While handing out flyers like candy, she FINALLY spots Xiaojun…begging at Licheng Station. Cue the tearful sibling hug! But hold up—a sketchy human trafficker crashes the party, leading to a full-on brawl. Just as things get dicey, cops swoop in, Xiaolian literally carries her brother to freedom, and a mysterious benefactor named Fo Ye rolls up with a wheelchair. Who’s this guy? Keep your eye on him.

Cop Chronicles: Over at the station square, hotshot cop Guo Pengfei schools rookie Li Tang in "How to Spot a Thief 101." Their bet? A woman "innocently" holding a baby…who’s actually pickpocketing tourists. Pengfei nails the arrest, proving he’s got Spidey-senses for crime. Meanwhile, petty thief Dong Fugui gets pummeled by an angry mob—until Pengfei steps in, playing both savior and life coach: "Stop stealing, go care for your mom!" (Dude’s this close to handing out inspirational pamphlets.)

The Case of the Missing…Antique? Enter Mayor Gu, a village mayor reporting a hotel heist during a blackout. His story? Someone stole his "cash." But Pengfei’s BS detector blares when he finds a manhole cover mysteriously displaced and a convenient window escape route. After some gentle arm-twisting, Gu cracks: He didn’t lose money—he lost a Han Dynasty artifact meant as a bribe. Oh, and he got honey-trapped via a late-night "massage service" card. Classic. Turns out Fo Ye’s crew (including femme fatale Alian) orchestrated the whole "blackout robbery." Smooth criminals, literally.

Detective Duo Does Legwork: Pengfei and Li Tang trace Alian’s escape to a torn red sweater snagged on a train window. Security footage reveals her partner-in-crime—a neck-twitching man (seriously, has this guy heard of chiropractors?). Meanwhile, street thief trio Siyan, He Xiaozhu, and Dachun pull a Home Alone-level bus heist, swiping wallets like it’s Black Friday.

Final Clues & Unanswered Qs:

  • Xiaojun’s trauma runs deep—will Fo Ye’s "kindness" backfire?
  • Gu’s antique’s MIA, but Alian’s on the run with a fashion casualty (RIP red sweater).
  • Neck-Twitch Guy’s identity remains a mystery…for now.
  • Pengfei’s still the Sherlock of street smarts. Li Tang? Let’s just say he’s…learning.

Episode MVP: Li Xiaolian. Girl fought traffickers, carried her brother across a plaza, and probably hasn’t slept since 1988. Somebody get this heroine a bubble bath.