Episode Summary
Qin Shuhua, battling severe bipolar disorder, commits suicide after a surgical error leads to a patient's death and her dismissal. Zhang Chi, long believing his father, Zhang Beihai, was responsible, discovers the truth about Qin Shuhua's mental illness and her suicide. This revelation shatters his long-held resentment. Zhang Chi decides to accept a job offer abroad, causing conflict with Qi Ji, who is upset about being the last to know. Zheng Bo quits his job to start his own business.
Spoiler Alert
This episode centers around the tragic downfall of Qin Shuhua and the long-lasting impact it has on Zhang Chi and his father, Zhang Beihai.
Qin Shuhua's mental health deteriorates rapidly. Overwhelmed by pressure, she makes multiple suicide attempts, but Zhang Beihai is always there to save her. However, her bipolar disorder is severe, and she feels utterly hopeless. Zhang Beihai is consumed by guilt, regretting that he didn't insist she take a medical leave earlier, which he believes could have prevented the tragic car accident that ultimately claims her life.
Initially, Zhang Beihai tries to persuade Qin Shuhua to take a three-month leave for treatment. She vehemently refuses, finding solace and energy only in the operating room. Despite her usual depressive state, surgery invigorates her. Zhang Beihai worries this manic energy could lead to a fatal mistake, and Qin Shuhua eventually, reluctantly, agrees to seek treatment. Zhang Beihai promises to pick her up from the hospital that afternoon.
However, things take a turn. Qin Shuhua approaches Secretary Liu for a leave of absence, but the Director asks her to perform surgery on a critically ill patient, Yang Shuping, that afternoon. Qin Shuhua, unable to refuse, withdraws her leave request. Meanwhile, Zhang Beihai is unexpectedly called in to cover for Sun Yimo, preventing him from picking up Qin Shuhua as promised.
During the surgery, Qin Shuhua's bipolar disorder manifests, leading to a critical error. Yang Shuping dies as a result, and Qin Shuhua is found responsible for a major medical malpractice, leading to her dismissal from the hospital. Devastated and feeling like her world has collapsed, she intentionally runs into the path of a car driven by Qi Xuejun. Zhang Beihai arrives at the scene to find Qin Shuhua fatally injured. He's heartbroken, but it's too late to save her.
Qi Xuejun and his daughter, Qi Ji, are also seriously injured in the accident. Zhang Beihai, despite his grief, rushes them to the hospital. Zhang Chi witnesses this, mistakenly believing his father abandoned Qin Shuhua to save others. This fuels a deep resentment that lasts for over two decades. When Zhang Chi finally learns the truth about Qin Shuhua's death, he blames Zhang Beihai for not telling him sooner. Zhang Beihai reveals he promised Qin Shuhua to keep the truth hidden, wanting to preserve her image in Zhang Chi's mind. Zhang Chi is deeply hurt by the revelation.
It's further revealed that Zhang Beihai had previously intervened to transfer Zhang Chi to the emergency center after Zhang Chi's own medical incident at North of the city Hospital. Zhang Beihai's motive was to prevent Zhang Chi from suffering the same fate as Qin Shuhua. Zhang Chi struggles to accept this new reality, realizing his father didn't kill Qin Shuhua, and that she took her life because of the bipolar disorder. He storms out, overwhelmed by the truth.
Qi Ji, unable to reach Zhang Chi and worried about him, goes looking for him. She tries to comfort him, but Zhang Chi remains inconsolable, still angry at his father for keeping the secret. He leaves abruptly. Back home, Zhang Chi drowns his sorrows in alcohol, eventually passing out. He receives a call from a prestigious foreign cardiac research institute, inviting him to join them, which he readily accepts.
Meanwhile, Qi Ji is called to treat a patient suffering from a seizure. During the emergency, she instinctively calls out for Zhang Chi, forgetting he wasn't there. With the help of Che Ming, they manage to stabilize the patient and transport him to the hospital.
Xu Chengyuan's parents, who live abroad, send his sister to visit him after hearing about his injury. She discovers that Zheng Bo and Gao Xing are also living with him. Xu Chengyuan reassures his sister that his injury is minor, but she insists he return abroad with her to see their parents. Xu Chengyuan refuses, pleading with his sister to let him stay. She invites him to dinner, and he brings Zheng Bo and Gao Xing along.
Zheng Bo gets heavily intoxicated and is taken in by Sun Jiaqi. Sun Yimo provides Zheng Bo with a blanket, and he sleeps on the sofa. Sun Jiaqi gazes at Zheng Bo's face, filled with affection. The next morning, she prepares hangover soup for him.
Zheng Bo decides to pursue his entrepreneurial dream of developing a pre-triage software. He resigns from his job, and Secretary Liu supports his decision, wishing him success. Zheng Bo accidentally sees Zhang Chi's resignation letter. He invites Zhang Chi and Xu Chengyuan for a meal and casually mentions Zhang Chi's resignation. Zhang Chi reveals his plan to work at the foreign cardiac research center. Xu Chengyuan reminds him to tell Qi Ji, but Zhang Chi is unsure how to break the news.
Xu Chengyuan takes it upon himself to inform Qi Ji about Zhang Chi's plans. Qi Ji is shocked. When Zhang Chi finally discusses it with her, she's furious that she was the last to know. Feeling increasingly upset, she vents to Sun Jiaqi, who suggests she go abroad with Zhang Chi. However, Qi Ji is unwilling to give up her current life.
The episode concludes with the emergency center and the traffic police holding a social event. Chen Xue dresses up for the occasion, but Qi Ji is in no mood to participate. Chen Xue, hearing about Zhang Chi's impending departure, assumes they are breaking up.
