Episode Summary
Zhang Chi deals with the aftermath of a major fire at a dormitory, where his father, Zhang Beihai, is severely injured while rescuing others. Amidst the chaos, Zhang Chi grapples with his feelings for Qi Ji, who returns from Gansu. Zheng Bo proposes to Sun Jiaqi. Zhang Chi finally confesses his feelings to Qi Ji.
Spoiler Alert
In Episode 28 of "The Top Speed," things get intense, both personally and professionally, for our favorite emergency responders.
The episode opens with Zheng Bo and Xu Chengyuan grabbing drinks with Zhang Chi, trying to catch up after both leaving their previous jobs. Zhang Chi, however, is clearly preoccupied, drinking heavily and staying silent. Xu Chengyuan, sensing his friend's distress, secretly messages Qi Ji, updating her on Zhang Chi's situation and hoping she'll reach out to him via video call. Qi Ji, however, is swamped with work and simply replies that they should enjoy their reunion. Zhang Chi is visibly disappointed, and his friends try to make excuses for Qi Ji's brief response.
Meanwhile, disaster strikes. A fire breaks out at the Printing Factory Dormitory, and the emergency dispatch center receives the call, sending medical personnel to the scene. Zhang Beihai, Zhang Chi's father, happens to be passing by after buying groceries. He volunteers to help rescue people trapped inside, and the police, knowing his background as a former emergency doctor, let him enter.
When Zhang Chi and his team arrive, the scene is chaotic. Burn victims are scattered across the courtyard, the fire is still raging, and firefighters are battling the blaze. Zhang Chi orders his team to prioritize the severely injured and instructs the firefighters to evacuate those with minor injuries first. Two young boys are trapped on an upper floor, desperately calling for help, and rescue workers bravely navigate through thick smoke to bring them to safety.
The firefighters eventually extinguish the fire, and Zhang Chi and his colleagues work tirelessly to treat the injured. One victim stops breathing, and Zhang Chi immediately begins CPR. As Zhang Beihai escorts another survivor out of the building, a sudden explosion rocks the structure, throwing Zhang Beihai through the air. Zhang Chi witnesses the horrifying event, torn between his duty to the patient he's currently treating and his desire to help his father. He's reminded of a past incident where Zhang Beihai chose to save Qi Ji over his own wife, Qin Shuhua, and finally understands his father's agonizing decision. Zhang Chi continues his resuscitation efforts.
Yuanyuan and Li Huohuo arrive on the scene to treat Zhang Beihai, bandaging his wounds and taking him away on a stretcher. Zhang Chi successfully revives his patient and rushes to the hospital, where he anxiously inquires about his father's condition from Li Huohuo. He learns that Zhang Beihai's surgery was successful, and he's now in the intensive care unit, a huge relief to Zhang Chi.
Zhang Chi keeps a vigil by Zhang Beihai's bedside. When his father finally wakes up, he urges Zhang Chi to return to work. The emergency center leadership, aware of Zhang Beihai's heroic actions and severe injuries, has temporarily relieved him of emergency duties, allowing Zhang Chi to care for him. Zhang Chi reveals he's been dreaming of his mother, Qin Shuhua, and plans to visit her grave once his father is discharged. Zhang Beihai casually asks about Qi Ji, worried about her adjusting to the weather in Gansu. Zhang Chi shares his concern, and Zhang Beihai subtly advises his son not to let Qi Ji slip away.
In a lighter subplot, Sun Jiaqi is waiting for Zheng Bo at his company when she stumbles upon a stunning surprise: Zheng Bo has bought her half a wall full of shoes. Sun Jiaqi is speechless, remembering a time when she confessed her love for shoes and her dream of owning a wall full of them. Zheng Bo arrives, explaining that he bought a pair of shoes for every milestone he achieved, intending to propose to Sun Jiaqi once the wall was filled. Overwhelmed with emotion, Sun Jiaqi tearfully embraces him.
Zheng Bo returns the initial investment Sun Jiaqi made in him and hands over all his earnings to her. He gets down on one knee and proposes, and Sun Jiaqi is overjoyed. That night, she excitedly calls Qi Ji to share the happy news. Qi Ji congratulates her, and Sun Jiaqi encourages her to have a heart-to-heart talk with Zhang Chi. Qi Ji, however, prefers to let things unfold naturally.
Later, Qi Ji lies awake in bed, lost in thought, while Zhang Chi is equally restless, struggling with the decision to message her. He eventually packs his bags overnight and flies to Gansu early in the morning. Yan Yunyun and Xu Chengyuan have started dating, and while shopping, Yan Yunyun invites him to dinner. They go to a hot pot restaurant.
Zheng Bo and Sun Jiaqi are also at the mall and spot Xu Chengyuan and Yan Yunyun on their date. They follow them, but Xu Chengyuan quickly notices and invites them to join their hot pot meal. Qi Ji completes her one-month exchange program and returns to Jiangdong from Gansu. Zhang Chi is there to pick her up, surprising her as she thought he had gone abroad. Zhang Chi reveals he declined an invitation from a foreign cardiac surgery research institute. He had flown to Gansu and waited for her at a hotel for a week, but after she didn't show, he returned to Jiangdong alone.
Qi Ji expresses her concern that Zhang Chi shouldn't sacrifice his promising career for her. Zhang Chi confesses that while he has some regrets, losing Qi Ji would be a far greater loss. Deeply moved by his heartfelt declaration, Qi Ji embraces him tightly.
