Episode Summary
A severed head discovered during a livestreamed jade auction sparks a murder investigation linked to student Liao Siyuan, who grapples with guilt over a past fire that killed his family and left him haunted by his brother’s ghost. As police probe victim Laila’s troubled life, Siyuan uncovers dark secrets involving bullying, parental exploitation, and a mysterious doctor with a vendetta against his family.
Spoiler Alert
In Buhe Jade Market, a live-streamed jade stone cutting event turns gruesome when a severed teenage girl’s head is discovered inside, sparking viral panic. Liao Siyuanis abruptly awakened by his older brother, Liao Sibai—a ghostly presence only he can see. Since a mysterious fire a decade ago that killed their parents and "claimed" Sibai’s life, the brothers have been inseparable. Siyuan suffers from hyperthymesia , haunted by unresolved guilt over the tragedy.
At school, Siyuan clashes with classmate Ma Luo, who resents him after their mutual crush, Laila, publicly kissed Siyuan. The tension escalates when police deputy Nick interrogates Siyuan about the jade market murder. Shockingly, the victim is identified as Laila. Siyuan remains eerily calm until hearing her name, triggering fragmented memories: In art class, bully Jia Song harassed Laila, prompting Siyuan to intervene. Laila then kissed him unexpectedly, sparking rumors about their relationship. Flashbacks reveal Laila’s reputation as a sex worker, though Siyuan suspects deeper trauma.
Police Captain Shu He—distrusted by Siyuan for allegedly framing Sibai in the arson case—confronts him with surveillance footage showing Siyuan delivering medication to Laila’s apartment hours before her death. Siyuan claims he left immediately, but Shu He hints at a calculated plot. Meanwhile, "Ghost Sibai" theorizes the killer hid in Laila’s room that night, her strange behavior possibly shielding Siyuan from danger. Siyuan vows to investigate himself, distrusting Shu He’s motives.
Outside the station, a tearful Ma Luo confides in Siyuan, lamenting Laila’s cruel fate. Siyuan cryptically reveals his emotional detachment stems from "locking away" memories after the fire—a trauma that left him seeing Sibai’s ghost. Parallel threads emerge: Clinic worker Amei meets Dr. Song En, who offers her a scholarship through shady "charity" ties. When Shu He investigates Song En’s alibi, his assistant Xiao Yu lies to protect him. Song En later identifies Siyuan in a photo, smirking about a "blood feud" with the Liao family.
At school, Jia Song mocks Laila’s death until classmate Li Zhi threatens him. Siyuan intervenes again, mirroring his defense of Laila. Chaos erupts when Laila’s parents demand compensation from the school, exposing their exploitation of their daughter. Siyuan’s guilt intensifies—he regrets not helping Laila more that fateful night—and he pressures Sibai to teach him detective skills. The episode closes on Song En’s chilling grin, signaling a vendetta rooted in the unresolved fire.
Key Spoilers:
- Liao Sibai’s ghost is either a PTSD manifestation or supernatural entity.
- Dr. Song En’s connection to the Liao family suggests he orchestrated Laila’s murder as revenge.
- Captain Shu He’s role in the arson cover-up remains ambiguous, with hints he falsified evidence against Sibai.
- Flashbacks imply Laila sought Siyuan’s protection from an unnamed threat before her death.
