Episode Summary
Qi Meihua’s dark past resurfaces as Liao Siyuan uncovers her role in murdering her abusive husband and fleeing to Yong’an Village a decade ago. Desperate to protect her drug empire, she manipulates allies and enemies alike, staging a fire to eliminate crime lord Na Wei while betraying Liao Zhibai. Her schemes unravel when a Na Wei imposter overproduces AH7, forcing her to orchestrate his arrest. Confronted by her crimes, Qi Meihua surrenders to police, leaving her daughter devastated. The aftermath sees characters rebuilding lives, while Qi Xia’s travels hint at lingering shadows of her mother’s legacy.
Spoiler Alert
Liao Siyuan’s words trigger Qi Meihua’s haunting memories of a decade ago, when she fled to Yong’an Village after killing her abusive husband and became a fugitive with her young daughter Qi Xia. The Liao family, taking pity on the desperate mother and child, sheltered them despite learning Qi Meihua’s identity when police arrived seeking cooperation. Instead of turning her in, the Liao couple sympathized with her tragic past. Mrs. Liao even treated Qi Meihua like a sister, helping her cut her hair and start anew. Determined to build a better life, Qi Meihua vowed to rise above her circumstances.
Now exposed by Liao Siyuan, Qi Meihua bitterly claims no one has the right to judge her—especially not him. Flashbacks reveal she killed her husband not only to escape abuse but to steal the AH7 drug formula, which she later entrusted to Liao Nianguo to monetize. Their operation recruited Song En, Nu Na, and Tai Shu, but their success drew the attention of crime lord Na Wei, who threatened to shut down production unless the formula was handed over. Though Liao Nianguo urged compliance, Qi Meihua refused to surrender the formula outright, fearing betrayal. She instead negotiated a tense partnership with Na Wei, exchanging formula batches for payments to maintain mutual leverage.
The fragile alliance crumbles after Langsang’s death and Liao Zhibai’s secret investigation into Na Wei’s illegitimate son, Gade. Na Wei pressures Qi Meihua to eliminate Liao Zhibai, but she refuses, sparking threats to expose her fugitive status. Enraged, Qi Meihua manipulates Liao Nianguo into luring Na Wei to Yong’an Village under the guise of a deal, planning to kill him in a staged fire. However, Liao Zhibai’s absence from the trap forces Qi Meihua to shoot him herself. He survives by diving into a river, unaware of her betrayal.
Meanwhile, a Na Wei imposter begins mass-producing AH7 independently, deluding himself into believing he’s a business prodigy. Qi Meihua exploits his greed, using Gade and Liao Zhibai’s deal with Tie Xin to orchestrate Na Wei’s arrest. In a final confrontation with Liao Siyuan, she defends her ruthless choices as necessary for survival, even as he counters that victims like Laila and Ti Yi suffered similar hardships without resorting to violence.
Cornered by police, Qi Meihua surrenders after a standoff, leaving her daughter Qi Xia heartbroken. In a tearful prison visit, Qi Xia forgives her mother, acknowledging her sacrifices. Qi Meihua is sentenced to death, urging her daughter to live freely. In the aftermath, Liao Siyuan abandons law enforcement for early childhood education, Shu He regains his official post, Bai Han is imprisoned, and reformed criminals A Gan and A Tai launch livestream careers. Qi Xia embarks on global travels, cryptically messaging Liao Siyuan about discovering fields of corn poppies on a remote mountain—a bittersweet echo of her mother’s poisoned legacy.
