Episode Summary
Gu Zhen grapples with the past and Kong Rubai's resentment over his father's death. The team investigates the bombing, focusing on three mysterious bodies and a potential connection to Feng Chao's past. Secrets are revealed about Feng Chao's childhood friendship with Kong Yingsong, and a new suspect, Hui Yingzi, is investigated and cleared. The episode ends with a hidden camera planted in a doll, suggesting a new threat.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with a flashback, heavy with emotion. Gu Zhen, still bandaged from a previous incident, stands at the grave of Kong Yingsong, a colleague who died in the line of duty. Kong Yingsong's son, Kong Rubai, is there, and his eyes are filled with a mixture of grief and resentment. He confronts Gu Zhen, grabbing his collar and demanding to know why Gu Zhen is still alive when his father isn't. It's clear that Kong Rubai has carried this complex mix of emotions towards Gu Zhen for years.
Back in the present, the team is hard at work on the bombing case. Kong Rubai, now seemingly integrated into the group, thoughtfully brings lunch for everyone. Gu Zhen, practically inhaling his food due to hunger, is questioned by Kong Rubai about the past. Kong Rubai finally voices the question that's haunted him: Why didn't Gu Zhen and his father wait for backup during that fateful pursuit? Gu Zhen explains that he had wanted to wait, but Kong Yingsong, fearing the consequences of delay, decided to act. Gu Zhen acknowledges that Kong Yingsong's decision was ultimately correct, preventing even greater casualties. He reveals a crucial detail: Feng Chao, the perpetrator, was Kong Yingsong's childhood friend. They grew up like brothers, but took drastically different paths. The revelation underscores the tragedy – Feng Chao, facing his former friend, couldn't handle the vast disparity in their lives and detonated the bomb. Gu Zhen can only offer simple words of comfort, urging Kong Rubai to eat.
Meanwhile, Su Qian's investigation uncovers three unidentified bodies that seemingly appeared out of nowhere on the company team-building vehicle. They are prime suspects. Yu Yue delves into past criminal records and makes a surprising discovery. Feng Chao's mother, driven to mental instability after her son's death, blames Gu Zhen. A mysterious figure is now targeting her.
In a separate storyline, Anna visits Teacher Wang's home, but he's not there. Curiosity leads her to a box containing a photo album. The album chronicles Teacher Wang's relationship with a woman, the growth of their daughter, and a plea from Teacher Wang begging his wife not to leave. Simultaneously, community workers arrive at Feng Chao's mother's home, finding her trapped in a corner.
Yu Yue identifies one of the suspicious individuals as Hui Yingzi. The police bring in her close friend for questioning. Hui Yingzi, described as uneducated and working at a nightclub, received a large sum of money from a housing demolition, but her parents favored her brother, giving him the bulk of the funds. Hui Yingzi lived a carefree life, spending freely and often feeding stray cats. The day before the incident, she mentioned meeting a "big client" and anticipating a windfall. She also had a boyfriend, who was described as poor, but she was determined to save up for her own dowry. Her friend, however, doesn't know the boyfriend. The police tentatively rule out Hui Yingzi as a suspect, leaving the two male corpses as more likely perpetrators.
Gu Zhen and Kong Rubai question the chemical plant's manager. The manager states that the factory is organizing donations for Liao Xianghua, a seriously injured employee, and his involvement is also temporarily ruled out.
The episode ends with Xiao Tang receiving a doll as a gift from Anna, unaware that it contains a hidden camera. This suggests a new layer of surveillance and potential danger for the team.
