Episode Summary
Zheng Hao seeks relationship advice from his blind date, Lu Qian, who is a psychologist, hoping to help Chen Xiaoxing. A swimming incident leads to Chen Xiaoxing being hospitalized, creating awkward encounters between Zheng Hao, Liang Jinqiu, Gao Shubo, and Zheng Tianchou. A joint task force is launched to investigate tax evasion, with teams deployed to Xindong and Linzhou. Zheng Hao's team finds their target company in Linzhou has vanished, leading them to investigate a related furniture company.
Spoiler Alert
This episode dives into the complexities of relationships, personal struggles, and a brewing investigation.
Zheng Hao finds himself on his third blind date, this time with Lu Qian, a restaurant owner. Initially reluctant, Zheng Hao's interest is piqued when he learns Lu Qian is a psychological counselor. He's seeking advice on how to help Chen Xiaoxing open up about his past trauma. Lu Qian, also unenthusiastic about the blind date, agrees to meet Zheng Hao after hearing about his good character from the matchmaker, and knowing him.
Lu Qian, herself an orphan adopted, relates. She lost her parents in a car accident at age six. She listens intently as Zheng Hao describes Chen Xiaoxing's recent unusual behavior, and suggests that Zheng Hao spend more time with Chen Xiaoxing and help him open up.
Lu Qian's father makes a surprise visit, bringing signature dishes from the restaurant to treat Zheng Hao. Lu Qian clarifies that the blind date is off and she's now providing counseling. Zheng Hao questions why Lu Qian is still single. She admits she's holding onto someone in her heart, leaving no room for others. She also sees Zheng Hao's lingering feelings for Liang Jinqiu and encourages him to pursue his happiness, despite Gao Shubo's persistent pursuit of Liang Jinqiu.
Meanwhile, Zhao Mingda brings his daughter, Zhao Wan'er, to Zheng Hao's house for dinner. Zheng Hao is out on his date, but Chen Xiaoxing is thrilled to see Zhao Wan'er. He brings her to his room and lets her sit by the window to enjoy the sunlight. Zhao Wan'er, closing her eyes, feels a sense of peace listening to Zheng Tianchou (Zheng Hao's grandfather) and Zhao Mingda cooking in the kitchen.
Liang Jinqiu calls Zhao Mingda, planning to take Chen Xiaoxing and Zhao Wan'er for ice cream. Zhao Mingda agrees to go after dinner. However, Gao Shubo unexpectedly visits Liang Jinqiu, and she brings him along. Chen Xiaoxing treats everyone to ice cream, buying an extra one for Zhao Wan'er. When Zhao Mingda expresses concern about Zhao Wan'er's health, Gao Shubo proposes a game of rock-paper-scissors to decide who gets the extra ice cream. He wins and playfully cheers up Zhao Wan'er. Gao Shubo's cheerful personality quickly wins over Chen Xiaoxing and Zhao Wan'er, and they have a great time together.
Liang Jinqiu learns that Zhao Mingda's wife, Shen Yue, quit her job to care for Zhao Wan'er. Concerned that Zhao Mingda's single income might not cover Zhao Wan'er's medical expenses, Liang Jinqiu offers financial help, but Zhao Mingda politely declines. Feng Dakai calls Zhao Mingda, informing him that their old classmate, Wu Weidong, is in Xindong and wants to meet.
Zhao Wan'er observes Gao Shubo's sunny disposition and worries that Zheng Hao might not be a match for him. Chen Xiaoxing also finds Gao Shubo charming.
Zhao Wan'er wants to go swimming with Chen Xiaoxing, but he is scared. Zhao Wan'er and Gao Shubo encourage him.
Chen Xiaoxing bravely steps onto the diving platform, jumps, but suddenly gets a leg cramp and sinks. Gao Shubo immediately jumps in to rescue him. After dinner, Zheng Hao and Lu Qian say goodbye. Zheng Hao receives a call from Zhao Mingda about Chen Xiaoxing being at the hospital. Lu Qian offers to drive him there.
Zheng Hao rushes to the hospital and is relieved to learn that Chen Xiaoxing only suffered a leg cramp. Liang Jinqiu apologizes repeatedly. She suggests taking Zhao Wan'er and Chen Xiaoxing on a relaxing outing. Gao Shubo recognizes Lu Qian and greets her. Lu Qian simply states she came with Zheng Hao. Liang Jinqiu realizes Zheng Hao and Lu Qian were on a date. She takes Gao Shubo out to buy water, and they encounter Zheng Tianchou in the hallway, creating an awkward moment.
Zheng Tianchou visits Chen Xiaoxing, showing concern and suggesting a full check-up. He's relieved when the results are normal. Seeing Lu Qian, he immediately recognizes her as Zheng Hao's date and welcomes her to visit anytime. Liang Jinqiu and Gao Shubo return with water, overhearing Zheng Tianchou's words. Liang Jinqiu asks Gao Shubo to take the water in, and she leaves.
Zheng Hao catches up with Liang Jinqiu, explaining that he wasn't on a date with Lu Qian but seeking her professional advice about Chen Xiaoxing. Liang Jinqiu believes Zheng Hao and Lu Qian are a good match and encourages him not to miss the opportunity. Gao Shubo follows, and Liang Jinqiu leaves with him. Zheng Hao receives a call from the bureau and rushes back for a meeting.
Xiao Yilin calls an urgent meeting, officially launching a joint tax and police task force. Li Dongjie leads the first team, with Li Xinxin, Gao Peng, and Zhang Lu. Zheng Hao leads the second team, with Shi Haifeng, Yu Hui, and Zhu Liheng. Xiong Yi is also seconded to the case. The police dispatch Captain Pan and Zhu Xiaofei to lead teams. Li Dongjie's team will support Zhu Xiaofei in Xindong, while Zheng Hao and Captain Pan's team will go to Linzhou. Both teams will act simultaneously.
Zheng Hao and Captain Pan's team arrive in Linzhou, greeted by Wang Zhenming, the Bureau Chief of the Linzhou Inspection Bureau. They go directly to Lulutong Company, only to find it deserted. The property management informs them that the company moved out last month. Meanwhile, Zhu Xiaofei, disguised as a maintenance worker, raids the shell companies in Xindong, arresting all personnel involved. Li Dongjie, Li Xinxin, and Zhang Lu arrive to copy data from computers and seize financial records.
With the police's full cooperation, Zhu Xiaofei quickly dismantles the shell companies in Xindong and interrogates the suspects. Zheng Hao calls Xiao Yilin for instructions, requesting to investigate Lulutong's upstream supplier, Limin Furniture. Xiao Yilin approves. Li Xinxin and Zhang Lu are busy assisting Li Dongjie, while Gao Peng remains in the office, feeling inferior due to his father's arrest. Li Xinxin encourages him to let go of his psychological burden.
Zhang Lu informs Gao Peng and Li Xinxin about a business trip to Linzhou, with Xiong Yi joining them. Li Xinxin hesitates, remembering that Gao Peng's family is in Linzhou. Limin Furniture's manager receives a notice from the Tax Bureau about an invoice inspection in the afternoon. Unable to reach Lu Wangshui, the manager reports to Feng Dakai, who advises him not to worry. Feng Dakai is playing golf with Wu Weidong and Zhao Mingda. Wu Weidong offers Zhao Mingda a high-paying job at his company.
