Episode Summary
Six years after Liang Zhongwei's arrest, Zheng Hao, now a tax bureau director, is assigned to a sensitive case involving Donghe Industrial. He faces resistance, threats, and political pressure while investigating the company's finances. Simultaneously, Liang Jinqiu returns to China and encounters a tax evasion incident at the airport.
Spoiler Alert
Episode 2 kicks off with a dramatic scene. Zheng Hao is driving Liang Jinqiu and Chen Xiaoxing home when they witness a shocking event: Liang Jinqiu's father, Liang Zhongwei, is being taken away by authorities. Liang Jinqiu's mother is distraught, desperately questioning what her husband has done, but Liang Zhongwei remains silent. The family is left in turmoil, with Liang Jinqiu comforting her weeping mother. Zheng Tianchou, present at the scene, is unable to provide any answers.
Six years pass. Chen Xiaoxing is now in middle school, and Zheng Hao has risen to the position of Director of the Risk Management Bureau of the Lingshui District Tax Bureau. Zheng Hao's day takes an unexpected turn when he receives a call from Chen Xiaoxing's teacher, informing him that Xiaoxing has been involved in a fight at school. It turns out that Xiaoxing and Zhao Wanner, the daughter of Zhao Mingda, fought with two classmates who mocked Xiaoxing for not having a mother and spread rumors about him dating Zhao Wanner.
The incident brings Zheng Tianchou and Zhao Mingda to the school. While Zhao Mingda apologizes profusely to the teacher, Zheng Hao receives urgent news. He and a colleague, Xiong Yi, have been assigned to Case 106. They are ordered by Song Minhong, the Lingshui District Tax Bureau Chief, to immediately extract electronic data from Donghe Industrial. Ji Donglin, who was initially supposed to go, has a sudden health issue, so Zheng Hao rushes to Donghe Industrial, leaving Zheng Tianchou and Zhao Mingda to handle the school situation. Zheng Tianchou resolves the conflict, getting the children to reconcile, and then treats them to a meal.
Zheng Hao, anticipating resistance, instructs Xiong Yi to bring the necessary inspection warrants and even a small generator. He also asks Zhao Qi to gather information about the situation at Donghe Industrial. Meanwhile, Li Dongjie seems disappointed that Zheng Hao is taking the lead on the Donghe Industrial case. At Donghe Industrial, a confrontation is already brewing. Security guards are clashing with tax bureau staff, attempting to seize accounting records and even feigning injury. Xiong Yi steps in to argue, while staff member Li Xinxin records the events with a body camera.
Zheng Hao arrives and presents his inspection warrant from the Audit Bureau, demanding the company's ledgers. The responsible person is nowhere to be found. Zheng Hao instructs Li Xinxin to call the police. Finally, Guo Ziqiang, the General Manager of Donghe Industrial, and Liu Wei, the Chief Financial Officer, appear. Zheng Hao explains their purpose, but Guo Ziqiang is uncooperative, making excuses. Li Xinxin clarifies that the notification had already been delivered. Guo Ziqiang dismisses the security guards and instructs Liu Wei to cooperate, but it's clear he's stalling.
A sudden power outage occurs in the building. Liu Wei claims it's due to line maintenance and tries to get the tax officials to leave with the records. Guo Ziqiang secretly calls the company's chairman to report the situation. However, Zheng Hao, having anticipated such tactics, has Xiong Yi bring in the small generator.
Meanwhile, Song Minhong and Xiao Yilin visit Ji Donglin in the hospital, where he's undergoing emergency treatment. Ji Donglin specifically requested Zheng Hao to handle the Donghe Industrial audit, leaving Xiao Yilin uneasy about potential trouble for Zheng Hao. The situation is further complicated when the Mayor's secretary calls Xiao Yilin, advocating on behalf of Donghe Industrial. Song Minhong, upon learning this, vows to investigate Donghe Industrial thoroughly, no matter the cost.
In a parallel storyline, Liang Jinqiu returns to the country with her mother, who is now in a wheelchair due to rheumatism. At the airport in Xindong City, a young woman returning from studying abroad asks Liang Jinqiu for help with an extra suitcase during customs inspection.
Back at Donghe Industrial, Guo Ziqiang and Liu Wei try to bribe Zheng Hao with a discount card for buying a house. Zheng Hao politely refuses. They then offer to transfer Chen Xiaoxing to a key middle school, which Zheng Hao also declines. Guo Ziqiang then resorts to veiled threats, referencing Chen Xiaoxing's safety, but Zheng Hao warns him to watch his actions.
Liang Jinqiu tries to return the suitcase to the student, who then admits that it contains financial documents. Liang Jinqiu advises her to declare them truthfully, but the student accuses Liang Jinqiu of owning the suitcase. Fortunately, Liang Jinqiu had recorded the conversation, and the student is detained for tax evasion. Liang Jinqiu's friend, Yu Dana, picks her up from the airport, and Liang Jinqiu recounts the incident.
Zheng Hao and Xiong Yi, along with Li Xinxin and other staff, finish organizing the records and pack them up to take back to the bureau. Zheng Hao, concerned about potential retaliation from Guo Ziqiang and Liu Wei, calls his father, Zheng Tianchou. After several attempts, he reaches his father and warns him to stay home and not open the door for anyone. Li Xinxin suggests Zheng Hao go home, but he insists on delivering the records to the bureau first.
Back at the bureau, Zheng Hao and Xiong Yi deliver the records. Xiao Yilin informs them about the call from the Mayor's secretary, who was interceding for Donghe Industrial.
