Episode Summary
Zhao Mingda accepts a cosmetics ad deal to fund his daughter's treatment, while Liang Jinqiu's father is about to be released from prison. Internet star He Chao faces a tax evasion investigation led by Zheng Hao and Xiong Yi. Lu Wangshui violently deals with disloyal subordinates. Xiong Yi and Li Xinxin become a couple. Zhao Mingda is confronted for taking the commercial job.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with Zhao Mingda grappling with a bittersweet responsibility. His late teacher, deeply concerned about Zhao Wan'er's illness, had saved up money to help with her treatment. Zhao Mingda is hesitant to accept the money, knowing it was his teacher and his wife's retirement fund, but ultimately accepts it, aware that it was his teacher's dying wish.
Meanwhile, Liang Jinqiu receives exciting news: her father, Liang Zhongwei, is due to be released from prison soon, thanks to good behavior and a small invention he made. Overjoyed, she shares the news with Yu Dana, who immediately plans a welcome-back celebration. Good news also arrives for Zhao Wan'er, who is undergoing treatment in Nan Hang. Her condition is improving, and she calls Zhao Mingda to share her progress. Relieved and needing to secure more funds for her continued care, Zhao Mingda makes the difficult decision to accept a lucrative cosmetics advertisement deal, aiming to earn another 500,000 yuan.
The episode also delves into the world of online influencers. He Chao has become a wildly popular live-streamer, attracting hordes of fans with his "lowest price on the internet" deals. Even the usually frugal Shi Haifeng succumbs to the temptation, later regretting his purchase and complaining to Xiong Yi. Xiong Yi, however, is preoccupied with his pursuit of Li Xinxin, who rebuffs his advances, hinting that she expects a proposal.
He Chao's success, however, attracts scrutiny. Zheng Hao receives orders to investigate He Chao's business dealings and dispatches Shi Haifeng and Xiong Yi. He Chao is summoned to the Tax Bureau, where he insists he's been paying his taxes legally. Zheng Hao urges him to cooperate, and He Chao reluctantly signs the notification. He immediately contacts his agency, which assures him that everything is above board.
A subplot involves Lu Wangshui, who is dealing with internal strife within his organization. After uncovering some disloyal subordinates, he confronts them. A-Wei tries to explain that the business has been struggling since Zhan Yi's death, but Lu Wangshui, in a fit of rage, brutally kills A-Wei with an ashtray, terrifying the others.
Back with Zhao Mingda, he transfers the 500,000 yuan from the advertisement to Shen Yue. Shen Yue is concerned about the source of the money, but Zhao Mingda explains it's payment for the cosmetics ad. He also asks Shen Yue to dissuade her parents from selling their old house, as he doesn't want to burden his family. Meanwhile, Shi Haifeng tends to Li Xinxin's blistered feet (caused by high heels), offering her a bandage and helping her with her work. Later, Xiong Yi sees Li Xinxin limping home and sweeps her off her feet, carrying her. This romantic gesture, coupled with a kiss and a declaration of love, finally wins Li Xinxin over, and they officially become a couple.
Zheng Hao and Xiong Yi visit He Chao's studio, examining his financial records. They notice a discrepancy: his live-streaming sales are down, but his income has decreased, which seems odd. They decide to question He Chao directly and find him in the middle of a cosmetics live stream. Zheng Hao pulls the brand manager aside, demanding the financial records related to He Chao's promotions.
Zheng Hao also visits a Y Jewelry store, inquiring about the sales of jewelry endorsed by He Chao. This triggers a flashback to his college graduation, where he couldn't afford a ring for Liang Jinqiu and instead made a symbolic one with his hands. Yu Dana and her husband, Lao Tang, spot Zheng Hao at the jewelry store and tell Liang Jinqiu, who mistakenly assumes he's buying a ring for Lu Qian, causing her some heartache. Yu Dana advises Liang Jinqiu to forget Zheng Hao and focus on Gao Shubo.
Xiong Yi's investigation finally uncovers He Chao's tax evasion scheme. He Chao had contracts with businesses, who paid him the full amount, including taxes. However, he later demanded additional money from them under the guise of "transportation fees" and "red envelope" bonuses, which were not reported as income. Xiong Yi reports his findings to Zheng Hao and then rushes off to a date with Li Xinxin.
The episode concludes with Mr. Chen, the CEO of the cosmetics company, inviting Zhao Mingda to teach an online class. Zhao Mingda, still driven by the need to fund Zhao Wan'er's treatment, accepts. His teaching style is well-received, but after the class, he's publicly confronted by someone who accuses him of compromising his integrity for money. Zhao Mingda, ashamed, admits that his income as a teacher isn't enough to support his family's needs and bows in apology to the students.
