Episode Summary
He Chao's anniversary celebration is overshadowed by a tax investigation into his business dealings. Zheng Hao and his team investigate a shell company linked to He Chao, while Zhao Mingda faces suspension and decides to start his own business after selling his house. Personal relationships are strained as Zhao Mingda avoids Shen Yue, and a potential romance brews between Li Xinxin and Gao Peng.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with He Chao celebrating the fourth anniversary of his live-selling career. He's holding a special event, promising a lucky viewer a chance to have their entire online shopping cart cleared. The celebratory atmosphere, however, is quickly overshadowed by an ongoing investigation.
Tax investigators Zheng Hao and Xiong Yi visit the live-streaming platform, discovering that He Chao's only reported expense is a "slotting fee" paid to the platform. Further digging reveals that He Chao's studio and a company called Hongchuo have been issuing invoices to Yijia Company since last year. The plot thickens when they find out that Hongchuo's legal representative is He Chao's sister, He Li. Zheng Hao suspects He Chao is using Hongchuo to hide income and reports his suspicions to Xiao Yilin, who authorizes a full investigation of Hongchuo. Zheng Hao requests assistance from Li Dongjie.
Li Dongjie assigns Li Xinxin and Gao Peng to help Zheng Hao. Their investigation leads them to Hongchuo's registered address, a dilapidated factory. They're denied entry, and a scuffle ensues when Li Xinxin tries to take photos. Gao Peng protects her, getting his hand injured in the process. Li Xinxin bandages his wound, a moment that hints at a possible romantic development, especially as Gao Peng later looks at the bandage with a wistful expression while Xiong Yi comes to pick up Li Xinxin from work.
Meanwhile, Zhao Mingda faces the consequences of a public apology video that went viral. The university suspends him, and he decides to go home, realizing he can't explain the situation. Feng Dakai, a former student, tries to recruit him to help turn around his struggling businesses, but Zhao Mingda politely declines, at least for now. He wants to learn more about the specific problems.
Zhao Mingda's personal life is also in turmoil. He plans a visit to his daughter, Zhao Wan'er, who is in the hospital. Shen Yue, Zhao Wan'er's mother, tries to dissuade him, not wanting him to neglect his work. Zhao Mingda lies, claiming he's just switching classes with a colleague. Chen Xiaoxing also visits Zhao Wan'er, bringing her joy and even some "fresh air" from the mountaintop (which turns out to smell bad, leading to some playful banter). Shen Yue, noticing how happy Zhao Wan'er is, considers asking Chen Xiaoxing to visit every weekend but worries about his studies. Shen Yue later receives Zhao Wan'er's test results and tries calling Zhao Mingda, but he's unreachable. She then learns from the university that he's been suspended.
Zhao Mingda, feeling lost, tries to get a job as an assistant at Professor He's studio but repeatedly misses the professor, who is busy with classes and live-streaming. He doesn't answer Shen Yue's calls, unsure how to face her. Shen Yue, worried, contacts Zheng Hao, who goes to find Zhao Mingda.
Gao Shubo, seeing the online vitriol directed at Zhao Mingda, informs Liang Jinqiu. She can't reach Zhao Mingda either and goes to his home, where she meets Zheng Hao. The three friends gather at their usual food stall. Zhao Mingda expresses his gratitude to Liang Jinqiu for her financial support and to Zheng Hao for his help. He reveals that he's sold his house and decided to resign and start his own business. The episode ends on a note of uncertainty, highlighting Zhao Mingda's drastic life changes and the escalating investigation into He Chao's financial dealings.
