Episode Summary
Zhao Mingda quits his university job to pursue business and save his sick daughter. Liang Zhongwei is released from prison and struggles to adapt to modern life. Feng Dakai's business deal is ruined by Xiao Yuwei, sparking a rivalry. A tax evasion investigation intensifies, leading investigators to a village and ultimately exposing He Chao's illegal activities. Zhan Si deals with her grief, while Lu Wangshui is caught between her and Feng Dakai.
Spoiler Alert
This episode sees a mix of personal struggles, corporate intrigue, and legal investigations, all intertwined within the lives of the main characters.
Zhao Mingda's Sacrifice: The episode opens with Zhao Mingda, a university professor, making a difficult decision. His daughter, Zhao Wan'er, is seriously ill, and the medical bills are astronomical. Despite the financial help from his close college friends, Liang Jinqiu and Zheng Hao (who gives Zhao Mingda all his savings), it's not enough. Zhao Mingda, feeling like a burden, decides to leave his academic career and enter the cutthroat world of business to earn more money. His friends are saddened by this turn of events but understand his desperation.
Liang Zhongwei's Release and Family Reunion: Liang Jinqiu's father, Liang Zhongwei, is released from prison early due to good behavior. The reunion is emotional, with Liang Zhongwei, his wife Ren Sumin, and Liang Jinqiu sharing a heartfelt meal together. Liang Zhongwei cooks his family's favorite dishes, and the scene emphasizes the joy of their restored family life. However, Liang Zhongwei quickly realizes how much the world has changed during his imprisonment when he struggles with modern payment methods, prompting Liang Jinqiu to get him a smartphone.
Feng Dakai's Business Deal and Xiao Yuwei's Interference: Businessman Feng Dakai attempts to acquire a company called Kebo Electronics. He uses a metaphor of a potentially poisonous pufferfish dish, expertly prepared to be delicious, to convince the owner, Mr. Qi, to embrace innovation. Zhao Mingda, also present, points out Kebo's precarious situation, suggesting that only bold moves and new talent can save it. Feng Dakai offers to buy the company, promising Mr. Qi a 20% annual profit. Qi agrees, welcoming Feng Dakai to inspect the factory. However, Feng Dakai's plans are thwarted when Xiao Yuwei swoops in and buys Kebo Electronics out from under him. This sets up a rivalry, with Feng Dakai instructing Lu Wangshui to keep a close eye on Xiao Yuwei.
Lu Wangshui and Kun Shu: Lu Wangshui seeks help from Kun Shu to tail Xiao Yuwei. Kun Shu initially hesitates, citing health issues, but readily agrees when offered a substantial sum of money.
Zhan Si's Grief and Manipulation: Following the death of Zhan Yi, Zhan Si is consumed by grief and alcoholism. Lu Wangshui attempts to bring her into the fold, hoping she'll take over Xindong's business. However, Zhan Si is fixated on Feng Dakai's role in Zhan Yi's death and uses her charms to manipulate Lu Wangshui, attempting to drive a wedge between him and Feng Dakai.
The Tax Evasion Investigation: Zheng Hao and his team, including Li Dongjie, Xiong Yi, and Gao Peng, are diligently investigating a case of potential tax evasion. They discover five companies registered on the same day, all receiving invoices from a company called Hongchuo. They suspect Hongchuo is issuing fraudulent invoices to help someone evade taxes. The investigation leads them to various suppliers and the financial records of the five companies. They find that the suppliers didn't issue invoices to He Chao, and the five companies transferred most of their funds to He Chao's personal account, keeping only a 3% commission.
The Trip to Willow Village: He Li reveals that Hongchuo Company is managed by Zhong Wei. Zheng Hao discovers Zhong Wei's hometown is Willow Village and suspects the owners of the five shell companies might be his acquaintances. Xiong Yi and Gao Peng travel to Willow Village to investigate. They locate the five individuals, who admit that Zhong Wei used their IDs to open the companies, promising them year-end dividends. One of them, Niu Qiang, appears particularly nervous. Gao Peng notices this, and Niu Qiang eventually reveals that he visited the company, discovered it was fake, and confronted Zhong Wei, who paid him off. Niu Qiang provides the address of Zhong Wei's mother.
He Chao's Downfall: The combined efforts of the First and Second Inspection Teams uncover the full extent of Zhong Wei's scheme, revealing that he used Hongchuo and the five shell companies to help He Chao evade taxes. He Chao is forced to confess and agrees to pay over 20 million in back taxes. The scandal goes public, and He Chao faces widespread condemnation online. A seemingly unrelated scene shows Shi Haifeng making insensitive comments about tax evaders during lunch, unaware that Gao Peng's father is implicated. Shi Haifeng later apologizes to Gao Peng.
Liang Zhongwei Learns Modern Technology: Liang Jinqiu takes her father, Liang Zhongwei, dessert shopping. Chen Xiaoxing is also at the store. Liang Zhongwei attempts to pay for Chen Xiaoxing's bread using his new smartphone, but his unfamiliarity with the technology causes a delay. Chen Xiaoxing suggests a faster payment method to Liang Jinqiu, who promises to teach her father.
Zhao Mingda's Advice: Zhao Mingda continues to give lectures to the executives of the Huaya Group, who find his insights valuable. Feng Dakai is still upset about losing Kebo Electronics, but Zhao Mingda advises him to move on and promises to help him find similar business opportunities.
