Episode Summary
Zheng Hao's team investigates Shubo Technology for alleged tax evasion, based on a tip from a rival company, Qianxin Technology, led by Qu Ning, who has ulterior motives. Liang Jinqiu, Shubo Tech's consultant and Zheng Hao's former love interest, works to provide the necessary documentation. Meanwhile, Zhao Wan'er is hospitalized with pneumonia, bringing Zheng Hao and Liang Jinqiu closer. The missing cooperation agreement between Shubo and Qianxin becomes a key issue, with suspicion falling on Qu Ning's malicious intent.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off with a shift in focus at the Inspection Bureau. Li Dongjie's First Inspection Team is tied up, so Xiao Yilin assigns the Shubo Technology Company case to Zheng Hao's Second Inspection Team. This immediately creates tension because Liang Jinqiu serves as Shubo Tech's tax consultant. Xiong Yi, not wanting to see Liang Jinqiu and Zheng Hao clash, suggests Zheng Hao recuse himself, but Zheng Hao sees no reason to.
Zheng Hao, following protocol, summons Liang Jinqiu to the bureau. Gao Shubo, the CEO of Shubo Tech, accompanies her. Zheng Hao lays it out: Shubo Tech is suspected of tax evasion related to R&D expenses. He requests Liang Jinqiu to prepare the relevant documents, but she points out the sheer volume of data will take time to compile. We then learn the anonymous whistleblower who reported Shubo Tech is Qu Ning from Qianxin Technology Company. Her motive? To frame Shubo Tech, scaring off potential investors (specifically Mingqi Company) and securing the funding for herself before Shubo Tech's name is cleared.
Gao Shubo is increasingly suspicious. His team had been on the verge of securing Mingqi's investment after finally launching their new product, and now this. He worries about Liang Jinqiu facing Zheng Hao and suggests she step back, but Liang Jinqiu is unfazed. She works overtime, organizing the documents, with Gao Shubo staying by her side.
Meanwhile, a personal crisis unfolds. On the weekend, Zheng Tianchou accompanies Chen Xiaoxing to the hospital to visit Zhao Wan'er, who is suffering from a severe pneumonia-induced fever. Chen Xiaoxing calls Zheng Hao to ask for time off, wanting to stay by Zhao Wan'er's side. Zhao Mingda learns from the doctor that Zhao Wan'er's next round of treatment fees has been paid, and he correctly guesses it was Feng Dakai. He calls Feng Dakai to thank him, and Feng Dakai encourages him to focus on caring for Zhao Wan'er. Zheng Hao, hearing about Zhao Wan'er's pneumonia, informs Liang Jinqiu, and they rush to Nan Hang together. During the car ride, Liang Jinqiu researches the pneumonia and finds it's a side effect of a particular injection. While showing Zheng Hao her phone, it slips, and their hands brush as they both reach for it, creating an awkward moment.
At the hospital, Zheng Hao and Liang Jinqiu offer comfort. Chen Xiaoxing is devoted to Zhao Wan'er, trying to keep her spirits up, and Zheng Tianchou even arranges an apple into the shape of Zhao Wan'er's favorite animal, a rabbit. Zheng Hao encourages Zhao Wan'er to fight the illness and looks forward to her enjoying Zheng Tianchou's cooking again.
As Zheng Hao and Liang Jinqiu leave the hospital to return to Xindong, Chen Xiaoxing comments on how well they get along, and Zheng Tianchou agrees. Separately, Ren Sumin and Liang Zhongwei discuss Liang Jinqiu's love life while taking a walk. Ren Sumin favors Gao Shubo, but Liang Zhongwei sees that Liang Jinqiu still has feelings for Zheng Hao. He urges Ren Sumin to support Liang Jinqiu and Zheng Hao, but Ren Sumin is still hung up on Zheng Tianchou sending Liang Zhongwei to prison years ago. Liang Zhongwei, having long since reconciled with Zheng Tianchou, suggests a dinner with Zheng Hao's family, but Ren Sumin makes excuses.
Back at Qianxin Tech, Qu Ning is waiting for Manager Li from Mingqi Investment. Suddenly, she receives a notice from the Inspection Bureau, asking her to verify some information. She lies, claiming to be out of town, realizing the bureau has discovered her contract with Shubo Tech is fake. Manager Li arrives, demanding R&D data and documentation before signing any deal. Qu Ning remembers Li Lin, a technician fired from Shubo Tech, and immediately seeks him out to get the necessary data.
Zheng Hao and Xiong Yi meticulously review Shubo Tech's files and then meet with Gao Shubo to verify information. They discover that Qianxin Tech and Shubo Tech were only partners, not in a client-contractor relationship, and their contract has been terminated. However, the original cooperation agreement is missing. Gao Shubo has no idea where it is. Qu Ning pressures and manipulates Li Lin, who agrees to provide the data and secretly records Qu Ning's conversation.
In a side plot, Zhao Mingda, grateful for Feng Dakai's help, drafts a three-year plan for Kebao Electronics and gifts him a valuable bonsai. Zhan Si confronts Feng Dakai, blaming him for Kun Shu's death. Feng Dakai says nothing, simply handing Zhan Si a photo album of Zhan Yi. Zhan Si, overcome with emotion, leaves angrily. Looking through the photos of Zhan Yi, he remembers their happy times together.
Chen Xiaoxing injures his knee playing ball, and Zheng Tianchou bandages it. Liang Zhongwei, having figured out how to use a drawing tablet thanks to Chen Xiaoxing's drawings, texts Zheng Tianchou to thank him. Liang Jinqiu submits evidence of the cooperation between Qianxin Tech and Shubo Tech, including a joint account where client funds were deposited and then transferred to Shubo Tech. However, due to an oversight, the original signed agreement can't be located. Zheng Hao suspects foul play and reports the situation to Xiao Yilin.
