Episode Summary
Li Dongjie's investigation into Duoyuan Company intensifies, leading to a confrontation with Hao Ren and Yang Zhiyuan. The team faces obstacles, including a deliberately broken elevator and public backlash against Gao Peng due to his father's past. Meanwhile, Liang Jinqiu investigates Duoyuan's low tax rate, and Zheng Hao struggles with personal issues related to his family and Liang Jinqiu. The episode ends with Song Minghong giving the team a one-week deadline to complete their investigation.
Spoiler Alert
In this episode, Li Dongjie, accompanied by Li Xinxin and Zhang Lu, returns to Duoyuan Company, causing Hao Ren to panic. Hao Ren immediately reports to General Manager Yang Zhiyuan, who believes he has everything under control, having already made the necessary arrangements. Yang Zhiyuan instructs Hao Ren to give the Tax Bureau personnel a hard time, a directive Hao Ren readily understands.
Li Dongjie intends to examine the sales department's records for the hot pot sales. Hao Ren, using the excuse of a broken elevator, tries to deter Li Dongjie. However, Li Dongjie sees through the deliberate obstruction, insisting on taking the stairs and forcing Hao Ren to accompany him. Hao Ren, struggling to keep up, is exhausted after climbing several floors, but Li Dongjie pushes him to continue.
Meanwhile, Zheng Hao dispatches Xiong Yi, Gao Feng, and others to various supermarkets and convenience stores to gather information on Duoyuan's small hot pot sales, speaking directly with store clerks and owners. Hao Ren, drenched in sweat, finally reaches the 28th-floor sales department with Li Dongjie's team. Li Dongjie requests sales reports and customer information. Hao Ren has Xiao Qi provide the reports and then informs Yang Zhiyuan. Yang Zhiyuan, wanting to avoid further complications, decides to pay some back taxes to appease Li Dongjie and his team.
The contract with Anbao Food Company has expired. Liang Jinqiu approaches Manager Mai to renew, but Mai refuses, citing high tax rates. Liang Jinqiu explains that their 5.5% tax rate is reasonable, but Mai points out that Duoyuan Company only pays 2%. Liang Jinqiu's explanations are futile.
Yu Dana, upon learning that Anbao Food Company won't renew, personally negotiates with Manager Mai, not wanting to lose a major client. Liang Jinqiu resolves to investigate Duoyuan Company's unusually low tax rate. Manager Mai, an old acquaintance of Yu Dana's husband, Lao Tang, listens as Yu Dana emphasizes Liang Jinqiu's professionalism. She doesn't expect a renewal but wants Mai to witness their firm's expertise.
Chen Xiaoxing's school is holding a celebration, requiring male students to bring their mothers and female students their fathers. Zheng Tianchou uses this opportunity to encourage Zheng Hao and Liang Jinqiu to reconcile so that Chen Xiaoxing can invite Liang Jinqiu. Zheng Hao drafts a message to Liang Jinqiu, who is working late, but hesitates and deletes it, feeling it's inappropriate.
Li Dongjie, suffering from a leg injury due to the stair climb, arrives at work limping. Zheng Hao shows concern. After a long day, Li Dongjie's team only finds that Duoyuan Company's sales department data is slightly higher than the finance department's, attributed to a clerical error. Zheng Hao believes Duoyuan's sales are much higher and is suspicious of the 2% tax rate. He decides to send Xiong Yi and Gao Peng back to Duoyuan for further investigation. Xiong Yi and Gao Peng head to Duoyuan, passing the First Tax Office, where Director Yan is promoting tax laws. They briefly greet Director Yan before hurrying to Duoyuan.
At Duoyuan, Hao Ren blocks Xiong Yi and Gao Peng, claiming Gao Peng is the son of former Deputy Mayor Gao Wenxiang, who embezzled state funds. This causes a scene, with onlookers gossiping about Gao Peng. Xiong Yi argues with Hao Ren, but Hao Ren remains firm. Yang Zhiyuan arrives and denies them entry, with Gao Peng reminding Yang Zhiyuan to cooperate with the investigation.
The video of Xiong Yi and Gao Peng being turned away from Duoyuan Company quickly goes viral, sparking public criticism of Gao Peng. Song Minghong suspects Duoyuan orchestrated this and tells Li Dongjie to reassure Gao Peng. Under pressure, Song Minghong gives Zheng Hao and Li Dongjie one week to complete their task. They immediately begin working on separate leads.
