Episode Summary
Yu Hui Coffee faces a tax investigation after sales decline following a costly software purchase. Li Dongjie leads the investigation, complicated by the involvement of Liang Jinqiu, Zheng Hao's ex-girlfriend, who is representing the coffee company. Personal tensions and past grievances resurface during a hot pot dinner, where Liang's mother confronts Zheng Hao's father. Zheng Hao is assigned to the case, creating a professional conflict with Liang Jinqiu. Zheng Hao also deals with a personal issue when he discovers Chen Xiaoxing is earning money unethically and buys a very expensive gift.
Spoiler Alert
This episode dives into a complex tax investigation and the tangled relationships of those involved. Yu Hui Coffee, a rapidly expanding national chain with over 300 locations, is in hot water. After purchasing a 40 million yuan automated coffee management software system from the Yiteng team last year, their sales plummeted. The tax authorities suspect foul play, specifically that Yu Hui is underreporting its revenue, and the Audit Bureau, specifically Xiao Yilin, assigns Li Dongjie to lead the investigation.
Mr. Zhou, the owner of Yu Hui Coffee, turns to Liang Jinqiu and Yu Dana for help, promising a long-term partnership with their tax firm if they can resolve the issue. Li Dongjie requests all data related to the software for a comprehensive evaluation. Liang Jinqiu expertly explains the software's functionality, leaving Li Dongjie momentarily speechless. He schedules a formal hearing in seven days. It's also revealed that Liang Jinqiu is Zheng Hao's ex-girlfriend, adding a layer of personal tension to the case.
Meanwhile, Xiong Yi starts his new job as a teller at the First Office, facing a barrage of quirky and demanding customers. Overwhelmed, he vents to Zheng Hao, who encourages him to persevere. Zheng Hao also shares that he's been transferred back to the Audit Bureau, crushing Xiong Yi's hopes of a quick escape. Zheng Hao plans a hot pot dinner with Xiong Yi and Chen Xiaoxing to lift their spirits.
Mr. Zhou, impressed by Liang Jinqiu's skills, still wants to leverage her past relationship with Zheng Hao to influence the tax investigation. Liang Jinqiu, however, is adamant about avoiding any personal involvement with Zheng Hao. Yu Dana doesn't push the issue and invites Liang Jinqiu to join the hot pot dinner.
The hot pot dinner brings several characters together, creating both heartwarming and awkward moments. Zheng Tianchou, Zheng Hao, and Xiong Yi pick up Chen Xiaoxing and Zhao Wan'er from school, and the five of them enjoy a meal together. Separately, Yu Dana, Liang Jinqiu, and Gao Shubo (who Liang's mother seems to be encouraging as a suitor) are at the same restaurant, with Liang's mother subtly pushing Gao Shubo to secure Liang Jinqiu as a tax consultant for his tech company. Zheng Hao spots Liang Jinqiu across the restaurant and quickly closes his private room door, a gesture she mirrors.
Later, a tense encounter occurs when Zheng Tianchou insists on getting a receipt after paying for the meal, lecturing the restaurant owner on tax regulations. Liang's mother, emerging from the restaurant, sees Zheng Tianchou and is visibly furious, referencing a past event where he arrested Liang Zhongwei (presumably Liang Jinqiu's father). Zheng Hao, embarrassed, quickly ushers his father away.
Back home, Chen Xiaoxing confides in Zheng Hao that he believes Liang Jinqiu is dating Gao Shubo, but Zheng Hao dismisses it. The episode delves into the emotional aftermath of the encounter. Liang Jinqiu comforts her mother, who is still deeply affected by Zheng Tianchou's past actions. Zheng Tianchou, unable to sleep, apologizes to Zheng Hao, regretting his role in Liang Zhongwei's arrest and believing it ruined Zheng Hao's chance at marriage with Liang Jinqiu. Zheng Hao reassures his father, stating that he and Liang Jinqiu simply weren't meant to be.
Liang's mother encourages her to pursue a relationship with Gao Shubo, while Liao Jingshan remains neutral. The mother warns Liang Jinqiu to stay away from Zheng Hao, which she agrees.
Li Dongjie reports the complexity of the Yu Hui Coffee case to Song Minhong, requesting additional manpower. Song Minhong assigns Zheng Hao to the case, setting up a direct professional confrontation between him and his ex-girlfriend.
Finally, Zheng Hao receives a call from Chen Xiaoxing's teacher, discovering that Xiaoxing has been writing other students' homework for money. Xiaoxing reveals he's saving up for an expensive Federer-brand badminton racket for an upcoming tournament with Zhao Wan'er. Zheng Hao, forbidding this method of earning money, buys the 3,900 yuan racket for Xiaoxing, a significant expense representing three months of his salary, and asks him to keep it a secret from Zheng Tianchou.
