Episode Summary
Zhang Yulan commits assisted suicide with Ying Youchang's help, after which he sets their home on fire. Hao Chengcai, initially seen with Zhang Yulan's will, later confesses his knowledge of the plan and renounces his inheritance, leading to his divorce from Wang Yingying. The case closes, prompting reflections from Jin Chun. A dinner at Shen Ye's house reveals a warm family dynamic, while Xu Tongsheng is reminded of his own family's past. The episode ends with a potential link between Zhang Yulan's case and Xu Tongsheng's old family case.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with a flashback to the night of the fire. Zhang Yulan, having bought herself a cake, shares a final meal and drinks with Ying Youchang. Hao Chengcai arrives, berating Zhang Yulan for her lifestyle choices and perceived neglect of her grandson. Ying Youchang, witnessing Hao Chengcai's disrespectful behavior and feeling Zhang Yulan's pain, tries to reason with him, only to be insulted in return. Hao Chengcai storms off.
Zhang Yulan then produces a fruit knife, asking Ying Youchang to kill her. He is unable to do it, even when she provokes him. Zhang Yulan ultimately takes matters into her own hands, guiding Ying Youchang's hands holding the knife to stab herself in the heart.
Zhang Yulan's plan was for Ying Youchang, a disabled man, to be taken care of in prison for the rest of his life. However, Ying Youchang takes a different path. He pours the remaining alcohol around the room and sets it ablaze with a match. As the fire rages, Hao Chengcai is seen outside the apartment complex, clutching Zhang Yulan's will, as captured by surveillance footage. He later admits that the document is indeed his mother's will.
Later, Hao Tianyou, Zhang Yulan’s grandson, visits the interrogation room, wearing a sweater with a small tiger embroidery that Zhang Yulan had mended. He talks about how much he misses his grandmother. Hao Chengcai, though claiming the sweater is outdated, is visibly moved to tears, remembering his mother's tireless efforts in raising him. When Wang Yingying arrives to pick up Hao Tianyou, she tries to prevent Hao Chengcai from revealing the truth, but he rebuffs her, fed up with her presence.
After Wang Yingying leaves, Hao Chengcai presents the reassembled will, admitting he knew about his mother’s plan all along. Outside the police station, Wang Yingying learns that Hao Chengcai has renounced his inheritance. Furious, she feels like the only one concerned with material possessions. Hao Chengcai states his intention to sell the house and car, and Wang Yingying immediately demands a divorce. Hao Chengcai resolves to give Zhang Yulan and Ying Youchang a proper burial, putting an end to his former materialistic lifestyle.
With the case finally closed, Shen Ye suggests a celebratory dinner. Jin Chun returns to her office to write a work log entry about Zhang Yulan, expressing her deep reflections on the case and hoping that Zhang Yulan can live for herself in her next life.
Xu Tongsheng goes to Shen Ye's house for dinner, where Shen Ye cooks. Shen Yi, Shen Ye's father, arrives home and is initially surprised to see Xu Tongsheng. Shen Ye warmly introduces them. Shen Yi takes over cooking duties, and Shen Ye shows Xu Tongsheng his childhood award-winning paintings. During the meal, Shen Ye mentions he has a mouth ulcer from the stress of recent work. Shen Yi scolds Shen Ye for not taking care of himself, creating a warm, familial atmosphere.
Back home, Xu Tongsheng is overcome with longing for his parents. He finds the only surviving item from his old home – an undestroyed sofa – and sleeps on it, dreaming of his childhood. He remembers being asked to call for his parents, a moment of joy for him as his busy parents rarely had time to spend with him. He also dreams of a school performance where he and He Xi played the recorder and received praise.
Mao Mao is seen briefly organizing the evidence from the explosion at Zhang Yulan's house. Jiang Li criticizes Mao Mao's sloppy categorization. Xu Tongsheng, passing by, notices a water heater component among the evidence, which triggers a connection to his own family's old case.
