Episode Summary
Shen Ye and Xu Tongsheng investigate the Ducheng Processing Plant, suspecting a Bitcoin mining operation is covering up a larger secret related to Han's Group. They question Plant Manager Gao and Wu Yu, uncovering blackmail and a possible connection to Han Pei. Xu Tongsheng, remembering a clue from the past, questions Han Jun about his knowledge of his father's activities. Later, Xu Tongsheng gets beaten up by factory workers while trying to gather more information, and Shen Ye rushes to the scene.
Spoiler Alert
After Shen Yi's hospital discharge, Shen Ye takes another day off to care for him, but his mind is clearly still at the Criminal Investigation Team. He fumbles Shen Yi's medication, bringing him pills meant for after meals before breakfast, then rushes out to buy breakfast, only settling down to work after ensuring Shen Yi is taken care of.
Back at the precinct, Shen Ye heaps praise on Xu Tongsheng. Xu Tongsheng reveals that their search of the Ducheng Processing Plant's basement only turned up Bitcoin mining equipment. However, he's convinced it's a smokescreen. He believes his father discovered a secret about Han's Group before Bitcoin even existed, likely around the time of the lightning experiment preparations, and that Plant Manager Gao moved the real evidence.
The two investigate the Ducheng Processing Plant's surveillance room, finding a convenient gap in the footage during the crucial time. The security guard blames a power outage caused by a fire at a nearby restaurant. This only heightens Xu Tongsheng's suspicions. Outside the plant, he notices a surveillance camera at the roadside restaurant and inquires about it.
The restaurant's camera only shows an empty truck passing by. Li Dangui calls to say they're ready to question Plant Manager Gao, so they head back to the Criminal Investigation Team. Gao claims he didn't know Wu Yu before the fire. After the fire, Wu Yu approached him, offering to help investigate the cause. During the investigation, Wu Yu discovered the high electricity usage and questioned Gao, who admitted to Bitcoin mining. Wu Yu then jacked up his price, and Gao, wanting to keep things quiet, paid up. He even recorded their conversation.
When questioned, Wu Yu initially acts tough, claiming he's a hero for helping crack the case. But when Shen Ye presents Gao's recording, Wu Yu's defense crumbles. Gao is questioned again about when the mining started. He reveals that Han Pei initially controlled it, and he only took over after Han Pei's "accident." He even mentions that several foreign experts were brought in to teach them. Wu Yong suddenly tells Li Dangui to stop Shen Ye's questioning.
Gu Nuo, observing from next door, signals to Shen Ye that the case can be closed. After work, Xu Tongsheng is clearly troubled. Shen Ye reassures him that Gao Weiyuan was just a small part of Han Pei's operation and likely wouldn't know much.
The next day, Xu Tongsheng apologizes to Jin Chun for missing their dinner date. Jin Chun recalls a rainy night when she also stood up Han Jun, but they unexpectedly met later. Xu Tongsheng suddenly remembers Han Jun mentioning he went abroad eighteen years ago, after his father's accident. He thinks Han Jun might know something about what happened back then. Coincidentally, Han Jun arrives at the precinct to discuss compensation matters. Xu Tongsheng and Shen Ye meet with him.
When asked if he knew about Han Pei's mining operation, Han Jun claims he never interfered in Han Pei's affairs. Shen Ye points out that Han Pei regularly deposited money into Han Jun's overseas account. Han Jun explains that all the money went to a charitable foundation, with clear records. He claims that since taking over Han's Group, he's stopped all of Han Pei's illegal activities and used the proceeds from selling off those businesses for charitable purposes, as a form of atonement.
After Han Jun leaves, Shen Ye advises Xu Tongsheng not to be so stubborn, as Han Jun's explanation seems reasonable. Shen Yi urges Shen Ye to come home early, as he's been doing lately. However, Xu Tongsheng goes back to Zhang Quanyou's restaurant to ask Wang Yuxi if she's noticed any strange people or events at the factory in recent years.
Wang Yuxi recalls two individuals who kept to themselves and occasionally ate at the restaurant, speaking a dialect she couldn't understand. Xu Tongsheng shows her photos of the Ducheng Processing Plant workers, but Wang Yuxi confirms the two men weren't among them. Xu Tongsheng asks her to help him find out more.
The restaurant is about to reopen, and Wang Yuxi invites several workers for a meal, also notifying Xu Tongsheng. Xu Tongsheng hides in a corner to eavesdrop, but is discovered by workers moving beer. The workers, frustrated about the factory's shutdown, surround and beat up Xu Tongsheng. Wang Yuxi frantically calls Shen Ye. Shen Yi, hearing that Shen Ye is rushing to help Xu Tongsheng, suddenly breaks a bowl and says he did all that for nothing. Shen Ye hesitates, but still leaves for the restaurant.
By the time Shen Ye arrives, the police have already taken control of the situation. After giving his statement, Wang Yuxi explains what happened to Shen Ye.
