Episode Summary
Cui Wei is officially removed from the core investigation due to his brother Cui Ye’s involvement in the kidnapping case. As Cui Ye’s plan nears completion, he skillfully evades surveillance, secures the ransom money, and manipulates both criminals and police. Meanwhile, his wife Gao Shuhua and daughter Yanyan struggle to escape captivity, but rescue remains out of reach. The tension escalates as both brothers race against time from opposite sides of the law.
Spoiler Alert
Buckle up, because Episode 21 of Playing Go takes us even deeper into the tangled web of family, crime, and cat-and-mouse strategy—and this time, the emotional stakes are just as high as the tactical ones.
Family Ties Get Messy
Back at the Criminal Investigation Unit, Chief Deng sits down with Cui Wei and gives him a reality check. Deng isn't just talking shop—he's reminding Cui Wei of the golden rule: emotional entanglement can cloud justice. And since Cui Wei’s younger brother, Cui Ye, is now a key suspect in a kidnapping-for-ransom case, Deng has no choice but to sideline him from the main investigation. Cui Wei’s been reassigned to a peripheral role, and it's clear this decision weighs heavily on both men.
On the drive home, a senior officer from the bureau approaches Cui Wei for a quiet word. He praises Cui Wei’s integrity and commitment as a cop, but he's also stunned—how could someone as seemingly harmless as Cui Ye be the mastermind behind such a brutal crime? Cui Wei admits he thought he knew his brother, but now he can’t escape the guilt. Somewhere along the way, he missed the signs.
Cute Distractions & Cold Moves
Meanwhile, Cui Ye’s plan is reaching a critical phase. He’s waiting for Uncle Yi to deliver the ransom money, but first, there’s a stop at the market with his sidekick Yi Zhi Er—to buy a digital pet, no less. Seems random, right? But the shopkeeper’s overly familiar reaction reveals that Cui Ye’s visit wasn’t spontaneous at all. He’s been planning every step.
Right then, Cui Ye gets a call—from “Mom.” Only it’s not really their mother. It’s a sting operation set up by Cui Wei, who’s working with forensic tech Sister Sun to eavesdrop on the conversation. Cui Ye, ever sharp, catches on fast. He keeps his cool and avoids slipping up. When Cui Wei grabs the phone and tries to drop hints, Cui Ye cuts the call short, too aware of Yi Zhi Er hovering nearby. He even lies to him, hiding the fact that his brother is a cop.
The Hunt Heats Up
Elsewhere, Xiao Ding and the surveillance team are tracking Uncle Yi, while Cui Wei studies the case board, narrowing in on the last unexplored location: Tunnel 930. At the same time, Cui Ye meets again with Uncle Yi, instructing Liu Qinglong and his crew to walk toward a slope and await further instructions—phones on, no interruptions.
Uncle Yi is intrigued. He respects Cui Ye’s brains and guts, even if they're on opposite sides. But when he glances out the window and spots signs of surveillance, he knows he's been played.
Liu Qinglong follows through, tossing the ransom—five million yuan—into a coal train just as it passes through the tunnel. Yi Zhi Er, having confirmed the drop, rushes to the train station to intercept the cash.
The Great Escape
Now comes the twist: Cui Ye pulls a classic bait-and-switch. He sends Uncle Yi’s men on a wild goose chase while he jumps into a disguised police vehicle. But when he realizes his wife and daughter still aren’t safe, he bails—literally—leaping from the moving car, catching a cab, and racing to the station.
On the way, he calls the local precinct and falsely reports a mentally unstable man with a weapon—perfectly matching Yi Zhi Er’s description. Police swoop in and detain him, just long enough for Cui Ye to slip into the freight yard, retrieve the suitcase full of cash, and disappear again—relieved, but far from victorious.
Meanwhile, after a quick interview, the police have to let Yi Zhi Er go. He’s furious but powerless. Cui Ye calls to tell him he has the money, and if anything happens to his wife or daughter, Yi Zhi Er can kiss that ransom goodbye. It’s a chilling threat—and it works. Yi Zhi Er has no choice but to keep them safe, at least for now.
A Mother's Last Stand
At the same time, Cui Wei zeroes in on Tunnel 930. He races over, hoping he’s not too late. Inside, Gao Shuhua—Cui Ye’s wife—is fighting for her life. She finally bites through her restraints, only to find the iron door locked. Yanyan, their daughter, stumbles upon a gun. Gao Shuhua, trembling, fires several rounds at the lock, but it won’t budge.
Cui Wei arrives—but he can’t find them. All he can do is sit in his car, trying to piece together his next move.
Final Thoughts
Episode 21 is a masterclass in tension and emotional complexity. Cui Ye continues to prove he's a dangerous blend of brains and desperation, while Cui Wei is forced to walk the tightrope between justice and family loyalty. With the ransom money in play and Gao Shuhua and Yanyan still in danger, the next episode promises even higher stakes.
Stay tuned. This game of Go is far from over.
