Episode Summary
Cui Ye manipulates police investigations, faces family struggles, and clashes with former rivals while uncovering shady dealings linked to Wang Hongyu. Jin Xiasheng pursues quick cash, and a devastating medical diagnosis forces Cui Ye to confront harsh realities.
Spoiler Alert
Episode 3- "Checkmate or Checked Out?"
The cops are still chasing shadows thanks to Cui Ye’s masterclass in misdirection, laser-focused on tracking down the missing Qin Xiaoming. Meanwhile, our morally ambiguous hero (or antihero?) inspects Jin Chunsheng’s corpse at the morgue, deducing two things: 1) the guy probably worked in mines years ago, and 2) this whole “dead body” situation is just a shiny distraction from the real crime. Classic detective drama 101, amirite?
Over at a remote temple, Cui Ye drags Jin Xiasheng (Chunsheng’s brother? Cousin? The show’s keeping it vague) for a deeply awkward incense-burning session. Cui tries to peace out afterward, but Jin’s got dollar signs in his eyes and refuses to ditch his new “business partner.” (Spoiler: This partnership is gonna end messily.)
Parenting Fail Alert: Cui Ye sneaks into the hospital to check on his son Yanyan, only to overhear the kid trash-talking him for being a “loser” compared to his uncle Cui Wei. Ouch. Cue a midlife crisis montage! Inspired by a news segment, Cui Ye decides to launch a Go masterclass (because nothing says “I’m a cool dad” like teaching ancient board games). He pitches the idea to school principal Zhang Yingjie, who’s probably wondering why this guy smells like temple incense and desperation.
Next stop: Wang Hongyu’s office. Cui Ye rocks up in a vibrant red tie and a tote bag (peak dad fashion), pitching his Go academy dream. Hongyu, a queen of side-eye, shuts him down hard: “Too small-time, sweetie.” But just as Cui slinks away defeated, she hits him with the classic “Wait… I’ve got an idea.” Dun-dun-duuun!
Meanwhile, in the Subplot Zone: Jin Xiasheng steals a grandpa’s wallet (classy) and heads to a cybercafé, where he meets a gamer girl who absolutely destroys him in a shooter game. Humiliated, he notices a Hongyu Group business card under his mousepad—the same shady conglomerate Wang Hongyu runs. Coincidence? In this show? Never.
Blast from the Past: Cui Ye reunites with Dong Binghui, his former Go rival-turned-phone tycoon. Over a very tense dinner, Dong reveals he quit chess years ago to chase cash. “Go doesn’t pay the bills, bro,” he shrugs, before offering Cui Ye $5K to throw their upcoming match. But our boy Cui clings to his principles, wins by one stone… and then gets played hard by Hongyu, who gifts him a “latest-gen” phone instead of funding his academy. Plot twist: The phone’s a smuggled overseas model. (Cui’s face: )
The Gut-Punch Moment: A doctor drops a bombshell—Yanyan has ALS. Cui Ye stares at his trophy collection, realizing none of his wins can save his son. Later, ex-wife Gao Shuhua drops another nuke: She’s taking Yanyan to Canada. Cui responds by… pager-bombing her phone? (Ah, the ‘90s.)
Final Takeaway:
- Jin Xiasheng = chaotic neutral grifter with a crush on gamer girls.
- Wang Hongyu = corporate puppet master with a side hustle in illegal phones.
- Dong Binghui = the embodiment of “sellout,” casually exposing that Cui Ye’s childhood coach was bribed to make him lose. (RIP Cui’s worldview.)
And just when you think Cui Ye’s hit rock bottom… he hasn’t. Yet. Buckle up, folks—this Go board’s about to flip.
