Episode Summary
A flashback reveals Jin Chunsheng’s sacrifice to save his brother Xiasheng from their debt-cursed father. Present-day schemes unfold: Cui Ye manipulates his ex-wife using their son’s illness, while Detective Cui Wei stages a radio stunt to lure grieving Xiasheng into revealing himself.
Spoiler Alert
"Playing Go" Episode 9: Sibling Sacrifice, Radio Tricks, and Cold-Blooded Coffee Dates
Let’s dive into this emotional rollercoaster where family loyalty collides with cutthroat ambition. Strap in, folks—this episode’s got drama.
The Jin Brothers’ Trauma Tour
Flashback time! Last summer, young Jin Xiasheng was just a wide-eyed kid stuck in a nightmare. After their debt-ridden father accidentally killed someone, the family went on the run. Xiasheng wanted to work in the mines, but older brother Jin Chunsheng refused to let him waste his life in a dead-end job. When Dad tried to unalive the whole family via rat poison-laced barbecue (yikes), Chunsheng flipped the table—literally—and vowed to repay the debts himself. Spoiler: He never came back.
Cut to present day: A freshly cashed-up Xiasheng gets a glow-up (new haircut, sharp clothes) and takes crush Xia Yu on a boat date. He gifts her a phone, trauma-dumps about his murderous dad, and asks if she’ll run away with him. Xia Yu, tied to her factory job since her mom’s death, gives a non-answer. Later, he awkwardly gifts her dad booze and peaces out. Classic "meet the parents" vibes, minus the murder secrets.
Cui Ye: Chess Master or Sociopath?
Slimy entrepreneur Cui Ye is playing 4D chess. He bribes school principal Zhang Yingjie ( talks, folks) to set up a "master class" with city officials. Then he ambushes ex-wife Gao Shuhua at a fancy café, weaponizing their son Yanyan’s medical diagnosis to gaslight her: "I can afford his treatment. You? Just a failed mom." His mic drop? A manipulative offer to "save their marriage" by taking Yanyan to Hong Kong for care. Meanwhile, Granny Cui’s thrilled Shuhua’s moving back in… but Shuhua cancels her language classes. Priorities, people.
Detective Cui Wei’s Rodent Revelation
Over at the cop shop, Detective Cui Wei hits a wall. Smuggler Wang Hongyu’s keeping mum about Cui Ye’s crimes, and Chunsheng’s "suicide" makes zero sense—until Cui spots two rats in a cemetery (one alive, one dead). Cue dramatic lightbulb moment! Forensic tests confirm the Rope blood belongs to Chunsheng’s brother… but who is the brother? Cui Wei rigs a radio stunt, faking a news segment about Chunsheng’s body being cremated. The goal? Lure Xiasheng into the open.
The Radio Sting That Backfired
Cui Wei’s team stages a fake call-in show, "leaking" that Chunsheng’s corpse will be cremated if unclaimed. They even have an actor-cop rant about "scattering criminals’ ashes" to provoke Xiasheng. It works—Xiasheng sobs in his car, ready to call the station… until a higher-up actually calls to yell at Cui Wei, accidentally blocking Xiasheng’s plea. Now a grieving Xiasheng burns paper money outside the crematorium, drawing stares. Will he risk claiming his brother’s ashes?
Lingering Questions:
- Did Chunsheng fake his death to protect Xiasheng?
- Is Yanyan actually sick, or is Cui Ye just a master manipulator?
- Will Xia Yu choose her factory job or a fugitive romance?
This show’s got more layers than an onion soaked in tears. Stay tuned!
