Episode Summary
A murder in Ying Zhou (Ying Zhou) implicates Huo Min. Meanwhile, the National Security Bureau tracks SAD operative Luo De, who's carrying a dangerous catalyst. A chaotic chase ensues, ending with Luo De falling into a river, but the catalyst is secured. The episode sets the stage for a complex negotiation in Ying Zhou (Ying Zhou), with the Xin Chuan Public Welfare Association playing a key role.
Spoiler Alert
"Secret Files of XSA" Episode 1: A Tangled Web Begins
The episode kicks off with a bang in Southeast Asia, Ying Zhou (Ying Zhou). A nervous hotel cleaning lady clutches a black bag as she scurries home. On TV, a news report blares about a murder at the Palm Leaf Hotel. After making sure she's alone, she opens the bag to reveal stacks of cash. Just as she starts counting, a creepy little rubber ducky on a string appears before her eyes. Someone hiding behind the sofa swiftly takes her out.
The news identifies the prime suspect in the hotel murder as Huo Min, a legal representative from a public welfare organization, who supposedly just arrived for a vacation. Apparently, he has a girlfriend in Ying Zhou, and the evidence is stacking up against him. During interrogation, the police grill Huo Min about why he murdered Jia Tenglongqi at the crime scene. Huo Min denies everything. He claims he was just looking for the restroom. He says Jia Tenglongqi needed a towel after leaving the restroom, so he grabbed one from a cleaning cart, only to be stopped by security. Then, he got one from the cleaning lady and handed it to Jia Tenglongqi, and that's when all hell broke loose.
Flashback to four days earlier in Jincheng City, Xizhao Province, China. Huo Min receives a package at his office. He pockets the shipping label and takes the box inside before heading out. He buys a pound of taosu (a kind of Chinese pastry) at the market and visits the Xin Chuan Public Welfare Association. Inside, the elderly folks are having a blast. An old man named Lao Wan jokingly wants Huo Min to be his adopted son, offering to take care of him in his old age.
Meanwhile, a member of the shadowy organization SAD, Luo De, is being closely monitored by surveillance cameras as he rides in a taxi. Luo Shanshan, the director of the Jincheng City National Security Bureau's Investigation Section, orders Hu Feijiang to get closer to the target. Hu Feijiang, disguised as a delivery driver, approaches the taxi. Luo De is highly alert. Hu Feijiang waits for the traffic light before approaching. Luo De receives a message that he's been spotted by the National Security Bureau and is warned to abandon the second rendezvous point. Luo De notices all the surveillance cameras and makes a quick exit onto an overpass.
Luo Shanshan uses the surveillance network to track Luo De's location, sending Ma Yi after him. But in a blink, Luo De vanishes. Wu Yalong and Su Danni pull up all the surveillance footage and find Luo De's latest location. Luo Shanshan orders Zhu Zhu and Li Lang to follow immediately. Then, Luo Shanshan receives orders from her superior: Luo De is carrying "Azure No. 1," a top-secret metallic catalyst, and is armed. She must intercept the sample at all costs. Luo Shanshan alerts her team, warning them to be careful.
Luo De is discovered despite his disguise. A chase ensues with Hu Feijiang hot on his heels. In a desperate attempt to escape, Luo De throws a cardboard box at a baby stroller. Hu Feijiang manages to push the stroller out of the way, taking the hit himself. Luo De gets away, leaving Luo Shanshan furious.
Back in Jincheng, Huo Min is planning an event in the square, with Han Yao, the Xin Chuan Public Welfare Association's ambassador, presenting awards. The older folks are thrilled to see Han Yao. Han Yao wants to leave early, but Huo Min tells him the event has been approved by the boss. Huo Min gets a call and says he needs to use the restroom. On the way, he bumps into Luo De, who steals Huo Min's motorcycle keys and takes off on his bike. Just when Luo Shanshan is at her wit's end, she receives Luo De's location.
Hu Feijiang jumps into Lu Chen's car and they pursue Luo De. Lu Chen's driving skills are on point, and they manage to intercept Luo De on a bridge. Luo De, carrying a bag, threatens to jump. Hu Feijiang desperately grabs the bag, refusing to let go. Finally, Luo De falls into the water. After confirming the sample in the bag is intact, Hu Feijiang hands it over to Lu Chen and jumps into the river himself. Huo Min arrives, glances at the water, and then calmly rides off on his motorcycle.
At the National Security Bureau, Director Zhao Jizheng reiterates the importance of "Azure No. 1," ordering everyone to disguise themselves as bodyguards and protect the first round of negotiations between Shoulong Group and Sha Peng in Ying Zhou. Huo Min is working late at the Public Welfare Association, talking to Meng Li, a sound effects artist at Ying Zhou HIFI Recording Company, reminding her that the boss is difficult to deal with. Li Ge, the president of Xin Chuan Public Welfare Association, tells Han Yao that things are even more complicated after yesterday's failed operation. Huo Min volunteers to stir things up in Ying Zhou, and Li Ge says she'll consider it.
In a secure office at the National Security Bureau, Director Wei Deliang and Zhao Jizheng watch a video of Han Yao smearing Shoulong Group. They reveal that Xin Chuan Public Welfare Association is a Chinese front supported by SAD. They anticipate a major move from the Public Welfare Association during the upcoming negotiations. Zhao Jizheng mentions that a mole, code-named "Actor," has been in place for over two years and will be crucial to the mission.
