After hearing Chen Meiqing’s words, Luo Shu is completely awakened. She outright rejects Han Muzhi in front of him and has since deliberately avoided him, treating him like a stranger. Han Muzhi is deeply saddened, feeling gloomy every day. Chen Meiqing advises him to forget Luo Shu and not to ruin his promising future over personal feelings. She points out that he and Luo Shu are not compatible. Han Muzhi finds himself in a dilemma, unable to let go of Luo Shu.
Qi Menglin comes to ask Han Muzhi for his signature. Upon entering, he overhears Han Muzhi and Chen Meiqing’s conversation. He scoffs at Chen Meiqing’s remarks, berating Han Muzhi as a vain and shameless person unworthy of Luo Shu’s affection. Xu Wuzuo and Inspector Cai casually discuss Chen Meiqing and Zao Hua’s marriage. Xu Wuzuo’s remarks reveal his disdain for the shepherd girl Zao Hua. Already furious, Qi Menglin hears Xu Wuzuo’s comments and erupts, harshly scolding both Xu Wuzuo and Inspector Cai. In his anger, Qi Menglin decides to bring Zao Hua to the county office to expose Chen Meiqing’s true nature.
Late at night, someone secretly throws a confidential letter at the county office, reporting that Qian Dayou, the owner of Mantian Ridge Mine, is an accomplice of the White Ants. Han Muzhi calls Chen Meiqing and Luo Shu to discuss strategies. Chen Meiqing learns that Qian Dayou’s backer is Uncle Zhang. Luo Shu suggests first investigating the situation at Mantian Ridge Mine.
Chen Meiqing disguises herself as an iron merchant to purchase coal at Mantian Ridge Mine. Luo Shu and the constables also dress as merchants and accompany her. Qian Dayou personally receives them. Chen Meiqing wants to tour the mine, and seeing their refined attire, Qian Dayou allows them to enter. Qi Menglin and Lian Shu manage to locate the shepherd Zao Hua, repeatedly claiming that Chen Meiqing is not a good person and advising Zao Hua not to marry her. Zao Hua angrily chases and beats Qi Menglin.
After touring the mine, Chen Meiqing casually mentions the White Ants and insists on visiting the mine tunnels. Qian Dayou becomes suspicious and forcefully expels Chen Meiqing and Luo Shu. Zao Hua escorts Qi Menglin and Lian Shu to the county office, demanding to see Chen Meiqing. Chen Meiqing returns shortly after. Zao Hua confronts her about why she wants to break off the engagement. Chen Meiqing refuses to argue, insisting on ending the match. Inspector Cai and Xu Wuzuo urge Chen Meiqing to marry Zao Hua. Chen Meiqing repeatedly explains that her father saved Zao Hua and that she has always treated Zao Hua like a sister.
Luo Shu and Chen Meiqing report to Han Muzhi about Qian Dayou’s arrogant and domineering behavior, suspecting that he is forcibly abducting local women under the guise of mining. Han Muzhi comes up with two solutions: one is to report to Liu Yiqing, and the other is to gather evidence to bring down Uncle Zhang. Chen Meiqing prefers not to complicate matters and advises Han Muzhi to report to Liu Yiqing. Qi Menglin sarcastically mocks Chen Meiqing.
Zao Hua goes to Mantian Ridge Mine to tend sheep but suddenly disappears. Chen’s father seeks Chen Meiqing’s help. Han Muzhi immediately decides to go to Mantian Ridge Mine to rescue Zao Hua. Chen Meiqing worries about causing trouble. Luo Shu volunteers to go undercover at Mantian Ridge Mine. Han Muzhi firmly refuses, not wanting her to take risks. Qi Menglin insists on going with Luo Shu. Han Muzhi still won’t relent but can’t think of a better solution, so he agrees for both of them to go together. Before leaving, Han Muzhi repeatedly warns Qi Menglin, indicating his concern for Luo Shu.
Qi Menglin changes into tattered, ragged clothing to appear as a destitute migrant, while Luo Shu disguises herself as a shabby, buck-toothed girl. They smear Qi Menglin’s face and clothes with soot to enhance their disguise. Posing as an escaping couple, they arrive at Mantian Ridge Mine. Seeing Chef Wang Mao buying vegetables from the mine, they intentionally tumble down the mountain, seeking help from Wang Mao. Qi Menglin lies, claiming that Luo Shu is pregnant and that they are starving. Wang Mao takes them back to the mine.
Wang Mao provides Qi Menglin and Luo Shu with some dry food, telling them to leave once they are full. They lie, saying they came to seek relatives who are no longer there and are now desperate, asking Wang Mao for assistance. Wang Mao allows them to stay for odd jobs while secretly observing their every move. Qi Menglin and Luo Shu work diligently, enduring hardship without fear, quickly dispelling Wang Mao’s suspicions.
Brother Gou comes to see Wang Mao, and the two whisper in a corner. Luo Shu is too far away to hear, but the words “White Ants” are faintly heard. Wang Mao instructs Qi Menglin and Luo Shu to deliver meals to the construction site. Luo Shu notices that Wang Mao prepares simple meals for the miners but also cooks a pot of fine grains. She suspects that the fine grains are for the captured girls.
Qi Menglin inquires about the mine’s situation from the miners and learns that four supervisors are Qian Dayou’s relatives. Luo Shu delivers meals to the supervisors and recognizes one of them as Bai Yue, the eldest disciple from Xiangtang, whose real name is Qian Yue. Bai Yue finds Luo Shu familiar, but she deliberately disguises herself to appear as a buck-toothed girl, hoping Bai Yue won’t recognize her. Wang Mao asks Qi Menglin and Luo Shu to stay in the wood shed. Luo Shu draws a map of the mine overnight. Qi Menglin chooses to sleep on the ground, giving his blanket to Luo Shu. Concerned that Luo Shu might be recognized by Bai Yue, he advises her to return first. He stays behind to continue the undercover operation, while Luo Shu firmly believes that Bai Yue won’t recognize her current appearance.
Luo Shu accidentally sees Qi Menglin’s rough, wounded hands and feels sympathy for him, but Qi Menglin pays her no mind. Late at night, Luo Shu quietly goes out to investigate and is caught by Bai Yue.
