Qian Dayou leads Han Muzhi and the constables to the abandoned mine where Luo Shu and Qi Menglin are being held. From a distance, they see the mine being blown up, which sends Qian Dayou into a panic. He attempts to re-enter the rubble to rescue the captives, but the entrance is firmly sealed by large stones. Qian Dayou warns Han Muzhi not to move the stones independently, warning that it could cause a complete collapse. Frustrated, Han Muzhi angrily reprimands him harshly.
Determined to save the captives, Han Muzhi personally leads a team to dig through the stones and also sends others to search for alternative entrances to the abandoned mine. Soon, someone discovers an entrance to the dry well. Han Muzhi immediately rallies his team to rush to the site. Wang Mao, attempting to protect Luo Shu and Qi Menglin from being killed in the explosion, manages to survive, but the only entrance is blocked. Luo Shu advises everyone to wait patiently for the authorities to come to their rescue.
Han Muzhi and his soldiers descend into the dry well, instructing everyone to remove the stones from the well. The soldiers grow weary from the strenuous work, and Lian Shu hands out silver coins to motivate them. Han Muzhi promises to commend them once the passage is cleared. The soldiers continue to struggle with the stones. Luo Shu, exhausted, begins to drift into sleep. Concerned that she might pass out and never wake up, Qi Menglin engages her in conversation. Luo Shu reminisces about the beautiful moments she has shared with Han Muzhi since they first met, firmly etching his image in her heart. Curious, Qi Menglin inquires about the man Luo Shu holds dear, but before she can respond, she falls into a light sleep.
Han Muzhi and his soldiers work tirelessly to clear the blocked entrance, growing increasingly exhausted and doubting their direction. Driven by his determination to save Luo Shu, Han Muzhi pours all his energy into breaking the stones. Qi Menglin hears the sound of hammering and realizes that someone is coming to rescue them. He quickly awakens Luo Shu and the other women, urging everyone to join in pounding the walls. Hearing echoes from inside, Han Muzhi instructs the soldiers to continue digging.
After relentless efforts by Han Muzhi and Qi Menglin, they finally breach the entrance. Overwhelmed with emotion, Han Muzhi tightly embraces Luo Shu, unable to let go. Lian Shu helps Qi Menglin out, and upon seeing Han Muzhi and Luo Shu weeping together, Qi Menglin realizes that the man Luo Shu truly loves is Han Muzhi. His heart breaks into pieces.
Chen Meiqing remains steadfastly by Zao Hua’s lifeless body, tearfully applying a light makeup to make her appear beautiful for her final journey. Han Muzhi advises Chen Meiqing to get some rest. Having experienced a life-and-death ordeal, Chen Meiqing has a moment of clarity and urges Han Muzhi not to miss out on Luo Shu. Luo Shu genuinely loves Han Muzhi, but she had hidden her feelings to avoid hindering his career, despite his prior efforts to find her.
Luo Shu, accompanied by Xiao Doumiao, visits Wang Mao and his wife to pay their respects at the gravesite. Xiao Doumiao recounts Wang Mao’s plight: Wang Mao’s wife, Dong Mei, was captured by Qian Dayou and taken to the mine. In his quest for revenge, Wang Mao came to the mine and mutilated his own face with a branding iron to avoid recognition. Luo Shu feels a deep sense of sympathy.
Upon learning the true reason why Luo Shu rejected his advances, Han Muzhi promptly seeks her out to declare his feelings. He intends to break off his engagement with Liu Wan and spend his life with Luo Shu. Han Muzhi presents Luo Shu with a bracelet left by his mother as a token of their love. Moved to tears, Luo Shu reciprocates his feelings, and they pledge their lives to each other. That night, Han Muzhi and Luo Shu share drinks, and Luo Shu opens her heart to Han Muzhi, expressing her desire to leave her past behind and travel freely. Han Muzhi has already submitted the necessary applications, confident that he will soon receive the documents to renounce his past. The two grow increasingly closer as they converse.
Qi Menglin, feeling troubled, goes alone to the riverbank to clear his mind. Lian Shu follows closely, offering kind words of encouragement. Qi Menglin invites the soldiers to drink, and they all enjoy themselves. Qi Menglin drinks heavily and quickly becomes intoxicated, his thoughts consumed by Luo Shu. Memories of their shared hardships and joys flood his mind, leaving him with mixed emotions.
Early in the morning, Luo Shu visits Han Muzhi, learning that he is teaching new students at the county academy. She goes to the academy and watches Han Muzhi speak eloquently on stage, deepening her admiration for him.
