After bringing Yang Guangyao in, Zhang Tianming interrogates him intensely, demanding to know why he was at the crime scene. Yang Guangyao calmly maintains his innocence, explaining that he met with Ye Cheng at the pier to urge him to confess and that Ye Cheng asked for time to prove his innocence.
Yang Guangyao reveals Ye Cheng’s corruption and implies Zhang Tianming’s father was also involved. Zhang Tianming, angered by the accusations against his father, silences him. The police confirm Yang Guangyao’s fingerprints on the murder weapon, leaving him with no alibi.
Liu Weitao assigns tasks to his team, including Chen Kaiqing, who searches Yang Guangyao’s apartment for clues. She finds personal items belonging to her, which upsets her. She confronts Yang Guangyao, who claims it’s a coincidence, trying to hide their father-daughter connection. However, Chen Kaiqing, enraged, throws their photo in his face and leaves.
Liu Weitao, witnessing his friend’s distress, comforts him and reveals the close bond between Chen Kaiqing and Ye Cheng, who supported her transfer to the Serious Crime Unit. Despite the evidence against him, Yang Guangyao remains determined to prove his innocence and asks Liu Weitao to help him escape to continue the investigation. Liu Weitao, acknowledging the gravity of the situation, asks for time to clear Yang Guangyao’s name.
Unable to rely on his friend, Yang Guangyao plans his escape. He swallows a spoon during a meal and is taken to the hospital. He overpowers a police officer in the restroom and escapes. Meanwhile, Chen Kaiqing and Zhang Tianming chase after Mai Zhihong but lose him. They receive news of Yang Guangyao’s escape and initiate a citywide search.
Yang Guangyao, relying on his experience, evades the police. He encounters Mai Zhihong, who proposes an alliance to take down their common enemies and lets him go.
Yang Guangyao heads to Ye Cheng’s apartment to search for evidence, with the police in pursuit. He discovers a tracking device hidden in a wine cabinet. While struggling with an assassin, Chen Kaiqing arrives and points her gun at him. Yang Guangyao, refusing to return to custody, reveals his true identity to her. Shocked, Chen Kaiqing allows him to escape. Later, she reflects on their past interactions, realizing the truth in his words.
After reading a letter from Ye Cheng, Yang Guangyao and Chen Kaiqing meet at their mother’s grave. Yang Guangyao vows to protect his family. Chen Kaiqing returns home, troubled by the revelation. Her father notices her distress. He sees Yang Guangyao’s case file on her computer and becomes concerned.
Liu Weitao faces scrutiny from his superiors due to the recent events. Chen Kaiqing reconsiders Yang Guangyao’s words, starting to believe him. They continue their pursuit of the assassin, but Yang Guangyao also tracks him down. He is captured and brutally beaten but manages to fight back. Chen Kaiqing almost intervenes, but Zhang Tianming stops her.
