Recaps

Song Ning and Changmei tried to smuggle Chunlan out of the stockade by using Chunlan’s bracelet to persuade the guards to open the gate. As Chunlan neared the exit, a blue signal revealed trouble inside the stockade, and Song Ning knocked out a guard before urging them to run.

• Changmei and Song Ning persuaded Uncle Jingnan to let them leave for Baolin Stockade by showing Chunlan’s bracelet and claiming Song Ning needed medicine.
• Two young guards opened the gate and went to fetch a torch while Changmei distracted one of them.
• Song Ning signaled for Chunlan, who had been hiding nearby, to slip through the gate.
• A blue signal flared three times over the stockade, and the guard spotted Chunlan trying to escape.
• Song Ning knocked the guard unconscious and shouted for Chunlan and Changmei to run.

Song Ning helped Changmei and Chunlan escape Dong Village, then fought off their pursuers and fled into the mountains. As the villagers closed in, she jumped into a torrent, unaware that someone had followed her in.

• Chunlan and Changmei ran from Dong Village while Song Ning stayed behind to hold off their pursuers.
• Song Ning fought the guards, took Jingnan hostage, and stabbed his calf before fleeing when more villagers approached.
• Song Ning climbed the mountain to avoid the pursuit and spotted villagers spreading through the valley with torches.
• Song Ning followed the sound of water toward a torrent, then jumped in as the pursuers climbed after her.
• Another figure rushed to the torrent and jumped in after Song Ning.

Song Ning survived a plunge down a mountain waterfall after Gu Zheng caught up and pulled her into his arms. After waking beside him at a riverside fire, she attacked him, broke down in tears, and demanded that he stop following her and ask his questions directly; Gu Zheng agreed.

• Song Ning drifted toward a waterfall, and Gu Zheng caught her and shielded her as they plunged into the water together.
• Song Ning woke at dawn beside a fire, where Gu Zheng was keeping watch.
• Song Ning attacked Gu Zheng, and he restrained her until she exhausted herself and began crying.
• Gu Zheng carried Song Ning to the fire and gave her warm water.
• Song Ning accused Gu Zheng of following her because he suspected her and demanded that he ask what he wanted to know.
• Gu Zheng agreed that he had many questions for Song Ning.

Song Ning explained that her unusual knowledge came from her teacher Jiang Chengshi and that she was pursuing a mission entrusted to her grandfather, with “Blue Tears” as her lead. Gu Zheng recognized the locations she had circled as top-secret research bases, and the chapter ended with Song Ning realizing her kidnapping had brought her to the area of the famous 022 Base.

• Song Ning told Gu Zheng that Jiang Chengshi had taught her for two years, and Gu Zheng believed her after recognizing Jiang Chengshi as the gifted son of a military commander he knew.
• Song Ning explained that her grandfather had inherited a comrade’s unfinished mission and that she was trying to follow its geographic clues.
• Song Ning said she needed to find “Blue Tears” first, and Gu Zheng realized the circled locations matched the country’s top-secret research bases targeted by the “K” organization.
• Gu Zheng told Song Ning that the evidence found in Yanling County had made following her worthwhile.
• Gu Zheng revealed that they were in Qiuyun Town, Pingshun County, Gui City, and Song Ning recognized it as the location of the famous 022 Base.

Song Ning and Gu Zheng reconciled after she confronted him about suspecting her, then followed the stream and found their way back near Dong Village. They planned to search the landslide site while avoiding the villagers.

• Song Ning apologized for striking Gu Zheng, then explained how betrayed she had felt when she learned he had suspected her from the start.
• Gu Zheng said he still needed evidence to assess her connection to K, but trusted her as a person, and the two agreed to speak honestly and work together.
• Song Ning learned Gu Zheng had followed her since Yakou Village and laughed off her frustration after he offered to let her hit him again.
• Song Ning and Gu Zheng followed the stream downstream until it disappeared underground, then spotted prayer flags that Song Ning identified as likely soul-calling banners near Dong Village.
• Song Ning and Gu Zheng found a path and saw stilt houses on the mountainside; Song Ning said they should search the landslide site and avoid the villagers.

Song Ning and Gu Zheng explored a mountainside collapse and found a buried passage ending at a hidden metal door. They opened it with the same weight-activated mechanism as the base in Yanling County and prepared to investigate what lay beyond.

• Song Ning and Gu Zheng found a concealed opening in the collapsed mountainside and dug their way into a passage.
• Gu Zheng led Song Ning through the dirt-filled passage, where they discovered a solid metal door with no visible way to open it.
• Song Ning asked Gu Zheng to test whether the door responded to a combined weight, and he lifted her in his arms.
• Song Ning heard a faint sound after Gu Zheng moved near the door, and the door slid open.
• Song Ning and Gu Zheng recognized the matching weight-activated mechanism and suspected they had found another base belonging to the same people.

Song Ning and Gu Zheng uncovered evidence that the hostile operatives had been conducting aerospace materials research, then searched the facility for equipment and weapons. After finding iron weights used to operate weight-triggered doors, they discovered the passage ahead had been completely blocked by earth.

• Song Ning found research documents on a new material and told Gu Zheng the experiments involved aerospace applications, linking the facility to the K organization and Old Man Song.
• Song Ning and Gu Zheng packed important documents as evidence, then searched an equipment room and took working lights and a sheathed dagger.
• Gu Zheng explained how he had followed Song Ning out of the village and admitted he had feared she would get into a fight.
• Song Ning and Gu Zheng put on lab coats and entered a passage, where they found iron weights that had been used to activate the facility's doors.
• The weight-triggered door would not open again, and Song Ning ran to the end of the passage, where she found it blocked by earth.

Gu Zheng and Song Ning deduced that a laboratory explosion had collapsed the passage and began searching for a hidden exit. They found a concealed iron platform that lowered them underground, where an unexpected sight awaited.

• Gu Zheng and Song Ning reasoned that a laboratory explosion had caused the collapse and that the fleeing workers must have used another exit.
• Gu Zheng reflected on his feelings for Song Ning and decided to trust her judgment and help her uncover the truth.
• Song Ning found an iron plate in the passage, and Gu Zheng stepped onto it with her.
• The iron plate descended into an underground space, and Gu Zheng and Song Ning were surprised by what they saw when it stopped.

Gu Zheng and Song Ning searched the underground shrine for a way out, realizing the Dong villagers had sealed the passage with explosives. When Song Ning fell through a hole beneath the altar, Gu Zheng jumped after her and found her unconscious in a chamber ringed with statues of Sasui.

• Gu Zheng and Song Ning explored the lamp-filled underground space and found an old shrine dedicated to Sasui.
• Gu Zheng concluded that the villagers had lit the lamps as funeral lights and that an explosion had joined the shrine to the base’s second basement.
• Gu Zheng discovered that the Dong people had used explosives to block the passage, leaving them trapped underground.
• Song Ning and Gu Zheng searched the patterned wall and then moved the shrine table to look beneath it.
• Song Ning fell through a hole beneath the altar, and Gu Zheng jumped down after her.
• Gu Zheng found Song Ning unconscious in a circular chamber lined with niches containing statues of Sasui.

Gu Zheng discovered that Song Ning had a severe infection and a rapidly worsening fever after the gorilla wounded her, while they were trapped beneath the worship chamber. Unable to find an exit, he tried to keep her warm and hydrated, then prayed to Sasui for help.

• Gu Zheng examined Song Ning and found her arm badly bruised and clawed, with a dangerous fever.
• Gu Zheng searched the shrine chambers for an exit but could not open the massive door beside the bull's head ornament.
• Gu Zheng cooled Song Ning with a wet towel, then held her when feverish chills made her shiver.
• Gu Zheng gave Song Ning water mouth-to-mouth after she could no longer swallow from a flask.
• Gu Zheng carried Song Ning before Sasui's statue and prayed for a way out and for her protection.

Gu Zheng searched the altar for a way to treat the unconscious Song Ning and discovered a hidden box of medicinal pills. As Song Ning’s condition worsened, he tested a pill on himself before trying to give one to her, leaving him forcing it down while struggling to control his feelings for her.

• Gu Zheng carried Song Ning to the altar to retrieve a sealed wine jar, and her foot struck it, triggering an opening in the Sasui statue.
• Gu Zheng searched the opening and found a fragrant wooden box containing three pills.
• Song Ning collapsed, and Gu Zheng gave her water mouth-to-mouth before breaking away and resuming his efforts to help her.
• Gu Zheng swallowed one pill to test it, then used the wine to wipe Song Ning’s body while waiting for signs of poisoning.
• When Song Ning’s condition continued to worsen, Gu Zheng fed her a pill in pieces and sealed her mouth with a kiss so she would swallow it.

Gu Zheng cared for Song Ning through a dangerous fever, and the medicine from the Wooden Box helped her recover. After returning the remaining pill to the altar, Song Ning and Gu Zheng gathered their belongings and stood before the great door.

• Gu Zheng waited for Song Ning's fever to ease, then gave her water and noticed the swelling and discoloration on her arm had faded.
• Song Ning dreamed of her loved ones before waking in Gu Zheng's arms and thanking him for caring for her.
• Gu Zheng explained what had happened, and Song Ning suggested returning the last pill to the Wooden Box.
• Gu Zheng replaced the Wooden Box in the altar and closed its hidden compartment beneath the statue of Sasui.
• Song Ning and Gu Zheng gathered their belongings and stood before the great door with the bull's head hanging beside it.

Song Ning and Gu Zheng escaped Dong Village through a hidden passage, then hid in a supply truck that carried them to Gui City. They reached a guesthouse to recover, knowing a more difficult challenge still awaited them.

• Song Ning realized the Medicine Maiden's bracelet might serve as a token, and Gu Zheng fitted it into the bull's nose to open the hidden door.
• Song Ning pressed the bull's eyes to release the bracelet, and Gu Zheng led her through the passage into the village's ritual grounds.
• Gu Zheng and Song Ning sneaked through Dong Village and hid among melons in a small truck.
• The truck carried them out of the village and into Gui City, where Gu Zheng booked them two rooms at a guesthouse.

Song Ning returned to Rong City with Gu Zheng, where she learned Elder Zhou had been discharged and received an invitation to dine at Commander Jiang’s home. She prepared to have her account verified by Jiang Chengshi, who could confirm her training.

• Gu Zheng told Song Ning that he would report her account about Jiang Chengshi and that the higher-ups would decide whether her protection detail could end.
• Song Ning and Gu Zheng traveled back to Rong City, where Yang Qi picked them up and Gu Zheng checked her into the Military District Guesthouse.
• Song Ning visited the hospital to see Elder Zhou but learned that he had recovered and gone home to recuperate.
• The Guesthouse receptionist told Song Ning that people knew she and Lu Changqing had broken off their engagement, and Song Ning confirmed it.
• The receptionist informed Song Ning that Commander Jiang had invited her to dinner at his home, where she expected the higher-ups to verify her account through Jiang Chengshi.

Song Ning attended dinner at Commander Jiang’s home, where Jiang Chengshi revealed how excited he was to meet the woman who had written him a note claiming to be his friend from the future. The chapter ended with Jiang Chengshi eagerly holding Song Ning’s hand as his family and Gu Zheng watched in surprise.

• Song Ning bought gifts at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative and learned Du Mei had been fired.
• Two men who had been told by Brother Yang to watch Song Ning recognized her at the cooperative.
• Gu Zheng drove Song Ning to Commander Jiang’s home after dismissing Yang Qi from the car.
• Commander Jiang and Lin Huiping explained that they had tricked Jiang Chengshi into returning home and called him downstairs without warning him Song Ning was there.
• Jiang Chengshi rushed to Song Ning, grabbed her hand, and showed overwhelming excitement at seeing the woman whose note said she was his future friend.

Song Ning and Jiang Chengshi convinced Commander Jiang that Jiang had taught her academic subjects, English, and advanced technology, clearing his doubts about her abilities. After dinner and a drinking session, Gu Zheng realized how jealous he was of their closeness but could not confess his feelings to Song Ning.

• Song Ning and Jiang Chengshi greeted each other warmly, and Jiang Chengshi explained that he had tutored her in Yanling.
• Song Ning described Jiang Chengshi's lessons and the equipment she had negotiated for Hua Country, and they recited the opening of One Hundred Years of Solitude together to demonstrate their shared study.
• Commander Jiang accepted that Jiang Chengshi had taught Song Ning but questioned why he had not helped her during her hardships; Jiang Chengshi explained that she had even given him financial assistance.
• Lin Huiping urged everyone to eat, and Commander Jiang, Jiang Chengshi, and Gu Zheng drank together before Gu Zheng and Song Ning left.
• In the car, Gu Zheng told Song Ning he was glad she had been Jiang Chengshi's student, then silently admitted that he liked her and could not say it.

Han Xiao learned that Lu Changqing had broken off his engagement to Song Ning, possibly to advance his military career, while Gu Zheng struggled with his feelings after driving Song Ning back to the Guesthouse. Song Ning was invited to lunch at Elder Zhou’s home the next day, leaving her set to visit him.

• Xiong Gang told Han Xiao and Yang Qi that Lu Changqing had ended his engagement to Song Ning and had a place in Unit 331’s internal selection.
• Xiong Gang speculated that Lu Changqing had broken off the engagement after learning Elder Zhou’s youngest son was interested in Song Ning.
• Yang Qi said he and Chen Liang would leave for Gui City the next morning to assist the local police with an investigation lead.
• Han Xiao warned Yang Qi and Xiong Gang not to discuss Song Ning in front of Gu Zheng because it upset him.
• Gu Zheng drove Song Ning to the Guesthouse and, after watching her leave, reflected on his unrequited feelings and cried.
• An attendant told Song Ning that Professor Yang had invited her to lunch at Elder Zhou’s home the next day and that someone would pick her up.

Gu Zheng returned to the 7th Regiment headquarters and continued waiting for the hidden threat inside the Military District to reveal itself. In Rong City, Zhou Yunzhi confronted Song Ning at a department store, and Song Ning warned the manager she would handle the matter herself if he refused to call the police.

• Xiong Gang reported that He Kui's arrest had helped expose more criminal gangs, but the team had seen no suspicious activity inside the Military District or news about Zheng Zhenguo.
• Gu Zheng learned that Lu Changqing had been discharged but was still recovering, while Xiong Gang teased him about Zhou Yunzhi cornering him.
• On the train, Yang Qi told Chen Liang that Song Ning had broken off her engagement to Lu Changqing, and Chen Liang complained that Han Xiao kept them from telling Gu Zheng.
• Song Ning went shopping in Rong City, where Zhou Yunzhi publicly challenged her about her broken engagement and her time with Gu Zheng.
• Zhou Yunzhi trampled the clothes Song Ning had selected, then she and her companion attacked Song Ning, who dodged them and knocked them both down.
• The manager hesitated to call the police because Zhou Yunzhi's family was connected to the Military District, so Song Ning warned him not to regret it if she handled the matter her own way.

Song Ning defended herself after Zhou Yunzhi and her companion attacked her in a department store, then gave the police her account of the incident. The chapter ended with Song Ning asking Zhou Yunzhi to identify the boyfriend she claimed Song Ning had seduced.

• Song Ning called out Zhou Yunzhi for disrupting the store and slandering her, prompting bystanders to condemn Zhou Yunzhi's behavior.
• Zhou Yunzhi and her companion attacked Song Ning, who fought back and told the witnesses to support her if the women later tried to extort her.
• Zhou Yunzhi called her family, but the police arrived first after the General Manager summoned them.
• The salesclerk told the police that Zhou Yunzhi and her companion had attacked Song Ning after throwing her clothes on the floor.
• Song Ning agreed with the account and asked Zhou Yunzhi who her boyfriend was.

Song Ning forced Zhou Yunzhi to apologize publicly after Zhou Yuanhang intervened to stop the dispute from escalating. At the Zhou home, Song Ning treated Elder Zhou, and Professor Yang asked what she thought of Zhou Yuanhang.

• Song Ning demanded that Zhou Yunzhi apologize publicly for slandering her, while Manager Huang and a public security officer tried to move the dispute along.
• Zhou Yuanhang arrived, told the officer to handle the matter fairly, and warned Zhou Yunzhi that calling Regimental Commander Gu could make her lose face.
• Zhou Yunzhi apologized to Song Ning, who accepted and told her not to provoke her again; Zhou Yuanhang paid for Song Ning's torn top.
• Zhou Yuanhang explained that Zhou Yunzhi and her mother were relatives the Zhou family had taken in, then accompanied Song Ning to the Zhou home.
• Song Ning examined Elder Zhou and said his treatment was working, with surgery possible after CT equipment arrived next month.
• Professor Yang asked Song Ning what she thought of Zhou Yuanhang.

Professor Yang and Elder Zhou told Song Ning that Zhou Yuanhang liked her, but she said she was focused on her studies and did not want a relationship. Their dinner was interrupted by Jiang Chengshi, who arrived to see Song Ning and revealed that she was his student.

• Professor Yang explained that Zhou Yuanhang had developed feelings for Song Ning, and Song Ning said she was not considering a relationship.
• Professor Yang asked Song Ning whether she was seeing anyone or disliked Zhou Yuanhang, then suggested they let the two young people get to know each other.
• Song Ning joined Elder Zhou's family for dinner while Zhou Yuanhang attentively served her.
• Jiang Chengshi arrived at Elder Zhou's home, sat beside Song Ning, and joined the meal.
• Jiang Chengshi told Elder Zhou's family that Song Ning was his student and that he had taught her English, negotiation skills, and specialized knowledge.

Song Ning recited a poem with Jiang Chengshi, then told him she had come from 2025 and sought his help finding her grandfather. As they discussed her uncertain return and the Zhou family's matchmaking plans, Song Ning caught two men spying on them and demanded they take her to their Brother Yang.

• Song Ning recited an English poem with Jiang Chengshi, who recognized it as his favorite.
• Jiang Chengshi questioned Song Ning in Central Park, and she revealed she had come from 2025 and that he was her grandfather's contemporary.
• Song Ning explained that Elder Zhou was receiving treatment from her and that Professor Yang had tried to match her with Zhou Yuanhang.
• Jiang Chengshi warned Song Ning that she might disappear or risk disrupting the future, while she said she wanted to find her grandfather and fulfill her purpose in the past.
• Song Ning spotted two men hiding nearby, dragged them out, and demanded they take her to their Brother Yang.

Gu Zheng learned that Song Ning had fought Zhou Yunzhi after Zhou claimed to be his girlfriend, then discovered that Song Ning and Lu Changqing had already broken off their engagement. He was delighted to realize Song Ning was single and wondered whether he might have had a chance with her.

• Gu Zheng woke from a dream about Song Ning, hid his wet bedding, and took a call from his mother, Tan Qingru, agreeing to meet a woman she wanted to introduce when he went home.
• Xiong Gang told Gu Zheng that Song Ning had beaten Zhou Yunzhi after Zhou claimed Gu Zheng was her boyfriend.
• Gu Zheng called the district police station to learn what had happened and asked the officers to handle the matter impartially.
• After Gu Zheng demanded to know what they were hiding, Xiong Gang told him that Song Ning and Lu Changqing had broken off their engagement over a month earlier.
• Gu Zheng realized Song Ning was single and wondered whether he could have a chance with her.

Song Ning met Yu Zhengyang, Chen Yuting’s devoted boyfriend, and discovered his shipment of radios and cassette recorders was defective. She promised to help him repair and sell the goods and visit his sick mother, while he revealed that Chen Yuting had deliberately ruined her reputation for his sake.

• After Xiong Gang told Gu Zheng that Song Ning might marry Zhou Yuanhang, Gu Zheng collapsed from a sudden pain in his head.
• Song Ning and Jiang Chengshi followed two men to a warehouse to confront Chen Yuting’s boyfriend, Brother Yang.
• Brother Yang identified himself as Yu Zhengyang and explained that he wanted to protect Chen Yuting and earn enough money to marry her.
• Song Ning recognized Yu Zhengyang and offered to help him after learning his shipment of radios and cassette recorders was defective and his mother was ill.
• Jiang Chengshi identified the faulty components, and Song Ning promised to help Yu Zhengyang repair and sell the goods before visiting his mother.
• When Song Ning asked why he loved Chen Yuting despite her bad reputation, Yu Zhengyang said she had deliberately ruined it for his sake.

Song Ning spent the afternoon with Zhou Yuanhang after Jiang Chengshi eagerly arranged their movie date, but an unseen attacker struck as she walked back with them. The chapter ended with Song Ning collapsing before the attacker’s club hit her.

• Song Ning warned Jiang Chengshi to watch over his mother’s health, and Jiang Chengshi planned to take her for a checkup.
• Zhou Yuanhang asked Song Ning to spend time with him, and Jiang Chengshi accepted a movie invitation on her behalf.
• Jiang Chengshi joined Song Ning and Zhou Yuanhang to watch Little Flower and eat, leaving Zhou Yuanhang little chance to speak privately with Song Ning.
• A man with a vicious glint followed the group from a distance as they went out.
• While walking back, Song Ning sensed danger, developed a sudden headache, and collapsed as a man charged at her with a club.