Chapter Summaries

Zhou Yi ordered Mu Junjie to arrest Gong Shixiong and Zheng Peng after they assaulted police officers, then refused Vice Mayor Xie Chenglin’s request to release them without a fine and public apology. As officials scrambled to handle the fallout, the responsibility was passed from one person to another until Guo Siwei refused to take it on.

• After learning that Guo Wuxing had abused their family connection, Zhou Yi became furious and dealt with the report about him.
• Zhou Yi learned Gong Shixiong and Zheng Peng had hit police officers and ordered Mu Junjie to bring them in handcuffs.
• Zhou Yi rejected Xie Chenglin’s appeal to release the two men, demanding fines and apologies instead.
• Xiang Liping and Fu Dongsheng followed Gong Shixiong and Zheng Peng to the Municipal Public Security Bureau, where the handcuffed men vowed revenge.
• Han Jianguo and Zong Weixin sought an explanation, prompting Pang Ruiwu to pass the inquiry along through He Donglin, Feng Jiaping, and Feng Momo to Guo Siwei, who refused.

After Zhou Yi had Gong Shixiong and Zheng Peng detained in Changtian City, powerful relatives in Capital City tried to pressure the Jian family to secure their release. Jian Wanyan rejected Zheng Qiren’s demand and left him with a direct challenge.

• Guo Siwei refused to pass Feng Momo’s family’s message to Zhou Yi, and Sun Haoran celebrated Gong Shixiong’s arrest.
• Mu Junjie questioned the arrested suspects and confronted his officers about who had called Zhou Yi; Wang Gang arrived to investigate Eileen over a suspected major drug-smuggling case.
• Wang Gang denied calling Zhou Yi and hurried Mu Junjie away to question Eileen.
• Qu Suqin and Zheng Tongda called Old Master Jian after learning of Gong Shixiong and Zheng Peng’s arrests.
• Zheng Qiren called Jian Wanyan and demanded that Zhou Yi release the two men, but Jian Wanyan challenged him to try interfering.

Jian Wanyan refused to yield to Zheng Qiren and defended Zhou Yi despite the political risks. With Wei Siqi’s backing, Gong Shixiong and Zheng Peng eventually apologized to the officers they had assaulted and were released from detention.

• Jian Wanyan rejected Zheng Qiren’s request for concessions, declared that no one would block his move to Capital City or bully his son-in-law, and ended the call.
• Gong Changjie asked Wei Siqi to intervene and secure the release of Gong Shixiong and Zheng Peng.
• Wei Siqi told Gong Changjie that the two men had rejected Zhou Yi’s proposed settlement, making their predicament their own fault.
• Gong Changjie accepted Wei Siqi’s terms and agreed to have his nephew and Zheng Peng apologize.
• After insisting they would never apologize, Gong Shixiong and Zheng Peng bowed to the officers the next day, and the officers admired Zhou Yi for defending them.

Changtian police uncovered a major drug-smuggling operation and raided the traffickers’ meeting, but the pursuit ended in a crash that injured Zheng Peng, Sun Haoran, and Gong Shixiong. Zhou Yi went to the hospital as city leaders and officers feared the powerful families would blame them for the incident.

• Mu Junjie helped question Eileen, and Xing Zhaojia and Zhang Yin learned that the syndicate planned to bring drugs to Changtian around May 5.
• The Jiangnan Province Provincial Public Security Department joined Changtian police in a May 5 operation, killing the Yuecheng ringleader and arresting six traffickers while one escaped by vehicle.
• Jin Mengsha and Xu Xinrui brought Sun Haoran, Gong Shixiong, and Zheng Peng together to reconcile, and the three men resumed drinking and joking about Tian Tian.
• A fleeing trafficker’s white SUV struck Zheng Peng, Sun Haoran, and Gong Shixiong before crashing into a shop, where pursuing officers arrested the driver after gunshots.
• Han Jianguo, Zong Weixin, other city leaders, and Zhou Yi rushed to the hospital, while Zhou told Jian Shuyue and Tian Tian not to wait up for him.

After Zheng Peng was stabilized following a severe car accident, Changtian’s leaders met to decide how to contain the fallout and assign responsibility. Xie Chenglin challenged Zhou Yi over the police operation, but Zhou defended his officers and refused to accept blame.

• Zheng Peng survived emergency surgery but remained gravely injured, while Sun Haoran had a fractured leg and Gong Shixiong had minor scrapes.
• Han Jianguo and Zong Weixin convened a late-night meeting with city officials to discuss the accident’s aftermath and protect their careers.
• The officials hoped Zhou Yi would take responsibility for the escaped drug trafficker, but he stayed silent and refused to shoulder the blame.
• Xie Chenglin broke the silence by arguing that the Municipal Public Security Bureau bore responsibility for failing to catch every suspect.
• Zhou Yi countered that the operation had encountered an unpredictable accident and that its injured officers deserved commendations, not blame.

A municipal meeting ended with Governor Yan Huafeng ordering serious discipline for the officials responsible for the police operation in Changtian. After Sun Haoran and Gong Shixiong recovered from their injuries, Zheng Qiren demanded harsher punishment, and a young police officer arrived to challenge the lenient outcome.

• Vice Mayor Xie Chenglin withdrew from the debate, while Pang Ruiwu and Dai Jinshui offered noncommittal remarks.
• Governor Yan Huafeng called Secretary Han Jianguo and ordered serious disciplinary action against those directly responsible.
• Sun Zhenglian learned that Sun Haoran had broken his leg in Changtian, and Zheng Tongda discovered that Zheng Peng had nearly died.
• At Changtian People's Hospital, city leaders told Zheng Qiren and the others that the police captains had been removed and the involved officers given major administrative demerits.
• Zheng Qiren called the punishment too lenient and demanded demotions and dismissals, then a young police officer entered and echoed his complaint.

Zhou Yi confronted Zheng Qiren and the other officials over their attempt to punish police officers for the injuries their sons suffered during an anti-drug operation. He stood by his subordinates and challenged Zheng’s claim to be seeking justice, leaving the room stunned by his defiance.

• Zheng Qiren angrily ordered Zhou Yi to leave, but Zhou identified himself as the city police chief and commander of the joint anti-drug operation and refused.
• Zhou accused Zheng of abusing his power, prompting Zheng, Sun Hongjie, and Gong Changying to demand that he watch his words.
• Zheng said he would seek justice for his injured son even if people accused him of abusing his authority.
• Zhou reminded the officials that a drug trafficker had injured their sons and been shot dead, while two narcotics officers had also been wounded in the line of duty.
• When Zheng said the officers had only been doing their duty, Zhou denounced the officials for bullying anti-drug heroes and misusing the idea of justice.

Zhou Yi challenged Zheng Qiren’s demand to punish the anti-drug officers and revealed their major success in a drug operation, persuading Han Jianguo and Zong Weixin to support them. Outside the hospital room, the officers who heard Zhou Yi’s words broke down in tears.

• Zhou Yi refused to accept Zheng Qiren’s demand that the officers be dismissed or expelled, while Han Jianguo and Zong Weixin tried to calm the dispute.
• Zhou Yi told Han Jianguo and Zong Weixin that the operation had killed two traffickers, arrested six, seized over 360 kilograms of methamphetamine, and uncovered major leads.
• Zhou Yi urged the city leaders not to let anti-drug heroes shed tears as well as blood, and Han Jianguo and Zong Weixin chose to stand with him.
• Wang Gang, Li Xuechuan, Chen Mingsheng, and the other officers outside the hospital room heard Zhou Yi’s words and began crying.

Zhou Yi’s defense of the anti-drug officers shaped Jiangnan’s decision to withdraw their punishments and consider commendations, provoking the Zheng, Gong, and Sun families. The families escalated their complaints to Capital City, while Wei Siqi privately stood by Zhou Yi.

• Wang Gang and the other officers thanked Zhou Yi for standing up for them and protecting their careers.
• Wei Siqi, Yan Huafeng, Kang Fujun, and Fei Zhihong discussed the families’ demands, and Wei agreed in principle that the officers should be commended.
• Han Jianguo informed Zheng Qiren, Gong Changying, and Sun Hongjie that the officers would face no further punishment, enraging the three families.
• Zheng Qiren reported the dispute to Zheng Tongda, who was hospitalized after hearing about the family’s treatment in Changtian.
• Sun Zhenglian complained to Wei Siqi about Sun Haoran, and Wei privately thought of Zhou Yi as his only nephew in Changtian.

Wei Siqi and Jian Wanyan prepared for a political counterattack as investigations implicated officials tied to them, while Zhou Yi’s stance against powerful families won him the loyalty of the police. Wei Siqi summoned Zhou Yi and offered him three choices: move to Southwest Province, return to Liaodong, or stay in Changtian.

• Sun Zhenglian hinted to Wei Siqi that provincial leaders might soon be reshuffled, prompting Wei to call someone in Capital City after their conversation.
• Wang Gang, Li Xuechuan, and the other officers celebrated when the penalties against their units were dropped, and Xing Zhaojia returned to the bureau to flatter Zhou Yi.
• Jian Wanyan and Wei Siqi prepared for a counterattack by the Zheng, Gong, and Sun families, as officials connected to them came under investigation during the Sixth Inspection Group’s work.
• On July 10, Wei Siqi summoned Zhou Yi to the Provincial Party Committee office and asked whether he would join him in Southwest Province, return to Liaodong, or stay in Changtian.

Zhou Yi met with Wei Siqi, who offered him a choice of joining him in Southwest Province, returning to Liaodong, or staying in Changtian. After consulting Jian Wanyan, Zhou Yi chose to return to Liaodong, and Wei Siqi’s transfer and the new Jiangnan leadership appointments were announced.

• Wei Siqi told Zhou Yi he was being transferred to Southwest Province and asked whether Zhou Yi would join him, while Zhou Yi decided to consult Jian Wanyan.
• Zhou Yi asked whether his conflict with the Zheng, Sun, and Gong Families had caused Wei Siqi’s transfer, and Wei Siqi reassured him that his work had helped rather than harmed him.
• Wei Siqi discussed Zhou Yi’s career and family with him, then hosted him for lunch with Fei Zhihong and Chu Hejun.
• Zhou Yi called Jian Wanyan, who told him to return to Liaodong, and Zhou Yi agreed.
• On July 23, the central leadership announced Wei Siqi’s appointment as Southwest Provincial Party Committee secretary, Yan Huafeng’s appointment as Jiangnan secretary, and Zheng Qisheng’s appointment as Jiangnan deputy secretary and governor candidate.

As his secondment in Changtian neared its end, Zhou Yi arranged a farewell meal with Wen Wan and Zhao Qiushui and bid an emotional farewell to the Municipal Public Security Bureau. The chapter left him departing the bureau to a salute from hundreds of officers.

• Zhou Yi invited Wen Wan to dinner on Sunday, and she asked him to invite Zhao Qiushui as well.
• Zhou Yi called Zhao Qiushui, who agreed to join them and privately regretted that he was leaving before she could get the better of him.
• News of Zhou Yi's impending departure spread through the Municipal Public Security Bureau, leaving officers reluctant to see him go.
• At a bureau-wide meeting on July 27, Wu Shixian announced thirteen cadre appointments and promotions, including Mu Junjie and Wang Gang.
• Zhou Yi thanked the officers for their support and bowed to them, prompting prolonged applause.
• As Zhou Yi left the meeting, hundreds of officers saluted him, and he hurried out while trying to hide his tears.

Zhou Yi, Zhao Qiushui, and Wen Wan met for lunch, where Zhao Qiushui revealed that Xie Chenglin was demanding sex in exchange for projects. Zhou Yi showed concern, but Zhao Qiushui continued to tease him, and the chapter ended with her inviting him to bed.

• Zhou Yi joined Zhao Qiushui and Wen Wan for a meal at Bright Lake Mountain Manor and joked with them about his impending departure.
• Wen Wan asked Zhao Qiushui about meeting Xie Chenglin, and Zhao Qiushui said he had offered land and projects in exchange for sleeping with her.
• Zhao Qiushui teased Zhou Yi about being jealous and secretly touched his leg under the table while Wen Wan rested on the sofa.
• Zhou Yi asked Zhao Qiushui whether she would really sleep with Xie Chenglin, and she replied that she would rather sleep with Zhou Yi before inviting him to bed.

Zhou Yi and Zhao Qiushui discussed her and Wen Wan’s refusal to let Xie Chenglin take advantage of them, then Xie arrived with Zhuang Rongliang and tried to arrange a business partnership for Zhao. Zhao rejected the redevelopment project, leaving Xie resentful of Zhou Yi’s influence over the women.

• Zhao Qiushui told Zhou Yi that she and Wen Wan would give up the project rather than let Xie Chenglin take advantage of them, then teased Zhou about his restraint.
• Xie Chenglin arrived at Zhou Yi’s private room with Zhuang Rongliang and entered to greet Vice Mayor Wen.
• Xie introduced Zhuang as a potential partner for Zhao Qiushui in the Longwan District redevelopment project.
• Zhao Qiushui thanked Xie but said the Zhao Group and Cloudrise Group had decided not to participate.
• Xie Chenglin grew angry and wondered why Zhao and Wen favored Zhou Yi despite his impending departure from Changtian.

Xie Chenglin pressured Zhao Qiushui to reconsider her decision and used Zhou Yi’s impending transfer to signal that his protection would soon be gone. After Xie left, Zhuang Rongliang returned with local officials and business owners, who toasted Wen Wan, Zhou Yi, and Zhao Qiushui.

• Xie Chenglin warned Zhao Qiushui against rejecting his proposal, but she firmly refused and said she had made up her mind.
• Xie Chenglin wished Zhao Qiushui success and remarked that Zhou Yi’s transfer orders would arrive soon before leaving with Zhuang Rongliang.
• Zhou Yi, Zhao Qiushui, and Wen Wan decided to end dinner and go to Qiushui Garden after Xie Chenglin’s visit spoiled the evening.
• Zhuang Rongliang returned with He Junkang, Luo Xinxiao, Yang Anli, Zhu Han, and other local figures to offer toasts to Wen Wan, Zhou Yi, and Zhao Qiushui.
• The officials treated Zhou Yi more casually because he was leaving Changtian, and Zhou Yi toasted them, including He Junkang, while maintaining a friendly manner.

Zhou Yi publicly rebuffed Zhuang Rongliang and Vice Mayor Xie Chenglin at a farewell dinner, and the story spread through the city. On August 6, a demolition dispute at a Longwan District urban village ended in a man setting himself on fire and jumping from a roof in front of Qingfa Real Estate’s Fan Shizhang.

• Zhuang Rongliang demanded that Zhou Yi finish a farewell toast, but Zhou Yi told him to fuck off when Xie Chenglin backed him.
• Wen Wan left the dinner with Zhou Yi and Zhao Qiushui, and an angry guest smashed a glass after they departed.
• Rumors about Zhou Yi’s confrontation with Xie Chenglin spread through the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government, prompting Han Jianguo and Zong Weixin to blame Xie for provoking him.
• At the Longwan District demolition site, Fan Shizhang urged Meng Fandong to force Sun Guoyun off the roof despite Sun’s threat to set himself on fire.
• Sun Guoyun caught fire and jumped from the roof, landing in front of Fan Shizhang.

Vice Mayor Xie Chenglin and other officials failed to calm residents protesting a forced-relocation accident, but Municipal Public Security Director Zhou Yi quickly quieted the crowd. The chapter ended with officials and officers stunned by Zhou Yi’s extraordinary popularity and authority.

• Xie Chenglin arrived as residents surrounded Qingfa Real Estate and demolition company staff after Sun Guoyun was injured, and He Zaiwen tried to calm them.
• Xie Chenglin promised the residents further negotiations over relocation compensation, but their accusations and anger soon grew again.
• Pang Ruiwu and Wen Wan arrived as the crowd clashed with police and company personnel, and they sent for Zhou Yi.
• Zhou Yi addressed the crowd through a megaphone, and the residents stopped fighting and made way for him.
• Xie Chenglin and the other officials watched in disbelief as residents trusted Zhou Yi’s appeal and helped restore order.

Zhou Yi quelled the demolition protest, then ordered the arrest of the demolition company’s employees and Qingfa Real Estate’s deputy general manager after learning that Sun Guoyun had died. Vice Mayor Xie Chenglin demanded their release, but Zhou Yi refused, while Liao Wensong avoided choosing sides by pretending to receive an urgent call.

• Zhou Yi persuaded the protesters to disperse and had Xing Zhaojia send plainclothes officers into the crowd.
• Zhou Yi ordered the arrest of Fan Shizhang, Meng Fandong, and the employees involved in the violent demolition after learning Sun Guoyun had died.
• Xie Chenglin challenged Zhou Yi’s decision, but Zhou Yi refused his order to release the detainees.
• Zhou Yi ordered the officers to take the detainees away despite Xie Chenglin’s anger.
• Liao Wensong took out his phone and pretended to hear that Yuanyuan had broken a leg, avoiding a public show of support for Xie Chenglin.

Zhou Yi's intervention calmed the demolition victims and left Xie Chenglin isolated, while Li Ruoyun and Zhao Qiushui watched their plan against Qingfa Real Estate unfold. The chapter ended with Zhao Qiushui joking about getting Zhou Yi and Wen Wan drunk and adding herself to the resulting predicament.

• Liao Wensong made an excuse to leave, prompting the other officials to find reasons to step away from Zhou Yi and Xie Chenglin.
• Xie Chenglin left after a silent clash with Zhou Yi, while Zhou Yi thought he could still deal with him that night.
• Zhao Qiushui and Li Ruoyun watched the crowd disperse and discussed how their plan had used the demolition crisis to put pressure on Qingfa Real Estate and Xie Chenglin.
• Li Ruoyun praised Zhou Yi for calming the victims, and Zhao Qiushui joked about getting him and Wen Wan drunk and joining them under the same quilt.

After a fatal violent demolition in Changtian sparked public outrage, Zhou Yi’s investigation led to the detention of demolition-company executives and real-estate chairman Zhuang Rongliang. As Zhou reported the evidence to city leaders, he revealed that Zhuang Yuqian had identified Xie Chenglin as her boyfriend, leaving Xie visibly shaken.

• Han Jianguo learned that provincial officials were delaying Zhou Yi’s paperwork to return to Liaodong, and he suspected they would regret obstructing it.
• After Sun Guoyun died by suicide during a violent demolition, Lin Fanglin used the incident to publish criticism of developers and officials while minimizing Zhou Yi’s role in averting a larger crisis.
• Changtian police detained Xu Jinxian, Meng Fandong, Fan Shizhang, and other suspects, then detained Zhuang Rongliang over alleged crimes tied to violent demolitions and Shen Lianxiang’s death.
• At a municipal meeting, Zhou Yi presented evidence linking the demolition company to Qingfa Real Estate and said Xu Jinxian had acted on Zhuang Rongliang’s instructions.
• Zhou Yi reported that Zhuang Yuqian had identified Xie Chenglin as her boyfriend, and Xie’s expression changed.