Chapter Summaries

Zhou Yi recognized a fleeing murder suspect outside the Niu Family Restaurant and subdued him before he could escape. His capture gave provincial leaders the breakthrough they had been demanding, while Zhou Yi joked with his companions about why he had taken the risk.

• Deng Yadong reported the latest murder and the suspect’s escape to Jian Shuyan, who demanded that Sun Zhe be caught or killed immediately.
• A helmeted motorcyclist crashed into the BMW’s open door outside the Niu Family Restaurant, and Zhou Yi noticed a pistol in the man’s pocket.
• Zhou Yi distracted the motorcyclist by pretending to apologize, then struck him down, secured the pistol, tied him up, and called 110.
• Jian Shuyue, Tian Tian, Bai Haoxuan, and Xu Heng questioned Zhou Yi about his actions, and he said both duty and the chance to advance had motivated him.

Zhou Yi captured Sun Zhe and was praised by senior provincial and municipal officials for his public service and earlier achievements. After the leaders met with him, Deputy Director He Bin took him away for a private meeting with Secretary Jian.

• Guo Yong arrived at the alley and thanked Zhou Yi for capturing Sun Zhe.
• Guo Yong learned Zhou Yi was a police officer and brought him to meet provincial and municipal leaders.
• Deputy Director Liu Ming recognized Zhou Yi as the officer who had captured a Class A fugitive and received a first-class merit award.
• The leaders asked Zhou Yi about his work and personal life, and he made a strong impression on them.
• He Bin summoned Zhou Yi, and Lin Hua and Ji Minsheng suspected Secretary Jian wanted to meet him alone.

Zhou Yi met Provincial Party Committee Secretary Jian Wanyan, who questioned him about his plans for an official career and was amused by his ambitious answer. Afterward, Guo Yong took Zhou out for pork knuckles and liquor, warmly offering to look after him whenever he visited the provincial capital.

• He Bin brought Zhou Yi to Jian Wanyan's office, where the secretary revealed he wanted to meet the young man close to his daughter, Jian Shuyue.
• Jian Wanyan asked Zhou Yi about his career plans, and Zhou said he hoped to advance through criminal investigation work.
• When Jian Wanyan teased him about aspiring to high office, Zhou answered, "Are kings, nobles, generals, and ministers born to their positions?" and made the secretary laugh.
• Secretary Liu escorted Zhou out of the Provincial Party Committee building, where Guo Yong intercepted him and took him to eat pork knuckles and drink liquor.
• Guo Yong warmly invited Zhou to call him whenever he came to the provincial capital.

Zhou Yi met Jian Shuyue’s friends at the Tai'an Grand Hotel and reflected on how events had changed since his rebirth. The next morning, he arrived at East Hill Villa for Jian Shuyue’s birthday party, unaware that the day would become unforgettable.

• Jian Shuyue introduced Zhou Yi to Huo Yunshen, Ren Han, Song Ting, and Luo Weiwei, while her friends discussed Zhou Yi’s chances with her.
• Jian Shuyue was called away during dinner, and she left with Tian Tian, Xu Heng, and Bai Haoxuan.
• Zhou Yi wondered whether his rebirth had changed events such as the Dongji market assault, the Lao San Department Store robbery, and Sun Zhe’s crime.
• Zhou Yi, Huo Yunshen, and the others traveled to East Hill Villa for Jian Shuyue’s birthday party, where Jian Shuyue had not yet appeared.

At Jian Shuyue’s birthday party, Zhou Yi bantered with Tian Tian and met her mother, Tian Ruping, and Shuyue’s mother, Mu Yalan. The arrival of newly promoted Mayor Shan Wenxu shifted everyone’s attention, leaving Zhou Yi and Shuyue’s other young suitors seemingly outclassed.

• Zhou Yi and Tian Tian traded teasing remarks about her dress while their friends watched.
• Mu Yalan and Tian Ruping came downstairs, and Tian Tian introduced Zhou Yi to her mother.
• Tian Ruping welcomed Zhou Yi warmly, while Mu Yalan kept him at a distance.
• Shan Wenxu arrived and greeted the two women, who welcomed him warmly; Tian Ruping called Tian Tian over to see him.
• Bai Haoxuan and Xu Heng were surprised by Shan Wenxu’s promotion, and Song Ting predicted that Shuyue and Zhou Yi had no chance against him.

At Jian Shuyue’s birthday party, Zhou Yi’s unexpected friendship with Xiao Han astonished the guests. Jian Shuyue came downstairs in a striking dress and asked Zhou Yi what he thought of it, leaving him under everyone’s gaze.

• Mu Yalan warmly welcomed Xiao Han, who arrived with his girlfriend, Ye Ziqing, and offered gifts for his family.
• Xiao Han surprised the guests by calling Zhou Yi his friend, then introduced Ye Ziqing and joked with Zhou Yi about their sparring matches.
• Xiao Han challenged Zhou Yi to spar again, but Zhou Yi declined because it was Jian Shuyue’s birthday.
• Jian Shuyue came downstairs in a purple dress, greeted the guests, and asked Zhou Yi whether it looked nice.

At Jian Shuyue’s birthday celebration, Zhou Yi’s closeness with her and Tian Tian irritated Su Shaokai and worried their families. When Xu Heng asked Zhou Yi to weigh in on Su Shaokai’s praise of Western freedom, Zhou Yi answered with a quip about America that left Su Shaokai speechless.

• Zhou Yi complimented Jian Shuyue, joked with Tian Tian, and drew Shan Wenxu’s notice while Su Shaokai grew hostile toward him.
• Jian Shuyue opened Zhou Yi’s Rogue Rabbit plush toy, and Tian Tian and Jian Shuyue teased him before sharing their cake with him.
• Zhou Yi sat beside Tian Tian and Xiao Han at dinner, where Mu Yalan and Tian Ruping watched his closeness with the young women with displeasure.
• After eating, Zhou Yi listened as Xu Heng and Su Shaokai argued about Western democracy and freedom.
• Xu Heng asked Zhou Yi for his opinion, and Zhou Yi joked that America was the land of the free, where gunfights were a daily spree, leaving Su Shaokai at a loss for words.

Zhou Yi joined a debate about freedom, criticism, and the country's progress, then calmly defeated the others' arguments. Mu Yalan acknowledged his talent but still felt he was not good enough for her daughter.

• Zhou Yi countered Su Shaokai's defense of foreign freedoms by pointing to gun violence and arguing that countries should be judged with equal standards.
• Huo Yunshen and Su Shaokai argued that criticism was necessary, while Zhou Yi distinguished good-faith criticism from biased accusations and challenged Huo Yunshen's assumptions.
• Fang Jinmei shifted the debate to economic and technological gaps, but Zhou Yi cited the country's growth and achievements, leaving her unable to respond.
• Shan Wenxu argued that the country still lagged behind Western nations, and Zhou Yi challenged comparisons that measured it against the entire world.
• Zhou Yi ended the debate by urging patience and time for the country to develop, leaving the living room silent.
• Mu Yalan recognized Zhou Yi's eloquence and command of the discussion but decided that his talent alone did not make him good enough for her daughter.

At Jian Shuyue’s birthday party, Zhou Yi won over the guests with his debate, while Su Shaokai’s attempt to impress Tian Tian fell flat. Zhou Yi then surprised everyone by playing piano and singing, just as Jian Wanyan and Xu Weiguang arrived and Secretary Jian caught him serenading his daughter.

• Tian Ruping reconsidered Zhou Yi and decided she might give him a chance to pursue Tian Tian if her daughter liked him.
• Xu Heng, Xiao Han, Ye Ziqing, and other guests praised Zhou Yi after his debate, while Su Shaokai left the table in frustration.
• Su Shaokai played piano and gazed at Tian Tian, but Tian Tian ignored him and started a birthday song game instead.
• Shan Wenxu and Tian Tian impressed the guests with their singing, and Zhou Yi took over the piano to perform “Homeland of the Moon.”
• Jian Wanyan and Xu Weiguang watched Zhou Yi play and sing as Secretary Jian suspected he was trying to charm his daughter.

After Zhou Yi and Jian Shuyue sang a romantic duet, Jian Wanyan summoned Zhou Yi upstairs. The provincial Party secretary asked whether Zhou Yi could replicate his anti-crime achievements if transferred elsewhere.

• Zhou Yi and Jian Shuyue sang a duet that captivated the guests and stirred Tian Tian’s curiosity about Zhou Yi.
• Jian Wanyan arrived and spoke with Shan Wenxu about his new appointment, expressing confidence in him.
• Jian Wanyan called Zhou Yi upstairs, leaving the other guests puzzled about his reason for doing so.
• Jian Wanyan asked Zhou Yi whether he could achieve results like those in Dongji if transferred to another city or county.

Jian Wanyan offered Zhou Yi a transfer to Yangcheng, and Zhou Yi decided to accept it, seeing both a chance to advance his career and an opportunity to confront the Xie family’s influence. The chapter ended with Zhou Yi appointed deputy director of the Dongji County Public Security Bureau, ahead of his move.

• Jian Wanyan offered to send Zhou Yi to Yangcheng and gave him a week to decide; Zhou Yi joked that he would be satisfied with the public security director’s post.
• Zhou Yi told Jian Shuyue that her father wanted to transfer him, then explained the offer to Zhou Yongxin and Guo Dongmei at home.
• Zhou Yi decided to accept the transfer because Dongji County’s crackdown had ended and Yangcheng was connected to Xie Bingkun and Kunning Industrial Group.
• Jian Shuyue told Jian Wanyan that Zhou Yi would follow his arrangements and wanted to bring two people with him; Jian Wanyan agreed.
• Jian Wanyan explained to Mu Yalan that he wanted to test Zhou Yi’s abilities in Yangcheng, where his success would shape Jian Wanyan’s future view of him.
• On October 11, the Dongji County People’s Government appointed Zhou Yi deputy director of the county Public Security Bureau and relieved him as head of the Public Security Management Brigade.

Zhou Yi was appointed Yangcheng City's new Public Security Director to lead a difficult crackdown on entrenched crime and corruption. Provincial Party Secretary Jian Wanyan trusted him with the authority to take on the challenge.

• Guo Dongmei's colleagues congratulated her on Zhou Yi's achievements, while Shen Mo enjoyed his improved standing at school and accepted Sun Jiarui's birthday invitation.
• Director Liao Chuangang praised Zhou Zhixin at the Archives Bureau and nominated him for an outstanding employee award because of his son's success.
• Yan Xiangyu learned that Zhou Yi was being transferred at the province's request and invited Zhou Yi and Liping to a farewell meal with Lei Ming.
• Provincial Party Secretary Jian Wanyan selected Zhou Yi to lead Yangcheng City's Public Security Bureau despite the city's entrenched criminal and political corruption.
• At the November 20 appointment meeting, Zhou Yi formally became Yangcheng's Public Security Director and pledged to improve the city's public security work.
• Jian Wanyan gave Deputy Secretary-General He Bin a signed document and hoped Zhou Yi would honor the trust placed in him.

Zhou Yi took up his post as director of the Yangcheng Public Security Bureau, where city leaders and bureau officials doubted his ability and competing ambitions simmered. After an uninformative meeting revealed how thoroughly the bureau concealed its problems, he chose three officials to accompany him on a walk.

• Qiu Ling welcomed Zhou Yi and urged him to fulfill his duties, while Shan Wenxu and Qiu Weiping regarded his appointment with hostility or resentment.
• Zhou Yi attended the appointment meeting, where officers whispered about his youth and Rao Yu privately concluded that the bureau was beyond hope.
• Zhou Yi met with the bureau's Party committee members and heard their misleadingly positive accounts of its condition.
• Zhou Yi ended the meeting by asking Fu Zhigang, Huang Jinping, and Li Guanghui to take a walk with him.

Zhou Yi toured the Yangcheng Public Security Bureau, where its leaders tried to assess and manipulate the new director while he kept his intentions hidden. After returning to his office, Zhou Yi continued inspecting the bureau and caught Sun Zhenxiang and other officers gambling during work.

• Qiu Weiping and Wang Guozhong agreed that they would resist Zhou Yi if he changed the bureau’s established practices.
• Zhou Yi toured several departments with Fu Zhigang, Huang Jinping, and Li Guanghun, and asked about the number of female officers.
• Fu Zhigang suggested lunch, and Zhou Yi ate in the public cafeteria before returning to his office.
• Zhou Yi reflected on the opportunity Jian Wanyan had given him, then went back out and encountered Rao Yu from the Political Work Office.
• Sun Zhenxiang froze while playing mahjong with Ma Yancai and two other deputy brigade commanders when Zhou Yi appeared at the doorway.

Zhou Yi confronted officers in the Public Security Management Brigade over drinking and gambling during work hours, then discovered brigade commander Cheng Shoukui had coerced a woman whose brother he had arrested. Zhou Yi subdued Cheng and documented the scene as he ordered an investigation, leaving the bureau leadership fearful of the consequences.

• Zhou Yi caught Ma Yancai, Sun Zhenxiang, and other officers drinking and gambling during work hours and asked about the penalties under the Five Prohibitions.
• Zhou Yi and the bureau leaders found Cheng Shoukui asleep in his office, and Cheng cursed at Zhou and tried to grab him.
• Zhou Yi evaded Cheng's grasp and threw him to the floor, then covered the handcuffed woman with his uniform jacket.
• The woman told Zhou Yi that Cheng had demanded sex in exchange for releasing her younger brother.
• Zhou Yi filmed and photographed the scene, ordered the Criminal Investigation Brigade to take statements, and left the bureau leaders apprehensive.

Zhou Yi caught Cheng Shoukui abusing a woman and ordered Li Linsen to lead an investigation, overruling officials who tried to stop him. He then called for a meeting to determine who was responsible for corruption in the Public Security Management Brigade.

• Zhou Yi rebuked Wang Guozhong for failing to control Cheng Shoukui and ordered him to summon Qi Maorong and Li Linsen.
• Cheng Shoukui tried to leave, but Zhou Yi blocked him and knocked him down after he threw a punch.
• Qi Maorong arrived with investigators, and Zhou Yi assigned Li Linsen to investigate Cheng Shoukui and report directly to him.
• Qiu Weiping challenged Zhou Yi's authority to open an investigation, but Zhou Yi pointed to the handcuffed woman and demanded an explanation.
• Zhou Yi ordered investigators to collect evidence, arrange female officers to care for the victim, clear uninvolved people from the scene, and hold a meeting about the brigade's corruption.

Zhou Yi used a recorded leadership meeting to force the Yangcheng Public Security Bureau's Party committee to take clear positions on Cheng Shoukui's suspected rape and the officers who violated the Five Prohibitions. He ended by proposing that the municipal Party committee and government discipline the leaders responsible for the brigade's failures.

• Lu Yao told three female officers that Zhou Yi had taken down Cheng Shoukui and silenced Qiu Weiping, while Rao Yu warned them against speaking carelessly.
• Rao Yu sent Du Juan and Lu Yao to record the bureau Party committee meeting at Zhou Yi's order.
• Zhou Yi announced that all future leadership meetings would be recorded and asked the committee to state its views on Cheng Shoukui's suspected rape.
• Qiu Weiping, Wang Guozhong, Li Pingwu, Xiang Mei, Huang Jinping, Li Guanghui, and Fu Zhigang said Cheng Shoukui should face criminal accountability if the evidence proved his guilt.
• Zhou Yi proposed expelling Ma Yancai, Sun Zhenxiang, and the other officers who had gambled and drunk during working hours, and the committee members agreed.
• Zhou Yi proposed requesting disciplinary action against Wang Guozhong, Li Guanghui, and Huang Jinping for their supervisory, disciplinary, and ideological-work failures.

Zhou Yi used the leadership meeting to secure support for a sweeping police rectification campaign and strengthen his authority over the Yangcheng Public Security Bureau. Meanwhile, Li Linsen provoked Cheng Shoukui into assaulting him, hoping Zhou Yi would have the resolve to bring the corrupt officer to justice.

• Zhou Yi invited Wang Guozhong, Li Guanghui, Huang Jinping, and the other leaders to challenge his criticism, but they admitted their failures and pledged support rather than risk opposing him.
• Zhou Yi ordered the Political Work Office to prepare a rectification plan within two days, the Command Center General Office and Public Security Management Brigade to conduct a public law-and-order survey, and the Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office to investigate police violations.
• Qiu Weiping, Wang Guozhong, and the others left the meeting resentful, recognizing that Zhou Yi had used the crisis to establish his authority on his first day as director.
• Cheng Shoukui threatened and insulted Li Linsen during questioning, but Li calmly reminded him that he was being questioned under Zhou Yi's authority.
• Li Linsen deliberately provoked Cheng Shoukui until he attacked him, adding assaulting an officer to Cheng's offenses as Li gambled on Zhou Yi's willingness to pursue the case.

Zhou Yi visited Mayor Shan Wenxu to brief him on his work, arriving in a modest Jetta after learning that the bureau’s flashy Audi had been provided by a local company. He told Shan about an unexpected discovery from his first day as Public Security Director, leaving the mayor impressed by his luck.

• Zhou Yi called Shan Wenxu to arrange a work briefing and asked Fu Zhigang to provide a car.
• Zhou Yi learned that Hongyuan Coal Mining Company had provided the bureau with a new Audi A6 and chose to travel in a Jetta instead.
• Yang Hao greeted Zhou Yi at the municipal government building, where Finance Bureau Director Wan Dean and his colleagues realized who Zhou was and took note of him.
• Shan Wenxu poured Zhou Yi tea and invited him to explain his unexpected discovery.
• Zhou Yi recounted what he had uncovered on his first day in office, and Shan Wenxu privately thought he was exceptionally lucky.

Zhou Yi secured Shan Wenxu’s backing for a sweeping purge of the Yangcheng Public Security Bureau, though Shan intended to keep Zhou from gaining too much power. On the drive back, Zhou rejected Kang Jie’s request to go easy on her cousin Cheng Shoukui, while Gong Li urged her to try persuading him in person.

• Zhou Yi asked Shan Wenxu to remove Wang Guozhong and Huang Jinping, discipline Li Guanghui, and support a bureau-wide rectification campaign.
• Shan Wenxu agreed to look into Zhou Yi’s proposals and privately resolved to support him without letting him succeed completely.
• Zhou Yi decided that the Yangcheng Public Security Bureau needed a sweeping overhaul and that the opportunity to act was worth the risk.
• Kang Jie called Zhou Yi and asked him to go easy on her cousin Cheng Shoukui, but Zhou refused, citing the rape charge and Shan Wenxu’s order to enforce the law.
• Kang Jie told Gong Li that Zhou had refused, and Gong suggested that she invite Zhou to dinner and try to charm him.