Faces you'll recognise
Episode guide
In the ancient city, the female criminal police officer Rui Xiaodan sacrificed her life on her return journey after completing a mission. Four days later, Lin Yufeng, a prominent figure in the domestic audio industry, drove off a cliff with his car. Two months after, Liu Bing, a lesser-known figure in the ancient city, jumped from the 20th floor. The reason behind these deaths traces back to Ding Yuanying. Two and a half years earlier, at a dividend meeting of his private equity fund in Berlin, Ding Yuanying unexpectedly announced the dissolution of the fund. As a result, all his profits were punitively frozen, leaving him with only 160,000 yuan in converted US dollars. Xiao Yawen, Ding Yuanying's assistant, perceived him as an extraordinary individual who might bring her opportunities in the future. The dissolution of the private equity fund forced her to leave Ding Yuanying.
On the eve of her departure to the ancient city, Han Chufeng of Zhengtian Group and his close friend Ding Yuanying met in a hotel for a long drinking session. During this meeting, Ding Yuanying revealed the reason behind the sudden end of his private equity fund, which had long puzzled Han Chufeng. The next day, Xiao Yawen and others escorted Ding Yuanying to the ancient city. Ding Yuanying, still reeking of alcohol from his hangover, only intensified Rui Xiaodan's aversion towards him. Expecting Ding Yuanying to frequently seek her out based on conventional thinking, Rui Xiaodan was surprised when he did not contact her at all over the next eight months, as if he had vanished. Meanwhile, Rui Xiaodan was busy with her case investigations. By the time Spring Festival arrived, Rui Xiaodan suddenly remembered the friend she was supposed to look after. She called Ding Yuanying, only to be politely brushed off, which led her to gain a new understanding of this peculiar man.
On New Year's Day, Ding Yuanying rushes back to his hometown in Sichuan upon learning of his father's sudden stroke. His unconventional approach to filial piety causes disputes among his family. Struggling financially after the funeral, Ding sells his cherished vinyl records, meeting Liu Bing, a record shop owner in the old city. Liu Bing exploits Ding's situation, buying his records cheaply and selling them at a high price. After a year in the old city, when Ding's rent is due, Rui Xiaodan is reminded of him. Enchanted by the beautiful music from Ding's house, she becomes mesmerized after he plays "Daughter of Heaven." The following week, Rui Xiaodan frantically searches the city in her police car, looking for a sound system as impressive as Ding's, but fails and faces disciplinary action from the police force.
Rui Xiaodan visits Ye Xiaoming, who runs a Hi-Fi audio store in the ancient city, asking him to create a set identical to Ding Yuanying's audio system. Astonished upon seeing the described system at Ding Yuanying's house, Ye Xiaoming observes it reverently. After a trial listen, he believes Ding Yuanying is a true enthusiast. Learning that Ding Yuanying is so financially strained he's selling his records, Rui Xiaodan feels complicated and decides to invite him for a meal as compensation. Feng Shijie, who owns a repair shop and is Ye Xiaoming's friend, hails from Wangmiao Village in a poor county and has always sought opportunities to alleviate his village's poverty. Ye Xiaoming hints that Ding Yuanying is a highly skilled individual, leading to an encounter between Feng Shijie and Ding Yuanying. In Ouyang Xue's restaurant, Rui Xiaodan is impressed by Ding Yuanying's knowledge and demeanor, causing a subtle shift in her feelings...
After her parents' divorce, Rui Xiaodan hadn't dealt with her father since she was six, but now she borrows 200,000 yuan from him. Ouyang Xue's remarks make Rui Xiaodan realize she has unwittingly fallen in love with Ding Yuanying. She hurriedly helps Ding Yuanying find a new house and moves his belongings, and buys back the records he had sold from Liu Bing. To understand Ding Yuanying better, Rui Xiaodan visits Beijing to meet Han Chufeng, the president of Zhengtian Group and a close friend of Ding Yuanying. Xiao Yawen, a good friend, warns Rui Xiaodan that Ding Yuanying is inherently fearful of women. Regarding Rui Xiaodan's trip to Beijing, Xiao Yawen has a different perspective. She knows Han Chufeng will treat Rui Xiaodan with high regard, but believes it’s not for Rui Xiaodan’s sake, but rather due to Ding Yuanying's influence. Xiao Yawen's words leave Rui Xiaodan pondering how Han Chufeng will perceive and receive her...
Han Chufeng initially treats Rui Xiaodan as a superficial "vase" trying to get close to Ding Yuanying, but after a spirited exchange, he changes his view of her. However, Han Chufeng's assessment of Ding Yuanying makes Rui Xiaodan realize the close yet distant relationship she shares with him. Han Chufeng asks Rui Xiaodan to drive the car Ding Yuanying won in a bet back to the ancient city. Ding Yuanying admits he can't drive and has no use for a car there, leading Rui Xiaodan to understand that Han Chufeng acknowledges her presence in Ding Yuanying's life in a subtle and appropriate way. In the villa, Rui Xiaodan cooks a feast for Ding Yuanying, determined not to leave any regrets, regardless of whether he loves her back, as part of an extreme ritual. Ding Yuanying's departure breaks Rui Xiaodan's heart but deepens her love and respect for him. With these feelings, she immerses herself in the "Ma Wang Dark Forces" special task force...
Feng Shijie meticulously arranges a trip to Wangmiao Village for Rui Xiaodan and Ouyang Xue, hoping to get closer to Ding Yuanying through Rui Xiaodan. However, her approach of reciprocating politeness leaves Feng Shijie without recourse. During the operation to capture the "Ma Wang Dark Forces" at the brick kiln, the gang leader Wang Mingyang holds Rui Xiaodan at gunpoint, but luckily the bullet is a dud, and she miraculously survives. In the aftermath, her suppressed feelings for Ding Yuanying erupt uncontrollably, overwhelmed by the thought of never seeing him again. At the brink of death, Ding Yuanying realizes his deep feelings for Rui Xiaodan. In the pouring rain, they embrace tightly. In the noodle shop, Rui Xiaodan hears about "cultural attributes" for the first time from Ding Yuanying, understanding that obeying objective laws is the natural order. Guided by Ding Yuanying's insights, she devises a plan to interrogate the silent and resistant Wang Mingyang.
Following Ding Yuanying's advice, Rui Xiaodan designs an interrogation plan for Wang Mingyang. During the lengthy and intense interrogation process, she resolves each challenge, but the success of the interrogation doesn't bring her joy; instead, it leads her into deep contemplation, resulting in an unbelievable decision. She asks Ding Yuanying for a "mythical" gift: to write a poverty-alleviation success story in the impoverished Wangmiao Village. Driven by his feelings, Ding Yuanying cannot refuse. He decides to visit Wangmiao Village to understand the situation from the villagers. Feng Shijie and Ye Xiaoming are overjoyed to receive guidance from Ding Yuanying.
Liu Bing, driven purely by profit, cannot fathom how Ding Yuanying, now so poor he's selling his records, could be considered a wise man. Yet fearing the loss of a lucrative opportunity, he decides to join the activities initiated by Ye Xiaoming and Feng Shijie. Ding Yuanying begins working on a "rob the rich to help the poor" scheme, focusing on the 13th International Audio Exhibition held in Beijing. He suggests involving Ouyang Xue by using her name as the controlling shareholder and asks Rui Xiaodan to take leave for a family visit, using the opportunity to bring sample speakers into Europe. Meanwhile, to enable Rui Xiaodan to achieve greater things, Ding Yuanying encourages her to resign from her job. However, due to differing values, he is unable to persuade her. Lovers often share many secret conversations, but the words exchanged in the moonlit villa leave Ding Yuanying deeply moved and reflective.
The Ge Lv Shi Audio Company is established, with Ouyang Xue, Feng Shijie, Ye Xiaoming, and Liu Bing becoming shareholders. At a shareholders' expansion meeting in Wangmiao Village, attended by the shareholders of Ge Lv Shi and the villagers, everyone places their hopes on Ding Yuanying. This alerts Ding Yuanying to potential dangers, leading him to advise that only through enduring hardships and possessing perseverance beyond ordinary capacity can one achieve extraordinary success. He emphasizes that there are no saviors; one must save oneself. Ding Yuanying's plan acts like a tonic for Wangmiao Village, revitalizing it from its previously somber state, and the impoverished villagers begin working with renewed vigor. Seeking peace of mind, Ding Yuanying and Han Chufeng agree to visit Mount Wutai together. En route, Ding Yuanying shares his detailed "rob the rich to help the poor" plan with Han Chufeng, leaving him astounded.
Ding Yuanying visits Master Zhi Xuan at the Buddhist sanctuary of Mount Wutai, seeking peace of mind amidst intense business battles. This visit also highlights to Han Chufeng the significant place Rui Xiaodan holds as a confidante in Ding Yuanying's heart. Amidst the enthusiastic production efforts of the villagers of Wangmiao Village, the "Ge Lv Shi" speakers, christened "Ge Lv Shi Number One" by Ding Yuanying, are produced. Ye Xiaoming, Feng Shijie, and Liu Bing are perplexed by Ding Yuanying's plan to take the "Ge Lv Shi" speakers to Germany for evaluation. The company not yet being registered leads to a disagreement at the shareholders' meeting, prompted by Ouyang Xue's suggestion to address Liu Bing's indiscriminate distribution of business cards, which displeases Liu Bing. As the company begins operations, differing opinions emerge among the shareholders.
As the company is about to start operations, Ding Yuanying emphasizes the importance of trade secrets for business development to Feng Shijie, Ye Xiaoming, and Liu Bing during a shareholders' meeting. On a snowy night, Rui Xiaodan drives Ding Yuanying out for hotpot, where they discuss the feelings of living abroad and Rui Xiaodan's passion for police work. Ding Yuanying suggests Rui Xiaodan visit Jerusalem during her return trip from visiting relatives to broaden her horizons, which she agrees to. Xiao Yawen helps rent a property for the Ge Lv Shi Company in Beijing, and Ouyang Xue and Rui Xiaodan drive there to sign the rental contract. Han Chufeng hosts a dinner where Xiao Yawen's thoughts on cherishing fate earn Han Chufeng's admiration. After the meal, Ouyang Xue gets the opportunity to understand Xiao Yawen better at her residence. Following Ding Yuanying's plan, the Ge Lv Shi Audio store quietly opens to the public, almost unnoticed.
Ge Lv Shi Audio plans to rely on the music giant's flagship kit and Slek's amplifiers. For this purpose, Ye Xiaoming invites Yu Zhiwei from the music giant and Zhao Zhongtao from Slek to a meal to foster relations. After the meal, a rendition of "Daughter of Heaven" played in the Ge Lv Shi Audio store deeply moves both guests, eliciting heartfelt exclaims of owning a piece of paradise. Ouyang Xue sells stocks within the time frame specified by Ding Yuanying, with Rui Xiaodan's 200,000 shares yielding a net profit of 342,000 yuan. Rui Xiaodan, having arranged leave to visit her relatives, plans to first visit her father before heading to the airport. Just then, she receives a call from the chief, informing her that Wang Mingyang, facing execution, has requested to see her one last time. Rui Xiaodan visits the detention center to fulfill Wang Mingyang's final wish.
Upon arriving in Berlin, Rui Xiaodan settles in Ding Yuanying's residence. She delivers a set of speakers each to Zheng Jianshi and Janie, Ding Yuanying's friends in Germany. Zheng Jianshi hosts a welcoming banquet for Rui Xiaodan at the Zhonghua Garden restaurant. During the meal, Rui Xiaodan explains to Zheng Jianshi and Janie the purpose of her visit to Berlin. Since poverty alleviation is an initiative managed by Ding Yuanying, Zheng Jianshi expresses his desire to become the European general agent for Ge Lv Shi Audio. Rui Xiaodan, unable to decide on her own, informs Ding Yuanying, who agrees to the proposal. Audio expert Gebbesen is astounded by the innovative design of the Ge Lv Shi speakers and suggests testing them at the more authoritative Berlin Michagen Acoustic Technology Research Center. After concluding her business in Berlin, Rui Xiaodan travels to Frankfurt to reunite with her mother, whom she hasn't seen in two years.
Rui Xiaodan submits her study application materials to Frankfurt University and then works in her mother's store, exhausting herself daily to alleviate the longing for Ding Yuanying. Finally, the news arrives that Zheng Jianshi has completed the arrangements for the European audio agency. Rui Xiaodan informs Ding Yuanying that she no longer wishes to visit Jerusalem and wants to return early to see him. Ding Yuanying, deeply moved, decides that they should meet in Jerusalem. The large-scale evaluation of ten speaker models from five countries draws the scorn of Lin Yufeng, the chairman of the music giant company. He dismisses the Ge Lv Shi Audio for its high prices, believing it lacks market competitiveness and could inadvertently advertise for the music giant's flagship speakers. This leads him to make a decision he would regret for the rest of his life.
The Ge Lv Shi Company spent nine quiet months before the onset of the Beijing International Audio Exhibition. The day before the exhibition, Ding Yuanying calls a meeting of the shareholders back in the ancient city, leading Ye Xiaoming to suspect a major conflict is imminent. At the audio exhibition in Beijing, Ding Yuanying's strategy of selling Ge Lv Shi Audio at affordable prices leads to a sell-out on the same day. This price reduction greatly impacts the famous domestic brand, the music giant company, causing substantial losses. Lin Yufeng, the president of the music giant, decides to sue Ge Lv Shi Company based on the "Anti-Unfair Competition Law of the People's Republic of China," demanding 6 million yuan in damages. Ye Xiaoming receives a copy of the music giant's complaint, a notice of response, and a notification of the burden of proof from the court in Beijing. He concludes that Ge Lv Shi Company is facing a catastrophic crisis.
Driven by the instinct to seek profit and avoid harm, Ye Xiaoming, Liu Bing, and Feng Shijie decide to seek a settlement, apologize to the music giant company, offer 100,000 yuan in compensation, and if the settlement fails, to withdraw their shares. Ouyang Xue realizes that her path with these three shareholders cannot go much further. Lin Yufeng seizes the opportunity of Ouyang Xue and Ye Xiaoming's visit to apologize to stage a show, but the negotiation for reconciliation fails. Ye Xiaoming, Liu Bing, and Feng Shijie confront Ouyang Xue, demanding to withdraw their shares. Ouyang Xue, believing that seeking Ding Yuanying's help involves taking such risks, agrees to their request amidst the eruption of long-standing conflicts. Although Liu Bing is no longer a shareholder, he requests to continue working in the store, achieving both risk avoidance and retaining hope. Ding Yuanying suggests Xiao Yawen could act as the lawyer for Ge Lv Shi Company in the lawsuit.
Xiao Yawen proposes to Ouyang Xue to buy the shares Ye Xiaoming and others have abandoned, aligning perfectly with Ouyang Xue's wishes. Xiao Yawen visits Wangmiao Village to film the production process for evidence gathering. Through conversations with Xiao Yawen, Ding Yuanying confirms her capability to take over the management of Ge Lv Shi Company. Rui Xiaodan, witnessing the entire journey of Ge Lv Shi Company from its formation to handling the lawsuit from the music giant company, begins to ponder over what constitutes a myth, salvation, and cultural attributes. She has many questions she's eager to clarify. In the course of drinking and chatting with Ding Yuanying, Rui Xiaodan finally decides to follow Ding Yuanying's advice given two years ago. She designs a life model for herself after resigning.
Rui Xiaodan accepts a new assignment from the Provincial Public Security Department. Under the alias "Xia Yu," she goes to Guangzhou to play the role of a "valuable vase," executing a mission that appears easy but is fraught with immense danger. Shen Nan, who runs a fitness center in Guangzhou, is the lover of Wu Chengxiang, the fugitive former bank president of Yuanmingchuan Bank. Following Wu Chengxiang's orders, she actively approaches Rui Xiaodan with various excuses to probe and test her. After Xiao Yawen takes over Ge Lv Shi Company, she returns the BMW to Han Chufeng. Liu Bing, who had relished driving the BMW everywhere, feels an emptiness inside, dissatisfied and uneasy. Meanwhile, the Shanghai Earl Audio Company conducts a detailed analysis of the potential impact of the Ge Lv Shi incident on their company. They propose an intention to acquire Ge Lv Shi Company for 6.5 million yuan.
When Liu Bing receives the acquisition intention letter from the Earl Audio Company, he experiences a severe psychological imbalance. Xiao Yawen speculates that Earl's intention is not to acquire but to get close and understand Ge Lv Shi Company, indicating a cautious and preemptive strategy. Shen Nan uses the pretense of helping "Xia Yu" (Rui Xiaodan's alias) pay her phone bill to probe her. She suggests that Rui Xiaodan accompany her on a trip and plans the itinerary, which is fraught with danger for Rui Xiaodan. Ge Lv Shi Company does not submit a defense, forfeiting their right to defend and proceeding directly to the evidence exchange stage. Learning that Ge Lv Shi is a poverty alleviation company, Lin Yufeng realizes that winning the lawsuit is almost impossible. He seeks out Zhou Jianhua, a friend with underworld connections. As a friend and elder, Zhou Jianhua analyzes the essence of the situation and shares his opinion, eventually handing Lin Yufeng a handgun.
Lin Yufeng contemplates how to face the impending lawsuit defeat, puzzled by how Ding Yuanying prepared so meticulously for this legal battle. Determined to make a final stand, Lin Yufeng decides to expose Ding Yuanying, pushing him from behind the scenes into the public eye through the lawsuit. Amidst the escalating conflict between Ge Lv Shi and the music giant company, Rui Xiaodan and Shen Nan travel along the planned route. Rui Xiaodan is aware of watchful eyes around her, and behind those eyes, another pair monitoring them. In Qin Gu County, Shen Nan's hometown, Rui Xiaodan receives a notification from her colleagues Zeng Hua and Huang Wenxian in the special task force. Wu Chengxiang and the two assassins tracking Rui Xiaodan have been arrested without a single shot fired. The role of "Xia Yu" is over, and it's time to close the net on Shen Nan.
In gratitude for the cooperation of the Qin Gu County Public Security Bureau's Criminal Police Team, Zeng Hua, Huang Wenxian, and Rui Xiaodan plan to treat the team to a meal. Captain Wang's mother needs a ride home from the hospital, and Rui Xiaodan volunteers to take them. On the way back to the county town, they encounter the wanted criminal Huang Fuhai and his accomplices. Realizing the potential for sacrifice, Rui Xiaodan, as a police officer, knows her duty is to combat crime, and she doesn't have the luxury of avoiding danger. She calls Ding Yuanying to bid farewell, and facing this call, knowing that her fate is sealed, Ding Yuanying falls silent. After informing the branch office of the situation and requesting backup, Rui Xiaodan turns off her phone. After a fierce psychological and physical struggle, three criminals are subdued—two dead and one injured—but Rui Xiaodan is critically wounded and disfigured in an explosion.
No one can understand the silence on Ding Yuanying's end of the phone call. Everyone suspects and accuses him of insincerity in his feelings towards Rui Xiaodan. He finds himself misunderstood and unforgiven. Rui Weifeng, in particular, is so angered by that phone call that he forbids Ding Yuanying from attending Rui Xiaodan's funeral arrangements. Rui Xiaodan's memorial service is held at the Qin Gu County funeral home. Rui Weifeng instructs Xiao Yawen not to reveal Rui Xiaodan's gravesite to Ding Yuanying, but Xiao Yawen disagrees, criticizing Rui Weifeng for not understanding Rui Xiaodan and relying solely on his paternal authority. Rui Weifeng leaves in a rage. The music giant company's lawsuit loss becomes a reality, and before the court's verdict, Lin Yufeng drives to Han Chufeng, demanding Ding Yuanying's address in the ancient city.
The court declares Ge Lv Shi victorious in the lawsuit. Lin Yufeng's trip to the ancient city resolves one of his major concerns. While admiring the ingenuity of the "rob the rich to help the poor" strategy, he admits to his own strategic misstep. Lin Yufeng drives to a mountain road and deliberately crashes his car over a cliff, staging his death as an accident due to driver fatigue. The lawsuit, amplified by the music giant's reputation and extensive media coverage, catapults Ge Lv Shi Company to fame overnight. The file bag that Ding Yuanying gave to Liu Bing to save his job, but not to be used as leverage against others, marks the end of Liu Bing's life of extreme emotional highs and lows. Unable to cope with the psychological toll, he jumps from the 20th floor.
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