Episode 13 recap: Zheng Lanting's Arrest by the Police
In this episode, Cen Xiaoman conducts a thorough investigation and discovers that the paintings hold high standards, with Bolao being particularly meticulous about details. Meanwhile, Huzi rushes to inform Lu Zhengyang that the password expert has arrived. Xu Wei hurries to the hospital, where he finds the expert deeply engrossed in analyzing the promotional paintings. Xu immediately calls Bolao, who quickly devises a counter-strategy.
Bolao recruits Lao Yang, an artist with a similar style, taking his photo and promoting him to deputy station chief. Lao Yang, overwhelmed with emotion, believes his hard work has finally been recognized, unaware that Bolao has set a trap for him.
In her quest for clues, Cen Xiaoman visits various shops but fails to find paintings that match those in the trading company. By chance, she notices some promotional posters on the street that resemble the ones in the trading company, credited to Lanting Studio. She decides to pose as a buyer and visits the studio for more information.
At Lanting Studio, Cen Xiaoman chooses a painting of a hawk, but her inexperience raises suspicions in the shopkeeper, Xiao Yun. However, Bolao is prepared and temporarily refrains from taking action against the key figure, Yang Hui (Lao Yang). Meanwhile, Xu Wei receives a mysterious letter containing Bolao's message and a photo of Zhao Lan. The letter claims that Zhao Lan is safe and includes "He Ji Ice Room" as a clue.
Following the instructions, Xu Wei goes to He Ji Ice Room to meet Bolao, who warns him that the Zombie Sparrow is coming for him and advises him to wait for further arrangements. Concurrently, the password expert successfully decodes the Morse code on the promotional posters, leading Lu Zhengyang and others to trace it back to Lanting Studio. Deputy Director Yang orders an immediate arrest that night. However, Cen Xiaoman's intel causes Lin Shaobai to worry that their operation might have already been compromised.
Unexpectedly, when the police raid Lanting Studio late at night, Zheng Lanting does not flee but instead cooperates actively with Xiao Yun during the investigation. Zheng admits to creating the hospital's promotional paintings but denies any involvement in subsequent color touch-ups. Xiao Yun reveals that the touch-ups are usually handled by the shop assistant Li Xu and Yang Hui.
Their testimonies are airtight, leading Lin Shaobai to suspect that they might either be honest citizens or hidden spies. The next day, Li Xu is arrested on his way to work. He admits that Yang Hui was supposed to do the touch-up work that day but lied about going to retrieve samples. Lin Shaobai and Cen Xiaoman then investigate at the school, finding no irregularities with Zheng Lanting, who appears to be just an ordinary teacher in the eyes of his colleagues.
Meanwhile, outside Lanting Studio, police officers are distracted by Li Xu, allowing Xiao Yun to send a message to Yang Hui via a customer picking up a painting. Lu Zhengyang quickly pinpoints Yang Hui's residence, discovering numerous paintings and a codebook hidden in a fan. To further test Zheng Lanting, Lin Shaobai stages a scenario where Xiao Yun pretends to deliver a meal and discreetly passes a note. However, Zheng immediately alerts the police about the note's existence.
On another front, Liu Gui Hang intercepts a police telegram and, upon learning of Zheng Lanting's arrest, hatches a plan to rescue Bolao. Reflecting on Zheng's earlier advice, Xiao Yun decides to take a risk and asks Xu Wei to stop the rescue operation. Xu seizes the opportunity to demand a promotion, believing that a higher position would ensure the safety of himself and his wife, Zhao Lan. He also insists that Xiao Yun send Zhao Lan to Taiwan as a condition for his cooperation. While Xiao Yun agrees, he emphasizes that these arrangements can only be fulfilled after successfully halting the rescue operation.
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