Episode 3 recap: Heist at Jinsheng Bank Vault
In this episode, Lu Zhengyang aims to uncover the events that transpired four years ago on Fuzhou Road, seeking justice for his fallen comrade, Wen Tian, who sacrificed his life while undercover. Lin Shaobai, a former police officer, is a crucial figure in this investigation. Four years earlier, Lin Shaobai and Xu Wei detained Lu Zhengyang and his team under the pretext of traffic violations, indirectly leading to the deaths of several of Lu's comrades.
Initially feigning ignorance, Lin Shaobai's demeanor changes when Lu Zhengyang presents the case file on the Fuzhou Road bombing, which bears Lin's signature. Lin confesses that he was coerced by Ye Shiwu to sign the document, but Lu is skeptical. Jin Yan, claiming to be Lin Shaobai's friend, visits the police station to request Lin's bail. After being denied, Jin Yan tries to arrange a visit, but that too is refused.
Jin Yan produces a document outlining the regulations of the People's Liberation Army, asserting that Lin Shaobai is neither a war criminal nor a counter-revolutionary. He argues that, according to international norms, Lin shouldn't be detained for more than twenty-four hours. However, Lu Zhengyang insists that this case is far from ordinary and that these conventions do not apply. He assures Jin Yan that the investigation will be conducted fairly and justly, emphasizing that if Lin is innocent, this inquiry will ultimately benefit him.
Jin Yan departs, hoping that Lu will uphold his word. Shortly after, Lu visits Lin Shaobai's two mothers to reassure them. Unbeknownst to Lin, his brother Xu Wei and his mothers have not left Shanghai.
During another round of questioning, Lin Shaobai recounts the events from four years prior, but his responses are evasive. Experienced and perceptive, Lu Zhengyang realizes Lin is playing games—he's neither confessing nor revealing the truth. The investigation will determine whether Lin is an accomplice or merely a bystander.
The first task left by the group is to retrieve the money from the vault of Jinsheng Bank. While the principal of Minli Elementary School and the students visit the PLA troops, Zheng Lanting, the art teacher, is responsible for taking photos to document the event. Meanwhile, Wang Li Qun, one of Zheng's subordinates, disguises himself as a PLA soldier and leads a heist on the Jinsheng Bank vault, killing the guard in the process.
Under pressure from his superiors to solve the case within a week, Lu Zhengyang arrives at the crime scene and discovers a mark left by a lock pick on the iron gate. He learns that the local troops were delayed by over twenty minutes due to the visit from Minli Elementary School.
Disguised as a reporter, Lu interviews Principal Shen, but notices that Shen's account is identical to those of other teachers, and his background appears clean. The incident seems either coincidental or the robbers had insider knowledge of the visit, allowing them to execute the heist.
Lin Shaobai, sharp and observant, realizes that those recently apprehended are all petty thieves. He deduces from their addresses that the Jinsheng Bank vault was targeted. Claiming he can crack the case, he provides Lu Zhengyang with a lead on a suspect known as "Ghost Hand" Luo San.
However, when they go to Luo San's residence, they find it deserted. Lin then takes Lu to Luo San’s favorite breakfast stall, where he identifies a man as Luo's accomplice, referred to as "the Thin Guy." Lu believes Lin's claim, but it turns out the Thin Guy does not know Luo and isn't even named Thin.
Realizing he has been deceived, Lu turns around only to find that Lin Shaobai has vanished without a trace.
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