Episode 14 recap: Wang Lei encounters a mining accident.
Since Lin Hong Mei came to visit Xu Wei Biao, he feels alive again. He wants to strive for a reduced sentence to get out earlier. To achieve that, he aims to become a model laborer. He works alone, sewing jute bags, even after everyone else is ready to sleep. Seeing Xu Wei Biao's determination, Huang Si Er realizes it's because of Lin Hong Mei. He gives Xu Wei Biao a suggestion that besides being a model laborer, he can also become a librarian.
Xu Wei Biao learns that Huang Si Er never had parents and his only companion, a dog, died. Xu Wei Biao doesn't want to leave him behind, so he suggests that Huang Si Er should stick with him after they are released. Huang Si Er points out that Xu Wei Biao was talking about reforming himself earlier, but now he's talking about sticking together. Xu Wei Biao quickly explains that he meant it for after they are released and continues to focus on sewing the jute bags.
After arriving in the northeast, Wang Lei, fearing arrest, avoids going to crowded places and finds work in a mine. The team leader notices his strong physique and accepts him. He assigns Wang Lei to go underground. The sub-leader approaches Wang Lei and advises him to follow his orders once they are underground. He emphasizes that everyone's lives depend on each other. However, Wang Lei remains silent, leading the team leader to think he is mute. As a gesture, the team leader gives him a large steamed bun to eat before starting work.
A year passes by quickly, and Wang Lei gains recognition from the team leader for his hard work in the mine. The team leader has encountered many people in his life and knows that young individuals like Wang Lei, who are willing to work tirelessly in the mine, must have reasons behind their actions. Although the team leader doesn't ask Wang Lei directly, he notices the wanted posters plastered around the mine, and some people recognize Wang Lei. Consequently, when Wang Lei is working in the mine, the team leader advises him to leave work early and collect his monthly wages. He instructs Wang Lei to take a train and head north to Russia, never to return again.
Suddenly, the mine starts to collapse, and the team leader realizes they need to flee. Wang Lei fails to keep up with the pace and gets buried inside the mine. Meanwhile, Xu Wei Biao, who is currently working as a librarian, senses something is wrong. Before he can think further, Huang Si Er asks him how to write the character "寺." Xu Wei Biao teaches him, but doesn't dwell on it.
It's a sunny day today, so Xu Wei Biao and Huang Si Er go outside for some fresh air. Suddenly, cigarettes and candies start to be thrown over the wall. Huang Si Er, who has been in and out of prison, immediately recognizes that someone important is about to be imprisoned. He advises Xu Wei Biao to quickly hide the cigarettes nearby. Xu Wei Biao follows the advice and uses his foot to pick up a candy for Huang Si Er.
Han Laoda used to be Huang Si Er's boss, and Huang Si Er has been mistreated by him before. Upon seeing Han Laoda, Huang Si Er instinctively turns his face away.
Han Laoda recognizes Huang Si Er and asserts his authority to Xu Wei Biao. However, Xu Wei Biao shows no fear. He reminds Han Laoda that this is a prison and Huang Si Er has already undergone reform. Xu Wei Biao wants Huang Si Er to break free from Han Laoda's shadow. Han Laoda is not a good person and intentionally spits into Xu Wei Biao's bowl. This angers Xu Wei Biao, who is about to explode in fury, but Huang Si Er and Chu Liu Ge quickly hold him back.
In the prison, Han Laoda is in charge of serving meals. He intentionally denies Huang Si Er a steamed bun and only gives him a piece of bone, humiliating him like a dog. Xu Wei Biao doesn't want Huang Si Er to be bullied, so he stands up for him. He reaches out with his own chopsticks and takes the steamed bun from the bowl. Han Laoda can only watch, powerless to do anything.
News arrives about Wang Lei's accident. Lin Hong Mei visits the prison to inform Xu Wei Biao of the tragic news. Xu Wei Biao is deeply saddened and holds onto their old photo, reminiscing. Taking advantage of Xu Wei Biao's absence at the library, Han Laoda bullies Huang Si Er. When Xu Wei Biao returns to the cell, he sees that everyone has been mistreated by Han Laoda. He feels disappointed by their lack of resilience.
Han Laoda believes that by bullying so many people, Xu Wei Biao will eventually yield. So, when he sees Xu Wei Biao coming during bath time, he arrogantly demands good service from him. Han Laoda suggests that if Xu Wei Biao does a good job, he might consider not bothering him anymore. Unable to tolerate it any longer, Xu Wei Biao silently wraps the soap in a towel and fiercely strikes Han Laoda's face. Han Laoda's screams attract the attention of the prison guards, and Xu Wei Biao is immediately taken to solitary confinement. After Xu Wei Biao is released, Han Laoda becomes terrified at the sight of him and dares not provoke him anymore.
People who were previously bullied by Han Laoda come forward to thank Xu Wei Biao and express their desire to follow him. However, Xu Wei Biao, currently grieving over Wang Lei's death, feels that it was his so-called loyalty that led to Wang Lei's tragic fate. He no longer wants to be a leader and dismisses everyone.
By now, it is already dark in the northeast. Against all odds, Wang Lei emerges from the ruins. Despite being injured, he is still alive. He takes one last look at the mining site where he spent over a year of his life before turning and leaving.
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