Burning Years ep 21 recap/spoilers

Episode 21 recap: Xu Wei Biao establishes a smuggling channel.

Hou Haiying, with one of his leg tendons cut and admitted to the hospital, was feeling uncomfortable one day and wanted to relieve himself. Unfortunately, the urinal was placed out of his reach under the bed. Desperate to free his immobilized leg, Lin Zhi Hua happened to arrive. Hou Haiying had always been assertive in front of Lin Zhi Hua, and this time he was truly desperate. Since he couldn't pretend anymore, he had to ask Lin Zhi Hua to help him to the restroom. On their way, Hou Haiying brought up the issue of Lin Zhi Hua writing a report to incriminate him. Despite Lin Zhi Hua's earnest denial, Hou Haiying remained skeptical.

Xu Wei Biao obtained evidence of Qian Jun's smuggling activities, revealing the existence of a crucial individual who was still capable of smuggling. In order to gain trust, Xu Wei Biao burned the smuggling account book as a gesture of sincerity, finally opening up the smuggling channel. Pang Lao Han had some knowledge about smuggling and upon seeing a large quantity of goods piled up in the warehouse, he immediately suggested the need for forty to fifty people to transport them. However, Xu Wei Biao had long been considering opening a bar, and this provided the perfect excuse to disguise the smuggled goods as alcohol and transport them to Yanyang. They made a substantial profit from it.

One day, Xu Wei Biao went to pay respects at Zhong Yu Nan's grave and mentioned that everyone was doing fine. Coincidentally, Lin Zhi Hua also arrived and saw Xu Wei Biao sitting on Wang Lei's grave, reproaching him for it.

Observing the situation, Xu Wei Biao had the urge to reveal the news that Wang Lei was still alive, but it was clear that Lin Zhi Hua hadn't considered that possibility. Lin Zhi Hua stated that once a person dies, they are gone, and he only hoped that Wang Lei was doing well wherever he was. Xu Wei Biao immediately refrained from mentioning it.

Lin Zhi Hua had never revealed the reason for becoming a police officer, but this time he candidly told Xu Wei Biao that it was because he couldn't bear watching everyone in distress without being able to help, which motivated him to become a police officer. Now, Xu Wei Biao was no longer the reckless youngster he used to be, and he acknowledged that he had caused trouble for Lin Zhi Hua in the past, so he apologized sincerely.

Knowing that Lin Hong Mei was already pregnant, Lin Zhi Hua hoped that Xu Wei Biao would consider the child and Lin Hong Mei more, and not rush into things. Hou Haiying was about to be discharged from the hospital, and Lin Zhi Hua made a special trip to pick him up. When the two met, they couldn't help but engage in a verbal dispute. While Hou Haiying went in for an examination, Sun Haijie also arrived, and only then did Lin Zhi Hua learn that Hou Haiying's wife and child had been killed by drug traffickers. Seeing that Hou Haiying was now alone, his demeanor explained his current state, and Lin Zhi Hua couldn't help but feel sympathy.

People from Sun Haijie's generation have a habit of keeping a photo of themselves in their partner's possession to avoid any inconvenience in case of an accident. Now, Sun Haijie hands over the photo of Hou Haiying to Lin Zhi Hua, marking his true retirement. He hopes that Lin Zhi Hua will never have to use that photo.

It is only now that Lin Zhi Hua realizes the heavy burden that Hou Haiying carries beneath his carefree appearance. Sun Chu Cen has a favorable impression of Lin Zhi Hua and buys movie tickets with the intention of inviting him to watch a movie. However, she feels embarrassed to express it directly, so she hides the movie tickets in a document. Unfortunately, Du Hang sees it, causing an awkward moment. Fortunately, Lin Zhi Hua quickly responds by saying that he wants to treat everyone to a movie, saving Sun Chu Cen's face. He privately arranges to watch the movie with Sun Chu Cen alone next time.

Xu Wei Biao's smuggling business has been hit recently. It turns out that there is a new gangster in the underworld who deals with smuggling vehicles. This time, they target Xu Wei Biao's goods and start competing. As their competitor's delivery time is earlier, they manage to snatch a significant portion of the market. Xu Wei Biao makes a decisive move by lowering prices and increasing volume.

Huang Si Er is unhappy about losing his territory to someone else. He doesn't want to let it go so easily, but Xu Wei Biao considers the fact that Lin Hong Mei is pregnant and doesn't want to cause trouble. For now, they continue with this situation. However, the gangster doesn't want Xu Wei Biao to survive and deliberately sends people to the bar to cause trouble. They openly and discreetly claim that the bar is not engaged in legitimate business but merely a shell company for accounting purposes.

Xu Wei Biao personally intervenes, and the person reveals that the gangster's intention is to have Xu Wei Biao take some money and back off, not engaging in smuggling anymore. However, Xu Wei Biao insists that he is just running a bar and it's normal not to have high-end liquor. He skillfully argues that the other party won't be able to spend so much money on this occasion, leaving the person unsure how to respond.

Following Xu Wei Biao's plan, Huang Si Er packages the alcohol and sends away the troublemaker. However, they all know that since the other party has already figured out that their bar is just a front, they understand their business. Chu Liu Ge suggests that Xu Wei Biao should directly confront them with his men, but Xu Wei Biao believes that having competitors in business is normal. He advises everyone to stay vigilant and continue with the regular deliveries tomorrow.