Episode 8 recap: Ma Xiao Jing wants to engage in Hongqiao Transportation.
Ma Xiao Jing expresses that for these years, they have been fully focused on Hongqiao Transportation. They won't get anything for free and want to invest 500,000 yuan. Assistant Wang Ping asks Ma Xiao Jing if they know why, to which Ma Xiao Jing replies that 500,000 yuan is too little.
A meets with Wang Ping and asks if Wang Ping knows Yang Xue Song. Wang Ping confirms that they know Yang Xue Song and mentions that they saw them here a few days ago. Wang Ping finds it unlikely that Yang Xue Song would have killed their ex-husband, as Yang Xue Song appears to be quite honest.
Guan Yu visits Xie Haijun's wife at her home and brings up the events of the past. Back then, they had a good relationship with Yang Lijia, who even helped install radiators in their home. They discuss the matter of finding partners, and Xie Haijun initially considered introducing Xie Haiying to Yang Lijia. However, at that time, Yang Lijia had already found a partner. Although the partner's parents didn't approve of their relationship, the girl insisted on being with Yang Lijia, and they had already decided to stay together.
However, there were conflicts in the factory at that time. Later, Yang Lijia ended up beating their mentor, and then they disappeared. Ma Xiao Jing comes to find Wang Ping, but the secretary tells them that Wang Ping is currently busy and asks them to wait. In reality, Wang Ping is free but simply doesn't want to meet Ma Xiao Jing.
Ma Xiao Jing has no choice but to wait there. Old Zhao from the Water Conservancy Bureau has been following them and noticed that they brought the person with yellow hair into a building. Old Zhao approaches their car and the person, who is called Wang Shan, notices Old Zhao and takes out a knife to inspect him. Old Zhao explains that they saw a job advertisement on his car and came to take a look. Since they have free time during the winter break, they can completely do that job.
Wang Shan no longer suspects Old Zhao and leaves their phone number. Meanwhile, Guan Yu and the others discuss the current situation. Liao Yuan has interrogated Yang Hongmei for a long time but hasn't gotten any useful information. The reason Hongqiao Group developed well in the past is because Yan Hongmei married the son of an official.
Guan Yu states that Yan Hongmei's assets have been transferred to Haiya, and it is highly possible that Feng Gen is hiding there. He asks them to investigate. Guan Yu approaches Yan Hongmei to inquire, and Yan Hongmei insists that her son would never do anything wrong. At most, he might have helped his uncle acquire a gun.
Guan Yu suggests that Feng Gen may have killed Yan Hongqiao, but Yan Hongmei dismisses the possibility. Yan Hongqiao has no sons, and the inheritance will go to Feng Gen in the future. Feng Gen has no reason to commit such an act.
Zhou Qi and the others keep an eye on Ma Xiao Jing. Zhou Qi suspects that Ma Xiao Jing sent someone to find Wang Shan yesterday, and they spent the night at the office. Now Ma Xiao Jing has come to see Wang Ping again, indicating that they might have news about Wang Shan, so they are keeping a close watch.
Ma Xiao Jing meets Wang Ping and reiterates their full dedication to Hongqiao Transportation over the years. They emphasize that they wouldn't take advantage of Wang Ping and are willing to pay 500,000 yuan. Ma Xiao Jing leaves first, and Assistant Wang Ping follows them, with Zhou Qi and the others trailing behind.
Assistant Wang Ping drives to a small village. Zhou Qi recalls that Zhong Yi mentioned this location before, mentioning the presence of a temple. They decide to go and investigate. Assistant Wang Ping beats up Ma Xiao Jing and asks them if they know why. Ma Xiao Jing insists that 500,000 yuan is too little. Assistant Wang Ping informs them that Wang Ping won't tolerate any threats.
Old Zhao approaches Guan Yu and informs them about the lead. Guan Yu instructs Zhou Qi and the team to keep an eye on Wang Shan. Guan Yu goes to a restaurant and meets with Wang Ping, asking if they know Yang Xue Song.
Wang Ping confirms that they know Yang Xue Song and mentions that Yang Xue Song killed Wang Ping's ex-husband. However, Wang Ping finds it unlikely as Yang Xue Song appears to be honest. Guan Yu suspects that Yang Xue Song may have been manipulated by someone bad and asks Wang Ping who they think the culprit is. Wang Ping asserts that it is the police's responsibility to catch the criminals.
Guan Yu locates Yang Lijia's master and parents. Yang Lijia's master is currently bedridden, and Yang Lijia's mother mentions that they have been receiving gifts and money from someone.
Speculation: In 1995, Yang Shijia killed Xie Haijun to get money for their child's medical treatment, with the help of Yan Hongqiao. They fled to a coal mine and later returned to Lanhe under the identity of the deceased Yang Si, living in anonymity with their original wife and child.
At the same time, after Xie Haijun's death, Yan Hongqiao embezzled the compensation money for laid-off workers and acquired the land of the fertilizer plant. They established the Hongqiao Group and quickly rose to power.
In 2005, when Lanhe was upgraded from a county to a district, there was a struggle among developers.
Wang Ping and their driver killed Yan Hongqiao to gain control over the development rights along the riverbank. Feng Gen acted as an insider.
A day before the crime, the plan was accidentally captured on Yang Xuesong's phone, leading to Yang's murder and their body being dumped into the river.
Subsequently, Wang Ping used Yang Xuesong as leverage to frame Yang Si (Yang Shijia). Yang Si left their fingerprints at the crime scene, hid the murder weapon, but also left an outstanding employee medal that led the police to an old case.
Conclusion: Yang Lijia killed Xie Haijun, the driver killed Zhao Xinguo, Wang Ping killed Yan Hongqiao, and Chen Xiaoming, upon learning of Yang Xuesong's supposed death from Wang Ping, tragically committed suicide out of grief.