Episode 18 recap: The Zhou and Zhang families are in a state of intense conflict.
Liu Xun maliciously slandered Zhang Qing Li and Zhou Luo at school, which infuriated Zhou Luo and led to him charging at Liu Xun in an attempt to fight him. However, he was stopped by other classmates. Zhang Hua Shan questioned his daughter about her actions on New Year's Eve and slapped her in the face. Now, the news of her involvement in an unmarried relationship with Zhou Luo has spread, causing him to feel humiliated and ashamed.
As a result, Zhang Hua Shan went to Zhou's house and created a scene of chaos. Lin Fang Lu watched this scene from a second-story window and had other suspicions in mind. Lin Gui Xiang insisted that her son was a good child and would never do anything to tarnish a girl's reputation. Therefore, Lin Fang Lu suspected that someone was lying about Zhang Qing Li and Zhou Luo.
Unable to bear seeing Zhang Qing Li burdened with such a reputation, Zhou Luo decided to confess to the police. However, Zhang Qing Li held him tightly and said that as long as they both passed the college entrance examination and went to Beijing, they would never come back. Zhang Qing Li expressed his love for Zhou Luo and unwaveringly believed in his character. He said that if Zhou Luo was determined to protect someone, he would stand by his side.
Zhou Luo was deeply moved by these words, and he had no reason to disappoint such a wonderful girl. So in the days that followed, they grew closer and closer, and this reciprocation made Zhang Qing Li feel immensely precious. After the incident at the train station, Nan Ya returned to Qingshui Town, bringing liveliness to the once desolate town. She remained beautiful and enchanting, even with bruises on her neck and mouth, which were just embellishments.
People on the street cast curious, cool, or judgmental glances, wanting to see what she would look like after yesterday's events and whether she would be in a sorry state, unable to hold her head up. But the reality was quite the opposite. Nan Ya didn't become self-conscious or embarrassed. Instead, she publicly smashed the rice bowl of the man who criticized her behind her back and silenced him.
Zhou Luo watched this scene, and a stronger emotion than possessiveness surged within him. It was a different kind of pain, no longer for himself but for the woman who suffered humiliation from others. Afterwards, at Nan Ya's request, Zhang Qing Li personally entered the house to take photos as evidence. He was shocked to see new wounds covering her body along with old ones.
Because Nan Ya planned to file a complaint with the Women's Federation, Zhang Qing Li expressed his willingness to accompany her and testify on her behalf, which deeply touched Nan Ya. Zhou Luo and others waited outside the door until Zhang Qing Li came out and listened to her describe Nan Ya's tragic ordeal, feeling indignant about it.
Zhou Luo wanted to confront Xu Yi and settle the score, but Zhang Qing Li hurriedly stopped him to prevent him from acting impulsively, suggesting that Nan Ya could seek help from the Women's Federation and the police, and if all else failed, they could file for divorce. Afterwards, Zhou Luo told everyone that Xu Yi intentionally staged the train station elopement incident to teach Nan Ya a lesson and leave her with a stain of infidelity and elopement, making it impossible for her to divorce him in the future.
Nan Ya's biggest weakness now is Wan Wan. If she gets divorced, she will inevitably lose custody rights. Zhang Qing Li and the others want to help Nan Ya escape, but Zhou Luo sees no point in it. Chen Jun mentioned a movie about a staged murder scene, but the speaker was unaware of the listener's intentions.
Not long after, a bridge collapsed causing casualties, and Qingshui Town descended into chaos. People rushed to demand answers from Shengda Construction Company. Xu Yi angrily accused Liu Changshui, but Liu Changshui and Xu Jian shifted blame onto each other. In the end, Xu Yi reported Liu Changshui to the police, and Liu Changshui fled with the money, becoming the hot gossip topic in the town once again.
In the middle of the night, Zhou Luo was alone looking for evidence when he was discovered by Chen Jun. Chen Jun stood by his side, and they made their way to the collapsed site. However, soon two cars arrived. The person in charge told everyone that they must remove all the evidence tonight because waiting for the investigation team would be too late. They couldn't let them find any clues.
It is evident that Xu Yi is involved with the bridge incident. While he appears to have a falling out with Xu Jian, he secretly engages in unsavory activities. In order to put Xu Yi behind bars, Zhou Luo, Chen Jun, Zhang Qing Li, and Jiang Bing Bing decide to investigate secretly. Jiang Bing Bing's camera comes in handy.
The four of them then follow Xu Yi and discover that Liu Changshui did not escape but instead met him at a small restaurant on the outskirts. Zhou Luo takes the opportunity to take more photos until Xu Yi and Liu Changshui part ways. Zhou Luo follows Liu Changshui, observing the places he visits. Liu Changshui tries to intercept Xu Yi, but Xu Yi ignores him and drives away, leaving Zhou Luo and the others on bicycles behind.
Due to the conspicuousness of a large group, Zhou Luo and Chen Jun follow in a car to confirm the locations where Liu Changshui and Xu Yi often meet. That night, Liu Changshui buries money in the woods by the river, unaware that Xu Yi is standing behind him. Xu Yi raises a shovel and kills Liu Changshui, takes the money, and disposes of the body in a wild lake.
On the 18th day after the incident, Lin Fang Lu is still organizing the testimonies of Chen Jun and the others. Chen Jun deliberately waits for Zhou Luo outside the library and comes up with an excuse to accompany him home, casually mentioning a movie he recently watched, trying to gauge Zhou Luo's attitude. However, Zhou Luo remains calm, and Chen Jun can't help but ask him if he killed someone.
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