Episode 3 recap: # Opening the Stone
In Episode 3, deep within the mining mountains, the hardworking miners at Haishan mine are wrapping up their day. As they prepare to leave, they must go through strict security checks. One little guy tries to sneak out a ruby hidden in his stomach, hoping to trade it for some pocket money, but the sharp-eyed supervisor catches him red-handed. Another clever kid, sensing trouble, quickly hides in a construction lift, only to find himself locked inside. Meanwhile, a doctor carefully extracts a precious pigeon blood ruby from the belly of another caught child; this gem is incredibly valuable, with a color reminiscent of pigeon blood.
Shen Xing, after learning the ropes of "water transport" (which involves transporting goods and sometimes smuggling) from Master Dan Tuo, quickly becomes independent. Obstacles like landslides and local blockades don’t faze him much. However, he feels anxious about the military checkpoints, where soldiers sometimes brandish their guns, making Shen Xing's heart race as he worries about getting caught one day.
Seeing Shen Xing's nerves, Dan Tuo suggests, "If you really can’t handle it, you can run smaller jobs in Xiaomoling; it’ll be easier." In Xiaomoling, aside from smuggling everyday items, there’s a significant trade in electronics. Shen Xing's job is to procure goods from Laibei and sneak them into Bomo through the Daqulin checkpoint, then deliver them to the duty-free shop in Xiaomoling, where tourists love to buy these cheap, trendy items. Although this task sounds less risky, Shen Xing is still uneasy since it involves smuggling.
Fortunately, Cai Shu's people help Shen Xing find a place to stay outside the village, and Guo Li Min keeps him company. One day, Shen Xing receives a call from someone claiming to be a friend of his uncle, Shen Jian Dong. Though the caller hangs up abruptly, Shen Xing notices the fan that had been still suddenly starts spinning, which he takes as a good omen, hoping it means news about his uncle is coming soon.
Dan Tuo assigns Shen Xing another job: to take two people to the gem market on the west side of the mine, promising they’ll return in two days. He also plans to discuss with Cai Shu about counting this trip as two runs for Shen Xing to earn extra money. Upon hearing they’re headed to the mine, the dog-like figure's expression changes, but Dan Tuo glares at him, silencing any further comments.
Arriving at the west market, Shen Xing struggles to contact Wu Hai Shan. At a shop, he overhears Wang An Quan paying a high price for an old Rolex watch owned by Lao Sun, boasting that he can gather any information. Shen Xing seizes this opportunity and asks Wang An Quan to help him find his uncle. Although he can't get news from the restricted area, he can still gather local intel.
Shen Xing pays Wang An Quan, who enthusiastically starts asking around. However, when they reach Wu Hai Shan's shop, Shen Xing comes up empty-handed. On the way, he sees Lao Sun betting a significant amount on stones, and they watch together. Lao Sun picks a dark stone and unexpectedly reveals a beautiful jadeite, excitedly calling his wife to share the good news. Suddenly, Decha appears, accusing Lao Sun of using counterfeit money and demanding he return the stone. The crowd gathers, and tensions rise.
Fortunately, Wu Hai Shan shows up just in time as he is a rotating committee member of the market, and he quickly defuses the situation. Shen Xing seizes the opportunity to strike up a conversation with Wu Hai Shan and catches a ride with him toward the mine. On the way, Shen Xing thinks he sees a person in a red headscarf again, but they vanish in an instant, leaving him puzzled about what’s going on.
Comments(Episode 3)