Episode 21 recap: Han Li's Tragic End at the Hands of Wang Jianmin

In Episode 21, Han Li is feeling overwhelmed and decides to go to the rooftop for some fresh air. There, she accidentally stumbles upon a huge secret—Factory Director Jiang Ying Zi is having a hushed conversation with someone. They're discussing the illegal trade of dangerous chemicals, which sounds eerily like drug manufacturing, sending chills down Han Li's spine. Although she acts nonchalant, she secretly makes a copy of the pharmaceutical company's ledger and carefully places it in a bag bearing the Jiang Ying Zi pharmacy logo, just to be cautious.

As dawn breaks, Jiang Ying Zi is busy in the kitchen preparing breakfast for Wang Jianmin. He shows her warmth, but his mind is troubled, replaying the chaotic night when he stuffed the unconscious Han Li into his trunk and drove her to a deserted bridge. Unexpectedly, she woke up and bit him, but despite the pain, he resolutely decided to put the ordeal behind him.

At the breakfast table, the couple enjoys a rare moment of tranquility. Wang Jianmin reflects on how meeting Jiang Ying Zi is the greatest fortune of his life. She, being thoughtful, remembers that this is his zodiac year and gifts him a new tie. Wang Jianmin feels a warm glow inside, but suddenly recalls something and makes an excuse to rush out to buy ice cream for his son, Mao Mao.

Just as Wang Jianmin leaves, Zheng Bei and Gu Yi Ran arrive with shocking news—Han Li is missing. They quickly head to the pharmaceutical factory and find it engulfed in flames. Wang Jianmin attempted to destroy evidence and even considered ending his own life, but thankfully, Zheng Bei and the others manage to save him.

Later that night, Jiang Ying Zi receives a call from Li Wen Long with the devastating news, and tears flow uncontrollably. She realizes that Wang Jianmin's actions were all for her sake. Meanwhile, at the hospital, Zheng Bei interrogates Wang Jianmin, who remains tight-lipped, admitting only to killing someone but not explaining why, claiming that Han Li had been clingy.

The truth is that Han Li had confronted Wang Jianmin with the ledger, intending to share what she had discovered. Although he feigned ignorance, he was fully aware of the implications. Realizing he was onto her, Han Li turned to leave in anger, but Wang Jianmin suddenly attacked her, knocking her unconscious before disposing of her in the river, along with the copied ledger.

Back home, Wang Jianmin takes a shower and uses a candle to burn away the bite mark, holding the sleeping Jiang Ying Zi in his arms, filled with mixed emotions. The moonlight casts a gentle glow on his face, but turmoil brews within as he hopes this nightmare will end and no one will disrupt their "happiness" again.

However, the police aren't easily fooled. Gu Yi Ran and Zheng Bei see through Wang Jianmin's story. He refuses to cooperate, playing dumb when the ledger is mentioned, which frustrates the investigation team. Fortunately, a new discovery from the autopsy reveals a piece of plastic lodged in Han Li's throat, likely a clue left behind before her death.

The indistinct logo on the plastic triggers Gu Yi Ran’s memory of the pharmaceutical registry, prompting her to investigate there first. Meanwhile, Zheng Bei grows suspicious of Jiang Ying Zi, noting her unusual calmness. As he leaves, he catches sight of the Jiang Ying Zi pharmacy sign and realizes—Han Li must have swallowed the plastic to signal that the pharmacy is involved.

On another front, Gu Yi Ran uncovers irregularities in the reports: an unusually high rate of wasted drugs, including ephedrine, which can be used to manufacture narcotics. They calculate that the quantity is enough to produce over a hundred kilograms of meth. Now, Wang Jianmin's motive for murder becomes clearer—he acted to protect Jiang Ying Zi by concealing her involvement in drug manufacturing.