Feng Shijie meticulously arranges a trip to Wangmiao Village for Rui Xiaodan and Ouyang Xue, hoping to get closer to Ding Yuanying through Rui Xiaodan. However, her approach of reciprocating politeness leaves Feng Shijie without recourse. During the operation to capture the "Ma Wang Dark Forces" at the brick kiln, the gang leader Wang Mingyang holds Rui Xiaodan at gunpoint, but luckily the bullet is a dud, and she miraculously survives. In the aftermath, her suppressed feelings for Ding Yuanying erupt uncontrollably, overwhelmed by the thought of never seeing him again. At the brink of death, Ding Yuanying realizes his deep feelings for Rui Xiaodan. In the pouring rain, they embrace tightly. In the noodle shop, Rui Xiaodan hears about "cultural attributes" for the first time from Ding Yuanying, understanding that obeying objective laws is the natural order. Guided by Ding Yuanying's insights, she devises a plan to interrogate the silent and resistant Wang Mingyang.
