Episode 22

***Confrontation*** (Chinese: 对峙 *Duìzhì*) is the eleventh episode of the second season of Link Click.

## Plot

The beginning of the episode details the planning stages of the hostage exchange on both sides. It is revealed that Cheng Xiaoshi's teleportation back to the car was a clever use of his power: By using a live recording, he is able to teleport to the location of the recording. As soon as he claps his hands again, he will "exit" the dive, resulting in him being teleported back to the original location. However, Li Tianchen had also anticipated this move: He placed a tracker in the clothes that he forced Cheng Xiaoshi to change into. When Cheng Xiaoshi teleported back to the car, Ma, stationed nearby, was able to locate him via the tracker. Furthermore, Qian Jin had also rigged the theatre with explosives, hindering police reinforcements.

Caught by Ma, Cheng Xiaoshi and Li Tianxi are led into a subway tunnel to meet with Qian Jin. Ma praises his boss for his accurate predictions, also noting the unexpected finding of Li Tianxi. Li Tianchen also reveals himself, declaring Cheng Xiaoshi exhausted of all his tricks. However, his smugness fades into shock upon noticing his sister standing behind Cheng Xiaoshi. Qian Jin, taking the pistol from Ma, points it at the duo, grimly commenting on the "family reunion" and commanding Li Tianxi to join their side. Li Tianxi however, shakes her head, taking cover behind Cheng Xiaoshi.

Qian Jin once again expresses his disdain for betrayal, finger slowly pressing against the trigger, prompting Cheng Xiaoshi to shield Li Tianxi. Li Tianchen moves to intervene, but Ma restrains him. Amidst the mounting tension, Cheng Xiaoshi inquires who it was that delivered the photo to Lu Guang's ward that night. Ma, recollecting the individual he encountered in the staircase and to whom he gave Liu Min's phone, is convinced it was Li Tianchen. This leads Qian Jin to aim his gun at Li Tianchen, demanding answers and questioning whether he possesses Liu Min's phone. Li Tianchen attempts to evade, questioning if Qian Jin harbors doubts even for him. Qian Jin turns to Li Tianxi, reasoning that if Li Tianchen wasn't involved, it must be her. With Li Tianxi shaking her head, Cheng Xiaoshi presses Li Tianchen to stop hiding it, asserting that Li Tianxi would never lie. Unable to conceal the truth any longer, Li Tianchen turns to Cheng Xiaoshi, confessing that he had thought about changing the past. Hearing this, Qian Jin bitterly exclaims that even Li Tianchen has turned against him and demands the surrender of Liu Min's phone.

Ma, perplexed, recalls telling Qian Jin about the phone long ago, wondering why Qian Jin had not confronted Li Tianchen sooner. However, he then comes to the realization that Qian Jin had known all along. This prompts Qian Jin to shoot Xiao Ma in the chest, deciding that he knew too much to be kept around. An infuriated Qian Jin demands an explanation from Li Tianchen for his betrayal, to which Tianchen calmly responds that their relationship has always been rooted in mutual use, devoid of any trust, and there couldn't be betrayal without trust in the first place. Qian Jin argues that he had indeed placed trust in Li Tianchen, having raised the siblings as his own children. Cheng Xiaoshi interjects, countering that Qian Jin had merely treated them as tools and emotional substitutes. Growing increasingly agitated, Qian Jin argues that he was not the one in the wrong. Reminded of his original reason for capturing Cheng Xiaoshi, he hands Cheng Xiaoshi a photo of his wife, blaming her for his misfortunes and demanding that Cheng Xiaoshi alters his past using the photo.

Outside the theatre, a crowd has gathered following the explosion. Xiao Li, regaining consciousness, considers calling for backup but finds his phone missing. Approaching the entrance, he sees Lu Guang and Qiao Ling emerging amidst the smoke, assisting an injured police officer in the blast. Xiao Li informs them of his tasing and the disappearance of Cheng Xiaoshi and Li Tianxi, but reassures them of stringent vehicle inspections in the area due to the commotions. Lu Guang, pondering the explosion's rationale, suspects an alternate escape route. He recalls the sound of a subway from his time in Qian Jin's underground warehouse, raising concerns about a potential underground getaway. Xiao Li acknowledges the possibility and agrees to Qiao Ling's proposal to split up.

Back in the subway tunnels, Cheng Xiaoshi, picking up the photo, arrives at the conclusion that Qian Jin had been one responsible for the death of his wife. Well aware of Qian Jin's past, Li Tianchen follows by stating that Zhuang Shuai, whom Qian Jin thought his wife was having an affair with, was actually innocent. He reveals his certainty stems from his ability to access the memories of those he controls, recounting that Zhuang Shuai was the first person Qian Jin commanded him to kill after discovering his power, leaving a lasting impression on him.

A flashback ensues, showing Chen Nan and Zhuang Shuai discussing the theatre's financial struggles. Chen Nan asks if Zhuang Shuai is available the night after next, mentioning a potential new, more affordable venue. Zhuang Shuai is skeptical about the odd time for the visit and declines due to an appointment. She explains that the venue was original designed for office use, but was advertised for rent secretly, necessitating a visit only after the area empties. She mentions her husband's disapproval of her late returns, attributing his worry to his profession as a police officer. Zhuang Shuai light-heartedly comments that it's a sign of her husband's love.

Later, Chen Nan goes to visit the venue on her own. During her visit, she receives a call from Qian Jin. When he inquires if she's alone, Chen Nan, believing Qian Jin's concern is for her safety, falsely claims Zhuang Shuai is accompanying her. Unbeknownst to her, this lie inadvertently feeds into Qian Jin's growing jealousy and suspicion, reinforcing his misguided belief that she is having an affair, eventually driving him to murder his wife.

Qian Jin, still unable to admit that he is wrong, continues to condemn his victims, insisting that they deserved to die. Li Tianchen confronts him about his child, only to be sharply rebuked by Qian Jin, declaring that he has no right to speak the word. Unbeknownst to Qian Jin, the shot he previously fired at Ma was not fatal. Amid Qian Jin's vehement tirade, an enraged Ma rises from the ground, tackles and disarms him. Seizing the pistol, Ma fires two shots at Qian Jin; the first grazes Qian Jin's face, narrowly missing his head, while the second hits his chest. Surprisingly, the chest shot fails to incapacitate Qian Jin, revealing he's wearing a bulletproof vest beneath his suit. Enraged by the discovery that Qian Jin had selfishly protected himself while constantly assigning him dangerous missions, and feeling betrayed by Qian Jin's attempt on his life, Ma chases Qian Jin down the tunnels, intent on exacting revenge.

Li Tianchen seizes the opportunity to attack Cheng Xiaoshi. Li Tianxi attempts to intervene, but to no avail, as Li Tianchen expresses his disappointment in Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang's lack of action to change their tragic past despite him seeking their help. He continues to attack Cheng Xiaoshi, eventually gaining the upper hand and pressing him to the ground, declaring that he is going to change their fate himself. At this moment, Lu Guang arrives at the scene with Qiao Ling to intervene, but is quickly tased and restrained by Li Tianchen.

As Li Tianchen presses on Lu Guang's stab wound and threatens Cheng Xiaoshi, his mute sister, in tears and unable to bear the situation any longer, calls out to her brother and utters the words "brother, I want to go home". Jolted from the conflict, Li Tianchen recalls teaching the phrase to her sister while they were young, breaking into tears himself. However, the emotional moment is abruptly shattered when a bullet strikes Li Tianxi in the chest. With the scene shifting to slow motion, Li Tianchen desperately rushes towards his falling sister, as the episode comes to a close.