Many scientists across the world commit suicide. Wang Miao, an applied physicist, is asked to do an undercover job in an organization called The Frontier of Science.

Wang attends a conference held by The Frontier of Science. Later, he discovers a series of mysterious numbers appearing on his pictures.

Wang finds a countdown in the middle of his sight. He goes to Shen for answers.

Wang shuts down his experiment, and the countdown disappears. He visits Ye Wenjie in order to find a spot to observe the flicker of the universe.

Wang witnesses the universe flicker for him. With encouragement from Shi and his family, he decides to fight against whoever is behind it.

Sha presents the theory that shows the flicker could be faked. Wang and Shi look through Ye's files and learn of her tragic past.

Wang decides to take on the undercover job. He is presented with a game that claims to showcase the world of a highly advanced alien civilization.

The civilization is demolished in the game, leaving Wang overwhelmed by how real it feels. No one can find any information on the game developer. The General decides to put top scientists in military custody for protection.

Hu Xiaoxi, who was Pan's messenger, turns himself in. Wang and Shi go to Shen's place seeking the truth.

Shi suggests that the cause of Yang's death took place in the last three days of her life. Wang goes to Ye in order to learn more about her history.

Ye was accused of reading a forbidden book and writing a letter that conveyed anti-revolutionary ideas. She was given a way out, but with one condition: to accuse her father as anti-revolutionary even after his death.

Wang enters the game again and witnesses a model showing a possible structure of the universe. The civilization this time is destroyed with the sun approaching rapidly.

Wang goes to Ye to learn more about Red Coast. Ye tells him about her experience of being selected as a member of the base.

Yang tries his best to keep Ye away from the core of Red Coast. Lei personally engages Ye for unknown reasons.

Wang gains insight from gaming with Dou. As "Copernicus," he presents a radical theory, facing danger but advancing understanding.

Shi and Xu uncover Shen's husband's secretive calculations. In the Three-Body game, triple suns cause chaos, leading to civilization's destruction. Mu learns truths from Pan and decides whom to trust.

Shi and Wang encounter a murder investigation on their train journey to Hailar, realizing Shen is targeted by another formidable force. Ye advises Shen's safety while sharing her past with Wang.

Transferred to a secret department, Ye learns the truth about Red Coast with Yang's help. Despite the disappointment, she stays, driven by the pursuit of extraterrestrial life, bidding farewell to Wang.

Wang and Shi regroup, sharing findings and returning to Beijing. Xu continues Shen's investigation. Ye confronts ETO leader Evans, revealing ideological divides. Wei seeks solace in mathematics amidst threats.

Shen discovers Wei's Three-Body calculations at a temple, leading to their relationship. Despite threats, they seek refuge with Wang, who takes possession of a crucial USB containing their research.

Police find Shen's death a suicide, clearing Pan. Wang attends a Three-Body game meetup where Pan reveals extraterrestrial existence. Meanwhile, global preparation against the aliens begins as mistrust spreads.

Ye mourns Shen and suspects Pan's involvement with ETO. Wang and Shi observe ETO's internal divisions. The Operations Center locates the game server, while Pan shuts it down calmly. Wang learns of Three-Body's departure.

Wang receives an invite to the ETO meeting. Clues reveal Chen as an ETO member. Wang prepares for the meeting, knowing it implicates Ye.

Ye proposes using the sun to send signals into space, facing opposition. Despite risks, she conducts the experiment secretly. Years later, she receives three ominous messages from space.

Ye learns of Trisolaris and decides humanity's fate. She reveals the significance of Wang's research. Shi takes action against Chen, averting disaster.