*WARNING*: MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD. If you DO NOT want to be spoiled, please DO NOT read. You have been warned.
Unlike what happened last time, Zi Hong told his father to stop it. He tried to calmly talk to the police officers this time, not just attacking and defending his father like previously. Or was it because he was doing suspicious activities so he was just trying to ease things a bit? Chen Jie had to flash out the warrant once again to show that they had legitimate reasons to come. But as Ah Gang was telling Mr. Shen to lower his stick, they were once again in some hectic bantering. Zi Hong finally yelled for both to stop. After some more staring and hesitation from both parties, Zi Hong raised his hands up and surrendered. Mr. Shen was in a frenzy again, telling Zi Hong that he didn’t do anything wrong so he shouldn’t follow the police officers. However, Zi Hong reasoned that because he was innocent, he would return home soon. Then he turned to others, asking if they were going to arrest him–or wait for him to regret (aka fighting back). So Chen Jie signaled the others to move in. After the arrest, they searched the house, especially Zi Hong’s room. Chen Jie reported back saying that Zi Hong didn’t resist arrest or anything. Zi Yan and Dong Han were still seen deep in thoughts–with Dong Han worrying tenfold more. Chen Jie said that it didn’t seem right. While they were sorting out the matter and how Xiao He was reporting back to their boss about the successful arrest, Dong Han left the room. Zi Yan had been eyeing him suspiciously so once he left, she followed, knowing something was definitely up. On the other hand, Mr. Shen called Miao Miao up after Zi Hong bid him goodbye and reassured him he was going to be all right. Miao Miao asked if Zi Hong had been hurt, which Mr. Shen reassured her that Zi Hong hadn’t. She said she was going to contact Yong Mei. However, when she got off the phone with Mr. Shen, he asked for her grandpa’s help. Then back on Zi Yan and Dong Han’s front, Zi Yan was rushing after Dong Han, asking him stuffs. Like how he was unusually concerned for Zi Hong. He said nothing but his pace was increasing even more.
Yet they finally met up at Yong Mei’s place with Chairman Jiang also present. Yes, Mr. Shen had also come. It was like how Miao Miao had promised Mr. Shen on the phone, meeting up with the pair of grandpa and granddaughter to discuss the matter and help Zi Hong’s case. Miao Miao launched into blaming herself for what happened. If it wasn’t for her, Zi Hong would have left already and wouldn’t be stuck here and get caught, etc. As Yong Mei comforted her, Mr. Shen spoke up to tell her not to say those words. He said he had to thank her for convincing Zi Hong to return home. Now it was up to Chairman Jiang to help. (Seriously? I feel like throwing up already. Not in my mouth, of course since I never get that phrase since it would be too gross to throw up in your mouth. These people. Always yelling at others yet can’t see anything wrong with using connections to push down on the cops to get what they wanted. Well, I got it they were worried for their families, friends, etc. But what made it sickening and ironic was how they always told the cops to investigate, etc but when it didn’t come out like how they wanted, they used different means to twist things toward their benefits.) Yong Mei tried to use her chiding to get her grandpa to budge. He reasoned that Yong Mei and her mother shouldn’t be involved yet he could. And it seemed too funny that Yong Mei didn’t like it that others were leaning on her and trying to get to her father by kissing up to her. YET when she wanted some stuff to go her way, she didn’t hesitate to use her father’s connections. So how could she be upset when others do that? Anyway, after some more exchanges, Chairman Jiang promised that he would sort it out, telling Mr. Shen and Miao Miao not to be worried.
Meanwhile, at the police station, Head Commissioner Luo had arrived and told Chief Zheng he wasn’t there to cause some pressures for them but was just checking in. So they proceeded to the interrogation room, stopping outside along with the others to watch and listen in while Chen Jie interrogated Zi Hong. Zi Hong said he was just passing by when asked why he was around the area during the time of the crime. What really got Zi Hong was when Chen Jie whipped out the fragments of the burned music cards that Zi Hong had destroyed previously. The search team had managed to retrieve those items. And then Head Councilman Luo went back to the Luo resident to report to the others. Miao Miao asked if she and Mr. Shen could see Zi Hong. Head Councilman Luo said that because of the seriousness of the situation, no one could see Zi Hong. Even Yang Yong Zhao knew it was too serious. Head Councilman Luo also said that he didn’t want to put Chief Zheng in a hard spot so he didn’t insist. It seemed hopeless with them. (Why are they acting all pitiful? The cops were just trying to do their jobs here.)
That night, Yong Mei texted Dong Han, asking for help. (Seriously?) She said that Miao Miao just left her place, and she was still worried for Miao Miao. She went on to say that Miao Miao was her only friend–and that helping Miao Miao was like helping her. She continued by saying if it was because she wasn’t anything to him hence him not wanting to help. Then she played the pitiful ploy by saying how it seemed so hopeless that he didn’t even say a word to her. She told him not to be like that. She said she wanted to know where he was and what he was thinking.
Then the scene zoomed to Jia Yuan. She was drying her hair and was barely paying attention to the news at first. Yet what caught her attention was the one regarding Zi Hong. She soon opened a drawer and retrieved the cards she’d received many times before. So the next day, she dropped her brother off and had asked him to go straight to a friend’s house that day. She wasn’t going to pick him up so he had every right to ask. She told him not to ask, and even chided him when he asked why she was dressing so pretty that day.
The predictable occurred. Jia Yuan went to the police station to give her statements. Chief Zheng and Yang Yong Zhao asked Miao Miao to come in and identify Jia Yuan and her relation to Zi Hong. Miao Miao asked what was up yet her grandpa told her to listen first. So inside the interrogation room, Chen Jie finally began. The basic questions came out first, of course. Then came the important ones, especially the one about Jia Yuan saying that she was with Zi Hong during those two times the crimes were committed. She confirmed that those two days she was with him. Chen Jie said how it was such coincidences. Jia Yuan said it wasn’t just those two days. She implied that they’d been carrying on a certain relationship. Chen Jie had to go back outside to verify Jia Yuan’s statement so she was told to wait. Zi Yan said that Jia Yuan got along quite well with her coworkers. When Chen Jie asked about Jia Yuan’s relation with Zi Hong, Dong Han said that they were good friends, not dating or anything like that. Chen Jie said that if they’d gone to the motel like how Jia Yuan had said, no one could really confirm – at least not their coworkers. Ah Gang soon entered and told the others that the person named Ah Hu that Jia Yuan mentioned earlier had confirmed that Zi Hong and Jia Yuan were indeed together those two times. Chief Zheng said if it was too easy, but Ah Gang said it didn’t seem like so. They managed to get the logbook from Ah Hu and checked. Ah Gang explained that J + K in the logs were shorthanded versions of Jia Yuan and Zi Hong, because the others wanted to keep a secret so they didn’t use their real names. Zi Yan said that Ah Gang was a cop, why would the others cooperate, considering how he said they were trying to keep it all a secret? Ah Gang said he told Ah Hu to tell him or he could ask Hua Jie. Chen Jie didn’t get it. Chief Zheng jumped in to explain that part because the others weren’t locals so they didn’t know who Hua Jie was and her nature of ‘business’. It took a while for the others to get it, considering how some of the others weren’t locals. Ah Gang finally said it out that J was for Jia Yuan’s name in the biz, known as Joy. Jia Yuan was a call girl under Hua Jie.
So back in the interrogation room. This time, Chief Zheng joined Chen Jie to question Jia Yuan. She asked if they had already confirmed the details. Chief Zheng said that he couldn’t believe it that Zi Hong wouldn’t say anything. Jia Yuan said that things like these, how could he? Chief Zheng said that Zi Hong was facing a possible death sentence so he had to say it to save himself. Yet Jia Yuan disagreed, and asked if Chief Zheng was accused of a crime like that, would he dare say it when his wife could possibly be standing on the other side to listen? Chen Jie told Jia Yuan to be careful with her words yet Chief Zheng stopped Chen Jie. Jia Yuan then retrieved a lip gloss from her bag before getting up to apply it using the mirror as a guide. Then she asked if Miao Miao was on the other side. She said it was all right that Miao Miao wanted to fire her for it because she was no longer suitable for that type of job anyway. Then she went back to her seat, saying that Miao Miao was Zi Hong’s real girlfriend. So of course, if Zi Hong knew Miao Miao was standing on the other side to watch, he wouldn’t admit that he had anything to do with a call girl – even if it would cause his life. Chief Zheng soon asked if Zi Hong had paid Jia Yuan. Jia Yuan said he did but she didn’t want his money. She said because she liked him yet he didn’t like her. She apologized to Miao Miao again. Chief Zheng changed tactics, he said he heard she had a brother and really cared for him, what would happen if the kid knew about what was going on? It indeed was effective with rousing Jia Yuan up. He said that he wouldn’t take actions (like releasing to the news about her or possibly letting her brother listen to the recorded segment of what they just said), but if Jia Yuan didn’t cooperate, he would go to such extremes. Jia Yuan said she wasn’t lying. Chief Zheng got up around then, telling Chen Jie to go find Jia Yuan’s brother. Jia Yuan got up also, pleading with Chief Zheng to not drag her brother in. Chief Zheng said who was he supposed to plead then. He launched into saying that each day everyone was pleading to him, citizens begged him to seek justice for them, his superiors wanted to ask for favors, etc. Everyone had their wants and needs. He said that she was selling her body and he was selling his soul, and that was the only difference between them. (Indeed, I love this part, even if poor Jia Yuan had to endure it because seriously, it zoomed to the others outside. Everyone was putting him in a hard spot yet never considered his feelings or duties.) Chief Zheng repeated his words with not wanting to give Jia Yuan a hard time initially, but she was putting him in a hard spot too. He gave Jia Yuan a ten-minutes deadline to think things over and tell the truth before he had to resort to extreme measures. Back outside, Chairman Jiang wanted to leave to talk to Chief Zheng. Yang Yong Zhao turned to ask Miao Miao if she was all right. She said she was fine and told them to leave first. They did. Miao Miao called Jia Yuan up and Jia Yuan apologized again yet Miao Miao said she and Zi Hong had to thank Jia Yuan, and that Jia Yuan didn’t need to explain. She told Jia Yuan to go up to the mirror, she tried to do the hand on the mirror thing and told Jia Yuan that she would take care of the Xuan Xuan matter, telling Jia Yuan to trust her.
And it seemed like what Chief Zheng said didn’t matter anyway and that he was wasting his breath. Since someone was still pressuring him to release Zi Hong. Chief Zheng said that the girl (Jia Yuan) was obviously lying. Chairman Jiang said that there were indeed lies and truths yet there were also lying for the good. So he said it was easier to live with by closing one eye and opening one eye. (Really? I swear if I was Chief Zheng, I would’ve quit already and let them do what the hell ever. It’s not a 5-star hotel, why should he cater to their requests? Yet if he didn’t, his job would be at a threat.) Chief Zheng said it wasn’t some small cases but it was a matter of some lives being lost.
Miao Miao sought out Zi Yan and Dong Han for help. She said that Zi Hong indeed made those cards yet he meant to send a message to Zhang Guo Tang. Miao Miao went on to say how she’d gone with Zi Hong to seek out Zhang Guo Tang at times as well. After some more convincing, Zi Yan said that she would call and check up on that. While Zi Yan was on the phone with Xiao He, telling him to verify some stuff, Dong Han asked if Miao Miao and Zi Hong were really dating. Miao Miao asked him if she wasn’t supposed to. He actually laughed and said that he thought they should be together already. Miao Miao said she only wanted this matter to be over with and behind them. Dong Han reassured Miao Miao and said that Zi Hong would be fine since he was innocent. Miao Miao asked him how could he be so sure. He said he believed so, and told Miao Miao not to worry. Soon, Miao Miao received a call from Mr. Shen, saying he found a receipt for a shop on a certain day. It seemed hopeful. She told him to wait for her, and that she would come right away. After getting off the phone, she asked Dong Han to accompany her somewhere. And then back inside, Chairman Jiang told Chief Zheng to release Zi Hong. Chief Zheng turned to Head Councilman Luo to ask if that was his order. Head Councilman Luo said he wasn’t going to give Chief Zheng any pressure. Chief Zheng had to ask once more if it wasn’t an order and that he could turn the request down. Having Head Councilman Luo’s words, Chief Zheng declared that he rejected the request, which had turned Chairman Jiang’s smile upside down. Then it was back outside again, Xiao He was saying it was so hard to track since it had been a while yet Zi Yan flattered Xiao He by saying that there were many obstacles in this world, but she didn’t believe it could stop Xiao He. And that had worked, both ways actually. Xiao He was happy to hear her compliment, but he had also managed to retrieve some valuable information. Back inside, Chairman Jiang was saying how Chief Zheng wasn’t giving him any face. Chief Zheng went on with saying how was it so simple that Chairman Jiang was saving Zi Hong because Zi Hong was Mr. Shen’s son or was it because Zi Hong was acting on Chairman Jiang’s orders. That not only riled up Chairman Jiang but also Head Councilman Luo. Chief Zheng said that Head Councilman Luo was his superior, but there were also others above them, which he had to answer. Head Councilman Luo asked if Chief Zheng was trying to pressure him. Chief Zheng said it wasn’t so. But he said because how Chairman Jiang was the head councilman’s father in law so they couldn’t investigate or ask all the necessary questions thus dragging it out already. He only needed answers to exhaust out all leads. Chief Zheng soon excused himself, saying that Jia Yuan was waiting for him. He didn’t care if the head councilman was calling him this time, or how upset the latter was. Then it was back to Zi Yan and Xiao He. Xiao He found out the clip where Zi Hong was during one of the crimes. It proved that he was too far away–and that he was wearing a different color hoodie. Zi Yan was so happy–and told Xiao He to send her a picture.
After Dong Han and Miao Miao went to a convenience store to find the video clip the day of the crime, the second one, they received a call from Xiao He. Dong Han and Zi Yan were also connected so they were on standby. But just before that though, Chief Zheng had returned to the interrogation room with Chen Jie and Ah Gang to ask Jia Yuan of her decision. She said she was telling truth so she didn’t need to say anything more. Chief Zheng told Chen Jie to go find her brother. So back to the other four on the phone, they shared the news of having found the clips already. Zi Yan said they should congratulate Xiao He first since he found some clips first. Miao Miao immediately thanked Xiao He. Yet Zi Yan said she was still suspicious of something. Dong Han asked her what. Zi Yan said that Zi Hong was very smart, so why didn’t he say it out with how he could be tracked. Dong Han turned to ask Miao Miao. She didn’t know either and said they should ask Zi Hong about it. Dong Han then said now it was a discussion about their internal stuff so Miao Miao thanked the others once more before hanging up. She was about to leave yet Dong Han called her back. She wasn’t leaving, not really. She was waiting for some news.
So their trip was unfruitful–because the mighty highnesses came in to sweep Xuan Xuan away, even throwing out the head commissioner’s name to give Chen Jie and Ah Gang some pressures. They had no choice but to call back to their boss. (Hey, I don’t agree that the police dragged the poor kid in either, BUT I hated that somehow those other snobs kept bringing in connections. No wonder Chen Jie hated those types of stuff.) Chen Jie told Chief Zheng that he suspected it was Miao Miao who had informed Mrs. Luo and Yong Mei hence the turnout. And after they were done with sweeping Xuan Xuan away, Yong Mei called Miao Miao up to report on her successful trip. So after the whole joking and whatnot, Miao Miao finally called Jia Yuan after hanging up with Yong Mei. Then it was the special team on the phone together. Chief Zheng said that even if it was so, Zi Hong could have changed his clothes and could have found a way to go to that one store to commit the crime and the time of death could vary, etc. There were still too many possibilities that couldn’t wipe out all of the suspicions. Dong Han said he understood but they could use that to their advantage. Chief Zheng asked what Dong Han meant. Dong Han explained that the news was already out, therefore, Zhang Guo Tang must have seen it already. Chief Zheng said, of course, there were only some exceptions that hadn’t been released to the public yet. Dong Han said if they released Zi Hong, what would happen. Chief Zheng said Zhang Guo Tang would hunt Zi Hong down. Dong Han said that was why they needed to use that to their advantage. Chief Zheng asked if Dong Han wanted to use Zi Hong as a bait to lure Zhang Guo Tang out. Xiao He jumped in to say that it would be too dangerous for Zi Hong. Dong Han confirmed but said it was the only way. Zi Yan said they could send a team out to protect Zi Hong yet could at the same time trap Zhang Guo Tang. After much thinking, Chief Zheng said that the stake was too high yet, on the other hand, the game of tug had been too long with Zhang Guo Tang in the dark and them in the light. He finally said the magic word.
Chief Zheng returned to the interrogation room again to release Jia Yuan. She smiled this time, asking him why he wasn’t smiling anymore. He told her that she was really lucky, having a lot of people helping her. Yet he told her that those things weren’t everlasting, suggesting her to leave Hua Jie. She asked him why was he meddling into her business. He reminded her that he already said they were alike, except that she was selling her body while he sold his soul. They were both mocked/looked down by others yet he said he didn’t have a choice while she still had. She should leave Hua Jie while she could, especially if she didn’t want her brother to find out about it. It was the only way she could save the last of her self-pride. She asked him why he was telling her that. He told her that when he was little, he was luckier than her brother, having a mother who took care of him, and also a sister who had sacrificed a lot for him. After telling her once again to think it over, he buttoned up his jacket and bowed to her, apologizing for his actions. Then he told her that Zi Hong was fine now so she could leave as well. He apologized one last time before leaving himself. So Jia Yuan left but was stopped outside by the head commissioner. He told her that her brother was at his house.
Zi Hong was finally released. Zi Yan told him to check his possessions before signing. After that, he was told that Chief Zheng was waiting for him. Chief Zheng said that a lot of people wanted to help Zi Hong, but that wasn’t the reason why he’d released Zi Hong. He said they did find two pictures that had proved Zi Hong’s innocence yet that wasn’t the reason for Zi Hong’s release either. He wanted Zi Hong’s help in luring out Zhang Guo Tang. Zi Hong responded that he wasn’t interested. Chief Zheng asked what Zi Hong was interested in. Chief Zheng asked him what his interests were, listing some items before stating revenge. Chief Zheng continued by saying how they’d suspected there was a third party in this matter, which was Zi Hong. He asked if Zi Hong wanted revenge for what happened 20 years ago or because of what happened to his mother. He asked how Zi Hong wanted to do that, an eye for an eye, blood for blood, etc. Chief Zheng said that Zi Hong had used his capabilities at the wrong spot, so Zi Hong returned with saying how he thought Chief Zheng was smart so he didn’t have to use his intelligence at the wrong spot either. Zi Yan told Zi Hong to watch his attitude, but Chief Zheng raised his hand up to stop Zi Yan. Zi Hong asked what would happen if he said no. Zi Yan said Chief Zheng already said it, it wasn’t a threat but it was a request. Zi Hong said it didn’t sound any different. Zi Yan repeated her suspicion from earlier, saying how it was strange that Zi Hong didn’t tell them about tracking his whereabouts. She pondered if he wanted Zhang Guo Tang to think the same so he didn’t clarify and didn’t fight back when he was arrested. Zi Hong smirked and said that Zi Yan was thinking too much. Zi Yan said perhaps she was thinking too much yet their goals were the same as luring Zhang Guo Tang out, therefore, they should join forces. Zi Hong asked if he could leave yet since his dad was waiting for him, etc. Chief Zheng said that if Zi Hong walked out, he would be dead meat. He said that they let him walked out so they were already treating him as bait to lure Zhang Guo Tang out. After he left, Chief Zheng mumbled stuff about Zi Hong being smart and seeing through their tactic. He asked Yang Yong Zhao for advice. Yang Yong Zhao said that Zi Hong had wanted it to be that way. Yet he was worried for his granddaughter. Chief Zheng told him not to worry, and turned to Zi Yan, telling her to keep an eye on Zi Hong from now on. So when Zi Hong left the station, he saw Dong Han and Miao Miao waiting for him. Miao Miao ran up to hug him after the initial teasing and taunting from both sides. Dong Han, of course, looked happy to see both had reunited. Another reunion took place elsewhere at that time, but at the Luo resident. Quite touching in its own way, because Jia Yuan was indeed glad her brother hadn’t found out who she really was, at least what she’d been through. Will she think seriously of Chief Zheng’s words or would she continue down the same path?
*All images were captured by DTLCT