Original subtitles

[Qingcheng University]

[Art Gallery]

[Be Reborn]

[Episode 1]

[Qingcheng Public Security Bureau]

(There was a theft)

(at Qingcheng University's art gallery.)

(Our initial investigation has been completed.)

The stolen "Water Lily"

is the masterpiece of Mr. Li Chengyi,

a great painter of the Republic of China.

It was

once stolen

in the late 1980s.

It was nowhere to be found

until 2001

when an anonymous collector donated it

to the museum

[Donation Record of "Water Lily"] where it finally resurfaces.

Next, I'll proceed with the things

we've found during our investigation.

We've compared

these dozens of sets of shoe prints

at the crime scene

and found these prints

belonged to the staff of the gallery

and students who came to visit.

(Now, let's do a recollection)

of what happened that day.

You had a conflict

with the gallery manager

at the art gallery.

He was the one who called the police, correct?

Yes.

Wait.

That painting is fake.

How could it be a fake painting?

Listen.

It's fake.

If you do this,

you'll ruin the crime scene.

Stop talking nonsense.

I said stop it.

-What are you doing? -Move!

It's fake!

-Leave! -Get out!

This painting is fake!

It's fake!

You're a law student.

I'm sure you didn't learn art when you were young.

How do you know

the authenticity of a painting?

I'm interested in paintings.

Mr. Li Chengyi's "Water Lily"

is my favorite painting.

The real "Water Lily"

is painted from the edge to the center.

He outlined

the venation patterns

before the leaves are about to dry.

But that painting happens

to be drawn the opposite way.

That simple?

That's not the only reason.

(These paintings are normally hung)

(in a remote area of a corridor.)

(The staff wouldn't normally move)

(the paintings that easily.)

(But when I went there,)

(I noticed)

(there's a 1 cm difference)

(from its previous hanging position.)

(Also, the fulcrum)

(of the scroll painting)

(isn't balanced either.)

I can't believe

you'd notice such small details.

Others may not have noticed.

But I've been there

so many times, after all.

(Zhuang Wenjie)

is the most suspected in the theft of "Water Lily".

He sees the painting

for half an hour every day.

I've made some inquiries at his school.

He's indeed questionable.

There was a theft

in the student dormitory last year.

A student's laptop in the dormitory

was missing.

Everyone suspected

it was Zhuang Wenjie who stole it.

Did they make a police report?

No.

There wasn't any evidence.

But strangely enough,

the laptop was returned soon after.

But no one knows how it went missing.

That was what the security office told me.

They even said only Zhuang Wenjie

had been in and out of the dormitory

during the period when the laptop was returned.

But there weren't any surveillance cameras in the corridors

and he also denied

stealing it.

On top of that,

he'll graduate in a year.

He also has an outstanding

academic achievement.

So this matter was put to rest,

but this is also the reason

his relationship

with his roommates is estranged.

Where were you

between 12 AM to 5 AM

last night?

Last night?

I should be asleep at home.

At home?

I thought you were staying at the dormitory.

I rent a room outside the campus.

Did you go out within those hours?

No.

Who can prove it?

Your family? Girlfriend?

Your roommates?

Give us the information

and we'll verify it.

No one can prove it.

I'm staying alone

outside.

(I've checked)

(Zhuang Wenjie's files.)

Both of

his parents are dead.

[Zhuang Wenjie's Personal Information]

[Mother: Meng Xiaoyu. Died from illness] His mother dies from illness.

His father accidentally fell into the river.

The body was never found

and his name was...

Zhuang Yaobai.

[Main culprit for the theft of "Luoshen": Zhuang Yaobai]

This man's

family sure is something.

A family of bandits.

It's said that Zhuang Yaobai's grandfather

was the Republic of China's infamous bandit.

His father also had a record of theft.

I've found some information

on the Luoshen case from 20 years ago.

[Suspect of Luoshen case fell into the river]

On June 12th, 2007,

Zhuang Yaobai and his accomplice, Ding Shenghuo,

stole the famous "Luoshen".

As they bolted with the painting,

the car Zhuang Yaobai drove crashed

into the fence post along the highway by the river.

The vehicle and persons plunged into the river

and "Luoshen" was ruined.

(We may not have found)

(Zhuang Yaobai's body.)

(But he's assumed)

(to be dead.)

(A private vehicle with the license plate)

(Qing K9758E)

(lost control at the 58th kilometer)

(of the Huanjiang Highway,)

[Suspect of Luoshen case fell into the river] (Huanjiang District, Qingcheng City.)

Captain Luo, may I have a moment?

Ma,

Liu from your department did it again.

We found something

on this counterfeit painting

during the light test.

Captain Luo,

look.

Look at this.

[June 26. By Wenjie]

I saw police cars

at the art gallery again.

They're here again?

Could it be the painting was stolen?

How did he know?

Who knows?

He was probably the one who stole it.

Wenjie,

the police are here again.

Are you okay?

They might have found new clues.

So they're here to investigate.

It has nothing to do with me.

Then are you prepared to...

I'll leave if there's nothing else.

Wenjie.

[Reading Room. Book Lending Available]

I've already provided

the clues I know.

Stop

looking for me next time.

I'll be graduating

in less than a year.

I just want to complete my studies in peace.

I don't want to be the topic of discussion wherever I go.

Well, I'm curious

why did you

sign your name on the fake painting

for no reason?

What signature?

You used invisible ink

to sign your name

on the fake painting.

I had to use a polarizer

to know

the meaning of this.

Zhuang Wenjie,

the reason

I chose this place to talk to you

instead of taking you back

to the bureau

is that

I've compared your handwriting with this.

It's indeed similar.

But it's different.

You're no longer as simple as someone

who filed a police report

because of this.

So I need you

to provide

everything that you know

without hiding the smallest detail.

Do you understand?

Now, tell me.

Have you seen

any suspicious people

or things lately?

Officer Luo,

I didn't see

any suspicious people

or things lately.

All right.

You may not have seen any lately.

But it doesn't mean that you won't in the future.

If you did see any,

they have a motive

for dragging you into this case.

They may not be targeting you.

But could they be targeting

your family?

I have no family.

I'll be frank.

I've pulled out your files.

I know about your family background

and adolescence

very well.

So?

What do you mean by "so?"

First of all, I didn't doubt you

because of your family background.

What kind of person your father was...

doesn't define

who you are.

I know

you want to draw a line

between you and your father.

But we can't guarantee that someone

would come

looking for you because of him.

It's okay.

Take your time to think about it.

You can come to me anytime after you've thought it through.

Also,

no matter what you've been through,

the best way

to get rid of the dark past is

through hard work

so you can stand

in the light.

Are we leaving just like this?

Aren't we going to interrogate the students?

Didn't we already do that the other day?

It's different this time.

We must do it strictly this time.

Do you have evidence that he stole it?

His name is already on the fake painting.

It may not prove

he wrote it himself.

But there are many doubtful points and...

I ask if you have proof.

No.

Fatty Sun,

is it fun to do this all the time?

Zhuang Wenjie,

do you have eyes behind your back?

How did you know

all the time?

It's time for you to lose weight.

You gasped as you walked.

I could hear it

from far.

I overlook that.

Back to business.

I heard

the police took you away

from the art gallery.

Everyone in the School of Computer Science was talking

about it this morning.

They said

you stole a painting.

Don't worry. As your friend,

I'd never believe

that kind of rumor.

But tell me

what exactly had happened.

It's a long story.

All right.

I'll buy you a meal.

You can tell me as we eat.

Mate, are you nuts

to get involved in this?

Zhuang Wenjie.

I'll leave you two to it.

Do you know

how worried I was about you?

They said

you stole something from the art gallery.

I even fought with them.

Enough.

The truth is

I don't care

what you guys think.

[Qingcheng Public Security Bureau]

We discovered something

during our investigation at the crime scene.

After making a comparison at the crime scene,

this window was recently sealed.

To know the sealing time,

I still need to bring this glass glue

back to the station for testing.

But I'm certain

that this window

was tampered with

within these few days.

(I also checked)

last night's surveillance footage

and noticed there was

an 18-second blank screen.

This fits with the blackout time

you checked.

There was a blackout too?

It was about three in the morning

[Art Gallery] when there was a blackout here.

How long was the blackout?

I think

it was about 18 seconds.

Eighteen seconds?

Are you sure you're accurate?

I'm certain.

Our art gallery has

a backup electrical circuit.

When a circuit is interrupted,

it takes

about 18 seconds

to start the backup power supply.

Before you start

the backup power supply

when it was cut off,

how did you

take care of the building's lighting?

[Security]

Several emergency lights are still working.

(So we patrolled)

(the building with our flashlights.)

(The power was back on soon after that.)

(The paintings were still there.)

Nothing happened.

But the surveillance cameras use

an independent power supply.

Even if the art gallery had a blackout,

it won't affect

[People's Police of the People's Republic of China] the operation of surveillance cameras.

Unless it was human interference

that this happened.

The system data also shows

that there were many loopholes

in the operation process,

which caused the system

to activate

the backup power supply.

After that,

the power supply was restored

after all the backup power supplies were activated.

Stealing a painting in 18 seconds.

How did they do that?

Is it possible

that the theft methods mentioned

by Zhuang Wenjie are true?

(Sometimes,)

you can get what you want

without getting close to the object

as long as you have a thorough plan,

people with great teamwork,

(and exquisite tools.)

Ready for action.

Three.

Two.

One.

(So you're saying)

they cover the real painting

with a fake one.

So how did they get

the authentic painting out?

I only explained half

of the act of theft.

The highlight is at the back.

I heard

there was a tool

called a four-way hook.

(It's a tool made from four hooks that can turn)

(in four directions.)

(Using a remote,)

(one can freely pick up)

(or put down items with it.)

(It's especially used)

(for this type of theft.)

(Done.)

The power is back.

Did you hear anything

from here just now?

Or did I hear it wrongly?

Everything looks okay to me.

Let's go.

All right. Let's take a look over there.

Then this gang

is really well-trained.

And

they were very precise

in their control of time.

Every move they make must be spot on

to complete

what you called theft methods.

If they have great teamwork,

it takes about 20 seconds

to complete this series of actions.

But everything we talked about

is based on

your assumptions.

You're right.

It was only a guess.

What does the four-way hook look like?

I've never seen it either.

Right, you heard it from someone else.

Who told you?

When I was young,

someone told me a story about it.

Is it just a story?

(Why do you only look at this painting)

(every time you go to the art gallery?)

And you even look at it

for a long time.

Why is that?

My mother.

My mother passed away when I was little.

As far as I can remember,

she liked "Water Lily" too.

She would always paint a copy.

[Famous Fan Painting] (I still remember)

(what my mother looked like)

(when she painted it.)

(No matter what you've been through,)

(the best way to get rid)

(of the dark past is)

(through hard work)

(so you can stand)

(in the light.)

Who's there? Come in.

Captain Luo,

what is this?

Why are you sleeping on the sofa again?

Didn't Chief Zhao say

to sleep at the dormitory?

I worked late last night.

The case is urgent and time is pressing.

But you would sleep

on the sofa

even when there were no urgent cases.

Tell me.

Are you just lazy

to walk to the dormitory?

Just leave.

Where's your mug?

I'll pour you some water.

Captain Luo,

Zhuang Wenjie is here.

You were right.

When my name is on the fake painting,

I no longer am someone

who filed a police report.

After talking to you

yesterday,

I gave it a lot of thought.

I may not have a single clue

about the resentment

from the previous generation

or who wants to set me up,

but I refused to wait

for their purpose and identity

to surface.

It's useless

for you to check the painting.

We found

an expert to examine the materials and colors.

They're all from the Republic of China.

You can easily buy it

from the antique market.

To find its origin

would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.

I told you before

that I have a great interest in art.

After "Water Lily"

was exhibited,

I painted almost 17 copies of it.

Then?

I've also gathered some information

on painters

who admire Mr. Li Chengyi's works online.

After they copied his works,

they'd exchange their experience

and techniques.

I noticed painters with different experiences,

different teachers

have different opinions

on materials, colors,

and painting styles.

So I was thinking

if I can examine

the fake painting

today,

won't I be able to get

a general idea about the painter

who painted that fake painting?

You're talking nonsense here.

You're just pulling some trick.

Captain Luo,

he's trying to confuse us

to affect our judgment.

Okay.

Let's head to the Evidence Department

and get the painting here.

Also,

request the expert, Mr. Fang, to be here too.

With an expert here,

we'll feel more at ease.

Mr. Fang,

I've made some research online.

Some copyists would use

the projection method.

It means

they used a projector

to project the original painting on the Xuan paper

and copied it completely

based on the image.

Projector?

Won't there be a difference in colors?

Yes.

This is what I'm still not certain of.

Logically speaking,

an image projected by a projector

will have a huge color difference.

But we can say

one can be confused about a fake one and a real one

after comparing the colors of this painting

to the original work.

I've seen

one example before.

It wasn't painted

by a painter at all.

It was printed

with high-tech ink.

Printed?

What are you doing

so close to the painting?

I just

wanted to see if the ink

on this Xuan paper reflects.

What do you know?

Mr. Fang is here.

Mr. Fang.

Mr. Fang,

please examine.

This painting wasn't printed.

There's no reflection.

What's wrong?

There's

a unique smell

on the painting.

Isn't it the printing ink?

No.

What smell is it?

It's Xukang grass.

It's a type of plant

where we can extract color.

When a Lama

produced Thangka

in the past,

they always used these plant pigments

to enhance the colors of the painting

and to make it more dimensional.

Can I ask you something?

Does the original work have

this smell too?

I've seen it before.

I'm certain it doesn't have this smell.

Can you tell me

what kind of person

would still use Xukang grass to paint?

Well...

Well...

Street artists.

What?

Street artists?

Yes.

Why would a street artist

use Xukang grass?

Didn't Mr. Fang say

that Xukang grass

can make it more dimensional and enhance the colors?

Many street artists

would add ingredients

like Xukang grass

when drawing portraits

to satisfy their customers.

Also,

they can use

this traditional way

of painting

to promote themselves

and create some gimmicks for their business.

So I think

it's a street artist who has likely

painted this painting.

Stop for now and wait there.

Well,

don't you try to embarrass me

in front of Mr. Fang.

It doesn't matter if it's a fake

or original work.

They're after all Chinese paintings.

What do street artists draw?

They sketch,

water coloring...

Officer Luo,

you don't know

those street artists that well.

They're

all talented painters.

You don't know

what they used to study

or what they used to work as.

Besides, the brushwork of this painting

is very similar to that of a street artist.

He has a point.

He's right.

A street artist has the habit

of making decisive

outlines.

They'd add colors on it after that.

They brought that habit

into

this fake painting.

This explains

why they didn't paint

from the border towards the middle

like Master Li.

Instead of waiting for the ink of the leaves to dry

to paint the venation patterns,

they did it

the opposite way.

Kid, have a seat.

Come on, sit.

What do you major in?

I'm a law student.

Law?

Have you considered changing your field?

[Xiaoyi Gallery]

You want a portrait?

I have cheap and expensive ones.

The cheap one costs 15 yuan.

The expensive one costs 60 yuan.

The cheap one will do.

The cheap one comes in black and white only.

I'll get the expensive one, then.

I'm still young,

so black and white aren't suitable.

You have to make me look handsome.

You'll have to pay first for that request.

What if you say you don't look handsome

and refuse to pay

after I finish the painting?

Don't underestimate yourself.

You're the one overestimating yourself.

Let's put that aside first.

I'm sure you can make it more dimensional,

right?

I can't make it more dimensional.

I thought you had

some mixture...

No, I mean flavoring.

I mean color pigments

called Xu...

Xukang grass.

You're an expert.

You must be from the same trade and you're here to ruin my gig.

You even know Xukang grass.

No, I'm not.

I'm not a painter.

I only know the theories.

I can't paint at all.

Also,

not only do I want a portrait,

[Artistic Portrait]

I want the scenery as the background too.

I want you to do it with an ink painting style.

Just like this.

I can't paint that.

Not even with Xukang grass?

I draw portraits.

You have to find San to draw scenery.

Among the street artists,

San is the best when it comes to painting scenery.

Who's San?

Stop searching.

I haven't seen him these two days.

He didn't open his stall.

Why?

He got a job

and even bragged about it.

He said something about a huge gig.

We didn't believe him

because we think he was talking big.

Do you know where he is now?

I've finally succeeded in catching you by surprise.

I didn't know there were moments

you'd let down your guards.

Go away.

You usually ignore her.

Now someone is trying to get her attention,

you don't like it,

do you?

Can you stop being absurd?

I find that man

isn't from our school.

Why do you care?

What's this?

It's sticking out.

Go away.

It's art. You don't know about it.

Come on.

"Water Lily" alone

has brought so much trouble for you.

Why do you still want to paint?

Since you're passionate about art,

why did you choose to study law?

This is my hobby.

Why do you even care?

I'm just concerned about you.

I made a fortune.

See?

You don't have to know how I made it.

Can't I win the lottery?

After a while,

I'll take you overseas.

I've thought about it.

We'll go to Sweden and watch the aurora.

Under the aurora,

I'll draw a painting of you

called "Beauty Under the Aurora."

Is that okay?

Not now.

I have to lay low.

Get it?

Just wait a little while.

One mustn't show their wealth.

That's all.

Can I help you?

Are you Mr. Ma?

Who are you?

I came because I've heard of you

and I'd like to ask you to paint for me.

You came all the way to my house?

What kind of painting?

"Water Lily."

There's someone there.

Stay down!

Come with us.

[Police] I only drew a painting for them.

It's true. I swear.

I only drew a painting.

I didn't do anything else.

Who told you to draw it?

Well, it's like this.

A while ago,

I

somehow got

a strange gig.

The guy wanted me

to copy

an ancient painting called "Water Lily".

I knew the guy

was up to no good.

But I was blinded

by money.

So I took the job.

I thought

it'd be the end

after they took the painting

and sold it to their victim.

But who knows

he'd cause such big trouble

by switching the painting.

They?

Who are they?

From the beginning,

it was a young man

who contacted me.

It was

about a month ago.

(I set up my stall, as usual,)

(that day.)

Make me look prettier.

(In the end,)

(my phone suddenly rang.)

Beautiful.

All right. Sit still.

Okay.

I think it comes from there.

From that bag.

(The guy on the phone said)

(he has a huge gig)

(for me.)

(So he wanted me)

(to copy a painting for him.)

(To be honest,)

(I've received)

(these types of illegal deals before.)

But to get a gig

this mysterious

is a first for me.

What?

Mysterious.

Can you elaborate on that?

How do I put this?

It felt

spooky.

If you want me to work for you,

you have to pay a deposit first.

No problem.

What about the venue?

Where should we meet?

There's no need to meet up.

I've already paid you.

It's behind you.

Stop joking around.

Behind me?

(What's inside the bag?)

(There were)

a pile of cash in the bag.

Then,

there were items to make the scroll painting,

rollers for the top and bottom,

Xuan paper, wax,

and four-Chinese-feet long

of Shu brocade.

They are all old things of the Republic of China.

But

what did he tell you

after you got all these things?

He said

that money was a deposit payment.

After I finished and handed over the painting,

he'd pay me another half.

He even said

he especially

had confidence in my skills in copying.

After that,

he had a special request too.

Do you have any requests?

Just lay it out.

Lay it out.

You mean

you want to write your name on it

with invisible ink?

Where's your phone?

The young man,

Wenjie,

told me

to throw the phone after we finished talking.

But the phone looks pretty new

and valuable.

So I didn't throw it away.

I just took out the card

and threw it away.

After that,

I gave the phone to my girlfriend.

Where's your girlfriend?