Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

[The Inner Eye] [EP18]

What's wrong?

You okay, ma'an?

I'm fine, carsick maybe.

Hurry up!

Niu Bingbing!

Bro!

Sis-in-law, open the door!

Niu Bingbing!

Niu Bingbing!

Help! Help!

Niu Bingbing!

There's more than one way

to punish the evil.

Don't do anything stupid.

Trust us, Niu Bingbing.

-Sis-in-law! -Niu Bingbing!

Niu Bingbing, trust me!

We'll help you.

Niu Bingbing!

Sis-in-law!

Honey.

Do you remember that you once said

you'd go to hell with me?

Your wish comes true now.

You think they're here for me?

The one they're saving

is you.

Niu Bingbing!

Stop knocking for now.

There's movement inside.

Where's Cheng Qiang?

Bro!

Bro, what happened to you?

Director, what do we do?

Lift him up, slowly.

Easy, bro.

Get him up.

Attorney Tang.

Would you still be willing

to represent me?

Hello, emergency centre?

Someone here needs urgent help.

Huating Estate.

Block 3, Unit 2, Room 501.

Wait, don't hang up yet.

What did he drink?

What did he take?

Was it pesticide?

Pesticide, yes or no?

Yes.

Did you drink it too?

It was pesticide.

But I don't know which kind.

Yes, come now, please hurry!

Get water into him, now!

Go get water, go!

Come here.

Open your mouth.

Open up!

Spit it out, now!

Don't move, spit it out!

Niu Bingbing!

Niu Bingbing!

Tell me the pesticide's name.

Look at me.

Tell me what it's called.

Niu Bingbing!

Niu Bingbing, tell me now.

Cheng Qiang might still make it.

Why are you all

saving that animal?

Why save him?

It's not about saving him.

It's saving you.

Do you get it?

Murder and attempted murder

carry different sentences.

Have you thought this through?

Have you thought of your daughter?

How will you make her

carry all of this,

and live in this world?

Have you thought about it?

Attorney Tang.

Will you defend me?

I'll agree.

Tell me the pesticide's name.

Niu Bingbing!

In the bag.

Keep spitting.

For your daughter.

Right.

More.

[Reagent: DH-375 Prepared by: Niu Bingbing]

Spit, keep going!

Acute gastritis.

Your white blood cell count

is through the roof.

The doctor said

you need treatment for days.

If back then,

we'd held on a bit longer,

or got back a bit sooner...

Let's not do

"what ifs".

Tang Yingying.

No matter what comes

of this,

you saved Niu Bingbing's life.

All you need to do now

is recover, and rest.

Everything else,

leave it to me.

Alright?

How's your brother?

Not good.

Not good.

What about Niu Bingbing?

She made it through resus.

She's in a ward.

Lie back down.

You can't see her now anyway.

Talk after she's sent to remand.

I always saw the law

as an unbreakable shield.

I believed it could

protect anyone in trouble,

build them a safe wall.

When I handed over my card,

thinking I could

bring light

to a woman at the edge,

I never imagined

she'd end it all

in the most brutal way,

with her own hands.

The bruises, old and new,

the plasters on her fingers,

and on the phone,

her nails scraping the floor-

those broken pleas for help.

I saw it all.

I heard it all.

So why did I still

stand by and watch her

walk into that ending together?

Niu Bingbing.

You said the nights on the ridge

were endless.

But I tried with everything I had,

and still couldn't light

the lamp that could save you.

The doctor said

you need bed rest.

I knew I'd find you here.

We could've stopped it

before it came to this.

You did everything you could.

And as things stand,

even if they charge her with

intentional homicide,

the long-term abuse evidence,

police calls, injury reports,

all of it

will count in court

for a lighter sentence.

Can you accept

this outcome?

For her,

this is already

the best-case ending.

Come on, I'll walk with you.

That day,

also at the hospital,

Niu Bingbing told me

she was walking the field ridge,

no stars, no moon,

not a hint of light.

I think

she'd been living

in that kind of despair.

For over a decade of marriage,

she endured violence that could

strike at any moment.

And the rest of her life,

she'll rot behind bars.

She only wanted

to save herself.

Why did it cost

so much?

People have to pay

for what they do.

But that shouldn't be

your burden.

But violence is violence.

Why is it, once it's labelled

as "family",

it becomes "private business",

"too shameful to speak of" and "settle it"?

They're only fighting for

the basic right to survive.

In the end, it became a fight to the death.

Niu Bingbing once told me

she'd been living

inside an airtight jar.

I only wanted to help her

shatter that jar,

let light and air

find their way in.

So why couldn't I do it?

Patient.

First, don't get worked up.

Second, you're not a god.

You can't save everyone.

Let the doctors

take care of you first, alright?

The doctor said that

the gastritis

keeps recurring, it's serious.

If your stomach's ruined,

everything else falls apart.

I'm begging you.

I've never begged like this before.

I'm begging you,

get yourself well first.

Focus on recovering,

leave the rest to me.

The police have now confirmed

that over these years,

Niu Bingbing suffered domestic abuse.

The injuries weren't fatal,

but may stay with her for life.

She originally meant

to die together.

Grandpa.

Now,

your great-granddaughter

has only one mum left.

She doesn't have a father anymore.

Alright, that's enough.

When you and your brother were little,

you'd come here

to watch sunsets with me after school.

In the blink of an eye,

you both grew up.

Back then, with you by my side,

I could carry you both

with one hand,

leading you, protecting you.

Now, you grew up,

and I grew old.

Once you left this village,

the world out there was vast.

Your affairs,

I can't control anymore.

But

a person must live by reason.

Wheat grows in its furrows.

And a person

must live with meaning.

Your brother

walked his road to the end.

That was his own mistake.

Attorney Kang,

I knew about

Cheng Qiang beating his wife.

Not just me,

the whole village knew.

About this,

every one of us

shares responsibility.

[Inpatient Building]

Here.

Thanks.

All your health indicators

are back to normal.

The doctor says

you can be discharged today.

Cheng Feng

has some family matters

to take care of.

So he might

stay a bit longer.

I've booked you

an afternoon ticket back to Shenzhen.

After you're back,

I'll give you another week off.

Get proper rest,

and fully recover.

Niu Bingbing's case,

I'll stay behind,

and keep defending her.

We'll do everything we can

to make sure the law gives her

a fair outcome.

I've been thinking a lot these days.

Preventing crime

is indeed more important than

[Criminal Leniency] paying the price afterward.

I understand how you feel now.

Legally,

we can't change

the fact Niu Bingbing killed him.

Emotionally,

you can't accept

[Criminal Leniency] watching a crime unfold

and being powerless.

What we can do is limited.

But as lawyers,

we have a duty,

when the world is shattered

by crime,

to repair it with all we have.

That may be

the meaning of our work,

and the mission

the law entrusts us with.

[Signed by: Cheng Yongnian]

All this time,

you've already done

so much for Niu Bingbing.

Before you leave,

go see her once more.

I think right now

she really wants to see you too.

"Trust the law"-

she needs to hear it from you.

Cheng Qiang will be cremated today.

Grandpa said

he hopes he can rest in peace soon.

I know what you're thinking.

A life for a life.

You want to ask for the death penalty.

The debt I owe,

I repay it by dying.

Cheng Qiang's death-

you were indeed the killer.

But what he did didn't deserve death.

Neither do you.

Attorney Tang,

you shouldn't stay because of me.

You and Attorney Kang,

are both good people.

I'll remember your kindness.

What comes next,

let me face it alone.

Please tell Grandpa

I'm sorry.

This was never

just your burden.

Grandpa,

as the victim's family,

has issued a letter of forgiveness.

Along with your past

abuse examination records,

all of these

will be considered by the court

when sentencing,

to reduce your penalty.

I...

Am I still worthy of forgiveness?

He also asked me to tell you,

he said,

he may not live to see you come home.

In the past, the Cheng family

wronged you.

He hopes that in the future,

you can live well.

I don't deserve this from you.

You're right.

Only by living

can he answer

for his own sins.

Attorney Tang,

I was wrong.

I...I shouldn't have done that to him.

I'm guilty.

As for your case,

how it will be sentenced

none of us can guarantee.

But one thing,

you must believe justice exists.

You must believe

the law treats

every citizen equally.

If one day

we meet again,

no matter when,

I hope

it'll be a new beginning for you.

And your family,

your daughter,

they'll be waiting for that day too.

Thank you,

Attorney Tang.

Niu Bingbing.

I...

I still couldn't save you.

I'm sorry.

Thank you

for never giving up on saving me.

The spring wind

sweeps past Cheng Feng's hometown.

Wheat rolls

like a golden sea.

New buds stretch

in the sunlight.

Yet Niu Bingbing

will never see these.

Her spring

ended forever, on that day

of violence and despair.

Here are some

documents on the acquisition case.

Take them and get familiar first.

Next up,

the JW Group case

will be handled and arranged by you.

Got it.

Attorney Dai,

Director Kang and Attorney Tang are on leave.

When will they be back?

Their vacation

has turned into work.

Besides, the case involves

Cheng Feng's family,

so it's a bit complicated.

By the way,

before they return,

law firm's cases

need to be shared among everyone.

I'm fine with it, Attorney Dai.

Just assign me anytime.

I heard

you've been pushing hard lately.

Is it because of financial pressure?

I'm really short on money.

Even if you're ambitious,

you can't take on all the cases.

Besides,JW is

a very important client of ours.

For now,

you just focus on

this one case.

Leave the rest to

Attorney Luo and Yang.

Lin Xiaoyun,

you're not the

only lawyer here.

I also need to consider

the bigger picture and make arrangements.

I hope you understand.

[Electricity Bill]

[CNY 7,800 transferred to your account by Chen Jun Law Firm Balance: 8,600.56]

[Mobile Banking Out: 7,800 Balance: 800.56]

Mom, I'm about to eat.

I'm eating really well.

I've taken on a few cases lately,

less work, good pay.

I've even gained two pounds!

You and Dad are the ones who should eat better.

Since you're getting older,

take care of yourselves.

Xiaoyun,

your aunt came yesterday.

She said in a couple of days,

she'll visit you in Shenzhen.

What does she want with me?

Is she coming to collect?

She has all my paychecks.

Every time my salary comes in,

before it's even warmed up,

she transfers it right out.

Your aunt said

she wants to set you up on a date.

The man's mother is her classmate.

They run a factory in Shenzhen.

The family is pretty well-off.

Did you agree to it?

Xiaoyun,

your dad and I will not interfere

with your relationships.

But now that you're divorced from Qian Peng

and still paying off his debts.

It just breaks my heart.

If there really is someone

who can share your burden,

then your aunt would have

done our whole family a huge favor.

I'll think about it.

Xiaoyun.

Auntie.

Sorry I'm late, the traffic was bad.

Are they all here?

Don't worry. Being a little late just make us

seemed more reserved.

Come on, let's go in.

Auntie, I don't really know

much about their family situation.

You'll find out

once you meet them.

But Xiaoyun, let me remind you,

be a bit more enthusiastic later.

If this works out,

you

will marry into wealth and rise up.

All those debts you owe

will naturally be solved.

Let's go.

Mrs. Feng, Feng Rui,

here's Xiaoyun.

Xiaoyun,

I've heard so much about you from your aunt.

Seeing you in person today,

you're even prettier than in the photos.

Come, have a seat.

Something just came up at the company

So I'm a bit late. My apologies.

We haven't been here long either.

Besides,

a gentleman waiting for a lady

is good manners.

Rui

Is that so?

Hello, Attorney Lin.

Hello.

Our Rui

is a bit shy around new people.

But he'll open up once you get to know him.

He's been studying in Europe,

just came back not long ago.

Which country?

In Europe.

He studied fashion design.

Rui's dad and I

have our own company.

We had hoped

our son Rui

would come back from abroad

and take over the family business directly.

Xiaoyun,

I heard from your aunt

that you studieed law.

Do lawyers

study really well from a young age?

Our Xiaoyun's been a top student since she was little.

She earned dual degrees from a top-tier university.

That says it all.

And she's really driven, too.

Right now she's studying for an American

something… C A…

A C...

KFC, is it?

Auntie, please stop.

It's CFA. CFA.

I read it in the materials.

Yes, it's CFA.

Chartered Financial Analyst.

I'm still preparing for it,

The exam hasn't even started yet.

I never expected

You so young

to be so driven and ambitious.

Compared to you,

our son Rui is already thirty,

and hasn't achieved

anything noteworthy yet.

But let me tell you

our company is our own.

As long as you and

Rui are meant to be,

once you're married

you can join our company right away.

Whether it's Finance Director

or Legal Director, you can choose either one.

You might even become

a Vice President.

Xiaoyun, what are you waiting for?

Come on, serve your future mother-in-law some soup!

With such an understanding mother-in-law,

you're so lucky.

Right?

Have some soup.

Thank you.

Here, some soup.

Thanks.

Come on, everyone, eat up.

Okay.

Feng Rui.

Feng Rui, have some soup.

Feng Rui.

Feng Rui.

Feng Rui.

Feng Rui.

What are you doing?

Have you no manners?

Why are you gesturing in front of him?

Unbelievable!

Mom,

did I do something wrong?

No, no, no.

You didn't, you didn't.

It's Mom's fault.

My fault.

I'm wrong.

Sorry, Mom.

No, you didn't do anything wrong.

Tian Min, take her outside!

Go out!

No worries, you're good.

It's Mom's problem.

Come.

What's wrong with you?

Everything was going so well,

and now look,

you've made your aunt

not know what to do.

Unbelievable. You messed it up again.

Then we'll...

Tian Min,

tell me the truth.

Did you not clearly explain

Rui's situation to Xiaoyun?

Well… yes.

I just haven't had the chance to tell her yet.

Look at you,

how can you be so unreliable?

You know our Feng family

has been in business for over a decade.

We value reciprocity

and integrity above all.

Doing things this way

makes it seem like my son

is taking advantage of your family.

No, no, you've misunderstood.

Xiaoyun

to marry Rui

would be a blessing.

Alright, anyway today

we've met in person.

I also hope

you'll clearly

and completely

explain Rui's situation to her.

Let her think it over carefully,

and then we'll talk again.

As for today's meal,

I can no longer continue.

I've already paid the bill.

You two can stay and eat.

We're leaving.

What are you trying to do?

Are they not

sincerely here for a match?

Are you deliberately

trying to ruin this?

Auntie.

That Feng Rui…

Is there something wrong with his head?

Oh, you...

He just has a minor issue.

When he was studying abroad,

he got robbed

and beaten up.

It left him traumatized.

Now he's back home.

Through treatment

he'll gradually recover.

Auntie, I'm your niece.

We're blood relatives.

How could you ask me to marry

a fool?

Do you know how much

the Feng family shelled out for

your bride price?

Just the cash alone is 880,000.

Plus

a car worth up to 500,000.

What's more, once you're married into their family

you can even work

at their company.

What a sweet deal!

Why would you say no?

A deal?

Just because they're rich

you'd sell me off?

Xiaoyun, you…

Who do you think you are?

All you have is your youth.

Nothing else.

I have to marry you off

while you're still young and pretty.

I'll do whatever it takes

to get you married soon.

With your monthly salary

of just a few thousand,

when will you ever

pay back what you owe me?

I understand.

Our law firm just took on

a cross‑border case.

I'm leading it.

If things go well,

by year‑end I'll get

I'll get a bonus of over a hundred thousand.

Then I can repay

part of what I owe you.

As for the rest,

next year, or the year after at latest

I swear I'll pay it all back.

I'm really freaking out!

Do you know?

Your cousin will start

college next year.

Where would I get the money?

All my savings are tied up with you.

Xiaoyun…

Just listen to me, alright?

Think it over carefully.

Yes, he has a problem up here,

but

if he were completely normal,

with his excellent background,

would he even look at you?

There are plenty of good girls out there.

Girls prettier than you

are everywhere.

I've said enough.

You really need to think this over.

If you come to your senses,

I hope you'll

still give him a call.

Here, her card.

Think it over yourself.

I won't bother you anymore. I'm leaving.

You've been working hard lately.

The JW acquisition case

is actually highly specialized.

Some of the related

legal issues are quite challenging.

You managed to

complete it in such a short time.

That really surprised me.

This time

you showed me what you're capable of.

But the JW acquisition is being put on hold.

I'll see if there are

other cases more suited to you.

Just now

Mr. Wang called and said

that on some key issues,

the board couldn't reach a consensus.

So they had to pause it for now.

Got it, Attorney Dai.

Eat up.

The food's getting cold.

I know

you put a lot into this project.

I believe your effort won't be wasted.

It's alright, Attorney Dai.

I know

the law firm is taking on

shareholder dispute case.

Could you assign it to me?

I'll hand that case over to Attorney Luo.

I'll look

for something else that fits you.

Attorney Dai, you know why

I've been pushing myself so hard.

I understand your situation

and I really want to help.

But given your seniority,

you need more

time and experience.

If I can't

take charge of cases independently,

I may always

be passed over for my lack of experience.

And I will always behind those

seasoned lawyers.

I admit I'm impatient.

and I have no patience.

But Peilin,

you'll never know

what it's like to count every

cent in your account.

Maybe you'll never

truly understand

the bite of hunger and cold,

or know the despair of having no way out.

Wait a bit longer...

I really can't wait anymore.

Xiaoyun.

The acquisition case is on hold.

That decision wasn't mine.

I also have to respect

the client's rights and needs.

As for the assignment

of other cases,

they follow established

rules and procedures.

If you can't accept that,

I believe we both

could find better options.

I'm going to the restroom.

Waiter, check please.

Hello, the bill for this table

has been taken care of by the lady

who was just here.

[I’ve learned a lot during this time. Much appreciated, Attorney Dai.]

[Current Balance]

Now that you're settled,

it's time to plan the wedding.

How about that place,

the Grand Skylight Hotel

We'll book their largest banquet hall.

We'll invite all our family and friends,

plus everyone from your law firm.

By then, my wife will be

the center of attention

and the happiest bride.

[Huang Xi, Feng’s Apparel]

[Feng’s Apparel Co., Ltd.]

Hello, this is Lin Xiaoyun.

I've made up my mind.

Let's meet.