Original subtitles

Self-draw win!

Full flush and lockout all!

Damn, I'm on fire today!

I need to use the restroom.

There's a front door, you know.

Why climb through the window?

You've been here all day. No luck at all?

Do you think this place is an ATM?

Our mahjong parlor has rules.

If you borrow money, you pay it back.

The deadline really can't be extended anymore.

You need to pay back the 60,000 you borrowed soon.

If you can't pay us, a liver or a kidney will do too.

Just get the money fast.

I bumped into the back of another vehicle at Haitang Station.

Luckily, it didn't really leave a mark.

The fog has been terrible lately.

Ms. Lin, you'd better not drive by yourself.

I know.

I'm just having the paint touched up.

I'll have to take a cab back later.

Your son is home.

Ms. Lin is here to collect the rent.

You're home late. Your dad was a bit worried.

Why don't you get him a cell phone?

No need. I'm mostly just home by myself.

Ms. Lin, do you want to stay for dinner?

I've already eaten.

Sorry about the fish tank.

You've been here for four months… I'll have it moved away soon.

It's okay. Leave it here.

- I might want to keep some fish someday. - Ah, okay.

Your dad said there's a problem with the water heater.

It won't light.

I tried to look into it, but couldn't figure it out.

I'll have my brother come over tomorrow.

If it can't be fixed, I'll get you a new one.

- Thank you for your trouble, Ms. Lin. - Bye.

Bye.

Let's eat.

Somehow, I feel especially tired today.

Dad,

I'm going to the market tomorrow.

We need to replace a lot of stuff in the house,

and I'll get some groceries for you.

And we're yet to pay the utilities fee,

so I'll need more from you this time.

About 5,000.

If you don't have that much, 3,000 will do as well.

I thought you'd found a job.

I did.

I did find a job,

but, like I told you,

there's a three-month trial period.

I will become a regular employee in two months.

Two weeks ago,

I already gave you money for the utilities.

Have you really been going to work?

Have you been gambling again?

No! I haven't been gambling!

Did you forget why we had to move here?!

You gambled your wife and kid away, and still you won't stop?!

I lost my house in Quanzhou to your gambling debts!

I just need some money.

You get 4,000-5,000 each month in retirement pension.

Don't even think about touching that!

Even if I die,

I won't give you a single bit of money.

Then I'm really going to die!

So die!

I will tell Ms. Lin

that we're not renting this place anymore.

I'll move to a retirement home.

As for your life, you figure it out on your own!

You figure it out on your own!

If your mom were still around,

she'd be heartbroken.

My dear Xia,

let's go home.

Hello? This is Qinglan Residence, Building 7, Unit 2.

YOUR NUMBER WILL BE SUSPENDED SHORTLY DUE TO NON-PAYMENT OF BILLS.

THIS WILL AFFECT YOUR COMMUNICATION SERVICES.

This is Qinglan Residence, Building 7, Unit 2.

Yes.

I want to cancel the ambulance.

YAN LIANG, JIANG XIA

Sit up! I've told you over and over to straighten your back!

You're in Grade 3 now, but you're still so absent-minded.

I told you, Yingying can only check for mistakes in your homework.

You simply can't remember anything.

Wait till it's cool.

Who can help you?

Tell me, who can help you?

What the hell? He left the tap running again.

I'm sick and tired of this!

Just like your dad! Getting more mischievous day by day!

Nuo, hurry up with your homework. You're going to be late.

Yingying! This is a book!

What is this? What is it you're writing?

You did the buttons yourself? This one's not in the right hole.

And one of your socks is black, and one is white.

How generous you've become, buying two of everything.

Why don't you take these personally to Yingying's dad when he comes back?

Make friends, in case he forgets that Yingying is his daughter.

I'll drive the car over first.

You're going to be late for school.

Get over here.

Hurry up, put on your socks and go out. I'm counting to three!

Hello, dear listeners.

It's an important traditional Chinese festival today.

The Winter Solstice Festival.

It's also the day with the longest night and the shortest daylight of the year.

As the saying goes,

"When the winter solstice arrives, mutton is prized."

- It's the top nourishing food for winter. - It's the Winter Solstice Festival.

Today, people in Sichuan and Yunnan will enjoy

a steaming bowl of mutton soup,

which not only helps ward off the cold, but also nourishes the body,

symbolizing hopes for good fortune in the coming year.

On this special day,

different regions across the country have their own unique culinary customs…

In most parts of southern China,

such as Shanghai, Fujian, and Guangdong,

it's customary to eat tangyuan.

Dough is made using glutinous rice flour, and various fillings are wrapped inside.

The round, circular shape signifies reunion.

Hello.

If he doesn't come down, he'll be late.

What? He's not down yet?

Nuo is not down yet?

No.

How's that possible?

He left a while ago.

This is the result of thousands of years of development…

Nuo.

Tang Nuo.

Tang Nuo!

Nuo, are you going to school or not?

Tang Nuo, come out here.

I'm getting angry!

Nuo.

You sure he left?

I'm sure. I helped put his shoes on.

Maybe he went to Yingying's?

- Hurry. - Mr. Zhao, have you seen Nuo?

Your son?

Yes.

- Did you call the police? - Yes.

- Are you Tang Yu? - Yes.

Sounds really bizarre.

- Sun Hui? - Yes?

Go check the surveillance footage.

Okay.

Wait, what surveillance footage?

Go ask management for the Building 7 surveillance footage.

Building 7. Copy that.

I asked everyone in Building 7, Unit 1,

except for 302.

What if he's hiding inside?

302?

Yes, Yingying's home.

BUILDING 7, UNIT 1

Are you sure?

I'm not.

I think Nuo might have stolen Yingying's key.

Uncle, I'm going home.

Okay.

What is it? What's wrong?

Where's my spare key?

Nuo, have you seen Yingying's key?

I'm not telling you.

My dad should be home by now.

- Why would he take her key? - I don't know.

Wait a minute.

We just confirmed with management.

It will take the owner 40 minutes to get back.

- Forty? - Officer.

Can we just break open the door?

I know you're very worried right now,

but it's only your husband's guess that the boy is in there.

We can't cause trouble for other people based on just a guess, right?

Why don't we go to management to check out the surveillance?

All right, let's hurry up and check the surveillance footage.

There's only one camera there?

It's the cheap plan that all homeowners chose together.

That's why there's only one camera covering buildings 6 and 7.

Madam Fang, I just watched this clip.

I've watched all the footage covering all the gates since 7 a.m.,

and I didn't see the boy.

Officer, considering what happened,

I think management should be held accountable.

What does that have to do with management?

The plan for the surveillance cameras was signed off on by all homeowners.

Now that something happened, you're blaming us?

That's just not right.

If the cameras didn't get the kid at the gates,

he might still be in the building.

We need to check all the residents in that building.

You two, try to remember,

when your kid left this morning, did you notice anything different about him?

Like, was he very excited, or very quiet?

No. He was very normal.

Yes. He has ADHD.

What did you say?!

She's so fierce.

Stop talking.

Shut your mouth!

The girl's back!

Yingying is back!

Why are you back, Yingying?

I forgot my textbook.

Tang Nuo.

Come out.

Tang Nuo, do you hear me?

Tang Nuo.

This one…

Thank you.

Nuo.

Nuo.

This is my room.

Yingying, did Nuo tell you anything last night,

like he wanted to leave home?

Shut up!

Calm down in front of the girl.

What can I do then?

No.

He didn't say that.

Take it easy.

Sun Hui, take them back for statements.

Okay.

Let's go.

Mr. Xu, you're finally back!

This…

Mr. Xu, we're sorry.

It was an emergency, and your daughter happened to be home, so…

Why would Nuo be at our house?

Management called me at the construction site.

Well, why would Nuo have Yingying's key, right?

It's not like that. We're checking all the residents.

Sorry. Your daughter happened to be back, so we just came in.

It's okay, it's okay.

Why don't we take everyone's statements at the station?

JIECHU DECOR

Let's go.

Prepare a picture of the boy. One in which he's dressed just like today.

- Time to go. - Nothing to see here.

- Let's go. - Let's get out of here.

- Sorry. - It's all right.

QINGLAN RESIDENCE

Are you all right?

I'm all right.

You didn't have to come. I could have taken a cab.

Wenzhao,

thank you for always watching out for me.

After our parents died,

I know you've been acting like a parent to me.

We are family.

You don't need to thank me.

You really don't need a checkup at our hospital?

I'm really fine.

Dr. Lin, stop overreacting.

Like I said, I was the one crashing into someone else.

By the way, please go check the water heater tomorrow.

It's not working, and I don't understand these things.

It is winter, after all, and there's a senior.

Let's sort it out.

But I need to get my car first after work.

Okay.

The two of them have settled in okay?

I think so.

How long have they been living there?

Four months.

How time flies.

Four months already.

Wenzhao,

I want to…

find out who it was.

I still want to know who it was.

Even though…

Even though it won't change anything.

SIX MONTHS AGO

Be careful.

Thank you.

Well,

get home safe.

Right.

Why are you here?

I thought I told you that a colleague would drive me home.

I came to refill your pantry.

You didn't even touch the milk I bought last time. It expired.

I told you, I don't like the taste of milk,

and it gives me bad breath.

Now that you've hurt your leg,

you need to take in protein, you know?

These things can help you fix up the wound

so you don't end up with scars.

If you don't like the taste of milk, mix it up with honey.

Honey can reduce inflammation and is good for your skin.

This young man likes you.

A-Jun?

No way.

How can you tell?

Look at him. He's still down there.

And he lit up as soon as you went upstairs.

He's a smoker. He's probably been holding himself back for a while.

If he likes me, why doesn't he tell me?

He's still down there. What does he want?

When I go down,

I'll chase him away,

so that he knows you have a guardian.

I told you,

it's dangerous for a girl to be out there by herself.

And I told you many times to dress more modestly!

Stop.

We can go to the police.

No!

Something like that

is very bad for a girl.

You're my only sister.

You're still going to get married someday.

Mahjong!

Pay up, man.

Pay up.

Why so worked up?

Ignore him. Let's play.

- Don't play if you can't afford it. - Exactly.

Wu, you've been playing all night.

Cleaned out again?

I'll go get some money.

I'll be back soon.

Okay, let him go.

By the way,

the amount you owe has doubled.

If you can't pay us back,

you can also bring us a person of value.

Think about it.

My boy must have been kidnapped!

Calm down for a second.

The boy has been missing for almost two hours.

If he'd been kidnapped, the kidnappers would have called.

Mr. Tang,

how long were you waiting in that car?

I drove to the entrance and waited about two, three minutes.

During that time, you're sure that no one entered or left the unit?

No one.

But you just said that, because of work,

you stayed up till four in the morning,

so you dozed off in the car.

But it was less than one minute.

Since the boy was about to be late,

I'd been paying attention to the time.

I'm not even sure I really dozed off.

Besides, the entrance was so close to my car.

I'd have known if someone passed.

You saw the surveillance footage.

There was no sign of Nuo coming out.

Why don't we have more cameras where we live?

It's taking forever to find my boy!

Don't cry.

We already reported to our superiors

to deploy more police to the investigation.

We are now reviewing cameras

within a four-kilometer radius centered on Qinglan Residence.

But it will take some time to go through everything.

Where are they? I want to go.

That works.

You know the boy best.

Sun Hui.

Take her to the Traffic Police.

Okay.

Hello, Captain Li. Any results?

How could there be yet?

I only just handed it to the lab.

I thought you were the legend of Criminal Investigation.

Hurry up, would you? I just need to know--

I just need to know if that's human blood.

Got it. I'll let you know asap.

Did you just say this was a child abduction case?

A child went missing in the stairwell.

But he could also have been taken out of the residence compound.

During rush hour, with people going to work and school?

Who could take a child in broad daylight?

Maybe it's someone he knows.

Mr. Tang,

how do you know the family in 302?

SIX MONTHS AGO

Dad?

I think that girl doesn't have her key.

Looks like it. See how hard she's working?

She's not wasting any bit of time.

Forgot your key?

You live with your dad, right? He's still at work?

When will he be back?

Soon, I think.

Want to wait at our place?

It's okay. I'll just wait here.

This is for you.

You brought her here?

Okay. Give me a minute.

I'll prepare dinner. It won't be long.

Nuo, do your homework.

- No, thanks. - Don't wait till bedtime.

Here you go.

Look at this, write this.

You two,

dinnertime.

Let's eat.

Slow down.

Have some of this.

Dig in. Have some beef.

This is 651.

654.

655. Found it.

Mom, I hope Yingying comes every day.

Yes, yes, you said it enough.

I hope Yingying comes every day.

Go to sleep.

- Hey. - Me first.

Slippers.

Come, change shoes.

- Here, let me. Your shoes! - Mom, I'm back!

Mom! I'm back!

Look at all this sweat.

- Okay now. - Auntie.

I bought this for you guys.

Don't eat too much bread.

Gluten is bad for your health.

You know Nuo loves this.

Gluten is even worse for Nuo.

Leave it on the table.

I didn't know that…

You're leaving?

- I'm going to work. - See you later.

Ignore her.

Here.

Some honey and milk for you, to calm your nerves.

I thought it was just a minor accident.

You've been absent-minded all night.

Go to bed. No need to stay up with me.

Good night.

Yutong.

What was that guy's name? A-Jun, right?

A-Jun? What about him?

The night when you had that incident,

you said that you locked the window before going to bed, right?

But the next day, when I went to your place,

I saw the window unlocked.

You hadn't had the window bars installed back then.

There is a water pipe outside,

and ether was detected in your body.

I suspect that

the guy came in through the window and drugged you.

He…

is a smoker, if I remember correctly.

Try to get me a cigarette butt that he throws away.

I have the DNA sample of the culprit.

A-Jun doesn't even confess his feelings for me.

Is he capable of something like that?

You never know.

Remember

to use a plastic bag and a pair of tweezers.

Don't use your hands.

There's a problem with the backend code. We need you.

Going home?

Hey…

Have you eaten?

There's a new

Japanese restaurant--

I have plans today.

Miss, I'm really sorry.

Because of the fog these days, there have been many car accidents,

and I've been so busy.

Why don't you go get a bite somewhere?

Your car will be ready shortly.

Sorry.

YUDACHANG

You get 4,000-5,000 each month in retirement pension.

Even if I die, I won't give you a single bit of money.

YAN LIANG'S BANKBOOK DEPOSIT, WITHDRAWAL, BALANCE

CORPSE DISPOSAL

WEALTHY WOMAN BRUTALLY DISMEMBERED, BODY PARTS DUMPED IN TRASH CANS

PRESERVING BODIES

126 QINGPING ROAD

Really?

Okay.

Madam Fang, I just got off the phone with Ye.

He's finished questioning all the residents in Building 7.

The neighbors in 301 and 501

both mentioned something about the boy's mother.

What?

It's true.

Look, I often hear her yelling at her son.

Like, "Why did I give birth to you?"

Or, "I wish you were dead."

And she goes to the hospital quite a lot.

The Psychiatric Department, so I heard.

The neighbor in 301 said that

she often saw strange bruises and scars on the boy.

She's worried that the parents might have overreacted

and killed the boy.

That's why they reported him missing.

My boy must have been kidnapped!

There are all kinds of weird people these days.

Every family has its own troubles.

There are skeletons behind each closed door.

I'll leave my key with you.

My dad is not at home, and you can hide at my home.

I'll come meet you after the exam.

How long?

Very soon. Just after the first period.

- Hello. - Hey.

I'd like to talk to Xu Yingying in Class 7, Grade 8.

I'm a relative of hers.

Hold on.

- Hey. - I found Yingying.

What?

I thought you were looking for Nuo.

I was, and then I saw Yingying in the surveillance.

When she left home this morning, she didn't go to school,

but took the 52 bus instead.

The bus is entering the station. Please take care.

Honey, I'm at the bus stop.

Yes, I see you.

HAITONG MAIN STREET

This is the bus stop where Yingying was last seen.

Then she went to the suburbs, where there's no CCTV.

The police said they sent someone to check the remaining six stops.

JIANGWAN CULTURAL CENTER, FOOT OF MOUNT YUNYOU

MOUNT YUNYOU

Mount Yunyou…?

MOUNT YUNYOU

LEYIN MANOR

20 MIN DRIVE

Here. Come on!

Come here.

Her name is Liuyun.

"Flowing Clouds."

Liuyun, Liuyun.

How did you get that cut?

I can't tell you.

WEIHAO RESIDENCE, MOUNT YUNYOU

Excuse me, but do you have this kind of tile?

CEILING PANELS

OPUS TILES

HARDWARE STORES

TILES, WOODWORKING, STAIRS AND DOORS

ALUMINUM DECORATIVE PANELS

Sir?

How can I help you?

How much is this tile?

This is imported from Italy. 7.5 yuan a piece.

How many would I need to cover a 30-by-30 area?

30 by 30?

More than 20 pieces.

Where do you want them, kitchen or bathroom?

Kitchen.

I also need bricks and cement powder.

Did you drive here?

No.

Can you take everything without a car?

Where do you want them sent to?

Qinglan Residence.

We live in the same place.

I…

I'm ordering for our foreman.

Which building?

Building…

Building 11.

Building 11.

Cool. I'm going to the construction site.

It's on my way.

Which building should I deliver these to?

Building 9.

Building 9?

Okay.

This is my business card.

Let me know if you need anything.

LEYIN MANOR

Excuse me, did a child come here before?

A girl?

Yes, with a little boy.

Then no.

What was the girl doing here?

Same as you. She was also asking if a little boy came here.

- How long has she been gone? - Almost an hour now.

You're Nuo's dad?

Yes.

- You stayed up here this summer. - Yes.

I remember your Nuo so well

because our Liuyun loved him so much.

So I told Nuo that Liuyun was about to have babies.

When the boy learned that, he was all about keeping Liuyun's babies.

He also asked when Liuyun was going to deliver the babies.

On that day, he was coming to take them away.

Yingying!

HOW LONG?

Right, 20% on the first installment.

Right.

When have we ever had a problem?

But this batch of goods is indeed moving rather slowly.

Just take the front door key.

I need my room key back.

Otherwise, I can't get to my bed tonight.

Uncle, I'm going home.

Nuo, have you seen Yingying's key?

I'm not telling you.

My dad should be home by now.

The girl's back!

Why are you back, Yingying?

Tang Nuo.

Come out.

Yesterday, we made a pact to meet at my house.

I don't know why Nuo didn't show up.

So I thought maybe he went to the guesthouse first.

But he's not here either.

Why didn't you tell me this morning? At your house?

I'm sorry.

Right.

Copy that.

Yes.

Thank you, Captain Li, for your hard work.

Madam Fang.

Criminal Investigations said that the blood on the door is human blood.

Now it's a criminal case.

Hello, Mr. Tang.

Guesthouse?

Puppy?

I was just about to tell you,

Criminal Investigations will do a forensic examination at Yingying's.

We'll be there shortly. See you there.

Have a bun.

You've been working all day.

Hello?

I'm the landlord's brother.

Hello?

Your dad said there's a problem with the water heater.

It won't light.

I'll have my brother come over tomorrow.

Your phone service has been suspended.

I bumped into the back of another vehicle at Haitang Station.

I'm just having the paint touched up.

YUDACHANG

Miss, I'm really sorry.

Because of the fog these days, there have been many car accidents,

and I've been so busy.

Why don't you go get a bite somewhere?

Your car will be ready shortly.

I will have my colleagues at the lab examine this cigarette butt.

I don't think it's A-Jun.

He doesn't seem like he could open a window from the outside.

We'll know if it was him tomorrow.

I went to the apartment at Qinglan Residence.

Nobody was home, so I didn't go in.

No way. That older gentleman never goes out.

Is that so?

I'll go again now.

Okay.

Ms. Landlord.

What a coincidence.

I'm on my way to grab a bite.

By the way, I've replaced the water heater at home.

It works fine now.

Mr. Tang, I'm sorry for all the trouble Yingying caused you.

We're done here, Mr. Xu.

- Thank you for your cooperation. - It's all right. Thank you.

Can't imagine what he's going through out there.

Don't say that!

- What's the point now? - All right, enough.

- Dad. Mom. - You're back.

How did it go? Any news?

The police are searching near the guesthouse.

I just…

They're talking about Nuo.

Influencer reposts have generated buzz on the internet.

The boy's parents have provided their number

and ask the public to help with the search.

The police are actively investigating…

That number is ours, right?

I get it.

I posted a message to friends and asked them to help find our son,

and word got out.

It went viral and made the news.

You leaked our child's personal information online?

So what?

We already confirmed that Nuo just wanted to go to the guesthouse with Yingying.

Maybe someone on the way recognized him.

So I asked everyone to help look for him. What's wrong with that?

Bullshit!

What happens after he's found?

You think the neighbors and his classmates aren't despising him enough?

You just had to tell everyone!

Why don't I get you a loudspeaker to tell everyone that he's sick?!

That he has ADHD?!

I can't believe you're still trying to cover up his condition.

If the entire world would treat him as a normal person,

would I be this worried?

What have you done for this family?

You only care about your job, so focus on that!

You lost my boy!

You trusted him with a girl who practically has no parents!

Is it only my fault that our son is lost?

You'd still yell at me even if he was found!

Who'd want to stay in this family?

You're out of line!

Tang Yu!

I'm sorry.

Why don't I go up there and apologize to Auntie?

She's always like that.

Her tempers come quickly and go quickly.

Give her some time to calm down.

Yes, hi.

Yes.

I'm on my way.

I'm already on my way, don't worry.

How is your dad to you?

He's… okay.

What about your mom?

How often do you see her?

She's visited occasionally after the divorce.

But not to see me.

Every single time, she came to ask my dad for money.

My mom wanted a new life.

She found living with my dad boring.

I guess they got married too young

and didn't think it through.

People who live under the same roof every day

but never really understand each other…

Do they count as family?

Uncle,

can we choose

our own family?

You know,

many parents

only start learning to be parents

after they become one.

Well, don't overthink it.

It's late and cold.

Let's go home.

Come on.

Uncle,

in fact,

when I got home,

I found this in the work uniform that my dad took off.

TANG NUO, GRADE 3, CLASS 5

DECEMBER 20, THURSDAY

WENZHAO

What's the result, Wenzhao?

It wasn't him.

Hello? You okay?

Yeah, I'm okay.

You… still want to keep looking?

FORMALIN

Do you have plans tonight?

Don't overthink it.

I asked you to fix my computer many times,

so I've been wanting to thank you.

Your food, sir. Enjoy.

Thank you.

Dig in.

You don't talk much, do you?

No.

What are you secretly watching at work?

A documentary.

About what?

About

the importance of oral hygiene.

Is that so?

Considering what a heavy smoker you are,

oral hygiene does matter a lot.

If you don't like it…

I mean, no one would like it.

I can…

I can quit.

Yutong.

I'm wondering…

I'm wondering if you…

suffered some kind of harm.

It's nothing.

Forget it.

Forget what?

What are you talking about?

Sorry.

Sorry, I just lied to you.

The documentary has nothing to do with oral hygiene.

It's about

ways of collecting DNA samples.

I'm sorry.

If you don't want to talk about it, I can…

Go away!

I'm sorry.

How do you know about what happened to me?

Did you do it?

No! No!

You are known in our company for valuing performance and bonuses.

I know it's because you bought an apartment and are paying mortgage.

But, at a time when we had the most business,

you chose to take a two-week vacation,

and, on the day before your leave,

you asked me to fix your personal laptop as soon as possible,

but then you didn't even take it back before you left for vacation.

That was just so not like you.

That's why I wanted to give it back to you.

Just when I was thinking about how to reach you,

I ran into your brother, who happened to be there.

Can I help you?

But your brother told me you were sick.

Is she all right?

She's a bit unwell.

Go home.

I realized that, instead of going on vacation, you were sick.

I wondered if you had some serious illness you didn't want people to know about.

Yutong, you're back!

You disappeared for two weeks. Now you're finally back.

Where did you go for vacation?

And you were out of reach, so unlike the workaholic that you are.

Listen, during those two weeks,

something miserable happened to me.

My man totally two-timed me!

Pretty soon, you moved in with Qing.

More importantly,

you became really quiet after you came back.

I thought of a few possibilities

and decided that your vacation had something to do with your moving.

Then, yesterday,

I found that, as soon as I left my desk,

you would follow over to check.

Lighter.

I'm such an idiot.

I thought about it.

You took my cigarette butt

because your brother is a doctor and can test the DNA.

You guys

want to find the culprit by yourselves,

but that also means that

you probably don't want to go to the police.

If this happened to my friend,

I'd ask her to go to the police as well, but…

it happened to me.

I was completely paralyzed.

I couldn't make any decision.

And I even wondered if it was my fault.

But, despite all that,

I'm still going to find the culprit.

In that case,

how can I help you?

Officer Fang.

Pick up.

- Officer Fang. - Mr. Tang?

We have the results of the fingerprints.

Nuo's fingerprints were indeed found in 302.

Something else I need to confirm with you.

Besides today, had Nuo been to Yingying's before?

Only once,

and that barely counts.

When we came back from traveling this summer,

Nuo and I stood for a few minutes outside their door.

But we didn't go inside, we were just waiting for Yingying.

Officer Fang, Yingying just told me that

Nuo's name tag was in the work uniform that her dad wore this morning.

Name tag?

Are Xu Zhijie and Yingying at home?

Yingying is around. Her father is away again.

This Xu Zhijie is so busy.

No wonder I couldn't reach him just now.

Give us a minute. We'll be at Qinglan Residence soon.

Thank you.

According to the fingerprints report, from 7:40 a.m., when Nuo left,

to 7:46, when Tang Yu made the call, during those six minutes,

it was very likely that Tang Nuo entered 302,

because on the inner and outer handles of the front door,

we found Nuo's fingerprints.

Unlocking, entering, closing the door.

Whoever enters the apartment will leave fingerprints on the inner handle.

Then, on the window frame of the living room balcony,

we also found a few fingerprints of Nuo's.

Tang Nuo, who just snuck into 302,

wanted to see if his dad below had noticed anything,

hence leaving his fingerprints on the window frame.

Two other places,

namely, the door handles of Xu Zhijie's and Yingying's rooms,

were found with Nuo's fingerprints.

So I'm guessing, for some reason,

Nuo wanted to hide in Yingying's room.

Yingying's room is usually locked,

so he went to Mr. Xu's room.

That's why Nuo's fingerprints were also on Xu Zhijie's closet,

likely from when Nuo was opening the closet door.

Maybe he saw the big closets upon entering the room,

and wanted to hide in one of them.

Did Nuo want to hide in there because he heard me ringing the doorbell?

I've been wondering about that too.

Then I saw two forensics reports,

and a new thought occurred to me.

Here.

I found this in the morning. It's blood.

According to examination,

it's Nuo's blood.

What?

Calm yourselves and let me finish

because there's a second report.

On this door frame and the floor over there,

fingerprints were found that don't belong to Xu Zhijie or Yingying,

and they come from the same person.

You mean

when Nuo was in this place, there was someone else?

The window bars were installed after the incident.

Almost everyone had them installed.

So many ways to climb up to your place.

You said the guy climbed up the water pipe and drugged you with ether?

It's so shaky.

He could barely reach the second floor before he fell off.

Besides, if someone climbed up to your window

and the noise didn't wake you,

that means the ether was very strong.

But ether is a prescription drug.

How could he get his hands on it?

Can I go inside

and check the top of the water pipe?

So this person took my son away?

We can't be sure.

Yingying,

besides you and your dad,

who else can get inside?

Does your mom have a key?

Only my dad and I have the key.

My mom doesn't.

You sure she doesn't?

When Nuo went missing,

was your dad on the construction site?

I'm not sure.

JIECHU DECOR

What's going on?

Mr. Xu,

why was my son's name tag in your jacket?

- In my jacket? - Yes.

How would I know?

Where were you just now?

I went to the store.

So late at night?

It's the end of the year. The last day to confirm the design with the owner.

- We need to start construction tomorrow. - Mr. Xu. Mr. Xu.

If there's anything you can't say

or trouble of any kind,

you can tell me,

but please don't hurt my son.

- Why would I hurt your son? - Did you kidnap my son?

If we offended you in some way, I apologize.

- I'm sorry. - Let me go.

Give me back my son!

Calm down!

I'm begging you, please.

Please.

Mr. Xu, when the boy went missing, where were you?

Speak up.

I was on the construction site.

You hear me?

I was on the construction site!

A dozen workmates can prove that I was working in Yongchuan.

I got up at six in the morning to work at the construction site.

I only worked till eight when management called me,

so I rushed home.

Their boy came to my home on his own, right?

What do I have to do with it? Go find him!

You come here every day! What did you find?!

I understand how the parents feel, but what do I have to do with it?!

Scram!

How dare you talk about parenting?

Okay.

You better have nothing to do with this.

If something happens to my boy, I'll kill you!

Mr. Tang!

Calm down, will you?

Trust the police, will you?

- Let's go. - Come on.

- Let's go, come on. - Let's get out of here.

- Leave it with us. - Leave it to us.

- Wait and see. - Let's go.

Mr. Tang, I know you're emotional,

but we can't suspect people arbitrarily without evidence.

Don't Nuo's name tag and the bloodstain count as evidence?

Frankly, no.

Based on what we know so far, he could have been taken by someone else.

Who, then?

Could it be Yingying's mother? Then find her.

What you said is indeed possible. That's why we have to check.

What do you have to check?

Xu Zhijie in 302 must have taken him.

Arrest him!

Please, ma'am, calm down.

You need to give us some time.

Sun Hui, let's split up. You go check the CCTV footage again.

Especially the period when we were checking the footage.

See if someone suspicious shows up.

Okay.

Madam Fang, where are you going then?

I'm going to check out Xu Zhijie's construction site and store.

I was thinking, why didn't the culprit enter through the door,

but took the window instead?

Because there's a camera downstairs.

Then let's check the surveillance.

Let's do that tomorrow. It's already midnight.

Okay.

Wait.

Are you sure you don't want to go inside?

Why did you do that? I said no.

It's too late to bother them.

- Sorry, sorry. - Go, go.

Let's go.

FORMALIN POWDER

Dude,

who's that?

Owner of 501.

501?

Take your time. I'm gonna check outside.

Go ahead.

QINGLAN RESIDENCE FLOOR PLAN

Madam Fang.

You're back so soon.

Madam Fang.

Big discovery.

What?

I just found another camera that covers Unit 1.

I checked the footage with great care.

During the nine minutes that we checked the surveillance,

no one entered or left Unit 1.

But that Xu Zhijie,

after we called him back, he didn't leave home till noon.

He stayed at home for two hours.

What was he up to?

He's definitely suspicious.

It couldn't have been Xu Zhijie.

He was indeed at the construction site.

I went to the police station near there to check the surveillance.

During the time when the boy went missing, he had an alibi.

As for how long he stayed at home, that's a private matter.

It's beyond our jurisdiction.

Indeed, but…

Who are these two?

Which two?

This man and this woman.

That's not from today.

It's from a few days ago.

I checked it to see if there was anyone suspicious.

Tang Yu.

Get up.

I just got a strange call.

What call?

Your phone rang, and I picked it up.

It was a woman, saying she'd found a student ID and asking if it was Nuo's.

Student ID? There are no student IDs in elementary school.

She said the name was smudged and asked me for our address.

When I gave it to her, she said it didn't match

and asked me about how Nuo went missing.

Do you know

what Yingying's mom sounds like?

You think it's Yingying's mom?

It's possible.

Call her back.

It's a landline.

Hello? Who is it?

Hello.

Did someone use this phone just now?

She left.

This is a public phone.

Bye.

Hang on, hang on. What did she look like?

How old was she?

The woman was very skinny. About 27, 28. Maybe 30.

Was she alone? Did she have a child with her?

No child.

This phone has been out of use for more than ten years.

What an unusually busy day.

Very few use public phones now.

She wanted to hide her identity.

I'm calling Officer Fang.

FORMALIN POWDER

Hello.

Long time no see.

You called yesterday, right? To check your building's surveillance footage.

Yes.

SEARCH DATES

1 JAN 2023 TO 31 DEC 2024

We're lucky. They kept everything from the last year.

Let's trace back from the day of the incident,

as far as six months.

What?

I was thinking on my way home yesterday

that before that person drugged you,

he had to climb up the pipe and break open the window.

Yet the noise didn't wake you.

In that case, perhaps you were drugged before going to bed.

Do you take any medication

before going to bed?

Milk.

Milk with honey.

What's wrong?

Only two people know about this habit of mine. Qing and…

He has a key. He can access the gate any time.

And he knows my routine perfectly.

And…

He's a doctor, with access to sleeping pills.

You said you went to your brother's hospital the day after.

He took the sample to a colleague at the lab right after it was collected.

I waited in his office, and he was back in less than an hour.

There.

Did your brother really have it tested?

"Clinical Pathology."

PATHOLOGY

I don't think it's him.

ZHANG HENG

CLINICAL PATHOLOGY DEPUTY DIRECTOR, ASSOCIATE CHIEF PHYSICIAN

Have you really made up your mind?

Mr. Zhang.

You're not off work yet?

After you greet him, no matter how he reacts, try to keep calm,

and tell him that you're here to get medication.

Hello.

I'm Lin Wenzhao's sister.

If he appears confused,

it means your brother didn't go to him.

Thank you for helping out earlier.

Don't mention it. Your brother and I have been friends for years.

It was no trouble at all.

Why are you here today?

Just to pick up some medication.

Thank you, Mr. Zhang.

You're…

welcome.

Let's go.

Right.

- Did you call the police? - Yes.

- Are you Tang Yu? - Yes.

That strange call you got was made from this store?

Should be this one.

That's right, two of them.

A man and a woman.

About half an hour ago.

Did they have a student ID when they made the call?

I didn't see any student ID.

So strange, those two.

Maybe it's the man and woman from the surveillance footage.

Didn't you ask the Qinglan security to find out who they were?

Call them.

The person you asked me to check?

I found out from the utilities payment records.

Her name is

Lin Yutong.

- Know her? - No.

She's the owner of Building 7, Unit 2, Room 301.

Owner of 301?

Yes.

- Thank you. - Is that Yingying's?

No, he means 301 in the next unit.

Yingying's is 302.

301. 302.

Show me that floor plan of yours.

What floor plan?

- The floor plan you took pictures of. - Oh, right.

Unit 1.

Unit 2.

These two units are separated by only one wall.

I'm going to check Yingying's apartment again.

I'm sorry.

TANG NUO, GRADE 3, CLASS 5

Tang Nuo.

Come out.

Tang Nuo, do you hear me?

Tang Nuo.

Nuo.

Nuo.

This is my room.

Yingying, don't worry. Just speak slowly and calmly.

Goodness me!

They've all gone to have their statements taken.

Let's go eat.

I always thought

you were a wimp.

Turns out you have guts.

Not only did you kill your own dad,

but you also abducted a child.

No.

You've made such a mess.

Are you out of your mind?

You're in big trouble.

That hole…

was made by you.

It so happened that you came to buy tiles at my store.

You were barely making sense,

which triggered my curiosity.

I thought I'd come over

to find out what you're up to.

The last time I was here was when you guys moved in.

How could I possibly imagine

that your dad would end up like this?

Good for you.

So that's why you needed the tiles.

You did a lousy job.

I can help you.

Look at the mess you made.

Assault.

Murder.

You want to spend your life in prison?

My dad was drunk and just dropped dead.

What?

Your dad got drunk

and just died?

Who would put their own father in a fish tank?

Do you want to spend your life in prison?

Do you?!

No. No.

I thought so.

Get me a water basin.

Get me a water basin.

I'm going back through here

and I'll block the hole, but I won't seal it.

I'll come back when the heat of the police is diverted.

I'm saving you.

Pull yourself together, will you?

Now it's still under control.

You have my card.

Call me if you need me.

It's no use.

Even if you break free,

I'll knock you out and tie you up again.

Stay quiet,

and I'll take the tape off, all right?

I'm so hungry.

I want to eat bread.

I'll go get you something to eat.

Stay quiet. I'll be right back.

THE DAY NUO WENT MISSING

Good, right?

But I still prefer dumplings.

It wouldn't be the Winter Solstice Festival without mutton soup.

Worms?

Poison.

Women in love are all fools.

No.

I simply don't feel uncomfortable around him anymore.

Although he's a bit clumsy,

he feels quite reliable.

Is this for real?

Unbelievable.

What is it?

Qinglan Residence. So familiar.

- Who lives there again? - What happened?

A boy went to his neighbor's house and went missing.

Simply disappeared.

TANG NUO'S FAMILY HAS ISSUED A MISSING PERSON'S NOTICE

POLICE ARRIVED IMMEDIATELY SEARCH AREA HAS EXPANDED

This…

looks like my neighbor's apartment.

So you own this place?

I thought you were the foreman.

Yeah. I have a few clients' jobs not yet done,

so I can't ask my workers to work overtime for me.

I'll just take my time with this.

You did all this by yourself?

You're incredible!

- Pleasure doing business with you. - And with you.

I have some style references to run by you.

Sure.

It's this color.

A-Jun, have you read the news link I sent you?

Yes.

That boy vanished after entering 302.

And the opposite happened to you. Someone appeared out of nowhere.

The two apartments are only a wall apart.

I remember there was a phone number at the end of the article.

Why don't we call them to confirm?

Are you sure the student ID idea will work?

Remember to confirm the address first,

so we know if it's Building 7, Unit 1.

Then ask them which apartment the boy vanished from.

It was 302.

But

there's someone living in your apartment right now.

If a boy really climbed over,

why didn't the tenant call the police?

Maybe something happened to…

Uncle Yan.

Uncle Yan.

Anybody home?

Where's the fish tank?

A-Jun.

A-Jun.

All done, Captain Zhang.

- How's it going over there? - All checked.

- Let's go. - Sure.

Ether.

He's going to be out for a while.

Where the hell were you?

I kept ringing your doorbell. No sound, nothing.

I thought you bounced.

No lights in the house.

You don't pay the electricity bills?

I checked this wall.

Did you leave out the size of the bricks?

The space is too narrow.

You want to crush a few ribs before squeezing it inside?

That works too, but only if you extend the wall!

Two bodies,

in upright positions, can fit snugly in.

Two bodies?

You dispose of the boy.

No way.

- No way. - No way?!

- No way! - Yan Wu!

Look at me!

A whole day has been wasted.

The stench is about to…

Why is the landlord here?

The landlord?

Come on, hide.

No, no.

- I beg you. No! - Stop!

Be quiet,

or I'll kill him.

Uncle Yan.

Uncle Yan.

Where's the fish tank?

A-Jun.

A-Jun.

Go, go. Go now.

Go!

Hey! What are you doing?

Yutong,

your friend is here.

Are you all right?

Officer Fang.

May we come in?

Please.

How are you feeling, Ms. Lin?

The nurse was just here.

She said I could go home today.

How are Uncle Yan and his son?

Mr. Yan Wu's father already passed away,

but it didn't happen yesterday during the fight.

Before your visit,

his father had been gone for days.

Initial autopsy says that it was cerebral infarction,

but from what we know so far,

it has nothing to do with Mr. Yan Wu.

If you want to know anything else,

I'll fill you in after you get out of here.

What I came here to ask is,

two nights ago,

why were you at the apartment in Qinglan Residence?

I read online about the boy's strange disappearance,

and it reminded me

of something that happened to me.

It didn't feel right, so I decided to take a look.

It turned out to be even more complicated than I imagined.

What happened before?

Officer Fang.

Let's talk outside.

Sure.

Xu Zhijie…

Xu Zhijie drugged me unconscious, and then…

Take your time. No rush.

He

raped me.

How can you be sure?

My brother is a doctor.

We've kept the man's DNA sample.

The only way to be certain is

to match the DNA.

That would be enough to convict him.

This is evidence.

You're very brave.

You're truly very brave.

We'll give your sister some time.

I'm going back to the station, but I'll be in touch.

Sure.

Back then,

I stopped you from calling the police,

thinking that I was protecting you.

It's my fault.

I'm sorry

for overprotecting you.

During all those years after our parents were gone,

you did everything for me.

Wenzhao.

Don't worry.

I'm an adult and able to look after myself now. Really.

Xu Zhijie's family,

get ready.

Right.

CHONGQING BUREAU OF PRISON ADMINISTRATION

You okay on your own?

Dad,

if you need anything in there, tell me.

On the day that Nuo went missing,

Tang Yu told me that Nuo's name tag was found in my work uniform.

Earlier that day, when I saw Nuo in the other room,

he had the name tag.

Be honest with me.

Did you give the name tag to Tang Yu?

You wanted them to suspect me.

The name tag

was given to me by Nuo.

I just wanted everyone to find the hole,

but I didn't know Nuo was on the other side.

I really just didn't want you to hurt anyone anymore.

I didn't have the courage to tell the truth about that girl next door,

and I've always regretted it.

No wonder.

After that, you took away your room key and locked up your room.

What you did today

is equivalent to telling everyone that you're a criminal's child.

You think the neighbors will still accept you?

That the Tangs will still let you hang out with their son?

You can go find your mother.

See if she will take in a child unloved by her parents.

You all right?

Lin Yutong, I need your signature.

We need to keep your personal items.

Thank you.

FAMILY MEETING ROOM

Visiting time is usually no more than 30 minutes.

- The girl from 302. - Hurry up.

Don't play with her anymore.

Ew, 302.

Stay away.

You know, my bathroom was done by her father too.

I feel so creeped out going to the bathroom now.

With such a sick dad, the girl might have some mental issues as well.

Exactly.

Mr. Yan,

I came here to tell you that

your father took out a life insurance plan when he was alive.

If he passed away unexpectedly,

the insurance proceeds were to be paid to you.

Uncle Yan often told me that

he was worried you couldn't make a decent living.

He felt that he was getting old

and didn't know how much time he had left,

so he put his retirement pension into the insurance.

Because he couldn't go out,

he waited for me to collect your rent to give the pension money to me

so I could pay for his insurance.

He wanted to leave something behind so you could have a decent life.

Uncle Yan also said to me,

"My son is not a bad person."

I, too, believe that you are not.

He won't admit it.

I thought that

if that hole could be blocked,

our family could still go on.

So her dad is not quite right. Does that mean she's the same?

My son is not quite right. Does that make me the same?

I don't mind telling you,

Tang Nuo has ADHD.

He can't focus in class and bumps into things.

His bruises were not caused by us!

Stop judging people.

Our family is as normal as everyone else!

Nonsense!

Let's go. Ignore her.

You two are still here?

I saw you go upstairs. What slow walkers you are.

Nuo is at home all by himself. Come on.

Let's go home.

We're going home.

XIAOHONG, THE MAHJONG PARLOR OWNER, AS WELL AS ITS OTHER OPERATORS,

WERE FINED AND IMPRISONED FOR THE CRIMES OF OPERATING A GAMBLING HOUSE

AND MULTIPLE OTHER ILLEGAL BUSINESS PRACTICES.

THE MAHJONG PARLOR WAS SHUT DOWN.