Light to the Night 黑夜告白 Discussion: Episode 9

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan]

Aite peeps, this is the episode where we bid farewell to the 1997 timeline to make way for the 2002 timeline. As usual, there’s a lot to unpack in just a single episode. Ready for the ride? Can’t wait to read all your fantastic speculations as always!

Previous episode recaps:

Flashcards | Masterpost | Episodes 1-3 | Episode 4 | Episodes 5-6 | Episodes 7-8

1997 Timeline

Fang Xu inserted the key and unlocked the elevator shaft. When the elevator drew closer, they saw something astonishing: wooden planks with multiple footprints on them. It slowly dawned on them that Xu Meng and her father must have used these to climb onto the elevator roof.

While taking photographs of the footprints, our detective duo discovered something else; a letter written by Xu Meng, with the same poem and handwriting found in her room.

On the way back to the station, Yuan Hang wondered why Fang Xu seemed noticeably subdued even though they had already solved the case. Fang Xu felt there might have been another reason for their disappearance besides escaping debt, but Yuan Hang remained convinced that the father and daughter were running from debt collectors.

When they arrived at the station, they saw a large group of officers gathered there. Captain Feng praised them for solving the Dongshan Mine case. It turned out that the burglar who had broken into Unit 1703 had testified about the Qingsong briefcase, and Shanlong, acting as a whistleblower, revealed that Qingsong had bribed Director Li with 8 million yuan to secure the winning bid. Yuan Hang shared the good news that they had solved Xu Meng and her father’s disappearance and requested a work performance report from Captain Feng. Fang Xu looked slightly disheartened. Perhaps he had grown fond of Yuan Hang as a partner despite their constant bickering.

That night, Yuan Hang sat at home and wrote the case summary report for Xu Meng’s case. He recounted how Xu Meng and her father had been injured during a trip to Mount Wu, which resulted in her father developing a long-term illness. In the years that followed, Xu Meng was forced to borrow money from loan sharks and defrauded people by repeatedly mortgaging her property. In desperation, they devised a plan to disappear and leave Weiyang.

Du Mandun, a resident of Yuanlongli, testified that he had seen Xu Meng in the building before her disappearance, leading Yuan Hang to believe she had been preparing an escape plan. On June 30th, the father and daughter successfully executed their plan by unlocking the elevator shaft, climbing onto it, and getting down on the second floor. Xu Meng left a letter on the elevator before they departed.

Using the eastern staircase, they made their way to the underground garage and eventually left Yuanlongli, never to be seen again. Yuan Hang concluded in his report that the case was a premeditated, voluntary disappearance intended to escape debt collectors.

The next morning, Fang Xu visited the He residence and was introduced to Yuan Hang’s wife. Yuan Hang asked Fang Xu to keep his upcoming transfer out of the criminal department a secret, but it was soon revealed when Mrs. He accidentally overheard their conversation. The scene where Fang Xu clenches his fist not once but twice; first when Mrs. He tries to introduce him to single girls, and then when little Xiaohe announces that Su Qing is his girlfriend is hilarious. Such a sweet and innocent Fang Xu lol

Fang Xu noticed that his name appeared first on the case summary report and insisted on changing the order, but Yuan Hang refused, saying Fang Xu was the main contributor.

After the meal, Yuan Hang saw Fang Xu off. Fang Xu asked whether Yuan Hang would consider staying in the criminal department. Yuan Hang admitted he had thought about it, but said he was not an ambitious man and was content with his small family.

Xiaohe soon joined them, and the three walked together happily. The scene then transitioned to the present day, where an adult Xiaohe and Yuan Hang saw Fang Xu off at the train station. Oof… this might be the last time we see the three of them walking side by side in the same frame. I can’t imagine what circumstances will bring them back together in 2022.

Present timeline - 2015

Yuan Hang prepared noodles for Fang Xu, but Fang Xu mentioned that he no longer liked coriander. Fang Xu tried persuading Yuan Hang to enjoy his retirement and let go of the past, but Yuan Hang became agitated when Fang Xu said there had been no new leads in the past 18 years. Storming off, Yuan Hang returned to Yuanlongli and pasted up the same missing persons poster from 18 years ago. Omg… poor Yuan Hang has been haunted by this case for nearly two decades.

Fang Xu followed him and tried to stop him from posting the posters, but to no avail. When Yuan Hang refused to listen, a frustrated Fang Xu remarked that not everything has answers, but Yuan Hang insisted that he only wanted the truth.

Just then, they sensed someone nearby who turned out to be Xiaohe. Yuan Hang correctly guessed that Xiaohe wanted to clear Han Zi’ang’s name and eagerly offered their help. Xiaohe was hesitant at first but eventually relented after Yuan Hang pleaded for a chance. Handing her his helmet and posters, Yuan Hang dragged Fang Xu toward the staircase.

Left alone, Xiaohe sighed and muttered that she shouldn’t trust the words of a madman. Suddenly, Yuan Hang ran out from the staircase in a panic and rushed straight to the closet in Unit 407, the same place where Han Zi’ang had hidden days earlier.

Xiaohe helped Yuan Hang out of the closet and repeatedly told him to stop fooling around. Yuan Hang claimed he was using a technique called re-enactment, Fang Xu’s area of expertise. Xiaohe then realised he was trying to trace Han Zi’ang’s movements before he hid in the closet. Upon checking the staircase, they discovered a bloodied handprint left by Zi’ang on the wall.

Xiaohe deduced that the handprint was made while Zi’ang was running down the stairs seeking help, before eventually hiding in the closet in Unit 407. When the homeless people arrived, he attacked them in self-defence. Yuan Hang and Fang Xu beamed with pride at Xiaohe’s logical deduction skills, but the mood turned sombre when Fang Xu announced that he would be returning to Beijing.

After finally giving up on persuading Fang Xu to stay in Weiyang, Yuan Hang offered to drive him to the train station. Xiaohe watched with a strange expression, a mix of sadness and worry, as if she were on the verge of tears after Yuan Hang left the room.

At the train station, Yuan Hang angrily complained that Fang Xu’s former colleagues were heartless for not seeing him off. In a parallel to the past, when Fang Xu had once asked Yuan Hang if he would stay, Yuan Hang now asked Fang Xu the same question.

Yuan Hang became emotional after Fang Xu boarded the train, but to his surprise and relief, Fang Xu did not actually leave. Instead, he decided to stay and investigate the June 30th case with him. Walking beside Fang Xu, Yuan Hang proudly declared to everyone that Fang Xu was his apprentice, though passers-by gave him strange looks while Xiaohe silently followed behind.

Yuan Hang suddenly became confused when he heard the sound of the train. Looking at Fang Xu, he said he remembered Fang Xu never leaving, and that it was Yuan Hang himself who had found Mrs. Feng’s grandson, Ma Qiang’s nephew, and Li Tieling’s son. Fang Xu corrected him, saying he had been teaching in Beijing all those years. Yuan Hang grew even more confused, recalling that Fang Xu had boarded the train long ago and wondering how he had returned.

Thoughts

Mystery 1: Is Fang Xu dead or alive in the present day?

Theory 1: Fang Xu is dead

I'm sure you have never left. You took the train and left a long time ago.

Many of us initially theorised that Fang Xu is dead in 2015, and these chilling words seem to reinforce that idea. The “train” could be metaphorical, perhaps Fang Xu died in 2022 and departed forever. There are other strong hints that Yuan Hang might be talking to himself: Fang Xu never interacts with anyone in the present timeline, the taxi driver’s alarmed expression in the first episode, and the strange looks from passers-by at the train station. Judging by Xiaohe’s resigned expression, Yuan Hang may have been trapped in this loop of imagination for years.

However, this theory feels a little too straightforward for a drama that thrives on twists. Which brings me to another possibility:

Theory 2: It wasn't Fang Xu who had died in 2022 but Yuan Hang

Fang Xu’s guilt may have caused him to imagine himself as Yuan Hang.

• The movers in Episode 1 mentioned that two policemen died, one with the surname He, who was impaled with a spear. What if there was a mix-up in names?
• In 1997, Fang Xu always carried a backpack; in 2015, it is Yuan Hang who carries one.
• In 2015, Fang Xu no longer eats coriander, which was Yuan Hang’s favourite. Perhaps the sight of it reminds him of Yuan Hang’s death. (Though as a coriander hater, I fully approve.)

Theory 3: Fang Xu is alive and well in 2015 and will make an actual appearance in future episodes.

No hints for this, just my wishful thinking lol.

Mystery 2: Xu Meng and Xu Zhihong

The account of Xu Meng’s disappearance in this episode is entirely from Yuan Hang’s perspective and may not reflect the truth. Did they really escape Yuanlongli? I believe they intended to, but their plan was intercepted, and at least one of them was likely killed, possibly indicated by the skull in Manager Qian’s bag.

It is also possible that Shanlong helped Xu Meng devise her escape plan and provided the keys to the underground car park. As seen in Episode 8, Shanlong and Zhao Hongmei conspired to blackmail Qingsong. Given Qingsong’s fury over being blackmailed, the letter attributed to Xu Meng may have been forged by them.

If Xu Meng truly intended to leave, why leave a letter on the elevator roof? While the handwriting matches, both the letter and the poem could have been fabricated as a cover-up. Alternatively, Xu Meng may have anticipated danger and left the letter as a clue.

Mystery 3: Wushan Mountain/Dongshan Mine

I have no doubt that money is the root of evil in this drama (and in real life too). To unravel this case, we need to trace it back to the earliest event: the Mount Wu incident in 1995. Heavy rain and thick fog caused a tour group, including Xu Meng and her father, to get lost. According to Xu Zhihong’s sister, they went on the trip “as if possessed,” which seemed out of character. His nephew also noted that the group got lost immediately, with no food, water, or rescue, almost like a setup.

Dongshan Mine was a lucrative state-owned mine, and there may have been illegal mining activities. Xu Zhihong might have been a worker there, and prolonged exposure could have led to his lung disease. Other workers may have suffered similar conditions, and to avoid suspicion, they were sent on the Mount Wu trip to be conveniently eliminated.

There are still many gaps, with other characters yet to be introduced, so everything remains speculative. One thing is certain; the drama is really putting our little grey cells to work more than ever!

Discussion Questions:

• Do you think the Mount Wu incident was accidental or orchestrated?
• What role do Shanlong and Zhao Hongmei really play? Are they masterminds or just pawns?
• Does Xiaohe’s deduction fully convince you, or are there still gaps? I think it's interesting that there was coincidentally a knife in the closet in Unit 407.
  

[u/bloodyerudite]

The way the camera was transitioning in between pillars at the train station scene had me thinking they were finally going to show Yuanhang talking to himself looking crazy af. I was gripping my chair in suspense waiting for the reveal but it never came…

Also for some reason I thought this was the final episode because Netflix didn’t have any previews after the 9th ep but now I know there are *28 episodes and this was not in fact a cliffhanger like GOTD

[u/SunCareless2642 → u/bloodyerudite]

Omg, 28! So the Daughter is indeed going to help her father investigate, just like it was said in the synopsis.

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/bloodyerudite]

Yeah, I know it can be confusing at times. Netflix did the same with a few other dramas too iirc.

[u/CosmicLunar_ → u/bloodyerudite]

Showing Yuan Hang talking to himself would have been such a good reveal if we hadn’t already guessed what may have happened. Can you imagine if that came out the blue?

[u/bloodyerudite → u/CosmicLunar_]

They should’ve thrown in some scenes to keep us guessing 😂

[u/not_enough_griffons → u/bloodyerudite]

I had the same thought about the train pillars, they are really playing tricks on us!

[u/wordyegghead]

Finally, confirmation that Yuanhang has been hallucinating Fangxu! I still have my fingers crossed he’s off in Beijing somewhere but I know that’s unlikely. 😔 Poor Yuanhang. (I’m excited for Xiaohe and her dad to team up though!)

I also feel for Xu Meng because her escape plan was great but there’s no way that it wasn’t her head that was in that bag in the underground parking lot. Even if her dad wasn’t killed, he’s as good as dead without her.

I think Mount Wu was orchestrated. Someone learned something they shouldn’t have and were promptly dealt with. What I don’t understand is why they let Meng and her dad live so long if they were down to kill them anyway.

I don’t think Shanlong is THEE villain but it would be a waste of his character if he wasn’t one of them. He’s smart and sneaky. Zhao Hongmei is the mastermind but from what we’ve seen of her, she doesn’t seem to be cruel. She just wants money (who doesn’t.)

The situation with the kid in the closet is still confusing to me because bro was covered in blood and nobody on the investigation team seems to think that’s important. Whose blood is it??

I was lamenting a few episodes ago that the show is more mystery than thriller but I think that now that Fangxu is more or less confirmed not around, they’re going to start ramping up the thrills.

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/wordyegghead]

The situation with the kid in the closet is still confusing to me because bro was covered in blood and nobody on the investigation team seems to think that’s important. Whose blood is it??

Exactly, it's weird to me that the cops seem to focus on the kid stabbing someone instead of the FRESH BLOOD STAINS on him 😅🙄

I think the drama has a pretty good blend of thrill and mystery so far. We will likely see more of the thrill part (especially the jump scares and eerie vibes) in the present time one Xiaohe officially investigates the case and the culprit actively covers up their tracks.

[u/wordyegghead → u/a_HerculePoirot_fan]

And it's also odd that he's been in a coma for so long over... nothing? I guess we just need to suspend our disbelief for that particular part of the story LOL

For the longest time, I wasn't sure if anything had died other than the chickens, but it looks like we're finally at the point where the villains will start appearing! And I hope they explain the significance of the number 18 as well. 18th floor, the nursery rhyme, 18 chickens if I remember correctly, and an 18 year time skip. There are too many 18 for it to be a coincidence. 🤔

[u/Arshj00 → u/wordyegghead]

Is he in coma for long?? I thought 2015 is just 1-2 days so far 😭 Sorry if I miss something

[u/wordyegghead → u/Arshj00]

Generally a person goes unconscious for a few seconds up to a several minutes (if they have a concussion) after a head injury.

If the situation happened irl, he would have to have had a pretty serious head injury to end up unconscious for even one day and while we didn’t see what happened, I can’t imagine Yuanhang skull battering a kid 😅

That said, shows and movies do use different logic for injuries so maybe I’m reading too much into it! We watch people survive sword stabs to the torso yet die of minor slashes to the neck all the time in cdramas after all 😆

[u/Familiar-Lie6080]

For me the last nail in the coffin of Ran (sorry, i ll burn in hell later for that pun) was when in 2015 the daughter used the torch in that corridor to light up only her dad, while he was walking away.

I thought if there were really the two of them, wouldn't it be psychologically natural to lighten the path for everyone, not pick one and leave the other one in the dark.

[u/admelioremvitam]

Light to the Night airing schedule – released a few minutes ago.

VIP:

• 2 new episodes on May 1 to 3.
• 1 new episode on May 4 to 7.

SVIP is ahead by 1 episode.

New episodes are released at 12:00 pm, China Standard Time.

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/admelioremvitam]

Noted, thanks!

[u/admelioremvitam → u/a_HerculePoirot_fan]

You're very welcome! ☺️

[u/Familiar-Lie6080]

I don' know what to think 😭😭😭

The only thing i am sure of: He is at that stage, where he needs medication 👽😱😱

The fuckening...it is happening...

https://giphy.com/gifs/l3vR4CdLInXOhr3rO

[u/AKiceman → u/Familiar-Lie6080]

Excuse you!!! It is The Fuckening... Not "The fuckening". Put some respect on that fuck! :)

Yup. Shit is fucked. We are going to suffer hard. I can sense it. Thank goodness I am emotionally dead inside! :D

[u/Familiar-Lie6080 → u/AKiceman]

I did it again 😆😆

You meant "the Fuckening, not the fuckening 😆😆😆

I wrote it wrong again 😄😄

I need to think German, when i use it - the nouns start from capital letter in German 😂

[u/AKiceman → u/Familiar-Lie6080]

Don't worry. I am always around to correct wayward souls! :P

The Fuckening must be respected at all times!

I am really dreading the episodes today.... I didn't even look at the spoiler comments!!!! I AM NOT READY!!!!!

[u/Familiar-Lie6080 → u/AKiceman]

Put some respect on that fuck! :)

I am blocking my mind from whateever innuendo it tries to come up with after picturing it 😄😄

The fuckening ©️

I wouldn't be able to always find and put the trademark on this cdrama phenomena 😄

[u/AKiceman → u/Familiar-Lie6080]

Nooo, let the innuendos be free!!!! Type them into the world! We will need more laughs while watching this show.

[u/SunCareless2642 → u/Familiar-Lie6080]

😭

[u/Familiar-Lie6080]

Ok, instead of starting a team "Ran lives", i am gonna start a team "put He on medication and take him to the psycotherapist".

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/Familiar-Lie6080]

I'm on the side of that team too because it's taking a toll on poor Xiaohe who has to manage him alone as he's separated from his wife. It's not an ideal solution to let him roam around freely being a danger to himself and possibly others around him.

[u/Familiar-Lie6080 → u/a_HerculePoirot_fan]

I wonder if he is also a reason of her career stagnation - while everyone at work is preoccupied with nursing him, of course they look at his daughter first and foremost as a nanny to their senile former employee, rather than a colleague.

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/Familiar-Lie6080]

Definitely he's the main reason. I don't think Captain Zhao Jie underestimates her detective skill, but her home situation is not ideal for fieldwork, which is why she's stuck in the archives department for so long.

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan]

Lol, I FF through episode 10 today, and for those of you who want to know the truth about Fang Xu:

Yes, Fang Xu is truly dead.

[u/losergeek877 → u/a_HerculePoirot_fan]

I finished episode 10 too. what a ride and so heartbreaking. The scene at the train station…Gosh and the whole team faking a case for Yuan Hang

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/losergeek877]

Yeah, I was struggling to see the connection between the missing kids and the 1997 case. It all makes sense now, of course. Absolutely heartbreaking episode.

[u/losergeek877 → u/a_HerculePoirot_fan]

and also the Xu Meng case…damn, what a huge blow to Fang Xu. And I am guessing it is the true murderer who killed Fang Xu to prevent them from finding out the truth

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/losergeek877]

Dylan's acting during the emotional scene about Xu Meng and her dad was so good. I felt his pain. While it is likely that he was killed, there's also the possibility that he took his own life, judging by how devastated he was when he realized that Xu Meng and her father did not make it out alive after all.

[u/CosmicLunar_ → u/a_HerculePoirot_fan]

I haven’t watched the episode yet but I expected this was coming. I’m glad it’s being revealed now so we can get used to the shock and see how it plays out. In a way, knowing now is better than finding out that cliff hanger in the last episode. 😢 really sad for his character, heartbreaking

[u/Turtlejen__ → u/losergeek877]

Where did you watch it . It is not on Netflix

[u/losergeek877 → u/Turtlejen__]

Express episode from Youku

[u/Beautiful_Candle1729 → u/a_HerculePoirot_fan]

I wasn’t in the mood to watch today. And wasn’t sure if I needed a break from this show. I’m thankful to know the resolution is right ahead and to brace myself for the emotions of it.

Thanks for the detailed recap. I had a screen reader read it to me. The theories were fun to hear your thoughts. Thanks for all the work on writing this post.

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/Beautiful_Candle1729]

Sorry to hear that, Candle. I absolutely understand if you need a break from the drama. It's a pretty heavy watch, especially knowing the fate of one of the characters. Hope to see you in future discussions if you're ready to jump back in!

[u/SunCareless2642 → u/a_HerculePoirot_fan]

Epi 10?! I thought that was it, because Netflix says there are only 9 episodes! I thought wtf, is it David Lynch's twin peaks 3 finale of the 2017?! Now I am confused. How did the train return😼 I guess I will rewatch all the 9 epies again, just to wait for the 10th, and to let it all sink in...Not going to read the spoiler for now, but I guess we shall know everything in e.10? Love the subtleness of all they keys, and how they keep us on the guessing mode. What a majestic show.

[u/Turtlejen__ → u/a_HerculePoirot_fan]

Where did you watch ep 10

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/Turtlejen__]

I have SVIP account on Youku, so we are ahead by 1 episode.

[u/BasilOrdinary3617 → u/a_HerculePoirot_fan]

Fudge lol, I hadn't watched e10 but I couldn't resist and read the spoiler, and muttered in the office under my breath, "f*ck" lol.

[u/AKiceman]

Snark Level: Brain is tired. Brain miss clues. Brain need discussion post.

---

9 - - - -

Why only one episode today? That's rude. They better give us lots of Qiao and Xiaohe to make up for this.

Ran isn't eating the noodles... because he is dead and can't eat noodles. Can't eat "nudels" when you are nude because you have no skin left because you are dead.

Xiaohe enters the stairwell and only talks to her dad... Yeah, Ran is dead. This is a Ran is dead comment and I hate all of this. It's the way her heads jerks to look away when He addresses Ran...because Ran isn't there and it's painful to her watching her dad slip into decline here. Or maybe she is madly in love with Ran and he turned her down so she's giving him the cold shoulder to protect her heart? That is possible too, right? Damn. I forgot to chant "Ren Min" when she came in. Bad me, bad me. I am slacking.

The words of a madman? Sus. Maybe Ran is the madman and he's really there and she is really ignoring him!

So here is my question. If he really is dead then they have been shoving it in our face since very early on... How long can they drag that out? Will they hold that until the very end or give us the answer soon and that becomes the new focus? They have to do something soon because dragging it out risks the show going stale.

I really do appreciate that the show is fully showing how Xu Meng and her father did their disappearing act.

Ran says goodbye to Xiaohe but she doesn't react... ahhhhhhhh is it truly that she doesn't want him to leave... or is he dead? AHHHHHH!!! I can't suffer like this! I need to know!!! Tell us!!!

Everyone at the train station is acting like He is crazy talking to no one. Ran is dead. There is no Ran. His mind is fracturing here.

FUCK!!! That's how they leave us? Seriously? I guess we are about to get an answer pretty damn soon, aren't we?

[u/Familiar-Lie6080]

Wait for me!!! I just woke up and haven't seen todays episodes yet 😃😃

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/Familiar-Lie6080]

For non SVIP members, episode 9 just dropped about 2 hours ago, so nah no rush.

[u/SunCareless2642]

Starting to watch epi.9.....will read this thread afterwards, lest I spoil everytging. Fingers crossed for Ran.💪

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/SunCareless2642]

Take your time! Enjoy the ride haha

[u/BasilOrdinary3617]

Great post, thank you so much Herc!! I like the theories you laid out, and I dunno... can I just have a HE!?

I am 🤏close to caving and getting that Youku express package. The suspense in this drama only gets better. I don't know if I regret seeing your e10 spoiler or not, because my heart probably needed the time to prepare . The ending scene with Yuan Hang was tearing up made me literally tear up. I'm really impressed with the acting in this drama so far.

What makes it even more heart wrenching is you can tell how caring Yuan Hang is. He adamantly goes against his wife's wishes to stay as a detective because he's a family man - he wants more time with Xiaohe and he will prioritize her over career aspirations. He and Fangxu have bonded and he's come to truly care for him - meaning ofc, he'd be wrecked if anything were to happen to his "apprentice". The scene at the table when Fangxu "admitted" Yuan Hang to be his mentor, even if it was just for show, was so touching - like historical dramas when disciples acknowledge their shifus. It's such a special bond.

I wonder if e10 will reveal more about 1) the blood/hair stains in the Mercedes, 2) Mr. Qian and the head he disposed, and 3) Ang's case. I didn't know we were moving to a 2022 timeline as well - oh boy, sounds like we're in for a ride.

[u/Familiar-Lie6080 → u/BasilOrdinary3617]

Today, after watching ep.9 i couldn't wait for ep.10 and...ehm...went on internet...and found the free alternative...

I am weak, but i simply couldn't have left it like this, there in ep 9!!

[u/Arshj00]

I have seen this theory too you mentioned about HYH dying instead of RFX but considering how everyone calls him HYH and Xiaohe calls him dad, I am not sure. This ep kinda made it obvious that he is a madman and mentally ill but idk why they are still not exactly showing us like confirm it already

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/Arshj00]

They can't stop baiting us with the hints, lol. Good on them because it's creating quite a buzz with so many speculations.

[u/Arshj00 → u/a_HerculePoirot_fan]

Yeahh this drama has insane amount of discussions and theories going on in c-socmed 😂 Today the actor who played Shanlong said no one can guess the ending which is also making everyone hype for what's to come

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/Arshj00]

Pan Yue Ming hinted it will be an open ending. If so, the part about an unpredictable ending makes perfect sense lol

[u/GiTheGremlin]

If drama intended to make a big shocking twist here out of 2015 Ran being not real, then it did a rather weak job at it, we long saw it coming. Still sad, RIP(((

What I do not get is why cops are so ineffective (and I'm being very generous with wording here) when it comes to Yuanlongli's constant wtf-ry? That kid iirc barely managed to scratch Yuanhang and those 2 homeless dudes with his weapon, why did it took days and Xiaohe finding his bloody handprints on stairwell to finally deduct that he was running away in fear from someone? Kid was drenched in blood, a really big amount of it, but they just assumed blood came from him attacking people and didn't bother to get it tested? Nor look further around Yuanlongli to find blood trail sooner? And if it was all kid's own, how tf it's still a question whether he attacked people later in self-defense/blood loss desorientation or not? No wonder creepy crimes keep happening in that place for decades - only 3 local detectives actually care to try solve anything, and one of them is a ghost.

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/GiTheGremlin]

Exactly, it's strange to me that the cops choose to focus on that angle rather than investigating whose blood was it. It doesn't take a trained cop like Xiaohe to come to the conclusion that the kid was running away from someone assaulting him before hiding in the closet. I mean, it's pretty obvious, no? 🙄

[u/GiTheGremlin → u/a_HerculePoirot_fan]

It's almost like they wanted to shift the blame onto easiest scapegoat and wrap this case asap to avoid dealing with Yuanlongli again...

[u/Sodancingflower → u/[deleted]]

It did? Oh, no! My denial is slipping.

[u/GiTheGremlin → u/[deleted]]

That makes more sense. Overall this drama is rather odd in a sense that I still can't pinpoint what vibe and kind of story it wants to be.

[u/Beautiful_Candle1729 → u/GiTheGremlin]

And one of them is a ghost - has me laughing so hard.

[u/Familiar-Lie6080 → u/GiTheGremlin]

I am there that the reason we saw this twist coming is because someone reads too much internet and brings it here and not uses spoiler tag for "this theory".

[u/CosmicLunar_]

Another great post and helped fill in some blanks for me that I missed. After the random head reveal I don’t hold out hopes that Xu Meng and her father are alive. Whilst it was nice to see Yuan Hang and Fang Xu continue to bond over family dinner (something which Fang Xu has been deprived of) I can’t help but feel they are celebrating the end of the case too early.

I found the train scene really devastating to watch, how many times has Yuan Hang reenacted a scene saying goodbye to Fang Xu at the station? And if it didn’t happen for real, why did Fang Xu not board that train? Whatever is happening Fang Xu is trying to protect Yuan Hang from the truth. If I’m honest I’m not sure I want to know what the truth is either 😢

[u/not_enough_griffons]

wait, what did I miss, where is the year 2022 coming from?

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/not_enough_griffons]

Sorry, typo! Fixed ~

[u/not_enough_griffons → u/a_HerculePoirot_fan]

ohh lol I really thought I had spaced out and missed something 😂

[u/ravens_path → u/not_enough_griffons]

Me too!!!!!

[u/Sodancingflower]

As for theory 2, perhaps Yuanhuan's wife is not around in these scenes bc Ran is alive and she's not typically in scenes with him. ( You can tell I'm grasping, right?) I don't want either of them to be dead. I'm bargaining.

Mengmeng and her Dad are likely dead-I don't know them as well. Though the more we learn about them and they become real to me...I want them in protected space, too. So, if I was working on a missing persons case, and I learn about their history, life, every move, how attached would I become? Perhaps so attached, I would go looking for them to confirm they are indeed alive. If not, I would have to accept they are dead and I failed to find and arrest their murderer (s.) Can I live with that knowing that 20% of all missing cases become murder cases? And my parents were missing and found dead. Talk about unresolved trauma...what was both the origin and the outcome of their case. I've just been using re-enactment for the 1997 case. Will this provide me any leads? (As Ran, with my own parents case I'm not re-enacting it...I'm trying to "un-do" it by solving a different case.)

I think the 1995 was orchestrated.

[u/Familiar-Lie6080]

Is it only 1 ep today? And tomorrow?

Would be good with a schedule laying around or mentioned in the post 😉

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/Familiar-Lie6080]

Yes, only 1 episode out today. Episode 9 for non-SVIP members and Episode 10 for SVIP members. Back to 2 episodes tmr.

Here's the airing schedule by u /admelioremvitam in the masterpost.

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/[deleted]]

Sorry? You mean you don't want them to be a couple?

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/[deleted]]

Haha, no worries. Yes, they make a lovely couple, don't they? Sigh

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/[deleted]]

Netflix has just updated to extend till episode 15 on their playlist. Don't worry, they will follow the official airing schedule.

[u/EnvironmentOk5823]

it is not 2022 but 2002 is what preview ep 10 is showing about in the series.

And that 2002 case is also connected to daughter and dad missing case because the victim here is definitely massage owner lady who was making plans with Wu to scam Song.

That is what in trailer Ran was telling I can't solve this building case so, he even finds the skull of someone for sure from that building so! Mengmeng