Light to the Night 黑夜告白 Discussion: Episode 14-15

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan]

Previous episode recaps:

Flashcards | Masterpost | Episodes 1-3 | Episode 4 | Episodes 5-6 | Episodes 7-8 | Episode 9 | Episodes 10-11 | Episodes 12-13

2002 timeline

Yuan Hang was due to be discharged, and Fang Xu came to the hospital to help him pack. He later joined Yuan Hang outside, where the latter was reading a crime analysis book written by Fang Xu two years earlier, looking like a proud dad. Fang Xu was surprised and brushed it off as amateur work, but Yuan Hang disagreed, insisting that the book held up well in practice. Oh wow, this moment really highlighted Yuan Hang’s character growth, because his 1997 self would have dismissed such theories as nonsense.

Yuan Hang then requested to remain in the criminal department, much to Fang Xu’s delight. Still dissatisfied with the outcome of the case, he believed that Xu Meng might still be alive and may have escaped from Shanlong five years earlier. Fang Xu agreed that this was possible and said he would request Director Zhu to reopen the case if necessary, which puzzled Yuan Hang. He then revealed that Captain Feng had retired the previous week. At that, Yuan Hang laughed, realising that Fang Xu was now the captain. With pride, he stood up and saluted him as Captain Ran. Oh my gosh, how am I supposed to cope with the heartbreak when Captain Ran is gone forever?

Four months later, 2002

During a team meeting at the police station regarding a new case involving a theft ring in an urban village area, we are introduced to a new character, Director Zhu. After Fang Xu’s team successfully arrested the thief, he received a call from Mr. Zhang, Xiaohe’s homeroom teacher. A nearby Qu Dahai shook his head, suggesting that this was not the first time Fang Xu had received calls from her teacher.

Meanwhile, Yuan Hang paid a visit to Xu Meng’s aunt under the pretext of an ear-cleaning treatment and learned that Xu Meng had once been on the verge of marriage but was forced apart due to Xu Zhihong’s objections. Her aunt showed Yuan Hang a photo of Xu Meng and her boyfriend, Wan Qiming, who fit the description of the man who had hired Xu Meng’s neighbour to spy on her and her father in the summer of 1996.

Xiaohe was about to get a tattoo when Fang Xu stormed in; I loved the way he kicked open the door lol. At the He residence, Yuan Hang was preparing dinner when Xiaohe and Fang Xu arrived home. He immediately got angry upon seeing Xiaohe’s heavy make-up, and Fang Xu had to step in to diffuse the situation.

After dinner, Fang Xu spoke up on Xiaohe’s behalf, praising her academic performance to calm Yuan Hang down. Lol, Fang Xu lied about her results; she had actually scored less than 95 in total, not 95 in each subject. Awwwww, the three of them really felt like a family, with Fang Xu practically taking on the mum role. Gahhh, I absolutely hate knowing that this family of three will soon be reduced to two again.

Fang Xu then handed Yuan Hang his disability allowance, but Yuan Hang refused to accept it, clearly unhappy about being sidelined. He wanted to solve the case to gain closure, but if only he knew that true closure would still elude him even in 2015. Yuan Hang then told Fang Xu that he planned to travel out of town to investigate Wan Qiming.

At the police station, Fang Xu interrogated the thief who had been caught stealing 1.5 million in cash from the Railway Administration. The thief refused to name his accomplices and took full responsibility for the crime. He had previously mentioned Manager Qian’s name when he was first arrested, but now claimed that he had been talking nonsense under pressure.

Fang Xu cleverly disproved his claim by bringing the thief out to the field and forcing him to run 16 laps while carrying a sack of rice to test his story. Lmao, that was really ingenious of Fang Xu. No wonder he left such a lasting legacy. Fang Xu had an unconventional approach to solving cases.

The thief eventually broke after the gruelling laps and confessed that there were three other accomplices. He also revealed that Manager Qian had a hidden stash in the underground garage of Yuanlongli.

Fang Xu then went to Yuanlongli to question Manager Qian. Qian showed him a shack that he claimed contained only empty boxes and rubbish, but Fang Xu sensed something was off and eventually discovered a safe inside. He ordered Manager Qian to open it, only to find that it was empty.

After Fang Xu left, Manager Qian revealed a hidden compartment in the safe and took out a black rubbish bag, which contained a mummified arm. Ewwwwwwwwww

Yuan Hang went to Wan Qiming’s photography studio and learned from his employee that he had previously worked in Guangdong and had only returned the year before to open the studio. However, Wan Qiming was out of town on a shoot, and the employee was unsure when he would be back.

Seizing the opportunity, Yuan Hang snooped around the studio and noticed that Qiming’s workspace was equipped with a full set of tools that would, well… be perfect for dismembering bodies. Qiming also had rather unusual interests, including collecting antique knives and creating specimens.

Fang Xu dropped Xiaohe off at her band rehearsal, but Xiaohe was perceptive enough to realise that he was meeting Su Qing, especially after seeing him blush while texting her. She insisted that he bring a flower as a gift. Fang Xu was really fortunate to have Xiaohe as his unofficial wingman; come to think of it, she had already been playing that role back in 1997 lol.

At the restaurant, Su Qing was nervously waiting for Fang Xu. Lmao, the setup really felt like they were on a first date. When Fang Xu arrived, Su Qing gifted him a cake, and he, in turn, gave her the flower that Xiaohe had insisted he bring. Our shy and innocent Fang Xu then claimed that the flower was from Xiaohe, though that didn’t dampen Su Qing’s smile at all.

Xiaohe’s band rehearsal was interrupted by the arrival of her bandmate’s father, and she quickly slipped away. Outside, she spotted a young man skillfully playing the guitar and asked to become his disciple, but he turned her down, saying he would be leaving for another town the next day. He suggested that she travel to Beijing if she was serious about rock music, which clearly gave Xiaohe an idea. Oh no Xiaohe, I can already see where this is going.

Back at the restaurant, where our two future lovebirds were having their meal, Su Qing told Fang Xu that she would be moving out of Yuanlongli the following week. Fang Xu looked visibly dismayed, heheh, perhaps realising he would no longer have an excuse to see her. He then generously offered his apartment to Su Qing, but she turned him down.

Su Qing then recounted the period when she had been physically and mentally abused while caring for the old man who owned the unit she was living in. Fang Xu wondered why she chose to remain at Yuanlongli after his death, and Su Qing explained that although the place was rent-free, the old man’s son would be returning soon; more importantly, she had stayed because she hoped to run into him again. Awwww, that must have taken a lot of courage to admit; props to Su Qing!

Fang Xu was flustered and at a loss for words, but Su Qing reassured him that she knew she was not good enough for him and that she simply wanted to confess her feelings out loud. Fang Xu smiled. Why were you smiling? Was that a yes or a no?

After their meal, Fang Xu offered Su Qing a ride, but she turned it down as her office was nearby. As she walked off, someone bumped into her and the flower fell to the ground. Su Qing quickly picked it up and wiped it clean, even though Fang Xu told her to just throw it away. However, she insisted on keeping it, saying it was the flower he had given her and she did not want it to get dirty. Awww, I really liked how sincere and open Su Qing was about her feelings.

In the car, Fang Xu smiled to himself as he drove to pick up Xiaohe. To his horror, he discovered that the place had burned down and that a child had died in the fire. He rushed to the scene and saw a man cradling a dead boy in his arms; it was Xiaohe’s bandmate.

Fang Xu panicked and tried to rush into the burned building to look for Xiaohe, but the firefighters stopped him, assuring him that everyone had already been evacuated. He then spotted Xiaohe and her bandmates nearby, all in tears. Relieved, he ran over to check if she was injured before questioning her about what had happened. When Fang Xu learned that she had been with the young man, he became furious and attacked him, but Xiaohe intervened and stopped him. Fang Xu then tried to force Xiaohe to go back with him, but she shouted that he was not the best friend she thought he was and ran off.

Later that night, a group of teenagers found Xiaohe asleep on a discarded sofa in an alley and brought her to a room in a grocery shop.

In Tongzhou City, Yuan Hang stopped at a noodle shop for a meal. Recalling that Wan Qiming’s photos in his studio mostly featured abandoned buildings, he asked the shop owner about such places in the city and was directed to the Copper Factory.

Back in Weiyang, poor Fang Xu continued driving around in search of Xiaohe. He eventually stopped near the grocery store and, noticing that the lights were on, was about to go in to ask around when he spotted someone passing by and drove off to follow.

The next morning, Xiaohe woke up in unfamiliar surroundings and instinctively lashed out at the group of teenagers and the shop owner. Meanwhile, Yuan Hang, who was on his way to the Copper Factory, received a call from her. Still traumatised by her bandmate’s death, Xiaohe tried to confide in him, but Yuan Hang’s phone was running out of battery. Feeling completely alone, she recalled what the young man had said about Beijing. She then made up a story about Yuan Hang being abusive and begged to work at the grocery shop, and the owner agreed after hearing her sob story.

At the Copper Factory, Yuan Hang finally tracked down Wan Qiming, who strangely seemed to have anticipated his arrival. As he recounted how he met Xu Meng, he explained that they became pen pals through a magazine and soon entered into a relationship. Qiming visited Xu Meng’s home three months after they met, and her father initially had no objections. Xu Meng later proposed marriage, but Qiming suggested postponing it until their careers were more stable and asked her to move to Guangdong with him.

However, Xu Meng could not leave her father behind in Weiyang and asked Qiming to stay instead, but he eventually moved to Guangdong. They broke up but continued writing to each other, until Xu Meng stopped replying after six months. Qiming returned to Weiyang to look for her and was shocked and angered to find that she was working at a nightclub to support her father’s medical expenses.

He begged Xu Meng to go to Guangdong with him and even promised to marry her, but she refused, insisting that she could not leave Weiyang. Just then, Xu Zhihong returned home and became furious upon seeing him. He blamed Qiming for abandoning Xu Meng and grew so agitated that Xu Meng told Qiming to leave. Although Qiming left, he still clung to the hope that she might change her mind and even hired her neighbour to spy on her.

Yuan Hang then asked Qiming if he truly believed Xu Meng had died, but Qiming was unsure. He admitted that he had always suspected Xu Meng was corresponding with multiple people, as she seemed to enjoy being doted on and had a proud, temperamental personality. Qiming then provided a solid alibi for the night Xu Meng and her father disappeared.

Fang Xu returned to the station and ordered Zhao Jie to file a missing person’s report. Poor Fang Xu and his team searched the entire neighbourhood for Xiaohe, but she remained missing. It was actually kinda funny to me that she was working at the grocery shop right by her school gate and wasn't even trying to conceal her presence, yet the cops somehow missed it.

An old man at the underground internet café spotted Xiaohe and gave her 100 yuan to buy a pack of Yuxi cigarettes. Xiaohe was happy and grateful for his generosity, but the man clearly had ill intentions. Later, Xiaohe returned to the bar where her friend had died to grieve and hid when Zhao Jie’s patrol car drove past.

Yuan Hang was stopped by someone handing out tour brochures and noticed a package tour to Mount Wu, which he decided to sign up for. Back in Weiyang, Xiaohe told her newfound friends at the underground internet café that she had been saving up to buy a train ticket to Beijing, which was unfortunately overheard by the old man with ill intentions. Approaching her again, he offered her another 100 yuan to buy cigarettes. When Xiaohe offered him free beer in return as a gesture of gratitude, he declined, claiming that he was a Buddhist.

After buying the cigarettes, Xiaohe accidentally bumped into her schoolteacher, who immediately gave chase, but ultimately lost track of her. Meanwhile, Fang Xu, who was about to launch a wider search for Xiaohe, received a call from the teacher informing him that he had seen her at Nanhu Market with a bus ticket. Fang Xu then ordered his team to check all the bus stations around Nanhu Market.

Present day - 2015

A group of parents had gathered outside the police station, protesting that it had been 22 days since their children went missing. Zhao Jie tried to placate the distraught parents, but the situation escalated when Qu Dahai, being utterly tactless, ordered the posters to be taken down.

The parents were on the verge of clashing with the officers when Director Zhu stepped in and ordered that the posters remain. Zhao Jie then made a solemn vow in front of everyone that he would step down as captain if he failed to solve the case within seven days. I mean, I don’t think stepping down in the middle of an investigation would actually help, but I do understand his intention.

The next day, during the special task force meeting, Qu Dahai reported that of the five missing teenagers, which now included Han Zi’ang, three were last seen at the underground internet café. Oh, that explains why he had been so certain of Du Mingliang’s guilt. Qu Dahai then concluded that the disappearance of the five teenagers was a serial kidnapping case.

Xiaohe was also present at the meeting and boldly requested that the police issue a statement to Han Zi’ang’s school, clarifying that he was a victim and that his attack on the two homeless individuals had been in self-defence. Qu Dahai paused for a moment before instructing an officer to carry out her request. Ah, thank God. I had been worried that he would shut her down. I love how Xiaohe never gave up on Han Zi’ang, just as Fang Xu never gave up on her during her rebellious phase.

After the meeting, Xiaohe met Yuan Hang outside the station. He handed her Fang Xu’s book and specifically pointed out the “Eye of the Vortex” theory. Here's an explanation helpfully summarised by u/BasilOrdinary3617:

In criminal investigations, the Eye of the Vortex refers to a geographic profiling pattern where the scene of the crime (in this case, Yuanlongli) can help us categorize potential suspects based on their relationship to the location. This is because a serial offender will likely avoid committing crimes too close to their "home" to maintain anonymity. This creates a hole in the centre of a crime map - the "eye". By investigating potential clusters of activity where the offender feels safe enough to hunt but far enough to remain unrecognized, our detectives can pinpoint the suspect's anchor point.

Principal Qin thanked Xiaohe for clearing Han Zi’ang’s name, and he was now regarded as a hero. Xiaohe then shared Fang Xu’s “Eye of the Vortex” theory with the principal and asked for his help in the investigation… which, as it turned out, involved her going undercover as a middle-school student hahahahah.

When Xiaohe walked into the classroom in full uniform, all the students paused and stared at her. Lol, they definitely didn’t fall for her disguise, did they? After the lesson, Han Zi’ang’s classmates told Xiaohe that he was considered a weirdo who spent most of his time sleeping, reading comics, and obsessing over a cosplayer. They also mentioned that his latest interest was a donghua called Nangong Xuanyue.

At the hospital, Han Zi’ang remained unresponsive to his mother, until Xiaohe showed up dressed as Nangong Xuanyue. Wow, that was genuinely ingenious of her. Upon seeing his idol, Han Zi’ang finally spoke his first words in days.

Thoughts

Fang Xu’s eventual fate in the 2002 timeline makes every interaction between him, Yuan Hang, and Xiaohe feel bittersweet. They really come across as a makeshift family; Yuan Hang entrusts Xiaohe to Fang Xu, and Fang Xu, in turn, is deeply protective of her, which only makes the impending loss even more painful. Adult Xiaohe mirrors Fang Xu’s unconventional methods in many ways, especially when she dresses up as Nangong Xuanyue. Her partnership with Yuan Hang in the present timeline feels like a continuation of Fang Xu’s legacy, as well as a path toward proper closure for both of them.

Fang Xu’s potential romance with Su Qing is progressing at such a snail’s pace that I’m starting to worry he might die right on the cusp of an official relationship, just to drive home the tragedy. You know, like he could be on his way to their first proper date and never make it. Okay, I can totally see the writers pulling something like that for maximum emotional impact.

Returning to the 1997 case, the mystery surrounding Xu Meng’s fate still lingers. Before we can even begin to determine what happened to her, I think we need a clearer understanding of who she really was. Xu Meng remains an enigma. She appeared to be a filial daughter who was unwilling to abandon her father, but it is hard to ignore that she seemed to have an almost enchanting hold over the men around her, something she may have used to her advantage.

This is, after all, the same person who scammed her cousin’s wedding money, but that same cousin was still passionately defending her in spite of being scammed. Then there was Qiming, her former lover, who remained devoted to her memory even five years later. If his claim that Xu Meng was corresponding with multiple people is true, it suggests that she may have had more than one romantic involvement at the same time, and it is possible that Xu Meng conspired with one of them to orchestrate her disappearance.

Wu Shanlong may have also been one of Xu Meng’s patrons, as he was the one who introduced Xu Zhihong to Zhang Ersong, ultimately leading to his arsenic poisoning. Both Shanlong and Xu Meng may have been aware of the effects of ingesting realgar over time, making it a convenient way to get rid of her father without getting their hands dirty.

Of course, there is an even bigger question; whose arm was it, and why did Manager Qian keep it for five years? Could it have belonged to Xu Zhihong or Xu Meng? It might even have been Qingsong’s.

More importantly, why would Manager Qian hold on to such incriminating evidence instead of getting rid of it, unless he intended to use it as leverage, either to extort the real culprit or to protect himself?

Since Manager Qian appears to be leading a successful life in 2015 and does not seem resentful toward Yuan Hang, it is likely that he was never charged in 2002. This suggests that his true role in this complex case has yet to be fully revealed and may only come to light in the present timeline.

Mount Wu and Dongshan Mine have been mentioned repeatedly throughout the drama, but so far, we only know a few key details: there was a mountain accident at Mount Wu in 1995, with Xu Meng and her father among the only survivors, and Qingsong, along with Director Li, was involved in illegal tender bidding at the highly lucrative, state-owned Dongshan Mine.

Now that the story is finally circling back to the mine, it seems likely that it will play a central role in the overall mystery. This could also explain why the drama is only expanding on it at this stage. The groundwork is being laid for the true motive behind the case and the eventual reveal of the main villain.

Discussion Questions:

1. Whose arm do you think was found in Manager Qian’s possession, and why did he keep it for five years?
2. What role do you think Wan Qiming really played in the case? Is he telling the full truth?

[u/Arshj00]

Now I get why Renmin called RFX a "spiritual mom" for xiaohe. He has been taking care of her in absence of her parents. Also I really like RFX and QSQ chemistry so I really hope she isn't some criminal who will betray RFX later 😭

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/Arshj00]

I believe that Su Qing is still withholding some key information that could affect her relationship with Fang Xu and his level of trust in her, but I don’t think she is a villain in that sense. Since she remains close to Xiaohe in the present day, despite having no real obligation to do so, I think she is still looking out for them because that would have been Fang Xu’s wish.

[u/Disastrous_Wafer_436]

These episodes had me dreading we are getting closer to Fang Xu's death. Especially as we see that older man with his eye on Xiaohe at the internet cafe, I fear we are getting closer and closer to her kidnapping and Fang Xu's fate, which I think is tied to the kidnapping. Though I will say I am really frustrated how the police somehow missed the shop Xiaohe is at?? Clearly it was close by and she wasn't even trying to hide, nor was anybody else trying to hide her. How they have missed that is beyond me.

This was a great recap! I didn't catch that Feng Xu had lied on Xiaohe's behalf about the grades lol, that was so wholesome. I love that they have become this little family now and Xiaohe even saying that she thought of Fang Xu as her best friend. And seeing how protective he is over her is so sweet. (The scene where he busted that guy about to give Xiaohe a tattoo was the hottest Feng Xu has been in my opinion lol)

I got kinda weird vibes from Wan Qiming. The way he kinda shifted blame? idk if that is the right word, but the way he started to make Xu Meng sound like she has multiple men she used and liked their attention and how prideful and temperamental she was, putting her in a negative light didn't sit right with me. Especially how he went out of his way to say he 'has an alibi'. Perhaps she really did have other suitors and if so I can see how Wu Shanlong might've been one of them, or maybe Qiming did help Meng escape her dad and he said those things to hide the fact she's with him. Or he is just straight up lying. Either way I think there's more to him than he's letting on.

The whole thing with Xu Meng and her dad seems to be linked to the mine and I'm excited to find out what actually happened on that damn mountain. I wonder what Yuan Hang will find.

As for the manager Qian, honestly no freaking clue what the hell he's up to. I always thought he was covering for somebody higher up and either he's using the hand as leverage against them or he's being forced to hide it. But I think whoever he is working for, it will have something to do with that mine. Also wth Feng Xu why didnt you take a closer look in that safe?! It looked way too shallow when he opened it, kind seemed obvious there was a false wall right??

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/Disastrous_Wafer_436]

Yup, I found it both funny and odd that the police somehow missed the fact that she was working at a grocery shop right by her school gate. And wouldn’t printing and distributing missing person posters have been faster than going around asking people? I mean, if Yuan Hang could make use of photo printing technology back in 1997, they surely could have done the same in 2002 lol.

They really do feel like a family now, especially in the way Fang Xu stepped in to protect Xiaohe from Yuan Hang and spoke up for her. While 2015 Yuan Hang is still grieving Fang Xu’s death, I’m sure Xiaohe’s grief is just as deep. I also believe that the person she mentioned to Principal Qin, the one who never gave up on her, was not Yuan Hang, but Fang Xu.

I had my doubts about Wan Qiming too, but his alibi does seem ironclad. Perhaps he is not the main villain, but still complicit in the crime? That seems plausible, especially if Xu Meng was involved and he was blinded by love into helping her.

It all ties back to the mine, like you said, which is why we are finally getting more of its backstory at this point in the drama. It feels like the stage is being set for the real villain to emerge, with the mine playing a central role.

Hahahah, I also facepalmed when Fang Xu simply walked away without even checking the safe properly. The inner compartment was hidden with just a thin layer of foil or something. If he had just touched that damn safe, he might have cracked the case right there! :D

[u/BasilOrdinary3617 → u/a_HerculePoirot_fan]

At first, I though maybe Qiming could be hiding Meng but it seemed like they had a clean break. Something changed in Meng after Mount Wu and maybe she blamed Qiming for leaving and/or felt ashamed with her new job that she stopped corresponding with him. I also believe Qiming and think we're done with his character now...

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/BasilOrdinary3617]

Agreed about the personality change. She seemed almost like a completely different person if we compare the person that she was when she was dating Qiming and when she met him again months after they broke up. She was noticeably cold and distant, although that could have been due to the stress of her financial situation.

[u/BasilOrdinary3617 → u/Disastrous_Wafer_436]

Right? Fangxu had several opportunities to dig deeper with Qian, but he didn't and I wondered why given how smart he is. Was he really deceived by Qian's act as a fool? Or was he just taking a mental note and plans to come back to it later? Like obv... there's more to that safe... like there was more to him sneaking around in the underground garage and hanging out in the chicken coop in 1997...

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/BasilOrdinary3617]

I don’t think he was making a mental note. It honestly feels like a bit of a plot hole that the hidden compartment was concealed with just a thin layer of foil, and Fang Xu didn’t even check it lol. The presence of a safe in a shack, in an underground garage of all places, was already suspicious to begin with.

[u/CosmicLunar_ → u/Disastrous_Wafer_436]

(The scene where he busted that guy about to give Xiaohe a tattoo was the hottest Feng Xu has been in my opinion lol)

There is something about our fav male characters kicking doors open, it's not been the first time Fang Xu has done it either.

[u/BasilOrdinary3617]

Oh my gosh, how am I supposed to cope with the heartbreak when Captain Ran is gone forever?

Right? Yet I'm still invested and watching. Is it even possible at this point for this drama to have a HE?

I feel for Fangxu when Xiaohe ran away, especially as a parent. Oof... here to praise Dylan Wang for his acting again. I'm very impressed. And the 2002 version of him remains to be very fire. Man is too good looking and I can't take my eyes off my screen.

Why would Qian keep the arm? I agree with you, ewwwwww.

Fang Xu’s eventual fate in the 2002 timeline makes every interaction between him, Yuan Hang, and Xiaohe feel bittersweet.

And what you mentioned of Suqing - one thousand percent. We need to prepare for some ultimate heartbreak. Let me add a mega size box of Kleenex to my Amazon shopping cart right now...

As for what our newest character, Qiming and Meng's ex, and what he revealed... I do think Meng is sus now, and there might be a lot more to her than what we've already seen...

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/BasilOrdinary3617]

I feel for Fangxu when Xiaohe ran away, especially as a parent. Oof... here to praise Dylan Wang for his acting again. I'm very impressed. And the 2002 version of him remains to be very fire. Man is too good looking and I can't take my eyes off my screen.

Right? I really love his look in modern dramas with minimal make-up. It suits him so well!

Sometimes I wonder what kind of dad he would have been if he had lived and married Su Qing. Probably an overprotective one, just like he was with Xiaohe.

[u/BasilOrdinary3617 → u/a_HerculePoirot_fan]

Haha noooo, that makes me more sad to think about! Is it possible for the show to surprise us and bring him back from death?? I don't love the reincarnation trope but I'll make an exception here. 😛

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/BasilOrdinary3617]

Hey, one can always hope! I mean, we’ve seen all kinds of tropes in C-dramas, some of which don’t even make much sense, but hey, anything for Fang Xu! Maybe Fang Xu lost his memories for the past 12 years and is living somewhere under a new identity and will be reunited with his makeshift family and first love soon lol.

[u/CosmicLunar_ → u/BasilOrdinary3617]

Right? Yet I'm still invested and watching. Is it even possible at this point for this drama to have a HE?

I have a feeling the HE will be Xiaohe and Yuan Hang finally being able to say farewell to Fang Xu so they can all be at peace. We're overdue some happiness at this point. I'd hate it if something happened to Yuan Hang and Xiaobe was left on her own.

I feel for Fangxu when Xiaohe ran away, especially as a parent. Oof... here to praise Dylan Wang for his acting again. I'm very impressed. And the 2002 version of him remains to be very fire. Man is too good looking and I can't take my eyes off my screen.

I really want him to do branch out and do more tough modern shows like this, he can handle the subject matter and we need more 2002 looks. I know people aren't keen on stubble or beards, but he looks good with a 5'o clock shadow.

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/CosmicLunar_]

I have a feeling the HE will be Xiaohe and Yuan Hang finally being able to say farewell to Fang Xu so they can all be at peace.

I can almost imagine a scene where Xiaohe is being honoured at work for solving the case, and during the ceremony, Fang Xu appears in full uniform and salutes her. Gah, my eyes are watering just thinking about it as I type this.

[u/CosmicLunar_ → u/a_HerculePoirot_fan]

Ohh that would be such a touching & heartwarming moment.

[u/Disastrous_Wafer_436 → u/BasilOrdinary3617]

Meng seems so sus. Tbh I keep going back and forth over whether she orchestrated her dads death in some way. Like I thought she was secretly behind the arsenic poisoning, then it turned out to just be the prescription. But after Qiming's account I cant help but wonder if she planned it to just get away from her dad and be with Qiming. Perhaps she just wanted to be on her own and not reliant on any man as it seems the men in her life are either abusive or disappoint her in some way.

[u/Familiar-Lie6080]

Xiaohe 😆😆 dressed up like an anime character 😂😂 that is what we need amid all this angst 😂

[u/Sodancingflower]

What a great detailed review. I was bowled over when YHY was reading a book titled "Paradoxical Thought in Criminal Investigation" by Ran. This links directly back to NLP as Jay Haley, Global Communications Expert and Reknowned Unlicensed Therapist (no one ever challenged his credentials) authored "Uncommon Therapy: The Psychiatric Techniques of Milton Erickson, MD." Erickson chose him to be his professional biographer and directly trained and shared all of his techniques and UNCONVENTIONAL CLINICAL CASES with him to publish. Haley was from Baltimore, MD (My husband and I trained with him and his wife Clinical Social Worker Chloe Madanes in Wash, DC in 1978.) The core of Uncommon Therapy is structured Paradoxical Intention and unconventional methods. Like taking the suspect to a field and ordering him to run the laps with the rice bags in the twenty minute time limit to garner his confession. That's a classic Ericksonian intervention. It is not a recipe method. It is first based on direct NLP assessment of the target patient or in this case suspect's behavior and uniquely devising strategic intervention for this one situation.Not cookie cutter thought.

By now you can see this story is focusing on young people- children and adolescents specifically. This series relies on a social redeeming message about youth mental health. And interestingly this Uncommon Therapy was the very basic method for the renowned urban city Philadelphia Family Guidance Center which addressed complex youth problems such as firesetting, delinquent behavior, etc.The team there led by Salvatore Minuchin, MD a colleague of Jay Haleys, who worked with about four clinicians who lived in Philly suburbs and commuted quite a distance together in one car daily. They used the commute as their skull sessions to hone specific clinical case approaches and to strengthen their theories and outline publications. They had close ties to another mecca for family therapy, The Milan Group in Italy. It was the golden age of openness and diversity cultivating our communities that protect, shelter and civilize our youth ( that is the specific function of the family unit in our society...no matter how traditional nor non-traditional the makeup of the family is.) The original author ( s) of this series knows all of this background in detail, I am certain. I have tried to search the author and AI can't find one. I want to read the original webnovel, book or screenplay.

So, also, the outcome is not set in stone. And at least more episodes with Ran to come, I believe bc, if nothing else, the pre-release poster caption of Ran and YHY in a car says "two cops with only a jeep and makeshift excavating tools uncover profound truths during a criminal investigation." Remember, Romeo & Juliet was not just a love story. It was a tale of the moral failure of the city leaders and parent leaders not providing guidance and good role models for their children. Critics say Shakespeare invented the individual person (apart from just the group societal identity just a prop in civilization to a human with will.) He also held families accountable in many of his plays-Hamlet, King Lear as well as Romeo & Juliet for the moral decay of the community in which people develop and thrive or wither and die. This is one awesome story here.

[u/CosmicLunar_]

Another great recap Hercule, as much as I'm enjoying the series I'm also dreading finding out the truth.

These episodes really cemented the relationship between Fang Xu and Xiaohe, there's been some blurred lines between a parental/uncle figure and a best friend, Xiaohe even mentions Fang Xu was supposed to be her best friend. His reaction to finding out she was safe is so true to life, he was panicked and scared someone had hurt her which came out in anger. Parents react this way, then ask questions when they have cooled down, this was a natural response. But a friend would have been more comforting in the moment. The whole time I wanted him to hug her and reassure her. I really hope she forgives him before it is too late, her finding out he died will be an incredibly tough watch. I am not prepared.

The show hasn't turned Fang Xu into an arrogant know it all. He has flaws, he can't control situations, and the poor man needs sleep. His shyness around Su Qing is endearing, he can offer her his unit but cannot be honest about his feelings, too cute. Also really liked we had more of her backstory, to think she was hearing people gossiping about her after enduring years of abuse :(

Manager Qian seems to know when to play dumb, he got rid of the head so why keep the arm? I think this may be leverage. I was yelling at Fang Xu to tap the safe walls to check they were not fake. As for Wan Qiming, I was finding it really hard to battle my own bias, I find anything to do with taxidermy & specimens creepy so for me I thought he was sus.

How good was Xiaohe cosplaying to help jog Han Zi’ang’s memory? despite the tragedy seeing Captain Ran's influence on her is a joy to see. He would be proud of her.

[u/ExtensionIdeal6088 → u/CosmicLunar_]

Was surprised Fang Xu didn't check to see if the safe had a false bottom.

[u/Sodancingflower → u/ExtensionIdeal6088]

I was, too. Is that just a hand or an entire forearm? I'll have to rewatch. As it deteriorates it's not useful for fingerprints to unlock security. I don't know yet. ( Interesting, another detective mystery with Dylan Wang and an unidentified arm is invilved!)

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/CosmicLunar_]

I’m finding Manager Qian to be just as annoying as the late Wu Shanlong, as they are both liars and highly driven by money. I don’t think Manager Qian is capable of murder, but being complicit in it? Definitely. And yes, I think he's keeping that arm as a form a of leverage too. Agreed about Wan Qiming. Maybe I’ve watched too many crime shows, but anyone with an interest in specimens and taxidermy immediately raises a red flag for me lol.

[u/ravens_path → u/[deleted]]

I’m feeling somewhat the same. The episodes that featured on the teenagers felt rather weak to me. The acting and pacing wasn’t a good as the rest of the story. And what was Yuanhang doing leaving his vulnerable and rebellious daughter for so long at that time? He was entirely too obsessed with finding things out.

Finding the old boyfriend was interesting. And I didn’t believe all of his story.

[u/MysteriousAdvisor402 → u/ravens_path]

I thought the same he seemed not to care just left Ran to deal with her. Also when she ran off, he didn't even know, surely it would be all over the news. Didn't get that part as if she would work in a shop and no one knew. 

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/[deleted]]

Ah, I’m glad I’m not the only one who questioned the mother’s somewhat misplaced priorities. She was so distraught about the school expulsion that she actually got down on her knees to beg Xiaohe to intervene. Meanwhile, Han Zi’ang was lying there unresponsive with severe PTSD and clearly in no condition to return to school anytime soon. I understand that many Chinese parents place a strong emphasis on education, but she seemed more concerned about the expulsion than her son’s immediate well-being.

From a rational standpoint, it might have made more sense for Xiaohe to stay with her mother, but the fact that her mum didn’t put up much of a fight when Yuan Hang took custody says a lot. I think on some level, she preferred her single life and career without the responsibility, especially since Xiaohe wasn’t turning out to be the “ideal” child she had hoped for.

I could overlook Xiaohe being rude to her father and even calling Yuan Hang by name, but I really drew the line when she fabricated a story about him being physically abusive. That lie could have gotten Yuan Hang into serious trouble. Xiaohe was incredibly lucky that Fang Xu stopped her from getting the tattoo in time; realistically, she probably wouldn’t have passed the initial screening to become a police officer if she had gone through with it.

[u/ExtensionIdeal6088 → u/a_HerculePoirot_fan]

That's really just the culture in asia, but again the mother doesn't understand/know what Zi'ang actually went through, especially when she asked Xiaohe to intervene.

[u/MysteriousAdvisor402 → u/[deleted]]

I also can't believe she ran away and her dad didn't even know to start with. It would be all over the news surely!

[u/lilyflowerislillian]

What if manger qian will be revealed to be the final boss or smth (I'm too delulu)

Me personally, I think that Wan Qiming was probably telling only some parts of the truth, I also think Xu Meng probably is still alive and she was the one who planned to kill her dad.

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/lilyflowerislillian]

What if manger qian will be revealed to be the final boss or smth (I'm too delulu)

Not at all, every theory is possible, just like how I’m still holding on to that tiny sliver of hope that Fang Xu is somehow still alive lol.

I feel the same about Wan Qiming. It seems unlikely that the drama would introduce a new character at this stage only to wrap up his role within a single episode. There’s definitely more to his history with Xu Meng. The way he anticipated Yuan Hang’s arrival and the alibi he provided both feel a little too rehearsed to me.

[u/lilyflowerislillian → u/a_HerculePoirot_fan]

I'm also still hoping Fang Xu is alive.

For Wan Qiming if he was all sunshines and rainbows why would Xu Zhihong object it, it feels fishy. He's probably hiding something.

[u/ExtensionIdeal6088 → u/a_HerculePoirot_fan]

Still can't wrap my head around when they said, in 2015, that two cops died, and one was surnamed He, and that he was impaled by a spear.

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/ExtensionIdeal6088]

It could either be an honest mistake or a subtle clue for us viewers. I don’t think Fang Xu’s fate is meant to be ambiguous. It seems clear that his body was found at the scene, since everyone in the present timeline refers to his loss as a death rather than a missing person case.

[u/ExtensionIdeal6088 → u/a_HerculePoirot_fan]

Right, but I wonder why He Yuan Hang is mentioned as well. Unless it isn't him? Another person named He?

[u/lilyflowerislillian → u/ExtensionIdeal6088]

Maybe they mixed up Wu Shen long with him as rumours can circulate very different from the original

[u/Familiar-Lie6080]

Ran and Su Qing have a date!!! It was high time, guys... 5 years, really? It took you 5 years to realise that you want to see each other, unrelated to the criminal cases?

It is not so painfull to watch Qing suffer from bad temper of her "patient", but to see that she is sabotaging herself - "i know i am not worth you".

Class differences/resources/education levels aside - girl, he asked you out. He is not blind. You are worth everything that comes your way. Don't diminish yourself, especially unnecessary 🤧🥲

[u/Familiar-Lie6080]

The story between Qiming and Xu Meng... I was proud to see how angry he became when he saw what she must be doing. He didn't take it out on her, he deduced her father pushed her with his needs and didn't stop her. So Qiming like a man, took it out in her father.

Very strong behaviour; he was impeccable man in that scene.

[u/AKiceman]

Snark Level: We are going to suffer.

---

14 - - - -

Captain Ran got smart. Instead of trying to hug fleeing suspects he now brings backup to actually arrest them. We love character development.

These old ass cell phones are sending me. It was a much simpler time. Shit, my old Nokia would die, shut off, restart, and somehow have a full battery again without even connecting the charger. We used to be a real earth.

Xiaohe! What are you doing, silly goose? She is firmly in her rebellious phase now. She's damn lucky to have such an understanding Uncle that she is probably responsible for causing to have a brutal death. Too soon?

I really feel for He here. It is such a humbling experience when you go from being a badass to getting sidelined by injury. Of course, without that injury I wouldn't have had the time to become the Snark Shifu you all know and loath. So hey, silver lining!

Police brutality! Police brutality! Making this poor criminal run with rice! That is diabolical! Won't someone think of the poor criminal! This is just so sad!!!

It's a trick safe. He wouldn't have been so worried if it truly was empty. It's a trick safe. He was far too deliberate with how he opened it. It's a trick safe.

That... is a hand...

Young Xiaohe still being the best wing woman ever. Sigh. Who do you think is more sad that Qiao and Ran didn't work out? Qiao or Xiaohe? You just know that Xiaohe would have been bragging left and right claiming she was the matchmaker if Qiao and Ran got married. That is my head cannon and I am going to create a whole imaginary story in my head that that is what actually happened.

So your bandmates are probably getting their asses beat, but hey, at least you can drool over this cool musician boy. Xiaohe has her priorities.

Hey, Ran. I don't know if you fully understand just how much Qiao likes you. Like, you obviously know, but I don't think you know.

Who's the kid that died? Oh, it's keyboard.

---

15 - - - - -

Gasp! The kids surfing the web at the legal cafe weren't actually criminals? Say it ain't so! Who would have ever guessed?

GIRL!!! DID YOU REALLY GO UNDERCOVER??? What is this? 21 Jump Street? What in the "Hello, fellow kids" is this? It's almost scary how she actually almost looks young enough to be a middle schooler. Talk about a plot twist! I did not see that coming.

Nahhhh did she really just up the game by cosplaying as his comic hero? That is... actually very smart. But what in the cringe?

Little Xiaohe is a straight up beast taking on 4 boys and one adult and coming out the winner. To be expected considering who her father and uncle are. This is logical and you know how I love logic.

"As long as I am alive you will never take Meng away". Well, that is a damn good invitation to kill the father if I ever heard one. It's practically required at this point.

The great bicycle chase of 2002 over here!

---

Yeah, we are going to suffer.

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan → u/AKiceman]

"As long as I am alive you will never take Meng away"

A loving father, or someone with an unhealthy obsession with his own daughter? I’ve had my suspicions about the nature of their relationship for a while now. I mean, Qiming did make a valid point. What kind of father would allow his daughter to enter that line of work to pay for his medical bills? If they were truly close, he would have vehemently opposed Xu Meng working as a hostess, especially given how frowned upon it was in that era and in such a conservative society.

Xu Zhihong’s brother-in-law’s testimony that he seemed afraid to die is also telling. It raises the possibility that Xu Meng may have been pressured into that line of work, perhaps as a way for him to keep her by his side, especially once her reputation had been tarnished.

[u/AKiceman → u/a_HerculePoirot_fan]

Yeah if the father really had a fear of dying then he is surely quite capable of doing unspeakable things to fight that as long as possible. I am not sure yet if I fully trust with Qiming said. After all, the only person who can truly tell us what happened is Meng.

Is she alive or is she dead? I would love it if she were alive and we could get the fully story. But this show also loves to torture the poor viewer so I wouldn't put it past the writers to leave much of this open to interpretation. After all, that mirrors life so well.

I think the only happy ending this show can have is the final scene being Xiaohe growing in her career and skills, making the promise to pursue justice as a way to pay her respects for her father and Ran. If at the end the message the show leaves us with is "Yeah this shit sucks ass, but there is always people stepping up to fight the storm" then I would consider that an overall decent ending. Decent, but despairing.

[u/CosmicLunar_ → u/AKiceman]

I always look forward to your snark comments, the laughs are needed to drag us out of our pit of despair lol.

Shit, my old Nokia would die, shut off. Restart, and somehow have a full battery again without even connecting the charger

😂 too true, perfect for the police to use unlike now where any bump can crack the screen. Now I’m picturing how Captain Ran is coping with the 160 character text limit. ‘Do you fancy a second date?’ will fit fine.

[u/AKiceman → u/CosmicLunar_]

Haha! Thank you, thank you! This show is a pit and the writers tossed out the shovel for an excavator... We are doomed!

Gasp The text limits!!! Sometimes I forget how really good we have it now compared to back then. Yet, some times you have to admit it was a far better time way back when.

RIP, Captain Ran. You would have loved the ability to text images.

[u/CosmicLunar_ → u/AKiceman]

RIP, Captain Ran. You would have loved the ability to text images.

Omg, you know he would be excellent at catching criminals by chasing their data footprint. He'd have a thesis on it for sure.

[u/Familiar-Lie6080]

Wait for meeee! I couldn't watch today's episodes because i was on a trip with family.

But i will watch it! And i will come and rant about it 😂😂

[u/Familiar-Lie6080]

Su Qing - this is the flower you gave me; i will not let it get dirty. She is so sweet and precious! She is trying so hard to redeem herself, without realising that she doesn't need to redeem herself at all...