Original subtitles

(To Ye Haitang)

Yu Nian.

Thank you.

You may leave.

Is it from your dad?

(Tang Yixun)

Is your dad named Tang Yixun?

=Twelve Letters=

=Episode 9= (If...)

How is it? Are you cold?

Help me up.

I can't even stand up.

I'm frozen stiff.

Frozen stiff?

You insisted on coming.

What if you catch a cold,

or get scared?

Indeed. I might catch a cold.

But I get scared?

Impossible.

I've seen everything.

We've waited all night,

yet nothing comes

from the mailbox.

What does Yu Nian mean?

What's the wrong with this mailbox?

So spooky.

Look.

Nothing.

It doesn't occur every night.

Depends on the situation.

Listen to me.

You go back first.

I'll keep watch for you.

I'll tell you once letters come.

Then you come back.

Well...

I'll go take a nap.

Message me anytime.

Give out missing person notices tomorrow.

Three hundred.

Okay.

Keep watch.

A stray cat?

What's that noise?

It occurs.

I told you.

Are you okay?

Shen Cheng.

We got a reply.

What does it mean?

(My kid, let's go to Shiqiao today. For fish cakes.)

Are you sure

only you and your mom knew that phrase?

Yes.

Which means

that must be Ye Haitang from 1991.

Yes.

My mom is still alive.

She lives in the year 1991 over there.

300 missing person notices

were all

posted up.

Exhausted.

Listen up.

When I came back,

that woman was still there.

Listen,

your friend

is really something.

She's pregnant,

but not fragile at all.

Though she likes to brag,

claiming she's bold.

But when the letter came,

she passed out from fright.

Passed out?

Is she okay?

Is the baby alright?

Yes. I took her to the hospital.

The doctor said...

Are you sure?

She just got scared. Okay.

The baby is fine.

Are you crazy?

Why tell others about this matter?

What do you mean?

Aren't we in the same team?

Shen...

Shen Cheng!

What's wrong with him?

Why slammed the door?

Weren't you calling us

scammers?

Now you're worried about leaks?

How ridiculous!

Why slammed the door?

Where's your manners?

My mom says it would get bad luck!

Enough.

Mind your manners.

Don't blame him.

What's wrong?

Is he your boss?

His mom's gone.

Where to?

She's passed away.

Don't blame him.

Dead?

I'm sorry.

I'm really sorry.

I didn't know.

Why didn't you tell me?

I noticed he was acting different.

Losing his mom must be heartbroken.

Alright. Stop it.

Wait,

we just received a letter.

19 years old.

That must be his mom.

Cheng.

Don't be sad.

Come out.

She's still alive.

She's living in the other world.

Stop it.

Come out and discuss

how to reply the letter.

(Avoid him now.)

What does it mean?

(He'll put you in danger.) He'll put you in danger?

Give me.

I'll write.

Give me the letter!

Shen Cheng!

What?

Shen Cheng, explain yourself!

That letter isn't just yours.

Calm down.

Shen Cheng!

Careful.

Stop!

Careful.

Shen Cheng!

Keep your voice down.

Ma'am.

Don't provoke him.

Let him write what he wants.

Don't delay important matters.

(Police)

This is where you used to live.

Do you remember?

Yes.

I used to live here.

We went to investigate.

Some old neighbors

remember your current father.

He returned a year before you moved.

A year before?

That's him, right?

That's my father when he was young.

His name is Tang Yixun.

In 1991,

he was imprisoned for manslaughter.

Due to good behavior,

he was transferred to

Yu Zhiyong's prison for hit-and-run.

They became cellmates

and grew very close.

Later, Yu Zhiyong

fell ill

and died in prison.

I think he received

Yu Zhiyong's dying wish

to go to your hometown

and care for you and your grandma.

Just...

Just because of a dying wish?

This seems the most likely reason.

But first, we need to find him.

We found his identity.

That simplifies things.

We'll contact you

once we have updates.

Okay?

This mailbox stays,

while people come and go.

Everyone who sits here freezes up.

Bro.

Put this on.

You'll catch a cold.

Yu Nian told me everything.

Sorry to hear that.

I don't know how to comfort you.

You must have

gone through a lot.

I won't ask further

to spare you more distress.

Go back soon.

It's freezing.

Do you know Yu Zhiyong?

Do you know Yu Zhiyong?

Fairly well.

We interacted for months.

What kind of person is he?

He?

An old man.

An old folk.

He sat here every day.

Quite stubborn.

Just like you.

He brought me steamed buns twice.

I think

he's a good person.

It's freezing.

You should go back soon.

Bye-bye.

(Ye Haitang's personal information)

(Middle school, Dropout)

He sat by the mailbox all night.

Just sat there wide-eyed.

I worried he'd freeze.

How do you guys handle the cold so well?

I'll go check on him.

He doesn't let me reply now.

What if he gets a reply?

I'll join him.

Coming.

Coming.

You'll break the door.

Bro.

Got a reply?

Freezing cold?

Thank you.

No problem.

Where to?

What happened?

Leaving now?

He just left?

How could he just leave?

Wait.

Where are you going?

I'll follow him.

Police only tells him

about updates.

I need

to follow him.

He doesn't tell you?

He's immediate family.

I'm at a disadvantage now.

Inform Miaomiao for me.

I'm leaving Beixing to you.

Leave it to you, Quan.

I'm leaving.

You got this!

Wait...

You...

Leave it to me?

Can I handle it?

Well...

Such a huge responsibility.

I'll handle it.

This time,

why did you come back?

I know your concerns.

I have one goal,

to find my dad.

If he's done something wrong,

I won't protect him.

My mom's resume shows

she quit senior year

and didn't take the college exam.

I'll find people

who knew about this.

Which year?

The year Tang Yixun committed the crime.

Did you find anyone?

(Unknown caller)

Hello.

Hello.

Are you Ye Haitang's son?

This is Tan Xin.

Ye Haitang

was hindered by that case.

Tang Yixun's case?

Ye Haitang was involved too?

The town had all kinds of rumors.

Some said

Tang Yixun killed for Ye Haitang.

Others claimed

Ye Haitang did the killing,

and Tang Yixun took the blame for her.

Anyway,

I'm certain

Tang Yixun

would never harm Ye Haitang.

Why are you so certain?

They were my students.

When Tang Yixun was in prison,

he wrote me a letter.

Said he couldn't burden Ye Haitang anymore,

or tarnish her life further.

He begged me to help her retake the twelfth grade.

Make sure she can get into college

and leave Meiwan safely.

After she got into college,

then we lost contact.

Well,

about that case,

do you recall any other details?

Time.

It should be

November,

around the end of the month,

30th.

Do you know the deceased's name?

Someone mentioned his name.

But it sounded unfamiliar to me.

So I forgot over time.

My apologies.

Don't mind it.

Please think carefully

if there is anyone else

who was close to them.

For example,

friends, family members,

or classmates from their class.

Anything.

Anything.

Whatever works.

Xun

was an orphan.

He had a buddy named Zhang Hao since childhood.

I saw him a few years ago.

Not sure if he's still in Pushui.

His contact...

Yes.

Do you have it?

Well, I need to look for it

when I get home.

I'll send it to you if found.

Great, thank you.

Thank you.

Grandma!

Grandma!

Xixi.

Xixi is here.

You got a red flower award?

Look, Grandma.

Hello, you two.

Hello.

- Mom. - Son.

This is my son.

Hello.

Miss Tan,

sorry for taking up your time.

Thank you.

Not at all.

Here's our address

and our contacts.

Right.

If you recall anything else

or find Zhang Hao's contacts,

please tell us.

Contact us anytime.

Okay.

- Anytime. - Okay.

I will.

Thank you.

- Bye. - Thanks.

Let's go, Xixi.

Let's go.

Now you know my dad isn't a bad person?

It doesn't matter anymore.

I want to know

what they went through back then

that they became like this.

If everything hadn't happened,

would it have been different?

(Ye Haitang.)

(I'm your son Shen Cheng.)

(I don't know how to describe my feeling now,)

(or explain what's happening.)

(But please believe what I say.)

(In 2026,)

(something terrible happened.)

(I want to know in 1991,)

(if you are doing well.)

(Is there someone named Tang Yixun around you?)

(Whatever your relationship is,)

(please)

(avoid him now.)

(He'll put you in danger.)

(Believe me, Mom.)

My son?

You have a son?

Why am I involved?

Why must you avoid me?

Why did he say I'd put you in danger?

How is that possible?

What does it mean?

Wait, who is this person anyway?

Why should we believe him?

He claims he's your son...

Your son's surname is Shen?

So his dad is also a Shen.

Who's his father then?

Shen Xiaojun?

Impossible.

You and Shen Xiaojun are at odds.

How is that possible?

Wait, where am I?

Am I dead?

Impossible.

If I had died,

I wouldn't write you a love letter.

They wouldn't write

to let you avoid me.

Wait.

Let's calm down.

The letter says

your son's surname is Shen, Shen Cheng.

Told you to avoid me,

I'd put you in danger.

Why would we believe his words?

Didn't you say

only you and your mom knew that phrase?

Right.

Look, the handwriting matches.

So this was written by Shen Cheng.

But there's no way

anyone else knows this.

I didn't even tell my grandma.

Wait, does this mean

Yu Nian is your mother?

My mom is Wu Fengying.

Wait, this is so confusing.

None of these names match up.

They mentioned someone earlier...

Yu Zhiyong.

Who's this Yu Zhiyong?

No idea.

Then why did they

write these letters?

Told you to avoid me,

and I'd put you in danger?

What would happen

to us in 2026

has anything to do with us now?

Put this inside.

Tang.

Tang.

The test papers...

It's fine.

Just test papers. Let them be.

What's wrong?

This house

leaks every time it rains.

Xun.

It's okay. Really.

I'll rewrite them.

Tang.

I'm sorry.

Nothing.

It's no big deal.

I thought about it all night.

I must've done something wrong.

Nonsense.

Think about it.

If I did nothing wrong,

I'd be by your side

and they wouldn't make you leave me.

Don't overthink it.

We don't know what's happening.

Tang, I mean...

If one day,

I really put you in danger,

just run away if you can.

Time apart is nothing.

If I'm alive,

I'll come find you.

You won't.

Once we figure this out,

we'll be safe.

Let's tidy up first.

Tang.

I'll get more tarp from the market.

I'll go with you.

The mailbox?

Where's it?

Sir.

Sir.

Where's the mailbox?

Mailbox?

Isn't it there?

- It's gone. - It's gone!

Probably washed away.

What?

Xun!

No, no!

Kid, get back here!

Be careful. It's dangerous!

Xun, come up here!

Tang, don't get down!

Come up! Forget the mailbox!

Xun, come up now!

Xun, come up here!

- Come up! - Xun!

Just let it be.

Why risk your life for it?

Tang.

Be careful, Xun.

Careful.

I'll go look for it.

It's raining heavily.

Don't go out.

I need to find that mailbox.

How can I reply without it?

Why did the mailbox

suddenly vanish?

It's raining heavily.

It's an accident.

But the mailbox vanished!

I have to ask them

why they told you to avoid me

and what dangers you might be in.

I know nothing!

Xun.

We can't figure out what happens

with just some words.

Let's go look for it tomorrow.

We won't be apart.

Never.

Okay.

I'll look for it tomorrow.

Every day.

Meiwan is not that big.

I believe I can find it.

The Billiards is ready.

And Cha is back on his feet.

Why doesn't Bao

leave you alone?

What did Qiang tell you that day?

You still go collect debts for them?

As long as we don't work for them,

they can't control us.

Cha.

The rain's stopped.

Take Zhenzhu home.

Don't come over lately.

Tell Xun the same.

We're different from them.

We can still avoid them.

Go.

(Buddies Billiards)

Qiang, the door is locked.

No one's there.

This sign can only fool you.

You idiots.

(Temporarily Closed)

Fine.

Li Chadong.

Got guts.

Qiang.

They're trying to defy us.

Granny, I will restock for you later.

Alright.

Did Cha contact you?

What should we do?

Just listen to him.

Don't go over there lately.

If you see Qiang or Fat Dog,

avoid them.

Avoid them?

For how long?

Shut down both the Billiards and video parlor?

If we don't,

we'd just earn money for them.

Better do manual labor

than that,

right?

What a curse

to encounter those scumbags.

We can't even

get rid of them.

Get rid of them?

Just smashing them.

Alright.

Xun.

You go back to school.

I'll help Zhenzhu and Granny

with the sweet soup shop.

Let's get busy.

Things will be okay soon.

Okay.

I hope it didn't hit you.

Hai.

Girl.

Tell Rat and the others

to be cautious.

Otherwise,

I don't know what's in these bottles

next time.

Reading?

What do you want?

Get out.

Reading?

What do you want?

Take it easy.

Calm down, guys.

What's

going on here?

Sorry, sir.

We're friends with the cashier girl.

We came to buy books.

What's wrong?

Not welcoming me?

I'm your friend?

I don't know you at all.

What?

We're your boyfriend's buddies!

Leave now, or I'll call the police.

Can't I buy books here?

Is it against the law?

Come on.

Go ahead.

Tang! Tang!

Let go.

Let go.

Right.

Hey, here.

Buy some cigarettes.

Here.

Here.

Here.

Bro, here.

Buy your buddies cigarettes.

Sorry.

She is new here.

Come over.

Come over.

Look, he's

really good at it.

Call the police?

Let me tell you.

I've got plenty of time.

I can play with you every day.

Look, are these books

interesting?

Get something more exciting.

Okay? Tell me.

Yes.

Say it.

Yes.

I can't hear you!

Yes. Yes.

Good.

Call the police.

Buy books.

Fat Dog.

Let's go.

Like this one?

What are you staring at?

Want to get beaten?

Sir.

I'm sorry.

Don't believe them.

I truly don't know them.

You shouldn't mess

with them.

I'm sorry.

Tang.

It's a small bookstore.

My wife and Hu live here.

I-I believe you.

But I can't mess with them.

They are barbarians.

Well, listen.

I-I'll

give you this month's salary early.

Take all of it.

You...

Should...

Should...

Focus on your studies.

I'm sorry.

Thank you, sir.

Thanks for taking care of me.

Sorry for causing you trouble.

I'm leaving.

Tang.

Why are you here?

Aren't you working?

I just came back.

What's up?

Xun, is something wrong at the Billiards?

What do you mean?

Tang.

Did you hear some rumors?

Some punks caused trouble at the bookstore today.

Punks?

Know their names?

I don't know.

Never seen them.

They came for you?

Said they'll keep coming

as long as I'm there.

I know who they are.

Xun.

Are you in some kind of trouble?

Tell me.

We don't want to work for Bao.

They want to take over the Billiards,

and Cha didn't agree.

I've been worried they'd cause trouble.

I was wondering with Rat

why they didn't make a move.

So they came to you.

Those scumbags!

Xun! Xun!

Xun, calm down!

Calm down.

They're trying to provoke you with this.

Don't fall for it.

I can't put you in trouble.

I won't.

They don't dare to come to school.

If they dare,

I'll call the police.

You finally get on the right track.

Don't ruin it because of me.

Promise me. Okay?

Promise me.

Please.

Don't worry.

I won't act rashly.

From now on,

I go wherever you go.

I'll protect you.

Okay.

(Temporarily Closed)

Cha.

You're finally back.

Why are you here?

When we came,

we saw this sign.

The door was locked.

I was so worried about you,

so we waited here.

If you are in trouble,

we couldn't explain to Bao.

You're Bao's favorite buddies.

Perfect.

Tell Bao this when you go back.

I'm closing the Billiards.

You think you can just quit?

What do you mean?

Nothing.

It's Bao's decision to make.

Let's take it easy

and not push us too hard.

Cha, I'm just delivering messages.

Since you said so,

I'll tell Bao about it.

Cha.

You know Miss Tan pretty well, right?

What do you want?

Nothing.

Come on.

I just want to ask

if Miss Tan is single.

Bao has been

worried no one

likes Fat Dog.

Miss Tan is great.

Young, in good shape,

gentle,

and kind...

If you target her,

I'll kill you.

It doesn't matter,

but there are so many of us here.

You only have two eyes.

Can you monitor us all?

Good.

We're buddies, right?

Don't stay so hot-headed.

Give me a hug.

Much better.

Go back.

We're going back.

Don't stay up late.

Let's go.

Exhausted.

What?

They went to the bookstore?

Right.

Ye Haitang can't even work part-time now.

Do you think

they'll go to Zhenzhu

or Granny?

Cha,

if this continues,

Zhenzhu and Tang will both be in danger.

You think Tan Xin is safe?

They went to Miss Tan?

Those scumbags!

Cha.

We can't just sit here.

We have to do something.

Say something!

Can you be quiet?

I'll handle it.

Let me think.

Okay?

It's okay.

Don't worry. I come frequently.

I'll keep a close eye on it.

Good.

This can be sold for money.

What are you doing?

Who are you?

Who are you then?

Security.

Well,

we're scheduled

for demolition here next week.

We need to clear it out now.

No one informed you?

Quan. Quan.

Can you hear me?

Go find Sun Miaomiao now.

She has connections.

Anyway,

keep the mailbox for me, okay?

Any papers?

Our superiors didn't give us.

We require official papers.

It's the regulation.

(Yuetu 205)

Coming.

Who are you?

You're Tang Yixun's daughter?

Yes.

And you are?

Rat.

You're Zhang Hao?

♪If I think of you three times♪

♪The dark clouds will part a little♪

♪When sunny spring days arrive♪

♪We'll meet again♪

♪If I think of you thirty times♪

♪The stars won't fade anymore♪

♪When sunny spring days arrive♪

♪We'll meet again♪

♪I'll think of you three hundred times♪

♪Then storms and winds will cease♪

♪If we hold on until that day♪

♪We'll love without restraint♪

♪In the new world♪

♪Having thought this way a thousand times♪

♪This sorrowful planet♪

♪Has turned halfway again♪

♪When sunny spring days arrive♪

♪We'll meet again♪