Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

Pengchao,

we've already

made arrangements for Pengzhan's and Pengxiang's offices

as per your instructions.

We've already installed the cameras as well.

[Chasing the Undercurrent]

[Punish those who commit crimes and make mistakes so as to discipline them, and execute those]

[who violate the prohibitions so as to terrify would-be violators. -Guanzi, Ban Fa]

[Episode 11]

Alright, I got it.

I'll return immediately.

You have a sinecure indeed.

You didn't even need to get on the rostrum.

Didn't I tell you already?

This is pretty good.

Aunt Han.

Zheng?

What are you doing here?

I'm looking for a friend.

Let me introduce him to you.

This is...

I know him.

How come you two know each other?

It's a long story.

He's Pengchao of Changwu.

Of course I know him.

Aunt Han, you guys can continue. I'll take my leave.

Wait, Zheng.

I heard about what happened to you before this.

Back then, I was still in the province.

Your mother didn't explain herself clearly

when I called her.

What exactly happened?

It's nothing.

It's all in the past now.

Really?

Yeah.

You need to tell us if you're troubled.

Don't make me and your mother worried.

Alright.

Don't worry.

I'll take my leave first.

Okay.

See you.

Mom,

since when did you get another son

outside?

You mean Chang Zheng?

He's the son of Aunt Lin.

I watched over him as he grew up.

I'm used to him calling me Aunt Han.

She actually has a son who's this old?

How could I not know about that?

Why should you know?

It has nothing to do with you anyway.

It's been so long since I've met Aunt Lin.

Next time,

we should have a meal together with them.

We can talk about that next time.

I have to go.

I have a meeting to attend.

Goodbye.

Pengchao,

a female cop tried

to inquire about me at Dongwan Wharf today.

Did she manage to acquire some intel?

No.

Alright.

Just tell her what she wants to know.

Qiu Tao?

I've been

looking for an opportunity

to treat you to a meal

as thanks.

Are you free?

No thanks.

Pengchao told me to send the video to you.

If you wish to thank someone,

thank him.

If you hadn't filmed the video,

I would have no way to explain myself.

Is the person who filmed the video that important?

Of course.

But Pengchao, you see,

right after you returned from overseas,

the entire Tieshi Mining Group

is going through a reformation.

I think

I have

to rely on you in the future.

Just like what I've said,

I hope

this is a good start to your bond with the Zhao family.

But it seems like I still have to wait.

Say, you and Niannian had been working together

for so many years.

Didn't she tell you

that I have OCD?

Do you have OCD?

Yeah.

This bad habit has haunted me

for many years.

It's not that serious,

but it's not something to be taken lightly.

I won't die from this,

but this condition

cannot be cured.

Mainly, I can't deal with it.

You've been abroad for a long time.

Have you found any medicine

that could cure my OCD?

If it can cure my condition,

maybe I won't need to keep an eye on the Zhao family anymore.

I heard from other people

that medicine

isn't compulsory to treat this condition.

I have plenty of friends who are doctors.

There are plenty of ways to cure it.

That's great.

Tell your friends

that they can use any treatment

on me.

I'll thank you

if they can cure my condition.

Sure.

I'll recommend them to you next time.

Qiu,

he's trying to buy you a meal here.

Don't let him down.

Just look at Pengchao.

He's so understanding.

The dishes are here.

Let's eat.

That's it?

This is my wine of gratitude.

I think

you're not trying to express your gratitude here.

What exactly are you up to?

If you must say so,

I guess this is an excuse to meet up with you.

I have other questions for you.

Tell me then.

What do you want to know?

Actually,

I'm

an avid bird lover as well.

Why are you laughing?

I called you here today

so that we could

communicate

and learn from each other.

We can exchange our experiences.

Don't you think so?

In the future, we can take pictures of birds together.

If that's the case, you should tell me

what kind of equipment I need

before I start to take pictures of them.

Zhao Pengxiang!

What are you doing?

You darned cripple!

Speak!

Did you deceive me again?

Since when did I deceive you?

I know I'm not as intelligent as you.

But a stingy cripple like you

is actually

taking out all of your money?

You're taking out all of your assets, huh?

Do you take me for a fool?

I told you before.

I'm trying to expand the production line here.

Stop tricking me.

Tell me.

Tell me!

Are you and Pengchao trying to trick me here?

I'm donating my own money.

I'm not asking you to donate yours.

How can I trick you?

You never do things without purpose.

I understand now.

Are you getting something out of it?

The more you invest,

the more you earn, huh?

If so, you two should share some of it with me.

We're brothers, right? Don't treat me like an outsider.

Why are you two so stingy?

There's nothing in it for me.

I swear to God.

We're not trying to trick you.

Zhao Pengzhan,

I'm talking to you in a nice way.

If you don't tell me the truth,

I'll stop being nice to you.

Fine, I'll tell you.

I'll be honest with you.

I embezzled the company's fund.

Pengchao found out.

He instructed me to return the fund to the company

in the name of investment.

You darned cripple.

So, you were embezzling our fund?

Why must you be so greedy?

You're a useless fool!

Hit me then.

Continue.

Hit me.

Beat me to death!

What's wrong with being greedy?

What's wrong with being greedy?

Listen.

I already thought of dying

on the day I became a cripple.

Now, I've lost all of my fortunes too.

In the future,

no one will take care of me or hold a funeral for me.

What's the point of living?

Just kill me.

Just kill me already!

What's wrong?

You don't dare to do it?

Look at you guys.

Your limbs are still intact.

And you're rich.

In the future, your children

will take care of you.

But me?

What do I have?

If I wasn't greedy...

Would you take care of me if I wasn't greedy?

Pengxiang,

we aren't enemies.

We are brothers

who grew up together.

Think about it.

Every single penny

the Zhao family had earned

came from our effort.

Every single land

the Zhao family had owned

was conquered by us!

What has Pengchao done for the family?

Now that Dad is in trouble,

it's the best time

for us to realize our ambition.

What gives him the right?

What gives Pengchao the right

to harvest our fruits of labor after his return?

Pengxiang,

Pengchao

has almost broken all of our limbs.

As long as the Zhao family requires brawn,

Pengchao will never get rid of me.

He has plenty of men under him.

You mean nothing to him.

Both you and Pengchao are excellent at mind games.

But you?

You're penny wise, pound foolish.

Pengzhan,

Pengchao is much greedier than you.

He wants everything.

He's even trying

to whitewash the Zhao family here.

But who will deal

with the dirty

and tiring affairs

during the process?

It's me.

Dad.

Is everything ready?

Yes.

Pengzhan is the next president.

Pengxiang is the chairman.

What about you?

I'll be the legal advisor.

You're governing the company behind the blinds, huh?

Isn't it great?

They don't need to do anything.

They can make money leisurely.

Are you serious about this?

Although we don't have the same mother,

we have the same father.

I admit that I've abandoned many women.

But your mother was different.

She requested a divorce of her own accord.

It's because

she always knew what she desired.

She thought I was the obstacle

in her way.

But I heard from other people

that Mom requested a divorce

because you had illegitimate sons outside the family.

You had three of them.

Yeah.

Each says he is right.

You can trust whoever you like.

I've sent two of them to you.

Let me experience it.

Let me learn from this,

okay?

It's different indeed.

This is a random question.

Say,

if you're a bird, what bird will you be?

What bird will I be?

I don't think I'll be a good bird.

I think so too.

In your opinion, what bird will I be?

In my opinion,

you'll be a falcon.

A falcon?

Is it the one

that looks like an eagle?

Falcons and eagles

have the best vision in the world.

However, falcons are the fastest birds

in the world.

Its prey

will usually be dead

before

it can react to the falcon's attack.

Also,

falcons are skeptical.

That's what you call asking for trouble.

That's what you call being sharp.

Since you're

a bird expert yourself,

and you like them so much,

what kind of bird will you be?

A myna.

Myna?

I'm just a chauffeur.

If my master likes mynas,

I have to like them too.

I saw my mother today.

I thought you already saw her yesterday?

She asked about your condition.

What did you tell her?

I said you had a stroke

and that you were dying.

She was happy with it.

I can imagine the looks on her face.

Dad,

why does Chang Zheng

address my mother as

Aunt Han?

What's so strange about that?

Back then,

your mother

and Lin Bai

lived in the same county town.

Their parents were great friends.

Lin Bai started living in your mother's house

after she got into a middle school in Changwu.

Think about it.

They grew up

together.

To be honest, they're very close to each other.

It's fine. Don't support me.

[Fullsing Town]

You...

You may look like

you can hold your liquor well,

but I was wrong about you.

This can't do.

Come.

Let's head to another place later.

I'll arrange for it,

okay?

Are you not impressed?

I'm impressed.

Where are you staying?

I'll send you back.

Where else can I stay?

I'm living under another person's roof.

I'm staying at Zhaojiawei.

Isn't Zhaojiawei a good place?

Listen,

we're not done drinking yet.

You're right.

Here.

Hey, why are you throwing up on my car?

I just washed it, you know?

He's drunk.

If so,

you should get another cab.

Don't get into my car.

Who do you think you're talking to?

Of course it's you. What's wrong with that?

How dare you hit me?

Listen up!

What?

I'll take your cab today.

Will you send me home or not?

No!

What can you do about it?

Listen up!

If you don't

send me back to Zhaojiawei,

I'll wreck your car!

Zhaojiawei?

You guys are from the Zhao family?

Let's go then.

Come on.

Let's go.

Let's go.

The Zhao family cannot be trifled with.

We can drink next time.

Oh, come on.

I have to work tomorrow.

Drive safely.

Go now.

How much did you drink?

Get me some water.

Fine.

I got some pictures

from Qiu Tao's phone.

Later, you can compare them with pictures from the Internet.

See if he was the one who took these pictures.

This towel isn't warm enough.

Make it warm for me.

Say, Captain Chang,

I'm your subordinate,

not your servant.

Can you do things

one step at a time?

What kind of attitude is this?

So, you exported all these pictures?

What's wrong?

When it comes to work,

you have to overcome all difficulties,

understood?

You should go and export the pictures.

Why are you acting smug

over a small thing like this?

Chao.

Did you have a drink with him?

I did.

Have some tea.

Chang Zheng kept trying to get me drunk.

He underestimated me.

But you made him think that you were drunk.

Didn't you say that I shouldn't

let him get his hands on the pictures easily?

If not, he won't believe that they're valid.

What else did you guys talk about?

Nothing else.

We only talked about birds.

I think

Chang Zheng

is just an ordinary cop.

Is it worth it for us to waste so much time

on him?

It's worth it.

Alright then.

I won't comment on it.

I'll head to sleep now.

You should rest early too.

[Changwu City PSB Binxi Branch]

How was it?

These pictures

were not found anywhere else.

Maybe he did take those pictures after all.

That's what it looks like.

You drank a lot with him.

Couldn't you tell

if he was a true bird lover?

He

understands the animal very well.

He talked non-stop

when I brought up the topic.

I couldn't question him.

It seems like we cannot depend on him.

So, where should we investigate next?

Let me think about it.

Let me think about it.

Delete the pictures once you're done exporting them.

Why the rush?

These pictures look great.

Are you afraid that these birds

might come to life and peck you?

Just delete them when you're done.

Stop shaking my phone.

Stop messing around.

[Niannian]

Resume your work.

Hello?

My dear Deputy Chief Chang,

when do you plan to meet me?

If you don't meet me soon,

I'll fly away.

I just finished my work.

What about now?

No need for that.

I was just kidding.

I can't bear for you

to travel back and forth.

Your mother told me

to join her for lunch tomorrow.

Are you joining us?

Of course.

I have to be there.

Okay.

See you tomorrow then.

Okay.

[Mom]

I know.

We're having lunch together, right?

Can you let me speak?

Please go on.

What exactly are you busy with?

Did you forget about Nian?

I know that.

We could understand why you weren't here

since you were a wanted criminal before this.

But now, your innocence has been proven.

You're still not willing to come back?

I know

why Nian

rushed back from Australia.

She's afraid that her relationship with you might go south

after being separated for a long time.

I was just too busy with work.

I have no choice.

I'm not finding an excuse here.

Stop using work as your excuse.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow,

you must come back

and meet up with Nian.

Express your stand

and put her mind at ease.

I can't rush that.

I have to prepare myself first.

Cut the crap.

I'm making the call here.

Do you have an appointment tomorrow?

My mother wants me to have lunch with her.

I'll head back now.

Write the report for me.

I might

have to drink again tomorrow.

[Slap yourself when you don't feel like studying.]

♫ Have you heard of it? ♫

♫ There's a flower ♫

♫ That blooms at the edge of dawn ♫

[Do not forget me.]

[Let's head to the park this weekend.]

♫ Climbing the tall mountains ♫

♫ If I could reach there ♫

♫ I would have picked it for you ♫

[Chang Zheng, I'll go abroad soon.]

[Will you wait for me?]

[Of course I will.]

♫ The setting sun is just like a painting ♫

[Chang Zheng,]

♫ Your weathered back ♫

[I might only return]

[after two more years.]

♫ Many riddles are yet unsolved ♫

[Will you be angry at me?]

[So what if I'm angry at you?]

[It's fine.]

[Your studies are more important. I'll wait for you.]

♫ Have you heard of it? ♫

♫ There's a flower ♫

♫ That blooms at the edge of dawn ♫

[Why haven't you written to me for the past few days?]

[You didn't reply to my messages]

[or answer my calls. What's going on?]

♫ Climbing the tall mountains ♫

[I've been busy with work lately.]

[I'm sorry.]

♫ If I could reach there ♫

[But look.]

[Your call will surely be replied to.]

♫ I would have picked it for you ♫

[I'm replying to you right now, aren't I?]

[It's because I'm your Niannian.]

Nian,

anyway, you have to help me out if I'm involved

in a lawsuit in the future.

What are you thinking about?

A lawsuit?

What trouble did you get into?

Zheng is here.

Niannian.

Mom, I'll bring it there.

You look dashing today.

Is that so?

Nian, you don't need to lower your volume.

I heard everything.

What did you hear?

She said Zheng looked dashing today.

Let me do it.

It's done.

Pass it to me.

Great timing.

Let's eat.

Nian, have a seat.

Nian, have a seat.

We're finally having a meal together after so long.

Let's not drink too much today.

This liquor is excellent.

Here, Nian.

Let's not drink too much.

Okay.

Niannian,

I would like to express my gratitude to you.

Zheng was only rid of his suspicions

all thanks to you.

Here.

Let me offer you a toast.

Zheng.

Thank you, Madam.

Nian, let me offer you a toast.

Cheers.

-Here, Zheng. -To Nian.

Eat up.

Here.

Thank you, Madam.

Actually, I didn't do much.

It's all Zhao Pengchao's contribution.

Am I right,

Chang Zheng?

Yeah.

Why don't we offer Zhao Pengchao a toast?

Zheng,

let me offer you a toast.

It's been so long since we met.

You can even take baijiu now?

You're getting better at drinking.

Niannian,

you lived abroad for many years.

Are you still used to having Chinese cuisine?

Of course.

Madam, your cooking is still as excellent as always.

If you like them,

you can visit us every day.

I'll make something different for you

every day.

You should visit us when you're free.

Mom's happy

when she gets to cook for you,

right?

You don't say?

I would've stayed here

if it weren't for the fact

that I was busy with work after returning here.

If your mother didn't pass away when you were young

and you didn't head to Australia to live with your father,

you would've been able

to enjoy my cooking

for many years.

Precisely.

Nian,

you should visit us often in the future.

The more, the merrier.

Am I right, Zheng?

Niannian,

what plans do you have after returning here?

I've already passed

the local bar examination.

You passed?

That's great.

Which law firm will you work for?

Zhao Pengchao is the legal advisor

of his family's company.

He intends to hire me.

Tieshi Mining Group?

Nian,

you have great taste.

That's the largest enterprise

in Changwu.

Nian, here.

Let me offer you a toast.

Please do not forget me when you make it rich.

Bottoms up.

Don't drink so much.

Niannian,

regarding Tieshi Mining Group,

their company is facing many issues.

It's best if you don't join them.

Don't worry.

Don't forget about my profession.

I can deal with them.

I'm not saying that you cannot deal with them.

You see, the issues they're facing

are very complicated.

I'm afraid you'll be implicated.

Then,

where else can I go

if I don't go there?

What are you saying?

Do you think you won't be able to survive

in Changwu without working for the Zhao family?

There are plenty of law firms here.

I'll introduce some to you.

I know you're prejudiced against the Zhao family.

But Zhao Pengchao lived abroad for many years.

I know him well.

He won't get himself involved

with the company's affairs.

You think you know him well.

How well do you know him?

They're siblings.

They come from the same family.

How could he not get in touch with them?

Chang Zheng,

I know you hate them

because of the incident with Mr. Chang...

So,

Nian, Zheng,

the dishes are getting cold.

Let's dig in.

Mom, am I right?

Mom, let's eat.

In my opinion,

the workplace doesn't matter.

Most importantly, it mustn't affect

the relationship between you two.

Am I right, Chang Zheng?

Zheng,

say something.

Yeah.

That's right.

Mom, here.

Let me offer you a toast.

Mom, me too.

Here, Niannian.

Niannian,

why don't I

send you back?

No need for that.

I already booked a cab.

I'm heading back to the company.

I'll make a move first.

Alright.

[Changwu City PSB Binxi Branch]

What's wrong?

Did something go wrong with the family lunch?

It went smoothly.

It was pretty good.

Oh.

Yan,

did Xiao Chen take you around

Zhao Pengcheng's office

when you went to his place?

I did mention it to him.

But the person with the keys to his office already left the company that day.

I didn't manage to visit his office.

You didn't manage to visit his office?

Let's go and take a look then.

Both of us?

Don't you know how much

Xiao Chen hates you?

If you go there,

I don't know

if he'll cooperate with us.

Why did you think I asked you to join me?

What do you mean by that?

We're in a complicated situation.

It's better for him to hate me on the surface

than to stab me in the back.

Come on.

Let's go.

Let's go.

[Changwu City People's Procuratorate]

So,

Xiao Chen...

Scram.

Xiao Chen.

Tell me something.

Why are all of you defending him?

Not only you,

but Deputy Director Xiao is also doing the same.

Even if this guy right here has been cleared of his suspicions,

logically speaking,

he shouldn't be involved

with the Zhao family's case anymore.

This arrangement was made by our superiors.

Listen,

don't try to pressure me with our superiors.

We're doing this to solve the case.

Solve the case?

Fine.

Chang Zheng, tell me

what you're trying to investigate here.

You were the one who investigated my mentor as a criminal back then.

Now, you're investigating him as if he's an innocent person.

No matter if my mentor was a criminal or not,

I'm sure you could claim credits for it.

You're able to achieve success one way or another, huh?

Xiao Chen,

what's with that attitude of yours?

It's my fault.

You see,

this is my fault.

I can understand

why you're angry at me.

It's normal.

You can reprimand me if you're upset.

It's fine. I'll take it.

However, can you bring me around

Zhao Pengcheng's office after that?

I'll say this one last time.

Scram.

I already told you not to come.

Look at what you've done.

I need to use the washroom. Give me a second.

[Loyalty, For the People, Justice, Integrity]

Hello? Where are you?

I already left the place.

What? Were you hurt

when Xiao Chen told you to scram?

Actually,

I can understand his feelings

especially well.

I was just like him

when my father died.

So, you're...

I'm fine.

I just want to be alone.

Chang Zheng?

You're in a bad mood.

Did you argue with him again?

No.

[Chang Zheng,]

[both of us knew]

[how tough it was for our relationship]

[to last until now.]

[I wish to cherish it.]

[Don't be upset, okay?]

[Niannian,]

[it's all my fault.]

[I was too impulsive.]

[I mixed up public matters with personal matters.]

[I should've discussed it with you in a nice way.]

[I'm sorry.]

Did you reconcile with him?

Just drive.

[You showed a sincere attitude.]

[I forgive you.]

[Do not do it again.]

Does everyone in Changwu

fear the Zhao family?

Is that so?

Isn't that so?

You're not afraid of me.

Do you know why this place is called Changwu?

Why?

It's because the people here practice militarism.

When my father first established the group,

he wanted to strike it rich

together with Zhaojiawei.

He took in plenty of vagrants.

I'm sure you know those kinds of people.

All of them have different qualities.

He often encountered difficulties.

When that happened,

he needed to resolve it with violence.

I guess that's the reason

our family

sounds scary to other people.

So, are you saying

that this is an issue with the family's history?

No one is perfect.

It's the same for enterprises.

However, I admit

that if we don't make

some major changes soon,

we'll only encounter more and more issues.

They'll get worse.

Is that why

you returned to the country?

I wish to change everything here.

I wish to put my family on the right track.

I wish to turn our company

into a truly modern enterprise.

After hearing that from you,

I guess you shoulder

a heavy responsibility.

Let me bring you somewhere.

I completely agree with your judgment.

Since we can't get anything

out of Qiu Tao,

we should leave him be for now.

I found another lead.

What lead?

Dong Lu has returned

to her house in Changwu.

Dong Lu?

Do you mean Zhao Pengcheng's wife?

Dong Lu and her child disappeared

on the night of the bombing incident.

Why did she suddenly return here?

According to our investigation,

she was afraid that she and her child

might be implicated

after Zhao Pengcheng was murdered.

That's why

she hid herself in Beijing.

We managed to persuade her

to return to Changwu

by approaching someone she trusted.

This is great,

the Secret Task Force

cannot hold an official investigation.

That's why

you guys

should take over the investigation from here.

We were investigating the bombing case

in the first place.

It's reasonable for us to approach Dong Lu.

Regarding

Zhao Pengcheng's cause of death,

it's our priority to find out

if Dong Lu knows about it

and how much she knows about it.

How do you plan to break the news to Chang Zheng?

This is an important lead.

I can't find an excuse

to clear Chang Zheng's suspicions of me.

There's no need to find one. You already have one.

What do you mean?

I said it already.

We approached someone

she trusted.

About that person,

if I'm not mistaken,

it should be Xiao Chen, right?