Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

Yes.

Of course.

I reprimanded him.

Chang Zheng

did go too far

when he barged

into Tieshi Mining Group.

Qiufeng,

I'm on your side in this matter.

Chief Li,

I've done my part

as the bad guy.

Shouldn't it be your turn

to play the good guy now?

I think

it'll have a better outcome.

You're right about that.

Okay, then.

See you.

[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 14]

Most likely?

But it's not confirmed, right?

I knew you'd say that.

I've sent the corpse for an autopsy.

The autopsy report is on its way here.

The report clearly states

that the time of death of the remains was

twenty-eight years ago.

Chief,

don't you think you're wasting our time here?

The test report only proves

the victim is one of the miners, right?

Do you know

the name?

Have you identified it yet?

Fine.

I'll get its DNA tested after this.

Is that okay?

DNA?

Have you found the remain's family members?

You don't even have anything conclusive.

How are you going to get its DNA tested?

What's the rush?

Is conducting an investigation a simple matter?

Why are you so in a hurry to close this case?

Usually,

we need to confirm

the victim's identity.

Right?

Look into the cause of death

to rule out murder.

Everything has its procedure.

You can only close this case after following the procedures.

Fine.

If you refused to continue with this investigation,

you can just leave.

In the closure report,

you can sign it off

with Binxi

Criminal Investigation Detachment,

Deputy Chief

Chang Zheng

closed the case hastily.

You can go now.

Hello.

Chang Zheng,

I forgot to tell you

one important thing.

In that mine disaster that year.

The report identifies Zhao Xiaosheng

as the mine's operator.

[Operator: Zhao Xiaosheng]

You can go and write your closure report now.

I'll look into

this case.

I'll get to the bottom of it.

Deputy Chief Chang, I'm sorry.

I was too careless.

I'll accept any punishment.

His handwritings are too hard to read.

Besides, I was too anxious

that I didn't notice it either.

It's okay. It's my fault.

Well,

I brought lunch for you.

Let's eat together.

It's already lunchtime anyway.

I was already imagining

how you were going to scold me

as I was on my way back here.

I told you I overlooked it too.

Would it help if I scold you?

You can overlook it.

But I can't overlook it.

I have to be your other pair of eyes.

Political Commissar Yan.

Jin Yan.

Based on the information you provided,

we have started a preliminary investigation

on the mining accident

at Qiongya No. 5 Mine.

There's one more piece of information

I need you to take note of.

Please tell.

The accident report states

that Zhao Xiaosheng was the person in charge.

He was the head of the mine's security office that year.

What's the matter?

Why are you quiet?

I'm sorry for my carelessness.

I didn't notice the signatures on the report.

Jin Yan,

I assigned you to Chang Zheng's side

so you can aid him.

You must be alert at all times.

Why are you distracted?

Eat.

Nothing.

Listen.

There's always another way

to solve a difficulty.

Stop looking dejected

and get a grip.

Nothing is confirmed now,

but do you already have a solution?

It has been 28 years

since the mining accident.

We have no idea

what happened that year

and how it was related to Zhao Xiaosheng.

Listen.

In Changwu,

any incident

that involves the Zhao family is never

a simple matter.

What do you plan to do?

We'll take this step by step

and look at every detail.

Didn't Chief Zhang tell us

to investigate the nameless corpse case?

Then

I'll investigate this case thoroughly.

After that?

That year,

there were two mining accidents

at Qiongya No. 5 Mine.

The first one was

a massive collapse.

Eighteen miners were buried.

It ended up

with 11 deaths

and seven survivors.

The second accident happened a week after.

While the supervisor of the mine,

Deng Lijun,

was inspecting the mine,

another mining accident happened,

and it cost him his life.

If we make a deduction based on Deng Lijun's time of the accident,

the remains we found

are likely

to be Deng Lijun's remains.

I see.

So we must get in touch

with Deng Lijun's family

to identify

the identity of the nameless corpse.

Finish your meal.

I'll get to it after I finish my meal.

Investigating the case in Longwang Mountain?

Yes.

I asked around.

It was a case from 28 years ago.

It's been so many years.

What can they find anyway?

It was Dad's plan.

He wanted to distract Chang Zheng

to buy time for us

to find what Pengcheng left behind, right?

You don't have to watch him anymore.

Let him find the clues from 28 years ago.

Okay.

[Changwu City Archives]

Deputy Chief Chang,

I've looked into the matter.

Deng Lijun's wife

had passed away seven years ago.

But he has a son.

He's in Changwu.

Okay.

This is where Deng Xiaojun lives.

This is the unit.

This one?

Yes.

What's your problem?

Why do you keep knocking?

Are you trying to keep me awake at this late hour?

Sorry about that.

We're the police carrying out an investigation.

You can't disturb the residents even if you're the police.

Can I ask you something?

Is the guy who lives here

called Deng Xiaojun?

How would I know what his name is?

You can stop knocking at the door already.

He already moved out long ago.

Move...

He moved out?

Deng Xiaojun?

[22nd]

The calendar shows the 22nd of the month.

[22nd]

I told you he already moved out.

Why are you still here?

When did he move out?

Last Monday.

How do you remember it so clearly?

It was pretty late that night.

I was about to sleep

when he started making so much noise as he moved out.

I couldn't sleep well that night.

Did he tell you where he was moving to?

It's funny that you asked.

How would I know where he moved to?

Nobody cares about anyone these days.

Outrageous.

He just left and here you are.

He endlessly made so much noise

every night.

Zhao Pengcheng's accident

happened last Monday night.

It was definitely not a coincidence.

[22nd]

[Gathered Mining Accident Data, Zhao Pengcheng]

[Qiongya No. 5 Mine's Mining Accident]

[Deng Lijun, Qiongya No. 5 Mine's supervisor. Son, Deng Xiaojun]

[Zhao Pengcheng. Deng Xiaojun]

[Qiongya No. 5 Mine's Mining Accident]

[Wanda Center]

[Are you done working? Let me know if you're done working. I'll buy you some midnight snacks.]

[Are you done working?]

♫ You look forward to the future ♫

[Niannian]

♫ While I repeat what I do ♫

♫ In a city full of smog ♫

♫ Someone is existing in silence ♫

♫ If I disappear ♫

[Let me know if you're done working.]

[Chang Zheng]

♫ Brave the sea of fire for me ♫

[I'll buy you some midnight snacks.]

[Qiongya No. 5 Mine's Mining Accident]

♫ No need to cover up the truth ♫

♫ As I'll expose it eventually ♫

♫ When the flowers bloom in spring ♫

♫ I shall return ♫

♫ Looking forward to the colorful sky of tomorrow ♫

[Unforgettable Niannian, I'll always reply.]

[Chang Zheng]

♫ I never thought of leaving ♫

♫ From the very beginning until now ♫

♫ I'm not afraid of pain ♫

♫ Breaking through my shortcomings ♫

We obtained surveillance footage

from the airport, train terminal, docks,

and all the bus stations

on the 10th that night.

But there was no sign

of Deng Xiaojun.

Also, Dong Lu said

she doesn't know Deng Xiaojun at all

nor heard Zhao Pengcheng mention him.

Anything on your side?

I looked into Zhao Pengcheng's call records

for the past three months.

I didn't find any suspicious numbers.

I want you two

to look into Deng Xiaojun's social life.

See if he has any close contacts

who know where he went.

Okay.

Yes, sir.

Jin Yan, we'll go and see Xiao Chen.

-Chief Deputy Chang. -Chief Deputy Chang.

I left my phone in the car.

How could you leave your phone in the car?

What if there was an emergency?

I have my work phone with me at all times.

This is my private phone.

Oh, now.

It's out of power.

Give it to me. I'll charge it for you.

[Changwu City People's Procuratorate]

Why are you here again?

Xiao Chen,

I know you don't like me

and have prejudices against me.

Why don't we put all those feelings aside first?

I must check

Zhao Pengcheng's office today.

Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen!

I know you hate me.

But please put this hate

on the murderer who killed your mentor

and not on the case I'm investigating.

Why should I trust you?

The person who murdered your mentor

and my father

should be from the same group of people.

My mentor's belongings are there.

Don't mess the place up.

Let's get started.

We've searched carefully.

And

we've also put everything back as it is.

It looks like you didn't find anything.

But we still need

to thank you for your cooperation.

We won't be in your way, then.

Wait.

Look at this.

It may be of help.

What's this?

Newspaper clippings my mentor collected

for a long time.

He had always wanted

to write a book that popularize law and justice

after he retired.

I found it while clearing his belongings.

I kept it as a memento.

Isn't this the news of the mining accident that year?

[A major accident at Qiongya No. 5 Mine with 11 deaths and seven survivors.]

Do you have any recollection of this news?

It's a report on a mining accident 28 years ago.

Some time ago,

my mentor went

to many libraries and archives to find this newspaper clipping.

I'll make a copy of it.

The copier is in the next room.

Thanks.

Get lost.

[Niannian]

Oh, no.

I'm dead.

[Chang Zheng]

Okay, I understand.

Give it to me after you revise it.

Okay.

Hello.

Niannian,

I'm so sorry.

I left my phone in the car

and I worked at the station all night.

I waited for you all night

and ended up falling asleep.

I'm so sorry.

What are you doing tonight?

How

about I go and pick you up

and have dinner together?

I can't make it tonight.

How

about we...

It's okay if you're busy.

We can meet some other time.

Sure.

Okay.

All right, then.

Bye.

What's wrong?

She declined when you asked her out for dinner?

We're all busy.

You see.

Both of you either miss each others' calls

or are too busy to have meals together.

This problem is pretty serious.

The nature of my job

is endless.

I can't do anything about it.

Let's just go back to the station.

Why do you think

Zhao Pengcheng searched and looked into

the mining accident

from 28 years ago?

It means there's something doubtful

with this mining accident.

Also,

why would Deng Xiaojun choose

to flee from Changwu

on the night of Zhao Pengcheng's accident?

If it wasn't a coincidence,

there must be

a connection

between these two people.

But from the overall situation,

only one thing that links them.

The mining accident.

Exactly.

[Qiongya No. 5 Mine's Mining Accident]

Also,

as the head

of the security of the mine that year,

what kind of role did Zhao Xiaosheng play

during the identification of the mining accident?

As the supervisor of the mine,

how did Deng Lijun die?

Does his son, Deng Xiaojun know

anything about this?

These are the directions of our investigation.

But Zhao Pengcheng is dead

and Deng Xiaojun's whereabouts are unknown.

Where do we start investigating?

When we investigate a mining accident,

we would naturally start with the operator of the mine.

Tieshi Mining Group?

Who are you calling at this late hour?

Don't be nosy.

I always play by the book, okay?

Okay.

All right.

You can start the investigation from the beginning.

But I can't tell you

how the bureau will react to this.

After all, this mining accident was

twenty-eight years ago.

It has already passed the statute of limitations.

If there's no conclusive evidence,

I can't force them to reopen the case.

Sure.

You can investigate in secret.

But you need to be prepared

to stop the investigation at any time.

Xiao,

you've worked all day.

Why are you still working at home?

Get some rest.

Time to eat.

Okay.

I'll be there.

Time to eat.

Did Chang Zheng see you today?

Were you the one who gave him the information

on the mining accident from 28 years ago?

He found it himself.

I thought you didn't like it

when I supported Chang Zheng to investigate the case.

Why

are you helping him out now?

I have my reasons.

Chen,

you're an adult now.

You have your own view.

I respect that.

But don't get too involved

with Chang Zheng.

Chen, have some vegetables.

Mom, I'm full.

I hope we stop bringing up Chang Zheng at home.

Look at what you did.

It wasn't easy to have dinner together.

Here you are talking about work again.

We can't even eat in peace.

Just eat.

[Zhaojiawei Welcomes You]

Would we alert them

if we just go like this?

That's exactly what I'm doing.

I want him to know

that I've been keeping an eye on them.

I want him to feel anxious,

lose his appetite,

and can't sleep at night.

Get it?

The Zhao family prepared everything too well.

If we investigate blindly,

they'll be dragging us all the way.

He needs a surprise attack

so he's at loss

to defend himself effectively.

If we do this,

won't Chief Zhang and other superiors feel...

Zhang Qiufeng told me to investigate this case.

What can he say?

Don't worry about it.

It'll all work out eventually.

What if it doesn't?

We'll make it work regardless.

[Tieshi Mining Group]

What brings you here?

We're looking into

a mining accident in the past.

Since the establishment of the Tieshi Mining Group,

it has always attached great we have attached great importance

to production safety

and standardized operation.

There may be some small accidents.

But it was mostly miners

who violated the regulations.

I wonder

which case you're referring to.

Do you know

the mining accident at Qiongya No. 5 Mine

from 28 years ago?

No.

I was still a kid 28 years ago.

There are many things that I don't know.

[I'll tell you if you don't.]

[Twenty-eight years ago,]

[there was a major mining accident]

[at the Qiongya No. 5 Mine]

[in Longwang Mountain.]

[I received an order from my superior]

[to look into this mining accident.]

[I hope you can provide me with the information]

[about the mining accident that year.]

Pengxiang,

please go to Pengzhan's office.

You have visitors?

Oh, it's Deputy Chief Chang.

What a surprise, Pengxiang.

[Why didn't you call me?]

[Don't you know I always dream of you?]

[I'm flattered.]

[It must be something bad]

[to dream of you, Deputy Chief Chang.]

[Come on, what do you mean by that?]

So what brings you here?

They asked us to cooperate

in a 28-year-old mining case.

Twenty-eight years ago?

Twenty-eight years ago...

I was still a kid back then.

How can we cooperate?

You have so many tricks up your sleeves.

We must watch what we say.

There's no need to be cautious.

I was sent by my superiors

to investigate this case.

Right?

Just going through the formalities, that's all.

It's nothing.

If you didn't do anything wrong,

there's nothing to be scared of.

I'm afraid of ghosts since I was born.

After you showed up

in this office,

I could feel something sinister in this room.

[Grand Aspirations]

After you came here,

I need to invite the deity

to cleanse this room.

Where should I put the statue?

How about this?

We'll have the legal department talk to you.

It's more professional

to have our legal advisor deal with the police.

Am I right?

We won't be saying

anything anymore.

[Our legal advisor just returned]

[from Australia.]

[He's a professional.]

[You don't have to introduce.]

[I've already met Zhao Pengchao.]

You're pretty well connected, huh?

I sure have to know

the big shots of the Zhao family, right?

Mr. Zhao.

President Zhao.

Ms. Ji.

Hello there.

Hello, Officer Chang.

[Ms. Ji,]

[these officers want]

[to investigate]

[a 28-year-old mine accident.]

I ask

that you talk to them.

Let me clarify this.

Qiongya No. 5 Mine

which was operated

by the state-owned Qiongya Mining Group 28 years ago

and the Tieshi Mining Group

which was established later

are two separate business entities.

So what happened before

has nothing to do

with Tieshi Mining Group.

It doesn't matter

if they are the same or separate entities.

I don't care about that.

But I want to investigate

the mining accident at Qiongya No. 5 Mine.

The Qiongya No. 5 Mine

is under your control, right?

It's under your company, right?

So I can only ask you.

Qiongya Mining Group has been through

many restructuring before the transfer before this.

Much information is lost.

So I apologize.

We can't provide any information

that you want.

It doesn't matter if it's lost.

Give me anything that you have.

It's been more than 20 years, right?

I'm sure there are all in hard copies, right?

It's okay.

We're here to investigate

the details of the mining accident back then.

Give us what you have

and we'll leave.

If you insist

both parties are related,

I suggest you apply

for a formal investigation from your superiors.

[All right.]

[We'll think about it.]

See you.

See yourself out.

Come on.

I'm sure

it wasn't

Ji Nian's intention to appear just now.

Someone must have planned it.

I know.

It was so obvious.

[Chief Zhang]

It's Chief Zhang.

Here's your coffee.

What's wrong?

Excuse me?

I should be asking you that question.

Why did you make me face

Chang Zheng like that?

You knew

he was my boyfriend.

-Why did you do that? -Ji Nian.

Just a reminder.

You're a lawyer

for Tieshi Mining Group in Changwu City.

Who was supposed to go if not you?

Besides,

Chang Zheng...

I won't interfere in your private life.

But don't forget that you're a lawyer.

You never mixed your personal feelings in work back in Australia.

Why are you confused now that you're back?

Is it because of him?

Yes.

I can give up anything for him.

I didn't expect

you would say such a thing.

You must know

a man doesn't look up to a woman

who's not financially independent

and has no career.

Chang Zheng is not like that.

Are you sure?

Yes.

So he would give up his job

because of you too?

If you're willing to give up everything

to be a stay-at-home mom,

I'm done talking.

I only just found out

about your meeting with him.

I'm only a legal advisor here.

There are many things that I have no control over.

I promise you.

If something like this were to happen again,

I'll do my best to make sure you don't meet.

I would appreciate that.

[Office]

Chang Zheng,

is this your first day here?

I can't believe it.

Why are you so unruly?

How am I unruly, Chief Zhang?

You were

the one who pushed me to investigate this case.

I told you to identify

the nameless corpse's identity.

But what did you do?

You went to Tieshi Mining Group

without reporting to me.

Do you call

this investigating?

Tell me.

Has the mine accident 28 years ago

been filed yet?

Tell me if it's been filed.

Twenty-eight years ago...

No.

It's not filed.

It's not.

Why are you investigating it when it's not filed?

Do you know

what the standing

of Tieshi Mining Group is?

The superstar among the provincial enterprises.

Changwu's biggest taxpayer.

I'll just be frank.

The moment you left,

they made a call to Director Wang.

They called Director Wang, get it?

I'm only investigating like usual.

What's the problem?

Besides, I suspect

the mining accident at Qiongya No. 5 wasn't

an accident.

And it probably has

a close connection to Zhao Pengcheng's death.

Where's your proof?

Probably?

Suspect?

These aren't conclusive evidence.

Why do you think I'm investigating?

How am I supposed to find evidence if I don't investigate?

Chief Zhang, you're absolutely right.

This time,

we didn't make enough considerations.

We were too rash.

I promise

we'll change our ways.

It won't happen again next time.

What?

Change what?

What do you mean by it won't happen again?

She's right.

It's great

that young people are passionate.

But you need to pay attention

to the way you do things.

What matters most

is having political instincts.

You're right.

You're absolutely right.

You sure are good

at currying favors.

Enough, just get back to work.

Yes, sir.

Deputy Chief Chang.

Deputy Chief Chang.

Chang Zheng!

What do you want?

Why are you upset?

Am I?

Why are you following me?

You should continue licking his boots.

I can't believe you.

Do you know what you looked like?

Tell me.

Like what?

You looked like a lapdog licking his boots.

You agreed and said yes

to everything he said.

Why did you agree

when he was wrong?

What's so funny?

You're weird.

You're the weird one, not me.

You see.

There were two witnesses

in the Xinye Wharf shooting case.

You know how to go about with them.

When you investigated Qiu Tao,

you pretended to be a bird enthusiast

and drank alcohol to get close to him.

But why are you

so stubborn

when it comes to Chief Zhang?

I get it now.

When you onto a case,

you're shrewd

like an old fox.

But when it comes to communicating with your superiors,

you charge ahead like a bear

without knowing how to compromise.

What were you thinking?

You're the bear.

A bear is better than a dog.

You see.

Usually,

you can take jokes

and put aside your ego.

You have

a pretty high emotional intelligence.

But you become a completely different person

whenever you investigate a case handled by Chief Zhang.

Are you expecting him to agree

with how you investigate a case

and reopen a case?

You're a police officer,

not an emperor.

You have your principle

and he has his methods.

What's so wrong with that?

I thought

you had some backup plans.

In the end,

you lost your patience.

So both sides are suffering,

and that's the end of the cooperation.

You may talk a lot.

But you do have

some points.

However,

I'm going to investigate

the mine case no matter what.

No one can stop me.

I'm definitely on your side

as long it doesn't go against regulation and the law.

How this case is investigated is

our business.

If the superior asks,

just apologize

and reflect when needed.

After that,

we can just continue with the investigation.

You didn't have to argue with our superior.

What do you gain

other than being upset?

Usually,

you were the one teaching me.

Today, I shall teach you some tricks.

When the superior is reprimanding you,

don't pull that long face.

I'll teach you

how to be a lapdog.

Watch carefully.

Sir, I'm sorry.

Sir, you're right.

You're absolutely right.

I'm sorry, sir.

I truly am.

That's low.

Who are you calling low?

[Li Bodong]