Episode Summary
The backstory of Wu Ximei, Cao Xiaojun, and Ni Xiangdong is revealed, including a fight over Tianbao. Ni Xiangdong hides at his uncle's house as the police close in. An anonymous photo proves Ni Xiangdong was set up, while Wu Ximei is caught in a lie. The detectives chase a lead to a remote village, hitting another dead end.
Spoiler Alert
The Truth About the Baby
So, we finally get the real story behind Wu Ximei and the two men in her life. It turns out Cao Xiaojun is a pretty decent guy. He couldn't watch Wu Ximei suffer through another miscarriage. He offered to raise her baby, Tianbao, as his own. He even promised to explain everything to the father, Ni Xiangdong.
Wu Ximei didn't agree right away. But soon after, she broke up with Ni Xiangdong. She got together with Cao Xiaojun instead. He was a good family man. He treated Tianbao like his own son. They moved to their current town for two reasons. First, to get treatment for Tianbao's illness. Second, to get away from Ni Xiangdong and all the history.
Of course, they still ran into him. They even hung out a few times, since they were all from the same hometown. But things got tense. Ni Xiangdong tried to meet Wu Ximei alone several times. She always turned him down. This didn't sit well with him. He ended up having a huge fight with Cao Xiaojun. He demanded to take Tianbao back. He threatened to cut them off completely if they refused. For Detective Meng Chao, this information is a game-changer.
Hiding a Fugitive
Over at Lao Sun's place, things are getting complicated. A villager rushes over to see him. Lao Sun quickly shoves his nephew, Ni Xiangdong, into a back room to hide. The villager tells Lao Sun that the police were just here. They were asking questions about Cao Xiaojun's death. They think Ni Xiangdong did it.
Lao Sun can't believe it. He thinks Ni Xiangdong is too honest to kill someone. The villager isn't so sure. He suggests that even a good man can snap if you push him too far. The police have put out a reward for Ni Xiangdong's capture. The villager even jokes that Lao Sun could turn him in for the money. Lao Sun makes an excuse and gets the guy to leave.
A Picture, a Lie, and a Debt
Meng Chao thinks back on his conversation with Wu Ximei. He realizes her story in the afternoon was completely different from her story in the morning. She was a totally different person. He knows she's intentionally misleading them.
Back at the station, an anonymous letter arrives. Inside is a photo. It shows the exact moment Ni Xiangdong opened the box with the body. You can tell from his shocked expression that he had no idea he was being photographed. The police use Ni Xiangdong's license plate to track down his uncle, Lao Sun.
On Lao Sun's phone, they find two numbers they don't recognize. They guess they belong to Ni Xiangdong. Lao Sun admits his nephew called Wu Ximei. He was asking if Cao Xiaojun was in some kind of trouble. Lao Sun also overheard them mention a bookstore on Rainbow Road.
The police press him about the car. Lao Sun finally confesses. He admits he lied to them on the phone earlier to cover for his nephew. He explains that he owes both Ni Xiangdong and Cao Xiaojun. Years ago, Lao Sun's son died in an accident at a construction site. Ni Xiangdong and Cao Xiaojun were the ones who helped him through it all. They took care of everything. It's a debt he feels he can never repay.
A Look Inside the Detectives' Lives
Meng Chao has been looking at the gruesome details of the murder. He's also heard wildly different opinions about Ni Xiangdong. He's certain someone is lying.
He takes his partner, Tong Hao, home with him. As they get to the door, they can hear a lot of noise inside. Meng Chao's mother is busy playing mahjong with the neighbors. She doesn't seem to care much about her son's daily life. Earlier, Tong Hao's mom brought him hot steamed buns at the station. Meng Chao eats one and feels a pang of envy for his partner.
Tong Hao brought a gift of chrysanthemums. He feels awkward about it. He didn't know that Meng Chao's father and grandfather have both passed away. Meng Chao takes the flowers and places them in front of their memorial photos. It's here that Tong Hao also learns that Meng Chao's mentor is the descendant of a national hero.
Chasing Ghosts
The next day, the case takes Meng Chao and Tong Hao out of town. They travel to a place where Ni Xiangdong and Cao Xiaojun used to run the streets. A veteran local cop named Xu Qingchun remembers them well. He says he watched them grow from small-time punks into major troublemakers.
He tells a strange story from 1992. Ni Xiangdong was getting beaten up badly. Xu Qingchun stepped in and saved him. But right after, Ni Xiangdong hit the cop with a stick and ran off.
The investigation leads the detectives to Yafen Village. They learn Ni Xiangdong once stayed with a man named Xu Caizeng. Meng Chao and Tong Hao get lost and waste a lot of time trying to find the place. When they finally arrive, the village is nearly empty. The village secretary, Xu Qingtong, answers questions for Xu Caizeng. He confirms that someone has been sending Xu Caizeng money regularly. But he claims he has never heard of anyone named Ni Xiangdong.
