Only the River Flows (2023) Movie Script
There's no understanding fate;
Therefore I choose
to play the part of fate.
I wear the foolish,
unintelligible face
of a professional god.
Peishui City, Jiangdong Province.
Year 1995.
Great!
Every department is here.
Let me say a few words.
I asked you last week to submit
your merit evaluation applications.
Don't delay. No exceptions.
I'm serious.
As for your investigations,
keep an open mind.
Collective glory will boost
the team's morale.
And team morale is essential
for success in our work.
Take me, for example:
I'm willing to sacrifice my lunch
so I can practice.
This also contributes
to collective glory, doesn't it?
That's all for now.
Next week,
I want all your applications
on my desk.
Without delay.
Am I clear? Then get back to work.
Ma Zhe,
stay for a minute.
You remember Mr. Li,
from the Cultural Bureau?
He invited me to dinner.
He said they're shutting the cinema.
No one goes any more.
I thought it over. This is good news.
You mean
you want to turn it into our office.
That's right.
It's more discreet.
Perfect for your investigation.
Ma Zhe,
what do you think?
I understand.
I'll be off then.
Careful with that equipment.
Give us a hand!
What do you think, Yan?
They even set up an office for you.
Where?
You'll see it soon.
Traditional martial arts.
I'm serious.
Turn on the lights!
How long did Inspector Ma
tell you to stay like that?
You're back.
Go to bed.
Your dinner's in the pot.
I just had a really strange dream.
But I can't remember any of it.
Don't think about it.
You need to rest now.
Hello?
We're preserving this evidence.
Come over here after your photos.
Measure the distance
between No.2 and No.5.
Take a picture of this.
The dogs won't smell anything.
Footprints are spoiled too.
Do we know who the victim is?
Wang Fengxia. She's called
Granny Four in the village.
She had no family.
She adopted a madman.
A madman?
Where is he?
We don't know. We're searching.
Inspector Ma.
Look. This was found near the body.
Anything that identifies her?
I checked. Nothing.
Inspect it thoroughly at the station.
Inspector Ma?
They brought you here.
Hello.
- You discovered the body?
- I did, sir.
When did you discover it?
A while ago.
I told my dad.
He didn't believe me and slapped me.
This boy's a real liar.
I didn't ask you.
What happened next?
I called some older kids
to come look.
They believed me.
When you found it,
was it already dark out?
Yes.
Comrade officer,
the TV news was starting
when my son came home.
It must have been around 7 p.m.
Did you see anyone else by the river
when you found the body?
No. I was all alone.
When the big kids saw it,
they were all afraid. Not me.
Thank you for your cooperation.
We'll be in touch. You may go.
Mr. Policeman. There's something
I want to tell you.
What is it?
If you catch the bad guy,
can you show me what he looks like?
I really want to know!
Don't worry,
I'll definitely catch him.
Go home.
Goodbye.
Has the murder weapon been found?
No.
Shift change!
Come on out.
Wipe yourself off.
Give me a hand.
We have about 50 families
in the village.
We rarely see any strangers.
Did Granny Four have any enemies?
None that I heard of.
She raised her geese.
And had no issues with anyone.
What about the madman?
I don't know his name,
or where he came from.
He showed up here years ago.
He comes and goes.
Have some more.
How do you know Granny Four?
We're neighbours.
She lived across the way.
Did she leave her house much?
She said hello when she went out.
She sometimes did errands.
And sometimes helped us.
She was quite friendly.
Her husband died a few years go.
After he died, she wanted to adopt.
She picked someone up. That madman.
We kept an eye on her.
She often went out for walks,
in and out of the village.
She walked through the orange groves,
on the hillsides,
just wandering around.
- Is the madman aggressive?
- No, never!
When children throw stones at him,
he smiles blankly.
- He ignores you if you call him.
- He's usually very calm.
He ignores the kids
when they throw stones at him.
He doesn't react.
Fixing dinner, Yan?
Number 2 seems to be sharpest.
No. 2?
It's sharp. But the wound is slanted.
- It's not 2.
- The impact is too soft.
Let me try.
Give me the knife. It's dangerous.
This case must be resolved quickly.
Our superiors are watching.
Understood.
You've got a good setup here.
I'm pleased.
Oh yes.
Have you finished
your merit application?
I'll get it to you tomorrow.
Good.
I have a meeting.
I'll leave you to your work.
Take care of yourself.
This is the closest match.
This weapon is quite heavy.
Yes.
The murderer must be pretty strong.
And the handbag?
The fingerprints we took at the scene
all seem to be
from the same person.
The items in the handbag
are all quite ordinary.
There are no other clues.
Have you checked this bus pass?
It's a multizone pass.
With no fixed itinerary.
I've checked the cassette
and skin cream.
They can be purchased anywhere.
The flower's heart,
Hidden in its stamen,
Has missed its flowering season.
Your heart,
Has forgotten what season it is.
Who can understand it...
Inspector Ma, we found the madman.
You can go.
Don't leave until
you listen to the whole tape.
He doesn't respond
to anything you say.
We don't know what else to do.
Let me try.
Take him back.
And keep an eye on him.
Xie, what are you doing?
Inspector!
You're back?
Why are you still here?
Where's your jacket?
Have you listened to the tape?
I haven't finished.
Let's listen together?
I think we need to.
It's a good thing you're here.
Don't you always say...
Inspector, I'm on night duty.
Aren't you hungry?
Hong...
There you are.
No matter when you come,
I'll always be waiting,
in the first song on the B side.
I love little tricks like this.
I snuck into your office today.
I would never disturb you.
I just wanted to linger
where you were.
I haven't seen you in three days.
I miss you.
Ting,
mark out the residential areas
in the county
on both sides of the rail line.
Yes sir.
Hong,
I ate twenty dumplings today.
I stuffed myself.
And you? Have you eaten?
I'd love to cook for you every day.
It's raining today.
I fought with my mother again.
I can't go on like this.
Hong...
I want to tell you a secret.
Can we isolate her voice here?
We don't have
the necessary technology.
I'm finished with the map:
The railway is
at the intersection of 3 provinces.
The travelling population is complex.
There must be about 50,000 people.
Get me a copy of the tape.
Yes sir.
He's been here 3 days.
We feed him,
take him to the bathroom, everything.
So he doesn't want to leave.
What do we do now?
Let the villagers take him back.
Fine.
Hong...
you know we never see
the far side of the moon?
It's as if we're hiding there.
Only you and me.
The two of us.
Hong...
There you are.
No matter when you come,
I'll always be here waiting,
in the first song on the B side.
I love little tricks like this.
Today...
Today it's raining.
I fought with my mother again.
I can't go on like this.
Hong...
I want to tell you a secret.
I can't go on like this.
Hong...
I want to tell you a secret.
This is the call signal.
This signal is for slowing down.
This is the alarm signal.
When something's wrong.
That's what we hear on the tape.
Correct.
When I saw a problem ahead,
I sounded that alarm.
Have there been any recent incidents
on any other lines?
No. That was the only one
in 6 months.
"Your heart has forgotten
what season it is"
"Who can understand it..."
Guess where I am.
I'm somewhere I can see you.
But you can't see me.
This sounds like the voice
of our factory's accountant.
Your accountant?
Where is she?
She lives upstairs here.
Call her.
Zhang!
Zhang!
Come downstairs.
What is it?
The police are looking for
your daughter. Come down.
"I can only look forward
to the day when
the underground flames
will burst forth
and scorch me and this living coffin.
In these flames and blood,
"I will attain eternal life."
Don't laugh!
Poetry is something
very pure and serious.
It lets you face yourself honestly.
I believe that a poetry reading
can have many forms.
I find this poem to be excellent.
Very sincere.
Let's all applaud for sincerity.
Who is Qian Ling?
Come with us.
You live far away.
Why were you strolling there?
The air is better there.
Better air?
You took an hour and a half bus ride
just to breathe good air?
Why didn't you report
that you saw a corpse?
I was afraid.
Our team leader.
Hong...
I want to tell you a secret.
Who is this Hong?
Do you still claim
you were there alone?
This is my private life.
I have no interest
in your private life.
But I'm warning you.
This concerns a murder case.
If you continue to be uncooperative,
I'll have to question your friends
and family.
This shouldn't be too difficult.
Sir,
there's progress.
We're about to find out
who this Hong is.
Keep pressing her.
Hello sir. I am Wang Hong.
I assume
Qian Ling told you everything.
So you are Hong.
Yes. I'm Hong.
Comrade officer,
here's the situation.
I had arranged to meet Qian Ling
by the river that day.
But I arrived late.
When I didn't see her, I left.
The next day, she said that
something happened by the river.
Something that really frightened her.
And she left her bag there.
Do you know the deceased?
No I don't.
What were you doing that day
between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.?
I was in the factory
playing cards until 7 p.m..
I was upset I lost.
So I remember it clearly.
I wouldn't dare lie about this.
You can ask around.
Comrade officer, I came
because I knew
that you would find me.
But our families must not find out
about my relationship with Ling.
You have to help me keep this secret.
Do you have anything else to say?
I'm warning you,
if you're hiding anything,
we will find out.
I'm not hiding anything from you.
Use this phone number.
Please don't call me at home or work.
I'll respond immediately.
Is that okay?
There's something I forgot.
I saw a woman by the river bank
that day, before I left.
She wore a textile factory uniform.
She was running very fast.
Describe her.
Quite tall. With long wavy hair.
Did you see her face?
Not clearly. She was too far away.
But she had long wavy hair.
Wang Hong, don't lie to us.
I wouldn't dare. It's a murder case.
Every word I say is true.
I checked it out.
Wang Hong really was
playing cards that day.
Do we let him go?
Are you sleeping?
What a stroke of good luck.
Just when one trail goes cold,
we find a new one.
Be serious.
We're investigating.
How the hell is this luck?
Don't be angry, sir.
The textile factory was in
overtime mode that day.
No one could leave at that hour.
This is the schedule
of when the punched in and out.
Only one person punched out:
Xu Liang.
It's the hairdresser
assigned to the factory.
"Xu Liang.
7.10 p.m."
When is
the victim's time of death?
Between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m..
Is the list accurate?
Definitely. I was in charge that day.
That's Xu Liang's hairdressing shop.
I'll get back to work.
County Criminal Investigation Bureau.
My name is Ma Zhe.
We have some questions for you.
Sure...
Please have a seat.
I've been expecting you.
You're expecting us?
Don't misunderstand me.
I know what you're going to ask.
As soon as I arrived by the river
that day, I saw the corpse.
I knew I would be
caught up in this case.
What do you mean "caught up"?
Did you kill her?
No. But it doesn't matter.
You won't let me go anyway.
"It doesn't matter"?
Do you know what you're saying?
Yes.
You were at the river
on the evening of December 15th?
Yes.
What for?
I was fishing.
Who did you go with?
I went alone.
Did you see a woman
with wavy hair
wearing your factory's uniform?
No. I didn't see anyone else.
Are you certain?
I'm certain.
Comrade officer...
I know the procedure:
You'll investigate, question me
and finally convict me.
Can't we avoid all that,
and skip to the end?
You understand that you are now
taking legal responsibility?
I know it better than anyone.
The hairdresser
had a previous conviction?
Yes. I checked.
For indecency.
Someone denounced him.
He was sentenced to 8 years.
And released after 7 years.
But he has an alibi.
He is not a suspect now.
Neither is Wang Hong.
But Hong saw the wavy-haired woman.
When did this hairstyle
become fashionable?
I don't know.
No idea.
But now it's everywhere.
This doesn't help us.
The situation is quite complex.
Step up your efforts.
Your file says you were awarded
a Grade 3 merit in Yunnan.
But there is no record of it here.
That's not possible.
There must be a record in Yunnan,
anyway.
Really?
Maybe it's a clerical error.
Find the certificate,
and we'll post it
on our model worker board.
Do you know where that
award certificate of mine is?
What certificate?
The Grade 3 merit award from Yunnan.
It doesn't ring a bell.
We didn't know each other
when you were in Yunnan.
"We can never meet again."
"I promised you"
"that only death can separate us."
"Unfortunately, I broke my promise."
"If only I had met you earlier,
everything might have been different."
"You said that we can forget reality
when we close our eyes."
"But poetry is not our sanctuary."
"When we open our eyes again,"
"reality will be back, facing us."
"Farewell, Ling.
Forgive me. Pardon me."
What a strange coincidence,
this Wang Hong business.
We spent so much effort finding him,
and it turns out he's not a suspect.
And a few days later, he's dead.
Killed the same way as Granny Four.
What can we infer from this?
Qian Ling, we have some questions.
Did you arrange to meet Wang Hong
this evening by the river?
Did you go?
Who is it? You're not
going out this evening!
If you go, don't bother coming back!
You haven't been out all day?
Wang Hong is dead.
We found his body by the river.
The letter.
This is for you.
It's evidence.
I'm really unhappy.
Deal with it.
My head's all mixed up.
What's mixed up?
Wang Hong said he saw a woman
with wavy hair at the crime scene.
We are trying to find her.
And now Wang Hong is dead.
So our investigation points
to this wavy-haired woman.
Understand?
Inspector...
One more!
One more time!
Ma Zhe.
Why haven't you
wrapped up your report yet?
I still need to sort things out.
This case is sufficiently clear.
Hasn't the madman
been sent to an asylum?
Wrap things up.
Chief, everyone is here.
Good. Let's take a group portrait.
I'll take the photo.
No, Ma Zhe.
You broke this case.
It's a collective honour
for all of us.
Come on, hurry up!
Everyone line up!
It's been a good year.
Next year let's do even better!
- More glory for us all!
- Everybody ready!
To victory in ping-pong!
Pick them up.
I see the baby's head.
Is that a foot?
It's a hand.
Ma Zhe, come look.
Baby is waving at us.
Ma Zhe?
Ma Zhe?
Doctor, how is our child developing?
Everything looks normal.
The NT looks slightly high.
Nothing to worry about.
We'll check it with a blood test.
Pull both of them out.
You're leaving, Inspector?
Be careful.
What you've written makes no sense.
A tape, a farewell letter,
a poetry meeting, wavy hair...
Why bother writing down
Xu Liang's babbling?
I've written down the facts.
Facts are fine, but this
must be based on the evidence.
Chief,
I need to investigate further.
What do you need to investigate?
What don't you understand?
Why did Wang Hong die?
Why did the madman kill him?
If what Wang Hong said is true,
why haven't we found
the wavy-haired woman?
On the night of the crime,
the madman appeared in front of me
holding the murder weapon.
What a coincidence!
Coincidence or not,
we need to build a case
around the evidence.
Fingerprints, knife wounds,
weapons, blood stains.
Isn't all this evidence sufficient?
If not the madman,
then tell me who did it.
What else is there to investigate?
Really...
Chief,
I don't know.
I'm sure this case isn't so simple.
I just want to clear things up.
Write up your report correctly,
and it will be clear.
Is there anything else?
You can go.
Where were you
on the evening of December 15?
At work.
Please get them to be quiet.
Ladies!
Please be quiet!
Please cooperate
with our police comrades.
How much longer will this take?
We have work to do.
She's right!
Blame it on your wavy hairstyles!
Please settle down.
HAIRDRESSER
Inspector Ma,
I've been waiting for you.
Xu Liang, don't be nervous.
I'm not here to accuse you.
I'm here to ask:
Do you have
a client from the factory
who is tall, with long wavy hair?
I've never had a client
ask for this style.
I know that there is another victim.
You must be very anxious
to solve the case.
Just arrest me, and you're done.
Why should I arrest you?
You're not the wavy-haired woman.
Don't bother looking for her.
Arrest me and you're done.
Xu Liang,
stop wasting my time.
We have to follow
the correct procedures.
In that case, Inspector Ma,
what progress have you made
with your procedures?
Do I owe you a progress report?
No.
Give me a deadline.
Name a date.
I know what happened to you.
Don't worry.
If you are innocent,
I will absolutely treat you fairly.
I've heard that before.
Now I know where you are
in your investigation.
Thank you, Inspector Ma.
Inspector Ma!
Comrade officer...
How is he?
Not good. We pumped his stomach.
He needs immediate dialysis
to eliminate the drug.
We must transfer him
to the county hospital.
Then transfer him.
We need his family's consent.
I've informed our director.
His family is on the way.
Where should I sign?
Transfer him now.
When did you find him?
After 10 p.m..
He was foaming at the mouth.
He swallowed a bottle
of sleeping pills.
Inspector...
Inspector...
Xu Liang is out of danger.
Case closed.
Take this evidence away.
You were always
quoting Chekhov at karaoke.
Do you remember if I received
a Grade 3 merit award back in Yunnan?
I never received
a Grade 3 merit award.
Not you. Me.
I don't remember.
You were always drinking.
It's pretty unlikely.
No. I can't be wrong.
You're drunk again.
Fine. Let's drop the subject.
Let's have dinner
next time I'm in Yunnan.
Bye bye!
Please wait.
Please see the cashier.
It's a genetic condition.
There is no cure.
Your child's cognitive
development may suffer.
Neither of our families
has a history of this disease.
How could this happen to our child?
I told you. It's a genetic mutation.
It's not definite.
But a 10% probability is significant.
Go home.
Think it over if you want
to keep the child.
Let's not keep it.
The baby has a heartbeat.
I can feel it.
We can try again later.
But it will never be this one.
Remember?
The baby waved at us.
You saw it.
It's true.
It's the boy
who saw the first vicitm.
Whose father brought him to us.
Isn't the madman
in a mental hospital?
Their security said he escaped.
They're looking for him.
This time we have an eyewitness.
The madman killed him.
- Are you certain?
- Positive. It was him.
- Where did you see him?
- Over there.
He was walking behind the child.
He hit him on the head with a rock.
It's not too far to see clearly?
I have new glasses.
- Which hand did he use?
- His right hand.
The child turned back to look.
He was hit in the face.
Inspector!
I just confirmed with the hospital.
The madman escaped.
Comrade!
Did you find something?
Search carefully! Spread out!
- Found anything?
- Nothing.
Check over there again.
Lieutenant Yan?
Nothing.
Let's go.
- Who's on duty?
- I don't know.
Go check at the County Committee.
You're very strange, sir.
Isn't the murderer the madman?
What links the victims together?
I have an idea,
please don't hit me.
I saw a film about a man
who murdered many people.
At first, the victims didn't
seem to be connected.
It turned out that their fathers
all fought in the same war.
What if this case is similar?
You should go home and rest.
Yes, I've mobilised our personnel.
Aren't you a model brigade?
Is this how you earned your status?
The case was resolved, and you still
let the murderer escape?
What have you all been up to?
I'll give you one week
to arrest the madman.
Otherwise, you're through here.
Yes, sir.
Do you like this colour?
It suits boys and girls.
It's fine.
Do you regret deciding to keep it?
What if it does
have a birth defect?
Didn't the doctor say
there was only a 10% chance?
She also said
this was a very high risk.
Why are you so negative?
How can an abnormal child survive?
I'll take care of him all my life.
Yes you can, but have you
considered the child's feelings?
Don't you think I have?
I'm his mother. He's in my belly.
I have to consider his feelings.
If he's really not normal,
do you think his life will be easy?
What right do you have to decide?
I am his mother.
I said the decision is mine.
You have no right to interfere.
The child is not in your belly.
You're a man with no feelings.
What's wrong with you, Ma Zhe?
Do you remember what you promised?
You said you would plan our lives,
when we would have a child.
And look what's happened.
Ma Zhe,
this is not an accident.
It is heaven's will.
Inspector...
He wants to thank you in person.
Yes.
Inspector...
Are you feeling better?
I'm fine.
I wanted to thank you
for signing my hospital transfer.
No need. I've just come
to express my gratitude.
To save a life is to renew a life.
I was just doing my job.
I caused you a lot of trouble.
Please don't hold it against me.
Not at all. It was my fault
for not being clear from the start.
I now understand your situation.
Please call me if you need anything.
Thanks to you, everyone knows now.
I used to feel like a rock
was crushing my chest.
But now, I don't care at all.
I can breathe so much easier.
Good for you.
Take good care of yourself.
I have plans for my future.
Take this.
Make sure you hang it up.
So it's you. Just think,
I've seen you before!
What are you looking at?
Let's go.
Yes. That's it.
Too bad you can only die once.
"Everything might have been different
if only I had met you earlier.
You said that we can forget reality
by closing our eyes.
But poetry is not our sanctuary.
When we open our eyes again,
reality will be back, facing us.
I've listened to all the tapes.
Ling, you are the open window
of my prison.
You are the chains I wear willingly.
You are my floating island.
My gentle, peaceful native land.
"We are the smallest utopia
in the world."
Ma Zhe, Grade 3 merit!
Congratulations!
What's happened, Ma Zhe? Why?
Is it because of Xu Liang's suicide?
Anyone would be upset after this.
But his case has been closed.
No.
It's not about Xu Liang.
So what is the reason?
Whatever your reason is,
you cannot resign at this time.
Who else can finish this?
City officials call me every day.
Chief...
My wife is pregnant.
Really?
Then congratulations are in order!
But that's not a sufficient
reason to leave your work.
Ma Zhe, listen to me:
This case is coming to a close.
Once we arrest the madman, it's over.
You can't let me down now.
I really can't do this work
any longer.
What do you mean you can't?
Listen to me: We are policemen.
A public servant can never hide
when things go wrong.
You lead your team.
Do you understand?
That's enough.
Think things over carefully.
Take this back.
I've got work to do.
Inspector?
Come in. Sit down.
What happened?
Drink.
I would like...
to ask you for a favour.
What do you mean?
Of course I'm at your disposal.
From now on, I don't want to hear
anything more about the madman.
- Then who do I report to?
- No one.
From now on, you're in charge.
I understand, sir.
You need a few days rest.
I'll be fine. But...
will everyone on the team
follow my orders?
I'll let everyone know.
I'll give it 100%.
Thank you, sir.
Classes went well today.
We were just a little late.
One of my students
gave me some flowers.
That's so nice. Which one?
See you tomorrow Mrs. Bai.
See you tomorrow Mrs. Bai.
Goodbye Mrs. Bai.
You can't catch me!
Does your colleague Xie
have a girlfriend?
We have a very nice new teacher.
He doesn't need our help.
He's very talented.
What kind of talent?
He can do the splits.
Don't laugh. It's true.
He can really do the splits.
I've seen him.
What else is he good at?
He's a good singer.
He can sing?
Ma Zhe...
You haven't sung to me in long time.
Do you remember the first time?
"The flower's heart"
hidden in its stamen
has missed its flowering season.
Your heart,
has forgotten what season it is,
who can understand it...
"Why don't you"
give me your hand,
We'll listen together to the song
of the sun and the moon.
The tide ebbs and flows
Ebbs and flows...
The flower will bloom again.
As long as you desire
As long as you desire
"Let your dreams
sail across the sea of your heart"
Captain. Keep your hat on.
Be confident.
Excellent.
Can you touch your child?
Yes, that's more like it.
One, two, three...
Finished?
Time for the next set.
Change your clothes.
I'll change too.
Keep that on.
You look smart.
I'm here for my photos!
Coming!
They're out of focus.
How long do I need to wait?
They're almost ready.
You shot this out of focus.
What is it, comrade officer?
Explain this to me:
Our men were staking out the temple.
A man died there and they
didn't notice? Don't be ridiculous.
Chief...
I know you won't understand
what I'm saying.
But it was planned
that I killed the madman.
Who planned it?
The madman.
The madman planned it?
The madman planned for you
to kill him?
Is that it?
Then tell me where you went
after you killed him.
I went home.
What do you mean?
I was drinking last night...
Enough.
Ma Zhe, I know you've been
under a lot of pressure.
You don't even know
what you're saying.
My mind is extremely clear.
The madman is dead, isn't he?
Then have me killed,
and the case will be resolved.
You are a policeman, so you must know
there is a judicial procedure
to follow if you kill someone.
Go home and think very carefully
about what actually happened.
- Understood?
- Understood.
I'll obey you.
I'll obey you and go home and rest.
But send someone to the temple.
I shot four times last night.
You can determine the type of gun
from the bullet holes in the wall.
Tell me how many bullets
a Type 64 gun holds?
Seven.
Show me your gun.
Leave your gun here.
Go home and rest.
Immediately.
Comrade Ma Zhe
showed outstanding ability
handling the 1215 case.
He solved the case
by meticulous deductive reasoning,
and tracked down the killer
with admirable determination.
He confronted the murderer
with dauntless courage.
His devotion to public security
is a shining example for all of us.
The murderer will be dealt with
according to the law.
He is now under active treatment
in a municipal psychiatric hospital.
With the approval
of the Police leadership,
we hereby confer on Ma Zhe
this Grade 3 merit award,
as encouragement.
One year later...
Therefore I choose
to play the part of fate.
I wear the foolish,
unintelligible face
of a professional god.
Peishui City, Jiangdong Province.
Year 1995.
Great!
Every department is here.
Let me say a few words.
I asked you last week to submit
your merit evaluation applications.
Don't delay. No exceptions.
I'm serious.
As for your investigations,
keep an open mind.
Collective glory will boost
the team's morale.
And team morale is essential
for success in our work.
Take me, for example:
I'm willing to sacrifice my lunch
so I can practice.
This also contributes
to collective glory, doesn't it?
That's all for now.
Next week,
I want all your applications
on my desk.
Without delay.
Am I clear? Then get back to work.
Ma Zhe,
stay for a minute.
You remember Mr. Li,
from the Cultural Bureau?
He invited me to dinner.
He said they're shutting the cinema.
No one goes any more.
I thought it over. This is good news.
You mean
you want to turn it into our office.
That's right.
It's more discreet.
Perfect for your investigation.
Ma Zhe,
what do you think?
I understand.
I'll be off then.
Careful with that equipment.
Give us a hand!
What do you think, Yan?
They even set up an office for you.
Where?
You'll see it soon.
Traditional martial arts.
I'm serious.
Turn on the lights!
How long did Inspector Ma
tell you to stay like that?
You're back.
Go to bed.
Your dinner's in the pot.
I just had a really strange dream.
But I can't remember any of it.
Don't think about it.
You need to rest now.
Hello?
We're preserving this evidence.
Come over here after your photos.
Measure the distance
between No.2 and No.5.
Take a picture of this.
The dogs won't smell anything.
Footprints are spoiled too.
Do we know who the victim is?
Wang Fengxia. She's called
Granny Four in the village.
She had no family.
She adopted a madman.
A madman?
Where is he?
We don't know. We're searching.
Inspector Ma.
Look. This was found near the body.
Anything that identifies her?
I checked. Nothing.
Inspect it thoroughly at the station.
Inspector Ma?
They brought you here.
Hello.
- You discovered the body?
- I did, sir.
When did you discover it?
A while ago.
I told my dad.
He didn't believe me and slapped me.
This boy's a real liar.
I didn't ask you.
What happened next?
I called some older kids
to come look.
They believed me.
When you found it,
was it already dark out?
Yes.
Comrade officer,
the TV news was starting
when my son came home.
It must have been around 7 p.m.
Did you see anyone else by the river
when you found the body?
No. I was all alone.
When the big kids saw it,
they were all afraid. Not me.
Thank you for your cooperation.
We'll be in touch. You may go.
Mr. Policeman. There's something
I want to tell you.
What is it?
If you catch the bad guy,
can you show me what he looks like?
I really want to know!
Don't worry,
I'll definitely catch him.
Go home.
Goodbye.
Has the murder weapon been found?
No.
Shift change!
Come on out.
Wipe yourself off.
Give me a hand.
We have about 50 families
in the village.
We rarely see any strangers.
Did Granny Four have any enemies?
None that I heard of.
She raised her geese.
And had no issues with anyone.
What about the madman?
I don't know his name,
or where he came from.
He showed up here years ago.
He comes and goes.
Have some more.
How do you know Granny Four?
We're neighbours.
She lived across the way.
Did she leave her house much?
She said hello when she went out.
She sometimes did errands.
And sometimes helped us.
She was quite friendly.
Her husband died a few years go.
After he died, she wanted to adopt.
She picked someone up. That madman.
We kept an eye on her.
She often went out for walks,
in and out of the village.
She walked through the orange groves,
on the hillsides,
just wandering around.
- Is the madman aggressive?
- No, never!
When children throw stones at him,
he smiles blankly.
- He ignores you if you call him.
- He's usually very calm.
He ignores the kids
when they throw stones at him.
He doesn't react.
Fixing dinner, Yan?
Number 2 seems to be sharpest.
No. 2?
It's sharp. But the wound is slanted.
- It's not 2.
- The impact is too soft.
Let me try.
Give me the knife. It's dangerous.
This case must be resolved quickly.
Our superiors are watching.
Understood.
You've got a good setup here.
I'm pleased.
Oh yes.
Have you finished
your merit application?
I'll get it to you tomorrow.
Good.
I have a meeting.
I'll leave you to your work.
Take care of yourself.
This is the closest match.
This weapon is quite heavy.
Yes.
The murderer must be pretty strong.
And the handbag?
The fingerprints we took at the scene
all seem to be
from the same person.
The items in the handbag
are all quite ordinary.
There are no other clues.
Have you checked this bus pass?
It's a multizone pass.
With no fixed itinerary.
I've checked the cassette
and skin cream.
They can be purchased anywhere.
The flower's heart,
Hidden in its stamen,
Has missed its flowering season.
Your heart,
Has forgotten what season it is.
Who can understand it...
Inspector Ma, we found the madman.
You can go.
Don't leave until
you listen to the whole tape.
He doesn't respond
to anything you say.
We don't know what else to do.
Let me try.
Take him back.
And keep an eye on him.
Xie, what are you doing?
Inspector!
You're back?
Why are you still here?
Where's your jacket?
Have you listened to the tape?
I haven't finished.
Let's listen together?
I think we need to.
It's a good thing you're here.
Don't you always say...
Inspector, I'm on night duty.
Aren't you hungry?
Hong...
There you are.
No matter when you come,
I'll always be waiting,
in the first song on the B side.
I love little tricks like this.
I snuck into your office today.
I would never disturb you.
I just wanted to linger
where you were.
I haven't seen you in three days.
I miss you.
Ting,
mark out the residential areas
in the county
on both sides of the rail line.
Yes sir.
Hong,
I ate twenty dumplings today.
I stuffed myself.
And you? Have you eaten?
I'd love to cook for you every day.
It's raining today.
I fought with my mother again.
I can't go on like this.
Hong...
I want to tell you a secret.
Can we isolate her voice here?
We don't have
the necessary technology.
I'm finished with the map:
The railway is
at the intersection of 3 provinces.
The travelling population is complex.
There must be about 50,000 people.
Get me a copy of the tape.
Yes sir.
He's been here 3 days.
We feed him,
take him to the bathroom, everything.
So he doesn't want to leave.
What do we do now?
Let the villagers take him back.
Fine.
Hong...
you know we never see
the far side of the moon?
It's as if we're hiding there.
Only you and me.
The two of us.
Hong...
There you are.
No matter when you come,
I'll always be here waiting,
in the first song on the B side.
I love little tricks like this.
Today...
Today it's raining.
I fought with my mother again.
I can't go on like this.
Hong...
I want to tell you a secret.
I can't go on like this.
Hong...
I want to tell you a secret.
This is the call signal.
This signal is for slowing down.
This is the alarm signal.
When something's wrong.
That's what we hear on the tape.
Correct.
When I saw a problem ahead,
I sounded that alarm.
Have there been any recent incidents
on any other lines?
No. That was the only one
in 6 months.
"Your heart has forgotten
what season it is"
"Who can understand it..."
Guess where I am.
I'm somewhere I can see you.
But you can't see me.
This sounds like the voice
of our factory's accountant.
Your accountant?
Where is she?
She lives upstairs here.
Call her.
Zhang!
Zhang!
Come downstairs.
What is it?
The police are looking for
your daughter. Come down.
"I can only look forward
to the day when
the underground flames
will burst forth
and scorch me and this living coffin.
In these flames and blood,
"I will attain eternal life."
Don't laugh!
Poetry is something
very pure and serious.
It lets you face yourself honestly.
I believe that a poetry reading
can have many forms.
I find this poem to be excellent.
Very sincere.
Let's all applaud for sincerity.
Who is Qian Ling?
Come with us.
You live far away.
Why were you strolling there?
The air is better there.
Better air?
You took an hour and a half bus ride
just to breathe good air?
Why didn't you report
that you saw a corpse?
I was afraid.
Our team leader.
Hong...
I want to tell you a secret.
Who is this Hong?
Do you still claim
you were there alone?
This is my private life.
I have no interest
in your private life.
But I'm warning you.
This concerns a murder case.
If you continue to be uncooperative,
I'll have to question your friends
and family.
This shouldn't be too difficult.
Sir,
there's progress.
We're about to find out
who this Hong is.
Keep pressing her.
Hello sir. I am Wang Hong.
I assume
Qian Ling told you everything.
So you are Hong.
Yes. I'm Hong.
Comrade officer,
here's the situation.
I had arranged to meet Qian Ling
by the river that day.
But I arrived late.
When I didn't see her, I left.
The next day, she said that
something happened by the river.
Something that really frightened her.
And she left her bag there.
Do you know the deceased?
No I don't.
What were you doing that day
between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.?
I was in the factory
playing cards until 7 p.m..
I was upset I lost.
So I remember it clearly.
I wouldn't dare lie about this.
You can ask around.
Comrade officer, I came
because I knew
that you would find me.
But our families must not find out
about my relationship with Ling.
You have to help me keep this secret.
Do you have anything else to say?
I'm warning you,
if you're hiding anything,
we will find out.
I'm not hiding anything from you.
Use this phone number.
Please don't call me at home or work.
I'll respond immediately.
Is that okay?
There's something I forgot.
I saw a woman by the river bank
that day, before I left.
She wore a textile factory uniform.
She was running very fast.
Describe her.
Quite tall. With long wavy hair.
Did you see her face?
Not clearly. She was too far away.
But she had long wavy hair.
Wang Hong, don't lie to us.
I wouldn't dare. It's a murder case.
Every word I say is true.
I checked it out.
Wang Hong really was
playing cards that day.
Do we let him go?
Are you sleeping?
What a stroke of good luck.
Just when one trail goes cold,
we find a new one.
Be serious.
We're investigating.
How the hell is this luck?
Don't be angry, sir.
The textile factory was in
overtime mode that day.
No one could leave at that hour.
This is the schedule
of when the punched in and out.
Only one person punched out:
Xu Liang.
It's the hairdresser
assigned to the factory.
"Xu Liang.
7.10 p.m."
When is
the victim's time of death?
Between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m..
Is the list accurate?
Definitely. I was in charge that day.
That's Xu Liang's hairdressing shop.
I'll get back to work.
County Criminal Investigation Bureau.
My name is Ma Zhe.
We have some questions for you.
Sure...
Please have a seat.
I've been expecting you.
You're expecting us?
Don't misunderstand me.
I know what you're going to ask.
As soon as I arrived by the river
that day, I saw the corpse.
I knew I would be
caught up in this case.
What do you mean "caught up"?
Did you kill her?
No. But it doesn't matter.
You won't let me go anyway.
"It doesn't matter"?
Do you know what you're saying?
Yes.
You were at the river
on the evening of December 15th?
Yes.
What for?
I was fishing.
Who did you go with?
I went alone.
Did you see a woman
with wavy hair
wearing your factory's uniform?
No. I didn't see anyone else.
Are you certain?
I'm certain.
Comrade officer...
I know the procedure:
You'll investigate, question me
and finally convict me.
Can't we avoid all that,
and skip to the end?
You understand that you are now
taking legal responsibility?
I know it better than anyone.
The hairdresser
had a previous conviction?
Yes. I checked.
For indecency.
Someone denounced him.
He was sentenced to 8 years.
And released after 7 years.
But he has an alibi.
He is not a suspect now.
Neither is Wang Hong.
But Hong saw the wavy-haired woman.
When did this hairstyle
become fashionable?
I don't know.
No idea.
But now it's everywhere.
This doesn't help us.
The situation is quite complex.
Step up your efforts.
Your file says you were awarded
a Grade 3 merit in Yunnan.
But there is no record of it here.
That's not possible.
There must be a record in Yunnan,
anyway.
Really?
Maybe it's a clerical error.
Find the certificate,
and we'll post it
on our model worker board.
Do you know where that
award certificate of mine is?
What certificate?
The Grade 3 merit award from Yunnan.
It doesn't ring a bell.
We didn't know each other
when you were in Yunnan.
"We can never meet again."
"I promised you"
"that only death can separate us."
"Unfortunately, I broke my promise."
"If only I had met you earlier,
everything might have been different."
"You said that we can forget reality
when we close our eyes."
"But poetry is not our sanctuary."
"When we open our eyes again,"
"reality will be back, facing us."
"Farewell, Ling.
Forgive me. Pardon me."
What a strange coincidence,
this Wang Hong business.
We spent so much effort finding him,
and it turns out he's not a suspect.
And a few days later, he's dead.
Killed the same way as Granny Four.
What can we infer from this?
Qian Ling, we have some questions.
Did you arrange to meet Wang Hong
this evening by the river?
Did you go?
Who is it? You're not
going out this evening!
If you go, don't bother coming back!
You haven't been out all day?
Wang Hong is dead.
We found his body by the river.
The letter.
This is for you.
It's evidence.
I'm really unhappy.
Deal with it.
My head's all mixed up.
What's mixed up?
Wang Hong said he saw a woman
with wavy hair at the crime scene.
We are trying to find her.
And now Wang Hong is dead.
So our investigation points
to this wavy-haired woman.
Understand?
Inspector...
One more!
One more time!
Ma Zhe.
Why haven't you
wrapped up your report yet?
I still need to sort things out.
This case is sufficiently clear.
Hasn't the madman
been sent to an asylum?
Wrap things up.
Chief, everyone is here.
Good. Let's take a group portrait.
I'll take the photo.
No, Ma Zhe.
You broke this case.
It's a collective honour
for all of us.
Come on, hurry up!
Everyone line up!
It's been a good year.
Next year let's do even better!
- More glory for us all!
- Everybody ready!
To victory in ping-pong!
Pick them up.
I see the baby's head.
Is that a foot?
It's a hand.
Ma Zhe, come look.
Baby is waving at us.
Ma Zhe?
Ma Zhe?
Doctor, how is our child developing?
Everything looks normal.
The NT looks slightly high.
Nothing to worry about.
We'll check it with a blood test.
Pull both of them out.
You're leaving, Inspector?
Be careful.
What you've written makes no sense.
A tape, a farewell letter,
a poetry meeting, wavy hair...
Why bother writing down
Xu Liang's babbling?
I've written down the facts.
Facts are fine, but this
must be based on the evidence.
Chief,
I need to investigate further.
What do you need to investigate?
What don't you understand?
Why did Wang Hong die?
Why did the madman kill him?
If what Wang Hong said is true,
why haven't we found
the wavy-haired woman?
On the night of the crime,
the madman appeared in front of me
holding the murder weapon.
What a coincidence!
Coincidence or not,
we need to build a case
around the evidence.
Fingerprints, knife wounds,
weapons, blood stains.
Isn't all this evidence sufficient?
If not the madman,
then tell me who did it.
What else is there to investigate?
Really...
Chief,
I don't know.
I'm sure this case isn't so simple.
I just want to clear things up.
Write up your report correctly,
and it will be clear.
Is there anything else?
You can go.
Where were you
on the evening of December 15?
At work.
Please get them to be quiet.
Ladies!
Please be quiet!
Please cooperate
with our police comrades.
How much longer will this take?
We have work to do.
She's right!
Blame it on your wavy hairstyles!
Please settle down.
HAIRDRESSER
Inspector Ma,
I've been waiting for you.
Xu Liang, don't be nervous.
I'm not here to accuse you.
I'm here to ask:
Do you have
a client from the factory
who is tall, with long wavy hair?
I've never had a client
ask for this style.
I know that there is another victim.
You must be very anxious
to solve the case.
Just arrest me, and you're done.
Why should I arrest you?
You're not the wavy-haired woman.
Don't bother looking for her.
Arrest me and you're done.
Xu Liang,
stop wasting my time.
We have to follow
the correct procedures.
In that case, Inspector Ma,
what progress have you made
with your procedures?
Do I owe you a progress report?
No.
Give me a deadline.
Name a date.
I know what happened to you.
Don't worry.
If you are innocent,
I will absolutely treat you fairly.
I've heard that before.
Now I know where you are
in your investigation.
Thank you, Inspector Ma.
Inspector Ma!
Comrade officer...
How is he?
Not good. We pumped his stomach.
He needs immediate dialysis
to eliminate the drug.
We must transfer him
to the county hospital.
Then transfer him.
We need his family's consent.
I've informed our director.
His family is on the way.
Where should I sign?
Transfer him now.
When did you find him?
After 10 p.m..
He was foaming at the mouth.
He swallowed a bottle
of sleeping pills.
Inspector...
Inspector...
Xu Liang is out of danger.
Case closed.
Take this evidence away.
You were always
quoting Chekhov at karaoke.
Do you remember if I received
a Grade 3 merit award back in Yunnan?
I never received
a Grade 3 merit award.
Not you. Me.
I don't remember.
You were always drinking.
It's pretty unlikely.
No. I can't be wrong.
You're drunk again.
Fine. Let's drop the subject.
Let's have dinner
next time I'm in Yunnan.
Bye bye!
Please wait.
Please see the cashier.
It's a genetic condition.
There is no cure.
Your child's cognitive
development may suffer.
Neither of our families
has a history of this disease.
How could this happen to our child?
I told you. It's a genetic mutation.
It's not definite.
But a 10% probability is significant.
Go home.
Think it over if you want
to keep the child.
Let's not keep it.
The baby has a heartbeat.
I can feel it.
We can try again later.
But it will never be this one.
Remember?
The baby waved at us.
You saw it.
It's true.
It's the boy
who saw the first vicitm.
Whose father brought him to us.
Isn't the madman
in a mental hospital?
Their security said he escaped.
They're looking for him.
This time we have an eyewitness.
The madman killed him.
- Are you certain?
- Positive. It was him.
- Where did you see him?
- Over there.
He was walking behind the child.
He hit him on the head with a rock.
It's not too far to see clearly?
I have new glasses.
- Which hand did he use?
- His right hand.
The child turned back to look.
He was hit in the face.
Inspector!
I just confirmed with the hospital.
The madman escaped.
Comrade!
Did you find something?
Search carefully! Spread out!
- Found anything?
- Nothing.
Check over there again.
Lieutenant Yan?
Nothing.
Let's go.
- Who's on duty?
- I don't know.
Go check at the County Committee.
You're very strange, sir.
Isn't the murderer the madman?
What links the victims together?
I have an idea,
please don't hit me.
I saw a film about a man
who murdered many people.
At first, the victims didn't
seem to be connected.
It turned out that their fathers
all fought in the same war.
What if this case is similar?
You should go home and rest.
Yes, I've mobilised our personnel.
Aren't you a model brigade?
Is this how you earned your status?
The case was resolved, and you still
let the murderer escape?
What have you all been up to?
I'll give you one week
to arrest the madman.
Otherwise, you're through here.
Yes, sir.
Do you like this colour?
It suits boys and girls.
It's fine.
Do you regret deciding to keep it?
What if it does
have a birth defect?
Didn't the doctor say
there was only a 10% chance?
She also said
this was a very high risk.
Why are you so negative?
How can an abnormal child survive?
I'll take care of him all my life.
Yes you can, but have you
considered the child's feelings?
Don't you think I have?
I'm his mother. He's in my belly.
I have to consider his feelings.
If he's really not normal,
do you think his life will be easy?
What right do you have to decide?
I am his mother.
I said the decision is mine.
You have no right to interfere.
The child is not in your belly.
You're a man with no feelings.
What's wrong with you, Ma Zhe?
Do you remember what you promised?
You said you would plan our lives,
when we would have a child.
And look what's happened.
Ma Zhe,
this is not an accident.
It is heaven's will.
Inspector...
He wants to thank you in person.
Yes.
Inspector...
Are you feeling better?
I'm fine.
I wanted to thank you
for signing my hospital transfer.
No need. I've just come
to express my gratitude.
To save a life is to renew a life.
I was just doing my job.
I caused you a lot of trouble.
Please don't hold it against me.
Not at all. It was my fault
for not being clear from the start.
I now understand your situation.
Please call me if you need anything.
Thanks to you, everyone knows now.
I used to feel like a rock
was crushing my chest.
But now, I don't care at all.
I can breathe so much easier.
Good for you.
Take good care of yourself.
I have plans for my future.
Take this.
Make sure you hang it up.
So it's you. Just think,
I've seen you before!
What are you looking at?
Let's go.
Yes. That's it.
Too bad you can only die once.
"Everything might have been different
if only I had met you earlier.
You said that we can forget reality
by closing our eyes.
But poetry is not our sanctuary.
When we open our eyes again,
reality will be back, facing us.
I've listened to all the tapes.
Ling, you are the open window
of my prison.
You are the chains I wear willingly.
You are my floating island.
My gentle, peaceful native land.
"We are the smallest utopia
in the world."
Ma Zhe, Grade 3 merit!
Congratulations!
What's happened, Ma Zhe? Why?
Is it because of Xu Liang's suicide?
Anyone would be upset after this.
But his case has been closed.
No.
It's not about Xu Liang.
So what is the reason?
Whatever your reason is,
you cannot resign at this time.
Who else can finish this?
City officials call me every day.
Chief...
My wife is pregnant.
Really?
Then congratulations are in order!
But that's not a sufficient
reason to leave your work.
Ma Zhe, listen to me:
This case is coming to a close.
Once we arrest the madman, it's over.
You can't let me down now.
I really can't do this work
any longer.
What do you mean you can't?
Listen to me: We are policemen.
A public servant can never hide
when things go wrong.
You lead your team.
Do you understand?
That's enough.
Think things over carefully.
Take this back.
I've got work to do.
Inspector?
Come in. Sit down.
What happened?
Drink.
I would like...
to ask you for a favour.
What do you mean?
Of course I'm at your disposal.
From now on, I don't want to hear
anything more about the madman.
- Then who do I report to?
- No one.
From now on, you're in charge.
I understand, sir.
You need a few days rest.
I'll be fine. But...
will everyone on the team
follow my orders?
I'll let everyone know.
I'll give it 100%.
Thank you, sir.
Classes went well today.
We were just a little late.
One of my students
gave me some flowers.
That's so nice. Which one?
See you tomorrow Mrs. Bai.
See you tomorrow Mrs. Bai.
Goodbye Mrs. Bai.
You can't catch me!
Does your colleague Xie
have a girlfriend?
We have a very nice new teacher.
He doesn't need our help.
He's very talented.
What kind of talent?
He can do the splits.
Don't laugh. It's true.
He can really do the splits.
I've seen him.
What else is he good at?
He's a good singer.
He can sing?
Ma Zhe...
You haven't sung to me in long time.
Do you remember the first time?
"The flower's heart"
hidden in its stamen
has missed its flowering season.
Your heart,
has forgotten what season it is,
who can understand it...
"Why don't you"
give me your hand,
We'll listen together to the song
of the sun and the moon.
The tide ebbs and flows
Ebbs and flows...
The flower will bloom again.
As long as you desire
As long as you desire
"Let your dreams
sail across the sea of your heart"
Captain. Keep your hat on.
Be confident.
Excellent.
Can you touch your child?
Yes, that's more like it.
One, two, three...
Finished?
Time for the next set.
Change your clothes.
I'll change too.
Keep that on.
You look smart.
I'm here for my photos!
Coming!
They're out of focus.
How long do I need to wait?
They're almost ready.
You shot this out of focus.
What is it, comrade officer?
Explain this to me:
Our men were staking out the temple.
A man died there and they
didn't notice? Don't be ridiculous.
Chief...
I know you won't understand
what I'm saying.
But it was planned
that I killed the madman.
Who planned it?
The madman.
The madman planned it?
The madman planned for you
to kill him?
Is that it?
Then tell me where you went
after you killed him.
I went home.
What do you mean?
I was drinking last night...
Enough.
Ma Zhe, I know you've been
under a lot of pressure.
You don't even know
what you're saying.
My mind is extremely clear.
The madman is dead, isn't he?
Then have me killed,
and the case will be resolved.
You are a policeman, so you must know
there is a judicial procedure
to follow if you kill someone.
Go home and think very carefully
about what actually happened.
- Understood?
- Understood.
I'll obey you.
I'll obey you and go home and rest.
But send someone to the temple.
I shot four times last night.
You can determine the type of gun
from the bullet holes in the wall.
Tell me how many bullets
a Type 64 gun holds?
Seven.
Show me your gun.
Leave your gun here.
Go home and rest.
Immediately.
Comrade Ma Zhe
showed outstanding ability
handling the 1215 case.
He solved the case
by meticulous deductive reasoning,
and tracked down the killer
with admirable determination.
He confronted the murderer
with dauntless courage.
His devotion to public security
is a shining example for all of us.
The murderer will be dealt with
according to the law.
He is now under active treatment
in a municipal psychiatric hospital.
With the approval
of the Police leadership,
we hereby confer on Ma Zhe
this Grade 3 merit award,
as encouragement.
One year later...