Miss S (2020–…): Season 1, Episode 10 - The Haunted Theatre Part 2 - full transcript

Did I disappoint you with my answer?

I'd like to emphasise this again.

I sell...

only fabric.

Actually, you didn't have to prepare dinner

just to ask these questions.

I have to go now.

Mr Bai.

It's still early.

Would you like to have coffee

and listen to some music?



It's fine. I have a meeting early tomorrow.

I'm going home to get some rest.

Thank you again for dinner.

Good night.

I'll see you to the door.

It's fine.

Taozi.

Why are you here so early?

I was passing by on my way to work.

So I came over to say hi.

But this place is not on your way

to the police station.

I was out on a case and it's nearby.

That's why I'm here.



Are you making wontons?

Let me help you.

You know how to make wontons?

I just learnt.

What's that red box over there?

Miss Su gave it to me

to celebrate my new lease of life.

It's a red treasure box from Unifon.

So that's what you were talking about that night.

- Yes. -That explains your lovely complexion.

Mine isn't so good.

Taozi.

So...

I couldn't make it to the opera on your birthday

and the show ended in a murder.

May I invite you to one again?

- Sure. -Really?

It's a promise then.

I'll buy the tickets later.

Wait.

Your wontons will break open

the way you're doing it.

I just did what...

This one too.

- My goodness. -What's breaking open?

- Wontons. -Wontons.

We were talking about wontons.

Taozi, it's fine if it breaks open.

It'll end up in our stomachs anyway.

I... I'll throw these away.

Officer Shen, have you had breakfast?

Yes. I'll be off to work now.

Hold on.

Did Inspector Luo manage to find

Guan Litian's teapot?

I can't tell you, Miss Su.

Any clues on the opium?

I got my answers from that look on your face.

No, Miss Su. You know how Inspector Luo is.

If he asks you, don't say it was me.

I didn't tell you anything.

Otherwise he'd dock my pay again.

Don't worry.

Even though we don't have much chemistry

you must understand one thing, Xiao'an.

I'm not just a private detective

that wants information from you.

I'm Taozi's sister. Her family.

Do you get it?

Yes... I get it now.

If you're taking Taozi to a show

you must do your homework beforehand.

Here's the show pamphlet.

For me?

The Peony Pavilion Show Lyrics

Thank you, Miss Su.

If I have any other questions for you...

I understand...

I'm off to work now.

Who made these wontons?

They look like dustpans.

My goodness.

You seem to be in a good mood.

Inspector.

I just came back from Miss Su's.

She gave me a show pamphlet.

- Which opera? -The Peony Pavilion.

It's a love story.

Isn't that romantic?

Unlike boring old work.

I have been working... Inspector.

Have you found the source of the opium?

Not yet, Inspector.

Then why are you still standing there?

I'll do it immediately.

Love?

Mrs Bai.

I'm here for Miss Su.

May I know what this is regarding?

I just want to tell her something.

She is a respectable lady here in Shanghai.

My grandson is already engaged.

Don't seduce my grandson.

Don't be a homewrecker.

It'd bring shame to her name!

That old lady is so harsh with her words.

Nobody's being a homewrecker.

Xiao'an.

Do you believe in ghosts?

I don't. But Taozi does.

20 years ago, there used to be

a famous opera actress named Qiao Ruijuan.

Find out more about her.

All right.

I found it.

"An ill-fated beauty. Troubled love life"

"led famous opera singer to suicide"

Here.

"On the opening night of The Peony Pavilion"

"famous opera singer, Qiao Ruijuan"

"committed suicide in her dressing room."

- "Her death caused an uproar." -An uproar.

Qiao Ruijuan had two admirers

who were both opera performers.

One was the handsome actor, Xu Chuankui.

The other was Lu Naifei

who went to Beijing to hone his art.

This is someone we know.

Taozi, this case is getting interesting.

Look into this person called Xu Chuankui.

We'll split up and investigate separately.

OK.

It's been 20 years.

I don't want to bring up the painful past.

Did you love her?

Yes.

But what could I do?

In the end, I lost her.

I read in an old magazine that

she had two admirers back then.

You and someone called Xu Chuankui.

Who was he?

An actor and a film director.

He was quite a handsome man.

And?

And he broke up our relationship!

Pardon my outburst, Wenli.

Back then

Ruijuan and I planned to apprentice in Beijing.

We had to train for one year.

Although we couldn't perform during the year

but it was a valuable opportunity for us

to hone our skills.

Not everyone gets that opportunity.

We'd agreed to go to Beijing together.

But on our departure day

she suddenly backed out.

She stayed and you went off to Beijing?

I had no choice. It's unheard of in our field

to back out of an apprenticeship.

She wouldn't tell me why she changed her mind

and she stopped performing.

I returned a year later and found out

she was going to get engaged to Xu Chuankui.

He must have moved in on her while I was gone.

So you eventually became

the third party between them.

That's not really true.

When the theatre decided to

put on The Peony Pavilion again

I convinced them

to give Ruijuan another chance.

I wanted her to make a comeback

since she was a rare talent in Kun opera.

But fate is a funny thing.

Xu Chuankui joined the troupe as well.

How did the three of you get along?

While we were rehearsing

feelings rekindled between Ruijuan and I.

So you got back together?

I was determined

not to let her leave me again.

I wanted her to leave Xu Chuankui.

I know they didn't share

the deep connection we did.

I told her we'll get married

once she breaks up with him.

He must hate you very much.

Ruijuan agreed

to give me an answer on the opening night.

But I never thought

all I'll get from her is a suicide note.

Do you still have the note?

"There are roads in heaven but we're far apart."

"Who can I blame for this merciless hell?"

These are the lines from The Peony Pavilion.

I have to tell you this.

The ghost manifested in this theatre

and left a note.

The handwriting on both notes

are the same.

Could it really be her spirit?

This was her dressing room.

That night, the show was about to start

but I didn't see her anywhere.

So I came here to get her.

Yucca Dressing Room

Ruijuan?

It's time to get on stage.

Ruijuan?

Ruijuan, wake up. It's time.

Ruijuan?

Help... help!

What was the cause of her death?

She had taken poison.

Are you sure it's suicide and not murder?

That was what the police said.

But it was 20 years ago.

There's no way to reopen the case now.

Where was Xu Chuankui when this happened?

I don't know.

He was probably at the stage wing

since the show was about to start.

Does jasmine hold any special meaning for you?

That was her favourite flower.

Can you still contact Xu Chuankui?

I heard that he left the industry

shortly after what happened.

I don't know where he went.

Ruijuan's death hit us both really hard.

Did Ruijuan have any family in Shanghai?

I think she had a cousin.

What's her name?

Qiao... Ruixian. Right.

Her name is Qiao Ruixian.

She was also an opera performer.

But she quit after a year or two.

I knew you'd be here.

Why are you here alone, Inspector?

Do you have any interesting news?

I'm wondering if I should share it with you.

Of course you should.

Why do you even need to wonder?

I might have some useful news

for you in exchange.

It'll help us both.

What do you know?

I have information on the female ghost.

Every time the ghost appears

it's accompanied by the scent of jasmine flowers.

That was Qiao Ruijuan's favourite flower.

And the handwriting on the note

matches her handwriting.

Therefore, I gather that

the perpetrator is closely related to her.

All right. Guess who the beneficiary of

Guan Litian's will is?

Who?

Jiang Genfa.

Unexpected, but that makes sense.

But it isn't exactly hitting the jackpot

to inherit a Chinese opera actor's fortune.

It'd just be a beard prop or hand-sewn pleats.

You're talking about an average opera singer.

In Guan Litian's heyday

just the Han Dynasty Changle jade disc

that was embedded on his decorated hat alone

was worth a fortune.

I couldn't tell.

What do you think?

Are you keen to investigate further?

Blue Waters Dressing Room

Jiang Genfa, open the door.

Why are you here?

How may I help the two of you?

Isn't this Guan Litian's dressing room?

Where's Jiang Genfa?

He's not here.

Mr Zhang is using this room now.

Is Jiang Genfa still working here?

I'm not sure.

Have you finished ironing my pleats?

Yes, in a minute.

As beautiful as the flowers

As beautiful as the flowers

You stopped at the wrong spot again.

You keep making the same mistake.

Guan Litian might listen to you.

But...

don't expect me to do so.

If that's the case, let's just call it a day.

Miss Su.

Can you do me a favour and stand in for her?

Mr Zhang, I don't know how to do this.

It's fine.

You can skip the singing and acting.

Please stand here for me.

- All right. -Thank you.

- Right here? -Yes.

Let's get started.

I just need to get used to the staging.

All right.

I smell jasmine flowers.

Miss Su, this is when you'd...

What was that noise?

What happened?

He's dead.

Did Qiao Ruijuan appear again?

Miss Qin, there's no such thing as ghosts.

First it was Guan Litian.

And now, Zhang Shaoqiu.

This theatre is definitely haunted.

Manager Lu.

I need to search the premises.

Of course, you have my full cooperation.

Are you OK?

Get some rest at the back.

Inspector, we'll excuse ourselves.

Who are you?

Who are you?

You're next

Why are you sneaking around?

I heard noises at the back

so I came to see

if I can catch the culprit in the act.

I heard noises too.

The rope that held up the stage light

was frayed.

Someone tried to make this look like an accident.

You're right.

And there was the jasmine scent.

I smelled it too.

Let me show you something.

"You're next."

Looks like I'll have to keep a close eye on you.

I suppose so, Mr Inspector.

Why do you think the killer

is pretending to be a ghost?

I don't think we have the full picture yet.

Who will benefit from this?

The performers are terrified

and the show can't carry on.

The male lead is dead. So is his replacement.

This show is basically over.

Could it really be Jiang Genfa?

I'd understand if he killed Guan Litian

to inherit his fortune.

But why did he have to murder Zhang Shaoqiu

and threaten me?

I'll keep you safe.

Miss Su.

Mr Bai.

Let me introduce you. He's Inspector Luo.

This is Mr Bai Lide.

Nice to meet you.

- I came to see you. -Me?

I went to your house to look for you.

Your butler said that you'd be here.

What's the matter?

I want to invite you to dinner.

Wenli doesn't feel too well.

She probably needs to go home and rest.

It's OK, Qiuheng.

I'm getting a little hungry anyway.

I'm also feeling a little...

All right then.

Mr Bai, I hope you can get her home safely.

Don't you worry, Inspector Luo.

Drive safely.

I wouldn't trust him if I were you.

Go ahead.

I heard that my grandmother went to see you.

Don't stay out too late!

She said you're getting married soon.

It's a long story.

I haven't even met her.

No western food!

It's inappropriate for an engaged man

to be having candlelight dinner

with another lady.

Stop teasing me already.

My grandmother wants me to marry Natasha.

They're related to the Rostovs

who are wealthy and influential.

But they have a poor reputation.

It's a sound business decision.

A marriage of convenience that could

solve the troubles of two families.

I've never met Natasha.

But my grandma is rushing the marriage.

Our family isn't doing well financially.

Grandma hopes this marriage will improve our lot.

I envy how carefree you are.

It's as if you've never had to

go through any hardships.

Things are never what they seem.

Actually, everyone...

Or should I say everyone's life

is a mixture of pain and pleasure.

The amount of joy you feel right now

will be matched with pain in the future.

Here's to past joy.

And future pain.

Working overtime, Inspector? Have you eaten?

No. Let's grab a bite together.

I ate with Taozi. You'll have to eat alone.

Alone?

- Is it that great to eat with someone? -Yes.

Are you happy?

I have to eat alone?

So you go around buying women dinner

just because you're rich?

You think you're so great?

Eat your fill!

Go ahead and eat.

You didn't even pay me last month.

I'm broke. Taozi made dinner for us.

"Love begins and grows deeper."

"The living can die"

"while the dead can be resurrected."

Such wonderfully written lines.

Miss Su.

I don't think it's right to be spying on people.

We aren't spying. It's called observing.

Someone came out.

Who?

Isn't that Qin Yiyan?

But that's Qiao Ruixian's house.

Why is Qin Yiyan there?

You're right.

Hello. Is Qin Yiyan home?

We're her friends.

She just left. But she'll be back soon.

If you don't mind

you can come in and wait for her.

That would be lovely.

Here. Please come in.

Have a seat. I'll make you some tea.

Thank you.

Yiyan keeps to herself.

We seldom have guests over.

- Here. Have some tea. -Thank you.

We feel so honoured to be here.

She's acting in The Peony Pavilion.

Do you know that?

Yes, she told me about it.

This is my name card.

I'm sorry I lied about who I am.

We're investigating a murder

and paranormal activities

going on in T'iench'an Theatre.

Did Yiyan tell you anything about a ghost?

Ghosts don't exist.

Two people have already died in the theatre.

And it seems like Qiao Ruijuan's spirit

is out to claim lives.

No wonder Yiyan seemed worried lately.

I assume she isn't your biological daughter.

Qiao Ruijuan gave birth to her

and left her to your care. Isn't that right?

How did you know that?

Miss Qin reacted oddly to news of the ghost.

Someone said Guan Litian saw a ghost

before he died.

Have you seen it before?

Of course, I haven't.

Or I wouldn't be sitting here unharmed.

After I learnt that this place is haunted

I did try to look for it

but I found nothing.

Most people would be spooked

but she went looking for it.

Also, I came in and saw this picture

which confirmed my suspicion.

I heard that besides Lu Naifei

another actor was wooing Ruijuan.

His name is Xu Chuankui.

Do you know where he is now?

He vanished after Ruijuan's death.

He was also a Kun opera actor

but he wanted to be a film director.

He persuaded Ruijuan to switch to films.

He just wanted to make use of her fame

as a stepping stone for himself.

So did she do it?

No.

She just went for an audition

and made a short clip.

Does Yiyan know who her biological father is?

No. I never told her.

Forgive me for being rude.

If I'm not mistaken

her biological father is Lu Naifei?

Miss Su, you really are a detective.

Miss, what do you think?

What a fruitful trip.

I'm glad. Otherwise, I'd feel bad

for prying into someone's privacy.

Taozi, you have to get used to it.

This is part and parcel of the job.

Lots of questions remain to be answered.

Any updates on the task I gave you?

This is what I got.

After Xu Chuankui left Shanghai

nobody knew where he went

or what he did.

So it's really difficult to track him down.

- But... -But what?

I was sorting through some old newspapers

and read about a big fire in Hangzhou.

The hospital released the names of the victims

to locate their family members.

And?

I saw his name on the list.

Xu Chuankui

That means he's still alive.

Qin Yiyan is the daughter of

Lu Naifei and Qiao Ruijuan?

But what does this mean?

It means she has the motive to seek revenge.

On who?

The theatre that caused her mother's death.

Or perhaps she knows something

about her biological father's past.

Don't forget that she wrote to Lu Naifei

and requested him to stage

The Peony Pavilion in T'iench'an Theatre again.

The failure of this show

is going to ruin Lu Naifei.

Inspector, he's in the interrogation room.

All right. I'll be there in a minute.

We caught Jiang Genfa at the border.

He was going to return to his hometown.

I'll admit it.

It's my fault.

Mr Guan had been addicted to opium for months

and couldn't concentrate on stage

or remember his lines without opium.

That night, he saw a group of people

selling opium near T'iench'an Theatre

and approached them.

But they refused to sell it to him

because the price he offered was too low.

They got into an argument.

And Bai Lide happened to pass by?

Bai Lide?

Are you very close to him?

He's a friend of mine.

Is that so? How well do you really know him?

Does this have anything to do with our case?

Of course!

It's relevant to how credible his testimony is.

Buying women dinner just because he's rich.

Can a man like that be trusted?

You shut up.

Please continue.

Where was I?

You were talking about Bai Lide.

He happened to pass by

and fought the thugs off for Mr Guan.

He didn't help Mr Guan get any opium.

To make sure Mr Guan could still perform

I got a prescription from a quack doctor

for some laudanum.

Did you hear that? What I said is true.

Did the laudanum work?

He seemed rather alert after drinking it.

I prepared it based on the prescription.

Now that I think of it

I must have added too much laudanum.

Morgue

Why are you here again?

To learn from you.

You're the first woman I know

who is interested in this profession.

Inspector Luo said

you're the best there is in the field.

Really?

No wonder he kept letting you in here.

How is it?

Well...

there's nothing in there.

Nothing?

There's no opium?

- Are you doubting me? -Of course not...

There's no opium. Nothing.

It's just water, some astragalus

and trace alcohol.

Water, astragalus and alcohol.

- No opium? -No.

Still doubtful? Take a sip for yourself.

How about you, Officer?

Why are you still here?

Stop breathing down my neck.

Talk to the bodies if you have nothing to do.

Let's just go.

We're waiting for your report.

What else did he say about me?

Inspector Luo?

He said your glasses looked really good on you.

Really?

Your purse is pretty.

Is it? Do you like this kind of purse?

It's not bad.

You have lovely handwriting.

Take it.

Thank you.

Inspector.

The laboratory analysis is out.

Jiang Genfa was conned.

The laudanum he bought

didn't contain any opium at all.

Much less a lethal dose.

The contents of this sample doesn't match

the contents of Guan Litian's stomach.

Somebody must have switched the drink.

We can't rule out Jiang Genfa just yet.

He worked for Guan Litian for years.

I can see that he's loyal to him.

But he could still kill for money.

Until we have a new suspect

he's staying in detention.

A new suspect?

Everyone in the troupe is suspicious.

Including your new boyfriend.

My new boyfriend?

Bai Lide?

Guan Litian fought with some thugs over opium.

Bai Lide stepped in

and stopped the dirty transaction.

That's what he said.

That's what Jiang Genfa said too.

Perhaps. The timing is uncanny though.

Mr Inspector, are you doubting my judgement?

No.

I'm doubting your taste in men.

Suit yourself.

Taozi.

Miss, what are you doing?

Forget it.

I was trying to conjure up an apparition.

But I failed.

You didn't manage to do it?

I think I've failed as a detective.

If I were smarter

I'd have solved this mystery by now.

Don't say that, Miss Su.

You're the best detective around.

Thank you, Taozi.

For always encouraging me when I needed it.

Miss Su.

Xiao'an invited me to a movie tomorrow.

But I don't feel like going.

Why not?

He's taking me to an old movie.

What is it called?

Something about autumn and tears.

I don't like old movies.

I want to watch something new.

I don't like sad movies.

Old movies are great, Taozi.

They're unique

in terms of the visuals and sound effects.

- But I think... -Old movies...

Old movies! Taozi!

Why didn't I think of old movies?

You're brilliant!

- Miss Su? -I have a task for you.

Go to Qiao Ruixian's first thing tomorrow morning

and borrow something for me.

After that, meet me at T'iench'an Theatre.

I'll be conducting a huge experiment there.

The truth is within our reach.

Also...

call Inspector Luo at the police station

and ask him to meet me at the theatre.

Why don't you ask him yourself...

I don't want to talk to him.

Also, don't say that it's me.

Tell him that it was your idea.

Can you remember all of that?

Yes.

Old movies.

Wenli, did you gather all of us here

because you've found the killer?

There have been several inexplicable incidents

here in T'iench'an Theatre.

And those were the doing of

Qiao Ruijuan's spirit.

Today, I shall summon her before you.

It's Ruijuan.

That's her from 20 years ago!

I'm sorry to say ghosts don't exist.

It's just a trick to put fear in people.

What you saw was the only audition clip

Qiao Ruijuan made before she passed away.

It was projected onto

a screen of falling sand.

Falling sand.

Just like those in an hourglass.

That's brilliant.

But who did that?

Someone who knows Qiao Ruijuan very well.

Why are you looking at me?

Are you suspecting me?

You know her very well

but you didn't know this clip existed.

Ruijuan?

Is it really you?

I shouldn't have left you.

I've done you wrong.

There's so much that I wanted to tell you.

I was pregnant with your child

but I didn't want to be a burden to your future.

What did you say?

We have a child?

That's why I quit performing.

I didn't know when you'd return.

I had to find a way to raise our child.

Why didn't you tell me? Why?

The killer had Qiao Ruijuan's letter.

And that's how he forged her handwriting.

But he needed three more things.

First, free access to this place

to turn on the projector.

So he has to be part of

either the theatre staff or the troupe.

Secondly

he needs to know how to operate projectors.

So he must have worked in the film industry.

Thirdly, he needs to be able to

put poison into Guan Litian's teapot.

Who is it?

I wonder too...

Stop right there, Xu Ruisheng!

Xu Chuankui.

What?

You're Xu Chuankui?

Who's that?

Miss Su.

Why are you doing this?

There's one more thing.

I didn't commit suicide.

I wanted to leave him

and go back to Naifei.

So he killed me

and faked the suicide letter.

That's ridiculous.

You can't believe the lies of a ghost!

You fulfil all three requirements, Mr Xu.

This clip of Qiao Ruijuan

was never made public.

You're the only person who knew of it.

That's because you filmed it.

Xu Ruisheng...

Xu Chuankui, you scoundrel!

That's right.

I'm Xu Chuankui.

I should have killed you too.

To be honest, I wasn't sure initially

if you're Xu Chuankui.

He disappeared after Qiao Ruijuan's death.

Then his name showed up as one of the victims

injured in a big fire in Hangzhou.

His face came to mind immediately.

But I still couldn't be sure.

Until I witnessed your anger

when the Qiao Ruijuan played by Miss Qin

revealed the truth about her child.

Your anger has betrayed you.

That's right.

Miss Su wanted me to disguise as Qiao Ruijuan

and put on this show with her.

I was to observe everyone here

while I recite my lines.

Whoever tries to run away

would be the killer.

I'd just have to shout his name.

You can't understand the pain I felt.

Back then

Lu Naifei stole Ruijuan from me

and I lost the love of my life.

I hate him.

Now he's back in Shanghai

and staging The Peony Pavilion again.

I have to sabotage the show.

Why did you kill two innocent people

instead of your enemy?

I don't want him dead.

I want him to live like I do.

Mired in failure and regrets.

I want to transform his life

into a tragedy like no other.

Qiao Ruijuan is mine.

If I couldn't have her

neither could you.

I killed her.

So you can never be with her.

I'm going to kill you!

Take him away.

I can't believe you ruined my plan.

I should have killed you first!

Yiyan.

You really do look like Qiao Ruijuan.

Of course, she does.

She's Ruijuan's daughter.

You're her father.

Is that true?

Are you really my daughter?

I wanted to play the role of Du Liniang

to feel closer to my mother.

Why are you here at this late hour?

I came to see if you've gone to bed.

I was about to.

What were you doing just now?

You're so good at crafts, Taozi.

This looks so much prettier now.

You have the cheek to say that?

Why did you give me a pair of rain boots?

The rainy season is coming.

I was thinking...

if you have a pair of rain boots

we can share an umbrella and stroll in the rain.

I see.

Well, I hope it rains tomorrow.

Cigarettes for sale...

Sir, would you like to buy some cigarettes?

Xiao'an, I think

Miss Su and Inspector Luo

look really good together.

I agree.

It'd be great if they start dating.

Then I'd get to see you every day.

Congratulations

for catching the murderer once again.

Is this a compliment from the authorities?

If that's the case, I might get carried away.

It's good to do that sometimes.

But there's something you might not know.

I'm not really interested in Chinese opera.

Then why are you here?

Because you're here.

Have some water.

Taozi.

There's something you might not know.

What is it?

I don't really like Chinese opera.

Then why did you come?

Because you're here.