Miss S (2020–…): Season 1, Episode 14 - Death by the Music Box Part 2 - full transcript

I'm getting old and my memory is poor.

I forgot about the articles

that I wanted to revise from home.

You should get on with finding a husband.

I hear you.

Good luck.

See you tomorrow, Madam Yao.

See you.

I didn't realise people these days

have so many things to worry about.

Everyone has troubles. So do I.



I heard Miss Su is asking you to be

in charge of the Agony Aunt column.

Do you think you can do it?

I have no idea.

The job requires a lot of life experience

which I don't have.

I guess she wants me to take over the job

because I'm patient and have a good temper.

What the readers need are common-sense advice

and suggestions from a friendly voice.

Here's an interesting letter.

Maybe you should read it

and see if you can understand it.

- This... -Let me see.



Let me read it to you.

Go ahead.

"Dear Agony Aunt"

"I've known this girl for months."

"We see each other at work."

"We share cold beverages"

"go to the cinema and watch operas."

"I think she's sweet and kind."

"I really like her."

"But I don't know how to tell her how I feel."

"I'm not sure if she'd be my girlfriend."

Did he say how long they've known each other?

They've known each other...

for almost a year.

Does he really like this girl?

He really does. It shows in his letter.

I think...

this girl must really like him too.

And perhaps more.

Really? Well then...

How should we respond?

Write this.

Thank you for your letter.

- Write it down. -OK.

Thank you for your letter.

You wrote that you saw each other at work

shared cold beverages

went to the movies and watched operas.

I'm happy to know you both like each other.

Judging by my limited life experience

this girl must really like you too.

And she's definitely a good match for you.

That's all.

I'll... post it to him on my way back.

Uncle Xiang, how's dinner coming along?

I'm preparing it right now, Miss Su.

But your guests have arrived.

Inspector Luo is here?

Inspector Luo?

It's Mr Bai Lide. He came with a lady.

Where is he?

They're inside.

- Bai. -Miss Su.

This is Natasha.

Nice to meet you, Natasha.

She doesn't speak Mandarin.

I'd like to talk to you in private.

All right. Uncle Xiang.

Get Taozi to show Natasha to my room

and get some rest.

There's something we'd like to discuss.

Sure. This way.

- Thanks, Uncle Xiang. -All right.

Tell me. What's wrong?

The officers from Songhu Police Division

have paid us several visits about Natasha

and Grandma is unhappy about that.

Natasha told me

someone might be watching her.

Did she do something to warrant that?

No matter what she has done

she's still my fiancée.

I want to keep her safe.

I get what you're saying.

How about this? If you don't mind

why don't we let Natasha stay here?

She can stay for as long as she wants.

You don't have to worry about it.

Thank you so much.

This is for you.

- Come on in, Miss Su. -All right.

Your room is ready.

You can take a rest later.

As for your luggage

we'll get it sorted and send it over.

- Thank you. -Get some rest.

Bye.

Bai Lide has left.

He'll be back to visit Natasha tomorrow.

Did she get into trouble of some sort?

It seems so.

Their clothes are really pretty.

Especially the one in white here.

Is this a Russian wedding dress?

Inspector Luo is here. Let me get ready.

Borscht soup. Braised beef.

Vodka. And authentic Russian rye bread.

I'm so sorry, Miss Su. This is all my fault.

I thought the guest was Mr Bai Lide.

So I...

You made Russian cuisine?

- That's right. -Not a problem.

The inspector can try some Western cuisine.

But get him chopsticks and a spoon.

All right.

Miss Su, you've prepared

such a delectable Russian spread.

It's specially made for you, Inspector.

Try some Western cuisine for a change.

Besides, Uncle Xiang

makes one of the best Borscht in Shanghai.

Go ahead and give it a try.

How was it?

I never expected Russian food and liquor

to taste this good.

I didn't invite you here just to have dinner.

Sun Weiwei has been acting strange lately.

I tore this off her notepad today.

Seems like she left a message for someone.

Maybe it's related to Liu Jimei's death.

Give me a pencil.

Sure.

Hujiang Hotel

I know what you have done.

Unless you want me to expose you

bring 20 silver dollars with you

and meet me at Hujiang Hotel at 9.00pm.

It's 20 minutes to nine.

Linglong Magazine

What? I can't believe it.

Didn't she say she had an important date

when she left work yesterday?

She was so secretive about it.

This is terrifying.

Inspector, do you need to inform her family?

Her parents have been informed.

Chief Editor...

I have my suspicions of the man

who came to see Sun Weiwei yesterday.

What?

A tall man with a round face and shaved head

dressed in a long gown and wearing a bowler hat.

Why was he looking for Sun Weiwei?

I think it was about some photographs

that they had misplaced.

That man came and gave her a copy.

Later, Sun Weiwei recalled something

and ran after him.

They had a long conversation.

Let me find that photograph.

This was the envelope.

It's empty.

Hello?

One moment, please.

Inspector, Shen Xiao'an is on the line.

Thanks.

Xiao'an, what's the matter?

"Dear Agony Aunt"

"I'm going through a lot in life."

"My husband has been unemployed for years."

"We had been living on my father's earnings"

"from the small business he ran."

"He passed away from illness last month."

"Men started showing up at my door"

"with credit notes from my drunkard husband."

"That's when I found out he'd spent"

"all my father's savings on wine and gambling."

"I have three children to feed."

"I guess I have a long, hard road ahead of me."

We also found this magazine issue.

With Agony Aunt's reply two weeks later.

"Dear Wife-In-Despair"

"Aren't you responsible for what happened?"

"Your lack of judgement"

"has brought you an unreliable husband."

"You've started your own family"

"yet you were still living off your father."

"You didn't care about his business"

"neither did you urge your husband"

"to find a stable job."

"Did you ever consider"

"if you have the means to raise three children?"

This reply could only have made things worse.

It could even have been the final straw.

Maybe that infuriated "Husband-In-Despair".

Was the address written on the envelope?

20 Changning Road, Fu Neighbourhood

Over there!

Stop right there!

Go on and run, why don't you?

Are you "Husband-In-Despair"?

Do you know what this is about?

They deserve it.

What a sorry excuse of a magazine.

So much for Agony Aunt.

Our family was in trouble.

We wrote her a letter to seek help.

Do you know how she replied?

She broke up my family.

How did she do that?

My wife had enough of it.

She abandoned our children and left home.

She went to her family in Gaoqiao, Pudong.

She...

She downed mercury.

- Then? -She was rescued.

But she became disabled.

She's half paralysed.

Our children are still young.

Tell me. What should I do?

What a sorry excuse for a magazine.

I wonder which dirtbag was behind it.

I curse all their ancestors!

Is that why you killed Agony Aunt?

She's dead?

Why did you go to the editorial office

after you got off work that evening?

When I got there, everyone had left work.

So I just vandalised their wall with red paint.

What did you write?

I wrote "You'll die a terrible death".

I left but then the more I thought about it

the angrier I got, so I threw a brick.

Sir, buy some red dates? They're sweet.

What are you doing?

What time did you leave their office?

Between 8.00pm and 9.00pm.

Are you sure?

Yes. The shops in the area were closed.

That's why I had the nerve to throw the brick.

Did anyone see you?

The vendor selling snacks on the sidewalk.

He saw me.

Agony Aunt died that same evening.

Officer, I didn't do it.

I told you she'd die a terrible death.

Linglong Magazine

How did it go?

Chen A'xing is "Husband-In-Despair".

He wrote those words on the wall.

And he smashed the window.

But Liu Jimei was already dead before that.

- Were there any eyewitnesses? -I've checked.

The street hawker saw him throw the brick.

Looks like another dead-end for us.

Yao Huimin and Liu Jimei

co-founded Linglong Magazine.

The board of directors was established

after a new round of fund injection.

Upon Liu Jimei's death

the board immediately announced that

Yao Huimin would take over the operations.

That's normal.

It sure is. But Yao Huimin benefited greatly

from Liu Jimei's death.

That's an incontrovertible fact.

What do you mean?

Everyone working here is suspect.

I've known Madam Yao since I was 12.

Even though she can be blunt

and doesn't beat around the bush

she treats everyone fairly.

Some people might get offended by her

but she was a well-liked teacher.

She's as much of a suspect as I would be.

Miss Su, in our line of work

it's a taboo to be subjective.

Everyone has feelings.

But you should be objective in a case

and set aside your feelings.

I forgot that you're the type

who would apologise for having feelings.

What? We're talking about the case now.

That's what I'm doing.

Madam Yao is old. Plus, she's the chief editor.

Why would she want to kill Liu Jimei?

Maybe you should ask her that yourself.

Madam Yao.

The board of directors agreed that

should Liu Jimei or I leave our jobs

the other person would take over

the entire operation.

Is that enough reason for you to kill her?

I'm not young anymore.

If the board of directors hadn't kept me

I'd have quit a long time ago.

You hear that?

Uncorroborated statements

aren't proof of anything.

Are you saying this sweet old lady here

pushed Sun Weiwei out the hotel window?

Can we please not do this before the suspect?

Suspect? Are you still suspecting Madam Yao?

- I'll leave. -No, Madam Yao.

Stay here. Don't go anywhere.

I give you my word that

Madam Yao couldn't have killed anyone.

Let's get that clear, Inspector Luo.

Wenli... don't argue.

Inspector Luo.

It's true. Jimei and I had our disagreements.

But Linglong Magazine is like our child.

Its survival is more important

than our petty differences.

I'm not young anymore.

I no longer have as much energy.

And I've lost two capable editors.

I don't have the energy to argue with you.

It's true.

I can't keep up.

It seems not that long ago

when we were all gathered round

to discuss the topics for our next issue

and revising manuscripts.

We were so happy then.

But now... it's all gone.

Gone!

Are you happy now?

Liu Jimei washed the brushes before leaving.

But weren't the water pipes damaged then?

The water supply had stopped for two days.

The water pipes were damaged for two days.

So I thought I would get in before everyone

to repair the pipes.

7th May...

This were drawn on the same day.

It's her final piece of artwork.

But the brushes on her desk are clean.

Even the water in the glass is clean.

That means she cleaned the brushes

after she finished painting.

That doesn't make sense.

Both Sun Weiwei and Yan Mengdie said

the water supply was cut off that day.

It only resumed the following morning

after Mao Jiakang repaired the pipes.

That's what he told me too.

Where is he?

The utility room.

Mao.

Will the water supply get cut off today?

What? That's not going to happen.

- The valve is fixed. -That's great.

Now go and fix your watch.

What's wrong with my watch?

Because you can't tell the time.

Tell us the truth, Mao Jiakang.

According to you, on the night Liu Jimei died

the water supply was interrupted

and you fixed the water pipe

at 6.00am the next morning.

Did you lie?

Fine, I admit I'd already fixed the pipes

sometime after 6.00pm

on the day Madam Liu died.

Then why did you lie?

Because I don't want my wife to know

I was here that night.

How would she not know?

She was working late.

No, she wasn't.

I returned to the office after 6.00pm.

No one was in the main room.

She had already left.

Where did she go?

I'd like to know that too.

How many years have you been married?

Five years.

We grew up together in the same alleyway.

She's educated.

Unlike me.

We were happy at first.

But she's been saying she needs to work late.

So I thought I'd just come and see

if that was true.

Who knew...

I'm a man and it's embarrassing

to be discussing this with you.

Madam Yao.

Do the police have any leads?

Yes, they do.

They're suspecting me.

What?

Maybe they're writing a novel series for us.

I don't have the energy to care about that.

I'm just happy that

we filled all the pages for this issue.

Madam Yao, does that mean

everything is done for this current issue?

Yes. The final draft has been sent for print.

In that case, I'll give myself a little break.

Same place tonight after work

Hujiang Hotel

Oh, you.

Why are you here?

Madam Yan.

You deceived the police

and lied to your husband.

On the day Madam Liu died

you told your husband you'd be working late.

But in actual fact, you left before 6.00pm.

We've looked into it.

There wasn't any tram break down

on Waibaidu Bridge that evening.

I went to see a friend.

Where? Who was it?

It was here, wasn't it?

Yang Zhengjun booked this room.

This is where you rendezvous.

As you know, my marriage with Mao Jiakang

was arranged when we were born.

Such marriages seldom work out.

I like reading, listening to the opera

and checking out cafés.

He's not interested in any of that.

He just likes to tinker with water pumps

typewriters, radios and whatnot.

He's so dull.

So you and Yang Zhengjun get along well then?

I've said everything there is to say.

You're not going to tell my husband, right?

That's outside of my job scope.

Uncle Xiang, did you see my facial cream?

Uncle Xiang.

Facial cream?

It's that box of cream I use on my face.

See if it's on that table.

I thought I saw it there.

Thank you.

Did you find it, Taozi?

I found it.

Natasha found it.

Why did she leave?

Have you ever heard her speak Mandarin?

No, I haven't.

I think she knows a bit of Mandarin.

How else would she know

what I was looking for?

Even though we proved that

Yang Zhengjun and Yan Mengdie

are having an affair

this also place them away from the crime scene.

What about Mao Jiakang?

He lied to us from the start.

As of now, no one can prove what he did

when he went back to the office that evening.

Did he do more than fix the water pipes?

But what would be his motive?

Put the magazine out of business

so that his wife would focus on their family?

Perhaps he's willing to kill

in return for a nice warm meal at home?

That's ridiculous.

Unless there's something else between them.

Central Police Station.

It's Taozi.

Taozi, what's the matter?

All right. I'll be home right away.

Do you mind giving me a ride?

My pleasure.

Bai Lide has a fiancée.

She's currently staying at my place.

A fiancée?

And yet he's trying to woo you?

I knew he was up to no good!

That depends on whether I want to be wooed.

So do you?

It depends.

Why did he send her to your house?

The police at Songhu Police Division

seem to be keeping an eye on her

because she has a book on the Soviet Union.

Then it's no wonder the police are watching her.

Natasha.

I think it's time to have a frank chat.

You do know Mandarin, don't you?

Am I right?

I'm sorry. We also saw your book

in your suitcase.

So I'm thinking that you must be educated

and have your own set of beliefs. Am I right?

You're right.

I'm sorry for putting up a pretence.

I had no choice.

Who is your point of contact in Shanghai?

I couldn't find him.

Later, I was introduced to someone

from the magazine office.

I was told he could help me.

Linglong Magazine, Yang Zhengjun.

Yang Zhengjun.

He's the only male staff on the editorial team.

That North-eastern genius Yang Zhengjun.

Did you look into him?

Yes, we did.

He's surrounded by women.

Here's what it is, Natasha.

Since you're here at my place

I'll find a way to help you.

Uncle Xiang and Taozi are reliable people.

- Don't you worry. -Thank you.

Even if what you said is true

I'll still offer her protection.

She shouldn't stay in Shanghai for too long.

You need to find a safe place

for her to go into hiding.

I'll take her to the countryside of Wuxi.

That's an option, but you must be careful.

People there aren't used to foreigners.

I'll take that into consideration.

How is your wedding coming along?

Will it still be held as planned?

Our marriage is arranged by our parents.

We don't have feelings for each other.

Natasha is a nice girl.

Perhaps.

Maybe this wedding will end up a mistake.

That way, if I fail at my marriage

I can start over and pursue my true love.

Nobody does that.

To predetermine their marriage is a failure.

Let's get some air at the Bund.

No, I have to get up early tomorrow

to work on the case with Inspector Luo.

Looks like he cannot do without you.

Our relationship is strictly professional.

At least, it still for now.

Bai, I enjoy your company.

But you have your own life to lead

and family commitments to fulfil.

Whereas...

I'm a woman who likes to live freely.

I know.

Take care.

- Goodbye. -Goodbye.

Linglong Magazine

You want all the sources for the report

on Shanghai's new immigrants?

That's right.

Everything from when Liu Jimei worked on it

until Sun Weiwei took over the assignment.

It's all here.

I've seen these but I can't find any clues.

Try to recall if there are other sources.

There just aren't any.

Does that mean I won't find

that bald gentleman in the long gown?

Who are you talking about?

The gentleman who came with photographs

for Sun Weiwei the other day.

He's bald, wearing a hat and a long gown.

I'm sorry...

That person had submitted photographs

to both Sun Weiwei and Liu Jimei.

He was probably a magazine contributor.

Hold on a second.

Look at this.

It's this sort of negative.

"Wang Kai Photography Studio"?

Wang Kai Photography Studio

Hi.

Hello. Are you here to take photographs?

What kind would you like?

- We're thinking... -I know.

You're so pretty, miss.

And you're handsome, sir.

You must be here to take wedding photographs.

That's right.

- No... -Well...

Get us your best photographer.

- Who are we talking about? -The one...

We don't remember his name.

The bald guy with a round face.

He usually wears a long gown.

- Right. -You mean Mr Qiu?

He's the best at wedding photographs.

- Is that so? -Yes.

- This way, please. -All right.

Could you stand closer to the bride?

- Me? -Yes.

Put your arm around the bride.

May I?

Good. The bride looks exquisite.

Smile...

All right. Keep that smile.

Three, two, one.

- Congratulations... -Thank you.

You sound like you're from the Northeast.

I used to run a photography studio in Fushun.

Until the Japanese came.

I managed to get out

and come to Shanghai to earn a living.

Is that so?

Do you send photographs to Linglong Magazine?

Yes. There was a lady editor working on

an article on Shanghai's new immigrants.

She reached out as she'd wanted

some photographs I had taken back home.

Was it Miss Sun?

Her too, but there was another lady before her.

What's her name now?

Liu Jimei.

That's right, Liu Jimei.

What did you pass to her?

Just some photos I took in the Northeast.

She seemed to have recognised

a friend of hers from the photographs.

May I have a look at those photographs?

Of course.

- This way, please. -Thank you.

Speaking of these photographs

I almost got rid of them on my journey here.

Who knew they'd be so popular in Shanghai?

Be careful. This way, please.

Life in the Northeast is so interesting.

It's completely different from Shanghai.

Here it is.

There's someone in uniform.

There's even an aircraft behind.

That's probably him.

- Who? -The man we're looking for.

What's up with Uncle Xiang today?

Why did he slam the door?

Uncle Xiang didn't say he was going out.

- Is that so? -Miss Su, Natasha is gone!

What?

- Come on, get in! -Help!

Stop right there!

Who are you?

This is Luo Qiuheng.

Qiuheng, Natasha was abducted in a car.

Do you know who did it?

I think they're from Songhu Police Division.

- It was a black Buick. -Be quiet.

Car number plate 0385.

If they're returning to the police station

they'll definitely pass by Edoia Road.

- I'm counting on you. -Got it. Don't worry.

Have you no regard for the law?

How dare you abduct

a foreign woman in broad daylight?

I'm picking her up for her wedding.

Get out of the car.

Step out...

Officer, to be honest with you

we're from the Songhu Police Division.

- We're on duty. -That's right...

Is this your first day at work?

Chinese zone personnel can't make arrests

in the International Settlement.

- Don't you know that? -Well...

We have good reason to do this.

This is urgent.

She is...

What about her?

She's a spy and the liaison for her organisation.

You really should watch what you're saying.

First, she's a bride. And now she's a spy?

Sir...

Speak properly.

She really is a spy.

She's carrying materials

meant for her organisation.

Where are these materials?

Right here.

Here in the car. Have a look.

Here it is, sir.

Have a look.

Where is it?

You must be blind.

I'd say the three of you look like

Japanese spies to me right now.

- Take them away. -Move.

- But, sir... -Come on.

Move.

Linglong Magazine

Inspector.

Excuse me, Miss Su. I'm late.

- Did the case go well? -It did.

We also seized a stack of Linglong Magazine.

I wonder what I should do with it.

Is that so?

They're having a meeting inside.

Why don't we have a chat with them?

Inspector.

What are you doing here?

We're here to arrest Yang Zhengjun

for the murders of Liu Jimei and Sun Weiwei.

What?

You won't admit to it?

It wasn't me. Why should I admit to anything?

You must have made a mistake.

How could he kill his own co-workers?

Besides, Sun Weiwei liked him very much.

Miss Su, will you please go ahead

and explain everything?

Yang Zhengjun.

You're from Fushun, Liaoning.

During the September 18th Incident

you were a traitor who helped the Japanese

to occupy the three eastern provinces

and establish the so-called Manchuria.

You spared no effort to do that.

What?

You said you came to Shanghai

from the countryside a long time ago.

- You're framing me. -Sit down.

This is defamation!

We have plenty of evidence.

Mr Yang worked for the Japanese Army

within the Air Force Logistical Support Unit.

Your duty was to provide aerial maps of

the three eastern provinces

as well as geological reports.

You traitor!

But what has this got to do with

Weiwei and Jimei?

Liu Jimei was working on the article

about Shanghai's new immigrants.

She found Mr Qiu

at Wang Kai Photography Studio

and got a batch of photographs.

In one of these photographs

she saw a familiar face

among a group of Japanese soldiers.

Behind them was a Japanese fighter aircraft.

Later, Sun Weiwei took over writing the article.

She noticed these photographs

were missing from Liu Jimei's materials.

So she went to meet Mr Qiu

and obtained another copy of the photographs.

That was when she understood why

Liu Jimei ended up dead.

So they found a traitor.

Why didn't they call the police or tell me?

Because Sun Weiwei was greedy.

She wanted to use the opportunity

to extort money from Yang Zhengjun.

So, that afternoon

she wrote him a note right here.

They were to meet at Hujiang Hotel.

Pay up now.

I can see Sun Weiwei

paying for her greed with her life.

But Jimei...

I don't believe she'd do that.

Perhaps Liu Jimei didn't extort him.

But she might try to convince him

to confess his crimes and turn himself in.

So he could serve as an example

to caution all Chinese people.

But Madam Liu forgot that

a traitor will always stay a traitor.

Once the traitor realises that

his previous wrongdoings have been exposed

he would resort to murder to hush things up.

That's impossible.

He was with me the entire evening.

He couldn't have killed Liu Jimei.

So it's you.

- You're the one. -Mao...

- So it's you. -Mao!

It's you! You're the one...

You worked in the Japanese Air Force

Logistical Support Unit.

All the pilots carried

cyanide capsules to take their lives

in case they got captured alive

to escape the torture that will follow.

It should be very easy for you

to obtain cyanide.

The key is

to set up the crime scene remotely.

An opportunity soon presented itself.

Liu Jimei asked you to repair her music box.

Didn't you just fix Madam Liu's music box?

But these are two different things.

You tampered with the music box.

You know very well that

cyanide compounds will react with acid

to produce a highly toxic gas.

That's why Liu Jimei's parrot

ended up dead as well.

Yang Zhengjun.

You're a beast!

Bring him downstairs.

Move!

Officer, I need a pen and paper.

Shut up.

Lower your chin a bit.

One, two, three.

Good. Again.

Very good...

One, two, three.

Done.

Natasha, you may get changed.

It's perfect.

A Russian beauty in cheongsam.

Are you going to feature her

on your next cover?

Of course. The next issue will sell out

with her on the cover.

When will I get to be your cover model?

I'd love to have you as my model.

Madam Yao, have some snacks.

Thank you.

You must be Taozi.

I think you're more suited to be Agony Aunt

than Jimei was.

If you want to

I'd like to hire you to join us.

Madam Yao, don't you headhunt my employee.

Thank you, Madam Yao.

I'm used to working with Miss Su.

Right.

Miss Su was very likeable even as a child.

Madam Yao, stop singing my praises.

Let's have dinner together.

Not tonight. I'm expecting a guest at home.

How are you doing with finding a husband?

We'll see tonight.

Inspector, I'm thrilled to have you

over for dinner.

Uncle Xiang has prepared

your favourite Cantonese cuisine tonight.

No knives and forks?

That's right. Chopsticks only.

Won't Mr Bai mind?

I think Bai Lide is currently occupied with

looking after his fiancée.

Is that so?

Congratulations to the both of them.

Don't you find Bai's family

to be rather interesting? Instead of selling

Russian rye bread or Russian dolls

you know, local Russian products

they're selling textiles instead.

What are they thinking?

I've never really thought about it.

I guess not all Russians

care for selling bread or Russian dolls.

Besides, his family doesn't allow it.

They are textile merchants.

A rich Russian heir...

This is?

I almost forgot to tell you.

This is a gift for you from Bai Lide.

It's a token of his gratitude

for rescuing his fiancée, Natasha.

Would you like some?

I appreciate the gesture

but I'm a little allergic towards Russian liquor.

What a shame.

I guess I'll be drinking it alone then.

If you're going to drink alone

I'll help you finish the bottle.

But you just said you were allergic to it.

No...

I'll drink with you tonight, Miss Su.

What if you get an allergic reaction?

It's all right. I'll just tough it out.

Oh, you can tough out an allergic reaction?

No problem.

Maybe I was mistaken.

- Miss Su. -All right.

To Bai.

To Natasha.

- Cheers. -Cheers.

Russian liquor... not bad at all.