Miss S (2020–…): Season 1, Episode 27 - Temptation of the Candied Hawthorn Part 1 - full transcript

Temptation Of The Candied Hawthorn

Zilong, help me with this.

Would you call this yellow or apricot?

Qiu Zilong

I think... it's apricot.

I can't wear this then.

You know Duchess Dou

was Emperor Taizong's mother.

I have to wear something in bright yellow.

Mother, it's just a dinner party.

Any dress will do.



That won't do!

I'm considering going as...

Dowager She or...

Old Madam Cui.

Well, in that case

I'd better pick a good costume for you.

- Not this one. -This one will suit you best.

Grandmother Jia?

Of course!

You're the head of our household, after all.

You must wear this for your birthday dinner.

Zilong. The dinner we're throwing

the day after tomorrow

is not just to celebrate my birthday



but also your engagement with Yaqi.

It's a double celebration for our family.

I beg you. Please make us proud.

Don't embarrass our family.

Mother dearest. Don't you trust your son?

Everything is in order.

Don't you worry the slightest bit.

Yaqi...

Make sure you pronounce it right.

There's one thing I must remind you.

Yaqi is a very wilful girl.

You must take her in hand.

Don't let her do whatever she wants.

Yes... I know. I promise you.

I'll keep her in line.

I hope you do.

I think this suits you best.

I'll try it on. The colour might be too dark.

Ah Xiang.

Ah Xiang?

This is the one.

Ah Xiang?

Where is that girl?

I'll check on her. Ah Xiang?

Ah Xiang?

Yaqi?

Yaqi?

Ah Xiang? Ah Xiang!

Zihao?

Zihao.

Qiu Zihao

Zihao!

Zi...

Zihao, what are you doing out here?

Here, let me see. What are you eating?

What are you eating?

How many times have I told you?

Don't put everything you see in your mouth.

Why won't you listen to me?

What?

Don't wake Ah Xiang up. She's asleep.

- Ah Xiang is sleeping. -Ah Xiang...

is sleeping.

I was just looking for her.

Where is she sleeping?

Where... where is she?

She's swimming?

Where is Ah Xiang swimming?

Oh, my goodness!

You'd look so dashing as Mu Guiying.

Shall I ask Inspector Luo to come have a look?

No. This is too much for him.

This costume is much too elaborate.

I'll see if there's anything better.

Who are you going as?

Wu Zetian or Bai Suzhen?

I haven't decided yet.

I really don't understand Aunt Hanrong.

Why hold a Chinese opera costume party

for her birthday celebration?

It must be her son's idea.

Honestly, that man. He's not a boy anymore

yet he can't seem to settle down.

All he knows how to do is party.

I read in the newspaper

about Mrs Qiu's birthday dinner

and her eldest son's engagement.

Miss Su.

- The car is ready. -Good.

Are you going to Aunt Hanrong's house?

Yes. Didn't we agree

to have lunch at her house

and discuss the birthday party?

Everyone has to go and help.

Great! This will be fun.

Have you finished your homework?

Oh yes, Uncle Xiang.

My car won't break down again today, will it?

Don't worry, Miss Su.

I guarantee your car will be as fast as

Mu Guiying's warhorse.

Are you going in that costume?

Of course not.

Hello?

Miss Su.

You have a call.

Hello?

Aunt Hanrong, what's the matter?

Lunch is cancelled? What a pity.

I bought you desserts from Kaisiling.

Have you called the police?

OK, I'll call them. Talk to you soon.

Who can Inspector Luo be talking to

on the phone for so long?

He never talks to me on the phone

for more than a minute.

Mother, stop pacing around.

You're giving me a headache.

Aunt.

Wenli.

Here. Let me give you a hug.

Wenli, tell me.

What did I do wrong in my past life?

We're having a dinner party in two days.

And then this happens out of the blue.

I'm seriously jinxed, I am!

This is so strange.

- And Ah Xiang was so... -Mother.

Don't worry. Your birthday party

will go ahead as planned.

No. I'm in no mood for it.

Wenli, long time no see.

Mother speaks of you all the time.

This must be Taozi, your good friend

you're always telling us about.

Taozi, this is my cousin Qiu Zilong.

Nice to meet you, sir.

Don't call me "sir". Just call me Zilong.

I'm an easy-going fellow.

Wenli, you're getting prettier and prettier.

Even your friend is beautiful.

You should've introduced her to me sooner.

I'll introduce the two of you now.

Very well.

This is Taozi, the virtuous young lady.

This is Qiu Zilong, the incorrigible playboy.

Aunt, where did the incident take place?

Let's go and have a look.

I'll take you there.

Aunt, how long had Ah Xiang been working here?

She was actually

my chauffeur, Li's daughter.

She came to Shanghai with her father

from the countryside

and they both worked very hard.

She was a good girl.

So I kept her on as a servant.

Perhaps you should inform her family?

The poor girl lost her mother

when she was little.

I've already sent someone to inform her father.

I'll take a look.

Shouldn't you wait for the police?

It's fine.

She was pretty.

She couldn't have been older than 18.

Good morning, Mrs. Qiu.

Good morning, Inspector Luo.

I knew as soon as Wenli got here

you'd be the next to show up.

I appreciate your help, Inspector Luo.

My station is closer than your place.

How did you beat me here?

You must have been speeding again.

I took a shortcut.

Paved a new road yourself, did you?

I remember I was strolling

through the garden around 8.00am.

Everything was fine then.

You weren't the one to discover the body?

Who was it?

It was me.

I came to the garden

to take a walk this morning.

I was planning to have a stroll

and then see if Yaqi was up yet.

But then I saw Ah Xiang in the...

It's such a pity.

She was so obedient and capable.

What time did you come upon her body?

It was...

around 9.30am.

The deceased had a head injury.

Perhaps the fountain area was too slippery?

So, she slipped and hit her head on the edge.

And then she passed out and fell in.

Yes, Mother. That must be it.

All right. Don't be sad.

I'll take you to your room to get some rest.

Yes, you head inside, Aunt.

All right, then.

Inspector Luo, what do you think?

The head injury isn't fatal.

Even if she did fall into the fountain

it's so shallow.

Surely she could have climbed out.

Xiao'an, send her to the medical examiner.

Murder?

In my house?

I don't believe this.

Aunt, don't be too distressed.

We must wait for confirmation

from the medical examiner.

But our preliminary investigation indicates

it can't be suicide.

How was Ah Xiang's emotional state lately?

Since you ask

I do recall she was out of sorts lately.

She seemed to be in low spirits.

She appeared very troubled.

When was the last time you saw Ah Xiang?

Was it this morning?

I didn't see her this morning.

So who was the last person to see her?

Besides Ah Xiang, my housekeeper, Madam Wu

would usually wake up early for work too.

Wenli, be a dear.

Go to the kitchen and get Madam Wu.

Sure.

Zihao.

No. Why aren't you in your room?

What did you come down for?

I'm looking for Ah Xiang.

Ah Xiang is sleeping.

She can't play with you.

She was swimming just now.

Look who's here.

Wenli!

- Wenli. -Zihao, come here.

I have a present for you.

No. You can only have the sweetie

if you go back to your room.

Listen to your mother. Go upstairs.

I'm sorry you had to see this, Officers.

They say these things should stay

within the family.

But since the both of you have seen him

I'll be honest with you.

Zihao came down with a fever

right after he was born.

The fever wouldn't go away.

It damaged his brain.

He has the intelligence of a five-year-old.

I don't usually let him come out here.

I keep him in his room

if I have friends coming over.

Mrs Qiu, this is nothing to be ashamed of.

You don't know

how hard it's been for me to raise that boy.

He was very close to Ah Xiang.

So, I beg of you.

Please don't let him know that

Ah Xiang is dead.

I understand. But according to procedure

we have to question everyone at the scene

including Zihao.

I understand. This is your job.

You said earlier that Li is your chauffeur.

Where is he now?

He... lives in the garage.

The garage is at the back of the garden.

I'll have Madam Wu show you the way.

Aunt, I have to tell you

I went to the kitchen

but Madam Wu wasn't there.

We have a death in the household.

Where on earth is she?

Please wait a moment.

Madam Wu? Madam Wu!

Li is Ah Xiang's only family.

You might get some leads from him.

Please accept our condolences.

I know this is a bad time

but we have some questions for you.

I know what you're going to ask.

Her mother died when she was little.

I brought her up all on my own.

When she was older, I came to Shanghai to work

and left her with her grandmother

back in the village.

But she didn't like it.

She insisted on coming to Shanghai to find me.

Mrs Qiu took a shine to her

and kept her on as a servant.

She was only 18.

And now she's gone, just like that.

How will I ever be able to

face her late mother?

How was her emotional state lately?

Was there anything troubling her?

No.

Are you sure?

I'll be honest with you.

I really have no idea.

Since she became a servant

she'd been living

in the servants' quarters in that block.

When was the last time you saw her?

Last night.

She would come and talk to me

every night before she went to bed.

Was she acting any differently last night?

Even though you're her father

we have to know everyone's whereabouts

when the incident happened.

What were you doing this morning

between 8.30am and 9.30am?

Same as usual.

I was washing the car.

The car does look quite clean.

But are you sure you washed it this morning?

Do you think I'm lying to you?

Is there anyone who can confirm what you said?

Yes. Master Zilong was here.

He was here?

Why did he come here?

He wanted me to clean the car

so I could take him and his wife

for a ride at the riverside.

He's married?

Not yet, but that girl comes here every day

without a care about what people might say.

Mrs Qiu won't let us talk about it.

She's embarrassed by their behaviour.

All right.

He doesn't seem like someone

who just lost his daughter.

What did you do this morning

after you woke up?

I had breakfast in my room.

What time was that?

Around 8.00am.

Don't you usually sleep in?

Why were you up so early today?

To help my mother choose her costume

for her party in two days' time.

After I had breakfast

I took a walk in the garden.

And then you went to the garage?

Oh yes, now that you mention it

I did go to the garage.

Approximately what time was that?

I don't wear a watch.

Surely you're not always watching the clock

when you're at home.

Was there anyone else in the garage?

Who else could possibly be there?

Li, obviously.

I know you want to ask about Li.

You're right.

After all, it's his daughter who has died.

Wenli will tell you

how compassionate my mother is.

She takes people in out of pity.

Don't be fooled by Li's fierce look.

He's an expert on cars.

Surely you don't think that

Li has something to do with

his daughter's death?

We'll only know whether he's a suspect

after we've investigated everyone.

Including you.

Me?

My dear Cousin Wenli

don't tell me you suspect me too?

It's standard procedure.

Before we find any solid evidence

to clear you of suspicion

even your mother is considered a suspect.

By golly.

Your job sounds so cold and callous.

If you have so much spare time

go out and grab a coffee with me instead.

May I talk to your fiancée?

I don't mind. As long as she's fine with it.

Hello, Yaqi.

I'm Zilong's cousin, Su Wenli.

His cousin?

Zilong is always talking about you.

Shanghai's famous lady detective.

When do you have time to regale me

with all your fabulous detective stories?

Actually, we've met before.

You might not remember it.

Two months ago, I saw you tap dancing

at a ball organised by Lu Xiaoman.

Oh, yes.

That was the day I met Zilong.

Zilong got drunk that night.

He almost performed a striptease.

No, no. He just took off his clothes.

He didn't get the chance to actually dance.

What are you ladies talking about?

I can hear you laughing a mile away.

Zilong.

Darling.

Your cousin's reminding us

of when we first met.

If it wasn't for that failed striptease

you never would have caught my eye.

I wouldn't go for a chap with a lousy figure.

And, I prefer my women smoking hot.

You were in a really short skirt that night.

We're a match made in heaven.

Of course.

Sorry to interrupt.

Yaqi, there are two police officers

waiting for you downstairs.

The police are waiting for me?

Are they handsome?

Hello, Officers.

Miss Yaqi, we're from

the Central Police Division.

We have some questions for you.

Sure.

I heard there were two handsome officers here

to investigate the case.

You certainly are handsome.

So, who's first?

Thank you, Inspector.

Look at the two of them.

She's nothing but a pretty face

but Zilong loves her so much.

I have no idea what he sees in her.

She comes to our house every day.

She's flighty and ill-mannered.

Thank goodness our walls are tall enough

to stop people from looking in.

Otherwise I'd be a laughing stock!

Aunt, the two of them aren't ashamed.

- Why should you be? -It's my reputation!

And one more thing. No matter what

the dinner party must go ahead.

Listen to me. First, it's your 55th birthday.

We, as family, have to do something nice for you

and put on a party.

Secondly, getting married

is a big deal for Zilong.

I'm sure he'll want to celebrate it properly

don't you think?

Besides, so many of your friends and relatives

have been invited.

They're all ready for a party.

It wouldn't be right to suddenly cancel it now

would it?

Then tell me, what should I do?

Of my two most capable servants

one is dead, and the other is missing.

What am I to do?

I'll lend you my staff.

Pardon me for asking

but do you live here?

Of course not. I came over this morning.

At what time?

Around 8.00am.

Zilong was having breakfast in his room

and I was hungry too. So I ate with him.

What did you two do after that?

Zilong went downstairs.

I was a bit sleepy after breakfast

so I took a nap in his room.

After I woke up, I went upstairs to sunbathe

and read the newspaper.

Then I heard that a servant had died

and you two summoned me here.

Officer Shen, note down her testimony.

Miss Su, there's no sign of a struggle

on this side of the lawn.

That means Ah Xiang didn't die fighting.

When you examined her body

you saw ligature marks around her neck

but we haven't found a rope

or any form of cord nearby.

So that means...

this may not be the primary crime scene.

If the medical examiner confirms that

Ah Xiang was strangled to death

it very likely happened somewhere else

and then she was moved here.

Miss Su.

How did the questioning go?

Qiu Zilong and Li's testimonies

are consistent.

They're alibis for each other.

Between 8.30am and 9.30am

Li was washing the car in the garage.

Qiu Zilong was there, asking him questions

about cars and car maintenance.

That's impossible.

My cousin likes to fool around

but he has no interest in cars.

It's even less likely he'd talk about cars

with his chauffeur.

- Why's that? -He's colour blind.

He can't even drive!

You know a lot about this cousin of yours.

I suspect the two of them are in cahoots.

Zilong is out partying every night

and sleeps in every morning.

Why did he wake up so early

on this particular morning?

He even took a walk around the garden

and had breakfast.

I don't believe it for an instant.

Xiao'an, have you checked?

Have you questioned everyone in the household?

Yes. Everyone except Madam Wu.

Madam Wu?

She's the housekeeper. It doesn't bode well

for her to be missing at a time like this.

I hear she got along very well with Ah Xiang

but she would nag and preach to Ah Xiang

about womanly virtues and so forth.

Madam Wu still isn't home.

Do you think she went back to her hometown?

None of the Qiu family has her address.

We'll head back to the police station

and look into it.

Miss Su, you stay here

and see if there are any other leads.

We'll be off.

At least have some lunch before you go.

No, thank you. I'm busy.

Qiuheng!

I have to get going now.

Xiao'an.

What's wrong with Inspector Luo today?

He doesn't seem too happy.

He may be getting promoted.

What? Why hasn't he said a word to me?

Miss Su, Inspector Luo's in a bad mood today.

Yes. I wonder why.

Getting... getting promoted?

He's getting promoted, and he's not happy?

What a difficult man.

Forget about him.

Miss Su.

There's a stick of candied hawthorn over here.

Inspector, the autopsy report is out.

Homicide.

This stick of candied hawthorn was found

near the body.

The autopsy report is out.

"Slight abrasion seen"

"on the deceased's forehead."

"Extensive bruising on the neck and trachea."

"The deceased was most likely"

"strangled to death."

It's just as we thought.

Carry on.

"There are whip marks on the deceased's back."

Ah Xiang was whipped before she died.

She lived with her father

and Aunt Hanrong who was kind to her.

Who would have whipped her?

"No signs of sexual assault"

"but the deceased was sexually active."

A drug test confirmed that

she consumed a large amount of alcohol

the night before.

So she was no simple country girl.

Indeed.

I'm counting on you.

I hear you're being promoted.

Don't listen to Xiao'an.

I'm happy where I am right now.

A promotion is good news. Congratulations.

Here... the last dish.

Braised carp.

- Uncle Xiang, sit down and eat. -Dig in.

Tan, learn how to cook from Uncle Xiang.

I was just going to say that.

Aunt Hanrong will be holding her birthday dinner

as well as Master Zilong's

engagement dinner in two days.

Something happened at her house

so they're short-staffed.

Miss Su says that everyone must help out.

That old lady is such a snob.

If it weren't for Miss Su

I wouldn't bother to serve her.

You'd better eat more tonight.

We have work to do tomorrow.

Don't just think about eating.

Taozi, listen to yourself.

I'd throw up everything I just ate

if Miss Su wants me to.

All right then. Let's see you try.

- I... -Go on.

All right. Come on.

Here. We've all been working hard.

Don't drink too much.

All right. You... what's your name again?

Move that flower pot to the right.

Put it there. That's it...

Thank you...

Aunt, we're here.

The reinforcements have arrived.

Wonderful.

Grand-aunt, can I put this flower basket here?

Certainly.

Right here. Thank you.

Young lady, you get prettier by the day.

- Thank you, Grand-aunt. -Good girl.

Madam, the suckling pig is ready.

We'll just brush it with some oil

then it'll be ready to roast.

You know how to roast a suckling pig?

Impressive.

Wenli has you taking care of her.

It's no wonder she is so happy.

Our oven isn't as big as yours though.

Then, in future, you must come over

and eat at my house every day.

- OK? -Sure.

As long as you don't get sick of me.

Impossible!

We'll get to work now, Madam.

- Let's go. -It's that way. Thank you.

Oh yes, didn't you say you have another

two young workers coming?

Yes, they went to get the wine.

They'll be here soon.

Who are they?

Song and Tan.

Not those two ruffians of yours, surely?

Ruffians?

They're both strong and capable workers.

Besides, you still have one more day, no?

You can train them properly.

How am I supposed to do that in just two days?

If anyone can do it, it's you.

Hello, ladies.

Gentlemen... be careful!

Be gentle with those.

Pleased to meet you, gentlemen.

Please be gentle when you put things down.

Whatever you do, don't break my glasses.

They're just wine glasses, aren't they?

These are no ordinary wine glasses.

They're... Bohemian crystal glasses.

They're from the Czech Republic.

Why not just drink from the bottle?

Enough smart talk. Get to work.

OK. There are two more crates of rice wine.

I'll go and get them.

- Careful! Be gentle! -Sure thing!

I told you they can't be relied on.

- What? Look... -No need to worry.

- You can train them. -No, I can't!

Hi, Wenli!

Hi, Yaqi.

Aunt, I'm not an expert in Chinese opera.

Who is she dressed as?

Pan Jinlian, the adulteress.

Wenli.

What do you think of my look?

Do I look pretty?

You look lovely.

Yaqi, come here.

Tomorrow's dinner party

will be attended by many distinguished guests.

So, let's all try to choose

a more appropriate costume and character.

What's wrong with Pan Jinlian?

She was a free spirit

who wasn't afraid to love or hate.

I've never heard such a thing!

That's because your way of thinking

is too outdated.

Besides, I don't even like Chinese opera.

They talk funny.

Singing and dancing is much more fun.

You listen up now.

For tomorrow's dinner party, what I say goes.

Oh, and I don't drink rice wine.

Luckily, Zilong brought me some red wine.

Oh yes, and we'd better hide all the wine.

We mustn't let your chauffeur take any.

Why would a chauffeur steal wine?

Why, indeed?

Poor Ah Xiang.

Being abused by an alcoholic father

at such a young age.

What nonsense are you talking?

It's not nonsense.

Zilong heard it himself.

He used a horsewhip on his own child.

Can you believe it?

I have to go.

Go and ask Zilong yourself.

I'm telling you.

Don't you go around spreading this nonsense.

I've never heard of Li

whipping his daughter with a horsewhip!

That's absurd!

Qiuheng.

How are you? Are you in a good mood?

I'm always in a good mood, Miss Su.

Oh, really?

I know someone who goes around acting all surly

as if the world owed him something.

- Oh, really? -Never mind.

Let's not bother ourselves with him.

Li wasn't being honest with us.

Let's go and look for him.

- I was thinking the same thing. -Good.

Li?

This room reeks.

I looked into his background.

He was in the cavalry under General Han Fuju.

He's a skilled horseman.

No wonder he'd whip his daughter with a horsewhip.

How could he do that?

He's obviously an alcoholic.

All he drinks is cheap, nasty liquor.

And the good stuff, once in a while.

Like this.

Red wine imported from Australia.

A chauffeur, drinking Australian red wine?

Isn't that a little strange?

How did you two get in? What do you want?

Li, where did you get

this bottle of Australian red wine?

I bought it myself.

I'll pass you some money.

Buy me a few bottles.

This wine cannot be found in the shops.

It's imported.

My aunt said

she's having her birthday party soon

and several bottles of her red wine are missing.

I didn't steal that.

Master Zilong gave it to me.

I never knew him to be so generous.

I took good care of his sports car

so he gave it to me.

Tell me honestly.

Was Ah Xiang being abused before she died?

No one abused her.

Everyone was kind to her.

Is that so?

Then why did she have whip marks on her back?

Did you treat Ah Xiang as you would a horse

and whip her?

Someone saw you hitting her with a whip.

She came to you at night

so you could whip her?

I admit it. I whipped her twice.

But it was for her own good.

She came from the countryside

and wasn't wise in the ways of the world.

There were always some shady fellows

buzzing around her.

I was worried that she'd give herself to them.

It would be too late if she got pregnant.

I had to teach her a lesson.

Who were these "shady fellows"?

Does it matter?

She's dead anyway.

Sir, if there's nothing else

I have work to do.

I've never heard of such a thing.

A father whipping his own daughter.

He's responsible for the whip marks

on Ah Xiang's back

but she was still his daughter.

He wouldn't go so far as to kill her.

Someone else killed her.

I have a feeling that

he and Zilong are covering up for each other.

Or could it be...

Li is covering up for Qiu Zilong?

There you are, Inspector.

I've checked. Madam Wu isn't from around here.

There's no other information on her.

Madam Wu disappeared the same day

Ah Xiang was found dead.

It can't be a coincidence.

Either Madam Wu has been murdered

and they've hidden her body

or Madam Wu found out about something

and ran away.

We have to find Madam Wu.

Xiao'an, have you questioned everyone

in the house?

Yes.

It looks like

this is one for Miss S Detective Agency.

Taozi, put that in the centre.

- OK. -In the centre.

Careful with the glasses.

Hey, Song, Tan.

Put the cakes here.

Everyone.

The police always misses something.

Today, we're going to use

the power of the people to fill that void.

What do we need to do? Just tell us.

Here's the thing. The housekeeper, Madam Wu

disappeared the very morning

that Ah Xiang was murdered.

We still don't know where she is.

She's either implicated in the case

or something bad has befallen her.

In any case, she's involved somehow.

You must all do your best to find her for me.

Dead or alive!

Don't be so dramatic.

Aunt, where is Madam Wu's hometown?

She's from Wuxian, in Suzhou.

From what I know

she has a son and a grandson

but I don't have her address.

Do you know if she has any hobbies?

Who does she usually talk to?

Where does she like to go?

I don't think she has any hobbies.

She's a Buddhist. She'll go to the temple

to offer joss sticks and pray.

As for where she usually goes...

The market. She buys groceries every day.

The market?

Song, Tan.

After you've finished your work here

go to the market on Seymour Road

tomorrow morning. Ask every stall keeper.

Maybe some of them are friendly with her

- and know where she is. -OK.

The nearest temple is Yuanming Hall.

Tomorrow is the 15th of the lunar calendar.

All Buddhists would be there praying.

Suyun, you follow Taozi to Yuanming Hall

and look for her in the crowd.

Sure. That's right up my alley.

Uncle Xiang, you're from Wuxian.

And I know the mayor there

is an old classmate of yours.

If I can't find any leads in Shanghai

you'll have to make a trip

back to your hometown and look for the mayor.

Search every family named Wu in the area.

Of course, Miss Su.

Now, everyone has received their missions.

Let's strive to complete our missions.

To boost everyone's morale

let's drink some of Aunt's

imported Australian red wine.

- Nice. -Uncle Xiang just opened a bottle.

Here.

It smells so good.

A horizontal stroke.

A left-falling stroke.

Left-falling stroke.

A press-down stroke.

Press-down stroke.

Yes. This is the character "big".

Big as in the big, bad wolf.

Big.

Big as in the big, bad wolf.

You're doing great!

- I'm doing great! Big. -Zihao.

Big. Big as in the big, bad wolf.

And little as in the little bunny.

Did Zihao write these? Well done!

There's also "little".

Little...

Who gave you this?

Present.

Zihao, it's your mother's birthday tomorrow.

What are you dressing up as?

Are you wearing this mask?

It matches the opera-themed dinner.

Mother won't let me go down.

Ah Xiang will stay in the room with me.

Zihao, Ah Xiang isn't here anymore.

Where did she go?

Ah Xiang went somewhere far, far away.

She won't be back anymore.

Is it because of me?

Of course not.

It must be because of me.

I didn't give her the candied hawthorn.

I didn't mean it.

Mother doesn't let me eat candied hawthorns.

And Ah Xiang was sleeping.

Ah Xiang was sleeping?

Zihao, tell me.

Where did you see Ah Xiang sleeping?

You saw Ah Xiang?

Did you see her?

She was sleeping.

- She was sleeping. -Wenli.

Come on out.

Master Zihao... don't worry about it.

Let's practise our writing, OK?

Ah Xiang...

Aunt.

You lied to Inspector Luo and me.

The first person to discover the body

was Zihao, not Zilong. Am I right?

Why did you lie to us?

I didn't want Zihao to be involved in this.

He wouldn't be able to take the stress.

He'd been relying heavily on Ah Xiang

to take care of him these days.

They were very close. Even now

he still doesn't know Ah Xiang is dead.

I hope he won't ever have to find out.

You can't hide this.

Zihao has the right to know.

You don't understand.

He's a special boy.

You can't expect him to be like us, you know.

Wenli, let me ask you something.

How long has it been

since your sister disappeared?

Think about it. It's been so long.

Yet every time Zihao has a nightmare

I hear him shouting your sister's name.

All right. Enough about the past.

Nevertheless, I still think...

it's not right to keep this from Zihao.

Zihao... Zihao!

What's wrong?

What happened? It's all right...

What's wrong, Zihao?

- Stop it... -What happened, Suyun?

You're scaring me...

You're OK... good boy. Mummy's here.

- What happened? -Don't be scared.

I just taught him to write your name.

- He just wrote "Wen"... -It's OK.

Mummy's here...

Good boy...

Su Wen...

Good boy. No need to cry.

Good boy...

He just wrote "Wen"

and it made him think of Wenfei.

It was him!

The man selling candied hawthorn

took Wenfei away.

Is he mistaken? Doesn't he mean Ah Xiang?

The person selling candied hawthorn

took her away.

Zihao.

Did the same person take Ah Xiang away?

Was it Ah Xiang or Wenfei?

Nobody was selling candied hawthorn.

Listen to me. Stop talking nonsense!

I'm not! He took Wenfei away.

I saw him in the garden again.

Is this the place?

Where were you?

You were behind the trees?

You were hiding?

He had lots of candied hawthorns.

He gave me one and asked me to go away.

I didn't go away. I hid.

What did you see?

Ah Xiang.

It's all right now.

Zihao is right.

This rope is covered in sugar syrup.

He could have used this rope

to strangle Ah Xiang to death here.

Mother, Ah Xiang wasn't sleeping.

The candied hawthorn man killed her

didn't he?

Yes.

- Zihao. -Zihao.

- Zihao, be good. -I'm going to kill him!

You can't... you can't say things like that.

You're a good boy. Do you hear me?

You can't say things like that.

Give me the rope.

Let me ask you a question.

Did you see what he looked like?

Was it someone you know?

Was it Ah Xiang's father?

Or someone else you know?

What did he look like?

Was he fat or skinny?

Tall or short?

Was it someone your mother's age or my age?

No. He took Wenfei away!

You got confused again.

He took Ah Xiang away.

He killed Ah Xiang.

- Yes. -Yes.

He took Wenfei away!

What are you talking about?

He took Wenfei away too.

That's impossible.