Episode 8 recap: Cheng Bing reopened the investigation.
Zhao Xiaomai's father arrived at the entrance of the police station with a sign hanging on him, claiming that it had been 10 years, and the killer of his daughter still hadn't been found. A crowd gathered around him, taking pictures. Cheng Bing happened to pass by and asked everyone to stop taking photos. Pan Da Hai also received the news and came out. Zhao Xiaomai's father expressed his desire for an explanation. Pan Da Hai mentioned that every year before, they told him to go home and wait for news. There were some things that couldn't be revealed to him. However, today he would make an exception and take him somewhere.
Pan Da Hai brought Zhao Xiaomai's father into the office, where the walls were covered with various clues related to the Wang Dayong case. Pan Da Hai assured him that the police hadn't forgotten about this case and had been investigating it for the past ten years. Zhao Xiaomai's father acknowledged that the police hadn't given up on the case and thanked everyone. He stated that he wouldn't come again in the future.
Cheng Bing came over with a newspaper, which reported on the skeletal remains they had discovered earlier. He believed it was highly likely to be connected to the Wang Dayong case. Pan Da Hai mentioned that at that time, the entire city was on high alert, and Wang Dayong wouldn't have had the opportunity to commit another murder.
Cheng Bing found Wang Dayong's mindset unfathomable. After they raped and killed that girl, he immediately turned to rob public funds. Pan Da Hai stated that whether it was related or not, it was the police's matter. Cheng Bing wasn't a police officer anymore and had no need to concern himself with the case.
Zhao Xiaomai's father went to the cemetery to visit his daughter's grave, and Cheng Bing also arrived. Zhao Xiaomai's father explained that every year on his daughter's anniversary, he would go to the police station to inquire about the case. Initially, they told him to go home and wait for news, and he did so. But later, he became worried that the police had too many cases and had forgotten about his.
Zhao Xiaomai's father mentioned that he had quit his job and traveled around, asking people if they had seen Wang Dayong. Now that he was old, he couldn't continue the search anymore.
Lin Ying and the others questioned the man here. The man explained that they had a dispute after drinking some alcohol, and they tied him up and stuffed him into the bridge cave, intending to teach him a lesson. However, the next day when they went to check on him, they found that the man was already dead. Worried about getting into trouble, they buried him. They never expected to be caught after so many years.
Cheng Bing went to Wang Dayong's hometown to meet his mother. Wang Dayong's daughter, Miao Miao, had already gone out to work. Wang Dayong's mother had a serious illness recently and had become confused. They applied for subsidies and sent her to a nursing home. When Cheng Bing met Wang Dayong's mother, she mistook him for Wang Dayong and missed him dearly.
Cheng Bing summarized all the clues. Liu Zi came to find Cheng Bing and coincidentally witnessed it. He didn't expect Cheng Bing to still want to investigate the case. Cheng Bing advised Liu Zi to think more about what Wang Dayong told him, even the smallest details.
Lin Ying came to find Cheng Bing and mentioned that they had been keeping an eye on Wang Dayong's hometown. So, they were aware of anyone who went to see him. Lin Ying believed that since Cheng Bing was no longer a police officer, he should focus on living his own life, and they would handle the task of apprehending suspects.
Soon, it was time for the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. The members of the Third Brigade gathered together to celebrate. Lao Ma had also retired, and they celebrated for him as well. During the Chinese New Year, Liu Zi gave everyone red envelopes, urging them to spend quality time with their parents and families. Cheng Bing mentioned that there was somewhere else he needed to go and asked Liu Zi to wait for him. He would return and celebrate the New Year together.
The father of that little girl comes every year on the 12th, and this time it seems he's made up his mind. He should have put up a sign at the entrance of the police station long ago, Pan Da Hai, you should understand a father.
It's been 10 years! Zhao Yang always regrets why he left his daughter alone at home. In the 199Xs, when Pan Da Hai was inspecting vehicles, he missed another chance to capture Wang Da Yong. I have to say, this Da Yong has some intelligence, knowing that the sewers are interconnected.
Da Yong: Oh my goodness, this taste is a bit strong! Pan Da Hai, you still have the audacity to sit in that position of the team leader. You've missed so many opportunities, just like Zhao Yang said (the father of that girl), "Are you guys simply unwilling to catch him or incapable of doing so?
" And you have the nerve to wear that uniform. OMG! This room is filled with so many clues. Both blackboards have crime scene photos and details. It seems that Pan Da Hai has been living in guilt all these years, but it's been 10 years!
And still no progress. Pan Da Hai, you're about to retire, but still no solution. I agree with this statement: Pan Da Hai: No matter how many places we search, we will bring this person to you. Someone said that the statute of limitations is about to expire.
In our country, in the 201Xs, a decree was issued stating that there is no statute of limitations for homicide cases. Cases like this, without a time limit, as long as the police officers from that year haven't retired and the suspect is still alive.
Actually, Old Zhao just wanted an explanation. Now he knows the police haven't given up, and that's enough. This incident is also a shock to Chen Bing. It turns out that not only am I concerned about this case, but even the Fat Dahai from the Second Squadron back then is also concerned.
Zhao Yang's bow of gratitude made everyone feel uneasy. Pan Da Hai, you really should follow the lead provided by Chen Bing and investigate further. That skeleton is definitely the result of Da Yong's actions.
Is it just a coincidence that the time of death of the skeleton and Wang Da Yong's escape are so close? If you say it's a coincidence, it's a bit too much. As for that pager, it's highly likely that Wang Da Yong deliberately left it as a clue.
It's a complex mix of emotions watching this drama, with most characters being well-developed. Cheng Bing is a righteous and compassionate person, which is why he disregarded regulations and beat up Wang Da Yong out of anger.
But he also had terrible luck. Cheng Bing died, and though it couldn't be proven whether his death was caused by Cheng Bing's punch, the story's historical backdrop didn't seem to adhere to the principle of "innocent until proven guilty." It could also be because Wang Da Yong's mother sought the help of journalists, leading to a significant impact and the authorities needing someone to take the blame to quell public opinion.
Cheng Bing ended up bearing the unjust burden of imprisonment. Cheng Bing's daughter isn't unaware of her father's innocence. It's just that her belief in her father as a hero crumbled when she endured prolonged isolation from her peers, and her father, whom she deemed a hero, couldn't protect her.
Even though she knows her father is innocent, her admiration and faith in him collapsed, as can be sensed from her statement on her birthday, "Heroes only exist in children's fairy tales." Cheng Bing's ex-wife moved homes multiple times for the sake of their daughter, finally enabling her to escape the difficulties of her childhood and have a normal father who attends school like any other child.
That's why she doesn't want Cheng Bing to see their daughter, to prevent her from being reminded of the past trauma. It may be unfair to Cheng Bing, but it's a form of protection for their daughter. Pan Da Hai adheres to his work principles, so he didn't conceal anything for Cheng Bing.
Faced with the dilemma of loyalty and principles, he chose to uphold his work principles but feels guilty towards Cheng Bing. He understands Cheng Bing and knows that Wang Da Yong is a thorn in Cheng Bing's heart, which is why he hasn't given up on the investigation all these years.
Most people are fundamentally good, but the helplessness of reality is heart-wrenching. Just like how Cheng Bing unintentionally harmed anyone but ended up implicating the entire Third Division and his own daughter, everyone feels stifled.
Perhaps only through solving the case can they find some solace.