Only the River Flows (河边的错误)

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

Nice catch!

If 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 your minds open.

Collective honour will boost the team's morale,

and will improve our productivity accordingly.

Take me, for example.

I'm willing to sacrifice my lunch in order to practise.

That also contributes to collective honour, right?

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,

saying they're shutting the movie theatre.

Nobody goes anymore nowadays.

I thought it over. It's 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?

Got it.

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.

Really.

Turn on the lights!

How long did Captain Ma tell you to stay like that?

You're back.

Go to bed.

Dinner's in the pot.

I just had a strange dream.

But can't remember any of it.

Don't bother, then.

You need plenty of rest now.

Hm.

Hello?

Be careful with this evidence.

Come over here after your photos.

Measure the distance between number 2 and number 5.

Take a picture of this.

The dogs can't smell anything. Footprints are destroyed too.

Do we know who the victim is?

Wang Fengxia. People in the village call her Granny Four.

She had no family left, but adopted a madman.

A madman?

Where is he?

No idea. We're searching.

Captain Ma.

Look. This was found near the body.

- Anything that identifies the owner? - I checked. Nothing.

Inspect it thoroughly at the station.

Captain Ma?

- The witness is here. - Hello.

- You found the body? - (Kid) It was me, sir.

When was that?

A while ago.

I told my dad. He didn't believe it. Even slapped me.

- I don't usually trust what he says. - (Ma Zhe) I'm not asking you.

What happened next?

I called some older kids to come look.

They finally believed me.

When you found it, was it already dark out?

Yes.

Comrade officer,

the TV news just started when my boy came home.

So it must be around 7 pm.

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. But 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.

Did we find the weapon?

No.

Shift change!

Come on out.

Wipe yourself off.

Give me a hand.

We have about 50 households in this village.

We rarely see any strangers.

Did Granny Four have any enemies?

None that I heard of.

She just raised geese. 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.

Comes and goes.

Have some more.

How do you know Granny Four?

We're neighbours.

She lived across the way. Are you close to her?

We'd say hello when we saw each other.

If anything happened,

we could give each other a hand. We were friendly.

Her husband died a few years ago.

After he died, she adopted the madman.

Took him home from the street.

We took care of her.

He often went out for walks, in and out of the village.

To the orange groves or the hillsides, wandering around.

- Is he aggressive? - No, never!

If kids throw stones at him, he'd just smile back.

- He ignores you when you call him. - Usually he's very calm.

Although bullied by the kids,

he doesn't react.

Yan, are these for dinner?

- Could be number 2. Quite sharp. - 45° from the upper left.

Number 2?

- It's sharp. But the wound is small. - Not likely.

- It's definitely not. - Doesn't match.

- Nope. - Let me try.

Be careful with the knife.

This case must be solved 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'm off to a meeting. I'll leave you to your work.

Take care of yourself.

This is the closest match.

- (Ma Zhe) 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 belong

to the same person.

The items in the handbag are all quite ordinary.

No other clues.

Have you checked this bus pass?

It's a multi-zone pass with no fixed itinerary.

I've checked the cassette and skin cream.

They can be purchased anywhere.

Captain Ma, we found the madman.

The others can go.

Xie, don't leave until you finish 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. Keep an eye on him.

Xie, what are you doing?

Boss.

You're back?

Why are you still here?

Where's your jacket?

Have you finished the tape?

Not yet.

Let's listen together?

I think it's necessary, and thank God you're back.

Don't you always say...?

Captain, I'm on night duty.