Memory Lost (Mei Ren Wei Xian / 美人为馅)

This was also arranged with care, just like at Red Star Theater.

[Based on the novel of the same name. This is a work of fiction.]

[Any resemblances are purely coincidental.]

Bai Jin Xi!

What is it?

Isn't this Ma Xiao Fei, the victim of the first case?

It seems the culprit printed the photos here.

The two cases can be investigated together now.

Boss, I found the owner of the photography studio.

Let's go.

- You are the owner of this studio? - Yes.

I am Bai Jin Xi, criminal investigator at Jiangcheng Criminal Investigations.

Hello, Officer.

Would you like a smoke, Officer?

Sit down.

Where were you yesterday and today?

I wasn't in Jiangcheng the past two days.

There was a crew that owed me money. I went off to collect my debt.

I arrived back in town at 7:40 p.m. today.

If you don't believe me, look. I even have my bus ticket.

You can check.

We will check.

Have you seen this woman before?

- N... No. - Look carefully.

She could possibly have been a client who came here for a photo shoot.

That's not possible.

I more or less have some impression of my clients, especially women.

Other than yourself, who else has a key to this studio?

My wife has one.

However, she's been away on vacation.

This is such a large studio.

You're the only one who works here? You don't have any employees?

I can't afford any employees.

I'm just a small business owner, handling everything on my own.

It's true! I'm speaking the truth.

Xiao Zhuan, take him back to the station for a statement.

Okay.

- But... Officer, I'm telling-- - Enough. You can talk at the station.

Tell us.

Did you commit those rape crimes?

Rape?

I didn't rape anyone! I didn't do it!

You didn't do it?

If it wasn't you

then why were you running near the crime scene late at night?

Boss, how did you know this person was suspicious?

It was raining, but he didn't have an umbrella

and was running in the streets.

If he lived nearby, how could he possibly have gone out without an umbrella?

Yes, I don't live in that area, but I really didn't rape anyone.

I... I was there...

looking to steal some things.

I entered the studio and realized nobody was in

so I stole some money and some expensive items.

Afterwards, I entered another room and saw a lot of mannequins.

I saw someone lying on a sofa, so I approached.

A live person?

Whatever, I'll have my fun first.

At first, I had thought she was a mannequin.

But after a touch, I realized she was a real person.

Then she woke up and I was so shocked that I ran.

I know stealing isn't right, but I really didn't rape anyone.

It's true. I'm telling the truth. You have to believe me.

We'll know very soon whether or not you're telling the truth.

Xiao Zhuan, take him to get a semen sample and see if it's a match.

Come on.

He is indeed a thief

and he wasn't just stealing because money has been tight lately.

He's definitely a habitual thief.

There must be many unsolved cases here that were committed by him.

You should review them carefully.

How do you know he is a habitual thief?

The location of the calluses on both his hands are very unusual.

Moreover, the length of his thumb and forefinger are extremely abnormal.

There are also obvious burns on his fingers.

There is also an obvious contusion on his ring finger.

Only someone who practices stealing for years on end would have such hands.

And someone who is trained

most definitely has more people backing him.

All right, I'm going over to take a look at the victim.

Don't be so sad. We will catch the culprit.

Drink some water first.

- Officer Han. - Has she been examined?

Yes, she has. She has no other injuries.

But just like the first victim, she was raped while unconscious.

I don't know how that bastard did it.

I was clearly sound asleep at home.

Why would I wake up in that sort of place?

Do you remember what happened before you lost consciousness?

I left work early today.

I got home a bit past 7 p.m.

I felt a cold coming on so I took some medication and went to sleep.

What time did you go to sleep?

I was watching television while dozing off.

I think I fell asleep after an episode of a television drama ended.

Probably around 8:30 p.m.

- Did you wake up at any point? - No.

But I have a vague feeling that while I was fast asleep

there was someone who was... touching me all over.

You woke up in a photography studio in the Old Town district.

It's very close to your house. Have you been there before?

I've always only taken selfies.

I've never been to a studio.

Do you have any memory of how you were brought there?

I don't remember.

I only know I fell asleep at home.

When I woke up, I was in a place like that

and I had been...

Try to think back and remember if anything unusual occurred last night.

Anything unusual?

For example, did you have any peculiar dreams?

Yes, I had a dream.

Congratulations...

- How splendid. - Congratulations.

- Congratulations! - The bride is so beautiful.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit

I pronounce you husband and wife.

Those whom God have joined together, let no man tear apart.

Three, two, one!

Look at that.

- What is that? - What's happening?

How come the sky is turning so dark?

Don't be afraid. I'll protect you.

That dream was so intense.

It was like I was actually there.

It wasn't realistic but when I woke up

the whole world seemed different.

I had actually been...

God Han!

Perk up.

Everyone must be tired from investigating all night.

Allow me to introduce you.

This is our newly arrived Captain Ning of our city's Criminal Investigation Unit.

- Have a seat. - Okay.

Because of the similarities between Ma Xiao Fei's case and Ji Ya Xin's case

the city has decided to allocate more resources to solving these cases.

Moving forward, Captain Ning will be in charge of this analytical meeting.

All right.

Let's get started, then.

Zhou Xiao Zhuan, why don't you tell us what we know so far?

Okay.

We didn't find any new clues at the crime scene.

We only found traces of semen left behind on the victim's body.

There are also no DNA matches within our database.

Please take a look at the screen.

These are pictures of the two crime scenes

Red Star Theater and the photography studio.

Both victims were placed in a carefully arranged setting

and when they each woke up, they said they had a beautiful dream.

Moreover, the same psychedelic drug, psilocybin

was found in both of their systems.

Thus, based on the modus operandi

we have reason to believe this recent case and the first case

were committed by the same person.

Based on the first case

the culprit will probably place photos in Ji Ya Xin's house

that are similar to those in the first case.

After the incident, we sent officers to Ji Ya Xin's house right away.

However, we didn't find any signs of an intrusion.

Now, we have collected the additional materials from Ji Ya Xin's case

and are investigating them one by one.

Perhaps because of unexpected factors, the crime occurred ahead of schedule

so the culprit didn't have sufficient time to prepare.

Yes, that is possible.

Due to the robber's intrusion and harassment

Ji Ya Xin woke up earlier than expected.

Thus, the crime was discovered earlier than expected

leading to a shortened amount of time for the culprit to make arrangements.

The criminal's methods are very unusual.

Xiao Bai, criminal psychology is your specialty.

Have you discovered any clues from his behavior?

Let's say I am the culprit.

I am between 25 to 30 years old.

I have an average appearance and a sturdy build.

Although I am not highly educated, I like reading.

I have a certain eye for art.

A new batch of art masterpieces arrived today.

I yearn for love and a family.

However, there are always people who value money above all else

and judge others by their looks, and can't see my inner beauty.

They have poor taste, are vain, and are especially hateful.

But it doesn't matter.

I will give them a chance to know me.

The conditions are simple.

They just have to fulfill my standards for beauty.

I know very well what kind of person they need.

She won't be too far from me

because I will discover her on my way to or from work.

My job is very flexible.

I have adequate time to observe her and get to know her.

I know that like me, she is struggling in this filthy world.

She actually doesn't know that she carries a dream.

That's all right though.

We can fulfill this dream together.

I will choose to act on Wednesday and Saturday.

It is perhaps a coincidence that both are rainy days.

I mainly chose those days because that's when I have the most free time.

I will give them a dose of psilocybin in advance.

That way, she will enter the dreamscape before I do.

But I don't mind.