Always on the Move Episode 15 Recap
> Always on the Move Recap
Late one night, Ma Yan had not yet returned home, causing Ma Kui concern. Wang Sufang attempted to reassure him, claiming Ma Yan was at a classmate's, but Ma Kui remained unconvinced, suspecting she had gone to Hongyang to see Wang Xin. Wang Sufang defended Wang Xin, referring to him as "little Wang," but Ma Kui retort that their own family had a "bad girl" who was staying out late.
He threatened to break her legs if she wasn't back soon, but Wang Sufang told him to calm down, reminding him he was already injured. She worried about what people would say if their daughter stayed out all night and how it might affect her ability to find a husband. Ma Kui angrily questioned what kind of father he was. Just then, Ma Yan came home, braving the heavy snow. Ma Kui immediately demanded to know where she had been.
Ma Yan quickly fabricated a story about going to the park and watching a movie with a classmate. Wang Sufang supported her lie, urging Ma Kui to let it go as she had homework to do. Ma Kui grew exasperated with both of them. Shen Xiuping visited, bringing three packets of transdermal patches for Ma Kui's injury. She explained how to heat them before applying and promised to get more if they were effective.
She also inquired about Wang Sufang's health, encouraging her to rest and saying she was off duty anyway and it was no trouble. Shen Xiuping asked if she could take Ma Jian to her place to play for a while, expressing her fondness for him and saying he was cute. Wang Sufang thanked her for the trouble.
After Shen Xiuping left with Ma Jian, Wang Sufang praised her, describing her as reliable, warm-hearted, and very handy, mentioning she had even knitted several pairs of socks for Ma Jian. Ma Yan agreed that Shen Xiuping was very nice and offered to help Ma Kui apply the patch. She carefully applied the patch to his back, despite some minor discomfort, and Ma Kui appreciated her help.
Wang Xin, on patrol, received a report from a convenience store owner about a customer who had broken a wine bottle. The owner insisted the customer pay, but the customer claimed the bottle fell on its own. Wang Xin noted that it always seemed to happen with bottles placed near the corner of the table and asked the owner about his responsibility. The owner complained about lack of space and mentioned the last incident was over a month ago.
Wang Xin insisted the owner move the bottles to prevent future accidents and make the customer pay. Later, Wang Xin returned to the store disguised. He pretended to be clumsy and knocked a bottle over. The owner immediately demanded payment. Wang Xin revealed his identity as a police officer. Startled, the owner confessed to setting up a mechanism that caused the bottle near the corner to fall when a rope was pulled, and admitted the bottle contained only water.
He offered Wang Xin anything he wanted from the store, but Wang Xin refused, telling him he was coming to the station with him. Yang Chief commended Wang Xin for his recent successful cases, describing them as "clean and neat" and calling Wang Xin "quite capable" with a "promising future." Wang Xin seized the opportunity to ask Yang Chief to call Ma Kui and praise his accomplishments. Yang Chief agreed and called Ma Kui.
During the call, he learned that Ma Kui had been injured by a criminal on a train. Yang Chief informed Wang Xin, who immediately requested leave to visit his mentor. Yang Chief granted his request, telling him to go quickly and return soon. Ma Kui had returned to work despite his injury. A younger officer named Hu apologized to Ma Kui for "fleeing the battle." Later, Ma Kui saw Lu Xuelin sitting alone in the dining car, drinking.
He advised Lu Xuelin that drinking alone was not good and warned him about the consequences of drinking heavily on the train. Lu Xuelin remained silent. As the train approached Haihe Station, Lu Xuelin collected his belongings and got off without a word. At Haihe Station, Song Chaohua was seeing Yuxia off.
Yuxia told Song Chaohua that she had bought a ticket for the 18th of the month to speak with Lu Xuelin face-to-face about her relationship with Song Chaohua, hoping to clarify things. They said a tender farewell. Lu Xuelin witnessed their interaction. He was seen with a bag containing nitric acid and dichlorvos. Ma Kui intervened, taking the bag and its contents. He immediately identified the chemicals and asked Lu Xuelin what he was planning.
He correctly identified Lu Xuelin as an engineer and deduced that he knew about Yuxia and Song Chaohua and intended "mutual destruction." Lu Xuelin indicated a pouch, identifying it as a love token his mother had kept for his future daughter-in-law, highlighting his long relationship with Yuxia and their impending marriage. Ma Kui realized Lu Xuelin planned to harm them and then commit suicide with the dichlorvos. Ma Kui ordered Hu to uncuff Lu Xuelin.
Ma Kui acknowledged Yuxia's handling of the breakup was inconsiderate but emphasized that everyone faces difficulties. He questioned Lu Xuelin about the potential consequences of splashing the acid, pointing out he could have injured innocent passengers. Lu Xuelin confessed he didn't care, he just wanted to die. Ma Kui explained the severe legal penalties for intentional assault and reminded him about the suffering his mother would endure if he went to prison.
He pointed out Lu Xuelin's good background and job, assuring him he could find another wife. Lu Xuelin expressed deep regret, acknowledging his mistake repeatedly and calling Ma Kui his savior. He anxiously asked about the potential prison sentence. Ma Kui, seeing his remorse and lack of actual harm caused, promised to request leniency from the organization, aiming to prevent a criminal record or notification to his employer. Lu Xuelin was immensely grateful.
Ma Kui returned Lu Xuelin's bag but confiscated the chemicals. Lu Xuelin then requested to see Yuxia. Ma Kui arranged for them to meet in the dining car. Yuxia explained that their two-year, long-distance relationship had been difficult and prolonged their unhappiness. She suggested that ending it now, though painful, would allow both of them to move on and focus on their lives and work. She wished him well and told him to take care.
Lu Xuelin tore up a piece of paper (presumably related to their relationship) and wished her well in return before they parted ways. Captain Hu showed Ma Kui a sample of a substance, asking if he recognized it. Ma Kui immediately identified it as opium, recalling encountering it during labor reform where it was grown for pharmaceutical use. He commented on its dual nature – capable of saving or killing.
Captain Hu informed him that the opium had been seized on a train in Yunnan, but the dealer, who spoke with a Northeast accent, had escaped. They suspected accomplices might be using the railway for transport and had been instructed by superiors to increase vigilance. Captain Hu asked Ma Kui, with his extensive experience, to train the officers on identifying opium and to ensure alertness at all stations along their line, including small ones like Hongyang and Haihe.
Wang Xin was patrolling the square at Hongyang Station when Ma Kui arrived. Wang Xin was clearly happy to see him. He led Ma Kui to Yang Chief's office. Ma Kui showed Yang Chief the opium sample, which Yang Chief hadn't seen in years. Ma Kui relayed the information about the Yunnan seizure and the Northeast accent of the suspect.
Yang Chief assured him he would inform his comrades and invited Ma Kui to stay for lunch, offering his favorite stew. As they chatted warmly, Yang Chief praised Wang Xin extensively in front of Ma Kui, highlighting his capability and success in solving cases since joining the station. Ma Kui downplayed the praise, saying handling cases was Wang Xin's duty.
He then proceeded to recount Wang Xin's past mistakes, such as getting off the train without permission and receiving punishment, and a confusing incident where he allegedly helped a "human trafficker" find a child. Wang Xin was visibly embarrassed by his mentor's public criticism and tried to interrupt, eventually using the excuse of preparing food to leave the office.
Yang Chief commented on Ma Kui's strictness, and Ma Kui explained that while Wang Xin was smart, capable, aggressive, and had the potential to be a good officer, he was also reckless and arrogant, which was why he had him patrolling the square as training. He said being Wang Xin's mentor was his fate. Yang Chief expressed envy at having such a good apprentice.
Wang Xin returned briefly as Ma Kui was leaving, and Ma Kui gave him a large box of patches he had brought. Wang Xin complained that Ma Kui had only come to mock him. Ma Kui told him respect was earned, not given through praise. Wang Xin said he understood. Ma Kui commented that the small station was a good place for him and that he might visit again. Wang Xin responded that Ma Kui could visit whenever he wanted.
Ma Kui urged him to work hard and not just think about going home for the holidays. Wang Xin said he did want to go home for Spring Festival. As the New Year approached, homes were decorated. Shen Xiuping, praised as a talented woman, wrote Spring Festival couplets for her neighbors. One neighbor commented on her not having a boyfriend, while another clarified that her capabilities meant she wouldn't settle for an ordinary man.
Meanwhile, Wang Yongge was preparing New Year's food. He instructed Wang Xin to take some fried carrot balls to Ma Kui's family. Just then, Ma Yan arrived with a plate of dumplings (filled with meat and egg) for Wang Xin's family. They exchanged the food. Suddenly, Yao Yuling's apartment caught fire. She screamed for help. Neighbors, including Wang Xin and Ma Yan, rushed to the scene. They quickly realized it was an oil fire and water couldn't be used.
Niu Dali heroically rushed into the burning apartment and carried out the pot of burning oil, severely burning his hands. Later, Shen Xiuping bandaged Niu Dali's hands, scolding him for his recklessness but also praising him for preventing a disaster. She warned him about the risk of infection, which frightened him. Afterward, Yao Yuling visited Niu Dali, bringing him New Year's Eve dinner.