Always on the Move Episode 18 Recap
> Always on the Move Recap
Wang Xin, curious, asked Hu about Ma Kui's demeanor towards him. Hu explained that Ma Kui had never gotten angry or hit him, and instead always praised Wang Xin in front of Hu, telling him to learn from his senior colleague. Wang Xin was surprised to hear this, as he had always assumed Ma Kui looked down on him, but it turned out Ma Kui spoke highly of him behind his back.
Hu admitted that he wasn't as capable as Wang Xin when he first started but encouraged Wang Xin to keep working, assuring him he would get better with time. As the blind man walked past Ma Kui, he used his sensitive nose to recognize the smell on him and deduced that Ma Kui was in disguise for a mission. Ma Kui was taken aback, as he and Wang Xin had specifically changed into old clothes to avoid being recognized.
The blind man noted that his hearing was also sharp, adding that if he were blind and lacked other skills, he wouldn't survive. Ma Kui offered him food, which the blind man gratefully accepted, noting Ma Kui's "good person" nature. Ma Kui and Wang Xin got off the train at the designated location and quickly found a hostel.
The conditions were difficult, and Wang Xin complained, but Ma Kui told him to boil some noodles first to satisfy their hunger, pulling out a bag of supplies he had brought from home, including an electric stove. Wang Xin tried to use the electric stove to boil water, but it caused a power outage due to overload before the noodles were cooked.
The hostel manager rushed over, demanding to know who used the stove and confiscating it, insisting it wasn't allowed, even though they hadn't been told. Ma Kui apologized for the trouble and assured the manager they wouldn't use it again, eventually handing over the hot stove after some initial back-and-forth where Wang Xin argued with the manager.
Ma Kui later instructed Wang Xin that as police, even out of uniform, they should avoid causing trouble, even if others try to bully them. Despite the inability to fully cook the noodles, Ma Kui had brought lard from home, adding scallions and soy sauce. Wang Xin found the uncooked noodles hard and complained, but Ma Kui ate heartily, seeming to enjoy the simple meal.
The hostel's quilts were old and smelled of mildew, and Wang Xin was bitten all over by lice. Combined with Ma Kui's loud snoring, Wang Xin couldn't sleep all night, feeling itchy and uncomfortable. The next morning, Ma Kui woke Wang Xin up to go into the nearby villages to investigate. They asked about suspicious individuals, getting a general description.
They then moved to the long-distance bus station ticket office to stake out potential suspects, using the description gathered, including a crucial detail from a witness about a missing little finger on the suspect's left hand. After some time observing passengers buying tickets, they spotted a person matching the description and followed them onto a long-distance bus. During the journey, the suspect seemed vigilant and opened the window for air.
Wang Xin also opened his window, anticipating the suspect might try to escape. As expected, the suspect jumped from the moving bus midway. Wang Xin and Ma Kui pursued him relentlessly. The suspect drew a gun and threatened them, but Ma Kui and Wang Xin hesitated, wanting to capture him alive. Taking advantage of their caution, the suspect scaled a wall and entered a nearby house. Ma Kui and Wang Xin arrived shortly after to find the gate locked.
The owner of the house returned home, and upon learning a criminal had entered his house, rushed towards the door, desperate to save his young child inside. Ma Kui pulled him back to prevent him from entering the dangerous situation. Inside, the suspect held the child hostage and demanded Ma Kui and Wang Xin leave within ten minutes or he would kill the child. The village director and local police arrived, quickly surrounding the courtyard.
Ma Kui instructed Wang Xin to work with the homeowner to draw a detailed layout of the house, including rooms, doors, and furniture placement. While Ma Kui was discussing his plan to enter and negotiate, Wang Xin, without waiting for the plan to be finalized, entered the courtyard through the gate. Worried for Wang Xin's safety, Ma Kui quickly followed him inside, taking off his outer clothes.
Ma Kui attempted to persuade the suspect to surrender, highlighting that turning himself in could lead to leniency. Meanwhile, Wang Xin quietly entered the house through a window in an adjacent room. The suspect saw Wang Xin's reflection in a mirror and fired his gun. Wang Xin took cover behind a door and, seizing an opportunity when the suspect was distracted, shot and killed him.
Ma Kui rushed into the room and found Wang Xin sitting on the bed, trembling from the shock of the events. Still shaken, Wang Xin forced himself to call Ma Yan. His speech was incoherent due to nervousness, but Ma Yan, sensing his distress, urged him to take good care of her father. Ma Kui, nearby, overheard the call and assumed Wang Xin was reporting their safety to Wang Yongge, his father. Wang Xin didn't correct him.
Having gone through this life-threatening experience together, they developed a mutual respect and understanding. On the train ride back to Ningyang, they encountered Little Wenzhou being reprimanded for stealing a steamed bun from a passenger. Little Wenzhou explained that his sunglasses business had failed, and after using his last money to buy a train ticket back to Wenzhou, he had nothing left for food and was starving.
Ma Kui encouraged him not to be discouraged and emphasized that mistakes are okay as long as you learn from them. Wang Xin bought Little Wenzhou a roast chicken and other food for his journey and gave him all the money he had. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Little Wenzhou started crying and offered Wang Xin his last pair of sunglasses as a gift.
Wang Xin hesitated, concerned it might violate regulations, but Ma Kui approved, reasoning it was like a purchase given Wang Xin's generosity. Wang Xin accepted the sunglasses. Hu took Little Wenzhou to make a statement and apologize to the passenger he stole from. Left with no money, Wang Xin asked Ma Kui for some to buy food.
Ma Kui refused flatly and even teased Wang Xin by showing his own money, telling him to just drink water if he was hungry, leaving Wang Xin frustrated. Ma Kui took Wang Xin to report the details of the case to Captain Jiang. After reporting, Wang Xin was eager to get home. He gave the sunglasses to Ma Yan, who found them beautiful and coveted. Noticing Ma Kui was about to leave work and likely head home, Wang Xin quickly made his excuses and left, seemingly avoiding being lectured.
