Always on the Move Episode 2 Recap
> Always on the Move Recap
Ma Kui had recently returned home after being wrongfully imprisoned for ten years. His daughter, Ma Yan, remained distant. At the store where Ma Yan worked, Ma Kui warned her not to provoke intoxicated customers, fearing she might get hurt. Wang Sufang, Ma Kui's wife, supported his concern, urging Ma Yan to listen, but Ma Yan was frustrated and retreated to her room.
Wang Sufang encouraged Ma Kui not to be upset with Ma Yan, explaining that their long separation meant they needed time to reconnect. She expressed regret that her own chronic illnesses, including pulmonary emphysema and rheumatism, had forced Ma Yan to take over her job early, preventing her from pursuing higher education. Ma Kui felt guilty, believing his imprisonment had burdened his family.
Wang Sufang reassured him, affirming her belief in his innocence and expressing hope for their future, especially with Ma Yan potentially attending university. Ma Kui encouraged Ma Yan to study for the college entrance exam, despite her lack of high school education and lack of confidence. He found her reading "Canon of Sherlock Holmes." Seeing Wang Xin's name on the book, indicating it was borrowed, Ma Kui took it away.
The next day, Wang Xin was late for work, citing diarrhea. Ma Kui, his new mentor as a railroad officer, sternly told him that criminals wouldn't wait for him. He returned the book to Wang Xin, explaining that Ma Yan was his daughter and was preparing for the exam, asking Wang Xin not to distract her with such books. Wang Xin protested that Ma Yan had snatched the book, but Ma Kui dismissed him.
During a train patrol, Wang Xin and Ma Kui encountered an old blind man. Wang Xin tried to enforce the rule that he needed a ticket, but the old man, a long-time freeloader on the Ningyang-Hacheng route, insisted the train was his home and he wouldn't leave. Railroad officer Lu Hongxing arrived and brought the old man some food. Ma Kui quietly paid for a ticket for the old man.
Lu Hongxing explained that the old man had been searching for his abducted daughter on the train for years, eventually crying himself blind, becoming lost in his quest. Wang Xin questioned Ma Kui's action, arguing that rules should be followed. Ma Kui countered that sometimes one must be flexible and help those in hardship. Wang Xin, eager to be a detective, noted Ma Kui's capabilities and suggested he return to being a detective.
Ma Kui evaded the topic and quickly left. A passenger reported that ten yuan had been stolen from his pocket. Ma Kui and Wang Xin went to the carriage to investigate. Ma Kui noticed a passenger who seemed nervous and took him aside to the dining car. Ma Kui encouraged the passenger to provide information, assuring him of the importance of helping catch the thief even if others were afraid of retaliation.
The passenger, after some hesitation, described the thief as a man around forty, medium build, wearing a blue shirt and gray pants, with a noticeably large head. Impressed, Wang Xin asked Ma Kui how he knew that passenger was a witness. Ma Kui simply said he "guessed," then challenged Wang Xin's police academy training, asking why Wang Xin couldn't guess. Ma Kui instructed Wang Xin to search his assigned carriages, while he searched others.
Wang Xin reported back that he found no one suspicious in his section. Ma Kui didn't believe him and quickly located a suspect who was pretending to sleep. Ma Kui brought the suspect to the dining car, and Wang Xin brought the witness. The witness immediately identified the suspect as the thief, although he noted the suspect had changed his shirt color. Wang Xin and Ma Kui apprehended the man and recovered a significant amount of stolen money.
Later, while taking the thief's statement, Wang Xin asked Ma Kui for advice on how he identified the suspect. Ma Kui explained that the man matched the description, looked shifty, and appeared guilty. He again mocked Wang Xin for not noticing, especially since the man had changed clothes, likening Wang Xin's perception to "dog eyes" and making a pun on Wang Xin's surname. Wang Xin was infuriated by the personal insult.
Back home, Wang Xin vented to his father, Wang Yongge, about Ma Kui's harshness and insults. Wang Yongge advised Wang Xin to listen to his mentor, endure the hardships of being an apprentice, and focus on developing his own skills, saying that respect comes with capability. Wang Xin wondered if there was a hidden conflict between his father and Ma Kui, which might explain Ma Kui's cold attitude.
Wang Yongge avoided the question, telling his son not to dwell on it. Suddenly, Wu's chicken, nicknamed "Egg Queen," wandered into their house and jumped onto the dinner table. Wang Xin chased it out, leading to a humorous exchange with Wu's wife, who jokingly accused Wang Xin of trying to cook her prize chicken. In the railway dormitories where Wang Xin lived, neighbors interacted warmly. Yao Yuling showed off a new dress made by Mrs. Lu (Lu Hongxing's wife).
While chatting with Mrs. Cai and Mrs. Lu, Yao Yuling suddenly fainted. Neighbors called for help, and Dr. Shen Xiuping quickly arrived, diagnosing low blood sugar and requesting sugar. Niu Dali rushed to find some. Wang Xin offered his personal stash of White Rabbit candy, which helped Yao Yuling recover.
Seeing the large amount of fabric in Yao Yuling's room, Dr. Shen realized Yao Yuling had been exchanging her food coupons for cloth coupons to buy fabric for clothes, and she sternly reprimanded her for sacrificing her health for appearance. The neighbors urged Yao Yuling to prioritize eating and to keep candy on hand. During a particularly crowded shift, Wang Xin, Niu Dali, Yao Yuling, and Cai Xiaonian were working.
With passengers struggling to board, Wang Xin resorted to helping people enter through the train windows, including a young man, a passenger with a child, and an elderly woman. Later, in the dining car, Cai Xiaonian recounted Wang Xin's actions dramatically, amusing the other crew members. Wang Xin overheard them.
Ma Kui, laughing loudly, called Wang Xin over and further mocked him, particularly exaggerating the incident with the elderly woman who developed a cramp after being pushed through the window and Wang Xin's attempts to help. Wang Xin was visibly embarrassed. That evening, Wang Xin again complained to his father about Ma Kui's ridicule. Wang Yongge reiterated his earlier advice: focus on gaining skills, and eventually, people will respect him. He offered to share a drink with Wang Xin. Later that night, Wang Yongge visited Ma Kui, bringing wine and canned food. Wang Sufang welcomed him warmly, but Ma Kui remained reserved during their interaction.
