Always on the Move Episode 30 Recap
> Always on the Move Recap
Upon arriving in Ningyang from Shenzhen, Ma Kui and Wang Xin are immediately called to a crime scene. The victim is identified as Bao Jiashun. His tongue has been cut out, and his fingers and toes have been chopped off.
Wang Xin observes that the cutting of the tongue was to silence him, and the removal of digits was to prevent him from providing evidence, concluding that this brutal act was retaliation by ruthless drug dealers for Bao Jiashun informing the police. Ma Kui agrees, calling the dealers vicious and inhuman. Ma Yan has been seeing Wang Xin for several years, but Wang Xin has been hesitant to propose to Ma Kui.
Impatient, Ma Yan threatens to go on blind dates. Wang Xin, finally deciding to be bold, goes to Ma Kui's house. He tries to gauge Ma Kui's opinion of him by awkwardly asking Ma Jian, who calls him nice. Ma Kui dismisses this, telling Wang Xin to look in the mirror to know himself. Wang Xin then directly states his intention to marry Ma Yan. Ma Kui's response is to tell Wang Xin to copy books.
Ma Yan emerges from her room, declaring she intends to marry Wang Xin and will get their marriage certificate the next day, demanding the household register from Ma Kui. Ma Kui feigns ignorance of its location, but Ma Jian offers to steal it for his sister, earning himself the same punishment of copying books from Ma Kui. The next morning, Ma Yan and Wang Xin head to the Civil Affairs Bureau with their documents.
However, the staff informs Ma Yan that the household register is an old, invalid one. Ma Yan realizes her father tricked them, explaining that the old register belonged to her mother and her father must have secretly swapped it for the current one. She regrets not checking it more carefully in her haste. Wang Xin remarks that her father, being a veteran cop, is "smarter than a thief," stating that "the older, the wiser." Frustrated, Ma Yan sighs.
Back home, a visibly angry Ma Yan attempts to cook, but burns the vegetables. Ma Jian points it out, and she snaps at him. She later approaches Ma Kui to discuss her desire to quit her job and go into business. Ma Kui firmly refuses, insisting she keep her secure job. Ma Yan mentions Niu Dali, who went out and made money, returning in style, even installing piped water for everyone in their compound, earning widespread respect.
She believes she can do even better. Ma Kui remains resistant, cautioning her that doing business isn't easy. Ma Yan offers a compromise: she will keep her job and do business part-time. Ma Kui reluctantly agrees, provided it doesn't interfere with her work. Ma Yan is surprised by his concession, noting how much he seems to have changed since returning from Shenzhen. Wang Xin also feels this change and expresses envy for the wealthy southerners who make money in business.
He worries about Ma Kui's reaction if he were to try, so Ma Yan decides to test the waters first. Ma Yan tells Ma Kui that someone who went to Shenzhen with him was also inspired and is thinking of doing business. Ma Kui asks who, and Ma Yan reveals it's Wang Xin, clarifying that while he hasn't said it directly, he has the idea.
Ma Kui replies that it's normal to want a better life and laughs, which surprises Ma Yan as he seems calm. Ma Kui calls Wang Xin a "scout" sent by Ma Yan and tells her to have Wang Xin come see him directly. Ma Yan asks if he will agree if Wang Xin is serious. Ma Kui repeats his instruction for Wang Xin to come himself. Wang Xin arrives at Ma Kui's home.
Ma Kui tells Ma Jian to leave them. Ma Kui greets Wang Xin and acknowledges his trip to Shenzhen, saying it opened his eyes and cleared his direction. He then speaks sarcastically, praising Wang Xin for following the money and the crowds, calling him "bravo." Wang Xin is confused, noting it doesn't sound like praise. Ma Kui pushes further, suggesting Wang Xin resign today and offering to accompany him to the station.
Wang Xin protests that he didn't say he wanted to quit. As Ma Kui pulls him, Wang Xin urges them to talk calmly. Ma Yan enters, asking if Ma Kui is misleading her and reminding him that he called Wang Xin "cute." Ma Kui confirms he thinks Wang Xin is "too cute" but questions why wanting a better life is wrong.
Ma Yan and Ma Jian defend Wang Xin, pointing out Ma Kui previously found him too poor, and now that he wants to make money, that's also unacceptable. They ask what he wants. Ma Kui insists nothing will do and is being unreasonable. Ma Jian agrees his father is wrong. Ma Kui punishes Ma Jian by making him copy an entire book after his homework, forbidding dinner until it's done.
After being scolded, Wang Xin feels discouraged and wants to give up. Ma Yan encourages him not to be deterred by a little scolding, citing her own experience arguing with her father but still pursuing her business. Wang Xin argues their situations are different because he is a police officer. Ma Yan counters that police officers also have the right to pursue their own lives.
She suggests they ask Shen Xiuping to write a fake sick leave certificate for a back injury so they can go south together to explore business opportunities. If things look promising, he can return and resign later. Wang Xin doubts Shen Xiuping will agree, but Ma Yan assures him she is open-minded and supportive, having helped her with her business. Wang Xin goes to see Shen Xiuping.
He claims his back hurts, sometimes severely, and says a doctor in Shenzhen has a secret effective remedy. Shen Xiuping is skeptical about finding a unique doctor there. Wang Xin then admits he mainly wants to go to Shenzhen to clear his head, saying he liked the climate and scenery from his previous visit. He claims he will go alone but has classmates there, and that he considered inviting Wang Yongge but he was busy.
Wang Yongge appears and tells Wang Xin he is old enough to make his own decisions but should understand what he is doing and return quickly, regardless of who he goes with. Wang Yongge helps Wang Xin pack and gives him some money, asking him to look after Ma Jian. Wang Xin says goodbye and leaves for the train station. Ma Yan is waiting for him, and he is heavily bundled up to avoid being recognized.
Suddenly, Ma Kui appears and pulls Wang Xin aside. He questions why Wang Xin is covering up, suggesting it's inconsistent with being a police officer. He sarcastically asks about the back pain, then questions the real reason for going to Shenzhen. Wang Xin asks for understanding, having already secured leave and come out. Ma Kui calls his action a serious mistake, accusing him of deceiving the organization and risking punishment.
Wang Xin insists he is not a child to be threatened and simply wants to make more money. Ma Kui challenges this, asking why he needs so much money and reminding him of the time he felt Ma Kui considered him poor. Ma Kui questions the idea that money is easily made and accuses Wang Xin of wanting to leave, fail, and then return to policing, getting the best of both worlds.
He points out that Wang Xin hasn't explicitly said he will quit. Ma Kui then reminds Wang Xin of their conversation in Hacheng about practicing grip strength. He recounts how his mentor was fatally stabbed on a train, bleeding profusely and dying before they could reach a station for help.
His mentor's last words were asking Ma Kui if he still wanted to be a police officer, warning him of the dangers, hardships, and lack of family time the profession entails. Ma Kui explains he has persevered through a sense of persistence and responsibility. He tells Wang Xin, as his apprentice, that he cannot lie to him or act in ways contrary to being a police officer. He emphasizes the commitment required, with no giving up halfway or being distracted.
Ma Kui praises Wang Xin as a promising candidate who can become an excellent detective if he works hard. He concludes by stating that at Wang Xin's age, he can make his own choices and Ma Kui has no right to decide for him, leaving the decision to stay or go in his hands. Wang Xin asks Ma Kui what he told his mentor when asked if he still wanted to be a police officer.
Ma Kui calls him a "little runt" and says Wang Xin knows he has always been a police officer. Ma Yan joins them and asks if her father scolded him. Wang Xin says no but admits he looks like it. Ma Yan suggests if he is truly determined, Ma Kui cannot stop him, proposing he emulate the Shenzhen police who balance both careers. Wang Xin considers this and takes a nap. Ma Kui watches the train depart, looking wistful.
Moments later, Wang Xin reappears, having decided to stay and continue being a police officer. Ma Kui goes to see Shen Xiuping at the hospital. He confronts her about providing Wang Xin with a fake diagnosis for a back injury, saying he suspected it was her. He asks why she did it.
Shen Xiuping explains that Wang Xin came to her, admitting his actions were wrong but saying he saw no other way to make money, which he believed was necessary for Ma Kui's approval. He promised secrecy and pleaded for help, emphasizing his genuine love for Ma Yan. Ma Yan also came, expressing her feeling that her father's objection wasn't about money, but insisting that since he brought up money, they had to address that obstacle.
She begged Shen Xiuping not to let their relationship fail, stressing they had no other option and their unwavering commitment to each other. Shen Xiuping says she felt pity for the young couple and hoped they could start a family. Ma Kui calls this foolish, reminding her he had already said they couldn't be together. When Shen Xiuping asks why, Ma Kui says there are things she doesn't understand. She asks if his late wife knew and would have agreed.
Shen Xiuping admits her actions are done and accepts blame. However, she reiterates her belief that Ma Kui's objection isn't about money and argues that he shouldn't let his personal issues interfere with his children's future. Ma Kui dismisses the conversation as unresolvable. Shen Xiuping says she understands, but Ma Kui tells her to stay away from him.
