Always on the Move Episode 39 (Ending) Recap
> Always on the Move Recap
With Wang Xin volunteering as a hostage, Jia Jinlong forced Ma Kui and the other railroad officers out of the carriage, leaving only himself, Wang Xin, and two of his subordinates inside. Jia Jinlong believed his plan was foolproof, unaware that Wang Xin had suspected him for some time. Wang Xin revealed that Ma Kui, using a technique learned from an old blind man, had smelled drugs in Jia Jinlong's car upon first boarding.
Jia Jinlong then realized Ma Kui had intentionally leaked information about the hospital where a captured drug dealer was receiving treatment, hoping to lure him into a trap. He also understood Ma Kui had embraced his subordinates the previous night not out of camaraderie, but to discreetly smell them for any traces. Jia Jinlong demanded Ma Kui arrange a jeep with a full tank of fuel, waiting at the platform of the next station with no one present.
He threatened to kill Wang Xin if his demands were not met. Ma Kui immediately contacted the local police to arrange the vehicle. Wang Xin urged Jia Jinlong to surrender for leniency, but Jia Jinlong stated he knew death was inevitable the moment he started dealing drugs and refused to give up. He confessed that the drug dealer Wang Xin had shot years ago in Sanshan County was his sworn brother.
He hadn't killed Wang Xin to gather information, observing their activity level to determine when it was safe to transport goods. He claimed Yao Yuling was completely unaware of his criminal activities. Unable to persuade Jia Jinlong, Wang Xin turned his attention to the two subordinates, urging them to surrender and promising a chance at survival if they hadn't committed murder. Fearing his men would waver, Jia Jinlong drew his pistol and aimed it at Wang Xin.
As Wang Xin continued his psychological offensive, one of the subordinates decided to surrender. Jia Jinlong shot and killed him on the spot. The other subordinate immediately raised his hands in surrender, leaving Jia Jinlong isolated. Wang Xin fought fiercely with Jia Jinlong. Ma Kui arrived just in time to help subdue him. Unwilling to give up, Jia Jinlong pulled out a dagger and stabbed Ma Kui in the chest. Ma Kui collapsed instantly.
Wang Xin cried out for help, but it was too late. Ma Kui died from his severe injuries, leaving Wang Xin overcome with grief. Time passed quickly, and by 2009, China's railway system had developed significantly. Niu Dali and his wife visited Hacheng to enjoy the snow. While there, Niu Dali spotted Yao Yuling selling lamb skewers from a street stall. Yao Yuling was visibly embarrassed, but her son came to help her.
She quickly turned away, seemingly reluctant for Niu Dali to see her in such circumstances. Watching her walk away, Niu Dali felt a pang of sadness. Years turned into 2017. While reviewing old case files, Wang Xin discovered that Ding Gui'an, the victim in the severed limbs case from years ago, was actually alive. He had changed his name to Ding Baosheng, married, had a child, and opened a small store. Wang Xin apprehended Ding Gui'an.
Using hair samples Ma Kui had collected during the original investigation, Wang Xin confirmed Ding Gui'an was the true culprit behind a series of murders. Ding Gui'an confessed his crimes, admitting he killed for money and couldn't stop after the first accidental murder. To fake his own death and divert suspicion, he had tattooed the character "义" (Yi) on a victim's severed arm, a detail he then claimed was on his own body.
He stated the recurring gesture of the victims holding up a little finger was intended as a provocation to the police. He couldn't explain why the victims' blood types matched his. He stopped killing after getting married and having a son, wanting a peaceful life, believing the police had forgotten about him after so many years. Wang Xin told him that given the severity of his crimes, he wouldn't be worthy of wearing his uniform if he hadn't caught him.
Meanwhile, Wang Yongge, Wang Xin's father, was experiencing moments of lucidity mixed with confusion. He didn't recognize Wang Xin, mistaking his grandson, Wang Haoyang, for his son and insisting he needed to go to work. Ma Yan gently tried to calm him down, reminding him it was his day off. It was the anniversary of Ma Kui's death. Peng Mingjie, his daughter Peng Yongli, and her son visited Ma Kui's grave.
Peng Mingjie expressed his gratitude to Ma Kui for helping him surrender, acknowledging him as the most important person in his life despite their relatively short acquaintance, and saying he still wore the scarf Ma Kui gave him. Peng Yongli also offered her apologies to Ma Kui, saying she had misunderstood him before and that she remembered his kindness. Ma Yan, Wang Xin, and Ma Jian also came to pay their respects.
Ma Jian had followed in Ma Kui's footsteps and become a railroad officer, telling his late father he had taken over his work. Later, Shen Xiuping also arrived. Together, they remembered Ma Kui as a good, ordinary man who lived an extraordinary life. Wang Xin, Ma Yan, and Wang Haoyang took a high-speed train trip. Unexpectedly, Little Wenzhou was on the same train and they happily reminisced together, with Little Wenzhou complimenting Ma Yan on how little she had changed.
Separately, Yuxia and Xuelin also met on the train, expressing surprise and excitement at seeing each other after many years, marveling at how much faster travel was now compared to when they used to commute between Ningyang and Hacheng. Cai Xiaonian, who had taken over as conductor after Lu Hongxing retired, was on his last shift before retirement.
He gave a heartfelt speech to the passengers, recounting his long career from steam to high-speed trains and sharing an anecdote about a former passenger he helped who later became a successful entrepreneur. Lu Hongxing was on the train to record Cai Xiaonian's final moments on duty. Cai Xiaonian wished everyone a safe journey and better lives, concluding by wishing prosperity for the country.
During the journey, a thief was caught, and a lost baby was found, reminding everyone on the train to be understanding and tolerant of each other. In legal proceedings, Ding Gui'an was sentenced to death for intentional homicide. Jia Jinlong, Hou Sanjin, and others received the death penalty for multiple crimes including smuggling, trafficking, and manufacturing drugs, and illegal possession of firearms. Liu Guiying was sentenced to life imprisonment for trafficking women and children. The Ministry of Public Security posthumously awarded Ma Kui the title of "Second-class Hero Model of the National Public Security System."
