Psych-Hunter Episode 20 Recap
> Psych-Hunter Recap
After the Zhang Zong Bao case was resolved, Qin Yiheng reminded Jiang Shuo that although Governor-General Yuan had allowed him to investigate, he was strictly forbidden from approaching Yuan Muqing. Jiang Shuo asserted he would find his own way around that restriction. Jiang Shuo then voiced his deep concern that Liu Zhi was exploiting the hatred of good people to cause more suffering, lamenting that these individuals were being harmed because of his involvement.
Qin Yiheng reassured him, stating it was not his fault, and emphasized that while human nature contains elements of evil, the choice of who one becomes, and one's destiny, rests within their own hands. Qin Yiheng then left to rest. Jiang Shuo called out to him, asking about his father, to which Qin Yiheng replied that their immediate goal was to capture Liu Zhi to prevent further tragedies.
Later, when Jiang Shuo entered Liu Zhi's puzzle cube, Liu Zhi appeared, taunting him about his belief in choice and insisting that their game was not yet over, leaving Jiang Shuo with no option but to continue playing. Liu Zhi then revealed the next clue related to the Yin River: Zhao Ling. Sergeant Bai was reinstated after his contribution to solving the Zhang Zong Bao case.
Yuan Muqing also returned to the police station, announcing her own reinstatement and her intention to join the Liu Zhi Investigation Team, much to Sergeant Bai's visible exasperation. On her way home, Yuan Muqing had a fleeting glimpse of the missing Zhao Ling but was unable to follow her. Back at the courtyard, the performers inadvertently spoke of Zhao Ling. Bu Yan Master, overcome with regret, recounted his past with his daughter.
He recalled saving money to send her to school, but she was only interested in singing. When an opportunity arose for her to make music, he forbade it and locked her up. Zhao Ling attempted to escape through a window, leading to a struggle where a kettle was knocked over, severely scalding her back. Bu Yan Master expressed his heartbreak at being an unfit father, while the others consoled him.
He also mentioned that, unlike the other children, Zhao Ling had never liked persimmons. Later, Yuan Muqing unexpectedly arrived at the courtyard, looking for Jiang Shuo. She asked him for a photograph of Zhao Ling, explaining her earlier sighting of someone resembling Zhao Ling in the concession area. Jiang Shuo, on alert due to Liu Zhi's clue, retrieved a picture.
Yuan Muqing speculated that the famous singer Shang Yu might be Zhao Ling, though she sensed subtle differences she couldn't articulate. Shortly after, Bu Yan Master returned with the other performers and a director. The director introduced himself as a reputable filmmaker and offered them roles in his new martial arts movie, promising fame and high earnings.
Jiang Shuo, noticing the film company's address was in the concession area and recalling Yuan Muqing's earlier sighting, suggested they go there to confirm if Shang Yu was Zhao Ling. However, Bu Yan Master vehemently opposed the idea, calling the concession a "complicated place" and fearing they would be cheated. He steadfastly believed that if Zhao Ling were there, she would have returned home by now.
Jiang Shuo did not want Yuan Muqing to accompany him to the concession, concerned for her safety. However, she misunderstood his intentions, believing he found her a nuisance, and angrily left, throwing back the coat he offered her. She vowed to her doll that she would go and investigate Liu Zhi regardless of his objections. The next day, Jiang Shuo, accompanied by Xiao Quan, went to the concession to meet the director.
Yuan Muqing, true to her word, secretly followed them. Jiang Shuo and Xiao Quan were led to a dressing room. There, Jiang Shuo saw a woman he believed was Zhao Ling and immediately gave chase. He inadvertently interrupted a film shoot, and his intense reaction to the actor playing "Liu Zhi" impressed the director, who hailed it as "natural acting" and promptly signed both Jiang Shuo and Xiao Quan without an audition.
Jiang Shuo questioned the director about the name "Liu Zhi," wondering about the coincidence, but the director dismissed it as a randomly chosen name for the film's villain. Meanwhile, Yuan Muqing's impromptu audition was a disaster; her overly dramatic performance led to her prompt dismissal. Outside, feeling embarrassed, she saw Jiang Shuo and Xiao Quan being escorted out. To divert attention, she immediately questioned Jiang Shuo about Zhao Ling.
Jiang Shuo confirmed that he and Xiao Quan had seen the woman, but the director had called her Shang Yu. Both noted that Shang Yu had shown no recognition of them, leaving them bewildered as to whether she was pretending or genuinely suffering from amnesia.
Yuan Muqing added that Shang Yu was a mysterious figure who had suddenly gained popularity, having previously played the "Anonymous Singer" always concealed by a veil, and this film was reportedly her first public appearance without it. She mentioned that Qin Yiheng was already investigating Shang Yu's true identity, and the truth would soon come to light. Backstage, Shang Yu was meticulously removing her makeup, forbidding her assistant from touching her face.
Another actress attempted to provoke her, challenging her status as "Movie Queen." Shang Yu was visibly irritated by a bouquet of lilies from a fan, but her mood improved upon receiving a custom-made "Goddess Clock." Upon returning home, she discovered her room had been ransacked. She immediately called the police. On her bedside table, she found a letter addressed "To Zhao Ling," containing a chilling message: "Liu Zhi is back. Run for your life." Shang Yu's expression grew increasingly panicked.
As Shang Yu stepped out of her house, Jiang Shuo intercepted her, claiming a fan from his troupe wished to meet her. Shang Yu, clearly distraught, questioned if he was the one who had been following her, but Jiang Shuo denied it. He then used his psych-hunting ability to enter Shang Yu's mind palace. However, he found only a labyrinth of faceless figures, rendering him unable to confirm if she was indeed Zhao Ling.
Unable to ascertain her identity through her Psych, Jiang Shuo brought the woman back to the courtyard. Bu Yan Master was overcome with emotion, believing his beloved Ling'er had finally returned, exclaiming that he thought he would never see her again. However, Jiang Shuo cautiously explained that they couldn't be certain she was Zhao Ling as she remembered nothing, and his foray into her Psych had yielded no clear answers.
When the woman awoke, she looked around in confusion, asking who they were and where she was. Despite Bu Yan Master's heartfelt pleas, identifying himself as her father, she declared she didn't recognize him or anyone else in the courtyard, leaving him heartbroken.
