Sword Rose Episode 18 Recap
> Sword Rose Recap
Officer Ai and Officer Yan meet with Jing's father, presenting several children's clothes recovered from Hong Jinfeng's possession. Jing's father recognizes a small shirt they had bought in town. Jing's mother, though initially struggling with her memory, eventually recalls sewing a small kitten onto the shirt. She vividly remembers purchasing it with her family during a bustling market day in 1997, the year of Hong Kong's return, a period of national celebration.
This recovered memory suggests an improvement in her condition, and Officer Ai promptly decides to report this significant progress to Director Deng. Meanwhile, Sun Wenhan remains at the police station, resolute in his decision to wait for news of his son Xiaoguang, feeling an unprecedented closeness after an 11-year search. Director Deng Yan and Chang Rui initiate another interrogation with Hong Jinfeng, presenting the children's clothes found in her old residence.
Hong Jinfeng adamantly denies any abductions, claiming she either bought or found the garments. She attempts to portray herself as a savior, asserting that she rescued neglected children whose parents abandoned them, leading them to wealthier homes with better lives. However, her composure shatters when Director Deng presents a collection of gold and silver jewelry also discovered in her home. Hong Jinfeng frantically insists these are her hard-earned life savings.
Director Deng refutes her claims, declaring the items as illicit gains from her crimes. Under pressure, Hong Jinfeng finally confesses, admitting to abducting children, including a lawyer's son whom she buried due to his incessant crying. Police discuss how Sun Wenhan might have obtained the confidential information about his son, noting he had been persistently watching their vehicles. They ponder the heartbreaking possibility that the buried child Hong Jinfeng described is indeed Sun Xiaoguang, as the details seem to match.
Overwhelmed by despair and believing Xiaoguang is dead, Sun Wenhan is found by Luo Xiaoxing and Madam Zhang. He hands Luo Xiaoxing documents related to her brother, Luo Xiaoyu, explaining he has entrusted the search to a child-finding charity, and tearfully bids Madam Zhang farewell. Luo Xiaoxing, fearing Luo Xiaoyu may have met a similar fate, breaks down, but Madam Zhang attempts to console her, urging them to hold onto hope.
Deng Yan continues to work late into the night, meticulously organizing the leads provided by Hong Jinfeng. Chang Rui brings her supper, urging her to rest. Deng Yan confides in Chang Rui, revealing a painful personal history: she was the witness to the abduction of her best friend, Lin Ran, near Linshan's Wenchang Street in 1986. Deng Yan recounts how, at eight years old, she fabricated her birthday to convince Lin Ran to play longer.
Lin Ran went to get money for a music box as a "birthday gift." Within mere seconds of Lin Ran leaving her sight, a crippled man abducted her in a narrow alley, vanishing without a trace. Overwhelmed by guilt, feeling responsible for Lin Ran's disappearance, Deng Yan resolved to become a police officer, repeatedly applying to join the Anti-abduction Office.
She explains that Madam Zhang, the owner of their childhood noodle shop, still hoping Lin Ran will find her way home, continues to use Lin Ran's eight-year-old photo for missing person posters despite adult simulations being available. Deng Yan reaffirms her unwavering commitment to finding all missing children, finding strength in the smiles of reunited families.
Forensic results reveal that the child's remains are not Sun Xiaoguang's but Qiao Zhe's, the son of Qiao Suhan, a local magazine editor-in-chief whose lawyer husband committed suicide after their child went missing. Chang Rui, struggling with the difficult task, contacts Qiao Suhan to inform her that her son has been found but is deceased. Qiao Suhan arrives to claim his ashes, expressing profound gratitude to Deng Yan and Chang Rui for ending her years of searching.
She finds a measure of solace in the thought that he likely did not suffer for long. Deng Yan, deeply affected by Qiao Suhan’s sorrow, reaffirms her commitment to their mission. Later that night, Deng Yan personally informs Sun Wenhan that the identified child is not Xiaoguang, rekindling his hope. A public service announcement airs on television, highlighting the success of China's anti-trafficking efforts, particularly the national DNA database, and urging citizens to report any leads.
The announcement specifies five categories of individuals eligible for free DNA testing at Linshan City People's Hospital. Meanwhile, Qi Defu, a junk collector from Qingluo Town, takes a long-distance bus to the hospital. He seeks help for Yuan, a child he found abandoned in a trash bin over a decade ago. At the hospital, a passerby advises Qi Defu to bring Yuan for testing and directs him to the Anti-abduction Office at the police station.
Upon arriving at the Anti-abduction Office, Qi Defu is greeted by Officer Ai Xin. Reviewing Qi Defu's account, Officer Yang Jiajia notes that Yuan was found in Qingluo Town, the same location where Sun Xiaoguang was reportedly abandoned. This significant lead prompts Director Deng Yan to dispatch Yan Lei and Chang Rui to Qi Defu’s home to bring Yuan in for DNA testing, while Ai Xin and Yang Jiajia are sent to the local police station for further investigation.
Later that evening, Qi Defu returns home and finds Yuan helping him sort junk. Overwhelmed by a mix of concern for Yuan's future and the impending separation, Qi Defu scolds Yuan for not focusing on his studies. Hurt, Yuan insists he is Qi Defu's biological child and pleads not to be abandoned. Chang Rui and Yan Lei arrive at Qi Defu’s modest home, where they learn more about Yuan.
The local police had informed them that Yuan was born in another province, where his mother later abandoned him, prompting Qi Defu to bring him to Qingluo Town. At his home, Qi Defu recounts finding Yuan in a trash bin about eleven years ago. Despite their humble living conditions, Qi Defu proudly points out Yuan’s numerous award certificates and excellent school grades, expressing his desire for Yuan to find his biological parents to receive a better education.
He voices a fear that Yuan's biological parents might be ashamed of him being raised by a junk collector. The officers reassure Qi Defu that no one would be ashamed of him, given the care and love with which he raised the boy.
