Sword Rose Episode 19 Recap
> Sword Rose Recap
Qi Defu, a junk collector in Qingluo Town, struggled financially. His son, Yuan, was intelligent, filial, diligent, and consistently topped his class. Desiring a better education for Yuan in the city but lacking funds, Qi Defu learned that the Anti-abduction Office was searching for missing children. He traveled a long distance to the office and claimed Yuan was a child he found abandoned in a trash pile, earnestly seeking the Anti-abduction Office's help to locate Yuan's biological parents.
Yan Lei and Chang Rui were dispatched to Qi Defu's home to investigate. They found the family lived in destitution, with bare walls and few possessions. Yuan dutifully helped Qi Defu sort discarded cardboard boxes. When Yuan understood the officers' purpose, he vehemently protested, stating he would not leave his home or Qi Defu's side. Qi Defu, wanting Yuan to attend school in the city, insisted he go, but Yuan adamantly refused, demanding the officers leave.
Angered, Qi Defu pushed Yuan to the ground. Yuan retorted, questioning why Qi Defu had picked him up in the first place and declaring he would rather die than abandon him. With that, Yuan stormed out, slamming the door. Later that morning, Luo Xiaoxing and Madam Zhang went to Tuanyuan Restaurant together. On their way, the hospital called Luo Xiaoxing to collect Madam Zhang's medical report.
Luo Xiaoxing went to the hospital and discovered Madam Zhang had been diagnosed with Mid-Stage Alzheimer's disease. Expecting Madam Zhang to continue to the restaurant, Luo Xiaoxing was called by Ms. Meilian, who reported that Madam Zhang had not arrived. Everyone at the restaurant became frantic. With Madam Zhang unreachable by phone and nowhere to be found, Luo Xiaoxing called Deng Yan for assistance. Deng Yan, Luo Xiaoxing, and others quickly split up to search for her.
Meanwhile, Yan Lei caught up with Yuan, who was still upset. Yuan expressed his belief that his biological parents had abandoned him and stated he would never return to the city. Yan Lei clarified that Yuan's parents had never abandoned him; he had been abducted by human traffickers. Yan Lei urged Yuan not to disappoint Qi Defu's hopes, to study hard, find a good job after university, and then repay Qi Defu's kindness.
Yuan, despite his anger, understood Qi Defu's sacrifices, noting his father's advanced age and how his back ached after collecting junk, expressing deep concern for him. Qi Defu, though reluctant to part with Yuan, explained to Yan Lei that Yuan was about to start middle school, and he didn't want him to end up collecting junk like himself.
He had raised Yuan as his own son and wanted the best for him, believing that an education in the city would be far superior to staying with him. Chang Rui understood Qi Defu's profound sacrifice. Elsewhere, Deng Yan diligently searched and eventually found Madam Zhang outside Linshan Primary School. Madam Zhang was confused, thinking she was there to pick up a child named Ranran. Deng Yan gently persuaded her to return to the restaurant, promising to take her home.
Yan Lei successfully convinced Yuan to return home. Qi Defu and Yuan embraced, shedding tears, a sight that deeply moved both Chang Rui and Yan Lei. After Madam Zhang was settled and asleep, Deng Yan spoke with Luo Xiaoxing about Madam Zhang's condition. The doctor had advised against immediately informing Madam Zhang of her Alzheimer's diagnosis, fearing it might cause distress.
Deng Yan promised to visit Tuanyuan Restaurant frequently to spend time with Madam Zhang and asked Luo Xiaoxing and Ms. Meilian to ensure she received ample care and companionship. Separately, Jenny was tasked by Gang to process overseas labor contracts, which were intended to facilitate the trafficking of abducted girls abroad for profit. Jenny found the task exceedingly difficult, as various companies she contacted proved unreliable.
Gang grew furious, issuing an ultimatum: if she failed to complete the task, she would be fired. Jenny was left anxious and desperate, even massaging Gang's back to appease him. The technical department confirmed that Qi Yuan's DNA matched Sun Wenhan's with 99. 99% accuracy, proving they were biological father and son. Ai Xin promptly called Sun Wenhan with the good news. Sun Wenhan, heavily intoxicated and incoherent, initially struggled to grasp the reality of the situation.
Meanwhile, back at home, Qi Defu began taking down all of Yuan's award certificates and meticulously packed his belongings, preparing for the inevitable departure. Still heavily intoxicated, Sun Wenhan lamented to himself, asking if his wife would blame him, as their son had still not been found. The Anti-abduction Office recognized Qi Defu's voluntary surrender as a significant testament to their anti-trafficking efforts, acknowledging the complexity but also the loving aspect of his illegal adoption, promising a fair resolution.
The next morning, Sun Wenhan awoke with a hazy memory of Ai Xin's call and immediately called Deng Yan, who confirmed that Yuan was indeed his son, Xiaoguang. Overwhelmed with emotion, Sun Wenhan rushed to the Anti-abduction Office, where Qi Defu and Yuan had already arrived. Upon seeing Xiaoguang, Sun Wenhan knelt, profusely thanking Qi Defu for raising his son, and offered him all his savings as a token of gratitude.
Qi Defu steadfastly refused the money, reiterating his sole desire for Yuan to receive a good education. Sun Wenhan promised to swiftly arrange Xiaoguang's transfer to a good school in the city. When Qi Defu tried to hand Yuan over to Sun Wenhan, Yuan clung to Qi Defu, crying inconsolably and begging not to leave. Qi Defu, tearfully, struggled to comfort him, urging him to be a good boy and listen to the adults in the city.
Yan Lei escorted Qi Defu to the long-distance bus station, presenting him with some nutritional supplements bought by the Anti-abduction Office officers. Qi Defu, with tears in his eyes, expressed his gratitude before departing Linshan. Sun Wenhan brought Xiaoguang home. Xiaoguang was timid, standing still in the hallway. Sun Wenhan gently told him to put on a new pair of slippers.
Xiaoguang then noticed the walls adorned with his childhood photos and Sun Wenhan's detailed maps of his decade-long search efforts, which deeply moved him. Sun Wenhan then lovingly gave Xiaoguang a tour of their home, concluding with the room he had specially prepared for him. Deng Yan observed Sun Wenhan's reunion with his son, Xiaoguang, and felt a deep sense of contentment.
She silently wished that Lin Ran would similarly encounter a kind soul, like Qi Defu, and be spared excessive hardship, believing that darkness was only temporary and persistence would ultimately be rewarded. Separately, Yan Lei invited Chang Rui to dinner and revealed that he too was adopted. Chang Rui was surprised, having never known.
Yan Lei shared his gratitude for his adoptive parents, who had treated him like their own son, providing for his education and helping him get into the police academy. He further revealed that his adoptive parents had later helped him locate his biological parents, who had since had another child and were living happily. His birth parents now wished for him to return and reunite with them as a family of four.
Yan Lei found himself in a difficult predicament, as his adoptive parents had chosen not to have biological children of their own for his sake, yet he was reluctant to cause pain to his birth parents. Chang Rui advised Yan Lei not to rush his decision, suggesting he allow both families time to adjust. Following leads from Madam Hong's arrest, the Anti-abduction Office located Liu Weiguo's grandson, Xiaoxiao. Liu Weiguo was overjoyed, celebrating his family's reunion.
Honglian and Madam Zhang expressed their happiness for him, encouraging him to spend time with his grandson. Liu Weiguo then removed Xiaoxiao's missing person poster from the wall, expressing hope that all remaining missing children would eventually return home. He envisioned a future reunion at Tuanyuan Restaurant, where Madam Zhang would prepare her famous dumplings and Ms. Meilian her special cold dishes for all the reunited children.
The arrests of several senior traffickers, including Skinner, Huang Chuan, and Madam Hong, led to the reopening of several cold cases. Through extensive efforts, the Anti-abduction Office successfully found Bai Xiujing, abducted in 1994, and Sun Xiaoguang, abducted in 1998. They also rescued recently abducted individuals like Zheng Weiwei and Little Spud, among others, marking a significant victory in Linshan's anti-trafficking campaign.
The next primary focus of their investigation was an elusive trafficker known as Cripple, who had been highly active in the early 1990s and was believed to be involved in numerous cases, having once been the largest trafficker in Linshan City and its surrounding areas before suddenly disappearing for over a decade. Despite the lack of current leads, the Anti-abduction Office remained committed to his capture.
