Sword Rose Episode 22 Recap
> Sword Rose Recap
Deng Yan was suspended from her position at the Anti-abduction Office following an investigation by the Discipline Committee. This came after investigators found a leather bag containing 80,000 yuan in cash in her closet, money for which neither she nor her family could account. Liu Gang had secretly hidden the money in Deng Yan's closet and sent an anonymous tip-off, fearing that Deng Yan, as Lin Ranran's good friend, would investigate his involvement in Lin Ranran's abduction.
Although Chief Xiao Wenjin and Captain Han Liang found it hard to believe Deng Yan would take bribes, especially given her successful track record in catching numerous criminals at the Anti-abduction Office, Chief Xiao stressed that the significant amount of unexplained cash meant they had to follow protocol. Han Liang expressed suspicion that someone might be intentionally framing Deng Yan, but lacked concrete evidence.
Despite this, the Discipline Committee, led by Secretary Wei, was leading the investigation, and the Criminal Police Unit was instructed to cooperate. Yin Jiansheng was appointed to temporarily oversee Deng Yan’s duties at the Anti-abduction Office. Meilian and Xiaoxing were deeply concerned about Madam Zhang's safety after a truck nearly hit her the previous day, emphasizing that she shouldn't go out alone. Madam Zhang felt she was forgetting something important but couldn't recall what it was.
Soon after, Xiaoxing noticed that Lin Ran's missing person notice was gone, which triggered a sudden vivid memory for Madam Zhang. She exclaimed that she remembered everything, prompting Xiaoxing to immediately call Director Deng, informing her that Madam Zhang had something important to say. Sun Xiaoguang, also known as Yuan, sold his collected bottles and earned 35 yuan.
When he called his neighbor to speak with Mr. Qi Defu, he learned that Mr. Qi’s old back condition had relapsed, leaving him bedridden for a week. Concerned, Sun Xiaoguang immediately set off for Qingluo Town. Meanwhile, Deng Yan arrived at Tuanyuan Restaurant where Madam Zhang confirmed that the wanted criminal, Zhou Hongcai, had indeed visited the restaurant two nights prior.
Zhou Hongcai had shown significant interest in Lin Ran, looking at her photo as if he knew her, leading Madam Zhang to believe he was Lin Ran’s trafficker. Deng Yan, convinced of Zhou Hongcai's connection to Lin Ran's abduction, rushed to Captain Han Liang to report her findings. Despite her urgent pleas to assist in the investigation, even in a supportive role, Captain Han explained that her current suspension prevented him from officially involving her, as it would violate regulations.
He advised her to return home and await further instructions from the Discipline Committee, urging her to temper her emotional involvement for the sake of the investigation. Visibly upset, Deng Yan left. Yin Jiansheng, having heard about Deng Yan's unsuccessful visit to Captain Han, sought her out, acknowledging her frustration about being unable to participate in the case.
He offered words of encouragement, reminding her to trust the system and assuring her that she remained the "backbone" of the Anti-abduction Office. Liu Gang was alarmed that Zhou Hongcai had managed to track him down, leading him to suspect a leak within his own circle. He confronted Zhen Ni, questioning if she had revealed his information to Zhou Hongcai.
Zhen Ni vehemently denied any involvement, swearing her loyalty to Liu Gang and emphasizing that her current standing was entirely due to him. Dismissing her, Liu Gang concluded that Cripple must have been the one who betrayed him. Zhen Ni, echoing Liu Gang's own thoughts, then suggested eliminating Zhou Hongcai, referring to him as a "ticking time bomb" who could jeopardize them both. Liu Gang tacitly agreed with the suggestion to deal with Zhou Hongcai permanently.
Officer Yan Lei and Sun Wenhan visited Mr. Qi Defu, finding him bedridden due to a severe relapse of his lumbar disc herniation. Sun Xiaoguang, also known as Yuan, had not yet returned, so Yan Lei went to search for him. Sun Wenhan conversed with Mr. Qi, learning that the elderly man had used his entire 20,000 yuan savings, originally intended for his own marriage, to cover Sun Xiaoguang’s medical expenses when the boy was sickly as a child.
Mr. Qi explained that he had sent Sun Xiaoguang away to ensure he received a proper education, as the village school, with its single teacher, could not provide the opportunities a bright student like him deserved, especially as he was about to enter middle school. Yan Lei soon found Sun Xiaoguang on the road, walking home.
Sun Xiaoguang revealed he had saved his breakfast money and earnings from selling recyclables to buy a back massager for Mr. Qi, choosing to walk to save bus fare. Sun Wenhan, touched by Xiaoguang's thoughtfulness, apologized for misunderstanding his intentions and expressed profound gratitude to Mr. Qi for giving Sun Xiaoguang "a second chance at life."
Sun Wenhan initially suggested bringing Mr. Qi to the city for better medical care, but Mr. Qi politely refused, preferring the familiar comforts of his village. Sun Xiaoguang then asked if he could stay in the village to care for Mr. Qi without disrupting his studies. After some thought, Sun Wenhan made the decision to stay himself.
He announced his intention to apply for the Youth League Central Committee’s poverty alleviation program to teach in the village, ensuring Sun Xiaoguang could remain there for his schooling while they both cared for Mr. Qi. Overjoyed, Sun Xiaoguang embraced Sun Wenhan, affectionately calling him "Dad." Liu Gang had ordered Xiaowu to capture and silence Zhou Hongcai.
Xiaowu brought Zhou Hongcai to a rental apartment and was preparing to inflict further pain on him when Liu Gang called, demanding a quick resolution. While Xiaowu stepped out to take the call, Zhou Hongcai desperately threw wine bottles out the window to attract attention. Upon Xiaowu's return, he was about to continue his torture when angry neighbors, alerted by the commotion and thrown bottles, began pounding on the door, threatening to call the police.
Forced to open the door, Xiaowu allowed the neighbors to voice their complaints about the disturbance. Seizing this distraction, Zhou Hongcai, who had managed to cut his restraints, made a desperate escape through the window. Xiaowu quickly appeased the neighbors by giving them money, but by the time he returned to the apartment, Zhou Hongcai was gone.
Residents of Fuhua Residential Area immediately called the police after witnessing an older man, matching Zhou Hongcai's description—gray-haired, with a facial wound, wearing a hat and backpack, and appearing panicked—escape by climbing out a window. Local police, along with Chang Rui, Vice Director Yin Jiansheng, and Ai Xin, arrived at the scene.
Investigations revealed the apartment was a temporary rental under a fake name, with no lease signed, and evidence suggested at least two people were involved, along with signs of someone being held captive. Yan Lei and Yang Jiajia canvassed the neighborhood, gathering descriptions of both the older man and a younger, aggressive-looking man in black.
Suddenly, Yin Jiansheng spotted Zhou Hongcai and gave chase, but Zhou Hongcai managed to escape in a small truck with license plate C89392, disappearing into a narrow alley. While Yan Lei and Feng went to locate the truck driver, a citywide alert was issued for Zhou Hongcai. Meanwhile, Liu Gang, unable to reach Xiaowu, reported Zhou Hongcai's escape to his boss, who demanded that Zhou Hongcai be silenced before the police could apprehend him.
Believing Zhou Hongcai, unfamiliar with Linshan, would likely seek illegal transport from the spot where he first arrived, Yin Jiansheng and Chang Rui immediately headed to the bus terminal to intercept him. Madam Zhang spent the entire night at Tuanyuan Restaurant, refusing to eat or drink, anxiously awaiting a call from Director Deng with news about the trafficker and Lin Ran.
She explained to Xiaoxing, who arrived in the morning, that she couldn't find her phone and wanted to be at the restaurant in case the call came there. Xiaoxing gently urged her to go home and rest, reminding her that Lin Ran would be distressed to see her so exhausted, but Madam Zhang insisted she wasn't tired, energized by the hope of news. As Xiaoxing went to prepare some food, Madam Zhang received an unexpected call.
It was Zhou Hongcai, who, without identifying himself, asked if her daughter was Lin Ran. He then claimed to know Lin Ran’s whereabouts and demanded 10,000 yuan, instructing Madam Zhang to bring the money to the Qingcheng Road bus stop where he would be waiting.
