The Way We Were
Timing and Subtitles Brought to you by the Can We Go Back? Team @ Viki
The Way We Were
Episode 45
- Hello. - Are you alright?
It's nothing.
I just suddenly find that car strange.
It doesn't look like an Uber, so I got worried about you.
Remember to text me once you've reached the airport.
Text me once again when you're boarding.
Then text me again before turning your phone off for the takeoff.
When you land, text me immediately
or else my heart will keep hanging (on waiting).
I got it.
- Have a safe trip. - Bye-bye.
Xiao Qing. Division Chief gave orders that after fetching you,
you must turn off your phone and have no more contact with anyone.
Thanks.
This is your room.
Just look for me if you need anything.
- Thanks. - Take care now.
- Shu Che? - Hi, Monica.
Has Xiao Qing contacted you since this morning?
No. She didn't come home last night.
I called her to ask about it.
She said that she's with you.
That was the last time we talked.
What's wrong?
She left my house this morning to go to the airport.
She said that she has a classmate in LA who wants to meet up with her.
After leaving, I've lost all contact with her.
Her phone has been turned off.
I've calculated it.
There has been enough time to travel back and forth from LA already.
It's impossible that she hasn't reached LA yet.
I am worried that something bad might have happened to her.
What flight did she take?
After receiving the call, she'd left for thirty minutes already.
She didn't tell me the flight details.
Then... what should we do?
- I'll just think of other ways then. Thanks. - Okay.
Frank has already checked all the flights going to LA today.
There are no records of Xiao Qing buying a ticket or boarding any of them.
Which means that she never boarded any flight to LA.
Her phone is still off.
Do you have the number to her home in China?
If you do, call and ask about her whereabouts.
I don't have her number in Yanzhou.
Do you have it?
Why would I have it?
Professor Anderson.
He surely has the contact information of Xiao Qing's father.
I've thought about that.
Professor Anderson indeed gave me a number.
But I couldn't get through on it.
It's also been powered off.
Then we are out of ideas.
Tonight, let's just try waiting first.
If there are still no news about Xiao Qing tomorrow,
let's call the police.
This time, I'm sure that they'll honor our report.
Unlike Chen Ran's running away from home last time,
when the police didn't even bother to intervene.
Could it be that
Xiao Qing encountered some problems and didn't want to tell us?
Could it be she wants to be alone for now
and is currently hiding somewhere and doesn't want us to find her?
That's possible.
I do hope that it is just like you said.
At the very least, we'd know that she's safe.
Don't touch my stuff!
Sorry.
I shouldn't have yelled at you like that.
No matter what happens in the future,
even if you doubt everything,
don't doubt that I love you.
I might have several reasons
for being unable to appear for our marriage registration.
But it surely won't be because I didn't love you enough.
You didn't do anything wrong.
What's wrong is reality.
It keeps betraying your trust.
Division Chief He, welcome.
Hello. Secretary Luo, right?
So sorry. I want to see my daughter right away. Where is she?
This way please.
Don't worry. I've made all the arrangements.
Your daughter is very safe.
- She's in there. - Oh, here?
Dad.
Qing'er, are you alright?
It's my fault... Look.
My negligence has caused you to be in such danger.
I'm so sorry, Qing'er.
Sorry.
Because the Embassy was very concerned about the death of a Chinese immigrant,
they immediately contacted her family
and inquired about the details of her death.
The police said that at the crime scene
they didn't find any evidence that this was a murder case.
Liu Cai Qi's personal bodyguard, Andy,
provided testimony saying that he was on leave, the day of the murder.
He didn't go to Liu Cai Qi's place to work that day.
Moreover, he didn't receive any call for help from Liu Cai Qi.
Also, Liu Cai Qi's personal doctor provided evidence
that she had been diagnosed with depression for quite some time
and that she'd been taking a huge number of medicines lately.
She once showed severe depression and suicidal thoughts.
A more important piece of evidence is that the police
took hold of all the surveillance footage of Liu Cai Qi's house.
After checking it, they've confirmed that
no one went to her house on the day of the crime.
No one went to her house?
That's right. They've confirmed that no one went to her house.
Based on the footage, thirty minutes before Liu Cai Qi died,
it showed that she went into the bathroom and never came out.
The initial conclusion of the police
is that it's not a homicide?
They think that presently, there is no evidence showing that Liu Cai Qi was murdered.
They think that it's more of a possibility it was suicide or an accidental drowning.
Like for example, because of the medications, she lost the ability to move.
[Bank Statement Records]
[ICBC Money Transfer] [Industrial and Commerce Bank of China]
[ICBC, Money Transfer Statements]
[WeChat - 311 messages]
[Why is your phone always off? Where are you now? ]
[You've left four hours ago, without any news at all.]
[I've lost contact with you for eight hours now... Xiao Qing]
[I'm drowning in fear... How come you're not on any flight record?]
[Did you not go to LA?]
[Xiao Qing, were you lying to me? ]
[Did you leave without saying a word? Why? Why? Why?]
[Do you have anything that you couldn't tell me?]
[Where are you??? Are you alright?]
[As long as you're safe, even if you abandon me like this, I'm fine with it. ]
[I'm willing to use anything in exchange for a reply from you.]
[Shu Che]
I got through!
[Decline call ]
[Power Off]
Sorry, the phone you are calling is powered off.
Please, try later.
What's wrong?
I can't wait anymore. I'll call the police.
Qing'er, let me talk with you about something.
Sit down.
Qing'er, can you describe to me
the situation in Liu Cai Qi's house when you went to get the documents that day?
Don't leave out any details.
After I entered her house until leaving,
I only stayed for less than five minutes.
We didn't interact that much. She looked at my passport.
She asked me if I knew Shu Che.
How did you answer?
I said, "I don't."
Next, she asked me,
how I planned to store those items and if they will be kept safe.
She reiterated that the ones inside the file envelope were the originals not copies.
She asked me to hand them to you unharmed.
And then I left.
Before I went out the door,
I asked her if she was taking all those anti-depressants.
She said yes because she has depression
and after changing a few medications, her symptoms have improved.
I then asked her if she felt safe to be living there alone.
She said that she hired a 24-hour bodyguard.
But since I was coming there, she deliberately had him leave for a while.
After saying that, I then left her house.
At that moment you had contact with her,
did you notice anything strange with her mood?
None. She's very normal.
Oh, right...
I saw a gun on her coffee table at the time and that scared me.
She even comforted me not to be afraid.
She's just cleaning it so it was not loaded.
She told me not to worry. Just that.
Then, did she look like someone who would commit suicide
an hour after you left?
I totally didn't see any signs that she might commit suicide.
Has the Embassy contacted the US police?
They think that she committed suicide?
The California police
didn't find any evidence that she was murdered.
The conclusion they've made in their initial investigation is that she might have died from suicide
or an accidental drowning.
Oh, I remember.
Her house was full of surveillance cameras.
You remembered it correctly.
The police got hold of all the surveillance footage in her house.
What did the videos show then?
The videos supported further that it was impossible that she was murdered.
Because that whole day, no one entered or exited her house.
That's wrong. I went to her home.
I should have been in those videos.
That's right. But the videos didn't show you at all.
The cameras... were defective?
No.
Liu Cai Qi's surveillance cameras were working very well.
Even the time when she entered the bathroom and didn't come out
is compatible with the time of her death obtained from her autopsy.
But there's just no me?
The record of me going to her house and getting those documents were all gone?
There's no record.
Then it surely was rigged!
That was the footage that was tampered with.
That is very possible.
Then, the real footage...
Who has it?
If the footage now is all fake,
then the motive of the person who took away the real footage
was to hide the truth contained in those videos.
In this truth,
other than you going to the her house,
there is also the truth of how she died.
If this reverse speculation is true...
Then, Liu Cai Qi was murdered.
Who wanted to kill her?
Looks like our investigation
wasn't as secretive as I thought.
When I go back, I must screen who the spy is.
Qing'er, have you ever seen Chen Wei?
- I did. - Does he know you?
He probably does.
What about Deputy Mayor Shu Wang, have you also seen him?
I also did.
But we only met briefly. He probably doesn't have a deep impression of me.
Qing'er,
because of professional and legal restrictions,
I have never talked about work with you.
But this time, because of my negligence,
or more accurately, because I was left with no choice,
I have also dragged you into this case.
Right now, I can only be frank and honest with you.
The investigation of the bribery activities between Chen Wei and Shu Wang
has reached a critical moment.
It's very possible that they have obtained leaked information from the Anti-Corruption Bureau
and has started taking actions to eliminate witnesses.
They are already in a life and death mode.
The real surveillance videos might have already reached their hands.
If they recognize you,
learn about your relationship with me,
learn about your connection with this case,
you then will become
the second witness they want to eliminate after Liu Cai Qi.
Because only you can prove
the legal chain of evidence that Liu Cai Qi provided.
And only you can prove
that the current surveillance footage of Liu Cai Qi's home was tampered with.
Also that there is another truth regarding Liu Ca Qi's death.
Right now, you are in a very dangerous situation.
I can't commit the same oversight that I did on Liu Cai Qi,
because our enemy is more powerful and remarkably smarter
than we initially imagined.
Qing'er, starting now, you mustn't leave my side for even a step.
Return to China with me tomorrow.
When we go back, you also can't live in our house.
You must live in custody under 24-hour security.
Until when?
Until the real criminals have been arrested and the trial is over.
When they have received their rightful punishment
and until nothing can endanger your life anymore.
W-What about my schooling, assignments, and work projects?
We have no other choice. You have to temporarily stop them.
If needed, people from our judicial system will intervene
to explain things to your school and the law firm.
- Are we still leaving tomorrow? - Yes.
Then, can I be allowed to return to the school first to file for leave and say goodbye
to Professor Anderson before we leave?
Qing'er, are you planning to see Shu Che one last time?
I-I know that I shouldn't.
Timing and Subtitles Brought to you by the Can We Go Back? Team @ Viki
Division Chief He.
I've already arranged for your flight tomorrow and the ride to the airport.
Okay. Okay. Thank you, Secretary Luo.
It's nothing.
Division He, there is still one more thing.
The San Francisco Police contacted our embassy
to say that a student named Shu Che has filed a police report
which states that his girlfriend, a foreign student named Xiao Qing,
went missing yesterday.
The police then tracked the surveillance cameras
and discovered that after Xiao Qing left Shu Che's house,
she rode in a car that came here.
So, through our external channels, they inquired about Xiao Qing's whereabouts.
How should we answer them?
The timing is just right too. Coordinate with the US police
and say that Xiao Qing's personal safety has been endangered
and she will be returning to China with me tomorrow.
Ask them if they can provide some security assistance.
Okay. I'll go coordinate it now.
But how about the police report?
Tell the US police that they must keep secret
the whereabouts of Xiao Qing.
Not to reveal it to anyone.
Okay. Division Chief He, rest early.
Very well.
Qing'er,
before we go to the airport tomorrow,
I'll accompany you to Stender.
Eat something. You haven't eaten all day.
Thank you.
- Goodbye. - Goodbye.
- Take care. - Okay. You too.
Chris, have you still heard nothing from Xiao Qing?
I called the police yesterday.
Chris!
Fifteen minutes ago, I got a message about Xiao Qing.
What message!
She asked the school for leave without saying how long.
What? Did she call you? Where is she?
She didn't call me.
You saw her in person? She came to school
- didn't she? - Yes
- Fifteen minutes ago, she was just here? - Yes.
Stop the car.
How about going over and saying a few words to him?
Let's go.
Drive on.
She stayed for less than five minutes
and then... she hurried out.
I'm not sure where she came from or where she was going.
She just came here to make a request for a long leave.
What for?
She didn't say very much.
She just emphasized that
she had no choice but to quit, temporarily.
And told me that there will be a written statement
and an application for suspension sent to the school.
Is there anything else?
No, that's all.
Is she alright?
She seems fine.
Thank you, Professor.
Chris...
at least we know she's safe.
Reject? Why? [Frisco Police Department]
We confirmed that the lady you're looking for is not missing. That's why.
How did you find out?
Do you know where she is?
At this moment... we know that she's not missing.
Her location, whereabouts, that is private information.
Why? I called the police and I'm her boyfriend.
Just wait.
When the time is right
and when it's convenient for her, she'll reach out to you.
Convenient for her?
What— What do you mean?
Right now, that's all that I can say. I'm sorry.
Thanks.
Two days ago, Ning Ming and Chen Ran accompanied me to the police to file a report.
Today, the police told me that they can't file a case.
They even said that they are sure that Xiao Qing isn't missing.
As for where she has gone to,
they said that they couldn't tell me.
That is so strange.
What really has happened?
It's been quite some time...
but a fog seemed to surround Xiao Qing.
Later, the fog grew bigger and has now completely engulfed her.
So that I couldn't see her clearly anymore.
When did that kind of feeling start?
Probably...
when her father came to the US not long ago.
Her father came to the US?
I also just knew about it when we coincidentally bumped into each other in school.
He came and went so quickly.
After her father left,
Xiao Qing became different.
How did it go? Is Shu Che feeling better?
Why do you think Xiao Qing did all this?
If Shu Che can't even guess it, more so that we can't.
This counts as the strangest thing I've encountered in my life.
Let me ask you.
If one day,
I also leave without saying anything like Xiao Qing did, what would you do?
Me? I'd be fine with it. I know in my heart
that I will just casually put down everything, travel for miles,
climb mountains, cross rivers, to start the program of finding you.
I would have left without saying anything, to exactly not let you find me.
If I really completely disappeared, what would you do?
Then...
Then I'd just treat the days that I had with you
as a very wonderful dream.
I'd rely on reminiscing about this wonderful dream
to sustain me until I find you.
Immediately, investigate a person for me.
Xiao Qing.
That person who rode the same plane as Miao Ying to the US.
Right, that's her.
Everything about her. The more detailed, the better!
Especially her family, social relationships,
and the identity of her parents!
Even if you have to dig deep, you must find out all of it.
The faster, the better. Hurry!
This is a life and death situation.
Timing and Subtitles Brought to you by the Can We Go Back? Team @ Viki
♫ Love and hate's margin ♫
♫ Gathering and dispersing ♫
♫ Asking why do you care ♫
♫ Until now, I'm still longing ♫
♫ And I'll still go back to you ♫
♫ I rely on you ♫
♫ Separated but the heart comes back ♫
♫ Remember this love, we understand ♫
♫ That this is just love ♫
♫ Whenever I feel hurt ♫
♫ Do not leave and go far away ♫
♫ How long and how far does it take to heal? ♫
♫ Why don't you just return to the place you fell in love? ♫
♫ Did not say goodbye and silently left ♫
♫ The room is cold and no longer has the warm sun ♫
♫ How much I want to keep the time of you and me ♫
♫ Never forgetting and longing for the love to come back ♫
♫ Love and hate's margin ♫
♫ Gathering and dispersing ♫
♫ Asking why do you care ♫
♫ Until now, I'm still longing ♫
♫ And I'll still go back to you ♫
♫ I rely on you ♫
♫ Separated but the heart comes back ♫
♫ Remember this love, we understand ♫
♫ That this is just love ♫