03x02 - Prelude

[bunniefuu]

Cheng Xiaoshi,

I've been waiting for you.

Do we... know each other?

You!

I know you're into photography,

so... might as well go all the way.

You can keep it.

Why do you seem
to have forgotten everything?

You forgot our promise.

Same time, same place. Be sure to come!

You forgot me.

He's awake!

Qiao Ling,
Lu Guang is awake!

Perfect timing.
I just made some fever reducer.

Drink it now.

Lu Guang, you'd better get a check-up.

The recent wave
of consecutive missing models

has sparked global concern
and continues to escalate.

The former famous model Felix
has been confirmed missing,

with his whereabouts currently unknown.

Lu Guang!

Lu Guang!

- Last time in London,
you had a high fever just like this.

- What's wrong?

I'm fine.

I feel better now.

Better or not,
take the medicine.

Thanks, Qiao Ling.

Careful. It's hot.

By the way,
you were mumbling in your sleep.

Something like "You forgot our promise"
and "You forgot me."

Who were you dreaming about?

Who forgot you?

Really?

Did I say that?

I can't remember that at all.

Of course! You were all frowns and groans.

"You forgot me... you forgot me!"

What a story.
Grow up.

You were literally yelling.

Maybe the fever messed with your memory?

Let me have a check.

Stop it.

There's something

I need to discuss with Officer Xiao.

Take a seat.

We're old colleagues.

No need to be so stiff.

Ouch, my back still hurts due
to the backbreaker you gave me.

Come on,

a little pain like that
won't get you medical parole.

Xiao Li,
you're so sensitive.

About the case,
there's still one thing I can't fathom.

Why did you k*ll Liu Min?

Dude, jokes are jokes,

but don't run your mouth.

I've got nothing to do
with Liu Min's death.

This rich boy had a lot of enemies.

The way he committed suicide
was clearly controlled by Li Tianchen.

You've known
that he had betrayed me

and stolen Liu Min's phone, haven't you?

What's in Liu Min's phone?

Who else is Li Tianchen in contact with?

Looks like you can't find him yet.

As for the secrets in Liu Min's phone,

why not ask his dad?

Liu Jing, that old fox,
has washed his hands of the whole thing

and pinned it all on you.

My responsibility.

You really wanna take the fall?

Bye.

Remember to visit me
next Qingming Festival.

Anything useful?

Nothing at all. He's playing dumb.

What's behind Liu Min's death?

Captain Xiao,
we've been assigned a new case.

Let me see.

What's the deal
with these good-looking folks?

Multiple missing person reports.

Their family say
they've lost contact recently.

Hold on.

Hello, Cheng Xiaoshi.

I'm available. Go ahead.

Captain Xiao,

Lu Guang and I recently saw the news
about those missing influencers.

We have a friend called Xia Fei.

He seems to be one of them.

That's pretty much it.

We chatted online
for a while after we left Bridon,

but then we lost touch.

You guys really have
a detective's instinct.

Didn't expect you to have had
such an experience in Bridon.

I tried everything to stop him,

but he secretly bought a ticket
and flew off with Lu Guang anyway!

Any reason why you had to go there?

I found a photo of my dad in Bridon.

Thought I could find him
through this clue,

but gained nothing eventually.

And I made Qiao Ling worry about me.

Besides,
I've checked Xia Fei's Moments.

His Moments are usually just work promos.

But two weeks ago,

he posted a strange sunset shot.

You could kinda see the city skyline,

but it was too blurry to recognize.

And the caption was strange too—

"All safe".

The last photo was taken one week ago.

Before that, just work stuff.

This message looks suspicious.

No idea where this is,

or if he's the one who took it.

It was him.

Lu Guang,
they told me you had a fever.

Don't you want to sleep a little longer?

Xia Fei's missing.

I can't rest.

In your current state,

you shouldn't push yourself
to use your power.

I've observed what happened in the photo.

He's in real danger.

Where is he?

I can't tell the exact location
from the scene.

Then what are we waiting for!

Let me enter the photo!

Come on,
it's a matter of life and death.

Lu Guang, don't hesitate!

I promise I'll behave this time!

It'll be different
from what we've gone through.

Be prepared.

What on earth is happening to Xia Fei?

Hard to explain.

Alright, alright!

Come hell or high water,

I fear nothing! Bring it on!

Fine.

Do not interfere with the past.

Do not ask about the future.

Go!

I ask you to unlock your phone!
Are you taking pictures secretly?

- You're here to make money,
so do as you're told!

- What's going on?

- Where are we going?

I can hardly see anything outside.

Who are those people in the car?

Like you,
they are the missing influencers.

Are we kidnapped?

Dressed so sharp...
doesn't really look like a kidnap victim.

Tell the one holding your phone,

I just wanna let my family know I'm safe.

Well...

I just wanna let my family know I'm safe.

I'll post it on your Moments.
Then everyone will see.

All safe.

Officer Xiao was right.

The message was posted by him.

Take a closer look inside
and outside the car. Any useful clues?

Anything?

No luck.

Looks like they're driving
through the suburbs. No streetlights.

It's dark inside,

and outside there's nothing
but wilderness.

Why is Xia Fei in the suburbs?

Are they looking for a place to bury him?

Actually, quite the opposite.

They're heading to a palace
built in the suburbs.

A palace?

My goodness...

Is this a mirage?

How could anyone build
such a magnificent palace

in the middle of nowhere?!

Lu Guang, what are they talking about?

I can't understand it either.

Yet we can say Xia Fei is overseas now.

Overseas?

Then observe. What nationality?

What language?

Any clues like flags or currency?

There's English, some Chinese...

and then a bunch
of weird-looking characters.

No idea what country they're from.

Alright.

Stop gawking.

If you wanna make money, then focus.

Now say hello to your 'Goddess of Wealth'.

Come here!

Dear me! You're Felix indeed!

Come here, I'm your big fan!

At your age? Big fan?

Wait,

Goddess of Wealth?

Does that mean... this place is...?

Yep, you're right.

What on earth is Xia Fei doing?

Suburbs, palace, money...

Putting it all together,

he's probably working as a host.

A host?

Like... the 'cowherd' from the myth?

Felix, I've been following you
since your debut.

Every magazine cover you did,
I bought them all.

They are kept in perfect condition.

Look at you!
So well-behaved.

So adorable!

You promised me you'd behave,

come hell or high water.

Besides, there are people watching you.

Aww, open up.

Ah...

Oh? Felix

You haven't said a word
since you walked in.

Are you feeling unwell?

Stay professional.

You have to keep up the act.

That's how we move forward.

Hehe! I'm fine.

I'm really happy.

Good!

Let's have a drink!

Ah! So... This is what a host does?

Xia Fei...

Can I call you 'Kitty'?

Sure.

Then how about you meow for me?

Woof!

Bad boy!

But it makes you even cuter.

By the way,
can I take you out?

No.

Out? Isn't it a good chance?

Idiot! What she really means
is to take you to...

I know, of course.

Sorry, Xia Fei.

This is to save you ASAP.

Just a little sacrifice!

OK, it's too stuffy here.

I could use some fresh air.

You! Don't worry. I'll slip
away when the time's right.

Mrs. Chen,

you can't take him away.

This is the rule.

What rule?

I spent all that money
and came all this way

just to have a good time!

Yeah! Can't a lady enjoy herself
around here?!

Who dares to stand in my way!

Mrs. Chen, look who's here.

Oh my! God!

It's Ethan! I'm your biggest fan!

Just a big fan of mine,
and the biggest of his...

Alright, alright.

You've got another client to meet.

Move!

Ms. Liu, I know you studied in Bridon,

so I specially brought
a young internet celebrity

from Bridon to keep you company.

Out of the frying pan, into the fire.

Hello, Ms. Liu.

Hello.

Ms. Liu seems normal.

Maybe I'm saved!

Ms. Liu, to be honest,

I was tricked into coming here.

They told me they'd help me get rich.

Instead, they locked me
in a dark room, beat me,

and forced me to do this.

Back in Bridon, I was just trying
to save up for grad school.

I never thought I'd end up like this.

Ms. Liu, they blindfolded me
when they brought me here.

Can you tell me where this place is?

Soaring Dragon & Leaping Tiger Hotel
in Chunning City.

Soaring Dragon & Leaping Tiger Hotel
in Chunning City.

So it's actually here in the country.

Wang Juan, get someone
to check this address right away.

Ms. Liu, thank you so much!

Ms. Liu, stop being all lovey-dovey
with your man!

Come on. A toast to you both.

May you always fly together!

Can you help me?

I really can't drink.

No problem. Leave it to me!

Nice! This young lad is really something!

How is it going? Have you found the hotel?

It was shut down two years ago.

The hotel she mentioned closed down
a long time ago.

What?

Why did you lie to me?

Are you drunk?

What do you mean, "lie"?

Everyone comes here just for fun.

You came to me with your sob story

just to get my sympathy
and trap me, right?

You!

Come on, everyone! Let's dance!

Another round?

Fine, at least no more creepy rich ladies.

You don't have to look that happy.

No way!

I just saw a megastar!

Like, right next to me!
That actor, you know, that one!

Felix, you're brilliant!

Eh? So are you!

I grew up watching your TV dramas!

Eh? What do you mean?

Hey, Lu Guang, what's going on?

Should I accept or not?

I mean,
did Xia Fei accept or not?

He was completely drunk then.

Everything was a blur.

Who are you?

What do you want?

Hey, guys! Watch this!

Li Tianchen?