Episode 14

***Two Funerals*** (Chinese: 两场葬礼 *Liǎngchǎng Zànglǐ*) is the third episode of the second season of Link Click.

## Plot

Continuing from the end of the previous episode, Cheng Xiaoshi and Qiao Ling are surrounded by a group of thugs. However, before another fight can start, they are interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. Turning towards the source of the sound, they see three people walking into the hallway, wearing 3-Star Warrior masks.

After the opening, the events leading up to this point are shown centered around Liu Siwen, Ouyang, and Ouyang Bubai. Ouyang Bubai has just finished registering for hostpialization in place of Lu Guang, and the group prepare to leave as they discuss the current situation of Qiao Ling's group and comment on Ouyang Bubai's makeover to resemble Lu Guang. A drunk man approaches them, rudely demanding space. Hoping to avoid unnecessary conflicts, Liu Siwen swiftly drags his father-in-law away and exits the building. The drunkard, oblivious to Ouyang Bubai's physical strength, sits down and is terrified to discover one of the armrests severely bent by the irritated old man.

Outside the building, Ouyang tries to calm down her father as Liu Siwen dials Qiao Ling's number for a final confirmation. However, Qiao Ling, in the midst of rushing downstairs to intercept Ma, does not answer. Unable to reach anyone in Qiao Ling's group, Liu Siwen and Ouyang start growing concerned about their safety. Ouyang Bubai also adds that he noticed a group of people walking towards the building behind them, emanating a sense of danger. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the three hurry over to investigate, after concealing their identities with 3-Star Warrior masks found at a nearby convenience store.

As the trio arrive on scene, Xiao Ma and his thugs burst into laughter upon seeing their superhero masks. Liu Siwen addresses Cheng Xiaoshi and Qiao Ling, telling them to leave, leading Cheng Xiaoshi to realize his identity. One of the thugs boldly approaches the masked trio, mocking them for their age. However, he is unprepared as Ouyang Bubai delivers a brutal punch to his face, sending him flying down the entire length of the hallway. The remaining thugs pause, stunned by the unexpected turn of events, as Ouyang and Liu Siwen beg Ouyang Bubai to show mercy. Xiao Ma rallies his group to jointly attack the trio, but they prove to be no match to the martial arts masters as they are swiftly knocked out in a flash of white light.

The thugs arrested and interrogated, but it proved difficult to extract information from them due to their unstable mental state. Qiao Ling and Cheng Xiaoshi are also taken to the police station. They video call Lu Guang to update him on the situation and confirm that he is also safe. Lu Guang informs them that security measures have been heightened: Police officers are constantly stationed outside of his room, and are periodically changed in case their identities are compromised. Additionally, there are always multiple officers present at once, allowing them to monitor each other for abnormalities. Although Lu Guang still cannot clear his mind of the intruder who held open his door that night, he decides to keep it to himself for the time being.

Xiao Li arrives to meet Cheng Xiaoshi and Qiao Ling, bearing the tragic news of Chen Bin's fate. Inquiring about the attackers they confronted earlier, Cheng Xiaoshi questions if they were responsible for Chen Bin's assault and the disappearance of Liu Min's phone. Xiao Li reveals that Liu Min's phone has not yet been found, and emphasizes his accountability for Chen Bin's death, attributing it to errors in judgment and inadequate planning on his part. Despite Cheng Xiaoshi and Qiao Ling's attempt to console him, Xiao Li declares that he would seek a demotion and accept any repercussions once the case concludes, but before that, he is determined to uncover the whole truth.

After the conversation, Xiao Li enters an interrogation room to confront the main offender, Ma. He qestions Ma about his suspected involvement in pushing Chen Bin off the building. With a flippant demeanor, Ma dismisses the notion, asserting that he couldn't possibly manage to overpower well-trained police officer like Chen Bin, and casually suggesting that Chen Bin had committed suicide instead. Xiao Li demands an explanation for such an assumption, bringing up the fact that Ma was present on th roof during the incident.

Unfazed, Ma laughs and nonchalantly recounts his version of events, claiming that he went to the rooftop for fresh air stumbled upon someone crying and yelling apologies, who took a leap off the building as soon as he arrived. Seizing the opportunity to further provoke Xiao Li, Ma suggests that Chen Bin succumbed to guilt over ill-gotten gains, insinuating bribery. Enraged, Xiao Li orders Ma to cease his accusations, vehemently defending Chen Bin's character. Undeterred, Ma maintains his scornful tone, suggesting that Xiao Li's agitation may signal an attempt to conceal the truth.

In a display of rising anger, Xiao Li approaches Ma, seizing him by the collar. He declares that everyone is aware of the challenges faced by Chen Bin's family and denies any wrongdoing on Chen Bin's part. Maintaining his scornful tone, Ma counters by alleging that such struggles are exactly what led him to accept bribes. A brief scene of police officers discovering unaccounted-for cash in Chen Bin's home is shown, as Ma bursts into laughter. Xiao Li, seething with anger, raises his fist at Ma. Amidst the escalating tension, another officer intervenes, preventing Xiao Li from resorting to violence. Remaining resolute, Xiao Li condemns Ma and vows to uncover the truth and prove Chen Bin's innocence.

After some time, Chen Bin's funeral is held. Xiao Li is seen making a call to his superiors, explaining the current situation of the case and requesting additional time to be given for the investigation. Cheng Xiaoshi and Qiao Ling arrive to meet with Xiao Li, with Cheng Xiaoshi bringing a flower on behalf of Lu Guang, who is unable to personally attend the funeral due to his injuries. However, their conversation is interrupted by the arrival of Liu Jing, his wife, and his lawyer Qian Jin, who are here to attend Liu Min's funeral, which happens to be held together with Chen Bin's.

Liu Jing aggressively confronts the group, demanding answers about Liu Min's death. Xiao Li explains the complex connections Liu Min has with other cases that require thorough investigation. Liu Jing dismisses the response, asserting a lack of evidence and accusing them of causing Liu Min's death. Xiao Li urges him to remain calm, emphasizing their adherence to legal protocols and denying any intentional harm towards Liu Min. Pointing at Cheng Xiaoshi, Xiao Li explains that Liu Min was caught in his photo studio. Cheng Xiaoshi tries to elaborate but is interrupted by Liu Jing, who dismisses their words, asserting that his deceased son cannot refute their claims.

He turns to Qian Jin, inquiring about the possibility of applying for compensation, which Qian Jin replies calmly that it can be arranged at any time. Xiao Li expresses disapproval of Qian Jin's stance as a former police officer, but Qian Jin, with a smirk, contends that justice hinges on evidence, not assumptions. Liu Jing agrees, threatening legal action if evidence isn't promptly produced. Xiao Li reassures him that the investigation will take time, but Liu Jing insists he cannot endure any further delays, seeing each day without resolution as a day of injustice for his son.

Cheng Xiaoshi, unable to stay silent, declares himself a witness to Liu Min's knife-wielding attacks. Liu Jing's wife joins the debate, arrogantly accusing Cheng Xiaoshi of talking nonsense and questioning how Liu Min, as a disabled person, could have made it to the photo studio. She dismisses the notion of Liu Min committing homicide as ludicrous and turns to Qian Jin, inquiring about the possibility of seeking additional compensation for false evidence fabrication. Qian Jin, maintaining his calm demeanor, explains that perjury punishments encompass both compensation and criminal repercussions.

Liu Jing's wife laughs, warning Cheng Xiaoshi about potential financial consequences that he cannot afford. She then provocatively challenges Xiao Li, referencing rumors about Chen Bin accepting bribes. Enraged, Xiao Li orders her to cease spreading baseless rumors. Liu Jing's wife protests, lamenting the unfairness that she can't discuss what she's heard. Liu Jing then claims to have heard about unaccounted-for cash found in Chen Bin's house, insisting it is solid evidence. Xiao Li warns him against perpetuating this rumor, but Liu Jing is undeterred, declaring his intention to speak publicly and daring Xiao Li to lay a hand on him.

Unexpectedly, Cheng Xiaoshi throws a punch at Liu Jing's face, catching him off guard. However, Qian Jin reacts swiftly, seizing Cheng Xiaoshi's fist mid-swing and halting the punch.While Liu Jing is momentarily stunned, his wife reacts dramatically, vehemently demanding that Xiao Li arrest Cheng Xiaoshi for the attack. Cheng Xiaoshi protests, pointing out that it was Liu Jing who asked for it. Xiao Li demands Qian Jin to let go of Cheng Xiaoshi, but Qian Jin insists on an apology first. In a surprising turn, Qian Jin is met with a resounding slap to his face by Qiao Ling, this time without unable to react. Qiao Ling asserts that only her action qualifies as a hit, and Cheng Xiaoshi has no reason to apologize since he didn't land a blow, and Cheng Xiaoshi applauds her for her bold move. Amused, Xiao Li teases Qian Jin for being slapped by a girl, while Qian Jin maintains his composure and downplays the incident. Following this, Xiao Li, Cheng Xiaoshi, and Qiao Ling decide to take their leave. Although Liu Jing's wife remains dissatisfied, Liu Jing opts to avoid further trouble, bringing the confrontation to an end.

Cheng Xiaoshi and Qiao Ling pay their respects to Chen Bin. Qiao Ling questions the absence of Chen Bin's wife, who Xiao Li also expresses that he hasn't caught a sight of. Just as the trio wonder if something bad has happened, a melody fills the air, and figure draped in a flowing white dress emerges, holding dandelion flowers in hand — Chen Bin's wife. Halting before Chen Bin's photograph, she releases a torrent of pent-up emotions, accusing him of being a liar and an irresponsible bastard. With tears streaming down her face, she laments Chen Bin's unfulfilled promises and the absence of quality time spent together as a couple. She then asks if Chen Bin could promise her one more thing, which is to give her back what she is owed in their next lives. In a heartfelt plea, she implores Chen Bin to make good on at least one more promise — to return what is owed to her in their next lives.

Returning to Lu Guang's ward, Cheng Xiaoshi takes a seat beside him. Moved by sympathy for Chen Bin and his wife, he makes a request to help them, to which Lu Guang agrees. Their palms meet, activating their special powers and initiating a dive into Chen Bin's past through Chen Bin's wallpaper photo, taken on the day the couple obtained their marriage certificate. Cheng Xiaoshi, as Chen Bin, hands Chen Bin's wife his phone and finds a dandelion flower from the nearby lawn. Crafting the flower into a makeshift ring, he kneels before her and and proposes: Apologizing for inability to stay by her side, he thanks her for forgiving his frequent absences. He pledges love and protection not only for the rest of this life, but also across the span of their future lives to come, and asks if she is willing to marry him in all subsequent existences. Chen Bin's wife warmly smiles, humorously remarking on her inability to refuse now that they have their certificate. In a lighthearted tone, she teases that his chances of marrying her in the next life will depend on his performance then.

While Cheng Xiaoshi commits to the dive, Lu Guang, still in his ward, is unable to clear his mind of the intruder. As he recalls, the intruder had abruptly opened his door and handed him a photo without uttering a word, immediately fleeing the floor after despite Lu Guang's calls for him to wait. The photograph in question captures a woman and a young girl. On the back side is hand-written text that reads "can't live without a good brother", as well as a child's drawing. Lu Guang holds the photograph in his hand, examining it, as the episode concludes.