The Wild Goose Lake 2020

As the film commences, Zhou Zenong (Hu Ge) finds himself face-to-face with an unexpected visitor at a train station - Liu Aiai (Gwei Lun-Mei), sent by Huahua (Qi Dao), a trusted associate. The initial meeting is tinged with unease as Zhou realizes that his wife, Shujun (Wan Qian), is nowhere to be found, and instead, he’s greeted by an unfamiliar face. This inconspicuous encounter sets the tone for the tumultuous events that unfold.

Zhou recounts his life as the leader of a small gang of motorbike thieves, whose dynamics are marked by tension and violence. The fateful evening sees Red Hair, one of his loyal subordinates, get into a heated argument with a rival gang member over territorial disputes. In a fit of rage, Red Hair fires at the rival, leaving him severely injured. This act of aggression sparks a vendetta from the rival gang, who orchestrate a trap to exact revenge on Zhou and his crew. Tragedy strikes as Red Hair falls victim to this snare, suffering a gruesome beheading, while Zhou is shot twice in the torso. As he desperately attempts to escape into the rain-soaked streets, Zhou’s actions lead to an unforeseen consequence: the mistaken killing of a policeman.

The police, led by Captain Liu (Liao Fan), swiftly deduce that Zhou will seek refuge in Wuhan’s notorious Wild Goose Lake - a lawless haven where criminal activity thrives. This zone becomes the focal point for their manhunt. Meanwhile, Shujun finds herself under close surveillance, her every move watched and monitored.

Zhou had previously sought out Huahua, a trusted associate, to secure his wife’s freedom. Little did he know that Huahua is a pimp at Wild Goose Lake, with Liu Aiai being one of his “bathing beauties” - high-priced prostitutes catering to the lake’s clientele. Liu Aiai’s anonymity allows her to act as a middlewoman for Huahua.

As the stakes escalate, the police issue a 300,000 yuan reward, dead or alive, for Zhou’s capture. When Zhou learns of this substantial offer, he becomes consumed by an unprecedented desire: he wants Liu to arrange for his wife to betray him, allowing her to collect the reward. However, Huahua has his own designs on claiming this bounty, sparking a power struggle within their ranks.

In the midst of this chaos, the rival gang is also hot on Zhou’s heels, seeking to claim the reward and exact revenge by taking out their adversary. A cat-and-mouse game ensues as Zhou finds himself trapped in an apartment by his enemies. Despite being stabbed multiple times, Zhou manages to turn the tables and emerge victorious. The police, alerted by the sounds of gunfire, intensify their search for Zhou, who has now become a target worth pursuing.

As Liu Aiai’s suspicions about Zhou’s distrust grow, she attempts to make a hasty exit from his presence. Her escape route takes an unexpected turn when she crosses paths with Yan, who recognizes her as one of Huahua’s high-priced prostitutes. Yan forces Liu into a compromising situation, but Zhou arrives just in time to save the day by taking out Yan and restoring honor to Liu Aiai.

As Zhou and Liu Aiai stroll to the humble noodle shop, their tranquil moment is shattered by the sudden arrival of authorities. Amidst the commotion, Aiai’s appetite remains unquenched as she requests two steaming bowls of noodles, oblivious to the chaos unfolding around her. Meanwhile, Zhou finds himself trapped in a precarious situation with the police, forced to utilize his cunning and quick reflexes to shoot his way out of the predicament.

As the standoff concludes, Zhou becomes increasingly vulnerable, cornered by the serene lake’s edge where he succumbs to his wounds, leaving behind a trail of bloodied innocence. In a poignant twist, Liu Aiai later collects the reward money, accompanied by Captain Liu as they make their way to the bank. But little do they suspect that Aiai’s trusty companion is none other than Zhou’s grieving wife, Shujun.

As Captain Liu watches with growing unease, Aiai exits the bank with the cash, leaving him no choice but to follow her. His eyes widen in surprise as he discovers Aiai meeting up with the enigmatic Shujun, their paths crossing like a whispered secret in the dead of night.