On The First Beat

Following the completion of the training, CHUNG LAP-MAN and LEE PAK-KIU finally pass out from the police cadet school. MAN is to team up with a very experienced police officer SHUM WING-BIU in his first posting. An emergency arises and MAN is called in to deal with the situation. With his efforts and determination, MAN can finally complete his task and receives rapturous praise from the public. Although MAN is going steady with his girlfriend HO FA, he shows a lack of confidence in her and raises a strong objection when she announces her plan to study design in Japan. KIU runs into his girlfriend MA OI-LAM while on duty. LAM asks KIU why he has switched off his mobile. Shocked and embarrassed, KIU gives her a wry smile and promises to switch his mobile on again. KIU encounters YUEN WAI-NI when he is dealing with illegally parked vehicles……

KIU is besieged by a gang of suspicious-looking people while on duty. KIU has some physical contact with the suspects in the confusion and gets a complaint about it later on. The Miscellaneous Enquires Sub-unit has requested an explanation from KIU. NI, who has a reputation for being strict, is to follow KIU’s case. She reveals to KIU that the complaint against him is likely to be justified. NI takes MAN in for questioning. MAN tries to intercede for KIU but ends up getting a good telling-off from NI. Wanting to atone for his mistake, KIU offers to work on rest days, which irks LAM beyond measure. Desperate to see her boyfriend, LAM tries to walk after KIU along his patrol route, during which she happens to run into CHENG CHI-KEUNG, the one who has complained about KIU. Noticing that KEUNG and his gang are acting suspiciously, LAM decides to stalk the guys. Unfortunately LAM is discovered and gets shot dead straight away……

MAN and KIU are shocked to find that the newly appointed sergeant is a member of KEUNG’s gang named CHEUNG KING-FUNG. FUNG is in fact an undercover police officer who managed to infiltrate the drug trafficking ring. Believing that FUNG has something to do with LAM’s death, MAN and KIU have both shown open hostility towards him. KIU discovers that FUNG is not only unfamiliar with the standard operating procedures but also tends to be a bit too violent while in the execution of his duty. MAN therefore submits an anonymous letter of complaint against FUNG. Upon receiving the complaint letter, NI asks FUNG for an explanation. The two of them have a serious argument over the matter, which greatly shocks and embarrasses CHEUNG NIM-YAN, who is FUNG’s sister and NI’s subordinate in the Miscellaneous Enquires Sub-unit. NI and FUNG have been divorced but YAN and NI’s father YUEN MOON are desperate for them to get back together……

MAN and KIU learn from AH SHUI, the waiter who works for Moon Kei, that NI is the daughter of YUEN MOON, the owner of the tea restaurant. They are utterly surprised to hear that NI is the ex-wife of FUNG. In order to fulfill his promise, KIU has been engaged in part-time studies and happens to be placed in the same class as NI. KIU and NI have gradually become friends. KAI-CHIU would like to recommend KIU for promotion to the rank of inspector but FUNG points out that KIU is perhaps too inexperienced for that position. KAI-CHIU has finally taken FUNG’s advice. Knowing what FUNG has done, MAN means to challenge him to a basketball match in an attempt to seek revenge for KIU. MAN has a gathering with MING-CHEONG later in the night, during which CHEONG reveals the reason why FUNG keeps getting at KIU. YAN is shocked to see that FUNG has got injured. Believing that it is all MAN’s fault, YAN picks a quarrel with him……

Shortly after MAN’s return home, CHING comes along. According to herself, she is the daughter of LAN. LAN finally reveals her past and how she had abandoned her husband and daughter when she was younger. MAN keeps picking on YAN in the police station but is given the cold shoulder by other colleagues. LAN still has not got used to the fact that her grown-up daughter CHING is already back with her. She is so stressed out that she finally decides to flee from home. CHING would like to stay at MAN’s home and lives there as her permanent residence, which is quite a bit of a headache for MAN. MOON gets robbed but is saved by FUNG. NI goes to pick MOON up and is surprised to discover that FUNG has arranged for someone to buy MOON a late-night snack so that MOON’s wife SHUK-YIN will have no suspicion about what might have happened to him. NI is deeply touched by FUNG’s thoughtfulness……

KIU spots FUNG talking with a prostitute while on duty. CHIU asks to have a word with FUNG and reveals that there is a complaint against him for misbehaving. CHING sneaks into KIU and MAN’s bedrooms and makes a terrible mess, which irks the lads beyond measure. MAN and KIU run into CHING when they are on duty. In order to get MAN’s help and attention, CHING raises a rumpus in the street. MAN has no choice but to stop and deal with her. Because of CHING’s interruption, MAN and KIU cannot arrive at the scene of crime on time. Taking into account the magnitude of the mistake they made, FUNG decides to move them to other positions. KIU is transferred to the report room while MAN will be stationed at the casualty. MAN plays a trick on CHING by telling her that her mother LAN is hiding on Lamma Island. CHING gets lost on the island but is rescued by YAN and MAN before danger strikes……

YAN falls down in a faint suddenly, so MAN and CHING send her to the hospital at once. MAN plucks up his courage to say sorry to YAN and YAN is glad to accept his apology. While in the execution of his duty, MAN needs to carry an injured person down the stairs. With the patient on his back, MAN, after getting on the ground, runs to the ambulance which is being stuck in the next street. MAN comes to understand why FUNG seemed to be so unreasonable with him and that all he did was actually for the sake of the general public. NI’s younger brother KA-FU has returned to Hong Kong for his summer holiday. FU manages to get a summer job, in which he is required to sell a range of healthy food. Believing that there must be something wrong with the company he is working for, YAN advises FU to resign as soon as possible. YAN has lost contact with FU and is so worried that she decides to turn to FUNG for help……

CHING almost gets knocked down by a car while chasing LAN. In the nick of time, MAN comes along and manages to save her. CHING realizes that she has fallen in love with MAN. She even persuades MAN to break up with FA. MAN points out that FA is a very hardworking girl and that it is her diligence which makers her so attractive. He means to compare CHING to FA and goes on to slag her off for being too lazy and aimless. Having heard what MAN says, CHING is resolved to join the Hong Kong Police Force. KIU is thrilled to bits when he hears that his supervisor is going to involve him in an operation against drug trafficking. FUNG points out that KIU is not the appropriate person to take up the job and recommends MAN for the undercover operation instead. KIU gets so unhappy when he knows that MAN is the one who ends up being selected. He gets even unhappier when he knows that it is FUNG who has made the suggestion……

FU turns up late on his first day of training and thus becomes the object of criticism by the instructor. CHING tries to intercede for FU but ends up causing much extra trouble for the class. MAN has caught a teenage shoplifter while on duty. Later he discovers that FUNG has some acquisition with that teenager. MAN overhears YAN talking on the phone and is surprised to learn that she has been looking for someone. MAN happens to locate the address of the man whom YAN is looking for while at work. The man is actually YAN’s biological father but is said to have died of illness for two years. YAN is relieved to find out that her father had never forgotten about his children when he was still alive. It was not that he did not love his family, just that he was suffering from a chronic disease and did not want to be an added burden on his beloved……

KIU has finally finished work and is ready to go off duty. As there are still a few hours to go before the examination starts, KIU decides to have breakfast with MAN at a tea restaurant, where they see a gang of yobs purposely trying to cause trouble. MAN attempts to settle the dispute but ends up being accused of assault. KIU is held for questioning and has therefore missed the examination. CHING happens to discover FU’s secret. She offers to visit YAN’s home and manages to reveal the truth to YIN during her stay. CHING-NGA asks FUNG to help fix some domestic appliances at her home. Having done the repair, FUNG and NGA have a nice long chat and keep drinking until the break of dawn. The news that FUNG has spent a night at NGA’s home begins to go around and the pair has soon become the subject of gossip among their colleagues. YAN discovers that the death of NI’s unborn baby was not due to an abortion but a miscarriage……

There is hardly any communication between MAN and KIU even at work. Knowing that a robbery has taken place nearby, MAN and KIU run off to chase the suspect and none of them stays to look after the victim. The lads end up getting a terrible telling-off from FUNG. KIU cannot stand MAN any more and finally decides to move out. Without a family home, KIU goes to put up at CHEONG’s apartment. FUNG has spent a lot of time hanging out with NGA, which irks NI no end. Jealous and disappointed, NI finally accepts CHIU as her boyfriend. Both KIU and MAN are admitted to the Police Tactical Unit (PTU) while FUNG will have to attend an induction training program for sergeants. KUEN’s wife would like to buy a personal computer for her son BUN as she is planning to send him overseas for further studies. YAN wants to do her a favor and asks MAN to assist with the purchase……

There has been some misunderstanding between CHEONG and FUNG, and to seek revenge, CHEONG means to make things difficult for FUNG all through the induction program. CHING tries every possible means to please MAN on her day off but does not get any positive response from her dream man. CHING gets so disappointed and goes to confide in LAN. The relationship between CHING and LAN seems to have improved a lot. FU has dinner with MOON and FUNG at the tea restaurant on his school holiday. MOON is happy to see that FU has such enthusiasm for the training. In the middle of the dinner, YIN suddenly shows up. Following a quarrel with FUNG, YIN stomps off in a huff. FU runs after YIN and is shocked to see that YIN and her friends are being robbed in a back street. FU is desperate to save his mother and finally manages to drive the robber away. YIN has changed her view since the incident……

MAN and KIU have a quarrel again on the first day of training, which worries FUNG and CHEONG so much. CHEONG has a talk with MAN again and MAN also grabs this chance to explain to CHEONG what he has found out. MAN asks CHEONG to check out the truth behind the misunderstanding between FUNG and SING. CHEONG feels very guilty towards FUNG for having misunderstood him for so long. Desperate to make it up to him, CHEONG tries to please FUNG in every possible way, which embarrasses him no end. Knowing that MAN is in a bad mood, FUNG asks YAN to give him a few words of consolation. MAN reveals to YAN the core cause of the conflict between him and KIU. MAN and YAN are shocked to hear that a girl nearby has fallen into the sea. MAN has tried his best to rescue the girl but in vain. He is filled with guilt over the death of the victim. To cheer him up a bit, YAN brings MAN to an orphanage for a visit……

Due to lack of mutual trust, KIU and MAN perform unsatisfactorily in the anti-riot exercise, leaving all the instructors a very bad impression. MAN comes across a group of illegal gamblers in the police station, one of whom is the father of the girl who drowned in the sea. He becomes suspicious about the death of the girl when he knows that the guy is deep in debt. MAN tells YAN what he thinks and they later discover that the drowning of the girl was not an accident but a case of murder. YAN’s grandmother YEE-MUI reveals to MAN that YAN has locked herself up in her bedroom for two solid days. MAN tries his best to cheer YAN up and finally manages to make her smile again. The PTU training has become more and more demanding and FUNG’s subordinate MA WING-KWONG, who is very familiar with guns, finds it really difficult to catch up. KWONG keeps making mistakes, causing him and the whole team to be punished……

KWONG reveals the truth to FUNG and CHEONG. Knowing that it is all a misunderstanding, MAN says sorry to KIU but KIU refuses to accept his apology. MAN goes to visit the tomb of LAM, shortly after which KIU also comes along. MAN tries to seek reconciliation with KIU but ends up picking a quarrel with him again. YIN holds a birthday dinner for MOON at home, to which CHIU is also invited. NI is a bit shocked and irked when she sees CHIU at her home. NI admits to CHIU that she has no feeling for him. NI’s confession has come as a real blow to CHIU but CHIU respects her decision and agrees to split up. FUNG remembers that he has promised to get NI a new vase to replace the one she has broken. To fulfill his promise, FUNG decides to take a course on glass art. Under FUNG’s persuasion, CHEONG finally agrees to appoint KIU and MAN as the team leaders of the orienteering exercise……

FUNG falls off the cliffs. MAN suspects that KIU may have something to do with the accident. He needs KIU to tell the truth but KIU refuses to say a word. MAN gets so angry that he wants to give KIU a punch. NI learns from YAN about the accident and offers to stay overnight at the hospital with FUNG. FUNG finally comes around from the coma but has no memory of NI taking care of him. KIU and MAN have reached an agreement to cooperate with each other so that the training can proceed and be completed smoothly. FUNG is discharged from hospital. Thinking that NI has never paid him a visit, FUNG decides to keep the handmade vase with him. FUNG offers to take full responsibility for the accident during the police inquiry. KIU is shocked to learn that FUNG has sacrificed his own future to protect him. Full of doubts and worries, KIU decides to ask FUNG for an explanation. The misunderstanding between FUNG and KIU is soon cleared……

FUNG’s colleagues spot him talking merrily on the phone after leaving the group. Not wanting YIN to become aware of her reconciliation with FUNG, NI needs FUNG to keep their relationship under wraps. KIU is the only one who knows their secret. KIU and MAN go back to their patrol routine after the completion of the PTU training program. While patrolling the streets, they see a victim being taken hostage by a criminal. As KIU is still at a loss of what to do, MAN has already managed to subdue the culprit. From MAN, YAN has finally learnt about the truth of LAM’s death. FUNG calls KIU out and reveals the truth to him. The news has really come as a terrible blow to the lad. Suffering heartbroken and guilt-ridden, KIU stands the seashore watching the waves rolling in and out. NI keeps company to KIU. After an overnight chat with NI, KIU is finally cheered up……

The riot is finally brought under control. Having been through so much together, MAN and KIU finally make up with each other in the emergency room. CHING discovers that her biggest rival LAM WING-SZE is actually a good-natured girl who loves her family deeply. She feels for SZE and offers to take the punishment for her. A passer-by in the street is almost injured by a drunk driver while the PTU crews are on patrol. NGA has resorted to force while trying to calm down the driver and she gets a complaint about it soon afterwards. FUNG is on his way to pick NI up but suddenly gets a call from NGA, who seems to have got quite drunk. Worried about her safety, FUNG goes to find her at a pub and manages to keep her safe from sexual assault. NGA reveals to FUNG that her boyfriend was killed by a drunk driver. As FUNG is explaining to NI why he did not turn up to meet her, YIN shows up suddenly……

MAN brings KIU to his home and LAN is pleased to see them make up and become friends again. The YUENS are going to attend FU’s graduation ceremony at the cadet school but NI’s car does not start no matter how hard she tries. The family has no choice but to get a lift with FUNG. In fact it is all planned in advance so that FUNG will have the opportunity to serve YIN and stand a better chance of reconciliation with her. CHING asks MAN out for dinner, during which she needs MAN to fulfill his promise and break up with FA. MAN points out that he has no feeling for her and urges her not to take his so-called promise too seriously. Deeply upset by what MAN says, CHING walks away in a rage and in sheer disappointment. CHING gets so down that she goes to confide in YAN at her home. YAN tries to persuade CHING to give up on MAN but YEE-MUI, having heard about all the virtues of MAN, suggests CHING should continue to woo him……

Not wanting to get involved in the intriguing relationship among MAN, FA and CHING, YAN has been trying to avoid MAN. The rumor that CHING fancies MAN is going around the police station. To prove his loyalty to his girlfriend, MAN keeps on insisting that FA is his only love. The PTU crews are to carry out an operation. Desperate to win himself the highest praise, KIN needs FUNG’s team to stay outside and provide back-up when necessary. YEE-MUI and FUNG have tried their very best to accommodate themselves to YIN’s needs on her birthday but still cannot keep her satisfied. MOON can no longer put up with YIN and gives her a severe telling-off for her horrible attitude. Filled with rage, MOON even asks for a divorce in front of others. CHING begs YAN to ask MAN out for her again. Knowing that they will have dinner together, MAN needs KIU to keep him company while YAN asks CHAK to go with her……

WAI takes drugs at a friend’s home. Her friend, who is also a drug abuser, takes out a gun from his father’s cabinet and starts playing with it. Not long after, YAN and her colleagues arrive to carry out the gun-license check. YAN gets attacked and is held hostage. In the nick of time, the PTU crews come along. They have in fact come to arrest CHEONG’s attackers and happen to rescue YAN and her colleagues just in time. WAI is detained in a custodial ward. After being comforted by SIU-PO, WAI calms down a bit and begin to repent. MAN discovers that YAN’s mobile phone strap was broken in the gun-license check operation. He searches everywhere trying to find her a new one but all his efforts are in vain. As a last resort, he decides to make a phone strap himself. The PTU crews go to have dinner together, during which they come across a beer promoter called YIP LING-FUNG……

FUNG reveals to CHUEN that LING-FUNG is the ex-girlfriend of a gang leader whom he arrested years ago. Since the man’s imprisonment, LING-FUNG has lost her financial support. LING-FUNG hears that a large number of pedigree dogs are going to be delivered to a local dog-breeding farm. Driven by greed, she decides to release the news to a dog-theft ring in exchange for money. Luckily the theft plot has been thwarted by the police. KIN means to provoke a dog stealer during the arrest, causing the guy to stumble and fall to death. KIN tries to hide the truth and makes KWONG a scapegoat. After serious consideration, HO finally decides to reveal the truth to FUNG. FUNG asks KIN for an explanation and the long-time buddies end up falling out with each other. Knowing that LING-FUNG is in financial difficulty, FUNG promises to give her a hand. FA’s elder brother HO MING is released from prison……

LING and KIU manage to subdue the robbers and receive positive recognition from their supervisors. Because of her outstanding performance, LING is chosen to attend an overseas conference on behalf of Hong Kong Police. In the meantime, LING is found to be pregnant. Beset by financial worries and desperate to take part in the international conference, LING decides not to tell her husband KAI-BONG about her pregnancy until a bit later. Midway through the free rice distribution, KIU suddenly suffers a headache and tinnitus while LING starts feeling sick too. KIU and LING are then sent to hospital for treatment. BONG comes to realize that LING has got pregnant and the couple picks a quarrel soon afterwards. NI notices that KIU has become less attentive in class. NI suggests he learn aromatherapy and offers to take the course with him. KIU is very grateful for her care and thoughtfulness. LING-FUNG asks FUNG out for a gathering……

FUNG has been in constant contact with LING-FUNG, causing a lot of gossip to fly around the police station. FUNG hates to be the subject of gossip but is not going to avoid LING-FUNG as he believes that he has done nothing wrong. As a matter of fact, NI has placed absolute trust in him. FUNG needs to help LING-FUNG with her job search and thus cannot go with NI for the wedding dress/suit selection. KIU points out to FUNG that NI is almost left to do all the preparation work for the wedding and that it is just not fair to the bride-to-be. FUNG, however, does not take KIU’s warning very seriously. The police have received a report of theft in the gym and the lost article is later found in MING’s rucksack. FUNG and NI’s big day has finally come. As everybody is about to set off for the wedding ceremony, FUNG suddenly gets a call from LING-FUNG. Fearing that LING-FUNG will commit suicide, FUNG decides to pay a call on her at once……

Everybody is trying to placate NI. FUNG has made his apologies in every possible way but still cannot make NI change her mind. MAN and YAN believe that MING is innocent. Later they discover that MING is framed by another staff member of the gym. MAN and YAN pass the findings to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the real culprit is finally arrested. MAN and YAN have become more aloof and distant from each other. MAN gets back home and is shocked to see FA there, who is on her summer holiday from Japan. MAN pretends that he is very much delighted by FA’s return but deep down he is so perplexed and confused. Although being accompanied by MAN for most of the time, FA can realize that MAN has changed a bit and is not as affectionate as before. NI’s supervisor informs her that LING-FUNG has lodged a complaint against her. Her supervisor would like her to go on leave but the request is rejected by NI straight away……

NI is so surprised by KIU’s declaration of love that she faints away on the spot. KIU sends NI to hospital and the doctor confirms that she has got pregnant. NI is not able to concentrate on her work. YAN asks NI what has gone wrong but gets no answer in return. KIU is shocked to learn that NI is planning to have an abortion. Under KIU’s persuasion, NI agrees to put the idea on hold. The goldfish representing LAM is found dead and it has come as a real shocking blow to KIU. NI has arranged for KIU to see a psychiatrist. KIU and NI have been hanging out a lot together, which irks FUNG a bit. FUNG asks KIU for an explanation but gets a good telling-off from the lad in the end. KIU’s words have made FUNG wake up to his bad ways. FA realizes that something has gone wrong between her and MAN. She gets so worried when she discovers that MAN has been secretly engaged in making girlie accessories……

LING runs into NI and KIU in the obstetric clinic and decides to tell MAN about her doubts. MAN goes to question KIU but their conversation is overheard by FUNG. FUNG blames KIU for stealing his wife and KIU confesses without a hint of shame that he and NI have been dating. Surprised by KIU’s honesty, MAN and FUNG are left completely speechless. FUNG and NGA go out for a pint. FUNG has got as drunk as a skunk and can barely walk a few steps. Luckily, CHEUK-YAN passes by and offers to give them a lift. With CHEUK-YAN’s help, NGA finally manages to send FUNG home. NGA says that CHEUK-YAN has changed a lot and she wonders whether it is wholly due to his divorce. But what she has pointed out is soon denied by CHEUNG-YAN. There are reports of gunfire in a building. Desperate for honor and recognition, KIN gets inside the building and carries out the investigation all on his own……

After the gun battle, KIU reveals to the psychiatrist that he is finally able to recall every detail of the nightmare which constantly harasses him. MING questions MAN why he has to break up with FA while CHING tells him off for dumping his long-time girlfriend. CHING comes to realize MAN’s secret lover is actually her bosom friend. Filled with rage and disgust, CHING decides to give up her friendship with YAN. FUNG who has thought things through runs into NI along the way. The pair has a nice long chat but FUNG is still unaware that NI is actually pregnant with his baby. Through the process of dream interpretation, KIU comes to understand that he has not got over LAM. He also manages to draw NI to the fact that she is still deeply in love with FUNG. Knowing that they are not each other’s number one, the pair choose to break up in peace. CHEUK-YAN breaks into KEUNG’s hideout and finds YIP FAI lying dead on the floor……

FUNG goes to visit the severely injured LING-FUNG, during which she promises that she will change her ways to get a new life. A mysterious carton has been found in a phone box. Inside the carton are NI’s teeth, a staff card spotted with blood, and a few pictures of her lying seriously injured on the floor. FUNG bursts into tears as soon as he catches sight of the photos. Based on the analysis of the evidence collected, CHEUK-YAN has finally located KEUNG’s whereabouts. The police manage to save NI from KEUNG’s hideout before he comes back. NGA discovers that CHEUK-YAN has been secretly visiting a former colleague of his who is left in a coma after being injured while on duty. NGA is further convinced that CHEUK-YAN’s personality changes are mainly due to his separation from his wife and child. CHING gives FU a few words of comfort but is asked about her relationship with YAN in return. FU encourages her to apologize to YAN……

As KEUNG is about to shoot FUNG, KIU can finally overcome his psychological barrier and manages to open fire on the culprit. Seeking to make his escape, KEUNG explodes the oxygen cylinder in the hospital, leaving the place in a state of utter chaos. KEUNG gets spotted by FU during his escape. In the nick of time, FU fires his revolver at the culprit and shoots him dead on the spot. CHING invites YAN to dinner after the incident is over. CHING says sorry to YAN and YAN is happy to accept her apology. NGA pays CHEUK-YAN a visit. To free him from his long-lasting burden, NGA offers to help him contact his wife and son in Canada. All relevant parties have received recognition from the management. During the celebration party, FUNG gets a call from the hospital saying that NI’s condition is deteriorating and that an early delivery is needed. The operation goes well and both NI and the baby can survive the delivery……