A World Without Thieves 2004

On a train bound inland from Tibet, Sha Gen, Wang Baoqiang, a naïve village boy who works as a construction worker in Tibet, is returning home to marry. He refuses to believe thieves exist and insists on carrying his five years of savings—worth ¥60,000—with him, loudly proclaiming his earnings in a crowded street. This bold display catches the eye of two seasoned thieves, Wang Bo, Andy Lau, and Wang Li, Rene Liu—who are lovers as well as professionals. Wang Bo aims to add one last big score to end their career, but Wang Li, who is pregnant with their child, is moved by Sha Gen’s innocence and decides to protect him.

A small gang led by Uncle Li, Ge You, boards the train. The crew includes Xiao Ye, Li Bingbing, and Four-Eyes, Gordon Lam Ka-Tung. Uncle Li instructs them to refrain from any job on the train. Tempted by the enormous cash, some members disobey and strike, only to be robbed by Wang Bo moments later, which exposes Wang Bo’s skill to Uncle Li. He becomes keen to recruit him, but when Wang declines, the contest between the Wangs and Uncle Li’s gang escalates, with Sha Gen still unaware of the danger surrounding him.

Meanwhile, a plainclothes police detective, Han, Zhang Hanyu, has been quietly watching and waiting for his chance. As the police close in, Uncle Li attempts to flee with Sha Gen’s money but is confronted by Wang Bo, who has finally promised to aid Wang Li in protecting Sha Gen’s innocence. The two engage in a violent hand-to-hand combat. Although Wang Bo succeeds in retrieving the money, he is seriously injured in the fray, and he dies. Uncle Li and his gang are apprehended as the train pulls into the station, but the police officer lets Wang Li go on compassionate grounds. Wang Li returns to Tibet sometime later, and prays to the heavens in a show of penance.