Be Reborn Episode 14 Recap
> Be Reborn Recap
Following Wang Xue's suicide, Ye Jia successfully decrypted Wang Xue's phone data. Although she couldn't find any photos of Wang Xue with her boyfriend, Ye Jia did uncover their chat history through Wang Xue's social media account. Luo Jian reviewed the conversations, noting the couple's relationship had deteriorated this month.
He suspected that Wang Xue's boyfriend had forced her into sexual relations, taken nude photos, used them to secure a 3 million yuan "naked loan" in her name, and then absconded with the money. Luo Jian instructed Ye Jia to investigate Wang Xue's boyfriend's online presence. Ye Jia attempted to log into Wang Xue's social media account to trace him but discovered that someone else had already accessed it from the Qingcheng University library.
Quickly, Ye Jia identified the users as Zhuang Wenjie, Sun Zhijian, and Lin Zhiyue, who were using Wang Xue's computer. Enraged, Luo Jian took Liao Shuang to confront them. Zhuang Wenjie and his friends were trying to uncover the reason behind Wang Xue's suicide. Sun Zhijian found chat records between Wang Xue and a man on Doulai Net, a platform where they had only recently met. The man quickly gained Wang Xue's trust by discussing her interests.
Sun Zhijian couldn't find the man's address or personal details, so Zhuang Wenjie asked him to retrieve the man's email address. Zhuang Wenjie meticulously sifted through the man's emails but found nothing of value except spam. However, he suddenly noticed a registration receipt for a Zhulang Swimming Pool membership, which reminded him of Ding Shenghuo's instruction for him to retrieve palm and iris scans from the same location.
Zhuang Wenjie chose not to disclose this information to Sun Zhijian and Lin Zhiyue to avoid further complications. Luo Jian and Liao Shuang arrived at the library, ordering Zhuang Wenjie to stop interfering with Wang Xue's case. Zhuang Wenjie explained that the suspect was skilled in social engineering, using big data to analyze Wang Xue's preferences and habits to win her affection. He suggested starting the investigation from this angle.
Luo Jian dismissed his advice and threatened to arrest all three for obstructing justice. Zhuang Wenjie took full responsibility, leading Luo Jian to take only him and Wang Xue's computer back to the police station. Using Wang Xue's account for backward tracing, Liao Shuang discovered that Wang Xue was not the only victim; the perpetrator's methods were identical across multiple cases, indicating a single offender.
Luo Jian observed that the suspect's chat with Wang Xue contained clear intentions of inducing her suicide, and the link to her nude photos was distributed via an online mass message sender. Anxious to solve the case and prevent more victims from suffering the same fate, Luo Jian sent officers to gather evidence from three other female victims of naked loans. However, they were hesitant to cooperate, fearing public exposure and further harm.
Luo Jian called Zhuang Wenjie, hoping Lin Zhiyue could provide more information about Wang Xue that might lead to clues about the suspect. Lin Zhiyue stated she had already shared everything she knew but offered to speak with the other three victims. Zhuang Wenjie quickly obtained their contact information. Lin Zhiyue met with the three other victims of naked loans, who described the perpetrator in detail.
One victim recalled him as tall, skinny, wearing shades, and dressed in branded clothing, though not ostentatiously. He used a lot of hair wax. Another described him as having a stubbly face, messy hair, bangs covering his eyes, and a melancholic, squinting expression. He wore faded but clean work clothes, often hunched over, and was quiet except when discussing literature, which excited him. He didn't seem confident.
A third victim remembered his elegant hands stirring coffee with a tiny spoon and a distinctive, pleasant scent, not perfume, but like pine and burnt caramel, with a sweet, faint popcorn note. Zhuang Wenjie then visited the bar and coffee shops where the suspect had met the victims. He attempted to give the owners money for CCTV footage, but they initially refused until Luo Jian arrived. Luo Jian intervened, using his authority to obtain the surveillance videos.
He noted the suspect's strong anti-reconnaissance skills; the man consistently sat in hidden spots with his back to the cameras, obscuring his face. The coffee shop owner, observing the man's precise coffee-stirring technique, identified him as a professional barista. Luo Jian, delighted by this clue, realized it significantly narrowed the search. Liao Shuang then used the locations of the three dates to pinpoint the most probable coffee shop.
Luo Jian and Liao Shuang, posing as regulars, visited the identified coffee shop. They subtly inquired about a former barista, learning his name was Li Anfu. Zhuang Wenjie arrived shortly after, but Luo Jian warned him not to get involved in Wang Xue's case, and Zhuang Wenjie reluctantly complied. Luo Jian took Li Anfu's staff ID, and the three victims identified him as the scammer.
Luo Jian located Li Anfu's rented apartment but was informed by the building manager that Li Anfu had returned his keys two days prior, claiming he was leaving for a trip. Investigators found an Excel spreadsheet on Li Anfu's computer containing detailed user information from Doulai Net, a list of his potential victims. Liao Shuang could not find any long-distance travel records via public transport, vehicle rentals, or hotel registrations for Li Anfu, suggesting he was still in the city.
Luo Jian dispatched Pang Dazhi, Liao Shuang, and Jiang Hao to search bath centers, internet cafes, massage parlors, and foot spas throughout the city for Li Anfu. Meanwhile, Zhuang Wenjie, suspecting a connection between Li Anfu and Li Shuting, went to Zhulang Swimming Pool. He mentally re-enacted a scenario where Li Anfu and Li Shuting might have met there. After careful consideration, he decided to inform Luo Jian.
As he dialed, Luo Jian received a phone call from Jiang Hao, announcing that Li Anfu had been found. Luo Jian immediately hung up and rushed to the location. Li Anfu, traveling by taxi to Yujiang, received a phone call from Ms. Hong, instructing him to return to Qingcheng and wait at a designated hotel. Jiang Hao confirmed Li Anfu and three accomplices were in room 1311 of the hotel.
Luo Jian meticulously planned the arrest, ensuring fire exits were covered, nearby guest rooms on three floors were evacuated, and middle-floor elevators were stopped. As they prepared to use a key card to enter, the elevator began to ascend, prompting Luo Jian to halt the operation and observe who would emerge.
