Checkmate Episode 11 Recap
> Checkmate Recap
During the investigation of Tao Zhiling's death, forensic examination reveals she was shot in the head, with the bullet trajectory and weapon matching Lin Jie's murder. Bruises on Tao Zhiling's body indicate she struggled before she died. Luo Shaochuan initially suspects Li Pei, but her alibi from two hours prior, checking out students at the school entrance, clears her. Upon inspecting Tao Zhiling's room, Luo Shaochuan notes her surprisingly lavish spending despite her modest monthly salary.
Luo Shaochuan discovers a check in her bag, leading Situ Yan to conclude that Tao Zhiling had witnessed the killer in action and attempted to extort them, which ultimately led to her own murder. Situ Yan returns to the scene of Luo Jinyan’s murder, where he finds a blood-stained brick among a pile of loose bricks, confirming it as the murder weapon. Confronted with this evidence, Fan Lihua breaks down and confesses.
Situ Yan then explains to Luo Shaochuan the inconsistencies in Fan Lihua’s earlier statement: she had claimed to grab a wooden stick for self-defense after seeing a light in the music classroom, but the stick was actually a table leg Luo Jinyan had requested and was found in the music classroom, not in Luo Jinyan’s dormitory, which was inconsistent with her statement.
Fan Lihua tearfully explains that she founded the school with traditional values, aspiring to cultivate virtuous, educated "fair ladies." However, Luo Jinyan, as vice principal, introduced modern and "improper" teachings, which Fan Lihua believed were corrupting the students and undermining her authority. Luo Jinyan was arrogant, frequently criticized Fan Lihua publicly, and never showed her respect, pushing Fan Lihua to her breaking point. In a fit of madness, she repeatedly struck Luo Jinyan with the brick.
She admits that she had not slept well since the murder and seeks to be imprisoned. Xia Ru’an confronts Fan Lihua, arguing that education must evolve with the times and that women should pursue careers and independence, not just traditional roles. She condemns Fan Lihua for clinging to outdated beliefs and harming students, calling her a "devil" who couldn’t accept being left behind by society. Fan Lihua, however, defiantly defends her traditional pedagogy, blaming "everyone" for ruining her school.
Police Chief Bao arrives to arrest Fan Lihua, showering Situ Yan and Luo Shaochuan with praise before quickly departing to claim credit. Luo Shaochuan expresses his frustration with Chief Bao’s opportunism, but Situ Yan advises patience for the new officer. Xia Ru’an observes that individuals who become so fixated on an idea are hard to reason with.
Luo Shaochuan suggests Xia Ru’an consider a new job offer, but she declines, citing her own plans and her responsibility to the school board. Later, Luo Shaochuan realizes that Fan Lihua’s motive was purely related to her educational philosophy and had no connection to the missing jewel. Situ Yan clarifies that Luo Jinyan’s murder and Lin Jie’s murder are two distinct cases that occurred in the same location, and the jewel thief is still at large.
Situ Yan, still searching for the person who gave Zhenzhen the violin, asks Zhou Mowan to find a portrait artist. He provides photos of the teachers, requesting sketches with short hair, hats, and glasses to match Zhenzhen’s description. Zhenzhen examines the portraits and, while unable to identify an exact match, notes that one resembling Li Pei also seemed familiar from Fengtian. Li Pei, however, denies ever visiting Fengtian.
Meanwhile, Luo Shaochuan informs Situ Yan that Li Pei has disappeared, as his subordinates ceased surveillance after Fan Lihua’s arrest. Situ Yan visits Jin Qiming, who confirms that Fengtian Press, relevant to Lin Jie's murder, funded a newspaper where Xia Ru’an once worked. Jin Qiming's investigation into Xia Ru’an reveals a pattern: she frequently changed jobs, always claiming to care for a sick mother who had, in fact, died penniless years ago.
An old widower who helped with her mother’s burial later died after allegedly forcing himself on Xia Ru’an, who was seen leaving his room shortly before his death. Her former workplaces consistently reported thefts or disappearances of key personnel after her departure, and she was reportedly disgraced and run out of Fengtian. With strong suspicions, Situ Yan and Zhou Mowan set a trap.
Zhou Mowan returns to the school and deliberately places Zhenzhen’s violin in her dormitory, ostensibly to have it repaired, before leaving for lunch. As anticipated, Xia Ru’an secretly enters the room, pries open the violin, and discovers the jewels inside have been replaced with stones. Zhou Mowan emerges to confront Xia Ru’an, exposing her as the killer responsible for the murders connected to the jewels, including the printing press owner, Zhenzhen’s uncle, Lin Jie, and Tao Zhiling.
As Xia Ru'an prepares to shoot Zhou Mowan, Luo Shaochuan intervenes and stops her. Luo Shaochuan expresses his dismay, asking Xia Ru’an why she resorted to such violence when he could have provided her with far more money. Xia Ru’an scoffs at his privileged perspective, claiming the substantial sum was her rightful earning and denouncing Luo Shaochuan as an incompetent police officer dependent on his father’s wealth.
Situ Yan defends Luo Shaochuan, highlighting his integrity and sense of responsibility, contrasting it with Xia Ru’an’s manipulative nature. Luo Shaochuan expresses guilt for failing to suspect Xia Ru’an earlier, believing his oversight led to Tao Zhiling’s death. Xia Ru’an, however, blames Tao Zhiling for her own fate, stating Tao Zhiling witnessed Lin Jie’s murder and attempted to blackmail her, dying due to her own greed.
She then confesses to masterminding the jewel theft from Fengtian Press and arranging its transport via Zhenzhen’s uncle and the violin. She claims that Liang Kun, the press owner’s assistant, killed his boss but then became greedy, attempting to keep all the jewels, which forced her to kill him as well. Feigning remorse, Xia Ru’an kneels and pleads for a second chance, offering to surrender.
As Luo Shaochuan approaches to lead her away, she swiftly grabs his gun and points it at Zhou Mowan. Situ Yan immediately shields Zhou Mowan, but Luo Shaochuan reveals he had anticipated the move and had already removed all the bullets from the gun. Situ Yan clarifies that Li Pei is not a suspect. She did travel to Fengtian, but for deeply personal and sensitive reasons.
Li Pei later confides in Situ Yan about her unhappy and loveless marriage, and an affair with a married man who made her feel alive and appreciated. She had journeyed to Fengtian to find him, only to discover his wife had given birth to another child, prompting her to leave discreetly.
Situ Yan advises her that "only you are the light in your life," and promises to keep her secret, revealing he had asked Jin Qiming to help Li Pei hide for her safety. Zhou Mowan playfully teases Luo Shaochuan, remarking on his "talent" for falling in love with the suspects. As the case appears closed, Zhao Qiansun approaches the group, subtly demanding money for the jewels.
Later, a new case emerges at the Moly restaurant, where the owner, Moly, is found dead. Preliminary police reports suggest suicide, citing a gunshot wound to the head and gunpowder residue on his hand. Situ Yan and Luo Shaochuan arrive at the scene, where Situ Yan meticulously inspects the kitchen, questioning if anything had been disturbed, unconvinced by the initial suicide ruling.
