Checkmate Episode 7 Recap
> Checkmate Recap
Situ Yan confronts Director Xie, who initially claims responsibility for everything, including the murders of Luo Wensheng and Wei Minxi, and the extortion. However, Situ Yan challenges this, asserting that while Director Xie murdered Luo Wensheng, he couldn't have extorted or killed Wei Minxi. Situ Yan reveals that Xie Bozhou, Director Xie's son and a doctor, was the true extortionist. He clarifies that Xie Bozhou’s accumulated debts perfectly matched the amount Wei Minxi was blackmailed for.
Situ Yan further explains that Xie Bozhou learned about Wei Minxi's husband's death—poisoned to look like a drinking-induced demise—from Wen Yi. When Wei Minxi planned to kill Xie Bozhou as a last resort, she was accidentally killed by him instead. Director Xie, fearing that Luo Wensheng would not spare his son if the truth came out, orchestrated Luo Wensheng's murder to protect Xie Bozhou.
Director Xie, realizing he was cornered, continues to deny his son's involvement, insisting he acted alone, and then shoots himself, claiming to pay for his crimes with his life. Despite Situ Yan’s compelling evidence, Sergeant Bao advocates for closing the case, asserting that the evidence for Luo Wensheng’s murder is now overwhelming and praising Situ Yan for solving two cases swiftly.
Situ Yan tries to insist on investigating Wei Minxi’s murder further, highlighting that Xie Bozhou’s debt records perfectly match the extortion amount. However, Sergeant Bao dismisses this, arguing that they cannot solely blame Xie Bozhou, especially since he is not currently in Harbin. He concludes that ending the investigation now provides the most perfect resolution. Luo Shaochuan reluctantly agrees to let the case conclude, but Situ Yan warns that he believes Xie Bozhou will eventually return.
Reflecting on the case, Luo Shaochuan confesses to Situ Yan that he always envied Xie Bozhou for having a father who loved him and listened, despite Xie Bozhou's criminal actions. He then criticizes his own father, Luo Wensheng, for never showing him affection or support, even trying to prevent him from joining the army. Situ Yan responds that unprincipled love cannot truly be called love.
Later, while organizing Luo Wensheng’s will, Situ Yan discovers a recording originally intended for Wei Minxi. Since Wei Minxi is deceased, the recording passes to Luo Shaochuan. In the recording, Luo Wensheng apologizes to Wei Minxi for her husband's death, taking responsibility for her suffering, and entreats her to continue to care for Luo Shaochuan, to indulge and spoil him, and to ensure he avoids the pitfalls Luo Wensheng experienced in his own youth.
Wen Yi approaches Luo Shaochuan, returning the account books and money Luo Wensheng had entrusted to her. She apologizes for her son's actions, acknowledging that he "stole things." Luo Shaochuan accepts the books, expressing his trust in Wen Yi, as his father’s decision to give them to her demonstrated his own faith.
Wen Yi then tearfully confesses her regrets about being an inadequate mother, admitting she failed to provide her son with the care and affection he needed and even denied him. She reveals her plan to move back to the countryside with her son, where she hopes to help him overcome his opium addiction and rebuild their lives.
Luo Shaochuan accepts her decision, thanking her for years of dedicated service to him and his father, and assures her that the Luo family’s door will always be open to her if she ever needs to return. Bai Shanshan abruptly confronts Luo Shaochuan, demanding the family’s account books and questioning the terms of Luo Wensheng's will, which grants her only monthly living expenses. She also demands an apology from Situ Yan for accusing her of murder.
Luo Shaochuan promptly hands over the books, explaining he was on his way to give them to her. He then declares his intention to entrust the entire Luo family to her, making her the new head of the household. Overjoyed, Bai Shanshan immediately fires Fang Hong for his poor performance, warning other staff to work hard or face dismissal, noting this would “save money.”
Later, Luo Shaochuan tells Situ Yan that he handed over the entire family business to Bai Shanshan, believing her to be truly dedicated to the Luo family's welfare after seeing her, a prominent Harbin socialite, frugally bargaining with a soy sauce vendor. He admits his disinterest in business, preferring to receive dividends while she manages everything, ensuring the family’s finances are "well-organized and profitable."
Luo Shaochuan visits Zou Jingxuan to break off their engagement, explaining that since he is now head of the Luo family, he considers their arrangement unfair, as it was merely a tool for his late father to control him. Though Zou Jingxuan claims not to mind, Luo Shaochuan insists on ending it, stating he has always viewed her as a sister and wishes her to find true happiness. Zou Jingxuan leaves heartbroken.
Bai Shanshan confronts Luo Shaochuan, chastising him for being heartless and ungrateful for Zou Jingxuan's crucial help in his case. Luo Shaochuan defends his decision as being for Zou Jingxuan's own good, prompting Bai Shanshan to call him a "little bastard" who deserves to remain single. Later, Bai Shanshan sends Zou Jingxuan a dress and purifying mud, urging her to attend an upcoming event looking beautiful.
Despite Zou Jingxuan’s reluctance and feeling like a "laughingstock," Bai Shanshan persuades her that Luo Shaochuan is simply immature and secretly loves her, as demonstrated by seeking her help during his arrest. She encourages Zou Jingxuan to attend the event to assert her position as the future mistress of the Luo family. Situ Yan questions whether Luo Shaochuan's affections still lie with Bai Lu, the female student from the Orient Express case.
Luo Shaochuan, surprised by Situ Yan's ignorance, reveals that Bai Lu was officially designated as the murderer for the Orient Express case because "you have to hand over a murderer." He explains that Bai Lu, who was not entirely innocent, committed suicide by poison shortly after surrendering to prove her resolve, shocking Situ Yan.
Luo Shaochuan justifies this outcome by stating that further hesitation would have implicated everyone on the train, and influential figures like diplomat George Blair, who stabbed for his wife, would have evaded justice. Luo Shaochuan then advises Situ Yan to quit being a lawyer, arguing that his efforts are not worth the sacrifice. Situ Yan, unsure of his next career path, is told by Luo Shaochuan to rest and read until their meeting on Monday.
Luo Shaochuan surprises Situ Yan with the grand opening of the "Situ Detective Agency." He explains that a fortune-teller confirmed Situ Yan’s destiny to attract and solve murder cases, making the investment a "good deal for huge profits." Luo Shaochuan highlights Situ Yan's unparalleled success in solving complex cases, like the Orient Express murder and his family's affairs, which had stumped the police. Situ Yan jokingly calls himself a "terror" who brings trouble everywhere.
The opening is attended by various figures. Sergeant Bao arrives to congratulate, introducing Dr. Fang Jianqi as the police's collaborating physician, suggesting Situ Yan seek his help if needed. Jin Qiming also supports the venture, suggesting that while lawyers might struggle to deliver justice, detectives can uncover the truth. He also subtly reminds Situ Yan that Mrs. Shen still needs care in Harbin.
Luo Shaochuan, now dressed in a police uniform, declares his intention to team up with Situ Yan: he will "accept cases," and Situ Yan will "solve cases," together dominating Harbin and making criminals fear their names. Situ Yan jests that Luo Shaochuan looks more like a "gang boss" in his uniform. Mrs. Shen arrives, commending Situ Yan's sharp mind and truth-finding abilities, believing the detective agency is his ideal path.
Luo Shaochuan light-heartedly tells Situ Yan to "work hard" to ensure the business is profitable. Jin Qiming then interviews Situ Yan, who explains his transition from law, citing the legal system's "limited" power and "fragility" against privilege. He laments cases like Ma Shiying's, where clear murderers and masterminds evade justice, leaving him feeling powerless as a lawyer to deliver true fairness. He admits considering forming a bar association like his teacher but believes deep-seated systemic issues are beyond individual efforts.
He concludes that "seeking the truth will not be swayed by people," asserting that while trials can be manipulated, "the truth will not." Jin Qiming, regretting that previous high-profile cases couldn't be fully showcased, promises that if Situ Yan allows him to report on a future case, the agency will quickly become immensely popular. At the Harbin Women's Normal University, Shen Huatang plays the piano poorly, making numerous mistakes.
She confides in her teacher, Zhou Mowan, that she finds Ms. Lin’s teaching pace too fast and expresses a fear of Ms. Lin, asking Zhou Mowan to substitute for her. Zhou Mowan reassures her about Ms. Lin’s good nature. Suddenly, a maid delivers a letter to Shen Huatang, claiming it's from a kidnapper. The letter demands a ransom of 500 yuan by tomorrow afternoon, threatening to kill her daughter if the demand is not met.
Shen Huatang becomes frantic, desperately seeking help. At the Harbin Women's Normal University, Fang Jianqi examines a gunshot victim in the music room, determining the perpetrator fired from four feet away with a small pistol, and the bullet pierced the heart. He deduces that the victim, who was playing the piano and turned towards the killer, died between midnight and early morning.
Vice Principal Luo Jinyan clarifies that the body was discovered at 2 AM, but police were not called until morning due to the nature of the girls' school (all female staff and students) to avoid further accidents. She introduces herself, Principal Fan Lihua (who first found the body), and her secretary Xia Ru'an, pledging full cooperation. Luo Shaochuan learns the victim is Lin Jie, a new and unpopular music teacher.
Luo Jinyan asserts that the school’s high, smooth walls and strict entry/exit protocols make it impossible for an outsider to enter, implying an inside job. However, she quickly dismisses students as suspects, stating they are "daughters of local officials and noblemen." Luo Shaochuan then demands to interview all teachers, despite Luo Jinyan’s protests about their professional standing.
He challenges her, asking if Lin Jie committed suicide or if the principals are suspects, prompting Luo Jinyan to angrily instruct Xia Ru'an to summon the teachers. Luo Shaochuan then asks for a tour of the school. During the detective agency's opening, Zhou Mowan, a teacher from Harbin Women's Normal University, seeks out Mrs. Shen for help with Shen Huatang’s kidnapped daughter.
Mrs. Shen, regretting her diminished influence, introduces Zhou Mowan to Situ Yan, suggesting his investigative skills could be invaluable. Situ Yan and Zhou Mowan playfully tease each other about their respective professions. Zhou Mowan urgently describes Shen Huatang’s distress over the ransom note and her fear of the kidnappers' threat to kill her daughter if the police are involved. Situ Yan initially expresses reluctance to take the case, which Zhou Mowan criticizes as callous in a life-or-death situation.
Just then, Luo Shaochuan arrives, and after playfully introducing Zhou Mowan to Zou Jingxuan, he learns Zhou Mowan is a teacher from Harbin Women's Normal University, and informs her that their colleague, Lin Jie, has been murdered, shocking Zhou Mowan. Luo Shaochuan then mentions the kidnapping of Shen Huatang's daughter, noting his surprise that Yu Daren, Chairman of Zhongji Bank, has a granddaughter, as he was previously unaware.
Both Zhou Mowan and Luo Shaochuan now vie for Situ Yan's investigative expertise. Zhou Mowan offers to pay him and settle a past favor related to a newspaper article. Situ Yan states that the article had already been paid for and benefited Luo Shaochuan the most. Luo Shaochuan, asserting his desire to make a name for himself as a police officer, proudly declares his aim for Situ Yan to handle the high-profile murder case.
Situ Yan proposes they each present their case for fifteen minutes. Luo Shaochuan recounts his initial findings at the girls' school, including encountering a painter named Zhao Qiansun and hearing a student describe a local legend of a red-dressed woman found hanging from a light in the music room.
Luo Shaochuan candidly admits that he established the detective agency for Situ Yan, while becoming a police detective himself, all for "prestige"—to be the last to appear but the first to solve a case, emphasizing that "prestige is the right to speak." Jin Qiming concurs, suggesting that for Situ Yan to be taken seriously by the police, he needs Luo Shaochuan's backing. He advises Situ Yan to wait until the police exhaust their options, then step in as a "superhero."
