Detective L Episode 19 Recap
> Detective L Recap
Luo Fei and Benjamin were enjoying expensive Cuban cigars, a gift from a previous case’s victim, when their landlady, Su Su, arrived with exciting news. She had received an invitation from the renowned wealthy adventurer, Charlie Wang, to attend a party at his exclusive Hilltop Mansion. To make a grand entrance, Su Su wanted Luo Fei and Benjamin as her handsome escorts, hoping to impress socialites like Mrs. Kim and Mrs. Kou.
Intrigued by rumors that Charlie Wang possessed a Spanish painting containing a hidden treasure map, Luo Fei readily accepted the invitation, and Benjamin also decided to join. The next day, as they approached the Hilltop Mansion, they encountered Detective Superintendent Savoy and Qin Xiaoman. Savoy explained that Charlie Wang, a highly influential figure in Shanghai, had personally extended an invitation to him. Qin Xiaoman clarified that she was accompanying Savoy because his wife was home tending to their sick son.
Luo Fei seized the opportunity to inquire if Qin Xiaoman had solved the riddle from their recent jewelry store case concerning a stolen jade necklace, reminding her that only one day remained on their wager. Initially, Luo Fei and Qin Xiaoman were momentarily held at the entrance for lacking invitations, but Charlie Wang's assistant, Lin Zai Chong, quickly intervened to grant them entry.
Inside the bustling mansion, Luo Fei elaborated on the legend of Charlie Wang's Spanish painting to Savoy and Benjamin. He explained that it was not a masterpiece in the traditional sense, but rather a creation by a then-unknown Spanish painter who, after surviving a shipwreck, recreated a pirate's treasure map he found on a wooden plank. This map eventually found its way into Charlie Wang's possession, supposedly costing him more than half his fortune.
Luo Fei surmised that Charlie Wang had invited Savoy precisely to secure official police protection for this invaluable piece, further noting the presence of art dealer Chen Shuang, a man known for acting only where profit lay, indicating widespread interest in the artwork. While Su Su attempted to introduce Qin Xiaoman to eligible bachelors, Charlie Wang’s younger brother, Wang Da Shan, brazenly approached Qin Xiaoman and asked her to dance, complimenting her beauty.
Luo Fei intervened, stating that Benjamin was looking for her, allowing Qin Xiaoman to politely withdraw. Wang Da Shan then disparaged the police, leading to a heated exchange with Savoy. Luo Fei defused the tension by suggesting they relocate to an outer hall for a private chat.
There, Wang Da Shan vented his frustration, complaining about his brother's stinginess and his conspicuous favoritism towards Lin Zai Chong, who had, in half a year, ascended from a low-level salesman to a special assistant and was now even residing in the family villa. Soon after, Butler He summoned all guests for a significant announcement. Charlie Wang declared his official retirement from adventuring, stating his intention to establish an art foundation dedicated to supporting young local artists.
He entrusted the management of this foundation to Lin Zai Chong, a distinguished graduate of the China Academy of Art. Charlie Wang then announced that his remaining financial assets, including stocks, property, and deposits, would be inherited by Wang Da Shan, but with a stringent condition: Wang Da Shan must reform his ways and abstain from breaking the law; failure to do so would result in the forfeiture of his inheritance to the newly established foundation.
This revelation enraged Wang Da Shan, who publicly accused Lin Zai Chong of manipulating his brother and attempting to seize their family's wealth. The resulting public altercation escalated until Charlie Wang intervened, calling his brother drunk, slapping him, and forcibly removing him from the hall. When questioned by a guest about the famous painting, Charlie Wang dismissed it as nothing more than a "rumored joke."
Luo Fei quietly commented to Benjamin that Charlie Wang’s public assets were likely his "least valuable things," implying the true prize, the treasure map, could "buy the whole of Shanghai." Later, as Luo Fei and Qin Xiaoman danced, Luo Fei noticed Savoy in conversation with Charlie Wang. Charlie Wang appeared surprised to see Luo Fei, but they exchanged pleasantries.
Charlie Wang, smoking a cigar, reflected on his younger days of ceaseless activity, noting that while people thought he was merely treasure hunting, the "real treasure can't be measured in terms of money." When Luo Fei directly asked if he was referring to the painting, Charlie Wang ambiguously responded, "Hope so," and later added that "Everyone has a right to keep the secret in their heart" before excusing himself.
Art dealer Chen Shuang then approached Luo Fei, expressing curiosity about his conversation with Charlie Wang regarding the painting. Immediately after this, the drunken Wang Da Shan caused another disturbance in the hall, again arguing with Charlie Wang. A sudden and severe rainstorm made the cable car inoperable, forcing all guests to stay overnight at the mansion.
Butler He arranged for guests to share rooms, leading Benjamin to seek refuge in Luo Fei’s room, unable to sleep due to Savoy’s loud snoring. That night, Su Su pressed Qin Xiaoman about her feelings for Luo Fei, but Qin Xiaoman insisted they were merely professional partners, despite Su Su’s observation that Luo Fei's eyes betrayed a deeper affection for her.
The following morning, with the cable car still out of service, Luo Fei was about to inquire about the cable car when Butler He's frantic screams pierced the quiet. Qin Xiaoman, Savoy, and Benjamin rushed to Charlie Wang's study, where they discovered him dead. Benjamin, arriving swiftly, performed a preliminary examination, noting Charlie Wang's bluish face and lips, and concluding that he had died of myocardial infarction sometime between 10 PM and 12 AM.
Butler He expressed surprise, stating that Charlie Wang had no known history of heart disease, though he had recently been visiting the hospital for general health maintenance in preparation for retirement. With everyone trapped in the mansion, Savoy immediately declared all attendees suspects and imposed a strict no-exit policy until the killer was identified.
Luo Fei learned that Lin Zai Chong was the first to discover the body, having received the study key from Butler He that morning as the butler was busy preparing breakfast. While Wang Da Shan, still in a drunken sleep, appeared to have a strong motive given his public altercation with Charlie Wang, Luo Fei dismissed him as a likely murderer, believing a drunk person incapable of executing such a precise crime without leaving obvious traces.
Luo Fei instead found Lin Zai Chong's early discovery of the body suspicious, wondering if he harbored ambitions for the legendary painting. Observing the ransacked desk drawer in the study, Luo Fei deduced that the killer had likely searched for the fabled treasure map but found nothing, concluding that Charlie Wang would never keep such a valuable item in plain sight. Qin Xiaoman then discovered a hidden photograph of a woman tucked inside a picture album.
Luo Fei noted a striking resemblance between the woman and Lin Zai Chong, speculating she might have been Charlie Wang's former girlfriend, someone with whom he shared a "painful memory." As the investigation intensified, Luo Fei instructed Lin Zai Chong to hand over the study keys to seal the crime scene, and Lin Zai Chong complied, confirming his availability for questioning downstairs.
