Black & White Forest Episode 12 Recap
> Black & White Forest Recap
Following an escape from Xingyu Pier into the sea, a killer fled the scene by car. Unseen by him, someone captured his escape on video. This video was sent to Fei Zai, who then reported it to Xing Liang. Xing Liang promptly ordered the retrieval of all nearby surveillance footage from Xingyu Pier. Seeing Wen Binbin send the video to the police, Luo Tianyi questioned his actions, calling the police unreliable.
Wen Binbin countered that the police had more resources for capture, and that Bao Chenyan also insisted on catching the culprit at all costs. Upon reviewing the surveillance, the police noted that although coverage was extensive, some remote paths near the pier were not monitored. The local police station was already out searching, but the suspect was not found in the immediate area. Liu Yong and another officer discussed the limited surveillance coverage in some areas.
Meanwhile, Bao Chenyan, injured in the hospital, called Chen Mingyuan, identified as Dian Lao'er. Bao accused Chen of orchestrating the attack, stating that he was still alive. Chen denied involvement, claiming he was dealing with his own severe problems. Bao challenged Chen to meet him at the crematorium. Chen accepted the challenge, exchanging threats before hanging up. In the hospital, Wen Binbin and Luo Tianyi were with Bao Chenyan. Luo Tianyi felt Bao's conflict with Chen Mingyuan was final.
Bao expressed deep concern about the Tuan Island market project, noting that he was stabbed only after becoming involved. He feared someone might target Wen Zixuan. Wen Binbin mentioned that his sister, Wen Zixuan, and Xing Liang had also advised her to withdraw from the project, and Bao agreed this was the correct course, stating he had even found a new investor. However, Wen Zixuan had refused to withdraw, viewing them as family who should support Bao.
Bao felt the stabbing and related events were part of a larger, complicated scheme, noting that he, Luo Tianyi, Wen Zixuan, and Xing Liang were all now entangled. He told Wen Binbin he had informed Xing Liang about the pier situation and that Xing Liang had agreed to use any method necessary to solve the problem. Separately, Chen Mingyuan was confronted by two men, including Sun Changhe, demanding repayment of a debt.
Chen claimed he had no money at the moment but promised to pay in a month. He pleaded with them to protect him because someone was trying to kill him, warning that they wouldn't get paid if he died. The men agreed to protect him only if there was no danger. Chen Mingyuan went to the bathroom and used a hidden phone to call Qi Hanchen, asking for 1 million yuan as a lifeline.
Qi refused, citing their prior agreement that payment would be made after the Tuan Island project succeeded. Qi stated he wasn't obligated to simply give Chen money. Chen pleaded, mentioning his debt and Bao's threats, and claiming he would take the blame for the stabbing to protect Qi. Qi revealed that the person who stabbed Bao had actually told him that Chen had hired them to assist Qi.
Qi disavowed hiring a killer, stating he was a businessman who used money to solve problems. Since Chen wasn't responsible for the stabbing, Chen said he wouldn't take the blame. Chen again begged for the loan to handle his debt before meeting someone named "Uncle Long." Qi called Chen useless now that he was no longer reckless and refused to invest in him. After the call, Qi Hanchen instructed his secretary that Chen Mingyuan was no longer valuable.
He ordered the secretary to gather all documents related to the Tuan Island project, declaring it was time for him to personally take over. The secretary questioned why Qi would handle such a significant project himself. Qi explained a deep history between the Qi family and the Wen family, stating that Tuan Island was a lingering issue for his late father that he intended to resolve. Back at the police station, Fei Zai received a package requiring a signature.
Inside was a photo of the suspect at Xingyu Pier, entering a car. The delivery person didn't know the sender, who had used an anonymous service and a locker. Fei Zai gave the photo to Xing Liang. Using the car's license plate from the photo, the police tracked the suspect to an unfinished building in the eastern suburbs.
Xing Liang organized a large deployment of police and SWAT teams to surround the building, giving instructions to officers like Liu Yong and Captain Wu. Seeing the significant police presence outside the station, Wen Binbin and Luo Tianyi followed, assuming the police had located the suspect. Wen Binbin told Luo Tianyi to call their own people for backup. Inside the building, police used drones but initially found no trace of the suspect.
The suspect, hidden inside, saw the police outside and prepared to escape. As Wen Binbin and Luo Tianyi were searching the area near the building, they encountered the escaping suspect, later identified by police as Wu Ajin. A struggle ensued. Luo Tianyi was quickly subdued. The suspect began choking Wen Binbin. Just as Wen Binbin was losing consciousness, a person on a motorcycle arrived and shot Wu Ajin, killing him.
At the police station, Director Tai Yongzheng was furious about the failed capture and the unresolved issue of a missing police gun, reprimanding Xing Liang. Frustrated, Xing Liang took off his police badge and placed it on the desk, challenging Tai to take over if he was dissatisfied and telling him to quit if he couldn't solve the case. Tai expressed his own frustration at being blamed and ridiculed by other departments.
Police questioned Wen Binbin about the person on the motorcycle. He stated he was dizzy and couldn't see their face clearly, even without a helmet. He recalled the person having a "good shape" or "good body proportion," speculating it might have been a woman. He also remembered the motorcycle having thick tires, appearing expensive, and having the loud sound of a large engine. He clarified that his presence at the scene was purely accidental.
Police investigators discussed the deceased suspect, Wu Ajin. They confirmed his identity as a man from Hong Kong with no record of legal entry, likely a stowaway. They found his call history had one unknown number besides familiar ones, belonging to Wei Jia, a man closely associated with Chen Mingyuan and previously questioned by police. They concluded Wu Ajin was likely Chen Mingyuan's contact.
Xing Liang believed Wei Jia was a mere "firewall" and interrogating him wouldn't lead to Chen Mingyuan directly. Analyzing the situation, they reasoned that if Wu Ajin stabbed Bao and was hired by Chen Mingyuan, then Wu Ajin's killer was from a previously unknown party. Given that the main conflict between Chen Mingyuan and Bao Chenyan was the Tuan Island project, they concluded that Wu Ajin's killer was also likely targeting this project.
The decision was made for full surveillance on Chen Mingyuan, pending Director Tai's approval. Liu Yong was tasked with drafting the necessary report. Wen Zixuan visited Bao Chenyan in the hospital. Despite his injury, Bao insisted she withdraw from the Tuan Island project immediately, offering to cover any resulting costs. Wen Zixuan refused to quit or accept compensation.
Bao pleaded with her, offering to kneel, stressing his fear for her safety and asking her to listen to him this one time after so many years of him listening to her. Wen Zixuan pointed out that if he had truly listened to her advice in the past, he wouldn't be in this situation. She stated she was no longer a child needing his protection, referencing their father's teaching that business involved risks.
She argued she couldn't have built the company if she feared such things. She insisted she wouldn't back down. Bao expressed frustration that he couldn't convince her. He then asked about Na Fan, demanding that she stay with Wen Zixuan constantly for protection, revealing Na Fan was downstairs. Wen Zixuan reassured him she was careful because she had a daughter.
Meanwhile, Sun Changhe and the other debt collector continued to pursue Chen Mingyuan, demanding their money, ignoring his pleas to stop bothering him. Chen Mingyuan received a call, and was told not to engage in further conflict with Bao Chenyan at this critical juncture and to focus on the ultimate objective. The caller seemed aware and approving of the recent death of the hitman.
Bao Chenyan received a large bouquet of flowers at the hospital with a card signed "Dian Lao'er." His associate, Man, was surprised. Bao speculated it was an attempt at reconciliation. Man suggested considering it if their interests regarding the Tuan Island project aligned, emphasizing the need for stability. Bao agreed to meet Chen Mingyuan in person but instructed Luo Tianyi to bring men, prepared to make peace if sincere or act decisively if it was a trap. Man commented on Bao, a cultured person, becoming involved in dangerous affairs, noting that associating with such people changes one.
