Black & White Forest Episode 13 Recap
> Black & White Forest Recap
Eight years ago at Xingyu Pier, Bao confronted Dian Lao'er, saying they shouldn't fight because Dian Lao'er had worked the pier for twenty years and wanted to leave it for his men. Bao accused him of charging vendors from the Tuan Island market thirty percent higher prices for seafood. Dian Lao'er asked his men, who denied it. Bao insisted that from that day forward, Tuan Island vendors must get seafood at the same price.
Dian Lao'er agreed, explaining that he is called Dian Lao'er because he never wanted to risk his life fighting for the boss position, which allowed him to survive there for twenty years unharmed. He stated he would go along with whatever Bao decided, and they departed. Later, Wen Binbin asked Xing Liang if the recent troubles were related to the Tuan Island project. Xing Liang confirmed it was likely the reason.
Wen Binbin asked if he had concrete evidence or was just speculating, and Xing Liang replied, "Both." Knowing Wen Zixuan's stubborn personality and her decision to get involved, Wen Binbin admitted he was worried about his sister too. Xing Liang explained that was why he came to Wen Binbin, admitting he needed Wen Binbin's cooperation on an idea he had, although he wasn't sure how feasible it was.
Wen Binbin agreed to try for his sister's sake, stressing his cooperation was only for her. At the police station, Xing Liang visited Liu Yong, bringing him steamed vermicelli rolls he had waited over thirty minutes for. Liu Yong reported that he had checked all the CCTV footage from the crime scene based on Wen Binbin's description but found nothing, concluding the suspects were prepared. He mentioned that Fei Zai was currently watching Dian Lao'er.
Liu Yong also informed Xing Liang that Mr. Tai required him to personally report on the full-scale surveillance. Xing Liang acknowledged this and later visited Tai Yongzheng's office. Tai Yongzheng confirmed that the Provincial Department had granted them another week to handle the case themselves. Xing Liang then theatrically searched for his police ID, asking Tai Yongzheng if he had taken it and if he should check his drawer.
Tai Yongzheng watched him, then produced the ID, calling Xing Liang shameless. Xing Liang gave Tai Yongzheng the steamed vermicelli rolls, seemingly in exchange, and took some fruit from Tai Yongzheng's desk on his way out. Returning home, Xing Liang was making dumplings when Xuan arrived. She expressed surprise that he was making them himself and offered to have the cook or order takeout instead.
Xing Liang explained that the cook, being from the South, couldn't replicate the taste of Beijing dumplings. He admitted to watching an online video to learn, amusing Xuan as he tried to follow instructions on adding water to the filling.
They reminisced about a senior's dumpling shop near their university, called "Changfa," which they initially thought meant "long hair" but turned out to mean "prosper," with the fitting surname "Jia" (fake), as it closed down after graduation because juniors never paid. Xuan noted she had gotten used to eating dumplings because of them and acknowledged his hard work over the years. Xing Liang advised her not to overwork herself with both family and business.
Their conversation was interrupted by Wen Binbin arriving with takeout, explaining he brought it in case Xuan didn't like the dumplings. Xuan quickly realized they were both hiding something and directly asked if their unusual behavior was about the Tuan Island project, noting their nervousness. Xing Liang's attempt at a subtle approach failed. Wen Binbin was blunt, stating his disagreement with her participation in the project. Xuan countered that he had no say as she held the money.
Wen Binbin made a dramatic threat about jumping from her window, a tactic he used as a child. Xuan responded with a more extreme threat of sterilization, citing their father's dying wish for Wen Binbin to continue the family line. Xing Liang, unaware of the deathbed wish, dismissed the sterilization threat from someone without a girlfriend, suggesting his future children could carry the Wen surname instead.
Wen Binbin revealed that Bao had also approached Xuan, advising her to withdraw from the project for her safety. Xuan confirmed Bao visited her yesterday and she refused. They reiterated their concern for her safety. Xuan explained that the project chose her, not the other way around. She contrasted herself, a pure businessman, with them (police) and Bao (gangster), seeing Tuan Island as a crucial commercial opportunity.
She questioned if they had ever cared about the company's struggles since their father's death, stating that given the current situation, Tuan Island was the best option. Xing Liang still disagreed, calling the project too dangerous and suggesting they abandon the industry and return to Hugang, assuring her they wouldn't starve. Xuan said she understood their worry and would consider it carefully, and Wen Binbin joked that his sterilization threat must have had some effect.
Xuan noted this was the first time they had discussed family business at the dinner table since their father passed away. Evidence connecting Dian Lao'er and Wu Ajin was later obtained. Xing Liang instructed someone to contact Fei Zai and initiate an immediate arrest of Dian Lao'er. A team was sent to Dian Lao'er's house. Inside, Dian Lao'er and Datou were hiding. When asked where Dian Lao'er was, Datou initially said nothing, but then made dog sounds, revealing a code.
Dian Lao'er, hidden, asked if they couldn't hear the dog's footsteps, confirming the 'Erhuang' sound was the code. Dian Lao'er was getting medicine from Datou, who noticed a foul smell that Dian Lao'er attributed to his feet. Datou complained about how long they would have to hide, mentioning "two crazy dogs" were looking for them.
Dian Lao'er told him to stop talking nonsense, saying he had a plan, and instructed Datou to prepare the bed as they would stay there for a few days. Meanwhile, in the hospital, Bao received visitors who brought a cake to celebrate. Despite his injury, Bao insisted on drinking wine, saying he had just gotten rid of the nurse, Tao, and had faced too many setbacks recently.
He mentioned that if it weren't for "those two jerks" (presumably the brothers from the earlier incident), he would have caught Dian Lao'er the previous day. They celebrated Dian Lao'er having run away and being out of the Tuan Island project, considering it an early celebration. During the toast, Bao thanked "Man" for his hard work on the Tuan Island project, and Man credited Wen Binbin for his significant help and business talent, noting he inherited it from his father.
They discussed Wen Binbin needing to become more responsible and learn management, as the project was originally Wen family business. Tao returned and scolded them for drinking in the hospital, confiscating the wine and ushering Bao's visitors out, telling Bao to rest. Back at the dinner table, Xuan commented on Wen Binbin's punctuality for meals and bringing the cake, which he said he felt they needed. Xuan wanted to have a quiet meal without surprises.
Wen Binbin agreed and turned off his work phone, which Xuan protested, leading to a brief humorous exchange about the difference between people. Xuan announced that their competitor had disappeared, making the Tuan Island project practically settled, and suggested a toast. Wen Binbin toasted Xuan, calling her a "lucky general" because Dian Lao'er, who had caused trouble for so long, withdrew after she joined. Xuan corrected him, saying Xing Liang deserved credit first.
Wen Binbin then toasted Xing Liang for the "top merit" of potentially having a second child with Xuan, reminding Wen Binbin of his earlier sterilization threat. The conversation shifted to Wen Binbin needing to find a girlfriend, mentioning Na Fan as someone beautiful and capable. Xuan told Wen Binbin that since he created this situation, he needed to handle finding a partner himself, which Wen Binbin acknowledged.
Qi Hanchen had dinner with Director Xu from the Binjiang District Investment Promotion Bureau and Mr. Wang from the Dawan District. Director Xu welcomed Qi Hanchen's investment interest. Mr. Wang highlighted the potential of the area as part of the Dawan District plan. Qi Hanchen explained his company had evaluated the Tuan Island upgrade project and found it promising due to its location, high traffic, and existing businesses, believing it had strong potential for growth.
The officials praised his business acumen and vision, and they toasted to the success of the Tuan Island project. Later, on the way back, Qi Hanchen received a call from Dian Lao'er. Dian Lao'er asked if there was news about "Uncle Long," and Qi Hanchen confirmed arrangements were made for him to arrive soon.
Qi Hanchen then told Dian Lao'er that his current situation made it difficult to handle things, but the Tuan Island project couldn't stop as bidding was imminent. He instructed Dian Lao'er to sign an agreement transferring his shares in Tuan Island and his company to Qi Hanchen, who would manage them and assign someone to continue the project. Dian Lao'er protested, saying he had risked everything for this and Qi Hanchen was abandoning him and trying to steal his company.
Qi Hanchen sternly warned him about his tone. Dian Lao'er quickly apologized, saying he was flustered and pleaded with Qi Hanchen not to abandon him given how much he'd invested in the project. Qi Hanchen assured him that his assets would remain his, just handled by someone else. Dian Lao'er agreed. After the call, Qi Hanchen instructed his assistant to prepare documents to obtain Dian Lao'er's Tuan Island and company shares.
The assistant questioned why they needed the company shares as well. Qi Hanchen explained that Dian Lao'er's company name was used for bidding, and in his current state, Dian Lao'er was a liability who could not remain a shareholder. The assistant expressed concern about getting involved with Dian Lao'er, an veteran. Qi Hanchen replied that business inevitably brings trouble, which must be solved, and if it can't be solved, the person creating the trouble must be eliminated.
Separately, Xing Liang discussed the case, believing there was more to the situation than just Dian Lao'er. Someone agreed, noting that the gun was stolen two months before any incident occurred, which seemed suspicious and suggested something significant beyond the Tuan Island project was at play. They concluded that finding Dian Lao'er was necessary to uncover leads.
Fei Zai reported that their investigation into Dian Lao'er's finances revealed a fund company invested in his company shortly after the Tuan Island project began, and this company had also acquired a small stake in the project from peripheral sources. Fei Zai mentioned the main investor was from Gang City with a clean record, suspecting them to be a "front man". In a derelict building, Dian Lao'er and Datou were hiding.
Datou complained about being hungry, having found only instant noodles after searching the entire place. He hadn't eaten meat in three days and threatened to quit if he didn't get some. Dian Lao'er initially got frustrated, reminding him they had spent all their money getting there, but then seemed to get an idea from Datou's complaints. Following the sound of a dog barking, Dian Lao'er found his dog. He asked the dog how it had found them there and where it came from.
