Black & White Forest Episode 21 Recap
> Black & White Forest Recap
Wen Zixuan asked her brother, Wen Binbin, if her husband Xing Liang was truly safe. Wen Binbin confidently told her he was handling it and assured her that in a few days, Xing Liang would be back home. Worried, Wen Zixuan pressed him, asking what he had done and if he had caused any trouble.
Wen Binbin insisted he hadn't done anything, claiming to be a law-abiding citizen and joking that his relationship with Xing Liang wasn't close enough for him to risk his life. He explained he only told her to ease her anxiety and stressed she should keep it secret to avoid complications. Just then, Na Fan entered to announce that Wen Zixuan's guests had arrived, and Wen Zixuan said she would go alone.
As Wen Binbin was leaving, Na Fan asked about Mr. Xing, mentioning how worried Ms. Wen had been. Wen Binbin replied that things would be resolved soon. He then presented Na Fan with a French perfume, saying Wen Zixuan had mentioned she liked that specific scent. Meanwhile, Wen Binbin had taken Xing Jian into custody earlier that morning. He instructed Luo Tianyi and Er'leng to keep a close watch on him.
Luo Tianyi expressed frustration with Xing Jian, who kept asking when he could leave after providing a video statement. Separately, Qi Hanchen was giving instructions, stating that Mr. Jiang was right: to achieve great things and succeed, one must not be soft-hearted and must be thorough. He specifically ordered that the person who wrote the letter should be taken care of to eliminate any hidden dangers.
Later, while Luo Tianyi and Er'leng were watching Xing Jian in a building, a fire broke out, forcing an evacuation. In the chaos of residents fleeing, Xing Jian momentarily slipped away. He tripped and was nearly trampled but managed to find a corner to hide in. Wen Binbin arrived, initially concerned that Xing Jian was lost, but Luo Tianyi led him to a car where Xing Jian was safe, along with Fei Zai and Yellow.
Wen Binbin commented on the commotion and thanked Yellow for his efforts. Taking a phone call, Wen Binbin confirmed arrangements for Xing Jian, promising cooperation would be rewarded. They brought Xing Jian to meet with officials from the DIC. When asked to recount the situation, Xing Jian immediately claimed that his previous video confession was false and that the people outside (Wen Binbin and Luo Tianyi) had threatened him into making it.
Wen Binbin and his group then entered, revealing that they had anticipated his attempt to backtrack and had set a trap. Wen Binbin mocked Xing Jian, offering him grim choices like dismemberment or being bled out to emphasize their seriousness. Realizing he had been outmaneuvered, Xing Jian begged for mercy, confessing he was wrong for being greedy and framing Xing Liang, and wrong again for trying to betray Wen Binbin's group.
He pleaded for forgiveness, admitting he couldn't afford to offend either side. Wen Binbin offered him a chance to redeem himself by cooperating on "other things," not just clearing Xing Liang's name. Following this, Xing Jian desperately called the person who had hired him, demanding the promised 500,000 yuan immediately, threatening to retract his testimony at the police station if he didn't receive the money.
The other party initially hesitated, citing the risk, but Xing Jian's insistence and threats forced them to agree. Wen Binbin, Liu Yong, and Fei Zai anticipated this contact. Wen Binbin explained his reasoning: since the other side didn't take Xing Jian during the fire incident, they must control him through money, ensuring they would contact him afterwards. They arranged to meet the contact. At the meeting spot, as Xing Jian approached, a large truck sped towards him.
Liu Yong quickly pulled Xing Jian out of the way, saving him. Wen Binbin realized the enemies intended to kill Xing Jian to eliminate evidence and frame his own group, a strategy more effective than simply paying him off. He blamed himself for not foreseeing this greater risk.
Liu Yong reassured him, saying it wasn't his fault and adding that at least Xing Jian's testimony about being coerced had helped clear Xing Liang's name, even though they hadn't caught the mastermind behind the truck attack. Xing Liang, now back at the police station, spoke with Tai Yongzheng, reflecting on the incident and emphasizing the need for caution in work and life. He also stated his belief that Chen Yiming was the key to revealing the hidden enemy.
Later, Wen Binbin was at the hospital and encountered Liu Yong, who informed him that Chen Yiming's wife, Luo Jiahui, was refusing to see anyone connected to Bao Chenyan, per instructions from Xing Liang (referred to as "the boss"). Wen Binbin tried to use their past history to persuade Liu Yong but was politely refused. Wen Binbin then gave Liu Yong something to pass to Luo Jiahui.
Wen Binbin, speaking to someone (implied Fei Zai), joked about his colleagues being hard to fool. He then set up a distraction using Yellow to draw Liu Yong away while Luo Jiahui was taken to see her child in the ICU. During this brief moment, Luo Jiahui became frantic, thinking Wen Binbin was trying to take her baby. Wen Binbin denied it, and Luo Jiahui was escorted back.
Later, Wen Binbin told someone he was returning to the station now that Xing Liang was back and safe, betting that Xing Liang would go to the station before going home to avoid Wen Zixuan's potential anger. Wen Binbin concluded from Luo Jiahui's reaction that Chen Yiming had not told the truth and Luo Jiahui knew something, although, as his companion noted, she was as stubborn as Chen Yiming.
Xing Liang arrived home, where Wen Zixuan rushed to embrace him warmly, fussing over his shoes. She had made dumplings and invited Wen Binbin over. During dinner, Xing Liang sincerely thanked Wen Binbin for his crucial help in clearing his name quickly. Wen Binbin humbly said everyone had helped. Both Xing Liang and Wen Zixuan commented on Wen Binbin's maturity, reflecting on their past strictness and Wen Binbin's youthful troubles.
Wen Binbin acknowledged his past mistakes and expressed gratitude to his sister and brother-in-law, toasting them. Wen Zixuan emphasized that as a family, they didn't need such formalities and wished for their family to be safe and sound in the future. Xing Liang later visited Bao Chenyan in detention. He thanked Bao Chenyan for informing him about Luo Jiahui and her child.
Xing Liang then questioned Bao Chenyan extensively about Chen Yiming's suicide after seeing him, theorizing that Chen Yiming's death was a planned event, triggered by their interaction, designed to frame Bao Chenyan and protect the real mastermind. Xing Liang suggested the mastermind might have targeted Chen Yiming through his family, finding his "weak spot."
Bao Chenyan denied knowing about Chen Yiming's private life or family, stating their brotherhood was based on loyalty, not control, and he never interfered in personal matters. They discussed possible masterminds; Bao Chenyan suggested Qi Hanchen, as he benefited the most from Bao Chenyan's arrest. Xing Liang dismissed this, pointing out that the scheme seemed to have started earlier when Wen Binbin lost his gun, before Qi Hanchen was involved in the project.
Bao Chenyan then speculated that Dian Lao'er might have initiated the plan to harm Wen Binbin due to his closeness with Xing Liang, with Qi Hanchen potentially taking over after Dian Lao'er's death. Xing Liang noted that Dian Lao'er's death made this impossible to verify. Xing Liang stated the project was unfinished, and the perpetrators would likely make another move. Bao Chenyan asked when he would be released, expressing concern for his associates outside. Xing Liang replied that the decision would be made after the investigation was complete, clarifying that their conversation was an informal chat, not an official interrogation requiring evidence.
