Black & White Forest Episode 23 Recap
> Black & White Forest Recap
Xing Liang informed Wen Binbin that his reinstatement to the team was not to be announced publicly yet. He explained that Wen Binbin's first assignment upon returning would be to work undercover, immediately joining the Tuan Island Special Task Force investigation, reporting directly to him. Xing Liang also cautioned Wen Binbin that while being influenced by emotions is normal for an ordinary person, it could become a significant obstacle in the pursuit of truth for a police officer.
Later, Wen Binbin was in a sauna with Bao Chenyan and Luo Tianyi. Bao suggested they steam, then take a bath, and afterwards go to Tao's place in the evening to relax. Luo Tianyi was delighted, saying he had been waiting for Bao to say that, noting that everyone had been down while Bao was away but felt energized with him back. Luo Tianyi then noticed Wen Binbin seemed preoccupied and asked if something was on his mind.
Wen Binbin denied it, claiming he hadn't slept well and had a headache. Luo speculated if Wen Binbin had been reinstated by the police station. Wen Binbin quickly denied this, asking how it was possible. Bao mentioned the gun had been found and asked why Wen Binbin wasn't back on the team yet. Wen Binbin explained that Xing Liang said the case wasn't closed, so he still had to wait, adding that it was up to the police to decide.
Luo then suggested that since his sister went to bed early the previous night, the only thing that could keep Wen Binbin up was either the police matter or his sister, calling him a love-stricken fool. Wen Binbin warned Luo to stop teasing or he'd make sure Luo couldn't sleep that night. Bao announced he was going to take a bath and told Luo Tianyi to stay with Wen Binbin.
Wen Binbin then asked Luo Tianyi where Luo Jiahui worked, saying he wanted to go see her. Luo asked why, reminding Wen Binbin that he had scared her last time and implying Luo Jiahui wasn't someone to bother. Wen Binbin insisted he just wanted to apologize and didn't mean anything else. Later, Luo Tianyi confronted Er'leng, asking what he was doing that afternoon, reminding him that he had initially said he went to the hospital with a stomach ache.
Er'leng changed his story, claiming he went to restock supplies. Luo Tianyi accused Er'leng of secretly meeting with Luo Jiahui and betraying Bao Chenyan. Er'leng vehemently denied being a traitor, emphasizing his long-standing loyalty to Bao and the group. He eventually admitted that Bao Chenyan had sent him to give Luo Jiahui some money, though he didn't understand why.
Luo Tianyi and Wen Binbin were skeptical, pointing out Bao's troubled history with Chen Yiming and that Luo Jiahui was Chen's wife, questioning why Bao would send her money. Er'leng insisted he was telling the truth and pleaded with them not to mention it to anyone. Wen Binbin located Luo Jiahui near a market. He approached her and tried to give her some money from his pocket.
Luo Jiahui saw the money and accused him of resorting to bribery after coercion failed. Wen Binbin denied this, saying he and Chen Yiming were brothers and that giving her some money was the right thing to do. She refused the money and told him not to seek her out again if he still cared about his relationship with Chen Yiming.
As she walked away, Wen Binbin followed her but lost sight of her briefly when a large truck passed by. While he searched, she reappeared from behind him, asking if he was following her. Wen Binbin went to a convenience store, hoping to review surveillance footage. He asked the owner to see the camera recording, explaining he lost something nearby. The owner seemed reluctant.
Wen Binbin offered to buy two boxes of beer, then five, and finally offered to buy all the beer in the store. The owner quoted him 2,000 yuan. Wen Binbin paid the money, but the owner then claimed the camera was broken and refused to return the money. When Wen Binbin insisted, the owner described a male, approximately 1.
75 meters tall and weighing 75 kilograms, wearing all black, who had passed by the store about half an hour before Wen Binbin. He indicated only this person had passed by during that time. Wen Binbin arrived at the entrance of Tao's KTV with the beer he bought. He instructed Luo Tianyi to help him carry all the beer inside and then pay for the ride. Luo Tianyi complained but eventually agreed, grudgingly paying the driver.
Later, Wen Zixuan discussed the Tuan Island project's issues. A colleague informed her that the qualifications of their subsidiary construction company were set to expire and didn't meet requirements, a detail they had overlooked. They admitted they had contacted other qualified construction companies, but they all refused to cooperate, saying they already had agreements with another party. They suspected this was due to pressure from Qi Hanchen. Wen Zixuan suggested meeting with Qi Hanchen.
Wen Zixuan and Bao Chenyan met with Qi Hanchen, who arrived late and stated he only had about ten minutes. Wen Zixuan offered concessions, including adjusting stall fees based on previous performance with only a small fluctuation and discussing other details. Qi Hanchen interrupted, asking who would have primary control. Wen Zixuan stated they would. Qi dismissed their offer as lacking sincerity and prepared to leave before the ten minutes were up.
Wen Zixuan mentioned they had a backup plan for the worst-case scenario. Bao Chenyan then spoke, telling a story from thirteen years ago about coming to the city and facing a man named "Wild Jiang." He recounted how, after defeating Wild Jiang, he honored the dying man's request to spare his relatives and the small vendors on Tuan Island, who were honest people just trying to make a living.
Bao compared their current situation to that past event, acknowledging Qi Hanchen's power as a "legend" compared to himself, saying the vendors' combined earnings were like a single bite of food for Qi. He pleaded with Qi to "put down his chopsticks" so the vendors could survive, warning that forcing them would make him return to his old fighting ways. Despite the plea, Qi Hanchen left.
Later, it was announced that the Tuan Island Trading Center renovation and upgrade project would be jointly undertaken by Wen Group and MorningStar Group. Following the bid announcement, Qi Hanchen instructed An Zhihui to acquire all the scattered shares from the individual vendors on Tuan Island. An Zhihui reminded him that Mr. Jiang had advised maintaining the current situation, but Qi insisted he needed to have full control and would not do anything without certainty, stating he doesn't trust anyone.
A celebration was held at the KTV. They were drinking heavily. Wen Zixuan announced she would give her shares of the Tuan Island project to Bao Chenyan, causing Tu Manjiang's expression to change noticeably. Wen Zixuan left, finding the noise too much. Wen Binbin helped a heavily intoxicated Tu Manjiang. In his drunken state, Tu Manjiang mentioned that Bao Chenyan had introduced Chen Yiming to Luo Jiahui. Wen Binbin later discussed the case with Xing Liang.
Wen Binbin expressed his belief that Bao Chenyan was not the mastermind. Xing Liang agreed that Bao likely wasn't the ultimate boss, deeming him not smart enough. They considered Qi Hanchen as a potential suspect, acknowledging that his departure after the investment conference could be a tactic to lower their guard before making a bigger move. Wen Binbin maintained that based on his long-standing understanding of Bao, he didn't seem like the person they were looking for.
Wen Binbin and Luo Tianyi returned to Tao's KTV to assist a still very drunk Bao Chenyan. As they helped him, Bao mumbled, asking if the money had been delivered to Ah Hui's house. Wen Binbin and Luo Tianyi confirmed they had gone but she refused to accept it. Luo speculated that she might have borrowed money from relatives or friends, but based on her reaction, he didn't think she had resorted to loan sharks.
Seven months later, at the Tuan Island Marketing Center, Tu Manjiang addressed the crowd of vendors, presenting the plans for the renovated Trading Center. He highlighted the project's advantages, including its favorable location and improved infrastructure, and announced preferential policies for old merchants, such as priority placement, discounted stall prices, and the right to choose their locations first, attributing these benefits to Bao Chenyan's efforts.
Separately at the Marketing Center, vendors were discussing a financial product called "Make Money," advertised for turnover and savings, with high interest rates. They mentioned that the product was reliable and endorsed by Mr. Lin, who they understood to be a partner introduced by Bao. Wen Zixuan visited the Marketing Center and saw banners promoting the "Make Money" project. She sought out Lin Yisheng and asked him if Bao Chenyan was aware of the project.
Lin admitted he hadn't had a chance to tell Bao yet, explaining that he needed to show results with this project to convince his family to confirm their investment in the Tuan Island project. Wen Zixuan found it concerning that he made such a major decision without consulting their partners, although she acknowledged the project proposal seemed procedurally correct and the company, Guotai Group, was professional in finance.
Lin insisted the project was designed to help vendors with funding issues and would ultimately benefit everyone by increasing market occupancy. Bao Chenyan visited the Marketing Center site. He spoke briefly with An Zhihui about An's father's health. Bao then instructed Tu Manjiang to make sure he looked after the vendors and helped those with difficulties, emphasizing that despite funding being tight, the vendors' needs were more pressing.
Bao asked Tu Manjiang about the status of Mr. Lin's funds, urging him to follow up quickly. In a car, Luo Tianyi expressed his anger about Tu Manjiang, calling him an ingrate for hiding things and keeping Bao busy, suggesting it was to buy time for others. Wen Binbin stated that Bao was aware Tu Manjiang had hidden more than just this.
Wen Binbin mentioned a photo of Tu Manjiang at Guanhai Tea House which Tu Manjiang had never explained, noting that Tu's attitude had seemed strange since then, although he hadn't revealed his suspicion at the time because he lacked substantial evidence and the company was relying on Tu while Bao was absent.
