Medical Examiner Dr. Qin Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Medical Examiner Dr. Qin Synopsis
Lin Tao, the chief of the criminal police in Longfan City, has been an old friend of Qin Ming, the head of the Forensic Medicine Section, for many years.
Qin Ming’s assistant resigned because he could not stand Qin Ming’s eccentric temper.
Li Dabao of the Trace Inspection Section was assigned to join the working group.
In the beginning, Qin Ming distrusts Dabao for she is a girl, but the stubborn Dabao reflects good reasoning and observation skills in solving cases and has an extremely keen sense of smell, so the picky Qin Ming decides to keep Dabao.
Long Fan Police Department’s “iron triangle” is formed.
With the “oil explosion case” as the beginning, Qin Ming, Dabao and Lin Tao solve a variety of unbelievable cases one after another.
Medical Examiner Dr. Qin Recap
Episode 1 Recap
Qin Ming sat at his desk, meticulously measuring fabric with a ruler, an anatomical skeleton standing beside him. A "Postmortem Examination Report" from the Longfan Municipal Public Security Bureau lay beside his hand. Meanwhile, in a bustling snack street, police officers photographed and gathered evidence at a stall selling illicit oil, surrounded by a crowd. An officer confronted the vendor, asking if he expected others to cook with oil he wouldn't consume himself.
The vendor defiantly retorted that his oils were for expensive restaurants, claiming the public wouldn't encounter them unless they participated in corruption. The police ordered his arrest. As officers continued examining items recovered from the gutter oil, one noticed a large object, initially thought to be a chicken foot, and questioned if it might actually be a human hand.
News reports highlighted the public's concern over food safety following the police's "Cracking Down the Four Pests" operation that uncovered the gutter oil manufacturers. At the police station, Lin Tao briefed his team on an imminent night operation to apprehend Zhao San, a suspect linked to at least three murders. He emphasized the need for swift and precise action, reminding his subordinates to be thorough during the search and to prioritize safety. Just then, his phone rang.
Lin Tao cautiously answered, addressing the caller as "baby" and explaining he was interrogating a suspect, implying he couldn't talk freely. The call was abruptly disconnected. The Director General, standing behind him, questioned who he was calling "baby." The Director General then informed Lin Tao about a new case at the snack street, which the Deputy Mayor was personally supervising, urging Lin Tao to stay focused.
Qin Ming, who was still sewing, received a call from Lin Tao and promptly arrived at the snack street. A police officer explained they found a food waste truck filled with gutter oil but were unsure of the death toll, only instructed to conduct the "Cracking Down the Four Pests" operation. Qin Ming sarcastically asked if they needed forensic experts to identify gutter oil. Reporters also questioned why a forensic examiner was needed for a gutter oil case.
Qin Ming ignored them, and upon reaching the scene, the police asked him to identify if the object was a chicken foot or a human hand. Qin Ming knelt, donned gloves, and picked up the object. Lin Tao remarked it was too large for a chicken foot but too small for a human hand. Qin Ming, however, suggested it could be a woman's hand that had contracted to that size after being deep-fried.
Lin Tao, alarmed, asked if this meant murder and cooking. Qin Ming concluded that none of them would be sleeping that night. During the dissection, Lin Tao proposed DNA testing given the "odious" nature of deep-fried fingers. Qin Ming dismissed the idea, citing their tight 48-hour deadline and the six hours required for DNA results. Lin Tao expressed concern about the difficulty of separating soft tissues from such a small, non-fixed object.
Qin Ming, undeterred, quickly separated the bone and confirmed it was a human finger. When another officer expressed disbelief, Qin Ming explained it fell under forensic anthropology, stating that phalanges are uniquely shaped human bones that evolved to be shorter with larger joint surfaces for greater flexibility, making this a typical human phalange. With the identification confirmed, Lin Tao instructed his officers to thoroughly inspect all gutter oil containers.
Qin Ming requested a specialized forensic examiner to differentiate food waste from human remains, asking about the new recruit. Lin Tao mentioned the new person would arrive the next morning, but Qin Ming insisted they appear within twenty minutes, that night. Meanwhile, Li Dabao sped to the scene, stopping to save a small boy stranded in the middle of the road from an oncoming truck.
She asked the child for his family's whereabouts and name, but he only replied he didn't know, so she brought him along. Qin Ming continued his examination, noting the fingers were deep-fried and severely dehydrated, causing them to contract and appear small. The neat cuts suggested a kitchen knife was used, indicating the perpetrator possessed great physical strength. Da Bao encountered traffic congestion, and to avoid further delay, she continued on foot with the child on her back.
Upon reaching the snack street, she handed the boy over to a police officer and rushed to find Qin Ming. Officers tried to prevent her from entering the crime scene, but she identified herself as a forensic examiner from the Longfan Criminal Investigation Branch, Forensic Examination Section. When asked if "Dabao" was a man, she clarified she was Li Dabao, the newly transferred forensic examiner, not Zhao Dabao, who had left.
Qin Ming met Da Bao with disapproval, stating his strong dislike for tardiness, equating it to a lack of attitude rather than ability. He cut off her attempts to explain, asserting that if she couldn't even manage herself, she couldn't be a forensic examiner. He then questioned her gender, having expected a male, and declared the task unsuitable for a woman. Offended, Da Bao challenged him to name a job a man could do but a woman couldn't.
Qin Ming pointed to the gutter oil bins, and Da Bao, grabbing a strainer from an officer, began sifting through the foul contents. As Da Bao continued her work, Qin Ming observed, offering her a chance to rest if she couldn't handle it. She declined. Lin Tao reiterated that women might not be suited for forensic work, seemingly agreeing with Qin Ming. Qin Ming then pointed out that all the human remains were concentrated in containers #1 and #13.
Lin Tao expressed concern that failure to solve the case within 48 hours, especially with a crowd gathered at the snack street, would cause public panic. Qin Ming assured him that within the next two hours, the forensic department would provide DNA profiles and a preliminary body reconstruction. Lin Tao agreed to their usual division of labor: Qin Ming would "question the dead," while he would "interrogate the living."
In the forensic department, Qin Ming instructed Director Zheng to expedite DNA profiling for the deep-fried remains. Director Zheng, seeing Da Bao, asked who she was. Qin Ming simply referred to her as "Late One." Da Bao introduced herself as Li Dabao, the newly transferred forensic examiner. Director Zheng complimented Da Bao's beauty but warned her about working under Qin Ming, then noticed Da Bao's pungent smell, which Da Bao attributed to trash and gutter oil.
Director Zheng urged her to go home, shower, and change, but Da Bao refused. Qin Ming, impatient, called out to her. In the autopsy room, Da Bao, observing Qin Ming in his protective suit, asked for her own. Qin Ming pointed to it. Once equipped, she asked for instructions. Qin Ming explained he needed to peel off the deep-fried tissues to extract any undamaged epidermal or dermal layers.
Da Bao began, but Qin Ming redirected her to categorize the body remains based on muscle fiber thickness and orientation. After strenuous work, Da Bao, though tired, persisted, inspired by Qin Ming's unwavering focus. Eventually, they reconstructed the available remains. Da Bao noted that only the hips and limbs were present, with the torso still missing. She speculated that the perpetrator might have used small tools or chosen a disposal site that precluded larger cuts, such as a sewer.
Qin Ming concurred. Da Bao then revealed that all the found remains were covered in feces, a detail observed consistently in containers #1 and #13, while her own container, though smelly, contained no feces, explaining why she found no remains. Qin Ming explained that gutter oil is sourced either from restaurant waste or from grease floating in sewers.
Da Bao quickly grasped the implication: the vendor had lied, and the oil containing the remains was likely extracted from a sewer, not from snack street waste. Lin Tao confronted the gutter oil vendor again, who initially claimed the oil was merely recycled cooking oil, not gutter oil.
Lin Tao, angered by the feces discovered in the oil, accused the vendor of lying and emphasized that what began as a food safety violation was now a homicide investigation for the Criminal Investigation Branch. Under pressure, the vendor confessed that he had collected the waste from the sewers on the east side of Lihua Neighborhood, behind the snack street. Lin Tao led a team to Lihua Neighborhood. Qin Ming, Lin Tao, and Da Bao descended into the foul-smelling sewers.
Qin Ming instructed them to search specifically for the pelvis, explaining that it is composed of the sacrum and hip bones, the hardest bones in the human body, making it nearly impossible to fragment. He stressed the pelvis's forensic value. Lin Tao cried out in fear upon encountering a rat, which Da Bao calmly threw aside. Amused by her bravery, Lin Tao playfully offered to call her "Buddy Bao" or "Master Bao."
Though Qin Ming wanted to proceed in one direction, Da Bao, relying on her heightened sense of smell, insisted the scent of decay emanated from another. She ventured off alone, calling out excitedly that she was correct. The water in the sewer reached their ankles, and more rats scurried about, but Da Bao ultimately located a pelvis near a pipe. Its shape and weight confirmed it belonged to a female.
She continued searching, finding a femur and tibia, noting they were unusually long for a female, suggesting the victim had very long legs. Driving back, Qin Ming remarked on Da Bao's keen sense of smell, which she confirmed was a natural gift, playfully adding that she had to plug her nose in restrooms to avoid fainting. Qin Ming then dubbed her a "human dog" due to her "highly developed sense of smell."
Lin Tao playfully challenged Da Bao to use her nose to figure out what Qin Ming did the previous night, to which she retorted that she wouldn't dare, as he had "no human smell." Back in the forensic lab, Da Bao successfully reconstructed the skeleton. She reported that the right femur measured 47. 4 centimeters, and using the regression equation for female height estimation (21-30 years old), calculated the victim's height to be approximately 175 centimeters.
Qin Ming agreed with the equation but found the victim's long legs "strange." He instructed Da Bao to relay all the findings to Lin Tao, including that the time of death was within a week based on decomposition, the pelvis's weight, and the slow sewer current indicating the disposal site was not far from the discovery point.
Da Bao then asked about her next task, to which Qin Ming simply told her to "go out," explaining that her breathing was distracting him and she should return in an hour. With less than 28 hours remaining in the 48-hour deadline for the headless case, Lin Tao expressed his frustration over the limited clues and unknown victim identity.
Da Bao asked if her breathing was indeed loud, and Lin Tao confirmed it was "a bit," but advised her to get used to Qin Ming's personality. An officer reported that after searching Lihua Neighborhood, they found no missing women, nor any residents, over 175 centimeters tall. Da Bao asked if the victim might be an outsider, but that too yielded no matches.
However, they did find a 25-year-old woman named Lian Qianqian, known for chatting with elderly women in the neighborhood, who had been missing for two weeks. Her husband, a former catering manager at the International Grand Hotel, had also quit his job two weeks prior and was now missing. Lin Tao pondered a possible connection between the hotel, deep-frying, and the case. Da Bao inquired about Lian Qianqian's height, which was reported as approximately 160 centimeters.
Da Bao quickly pointed out that this significantly differed from their calculated height of 175 centimeters, arguing that the victim's long femur made a 160-centimeter height impossible from a forensic perspective. Qin Ming then concluded that their entire approach was flawed, making any further inquiries based on Lian Qianqian futile.
Episode 2 Recap
Police officers presented a foul-smelling assortment of items to Qin Ming for examination. He noticed Da Bao, who was late, and suggested she rest if she couldn't handle the scene. Da Bao replied, "Thank you, no." Lin Tao echoed that forensic work might not suit women, a sentiment Qin Ming seemed to agree with. Qin Ming continued his examination, noting that all the body fragments were concentrated in specific buckets, numbers one and thirteen.
Lin Tao expressed concern, mentioning that with body parts found in a busy snack street, public panic would ensue if the case wasn't solved within 48 hours. Qin Ming explained that only two hours remained until dawn, and their immediate task as forensic scientists was to generate a DNA profile and a preliminary body reconstruction. Lin Tao agreed to the usual division of labor: Qin Ming would investigate the dead, and he would interrogate the living.
In the forensic department, Qin Ming sought out Director Zheng for the DNA profiling. When asked about Da Bao, Qin Ming simply referred to her as "the late one." Da Bao quickly introduced herself as Li Dabao, the newly transferred forensic technician. Director Zheng praised Da Bao's appearance but warned her that working with Qin Ming would be challenging. Noticing the lingering stench on Da Bao, he advised her to go home, shower, and change clothes.
Qin Ming then emerged, impatiently asking Da Bao if she was ready to work. Da Bao rushed into the office and began placing body fragments on the examination table. Seeing Qin Ming in a protective suit, she asked about her own. Qin Ming pointed to a suit, which Da Bao then donned before asking for instructions. Qin Ming tasked her with carefully separating the deep-fried tissue to extract any undamaged epidermal or dermal layers.
Da Bao set to work, but when she tried to use a microscope, Qin Ming sent her to analyze muscle fiber thickness and direction to determine which body part each fragment belonged to. Despite her dissatisfaction, Da Bao complied. Working tirelessly, Da Bao grew tired but, seeing Qin Ming's unwavering focus, mustered her resolve and continued. Eventually, she managed to piece together the fragments. Qin Ming instructed her to send the samples for DNA profiling.
Da Bao observed that only the buttocks and limbs were present, with the torso missing. She theorized that the killer had either used small tools or was restricted by the disposal location, which wouldn't allow for larger cuts. Qin Ming then confirmed her suspicion about the sewer, as all the body parts were contaminated with fecal matter. Da Bao elaborated that there are two primary sources for illegal gutter oil: restaurant waste and floating grease collected from sewers.
This meant the street vendor had lied, and the gutter oil wasn't from merchant swill. Lin Tao interrogated the vendor, who initially denied everything but eventually confessed to collecting the oil from a sewer near Lihua Neighborhood, behind the snack street. Lin Tao immediately led his team to Lihua Neighborhood. After opening a manhole cover and donning protective gear, he descended into the sewer. Qin Ming went in first, followed by Lin Tao, and then Da Bao.
The three searched the intensely foul-smelling sewer for the remaining body parts. Qin Ming emphasized the importance of finding the pelvis, explaining that it's nearly impossible to cut a human pelvis into very small pieces and that it's crucial for forensic identification. Lin Tao, having taken out a rat, screamed, but Da Bao calmly brushed it aside. Lin Tao, impressed by her courage, jokingly offered to call her "Brother Bao" or "Grandpa Bao."
Qin Ming prepared to move forward, but Da Bao insisted the putrid smell was coming from another direction. Qin Ming ignored her, so Da Bao ventured off on her own, shouting that the source of the smell was indeed there. With the sewage water reaching their ankles and more rats appearing, they eventually found a pelvis near a pipe. Its shape and weight indicated it belonged to a female.
Da Bao continued searching and discovered a femur and a tibia bone, noting they were unusually long for a female, suggesting the person had long legs. On the drive back, Qin Ming remarked on Da Bao's excellent sense of smell. Da Bao claimed it was a natural gift. Qin Ming, however, replied that her highly developed sense of smell made her like a "human police dog."
Lin Tao, amused, playfully suggested Da Bao use her sense of smell to deduce what Qin Ming had done last night. Da Bao declined, humorously stating she "wouldn't dare" and that he "didn't smell human." Back in the forensic lab, the recovered body fragments were assembled. Da Bao explained that based on the length of the right femur, she calculated the victim's height to be around 175 cm. However, she found it strange because the victim's legs were unusually long.
Qin Ming instructed Da Bao to relay this information to Lin Tao and told her to return in an hour, as her breathing was bothering him. Da Bao was visibly annoyed. With less than 28 hours remaining until the 48-hour deadline, Lin Tao was frustrated by the lack of clues. A subordinate reported that no women over 175 cm were missing in Lihua Neighborhood.
However, a woman named Lian Qianqian, aged around 25 to 27, who was typically seen chatting with older women in the community every afternoon, had not been seen for two weeks. Her husband, Xia Hong, a former F&B manager at an international hotel, had also been missing for two weeks after resigning. Da Bao inquired about Lian Qianqian's height, and the officer replied, "around 160 cm," a significant discrepancy, Da Bao noted.
At this point, Qin Ming entered, declaring that they had been on the "wrong direction" all along. Qin Ming led everyone to the forensic lab and presented a bone. He explained that it was the female pubic bone symphysis he had just prepared. Its clearly visible dorsal margin indicated the victim was over 25 years old, and the remaining ridge marks on the pubic bone symphysis showed she was under 27.
The pelvis weighed 198 grams, considered very light for a female, suggesting a small stature. However, the tibia bone weighed 203 grams, which is the weight of an adult male’s tibia. Qin Ming then displayed microscopic images, explaining that the pelvis surface was smooth, typical of a female, while male bones are typically rougher due to muscle development. He concluded that the body parts actually belonged to two individuals: one male and one female.
The team quickly deduced the victims were Lian Qianqian and Xia Hong. The team then went to Lian Qianqian's apartment. The door lock showed no signs of forced entry. Lin Tao had the property management open it. Upon entry, a swarm of flies flew out, and a strong stench of blood filled the air. Lin Tao initially speculated that the blood splatters indicated a stabbing by an acquaintance after entry.
However, Qin Ming corrected him, explaining that the red-brown spots on the walls were not blood splatters but rather "stained by the flies" after they fed on the corpses and then excreted. He pointed out the absence of stains on the hot lightbulb as evidence, as flies would avoid it. Da Bao noted additional diluted blood stains, suggesting attempts to clean up.
Qin Ming walked into the bathroom, identifying it as the likely dismemberment site due to bead string-like blood patterns on the wall and flushed blood on the floor. Da Bao, gagging, entered the kitchen, where she found two pots of thick "meat soup," which Qin Ming identified as human back muscles. In the refrigerator, they found two skulls. Qin Ming declared the kitchen the primary scene for deep-frying the bodies; the scene was gruesome, with flies swarming everywhere.
Da Bao also discovered distinct "gauze glove" prints, indicating the killer wore gloves throughout the process of killing, dismembering, and deep-frying. The varying shades of bloodstains throughout the apartment, some darker and some lighter (visible under UV light), suggested the killer had returned to the scene multiple times, implying he possessed a key to the apartment. In the bedroom, Da Bao gasped at the sight of two human skins in the wardrobe.
Qin Ming analyzed the skins, noting they were peeled from the superficial fascia, with some muscle tissue still clinging in places, suggesting a very sharp knife, likely the one from the kitchen. He highlighted that the killer had meticulously preserved the female victim’s breast tissue, which held a strong sexual connotation. Da Bao then noticed fingerprints on the preserved breast tissue.
When asked why the killer would leave fingerprints if wearing gloves, she suggested that the strong sexual meaning might have prompted him to remove his gloves to touch the breast. Qin Ming acknowledged this as one of her strengths. With less than 18 hours remaining, the team still hadn't identified the killer. DNA results confirmed the tibia belonged to Xia Hong. Fingerprints found on the female victim's breast did not match either victim.
It was also confirmed that both victims had their own keys in their pockets, indicating the killer already possessed a key to their apartment. Given that the remains were dumped in nearby sewers, the killer likely didn't have a car. The team considered a "having an affair" motive, but Lin Tao dismissed it, explaining that Lian Qianqian and Xia Hong were "much in love" after she married him, a hotel manager, ruling out a crime of passion.
Da Bao then suggested "revenge killing" given the brutality. Lin Tao also ruled this out, describing Xia Hong as a "nice guy" and Lian Qianqian as a reclusive housewife with few social contacts. Fingerprint comparisons with their friends yielded no matches. Lian Qianqian's account book and diary were found, and all remaining body parts were brought back. Qin Ming called Da Bao to assist with the autopsy.
In the dissection room, Qin Ming revealed that both victims had sustained fatal head injuries from the same "blunt weapon." The female victim had a large perforating fracture on her skull, while the male had a depressed skull fracture, less severe due to a thicker skull. He concluded the weapon was likely a large, round hammer.
Da Bao suggested it might be an 18-pound hammer with a 10 cm diameter, typically used by construction workers for breaking walls or sewage work, not for household use. Lin Tao then remembered an entry in Lian Qianqian’s account book about hiring someone to "fix their sewer pipe." The challenge was narrowing down the many construction workers. Da Bao suggested looking at small advertisements posted in the building's stairwells, a common way to find workers.
Qin Ming noted that the sewer repair was two weeks prior, while the murder occurred a week ago. He proposed that the killer, a worker, might have duplicated the key during the repair, allowing him to enter a week later without forced entry. As they discussed this, a man was seen, under the cover of darkness, carrying a large hammer and stopping to steal a woman's underwear. Based on the small advertisements, Lin Tao's team located a suspect, Li Dagou.
Upon arriving at his apartment and forcing entry, they found his disheveled apartment adorned with many stolen women's undergarments, indicating a perverted psyche, and a key-making machine. A bloody undergarment was found and sent for identification, along with a palm print. Li Dagou returned home to find Lin Tao waiting. He attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended. During interrogation, Li Dagou was remarkably candid. He provocatively asked Lin Tao why he didn't shoot, claiming his "simple life is cheap."
He also expressed surprise that the police managed to catch him despite his elaborate efforts to dispose of the bodies. When asked how Lian Qianqian offended him, Li Dagou replied that she was "just not careful enough." He confessed that during a sewer repair two weeks prior, he had stolen her underwear and made a copy of her key. After a week of observation, he entered the apartment, intending only to steal more underwear, but found Lian Qianqian at home.
He struck her with the hammer. When her husband, Xia Hong, emerged, he killed him too. When questioned about deep-frying the bodies, Li Dagou chillingly stated that seeing the "white flesh deep fried in a pan and turning into golden color" was "sensual." Later, while cleaning forensic tools, a diary belonging to Lian Qianqian was found. An entry revealed she had just discovered she was pregnant.
She had planned to tell Xia Hong, who was sick, and make his favorite deep-fried meatballs that day. It was then that Li Dagou had entered, tragically destroying their family. The major murder case was successfully solved within 48 hours. News reports announced the arrest of suspect Li Dagou, who confessed to the crime, and that the case was ongoing. At the Public Security Bureau, exhausted officers, including Lin Tao, were asleep at their desks.
Lin Tao missed a call from "Baby." Qin Ming, at home, meticulously arranged his clothes and sat down with a cup of coffee to write his case summary: "The devil that resides in our minds turned this city into hell." Outside, the bustling city continued its rhythm. The next day, Da Bao retrieved her car, which had been towed due to illegal parking, apologized, and paid the fine.
In the lab, Qin Ming was testing Da Bao's sense of smell using various solutions, including Butanol, Phenethyl alcohol, and diluted Phenethyl alcohol, which Da Bao accurately identified even with her eyes covered. When Lin Tao jokingly presented his nose-picking finger, Da Bao contemptuously identified it as a "toe with poop on it." Qin Ming decided to keep Da Bao on the team, much to Lin Tao's surprise.
Qin Ming explained that some people have an exceptionally dense distribution of olfactory nerves in their nasal membrane, a rare trait found in only "one out of ten thousand" individuals. Just then, a new case was reported: a headless male body had been discovered in a lake.
Episode 3 Recap
The investigation into a new case began when a headless male body was discovered by people swimming in a remote lake. This isolated location was likely chosen by the killer to dispose of the body. Da Bao expressed her aversion to swimming outside, citing widespread river pollution and jokingly remarking that with so much pollution, one wouldn't need to worry about pregnancy. Lin Tao, who had recently purchased a swimming pool membership, questioned if swimming pools were a safer alternative.
Qin Ming interjected, explaining that while regulated pools are generally safe, one would still consume an average of 16 milliliters of urine during a 45-minute swim. When Lin Tao suggested the taste was merely disinfectant, Qin Ming clarified that clean water is odorless; any smell comes from the reaction between nitrogenous compounds in urine and chlorine, indicating unclean water. Initial examination of the body revealed a missing finger, which Qin Ming determined was not a fresh wound.
Based on the shedding of skin and muscles, Qin Ming estimated the time of death to be about one month prior. The victim's abdomen had been stitched, prompting Da Bao to speculatively wonder if the head might have been sewn inside. Qin Ming quickly dismissed the gruesome thought, explaining that the head was likely severed to prevent identification and therefore would not be found in the lake.
In the autopsy room, Qin Ming carefully cut open the abdomen, revealing it was filled with limestone. Da Bao correctly deduced that the stones were meant to sink the body. Qin Ming noted that all internal organs were missing, making the direct determination of the cause of death extremely difficult. The body bore numerous injuries, including two stab wounds, a previously broken leg, and recurring healed injuries.
Most notably, a severe shoulder dislocation suggested the victim had forcefully resisted while being restrained by police. Da Bao questioned why it had to be police, but Qin Ming explained that a specific technique used by officers to pin suspects to the ground while handcuffed can cause a unique and severe shoulder injury, matching the victim's. Unfortunately, attempts to retrieve fingerprints were futile, as aquatic life typically consumes the skin on fingers first.
Observing the neck, Da Bao concluded that the head was severed post-mortem, a point Qin Ming agreed with, noting the irregular edges of the cut indicated a loss of vitality and blood flow before the decapitation. Da Bao, drawing a parallel to American crime dramas, suggested this method was reminiscent of the Italian Mafia's revenge tactics. Lin Tao arrived at the lab, expressing frustration that there were no recent missing person reports, making headless body cases particularly challenging.
Qin Ming suggested they use the limestone as a starting point, investigating nearby construction sites since it's a common building material. He then dispatched Da Bao to accompany Lin Tao, stating he needed quiet, much to Da Bao's annoyance.
At a construction site near the lake, Lin Tao and Da Bao initially found no one missing but later identified Guo Liqiang, the site boss, who had been missing for about two weeks and was also noted to have a missing finger. Da Bao located similar limestone at the site, which she reported to Qin Ming via phone. The workers described Guo Liqiang as a strong man with a volatile temper, prone to violence.
He had a son and had been divorced for over a year. Inside Guo Liqiang's office, investigators found no fingerprints, indicating a thorough cleaning, which suggested it might be the crime scene. Lin Tao noted an empty safe, leading him to consider murder for money. However, Da Bao countered that the removal of internal organs pointed more towards a revenge killing. Qin Ming instructed them to start their investigation with the victim's ex-wife.
The ex-wife, whom they located, revealed she hadn't seen Guo Liqiang in about half a year. She expressed little sympathy for his fate, stating he "had it coming" and that his mother, who had been hospitalized for an ongoing illness, was the one she truly pitied. As they spoke, Guo Liqiang's son arrived, carrying a toy gun given by his uncle, Guo Lifu, and was initially frightened by the police. Da Bao quickly put him at ease.
On the drive back, Lin Tao and Da Bao bantered playfully, while Qin Ming remained contemplative. Da Bao later went to the hospital where Guo Liqiang's mother was admitted. Meanwhile, Qin Ming and Lin Tao attended a charity event. During the ceremony, Guo Lifu, chairman of Fu Qiang Enterprise, was honored. He quoted Laozi, saying, "The highest good is like water which benefits all being and does not compete with them."
From the audience, Qin Ming remarked that he preferred another of Laozi's sayings: "The heaven's net has wide meshes, but nothing escapes it." Later, when Qin Ming and Lin Tao spoke with Guo Lifu, he expressed regret for not having taken better care of his younger brother, Guo Liqiang, and claimed not to know of any fatal enemies his brother might have had.
Qin Ming inquired about Guo Lifu's limping leg, to which Guo Lifu replied it had been an issue for seven or eight years and was incurable. At the hospital, Da Bao, presenting herself as a friend, visited Guo Liqiang's mother with flowers. The mother initially mistook Da Bao for Guo Lifu's friend and was surprised to learn she knew Guo Liqiang, referring to him as a "bad boy."
The mother confirmed she hadn't seen Guo Liqiang in about half a year. Da Bao then spoke with a nurse, who explained the elderly woman suffered from cerebral thrombosis, had recently undergone surgery, and had been struggling with the condition for years. The nurse mentioned that her wealthy son, Guo Lifu, was very filial, visiting daily and even bringing homemade soup.
In contrast, her other son, Guo Liqiang, was described as a strong man with a terrible temper who would argue with his mother and verbally abuse the nurses during his visits. Back at the station, Da Bao informed Lin Tao that Guo Liqiang "definitely offended many people," suggesting revenge as the motive. Qin Ming, however, pointed out that even with Guo Liqiang dead, his construction project had partners and funding, so the site's closure must have another reason.
The trio visited the construction site in the rain, where a message was spray-painted on a wall: "A life for a life. Die without offspring." (The character for "offspring" was misspelled). Qin Ming remained in the car, as Lin Tao explained he had an "allergy to rainy weather," which Da Bao mockingly called "troublesome." Inside the car, Qin Ming appeared tense, experiencing a brief flashback of a small boy calling out "Dad!"
At the site, workers explained that the construction had halted due to a safety accident, necessitating an inspection. The graffiti on the wall was linked to a worker named Zhao Yuan, whose scaffold had collapsed a month prior, landing him in the hospital. Zhao Yuan's wife had repeatedly caused disturbances, writing the words on the wall, and the workers, all from Zhao Yuan's hometown, refused to resume work until proper compensation was paid.
The graffiti had been there for one to two weeks, and Zhao Yuan's wife had only stopped her protests when Guo Liqiang stopped showing up. Da Bao noted the timing seemed "too coincidental" and decided to further investigate the mystery of Guo Liqiang's missing finger. Qin Ming and Lin Tao then visited Zhao Yuan's former home, finding it empty.
Noticing red paint and overdue utility bills, Qin Ming deduced the family had left about a month ago, doing so discreetly without informing anyone. Back at the bureau, police discovered Zhao Yuan's wife had recently obtained a temporary residence permit in the suburbs. Meanwhile, Da Bao tracked down Guo Liqiang's former bodyguard, who claimed no knowledge of the missing finger, directing her to "A'Lai," Guo Liqiang's long-time follower.
Qin Ming and Lin Tao proceeded to interview Zhao Yuan's wife in the suburbs. Lin Tao inquired about their sudden move. Zhao Yuan's wife explained that after her husband was injured, Guo Liqiang refused to provide compensation. She approached Guo Lifu, who paid for Zhao Yuan's treatment. However, it was too late, and Zhao Yuan ultimately passed away. Guo Lifu then provided additional money for her and her daughter, who was about to start junior high school.
Qin Ming, observing a wall adorned with awards, decided to conclude the interview, noting that the child would soon be returning home. Da Bao found A'Lai at a car repair shop. A'Lai confirmed he had been Guo Liqiang's follower for seven or eight years. When asked why he left, A'Lai removed his shirt, revealing multiple scars, stating he would have been killed if he had stayed with Guo Liqiang. Da Bao noticed A'Lai's missing little finger.
A'Lai explained he had chopped it off himself to quit gambling. He then revealed that Guo Liqiang's missing little finger was also self-inflicted for the same reason—they had both collectively cut off their fingers to try and quit gambling. When asked about Guo Liqiang's enemies, A'Lai listed many, but pointed to one person who could truly be responsible for his death: Hei Ba, to whom Guo Liqiang owed a large sum of money.
Before leaving, Da Bao, demonstrating her keen observation skills, advised A'Lai that his frequent dizziness and numb left hand indicated a spinal nerve problem, suggesting his current job was unsuitable and he should seek medical attention. In the car, Qin Ming explained to Lin Tao that Zhao Yuan's wife could not be the killer. Her severe rheumatism would make it impossible for her to single-handedly commit murder, dismemberment, and body disposal.
Furthermore, having received financial compensation from Guo Lifu, she no longer had a motive. Qin Ming decided to return to the bureau, stating that "night is more conducive to thinking." Lin Tao teased him, suggesting it was "because Da Bao wasn't there." Back in the office, Qin Ming found Da Bao still diligently analyzing the case. He lightheartedly chided her for keeping so many lights on if she was alone, citing electricity waste.
Da Bao shared her findings regarding Guo Liqiang's missing finger, confirming it was unrelated to his death and was a result of his attempt to quit gambling. She emphasized the need to investigate Hei Ba, the major creditor, to definitively rule out a financial dispute. Qin Ming then had a crucial realization. He went to the autopsy table and pondered the elaborate method of sinking the body.
While simply tying a heavy object would suffice, the killer went to the trouble of opening the abdomen, removing all organs, filling it with stones, and then stitching it back up. This seemed like a redundant and arduous process unless, Qin Ming reasoned, the missing organs themselves were of value to the killer. Da Bao's eyes widened as she exclaimed, "Organ transplant?"
Qin Ming confirmed her deduction, revealing that forensic tests showed traces of etomidate and fentanyl in the victim's body, indicating that Guo Liqiang had been anesthetized before his death. The next morning, with the new lead, Lin Tao and his team of police officers were already en route to raid Hei Ba's illegal gambling den.
Episode 4 Recap
Lin Tao pursued Hei Ba, eventually discovering him hiding in a dilapidated chimney. After Lin Tao threatened to light a fire with gasoline, Hei Ba reluctantly surrendered. Meanwhile, Da Bao and Qin Ming had been up all night. Da Bao, feeling hungry, bought two pancakes, but Qin Ming refused, stating he didn't consume such items. He remained engrossed in his microscope, observing that the anesthetic levels were unusual.
He explained that since the body had been in the lake for so long, the anesthetics would have diluted. If the current concentration was still within a normal range, it indicated that a large initial dose, at least 500 micrograms per kilogram of Etomidoline and Fentanyl, must have been administered. Da Bao found this puzzling, noting that such a high dose would complicate an organ transplant unless the killer intended revenge rather than organ harvesting.
Qin Ming countered that the body showed no signs of abuse, making revenge unlikely. He suggested that the increased dosage was likely to minimize the victim's suffering, implying a very close relationship between the victim and the perpetrator. In the interrogation room, Lin Tao questioned Hei Ba about Guo Liqiang’s missing finger. Hei Ba claimed Guo Liqiang had chopped it off himself as a pledge to quit gambling, presenting it to Hei Ba as a form of payment.
He also asserted that numerous witnesses could corroborate his story. Lin Tao pressed him, asking how he could let Guo Liqiang off the hook, given his substantial debt. Hei Ba explained that Guo Lifu, Guo Liqiang's wealthy and influential older brother, made Guo Liqiang untouchable, stating he was afraid to defy such a powerful figure. Da Bao and Qin Ming then focused on Guo Lifu. Records showed Guo Lifu had a history of congenital heart disease, requiring multiple hospitalizations.
However, there were no recent hospital entries for him. Videos from three months prior showed Guo Lifu looking frail and using a crutch, but recent footage showed a significant improvement in his health. Qin Ming pointed out that while climbing a step, Guo Lifu failed to put weight on his crutch at the moment it was most needed, suggesting he was faking his limp.
He further deduced that the key difference between the two videos was Guo Lifu's heart, implying a heart transplant. Since heart transplant surgeries must be completed within six hours, Qin Ming concluded that Guo Lifu must have undergone the surgery around the time of Guo Liqiang's death. He instructed Lin Tao to apprehend Guo Lifu while he prepared the necessary evidence. Lin Tao found Guo Lifu at his mother’s hospital bedside, feeding her soup.
Upon seeing Lin Tao, Guo Lifu, realizing his secret was out, hastily told his mother that Lin Tao was a business partner and they had an urgent business trip, preventing him from visiting for a while. His mother, unsuspecting, simply advised him to wear warm clothes. As Guo Lifu left with Lin Tao, he cast a reluctant glance back at his mother.
Forensic analysis of Guo Lifu's blood revealed two distinct DNA profiles: his own and his younger brother's, confirming he had undergone a heart transplant using Guo Liqiang’s heart. In the interrogation room, Guo Lifu spoke of his extensive charity work, building elementary schools and contributing to public welfare, and how he had supported his brother financially. He lamented his own struggle to survive despite having saved so many lives.
Lin Tao confronted him, questioning his right to decide another person's fate. Guo Lifu argued that if he died, his "unfilial son" (Guo Liqiang) would only cause their mother distress, potentially sending her to the hospital. Lin Tao then asked if he dared to tell his mother what he had done, reminding him that she had lost two sons at once. Guo Lifu fell silent.
Qin Ming entered the room, asking if Guo Lifu had his own private doctor, given his long absence from hospitals. Guo Lifu admitted he knew that a blood transfusion at a hospital would expose his heart transplant. Qin Ming then revealed that Guo Liqiang had chopped off his own finger in front of his creditors to commit to quitting gambling. This detail visibly affected Guo Lifu, who pleaded with Qin Ming not to tell his mother.
Later, Qin Ming, Da Bao, and Lin Tao met for dinner. Da Bao excitedly praised the food and asked Qin Ming how he discovered the restaurant. Qin Ming, focused on eating, remained silent. Da Bao expressed her frustration, noting that while she understood Qin Ming’s quiet nature, it was awkward when he invited her to eat and still said nothing. Qin Ming explained that silence during meals, besides being an old custom, also showed respect for the digestive system.
Lin Tao arrived, remarking to Da Bao that Qin Ming bringing her to this particular restaurant meant he considered her "one of them." Da Bao, joking, said he probably just wanted her to pay the bill and expressed relief that Lin Tao was there to talk to. Lin Tao chuckled, observing that "Lao Qin's perverseness" must have been tormenting her. Da Bao, in turn, quipped that she just treated him like a "Buddha statue to be worshipped."
Lin Tao then shared a new detail about the case: Guo Lifu chose to dispose of Guo Liqiang's body by the lake because it held special childhood memories for the brothers. He recounted a time when they were fishing, and Guo Liqiang, as a child, promised to earn a lot of money to cure his older brother's illness. The lake, Lin Tao concluded, represented their most cherished memories.
Late that night, a drunk man stumbled into a cemetery, where he discovered a woman kneeling, her hair covering her face, tied to a tombstone. When he lifted her hair, he saw her eyes staring directly, glowing eerily, causing him to flee in terror, convinced she was a ghost. The police arrived at the scene. Qin Ming and Da Bao approached the body, noting that rigor mortis had already set in. Lin Tao discovered a small, distinct shoe print nearby.
Based on its pattern and the impression that was deeper at the front and shallower at the back, he concluded it belonged to a man wearing hidden heels, indicating insecurity about his height. Qin Ming examined the female victim, Qi Jingjing, and discovered a missing molar tooth—the third such instance in as many months. He confirmed the tooth was removed post-mortem, strongly suggesting a serial murder case.
Back in the autopsy room, the medical examiner determined the time of death to be around 3 AM, over 17 hours prior, with livor mortis covering the entire body. Qi Jingjing’s clothes were intact, though slightly disheveled. Slight bleeding and skin abrasions at the binding points indicated she was tied while still alive. There were no signs of a heavy blow to her head or any struggle, which was puzzling.
Da Bao questioned if she might have been drugged, and Qin Ming confirmed blood samples were being tested. Her hymen was intact, ruling out sexual assault, and her valuables were present, eliminating robbery. Qin Ming noted a deep ligature mark on her neck, which had become leathery due to sun exposure. Her eyes were covered with blood clots, her heart blood was unclotted, and her toenails were blue, all indicating mechanical asphyxiation.
He ruled out sexual asphyxia due to the immense force used. Da Bao added that the minimal resistance suggested her limbs were bound before strangulation. Analyzing her small intestine contents, Qin Ming determined Qi Jingjing had not eaten dinner. Her last meal, consisting of seafood and tomatoes, was between 1 and 2 PM the previous day, likely consumed with the murderer. Da Bao, humorously, pointed out she wasn't a police dog when asked to smell for clues.
Qin Ming highlighted the most significant detail: her right hand bore heavy shoe marks. The team visited Qi Jingjing's apartment. She was a 26-year-old sales promoter for an interior design company, known for her wide social circle and average income, yet she spent lavishly. Lin Tao observed her expensive cosmetics, remarking that a woman like her probably focused more on men than work. Da Bao opened her wardrobe to find a collection of sexy lingerie.
Lin Tao commented that she was a "flirtatious virgin." Da Bao retorted, asking if wearing sexy lingerie made one flirtatious, then questioned if Qin Ming, who always wore suits, was also "flirtatious." Lin Tao agreed that Qin Ming was "a little bit," just as Qin Ming appeared at the doorway. Da Bao then discovered a meticulously wrapped, empty ring box inscribed with "Forever Love" in the wardrobe. The ring on Qi Jingjing's finger had been repeatedly stomped on.
While the ring itself was crudely made, the skin underneath it was significantly lighter than the surrounding area, indicating long-term wear. These details suggested a crime of passion. Qin Ming's analysis of the shoe print indicated the perpetrator was about 1. 7 meters tall. Furthermore, the autopsy showed no signs of poisoning or sedative use, meaning Qi Jingjing was brought to the scene, likely by an acquaintance. Police records showed Qi Jingjing's last phone call was to Cao Zhe.
Lin Tao was assigned to investigate Cao Zhe, while Qin Ming and Da Bao focused on the ring. Qin Ming was visibly surprised by Da Bao's mini Jeep, begrudgingly getting in due to traffic. Da Bao explained it was a gift for her father, who found it "ugly," so she used it to avoid waste. Qin Ming drily remarked that her father had better taste. There were three custom ring shops in Longfan City.
One had closed, and another specialized in high-end designs. Qin Ming and Da Bao visited the remaining shop. Upon entering, they were mistaken for customers making rings. Qin Ming quickly identified himself as a police officer, and Da Bao showed the owner a photo of Qi Jingjing. The owner remembered the girl and her boyfriend, who wore glasses, though she couldn't recall specific facial features.
She explained that couples could engrave names for free, but this couple had argued in the shop because Qi Jingjing wanted to engrave the ring, but her boyfriend refused, even breaking a mirror in the process. Meanwhile, Lin Tao's investigation revealed that Cao Zhe was Qi Jingjing's college classmate, standing 1. 7 meters tall. He had ordered scrambled eggs with tomatoes and a braised seafood pot when he met Qi Jingjing, matching the food found in the victim's stomach.
This suggested Qi Jingjing might have gone missing after dining with Cao Zhe. However, CCTV footage from Cao Zhe’s residential complex showed him returning home after dinner and not leaving again. Further investigation of Qi Jingjing's phone records identified her mysterious boyfriend as Sun Kai, an IT elite who was 1. 83 meters tall and came from a wealthy family. Sun Kai was subsequently found dead in his home.
The air conditioning was inexplicably on, despite it not being the season for it. A ring box identical to Qi Jingjing's was also discovered. The police learned that Sun Kai and Qi Jingjing had lived together for a period, then broke up, but their contact had become frequent again in the past month. Lin Tao added that many of Qi Jingjing's fingerprints were found throughout Sun Kai's apartment.
Episode 5 Recap
Qin Ming examined Sun Kai's body in the bathtub. Based on the livor mortis, Sun Kai's time of death was earlier than Qi Jingjing's. The body had been placed in cold water with the air conditioning on, a method used to prevent the body from decomposing and to obscure the actual time of death. Sun Kai was strangled, and the strangulation mark had a peculiar pattern. The similar methods suggested that both cases were likely committed by the same culprit.
Inside Sun Kai's house, Qin Ming found a stereo cable that closely resembled the murder weapon. In the autopsy room, Qin Ming analyzed both bodies. He explained that Sun Kai's body lacked the distinct boundary line that would indicate prolonged soaking in hot water, confirming he was placed in cold water after death. The neck marks indicated strangulation, not by rope but possibly by the stereo cable, leaving no friction marks or fibers.
Sun Kai, despite appearing capable of defending himself, showed no signs of struggle, suggesting he was caught off-guard and underestimated his assailant. Qin Ming inferred that the attacker, likely not tall or strong, acted out of deeply wounded pride, probably over a woman. He then discovered a tattoo on Sun Kai's lower back. Checking Qi Jingjing's body, he found a faded tattoo in the same location, indicating she once loved Sun Kai, but it had been washed off.
Qi Jingjing also had a reconstructed hymen from about a month prior, coinciding with the tattoo removal, implying she had become disillusioned. The mark of a ring was visible on Qi Jingjing's hand, but none on Sun Kai's, suggesting her desire for marriage might have been one-sided. Qin Ming also noticed a lipstick-stained fingerprint on Qi Jingjing's face, likely left by the killer after death.
The absence of sexual assault suggested the killer either felt unworthy or was unfamiliar with such acts. Lin Tao informed Qin Ming that Sun Kai and Qi Jingjing were romantically involved, but Sun Kai's parents disapproved of Qi Jingjing's humble background. Six months prior, Sun Kai had proposed marriage, which angered his parents to the point of threatening their lives, forcing Sun Kai to break up with Qi Jingjing. After the breakup, Qi Jingjing used dating websites to cope.
However, a month ago, Sun Kai attempted to reconcile with Qi Jingjing, but his family still opposed, leading him to move out. Lin Tao's investigation into Qi Jingjing's online dating activities revealed that she had extensive contact with many men and specifically advertised herself as a "virgin." Da Bao found this strange, wondering why virginity would matter so much in modern romance. Qin Ming, ironically, mentioned that his re-examination revealed her hymen had been reconstructed.
He then instructed Lin Tao to investigate Qi Jingjing's online dating contacts who might have had such specific requirements. Later, Qin Ming unexpectedly visited Da Bao at her home to discuss the case. Da Bao asserted that a woman reconstructs her hymen only because she is not a virgin, and Qi Jingjing must have done it to gain an advantage in her dating pursuits.
Qin Ming then asked Da Bao, as the only person with blind dating experience he knew, if she had ever encountered such demands. Da Bao retorted that Qin Ming, a "loony," should ask himself that question first, dismissing his inquiry. Lin Tao's team successfully filtered Qi Jingjing's online dating contacts, identifying 23 men who were approximately 170 cm tall, financially stable, and explicitly required a virgin partner.
Qin Ming recalled the specific climbing knot found on Qi Jingjing's body and suggested adding "hiking" to the search criteria. This led them to Li Xu, a 31-year-old male, 170 cm tall, who was an employee at an outdoor supplies shop, financially stable, and whose first requirement in his marriage profile was "virgin." Lin Tao and Da Bao visited Li Xu's shop. A co-worker clarified that Li Xu was not the owner but an employee in the rope equipment section.
The co-worker described Li Xu as an honest but "weird" person, particularly regarding sexual matters. He recounted an incident where Li Xu interrupted a conversation about sexual experiences, calling it "dirty" and expressing disgust for promiscuity, claiming he had found "the world's purest love." The co-worker also shared that Li Xu's mother had cheated on his father before marriage, running off with another man after Li Xu was born, suggesting this family history contributed to his peculiar views.
Da Bao showed the co-worker Qi Jingjing's photo, and the co-worker vaguely confirmed that she resembled Li Xu's fiancee. The co-worker further informed them that Li Xu had been absent for five or six days, on annual leave. Da Bao then confirmed that the ropes in the shop were identical to the ones found at the crime scene. Qin Ming and another officer arrived at Li Xu's house, where they were let in by his father.
Inside Li Xu's room, Qin Ming found a childhood photo of Li Xu with an elderly man, identified as Li Hua Xia. He immediately recognized the name Li Hua Xia from the tombstone where Qi Jingjing's body was found. Li Xu's father described his son as a good child who was traumatized and bullied after his mother left, but never spoke about it. Qin Ming also found climbing ropes and stereo cables identical to those used in Sun Kai's murder.
Li Xu's father confirmed that Li Hua Xia was Li Xu's deceased grandfather. Lin Tao analyzed Li Xu's financial records, noting that after meeting Qi Jingjing, Li Xu, proud of her supposed virginity, had falsely claimed to be from a wealthy family. He splurged on luxury female products, some even engraved with Qi Jingjing's name, quickly exceeding his means.
Da Bao added that Qi Jingjing had dated Sun Kai six months prior, but they broke up due to his parents' disapproval. She then met Li Xu, who, believing her to be a virgin, spent all his savings on her. However, upon discovering that Qi Jingjing's virginity was fake and that she was still involved with Sun Kai, a furious Li Xu killed both of them.
A fingerprint analysis confirmed that the fingerprint found on Qi Jingjing's body belonged to Li Xu. Lin Tao prepared to search nearby small hotels for Li Xu. Qin Ming, however, suggested checking with the anti-pornography unit first, hypothesizing that a person facing imminent capture might act on unfulfilled desires. Lin Tao indeed found Li Xu there.
The arresting officer reported that Li Xu had gone berserk while with a prostitute, beating her and ranting about "polluting society," refusing to speak otherwise. In the interrogation room, Lin Tao directly asked Li Xu if he killed Qi Jingjing and Sun Kai. When Li Xu remained silent, Lin Tao recounted the story: a boy falls for a girl online, believing she's a virgin, spends all his money on her, then discovers she lied and is still with her ex-boyfriend.
Enraged, he kills them both. Lin Tao then pointed out the irony: the girl never knew she had drained the boy's finances, nor that he loved her "pure body" more than her as a person. He then referred to Li Xu, the "phony wealthy guy," as merely "the third party" in their relationship. Hearing "third person," Li Xu erupted in a rage, yelling "Who's the third person!" and insisting, "Our love was pure." Li Xu then confessed to the murders.
Days earlier, he had gone to Sun Kai's house, pretending to be a deliveryman to gain entry, then used a stereo cable to strangle him, taking Sun Kai's ring. He then approached Qi Jingjing, offering her 100,000 yuan as "compensation" and asking for a "last walk" with a promise not to bother her again. Qi Jingjing accepted the money and went with him.
At Li Hua Xia's tomb, Li Xu held a knife to Qi Jingjing, forcing her to apologize to his ancestors for being an "unclean fiancee." Qi Jingjing, initially unremorseful and disbelieving that Sun Kai was dead, panicked only when Li Xu showed her Sun Kai's ring. She pleaded for mercy and even offered to sleep with him. Li Xu refused, calling her "used goods," and decided to torment her through the night.
Qin Ming asked if pulling out her molar was part of this torment. Li Xu explained that he had believed his relationship with Qi Jingjing was "pure love" until an unknown person contacted him, telling him it was a lie. This person, whose identity and contact method Li Xu claimed not to know, instructed him to wait at a certain location where he saw Qi Jingjing and Sun Kai together.
As a "reward," the person asked Li Xu to pull out Qi Jingjing's molar and leave it by the body. However, no molar was found at the crime scene. Li Xu smirked, stating he would have pulled out her teeth anyway because of his intense hatred for her. Da Bao then questioned why, if he hated her so much, he set off fireworks for her, knowing from her social media that she loved them.
Li Xu then recounted the final confrontation with Qi Jingjing. After he set off fireworks and confessed his love, Qi Jingjing asked if he would still like her if she weren't a virgin. She confessed about her past relationship with Sun Kai and admitted she was only with Li Xu for his money. Li Xu then revealed his own lie about being wealthy, stating he had spent every penny on her, and begged her not to leave. Qi Jingjing ultimately rejected him, saying he could offer neither the life nor the love she desired, and asked him to take her home.
Episode 6 Recap
Li Xu stood before Qi Jingjing, asking if she had ever loved him, even for a single moment. Qi Jingjing remained silent. Li Xu's mind drifted back to their first encounter on a bus, where she appeared so pure and beautiful in the evening sunlight. But Qi Jingjing’s memory of that bus was different; she declared she would never ride one again, disgusted by the smell of body odor, and demanded to be driven home.
Later, Li Xu was found weeping in a forest, consumed by memories of their time together. At Chi Zi's kitchen, the owner announced a promotion: couples who took a photo holding hands for their wall would receive a 70% discount. Da Bao enthusiastically urged Qin Ming and Lin Tao to participate. Lin Tao sighed, expressing how much he missed his "babe," while Qin Ming, ignoring the banter, simply ordered.
Lin Tao chose a sirloin steak and beer, but when Da Bao ordered a "food fighter combo" with a large coke, Qin Ming immediately criticized her choice, detailing how the high-calorie meal would result in an extra 600 calories, requiring an hour and a half of running to burn off, or else it would turn to fat. Da Bao retorted, calling him a "crazy data maniac." Lin Tao chimed in, suggesting Qin Ming's poor conversation skills explained his single status.
The owner then brought Qin Ming his coffee, but he declared it wasn't freshly ground, estimating it was at least three to four hours old, and requested a fresh cup. As the owner complied, Lin Tao teasingly remarked again that Qin Ming deserved to be single. Unknown to them, the coffee cup would later be collected for lip prints and saliva.
Later, at a horror-themed costume party in a bar, a woman dressed as a nurse stumbled through the crowd before collapsing, a knife protruding from her chest. Initially, partygoers assumed it was part of the entertainment, remarking on the realism of her acting, the knife, and the blood. Upon examining the body, Qin Ming noted multiple stab wounds on the abdomen, none of them deep.
He identified the weapon as a plastic combat knife, suggesting an inexperienced killer and that the abdominal wounds were not lethal. Lin Tao identified the victim as Tao Zi, a 24-year-old tabloid reporter, whose nurse costume was for the bar’s horror theme. Qin Ming emphasized the need for an immediate autopsy, stating that the stab wounds might not be the cause of death.
In the autopsy room, Da Bao reported a butterfly tattoo beneath Tao Zi's collarbone and glittery powder under her right fingernails, in addition to the seven abdominal stab wounds. As Qin Ming and Da Bao began the autopsy, Qin Ming reaffirmed that none of the stab wounds were fatal. Upon opening the chest cavity, he retrieved Tao Zi’s heart, noting its unusual size and weight—1.
5 times larger than her fist and weighing 400 grams, significantly more than a normal woman's heart. Qin Ming’s preliminary judgment was a congenital heart disease, specifically a narrow pulmonary valve, which could trigger a sudden heart attack. Da Bao added that she would further examine the microscopic structure of the organs for other diseases.
Lin Tao found the cause of death puzzling, as Tao Zi’s friends and colleagues were unaware of her heart condition and described her as brave, enjoying horror films and participating regularly in horror costume parties. Da Bao explained three potential causes for sudden death from heart disease: vigorous exercise, an irregular lifestyle, or excessive shock causing a recurrence. The first two were ruled out by the body's condition.
While Tao Zi was known for her bravery, Da Bao concluded that excessive shock was still the most likely cause, unless she had encountered something truly terrifying. The possibility of medication contributing to her death was also not ruled out. Lin Tao then presented a "Quick Acting Heart Reliever" bottle found in Tao Zi's jacket pocket. It was empty, bore only Tao Zi's fingerprints, and was stained with fake syrup blood.
Qin Ming deduced that Tao Zi had taken the medication after applying her party makeup but "before" being stabbed, as the bottle was covered in fake blood, unlike her hands, which had both real and fake blood. He instructed Da Bao to analyze Tao Zi's stomach contents for pill residue and to determine if the pills in the empty bottle had been tampered with.
He explained that many drugs could rapidly increase heart rate, and if combined with being stabbed or agitated, could cause a sudden heart attack in someone with her condition. Lin Tao mentioned that Tao Zi had a heated argument with bar owner Li Tianqi, suggesting him as a suspect. Da Bao, however, insisted on prioritizing the investigation of the pill bottle, saying their current speculations were inconclusive.
Lin Tao joked that Da Bao was starting to sound like Qin Ming, to which Da Bao sharply told him to leave, claiming his breathing was distracting her. Qin Ming, however, clarified his true concern was what had frightened Tao Zi so profoundly. Li Tianqi provided Lin Tao with the bar’s surveillance video.
When questioned about his argument with Tao Zi, Li Tianqi downplayed it as a "small squabble" due to the busy night and their close friendship as high school classmates. He also confirmed that a teacher had once mentioned Tao Zi's heart condition, but they never took it seriously given her fearless nature.
In the forensics lab, Da Bao discovered traces of tricyclic antidepressants in the pill bottle, a medication highly dangerous for heart patients, confirming Qin Ming's suspicion about the pills being swapped. Lin Tao showed the surveillance video, which confirmed Li Tianqi and Tao Zi's argument. However, Li Tianqi remained at the reception, busy with customers, while Tao Zi left quickly, making it impossible for him to have swapped the pills.
Despite ruling him out for the pill swap, Lin Tao found Li Tianqi's vague responses suspicious. Lin Tao then revealed that Tao Zi had also met with a famous actress, Zhang Yi, that night. Zhang Yi was currently embroiled in various scandals, all exposed by Tao Zi, providing her with a potential motive. Da Bao and Lin Tao decided to question Zhang Yi. At Zhang Yi's residence, she expressed surprise and disbelief at Tao Zi’s death.
Zhang Yi admitted to meeting Tao Zi to pay her to stop reporting scandals, stating they had no personal contact outside of such transactions. Her assistant, Mengmeng, arrived with Zhang Yi's dog, and Zhang Yi instructed Mengmeng to get water for the police. Mengmeng seemed nervous and spilled the tea she was serving. Zhang Yi reiterated that while she disliked Tao Zi, she would not resort to murder.
When Da Bao asked if she knew about Tao Zi's heart condition, Zhang Yi was genuinely surprised, commenting that Tao Zi often outran male reporters. Lin Tao then requested Zhang Yi's fingerprints, which she willingly provided. As they were leaving, Da Bao, pretending to be a fan, asked Mengmeng to take a photo of the three of them using her phone. Lin Tao was perplexed by the request, but Zhang Yi agreed.
Back at the police station, Zhang Yi's fingerprints did not match those found on the knife. Da Bao then suggested comparing the fingerprints she had secretly collected from Mengmeng's phone. The prints matched. Lin Tao immediately understood Da Bao’s seemingly odd request for a photo and praised her cleverness. Mengmeng was brought in for interrogation and confessed to stabbing Tao Zi, claiming she deserved it.
Mengmeng recounted how she had worked for Zhang Yi for over four years, performing countless duties without a single day off, only for Zhang Yi to threaten to fire her because of Tao Zi. Mengmeng believed Tao Zi had feigned friendship to gather scandalous information about Zhang Yi, then exaggerated the details, and ultimately implicated Mengmeng to her boss for allegedly leaking private matters.
However, Mengmeng insisted she did not kill Tao Zi, explaining that she used a plastic knife without a real blade. She also denied any knowledge of Tao Zi's heart condition. Mengmeng explained that dressed as a clown for the party, she saw Tao Zi enter the dressing room and, furious, followed her to stab her as a lesson. Qin Ming confirmed that Mengmeng’s account of the shallow, non-lethal wounds was consistent with the autopsy.
He concluded that the single deeper wound likely occurred when Tao Zi fell onto the knife, indicating Mengmeng had not intended to inflict fatal harm. Lin Tao questioned why Tao Zi, known for her outgoing personality, would be in the dressing room during the party's peak. Qin Ming posed an even more critical question: when did Tao Zi take the antidepressants?
Given the fake blood on the pill bottle, it meant Tao Zi had been subjected to extreme fright "before" she was stabbed, pointing to the involvement of another perpetrator. Lin Tao wondered if two separate culprits had acted on the same day. Qin Ming decided they needed to revisit the crime scene. At the bar, Lin Tao pressed Li Tianqi again for details about his argument with Tao Zi, but Li Tianqi continued to dismiss it as a "small matter."
Da Bao demanded to inspect the dressing room, visibly unsettling Li Tianqi. Inside, Qin Ming found luminous powder on a mirror, identical to the powder found under Tao Zi’s fingernails. Qin Ming explained that as a professional candid photographer, Tao Zi would recognize a one-way mirror, demonstrating how to test for one by placing a finger on the surface. Da Bao then entered an adjacent room, confirming Qin Ming’s suspicion by discovering a camera hidden behind the one-way mirror.
Li Tianqi confessed that he had a hobby of secretly filming women changing but maintained he had never distributed the videos. He admitted his argument with Tao Zi was because she discovered his hidden camera. He had offered her 100,000 yuan to keep quiet, and stated all other video recordings were stored downstairs. Lin Tao reviewed the footage, which showed Tao Zi discovering the one-way mirror and confronting Li Tianqi.
Later, another person, masked and wearing a disposable costume common at the party, entered the dressing room and swapped the pills. However, the exact moment of the pill swap was obscured in the video, and the costume offered no specific leads for identification. Qin Ming observed that since the masked person leaned against the luminous mirror, their cloak would have been covered in the powder.
He noted that surveillance video showed this individual leaving the dressing room and heading directly for the exit, not lingering at the party. This indicated an ulterior motive, and the person had kept their face masked throughout. Such an outfit would be highly conspicuous outside the bar, suggesting the perpetrator had left by car. Lin Tao, despite working late into the night and feeling exhausted, meticulously reviewed traffic camera footage across the city. His persistence finally paid off as he identified a vehicle matching the description, driven by someone wearing a party costume.
Episode 7 Recap
After an all-night watch, Lin Tao successfully identified the vehicle involved in the case. The driver was Jiang Tian, who was a high school classmate of the victim, Tao Zi. Qin Ming and Da Bao returned to the crime scene, specifically the main hall and dressing room areas.
Qin Ming expressed his primary concern was not the dressing room itself, which had already been checked, but rather where Tao Zi had been before taking her pills and who could have frightened her. Da Bao noticed bloody handprints on a wall, which Qin Ming confirmed were fake, made from syrup. Following these fake blood prints, the team was led to the rooftop. There, they found shoe prints matching Tao Zi's stilettos, along with another set of woman's shoe prints.
Da Bao climbed onto a power box on the rooftop, where she discovered several long strands of hair and fingerprints. She noted the unusual downward direction of the fingerprints, suggesting they were not from a repairman. Qin Ming hypothesized that if someone had hidden on the power box to scare Tao Zi, and this person represented a deep-seated trauma for her, it could have potentially triggered a fatal heart attack.
Meanwhile, Lin Tao confronted Jiang Tian, who admitted to going to the bar but claimed he left early due to boredom. When questioned about visiting the dressing room, Jiang Tian became evasive, arguing that it was not an off-limits area. He dismissed Lin Tao, stating he was busy and Lin Tao needed to present solid evidence. Feeling suspicious, Lin Tao called Qin Ming, but Da Bao answered the phone.
Da Bao instructed Lin Tao to investigate if Jiang Tian had ever had a long-haired girlfriend, as the hair found at the scene was long. Lin Tao's investigation revealed that Jiang Tian's current girlfriend, Tian Yun, had short hair and always had. Da Bao then decided to interview Tian Yun in person, but Qin Ming insisted she change out of her slightly damaged clothes first, emphasizing the importance of appearing professional.
At Tian Yun's residence, she confirmed she had been to the Lost Club and had indeed scared Tao Zi, but only because Jiang Tian had asked her to, telling her it was a joke. Tian Yun expressed shock and dismay upon learning of Tao Zi's death, stating she had no knowledge of Tao Zi's heart condition.
She described how Jiang Tian had tricked Tao Zi into going to the rooftop, suggesting that Tao Zi, known for her courage, enjoyed such horror-themed pranks. To further the scare, Tian Yun hid on the power box, wearing a wig to appear more frightening. She recounted that Tao Zi initially showed no fear, but when Tian Yun came down from the power box and approached her, Tao Zi suddenly became terrified and ran downstairs screaming.
Da Bao collected Tian Yun's fingerprints and the wig she wore that night. Back at the police station, it was confirmed that the hair collected from the crime scene matched Tian Yun's wig, and her fingerprints also matched those found on the power box. Lin Tao then delivered a crucial piece of information: Jiang Tian's high school girlfriend had committed suicide years ago due to Tao Zi's malicious actions.
Tao Zi, known for her love of pranks and posting content online for attention, had filmed Jiang Tian's then-girlfriend at a hotel, falsely accusing her of compensated dating. The video led to public shaming and a breakup with Jiang Tian, culminating in the girl's suicide. It was later proven that the girl was merely picking up a distant uncle from the bus station and dropping him off at the hotel.
Upon seeing a photo of Jiang Tian's deceased girlfriend, Da Bao noted her striking resemblance to Tian Yun, and that she also had long hair. Qin Ming realized the chilling motive: Jiang Tian orchestrated Tian Yun, disguised to resemble his dead girlfriend, to appear before Tao Zi, knowing that such a confrontation would trigger a severe psychological trauma for Tao Zi, leading to a fatal heart attack.
However, solid evidence proving Jiang Tian had switched Tao Zi's medication was still needed. While the team was contemplating the missing evidence, Da Bao's stomach audibly rumbled. Lin Tao offered to get food, but Qin Ming suggested that hunger aided concentration. Undeterred, Da Bao ordered crayfish.
Qin Ming, in his typical meticulous manner, commented on the complex structure of crayfish shells, making them difficult to clean, and the high content of saturated fatty acids they contain, which could lead to health issues. Da Bao retorted, pointing out his preference for expensive, unusual coffee. As Da Bao changed her oil-soaked gloves, a sudden realization struck Qin Ming.
He noticed that Tao Zi's pill bottle had traces of saturated fatty acids, similar to those found on Da Bao's gloves after eating crayfish. Tao Zi's stomach contents, however, contained no crayfish, only vegetable bits.
Remembering Tian Yun's statement that she and Jiang Tian had eaten crayfish before the party, Qin Ming deduced that Jiang Tian likely used the disposable plastic gloves from their crayfish meal to switch Tao Zi's medication, and the oil-seeping gloves left behind the fatty acid residue. This was the crucial evidence they needed to prove Jiang Tian's involvement in swapping the pills. To celebrate Da Bao's accidental breakthrough, Lin Tao proposed a crayfish meal, with Qin Ming footing the bill.
Despite his usual aversion to street food, Qin Ming agreed. At the restaurant, to the amusement and slight annoyance of Lin Tao and Da Bao, Qin Ming meticulously dissected his crayfish using surgical gloves and tweezers. He mused that if he weren't a forensic examiner, he would dedicate himself to inventing an energy capsule, eliminating the need for food preparation and consumption, which he believed would usher in a "qualitative leap" in human civilization.
He then proceeded to eat the perfectly dissected crayfish with chopsticks, much to his colleagues' exasperation. Lin Tao, observing Qin Ming, commented on how difficult it must be to be his friend, to which Da Bao wryly replied that she was indeed his friend, implying the burden it entails. In the interrogation room, Jiang Tian showed no remorse for Tao Zi's death, declaring his actions as a righteous act to "punish evil and commend good."
He demanded to speak with Qin Ming. When Qin Ming arrived, Jiang Tian recounted how Tao Zi had caused his girlfriend's death a decade prior. He admitted to failing to find a woman resembling her until "that person" helped him, then provocatively asked Qin Ming who that person was. With a chilling grin, Jiang Tian revealed a missing molar in his own mouth.
He then taunted Qin Ming about not having avenged his own parents' deaths, implying a deeper connection to a larger scheme. Enraged by the personal attack, Qin Ming grabbed Jiang Tian, demanding to know what he truly understood. Jiang Tian only responded with a triumphant smile. That night, Qin Ming was plagued by nightmares.
Images of victims with missing molars, recurring throughout several cases, merged with fragmented memories of his childhood, specifically a rainy day when he cried out for his mother. Waking abruptly, he retrieved a box containing cherished photographs of himself and his parents. The next morning, a new case unfolded at a lakeside campsite. A couple spending the night heard strange noises, then spotted a blurry, "ghostly" figure, which terrified the girlfriend into running, with her boyfriend following closely behind.
Later, Qin Ming was measuring Da Bao for a custom-made suit in his tailoring workshop. Da Bao expressed surprise at a man having tailoring as a hobby, to which Qin Ming explained it stemmed from his profound understanding of human anatomy. He then playfully commented on her short hair, to which Da Bao explained it was simply to save time drying it. Lin Tao had already left for the new crime scene to investigate the body found at the lake, while Qin Ming and Da Bao prepared to join him.
Episode 8 Recap
The crime scene was located near a pond at the border of two cities, so a forensic team from the neighboring city was the first to arrive. Qin Ming and Lin Tao noted that the cordon was set unusually far from the actual scene. Dr. Tao, the forensic expert from the neighboring city, explained that the body was no longer at the scene.
A couple camping by the pond had reported hearing rustling sounds in the reeds and seeing a huge, two-meter-tall ghostly shadow. Police arrived to find a male body floating face up in the pond, his head on shore, face stained with blood, and the rest of his body submerged. The man still had a weak pulse, so he was rushed to the hospital, where he died before a scheduled craniotomy.
Dr. Tao detailed the preliminary findings, stating the victim suffered a blunt force trauma to the head, causing a depressed skull fracture and intracranial hemorrhaging. The initial assessment considered an accident or suicide, but an asterisk-shaped wound on the victim's head was puzzling. Bruising beneath the wound suggested impact and displacement, which would typically leave dirt residue, but none was found.
Qin Ming observed that the victim was only 168 cm tall, contradicting the couple's report of a two-meter shadow, especially considering the reeds were between 175 cm and over 200 cm tall. He considered that if the victim had hit a cobblestone, it could cause displacement without mud. However, Lin Tao reported that no blood-stained cobblestones were found after inspecting the area, leading him to suspect the scene was not the primary one.
Qin Ming countered that a bloody cobblestone might have been accidentally kicked into the water during the rescue. During a preliminary examination of the body, Da Bao questioned the discrepancy between the victim's height and the reported "ghostly shadow." It was noted that the asterisk-shaped wound, with visible tissue bridgings and an intact periosteum, likely resulted from a flat, blunt weapon, like a large cobblestone, rather than a protruding one.
A CT scan indicated a skull fracture caused by a head impact while the victim was in motion, making it appear as an accidental fall. Da Bao, however, pointed out that contrecoup injuries do not typically form asterisk-shaped wounds, which are usually deceleration injuries and, if treated promptly, should not be fatal. Qin Ming concluded that the victim passed out by the pond, and intracranial hemorrhage led to his death.
They also noted fresh nail marks on the victim's arm, which were difficult to self-inflict, suggesting they were caused by someone else grabbing him. The victim also had a distinctive crab tattoo on his waist. Qin Ming decided an immediate autopsy was necessary. However, Dr. Tao stated they couldn't proceed without confirming the victim's identity and getting family consent. Qin Ming argued that public security organs have the right to perform autopsies on bodies with uncertain causes of death.
Just then, the victim's son arrived and vehemently refused the autopsy, demanding immediate cremation. Dr. Tao sided with the family, explaining that the public security's right only applied to confirmed criminal cases, and they hadn't yet proven this was one. The victim's son, Xie Hao, claimed his father, Xie Qingong, suffered from a mental illness, had a manic attack, ran off, and accidentally fell to his death.
He insisted on cremation to preserve his father's dignity, accusing the police of disrespect. Qin Ming quietly remarked to Lin Tao that this was typical behavior of a murderer trying to destroy evidence. During a police meeting, the victim was identified as Xie Qingong, a 53-year-old local resident who owned a small brick kiln. Neighbors reported he suffered from mania, and records confirmed his purchase of related medication.
Surveillance video showed Xie Qingong buying medication and then going to his adopted son, Xie Hao's, house for dinner the day before his death. Xie Hao, who now managed the brick kiln, claimed his father had a manic relapse after dinner and insisted on going home. Xie Hao's house was near the crime scene, but the remote area lacked surveillance cameras, leaving Xie Qingong's path to the reeds unknown.
Lin Tao found Xie Hao highly suspicious due to his aggressive reaction and insistence on cremation. Meanwhile, the Trace Evidence Section conducted a thorough search of the reed pond. They found numerous shoe prints, but all belonged to the same pair of shoes, showing the individual had walked at least four circles around the inner and outer rings of the pond. All other prints were identified as those of the responding police officers.
Da Bao suggested the perpetrator might have walked through the water to avoid leaving prints, but Lin Tao dismissed this, arguing they would still need to come ashore, leaving prints. Lin Tao also noted that the victim was found barefoot, yet there were no matching barefoot prints at the scene. Eventually, the shoes matching the numerous prints were discovered in the pond. Initially, this suggested Xie Qingong had come to the pond alone.
Despite this, Lin Tao, Da Bao, and Qin Ming remained suspicious. Qin Ming presented further evidence. He pointed out that Xie Qingong had bought medication, making a severe manic relapse illogical, especially since he rarely relapsed and typically recovered within half an hour. The extensive walking in the reeds (over an hour) should have been enough time for him to regain lucidity. The fresh nail marks on the victim's arm were confirmed not to be self-inflicted.
Moreover, police body camera footage showed no mud on the front of the victim's shirt, disproving a face-down fall at the scene. Da Bao demonstrated, using a model, that the specific upward flow of blood from the wound to the top of the victim's head could only occur if he had been carried over someone's shoulder. This also explained the couple's sighting of a "tall, headless shadow," as the victim's head would have been at the carrier's hip height.
With these compelling points, Qin Ming successfully convinced Director General Tan to authorize an autopsy, instructing that Xie Hao be notified to be present. During the autopsy, it was confirmed that the freezing process had made hidden bruises corresponding to the nail marks visible, indicating subcutaneous hemorrhaging and suggesting the victim had been restrained. After examining the abdominal cavity, which showed no abnormalities, they proceeded with a craniotomy.
They discovered subgaleal hemorrhage, likely caused by hair-pulling, and a complex radial skull fracture with multiple central points. This confirmed the victim suffered several impacts to the head, ruling out an accidental fall. Qin Ming concluded that it was a homicide; the victim was grabbed by his hair and repeatedly slammed against a surface, causing a deceleration injury that led to his death.
Lin Tao still wondered why the murderer abandoned a live victim and why only one set of shoe prints was found at the scene. Qin Ming explained that the murderer likely thought Xie Qingong was dead due to the severe craniocerebral injury, indicating the killer was very flustered. Regarding the footprints, Qin Ming theorized that because the reed pond was watery, the murderer, in a panic, abandoned his own shoes at the scene and fled wearing only socks.
He demonstrated that sock prints are very shallow and can disappear completely within three hours. Qin Ming speculated that the murderer carried the victim on his shoulders, searching for a remote dumping spot, but was disturbed by the camping couple. In his haste, he abandoned the body and fled through a small path. When the police arrived, their shoe prints covered the murderer's sock prints, leaving no other identifiable traces.
With all the questions answered, Qin Ming profiled the suspect as Xie Hao. He reasoned that the killer's panicked state indicated a close relationship with the victim. Furthermore, the fact that the victim was found barefoot suggested the primary crime scene was indoors, in a comfortable environment, like Xie Hao's home. Xie Hao's unusual behavior and eagerness to cremate the body further implicated him. Director General Tan approved an immediate search of Xie Hao's house.
Despite Xie Hao's meticulous cleaning, Qin Ming's team found traces of blood, confirming it as the primary crime scene. Witnesses also identified the shoes found at the pond as belonging to Xie Hao. In the interrogation room, Xie Hao initially denied the murder, expressing gratitude towards his father. He claimed his father often skipped medication to save money, leading to violent manic episodes.
Xie Hao explained that he had suggested taking out a loan to expand the brick kiln, hoping to earn more money for his father's treatment. However, Xie Qingong, the legal owner, refused and flew into a rage, hitting and scolding Xie Hao. Xie Hao asserted that he only pushed his father in self-defense during the struggle, and it was an accident. Lin Tao, holding up the autopsy report, confronted Xie Hao, asking if he would still lie.
Episode 9 Recap
After being presented with the autopsy report, Xie Hao finally admitted to the killing of his father. He recounted how he had proposed taking a loan to expand their factory business, which would also help cover his father's medical expenses. However, his father refused and became agitated, striking Xie Hao. Enraged, Xie Hao retaliated by grabbing his father's hair and repeatedly slamming his head against the ground. When he checked for nasal breathing, his father seemed to have stopped breathing.
Panicked, Xie Hao hid the body in the reed pond. Qin Ming explained that checking for nasal breathing, as often depicted on television, is misleading because a very faint breath is often undetectable by touch. He noted that Xie Hao's father had not yet died at that point, and lamented that Xie Hao's actions were another consequence of being misinformed by such portrayals. Da Bao then pondered aloud whether kinship sometimes proves to be less significant than money.
Later, at Chi Zi’s restaurant, Lin Tao complained that his "Babe" was not answering his calls, jokingly blaming criminals for disrupting his personal life. Da Bao, having never seen "Babe," even questioned her existence, a doubt echoed by Qin Ming. Lin Tao clarified that "Babe" had initially agreed to join them but became angry after he missed her calls due to a lack of signal in the reed pond.
He then playfully teased Qin Ming and Da Bao, prompting Qin Ming to share a statistic about the high failure rate of relationships between people in the same field. That evening, Da Bao received a package from Qin Ming containing clothes he had personally sewn, which she found beautiful. She humorously speculated about Qin Ming's sexual orientation. The following day, Da Bao arrived at the police station sporting her new outfit, a wig, and high heels.
The officers were visibly surprised by her transformation, with one asking if she had "eaten the wrong medicine." Da Bao, unfazed, asked if they had an issue with her new style, concluding that the officer lacked fashion sense. Meanwhile, Gu Feng was seen repetitively throwing a tennis ball against a wall, softly apologizing with each bounce. He ignored his grandfather's calls for dinner, which angered the elder, who then entered, scolded Gu Feng for being idle, and struck him.
Gu Feng defiantly claimed he never sought his grandfather's care and would rather starve, then stormed out, slamming the door. His grandmother, chasing after him, saw blue flames and cried out, "Will-o'-the-wisp! There's a ghost!" Gu Feng, however, ran towards the flames, calling out, "Da Lu, I have wronged you." Lin Tao informed the team that reports of blue flames, believed to be "will-o'-the-wisp," appearing on a lake had gone viral.
Da Bao, dismissing supernatural beliefs, explained the scientific basis: human bodies contain phosphorus, which, upon decomposition after burial, can convert to phosphine, a gas that spontaneously combusts on contact with oxygen. She added that air pressure changes around a moving body could make the flames appear to follow. Lin Tao then questioned the phenomenon's likelihood, noting that phosphorus's ignition point is 40 degrees Celsius, a temperature unlikely at night.
Qin Ming concluded that with widespread cremation, the chances of a natural "will-o'-the-wisp" are practically zero, suggesting any sighting implies a decomposed corpse. A new murder case was reported, marked by a strong, foul odor emanating from a garbage bin. Da Bao and Qin Ming arrived, and Da Bao initially remarked on the severe decomposition implied by the smell. However, she was puzzled by the victim's left foot, which appeared fresh.
Qin Ming confirmed the body was highly decomposed and slightly skeletonized, but the left foot exhibited a very distinct, strange dividing line five centimeters above the ankle, a phenomenon he had never encountered before. The body, which was removed from the bin, was identified as a child. A police officer informed Lin Tao that the bin was in a neglected dead-end corner, having been unused since a new garbage station opened.
Among the gathered onlookers, some children identified the deceased as Lu Zhen, pointing out a birthmark on his abdomen. Lin Tao questioned them, leading to a child named Gu Feng, who was identified as Lu Zhen's close friend. Lin Tao brought Gu Feng in for questioning. In the autopsy room, Da Bao observed the child's severely decomposed body, noting mature maggots. Qin Ming detailed the victim's partially skeletonized face and decayed limbs, with exposed subcutaneous tissue.
He reiterated the unusual preservation of the left foot below the distinct dividing line. Based on the decomposition, Qin Ming estimated the death occurred about five days prior but found the sheer number of flies and maggots unusually high, even for a body found in a garbage bin. Lin Tao questioned a nervous Gu Feng about Lu Zhen's life.
Gu Feng confirmed their close friendship, explaining that Lu Zhen's parents were divorced, his father was working out of town, and he lived with his stepmother and her younger son. When asked about enemies, Gu Feng mentioned a thug named Li Li, nicknamed "Huang Mao," who collected protection money and had recently fought with Lu Zhen. However, Gu Feng denied seeing Lu Zhen on June 19th.
The victim was confirmed as Lu Zhen, a 13-year-old Longfan City No. 2 Middle School student, missing for five days. Continuing the autopsy, Qin Ming firmly declared it a homicide. He explained that despite severe decomposition, the clustering of maggots indicated numerous wounds.
He identified four distinct types of injuries: a laceration on the brow bone likely caused by a left-handed punch, oval wounds on the arms and sides, U-shaped wounds on the abdomen and lower extremities, and abrasions on the lower back, some post-mortem from dragging the body. Qin Ming deduced that the body being dragged rather than carried suggested a perpetrator lacking significant strength. Ruling out asphyxiation, they examined stomach contents, with Da Bao detecting the scent of spicy hot pot.
Qin Ming estimated death occurred four to five hours after Lu Zhen's last meal. The cause of death was determined to be traumatic splenic rupture leading to hemorrhagic shock. Qin Ming noted the varied injuries pointed to a cruel killer, possibly multiple perpetrators, and expressed concern that the five-day delay would make finding the killer challenging. Lin Tao then led a team to apprehend Li Li, who tried to escape but was caught.
During interrogation, Li Li confessed to punching Lu Zhen in the face a few times on June 19th after Lu Zhen was found collecting protection money in his territory. Li Li claimed Lu Zhen, despite bleeding, seemed fine afterward and was shocked to learn of his death. He then implicated Pang Chao, alleging he had hit Lu Zhen much harder. Police subsequently investigated Pang Chao, a student at Longfan No. 2 Middle School and the son of a city official.
Qin Ming noted that Pang Chao, being left-handed, was consistent with the brow bone laceration. Pang Chao was located at a nearby boxing gym. He admitted that Lu Zhen was his sparring partner, paid 50 yuan per session. He confirmed boxing with Lu Zhen on June 19th and then treating him to hot pot, recalling Lu Zhen saying he was leaving. Pang Chao denied any responsibility for Lu Zhen's death, emphasizing that boxers maintain proper control.
Back at the lab, Qin Ming and Da Bao experimented with a boxing glove and a sandbag, confirming that the depressions left by the glove matched the oval-shaped wounds on Lu Zhen's body. Da Bao questioned Pang Chao further about Lu Zhen's motivation for being a sparring partner. Pang Chao revealed that Lu Zhen was desperate for money to buy a train ticket to leave.
When Pang Chao offered an extra 50 yuan to know his destination, Lu Zhen refused to disclose it. While Lin Tao, Qin Ming, and Da Bao were eating boxed meals by the roadside, Da Bao teased Qin Ming about his fastidiousness with food and then shared her gloomy outlook on life, citing the need to save money to support her parents. She lamented that none of Lu Zhen's family had shown up despite his tragic death.
Qin Ming responded somberly that not all families are fortunate, and an unfortunate fate is common and inescapable, to which Da Bao urged him to be less pessimistic. They discussed that while some of the child's injuries had been explained, many others, particularly the mysterious dividing line on the ankle, remained a puzzle. At Lu Zhen's home, the team met his stepmother and younger, limping stepbrother.
The stepmother expressed her grief and worry about telling Lu Zhen's absent father about his death. Qin Ming observed a photo of Lu Zhen and Gu Feng, confirming their friendship. He then found a hidden photo of an unknown woman in the frame, suspecting it was Lu Zhen's biological mother, with "Kunming" written on the back.
The stepmother explained that her younger son's limp was the result of a car accident six months prior when Lu Zhen had taken him out to play. As they departed, Da Bao cast a thoughtful glance at the stepmother's high heels.
Episode 10 Recap
Qin Ming requested to visit a pond near Lu Zhen’s house, explaining that the uneven decomposition of Lu Zhen’s body, with his left foot appearing fresh while the rest was severely decayed, indicated that most of the corpse had been submerged in stagnant water. Da Bao observed the surroundings, noting its resemblance to a viral video about "ghost fire."
Qin Ming theorized that for ghost fire to occur, a decomposing skeleton of an animal is needed, a condition met by Lu Zhen’s body. He deduced this was the original dumping site, and the murderer likely moved the body after the ghost fire rumors spread online to avoid detection. While examining the site, Qin Ming discovered a pair of boxing gloves and a train ticket with Lu Zhen’s name on it.
He also noted that Gu Feng lived in a small house right by the pond. Lin Tao questioned Gu Feng, presenting him with the boxing gloves, which bore both his and Lu Zhen’s fingerprints, and the train ticket, purchased by Lu Zhen two hours before his death. Gu Feng admitted to having an altercation with Lu Zhen on the afternoon of the 19th. In a fit of anger, he pushed Lu Zhen, causing his death.
Panicked, Gu Feng dragged Lu Zhen’s body into the nearby pond. When the ghost fire rumors surfaced, he moved the body farther away from his house to divert suspicion. However, Da Bao found it implausible that a mere push would result in death and questioned the origin of the lethal U-shaped abdominal injury. Qin Ming suggested a second, more thorough, examination of the body. During further questioning, Lin Tao asked Gu Feng about Lu Zhen's visit on the 19th.
Gu Feng revealed Lu Zhen had come to say goodbye, as the 20th was his mother's birthday. Lu Zhen had given Gu Feng professional boxing gloves and bought a ticket to Kunming to find his mother. Gu Feng couldn't understand why Lu Zhen would seek out the mother who had abandoned him, expressing his frustration by insulting her. Lu Zhen became enraged and defended his mother, shouting, "What are you saying? That was my mom!
I'm not allowing you to call her that!" In the heat of the argument, Gu Feng pushed Lu Zhen, an act he now deeply regretted and kept repeating, "Sorry." In the autopsy room, Qin Ming and Da Bao re-examined Lu Zhen’s body. They confirmed that the laceration on his brow bone was caused by Li Li, and the oval-shaped injuries on his side were from Pang Chao. The abrasion on his back was attributed to Gu Feng's push.
The lethal U-shaped injury in the abdomen remained a mystery, but Da Bao noticed that these U-shaped wounds, including those on Lu Zhen’s legs, were similar. She recalled that Lu Zhen’s younger brother also had a similar injury on his left leg, suggesting it might not be a coincidence. Da Bao suspected domestic violence, noting that the U-shaped wounds closely resembled those made by the heel of a high-heeled shoe. Qin Ming then visited Lu Zhen's stepmother, Chen Xufei.
She claimed a good relationship with Lu Zhen but admitted to hitting him when he made mistakes. She confirmed hitting him on the 19th but adamantly denied kicking him. Qin Ming described the U-shaped injuries on Lu Zhen’s abdomen, caused by severe blunt force, and asked what shoes she was wearing on the 19th. She identified a black pair of high heels.
Qin Ming then stated that Lu Zhen's cause of death was intraperitoneal bleeding from a ruptured spleen, implying that her actions could have been fatal. He informed her that the shoes would be taken for comparison, and if they matched, she would face legal consequences. Chen Xufei, visibly flustered by the accusation, admitted to hitting Lu Zhen but offered reasons for her actions.
She explained that she had beaten him twice: once when Lu Zhen took her son out, and he was hit by a car, causing a permanent injury. The second time was on the 19th, when she came home to find Lu Zhen hitting her son, who had torn up Lu Zhen's money for a train ticket. Enraged, she kicked Lu Zhen a few times, emphasizing that it was only "lightly."
A flashback showed Lu Zhen scolding his brother for ruining his saved money, followed by Chen Xufei entering, scolding Lu Zhen, and kicking him. After the beating, Lu Zhen stole money from his stepmother and purchased the train ticket, planning to leave. Later, Qin Ming recorded his thoughts in a notebook: "The establishment of every unfamiliar relationship always have hopes of ending it in a warm manner.
But, all affection that are seemingly so solid and unbreakable has the possibility of collapsing any moment." Just then, Lin Tao arrived with wine and a pair of boxing gloves, jokingly offering them to Qin Ming to "strengthen this friendship of ours," suggesting Qin Ming could use them to beat him if he ever got angry. Qin Ming wryly remarked he preferred surgical blades.
Sensing Lin Tao had another argument at home, Qin Ming allowed him to watch a ball game at his house, but with the usual condition: "Turn off the sound. I still have to write an autopsy report." As Lin Tao watched the silent game, Qin Ming took his pen and deliberately crossed out the philosophical lines he had just written.
A new case emerged when an old farmer went to draw water from his well but found it blocked with branches. Angrily, he started pulling out the debris and discovered a body. At the police station, Qin Ming was caught up by an appealing relative – a woman who had been adopted by an old man but left him for decades. After the old man died in an altercation with a neighbor, she returned, seeking compensation.
Da Bao intervened, allowing Qin Ming to leave and quickly resolved the issue with the woman herself. At the crime scene, the old farmer cursed the murderer for dumping a body in his well, stating he had used the well two or three days prior without noticing anything unusual. Qin Ming observed the well was filled with branches, with a matching pile of branches nearby. He instructed the team to secure the area, treating the branches as crucial evidence.
The body was retrieved, and preliminary assessment placed the time of death between 24 to 48 hours ago. The victim's head was strangely covered by his shirt. Upon turning the corpse, abrasions were visible on the shoulders and back. These wounds were grayish-yellow and lacked vital reaction, indicating they were sustained post-mortem and confirming the victim was killed before being thrown into the well. The old farmer identified the deceased as Xie Lijun, a village resident.
The team proceeded to Xie Lijun's house, noting it was empty and sparsely furnished. Qin Ming observed the state of the blanket and the placement of slippers, suggesting Xie Lijun was likely murdered while sleeping. He ordered the collection of empty beer bottles, cigarette butts, and tableware for DNA testing. Da Bao pointed out a chess board, where the red pieces had checkmated the black.
A distinct, wide drag mark, with intermittent breaks, stretched from the foot of the bed to the door, indicating a single perpetrator had dragged the heavy body, resting multiple times along the way. In the autopsy room, Qin Ming and Da Bao conducted a more detailed examination of Xie Lijun. Petechiae in the victim's eyelids, cyanotic fingernails and toenails, and significant bleeding and injuries in the oral mucosa were all classic signs of mechanical asphyxia.
Qin Ming noted a deep ligature mark on the neck, but without vital reaction, meaning the rope was tied after death. He theorized it was used to secure the shirt over the victim's face and was tied to a weight to submerge the body, explaining the depth of the mark. He instructed Lin Tao to search the well for the weight.
Qin Ming concluded that Xie Lijun died from smothered mechanical asphyxia, approximately six hours after dinner on the night of the 16th. Despite the victim appearing strong, there were no defensive or restraint wounds, which was puzzling given the murderer's suspected method of straddling the victim to smother him, as evidenced by ecchymoses on the pelvis. Lin Tao's investigation revealed that Xie Lijun, a 61-year-old bachelor, lived alone. His brother, Xie Liguo, and sister-in-law, Liu Cuihua, frequently brought him meals.
On the evening of the 16th, Liu Cuihua delivered dinner around 6 PM. At 6:30 PM, when she returned for the tableware, she saw Xie Lijun setting up a chess board. On the morning of the 17th, Liu Cuihua found Xie Lijun's unlocked house (the lock had been broken for a long time) empty, but wasn't suspicious because Xie Lijun had previously mentioned leaving town.
DNA analysis of a cigarette butt from the scene identified the chess player as Lao Zhao, the very person who reported finding the body. Back at Xie Lijun's house, Qin Ming connected Lao Zhao's DNA and the chess board, which showed Lao Zhao's side (black) had lost. This presented a potential motive: a large gambling debt that Lao Zhao refused to pay, leading to murder.
Lin Tao noted Lao Zhao's suspicious behavior—never admitting to playing chess and claiming to see the body before the well was cleared. Da Bao suggested Lao Zhao killed Xie Lijun, dumped the body in his own well, covered it, and then reported it days later out of fear. Lin Tao, however, pointed out Lao Zhao's thin physique, questioning if he could have overpowered the sturdy victim.
Qin Ming countered that the murderer needn't be stronger if the victim was asleep and restrained. He proposed that Xie Lijun was likely smothered in his sleep while covered by a towel blanket, which could have pinned his arms, preventing resistance. This explained the lack of defensive wounds and Lao Zhao’s multiple rests while dragging the body. While Lao Zhao remained a strong suspect, other possibilities could not be ruled out.
Lin Tao then received word that the item from the well had been retrieved. Qin Ming and Da Bao went to examine it, while Lin Tao left to interrogate Lao Zhao.
Episode 11 Recap
The object used to weigh down the body in the well was a plastic bag filled with construction stones that had been deliberately punctured. Forensic Medical Examiner Qin Ming noted that such stones would not naturally appear in a field. Investigations revealed there were no construction sites near Old Zhao's residence, but one was located 300 meters north of the victim Xie Lijun's home.
Sergeant Lin Tao brought Old Zhao in for questioning about his fingerprints found at Xie Lijun's house. Old Zhao was furious, protesting that he was a victim himself, with a corpse found in his well, yet he was being wrongfully accused. Despite Old Zhao's vehement denial, Lin Tao believed he wasn't the murderer, as Old Zhao claimed he had left Xie Lijun's house around 10 PM on the night of the murder.
Qin Ming agreed, explaining that the victim died in his sleep, indicating the killer quietly entered and attacked, which doesn't fit a crime of passion. Furthermore, the calculated route for Old Zhao to commit the murder at Xie Lijun's house, then travel to the northern construction site for the weight, and finally return to his own well to dispose of the body, was illogical and highly unlikely for a single perpetrator.
Due to the remote location, Qin Ming, Lin Tao, and Da Bao had to share a room. Da Bao playfully remarked about not wanting the two men to be at a disadvantage. Lin Tao, however, warned about the risks of sleeping on old pillows, recounting an instance where he got lice after using one during a previous village investigation. He also took a call from "baby," apologizing for the weak signal.
As Qin Ming continued to examine the punctured plastic bag, Da Bao, half-asleep, had a vivid dream of buying tofu in a bag with many holes. She quickly woke Lin Tao, theorizing that the holes in the plastic bag were not intentionally made by the murderer but were characteristic of a tofu bag. She suggested the murderer must have recently purchased tofu. When they arrived at the crime scene, Qin Ming was already there.
Da Bao shared her theory, prompting Qin Ming to further deduce that the murderer's house must be north of the victim's, near the rock pile. The killer acted alone, had recently bought tofu, and used a tricycle to transport the body and the branches used to conceal it, based on unique tire marks. Lin Tao's team narrowed down the suspects to 11 individuals who lived north of the victim's house and had recently bought tofu.
Seven of these families owned tricycles, but their tire tracks did not match those found at the scene. Qin Ming then requested photos of the remaining four households without tricycles and noticed a new tricycle handle in a picture of Xie Liguo's yard. Lin Tao immediately went to Xie Liguo's house. Xie Liguo claimed he didn't own a tricycle and had merely picked up the handle.
However, when his wife, Cuihua, appeared, Lin Tao casually asked to borrow her family's tricycle, to which she readily agreed, exposing Xie Liguo's lie. Xie Liguo was then taken into custody. At the police station, Xie Liguo confessed. Years ago, his family was poor, so he was prioritized for marriage over his younger brother, Xie Lijun. After his marriage, he grew suspicious of his wife, Cuihua, and Xie Lijun's frequent interactions, doubting his son Maomao's paternity.
On the day of the murder, he followed Cuihua to Xie Lijun's house and overheard Xie Lijun telling Maomao to call him "dad," and Cuihua asking Xie Lijun to elope with her and their child. Enraged, Xie Liguo went to Xie Lijun's house late that night. Finding the door open, he entered, straddled the sleeping Xie Lijun, and covered his mouth. Minutes later, he realized Xie Lijun was dead.
Terrified by Xie Lijun's open eyes, he covered his face with a shirt. He then used his tricycle to transport the body to the well. Later, upon hearing that the police were looking for someone with a tricycle, he disassembled his own and buried it. He expressed his despair, wondering what reason he had to live if his wife and child left him.
With the case closed, Qin Ming reflected in his report, stating that all unfortunate lives have their own misfortunes, and whether one is a denominator or a numerator of that misfortune, the outcome is equally regrettable. This, he concluded, is life. Later, Da Bao went on a blind date with a novelist, who initially believed she was a nurse.
He complimented her, but his expression changed drastically when she revealed her profession as a forensic investigator, asking if she had washed her hands before eating. Da Bao, undeterred, vividly described her daily work with corpses, body parts, rotting flesh, and even maggots. The man, clearly disgusted, suggested she change her profession. Da Bao retorted that someone had to do such work. The man seemed to be lost in thought and was unwilling to even shake her hand.
Qin Ming and Lin Tao, observing nearby, noted that this was Da Bao's ninth failed blind date. Back at the police station, Qin Ming, Da Bao, and Lin Tao analyzed the "Killers Pay with Their Lives" characters written at a crime scene. Qin Ming noted the elegant handwriting, suggesting an educated and calm perpetrator. He estimated the writer's height to be around 170 centimeters. Pointing out faint traces of nail polish, he concluded that the killer was likely a woman.
Soon after, Lin Tao received a call about another murder at a film studio. At the scene, an odor of alcohol was present, and the area was quite disturbed. The victim, Hu Qi, a 37-year-old prop master known for drinking and gambling, had died from a gunshot wound. A single bloody shoe print on the ground indicated it belonged to the victim. The weapon, a newly crafted, single-barreled shotgun, was also found at the scene.
Another officer reported that Hu Qi had been making the gun for about two weeks, and his family could confirm it. Initial conclusions leaned towards accidental discharge or suicide due to mishandling the gun while intoxicated. Da Bao interviewed the four men who reported the incident. They claimed they were playing mahjong around 10 PM when they heard a gunshot. They then saw Hu Qi stumbling, but no one else was present, and they heard no calls for help.
This further supported the theory of an accidental shooting, as a drunk person might not cry for help if they shot themselves. However, Qin Ming and Lin Tao examined Hu Qi's body more closely. Lin Tao noted contact shooting marks on the leg. Qin Ming confirmed the gun found was the one used. He further identified the wound as being caused by a shotgun, which had severed Hu Qi's main femoral artery.
The excessive bleeding, exacerbated by his alcohol-dilated blood vessels, led to his death. Qin Ming then declared it was a murder, not an accidental firing, and ordered an immediate autopsy, even against potential family objections. He demonstrated that, given the gun's length, the angle of the wound tunnel made it impossible for the victim to have pulled the trigger himself. He concluded that someone else must have fired the weapon from below.
Episode 12 Recap
Forensic assistant Da Bao discovered an additional injury on Hu Qi's body during the autopsy: a hematoma in his occipitalis muscle with a slight abrasion, but no open wound. Qin Ming found particles from a brick in Hu Qi's hair, suggesting it was the blunt object used. A craniotomy confirmed that this head injury occurred before the gunshot, indicating a vital reaction. Meanwhile, police at the crime scene located a brick with traces of blood and hair.
During a discussion, Qin Ming presented the autopsy findings, stating Hu Qi died from a gunshot wound to the leg that ruptured the femoral artery, and also sustained a blunt head injury, confirming it as a homicide. Lin Tao provided a timeline: Hu Qi returned home around 9:30 PM, retrieved money, left, then returned 20 minutes later for his homemade gun, and died around 10 PM.
With 460 RMB found in his pocket, two scenarios were considered: either he fought someone who then took his gun and killed him, or he got into a drunk argument at a mahjong table, went home for his gun, and was killed on his way back. The four mahjong players were still suspects, possibly covering for each other due to an economic conflict with Hu Qi.
Further tests revealed Hu Qi’s blood alcohol level was 280 mg/ml, far exceeding the drunk limit and close to a lethal dose, meaning he was severely intoxicated and vulnerable. The particles from the brick matched those from his hair, but only finger marks, not complete fingerprints, were found on the rough surface of the brick. The homemade gun itself yielded no useful fingerprints, and ballistics testing was ongoing.
Lin Tao showed Qin Ming the unusual finger marks on the brick, which were few and small, indicating it was held by fingertips, not a full grasp. A call from the Firearms Test Center confirmed the homemade gun had a design flaw: a gap between the trigger bar and the gun bore caused gunpowder to leak upon firing. This meant the killer's hand would have gunpowder residue.
Qin Ming noted that while superficial residue could be washed off, burned gunpowder embedded in minute skin holes would remain. He then decided they needed to return to the crime scene to search for these residues. Back at the crime scene, Qin Ming re-examined the brick and the victim's head injury.
The minimal finger marks on the brick and the mild head trauma (hematoma with no skull fracture, indicating little strength) led him to conclude the killer likely had small hands and little strength, possibly a woman. Lin Tao questioned which woman would want to kill Hu Qi, given no record of abnormal heterosexual relationships, and Qin Ming suggested they reconstruct the crime.
As they did so, Qin Ming theorized that the killer first hit Hu Qi with the brick, causing him to fall and drop his gun. The killer then picked up the gun, aimed at his leg, and fired. The absence of shouts suggested Hu Qi was not initially afraid of the killer, but after being shot, shock, blood loss, and extreme intoxication prevented him from calling for help.
Qin Ming also observed that the movie studio's front gates were open, implying the killer might not be from the studio and would have fled in a direction that would have been unobservable by the mahjong players. During this, Qin Ming realized Da Bao was no longer with them. Da Bao, having observed a suspicious woman, had followed her to her home. The woman identified herself as Hu Qi's wife, Zhang Yue.
Zhang Yue initially claimed Hu Qi was a good, honest man and they had a good marriage since she was 18. However, Da Bao noticed Zhang Yue's pale finger joints (nervousness), defensive posture, yellowish complexion (chronic anxiety), and old facial wounds consistent with repeated beatings. She also noted soda cans piled by the door, deducing they were an alarm system for when the door opened.
Da Bao confronted Zhang Yue with these observations, concluding that Hu Qi frequently beat her, especially when drunk. Breaking down, Zhang Yue confessed that Hu Qi became a monster when intoxicated, constantly beating her. She had considered divorce or suicide but stayed for their son. Zhang Yue then recounted the night of the murder: a drunk Hu Qi returned home for his gun, threatening to "kill you all."
Fearing for their lives, she followed him, hit him with a brick to disarm him, and took the gun. When Hu Qi turned to hit her, daring her to shoot, she fired, hitting his leg. She then fled, unaware that a shot to the leg could be fatal. Upon returning later, she found him dead. Moments after her confession, Hu Qi's mother arrived, tearfully taking Zhang Yue away and pleading for her, saying it was all her son's fault.
Qin Ming subsequently conducted a test for gunpowder residue on Zhang Yue's hands, which confirmed her as the perpetrator. He later reported to the director that Zhang Yue’s actions did not constitute intentional homicide, as she had suffered prolonged domestic violence, and the shot was aimed at the leg, not intended to be fatal. After the case concluded, Lin Tao informed Qin Ming that Da Bao was treating them to a celebratory meal.
However, at the Chi Zi Kitchen restaurant, Da Bao thanked Qin Ming for treating, making Qin Ming realize Lin Tao had orchestrated a prank. Lin Tao called, clearly enjoying his scheme, and had even sent flowers to Da Bao, signed "For my most beloved Dabao, from Qin Xiaoming." Qin Ming quickly snatched the flowers to prevent Da Bao from seeing the card.
Furious, Qin Ming later confronted Lin Tao, throwing the flowers back at him and sarcastically telling him to give them to his "baby." Later, a new case emerged when a group of young people, trying to extinguish a fire at an abandoned crystal museum and gym, discovered a burning human-shaped object and immediately called the police. Qin Ming, Da Bao, and Lin Tao arrived at the remote scene.
Qin Ming observed the male corpse in a "pugilistic stance" (muscle contraction due to high temperature) but noted an underlying "rolled-up stance," which indicated the victim had been restrained before being burned. Luggage pull rods found at the scene suggested the body had been transported there, meaning it was not the primary crime scene.
In the autopsy room, Qin Ming explained that burning a body to this extent, especially within luggage, required a combustion accelerator, and bodies are more resilient to fire than commonly believed. After meticulously working on the severely burned body, Qin Ming and Da Bao found several pre-mortem stab wounds to the chest. Crucially, there was no smoke inhalation, confirming the victim was dead before being set on fire.
The cause of death was determined to be a single, fatal stab wound that ruptured the aorta. They also discovered a zipper and a partially burned card with "Feng Shang P. . ." written on it.
Episode 13 Recap
Passersby discovered a burning body in a remote, abandoned factory and immediately called the police. Forensic Examiner Qin Ming, his assistant Da Bao, and Sergeant Lin Tao arrived at the scene. Qin Ming observed the body was in a "curled-up position," indicating the victim had been restrained before being burned, as high temperatures alone would not cause such a posture.
He also noted the presence of luggage pull rods, suggesting the body was transported in a suitcase and the factory was not the primary crime scene. An autopsy revealed the cause of death: a single stab wound to the heart ruptured the main aortic arch, leading to massive hemorrhage. The victim's stomach was empty, and the pubic bone symphysis indicated an age of around 30.
During the examination of the charred remains, a partially intact card was found with "Feng shop P" visible. Lin Tao quickly deduced it might be a VIP card for Yinfeng Shopping Mall and made a phone call to request member information. Qin Ming surmised the card belonged to the victim, not the killer, reasoning that a murderer planning a crime would not take the time to apply for a VIP card.
He further explained that the body's curled position meant it was placed in the luggage soon after death, before rigor mortis set in. Da Bao added that the well-preserved skin in the victim's armpit confirmed it was a fresh corpse at the time of burning. A piece of cloth found near the armpit, with a fine inner layer of mulberry silk and a coarse white outer layer, strongly resembled a doctor's white coat.
This suggested the victim was a doctor, likely killed while working in a small clinic. Lin Tao's investigation quickly identified the victim as Li Kehua, a 27-year-old doctor who had opened a private clinic after resigning from a provincial government position and was indeed a VIP member of Yinfeng Shopping Mall. The clinic had been open on the morning of the Mid-Autumn Festival but closed by 2 PM, which, though unusual, had initially been attributed to holiday celebrations.
Upon entering the clinic, Da Bao detected the distinct smells of disinfectant and bone-setting liquid. At the clinic, which was now confirmed as the primary crime scene, bloodstains were concentrated on a chair, a table, and the surrounding floor, indicating Li Kehua was likely sitting when he was suddenly stabbed and struggled fiercely. Lin Tao observed a rectangular dust-free area on the floor, consistent with the size of a luggage bag.
Qin Ming found a gym card in a suit hanging on a rack. Da Bao noticed a floor mat, originally beneath the chair, had been moved, possibly kicked during the struggle, and might contain trace evidence from the killer's shoes. Qin Ming also pointed out an open trash bin containing a small amount of fresh blood on gauze.
He theorized the killer had a minor wound and pretended to seek treatment, seizing the opportunity to attack when Li Kehua was unguarded. The choice of Mid-Autumn Festival was strategic, as fewer people would be around. In a drawer, a love letter written in Li Kehua's hand was discovered. Back at the police station, the team analyzed the love letter, with Da Bao suggesting it was either a one-sided love or a love triangle.
Chemical tests on the ashes confirmed the presence of gasoline as a combustion accelerator, which Qin Ming suspected was taken from a motorcycle. Following the lead from the gym card, Lin Tao visited the gym. A trainer informed him that Li Kehua had stopped coming after a foot injury but had become close with a married woman named Ruan Fang, whose husband was Wu Lixue, the director of a construction company.
Qin Ming immediately connected the name "Ruan Fang" to a hidden word in the love letter, which he now believed to be a "cang tou" poem. Lin Tao and Da Bao then questioned Ruan Fang at the gym. She denied any romantic relationship with Li Kehua, claiming they were just friends who occasionally socialized after exercising. When asked why she chose a gym nine kilometers from her home, she cited the professional trainers.
However, she became visibly hesitant when Lin Tao and Da Bao suggested checking surveillance footage from a hotel where Li Kehua frequently stayed, implying a deeper relationship. Ruan Fang admitted Li Kehua had feelings for her but stated she rejected him because "he wanted too much" and "went over the line." Ruan Fang's husband, Wu Lixue, a 35-year-old chairman of Xingyue Construction Corporation with a clean record, was brought in for questioning.
Wu Lixue had a strong alibi for the time of the murder, having been in a board meeting with numerous witnesses. Da Bao collected his saliva for DNA comparison. However, the investigation soon shifted. The floor mat from the crime scene yielded traces of bird food and coal cinder. It was determined that these substances were not present in Wu Lixue's living environment, and more crucially, his DNA did not match the blood found on the gauze.
Consequently, Wu Lixue was released. With the initial suspect eliminated, Lin Tao and Da Bao returned to the clinic. Da Bao noticed that while most of the clinic was orderly, one cabinet containing medications was in disarray. As she meticulously reorganized the drugs, she discovered that Methadone Hydrochloride was missing. She explained that this drug, an opioid receptor agonist, is often sought by drug addicts as a substitute for illegal drugs.
This new discovery led Lin Tao to broaden their search, focusing on drug addicts in the vicinity who also owned birds, used coal, and had recent minor injuries, potentially from the struggle with Li Kehua. Applying "crime mapping theory," which involves drawing circles around multiple clinics where Methadone had been stolen, the police narrowed down the suspect's potential living area. This led them to Chen Biao.
His residence perfectly matched the criteria: he owned birds, used honeycomb briquets, had a motorcycle parked outside, and a search of his home uncovered blood-stained gauze and a knife. Lin Tao pieced together a theory: Chen Biao, a drug addict without money, feigned a wound dressing consultation to gain access to Li Kehua, then stabbed him, stole Methadone, and used a luggage bag found in the clinic to transport the body on his motorcycle to the abandoned factory.
There, he siphoned gasoline from his bike to burn the corpse. Despite the strong circumstantial evidence, Chen Biao had vanished without a trace, and a city-wide search and arrest warrant yielded no results.
Episode 14 Recap
Qin Ming, Da Bao, and Lin Tao continued to investigate the perplexing murder of Li Kehua, whose burnt body had been found after being transported ten kilometers from the crime scene. Lin Tao reported that Chen Biao, the primary suspect identified by DNA evidence, had completely disappeared, with no signs of leaving the province despite a massive city-wide search. Qin Ming found the case's initial resolution too smooth, pointing out numerous inconsistencies.
He argued that if Chen Biao's motive was purely drug-related, the elaborate process of transporting and burning the corpse seemed excessive, illogical, and against typical criminal behavior, as it only increased the risk. Furthermore, the discovery of RMB 100,000 cash in Chen Biao's sofa raised a significant question: why would a drug addict with such a sum resort to stealing medicine, and why abandon the money when fleeing?
Lin Tao acknowledged these crucial questions had been overlooked due to the seemingly conclusive DNA match and the presence of methadone at the crime scene. Da Bao then proposed a new theory, comparing the case to a puzzle with too many pieces. She suggested that if they considered it a crime of passion, there was an unexplained DNA sample, and if it was a robbery, the corpse disposal was overly elaborate.
Da Bao speculated that these two seemingly distinct crimes might, in fact, be intricately connected. Qin Ming agreed, stating that to understand these additional clues, they needed to revisit the case from its very beginning, starting with the crime of passion aspect. The team revisited Ruan Fang, Li Kehua's lover, who was noticeably reluctant to cooperate, expressing frustration at their persistence. During Qin Ming's observations of her home, he noticed an odd detail: all reflective surfaces, including mirrors, were covered.
Ruan Fang admitted to having a relationship with Li Kehua that went "slightly beyond good impressions," but vehemently denied any involvement in his death. Lin Tao then presented her with Li Kehua's love letter, causing Ruan Fang to fall silent, her eyes visibly moistening. Next, the team went to re-interview Ruan Fang's husband, Wu Lixue. Without his glasses, he appeared not to recognize Lin Tao, only remembering him after putting them on, a detail that struck the officers as peculiar.
Wu Lixue confirmed he knew about Ruan Fang's travel plans and intended to join her once his busy work schedule allowed. He denied any knowledge of Li Kehua, claiming they had never met, and offered an alibi for the night of the murder, stating he was in meetings at his office. Qin Ming observed that, like Ruan Fang's home, Wu Lixue's office also lacked any reflective surfaces.
When Da Bao requested another DNA sample, Wu Lixue, after a brief hesitation, consented, despite seeming surprised by the request. Back at the station, Lin Tao questioned Da Bao's decision to re-collect Wu Lixue's DNA. Da Bao explained that the Wu Lixue they met today seemed different; he didn't appear to recognize them and reacted as if he had never provided a DNA sample before. She also noted that his teeth had turned yellow, a new development.
Qin Ming added his own observations: the peculiar absence of mirrors in Ruan Fang's house, despite her apparent vanity, and Wu Lixue's strange habit of removing his highly-prescription glasses every time he stood up. Lin Tao also found it suspicious that Ruan Fang was applying for a French visa so soon after the affair, and that Wu Lixue, despite his wife's infidelity, planned to join her.
He also pointed out Wu Lixue's surprising knowledge of Li Kehua's clinic location, despite claiming no prior acquaintance with the doctor. All these factors significantly heightened their suspicions about Wu Lixue. After an intensive overnight investigation and analysis, all fragmented clues converged. Qin Ming anticipated that Wu Lixue would maintain his calm demeanor, banking on luck until confronted with undeniable evidence.
When the officers arrived at Wu Lixue's office, he was engrossed in documents without his glasses, but calmly put them on and agreed to accompany them to the station. In the interrogation room, Wu Lixue remained uncooperative, insisting on contacting his lawyer.
Lin Tao then revealed that the Li Kehua case involved more than just one death and began presenting a series of video clips: one showing Wu Lixue and Ruan Fang together, another of him playing golf, and a third from a bidding conference. Wu Lixue grew visibly impatient.
Finally, Lin Tao played a crucial video: it showed a car driving past a house, then reversing, with a man resembling Wu Lixue exiting the vehicle and, pressing his car key, appearing disoriented as if struggling to locate his own residence. This video shattered Wu Lixue's composure, causing him to visibly panic. Lin Tao then produced a small mirror, and upon seeing his reflection, the man violently threw it away in fear.
Da Bao entered the interrogation room and confronted the man, explaining that the black discolorations on his teeth were characteristic of drug addicts. She revealed that his teeth had appeared healthy during the initial DNA test but showed significant discoloration during the second, a change impossible to occur in such a short time, even with drug use. Lin Tao then dropped the bombshell, addressing the man as "Chen Biao."
The man, now identified as Chen Biao, grimaced and removed his glasses, revealing his true identity. Lin Tao demanded to know the whereabouts of Wu Lixue's body. Chen Biao, still defiant, challenged them to produce evidence. Qin Ming, frustrated by Chen Biao's continued pretense, stepped in, stating that they wouldn't have brought him in without evidence and declared they would now take him to a specific location.
Chen Biao was taken to the construction site of the Xingyue Residential Center, where he became visibly unnerved. Lin Tao pointed out the anomaly: this valuable plot, originally slated for luxury villas after being secured with a high bid, was unexpectedly re-designated for ordinary residential housing. Lin Tao then directly accused Chen Biao, implying that Wu Lixue's body was buried beneath the freshly poured concrete.
Qin Ming elaborated that cement served as an ideal concealment for crimes, and that Chen Biao likely disposed of Wu Lixue's body during the cementing process, hoping to make the evidence vanish permanently. Qin Ming then showed Chen Biao a knife and the RMB 100,000 cash found in his home, directly asking if Wu Lixue had instructed him to kill Li Kehua.
A flashback then revealed the full extent of the conspiracy: Wu Lixue had approached Chen Biao, offering him RMB 100,000 to murder Li Kehua. Wu Lixue stipulated that Ruan Fang was not to be harmed, remarking that his reputation was more important than a woman. Chen Biao, initially resistant and demanding more money, eventually accepted the offer to kill only one person. During their conversation, Chen Biao sarcastically remarked that, apart from their facial resemblance, they were nothing like brothers.
Wu Lixue, in turn, emphasized his business-like approach, demanding that Chen Biao "do what he should do" to earn his payment. Qin Ming further revealed that police records indicated Chen Biao had previously taken the fall for a hit-and-run crime, suggesting that the true culprit, who should have been imprisoned, was actually Wu Lixue. A brief flashback confirmed this, showing a younger Wu Lixue at the scene of an accident, with Chen Biao appearing to take responsibility.
Episode 15 Recap
Years ago, Wu Lixue, driving his new car and distracted by a phone call, fatally struck a person. Around the same time, Chen Biao, pursued by creditors for his debts, was rescued by his father. His father then appealed to Chen Biao to take the fall for Wu Lixue's hit-and-run.
The father argued that Chen Biao, having never attended college and possessing a criminal record, had no future, while Wu Lixue had been accepted into a prestigious university and was destined to inherit the family business. Despite Chen Biao's protests, his father insisted he sacrifice for the family, even threatening to kneel. Chen Biao, feeling disappointed in himself and his father, reluctantly agreed.
His father, pleased, promised Chen Biao half of his fortune upon his release from prison in seven years. Chen Biao reflected bitterly on his fate, feeling that he was only born to be compared, much like a spare part for a superior, identical car. However, during Chen Biao's incarceration, his father transferred the entire company to Wu Lixue. Upon his release, Chen Biao sought out his brother, only to be betrayed.
Wu Lixue feigned ignorance, showed no gratitude for Chen Biao's sacrifice, and even threatened to confess to the crime himself, which would result in both brothers being imprisoned. Terrified of returning to jail, Chen Biao felt worthless, realizing he was merely a disposable tool for his father, who only needed one hardworking son. Forensic Pathologist Qin Ming then asked Chen Biao if the murder of Wu Lixue was premeditated or a sudden impulse.
Chen Biao recounted that after he killed Li Kehua, the doctor who was having an affair with Wu Lixue's wife, as per Wu Lixue's request, he was overcome with panic. He never thought he would kill someone and understood that his old life was irrevocably destroyed.
Faced with two paths – either to remain a "rotten" Chen Biao and flee his hometown forever, or to replace Wu Lixue and reclaim the life he felt was stolen from him – he chose the latter.
He confirmed that the stolen methadone from the pharmacy, the 100,000 RMB, and the knife found in the house were all deliberately placed to mislead the police, making "Chen Biao" the primary suspect and ensuring Li Kehua's case became a cold case after his supposed disappearance. He also admitted to transporting the doctor's corpse to an abandoned crystal factory and burning it to ensure he had enough time to kill Wu Lixue and assume his identity.
Officer Lin Tao then inquired how Chen Biao managed to convince Wu Lixue's wife, Ruan Fang, to participate. Chen Biao revealed that when he informed Ruan Fang of Li Kehua's death, she was initially indifferent. However, her demeanor changed when Chen Biao revealed that she was not included in Wu Lixue's will. Chen Biao then proposed a partnership, stating that she had no other choice. Ruan Fang agreed to his "small condition," sedating Wu Lixue.
Chen Biao then stabbed Wu Lixue in the chest with the same knife he had used to kill Li Kehua. He believed he had fooled everyone, but acknowledged that he could not deceive the forensic pathologists and police. Qin Ming explained that a forensic pathologist interprets every wound on a victim, as well as the perpetrator's body, to uncover the truth.
He pointed out that Chen Biao's teeth, which showed signs of drug use inconsistent with the original Wu Lixue, along with the absence of photographs of the narcissistic Wu Lixue in the office he now occupied, and the ill-fitting prescription glasses Chen Biao was forced to wear, all provided crucial clues. Qin Ming suggested that Chen Biao's imitation of his brother's habits was a subconscious attempt to feel closer to him.
Chen Biao, however, bitterly responded that he hated looking like Wu Lixue, lamenting how two people with the same face could have such different fates, and how seeing his own reflection reminded him of the man he killed. Qin Ming challenged him, asking if he considered himself unlucky to have such an older brother, then what Wu Lixue might have thought of having a younger brother like him.
Assistant Da Bao also mused how one "egg" could lead to two very different destinies. Chen Biao reflected on fate, describing it as an unassailable force without weakness, capable of forceful attacks or retaliation. He asserted that fate is an unending choice, and one should not blame fate for choosing wrongly. He concluded that being good is incredibly difficult; kindness without teeth becomes weakness, while kindness armed with a weapon transforms into malice.
Qin Ming then told Chen Biao that he was a smart man, but ultimately destroyed by his own cleverness, before Lin Tao ordered him to be taken away. That night, Qin Ming was plagued by a recurring nightmare of a young boy crying out, "Dad, wake up!" He woke up in a cold sweat. There was a knock on his door, but upon opening it, he found no one, only an envelope containing a molar and a stack of documents.
The documents, written by his father Qin Song, described his father's professional misconduct and subsequent suicide out of guilt, along with a family photograph of Qin Ming's family of three. The next morning, Qin Ming was uncharacteristically late for work. Da Bao jokingly remarked on his tardiness, quoting Qin Ming's own words that being late was an attitude problem, not a capability issue.
Lin Tao found Qin Ming's lateness unusual, while Da Bao speculated that he might have spent the night with a girlfriend. Disturbed by the molar and documents, Qin Ming sought out criminal psychology expert Luo Yao. He explained that a molar had been found in several cases he had handled over the past six months, and now, along with the documents, a molar had been left at his door. He suspected the work of a serial killer.
Luo Yao analyzed the killer's psychology, suggesting that in the killer's mind, he was the righteous one, and Qin Ming was the culprit. Luo Yao also pointed out that the incomplete offense report involving Qin Song's suicide implied that his father's alleged malfeasance might be invalid, and more than one person could have handled the case. Determined to uncover the truth behind his father's death, Qin Ming decided to investigate Qin Song's last handled case from twenty years ago.
He located Wang Tingting's mother, the victim in that case. To Qin Ming's surprise, the mother claimed not to know anyone named Qin Song, stating that the forensic pathologist at the time was a man named Fan Jian. Qin Ming recalled that some words in the anonymous documents delivered to him had been obscured by ink, as if someone was trying to hide something.
Qin Ming found Fan Jian, who resided in a dimly lit room with curtains drawn even during the day, surrounded by medication, confined to a wheelchair. Fan Jian recognized Qin Ming, acknowledging that after twenty years of hiding, "what should come has come." Fan Jian confessed that Qin Song had held evidence against him. Fan Jian had falsified evidence in Wang Tingting's case to secure money for his wife's heart surgery. Qin Song discovered this and prepared to report him.
Fan Jian pleaded with Qin Song for mercy, appealing to their former collegial relationship, but Qin Song, unwavering in his commitment to justice, refused. He stated that in the face of evidence, personal affection held no weight and that fabricating evidence could influence legal sentences. Qin Song emphasized his duty to expose the truth and declared that the accusation letter would be submitted. However, Fan Jian was never reported.
Qin Song tragically died by suicide the night before he was due to submit the report. Qin Ming, without judgment, opened the curtains, suggesting that sunlight would be beneficial for Fan Jian's health. Fan Jian then revealed another event from the night of Qin Song's death. Worried about the accusation letter, Fan Jian covertly entered Qin Song's home, taking advantage of the family's preparations for the funeral. His intention was to retrieve and destroy the letter.
To his surprise, he found another man in the house, leaving the study, and subsequently, the accusation letter was missing. Qin Ming pressed him for details, but Fan Jian could only confirm seeing the man come from the study and that the letter was gone. Qin Ming, reflecting on Fan Jian's question about fate, declared that he would continue his investigation, believing that humans were better at fabricating lies than "heaven's will."
He noted that true repentance is marked by fear, and aging with an uneasy heart is a greater punishment. Later, amidst another heavy rain, Qin Ming walked to the site where his father had fallen to his death, vividly recalling witnessing the tragic event as a child.
Episode 16 Recap
Qin Ming returned to his old house, pushing open a door to reveal a room covered in spider webs and dust, signs of long-term abandonment. Stepping inside, memories flooded back of his childhood birthday, filled with guests and a table laden with his mother's cooking, bringing a smile to his face. However, the present reality was a dilapidated house, now empty. He found two cardboard boxes, one containing old photos of his parents, and the other, several video tapes.
Back home, Qin Ming poured himself a drink and began watching the tapes he had found. The video showed his birthday celebration, with everyone happily singing "Happy Birthday." He made a wish to always live happily with his daddy and mommy. Watching, Qin Ming felt tears welling up, realizing his wish had not come true.
In the video, his father, Qin Song, asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, and Qin Ming replied that he wanted to be a medical examiner like him, making his father proud. Qin Ming cried as he watched the rest of the video. As the party wound down, people grew drunk and slumped at the table, then someone called his father to the balcony. Qin Ming replayed this scene repeatedly, even ignoring Da Bao's phone calls.
Seeking more answers, Qin Ming visited his mother’s old friend, Auntie Wang, who had also attended his birthday party, the same night his father fell to his death. Qin Ming wanted to understand the details surrounding the incident. He showed her a photograph, asking if anyone had gone up to the rooftop with his father that night.
Auntie Wang glanced at the picture and remarked that Qin Ming’s mother, Ye Qing, looked very pretty in her white sweater, complimenting her fair skin. Qin Ming was puzzled, recalling that in the birthday video, Auntie Wang had mistakenly identified a white towel as yellow. Auntie Wang then remembered that after drinking that day, everything appeared yellow to her.
She had consumed osmanthus flower wine, which she usually could handle, but that day it made her feel unwell, causing a headache and vomiting. It was "Lao Luo" who had stopped her from drinking more, and Qin Song had also been drunk, experiencing headaches and vomiting. Qin Ming was startled, realizing "Lao Luo" was Luo Yao, the same person he had previously sought out for information.
Auntie Wang suggested that if he wanted to know more about his parents' situation, he should seek out their former teacher, Professor Fang. Meanwhile, Qin Ming’s absence from work caused concern. Lin Tao and Da Bao went to his house, finding the lights on but the door locked.
Da Bao playfully hoped Qin Ming was on a date, but Lin Tao was more worried, noting that Qin Ming, a work addict, would never miss work for no reason and must be in serious trouble if he did. They even joked about preparing a "first meeting gift" if he actually found a girlfriend. Qin Ming went to the municipal public security bureau's data room, where he was granted access to case files.
He found his father's case file, titled "Qin Song," which listed his time of death as "early morning 8/26/1995." The next day, Qin Ming visited Professor Fang, who immediately recognized Qin Ming from his childhood. Professor Fang, who taught his parents in his first class, showed Qin Ming a group photo of their class, reminiscing about Qin Song as an outstanding student who surprisingly chose forensic medicine, a decision Professor Fang initially regretted, especially after the subsequent "trouble."
Qin Ming confirmed he too was a medical examiner, following in his father's footsteps. He learned that Luo Yao was the first to pursue his mother, Ye Qing, but she had rejected him. It was only in their graduating year that Qin Song and Ye Qing started dating. Qin Ming pointed to another woman in the photo, and Professor Fang identified her as Meng Ruyue, Luo Yao's ex-wife.
Qin Ming then recalled seeing Meng Ruyue’s signature on his father’s autopsy report. Qin Ming found Meng Ruyue working at a clinic. She stated that she was no longer a medical examiner. Qin Ming confronted her about Qin Song’s autopsy report, specifically the claim that the blood tests were negative for alcohol and drugs. He argued this was impossible, given witness accounts of his father drinking alcohol and showing symptoms of dizziness and vomiting.
Meng Ruyue firmly maintained that her autopsy report was accurate, stating they were certain the victim died from the impact of the fall and found no problems with the blood tests. Back home, Qin Ming meticulously analyzed the discrepancies, trying to determine who was lying and why Auntie Wang had experienced "yellow vision" that night. He remembered seeing Meng Ruyue take a Digoxin pill earlier.
He knew Digoxin was a common cardiac drug, and an overdose could lead to poisoning symptoms like dizziness, headache, vomiting, and most notably, yellow vision. A sudden realization prompted him to rush out. Meanwhile, the Director General summoned Lin Tao to discuss the recent cases of missing molars. Lin Tao opined that the cases were connected, orchestrated by a mastermind provoking the police, playing a cat and mouse game.
The Director General then informed Lin Tao that Qin Ming was privately re-investigating his father's 20-year-old case, instructing Lin Tao to keep a close eye on him and report any developments immediately. Qin Ming angrily confronted Meng Ruyue again, accusing her of covering up Digoxin poisoning, which would have been detectable in blood tests. He pressed her, asking who she was protecting, suggesting it was Luo Yao, her ex-husband.
Meng Ruyue finally confessed that Luo Yao was still in love with Qin Ming's mother, Ye Qing, but Qin Song and Ye Qing's love was genuine. She realized that even after Qin Song's death, Luo Yao couldn't "take advantage" of the situation. She admitted she only learned what truly happened after discovering the elevated Digoxin levels in Qin Song's blood during the autopsy. At the time, Luo Yao was her husband, and she couldn't bear to see him imprisoned.
Qin Ming, overcome with emotion, questioned them bitterly, asking if they had ever considered him. He had witnessed his father lying in a pool of blood, then seen him slandered as a derelict, and watched his mother slowly die of grief, all while he naively treated the man who killed his father as a teacher.
He demanded to know how they, as medical examiners sworn to uphold justice, could murder a friend, frame him, and abuse their authority for personal gain. Meng Ruyue, equally agitated, retorted that Qin Song and Ye Qing were never her friends. She had simply fallen in love with a man who didn't love her, a man who would kill for a woman who didn't reciprocate his feelings, yet never loved her. She added that despite everything, he still left her.
Finally, Qin Ming asked her for Luo Yao's current whereabouts. Later, Qin Ming walked alone in the pouring rain, without an umbrella. A passerby commented on the late hour and the rain, surprised he was out without protection.
Episode 17 Recap
A new murder case brought detectives Da Bao and Lin Tao to the scene, but their calls to Qin Ming went unanswered. Due to Qin Ming’s absence, Da Bao and Lin Tao were left to investigate the house, which belonged to the victim, Luo Yao. A neighbor had reported the crime after finding the front door ajar. There were no signs of forced entry, suggesting the perpetrator was known to the victim. No valuables were stolen from the property.
Upon initial examination, Da Bao noted the victim had bled profusely, losing at least a liter of blood, which indicated a major artery or internal organ injury. However, when they turned the body over, there were no large external wounds despite the extensive bloodstains. The scene also showed signs of a struggle, yet no fingerprints or footprints other than the victim's were found, leading Lin Tao to conclude that the killer possessed strong counter-reconnaissance skills.
A witness then approached Lin Tao, claiming to have seen a mysterious man running towards Luo Yao's house in the heavy rain between 7 and 8 PM. The witness described the man's appearance, including his black trench coat, brushed-up hair, single eyelids, high nose bridge, and a mole on his nose. Lin Tao, recalling Qin Ming's recent unusual behavior and his private re-investigation into his father Qin Song's death, showed the witness a photo of Qin Ming.
The witness confirmed Qin Ming was indeed the man she had seen. Back in the Forensic Examination Section, Lin Tao informed Da Bao about the witness's identification of Qin Ming near the crime scene. Da Bao tried calling Qin Ming again, but he still didn't answer. Lin Tao also revealed that Luo Yao had significant connections to Qin Ming and his father; Luo Yao was Qin Ming's advisor and a classmate of Qin Ming's father.
Lin Tao found this highly coincidental, but both he and Da Bao expressed disbelief that Qin Ming could be the killer. Da Bao proceeded with the autopsy. Based on the body temperature and rigor mortis, she estimated the time of death to be approximately two to three hours prior. After carefully cleaning the blood-covered body, Da Bao finally discovered a small puncture wound on the left side of the sternum, between the third and fourth ribs.
No other wounds were present on the body, nor were there signs of restraint. Inside the body, Da Bao found a small break in the left ventricle of the heart, with a larger tear in the pericardium, suggesting the murder weapon caused this upon withdrawal. Massive hemorrhage was determined to be the cause of death. Da Bao concluded that the wound was deep but not wide, indicating a very sharp, single-edged blade, approximately ten centimeters long, had been used.
The killer demonstrated an intimate knowledge of human anatomy, acting with precision and confidence, leading Da Bao to suspect the perpetrator was medically trained. Lin Tao was called to a meeting with a special investigation team. While he was gone, Da Bao meticulously researched the fatal wound on a model, testing various sharp objects.
She ultimately found that an autopsy scalpel perfectly matched the wound's characteristics, including the breakage on the skin wound where the handle of the narrow blade had also entered the body. Lin Tao presented the case to Director General Tan and the special investigation team. He reported that Luo Yao, a 56-year-old single man, was killed between 8 and 9 PM. The crime scene showed no forensic evidence from the killer, indicating strong anti-forensic capabilities.
Crucially, the murder weapon was identified as an autopsy scalpel, and a witness had identified Qin Ming near the crime scene at the time of the murder. Lin Tao explained the suspected motive: Qin Ming's father, Qin Song, had died 20 years ago in what was ruled a suicide due to dereliction of duty, but Qin Ming believed he was murdered, and Luo Yao was a suspect. Qin Ming currently had no alibi.
Da Bao interjected, arguing that if the killer truly possessed strong counter-reconnaissance skills, they might be attempting to frame Qin Ming by using an autopsy scalpel, an item clearly associated with him. She contended that an experienced forensic examiner like Qin Ming would not leave such an obvious clue. Director General Tan acknowledged Da Bao’s loyalty to Qin Ming but insisted that all evidence pointed towards him, making him the prime suspect.
Director General Tan then informed Da Bao that she must recuse herself from the case due to her close association with Qin Ming and instructed her to go home and rest. The investigation would be handed over to another team. After the meeting, Da Bao questioned Lin Tao, asking if he still believed Qin Ming was innocent. Lin Tao affirmed his belief but stressed that as forensic scientists and police detectives, they must always follow the evidence.
He added that the more they believed in Qin Ming, the more imperative it was for them to uncover the truth. Later, police arrived at Qin Ming's home to arrest him. Qin Ming, dazed and with a head injury, was just waking up and resisted but was forcibly taken into custody. A search of his residence uncovered an autopsy scalpel and a string of human molars. During the interrogation, Director General Tan pressed Qin Ming.
Qin Ming maintained that he was knocked unconscious before he could confront Luo Yao. He admitted that he had received a report written by his father, which confirmed Luo Yao was responsible for his father's death. However, he adamantly denied killing Luo Yao. Director General Tan then presented the string of molars, revealing that DNA testing confirmed they were human, not from a single individual, and some matched the DNA of victims from previous unsolved cases.
Qin Ming asserted that the molars were not his and that the entire situation was a meticulously planned frame-up, engineered to use his father’s death to lure him into a trap. Da Bao attempted to argue for her continued involvement in the case, citing her initial investigation. However, Director General Tan reiterated that Qin Ming's status as a suspect prevented her participation and sent her home. Da Bao watched helplessly as Qin Ming remained in the interrogation room.
Episode 18 Recap
Lin Tao arrived at Da Bao's home, bringing case files related to Qin Ming, determined to clear his friend's name. Da Bao observed that no fingerprints or glove patterns were found at the crime scene, suggesting the perpetrator might have used latex gloves. Since the murder weapon was an autopsy scalpel, Da Bao pointed out that if the culprit was from their field, using latex gloves during the crime was entirely plausible, though highly disadvantageous for Qin Ming.
While reviewing the evidence, Da Bao noted that Sulfasalazine tablets had been found at the victim Luo Yao's house. She pointed out that Luo Yao's medical records indicated chronic liver disease, which meant he should not have taken such a painkiller. This led her to believe the drug belonged to someone else. Lin Tao, acknowledging Luo Yao's complex social circle, agreed to focus their investigation on Luo Yao's enemies.
Their investigation quickly identified Luo Jing, Luo Yao's nephew, as a primary suspect. Luo Jing had previously threatened to kill his uncle and would inherit all of Luo Yao's wealth since Luo Yao had no children and his wife and older brother had passed away. Lin Tao and Da Bao located Luo Jing at a machinery processing factory. Lin Tao instructed Da Bao to stay in the car, reminding her of the protocols they were bending.
Luo Jing was uncooperative and questioned Lin Tao’s authority as a police officer, but Lin Tao quickly subdued him. As Da Bao examined Luo Jing, she noted he was taking painkillers for ankylosing spondylitis, a condition that, combined with his physical strength, would make it impossible for him to inflict the deep, fatal wound found on Luo Yao with a single stab.
Later, it was confirmed that Luo Jing had an alibi for the night of the murder, having played cards with co-workers all night. Despite these findings, Da Bao still felt uneasy, sensing that Qin Ming had met his match against a cunning opponent. Unwilling to give up, Da Bao secretly returned to the crime scene that night. A guard spotted her, and she quickly concocted an excuse about re-inspecting for contaminated evidence.
Inside, while examining the bloodstains, she noticed several fallen leaves near the window, one of which had blood on it. She immediately contacted Lin Tao, who met her to take the bloodied leaf for urgent processing at the lab. Da Bao expressed her hope that the test results would finally exonerate Qin Ming. Lin Tao and Da Bao anxiously awaited the results.
During their wait, Lin Tao reprimanded Da Bao for violating protocol by entering the crime scene without permission, a breach she admitted to. When the lab technician finally announced the results, they were both shocked: the DNA from the blood on the leaf was identical to Qin Ming's. Despite their disbelief and questioning, the technician affirmed the machine's accuracy. Following this definitive evidence, Director General Tan ordered Qin Ming's immediate arrest.
Despite offering Lin Tao the option to decline, Lin Tao chose to carry out the arrest himself. On a rainy night, Lin Tao went to Qin Ming's home and, with an arrest warrant in hand, told Qin Ming not to resist. Qin Ming quietly complied, offering his hands for the handcuffs. In the interrogation room, Director General Tan confronted Qin Ming with the blood evidence, pointing out his blood was found at the crime scene.
Qin Ming expressed surprise but stated that the murderer was highly intelligent and knew a great deal about his past. Director General Tan then recounted Qin Ming's traumatic childhood, where he witnessed his father's death and subsequently lost his mother, leaving him with deep psychological scars. He presented Qin Ming's orphanage file, including childhood drawings and an audio clip announcing his mother's death, suggesting that Qin Ming's past made his current predicament understandable.
Director General Tan urged Qin Ming to confess, implying it would be beneficial. Qin Ming, however, remained steadfast, asserting that the perpetrator had skillfully planted a seed of doubt in everyone's minds, which had now begun to sprout. He warned Director General Tan that the killer's game had just begun and that he would not stop. As Qin Ming was escorted from the interrogation room, Lin Tao and Da Bao waited for him.
Lin Tao promised to investigate the case thoroughly, and Da Bao expressed her concern that it would be cold in the detention center, telling him not to catch a cold. Later, while reviewing the case at home, Da Bao found herself at a loss, but her thoughts drifted to her time working with Qin Ming. Similarly, in his cell, Qin Ming reflected on his interactions with Da Bao.
Recalling their shared experiences and challenges, Da Bao became even more determined to uncover the truth. She realized that the current situation was exactly what the perpetrator wanted. Da Bao returned to the crime scene, where Lin Tao soon joined her. Da Bao stated her firm belief that no crime was perfect and that a weakness must exist. She was still perplexed by the presence of Qin Ming's blood, especially since Qin Ming himself had been injured that day.
While meticulously examining the scene, Da Bao noticed a heavy stand had been moved significantly, yet the delicate ornaments on it were completely undisturbed. Lin Tao agreed that this was very strange, especially given that other items, like a stereo, were overturned. Da Bao deduced that this implied no real struggle had taken place; the entire crime scene, including the signs of a fight and the absence of restraint wounds on the victim, had been meticulously staged by the killer.
She concluded that Luo Yao was murdered specifically to frame Qin Ming, with the killer intentionally leaving Qin Ming's blood traces and faking the scene to make them believe Qin Ming was involved. Although they still lacked conclusive proof for this theory, Da Bao was confident that solving this difficult question would make it easier to unravel the rest of the mystery.
Episode 19 Recap
Driving with Lin Tao, Da Bao expressed her deep skepticism regarding the evidence pointing to Qin Ming. She believed the case against him contained too many questionable aspects and that the murderer demonstrated an intimate knowledge of Qin Ming, including Luo Yao's connection to his father's death. Da Bao noted that Qin Ming’s isolated life, largely dedicated to his work, offered few opportunities to cultivate such a vengeful enemy.
Lin Tao suggested that the killer must possess some medical knowledge and proposed they begin their investigation by reviewing all of Qin Ming’s past cases, as the Luo Yao case seemed connected to them. Da Bao agreed, stating her previous checks into Qin Ming's social circles only showed frequent interaction with Lin Tao and herself. Working tirelessly in the autopsy lab, Da Bao sifted through stacks of Qin Ming's old case files.
She became particularly intrigued by a 2010 case involving a robbery and kidnapping, which had taken two years to resolve. Transcripts from the investigation revealed a victim's frantic screams for help as a masked assailant broke into her car. Police arrested a suspect, Xie Tian, and even found stolen items in his home, leading Sergeant Tan to confidently declare him the perpetrator, despite the victim being unable to identify him.
However, the DNA recovered from the crime scene did not match Xie Tian's. Confused, Sergeant Tan stood by his experience and other evidence, believing Xie Tian was guilty, especially given his two prior offenses. Xie Tian eventually confessed. Qin Ming later discovered that Xie Tian's DNA had changed due to a bone marrow transplant he received for leukemia.
This revelation sparked a crucial insight for Da Bao: the blood found at Luo Yao's crime scene might not be Qin Ming's, but rather from someone who received a hematopoietic stem cell transplant from him, thus sharing his DNA. Lin Tao joined Da Bao as they discussed this theory, acknowledging its unbelievable nature but agreeing that the truth often is. They visited various hospitals, searching for Qin Ming's stem cell recipients.
At the last hospital on their list, they found a record for a patient named Zhang Chao, who had received a bone marrow transplant from Qin Ming. Da Bao immediately recognized this as a critical clue, although she found it suspicious that the "main attending physician" section on Zhang Chao's record was left blank, suggesting a deliberate omission by a meticulous planner.
Director General Tan, upon hearing about Zhang Chao, warned Lin Tao and Da Bao to be cautious, as Qin Ming had no prior case involving anyone by that name, and he suspected an accomplice was involved. Subsequently, during a team meeting, Director General Tan ordered Lin Tao to immediately assemble a team to arrest Zhang Chao.
He then turned to Da Bao, acknowledging her contributions but sternly announcing her immediate suspension for violating protocol by investigating a crime scene while on leave. Da Bao accepted her punishment, stating she understood the consequences. Feeling disheartened, Da Bao left the police station. Meanwhile, Lin Tao and his team moved to apprehend Zhang Chao. They found an autopsy knife in Zhang Chao's house, but he was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, a noise alerted them, and Zhang Chao fled.
Lin Tao gave chase, pursuing him relentlessly until he finally apprehended Zhang Chao and placed him under arrest. With Zhang Chao captured, Qin Ming was released from detention. Lin Tao and Da Bao waited outside, relieved to see him. Qin Ming expressed his gratitude to them. Lin Tao then revealed that Da Bao had been suspended for her unauthorized investigation while on leave.
Da Bao, trying to lighten the mood, dismissed her suspension as a much-needed vacation and joked that she might even find success in her blind dates. Qin Ming and Lin Tao then headed back to the police bureau, while Da Bao went home. In the interrogation room, Zhang Chao requested to speak with Qin Ming. Qin Ming confronted him, demanding to know the identity of his accomplice. Zhang Chao insisted he acted alone, taking full responsibility for Luo Yao’s murder.
Qin Ming dismissed his claim, pointing out that Zhang Chao’s professional background lacked the specialized knowledge and experience necessary to inflict the precise fatal wound found on Luo Yao. He pressed further, questioning Zhang Chao’s motive if he truly acted alone, and suggested an accomplice must have instigated and even guided him. Zhang Chao defiantly stated that if he had an accomplice, it could only be Qin Ming, as they shared the same blood.
Qin Ming responded with anger, declaring himself disgusted by his own blood and asserting that Zhang Chao was nothing more than a puppet. Later that evening, Da Bao, feeling a sense of unease, arrived home and, exhausted, fell asleep on her sofa. Qin Ming called her, suggesting they celebrate his release with dinner. Despite her weariness, Da Bao agreed, asking for time to bathe before meeting at their usual restaurant.
At a subsequent police meeting, Director General Tan confirmed that all suspicion surrounding Qin Ming had been cleared. He emphasized that despite Zhang Chao's arrest, the presence of an accomplice remained a strong possibility, and ordered the team to continue their investigation by focusing on Zhang Chao's close associates. After the meeting, Tan asked Lin Tao to inform Qin Ming that he wished to personally apologize to him the following day.
While on her way to meet Qin Ming, Da Bao was suddenly attacked from behind, struck by a heavy blow, and rendered unconscious. Meanwhile, Qin Ming and Lin Tao were waiting for Da Bao at their designated restaurant. Lin Tao, growing impatient, joked about women being troublesome but then advised Qin Ming not to criticize Da Bao for being late, explaining that she had barely slept while working on his case.
Qin Ming, reflecting on his own behavior, asked if he truly appeared that unsympathetic. Lin Tao humorously listed Qin Ming's eccentricities, like his constant suit-wearing and his preference for corpses over living people. Qin Ming then pondered if his personality tended to offend others, to which Lin Tao replied that given his crime-solving rate, he had likely offended well over a hundred people. Just then, Qin Ming's phone rang, displaying Da Bao's name.
Upon answering, he was met not by Da Bao, but by a woman who informed him that Da Bao was in her custody, warning him not to hang up or alert anyone.
Episode 20 (Ending) Recap
Qin Ming received a phone call from a woman who surprisingly addressed him despite his recent release from custody. She quickly revealed that Da Bao was in her hands and warned Qin Ming not to alarm anyone or hang up. Qin Ming soon realized he was speaking to Chizi, Shuiliang's wife, from a case he handled four years prior.
Chizi then sent him a video of Da Bao trapped in a water tank, informing him that the water level would submerge Da Bao's nose in one hour, leading to her heart stopping within 8 to 10 minutes. Chizi mockingly encouraged Qin Ming to enjoy this "game of running against time." Observing a lighthouse's light in the video, Qin Ming deduced that Da Bao was likely being held at Xinglong Beach, a location known for its concentrated lighthouses.
Meanwhile, Da Bao regained consciousness in the water tank. She cried out, demanding to know who her kidnapper was and asserting that she was merely a medical examiner with no money. Chizi soon appeared, addressing Da Bao with a taunt about her previous visits to her restaurant. Da Bao recognized her as the restaurant's lady boss and realized that Chizi was the one who had been framing Qin Ming.
Chizi ordered Da Bao to call Qin Ming to save her, promising her a chance to live. Da Bao, however, refused, accusing Chizi of being crazy. Chizi then injected Da Bao with a drug, causing her to lose consciousness once more. Qin Ming, in a taxi, analyzed the lighthouse patterns, narrowing down Da Bao's location to the lighthouse nearest his house in Xinglong Beach. Chizi called him again, asking if he had guessed her location.
She then unveiled her meticulous four-year revenge plan: she resigned from her doctor's job, sold her assets, and opened the restaurant to slowly get close to Qin Ming. Chizi revealed she had found Zhang Chao, had him undergo a stem cell transplant from Qin Ming, and even uncovered the truth behind Qin Ming's father's death, all to frame Qin Ming as a criminal. She admitted that Da Bao's intervention had foiled her final step.
Upon arriving at the location, Qin Ming shouted for Chizi to come out, offering himself in Da Bao's place. Chizi emerged, welcoming him to what she declared would be his "place of death." She presented Qin Ming with a cruel choice: either kill her and become a criminal, or watch Da Bao drown in the water tank. Qin Ming's face contorted in despair as he pleaded with Chizi, asking what she wanted him to do.
Chizi ordered him to kneel and look at her, savoring his rage, sorrow, and helplessness, which she likened to her own past feelings when she had begged outside his office, only to be met with his coldness. Qin Ming urged Chizi to stop tormenting herself over Shuiliang's mistakes, stating he wasn't worthy of her devotion.
Chizi angrily silenced him, claiming he had no right to mention Shuiliang's name and that their case was insignificant to him, unlike the hundreds of others he handled. Chizi then recounted her past, remembering herself as a woman destined for a blissful life. She recalled her wedding day when Shuiliang was arrested, accused of multiple murders, leading her to desperately cry out that he was her husband, not a criminal.
Chizi vividly described how her father, unable to bear the trauma of that day, suffered a hemorrhagic stroke and died, causing her to lose the two people she loved most within a single day. Qin Ming responded by asserting that he was only doing his job and never intended to destroy her family or happiness. He argued that her blissful life was an illusion, as Shuiliang was a rapist and murderer, with his DNA found on five victims.
Qin Ming emphasized that truth remains constant regardless of perception, pointing out that while she could deny Shuiliang was a criminal, the families of his victims could not, and as a medical examiner faced with their bodies, neither could he. Chizi, however, rejected his reasoning, stating she didn't care about the truth or how Shuiliang treated others; he was the man she loved most, and Qin Ming had destroyed everything.
She questioned if Qin Ming's achievements were built upon her pain, asking if he enjoyed experiencing such anguish. As the water in Da Bao's tank rose, Qin Ming desperately pleaded with Chizi to kill him and let Da Bao go. Chizi mocked him, saying he spoke lightly of others' deaths but became like this when it concerned him. She further tormented him, promising that even if he died, Da Bao would still drown, leaving him to "die with guilt."
Just as Chizi was about to act, Lin Tao arrived, shouting for her to put down her gun. Shots were exchanged, and both Lin Tao and Chizi were injured. Lin Tao, despite his wound, urged Qin Ming to save Da Bao. Qin Ming rushed to the tank but found it locked. Chizi, with a triumphant smile, revealed that the only key was inside her stomach.
She challenged Qin Ming to use a scalpel to retrieve it, knowing that doing so would turn him into a killer. Qin Ming hesitated, struggling with the choice as memories of his father's death flooded his mind. He picked up a scalpel and approached Chizi, but Lin Tao, pointing his gun at Qin Ming, desperately warned him to calm down and not be impulsive, reminding him he was a cop.
Chizi uttered her final bitter words, claiming her happiness ended the moment Shuiliang placed a ring on her finger, blaming Qin Ming for everything. This mention of the ring sparked a realization in Qin Ming: the diamond on the ring was hard enough to cut glass. He quickly grabbed Chizi's ring, scored the tank, and then used a fire extinguisher to smash through the glass, successfully rescuing Da Bao.
At the hospital, Qin Ming vigilantly watched over the unconscious Da Bao, reflecting on their time together. He worried about the low chances of survival after eight to ten minutes of oxygen deprivation underwater, blaming himself for Da Bao's condition. Lin Tao, with his wound bandaged, joined him. Da Bao eventually stirred and woke up, requesting a pancake with two eggs. Qin Ming, with relief, promised to get her one later.
Although her vital signs initially weakened, Da Bao made a full recovery. Later, in the autopsy room, Lin Tao asked Qin Ming about Da Bao's condition, only for Da Bao herself to walk in, playfully complaining about them talking behind her back and joking that she only used her "sickness to rest for a few more days." Qin Ming, relieved, couldn't help but smile.
A new case quickly emerged as Lin Tao received a call about a corpse found in a garbage bin. The team, with Da Bao affirming her readiness to investigate, promptly left for the crime scene, ready to uncover the truth for another victim.
