Medical Examiner Dr. Qin Episode 5 Recap
> Medical Examiner Dr. Qin 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.
