My Mowgli Boy Episode 49 Recap
> My Mowgli Boy Recap
Mowgli and Ling Xi, having reconciled, are playfully reenacting Mowgli's undercover investigation. Tang Cheng jokes about nearly losing faith in love, and Mowgli explains that his fake breakup with Ling Xi was necessary for the "old fox" Zheng Weijue to believe his cover. The mood turns serious as Ling Xi expresses frustration that Zheng Weijue might be released if no concrete evidence is found within 24 hours, despite the clear circumstances.
Lu Ziyue clarifies the legal principle of "presumption of innocence," which dictates that if the prosecution's evidence against a suspect is unclear or insufficient, they should not pursue criminal responsibility, meaning, simply, insufficient evidence prevents conviction. This news makes them all feel desperate. Zheng Li and Bai Yiling then arrive, offering their help. Zheng Li states that he doesn't want his father to continue making mistakes and chooses to stand on the side of justice.
With less than 20 hours remaining, Mowgli assigns tasks: he and Ling Xi will search the seaside, while Lu Ziyue will stay at base to research legal supporting points, and Tang Cheng will provide logistical support. Zheng Li volunteers to go home with Bai Yiling and try to extract information from his mother, believing his mother is Zheng Weijue's weakness. Zheng Li assures everyone he can handle the pressure, having fought with Mowgli for so many years.
Mowgli and Ling Xi arrive at the beach, the place Zheng Weijue had given him for their meeting. Mowgli admits he found no clues there despite repeated visits, noting Zheng Weijue's meticulous nature. Ling Xi recalls Mowgli's previous attempt to trick Zheng Weijue about car tracks. Mowgli explains Zheng Weijue's sarcastic response implied he was certain no tracks would be found after he left, perhaps because the location was inaccessible by car or quickly washed away by the tide.
Ling Xi realizes that if the place was a beach exposed only at low tide, a car would get stuck. This makes them think Zheng Weijue's confident demeanor implied he met Ding Jianxiong somewhere without car access, like underwater, on the sea, on a boat, or a difficult-to-access area like a mountain near the beach. As they climb a mountain overlooking the sea, Ling Xi momentarily wishes they could just enjoy the scenery without the case.
Ling Xi accidentally steps into a muddy patch. This immediately gives her an idea: if Zheng Weijue had been there, his shoes would also have mud. By finding the shoes he wore that day, analyzing the mud on them, and matching it to the unique soil composition of that specific area, they could pinpoint the exact location where Ding Jianxiong was last seen. Mowgli quickly calls Zheng Li, who is at home searching for his father's shoes.
Zheng Li's mother appears, asking what's happening, worried because she hasn't heard from Zheng Weijue in over ten hours. Zheng Li reassures her, then asks about his father's shoes from their wedding anniversary. His mother initially claims not to remember, but Zheng Li reminds her it was a gift from her. She then reveals she packed all the shoes a few days ago and sent them to a dry cleaner. Zheng Li quickly texts Mowgli the laundry's order details.
Mowgli and Ling Xi rush to the dry cleaner. To their dismay, the attendant informs them that most of the shoes have already been disinfected and dried. However, one shoe was exceptionally dirty, requiring a separate, more extensive cleaning. Its sole was still covered in mud, providing the crucial evidence they needed.
The police analyzed the mud from Zheng Weijue's shoe and used the specific mineral and organic composition to pinpoint the exact location near the beach where Ding Jianxiong's body was found. Ling Yu arrives and confirms the body is his father, Ding Jianxiong. Overwhelmed with grief, he asks to be left alone. Ling Xi comforts Mowgli, acknowledging his long-term undercover work, which gathered all the crucial clues—from the speeding ticket to the shoes and the burial site.
She tells him that without his dedication, they would never have found the body. Mowgli reflects that while they couldn't pursue his grandpa's old case, bringing Zheng Weijue to justice now offers a form of closure, which his grandpa would have appreciated. Ling Xi makes Mowgli promise not to face dangers alone in the future, assuring him they will tackle any challenges together.
Meanwhile, Zheng Li confides in Bai Yiling, admitting he questions whether his pursuit of truth is right, given it involves his father. Bai Yiling reassures him, stating that his choice to stand for truth, even if it brings pain, defines his honest character. She promises to face all difficulties with him. However, to Mowgli and the others' dismay, Zheng Weijue is released from police detention. He declares that the police have cleared his name and that their "game" is over.
A police officer explains that without further evidence, they couldn't legally hold him, in line with the presumption of innocence, and hands Ling Yu Ding Jianxiong's autopsy report. Zheng Weijue immediately takes his wife to the airport, hurrying to Canada.
His wife is perplexed by the sudden rush and lack of proper packing for cold weather, but Zheng Weijue insists it's time to fulfill his long-standing promise to take her around the world, dismissing her concerns about police inquiries as minor business disputes. He avoids telling Zheng Li, claiming his son is influenced by Mowgli and needs time to calm down. Zheng Li returns home to find his parents' luggage missing and their phones turned off.
Realizing they might be fleeing, he contacts Ling Xi and Mowgli. They go to Zheng Weijue's office, where Zheng Li discovers flight records indicating his parents are flying to Canada, and the flight is departing soon. While searching Zheng Weijue's office, Mowgli discovers his medical examination report. Recalling Ding Jianxiong's autopsy report, Mowgli realizes a critical connection. They rush to the airport, where Zheng Weijue is trying to compel his wife to board.
She expresses reluctance to leave with a heavy heart, wishing for a carefree journey, but he insists he will carry all burdens. Just as they are about to board, Mowgli and Ling Xi arrive. Mowgli confronts Zheng Weijue, presenting him with a medical report proving he is infected with AIDS.
Zheng Weijue attempts to dismiss it as a fabricated lie, but Mowgli details how Ding Jianxiong contracted AIDS after his release from prison, and Zheng Weijue likely became infected through a blood-to-blood contact during their struggle, pointing to a scar on Zheng Weijue's hand. Mowgli clarifies that AIDS has a unique transmission mechanism; before mutation, the viral DNA in both Zheng Weijue and Ding Jianxiong would be identical if transmitted from one to the other.
If Zheng Weijue wanted to prove his innocence, he would have to go back with them and confess. At that moment, police arrive and take Zheng Weijue into custody for further investigation. He turns to his wife, offering a sorrowful smile and an apology that he once again cannot accompany her to see the world. Zheng Weijue is subsequently convicted of poaching and murder, receiving a life sentence and lifelong deprivation of political rights.
Mowgli and Ling Xi feel a sense of relief and justice. Mowgli expresses that this outcome provides closure for his grandpa's case, while Ling Xi reminds him that his persistent efforts were instrumental. She notes that without Mowgli's commitment and the timely confession from the ear-stud man about the murder weapon, along with Zheng Weijue's waist injury forcing him to involve others in disposing of the body, he might have escaped justice.
Mowgli acknowledges these "fortunate" circumstances but emphasizes that ultimately, one cannot escape the consequences of their wrongdoings. Ling Xi congratulates Mowgli for his immense contribution, almost losing his life for the case, and they happily head home, believing Mowgli's grandpa would be proud. Ling Yu visits Ding Jianxiong's grave, lamenting that his father didn't live to see Zheng Weijue's conviction.
He tells Ding Jianxiong that Zheng Weijue confessed to all his crimes, including those from years ago, finally clearing Ding Jianxiong's name. Ling Yu wishes his father could be a more upright man in a next life, regretting the burdens placed on him and his own past misunderstandings. He explains that he bought this new, peaceful burial plot for Ding Jianxiong using money from a house that Gao Jie, surprisingly, had not sold.
He feels he owes both Ding Jianxiong and Gao Jie, and this is the most he can do for them. Wen Yu and Ling Zhenghao arrive at the cemetery. Wen Yu gently tells Ling Yu that he misjudged Ling Zhenghao, who deeply regretted how he treated Ling Yu and always considered him a son, often buying him special treats. Ling Yu, finally understanding, apologizes to Ling Zhenghao and calls him "Dad." Ling Zhenghao readily forgives him.
Zheng Li visits his father, Zheng Weijue, in prison. Zheng Li tells him his mother is not doing well. Zheng Weijue, looking regretful, advises Zheng Li to take good care of his mother and encourage her to look to the future, since he can no longer fulfill his promise to travel the world with her. Zheng Li shares that he and Bai Yiling are planning a trip and managed to convince his mother to join them.
Zheng Weijue instructs Zheng Li to be patient and understanding with his mother, especially since he won't be there to support her. He emphasizes that if a person faces their first mistake immediately and rectifies it, they won't suffer the lifelong consequences of covering it up with more wrongdoing. Zheng Weijue calls this his final lesson to his son before the guards take him away. Zheng Li emotionally asks to see his father fold paper again, to which his father replies "Son."
