My Roommate Is a Detective Episode 21 Recap
> My Roommate Is a Detective Recap
Lu Yao reassured a very drunk Bai Youning that Chu Ming was not the killer. She expressed fear that he might betray her, but he denied it. He guided her to her room, but she eventually settled back on the sofa, prompting Lu Yao to cover her with a blanket. Qiao Chusheng returned to the police station early in the morning, finding Lu Yao asleep on the sofa after a tumultuous night with a drunken Bai Youning.
Qiao Chusheng described his own night as having gone very smoothly, but when Lu Yao immediately asked for the 200 silver dollars for the information, Qiao Chusheng admitted he hadn't even had the chance to ask Tong Li. He revealed they were too engrossed in conversation, even discussing marriage. Lu Yao, exasperated, warned Qiao Chusheng that once the information was published, they would lose their leverage.
He insisted that either Tong Li pays, or Qiao Chusheng is responsible for the 200 silver dollars. Later, Lu Yao brought breakfast home, only to be confronted by an enraged Bai Youning holding a copy of Ta Kung Pao. She accused him of betraying her by leaking the insider details of the He Youwei murder case to Tong Li, who promptly published the story.
Lu Yao denied any involvement, suggesting Qiao Chusheng might be responsible, but Bai Youning dismissed his excuses and dragged him off to confront Tong Li. At the newspaper office, Bai Youning directly questioned Tong Li about the source of her information. Tong Li, unphased, calmly stated her professional obligation to protect her informants. Bai Youning immediately accused Lu Yao. Tong Li challenged her, asking, "So what if it's him?"
Lu Yao, in turn, pleaded with Tong Li not to implicate him. Tong Li then asserted her position, reminding Bai Youning that the newspaper office was not her gang's territory and that she was not intimidated by threats, welcoming any attempts to intimidate or kidnap her in the concession. Enraged, Bai Youning stormed out, vowing to make Tong Li pay. Tong Li then casually invited Lu Yao to lunch, which he politely declined, stating he had his own bread.
Lu Yao followed Bai Youning, who immediately demanded to know how much Tong Li paid him. Lu Yao admitted to receiving 200 silver dollars. Bai Youning was deeply hurt, feeling their friendship was not even worth a fraction of that amount. Lu Yao defended himself by pointing out that other news outlets pay much higher informant fees, while Bai Youning's paper consistently offers only "single digits."
Bai Youning argued that her tabloid paid these small amounts from their own pockets, doing their best. Seeing her distress, Lu Yao offered to provide her with information for free in the future. Bai Youning, heartbroken, cried and sarcastically stated that she was "ignorant" and her humble tabloid could not afford a "heavyweight detective" like him.
Lu Yao apologized, but Bai Youning insisted that he did nothing wrong and it was her fault for trying to take advantage of their friendship. To appease Bai Youning, Lu Yao finally admitted that the He Youwei case was far from closed. He proposed they visit Chu Ming's house together to look for further evidence, which instantly brightened Bai Youning's mood, though she suspected he was just trying to cheer her up.
At Chu Ming's residence, Lu Yao's keen observation immediately spotted a misaligned bottle of 1982 Lafite, noting Chu Ming's severe OCD meant every bottle label faced outward. He deduced that someone else handled and placed the bottle. Lu Yao also highlighted the disturbing similarities between Chu Ming's death – involving sleeping pills, a confined space, and charcoal heating – and the death of singer Ye Ying's husband a decade prior, identifying it as a clear copycat murder.
He asserted that the same individual was responsible for both Chu Ming's and He Youwei's murders. Lu Yao further noted that two glasses in Chu Ming's kitchen were improperly cleaned, contradicting Chu Ming's meticulous habits, suggesting the presence of another person.
The discovery of a glass of plain water next to the sleeping pills was also deemed suspicious, as Chu Ming was known to take medication with red wine, indicating the water was deliberately staged by the killer, who was unaware of Chu Ming's habits. The Parker pen cap found at the scene, which belonged to the murder weapon used on He Youwei, was clearly planted to frame Chu Ming for He Youwei's murder and subsequent suicide.
Lu Yao concluded his deductions by referencing the neighbor's dog, which only barks at men, thus revealing the murderer to be a woman. He firmly believed Tong Li was the culprit, though he had yet to uncover her exact method and motive. Bai Youning, visibly cheered by the revelation that Tong Li was the prime suspect, remarked that such a person "should have been executed long time ago."
She wasted no time, immediately setting off to investigate the social circles of both He Youwei and Chu Ming, hoping to uncover any connections between them. Meanwhile, Tong Li visited Qiao Chusheng at his office, expressing her deep gratitude. She credited him for the article on the He Youwei case, which had created a significant stir in society and helped her firmly establish herself at Ta Kung Pao.
As a token of her appreciation, she invited Qiao Chusheng to her home for dinner, an invitation he eagerly accepted. Lu Yao, appearing deep in thought on the sofa, had seemingly consolidated all the clues, affirming his conviction that Tong Li was the murderer. Bai Youning offered him a mere five silver dollars for any new findings, but Lu Yao, his mind feeling "a bit confused," declined, stating he needed to go downstairs for "some fresh air."
As he left, Bai Youning took the opportunity to thoroughly review the case files herself. Elsewhere, Tong Li prepared a lavish meal for Qiao Chusheng at her home. He praised her cooking, though playfully admitting it was "a little bit salty." They shared a drink, toasting to their "destiny" and "future."
Qiao Chusheng revealed his Hubei origins and how he came to Shanghai at a young age, while Tong Li shared she was born in Shanghai but raised in Peiping, only moving to Shanghai after college. When he asked why she came to Shanghai, she hinted it was "in order to meet the destined one." She confessed her laziness, having only ever visited Peiping and Shanghai.
Qiao Chusheng then expressed his biggest dream: to earn enough money to travel the world with his loved one. Tong Li, smiling, readily offered to accompany him. At a shoeshine stand, Lu Yao overheard a conversation about the He Youwei murder case. He sat down, and an accidental knock of a water jug on the ground triggered a sudden epiphany. He immediately returned to He Youwei's office, where he meticulously re-examined the crime scene.
By "rearranging all the blood stains on objects and restoring them like piecing back a puzzle," he finally understood the killer's "true purpose." He then confronted Qiao Chusheng, who, after a slight hesitation, handed over 200 silver dollars, stating he couldn't bring himself to ask Tong Li for the money.
Lu Yao then revealed his crucial discovery: despite Tong Li's claim of never having left Peiping and Shanghai, shipping records showed she traveled to Paris two years ago, precisely when she applied for a job at Xinyue Daily. Sensing Qiao Chusheng's growing affection for Tong Li, Lu Yao warned him to disengage from the case now, as continuing the investigation would likely "break his heart."
Despite Lu Yao's warning, Qiao Chusheng, accompanied by Lu Yao and Bai Youning, went to confront Tong Li. Bai Youning made no secret of her disdain for Tong Li. Qiao Chusheng formally announced that Tong Li was suspected of murdering He Youwei and Chu Ming and requested her cooperation with the investigation. Tong Li vehemently denied the accusations and demanded concrete evidence.
Lu Yao stepped forward to reveal the truth: the person Chu Ming was waiting for at the Golden Gate Hotel the night He Youwei was killed was not Tong Li, but Lin Qihua, the daughter of the singer Ye Ying. He explained that after Ye Ying's execution, her daughter was raised in Paris, eventually becoming "the hostess of a famous salon."
Two years prior, she swapped identities with the real Tong Li, who had studied in Paris, and returned to Shanghai to exact her revenge. Lu Yao pointed out a specific detail that first aroused his suspicion: the way Tong Li flipped a baguette that he had dropped, a French custom where bread placed upside down is reserved for death row prisoners – a detail only someone who lived in France would know.
He explained that Tong Li likely revealed her true identity to Chu Ming before their meeting, knowing his eagerness to meet would provide her with an opportunity to frame him. Chu Ming was killed before he could expose her. Lu Yao then took Tong Li, Qiao Chusheng, and Bai Youning to He Youwei's office to physically demonstrate how the murder was committed and how she exited the "sealed room."
He explained that his crucial insight came from an incident at a shoeshine stand, where knocking over a water jug made him realize how the blood spatter patterns were manipulated.
He illustrated how Tong Li, using a scarf, moved a bloody box behind the door, created a narrow gap just wide enough to slip out, then dragged the box tightly against the door from the outside, finally pulling the scarf through the crack, thereby creating the illusion of a sealed room. The scattered bloody boxes and book bundles were meant to disguise the missing blood spatter pattern on the floor, caused by the initial position of the box.
Tong Li attempted to dismiss his theory as mere imagination. Lu Yao then presented her published article as undeniable proof. While complimenting her writing skills, he highlighted the critical flaw: her article explicitly mentioned the murder weapon was a "Parker pen," a detail conspicuously absent from his official case report. Only a select few involved in the investigation knew the brand, confirming Tong Li's intimate knowledge of the crime. Lu Yao then unveiled Tong Li's true motive.
Ten years ago, her mother, Ye Ying, tragically succumbed to public pressure and eventually pleaded guilty, largely due to Chu Ming's failure to testify on her behalf. Upon encountering Chu Ming years later at a winery in Bordeaux, living a life of apparent ease, while her mother had "died because of something she didn't do," Tong Li's desire for revenge ignited, leading her back to Shanghai. Tong Li confirmed Lu Yao's understanding, acknowledging his analysis was "almost right."
Lu Yao continued, revealing a darker truth: Tong Li's father was a severe drug addict who subjected Ye Ying to long-term physical abuse, even leaving scars and cigarette burns on Tong Li herself, as documented in her medical records from Guangci Hospital and her mother's prison medical report. Ye Ying, in an effort to support her family, returned to the stage, which only exacerbated her husband's jealousy and violence.
Tong Li tearfully confessed that she attempted to die with her father, but she alone was rescued. Upon awakening, she discovered her mother had been executed. After reviewing He Youwei's sensationalized reports, she believed her mother had "pled guilty because she couldn't stand the public bashing." Lu Yao corrected this misconception, explaining that Ye Ying's conviction lacked direct evidence and was heavily influenced by public opinion fueled by He Youwei's article, which subtly pointed blame at her daughter.
Ye Ying had, in fact, pleaded guilty to halt the investigation and protect Tong Li. Tong Li expressed profound gratitude to Lu Yao for unveiling the complete truth, stating that her mother was a brave woman who sacrificed her life to protect her. She declared her resolve to punish those who twisted facts and spread rumors. She felt she could not live peacefully knowing the "villains" who manipulated public opinion had risen to respected positions.
As she was led away, Tong Li gave Lu Yao the Parker pen, calling it his "reward." With the truth fully exposed, Bai Youning reflected on He Youwei's past guidance that journalists "should be responsible for their words and deeds," now realizing that he himself may have missed that opportunity. To lift her spirits, Lu Yao offered to take her to the Red House Restaurant and have Qiao Chusheng cover the bill, but Bai Youning was too upset to eat.
She recalled a past conversation where He Youwei admitted to making "many mistakes" early in his career, now understanding he was referring to the Ye Ying case. She mused that He Youwei might have felt "a sense of relief" when Tong Li confronted him. Meanwhile, Qiao Chusheng visited Tong Li in prison. He sadly reminded her of their shared dream of traveling the world together and how he believed she was his destined one. Tong Li apologized, expressing her profound regret that, if circumstances had been different, she would have gladly embarked on that journey with him.
