The Murder in Kairoutei Episode 7 Recap
> The Murder in Kairoutei Recap
Ji Dongmei held a press conference where she announced the Hongye Group's decision to restructure its business and management. She stated that the group's conservative and outdated management had led to a continuous decline in stock prices, harming shareholders' interests. She also announced the recommendation of three to five new board member candidates. Observing the broadcast, Gao Guangyi was enraged, realizing this was a blatant attempt to force him out.
He couldn't believe that after years in business, he was being undermined by his own family. He instructed his assistant to contact the top 20 shareholders, but most had already chosen to support Ji Dongmei, effectively declaring war on him. One shareholder argued that offering opinions was a board member's right and not illegal, stating Ji Dongmei had already approached him for support.
Gao Guangyi was further disheartened when he couldn't reach Teng Jun, and a caller (implied to be an adversary) sarcastically questioned whether anyone would "come to his rescue" or "add an insult to an injury," noting that even the Gao Hongzhi he had raised was no longer on his side. As Gao Guangyi's anger intensified, Jiang Yuanxing tried to calm him, assuring him she had other plans.
However, when he attempted to get out of bed for fresh air, he collapsed. Lin Zhenhui arrived at the hospital, where the doctor revealed Gao Guangyi had been diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer six months prior but had refused treatment. With company matters urgently needing her attention, Jiang Yuanxing entrusted Gao Guangyi to Lin Zhenhui and left for the office, acknowledging the severity of the "indictment and restructuring" crisis.
Meanwhile, a major accident occurred at Cheng Cheng's car dealership when an employee crashed a luxury car. Cheng Cheng, trying to be a generous boss, offered to cover all damages, stating it happened during work hours. However, his accountant reminded him that large expenditures required Jiang Yuanxing's explicit approval.
When Jiang Yuanxing couldn't be reached, the accountant, exasperated, revealed the truth: the entire car workshop and its employees were merely rented to create an illusion for Cheng Cheng, something they had all been "playing along with" all day. Cheng Cheng was stunned, realizing the business he thought was his thriving venture was a charade. Returning home to pack for the office, Jiang Yuanxing found a despondent Cheng Cheng.
He confronted her, having learned from the accountant that she had lied to him. Cheng Cheng expressed his deep betrayal, recounting how he hated being lied to and felt like a fool, especially as everyone else had been in on the deception. Jiang Yuanxing insisted she acted for his own good and that, apart from this one matter, she had never lied to him.
When Cheng Cheng questioned his ability to trust her again, she stoically told him that the damage was done, apologies were useless, and he was free to find someone else if he couldn't accept it. Angered by her words, Cheng Cheng accused her of not considering his feelings. Jiang Yuanxing then revealed the dire situation: Gao Guangyi was facing a forced resignation and was suffering from advanced cancer. She explained she needed to handle these pressing matters.
Although she didn't disclose that the car dealership's rental arrangement was Gao Guangyi's instruction, hoping to protect the fragile father-son relationship, she was no longer alone in her fight. Cheng Cheng, intercepting her taxi, declared that the situation was linked to his presence and proposed they use his identity to jointly protect Hongye Group.
The following morning, Jiang Yuanxing confronted Ji Dongmei, pointing out that Ji Dongmei's delay in approving contracts for Hongye's business unit, Ranxing, was jeopardizing its operations and would negatively impact Hongye Group's stock and future development. Ji Dongmei, however, dismissed her concerns, asserting that as a major shareholder and board member, she cared more deeply about the company's value than Jiang Yuanxing did. Unbeknownst to Ji Dongmei, Cheng Cheng had begun his own covert operations.
He met with Teng Jun through an intermediary, who, feigning sympathy for Cheng Cheng's difficult past, offered him support. Teng Jun instructed Cheng Cheng to monitor Jiang Yuanxing and report her every move, promising to deliver on all the benefits Gao Guangyi had once offered. Cheng Cheng agreed, even addressing Teng Jun as "Uncle Teng." Later, Cheng Cheng approached Gao Zijian at a bar.
After Gao Zijian made a comment about Jiang Yuanxing's appearance, Cheng Cheng subtly revealed chat logs between Teng Jun and Hua, exposing their conspiracy behind the Kairoutei incident. This move earned Gao Zijian's trust, leading him to introduce Cheng Cheng to Ji Dongmei. Cheng Cheng acted humbly, portraying himself as a naive "poor kid" who felt betrayed by Jiang Yuanxing's lies about the car dealership, suggesting her actions were influenced by Gao Guangyi.
He then offered Ji Dongmei a USB drive, claiming it contained evidence Jiang Yuanxing had gathered against dianjin. com, which he had secretly copied. Ji Dongmei's staff proposed immediately releasing this information to undermine Teng Jun, but she decided against it for the moment, given her current alliance with Teng Jun. However, the compromising video about dianjin.
com's illegal fundraising was eventually released online, causing an uproar and leading to numerous small investors gathering outside Teng Jun's office to demand their money. Teng Jun angrily confronted Gao Shiyao, his wife, via phone, blaming her for the crisis and warning that the loss of trust in his financial company would lead to mass withdrawals and bankruptcy. Gao Shiyao denied responsibility, arguing that the company's decision to delay interest payments had already fueled public suspicion.
His employees also confirmed that depositors were panicking due to recent P2P platform collapses, and the delay in payments only exacerbated their fears. Meanwhile, Jiang Yuanxing and Cheng Cheng coordinated their efforts. After discussing the board's composition and the votes they needed, which included securing Gao Hongzhi's support, they decided to approach Xie Can, the head of Blue Stone Foundation, who held a crucial swing vote and had ties to the Swan Charity Project.
They traveled to meet her, with Jiang Yuanxing going in alone while Cheng Cheng waited. While observing a photo of a young girl presenting a banner, Cheng Cheng overheard Jiang Yuanxing's emotional conversation with Xie Can. Jiang Yuanxing revealed she was the "Jiang Xing" from the photo, born in Seven Star Town.
She recounted how a devastating flood had destroyed her home and taken her parents' lives, and how she completed her education thanks to Hongye Group and Xie Can's support through the Swan Charity Project. She passionately argued that a change of ownership at Hongye would dismantle the philanthropic programs, denying future children the opportunities she had.
Though Xie Can held a low opinion of Gao Guangyi's character, Jiang Yuanxing's heartfelt plea resonated with her, reminding her of the project's profound impact. Leaving Xie Can's home, Cheng Cheng drove Jiang Yuanxing to Seven Star Town. Standing on a hillside overlooking the twinkling lights of the town, he took out fireflies he had caught.
Recalling a local legend that departed loved ones become stars, he released the fireflies, telling Jiang Yuanxing that since Jiangyang's fog often obscured the real stars, these were her special "stars" from him. He then wished her a happy birthday, promising to celebrate with her every year. Moved to tears, Jiang Yuanxing embraced him. They later checked into a local guesthouse, where only one room was available. Cheng Cheng considerately prepared a bath for her.
Jiang Yuanxing then gave him a new razor, explaining she had taken his old one when they first met to collect a sample for a DNA test. In that moment, Cheng Cheng was struck by a terrifying realization: the DNA sample she used was not his, but Li Hao's, who had impersonated him. Consumed by self-reproach, inferiority, and fear that this truth would unravel his identity and destroy their relationship, he was left in turmoil. When Jiang Yuanxing emerged from the bathroom, Cheng Cheng was nowhere to be found.
