Episode Summary
Liu Tiebin orchestrates Liu Tianci's death through fear, fueled by false accusations. A past tragedy resurfaces, linking Teacher Wang to illegal activities and a desperate quest for revenge, culminating in his disappearance and a hidden camera watching Gu Zhen, Su Qian, and Xiao Tang.
Spoiler Alert
This episode of "Criminal Scene" is packed with twists, turns, and revelations, diving deep into the dark side of revenge and the consequences of unchecked anger. The episode features two intertwining storylines.
The first storyline centers around the death of Liu Tianci. Liu Tiebin, driven by a thirst for revenge against the abusive Liu Tianci, fabricates medical records and orchestrates a village-wide rumor campaign to literally scare Liu Tianci to death. He gambles on the small chance that a healthy person can die from fear, and it pays off. Initially, Liu Tiebin denies his involvement, but Kong Rubai presents a damning recording of a conversation between Liu Tiebin and Liu Denggao, exposing the entire plot. Liu Tiebin breaks down, questioning whether his actions were justified given Liu Tianci's cruelty and the death of his mother, which he blamed on Liu Tianci. Kong Rubai counters that the law, not personal vengeance, should be the weapon against evil. A shocking twist reveals that Liu Tianci was innocent of the crimes Liu Tiebin accused him of (raping his sister-in-law and burning down their house). These acts were actually committed by Director Liu. Liu Quezi, a long-time victim of Director Liu's bullying, had been secretly tracking him and witnessed the truth. Liu Tianci happened to appear when Director Liu was having an affair with Liu Tiebin's sister-in-law, leading the villagers to wrongly accuse him. Because of the villager's apathy, Liu Quezi, who has a long-standing grudge against Liu Tianci, chose to remain silent. Director Liu, in an argument with Liu Tianci, carelessly tossed a cigarette butt into his kitchen, causing the fire that destroyed Liu Tiebin's ancestral home.
The second storyline revolves around Teacher Wang, Gu Zhen, and the lingering shadow of a past tragedy. Xue Cheng, engaged in debt collection, has a run-in with the police. Hu Yang, the debtor, seeks help from a friend who provides shelter but refuses to lend money, planting a seed of resentment in Hu Yang. Meanwhile, Teacher Wang continues his unsettling surveillance of Xiao Tang at her school. Gu Zhen confronts him, recognizing him as the father of a victim from a previous case and, surprisingly, Anna's current boyfriend. Anna leaves with Teacher Wang, leaving Gu Zhen deeply uneasy.
The investigation into the Song Hou case leads Gu Zhen and Kong Rubai to Teacher Wang. Years ago, Teacher Wang and his wife took their daughter, Wang Letong, to a night market. Wang Letong went to a nearby stall and was caught in a hostage situation involving Feng Chao. The incident ended in a devastating explosion, killing Wang Letong in front of her parents. The trauma led to Teacher Wang suffering from severe depression, prompting him to leave the country. He returned a changed man, seemingly successful but secretly involved in illegal lending and money laundering with his brother-in-law, Xue Cheng. His actions are fueled by a desire for revenge. Although Feng Chao, the direct perpetrator, is dead, Teacher Wang directs his rage toward others. While his loss is tragic, his methods are condemned. Gu Zhen, fearing for his safety, asks Kong Rubai to move out of his house, a request Kong Rubai reluctantly agrees to.
The episode ends on a cliffhanger. Teacher Wang has disappeared, and even Anna is unaware of his whereabouts. It's Xiao Tang's birthday, and Gu Zhen prepares a special dish he learned just for her. Su Qian also joins the celebration, gifting Xiao Tang a smartwatch. Unbeknownst to them, Teacher Wang is watching them through a hidden camera in a doll, his emotions volatile and unpredictable, setting the stage for a potentially explosive confrontation.
