Episode Summary
Hao Chengcai is confronted with video evidence placing him at the fire, leading to suspicions about his involvement and motives. A hidden room in the victim's house and surprising autopsy results raise questions about Ying Youchang's potential role and mental state. Xu Tongsheng attempts to test Shen Ye's identity, while further investigation reveals Hao Chengcai's deception about his relationship with his mother and her diabetes.
Spoiler Alert
The episode throws suspicion squarely on Hao Chengcai. Initially, Hao Chengcai denies any knowledge of the fire, but Shen Ye presents him with the newly restored video footage, clearly placing him at the scene. Cornered, Hao Chengcai admits he was there, claiming he'd argued with his mother, Zhang Yulan, because he wanted her to help with childcare. Zhang Yulan, however, was focused on caring for Ying Youchang. Hao Chengcai then tries to shift the blame, accusing Ying Youchang of killing his mother, suggesting Ying Youchang resented the possibility of Zhang Yulan helping with his child. Shen Ye directly challenges Hao Chengcai, pointing out his suspicious behavior in returning to the fire scene a second time without attempting to rescue anyone.
Back at the office, Shen Ye instructs Li Dangui to investigate who Hao Chengcai met with on the night of the incident. The team reasons that Zhang Yulan's death wouldn't benefit Hao Chengcai, suggesting there might be another motive. Meanwhile, Jin Chun reviews the autopsy report, finding the data strangely normal. Xu Tongsheng contacts them with a new discovery: a hidden room in Zhang Yulan's house, locked from the inside and untouched since the fire. This raises suspicion about Ying Youchang, especially considering Hao Chengcai's statement that Ying Youchang was most afraid of losing Zhang Yulan's care. Jin Chun analyzes the autopsy, revealing that Zhang Yulan died from stab wounds, while Ying Youchang died from carbon monoxide poisoning after the fire. Surprisingly, Ying Youchang's leg atrophy wasn't severe, meaning he had the physical ability to stand from his wheelchair. Jin Chun suggests Ying Youchang might have suffered from PTSD, with the psychological impact of seeing others' leg injuries causing him to avoid walking.
Jin Chun lists some characteristics of PTSD, many of which are psychological factors, like allergic reactions to food. Xu Tongsheng suddenly remembers that Shen Ye is allergic to shrimp, and he wants to test whether Shen Ye is He Xi, so he invites Shen Ye and Jin Chun to his house for dinner.
Before entering, Xu Tongsheng asks them to wait outside, claiming he needs to tidy up. Once inside, Shen Ye notices a telescope pointed at Han's Group, hinting at a possible connection. Xu Tongsheng cooks dinner, deliberately using shrimp paste. Shen Ye explores the living room, finding a whiteboard with a Han family relationship chart and asks Jin Chun about the old Xu family case. Soon, Xu Tongsheng finishes the noodles and receives a phone call. Shen Ye serves himself and eats all the noodles, showing no allergic reaction.
The next day, Hao Chengcai visits the police station to obtain a death certificate, but Shen Ye refuses, citing the ongoing investigation. Hao Chengcai leaves and receives an urgent call from Wang Yingying, who is very anxious about the delay.
Xu Tongsheng approaches Shen Ye to discuss the case, subtly asking if Shen Ye ever changed his name. Shen Ye denies it. Lin Jingxiang then arrives, questioning why Shen Ye released Hao Chengcai. She describes Zhang Yulan's struggles raising her son alone and reveals that Hao Chengcai had demanded his mother work as a cleaner at his company. When Lin Jingxiang mentions Zhang Yulan's diabetes, Xu Tongsheng recalls the cake found at the explosion site.
Shen Ye visits Xu Tongsheng's workplace to inquire about Zhang Yulan. The receptionist remembers her, but no one knew about her relationship with Hao Chengcai, who was perceived as a wealthy "second-generation" due to his stylish appearance. Back home, Hao Chengcai looks at his phone's screensaver photo, regretting that his mother always avoided being in pictures with him.
