Episode Summary
Luo Yingwei investigates Guan Qiao’s novel Sandstorm, which eerily mirrors Cheng Chun’s unsolved murder. Guan claims artistic license, while Ding Baoyuan’s lies unravel under scrutiny. Chen Jianghe confronts his past ties to Cheng Chun and uncovers ATM footage implicating a mystery impersonator, delaying Ding’s release.
Spoiler Alert
"Sandstorm" Episode 4 Recap: Poetry, Lies, and Cold Case Ghosts
Let’s talk about Guan Qiao, folks—the self-proclaimed "tortured poet" whose magnum opus is currently gathering dust in bargain bins. This guy spends his days scribbling pretentious prose and getting foot massages while the cops are out here connecting his cringey novel to a decade-old murder. Episode 4 of Sandstorm? Buckle up—it’s a wild ride of literary delusions and skeletons tumbling out of closets.
The Poet-Turned-Suspect
Our "artist" Guan Qiao wrote a book called Phantom Love that flopped harder than a pancake at a vegan brunch. But his other work, Sandstorm—a fictionalized account of Cheng Chun’s murder—caught Luo Yingwei’s attention. Why? Because Guan narrates the killing in first-person, claiming he offed Cheng Chun and framed local scapegoat Ding Baoyuan. Suspicious? Luo thinks so. She drags Guan out of a very relaxed foot massage session for questioning.
Guan’s defense? "It’s just art, bro!" He insists he never met Cheng Chun and cobbled the story together using tabloid gossip and rumors from Sun Caiyun (side-eye intensifies). With zero evidence, the cops have to let him go—but not before Guan drops the real bombshell: "Have you read Sandstorm? There’s a cop in there who had a thing with Cheng Chun…"
Ding Baoyuan’s Web of Lies
Turns out, Ding Baoyuan’s alibi is shakier than a Jenga tower. Luo and Chen Jianghe grill him about his past with Cheng Chun. Ding admits he visited her during his messy divorce but claims he cut ties after remarrying. Cue Luo slamming down phone records showing Ding called Cheng Chun on the day she died. Ding deflects by… recommending Guan’s book? Classic move.
A Dinner Full of Secrets
Over noodles (because all good cop convos happen over carbs), Chen opens up about his history with Cheng Chun. Years ago, he saved her from thugs harassing her noodle shop. She later hit on him—twice—but he shut it down. Later, he arrested her during a vice raid. Guilt-tinged much? Meanwhile, Chen’s haunted by his mentor’s coma and his own failed marriage, all tied to this unsolved case.
The Plot Thickens… Again
Back at the station, Chen discovers Cheng Chun left behind a cryptic notebook with phone numbers—including Ding’s. Even juicier? Security footage proves someone impersonated Ding at an ATM the morning after the murder. Chen wants Ding released on "innocent until proven guilty" grounds, but Luo refuses. Letting him go now would be like handing a ticking time bomb to a toddler.
Final Thoughts
Episode 4 serves up more twists than a soap opera writer on Red Bull. Guan’s shameless clout-chasing, Ding’s shifting stories, and Chen’s guilt-ridden flashbacks—it’s all building to a storm that’s about to hit. And that mentor subplot? We’re betting he’s the "cop with a past" from Guan’s book.
Stay tuned—next week’s episode better come with a flowchart.
