Episode Summary
Duan Hongshan claims he killed his kidnapper, Zhou Delong, in self-defense, but the crime scene evidence contradicts his story. The victim is revealed to be the father of a boy from a controversial case Duan prosecuted fourteen years ago, leading Duan to believe he is being framed to ruin his career. As old figures from the past resurface, a critical piece of evidence—a cell phone—is found at the crime scene and secretly hidden by Mei Zheng.
Spoiler Alert
"Justifiable Defense" Episode 3: A Prosecutor's Story Crumbles
Prosecutor Duan Hongshan breaks his silence, recounting a harrowing tale of abduction and a fight for his life. He claims he was ambushed, knocked unconscious, and woke up tied up at the Dongjiao Fish Farm. His kidnapper, Zhou Delong, declared himself a "judge" and began a live-streamed "trial" on his phone. Duan says he managed to break free and, in the ensuing struggle, stabbed Zhou Delong only after Zhou came at him with a pickaxe. He insists it was a clear case of self-defense.
However, the physical evidence—or lack thereof—tells a different story. Investigators at the fish farm find no signs of a struggle, no blood, and no trace of the supposed live stream that Duan described.Both Duan's and Zhou Delong's mobile phones are missing, leaving the police with nothing to corroborate his account.
The case takes a sharp turn when a woman named Mei Zheng comes forward. She identifies the deceased, Zhou Delong, as the father of Zhou Lin, a student who died fourteen years ago in the "628 Library Case"—a case that Duan Hongshan himself prosecuted.This connection deepens when prosecutor Fang Lingyuan discovers that Zhou Delong had been living in a squalid apartment right next door to Duan, its walls plastered with photos and personal information about him. The police also confirm that Zhou Delong was the individual who had been filing official complaints against Duan.
Confronted by Fang Lingyuan with the kidnapper's identity, Duan becomes agitated, claiming it's all an elaborate setup. He theorizes that Zhou Delong was using the old library case as a lever to pry open all of his past convictions, aiming to destroy his reputation and, by extension, undermine public trust in the entire judicial system. The chaos at the prosecutor's office, now swarmed with people from Duan's old cases demanding reviews, seems to support his fear.
Meanwhile, Duan's lawyer, Lei Shuang, meets with him. Initially, she presses him to confess, even bringing custody and property transfer agreements for him to sign. But after Duan reveals his kidnapper was Zhou Delong, her attitude shifts, and she offers to waive her fees. Later, she visits Li Mufeng, a man involved in that same case fourteen years ago. Li claims to be grateful to Duan, not resentful. Yet, when Lei questions why Zhou Delong wouldn't hate him more, Li admits Zhou had threatened him but refuses to elaborate further.
In a final, secretive twist, Mei Zheng, while assisting the police search for evidence in the water at the fish farm, finds a mobile phone and quickly hides it.
