Episode Summary
Zhang Wenxuan is driven to suicide by relentless bullying and humiliation captured on video by Huang Jiawang and his accomplices. Judge Lin Zhitao uncovers the truth in court, revealing the attackers' callous actions and the trivial motive behind the abuse. The perpetrators receive prison sentences, but Zhang Wenxuan's mother is devastated by the outcome.
Spoiler Alert
Episode 1 Recap & Spoilers:
The episode kicks off with a brutal scene: Zhang Wenxuan is desperately trying to escape a group of thugs. He's cornered on a rooftop, begging them to stop the abuse. The ringleader, Huang Jiawang, whips out his phone and starts recording. He humiliates Zhang Wenxuan, even urinating on him while filming the whole thing. Utterly broken, Zhang Wenxuan sees no way out. He stands at the edge of the roof, hesitates for a moment, but the taunting laughter behind him pushes him over the edge. He jumps.
We then meet Lin Zhitao, a judge at the Intermediate People's Court. She's a dedicated and compassionate woman. One day, she hears a distraught mother pleading with court staff to accept her case, explaining that only this court can deliver a death sentence to the perpetrators who wronged her. Lin Zhitao, moved by the mother's desperation, intervenes and ensures the case is accepted.
The courtroom drama centers on the trial for Zhang Wenxuan's death. Huang Jiawang, the main instigator, claims he barely knew Zhang Wenxuan. He says he only confronted him because his friend, Li Hui, felt wronged by Zhang Wenxuan. Huang Jiawang admits he went too far, but claims Li Hui tried to stop him. However, Huang Jiawang ignored Li Hui's pleas and continued to torment Zhang Wenxuan, even goading him to jump and threatening to post the humiliating video online.
Huang Jiawang's defense attorney argues that Zhang Wenxuan was of sound mind and that his suicide was an impulsive act, not directly caused by the attackers. But Lin Zhitao presents a damning video showing the extent of Zhang Wenxuan's abuse. The footage clearly shows Zhang Wenxuan's injuries and his hesitation before jumping. It's evident that Huang Jiawang's relentless filming and threats pushed him to the brink.
Throughout the trial, Huang Jiawang is evasive, even trying to downplay his role in the humiliation. Lin Zhitao reveals phone records showing that Li Hui called emergency services (120) after Zhang Wenxuan fell, but hung up before connecting. The crime took place in an isolated, abandoned building, meaning the three attackers were the only ones who could have helped Zhang Wenxuan. Instead, they chose to flee.
Li Hui explains that he hung up because he thought Zhang Wenxuan was still alive. He claims Huang Jiawang stopped him from calling for help, fearing they'd be exposed.
Lin Zhitao is visibly affected by the details of the case. She questions Li Hui about his grudge against Zhang Wenxuan. Li Hui says he suspected Zhang Wenxuan, the class's health monitor, of reporting him for missing cleaning duty, which resulted in a week of extra chores. Lin Zhitao presents evidence proving Zhang Wenxuan didn't even write Li Hui's name on the duty roster. A seemingly trivial incident led to the death of a promising student.
Based on the Law on the Protection of Minors, Lin Zhitao delivers the verdict: Huang Jiawang is sentenced to eight years in prison, Chen Xiaobin receives six years, and Li Hui gets five years. Zhang Wenxuan's mother breaks down, shattering her son's portrait and screaming about killing the perpetrators and demanding the death penalty.
