Episode Summary

In episode 11 of "The Perfect Suspect," Zhong Ning's investigation into Liu Zixuan's kidnapping intensifies as he targets Zhao Qian. A staged car crash, meant to corner Zhao Qian, unexpectedly implicates Liao Boyan, a man repeatedly present at crime scenes. Zhao Qian recognizes Liao as the kidnapper and uncovers his motive: revenge for a five-year-old hit-and-run that killed his daughter, a secret she keeps to herself. Meanwhile, Zhong Ning discovers a hidden map in the deceased Yang Yan's drawings, leading him to a castle-like hideout, but the suspect has already fled. The episode climaxes with a police pursuit of Liu Renkai, which ends in a tense standoff where Zheng Gang is shot while protecting Zhong Ning.

Spoiler Alert

"The Perfect Suspect" Episode 11 Recap & Spoilers: A Castle of Secrets and a Bloody Showdown

Episode Recap

As Zhong Ning digs deeper into Liu Zixuan's kidnapping, he sets his sights on prime suspect Zhao Qian. His attempt to corner her is violently interrupted by a mysterious car crash, which unexpectedly brings Liao Boyan—a man who keeps appearing at crime scenes—into the spotlight. Zhao Qian recognizes Liao Boyan as the kidnapper and secretly tasks Liu Renkai with investigating him, uncovering a five-year-old hit-and-run that provides a motive for revenge. Meanwhile, a breakthrough comes from an unlikely source: a children's sketchbook. Zhong Ning deciphers a hidden map in Yang Yan's drawings, leading him to a bizarre, colorful castle built inside an abandoned factory, but the kidnapper has already moved his victim. The episode culminates in a high-stakes police chase where, in a desperate attempt to protect Zhong Ning, Zheng Gang is shot.

Key Moments from the Episode

  1. An Unexpected Ambush: Zhong Ning sets a trap for Zhao Qian using a children's song, only to be caught in a deliberate car crash. After saving Zhao Qian, he gives chase but loses the vehicle.
  2. A Cold Case Resurfaces: Zhao Qian identifies Liao Boyan by his eyes. Liu Renkai's investigation into him reveals a photo of his daughter, Liao Yifan, which connects him to a fatal hit-and-run from five years prior.
  3. The Artist's Hidden Map: Zhong Ning discovers that the late Yang Yan's drawings contain a secret map. He follows it to an abandoned factory, where he finds a chillingly colorful castle room and a still-warm thermos, proving he just missed the suspect.
  4. Cornered and Dangerous: The police close in on Liu Renkai. Trapped and with no way out, he pulls a gun, leading to a shocking conclusion when Zheng Gang is shot while protecting Zhong Ning.

Full Episode Breakdown

Zhao Qian's Suspicious Reunion

The investigation into Liu Zixuan's kidnapping leads Zhong Ning and Zheng Gang to Zhao Qian's elementary school teacher. They learn that after the third grade, Zhao Qian became withdrawn and isolated, yet she suddenly organized a class reunion a year ago. Suspecting the reunion is linked to Yang Yan's death, Zhong Ning tracks Zhao Qian to a spa she frequents. He attempts to rattle her by playing the children's song "Hide and Seek" outside her private room. Zhao Qian emerges but refuses to discuss Yang Yan. As Zhong Ning leaves, her bodyguards try to stop him, but a van suddenly speeds toward Zhao Qian. Zhong Ning reacts instantly, pushing her to safety. He pursues the vehicle but only gets as far as an intersection, where he finds Liao Boyan standing strangely in the middle of the road.

An Identification Made by a Glance

Zhong Ning brings Liao Boyan to the station for questioning. Zhao Qian later arrives and states that his eyes look just like the kidnapper's, though she can't be certain since the crash happened too fast and the van had stolen plates. Zhong Ning's suspicion of Liao Boyan intensifies, as this is yet another crime scene where he has inexplicably appeared. In a parallel development, a formal missing person report for Liu Zixuan is filed by backpackers who found her schoolbag in the mountains; her mother, Sun Ting, waited a full day before contacting the police.

A Fatal Connection from Five Years Ago

Haunted by the memory, Zhao Qian becomes certain that Liao Boyan is the man who abducted her. She orders Liu Renkai to search Liao's home for evidence. Liu Renkai takes a photo of Liao Boyan to a hospital, hoping a car crash survivor named Xie Xiaohua can identify him, but a nurse shoos him away. He then finds and delivers a photo of Liao Boyan with his daughter, Liao Yifan, to Zhao Qian. The moment Zhao Qian sees Liao Yifan, she has a flashback to a hit-and-run incident from five years ago. The pieces click into place: she finally understands Liao Boyan's motive is revenge. However, she chooses to keep this crucial information from Liu Renkai.

The Secret in Yang Yan's Drawings

Searching Liu Zixuan's home, Zhong Ning observes that the bruises on her body are not from typical school fights. He also finds a sketchbook belonging to Yang Yan. After photographing the drawings, he visits Yang Yan's mother, Zhang Qiaoyun, who reluctantly hands over more of her daughter's artwork, which she had salvaged from the trash. While studying the drawings, Zhong Ning realizes they contain a hidden map. He follows it to an abandoned factory and is stunned to find a brightly colored, castle-like room built inside. A thermos on a table is still warm to the touch—proof that his quarry has only just left.

A Bloody Manhunt and a Gunshot

Police review surveillance footage from Liao Boyan's home and spot Liu Renkai breaking in. A blood sample from the scene is a DNA match for the murdered Xiao Dade, confirming Liu Renkai's involvement. Zheng Gang tracks down Liu Renkai's subordinate, Ah Long, but he manages to escape during the pursuit. A panicked Liu Renkai calls Zhao Qian to warn her the police are onto him, but she scoffs at him. He then calls Sun Ting, telling her he needs to go home to get money. Zhong Ning correctly deduces this is a diversion and that Liu Renkai is heading to a different hideout.

The police intercept Liu Renkai's car, sparking a desperate chase. Finally cornered, Liu Renkai pulls out a gun and aims it directly at Zhong Ning. Seeing the danger, Zheng Gang lunges forward to shield his partner and is struck by the bullet, collapsing to the ground as the episode ends.