Zhuang Minghao's failure made Liu Zhixi hate the idiot. At the same time, the Quan family staged a scene of affection for their biological daughter in front of her, making her skin, which had just scabbed over, crack again, causing her pain and making her toss and turn restlessly.
Meanwhile, Quan Maoheng, after leaving the ward, called his wife and two sons to his side behind Liu Zhixi's back and shared his suspicions.
"I think Xi Xi is lying about this. Quan He, tell them what you heard from Zhuang Minghao."
Quan He quickly said, "Zhuang Minghao thought that Miss Jiujiu's accident was a trap set for him by us using his feelings for Miss Xi Xi. From his words, I understood that he initially followed Miss Xi Xi's instructions to hit Miss Jiujiu's car."
Liu Peilin's eyes widened in disbelief. "How is this possible? Xi Xi... she wouldn't. She's been kind since she was little and always obedient in front of us. How could she do something so vicious? And didn't she say it was a misunderstanding with Jiujiu? How could she... no, I don't believe it."
Quan Tianyang also couldn't believe it. She was the sister he had doted on since childhood. Although he now knew she wasn't his biological daughter, the affection he had shown was sincere. The Quan family had strict upbringing, and they were respectful even to their servants. How could this be?
Quan Tianxi remained silent, but his heart had already begun to waver. After all, when he investigated the matter of Xi Xi's online revelations, he had already done so. He had also asked Xi Xi, but Xi Xi had always insisted that Xiao Dong had been instigated by someone else, even implying that Jiujiu was the instigator.
But Xiao Dong had grown up with Xi Xi since childhood. How could she have been bought off by Jiujiu for no reason?
"I visited Xiao Dong in prison. She has both new and old injuries. I also took photos to ask Dr. Liao. He said that the old scars had different marks, and only continuous abuse from childhood to adulthood could form such scarred skin."
"From childhood to adulthood..." Liu Peilin looked at her second son, covering her mouth in horror. "You mean, Xi Xi abused Xiao Dong from a young age? But... Xiao Dong never said anything. She... she..."
Liu Peilin couldn't finish her sentence because she understood something very clearly. In the new district, servants were just servants, and it was difficult for them to turn their lives around. Xiao Dong was meek and submissive, always speaking little and hesitantly. Even if she had been abused, she probably wouldn't have dared to say anything.
Quan Tianxi recalled his childhood and suddenly understood. "No wonder Xiao Dong always seemed listless when she was little, as if she might faint at any moment. But she was Xi Xi's person, so I didn't pay much attention, only reminded Xi Xi to be more careful."
The family fell silent.
Xiao Dong had been abused since childhood, which meant that the obedient child they saw was actually a demon from a young age. The thought of a child, possibly only five or six years old, pouring boiling water on another child of the same age and not allowing that child to escape sent a shiver down their spines.
That wasn't their Xi Xi. That was a demon.
After a long while, Quan Maoheng sighed helplessly, "Those who are wrong, staying in a position that doesn't belong to them, is also wrong."
Liu Peilin, Quan Tianyang, and Quan Tianxi all understood the meaning of these words. But even the emotional Liu Peilin couldn't say anything at this moment.
She did feel sorry for that child, but the thought that the person she had doted on since childhood was such an unforgivable demon chilled her heart, and she felt a deep sense of betrayal. They said that a princess who received all the love was innocent and pure, but clearly, their love hadn't made Liu Zhixi a good person.
After Quan Maoheng gave his orders, he prepared to go settle accounts with the Zhuang family. But before he could leave, he received news that the Zhuang family's various industries were being attacked by the Chu family from the outer city and the Xing family.
Quan Maoheng knew this was Chu Rong's revenge, and that by joining forces with the Xing family, they intended to bring the Zhuang family down completely. Originally, as the chief law enforcement officer of the new district, he should have intervened to stop this conflict between the outer and new districts, but he didn't. He feigned ignorance, let it happen, and even secretly lent support to the Chu family.
Although the Zhuang family was vast and wealthy, they couldn't withstand the combined opposition of the three major families. Thus, they fell into ruin overnight.
However, the Quan family held the imperial seal, and it was impossible to stand by and do nothing. So, Quan Maoheng dawdled. Two hours after Qu Yi left, he slowly arrived at the Zhuang family's residence, feigning concern and asking questions.
Zhuang Wanpeng was at his wit's end. Upon seeing Quan Maoheng arrive, he was so excited that he couldn't help but cry. Without a word, he pulled Quan Maoheng and poured out his troubles and pleas for help.
"...Brother Quan, you must help us. My elder brother is lying in the hospital, his life hanging by a thread. Half of our family has left, and the other half is scattered. Our vast enterprise has vanished overnight. I truly don't know what to do. I beg you, for the sake of our many years of acquaintance, help our Zhuang family through this difficult time."
Quan Maoheng thought of how his own daughter had almost been killed by Zhuang Minghao, and he wished he could kill that Zhuang himself to vent his anger. But outwardly, he had to pretend. "I only heard about your troubles, so I rushed over to see. Don't worry, our four families are the cornerstones of the new district. We can't do without any of us."
Hearing this, Zhuang Wanpeng's despair reignited.
He excitedly knelt down and kowtowed three times, then thanked him repeatedly with tears in his eyes. Finally, he looked at Quan Maoheng with anticipation. "What are your thoughts, Brother Quan?" He was expecting to know how much money they would lend.
Quan Maoheng put on a sincere expression and held Zhuang Wanpeng's hand. "I plan to arrange a marriage between you and us. Marry Liu Zhixi to your Minghao. These two children have been childhood sweethearts, and they were even calling each other last night to express their feelings. This marriage is most suitable."
Zhuang Wanpeng was overjoyed. If the two families were to marry, wouldn't they become one family? The Qu family, the Bai family, and the families below them all wanted to marry into the Quan family, but the Quan family had few daughters, and their precious darling was doted on by the entire family. They had never shown any intention.
Now, they were proposing a marriage alliance with the Zhuang family. Wasn't this like a pie falling from the sky? Zhuang Wanpeng jumped up with joy. "Brother Quan, you are truly a living Bodhisattva to our Zhuang family. Don't worry, when Xi Xi comes to our home, our entire family will cherish her like a treasure."
Quan Maoheng was very pleased.
While Zhuang Wanpeng was happy, he noticed something and asked, "By the way, did I hear Brother Quan mention Liu Zhixi just now? Did I mishear?"
Quan Maoheng chuckled. "You didn't mishear. It's Liu Zhixi. Our Xi Xi is developing in the entertainment industry in the outer city. Her stage name is Liu Zhixi, and we've gotten used to calling her that. It doesn't matter anyway."
Zhuang Wanpeng nodded in realization. For entrepreneurs like them, the entertainment industry was irrelevant, especially in the outer city.
After confirming, Zhuang Wanpeng immediately ordered people to prepare food and drinks to entertain Quan Maoheng.
Quan Maoheng said, "Given the suddenness of the situation, let's not bother with any ceremonies. Let the two children get their marriage certificates first, and we can hold the wedding later."
Zhuang Wanpeng didn't expect the other party to be even more eager. He was delighted and quickly produced the household registration book, immediately sending someone to get the marriage certificate processed. Within an hour, Liu Zhixi's household registration was transferred to the Zhuang family, officially making her a member of the Zhuang family.
When Quan Maoheng returned home, he faced his wife's questioning gaze and sighed helplessly, "This is for the best for everyone."