Chen Ziguai, unable to bear the torment any longer, leaped to his death from the rooftop of his family's corporate building the day after Zhao Nanzhuo was imprisoned. His brief and sinful life had come to an end.
The city of Chen was already in turmoil, and now its heir had leaped to his death from a building. The shareholders all exclaimed about the bad luck, and one after another sold their shares at low prices.
The Chen family went bankrupt within two months. The couple, accustomed to a life of wealth and luxury, could not accept such a drastic change in their circumstances.
They could no longer maintain their former opulent and elegant demeanor, and spent their days worrying about daily necessities. Those they had previously oppressed came knocking, making their lives unbearable.
Xu Jiaojiao, her good fortune depleted, was tormented by terrible punishments and phantoms, wasting away to a mere skeleton. Every time she saw the disdainful glances from others, her heart felt as if it were being twisted by a knife. Even looking in the mirror terrified her.
She often dreamed of being with Shen Yangqing, living a happy and fulfilling life. She firmly believed this was all a nightmare and that her life shouldn't be like this.
With the last of her strength, she suffocated herself with the quilt. The Xu family was only moderately wealthy, and after her incident, no one patronized their business anymore.
They now lived a life like ordinary people. Towards this daughter, they felt both love and hate. They buried her perfunctorily and moved on.
Xu's mother was pregnant and did not even attend her daughter's funeral. They were preparing for their second child, determined to educate them properly.
The Heavenly Way selected another female lead for this world. She would become a pair with the male lead. This novel world would not be significantly affected.
Father He, along with his daughter's ashes and Jun Jiuli, returned to their ancestral village. He set aside some money for his retirement and donated the rest to his hometown to build bridges, pave roads, and establish schools.
He had originally studied to be a teacher and, after graduating, unable to find suitable work, joined that company instead.
Now, returning to his hometown and donating to a school, he became a principal. Interacting with the innocent children daily, he found his state of mind had greatly improved.
The children respected him greatly, and the villagers were also very grateful. They would often send him some of the fruits and vegetables they grew.
Eight years later, a couple with entirely white hair, supporting each other, arrived at the entrance of He Xuan Elementary School. The elderly security guard at the gate asked,
"Who are you looking for?"
"I want to find your principal, He Guyuan."
"What do you want with our principal?"
"It's a private matter, not convenient to discuss with you."
"Alright, then tell me your name. I'll inform our principal and then we'll decide whether to let you in."
"My name is Zhao Jiangzhu. Please tell your principal that an old acquaintance needs a favor."
After making a phone call, the security guard returned.
"You'd better leave. Our principal says he doesn't know you."
Regardless of how the security guard tried to drive them away, the two refused to leave and waited outside the school gate.
It was only after the students had all left after school that He Guyuan emerged from the school. He was surprised to see the two still there.
Upon seeing him, Mother Zhao immediately knelt on the ground, weeping, "Mr. He, please save my son. He knows he was wrong. As people say, 'Mistakes can be corrected,' please forgive him."
"You should leave. I will never forgive him. He took away the only family I had left in this world. Do not bother me again, or I will call the police."
Shui Wa: "Tsk tsk tsk. Such a proud person back then. Now they're reduced to kneeling and begging for mercy."
Jun Jiuli: "It's just that she can no longer rely on her power. Otherwise, she would still have that condescending attitude. Human wickedness is unfathomable."
"Mr. He, life in prison is truly unbearable. Those criminals are all desperate villains. My son, my son..." she sobbed.
"Heaven-inflicted calamities may be forgiven, but self-inflicted ones are unpardonable. He broke the law, and what he deserves is what he gets, no matter what."
"Please show some mercy. As long as you write a letter of understanding, he can be released early, his sentence can be reduced. Mr. He, he was just young and foolish back then, he was just a child!"
After speaking, Mother Zhao forcibly pulled Father Zhao to kneel beside her, crying uncontrollably.
Father He did not agree to their request and walked past them.
Mother Zhao said with some dissatisfaction, "With such a heart of stone, it's no wonder your family members left you one by one. You killed them all, you are their curse."
Father Zhao quickly covered her mouth. Father He paused in his steps and looked at Jun Jiuli, who was following him.
"Xuan Xuan..."
"Dad, I'm here. Don't listen to him. Some people just love to make excuses for their mistakes and find fault with the victim."
"Mm."
Father and Mother Zhao ultimately failed to achieve their goal and left Hejia Town dejectedly. Upon hearing the news, Zhao Nanzhuo, in despair, bit open his radial artery in prison and committed suicide.
Mother Zhao, consumed by grief, her health already weakened in prison, passed away within two years.
Father He lived out his later years very happily. The students he had benefited would return to see him every year.
After his death, the village chief led the households to arrange his funeral. The entire village mourned for him. He was buried in the land he had chosen earlier.
Three graves stood close together, marking a reunion of sorts for their family.
Jun Jiuli met the Black and White Impermanence again. Now that the two could no longer defeat her, the atmosphere was relatively harmonious.
White Impermanence bowed respectfully, "Your affairs here are concluded. Leave this realm quickly to avoid causing chaos in the minor world."
Jun Jiuli returned the bow, "Greetings, sirs. Farewell."
"Shui Wa, leaving the world."
"Got it, heading to the next dimension."