Under the bright lights, a woman with disheveled hair, wearing a white bathrobe, was curled up in a chair in front of the computer desk.
The sudden brightening of the room didn't stop her crying.
Her shoulders shook continuously with her sobs.
Chu Chu cautiously approached from behind, full of confusion, and called out, "Mom?"
The woman, bewildered, lifted her tear-stained face to look at Chu Chu. Her eyes were red and swollen, clearly having cried for a long time. In her current state, few would recognize her as Jiang Xiaofen, the formidable CEO of Chu Xiao Group.
Jiang Xiaofen didn't speak. Instead, she pulled Chu Chu into her embrace, continuing to cry bitterly.
Chu Chu, puzzled, looked at her mother and murmured, "Mom, what's wrong?"
Between sobs, Jiang Xiaofen managed to say, "Your dad... doesn't want us anymore…"
Chu Chu's gaze inadvertently swept over the open laptop screen, which displayed a series of financial accounts…
Meanwhile, in Binnan City.
In a luxurious private villa, far more opulent than Chu Xuelin's in Binbei City, named Fenghu Villas.
Li Tian's taxi and Mu Zi's motorcycle arrived one after the other at the entrance of Fenghu Villas.
They hid the motorcycle in the bushes near the villa's gate and secretly observed the front.
Not long after Mina got out of the taxi, Chu Xuelin's car also arrived.
Mina, with graceful steps, approached the car.
Chu Xuelin got out too, posing coolly with open arms to welcome Mina.
Mina flung herself into his arms like a bird.
Then, they passionately kissed next to the car.
Mu Zi put down his binoculars, feeling a rush of emotions. Now, he finally understood why Mina and Chu Xuelin had come here to meet.
Mu Zi turned to Li Tian, who stood beside him with clenched fists.
Fortunately, Mina and Chu Xuelin's display of affection was brief. Mina took out her keys, unlocked the main gate, and Chu Xuelin drove the car in.
Through the binoculars, Mu Zi clearly saw Mina leap into Chu Xuelin's arms, who then carried her into the house, laughing heartily...
The couple had even forgotten to lock the main gate… While Mu Zi was still shocked, he heard the sound of a phone camera.
Li Tian, exhaling sharply, said through gritted teeth, "It's a waste not to show Xiaofen... Jiang Xiaofen this wonderful scene!"
He then pressed the send button on a multimedia message…
Mu Zi watched as Li Tian smugly put away his phone and quickly told Li Tian, "Send a text to Jiang Xiaofen, tell her to come here and witness the great show."
Li Tian did as instructed.
Thus, a text message was transformed into countless signals, swiftly traveling through the mobile network, crossing space, and reaching Jiang Xiaofen in Binbei City, who was in the midst of tears.
The ringtone of her phone chimed, and Jiang Xiaofen picked it up, puzzled…
When Jiang Xiaofen appeared at the entrance of Fenghu Villas, the outcome seemed almost predestined.
As if by divine intervention, the main gate was unlocked. She walked in effortlessly and witnessed the drama starring her own husband.
She didn't burst in to catch them in the act.
Mu Zi and Li Tian, secretly watching from the shadows, were quietly stunned by her reaction.
Deep love breeds deep hatred. Mu Zi suddenly thought of this phrase.
Jiang Xiaofen didn't disturb Chu Xuelin's romantic moment. After confirming everything, she turned and walked out of the villa.
Her first few steps were slow and staggering, aptly described by Mu Zi as "soulless."
After a few steps, her pace suddenly became firm and swift.
Mu Zi curiously followed.
She went straight to the police station...
"This final blow doesn't need our intervention. Chu Xuelin will pay for his indulgences," Mu Zi said to Li Tian as they lay back on the soft couch upon returning to Binbei.
"Evil begets evil," Li Tian said. He wasn't drinking wine but champagne, guzzling it down. The bright lights in the room illuminated his flushed face.
"Now that the situation is settled, Chu Xuelin's imprisonment is inevitable. So, I want to ask your opinion: do you want him dead, or just imprisoned?" Mu Zi swirled his glass, looking at Li Tian.
Li Tian closed his eyes in thought, then slowly said, "He made me go to prison; now, it's his turn. And he'll serve longer than I did, consider it interest."
Mu Zi nodded, smiling silently.
"Mu Zi, thank you," Li Tian suddenly said.
Mu Zi stared at Li Tian's flushed face as if he had spoken in an alien language. After a while, he replied with a smile, "The money that rightfully belongs to you will soon be back in your hands. Give me a hundred or two hundred thousand, that's better than polite words…"
Li Tian laughed heartily, and they both roared with laughter. The laughter echoed in the room, turning into an invisible, intangible creature that passed through the window glass and danced around the tall buildings of Binbei City under the starry night sky...
After the laughter subsided, Li Tian's face showed a hint of sadness. He drained a large glass of champagne, wiped his lips, looked at Mu Zi, and suddenly said, "Guess what I'm thinking about?"
Mu Zi answered quickly without lifting his head, "Jiang Xiaofen."
Li Tian was surprised, "How did you know?"
Mu Zi replied just as quickly, "I guessed."
Li Tian was momentarily taken aback, then shook his head vigorously, like Mu Zi often did, as if trying to rid his mind of some impurities.
Then, he said, "I feel like a grim reaper, deciding a person's fate with a single sentence."
Mu Zi also laughed, "Seems like it."
"It's a pity the real grim reaper is you," Li Tian sighed. His expression became solemn: "Now, tell me the story between you and Mina."
Mina...
At the mention of her name, Mu Zi's hand, swirling his glass, suddenly stopped.
Memories of the woman flooded his mind.
After a long silence, he said softly, "She was my stepmother. Once."
Li Tian waited, but when Mu Zi didn't continue, he asked, "And then?"
Mu Zi stood up, slowly walked to the window, and gazed out into the night.
"There is no 'then'," he said softly.
"Are you going to kill her?" Li Tian asked, looking at Mu Zi's silhouette.
"Not me. It will be an accident."
Mu Zi didn't turn around. He stared at the twinkling stars in the night sky, unconsciously twirling a lock of hair...