Although Zhao Qiuying had complete trust in Huo Jinning, deep down she still had a trace of lingering doubt.
Thus, she decided to send people to investigate the situation of the Xia siblings, Xia Qing and Xia Tian. What they found was shocking.
It turned out that Xia Qing and Xia Tian, relying on their connection to the Huo family, were going around swindling and bullying others. They not only stole many people’s business and wealth but also made those they oppressed too afraid to retaliate, worried about provoking the powerful Huo family.
Even worse, there were many more such vile acts…
“This Xia Qing, I really underestimated her! Judging by this, what Ningning said is very likely true…” Zhao Qiuying was so furious that her chest rose and fell rapidly, seething with anger.
“Alright, madam, don’t get too upset and hurt yourself,” Huo Shan quickly comforted her softly from the side, gently patting her back to help her breathe easier.
“Fortunately, we discovered this in time, or the consequences would have been unimaginable!” Huo Shan also sighed with lingering fear.
Although the Huo family had a high status in Jing City, there were even more powerful hidden families, like the Fu family and the Bai family.
Most importantly, the Huo family had upheld integrity for generations, never using their authority for personal gain. This had been the foundation of the Huo family’s survival and prosperity.
Otherwise, with their wealth alone, if they wanted to seek convenient shortcuts or pull strings, plenty of people would have been willing to help.
“Husband, given the current situation, how should we handle it?” Zhao Qiuying asked worriedly.
“We’ll leave it to the law enforcement agencies. Let the law judge them for their crimes,” Huo Shan said firmly, never considering handling things privately — after all, nothing irreversible had yet happened.
“Yes, you’re right. However, our Huo family is not one to be bullied. We must make sure they receive the harshest punishment,” Zhao Qiuying said angrily.
“Alright, alright, we’ll do as you say,” Huo Shan said, clearly fond of seeing Zhao Qiuying this fired up.
Unable to restrain himself, Huo Shan suddenly kissed her.
“You…”
Zhao Qiuying, caught off guard, tried to struggle but was quickly stopped by Huo Shan, and the words she intended to say were swallowed by the kiss.
…
The law enforcement officers acted quickly and efficiently. In just three days, the Xia family’s operations were completely shut down.
This news was like a bombshell, shocking the entire city.
Meanwhile, Huo Jinning, holding her phone, hurried downstairs, calling out loudly, “Mom, Mom…”
Hearing her anxious voice, Huo Shan immediately got nervous. He quickly got up from the sofa and took a few steps toward the staircase to meet his panicked daughter.
“Don’t panic, take your time and tell me — what happened?” Huo Shan asked anxiously.
Huo Jinning took a deep breath, calming herself slightly, and then looked at her father with surprise and said, “Dad, you’re actually at home today?”
It was known that recently, because Huo Nanchu was on a business trip, Huo Shan had been busy going to the company to handle difficult matters. Logically, he should have been at the company at this time.
“Mm, there wasn’t much urgent work today, so I gave myself a day off. Now tell Dad, what happened to make you so flustered?” Huo Shan asked with deep concern.
[It’s over. My image is ruined.]
[Ugh, I’m too embarrassed to show my face.]
[How could I get so excited and forget myself?]
[What do I look like being all loud and clumsy?]
[I’m no longer the well-behaved girl I once was.]
【Xiao Liu, I want to die on the spot.】
【Master, you never had an image to begin with.】 Xiao Liu ruthlessly added.
【Hmph, I’m ignoring you.】
Both Huo Shan and Zhao Qiuying thought, “You never had an image in our eyes to begin with.”
However, after hearing Huo Jinning’s inner thoughts, both Huo Shan and Zhao Qiuying quickly regained their calm expressions and even let out a small sigh of relief.
It seemed that nothing truly serious had happened — she even had the leisure to worry about her outward appearance.
Then, without speaking, the two of them sat back down on the sofa at the same time.
“Dad, I just happened to see the situation with the Xia family. Both Xia Tian and Xia Qing have already been sentenced, and the entire Xia family has been declared bankrupt,” Huo Jinning said.
“So I rushed over to tell Mom — the Xia family was never good people to begin with. I hope Mom won’t feel anysympathy and try to save them.”
“Especially that Xia Qing. I disliked her from the very first time I met her,” Huo Jinning continued, not forgetting to badmouth Xia Qing a bit more in front of Zhao Qiuying.
At the same time, a hint of worry flashed in her eyes as she looked directly at Zhao Qiuying.
[I’m really worried that Mom might go soft and try to save those two scumbags.]
[Anyway, I won’t let her!]
[Those two deserve worse than what they got — just being imprisoned is already merciful.]
[But… it’s strange, this didn’t happen in the original story!]
[Whoever did this good deed and got them caught early —]
[If I ever find out who it was, I should bow down to them… no, that’s too much. Maybe treat them to a meal? No, I don’t have much money… forget it, I’ll just quietly wish them well in my heart.]
[Yes, that’s my final decision.]
[Hehe, I’m so smart.]
[This is really good news.]
Huo Shan and Zhao Qiuying were both completely charmed by Huo Jinning’s adorable behavior.
“Ningning, Mom isn’t some bleeding-heart fool who pities anyone who gets what they deserve! If they’ve committed crimes, they must bear the corresponding consequences.”
“Besides, the law is sacred and inviolable! It’s not just the foundation of social order, but also the minimum standard of morality for each one of us! Whoever crosses that line brings suffering upon themselves!”
Looking at her smart and understanding daughter, Zhao Qiuying felt immense comfort and thought, This child really is my little treasure.
“Mom, you said it perfectly!” Huo Jinning said excitedly, giving her a big thumbs-up.
“You little sweet-talker!” Zhao Qiuying playfully tapped Huo Jinning’s forehead, her face full of happiness.
“Hehe, well, I learned from the best!” Huo Jinning replied cheekily, trying to flatter her.
“Aiya, look at her, hubby~” Zhao Qiuying said shyly to her husband, her cheeks blushing bright pink.
“Haha, Ningning is absolutely right!” Huo Shan laughed happily, showing his agreement.
“You two…” Zhao Qiuying couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time, but her eyes were full of love and contentment for her family.
The family of three basked in the warm and joyful atmosphere, feeling a deep sense of happiness.
…
After Xia Qing was imprisoned, Zhao Qiuying visited her at her request.
At this moment, Xia Qing had long lost her former radiance. Her face was haggard and worn, a far cry from the dazzling figure she once was.
The two sat facing each other across the cold metal bars, the atmosphere heavy and somber.
Looking at Zhao Qiuying, who was still glowing and full of charm, Xia Qing felt a flash of jealousy shoot through her heart like an arrow.
But this flicker of emotion did not escape Zhao Qiuying’s sharp eyes.
A pang of pain stirred in Zhao Qiuying’s heart — after all, they had once been close friends who shared everything.
Now, realizing that Xia Qing had always approached her with hidden motives, how could she not feel heartbroken?
“Qiuying-jie, please save me! I’m truly innocent! You are my only friend. If even you refuse to help me, then I really have no way out!” Xia Qing said, tearful and pitiful.
“Oh, and my brother too — he always saw you as…” Xia Qing hadn’t even finished the word “sister” when Zhao Qiuying coldly interrupted her.
“Enough! Whether you are guilty or not will be decided by the law. I’m just an ordinary housewife; how would I know anything about legal matters?” Zhao Qiuying responded with a cold and indifferent expression.
“Besides, if you truly had a clear conscience, why would you be so terrified?” Zhao Qiuying no longer wanted to waste time pretending. She directly tore off the facade and revealed her true feelings: “I should be the one asking you — why did you try to harm me?”
Faced with Zhao Qiuying’s sudden confrontation, Xia Qing panicked, stammering, “Qiuying-jie, I… I… didn’t…”
At that moment, Xia Qing finally realized how serious things were and fear took root in her heart.
Zhao Qiuying was her last hope — if Zhao Qiuying didn’t help her, she would spend the rest of her life behind bars.
“I know everything you did. And your brother too…” Zhao Qiuying said, the mere mention of Xia Tian making her feel utterly disgusted.
“Why did I do it?”
“Because from the beginning, you never really respected me. You only associated with me to flaunt your kindness and generosity.”
“To you, I was like a begging dog.”
“Hmph, in reality, I was even lower than a dog.”
“That’s why I deliberately gave you skincare products that were bad for your skin. But heaven didn’t cooperate — your face remained flawless.”
“And there’s something else you probably don’t know. Every time you came to my shop, my brother would watch you through the security cameras.”
“If it weren’t for the protection of the Huo family, you would have already been played with by my brother.”
“Why is it that you were born lucky, loved and pampered by everyone? Even the person I liked ended up liking you.”
“And me? I had to endure domestic violence from my husband, thrown out of the house with nothing, with no one to hear my grievances.”
“I wanted to make you suffer just like me.”
“Hahaha.”
“…”
Xia Qing’s face twisted with rage. She gripped the bars tightly and leaned forward, completely losing control, screaming with all her might.
At that moment, Xia Qing had completely lost her sanity. Her words were chaotic, illogical, and she looked like a madwoman.
“I used to admire you — how you could work for yourself and stay strong and unyielding. I even felt sympathy for the hardships you endured.”
“I treated you as a friend from the very beginning — it had nothing to do with status or background,” Zhao Qiuying said coldly.
Then, without hesitation, she turned around and left, without looking back. There was nothing more to say — and no need to say anything.
“Hahaha, so it was all my fault!” Xia Qing shouted, staring at Zhao Qiuying’s departing figure, a bitter sorrow rising uncontrollably in her heart.
She began to recall the happy moments they had once shared, and tears blurred her vision.
At that moment, Xia Qing suddenly came to a realization — it was her own inferiority complex and sensitivity that had caused her to distrust others all along.
And while hurting others, she had been deeply hurting herself too.
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Xia Qing followed the police officers back to the station.
After the Xia family went bankrupt, the Huo family seized the opportunity to acquire most of the Xia family’s assets.
Moreover, for the companies that had previously suffered under the Xia family’s abuse of the Huo family’s name, the Huo family conducted investigations and offered compensation to those that had performed well.
As a result, the situation gradually stabilized and balanced out.
This matter could finally be considered resolved.
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