Returning - Chapter 184

Chapter 184: Dead End

What Zhao Yu wanted most was to expose the truth behind her mother and Yu Jin's deaths from four years ago to the public. She wanted to expose Zhuang Yiqing's intended kidnapping, her accidental killing, and the subsequent threats and house arrest—to make that woman face the punishment she deserved.

But Zhao Yu also knew this was something she could never accomplish.

Because back then, she hadn't even dared to call the police. Her mother and Yu Jin's deaths were ruled accidents. All the evidence was gone. Now, only a pile of ashes buried deep for four years remained. Even if she forced Zhuang Yiqing to turn herself in, a conviction would ultimately be impossible.

She couldn't accept that, which was why she'd previously devised the scheme to frame Zhuang Yiqing—not just to perform for Xu Chengyan, but to get the police involved.

But just as she'd told Xu Chengyan, a fabrication was still a fabrication. Not to mention the police weren't easy to fool. Even if she used certain means to make the case stick, even if Zhuang Yiqing went to prison for it, would she truly feel satisfied?

If she did that, what difference would there be between her and Zhuang Yiqing?

So she would torment Zhuang Yiqing step by step. First, force her out of Lanxi, out of the Zhuang family. Make her lose everything she cared about most. Make her fight back.

She didn't know how Zhuang Yiqing would retaliate, but she believed that woman, even if it meant death, would absolutely try to drag her down too. She didn't mind mutual destruction, but she wanted even more for that woman to die by her own evil deeds.

Would she try to kidnap her again? Try to kill her? Or some other underhanded method? She didn't care. She just needed evidence. She only wanted to send that woman to prison, fair and square.

Shang Lu and Xue Zhan naturally didn't want her putting herself in danger again, but they couldn't stop what she was determined to do.

As for Cui Lan's case, although it had been suppressed back then, it had at least been exposed online once. There was a possibility it could be reinvestigated. If that case truly saw the light of day again, it would be pouring oil on the fire for Zhuang Yiqing.

But now, before it was time for Zhuang Yiqing to strike back, Cui Lan's case had been dragged out prematurely. Every part of the process had been moved up.

"Lanxi has been the center of attention lately, and the Zhuang family just happened to have cases of illegal firearms possession and intentional homicide. It's only logical that Cui Lan's case would be dug up along the way." That was how Shang Lu explained it to her.

But the truth was, they'd never been willing to let her take the risk. After all, no one knew what a cornered Zhuang Yiqing might do.

And her tormenting of Zhuang Yiqing—wasn't it also tormenting herself? What use was such revenge?

Xue Zhan said, "Zhao Yu, Cui Lan's case will definitely be reinvestigated. Now that the Zhuang family has fallen, the things they did in the past are very likely to be dredged up all at once. Zhuang Yiqing's sentence will not be light. And if it is light and you're not satisfied, we're still here. Whatever revenge you still want against her, you can have it."

Whether legal or illegal, physical or psychological—whatever she wanted to do to Zhuang Yiqing, they could do it for her. But the question was, was there really any form of revenge that could make her happy?

For these four years, she had made revenge her only goal. She had schemed relentlessly and stopped at nothing for this objective. But when her enemy finally lay prostrate before her, at her mercy, what could she actually do?

No matter what she did, it would still be painful for her. Because what was lost could never return. Because the person she hated most had always been herself.

Zhuang Yiqing had long since been taken away by the police. Zhuang Zhen and Weng Ruohua had also rushed back in a flurry. Deep in the empty corridor, only Zhuang Ye remained.

He stood there silently, gazing across the distance at Zhao Yu. In his eyes, there was no shock, no worry, no sorrow or joy. It was as if his entire being was hollow.

Zhao Yu stood frozen for a long moment, then said softly, "I'm going to check on Ji Sui."

Ji Sui had been sent to the ICU. They couldn't go in, only keep vigil outside the door.

After a long silence, Zhao Yu finally asked, "Why did Zhuang Ruyun suddenly shoot your dad?"

Clearly, an enormous pie had fallen from the sky into her lap. The person she hated most was about to be driven out of the Zhuang family. She should have been joyfully welcoming that moment. Why would she do something so stupid?

Zhuang Ye stared blankly at the floor. "Her mom was arguing with my dad. My dad provoked her into committing suicide. It wasn't an illness. My sister... Zhuang Yiqing knew about this all along. Last night, they started fighting again..."

Saying this, he suddenly laughed. "Anyway, they're all a bunch of lunatics. Who knows? She was forcing my dad to tell the truth. That shot—I don't know if it was meant for Zhuang Yiqing or my dad. Or maybe it was just an accidental discharge. It was too chaotic, a complete mess. I'm not clear on it either. In the end, the bullet hit Brother Ji Sui. With skills like his, and he used them to take a bullet for my dad. Truth is, he doesn't owe the Zhuang family anything. It's the Zhuang family that owes him. The Zhuangs are all a pack of lunatics. He was the only normal person living among us for so long. Must've been hard on him."

Looking at the ghastly pale smile on his face, Zhao Yu's fingers twitched involuntarily. She was just about to reach out when she suddenly froze.

Zhuang Ye hadn't noticed her movement. He continued, still smiling. "And then Zhuang Ze couldn't wait to call the police. Illegal possession of a firearm, and a homicide case on top of it. Zhuang Ruyun is finished too. One less Zhuang Ye, one less Zhuang Yiqing, now one less Zhuang Ruyun. He's won."

Zhao Yu felt a wave of desolation. What kind of family was this?

And the Zhuang Ye from before, the one who was with her, the one who could smile so happily—she had no idea how much he must have treasured that time.

But it was all gone now.

"Why... did you do that?"

Zhuang Ye knew she was referring to his vasectomy. He smiled indifferently. "It's no big deal. Anyway..."

Anyway, no matter what I do, my pain isn't even a fraction of yours.

Anyway, other than you, I'm not willing to have children with anyone else.

"Xi Xi." He looked at her steadily. "Once you've had your revenge and settled all of this, I will disappear from your sight completely. I won't stir up those painful memories anymore. Can you... slowly... act as if none of this ever happened, and live well?"

A tear rolled from the corner of her eye. Zhao Yu tilted her head up, looking at the lights on the ceiling, and smiled too. "Alright."

If I can manage it.

Unfortunately, I probably won't be able to.

An abrupt ringtone sounded in the silent corridor. Zhao Yu raised her hand to wipe away the tears, took out her phone, and saw it was a call from Xu Chengyan.

She had deleted him from WeChat but hadn't blocked his phone number.

She paused for a moment, then answered calmly. "What is it?"

"Zhao Yu, you want me to go to prison, don't you?"

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