Chapter 2 — IAVD (QT) Chapter 2

Ji Xiu left swiftly.

As for how the Ji family would react to his departure, he didn’t care in the slightest.

After leaving the house, he didn't change his itinerary; he headed straight for the Zhou residence as planned. He knew the address by heart and gave it to the driver, Old Chen, who followed his instructions dutifully. Halfway there, several black sedans suddenly pulled up behind them, forming a sleek, persistent line.

Old Chen was startled and kept checking the rearview mirror, his face tense.

Ji Xiu waved a hand dismissively. "It’s fine. They’re company security. They’re coming with us."

The Zhou family was capable of swapping someone else's child; they weren't good people. You couldn't reason with such villains; only force and power would suffice. He brought the guards just in case.

Old Chen realized the situation and focused on driving.

Soon, led by the Maybach, the four-car convoy left the prosperous city center and headed for the "village within the city" on the outskirts.

As everyone knows, these urban villages are a standard feature of every city. Beneath the surface of a flourishing metropolis lies this gray shadow, housing millions of working-class residents who perform the dirtiest, most exhausting labor. They are an indispensable part of the city's machinery.

The Zhou family of four had lived here for fifteen years.

...

Today was the weekend.

The two Zhou children didn't have school, so Father and Mother Zhou went out—one to play cards, the other to drink with friends—leaving Zhou Qingqing at home to work.

Cooking three meals was a given, but she was also responsible for deep-cleaning the house and washing the mountain of clothes and shoes the family had piled up.

By the time she finished, she was exhausted. Before she could rest, she had to follow Mother Zhou's orders: tutor her younger brother, who was in elementary school.

Zhou Qingqing’s brother was named Zhou Wei. He was in second grade, had terrible grades, and was spoiled rotten by his parents. He was unruly and playful; after doing only one problem, he started clamoring to go outside.

Zhou Qingqing frowned slightly and tried to persuade him to stay.

Zhou Wei threw down his ballpoint pen and glared at her impatiently. "You dare stop me?"

He was a little tyrant at home. No one could control him except his school teachers, and even then, he had a short memory—he’d be punished for skipping homework one day and forget the lesson by the next.

Zhou Qingqing couldn't just watch him skip his work, only to have him come home crying after being punished, which would inevitably get her blamed.

She explained patiently, "Mom went to play cards. She said she’s checking your homework when she gets back tonight."

"I don't care! I don't care! I want to go out!"

Zhou Wei kicked his legs wildly, sweeping all the books off the table.

Startled, Zhou Qingqing quickly knelt to pick them up. "Zhou Wei, stop messing around. Aren't you afraid the teacher will scold you?"

Zhou Wei ignored her and continued his tantrum. Every time she picked up a book, he pushed another one down.

Hearing her mention the teacher, he paused. A thought occurred to him, and his eyes darted to Zhou Qingqing. He said matter-of-factly, "I know! I’m going out, and you do the homework for me!"

Zhou Qingqing hadn't even finished her own homework yet. Besides, Zhou Wei was slow-witted and impulsive, but she knew their handwriting was completely different. Doing it for him was useless; he’d still get caught and punished.

She shook her head. "No."

Zhou Wei huffed, put his hands on his hips, and tilted his chin up. "If you don't do it, I'll tell Mom you hit me."

"You..."

Zhou Qingqing’s face turned pale instantly.

Zhou Wei laughed triumphantly, clapping his hands as his chubby body bounced on the sofa. "Mom will beat you to death then! Hahaha! That’s what you get for not listening to me."

Zhou Qingqing silently bit her lower lip, her body trembling slightly from a conditioned reflex.

When Mother Zhou beat someone, she never held back. She hit to kill.

Of course, the only person she ever hit was Zhou Qingqing.

Zhou Wei was Mother Zhou's precious darling; he had never experienced such treatment and couldn't fathom the despair and terror in Zhou Qingqing’s heart. He was simply excited to see a "show."

Listening to his piercing laughter, a flash of self-loathing crossed Zhou Qingqing’s eyes.

I must have committed terrible crimes in my past life, she thought. Otherwise, why would I be born into a family like this?

Knock, knock, knock!

The sudden knocking startled Zhou Qingqing. Thinking Mother Zhou had actually returned, she snapped upright.

When she realized it was unlikely, she forced herself to calm down. She gathered Zhou Wei’s books and walked toward the door with leaden steps. "Who is it?"

Zhou Wei followed her, refusing to let it go. "It must be Mom coming back because she forgot her money. Tell me—are you doing it or not? If you don't agree, I'm telling her you hit me."

Zhou Qingqing stopped abruptly, her back stiff.

After a long silence, she turned to stare at the fat little boy. Her gaze was filled with a sliver of despair and pure hatred.

Why? She just wanted to grow up, go to school, and leave this house. Why did everyone want her dead?

Zhou Wei froze, his smug expression hardening. Looking at his sister's terrifyingly unfamiliar expression, he hesitated and took two steps back.

Zhou Qingqing didn't look away; her hateful gaze remained fixed on him.

Zhou Wei’s arrogance vanished. He felt a chill and shook, nearly wetting himself on the spot.

Fortunately, the person outside couldn't wait any longer and knocked again, breaking the eerie silence between the siblings.

"Is anyone home?"

Hearing that it wasn't Mother Zhou's voice, Zhou Qingqing was both startled and relieved. She stopped glaring at the boy and hurried to open the door.

Outside stood a large man in a black suit, his hand raised mid-knock.

Zhou Qingqing was surprised. "You are..."

Before she could finish, the man stepped back to reveal the others behind him.

A dozen men in identical black suits surrounded a refined, steady-looking stranger like stars orbiting the moon.

Zhou Qingqing stood there, stunned.

The man at the front... why did he look so familiar?

Ji Xiu looked at the young girl who opened the door. When his gaze fell on her face, he was also surprised.

Zhou Qingqing’s features were about fifty percent similar to the original owner’s. If they walked down the street together, any passerby would know they were father and daughter.

It was no wonder that in the original world-line, even though everyone else ignored her, the original owner pitied her and occasionally looked after her—even going so far as to send her abroad with money after she harmed Ji Wu.

It is a man's nature to be more partial toward a "cub" that looks like him.

Even Ji Xiu couldn't help but feel a boost in his liking for her, recalling his own reflection in the mirror this morning. "Are you Qingqing?"

Zhou Qingqing looked dazed. "And you are?"

Ji Xiu hesitated, unsure of how to begin. After a moment, he decided to explain the whole thing from start to finish.

"It’s like this. Two months ago..." Ji Xiu started from the beginning. He explained how he discovered his daughter wasn't his biological child, how he tracked down his true daughter’s trail, the massive effort, manpower, and money involved, and the places he had searched.

These things sounded complicated, and the actual execution was a hundred times more troublesome than the telling.

When he finished, Ji Xiu took a deep breath and looked at Zhou Qingqing meaningfully.

"Do you think... I found my daughter?"

Zhou Qingqing was stunned. "..."

A fifteen-year-old girl's mind couldn't quite process it all. She knew something was "off" halfway through the story, but even after hearing the end and seeing his suggestive gaze, she still didn't dare believe it.

"You... you mean..."

Ji Xiu smiled and nodded, giving her a firm answer.

The string in Zhou Qingqing’s mind snapped with a buzz.

In an instant, like a slow-motion movie, her memories played back in her mind.

The truths Mother Zhou had accidentally let slip while beating her, the doubts she had asked herself while starving in the middle of the night, the self-reflection she felt when seeing other people's kind parents...

So that was it.

No wonder that woman loved to hit her. No wonder the relatives back in the village hated her. No wonder they only doted on her brother. No wonder she didn't look like anyone in the family. No wonder...

So many puzzles were solved today. She was not a child of the Zhou family.

Zhou Qingqing looked up at Ji Xiu. Seeing the expectation and nervousness on a face that was half-identical to her own, her heart shook. She believed it almost instantly.

To an outsider, she might seem too trusting, but in truth, she had suspected her origins for a long time.

Much like an unloved child in a biased family often wonders if they were "picked up from the trash," Zhou Qingqing’s suspicions had grown deeper with every passing year. She had been looking for evidence that she wasn't a Zhou for a long time.

When Ji Xiu spoke, she believed eighty percent of it. The similar appearance took it to ninety percent.

The final ten percent of doubt remained only because of Ji Xiu’s status.

Even though he had an extraordinary aura, high-end clothes, and many subordinates—looking powerful and rich—who knew if he was a con artist?

She studied him subtly, a trace of suspicion deep in her eyes.

Ji Xiu had been observing her expression and guessed her thoughts. He took out his phone, searched for the original owner’s name, and placed the results in front of her.

"!!!"

Zhou Qingqing’s eyes widened.

This body of Ji Xiu’s had been the general manager of the Song family's company for twenty years. He had led the company to a successful IPO and had been honored as an "Outstanding Entrepreneur" many times. He had been on TV and in the newspapers. His Wikipedia entry had photos and articles dating back years. Anyone in the local financial sector knew him.

He looked familiar to her not just because of their shared features, but because she had seen this face on TV and in papers countless times.

The memory became crystal clear the moment she saw the news report.

How could someone this wealthy be a scammer?

She believed him completely now, but she was shocked by his status. The richest man in the city...

She looked up at him, her voice trembling with nerves. "So... you are really my father?"

"Of course."

Ji Xiu nodded firmly. Seeing the girl's eyes light up, his heart softened. He gave her a gentle, harmless smile and whispered, "Qingqing, Dad is here to take you home."

Zhou Qingqing froze.

Facing his tender, doting gaze, her nose wrinkled. She quickly turned away to wipe her tears, silently mouthing two words: Dad.

So this is what a biological father feels like? Just being looked at by him makes me feel protected and loved...

She sniffled, her mind a mess of emotions.

After a long time, she tried to steady herself. With red eyes, she stepped aside to let him in. "You... you should come in first."

Ji Xiu handed her a handkerchief. "Alright, I’ll listen to you."

Taking Zhou Qingqing away was his primary goal, but before leaving, he hadn't forgotten the other reason he brought the guards.

Today, he had to settle the fifteen-year-old debt with the Zhou couple.

...

Ji Xiu didn't know the couple wasn't home yet. Before entering, he scanned the room.

A fat, short figure suddenly charged at him like a cannonball, slamming into his waist.

"Get out! You're not allowed in! This is my house!"

Ji Xiu narrowed his eyes and picked up the attacking boy, Zhou Wei, with one hand.

Zhou Wei didn't think he was in the wrong at all. He looked thuggish and wild, shouting curses. "Who do you think you are? Why are you in my house?"

He had been scared by his sister's gaze earlier and hadn't followed her immediately. After regaining his senses, he felt he had lost face. Seeing Zhou Qingqing being so polite to a stranger, he rushed up to block him.

If it was anyone related to Zhou Qingqing, he didn't want them in the house. He was explosive and ill-tempered, even at such a young age.

Ji Xiu guessed his identity after a moment’s thought. He confirmed with Zhou Qingqing, "Is this the child of that couple?"

It took a moment for her to realize "that couple" referred to her parents. She nodded.

Ji Xiu’s expression turned cold. "He has the same temperament as his criminal parents. Truly a family."

Zhou Wei’s eyes bugged out. "You dare insult me?"

His face flushed red with rage. He looked at Ji Xiu, and his eyes darted around. Suddenly, he screamed at the top of his lungs in a piercing voice, "Help! Someone! Help! Someone’s bullying a child!"

The neighbors were stirred. Someone came out to look, but seeing the group of men in suits, they ducked back inside for fear of trouble.

No one else came out of the apartment.

Ji Xiu realized quickly. "They aren't home?"

Zhou Qingqing stared at the wailing Zhou Wei. Thinking about how Mother Zhou would beat her if she saw the boy crying, her body began to ache instinctively. She answered distractedly, "They both went out."

Ji Xiu frowned, looking down at the fat boy in his hand. "Your parents aren't here and you’re still this arrogant. You really think you're something, don't you?"

Zhou Wei responded with a roll of his eyes. He was clearly a spoiled brat through and through.

Ji Xiu laughed out of pure irritation. "What guts! Little fatty, do you often bully my daughter like this?"

"What daughter?" Although young, Zhou Wei could read a situation. Seeing Ji Xiu glance at Zhou Qingqing, he shouted, "That’s my mom and dad’s daughter! And I’m not bullying her! She’s a 'money-loser.' If she doesn't do work for me, why should we feed her for free?"

Zhou Qingqing’s expression didn't change at all.

Evidently, she was used to it. If someone calls you a "money-loser" every day for over a decade, you get used to even the ugliest names.

But this made Ji Xiu’s expression even worse.

His eyes grew dark. He swung Zhou Wei in the air like a suckling pig and leaned in close, his voice low and dripping with malice.

"Little fatty, do you know what happens to people who provoke me?"

Zhou Wei felt a chill down his spine. But thinking back to how Zhou Qingqing had tried to scare him the same way, he tried to look brave and let out a disdainful "Hmph."

Ji Xiu nodded and said "Good" several times. He walked into the house, found the bathroom, opened the door, and with a thud, tossed Zhou Wei inside and locked the door.

Zhou Qingqing was dumbfounded.

She was often locked in the bathroom by Mother Zhou as punishment, so she knew how miserable it was. The Zhou house was old, and the plumbing was terrible; a foul stench often wafted up from the drains. Spending an hour in there was like an eternity.

She was used to it, but Zhou Wei detested the smell. Was the punishment too harsh?

She wanted to say something to Ji Xiu, but then she closed her mouth.

Mother Zhou bullies me, my Dad bullies Zhou Wei. Seems fair.

...

After dealing with Zhou Wei, Ji Xiu washed his hands and looked at Old Chen at the door.

The driver received the signal and immediately took out his phone.

Since they had already sent people to get Zhou Qingqing’s DNA, they naturally had the couple’s contact info too.

Seeing Old Chen dial the number, Ji Xiu nodded and waited with Zhou Qingqing for them to return.

While waiting, he didn't stay idle. He asked Zhou Qingqing to give him a tour of the house.

The Zhou house was dark and cramped—just one bedroom and a living room. The four of them lived in one room: the three Zhous slept in a bed, while Zhou Qingqing slept on a small, sagging cot separated by a curtain. The living room was piled with junk—random clothes and shoes, a broken TV, and crumpled books.

Even though she had just cleaned up, the place still felt suffocatingly crowded.

These conditions couldn't even compare to a normal middle-class home, let alone the Ji family's four-story villa. Ji Xiu knew she had it hard, but seeing it in person made the hardship clearer.

And while she lived like this, Ji Wu was in the Ji house, living a life of luxury where food and clothes were brought to her.

Ji Xiu frowned and sat on the sofa.

Zhou Qingqing mistakenly thought he was disgusted. She lowered her head in shame. "The place is a bit small..."

Fearing he might think she was lazy, she looked up quickly to explain. "But I clean it properly every day."

Ji Xiu patted her shoulder. "I know. You’re a good kid. I’ve looked into your situation."

Zhou Qingqing sighed in relief.

Ji Xiu saw this and felt another pang of pity. This child was sensitive and had low self-esteem, like a mistreated animal rescued from a circus, terrified that any mistake would lead to her being abandoned again.

He didn't push the topic. He changed the subject to show his concern. "What school do you go to, Qingqing?"

Zhou Qingqing bit her lip and told him everything.

Blood relations are a strange thing. Once she knew his identity, the more she looked at him, the more she felt she could rely on him. That feeling of being connected by blood made her heart overflow with happiness.

In just ten minutes, she had told him almost everything about her life.

Ji Xiu listened, his frown deepening. A chaotic middle school, a campus full of violence, indifferent teachers...

What kind of education could one get in an urban village? Plus, with parents like those, even if a child was brilliant, they’d have no time to study after doing all the chores.

This wouldn't do.

It seemed that after taking her away, he’d have to arrange a transfer to a better school and sign her up for some tutoring classes to catch up.

As he was thinking, a voice from outside interrupted him. "Boss, they're back."

Finally.

Ji Xiu narrowed his eyes.

Beside him, Zhou Qingqing stood up in a panic, her face turning pale.

Ji Xiu stood and patted her shoulder to comfort her. "Relax. Dad is here."

She nodded with difficulty but remained terrified. It was a reflex, a deep shadow; the moment she knew they were back, her nerves tightened automatically.

There was no way to "fix" that immediately.

Ji Xiu sighed inwardly. "Let them in."

The guards allowed the couple to enter.

Soon, a man and a woman walked into the room. The man was short and scrawny with a sleazy aura; the woman had high cheekbones and a bitter, sharp face. Both looked like difficult people.

However, intimidated by the dozen men in suits, they didn't dare lose their tempers immediately. They just mumbled some nasty words under their breath—not daring to actually argue with Ji Xiu.

But the "little fatty" Zhou Wei hadn't stopped screaming in the bathroom. Hearing the commotion, his cries grew louder and more frantic.

The couple’s eyes bulged. They ran to the bathroom, let him out, and upon hearing his story, hugged him and began scolding Zhou Qingqing for "not taking care of him." Their words grew uglier by the second.

"You money-loser! Are you trying to kill my precious son? I'm telling you, if anything happens to Xiao Bao, I'm not finished with you!"

"I think she just needs a lesson! We left her to watch her brother and this is how she does it..."

For a moment, the room was as noisy as a wet market at six in the morning.

Ji Xiu was gentle with Zhou Qingqing, but he had no patience for the Zhou couple.

He frowned and—BANG—kicked over the broken coffee table.

The loud noise terrified the family of three. They went silent instantly, staring at him.

Ji Xiu looked down at them coldly. "Are we calm now?"

Mother Zhou froze. She clutched her son and hid behind her husband, pushing him forward.

Father Zhou was unemployed, living off theft and gambling; he was the definition of a coward. He had been the loudest while muttering insults, but under Ji Xiu’s gaze, he shrank like a quail.

He swallowed hard and ventured, "You... you're Boss Ji?"

Ji Xiu: "It seems my driver made things clear over the phone."

The couple exchanged a look, their expressions struggling. They wanted to lie, but one look at the burly guards at the door broke their resolve. They gave up.

"It’s clear!"

Ji Xiu’s eyes were frightening, laced with a sense of intimidation. "Good. Since you understand, you should know why I'm here."

The couple stared at Zhou Qingqing. She was standing next to Ji Xiu; father and daughter looked so similar, a picture of harmony.

A flash of jealousy and greed crossed Father Zhou’s eyes. He lowered his head and muttered, "If you want to take her, just take her..."

He had raised this "money-loser" with such difficulty, and just as she was almost old enough to work and support the family, she was discovered. Father Zhou felt his heart bleed at the loss of potential income.

But he didn't dare fight the Ji family. Years ago, his wife had been kicked out of their house for stealing; when he went to pick her up, he had seen their immense wealth with his own eyes. To a man like him, the Ji family could crush him like an ant.

Clap, clap, clap!

Ji Xiu suddenly began to applaud, a mocking expression on his face. "You make it sound so simple. You didn't think it would end with just 'taking her,' did you?"

"Then what else do you want? I raised your kid for fifteen years! Even if there’s no credit, there was effort—" Father Zhou felt deeply wronged. He hadn't even asked for childcare fees yet!

"I didn't f***ing ask you to raise my child!"

Fury surged in Ji Xiu’s heart. He roared and kicked the sofa.

At this moment, facing this couple, he felt like a fool for even trying to make them understand what they had done wrong.

Ji Xiu turned to the driver, his face turning mask-like and cold. His voice was like a winter wind, devoid of any warmth.

"Old Chen, call the police!"