Chapter 3 — IAVD (QT) Chapter 3

The police arrived quickly.

Until the officers actually appeared, the Zhou couple hadn’t snapped out of it. They glared at Ji Xiu, wondering what kind of madness had possessed him.

To their core, they didn't think swapping two children was some grand crime. They weren't human traffickers; they hadn't done anything "bad." Their own daughter wasn't with them either—they were victims too, weren't they?

Ji Xiu was rich, so he could bully them, but calling the police was just a joke. Could the police even manage something like this?

Seeing the officers, Mother Zhou furrowed her brow and muttered under her breath, "Truly, he has nothing better to do."

A security guard stationed at the door caught the remark and shot her a cold look. Startled, Mother Zhou scurried back behind her husband, not daring to utter another word.

"Who called the police?"

Upon arriving at the scene, the officers first looked for the person who had reported the incident.

Old Chen raised his hand. "I did."

Two young officers exchanged a look, taking in the bizarre scene before them. They stepped forward to inquire, "What's the situation? Give us the details."

Old Chen immediately produced a stack of documents. "Officers, take a look. These are the proofs. This couple swapped our boss's child fifteen years ago and has continuously abused our eldest young lady for the past fifteen years. You cannot let these two beast-hearted animals off the hook!"

The officers had likely never encountered such a soap-opera plot in their lives. They listened with shock, took the documents, and skimmed them quickly. Frowning, they whispered to each other for a moment before approaching the Zhou couple. "Since that’s the case, we’ll need you to come with us."

The couple's eyes bugged out. "What? Why... why do we actually have to go?"

Seeing their obvious resistance, the officer frowned with displeasure. "Someone reported a crime. What's the big deal about coming along? We're going to the station first. Once the facts are out, we’ll naturally give you an explanation."

Mother Zhou looked down and grumbled, "What 'explanation' is needed? It was just swapping a girl; is it worth such a fuss?"

The police: "..."

At first, looking at the investigation report, they thought this was a bit surreal. Then, something even more surreal happened right in front of them. What era was this, and there were actually still such illiterate fools?

Suppressing the urge to snap at her, the officer’s face darkened. "Stop dragging your feet. Just come with us!"

The Zhou couple was intimidated. They shut their mouths, took their young son’s hand, and sullenly followed the police out the door.

The officer turned his gaze toward Ji Xiu, who stood to the side—rich, poised, and clearly the one in charge. "You are the victims, I assume. If you wouldn't mind, please come along to the station to give a statement."

Ji Xiu nodded and patted Zhou Qingqing’s shoulder. "Go pack your books and homework. After we finish the statement, Dad will take you straight home."

Zhou Qingqing had watched the entire ordeal in a daze. Seeing the matter settled and her "new" father about to take her away, she nodded frantically and hurried into the room to pack her school things.

At the station, they gave their statements, and the matter was mostly wrapped up.

Because the Zhou couple didn't feel they had broken the law, they were interrogated separately. Under questioning, they confessed everything with a smooth efficiency that caught everyone off guard.

It wasn't until the interrogating officer asked them to sign the statement that Father Zhou sensed something was wrong and refused to sign. However, his refusal didn't matter much. With Mother Zhou’s confession on record, they were definitely going down for the crime of abducting another person’s child.

...

"There are still people this ignorant nowadays? They swap someone else's kid and don't feel a shred of guilt?"

"You said it yourself—they're ignorant. What's there to feel guilty about? If you ask me, nine-year compulsory education is a great policy; otherwise, who knows how many things like this would happen? I heard the family whose child was swapped is quite wealthy. Now, they've spent all that money raising someone else's kid while their own suffered outside. If it were me, I’d be fuming."

"You said it..."

The interrogating officer emerged from the room with the transcript. Other officers gathered around to take a look, and a wave of hushed discussion broke out. To them, the strangeness of this case was practically headline news.

The officer agreed, joining the chat for a moment before remembering his duties and rushing off to the Chief's office.

Inside the office, Chief Zhang of the police station took the transcript, skimmed it, and waved the officer out.

Once the door closed, he turned to the adult and child sitting on the sofa. He said seriously, "The higher-ups are very concerned about President Ji's family matters and have instructed us to handle this strictly. Rest assured, President Ji, we will give you a satisfactory answer."

The Song family company was a major taxpayer in the city, and Ji Xiu was a prominent figure. To outsiders, the husband and wife were a unit, and Ji Xiu and Song Ruyue's relationship had always been excellent. Now that they discovered their daughter had been swapped, they were surely consumed with rage. To give them justice, this matter could not be brushed aside lightly.

Ji Xiu rose, a look of deep, heart-wrenching pain on his face. He whispered, "Then we shall take our leave. We leave everything in your hands, Chief Zhang."

Chief Zhang looked at the small, thin girl beside him in her simple clothes and nodded with understanding. If his own daughter had been swapped and abused for fifteen years, he wouldn't feel good either. Right now, President Ji must be in a hurry to take his daughter home to see his wife.

Ji Xiu saw through Chief Zhang's thoughts. His eyes flickered as he thought of Song Ruyue’s household. However, he said nothing in front of outsiders. He bid farewell to Chief Zhang, took Zhou Qingqing out of the station, and returned to the car.

The luxurious, prestigious Maybach parked in the station courtyard made Zhou Qingqing feel a bit out of place.

Ji Xiu was lost in thought when he caught his "daughter" looking around out of the corner of his eye. He snapped back to reality and offered a faint smile. "Qingqing, do you like this car? If you do, once you're eighteen and have your license, Dad will buy you one."

Zhou Qingqing’s eyes went wide. "Buy... buy one for me?"

In her whole life, she had never received a gift from her parents. Every time she saw the little fatty Zhou Wei demand gifts from that couple as if it were his birthright, she felt envious and bitter. When classmates bragged about gifts, she didn't even dare look, fearing she’d cry and be mocked.

But she had just met this stranger of a new father, and he wanted to buy her a car?

Zhou Qingqing didn't know much about car brands or prices, but it didn't hinder her imagination. A car! That wasn't some hairpin or a pen; it was a car! And looking at this car's exterior, it might even be worth as much as a house.

Of course, what mattered most was the sentiment.

Zhou Qingqing felt like crying again. Her eyes stung, so she quickly looked down to hide it. "Thank you, Dad," she whispered.

Ji Xiu smiled tenderly and rubbed the girl's head.

The car started and, after a while, parked in the underground lot of a high-end residential complex. Ji Xiu told Old Chen to take a taxi back and leave the car for a few days, then he took Zhou Qingqing up the elevator.

Zhou Qingqing’s mouth was slightly open the whole way; her eyes couldn't take it all in.

Is this Dad’s home? Clean walls, bright windows, huge and grand. There were even people guarding the gate to keep outsiders out—safe and reliable. She wouldn't have to worry about thugs passing by at night or thieves breaking in...

The life of the rich was truly wonderful.

Zhou Qingqing couldn't help but feel a twinge of bitterness. A trace of unmentionable darkness surfaced in her heart—jealousy toward the lucky girl who had stolen her identity.

Ji Xiu’s voice broke her reverie. "Qingqing, you’ll stay upstairs. Go see which room you like and pick one for yourself."

Recovering herself, Zhou Qingqing asked in surprise, "Dad, aren't you staying with me?"

Ji Xiu said matter-of-factly, "I’m staying downstairs."

His "daughter" was already fifteen, and they hadn't grown up together. If they were poor, they’d have no choice but to be neighbors, but since they had the resources, why not separate the floors? Ji Xiu owned many properties; the reason he chose this one was that it was a duplex, providing privacy between the floors.

Zhou Qingqing nodded half-understandingly. Then, remembering something, she asked, "What about the others?"

Ji Xiu: "This isn't our main home; it’s just a temporary place to stay." He paused, then promised, "It’s a bit small, so bear with it for now. In a few days, we’ll move to a bigger house."

This place is small?

Zhou Qingqing’s eyes were being opened to the life of the wealthy, but she was more concerned about another topic.

"Why... why aren't we going home?" she asked hesitantly, her self-esteem wavering. "Is it because the family dislikes me?"

Her grades were bad, her looks weren't great, she knew nothing, and she was a girl. It would be normal for her family to dislike her. Of course, despite saying that, she still held a shred of hope for the family she hadn't met yet, waiting tensely for Ji Xiu's answer.

Ji Xiu looked at her expression and remained silent for a moment. Finally, he said, "It has nothing to do with you. Your mother and I had a spat and are currently in a cold war."

Zhou Qingqing's reaction suddenly made him realize a problem.

He was an adult; he could leave and divorce cleanly and happily. But Zhou Qingqing was a fifteen-year-old girl who had suffered a lot; she had many expectations for family. If he truly raised her alone outside, she would surely be anxious and become even more insecure. She might even think she was the reason for the divorce, carrying that burden as a lifelong trauma.

No, this couldn't happen.

At the very least, he had to give her a buffer period. Once she built up her confidence and her mindset became stronger, he could put the reasons for the divorce on the table.

Besides, the divorce wouldn't be that easy. Song Ruyue had studied liberal arts in college and had never actually worked a day in the company after graduation. She knew nothing of the business. She demanded Ji Xiu leave with nothing, but in reality, the one who truly couldn't survive without the other was Song Ruyue, not Ji Xiu. Without him, the massive and complex listed company would likely face a major crisis within days. Even if Ji Xiu truly wanted a divorce, Song Ruyue wouldn't let go.

Ji Xiu guessed it wouldn't be long before Song Ruyue came looking for him, begging him to return. In that case, he might as well keep Zhou Qingqing in the dark about the legal battles for now.

Zhou Qingqing nodded, her expression still skeptical. Clearly, she suspected there was more to the story.

Ji Xiu patted her shoulder. "In a few days, when your mother calms down, I'll take you back. For now, bear with Dad and stay out here for a bit. Don't just stand there—come on, let's tidy up the rooms together."

Hiding her doubts, Zhou Qingqing followed Ji Xiu and helped organize the house. Ji Xiu smiled and ruffled her hair, feeling quite pleased.

...

The house Ji Xiu brought her to was one of the original owner's many assets. Though fully furnished and regularly cleaned, it felt a bit sparse. Ji Xiu didn't want to call for help, so he personally tidied up two rooms—one upstairs and one downstairs. He called a nearby mall to deliver a batch of daily necessities and clothes, and they settled in for the time being.

The next morning, Ji Xiu got up and planned to call Zhou Qingqing from upstairs. He was capable of many things, but the one thing he couldn't do was cook; neither could the original owner. Since there was no delivery available so early, he figured it was better to take the kid out for breakfast and then check out schools to discuss the transfer. He had no intention of letting her stay at her old school.

However, before he could call her, he stepped out of his room and smelled the aroma of food.

"Dad, you're awake." Zhou Qingqing had found an apron from somewhere and was placing food on the dining table. Seeing him, she looked a bit embarrassed. "I was just about to wake you for breakfast."

Ji Xiu scanned the table. White rice porridge, salted duck eggs, a dish of mustard tubers, and a dish of pickles. It looked simple and light, but it carried a cozy, domestic warmth.

Zhou Qingqing explained, "I saw some cash in the drawer upstairs and took a bill. I bought the rice and sides this morning."

There was a supermarket in the complex with everything she needed. She woke up early and didn't want to disturb her father, so she bravely went to the store and made this simple pot of breakfast. However, since she hadn't reported this beforehand, she was a bit nervous that he might be dissatisfied.

Ji Xiu realized she must have found the few thousand yuan the original owner had left upstairs. He nodded and waved it off, telling her to use that money. Fearing it wasn't enough, he pulled out a supplementary card. "Use this for shopping from now on. Don't be afraid; take this card. There’s no password."

Overwhelmed, Zhou Qingqing took the card. "Actually, that cash was already a lot..."

Ji Xiu smiled. "It's not even enough for one pair of your brother's shoes. He gets tens of thousands in pocket money every month. Later, I'll calculate it and transfer your allowance to this card. Spend it slowly. Since you're home now, you need to get used to this lifestyle."

Zhou Qingqing swallowed hard, once again realizing just how wealthy a family she had been born into.

Ji Xiu didn't say more. He looked at the breakfast and said, "I'll go wash my face. You eat first."

He was becoming more and more satisfied with this daughter.

After a simple breakfast, they headed out to handle business. Upon learning she was transferring schools, Zhou Qingqing hesitated for a moment, clearly thinking of something. But after listening to Ji Xiu, she bit her lip and obediently agreed.

Ji Xiu smiled and patted her head, failing to notice her odd behavior. He made several calls to friends with children, asking for recommendations, then drove Zhou Qingqing to visit these schools.

Good schools were hard to find; even with Ji Xiu's current status, he had to be picky. Each school had its strengths—some had rich resources, some had exciting extracurriculars, some were bilingual, and some focused on the arts. Since the student was Zhou Qingqing, he had to consider her grades and her own thoughts.

Several days passed in this manner. Finally, after a school was chosen and the paperwork settled, both Ji Xiu and Zhou Qingqing breathed a sigh of relief. These past few days had been truly exhausting.

At the same time, the police station sent over the results of the case against the Zhou couple. Given the unique circumstances and the lack of specific laws, the prosecution eventually charged them with abandonment and child abduction. Mother Zhou, the primary offender, was sentenced to ten years; Father Zhou, the accomplice, received eight.

As for the "little fatty" Zhou Wei, since both parents were in prison and couldn't fulfill their guardianship duties, the police station—out of humanitarian concerns—helped send him back to the Zhou family’s ancestral village in the countryside to be cared for by his elderly grandparents.

The elderly Zhous had six sons who had produced a swarm of grandsons. They didn't value individual grandsons much. Every time Zhou Wei had visited for holidays, he was treated poorly, leading him to hate the place. Now that he was being sent back for eight years, he was terrified, clinging to the lamppost outside the police station and refusing to budge. Once in the car, he clamored for his parents, and when told that was impossible, he screamed for his sister.

When Ji Xiu heard the news, he scoffed and put it out of his mind. Now the boy knew to call for his sister? When Zhou Qingqing was at the Zhou house, he hadn't cherished her one bit.

Ji Xiu felt zero guilt about the "unfair disaster" of separating the boy from his parents. In the previous timeline, this little fatty was an accomplice.

In that life, the original owner yielded to Song Ruyue's threat and never brought Zhou Qingqing back. She lived in the Zhou house as the lowest-ranking member. Due to years of brainwashing, she had become subservient to them. Zhou Wei, with his wicked parents, naturally grew up crooked. Under his parents' indulgence, his character became increasingly tyrannical. He treated Zhou Qingqing like a servant, framing her for the slightest displeasure and causing her to be beaten by the couple. He was as stupid as a pig and couldn't keep up with school, dropping out after middle school to loiter with thugs. When he needed money, he demanded it from Zhou Qingqing, who had been forced to work to support the family. If she didn't have it, he’d use his fists.

Later, when they were older, Zhou Wei got a girl pregnant. The girl’s parents demanded marriage, but since they couldn't afford the bride price, he and his parents tricked Zhou Qingqing into returning to the countryside and "sold" her to a twice-married, abusive man. By the time the original Zhou Qingqing discovered she was a rich heiress, she had already been beaten so badly by that man that she suffered two miscarriages and lost her fertility.

If it weren't for experiencing so much pain, she wouldn't have chosen to take everyone down with her after returning to the Ji family. If even one person in the Zhou family had been slightly kind to her, her situation wouldn't have been so dire. Even if she hadn't returned to the Ji family, she could have relied on her own vitality to grow toward the sunlight.

Therefore, Song Ruyue and Ji Ze's bias had ruined her, but the ones who truly dragged her into the mire were the three members of the Zhou family. Those three were born wicked. If he could, Ji Xiu would have liked to send Zhou Wei to prison too, but unfortunately, he was still young and the crimes hadn't happened yet. How can you sentence someone for something that hasn't happened? Ji Xiu could only hire people to watch him; at the first sign of him turning bad, he would strike first.

Similarly, Ji Xiu wasn't entirely satisfied with the sentence for the Zhou couple. However, this was the result obtained under his pressure; anything more would cross legal boundaries and be difficult to achieve. He had no choice but to let it go. It was fine; by the time they got out, Zhou Qingqing would still be young. If she wanted to, it wouldn't be bad to let her take her revenge personally then. It’s easier to retaliate when someone is out in the open than behind bars.

Ji Xiu told Zhou Qingqing the results. She smiled and changed the subject. "Dad, my hair is getting a bit long. I want to cut it shorter."

Seeing that she didn't want to mention the Zhou couple, Ji Xiu felt a bit pained. He followed her lead. "Alright, Dad will take you to the hair salon tomorrow."

Zhou Qingqing smiled shyly.

With the Zhou family behind them, life for Ji Xiu and Zhou Qingqing returned to tranquility. On the other side, Song Ruyue finally lost her patience and came knocking on the door.