The newcomer was none other than Feng Tianqi. Hearing Huang Shitao’s shouting from a distance, he was furious. Without hesitation, he rushed over and knocked Huang Shitao unconscious with a swift chop to the neck, silencing him immediately.

Feng Fugui and Ge Jinhua exclaimed in surprise, “Tianqi, why are you back?”

“I’ll explain later,” Feng Tianqi replied curtly.

With her son back, Ge Jinhua felt emboldened. She shouted, “Tianqi, Chen Caohua dared to run off with another man-“

“Mom! Enough!” Feng Tianqi’s stern voice cut her off.

He raised an eyebrow, his authoritative demeanor silencing Ge Jinhua instantly. She dared not say another word.

“Let’s talk inside,” he commanded. “We don’t want to give the neighbors a show.”

With that, Feng Tianqi dragged Huang Shitao into the courtyard. Lin Ning followed, and the door was firmly shut, cutting off the prying eyes of the neighbors.

Lin Ning studied Feng Tianqi. He was a man in his thirties with a square face, thick eyebrows, and sharp eyes. He was undeniably handsome, but his gaze carried a complexity and depth that
made him hard to read.

In her previous life, after marrying the original host, Feng Tianqi quickly transitioned out of military service and moved to Yongzhou City to start a business, leaving the original host behind to care for his parents and raise their child. Once she outlived her usefulness, he coldly cast her aside. He never showed up for her, proving himself to be a meticulous and self-serving man. While he was skilled at calculating advantages, he was also emotionally detached and adept at hiding his true nature.

Feng Tianqi’s voice broke her thoughts. “Explain. What’s going on here?”

Ge Jinhua recounted the events, and when she mentioned Chen Caohua running off with another man, Feng Tianqi’s expression didn’t waver. It was as though she weren’t talking about his wife.

Then it was Chen Caohua’s turn to perform. With a dramatic thud, she fell to her knees before Feng Tianqi, clinging to his leg as she sobbed.

Starting with complaints about Ge Jinhua refusing to give her money for basic necessities, she spun a tale of being tricked into going south to work with Huang Shitao, where she narrowly escaped his advances and returned home. She accused both Huang Shitao and Lin Ning of trying to extort her.

Her words painted everyone else as villains, leaving her as the innocent victim.

Ge Jinhua was so angry she could barely breathe. “Tianqi, don’t listen to her nonsense! When have I ever denied her money?”

Chen Caohua, still clinging to Feng Tianqi’s leg, wept harder. Having not seen him in half a year, she was confident he must miss her. If she could satisfy him in certain ways, everything else could be resolved.

Her approach proved effective. Feng Tianqi couldn’t help but be swayed by her soft touch and pitiful expression. The sight of her tear-streaked face and her trembling pleas stirred his protective instincts. Could it be that his mother had truly wronged her? Otherwise, how could the usually fierce Chen Caohua look so pitiful now?

After hearing her tale, Feng Tianqi’s attitude softened noticeably. Ge Jinhua was furious. “Tianqi, don’t fall for that shameless woman’s lies! She’s just deceiving you!”

Feng Tianqi’s face darkened. “Mom! Watch your words. She’s your daughter-in-law and the mother of your grandson!”

Chen Caohua smirked inwardly. Her strategy had worked. In her previous life, she often argued with Ge Jinhua in front of Feng Tianqi, who would always side with his mother. This time, by playing the victim, she had managed to turn the tables.

Ge Jinhua, feeling betrayed, yelled, “You’ve got your wife now and forgotten your mother. Fine! Do whatever you want!”

Feng Tianqi turned to Lin Ning. “And what’s her role in this?”

Feng Fugui explained the situation. Feng Tianqi sighed. “This is ridiculous! I’m still married to Chen Caohua. How could you even think of arranging another marriage for me? Do you want to ruin this girl’s life?”

Turning to Lin Ning, he said, “Comrade Lin Ning, I had no knowledge of what my family did. I apologize on their behalf and hope you won’t take it to heart.”

Lin Ning didn’t believe a word he said.

In her previous life, Feng Tianqi also hadn’t divorced Chen Caohua before marrying her. The family likely informed him about their plans, and he simply didn’t care.

Lin Ning remained silent. Feng Tianqi didn’t seem to mind; his apology was merely a formality.

Next, they addressed Huang Shitao. Feng Tianqi announced, “We’re going to the police station to report this.”

Chen Caohua panicked. If they went to the police, her affair with Huang Shitao would come to light. She hesitated, stalling for time. Feng Tianqi’s eyes turned cold.

“Don’t be afraid,” he said. “You’re the victim here. Just repeat what you told me.”

Understanding his message, Chen Caohua nodded. He was telling her to deny everything and pin the blame entirely on Huang Shitao.

“I understand. I’ll go! I’ve done nothing wrong and have nothing to fear.”

Feng Tianqi then turned to Lin Ning. “Comrade Lin Ning, please join us as a witness.”

Lin Ning agreed. “Fine. Let’s go.”

Huang Shitao, looking like a beaten dog, was dragged to the police station.

“Officer, I’d like to file a report!” Feng Tianqi declared.

“What’s the case?”

“Let the victims explain.”

Chen Caohua repeated her fabricated story, and Lin Ning recounted Huang Shitao’s attempt to rob her. Their testimonies were convincing together.

Feng Tianqi delivered a hard punch to Huang Shitao’s back, jolting him awake. Seeing the police and the bold letters on the wall-“Confess and you’ll be treated leniently; resist and you’ll be punished severely”-Huang Shitao panicked.

The officer barked, “Huang Shitao! Confess to your crimes against these women!”

Terrified, Huang Shitao stammered out his side of the story. “Officer, Chen Caohua was willing! I never forced her! I didn’t assault Lin Ning; I just wanted some money. Please believe me-l didn’t hurt anyone!”

Hearing this, Feng Tianqi’s expression shifted. His gaze darkened as he looked at Chen Caohua, who bit her lip and decided to play her final card.

Suddenly, she screamed, “You’re all bullying me! I can’t take it anymore!”

With a loud bang, she slammed her head into a nearby pillar. Blood trickled down as she collapsed dramatically to the ground.

“Caohua! Caohua!” Feng Tianqi rushed to her side, cradling her limp body.

Through tear-filled eyes, she whispered, “Tianqi, I’ve done nothing wrong. Please believe me.”

Moved by her act, Feng Tianqi erupted in fury. He turned to Huang Shitao and began pummeling him.

“Stop!” the officers intervened only after Huang Shitao was nearly beaten to a pulp.

“Don’t worry, Comrade Feng,” one officer assured him. “We’ll punish him severely.”

With both victims’ testimonies and clear evidence, Huang Shitao was immediately detained.

Under the newly enforced crackdown laws, Huang Shitao was sentenced harshly for his crimes. A little over a month later, he was executed.

Only after Huang Shitao was dealt with did Chen Caohua finally feel at ease. The demon that had haunted her for two lifetimes was gone for good.