After finishing breakfast, Xu Youyou saw Qin Yiren and Lu Weizheng, who were also worried about her.

And from Lu Weizheng, Xu Youyou learned the culprit behind the car accident.

Wang Hou and Zhou Weimin.

Upon hearing those two names, Xu Youyou couldn’t help but pause for a moment. The names sounded somewhat familiar, but she couldn’t recall who they were at all.

It wasn’t until Qin Yiren and Lu Weizheng reminded her that Xu Youyou began to recall some details, but she still couldn’t understand why they would do such a thing.

This approach was tantamount to sacrificing their own lives, opting to perish together with Xu Youyou and the others!

Was there such a profound enmity between them?

Lu Weizheng didn’t conceal anything from Xu Youyou; she had the right to know the truth.

Firstly, there was Wang Hou, the child who Xu Youyou and the others encountered at the new kindergarten back then, who snatched building blocks.

At that time, he also got into a fight with several children after accidentally injuring Lu Chenjun’s hand.

It was also because of that incident that Lu Weizheng’s first action upon taking office was to take down his father, Wang Yaojin, and the forces behind him.

They didn’t know the extent of Wang Yaojin’s dealings until they started investigating, and it turned out he was not only suspected of human trafficking but also involved in drug trafficking.

With the quantity of his involvement reaching the threshold for the death penalty in the country, after irrefutable evidence was presented, it didn’t take long before Wang Yaojin was sentenced to death and subsequently executed.

His wife, along with Wang Yaojin’s parents, were all aware and even involved in some aspects, leading to them receiving life sentences. Only Wang Hou, their five-year-old child, was left behind, and sent to live with his maternal grandparents.

The entire wealth of the Wang family was confiscated, and Wang Hou’s maternal grandparents were just ordinary farmers who couldn’t provide the lavish lifestyle Wang Hou was accustomed to. However, Wang Hou’s stubborn temperament prevented him from accepting his fate.

He had been completely spoiled!

At the age of ten, he ended up in juvenile detention for stealing and injuring someone. After being released a few years later, he continued his delinquent behavior, becoming a full-fledged troublemaker.

At such a young age, he indulged in drinking, prostitution, and gambling——he did everything!

Until a few days ago, during an argument, he cruelly murdered a family of three, sparing not even a young child!

After being wanted by the police, Wang Hou realized very clearly that he couldn’t escape for long, especially since he had killed people.

Even though he was still over a month away from officially reaching adulthood, this wasn’t a protective talisman for him.

Since he was going to die anyway, he might as well seek revenge for those who wronged him and settle old scores!

Wang Hou’s enemies naturally included Lu Weizheng, as well as his son, wife, and even that girl named Xu Youyou!

It was all because of them that he had such a miserable life!

Wang Hou had a deep impression of what happened when he was five years old, especially since it was the first time he had been beaten. After that, his life underwent a drastic change.

These people caused the death of his father, brought his family to this state, and robbed him of a good life, leading him to become a murderer.

Then why not all go to hell together?

Finding the school where Xu Youyou was studying wasn’t difficult, considering she was quite famous in various high schools. However, after hiding for a while, Wang Hou still hadn’t found an opportunity to strike.

Xu Youyou didn’t even go to school, and he couldn’t blend into the heavily guarded villa area where she lived.

Seeing no hope for revenge and fearing he might be arrested by the police in his sleep one day, Wang Hou encountered someone who came looking for him.

Zhou Weimin.

He proposed cooperation.

Because they shared a common enemy!

The connection between Zhou Weimin and the Xu family’s mother and daughter was even more complex and longstanding.

Since his initial attempt to adopt Xu Youyou failed, the two families seemed to have become opposing forces.

The better they fared, the worse off he was!

It started with a warning from the Qin family, causing his business to plummet. Later, when he finally managed to latch onto a big opportunity, negative news suddenly surfaced online, causing Zhou Weimin to not only lose most of his business but also offend the powerful connection he had secured.

Especially after Lu Weizheng came into power, with bold changes after assuming office, the influence on his connection’s side collapsed within a few years.

As a member of that faction, Zhou Weimin naturally received ‘special attention’. His company went bankrupt, and all his assets were not only used to pay off debts but also left him in significant debt.

To support his child, Zhou Weimin had to work tirelessly day and night, engaging in small-scale trading.

At his age, with no companies willing to hire him and his reputation tarnished in Jiang City, Zhou Weimin could only move to the neighboring small county town to eke out a living.

Yet he was still frequently hounded by creditors demanding repayment, often finding himself with less than a hundred yuan in his pocket!

That vain woman, realizing he couldn’t make a comeback, abandoned the child and fled on her own. After cursing her a few times, Zhou Weimin didn’t feel much attachment to her anymore.

Having his son was enough for him. That woman running away was just fine; it meant one less person to support.

However, Zhou Weimin didn’t expect that his son would also come to ‘collect debts’. Not only did he refuse to study and hang out with dubious characters from a young age, but he also stole things from home.

When his son was younger, Zhou Weimin could rely on his height advantage to forcefully intimidate and beat him. However, as the boy grew older, by the time he was twelve or thirteen, Zhou Weimin was completely unable to overpower him.

His money was often snatched away before he could even warm it in his hands. Living from hand to mouth, there were times when he didn’t know where his next meal would come from. Despite being only in his fifties, he looked as if he were in his seventies or eighties.

Seeing him, those old acquaintances would surely fail to recognize him!

Who would have thought that the once-prominent Zhou Weimin in Jiang City would end up in such a sorry state?

What pushed Zhou Weimin over the edge was when his debt-collecting son got into a fight and was severely injured. The hospital contacted him about it.

Although Zhou Weimin was angry at his son, after all, he was his flesh and blood, his son! At his current age and status, he couldn’t possibly have another son. If this son died, then he would truly be left with nothing.

Thinking it over, Zhou Weimin went to the hospital and used the money he had painstakingly saved up to pay the bill, then…… he received a medical report, clearly stating his son’s blood type was B.

Can two people with blood type A produce a child with blood type B?

A tremendous sense of absurdity struck Zhou Weimin. Trembling, he pulled out his son’s hair and his own for testing. The glaring results drove Zhou Weimin completely insane!

That bitch! She lied to me!

Was there anything more devastating to Zhou Weimin, who had long awaited and poured his heart and soul into raising his son, than finding out that the child wasn’t his own?

After returning home in a daze, he had a dream.

In the dream, he successfully adopted Xu Youyou and had a son who looked just like him as if he were carved from the same mold, appearing unmistakably his own flesh and blood.

In the dream, he didn’t go bankrupt; instead, he became the wealthiest man in Jiang City, with countless people flattering and seeking his favor.

Later on, because Xu Youyou married someone influential and powerful, he also benefited, and the entire Zhou family rose to a higher level.

How good was the dream? That’s the kind of life he should have, right?

Upon waking up, Zhou Weimin chuckled. Since he had nothing left anyway, why not let those who had led him to this point accompany him in his downfall?

But trying to kill Lu Weizheng was just too difficult. Zhou Weimin can only settle for second best and have the Xu family’s mother and daughter, as well as Lu Weizheng’s wife and son, be buried with him.

Indeed, Zhou Weimin’s mind was in working order, considering he was once a self-made man.

While observing the target and searching for suitable opportunities, he also discovered Wang Hou, who shared the same goal as him.

Wang Hou’s background wasn’t difficult to investigate, and the crime he committed ensured he had no future. Zhou Weimin was certain he wouldn’t betray him. Therefore, not only did Zhou Weimin help Wang Hou evade the police’s pursuit, but the two of them also devised a simple yet effective plan.

They chose the day of the college entrance examination to execute it.

Only on that day would Xu Wenyin and Qin Yiren be present, and perhaps a few more people might join them.

In their minds, the more people who die, the better, preferably wiping out everyone associated with these two families!

But they didn’t expect that their own lives would be hanging by a thread, yet Xu Youyou and the others would emerge unscathed.

Why isn’t the heaven fair?

This question, perhaps, can only be asked after they have died.

But they didn’t leave empty-handed; at least they managed to get rid of Xu Wenyin, didn’t they?

Upon hearing the whole story, Xu Youyou couldn’t help but clench her fists tightly. “How will the authorities handle the matter?”

“Wang Hou will be sentenced to death, but Zhou Weimin……” Lu Weizheng hesitated for a moment before continuing, “At most, he will get life imprisonment.”

Zhou Weimin had never killed anyone before. Although he had a lot of debt, that wouldn’t be a reason to increase his sentence. At most, he could be charged with attempted murder. After all, in the seemingly perilous car accident, surprisingly, no one died!

Xu Youyou nodded. “It doesn’t matter. Death would be too easy for him!”

Death was too easy, a quick end to all. Zhou Weimin had lived half his life already. Wouldn’t death be letting him off too lightly?

Xu Youyou would rather choose to let Zhou Weimin live, to endure a long, tormenting existence in prison, forever suffering!

As for Wang Hou, can he truly face death calmly at such a young age?

After the impulse passes, waiting for death is the best torment for him.

Every minute and every second would be more painful than death itself.

“Youyou.” Qin Yiren felt very uncomfortable. She had known the Xu family’s mother and daughter for over a decade. Xu Wenyin was her best friend, and Xu Youyou had grown up under her watchful eye.

The girl was barely of age, having lost her father at birth, and now, even her only mother……

Why does someone as kind and good-hearted as Xu Youyou have to endure all these hardships?

“Aunt Qin, you don’t need to worry about me.”

After finishing breakfast, Xu Youyou’s complexion appeared much better. “I will strive to live a good life. Otherwise, Mom will feel heartbroken if she sees me not doing well when she returns.”

“Youyou!” Qin Yiren hugged Xu Youyou tightly. “During Wenyin’s absence, I will definitely take care of you on her behalf!”

Was Xu Wenyin dead or alive, and why and how did she disappear?

No one knows!

But they all firmly believed that Xu Wenyin must be okay.

She had always been fortunate and resilient. Despite facing so many challenges in the past, that strong woman was never defeated. Surely, she wouldn’t be now!

After bidding farewell to Qin Yiren and the others, Xu Youyou headed to Xu Wenyin’s room.

Compared to the lifeless, showroom-like bedroom that Qin Yiren had seen years ago, it was evident that Xu Wenyin’s room had undergone significant changes over the years, reflecting her growth and development.

Everywhere bore the mark of the owner’s presence and casualness, with even a few pieces of clothing left unorganized on the bed.

Xu Wenyin had explicitly told the housekeeper that her room didn’t need cleaning, and only she and Xu Youyou had free access to it.

So Xu Youyou rehung the clothes and tidied up some other items before her gaze fell on the safe.

She remembered her mother mentioning once that there was something for her inside, and if something happened to her, Xu Youyou should open it.

At that time, Xu Youyou had vehemently shaken her head, insisting that her mother wouldn’t encounter any problems and would always be with her.

Unexpectedly, Xu Wenyin’s words really came true.

The safe was equipped with a fingerprint lock. Xu Youyou extended her index finger and pressed it for two seconds, and the safe opened.

Inside were two distinct piles of papers. One pile, distinguishable by its color, appeared to be property deeds, likely the set that her mother intended to give her for her eighteenth birthday this year.

The other pile consisted of notebooks with leather covers, but Xu Youyou wasn’t sure what they contained.

Xu Youyou casually picked up the topmost notebook and flipped open a page. The familiar handwriting on it immediately stunned her.

「February 14, Monday, Snowy.

Damn! What’s this Xiao Juanmao planning by asking Youyou out today?

This kid is getting more and more cunning. It’s obvious he has ulterior motives towards Youyou.

I just asked Youyou what she thinks about Juanmao and she actually said he’s her best friend! Hahaha.

Sorry Yiyi, I can’t help it if my Youyou hasn’t figured things out yet. Hahahaha.

This is good, this is good, keep it up, Youyou!」

Xu Youyou: “……” Mom’s use of phrases is still as bad as ever.

She also remembered February 14th this year, the day she went out with Lu Chenjun. Didn’t they go to the library?

She even bought several reference books.

Her mother must have misunderstood.

She quickly finished one notebook and immediately picked up the next one.

「August 15, Thursday, Sunny.

Youyou is starting her third year of high school. What should I do? I’m a little nervous!

But it’s not a big deal. The Youyou now is different; anyone who dares to bully her better asks me if I agree first!」

Upon reaching this point, Xu Youyou couldn’t help but ponder. Since starting her third year of high school, her mother seemed unusually nervous, fearing she might be bullied, and even started a tradition of weekly check-ins.

Could there be something wrong with her third year of high school?

After sitting cross-legged on the carpet for who knows how long, Xu Youyou, feeling her feet completely numb, picked up her phone to check the time. To her surprise, she found several messages, the first one being from the reporter she met yesterday.

Xu Youyou clicked on it and immediately saw a photo of herself and her mother.

A pair of similar-looking mother and daughter smiled brightly at the camera, their joy evident to anyone who saw them.

This should be the last photo of her and her mother so far, right?

Looking at Xu Wenyin in the photo and thinking about the little details in the diary, Xu Youyou’s face broke into a smile reminiscent of the one in the picture.

Mom, Youyou is also happy today.