The news that the Quan family's third daughter, who had been living outside, had finally returned to the fold, and that the previous third daughter was actually adopted, quickly spread throughout the new district.
At this juncture, the adopted daughter being married off while the biological daughter returned made it clear to any discerning observer that the Quan family no longer intended to recognize the adopted daughter as one of their own. Especially when well-informed sources discovered that the Zhuang family was already a mere shell of its former self. Marrying off the adopted daughter at this time clearly indicated that neither the Zhuang family nor the adopted daughter held any importance.
Most people were fair-weather friends. With this realization, the Zhuang family and Liu Zhi Xi became completely disregarded, even less significant than some minor sects.
As for Quan Jiu, she became a coveted prize in their eyes. Her exceptionally stunning beauty alone made many men wish to marry her on the spot. Unfortunately, the Quan family patriarch's declaration, "My daughter is now married," shattered their hopes.
Since marriage alliances were out of the question, fostering good relationships was the next best thing. Thus, after Quan Jiu completed the ceremonies, guests one after another stepped forward to offer congratulations or compliments in a continuous, assembly-line fashion. By the time hundreds of people had paid their respects, the sun was nearing its descent.
Given her recent return, it was natural for her to stay the night. Liu Pei Lin seized this opportunity to pull Quan Jiu aside and inquire about all twenty-seven years of her past.
Mothers and daughters naturally grew closer more easily. Quan Jiu recounted all her past experiences, both happy and unhappy, sad and sorrowful, chatting until late into the night.
Upon hearing her daughter's ordeals, Liu Pei Lin was overwhelmed with heartache. She held Quan Jiu and wept profusely. It was only after Quan Jiu offered considerable comfort that she reluctantly went to sleep. The next morning, she rose early to personally prepare breakfast for Quan Jiu and her grandson.
Quan Jiu stayed in the new district for three days. Ultimately, her concern for the film crew compelled her to bid farewell to her family.
Upon returning to the film crew, Quan Jiu resumed her demanding schedule of early mornings and late nights. However, she was a pressure-driven individual; the greater the pressure, the better she performed. Her scenes were almost always completed in a single take, and the progress was remarkably swift. In less than a month, all of the female lead's scenes were filmed. She then diligently commenced work on the script adaptation.
Time thus flowed into January.
One day, after finishing work at the company, Quan Jiu drove home as usual.
There was considerable traffic on the road, and her speed was not high. As she drove, she activated her left turn signal to change lanes.
The left turn signal flashed. Quan Jiu turned the steering wheel, but just as her car's body had partially entered the left lane, a vehicle from behind suddenly accelerated forward.
The immense impact caused Quan Jiu to lose control of the steering wheel. Her car was violently knocked askew. Because there were vehicles in front, behind, and to the sides, this collision instantaneously resulted in a five-car accident.
Quan Jiu's car was equipped with airbags. The moment the car sustained a heavy blow, the airbags deployed, pressing her firmly against her seat and preventing her from colliding with the interior of the car.
All she could hear were successive collisions and the blaring of car horns. Quan Jiu felt disoriented inside the car. When the vehicle finally came to a halt, she was still dizzy and unresponsive.
However, just as she thought the accident had ended, her car was suddenly subjected to another violent impact.
Quan Jiu's entire body jolted again. She looked to the rear and saw a car with a damaged bumper reversing. It was the car that had initially hit her.
Quan Jiu was almost certain that the car was deliberately targeting her. In a swift movement, as the car behind her reversed, she quickly opened her car door, squeezed out, and ran towards the green belt.
The reversing car also spotted her. It revved its engine and directly rammed forward.
Drivers of the surrounding vehicles, forced to stop, screamed. Some shouted warnings, while others began to flee, attempting to escape the danger.
Quan Jiu heard the commotion. Without time to look back, she ran headlong towards the green belt. The green belt had a knee-high flowerbed. Even if a car crashed into it, it would only be the car that was destroyed; she just needed to reach the green belt.
Jiang Meng Ran, seeing a car blocking the road ahead and Quan Jiu, that wretched woman, running further away, became enraged. She frantically honked her horn, losing all reason, and began to crash indiscriminately into the surrounding vehicles.
Those who had not yet managed to evade were caught. Some were lightly knocked to the ground. In a more severe case, someone was directly in front of her car. Jiang Meng Ran stomped on the accelerator and hit them head-on. The car ran over the person, crushing them into a pulp. The car then moved forward, dragging a bloody streak like a broom.
The crowd was stunned into silence. Some screamed, others fled, and some called the police. The cars in front and behind were also forced to stop, completely blocking the road.
Quan Jiu stood on the flowerbed and clearly saw the perpetrator. It was Jiang Meng Ran.
The sound of police sirens grew louder. Soon, a group of uniformed officers surrounded Jiang Meng Ran, ordering her to exit the vehicle.
Jiang Meng Ran was now completely deranged. She no longer knew fear; she only wished for everyone to go to hell, for everyone to die.
Disregarding everything, she continued to drive, crashing into the responding officers.
The responding officers issued repeated warnings and repeatedly retreated. When multiple warnings were ineffective and there was nowhere left to retreat, the leader finally gave the order: "Fire."
All the police officers aimed at the driver's side and fired four shots, all hitting their mark.
Quan Jiu remained standing on the flowerbed. Jiang Meng Ran had not yet completely died. Her gaze, filled with malice, was fixed on Quan Jiu. She reached out, as if wanting to tear her to pieces, but then she saw a hint of mockery.
Despite the intense pain throughout her body, it could not compare to the hatred in her heart.
She died with her eyes wide open.
The perpetrator was shot and killed. Eyewitnesses were taken to the police station to give statements, while the injured were immediately sent to the hospital for treatment.
Quan Jiu sustained only minor abrasions. She also accompanied them to the police station, as the accident had originated with her.
Given that the police could investigate everything, Quan Jiu honestly explained their relationship.
"...I know her. She was a classmate of my husband's, and seven years ago, she saved my husband's life. Later..."
Quan Jiu provided a general account of how she met Jiang Meng Ran. The police quickly verified it and found no discrepancies.
Finally, the police asked the most crucial question.
"Since you know each other, and she attacked you at the beginning, it is clear this was premeditated. What conflict exists between you?"
Quan Jiu sighed softly. "Perhaps it's because of my husband. She always liked my husband. After my husband married me, she became increasingly resentful. We haven't had much contact over the years, and I haven't seen her in a long time. But I never expected her to commit such an outrageous act."
Before Quan Jiu's statement was completed, Chu Rong received the news and rushed over.
Seeing the scratch on Quan Jiu's forehead, Chu Rong's expression immediately darkened. Upon learning that the perpetrator had been killed, his mood improved slightly.
The person taking the statement asked him, "Mr. Chu, the perpetrator is Jiang Meng Ran. Have you had any contact with her recently?"
Chu Rong seemed somewhat surprised. After a pause, he shook his head. "No. A few months ago, she trespassed into my home, and I called the police to arrest her. You should have records of that in the case file. I fired her after that."
The person taking the statement nodded and then asked, "Your wife mentioned a car accident seven years ago. Can you elaborate on that?"
Chu Rong nodded and began to recall carefully.