In the blink of an eye, twenty years of effort were gone. The curses, condemnations, and malicious words transformed into sharp blades, piercing Liu Zhixi through and through in an instant.
No, she couldn't remain passive any longer. Liu Zhixi quickly called Quan Tianxi, urging him to return quickly.
Quan Tianxi received the call just as he was leaving the hospital. Thinking something had happened, he hurried back.
Upon returning to the ward, he saw that the bandages on Liu Zhixi's face had loosened. He rushed forward, "Xixi, what's wrong?"
Liu Zhixi's eyes were filled with tears. "Second Brother, Xiaodong framed me. I treated her like my own sister, yet she posted videos online slandering me, causing everyone to curse me. My image is ruined, my career is ruined. Second Brother, I can't go on living."
She handed Quan Tianxi the videos from the internet.
Quan Tianxi frowned, his expression growing darker as he watched. "Why would Xiaodong do this?"
"I don't know, Second Brother. I treated her like my own sister, but she wronged me like this. What would Mom and Dad think if they saw this? And my career, Second Brother, what should I do?" Liu Zhixi cried uncontrollably as she spoke.
Quan Tianxi quickly comforted her, "Don't worry, I'll explain to Mom and Dad. I'll send people to find Xiaodong. Also, I'll have the false rumors online removed. Don't worry, your brother will handle everything for you."
Liu Zhixi's crying subsided a little. Sniffling, she choked out, "Also, the supporting actress called Quan Jiu that Xiaodong mentioned in the video, she actually tampered with the wire I was using. She overturned the iron frame, but Xiaodong said I instructed her. As for the fireworks, Xiaodong said she bought them to make me happy, so I let her put them in my dressing room.
Second Brother, I think that woman named Quan Jiu has ulterior motives towards me. She's always wanted to harm me. Xiaodong buying the fireworks might have been at her suggestion too."
"Quan Jiu?" Quan Tianxi paused slightly. "Could she be from a collateral branch of our Quan family? I haven't heard of anyone with that name among our relatives."
"Perhaps it's a stage name. She's also an actress, but I really don't know her identity." Liu Zhixi's tears streamed down her face. "I always treated her as a good sister. I even recommended her for the supporting role, but I never expected her to repay kindness with enmity. Does she want to play the lead role? If she wants it, I'll give it to her. Why would she harm me?"
Quan Tianxi silently noted the name and comforted her, "Rest well, don't worry. Your brother will handle this for you."
Liu Zhixi finally relaxed a bit, lying down with a tearful whimper.
...
After leaving the hospital, Quan Tianxi immediately contacted the Quan family's intelligence network in City A. Within moments, he found information about Quan Jiu.
"Married, and her husband is Chu Rong." Quan Tianxi was shocked. Although the Quan family kept a low profile, he had heard Chu Rong's name like thunder.
He continued to scroll through the information, becoming more astonished. This person named Quan Jiu actually had multiple identities: screenwriter Nine, painter "Lost and Found," master of Yunlan Pavilion, and boss of Chuxin Culture.
Moreover, each of these identities was renowned. Especially when analyzing the data, the person with the highest online popularity this year was also this Quan Jiu.
While relying on the Chu Group undoubtedly provided many advantages, a woman married to Chu Rong could not be a simple person.
Quan Tianxi flipped to the homepage, and a photo caught his eye.
The woman in the photo was stunningly beautiful. Even Quan Tianxi, who was accustomed to seeing beautiful women, felt an overwhelming sense of awe at first glance. No wonder Chu Rong married her; such beauty was truly rare.
Quan Tianxi carefully examined the photo of Quan Jiu. The more he looked, the more he felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity, especially her incomparably beautiful eyes, which exuded gentleness and kindness, completely unlike the description given by his third sister.
They say the face reflects the heart. With such a serene, peaceful, kind, and noble countenance, could she truly be the culprit who harmed his third sister?
Quan Tianxi couldn't help but doubt. After some thought, he had someone remove the online comments about the artist Liu Zhixi and personally went to the location indicated in the information: Lijing Yuncheng.
He wanted to see for himself what kind of person that woman was.
...
Meanwhile, after leaving the set, Quan Jiu went straight home.
The children and their grandfather were still at the old Chu family residence. Only Chu Rong was home, making braised seafood in the kitchen.
Quan Jiu changed her clothes and washed up. When she came out again, the seafood had already been served.
"I saw that all the news about Liu Zhixi online has been removed. It must be the Quan family's doing, right?" She put on gloves and picked up a large langoustine, skillfully peeling its shell.
"Yes, but the matter has already spread far and wide. Removing it is meaningless now," Chu Rong said.
"It doesn't matter. However, the Quan family might come looking for us." Quan Jiu guessed. Knowing Liu Zhixi's methods, she would have already complained to her family by now, and it wouldn't be surprising for her to twist the story. It wasn't hard to predict that the Quan family would come knocking.
"Have you thought about how you'll face the Quan family?" Chu Rong asked.
Quan Jiu hesitated for a moment. "For now, I don't have any particular feelings. I just hope we don't make a mess of things." After all, they might be related, and it would be uncomfortable to turn against each other.
Chu Rong peeled a skewer of crayfish and placed it in Quan Jiu's bowl.
Quan Jiu beamed, her beautiful eyes blinking adorably. "Brother Chu, your cooking is so good. Even the crayfish are threaded so beautifully."
Chu Rong's heart stirred. He cupped Quan Jiu's chin and gave her a gentle kiss.
Quan Jiu chuckled and ate the crayfish heartily. "The braised seafood flavor is indeed delicious."
As they were chatting and laughing, the doorbell rang without warning.
Quan Jiu wiped her mouth and hands, playfully betting with Chu Rong, "Guess if the person outside is surnamed Quan or Taishu."
"Someone from the Taishu family wouldn't ring the doorbell so politely. Liu Zhixi has two brothers who dote on her the most, so it's likely one of them outside."
Chu Rong stood up and smiled slightly. "A guest is at the door. Besides, they rang the doorbell. Refusing them entry would be impolite of us."
Quan Jiu didn't comment and stood up, taking Chu Rong's hand to the door.
When the door opened, they indeed saw a man with a gentlemanly demeanor, exceptionally handsome, exuding nobility like a prince from a fairy tale.
"The Quan family has two sons. I assume this is the second son, Quan Tianxi. Hello, I am the head of Chu Group, Chu Rong."
Quan Tianxi nodded slightly in return, "President Chu's calm demeanor suggests you anticipated my arrival."
"Please come in." Chu Rong gestured slightly to the side. "My wife and I are having our dinner. If you don't mind, please join us."
Quan Tianxi then turned his gaze to Quan Jiu and was immediately stunned. She was already beautiful in the photo, but seeing her in person, she was even more so, a beauty that photos couldn't capture even a tenth of.
Such beauty was rare indeed. What made him even more taken aback was that this face gave him an extremely strong sense of familiarity.
Quan Tianxi, while secretly wondering, followed the couple into the dining room.
Chu Rong handed Quan Tianxi another set of chopsticks and a bowl.
Quan Tianxi didn't stand on ceremony and truly sat down to eat.
"I never expected the 'God of War' in the business world, President Chu, to be such a good cook!" Quan Tianxi exclaimed in amazement after taking a bite.
Chu Rong continued to peel crayfish for Quan Jiu. "If you're just here for a casual meal, I thank you for your compliment. But if..."
His expression turned cold. "You're here to cause trouble, then this meal might be a banquet of doom for you."
Quan Tianxi smiled slightly. "I am only here for the truth."