He thought that as long as the money remained in his daughter’s hands, then no matter how scheming Qian Xiaohu was, he would still treat his daughter well for the sake of the money.
Liu’s father had considered everything for Liu Tanghuan, yet he had never actually had the will notarized. He wanted to give his daughter another chance, to see if she might grow up a little more and come to her senses.
But despite calculating every possible outcome, he had never expected Liu Tanghuan to be capable of being this ruthless.
After Liu Tanghuan caused a huge scene, Qian Xiaohu’s instigation drove her to develop murderous intentions.
Before Liu’s father could have the will notarized, Liu Tanghuan conspired with Qian Xiaohu and poisoned her parents to death.
Xi Yu could already guess what happened afterward without even needing to calculate it.
Qian Xiaohu might pretend for a while after getting the company, but his nature would not change. He would not be able to keep up the act for long.
Once he had completely taken control of the company, Qian Xiaohu began fooling around with other women, revealing his true nature.
And after Liu Tanghuan discovered it, there was nothing she could do to him.
Liu Tanghuan continued to suffer domestic violence and abuse, even having to watch Qian Xiaohu’s lovers flaunt themselves arrogantly in front of her.
But she no longer had any leverage with which to bring Qian Xiaohu down, and Qian Xiaohu drove her out of the house.
In the end, Liu Tanghuan went to the Shen family’s parents for help. They remembered the favor they owed Liu’s father and forced Shen Linchuan to marry Liu Tanghuan.
After the marriage, Shen Linchuan gave Liu Tanghuan respect, but that was all. Shen Linchuan’s destined partner had never been Liu Tanghuan.
Later…
It had to be said that Liu Tanghuan’s fate was still better than most people’s.
Throughout the first half of her life, there had always been someone supporting her and keeping her afloat, yet she was simply too dissatisfied with what she had.
Now the original trajectory had changed, but Liu Tanghuan’s personality would not.
For now, she would briefly come to her senses and understand that only her parents could help her.
But once she encountered something involving her own interests again, she would still prioritize protecting herself.
Even her current regret was merely because she had finally seen clearly who was actually capable of helping her.
Xi Yu flapped his wings and flew out, with Lu Zhixing following closely behind.
“Mom! Dad!”
Liu Tanghuan had not seen her parents for far too long. The moment she saw them, she threw herself into their arms.
She had already regretted it after Qian Xiaohu abused her, regretting that she had poisoned her parents.
She had misjudged him, thinking that she had found someone who could accompany her for the rest of her life.
Fortunately, that demon had saved her parents, allowing her to still have someone to rely on now.
Liu Tanghuan had finally figured it out. Only her parents could give her love and a good life.
Liu’s mother had not even had time to put down the things in her hands. She hugged Liu Tanghuan, her eyes filled with laughter.
“Oh, my goodness! What happened to my precious girl? It’s only been two days since we saw you. Did you miss me already?”
Liu’s father was also glowing with happiness. He handed the gift to Shen Linchuan.
“These are medicinal herbs my old classmate gave me. They’re especially good for nourishing the body. Take a look and see if they’re suitable. I’ll have the servants boil them.”
Over the past few years, Shen Linchuan had gone to great lengths to search for these precious medicinal herbs to nourish Liu Tanghuan’s body, and Liu’s parents had heard about it long ago.
Shen Linchuan told outsiders that he was in poor health, but Liu’s parents knew that all of it was actually for their daughter.
Shen Linchuan lowered his head and glanced at them. He had dealt with medicinal herbs far too often, so he could tell at a glance whether they were good or bad.
The medicinal herbs in Liu’s father’s hands were indeed good, but his Xiaoman no longer needed them.
The herbs were not actually meant to be drunk as medicine, either. Wild things that had grown for many years would contain spiritual energy within them.
What Shen Linchuan needed was the spiritual energy inside them.
However, Liu Tanghuan had suddenly returned. If he changed too much too quickly, he was afraid Liu’s parents would become suspicious, so he merely smiled and nodded.
“They’re fine.”
Liu Tanghuan had originally been extremely excited, but when she heard that she had to take medicine, her brows furrowed slightly. She pursed her lips, wanting to object, but when she caught Shen Linchuan’s gaze, she swallowed her protest.
Hmph. No wonder they had brought her back.
Seeing all these medicinal herbs, perhaps that demon was about to die, and Shen Linchuan had no choice but to send her back.
The Shen family owed her family. How dare Shen Linchuan let a demon take her place!
A flash of resentment crossed Liu Tanghuan’s eyes.
Liu’s mother did not notice anything unusual. Happily, she pulled Liu Tanghuan down by the hand and sat her down.
“Quick, look at what Mommy brought you. You’ll definitely like it.”
As she spoke, Liu’s mother took out a jade hairpin.
It was warm to the touch and made of excellent-quality jade. Yet despite how fine the hairpin was, there was a hole at the end of it. A section of the same jade had been fashioned into an extremely fine chain, threaded through the hairpin and hanging down, with colorful feathers attached to the end.
This could no longer really be considered a hairpin.
It looked more like… a cat toy.
Xi Yu watched as Liu’s mother waved the hairpin in front of Liu Tanghuan, seemingly waiting for her to excitedly take it.
But she did not.
Liu Tanghuan looked at the hairpin with an unpleasant expression.
She had never liked jade, thinking it was something only old people used.
She liked diamonds.
This hairpin clearly was not meant to be worn in her hair. It was something meant to be played with.
She had never liked this kind of thing!
Yet her mother looked so certain, as though she were absolutely sure Liu Tanghuan would like it.
Then who would like it?
It could only be that fake!
That demon had stolen her parents from her. Her parents had actually been bewitched by it, showering it with affection!
Liu Tanghuan wished she could smash the hairpin immediately, but she still gritted her teeth, took it into her hands, and forced a smile.
“Thank you, Mom.”
When Liu’s mother saw Liu Tanghuan casually place the hairpin behind her, a brief trace of confusion appeared in her eyes.
But soon, Liu Tanghuan leaned her head against her mother’s shoulder and acted spoiled.
Liu’s mother smiled.
Xi Yu watched the interaction intently, and an idea suddenly surfaced in his mind.
Lu Zhixing leaned closer to Xi Yu’s ear.
“Why do I feel like Liu’s parents seem…”
He did not finish his sentence, but Xi Yu knew that he had thought of the same thing.
Xi Yu said, “Let’s watch a little longer.”
It was already noon, and the servants had prepared lunch.
Liu Tanghuan had not eaten this much fine food in a very long time.
She could not even eat her fill when she was with Qian Xiaohu. Later, she went to Qingliang Village and lived in a daze.
The villagers’ food could at least fill her stomach, but she had been accustomed to living in luxury for more than twenty years. She simply could not endure that kind of life.
Liu Tanghuan did not even know why she had forgotten so many things back then.
She was certain that demon had done it!
That demon had cast some demonic spell on her!
Liu Tanghuan ate somewhat hurriedly.
Under the table, Shen Linchuan kicked her lightly, and Liu Tanghuan slowed down.
Liu’s mother looked at Liu Tanghuan and smiled indulgently, smoothing the hair beside her temple.
“Why are you eating so quickly? Have you not eaten for several days?”
Beside them, Liu’s father teased Shen Linchuan.
“Did you bully Huanhuan while we were gone?”
Shen Linchuan smiled.
“How would I dare?”
After saying that, he casually glanced at Liu Tanghuan and asked,
“Did I bully you?”
“No,” Liu Tanghuan said. “I was just too hungry.”
After lunch, the medicinal herbs Liu’s father had brought were ready. A servant carried over a bowl.
Liu’s father took the medicine, stirring it with a spoon to let it cool slightly.
“Drink it while it’s hot. It’s good for a young woman.”
“I’m not drinking it.”
Liu Tanghuan wrinkled her nose at the bitter smell and acted spoiled.
“It’s too bitter. I don’t want to drink it.”
Beside her, Liu’s mother coaxed her like a child.
“Good medicine tastes bitter.”
Liu Tanghuan suppressed her nausea and opened her mouth.
But just as she was about to drink, the butler suddenly rushed in, holding a calico cat in his arms, and said excitedly,
“Madam, Xiaoman actually came back!”
………………………
As soon as the butler’s words fell, there was a sharp clatter.
The bowl in Liu’s mother’s hands suddenly overturned.
A bowlful of scalding medicine spilled onto the floor. A few drops splashed onto her legs, yet she did not react at all. She simply stared blankly at the Xiaoman in Shen Linchuan’s arms, her expression filled with confusion and disbelief.
Shen Linchuan abruptly stood up, his face deathly pale.
Liu’s father’s eyes widened slightly as he suddenly looked toward Liu Tanghuan, whose expression had undergone a drastic change.
The butler stroked Xiaoman while continuing excitedly,
“Xiaoman went missing when Mr. Shen was hospitalized. It’s been four or five years. Today, she suddenly came back, and…”
Before the butler could finish speaking, his arms suddenly became empty.
Shen Linchuan had taken Xiaoman and held her tightly against his chest, an extreme terror appearing on his face.
Liu Tanghuan screamed like a madwoman.
“Throw her out!”
“No!”
Liu Tanghuan, terrified, no longer cared about Shen Linchuan. She reached out to grab Xiaoman.
“Strangle her! Strangle her to death! She’s a demon!”
Shen Linchuan kicked Liu Tanghuan in the leg and shouted angrily,
“Get away!”
The butler stared wide-eyed.
He had never expected the son-in-law, who had always protected the young lady in every possible way, to actually attack her.
He hurriedly looked toward Liu’s father and mother.
But the two of them seemed not to have noticed anything at all. They simply stared fixedly at the Xiaoman in Shen Linchuan’s arms.
The butler instinctively sensed that something was wrong, but he quietly backed out and closed the door.
Shen Linchuan held Xiaoman in his arms, his heart completely sinking.
He did not even dare imagine why Xiaoman had appeared here.
Had she secretly run out?
Or had Xi Yu let her come back?
But whichever it was, neither possibility was something he wanted to see.
If Xi Yu had let her out, then what that meant was self-evident.
It meant that he had been unable to save Xiaoman, and so…
Shen Linchuan did not dare think any further. Holding Xiaoman, he said shakily,
“I’ll take you to find Xi Yu. You must have secretly run out, right? You’ve been naughty. I’ll take you to find Xi Yu.”
As he spoke, Shen Linchuan started toward the door.
Xiaoman spoke.
“There’s no need, Linchuan.”
The blood in Shen Linchuan’s entire body seemed to freeze.
“What do you mean, there’s no need? Xi Yu must have a way to save you!”
Liu Tanghuan fell to the floor. As though she had grabbed hold of something, she screamed,
“Mom! Dad! Did you see that? A demon! She’s a demon! Why aren’t you strangling her yet?!”
Liu’s father and mother stood up.
A flash of delight crossed Liu Tanghuan’s eyes.
This demon actually dared to appear right in front of her!
She had been worried that she would not dare expose it under Shen Linchuan’s watch.
Yet she had never expected this demon to actually show up on its own—and even dare to speak!
“Mom! Dad!”
Liu Tanghuan climbed to her feet and rushed toward her parents.
“Shen Linchuan, that bastard, is protecting this demon! Did you see that? He wants this demon to take my place! Kill her! Hurry…”