The sky was a dreary gray, with snowflakes dancing like willow catkins in the wind, eventually settling on rooftops, tree branches, and the hair of passersby.
The sharp 'click-clack' of high heels echoed from deep within the alley, accompanied by angry cursing.
"Just wait until I make it big! I'll come back and buy this dump of a building to tear it down, you good-for-nothing!"
Shi Lili struggled forward in the biting cold wind, dragging a heavy suitcase behind her.
Her expensive fur coat, which she usually kept safely stored away, was carelessly draped over her shoulders. Yet her expression showed no sign of defeat.
With furrowed brows and flashing eyes, she kept turning back to hurl insults at the far end of the alley. Her bright red lipstick made her face look harsh and frightening.
The compensation money she had received from Xi Chuan's side was already squandered away.
Li Zhiyuan, who had once been so loving towards her, had suddenly vanished without a trace.
If she hadn't happened to catch the news last night, she wouldn't have known that the battle between the Huo and Jiang families involved her as well.
Remembering her daughter's identity, Shi Lili instantly straightened her back.
She took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag. Looking back over her shoulder, she cast a contemptuous glance behind her, as if spitting on her past.
She casually hailed a taxi and climbed in.
At the Huo family villa.
"Are you sure you don't want to come to the company with me today?" Huo Xiaozheng drained the last of his coffee as he walked to the foyer, his eyes fixed on Huo Ning standing nearby.
This morning, Huo Ning had woken up early. He had assumed she would accompany him to the company, but she suddenly said she wanted to rest at home today.
That simple statement had somehow pricked the conscience of the usually cold Huo Xiaozheng.
Hence the current scene.
Huo Ning shook her head. "I'll stay home for now. But I might bring you lunch later."
Huo Xiaozheng raised an eyebrow. "Which meal?"
Huo Ning pressed her lips together.
She couldn't say for sure.
Huo Xiaozheng wasn't in the mood to tease her further. Things were unsettled outside lately, so it might be safer for her to stay at home. With this thought, Huo Xiaozheng left alone.
As soon as the black car disappeared from view, Huo Ning immediately found her phone watch and dialed a number...
Not long after, a white car drove into the Huo family villa and picked up Huo Ning.
The clock struck nine.
In the solemn courthouse, Huo Ning sat in a small room waiting to be called, accompanied by Xi Chuan.
Aunt Xu had originally prepared a pink Chanel-style suit and down jacket for her today, but considering the setting, Huo Ning had opted for a simple beige sweatshirt, black leggings, and a long black down coat.
The room was well-heated, and Huo Ning's little face was flushed from the warmth.
"Ning Ning, do you remember what to say later?" Xi Chuan asked.
Given that Huo Ning was a minor, there would be no spectators at this hearing, which somewhat relieved her.
Huo Ning expressed confidence in her upcoming statement.
"Uncle Xi Chuan, here." Huo Ning took a plush rabbit from her backpack and handed it to Xi Chuan.
"Is this for me?" Xi Chuan was a bit confused by the child's thought process.
Huo Ning shook her head. She pressed the rabbit's right paw, and a man's voice played:
"How's this level of beating? Don't worry, the marks won't fade for at least half a month or more. You can trust me, Li Zhiyuan, to do a thorough job! Send this video to Jiang Suyuan, and I bet he'll pay a good price!"
Xi Chuan's jaw dropped in shock.
"I couldn't find Uncle Li's video, but I accidentally pressed the doll's hand and recorded the sound," Huo Ning explained. "Can this be used as evidence?"
Xi Chuan's face lit up with joy. "Of course! It's ironclad evidence! If you had told me earlier, I could have slept well last night!"
Huo Ning gave a shy smile. She could hardly admit that she had desperately searched for evidence this morning, only to stumble upon it by accident when she fell into the pile of junk Shi Lili had brought back.
Such depth of cunning in a 5-year-old would frighten anyone.
"I'm sorry, I... kind of forgot," Huo Ning apologized timidly.
Seeing this, Xi Chuan patted her head reassuringly, telling her not to worry. With this evidence and her testimony, they were sure to win this battle.
With that, he went to contact Lawyer Zheng.
Xi Chuan's words put Huo Ning more at ease.
This rabbit toy was bought by Shi Lili for her third birthday. Holding down the left paw allowed for recording, while pressing the right paw played back the recording.
Back then, Shi Lili must have still loved the original Huo Ning, because the next recording was of Shi Lili wishing Ning Ning a happy birthday and good health.
In just two years, who knows what Shi Lili had gone through to change so drastically, treating Huo Ning as a burden, a millstone around her neck, until she became completely indifferent.
If she couldn't raise her, why did she give birth to her in the first place?
When it was time to testify, everything proceeded smoothly.
As she described the abuse she had suffered, Huo Ning inadvertently met Li Zhiyuan's gaze: possessive, obsessed, lewd...
A chill ran down her spine, and Huo Ning froze, rooted to the spot.
Far away at the company in a meeting, Huo Xiaozheng suddenly felt a pang of worry.
"Ring ring ring..."
The sudden ringing of a phone broke the silence, with Xi Chuan's name flashing on the screen.
"Mr. Huo! Please come to the South City People's Court immediately!" An anxious voice came through the phone, faintly mixed with cries for help. "Ning Ning is having an episode!"
Huo Xiaozheng's ears rang. He immediately stood up and walked out. "What's going on? Why is Ning Ning at the court?"
With the truth now exposed, Xi Chuan had no choice but to explain the whole situation to Huo Xiaozheng.
Huo Xiaozheng's face turned ashen, clearly furious. "You've really done it this time, Xi Chuan."
Xi Chuan on the other end of the line: Oh no.
Driving at breakneck speed, Huo Xiaozheng arrived at the court in just 20 minutes.
Many reporters had already gathered at the entrance, waiting for today's verdict.
Although the lawsuit between the Huo and Jiang families was in full swing, the reporters knew that before the judgment was announced, neither side's representatives would face the media at this critical juncture.
So when they saw Huo Xiaozheng, the reporters were momentarily stunned.
"It's Huo Xiaozheng!" Someone in the crowd suddenly shouted.
The previously scattered reporters suddenly surged forward, thrusting their cameras and microphones ahead, attempting to corner Huo Xiaozheng.
The bodyguards behind Huo Xiaozheng immediately stepped forward, holding back the reporters and clearing a path for Huo Xiaozheng to enter the court smoothly.
Once inside the doors, the reporters dared not follow further.
Huo Xiaozheng strode towards where Huo Ning was.
"You must be Huo Xiaozheng, right?" A woman suddenly appeared, blocking his path.
Huo Xiaozheng found her fur coat extremely irritating and swept her with a furious glance. "Get out of my way."
The woman, stung by his dismissive attitude, quickly changed her demeanor. She put on a fragile expression and suddenly collapsed in front of him.
"Is there no justice left? Mr. Huo raped me back then, and now he wants to steal my daughter!" she cried out.
Her shocking words shattered the solemnity of the courtroom.
It was then that Huo Xiaozheng realized this woman was his daughter's birth mother, Shi Lili.
