After reporting the funeral to Gu Liancheng’s family, Shi Hongxiao went home to discuss with his wife: “Dad’s dying wish was to return the factory to Shi Hengjun. We can keep the money and houses. When Gu Liancheng comes, we can negotiate.”
Since Gao Yunxiu had taken control of the Longqing Textile Factory in Fancheng, it had always served as a communication hub. With the factory’s own transport trucks, shipping intelligence and moving people was very convenient. The factory itself was more valuable than the money.
She decided immediately: “No, the Fancheng branch of Longqing was near collapse. Dad turned it profitable. We can negotiate, but if we want the factory, we can give Hengjun some compensation. Besides, with his sudden illness, he might not recover. Better to wait.”
“Is Hengjun sick?”
“Sudden onset last night.”
Shi Hongxiao hurried: “Then rush him to the hospital.”
Gao Yunxiu’s eyes flickered: “With Dad suddenly gone and so much going on outside, none of us noticed Hengjun falling ill.”
…
While changing his father’s funeral clothes, Shi Hongxiao told his mother Qian Yurong: “Gao Yunxiu probably gave Shi Hengjun the same poison as Dad. Dad lasted a day; Hengjun is young—he can last another day. Tomorrow, our family will have another funeral to handle.”
Qian Yurong, satisfied at the vengeance served: “That old man pretended to be righteous, arranged his lover to become a daughter-in-law, gave the factory to an outsider, and left a will. If you divorce, you can’t inherit the house or money—he deserved what happened.”
…
Jiang Zhen and Gu Liancheng arrived at the Shi family. Gu Liancheng noted that the false uncle had deliberately provoked the grandfather, gradually cutting off ties. In retrospect, he suspected the false uncle had known about the swapped child and acted deliberately.
During the funeral, according to local customs, the relatives knelt and kowtowed while the Shi family returned the courtesy. As Jiang Zhen stood up, she touched the corpse of the false uncle and glimpsed his memories.
Fourteen years ago, Shi Shoutian had been approached by a teenage Du Qiuyi, who demanded a large sum of money in exchange for keeping quiet about the swapped child. When she went abroad, her lavish lifestyle was funded by this money.
Jiang Zhen and Gu Liancheng stepped aside and reported what she had learned from touching the corpse:
“Gao Yunxiu is now Shi Hongxiao’s wife, but she used to be your false uncle’s lover. Your false uncle gave her the poison that caused his sudden illness and death.”
No wonder—last time they borrowed the car, the false uncle was perfectly healthy.
Gu Liancheng said: “First, get Shi Hengjun to the hospital. Any delay could be fatal.”
Jiang Zhen agreed: “Then we split up. I’ll negotiate with Shi Hongxiao while you take Hengjun to the hospital.”
…
Shi Hongxiao never expected Jiang Zhen to come and take charge, nor that she and Gu Liancheng already knew about the swapped child.
Having touched the corpse, Jiang Zhen could fabricate a story convincing enough for Shi Hongxiao:
“After Du Qiuyi was captured, she confessed everything. Without your knowledge, we approached your father. He left a will to ensure a livelihood for you and your mother. Gao Yunxiu’s and your father’s relationship—we won’t interfere—but the factory must be returned to Shi Hengjun.”
Seeing the situation shift, Shi Hongxiao immediately sided with Jiang Zhen:
“Returning the factory is fine, but Gao Yunxiu has poison. I’m afraid she’ll try to kill me and my mother. How about this: once you bring her to justice, I’ll return the factory immediately and write a guarantee.”
Jiang Zhen smiled: “You think too generously. That won’t work. Return the factory first. Once that’s done, she won’t have cause to poison anyone. Thanks for cooperating.”
With no choice, Shi Hongxiao agreed: “My father swapped the child. I have no claim on the Shi family. You letting me inherit the factory and money is already generous. Fine, I’ll cooperate.”
Although it hurt his heart—pre-liberation, he had invested in two imported trucks and the most advanced machines, with most money in fixed assets—he was still better off than most in Fancheng.
With Jiang Zhen and Gu Liancheng handling Gao Yunxiu, his father’s non-divorce clause in the will was nullified.
…
After negotiations, Shi Hongxiao felt exhausted but relieved. He told Qian Yurong: “Mom, Jiang Zhen and I reached an agreement. Du Qiuyi is dead; I can’t fight a losing battle.”
Qian Yurong reluctantly accepted giving up such a large factory: “Let’s see what Jiang Zhen and Gu Liancheng can do. If they nullify Gao Yunxiu’s will, taking the money and factory—then fine.”
…
Shi Hengjun was sent to the hospital by Gu Liancheng. Gao Yunxiu was upset with Shi Hongxiao: “Couldn’t you delay a bit? Half an hour more and the hospital trip would have been too late.”
Shi Hongxiao thought: Gao Yunxiu is ruthless. If she ever wants to poison me or my mother, she won’t hesitate. The more he thought, the wiser he felt agreeing to Jiang Zhen’s negotiation.
He added: “When Gu Liancheng interrogated Du Qiuyi, he discovered my cousin was actually Shi Hengjun. I had no choice.”
No choice? Gao Yunxiu had to find a way to protect the factory and the hub.
…
Shi Hengjun woke up, still processing the shock of his true identity.
He had been orphaned young and believed he was lucky to be adopted by the factory director while working as a technician.
The director had even wanted to introduce Gao Yunxiu to him, but Jiang Zhen revealed Gao Yunxiu was the director’s lover. He was actually Gu Liancheng’s real cousin, and in Fancheng, he and Gu Liancheng each held half of the branch factory.
“You’re not messing with me, right?” Shi Hengjun couldn’t believe it. “Don’t give me false hope.”
Jiang Zhen said: “Absolutely true. I’ll warn you: suddenly wealthy at your age brings both fortune and misfortune. Squander it, and you may never return to your previous life.”
Shi Hengjun, overwhelmed, said: “We’ll deal with that later. When can I take over the factory?”
Jiang Zhen: “Shi Hongxiao has agreed. Once you leave the hospital, you can. But Gu Liancheng and his siblings each hold half; a tripartite agreement must be drafted.”
Shi Hengjun didn’t want to wait: “Fine, I’m leaving the hospital now!”
…
The swapped-child issue was settled. Both the real and false cousins had no major objections during the negotiations.
Shi Hengjun made a small request: “Of the three family houses, I want the smallest.”
Qian Yurong disagreed: “The factory is Shi Shoutian’s legacy. Trucks and production lines are worth more than houses. You already have them.”
Shi Hongxiao didn’t refuse: “How about this: you get a bigger house, I remain in the factory with a salary. I handled the business before; even for the transition, it takes time. Let’s limit this to three years. Is that acceptable?”
Shi Hengjun agreed: “No problem. Cousin okay with this?”
Gu Liancheng looked at Jiang Zhen: “Apart from my work, everything in my family is decided by Jiang Zhen.”
Jiang Zhen, initially just observing, now made the call: “Fine. To avoid future trouble, Shi Hongxiao will be my deputy factory director, handling production and operations. No salary, but at year-end he receives 10% of profits. Sound good?”
Shi Hengjun had no objection: “Sister-in-law is generous. It’s your money, but will our eldest brother and sister agree?”
Gu Liancheng: “Don’t worry. My siblings aren’t petty—they’ll only praise Jiang Zhen’s wise decision.”
Shi Hongxiao was surprised. Jiang Zhen’s decision caused him to suppress his minor schemes: “Agreed. Let’s work together to run the factory well.”
…
Under the witness of a notary, all three parties signed legally binding documents. Gao Yunxiu felt uneasy.
She keenly sensed Jiang Zhen’s abilities and realized it was best to leave, or her work in Fancheng would be difficult. Fortunately, she had prepared during negotiations; Jiang Zhen’s foster mother was arriving soon.
…
Gu Liancheng obtained the notarized legal documents and called Beijing to explain the swapped-child situation to his grandfather and eldest sister:
“Previously, we didn’t want to worry you. We decided to settle it first. My cousin has his own thoughts; we don’t know what the future holds. For now, we acted with a clear conscience.”
Gu Jiaoxia, hearing Shi Hengjun’s actions, didn’t know how to react. The saddest was their grandfather, believing he had lost a son when, in fact, that son had been lost long ago.
Gu Jiaoxia conveyed his wishes: “Cousin has the right to be angry. Grandfather says the Fancheng branch—let him do as he wishes. Even if he wants our share, give it as compensation.”
When the day comes, Gu Liancheng and his siblings would comply. The elder brother and sister would too, as the shares originally belonged to the grandfather; he had the final say.
He just worried that Jiang Zhen might not agree.
…
Jiang Zhen handled the swapped-child cases efficiently and decisively. Her methods of intimidation were thorough: in just a few days, among the five families in Fancheng whose children had been swapped for a month to half a year, almost all the children were returned.
Only one pair remained. One family was in Beijing. Before Xiao Qingfeng returned, Jiang Zhen asked him to visit the Sheng family first. If the Sheng family refused, she was prepared to go herself.
Before Xiao Qingfeng’s divorce was finalized, he said the Sheng family had sent someone over to personally understand the situation.
Several days passed, yet no one had arrived in Fancheng. Jiang Zhen asked Gu Liancheng twice. He replied, “The wind and snow are slowing them down. They’ll be here soon. I’ll go pick them up tonight.”
On their way home, they saw Jiang Zhao standing at the door in the snow. Spotting them, he ran over: “Mom, Grand Aunt is here. She asked a lot of questions, but we didn’t answer.”
Jiang Zhen recalled the memory: her twin sister had arranged a godmother to help take care of her before their parents left. The family’s large house had been managed by this godmother. But when the previous “Jiang Zhen” returned from abroad, she had driven the godmother away, and their relationship was strained.
…
Liu Jinyin hadn’t wanted to come, but Gao Yunxiu had offered too much—clearing her debts, providing travel expenses, and even promising that if she could find a flaw in Jiang Zhen, she could return to live in her old family home.
With travel expenses covered and the possibility of reclaiming her old house, she had no reason not to come.
Liu Jinyin shivered in the cold, warming herself by the coal brazier for a while. Her journey had been extremely difficult: Gao Yunxiu had promised a car pick-up but failed to show. She had walked over twenty li through hunger and cold, and only the kindness of villagers offering a ride in an ox cart had saved her from freezing.
By now, she only wanted a hot meal at Jiang Zhen’s place.
“Jiang Zhen, the godmother is here, penniless. Can I stay a few days until after the New Year, when the snow melts?”
Jiang Zhen’s personality, like her twin sister’s, was firm and uncompassionate—even to a godmother:
“Who told you to come? Go earn a living elsewhere. I’m married now; I have my own obligations. Did you consider my situation before barging in?”
Liu Jinyin looked at Gu Liancheng, trying to win him over: “Son-in-law, it’s snowing heavily. You wouldn’t kick the godmother out, right?”
Gu Liancheng could feel Jiang Zhen’s mood souring. He pulled her aside and asked, “Who do you think sent her? Shi Hongxiao? Shi Hengjun? Or Gao Yunxiu?”
Jiang Zhen replied, “I’ll drive her out and see who she goes to.”
“Not even let her have a meal first?” Gu Liancheng suggested. “Show her the family is harmonious. Even if she tries to stir trouble, she won’t succeed.”
Jiang Zhen agreed. She turned to the children: “Go tell Uncle Li we have guests. Ask him to come over for dinner.”
…
Liu Jinyin was genuinely surprised that Jiang Zhen had Gu Liancheng and Li Chongling, along with the children, helping in the kitchen.
The single, eligible man next door happily joined and brought extra dishes.
Gu Liancheng, wary of being outshined, also helped eagerly. Liu Jinyin could hardly believe it.
Jiang Zhen explained: “Whoever sent you is probably trying to defame me, probably using Jiang Tang’s background. You see my husband can interact politely with the single professor next door without jealousy—that shows how much he trusts me. Eat this dinner, then leave.”
Liu Jinyin accepted it, seeing no benefit: “Jiang Zhen, you misunderstood. I just wanted to check on you and the children. Knowing you’re well puts me at ease.”
Jiang Zhen replied coldly: “Pay for cleaning and cooking? My parents already settled that before they left. You’ve been living in my house for years while I was away. Come back to a mess—how can I not be angry? Eat your dinner and leave.”
Liu Jinyin stayed silent, inwardly resentful. Jiang Zhen, a young girl herself, had adopted a boy to silence the relatives’ gossip.
She had cared for Liu Jinyin for years, but aside from her parents’ wages, had gained nothing else. Jiang Zhen’s heart was icy.
…
After dinner, Liu Jinyin found Gao Yunxiu, who took her to a guesthouse until the eighth day of the lunar new year, providing sufficient living expenses and return fare.
“Think carefully—is Jiang Zhen really flawless?”
Liu Jinyin counted the money. The living expenses were more than enough; she would even have leftovers. She thought the trip had not been in vain.
She waved off the idea: “Jiang Zhen’s husband listens to her. Your plan to use my reputation to cause trouble won’t work. You don’t know how formidable she is. When she drove my family out, she showed no mercy. I won’t risk offending her for your money.”
Seeing Gao Yunxiu’s face harden, she wondered if she could negotiate more money.
“By the way, Jiang Zhen has a twin sister. I feel the Jiang Zhen here is different from before. Could she have been replaced?”
Gao Yunxiu suddenly shivered: “Jiang Zhen was harmed twice. Could she have died during one incident? Tell me, can Jiang Zhen swim?”
“Unless she learned abroad,” Liu Jinyin answered firmly. “Before going overseas, she feared water.”
…
Gao Yunxiu thought through the possibilities: “Could the foster daughter you cared for, Jiang Zhen, have died on the way to Fancheng, and now it’s her twin sister who replaced her?”
“No way, what are the odds? One dies and the other immediately returns?”
Gao Yunxiu’s excitement grew: “Could it be that her sister came back to replace her, causing Jiang Zhen’s death? Think about it—Dr. Qi was such a fine match, yet she refused him and matched with Gu Liancheng instead. With Gu Liancheng’s identity, she could access sensitive intelligence. Could she be a planted spy?”
Even with such suspicion, if Jiang Zhen were a replacement spy, wouldn’t she be loyal to the same organization? This needed investigation.
Liu Jinyin was terrified: “What do we do? Go to the police and report the suspicion?”
Gao Yunxiu, herself cautious, said: “Don’t panic. Right now, only you can verify Jiang Zhen’s identity. The responsibility is yours.”
Liu Jinyin dared not argue: “If she could mercilessly kill her sister, she could easily harm me. I won’t go. Once the snow melts, I’ll return home.”
Gao Yunxiu decisively upped the stakes: “If Jiang Zhen really died, the replacement is the murderer or traitor. You’ll gain merit, and as her godmother, the old family house will be rightfully yours.”
Liu Jinyin was tempted. Gao Yunxiu continued: “Merit comes with reward. I’ll even give you extra money. Your life will immediately improve.”
…
Gu Liancheng went to fetch Xiao Qingfeng and the accompanying Sheng family members. Jiang Zhen followed Liu Jinyin back, waiting until midnight, but Gu Liancheng had not returned.
He had gone with his military colleagues—several of them should be fine—but now Jiang Zhen worried something had happened to Xiao Qingfeng.
By morning, no news. By afternoon, Jiang Zhen couldn’t wait. She had the children stay home while she went to the ferry to inquire.
The ferry was covered in thick ice. Few people were around. From a distance, she saw a stretcher. Judging by the clothing, it was Gu Liancheng’s team returning.
Jiang Zhen rushed over. On the stretcher was Xiao Qingfeng, unconscious, barely breathing.
“What happened? Can you explain now?”
Gu Liancheng’s face was grave: “Take him to the hospital first.”
A nearby girl, shivering from cold or fear, stammered: “It’s my fault. He’s dying. I’ll take responsibility. I’ll go to jail.”
Gu Liancheng said nothing, clearly not sympathetic.
Jiang Zhen was blunt: “Going to jail won’t bring back my husband’s good friend. Speak less.”
…
Xiao Qingfeng had been Director Wan’s ex-son-in-law. His eldest brother had taken Shulan back to raise. Shulan had expressed endless gratitude to Jiang Zhen. The Wan family elder called to warn them not to offend Jiang Zhen again.
Director Wan was somewhat indecisive, but his medical skills were impeccable. He personally performed the second surgery.
Jiang Zhen asked Professor Li to help look after the children while she stayed outside the operating room with Gu Liancheng.
Gu Liancheng was extremely tense. Jiang Zhen touched his arm; his muscles were tense and lips tightly pressed. She had to speak.
“Gu Liancheng, tell me—how was Xiao Qingfeng injured?”
His voice hoarse: “On the way back, heavy snow, but they could still make it. An old man begged someone to help find a child. Qingfeng said it was a con, and they couldn’t risk it. Sheng family girl hadn’t faced danger before. Qingfeng was to return first, but she insisted on going with several others to help.”
Jiang Zhen immediately thought: “Those others were accomplices?”
Gu Liancheng closed his eyes: “Sheng Lianrong flaunted wealth. Qingfeng was cautious the entire way; they couldn’t strike. They adjusted, using sympathy to deceive people.”
“Xiao Qingfeng went along!”
Gu Liancheng looked at Jiang Zhen. In that situation, even he would have had to go: “Sometimes, we have no choice.”
Jiang Zhen’s temper flared: “It’s so frustrating! Can’t you ever learn to be a little selfish?”
Gu Liancheng rarely saw her truly angry. He lowered his head and reflected, saying nothing.
Sheng Lianrong recalled that critical moment. The further she went, the more off-course she became. By the time she realized she had been tricked, it was almost impossible to return.
Xiao Qingfeng had tried to manage multiple people at once, sending her to seek help. But by the time she returned with others, over an hour had passed. Xiao Qingfeng’s head was covered in blood. After emergency treatment at the local county hospital, Gu Liancheng and his team arrived.
She was full of remorse: “I will take responsibility!”
Jiang Zhen and Gu Liancheng ignored her.
…
The surgery lasted several hours. Director Wan emerged, exhausted, and solemnly told Gu Liancheng: “If he doesn’t wake up in the next few days, it’s really dangerous. Have you heard of a vegetative state? That’s when a person is alive but cannot awaken.”
Gu Liancheng glared at the girl sent by the Sheng family. If she hadn’t acted so recklessly, Xiao Qingfeng—doing his duty—wouldn’t have risked his life.
He needed to vent: “Why is it the rescuer who’s dying, not the troublemaker?”
Jiang Zhen thought the same: “If he doesn’t wake up, you’d be responsible for caring for him until he dies.”
“I can do it!” Sheng Lianrong said, though even that couldn’t compensate Xiao Qingfeng’s family. She stood despondent, hating the gang that had tricked her and hating herself for being so easily deceived, endangering those who came with her.
Gu Liancheng rubbed his face repeatedly, still unable to calm down. He went to splash cold water on himself, only to see Jiang Zhen following him.
He forced himself to speak: “I’ll call my brother-in-law to inform him.”
How could he break the news to his brother-in-law? It was New Year’s; Xiao Jianzhuo’s heart would shatter.
Moreover, it was only because Jiang Zhen had initiated it that Xiao Qingfeng, after the divorce, went to the Sheng family to raise the swapped-child issue. Sheng had arranged for someone to accompany him, and that’s how Xiao Qingfeng ran into this misfortune.
Jiang Zhen said: “Don’t call yet. I have a method that might help Xiao Qingfeng wake up.”