Chapter 50, Final Chapter: This World Is Worth It
Zhang Ya collapsed to the ground, her suppressed sobs echoing in the empty, messy restaurant. Her voice no longer contained only despair, but also a chilling hatred and resolve that had been awakened.
She looked up at Chu Yanxi, her swollen eyes filled with questioning and a hint of dependence.
Chu Yanxi nodded slightly to her and mouthed, "Wait."
Then, she turned to the earpiece, her voice clear and calm: "Master, the hostage is safe, the situation has been resolved. Zhang Ya's emotions have stabilized initially, but her core demands remain unresolved. We request permission to proceed with the next stage of crisis intervention—arranging for Wang Peng to enter the scene for a face-to-face, public confrontation with Zhang Ya. Simultaneously, we request permission for credible core media reporters to record audio and limited video at designated locations outside the cordon, but a safe distance must be maintained, and they must not interfere with the scene. We need a fair 'hearing'."
Qin Feng, who was in the command vehicle, frowned when he heard this request.
Allowing the victim's husband to enter the scene of the hostage situation, where the victim's emotions had just calmed down? And allowing the media to record it? That's too risky! But Chu Yanxi's astonishingly precise control over Zhang Ya's psychology, as he had demonstrated today, made him hesitate. Perhaps, this apprentice had truly found the key to breaking the deadlock.
"Chu Yanxi, are you sure? Wang Peng going in might provoke Zhang Ya again!" Qin Feng said in a deep voice.
“I’m sure, Master.” Chu Yanxi’s gaze swept over Zhang Ya, who was staring intently in their direction. “It’s better to guide than to suppress. Her pent-up anger and grievances need an outlet, they need to be ‘heard’ by the person who caused her harm. Going public will give her courage, and also put pressure on Wang Peng. This is the only way to resolve her inner conflict, prevent further extreme behavior, and gain social understanding and sympathy.”
Qin Feng remained silent for a few seconds, weighing the pros and cons.
Ultimately, he chose to trust his apprentice, who seemed to have transformed overnight: "Alright! We'll proceed with your plan. But you must maintain full control and ensure absolute safety. As for the media, I'll coordinate. Only reporters from two authoritative radio stations and newspapers will be allowed in designated areas, and they must not cross the yellow line."
"clear!"
Soon, under the semi-coercive "invitation" of the police, Wang Peng arrived at the restaurant entrance with a livid face and great reluctance. He was wearing an expensive custom-made suit, his hair was neatly combed, but his eyes were darting around, sweat was beading on his forehead, and he kept adjusting his cuffs, trying to maintain a presentable image.
"Mr. Wang Peng, please come in." Chu Yanxi's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.
She stood at the doorway, her figure appearing somewhat somber in the backlight.
"What...what would I do inside? Will that crazy woman hurt me? Officers, you have to protect my safety!" Wang Peng tried to back away, but the police behind him blocked his way.
Chu Yanxi stepped forward, her gaze as sharp as an ice blade as she stared directly at him, her voice low but clear and cold.
"Mr. Wang Peng, the 'crazy woman' you mentioned inside is your wife, the mother of your daughter, and the partner who helped you build your business from nothing to what it is today. You know better than anyone why she's become like this. Now, I'm giving you two choices: First, walk in like a man, face her, and listen to her finish speaking; perhaps this matter can be resolved with some dignity. Second, continue hiding outside, letting the entire city's media and citizens know that you, Wang Peng, are a coward who can't even face his wife, a hypocrite who drove her mad and then tries to feign innocence. Which option do you think your clients and partners would prefer?"
Wang Peng's face flushed red and then turned pale after Chu Yanxi's blunt and incisive words.
He looked in alarm at the distance and saw several reporters and cameramen had set up their equipment. Although they were told not to point their cameras directly at the door, their very presence was a huge pressure.
He knew he had no choice.
“…I, I’ll go in.” Wang Peng gritted his teeth and braced himself, and under Chu Yanxi’s cold gaze and accompanied by two policemen, he staggered into the restaurant.
As soon as he entered the room, he saw his wife Zhang Ya, who had been slumped on the floor, looking haggard but with eyes as sharp as knives. The hatred and coldness in her eyes chilled him to the bone, and he instinctively wanted to avoid her gaze.
"Stand there." Chu Yanxi designated a spot, three meters away from Zhang Ya, a safe distance that allowed them to make clear eye contact.
“Sister Zhang, Wang Peng is here. You can say what you want to say now. Say it clearly in front of everyone.” She emphasized “everyone” as her gaze swept over the faintly visible camera and recording equipment at the door.
Zhang Ya tensed up the moment Wang Peng entered. She wiped away her tears with the back of her hand and struggled to stand up, but her legs were weak.
Chu Yanxi gestured to a policewoman next to her to help her up and sit in a chair that was still in relatively good condition.
After settling down, Zhang Ya took a deep breath. When she looked up again, there were no more tears on her face, only an almost empty calm. But beneath that calm was a volcano about to erupt.
“Wang Peng,” her voice was hoarse but unusually clear, each word as if squeezed out from her chest, “look at me.”
Wang Peng couldn't help but look at her, his eyes darting around.
"Today, in front of the police officers, and with reporters in sight, I'm going to make things clear to you, and let everyone be the judge." Zhang Ya's voice began to tremble, but she tried her best to control it.
"We started out selling fireworks at a street stall and have been married for sixteen years. When I married you, what did your family have? Three dilapidated houses and a mountain of debt! What did I want from you? I only wanted what you told me back then: that you would treat me well for the rest of your life and that you would give us a good life!"
"For the good life you spoke of, I worked tirelessly from dawn till dusk, learning from my father half my life the ancient fireworks formulas and shaping techniques that were traditionally passed down only to men—and I gave them all to you! Who stayed up all night adjusting the gunpowder ratios and conducting safety tests for the earliest award-winning and best-selling formulas for Jinxi fireworks? It was me! What did you say back then? You said, 'Wife, you're truly my lucky star. When we're rich, I'll buy you a big house and let you enjoy a life of luxury as a boss's wife!'"
The reporters outside were taking notes rapidly, their recorders flashing red lights. Lu Zhe stood a short distance away, his expression focused, like a court clerk.
"Later, when business improved, you asked me to come home to take care of the kids and your sick mother, and I went back without a second thought. Gradually, you stopped letting me get involved in company matters. If I asked a question, you'd complain that I was annoying and that I didn't understand business. Fine, I didn't care. I focused on taking care of the kids and the elderly so you wouldn't have any worries. But what about you? You came home later and later, your temper worsened, and you were constantly finding fault with me, complaining that I'd become a haggard housewife and that all I did was ask for money!"
Zhang Ya's tears welled up again, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall, her voice rising higher and higher, filled with years of pent-up accusations.
"I discovered your affair with Li Li a long time ago! Have I ever confronted you about it? I've tolerated it for the sake of the children and this family! I only asked you to tone it down and not go too far! But what did you do? You've only gotten worse! You started secretly transferring assets, transferring company money to Li Li's name and your mother's name, just so that neither I nor our daughter could get a single penny! You even hired a lawyer, trying every possible way to fight me for custody of our daughter, just because I'm unemployed, so you can control me, right?!"
"Wang Peng! Have you lost your conscience? From the time your daughter was little until now, how many days have you cared about her? Have you ever attended a single parent-teacher meeting? Do you even know what color backpack she likes? When she was sick with a fever, I was the one who carried her to the hospital! Your mother was paralyzed in bed for three years, and I was the one who took care of her from head to toe! Now that you're rich and successful, you've forgotten who suffered with you, who selflessly gave you their family's skills, and who supported this family so you could work hard outside with peace of mind!"
“I am not your family’s maid, nor am I a rag you can discard after you’ve succeeded. I am Zhang Ya! I am your wife, the mother of your daughter, and a contributor to Jinxi Fireworks’ success today!”
Zhang Ya finally couldn't hold back anymore, tears streaming down her face, and shouted out the last sentence with all her might, as if she had used up all her strength and also shouted out the self-worth that had been suppressed for many years.
The restaurant was deathly silent, save for the lingering echo of her sobs and the faint, suppressed gasps of the reporters coming from outside the door.
Wang Peng's face turned ashen. Under Zhang Ya's overwhelming and well-founded accusations, and under the watchful eyes of countless unseen forces, his pretense and excuses were shattered.
He wanted to defend himself, to say, "I also contributed to those technologies," and "I also made money for my family," but faced with Zhang Ya's specific details about the time, events, and formula names, faced with the irrefutable facts and the overwhelming pressure of public opinion, he opened his mouth, only to find that any words were pale and powerless.
He lowered his head dejectedly, his shoulders slumped, and after a long while, he murmured in a barely audible voice, "I, I know, I... I'm sorry, Xiaoya, it's me... it's me who's a bastard."
"Speak louder!" Chu Yanxi shouted coldly, "Speak clearly to your wife, to the camera! What have you done to wrong her?!"
Wang Peng trembled and was forced to raise his head to look at Zhang Ya, whose face was streaked with tears but whose eyes shone with an astonishing brightness. He also seemed to see countless disdainful gazes outside the door.
He knew that if he didn't give an explanation today, he wouldn't be able to escape.
He closed his eyes, and as if using all his strength, raised his voice, trembling with sobs and remorse: "Zhang Ya! I'm so sorry! I'm not human! I've forgotten my roots! I've let you down after all these years of dedication to me and to this family. Those technologies, those formulas, are mainly thanks to you. Without you, there would be no company today. I was bewitched, I'm a worthless wretch. I was wrong, I truly know I was wrong!"
Finally, under duress, he publicly acknowledged Zhang Ya's value, her contributions, and his own despicable actions.
Upon hearing these words, Zhang Ya did not feel relieved; instead, she felt a profound sense of exhaustion and sorrow.
How many years has she waited for these words?
But when it arrived in this way, it only made Zhang Ya feel incredibly ironic. Even if he admitted his mistake, so what? All her hard work, her sacrifices, her forbearance had been wasted!
But no matter what, with Officer Chu here, Attorney Lu here, and so many reporters here, through the media's lens, even more people will hear and see!
Her words were heard, her grievances were seen, and her worth was acknowledged by the very person who had denied her.
That's enough; that's enough to keep her going.
Lu Zhe stepped forward and interjected in a calm voice: "Mr. Wang Peng, since you have acknowledged Ms. Zhang Ya's significant contributions to the family and the company, and also admitted to serious misconduct in the marriage, including infidelity and the transfer of marital property, then, as Ms. Zhang Ya's lawyer, I request that, after the police have finished handling the current case, we immediately begin formal legal negotiations regarding the division of marital property, child custody, and the ownership and corresponding compensation of Ms. Zhang Ya's technological achievements."
“Ms. Zhang Ya will receive every penny she is entitled to. If we cannot reach an agreement, we will immediately file a lawsuit and apply for property preservation. At the same time, the facts you admitted today will also be submitted to the court as important evidence.”
Wang Peng's face was ashen. He knew that Lu Zhe was serious now. Under the pressure of public opinion and the law, his previous plan to transfer assets and monopolize the profits was likely to fail completely.
Just then, a small commotion arose at the restaurant entrance. A girl in a middle school uniform, with a ponytail and red, swollen eyes, stood timidly at the entrance, accompanied by a policewoman.
It was Zhang Ya and Wang Peng's daughter, Wang Xiaoxue. She had obviously been listening outside for a while.
"Mom, Dad!" the girl cried out.
When Zhang Ya saw her daughter, she trembled, her forced composure crumbling instantly, and tears streamed down her face again: "Xiaoxue..."
Wang Peng also looked at his daughter, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
Wang Xiaoxue walked in crying, not looking at her father, but rushing straight into her mother's arms and hugging her tightly: "Mom! I'm sorry! I didn't understand before, I didn't know you had suffered so much. I thought Dad earned all the money in the family, and you just nagged and complained every day... I didn't know Dad was so bad, treated you like this. I'm sorry, Mom! I was wrong!"
Wang Xiaoxue raised her tear-filled face, looked at her mother's haggard appearance, and felt an overwhelming pang of heartache: "Mom, don't be afraid, I've grown up now, I'll protect you from now on. We don't want his filthy money, we'll live on our own from now on!"
Her daughter's words were like the warmest spring water, washing away the last vestiges of coldness and wounds in Zhang Ya's heart. She hugged her daughter tightly and burst into tears. This time, her cries were no longer filled with despair, but with catharsis, the relief of having her grievances understood by her loved one, and the warmth of finding support again.
At that moment, everyone was moved. Even the seasoned reporter who had seen it all quietly wiped away a tear.
Chu Yanxi watched this scene quietly, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
She witnessed Zhang Ya's "breaking out of her cocoon"—from destruction to rebirth, from silence to speaking out, from being denied to rediscovering her value.
She also saw the power of public opinion—the silent cameras and recorders formed an invisible moral court, forcing the unjust to bow their heads and amplifying the voices of the weak.
Although the process was difficult and the cost was heavy, at least justice was served in another way.
She knew that Zhang Ya's legal trial had not yet begun, and that would be another difficult process. But with today's public confrontation, her daughter's understanding, Lu Zhe's legal support, and the potential pressure from public attention, Zhang Ya's future path, though still bumpy, would certainly not be a dead end.
And she, Chu Yanxi, after four time travels, finally used her true heart to listen, understand, and "see," completing this almost impossible mission.
She prevented the tragedy and helped a broken soul find the courage and possibility to piece itself back together.
Watching Zhang Ya and her daughter embrace and weep, and hearing Wang Xiaoxue say, "We don't want his stinking money, we'll live on our own from now on," Lu Zhe muttered, "Money isn't stinking, it's people who are."
Chu Yanxi glanced at him, a slight smile playing on her lips: "I'll leave the money to you."
Lu Zhe smiled: "Don't worry, I'll make sure he suffers a lot!"
The police began to systematically wrap up the scene. Zhang Ya was carefully helped up by a policewoman and prepared to be taken back to the police station for questioning. Under the calm and sharp legal advice of lawyer Lu Zhe, Wang Peng, looking ashen-faced, was taken aside for separate questioning. What awaited him was not only a moral judgment, but also an impending confrontation regarding the division of property.
The crowd gradually dispersed under the guidance of the police, and the reporters left with heavy recordings and notes, their hearts filled with mixed emotions. It is foreseeable that this incident, which occurred in an upscale restaurant and involved marital infidelity, women's value, and moral judgment, will inevitably trigger a new round of social discussion.
As the hustle and bustle subsided, the afterglow of the setting sun bathed the messy restaurant in a weary yet peaceful golden light.
Chu Yanxi took off her heavy bulletproof vest, her forehead already soaked with sweat. She walked out of the restaurant, took a deep breath of fresh outdoor air, as if to exhale all the tension, sadness, and relief that had been building up in her chest.
Four time travels, a long period of torment, the father's regrets, the struggles of countless women... fragments of memories floated in and out of my mind, finally settling on the chaotic yet peaceful reality before my eyes.
A suit jacket, still warm from her body, was gently draped over her shoulders. Chu Yanxi turned around and saw Lu Zhe standing beside her. His face was also somewhat pale, and his eyes held the same weariness, as well as an unspoken understanding and warmth.
"It's over," Lu Zhe said softly, his voice a little hoarse.
Chu Yanxi did not reject Lu Zhe's approach. She tugged at her coat, the fabric still carrying his faint, refreshing scent: "Thank you."
Lu Zhe looked at her, his gaze deep: "Between us, why are you thanking me? You did a great job. You saw the deepest knot in her heart and gave her the courage to take up legal weapons. Your negotiation today didn't feel like a negotiation; it felt more like... a rescue."
Chu Yanxi shook her head slightly, looking at the city lights gradually illuminating outside the window: "There will always be injustice in this world. What I can do is to discover the root cause behind the injustice, to see and hear, and to feel the struggles of the oppressed souls at the bottom. I only hope that the weak can gain dignity without having to become thugs."
Lu Zhe stood beside her: "I also hope that the law can reach all the silent corners."
Chu Yanxi turned to look at Lu Zhe, remaining silent, but her eyes held a hint of tenderness.
"What are your plans next?" Lu Zhe asked.
Chu Yanxi thought for a moment: "I'll go back and get a good night's sleep first. Then... I'll go see my mom tomorrow. There are some things I used to think were unnecessary to say, or that I couldn't bring myself to say. But now I feel I should say them."
She thought of Su Wanqing, the mother who gently held her baby in 1998, and also of the long-standing estrangement and stubbornness she felt after her mother remarried in reality.
It's never too late to understand and communicate.
Lu Zhe nodded: "Okay, I'll go with you."
Chu Yanxi gave a soft "hmm".
Lu Zhe was overjoyed, and his words seemed to carry a hint of sweetness: "Then, after I've met your mother, could you come with me to sweep her grave? I haven't been there in a long time; I should have a good talk with her and tell her..."
He paused, not continuing, but Chu Yanxi understood that he wanted to tell his mother, Chen Jing, in another time and space, that he was doing well and would continue to live a good life.
The last rays of the setting sun stretched their shadows long, gently overlapping behind them.
After a long silence, Chu Yanxi spoke softly, as if talking to herself, or perhaps asking, "Tell me, what exactly is all this we've been through...?"
Lu Zhe turned his head to look at her profile, which appeared much softer in the twilight, and slowly said, "Consider it cultivation. Cultivating a heart that can truly see suffering and understand helplessness, yet is still willing to believe in kindness and strive for it."
Upon hearing this, Chu Yanxi turned her head and met his gaze.
In each other's eyes, they saw the same clarity, cleansed by suffering, and a radiance that grew stronger after weathering the storms.
Without saying a word, Lu Zhe naturally extended his hand, palm up.
Looking at that hand with its distinct knuckles, warm and strong, Chu Yanxi didn't hesitate for a moment before gently placing her own hand on it. Her fingertips were slightly cool, but were quickly enveloped in its warmth. Their hands clasped tightly, as if traversing vast amounts of time and chaotic worldly affairs, finally holding firmly a definite trust and companionship in this moment.
“The road ahead,” Lu Zhe said, gripping her hand tightly, his voice steady and strong, “may still have its storms.”
“Yes,” Chu Yanxi gripped his hand back, her gaze fixed on the dazzling night sky outside the window, her tone calm yet firm, “But if we walk together, there’s nothing to fear.”
As dusk settles, the city is bathed in a gentle, warm glow.
Qin Feng strode over, his expression a complex mix: "You brat! How could you be so bold! You..."
Chu Yanxi stopped, looking at the face etched with the marks of time and hardship, thinking that her father in another world was still alive and well, perhaps fighting alongside her master before her, and couldn't help but smile: "Master, I'm fine."
This world is worth living.
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Author's Note: This book is finally finished. Thank you for your support, my darlings! Love you all~ My next book is "The Prison Wife". Please add it to your favorites if you like it.
Wishing everyone health, happiness, peace, and all the best in 2026!
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