Chapter 4: Conspiracy Escalation

After Xiong Yufang suffered Xiao Xue's public humiliation, the anger in her heart burned like a blazing fire, and she was by no means willing to be suppressed by Xiao Xue. She knew that Xiao Xue was determined to fight against her, and she herself was never the kind of person who would sit back and wait for death. So, she began to carefully plan how to deal with Xiao Xue's revenge, determined to give Xiao Xue a hard counterattack, let her know their own power.

Xiong Yufang's first thought was to utilize her connections in the social circle. She frequented various social occasions, and those so-called celebrities and noblewomen to play hot, in their ears to add oil and vinegar to tell the bad words of Xiao Xue. She made up all sorts of lies, claiming how Xiao Xue used to snatch other people's things by any means necessary, how she slandered others behind their backs, and tried to portray Xiao Xue as an unforgivable woman. These rumors spread quickly in the social circle as if they had wings, and soon, Xiao Xue's reputation was severely damaged.

Many people who had once crossed paths with Xiao Xue began to shun her after hearing these rumors, and some even pointed their fingers at her in public, putting Xiao Xue in an extremely awkward situation. When Xiao Xue walked on the street, she could feel the strange gazes of the people around her, and those gazes seemed like a sharp blade, piercing her heart. But the hatred in her heart makes her more determined to revenge, she knows clearly, these are just Xiong Yufang's plotting and scheming, she will not be easily defeated by these.

At the same time, Xiong Yufang also secretly hired a group of thugs, Xiao Xue personal threats. These thugs were ruthless and fearless people who, according to Xiong Yufang's instructions, began to loiter around Xiao Xue's residence, now and then intentionally making some noise in an attempt to make Xiao Xue feel fearful.

One night, Xiao Xue went home alone. When she reached the door of her house, several black shadows suddenly sprang out of the darkness and surrounded her. These beaters were full of cross-flesh and fierce eyes, they waved the sticks in their hands and said to Xiao Xue viciously, "Stinking woman, be honest from now on, or you'll have a good time!" Xiao Xue was shocked in her heart, but she quickly calmed down. She knew that she couldn't show the slightest bit of weakness at this time, otherwise it would only make these people even more arrogant.

A hint of determination flashed in Xiao Xue's eyes as she coldly looked at these thugs and said, "Do you think you can scare me like this? Tell Xiong Yufang that these little tricks of hers are useless to me!" After saying that, she charged towards one of the beaters without fear. Although Xiao Xue had gone through a period of training, she still looked a little out of her depth when facing these professional beaters. Soon, she was knocked down to the ground, with multiple injuries on her body. However, she always clenched her teeth tightly and did not utter a single plea for mercy.

When these fighters saw how tenacious Xiao Xue was, they were also a little frightened in their hearts. Worried about making a big deal out of it, they hurriedly left after kicking Xiao Xue a few more times. Xiao Xue struggled to get up from the ground, looking at the back of those thugs leaving, the hatred in her heart intensified. She knows that the contradiction between herself and Xiong Yufang has reached an irreconcilable point, this battle will only end when one side completely falls.

Xiao Xue returned home and simply treated her wounds. She looked at her bruised self in the mirror, and a strong unwillingness welled up in her heart. She realized that she could no longer respond to Xiong Yufang's attacks in such a passive manner, she had to take the initiative and catch her off guard.

Thus, Xiao Xue began to re-examine her revenge plan. She understands that to really break Xiong Yufang, just rely on violence is not enough, but also need to start from her weaknesses. Xiao Xue through many inquiries, learned that Xiong Yufang has an illegitimate child, this child has been secretly raised by her, is the most caring person in her heart. Xiao Xue decided to find a breakthrough from this child.

Xiao Xue began to send people to secretly follow Xiong Yufang, trying to find the opportunity to meet with her illegitimate child. After a period of observation, Xiao Xue finally grasped their whereabouts. She carefully planned an operation and prepared to deal a heavy blow to Xiong Yufang when she met with the child.

One day, Xiong Yufang traveled to a remote villa to meet her child as usual. She was so full of joy thinking about the time she was going to spend with her child that she didn't realize the danger that was approaching step by step. Xiao Xue and her men ambushed around the villa in advance, waiting for the best time.

When Xiong Yufang walked into the villa and embraced her child, Xiao Xue rushed in with her men. When Xiong Yufang saw Xiao Xue, her face instantly turned white, and she subconsciously shielded the child behind her. "How did you find this place? What do you want?" Xiong Yufang asked in horror.

Xiao Xue looked at her coldly and said, "Xiong Yufang, today is the day you die. You took away everything from me, and now I'm going to let you taste the pain of losing a loved one as well!" After saying that, she signaled her men to take the child away.

Xiong Yufang went crazy and rushed towards Xiao Xue, trying to stop her. But Xiao Xue's men easily subdued her, and she could only watch the child being taken away, her heart filled with despair and anger. "Xiao Xue, if you dare to harm my child, I will definitely not let you go!" Xiong Yufang shouted frantically.

Xiao Xue took the child and left the villa, she didn't intend to really hurt this innocent child, she just wanted to use this to threaten Xiong Yufang and make her behave. Xiao Xue brought the child to a safe place, sent someone to take good care of him, and sent a text message to Xiong Yufang, telling her that if she wanted the child to be safe and sound, she had to do what she asked.

Xiong Yufang was in a dilemma after receiving the text message. She knew Xiao Xue's methods, if she did not agree to her request, the child will certainly be in danger; but if she agreed, she did not know what kind of harsh conditions Xiao Xue will put forward. After a painful struggle, Xiong Yufang finally decided to compromise for the sake of her child.

She followed Xiao Xue's request and came to a designated place. Xiao Xue had already been waiting there for a long time, and as she looked at Xiong Yufang's wretched appearance, she felt a hint of pleasure in her heart. "Xiong Yufang, you also have today!" Xiao Xue mocked.

Xiong Yufang gritted her teeth and said, "Xiao Xue, what exactly do you want?"

Xiao Xue coldly said, "It's very simple, I want you to hand over all the properties that you have obtained through improper means over the years, and apologize to my family and admit all the crimes that you have committed."

Xiong Yufang's eyes widened, she didn't expect Xiao Xue to put forward such harsh conditions. "You are dreaming! I will never agree to this!" Xiong Yufang said angrily.

Xiao Xue sneered and said, "If you don't agree, you won't want to see your child again. I'll give you a day to think about it, and by this time tomorrow, if you haven't made a decision, you'll be waiting to collect your child's corpse!" After saying that, Xiao Xue turned around and left.

Xiong Yufang looked at Xiao Xue's departing back, her heart filled with hatred and helplessness. She knew that she was now in a desperate situation, but she would never give up easily. She began to look around for people who could help her, hoping to be able to save her child without meeting Xiao Xue's conditions.

On Xiao Xue's side, she also knew deep down that Xiong Yufang wouldn't give in easily, and she was already prepared to deal with everything. She knows that this battle with Xiong Yufang has just begun, and there are more challenges waiting for her behind. But the hatred in her heart made her fearless, she must make Xiong Yufang pay a heavy price for everything she did.

Just as Xiao Xue was waiting for Xiong Yufang's reply, she suddenly received a call from Zhang Long. Zhang Long told her on the phone that their criminal behavior had attracted the attention of the police, and told her to be careful during this recent period of time and try not to expose her whereabouts.

Xiao Xue was shocked in her heart, she did not expect things to develop so quickly. She knew that if she was caught by the police, then the revenge plan would be completely lost. She had to settle Xiong Yufang before the police found her and then find a way to get out in one piece.

Xiao Xue began to act more cautiously, she reduced her direct contact with her men and communicated everything through secret channels. At the same time, she also accelerated her pressing of Xiong Yufang, she knew that time was running out and she couldn't give Xiong Yufang any more chances to breathe.

The next day, Xiong Yufang arrived at the meeting place as agreed. Her eyes were filled with exhaustion and despair, but her attitude remained resolute. "Xiao Xue, I won't agree to your conditions. You can kill or die as you like, but you won't get a single penny from me either!" Xiong Yufang said.

Xiao Xue looked at Xiong Yufang and the anger in her heart burned again. "Do you really think I don't dare?" Xiao Xue said, taking out her cell phone and preparing to call the henchmen guarding the child.

Just at this moment, there was a sudden burst of sirens. Xiao Xue and Xiong Yufang both froze, they didn't know why the police would appear at this time. Before they could react, a group of police had already rushed over and surrounded them.

"Freeze! You are all under arrest!" The police shouted.

Xiao Xue's heart was filled with despair, she knew that her revenge plan had completely failed. She looked at Xiong Yufang with hatred in her eyes. "It's all you, it's all because of you! If it wasn't for you, how would I end up in this situation today!" Xiao Xue said angrily.

Xiong Yufang also had a look of horror on her face, she didn't expect things to turn out like this. "I didn't want this either, Xiao Xue. We've all been caught by fate." Xiong Yufang said helplessly.

Just like that, Xiao Xue and Xiong Yufang were taken away by the police. However, at the police station, Xiong Yufang's lawyer soon arrived. This lawyer was clever and gave a brilliant defense for Xiong Yufang in court, claiming that Xiong Yufang was coerced by Xiao Xue to participate in these events, and that she herself was a victim. On Xiao Xue's side, the situation was extremely unfavorable for her due to her partnership with Zhang Long and her involvement in a series of criminal activities for which the police had some evidence. In the end, the judge decided to temporarily release Xiong Yufang, while Xiao Xue was kept in custody pending further investigation and trial.

The moment Xiong Yufang walked out of the police station, her heart let out a sigh of relief, but she knew that the feud between herself and Xiao Xue was far from over. She looked at the door of the police station, her eyes were filled with a complex look of both happiness and deep scorn for Xiao Xue. She knew that Xiao Xue would definitely not let up, and she had to find a way to solve this trouble once and for all.

Returning home, Xiong Yufang began to think carefully about her next plan. She understood that in order to completely get rid of Xiao Xue's threat, she had to make her never be able to turn over. So, she decided to utilize her connections again, and this time she aimed at Xiao Xue's life in prison.

Xiong Yufang bribed some of the staff in the prison and asked them to create all sorts of trouble for Xiao Xue in prison. She asked them to deliberately make things difficult for Xiao Xue, reduce her food supply, and subject her to bullying by other inmates in prison. Through these means, she hoped to make Xiao Xue suffer in prison, thus sapping her will.

Xiao Xue in prison soon felt these changes. She found that her meals became worse and worse, and that there were often inmates who would pick on her for no reason at all. But she wasn't beaten down by these difficulties, instead she became more determined to take revenge. She knew that Xiong Yufang was behind all this, and she vowed to make Xiong Yufang pay an even heavier price once she had the chance.

Xiao Xue begins to look for people who can help her in prison. She utilized some of the tactics she had learned in the dark world and entered into a partnership with some inmates who were also dissatisfied with prison life. She promised to pay them handsomely to help her collect evidence of Xiong Yufang's crimes. Impressed by Xiao Xue's promise, these inmates begin to secretly investigate Xiong Yufang after their release from prison.

As time passes, Xiao Xue gradually builds up her own small power in prison. By cooperating with other prisoners, she not only improves her living conditions in prison, but also gets some useful information about Xiong Yufang. She learns that Xiong Yufang has recently been in frequent contact with some mysterious figures and seems to be hatching a new plot.

Xiao Xue realized that she had to take action as soon as possible, otherwise once Xiong Yufang's plot succeeded, it would be even more difficult for her to turn around. She decided to take a risk, she through contact with the outside world, she will have some clues about Xiong Yufang's crimes to the police, and promised that if the police can help her get out of trouble, she will fully cooperate with the police investigation, to expose Xiong Yufang all the crimes.

The police took the clues provided by Xiao Xue very seriously and they began to investigate Xiong Yufang secretly. After a period of investigation, the police found that Xiong Yufang did have close contact with some criminal gangs, and she was planning a large-scale smuggling activity. The police decided to arrest Xiong Yufang when she was carrying out her smuggling activities, so that she and her criminal gangs could be eliminated.

On Xiong Yufang's side, she didn't realize that the police were on to her. She was still making final preparations for her smuggling plan. She meets frequently with the members of her criminal gang to discuss the details of the smuggling, fantasizing that she will be able to make huge profits through this activity, thus completely getting rid of the threat of Xiao Xue.

Just one day before Xiong Yufang was going to carry out her smuggling activities, she suddenly received a mysterious phone call. The person on the other end of the phone warned her that the police already knew about her plan, and told her to stop the operation immediately, or else she would face her doom. Xiong Yufang was shocked in her heart, she didn't know who this mysterious person was, but she didn't dare to believe the warning so easily. She decided to follow the original plan, thinking that she was fully prepared and the police could not catch her easily.

The next day, Xiong Yufang and her criminal gang arrived at the place where the smuggled goods were to be handed over as planned. They carefully observed the movements around them and prepared for the transaction. However, they did not realize that the police had already laid a dragnet around them, waiting for them to throw themselves into the net.

When Xiong Yufang and the members of the criminal gang began to carry smuggled goods, the police suddenly launched an attack. Sirens sounded, and the police rushed out from all sides, surrounding them. "Freeze! You are all under arrest!" The police shouted.

Xiong Yufang looked around at the police in horror, knowing that her end had finally come. She tried to escape, but was quickly caught by the police. Her criminal gang members were also subdued by the police, and the smuggling campaign ended in failure.

After Xiong Yufang was taken away by the police, her heart was filled with despair. She knew that she could no longer escape the law this time. She regretted that she did not listen to the mysterious man's warning, regretted her greed and stupidity. She knew that her whole life would be spent in prison and she would pay a heavy price for what she had done.

Xiao Xue, on the other hand, feels a tinge of relief in her heart when she learns of Xiong Yufang's arrest by the police in prison. She knows that her revenge plan has finally achieved a stage victory. But she was also clear that her crime was equally unforgivable and she still had to face the law. She begins to reflect on her life in prison, and she realizes that hatred made her lose her mind and led her to this path of no return. She hoped that her experience would be a lesson to others, that they would realize that revenge does not bring true relief, but only plunges them into deeper pain.

With the fall of Xiong Yufang, the feud between Xiao Xue and Xiong Yufang seems to be coming to an end. However, their story has caused a furor in the city. People begin to reflect on the dark side of human nature and the consequences of greed, hatred and selfishness. The fate of Xiao Xue and Xiong Yufang also became the talk of the town, warning everyone to cherish the happiness in front of them and stay away from evil.

Just when Xiao Xue thought everything would be over, she unexpectedly received an anonymous letter in prison. The letter contains only one sentence: "Do you think it's really over? A bigger conspiracy is still waiting for you behind." Xiao Xue looked at the letter, her heart filled with doubts and uneasiness. She didn't know who sent this letter, nor did she know what the greater conspiracy was that was mentioned in the letter. But she had a premonition that she was about to face an even more serious challenge.

Xiao Xue began to ask around in the prison about the source of the letter, but no one knew anything about it. She was in deep confusion as to how to deal with this unknown threat. She knew that she had to remain vigilant because it seemed that Xiong Yufang was not the only one of her enemies. And who was this mysterious enemy? And what kind of purpose did they have? All of this became an unsolved mystery that loomed over Xiao Xue's mind and laid the groundwork for the next development of the story.