In the blink of an eye, Gong Zhijing’s belly was full-term, and she could go into labor at any moment.
However, the baby was still in a breech position, and the umbilical cord, which had been wrapped around the neck twice, was now wrapped around once. This situation necessitated a Cesarean section.
The hospital bag was already packed, and the maternity nanny and housekeeper had been arranged.
To facilitate care, Zhu Yunfei had returned early, while Ling Junye remained alone at the group to handle affairs.
The closer it got to the due date, the more serene Gong Zhijing became, but Ling Yuchen grew increasingly anxious.
The family had made thorough preparations for Gong Zhijing’s delivery.
Aside from regular check-ups, listening to the fetal heartbeat and counting fetal movements three times a day were indispensable.
Gong Zhijing lay on the sofa, her clothes slightly lifted, with a small fetal doppler placed on her fair, round belly. The regular heartbeat was strong and steady.
The fetal heart rate was normal, and fetal movements were regular. Today’s task was completed.
She bit into an apple, remaining still as Ling Yuchen wiped the coupling gel off her.
Ever since returning from the hospital last time, she had been waiting for Xia Linfeng to make a move, and now she was eager to see what trouble he would stir up.
She hadn't feared him before, and she feared him even less now. Ling Yuchen and Gong Ye were her anchors.
Especially after learning how she had been adopted by Xia Linfeng, she became even more unrestrained.
Seeing Ling Yuchen finish tidying up, Gong Zhijing casually handed him the apple core she had finished eating.
“Ling Yuchen, why do you think Xia Linfeng hasn’t made any move yet?”
Ling Yuchen’s hand, holding the wet wipe, paused. Then, as if nothing had happened, he continued to wipe Gong Zhijing’s hands.
“Focus on your pregnancy, and worry less about other things.”
Gong Zhijing let out a belch, patted her belly, and mumbled, “You won’t tell me, huh? You think I can’t guess what you’re up to?”
Ling Yuchen was utterly helpless. He casually tossed the wet wipe into the trash can and then sat beside Gong Zhijing, embracing her.
“Do you really want him to do something?”
Gong Zhijing shook her head and said in a low voice, “No, I’m afraid of unnecessary delays. And there’s another thing, I’m afraid Xia Wanfu will have a sudden impulse.
If she tells them about her and Jiang Zexi, then all our efforts will be in vain.”
She was now just waiting for him to make a move so that they could eliminate this threat permanently.
If Xia Linfeng chose to remain hidden in the shadows, it would be like a constant heavy stone on their hearts, because he was like a ticking time bomb.
Of course, there was another option: to openly reveal her and Gong Ye’s identities, forcing Xia Linfeng to retreat.
But Gong Ye would not be satisfied with such an outcome; it would be too easy for them.
The above scenarios were manageable, but she feared Xia Wanfu might not be able to handle it. If they found out about Jiang Zexi’s existence, it would be like provoking an immortal vampire.
However, this was not something that could be kept hidden forever.
Ling Yuchen gazed coldly out at the dark night, his eyes growing deeper.
“Soon. If nothing unexpected happens, it will be in the next day or two.”
Besides the Ling family, no one knew of Gong Ye’s existence. As long as Xia Linfeng didn't know that Gong Zhijing had acknowledged her kin, he wouldn’t be able to remain quiet and compliant.
He couldn’t resist greed and resentment, and he couldn’t bear the disparity of having nothing.
Even if he knew he couldn't defeat him, knew he would inevitably lose, he wouldn't be content to let Gong Zhijing have peace.
His plan was to drag her down with him, or perhaps to extort some benefit. He was at his wit’s end and could only choose to go all in.
“So sleepy, I don’t want to think about this anymore. Time for bed.”
Gong Zhijing yawned, overcome by sleepiness, wanting only to sleep, and for nothing to disturb her.
The lights in the East Courtyard were extinguished, leaving only a small desk lamp burning in the bedroom. Though dim, it was the only light in the darkness.
…
In the countryside, at the Xia family’s home.
Xia Linfeng’s eyes gleamed with ruthless malice, a cold sneer on his lips, as cunning as a sly old fox.
He held his phone, uploading a video onto the hottest video platform. The video contained the hotel surveillance footage from before.
Counting down to Xia Wantang’s approaching due date, he could no longer hold back.
Han Wenjuan stood beside him, her expression inscrutable, a dark glint in her eyes, tinged with the thrill of scheming.
To protect her daughter, she had gone all out.
Thinking of how Xia Linfeng had once intended to kill her, she wished she could drag him down into an abyss of eternal damnation with her.
“Upload successful.”
Xia Linfeng exclaimed, a look of ecstatic joy flashing in his eyes, his face filled with pride.
Han Wenjuan feigned concern, “Lin Feng, perhaps you should reconsider! I think…”
“Shut up.”
Xia Linfeng roared, his expression twisted and ferocious.
Han Wenjuan cowered as if frightened, immediately falling silent.
But inwardly, she was overjoyed.
Let it all blow up, let it become common knowledge, let it cause chaos, let it become unmanageable.
Seeing Han Wenjuan subdued, Xia Linfeng was satisfied. He refocused his gaze on his phone, his eyes cold and sinister.
The video was uploaded successfully. He clicked on it and watched it again.
The video was clear, with no background music.
The caption read: My name is Xia Linfeng, the wife of the CEO of Tengkong Group, and Xia Wantang’s adoptive father.
Six months ago, Xia Wantang told us that the CEO of Tengkong Group was staying at this hotel.
She asked us to help her get into his bed. She pretended to be drugged and then we would send her to the hotel.
Who knew that after successfully getting into his bed, she would betray us, falsely accuse me and my wife, and send us to prison for half a year.
Now, upon release, we have nothing. The company is bankrupt, my son is in prison, and my daughter is living a difficult life.
In desperation, I am seeking help online under my real name, begging everyone to uphold justice.
I know I did wrong, but Xia Wantang is too cruel, it is against all reason.
We raised her, an orphan, and even if we had no merit, we had hardships. Now that she is prosperous, she treats us like this.
It is truly inhumane.
Risking extermination by the Ling family, I must expose her true colors!
His social media account bore his name.
The video had not yet garnered many viewers, but it was increasing at a rapid pace.
One like, two likes, three likes, the comments were visibly increasing.
Xia Linfeng had no idea the traffic would come so quickly.
He burst into wild laughter, unaware that this was merely accelerating his demise.
The video’s official operations were managed by the backend.
As soon as this video was released, it was given massive traffic.
Within a short period, it directly dominated the trending searches, and Ling Yuchen also received the news.
Gong Zhijing was already asleep when he received the call.
Upon learning that Xia Linfeng had finally made a move, he was not only not angry but was actually delighted.
He simply instructed his people to ensure the matter reached the highest possible trending status, to give him as much traffic as possible, and the bigger the sensation, the better.
Things needed to ferment to achieve his goal. For now, let Xia Linfeng be arrogant!