This matter, as Xia Linfeng wished, caused a huge stir online.
Seizing the momentum, he released several more videos. These videos, as expected, went viral and swept across the internet with lightning speed.
The comment sections were in an uproar, with all sorts of opinions being voiced. However, most people were there simply to watch the drama, while a portion were driven by their own sense of imbalance.
After all, Ling Yuchen was handsome, wealthy, and held a high status.
Meanwhile, Xia Wantang had neither status nor family background. A wealthy CEO falling in love with a Cinderella?
Such plotlines from television dramas were difficult for many to accept in reality.
If the protagonist had been a daughter from a prominent family, a match of equal standing, the public's sentiment today would be entirely different.
Underneath each video, commenters, under the guise of justice, condemned Xia Wantang. In truth, it was merely to satisfy their inner envy and discontent.
Yet, many genuinely felt injustice for Xia Linfeng, believing Xia Wantang to be an ungrateful and heartless individual.
Regardless of what had happened, one should not treat the parents who raised them in such a manner.
In the eyes of ordinary people:
To be born and raised, one could repay with their life.
To be raised but not born to, one could repay with a finger.
To be born and raised, it would take a hundred generations to repay.
In their view, Xia Wantang was a rebellious, heartless, and ungrateful wretch.
In addition to these enthusiastic netizens, some observed the situation with a rational mindset, not fully believing Xia Linfeng's words.
The upheavals online did not affect Gong Zhijing in the slightest.
Ling Yuchen had no intention of hiding it from her. Rather than beating around the bush, it was better to tell her directly. The news was everywhere online; she couldn't possibly not be looking at her phone.
Instead of letting her discover it herself and face it unprepared, leading to greater shock, it was better to tell her directly and allow her to mentally prepare.
One morning.
Gong Zhijing woke up naturally. She dazedly opened her eyes, gazing at the sunlight streaming through the window, feeling exceptionally cheerful.
She usually woke up late, by which time Ling Yuchen had already gotten up. However, today, he was still lying beside her.
Gong Zhijing asked curiously, "Why are you also waking up so late today?"
Ling Yuchen wrapped his arm around her neck and kissed her lips, his voice hoarse from just waking up.
"Waiting for you to wake up."
Gong Zhijing unceremoniously pushed his face away, her expression one of utter disdain, "Get lost, I need to go to the restroom."
Been rejected again...
But Ling Yuchen was already used to it.
He lay there lazily, watching Gong Zhijing until she entered the bathroom.
Not long after, he heard Gong Zhijing's voice, trembling slightly, from inside the bathroom.
"Ling... Ling Yuchen, I'm bleeding."
Ling Yuchen reacted swiftly, rolling out of bed and rushing into the bathroom as quickly as possible.
He saw Gong Zhijing with her pants halfway down, sitting on the toilet, holding a wad of bloody toilet paper.
Her face was crestfallen, her eyes filled with panic and helplessness.
"It's okay, don't be scared."
Ling Yuchen soothed her gently, though he himself was flustered and at a loss. However, he had to force himself to remain calm.
He fetched a clean pair of pants for Gong Zhijing to change into.
While she was changing, he quickly called Zhu Yunfei.
As soon as the call connected, he said urgently, "Mom, Zhijing is bleeding."
In truth, he was still dazed, completely lacking any sense of direction.
Zhu Yunfei, having gone through it before, was much calmer.
"Don't panic. Have Zhijing sit and rest. You go get the car, I'm coming over now."
After the call ended, Zhu Yunfei first notified the hospital to arrange everything and then informed the elders.
With everything prepared, Ling Yuchen drove the car over. The delivery supplies had been packed into the car days ago.
Gong Zhijing, having changed her clothes, sat on the sofa as if nothing had happened.
Zhu Yunfei rushed in, asking with concern, "Zhijing, how are you feeling now? Is your stomach hurting?"
Gong Zhijing shook her head, her hand on her belly.
"No pain, just spotting, and my water hasn't broken."
"Mm, we won't wait for labor pains to start, to avoid the agony of dilation. Let's go to the hospital now! You can't eat or drink anything, and we can operate at any time."
Gong Zhijing nodded and got up to leave.
Zhu Yunfei quickly went to support her, but Gong Zhijing waved her hand, "It's okay, Mom, I don't feel much right now."
"We should still be careful," Zhu Yunfei insisted on helping, feeling more at ease that way.
As they walked out of the East Courtyard, Ling Yuchen drove the car over.
Seeing Gong Zhijing already walking out, Ling Yuchen stopped the car and quickly got out to open the door, then turned to help Gong Zhijing.
"Don't be so nervous, I'm not in pain right now." Gong Zhijing was quite exasperated, feeling they were making a fuss over nothing.
Actually, she still wanted to wash her hair and take a bath before rushing to the hospital, but seeing the worried expressions of Ling Yuchen and Zhu Yunfei, she didn't dare to mention it.
Ling Yuchen's face was stern, his thin lips pressed together, his expression extremely serious.
Gong Zhijing could only obediently get into the car.
The car sped towards the hospital.
Ling Yuchen gripped the steering wheel, his gaze fixed intently on the road ahead, his entire demeanor one of unprecedented seriousness and tension.
As for the matter with Xia Linfeng, it had completely slipped his mind.
Zhu Yunfei reminded her, "Zhijing, quickly call your dad and tell him. This is such a big event; you can't wait until you're in the operating room to tell him."
Gong Zhijing truly hadn't thought of this. She herself was still in a dazed state.
Upon Zhu Yunfei's reminder, she quickly called Gong Ye.
The call connected instantly. Gong Zhijing said directly, "Dad, I'm on my way to the hospital now. I'm going into labor."
When Gong Ye heard this, his reaction was even more intense than Ling Yuchen's. All traces of his usual calm composure on the battlefield vanished as he anxiously said:
"Zhijing, don't be scared. Dad will be there right away. Are you in pain?"
Gong Zhijing felt a little speechless, but she still reassured him, "I'm fine, no pain. Dad, don't worry, I'm having a C-section, and everything is arranged at the hospital."
How could Gong Ye not be anxious? This was more nerve-wracking and frightening than being on the battlefield.
Upon arriving at the hospital, everything was ready.
Gong Zhijing lay on the hospital bed, waiting for the nurses to take her to the operating room.
Ling Yuchen stood by her bedside, his expression exceptionally serious, gripping the bed handle tightly. He seemed even more nervous than Gong Zhijing, who was about to enter the operating room.
Gong Zhijing lay there calmly, not feeling much.
Seeing Ling Yuchen's "facing a great enemy" demeanor, she chuckled and comforted him, "Don't be nervous, I'll be out soon."
"Maybe we shouldn't have the baby," Ling Yuchen's face was a little pale.
Hearing this, Gong Zhijing almost burst out laughing. She clutched her belly and said with a smile, "Don't talk nonsense. If you're scared, go sit over there."
Ling Yuchen fell silent again. A man who could face a business worth hundreds of millions without flinching was now backing down.
Soon, the nurses arrived and wheeled Gong Zhijing away.