She choked out, "I... I'm fine."
Did she look fine?
"I'll call the young master. Xinyue, you stay with her."
How could Aunt Ou believe her? Seeing her eyes so red and swollen, she couldn't be at ease at all.
She took out her phone and left in a hurry to make the call elsewhere.
Xia Wantang, anxious, wanted to stop her but was pulled back by Qiao Xinyue.
"It's alright, Sister Wantang. I'll be with you."
"Tell Aunt Ou not to... not to call. I really am fine."
Ling Yuchen was currently attending his grandfather's birthday banquet. How could she disturb him at such a time? It would only add to his troubles.
She couldn't help but feel regretful, wondering how she could have caused trouble for Ling Yuchen at this moment!
Qiao Xinyue held onto her, unable to speak through her sobs, and unable to stop Aunt Ou from making the call.
Feeling both anxious and annoyed, she couldn't control her crying anymore.
This, in turn, frightened Qiao Xinyue beside her, who was so anxious she almost cried along.
When Aunt Ou returned from her call, she saw Xia Wantang crying buckets and Qiao Xinyue with a face as grim as a funeral.
She quickly stepped forward to comfort her, "The young master said he'll be back as soon as possible..."
"What!" Xia Wantang was immediately frantic.
She quickly found her phone, wanting to call Ling Yuchen and tell him not to come back.
But then she remembered that she was sobbing so much she couldn't speak properly. So she opened WeChat and sent him a message.
"I'm fine. Don't rush back. Spend your grandfather's birthday well. I'll tell you when you get back tonight."
The message was sent, and a reply came back within seconds.
"Mhm, take care. I'll be there."
Seeing this, Xia Wantang finally felt at ease. How many eighties could a person have in a lifetime?
She didn't want to delay Ling Yuchen from spending time with his grandfather on his birthday.
Seeing her emotions gradually calming, Aunt Ou poured her a glass of water and gently comforted her, "Are you alright now? Tell us if there's anything."
When faced with others' concern, Xia Wantang always felt immense pressure.
She took the glass of water, thanked Aunt Ou, and took a sip. She didn't want to say much, but she was afraid they would tell Ling Yuchen later.
She could only sigh and explain what had happened in the class group chat.
Aunt Ou's face was filled with anger. She slapped her thigh and exclaimed, "How could they be so excessive? All of them are university students, yet their manners are so low.
Wantang, don't worry, the young master will definitely not stand idly by."
"I'm fine, Aunt Ou."
Xia Wantang had calmed down, her eyes were just red and looked very pitiful.
Qiao Xinyue, while scrolling on her phone, said, "Sister Wantang, this is nothing. Don't believe me, scroll to the latest messages.
The young master has already announced you as his official girlfriend. Who dares to say anything now, unless they don't want to live?"
Hearing Xia Wantang's account earlier, she had also checked the class group chat. Indeed, it had already become a hot topic.
However, the latest messages had already shifted the narrative.
Xia Wantang, half-believing, half-doubting, opened her phone. The messages in the group chat were constantly increasing.
Scrolling to the bottom, she found that the tide had indeed turned again.
The group chat was filled with various shared links, trending topics from major social platforms.
The titles all read: Ling Yuchen Announces Girlfriend.
The classmates' replies were even more varied, and there were certainly no shortage of envious comments.
But at least the malicious remarks had greatly subsided.
The most active among them was Wen Xuanyuan.
She had posted countless messages and links in the group, scolding the people with low morals who had spoken ill of Xia Wantang.
No one dared to talk nonsense anymore, and finally, things calmed down.
Wen Xuanyuan said: Come on, you trash bags spewing foul language, take a good look. My Tangtang is the official girlfriend.
Don't be so full of yourselves, believing every rumor. You jump around like performing monkeys.
Saying my Tangtang is a mistress? Being kept? Look at this slap in the face!
Don't argue, don't be sour. Whatever you say is right. My Tangtang is pure and chaste, the school beauty, and never dates casually.
She's been single since birth for over twenty years, this is her first boyfriend!!
Open your dog eyes and see clearly, it's her first boyfriend. Whoever dares to spread rumors again, I guarantee you'll immediately receive lawyer's letters from Tengkong Group and the Wen family!
A wave of warmth washed over Xia Wantang. She directly replied in the group chat: "Thank you, Xuanxuan."
Then she responded to everyone: "I am not a mistress, I am not being kept, nor did I climb into anyone's bed. Furthermore, I have good upbringing and am in a normal relationship. Thank you for your concern and enthusiasm."
Her statement caused an uproar in the group chat.
Many people came to comfort her.
"Haha, I knew you weren't that kind of person."
"Exactly, I said it was probably a misunderstanding, but no one believed me."
"Congratulations to our Xia School Beauty on finding a boyfriend! Don't pay attention to others' comments. Wishing you lasting happiness."
Following this, a long string of "9999" appeared below.
Xia Wantang watched coldly, without any joy.
Because among them was someone named "Shui Guo Tang" (Fruit Candy). She clearly remembered that this person was among those who had insulted her yesterday, and it was unforgettable.
Yesterday, she had said: "Rumor online says she's being kept by Ling Yuchen. No wonder she's an adopted daughter, she must have no upbringing."
Just as she was about to put her phone away, Wen Xuanyuan's message popped up in the group chat.
She tagged Shui Guo Tang and taunted, "What brand of trash bag are you? So adaptable. A chameleon isn't as changeable as you."
Following this was a screenshot, which was exactly what this person had said yesterday.
"You're a hen flying to the sky, not a good bird at all."
The group chat fell silent again.
"I'll save everyone face. I hope you all use your brains."
Xia Wantang chuckled and sent Wen Xuanyuan a private message.
"Okay, Xuanxuan, don't offend everyone for my sake anymore. I'm not angry or bothered, so you shouldn't care about them."
"I just can't swallow this injustice. Hmph, it's not a waste that I've collected so many polite insults online."
"Thank you."
"Get lost, what are you thanking me for?"
...
Putting down her phone, she realized Aunt Ou had been watching her worriedly.
Qiao Xinyue was rapidly typing on her phone, and Xia Wantang didn't know what she was sending.
She suddenly felt that none of this was a big deal. She still had people who cared about her.
"Aunt Ou, I'm really fine now. Thank you."
"It's good that you're alright."
Seeing her brow unfurrow, Aunt Ou was relieved.
"I'll go to the kitchen to make milk tea. Xinyue will keep you company."
Qiao Xinyue put down her phone. Seeing that it was still early, she suggested, "Sister Wantang, there's a cinema upstairs. Shall we go watch a movie? A really good horror film just came out."
"Horror... movie?"
Xia Wantang frowned, inwardly reluctant.
But Qiao Xinyue was enthusiastic, chattering about it.
Xia Wantang couldn't bear to refuse and finally followed her upstairs.
In the kitchen, Aunt Ou received a call from Ling Yuchen.
"Aunt Ou, how is she now?"
Aunt Ou replied, "She's fine now. She went to watch a movie with Xinyue."