Chapter 344

Ling Yan doubted she had misheard, her expression dazed for a long while, she slowly tilted her head to confirm with her older brother.

Lingxunzhang also felt Xu Yanfeng's demand was too much; Ling Yan, a girl spoiled by her family since childhood, how could she accept recording a video to be posted online for a public apology?

If she really did that, how could she ever face people again?

Although Lingxunzhang was angry at Ling Yan's willful recklessness, which had implicated him and the whole company, he still leaned toward her at this moment, disagreeing and saying, "Xu Er, have you considered that Ling Yan is a girl—where would you put her face and dignity if you demand a public apology?"

Xu Yanfeng remained unmoved: "Before she started spreading rumors, she never thought about where Xia Xi's face and dignity would go."

One sentence left Lingxunzhang speechless.

Ling Yan had thought her heart was dead to the core, that she wouldn't be hurt again by Xu Yanfeng's words or actions, but hearing him say that, her heart ached as if cut by a knife, chopped by an axe, leaving her breathless.

Her dry eye sockets filled with tears, she protested, "Xu Yanfeng, you know best what the facts are—am I really slandering Xia Xi?"

Back when they caught her in bed, didn't Xu Yanfeng's eyes see clearly?

If he didn't see clearly, his close brothers should have seen it too.

The truly obstinate person is him, not her.

She was there too, taking advantage of the chaos to snap a photo of Xia Xi and that man in bed, intending one day to remind Xu Yanfeng that this was irrefutable evidence—evidence of Xia Xi's betrayal of him!

Too bad, after all her scheming, she never expected Xu Yanfeng to fall for Xia Xi's bewitching scheme, even overlooking his infidelity—it's absurd.

After a few seconds of silence, Xu Yanfeng said in a flat tone, "The one who doesn't know the facts is you, but I don't need to explain myself to you—you just need to do as I say."

"I won't agree!" Ling Yan shouted, her eyes blood-red, nearly hysterical.

Xu Yanfeng's face turned cold, his gaze shifting to Lingxunzhang: "Then there's nothing more to say."

The atmosphere suddenly turned tense, something Lingxunzhang hadn't anticipated. Being more level-headed than Ling Yan, he pondered, then played the emotion card: "Xu Er, we've grown up together since childhood, our bonds are different—do you really have to push Ling Yan this hard? To be frank, my uncle is still ill, and because of this matter he had to drag his sick body to the company to hold down the fort, coughing so badly he can barely catch his breath."

"Let me clarify: I didn't force her; she came to apologize on her own." Xu Yanfeng said, "If it's not sincere, just go back."

Lingxunzhang: "……"

Yes, on the surface he wasn't forcing anyone, but behind the scenes he was wildly attacking the Ling Clan.

Xu Yanfeng didn't want to say more, glanced at his watch, and issued the dismissal: "I have other arrangements coming up, so I won't keep you."

"Xu Er..." Lingxunzhang exclaimed, worried that since things weren't settled, how would he explain to his uncle? "Little sister really knows she was wrong—what if you have Miss Xia come over, and I'll have little sister apologize to her in person?"

Xu Yanfeng didn't even lift his head: "She's busy; she probably can't spare the time."

Lingxunzhang ran out of words; no matter how he tried, Xu Yanfeng would accept only one kind of apology—the one he prescribed.

With no other option, Lingxunzhang switched his persuasion target: "Little sister, you were indeed at fault first; otherwise, just follow Xu Er's advice and record a video..." He struggled to continue, his tone very slow: "... to be posted online."

"Brother!"

Ling Yan stared at him in disbelief, big bean-sized tears spilling out.

Lingxunzhang also felt torn; compelled by the circumstances, he steeled himself, ignored his sister's tears, gritted his teeth and lowered his voice to urge her: "Listen to big brother—if you're wrong, you're wrong; apologize properly and this will be over." He paused, his tone softening a bit to soothe her heart: "Remember, you are the Ling Clan's miss; no one will look down on you because of this."

Ling Yan's heart and eyes were filled with painful helplessness, but no one stood by her, so she could only swallow the bitter fruit alone.

After a busy day, Xia Xi felt a little tired; when the production crew announced wrap, she walked slowly outward with her hands in her pockets, the scorching sunset making her squint.

Stepping out of the villa gate and turning right, Xia Xi immediately noticed the car parked there; her fatigue vanished instantly, the corners of her eyes crinkling as she stopped and didn't move forward.

The car door was pushed open; Xu Yanfeng got out and walked toward her.

His long legs took big strides; in the blink of an eye he was before her, he opened his arms and pulled her into an embrace, his hand stroking the back of her head as he gently asked, "Are you tired?"

Xia Xi wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her chin on his shoulder: "I'm okay."

"Are you really okay? Don't lie to me—you don't look very spirited."

Xia Xi punched his back: "Blame whoever kept me from sleeping well last night."

Xu Yanfeng had nothing to say; he took her hand.

Once in the car, he finally spoke: "What do you want to eat tonight? I'll make it for you."

"Or should we first go to my mom's to pick up Zi Heng?" Xia Xi smiled, recalling how the Ling Clan and Lingxunzhang had topped the hot searches all day; she stared at Xu Yanfeng's profile for a moment, then bluntly asked without preamble, "Was the Ling Clan news your doing?"

Others might not know the details, which is understandable, but she couldn't help wondering how it could be such a coincidence—Ling Yan had just offended her, and then the Ling Clan erupted with all that negative news.

Xu Yanfeng didn't plan to hide it from her: "Mm."

"Then..." Xia Xi didn't know what to say; she wasn't well versed in his work affairs and worried this might affect his own interests.

Xu Yanfeng saw through her thoughts, the corners of his eyes slightly crinkling: "Don't worry, I know my limits." He slipped his fingers between hers, lacing their fingers together and placing them on his thigh: "Don't overthink it."

Xia Xi exhaled in relief, leaning against his shoulder and closing her eyes to rest.

Xu Yanfeng: "Didn't I remind you this morning to stop looking at all that messy online news? How did you find out the Ling Clan had trouble?"

"I couldn't help it—I just took a quick look."

Xia Xi thought his approach was merely to erase the online dirt about her; she never imagined he would push the Ling Clan into the spotlight, releasing one explosive piece after another, leaving no one to pay attention to her little matter.

Xu Yanfeng played with her fingers, chuckling low: "Releasing the Ling Clan news isn't just to divert public attention."

Xia Xi pondered, then replied: "Also to vent for me?"

"Not just that." Xu Yanfeng said, "You'll find out later."

The car first went to the residential complex where Su Jinru lives, picked up Zi Heng, then asked Youyou if she wanted to come stay as well—she refused. The little girl is now very close to Xia Yue; hearing that they'd stick together and sleep side by side at night, it's clear she's the real daughter.

When they arrived home, Zhangyi had already cooked several dishes; just one more soup and they could eat—Xu Yanfeng didn't get a chance to cook.

Xu Yanfeng hauled Zi Heng like a chick, taking him to wash his hands. Xia Xi watched them, eyes curved in a smile, recalling how Zi Heng had initially opposed Xu Yanfeng at every turn, she couldn't help sighing again: "Indeed, he's the real son."

Her phone chimed; Xia Xi withdrew her gaze from the father and son, picked up her phone from the sofa, and checked the message.

Zhao Lei: "Is Ling Yan been kidnapped? She actually posted a public apology online—my whole family is shocked!!!"

Zhao Lei then immediately threw over a Weibo link.

Xia Xi clicked on it; the screen switched, showing a video: Ling Yan sat before white curtains, wearing a simple black long-sleeve top with a lace-trimmed neckline, her face retouched but still somewhat wan, she looked guilty as she faced forward and said, "Sorry, I've taken up public resources to clarify one matter. Because of a personal grudge, I acted without thought, had people spread rumors that Xia Xi cheated, tarnishing her purity and causing her great harm. I have deeply realized my mistake and truly regret doing this. To stop the rumors from spreading further and causing irreversible damage, I must come forward to explain—everything was fabricated by me; in fact, nothing of the sort happened. Here, I want to sincerely apologize to the Xia Xi I have harmed, hoping you can forgive me."