Chapter 17: Secret Assistance

Inside the banquet hall, once again, all the guests and media turned their gaze toward the entrance.

Under the spotlight and amidst the flashing cameras, Lin Ting stepped forward.

Her features were exquisitely delicate, so stunning that one couldn’t help but marvel.

At the same time, she exuded a confident, casual aura—a brightness that made it impossible to look away.

On stage, Lin Shan felt her legs go numb when she saw Lin Ting appear.

How could this be?

Why was she here?

At this moment, the online world should have been condemning her.

How dare she show up?

Had she not seen the news online?

Unconsciously, Lin Shan clenched her skirt tightly, her face turning pale with nervousness.

“That’s the eldest daughter of the Lin family, huh? So beautiful, absolutely flawless,” whispered voices circulated.

“Back in the day, her mother was a renowned beauty far and wide. If the internet had been developed then, she would have been famous long ago.”

“Lin Jinchuan was very handsome in his youth; otherwise, how would Xia Wenxi have married him?”

“I always thought Lin Shan was pretty enough, but Lin Ting is even more beautiful.”

“The best traits from her parents have been inherited.”

“Did you see the trending topics just now? She’s bold, showing up here after all that happened.”

...

Many whispered among themselves.

Lin Ting paid no mind and walked forward, but she did not take the stage. Looking at Lin Shan, she said, “If you truly believe it’s your fault, then let’s call off this recognition banquet.”

Lin Shan stared at her, unable to speak.

Xia Wenxi looked at Lin Ting and nodded slightly.

Lin Jinchuan was stunned for a few seconds before retorting, “What nonsense are you spouting? No one in the Lin family lets you make decisions!”

Lin Ting smiled faintly. “Those are her own words. She cried and wailed, expressing just that. What, was she merely fishing for sympathy and playing the victim?”

When Lin Shan saw her enter, she forgot to shed tears.

Lin Ting looked at her and said, “Looks like it’s all an act—no tears even fall anymore.”

Flustered, Lin Shan wiped her eyes and glanced backward at the young woman waiting offstage.

It was a friend Lin Shan had brought along.

The girl noticed the gaze and quickly left.

Lin Shan pursed her lips, her eyes red, silent and appearing deeply wronged.

Lin Jinchuan said, “Lin Ting, it’s such an important day today; you’re late, and now you’re spouting nonsense. How did I raise you at home?”

“Were you even awake? When did you ever teach me anything? Or are you dreaming?” Lin Ting replied. “In the more than month I’ve been home, I can count on one hand the words you’ve said to me. But your eye rolls? Those are countless.”

Lin Ting chuckled. “To show filial piety, I even arranged for you to see an ophthalmologist—so you don’t roll your eyes so much that they roll backward.”

“How dare you! Is that how you speak to your own father?” Lin Jinchuan shouted.

Many present were startled by his outburst.

Xia Wenxi said, “Do you even look like a father? The household staff said you locked Lin Ting in the house yesterday, not wanting her to come. Who acts like you do as a father? And you still have the nerve to speak?”

“Stop talking nonsense!” Lin Jinchuan yelled at Xia Wenxi.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. I never knew Lin Jinchuan had such a temper—shouting and yelling like a madman.”

“Look at his attitude toward his daughters; it proves the truth of the matter.”

“One daughter missing for so many years, rumors running rampant outside, isn’t this when he should be backing his daughter? But look what he’s doing.”

“A man who relies on women is helpless and only knows how to throw tantrums when things go wrong.”

...

The discussions grew louder.

Lin Jinchuan heard fragments of it all.

He quickly composed himself and adopted a gentler tone. “Tingting, it’s dad’s fault. I didn’t take good care of you. I shouldn’t have yelled at you last night. Dad apologizes, okay?”

Hearing this, Lin Ting looked around as if searching for something.

Everyone watched her movements, perplexed.

After looking around, she turned to Lin Jinchuan, pointed to herself, and said with disbelief, “You’re not calling me, are you? Have you forgotten even my childhood nickname?”

Xia Wenxi couldn’t help but laugh softly.

Upstairs, Shang Moting watched the scene below and also smiled faintly.

Wei Zhishu glanced at his boss, then downstairs, scratching his head, wondering what was so funny.

“Media who leaked this, investigate who took money and deal with them,” Shang Moting said, looking down. “The hotel invaded my privacy—sue them.”

Wei Zhishu looked at him.

Invaded privacy?

The mosaic on your face is thick enough to build a building...

“Do you have a problem?” Shang Moting asked.

“No,” Wei Zhishu replied. “I’ll handle it immediately.”

He then left.

Shang Moting looked down at the banquet hall once more.

Meanwhile, in the banquet hall.

Seeing Lin Jinchuan’s attitude toward Lin Ting shift, Lin Shan quickly said, “Sister, Dad locking you up last night was just in anger. He didn’t want you to make more mistakes. Didn’t he let you out afterward?”

Lin Ting looked at her and asked, “What did I do wrong?”

No sooner had she spoken than the giant screen at the back of the banquet hall abruptly changed.

Originally displaying the theme of the recognition banquet, it now switched to videos.

Three clips leaked online began to play.

Before the videos, Shen Haochen was trying to coax his parents to go on stage to support Lin Shan.

But after a few seconds, when he saw the pixelated man in the video, he froze.

Others might not know, but he did—the man was Shang Moting.

He was stunned for a moment, then looked at Lin Shan.

Could it be her?

Probably not. He had warned her.

Lin Shan watched the video and suddenly shouted, “What’s going on? Why are videos playing all of a sudden? Who did this? Turn it off, quickly! This is family business—we already settled it last night! Who wants to harm my sister?”

Her words implied that Lin Jinchuan’s outburst at Lin Ting last night was because of the videos.

Each clip was brief.

Soon they finished playing.

Then, the screen showed some of the vile comments from Weibo.

Shang Moting upstairs showed no reaction during the videos.

He quietly watched until the comments appeared.

His expression darkened.

He reached behind himself, pulled out a dagger no longer than a finger.

Lowering his eyes, he detached the blade in a few swift movements.

Holding it between his fingertips, he aimed at the screen and flung it.

Though the distance was considerable, the force was strong.

Just as everyone was watching the scrolling comments, the screen let out a sound.

Then it went black, exploding into sparks.

Everyone was startled.

Some gasped aloud.

Lin Ting paused, seeing the blade on the screen, then glanced upstairs.

But she saw nothing.

...