Chapter 694: Showing a Human Touch
The driver didn't say much, just handed the box to Lin Zhiyi.
"Miss Lin, I'll wait for you outside."
After saying this, he closed the door.
Lin Zhiyi was stunned for a few seconds, then turned and pulled Xingxing to sit on the sofa.
Opening the box, there were two sets of clothes inside, one big and one small.
Xingxing picked up the Chinese New Year outfit and bounced around a couple of times.
"So pretty! I mentioned to dad that I wanted one, and he actually bought it for me."
Lin Zhiyi also opened the bigger box, which contained a whole set of women's clothes.
To be in tune with the occasion, they even chose a red coat for her.
But why prepare clothes for them?
Remembering the driver was still waiting outside, Lin Zhiyi hurriedly took Xingxing to change clothes.
After putting on the new clothes, Xingxing looked festive and adorable.
Lin Zhiyi looked in the mirror; both the style and color suited her very well.
"Mom, are you ready?" Xingxing urged excitedly.
"Coming."
Lin Zhiyi wrapped a scarf around her neck and led Xingxing out the door.
The driver had already pressed the elevator button.
"Miss Lin, please."
"Why so secretive?"
"Third Young Master said you'll know when you arrive."
The driver made a welcoming gesture.
Lin Zhiyi and Xingxing exchanged a glance and went downstairs together.
Arriving at the garage, they found that Gong Chen, who had supposedly left, was still standing by the car.
"Third Young Master? Didn't you leave?"
Gong Chen picked up Xingxing and took Lin Zhiyi's hand.
"New Year is meant to be spent with family."
Hearing 'family,' Lin Zhiyi looked up at him blankly.
He just held her hand and walked forward, calmly saying, "That means you, Lin Zhiyi."
Lin Zhiyi smiled and gripped his hand tightly.
No matter what storms come in this life, let's face them together.
...
At the Gong Mansion.
When Lin Zhiyi got out of the car with the child, many relatives of the Gong Family saw them.
They were both surprised and unsurprised.
Everyone looked at Lin Zhiyi and then at the child.
Some elders couldn't help but ask.
"Lao San, this is..."
"This is my daughter, just get the red envelopes ready."
There was a glint of warning in Gong Chen's eyes; he didn't want anyone to say anything foolish in front of Xingxing.
The other party noticed and hummed while stroking his beard.
Xingxing, seeing the nod, smiled and clasped her hands together, "Happy New Year, Grandpa, and good health."
The other party pursed his lips.
"What grandpa, call me Sixth Great-Grandfather."
"You're not that old, right?" Xingxing frowned.
Sixth Great-Grandfather's beard twitched as he pulled out a big red envelope from his pocket, "Alright, alright, go on in."
He couldn't control the youngsters.
Gong Chen carried Xingxing openly and held Lin Zhiyi as they entered the mansion.
Along the way, people first froze, then widened their eyes.
Xingxing didn't mind at all, resting her hands on Gong Chen's chest.
"Congratulations, congratulations, Happy New Year."
"Auntie, you're so pretty."
"Sister, our dresses look so similar."
"Brother, you're so handsome, even more than a celebrity."
She didn't understand the seniority; she called people however she wanted.
The only one she recognized was Ren Xiya.
"Aunt Xiya, I missed you so much."
"Such a sweet mouth, don't worry, your red envelope was prepared long ago."
Ren Xiya smiled as she slipped a large red envelope into Xingxing's hands.
Turning to look at Lin Zhiyi and Gong Chen.
"Be careful at the restaurant later."
"Mm."
...
Entering the dining room, the room instantly quieted.
Liu He was drinking water; seeing the three enter, she almost dropped her teacup.
She was dumbfounded and exchanged glances with Lin Zhiyi.
"You two went all out?"
"Mom, if there's an argument later, take Xingxing out first."
"Here we go again."
"..."
The Old Mr. Gong at the head of the table took a deep breath upon seeing the newcomers, but his words were stopped by a look from Gong Chen.
Especially when Gong Chen glanced at Gong Yao beside the Old Mr. Gong.
For Gong Yao to stand here unscathed, Gong Chen had also considered the Gong Family's reputation.
The Old Mr. Gong knew he was in the wrong, took a breath, and said nothing.
Xingxing whispered, "Those two are ugly."
Lin Zhiyi pinched her little hand, "Shh."
The others saw Gong Chen and stood up to greet him, but with an extra child and Lin Zhiyi, they hesitated.
They didn't know how to bring it up.
Gong Chen relaxed his expression and hugged Xingxing tightly.
"My daughter."
"No need to be formal, have a seat."
Gong Chen directly sat down with Xingxing.
Lin Zhiyi was about to move to the small table when a hand behind her grabbed her wrist.
"Sit with me."
Lin Zhiyi hadn't yet replied when Old Mr. Gong spoke up first.
"Gong Chen, don't you understand the rules."
"Rules are dead, people are alive, the law can even be lenient, can't it?" Gong Chen retorted sarcastically.
If not, how could Gong Yao appear here?
It was nothing more than the Old Mr. Gong spending a lot of money to privately settle with the family of the underage victim.
Lin Zhiyi knew about this too.
She didn't agree.
She thought Gong Yao should be punished by law.
But when faced with money-loving parents eager to sign a letter of forgiveness, she was powerless.
Gong Chen also said the Old Mr. Gong had a backup plan.
After the incident, Gong Yao went to a private hospital for testing right after leaving the art gallery.
To prove he lost his mind because he was drugged.
If the case dragged on, the result would be hard to predict.
Gong Chen and Sang Li secretly helped many girls change their names and move to new cities for a fresh start.
Sometimes, that's reality.
Victims wanting to return to a peaceful life have to live under a new identity.
At this moment, the table was silent.
Xingxing pointed to the dish on the table, "Dad, I want to eat ribs."
"Alright."
Gong Chen picked up some ribs for Xingxing.
His previously cold and handsome face suddenly softened, even his tone of voice became gentle.
Someone was so surprised that they dropped their chopsticks on the plate, making a clattering sound.
"Sorry, Third Young Master."
"Why are you staring at me? Aren't you all hungry?"
Gong Chen scanned around.
Everyone quickly picked up their chopsticks and started eating.
The atmosphere finally relaxed.
Lin Zhiyi felt relieved, but she still ate like before, only picking from the dishes in front of her.
By chance, there was only a plate of wishful vegetable, commonly known as bean sprouts, in front of her.
She wanted to eat meat.
If she were at the small table, she could use Liu He's hand to have some meat.
Now...
Drinking beverages, eating bean sprouts.
Suddenly, the turntable spun.
Lin Zhiyi's eyes lit up; she finally didn't have to eat bean sprouts.
But then, the maid brought the dishes around again.
Once again, it was the plate of bean sprouts!
By the fifth bite of bean sprouts, Lin Zhiyi felt they were going to sprout in her stomach mixed with the beverage.
At this moment, the man beside her ignored dining etiquette and stood up directly.
A pot of chicken soup, two legs, he gave one to Xingxing and one to Lin Zhiyi.
"Eat."
Lin Zhiyi: "..."
Xingxing: "..."
Everyone: "..."
Someone laughed, "Lao San, there are only two legs, your family took both."
Lin Zhiyi's face turned red, embarrassed to eat.
Gong Chen liked the words the whole family and looked at Lin Zhiyi, murmuring, "This is called first come, first served."
"Lao San is actually joking now; the sun must be rising from the west."
Ren Xiya chimed in, "Third Brother calls this being considerate. Being a dad is different; there's a sense of care now."
Someone nudged their husband beside them.
"Others know to take things for their family, you just think about eating yourself."
"Alright, madam, what do you want to eat? I'll get it for you. Lao San has set the precedent; today is New Year's Eve, no need to follow those rules."
The man playfully stood up.
Others burst out laughing; it felt like New Year now.
Except for the dark-faced Old Mr. Gong and Gong Yao.