Chapter 468: Chapter 468: I Can Take Her Last Name Too
Lin Zhiyi stood upright in the hall, feeling the sense of oppression coming from all directions.
Her spine involuntarily stiffened inch by inch.
She should have known long ago that her thoughts were not worth mentioning in the eyes of these people.
But when said publicly, the plan seemed to turn into a joke.
She was worried that her plan might harm Gong Chen and Sang Li instead.
In that moment, Lin Zhiyi’s hand warmed, completely enveloped by the man’s palm.
The man’s fingertip scratched her hand back, as if to comfort her.
A moment later, Gong Chen picked up a teacup and took a sip, eyes half-lowered, his expression unfazed.
“What do you want to do?”
Old Mr. Gong glanced coldly at Lin Zhiyi and chuckled: “I just pity Sang Ran. She was sincere to you, willing to bear the child for you despite her illness. If you don’t acknowledge her child, it might cause public criticism.”
Gong Chen’s eyes were full of contemplation, and he said nonchalantly: “You want me to acknowledge this unrelated child?”
Old Mr. Gong said meaningfully, “Sang Ran was your deceased wife, her child naturally is your child.”
“Do you intend to let outsiders know that you deceived your gravely ill wife because of Lin Zhiyi and that illegitimate child, making her bear a child she entirely didn’t want?”
“Gong Chen, others might not dare speak against you. But what about Lin Zhiyi and her daughter?”
“Respect for the deceased is paramount. From now on, she and her daughter would bear the burden of lives, never able to stand openly by your side in this lifetime.”
“Do I need to explain which is more important?”
Old Mr. Gong’s words fell slowly, like a huge stone pressing on Lin Zhiyi’s chest, making it hard for her to breathe.
She suddenly realized why her proposed plan went so smoothly.
Because, Old Mr. Gong didn’t care whether Sang Ran’s child was Gong Chen’s.
What he wanted was just Sang Ran’s child, especially one left before her death.
If the child was Gong Chen’s, all the better, legitimate and justifiable.
If not, he could still have Gong Chen acknowledge it by marital name.
After all, the marriage between Gong Chen and Sang Ran was well known.
Even if they divorced before her death, with her passing, a child left behind by the Gong Family would only become a celebrated story in high society.
No one would oppose it.
If Gong Chen publicly declared that his marriage to Sang Ran was fake at this point, or questioned the child’s paternity,
some malintentioned people might add fuel to the fire, saying Lin Zhiyi forced Sang Ran to death, confusing Gong Chen.
Making him disregard marital ties.
People would sympathize with the deceased, never with Lin Zhiyi bringing a child.
In short, she would be condemned inside and out.
But once the child falls into Old Mr. Gong’s hands, it would surely become part of the struggle for succession in the next generation of the Gong Family.
They bear the blood of the Sang Family, acting as an intermediary constantly transporting ‘blood’ from the Sang Family to the Gong Family.
Once the interests of the Sang Family and Gong Family intertwined beyond separation.
The child would be kicked out of the Gong Family competition due to their bloodline.
Perhaps returning to the Sang Family.
Or perhaps like Gong Yan, placed in some unknown country where no one cares.
It’s quite a grand scheme,
probably prepared from the moment Old Mr. Gong controlled Sang Ran’s life and death.
Driven by benefits, those so-called elders surprisingly nodded in agreement upon hearing it.
Completely disregarding what the unborn child would face in the future.
“The Sang Family holds a significant position in Hai City, in the future the Gong Family’s business in Hai City can also have some assurance.”
“The child is also of the Sang Family, we in the Gong Family raising them, it’s only proper for them to assist.”
“It’s just a win-win outcome.”
Win?
As a mother, Lin Zhiyi could not stand listening to these elders talking about children as mere chips for the greater good.
She walked out directly, giving a mocking smile: “Congratulations everyone, I heard that pregnant woman say she’s expecting twins, the Gong Family suddenly got two grandsons, are you planning to announce one as the heir immediately?”
An elder with gray hair and beard wrinkled their face: “Nonsense! They’re not real descendants of the Gong Family, what right do they have to be heirs.”
“Since they’re not heirs, why should the Sang Family support them? Mr. Sang is still young, if he wants children, isn’t it easy? Why care about children raised by the Gong Family?” Lin Zhiyi retorted.
“The Sang father and son are sentimental, how can they ignore their daughter’s and sister’s children? They are certain to support these two children.” The elder twirled their mustache.
Others nodded in agreement.
Lin Zhiyi watched their cold speculation about human nature, a nameless fire burning within her.
“So you exploit innocent children, exploit others’ emotions for family, to achieve this so-called benefit in your mouths?”
“Elders, are you openly admitting you’re heartless and ruthless?”
The originally confident elder twirling their mustache paused.
Others also turned pale.
“Lin Zhiyi! What right do you have to interfere in the matters of the Gong Family?”
Lin Zhiyi laughed coldly: “Indeed, I have no right, so why did you bring me here? Oh, to threaten the Third Young Master with me?”
“You look down on me, belittle me, but you have to admit my value to the Third Young Master. Just like the significance of this child.”
“You don’t want to acknowledge this child, but you very well understand the child’s importance.”
“This only makes you look contradictory and incompetent.”
With these words, several aged elders began coughing, clutching their chests.
At this time, there was a loud bang on the table from the main seat.
“Lin Zhiyi! Shut up!” Mr. Gong warned.
The words had not yet dissipated when the sound of a cup shattering reached everyone’s ears.
Gong Chen’s hand slowly loosened from the table, and the fragments in his hand fell, making a clear sound.
“Did she say anything wrong? With so much ability, why must I acknowledge this child?”
He raised his eyes to look at Mr. Gong, his gaze cold: “Aren’t you always not minding having more children? You can acknowledge them too, after all, the child didn’t come out of Sang Ran’s stomach.”
“You…”
Mr. Gong was choked.
Gong Chen took the handkerchief handed over by Chen Jin: “Let me say it again, I currently only have one daughter, whether there are any more children in the future depends on Zhiyi’s availability.”
Lin Zhiyi: “…”
She was angry with the Gong family’s elders’ actions.
Now hearing Gong Chen’s words, the aura on her face instantly diminished by half.
She glared at Gong Chen.
Seeing that Gong Chen was determined to go against him, Mr. Gong snorted coldly: “The Gong Family will never acknowledge Lin Zhiyi’s daughter!”
Gong Chen said indifferently: “My daughter’s surname is Lin all the same, I can even take her surname.”
Lin Zhiyi felt a wave of heat at her back, how could he speak such nonsense so casually now?
Mr. Gong was completely silent.
But the other elders became worried.
A few years ago, they could still exert some pressure on Gong Chen within the Gong Family and the Gong Group.
But now, after Gong Chen’s expansion over the past two years, he’s even willing to hand over the heirloom ring.
This indicates that he’s no longer constrained by the Gong Family.
If they really opposed him, it might not be a good thing.
It’s just Lin Zhiyi, even if she marries in, so what?
The elders’ wavering also indicated that Mr. Gong’s power in this family was weakening day by day.
But Mr. Gong would never allow this to happen.
His face turned cold, and he said decisively: “Gong Chen, you are my son, and in such matters, you must listen to your parents, you must acknowledge the child! If not, I will make Lin Zhiyi and her daughter targets of scorn in the whole city, and that little girl has just undergone surgery and cannot withstand such fright!”
Lin Zhiyi’s heart tightened, clenching her fists, she turned around with the intention to rush forward, but was stopped by Chen Jin raising his hand.
Chen Jin signaled her to remain calm.
The next second.
Two bodyguards escorted a woman with long, straight black hair inside.