CHAPTER 582: CHAPTER 582: WILL YOU STILL LOVE ONLY LIN ZHIYI?

When Ren Xiya mentioned the assistant, Gong Yao’s expression noticeably fluctuated.

He knew very well that continuing to argue would do him no good.

Gong Yao didn’t respond to Ren Xiya’s words, only looked silently at Old Mr. Gong.

The old man stood with his hands behind his back, his expression solemn.

His eyes moved slightly, then he turned to look at Ren Xiya.

"Enough!"

"Since you already have evidence, why bother coming here and making everyone embarrassed?"

"Where is your upbringing?"

All in all, the blame was still placed on Ren Xiya.

Although Ren Xiya had no familial affection for the old man.

Seeing him publicly show favoritism to Gong Yao, her heart was still deeply pierced.

She let out a cold laugh, slightly tilted her head.

"Save the lectures for when I’ve officially claimed my ancestry, Dad, don’t you think?"

The old man’s face was tense, yet he waved his hand to have the butler arrange seats for Ren Xiya and Ren Xue.

It was akin to silently acknowledging Ren Xiya’s words.

"Dad..." Gong Yao protested unwillingly.

The old man spoke in a serious tone, "Do you want her to accuse you of framing her? Luckily, the issue of hiring someone for murder has been resolved."

Gong Yao couldn’t refute, nodded and asked, "Then how should the announcement regarding identity be made?"

"You still want to announce it? To let others laugh at me? I told you long ago to learn more from Gong Chen; he never leaves such obvious evidence!"

The old man cast him a disappointed glance before sitting down.

Gong Yao clenched his fists but didn’t dare to defy.

He could only pretend to sit graciously under everyone’s gaze.

The dinner that followed was particularly silent.

Only a few people exchanged glances.

As the meal neared its end, a dish of rice balls in sweet fermented rice appeared at the table.

Liu He noticed that it was Lin Zhiyi’s favorite, didn’t bother to call the maid but stood up to serve it herself.

Across the table, Yang Jingwei glanced at it, her lips curled as she picked up a napkin to wipe her hands.

Seemingly casually, she turned to Bai Ruoshu beside her and said, "How could such street food make it to the table?"

Bai Ruoshu glanced lightly, chuckled softly and said, "Mom, it’s nice to try something different occasionally; everyone loves it. But..."

She lifted her gaze to look at Lin Zhiyi.

"But nobody eats it every day."

Yang Jingwei covered her mouth with a mocking laugh, "It can get tiresome."

The other Gong Family ladies at the table frowned while holding their bowls.

They all heard the thinly veiled mockery from the Bai mother and daughter.

Had it not been for the Gong Family’s numerous rules, especially in front of the old man, women’s rules were even stricter, they wouldn’t remain silent.

Eating whatever the Gong Family likes, who are they to interfere?

Having lived in the Gong Family for so many years, Lin Zhiyi instantly realized that the Gong Family’s ladies and daughters were smiling warmly, but their hearts were already filled with resentment.

She gave Liu He a knowing look.

Liu He continued serving the rice balls in sweet fermented rice.

"It truly is thoughtful of Lao San, keeping in mind the abundance of women in the family, they specifically adjusted the rice ball recipe for their benefit."

"A good thing is appreciated; otherwise, why hasn’t Lao San brought other snacks to the table?"

"Mrs. Bai, Miss Bai, don’t you agree?"

Yang Jingwei and Bai Ruoshu kept their lips tightly shut.

Liu He disregarded it and directly placed the rice balls in front of Lin Zhiyi.

Lin Zhiyi handed it over to a Gong Family relative beside her.

"Sis, you don’t look well, you should eat first to warm yourself up."

Lin Zhiyi wasn’t clear on how to address collaterals.

So, among her peers, those older were all brothers and sisters.

The person paused for a moment, then nodded as she accepted it, "Alright."

She took a bite, stirred the spoon, and chuckled softly, "Mrs. Bai, maybe we should try the Bai Family’s dishes one day to broaden our horizons."

"Indeed, if the chef at home is truly that bad, it would be wise to dismiss him before the New Year’s feast embarrasses us," said one lady.

"We’re all eating as one family, eat whatever’s good, no need to be restricted," another lady chimed in.

Truly reminding the Bai mother and daughter that everyone at this table is part of the Gong Family.

It was the first time they stood united with Lin Zhiyi.

Lin Zhiyi took the bowl handed by Liu He and ate nonchalantly.

"Really tasty."

"Indeed, Lao San has a good choice," someone chimed in.

The Bai mother and daughter’s faces turned livid, yet they could only force a smile.

At this moment, Lin Zhiyi’s phone on the table received a message.

"So tasty? Eating with utter happiness."

It was Gong Chen.

Lin Zhiyi lifted her gaze and instantly met the man’s teasing and deep eyes.

She smiled as she replied to the message.

"Tasty, seeing them humbled is even happier"

"Don’t eat too much."

"Alright, alright, Third Young Master. Did you already know Ren Xiya would come?"

Lin Zhiyi asked her inner curiosity.

"I guessed, though she didn’t say much to me, thinking it’s her matter and not wanting to bother others."

"Will everything end once she’s acknowledged her ancestry?" Lin Zhiyi asked.

"Not necessarily."

Gong Chen’s answer was vague.

Lin Zhiyi quietly glanced over again, only to find Gong Chen hadn’t withdrawn his gaze, still staring intently at her.

She hurriedly signaled him not to be too obvious.

He, however, enjoyed watching more intently.

Lin Zhiyi could only lower her head and continue eating, unable to stop the smile at the corners of her mouth.

Completely ignoring Bai Ruoshu’s slightly fierce gaze from across the table.

At the main table.

Gong Chen put down his phone, only to hear the old man’s displeased voice.

"How much of today’s appearance of Ren Xiya had your involvement?"

"I haven’t expressed any opinion from start to finish. Do you wish for me to publicly oppose you recognizing an illegitimate child?" Gong Chen replied coldly.

"Gong Chen, I am your father, everything I do is for this family?"

"Including infidelity?"

"You..." The old man frowned, his beard shifted slightly, he stated sternly, "Right now you think Lin Zhiyi is young, beautiful, and easy to control. In the future? You will also find others younger, prettier, and easier to control. Even if you don’t want, there will be women who throw themselves into your arms; will you still love only Lin Zhiyi?"

From beginning to end, the old man never felt he had any issues concerning women.

Most of the men present were successful in their careers, how many had nobody outside?

Yet the wives at home remained in the primary position, never wavering.

Gong Chen wiped his hands and didn’t look at him, rather he looked at the woman eating happily.

"I will."

The old man bit his teeth slightly.

...

Near the end of the meal, Gong Shiyan walked over, placed his hand on Liu He’s shoulder.

"Xiao He, don’t eat the rice balls, pregnant women shouldn’t have them."

Everyone at the table chuckled.

"Old Two, truly attentive knowing even this, having a child at such an age."

"Xiao He is muddleheaded, knowing this is expected," Gong Shiyan didn’t mind the joking remarks.

Liu He blushed, "Quit it, I didn’t eat."

"The incense at the shrine can be overpowering, stay further away." Gong Shiyan reminded.

"Okay, you go do your thing." Liu He nodded.

Only then did Gong Shiyan leave.

Someone said, "Old Two is successful, happy with his marriage, has a child, Liu He, you just look forward to a good life."

Liu He initially intended to be modest but couldn’t help smiling.

"It’s alright."

Lin Zhiyi felt happy for Liu He.

This rare harmony between them and the Gong Family members was gratifying.

During the chat, people at the main table stood up, indicating the auspicious time mentioned by the old man was approaching.

Others also rose to follow suit.

Lin Zhiyi supported Liu He as they exited the dining room.

There were several gazes behind them, piercing.