Chapter 18: Very Well Then

“Isn’t this the trending topic online? How did it end up here?”
“Clearly, someone wants to harm Lin Ting.”
“If she hadn’t done those things, no one could have hurt her.”
“What on earth is going on? This spectacle is worth watching; it’s not a wasted trip.”
“The Lin family has truly disgraced themselves this time.”
“Deservedly so. Ever since he held that recognition banquet for his illegitimate daughter, his reputation has been in ruins. He probably doesn’t care anymore.”
“Everyone has their troubles, but this is the first time I’ve seen such shame brought out in the open.”
“To cling to the Shen family and give his daughter a legitimate status, what does shame matter?”
...
The banquet hall’s screen shattered, the images on it now invisible.
Lin Jinchuan’s face flushed red as he listened to the murmurs around him, his pride shattered, his reason slipping away.
An impotent rage burned within him.
He spun around and shouted at Lin Ting, “What is this? Tell me, what is this?”
Lin Ting met his furious roar with a calm expression. “What’s wrong with this video? We were just walking together. We didn’t do anything inappropriate in public, did we? What’s wrong with me entering the same room as him? I’m an adult; am I not allowed to have a boyfriend?”
Upstairs, Shang Moting hadn’t gone far. Hearing her words, a smile curved his lips, and he raised an eyebrow.
Lin Ting continued, “Besides, can’t I meet a friend? Is meeting a friend against morality? Or have I broken some law?”
At those words, the smile in Shang Moting’s eyes vanished.
Lin Jinchuan lost all reason and could no longer hear what Lin Ting was saying.
He yelled, “Do you even know you’re a girl? So shameless! You have no sense of decency!”
“Lin Jinchuan! How can you say that!” Xia Wenxi exclaimed.
“Shut up! You have no right to speak!” Lin Jinchuan snapped at Xia Wenxi, then turned back to Lin Ting. “Can’t you survive without a man? You shameless girl, where do you leave the Lin family’s honor?”
Lin Ting narrowed her eyes slightly.
Meanwhile, Lin Shan felt the circulation of her blood ease and finally felt comfortable.
Lin Jinchuan declared, “From today on, the Lin family has no daughter named Lin Ting! It’s as if I never gave birth to you! You will have no connection with the Lin family ever again!”
Though there was no microphone, his roar echoed throughout the entire venue.
The quiet murmurs ceased instantly, and everyone fell silent.
All eyes were on Lin Jinchuan and Lin Ting—parents and children alike.
All were shocked by Lin Jinchuan’s words.
No matter what, a father should never speak like that.

Lin Ting watched Lin Jinchuan’s near-mad fury. She had intended to fire back at him to make him uncomfortable, but when she heard him say the Lin family no longer wanted her, she ignored the rest.
She paused for two seconds, suppressing the smile threatening to break out on her lips.
To sever ties like this—that was a blessing in disguise.
“A pleasant surprise,” she thought.
“You said it yourself,” Lin Ting said, “From now on, I have no relation to the Lin family.”
“Lin Ting,” Xia Wenxi called her, worried she might be speaking in anger, yet also thinking perhaps the Lin family wasn’t worth holding onto anyway.
Such a family—being far from it might be a blessing.
So she stayed silent.
“That’s right,” Lin Jinchuan said. “Before the media here today, I officially announce that Lin Ting and the Lin family will no longer be connected in any way. Whatever she does, the Lin family bears no responsibility.”
Lin Ting couldn’t help but laugh softly. “Since it’s said, don’t take it back. And please, everyone here, bear witness.”
“Take it back? Never!” Lin Jinchuan replied firmly.
“Sister, don’t say things in anger. Dad is just upset,” Lin Shan pleaded, “We are family; don’t keep fighting over this.”
“Who’s family with you?” Lin Ting shot back. “Who’s fighting with you? Do you think you’re worthy of arguing with me?”
“Sister,” Lin Shan whimpered.
Though standing below the stage, Lin Ting’s aura was as strong as anyone present—stronger even.
“Last night, you said you lost a seven-figure ring at a hotel a few days ago and used that as an excuse to check the hotel’s surveillance.” Lin Ting said, “You secretly filmed the video when the security guard wasn’t paying attention, then fed it to the media. How much did you pay the media for this scoop?”
Her team had already investigated everything before arriving.
Lin Shan was stunned for a moment. “Sister, what are you talking about?”
“Do you want me to bring that media outlet here?” Lin Ting asked.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Lin Shan said. “What media? What scoop?”
Down below, Shen Haochen had been listening and was beginning to understand the situation.
He clenched his fists, weighed the circumstances, and looked at Lin Shan.
No matter what, he truly liked Lin Shan.
So he decided to step forward and say, “Miss Lin, today is Shan Shan’s recognition and engagement banquet. Whatever the issue, can we please talk about it after today?”
Mrs. Shen immediately stood up.
She had intended to intervene, but as soon as she stood, the media cameras turned toward her.
Seeing the cameras, Mrs. Shen forced a smile, smoothed her hair, nodded politely to the media, and maintained her gentle image.
Mr. Shen, who had been holding Mrs. Shen back fearing she might act rashly, quickly shifted his hand to pat her clothes instead under the cameras’ watchful eyes.
To outsiders, the couple’s actions seemed to support Lin Shan.

But Mrs. Shen felt as if she had swallowed a fly—unbearably uncomfortable.
Lin Shan, seeing Shen Haochen step forward, felt even more confident.
With the Shen family backing her, she feared nothing.
Lin Ting glanced at Shen Haochen, paused, then smiled lightly. “Alright then.”
She said no more and turned to leave.
She walked away with such grace that everyone in the banquet hall was left stunned.
The media hadn’t even reacted yet.
Even Lin Shan wondered—was that all Lin Ting had planned?
Just a verbal outburst, no real damage?
In fact, Lin Ting had come only to sever ties with the Lin family.
Lin Shan watched as Lin Ting exited the banquet hall.
Some reporters followed after her, trying to interview her but were stopped.
Lin Ting ignored the media’s questions and headed upstairs.
As she turned toward the stairs, she brushed past two people heading to the banquet hall.
One looked dazed and anxious; the other nodded at Lin Ting.
Lin Ting glanced at them and walked away.
Back in the banquet hall, Lin Jinchuan resumed his role as host. “That little incident aside, let’s continue...”
“Lin Shan! Lin Shan! You betrayed me! You promised I could threaten Lin Ting, and once you became Mrs. Shen, you’d pay me! You went back on your word! Now the police are chasing me, accusing me of kidnapping!”
Suddenly, a man burst into the banquet hall, running in while shouting frantically!
...