Chapter 99
Lin Ting stepped out of the elevator as if she had lost her soul. She pushed open the door downstairs, and the strong early summer sunlight stung her eyes. She squinted and felt dizzy.
The vibration of her phone snapped her out of her dizziness; it was a call from Zhang Ying.
What was bound to happen will happen.
She knew very well how this phone call would end.
He pressed the answer button and said, "Okay, I'll be at the company in a bit."
Lin Ting was worried about how to avoid the entertainment reporters at the door when a familiar voice sounded behind her, "I'll take you to the company."
Lin Ting got into Han Ming's car. She didn't ask him why he was here again, nor did she try to guess what he meant.
Lin Ting kept her head down the whole way, staring blankly ahead.
The car was so quiet you could hear the other person breathing.
It was only when Lin Ting got out of the car that Han Ming spoke, "I'll wait for you here, don't be afraid."
The hardships will eventually pass, and we will all be reborn.
That's all. I'll take you home.
Lin was taken aback. "Can you take me back to my hometown?" The elderly don't travel far from home; she should go back.
Han Ming smiled. "Of course."
"Okay, thank you!"
Lin Ting looked at the towering M Group building in front of her. She knew that countless strange looks and unpleasant gossip awaited her inside, but she was not afraid and walked in confidently.
This is her workplace, and she has a clear conscience about her work. Even if she is framed for plagiarism, she believes that it didn't happen and that's her greatest source of confidence. She wants to stand upright and act justly.
She wanted to finish everything she was doing and return to her hometown alone. No matter what, her mother would be there waiting for her to come home.
This is not escapism; it is her best destination.
Zhang Ying was already waiting in the office. Lin Ting pushed the door open and went in. On the desk, there was a "Resignation Agreement".
Zhang Ying watched her walk in, her eyes filled with helplessness and regret. She genuinely admired Lin Ting's talent and sincerely wanted to nurture her as her successor. She also knew that Lin Ting hadn't plagiarized and that her relationship with Chen Zhiyi wasn't as rumored online. However, she was powerless and under pressure from higher-ups to protect the brand's reputation, she had no choice but to abandon Lin Ting. Furthermore, she couldn't silence public opinion.
Lin Ting knew Zhang Ying's difficulties and didn't blame her at all. On the contrary, she was grateful. Since joining the M Group, she had received too much help from Zhang Ying, and this time it was her turn to repay her. She smiled at Zhang Ying, shrugged, pretending to be relaxed, and said nothing. She opened the agreement, found the place to sign, picked up the pen on the table, and wrote her name.
There was no discussion of compensation or blame. Zhang Ying felt even more guilty. When she saw Lin Ting writing down the last stroke, she couldn't bear it, so she held Lin's hand, her eyes reddening, and said, "I'm sorry."
Lin Ting held her hand and carefully finished writing the last stroke.
It's over.
Zhang Ying lowered her eyes, her voice a little hoarse, "I've already spoken with the HR department, they'll treat it as a dismissal, and they'll give you whatever compensation is due. The spring performance bonus will be calculated and given to you in advance."
Lin Ting didn't want to be a good person; she needed money to start over back in her hometown, so she accepted the money. "Thank you, boss."
Zhang Ying went over and hugged her. "Gold will shine wherever it is. Even if it gets covered in dust, it's just that its brilliance is being obscured. When it reappears, it will still be dazzling. Don't be discouraged. Don't let people who are unimportant to you influence you to deny yourself or abandon your talent and abilities. I look forward to the day you stand up again."
"Thank you, boss." Lin Ting was very grateful. Working at M Group was her first job after graduation. When many people recall their first job, they are mostly confused and aimless. They have a short working time, are inexperienced after graduation, do not handle relationships with colleagues well, and do not get the attention of their leaders.
But when Lin Ting looked back on her time at M Group, she found a good mentor, made a close friend, got along well with her colleagues, achieved many impressive results, got promoted, was on the list of employees who received a raise every year, and her work ability was recognized by her superiors. Despite the ups and downs and frictions, overall, she met many wonderful people, had many memorable experiences, and contributed her own value.
So she didn't fail in her career; she succeeded. She achieved something that many people in the workplace haven't.
While tidying up his desk, Lu Fan and Song Xiaolei came over to help. After more than five years at M Group, they never expected that all the things they could take with them could fit into a small cardboard box.
Lu Fan didn't say anything, he just patted Lin Ting on the shoulder, everything was understood without words.
Lin Ting's eyes reddened again. "Thank you, Master."
Song Xiaolei hugged Lin Ting and said, "We don't need to say too much. We can keep in touch anytime. I'll come to your big apartment tonight to eat snail rice noodles and skewers."
In Song Xiaolei's eyes, even if Lin Ting's career suffers, she is definitely the winner in love. Chen Zhiyi's affection for her is obvious to everyone.
Lin Ting didn't want to explain too much. "Okay." She picked up her suitcase. "No need to see me off. Leave me some dignity. When I joined the company, I walked in alone full of confidence. Now that I'm leaving, I want to walk out alone with my head held high. I have done my job well for the company and I have no debts to them."
The two of them said together, "Okay."
Song Xiaolei will always remember Lin Ting's back that day. There was no trace of a loser fleeing in defeat. Instead, he was resolute, self-reliant, and had the air of a victor.
When Song Xiaolei first met Lin Ting, she felt that Lin Ting looked ordinary, but she had great strength inside her. It seemed that nothing could defeat her. She didn't ask for help from others and solved problems on her own. She didn't ask for credit for doing good deeds. She never refused to help others and never asked for anything in return.
She couldn't understand why someone would try to harm her, someone who was unassuming, quiet, and hardworking. Were they even human?
As Lin Ting carried the box out of the elevator, she saw Yao Yanyan standing in the aisle. Lin Ting knew perfectly well that she had deliberately stood there waiting for her.
Lin Ting stepped out of the elevator without speaking or lingering. The matter was now clear; the accusation of plagiarism was obvious. There was no mole, no inside collusion. How could a third-rate middleman possibly escape the strict scrutiny of the supply management department?
Yao Yanyan called out to Lin Ting, "Now you know who the ultimate victor is? You will always be my defeated opponent."
Lin Ting didn't want to waste her breath arguing with her. Greedy and selfish people wouldn't admit their mistakes and would even blame others for them. But considering that this might be the last time they met, she still wanted to teach her a lesson.
Turning around, he looked at Yao Yanyan and said, "In terms of betrayal, I am indeed your loser, but my design ability, my keen sense of fashion, and the fact that my designs are always my own are things you can never catch up to in your lifetime."
Yao Yanyan gritted her teeth and stepped forward angrily, "What are you so proud of? Look at yourself clearly. Now you're the one who's being fired with your suitcase and slinking away in disgrace."
Lin Ting chuckled, "Fine, I wish you never end up like me." After saying that, she picked up the box and started to walk away, but stopped after taking only two steps. She had been holding back too much resentment for the past two days and needed to vent it. She didn't want to hold back anymore. She turned her head again, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned, with a hint of provocation in her smile, "I heard you just bought a large apartment. You're quite rich. Keep your sugar daddy hidden so that no one else can target you."
The night before last, when Lin Ting and Song Xiaolei were having a late-night snack together, Xiaolei casually mentioned it. It was a newly opened real estate development with a good location and complete surrounding facilities. Xiaolei accompanied her parents to take a look, and as a result, she saw Yao Yanyan signing a purchase contract with the sales staff. She asked out of curiosity and learned that Yao Yanyan had bought a large 200-square-meter flat on the top floor with excellent natural light.
Song Xiaolei clicked her tongue in disapproval, "This girl's private life is still quite messy. It seems she's changed sugar daddies again. I heard she paid several million at once."
Upon hearing the word "sugar daddy," what suddenly occurred to Lin Ting? And Yao Yanyan's behavior at that moment confirmed her guess.
Whether Yao Yanyan actively pursued Qin Fei, or Qin Fei sought out Yao Yanyan, Lin Ting no longer cared. Can wealth gained at the expense of others truly be held onto forever? He could only wish her that her dreams wouldn't be shattered one day.
The elevator doors opened again, and Song Xiaolei rushed out, calling out to Lin Ting and turning on her phone, "Quick, listen!"
It was a recording with a black screen; there was no picture, only sound. Lin Ting could tell that it was the voices of Chen Zhiyi and Qin Qiang.
The recording screen is composed of several segments. From beginning to end, it shows Qin Qiang constantly asking Chen Zhiyi for money. He has broken the law and done wrong, and he needs money to cover his losses.
What's most despicable is that Qin Qiang kept using Lin Ting's reputation to blackmail Chen Zhiyi for money.
Lin Ting then realized that he hadn't come to visit Lin Qin on New Year's Eve specifically to ask for money. It was also on that day that he had approached Chen Zhiyi, which was why the phone on the balcony and the constant vibrations of her phone late at night were all calls from him urging her to pay. And this was only what Lin Ting saw and heard; without a doubt, there was much more she hadn't seen or heard.
It's unbelievable that such a good person like Chen Zhiyi has been bothered by a disgusting maggot for so long. If it weren't for his own sake, Chen Zhiyi would probably have sent it to where it was supposed to go.
His love for him became the sharpest blade Qin Qiang held to his neck, utterly shameful!
At that moment, the last shred of respect Lin Ting had for her father completely crumbled.
The audio recording went viral on Weibo within moments of being uploaded.
"Lin Ting's father exposed"
"Lin Ting's father asked Chen Zhiyi for money to record an audio message."
"Lin Ting's father is suspected of accepting bribes"
Lin Ting's father is under investigation by the Discipline Inspection Commission.
"Chen Zhiyi was blackmailed for love"
...
In an instant, a storm of discussion and a torrent of negative comments erupted.
"This audio recording confirms that Chen Zhiyi did talk to Lin Ting, and he must love her very much, which is why he was blackmailed by her father for money."
"Is my brother blind? There are so many beautiful women in the entertainment industry, yet he's set his sights on the daughter of an economic criminal."
"The one with the most innocent-looking face is the best at lying."
"My brother is so pitiful. He was deceived both emotionally and financially."
“Lin Ting’s father is a public official, this is blatant defiance of the law! He’s involved in bribery, embezzlement, and tax evasion.
"Like father, like daughter. With a father of such despicable character, how could his daughter be any better? Her methods are truly sophisticated. I suspect she started scheming to get close to Chen Zhiyi as soon as he became the spokesperson for the M Group. Fortunately, her mask has been torn off now. I hope Chen Zhiyi can see her true colors."
"There's no need to clarify the plagiarism anymore; it's a done deal. It's disgusting. He must have gotten on the show because of Chen Zhiyi's connections."
"It is said that Lin Ting's mother is also a bad person and had an extramarital affair."
"You're wrong. I was classmates with Lin Ting when I was a child. Her father had an extramarital affair, and she was raised by her mother."
"Whether it's her father or her mother, there's this nasty gene in her family."
"Chen Zhiyi, quickly see the truth about him and break up with him."
"Yes, open your eyes and break up!"
...
Lin Ting's eyes were filled with fear, her palms were ice-cold and trembling uncontrollably, and she could barely hold her phone.
Song Xiaolei grabbed Lin Ting's hand, offering her warmth and calming her down. "Quickly call your brother-in-law. I'm certain he loves you and won't break up with you. And right now, we need to find a way to delete the audio recording and remove it from the trending topics."
Lin Ting was in a panic, her mind went blank, she couldn't remember anything, and she stared blankly at Song Xiaolei.
Song Xiaolei urged again, "Take out your phone and make a call."
Lin Tingji reacted mechanically, muttering to himself, "Yes, make a call, make a call." He shakily took his phone out of his bag and opened WeChat.
A message popped up in the top chat box, and Lin Ting was overjoyed. However, after clicking on it, everything was gone.
Lin Ting recognized every word that was sent, but at this moment they seemed so unfamiliar, so deadly, causing her unbearable pain.
"I'm sorry, let's break up. Faced with love and career, I've chosen my career this time."
At this moment, the Weibo hot search list on the mobile phone screen suddenly appeared again: "Chen Zhiyi's breakup statement".
My relationship with Ms. Lin Ting began through work, but we broke up due to personality clashes. Recently, this unsuitable relationship has been taking up too much public resources and causing a lot of negative impact. Therefore, I will suspend my work for reflection and will return to the public with a completely new image. Regarding the criminal facts of Ms. Lin Ting's father, I have submitted the relevant evidence to the judicial authorities and am actively cooperating with the investigation.
I am deeply sorry.
Chen Zhiyi
Lin Ting lowered her hands, looked up at the sky and smiled, trying to hold back the tears she was holding back, but there were too many, like pearls that had fallen from a broken string, constantly slipping down. The bitter taste that landed on her lips spread in her heart. It turns out that heartache to a certain degree can really kill you, and you can no longer feel the pain. There was no hysterical crying, only a desperate silence.
Yes, who do you think you are? With his status and position, countless women would chase after him. Why would he bother with you?
Sincerity? Sincerity is rare, but it can also change in an instant! A bright future, a prosperous career, power, fame, and fortune—no one is willing to give them up.
Lin Ting then realized that he had been a joke from beginning to end.
Song Xiaolei looked at Lin Ting, who seemed utterly lost. She had never seen Lin Ting like this before. She didn't have time to think about why her brother-in-law, whom she considered a pure love warrior, would issue such a breakup statement. She only felt that there must be a misunderstanding, but she couldn't sort out her thoughts. She hugged Lin Ting tightly, comforting her and warming her cold body.
"Xiaolei, I want to go home. Can you take me back to Pear Town?"
"good."
Accompanied by Song Xiaolei, Lin Ting walked out of the M Group gate in a daze, and was surrounded by reporters waiting outside.
Lin could not see each of their faces clearly, but he could hear them constantly questioning him and demanding an explanation.
When did you and Chen Zhiyi start dating?
[Has being fired by M Group and the program team meant he admitted to plagiarism?]
Did you seduce Chen Zhiyi to start your relationship?
Are you aware of your father's situation? How will you explain it?
Every word they uttered was like a tight headband, causing Lin Ting a splitting headache. She wanted to escape, but she couldn't push them away no matter what she did. She was trapped inside, feeling like she couldn't breathe and was about to die.
Song Xiaolei desperately tried to block the horde of monsters and make way for Lin Ting, but her strength was too weak and she could not move an inch.
Han Ming, who had been waiting nearby, rushed out and broke the two away from the crowd of entertainment reporters.
Han Ming said to Song Xiaolei, "My car is right next to me. I'll take her back. You can go up first."
Song Xiaolei nodded, "Yes, take good care of her. She's in very bad shape right now and keeps saying she wants to go back to her hometown. You must make sure she gets back to Lizhen safely. Once she's home, have her send me a message so I can feel at ease."
"good."
Then Han Ming helped Lin Ting walk towards the car. Her face was lifeless, like a rag doll that could be manipulated at will. Han Ming felt very sorry for her. He wanted to hug Lin Ting and convey his deep love to her, to let her stop being afraid and upset, but he didn't dare. He was worried that he would frighten her, and she couldn't bear any more emotional pressure.
Just then, Lin's phone rang again, delivering devastating news...
She fell heavily to her knees and could no longer hold back her screams. Overwhelming pain engulfed her, and her regret, helplessness, and agony were all released in these cries.
Han Ming had never seen Lin Ting so broken down and out of control. He no longer hesitated and pulled her into his arms.
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