The elevator dinged open, and Kong Chengyi stepped in, phone pressed against his ear, without so much as glancing at Lin Xiao.
Her mouth slightly parted, Lin Xiao struggled to say something but couldn't find the right words. She stared blankly as he entered the elevator, which then slowly closed its doors, separating their worlds completely.
Her dazzling handbag slipped weakly to the floor. Dressed elegantly and impeccably, Lin Xiao swayed and slowly sank onto the ground, feeling powerless. As the elevator doors shut, it suddenly dawned on her that perhaps long ago she had already lost Kong Chengyi—and with him, the right to be a respected mother.
A sleek black sports car darted swiftly through the bustling city, weaving between broad avenues, turning down one lively street after another, slipping through narrow, crisscrossing dark alleys. In less than twenty minutes, the harsh screech of braking echoed sharply as Kong Chengyi smoothly brought the car to a stop at the mouth of a cramped alley.
The dense crowd of reporters crouched along the dim street was immediately roused by the raw sound of the brakes, all turning their heads simultaneously toward the brightly lit alleyway.
Suddenly, like a shaken hive of bees buzzing "bzzz," the crowd surged forward, swarming to block Kong Chengyi as he lifted his foot to enter the narrow lane.
"Mr. Kong, is the 'Xing Weekly' report true? They say you custom-ordered Hua Lianxi because of your ex-lover? Did you design her based on your past relationship with your ex?"
"Mr. Kong, recently did you really spend every night with your ex-lover Ding Jia? Then was your public display of affection with Hua Lianxi just a lie? What do you say about deceiving everyone like this?"
Kong Chengyi pursed his lips in silence, his usual indifferent expression unchanged. His long legs strode steadily forward; despite being surrounded and blocked, he showed no trace of impatience or anger. Internally, he seemed sure that no matter how pointed the questions were, he would simply ignore them.
"Mr. Kong, how do you respond to the 'Xing Weekly' report? If you don't respond, does that mean you tacitly agree? Is it true you've rekindled feelings with your ex? Do you still deeply love her? Is the reason you've been single for years because you've been waiting for her?"
"Mr. Kong..."
"Mr. Kong..."
Dozens of reporters followed Kong Chengyi, cameras poised and ready. Yet a glamorous female journalist, relentless, squeezed up to his side, determined to snatch any possible response or thread of the story with feverish enthusiasm.
The once-quiet old residential area quickly stirred into a frenzy—flashes of magnesium light flickering, reporters jockeying to ask questions. Dark windows gradually lit up, curious residents opening them to peer out and watch the growing crowd encircle the tall, composed man.
Though the alley was only a few dozen meters, it took nearly ten minutes to traverse. All the while, Kong Chengyi's lips remained tightly pressed, his steps unwavering.
As he neared the old community, the reporters' anxiety grew. Swarms surged forward, the microphones pressed almost against his determined face.
"Mr. Kong, the entire city is watching this matter. The shares of Chengzai Group are affected—aren't you going to clarify? Aren't you afraid of causing a dramatic stock drop?"
"Mr. Kong, is Ding Jia your girlfriend or your kept mistress? You're really legally married to Hua Lianxi—isn't that cheating?"
"Mr. Kong, you were visiting Ding Jia's home late at night. Are you two living together now? Reports say her parents took out high-interest loans, which you repaid—is your relationship a financial one?"
The barrage of questions grew even sharper than before, like attempts to unearth every juicy detail that could capture public attention—to thoroughly expose the tangled love triangle among Kong Chengyi, Hua Lianxi, and Ding Jia. No chance to lose sight of the man present in person.
Stopping before the community's rusted iron gate, Kong Chengyi's dark eyes quickly scanned the scene. A faint, mocking smile curved his lips.
"No response means tomorrow you'll receive a lawyer's letter for fabricating facts. Those who don't receive one can consider themselves no longer seeing the sun tomorrow—because your media outlet will become a subsidiary of Chengzai Group!"
The female reporter, about to fire another sharp question, froze, mouth open in shock as she stared at Kong Chengyi, who smiled coldly yet radiated menace. Suddenly, she dreaded whether she'd be the one receiving a lawyer's letter—or if her outlet would be absorbed by the conglomerate. Neither option was pleasant, and either might cost her her job and future in media.
Coldly pursing his lips, Kong Chengyi pushed open the iron gate with one hand. Amid the stunned and disoriented crowd blocking the entrance, he casually strode into Ding Jia's community, leaving everyone behind.
"Did he really say that?"
"Does he really have the power to buy out all those different media groups?"
"With Chengzai Group's strength, can't Kong Chengyi crush a few magazines? How stupid are we to keep pestering him and ask such silly questions?"
"Aren't we just following the exclusive report from 'Xing Weekly'? The responsibility should lie with them, right?"
...
Suddenly, the once-eager mob turned on each other, questioning who was responsible, each speculating on Kong Chengyi's warnings. They secretly knew he meant business—worried that their uncontrolled pursuit could lead to lawsuits and even the collapse of their companies, jeopardizing their livelihoods.
The crowd quickly dispersed in confusion and mutual accusations, while the 'Xing Weekly' microphone was silently withdrawn. Dressed lightly, Cai Meiren waved to the cameraman to leave the questioning crowd, then quietly slipped away from the throng.
"Open up, it's me!" Standing at Ding Jia's door, Kong Chengyi's long, well-defined fingers gripped his phone. His usually impassive features faintly wavered with concern, but only those very close to him would notice.
Behind the old door, Kong Chengyi heard the locks click open, making him furrow his brows. He then dialed Ke Jie. "Check the media crowd blocking Ding Jia's building. Send lawyer letters tomorrow to those fabricating rumors, and start preparing acquisitions for pliable outlets."
A pale foot came into view, accompanied by a gaunt face still marked with tear stains. Her large eyes, swollen like walnuts, timidly looked at him. Kong Chengyi's hard, cold heart was gently touched.
He quickly ended the call and reached out to pull the frail woman into his arms.
Holding her sturdy waist tightly, Ding Jia closed her eyes contentedly and nestled against his warm chest. A beautiful curve formed on her lips; her formerly weak heartbeat suddenly felt alive, as if infused with great strength.
Lawyer letters? Acquisitions?
Kong Chengyi must truly love her; otherwise, why would he so boldly strike against the rampant media encroachment with no holding back?!
"Don't be afraid, I'm here." His large hand gently stroked her smooth hair. Kong Chengyi rested his firm chin on her forehead and softly promised, "They won't bother you anymore. They won't be lurking beneath your window again."
Clinging tighter to his slender arms, Ding Jia sobbed softly at his vow, "Yi… boo hoo… boo hoo…"
"Be good, don't cry anymore. If you keep crying, you'll damage your eyes!" Using his fingertip, he wiped away her tears, holding her as they entered the house. "You don't need to care about those lying media—they shamelessly fabricate sensational stories just to boost sales."
"Yi, why are the paparazzi so ruthless? How did they find out about me? Did I ruin your reputation? It's all my fault—I never should have come back!" Ding Jia wept softly, her tearful gaze fixed on Kong Chengyi like a fragile woman.
"This has nothing to do with you. It's just low journalism digging you up to boost sales and drag you into the scandal. Don't overthink it." As he comforted Ding Jia, Kong Chengyi also mused on 'Xing Weekly's' far-reaching power—they'd dug up his past with Ding Jia and even published photos of his recent nighttime visits here, presenting them as irrefutable evidence. He had to find this person and show no mercy.
"But now… now everyone calls me the 'other woman.' Even though your relationship with her was just a financial deal, you did legally register your marriage with her. Legally speaking, you're married. I'm the third party!" She had thought they just signed a contract, never imagining it was an official, lawful marriage. As long as they didn't divorce, she'd bear the infamous label of "the other woman." She wouldn't accept that shame. Besides, Kong Chengyi had always belonged to her—no one could take him away!
Thinking of the marriage certificate he kept locked in a safe, Kong Chengyi's dark eyes stared out the window, offering no response.
Just moments ago, he had gently comforted her; now, he seemed as distant as a stranger. Ding Jia pouted immediately, big tears streaming down her delicate cheeks.
"Yi, maybe I should leave. Only if I leave will you avoid the accusations of infidelity, and your 'custom wife' can become your true love—the real spouse! I… I will still bless you…" Gradually, she sobbed uncontrollably, gasping for breath, clutching her chest as if unable to bear the pain of leaving.
"What's wrong? Stop talking! Sit down and rest!" Suddenly noticing her pained expression, Kong Chengyi hurriedly scooped her up and placed her gently on the sofa.