"Are you alright?" Xia Honglang said immediately. "Everything online is nonsense. I've already had the company prepare a press release to clarify things tomorrow. You..."
"Oh, I'm fine," Aunt Liu smiled shyly at Xia Honglang before continuing with her work. "If it were before, I might have been scared or at a loss.
But after Qing Tian was slandered and insulted online for so long, and we all knew those words were false, I've come to terms with it.
Why bother with strangers who can attack you so recklessly?
Besides, with you, Qing Tian, and Qing Yu, I'm not afraid of anything."
Aunt Liu looked at Xia Honglang with some apology. "The research institute's live broadcast today... if it weren't for me, maybe... he wouldn't have done that. I'm sorry."
Aunt Liu knew very well that Xiang Xueyuan's actions today were definitely motivated by personal grudges.
If Xia Honglang's banner had simply contained a blessing instead of that sarcastic remark, it could have caused a huge uproar, leading to immeasurable losses for Xia Honglang and the Xia Corporation.
Regardless, Aunt Liu felt she had implicated Xia Honglang and Xia Qing Tian, and this made her feel extremely distressed.
She worried about Xia Honglang more than herself.
"It's alright, it was my oversight." Xia Honglang might be naive, but that didn't mean he'd be fooled by people who plotted against him, mistaking their ill intentions for kindness.
Whether it was Xiang Xueyuan extending an olive branch earlier or making veiled accusations at the press conference this time, Xia Honglang's earlier good impression of Xiang Xueyuan had completely vanished.
If he hadn't misunderstood the meaning of "Heh, I'm truly grateful," he couldn't even imagine the consequences today.
However, this didn't mean he would vent his frustration on Aunt Liu.
Moreover, Aunt Liu had warned him before. It was his own fault for not reacting immediately and taking precautions; he couldn't blame others.
"Sigh..." Aunt Liu didn't know what to say. She lowered her eyes slightly, unsure of what she could do to make Xiang Xueyuan leave her and those around her alone.
Seeing Aunt Liu like this, Xia Honglang felt a pang of sadness. He should protect her.
With that thought, Xia Honglang walked directly to Aunt Liu, embraced her, and gently patted her back, coaxing her softly, "It's alright, it's alright."
Leaning in Xia Honglang's embrace, Aunt Liu felt as if she had found her anchor and her heart felt less heavy.
"Yikes~"
As the couple embraced, they heard Xia Qing Tian's voice from nearby. Both parents blushed and immediately looked over.
"It seems Qing Yu and I came back too early, didn't we?" Xia Qing Tian said, with her arm around Xia Qing Yu's shoulder, smiling at Aunt Liu and Xia Honglang. "Should we go out again and come back in half an hour?"
"I think that's a good idea," Xia Qing Yu had been worried that Aunt Liu might be upset by the trending topic. On the way back, she had been discussing strategies with Xia Qing Tian.
To her surprise, upon returning, she saw such a scene. Xia Qing Yu also breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as Aunt Liu was fine, she was at ease.
Hearing her daughters' teasing, Aunt Liu blushed deeply. "If you keep this up, there'll be no snacks for you!"
Upon hearing about snacks, Xia Qing Tian and Xia Qing Yu immediately pleaded for mercy, each trying to outdo the other with sweet words, praising Aunt Liu's beauty and dexterity.
This made Aunt Liu's eyes curve into a smile, a sweet one.
While eating snacks, the family of four discussed how to deal with the online rumors.
"Xia Corporation issuing a press release isn't very effective, really. People prefer to imagine things rather than hear the truth," Xia Qing Tian pointed out the problem.
"Yes, everyone is still caught up in the excitement and making wild guesses. No matter what statement is made, those who want to stir trouble will find fault with even punctuation," Xia Qing Yu sighed, her dislike for Xiang Xueyuan growing.
Why was this person so persistent? She thought everything would get better once they left Finland.
Who would have thought...
"Should we send a lawyer's letter and pursue legal action against those spreading rumors?" Xia Honglang suggested. "I can have the legal department handle it."
"That's only one aspect, and it won't do much to protect Aunt Liu's reputation," Xia Qing Tian said, eating a delicious snack, her beautiful eyes happily narrowed.
"I think you don't need to worry about me. People enjoy gossip. Once this blows over, it'll be fine," Aunt Liu didn't want to trouble them. "Many people questioned me back then, but I've gotten through it all these years.
Let those who spread rumors do as they please; just ignore them.
We still have our own lives to live."
"But we can't just let them get away with it," Xia Qing Yu frowned. If this matter wasn't dealt with, it might be brought up again and mocked at any time, turning into an endless nightmare for Aunt Liu.
Xia Qing Yu couldn't accept that her mother, the victim, had to endure such unfair treatment.
"You all know what kind of person I am best. I only care about your thoughts. I can't control everyone's feelings, nor can I live my life for everyone to see and prove what kind of person I am," Aunt Liu was already very happy to have the support of her family.
Her life today was hard-earned, and Aunt Liu only wanted to cherish her small family.
Other matters could wait.
Things would work themselves out, she believed that the innocent would remain innocent.
"Perhaps... we can," Xia Qing Tian said suddenly, tilting her head while biting on a small fork. "Show them. There's no harm in that."
"Hmm?" The rest of the Xia family's gazes all turned to Xia Qing Tian.
"Aunt Liu, let's do a live broadcast," Xia Qing Tian said to Aunt Liu. "Maybe it will work!"
"Live broadcast?" Aunt Liu was stunned. "Me? Live broadcast what? I can't do it, I don't know anything!"
"Who says! You're great at making pastries!" Xia Qing Tian's eyes lit up. "Let's live broadcast making pastries! Specifically, let's improve these high-calorie pastries! We'll live broadcast tonight! Right now!"
"Ah?!" Aunt Liu was flabbergasted.
In less than thirty minutes, Xia Qing Tian had Gu Yaoyang contact a reliable team. They set up lights and props directly in the Xia family's kitchen and began the live broadcast.
Aunt Liu was completely put on the spot, standing very unnaturally in front of the camera.
"Aunt Liu, don't worry, we'll be with you," Xia Qing Tian said, giving Aunt Liu a thumbs-up. "For the first live broadcast, we'll use my account. If it goes well, I'll create a separate account for you. If not, we'll try another method."
"Mom, don't be nervous," Xia Qing Yu was much more nervous than Aunt Liu now, but she trusted Xia Qing Tian; her sister was the smartest.
"I'll be with you," Xia Honglang nodded at Aunt Liu. "I'll assist you the whole time."
"We will too!" Xia Qing Tian also gave an ok gesture.
Just then, Xia Shang returned from work and looked a bit bewildered at the extra people in the house.
What was going on?
Despite having countless questions, Xia Shang obediently took the dessert Aunt Liu made and returned to his room to rest after Xia Qing Tian handed it to him.
Meanwhile, at the research institute, Xiang Xueyuan's brow was furrowed, his expression grave.
He hadn't intended to involve Liu Nuoran.
This was an accident.