Shao Lin nodded, her voice choked with sobs, "If it weren't for that, why would Su Ding have pushed me this far..."
"Damn it! Su Ding is not human!"
Seeing Zhao Qin turn red with anger and curse incessantly, Shao Lin felt a small measure of comfort. She held Zhao Qin's hand and pleaded, "Auntie, you must help me keep this child, please."
Crying, she struggled to get out of bed to kneel before Zhao Qin.
Zhao Qin was so startled she almost lost her wits. She quickly pulled Shao Lin up. "Child, what are you doing? Auntie will definitely help you. How can Su Ding, that little slut, ruin the bloodline of my Jin family!"
As she spoke, her voice grew more severe, laced with deep hatred.
Shao Lin felt immense joy. She had finally waited for this day. Gratefully, she wept, "Thank you, Auntie..."
In the following days, Xiao Yuan was almost worked to death.
The public opinion came wave after wave, even digging up old scandals of Su Ding seducing male celebrities. Media reporters began investigating Su Ding's residence.
And the kindergarten where her child attended.
Suddenly, the topic of Su Ding on the internet became increasingly heated.
Even though they knew someone was manipulating things behind the scenes, they could never pinpoint the source.
Seeing these news reports, Zhao Qin sent a satisfied message to Shao Lin, "Everything is proceeding according to plan."
Shao Lin also paid close attention to these developments. Watching the online attacks against Su Ding, the hatred in her heart was finally vented.
"Abandoned by CEO Jin and found a new sugar daddy, this woman has such methods!"
"Since when are single mothers so marketable?"
"With a face like a vixen, all she knows is how to seduce men. Without proper social guidance, what right does she have to be an artist!"
Not only were there online comments, but there were also many gossip groups.
"Latest news, someone found out that Su Ding also opened a restaurant on Jianhe East Road, called 'Ding Xia'..."
"Let's go check it out. It might be a place for shady dealings."
"This news is already old. I heard some anti-fans have already gone to the store to throw eggs. It was quite a scene!"
"Really? Post pictures!"
The internet was abuzz, and Ding Xia was forced to close its doors.
Su Ding arranged for her employees to take their upcoming leave at home and officially began her own period of rest at home.
She knew that as soon as she stepped out, she would be targeted by paparazzi.
So, she could only try her best to avoid being exposed to the public eye.
Although she didn't check the news much, her situation was widely discussed, and she had heard about it. Many friends had even called to express their concern.
Xin Jiɑ'er, who was accompanying Xue Zhiqiɑo abroad for events, quickly called after seeing domestic entertainment news, urging her to adjust her mindset, as public opinion was always transient. Xie Shɑnshɑn also sent a WeChat message, asking if she needed any help.
But she politely declined. She had already experienced something like this last year.
However, she still wondered who was truly behind this incident.
Just as Su Ding was struggling, Xu Rong's call unexpectedly came through.
Recalling that Zhang Gang had been taken away and "repaired" by Jin Ye's people after kidnapping her a few days ago, she figured it was time for the results to be known.
As soon as the call connected, Xu Rong got straight to the point.
"Su Ding, I will sign the settlement agreement. I am willing to divide the assets with Si Wei. Stop sending people to beat up Zhang Gang. I admit we don't have your background. I concede."
"But as Si Wei's mother, I still want to beg you, please don't let Si Wei hate me."
Xu Rong's voice was filled with exhaustion.
When she saw her beloved man return with a bruised and swollen face, she was terrified. Especially after hearing it was because of the lawsuit with her son, and that Zhang Gang had been beaten, she felt even more guilty. She no longer wanted to continue the dispute.
Upon hearing Xu Rong's tone, Su Ding realized that Zhang Gang had clearly not told her the whole truth.
However, she was too lazy to bring it up, lest she be accused of sowing discord in their marriage again. As long as Si Wei's affairs were resolved, she didn't want to say anything more.
"Xu Rong, whether Si Wei hates you or not depends on your future actions."
Su Ding said calmly and then hung up.
Half an hour later, her lawyer called, stating that Xu Rong had just submitted the settlement agreement. Once the assets were transferred, he would go to court to withdraw the lawsuit.
This matter was officially concluded.
Wang Si Wei did not show any particular joy or other emotions upon seeing the assets in his account. Instead, he looked up at Su Ding.
"Auntie Su Ding, I want to entrust these to you for safekeeping," Wang Si Wei said softly, still feeling a little nervous, as Su Ding had already helped him so much.
Su Ding looked at Wang Si Wei in surprise but quickly understood.
After all, he was still young, and keeping the money himself could be risky. Moreover, Wang Si Wei might be expressing his trust in her in another way.
"Alright, I will give them to you when you come of age," Su Ding said, stroking his hair gently.
Wang Yan's remaining assets were substantial, no wonder Zhang Gang had tried so hard to get his hands on them.
However, these assets were not much to Su Ding at this point.
Seeing that Su Ding had accepted, Wang Si Wei's dejected eyes gradually lit up. "Thank you, Auntie!"
Su Ding smiled warmly. "You're welcome."
Just then, Jin Xiao Xi and Su Xiao Rui came in and whispered something to Wang Si Wei, who seemed quite happy.
As Su Ding was leaving the children's room to return to her own room to rest.
She suddenly noticed a small figure behind her.
Turning her head, she saw Xiao Xi?
"Mom."
Jin Xiao Xi called out softly when he saw his mother notice him.
However, on his handsome little face, the joy he had displayed in front of Wang Si Wei was gone, replaced by a hint of seriousness.
He looked exactly like Jin Ye.
Su Ding could tell her son seemed to have something on his mind, so she pulled him into the room.
"What's wrong?" Su Ding asked her son with concern.
"Mom, there are so many people on the internet scolding you now..."
Jin Xiao Xi hesitated for a moment before saying it softly.
Su Ding's heart skipped a beat, her expression momentarily stiffening and faltering, followed by a hint of panic.
Oh no, she had forgotten that her son was a computer whiz.
Besides his schoolwork, Xiao Xi had a very strong interest in computers.
He had previously used his location tracking to sneak to the Southern Territory alone to find her.
How could these online rumors not have reached his ears by now...
Xiao Xi was already smarter than most children, and now that he was growing up, some of the comments were even unspeakable. What would he think?
His respected stepmother had an affair with his sugar daddy father at the wedding...
Thinking this, Su Ding's expression grew increasingly distressed.
However, Xiao Xi's attitude towards her still seemed very dependent. Perhaps he trusted her.
"Xiao Xi... regarding those things... I..."
Su Ding carefully chose her words, not wanting her child to form a bad impression of her.
Even though she was a victim at the time, it was still difficult to articulate.
After all, she was facing her child.