Chapter 26: Why Should I Touch It?

Qin Wan'er’s smear campaign was cunning; instead of targeting major platforms, she spread her rumors through underground channels. Within a single week, scandalous gossip alleging that Shi Yi had bankrupted the Chu family and seduced the eldest heir of the Ling family spread like a virus across private chat groups for socialites and wealthy housewives, as well as various niche forums and message boards. The rumors became the talk of the town.

Ling Siye, naturally, did not frequent those trivial gossip sites and remained completely unaware of the developing storm. As for the woman at the center of the controversy, Shi Yi, she was equally oblivious—simply because she never used her phone.

...

At the Shi family villa, Shi Yan wept incessantly while scrolling through the overwhelming deluge of news about Ling Siye and Shi Yi. She was consumed by hatred; why should Shi Yi try to snatch the man she had finally set her sights on?

Just then, Shi Yan’s mother, Bai Wenshu, pushed open the door. Seeing her own daughter sobbing uncontrollably, she rushed over and asked, "My dear, what is the matter?"

Shi Yan recounted the story with added embellishments, specifically detailing how Shi Yi had supposedly seduced other men at a bar before turning her attention to Ling Siye. Bai Wenshu, who had previously felt a sliver of familial affection for Shi Yi, was incensed by the thought of her daughter being so distraught over Shi Yi’s lack of propriety.

"That Shi Yi is truly something," Bai Wenshu remarked, unable to hide her disdain. "Even if she is divorced from Chu Yifan, she is now a second-hand woman. Does she have no sense of her own worth? How dare she try to steal a man from my daughter?"

"Mom, what should I do? I really like Ling Siye," Shi Yan sobbed.

Bai Wenshu’s eyes narrowed. "Shi Yi is a divorcee; how could she ever be worthy of Ling Siye? Yan'er, you are the legitimate daughter of the Shi family. In terms of background and beauty, you are in no way inferior to her. You must not let her overshadow you."

"But Mom, Shi Yi also carries the Shi name," Shi Yan pointed out.

Bai Wenshu wiped away her daughter’s tears and soothed her, "That is only because your grandfather is fond of her and wouldn't let her change her surname. But your father and I are completely on your side."

"Mom, Grandfather has been deceived by her! You have no idea what they are saying about her online. She intentionally provoked the conflict between the Chu and Ling families and caused the Chu family's bankruptcy. Her heart is truly rotten."

Bai Wenshu frowned. "Surely not. That girl shouldn't be capable of such scheming."

"Mom, don't you believe me? Let me show you the video."

Shi Yan opened the video on her phone. The accuser in the footage, claiming to be a close friend of Qin Wan'er, spoke with absolute certainty about how Shi Yi had betrayed her vows, assaulted her husband and mother-in-law, and forced Chu Yifan into a divorce. The video also displayed medical records and photos of Chu Yifan and Song Yashi.

The records clearly stated that Chu Yifan had suffered man-made fractures and multiple injuries, while Song Yashi’s hand had been maliciously crushed, resulting in fractures and amputation.

Shi Yan continued, "Mom, do you see now? How ruthless this woman is! Those were her own husband and mother-in-law, yet she could still bring herself to do that. If she hadn't hired someone to do it, who would risk their own life like that?"

"That’s why I say Shi Yi is the most calculating 'white lotus' of them all. She acts all soft and weak in front of you and Dad, but behind your backs, she has endless schemes and tricks."

After watching the video, a chill ran down Bai Wenshu’s spine. She had never imagined that the child she had raised could have such an ugly side. She felt fortunate that she had severed ties with Shi Yi after reuniting with her biological daughter. Such a vicious woman would only be a disaster if kept nearby.

"It seems we must be very wary of Shi Yi from now on," Bai Wenshu concluded.

...

At noon that day, Ling Siye received a warning call from Ling Yaoting: "Stay away from that fake daughter of the Shi family immediately, and finalize your relationship with Shi Yan as soon as possible."

Ling Siye suppressed his temper. "Since when have you been so concerned about my marriage?"

Ling Yaoting’s eagle-sharp eyes widened slightly. "I am your father, and your marriage must be decided by me. The future wife of the CEO of the Ling Corporation can never be a fake daughter cast out by the Shi family, let alone a divorcee. If you marry her, where does that leave the dignity of the Ling family?"

Ling Yaoting’s voice was laced with anger, and just as Ling Siye was about to argue back, the line went dead.

Ling Siye checked his contacts and called his mother, Jiang Xinyao. When the call connected, Jiang Xinyao, who had been watching television in the living room, quickly muted the set.

Ling Siye took a deep breath. "Mom."

Jiang Xinyao smiled warmly. "Siye, are you very busy taking over the Ling business? You haven't been home in days. Don't just focus on work; take care of your health, you hear?"

Ling Siye pulled at the corner of his mouth and said candidly, "Mom, I have a girlfriend."

"Oh, that is wonderful news!" Jiang Xinyao sat up straight, her eyes crinkling with delight. "Bring her home another day for me to see. I am not some feudal antique; as long as my son likes her, that is all that matters."

Ling Siye smiled faintly. "Mom, the problem is that Dad is not very satisfied with the girl I chose."

"Don't pay him any mind. Your father is a stubborn old fool and a cold-blooded businessman. He only thinks about maximizing his own interests; he’s blinded by money. People... if you live your whole life and end up with nothing but money, then your life is destined to be a failure." Jiang Xinyao let out a long, weary sigh.

Having spent so many years with Ling Yaoting, she would have divorced him long ago if not for the children. In the end, she realized she had been blinded herself, marrying such a man for the sake of the family business.

"Mom, you take care of your health too. I’ll come to see you when I have time."

"Be good, take care of yourself, and take care of my future daughter-in-law," Jiang Xinyao said with a radiant smile.

"I will, Mom. Goodbye!"

The call ended. Ling Siye leaned against his desk, looking through the floor-to-ceiling windows at the brilliant galaxy above, his eyes narrowing. Among the millions of stars, she was the only one he adored.

...

More than ten days passed in the blink of an eye.

Shi Yi’s hand had largely healed, and on a whim, she turned on her phone, which had been silent for nearly half a month. Shortly after, Su Jinyu called, sounding incredibly excited: "Yiyi, have you checked your phone?"

"Check it for what?" Shi Yi asked calmly. Since that night at the bar, she had felt that Su Jinyu was somewhat unreliable and had no desire to keep her close.

"You—is that your only reaction?" Su Jinyu was stunned.

Shi Yi raised an eyebrow. "What other reaction should I have?"

Su Jinyu was speechless for a moment before saying, "I don't admire anyone, but I admire you. Your mindset has regressed to the Stone Age—to think you could actually resist touching your phone for over ten days!"

"It’s a distraction that rots the spirit; why would I touch it?" Shi Yi let out a dry, hollow laugh.

Su Jinyu was stunned again. "No, Yiyi, are you alright? Do you want me to take you to the hospital for a check-up?" She faintly sensed that Shi Yi’s mental state was not quite right; could it be that she had suffered some kind of trauma after leaving that scumbag Chu?

"I’m perfectly fine. Why would I need a check-up?" Shi Yi replied with righteous indignation.