Chapter 120
Lin Zhiqiao fell silent for a moment, using immense self-control to keep from laughing out loud on the spot.
However, his silence sounded like a string of “hahaha” in Ji Ran’s ears.
Ji Ran: “…”
Lin Zhiqiao comforted him, “Don’t take it to heart. It’s not your fault.”
[Almost forgot Ran-baby used to be Lin’s die-hard fan, I’m dying laughing]
[Pat pat Ran-baby, of course it’s not your fault! Look how wronged our Ran-baby looks QAQ]
After much coaxing, everyone finally managed to stop Ji Ran’s tears.
It was already late at night. The children in the courtyard were not affected by the online turmoil and had long since turned off the lights and gone to sleep.
The dean arranged double rooms for everyone, and by unspoken agreement, Lin Zhiqiao and Song Fengshi were left to share one room.
After showering, Lin Zhiqiao lay down on the bed. When Song Fengshi finished washing and came out, he saw the chestnut-haired young man holding up his phone, the screen light illuminating his face.
Lin Zhiqiao hadn’t covered himself with the small blanket. Perhaps from rolling around on the bed, the hem of his pajamas had ridden up, revealing a patch of jade-like pale skin.
Song Fengshi paused mid-step, his gaze lingering at the young man’s waist.
Compared to him, Lin Zhiqiao’s frame looked somewhat slender, but he was by no means weak.
Probably due to his background in dance, Lin Zhiqiao had long limbs and excellent proportions. Though not as tall as Song Fengshi, his physique was well-balanced, with muscles that weren’t bulky but were shapely and pleasing.
At this moment, with his shirt lifted slightly, one could faintly see the outline of light abdominal muscles on that small patch of pale skin.
Song Fengshi’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He stepped forward, picked up the small blanket beside him, and draped it over Lin Zhiqiao’s waist.
“The temperature drops at night. Don’t catch a chill,” he said.
Lin Zhiqiao shifted on the bed, tugging the blanket slightly aside, leaving only a small corner covering his stomach.
“Going to sleep?” he asked.
Song Fengshi responded with a hum and lay down on the other bed. “Sleep. It’s late.”
However, after Lin Zhiqiao fell asleep, Song Fengshi quietly sat up, took out his laptop, and began working.
What happened with the Lin family today was only the beginning.
Although Lin Zhiqiao hadn’t said it outright, Song Fengshi could tell that his current attitude toward the Lin family was: “It has nothing to do with me. Better if we never have anything to do with each other again.”
Lin Zhiqiao had no attachment left to the Lin family, but that didn’t mean he had never longed for them—for a family.
Those hopes and expectations had been personally shattered by the Lin family.
Earlier at the orphanage, Song Fengshi had asked about Lin Zhiqiao’s past. Lin Zhiqiao had only talked about his childhood with his grandmother and his life in the orphanage, never mentioning the Lin family.
But Song Fengshi had already uncovered some information while investigating the Lin family.
Just as netizens had speculated, Lin Zhiqiao had indeed returned to the Lin family later and even lived with them for a time.
But unlike what people assumed about “reuniting with his parents,” it was the Lin family who had actively found him and brought him back.
And this wasn’t due to any sudden awakening of conscience—it had ulterior motives.
In earlier years, the Lin family had been close to the Shen family, who had once helped them greatly. The elders had arranged a marriage between their children. Later, the Shen family declined, but the engagement was never officially broken.
The Lin parents didn’t want their three children to marry into the fallen Shen family, yet they also didn’t want to be seen as breaking their promise. So they thought of Lin Zhiqiao—the child they had abandoned.
Thus came the period when Lin Zhiqiao returned to the Lin household.
Later, when the Shen family themselves proposed canceling the engagement, Lin Zhiqiao soon left the Lin family again.
Lin Zhiqiao never mentioned a single word about that time, but Song Fengshi could easily imagine how difficult his life must have been there.
The more indifferent Lin Zhiqiao appeared now, the more hopeful he must have been when he was first brought back.
But that hope was met with complete exploitation—and another abandonment.
Song Fengshi didn’t dare ask about that experience, but he could imagine how painful the transition from hope to disappointment had been.
Even if Lin Zhiqiao didn’t speak of it, it didn’t mean Song Fengshi would do nothing.
Late at night, the room was very quiet. Only the faint sound of typing from the laptop keyboard could be heard.
*
The next morning, as soon as Lin Zhiqiao opened his eyes, he heard 888’s voice in his mind.
[Host, you’re finally awake!] it urged anxiously. [Quick, check Weibo!]
There was a hint of excited urgency in 888’s voice. Lin Zhiqiao subconsciously pulled his phone from under his pillow. Before even opening Weibo, he saw the notifications on the lock screen—
“Lin Man funding female college students? Multiple victims reveal the truth!”
“Qin Yuxian keeps male college students!”
“Inside Mingguang Entertainment! Idol contracts or contracts of exploitation?!”
“Lin Group suspected of tax evasion and money laundering, ordered to suspend operations for investigation…”
“Secrets of a wealthy family! A deep dive into the real Lin family!!!”
Lin Zhiqiao: “?!!!”
He was instantly wide awake.
Many of these revelations had already surfaced the previous night. With the “accident” during yesterday’s livestream as a catalyst, after a night of fermentation, topics related to the Lin family dominated the trending list.
Lin Zhiqiao sat up, eyes shining with excitement at the massive scandal.
The solid evidence and sharp comments online did not disappoint him.
He opened the first post—it already had over a million views.
The blogger claimed to be one of the female students funded by Lin Man. She had once been grateful to her sponsor, so when he suggested meeting in person, she agreed without hesitation.
That meeting was when Lin Man tore off his disguise and revealed his true nature.
The funding was not unconditional—it came with a price.
The post included numerous pieces of evidence: photos, recordings, even videos she had secretly gathered at great risk.
She admitted that despite having evidence, she had never dared confront Lin Man—he was powerful and well-connected, while she was just an ordinary student. She had even considered ending her life.
This time, she came forward because someone had approached her and offered free assistance.
At the end of the post, she tagged the official account of Song Group and Song Fengshi’s personal account, expressing her gratitude.
After her, other victims also stepped forward, providing evidence and accusations.
The comment section had exploded.
“Damn, I thought yesterday’s livestream was already disgusting—turns out it gets worse!”
“This is beyond scum! ‘The price of funding’? This is assault!!!”
“My heart aches for these girls…”
“Just came from President Song’s Weibo—Song Group has set up a free support organization, covering a wide range of help. Anyone in need can apply!”
“President Song is really something—so low-key normally, then suddenly makes a huge move.”
“Friend, do you misunderstand what ‘low-key’ means…”
Lin Zhiqiao quickly browsed through all the trending topics.
It was said that Lin Group had halted operations. All employees were under investigation, and Lin’s parents and Lin Chen had been taken away by the police.
The Lin family was completely finished.
Lin Zhiqiao pursed his lips. He had a feeling that Song Fengshi was behind this wave of revelations.
And he knew that even with great capability, this couldn’t have been done in just one night.
He got out of bed, brushing his teeth while his mind wandered.
At that moment, the door opened quietly, as if the person was trying not to wake him.
Seeing him coming out of the bathroom, Song Fengshi spoke, “Aunt Qin is making porridge. She asked me to check—do you want sweet or savory?”
“Sweet—millet pumpkin,” Lin Zhiqiao replied instinctively, then looked up from his phone.
Song Fengshi walked over, lifted his hand, and smoothed down a stray lock of hair by his ear.
“Did you sleep well?” he asked.
Lin Zhiqiao nodded, then suddenly asked, “When did you start preparing this?”
Song Fengshi paused. His gaze fell on the Weibo page on Lin Zhiqiao’s phone, and he immediately understood.
“A long time ago,” he said.
“When I told you I hated the Lin family?” Lin Zhiqiao asked.
Song Fengshi nodded.
The next moment, his vision darkened as Lin Zhiqiao leaned in.
They shared a kiss flavored faintly of lemon and mint. Lin Zhiqiao was enthusiastic, and even Song Fengshi lost control of his restraint.
When the kiss ended, Lin Zhiqiao touched his lips. “…They’re swollen.”
Song Fengshi fell silent for a moment. “Sorry.”
Lin Zhiqiao looked up at him and smiled. “What’s there to apologize for?” He licked the corner of his lips softly. “I like it.”
