Chapter 264: Chapter 264

Chapter 264: Chapter 264: Hand Over the Whip to Me Lin Zhiyi’s vision blurred and distorted as if surrounded by fog, making it impossible to see anything clearly.

"What else did he say?"

Wen Qing watched her expression, curling her lips and said, "He also said that as long as they threaten you with your mother, you would definitely agree. So... Lin Zhiyi, resign yourself to fate."

"In this circle, you are nothing but a powerless and influential pretty woman, which means you are a resource that can be traded."

"You wouldn’t want your mom’s little video to become public knowledge, right? When that happens, it won’t just be the Gong Family that won’t tolerate her, the whole Jing City won’t be able to either."

Lin Zhiyi looked up to see Wen Qing, who regarded nobody, sadness brimming in her eyes.

"That means, no matter what I do, you won’t let me go, right?"

Wen Qing just gave a light smile, which was as good as an acknowledgment.

A few seconds later, she picked up a wine glass, "Lin Zhiyi, let me teach you a lesson today, for the... consequences of threatening me."

Splash—

Wen Qing poured all the red wine onto her own face and then started screaming.

When Lin Zhiyi came back to her senses, an empty wine glass had been stuffed into her hand.

Before she could react, an angry rebuke came from behind her.

"Lin Zhiyi! What are you doing!"

Old Mr. Gong quickly approached, followed by none other than Gong Chen and Sang Ran.

Sang Ran hurriedly pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the red wine off Wen Qing’s face.

"Auntie, how come you’re with Zhiyi?"

Wen Qing glanced coldly at Lin Zhiyi, frowning and sighing, "This child heard that I was acquainted with the Second Young Master, and for some reason, she warned me. I just said a few words, and she... never mind, I won’t hold it against her."

Sang Ran paused, then looked at Lin Zhiyi hesitantly.

Lin Zhiyi stood there in shock.

So, Wen Qing had already discovered she had overheard the matter between Gong Shiyan and herself.

All that had been said before was just to lead her step by step into a trap.

During those few seconds of Lin Zhiyi’s hesitation, there was a whoosh by her ear.

Old Mr. Gong’s palm slapped directly across her face.

Though aged, he exercised daily and his hand was powerfully strong.

Lin Zhiyi had not yet steadied herself before she was thrown onto the tabletop, her hands pressed against the edge of a burning-hot stove.

"Ah!"

Lin Zhiyi retracted her hands in pain, but the palms were already scorched red.

She clenched her teeth, "Old Mr. Gong, I am just a guest of the restaurant, what right do you have to strike me? Is this your idea of hospitality?"

"Fine, you want hospitality, don’t you? Summon the manager over," Old Mr. Gong bellowed.

The manager came quickly, bowing respectfully with his head down.

"Third Young Master, Old Mr. Gong, this area is a blind spot for surveillance. We came over when we heard the noise and only saw Miss Lin trying to put down the wine glass."

Although not explicitly stated, the implication was clear that Lin Zhiyi had splashed Wen Qing.

Wen Qing dusted the wine stains off her clothes, sarcastically said, "Old Mr. Gong, Third Young Master, there’s no need to make such a fuss for my sake, anyway, I’ve experienced Second Madam’s home training."

"Auntie, don’t say that," Sang Ran’s face was pale, and her breaths were louder than her words.

Leaning on Gong Chen, she looked at Lin Zhiyi and urged, "Zhiyi, my auntie is frank, don’t take it to heart. If it was just an accident, apologize and let’s not argue anymore, okay?

It was clear that Sang Ran was concerned about Wen Qing pursuing Lin Zhiyi’s accountability.

But if she really apologized, it would be like admitting guilt.

She didn’t want to.

Lin Zhiyi pursed her lips tightly, the searing pain in her palms causing a layer of cold sweat to form on her forehead.

She endured the pain, propped herself up, and just met Gong Chen’s eyes, as deep and dark as ink.

In an indifferent tone, he declared, "Listen to Xiao Ran, apologize, and then leave the restaurant."

Lin Zhiyi’s body stiffened, and her gaze suddenly turned cold.

"So you really determine a person’s right and wrong without any investigation?"

Gong Chen’s dark eyes obscurely watched Lin Zhiyi, his voice heavy, "No need."

"..."

Lin Zhiyi looked at Sang Ran, tightly embraced by Gong Chen, truly a good husband doting on his wife.

Love for the house extends to the crow on its roof, even such a little aunt like Wen Qing is biased.

She couldn’t help but snort coldly, just as she was about to retort, Wen Qing stood opposite, twirling the ring on her finger.

It seemed like a warning, and also a threat.

"I think Miss Lin is only doing this for Second Madam, why don’t we call Second Madam over to explain, so there won’t be any misunderstanding later?"

Wen Qing was well aware that Liu He couldn’t come, and was not allowed to.

Lin Zhiyi concentrated, her throat dry to the point of pain, but in the end, she opened her mouth.

"President Wen, I’m sorry."

"May I leave now?"

She turned and left.

"Stop! Who said you could leave? President Wen is Xiao Ran’s little aunt, she is a respected guest of the Gong Family, her forgiveness doesn’t mean the Gong Family has to tolerate you."

"You entered the Gong Mansion with your mother at sixteen, all your basic needs have been provided by the Gong Family, yet you repeatedly cause trouble, and now you want to just walk away?"

Old Mr. Gong reprimanded her harshly.

Lin Zhiyi turned to glare at him: "Indeed, I entered the Gong Mansion at sixteen, but since then I worked and took care of myself, your Gong Family’s money doesn’t count towards me!"

"What about your mother? She hasn’t earned a single penny over these years," Old Mr. Gong challenged.

Lin Zhiyi clenched her fingers tight, the pain in her palm completely calming her down.

"What exactly do you want?"

Old Mr. Gong huffed coldly, "You want to leave? Then pay back what you owe these years. Last time, you dodged the family punishment, this time no one can help you!"

"If I undergo the family punishment, will I have nothing to do with the Gong Family anymore? Not the slightest connection?"

Lin Zhiyi articulated each word carefully, to make sure everyone present could hear clearly.

"Yes," the Old Master stated authoritatively.

"Fine."

The moment Lin Zhiyi’s words fell, her wrist was gripped by Gong Chen.

He looked down at her from on high, his eyes darkening with annoyance, "Lin Zhiyi! Take back the words you shouldn’t have said."

Lin Zhiyi, catching Sang Ran’s astonished trembling figure out of the corner of her eye, immediately shook off his hand.

"Third Young Master, what right do you have to control me? Huh?"

Having said that, she walked away without looking back.

...

Gong Mansion.

Lin Zhiyi, being an outsider, was not even qualified to kneel inside the ancestral hall.

She could only kneel on the cold stone slabs outside.

The melting snowwater painfully pierced her bones, yet she kept her back ramrod straight, expressionless.

Old Mr. Gong stood in front, looking down with contempt at Lin Zhiyi outside the door.

"Lin Zhiyi, according to family rules, a total of ten lashes. After the punishment, you may leave this place. If you want to beg for mercy..."

Lin Zhiyi looked up, her voice icy, "Skip the nonsense, just do it. I can’t stand being here for a second longer."

The butler immediately handed over the whip, and as the bodyguard was about to take it, Old Mr. Gong’s eyes flashed viciously, he raised his hand to stop him.

"Now that Gong Chen is in charge, it’s only appropriate for him to do it."

With that, everyone’s gaze fell on the man in the highest seat.

Gong Chen.

fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm Gong Chen’s pitch-black pupils reflected the coldness of the light, giving a sense of ruthlessness and detachment.

He approached Lin Zhiyi, looking down at her, his face void of emotion.

"Not even for a second?"

"Yes."

Lin Zhiyi slowly closed her eyes, not even willing to look at him one more time.

The two of them stood stiffly in the snow for a moment.

Gong Chen slowly raised his hand, the blood drained from his fingers as they moved.

Reborn to Outshine My Ex and His White Moonlight Chapter 263: He Wants You to Get Married Rebirth of a Village Girl Chapter 1123 - 286: Retribution, Recognizing Each Other_3 Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress Chapter 828 - 825: Prosperous Mountains and Rivers "Hand me the whip."