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CHAPTER 412

"It is true. I know this lady. She is Li Jing's mother," someone suddenly shouted from the small crowd at her reception.

Li Jing's lips pulled back into a smile but she remained quiet.

"Back then, the Li family took her in but now that she had made it, she ignores her mother, the one who made her who she is currently. What an ungrateful person," another lady whispered to an older man.

"Hmm, I just checked out her company and decided to see if I can place an investment and all here, but now, I do not think I want to partner with someone who is ungrateful. Who knows, she may also have such character in business. I think it is better I take my investment elsewhere."

Her breathing stilled as her gaze flashed past the man who spoke, taking note of who he was. It wasn't like she was asking him for his investment and all that, no. Who made him come here anyway? What did he think he could offer?' Li Jing thought to herself.

With that alone, it was obvious to her what was going on there.

"I even did all that I did for Li Xiu to you but now that you found your real family, you abandoned us. Please, Li Jing, this is not how things are done. Kindly forgive me, if I have wronged you but do not forget your root."

Li Jing did not know how she was going to handle the matter without really proving Ding Jiaying right in the eyes of everyone.

Regardless, one thing was sure, she wasn't letting her get away with it. 'This sly fox really did come prepared.' Li Jing thought as her gaze swept through the crowd.

It was no wonder that her company was exceptionally full today as though she had so many people interested in her business whereas they were planted there by her cunny adopted mother.

"You really know how to play your cards well, don't you?" Li Jing complimented her.

"I do not know what you are talking about," Ding Jiaying denied plainly.

"Really?"

"Yes. Stop being like this Li Jing, I beg of you. Please come back home, we all miss you. Kindly do not turn your back on your family now when they are in dire need," Ding Jiaying pleaded.

"Oh my…"

Hearing this, all Li Jing had in her heart was hatred for Ding Jiaying. It wasn't that she adored her or anything before, she never liked the woman and that was it, as plain as day.

But now with the useless scandal, she decided to cause her, Li Jing's heart hardened towards her.

"I believe I made a mistake not telling grandfather the truth when I had the chance to," Li Jing said to her with a bored look on her face.

"What truth are you speaking of?"

"Hmm," she scoffed at her before placing a hand on her waist. "The truth of all the maltreating you did to me and you did not think I would not find out that everyone speaking here was planted by you?"

"Li Jing! How can you say such atrocities about me?"

"Oh, it is hard to say those about you? What about what was said concerning me by your goons. Or do you think I am stupid enough to not know that this man isn't really here to invest?"

"Li Jing, no it is not so."

"Really now? Am I gullible or what? In fact, forty per cent of those here are all paid to be here by you. Okay, let us leave them aside now, all the Christmas days and watch nights you made me stay in the kitchen, cooking, cleaning and arranging the house, while you paraded your daughter Li Xiu in front of the guests and took her out, leaving me to tend to the household work like one of the maids. Scratch that, the maids even had better care from you than I ever did."

"Slander! Look at her, look at that! She is slandering her mother to cover up her useless character," a young guy suddenly blurted out. "Just accept your fault and stop being an un-filial daughter, Li Jing."

"Un-filial?"

"Did I just hear someone say un-filial?" All heads turned in the direction of the entrance as their eyes remained glued on the young lady that walked in majestically.

"Someone bloody answers me, did I hear you say unfilial?"

Li Jing too got curious, seeing as the voice wasn't sounding so familiar. Slowly she pulled her eyes off, Ding Jiaying and looked in the direction of the person who spoke.

No sooner had she done that than her lips tugged backwards, revealing her lovely teeth as she smiled.

It was time to teach someone some lesson and that time was now.

"Ding Jiaying!"

Li Xiu's mother trembled at the scream and she too turned to see who it was. What a shock it was for her to see that the person who had the guts and audacity to waltz in there and disturb her charade was none other than…

"Yin Lifen." Her eyes dimmed a fraction as her malice and hate seeped through her long enough for Yin Lifen to see before she reverted it to her pleading voice.

"You got a problem with me?" She scoffed, allowing her eyes drape down Ding Jiaying's lonely figure and back up again, making sure that the lady saw how much disgust she was looking at her with.

Ding Jiaying could not answer, rather she balled her fist at her side and kept shut. She saw that the battle was becoming fierce and tougher.

"I guess no. However, I do know you have a problem with my significant, bestie." Saying that she peeled her gaze off the eyes sore of a woman and let them rest on Li Jing. "Hey dear, having some mild problems?"

Li Jing's smile only remained as she let out a soft sigh to reply to her friend. "Smiles, not something your bestie cannot handle. It is well."

"I know and that is why I am here." She took a nice turn, now putting all of her focus on Ding Jiaying. "I heard you guys say something. For clarity sake and for those who do not know bit are easily swayed by the words of liars such as this woman here, Ding Jiaying isn't really her mother and has never, in no doubt in all of her years being in that family, acted as a mother figure to her."

Instantly several murmurings arose from the sincere ones there while those who were paid by Li Xiu decided to help Ding Jiaying fight back.

"That is a lie. What would you a stranger know?" A younger lady fired at Yin Lifen.

"Seriously? Okay, I would know because I, Yin Lifen, am the number one best friend of the accused and I have seen the suffering of my friend on so many occasions. But you on the other hand, where did you come from? You are neither, friend or family nor neighbour. The only possible thing I can think of is that you are, foe."

In as much as the lady wanted to fight back, she knew if she went up against Yin Lifen, she was going to lose. Instead of having that, she simply kept quiet and moved to the back in hiding.

"I thought as much. So, Li Xiu's mother, what do you want now that you have soiled her name? Money? Aren't you money hungry family that immediately she met her grandfather, you asked him for compensation as though you were selling her?"

"I… Ummm, you know nothing. You are lying."

"Lies? Ah! I see, lies. Okay, perhaps playing your scandalous video of you and your wretched daughter in the bank with a bounced check is proof or do you want me to show proof of how much Li Jing would suffer to make slides and presentation for your husband's company and all Li Xiu would do, is still it and take credit for the work. There are so many things I have against you."

"You jest…"

"I laugh actually because if only you knew that I had my friend well monitored, you wouldn't have tried some nonsense you actually did. You come here, lying and all about she being unfilial, whereas, it is you who is unfilial."

By now, Ding Jiaying's eyes roamed around, she was already feeling embarrassed about the outcome of their plan.

She racked her brain, prayed and hoped for a miracle to turn the situation around but none came. 'Oh think…Ding Jiaying, fix this situation.'

DING!

Just like a bell, an idea came to her mind. She swallowed her pride and smiled meekly at Li Jing. "All I am saying is for her to come home."

"Have you forgotten how you worked hand in hand with your daughter to steal Li Jing's boyfriend and when she found put, you chased her out of the house. So now I wonder, which house are you asking her to come back to?"