Chapter 195: Chapter 192: Such a Ruthless Move 2
"Could it be that he wants both?"
"..."
Ying Jingyao’s gentle brows furrowed tightly, his eyes shot a fierce glare, scanning the bustling banquet scene.
Instantly, the scene fell silent.
Vague exclamations and sighs still echoed, rising and falling next to the ears. Facing the many scrutinizing or malicious gazes, even though Jin Jumo’s heart was strong, it was hard for her to maintain her facade, and she was about to break.
Jin Jumo clenched her fingers, her thin and delicate body trembling slightly. Her already fair face now appeared even whiter, devoid of any color.
Rong Mochen’s dark eyes had always been on Jin Jumo. Seeing this, his thin lips pressed coldly, as he stepped towards her.
Jin Jumo felt emptiness in her hand, her heart sank a bit, frowning as she looked at the man beside her, one arm around her and the other holding Xixi.
Rong Mochen glanced at her, then focused his gaze on Xixi, the cold lines on his face softened one by one.
Xixi was suddenly carried over and froze for a moment but then obediently opened her arms, hugging Rong Mochen’s shoulders. Her two chubby hands could barely circle his shoulders, her small head leaning against his neck, being extremely well-behaved.
The light in Rong Mochen’s dark eyes instantly became as gentle as a brook, relaxing the muscles in his arm holding Xixi, ensuring she was comfortable.
Seeing this, Jin Jumo frowned even tighter, reaching out her hand intending to take Xixi from him.
Rong Mochen slightly raised an eyebrow, releasing her shoulder and instead, wrapped her extended hand in his palm, his dark eyes meeting hers.
Jin Jumo bit her lower lip, trying hard to pull her hand away.
But the more force she exerted to pull away, the more firmly his large hand held hers, not allowing her to break free.
The murmurs and discussions around them resounded again, Jin Jumo’s cheeks reddened with shame.
What was this?
Today was the birthday party Ying Jingyao had arranged for Xixi and Hanhan. Everyone present knew the purpose.
Yet he appeared with such a commanding presence.
And Gu Yan, calling her sister-in-law in front of many people, hinted to everyone that Xixi and Hanhan were actually Rong Mochen’s children.
Currently, Ying Group in S City was managed by Ying Jingyao, its prospects soaring.
The Ying Group was a renowned international business family, acknowledged by almost everyone.
The commotion today was undoubtedly a slap on the face for Ying Jingyao and the entire Ying Family.
Such noble families cared most about their reputation.
She didn’t know what the guests would say about this banquet after leaving, but the current situation was truly causing Ying Jingyao, Ying Yunheng, and Xu Ruyao to lose face!
"Jingyao, what are you going to do?" Xu Ruyao held back Ying Jingyao, who was about to step forward, her gentle face showing a glimpse of worry and disappointment.
In her heart, Ying Jingyao was steady and calm.
In a situation like today’s ’sudden fatherhood,’ his rational and excellent self should avoid it at all costs, not rush forward recklessly.
He was the future heir of the Ying Group, with outstanding looks and abilities, at the prime of his life. What woman couldn’t he have? Why should he compromise himself for a woman with two children?!
Ying Jingyao pressed his lips tightly, the lustrous eyes glistened with red, staring at Jin Jumo, whose hand was being held by Rong Mochen.
Jin Jumo could feel his heartbroken and restrained gaze, her chest tightened.
Ying Jingyao’s words, "Will you stand by my side?" echoed clearly in her eardrums at this moment, lingering endlessly.
Regardless of everything, Jin Jumo struggled to pull her hand away from Rong Mochen’s grasp, her small face full of determination.
Rong Mochen’s eyes, initially locked on Jin Jumo, gradually turned cold, under her persistent resistance, finally icing over completely.
The unparalleled handsome face, as if carved by the hands of God, swept a cold look, with half-narrowed dark eyes, skimming over Ying Jingyao, forcefully held back by Xu Ruyao, and then scanning the banquet scene. Wherever his gaze landed, everyone involuntarily shuddered, and those previously whispering participants instantly fell silent.
Rong Mochen’s lips curled slightly with a sinister edge, frowning as he glanced sideways at Gu Yan and the others.
Gu Yan and Lei Yicheng, having years of deep friendship with Rong Mochen, understood even without him speaking, just with a glance, they could grasp his intentions.
Gu Yan and Lei Yicheng exchanged a sly smile, and both stepped forward. Lei Yicheng lifted Hanhan, who was standing by Jin Jumo’s leg, up onto his shoulder with long arms, carrying Hanhan out of the banquet with wide strides.
Gu Yan also took Xixi from Rong Mochen’s arms.
Xixi had a shadow over Gu Yan, instinctively resisting being held, her two chubby arms clung tightly to Rong Mochen’s shoulders, her small face adorable and cloying, leaning persistently into Rong Mochen’s chest, but her slender waist was already intercepted by Gu Yan.
So, Xixi’s current posture in Rong Mochen’s arms was somewhat comical.
"Little Xixi, come let Uncle Gu hug you, Uncle Gu will take you to buy candy." Gu Yan cautiously held Xixi’s waist, his babyface filled with apprehension, fearing he’d hurt her if he applied too much force.
But without enough force, the little girl wouldn’t cooperate with him.
Xixi, on the other hand, didn’t cooperate, mumbling ’uh-uh’ and refusing to leave with him.
Gu Yan pulled a long face and looked pitifully at Rong Mochen.
As Xixi clung to him, Rong Mochen’s deep black eyes softened with a gentle affection and doting tenderness. He bowed his head, gently kissed Xixi’s little forehead with his thin lips, and coaxed in a soft voice, "Xixi, be good. Go with Uncle first, and I’ll come right after."
"Daddy."
The atmosphere froze instantly because Xixi suddenly cried out a resounding "Daddy."
Jin Jumo was completely dumbfounded, totally unprepared for Xixi to suddenly call someone ’Daddy,’ especially at this awkward moment and in such an awkward setting!
Ying Jingyao’s handsome face stiffened, showing a deep sense of despair and melancholy in his eyes.
Ying Yunheng and Xu Ruyao were momentarily stunned when they heard Xixi’s "Daddy," and though they wore expressions of pain and embarrassment afterward.
This shout of "Daddy" was undoubtedly public acknowledgment in front of all the guests at the banquet that Rong Mochen was her father, not Ying Jingyao.
Seeing the gloomy face of their son, Ying Yunheng and Xu Ruyao’s last bits of blame and sigh turned entirely into heartache towards Ying Jingyao and disgust towards Jin Jumo!
In their view, the reason Ying Jingyao was publicly humiliated and lost face was all because of her!
By the time the guests recovered from Xixi’s sudden call of "Daddy," they cast obscure and complicated looks towards Ying Jingyao.
Rong Mochen felt a deep-seated string in his heart tremble violently at Xixi’s soft, sticky, and gentle call of "Daddy."
Watching the little one look at him with her bright, shy, large eyes after she finished calling, a spontaneous sense of pride and satisfaction swelled in his heart and spread throughout his body.
The emotions in Rong Mochen’s dark eyes were magically soft, and his voice rasped, "What did Xixi call me?"
Xixi’s fair, tender face flushed pink, her little chubby hand covered her mouth instantly, her long black lashes fluttering shyly.
"Call."
"Xixi, I’m Uncle Gu, call me Uncle Gu." Before Rong Mochen could respond, Gu Yan impatiently turned Xixi’s small shoulders and gazed at her with anticipatory eyes.
Xixi pouted, seeming reluctant to call him that, but for some reason, she eventually did, albeit in a very small voice, sounding particularly perfunctory, "Uncle Gu."
After saying this, Xixi sneaked a glance at Rong Mochen.
Rong Mochen’s thin lips curled slightly, and he used one hand to gently smooth down his daughter’s neat bangs, his motions delicate and gentle, as if she were a fragile porcelain doll.
Although Xixi’s "Uncle Gu" sounded perfunctory, Gu Yan was overjoyed.
If he weren’t mindful of someone’s presence, he probably would have rushed over to pinch Xixi’s chubby little face by now.
"Xixi, come quickly. Let Uncle Gu carry you. Uncle Gu will take you to find brother." Gu Yan coaxed.
Xixi opened her large eyes and glanced towards the door, lowering her long lashes, her fair little face frowning in distress, as if troubled.
Gu Yan watched her without blinking.
Xixi lifted her long lashes, looking at Gu Yan’s self-proclaimed "amiable" baby face, and with great difficulty, released her arms from Rong Mochen’s shoulders and reached out towards Gu Yan.
Gu Yan, afraid she would change her mind, scooped her up in one go as she reached out, and headed towards the restaurant door.
Jin Jumo watched as Gu Yan took Xixi away, with a lump of emotion clogging her chest.
Yet she felt that letting them take Xixi and Hanhan away at this moment was undoubtedly the best thing to do.
Rong Mochen looked at Xixi lying on Gu Yan’s shoulder, watching him all the while, and his heart was indescribably touched. This soft, adorable little girl was his daughter!
Suddenly, the soft hand in his grasp pulled away abruptly. Rong Mochen’s previously relaxed and clear brow furrowed deeply, his thin lips half-pursed, lowering his gaze to stare at the space that now separated him from Jin Jumo.
Jin Jumo didn’t look at him, her peach blossom eyes full of apology and complexity as she gazed at Ying Jingyao’s pained, handsome face, wanting to say something but realizing nothing would help now.
As things had developed this far, what needed to be exposed had been, and the joke had been seen by all.
Xu Ruyao couldn’t maintain her usual composure towards the crowd and Jin Jumo, gripping Ying Jingyao’s arm tightly, while furrowing her brow at Ying Yunheng.
Ying Yunheng, having navigated the business world for decades, knew the rules well and had seen all sorts of people, possessing strong mental resilience.
Aside from his initial shock, his demeanor was now calm and composed.
Receiving the glance from his wife, Ying Yunheng slightly squinted, then turned to entertain the guests.
After all, Ying Yunheng was the chairman of the Ying Group, and with just a few words, he managed to enliven the scene, even if just on the surface. Meanwhile, everyone’s probing eyes couldn’t help but sweep over to Rong Mochen and his group.
"Ye, oh no, I suppose now I should call you Miss Jin or... Mrs. Rong." Xu Ruyao finally spoke, her tone mildly sardonic, looking at Jin Jumo with eyes brimming with coldness.
Jin Jumo’s throat constricted, "Auntie..."
"I don’t deserve that!" Xu Ruyao said coldly, "Miss Jin is the wife of the esteemed president of the Rong Family; I cannot accept being called Auntie."