Chapter 396: Chapter 396 This Kind of Woman Should Be Shot!
Lin Qi was slightly stunned.
She lifted her head, only to see Huo Tingdong’s eyes faintly reddened.
He held her tightly in his arms, his deep voice steeped in guilt: “I’m sorry…”
For some reason, when he witnessed Song Shuyan’s hysterical, hateful face, memories suddenly surged—
Lin Qi lying in the hospital bed.
She told him it was Song Shuyan who pushed her, that Song Shuyan nearly killed her, that Song Shuyan was a murderer. And how did he respond?
He said: “She didn’t push you. When you slipped and fell, she was only trying to grab your hand but failed.”
He also said: “She couldn’t possibly push you. This time, it was an accident—you simply lost your footing.”
He kept emphasizing that it was all an accident. Truthfully, he just couldn’t believe it—couldn’t accept that the girl he’d always treated like a little sister, whom he cherished and pampered since childhood, could be a murderer.
He still remembers Lin Qi at that time—not crying, not arguing—just looking utterly brokenhearted, head bowed, and lightly saying: “I’m so envious… Song Shuyan can have such favoritism. Even after doing something like this, she still doesn’t have to face any consequences.”
How could she be so understanding, so foolish?
Huo Tingdong, heart aching, held her even tighter: “Lin Qi, from now on, you’ll be my only favoritism in life.”
From now on, he would believe in her, cherish her, love her, and protect her—never betraying her, entrusting his very life to her.
Lin Qi was a little dazed: “What’s wrong with you?”
Huo Tingdong didn’t reply but simply hugged her tightly.
He looked up, watching as Song Shuyan was taken away by the police car, his brows faintly furrowing.
It wasn’t until the sound of the siren faded into the distance that Lin Qi suddenly felt an unprecedented peace in her heart.
It was as if everything had ended and yet everything was just beginning.
Back in the living room.
Huo Yanlin and the Old Lady started questioning him.
Huo Tingdong recounted the series of events in detail.
After hearing it all, the Old Lady trembled with fury: “She actually dared to hire someone to commit murder! That vile woman! A murderer like her, capable of being ruthless even to such young children, should be torn limb from limb!”
After a pause, she vented her indignation further: “Women like her should be executed! A million deaths wouldn’t be enough punishment!! And she even has the audacity to be pregnant! For all that she’s going to be a mother, does she have no maternal instinct at all? If she knows how to care for her own child, she should know how to care for someone else’s child too!”
Huo Tingdong said: “She doesn’t possess any maternal instinct. The child in her belly is nothing more than a tool for her manipulation.”
Ye Chan said: “Exactly, she kept saying she loves you—but what does it amount to? It’s not love at all; she’s just after the luxurious lifestyle.”
Old Madam Huo said: “Tingdong! Move back home! Bring Han and Momo back too…” She glanced toward Lin Qi and hesitated for a moment, adding reluctantly, “And her…”
Momo shot the Old Lady an oblique glance, remarking meaningfully: “I’m not qualified to move back—after all, my last name is ‘Lin,’ not ‘Huo.'”
The Old Lady was rendered completely speechless by his words.
What a vengeful little rascal!
Earlier, there had been a conflict between Lin Qi and the Old Lady over the matter of surnames. Lin Qi might not have mentioned it, but this little guy certainly hadn’t forgotten—it was a recurring theme in his complaints!
Old Madam said: “Momo, I was wrong, okay? I shouldn’t have argued with your mommy. It was Grandma’s fault—it was Grandma being irrational. But now Grandma knows she was wrong! From now on, whether your last name is ‘Lin’ or ‘Huo,’ Grandma won’t pressure you to change it anymore!”
Momo retorted: “And what about Han? If Han wants to change his last name to ‘Lin,’ will Grandma agree?”
The Old Lady hesitated for a few seconds, then made up her mind, gritting her teeth as she nodded: “Fine… Fine!”
She had finally come to terms with it.
She was of an age where grandchildren should surround her, allowing her to live serenely in her twilight years.
Even if Han and Momo both kept the surname ‘Lin,’ the fact that they were her great-grandchildren was indisputable—it couldn’t be changed!
More important than a surname was the warmth of family bonds!
The Old Lady had truly opened her mind!
Momo, seeing how sincere the Old Lady had become, was mildly surprised!
His eyes widened slightly, and after a moment, he said with relief: “Grandma, we’re willing to move back, but no one is allowed to bully my mommy! Once was enough, twice is tolerable, but let there not be a third time—otherwise, we’ll move out again!”
The Old Lady nodded repeatedly: “Alright! Alright! Grandma promises that once you move back, no one will mistreat your mommy ever again!”
Only then did Momo nod in satisfaction.
The Old Lady tentatively asked again: “Momo, can you let Grandma hug you?”
Momo blushed, feeling slightly awkward but obediently walked over, allowing her to hold him.
The Old Lady raised her gaze to Lin Qi: “Qiqi, are you willing to move back home?”
Lin Qi replied, “I…”
The Old Lady said: “If you’re not willing, that’s okay too! Just coming back occasionally is good enough! I know young people today don’t like living with elders, and I wouldn’t want to force you!”
Lin Qi was taken aback!
After all that had happened, the Old Lady seemed like a completely different person—so reasonable and understanding!
Lin Qi smiled gently: “Once everything is dealt with, let’s at least spend the New Year together first. Rest assured, if you ever want to see Han and Momo, I’ll make sure to bring them here often to visit you!”
Only then did the Old Lady nod contentedly.
Huo Tingdong said: “It’s getting late already. I’ll take Qiqi and the children home to rest—she’s still pregnant and needs her strength.”
The Old Lady nodded: “Alright!”
Huo Tingdong’s car was parked right outside.
As soon as they got inside, Lin Qi immediately hugged Momo and Han tightly.
Han clung to her, whining sweetly: “Mommy! I missed you so much!”
Three whole days and nights apart.
Lin Qi held them close, refusing to let go: “Han, Momo… Mommy missed you just as much…”
Such an emotional, fiery embrace left Han and Momo momentarily overwhelmed.
The two Little Babies quietly savored her loving hug.
After a long moment, only then did Lin Qi reluctantly loosen her grip on them: “How are you? Were you hurt?”
Han shook his head: “I’m fine. Momo’s hand got a bit scraped.”
Lin Qi immediately grabbed Momo’s hand and examined it.
There was indeed a scrape on the back of his hand, but it had already been bandaged.
Momo said: “Mommy, we’re okay—don’t worry!”
Lin Qi asked: “What happened exactly?”
Momo frowned slightly, explaining: “That morning, Han and I woke up and thought of asking Uncle Ji to take us to the mountain to watch the sunrise.”
Han added: “Uncle Ji was sleeping in, and we couldn’t wake him up. So Momo and I decided to ask the driver to take us instead.”
Momo continued: “When we went downstairs, we ran into a servant who said she could arrange for the driver to take us. But she also told us we were too young and it wasn’t safe, so she contacted one of the villa’s security captains to escort us to the mountain.”