Chapter 256: Chapter 256: Raising It Together with You

Lin Qi suddenly remembered what Old Madam Huo had said on the phone, “Tingdong has more than just one son with you! He’s not lacking in sons, there are plenty of women willing to bear sons for him and take his surname!”

She was in a daze for a long time.

Jin Lilai’s sneering became even harsher: “What, did I hit a sore spot? Hah! Don’t act so innocent when you’ve got it so good! You should be grateful that you’re fated to bear a son!”

Lin Qi said, “Have you said enough?”

Suddenly, a police officer came over and knocked on the door: “Officer Chen, someone’s looking for you.”

Officer Chen turned his head and asked, “Who?”

“A man, he claims to be Miss Lin’s husband.”

Lin Qi furrowed her brows: “My husband?”

She got up and walked to the door, only to see Huo Tingdong approaching the mediation room.

Her facial muscles twitched violently.

How did he know she was here?

Could it be that he had installed some sort of tracker on her again?

As Lin Qi was harboring this suspicion, Huo Tingdong came up to her: “Why didn’t you tell me you were going to the police station?”

Lin Qi said, “Why should I tell you?”

She didn’t show any pleasant expression, perhaps thinking of his absences through the night and recalling Old Madam Huo’s meaningful words, she felt somewhat uncomfortable inside.

“Also!” Lin Qi said angrily, “Why do you claim to be my husband?”

Huo Tingdong said, “Am I not?”

Lin Qi replied, “We haven’t remarried yet, so no, it doesn’t count.”

Huo Tingdong said, “Do I need to remind you? Although we haven’t remarried, we are in a trial marriage.”

A trial marriage…

It suddenly dawned on her that Momo was the one who had suggested it!

Huo Tingdong grabbed her hand: “Qiqi, are you still angry?”

He didn’t want to argue with her.

Lin Qi said, “What makes me worthy of being angry at you?”

Huo Tingdong said, “And you still say you’re not angry?”

When she was angry, it was different from what he had imagined; she wouldn’t yell or make a scene, but her words would be laced with sarcasm. He would rather have her lash out at him.

Lin Qi said, “I’m not angry. Now, you go back! I still have things to sort out.”

After saying that, she turned to walk towards the mediation room.

But Huo Tingdong didn’t leave. Instead, he followed her into the mediation room.

As soon as he entered, he heard Li Wanru whisper to Jin Lilai, “Her husband and she seem civil but emotionally detached, not like a normal couple at all! Look, he never hugs her, holds her, or kisses her, they must have a bad relationship. Didn’t they get divorced already? They’re just putting on a facade of peace for their son!”

When Lin Qi heard Li Wanru talking behind her back, her face instantly darkened.

Behind her, Huo Tingdong also heard it and his brow furrowed.

He suddenly looked at Lin Qi, saw her walking to her seat, and he also took a seat beside her.

Upon seeing Huo Tingdong, Jin Lilai and Li Wanru immediately clammed up, not daring to say more.

Then suddenly–

Huo Tingdong raised his hand and pulled Lin Qi into his embrace.

Lin Qi was startled for a moment, looking up and asking in a hushed voice, “What are you doing?”

Huo Tingdong said, “Didn’t you hear what people said? Your dear sister mentioned that we don’t act like a normal couple, that we’re together in name only.”

He deliberately didn’t lower his voice when he spoke, making sure every word was clear. Li Wanru heard it and flushed with embarrassment, “I didn’t mean that… Weren’t you two divorced? She has always been referring to you as her ex-husband.”

Huo Tingdong said, “We’re planning to remarry.”

Li Wanru feigned concern, “When do you plan to remarry?”

Huo Tingdong said, “I believe it’s up to her. Whenever she agrees, I will take her to get the marriage certificate.”

Lin Qi said, “Stop talking.”

Li Wanru seemed to revel in their trouble yet pretended to be worried, “You two aren’t fighting, are you?”

Lin Qi didn’t want to admit it.

Even if they were arguing as husband and wife, she didn’t want to air it in public.

But Huo Tingdong said, “Yes, she’s angry with me.”

Lin Qi glared at him suspiciously.

Huo Tingdong looked at Lin Qi, “You won’t even give me a chance to explain. I didn’t intentionally stay out all night yesterday. There was a project handover that required an international video call due to time differences, so I spent the whole night at the company. Qiqi, I have no reason to lie to you.”

He was so patient in coaxing her in front of so many people, even calling her “Qiqi.” She felt somewhat uncomfortable, frowning and shrugging her shoulders.

Huo Tingdong said, “Don’t be angry, okay?”

Li Wanru was somewhat shocked.

Such an influential CEO as Huo Tingdong, with a net worth in the billions, still had the patience to coddle his woman with such a gentle tone, in stark contrast to her own husband, who would start berating at the slightest disagreement. Every time she and Jin Lilai fought, it was always her who apologized first, even when she had done nothing wrong, yet Jin Lilai was so unreasonable, never giving an inch.

She was green with envy.

“Lin Qi, he’s trying so hard to appease you, don’t stay mad at him. Out in public, shouldn’t you give a man some face?” Li Wanru said, though it left a sour taste in her mouth.

Lin Qi shot Huo Tingdong a look, “Alright, let’s talk about our issues at home!”

Huo Tingdong said, “Okay, then… let’s not fight.” He took her hand, holding it in his palm.

His gaze suddenly fell on Lili, and looking at the situation, he understood why Lin Qi was now sitting face to face with Jin Lilai and Li Wanru.

Jin Lilai said, “Since you’re here, talk to your wife properly! She insists on adopting my daughter. Is my daughter without parents, that she’s snatching the role to be her mother?”

Huo Tingdong looked at Lin Qi, “Do you really want to adopt Lili?”

Lin Qi said, “Well…”

She knew Huo Tingdong didn’t agree, so she intended to resolve the matter herself.

Huo Tingdong rubbed his brows helplessly, then straightened up and turned to Jin Lilai, “Firstly, it’s completely reasonable and legal for my wife to want to adopt Lili. Although you are Lili’s biological parents, you abandoned her at birth. Therefore, she no longer has any connection to you. You have no right to take Lili back. Lili’s custody is already a matter for the welfare services. Even if my wife wants to adopt Lili, it’s something to be discussed between her and the welfare institute, not you.”

His sudden lengthy speech left Jin Lilai completely stunned.

Lin Qi also showed a look of surprise, “Huo Tingdong…”

He actually referred to her as “my wife.”

It was the first time she heard this unfamiliar title from his lips.

Huo Tingdong said, “On the way here, I thought it over carefully. If you want to adopt her, I will adopt her with you.”

Lin Qi said, “I…”

His sudden change of heart took her by surprise.

Huo Tingdong said, “However, I can only agree to adopt her; I can’t assure you that I’ll regard her like I do Momo and Han, as if they were my own.”