The crowd finally understood why Zhuang Ruoting had not appeared at the peak of Jiulong Mountain immediately.
It turned out she was caught in a dilemma between family affection and friendship!
However, judging from Zhuang Ruoting's actions now, it seemed she had already made a choice.
She chose to acknowledge her biological father.
After all, anyone with such a wealthy father would not truly harden their heart and refuse to acknowledge him.
Zhuang Ruoting's choice was understandable.
But had Zhuang Ruoting considered that her actions were actually a betrayal of Ying Chen?
"Mr. Ying, please believe me, it's not what you think..."
Clearly, Zhuang Ruoting realized this too and tried to explain to Ying Chen.
"I don't fancy his status or his hundreds of billions of assets. Moreover, he has so many sons, even if there are assets, they wouldn't fall to me, an illegitimate daughter."
"I simply want to repay his kindness of giving me life, for without him, there would be no me. Although I am a hundred or a thousand times unwilling in my heart, I still have to admit this fact."
"Therefore, Mr. Ying, please, for my sake, for the sake of my willingness to pay any price, let him go!"
Saying this, Zhuang Ruoting actually knelt directly towards Ying Chen!
The kindness of birth versus the kindness of nurturing had always been a topic of debate in the thousands of years of traditional Chinese culture.
Most people believed that the kindness of nurturing outweighed the kindness of birth, but the kindness of birth could not be completely ignored.
Zhuang Ruoting was clearly an adherent to this view.
Thus, as soon as she learned of her origins, she rushed to the peak of Jiulong Mountain, attempting to repay one life with another by saving Li Fengcheng.
As for the matter of inheritance, Zhuang Ruoting truly hadn't thought much about it.
Li Fengcheng had three sons, the eldest was already over forty, and the youngest was over twenty.
Each son was exceptionally shrewd, by no means the useless prodigal sons that everyone imagined.
Especially the eldest son, who had been largely recognized by the outside world as Li Fengcheng's successor in recent years.
The performance of the companies he had managed independently over the years was also extremely impressive.
As an illegitimate daughter, Zhuang Ruoting had no opportunity to compete with them for the family inheritance.
"Ruoting..." Seeing Zhuang Ruoting's actions, Li Fengcheng couldn't help but his eyes reddened, and he murmured.
He had actually guessed long ago that Zhuang Ruoting was his daughter.
Otherwise, his attitude towards Zhuang Ruoting at the auction would not have been unusual.
Now, Zhuang Ruoting kneeling to Ying Chen for his sake and being willing to pay any price moved him greatly.
He had already begun planning to revise his will: Li family's fortune could not possibly be passed on to Zhuang Ruoting, but things like equity dividends could have Zhuang Ruoting's name added.
He could even publicly announce her identity as a daughter of the Li family.
He believed that his actions would definitely move Zhuang Ruoting, making her willing to call him father.
But what he didn't expect was that Zhuang Ruoting's next words made his plan fall apart, leaving him stunned on the spot.
"If Mr. Ying doesn't believe me, if you still think I covet the Li family's inheritance, I can swear publicly: after repaying the kindness of birth today, Zhuang Ruoting and Li Fengcheng will have no further connection! We will be like strangers! If I go against this, may lightning strike me and may I die a terrible death!"
Zhuang Ruoting said solemnly, raising her right hand to swear.
This immediately drew gasps of admiration from the crowd.
To be able to so decisively sever ties with the Li family's status and background, this woman Zhuang Ruoting had more courage than imagined!
However, even so, Ying Chen still did not speak.
Ying Chen's eyes held a hint of a smile, neither agreeing nor refusing.
This puzzled everyone.
What was Ying Chen planning?
Had Zhuang Ruoting's deeply touching words not moved Ying Chen at all?
"To spare my father, I am willing to give up my status as the Li family heir and give it to Zhuang Ruoting!"
At this moment, Li Fengcheng's eldest son suddenly walked out from the crowd and, with a thud, also knelt before Ying Chen!
Everyone was shocked.
Li Fengcheng's eldest son was willing to give up his heir status?
This was truly unexpected.
After all, once Li Fengcheng died, he would be the biggest beneficiary.
He would immediately transform into the actual leader of the Li family.
"To spare my daddy, I am also willing to give up my heir status! And I will acknowledge this little sister!"
Li Fengcheng's second and third sons also walked out of the crowd in unison, saying the same thing.
The three sons of the Li family, for once, displayed unity and solidarity!
Li Fengcheng looked at his three sons, his eyes reddening, and nodded repeatedly: "Good, good, good! Worthy of being my sons! Even if I die today, I will have no regrets!"
"Alas, a father of a tiger has no cowardly sons. The children of the Li family are indeed filial and loyal, each better than the last. Looking at my own children, they are only rebellious, truly I wish I could stuff him back into his mother's womb!" The surrounding wealthy businessmen were moved by the scene and couldn't help but sigh.
Some wealthy businessmen seemed to be stirred by the touching scene of unity within the Li family, even stepping out of the crowd and saying, "I will also plead with Mr. Li this once! I implore Immortal Ying to spare Mr. Li!"
"We implore Immortal Ying to spare Mr. Li!"
"I am Officer Lin from the capital of Xiangjiang. I also implore this gentleman to spare Mr. Li and leave behind a beautiful story of filial piety and loyalty!"
Even the capital officer Lin, who was present as a notary, stood up to support Li Fengcheng!
At this moment, it seemed as if if Ying Chen refused, he would instantly become the biggest villain in the room!
Unreasonable, heartless, bloodthirsty, and cruel!
The pressure was suddenly on Ying Chen.
Conversely, Li Fengcheng's face was filled with deep emotion, while a hint of cunning flashed in his eyes.
It was as if all of this was within his expectations, all within his control.
"With so many people pleading, I suppose I have no choice but to agree?"
Ying Chen finally spoke.
Upon hearing Ying Chen's words, Li Fengcheng immediately clenched his fist.
If it weren't inappropriate, he would have shouted "yes"!
Ying Chen had ultimately succumbed to the general trend!
Ying Chen had ultimately succumbed to his scheme!
The kneeling pleas of Li's three sons were all made under his silent instruction!
Indeed, it had drawn pleas and support from other wealthy businessmen and Officer Lin.
This method of "gathering momentum to pressure others" was something he had used countless times in the business world, and it had always been effective!
This time was no exception.
"Alas, fine, fine. I'll spare him!"
"Come, Mr. Li, don't kneel on the ground, get up quickly. The ground is cold."
Ying Chen sighed and reached out to help Li Fengcheng up.
At this moment, Li Fengcheng's sense of triumph reached its peak. This kind of near-death experience and last-minute comeback filled him with a sense of accomplishment!
He would definitely find someone to embellish this story later and spread it widely as a tale of triumph!
However, before Li Fengcheng could figure out how to embellish it, the scene that followed instantly made him go pale with shock, his soul scattered and scattered!
The others present, who were already preparing to applaud and celebrate, all changed their expressions and froze on the spot!