Let’s turn the clock back ten-odd minutes, to an office at the Central City Hospital.
“What? An illegitimate daughter?!”
Chen Mengrou stared at the glaringly bold red characters on the paternity test report. For an instant, it felt like her mind exploded with a loud “buzz.”
It took a while before she could collect herself. Her elegant brows knit tightly together as she fixed her gaze on the man in white casual clothes before her. “Mu Siwei, is this the real thing?”
Mu Siwei, her college classmate and once her best male friend, was now just an ordinary friend. Back in university, he’d tried to pursue her, but, unfortunately, those dreams were mercilessly shattered by Jiang Chi’s current father, Jiang Yushu, who even used underhanded tactics to marry her himself.
That, in fact, was why Jiang Yushu’s attitude toward the medical profession always carried a certain aloofness, if not an aversion born from personal associations.
“Two months ago, this was sent by that kid, A-Chi, to the paternity agency where I work. I was curious, so I couldn’t resist taking a peek.” Mu Siwei spoke with a bright, narrow-eyed smile.
He looked about thirty or forty, his figure on the slender side, wearing gold-rimmed glasses that lent him a scholarly air. His long hair, styled with an artistic flair, was paired with a white leisure outfit. Blue nail polish colored his fingertips, and on his wrist, he wore a toy watch—a stark contrast to his otherwise refined appearance.
His features were somewhat androgynous, with flowing hair and a peculiar masculine charm that gave off a pleasant first impression.
The reason Chen Mengrou once became best friends with him was because he could do her hair and makeup.
“So… my A-Chi’s girlfriend is really my bestie’s illegitimate daughter?” Chen Mengrou’s face was full of disbelief.
“Scientifically speaking, that’s exactly it,” Mu Siwei said, nodding gravely.
“Does my A-Chi know?”
“No idea. But if he sent in the sample for testing, it means he’s at least partly suspicious, or at least noticed something.”
Hearing this, Chen Mengrou fell silent for a moment before finally putting the paternity test report into her handbag. “Thanks for the info. I’ll treat you to a meal another day,” she said, then stood up and walked out.
“Not staying for lunch?” Mu Siwei called after her.
“No.” Chen Mengrou shook her head at the doorway, then suddenly turned back to look at Mu Siwei with a half-smile.
“Oh, right, Weiwei, I’m a married woman now, with a lovely, sensible son, so you can put away those little tricks of yours.”
She gave him a dazzling smile before leaving.
After her words, Mu Siwei’s expression subtly shifted in the office. He let out a long sigh, lowered his head, and unconsciously stroked the toy watch on his wrist.
Chen Mengrou, holding her purse and walking in high heels, exited the building, making her way along the cobblestone path with plans to leave the hospital. She never expected to stumble upon such an explosive scene.
Her own A-Chi had forcefully pinned her bestie’s second son against a tree, lifting his chin with a finger. The posture was suggestive and bold.
“A-Chi! Yueyue! What are you doing?!”
*****
Back to the present.
Chen Mengrou’s almond-shaped eyes were wide with shock as she stared at the scene before her.
Ji Yuennian and Jiang Chi stared at each other, their eyes locked. For a moment, the air seemed frozen.
Suddenly, Ji Yuennian sprang into action: first a knee strike, then grabbing Jiang Chi and landing a sharp elbow. Jiang Chi doubled over in pain, clutching his mouth.
“Aunt Chen, why are you here?” After finishing his moves, Ji Yuennian waved innocently at Chen Mengrou and called out.
“I was just teaching Jiang Chi how to deal with thugs—like what to do if you get cornered. You know, there are plenty of troublemakers in the alleys near our school.”
Saying that, Ji Yuennian straightened Jiang Chi, slinging an arm around his shoulders, then turned his head with a smile. “Isn’t that right, Jiang Chi?”
“Yes, yes.” Jiang Chi nodded gloomily.
Listening to their explanation, Chen Mengrou suddenly felt… this explanation actually sounded quite reasonable.
Indeed, it made sense.
It certainly wasn’t what she’d just imagined—how could that be? How could that possibly be? As expected, she’d read too many of those BL paperbacks that Xiao Huanghuang gave her.
Reading too many had her shipping her own son with her bestie’s second son—what a sin, what a sin.
“Have you had lunch yet? If not, I’ll take you both out to eat.” Chen Mengrou swiftly changed the subject.
In the end, the three decided to find a restaurant outside the hospital for lunch.
*****
In the restaurant, by the window.
Ji Yuennian slurped Italian spaghetti with tomato and meatballs, sensing a faint but persistent gaze sweeping over him, tinged with suspicion and curiosity.
The short-haired cool girl’s heart leaped to her throat.
Why is Aunt Chen looking at me like that? Did she figure something out? I’d just managed to hide things from my brother and dad—if I slip up with Aunt Chen, I’m doomed.
If Aunt Chen knows, then my mom will know, and if my mom knows, then the whole family will know. If the whole family knows, I’ll have to change my name, transfer schools, and say goodbye to “Ji Yuennian” and my 17-year life as a boy.
At that thought, the short-haired girl’s body trembled involuntarily. Just then, a large, warm hand reached out and gently squeezed hers.
Ji Yuennian looked up.
Jiang Chi gazed at her, silently mouthing: Don’t panic, I’m here.
Meanwhile, Chen Mengrou didn’t notice her son’s little gestures. Instead, she was lost in thought over another issue.
Why doesn’t Chan Chan look like Yueyue at all?
Wasn’t it supposed to be an illegitimate daughter…
Hiss! Right, illegitimate daughter—same mother, different fathers. The boy looks like his father, the girl looks like her mother.
Chan Chan really does resemble Xiao Huanghuang in some ways.
Chen Mengrou recalled how Huang Qingchuan had recently asked about adopting Chan Chan as a goddaughter—could it be that Xiao Huanghuang was using her to “whitewash” Chan Chan’s status as an illegitimate daughter?
Hiss! Terrifying!
Ji Yuennian slurped more spaghetti, still feeling that faint, probing gaze lingering on him.
The short-haired cool girl’s heart leapt to her throat.
Why is Aunt Chen looking at me like that? Did she figure something out? I’d just managed to hide things from my brother and dad—if I slip up with Aunt Chen, I’m doomed.
If Aunt Chen knows, then my mom will know, and if my mom knows, then the whole family will know. If the whole family knows, I’ll have to change my name, transfer schools, and say goodbye to “Ji Yuennian” and my 17-year life as a boy.
At that thought, the short-haired girl’s body trembled involuntarily. Just then, a large, warm hand reached out and gently squeezed hers.
Ji Yuennian looked up.
Jiang Chi gazed at her, silently mouthing: Don’t panic, I’m here.
Meanwhile, Chen Mengrou didn’t notice her son’s little gestures. Instead, she was pondering another issue.
Why doesn’t Chan Chan look like Yueyue at all?
Wasn’t it supposed to be an illegitimate daughter…
Hiss! Right, illegitimate daughter—same mother, different fathers. The boy looks like his father, the girl looks like her mother.
Chan Chan really does resemble Xiao Huanghuang in some ways.
Chen Mengrou remembered how Huang Qingchuan had recently mentioned wanting to take Chan Chan as a goddaughter—could it be that Xiao Huanghuang wanted to use her to “wash away” Chan Chan’s status as an illegitimate daughter?
Hiss! Terrifying!
She never thought Xiao Huanghuang was that kind of person. She felt a little sorry for Ji Hong from Xiao Huanghuang’s family.
No way! She must go talk sense into her bestie! She needed to make her cut off all ties with those men outside, mend the fence before it’s too late!!
With that thought, Chen Mengrou suddenly said she had something urgent, called the waiter to pay for all three, and hurriedly left.
Inside the restaurant, watching Chen Mengrou’s hurried figure leaving, Ji Yuennian and Jiang Chi exchanged a look, both secretly breathing a sigh of relief.
“How are you feeling? Still hurt?” Jiang Chi was eating broccoli when suddenly a small head leaned in, her expression filled with concern.
Remembering those two heavy blows from before, Jiang Chi’s face twitched. “It hurts a lot.”
“Sorry about that, I really didn’t have a better idea at the time.” The beauty looked at him with a hint of guilt, her delicate face full of worry.
She bit her lip and said, “How about I massage it for you? Don’t get the wrong idea, I just want to help. I hate owing people favors the most.”
Saying that, she reached out her fair little hand, stretching it towards a certain spot.
Wasn’t it supposed to be an illegitimate daughter…
Hiss! Right, illegitimate daughter—same mother, different fathers. The boy looks like his father, the girl looks like her mother.
Chan Chan really does resemble Xiao Huanghuang in some ways.
Chen Mengrou remembered how Huang Qingchuan had recently mentioned wanting to take Chan Chan as a goddaughter—could it be that Xiao Huanghuang wanted to use her to “wash away” Chan Chan’s status as an illegitimate daughter?
Hiss! Terrifying
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