The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife
Chapter 184. Leave here

Chapter 184: 184. Leave here

Outside, Shen Qinglan, who had come up to call the two down for lunch, stood at the entrance of the study, listened to the conversation between the grandfather and grandson, and quietly went downstairs.

"Where are your grandpa and Hengyi?" asked Fu Jingtong, puzzled at not seeing them come down.

"I think they were discussing something, so I didn’t go in," explained Shen Qinglan.

Fu Jingtong changed the subject without asking further. "Qinglan, isn’t your school starting soon?"

Shen Qinglan nodded. "Yes, classes begin on the seventeenth of the first month." That was what her notification had said.

"I heard that there aren’t many classes in your senior year. Do you plan to start a gallery or a studio after you graduate?" Fu Jingtong asked, considering that Shen Qinglan’s paintings were currently very popular, and starting a gallery was definitely feasible. In this aspect, she knew a few people who could offer help if Shen Qinglan decided to open a gallery.

"Daniel owns a gallery, and he’s also my agent; I trust him to handle things," Shen Qinglan paused before continuing, "Also, I’ve taken over a tea house recently, so I’ll be focusing most of my efforts there after the New Year."

"Oh? You’ve started a tea house? Where is it?" Fu Jingtong became interested.

Shen Qinglan gave the address, and although Fu Jingtong didn’t usually stay in the country, she recognized the location. "I didn’t expect you could secure a shop there, very nice. Shall I take Auntie to visit sometime?"

"That won’t be difficult at all. Auntie can come whenever she wants. My tea house will officially open for business on the sixteenth of the first month. Maybe Auntie and I could go together?"

"Sure," agreed Fu Jingtong readily.

Old Sir Fu and Fu Hengyi didn’t stay in the study much longer and soon came downstairs.

Not long after lunch, Fu Hengyi went upstairs to change into his military uniform and came down. Shen Qinglan stared at him intently, knowing he was about to leave. She stood up and went out to see him off.

Outside, a military jeep was already parked there. Fu Hengyi didn’t rush to get in but instead adjusted Shen Qinglan’s scarf. "Go inside, it’s cold out."

"You get in the car, and I’ll go inside once you’ve left."

Fu Hengyi smiled, "Can’t bear to see me go?"

Shen Qinglan nodded straightforwardly, giving him a resolute "Yes."

Fu Hengyi was slightly taken aback, then hugged her. "Don’t worry, I’ll be back by the end of next month."

Shen Qinglan thought briefly that it was just over a month and a half. She nodded and urged Hengyi to get into the vehicle.

Fu Hengyi got in the vehicle without further ado. Not until the vehicle had disappeared from sight did Shen Qinglan go inside, both thinking they wouldn’t see each other for over a month. They didn’t expect to reunite so soon and under such circumstances.

Later, Shen Qinglan often wondered if things would have developed differently had she chosen not to go that day, but no matter how many times she thought about it, the answer was always the same. Even if given another chance, she would make the same choice.

"Hengyi has left?" asked Old Sir Fu.

Shen Qinglan nodded. "Grandpa, would you like me to play chess with you this afternoon?"

Old Sir Fu waved his hand, "It’s the New Year, go out and see your friends, and if you want to have dinner with them in the evening, that’s fine too. I’m just an old man, having Jingting with me is enough."

Fu Jingtong also chimed in, "Yes, Qinglan, go meet some friends. Don’t stay cooped up at home all day."

They both knew that the young couple was close, and that Hengyi had just returned to the military, so it was inevitable that Qinglan would miss him and feel down. Going out to meet friends might make her feel a bit better.

Qinglan was somewhat speechless; she really wasn’t that sentimental. Yes, she missed Hengyi when he left home, but she had always been adaptable and had adjusted now, but she didn’t want to disappoint the elders, so she still ended up leaving the house with her bag.

She didn’t call Xiao Xuan or Fang Tong but went to Jiangxin Garden and started cleaning up by rolling up her sleeves. The house wasn’t large, but cleaning inside and out took quite a bit of time. By the time she finished, it was already evening.

On her way back to the compound, she got out of the car halfway, bought some food, and gave it to the security guard at the entrance, the same one who had been scolded by Xitong that day.

"I’m really sorry about that day. Our family can be harsh sometimes, but I hope you don’t take it to heart. I saw this shop on my way here and thought the food looked good, so I brought some for you. Please share it, and thank you for your hard work," Qinglan said, her voice still cold but her words filled with warmth.

The security guard was touched and repeatedly waved his hands, refusing, "This is my job, I’m just doing what I should be doing. What happened that day has nothing to do with you, Miss Shen. I’ve already forgotten about it. Keep the food, it’s cold outside, you should head back soon."

"It was bought for you, take it. Don’t worry, your superiors won’t mind," Qinglan insisted.

The guards, being straightforward military folk, accepted when Qinglan insisted. As they took the food and watched Qinglan leave, they once again marveled at how this lady from the Shen family was talented and beautiful yet modest. That was the true mark of the Shen family.

**

That evening, there was a knock on the door of a five-star hotel room. Li Datou glanced at Tian Cuifang, who yelled at the door, "Who is it?"

The person outside didn’t respond but knocked again.

Li Datou and Tian Cuifang looked at each other. Li Datou stood up, walked to the door, and asked, "Who’s there?"

"Shen Xitong." The person outside gave a name in a stentorian voice. Li Datou opened the door, and upon seeing the figure outside, his face broke into a smile.

"Sanya, you’re here! Come in, come in," Tian Cuifang greeted warmly.

Shen Xitong frowned as she walked in, clearly impatient, "I’m not called Sanya, my name is Shen Xitong."

"Alright, alright, we’ll call you Xitong," said Tian Cuifang, easygoing. It was just a name. Whatever you want us to call you, we don’t mind.

The room had only one large bed and two chairs, which had a lot of stuff on them, leaving no place to sit. Tian Cuifang moved some blankets to make room for Xitong to sit.

Looking at the messy bed, disgust flickered in Xitong’s eyes. She had no intention of sitting down. "No need, I just have a few words to say and then I’ll leave," she got straight to the point.

Tian Cuifang and Li Datou also remained standing, feeling somewhat uneasy under Xitong’s imposing gaze.

"I don’t know where you heard that I’m your daughter and decided to show up, but just because we went for a DNA test doesn’t mean I will acknowledge you as my biological parents. I only have one father and mother, and that’s Shen Qian and Chu Yunrong, for this lifetime."

"Sanya, we..." Tian Cuifang tried to explain, insisting that Xitong was indeed their daughter, but Xitong cut her off.

"I know what you want. It’s just money, right? I can give you money, on one condition, leave Beijing, and never show up in front of me again."

"How much money?" Li Datou asked subconsciously, and after he finished, his old face was all embarrassment.

Xitong saw a trace of disdain in her eyes, she knew it would be like this. She pulled out a stack of cash from her bag and threw it on the bed, estimating that there was at least US$ 100,000.

Li Datou’s eyes brightened. He had never seen so much money before, and now this money was for him. Honestly, he was tempted.

"Three... Xitong, we didn’t come to you for your money," Tian Cuifang suddenly said, pulling Li Datou’s reasoning back.

He looked at his wife appreciatively, seeing that she was not so useless after all. If he had agreed just now, the loss would have been huge. Xitong was a treasure trove; even a little slipping through her fingers would be enough for his family to live comfortably.

With that thought, Li Datou looked at the US$ 100,000 with much less interest. If he acknowledged this daughter, it wouldn’t just be US$ 100,000, but US$ 1,000,000 could also be his with just a word.

Tian Cuifang continued, "Xitong, we’ve been looking for you for so many years, only wanting to make up for our mistakes as parents. We’re really not here for your money."

Li Datou nodded in agreement, "Your mom has always regretted leaving you at the doorstep of the orphanage. Whenever she thinks of you, she cries terribly, staying up all night."

Tian Cuifang shed tears in coordination, her face filled with regret. She thought this should make Xitong’s heart soften, but there was no fluctuation in Xitong’s heart, not even a change in her gaze, which remained cold towards the couple.

Perhaps they thought she was too young back then and had forgotten, but unfortunately, she not only remembered, but remembered very clearly. She felt disgust even at a glance of their hypocritical performance.

"If you take this money and leave now, then it’s yours, but if we wait for the DNA test result, whether I’m your daughter or not, you won’t get a cent," Xitong said coldly, her eyes on the wall in front of her, not landing on Li Datou and his wife.

Tian Cuifang cried even harder, her gaze at Xitong as if looking at a willful daughter who didn’t understand her parents’ hardship, but she said nothing, just staring at her with tear-filled eyes.

Li Datou, though silent, his eyes were full of unacknowledged anger, "We’re not leaving; we’ll wait for the DNA results. You take this money back; we don’t want it."

Xitong’s lips curved slightly, a mocking curve, "That’s your call; don’t even think about getting a cent from us in the future." And she truly did put the money that was thrown on the bed back into her bag.

Li Datou watched as the easy pickings flew away, wanted to intervene, but he consoled himself heavily in his mind. The money would come back to him in the future. He couldn’t rush now.

Xitong walked away in her high heels, Tian Cuifang wiped her tears and looked at her husband, "What do we do now?"

Seeing so much money just gone, Li Datou’s heart still ached. With a harsh tone, he said, "You ask me? How should I know? It’s all because of you, useless woman, you can’t even handle a young girl."

Tian Cuifang, scolded by her husband, didn’t dare to retort, just silently wiped her tears.

Seeing this, Li Datou harshly said, "Always crying, crying, crying, your tears have ruined all my luck, bad omen."

Tian Cuifang dared not cry anymore, hastily wiping her tears, fearing that Li Datou might hit her if something else went wrong. Recently, because they had to go to Beijing to find their daughter, he had stopped hitting her.

Xitong walked out of the hotel, her gaze growing colder. She initially thought this couple, not worldly-wise, would be settled by US$ 100,000, but they didn’t take it. Did they want even more?

She never believed that they genuinely wanted to make amends for her. If that were the case, they wouldn’t be who they were.

Turning back to glance at the hotel once more, Xitong’s gaze grew even colder. She took out her phone and dialed a number.

**

Three days passed in a flash, and early one morning, Shen Qian received a call from a friend at the hospital, saying the DNA test results were ready. After hearing the final results, Shen Qian was silent for a long while before he quietly said "thank you" and hung up the phone.

"Jun Yu, are you going to work today?" Shen Qian asked gently when he saw Shen Junyu downstairs.

Shen Junyu shook his head. It was the weekend, and he was off.

"Perfect, the test results are out today. Could you help me pick them up?"

"Sure." Shen Junyu stood up, took the car keys, and left. On the way back, he picked up the Li Family couple.

Shen Xitong knew that the results would be out today. She had not left the house in the past three days nor had she visited the Li Family couple. Instead, she stayed at home obediently, occasionally playing the piano or learning floral art with Chu Yunrong, displaying the demeanor of a good daughter, seemingly unconcerned about the test results.

Watching Shen Junyu leave, she knew the results must be ready, so her eyes darkened and she walked to the living room, "Daddy."

Shen Qian was holding a newspaper. Seeing Shen Xitong, he smiled gently and pointed to the spot beside him, "Xitong, don’t just stand there."

Shen Xitong sat down next to Shen Qian. Although she said nothing, she periodically glanced at Shen Qian from the corner of her eye. Seeing his calm and composed demeanor that revealed no emotions, she felt a flicker of unease.

"Tongtong, get a pair of scissors for mom." Chu Yunrong called from outside. Shen Xitong responded, "Alright, coming right away." She looked at Shen Qian again, "Dad, I’ll go find mom first."

Shen Qian smiled and nodded, "Go ahead, your mom is probably fussing with those flowers again."

Before leaving, Shen Xitong took one more glance at Shen Qian’s calm face, pursed her lips, and walked out.

When the Li Family couple entered the Shen Family home for the second time, they were still stunned by the luxurious surroundings. Compared to their first visit when they were timid, they seemed much bolder this time. From the moment they entered, they scrutinized the house, and the more they looked, the deeper their greed grew.

This house had been extensively renovated by Shen Junyu in the past two years, with many pieces of furniture ordered specially from abroad at hefty prices.

Though the Li Family couple did not recognize the brands of the furniture, they could tell how wealthy the household was.

"Mr. Shen, has the DNA result come out?" Li Datou asked hesitantly while rubbing his hands.

Shen Qian smiled warmly, "No rush, let’s wait for everyone to arrive."

Shen Xitong glanced sideways. Everyone was here—grandpa, mom, big brother; weren’t we already all here?

Just then, Shen Qinglan walked in and Shen Xitong’s eyes darkened. She glared fiercely at Shen Qinglan. Was she here to see her downfall? Unfortunately, seeing her downfall today would prove to be a challenge.

Indeed, Shen Qinglan was there to watch the drama unfold, for it was she who had orchestrated it all. If she didn’t watch, wouldn’t all her time and effort have been wasted?

Sitting beside Old Sir Shen, she asked as usual about Old Sir Shen’s health. Old Sir Shen smiled and patted her hand, "Grandpa is very healthy, don’t worry."

Shen Qinglan smiled faintly and remained silent.

"Now that everyone is here, let me announce the DNA results," Shen Qian took the medical report that Shen Junyu had brought back from the hospital. Shen Xitong looked at the report, a cryptic light flashing in her eyes and the corners of her mouth curving in a subtle smirk, her face composed.

"After the appraisal, it is confirmed that Xitong is indeed your daughter," Shen Qian said calmly.

Xitong’s originally composed expression cracked instantaneously, disbelieving as she looked at Shen Qian, or more precisely, at the report in his hand as if trying to bore a hole through it.

Meanwhile, the faces of the Li Family couple lit up with wild joy and excitement, especially Tian Cuifang, who looked at Shen Xitong with tears of excitement, muttering, "I knew it, I knew you were, I knew I couldn’t be wrong."

"No, this is impossible, this report must be fake, it must be," Xitong screamed, losing her composure. The samples for the appraisal had been switched by her long ago; how could the results be real? Her face changed as she pointed at Shen Qinglan, "It was you, wasn’t it? You want to drive me out of the Shen Family, so you forged this report."

With these words, everyone present, except the Li Family couple, changed their expressions, even Chu Yunrong looked at Xitong with eyes full of blame.

Shen Qinglan, however, remained as cold as ever, showing no emotion, not even uttering a word, merely giving her a fleeting glance. The swapping of the samples was indeed her doing, but all she did was switch back the real ones.

Xitong, however, saw contempt for herself in that glance and suddenly realized the folly of her actions in her panic.

"Grandpa, Dad, Mom, I didn’t mean that, I just..." Xitong tried to explain, but seeing the expressionless faces of the Shen family, she felt a sense of helplessness.

"Alright, the authenticity of this report shouldn’t be doubted—it’s genuine. Since your biological parents have found you and they also wish for you to return, you should consider it carefully," Old Sir Shen declared sternly.

Xitong’s eyes widened, "Grandpa, are you trying to drive me out of the Shen Family?" she said, her tears falling rapidly.

Chu Yunrong looked at Xitong’s tearful face, her heart softening. She knew this child was very attached to this family but always felt insecure, being particularly sensitive.

Wanting to speak, but facing Shen Qinglan’s cold demeanor and remembering Xitong’s recent accusation, she couldn’t say anything, choosing instead to remain silent, bowing her head and not looking at Xitong.

Xitong had thought that at least Chu Yunrong would persuade her a little, but seeing no movement, she felt even colder—after all, they weren’t her biological parents; they could easily let go.

"Grandpa, I don’t want to leave this family; it was you and Dad and Mom who raised me, providing me with a good living environment and education. I haven’t had the chance to repay you all, I don’t want to leave you," Xitong cried sorrowfully, regaining her reason.

"Xitong, your grandfather isn’t forcing you to leave the Shen Family," Shen Qian finally spoke. "They are, after all, your biological parents, and now that they have found you, whether you choose to go back with them or stay with the Shen Family depends on what you want. We will respect your decision."

Upon hearing this, Xitong felt a great relief, yet her crying intensified, tears streaming down as she looked at Shen Qian, "Daddy, I want to stay here, I want to be with you and Mom. Please don’t make me leave, okay?"

"Sanya, we are your real parents; we’ve searched so long to find you, how can you not come back with us?" Tian Cuifang became anxious, knowing their better days depended on Xitong returning with them.

"You abandoned me back then; why come back for me now? Is it because you see I’m doing well and want money, is that it?" Xitong glared hatefully at the Li Family couple, her tone full of resentment.

Tian Cuifang also cried, "Back then, we really had no choice. If we hadn’t sent you to the orphanage, you would have starved to death. You are my own flesh, how could I bear it? Later, when our situation improved slightly, we went to look for you, but you were already gone. All these years, I haven’t had a single good night’s sleep, thinking about you every day; your dad has always blamed me for being too cruel as a mother."

Li Datou made a show of looking heartbroken as well.

Shen Qinglan watched coldly, silent. Tsk, this couple really should have been actors; Shen Junyu also watched with interest. Honestly, he had no real attachment to Xitong; her leaving or staying didn’t matter to him, but watching the drama unfold was indeed enjoyable.

Looking at Shen Qinglan, a touch of tenderness flashed in his eyes—this was the sister he needed to cherish and protect.

"Enough, no more crying," Old Sir Shen spoke, instantly quieting the living room, "Now that things are clear, Xitong, since you’ve chosen to stay with the Shen Family, we won’t say much more. But they are your biological parents, even if they did abandon you back then. Now that they’ve found you, try to spend some time with them when you can."

Xitong’s face was filled with reluctance, yet she still responded with an "okay." The Li couple heard this and were overjoyed, their gazes toward Old Sir Shen brimming with gratitude.

"Lanlan, Grandpa is tired. Help Grandpa go upstairs to rest," Old Sir Shen said.

Shen Qinglan got up and helped the old man upstairs.

Shen Junyu was instructed to take the Li couple back to the hotel, and Chu Yunrong found an excuse to go upstairs to rest as well. Her husband had long said that she was not allowed to interfere in this matter—it was best for her to stay out of it.

"Daddy." Only Xitong and Shen Qian were left in the living room. Xitong felt a bit uneasy and called out softly.

Shen Qian smiled gently, "What’s the matter?" His smile was no different from usual, and Xitong couldn’t figure out what he was really thinking, but she always felt that Shen Qian must know something.

Xitong wanted to smile, but she couldn’t manage it. She tugged at the corners of her mouth, "Nothing, Dad. If there’s nothing else, I’m going to go upstairs. Mom just said she wasn’t feeling well, I’m going to check on her."

Shen Qian nodded with a smile, "Go ahead. If your mom is really unwell, remember to call a doctor to have a look."

"Okay." Xitong nodded, stood up, and went upstairs.

Shen Qian watched her retreating figure, his eyes darkened with thought. He couldn’t help wondering if adopting this child back then to comfort his wife had been a mistake.

His wife’s illness seemed to have been cured, but in reality, it hadn’t—at all. She was still taking medication year-round, and after their biological daughter returned, she hadn’t been very close with them as a couple.

He had thought that, having raised and educated this child for so many years, she would at least turn out well, but now, Shen Qian was beginning to doubt that.

That morning, he had received a call from a friend who told him about the results of a paternity test and also mentioned something else—Xitong had once tried to have someone switch the blood samples for the test. Shen Qian could understand her intentions all too well.

Shen Qian wasn’t unaware that ever since Shen Qinglan had returned, Xitong had been targeting her, both openly and covertly. He had originally thought it was just because she was afraid of being driven out of the Shen family and was therefore acting out of insecurity, believing her to be fundamentally good-hearted.

However, since Qinglan got married last year, many incidents had seemed to suggest otherwise.

Although he was often away with the military, he was not oblivious to many things, including the incident last year when Xitong fell down the stairs and claimed Qinglan had pushed her. Chu Yunrong hadn’t told him, but he could still find out if he wanted to.

He didn’t claim to fully understand Qinglan’s character, but he knew much of it, and besides Chu Yunrong, he couldn’t imagine anyone believing that she would push Xitong down the stairs.

At the beginning of the year, when Fu Hengyi got drunk, Xitong tried to take advantage of the situation but was caught by Qinglan; he knew this as well because he had just so happened to be coming upstairs at that time and inadvertently saw it. He had simply left before any of the three had noticed him.

As for why the Li couple had suddenly shown up at their door, so sure that Xitong was their daughter, he couldn’t believe it if Qinglan wasn’t involved somehow.

He agreed to let Xitong go with them for the test, perhaps with the intent of helping Qinglan. Jun Yu always felt that he had his guards up against Qinglan, harbored doubts about her, but that was not the case.

Initially, when Qinglan had come home, he indeed suspected that someone might want to use her against the Shen family, but that was only before she returned. Since her return, his affection for her had been entirely genuine, whether his son and Qinglan believed it or not.

And yet, his son was still upset with him for investigating Qinglan and had even given up the opportunity to join the military because of it, which deeply saddened Shen Qian.

Xitong... perhaps that was the most mistaken decision he had ever made.

Shen Qinglan helped Old Sir Shen upstairs, watched him lie down to rest, then returned to her room just as Fu Hengyi’s call came in.

Seeing the name on the caller ID, Shen Qinglan smiled slightly and answered the phone.

"Fu Hengyi."

Fu Hengyi chuckled, "Hmm, where are you?"

"At home," she added quickly, for clarity, "at the Shen Family. The identification result for Shen Xitong is out, and daddy asked me to come home."

"Oh." Fu Hengyi wasn’t very interested in this matter. He probably guessed the role Shen Qinglan played in it and was naturally clear about the outcome, so he didn’t even ask.

"Look tonight to see if there is any ginger brown sugar water at home," Fu Hengyi said.

Shen Qinglan was puzzled, "What for? Why do you need ginger brown sugar water?"

There was a hint of helplessness in Fu Hengyi’s eyes; this person really didn’t take care of herself, "In a couple of days it will be the time of your period, remember? You always feel uncomfortable on the first day. Make yourself a cup of brown sugar water. Also, I’ve placed a hand warmer in the drawer of the bedside table in the bedroom; charge it and place it on your stomach, understand?"

A faint blush spread across Shen Qinglan’s usually cool face. She hadn’t expected Fu Hengyi to know her menstrual cycle, let alone prepare so many things for her.

She remembered that Fu Hengyi had only encountered her on the first day of her period once and had already figured out she suffered from dysmenorrhea?

"That little pain is nothing; I’m already used to it," Shen Qinglan said softly.

"Qinglan, girls should take good care of themselves. I’m not usually at home and can’t take care of you. Please be obedient and don’t make me worry," Fu Hengyi coaxed softly.

As he said this, Shen Qinglan couldn’t be upset anymore and nodded obediently, "Okay, I understand. I’ll go to the supermarket later and buy ginger brown sugar water."

"And, during those days, don’t touch cold water or get chilled," Fu Hengyi advised, things he had learned from looking online, worried Shen Qinglan might overlook them, so he specifically called to remind her.

No matter what Fu Hengyi said, Shen Qinglan kept nodding obediently.

After hanging up the phone, Shen Qinglan’s face remained smiling. She had a ’cold body,’ a problem that arose at the Devil Training Base; it also caused her dysmenorrhea. Despite suffering for many years, she had endured it, she wasn’t that delicate. But the feeling of being cared for, it really wasn’t bad at all.

Originally, after the new year, Fu Hengyi planned to take her to visit an old TCM doctor to help regulate her health, but unfortunately, the old doctor had gone to the countryside to spend the New Year with his son, and wouldn’t be in Beijing for a period of time.

In the afternoon, Shen Qinglan returned to the Fu Family and directly detoured to the supermarket, bought a bag of ginger brown sugar, and even snapped a photo for Fu Hengyi, not waiting for his reply before she headed home.

It was already midnight when Fu Hengyi saw this photo. Rather than disturb her rest, he didn’t call but just sent Shen Qinglan a smiling WeChat message.

The day after the identification results were out, Shen Qian returned to the military. He was supposed to return two days ago, but had asked for additional leave due to the unresolved affair of Shen Xitong.

Before returning to the military, Shen Qian and Old Sir Shen spent a long time in the study. No one knew what the father and son discussed. Coming out of the study, Shen Qian saw his wife packing for him.

"Yun Rong, I’m just returning to the military, not moving house; no need to pack so much," seeing the overstuffed suitcase prepared by his wife, Shen Qian was helpless.

Chu Yunrong stuffed the last piece of clothing into the suitcase and pulled the zipper shut. "I know, but you won’t be coming back for a long time, right? It’s better to bring more in case you get too busy to wash them; at least you’ll have a change of clothes."

Shen Qian stepped forward and embraced his wife. "I’m leaving, and the house will rely on you again."

Chu Yunrong felt a bit uncomfortable; they were an old couple but still so cheesy. She patted her husband’s back, "I know, don’t worry about home, just focus on your work."

Shen Qian smiled, let go of his wife, "I hope you won’t interfere in Xitong’s affairs. After all, those are her biological parents. Even though we raised her, she’s already an adult. It’s better to let her make her own decisions, understand?"

Although he had said this before, Shen Qian couldn’t help but remind his wife once more. His wife had always been soft-hearted towards Shen Xitong. Since Qinglan had approached the Li Family, it definitely wouldn’t be just about acknowledging kin. The Li Family must be capable of causing trouble, and Shen Qian didn’t want his wife to get involved in this messy situation.

The smile on Chu Yunrong’s face stiffened slightly as she met her husband’s serious gaze; eventually, she nodded. "I understand."

She knew her husband had kept many things from her, but his kindness to her was genuine. Since he had put it that way, it must be for her own good, so she would just listen.

After seeing off Shen Qian, Chu Yunrong turned and entered the house, only to see Shen Xitong by the door. "Mom, has Dad already left?"

Chu Yunrong nodded. "Yes, did you want to see him?"

Shen Xitong shook her head. "No."

"Are you going out to meet your biological parents?" Chu Yunrong assumed she was heading out as she stood by the door.

Shen Xitong shook her head again. "Mom, can I talk to you for a moment?"

Chu Yunrong nodded, and the two went to Shen Xitong’s room. Her room, in contrast to Shen Qinglan’s, was styled more like that of a gentlewoman, with a faint scent similar to incense which was very pleasant and a thick woolen carpet on the floor.

Chu Yunrong sat on the sofa, looking at Shen Xitong with a face full of gentleness. "What do you want to talk about?"

Shen Xitong knelt on the carpet and rested her head on Chu Yunrong’s lap. "Mom, if I don’t recognize my biological parents, would you think I’m cold-hearted?"

Chu Yunrong stroked her hair, asking softly, "Why would you think that?"

"They abandoned me when I was very young, but like Dad said, they gave birth to me, they gave me life. Shouldn’t I avoid holding a grudge?"

"Xitong, Mom can understand your feelings. It’s normal to hold resentments towards your biological parents. But since they have found you and genuinely want to make amends, why not give them a chance, give yourself a chance as well? Isn’t it good to have two more people who love you?"

At these words, Shen Xitong felt a chill in her heart and immediately looked up, her eyes pitiful as she gazed at Chu Yunrong. "Mom, are you planning to abandon me?"

"Sweetheart, you’re overthinking it. You are Mom’s daughter, and Mom would never abandon you. Not in this lifetime."

At this, Shen Xitong finally smiled and hugged Chu Yunrong. "Mom, I love you. I always want to be your daughter in this lifetime. If there is a next life, I still want to be your daughter. Being your daughter is the happiest thing and my greatest fortune. I never want to leave you."

Chu Yunrong laughed, patting Shen Xitong’s shoulder, "Yes, Mom knows, Mom loves you too."

"Mom, I will seriously consider your words, and I’ll try to forgive them."