The next morning, around seven-thirty, Lan Yi entered the room where Aunty Marquis and Granny Ai were staying. She greeted Granny Ai first, then exchanged pleasantries with Aunty Marquis.
Granny Ai, looking at Lan Yi, said, "So you know Marquis is leaving today. I told her she should at least wait a few more days until Zhan is fully recovered. They barely spent two nights at the hospital after his discharge. And her husband isn't even here...he's off in Hong Kong until whenever fate brings him back."
Aunty Marquis sighed. "Aunt, it's already been two weeks in Guangzhou. I even thought of leaving with mother when she went back. As for Zhan, well, his recovery is something we can only be thankful for."
Granny Ai shifted in her seat with a dismissive expression. Lan Yi exhaled slowly and said, "Actually, I came to tell you...we'll be going to Tianjin, but we'll return today. The house will be empty, Marquis, so please stay until we come back, then you can leave."
Granny Ai sat upright. "And what exactly are you going to Tianjin for?"
Lan Yi replied, "Qiren said we should go. I think it's just a visit."
Granny Ai adjusted herself again. "A visit? To whom in Tianjin? Isn't Qiren only left with us as family now? Everyone knows he has no relatives there. It's always us dealing with his household matters whenever problems arise."
Lan Yi stood and said, "Let me get ready, Aunty. Our flight is at nine."
Granny Ai muttered, "Well, I hope it's safe. Maybe you're going to keep some secret matter to yourselves there. Just yesterday I saw you all leaving too. Anyway, all we want is for Zhan to recover...and thankfully he has. In a few days, I'll also decide my next move. But honestly, I feel like Qiren has been pushing us away lately. Still, I know for sure he has no one waiting in Tianjin."
Lan Yi replied calmly, "We're simply visiting his friend's home...they just had a baby. That's all. So, you can rest easy."
Granny Ai gave a short nod. "Well, safe travels then."
Lan Yi smiled faintly and headed to the door.
As she was leaving, Granny Ai added, "By the way, did you hear? Shu had an accident and is now lying in the hospital in critical condition. She slipped while going into Yisue's bathroom. You know how dirty that house is...it's worse than a market stall. The whole place reeks. Honestly, it's disgraceful. Yisue has been filthy since we were young, and it followed her into old age. You can't even drink water there without feeling disgusted."
Lan Yi froze. "When did this happen?"
Aunty Marquis sighed. "They called me at dawn. But it actually happened late last night."
Lan Yi asked, "But she's stable now, right?"
Granny Ai shook her head. "They said her pregnancy was badly injured. Some even think she might have done it on purpose. Everyone knows how she's...stubborn as ever. Nothing surprising."
Lan Yi turned to Aunty Marquis. "Who's with her at the hospital?"
Aunty Marquis answered, "Aunt Yisue eldest granddaughter. They called mother, but she said she isn't in town. Yisue herself refused to go at first, so I had to transfer money to them just this morning. They said she needed a blood transfusion. She's unconscious now. That's actually why I wanted to return to Tianjin today."
Lan Yi fell silent, unable to find words. At last, she sighed. "Alright, when we get to the city, I'll stop by the hospital."
Aunty Marquis nodded. "Safe travels then. Are Yibo and the others going with you?"
Lan Yi replied, "Yes, all of them." Then she left the room.
-----
Later, while Qiren was finishing his preparations, Lan Yi approached him quietly. "Dear, I've been thinking about something."
Qiren turned to her. "What is it?"
Softly, she said, "Why don't we leave Zhan here instead of taking him to Tianjin? I really don't want anything to upset him again. He seems fine since yesterday...cheerful even. But what if we go to Tianjin and something happens that breaks him again? I can't stand the thought of my son being hurt."
Qiren was silent for a moment, studying her. Then he said, "Don't worry. What you fear won't happen. You heard his aunt say that man has been following her abroad, even asking about Zhan's mother. That's exactly why I think we should take him with us. I believe nothing bad will happen...only good. We'll go with him."
Lan Yi felt a sudden shiver at the words Qiren had spoken..."Zhan's mother."
It was the name she herself had carried close for twenty-two years. Slowly, she lowered her gaze and murmured, "Alright then."
Qiren asked, "Is everyone ready?"
He kept watching her, noticing she hadn't replied. When she didn't even realize he was addressing her, his tone softened: "What's troubling you again? Tell me."
She hesitated, then whispered, "Dear… last night I couldn't sleep. The events kept replaying in my mind. Was it really wise for all of that to be said right in front of Dr Kexing's brother? The more I thought about it, the more restless I became. It was wrong. We exposed ourselves and Zhan's secret in front of him. Matters like this should be kept within family...yet he sat there, hearing every painful detail."
Qiren sighed. "Yibo and Hai Kuan said the same thing to me yesterday. But what choice did we have? You saw it yourself...the CEO wouldn't speak a word until the nurse left the room. She trusts MD deeply, and they share a strong bond. That's why she felt safe revealing it all in front of him."
Lan Yi frowned. "Still, he's Zhan's brother's old suitor. What if he takes all this bitter story and repeats it? I swear, the thought of it kept me awake all night."
Qiren's voice was firm. "Even if he does, it doesn't matter. That's their problem, not ours. We owe them nothing. They were the very reason Zhan's happiness was destroyed."
Lan Yi sighed quietly. "You're right, dear. Time is passing, and the airport isn't close."
"Go check if everyone's finished packing," Qiren said.
She nodded and left the room.
Hai Kuan was behind the wheel, ready to drive them to the airport. Zhan, dressed in a long jacket, looked at Yibo and asked, "Gege, who's bringing the car back?"
Opening the back seat for him before Lan Yi and Qiren arrived, Yibo replied, "He'll leave it at the airport."
"But they'll charge for that, right?" Zhan pressed.
Yibo chuckled. "What did you expect?"
Zhan smiled and slid into the back seat. Hai Kuan started the engine, while Yibo walked around to open the front door for Qiren, knowing he would want to sit there. At a few minutes past eight, they drove off toward the airport.
When they arrived, they found the CEO already waiting in the lounge with Aaria and her nurse. The CEO stood to greet Qiren and Lan Yi warmly, then acknowledged Yibo.
Aaria, however, couldn't take her eyes off Zhan. Flustered, he lowered his head. After greeting the CEO, he slowly walked over to her and sat down, his voice soft as he greeted her. Aaria kept staring silently, unable to reply. Zhan's heart pounded as he lowered his gaze further. After a few moments, Aaria's eyes brimmed with tears. She looked down, and the tears slipped free.
The CEO gently pulled her close, speaking softly: "Come now, my love. Remember the promise you made to me."
Aaria leaned her head on her sister's shoulder, sobbing quietly. Zhan never once lifted his head. Lan Yi, watching silently, couldn't help but marvel.... Zhan's looks were nothing compared to the stunning beauty of his mother. No one would guess her true age, nor believe she had a son as grown as Zhan.
Soon after, they boarded the plane. Yibo, however, was surprised not to see MD. He had expected him to travel with them to Tianjin, but both he and Hai Kuan quietly agreed it was probably for the best.
At exactly nine-thirty, their plane landed at Tianjin airport. Three cars in the airport were waiting for them. The moment Lan Yi noticed MD stepping out of one of the vehicles, her mood shifted. Even Qiren, Yibo, and Hai Kuan were uneasy at the sight of him. Still, they all walked forward toward the cars.
After greetings, the CEO asked, "How's he doing? Any better?"
MD smiled politely. "He's doing better, Ma'am."
"That's good. I wish him full recovery," she said.
With respect, he replied, "Thank you. I'll take a taxi back home. When you're finished, call me, Mai..."
Lan Yi finally relaxed at his words, though in truth, there was nothing left that he didn't already know.
"Where are you headed now?" the CEO asked.
"My aunts house," he answered.
"Alright then, no problem. I'll call you once we're done," she said.
When they arrived in the neighborhood, they see the CEO's car pulled over at the roadside, so their own driver stopped as well. The CEO's driver got out to ask a few young men for directions. From the way they gestured, it was clear they were pointing the way to the house. After a brief exchange, the driver returned and they continued down an elegant street. A few minutes later, he stopped again to confirm directions.
Since leaving Guangzhou, Zhan had felt his heartbeat grow heavier, but now it pounded violently in his chest. Resting his head against Lan Yi's shoulder, who held him close, he closed his eyes.
Soon, they pulled up at the gate of a massive, modern mansion. Before entering the estate, they passed several securities armed. The CEO's car parked first, then Zhan's behind it. The CEO stepped out with Aaria and her nurse, followed by Qiren and Lan Yi. Zhan managed to climb out only with Lan Yi holding his hand; his heart was racing so fast.
Two luxury cars stood parked at the front gate, each guarded by a soldier. The CEO led the way to the main gate, with Qiren close behind. The security guards eyed them cautiously and asked in English who they were and whom they were here to see.
Two distinguished elderly men, dressed in fine clothing, came out from inside the compound. After a respectful exchange of greetings with the CEO and Qiren, one of the elders turned sharply to the security and said in English, "Anyone who comes at this time is here to see the master of the house. Don't waste time with endless questions...let them in."
"Yes, sir," the guards said respectfully, opening the gate.
The CEO, still holding Aaria's hand, asked one of the guards, "Which way is the entrance?"
He pointed politely, and the CEO turned to the nurse. Gesturing to a shaded area in the courtyard meant for waiting, she said, "Fai, you can wait for us there."
"Yes, Ma'am," the nurse replied, moving off quietly.
They first entered a large living room, but it was empty. The CEO walked confidently on toward the second living room, with Qiren and Lan Yi following. Yibo was struck by her composure...her courage was remarkable, showing not even a hint of fear. Lan Yi, however, felt her chest tighten with anxiety, worried the master of the house might scold them or throw them out.
In the second living room, a graceful woman...no older than forty-three...appeared from another section of the house. She greeted them politely, her eyes suddenly widening when they met Aaria's.
"Aaria?!" she exclaimed, hurrying forward in astonishment.
Lan Yi froze where she stood, staring at the woman without even blinking.
The woman who had just called out Aaria's name suddenly locked eyes with Lan Yi, who was staring back at her with a troubled expression. The woman, too, kept looking at Lan Yi without blinking, as though trying hard to remember where she had once seen her. Despite her unease, she forced a smile, gesturing for them to sit.
Lan Yi lowered her gaze, holding tightly onto Zhan's hand as they moved to the seats. Her mind was in turmoil...confusion swirling all over her. Qiren and the others also followed into the living room and sat down. The CEO, holding her younger sister close, sat with her as well.
At that moment, an older woman entered, escorting out two guests. Even though she didn't know any of them, she still welcomed them warmly. After seeing off her visitors, she returned to the living room with a gentle smile, her eyes resting directly on Zhan.
"I still don't recognize anyone among you," she said, amused. She then turned to the first woman and said, "Jin, bring them some water, will you?"
Aunty Jin left the room, still trying...and failing...to remember where she had met Lan Yi before. The CEO calmly spoke to the elderly lady:
"We're here to see the master of the house, if you don't mind."
The old woman smiled. "Oh, of course. He's inside his living room. Come along."
She led them into a grand living room, beautifully furnished. After they all entered, she quietly closed the door. Qiren, Lan Yi, and Yibo remained standing, tense and stiff, their eyes fixed on the people inside.
An old man reclined comfortably on a plush carpet, fruits arranged before him. Beside him sat the MD, while Dr Kexing was also seated nearby on the carpet close to his mother. On the other side sat another man, no older than his late forties.
The first to react was the MD, who jumped up in shock, his eyes darting to Qiren and the CEO. Dr. Kexing also stood abruptly, his face full of disbelief. The man in his late forties rose too, his expression shaken as his gaze fell on Aaria. His voice trembled:
"Aaria?"
Aaria only stared back silently, unblinking. MD's knees buckled under him, and he sank down, unable to stay standing.
Wu was stunned, her wide eyes flicking over the newcomers. The old man shifted uneasily, his gaze bouncing from Qiren, to the CEO, then to Yibo. He was clearly unsettled. His wife, who had led them in, looked from one person to another in total confusion.
The CEO held Zhan's hand and guided him forward, closer to the man who couldn't take his eyes off Aaria. With a steady voice, she pointed to Zhan and said:
"Xiao Shan. Your child."
She turned back to stand with Qiren again, but her eyes didn't leave Xiao Shan, who continued to stare at Zhan. Zhan kept his head lowered, tears streaming freely down his face.
The old man shot up to his feet, glaring at the CEO, his breath heavy with anger. But before he could speak, his wife...Xiao Shan's mother...intervened sharply, her voice trembling with bitterness:
"Don't say a word. Just look at the boy's face...it tells the whole story."
The old man turned back toward Zhan, his expression hard. At that moment, Aunty Jin returned, her eyes narrowing on Lan Yi. Recognition suddenly flashed across her face...she remembered her, from the day they delivered and later collected Zhan's wedding items.
Granny Ryu broke down into loud, bitter sobs, shaking her head as she wept uncontrollably. The CEO turned to Qiren, her eyes brimming with tears, and pointed toward Xiao Shan.
"Mr. Wang, this is the man who assaulted my younger sister many years ago, leaving her pregnant. She gave birth to a baby boy out of wedlock." She then turned and pointed to the elder man...the powerful Xiao Rong...with a bitter, tearful smile. "Zhan's grandfather, had me locked up in prison for seven months."
Xiao Shan rushed toward Aaria, his eyes wide, his voice shaking.
"Did you hide anything from your sister afterward?"
The CEO shot him a piercing glare. "Don't you dare frighten my sister. Step back."
Stunned, he returned to his mother, dropping to his knees. "Mother, you knew what happened twenty-two years ago. You all knew! Please say something!"
But his mother only wiped her streaming tears, shaking her head, too pained to speak. Wu clutched her head, muttering to herself in disbelief. Everyone in the family had known what happened back then...there was nothing secret about it.
Aunty Jin's legs nearly gave out under her, her shocked eyes darting around the room. Dr. Kexing sank to the floor, his chest pounding wildly. Xiao Rong, trembling, slowly pulled himself up from the carpet onto a chair, clutching his chest.
His wife rushed to him, alarmed, her voice quivering: "Please, don't strain yourself. Take this one step at a time. Calm down." She gently pulled Zhan forward and made him sit on the carpet, then sat down beside him, tears sliding down her cheeks.
She took a deep breath, her voice steadying as she turned to Qiren. "Please, Mr. Wang, sit down."
Only then did Qiren let out a heavy sigh, dragging his feet toward the living room chair and sitting down. Lan Yi, with tears streaming down her face, also sat. Hai Kuan and Yibo...both still stunned...joined them. Everyone in the room was watching in disbelief, as though caught in some strange dream, except for the CEO and her younger sister. The CEO held Aaria's hand, guided her to a chair, and sat beside her, gently wiping her tears with a handkerchief.
Granny Ryu turned toward her son with great effort and asked, "Shan, what really happened twenty-three years ago?"
He turned his head toward Aunty Jin, who also had tears brimming in her eyes, then looked back at his mother, troubled. "But Mother, you and Father knew everything… even Aunty Jin did."
Granny Ryu cut him off. "If we knew, what about the rest of the world?"
Xiao Shan shut his eyes, then stood and walked toward Aaria, shaking his head. "Aaria, why did you choose to hide the truth from your sister?"
Still staring at him, Aaria replied softly, "Like what?"
Everyone in the living room was focused on the two of them. Zhan kept his head down, crying silently. Xiao Shan knelt before Aaria, struggling to control himself.
"Yes, I assaulted you that first time, just as your sister said. I can't deny it. But what about after? Why didn't you tell her how I kept following you? Why hide that part?"
Aaria looked up briefly at the CEO, who was watching her intently. She had never shared any of this with her. Lowering her head again, Aaria whispered, "I can't remember anything."
Xiao Shan shook his head in distress. "That's not true, Aaria. But why… why won't you admit it?"
She said nothing more. The CEO, however, didn't take her eyes off her, desperate to know if her sister was hiding something.
After a pause, Xiao Shan turned to the others in the room, then continued:
"After my first encounter with Aaria, I was disturbed. I regretted everything. That was unusual for me...my father was very wealthy, and I was an only child. I always got my way. No one could hold me accountable because Father would always protect me. I had never once regretted anything. But with Aaria, it was different. I was restless, so I kept seeking her out...even at her home."
"Her sister was always away at the market from morning until late evening. During those hours, I would visit Aaria. Sometimes Aunty Jin came with me; she knew what had happened between us because I told her. She wasn't just an aunt to me, I respected her deeply. She was the youngest of my father's siblings and had grown up in our household after our grandparents passed, so we were close."
"One day, Father was supposed to pick Aunt Jin up from school, but he got busy, so I went instead. Over time, as I kept visiting, Aaria began to loosen up slightly, just enough to share a little about herself, her sister, and how they had lived since their parents died."
"Inside me, I felt I wanted to marry her...even though I was young. I offered her gifts, anything she could want, but she always refused. Still, my feelings for her grew."
The CEO's mouth fell open as she stared at Aaria in shock.
Xiao Shan shut his eyes tightly, then opened them again.
"I told my father that I had found the girl I wanted to marry. Both he and my mother were stunned. Even before they asked who she was, they objected, saying I was too young. Father insisted he wanted to send me abroad for my studies. But I kept pressing, insisting I wanted marriage. Finally, they asked who the girl was and where her family lived in Hainan. Being the only son, I knew nothing I wanted had ever been denied me. So, I didn't hide Aaria's identity."
"The moment my father learned who she was, he forbade me outright. No discussion. I tried to explain, to make him understand, but he wouldn't listen. He was furious...I had never seen him so angry. He raged at me for wanting to bring someone like her into our family. He said it would never happen. He even threw me out of his study."
"I went to my room devastated, and my mother came in later to comfort me. My father's word was final...his 'no' meant no.
"But I still kept seeing Aaria. By then, she had begun to trust me a little. I begged her to run away with me, to marry me in another town, but she refused. She always spoke of her mother's suffering at the hands of her father's family, and her sister's dreams of education. She didn't want to repeat the same pain."
"All of this happened within just a few months of us meeting. I even waited, making sure she hadn't conceived after that first incident, because in my heart, I truly wanted to marry her. For the first time in my life, I repented from my reckless ways. I was deeply in love."
"Eventually, I came up with a plan. Since my parents refused to listen, I decided I would tell Aaria. But that day, by coincidence, her sister hadn't gone to the market...she wasn't feeling well, so they were on their way to the pharmacy together."
"When I called out Aaria's name, her sister turned to ask who I was. Aaria, timid and meek as always, hid my identity. Her sister quickly warned me never to come around again. She believed I was only after her sister and wanted nothing to do with me. She made it clear she wanted her sister to focus only on her studies."
"And that's how I left their neighborhood that day."
The CEO couldn't take her eyes off Aaria. It was only after Angela discovered that Aaria was pregnant...when she pushed her to reveal the truth...that she admitted the man she once encountered on her way to the pharmacy was the same person. That was when she finally revealed his identity, since everyone in town knew his father. Aaria only lowered her head, saying nothing.
Slowly, Xiao Shan continue to speak.
"A few days later, I couldn't stop myself. I went back to see Aaria, hoping her sister had gone to the market. Luckily...or unluckily..we met when Aaria was alone. The moment she saw me, she was terrified, begging me to leave and never return. She didn't want her sister to ever see me again. It took me nearly an hour to convince her to come with me. I assured her it wouldn't take long, that I would return her right away."
"My plan that day wasn't to explain anything. I only intended to act. After a short ride, I took her to a nearby local court, where someone was already waiting for us. That man knew we were coming. I wasn't concerned by Aaria's shock when she realized what I was up to. And so, the marriage between us was carried out right there."
"The very next day, the marriage was annulled. But before that annulment, I took advantage of her again that same evening. That night, after I went home, I couldn't sleep. All I could think about was how to leave Hainan with Aaria without causing a scandal."
"I even considered taking her first to my mother's younger brother, Wen Shan, who shared the same name. He was very fond of me...he's Dr Kexing's late father, treated me almost like his own child. Plans upon plans kept running through my head. But in the end, none of them worked out."
"Among those who were present in the court that day, one man recognized me. He knew my father well. That very evening, he was already in our neighborhood. Since mobile phones weren't common back then, he waited until my father returned from his trip."
"The next day, when my father came back, the man told him what he had witnessed. My father had never once slapped me in my life...but that day, he did beat me, right after he went to the court with me and confirmed everything for himself."
"I thought that would be the end of it... that after that slap and beating, he'd allow Aaria to remain my wife. But I was wrong. Right there, he forced me to divorce her. He even rewarded the man who had exposed me."
"I was shattered. Completely heartbroken. Even Aunty Jin, who had known about my plans and stood by me, felt his full anger. He separated me from Aaria forever. He didn't even allow me to say goodbye to her. He took me away to Guangzhou immediately. A few weeks later, he sent me out of China to continue my studies in the UK."
"Three years passed before I was allowed to return. I didn't know Aaria had conceived after our second encounter. It was Aunty Jin who later told me everything that happened after I left China... the hardships, the imprisonment Aaria's sister endured for seven months, all arranged by my father."
"When I returned, I went to Aaria's home, only to be told they had left town completely. I was devastated. I never saw her again, nor did I know where to find her."
"Five years ago, I unexpectedly met her sister in the UK. The moment I saw her, I recognized her. From then on, I begged her countless times to help me reconnect with Aaria. Instead, she reported me to the police. That's when I finally gave up."
"But even now, not a day passes without me thinking of Aaria. She lives in my heart every single moment. That is why, to this very day, I remain unmarried. Each time I tried, something always went wrong. My parents grew weary of urging me to settle down. They eventually gave up, saying they'd just wait until destiny itself made it possible. That is why I've never married...because my heart never left her."
The CEO was crying uncontrollably, staring at her younger sister. Her voice shook as she said, "Why did you hide all this from me, Aaria? You told me he forced you!"
Granny Ryu, with tears streaming down her face, pulled Zhan...who was weeping...into her arms. Aaria kept her head bowed, tears slipping from her eyes. The CEO couldn't stop staring at her sister, her own tears falling one after another.
Lan Yi was also crying, but hers was from joy at how things had unfolded. Qiren let out a long, heavy sigh of relief. Yibo couldn't stop staring at Zhan, who was sobbing in Granny Ryu's embrace, he want nothing but to hold his baby brother.
Wu, ever protective of Dr Kexing, rested his head on her shoulder, seeing how emotional he was. MD kept his head down in silence, as did Hai Kuan, who hadn't looked up since Xiao Shan began speaking.
For nearly three minutes, the sitting room was quiet. Everyone was speechless. No one had expected things to turn out this way.
Finally, Qiren summoned the courage to face Xiao Rong.
"Months ago," Qiren said, his voice heavy, "you're among the people who came to us with a marriage proposal for my son and Dr Kexing. Few in this world know the truth... that we are not his real parents. It is a secret we've guarded for over twenty years, even he doesn't know. Not even the children we truly bore were told."
"Just days before his wedding, that secret was exposed. It shook us to our core. On the very eve of the ceremony, your relatives insulted us. They called me small, a liar, then returned the groom price and canceled the marriage."
"I don't even blame them...because in truth, I should have told them long ago who he really was. Sometimes, even we forget that he is not our own flesh and blood. We only ever wanted the best for him. We raised him like our own after finding him abandoned twenty-two years ago. He grew up believing us to be his real parents."
"But the truth is, the only ones guilty of deception are myself and his mother, Lan Yi. Not him. He is innocent. Yet he's the one who suffers for a secret we chose to keep."
"This boy is well-mannered and well-educated," Qiren said firmly. "He is even your own son's student at the university. If his character wasn't worthy, your son would never have considered marrying him. But your family closed their eyes and treated us the way they did. You even accepted the groom price and later humiliated us, despite the fact that my wife has raised this boy since infancy."
"This boy, whom your family rejected because he has no known origin, is the very one sitting here. We named him ZHAN."
Qiren ended his words, pointing to Zhan, who was clinging tightly to Granny Ryu.
The CEO, smiling through tears, added, "And that boy you see there...he's the child my younger sister bore after your son forced his marriage on her. When she gave birth, the resentment of what his grandfather did to me landed me in prison. My sister couldn't fight back, so I secretly placed the newborn in a basket and abandoned him in a neighborhood. That's where this kind couple found him and raised him until today."
"After being separated from her son, my sister fell into poor health and has never recovered. And now... by fate...I met her child again at my hospital in Guangzhou. The only thing left is a DNA test to remove all doubt that he is Xiao Shan's son."
Granny Ryu held Zhan closer, shaking her head. "There is no need for a DNA test. This boy is the exact image of my late mother-in-law. I saw her picture long ago, when I was a new bride. The resemblance is unmistakable."
Wu let out a deep sigh for the first time. "When I visited him at the hospital during his illness, I noticed the resemblance too. I had never seen him before that day. I even told Kexing when he returned to Beijing. That photograph was once in Mr. Xie Yi's house before it was destroyed...but everyone who saw it said the same."
Granny Ryu nodded. "Exactly so."
The CEO kept staring at MD, shocked. She had never known he came from this family. If she had realized earlier that his uncle was Xiao Rong, she would never have employed him at her hospital, let alone given him his current position.
Aunty Jin clasped her head and whispered bitterly, "How shameful… we've disgraced our own child with our own hands. Truly, ignorance blinds worse than the darkest night."
Xiao Shan, however, only kept his gaze fixed on Zhan, who was still in Granny Ryu's arms.
For the first time, Xiao Rong...who had recognized Zhan's resemblance to his late mother since the boy walked in...spoke. His chest was heavy, but with steady courage, he turned to Qiren.
"First, Mr. Wang, we have nothing to say except to beg for your forgiveness," he said solemnly. "Please forgive us. We wronged you. Ignorance blinded us. That is why it is said a man must take caution in life, for the aftermath may bring regret."
"And now, in the end, it turns out this boy is of our own bloodline...after all the humiliation we inflicted upon you. I have never felt such shame in my entire life."
He turned to the CEO, speaking gently. "Forgive me. I wronged you and your sister. I am deeply ashamed of my actions, of what i made you endure for so many years. It was all my fault. I opposed Shan's marriage to your sister. Even though my wife pleaded with me to let it go after he had already married her elsewhere, I destroyed it for no valid reason."
"But this ends today," he continued after a pause, taking a slow breath. Turning to Xiao Shan, he said, "We will not leave here without your marriage to Aaria being restored...if she accepts. I will provide her dowry myself. Her background doesn't matter to me anymore."
The CEO turned sharply to Xiao Rong, then looked at Aaria. "Do you accept to remarry him?"
Xiao Shan immediately stood and walked to Aaria, kneeling before her. His voice trembled. "Please… do not say no, my love. All these years, you have never left my heart. I didn't leave you by choice. I only obeyed my parents' orders. Please don't refuse me. I never knew you carried my child."
Aaria gazed at him, tears streaming down her cheeks. Aunty Jin rushed forward and whispered, "Please, Aaria, don't say no. Do it for the sake of your beautiful son."
Aaria leaned her head against her sister's shoulder, tears still falling. The CEO was speechless, weeping herself. At last, in a soft voice, Aaria said, "I will do it....for my son's sake."
Xiao Shan released a long-hidden sigh of relief.
Xiao Rong turned calmly to Dr Kexing. "And as for you...you too will not leave here without marrying your beloved, if you both accept. You are both family now."
From MD to Yibo to Hai Kuan, they all raised their heads at once, staring at Xiao Rong.
The same thought flashed through every mind: Does he not realize that the relationship between Dr Kexing and Zhan has already shifted...to uncle and nephew?
NB
Surprise or still confused? 😂 Here's some clarity:
Zhan's biological grandmother, Granny Ryu, was the elder sister of Dr Kexing's late father. That means Zhan's biological father, Xiao Shan, is Dr Kexing's cousin brother. Which makes both Dr Kexing and MD Zhan's uncles....and Zhan, their nephew. 🤭😃😃
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛