"Dad, I’m not going. Have a safe trip, and please send my regards to Qingyang and Xiao Yue," Lian Qingqing said with a bright smile. She added, "Dad, I know that Qingyang and Xiao Yue don’t like me much, but in my heart, they will always be my siblings."
"Alright, Qingqing, I’m glad you feel that way," Lian He said with a smile as he boarded the plane. Even on the plane, he was still thinking that it’s not too late to compensate the kids. Although giving away fifteen percent of his shares might make him no longer the largest shareholder, the kids are all his, and he feels it’s worth it.
Lian Qingqing raised her head, watching Lian He leave. Her heart was icy cold. She didn’t know where her aunt had gone. Once her identity was exposed, how could she marry into the Xie Family?
"Qingqing, are you really going to do this?" Xiang Yazhi looked at Lian Qingqing’s face. Rather than resembling her more, she looked more like Shen Jing, especially her eyes, which now held indifference.
Xiang Yazhi looked at her familiar daughter, who was inexplicably familiar yet carried a sense of unfamiliarity.
"Mom, you’re my real mom; you’ll always want the best for your daughter, right?" Lian Qingqing lowered her eyes, tucking her long hair behind her ear, not thinking her actions were wrong.
People are selfish by nature.
*
In Jing City, as soon as Lian He got off the plane, he headed straight to Jianan Prefecture.
This time, he brought a lot of local specialties from Sea City, all of which Tang Yue loved to eat.
"Thank you." Since becoming pregnant, Tang Yue loved eating the most, and without any morning sickness, everything tasted delicious. Sometimes at night, Tang Yue would think this baby was simply a little angel sent by heaven, truly a good baby.
"Xiao Yue, next time, I’ll bring you even more delicious food," Lian He said, satisfied with Tang Yue’s smile.
"Thank you." Although Tang Yue felt a bit guilty, she couldn’t resist the allure of delicious food.
Knowing Lian He had arrived so quickly, Tang Zhengde and Zhang Hualian bumped into him while returning from grocery shopping.
Lian He watched as the couple happily returned with their groceries. Tang Zhengde carried the heavier bags, while Zhang Hualian carried the lighter ones. He didn’t know what they were talking about, but Zhang Hualian’s smile was beautiful.
"I’m here to see Xiao Yue," Lian He explained, his gaze falling on Tang Zhengde. He said, "I heard you cook well. I’m in for a treat today."
"Anyone who comes is a guest. As long as you don’t mind my simple home-cooked meals," Tang Zhengde said cheerfully, greeting Tang Yue before heading into the kitchen to cook.
Zhang Hualian exchanged a simple greeting and went inside.
Lian He looked slightly downcast, and Lian Tong sighed deeply at his side, saying, "Brother, I have something to tell you."
"Alright," Lian He said, moving closer. But Lian Tong suddenly got up, saying, "Let’s go to my room to talk."
Lian He instinctively looked over at Tang Yue. Could there be something the siblings couldn’t discuss in front of Xiao Yue?
"I’m afraid you’ll get too emotional and worry Brother Tang and Sister-in-law Tang," Lian Tong said, hinting at something.
With a puzzled heart, Lian He followed Lian Tong to her guest room. Though the room was not large, it was very cozy. Even as a guestroom, it lacked nothing that should be there.
"Brother." Lian Tong opened her mouth to speak but found herself tongue-tied.
"Xiaotong, do we siblings need to beat around the bush?" Lian He smiled warmly. Old Sir Lian only had him and Lian Tong, a son and a daughter. Because of their age difference, the siblings were very close, and to Lian Tong, Lian He was like both a father and a brother.
"Xiaotong, Qingqing..." Lian He wanted to say many things but didn’t know how.
Although Xiaotong could be headstrong, she never spoke carelessly.
Lian Qingqing might truly not be his biological daughter.
However, if Lian Qingqing feared her identity exposure and thus helped Boss Shi, Lian He instinctively didn’t believe it.
"Brother, you don’t think Qingqing was the one who brought them?" Lian Tong asked.
Lian He nodded, saying, "Xiaotong, Qingqing is usually obedient and sensible. Sometimes she has her little schemes, but..."
"Brother, Gu Chun has already found evidence. If it really was Lian Qingqing, I won’t let her go," Lian Tong said each word clearly, without hiding her intention.
Lian He suddenly stood up and said seriously, "Xiaotong, if she really did it, I won’t let her go either, but Qingqing... whose child is she?"
Each piece of news Lian Tong conveyed left Lian He feeling a mix of emotions. No matter how much he disliked Xiang Yazhi, he genuinely cared for the two kids, although his love was somewhat superficial, mostly materialistic.
But having cared for these children for so many years, it was impossible for Lian He to say that he felt nothing.
"Brother, I haven’t reached a conclusion on this yet, but I’m certain she’s not yours," Lian Tong stated with certainty. "Brother, what do you plan to do?"
"Naturally, I will investigate thoroughly and get to the bottom of it," Lian He said with a serious expression. "Who is Qingqing’s parent, and how did she become my daughter? I need to get to the truth."

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