Li Yan stood frozen.
Daughter?
The word echoed through her like a distant bell tolling in a storm. The man's arms around her trembled, and for a heartbeat, she didn't know how to move. How to breathe.
Before she could find her voice, another figure entered the room.
A woman-elegant beyond words, graceful like a painting come to life. Her presence was like moonlight and silk. Even the most divine goddess would pale in comparison.
Tears shimmered in the woman's eyes. "Yueling... my daughter..."
She rushed forward with open arms.
But Li Yan took a step back and shoved both of them away, heart pounding. "I... you must be mistaken. I already have a family."
The man's expression crumpled with grief. "We've searched the entire country for you. Since the day you were born, we've never stopped looking. You were... taken from us."
He reached into his coat and pulled out a sealed envelope.
"We conducted a DNA test to be sure."
He held it out, his hands trembling.
Li Yan took the paper, half afraid to look-but curiosity overpowered fear. Her eyes scanned the results.
Positive match.
100%.
Her breath caught in her throat. Her fingers clutched the page.
Then she turned and ran.
Through the halls of the grand estate, past guards and puzzled staff. Out the carved gates and onto the desolate road outside. The sky above was dull and grey, clouds stirring restlessly.
She stood alone, trembling.
Then-a sleek black car rolled to a stop in front of her. The window lowered.
"Get in," a calm voice said. "I'll take you home."
A young man leaned out, sharp-eyed, elegant in a modern, understated way. His resemblance to the man in the estate was unmistakable.
Li Yan narrowed her eyes. "And you are?"
He gave a slight smile. "Your brother. Zheng Ruichen."
Her mouth went dry.
He continued, voice gentle. "We don't expect you to accept this overnight. It's a lot. So we'll give you some time. But the truth doesn't change, Yueling. You are our family."
She said nothing. The DNA paper was still crushed in her hand.
She got into the car.
---
When she reached home, the sun was setting.
The house felt smaller. Dimmer. Quieter than usual.
Her mother was cooking in the kitchen, humming softly. The familiar clatter of pots, the scent of garlic and soy. Everything felt normal-and yet, not.
Li Yan walked in slowly, eyes blank.
"Mom..."
Her mother turned, smiling. "Hmm?"
"...Am I really your daughter?"
The spoon clattered from her hand.
"What kind of nonsense are you talking? Do you want a beating?" she snapped, too quickly. Then she called out, "Dear, come here! Look what your daughter is saying."
Li Yan stepped forward and held out the paper.
The DNA result.
Her mother stared at it, color draining from her face. Her hands shook as she took the envelope and unfolded the paper.
"...Where did you get this?" she whispered.
"I met them," Li Yan said quietly. "My real family."
A long silence followed.
Then Li Yan's voice cut through the stillness, steady and low.
"Mom... I want to know the truth."
To be continued..
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