Translator: _Min
The man was dressed simply, yet his demeanor exuded an extraordinary presence.
His face bore the marks of time, revealing a rugged determination that hinted at his once youthful handsomeness.
Si Fuqingâs gaze was steadfast.
âHello, I, I am thatâ¦â the man began, his words stumbling over themselves, âI mean, that isâ¦â
He faltered, unable to finish his sentence, and his head drooped in a gesture of defeat.
Si Fuqing offered soothing words, âTake your time, thereâs no rush to speak.â
âMiss Si, this is what happened,â the woman chimed in, patting the man on his arm and stepping forward with a gentle demeanor, âDo you recall anything from your childhood?â
âI have little memory before the age of five, after that, I was with the Zuo family,â Si Fuqing narrowed her eyes, âYou can be directly.â
âI mean to sayââ the man lifted his head, calming his emotions before finally speaking, âYou might be my older brotherâs daughter, because youâ¦â Before he could finish, Si Fuqingâs expression darkened instantly.
After a brief silence, she spoke, âTangtang, would you step outside for a moment?â
âQingqing, there are many villains out there,â Yu Tang warned, âSome might see your rising fame and try to claim kinship or fabricate stories. You must be discerning.â
âI have nothing to my name; what is there to deceive?â Si Fuqing said with a polite smile to the man after Yu Tang had left, âI would like to speak with you in private.â
Understanding the situation, the woman excused herself, âIâll leave you two to talk.â
Si Fuqing poured the man a glass of water, âI havenât yet asked your name.â
âMy surname is⦠Nian, Nian Tingchu,â the man replied, regaining his composure, âYour father, no, my older brotherâs name is Hechuan.â
Si Fuqing nodded, âSo, Mr. Nian, how did you find me?â
âI saw a news report yesterday about you saving someone,â Nian Tingchu recounted simply, his lips quivering slightly, âIâm sorry for being so abrupt, but I had to come, ifâ¦â
He paused, producing a photo frame, âThis is a picture of him and me.â
Si Fuqing took it, her eyes falling on the two youths in the photo.
Her heart fluttered unexpectedly.
Though the frame was cold to the touch, a warmth seemed to flow continuously into her palm.
Si Fuqing stared at the picture for a full three minutes before speaking calmly, âAnd her?â
The man paused, âHmm?â
âYou said this photo is of my father,â Si Fuqing looked up, âWhat about my mother?â
âThere is none,â Nian Tingchuâs voice was tinged with regret, âIâve been separated from my older brother for a long time. I donât know when he married or have ever seen your mother.â
âBut you must resemble your mother, who is also no longer with us. I just thought of bringing you backâ¦â
âIn that case,â Si Fuqing remained calm, âa paternity test would be more convincing. Do you have any of my fatherâs⦠hair or tissue samples?â Nian Tingchu was momentarily taken aback, almost in disbelief, âYou believe
âI do,â Si Fuqing propped her chin, âYou have no reason to lie to me, and even if it turns out youâre not related, youâve been searching for this child for so long, I should at least help you.â
Nian Tingchu seemed even more overwhelmed, âThen-then may I call you Qingqing?
Si Fuqing did not object, her eyes twinkling, âOf course.â
âActually, your name Qingqing has always felt familiar to me,â Nian Tingchuâs voice softened, his eyes reddening slightly, âIn high school, my brotherâs motto was âTo stem the wild waves that already fall, Support the edifice thatâs about to stall, In deeds and spirit, echo Fuqingâs call.,â and he wrote this phrase in every book. â
Si Fuqing was taken aback.
She had always been called by this name.
The surname Si was chosen because in the family hierarchy, she was considered the third, with Si symbolizing the number four.
She had never delved into why the old man Zuo had given her such a name.
After all, with the Zuo familyâs standing, it hardly matched the grandeur of âTo stem the wild waves that already fall, Support the edifice thatâs about to stall.â But if it were Nian Hechuanâ¦
âThen, please go home and gather the materials, and weâll proceed with the paternity test,â Si Fuqing smiled gently, âYou live in the Northern State, right? Iâll purchase the round-trip flight tickets for you.â
âHow could I accept that?â Nian Tingchu was visibly shocked, âQingqing, youâre still young, how could I use your money.â
Si Fuqing glanced at his worn trousers, pausing, âIâm already earning money,
Uncle, itâs alright.â
This address as âUncleâ caused Nian Tingchuâs hand to tremble, a surge of emotion welling up within him.
âNo, youâre still young, I canât take your money,â he took a deep breath, âYou focus on your recovery, Iâll go get the materials right away!â