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 Fuqing’s gaze was steadfast.
“Hello, I, I am that…” the man began, his words stumbling over themselves, “I mean, that is…”
He faltered, unable to finish his sentence, and his head drooped in a gesture of defeat.
Si Fuqing offered soothing words, “Take your time, there’s no rush to speak.”
“Miss Si, this is what happened,” the woman chimed in, patting the man on his arm and stepping forward with a gentle demeanor, “Do you recall anything from your childhood?”
“I have little memory before the age of five, after that, I was with the Zuo family,” Si Fuqing narrowed her eyes, “You can be directly.”
“I mean to say—” the man lifted his head, calming his emotions before finally speaking, “You might be my older brother’s daughter, because you…” Before he could finish, Si Fuqing’s expression darkened instantly.
After a brief silence, she spoke, “Tangtang, would you step outside for a moment?”
“Qingqing, there are many villains out there,” Yu Tang warned, “Some might see your rising fame and try to claim kinship or fabricate stories. You must be discerning.”
“I have nothing to my name; what is there to deceive?” Si Fuqing said with a polite smile to the man after Yu Tang had left, “I would like to speak with you in private.”
Understanding the situation, the woman excused herself, “I’ll leave you two to talk.”
Si Fuqing poured the man a glass of water, “I haven’t yet asked your name.”
“My surname is… Nian, Nian Tingchu,” the man replied, regaining his composure, “Your father, no, my older brother’s name is Hechuan.”
Si Fuqing nodded, “So, Mr. Nian, how did you find me?”
“I saw a news report yesterday about you saving someone,” Nian Tingchu recounted simply, his lips quivering slightly, “I’m sorry for being so abrupt, but I had to come, if…”
He paused, producing a photo frame, “This is a picture of him and me.”
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, “And her?”
The man paused, “Hmm?”
“You said this photo is of my father,” Si Fuqing looked up, “What about my mother?”
“There is none,” Nian Tingchu’s voice was tinged with regret, “I’ve been separated from my older brother for a long time. I don’t know when he married or have ever seen your mother.”
“But you must resemble your mother, who is also no longer with us. I just thought of bringing you back…”
“In that case,” Si Fuqing remained calm, “a paternity test would be more convincing. Do you have any of my father’s… hair or tissue samples?” Nian Tingchu was momentarily taken aback, almost in disbelief, “You believe
“I do,” Si Fuqing propped her chin, “You have no reason to lie to me, and even if it turns out you’re not related, you’ve been searching for this child for so long, I should at least help you.”
Nian Tingchu seemed even more overwhelmed, “Then-then may I call you Qingqing?
Si Fuqing did not object, her eyes twinkling, “Of course.”
“Actually, your name Qingqing has always felt familiar to me,” Nian Tingchu’s voice softened, his eyes reddening slightly, “In high school, my brother’s motto was ‘To stem the wild waves that already fall, Support the edifice that’s about to stall, In deeds and spirit, echo Fuqing’s call.,’ and he wrote this phrase in every book. ”
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 family’s standing, it hardly matched the grandeur of “To stem the wild waves that already fall, Support the edifice that’s about to stall.” But if it were Nian Hechuan…
“Then, please go home and gather the materials, and we’ll proceed with the paternity test,” Si Fuqing smiled gently, “You live in the Northern State, right? I’ll purchase the round-trip flight tickets for you.”
“How could I accept that?” Nian Tingchu was visibly shocked, “Qingqing, you’re still young, how could I use your money.”
Si Fuqing glanced at his worn trousers, pausing, “I’m already earning money,
Uncle, it’s alright.”
This address as ‘Uncle’ caused Nian Tingchu’s hand to tremble, a surge of emotion welling up within him.
“No, you’re still young, I can’t take your money,” he took a deep breath, “You focus on your recovery, I’ll go get the materials right away!”