Translator: _Min_
Nian Yi’an returned from school just as his father, Nian Tingchu, happened to be home.
“Dad?” He expressed slight surprise. “Aren’t you on a business trip? How come you’re back today? Have you finished your work already?”
Nian Tingchu first took a sealed test tube from the freezer, then explained, “I left in such a hurry this morning that I forgot to take something with me, so I came back.”
“It’s rare for you to be so forgetful,” Nian Yi’an commented, curiosity piqued.
“What’s got you in such a good mood?”
A smile, seldom seen, played across Nian Tingchu’s face. “You might be getting an older sister.”
“A sister? Did you and Mom have another child?” Nian Yi’an was taken aback. “Wait, that doesn’t make sense. Even if you did have another child, I would still be older. Unless—”
He had an epiphany, his expression turning to one of disdain. “Did you have a child behind Mom’s back?”
Nian Tingchu paused, glancing at him with a faint disapproval. “Seems like someone is asking for trouble.”
“It was you who said I was going to have an older sister,” Nian Yi’an reasoned, as if it was the most natural conclusion. “So, she must be from before you married Mom. You do have the look of a player boy about you.”
“Alright, it’s your uncle’s daughter,” Nian Tingchu clarified with a slight purse of his lips and a sigh. “It’s not yet confirmed; I’m taking her for a paternity test.”
The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.
He also felt that running off to the southern state because someone resembling Nian Hechuan appeared on the news was an extremely abrupt and illogical decision.
But a voice inside him insisted he must go.
Nian Yi’an was taken aback.
This was the first time Nian Tingchu had voluntarily mentioned his uncle.
He vaguely knew his uncle had died young, which is why Nian Tingchu never spoke of him.
Nian Yi’an’s gaze fell on the test tube containing fresh blood, his thoughts deepening.
His uncle had passed away early, so how had his father managed to preserve the blood for so long?
And for what purpose was the blood preserved?
Nian Yi’an took a closer look; the writing on the test tube had faded and was barely legible.
“What’s the matter?” Nian Tingchu noticed his gaze. “Aren’t you happy?
Nian Yi’an shrugged. “Suddenly having an older sister, and not knowing what she’s like, I’m definitely not used to it.”
“Beautiful, good-natured, capable, everything about her is good,” Nian
Tinzchu’s smile deepened as he spoke of Si Fuainz. “And she’s verv kind.”
Nian Yi’an raised an eyebrow. “Look at that, the test results aren’t even out yet, and you’ve already accepted her. Is there still a place for me at home?”
“You think you don’t have a place in this family? Your mom dotes on you so much.” Nian Tingchu squeezed his shoulder. “How have you been feeling lately? If there’s anything wrong, remember to tell me.”
“I’m healthy from playing basketball every day,” Nian Yi’an said, his expression unchanged. “You better go and take care of your things.”
Nian Tingchu nodded and hurried off once more.
After washing his hands and finishing his meal, Nian Yi’an went into his bedroom and, as usual, turned on his computer to log into “Oracle.”
“Yi’an, NINE the God is going to start a live stream!” exclaimed a teammate through the headset, excited. “Are you going to watch?”
“A live stream?” Nian Yi’an’s interest was piqued. “Where?”
Nian Yi’an was two months shy of turning eighteen.
At this age, boys and girls are inherently proud, their spirits burning with unquenchable fervor.
Nian Yi’an had never been particularly interested in any of the top players in Oracle.
But after the West Deities team’s challenge, and NINE the God’s direct response on the international network followed by a display of overwhelming skill against the West Deities team, he became a fan of this top player.
“Yes,” the teammate replied, thrilled. “I’ll send you the link. NINE the God is said to be discussing the swordsman’s combo moves today!”
Nian Yi’an immediately clicked on the live stream link.
The broadcast hadn’t started yet, and the room was still dark, but it had already attracted a sizable crowd.
The popularity had pushed it to the homepage of the platform, surpassing other major streamers.
“Yi’an, I have to admit, you were really cool playing basketball today,” the teammate said. “You were literally flying, just like the manga Slam Dunk, leaving everyone else in awe. You must have received a lot of love letters today, right?”
Nian Yi’an’s expression subtly shifted.
He reached back and pressed against the slightly protruding bones, feeling the heat and slight pain emanating from them.
It seemed as though some force was about to erupt within him.
After giving it some thought, Nian Yi’an decided he should visit the hospital.
The family was not well-off to begin with, and the thought of having bone cancer was too frightening to even contemplate.
He didn’t want to worry Nian Tingchu either.
With an additional person in the household, expenses would inevitably rise.
Tapping on the keyboard, lost in thought, Nian Yi’an decided he might as well skip further studies and start working right after high school..