Father Nan Jin hadn’t made much of an impression. To Nan Xi, he’d always seemed stern, always leaving her with a nanny and never confiding or holding her close.
"Dad, is what sister said true?"
Tears swirled in Nan Xi’s eyes. Bai Zhi had said that she wasn’t Nan Jin’s daughter, but her father’s.
"Sister said I’m not Nan Jin’s daughter, but yours. Is that true? Can you tell me, please?"
Tears fell from her eyes. If it were true, she actually felt quite happy. Her father, Bai Da, sincerely cherished and loved her.
As soon as Nan Xi spoke, Bai Ye’s eyes widened, and he clamped his hand over his mouth to stop himself from shouting. It was a while before he lowered his hand.
How could it be, Nan Xi, his own sister? Then who was Bai Zhi’s daughter?
What did Xixi mean by saying that? Did she even understand what it implied?
Bai Ye looked at Bai Da, whose face bore a heavy expression, seemingly pondering whether to reveal the truth, while Bai Yu’s expression was similar but without the shock.
What did that mean? Bai Yu and Dad knew, leaving him clueless like a fool.
"Dad, is what Xixi said true? Please, say something."
Bai Ye spoke hurriedly. Recently, too many things had happened—these past few months felt more eventful than the past years combined.
If Bai Zhi really wasn’t his sister, then were those deliberate acts of mistreatment and the father’s intentional neglect—all done on purpose?
Bai Ye’s eyes widened, unable to believe the reality.
"Dad, please, can you tell me what’s going on? I can handle it."
Nan Xi clung tightly to Bai Da’s hand, crying incessantly.
Ouyang’s medicine was very effective, so her face had mostly healed.
At this moment, tears streamed down her cheeks, eyes filled with hurt, holding Bai Da’s hand with a certain pleading desperation.
Bai Da hesitated; he didn’t know whether to tell Nan Xi the truth, fearing she’d resent him, her ineffectual father.
"Dad, please tell me, wouldn’t it be wonderful if you really were my dad? You always say Nan Jin doesn’t dismiss me, but in all the days I’ve spent as his daughter, I’ve never felt a bit of fatherly love. He never talks to me, never takes me out, never buys me nice clothes; he leaves everything to someone else.
We’re just like strangers living together. Dad, I genuinely hope what sister said was true.
That I am your daughter, and these days living here with you and my brothers have been my happiest."
Nan Xi’s tears kept falling as she looked at Bai Da, then turned to Bai Yu and Bai Ye.
"Being with my brothers, I never have to worry or feel scared; they always protect me. Being with Dad, Dad tells me stories, jokes. Dad, I really love you all. If it’s true, I would be so happy."
Every word from Nan Xi was heartfelt. That Nan Jin didn’t really love her; although they weren’t rich at home, she felt her father and brothers did love her.
Bai Da’s look grew even more intense, finally turning to Bai Yu and Bai Ye.
"Bai Yu, take Bai Ye outside. I have something to say to Xixi."
Bai Ye, that child, had a heart too big to keep secrets; he couldn’t let him know.
"Okay, I’ll take him out."
Bai Yu didn’t think twice before pulling Bai Ye out the door, leaving only Bai Da and Nan Xi in the room.