An Yiqing looked at the necklace, disbelief flashing in her eyes. She hurriedly took out a necklace she always carried with her from her bag, laid it in her hand, and it was identical to the one An Zhihang had!
An Zhihang’s hands trembled as he took the necklace from An Yiqing and said excitedly, "It’s this one! It’s this one! Xiao Qing, I compared your DNA with that of the family, and the resemblance is over 99 percent! You really are my sister, without a shadow of a doubt!"
Every word from An Zhihang hammered down on An Yiqing’s heart like a heavy maul, her expression complex as she looked at the expectant faces of the An Family, her emotions in turmoil. She had wondered countless times why her parents didn’t want her, whether it was intentional abandonment or an unintentional loss. Now everything had become clear, and the situation had arisen so suddenly that the usually strong An Yiqing even thought of fleeing.
"I should go back first. Give me some time to think," the girl said abruptly, standing up and fleeing the villa like a bat out of hell.
"Niuniu! Niuniu!" Kong Shi stood up suddenly, hurriedly trying to follow, but Gu Yelin stopped her.
"Auntie, give her some time to calm down," Gu Yelin’s voice gained a touch of gentleness, promising, "I will talk to her, don’t worry."
Kong Shi looked at Gu Yelin, hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded.
Gu Yelin and An Yiqing drove away from the An Family Villa. Along the way, An Yiqing curled up in the passenger seat without a word, her entire being enveloped in defensiveness.
Gu Yelin, pained, glanced at the girl and sped up the drive.
At Shuixie Lanting, Gu Yelin turned off the engine, got out without a word, and carried the girl from the passenger seat into the house.
As if sensing An Yiqing’s unhappiness, Xiao Hei, who came up wagging his tail, circled anxiously around the girl, occasionally nudging her leg with his little nose.
"Tutu," Gu Yelin said with a tender touch on the girl’s face, "don’t be , it hurts my heart."
An Yiqing slowly raised her head, looking at him with a bewildered gaze, and blinked twice before saying, "Ah Lin, I have a father and mother now."
The girl’s words pierced Gu Yelin’s heart like a needle, and he held An Yiqing tightly, soothingly patting her back, "Tutu, don’t be scared, I’m here for you."
The man’s words relaxed An Yiqing’s taut nerves like a calming pill. Her small hands clutched Gu Yelin’s coat tightly, her little face buried in his chest, and she began to sob softly, which slowly turned into loud cries.
Gu Yelin didn’t speak or offer empty words of comfort, but just held An Yiqing tightly. He knew that although the girl had always been strong over the years, and Ye Chenghong treated her as his own, there was always a void in her heart. That slot housed the relatives she had never met, and that blood-bound connection of kinship was something no one could sever.
If her parents had abandoned her out of disdain, Gu Yelin was clear that, given the girl’s nature, she definitely wouldn’t be upset. His Tutu was like that—if someone was kind to her, she’d be wholeheartedly generous in return. But if she was treated poorly, even if by blood relatives, she could be cold and indifferent. However, these days she had witnessed the An Family’s longing and concern for Niuniu, and she held the kindness of Kong Shi and An Zisheng in her heart. Familiarity brings fear, and Gu Yelin understood all too well the inner conflict tormenting An Yiqing at this time.
After a long while, the girl’s loud cries became low sobs. She grabbed Gu Yelin’s clothes and randomly wiped her face, then looked at the mess of snot and tears on his clothes and couldn’t help but let out a snort of laughter.