34
Bian Xun's mental fortitude was indeed exceptionally strong.
When one hundred million flowed out of his bank card, and the unbelievable truth rushed toward him, he didn't dodge at all. His back tensed, and he stared unblinkingly at the slightly old computer monitor.
The album loaded incredibly slowly, so slow that it felt as if one could see the passage of time.
So slow that Ning Zhitao spat out another cherry pit.
Ning Ye was inexplicably affected by the heavy, gloomy atmosphere radiating from the person next to her, and she stared at the computer nervously.
Bian Xun looked so serious, as if he were about to open some vital commercial secret or unlock a whole new world, which made her develop a strong sense of anticipation too.
Finally, the loading screen flashed with a faint light and slowly revealed the inside of the album.
At this moment, the scene in the main room was quite peculiar. The little kid was leisurely swaying her head, while the two adults held their breath, their eyes fixed, both faces illuminated by the screen's glow.
"It's up!" Ning Ye saw something.
"Yeah." Bian Xun's voice was also tight.
The entire webpage looked like a system's default photo album, where all photos automatically arranged themselves chronologically.
However, as they widened their eyes to look, there were indeed photos in the album.
But, there was only one.
The rest of the space was completely blank.
Bian Xun: "?"
Unbelievable.
He closed his eyes, then opened them again.
It wasn't an illusion; there was just one.
One hundred million for 1 photo.
Bian Xun closed his eyes completely, seemingly passing away for a brief moment.
Just like his one hundred million that was gained and lost.
It was certain that whoever set up this album was messing with him.
A bit of shock also appeared on Ning Ye's face. If one photo sold for ten thousand yuan, that was indeed the work of a crooked merchant!
But, one was better than none! They still had to open it and take a look.
Ning Ye dragged the mouse and clicked on the photo. At the same time, Bian Xun opened his eyes and leaned in, supporting himself against the desk.
Like a system photo, the top of this photo also displayed the time it was taken.
—Year X, Month X, Day X.
Ning Ye suddenly paused, and Bian Xun's gaze slightly froze. The two realized something at the same time and exchanged a glance—
This was today's date.
This album, from an unknown time and place, on the day they opened it... only had a photo from that exact day.
Then was it possible that this album was dynamic... and would only show photos from that day onward as time passed?
If that was the case, then of course there wouldn't be Mini-Tao in the current album.
Because she hadn't been born yet.
But in the future, there was a high probability they would really be able to see Mini-Tao, Tiny-Tao, Little-Tao, and Medium-Tao.
Holding onto a bit of anticipation, Ning Ye looked at this album from the future, pondered it carefully for a moment, and suddenly came to a realization.
The plot only started after the little kid time-traveled here, and from then on, everything in the future changed, so theoretically, it already ceased to exist.
If the photos in this album were the supposed to happen future, records of the original timeline...
Then it contained a massive amount of information.
What happened to them on the original today?
Ning Ye looked at the album again. Beside her, Bian Xun's dark eyes flickered slightly as he also stared at this single, astronomically priced photo.
It was a photo of holding hands.
It only captured their arms and hands. The angle of the photo was very straight-man, and the technique was poor, like a quick, casual snapshot. But if one looked closely at the sleeves and fingers, they could still tell it was the two of them.
On the original version of this day, they held hands?
Coincidentally, they had indeed held hands today as well.
Ning Ye found it a bit strange. Who took the photo? She wouldn't have taken it, but it looked even less like something Bian Xun would take.
Bian Xun: "."
At a certain moment while holding hands, he did have an urge to document it.
After six years, it was very commemorative.
So...
Cold air slowly dissipated from between Bian Xun's thin lips.
In this album that supposedly recorded Ning Ye and the child's life, the password was set by him, and the photo was also related to him.
Did he set up this album himself?
He was sure he hadn't done it. Could it be himself from a parallel universe?
The event suddenly veered into the cosmic microcosm and quantum mechanics. Bian Xun closed his eyes, waves of anxiety rolling over his heart.
Amidst the anxiety that crashed like waves against the shore, there was also a cool ocean current slowly weaving and entwining through his blood vessels.
His guess was highly likely not a self-inflicted humiliation.
Then they...
Bian Xun opened his eyes. Ning Ye was still staring at the hand-holding photo, studying the nature of things.
The two of them leaned together in front of the laptop's small screen, very close to each other. There was an unbelievable possibility, but it still needed one final step, one piece of evidence.
The anxiety in his chest was like sparks in a barrel; a cautious anticipation and a certain sour relief fanned the flames together.
But he knew that right now, at this moment, rushing was useless.
Bian Xun lowered his eyes, looking at the blood spot on his fingertip that had been pricked by the servant and was now mostly healed. When it came to doing DNA tests, no one should be faster than the old man right now.
Wait.
Bian Xun raised his hand and pinched his brow bone. His heart was burning with anxiety, and his eyes carried a dark fire, burning toward the mother of the child who knew nothing, yet seemed to know everything.
How to ask?
There was no way to ask.
If the absurd guess was true, then he definitely couldn't ask.
In this anxious waiting, Bian Xun didn't dare indulge his thoughts, and began to focus on the thing that could calm people down the most—
Thus, Ning Ye heard the man beside her speak indifferently after a long, dark period of thought.
Next time we open it, we won't need to pay again, right?
Bian Xun's expression was calm and rational.
One hundred million a pop, even the richest man in the world would have to drop to his knees.
Ning Ye was also worried. Probably... not.
If this was a payment code set by the future Bian Xun, given his future generosity, after collecting the protection fee once and verifying their identity, he probably wouldn't charge again.
The CEO nodded, remained silent for a moment, and stared at the hand-holding photo, trying to divert his anxiety.
Can this money be refunded? the CEO asked.
If this threshold was meant to block strangers, then now that the right person had opened the album, was it possible for the money to be refunded to the original account?
Then his one hundred million would be returned intact.
Ning Ye: "?"
Ning Ye was a bit annoyed by him, but still patiently said, This is a personally established album, not an official platform for buying things outside. There probably isn't a refund path.
Bian Xun's eyebrow twitched, and the suppressed fiery anxiety in his heart flared up again, starting a new round of hidden worries.
If that was the case, if all of this was really done by him—then when Ning Ye transferred the money, he should have been the one to receive it, right?
Where was his money?
He didn't receive it. Could he have guessed wrong?
The dual pressure of money and bloodline burned the CEO, making him restless, but he steadily didn't show it.
After a brief moment of dead silence, Bian Xun exhaled softly, May this money be safe and sound.
Baby, come home.
Ning Ye: "..."
Ning Ye finally couldn't hold back anymore.
Is it really necessary over ten thousand yuan?
Ning Ye angrily rebuked the black-hearted capitalist; after all, she had gone Dutch on five thousand of it.
Of course, she also felt that ten thousand yuan was very expensive, but there was still a lot of unknown information ahead. Moreover, this album was about the child after all. Even if opening it next time required paying another ten thousand, she would grit her teeth and be willing to continue bearing the cost, splitting it evenly with Bian Xun.
Besides, even if it was just to see what her child looked like from birth to four years old, she felt the money was well spent.
Her monthly salary was probably about the same as Bian Xun's salary per second, and she hadn't even complained!
"..."
Bian Xun's dark eyes were so profound that it was hard to describe them in Chinese.
He looked as if he were meditating, took two deep breaths, and tried to explain, "This isn't about the money... No, it is about the money, but it's not just about the money."
Ning Ye broke down, covered her ears, and ran away. "I'll pay for it all, I'll pay for it all, okay!"
She scooped up Taotao and the cherries and fled.
Bian Xun tried to raise his hand, hesitating to speak for a long moment, before finally falling silent.
He knew very well that personal transfers, being non-investment behaviors, did not have a multiplier effect. This had been verified a long time ago.
Even if she transferred ten thousand over, it would only change the number from 99.995 million to a lucky 99.99 million.
The hundred million mark was a lost cause.
But this photo album couldn't be completely meaningless.
Bian Xun's dark gaze fell back onto the dates on the photos—if he really had created this album himself, then he must have been the one to put these photos in it.
Then by tomorrow, he would be able to test whether it would truly update with new photos according to the date.
Because after midnight tomorrow, it would be Ning Ye's birthday.
It was impossible for there to be no new photos on this day.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Ning Ye, having scooped up the two types of fruit, arrived at a quiet place free of Bian Xun. She sat down and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
As she and the child spat out the fruit pits, she straightened out her thoughts.
This photo album was somehow using a special method to tell them what was originally supposed to happen in a world without the plot—this was equivalent to a more detailed preview.
And for Ning Ye at this moment, it perhaps had one most important function.
Which was to predict the exact...
Date of the child's birth.
To make a baby at a specific time and place.
...
That night, everyone was preoccupied with their own thoughts.
But early the next morning, Ning Ye's alarm still rang on time.
She and the child had slept in the western annex of Bian Xun's courtyard last night. She had things on her mind and didn't sleep very soundly, but Taotao was extremely adaptable. When it was time to get up in the morning, the little one hadn't slept enough and wobbled sleepily in her mother's arms.
Ning Ye washed and dressed them both, then walked out of Bian Xun's courtyard.
The deep courtyards of the Bian residence were still very quiet. There were only a few bird calls from the cold branches. Today was the day of the Bian family's Winter Clothing Festival ancestor worship.
Holding Taotao's hand, she pushed open the gate to Bian Xun's courtyard, only to run straight into a group of people.
At a glance, everyone was dressed impeccably, appearing elegant and solemn for such an occasion. Although they were all uniformly dressed in dark clothing, expensive details were revealed from head to toe, exuding a strong aura of feudal old money.
These were the relatives of the Bian family, who had been arriving at the old residence one after another early in the morning to participate in the ancestor worship.
Ning Ye didn't know them. She had only met Bian Yang, who was at the front of the crowd, and knew he was Bian Xun's cousin.
When the Bian family members saw where Ning Ye was walking out from, they immediately exchanged glances. Bian Xun's private courtyard was a restricted area within the old residence. No one else was allowed to enter casually, let alone touch his things.
In the past, an ignorant child from a collateral branch of the Bian family had accidentally wandered in. Bian Xun had shown no mercy to the child, who was only a few years old, and threw him straight out the front gates of the residence, forbidding him from ever entering again.
Yet this girl had stayed overnight in Bian Xun's courtyard with a child yesterday.
Her identity naturally didn't need any introduction; everyone knew perfectly well who she was. It was just that running into her face-to-face was inevitably a bit awkward.
The last fluctuation in the stock price of Wujiang Group was caused precisely because they had heard Bian Xun was secretly raising a child on the outside, and they had used this as leverage to demand that Old Master Bian relinquish some power.
They had made a fuss for quite a while, but in the end, the main branch only squeezed out a few scattered subsidiaries for them. Compared to the real power tightly held in Bian Xun's hands, what they got was merely scraps.
They actually knew very well that besides Bian Xun himself being extremely power-hungry, outstandingly capable, and indifferent to familial ties—not caring about them as relatives at all—there was another important reason.
That was because Bian Xun was the true favorite in Old Master Bian's heart.
The sole legitimate grandson, exceptionally gifted, and raised personally by his side—even if he scolded him from morning till night, would he really weaken Bian Xun and yield power to the others?
Although on the surface the Old Master seemed fair to the younger generation of the various branches, in reality, everyone in this deep compound knew the score.
Bian Xun was different.
As long as Bian Xun didn't commit murder or arson, the Bian family would always be his.
Without a doubt, if Bian Xun had a biological child, that child would also become Old Master Bian's most important precious darling, doted on beyond measure.
That was why they had clung so tightly to Bian Xun's mistake of raising a child on the outside, because the opportunity was truly rare. The Bian family had mobilized all their resources to investigate, and Old Master Bian had confirmed that this child was not Bian Xun's, yet Bian Xun insisted on raising her outside anyway.
Choosing specifically to let this mother and daughter enter the old residence during the ancestor worship ceremony—the intention was self-evident.
It was to warn her, to let her know that the Bian family wasn't a place where just any random child could sneak into.
Therefore, even if Bian Xun was willing to raise this child, the rest of the Bian family still didn't take her seriously in their hearts.
The diverse gazes of the group shifted from measuring Ning Ye to measuring Ning Zhitao.
Ning Ye furrowed her brows slightly.
These gazes couldn't exactly be called malicious, but they were undoubtedly weighing them—weighing this little dumpling of a person, Ning Zhitao, to see how much she could sell for on the scale.
She did not like her child being scrutinized like this.
But at this moment, the sleepy Ning Zhitao leaned against her mother's arm, yawning continuously as she dozed. Her round eyes were damp, and she looked at the adults in front of her with a distinct lack of interest.
—They didn't know her, but she certainly knew them.
This one was Great-Aunt, that one was Second Great-Uncle; she could name them all.
But the education Ning Zhitao had received since childhood told her:
She could walk sideways and do whatever she pleased in this big mansion!
So, she was just so sleepy right now, and she didn't want to pay attention to them yet.
...
The crowd coolly withdrew their gazes. A few elders, relying on their status, did not take the initiative to greet Ning Ye. From the crowd, Bian Yang consciously stepped forward a bit.
Bian Yang was considered the only person in the family who could still exchange a few words with his older cousin; when other relatives went to Wujiang, it was just an indiscriminate slaughter.
Although he didn't know whether this child was actually his cousin's or not, he did know Ning Ye.
Just based on the fact that after so many years, she could still walk out of his cousin's private courtyard so breezily, Bian Yang knew that the two of them were far from over.
His cousin probably wouldn't let it be over, either.
Bian Yang remained friendly. "Miss Ning, you're up this early to attend the ancestor worship too?"
Ning Ye gave a slight nod as a greeting, her voice clear and peaceful. "I'm going to work."
Bian Yang was stunned. "Ah?"
A few of the Bian family elders nearby immediately showed looks of displeasure. It was already an honor for her to be allowed into the old residence, yet she was treating it so dismissively?
Ning Ye calmly took Taotao's hand. "And then I'm dropping the child off at school. Excuse me."
Bian Yang choked up. In their social class, no one really worked a proper job every day. Even he just clocked in at the company daily and then did whatever he pleased. The shares he held were enough to keep him well-fed and entertained with the dividends alone.
The girl's porcelain-white profile possessed a unique, elegant beauty beneath the dark-tiled eaves.
She stood tall and graceful, her attitude not overly friendly. Holding her child's hand, she naturally kept a distance from them.
Ning Ye naturally understood very well that these people were not in the same social class as her.
She didn't think there was anything wrong with working a normal job and supporting herself. At the very least, she didn't have to act as cautious and subservient as they did in front of Old Master Bian, vying for his favor and claiming credit in hopes of getting a larger share of the inheritance.
The other members of the Bian family were not as mild-mannered as Bian Yang. It could be said that part of the reason they came here today was because they had sensed Old Master Bian's implicit instructions: to let this woman know that a child of unknown origin could never be added to the Bian family's genealogy.
A woman behind Bian Yang raised the corner of her eye and was about to say something when she suddenly saw Bian Xun walking out of the courtyard wearing an overcoat.
Seeing the look on that grim reaper's face, everyone instantly fell silent.
Bian Xun frowned as he crossed the threshold. Seeing that Ning Ye hadn't left yet, the crease between his brows relaxed a little.
He took a few steps to stand side by side with her.
After tossing and turning all night, thinking of countless possibilities, he looked terrible.
Bian Yang, however, tactlessly flashed a bright smile. Brother, you haven't stayed at home for a long time. Why are you up so early?
Bian Xun took Ning Ye's hand. To take her to work.
Bian Yang choked again, having this blatant display of affection shoved right in his face. He really wanted to ask, Did you two really break up for six years??
The rest of the Bian family members had varying expressions on their faces.
Ning Ye ultimately disliked this atmosphere, whether it was six years ago or now.
She led the child toward the exit of the residence, and Bian Xun lowered his eyes and followed.
She only hoped that after today, the Bian family would pay less attention to her and her daughter.
...
The figures of the two left the old Bian family residence.
At this moment, a hunched figure leaning on a walking stick slowly emerged from the front hall.
Dad, what's wrong?!
Why do you look so pale!
When everyone saw him, they turned pale with fright and hurried forward.
Bian Yang also hurriedly went up to support him. Grandpa, are you alright?!
Old Master Bian had always been dignified and hale. Despite his advanced age, he had white hair but a ruddy complexion. He also valued health regimens and feng shui, so he always looked well.
Today, however, he was trembling as he leaned on his cane. He had dark circles under his eyes, his old eyes were cloudy, and he looked as if he was hanging on by a thread.
This night, someone else had also been unable to sleep!
In the middle of the night, Old Master Bian had called his assistant several times. At three in the morning, and again at six in the morning, he repeatedly asked questions until the assistant finally broke down.
Sir, the staff at the testing facility also need to get off work and sleep!
Old Master Bian couldn't accept this and slapped his bed in anger. Is there no one on duty in the middle of the night??
The assistant felt helpless dealing with this stubborn old fossil. We sent the samples over too late, and the facility was already closed. But the person in charge also said that as soon as the machines are turned on tomorrow, they will immediately run the comparison for us.
What time do they open?
They open at nine. We will definitely get the results today.
Old Master Bian reluctantly accepted this answer.
But after tossing and turning until now, the sun had already come up.
For an elderly person, staying up all night was a major taboo for their health.
Old Master Bian had a vicious look in his eyes as he glared at the retreating backs of that family of three.
It didn't matter if they were present during the day; the ancestral worship banquet in the evening was the main event.
The paternity test report would be issued by tonight at the latest.
Today, in front of all their ancestors, he was determined to make Bian Xun, this unfilial descendant, come to his senses!
...
Ning Ye felt inexplicably restless while at work during the day.
Taotao didn't finally wake up from her grogginess until after two classes at kindergarten. By noon, she had completely regained her energy and sent several messages on her smartwatch, asking her mother if she could stay up late tonight.
Why stay up late?
Did the little kid take this ancestral worship event very seriously?
Ning Ye could sense that Taotao had some faint expectations, but she couldn't figure out what the child was looking forward to. She just told her she could stay up, but not too late.
The little girl persistently asked, How late is too late, Mom?
Ning Ye thought for a moment. For a little kid, ten o'clock is considered staying up late.
Ning Zhitao started whining melodramatically in the voice message.
Ning Ye smiled and got up to get some water.
Jiang Xinghe came into the pantry a moment later and handed her something. For the child to play with.
Ning Ye was taken aback. Why buy a gift for the child all of a sudden?
Jiang Xinghe smiled and explained, It's an AI electronic chessboard. During the sports meet, the kids will be competing in simple board games. I heard about this when I went to the principal's office to discuss medical coverage.
The latest insider information from Xialu Kindergarten, Jiang Xinghe said with a straight face.
Ning Ye couldn't help but laugh. She made a mental note of this favor, planning to repay him through work.
Thank you, Mr. Jiang. You are Taotao's greatest networking connection.
Jiang Xinghe had a gentle smile in his eyes. He only spoke after she accepted the gift. Happy birthday.
Giving her a birthday gift in this manner was the least boundary-crossing and most easily accepted method he could think of.
Ning Ye was stunned. The child's birthday hadn't arrived yet, had it?
Jiang Xinghe shook his head helplessly. Your birthday is tomorrow.
Ning Ye froze for a moment before it suddenly dawned on her.
Many details of her recent life now made sense.
Recently, Ning Zhitao had been actively attending the Little Crayon hobby class. Although judging from the artworks she brought home, the child's drawing skills hadn't made any significant progress, the little girl was incredibly enthusiastic and insisted that she had to secretly complete a masterpiece!
And at this moment, Ning Ye suddenly realized what the secret mission the child had mentioned to her teacher was.
She also understood the uncontainable excitement and anticipation in Taotao's tone just now.
She wanted to stay up until midnight for her mother.
The restlessness lingering in her heart was suddenly soothed by a small, chubby hand, a hand that still bore colorful crayon marks.
Ning Ye hadn't celebrated her birthday in many years, so she didn't remember it at all.
She didn't expect anyone to prepare anything for her either.
But her little girl, who had crossed oceans and time to be with her, had started secretly preparing to celebrate it a month or two in advance.
She returned to her desk holding her thermos.
A gentle warmth flowed from the bottom of her heart to her fingertips.
Suddenly, the image of Bian Xun's downcast dark eyes flashed before her again, specifically asking her to keep tonight free...
Ah.
It turned out that besides the little girl, someone else remembered too.
One big and one small, they connected with her, and it suddenly felt like a family.
...
Of course, after work, Ning Ye still pretended not to know.
She pretended not to notice the little girl's overly bulging backpack, and she pretended not to notice the child covering her mouth to secretly giggle from time to time.
Ning Zhitao was so solemnly trying to hide her immense excitement that it infected Ning Ye, making her lips curl up in a smile from time to time.
However, before the beautiful midnight arrived, they were still picked up by the same vintage sedan and taken to the old Bian family residence.
The ancestral worship activities had been going on all day, and the evening banquet was currently being prepared.
At this moment, Ning Zhitao was completely different from how she was in the morning.
Especially because of the midnight birthday celebration, she was exceptionally excited. Her grape-like eyes were bright and shining. She skipped and bounced around the old Bian family residence, full of life and energy, completely out of place with the solemn and gloomy atmosphere of the memorial ceremony around her.
"Master, they are here."
A servant walked through the corridor, entered the ancestral hall, and whispered into Old Master Bian's ear.
Old Master Bian sat upright in a huanghuali wood armchair, his old eyes closed, fingering his prayer beads without opening his eyes.
"Where is Bian Xun?"
"He has also entered the main gate," the servant replied.
"Hmm," Old Master Bian said.
Old Master Bian was bathed in the flickering candlelight, half his body illuminated in red and half in yellow. He appeared as calm as water, but in reality, he was out of patience waiting.
All the other members of the Bian family were also seated in the spacious ancestral hall. The seating arrangement strictly followed the family branches, blood closeness, and seniority, with even the positions holding immense significance.
The hall enshrined rows of jade memorial tablets, clearly recording the origin and continuation of the Bian family, displaying the extraordinary background of the Bian ancestors.
Everyone in the room silently lowered their heads, not daring to utter a single word.
If an outsider were to accidentally trespass upon this scene, they would be suppressed into immobility the moment they entered the door. Because what you faced was not just a few people, but the gazes of countless heroic spirits spanning hundreds of years, carrying a heavy and majestic presence.
When Ning Ye walked in holding the child's hand, she was indeed somewhat intimidated.
Her expression remained unchanged, but she was still stunned into silence by such a large-scale traditional gathering.
Bian Xun happened to arrive at the exact same moment.
He reached out to support her arm, his fingertips applying slight pressure, as if indicating something.
The CEO had been pondering all day.
He forcefully held seven meetings to divert his attention.
The meetings went on until the senior executives of Wujiang were mentally questioning the Bian family's ancestors, finally making it to this moment.
At this moment, Bian Xun's eyes were as deep as the universe.
Whether it was the quantum mechanics of blood being thicker than water, or a whimsical delusion bringing humiliation upon himself—the results were about to come out.
Following the pressure of his fingertips, Ning Ye looked up at him.
Having not seen him for a day, how did Bian Xun's eyes get so red from lack of sleep? His cold black eyes now held many unconcealable emotions.
Could he still be upset over the ten thousand yuan for the photo album??
Ning Ye was genuinely afraid he might get depressed.
Turning to look inside the ancestral hall, the hanging jade tablets bore the names of several illustrious figures—the kind that would shock the entire internet if revealed outside.
Families like the Bian family were rare, distinguished noble households. Their ancestors included truly great figures who blessed their descendants, acting as a silent glory.
At this moment, the distant candlelight and the courtyard's structure reflected dancing shadows. The dense crowd of descendants and relatives faded into the air, bringing an overwhelming, silent pressure.
No wonder Old Master Bian chose this time to intimidate her.
The ancestors, the living, those on the memorial tablets, and those who brought honor to the family were all here.
Anyone stepping through this door would have to weigh their own worth.
Ning Ye didn't make a sound for a moment.
Grown adults always hold a trace of awe for things unknown to them.
But children do not.
In the solemn and majestic ancestral worship ceremony, a child's voice rang out in confusion.
"Daddy, what are they doing?"
Everyone in the room shivered.
Bian Xun also shivered.
Hearing this "Daddy" now, his mood was completely different.
If before it was a weight he could support with a raised hand, now it faintly became a red-hot branding iron, heavy and scalding, requiring his shoulders to carry it.
Bian Xun took a deep breath and said calmly, "They are having a meeting."
Old Master Bian: "..."
Do you think this is a company!!
The people below naturally felt the Old Master's dissatisfaction.
Bian Yang's family sat very close to the front. His father and Bian Xun's father were biological brothers, making him Bian Xun's biological uncle. He was rather mediocre and incompetent, but his mother, Bian Xun's aunt, was very domineering. At this moment, she immediately received the Old Master's decree.
"What occasion and what rules are these? It just doesn't work if a child has no one to teach them. Parents need to know how to discipline."
These words were, of course, directed at Ning Ye.
The child was not Bian Xun's; naturally, her upbringing and discipline had nothing to do with him.
The implication was that this child had nothing to do with their Bian family.
This was also the point Old Master Bian wanted to make Bian Xun realize today.
Bian Xun frowned, and Ning Ye calmly looked toward the source of the voice. However, before the two of them could speak, Ning Zhitao by their legs was not afraid at all and started chattering.
"Who is talking?"
Ning Zhitao's big, innocent eyes couldn't focus on the dense crowd of heads, so she looked at the most conspicuous old man in the seat of honor. "Old Grandpa, why don't you discipline her?"
Old Master Bian was stunned.
Was this child, in their Bian family's ancestral hall, in such a solemn place... questioning him??
All the Bian family members below were also shocked.
Where did this kid come from??
Was she raised on pure audacity?
How could she be so arrogant on someone else's turf?!
Ning Zhitao put her hands on her hips and harrumphed twice.
In the past, as long as she didn't call her grandpa "grandpa," he would be very sad.
This was Little Grape's revenge!
If he apologized to her and her mother for what happened at the park last time, Ning Zhitao could still forgive him.
Old Master Bian was shocked for a long time before suddenly catching a glimpse of the smile on Bian Xun's profile. That faint sense of doting was simply unprecedented, as if he had completely treated this little girl as his own flesh and blood!
Alarm bells instantly went off in Old Master Bian's head. Leaning on the cane in his hand, he stood up and faced Ning Zhitao majestically.
The aunt who spoke earlier chimed in again, "This child is really unrefined. A newborn calf isn't afraid of tigers, but unfortunately, she came to the wrong place."
Ning Zhitao, however, seemed not to hear.
In the Bian family's old residence, she only conversed with people of her own level!
"Old Grandpa, why aren't you speaking?"
The aunt was completely ignored by a four-year-old girl. Her face was awkward, and she hoped in her heart that the results would come out quickly, striking this mother and daughter until they felt ashamed of their inferiority.
Old Master Bian was also stunned by the questioning, but the other party was, after all, a little doll only a fraction of his age. He steadied himself and saw the butler outside the wooden window of the ancestral hall hurrying over with an urgent document. The heavy stone in his heart instantly fell to the ground.
At this moment, he looked at Ning Zhitao rather affectionately, but the words he spoke were very cruel: "Little friend, is the person you call Daddy really your Daddy?"
Bian Xun narrowed his eyes.
Ning Zhitao scratched her head in confusion: "If he isn't my Daddy, is he your Daddy?"
Little Grape didn't mean to insult anyone; she just thought the grandpa's question was too weird!
Old Master Bian choked, and anger flared up in his body, which had not rested well for days. Seeing that the urgent document was about to arrive, he simply raised his hands and clapped twice.
The most important ceremony of ancestral worship had arrived. Everyone in the Bian family who was on the genealogy tree had to take turns stepping forward to offer incense and flowers to the ancestors.
As the eldest grandson of the main branch, Bian Xun had to be the first to offer incense. However, the mother and daughter beside him did not have this qualification.
This was the chasm between them.
Bian Xun did not move, still standing beside Ning Ye and Ning Zhitao.
Old Master Bian smiled gently at Ning Zhitao. "Little friend, you are very cute. But unfortunately, your Daddy is not your Daddy."
Ning Zhitao's cheeks puffed up.
She was angry.
She was truly angry this time.
Her two chubby little legs scrambled, stomping her feet in anxiety. She was so angered by these words that her eyes welled up with tears. "I will never forgive you this time!"
Ning Ye immediately tightened her grip on the child's hand. "We are leaving right now."
Servants carrying incense and flower stands began to file in. At the same time, the old butler finally handed the urgent document to Old Master Bian, panting heavily.
Bian Xun's patience was entirely focused on waiting for this final moment. His expression shifted, and his heartbeat began to accelerate.
"Hahahaha!"
Old Master Bian had been waiting for this for a long time!
He was practically holding his breath, unable to wait as he tore open the envelope of the paternity test report.
But in the blink of an eye, his gaze suddenly fixed on one of the potted flowers brought into the ancestral hall.
A sharp look flashed in Old Master Bian's eyes. "Crown of Thorns? Who chose this?!"
Bian Xun raised a hand to cover his nose and mouth, the side of his neck beginning to flush red.
But at a time like this, couldn't they just open the report first?
Old Master Bian, however, spoke with harsh severity: "Take it away! Quickly!"
"Bian Xun is allergic to Crown of Thorns! When he was four or five and smelled this, he nearly went into anaphylactic shock and passed out on the spot! Move it away, now!"
Very few people knew about this because the allergen was quite rare. Aside from Bian Xun and his father, no one else in the family was allergic to it.
The servants hurriedly and frantically removed the pots of Crown of Thorns. Only then did Old Master Bian feel at ease enough to open the appraisal report.
But right at that moment, out of the corner of his eye, he saw something soft and limp collapse to the ground.
Ning Zhitao was breathing rapidly, her cheeks flushed red. She had suddenly developed the exact same allergic reaction as Bian Xun.
Old Master Bian's heart suddenly skipped a beat for no apparent reason.
The people in the hall also faintly realized that something was wrong.
Wait...
No way...???
The moment Bian Xun caught the child, his hands were cold.
There was no need to look anymore.
He scooped the child up with one arm, letting her little head rest on his shoulder, and grabbed the hand of Ning Ye, who was frantically calling the child's name, with his other hand. He took large strides and rushed out of the ancestral hall.
At the same time, Old Master Bian finally opened the report in a daze.
Ning Zhitao and Bian Xun—
Paternity relationship supported.
99.99%.
Old Master Bian collapsed heavily to the floor in front of the ancestors.
