Pandora’s Box

When I woke up the next day, I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I went to the bathroom to glance at the mirror and found that my face was swollen as if I was beaten.

My mood so far had been a total defeat.

Last night, although I planned to lower my head to cry so I wasn’t discovered, Zhuo Wenyang’s shirt still ended up immediately wet.

I was also a failure in deceiving anyone.

Fortunately, Zhuo Wenyang didn’t say anything but silently allowed me to smear my tears and snot onto his clothing. When I covered my face with a tissue before leaving, I accidentally blew out a big snot bubble. Yet, I still acted nonchalantly.

I went to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator to find some ice cubes. I wrapped them in a towel and applied the cold compress to my swollen eyes. Fortunately, everyone else went out and I was the only one left at home. I didn’t need to explain my miserable situation to anyone else.

I laid on the sofa with a cold towel covering my face dazedly.

I used to think my life was already bad enough when I pitied and complained about myself.

It turned out that it wasn’t the case.

Because it could actually be worse.

Even the one and only “father” whom I believe in for more than 20 years was a fake. What truth was left?

I began to obsess over the question that every child with doubts about their heritage would ask–whose child was I?

Regardless of who that individual was, what was certain was that he probably had no relationship with my mother. Otherwise, with this debt left behind, why would my dad take over?

Maybe it was the result of an affair? My dad had a grudge because he was cheated on?

However, as a product of someone else’s, my dad’s attitude towards me was considered too polite. He was simply a kind person then. After all, how many men could bear raising a child of his rival in love?

So I should be a little better off than the cheater, right? The two of them got married with a son so I didn’t even understand the inside story, but…

A flash of realization struck me from the back of my mind, like a lightening strike, shocking me to sit upright from the sofa.

Could it be that Cheng Yichen really was my father? Otherwise, why was he so nice to me?

As Ke Luo mentioned before, no one in this world would treat you well without a reason.

Even though Cheng Yichen was a good, old man who treated everyone well, his love and care for me was a bit too much. He pampered and was more partial towards me than his own son, Zhuo Wenyang. After careful consideration, I felt a hint of guilt.

So, was it him?

When this idea cropped up, I couldn’t sit still. It was easy to get a hold of Cheng Yichen’s DNA sample. Everything was in reach, like his toothbrush and comb that was in the bathroom.

With my networking capabilities, I quickly found a DNA testing center and submitted it without delay.

I knew it was crazy but the possibility of it was burning inside of me like a blazing fire, and I couldn’t stop the train of thoughts anymore.

After the consultation, the process and requirements of submission was very simple. However, the cost was associated with the time it would take. The options to obtain results ranged from seven days, three days, or perhaps, a few hours on the same day. I really didn’t have the patience to wait for a few days so I sent a message to Zhuo Wenyang directly, “Zhuo Wenyang, lend me 10,000 yuan.”

Zhuo Wenyang transferred the money almost immediately without asking further questions.

People who conducted private investigations would send samples anonymously from home, but here I was, standing alone, seeking for a paternity test. This was so direct and out in the open that I felt naked and embarrassed for myself.

With barely any pride left, I said, “I’m going to do a paternity test.”

While waiting during these hours, I did some shopping and sat down for a meal, but I couldn’t taste anything.

After anxiously surviving the long wait, I finally received the results. However, I discovered that this was written in a complex manner and with my level of education, I wasn’t confident that I would understand 100%.

I remembered that DV was a medical student so I quickly snapped a photo and sent it over to him.

“Help out a friend, what does this mean?”

DV quickly replied back, “It means that there isn’t a match.”

I followed up and asked, “Is it because the two are not related at all?”

“There is no blood relationship at all. These are strangers. What’s wrong?” DV perked up in excitement, “What’s the gossip? Who ah?”

“…..”

While I was relieved, I was also faintly disappointed.

No matter how much I wanted to know who my real father was, but whoever he truly was, I would inevitably gnash my teeth and hate him.

But I didn’t want to hate Cheng Yichen.

So, it wasn’t Cheng Yichen. That was good.

However, where did I come from?

Who was he? Was he aware of my existence? Had he seen me before? Did he care about me? Would he like me?

Everything was unknown and there wasn’t a trace left to be found.

Similar to the faint, lingering clouds in the distant sky, I wandered lifelessly and returned home only to discover that someone was already home before me.

It was Zhuo Wenyang.

Surprised, I asked, “Why are you here so early today?”

He said, “I was a little worried about you so I came back to check.”

“Sorry for inconveniencing your work.”

“It doesn’t matter, but where have you been?” After asking, he immediately followed up with, “You don’t have to force yourself to say anything if you don’t want to talk.”

I had nothing to hide from him. Sighing, I said, “I went to the DNA testing center.”

Zhuo Wenyang raised his eyebrows and looked directly at me, “What?”

“I went to check the relationship between Uncle Chen and me,” I said carefully, “I thought your father might be my father.”

Zhuo Wenyang seemed to choke at that and it took him a while to say, “That’s impossible. My dad will never have a second child.”

“Oh.” It was great to have all the love to yourself.

“He’s not your father, I’m sure about that.”

I was going to ask, how would you know? I was born before him. He was so sure about this, but where did he get the confidence?

Yet, after thinking about it, this complete trust and reliance on his father naturally flowed within the depths of their blood and bones.

This was so enviable.

Of course, for me, this result was a good thing. If Cheng Yichen was my father, then I would have an extra younger brother.

Zhuo Wenyang was not my younger brother so of course, I’d feel relief.

Otherwise, that would be too chaotic.

After a while, I heard the sound of the door opening. Cheng Yichen came back with small and big bags of vegetables. Seeing the two of us here, he changed his shoes at the entrance with a smile. He commented, “Wenyang is here so early today? Did you know that I’m going to cook bbq tonight?”

When he saw my expression clearly, he noticed something amiss. He asked, “What’s wrong?”

I pretended to be relaxed, “Nothing.”

“What’s the matter, Xiao Jing?” He came closer and inspected me carefully, “Did you cry?”

Zhuo Wenyang immediately walked away quietly.

Cheng Yichen sat down beside me, observing me carefully. His expression became serious as he asked, “What happened? Who bullied you? Wenyang? I’ll ask him to apologize to you right now.”

“Nobody bullied me.”

I hesitated for a second before telling him the truth.

I tried to use a relaxed tone, “I just found out that I was not a child of my dad.”

Cheng Yichen’s hand on my face froze instantly.

He stared at me in astonishment. He didn’t react and couldn’t reply for a long time.