Shen Qi lowered her gaze and stared blankly at her feet.
“Shen Qi, we have always treated you well. Even though you’re not my biological daughter, I have always provided for you since young. Now, your family members have found you, and you have become the Young Lady of the Han Family. You’re not going to forget about us, are you? Of course, it’s fine if you plan to do so. However, I spent lots of money bringing you up, and you have to pay me back.”
Shen Qi raised her gaze and looked at Mrs. Shen in disbelief. She was still hesitant to ask the question when Mrs. Shen abruptly revealed the truth to her. Her eyes twitched as she asked, “So… I’m really not your daughter?”
Mrs. Shen was puzzled by Shen Qi’s sorrow and agitation. Mr. Shen, who was on the side, looked at Shen Qi with a complicated gaze. He heaved a sigh and said, “It’s true, Qi. We’re not your real parents. You were adopted from an orphanage.”
Mr. Shen’s voice was as gentle as ever. Shen Qi took a look at him and realized that he had grown much older recently. His cloudy gaze was filled with a tinge of affection and regret, but his words had hurt her deeply.
She lowered her gaze and chuckled. “It never occurred to me that it was all true… I had always thought that I was your biological daughter. When Secretary Su told me the truth, I just thought that she was being ridiculous. Unbelievably, it turned out to be true!”
“Are you okay?” Mrs. Shen gave her a weird look after hearing what she said. “Isn’t it great that you’re not our daughter? I have gathered some information. The Han Family is no less powerful than the Ye Family in North City. Isn’t it great to be their Young Lady? Wake up, Qi. From now on, you’re the Young Lady of the Han Family, so we, as your adopted parents, can get some benefits as well. And don’t forget about your sister; she’s your sister after all.” After a halt, Mrs. Shen moved over and grabbed Shen Qi’s shoulders. She then continued, “Do you hear me? You are your sister’s favorite, and she has always known that you’re good to her. If anything happens in the future, you must help her, okay? Or better yet, ask whether they need a god daughter and bring your sister along as well.”
Shen Qi was left speechless. “I will ask this one more time… Am I really not your daughter? You’re lying to me because you’re after the Han Family’s wealth, right? Having lived together for so many years, I can’t believe it…”
“What on earth are you talking about? I’m not lying to you just because I’m after the Han Family’s wealth. Besides, I can’t forge your identity. Moreover, you really are the daughter of the Han Family. Even if you’re not their daughter, you’re not my daughter either. Your father didn’t lie to you; we did adopt you from the orphanage.”
“But why?” Shen Qi put on a forced smile. “Why did you adopt me?”
Mrs. Shen turned her head away and said, “Stop asking… that’s just how it was.”
However, Mr. Shen heaved a sigh and told her the truth, “Your mother couldn’t bear a child after years of marriage. So, the fortune teller told us to adopt one from the orphanage, and you were the first one we met. We liked you because you looked adorable, so we decided to adopt you.”
Shen Qi could already guess what ensued before her father finished the story. “However, you didn’t expect that not long after adopting me, you had gotten your own daughter. Am I right?”
Mr. Shen nodded and said, “Yes. That was unexpected.”
“So, after having your own daughter, you started to ignore me, the child who was adopted from the orphanage.” Shen Qi couldn’t help but smirk at the thought of it. “I’d always thought that you treated Shen Yue better because she was younger. I always told myself that she was my younger sister, and I was her elder sister, so it was totally reasonable that I should treat her well. It never once occurred to me that I had never been your daughter!” She still couldn’t accept this truth right at this point.
“Qi, what are you here for? You’re now the Young Lady of the Han Family, so why are you talking about the past? Are you going to blame me for mistreating you all these years?” While Mrs. Shen was exasperated, Mr. Shen immediately stepped in and said, “Stop talking nonsense. Does she look like she’s blaming you? She just can’t accept the truth yet.”
“Can’t accept the truth? Yue ran off in anger upon learning the news. What is it that she can’t accept? She’s going to enjoy all the wealth and glory in the world, while Yue will continue to suffer in this modest home. Sob, we really are a pitiful family.” Mrs. Shen started to bawl when she thought about it.
Mr. Shen was annoyed by her tantrum. “Stop it! Take a look at yourself. Even though Qi is not our biological daughter, we brought her up nevertheless. Don’t you know her at all? She isn’t the kind of girl who is after fame and wealth.”
An idea flashed in Mrs. Shen’s mind upon hearing that. Her bawl abruptly stopped, thereupon she rushed to Shen Qi and grabbed her shoulders. Her eyes widened, which made her look a little creepy. “That’s right! Qi, you’re not the kind of girl who has any interest in fame and wealth. Then… why don’t you give the position of the Young Lady of the Han Family to your sister? We’ll tell them that Yue is actually the daughter they have been looking for instead of you. I swear that once Yue becomes the Young Lady, I will never forget your favor!” Mrs. Shen started spouting nonsense like a mad woman.
Shen Qi only came here to verify her identity. She didn’t expect that her mother would hurt her even further. She looked dazedly at Mrs. Shen as she pursed her pale lips. “Did you think that as long as Shen Yue desires anything that I possess, I should give it to her?”
Mrs. Shen was startled for a moment before shaking her head. “That’s not what I meant… But, you’re her sister. Shouldn’t you give in to your younger sister? Qi, I beg you, give this identity to Yue. She will remember your favor forever and you’ll have a bright future in return.”
Upon hearing her words, Shen Qi had suddenly burst into laughter with a tinge of grievance, and she kept on laughing for a while.
Mrs. Shen didn’t understand her strange reaction.
When she finally stopped, Shen Qi’s expression had changed into an indifferent one as her voice turned cold. “What if I refuse?”
“What?”
“What if I refuse to give my identity to her? What if I want to be the Young Lady? What will you do to me?”
“Aren’t you not interested in fame and wealth? What’s wrong with giving all these to your sister? Qi, I’ve been raising you as your mother for more than twenty years. You owe me!”
“So because of that, you think you can impose your will on me and take away whatever I have? If that is the case…”
