FI CH66: House of Huskies

Zhou Li was still a bit dazed, “…Zhou Li.”

Shao Lan, as if afraid of losing him again, asked eagerly, “Which Zhou, and which Li?”

Zhou Li opened his mouth, “Z-H-O-U, Zhou. L-I, Li. Zhou Li.”

Shao Lan, “…”

Lin Su, “…”

Xuenima whispered: [Did the X-ray just now only show his leg?]

Lin Su pressed it down with one hand.

As they were staring at each other, the door to the medical examination center opened. Another set of footsteps approached and then came to a sudden halt a few steps away! A disbelieving voice rang out:

“Madam? You…”

Three pairs of eyes turned in unison to see Song Xiaotian standing before them.

His trembling gaze suddenly paused when it landed on Zhou Li.

Two faces with similar features wore the same bewildered expression as they stared at each other: ?

In the slightly quiet scene, Shao Lan stood up to reveal Zhou Li behind her, gesturing to Song Xiaotian:

“See? I told you you’re ‘equally’ handsome.”

Song Xiaotian, “…Huh?”

Similar faces, similar age.

Something was about to burst forth from the palpitations in Shao Lan’s heart. But she didn’t know where to start with those unfounded words. The child in front of her also had a family. Would saying certain things seem abrupt and offensive?

As she was struggling, the person in front of her suddenly spoke.

Zhou Li seemed to understand something. He looked at Lin Su with his mouth wide open, “Is this… the guidance of fate?”

Lin Su glanced at the birth characters and smiled slightly, “It is.”

Shao Lan: …?

She looked over sharply, “What does that mean?”

Zhou Li scratched his head and said, “This might be a bit abrupt… but, I only found out a few days ago that I’m not my parents’ biological child. I’m looking for my birth parents.” As he spoke, he secretly glanced at the equally large-sized Song Xiaotian.

Shao Lan’s heart leaped! It was as if everything was falling into place.

She excitedly grabbed Zhou Li’s hand, “Would you be willing to do a paternity test with me?”

Zhou Li was still in a daze, “Um… okay.”

Shao Lan turned to Song Xiaotian and patted his stunned, handsome face. Song Xiaotian came to his senses and touched his forehead, “Wait… no, I’m a bit confused. Madam, this is…”

He looked at Zhou Li, “…our son?”

“I know this is hard to believe, but…” Shao Lan paused, “I’ll take Xiao Li for the test first. You go stay with An’an.” She added in a low voice, “This kind of thing is definitely hard for a child to accept. Let’s wait until the results are confirmed before we figure out how to tell him.”

Song Xiaotian nodded and asked, “Then don’t I need to get tested?”

Shao Lan’s gaze shifted between the two of them and she shook her head, “No need.”

Song Xiaotian, “…”

Zhou Li, “…”

…

Song Xiaotian went to the medical examination center first.

Shao Lan accompanied Zhou Li to get his X-ray results. Fortunately, the results showed no major issues. She looked at the injuries on Zhou Li’s body, her heart aching, “How did you fall?”

Zhou Li, “It’s nothing, just a small fall.”

Shao Lan’s heart felt sour hearing that. “Rest well.”

Lin Su followed beside them, Xuenima perched on his shoulder: [His mom and dad seem pretty nice. OwO]

He nodded: Otherwise, I wouldn’t have changed it back.

The two quickly went to get a paternity test.

The results wouldn’t be out until the next day, so Shao Lan got Zhou Li’s contact information. “I’ll drive you back.”

She looked at Lin Su. “Xiao Li’s friend should come along too.”

Lin Su didn’t refuse. “Thank you for the trouble.”

Shao Lan’s car was parked in the nearby lot. She was driving herself today. She pulled open the car door. “Get in, be careful not to bump yourself.”

The luxury car was worth a fortune, its seats soft and plush.

Zhou Li was apprehensive. “I fell today, my pants are a bit dirty.”

Shao Lan’s heart ached. “What are you talking about? It’s fine.”

They all got into the car together.

Zhou Li gave the address for H University. Shao Lan was stunned. “You’re at H University?” She praised him in awe, “That’s so amazing, so wonderful.”

Zhou Li was a little shy from the praise. “Yeah.”

With the test results not out yet, it was difficult to talk too deeply. Along the way, Shao Lan asked a few questions about his life, then suddenly remembered something and spoke gently:

“By the way, what did you mean by ‘the guidance of fate’?”

Zhou Li, “Oh, that…! It was actually Junior Lin who told me about my parentage. He’s a really awesome… powerful Tianshi, right, junior?”

Shao Lan was surprised, glancing at Lin Su in the back seat. “So it was Student Lin who told you? Did you divine it?”

Lin Su didn’t explain. “Something like that.”

…

The car soon arrived at the entrance of H University.

Zhou Li returned to school, and Shao Lan drove Lin Su back. Lin Su gave an address near the Surveillance Association.

“You can just drop me off here.”

Shao Lan started the car. “Okay.”

Melodious music played in the car.

There was silence for a while. Lin Su leaned back in the back seat and dozed off. After driving for a distance, the car stopped at a red light, and finally, a soft voice came from the front:

“Did Student Lin also figure out that Xiao Li is my son?”

Lin Su opened his eyes. “What do you think, Auntie Lan?”

Shao Lan just smiled. “Actually, even without the test results, I was basically sure. This kind of feeling is very strange…” The red light turned green, and she shifted gears to start again. “I’m just thinking, what should we do about An’an? The child is innocent.”

Lin Su lowered his eyes, then looked away.

He looked at his own palm, the lines distinct and unwavering. “Don’t worry.”

He said in a proper and gentle tone, “Fate will not wrong any innocent person.”

Shao Lan took it as a form of comfort and smiled. “Mm.”

The test results came out the next day.

The results were ready at noon, and Zhou Li’s message was earth-shattering.

[Li Li on the Plains]: Junior, the results are out! They really are my parents! They’re taking me home today. [Nervously chewing claws]
[Li Li on the Plains]: I’m a little nervous by myself. Can you come with me?
[The sender has retracted a message.]
[Li Li on the Plains]: I’m a little nervous by myself. Can you ask Mr. He if you can come with me?

Lin Su, “…”

He had just finished lunch with He Zhenling and glanced at the person across from him. “Sigh…”

He Zhenling raised his eyes, “?”

Lin Su said, “Zhou Li is being reunited with the Song family today. He wants me to go with him.”

“It’s a commission you accepted. Go.” He Zhenling said with a straight face. After a second’s pause, he added, “But he’s a grown man. Does he still need someone to accompany him?”

Lin Su looked at him inclusively. Xuenima sighed softly: [Sigh…]

The person in front of him pursed his lips and stood up. “I’ll have someone drive you over.”

Lin Su leaned in. “Is it the kind where they put your name on the roof of the car?”

“…” He Zhenling turned his head and said softly, “The kind you’re talking about is a parade.”

Lin Su had a moment of realization. “No wonder it felt so familiar.”

…

In the afternoon, he first went to H University to meet up with Zhou Li.

They waited at the gate for less than five minutes before Song Xiaotian and Shao Lan arrived. The couple got out of the car and rushed straight over. Shao Lan excitedly grabbed Zhou Li’s hand:

“Xiao Li!”

Song Xiaotian stopped a step away, looking him over from left to right, like a big dog curiously nudging its own cub.

Shao Lan pulled Zhou Li over. “Come on, get in the car.”

She then saw Lin Su. “Student Lin is here too. Thank you for accompanying Xiao Li. Quick, get in the car with us!”

Lin Su nodded and got into the car with them.

The car drove for over an hour before entering a villa district.

The surroundings were lush with greenery, the environment quiet and serene.

The neat rows of villas even came with small lawns. To live in such a place in the capital, one could see their financial power was not trivial.

Zhou Li was nervous and asked Lin Su in a small voice, “Their original child is still here, right? Will I be unwelcome when I go? Will the servants secretly feed me spoiled porridge?”

Lin Su, “…”

He said gently, “Senior, you should read fewer strange novels.”

In the space of a few sentences, the car stopped in front of a villa.

The four got out of the car. Shao Lan led Zhou Li, saying as they walked, “There’s another child at home. We’ve already told him that we’ll be introducing him to someone his age. When you meet later, we’ll sit down and have an open and honest chat…”

Zhou Li nodded, “Okay, sure.”

Lin Su glanced ahead. Xuenima perched on his head, its two tufts of hair standing up to shield from the wind and rain: [The storm is about to arrive.]

A hand pressed down on the smart fur: “Watch the show civilly.”

When they reached the door, Song Xiaotian opened it.

The magnificent decor instantly came into view! Zhou Li stood at the entrance in a daze.

Song Xiaotian pulled him in. “Alright, come on in.”

“…”

They had just changed their shoes in the entryway when footsteps came from upstairs. The staircase faced the living room, and with just a turn, the two suddenly came face to face.

Zhou Li looked up and saw Song Jin’an’s face change drastically. “…It’s you?”

Song Xiaotian and Shao Lan were stunned and turned their heads.

Song Jin’an felt as if all the blood in his body had rushed to his head. “You—!” His gaze shifted to the side and landed on Lin Su standing next to him, his face turning deathly pale. “You… why are you also…”

Lin Su gave him a friendly smile. “Ah, so it’s Young Master Song.”

Shao Lan’s gaze darted back and forth. “You’ve met?”

Zhou Li was silent, and Song Jin’an’s lips trembled as he said nothing.

With just one look, the couple understood.

Shao Lan especially thought back to the day she went to pick them up: they must have already met on the cruise ship.

Never mind other children; they had only seen them a few times, so the impression was vague. But An’an lived with them day and night and had seen what Song Xiaotian looked like when he was young. How could he have no reaction?

“An’an, did you already…”

“I didn’t!”

Song Jin’an suddenly became agitated. “We did meet, but… it could have been a coincidence!”

As he spoke, his eyes turned red. “After all, I never thought I wasn’t Mom and Dad’s child.” He then pointed accusingly, “So now that he’s back, are you going to kick me out!?”

Shao Lan quickly said, “An’an, we didn’t…”

But Song Jin’an had already turned and rushed back upstairs, slamming his room door with a bang!

“Hey, An’an!”

Shao Lan sighed, then comforted Zhou Li, “Xiao Li, he probably can’t accept it right away. Mom will take you to see your room first.” She then said to Song Xiaotian, “You go check on An’an.”

Song Xiaotian seemed to be reminiscing about something, lost in thought for two seconds.

A hand patted his handsome face. “What are you thinking about?”

Song Xiaotian pulled himself back, opened his mouth, then suppressed it. “Nothing. I’ll go check on him then.”

Shao Lan took Zhou Li to his room first.

Zhou Li didn’t forget to call Lin Su. “Junior, come on over.”

Lin Su was enthusiastic. “Coming.”

The two followed her to the room door.

Pushing the door open, they saw a bedroom that had already been cleaned out. The spacious room had good lighting, was equipped with a full bookshelf, a computer on the desk, and an attached bathroom.

Zhou Li, “Wow… is this all for me to live in?”

Shao Lan said, “Yes. But we were a bit rushed today, so we haven’t had time to decorate it properly for you. If there’s anything you like, feel free to add it.”

Zhou Li was amazed again. “Wow…!”

Shao Lan looked at him, her eyes a little moist, yet she couldn’t suppress the joy in them.

Soon, Song Xiaotian came over.

“Xiao An won’t open the door.”

Shao Lan sighed. They hadn’t really blamed Song Jin’an too much for what happened on the cruise ship. The child was psychologically sensitive. It was understandable that he would be scared and lack the courage to speak up after suddenly seeing a peer who looked more like his parents than he did.

They just didn’t expect Song Jin’an’s reaction to be so intense.

Song Xiaotian suddenly spoke, “The mix-up back then must be thoroughly investigated, whether it was a mistake or intentional.”

Shao Lan nodded, then gently put an arm around Zhou Li and said carefully, “But with the baby swap, the children are all innocent. We’ve raised Xiao An for 19 years, our feelings for him are also…”

Zhou Li said generously, “I understand. I have no intention of kicking anyone out.”

As he spoke, he thought of something and frowned.

Shao Lan was perceptive. “What’s wrong?”

Zhou Li suppressed it again. “Nothing.”

Now that his identity was confirmed, they sat down and talked openly. They asked about Zhou Li’s “family,” and Zhou Li pursed his lips and said:

“My dad… my other dad, has a lot of gambling debts. My other mom ran away when I was little and has never been in contact.”

He paused, then glanced over cautiously. “I didn’t go astray.”

Shao Lan hugged him, choking up slightly. “Mom knows. You’re amazing.”

This upbringing was clearly very harsh.

Song Xiaotian was silent for two seconds and then asked, “How much does he owe? We’ll pay it all off for him in one lump sum and bring you back into the family. Don’t contact him anymore after that.”

After he finished, Zhou Li shook his head. “I’ve been paying off the family’s debts. There’s nothing owed, so you don’t need to pay for me.”

Song Xiaotian thought for a moment, then patted his head with a large hand. “Okay, we’ll listen to our son. I’ll find another way to solve this matter.”

…

They chatted for a bit over here.

Lin Su sat to the side, attracted by a ball-in-a-ball toy, and fiddled with it for a while:

“Nima, I want to buy a matching one to take home.”

[Daddy wants one too, let’s buy two.]

As he was fiddling, he heard someone call him:

“Let’s all go out for dinner together tonight. Student Lin should come too. Xiao Li has been under your care, so we should thank you.”

Lin Su turned his head, holding the ball. “Okay.”

Shao Lan had Song Xiaotian go call for them. “Bring An’an along too. We should get along well from now on.”

Song Xiaotian nodded and turned to go call him.

Song Jin’an’s room was upstairs.

Song Xiaotian knocked a couple of times. “Xiao An, open the door for Dad. We’re all going out for dinner tonight.”

He knocked a few times, but Song Jin’an didn’t answer.

He sat in his room, feeling both scared and resentful: Why? It’s been 19 years, why did he have to suddenly come and snatch away my life? But as long as I act more pitiful, more pathetic… with 19 years of affection, my parents can’t possibly kick me out, right?

As for the son of that poor gambler…

Once he was in the house, he would have plenty of time to plan his long-term strategy.

Thinking this, Song Jin’an cried out, “I’m not going! Let me be alone for a while!”

A sigh seemed to fall from outside the door, and the footsteps faded away.

…

Song Xiaotian returned downstairs and shook his head.

“Xiao An isn’t coming. Let’s just go by ourselves. We still have to eat, especially since we need to thank Student Lin.”

Zhou Li immediately nodded. “Junior has been helping me ever since the cruise ship.”

Song Xiaotian paused, remembering. “Right, that cruise ship incident, are you okay?”

“Oh… that. I was in trouble at first. But I’m fine now!”

The couple: ???

Their gazes froze. “What do you mean… you were in trouble at first??”

Zhou Li gestured, “It’s just that I accidentally ran into a formation, and then I was knocked out for some reason.”

Shao Lan’s face turned pale hearing this.

Zhou Li was still laughing happily. “But I’m completely fine.”

“…”

“No, this can’t be so casual. We must find out what exactly happened on the ship.”

Shao Lan said seriously, “Xiaotian, quickly contact someone and see if we can get any records from the ship…”

The two were frantically taking out their phones.

Suddenly, they heard Lin Su speak. “No need to contact anyone.”

They turned their heads. “Hmm?”

Lin Su said shyly, “My… partner works at the Surveillance Association. I can just take you there.”

The two were instantly overjoyed.

Shao Lan was worried again. “Will it be inconvenient? This should require authorization. Is it compliant to take us to see it?”

Lin Su said generously, “It should be quite convenient.”

“Then we’ll have to trouble you.”

They didn’t delay any longer and set off immediately.

It took just over an hour to get to the Surveillance Association headquarters.

The headquarters building was towering and majestic.

The building reflected the bright sunlight. The two sides of the building were in an embracing shape, with a small central plaza resembling a Tai Chi symbol. Three tall flagpoles stood in front of the building, the headquarters’ flag flying high.

After getting out of the car, Lin Su led them into the building.

Just as they entered the main gate, they saw a familiar figure standing at the other end of the hall. He Zhenling was talking to a subordinate. Hearing the commotion, he turned his head and raised an eyebrow: ?

Lin Su waved at him. “Come here.”

He Zhenling seemed to let out a soft laugh, handed the documents to the subordinate beside him, and gestured with his head. Then he strode towards him. “What’s wrong?”

He was tall, with cold and handsome features. Dressed in his uniform, with a Tang knife at his waist, he appeared even more imposing.

Song Xiaotian and Shao Lan were just finding him familiar when a group of subordinates passed by and called out:

“President!”

He Zhenling glanced over casually. “Mm.”

“…” The couple: ???

“These are my senior’s parents.”

Lin Su made the introduction and got straight to the point. “All the evidence from the cruise ship raid is still here, right? Pull up the surveillance.”

He then added meaningfully, “Surveillance from the entire ship, all time periods.”

He Zhenling paused, then chuckled. “Okay.”

The two led the way.

Shao Lan slowly recovered from her shock and pulled Zhou Li over to whisper, “Is Student Lin’s partner… the President of the Surveillance Association?”

Zhou Li grinned foolishly. “Yeah, shocking, right!”

“…” Mom and Dad, “Yup.”

The group walked into the records room together.

He Zhenling tapped lightly on the table and said to his subordinate, “Pull up the surveillance from the ‘Sea Dream’ cruise ship.”

The subordinate acknowledged and quickly put several surveillance clips on the big screen.

The surveillance was divided into nine small screens according to time and location.

As soon as Shao Lan looked, she saw Zhou Li fainting in the corridor. She broke out in a cold sweat, feeling both angry and furious. “…This damn Jin Cha Shao!”

The footage played frame by frame.

Suddenly, something flashed in one of the squares. “Wait…!”

Shao Lan’s gaze froze. “Here, rewind a bit.” The footage replayed, and they saw a familiar figure pass by the table and slip a note under Zhou Li’s dinner plate—

At the same time, Song Xiaotian’s phone rang.

He glanced at the caller ID, frowned, and went out to answer the call.

“Mr. Song, we have the results of your investigation. The delivery nurse at the hospital back then was named ‘Liu Jinxiu’. Young Master Zhou Li’s adoptive mother is named ‘Liu Jinfeng’. Also, Ms. Liu Jinfeng has been unemployed for many years but has received large sums of money annually.”

The subordinate paused. “Mr. Song, should we continue to investigate?”

__

Author’s Note:

Song Xiaotian: (A husky storm gathers in his eyes.)

Su: (Summoning Jutsu) Xiao He, come—

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