Chapter 1

As the wind blew, the locust blossoms on the trees fluttered down, covering the windshield with a layer.

Xu Zhiyi parked the car, grabbed her bag from the passenger seat, and was about to get out when her gaze was caught by a familiar tall figure a few meters ahead. The man was dressed casually for once, and the woman next to him was wearing a white dress, elegantly curvaceous.

From the back, they looked like a perfect match.

She hadn’t expected to run into Qi Zhengchen and his wife here.

She released the door handle and didn’t rush to get out of the car.

Qi Zhengchen suddenly turned around and looked back. The roadside parking spaces were filled with cars, and the passing pedestrians were all unfamiliar faces.

Why did he suddenly look back? He couldn’t explain it himself.

“What are you looking at?” The woman beside him stopped and looked at him curiously.

Qi Zhengchen turned back and said, “Nothing.”

Through the single-layered car window, Xu Zhiyi saw Qi Zhengchen turn around and felt a pang of sadness. Before her were the crimson walls, the lush locust trees providing shade, and the ground covered with dense locust blossoms. She had followed Qi Zhengchen through this alley countless times during her childhood.

“Zhiyi, walk closer to the side.”

She had played all the way, while Qi Zhengchen had patiently accompanied her, often turning back to check on her until they reached her grandfather’s house.

At that time, she could never have imagined that one day, the relationship she had with Qi Zhengchen—like family—would gradually fade away like the locust blossoms at the end of their season.

The “second brother” she had called for over twenty years, closer than family, had confessed his feelings to her the day before her twenty-fourth birthday. She had been stunned, unable to respond to him at that moment.

This was because the person she had secretly loved for years was his childhood friend, Jiang Sixun.

Gradually, she lost contact with Qi Zhengchen.

She had heard by chance that he had already gotten married quickly, a flash marriage.

And when she later confessed to Jiang Sixun, she received no response.

Her phone in her bag rang, pulling her back from her memories. She took out her phone and saw “Jiang Sixun” on the screen. She took a deep breath and answered, “Mr. Jiang.”

“Not at the office?”

“I’m out.”

“Meeting a client?”

“No,” Xu Zhiyi hesitated for half a second, “It’s a personal matter.”

She wasn’t sure whether to tell him the truth, which was that she was going on a blind date.

Jiang Sixun noticed her brief hesitation. “What time will you be back?”

His tone was calm, his voice carrying a gentle warmth.

Since she wouldn’t be back for a while, Xu Zhiyi decided to be honest. “I have a blind date at noon.”

“A blind date?”

“My dad arranged it. It’s with the son of a friend of his who has just returned from abroad.”

“I haven’t heard Mr. Xu mention it.”

“Maybe my dad didn’t mention it much because he didn’t think it would work out.”

From his tone, Xu Zhiyi couldn’t detect any emotional change.

Of course, he had already turned down her confession, so he had no romantic interest in her. Why would he have any other reaction to her blind date?

There was a brief silence on the line.

Jiang Sixun asked, “Aren’t you opposed to blind dates?”

What could she do?

Some blind dates are unavoidable.

Xu Zhiyi replied, “It’s fine. The other person, like me, is only going because of parental expectations. It’s just a simple meal. One or two hours will pass quickly.”

“If you don’t want to go, don’t force yourself. I can go in your place, handle the meal, and talk to the person about project collaboration. It won’t be a waste of time.” Jiang Sixun picked up his car keys. “Where is the date?”

“Thank you, but there’s no need.” Xu Zhiyi expressed her thoughts, “Mr. Jiang, don’t feel like you owe me anything just because you turned me down. There’s no need to accommodate me.”

Jiang Sixun responded, “It’s not about accommodating you.”

Xu Zhiyi understood, “My dad asked you to look after me at work, not in personal matters. The restaurant is far from the company, and you won’t make it in time.” She smiled and added, “Besides, it’s not common for a boss to accompany an employee on a blind date.”

Her calm demeanor made it hard to tell if she was genuinely indifferent or just hiding her sadness.

Jiang Sixun said, “It doesn’t matter if I won’t make it in time. I’ll come pick you up.”

“President Jiang…”

She was interrupted, “I’m hanging up.” He didn’t ask where her blind date was; a quick call to Uncle Xu would tell him.

After the call ended, Xu Zhiyi instinctively turned to look out the window. At the end of the alley, those two figures were long gone.

[Where are you?] her blind date messaged.

She had been sitting in the car for a while. She opened the door, got out, and headed straight for the restaurant where the blind date was set.

She hadn’t been to this alley in a long time. Before she turned twenty, she often came here. Back then, she didn’t know Jiang Sixun yet, still called Qi Zhengchen “Second Brother,” and her surname wasn’t Xu but Shang. She was called Shang Zhiyi.

It was when she turned twenty that she discovered her true identity.

The day she found out she wasn’t her parents’ biological daughter was just like today, with rain just past, and the ground covered in fallen locust flowers.

…

That evening, the dishes on the table ranged from meat to vegetables, all meant to replenish blood, but none were Shang Zhiyi’s usual favorites. Shang Tongxu even served her a big bowl of chicken soup. She really didn’t want to drink it, so she pushed the bowl towards her father.

Shang Tongxu, without giving her a choice, placed it back in front of her. “You can eat less rice, but you have to finish the chicken soup.”

Xiao Meihua glanced at her husband, “If she doesn’t want to drink it, then don’t force her. What are you doing?”

Shang Tongxu said, “Zhiyi donated 300 milliliters of blood this morning. If she doesn’t eat something nutritious, how will she recover?”

“Donated blood?” Xiao Meihua frowned and looked at Shang Zhiyi. “Why did you suddenly decide to donate blood?”

“I took her there.”

“We just happened to pass by a blood donation station.”

Father and daughter spoke in unison.

Shang Tongxu had been donating blood voluntarily since his younger days, doing it once every year without fail, barring any special circumstances. That afternoon, he went to donate blood again, and since Shang Zhiyi had nothing to do at home, she went along.

After hearing this, Xiao Meihua didn’t say much, but in a commanding tone told her eldest daughter, “Drink the chicken soup before eating.”

Shang Tongxu added, “Blood donation isn’t harmful to the body. Zhiyi is AB blood type, and blood banks often run short of it.”

Xiao Meihua sneered, “Keep making things up.”

“Making up what?”

“If she wanted to donate blood, I wouldn’t stop her. But you didn’t have to lie.”

Shang Tongxu was puzzled, “What lie did I tell?”

“You’re type A, I’m type A, how could Zhiyi be AB? Next time you lie, at least put some thought into it!” Xiao Meihua couldn’t be bothered to argue further and gave some food to her younger daughter.

Shang Tongxu thought hard, then looked at his wife in confusion. “Aren’t you AB?”

“Where did you get that idea? Didn’t I tell you I’m type A! You lie without thinking and then try to pin it on me!” Xiao Meihua glared at him.

Shang Zhiyi interjected, “Mom, I really am AB type.”

At that moment, Xiao Meihua’s pupils showed shock and disbelief. “The blood bank must have made a mistake, right?”

How could they have made a mistake?

She had once tested her blood type out of curiosity and found it was AB, just as the blood bank had notified. It couldn’t be wrong.

Shang Tongxu didn’t take it seriously, “My blood type and Zhiyi’s can’t be wrong. Maybe you just remembered wrong. Plenty of our colleagues forget their own blood type. Let’s eat before the food gets cold.”

Throughout the meal, Shang Zhiyi sensed her mother’s scrutinizing gaze. Her mother kept glancing at her and then at her sister.

Her sister was undoubtedly their biological daughter, practically a copy of their father. But as for her, she didn’t resemble her parents at all, except maybe in intelligence.

Her father was a professor at a top university. When she was little, his colleagues often joked that her father must have passed all his intelligence to her, leaving none for her sister.

The more she thought about it, the less she resembled her family. Xiao Meihua made a decision, “Tomorrow, I’ll go to the hospital to test my blood type.”

After a long pause.

“You two should get tested again as well.”

She didn’t sleep well that night.

The next day, Shang Zhiyi got up early and went to the hospital with her father. Her mother didn’t come along; she was a senior executive at a multinational company’s Beijing branch and had an important meeting that morning, so she had to go to work first.

The test results came back quickly. She was AB type, and her father was A type. No mistake.

Her father laughed and reassured her, “Don’t worry, you’re definitely my daughter. There’s no way you were switched at birth. What do you think this is, a TV drama?”

Her father had work to do, so they parted ways at the hospital entrance. She went to her maternal grandfather’s house.

She also tried to console herself, thinking there couldn’t be that many switched-at-birth cases.

But the more she thought about how different she looked from her family, the more her heart sank.

Her mind was restless all day.

Before she knew it, the old clock in her grandfather’s house pointed to 4:50 PM.

Shang Zhiyi grabbed her car keys and called out to the study, “Grandpa, I’m heading out.”

Her grandfather, sitting at his desk, slightly turned to catch a glimpse of his granddaughter, “Drive safely and come back early.”

Shang Zhiyi forced a light-hearted smile and waved goodbye.

She sat in the car for a few seconds, trying to dispel the uneasy thoughts from her mind. After calming down, she started the engine. In the rearview mirror, her grandfather’s house gradually receded into the distance.

She had dinner plans with Qi Zhengchen that evening. Out of the two months of summer break, she had only a week to spend in China. Next week, she would return to Manhattan for an internship. This year, she had incredible luck, securing an internship at Yuanwei Capital on her first try.

Yuanwei Capital is a global investment firm with a complex background. The founder, Lu Jianbo, was once a legendary figure in the venture capital world. He’s known for being extremely secretive and low-profile, announcing his retirement at the peak of Yuanwei Capital’s success. Since then, there have been few reports about him.

Some say he’s still unmarried and childless, despite being over fifty.

However, there are also rumors that Jiang Sixun, one of Yuanwei’s current partners, is his son.

All these speculations remain unconfirmed to this day.

Yuanwei has established multiple branches worldwide, with the Manhattan branch led by Jiang Sixun. She had never met Jiang Sixun, but it’s said he’s incredibly handsome. A wealthy Hong Kong heiress allegedly fell for him and pursued him by having her family set up a trust fund managed by Yuanwei.

*Not sure if it’s true or not.*

*She didn’t understand the capricious world of the wealthy.*

The car quickly drove out of the alley she was familiar with and turned onto a wide road.

Her phone vibrated—an incoming call.

Shang Zhiyi pulled her thoughts back and lightly touched the car’s display screen to answer.

“Hello, Dad.”

“Are you still at your grandfather’s house?” Shang Tongxu sounded troubled.

“I just left. I’m having dinner with Second Brother tonight.” Shang Zhiyi’s heart tightened as she asked, “Has Mom finished her work yet? Has she gone for the blood test?”

She could clearly sense her father’s hesitation.

“…Not yet. The leaders from headquarters came today, so she couldn’t get away. Come home early after dinner and drive safely.”

“Hey, Dad, wait a minute, don’t hang up.”

“What is it?” Shang Tongxu asked patiently.

“Don’t hide it from me. Has Mom already gone to the hospital?”

Shang Tongxu wanted to deny it, but before he could speak, there was a loud crash on the other end of the line.

“Zhiyi!”

There was no response.

When Shang Zhiyi woke up, she was in a hospital bed, the smell of disinfectant filling her nose. The airbag had knocked her out, and now her head hurt, with a dull ache in her chest as well.

Shang Tongxu gently touched his daughter’s head, filled with worry. “You’re finally awake.”

Shang Zhiyi moved her arms and legs—nothing was broken.

Shang Tongxu was still shaken. “The traffic police said you didn’t notice the car turning from the opposite direction. Luckily, you reacted quickly and swerved, hitting a tree on the roadside instead. You have some bruises, but nothing serious. We were fortunate.”

“How long was I unconscious?”

“More than two hours.”

“That long?”

“Maybe because you donated blood yesterday, your body was weak.”

Shang Zhiyi turned to look out the window. It was already dark. She suddenly remembered she was supposed to have dinner with Qi Zhengchen that night. “Did Second Brother call me?”

“He did. Your mom answered and didn’t tell him you were in the hospital. She just said you were tired from donating blood and were still sleeping. He said to reschedule dinner and that you should rest well.”

Shang Zhiyi nodded, then asked, “Where’s Mom?”

“She just finished the paperwork for your hospital stay and is outside taking a call from a client.”

She wanted to say more, but Shang Tongxu signaled her to close her eyes and rest, advising her to speak as little as possible.

But Shang Zhiyi couldn’t sleep. Her father’s deliberate avoidance of mentioning her mother’s blood type only deepened her unease.

Earlier that day at her grandfather’s house, she had specifically looked through old photo albums, flipping through them one by one. Whether it was her grandparents in their youth or her mother as a child, she couldn’t see any resemblance to herself in their features.

She looked even less like her paternal grandparents.

She had never before considered the possibility that she wasn’t their biological daughter. Relatives always praised her, saying she inherited the best traits from everyone in the family—height from her uncle, fair skin from her mother, intelligence from her father.

But now, thinking back, no one had ever said her facial features resembled anyone in the family.

Her head throbbed as she closed her eyes, pretending to sleep.

Shang Tongxu sighed inwardly and stepped outside the hospital room.

Xiao Meihua stood by the window at the end of the corridor, lost in thought, her arms crossed. She didn’t hear her husband approach.

“Why aren’t you going in after finishing the call? Our daughter’s looking for you.”

Xiao Meihua stared out the window, not responding to her husband’s words.

Shang Tongxu shoved his hands into his pockets, his fingers unconsciously rubbing against each other. His wife had gone to the hospital that morning for a blood test—it confirmed she was type A. Both of them were type A; they couldn’t have a child with type AB blood.

All these years, even though their daughter didn’t look like them, they never doubted it. They just thought their daughter’s beauty was a blessing, like winning the genetic lottery.

Xiao Meihua turned to him and, after a long silence, said, “I want to do a paternity test.”

Her decision didn’t surprise Shang Tongxu. He suggested, “Zhiyi is still lying in a hospital bed. Could we maybe tell a little white lie and say you’re type B?”

Xiao Meihua’s gaze was almost piercing. “Shang Tongxu, what are you afraid of? That our daughter might not be yours but is related to me?”

Shang Tongxu was at a loss for words. “…What would I be afraid of?”

He made a gesture to stop the conversation, not wanting to argue in the hospital.

“If she’s not your daughter, she certainly isn’t mine either. We need to do the paternity test—first thing tomorrow! You make the arrangements with the testing agency.” Xiao Meihua turned and walked away.

Shang Tongxu looked out the window, the sound of high heels echoing heavily behind him.

They opted for expedited service, with results due the next day.

After leaving the testing agency, Shang Tongxu drove his wife to her company. From the rearview mirror, he saw Zhiyi leaning back in her seat, her face pale.