Chapter 256: The Reunion and the Jade Pendant

An old lady nearby sighed, “What a sin!”

Zhao Pulin returned home with a dark expression. He was now filled with hatred toward Gao Suhua. He felt utterly humiliated, and he knew that for the rest of his life, he and his daughters would be the subject of gossip.

Good news doesn’t travel, but bad news spreads faster. The events of the morning were already the talk of the town, and what had just happened was already spreading just as quickly.

When Zhang Jianjun brought Luo Haotian to the township police station, Luo Qiao and the others had already finished giving their statements. After learning what Gao Suhua had done, Luo Qiao decided to press charges.

At this moment, Luo Haotian entered, inquiring about Gao Suhua. Luo Qiao looked up and immediately saw Zhang Jianjun. He said, “Luo Qiao, didn’t you go to the city?”

Puzzled, Luo Qiao asked, “Uncle Zhang, how did you know I went to the city?”

Zhang Jianjun replied, “We just went to Qingshan Village, and the villagers told us.”

Feeling excited, Zhang Jianjun turned to Luo Haotian and said, “Haotian, this is Luo Qiao.”

When Zhang Jianjun said her name, Luo Haotian’s eyes reddened as he stared at Luo Qiao, his lips trembling, unable to speak. After a long pause, he finally said, “Luo Qiao, I am Luo Haotian, your biological father.”

When Luo Qiao heard Zhang Jianjun say Luo Haotian’s name, she looked at the man beside him. His eyes were exactly the same as the original owner’s, as was his nose. The last time she had seen him in the capital, it was only from a distance.

The two locked eyes, and for a moment, the room fell silent.

With reddened eyes, Luo Haotian said, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I just found out.”

Luo Qiao spoke calmly and distantly, “How do you know I’m your daughter?”

Luo Haotian looked up and said, “A gut feeling. Can we talk alone for a while?”

Luo Qiao stood up and walked out of the police station’s courtyard, heading to an open area ahead. There was a large ginkgo tree in the center. She stopped under the tree and said, “Say what you need to say.”

Luo Haotian, unsure where to begin, asked, “Do you have a crescent-shaped jade pendant?”

Luo Qiao stayed silent for a moment, then pulled out a small crescent-shaped jade pendant from her pocket, though in reality, she had retrieved it from her space. Luo Haotian took the jade pendant from her with trembling hands.

He examined the pendant for a while and said, “This is the jade pendant your grandfather gave you when you were born. Unfortunately, he is no longer here, but this was always his concern.”

Luo Haotian then recounted the events that had occurred since Luo Qiao’s birth. It turned out that the original owner’s grandfather had suspected the identity switch until his death but lacked evidence.

Back then, the only other person who knew about the pendant besides the grandfather was the original owner’s maternal uncle, and now there was also Luo Qiao’s biological father.

After finishing his explanation, Luo Haotian looked at Luo Qiao and said, “Qiaoqiao, come back to Beijing with Dad. Dad will never let you suffer again.”

Luo Qiao was silent for a long time. Luo Haotian, feeling nervous, softly called, “Qiaoqiao.”

Luo Qiao replied, “What about the daughter you’ve cherished and raised for fifteen years?”

Luo Haotian said, “I’ve raised the daughter of my enemy for fifteen years, and she has enjoyed the life meant for my daughter. I don’t need her to repay me. I just want her to return to her biological parents. I have no obligation to raise the daughter of my enemy.”

Luo Qiao found this answer satisfactory. “We’ll discuss this further once you’ve dealt with matters at home. For now, let’s talk about Gao Suhua.”

Luo Haotian was surprised by his daughter’s rationality but managed to control his excitement. “Alright, let’s handle this matter first.”

After reaching an agreement, the father and daughter returned to the police station. By then, some inside had learned the full story from Zhang Jianjun and were even more outraged by Gao Suhua’s actions.

After an afternoon of questioning, Gao Suhua eventually confessed to her motives and the crimes, including details of the current offenses.

Since this case was beyond their station’s capabilities, they notified the county and city authorities, and Gao Suhua was taken away that night.