Zhao Jiayang and his companion arrived just in time for lunch. Xu Song instructed the kitchen to prepare a few more dishes and conveniently invited them to join Tao Fengche for lunch.

Tao Fengche was genuinely surprised that Zhao Jiayang would bring his lover to the Tao family house for a meal, but that’s exactly what he did.

And the person he brought this time… Tao Fengche actually recognized him.

Jie Yushu, a newly popular omega actor, might have terrible acting skills, but his face was irresistibly charming and seductive, making him a dream lover for many alphas and betas.

Tao Fengche had once “had the pleasure” to watch a movie starring him. It was so bad that he almost walked out of the cinema. He couldn’t understand how such poor acting could become popular until Wang Yuan explained that he had a wealthy patron supporting him. Tao Fengche had no interest in entertainment industry gossip, so he didn’t ask further. But who would have guessed that the wealthy patron behind him was his uncle, Zhao Jiayang!

There was always a sense of familiarity when seeing Jie Yushu on screen, and today, meeting him in person, Tao Fengche finally understood why—Jie Yushu had a pair of round almond eyes that, without the heavy makeup, looked strikingly similar to Chu Yin’s.

As Tao Fengche walked down the stairs, drying his half-wet hair, he saw Jie Yushu talking to Xu Song at the door. From his perspective, he could clearly see those eyes and, for a moment, even thought he was seeing Chu Yin. He almost called out “aunt.”

Fortunately, he reacted quickly and didn’t say it out loud.

The dead cannot come back to life; Chu Yin had been gone for over two years. The actor before him was just another stand-in Zhao Jiayang had found.

It was strange, though. These two didn’t look alike at all. Jie Yushu was seductive and flamboyant, while Chu Yin was utterly cool and aloof. It was like comparing a “red rose to a white rose.” Yet, they both had such similar eyes—it was truly a twist of fate.

Just by those eyes, it wasn’t surprising why Zhao Jiayang favored him so much. But the fact that he almost mistook him for someone else made Tao Fengche feel somewhat annoyed. Jie Yushu wasn’t much older than him, yet as Zhao Jiayang’s lover, he was a generation higher, making it awkward to address him in any way. So, he simply stayed silent and focused on eating.

That day, Zhao Jiayang seemed preoccupied for some reason. The uncle and nephew were silent, while Jie Yushu tried hard to liven up the atmosphere, making even Xu Song embarrassed by his efforts.

After lunch, the three of them moved to the Tao family’s tea room. Tao Fengche finally recovered from the suffocating awkwardness. He turned his head away from Jie Yushu, avoiding those eyes that resembled Chu Yin’s, and focused on Zhao Jiayang. “Uncle, is there something you need to discuss this time?”

Since Chu Yin’s passing, Zhao Jiayang had become more and more reckless. He was just a figurehead at the Tao Corporation, rarely showing up unless for board meetings to collect his annual dividends. He even neglected his gang affairs, living a pleasure-seeking lifestyle that seemed almost ascetic.

Today’s behavior was quite unusual.

“I came to see you and have a meal, but there’s indeed something else,” Zhao Jiayang said, pointing to Jie Yushu. “Xiao Jie is very good at making tea. Let him show you.”

Tao Fengche was surprised, but Jie Yushu moved with precision. He started by warming the cups, then washed the first brew and poured the tea for them. The tea was clear, showing he had been trained.

It was rare to see a young omega around twenty-three or twenty-four who could make tea so well. Even Tao Fengche himself had only barely learned under Tao Zhixing’s long years of guidance.

Though astonished, Tao Fengche didn’t show it and took a sip, nodding slightly.

“Let’s not beat around the bush. Let’s get to the main point.” Zhao Jiayang finished his tea slowly. His expression struggled, as if what he was about to say was difficult. He soon signaled Jie Yushu to go to his car and retrieve a document.

Jie Yushu was about to get up when Tao Fengche interrupted, “Let the servants go?”

He pointed to the Tao family servants standing by.

“No, let Xiao Jie go.” Zhao Jiayang was firm. “And have the servants leave as well.”

Tao Fengche saw that Zhao Jiayang wanted to send Jie Yushu away on purpose, so he didn’t argue. He nodded slightly, signaling the servants to comply.

After Jie Yushu walked out of the tea room, and the servant closed the door and left, Tao Fengche put down the tea cup in his hand, trying to appear calm and composed. “So, uncle, you came today because…”

He felt a wave of anxiety in his heart.

These days, he had been locked up at home, contemplating the identity of the traitor. After much thought, he still could not completely dispel his suspicions about Zhao Jiayang. Although Zhao Jiayang was an uncle who had watched him grow up, and had always treated him as his own because he had no children, and even assisted in giving his father a grand funeral…

But if it weren’t for Sui Yuesheng’s sudden interference, after Tao Zhixing’s death, apart from himself, Zhao Jiayang would be the biggest beneficiary.

Besides, what if he had an illegitimate child out there?

There were many speculations about why Zhao Jiayang and Chu Yin did not have children. Most people believed that Chu Yin’s frail health made it impossible for him to bear children, and Zhao Jiayang, out of concern for him, did not insist.

But Chu Yin was already dead. Jie Yushu was covered with Zhao Jiayang’s pheromones, so strong that they were overwhelming. When Jie Yushu turned around, Tao Fengche clearly saw a deep bite mark on the back of his neck, with the edges even showing bruising, indicating how forcefully it had been made.

Such marks had never appeared on Chu Yin. In Tao Fengche’s memory, Chu Yins pheromones mixed harmoniously with Zhao Jiayang’s, with only faint bite marks on the back of his neck, showing how cherished he was.

Tao Fengche involuntarily held his breath.

If the traitor was really Zhao Jiayang…

Zhao Jiayang, in his forties, was in his prime as an alpha. Tao Fengche, a minor alpha, doubted he could take him on. He moved his leg slightly, feeling reassured by the familiar metal of the gun under the tea table.

Zhao Jiayang said, “I’ve heard some rumors these past few days. Elder Sun wants to frame me for assassinating your father.”

Tao Fengche did not expect Zhao Jiayang to bring up the matter so directly.

His face was filled with astonishment, but in his heart, he was still somewhat skeptical.

If Zhao Jiayang were really the one, logically speaking, he couldn’t be so calm and composed, nor would he openly mention it. But what if… he was just playing on his preconceived notions?

Tao Fengche couldn’t show his suspicion, nor did he dare to. Fortunately, his mask was well-worn. He lowered his head, took a sip of tea, and pretended to act in front of Zhao Jiayang.

Tao Fengche found the situation laughable. Ever since his father passed away, he had become extremely suspicious, seeing no one as trustworthy, and now he was even doubting Zhao Jiayang.

Zhao Jiayang stared at Tao Fengche for a long time. Tao Fengche’s performance was convincing, but Zhao Jiayang, having watched him grow up, knew with one glance that Tao Fengche did not trust him.

But… having Xiao Che be cautious was a good thing. Not trusting him meant he wouldn’t trust others either.

Zhao Jiayang suddenly smiled inexplicably, then sighed, “I asked Xiao Jie to bring my medical report.”

As he spoke, Jie Yushu arrived, holding a folder, which he handed to Zhao Jiayang. Zhao Jiayang then passed it to Tao Fengche.

What did this have to do with a medical report?

Could it be… he was sick too?

Tao Zhixing was startled by his own imagination. Two years ago, Chu Yin passed away. A week ago, Tao Zhixing died unexpectedly. If Zhao Jiayang also…

He didn’t dare to continue the thought. He couldn’t even think about whether “Uncle is the traitor” anymore. He hurriedly opened the folder, anxiously looking at the end.

Then, a certain line of words stung his eyes.

“Non-obstructive azoospermia.”

He suddenly looked up, his eyes full of disbelief. Zhao Jiayang shrugged, looking understanding, “Now you know. I and…”

He paused, then continued, “I and Chu Yin never had children because of this. We discussed this issue, including whether to adopt an orphan from the welfare center, but soon after you were born, we gave up the idea.”

“Having you was enough.”

The weight of those words was heavy.

Tao Fengche instantly understood that Zhao Jiayang meant that he and Chu Yin had always considered Tao Fengche as their own child. Even in Chu Yin’s lifetime, this had never been stated so bluntly, but today, in such a setting, Zhao Jiayang said it himself.

He felt a wave of shame.

Zhao Jiayang’s actions today were a form of self-proof.

——I have no offspring, and never will. But in my eyes, you are my child, so all those rumors are baseless, don’t believe them.

Yet he had actually suspected that Zhao Jiayang had conspired with someone else to kill Tao Zhixing.

That was the uncle who watched him grow up. Moreover, Zhao Jiayang, Chu Yin, and Tao Zhixing were childhood friends for over forty years, their friendship deeper than the sea. How could it be possible! And when Zhao Jiayang rushed to the hospital, his whole body screamed “aftermath.” If the timeline was pushed back, when the incident happened, he was still in bed with his lover.

How could anyone believe what Elder Sun said?

He had really been driven to confusion these days.

Tao Fengche lowered his head, stammering a few times, wanting to say something but unable to.

Zhao Jiayang’s expression was very understanding. He knew what Tao Fengche was thinking but didn’t point it out. Instead, he casually inquired about his studies and chatted about trivial matters. Tao Fengche gradually relaxed and began to talk more, but Zhao Jiayang suddenly frowned.

“So, Sui Yuesheng hasn’t moved in yet?”

Tao Fengche’s heart skipped a beat. Instinctively, he defended Sui Yuesheng, hastily explaining, “He just returned to the country and has some things to take care of…”

Even he felt guilty about this excuse, having often complained internally about Sui Yuesheng’s absence these days, so his words lacked confidence.

“Sui Yuesheng? The one I know?” Jie Yushu, who had been silently playing the role of a vase, suddenly spoke up, looking extremely surprised. “The one trending online? in the hot search?”