After daybreak, they watched the sunrise by the lake, took photos, and headed back to the mansion.

“I’m going to my parents’ place for lunch around noon. Do you want to come along?” Ning Zhiyuan leaned back in his seat, suggesting.

He had only slept for less than three hours the whole night, but his spirits were surprisingly good.

“Are you planning to tell your parents today?” Cen Zhisen asked.

“Yeah.”

“Then let’s go together.”

After washing up and getting some rest at home, they set off around eleven to Ning Zhiyuan’s parents’ house.

Ning Zheng and Sun Xiaoqing had prepared a large table of dishes for Ning Zhiyuan and Cen Zhe’s birthday. The couple didn’t find it surprising that Cen Zhisen came without an invitation, and they politely welcomed him.

“Mom, Dad, don’t bother. He’s one of us, no need for special treatment. We’ll get what we want to eat ourselves.” Ning Zhiyuan stopped his busy parents, vaguely sensing something.

“Alright then, Zhiyuan, Mr. Cen, have a seat. I’ll go to the kitchen and finish cooking the remaining two dishes. Dinner will be ready soon.” Sun Xiaoqing said, looking a bit uneasy, then went back to the kitchen.

Cen Zhisen also noticed, glanced at Ning Zhiyuan, and Ning Zhiyuan shook his head slightly.

Ning Zheng gestured to them, “Have a seat and have some tea.”

While drinking tea and chatting casually, Ning Zheng appeared more at ease than Sun Xiaoqing. He was equally polite to Cen Zhisen, even more so than when Cen Zhisen helped them move the last time.

Without asking directly, Cen Zhisen remained calm and engaged Ning Zheng in a conversation about a recent foreign novel.

Ning Zhiyuan couldn’t join in on this topic, so he lowered his head and checked his phone. A message from Cen Zhe, who arrived half an hour earlier, popped up.

“It seems like Mom and Dad already know about your situation. Dad has a colleague whose daughter works at Cen An. Probably heard those rumors. Just now, they subtly questioned me, but I didn’t say anything.”

Ning Zhiyuan expected this, and replied, “Thanks.”

Sun Xiaoqing brought out the last dish and invited them to the table.

Although it was a bit awkward, both Sun Xiaoqing and Ning Zheng tried their best not to bring up the subject. They finished dinner, cut the cake, and Cen Zhe found an excuse to leave early, leaving only the four of them.

Ning Zhiyuan finally received the birthday gift he wanted from his father—Ning Zheng had promised him earlier to buy a complete set of collector’s edition classics.

Touching the books with the faint scent of paper, he suddenly felt uncomfortable. Compared to Cen Shengli, he couldn’t bring himself to open up in front of Ning Zheng and Sun Xiaoqing. He didn’t want to see them disappointed or upset.

Sun Xiaoqing gently asked him, “Do you like it?”

“Yeah,” Ning Zhiyuan carefully placed the books back, thanked them, and said, “Thank you, Mom and Dad. I really like the gift.”

Cen Zhisen took out the camera he brought and suggested, “Uncle, Auntie, Zhiyuan, let me take a family photo for you.”

Ning Zhiyuan reminded him with a smile, “Make sure to take a good one.”

Sun Xiaoqing and Ning Zheng both said, “Okay,” and went back to their rooms to change.

Cen Zhisen accompanied Ning Zhiyuan in the living room, waiting. When the sun came out after the snow had stopped, Ning Zhiyuan reached out and caught a handful of sunlight coming in through the window, showing it to Cen Zhisen. “It’s not too bad.”

Cen Zhisen sat on the sofa armrest next to him, his raised hand resting on Ning Zhiyuan’s shoulder. “Don’t worry; everything will be fine.”

When his parents returned, they were both dressed more formally, with neat hair. Sun Xiaoqing even applied light makeup.

Cen Zhisen had them sit on the sofa in the brightest spot, where the sunlight was strongest, and took a family portrait for them.

“Dad, Mom, I have something to tell you,” Ning Zhiyuan spoke as Ning Zheng and Sun Xiaoqing were looking at the photos.

Sun Xiaoqing subconsciously didn’t want to hear, “Aren’t you supposed to have lunch at Cen’s family this afternoon? It’s getting late. You should go there earlier…”

“Mom, we’ll leave after we finish talking,” Ning Zhiyuan insisted.

Ning Zheng sighed, “What do you want to say?”

“I and Cen Zhisen are in a romantic relationship,” Ning Zhiyuan said directly, without beating around the bush. “I know this may be hard for you to accept, but I hope you can understand.”

Beside him, Cen Zhisen also said, “Uncle, Auntie, I’m sorry.”

“We grew up together, understand each other the most, and care the most about each other,” he continued. “Dad, Mom, sorry. Except for him, I can’t like anyone else.”

Ning Zheng asked, “Is there really no way?”

“No,” Ning Zhiyuan apologized again. “I’m sorry.”

Sun Xiaoqing choked up and said in a low voice, “Don’t say anything more, Zhiyuan. It’s not your fault at all. It’s our fault. If we had been more careful in the beginning, keeping a close eye on you, or if we had discovered the mistake when you were taken by another family, things wouldn’t have turned out like this…”

They were angry, but not at Ning Zhiyuan; it was directed at themselves.

If only they had been more careful from the start, not taking their eyes off their child for a moment, or if they had noticed the mistake as soon as it happened, the outcome wouldn’t have been like this. So, no matter what Ning Zhiyuan had become now, they were the least qualified to blame anyone.

Ning Zhiyuan had imagined many possible reactions, but he didn’t expect his parents’ response to be like this. He felt sad and self-blaming, yet there wasn’t a single word of blame from them.

He felt even more uncomfortable inside, “Mom, don’t say that. This has nothing to do with you.”

Tears streaming down her face, Sun Xiaoqing shook her head. Ning Zhiyuan moved closer to her and handed her a tissue.

“Uncle, Auntie, there’s no need for this,” Cen Zhisen tried to explain. “The mistake of taking the wrong child is something no one could have predicted. It’s not your fault, and there’s no necessary cause-and-effect relationship between our relationship and what happened with me and Zhiyuan. You don’t have to shoulder the blame.”

Ning Zheng asked him, “You and Zhiyuan… have you always been like this?”

“No,” Cen Zhisen knew he misunderstood and said, “It only started recently.”

Ning Zheng sighed with relief; now that the conversation had started, the couple asked about things they had always wanted to but never found the right time to ask, about Ning Zhiyuan’s experiences in the Cen family over the years.

Ning Zhiyuan preemptively answered, only mentioning that Cen Shengli was busy with work and that he had spent more time with Cen Zhisen since childhood. He avoided mentioning any grievances he had suffered in the Cen family over the years.

Cen Zhisen hesitated several times to speak but ultimately decided against it.

They left the Ning family in the evening.

“It’s probably too late to go to the cemetery now,” Ning Zhiyuan looked at his watch; it was already past five.

“Let’s go tomorrow,” Cen Zhisen started the car. “Dad invited us to have dinner together at home tonight.”

Ning Zhiyuan nodded, leaning back in his seat, his gaze turning to the snowy landscape outside the car, feeling a bit weary.

Cen Zhisen slowed down the car and occasionally looked back at him.

“Why didn’t you tell your parents the truth?” Cen Zhisen asked.

“What truth?” Ning Zhiyuan realized and said, “There’s nothing to say. It’s all in the past. Do you expect me to go to them and complain like a child? Telling them would only make them feel more guilty and upset. Let it be.”

Cen Zhisen asked, “Really not telling them?”

“No,” Ning Zhiyuan shook his head. “My parents agreeing to our relationship is already a compromise. If they find out about those things, they might change their minds.”

Ning Zheng and Sun Xiaoqing had agreed to their relationship, even though they didn’t openly say it, but they compromised. Perhaps, rather than facing things they couldn’t understand or accept, they were more unwilling to lose Ning Zhiyuan, their son, who they had only recently recognized.

“Are you still feeling down?” Although it was a question, Cen Zhisen said it with certainty.

“A bit. I feel like I let them down,” Ning Zhiyuan said, paused, and asked him, “Ge, do you think we are deeply sinful, making Dad and my parents so troubled and disappointed?”

Cen Zhisen said, “What do you think?”

“Maybe,” Ning Zhiyuan looked at the gray, snowy sky outside the window, paused, and smiled again, “Well, if we’re sinners, we’ll be deeply sinful together, even in hell.”

“Okay,” Cen Zhisen didn’t say anything else, smiled and drove into the snow fog.

They returned to the Cen family, and it was almost six o’clock. When parking, Cen Zhisen suddenly said, “Maybe I didn’t tell you, dad got divorced.”

Ning Zhiyuan looked surprised, “Really?”

“Just a few days ago,” Cen Zhisen said, “He gave her a considerable amount of money. After all, she had been with him for many years, giving birth to his children. But this time, she indeed crossed dad’s bottom line.”

Their affair was well-known, and Xu Lan played a significant role. They themselves didn’t care, but Cen Shengli was upset.

Marrying Xu Lan was originally not Cen Shengli’s intention at all. It was a mistake after drinking too much, and she got pregnant, so he had to take responsibility.

Ning Zhiyuan sighed, “When I returned to China back then, Dad remarried. The family gained new younger siblings, and you had your own haven outside. I was left alone. At that time, I felt like I was completely superfluous.”

“Not any haven.” Cen Zhisen said helplessly.

Ning Zhiyuan, “Anyway, it’s the same thing.”

Cen Zhisen, “Do you really feel superfluous?”

“Isn’t that a bit too melodramatic?” Ning Zhiyuan self-mockingly said, “I was in my twenties at that time. It’s absurd to still care about these things.”

“Caring is normal,” Cen Zhisen didn’t think it was a bad thing, “It shows you’re a normal person with emotional needs, just unwilling to admit it.”

“I’m not unwilling to admit it,” Ning Zhiyuan said frankly, “Ge, what I need most now is you, and you can’t escape from that.”

Cen Zhisen nodded, “You can rely on me more. I’m happy to help.”

Ning Zhiyuan smiled, “I won’t be polite.”

“No need,” Cen Zhisen said.

After a few words, they got out of the car and entered the house.

There were no outsiders in the house, only Cen Zhe and Xu Lan’s two kids, and the two children actively greeted them, calling them “brother” obediently, and didn’t dare to talk or make trouble.

Cen Shengli’s personal discipline seemed to be effective, not only for Cen Fei but even Cen Cong, who was now much more obedient.

Ning Zhiyuan was quite pleased; this was also good. With these two children here, at least they didn’t have to worry about Cen Shengli being lonely at home.

Cen Shengli arranged for the steward to prepare a hearty birthday banquet and even prepared a cake, saying that he wanted to celebrate Ning Zhiyuan and Cen Zhe’s birthdays.

“That day, when Zhisen mentioned it, I realized that I had neglected this matter. I haven’t celebrated your birthday from childhood to adulthood,” at the dining table, Cen Shengli expressed his self-blame, “It may be a bit late to make up for it now, but I’ll try my best. In the future, come home and have a meal on this day if you’re free.”

Ning Zhiyuan hadn’t expected Cen Shengli to say these things. The last bit of dissatisfaction in his heart also dissipated between these words, “Okay, thank you, Dad.”

Cen Shengli was very happy, called someone to pour wine, and asked them to have a toast with him.

Ning Zhiyuan and Cen Zhe exchanged birthday wishes, and others offered birthday blessings.

The atmosphere at home was unusually harmonious.

After dinner, Cen Shengli called everyone to the study, including the two children.

His lawyer had already arrived, took out several documents, and Ning Zhiyuan almost immediately understood that the matter of dividing the family’s assets, which Cen Zhisen mentioned before, was happening today.

However, Cen Shengli did not call his other siblings, apparently not considering their shares.

Ning Zhiyuan was somewhat surprised, exchanging glances with Cen Zhisen. Originally, he thought that, considering their father’s personality, he would at least give a little to those people.

Cen Zhisen took out his phone and typed a line in the notes, handing it to him to read.

“Dad was considering giving them something before, but it seems he changed his mind now.”

Cen Shengli calmly said, “I’m getting old, and my health isn’t good. I may leave at any time. I’ve been making money for most of my life, neglecting the family. Now that I’ve earned so much, it’s useless to keep it. Just split it among you to avoid any future conflicts.”

The lawyer took over and explained. Cen Shengli’s shares in Cen An, 70% would be transferred to Cen Zhisen’s name, 20% to Cen Zhe, and the remaining 10% would be divided equally between Cen Cong and Cen Fei. Other personal assets, including real estate, cash, stocks, bonds, etc., would be divided equally among Cen Zhe, Cen Cong, Cen Fei, and Ning Zhiyuan.

Except for the share of the two children, which would be transferred when they came of age, the procedures for the other three would be arranged immediately.

Ning Zhiyuan wanted to refuse on the spot, “Dad, I don’t want it.”

But Cen Shengli didn’t want to listen to him, “You are my adopted son, the same as the others. The things are mine, and I can give them to whoever I want. If you think it’s inappropriate, consider it helping your brother by taking his share. If you want me to agree to your relationship with him, you have to listen to me.”

Ning Zhiyuan wanted to say more, but Cen Zhisen’s hand on his back stopped him from saying more.

Cen Shengli had made up his mind, and he wouldn’t listen to him.

Ning Zhiyuan could only give up.

Because they had drunk, they had to stay overnight here.

Ning Zhiyuan walked into the garden and strolled among the flowers and lights, feeling somewhat absent-minded.

Cen Zhisen followed him out, took a coat, and helped him put it on, “It’s cold outside; careful not to catch a cold.”

Ning Zhiyuan stopped and looked at him, “Ge.”

“Something on your mind?” Cen Zhisen asked, “Do you feel like taking Dad’s inheritance makes you look down in front of me?”

Ning Zhiyuan honestly said, “A bit.”

“Don’t overthink it,” Cen Zhisen reassured him. “Dad gave it to you, so just take it. Invest more money in Zhiyuan in the future. Consider it our joint venture. Your ambition shouldn’t just be limited to running a fund or simple financial investments, right?”

“You know that too?” Ning Zhiyuan asked.

“You said it yourself, we understand each other the most,” Cen Zhisen smiled, “Having ambition is a good thing. I’m also looking forward to the day when Zhiyuan surpasses Cen An in growth.”

“Do you believe in that day?” Ning Zhiyuan asked.

“I do,” Cen Zhisen replied.

Ning Zhiyuan was convinced by him, “Ge, I used to think I received too little. Today, I realized that I actually received quite a lot.”

What he referred to was not money or material possessions but love, whether it was family affection or romantic love. The things he had once longed for but was unwilling to admit, were now given to him by someone.

“There will be even more in the future, and they’re all yours,” Cen Zhisen said.

Ning Zhiyuan smiled, and the night stars scattered in his eyes. “Hmm.”