Chapter 45 1/2

Cen Lang raised his gaze to look at Jiang Li. In the photo, the young Jiang Li looked quite different from how he looks now.

Young Jiang Li had slightly long hair, almost no baby fat, big eyes, a pointed chin, and looked pretty much like a little girl, with a stubbornness in his gaze despite the numbness.

As Jiang Li grew older, his nose became more refined, his eyebrows darker, and his eyes gained a cold and rational demeanor. While he had an attractive appearance, there was no mistaking his gender—he had become an outstanding young doctor.

Surprisingly, the young Jiang Li resembled Jiang Wanlan when he was a child.

Despite Cen Lang’s good memory, he couldn’t recall glancing at the student photos of others’ wives. The only reason he remembered was that he had known Jiang Wanlan for a long time.

Jiang Wanlan and Lu Jing were born during a turbulent global period, and the most desired goal for students at that time was to excel at the Third Military Academy. Cen Lang vaguely knew that they met during a mission; Lu Jing was in the combat department, and Jiang Wanlan was in the communications department, often paired for training.

Training during the turbulent period was not theoretical; the students at the Third Military Academy were practically indistinguishable from regular soldiers, even able to take on the title of commander.

The missions were often dangerous, and every time they averted a crisis, it strengthened the bonds between comrades.

Cen Lang could imagine how Lu Jing won Jiang Wanlan’s favor during wartime. There was no time for sweet talk; it was about racing against time, cherishing words, and being calm and reliable. Lu Jing’s qualities as a land force officer were on full display.

Unfortunately, Lu Jing’s parents died during the turmoil, and despite his exceptional abilities, he was not recognized by the Jiang family.

As Lu Jing once regretfully advised Cen Lang, the biggest regret of his life was not establishing a career before starting a family.

Jiang Li’s age matched, and it was possible—in the dark corners, was he Lu Jing’s child?

Until yesterday, Cen Lang never entertained such thoughts because Jiang Li had mentioned undergoing two paternity tests.

However, with the dubious intention of the orphanage director, the accuracy of those paternity tests was questionable.

In every family photo on New Year’s Eve, Jiang Li conveniently “missed out.” If he could miss two paternity tests, what could prevent the director from manipulating something? It seemed quite possible.

Jiang Li always showed an inexplicable interest in Lu Jing. If it weren’t for Lu Jing having Jiang Wanlan in his heart, he would have been on Cen Lang’s list of severed relationships long ago. Was it because blood ties guided them in some mysterious way?

Did Jiang Li resemble Lu Jing?

One is fair and cold; the other is strong and fierce. Cen Lang refused to compare them; it was better to compare them with Jiang Wanlan’s student photos.

Cen Lang called the principal of the Third Military Academy directly and said, “Please check Jiang Wanlan’s file for me, especially the photos from primary school.”

Jiang Li asked, “Why do you need the photos?” Cen Lang replied, “To send to General Lu as a part of his wages.” Jiang Li said, “…” did he not even want the security guard’s monthly salary? Cen Lang said, “He will definitely appreciate it.” Jiang Li sighed, “You judge others by yourself.”

Cen Lang had just said he wanted photos of Jiang’s primary school days. If he didn’t get them, he would go find photos of Jiang Wanlan and sell them to General Lu. It was top-notch to create business opportunities based on one’s needs.

Cen Lang looked at Jiang Li with determination. If his deduction was correct, Jiang Li shouldn’t have suffered so much. He wanted all those who caused Jiang Li’s suffering to suffer the same fate.

Cen Lang sat next to Jiang Li and said, “I want to interact with our child.”

Jiang Li looked around; a few scattered people were eating, and no one noticed them. Jiang Li asked, “You—”

Cen Lang skillfully rummaged through his bag and said, “Let me disinfect first.” The disinfectant in Jiang Li’s bag was always the most conspicuous.

The dining table blocked most outsiders’ views. Cen Lang touched Jiang Li’s belly through his clothes.

He used to be able to empathize with Lu Jing, who hadn’t seen his wife for twenty years. He could only express sympathy as an onlooker for the child they lost. Now he and Jiang Li have their own child.

He didn’t dare to think about how Lu Jing and Jiang Wanlan felt at the moment their child disappeared. This child was still Jiang Li.

In the past, Cen Lang would have directly sent Jiang Li’s childhood photos to Lu Jing, asking if he looked like Jiang Wanlan. Now he dared not act so recklessly. Seeing Lu Jing living in the dead water of Zhe Luoxing, he empathized with the feelings of a father. He was afraid Lu Jing would experience an empty joy.

After touching his belly, Cen Lang took the opportunity to touch Jiang Li’s head.

It was the first time Jiang Li had his head touched and turned uncomfortably.

Cen Lang smiled, the smile not reaching his eyes. He opened the photo of Jiang Wanlan sent by Principal Zhang, took a glance, and closed it. “I regret it.”

Jiang Li asked, “Regret what?”

Regret pursuing him, or regret Plato?

Cen Lang said, “Regret promising not to look at the orphanage’s investigation report.”

Jiang Li was dumbfounded. “It hasn’t been an hour since you promised, and you’re so fickle.”

Cen Lang swore, “This is the only fickle thing.”

Rumble—

Suddenly, there was thunder and lightning outside. The afternoon convection rain came swiftly, and in an instant, the sky and earth were covered by a curtain of rain. The dining hall’s roof was pounded by heavy rain.

Jiang Li said, “You don’t have to swear.”

Cen Lang said, “Thunder is a natural phenomenon.”

Jiang Li asked, “There must be a reason for your change of heart.”

The bodyguard, Wang Wang, ran in from outside and handed the remote control key of the aircraft to Cen Lang. “Mr. Cen, it’s raining. The aircraft is parked indoors.”

Cen Lang said, “Wipe it off; don’t let the water drip.”

Wang Wang, soaked in rain, unceremoniously took a whole pack of tissues and said, “I’ll go outside to wipe.”

Wang Wang ran away quickly. When he turned a corner, he carefully opened the tissue box and saw two strands of hair inside. Mr. Cen had just sent him a message to get it tested immediately, comparing it with Jiang Wanlan’s DNA.