Chapter 78: Would she dare tell the truth?

Song Xiaoxiao instinctively refused.

But her father was adamant, forcing her to change her stance! Chen Xue played the role of the good person, mediating and saying all the right things in the middle of it all.

After several emotional twists and turns, Song Xiaoxiao reluctantly grasped a shocking truth—her real mother was someone else entirely?

This revelation struck her like a bolt of lightning from a clear sky.

Since childhood, her father had instilled in her the value of independence, urging her not to cling to her mother. Everyone assumed he was genuinely nurturing her self-reliance. In reality… he simply wanted to prevent her from growing too close to her mom.

And then there was Chen Xue…

Always crying and acting as if the world owed her something, Chen Xue’s behavior grated on Song Xiaoxiao’s nerves endlessly. Yet ironically, this woman was her biological mother?

The young girl leaned against the wall corner, her beautiful large eyes brimming with uncertainty.

Her father had kept a mistress, and her grandmother had helped cover it up. She had wanted to tell her mom the truth so many times… but her father’s words had crushed her resolve.

«Xiaoxiao, do you believe your mother will thank you if you disclose the truth? She won’t. She’ll only resent you for stealing her daughter’s place.»

«But that’s the fault of Dad and Aunt Chen. Mom is reasonable; how could she blame me?»

«Because you have indeed taken her daughter’s rightful place!” Her father’s smile was chillingly cold as he spoke. “Your mom is passionate about charity work. The foundation she established has helped numerous abducted children return to their families. If she discovers one day that the daughter she’s cherished all along isn’t her flesh and blood, do you think she’d allow her biological child to remain lost without searching?»

«Xiaoxiao, I’m telling you this truth for one reason only: I want you to have more people who care for you. What’s the significant difference between calling Du Mansheng ‘Mom’ and calling Aunt Chen ‘Mom’? Aunt Chen will indulge you in ways that Du Mansheng won’t allow. Isn’t this the kind of mother you’ve always longed for? But if you insist on exposing the truth, I guarantee you’ll be the first one expelled from this family!»

Song Xiaoxiao was too stunned to respond.

After returning home, to verify this, she deliberately tested her mother: «Mom, if one day your daughter disappeared and was taken away by someone… would you go searching for her?»

Du Mansheng, assuming her daughter was being playful, answered seriously and resolutely: «Of course! You’re my precious baby, the one I carried for ten months! If bad people took you away, how heartbroken would I be? Even if it meant travelling to the ends of the earth, I would find my Xiaoxiao and bring her back!»

Song Xiaoxiao was deeply moved.

But not for herself…

Rather, for that unknown child… her mom’s true flesh and blood.

Song Xiaoxiao retreated, fear gripping her heart. Everything unfolded just as her father had predicted—she didn’t dare reveal the truth.

She longed to be close to her mother, yet dreaded the day they might be torn apart. The guilt of having taken someone else’s place weighed heavily on her, making it impossible to enjoy her mother’s love with a clear conscience.

These conflicting emotions ebbed and flowed, causing Song Xiaoxiao to gradually distance herself from her mom, no longer daring to maintain their closeness.

Listening to the cheerful laughter from downstairs, a solitary tear rolled down her cheek.

What should she do? And what could she possibly do in the future?

…

Neihai City.

**In Yan Yueqing’s apartment suite.**

Xu Li had been bustling about all afternoon, preparing a lavish spread of delicious dishes. The children were devouring the food with great enthusiasm.

Tian Tian was gnawing on a chicken leg when a crew member hurried over, whispering something in her ear.

The little girl’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Aunt Yueqing, my Aunty is here! She’s downstairs. Can we invite her up to join us for dinner?”

Yan Yueqing paused, chopsticks in hand: “Your Auntie?”

Tian Tian nodded eagerly: “My Aunt’s name is Du Mansheng. She’s from A City and came all the way here specifically to see me today!”

Du Mansheng?

Yan Yueqing smiled.

She had just been pondering how to learn about the Song family through Tian Tian when the opportunity presented itself.

…