Tina held onto Zhang Jiangdong’s arm the entire way, refusing to let go.

Zhang Jiangdong let her be, listening attentively to her complaints and all the matters weighing on the young girl’s mind.

Cui Yiru and Fawn spoke very little.

The family enjoyed dishes specially prepared by the chef at the hotel. Back in their suite, Zhang Jiangdong asked Tina to sit down.

“Now we can speak what’s truly on our minds.”

“What’s on our minds? I’m just angry! Mommy and Fawn are interfering with me. What I like is my freedom. Besides, Harold doesn’t even know about this – I haven’t even had the chance to explain things to him clearly. How am I supposed to face him in the future—”

Cui Yiru and Fawn’s expressions darkened, while Tina looked somewhat smug, believing they were in the wrong.

Zhang Jiangdong waited patiently for her to finish before shaking his head:

“Oh, Tina, we have something else to discuss today.”

Hmm?

Something else? Wasn’t this about what happened at the ball that night?

Tina belatedly noticed her family’s serious expressions.

Cui Yiru interrupted Zhang Jiangdong, “Let me tell her. Tina, on your 18th birthday, your daddy and I planned to tell you, but you got drunk with some friends.”

Tina felt a bit embarrassed.

According to the amended law, she wasn’t even of legal drinking age.

But few people strictly followed the law, and on her 18th birthday coming-of-age celebration, Tina and her group of friends had partied all night, everyone drinking until thoroughly intoxicated.

“What did you want to tell me?”

Tina asked curiously.

But Fawn suddenly stood up, “Enough, I can’t listen to this anymore. I need to go out for some fresh air.”

Fawn was angry!

Tina felt confused and uneasy, watching as Fawn left the room.

“Fawn—”

“It’s alright, Fawn just has a different opinion. He thinks we shouldn’t tell you, but the fact is you should know… Tina, you and Fawn are both children from my previous marriage. It’s complicated, and for now, I can only tell you simply that I’m planning to take you and Fawn back to China soon, to meet your birth grandmother.”

Tina looked at Cui Yiru, then at Zhang Jiangdong.

“Is today April Fool’s Day?”

Zhang Jiangdong patted her arm, “Everything your mommy said is true, Tina. You’ll always be my daughter.”

Tina shook off his hand.

“This joke isn’t funny at all. I’m really angry!”

“Tina—”

“No, I don’t want to hear it! I don’t want to hear any of this!”

Tina was becoming panicked.

Having been spoiled by the whole family for so many years, Tina had very little ability to handle setbacks. In her mind, she, Fawn, Daddy, and Mommy were a happy, fortunate family. While there were many wealthy families, ones as harmonious and loving as hers were rare.

Was their perfect family just an illusion?

Her daddy wasn’t her birth father?

Damn it!

If she stayed any longer, would her family tell her that even Cui Yiru wasn’t her birth mother, Fawn wasn’t her brother, and that she was adopted?

Tina felt she couldn’t stay in the room any longer, and she ran out just like Fawn had.

“Tina!”

Cui Yiru stood up to chase after her, but Zhang Jiangdong held her back: “Let it be, let her calm down. Tina hasn’t experienced much hardship, she needs time to process this. Don’t worry, I’ll have people watch over her. Nothing will happen to her.”

Only Cui Yiru and Zhang Jiangdong remained in the room.

Zhang Jiangdong’s face was full of tenderness.

“Haven’t you been worried about this all along? I think now is the best time. We can’t keep this from the children forever. Only by resolving past matters early can our family live better together.”

Cui Yiru remained silent.

Zhang Jiangdong held her hand, “Yiru, do you regret marrying me? How have our years together been? I’ve never failed to keep my promises to you, and I’ve treated Fawn as my son. Everything I have now will be split equally between Fawn and Tina in the future. I think I’ve managed to be a decent father, don’t you agree?”

Cui Yiru couldn’t argue.

Zhang Jiangdong had truly done well, treating Fawn and Tina equally over the years. The only difference in his treatment of his daughter and son was that he spoiled one and was strict with the other.

Being strict in raising a son was natural – this was traditional Chinese thinking. Spoiling boys usually resulted in raising wastrels.

Zhang Jiangdong handled this well, not just with money but also with care for the children. In the past, it was usually Zhang Jiangdong, not Cui Yiru, who often took Fawn and Tina to school.

“But, Zhongyi is still alive, isn’t he?”

Cui Yiru’s expression showed some panic.

Zhang Jiangdong gripped his wife’s hand firmly:

“Of course, he’s still alive, but he’s a coward. For such a man, what difference does it make whether he’s alive or dead? Yiru, don’t overthink things. Leave everything to me, let me handle it.”

Cui Yiru’s expression gradually softened. Zhang Jiangdong coaxed her to sleep alone, then quietly left the room.

His eldest son Fawn hadn’t gone far, just standing in the hallway.

Zhang Jiangdong called out to him:

“Tina might need some time to accept this. Your mother wants to return to China – what do you think about it?”

Fawn shook his head, “I’ve never agreed with this. I don’t remember anything from when I was little. But that Ms. Yu, the elderly woman who claims to be my grandmother, if she comes forward – I won’t refuse to support her… But supporting her doesn’t necessarily require us to go to China.”

Zhang Jiangdong patted his shoulder: “What are you saying? She is your grandmother. Going back to see her wouldn’t be bad. You lived in China until you were 5 years old. You’ve just forgotten those memories now. Maybe seeing familiar places will help you remember some things. Your mommy said you were especially clever as a child, and I think you’re very clever too. Before your mommy and I married, even though you were so young, you already knew how to take care of your mommy and sister. Fawn, whether you’re called Fawn or Changle, it won’t affect our father-son relationship. You need to understand this.”

Fawn nodded with difficulty, looking at Zhang Jiangdong with the reverence a son holds for his father.

Zhang Jiangdong smiled with satisfaction.

“If you want to show your position, you shouldn’t get caught up in such small matters. I know you came to work in New York definitely because of Tina. I won’t push you, but the family business will either be inherited by you or Tina. Does Tina look anything like a career woman to you? Eventually, you’ll need to take over. How many more years can I work at high intensity? The sooner I hand the business over to you, the sooner I can travel the world with your mommy.”

Fawn nodded.

“I understand your meaning. I don’t know if I’m capable, but I’ll work hard to learn.”

Zhang Jiangdong’s smile grew wider: “Good. I won’t meet that Chinese girl who brought the message to your mother. Whatever compensation she wants, as long as it’s not too unreasonable, we can try to satisfy her. I’ll check my schedule and make time to accompany you all back to China as soon as possible.”

Fawn was surprised, “You’re going too…”

Zhang Jiangdong spoke matter-of-factly, “We’re family. We face everything together.”