Vol. 1 - Ch. 128 - You had dropped your ID

"Dad, I need to talk to you about something."Han LiTian was driving them back to the villa, and HuMing, sitting in the passenger seat, leaned closer.

Han LiTian was a bit puzzled but still replied, "What is it?"

"Well, when Kang Xin came out earlier, Han ShuYi stopped her. He wanted her to do something really important, but she refused. Then Han ShuYi grabbed her, and in her panic, she threw him to the ground..."

HuMing trailed off, and Han LiTian quickly grasped the situation.

No wonder Kang Xin had seemed so anxious when she arrived earlier---it was Han ShuYi's doing.

At this thought, Han LiTian's brows furrowed, and his expression grew stern.

"It's fine. I know what is more important."

"Thank you for your understanding."

Hearing HuMing speak so politely, Han LiTian's expression turned wry as he continued, "HuMing, even if you're not their child, even if we're not related by blood, you're still a part of the Han family! We are father and son---there's no need to be so formal with me."

This topic made Han LiTian think of Han ShuYi.

That child had been respectful and proper ever since he returned, with every action perfectly in line, yet lacking a sense of closeness.

HuMing, on the other hand, was different. Though mischievous, he was lively. Han LiTian knew HuMing had a good heart, which made him willing to cover for him through many things.

There shouldn't be so much distance between a father and son. Even though the Han family had a high stature in society, he still wanted to be an ordinary father.

"So, Dad, what's for dinner tonight? I've managed to escape from all that---let's celebrate with something good!"

HuMing flashed a wide grin, showing off his teeth, clearly in high spirits.

Seeing this, Han LiTian couldn't help but smile as well.

"I'll have the housekeeper prepare a seafood feast for you!"

"Awesome!"

Han YunXi watched the scene, her lips curling up slightly as she was drawn into their cheerful mood.

Kang Xin, however, observed quietly, her expression steady.

'For Young Master, this must be a difficult choice to make, too.'

She knew that once he left the Han family, he would no longer be able to enjoy moments like these.

But for now, it was better to savor this fleeting warmth.

...

The car rolled to a stop in front of the villa, and the butler came forward to open the car doors for them.

He glanced at Kang Xin, then whispered a few words into Han LiTian's ear.

Han LiTian didn't respond much, but he turned to look at HuMing before heading into the villa.

Kang Xin followed closely behind HuMing, as usual, like his shadow.

HuMing patted her head gently, then reassured her.

"Don't worry, didn't I tell you before? Even if you put Han ShuYi in his place, I'd protect you. Worst case, we'll just leave together."

"But, Young Master, your plan..."

"Plans are always subjected to change. If a person only has one plan, they're bound to fail."

HuMing's tone was serious as if he was teaching Kang Xin.

Kang Xin nodded, keeping her thoughts to herself.

The two walked into the hall, quickly sensing that the atmosphere was off.

Han YunXi sat awkwardly on the sofa, her eyes darting between her parents.

Han LiTian stood expressionless, and across from him was the fierce-looking Zhou WenLi.

As soon as Zhou WenLi spotted Kang Xin standing behind HuMing, she gritted her teeth and stormed forward in a fury.

"I've been raising an ungrateful wretch all these years!"

As she spoke, Zhou WenLi raised her hand, aiming to slap Kang Xin. But before her hand could make contact, HuMing firmly grabbed her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.

Zhou WenLi looked at HuMing in disbelief, glaring at him as she demanded, "HuMing, do you know what you're doing?! Let go of me!"

"Madam Han, I understand your intentions. Kang Xin acted that way because of me. If you need to take it out on someone, you can hit me instead."

With that, he released Zhou WenLi's hand and stood there without moving.

"Oh, so you think I won't dare, do you? I refuse to believe there's anyone in this house that I can't discipline!"

"Stop!"

Han LiTian's roar echoed through the room, stunning Zhou WenLi.

She turned her head stiffly, her eyes full of shock and disbelief.

In her memory, Han LiTian had never yelled at her before---not even when she failed to inform him that HuMing's engagement had been annulled, which had only made him sulk in silence. seaʀᴄh thё NôvelFire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"Do you not know the difference between right and wrong anymore?" Han LiTian was truly angry this time.

His usually gentle and dignified wife now appeared more like a shrew, lashing out at a child.

Without understanding the entire situation, she had blamed everything on a young girl. Was this really how the mother of a family should behave?

With that thought, Han LiTian turned to the one who started it all.

"Han ShuYi!"

Hearing his father call out his full name, Han ShuYi felt a deep sense of foreboding.

"Tell me, what was so important that you couldn't let Kang Xin go? Couldn't you find anyone else to do it?!"

"Dad... I..."

"Kang Xin was in a hurry to deliver some documents to HuMing, documents that are crucial to the outcome of this whole situation! They're related to whether or not your adoptive parents have committed any crimes! Now, tell me, did you try to stop her so she wouldn't get those documents to HuMing?"

Han LiTian's words were heavy, even implying that he suspected his own son of covering up for that couple.

Zhou WenLi, hearing this, immediately sensed that something was very wrong.

She quickly stepped forward and asked urgently, "What... what's going on here?"

"Kang Xin was bringing HuMing a paternity test! It proves that HuMing and that couple have no biological relationship!"

Upon hearing this, Han ShuYi's face paled. His mouth hung slightly open, his expression full of shock.

Seeing his reaction, Han LiTian felt somewhat relieved.

It proved that Han ShuYi didn't know the truth of the matter.

However, he was still displeased with Han ShuYi. If Kang Xin had been stopped by him today, it would have caused a great deal of trouble for HuMing.

Zhou WenLi, too, was stunned.

She looked at HuMing, at the child she had raised for more than a decade.

HuMing met her gaze calmly, but in his eyes, the warmth of their past interactions was nowhere to be found.

Han ShuYi silently lowered his head, looking ashamed of his actions.

But Han LiTian wasn't going to let him off so easily.

"You said you wanted to learn self-defense, and I let you go for training. But in the end, you can't even defend yourself, yet how can you boast about how the instructor praised your progress? Aren't you embarrassed? If you want to learn, then take it seriously. Don't rely on shortcuts---I hate those kinds the most!"

Han LiTian cast a stern glance at Han ShuYi before turning and walking back to his room.

Zhou WenLi quickly followed after her husband, eager to understand everything that had happened.

Han YunXi, too, felt a sense of disappointment in Han ShuYi. She shook her head helplessly before heading toward the dining room.

Now, only HuMing, Kang Xin, and Han ShuYi remained in the hall.

Han ShuYi clenched his fists tightly, lifting his head to glare at HuMing with a look of frustration.

HuMing, seemingly out of nowhere, pulled out two playing cards---a Joker and a Wildcard---and tossed them toward Han ShuYi.

"Young Master Han, it seems you had dropped your ID and its copy."