The VIP lounge of the bank fell into a deathly silence.
It took a while before Yuan Tingshen snapped out of his daze after hearing the super loud “Dad” and rubbed his temples.
He seemed to want to sneer but felt too drained.
“…Has Yuan Kuangtian gone mad? How could he come up with such a trick?”
Yuan Tingshen hadn’t yet grasped the gravity of the truth, mistakenly thinking that his father had taught this illegitimate child to recognize him as a father.
Was his father really so old that he’d lost his mind?
He and Yuan Miao were clearly around the same age—how could something so absurd even happen?
“Dad, why do you keep bringing up Grandpa?”
Yuan Miao muttered curiously.
He really hadn’t considered that his father had also been in Wucheng twenty years ago.
Yuan Miao had lived in Jinghua City since birth, and his father had never mentioned the past.
But seeing a younger version of his real dad, Yuan Miao was still overjoyed.
In Yuan Miao’s mind, any problem could be solved by calling for Dad.
If that didn’t work, he could call his mom too.
Yuan Tingshen: “”
He observed Yuan Miao’s reaction and found no trace of pretense—it seemed he genuinely believed Yuan Tingshen was his father.
He took a deep breath.
“Your mind…”
He’d heard that many psychiatric patients would fabricate an entirely new identity in their minds, reinforcing the memory of that identity through words and actions.
“I’m not sick!”
Yuan Miao cut him off impatiently. “I really am your biological son, I just come from twenty years in the future.”
Well aware of how meticulous his father was, he decided to share a lot of information about him.
With every sentence Yuan Miao spoke, Yuan Tingshen’s expression grew more solemn, until by the end, he was completely frozen.
Utterly bewildered.
Yuan Miao talked for a long time, but Yuan Tingshen remained unresponsive.
Finally, Yuan Miao thoughtfully added, “Do you want a paternity test? I know you’ll definitely want one.”
Yuan Tingshen: “…Yes.”
In a daze, he caught Yuan Miao’s “I knew it” expression out of the corner of his eye, feeling as though his worldview was being reshaped.
He let out a heavy sigh.
“You really come from twenty years in the future?”
“Why would I lie… When I first got back, I sold a mechanical watch. You can go retrieve it.”
Yuan Miao raised an eyebrow.
He enjoyed seeing his father at a loss for words—after all, such a scene was rare.
Yuan Miao grinned and said, “I remember that model won’t be released until ten years from now, and you were the one who bought it for me.”
Yuan Tingshen remained silent.
Without another word, he informed the bank manager that monitoring the supplementary card’s activity was no longer necessary, then took Yuan Miao to a testing facility in Wucheng.
After breezing through the testing process with priority treatment, Yuan Miao prepared to leave.
His mom had just called to ask where he’d run off to.
Yuan Miao guiltily explained that he’d gotten carried away having fun and wandered too far, but he’d be back soon.
Meeting his real dad had been so sudden that Yuan Miao forgot to inform his mom about his whereabouts beforehand.
“Dad, I’m heading out now.”
“Where are you going?”
Yuan Tingshen instinctively asked with concern.
Yuan Miao blinked and replied without batting an eye, “I’m staying with a friend right now!”
Then, afraid his father would press for details, he flagged down a passing taxi and made a quick escape.
……
Two days later.
Yuan Tingshen had connections at the testing facility, ensuring the process couldn’t be tampered with while also expediting the results.
On the final page of the appraisal report, the conclusive result was presented in bold font.
【Based on the available data and DNA analysis results, it is supported that Sample A is the biological father of Sample B】
On the desk, aside from the appraisal report, lay the mechanical watch Yuan Tingshen had sent someone to buy.
Yuan Tingshen sat on the sofa in prolonged silence, countless chaotic thoughts flashing through his mind.
Why had Yuan Miao traveled back twenty years?
Who was his mother?
He… he couldn’t imagine what the woman he would marry and have children with in the future would look like.
It wasn’t until his body grew stiff and numb that Yuan Tingshen snapped back to reality. He picked up his phone and dialed the number Yuan Miao had left him, summoning him to Wutong Garden.
After hanging up, he sighed wearily.
The supposed illegitimate child had turned out to be his own son.
And from twenty years in the future.
Over an hour later, Yuan Miao appeared at the gate of Wutong Garden No. 1, his face filled with astonishment.
His dad actually lived here?
Not long after, Yuan Miao also learned that his dad was currently attending Wucheng No. 1 High School.
“You’re at Wucheng No. 1 High School?!”
Yuan Miao gasped in shock.
Then he cautiously asked, “You’re not in Class 1 of the third year, are you?”
“How do you know that?”
Yuan Tingshen looked surprised.
Was his future self so talkative that he would even tell his son about such things?
“Haha, just a guess…”
Yuan Miao laughed awkwardly and guiltily.
So, were his parents high school classmates? But why had he never heard his parents mention it?
Yuan Tingshen didn’t press further.
He and Yuan Miao had only met a few days ago, and he was still only partially familiar with his personality.
With this in mind, Yuan Tingshen began inquiring about Yuan Miao’s situation.
“How old are you now? Are you an adult?”
“Where are you living now? Who are you with?”
“What caused you to return to the present?”
“As for my future self… never mind. I’ll arrange an identity for you for now to ensure you can live normally here.”
Yuan Tingshen asked many questions about Yuan Miao’s circumstances, most of which Yuan Miao evaded, firmly refusing to reveal any details about his mother.
It wasn’t until Yuan Tingshen mentioned arranging an identity for him that Yuan Miao eagerly asked, “Dad, does that mean I can also attend Wucheng No. 1 High School?”
Yuan Tingshen: “…Yes.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose.
This would be somewhat difficult and might even alert his parents far away in Jinghua, but it could be done.
Yuan Tingshen had always been quick to accept things.
Once he realized this truth was a fact he had to accept, he began planning how to arrange Yuan Miao’s life.
Even if it was his future son, he still had to take responsibility.
“I’ll arrange this. For now, move in with me.”
“Huh?”
“I don’t want to move here.”
Yuan Miao pursed his lips and refused without hesitation.
Although his mom had moved back home recently because his grandmother had been discharged from the hospital, there were still his familiar uncles at the bar.
Besides, his dad was strict and had too many annoying rules.
Yuan Miao didn’t want to return to the past only to be controlled by a younger version of him.
So he said seriously, “Dad, I’m living just fine at my friend’s place. Don’t worry about it.”
“Then let me meet your friend.”
“No way!!”
Yuan Miao objected vehemently.
He still hadn’t figured out what the current relationship between his parents was—how could he rashly let them meet!
Yuan Tingshen’s calm, profound gaze fell on Yuan Miao, a flicker of displeasure flashing in his eyes.
Yuan Miao stiffened.
A trace of regret flashed in his eyes as he awkwardly shrank back into the sofa, but he still muttered defiantly.
“You can’t keep bossing my mom around like this in the future.”