Ji Yan and Su Xiang deliberately showed affection in front of He Chan, so they touched each other much more than before. He Chan became distracted when she saw this, especially by Ji Yan’s thoughtfulness toward Su Xiang. Shang Xu had never treated her that way.
Halfway through the meal, Su Xiang got up to touch up her makeup. Unable to resist, He Chan asked Ji Yan, “How can you think of so many things, while Shang Xu is as dull as a block of wood?”
Ji Yan said, “Do you want me to tell you the truth?”
Although she realized what he was about to say, He Chan still could not help wanting to know the answer.
“Go ahead.”
“Because he doesn’t care, he doesn’t put in any effort.” Ji Yan was blunt.
He Chan was unwilling to accept this. “Shang Xu has always been like that.”
“What would you do if someone appeared who received special treatment from Shang Xu?”
“I… I don’t know.”
“Just now, Su Xiang and I discovered that Shang Xu accompanied a female employee from his corporation to the hospital. We saw many emotions on his face that he never shows when he is with us.”
He Chan stood up abruptly. “Are you saying he’s fallen for someone else? Impossible!”
“Don’t get worked up. He hasn’t fallen in love, but his behavior and attitude are strange. He Chan, Xiangxiang and I hope you can look at this rationally. After all these years, if Shang Xu cared about you, he would have given you Official Status long ago. Clearly, he doesn’t feel that way.”
“But he’s never rejected me!”
“That’s because the Shang Corporation still needs The He Family’s connections.” Ji Yan stared straight into her eyes. “He Chan, you must face reality.”
“Do all you men think this way? What about you? Do you only use Xiangxiang as well? When you formed a marriage alliance with her, did you only value the Su Corporation’s resources?”
Ji Yan’s expression did not change, and he remained calm. “It’s obvious that I’m different from him. I can’t bear to let others gossip about Xiangxiang. A wonderful girl deserves someone who will cherish her.”
Su Xiang no longer blushed at the slightest thing when she heard these words again, as she had before, but her heartbeat remained unsettled. She returned to her seat and took He Chan’s hand. “Sometimes, the attitude of the Family Elders can also prove certain things. Both our families strongly approve of our marriage and are actively trying to bring us together. He Chan, have you considered Uncle He’s difficulties?”
“I… My father supports every decision I make.”
“That’s because you’re his only daughter. He only hopes you’ll live a happy, blessed life.”
He Chan said stubbornly, “After all these years, I can’t give up like this. I’ll only be happy if I get Shang Xu. Besides, Uncle Shang and Aunt Shang both like me.”
“What if Shang Xu doesn’t want you?”
“Who else in our circle could be worthy of him besides me? That female employee you mentioned—who is she?”
Ji Yan and Su Xiang exchanged helpless glances as they watched her obsessive gaze. They did not tell her that the female employee was Lin Ranran. Given how much The Shang Family valued profit, she would recognize reality soon enough.
He Father worked quickly. Before half a month had passed, He Chan’s suspicions had begun to focus on Lin Ranran, and news spread from The He Family that He Chan was not their biological daughter.
As soon as the news came out, it sent shockwaves throughout the entire social circle. Everyone was incredulous, including The Shang Family and He Chan herself.
“How could I not be father’s daughter? My nose and mouth look exactly like father’s.” He Chan was stunned. She forgot about Shang Xu and Lin Ranran and rushed straight home.
A young woman with delicate features was waiting at The He Family home. She carried herself with restraint and was not as beautiful as He Chan, but He Chan recognized familiar contours, brows, and eyes in her face.
Her eyes looked almost exactly like those of He Chan’s deceased mother in the photographs. He Chan panicked at once.
He Father looked at her apologetically. “Chanchan, I’m sorry. I never meant to hide this from you, but Tingting and I have already taken a Paternity Test. Regardless, if you’re willing, you can still call me father.”
The young woman looked at the stunned, helpless He Chan, and her restrained expression gradually turned haughty. “Hello, my name is Xu Ting, but from now on, I’ll be called He Ting.”
When Shang Xu and the others arrived, they stared at the scene in astonishment. It was true.
He Ting’s eyes lit up when she saw Shang Xu, and a bashful expression flashed across her face.
Ji Yan admired He Father’s efficiency. He had found someone who looked so similar in such a short time—and whose acting ability was so impressive.
He Ting walked straight up to Shang Xu. “Can we be friends from now on? How should I address you?”
He Chan clenched her fists. Had Xu Ting taken her father away and now decided to take her lover as well?
What would Shang Xu do? Given his usual coldness, he should reject her outright, right? He should, shouldn’t he?
“Shang Xu.”
“You’re Shang Xu!” He Ting’s eyes lit up. “I’ve heard your name before. You’re amazing. My dream was to work at the shang corporation, but unfortunately, my education wasn’t good enough.”
“That’s because you never had the opportunity to receive a proper education.” Guilt filled He Father’s face. “I’m sorry, child. From now on, I’ll treat you well and do my best to satisfy your requests.”
He Chan had seen that doting expression only when her father looked at her. Now, he was giving that tenderness to another girl.
He Father turned to He Chan. “Chanchan, don’t be jealous. Tingting had poor living conditions before. I only want to make it up to her.”
“I… I’m not jealous. You should treat her well. I was the one who took her identity from her.”
He Chan’s expression was unexpectedly calm, but her pale lips and dazed eyes made it obvious that something was wrong.
“Don’t be sad, either. Now that I’ve acknowledged my father, you can acknowledge your own parents too. They love you. Back then, they went to great lengths to exchange our identities so you could enjoy a life of comfort!” He Ting linked arms with He Father, claiming her place in the family.
He Father looked helpless, while Shang Xu remained unmoved. Su Xiang was the only one who stepped forward to hold He Chan’s hand in comfort.
“Father, where is my room?”
Su Xiang clearly felt He Chan’s palm grow tenser. However, this He Ting was on a much higher level than the True Heiresses in television dramas and novels. She did not immediately seize He Chan’s room, instead choosing another room with ample sunlight.
But He Chan felt that she no longer had a place in this home. After hearing He Ting explain that their identities had been exchanged, she felt even more ashamed to stay.
Su Xiang whispered, “If you’re hurting, you can stay at my house for now.”
He Chan smiled bitterly. “Okay.”
He Father’s eyes revealed his reluctance. “I’m sorry, Chanchan. Back then, I failed to distinguish between you and Tingting.”
“It wasn’t your fault. It was… their fault.”
Realizing that her biological parents were responsible for everything, He Chan felt even worse. She wiped away her tears, pulled Su Xiang along, and left. “We’ll leave you to it.”
He Ting curled her lips. “Aren’t you going to pack a few changes of clothes?”
Su Xiang thought He Ting’s acting ability was too convincing. She said coldly, “No need. Chanchan can wear my clothes.”
He Ting’s voice continued to drift after them. “What a pity. We were supposed to be Best Friends.”
✦✦✦