"Wan Yuntao, Sui Sui is my daughter. Even you cannot let her suffer such humiliation! If you continue with this absurd talk, you’ll force me and Sui Sui to move out together!"
Nan Zhizhi’s words were resolute, leaving no room for negotiation in her tone.
Lu Xuetong, standing nearby, however, flickered her eyes thoughtfully the moment she heard these words.
In just an instant, she regained her composure and put on a worried expression, speaking with a smile as if playing the peacemaker.
"Sister Zhizhi, there’s no need to make it sound so serious. We’re all family. Yuntao only spoke without thinking because he was worried about Jiaojiao. Isn’t that right, Yuntao?"
As she spoke, she nudged Wan Yuntao beside her, her posture so intimate that one might mistake them for a married couple.
And indeed, Wan Yuntao softened his expression in response to her words.
"Yes, I shouldn’t have said that earlier."
As they spoke, their eyes met briefly, and Wan Yuntao seemed to receive her signal. He continued in a soothing tone,
"Zhizhi, I shouldn’t have suggested sending Sui Sui away without understanding the situation. She is our child. I was just too anxious."
Seeing Nan Zhizhi’s expression soften slightly at his words, Wan Yuntao continued,
"But look, on Sui Sui’s very first day home, Jiaojiao has already fallen twice. There must be some incompatibility between the two children. How about this?
I’ve heard that twin sisters complement each other’s energies. Since Sui Sui needs an identity now that she’s home, let’s tell everyone they’re twin sisters from now on. That way, neither child will feel slighted."
Nan Zhizhi furrowed her brows slightly.
If Wan Yuntao had made this request earlier, she would have opposed it without a second thought.
She could accept continuing to raise Jiaojiao as before, but she would never allow anyone to encroach upon Sui Sui’s unique identity.
Yet, after everything that had just happened, coupled with Wan Yuntao’s clearly conciliatory tone, Nan Zhizhi didn’t want Sui Sui to be disliked by her father the moment she returned home.
Though her expression remained stern, she ultimately relented in her heart.
"Alright…"
Nan Zhizhi’s obvious concession brought a gleam of satisfaction to the eyes of the two across from her.
If Nan Zhizhi had remembered the "broken windows theory" at that moment, she would have realized—
Whether it was Wan Yuntao’s earlier suggestion to have Xiao Asui leave temporarily or Lu Xuetong’s persuasion, it was all to make her agree to publicly declare the two children as twins.
This way, Wan Jiaojiao would remain the legitimate young lady of the Wan family.
She would still have a rightful identity.
After all…
She was Wan Yuntao’s biological child.
As the two listened to Nan Zhizhi’s concession, a flicker of satisfaction appeared in their eyes. But just then, Xiao Asui’s soft, childish voice chimed in, interrupting Nan Zhizhi’s words.
"A Sui is not her twin."
Xiao Asui never dealt in falsehoods.
As she spoke, her expression was earnest, as if stating a fact.
Her words caused Wan Yuntao’s previously softened expression to darken once more, while Lu Xuetong’s arms tightened slightly around Jiaojiao.
At the same time, Wan Shuo, who had just barely calmed down, exploded again upon hearing this. Pointing at Xiao Asui, he shouted loudly,
"What gives you the right to disagree?!"
Although it was Mother who made the decision to adopt him back then, he knew from the moment he arrived in this family that only by pleasing his sister Jiaojiao would Father like him.
Everything he had in this family was because of Jiaojiao.
Now that Father clearly cared more about Jiaojiao, even if this little one was Father and Mother's biological child, he would only recognize Jiaojiao as his sister.
It was her good fortune that Jiaojiao was willing to be twins with her—what right did she have to disagree?!
Wan Yuntao also stared at A Sui with a stern expression,
"You're young, so you should listen to what adults say and not always defy your elders."
A child who talked back like this… how could she be as likable as his Jiaojiao?
Little Xiao Asui faced Wan Yuntao's oppressive, angry gaze but seemed completely unaffected. Tilting her head up, her small, milky voice remained confident and justified,
"A Sui and her are not twins."
Hearing her repeat this, Wan Yuntao grew annoyed and was about to scold her when the little one continued earnestly,
"Although she and A Sui are both Father's daughters, A Sui and her have different mothers. A Sui and her are not twins."
How could two different mothers give birth to twins?
This father is so confused.
Little Xiao Asui sighed inwardly, unaware that the moment she said this, Wan Yuntao and Lu Xuetong's expressions froze abruptly, and… Nan Zhizhi's eyes filled with disbelief.
Nan Zhizhi felt as though she had hallucinated. When she realized what Xiao Asui had said, she couldn't help but lower her head to confirm with the child in her arms,
"Sui Sui, what did you say?"
Her words also snapped the equally frozen Wan Yuntao back to reality. The daze and panic in his eyes were quickly replaced by anger,
"What nonsense are you spouting?!"
Simultaneously with Wan Yuntao's angry questioning, Nan Zhizhi's low, suppressed roar rang out.
"You are not allowed to yell at my child!"
Her voice carried deep anger, but her arms holding Xiao Asui remained gentle.
Although Xiao Asui was only four and a half years old, she had seen her share of big scenes and certainly wouldn't be frightened by a shout from her scumbag father.
Now, she lifted her head, her dark, clear eyes fixed on him, her tone still serious and justified,
"A Sui is not spouting nonsense. Although she is also Father's child, A Sui doesn't like her and doesn't want to be twins with her."
Wan Yuntao, facing her seemingly all-seeing eyes, felt an inexplicable sense of guilt.
She was just a four-and-a-half-year-old child.
Even if it was possible she was talking nonsense, why did it have to be about this…
Everyone present thought A Sui was just a child talking nonsense, except for the driver, Xiao Wang.
Having personally experienced the young miss's unusual nature, Xiao Wang instinctively believed her words.
Miss Jiaojiao must be President Wan's biological child!
Heavens, this is quite the scandal!
He needed to savor this carefully.
Wan Jiaojiao still didn't know what was happening. Now, she only turned her head and declared as a matter of course,
"I am Father's child! I don't want to be twins with you either!"
Lu Xuetong, hearing her speak, feared she might say something more and instinctively covered her mouth, then gently advised,
"Children are just joking. Yuntao, Sister Zhizhi, there's no need to take it seriously…"
If she hadn't spoken, it might have been fine, but as soon as she did, Xiao Asui's gaze immediately turned toward her.
Her clear, black-and-white eyes stared straight at her, and Lu Xuetong felt an inexplicable pang of unease in her heart.
Just as I was about to speak and leave, I heard the child's tender voice ring out again. Pointing at Lu Xuetong, Xiao Asui said something that once again shocked everyone present.
"A Sui isn't joking. She really is Father and this auntie's child~"
It was like a thunderclap out of a clear sky.
In an instant, everyone present, young and old alike, was stunned by Xiao Asui's words.