Wan Yuntao and Lu Xuetong’s eyes flickered with a moment of panic, while Wan Shuo’s gaze shifted, instinctively lowering his head.
Wan Jiaojiao, being younger, showed initial confusion on her little face, which was soon replaced by another wave of delight. Clinging to Lu Xuetong happily, she said,
“Really? Is my real mom actually Aunt Xuetong? That’s great! I want Aunt Xuetong to be my mom!”
As she spoke, she deliberately glanced at Nan Zhizhi and A Sui, her eyes filled with intentional provocation.
This wasn’t the first time Lu Xuetong had heard Wan Jiaojiao say such things. In the past, she would secretly feel proud and pleased, but now, her heart sank instinctively.
Nan Zhizhi observed everyone’s reactions and understood everything perfectly.
Originally, she couldn’t believe her husband would betray her, but upon hearing that the other party involved was Lu Xuetong, she inexplicably… believed it.
Although she didn’t know where Sui Sui had heard it, what she said was probably true.
If Jiaojiao was Wan Yuntao and Lu Xuetong’s biological child…
Then all the questions she had harbored over the years seemed to have found their answers.
Lu Xuetong, despite being single, treated Jiaojiao so well.
Wan Yuntao’s company hired her as a spokesperson, and the two often dined alone together…
He said they were just good friends with a professional relationship.
He said she was just too idle, always jumping to conclusions.
But the reality?
They had been together all along.
And even had a child together!
They even made her raise their child as if it were her own!
A ridiculous suspicion even flashed through Nan Zhizhi’s mind, but it was too terrifying to dwell on. Instead, she fixed her eyes tightly on Wan Yuntao.
She asked him, her voice trembling,
“Is what Sui Sui said true?”
Faced with Nan Zhizhi’s accusation, Wan Yuntao suppressed the shock in his heart and replied impatiently,
“She’s just a four-year-old child spouting nonsense, and you believe her? Nan Zhizhi, where is your brain?!”
Hearing him yell at her and then at the mother she had just reunited with today, Xiao Asui couldn’t stand it.
She puffed out her little chest and stood protectively in front of Nan Zhizhi, shielding her just as her mother had shielded her earlier.
“Don’t you dare yell at A Sui’s mama!”
Then she added,
“Everything A Sui said is true! If you don’t believe it, just test it and you’ll know!”
She, Xiao Asui, wasn’t here to join this family.
She was here to break it up!
Xiao Asui’s words reminded everyone present. Xiao Wang, who had been watching the drama unfold, suddenly had an epiphany—
That’s right! Whether it’s true or not, a paternity test would reveal everything!
The little miss is so clever!
Just as he thought this, he heard Xiao Asui say, “We can find out by blood testing.”
Xiao Wang almost stumbled.
His gaze toward the little miss shifted from awe to helplessness and affection.
She’s still just a child, after all.
“Little Miss, those blood tests in TV dramas are all fake. To find out if someone is biologically related, you need to test DNA~”
He gently reminded her, but as soon as the words left his mouth, his heart skipped a beat. Looking up, he saw President Wan glaring at him fiercely, and sweat instantly broke out on his forehead. He quickly covered his mouth, pretending he didn’t exist.
Wan Yuntao was furious at Xiao Wang’s thoughtlessness for bringing this up!
Turning his head, he saw that Nan Zhizhi was clearly considering the idea and was about to say something to dissuade her.
His public image had always been positive, and Xuetong had consistently marketed herself as a single, highly educated female celebrity. This matter couldn’t be exposed—it would ruin both his and Xuetong’s careers.
As she was thinking, she heard Xiao Asui speak up again.
"Drip blood to confirm kinship isn't a scam."
As she spoke, she pulled out a yellow talisman from somewhere with a rustling sound. The talisman was inscribed with extremely intricate runes.
The child, still full of childish innocence, now looked completely serious.
"Drip the blood of two people onto this talisman. If they are related by blood, the blood will seep into the runes and cause the talisman paper to self-ignite. It's very simple."
This was the kinship talisman taught to her by Third Master—guaranteed to work!
A Sui spoke earnestly, but Wan Yuntao couldn't help but scoff, turning to Nan Zhizhi.
"Do you really believe the nonsense of a child and these messy talismans?"
He wanted to dispel Nan Zhizhi's doubts, unaware that her mind was exceptionally clear and calm at this moment.
"Whether it works or not, we'll know by trying."
She said,
"Even if the talisman doesn't work, we can still do a paternity test. Whether it's your child or not, one test will tell."
Her words clearly indicated her determination to get to the bottom of this.
A flicker of irritation flashed in Wan Yuntao's eyes, clearly annoyed by her stubbornness. He was about to say more when Lu Xuetong suddenly spoke from the side, her voice still gentle but firm.
"Yuntao, there's no need to keep hiding things at this point."
As she spoke, she looked directly at Nan Zhizhi. Though her expression remained gentle, her eyes held a trace of barely concealed provocation and arrogance.
"Besides, I can't bear to let Jiaojiao keep calling her 'Mother.' Now is the perfect time."
Wan Yuntao, however, looked disapproving.
"What about your career? If this gets exposed, your image…"
"I don't mind."
Lu Xuetong said, "Even if I lose my career, I still have you and Jiaojiao."
Wan Yuntao's face immediately filled with heartache.
Suddenly, the two of them began pitying each other as if no one else were present.
Nan Zhizhi watched this scene, feeling her eyes sting.
It was both ironic and nauseating…
Just then, Wan Yuntao turned to Nan Zhizhi, his tone cold and reproachful.
"Zhizhi, are you satisfied now that things have come to this?"
Hearing this, Nan Zhizhi almost laughed in anger.
"I'm the one causing trouble?"
He cheated, kept a mistress, raised an illegitimate daughter, and now it's her fault?
Wan Yuntao grew impatient.
"Things didn't have to get this ugly. Xuetong never intended to compete with you for anything. If you had turned a blind eye, this whole matter would have blown over."
As he spoke, he glanced at A Sui. For this daughter who had somehow uncovered the truth and exposed him, his eyes held nothing but displeasure.
"This matter involves Xuetong's and my reputation. I don't want you spreading rumors outside. If you agree, we can still go back to how things were before…"
The last sentence was directed at Nan Zhizhi.
But before he could finish, Nan Zhizhi gritted her teeth and interrupted him without hesitation.
"Things can never go back to how they were! Wan Yuntao, how dare you think I could still be with you after you've done something so disgusting? Since you chose to betray me, I choose divorce!"
Hearing her mention divorce, Wan Yuntao was stunned for a moment before letting out a cold laugh.
"Divorce? If you divorce me, can you support the child on your own? Can you continue living this wealthy lifestyle? Nan Zhizhi, don't say such impulsive things."
Seeing Nan Zhizhi about to retort, Wan Yuntao continued.
"Don't even talk about how the company has your share, or splitting assets equally. If I don't agree, you won't get a single cent from me."
His tone was icy, clearly no longer pretending as he had before.
Nan Zhizhi suddenly understood—he had been guarding against her all along.
He actually intended to make her leave with nothing!
It was as if Nan Zhizhi was seeing this man for the first time, trembling all over with rage at his shamelessness.
After all, she was once the woman he loved. Seeing her like this, Wan Yuntao sighed and softened his tone.
"Of course, if you behave, I won't really abandon you and the child. How about this—I'll give you the apartment in the west of the city. You and the child can move there, and I'll visit when I have time…"
Before he could finish, Nan Zhizhi could no longer hold back. She stepped forward and slapped him hard across the face.
Even after divorcing, he still wanted to treat her like a mistress? What did he take her and Sui Sui for?!
Trembling with anger, her eyes bloodshot, Nan Zhizhi finally spoke, her voice hoarse.
"Wan Yuntao, you disgust me! From today on, we are no longer husband and wife, and Sui Sui has no father like you!"
With that, she took Sui Sui's hand and turned to leave.
Slapped across the face, Wan Yuntao was furious. He turned and roared at her retreating figure.
"Nan Zhizhi, if you dare leave, you'll raise that bastard child on your own from now on! Don't expect a single cent from me!"
Nan Zhizhi didn't look back, not even bothering to glance at him. Only when she passed by Wan Shuo did her steps pause slightly.
This child was one she had adopted from an orphanage. Even though she had decided to divorce Wan Yuntao, she still wanted to ask for his opinion.
"Xiao Shuo, will you come with Mom?"
Wan Shuo had remained silent all this time. Startled by her question, he instinctively avoided her gaze. After a long pause, he mumbled softly,
"Mom, stop making trouble."
Although he was adopted, he still bore the Wan surname.
Compared to a mother who was about to lose everything, staying with his father was clearly the best choice.
He loved his mother, but he didn't want to leave this home.
A flicker of disappointment passed through Nan Zhizhi's eyes, yet it felt almost expected.
She didn't try to persuade him further, simply taking A Sui's hand and walking straight out.
Behind her, the man was still shouting. Little A Sui listened, then suddenly reached out and squeezed her mother's hand, patting her own small chest.
"Mom, don't be afraid. A Sui can earn money and take care of you."
She was very capable.
Nan Zhizhi's heavy, suppressed expression finally broke into a smile upon hearing Sui Sui's childish words.
She bent down, gently pinching A Sui's cheek, and said softly,
"Sui Sui, don't worry. Mom will never let my Sui Sui suffer."
Even if she left the Wan family and Wan Yuntao, she would ensure Sui Sui enjoyed everything she deserved.
Even better.
Having made up her mind, she took a deep breath, pulled out her phone, and dialed a number she hadn't contacted in years.
The phone rang with a steady beep.
Nan Zhizhi's heart pounded wildly until… the call was answered on the other end.
The person on the line didn't speak, but the slightly heavy breathing was clearly audible to her.
Tears she hadn't shed even when slapping the scumbag now fell uncontrollably.
Her voice choked with emotion, Nan Zhizhi whispered tremblingly into the phone,
"Brother…"