"Thank you... Auntie." Zheng Yi Ran didn't know how to address the person in front of her.
She was almost certain this was her biological mother, but after so many years apart, she couldn't bring herself to use that title. She chose a more conservative address.
"It was just a small thing, no need to thank me!" Mother Lin watched Zheng Yi Ran with affection.
Only now did she truly confirm that she had found her daughter again.
Last night, she had felt a sense of unreality, unable to believe she had found the daughter she had lost over ten years ago.
Now, seeing her sitting before her, eating the food she had prepared, her heart finally felt at peace.
Thank heavens, she had found her daughter.
Soon, Zheng Yi Ran agreed to a paternity test, and during this time, Father and Mother Lin intentionally kept Lu Yi and Zheng Yi Ran from meeting.
Perhaps because Lin Yan's surgery was already done, his attitude towards Zheng Yi Ran was no longer as solicitous as before.
Therefore, he hadn't discovered that the Lin family had already met with Zheng Yi Ran.
Lu Yi dropped Zheng Yi Ran back at school and then left again, using work as an excuse. kanδん
Zheng Yi Ran, having reconnected with the Lin family, lacked the emotional energy to cultivate the relationship with Lu Yi, which hadn't even properly begun.
After being discharged from the hospital, Lin Yan chose to redeem another bottle of Beginner Gene Evolution Fluid. This time, its use would likely prevent the recurrence of leukemia completely.
When the paternity test results came back, as expected, Zheng Yi Ran was the lost girl.
Upon receiving the results, Father and Mother Lin discussed visiting Zheng Yi Ran's adoptive parents and formally acknowledging Zheng Yi Ran.
"Mom and Dad, I think we should ask Yi Ran's opinion first. After all, the Zheng family has been very good to her. If we force her to come back, she probably won't be happy either."
They no longer called her Qian Qian but Yi Ran. After all, she had used this name for over ten years.
"We're not necessarily asking her to come back. As long as she acknowledges us and is willing to spend time with us, that's enough."
Mother Lin now understood that she couldn't force her daughter. Moreover, the Zheng family had raised her for over a decade; putting herself in their shoes, they would surely be reluctant to give her up.
"Yi Ran's feelings are most important; we can't let her be torn between birth and upbringing," Father Lin also said.
The three quickly reached an agreement and contacted Zheng Yi Ran, informing her of their intention to visit her adoptive parents.
At the same time, she reassured Zheng Yi Ran, relaying her family's thoughts.
Father and Mother Lin were very proactive and soon arrived with gifts.
Lin Yan and Zheng Yi Ran also took leave from school to accompany them.
When Father and Mother Zheng saw Lin Yan and Zheng Yi Ran arriving together, their suspicions vanished.
Standing side by side, no one would doubt their relationship.
Father and Mother Lin adopted a very humble stance. They were grateful for the care Father and Mother Zheng had given Zheng Yi Ran. While they wanted their daughter back, they did not want the Zheng family to lose their daughter.
"From now on, our two families will be like relatives, visiting each other. Yi Ran is also going to college, and both sides will be her home from now on."
Mother Lin held Mother Zheng's hand. "We are truly grateful to you; you've raised Yi Ran so wonderfully!"
"No, no. It's your good genes; look at these two sisters, how likable they are!" Mother Zheng gazed at the sisters with loving eyes.
"From now on, we'll be relatives. I'll have Yan Yan recognize you as her godmother, and then you'll have two daughters!"
Mother Lin, sensing Mother Zheng's genuine affection for daughters, made the suggestion.
"That sounds wonderful!" Mother Zheng exclaimed in delight.
While the two mothers chatted amiably, the two fathers also had a good conversation.
They discussed economic policies and the national situation. Both found that their ideas and viewpoints were very similar, leading to an enjoyable chat.
This meeting put both families at ease.
The Zheng family did not prevent Zheng Yi Ran from acknowledging her roots, and the Lin family did not immediately take their daughter away.
Especially since Mother Lin had Lin Yan recognize Mother Zheng as her godmother, it meant that the Zheng family not only hadn't lost a daughter but had gained another.
After returning from the Zheng family's home, Father and Mother Lin prepared to host a banquet to inform their relatives and friends that their younger daughter had been found.
Lin Yan did not dissuade her parents' idea and returned to school to continue her studies, as she had already fallen behind significantly due to her surgery and Zheng Yi Ran's situation.
Zheng Yi Ran did not refuse the banquet either, as she understood their desire to share the news with everyone.
When Lu Yi returned home from his business trip, he saw his parents looking through an invitation.
"Mom, Dad, whose invitation is this?" Lu Yi put down his suitcase as the housekeeper took it to his room.
He poured himself a glass of water and sat down on the sofa.
"It's from your Uncle Lin's family." Father Lu seemed very pleased.
"Uncle Lin?" Lu Yi's heart skipped a beat. "Is there any good news from Uncle Lin's family?"
"Your Uncle Lin has found his younger daughter, so they're holding a banquet to celebrate and introduce his daughter to us." Mother Lu was also in a very good mood.
They had been neighbors with the Lin family for many years and had always known they were searching for their younger daughter.
"Found her? Are you sure?" Lu Yi asked in surprise.
He had been vigilant against Father and Mother Lin seeing Zheng Yi Ran, certain they had no opportunity to meet. How could they have encountered each other?
"How could it be wrong? When that child stood with Yan Yan, you could tell at a glance they were sisters!"
Mother Lu dispelled all of Lu Yi's hopes. It seemed they had indeed found Zheng Yi Ran. He wondered, however, if they had realized what he had done.
No, he couldn't let Lin Yan resent him. If Yan Yan knew what he had done, she would surely blame him.
"Ah Yi, what's wrong? Your face looks a little pale. Are you feeling unwell?" Mother Lu asked with concern.
Father Lu also looked over worriedly. Lu Yi dared not tell them the truth, so he said:
"It's nothing, I just feel a bit tired. Mom, Dad, I'm going to go up and rest for a while." With that, he headed towards the bedroom upstairs.
Lu Yi wanted to call Lin Yan to ask, but he was afraid his call might backfire.
He tried to convince himself that he hadn't done anything significant, only pursued Zheng Yi Ran.
If he didn't admit to deception, perhaps no one could convict him.
At most, he hadn't informed Father and Mother Lin of Zheng Yi Ran's existence, but that could be explained.
However, if he truly admitted to pursuing Zheng Yi Ran, then he and Lin Yan would be completely impossible.
Yan Yan would never accept someone who had pursued her sister. But if he didn't admit it, it meant he had deceived Zheng Yi Ran, which would also disappoint Lin Yan.
Like a trapped beast, Lu Yi paced back and forth in his bedroom, trying to find a good excuse to cover up the situation, but he found it truly difficult!