Chapter 275

The next day was the day I had arranged with Lin Hai.

Before heading to the hospital, I called him. The voice on the other end was rather somber.

"What is it?"

His tone was cold, which showed that Lin Yang's death was devastating to him. Although I found his attitude repulsive, I understood his feelings, considering Lin Yang was the son he had carefully nurtured.

"Weren't we supposed to go to the hospital for the DNA test?" I replied calmly.

"Oh, I've been too busy. I forgot about it."

"Do it today if you have time, or another day if you don't."

"I'm at the hospital now."

I originally wanted to express some concern, but his attitude made it difficult to say anything. So I just confirmed, "Are we doing it today or not?"

"Come over. Call me when you get here."

I hung up without answering "yes" or "no." Actually, doing the DNA test was just to clarify the truth. It wouldn't change much between Lin Hai and me. Some people are born with affection, like him and Lin Yang. But between us, his previous indifference made it difficult to rebuild and nurture any feelings. I was now very firm in this belief.

...

When I arrived at the hospital, I saw Lin Hai as soon as I stepped onto the stairs. Clearly, he had been waiting there for a while. I walked over and stood beside him without saying anything, just looking him over. His double chin wasn't as pronounced as before. I was about to speak when he asked, "Is that a new car?"

"My mom bought it for me," I replied with satisfaction.

"Let's go in."

Lin Hai's calm reply surprised me. Perhaps going through a life-or-death situation had taken away his previous fighting spirit. In comparison, I preferred him the way he was now.

Walking inside, I realized Lin Hai wasn't waiting for me. I saw his wife sitting on a chair, a look of rejection on her face as usual. She looked up and asked Lin Hai, "Why is he here?"

"Don't worry, he's not here to see you."

I answered preemptively. I wanted to say something cutting, but she was wearing a hospital gown, so I stopped myself.

"I'll take her to her room first. Wait here for a bit." Lin Hai immediately interrupted our confrontation.

I didn't know what illness his wife had. She looked like she was having trouble walking. Lin Hai supported her, but even so, she didn't change her attitude toward me.

Lin Hai came back down quickly, in about ten minutes. He walked up to me expressionlessly, with a sort of dismissive air. I suddenly had second thoughts. What could change, even if we were father and son?

As I remained silent, he looked me over for a while before asking, "How are things going with Shi Yu?"

I took my hands out of my pockets, shrugged intentionally, and replied, "Pretty good."

He didn't continue to ask, and I didn't understand why Lin Hai asked that question. Was he happy for me, or did he feel resentful? I couldn't tell, and I didn't want to guess!

...

The DNA testing process wasn't complicated. They just took a blood sample and waited for the results. When I left the hospital, Lin Hai stood at the door watching me leave. As I approached my car, he followed me. I thought he had something important to say, but he just said calmly, "I'll get the report when it's ready and call you."

I thought about it and replied, "I'll get it myself."

"Don't you trust me?"

"I only trust my own eyes."

"You think I'd fake it?"

"Whether you fake it or not doesn't matter. I just want to know who's son I actually am."

"People who are too stubborn aren't likable, especially in the eyes of their parents."

"You're speaking from the heart, aren't you? It's because I'm stubborn that I've survived this far. I don't want to become another Lin Yang."

Lin Hai didn't say anything this time. Then I asked him very seriously, "Do you think your parenting was successful?"

"Are you saying Lin Yang's death was because of my parenting?"

"Didn't you bring him into this circle? Do you think he was suited to dealing with people like you?"

"Don't interfere in our family's affairs." Lin Hai began to get angry again.

"Who cares to!"

I quickly opened the car door and drove off. Lin Hai and I could never agree. Even though we hadn't been in contact much before, through today, it was clear that we had very different personalities. Saying more would only make us both uncomfortable.

As I approached the restaurant, Xiao Wu sent a WeChat video call. I had been wearing a stern face during my conversation with Lin Hai, but I smiled when I saw Xiao Wu in the video, because he was wearing a soldier's uniform. It was like he had traveled through time. I asked curiously, "Are you taking wedding photos?"

"Have you ever seen wedding photos like this?"

"No."

"I'm filming in Hengdian."

"With your looks, you want to be an actor?" I teased him sarcastically.

"There are people uglier than me here."

"Do you have any lines?"

"Not really. I just got dressed up. I'm going to die as soon as I get on set."

I smiled and asked him, "Aren't you planning to come back? Or do you want to be a long-term extra?"

"If my conditions weren't so bad, I really wouldn't want to come back. It's close to home. Where are you driving to?"

"I just did a paternity test with Lin Hai."

"Is he your biological father?"

"I just did it. It won't be that fast."

With some commotion on the other end, Xiao Wu hurriedly ended the call. If I had to guess, he was about to go on set. I put my phone in my pocket and drove toward the restaurant.

It was almost noon when I arrived. I went straight into the kitchen. My mom wasn't there. The head chef saw me and pointed upstairs, saying, "She's upstairs."

I turned around and went up to the third floor. The office door wasn't closed. I saw her looking down at something. I stood by the door and knocked. She quickly looked up and asked in surprise, "Didn't you say you had something to do today and weren't coming?"

"I took care of it."

"What was it? You should start studying hard tomorrow."

"Yeah, starting today."

"How's your father?"

"Whether he's my father or not, we'll have to wait a few days to find out."

"You did a paternity test today?" My mom realized.

"Whether he's my father or not doesn't matter much. The reason I did it is to test your behavior."

"You're welcome to test me. I don't need to feel guilty if I haven't done anything wrong."

"Your mistress is hospitalized," I said deliberately in a calm tone.

"What mistress?" My mom asked, puzzled.

"Lin Hai's wife."

"Don't mention people who are unrelated to me."

"How are they unrelated? She's the one who caused me to not have a complete family."

"The problem is still with your father. It takes two to tango."

"Being open-minded is a good thing, but being too open-minded makes people suspicious."

"Don't talk nonsense with me. You should focus on your work and go help downstairs."