Chapter 2 — I Don't Need Your Late-Found Affection

Tan The Hai and Lam Van Tri were suspected of being father and daughter. After cross-referencing through a private family search organization, the similarity index was remarkably high. I lifted my head.

"Suspected?"

Director Lu noticed the documents as well, and the beads of sweat on his forehead grew more pronounced. I flipped to the next page—a copy of a household registration book. My name was written as: Tan Van Van. Date of Birth: March 15th. Registered address: Number 18 Happiness Street. I placed the paper on the table.

"Number 18 Happiness Street was demolished ten years ago. It is a waste transfer station now."

Tan The Hai’s eyelid twitched.

"An old address. We hadn't gotten around to updating it."

"My name is Lam Van Tri, not Tan Van Van."

"You were just a child back then; we hadn't registered your name in the household book yet. At home, we always called you Van Van."

I asked, "What illnesses did I have when I was small?"

Lieu Phuong Cam rushed to answer, "None! You were always in excellent health."

I opened my phone and pulled up my medical admission records from the orphanage. "The day I was admitted, I had a forty-degree fever, acute pneumonia, and severe malnutrition. I weighed only nine kilograms."

Lieu Phuong Cam’s sob caught in her throat. Tan Dieu Tong, standing to the side, took a sip of his milk tea and interjected, "Dad, why not just do a DNA test? Once it’s done, she won't have anything left to say, and the money can be transferred to our account quickly."

Lieu Phuong Cam stomped hard on his foot. Tan Dieu Tong winced in pain. "Mom, what did you stomp on me for?"

Tan The Hai stared intently at me. "If we must do it, we will." He enunciated every word: "I am not afraid of a DNA test."

This time, it was my turn to be silent. The reporters were silent as well. If they were merely scammers, they would not have agreed so readily. There was a chilling certainty in Tan The Hai’s eyes. In that moment, my heart sank. I had always assumed I was dealing with a group of con artists. But sometimes, blood ties can be even more revolting than a scam. I set the documents down.

"Fine. Let’s do it right now."

Tan The Hai smiled, as if he had finally grasped my weak point. "Once the results are in, you will have no choice but to acknowledge us."

I looked up at him. "The results can only prove biological lineage. They cannot prove that you have been searching for me for twenty years."

His smile faded slightly. Lieu Phuong Cam began to weep again. "Van Van, how can you be so cruel to your mother’s heart?"

I looked at her. "Where is your heart?"

She froze. I continued, "Is it buried inside my eight hundred thousand?"

Tan Dieu Tong’s expression shifted. "Don't speak so harshly."

I looked at him. "And you, don't go calling me sister just yet."

The Department of Education cleared a meeting room for us. The moment the door closed, the reporters outside were barred from entering, though their curiosity remained unthwarted; several were pressed against the door, eavesdropping. Director Lu sat in the center, flanked by a financial officer whose face was paler than the paper before him. I sat on one side, while the family of three sat opposite me.

Tan The Hai spoke first. "Lam Van Tri, the DNA test can proceed, but the prize money cannot be delayed. The deposit for Dieu Tong’s study abroad program must be paid this afternoon. If we miss the deadline, he will lose his admission spot."

Tan Dieu Tong immediately chimed in, "Sis, eight hundred thousand isn't much to you anyway. You’re the top student in the entire province; Peking University is already fighting over you. In the future, with scholarships, advertising deals, and tutoring fees, you'll be making money effortlessly."

I asked him, "Why are you so sure I’ll be making money?"

He replied with an air of entitlement, "Isn't that what top scorers do? Film a few interviews, endorse some learning tablets, livestream lectures—the money rolls in fast."

Lieu Phuong Cam hurried to add, "Dieu Tong is just blunt; don't hold it against him. Van Van, your mother has no ill intentions, but in a family, we must prioritize those in need. Your younger brother’s education is a major life event."

"Is my university education not a major life event?"

Tan The Hai frowned. "Your schooling won't cost much. Don't be so fixated on money, daughter; your perspective is far too narrow."

I laughed. "And yet, when you were signing on my behalf this morning, your perspective was remarkably broad."

The financial officer couldn't help it; he bowed his head and coughed. Tan The Hai’s face darkened. "Lam Van Tri, let me tell you this: once the DNA test confirms you are a member of the Tan family, we are your parents. It is only natural for parents to manage their children's finances; even the law respects family ties."

I stared at him. "Are you quite sure you want to talk to me about the law?"

Tan The Hai scoffed. "What would a girl who just finished her final exams know about such things?"

I reached into my pocket and took out a different phone—the old device Director Phuong had given me. Last night, when he handed it to me, his hands had been trembling. He had said, "Van Tri, there are things I never wanted you to hear, but since they have come looking for you, you must know the truth."

I hit play on the recording. The voice of Lieu Phuong Cam echoed through the meeting room: "Mr. Tan, will she really listen to us? She has become the provincial top scorer; what if she refuses to acknowledge us?"

Then, Tan The Hai’s voice followed.