Chapter 3 — I Don't Need Your Late-Found Affection

A child raised in an orphanage learns early on that the thing they lack most is parents. Weeping a few times in front of them will surely soften their hearts.

The recording continued, and then the voice of Yao Zong appeared.

Father, can we really get eight hundred thousand? My classmate said the top scorer is worth a fortune.

Shi Hai let out a dry, calculating laugh.

First, take the scholarship money, then tell her to cooperate with a live-stream to announce the reunion. She got into Peking University; having her in the family will bring honor to the Qin household. Your tuition fees, your mother's beauty salon expenses, and our home mortgage all depend on her.

Feng Qin lowered her voice.

Do not ever mention what happened all those years ago. If she asks, just tell her she was kidnapped.

Shi Hai added, She was only three years old. What could she possibly remember? She managed to survive that cold night back then, so she clearly has a strong life force.

The recording stopped. The meeting room fell into a deathly silence. Shi Hai’s face shifted from a flushed red to a sickly, pale white. Feng Qin’s hands began to tremble uncontrollably. The cup of bubble tea in Yao Zong’s hand slipped, hitting the floor with a dull thud, the contents spilling everywhere. Director Lu’s pen froze against the paper. The financial officer looked up at them, her eyes reflecting a cold, newfound clarity. I switched off the recording device.

Do you still wish to talk about family bonds?

Shi Hai suddenly lunged to his feet. You recorded us? How do you have this?

You came to the orphanage yesterday, I said. While I was waiting for documents in Director Fang’s office, you were shouting quite loudly. The surveillance cameras in the office record audio.

Feng Qin let out a shrill cry, That old man, Fang Jian Guo, set us up!

I raised my eyes to look at her. He has raised me for seventeen years. You call him an old man?

Feng Qin’s lips quivered. I... I didn’t mean it like that.

I stared deep into her eyes. It would be best if you kept your mouth shut.

Shi Hai slammed his hand against the table. Even if things were difficult back then, that is all in the past! We gave birth to you; you cannot deny that fact!

I stood up. I do not deny it. You gave birth to me, which is exactly why I am standing here today, giving you the chance to speak face-to-face.

I pulled out the orphanage admission file and spread the pages across the table. At ten-forty on the night of May 23rd, I was placed at the orphanage gate. High fever, pneumonia, malnutrition. Wrapped in the blanket was a slip of paper with three characters written on it.

I pushed a copy of the slip toward them. The name read Qin Pan Nan. The handwriting was jagged and careless, as if written in a hurried, indifferent haste. I looked at Shi Hai. Was this your doing?

Shi Hai’s eyes darted away. I looked to Feng Qin. Or was it yours?

Her face turned ashen. I continued, When you discarded me, you named me Pan Nan. Twenty years later, after I became the top scorer in the province, you suddenly decided to call me Wan Wan. Shi Hai, Feng Qin, your family changes its tune remarkably fast.

Yao Zong muttered, Father, Mother, how does she know all of this?

I smiled faintly. Because for all these years, someone has been keeping the evidence for me. You did not look for me, but the orphanage has always been looking for you. When I was a child and my pneumonia relapsed, Director Fang tried to contact my relatives for surgery consent. The police station actually investigated the origin of the blanket and tracked it back to your house.

Shi Hai’s expression shifted violently. Liar!

Whether it is a lie or not, it is all recorded in the police files. I picked up my phone. I have already contacted Officer Zhang, who was in charge of the case back then. He is retired now, but the records remain.

Feng Qin’s body went limp in her chair, but Shi Hai remained stubborn. So what? Biological parents are always biological parents.

I nodded. Indeed. That is why I want to be clear.

I walked up to him, my voice steady and low. Any debt of birth was paid in full on that frozen night at the orphanage gate. From this day forward, do not call me your daughter. You are not worthy.

Shi Hai raised his hand to strike me. I did not flinch, but the meeting room door was kicked open with a thunderous crash. Director Fang stood in the doorway, his hair silver, clutching a tattered folder to his chest. He was gasping for air, his voice raspy as he commanded, You try touching her, and see what happens.

Shi Hai’s hand froze in mid-air. The cameras of the reporters waiting outside were hoisted into view. I looked at Shi Hai and spoke every word with absolute precision: You will not get a single cent of that eight hundred thousand. My name is Lin Wan Zhi. My home is the Yu Xin Orphanage. If anyone dares to pose as my family to sign for me again, I will have them taken to the police station.

With that, I dialed the police number right in front of everyone. Hello, I would like to report a crime. There are individuals suspected of forging documents and impersonating relatives to claim a scholarship reward of eight hundred thousand. Yes, they are currently inside the meeting room at the Department of Education.

The police arrived swiftly. The moment they stepped inside, Shi Hai’s demeanor crumbled. Officer, this is a family matter! My daughter is just upset with us; why call the police?

Feng Qin began to wail, her shoulders shaking violently as she wept.