Chapter 9 — Nine Months Post-Divorce

Wen Lan, I am sorry.

I did not take up his words. I only asked.

How did the original document reach your hands?

Research Assistant Tan fell silent for a moment.

Rui Rui at the testing facility handed it to the receptionist for safekeeping.

She wanted them to reissue a paper certificate.

By the time I got there, the receptionist already sensed something was wrong and refused to accept her money.

I understood completely. Rui Rui wanted to sharpen an old blade and use it to stab me a second time. Phuong Thuc Hoa was still making excuses.

She was simply terrified.

The wedding is right around the corner; she cannot afford to be the laughingstock of the town.

I looked at Phuong Thuc Hoa.

So, in order to spare her from being laughed at, my daughter and I deserved to be trampled into the mud by all of you?

She opened her mouth, unable to utter a single word. Tan turned his gaze toward the nurse.

May I go inside and say a few words?

The nurse frowned.

The new mother needs to rest.

I spoke up.

There is no need to come in.

You can speak from right out there.

Tan looked at me through the door. A layer of glass separated the two of us. It was much like the silence and misunderstandings of the past three years. He spoke.

I will cancel the wedding.

I will thoroughly investigate that house and the sum of money.

I will also cooperate fully with the DNA testing.

I nodded.

These are things you ought to do.

They are not a form of compensation for me.

Tan’s complexion grew slightly pale. I continued.

Furthermore, Tan.

Before the court and the police reach a verdict, do not approach Zhi Yi under the guise of being her father.

Your mother once threatened me.

Your fiancee once falsified documents.

You yourself turned a blind eye to all of this.

I have no obligation to wager my daughter’s safety on your suddenly awakened conscience.

Tan lowered his gaze. After a long moment, he said in a deep voice.

I understand.

At that exact moment, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen, and his expression changed abruptly. Once the call connected, his assistant’s panicked voice spilled from the receiver.

Boss Tan, someone in the guest group chat has sent out files.

It was sent by Rui Rui.

She claims that Ms. Wen personally admitted the child was brought into the Tan family.

By the time Tan hung up, the veins on the back of his hand were bulging. Phuong Thuc Hoa heard those words as well. She froze for a second, then immediately latched onto them like a drowning person clutching a straw.

Look at that.

I told you she herself wanted the child to return to the Tan family.

Wen Lan, are you backing out on your word now because you want more money?

I looked at her, suddenly finding her immensely pathetic. Even at this stage, she still assumed everyone else was just like her, measuring the human heart solely by money. Tan coldly cut her off.

Shut up.

Phuong Thuc Hoa stared at him in disbelief.

You are telling me to shut up?

Tan, are you casting your own mother aside now just because of her?

Tan gave no answer. He simply lowered his head and tapped on his phone screen. Moments later, he turned the screen toward the glass partition. I caught sight of the dense threads of messages within the group chat. Someone was asking whose child this was. Someone else remarked that the Tan family wedding was likely heading for upheaval. Another person shared a screenshot of the so-called declaration. My signature appeared on that screenshot, alongside a sentence that Rui Rui had deliberately circled in red: The mother voluntarily relinquishes sole custody arrangements. I merely glanced at it once, then looked away. No matter how convincing a forgery might appear, it remained a falsehood. Yet public opinion cared nothing for truth or falsehood. It only cared about who threw the first basin of dirty water. Shao Ting’s call had not yet ended. Upon hearing this, he immediately spoke up.

Ms. Wen, do not reply.

I am going to secure the chat group evidence right now.

Mr. Tan, if you wish to prove you still possess basic judgment, immediately clarify in the group that the document is suspected to be forged, and demand that Ms. Rui cease her dissemination.

Tan cast a look at me. I remained silent. He lowered his head and typed on his phone. Seconds later, the assistant called again.

Boss Tan, the message you sent has been screenshotted by Ms. Rui.

She says you are forcing her to take the blame for the sake of your ex-wife.

She also claims the wedding will proceed as usual, otherwise she will continue leaking information.

Tan’s expression turned utterly glacial. Phuong Thuc Hoa grew frantic once more.

The wedding cannot be canceled.

The invitations have already been sent out.

The hotel deposit has already been paid.

Where will the Tan family’s dignity go?

Listening to her, I could only find it absurd. Even at a time like this, her own face and pride remained her highest priority. Tan turned his gaze to her.

The dignity of the Tan family was thrown in the dirt by the two of you long ago.

Phuong Thuc Hoa was struck dumb by those words. I listened no longer to their wrangling. My body grew heavier by the moment, and the surgical incision began to throb with sharp pain. Sensing my distress, the nurse pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Ms. Wen, you must not speak any further.

I am going to examine you now.

She turned and addressed the people standing outside.

Everyone must leave the patient care area.

Otherwise, I will call security immediately.

Tan stood motionless. I closed my eyes.

Leave.

He finally took a step backward.