Chapter 5 — Real Child in a Fake Family

“What do you think?”【I think dad is quite cruel.】“Yes.”【But also quite handsome.】 He finally smiled. Really laugh. Not a fake social smile in the marketplace, but a smile that comes from within, carrying a bit of pride. "You are my biological son." He said. This sentence—for some reason—warmed my heart. Even though I am a soul over thirty years old, even though he and I don't really have a father-son relationship. But I can feel the weight in that statement. What he meant was not just “your DNA is yours.” It's— In this house that's all fake. Only children are real. I looked at him. He looked at me. Silence for a moment. Then he stood up, patted my small blanket. "You don't have to worry about what happens next." He walked to the door, turned his head to look at me. "But if you think of something again—" He laughed. "Don't sing anymore, just think straight." The door closed. I was stunned for a long time. Then he scolded in his heart: 【So the three hundred children's songs you sang this month were all in vain???】 A soft laugh came from far away. He hasn't gone far yet. Me: ………… Forget it. From today, I officially accept my status as an "intelligence machine". No more pretending. Anyway, I can't hide it. Then do a good job in this role of eyes and ears. My father wants to liquidate the family business. I help you. Even though I can't do anything. But at least— I can provide information. Accurate, detailed information, no idea where it comes from. As for why this information appears in a child's mind— I don't know. Perhaps he also did not want to investigate deeply. A chemistry formed between us. Don't ask about the origin. Just look at the results. Maybe this is— Your father. 【Chapter 7】 The storm came faster than I expected. Right on the fifth day after Tran Quoc Luong arrived home. Dinner time. It's rare for the Co family to be present in full force—To Uyen Ninh, Co Thua Vien, Co Thua Trach, Co Thua Hien, and me. I was carried by the nanny to sit in a separate infant dining chair. Even though I didn't eat anything, Co Dien Chau still insisted that I "participate in family meals". He said this is called "fostering a sense of participation". I felt he just wanted me to be at the scene making a recording pen out of human flesh. The atmosphere at the dining table is very normal. To Uyen Ninh was picking up food, Co Thua Trach was playing on the phone and was scolded, Co Thua Hien was competing with his brother for the last piece of ribs. Co Thua Vien ate quietly, occasionally saying a few words to Co Dien Chau about the company. Years of peace, happy family. Then Co Dien Chau put down his chopsticks. He picked up the napkin on the table and leisurely wiped his mouth. "I called all of you home today because there is something that needs to be said." The table was silent. Everyone raised their heads to look at him. To Uyen Ninh's chopsticks stopped mid-air. "Recently, the company is conducting a comprehensive asset audit." Co Dien Chau's voice was calm, as if saying that tomorrow's weather would be very nice, "It's related to some issues about the family trust fund and insurance beneficiaries." "So we need the three of you to coordinate to verify your identity." He looked at the three "sons." "Including—taking DNA samples." The air froze. To Uyen Ninh's chopsticks fell. One sound. Very softly. But the quiet in the dining room was like a thunderclap. “DNA?” Co Thua Vien frowned, "Dad, is it necessary?" "The legal department requires it." Co Dien Chau lifted the teacup and took a sip, "Just follow the process." "What process needs to do DNA?" Co Thua Trach also raised his head, no longer looking at the phone. "Changing the beneficiary of the trust fund requires confirmation of direct blood relationship." Co Dien Chau said, "The new regulations require it." This reason - to be honest, is not too unreasonable. But it's not

completely discreet. Co Thua Vien thought for a while, did not say more: "Okay, when will it be done?" "Tomorrow someone will come to take the sample, it's very simple, just a cotton swab." "Okay." Co Thua Vien was not nervous at all. Because he doesn't know. He was completely unaware that he was not Co Dien Chau's biological son. To Uyen Ninh knows. But she never told him. This is the cruelest thing. She let these three children live in the beautiful dream "my father is the richest man" for sixteen years, nineteen years, twenty-two years. Now the dream is about to break. But the person who broke the dream was not Co Dien Chau. It's you. I looked at To Uyen Ninh. Her face was white and bloodless. Do not pick up fallen chopsticks. Just sitting there, eyes blankly looking at the table. "Uyen Ninh?" Co Dien Chau called her. She suddenly raised her head: "Huh?" "My chopsticks fell." "Ah... ah." She bent down to pick it up, her hands were shaking. The shaking was very obvious. Co Thua Vien noticed: "Mom, are you okay?" "It's okay..." To Uyen Ninh tried to force a smile, "Maybe a little low blood sugar." "How about you go rest early, I'll tell someone to cook you a bowl of red apple porridge." Co Thua Vien stood up. "No need, no need..." "Mom, your face is really bad, go rest." Co Thua Hien also advised.