Chapter 108

This wasn't Wang Haining's first time at the Chi residence.

The last time was three years ago.

No, it was four years ago.

Four years ago, Chi Chao had brought her home, claiming her mother had left something for her before she died and that she needed to come to the Chi residence to retrieve it.

Back then, she still held Chi Chao in high regard, believing his words without question. So she came.

But instead of receiving what her mother supposedly left behind, she learned the truth about her own origins.

It was absurd.

Her mother had gone to such lengths to hide it during her lifetime, only telling her that her existence was an accident, one she couldn't bear to abort, so she kept her.

But she strictly forbade Wang Haining from ever asking about her biological father.

By then, Wang Haining was old enough to read between the lines of her mother's words, to speculate about what kind of man her father might have been.

Either married or already dead.

That was why she wasn't allowed to ask.

She'd imagined countless possibilities, but never once did she think her father would turn out to be Uncle Chi.

Four years had passed, and she could no longer recall her exact reaction at the time. All she remembered was feeling that it was absurd, even suspecting Uncle Chi of lying, perhaps fabricating this story out of kindness toward her mother.

But that wasn't the case.

When the paternity test results were laid before her, Wang Haining realized how laughable her admiration had been.

Standing at the Chi residence's entrance, Wang Haining withdrew her gaze, her expression heavy. Kong Xiyan, standing beside her, asked, "What's wrong? Aren't you going in?"

Chi Wanzhao also tilted her head to look over.

"Let's go in," Wang Haining said, then smiled at Kong Xiyan, complex emotions flickering in her eyes. Kong Xiyan met her gaze, took her hand, and said, "Come on, Chi Xuan and the others are already waiting."

Wang Haining hummed in acknowledgment.

Chi Wanzhao's gaze lingered on their clasped hands before she looked away, stepped forward, and pushed open the front door.

In the living room sat Xie Dan and Chi Xuan, with Chi Yifan also present.

Seeing Chi Wanzhao's figure, Xie Dan rose and called out, "Xiaowan, you're back."

Chi Wanzhao lifted her eyes slightly. "Mm."

Behind her followed Wang Haining and Kong Xiyan.

Wang Haining carried some supplements in her other hand. Xie Dan took a couple of steps forward, as if to take them from her, but hesitated, glancing at Wang Haining's expression.

Kong Xiyan pressed her lips together and said, "Mom."

Wang Haining paused, then followed with, "Auntie."

Xie Dan's eyes glistened as she smiled. "Good, good. Come eat, come sit inside."

Kong Xiyan set down what Wang Haining had brought, and Xie Dan led her into the kitchen. Kong Xiyan asked softly, "Mom, what's wrong?"

Xie Dan lowered her head. "This child... does she have any favorite dishes?"

Kong Xiyan smiled. "Haining isn't picky. Anything works."

Xie Dan hummed. "Not picky, huh. Then she's like Xiaowan..."

Her expression shifted as she trailed off. Kong Xiyan pretended not to notice and said to Xie Dan, "Mom, I'll go out and take a look first."

Xie Dan forced a smile. "Go on."

Kong Xiyan returned to the living room, where Chi Yifan was chatting with Wang Haining, while Chi Xuan sat awkwardly to one side, occasionally darting glances at Wang Haining before looking away, fingers twisting, the backs of her hands stark white.

Chi Wanzhao stood by the window on the phone—likely with Zhou Sheng, since Kong Xiyan caught fragments of her saying, "Arrange it first."

"I know."

"Zhou Sheng..."

It was too far to hear clearly. Kong Xiyan didn't go over, instead sitting down next to Chi Xuan. Watching Chi Xuan's conflicted face, she found it amusing. "What's wrong? Want to talk to her?"

Chi Xuan hurriedly denied it. "No, I don't!"

Her voice was a bit loud, drawing faint looks from Chi Yifan and Wang Haining, who were in conversation. Chi Xuan flushed inexplicably, biting her lip and lowering her voice. "Second Sister-in-law, don't talk nonsense."

Kong Xiyan's expression turned serious. "Xiaoxuan, you know I never like to lecture, but I think if you have something to say to her, you should find a chance to say it."

"Haining won't be coming back to Country A after this."

"You two... probably won't see each other again."

Chi Xuan hung her head as she listened, then replied listlessly, "I know, Second Sister-in-law."

Kong Xiyan patted her shoulder and nodded.

There was still some time before lunch. With nothing to do, Kong Xiyan took out her phone and opened Weibo, seeing the top trending topic: Chai Yin returns to the country.

Two other trending topics about Chai Yin appeared below it.

— Chai Yin suspected to be moving past heartbreak, developing career domestically.

— Chai Yin airport photos.

Kong Xiyan clicked on the airport photos and saw a woman in dark clothing. Her face was mostly hidden behind sunglasses, long hair cascading over her shoulders, exuding an aura of authority with every step. From a single photo, she knew this was the woman who had been talking with Chi Wanzhao earlier.

Actually, she had recognized Chai Yin yesterday.

After all, the entertainment circle was small; anyone with any real fame had some overlap.

But she had never crossed paths with Chai Yin before.

Three years ago, when Kong Xiyan was sweeping awards and rising into the ranks of the Four Little Flowers, Chai Yin had only been a mediocre starlet, usually playing second female leads. Kong Xiyan remembered her because of an online rumor claiming the two of them bore a resemblance.

Though she never saw the similarity, fans love to compare, so occasionally her name would be linked with Chai Yin's—but rarely, because their career paths differed, and the comparisons dwindled over time.

Kong Xiyan naturally never paid it much mind.

But times had changed.

Today's Chai Yin was like the old her, standing at an unattainable height. Three years had transformed her into someone entirely different.

Kong Xiyan's gaze fell on the photos, scrolling down to see numerous netizen comments.

— Am I seeing this right? The goddess is back?

— Holy shit! Heard she was coming back, didn't believe it. Yin Yin, I wanna have your babies!

— Chai Yin back? Really? I don't believe it.

— The person above can not believe it all they want, the goddess has already returned. The photos are out!

— Did you all hear? Word is Chai Yin came back to take the role in Director Lin's "Dawn."

— Bullshit. The one in "Dawn" is Kong Xiyan, clearly. The official account already posted. Ridiculous. Like Chai Yin all you want, but don't drag that into this, brainless fans.

— Who's brainless?? Go check the official cast list yourself! "Dawn's" special guest actor. Idiot. We're Chai Yin's brainless fans, so you're Kong Xiyan's brainless fan?

— Hah, suddenly I remember people used to say Yin Yin looked like Kong Xiyan and was riding her fame. What now? Want to compare who's ahead now?

— Compare what? They're not even on the same level now! Also proves the old saying: fortunes turn!

— Hey, that's harsh. Everyone knows Kong Xiyan's old status in the industry. If not for those two bastards Wei Yan and He Wei, would she be trampled underfoot now? Nonsense!

— Tsk, even without the sabotage, she might not have lasted long!

— Yeah, sure, everyone knows how Chai Yin made her comeback, riding on Jingyan's... Let's just say Kong Xiyan's not doing as well as Chai Yin. At least she doesn't sell herself!

Kong Xiyan stopped scrolling at that comment.

She looked at Chi Wanzhao, still on the phone, then lowered her gaze after a moment.

When Chi Wanzhao finished her call and walked over, Xie Dan was calling everyone, saying, "Dinner's ready."

The group rose. Chi Wanzhao intended to go to Kong Xiyan's side but saw her heading straight toward the dining room. Chi Wanzhao watched her straight back and slightly tense profile, her eyes glinting.

In the dining room, Xie Dan seated everyone. Kong Xiyan sat beside Wang Haining, and Xie Dan was clearly attentive to her, though some awkwardness lingered in their conversation. Still, it was much better than Kong Xiyan had anticipated.

Chi Yifan, shrewd as ever, seamlessly kept chatting with Wang Haining to ease tensions.

The only one at the table lost in thought was Chi Xuan, who kept stealing glances at Wang Haining before drooping her head and eating gloomily.

Right after dinner, Chi Wanzhao pulled Kong Xiyan into the living room. Before long, Chi Yifan brought Chi Xuan over too, leaving only Xie Dan and Wang Haining in the dining room. Kong Xiyan started to rise in concern, but Chi Wanzhao caught her hand, gently guiding her back to sit beside her. "It's fine," she said softly.

Kong Xiyan met her bright eyes, hummed, and sat back down.

The only sound in the living room was the television. The four of them sat on the sofa, with Chi Yifan and Chi Wanzhao discussing business, touching on City B. Chi Wanzhao smiled faintly. "All good."

Chi Yifan didn't press further.

About half an hour later, Wang Haining and Xie Dan emerged from the dining room, talking as they walked. Kong Xiyan noticed Wang Haining's eyes were slightly red—she had clearly been crying.

Once they reached the living room, Xie Dan said to Kong Xiyan, "Xiyan, help me talk some sense into this child. She won't listen no matter what, insists on going back to that empty apartment this late."

Knowing Wang Haining's temperament, Kong Xiyan smiled. "Mom, that's just how she is. Very stubborn."

Xie Dan nodded. "Yes, she's a lot like Xiaowan."

No sooner had she spoken than everyone's expressions shifted. Xie Dan seemed not to notice, continuing to Wang Haining, "Then go. If you have time, come by with Xiyan sometime."

Wang Haining pursed her lips, her expression even. "Thank you for the kind offer, Auntie, but I don't think it's best to have such a 'sometime.'"

Xie Dan gave Wang Haining a long, searching look.

After a while, she opened her mouth. "Alright."