Chapter 137: Who are her parents?

Chapter 137: Chapter 137: Who are her parents?

At first, Fu Chao was moved to his very core—

His own mother, who was always busy as a bee, had specially come all the way to Nan Family’s Small Restaurant. Not only had she eaten dinner, but she had even waited several hours for him until closing time!

So he had it all planned out. He was going to be a good, filial son and fulfill his duties!

So...

When was his mom going to spare him a single glance?!

Why was it that from the moment she entered Nan Family’s Small Restaurant until now, she had been chatting with Nan Zhi, chatting with Nan Yi, and treating him like a complete stranger?

"CRUNCH CRUNCH, Little Uncle, CRUNCH CRUNCH, are you unhappy? CRUNCH CRUNCH."

Bored out of his mind, Fu Chao turned his head and saw Qing Xi munching away on a big apple, looking at him curiously.

Fu Chao’s heart warmed.

"Xiao Xi, are you here to see if Little Uncle is okay?"

’Cubs really are the best!’

However, Qing Xi shook his head honestly.

He swallowed the apple in his mouth and held out the ugly, cratered apple in his hand.

"I came to ask if you want some apple."

The apple wasn’t just ugly; it was also covered in Qing Xi’s slobber.

Fu Chao: ...

’Oh, thank you so much!’

"N-No, thank you."

"Oh."

Qing Xi went back to munching on his apple and skipped off to play.

He paid no mind to his heartbroken Little Uncle.

Just then, Qing Qing glanced at her watch.

Then she stood up, indicating she had to leave.

Fu Chao got up to follow.

"I’ll walk you out, Mom."

Qing Qing saw him and looked surprised.

"Oh, Xiao Chao, you’re still here."

Fu Chao: ’Now that’s just too much!’

He said, his face devoid of expression,

"That’s right. Your son has been sitting here watching you chat for almost half an hour."

He never knew his own mother was such a cheerful and talkative person!

His entire perception of her had been shattered and rebuilt!

Unfortunately, Qing Qing didn’t quite understand his resentment.

Instead, she asked with genuine confusion,

"What are you doing sitting here?"

"...Alright, Mom, I’ll walk you out. It’s getting late."

Fu Chao said it all in one breath and led the way out.

He was afraid that if he stayed any longer, he’d die of a heart attack from pure frustration.

Qing Qing sensed that something was off with her son’s mood.

She quietly asked Nan Zhi,

"Is he upset?"

"The kid’s just jealous."

Nan Zhi had seen it all clearly and was trying to hold back her laughter.

She probably never expected to see such a childish and amusing side of Fu Chao.

Qing Qing was even more surprised.

"Jealous?"

In truth, Qing Qing and Fu Yunfeng had never neglected their son just because their daughter went missing.

On the contrary, they valued and respected him all the more. Even when Fu Chao, on a whim during his senior year of high school, said he wanted to test into a film academy to become an actor, they agreed after seriously considering his wishes.

To some, it might have seemed like they were spoiling their son rotten, even indulging his every whim.

Otherwise, why would they let him ignore the huge family business to become some actor?

But Qing Qing and Fu Yunfeng just wanted their son to be happy.

Fortunately, the two of them didn’t raise a spoiled second-generation heir.

On the contrary, Fu Chao had been broad-minded, cheerful, and naturally optimistic since he was young. There was no one around him who didn’t like him.

He was also exceptionally considerate of his parents, knowing how to look after their emotional needs from a very young age.

So, Qing Qing had never imagined—

That Fu Chao could actually get jealous and angry, that he had such a childish side to him.

Nan Zhi advised,

"Go on and coax him a little."

Qing Qing’s expression was a bit helpless, but it was more of a smile.

"Then we’ll see each other next time," she said to Nan Zhi without a second thought.

Nan Zhi paused, taken aback.

Then she smiled as well.

"Okay, see you next time."

She watched Qing Qing leave.

Beside her, Nan Yi suddenly spoke up.

"Mommy, you really like that grandma."

"I just feel... it’s very pleasant to be around her. Don’t you feel the same, Yiyi?"

Nan Yi, who was always wary around strangers, had been very relaxed in front of Qing Qing.

Nan Zhi deliberately winked at Nan Yi.

Nan Yi pouted.

"Alright, me too."

He was an honest Yiyi, not a say-one-thing-and-mean-another Yiyi.

Nan Zhi, finding her little cub utterly adorable, laughed and ruffled the top of his head.

Nan Yi was delighted. He hopped in front of Nan Zhi and buried his head in her embrace, nuzzling against her.

Both mother and son felt that they had a wonderful evening.

As for Qing Qing.

As she hurried out of the restaurant, her thoughts were still on Nan Zhi and Nan Yi.

It was a feeling of reluctance to part, and a sense of loss.

It wasn’t until she nearly bumped into Fu Chao, who had stopped to wait for her a while ago, that Qing Qing snapped out of her daze.

"Xiao... Xiao Chao."

Fu Chao thought her gaze seemed a little off, as if she were lost in thought and not focusing on anything.

But he didn’t think much of it, just let out a soft huff before turning his face away.

"Get in the car, Mom. Go home and get some rest."

Qing Qing’s car and driver were waiting by the roadside.

But Qing Qing wasn’t in a hurry. Her attention was on her son.

"Were you unhappy about being ignored earlier?"

Fu Chao, having his thoughts exposed, was a little embarrassed but also a little pleased.

"Wh-What? Of course not! I’m not a three-year-old! I’m not that childish..."

’So my dear mother did notice my mood after all!’

Qing Qing patted the arm of Fu Chao, who was much taller than her.

"I’m sorry."

Fu Chao immediately brightened up, all the gloominess swept away.

"It’s nothing! But I really didn’t expect you and Nan Zhi to have so much to talk about, Mom!"

"I guess we just clicked."

Qing Qing’s thoughts drifted, and she zoned out for a moment.

Fu Chao didn’t notice and helped open the car door for her.

When he turned back, he saw Qing Qing standing still.

"Mom, aren’t you leaving?"

Qing Qing ignored the question and, as if possessed, asked,

"Do you know... who Nan Zhi’s parents are?"

"What?"

Fu Chao didn’t get it at first.

He asked, completely bewildered,

"Why are you asking that? Is it because you like Nan Zhi so much you want to get in touch with her parents? Mom, don’t get the wrong idea. Nan Zhi and I are good friends, good partners, we’re not..."

"I’m not overthinking things. I just want to know if Nan Zhi is an orphan, or if she was adopted."

Since she had already asked, no matter how bizarre the idea was, Qing Qing wanted to get a clear answer.

Fu Chao grew more and more confused, his mind a muddled mess.

"Wait, wait, Mom, you don’t think..."

That Nan Zhi was his sister, Qing Zhi?

How could that be possible!

How could there be such a coincidence in the world!

"You’re overthinking it, Mom. This... this is just too..."

"So, how old is she this year?"

Qing Qing’s stubborn streak appeared, and she was determined to get a clear answer.

Fu Chao paused, then answered subconsciously,

"26 or 27, I think."

"The age is about right!"

Qing Qing’s eyes suddenly lit up!

Her hands began to tremble uncontrollably from the excitement.

She even wanted to turn right around, rush back into the restaurant, and ask Nan Zhi directly!

"Mom, calm down! During the pre-show interview, I heard Nan Zhi mention her parents. She’s not an orphan! And she wasn’t adopted!"

It was as if a basin of cold water had been poured over Qing Qing, chilling her to the bone.

"Is that so?"

she murmured softly,

her voice filled with immense disappointment.

Fu Chao couldn’t bear to see her like this and wanted to say a few words of comfort.

But Qing Qing just waved her hand wearily.

"Just focus on your work. I... I’m leaving now."