Mr. Yan, wake up! Your wife isn't a delicate little flower.

"Ding-dong."

The doorbell rang, and Cheng Xihe opened the door.

"It's you?" Cheng Xihe's gaze fell on Helan Jing.

Today, He Lanjing was wearing a beige long dress, her hair was elegantly styled in a bun, and she was carrying a small handbag.

He Lanyu, standing next to her, was carrying several large bags of fruit.

He Lanjing smiled and said, "Yes, I saw that Ayu was coming here today, so I came along to take a look."

"Ayu?"

Cheng Xihe stepped aside to let them in.

He Lanyu, who was standing next to her, greeted her, "It's me."

"Um."

He Lanyu took the fruit into the kitchen, and He Lanjing sat down under Cheng Xihe's guidance.

"Ayu is my younger brother, as you know. My name is Helan Jing." Helan Jing smiled at her.

Cheng Xihe nodded: "Yes, what brings you here today?"

"I came here with Ayu to take a look."

He Lanjing smiled gently and slowly said, "I heard that your younger sister, Qin Shengxia, is a very good cook."

"I've had a poor appetite since I was a child. People see that I have a good figure, but it's actually because I have a bad stomach and can't eat too much."

Cheng Xihe glanced down at Helan Jing's face, then his gaze fell on her wrist.

She is indeed very thin, her complexion is not good, and she has stomach problems.

He Lanjing raised her eyes: "I noticed recently that Ayu is not eating in the cafeteria, so I took the liberty of stopping him and asking him about it."

It turns out his classmate is a really good cook, so I wanted to come along and try it. Is that okay?

With a helpless smile, He Lanjing apologized, "Was I bothering you too much? I'm sorry."

"Of course I won't bother you."

Cheng Xihe knew that He Lanjing wasn't the kind of person who pretended to be a green tea b*tch, but was genuinely gentle, so he didn't mind at all.

He Lanjing smiled and said, "Mmm, thank you for letting me come and freeload a meal."

"It wasn't me."

Cheng Xihe chuckled: "Actually, He Lanyu had already called Xiaxia to tell her about this earlier."

Xiaxia is very enthusiastic and doesn't care about these things.

"I see, I didn't think of that. I apologize for being so abrupt." He Lanjing smiled at her apologetically.

"Knock knock knock".

There was a knock on the door.

Cheng Xihe stopped Helan Jing from getting up, saying, "You just sit here, I'll go open the door."

"Ah, okay."

As soon as the door opened, Nanxi rushed in: "Wuhu! I could smell the aroma of food from outside the door. What delicious food did Xiaxia make today?"

"Look carefully at who I am before you pounce."

Cheng Xihe pulled Nan Xi away.

Nanxi laughed and said, "I only rushed in because I knew it was you, okay? I wouldn't have rushed in if it were Xiaxia."

"Alright."

Outside the door, Mu Xiaoting was also carrying a bag of fruit: "Sister-in-law, I bought a big watermelon, it's super sweet."

"Okay, chilled?"

Cheng Xihe patted the watermelon, his hand covered in icy water: "Do you want me to help you carry it?"

"You don't need to carry these watermelons, I can go in myself."

Mu Xiaoting walked inside and saw He Lanjing: "Hey, hey, hey..."

He Lanjing smiled but did not speak.

Only Mu Xiaoting, carrying a watermelon, stammered, "Y-you, you're Senior He Lan Jing, right?"

"Yeah, I'm just here to freeload a meal today. Sorry to bother you~"

The two nodded to each other, and Mu Xiaoting took the watermelon to the kitchen.

Only then did Nanxi notice that Helan Jing was also sitting in the living room.

She walked over and sat down: "Hello, Senior Helan."

"Hello." He Lan Jing smiled at her. "My name is He Lan Jing, and I'm a junior in college."

Nan Xi nodded: "I know, Senior He Lan is very famous and is the best candidate for school beauty."

"It's all just politeness from everyone. Cheng Xihe is also very beautiful, and her knowledge and courage are both outstanding."

He Lanjing kept praising Cheng Xihe.

Nan Xi raised an eyebrow and glanced at Cheng Xihe.

The latter shrugged, looking completely innocent.

Nanxi glanced at the table and handed a glass of water to Helan Jing: "Senior Jing, have some water."

"Thanks."

Nan Xi pointed at Cheng Xihe: "Look at you, you don't even know how to prepare water for your senior, you're only thinking about yourself?"

"I haven't even drunk any water."

Cheng Xihe kicked Nan Xi: "Go, pour me a glass of water."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Nan Xi stood up and poured Cheng Xihe a glass of water as well: "Drink up."

"Hmm~"

The three of them stopped talking and started watching TV.

Inside the kitchen, Mu Xiaoting and He Lanyu were helping Qin Shengxia.

Soon, a rich aroma wafted out of the kitchen, and even the door couldn't block it.

Nanxi sniffed: "Holy crap, what smells so good? What delicious food did Xiaxia make today?"

"I don't know, I bought chicken and some dried tofu and stuff today..."

Cheng Xihe didn't know what to eat, only what ingredients he bought.

Nanxi suddenly stood up: "No, the smell is making my mouth water, I have to go in and take a look."

After saying that, she strode inside.

Seeing this, Cheng Xihe called out, "Hey, don't be in such a hurry, you'll be able to eat it soon."

"You don't understand!"

Ten minutes later, Nanxi came out with the dishes, looking very satisfied: "There are so many delicious dishes today, I'm so glad I came."

"This spicy chicken smells so good! It's spicy and fragrant, and tastes delicious. I just..."

At this point, Nanxi silently shut up.

Cheng Xihe sighed and rubbed his forehead in exasperation: "Alright, I can see the grease on your lips. You've been sneaking bites quite a bit, haven't you?"

"It smells so good, I can't resist. Luckily, Xiaxia cooked two chickens, so we can have enough to eat now and also have a late-night snack later."

Nanxi put the spicy chicken down, her mouth still watering.

He Lanjing smelled the aroma of chili peppers and couldn't help but take a deep breath: "This dish smells so good."

She stood up and glanced at the plate full of chili peppers, a hint of disappointment in her eyes: "It smells so good, it must be delicious, what a pity..."

Eat what you want.

Cheng Xihe patted Helan Jing's hand: "It's nothing serious. Eat whatever you want. Your digestive system needs more than just chili peppers. Try it."

"Yeah, that's okay too."

Touching her stomach, Helan Jing said helplessly, "I'm just afraid of getting diarrhea. It smells so spicy, it's going to be awful."

"Don't worry, it's alright, I'm here."

Cheng Xi patted her hand reassuringly: "I have enough experience to protect you."

"what?"

Seeing this, Nanxi said, "Xihe knows a little about medicine. Don't worry, she'll take care of your little problem."

"Really?" He Lan Jing's eyes lit up, and when she looked at Cheng Xi He, they seemed to be sparkling.

Cheng Xihe nodded matter-of-factly: "I'm honest and trustworthy, don't worry, I'll help you."

"Then I'm relieved."

Soon, five dishes and a soup were served on the table.

Qin Shengxia came out and glanced at He Lanjing, then greeted her: "Senior Sister Jing."

"Hello, Xiaxia."

Glancing at the table, Qin Shengxia said, "We just need the last bit of soy sauce. I'll go chop some garlic."

"I've finished cutting it." He Lanyu raised her hand behind her, like a well-behaved child.

Qin Shengxia walked over and said, "Thank you, Ayu."

"You're welcome, it's all what I should do." He Lanyu followed Qin Shengxia eagerly.

Soon, He Lanyu came out with six small bowls and placed them down.

Cheng Xihe, seated in the main seat, glanced at Mu Xiaoting and asked, "Xiaoting, where's Huo Ying?"

"Sister Ying has other tasks today and has left school," Mu Xiaoting said with a smile. "She said it's fine for us to eat."

Cheng Xihe nodded: "Alright."

On the table are spicy chicken, poached chicken, garlic pork ribs, stir-fried greens, stir-fried tofu with onions, and stir-fried meat.

They are all very ordinary home-style dishes.

But the aroma is particularly enticing.

Cheng Xihe picked up a piece of spicy chicken and started eating.

Qin Shengxia didn't eat either, but just watched her finish eating.

Her gaze was so intense that Cheng Xihe couldn't pretend not to see it. He looked up at her and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Sister, is it delicious?"

She looked at Cheng Xihe expectantly, like a child waiting for praise, just waiting for her to say something nice.

Cheng Xihe nodded with a smile: "It's delicious, the taste is amazing."

"Of course Xiaxia's cooking is delicious!"

Mu Xiaoting couldn't stop eating: "If it weren't for my brother being unable to eat, I would have liked to get some for him too."

Nanxi, standing to the side, gave a thumbs up and buried herself in her food, exclaiming, "Absolutely amazing! It's so flavorful and goes perfectly with rice!"

"Thank you all for coming."

Qin Shengxia smiled.

He Lanyu picked up a few pieces of spicy chicken for her: "Eat quickly, or it will get cold."

"Um."

As they ate, Helan Jing suddenly probed, glancing at Cheng Xihe's expression, "Xihe, may I call you that?"

"Of course, Senior Jing."

Cheng Xihe raised his chin, then picked up a chicken leg, coated it with minced garlic and soy sauce, and began to eat it heartily.

Boiled chicken tastes great even like this.

Helan Jing waited for her to take a few bites before hesitantly speaking, "Um..."

He Lanjing pursed her lips, hesitating to speak.

It seems they've encountered something they're ashamed to talk about.

Seeing this, Mu Xiaoting said, "Let's talk after we finish eating. This food is so delicious, it'll all be gone if you don't eat it soon."

As she spoke, Mu Xiaoting picked up a chicken wing for herself.

After dipping it in soy sauce, she exclaimed, "It's delicious!"

"This doesn't require much skill. Once it's cooked, cut it up, and you have some soy sauce, you can eat it," Qin Shengxia said with a smile.

Nanxi said from the side, "Why don't we need skills anymore? At least making it look youthful and without bloodshot veins still requires skills."

Otherwise, it won't taste quite right.

"I'll eat a few more pieces of spicy chicken; it tastes better than the kind with peanuts I get outside."

He Lanyu directly used her chopsticks to pick up a few pieces of spicy chicken and put them in her bowl.

"Hey, what are you doing!"

Seeing this, Nanxi protectively said, "Give me less! How dare you! You think you can take my food? No way!"

"There are still many more," Qin Shengxia said helplessly.

Seeing Nan Xi's expression, He Lanyu rolled her eyes and piled several pieces of spicy chicken onto Qin Shengxia's plate: "I'm giving Xiaxia some!"

"You think you're so good at flattering people?" Nan Xi also put a piece of garlic-flavored pork rib on Qin Shengxia's plate. "Don't you think I can't?"

Qin Shengxia quickly covered her bowl, saying, "Thank you, Helan and Nanxi. You don't need to serve me any more; I can do it myself."

"You're welcome." He Lanyu smiled gently at her.

Nanxi glared at him: "Don't even think about using your good looks on Xiaxia! You can't beat me, so you're trying to seduce me?"

"What are you talking about? Do you think everyone is like you?" The two started bickering.

Nan Xi, however, did not back down at all. She tied up her blue hair and glared at He Lanyu while eating.

In short, neither of them was willing to give in.

These people were making a racket, which steered the conversation off-topic.

Seeing this, Helan Jing glanced at Cheng Xihe and lowered her head: "Okay, Xihe, I have something to talk to you about later."

"Just the two of us?"

Cheng Xihe took a bite of the chicken leg and glanced at Helan Jing.

With a slight smile, Helan Jing said, "Yes, I wonder if Xihe would do me the honor."

"Senior Helan, you're being too polite. Of course, we can talk in the study later."

Cheng Xihe looked up and watched them joking around with a smile.

Her gaze fell on Qin Shengxia.

Xiaxia is now cheerful and lively. Because of her cooking skills, she has also made friends, which is great.

Thinking about it, Cheng Xihe smiled.

At least Xiaxia is doing much better now than staying at home.

After dinner, the responsibility of washing the dishes fell to Nanxi.

Nanxi pulled Mu Xiaoting along, saying, "Alright, the two of us can go wash the dishes. Xiaxia is our hero, let's take a rest."

The two cleared away the dishes and went into the kitchen. He Lanyu sat next to Qin Shengxia, and the two watched TV together.

Cheng Xi wiped her mouth and threw the wet wipe into the trash can: "Shall we go?"

Cheng Xihe looked at Helan Jing, and the two went into the study together.

The study door slowly closed, shutting out all the noise from the living room.

Opening the window, the sunset outside was beautiful, and only a little bit of its afterglow could be seen inside the room.

"Snapped!"

Cheng Xihe turned on the light, locked the door, and sat on the mahogany sofa in the study: "Please sit down, Senior Helan."

"Um."

He Lanjing responded, but did not actually sit down. Instead, she walked to the window, turned her back to Cheng Xihe, and gazed at the beautiful scenery outside.

Cheng Xihe glanced sideways and saw that He Lanjing's shoulders were tense.

"Why don't you want to talk about it now?" Cheng Xihe leaned back on the sofa, a lazy smile on her face.

She casually rested her hands on the sofa and started playing with her phone.

He Lanjing tightened her grip on the windowsill, still mentally preparing herself.

I had already thought about what to say before I came.

But when she was actually facing Cheng Xihe, she didn't know what to say.

I'm so nervous, so afraid I'll say the wrong thing.

She was even more afraid that Cheng Xihe would not want to talk to her because of this.

Seeing Helan Jing's hesitation, Cheng Xihe said helplessly, "Senior, what's going on with you?"

"You really wanted to say it during dinner, why are you shy now? Should I let everyone in?" Cheng Xihe's tone was relaxed, with a hint of joking.

"No!"

He Lanjing quickly turned around to stop Cheng Xihe.

Her gaze met Cheng Xihe's teasing expression. She pursed her lips, a hint of hesitation flashing in her eyes.

Seeing her complicated expression, Cheng Xihe asked, puzzled, "Today is a formal meeting with you, senior, so please don't beat around the bush and just get straight to the point."

That's right.

He Lanjing took out a piece of paper that had been folded messily from her small bag.

Her hands gripped the edge of the paper tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force, indicating she was very nervous.

"Ahem!"

Clearing her throat twice as if to bolster her courage, Helan Jing said, "Xihe, what I'm about to say might be beyond your imagination."

But I absolutely did not lie to you!

She lowered her voice, as if she were telling some secret.

"Oh?" Cheng Xihe raised an eyebrow, his smile fading slightly, and sat up straight to look at Helan Jing.

He Lan Jing's expression alone is enough to make one's eyes widen.

She raised her chin: "Go ahead and say it, I'm all ears."

He Lanjing took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind.

"call……"

Exhaling a breath of stale air, Helan Jing picked up the paper and placed it in front of Cheng Xihe: "Take a look at this first."

"OK!"

Cheng Xihe stared at her, then casually picked up the piece of paper.

She hadn't even opened the paper yet, but she vaguely knew something in her heart.

Her face, just as her classmates described.

She bears an eighty percent resemblance to Helan Jing.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they're like sisters.

She doesn't resemble Xiaxia at all.

Could it be...

Her hands trembled slightly as she unfolded the paper.

At the very top of the paper were the words "Kinship Test Report" written in bold black letters.

Just as she had guessed.

Cheng Xihe's gaze quickly moved downwards, sweeping over the complex terminology and charts, and finally settling on the last line of conclusion:

Based on existing data and DNA analysis results, it is supported that Sample 1 He Lanjing and Sample 2 Cheng Xihe are full siblings.

All compatriots.

younger sister.

Cheng Xihe remained silent, and the air seemed to freeze instantly.

Helan Jing stared at her for a long time before slowly saying, "Xihe, is it that you can't accept this?"

If you really can't accept it, that's okay too.

"I guessed it."

Cheng Xihe appeared unusually calm.

It's as if they already knew this outcome.

Upon hearing this, Helan Jing's eyes widened: "You already knew? I thought you wouldn't be able to accept it at all."

"I don't know, I guess."

Cheng Xihe held the paternity test report in his hand.

She had only speculated before; it wasn't confirmed, so she couldn't just make things up.

Now that the authentication report is right in front of us, what else is there to say?

Cheng Xihe fell silent again.

He Lanjing was afraid that she would have a hard time accepting it, so she didn't dare to speak and could only look at her longingly.

The study was completely silent, save for the faint sounds of people walking and talking outside the window.

Boom, boom, boom!

Cheng Xihe heard his own heartbeat.

She had suspected long ago that she wasn't Qin Jian's child.

Especially since Qin Jian didn't send her any living expenses for those two years, she became even more suspicious.

After returning home, she managed to obtain Qin Jian's sample, which confirmed that she was indeed not Qin Jian's child.

At that time, she only thought that her mother had a child with someone else outside, or something else.

Later, she managed to get Xiaxia's hair and compared it with Qin Jian's.

Xiaxia is indeed Qin Jian's child, there is no mistake.

In other words.

She is the only one who is not Qin Jian's child.

There were too many suspicious points about these things, and she didn't know how to tell Xiaxia, so she just pretended nothing had happened.

Now, even his own family members have come knocking on his door.

Cheng Xihe gripped the edge of the report paper, his fingertips icy cold.

Her gaze shifted from the conclusion, then returned to it.

I put the paper down after going back and forth many times.

I never expected to find my family so quickly.

Things are going too smoothly.

Will there be any problems?

Cheng Xihe remained vigilant.

"In that case, what are your plans?" Cheng Xihe asked calmly, suppressing the slight excitement that had been welling up inside her.

He Lanjing thought for a moment and said, "I haven't told our parents about this yet."

"And then?" Cheng Xihe slumped down, his posture casual, but his eyes were fixed on Helan Jing.

After thinking it over, He Lanjing said, "I may need your sample to do another paternity test with your parents."

Once all the reports are ready, we'll ask for your opinion on whether you want to acknowledge your ancestral roots.

"It's fine if you stay out there on your own, it's up to you."

"Oh?" Cheng Xihe rested his chin on his hand with interest. "Are there any other options?"

He Lanjing thought for a moment and said, "For now, it's just a matter of going back or not going back. If you're not used to it, I can bring Mom and Dad out to see you."

"How about this, you come back to me after you've finished all the paternity tests."

Cheng Xihe stood up, giving the impression that he was being asked to leave.

He Lan Jing stood up, flustered: "Xi He, I didn't deny your identity, I'm sorry."

"There's nothing to apologize for. I know you're my sister, and I'm just happy for you."

That's what he said, but Cheng Xihe remained expressionless.

He Lanjing quickly said, "Do you need me to tell you about your family situation? You were lost by accident, not abandoned by your family."

Fearing that Cheng Xihe might mind, He Lanjing offered an explanation.

Cheng Xihe's expression improved slightly: "There's no need for an introduction today; I'll investigate myself."

"You should finish your DNA testing first."

"OK."

He Lanjing smiled and took out two small plastic bags from her bag: "Then I need your hair, preferably with the hair follicle."

"Wait, how did you get my hair?"

Cheng Xihe glanced at He Lanjing and suddenly remembered the fight he had with He Lanyu not long ago.

She said knowingly, "Last time, my fight with He Lanyu was part of your plan, wasn't it?"

"Xihe, you are very smart, just like our mother." Helan Jing smiled helplessly at her.

Cheng Xihe shrugged: "I don't know what my mother is like, but I am just like myself, unlike anyone else."

"That……"

He Lanjing glanced at Cheng Xihe's hair.

Her hair was thick and black, making her the envy of many.

"Alright."

After plucking two strands of hair, Cheng Xihe glanced down at them and said, "Let's go then, I'll see you out."

"Okay, thank you for your help, Xihe."

Cheng Xihe followed He Lanjing downstairs.

He Lanyu glanced at Cheng Xihe, and was about to step forward when He Lanjing stopped her: "Let's go."

"Okay, okay."

He Lanyu glanced at Cheng Xihe, then followed He Lanjing away.

After everyone left, Cheng Xihe's face darkened.

Seeing this, Nanxi pulled the person into the house.

She patted Cheng Xihe on the back: "What's wrong, Xihe? You seem down."

"Yes, sister-in-law, is something bothering you? Tell us, we'll help you. Did my brother do something to upset you?"

Mu Xiaoting looked at Cheng Xihe anxiously.

"Sister, is it because my cooking is bad?" Qin Shengxia looked at Cheng Xihe expectantly.

Cheng Xihe burst out laughing: "No, you don't need to be so nervous."

After sitting down in the living room, Cheng Xihe slowly began to speak, "My relatives have come to visit."

"what?"

That single sentence dropped a bombshell, leaving the other three people present stunned...