Chapter 99

Chapter 99

◎Mom is sorry◎

The moment Jiang Weizhi came into view, Zhao Ying knew he was her child. He was almost an exact replica of her husband when he was young.

At that moment, Zhao Ying could see no one else but the young man standing by the roadside. She suddenly ran towards him frantically, fearing that he would disappear if she blinked.

The secretary following Zhao Ying was surprised to see her boss suddenly running. When she looked again, she instinctively gasped and covered her mouth. The young man didn’t resemble Zhao Ying much, but he looked a lot like Han Zhanwen.

Seeing the person running towards him, Jiang Weizhi instinctively took two steps forward. Before he could walk over, he was tightly embraced, the hug was so tight it was almost painful.

"My child, my child, Mom has found you, Mom has finally found you..."

Zhao Ying was crying uncontrollably, her hands gripping Jiang Weizhi tightly, her eyes never left him. She was certain this was her son, her biological son.

It wasn’t that Jiang Weizhi was completely unmoved, but he had always been reserved with his emotions. Moreover, he hadn’t held much hope for his mother since he grew up and understood things.

Unlike Zhao Ying, who had been longing for her child day and night since discovering that Han Zhanwen was not her biological son. She worried about how he had been living, about his adoptive parents’ family situation, about his health, and whether he would be willing to acknowledge her.

All these emotions burst forth the moment she saw Jiang Weizhi. Besides tightly hugging her child and crying, she was so overwhelmed that she couldn’t even speak clearly.

Jiang Weizhi raised his hand and awkwardly patted her arm: "Don’t be so emotional. I’m here just to confirm. Let’s do a paternity test. There are many people who look alike in the world, and I might not be the one."

Zhao Ying wiped her tears hurriedly, her face full of certainty: "You are. You don’t know how much you resemble your father. Not just in looks, but in demeanor and aura, it’s exactly the same. I’m sorry, my child. I didn’t mean to lose you. I didn’t know. If I had known, I would have found you long ago. I’m sorry, I really didn’t mean to..."

Zhao Ying apologized nervously. For so many years, she had raised the wrong child, giving the love that should have belonged to her son to someone else. She was really afraid that her child would resent or blame her.

She blamed herself too, for never thinking to do a paternity test all these years, and attributing Han Zhanwen’s traits to her not having a detailed prenatal checkup. If she had suspected earlier, could she have found her son sooner?

The secretary approached, noticing many people recording with their phones. The search for her son had gained significant attention online, with many people waiting outside the office building hoping to get the latest news.

When Zhao Ying ran over crying, many had already started filming.

The secretary said: "We should still get a paternity test, at least to give the child peace of mind. Let’s go to the hospital now."

Zhao Ying nodded, still clutching Jiang Weizhi tightly: "Let’s go do a paternity test now, okay?"

Jiang Weizhi nodded in agreement. This was the reason he had come, so he obediently followed them into the car, texting Fang Xun on the way. He couldn’t keep such a big matter from Fang Xun.

Soon, a video of Zhao Ying crying while hugging a young man went viral, and many who watched it couldn’t help but cry as well.

Especially some more emotional girls. Lin Yi wiped her tears: "Thank goodness they found him."

Jiang Tangtang said: "There’s been no official announcement yet. Let’s hope this is real."

There had been many people coming forward claiming to be Zhao Ying’s son. Some who slightly resembled Zhao Ying or Han Zhanwen, and were of the right age, even if they weren’t born in the same hospital, took their chances.

Zhao Ying had her own company, not very large, but she was still a boss. If someone claimed her as their mother, they would become a rich second-generation heir. So, many came forward with the hope of getting lucky.

Jiang Tangtang looked at the video a few more times and exclaimed: "Isn’t that the guy who got into a fight the other day!"

The classmates beside her didn’t understand who she was referring to, but Lin Yi and Xiao Xiao looked closely and also recognized Jiang Weizhi.

They exchanged glances, feeling like 'drama' was written all over the situation.

Two men fighting over a woman, one from a privileged family, the other from an ordinary background, and it turned out they were switched at birth!

They say drama comes from life, but witnessing such a dramatic situation unfold before their eyes was still quite shocking.

Some people, seeing the expressions of the three girls, curiously asked what they were so shocked about.

Jiang Tangtang quickly recounted the incident from the camping trip and exclaimed in astonishment, "The two guys who were fighting, they were the ones who got switched at birth!"

The classmates were also shocked: "Wow, this is like a real-life soap opera with switched rich heirs!"

"Wow! Are we not right in the middle of this juicy drama?"

"I'm so curious about how the one who was switched at birth is reacting."

"How would you react if your life of luxury was shattered?"

"Well, first let me experience what a life of luxury is like."

Before the test results came out, Fang Xun arrived at the hospital. Zhao Ying knew Fang Xun; this beautiful girl had been relentlessly pursued by Han Zhanwen, to the extent that Zhao Ying had even considered sending Han Zhanwen abroad for treatment, afraid he might act out in a fit of love-turned-hatred.

At that time, she was still planning for Han Zhanwen's future, undecided whether to directly arrange for medical leave or transfer him abroad, which is why she asked the school to grant her another semester to make the necessary arrangements.

When she saw her rush to Jiang Weizhi's side, Zhao Ying was momentarily stunned before her eyes welled up with tears again: "Previously, Zhanwen harassed Miss Fang and even caused trouble for her boyfriend several times, so the one he kept causing trouble for was you?"

Fang Xun held Jiang Weizhi's hand; she was really glad her boyfriend took this step. What she thought about wasn't a life of wealth, but rather that if it was confirmed that he wasn't abandoned and came into this world out of love, even if things got mixed up, then perhaps he wouldn't feel so bitter in his heart.

Hearing Zhao Ying's address to her, Fang Xun said, "Auntie, you can just call me Xiao Xun. You've been trying to resolve the previous issues, and we get that Han Zhanwen has supermale syndrome, but we didn’t expect things to get this wild."

Zhao Ying had a very good impression of Fang Xun. Having raised Han Zhanwen for so many years, she knew him inside out and naturally understood how repulsed Fang Xun must have been when she was being harassed.

But even so, when she went to the school to handle the matter, Fang Xun remained polite and courteous to her. Even if the language was harsh and mean, she could understand, but it was precisely because Fang Xun didn't react that way that she liked her even more.

Before the results came out, Zhao Ying held Jiang Weizhi's hand and talked about some family matters. Although she had disclosed many things before, she wanted Jiang Weizhi to understand that he was born from her love and hope, not unwanted.

Touching Jiang Weizhi's somewhat dry and rough hands, Zhao Ying couldn't help but cry. Clearly, her son could have lived a very good life, but fate dealt them such a cruel hand.

Twenty years of misplacement, they’d lost so much time as mother and son.

Jiang Weizhi listened in silence. Fang Xun understood Jiang Weizhi; he wasn’t one to express himself much. Even with Grandpa Jiang, Jiang Weizhi did more than he said. Now, in his silence, she was afraid Auntie Zhao might get the wrong idea about Jiang Weizhi, so she acted as a mediator.

"So, you were caught up with your husband’s issues that you didn't do many prenatal checkups, which is why you didn't suspect Han Zhanwen's true parentage."

Zhao Ying regretted this deeply: "Twenty years ago, information wasn’t as accessible as it is now. When there was a problem with the child's genes, I only thought it was my own negligence and never considered the possibility of a mix-up."

Twenty years ago, except for those in the medical field and those who had the disease, who had heard of supermale syndrome? She didn't understand. After the doctor told her about the conditions this genetic disorder would lead to, she was solely focused on getting him treated and didn’t consider that there’d been no genetic issues in the family for generations, so why did her son have it.

After finishing her story, Zhao Ying looked at the quiet and silent Jiang Weizhi. She was desperate to know how he’d been all these years, whether his parents knew he was switched at birth, and whether they treated him well.

But seeing Jiang Weizhi not speaking, Zhao Ying didn't dare to ask more. She was scared her son still resented her and harbored resentment towards her.

Fang Xun saw Zhao Ying's thoughts and, glancing at her boyfriend, said, "Weizhi’s an orphan; he never had adoptive parents."

Jiang Weizhi slightly tightened his grip on Fang Xun's hand, signaling her not to say more.

Hearing this, Zhao Ying's heart ached sharply, and her eyes couldn't hide the pain as she looked at Jiang Weizhi, unable to hold back her tears again.

She had raised the one who wasn't her biological child like a treasure, while her real treasure had grown up like an orphan.

This hurt even more than the earlier assumption that Jiang Weizhi might be closer to his adoptive parents and unwilling to acknowledge her.

If it had been as previously assumed, at least it would have proven that the child had a good life, his adoptive parents treated him well, and he hadn't suffered much.

But her child had suffered, for so many years, and she didn't even know how much hardship and injustice he had endured.

Fang Xun patted Jiang Weizhi's hand: "If you are Auntie's son, she will find out eventually."

After speaking, Fang Xun turned to Zhao Ying: "When I was about seven or eight years old, there was a retired old worker in my neighborhood, surnamed Jiang. We called him Grandpa Jiang. He encountered Weizhi while collecting waste paper baskets outside. Weizhi was also collecting recyclables to sell for money. He assumed the old man was also surviving by collecting waste paper. Sometimes, when he saw the old man had nothing, he would give some of his own collection to Grandpa Jiang."

"Later, Grandpa Jiang found out that Weizhi had no family, so he took him in. Grandpa Jiang was a very kind man. He had no children of his own, so he raised Weizhi as his grandson and supported his education all the way."

Zhao Ying was already crying too hard to speak. Her child had suffered so much without her knowing.

While the person who had taken her child's place was living a life of luxury, her own son was surviving by collecting garbage.

As a mother, this was more painful than having her heart torn out.

Seeing Zhao Ying break down in tears, Jiang Weizhi looked at Fang Xun, unsure of what to do. He had no experience dealing with such emotional outbursts.

Fang Xun handed him a tissue and nudged his hand, gesturing towards Zhao Ying.

Jiang Weizhi looked at the woman who might be his biological mother, feeling a deep sadness. He didn't think his life had been particularly hard. He had suffered as a child, but after being adopted by Grandpa Jiang, he could recognize the happiness he had.

But he still felt heartache—heartache for her tears, for her guilt, for the remorseful look in her eyes when she gazed at him.

He wanted to tell her that it wasn't her fault, that it was just fate playing a cruel trick.

Jiang Weizhi took the tissue and gently wiped her tears, softly comforting her: "Don't cry. If, if you really are my mother, I won't blame you. I'll just be happy that you found me."

Zhao Ying hugged Jiang Weizhi tightly, weeping uncontrollably.

After Zhao Ying finally calmed down with the comforting words of Jiang Weizhi and Fang Xun, the paternity test results came out. The final column confirming the mother-son relationship instantly lifted all the burdens from Zhao Ying's shoulders.

She had found her son, her biological son.

Soon, Zhao Ying posted the report online with the identity information redacted, thanking everyone who had helped share the information and provided leads during this time. She thanked everyone who had paid attention to this matter, as it was their concern that had brought the issue to light and allowed her to find her son so smoothly.

Zhao Ying held Jiang Weizhi's hand tightly, unable to get enough of looking at him, occasionally touching his face and then his hair.

Jiang Weizhi wasn't used to such closeness. To him, Zhao Ying was his mother, but they had only just met.

But he didn't want to see her cry anymore, especially when faced with her gaze that seemed to carry the weight of the world's guilt. He relented and allowed her to continue.

Zhao Ying didn't forget Fang Xun either. She took both their hands and said, "You two should find a chance to talk to your Grandpa Jiang about this. If he doesn't object, I'll visit him. I've found my son, but Weizhi will always be his grandson. In the future, Weizhi can choose where he wants to be. If he wants to stay here and develop his career, he has his mother. If he wants to return to his hometown, I won't oppose it, and we can even bring Grandpa Jiang here to retire."

Zhao Ying continued, "Tomorrow, we'll go pay respects to your father first, so he can see you too. As for your name, you can change it if you want, or keep it if you don't. If it weren't for Grandpa Jiang adopting you, I wouldn't know where you'd be now. The love of raising a child is greater than the bond of birth. It's only right that you carry his surname."

Thinking of someone else to thank, Zhao Ying's face filled with gratitude: "There's also a master. It's not that I'm superstitious, but this master truly has a gift. Later, when Han Zhanwen got into a fight with the master's friend, I went to bail him out and met the master. The master said that Han Zhanwen and I were not related by blood and suggested I take a paternity test. It turned out he wasn't my biological son. I went back to the master, and he helped me figure out that you were in this city. That's why I reached out to many local media outlets and focused the local news coverage."

Fang Xun said in awe, "That's amazing! So there really are hidden masters among the people."

Zhao Ying also felt fortunate: "Yes, the master is young, but his skills are truly remarkable. Once things settle down, you two should come with me to thank him."

Jiang Weizhi nodded. Even as Zhao Ying took him home, he still felt somewhat in a daze. He had really found his mother—it felt like a dream come true.

Afraid that Jiang Weizhi might feel uncomfortable being alone with her, Zhao Ying also kept Fang Xun. She took them upstairs and opened the door to a clean, neatly arranged room: "I've got this room all set up for you, but I didn't expect you to already have a girlfriend. Is it okay if you two stay together?"

Fang Xun blushed. She and Jiang Weizhi hadn't done anything too intimate in their relationship so far. She quickly replied, "I can head back to the dorm later."

Zhao Ying immediately said, "It's too late for you to go back to school now. Weizhi wouldn't feel at ease. I'll have the housekeeper tidy up a guest room. It's just that the guest room hasn't been used often, so it might not be as cozy."

Fang Xun shook her head: "It's fine."

Worried that her son might feel uncomfortable, Zhao Ying added, "This room was where he used to stay, but I've had all his things removed. The furniture, wallpaper, even the bathtub and sink in the bathroom—everything is new. If you don't like the style, just let me know what you like, and I'll change it for you."

Jiang Weizhi shook his head: "Anything is fine with me."

He didn’t plan to stay right away; he still had to return to school and live in the dormitory.

Zhao Ying pulled Jiang Weizhi to the closet: "Mom wasn’t sure how tall you are or if you’re stocky or slim, so I bought more casual and loose clothes. Now it looks like they should fit just right. Tell Mom what kind of clothing style you like, and I’ll buy what you prefer."

A closet full of new clothes, without price tags, even with a pleasant smell of laundry detergent—they must have been pre-washed.

Jiang Weizhi could see Zhao Ying’s thoughtfulness toward him, and his gaze softened slightly: "These are all fine; I’m not picky."

The less he demanded, the more Zhao Ying felt she wasn’t doing enough, wishing she could give him everything.

Fang Xun, standing nearby, was still a bit worried that her boyfriend might feel wronged. After all, Han Zhanwen had been her son for over twenty years, and she feared Zhao Ying might not be able to let go of Han Zhanwen.

So she asked directly: "Auntie, may I ask, what do you plan to do with Han Zhanwen?"

If Han Zhanwen were just an ordinary guy, not necessarily exceptional or dutiful, just the bond from raising him for over twenty years, Zhao Ying might not be able to let go so easily.

But Han Zhanwen was far from normal. Over the years, Zhao Ying had been repeatedly disappointed and heartbroken. Han Zhanwen had only been able to control his emotions slightly in the past two years; before that, he had been verbally and physically abusive toward her.

Of course, Zhao Ying wasn’t one to take beatings lying down. They used to have bodyguards at home; whenever Han Zhanwen acted out, the bodyguards would restrain him. But the murderous hatred in his eyes had long since drained any maternal love she had for him.

Zhao Ying said: "At first, I thought there might have been a mix-up, and I planned to return their biological son to them. But now it seems this matter might not be as simple as a mix-up. If we can get to the bottom of it, that’s great. If not, I have nothing to feel sorry for. I have my own flesh and blood now, so I won’t be raising someone else’s kid."

This meant she would no longer care for Han Zhanwen in the future. Fang Xun let out a sigh of relief, poked Jiang Weizhi, and smiled at him.

She thought it would be tough to cut ties after so many years and that Jiang Weizhi and Han Zhanwen would have to get along like brothers. Luckily, things didn’t get that messy, or she really would have taken Jiang Weizhi away.

The events of that year were truly hard to investigate. It had been over twenty years. If Jiang Weizhi had adoptive parents, one could think of a mix-up, but Jiang Weizhi didn’t. He had been at the orphanage since he could remember, and the director said he was left at the doorstep.

Zhao Ying suspected it was a deliberate swap, possibly the other party knew their child had a genetic disease and didn’t want to raise it after birth, so they swapped her child and abandoned it.

Zhao Ying directly reported this to the police, regardless of whether they could find the other party, at least to file a case.

As for Han Zhanwen, the thought that it might have been his biological parents who maliciously swapped and abandoned her child filled Zhao Ying with hatred, and naturally, she would no longer care for him.

She cut off the hospital expenses and told the hospital to handle Han Zhanwen as they saw fit, whether through social assistance or eviction; she would no longer be involved.

Someone who was never related to her, she didn’t need to take responsibility for his future.

But Han Zhanwen was an unstable presence. Zhao Ying was afraid he might lash out, initially planning to hire a bodyguard for Jiang Weizhi for close protection. But the school happened to have an exchange study opportunity, so Zhao Ying sent both Jiang Weizhi and Fang Xun away.

With her weak spot out of the picture, Zhao Ying had nothing left to fear.

Han Zhanwen, while in the hospital, harbored all sorts of hatred toward Zhao Ying, pretending to be obedient while plotting how to deal with her in the future.

He felt Zhao Ying’s existence was an obstacle to him, and he had even started planning how to create an accident.

But when the hospital lifted his internet isolation, he saw the news online: he wasn’t Zhao Ying’s biological son, and Zhao Ying had locked him up to find her real son?

How could this be? If he wasn’t Zhao Ying’s son, whose son was he?

What he couldn’t accept the most was that Zhao Ying’s biological son was actually Jiang Weizhi?

Han Zhanwen watched the video of Zhao Ying hugging Jiang Weizhi and crying on the street, and in a fit of rage, he crushed his phone.

He couldn’t accept all this; he couldn’t control his emotions. He smashed and raged; he wanted to see Zhao Ying. He thought this was Zhao Ying’s act to deceive him, just to get rid of him as a burden.

Soon the hospital told him he could leave. Han Zhanwen left the hospital and rushed to Zhao Ying’s company, but naturally, he couldn’t even get through the office building’s front door.

He thought it was like the old days, where no matter how much he acted out, someone would always cover for him.

After getting into a violent altercation with the security guards at the office building entrance, he was arrested by the police.

The police contacted Zhao Ying based on the information he provided, and Zhao Ying directly said, "Sorry, this person has nothing to do with me. He is an adult and should be able to handle his own affairs. Since he has injured someone, he should face the consequences."

Assault charges, unless settled privately with compensation, would lead to prosecution, and Han Zhanwen no longer had any money.

Because of his violent tendencies, Zhao Ying didn’t dare to let him have financial independence. When she took everything back and canceled the supplementary cards, Han Zhanwen, who had just come out of the hospital, didn’t have a dime to his name because he’d smashed his phone.

Soon, Zhao Ying received the news that Han Zhanwen was being prosecuted for assault and was likely to face imprisonment.