Chapter 446: I Will Always Be the Son of the Fu Family

Chapter 446: I Will Always Be a Son of the Fu Family

So, when anyone dared to question Fu Tinghua's origins, Wu Yanhua would naturally step forward without hesitation.

However, there was an earth-shattering secret hidden within—one that even Wu Yanhua herself was unaware of.

The beloved youngest son she had cherished for over twenty years wasn't actually her biological son.

And the only person who knew this secret was Fu Dajun...

"Ting Hua, have you—already found out?" Fu Dajun said these words, suddenly looking decades older.

Fu Tinghua silently gazed at his father, Fu Dajun, a flood of emotions he couldn’t put into words.

Time marched on mercilessly, leaving its marks on everyone, and even the steadfast Fu Dajun was no exception.

The once jet-black, thick hair in Fu Tinghua's memory had gradually been sprinkled with streaks of white, like snowflakes quietly settling atop his head in winter.

Those white strands seemed like time’s relentless footprints, stark and undeniable.

In Fu Tinghua's memory, Fu Dajun had always been the rock of their family, an unshakable mountain standing firm before them.

Yet now, as father and son stood face to face, Fu Tinghua realized with a start that his father was a full head shorter than him.

This figure he had once looked up to, his unshakable protector, had somehow become so small and fragile.

And for the first time, Fu Tinghua found himself at a loss for words in front of Fu Dajun, unsure how to answer his question.

It seemed—he had unintentionally hurt him.

"Dad, I'm sorry," Fu Tinghua said, hanging his head, unable to muster the courage to meet Fu Dajun's eyes.

Aunt Lan looked on, torn between joy and guilt.

Joy, because her guess had been correct—Fu Tinghua was not the biological son of the Fu family, making it almost certainly her own flesh and blood.

Unease, because she had inadvertently disrupted the bond between father and son. Though unintended, her arrival had indeed upset the delicate balance of their family.

Fu Dajun gave a weary smile and said, "What are you apologizing for? This is something you should have known. You're grown now, married with children of your own. I thought no one would ever come looking for you, but—life had other plans."

As he spoke, Fu Dajun couldn't help but sigh.

His words all but admitted that Fu Tinghua was not his biological son.

"Dad, nothing will change. I will always be a son of the Fu family. It's just—" Fu Tinghua paused, then turned his gaze toward Aunt Lan.

Seeing her anxious expression, the fear of rejection or abandonment etched on her face, his heart went out to her.

Even without a DNA test, blood ran thicker than water.

Fu Tinghua just knew in his bones—he and Aunt Lan were connected.

"Ah, of course I know what kind of man my son is. You’ve achieved all this through your own hard work," Fu Dajun cut in reassuringly with a wave of his hand.

"It's just—your Mom, the others... none of them know about this."

The thought of Wu Yanhua's smothering affection for her youngest son made him wonder—how would she take the news?

Then Aunt Lan spoke up, she ventured timidly. "I—I could just be some distant relative looking to Ting Hua for support. You don’t have to tell anyone else about his origins."

She spoke so meekly, as if afraid Fu Tinghua might disown her.

Fu Dajun, however, rejected her suggestion, waving his hand and saying, "Hey, since I dared to admit it, I never intended to stop you from claiming Tinghua back. But we must get the full story straight—how'd you lose him in the first place?"

"Alright, I’ll be honest. I’ll come clean about everything."

Fu Tinghua could tell the two were set to have this conversation today, and he knew he wouldn’t be able to go to work.

Fortunately, it was the middle of winter, and all major procedures were pushed to spring. There were no urgent surgeries requiring his participation.

So, if he skipped work today, the chief surgeon probably wouldn’t hunt him down at home, right?

"Dad, Aunt Lan, let’s go inside to talk," Fu Tinghua invited them into the house.

"Alright."

Following Fu Tinghua into the hearth room, where it was warmer, Su He had just finished breakfast and did a double-take when Tinghua came back through the hearth room door. Blurted out, "Hmm? Weren’t you going to work?"

Just then, Fu Dajun and Aunt Lan entered behind him.

Seeing the three of them together, Su He’s eyes went wide in shock.

What the—?

"Hey, Tinghua, you haven’t left for work yet?" Wen Qing also asked.

Su Shiming, having finished his meal, had crawled back under the covers for a nap.

The two children had also been persuaded by Su He to take their afternoon naps.

Today, the first ones up that morning had been the kids.

"Yeah, we’ve got things to hash out. Probably won’t go to work today," Fu Tinghua replied.

"Ah? Something to talk about? Then I’ll go upstairs first and get out of your hair," Wen Qing said, wiping her hands as she prepared to leave.

"No need, Mom. We’re all family—you’d hear about it eventually anyway," Fu Tinghua stopped her.

"What do you mean? Is it something serious?" Only then did Wen Qing finally pick up on the tension. Fu Dajun hadn’t said a word since entering.

"It’s fine, Mom. Just take a seat and hear them out," Su He whispered.

Seeing the three of them together, Su He knew they were probably coming clean.

"Then—should we call your dad to join us?" Wen Qing quietly asked Su He.

Su He gave her a slight nod, and Wen Qing immediately went upstairs to fetch Su Shiming.

"Dad, Aunt Lan, please have a seat. It must be quite cold outside—get cozy by the hearth," Su He greeted them.

"Ah, alright."

As they gathered around the hearth, Su Shiming and the others arrived and took their seats.

But the couple had the sense to stay quiet.

"Let me—first, I should introduce myself. My name is Lan Ruolin. Su He and Tinghua already know me—I introduced myself last time I was here," Aunt Lan said to Fu Dajun.

"Right, I’m Fu—Fu Dajun. Why don’t you start with your side. How did you lose Tinghua?" Fu Dajun said.

Aunt Lan didn’t miss a beat before launching into her story.