Chapter 73

Chapter 73

"Patriarch Qin, may I ask how you found your long-lost son?" Yan Shiqi inquired.

Qin Donghai explained, "I've been searching for the enemies who took Xiao Lan all these years. A few months ago, I got a lead that the child had been taken to sea. I had my people look into it far and wide and finally traced him to a water plant. The owner mentioned two young men with unclear backgrounds working there who were also looking for their families, so I thought one might be my son."

Qin Donghai continued, "So, I went with the same method as before and had a DNA test done using my hair sample. This time, it was a match—I found my son."

Yan Shiqi noted, "So you didn't go there yourself."

"No. Over the years, there have been too many leads. I've had DNA tests done over a hundred times. I thought this would be another dead end... I'd practically lost hope, but unexpectedly, it succeeded this time!"

Mrs. Qin said, a hint of displeasure in her look, "Mr. Yan, I understand your implication—you're suspicious about my son's identity. However, after bringing Xiao Lan home, we did another paternity test to be safe. The results confirmed that Xiao Lan is indeed our son."

Han Yuqiu looked at the Qin couple, his expression a mix of fear and wariness. "Mom, Dad, please don't abandon me... I... I really am your child..."

Seeing this, everyone felt the Yan family was being unreasonable.

"The Yan family from South Province was even featured on National TV and praised... How could they act like this?"

"Maybe it's as Young Master Qin said... Or perhaps there's some grudge?"

Qin Donghai stated, "Patriarch Yan, my son has suffered greatly during his twenty years away. He's very insecure now. Please don't question him like this."

Han Yuqiu leaned into Mrs. Qin's arms, sneering inwardly.

Xie Yunshen's heart sank. Two paternity tests—how did Han Yuqiu manage that?

Unfortunately, if he spoke up now to claim Han Yuqiu wasn't the Qins' biological son, not only would no one believe him, but the Yan family would also come under suspicion for knowing too much.

He glanced at Mr. Yan, worried he might be having second thoughts.

Yet, Yan Shiqi remained composed.

Han Yuqiu thought he was in the clear.

He shot a glance at Yi Wuyi, his eyes filled with venomous coldness.

Yan Shiqi walked up to Han Yuqiu and stared at him. "The paternity test used hair samples, correct?"

Han Yuqiu instinctively avoided his sharp gaze, trembling in Mrs. Qin's arms.

Qin Donghai's face darkened, dropping any pretense of politeness. "Mr. Yan, although the Yan family is riding high these days, the Qin family isn't about to be pushed around by anyone. Please speak plainly!"

Yan Shiqi stated bluntly, "I am certain he is not the Qins' son."

Qin Donghai said coldly, "The Qin family conducted two paternity tests..."

"Mr. Qin, please hear me out first," Yan Shiqi said gravely.

Everyone in the banquet hall held their breath, never expecting to witness a showdown between two of the most prominent families from the North and South.

Yan Shiqi continued, "When it comes to reuniting a family, I'm sure you'd want to avoid any mistake."

Qin Donghai suppressed his anger. If it weren't for the fact that the person before him was the Patriarch of the Yan family from South Province, he wouldn't have been this courteous.

"I have a good idea who the enemy was that kidnapped Young Master Lan. He was a member of the foreign BKB organization. Twenty years ago, he kidnapped your child, fled to the high seas, and dumped the child on a cruise ship called the Pearl."

Qin Donghai looked at him, a flicker of doubt crossing his face. They had only learned this information a few months ago—how did the Yan family know?

"What else do you know?" Qin Donghai asked.

Han Yuqiu's eyes darted around nervously.

"This man was actually from South Province. His surname was Lin, and he owned a steel plant in City A, South Province. His nickname was Pi Jiu."

"I had no idea, Mr. Yan. According to you... is he still alive?"

Yan Shiqi replied, "He's dead. I came across some information about him out on the high seas. Later, I purchased the land of his steel plant and investigated his past. The Qin family wasn't the only victim back then, right?"

"Correct. In those years, several wealthy and influential families in the North lost children. But no matter how much I offered, those vicious criminals never returned my child!" Qin Donghai's eyes reddened, looking like he wanted to kill them with his bare hands.

Mrs. Qin said, "Mr. Yan, even if what you say is true, it doesn't prove this child isn't ours."

"After Pi Jiu sold the Qin young master to people on the cruise ship, he returned alone to City A. As for this man, Han Yuqiu, he has always been in South Province. I can still trace his parents and siblings. I'm certain he never lived at sea."

"No, that's not true! Mom, I was just bought by them. My adoptive parents never fed me properly. They weren't my real family—you are!" At this, Han Yuqiu began complaining of headaches, acting crazy, and shedding tears.

This deeply distressed Mrs. Qin. "That's right. This child underwent paternity testing. He is our child."

Yan Shiqi looked at Han Yuqiu. "Some things might be better discussed privately, for the sake of your reputation."

Mrs. Qin immediately became protective. "There's no need for that, Mr. Yan. Everyone here today is a friend of the Qin family. If you have something to say, say it in front of everyone. Xiao Lan has been very well-behaved since returning. What bad things could he possibly have done?"

Han Yuqiu wanted to stop it but couldn't.

Yan Shiqi had been waiting for this. He gave Yi Wuyi a look.

Yi Wuyi nodded and connected his phone to the large screen via Bluetooth.

The screen displayed various compromising photos of Han Yuqiu from recent years—partying in bars, gambling in casinos, and even mugshots from when he was detained for fraud.

Everyone was stunned. The Qin family had such a good reputation—how could their son be so disgraceful?

Yan Shiqi explained, "A year ago, he caused significant financial losses to my family, so I investigated his background thoroughly. Naturally, he fears the Yan family. Initially, I couldn't be sure if he was the Qins' child."

Qin Donghai looked at the photos, his face darkening as he glanced coldly at Han Yuqiu.

If this young man truly had such character, then he had been deliberately putting on an act of obedience in front of them all this time.

He felt utterly disappointed in the child but couldn't show it openly.

Han Yuqiu wiped his tears, crying pitifully. "I'm sorry... I've let you down... But what could I do? My adoptive parents wouldn't let me study. I had to work and met some bad friends... I didn't want to, but no one taught me better... I also wanted parents to love me like others do... Ever since I found you, I truly wanted to study hard and be good..."

He sobbed as he spoke, putting on a convincing performance.

However, most people present were shrewd. One look at those photos told them exactly what kind of person he was. Any further acting would only be annoying.

Even so, no one yet doubted his identity. At most, they sighed that the Qin family had gained a troublemaker and feared future unrest.

Qin Donghai was clearly beginning to have doubts. After a moment of thought, he said, "I think we should conduct another paternity test..."

Han Yuqiu's eyes darted around nervously. He could only lower his head and say, "Forget it... Dad, Mom, I was so happy to be your son. But since you don't trust me... I... I might as well die!"

With that, he made a move to dash toward a nearby pillar!

Mrs. Qin turned pale with fright, and others gasped in horror.

This was the Qin family's precious treasure. If he got hurt, there would be no need for a paternity test—the Qin and Yan families would become sworn enemies!

Xie Yunshen tsked: Looks like this guy is really getting into this acting thing!

Han Yuqiu closed his eyes, ready to go all-in on one desperate gamble—either be shattered to pieces or climb to the top.

The expected crash and bloodshed didn't come. Instead, he felt something press against his head and forcefully push him back.

He fell onto the ground with a thud, dizzy and disoriented. He saw Xie Yunshen standing in front of the pillar—it was this guy who had pushed him.

He looked utterly incredulous. Given the desperate, all-or-nothing speed he had just charged with, it should have been impossible for anyone to stop him.

When did this guy dart in front of him?

Mrs. Qin nearly fainted. Fortunately, it was a false alarm. Others also stepped forward to mediate: "Mr. Qin, perhaps we should discuss this in a few days. Mrs. Qin doesn't seem well."

Qin Donghai didn't respond, his face dark and stormy. The others fell silent.

He had originally intended this banquet to introduce his son and build some rapport with the Yan family from the southern province. Instead, this youngest son had caused nothing but drama the moment he appeared, stirring up trouble and even attempting a martyr act right in front of him—a complete embarrassment.

If the photos had only brought disappointment, then Han Yuqiu's attempt to weasel out with a sympathy act just now completely exhausted Qin Donghai's last shred of patience.

Whether he was biologically related or not, in Qin Donghai's eyes, he had become completely repulsive.

Moreover, prompted by Yan Shiqi's reminder, he increasingly felt that this weak, selfish individual was nothing like his own flesh and blood!

"No, this cannot be left like this! I absolutely will not tolerate anyone deceiving the Qin family, nor will I allow anyone to impersonate my son to swindle me!" Qin Donghai stared at Han Yuqiu, each word enunciated with forceful emphasis, his eyes radiating intense intimidation!

Han Yuqiu was shaking like a leaf, his face pale as a sheet.

This time, he was genuinely terrified. He never expected Qin Donghai to be such a fearsome man, someone who would disregard face entirely just to uncover the truth.

Seeing Qin Donghai's fury, Mrs. Qin dared not speak.

Immediately, someone came to draw blood and sent it urgently to the testing center for a paternity test.

Han Yuqiu thought to himself that a paternity test would take at least two or three days for results. He had originally planned to struggle a bit longer; at least during these two days, he could still find a way to grab some cash and run.

After all, just the gifts from everyone in the Qin family these past days were enough for him to live lavishly for several lifetimes.

Why should he dig in his heels here?

Xie Yunshen, of course, saw through Han Yuqiu's thoughts: "But, Mr. Qin, may I say something?"

"Go ahead." Qin Donghai was quite favorably impressed by Xie Yunshen, especially since he had just stopped Han Yuqiu, which did the Qin family a huge favor, preventing them from falling into an even more chaotic situation.

"Previously, Mr. Yan and I were on a cruise ship—the same one where Pi Jiu sold the child—and we saw a boy. He looked very much like Mrs. Qin. Moreover, from what I know, he was sold to the arena as a child and is probably around twenty years old this year. Most importantly, a few months ago, he was also on the water plant's ship."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Qin immediately grabbed him anxiously: "You mean... he looks very much like me?"

Xie Yunshen nodded: "I think he resembles your child more. It's just... he's had a very hard life in the arena."

Tears streamed down Mrs. Qin's face.

Qin Donghai's heart sank: "If you say he was also on the water plant's ship a few months ago, then he must be the other child who was tested back then. It's just that we never saw him."

At this moment, Yan Shiying, who had been watching the drama from the sidelines, was totally baffled. Could Xie Yunshen be talking about Little Cake?

Thinking about it, looks-wise, Little Cake and Mrs. Qin did look quite alike.

"But... we conducted the paternity test with Xiao Lan twice..." Mrs. Qin was again somewhat confused.

Yan Shiying said: "It's simple. You weren't present on-site; you entrusted someone else to handle the paternity test. At that time, Han Yuqiu only needed to swap the hair samples of the two individuals, and the results would be completely different. The later paternity test was probably also Han Yuqiu's backup plan, using some hair he had kept from that child."

The more he spoke, the more alarming it became. This was indeed the most plausible way it could have been manipulated.

Mrs. Qin looked at Han Yuqiu with disbelief. The latter sat on the ground: "Mom... you don't believe me either, do you?"

Mrs. Qin was now at a loss.

Still acting. Xie Yunshen was utterly fed up with his act.

Qin Donghai raised his hand and addressed the crowd: "Everyone, today the Qin family has caused this disturbance, ruining our distinguished guests' enjoyment. One week from now, I will be here again to apologize to you all."

Upon hearing this, the guests tactfully took their leave. Some didn't forget to console him: "Old Qin, this matter does seem dubious. This child..."

Though they left the words unspoken, the meaning was crystal clear. Anyone with eyes could see that Han Yuqiu was likely a fraud.

Qin Donghai sighed, already having a rough idea in his heart.

Qin Donghai specifically asked the Yan family to stay: "Mr. Yan, and the rest of you, please don't rush back. Stay at the Qin residence for a few days."

Yan Shiqi initially wanted to decline, but Qin Donghai said: "I have no other intentions. There are just some matters I'd like to consult you about."

Yan Shiqi knew Qin Donghai wanted to ask about Pi Jiu. However, staying at the Qin residence was clearly inconvenient.

"I'll stay at the hotel nearby. You can contact me anytime if needed."

Qin Donghai didn't press further.

Yan Shiying suddenly turned back and said: "Mr. Qin, regarding that child, do you know where to find him? Do you have any leads?"

Qin Donghai looked at him, not understanding why the second young master of the Yan family would be so concerned about this matter.

Yan Shiying explained: "Previously on the cruise ship, I met that child a few times. After disembarking, I tried to find him but couldn't. So... if... if he isn't the Qin family's young master, I was thinking, could I take him back to the Yan family?"

Qin Donghai's thoughts were in turmoil. He nodded: "Alright, but we must find the child first."

Mrs. Qin still wanted to pull Xie Yunshen aside to ask about that child, but upon seeing Han Yuqiu, she ultimately restrained herself. After all, the results weren't out yet, and she couldn't bear to hurt this child's feelings too much.

Qin Donghai himself was burning with anxiety, filled with regret for his initial carelessness, for not going to the water plant himself, and for not handling the paternity test personally.

Now, he could only trace back along the clues, find the water plant's ship from back then, and the person who provided the tip.

He could only pray that the child was still at the water plant.

The next day, Qin Donghai called Yan Shiqi to inform him that the paternity test results were out.

"As you said, he is not my child."

On the other end of the phone, Qin Donghai uttered these words in a somber, low voice.