Recently, netizens eagerly followed every development. Waves of comments flooded Jian Xingsui's social media – some supportive, some derogatory.

"At least Rangrang went home."

"Isn't Jian Xingsui just an impostor?"

"The Jian family is so affluent, yet his performance is subpar compared to Rangrang's."

"Glad he got eliminated. Time for him to exit the entertainment scene."

Amid the critics, a few loyal fans continued to support him:

"Why believe in baseless rumors?"

"I trust Xingsui's character. He wouldn’t do something like that."

"The full truth hasn't emerged yet. I believe in him."

While online debates raged, Jian Xingsui remained occupied, hardly having the time to address the online chaos.

In fact, ever since returning, Zhang Xiangyang's condition has continuously deteriorated. Every day, Zhang Xia washes her face in tears, and they still haven’t found a kidney donor for him.

Jian Xingsui entered carrying a lunch box, noticing Zhang Xia wiping away her tears.

Zhang Xia lifted her gaze, voice choked with emotion, "Xingsui..."

The couple's bond was deep, and Jian Xingsui could see that. Since Zhang Xiangyang's incident, Zhang Xia has been in constant distress, her sleep restless and her appetite missing.

Jian Xingsui offered, "I've made something. You and your husband should eat."

Zhang Xia looked surprised, "Xingsui, you know how to cook?"

Jian Xingsui, truth be told, was no culinary expert. But once, to make his father proud, he'd dedicated himself to learn about culinary arts.

"It's nothing special," Jian Xingsui opened the lunch box, "It’s a noodle soup. It's not too oily for you two. Just added a bit of salt."

Zhang Xia noticed another meal box, "This is a chicken rice I bought nearby. You haven’t been eating well these days; you should have some meat to nourish yourself."

He seemed to dance around mentioning himself.

Zhang Xia inquired, "What about you? What will you eat?"

Jian Xingsui hesitated briefly, then smiled, "It's okay. I already ate at home."

What could be at home but simple noodles? It amazed Zhang Xia that he'd buy meat dishes for them yet settle for a plain meal himself.

Zhang Xia questioned, "Did you... have noodles?"

Jian Xingsui replied while placing the food beside her, "I can eat anything."

The warmth of the freshly-cooked meal touched Zhang Xia's heart. She insisted, "You should eat the chicken rice!"

But Jian Xingsui declined, pushing it back.

"I already ate. This was meant for you," he reassured with a soft smile, "I know money's tight, so I couldn't afford anything fancier. I hope it's okay."

Zhang Xia quickly responded, "It's perfectly fine."

She opened the box and took a bite. The chicken was delicious.

During their time of crisis, the person she'd counted on was An Ran. Jian Xingsui, to her, had always been an outsider. But to her surprise, he had truly stepped up, showing kindness and filial piety beyond measure.

Even An Ran had only sent a fraction of the promised 500,000, citing financial constraints.

In contrast, Jian Xingsui, despite limited savings, had given his all, tirelessly caring for both Zhang Xia and Zhang Xiangyang. In times of need, he was their steadfast support.

"Please head back once you finish your meal," Jian Xingsui said gently, "I'll keep an eye on things here."

Zhang Xia nodded, gratitude evident in her eyes, "Xingsui... Thank you."

Jian Xingsui remarked, "No need for thanks, it's only right."

A mix of emotions churned within Zhang Xia.

With a heavy heart, she headed home, only to be met at the alley's entrance by several neighbors. They were all aware of Jian Xingsui's situation at her home. They quickly converged around her, asking, "Xia, isn't An Ran from your family a big celebrity now? And that Xingsui is quite popular online too. But lately, there've been rumors saying Jian Xingsui used to bully An Ran in school. Is that true?"

Zhang Xia, taken aback, questioned, "Where did you hear that?"

The neighbors clapped their hands in emphasis, handing their phones to Zhang Xia, "Don't you go online? It's all over the internet!"

Preoccupied with her husband's affairs, Zhang Xia hadn’t had the time for online gossip. But with her neighbors buzzing about it, she grew increasingly uneasy and began to look at their phones.

The trending topic on Weibo was unmistakably: 'Jian Xingsui and An Ran.'

Clicking in, she found a blog post chastising Jian Xingsui’s outrageous behavior, portraying him as a vile individual.

Neighbors were all abuzz:

"To think Xingsui could be such a malicious child."

"Poor An Ran must've suffered."

"He probably doesn't treat you well either, does he?"

"You should cut ties with such a child sooner rather than later!"

Zhang Xia handed back the phones, defending, "Don't believe everything you read online. Xingsui isn't like that. He's a good kid and very filial. He's not bad."

The neighbors looked perplexed. After all, wasn't Zhang Xia the one most devastated when An Ran left? And wasn’t she the most opposed to Jian Xingsui returning home? Why was she defending him now?

One neighbor scoffed, "Listen, Xia, it's not just us talking. An Ran himself acknowledged it. He even posted on Weibo yesterday, seemingly confirming the blogger's allegations. Are you suggesting An Ran lied about Jian Xingsui?"

Stunned, Zhang Xia instinctively rebutted, "Nonsense! Why would An Ran do such a thing?"

One particularly irritated neighbor thrust her phone at Zhang Xia, "You don't believe me? See for yourself!"

Zhang Xia scanned the phone, seeing An Ran's post from the previous day: [Thank you all for your concern about my past. It's behind us now, and we should all move forward.]

At first glance, the post seemed forgiving, but didn't it indirectly confirm the rumors about Jian Xingsui's bullying?

This post had further fueled the controversy, keeping the topic trending all day. Initially, many suspected it was just an online gimmick, but An Ran's statement had seemingly solidified the claims.

The neighbor remarked smugly, "I told you, didn't I?"

Zhang Xia stared at the post, lost for words.

Another piped in, "With this going on, I doubt Jian Xingsui will have a future in the entertainment industry. You'll have to find something else for him to do." She added maliciously, "Oh, and I saw Jian Xingsui shopping at the convenience store today. You should warn him to be careful; everyone's against him now. It'd be no surprise if someone took a swing at him."

Zhang Xia felt a stifling sensation as she processed their words.

The neighbor looked as if she wanted to say more but seeing Zhang Xia’s expression, thought better of it. As Zhang Xia entered her home, an unsettling feeling persisted. Grabbing her phone, she dialed An Ran's number.

Drrrr...

After a brief tone of waiting, the call was answered.

Anran's voice came through, "Mom, what's wrong?"

"Anran, what's going on online?" Zhang Xia confronted him, "Regardless of Jian Xingsui's past, you can't let the media say whatever they like. How is he going to work and earn a living in the future? Do you think your father and I will feel at ease?"

Anran, knowing full well that Zhang Xia always thought of herself, replied, "Mom, I didn't spread the news. What's the point of questioning me? I didn't want this either."

Zhang Xia was at a loss for words.

She felt Anran's actions were wrong, but she couldn't argue against his justification. She finally asked, "Anran, what about the favor I asked for? It's been over half a month. Your father's condition is deteriorating. He's suffering from renal failure and won't last long. Please, you must try your hardest."

But what Zhang Xia didn't know was that Anran hadn't made any effort at all.

A cold smirk played on Anran's lips, though his voice remained soothing, "I've been trying, Mom. Please don't worry."

Zhang Xia could only nod, "That's good, that's good..."

Anran then hung up.

But little did he know that after hearing the neighbors, and following this conversation, Zhang Xia began to feel uneasy. She had always trusted Anran, but now she started to feel that maybe she didn’t fully know him after all...

the next day

As time passed, Zhang Xiangyang's condition notably worsened.

Zhang Xia frequently looked distressed outside his room. Over time, she interacted with family members of other patients.

"We've found a match for my husband," the aunty from the next room shared. "We were fortunate; we got it through connections."

Zhang Xia was startled and quickly asked, "Where did you find it?"

The aunty responded, "We had to pull some strings. My nephew is somewhat of a businessman. He expended a lot of effort and resources, spent a lot of money. I'm so grateful."

Zhang Xia murmured, "So, with enough money and effort, it's possible to find a match?"

"It depends on the compatibility, but spending money and resources certainly helps. I remember your husband hasn’t had many matches. You can't just wait!" The aunty sighed, "But I know your family's financial situation is tough."

Hearing this, Zhang Xia felt as if she had plunged into an abyss.

At first, she thought Anran hadn't found a donor simply because of the difficulty. But now she suspected it was due to his lack of effort.

While she was pondering, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Anran: "Mom, I was thinking of visiting dad today. Can you send me the hospital's address?"

Feeling resentful, she replied, "You're so busy. Do you really have time to see him? Maybe you shouldn't."

After sending the message, Zhang Xia covered her lips as tears streamed down her face.

Creak

At that moment, the door to the hospital room opened. Jian Xingsui came out and, seeing Zhang Xia in distress, expressed concern, "Is everything okay?"

Seeing the deep concern in Jian Xingsui's eyes, Madame Zhang's sorrow intensified, and her tears streamed down even more fiercely.

Jian Xingsui, mistakenly thinking her distress was about the kidney issue, sighed deeply, saying, "I noticed his condition seems to have worsened. The previous transplant attempts weren't successful. The doctor warned that there's a threat to his life if we delay further. If needed, I can undergo a blood test."

Madame Zhang stared at him, almost in disbelief.

Feeling a little awkward under her gaze, Jian Xingsui lowered his head and murmured, "I'll get the blood test to check for compatibility. At the same time, I'll have a paternity test. If I truly am your biological son, I'll do whatever it takes to save him. Don’t worry; everything will be okay."

His words struck Madame Zhang deeply, filling her with a mixture of hope and despair.

She thought of how her family hadn't done much for Jian Xingsui. Yet, he was willing to potentially sacrifice for them. Then there was An Ran, whom they had raised and given everything. What had he offered in return?

Fighting back tears, Madame Zhang said, "It's alright, Xingsui. I've asked An Ran for help. He might find a way. We won't involve you unless absolutely necessary. We wish nothing but your well-being."

Seeing her distress, Jian Xingsui comforted, "Let’s wait a bit more then. I just fear he might not hold on much longer. But you should rest as well. You need to stay strong too."

Knowing he was right, and fearing she might reveal too much, Madame Zhang decided to head home.

A month had passed, and while the online fervor concerning Jian Xingsui and An Ran had subsided, many, including An Ran’s fans and advocates of justice, still followed the story. Among them was Xiao Zhang, who lived near the rice cake shop. A long-time admirer of An Ran, he knew Jian Xingsui was nearby and decided to confront him today, exposing his true nature.

To document the encounter, Xiao Zhang started a livestream.

He'd titled it: "Unmasking the Real Jian Xingsui: A Reveal for the Netizens."

Once live, Xiao Zhang greeted, "Hello everyone! I'm Xiao Zhang. Right behind me is where Jian Xingsui currently resides. I'm hiding in a nearby building to remain concealed. We'll wait here until he shows up."

The chat was buzzing with comments:

"Is this for real or are you just bluffing?"

"What's your plan?"

"Can you really confront him?"

"People as wicked as Jian Xingsui deserve this!"

With a smirk, Xiao Zhang confidently said, "I haven’t come all this way for nothing. I've always lived near here. Today, I’m here to seek justice for An Ran!"

Many cheered him on.

Time passed. Though viewers increased, the main characters were nowhere in sight. Impatience grew among the viewers. Just as doubt began to creep in, a figure appeared at the end of the street. It was Madame Zhang.

Xiao Zhang quickly commented, "That’s Jian Xingsui's mother! Why her? Maybe Jian Xingsui might appear soon..."

As Xiao Zhang was pondering, a car pulled up from the opposite end. A young man alighted, hurriedly catching up with Madame Zhang, and called out, "Mom!"

As the camera zoomed in, not only Xiao Zhang but also the netizens recognized the person—it was An Ran!

The chat exploded with reactions. Even Xiao Zhang was exhilarated. He had come hoping to catch Jian Xingsui but chancing upon An Ran was an unexpected bonus. Today was certainly a day to remember!

...

Over there.

Inside the hospital.

Jian Xingsui sat beside Zhang Xiangyang. Having just undergone dialysis, Zhang Xiangyang was a bit weak. Jian Xingsui took care of his meals and gently asked, "Do you need to rest a bit, or perhaps eat something?"

Zhang Xiangyang looked at the young man's face, his eyes glistening with tears, "Xingsui, I can't sleep, nor can I eat..."

Jian Xingsui observed his frail form and said with concern, "This can't go on, given your current health condition."

"Lately, I've been dreaming a lot," Zhang Xiangyang has always been perceptive. While he had feelings for An Ran, she hadn't visited him even once since he fell ill. Instead, it was young Jian Xingsui who had always been by his side. "I dreamt about my younger days when I had just met Ah Xia. She was a nurse, and I was in the catering business. I'd deliver meals to her daily. She became so fond of them that she eventually married me."

Jian Xingsui chuckled, "That sounds quite romantic."

A hint of bitterness flashed in Zhang Xiangyang's eyes, "But over time, we made so many mistakes. I wonder if we can ever make amends in this lifetime."

Seeing him in pain after speaking, Jian Xingsui patted his back gently, "There's still a lot of life left to live. Your illness will get better. If a suitable donor isn't found, I'm willing to get tested for a blood match. Please don't worry."

Hearing this, Zhang Xiangyang's hand trembled slightly. He gave a soft laugh. In the face of life and death, one truly understands people's hearts. The more he got to know Jian Xingsui, the more he appreciated his pure soul. Before his inevitable end, he decided to reveal the truth to Jian Xingsui and guide him towards happiness.

Jian Xingsui looked at him, puzzled.

Zhang Xiangyang shook his head gently, "Xingsui, it's been almost a month. I don’t want to stay in the hospital forever. Can you accompany me for a walk today? I want to visit my home and perhaps some other places."

Jian Xingsui hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "Alright."

After consulting with the doctor, they temporarily left the hospital.

As they stepped out, Jian Xingsui received a call from Shen Xingchen. The voice on the phone was not friendly, "Are you dead or something? Not replying to messages. Who are you trying to give a heart attack?"

Jian Xingsui replied with a mix of amusement and exasperation, "Didn't I tell you the other day? I'm fine."

He had sent a reassuring message to Shen Xingchen on the day of the incident.

At that time, Shen Xingchen and his family were on vacation abroad, so he couldn't come immediately. Now, having returned, he asked, "Where are you? I'll come see you."

Jian Xingsui responded, "I can't today. I need to take care of Uncle Zhang at home."

Shen Xingchen grunted and hung up.

At home, Xu Enzhen and Aunt Wu were preparing chicken soup. After hanging up, she asked, "Did Xingsui agree?"

"He said he's busy taking care of someone at home," Shen Xingchen leaned against the kitchen doorway, growing increasingly annoyed, "He can't even take care of himself, yet he's looking after others. If he's exhausted, then so be it."

Xu Enzhen knew her son was genuinely concerned for his friend.

She covered the pot and suggested, "If he's busy, maybe we can visit him. He must be worn out recently. We can bring this chicken soup to nourish him."

Shen Xingchen nodded, "Sounds good. I just need to find out his address."

...

While these individuals were occupied with their concerns, the people in front of the rice cake shop were also busy.

An Ran followed Mrs. Zhang into the courtyard of their home, greeting her with a smile, "Mom, what happened? Why are your eyes so red?"

"Isn't it because of your father?" Mrs. Zhang said, her frustration evident. "I've inquired everywhere. If you're willing to spend money, have the right connections, and pull the right strings, you can always find a kidney donor. An Ran, tell me honestly, did you even try?"

Taken aback by her sudden harshness, An Ran feigned a laugh, "Of course I did, Mom. These things don't happen overnight..."

Mrs. Zhang used to find his smile healing, but now it only pained her. "It hasn't been just a day or two, it's been a month. Not only have you not found a donor, you haven't even visited your father once! All this time, Sui Sui has been taking care of us tirelessly, attending to our every need, while you haven't shown your face. After all these years we raised you, have you lost all gratitude?"

From a nearby live stream room in an upstairs apartment, the viewers, initially thinking this was a friendly meeting, were now in shock.

"What's happening?"

"Are Mr. and Mrs. Zhang ill?"

"I thought An Ran had a good relationship with them?"

"Oh my God, what's this drama about?"

Even Xiao Zhang, who initially came to expose Jian Xing Sui, hadn't expected to capture this scene, let alone see the usually affectionate Mrs. Xia lash out at An Ran.

As the insults continued, An Ran's face betrayed his embarrassment.

They were in a private courtyard, away from prying eyes. An Ran thought he didn't need to pretend any longer. After all, the Zhang family still relied on him financially. He was confident Mrs. Zhang wouldn't turn on him now.

So, An Ran's smile faded, and he replied calmly, "Isn't it Jian Xing Sui's duty to take care of you? Isn't he your biological son?"

Mrs. Zhang took a deep breath, "How long have we known Xing Sui compared to how long we've cared for you? Child, reflect on the past years. Haven't we given you everything? When you left home, we handed over most of our savings to you. Now, when we need you the most, how can you say such things?"

The more An Ran heard, the angrier he became. Still, he forced a hollow smile, "Mom, why are you saying this? Haven't I been trying? And if I couldn't find a donor, is it really my fault? Moreover, you gave me those savings willingly; I didn't ask for them. I can pay you back slowly, and then neither of us will owe the other anything, right?"

Mrs. Zhang's heart went cold as the words left An Ran's lips.

She stepped back, disbelief in her eyes. For a moment, she felt like she had never truly known her son.

"How could you...?" Tears welled in her eyes, "When I saw that trending topic about you and Sui Sui, I felt something was off. Why didn't I see it sooner?"

An Ran scoffed, "What do you mean, Mom? Wasn't that true? Jian Xing Sui did bully me."

"It wasn't as it was portrayed on Weibo!" Mrs. Zhang shouted back, "He might have argued with you, but he never laid a hand on you. And if you had bruises, they were from accidental bumps, not from the way it was described online, claiming he oppressed and bullied you. Are you trying to drive us to our graves? Your father and I rely on Sui Sui now, and you're making his life hard. Don't you care about how we feel?"

Her voice echoed loudly, leaving Xiao Zhang and the online viewers in stunned silence.

The live stream chat was going wild.

"What the hell is happening?"

"Wasn't An Ran always portrayed as the victim?"

"Wasn't everything on Weibo the truth? Why is this different?"

"I've let my brothers down."

Similarly, in the live stream, a group of rational viewers pieced together the situation.

"If Jian Xingsui is indeed framed, then An Ran is truly despicable."

"He always seemed like a poor soul on social media, always respectful to his parents. What's going on now?"

"I can hardly believe that person is An Ran."

"He seems like a completely different person compared to his on-screen persona!"

In the courtyard below, confronted by the aggressive attitude of Mrs. Zhang, An Ran grew defiant. Smiling wryly, he retorted, "Mom, you always accuse me of being ungrateful, of forgetting your kindness. But have you ever considered that if you hadn't taken the wrong child, I wouldn't be in this family?"

Mrs. Zhang choked up.

"You may think you've given everything, but I've never been able to wear branded clothes or attend prestigious dance classes growing up. If I were with my birth family, would it have been the same? Yes, Jian Xingsui might not have bullied me that much. I was powerless then, but now I have power, and I'll do as I please. You have no say! I owe you nothing, it's you who owe me!"

His current ferocious appearance was a stark contrast to his gentle image on screen.

Upstairs, little Zhang stared in disbelief. The live stream chat was exploding. What was once an insignificant broadcast had now reached the homepage, nearing two million viewers. It was even trending.

Meanwhile,

After hearing these words, Mrs. Zhang felt as if her chest would explode.

Taking a step closer after his tirade, An Ran stared at Mrs. Zhang and said ominously, "Mom, you must be grateful sometimes. After all, if it weren't for dad's illness, wouldn't Jian Xingsui be undergoing a DNA test now? And if so, would you still be standing here talking to me?"

This was said in a hushed tone, audible only to Mrs. Zhang.

Mrs. Zhang looked at An Ran in shock, her voice trembling, "You...you've already..."

An Ran smirked, realizing he'd hit the mark, "So, mom, do you still want to accuse me? Isn't the person who should truly reflect on their actions you? Alright, if you're unwilling to admit, tell me now, is Jian Xingsui truly your biological son?"

Mrs. Zhang felt cornered, her hair disheveled, her body trembling. Even without confronting Jian Xingsui or facing everyone, she was still unable to admit or face the reality.

"I... he... of course, he's my biological son," Mrs. Zhang murmured, tears streaming down her face.

Just as An Ran was about to retort, the door to the backyard was thrust open.

He turned and paled upon seeing Zhang Xiangyang and Jian Xingsui outside. He wondered how much they had heard and for how long.

Jian Xingsui was stunned. He'd questioned his lineage before but didn't expect to confront it this abruptly.

Zhang Xiangyang, standing next to him, took a deep look at Jian Xingsui. He'd hoped for a peaceful day, yet everything had unraveled. Looking at his tearful wife and the now estranged child they'd raised, it all seemed like a cruel joke.

They had swapped another's child; this was their retribution.

And today, this farce must come to an end.

"Enough..." With a frail demeanor, Zhang Xiangyang took a few steps forward, supporting his wife, then turned to face An Ran and Jian Xingsui. As if having made a grave decision, Mrs. Zhang tried to dissuade him with panicked gestures. Yet, he merely sighed, determination clear in his eyes, and said to the young man at the door, "I'm sorry, Xingsui. You are not our biological son."

As those words were spoken, An Ran's face turned deathly pale. Jian Xingsui was frozen in place, struggling to speak, "Then, I..."

Zhang Xiangyang slowly began, revealing a secret kept hidden for many years under broad daylight, "Over 20 years ago, A'Xia's newborn suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. In our negligence, she managed to slip out of the ward unnoticed. To our astonishment, she returned with a child in her arms. That child was An Ran."

It's a long tale.

Under normal circumstances, the voices from the small building would be inaudible. However, in order to expose Jian Xingsui's true identity, Xiao Zhang secretly placed a microphone in the courtyard. Every word spoken was transmitted perfectly to him and also to the live stream. The online audience was in an uproar; no one had expected such an absurd yet bizarre turn of events.

Meanwhile...

Shen family

Shen Xingchen had originally been trying to gather information about Jian Xingsui's family. By accident, he stumbled upon the live stream. He was about to call Jian Xingsui when he was dumbfounded by what he saw. Upon witnessing the revelation, he rushed downstairs to find his mother, who was pouring chicken soup, "Mom! Big trouble! Jian Xingsui is not the biological child of the Zhang family!"

Xu En's heart seemed to skip a beat. She looked up, her heart racing uncontrollably. Looking at the anxious Shen Xingchen, she began, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"It's true! It's true!" Shen Xingchen relayed what he had heard from Zhang Xiangyang on the live stream, "They said that Zhang Xia's child died of sudden cardiac arrest, and then she ran out and took someone else's child!"

Xu En felt as if her breathing stopped at that moment. Especially upon hearing about the cardiac arrest, it felt like her blood had frozen solid. She struggled to ask, "Which hospital?"

Shen Xingchen glanced back at the live stream and, after waiting for Zhang Xiangyang to almost finish speaking, responded, "It seems to be called... Zhongting Hospital."

"Crash!"

The bowl of chicken soup fell from the counter, shattering on the ground. The soup splattered everywhere. Xu En stood frozen in place, her beautiful eyes trembling as tears streamed down her face.