Chapter 55 Nanzhi, Something Happened with Auntie

Zhou Mubin hesitated, and when he got to the most crucial point, he looked up in Xie Nanzhi's direction and said, "The other sample is... Xie Wanli's."

Xie, Wan, Li?

Upon hearing this unexpected result, Xie Nanzhi was momentarily stunned and stood there as if she had been frozen in place.

She remained silent for nearly ten minutes, her breathing becoming lighter.

Her thin eyebrows were furrowed at the brow bone, and her deep black eyes were like a bottomless, icy pool; a single glance from them would freeze the earth.

Xie Nanzhi stared blankly at a certain spot for a long while, then picked up her coffee and took a big gulp, as if trying her best to hide her inner anxiety and unease.

"And then what happened?"

Zhou Mubin pursed his lips. "The test results show that you two are biologically father and daughter."

With her last glimmer of hope shattered, Xie Nanzhi's hand holding the coffee cup trembled, spilling the remaining coffee all over herself.

She should have known better. Wang Shufen, who was not yet twenty years old, came to Gangcheng from her hometown to work. Her first job was as a maid in the Xie family. She had never had a boyfriend, and she didn't even have any male friends in her social circle.

The circle of men who could interact with Wang Shufen was actually very small. Xie Nanzhi once thought that her biological father might be a guest who had visited the Xie family or a worker who worked for the Xie family. In short, she never thought that this person would be Xie Wanli.

She suddenly remembered something: when she was eighteen, Luo Meijuan wanted to kick her out, but it was her grandmother who insisted on keeping her. Xie Nanzhi vaguely remembered that Xie Wanli seemed to have spoken up for her as well.

Presumably, Xie Wanli knew perfectly well at that time that she was also his biological daughter.

But why, even though he knew everything, did he still allow Luo Meijuan and her children to bully and humiliate her in the Xie family? Why could he turn a blind eye and remain indifferent? Why is that?

This result nearly drove Xie Nanzhi to despair. She would rather her biological father be an ordinary man, even if he was no longer in this world, than have him be Xie Wanli.

Zhou Mubin considerately took a tissue to wipe Xie Nanzhi's soiled clothes. He said carefully, "Nanzhi, I know it's hard for you to accept, but it's true. Xie Wanli is indeed your biological father."

Xie Nanzhi frowned and gritted her teeth. She suddenly asked, "So, Wang Shufen not only changed my and Xie Xiyan's lives, but also became a mistress?"

Zhou Mubin was taken aback and couldn't answer for a moment.

If Wang Shufen was forced back then, why did she continue to stay in the Xie family after learning she was pregnant?

The fact that she was able to give birth to Xie Nanzhi safely under Luo Meijuan's nose suggests that, most likely, Xie Nanzhi was right—she and Xie Wanli had been having an affair for some time.

Zhou Mubin said, "Nanzhi, perhaps Auntie has some difficulties. I think we should ask Auntie about what happened back then in person."

Anger and shame clashed in her heart, tearing at Xie Nanzhi's limbs and bones.

She wanted to confront Wang Shufen face to face, but after thinking it over, Xie Nanzhi didn't dare to.

When everything is just speculation, there may still be a glimmer of hope in one's heart, but if the speculation is confirmed, she fears she will collapse.

Xie Nanzhi can accept that she is an orphan, or any other identity, but she cannot accept that she is an illegitimate child.

She slowly stood up, ignoring the coffee stains on her clothes, and said, "Old Zhou, I'm leaving now."

Xie Nanzhi turned around hastily, and Zhou Mubin suggested, "Nanzhi, do you want me to go with you to meet your aunt and we can get to the bottom of things?"

Xie Nanzhi stiffened and said in a low voice, "Old Zhou, let me think about it some more."

Zhou Mubin: "Okay, call me anytime if you've thought it through."

...

Leaving the law firm, Xie Nanzhi returned to the restaurant she had gone to, retrieved her car, and sped off onto the overpass. She opened the convertible top, letting the cold wind whip against her face, as if only that could calm her down.

After speeding around the city, it was already dark when they returned. Xie Nanzhi parked the car at the port and stood on the pier, enjoying the sea breeze, her face expressionless.

However, her face grew paler and paler, and unsurprisingly, she hadn't fully recovered from her previous cold and developed a fever that night.

It wasn't as serious as last time. Xie Nanzhi took fever reducer and soaked in the bathtub, thinking about everything she had experienced since childhood, as well as everything that happened after Xie Xiyan was found.

Xie Nanzhi clenched her palms until a small patch of red appeared on the water's surface, and a stinging pain shot through her hand.

Wrapped in a bath towel, Xie Nanzhi crawled into bed and pulled the covers over her head.

That night, Xie Nanzhi had a series of nightmares and was awakened at around 4 a.m.

Looking at the still dark sky, Xie Nanzhi was no longer sleepy. She sat blankly on the sofa until dawn, then got dressed and went to the transportation company.

When people are upset, the only way to keep themselves busy is to avoid overthinking.

Xie Nanzhi was the first person to arrive at the company.

She reviewed the transportation company's reports from the previous few quarters and even put together an operational adjustment plan. When the company's employees gradually arrived, they were all taken aback when they saw her.

I've seen capable bosses, but I've never seen a boss who is both capable and hardworking.

Xie Nanzhi handed the adjustment plan to the operations department and casually said, "There are still three days until the bidding deadline. The final price must be finalized by tomorrow at the latest."

"Yes, Mr. Nan."

Xie Nanzhi's workload is heavy. With her around, none of the employees dare to take it lightly, and they all work with all their might.

Therefore, the leader plays a very important role in determining the future prospects of a company.

The manager found Xie Nanzhi and placed her lunchbox on her desk. "President Nan, I heard from people in the industry that President Pei of Zhengrong Group is inquiring about our company."

Xie Nanzhi paused in her hand as she opened the lunchbox. "Hmm, what did you say?"

The manager answered truthfully, "As you instructed, we have not revealed your identity to the public. Currently, apart from our own employees, no one knows that you are the boss."

Xie Nanzhi nodded and said, "Don't let anyone know my identity before the bidding opens, to avoid any unforeseen complications."

If Pei Jingchuan knew it was her, he would most likely guess her purpose. Given Pei Jingchuan's ruthless nature, he would definitely try every means to prevent her from participating in the bidding.

The manager quickly said, "Don't worry, Mr. Nan, this matter concerns the future of our expedition, and everyone knows that."

Xie Nanzhi said, "Okay, you should go and rest too."

The manager responded and turned to leave, just then Xie Nanzhi's phone rang.

She picked it up and saw that it was a call from Zhou Mubin.

Xie Nanzhi picked up her chopsticks while answering the phone, "Hello, Lao Zhou."

Then Zhou Mubin said urgently, "Nanzhi, something happened to Auntie. Luo Meijuan brought people over there. Where are you? I'm coming to pick you up now..."

Xie Nanzhi's pupils dilated, and she suddenly stood up. Without saying a word, she grabbed the handbag on the desk and ran straight out the door.