Chapter 372: Avoid suspicion and don’t seek help
The afternoon cafe is hidden deep in an old alley, with half-dead ivy climbing on the wooden window frames. The sunlight shines in obliquely through the glass, casting tiny spots of light on the polished mahogany table.
Chen Hanxing sat by the window, holding a white porcelain coffee cup between her fingertips. The heat from the cup created a faint mist under her eyes.
When Han Lingcui pushed the door open, the wind from the alley was still on his windbreaker.
She saw Shen Hanxing at a glance, her steps paused, the habitual gentle smile on her face froze, and then she slowly walked over and sat down, her fingertips subconsciously twisting the bag strap.
"Han Xing, why are you looking for me so urgently? Is there something wrong?"
She picked up the lemonade the waiter had just brought, took a sip, and tried to hide the discomfort in her tone.
Chen Hanxing didn't beat around the bush. He pulled out a document from his briefcase and gently pushed it to the center of the table.
There were no words on the brown paper cover, but Han Lingcui caught a glimpse of the exposed corner.
That was the letterhead of the Municipal Hospital and the words "Paternity Test Report" in bold.
Her face turned pale, and the glass in her hand shook violently, spilling water onto the tablecloth, leaving a small dark wet mark.
"This...what is this?" Her voice trembled, and she avoided looking at Chen Hanxing. "Where did you get it from? Did you make a mistake? I..."
Could it be that her behavior in kindergarten was too obvious, causing Shen Hanxing to become suspicious?
But she just couldn't help it.
That was her biological son, her precious baby.
She just wanted to spend more time with her children and had no other thoughts.
Why was it discovered?
Why can't she be allowed to continue getting along with Xunxun like this?
Why!
"You secretly used Xunxun's sample for an appraisal." Shen Hanxing's voice was very flat, like the surface of a lake covered with thin ice. "You were the appraiser, and the result was a 99.99% match."
Han Lingcui's lips trembled and the words were stuck in his throat.
She couldn’t let Shen Hanxing have any opinion about Xunxun.
No matter how much resentment she felt, she couldn't let her child pay for her mistakes.
So, her thoughts turned over and over, but all she could come up with was incoherent excuses.
"No, Mr. Shen, listen to me, I didn't mean it... At that time, I just... I was a little suspicious... Xunxun looked too much like him, I just wanted to confirm, there was really no other intention... I didn't think about telling him, really!"
The more she spoke, the more confused she became, her eyes turned red and tears welled up on her eyelashes.
"I know the Xuanyuan family has strict rules, and he's the only heir to the Xuanyuan family. Xuanyuan Pavilion has been getting increasingly sick over the years, and there are so many eyes watching... How could I possibly let Xunxun get involved? I just... I just had a thought in my mind, and I really didn't intend to make it public..."
Chen Hanxing looked at her quietly, and waited until she finished her incoherent words before speaking slowly, with a hint of imperceptible fatigue in her voice: "Stop talking."
She already knows all these things, so why bother saying these useless words.
I didn't come here today to talk nonsense with Han Lingcui.
I realized her attitude was too cold.
Han Lingcui suddenly stopped talking, as if her throat was being strangled, and her tears fell on the tablecloth, mixing with the water stains.
"It's useless to say this now." Shen Hanxing tapped the report with his fingertips.
"The most important thing is the child. Xunxun is your son, that's true. But speaking of blood, he's also a child of Xuanyuan Pavilion! Which means he's a member of the Xuanyuan family."
Han Lingcui looked up suddenly, his eyes full of panic.
"I won't let them take Xunxun away!" She clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white. "Xunxun is my flesh and blood, my life!"
"Xuanyuan Pavilion didn't know there was such a child. He almost killed my mother and me. Why would he want to snatch him away?"
“The Xuanyuan family needs an heir.” Shen Hanxing’s words were like a calm knife, cutting through reality.
"Xuanyuan Pavilion is thirty years old this year, unmarried, and childless. Old Master Xuanyuan has been in poor health for the past two years, and the most urgent thing is the incense.
What do you think they would do if they knew about Xunxun's existence... a healthy, pure-blooded boy?"
Han Lingcui's face turned even paler, and his lips turned blue from biting.
Of course she knew that the Xuanyuan family was well-known in the Beijing circle for its emphasis on rules and inheritance, and her brief romance with Xuanyuan Ge had its own difficulties.
The breakup was also very undignified.
I even almost lost my life at one point.
If Xunxun's identity were to be exposed, with the power of the Xuanyuan family, they would be able to take the child away from her even if they had to.
"I won't let them do that!" She said fiercely, but her eyes hid a deep sense of helplessness. "Xunxun is shy and timid. If he goes to the Xuanyuan family, he will be scared to death..."
"So it must be kept secret." Chen Hanxing looked at her with a bit more earnestness in his eyes, "Besides you and me, no third person can know about this. Especially the people of the Xuanyuan family, and Xuanyuan Ge himself."
She paused, her tone becoming more serious: "You should be aware of Xuanyuan Pavilion's temperament. Although he seems to be casual, he actually has a strong desire for control.
If he knew he had a son, he might not let go.
Not to mention Mr. Xuanyuan, who would do anything to obtain his heir.
By then, not only will Xunxun be dragged into the Xuanyuan family's mess, but you will also be in trouble."
Han Lingcui's tears were still falling, but she slowly calmed down.
She looked at Shen Hanxing, this woman who had always been cold and aloof, and the worry in her eyes at this moment was not fake.
She knew that Shen Hanxing was right. The Xuanyuan family was a gorgeous cage, and she would never let Xunxun enter.
"I understand." She sniffed, wiped away her tears with the back of her hand, and her eyes gradually became firm.
"I will keep my mouth shut. Xunxun is your son alone. He has nothing to do with the Xuanyuan family or Xuanyuan Pavilion."
Shen Hanxing nodded slightly, reached out to take the report back, and when his fingertips brushed across the cover, his strength unconsciously increased.
"Report it and I'll deal with it. Don't do such risky things again. Xuanyuan Pavilion has many spies. If you continue to investigate, it will be exposed sooner or later."
Han Lingcui nodded vigorously, picked up the water cup and took a big sip. The cold water slid down her throat, making her confused mind clearer.
The wind outside the window blew the fallen leaves across the windowsill, making a rustling sound, as if it was keeping this unspeakable secret for them.
"Don't worry." Chen Hanxing said softly, "As long as we can hold on, Xunxun will be fine."
Han Lingcui raised her head, tears still in her eyes, but she forced a smile: "Yeah."
She believed that Chen Hanxing could take good care of Xunxun, but in this way.
As her biological mother, she is afraid that she is no longer qualified to visit Xunxun.
In order to reassure Shen Hanxing, she would also have to avoid suspicion in the future.
Otherwise it would be dangerous to search.
After all, Xuanyuan Pavilion actually sent people to keep an eye on her.
If she discovered Xunxun's problem, she would be blamed for it.
"Boss Shen, please tell Xunxun that I'm on a business trip soon and I'm afraid I can't accompany him."
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