"You really haven't seen me before? I've been here many times." Jiang An said after a moment of silence.
Pang Dayong thought about it very seriously: "I feel very familiar with you, but I am sure I have never met you before."
"Have you ever met your stepfather?" Jiang An asked again.
Pang Yong was very puzzled. How could they chat like this? How did they suddenly start talking about his stepfather again?
However, he didn't think much of it. Because he had been taking care of his husband, his husband's relatives or classmates who came to visit were more curious about his affairs and would ask him some questions.
Pang Dayong shook his head and said, "I have never seen it since I was old enough to understand things, and I didn't know about it before."
"Is it that you don't want to see him?" Jiang An asked.
“Initially, when he was about to arrive, my maternal grandfather and uncle would order someone to take me out of the house, and I would only be brought back after my mother and stepfather left.”
"I was too young to understand then, but I guessed when I grew up. They were probably afraid that if I saw my mother, I would cling to her, displease my stepfather, and ruin their happy life," Pang Dayong said with a wry smile.
After all, the reason why my maternal grandparents' family was able to go from barely making ends meet to living a life of luxury was all because of that rich and powerful son-in-law.
He, the son of his mother and ex-husband, was always an unwanted burden. His mother hadn't abandoned him to that scoundrel father after their divorce; instead, she took him back to her parents' home to raise him—that was already quite kind of her. What more did she want?
Hearing these words and seeing the bitter smile on his face, Jiang An felt even more distressed.
"Child, let me tell you the truth. The reason I came here is to find you. I'm not your husband's classmate. I am, yes, my surname is Jiang, Jiang An." Jiang An steeled himself and decided to explain the situation now.
Upon seeing the child, Jiang An believed the girl's words, as well as his own eyes and feelings at that moment.
He couldn't bring himself to consider everything thoroughly, verify anything, and then figure out a way to explain it to the child.
"Looking for me? Jiang An?" Pang Yong muttered, then suddenly stood up. "What do you want with me? I haven't bothered you all these years."
"No, no, child, don't be anxious. Let me explain to you slowly. I'm asking you, did a young lady come by a few days ago?" Jiang An quickly asked when he saw his son's reaction.
Upon hearing this, Pang Yong knew that the person being referred to was the kind-hearted and straightforward girl, and he nodded subconsciously.
"She told me that the son in my household is not my biological son. She asked me to come here to see you, so I came." Jiang An got straight to the point.
At first, Pang Yong was a little confused by Jiang An's words, but he was not stupid. After thinking about how his mother and maternal grandparents had treated him over the years, he had a vague idea in his mind, but he dared not believe it.
Could that be? How could that be? Could such a bizarre thing happen?
But if that's not the case, why did my mother and maternal grandparents treat me that way?
“You find it hard to believe too, right? When I first heard that young lady say it, I had the same reaction as you. But, the moment I saw you, I…” Jiang An saw his son frown and sit back in his chair, knowing that he had taken his words to heart, and then began to explain in detail.
Including who that young woman was and how they met.
Pang Yong appeared to be listening quietly, but his mind was in turmoil. He was both excited and nervous, and his clenched fists were so tight that his nails dug into his palms. The clear pain told him that he was not dreaming.
No wonder my mother wasn't close to me at all. When she came back, she would hold my uncle's children but not me, and she never even smiled at me.
So I wasn't her child after all!
Is this so-called stepfather actually his biological father?
Is this true?
Jiang An had said everything he needed to say, and then quietly gave the other party time to think it over. At this moment, a noise came from the bedroom, and Pang Dayong immediately got up and went over.
Jiang An also got up and followed, watching him help Chen Juren sit up and put on his shoes.
"Dayong, we have a guest? Who is this? I can't remember him." Chen Juren also saw Jiang An and turned to ask.
“Sir, I’m here to see Dayong. You’ve never seen me before, so of course you don’t remember me,” Jiang An quickly said.
Having already learned from others how kind this Scholar Chen was to Da Yong, Jiang An looked at him with gratitude.
"Oh, you're looking for Dayong? You must be Dayong's father?" Chen Juren stepped closer and suddenly asked.
Upon hearing this, Pang Dayong and Jiang An instinctively looked at each other.
"Sir, why would you say I am his father?" Jiang An asked tentatively.
Chen, the scholar, laughed and said, "I've been taking medicine recently and haven't had any more episodes. I'm perfectly lucid, so of course you can tell. You two go and look in the mirror."
Don't blame me for being a nag, but Dayong is still your own son. Hurry up and take him back. If he had stayed by your side back then, maybe he wouldn't have suffered so much.
The child came back with his mother, oh dear! What a tragedy!
Before Jiang An could respond, the old man pulled Dayong aside and whispered, "Dayong, your father doesn't seem as bad as the rumors say. Maybe he's changed for the better."
Since he's come looking for you, hurry up and go home with him.
“Sir, I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stay here with you and take care of you in your old age,” Pang Yong replied.
Whether he is Pang Dayong or Jiang Dayong, he will not abandon his teacher.
After saying that, he helped the old man to urinate, and then gave him some water to wash up.
"Don't listen to his nonsense. I can take care of myself now. Hurry up and take him back. It's time to find him a wife. Don't you want to hold your grandson soon?" the old man said to Jiang An very seriously.
“Sir, you have been kind to this child. He is not talking nonsense. This child is loyal and righteous.” After saying that, Jiang An looked at his son beside him and said, “Come back with your father. Let’s go with the master and take care of him in his old age and see him off in his final days.”
Jiang An knew, of course, that the old man had mistaken her for Pang's ex-husband, but now was not the time to explain it to him.
Pang Dayong was surprised by his words and remained silent for a moment before saying, "You came here just based on that young lady's guess to see if things are really as she said. There's no solid evidence yet, is there? Just because I look like you, you believe what that young lady said?"
If you take me back now, what if the truth turns out to be different from what that young lady said? Aren't you afraid of making a big joke of yourself?
As you said, that young woman was from out of town, just stopping briefly in your town for the New Year. She left after the New Year. What about you...?
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