After the Young Master’s Death, He was Kissed by His Mortal Enemy! (BL) - Chapter 16

Shen Ran wasn’t polite at all. He picked up a cup of soy milk from the dining table and took a couple of sips. Then, without hesitation, he snatched a freshly peeled tea egg from Cheng Yi’s hand.

Before Cheng Yi could raise an eyebrow and react, Shen Ran quickly spoke up, “Thanks for the egg, Boss Cheng. I love your eggs. May you prosper and get rich!”

He shoved the tea egg into his mouth in a few quick bites, then sat down beside Cheng Yi. Picking up a piece of fried dough stick, he munched on it while casting a probing glance at Secretary Wang.

“Let Xiao Wang finish his meal first.”

Cheng Yi gave Shen Ran a firm smack on the head. “Xiao Wang has been running around helping you since he woke up. Even a donkey needs to eat before it pulls the millstone, right?”

Though the comment seemed to show concern for Secretary Wang, the phrasing felt a bit odd no matter how one heard it.

After breakfast, Shen Ran stared longingly at Secretary Wang. “So, what did you find out? Was I really adopted?”

Secretary Wang neither confirmed nor denied it, instead responding with something seemingly unrelated: “Twenty-three years ago, Fu Sijie did give birth to a baby boy at a private hospital in K City. Here, this is the record from that time.”

Shen Ran froze. He was twenty-three this year.

There were no other children in the Shen family besides him.

Secretary Wang’s investigation was meticulous. He laid out Fu Sijie’s prenatal checkups, hospitalization records, and even the subsequent documentation for various procedures right in front of Shen Ran.

In other words, there was a 100% chance he was their biological child.

…But something didn’t add up. If that were the case, then why did the man in black claim he was an adopted orphan?

At that moment, Shen Ran had been on the brink of death—there was no reason for that man to lie to him!

Even Cheng Yi had sensed that something was off about the atmosphere in Shen Ran’s household. There had to be a problem somewhere. Something was definitely wrong…

“Shen Ran.” Cheng Yi grabbed his hand and gave it a light squeeze, pulling him out of his thoughts. Shen Ran suddenly realized he had started trembling without even noticing.

“Don’t get so worked up. Xiao Wang didn’t say for sure that you’re their biological child. Right, Xiao Wang?”

Shen Ran turned his head again, staring intently at Secretary Wang.

Xiao Wang nodded. “Yes. There are some details that seem quite strange. The Shen couple appeared to treasure their child, but from the time he was born until he was five years old, they never once brought him out in public.”

A child supposedly cherished and pampered, yet he never appeared before others for five whole years.

Even if the Shen couple adored their son and feared he might suffer any harm outside, it was impossible for no one to have seen him for such a long time.

He still needed to go for checkups, right? Vaccinations too, right? They couldn’t have kept him locked up at home every single day, could they?

“If Shen Ran had been sheltered indoors his entire life, that would be one thing. But strangely, after he turned five, the Shen couple’s behavior did a complete 180. They started taking him out constantly, taking photos, introducing him to others—as if, as if…”

Shen Ran finished Secretary Wang’s thought: “…As if they deliberately wanted everyone to know they had a son.”

For a moment, the room fell into a heavy silence—so quiet it felt almost suffocating.

Shen Ran didn’t doubt Secretary Wang’s investigative abilities.

If this was all the information he could find, then this must be the limit of what they could uncover.

Still, Shen Ran couldn’t be certain. He couldn’t be sure whether he was truly a biological child of the Shen family.

Perhaps because Shen Ran looked so dejected and pitiful, Cheng Yi raised a hand and gave him a flick on the forehead.

“Alright, stop looking so miserable. I have a simpler and more direct method.”

“Ow! Cheng Yi, you hit me again!” Shen Ran clutched his head. “Even Xiao Wang is out of ideas—what simpler and more direct method could you possibly have?”

“Why ask so many questions? Just pack your things and come with me.”

Once again riding in Cheng Yi’s car, Shen Ran acted like it was second nature, as if he were getting into his own vehicle.

“You really do see me as your chauffeur, don’t you?” Cheng Yi raised an eyebrow. “I stayed up all night for your sake. Aren’t you worried I might fall asleep at the wheel?”

Cheng Yi lowered his voice for the second half, so Shen Ran didn’t catch it. “Huh? What did you just say? The music’s too loud—I didn’t hear you!”

“I didn’t say anything!” Cheng Yi raised his voice instead. “I said—don’t forget to pay your fare. Five hundred bucks!!”

Shen Ran yelled back even louder, “No way! Boss Cheng, you’re so stingy!!”

Half an hour later, the car stopped in front of a building.

Shen Ran got out and looked up at the sign. “What is this? Some kind of… research institute… Hey! Cheng Yi, I haven’t even finished reading—why are you dragging me?!”

“What’s the point of staring at a sign? Just follow me inside.”

Dragged along by Cheng Yi, Shen Ran followed him through a series of turns inside the building until they reached a large door.

Cheng Yi pushed it open without hesitation—and almost simultaneously, a disgruntled voice rang out from within the room.

“I’ve told you all countless times—knock before you enter the Director’s office! Knock! Do you understand what that means? Don’t think I won’t scold you just because you’re research staff! You all—huh? Oh, it’s Old Cheng. Eh? And the one behind you is…”

Shen Ran recognized the man—it was Wei Hailan.

Earlier, Wei Hailan had clearly been doing something in the office and was visibly annoyed at being interrupted. But when he saw it was Cheng Yi who entered, his expression immediately softened. Now, he was looking at Shen Ran with hesitation, as if trying to recall who he was.

Shen Ran stepped forward and introduced himself before Wei Hailan could speak. “Hello, I’m Shen Ran.”

“Ohhh—right, right, Shen Ran, Shen Ran.”

Wei Hailan suddenly lit up, as if remembering something important. For some reason, a wide grin spread across his face. “I know, I know. Shen Ran, of course I know. Just call me Brother Hailan.”

He glanced between Shen Ran and Cheng Yi, and his grin took on a teasing edge. His eyebrows wiggled up and down in a playful way that was honestly a little ridiculous.

Shen Ran could read the meaning behind that grin and quickly responded with an innocent look, pretending not to catch on.

“Brother Hailan, isn’t this our first time meeting? How do you know me?”

“Ahhh~~ that’s because Cheng Yi talks about you all the time. He li—”

“Ahem.” Cheng Yi raised his hand to his mouth and coughed twice—neither too soft nor too loud.

He shot Wei Hailan a sharp glare like a dagger, but when Shen Ran turned to look at him, Cheng Yi feigned nonchalance, as if nothing had happened.

Wei Hailan shivered slightly and quickly changed the subject. “—because he said your companies are nearby. Neighbors, you know, neighbors! That’s all, haha!”

“You two can cut the nonsense,” Cheng Yi interjected. “I brought him here for something serious. Wei Hailan, I need you to run a paternity test—rush it, and get the results as soon as possible.”