After the Young Master’s Death, He was Kissed by His Mortal Enemy! (BL) - Chapter 17

“Paternity test?!”

Shen Ran and Wei Hailan exclaimed in unison.

Especially the clueless Wei Hailan, who was beyond shocked and practically jumped in place.

“What?! Old Cheng! Who’s doing a paternity test? You?! Wait—don’t tell me you messed around behind my back and ended up with a kid? Did someone show up at your door with a child and threaten you? How old is the kid? How much money are they demanding? Oh my god, my brain’s spinning…”

Wei Hailan’s wild guesses spilled out one after another, growing more outrageous by the second.

And to make matters worse, he spoke at lightning speed and with a booming voice, rattling off a torrent of absurd speculations before anyone could interrupt him.

Shen Ran, on the other hand, wasn’t nearly as agitated. He more or less understood what Cheng Yi meant. But was this kind of test something you could just casually do?

Even if it were possible, shouldn’t they have come prepared? Like bringing hair samples from his parents, with follicles and everything…

The more Wei Hailan speculated, the darker Cheng Yi’s expression grew. Finally, unable to bear it anymore, he reached out and pinched Wei Hailan’s mouth shut. With his other hand, he pulled out three sealed bags from his pocket.

“Alright, shut up already. Listening to you is giving me a headache. These are hair samples from Shen Ran and the Shen couple. Run the paternity test and make it quick.”

Elegant and straight to the point.

“Mmph mmph?!” Wei Hailan’s eyes bulged as his face turned red. “Mmph mmph mmph mmph!”

Cheng Yi let go. “There. Now you may speak.”

“Wait—why are we doing a paternity test for Shen Ran and his parents? To prove his parents are really his? This is so bizarre!”

“Why ask so many questions? Just get it done, and rush it—I need the results by today.”

Wei Hailan looked aggrieved. “Didn’t you tell me I could speak? And now I’m talking too much again… Fine! I’m not being your good buddy anymore! I’m off to get Shen Ran’s test started!”

Throughout the whole exchange, Shen Ran stood off to the side, dazed, watching this handsome man named Wei put on an entire one-man show—at one moment coy, the next ridiculous—and now striding off with the three sealed bags like some grand hero.

Such a good-looking guy… How did his brain go off-track so young?

Shen Ran struggled to find the right words. “Cheng Yi, has Brother Hailan always had this kind of… personality?”

As he watched Wei Hailan walk away, Cheng Yi sighed, his tone heavy with resignation.

“Yeah. There’s something wrong with his brain. You should steer clear of him—you might catch it.”

“…But Cheng Yi, your ‘simple and direct’ method was… coming here for a paternity test?”

“Yeah. Isn’t it simple and direct?”

“Well, it is, but…”

But how was Cheng Yi always this far-sighted?

Just hearing the words paternity test, Shen Ran had pictured having to sneak around at home like a spy, secretly collecting hair from his parents.

Yet Cheng Yi had already anticipated everything and even brought the samples with him!

“Last night, when we had dinner at your place, I casually collected a bit of your parents’ hair. As for yours—after you fell asleep, I yanked it right off your head. Got plenty—more than enough.”

Shen Ran’s face filled with horror. He immediately backed away from Cheng Yi, clutching his head with both hands as if guarding it with his life.

“What?! You yanked my hair? You trying to make me bald?!”

“Relax. Who’s trying to make you bald? It was just two or three strands. Anyway, DNA testing takes time. Instead of sitting here waiting, why not go do something productive?”

“Do something productive?” Shen Ran blinked. “Like what?”

This time, he clearly saw a hint of disdain in Cheng Yi’s eyes. “What, your gallery’s not open today? My company’s on vacation? Today’s not the weekend, you know.”

Shen Ran was struck by realization.

Right! These past couple of days, his mind had been so consumed by his origins that he’d forgotten about everything else!

Right now, making money was still important.

After all, the Shen family was a ticking time bomb—who knew when it might all blow up.

In the past, with his family covering all his expenses, he didn’t care much about the modest income from his gallery. He just ran it for fun and peace of mind. As long as he wasn’t losing money, it was all good.

But now, if he wanted to survive, he really might have to do as Cheng Yi said—expand his business for real.

As soon as Shen Ran imagined the frugal and difficult life he’d have to live without money in the future, his fighting spirit ignited.

“Right! Let’s go! Let’s head back and get to work! — Oh, wait, I’ll drive this time.”

These past few days, Cheng Yi had truly gone through a lot—running around with him, helping him keep track of countless little things.

If Cheng Yi hadn’t thoughtfully collected his parents’ hair yesterday, even if Shen Ran wanted to do the paternity test today, he would’ve been helpless.

Cheng Yi must be more exhausted than him. Shen Ran figured it was only right for him to take over the labor of being the “chauffeur” for once.

To his surprise, Cheng Yi didn’t refuse his offer.

In fact, Cheng Yi truly trusted him. After getting into the car, he closed his eyes and actually began to nap.

His brow furrowed slightly, a bluish tint casting shadows under his eyes—he really did look worn out.

Shen Ran couldn’t help but glance at him a few more times, then quietly turned down the volume of the car radio.

Back at his small art gallery, Shen Ran finally began planning seriously.

“From now on, we’re open Monday to Friday, no more private appointments for friends. Anyone who walks in, I’ll serve. Anyone who pays, I’ll sell…”

He counted on his fingers.

He still had some money on hand, though not much.

Once the gallery’s income stabilized, he could consider investing in something else—something popular, profitable…

“I’ve got nothing,” Shen Ran muttered, on the verge of tears. “My head hurts. This is so depressing.”

He’d never seriously thought about earning money before. He always assumed his parents loved him enough that he didn’t need to worry about anything at home.

In fact, Shen Corporation had never required his involvement—because, frankly, he was never really a part of it.

“…No, I can’t let it end like this!”

A sudden idea struck Shen Ran like lightning.

Wool comes from the sheep’s back! The Shen family wouldn’t collapse for another year. Before that happened, he could go home a few more times, call “Mom” a few more times!

There would still be money coming into his bank account. If they owed him, he’d be sure to collect every bit!

Evening.

Cheng Yi appeared punctually at the entrance of Shen Ran’s gallery. Unexpectedly, he was accompanied by Wei Hailan.

In Wei Hailan’s hands was a test report.

Shen Ran rushed over. “Brother Hailan, are the results out? How is it? How is it?”

He noticed a trace of hesitation and unease in Wei Hailan’s expression.

“Shen Ran, you need to be mentally prepared… It seems you are not the biological child of the Shen couple. There’s no bl00d relation between you.”