Rebirth: Looking Back in a Sudden Realization - Chapter 12

It has to be said, Qiushi Academy was extremely efficient. The very next day, they notified Shao Yiner to handle the transfer procedures, informed Shao Chuyan to start classes the following Monday, and even sent the girls’ uniforms and textbooks to the hotel.

This made Yiner delighted. She hadn’t expected her daughter to follow through so thoroughly—successfully transferring to Qiushi without using the Zhao family’s connections. Of course, this was because Yiner didn’t know she had been “donated” money for the transfer. Had she known that Chuyan spent one million yuan for the transfer slot, she might have been more inclined to ask Zhao Longhua for help.

For the rest of the week, Chuyan buried herself in her slow laptop, searching for information. Technically, it was already a top-of-the-line computer. Under the guise of learning finance, she also opened a new stock account in her mother’s name. With limited funds, she had to rely on speculative opportunities—and stocks were the perfect channel to earn startup capital for her future business.

She quickly realized that the timing for entering the stock market was perfect. In 1999, the so-called “May 19 hot money inflow” was occurring. If she remembered correctly, the market would gradually rise, followed by a high-tech stock boom that would continue until mid-2001.

She invested her 190,000 yuan in a single internet stock. At the time, any stock with “internet” in its name was sure to skyrocket. She planned to let it sit for a while and earn quick money.

On Saturday morning, while Yiner was out, Chuyan called Zhao Longhua.

“Hello, Chuyan, finally remembered to call your father?” came Zhao Longhua’s deep, pleasant voice over the phone.

“Dad, I need to discuss something with you. Could you spare some time?”

He chuckled lightly.
“Ah, Chuyan, why so serious?”

“I’ll tell you in person.”

“All right, then I’ll wait for you at home this afternoon. It’s your first time back home in all these years. Should I send the driver to pick you up?”

Chuyan suggested a compromise:
“Why don’t we have Zhongyuan come over for lunch, then I’ll come with the driver after that?”

Zhao Longhua agreed and hung up.

At noon, Zhao Zhongyuan excitedly arrived at the Four Seasons Hotel to meet Yiner and Chuyan for lunch. But as soon as they finished eating, before he could even chat with his mother, Chuyan sneakily pushed him out the door, reporting to Yiner that she would be taking him shopping for a game console and wouldn’t return for dinner.

“I don’t want to go out, why are you pushing me?” Zhongyuan grumbled.

Chuyan explained:
“I’m not sending you away. I’m going with you.”

“Going where?” he asked, confused.

“To your house,” she said, tapping his shoulder.
“The Zhao family.”

He lit up.
“Great! Dad’s been wanting you to come back!” After a pause, his little face scrunched in worry:
“Does Mom know?”

“Nope. Keep it a secret.”

“Oh,” Zhongyuan said a few times, feeling something was off.
“Then you were lying to Mom just now?”

Chuyan ignored him, looping her arm around his chin and leading him out.

It took only half an hour to reach the Zhao residence. When she stepped out of the car, Chuyan froze.

This courtyard was the place of her birth—the towering jujube tree, the crystal-clear ancient well. She had dreamed of this scene countless times, and now it still stood quietly before her. Before she could even reflect, Zhao Longhua came out to greet them.
“What are you standing there for? Come inside.”

Seeing her father again, Chuyan felt all her unease since her rebirth melt into a strange calm. Everything had returned to twelve years ago. Seeing her family alive and well in front of her was like finally placing a heavy stone that had been pressing on her chest back in its place.

She studied Zhao Longhua carefully. They had rarely met in the past, and she barely remembered what her young father looked like.

Now a man in his forties, he had a handsome, resolute face, a tall and fit frame, and despite his high position, he had never become overweight. Every gesture radiated authority. Zhao Longhua wore a simple white polo and black trousers, yet carried an imposing aura naturally.

This was her father—the proud and dignified Zhao Longhua. In her previous life, she had seen him fewer than five times, but he still evoked a sense of closeness, because this was truly her father—not the shabby, debt-ridden figure from the news, nor the cold, old corpse from his funeral.

Tears welled up, but she forced them back, masking her emotion with mock irritation:
“Oh, there’s something in my eye! Zhongyuan, blow it out for me.”

Zhongyuan anxiously tiptoed up, puffed his cheeks, and blew at her eyes.

His adorable gesture made Chuyan laugh, wiping her tears away.
“It’s fine now.”

The siblings followed their father into the courtyard.

The traditional courtyard remained largely intact. Zhao Longhua favored a classical Chinese style—Peking Opera masks and antique collections were everywhere. Chuyan carefully observed, looking for traces of other women, like Xu Fenyi, but everything was orderly, with masculine tastes in paintings and antiques. Even in the living room, a display cabinet prominently held a gem-inlaid ancient sword under glass, clearly valuable.

It seemed Xu Fenyi didn’t live here—or perhaps her father had bought her another residence.

Zhongyuan led Chuyan to the west wing. Zhao Longhua followed, saying:
“Even though you’ve lived away with your mother for many years, this is still your home. Your room has always been kept. I heard you decided not to emigrate, so I had it tidied up. You can stay here anytime.”

This was the bedroom Zhao Longhua and Zhongyuan had specially prepared for Chuyan.

The ceiling had neatly arranged walnut beams, the walls were dark-toned wallpaper, and one wall featured a Tang Dynasty lady mural nearly the size of the wall, giving an air of nobility. On the other side, a floor-to-ceiling glass window opened to two Chinese lattice screens and a carved wooden chaise lounge. Next to it was a small tea table. The bed had Western-style bedding and canopy, with Chinese carved designs at the top. The overall decor exuded a rich classical style, yet felt natural.

Most eye-catching was a set of jade porcelain on the desk, glowing softly. Mountains, flowers, birds, and figures were painted vividly, full of life and artistry.

Chuyan carefully examined it, then tapped Zhongyuan lightly:
“Zhongyuan, can we not have this in the room?”

He scratched his head:
“Uh, okay.” Then he glanced at his father.
“But Dad said this set was specially bought for you, won at the last auction.”

Zhao Longhua paced the room:
“Yes, it fits this room perfectly. Why move it?”

Chuyan smiled faintly.
“I just don’t want it to get broken.”

Zhongyuan shrugged.
“No big deal. We can get another set.”

Chuyan frowned, realizing the difference between the Zhao and Shao families.

Zhao Longhua said:
“Zhongyuan, go to your room first. I’ll talk to your sister, then she can come to find you later.”

Once Zhongyuan left, Zhao Longhua led Chuyan to the study, unusually serious. She sat obediently on the leather sofa, hands neatly on her knees.

He spoke slowly:
“Chuyan, I think I know what you want to discuss. Let me explain first. You know that because of me and your mother, our family’s current situation arose. After your mother returned to S City, she changed your surname to please the Shao family. But you must understand—you have Zhao bl00d. You should carry the Zhao name.”

Chuyan frowned. Her father’s forceful style was well-known.

He continued:
“At Zhongyuan’s birthday party, I’ll announce to everyone that Zhao Longhua has another daughter, outstanding in both character and appearance.”

Chuyan felt a flicker of happiness—her father was complimenting her for the first time.

But he shifted tone:
“How should I introduce you? As Shao Chuyan, my daughter? Or Zhao Chuyan?”

She realized what he meant—he was bringing up old issues.

Sure enough, he pressed on:
“Chuyan, will you agree to change your surname back?”

She shook her head. Sighing, she thought, as soon as the topic came up, it was inevitable. Looking at Zhao Longhua seriously, her eyes deep and mature beyond thirteen:
“Dad, no matter my surname, I’m still your daughter, right?”

Zhao Longhua opened his cigar box without looking at her face.
“Chuyan, you always understand things well, which I admire. You should also understand that since you chose to stay, the Shao family no longer holds sway. The Zhao family can protect you for life. The Zhao family is large—there’s me, your uncle, and aunt—they’d be happy if there were one less Zhao child. Even though you’re my biological daughter, if you don’t take the Zhao name, you won’t inherit a penny!”

Chuyan still couldn’t grasp why the Zhao family valued the surname over bl00d, inheritance over family. She had come to meet her father, not to discuss this. But she knew she couldn’t avoid it. She didn’t want to lose either parent, and this inheritance dispute was irrelevant to what she wanted. Zhao Longhua’s authority was overwhelming. Facing such a father for the first time, she felt her mind spin and feigned fiddling with her hair, eyes on the floor, thinking: Was there no way to get her parents to sit down and talk?

Seeing her bowing head, Zhao Longhua sighed:
“I won’t force you. Since you won’t take the Zhao surname, skip Zhongyuan’s birthday party.”

Chuyan snapped her head up, incredulous:
“Zhongyuan is my brother. Why can’t I celebrate his birthday? Mom and I want to celebrate with him!”

Zhao Longhua frowned, pacing the study.
“Your mother never celebrated Zhongyuan’s birthday. I can understand her. Here’s the deal: either celebrate one day early, or discuss with your mother about taking the surname back—and then you can attend the party.”

He stared at her stubborn face, flicked his cigar, and said evenly:
“Tell your mother my point. Zhongyuan’s room is in the east wing. Do you want me to take you there?”

Seeing her ignore him, he sighed and left the study.

Once alone, Chuyan put away her childish frustration, leaned back on the sofa, and smiled bitterly. She had barely interacted with her father in her past life and nearly forgot how strong-willed and prideful he was. How could such a self-important man be defeated? She frowned, realizing she had no clue. Changing her surname was non-negotiable. To escape the complications of claiming inheritance from the Zhao family, she would have to act from a higher level.

She got up and walked toward the east wing.