However, how this matter would be handled ultimately depended on An Jing's decision.
After she finished speaking, she saw that both An Jing and Lan Yu were silent, as if they had something to say, but were hesitant to do so with her present.
Su Su, being perceptive, bid them farewell and left with Xiao Xingxing.
As Xiao Xingxing left An Jing's house, he was still reluctant to part with Xiaoxiao.
On the way back, Su Su noticed Xiao Xingxing seemed unhappy and asked, "What's wrong? Did you and Xiaoxiao have a fight?"
Xiao Xingxing shook his head and asked, "Is Xiaoxiao going to leave Lan Cheng again?"
Su Su no longer tried to deceive him, feeling that the child knew everything now. She said, "It's not certain yet. It depends on whether that person is Xiaoxiao's biological father, and whether Uncle Xiao is willing to give up custody of Xiaoxiao."
"I don't want Xiaoxiao to leave Lan Cheng again."
Su Su asked helplessly, "Does Xiaoxiao know her biological father is looking for her?"
"She didn't say, but I think even though she was in her room, she actually knew what was happening." Xiao Xingxing could sense that Xiaoxiao's happiness was feigned.
He had intended to talk to Xiaoxiao about it, but Xiaoxiao spoke first, "Brother Xingxing, we can't control adult matters. If I leave, will you forget me?"
"No, I won't forget," Xiao Xingxing said affirmatively.
"Then I won't be afraid no matter where I go," Xiaoxiao said, grabbing his hand and biting his palm.
Xiao Xingxing felt a slight pain but didn't cry out, remaining still as she bit him.
After letting go, Xiaoxiao asked, "Brother Xingxing, doesn't it hurt?"
"It doesn't hurt," Xiao Xingxing replied like a little man.
Xiaoxiao picked up his hand and said, "Look, there's my tooth mark. You belong to me now."
Xiao Xingxing looked at her saliva still on his palm and said, "You're silly. Tooth marks fade."
Xiaoxiao paused, then smiled at him awkwardly, "Oh, oh..."
"You're already imprinted in my mind, I won't forget," Xiao Xingxing said, blushing slightly.
Su Su watched Xiao Xingxing, who had fallen silent, lost in his own thoughts.
She thought that when Xiao Xingxing was older, she and Tianyi would explain to him the feud between Xiaoxiao's biological mother and their family, making Xiao Xingxing understand the seriousness of the situation.
Then Xiao Xingxing wouldn't think they, as parents, were being cruel to Xiaoxiao.
...
After Su Su left, only An Jing and Lan Yu remained in the study.
"What are your thoughts? Do you want to contact this person for a paternity test?" Lan Yu asked first.
An Jing didn't have the person's contact information and said, "There's no need. Didn't I look for Xiaoxiao's biological father before? I couldn't find him when I needed to. What significance is there for him to suddenly appear now?"
Lan Yu said worriedly, "But I think this person won't give up easily. He came all the way from abroad. Shouldn't we let him confirm?"
"There's nothing to confirm. Don't pay attention to this person anymore," An Jing's attitude was firm.
He had finally found Xiaoxiao, and he wouldn't let her leave him again.
Although Xiaoxiao wasn't his biological daughter, perhaps it was their fate since Xiaoxiao's birth. He treated her as his own, even more so.
Regardless of whether this person was Xiaoxiao's biological father, his intentions for coming to recognize Xiaoxiao now were unknown. He wouldn't let Xiaoxiao have a DNA test with that person.
Lan Yu asked, "What if that person comes looking again?"
"If he comes again, tell me. Don't tell Su Su. I'll handle it," An Jing thought he had to send this person away and wouldn't let him take Xiaoxiao.
Lan Yu knew he would act this way and was about to agree when Xiaoxiao pushed open the study door, peeking her little head in and smiling at An Jing, "Dad, why did you come home so early today?"
An Jing walked over, picked her up, and spun her around, saying dotingly, "I have no official business today, so I came back early. What have you been doing at home?"
Xiaoxiao hugged his neck and said, "Brother Xingxing came today. He taught me to recognize characters, and we read some books together."
"That's great," An Jing asked, "What book were you reading? Let me see too."
"Okay," Xiaoxiao said, leaning on his shoulder. Suddenly, she said with a hint of melancholy, "Was the person outside the door today my biological father? Why didn't he want me back then, and why is he looking for me now?"
As soon as she said this, An Jing and Lan Yu were stunned.
Lan Yu, in particular, had kept Xiaoxiao away, intentionally avoiding her, not wanting her to know about this.
But the child knew everything.
An Jing glanced at Lan Yu with a hint of displeasure, feeling that she was the cause of this.
He immediately smiled and said to Xiaoxiao, "Who said that person is your biological father? He must be a liar. Let's ignore him. I will protect you and won't let anyone take you away."
Xiaoxiao kissed An Jing's cheek and said, "Dad, you are the best dad in the world. I only recognize you."
"My dear daughter, let's go see the books in your room," An Jing said, carrying Xiaoxiao to her room.
Lan Yu watched An Jing carry Xiaoxiao out of the study, feeling that familiar sense of having to endure suffering in silence.
With Xiaoxiao around, their own biological daughter was always overlooked by An Jing.
Every day when he returned home, he spent almost all his time with Xiaoxiao, only glancing at Ning Yu a couple of times, which made her feel very unhappy.
...
In the evening, after Tianyi returned, Su Su told him in detail about the day's events.
Tianyi, however, felt that if that person was indeed Xiaoxiao's biological father, it would be a good thing to have Xiaoxiao go back and reunite with him.
In the future, Xiaoxiao would grow up abroad and be a pure foreigner. The distance would naturally weaken their bond.
Xiaoxiao's life would no longer be intertwined with theirs, which would be better for everyone.
Su Su was unsure of An Jing's thoughts and said, "I don't know if An Jing will agree? Anyway, I've done what I should. This matter should be handled by them as a couple."
"Of course," Tianyi said. "Even if Lan Yu approaches you again, don't get involved."
"I understand," Su Su said, looking at him. "Why are you so sure Xiaoxiao will avenge Shu Yan when she grows up? Perhaps after knowing the truth, she will be understanding and realize that Shu Yan's death was her own doing..."
"One must guard against potential problems," Tianyi had always disagreed with her way of thinking.
Having to survive since childhood, he was accustomed to thinking the worst of people. This way, at least he wouldn't get hurt.
"Alright," Su Su said, not wanting to argue with him. "When Xiao Xingxing is a bit older, I will explain it to him, and then he will understand us."
Tianyi grunted and said, "You go to sleep first. I have some matters to attend to in the study."
Su Su hugged him affectionately and asked, "Are there any major issues with the group recently? Otherwise, why did you and An Jing turn off your phones during the meeting? Is it a matter of life and death?"
"It is indeed a bit tricky. We are lacking a batch of materials, which will delay the project schedule and lead to huge compensation," he confessed to Su Su.
Su Su let go of him, surprised, "That serious? What materials, and why can't they be brought in?"