After Being Blackened All Over the Internet, I Ruled the Military Variety Shows
Chapter 347: Old Zhang Feels the Sting, No More Pain in the Face

Chapter 347: Chapter 347: Old Zhang Feels the Sting, No More Pain in the Face

Even though she had already guessed the contents that would appear on the certificate, when she saw the words ’biological mother-daughter relationship,’ Xu Ling’an still couldn’t help but feel a shock in her heart.

She still remembered when she was little, just beginning to understand things, seeing that the children in the neighborhood her age all had their parents with them, and she wondered why she didn’t. She went to ask her grandmother why she was the only one without them.

At that time, her grandmother didn’t dismiss her with a casual reason because of her young age but answered very seriously: "Because our An’an’s parents are a bit silly and accidentally got lost. Grandma and your current mom then had the chance to watch An’an grow up."

Knowing that she had a pair of silly parents who accidentally got lost was an understanding that stayed with her for the first few years when she was just beginning to understand but was still a bit bewildered.

Until she started school, learning more and more, she realized that it was a well-intentioned lie from her grandmother, and she never asked about it again.

But in those moments when she awoke in the middle of the night, did she really never think about everything concerning her biological parents?

It wasn’t out of attachment or longing, but sheer curiosity.

What would her biological parents be like, and why did they choose to have her and then not want her?

Perhaps, there was even a tiny bit of unwillingness about it.

She was sensible and never naughty, excelled in her studies, and tried to be the best she could be in both academics and life. Her grandmother and the neighbors always said she was the most likable child, but she was the one who got lost by the two people she was most closely related to by blood in this world.

Now, she has finally learned about her biological mother’s whereabouts and has even met her biological mother’s father.

But, she was told that the one who lost her is no longer around!

"I want to know why she disappeared back then."

Everyone seated around the table could tell who she was referring to.

Li Wanxuan’s expression changed, looking a bit worried as she glanced at the teacher.

Now that the paternity test results are out, it is confirmed that An’an is undoubtedly the biological daughter of the little junior sister.

The events from back then about the little junior sister inevitably must be told to this child.

But, revisiting this past incident after so many years is bound to reopen the teacher’s old wounds!

Moreover, once An’an knows the truth of those years, she might end up resenting the teacher.

Should they really speak the truth?

Zhang Nachuan lightly shook his head at Li Wanxuan, who looked over worriedly, indicating that she needn’t worry and that he was mentally prepared. He then offered a consoling smile to his granddaughter, whose identity had been fully confirmed, suppressing the melancholy spilling over in his heart, "It’s a long story, and this isn’t the place to talk about it. After the show wraps up, would you like to come back to the museum with your grandpa? Grandpa would like to talk to you and your grandma about it then."

Xu Ling’an bit her lip. She had initially planned to tell her sister after the show and then go home for a bit.

Now that the paternity test is out, there’s no time left for her to continue hesitating.

On the phone, she’s worried she won’t explain clearly, and besides, telling her grandmother this will likely cause her big emotional swings. It would be safer for her to go back and face her grandmother in person.

But faced with the hopeful gaze of this once-unknown yet now biological grandfather, she found it hard to refuse.

It’s a pity she can’t split herself in two.

Seeing this, Jiang Lingxi unobtrusively placed a hand on Xu Ling’an’s back, supporting her, and said, "Go if you want to, or head home if you don’t."

Her sister Jiang Lingxi, she can simply follow her heart, nothing to worry about.

The warmth spreading from the palm on her back, through the thin fabric, warming her entire body, Xu Ling’an unconsciously sat up straighter, taking a deep breath, "I, I still want to go back and see Grandma first, to let her know about this matter. Also, can I take this paternity test report with me first?"

With this report, it would be more convincing when the time comes. Otherwise, Grandma might think she was deceived.

"Alright," watching as his granddaughter clearly cares more for the other side, the people who raised her, Zhang Nachuan felt a pang, but also some relief. In the end, he only managed a complex nod, "It’s important to talk to your grandma about this. If you want, would you like Grandpa to come along? I’ve been meaning to thank her in person."

Xu Ling’an was startled by the suggestion, quickly shaking her hands in response, "No, no need to trouble yourself for now. I’ll go back and let Grandma mentally prepare first. Your coming would be too sudden. Her health hasn’t been great the past couple of years, so she can’t take too much shock."

"An’an is thoughtful," Zhang Nachuan acknowledged, recognizing his impatience. "It’s this old man who wasn’t careful enough. I’ll wait for you...whenever your grandma is ready to meet me, I’ll be at her disposal."

He didn’t have any major issues troubling him now in his retirement; even if he did, nothing would trump the regained fortune of having his granddaughter back.

"I’ll tell Grandma."

Xu Ling’an understood, too, that meeting each other was inevitable, sooner or later, depending on how her grandmother felt.

Ultimately, only Jiang Lingxi and Shen Yunqing had a hearty meal, managing about seventy percent of their fill, while others, though hardly taking a bite, didn’t feel hungry at all upon leaving the table due to the emotional turmoil.

Exiting the canteen and heading toward the elevator, they passed the terrace where Jiang Lingxi called out to Xu Ling’an.

"An’an, the show is nearly finished, and I’ve still got Zhengzheng here. Why not head to your grandma’s now?"

Lu Zhengzheng, who also stopped, nodded repeatedly at this, "Yeah, indeed, I’m managing fine here, plus Mr. Shen is around, so you can head home without worry, An’an."

During the meal earlier, though not seated with her sister Jiang Lingxi and the others, she was close enough to catch most of what was said. She knew what mattered more.

After all, these days, An’an was here practically as a volunteer helping out.

"Then... I’ll go back first?"

"Yes," Jiang Lingxi smiled, ruffling her hair while reminding her, "Be careful on your way, call me anytime if anything comes up, and if you can’t reach me, find your sister Zhengzheng."

"Yes, you know, my phone is on 24 hours."

Zhang Nachuan, though walking ahead, kept a discreet eye on his recently returned granddaughter. Hearing Jiang Lingxi calling her to stop and then realizing she hadn’t followed, he hesitated before asking, "Is An’an going to see her grandma now?"

"Yes, she’s gone home," Jiang Lingxi nodded, "Since she started acting with me, it has been a while since the grandmother and granddaughter met. Now she can spend some more time there."

The term ’home’ and ’grandmother and granddaughter reconnecting’ made him think about how up until now An’an hadn’t even called him grandpa once, giving him a sharp sting in his heart.

Zhang Nachuan couldn’t help but glance at Jiang Lingxi, uncertain if this girl was doing it on purpose.

Jiang Lingxi thought: Though it wasn’t intentional, it wasn’t just purely accidental either!

Returning to the recording studio, Jiang Lingxi saw the makeup artist trotting over with tools to touch up her makeup. She cooperatively stopped.

Seeing the makeup artist take out lipstick to refresh her lip makeup, she raised a hand indicating, "Let me drink some water first."

As soon as she said this, a cup of jasmine tea was handed to her.

Jiang Lingxi turned her head, tracing the hand holding the disposable cup to the person handing it over, and finally resting her eyes on the half-exposed, overly gentle face, unobscured by a mask, "Doesn’t your face hurt?"