Chapter 21

Back Then

“The thing is, while I was traveling with Ye, my water broke. So, I had to rush to the health center in a nearby town to give birth,” Qiao Xinhui recounted the memory, her mind filled with the recollection. “Unfortunately, that health center didn’t have a single available ward. The nurse placed me in a three-person room with two other pregnant women.”

“All three of us gave birth to baby girls one after another. One morning, the hospital unexpectedly caught fire, causing thick smoke that obscured our vision. In a state of panic, I picked up one child, believing it was Yuanyuan…”

“But the truth is, I carried you, and you are the child of another pregnant woman, not our biological daughter.”

“I take full responsibility for the mistake I made in carrying the wrong child…”

These words shattered the last defense within Cheng Yuqi’s heart. She couldn’t fathom that she wasn’t truly part of the Cheng Family!

“Yuan Yuan was taken away by the Fang Family, and the Fangs’ child was mistakenly taken and raised by a cleaner. When you came to the Cheng Family… if it hadn’t been for the internet poster, we would never have known that all three families had the wrong child!”

Cheng Yuqi completely lost control of her expression.

“And your birth mother…” Qiao Xinhui hesitated momentarily, but ultimately decided to reveal the truth. “I looked into it. She suffered from hemorrhaging after giving birth and was too weak to escape the fire that night…”

What? Her own mother perished that night? Cheng Yuqi’s face drained of color. She couldn’t accept this harsh reality.

“Your father is still missing.” Qiao Xinhui glanced at Fang Yuan and continued, “We have discussed this with Yuanyuan. You can still stay with us, but from now on, she is the elder sister, and you are the younger sister.”

“We owe Yuanyuan so much for the past 18 years. We will do our utmost to make it up to her. You may not be our biological daughter, but we have raised you as if you were our own. You must establish a good relationship with your sister and be considerate towards her, understood?”

Cheng Yuqi struggled to accept her parents’ obvious favoritism. No sister would simply give in to the other. For all these years, she had taken immense pride in her family background. Her father was the wealthiest man in the country, and her mother was renowned for her beauty. Her five brothers excelled in their respective fields. Since childhood, everyone around her fawned over her and catered to her every whim. And now, she was expected to yield to someone else? However, after carefully weighing her options, Cheng Yuqi mustered the generosity to say, “This is a sudden revelation for me, and I can’t help but feel sorrowful.”

“I’ve spent 18 years living as part of this family, and today, my beloved parents suddenly reveal that I am not their biological daughter…”

Cheng Yuqi lowered her head, looking utterly pitiful.

“But my mother perished in the devastating fire just days after my birth, and my father has been missing ever since. I couldn’t even fulfill a single day of filial duty towards them…” Tears streamed down Cheng Yuqi’s face as she spoke. She tried to compose herself, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand, attempting to control her overwhelming sadness and regret.

Raising her head, she feigned strength. “Dad, Mom, I am already grateful and content that you’re willing to let me remain in this family. Don’t worry, I will strive to establish a harmonious relationship with my sister in the future.” Her tear-filled eyes revealed the sincerity of her words.

However, having grown up in the Fang Family and witnessed countless performances, Fang Yuan could discern that Cheng Yuqi was being dishonest.

“Sister, welcome home,” Cheng Yuqi opened her arms, prepared to put on a display of sisterly affection.

Under her parents’ hopeful gaze, Fang Yuan responded calmly, “Thank you, but no hugs.”

Cheng Yuqi was taken aback.

“I apologize, but I’m not comfortable with physical contact,” Fang Yuan maintained her usual cold demeanor.

In Cheng Yuqi’s eyes, however, it seemed like an act of superiority and an attempt to humiliate her.

“Yuanyuan takes time to warm up to others, but she’ll improve in the future. We’re a family, Yuqi, there’s no need to be overly formal,” Qiao Xinhui interjected.

Cheng Yuqi blushed and obediently replied, “Okay.”

“Alright, let’s eat first!” Cheng Ye glanced at the time. “Yuanyuan, you must be hungry, missing dinner time due to our conversation.”

“Your mother and I prepared dinner today, what do you think?” Cheng Ye smiled at Fang Yuan. “If you don’t like something, just let us know, and we’ll make adjustments.”

The table was filled with all kinds of dishes. Hearing that Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui made them personally, Cheng Yuqi felt very uncomfortable. They hired four chefs, and they did not need them to make food. But today, they made an exception for Fang Yuan!