“Mommy, we’re not done yet. What should we do?”
An An and Ji Chi looked at the go table in front of them, which was almost full of black and white stones. Their voices were solemn as they said, “Daddy, how about you be the judge for us?”
It was clear that both boys had not much idea of winning. With the two having played for hours, even Ji Ziming was feeling a bit sleepy.
Sitting on the sofa, the man looked at his children and said in a cool voice, “You two want daddy to judge?”
“Yes, daddy. Tell us who the better player is between us.”
The older boy had intended for his father to make a choice but did not expect the latter to be a better player than they were.
“You could actually place it here, but you gave this place to your brother. Likewise, Ji Chi could’ve won this area, but he gave up halfway. You two almost tied because of this. You two want to know whom I will choose?”
Having their little secrets revealed, both boys lowered their heads to look at their hands. Their voices were timid as they said, “Daddy, we just want to see whom you will choose. This concerns our bet today.”
“You actually used daddy’s choice as a betting chip?”
Ji Ziming’s voice suddenly turned stern as he looked at his two sons but could not bear to say anything else.
“We didn’t use your choice as a betting chip. We just—”
Before Ji Chi could finish speaking, An An quickly tugged at his sleeve.
“Don’t say anymore. We will be exposed if you continue saying.”
“Exposed?”
The man frowned deeply at his two sons, not knowing what they wanted to do.
“Tell me: What will be exposed?”
He was made utterly confused by them. He was usually clear-headed, yet right now he had become a muddled-headed.
“Don’t ask anymore. You just need to tell us whom you will choose.”
An An looked up. When he saw the sternness on his father’s face, he became very nervous but was still not scared.
“Then, what if I tell you that I won’t choose anyone?”
Ji Ziming’s lips curled up as he looked at the two children. The more nervous they were about his answer, the more he did not want to let them know the answer.
“Fine, then. Let’s go.”
The older boy gripped his brother’s hand and left for the stairs. They could not get far before their father called them. “What are you two hiding from me and your mommy?”
“Daddy, you and mommy will know once you return to your room.”
The older of the two lads turned around to smile at them. As long as his father walked into his room, he would be able to see the big surprise they had prepared for them. It was currently quietly sitting in Pei Ge’s room, waiting for their parents to find it.
“Don’t tell me that it’s those building blocks they were playing with?”
Hearing his son say that it was in her room, Pei Ge recalled seeing the two building something with blocks in her room this afternoon. If there was anything special to be said about it, it would be that it was quite large. At least, she had not seen them build something that big before.
“Building blocks?”
Ji Ziming frowned slightly, thinking of the difference between the building blocks and his choice. He was even more curious about their strange behavior.
“Go look at it later upstairs.”
Pei Ge supported her head with one hand and placed on her slender and long legs the other hand. Her posture made her look taller and slimmer, making the man’s lips curl up as his eyes turned slack.
“Don’t tell me that those two rascals know what I’m about to do?”
Ji Ziming moved closer to the woman and pressed his hands against the sofa behind her. He looked at her with sincere eyes. As long as she nodded, he could carry her upstairs now.
“It’s not early anymore. I still have to call my mom.”
From the time difference, she had inferred that Zhang Manhua should already be awake.
“Okay. Give mom a call.”
He retracted his hands and sat beside her while looking at the circular rock pillar with a cold look.
The call was answered by Zhang Manhua the moment it was dialed.
“What’s wrong? Ge Ge, why are you calling this early?”
Zhang Manhua did not know that Pei Ge had purposely waited just to call her at this time. She also did not know that Qu Xiujie was currently in the Ji family’s comfortable bed with a face mask on and was enjoying the comfort that it gave him.
In the past, he did not know the miracles of putting on a face mask; only today did he realize the miraculous effects of skincare through Madam Ji.
It was something that could be bought with loads of money, so why did he not realize that it was this good sooner?
“Mom, I want to tell you something.”
Pei Ge forced her heart to calm down. As long as Zhang Manhua would not panic, she could tell her everything.
“What’s it? Hurry and say it. I still need to go out for breakfast after this.”
Zhang Manhua carefully searched her closet for a dress that was not too flamboyant or too plain yet was unable to select one even after a long time.
“I found my uncle.”
The moment her daughter said that, she was expectedly in shock and disbelief.
“What did you say?! Say it again!” she hurriedly asked.
“I said, ‘I found my uncle.’ He’s called Qu Xiujie, your blood-related brother.”
A smile hung on Pei Ge’s lips. Ji Ziming’s lips also gently pressed together when he saw how she could not hide her smile.
“Qu Xiujie? Are you sure it is him?”
Zhang Manhua also could not resist the thumping of her heart. She even did not dare believe that all this was real.
“I already checked it and even had a DNA test with him. He’s really my uncle and your younger brother. You did not hear me wrongly. In truth, I did not believe it at first, too. I kept thinking that he’s a scammer. It’s only later that I found out that he’s not and that he’s truly my uncle.”
Pei Ge’s eyes turned slightly moist.
“Ge Ge, then, where is he now?”
“He had a fall out with the Qus so he’s been staying with us recently. He just went upstairs to rest, so I called to let you know. I’ve already succeeded in finding your long-lost younger brother for you, and he’s called Qu Xiujie.”
Zhang Manhua stood before the mirror, her eyes all moist, yet these tears were mostly out of surprise—surprise that she could still reunite with her brother in this lifetime.
Her eyes narrowed at her reflection.
