novelraw Chapter 497 - 414: Continue the Investigation
Chapter 497 - 414: Continue the Investigation
Chapter 497: Chapter 414: Continue the Investigation
Li Si’s eyes carried a trace of reminiscence as she tried to recount in a calm voice: "Their ancestral home is indeed in Shandong Taian, but it seems that after my father was born there, they moved to North City! There’s still a grandaunt living there, but we haven’t been in touch much over the years! Only during New Year do we make a call to exchange greetings."
Li Si was also trying hard to recall the past. In fact, in later years, she had gone to Shandong once with Li Fei. By that time, the grandaunt had already passed away. Her daughter-in-law, whom Li Si called "cousin aunt," spoke in a heavy Shandong dialect that Li Si could barely understand.
They stayed there for a few days before returning to North City, but no abnormalities were discovered.
Jin Jiachao and Jin Yichen exchanged glances, stroking their chins in thought: "Do you still remember her address?"
This might be a breakthrough. Although he had searched Shandong for many years before, the situation back then wasn’t ideal. Even if someone knew something, they might not have disclosed it.
Plus, village after village... trying to find someone was like looking for a needle in a haystack.
"I only remember getting off the train and going to a place called Li Family Village, traveling for several hours. There was a large locust tree in front of her house. Other than that, I’m not clear!" After so many years, Li Si’s memory—no matter how good—was bound to fade! Especially since she hadn’t intentionally committed those details to heart at the time.
"Great! That’s good enough! Child, continue talking about your father’s matters," he said. Some things become much easier to trace once they start unraveling. He wasn’t particularly worried about that.
"At Grandma’s house, my dad was the eldest sibling. He had a younger brother and sister. My dad was a strong student since childhood. After graduating from middle school, he went up to the mountains during that era. He was extremely capable and dutiful, earning a salary of thirty-five yuan a month.
He kept only ten yuan for his meals and handed the rest of it back to the family. Later, after the college entrance exam system was restored, he went to university in Beijing in the ’80s, then had me, and returned to North City to work in a design institute creating blueprints. Years ago, during the summer, he went fishing by the river, saw someone drowning, and rushed to save them. In the end, he never came back up..."
Everyone present listened attentively to Li Si’s simple storytelling about those bygone days. Perhaps only those involved knew what kind of emotions she carried at that time.
Leng Ning listened in silence, tightly holding Jin Yichen’s hand. Her heart ached as well. After all, losing a father she had relied on since childhood—such a tragedy would be unbearable for anyone.
"Child! If you truly turn out to be my niece’s granddaughter, I will understand if you don’t want to recognize this relationship! But please allow me to investigate the truth of what happened all those years ago, alright? I have always felt that there was something suspicious about your father’s disappearance back then. Yet after all these years, we haven’t found a single clue.
Since you’ve mentioned the Li Family that raised your father and their move from Shandong to North City, I must pursue these leads and uncover the full story! I ask for your support in this matter. Not only is this about giving your father an explanation, but also for my late sister and myself."
After discussing this with Leng Mochen, Li Si agreed. "Alright! However, I think it’s best that you perform a DNA comparison. If it confirms the relationship, then focus on the investigation, but if it doesn’t..." Whether they decided to investigate or not, Li Si didn’t want to interfere.
Truthfully, she was somewhat curious herself about what had happened all those years ago. But she still thought it prudent to conduct the DNA test and see the results. If it turned out not to be true, relying solely on the Jade Pendant and resemblance to conclude her father’s identity would seem far too reckless.
After all, who could definitively explain what had really happened back then?
Unfortunately, her words fell on deaf ears. Jin Jiachao, overwhelmed with joy, simply refused to believe otherwise!
"Sure, we’ll perform the DNA test, but you are undoubtedly my niece’s granddaughter—I can tell just by looking at you!" Jin Jiachao requested several strands of Li Si’s hair. Muttering to himself, he debated whether the second sample for comparison should come from Chen Shimei.
Yet he was unequivocally unwilling to have anything further to do with the Chen Family.
So he decided to use a sample from himself and Jin Yichen. If there truly was a blood relationship, it could still be detected.
Li Si exchanged a helpless glance with Leng Mochen. The old man had clearly made up his mind, and she had no choice but to go along.
In the end, it would be best to let science determine the truth. Deep down, she still harbored many uncertainties, and secretly admitted to herself that she would prefer it not to be true. That way, she wouldn’t have to face such complex relationships in the future!
Perhaps this was selfish of her! But honestly, she really didn’t want to navigate such entangled relationships if she could avoid it!
Jin Jiachao later met little Buding, his face brimming with affection for the child.
He instantly brought out a Jade Bracelet he had treasured for years and offered it as a gift for Buding.
Li Si and Leng Mochen tried to refuse, whereupon the old man became aggrieved and hurt, saying: "You said even if this relationship is confirmed, you wouldn’t recognize it. Fine! But this child, by bloodline on Xiao Ning’s side, is still my eldest grandson. I adore him! Why are you opposing me giving him a small present?"
Ultimately, Li Si reluctantly accepted the gift, feeling deep down that her earlier decision had been spot on. The relationship hadn’t even been confirmed yet, and the old man was already showering them with gifts.
Leng Mochen gave her a knowing look, directing her attention to Leng Ning and Jin Yichen, who were sitting on the opposite sofa, engrossed in examining photographs.
"Look at my sister-in-law! She was so adorable as a child!" Leng Ning exclaimed, taken by a photo of Li Si wearing red shoes, a white dress, and sporting little pigtails.
Jin Yichen gazed at her with tenderness, saying: "Weren’t you adorable as a child?"
In his imagination, Xiao Ning must have been a lively, mischievous little girl when she was younger.
Perhaps she resembled the little girl in his memories—a pale complexion, large dark eyes.
Leng Ning didn’t notice his shift in expression and playfully pouted: "Of course! I was definitely super adorable!"
After the Jin Family father and son left with Leng Ning, Li Si finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Today had simply been too overwhelming—her emotions were like a rollercoaster ride.
Thankfully, it all seemed to have been resolved peacefully!
Leng Mochen ruffled her hair and said: "This is good. Everyone gets their happy ending!"
In truth, he had been afraid that Li Si might make an impulsive decision and accept the relationship.
If that happened, he would go from being her older brother to a junior relative—something he definitely wanted to avoid.
Li Si couldn’t help but laugh: "You know, my life story is incredibly convoluted. Who would’ve thought my dad had such a backstory? But right now, nothing is final, so I’m reserving judgment. What if it turns out not to be true?
Honestly, deep down, I really hope it isn’t true. If it were, I’d feel so awkward dealing with everything that comes after. Don’t you think so?"
Leng Mochen touched his nose: "I just want to stay being your older brother!"
Li Si burst into laughter: "You know what! The moment you said that, the melody of ’I haven’t been big brother for many years’ immediately popped into my mind!"
The two embraced each other, laughter filling the air, leaving much unspoken but understood.
After a moment of silence, Leng Mochen leaned close to her ear and said: "In the end, whether it’s true or not doesn’t matter! What matters is that we’re together now, and that’s enough." The three of them living a safe and happy life together mattered more than anything else!
No matter how complicated the relationships might be, they had to face them, didn’t they?
Li Si nodded as she touched his arm: "You’re right! Sigh! Thinking too much about this won’t help! We’ll deal with whatever comes when it comes! Hey! Sometimes I feel like our meeting was just yesterday. Isn’t time flying so fast? Now we’re not just together—we also have Buding!"
"Ever since I’ve had you, Buding, I’ve felt truly happy!" He rested his head on her shoulder, gazing out at the scenery in thought.
"Me too! Let’s hope we can always stay this happy!" (To be continued. If you enjoy this story, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)