Chapter 129: Paternity Test

"Who is it?" Jiang Yao asked with a touch of curiosity.

Old Master Jin stirred the food in silence, saying no more. Once the dish was finished, he added the sliced beef to the wok before speaking again.

"Nowadays, technology is so advanced that there are even automatic machines for cooking. It wasn't like this back in my day," Old Master Jin sighed. "But no matter how advanced the machines get, I’ve always felt they lack the human touch. And as for what others cook, it just doesn't feel the same as cooking it yourself."

Jiang Yao smiled. "You truly love to cook."

"Aye, that's it," he said, brightening up at the mention of cooking. He then launched into a long, enthusiastic explanation to Jiang Yao. He talked about how certain recipes had lost their authentic flavor, when to add which seasonings to the beef stew and how long it should simmer, and whether to start specific dishes in cold or hot water.

The two chatted happily in the kitchen, and before long, all the dishes were prepared. Madam Jin had not yet returned, so Old Master Jin called Jiang Yao into the study to continue their conversation.

"Dad, why are you so close to Jiang Yao? You're acting as if she's the one who's your daughter!" Nana Jin protested.

Old Master Jin tapped Nana on the forehead. "You little brat, didn't I just buy you a sports car? Why don't you come into the study with us if you're so jealous?"

Nana waved her hands repeatedly. "And keep listening to you recite recipes? I'll pass. I’m heading to the beauty salon to pick up Mom."

For some reason, Jiang Yao felt an inexplicable sense of closeness to the old man. She followed him into the study with a smile and asked, "Uncle Jin, I still don’t understand why you specifically invited me to spend the holiday with you."

The smile on Old Master Jin’s face vanished, replaced by an expression entirely different from the one he wore in the kitchen.

"Sit." He gestured toward the sofa, signaling for Jiang Yao to take a seat. He then sat opposite her and silently lit a cigarette.

Jiang Yao sat obediently, waiting for him to speak. Once the cigarette had burned down to the filter, he exhaled a long cloud of smoke and said slowly, "How have you been all these years?"

It was an abrupt question.

Jiang Yao didn't give it much thought; her standard response to such pleasantries was always the same: very well, better than ever. They were not particularly close, and she was not one to display her scars for others to see.

"You're lying." Old Master Jin saw right through her, his gaze filled with a flicker of pity. "I had people look into it. You used to be called Jiang Xiaoqing."

Hearing that he had investigated her, Jiang Yao became instantly alert. She could no longer sit comfortably on the sofa. She stood up, saying, "Uncle Jin, I... I have already broken up with He Yunqing. I know Miss Jin likes him, and I will not be an obstacle between them..."

Seeing Jiang Yao’s nervous state, Old Master Jin felt even more pained. His tone softened considerably. "Sit, sit."

Jiang Yao sat back down, watching him with apprehension. Given the Jin family’s influence, crushing her would be as easy as stepping on an ant. She had no idea what he was planning.

"Your mother... how did she die?"

"She..." Jiang Yao lowered her head. "Since you’ve already had me investigated, you must know my entire past. She was killed by Zeng Qiwen because of me."

Old Master Jin let out a long, heavy sigh. "In the end, we never got to see each other one last time."

"You... you knew my mother?" Jiang Yao looked at him in surprise.

Old Master Jin lit another cigarette. Not until it had burned out did he speak again. "There is something I have been hesitant to tell you. But after much thought, I feel you have the right—and the need—to know."

He opened a locked drawer, pulled a document from the very bottom of a stack of papers, and placed it in front of her.

Jiang Yao stared at the words on the document, stunned in disbelief. She looked up at Old Master Jin, then back down at the page, frozen.

It was a paternity test.

"Impossible, how can this be..." Jiang Yao shook her head, trying to read something in the old man's weathered face. "You must be joking, right? You are an elder; you shouldn't play such a joke on a junior."

But there was only certainty on Old Master Jin’s face.

"As you said, I am an elder and the head of the Jin family. Do you really think I would play such a joke on you?"

Jiang Yao fell silent. Indeed, he had no reason to lie to her. Yet, the report sitting before her felt like a cruel joke. She was the biological daughter of Old Master Jin? How could that be?

"I know it's hard for you to accept this all at once," Old Master Jin said, leaning back slightly. "But you might want to hear about the past between your mother and me."

Jiang Yao gripped the report tightly, her mouth hanging open, unable to speak.

"You know I was once penniless. Your mother and I met while working at the same restaurant. One thing led to another, and we fell in love," he paused. "But two poor people living together only grow poorer. So, later on... I met Nana’s mother..."

Jiang Yao was stunned. "So you betrayed my mother?"

"I won't deny it," he said with stark honesty. "But in those days, who doesn't dream of marrying into wealth to secure a future? I don't regret leaving your mother, but I never imagined she was already pregnant with you at the time."

"As for what happened later, I don't think I need to explain. Though I betrayed your mother, you are my daughter after all. How could I truly abandon you?"

Jiang Yao shook her head, shaking it frantically.

"A-Yao, think about it. You suddenly have a very wealthy father who can give you almost everything you want, just like Nana. When you look at it that way, is it really so hard to accept?"

Money was indeed a persuasive thing. But it could not persuade Jiang Yao.

"Give me everything I want?" she whispered.

"Yes. I will make up for all the hardships you’ve suffered while I was away. Anything you want, just tell me. Like Nana, I can buy you the sports car you like..."

Jiang Yao bit her lip hard. "I wanted a warm, complete home. A home with a father and a mother, filled with laughter and joy. Can you give me that?"

"I wanted a happy childhood, one where I didn't have to live in fear every day, where I didn't have to be covered in bruises, where I didn't have to surrender time and again to a man’s whip. Can you give me that?"

"I wanted..."

She wanted to live a good life. Could he give her that?