After Jian Xingsui's spontaneous birthday celebration was over, most attendees left.
Jian Xingsui personally escorted some of them to the cafeteria's door, waving goodbyes at them. He was left with his roommates, a couple of instructors, and a handful of other trainees. After the lively celebration, it was clear that everyone's energy was exhausted, so they could only talk in a relatively low voice.
Not long after, Jian Xingsui received a notice from the program group.
It seems that… he had a special visitor. The Zhang couple came to visit him and were waiting in the guest hall. He didn't know if it was an illusion, but Jian Xingsui felt that the couple seemed to avoid the program group's activities every time. When he first came here, they felt very wary as they were here, as if they were afraid of being photographed by the camera.
During that time, he didn't think these details were important, so he shelved it.
But now, he could only guess why their behavior was that way.
However, seeing it's still his parents – no matter how estranged they might be – Jian Xingsui still went. At least, he must greet them, even if it's only to escort them out of the vicinity. He was still bound by filial piety, after all.
However, the difference from last time was… this time, he no longer harbored any unrealistic fantasies, nor did he feel that the couple really came to see him and not for Anran. He would be foolish to think otherwise. They definitely came for Anran's birthday, but might as well have greeted Jian Xingsui as they already came here.
"Suisui!"
After entering the guest hall, he heard a familiar call within a few steps.
Jian Xingsui stopped as he saw Mrs. Zhang ran towards him. She rushed to hold Jian Xingsui's hand, but Jian Xingsui gently avoided it out of pure reflex.
Mrs. Zhang froze in place, surprised by such a gesture.
Jian Xingsui, still in polite demeanor, spoke as if he didn't avoid Mrs. Zhang's gesture, "Does something happen at home?"
Zhang Xiangyang didn't see Jian Xingsui for a while, and for some reason, the youth looked much older and mature. He walked up to Jian Xingsui, and looked at the child in an odd look. The older man opened his mouth to speak, but hesitated. In the end, he didn't say anything.
Jian Xingsui asked again patiently, "What's the matter, is something wrong? Or do you need me with something?"
Zhang Xiangyang wanted to say something, but Mrs. Zhang pushed her husband away, and she spoke on his behalf, "There's nothing home, no need to worry. Besides, isn't today your birthday? We came especially to see you, we bought you gifts and a birthday cake."
Jian Xingsui was a little surprised to see that there was really a cake on the table not far away, and there was a neatly wrapped box next to it.
Unexpectedly, this couple actually seemed to be celebrating his birthday…?
No, there must be a hidden reason why.
After learning the previous lesson, Jian Xingsui would not be so easily fooled anymore. He hardened his heart and asked, "Do you need me to call Anran for you?"
Mrs. Zhang was taken aback by this youth's unexpected words. With disbelief in her tone, she asked in return, "Suisui, what do you mean?"
"No need to say anymore, I understand," Jian Xingsui mercilessly exposed them, "Isn't your main purpose to come to see Anran? Today is Anran's birthday, after all."
A guilty conscience flashed across the Zhang couple's eyes. But Mrs. Zhang immediately recovered, quickly smiled and said, "You child, what kind of nonsense are you talking about? How could it be because of this? Anran naturally has his current family to accompany him. Since he has returned to the Jian family, he will celebrate his birthday with his birth family. And as for you, you are our child, you have come to live at our house and celebrate your birthday together from now on."
Zhang Xiangyang also nodded, and the man said in a hoarse voice, "Listen to your mother. Happy birthday, my child."
"…"
The room was silent for a moment.
For a while, Jian Xingsui was a little confused about the true intention of his birth parents. Whether what they said was true or not, or what their true motives were.
Seeing that he was not moving nor talking, Mrs. Zhang quickly went to the sofa behind and took out a kraft paper bag out of the box, put it in front of Jian Xingsui and said, "My child, this is a birthday present for you. Look, it's from a famous brand. We specially bought it for you. I even went to a specialty store to buy it for you, so you won't get a fake one. And it does cost a lot of money."
Jian Xingsui saw Mrs. Zhang took out a set of clothes and shoes from the paper bag. It was a set of sportswear, complete with in-theme shoes. Seeing the distinctive logo displayed on the fabrics, it was definitely from a well-known sports brand.
He wasn't picky with his fashion choice. When he was still living in Jian family's house, he was considered a half-young master. With a fairly affluent family and a deep coffer, he was familiar with various luxury brands of clothes. And this set of sportswear bought by the Zhang couple was familiar to him at first glance. This was definitely considered quite luxurious for a middle-income family. It must cost quite a fortune.
Jian Xingsui suddenly felt a little ironic.
He could smell the stench of overcompensation from miles away.
"Really?" He felt wretched, he kinda hoped they were cheated with a well-made fake brand. He tried to control his tone, hoping it to be as neutral as possible, "You said it was sold in a specialty store?"
Mrs. Zhang thought he believed their words, so she said, "Uhm well, we bought it from a store in a big shopping mall. I'm confident they won't sell fake ones there."
"…"
Jian Xingsui looked at the things Mrs. Zhang was holding, and listening to her exaggerated words. He inexplicably felt that everything was numb, and he could only tune in with one ear open. During his dazed state, he thought of Xu Enzhen again.
This world was really strange. Some people you've met only a few times could treat you with all their heart and soul, give you everything you need with sincerity. While some other people were your biological parents, the ones sharing your blood, but their fake sincerity could be seen even by the blind. They would talk big, as if afraid of their "kindness" being misunderstood.
In the end, Jian Xingsui still had one question–
What exactly was love?
He didn't understand. All of its nature was mysterious, with unclear instructions. Sometimes it was given without any ulterior motives, but sometimes it was purely transactional.
He really… didn't understand.
Seeing him in a daze, Zhang Xiangyang tentatively asked, "Suisui, after this show ends, will you go home with us?"
Jian Xingsui recovered, and he replied: "I have my own plan for my future career. I won't go back there for the time being."
When he said that, Mrs. Zhang became anxious.
"Suisui, you have to go back, okay? Did you… dislike that study room? Yes, yes, Mother understands, don't worry. It is too small, very humid, and without an air conditioner. We already prepared Anra– I mean, another separate room, and you can live there comfortably when you go home," Mrs. Zhang's tone lowered, as if trying to comfort him, "And… if you need anything, just tell me or your father, and we will buy it for you."
Ah, so they actually knew… that living in that cramped study room was really uncomfortable?
At that time, it was very hot and humid. Anran's room was air-conditioned, but they were reluctant to let him live inside that deserted room. So instead, they pretended not to know how miserable it was to live inside that room.
If this was him before his rebirth, Jian Xingsui might have jumped with joy when he heard this. He would gobble up any scrap of kindness that was offered, even if it was laced with poison. But now, all he wanted was to give out a sarcastic smile and sneered at this very suspicious change of heart. However, he couldn't smile, not even moving his lips.
Mrs. Zhang still wanted to talk, but Jian Xingsui blocked her words: "No need."
"Since it wasn't mine in the first place, I don't want it either." Jian Xingsui raised his head and looked at the two people in front of him. Inside his beautiful pair of deep brown eyes, there was only calmness and acceptance. "Don't worry about it, since I came here to participate in the program, after I leave, I have never thought about going back there to live again."
Mrs. Zhang's heart sank, "Suisui, what are you talking about?"
Most of the time, Jian Xingsui was a very talkative child. But once he figured it out, he was able to say such cold-hearted things with a decisive attitude.
He knew he wasn't loved by his biological parents. So he wouldn't crave it anymore.
Might as well cut their relations cleanly.
Jian Xingsui looked at the gift in his hand, "Thank you for remembering my birthday, I appreciate this kindness."
Just when Mrs. Zhang was about to speak, Jian Xingsui changed the subject again.
"But it's also thanks to you guys who reminded me that time was tight and I didn't have time to go through such formalities. Anran's surname and household registration have been changed, but mine haven't." Jian Xingsui said, "I thought that, when the shooting for this program ended, shouldn't we also go through the same formalities?"
Mrs. Zhang smiled, and said, "Is it to do the transfer of the household registry? Then, it's no problem!"
Jian Xingsui shook his head, "Not that, at least for now. Instead, I want to do a paternity test between me and Mr. Zhang. You have done Anran's, but we haven't done it. Since we have to go through the formalities, let's deal with it as soon as possible."
When his voice fell, both Zhang Xiangyang and Mrs. Zhang's pupils shrank. They were both frozen in place.
They were actually frozen by shock and fear.
If… If Jian Xingsui found out that they weren't biologically related, he would definitely try to track down his actual biological parents.
And then… he might have stumbled upon the truth of why such child exchange happened back then.
Wouldn't what they did twenty years ago be made public, then?
If so…
What would happen to them?
The weight of their sins were closing in.