Love in the Midst of Mistaken Identities

“No, she’s not coming over today,” Chu Lui answered Song Wan as he placed a black chess piece. His expression was calm and gaze-harmonious. Song Wan naturally did not think much of it and entered the kitchen.

Finally, Chu Jiang won after finishing the game, and it allowed him to be satisfied for a while. The chess skills of his son were taught by him, but Chu Lui’s skills were much better than his. Chu Lui was decisive in his decisions, not leaving any space for his enemy to breathe—this being similar to how he did business.

Whatever he had his eyes set on, he would do anything to obtain it... although it was slightly different this time.

“You’ve grown, huh.” Chu Jiang patted Chu Lui’s shoulders. “I always thought that you were cruel and ruthless, totally not leaving any room for others. Now you finally know, no matter too close or too ruthless—it’s not a totally good thing, right?”

“Thanks, Dad,” Chu Lui rarely smiled, but he did. In that instant, his smile melted the iciness; and it was accompanied by his one and only sincere heart. Something that was able to make him smile was rare recently, and things that could make him feel relaxed literally amounted to zero.

“Come, it’s time for dinner.” Song Wan served all the completed dishes while the father and son washed hands in preparation to start eating. The family atmosphere was generally great. Both parents were from scholarly families. Although the family was in business, the cultural influence was always present.

It was just that it was slightly lonely at home.

“Ah Lui, shall I go over to your place to stay tomorrow?” Song Wan placed down the pair of chopsticks in her hand, discussing with her son, “Manni is currently pregnant, and it wouldn’t be good if there’s no one senior there. Someone should be there taking care of whatever you guys eat or use.”

“Mom, there’s no need.” Chu Lui lowered his head. No one saw the flash of sadness in his eyes.

“We hired a very experienced nanny. Manni’s daily three meals are all painstakingly prepared by the nanny, and if her mother is free, she would bring Manni home to rest.”

“If that’s the case...” Song Wan did not insist after hearing his words. Indeed, all the youngsters nowadays prefer having their own space. Furthermore, Manni’s mother was just caring for her own daughter. If she were to go over, it would be awkward. No wonder for the past few days, Manni was at her mother’s house. Song Wan originally thought something happened between the couple. It turned out it was a false alarm and just Manni’s mother being concerned for her own daughter.

Chu Lui spoke with no hesitation at all, naturally leading Song Wan to have no cause for suspicion. However, Chu Jiang—after all—had braved many storms and waves before.

“Let’s head up for another round of chess after dinner.” Chu Jiang patted his son’s shoulder, using slightly more force than normal.

“Alright, Dad.”

Chu Lui picked up his pair of chopsticks and took some dishes to put it into his bowl. He knew his dad had something to thrash out with him on top of a game of chess. Chu Lui didn’t betray any emotion and continued to chat with his parents.

“Mom, I sponsored an orphanage.”

Chu Lui took some time out to inform Song Wan of this decision. He thought of many excuses, for he was not sure how to approach his mother with this matter. His parents are most concerned about the issue of descendants. With his current condition—if they were to find out that they would never have any grandchildren, he wasn’t sure if they could handle it. Song Wan ruffled his hair. “It’s good that you can think this way. Mom is very happy. What’s the point of earning so much money since we can’t finish using it or take it away with us when we die? The younger generation will have their own blessings. It’s good to do some charitable acts.”

However, she slightly sighed, “Ah Lui, tell me, is this related to your cousin?”

Du Jingtang? What did this have to do with him? Chu Lui couldn’t react in time.

“Are you still keeping it from me?” Song Wan gave her son a glare, “I saw it last time already... your cousin being together with a male. No wonder he’s not married all these years, making your uncle and aunt so anxious. I don’t even dare to head over to your uncle’s house because I can’t stand your aunt’s tears, and her constant questions of what’s wrong with Jingtang.”

Chu Lui froze for a moment, he never expected that his mother would know all these... and even connected the orphanage to such matters.

“Mom, if you’re free, head down to the orphanage for a look.”

“It can only be like this,” Song Wan sighed, “Adopt one next time.”

Chu Lui murmured in agreement, but there was a wave of bitterness about it.

After speaking with Song Wan for a while, he never mentioned anything about the orphanage. His heart was not strong enough to admit his infertility in front of everyone.

His father only had him as their only child. If he had siblings, he wouldn’t have to worry about this, but his generation had many families with only a single child. The responsibility of carrying on one’s ancestral line all fell on the single child.

To them, to support four elderly financially was not an issue. However, the matter of bloodline was something that both families had to face and had to prioritize. He stood by the door, covering his face. When releasing his hands, his face was void of any emotions, unlike before.

He knocked on the door.

“Dad, I’m here.”

“Come in.” Chu Jiang’s voice rang from inside.

Chu Lui pushed open the door and went in. Chu Jiang was sitting in front of the chessboard, hand holding onto the chess boxes.

Chu Lui sat down cross-legged opposite Chu Jiang and tidied the white chess pieces in front of him. He then took out the chess pieces from the chess box; first the black, then the white.

Chu Jiang took a black chess piece and placed it on the chessboard. Chu Lui then used two fingers to pick up a white chess piece, placing it next to the black one.

“You’re suppressing the Li family’s business?”

Chu Jiang asked him, seemingly with no intentions of any sort. He took the black chess piece peacefully and harmoniously.

“Yes.” Chu Lui did not hide anything. “Only to take back our own business.”

“Don’t do anything too extreme. Have you not been suffering enough?” Chu Jiang’s face hardened and threw the black chess piece onto the chessboard. “No matter what, that is your wife’s parents. You should give them some face. No matter what kind of feelings you have for the Xia family, remember that you’ve already chosen Li Manni. She’s carrying my grandchild now. Don’t do anything reckless, you’re already 30 years old. Your mom and I don’t have much time left in this world, and now that we are old, we don’t have any desires besides a grandchild. If anything happens to my grandchild, I will not let you off—whether you’re my son or not.”

Chu Jiang spoke harshly. Obviously, these weren’t casual words, but a warning. The son is his; he knows exactly Chu Lui’s personality. The previous time when he wanted to marry Xia Ruoxin, Chu Jiang was already objecting against it, but something still happened. That child was innocent, but she was tortured so much by this son of his. Now that Chu Lui regretted it and wanted to find people back—sorry, it’s impossible anymore. Reality would not allow for him to play about one more time.