Chapter 273 - 270: Fooled Once, Fall for It Again?

Chapter 273: Chapter 270: Fooled Once, Fall for It Again?

Standing beside the woman was none other than Xu Anguo.

Xu Anguo was the Lu Family’s son-in-law, so it wasn’t at all strange that his wife closely resembled Lu Bingtian.

But... showing her a photo of a half-month-old baby and claiming it was a picture of her as a child?

Chen Xing’s already cold expression had turned absolutely frigid.

She looked up, her expression mocking as she stared at Xu Anguo. "Cao Guangrong was exposed, so now it’s your turn to come in person?"

’If Cao Guangrong hadn’t set the precedent, she might have acted a little warmer when he showed up claiming to be her father.’

’Fooled once, and I’m supposed to fall for it again?’

’And by the director of the Xingguang Research Institute himself?’

Chen Xing found it ridiculous.

"You look exactly like your mother..."

That single sentence from Xu Anguo was like a thorn in Chen Xing’s heart, making her deeply uncomfortable.

It was because the woman in the photo truly looked so much like her.

She had been trying to ignore that fact, but hearing it mentioned was agonizing.

’If Xu Anguo really is my father, does that mean he’s been experimenting on me for all these years?’

’Even a vicious tiger won’t eat its own cubs!’

Chen Xing let out a laugh, her sarcasm growing even sharper. "Heh... Run out of ways to control me, so now you’re trying to play the family card?"

’I’d be more comfortable if some random beggar on the street turned out to be my father.’

"Shanshan... you’ve misunderstood..."

"Misunderstood? HA HA..." Chen Xing laughed, utterly speechless.

The fact that she had been experimented on by the Research Institute was undeniable.

And now he was telling her it was a misunderstanding?

’This "father" of hers is quite something.’

When she could no longer laugh, she crossed her arms and looked up at him with contempt. "Since it’s a misunderstanding, then go on... I’m listening to your explanation!"

’Let’s see what kind of "unspoken difficulties" he has.’

’Treating your own daughter like a lab rat... even the greatest sob story in the world couldn’t excuse that!’

"Less than a month after you were born, your mother disappeared with you." Xu Anguo wore a helpless smile. "Ever since then, I’ve been searching the world for you two. Who would have thought you were in the Research Institute all along?"

Chen Xing watched him.

"I was very busy after you were born and didn’t have time to take care of you and your mother. To be honest, I never wanted to admit that your mother was the one who did it, but... all of your belongings disappeared at the same time. If it were a kidnapping, they would have just taken people. Why go to the trouble of taking everything? I waited for days, but no kidnapper called with a ransom demand. That’s when I guessed your mother had taken you and left!"

Xu Anguo turned his head to the side, trying to hide his sorrowful expression. "I just never imagined she could be so cruel... to send our precious daughter to a research institute—to *my* research institute, of all places. I think she must have hated me for not having time for you two, so she used you to get revenge."

"I regret it so much. If I had known that our separation would last for more than twenty years, I never would have neglected you! Shanshan... I’ve finally found you. I won’t let you leave me again!"

After a long pause, Chen Xing asked, "How are you so sure I’m your daughter?"

She hadn’t forgotten their encounter at the hotel when the apocalypse had just begun.

That was no coincidence.

Back then, the Research Institute was much safer than the outside world, so his appearance was very suspicious.

"Your birthmark..."

"Something else!" ’Cao Guangrong knew about it. As the director of the Research Institute, there’s no way he didn’t know.’

Xu Anguo shook his head. "Cao Guangrong approached you pretending to be your father. After you saw through his act, he tried to run, but I caught him. He confessed everything—that your mother, Lu Wanrou, sent you to the Research Institute to get back at me for neglecting her."

"She told him the secret before she died. After he heard about the Lu Family’s status in the National Capital Safety Zone, he made some kind of deal with Lu Bingtian and then pretended to be your father to get close to you!"

"I think Lu Bingtian did it because he didn’t want you to get a share of the Lu Family’s fortune! Even though your mother is dead, you’re her biological child. At least one-third of the Lu Family’s assets would go to you..."

He didn’t need to say more. His meaning was clear: Lu Bingtian hired someone to impersonate her father because he didn’t want to split the family fortune with her.

That way, the Lu Family’s assets wouldn’t have to be divided with her at all.

"And don’t think Lu Bingtian hasn’t tried to kill you. He probably has, many times, but he just never succeeded."

Chen Xing remained silent.

’Can Xu Anguo’s words be trusted?’

’Look at what he did to those nearly one hundred thousand people.’

Seeing Chen Xing’s silence,

Xu Anguo looked deeply saddened. "Shanshan, I’m your real father. Would I ever harm you?"

"I know this is hard for you to accept right now. Just stay here for a while and think things over. If you want a DNA test or anything else, I’ll cooperate completely!"

"Come, let me take you to your room!" Without waiting for Chen Xing’s reply, Xu Anguo started leading the way.

Chen Xing showed no emotion and gave no reaction; she simply followed.

After leaving the breeding area and passing through a garden-like space, houses appeared ahead.

The houses here were well-built, all uniform two-story villas.

There weren’t many, only a dozen or so.

However, each house had a small lawn in front and a small vegetable patch to the side.

"You’ll live here. If you need anything, just come find me next door. Dad will always be here for you!"

The villa wasn’t large. The ground floor had a small living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom.

The second floor had two bedrooms and a study.

Once she was alone, Chen Xing’s mind started racing.

’What parts of Xu Anguo’s story are believable, and what parts aren’t?’

’As for whether she was really his daughter...’

Chen Xing had the miserable feeling that it was probably true.

She looked too much like Lu Wanrou, and she also strongly resembled Lu Bingtian and Lu Yanran.

No one disturbed her on the first night, and Chen Xing slept very well.

In the morning, Xu Anguo came and knocked on her door, but she didn’t open it at all.

After a few knocks, he left with a sigh.

’I’d like to see just how much patience he has.’

He came at noon; the door remained shut.

He came in the evening; the door was still tightly closed.

It was the same the next day.

On the morning of the third day, Chen Xing still didn’t open the door.

This time, Xu Anguo seemed a little anxious. "Shanshan, please open the door and let me see you. Are you alright? I’ll leave as soon as I see you’re safe!"

Chen Xing scoffed.

’With that huge camera hanging in the living room?’

Hearing no response, Xu Anguo shouted, "If you don’t let me see you, I’m coming in!"

A moment later, Xu Anguo really did open the door and come in.

Chen Xing was sitting upright on the living room sofa, watching him.

"Shanshan, why didn’t you open the door for Dad when you’re home? You scared me to death! Look what Dad brought you." As he spoke, Xu Anguo placed a large tray on the dining table. "It’s Wagyu beef. I had someone bring it from another country especially for you!"

Chen Xing watched Xu Anguo bustle about for a moment before speaking slowly, "Since you claim to be my father, why didn’t you ever think of doing a DNA test while I was in the Research Institute? After all, I look so much like Lu Wanrou."