Chapter Twenty: Conducting the Paternity Test

“He is Youbao’s father.”

Mu You lowered her head, not noticing the shock on Qi Han’s face. She simply took it as curiosity from the other party and obediently answered.

Qi Han certainly knew the man in the photo was Youbao’s father. After all, the photo Youbao treasured so dearly was a family portrait; the people in it had to be her father and mother—no one else.

Yet Qi Han found it hard to believe his own eyes. His shock made him start rambling. The man in the photo, whose face had been burned off, bore a dark red birthmark on his neck shaped like an intricately patterned jade pendant. It was quite small and easy to miss if one wasn’t paying close attention.

What stunned Qi Han was that this birthmark, in both shape and location, was an exact match to that of the missing A Yu!

“Uncle Qi, what’s wrong? Do you know Youbao’s father?”

Mu You looked up, carefully reading Qi Han’s expression. She was clever and guessed right away why he was so shocked. Then, in a cautious yet hopeful tone, she asked, “Uncle Qi, do you know where Youbao’s father is now? Youbao really misses him…”

It had been two years. Her father was out there alone—was he eating well? Was he warm enough? Were there any bullies calling him a fool? Thinking of this, Mu You clenched her fists.

Her father was the best, smartest, and strongest dad in the world! And she was now the bravest and strongest child in the world. She could even talk to the furry ones. She would become even stronger and protect her father!

“Youbao…”

Qi Han gently and helplessly stroked Mu You’s hair.

“Though I really wish your father was someone I knew, someone I desperately want to meet, I’m not sure about his identity yet. You said that liars are bad children, and I can’t lie to you or deceive you.”

The flicker of hope that had just ignited was suddenly extinguished.

Mu You forced a smile and kindly comforted Qi Han, “It’s okay, good children.”

Qi Han frowned as he looked at the man’s face burnt by a cigarette. Without a doubt, this was Mu Yao’s handiwork!

That ruthless bastard—Youbao’s parents probably kept this family photo as a keepsake, a pillar of their spirit. And he dared to destroy it!

Mu Yao was a coward who bullied the weak and feared the strong. His obsequious attitude toward Qi Han proved it.

Qi Han thought to himself that Youbao’s mother was Mu Yao’s half-sister, the cherished daughter of the Mu family patriarch, so that scoundrel wouldn’t dare damage the woman in the photo.

Instead, he targeted Youbao’s father: a son-in-law who seemed foolish and lacked dignity in the eyes of outsiders.

“Mu Yao, Mu Yao…”

Qi Han muttered angrily. He wanted to chop off that man’s despicable hands!

If the photo were intact, he could confirm whether Youbao’s father was A Yu—his missing younger brother.

“Uncle Qi, let’s not look at the photo anymore. I’ll treat you to some cookies—they’re really delicious!”

Thoughtful and clever, Mu You changed the subject, hoping to ease Qi Han’s tension and lift his spirits. She knew that Uncle Qi must feel guilty for not being able to help, and she didn’t want such a kind person to be sad over her troubles.

Since they were guests, they should be happy!

Mu You carefully put the photo away, then took out a box of cookies from the bedside table and walked toward Qi Han.

Maybe she was a little anxious or distracted by the photo.

Suddenly, she stumbled and fell. The box slipped from her hands, scattering cookies all over the floor into tiny crumbs.

“Youbao! Are you hurt? Does it hurt?”

Qi Han had been lost in anger and regret and hadn’t noticed her safety at first. Had he seen it, he would never have let Youbao fall.

Realizing this, Qi Han quickly strode over to help her up. But as he crouched down, his hand hadn’t even reached her yet.

“Please don’t hit Youbao… Youbao didn’t mean to, please…”

Mu You instinctively raised her arm to shield her head.

It was clear she was afraid of being hit. She had developed a conditioned reflex!

At that moment, Qi Han felt his fury surge, wanting to rush out and beat that black-hearted uncle Mu Yao until he was hospitalized!

“Youbao, don’t be afraid. Look carefully—I am Uncle Qi. Uncle Qi cares for you so much; how could I ever hurt you?”

Qi Han held Mu You close, his voice trembling with tenderness.

“Yes, it’s Uncle Qi…”

Mu You finally realized and buried her head in his chest, ashamed. Had she said the wrong thing? Would Uncle Qi dislike her?

“Youbao, be good. With Uncle Qi here, no one will dare bully you ever again.”

“If anyone dares… may they be struck down by sudden calamity!”

A fierce gleam flashed in Qi Han’s eyes.

With his resources and the Qi family’s influence in China’s business circles, he could easily make that happen.

Even if Youbao wasn’t A Yu’s child or his niece, she was still an important and beloved child in his heart!

Qi Han was truly enraged.

“Struck down by sudden calamity? What’s that?”

Mu You asked curiously.

“It’s nothing, just an interesting phrase I found online.”

Facing the little bundle, Qi Han instantly transformed into the gentle and kind Uncle Qi.

“Oh~ Uncle Qi can surf the internet, that’s so cool!”

Mu You’s eyes sparkled with admiration.

Growing up, she had hardly ever used electronic devices alone. Her older brother and sister had their own phones, computers, and tablets since they were toddlers!

Mu You wished she could have a phone too, so she could call her father and new friends.

She vaguely remembered having a phone once—it was a gift from Grandpa—but her uncle took it away and she never saw it again.

Qi Han’s heart ached once more.

Though young, Mu You had never been online? No doubt, it was the Mu family’s doing!

“Uncle didn’t bring a gift this time, but Youbao showed me treasures and even offered me cookies…”

“Next time I come, I’ll bring you a present. You must accept it, or else Uncle will be sad.”

Qi Han helped Mu You stand and gently brushed the cookie crumbs off her clothes.

“Well… then I won’t be polite! I’m so excited—what will it be?”

Mu You hadn’t received a gift in a long time, and her face shone with anticipation and joy.

“It’s a secret. You’ll find out when the time comes.”

Qi Han teased mysteriously.

If the media or business circles saw this playful side of him, it would certainly stir up a storm.

Of course, Qi Hao Xuan would be jealous, since he had never been treated like that, ahem…

Thinking of this, Qi Han quietly tucked away a strand of Mu You’s hair while she wasn’t looking.

He planned to take it back for a DNA test.