Chapter 3: Primary School Chapter (2)

Silence.

Deathly silence.

I looked at Jin Xianxian—she was completely frozen.

“I… I don’t believe it,” Jin Xianxian said as if in a dream.

I believed my dad. When it came to work matters, he was always rigorous and careful.

My dad also trusted his own test results. Seeing Jin Xianxian’s reaction, he said: “Student Jin, I understand it’s hard for you to believe this result right now. Our lab’s testing equipment and procedures are world-class. I will take responsibility for the test results, but at the same time, I won’t lie to you.”

This was a big deal.

Beside me, Student Jin was already silently streaming tears.

“Thank you… Uncle, for being willing to treat me like an adult… and telling me the results,” Jin Xianxian said between sobs.

Jin Xianxian, who didn’t yell or make a fuss, actually made me more uneasy.

She was still just a child!

She looked at me with red eyes again: “Class Monitor, I… today, no, I don’t want to go home… can, can I stay at your place for the night?”

“Of course, of course,” I quickly agreed. “I’ll call your mom.”

I took my dad’s phone and had Jin Xianxian dial her mom’s cell number, then told her mom about Jin Xianxian staying at my place today.

Maybe the recent family troubles had also worn her out—she asked about my family situation and then agreed, her tone a bit tired.

After hanging up, I took Student Jin Xianxian to my room. She probably wanted to be alone right now.

Student Jin Xianxian didn’t eat dinner either.

I couldn’t help but admire my dad’s foresight—before getting to the point, he’d had Student Jin Xianxian eat cake first. Otherwise, if the kid didn’t eat all night, she’d be starving.

It was just that when my mama came home and heard what happened, she got a bit angry at my dad, saying that no matter what, the other parent should have been told first—telling the child directly like this was too cruel.

But I thought it was better for Student Jin Xianxian to know first. Adults are sometimes arrogant, thinking they can handle everything related to their children, but in reality, children should also have the right to know.

After dinner, I went back to my room. Student Jin Xianxian was curled up in a tiny ball under the covers on my bed.

I turned off the light, climbed into bed, and lay beside her to keep her company.

Just when I thought she had fallen asleep, she suddenly hugged my waist.

The child, very insecure, clung to me, her head against my shoulder, still sobbing.

“What should I do?” Jin Xianxian’s voice was muffled. “If I don’t say anything, I won’t have a dad anymore. But if I do say something, I might not even have a mom.”

What advice could I give her?

Actually, I thought that whether Jin Xianxian said anything or not, her parents would find out very soon.

Clumsily patting her back, I told her my life creed: “Whatever decision you make, as long as you have a clear conscience, that’s enough.”

“What does ‘clear conscience’ mean?” Jin Xianxian didn’t understand the idiom yet.

“It means don’t do things that will make you regret them,” I said.

Jin Xianxian didn’t speak anymore, but I could feel my pajamas getting even wetter.

The next day, after breakfast at my place, Jin Xianxian said she wanted to go home.

My parents wanted to walk her, but Jin Xianxian refused, saying: “My home is very close. Can the Class Monitor walk me?”

My parents exchanged a glance and agreed.

My dad put the test report into her backpack, then patted her head and said: “You have to believe that parents love their children—many times it’s not just because of blood relation.”

Jin Xianxian obediently thanked my dad, and my mama, watching, quietly hid behind Dad and wiped her tears.

On the way back to Jin Xianxian’s home, she said only one thing to me: “I’m a good kid. This year I’m going to get the Three Good Student award.”

I think I knew what her decision was.

When we reached Jin Xianxian’s home, both her parents were in the living room, but the atmosphere was a bit icy.

Seeing Jin Xianxian return, her mom quickly walked over to help her take off her jacket and asked if she had slept well last night.

I could see her dad actually wanted to come over and care for her too, but after glancing at her mom, he sat on the sofa gloomily and didn’t move.

Jin Xianxian’s mom was also very warm to me, telling us to sit on the sofa while she went to pour us milk.

Jin Xianxian kept her head down the whole time, probably not wanting her parents to see her cry-swollen eyes.

She didn’t sit down. Instead, she stood in the middle of the living room, pulled two test reports from her backpack, and said: “Mom and Dad don’t need to argue anymore. Mom didn’t do anything bad.”

Jin’s dad stood up, wanting to pat Jin Xianxian’s head, then withdrew his hand. After a moment of silence, he said: “You’re still young. You don’t understand.”

“I do understand.” Jin Xianxian finally couldn’t hold back her tears, stuffing the test report into Jin’s dad’s hands. “Mom didn’t do anything bad, because I’m not Dad’s child, and I’m not Mom’s child either!”

Jin’s mom, who was just receiving the milk, heard Jin Xianxian’s words. The glass cup fell to the floor and shattered.

She didn’t bother dealing with the mess, striding over to ask: “What’s going on?”

I awkwardly helped Jin Xianxian explain: “My dad does genetic research work. This report—Xianxian asked my dad to do it. She originally just wanted to confirm that the report Uncle did was wrong… and then she also did a test with Auntie while she was at it… please don’t blame her.”

Jin’s dad and mom exchanged a glance. Jin’s mom squatted down and asked me: “Little classmate, where does your dad work?”

I puffed out my little chest, proud as could be: “The National First Research Institute of Science!”

Jin’s dad had already seen the institution’s signature on the test report and nodded at Jin’s mom.

Jin’s mom lowered her eyes and squeezed my hand: “Auntie’s family has some things to deal with right now—it’s not very convenient to entertain you. Come play again next time, okay?”

This was their family matter. Me, an outsider, standing here was pretty awkward, but I was still a bit worried about little Jin Xianxian.

“See you at school on Monday,” I squeezed Student Jin Xianxian’s little palm and said goodbye.

Monday.

I was always the first to arrive in class. Jin Xianxian arrived very early today too—second.

When she saw me, she flew over and rubbed against me.

This probably meant everything was fine now. I guessed.

After rubbing against me, Jin Xianxian pulled me into spinning circles.

Kids—they’re all like this when they’re happy. I understand.

“My mom and dad aren’t arguing anymore. They apologized to me too, saying grown-up matters shouldn’t affect me,” Jin Xianxian said, her spirit as flying as the hem of her skirt.

“Mom and Dad and I went to do a paternity test together yesterday. They promised that no matter what, I’ll always be their child,” she said with a smile.

Wonderful. Seeing Jin Xianxian happy made me happy too. I said: “That’s great! Congratulations, you solved a big problem! You’re really amazing.”

Jin Xianxian looked at me with sparkling eyes and said: “You’re the best Class Monitor in the world! You’ll definitely be the most awesome Alpha in the future too! If I’m an Omega, I’ll definitely marry you!”

Help! Not again! This time it’s a double critical hit!

I don’t want to be an Alpha, and I’m straight as a steel bar!

Kids say the darndest things! Kids say the darndest things!

A week later, Student Jin Xianxian brought me the latest development.

“So it turns out I was switched at the hospital with another child!” Jin Xianxian said.

I nearly spat out the water I was drinking.

Seeing her name, I should have guessed! It’s the real-and-fake-daughter script!

I probed: “So the other child is called…?”

“She’s called Jin Jiajia! Now she’s my little sister!” Jin Xianxian said.

She was as happy as a bird now, continuing to chirp: “I have two dads and two moms now, plus an extra little sister. I’m so happy!”

But then she suddenly deflated: “But I’ll be transferring schools soon. My moms and dads say the school my sister goes to is better, and I can keep my sister company if I go there. But I’m really going to miss you, Class Monitor.”

Needless to say, Jin Xianxian’s biological parents must be a “wealthy family” again. A “wealthy family” primary school’s conditions would definitely be better than our school—transferring would be good for Jin Xianxian.

I comforted her: “It’s okay, it’s okay, we can still keep in touch often! After you go, make sure to get along well with your sister too!”

“Of course, of course!” Jin Xianxian nodded vigorously. “And she’s so pretty! She’s tiny! But her health isn’t good—she gets sick a lot. I’ll protect her.”

I smiled. I wonder which direction this real-and-fake-daughter script will develop in?

On the day Student Jin Xianxian transferred schools, I gave her a call duck egg as a gift.

She looked very confused and said: “Is this your breakfast? I already ate two eggs today. I don’t want it.”

I explained to her: “This can hatch into a little duckling. I named it ‘Happy.’ Even after you transfer, be happy every day, duck!”

Hearing this, Jin Xianxian carefully cradled the duck egg in her palms and nodded solemnly: “I will!”

Primary school life returned to calm. I was still that primary school student who hated doing homework.