Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Peculiarities Everywhere

Hearing the police officer’s words, Song Yinghe didn’t quite register them at first. "What paternity test? Wanwan, what are they talking about?"

Chi Yuanshan, however, had some inkling of the situation. He gently placed a hand on Song Yinghe’s shoulder. "Ah He, don’t worry. Let Wanwan explain."

Chi Wan hadn’t expected the police to be so efficient. They had even found the paternity test results that had only just come out.

It wasn’t that it was something she couldn’t admit to, but... she hadn’t originally planned to let Song Yinghe know about this.

Chi Wan sniffled softly, her sense of being wronged palpable to anyone watching.

She lowered her head and said softly, "Because... Song Yangming came to me for money before. He didn’t show up himself, though. He had the people he owed money to set up a scheme, trying to get our family to compensate them with our mountain through a staged accident."

The female officer showed a hint of surprise, seemingly not expecting such a grudge between them.

While signaling for the officer next to her to take notes, she asked in a gentle voice, "Since he didn’t show up himself, how did you know he was the one behind it?"

Chi Wan’s voice was a bit tense. "Because our family went bankrupt, we had to sell off a lot of things. That included some of the jewelry and accessories we had saved up, which is how I got to know the owner of a pawnshop."

"He’s a good person and knows a lot of people. Since we have a pretty good relationship, he looked into it after learning what happened. As it turns out, not only did he discover that Song Yangming was behind it, but he also learned a huge secret about Song Yangming’s origins."

If she could help it, Chi Wan didn’t want to drag Zhou Huai’an into this.

But since the police had already found out about the paternity test, they probably also knew that her relationship with him was decent. Hiding it now would just make her look guilty.

’Besides, I can’t shake the feeling that something about this whole affair is strange... Just like Mom said, if the He Family was really behind Song Yangming’s disappearance, then Qian Cuicui should have come looking for us first. But if Song Baihan arranged it, then Qian Cuicui would have no reason to call the police. Could it be that Song Baihan only took Song Yangming and didn’t give Qian Cuicui and her husband any "compensation for their trouble"? No, that’s not right. Considering how much Song Jianguo and Qian Cuicui value their "heir to the throne," it’s quite possible they were only after Song Yangming himself...’

Although a torrent of thoughts was rushing through her mind, Chi Wan was also secretly observing the police officers’ expressions.

The female officer didn’t seem particularly surprised or curious about the "secret of Song Yangming’s origins" that Chi Wan mentioned. It was as if... they already knew.

The officer calmly continued, "What secret of Song Yangming’s? And what does that have to do with you getting a paternity test?"

Chi Wan lowered her gaze and continued, "I... I suddenly found out that those people had discovered that Song Yangming wasn’t my biological uncle, but someone else’s son. But my grandparents treated Song Yangming so, so much better than my mother. I just... I just don’t understand. Would someone really abuse their own daughter for a son who isn’t even theirs by blood?"

She suddenly looked up at Song Yinghe, the pain on her face genuine. "I’m sorry, Mom. I just wanted to prove..."

Song Yinghe suddenly understood her daughter’s unspoken words: Wanwan just wanted to prove that those two people were not her mother’s biological parents, so she wouldn’t have to feel hurt by their cruelty.

Her eyes turning red, she hugged Chi Wan. "My silly baby, it’s okay even if you couldn’t prove it. Mom has you and your father, and that’s more than enough."

Chi Wan had indeed been very disappointed when she saw the results. Because Song Jianguo and Qian Cuicui really were her biological maternal grandparents.

And it made it even harder for her to understand how someone could ignore their own daughter just for the sake of a symbol meant "to carry on the family line."

Chi Wan’s words left the officers silent for a moment.

They hadn’t expected that to be the reason, but seeing the exchange between Chi Wan and Song Yinghe, they could somewhat understand Chi Wan’s actions—especially the only female officer present.

After asking a few more questions about the family’s usual interactions with Song Yangming and other miscellaneous details, the three officers stood up. "We have a general understanding of the situation now. We may need to trouble you again as the case develops. Of course, if you think of any new leads, feel free to contact us at any time."

Chi Yuanshan breathed a sigh of relief. He took the business card the officer offered and was about to see them out when Chi Wan suddenly spoke up. "Officer, was it really my grandmother who reported Song Yangming missing? And where is my grandmother now?"

The female officer paused before turning back. She gave Chi Wan a long, deep look, her expression calm. "Young lady, we understand your concern for your family. We will notify you immediately if there are any developments."

Chi Wan said no more, watching as the officers left.

When Chi Yuanshan and Song Yinghe returned from seeing the police out, they stood at the door and saw Chi Wan sitting on the sofa, lost in thought. They exchanged a helpless glance.

Song Yinghe sighed. "Sometimes I feel like our Wanwan has become too mature all of a sudden this summer vacation. And she’s getting more and more assertive..."

But Chi Yuanshan was beaming with pride. "Well, what can you do when our daughter is so outstanding! Just like you. Heh, though sometimes it makes me feel useless as a father, having our little girl worry about things for us."

Song Yinghe smiled and patted Chi Yuanshan’s shoulder. "I can’t take credit for that. I’m a mother who needs her own daughter to carefully protect her... I really am..."

As she spoke, her eyes began to redden again.

Hearing the noise from the doorway, Chi Wan looked up and saw her parents standing there, not coming in, with inexplicably proud expressions on their faces. She found it a little funny. "Mom, Dad, are you two guarding the door?"

Once they came inside, Chi Wan pulled them down to sit and shared her suspicion in a low voice. "Mom, Dad, I suspect it wasn’t Grandma who reported Song Yangming missing at all."

Chi Yuanshan froze for a second. Recalling the officer’s strange reaction when Chi Wan had asked about it earlier, he thought for a moment. "Are you saying the police found out about Song Yangming’s disappearance through some other case?"

Song Yinghe frowned. "Some other case? Then how did they end up investigating us..."

She suddenly had a thought. "Could it be... related to our family’s bankruptcy? Are they investigating those people?"

Chi Wan hadn’t had a chance to tell her parents what she’d learned about the He Family, because she didn’t know how to bring it up.

After all, the He Family was a behemoth compared to her family’s current state. Telling them would likely just cause more worry without being of any real help.

But this visit from the police made Chi Wan keenly aware of something.

’Zhou Huai’an once said that He Yunzhen has been in a hurry to "clean up her act" these past few years. So, could the police’s heavy focus on Song Yangming’s case be related to the details of this "cleanup"?’