C19 They Made Soup!

"When all this is over, we'll live together as a family," Nannan's mom said, gently stroking her hair. Their support was her greatest comfort.

"Huangfu Ling, you've been getting more unreliable lately. Nannan has parents and she's doing just fine. What's going on with your people?" Yizhou stood at the door, eavesdropping on their conversation, surprised at himself for listening in like this.

"I'll check again. Can you get me a photo of her parents?" Huangfu Ling held his phone, puzzled. How could his investigation be wrong? Was the initial direction flawed?

"Don't mess up again. You need to clean up the people working for you," Yizhou said before hanging up and leaving. Listening to someone cry inside didn't feel right. What was Nannan's connection to the deceased, and why did it lead back to that person?

"By the way, Mom and Dad, someone might come to investigate you in the next few days. Just mention something about me having a fake birth certificate," Nannan told her adoptive parents. Her true background had to remain hidden.

"Have they discovered something?" Her mom felt a wave of anxiety for Nannan. The granddaughter of the Deng family had been gone for so long, and now she was back. Someone would surely want her gone.

"Not yet, but they seem suspicious. They've started looking into what happened back then, so I really need your help," Nannan said. She knew if Zheng's mother found out she was alive, she wouldn't let her go. But even in danger, she had to act. Bad people shouldn't live so brazenly.

"Don't worry, we know what to do." Mother and daughter held hands tightly. They hadn't had other children to avoid making Nannan feel like an outsider. Now, Nannan treated them well, and their sacrifices were finally paying off.

"Alright, she's grown up and knows what she's doing. We'll head back now," her dad said, wiping away a tear. As much as he didn't want to leave, he knew Nannan would eventually get married and have her own life.

"Well, we'll be heading out now." Xia's mother stood up with a loving smile. Her daughter had grown up, and she couldn't help but feel that this should be a carefree time in her life, yet she was burdened with worries she shouldn't have.

"Yizhou, I've looked into it. Nannan is indeed the biological daughter of that couple, and she once forged a birth certificate because she couldn't stand living in poverty," Huangfu Ling reported to Zheng Yizhou. This was likely to stir up another storm. Nannan, just how bold are you?

"Are you sure this time there's no mistake?" Zheng Yizhou clenched his fist. How many more secrets did this woman have? Which version of her was the real one? Was it the one who cried in her parents' arms?

"I even hacked into their household records. There's no adoption record. And don't get mad, but although Nannan faked her identity, she hasn't done anything wrong. Plus, when we mentioned that person in front of her, she didn't react at all. It seems she created a fake identity but later abandoned it."

Huangfu Ling analyzed carefully, hoping Nannan wasn't as bad as they feared. He truly admired her talent.

"Are you defending her?" Zheng Yizhou couldn't understand why everyone seemed to take her side, speaking up for her when they barely knew her.

"I'm just stating the facts," Huangfu Ling defended himself. Could he interpret Zheng Yizhou's words as a sign of jealousy?

After seeing her parents off, Nannan took a deep breath. She could never repay their kindness in this lifetime. They were just her mom's friends, yet they had done so much for her. Her mom must be smiling down from heaven.

"Your parents headed back?" Zheng Yizhou asked as Nannan returned home. He was lounging in the living room, flipping through a magazine, the picture of relaxation.

"Yeah, they did. By the way, I'm planning to go back to work." Nannan had finished her artwork over the past few days and was ready to take it to her interview.

"No way, if you're pregnant, just stay home. It's not like I can't support you," Zheng Yizhou said firmly. Wasn't Xia Nannan just in it for the money? Now that she had it, why go to work? Was she trying to pretend she was independent so others wouldn't think she was after the money? Trying to clear her name?

"I'm not asking for your permission. I have to go, and I'll take care of myself," Xia Nannan replied resolutely, looking at Zheng Yizhou. This was her and her mom's dream, and no matter what, she was determined to pursue it.

"Fine, but you must eat four meals a day. I'll have someone deliver them to you."

"What?!" Xia Nannan looked at him, bewildered. What kind of demand was that? Four meals a day? Was he trying to make her burst?

"If you don't agree, then just stay home and take care of yourself," Zheng Yizhou insisted, watching her. What was she really up to? If it was about money, why work? Was she just putting on a show?

"Got it. I'm heading upstairs," Xia Nannan said, heading up. Why did he have to control even her job? It was her freedom, and she was only telling him out of basic respect.

"Yizhou, I heard from your mom that you met Xia Nannan's parents today. Are you really going to marry her?" Deng Yu'er asked, arriving shortly after Xia Nannan went upstairs, likely sent by Zheng's mother.

"Yeah," Zheng Yizhou replied nonchalantly, nodding. Deng Yu'er seemed to have nothing better to do, always hanging around, as if she'd forgotten how Mr. Zheng had asked her to leave just yesterday.

"Don't worry, I'm not here to argue. I was being immature before, which made Xia Nannan dislike me, so I've decided to apologize to her," Deng Yu'er said sweetly, putting on a good-girl act.

Zheng Yizhou didn't respond, keeping his eyes on the magazine, seemingly uninterested in Deng Yu'er's words.

"Is the soup ready?" Suddenly, Zheng Yizhou stood up and headed to the kitchen, leaving Deng Yu'er awkwardly standing there, realizing he wasn't keen on engaging with her.

"Alright, alright." The servant quickly ladled a bowl of soup, its rich aroma filling the entire kitchen.

"What is this?" Yu'er asked, sniffing the air. It looked delicious.

"This is for Miss Xia to nourish her pregnancy. Sir mentioned she's expecting and needs to take care of herself," the servant replied, noting that the soup was packed with nutrients.

"I'll take it up," Yu'er volunteered, wondering why Yizhou was so concerned about her. Wasn't he supposed to dislike her? Yu'er was tempted to smash the bowl in frustration but feared Yizhou's reaction.

"Uh..." The servant hesitated, aware of the tension between Yu'er and Nannan. Delivering the soup might not lead to anything good, but they couldn't afford to upset Yu'er.