Zhan's Pov.
I sat there in the car, my hands gripping the seat belt tightly, as anger simmered within me. The realization washed over me like a wave crashing against the shore. Wang knew all along about my father's identity, yet he kept it hidden from me. The betrayal stung, leaving me with a bitter taste in my mouth. How could someone I trusted withhold such critical information? My mind raced with questions, and my emotions swirled in a tumultuous mix of disbelief and anger.
I felt my heart sink at the thought. Could Uncle Hao have been lying to me all this time? I didn't want to believe it, yet it was becoming increasingly difficult to deny. I don't know what else to believe anymore. This was too much for me to process.
Wang entered the car and sat beside me. The atmosphere was tense.
"I know this is too much for you to take in, but I will explain everything when we get home." His voice was filled with suppressed rage.
"How long have you known?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly. Wang sighed heavily before answering.
"Yesterday," he replied. "I wasn't sure, but the dots are connecting. I'll explain it all when we get home."
"What dots?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Like I said, I will explain to you when we get home," he said noncommittally.
"Why can't you talk about it now?" I asked. My frustration was mounting. I had reached a breaking point where I could no longer tolerate being lied to or kept from things. The weight of deception had become unbearable, and I needed answers.
"If you can't tell me now," I declared vehemently, "I'm not going anywhere with you." With those words, I exited the car, determined to assert my boundaries and demand the truth.
"Zhan, please don't be difficult," Wang pleaded. "I will explain everything when we get home, but I need to show you something first. I promise. I just need to show you something that will make it easier to understand."
"We need to leave now," Liu said as they rushed out of the house and into the car.
I am not going anywhere if you don't explain anything to me. I said sternly.
"We don't have enough time. He will explain when we board," Liu said, and Wang dragged me into the car.
Liu sighed, "We don't have much time. We need to get to the airport in 30 minutes if we want to catch the plane home."
The drive to the airport was silent as I stewed in my anger. I ignored Wang's attempts to speak to me, not wanting to be placated by another empty promise. I was tired of people hiding things from me and treating me like a child who didn't deserve to know the truth.
When we arrived at the airport, a man approached us and took our bags. Without saying a word, he guided us inside the plane. It was my first-time stepping foot inside an aircraft, and I couldn't help but admire its exquisite interior.
Meng collapsed into the first chair she spotted. Just as she settled into the seat, Yu Bin sat beside her. With a comforting presence, she rested her head on his shoulder, seeking solace in his company. He gently rocked her back and forth.
Liu found a seat, and Jackson sat opposite him. Wang motioned for me to follow him as he walked a bit further and took a seat opposite me.
"Zhan, please don't be upset with me," Wang pleaded.
"Why don't you just explain and show me whatever you want when we get home?" I asked. "It would be easier for both of us, and you wouldn't have to go through all this trouble."
Wang sighed and nodded in agreement. "You're right."
18 years ago, I met a girl who gave me a necklace with a key pendant—an exact replica of your heart pendant. She said that one day, when she was ready, she would come and get it. When Liu went home to run an errand for our uncle, he told me a man had been looking for me. He asked if I still had his wife's necklace, and he would come to get it when he was ready.
When I saw your necklace yesterday, I put the dots together with everything that has been happening. You have not been compelled to do anything. Your eyes glowed with a golden hue, and I noticed a sweet smell coming from you. I then realized that the man who had looked for me was actually your father. The girl I met 18 years ago was his wife, your mother.
I was so lost in thought that I didn't even notice when the plane took off. I must be dreaming. There is no way this is real. If it's real, they won't abandon me. My mother would never abandon me, and neither would my father.
"No, you're lying. My parents would never abandon me," I murmured.
"I would never lie to you, green-eyes," Wang whispered, holding my hand. He looked deep into my eyes, and I could see his sincerity.
I felt my throat tighten, and tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn't keep it together anymore. I let out a sob, and my shoulders shook in the effort to contain my emotions. "All my life has been a lie," I choked out. Wang's arms wrapped around me tightly, and he whispered soothing words, but it didn't stop the pain I was feeling.
Wang reached out and drew me closer to him. He gently kissed my cheeks and tenderly wiped away the tears streaming down my face.
"Don't worry," he whispered softly, his voice soothing and calm. "We will figure it out together."
I didn't know how to react. The thought that my father abandoned me but went looking for a stupid necklace broke my heart. I didn't know what to do, so I did the only thing that made me feel better. I kissed Wang passionately, and he kissed me back.
I savored every taste of his mouth and the warmth of his hands roaming under my shirt. I wanted to forget everything and just be in that moment. I wanted to feel loved and accepted, and Wang was giving me that. I closed my eyes and just enjoyed the moment.