Supernatural Brokers Rampaging in the Human World - Chapter 163 - Origins (Part 2)

Yuan Junming stood up nervously as they descended. Although he had met this young man in charge before, the situation felt different now, and the weight of their interaction only added to his unease.

“If you both don’t mind, we can conduct the tests at one of the Stuart Family’s hospitals,” Lin Zhaonuan suggested.

A flash of joy swept through both Yuan Junming and Yuan Yan’s eyes as they nodded eagerly. They had been uncertain before coming here. While DNA testing had become incredibly convenient these days, everything still hinged on Lin Zhaonuan and Chu Chenxiao’s willingness. If they refused, there was nothing they could do.

It wasn’t long before the group arrived at the hospital. Yuan Junming cautiously retrieved a sample of Yuan Junyuan’s blood. This sample had been stored since birth, precisely for situations like this-rare and unforeseen circumstances that might arise later in life.

Meanwhile, Chen Zhao gently plucked a strand of Su Yang’s hair. His tender demeanor left Yuan Junming amazed. Who would have thought that Adonis Stuart, infamous for his cold and ruthless nature, had this side to him? To outsiders, he had always been distant and decisive, even ruthless.

The testing materials were promptly handed over to the doctor. With the clan leader personally present, the staff naturally treated the matter very seriously. At the same time, curiosity burned within them-fueled by the eternal temptation of the Eight Trigrams.

Everyone had heard that the matron of the Stuart Family was an orphan. And now, DNA testing? Could it be that her long-lost family had been found? Judging by the couple’s well-dressed appearances, it seemed they came from a good background. Could they have shown up now because they envied how well the matron had married?

Though the healthcare staff outwardly maintained a professional demeanor, their internal drama was playing out in vivid detail.

The results didn’t take long-less than half an hour later, the report was ready. When the doctor reviewed the findings, their internal drama became even wilder. It was true! There was a biological connection between them. What were the odds?

Yuan Junming, riddled with anxiety, took the report. When he saw the confirmed biological relationship on the document, he froze. She really was his brother’s daughter. Lin Zhaonuan was truly Yuan Junyuan’s child!

Yuan Yan, too, was stunned as she processed what she’d read. Su Yang and Chen Zhao, observing their reactions, had already surmised the results. Seeing Yuan Junming’s tear-filled, dramatic expression left no further doubt in their minds. Nevertheless, they took the report to confirm it for themselves-a 99% biological match. There was no room for doubt.

“Ms. Lin… do you… do you really have no memory of your parents?” Yuan Junming’s tone was still cautious, even though the biological relationship had been confirmed. His brother’s daughter was incredibly important to them. At the same time, an overwhelming feeling of guilt welled up in his chest. His brother had sacrificed everything to protect them, yet they didn’t even know he had a daughter…

Su Yang exhaled softly and gestured for the group to relocate for a more private conversation.

They soon returned to the Stuart family estate.

“Regarding my background,” Lin Zhaonuan began, her first words shocking everyone, “while the rumors about me being an orphan aren’t exactly untrue, it’s a bit more complicated than that. Before the age of eight, I did have parents.”

The room fell silent as she continued. “Until I was eight, I lived with my mother in Jing City. My father passed away when I was very young, so I have no recollection of him, although I do know his identity. He was my father in name-Zhou Yun, the eldest grandson of the direct lineage from the Zhou Family, though he has long since passed.”

“The Zhou Family is a barely recognized family in Jing City,” she added. “It’s small and insignificant, so you may not have heard of them. But Zhou Yun did marry my mother. Though looking back, their marriage seems to have existed in name only.”

The Zhou Family truly was small and unremarkable, but surprisingly, Yuan Junming had heard of them. “I know about the Zhou Family. If my investigation was correct, we must be speaking of the same Zhou Family.”

Su Yang glanced at him in surprise. How could the Yuan Family have any connection to the Zhou Family?

“About five years ago,” Yuan Junming explained, “my eldest son Yuan Ying met a young actress in Xu City while filming a project. Her name was Zhou Jia, and she’s a member of that family. She wouldn’t leave him alone, and there were quite a lot of rumors about them. I investigated her background and, therefore, learned about the Zhou Family.”

Su Yang nodded in acknowledgment. That made sense, although it still came as a surprise to her. She hadn’t expected such connections to surface.

“Ms. Lin… would you, perhaps, be willing to visit the Yuan Family?” Yuan Junming finally asked, his voice heavy with anticipation. What role Zhou Yun had played in this now seemed irrelevant. What mattered most was whether Lin Zhaonuan, his brother’s daughter, was willing to go home with them.

“You don’t need to keep calling me ‘Ms. Lin,'” she replied, rubbing her temples in mild frustration. “You can just call me Zhaonuan.”

Yuan Junming’s face lit up with happiness as he nodded eagerly. “Zhaonuan.”

“I’ll need to think about it…” Lin Zhaonuan said thoughtfully. The events of the past felt increasingly complicated, but someone out there had to know the full truth. Someone like Feng Bei, for instance. With that thought, she realized she’d likely have to bother him again soon.

Yuan Junming nodded in agreement. They couldn’t rush things. Confirming Lin Zhaonuan’s identity today was already a groundbreaking achievement. Before long, they left the estate without lingering or pressuring her further.

On the way back, Yuan Yan spoke awkwardly. “Do you think she might hold a grudge because of the situation with Shang Yue…?”

Yuan Junming had nearly forgotten about that matter. Now that Yuan Yan had brought it up, he suddenly remembered the complicated relationship between the Shang Family and Lin Zhaonuan. The two parties were, to put it lightly, far from friendly, possibly even hostile.

He let out a long sigh. What a mess this was turning out to be. “Regardless of what the Shang Family has done, we must never forget our roots.”

Yuan Yan nodded solemnly. If Lin Zhaonuan truly took issue with the Shang Family, then so be it-she could simply keep her unhelpful son, Shang Xuan, out of her path. No matter what, as long as Lin Zhaonuan was his brother’s daughter, they were determined to treat her well.

Her father-Yuan Junyuan-had disappeared without a trace. Whether alive or dead, they had no confirmation. This alone meant that his daughter deserved their care and devotion, however belated it may seem. Even if Lin Zhaonuan no longer needed their protection, the Yuan Family owed it to her.

For now, though, Yuan Yan decided to keep this matter hidden from her husband, Shang Quan, and her children. Until Lin Zhaonuan made her decision, they couldn’t afford any leaks. Yuan Junming also kept this secret from his own two sons.

However, secrecy didn’t equate to oblivion. Shang Xuan and Shang Man weren’t clueless. The unusual behavior Yuan Yan exhibited that day, particularly when she’d shown them a photo of Lin Zhaonuan, had not gone unnoticed. The fact that she’d even asked about Lin Zhaonuan stood out. Though their mother hadn’t explained further, the two brothers had already begun forming their own suspicions. For now, they chose not to confront her about it.

After the Yuan Family members departed, Su Yang wasted no time heading straight for Feng Bei’s lair.

Feng Bei had been enjoying a leisurely afternoon cup of tea. Seeing Su Yang barge in furiously caused him to instinctively flinch. His first thought was panic-what had he done wrong this time? Now that their roles and dynamics had shifted from the old days, he no longer had the authority to pose as her “master.” He realized he’d have to tread carefully.

Su Yang didn’t leave him in suspense for long. She cut straight to the point. “Tell me-what’s the full story behind my background?”

Feng Bei blinked, momentarily dumbfounded. “Your background? Didn’t you already figure that out yourself?”

Su Yang frowned deeply. “Don’t play dumb. The Yuan Family showed up today claiming I’m Yuan Junyuan’s daughter. I have no memory of any of this. What exactly happened between my mother and Zhou Yun of the Zhou Family? I refuse to believe you don’t know.”

Finally, realization dawned on Feng Bei. So this was what she meant. Come to think of it, he had never actually shared the story of her origins from this lifetime. There wasn’t much point in hiding it now, so he decided to come clean.

“You are indeed Yuan Junyuan’s daughter,” Feng Bei said calmly. “The story begins over twenty years ago.

“At that time, the Yuan Family had received the blessing of a Netherworld Messenger, which had allowed them to flourish for a hundred years. However, Yuan Junyuan committed a taboo while trying to counter Yuan Xinde. He forcefully summoned a Guardian Beast left by the Messenger and used its power. This angered the Guardian Beast, and the Messenger’s protection over the Yuan Family disappeared.

“With the blessing gone, Yuan Junming and Yuan Yan’s lives were in danger. That’s when I stepped in. Yuan Junyuan’s body, along with Mu Linlang’s, possessed extraordinary qualities-capable of nurturing a powerful vessel that could house your soul. I sought him out and struck a deal.

“At the same time, I also made a deal with Mu Linlang. She had been trying to escape the Mu Family, and it was my assistance that made her escape possible. In exchange, she asked me to help extend her mother’s life. She then agreed to conceive you with Yuan Junyuan as part of the deal.”

When Feng Bei finished, Su Yang stood frozen in place, her mind racing.

What… what was this supposed to mean? Her entire birth-her very existence-had been some kind of negotiated exchange? What did that make her?