I immediately hugged the girl, tears streaming down my face, and knelt abruptly in front of Zhou Lin.

"Ah Lin, actually, we've had a child for a long time."

"Back then, I was young and fell in love with you while interning at the company next door."

"To truly have you, I willingly got drunk and went to the hotel room where you were on a business trip, just wanting to have your child."

"I never hoped to gain the status of being part of the Zhou family."

"But I need to tell you, Xingxing... she really is your child."

After saying that, I took out the paternity test report from my purse.

"This is the report. If you don't believe it, you can arrange for another one."

"Ah Lin, you can blame me for being despicable, but the child is innocent."

"She has grown up without her father's care and even has been used by someone to threaten you."

I lowered my eyes, tears blurring my vision as I hugged Song Xing and sobbed.

"The man in the video threatened me, saying if I didn't help him get your business secrets, he would expose the relationship between Xingxing and you."

"I know you deeply love your daughter; I couldn’t just sit by and watch him threaten you with her."

I looked up at Zhou Ning'er on the stage and continued slowly.

"That's why I didn't tell you and chose to face it alone."

"Because I wanted you to know that loving someone means being willing to sacrifice everything for him in the background."

...

The grand banquet hall fell into a dead silence.

Zhou Lin froze for a long time before finally reacting, his pale fingers taking the paternity test report.

His throat moved, and he looked towards the butler.

The butler understood immediately and took the report to verify it with the institution.

During the waiting period, Zhou Ning'er's expressions changed repeatedly.

Looking at the slightly calmed Zhou Lin, she finally spoke up:

"Lin Jiaojiao, don't think that faking a report will fool the Zhou family and everyone present."

"A paternity report? How ridiculous. Climbing up the social ladder through tricks, be careful not to lose your life."

I ignored her and continued kneeling on the ground with my eyes lowered.

Song Xing lay in my arms, timidly looking at Zhou Lin.

She had seen many ups and downs in life and knew best how to act like a child.

"Daddy..."

Zhou Lin did not reject this address.

She continued to speak softly, her tone carrying a faint grievance.

"Do you know? At that time, for you, mommy almost got kidnapped and had her face cut."

"She wouldn't let me tell you, saying you would be worried."

"Many bad uncles wanted to kill you, but mommy said she would protect you with her life."

"Daddy, can you protect mommy?"

My hair fell on my shoulders, my tearful eyes reflecting water.

Kneeling on the ground, my exposed neck was snow-white, fully capturing his sympathy.

Countless days and nights, I practiced my expressions in front of the mirror, waiting for today.

After a long while, the butler hurried back.

"Master, this was done at a private hospital, with complete and reliable sources."

"To be absolutely sure, I also had your new samples sent over, waiting overnight for results."

"But the dean personally confirmed that there is no mistake with the current report."

The butler's gaze towards Song Xing changed, with a touch of tenderness and pity.

Zhou Lin couldn't help but look down at me on the ground.

His expression was complex. Just as he was about to raise his hand to help me up, Zhou Ning'er screamed from the stage.

"Daddy! These bastards are just after your money, don't be fooled by them!"

Unlike the hysterical Zhou Ning'er.

Song Xing quietly looked at Zhou Lin, showing the steadiness unique to a precocious girl.

"Daddy, regardless of whether you allow me to stay in the Zhou family, I am willing to call you daddy."

"I won't disappoint you. The Zhou family never supports idlers."

With such a contrast, bold guests began to murmur:

"The elder daughter is so crazy, but the younger daughter actually has quite a bit of Old Zhou's temperament."

"Yeah, like the vigor he had when he was venturing out in his earlier years."

"Why not try the younger one, the older one is practically useless..."

Zhou Ning'er obviously heard their words, her face immediately becoming flustered.

She was her daddy's precious treasure, pampered for many years.

How could a newly appeared bastard be stepping on her head now?!

More bold ones were secretly discussing:

"I'd say, looking at Zhou Ning'er, she doesn't seem so bright, and her demeanor isn't like that of a noble—it can't be that she...

"Shh! Don't speak nonsense, this is the Zhou family!"

"What's there to not say, haven't there been enough scandals in rich families?"

"I also think, maybe Zhou Ning'er isn't really a Zhou..."

Tears filled my eyes, but my heart smiled brilliantly.

Zhou Lin couldn't deny it.

Cold handling would only further ruin his already shaky reputation.

Through the tears, I saw Zhou Lin slowly crouching down.

He hugged Song Xing and spoke softly, as if a truly kind father.

"Xing'er, welcome home."

Song Xing, with her back to him, met my gaze.

From each other's faces, we read the unstoppable pleasure.