THIP Chapter 50

A sleek, low-key black car pulled into the ancestral Lo residence, coming to a smooth stop as the driver parked it.

Mu Liuyin stepped out of the car, then bent down slightly and extended his right hand with a gentle smile. “Come on out, my little princess.”

Inside the car, Gu Changran hadn’t expected Mu Liuyin to act like this. She froze for a moment, the tips of her ears turning red, then slowly placed her hand in his.

Those watching might have assumed the girl in the car was Bai Qi, the one Mu Liuyin had raised since childhood. But to their surprise, it was a completely unfamiliar girl.

The young woman was stunning, delicate, and graceful. She wore a pale blue evening gown that mirrored the sky, her silky black hair cascading down to her waist. Her beautiful eyes were as clear and dewy as fresh springwater, and her face, as fair as creamy white jade, was tinged with a soft blush. She looked like she had stepped out of a classical European painting.

Elegant. Refined. Gentle.

And most curiously, she looked strangely familiar.

The invitation had already been handed to the gate attendant by the driver at the entrance. Mu Liuyin held Gu Changran’s hand and walked with her into the main hall, then took a seat. Many guests greeted them along the way, all of whom received polite but distant nods from Mu Liuyin.

“Don’t be nervous,” he said gently in her ear.

Feeling the warmth of her older brother’s breath, Gu Changran blushed. She whispered back, “I’m not nervous, not with you here.”

Her palm was slick with sweat—so much for not being nervous. Mu Liuyin chuckled softly and gave her hand a light squeeze.

Gu Changran: “…”

Now her face was even redder.

The host of the birthday banquet descended the stairs, and his son, Luo Chen, took the mic on stage to welcome everyone. The celebration officially began.

Guests began lining up to present their gifts to Luo Jin in honor of his birthday. Mu Liuyin fed Gu Changran a small piece of cake, and when the crowd around Luo Jin thinned out a bit, he led her over to greet him.

“Uncle Luo,” Mu Liuyin said with a distant yet gentle smile, “Wishing you boundless fortune and a long, healthy life.”

But Luo Jin’s eyes were fixed solely on Gu Changran.

Feeling the intensity of his stare, Gu Changran subconsciously moved a little closer to Mu Liuyin.

“This is my younger sister, Gu Changran,” Mu Liuyin said with a warm smile. Then he looked at Gu Changran. “Changran, wish Uncle Luo a happy birthday.”

Gu Changran nodded obediently. “Happy birthday, Uncle Luo.”

Luo Jin’s expression showed a hint of emotion. He stared at her face—so strikingly similar to his late wife’s—and tried to keep his voice calm as he asked, “Changxi, is this the girl you adopted from the orphanage?”

Mu Liuyin nodded. He knew Luo Jin had already figured it out—and this was exactly why the original character in the story had kept Gu Changran out of sight: she looked too much like Luo Jin’s late wife.

He sighed inwardly. From Luo Jin’s reaction, it was clear he cared deeply about his daughter. So Mu Liuyin asked naturally, “Yes, Uncle Luo. Is something the matter?”

“You know our family’s daughter went missing when she was very young,” Luo Jin said, barely able to contain his emotions. His voice trembled. “Changran looks exactly like Luo Chen’s mother.”

Mu Liuyin turned silently to look at Gu Changran.

She gazed back at him, completely confused.

Mu Liuyin said, “So, Uncle Luo, you’d like to do a DNA test?”

“Yes,” Luo Jin replied firmly.

Mu Liuyin turned to Gu Changran and gently stroked her long, silky hair. “Changran, Uncle Luo’s daughter, went missing when she was a child. You look a lot like his late wife. Would you be willing to take a DNA test with him?”

Gu Changran was stunned. She had always believed she was an orphan. Now this overwhelming revelation hit her like a ton of bricks.

She already had an older brother. She had long since stopped hoping for any blood relatives. So why was someone suddenly saying she might be their lost daughter?

Though the man before her looked desperate to find his child, Gu Changran didn’t want to leave her brother. She looked at Luo Jin and quietly said, “I’m sixteen years old.”

Implying that she might not be the right age to be his missing daughter.

But Luo Jin’s eyes lit up instantly. His voice, now unsteady with excitement, said, “That’s the right age. It’s the same…”

Not far away, Luo Chen had just finished a toast with some guests when he noticed the commotion. He excused himself and came over, thinking something was wrong—until he saw Gu Changran’s face. In that moment, he instantly understood.

“Dad,” Luo Chen said.

Luo Jin snapped out of his daze, but his voice was still brimming with barely contained joy. “She looks just like your mother, doesn’t she? If your sister were still here, she’d be exactly Changran’s age now.”

When Luo Chen learned that the girl in front of him was the same age as his missing sister, he froze for a moment, then echoed Luo Jin’s suggestion: a DNA test.

Under the hopeful, expectant gazes of the two men, Gu Changran couldn’t bring herself to say no. She looked at her brother and said, “Gege…”

“It’s okay,” Mu Liuyin said calmly. “We’ll go to the hospital for the test tomorrow. But if the results aren’t what you’re hoping for, I hope you and President Luo won’t take it too hard.”

Luo Chen had wanted to suggest doing the test tonight, but Gu Changran was currently Mu Liuyin’s sister. Considering how long Mu Liuyin had cared for her, it would be inappropriate to push things too fast. So he could only agree.

…

Ever since the birthday banquet at the Luo household, Gu Changran hadn’t let go of Mu Liuyin’s hand, not even once, all the way until they got home.

Following closely behind him, she even stepped into his room. Mu Liuyin finally looked up at her, a bit helpless. “Are you upset?”

“Gege… don’t abandon me,” Gu Changran whispered nervously.

Mu Liuyin reached out and gently ruffled her hair. “How could I ever abandon you?”

Gu Changran buried her head into his chest and muttered, “Even if I am the Luo family’s daughter, you can’t leave me, okay?”

His hand paused slightly as it combed through her silky black hair. Mu Liuyin sighed quietly. “That’s up to you. Whether you choose to return to the Luo family or stay with me, I’ll protect you no matter what.”

Gu Changran looked up, instantly smiling through her tears. “Really?”

“Truer than pearls,” Mu Liuyin replied with a smile. “Feeling better now?”

Gu Changran buried her face again, her cheeks bright red.

“But,” Mu Liuyin added, gently stroking her hair, “Luo Bo-fu has been looking for his lost daughter for years. His wife passed away a few years ago from depression after never finding her. So, if you are their daughter—even if you’re not ready to go back just yet—you still need to visit your father and brother often, alright?”

“…Okay,” the girl in his arms replied softly.

“Good girl,” Mu Liuyin smiled.

After coaxing Gu Changran to sleep in her room, Mu Liuyin looked at the missed call on his phone and called back.

“Sir,” a voice said from the other end, “so far, we haven’t found a suitable heart donor for Miss Bai.”

“Keep searching,” Mu Liuyin instructed.

After hanging up, his expression turned weary. Three years, and still no match. Although Bai Qi’s condition had stabilized somewhat with overseas treatment, as she grew older, her heart could no longer keep up with her body. If they didn’t find a compatible donor soon, she’d only have about four years left.

He set down his phone and sat on the bed, his face calm. His current body—this host—also had about four years left to live.

The original host had adopted a six-year-old Bai Qi at the age of twenty. Mu Liuyin had arrived in this mission world when Bai Qi was fourteen and Gu Changran was thirteen. Now, three years had passed, and this body was thirty-one.

He sighed quietly, showered, and went to bed. By the time he woke up, it was morning.

As promised, Mu Liuyin brought Gu Changran to the hospital. Luo Jin and Luo Chen were already there, clearly having arrived early.

Both Gu Changran and Luo Jin had their blood drawn. For added confirmation, Luo Chen gave a sample too.

Of course, DNA results weren’t immediate—even the fastest would take a few days.

While Luo Jin and Luo Chen spent those days anxious and impatient, Gu Changran wasn’t. To her, it didn’t matter whether she was biologically related to them—her brother wouldn’t let her go, no matter what.

That thought brought her peace. She continued attending school and studying seriously, showing no signs of emotional turmoil at home.

But for the Luo father and son, the days dragged. They worried that she might not be their daughter—but even more so, if she was, would she agree to come home?

Finally, the results arrived.

Two reports—one matching Gu Changran to Luo Jin, and another to Luo Chen—each showed a 99% DNA similarity. Gu Changran was, without doubt, the Luo family’s long-lost daughter.

Luo Jin immediately pulled her into a hug. Gu Changran’s mind went blank as she stood there. She patted his back but couldn’t bring herself to say “Dad.”

Luo Chen’s eyes shimmered with tears. After so many years of searching, they’d finally found her. How could he not be overjoyed? He asked gently, “Changran, will you come home with us?”

Gu Changran stayed silent, clearly refusing.

“President Luo, Uncle Luo,” Mu Liuyin stepped in front of her protectively, speaking calmly, “I understand that you’re both happy and emotional after finding your daughter. But please, think about how Changran feels.”

“She’s lived thirteen years as an orphan. Even when I first brought her home, it took her a long time to accept me. And she has less than half a year before her high school entrance exams. Let’s hold off on discussing her return for now.”

“Gu Changxi!” Luo Chen narrowed his eyes. “What are you trying to say? That you don’t plan to let her come back to our family?!”

“You misunderstand, President Luo,” Mu Liuyin replied gently. “I’m only saying that Changran needs time. Right, Changran?”

Gu Changran nodded.

Luo Chen: “…”

Damn it, so frustrating! She’s my sister—why is this bastard Gu Changxi in the way?!