Legacy of the God of War
Chapter 51: From Strangers to Family
Li Chen first drove home to drop off Zhang Mei and shower. He then drove to the cafe with his mind racing. He had been trying to figure things out for the past two hours, but he still had no idea what the meeting was about. He walked into the cafe, looking around to find the person he didn’t even know. Soon, he saw a man raising his hand at him.
Li Chen walked closer, and he found that there were two people waiting for him. The younger one, he figured, was Sun Fang, but the other person was a bit older. Li Chen took a seat opposite the two men, and Sun Fang said, "Li Chen, I am Sun Fang, and this is my father."
Li Chen said, "Hmm, so what is this about?"
Sun Fang took out two files and handed them over to Li Chen. Li Chen was confused more than ever, and Sun Fang noticed his reluctance. He said, "We will explain more after you finish reading those files."
Sun Weilong, sitting to the side, observed Li Chen with an intense gaze that only made Li Chen feel more uneasy. He cleared his throat and decided to delve into the first file, hoping to unravel the mystery that had brought him here.
Li Chen’s eyes fixated on the photograph attached to the top of the file. It was an image he knew all too well, a picture he had seen during his time living with his aunt. His heart pounded in his chest as he continued reading through the detailed information about his parents, things he had never known.
When he finished, Li Chen’s voice was laced with a cold, tense tone as he asked, "Why are you investigating my parents?"
Sun Fang, maintaining his composure, replied, "Please read the other file, and I promise to explain everything."
Despite his anger and confusion, Li Chen reluctantly picked up the second file and read it quickly. When he was done, he questioned, "What do these DNA test results have to do with me?"
Sun Fang urged Li Chen to calm down and listen, and Li Chen demanded, "You’d better start talking."
Sun Fang then turned to Sun Weilong, who had remained silent, and requested some pictures. Sun Weilong handed Li Chen the photographs, and as he looked at them, Li Chen’s shock intensified. One of the pictures featured an older woman who bore an uncanny resemblance to his mother.
In disbelief, Li Chen stammered, "Who is this?"
Sun Weilong spoke, saying, "Your grandmother."
Li Chen’s mouth opened and closed as he tried to formulate a response, but the shock he felt was overwhelming, rendering him temporarily speechless. The revelation about his grandmother had left him deeply shaken.
Sun Fang took a deep breath and explained, "Your mother is my aunt, my father’s sister."
Li Chen was baffled and asked, "What? My mother’s name was Wang Mengying."
Sun Fang continued, "The photo in your hand is my grandmother."
Li Chen furrowed his brows, a growing headache pounding in his temples. The deluge of information was overwhelming him.
Sun Weilong began to explain, "My sister, Sun Lixia, went missing when she was three years old. My parents searched everywhere for her, but she was never found. I spent years consumed by regret because I was the one who was with her that day. My parents eventually believed that her abductors had sold her."
Sun Fang, noting his father’s emotional state, continued, "Grandma died of heartache, and my father here is still haunted by it."
Li Chen slowly connected the dots and whispered in disbelief, "Do you mean my mother..."
Sun Fang nodded solemnly and said, "Yes, Li Chen, your mother is Sun Lixia. I’m sorry, but I had to get someone to break into your house to get a sample of your hair. I needed to be certain of my assumptions before telling my father."
Li Chen raised an eyebrow, his confusion deepening, and asked, "Break into my house? What?" Sun Fang’s revelation was turning his world upside down.
Sun Fang explained, "You wouldn’t have allowed me to take a sample, even if I had asked. I hope you can understand."
Sun Weilong added, "It doesn’t matter now. I had mine stolen too, and I’m his father."
Li Chen sat there, caught between the two people opposite him, lost in thought.
Sun Weilong offered his apology, saying, "I’m sorry, Li Chen. If I had found you sooner, you wouldn’t have gone through what you’ve been through."
Li Chen replied with an understanding tone, "It’s not your fault, I guess."
Sun Fang reassured him, "I understand you grew up without a family, but now you have us, the Sun family."
Li Chen hesitated and said, "Whoa, let’s not rush into things. I need time to process all of this."
Sun Fang agreed, "I know."
Sun Weilong added, "From this day forward, I’m here for you, and I’ll try my best to make up for all the lost time, as long as you give me a chance."
Li Chen nodded, "I’ll need time, but I’ll remember your words."
Sun Weilong suggested, "Please call me Uncle Weilong."
Li Chen awkwardly smiled. He had never had an uncle, and he never thought that his mother could be from the second richest family in the city. The revelation was life-changing.
Li Chen continued to scan the file that contained information about his parents. This newfound knowledge fueled his desire to learn more about his parents, making him believe that they were not ordinary people at all.
As they all casually chatted while having tea, Sun Weilong asked for Li Chen’s contact information, and they officially exchanged numbers. Sun Weilong couldn’t help but notice that Li Chen had his mother’s eyes and forehead, the same features he also had. A smile slowly crept onto his face as he looked at Li Chen across the table. He was now sure that Li Chen was his sister’s son.
Suddenly, Sun Fang interjected, "Dad, I think we can’t inform Grandpa for now, until Li Chen processes all of this."
Sun Weilong nodded and said, "I see."
Li Chen then brought up a more troubling topic, "Your brother, Sun Gang, you know he sent men to beat me up."
Sun Fang lowered his head in remorse, while Sun Weilong was shocked beyond words. Sun Weilong finally spoke up, "Sun Fang, you knew about this?"
Sun Fang responded with a heavy heart, "That was before I found all this information. And you know how Sun Gang is."
As Li Chen, Sun Fang, and Sun Weilong continued their conversation, the weight of the revelations and secrets hung heavily in the air. The café’s atmosphere seemed to mirror the complex emotions of the trio.
Li Chen was still processing the astonishing revelation that his mother was Sun Weilong’s long-lost sister. The existence of his maternal family was like a treasure chest of unanswered questions, yet Li Chen remained cautious about accepting the Sun family too quickly. The wounds from his past experiences ran deep, and he needed time to reconcile his newfound identity with his history.
Sun Weilong, on the other hand, was overjoyed and overcome with emotion. For years, he had lamented the loss of his sister, Sun Lixia, and now, to find a piece of her still alive in Li Chen was a bittersweet miracle. He couldn’t help but smile as he looked at Li Chen, feeling a profound sense of connection.
Sun Fang was burdened with guilt for the actions of his brother, Sun Gang, and the torment that Li Chen had endured as a result. He felt that he had wronged Li Chen by not discovering the truth about their relationship sooner. His motives had been to protect his family, but he now realized the unintended consequences of his actions.
The decision not to involve Sun Gang immediately was a practical one, giving Li Chen time to process his newfound family ties. They knew Sun Gang’s aggressive and ruthless nature, and revealing Li Chen’s identity could have unforeseen consequences. They agreed that it was best to wait until Li Chen was ready to confront this aspect of his life.
Sun Weilong felt deep regret for the suffering Li Chen had endured, and he apologized, "Li Chen, I am truly sorry for everything you’ve gone through because of my family. I understand if you don’t want to be associated with us."
Li Chen, though still grappling with the overwhelming revelations, appreciated Sun Weilong’s sincerity and replied, "Uncle Weilong, this is a lot to take in, but I want to understand my family, even if it takes time. I can’t ignore the fact that you’re my family."
Sun Weilong nodded, understanding the complexity of Li Chen’s emotions. They continued to talk, sharing stories about their lives and experiences. Li Chen was eager to learn more about his parents and hoped to hear anecdotes from Sun Weilong that would bring them to life. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮
While discussing their shared memories, Sun Fang was particularly curious about Li Chen’s background and the challenges he had faced growing up without a family.
The café’s atmosphere lightened as they shared stories, but they all knew that it was just the beginning of their journey together as a newfound family. In the end, Li Chen felt a mixture of emotions—relief, curiosity, and a sense of belonging. While the path ahead was uncertain, he was ready to explore his new identity as part of the Sun family.
As they parted ways, Sun Weilong extended his hand and said, "Thank you for meeting with us today, Li Chen. Please take your time to process everything. We’ll be here when you’re ready to embrace your family."
Li Chen shook his hand and replied, "Thank you for sharing this with me. I’ll need some time, but I appreciate your understanding and patience."
With that, they left the café, knowing that their lives had changed forever. Li Chen was left with a whirlwind of emotions, new family ties, and the promise of a brighter, more complete future.