Meanwhile, the Sun family had gathered around their expansive dining table. This was a monthly tradition, a rule set by Old Madame Sun and rigorously maintained by Grandpa Sun. Seated in the central spot, the head of the family, was Grandpa Sun himself. On his right sat Sun Weilong, Sun Fang and Sun Gang occupied seats across from each other.

Throughout the meal, Sun Gang couldn’t help but cast furtive glances at his father, Sun Weilong, and his brother, Sun Fang. The family’s intentions for this gathering were obvious, and there was an unspoken tension in the air.

Finally, Grandpa Sun decided it was time to address the matter. "Boys," he began, "how are things progressing with the quest?" Sun Gang, who was eager to share their achievements, responded enthusiastically, "We’re making good progress, Grandpa. I’m confident we’ll have positive news to share soon."

Grandpa Sun nodded in approval, satisfied with Sun Gang’s update. He then turned his attention to Sun Fang, anticipating a similar report. However, Sun Fang hesitated before giving an honest answer. "I’ve had other important matters to attend to, Grandpa, and it’s slowed down my progress on the quest," he admitted with sincerity.

Grandpa Sun’s disappointment was evident as he recognized the gravity of the family’s mission. Still, he took the opportunity to emphasize the quest’s importance for their family’s legacy, underlining that the brothers should be collaborators, not competitors.

Thank you for the clarification. Let’s continue with the corrected family relationship:

Grandpa Sun, Sun Weilong’s father, observed the family dynamics, sensing the undercurrents of tension. He knew that something significant was brewing, but for the moment, he decided to let it simmer and focused on his son, Sun Weilong.

"You seem different," Grandpa Sun said, his voice laced with a hint of curiosity.

Sun Weilong raised an eyebrow inquisitively. "Different how, Dad?"

Grandpa Sun leaned in closer to his son, a knowing look in his eyes. "You’re glowing, there’s something about you, your mood, something I haven’t seen in you since your wife passed."

Sun Weilong hesitated for a moment, contemplating his response. "Well, maybe I’ve started to get used to it," he said, his tone tinged with uncertainty.

Sun Gang, the eldest of Sun Weilong’s sons, chimed in, confirming his grandfather’s observation. "Grandpa, there is something about Dad, you are right."

Sun Fang, the younger brother, who had been carrying the weight of a secret, knew that Sun Gang had caught onto something, even though he wasn’t aware of the details of the DNA test. All eyes turned to Sun Gang, expecting an explanation.

Grandpa Sun shifted his attention, sensing that Sun Gang held a piece of the puzzle. "It sounds like you know something," he remarked.

Sun Gang leaned back in his chair, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "Oh, yes, I do. But I’ll give them a chance, especially Sun Fang, to tell you himself."

Grandpa Sun’s gaze fell on Sun Fang, the pressure of revelation weighing heavily on him. He looked at his son, Sun Weilong, searching for a cue that would guide him in sharing the news.

Sun Weilong decided to speak up, attempting to maintain the facade for a little longer. "There is nothing going on, Dad," he insisted.

Sun Gang chuckled, seemingly content to let the family drama unfold at its own pace. "That’s what you claim," he said, cryptically. "But I won’t say anything; it’s none of my business."

Grandpa Sun, deciding not to press the matter further, shifted his focus to Sun Gang, discussing various business-related topics. He always felt a bit biased when it came to Sun Gang. In his eyes, Sun Fang was perceived as a weak individual, and deep down, he believed that Sun Fang was not fit to run the family business. Sun Fang, on the other hand, didn’t mind this assessment, as he had his own plans, and the first step had already been set in motion.

While Grandpa Sun’s preference was evident, Sun Weilong had no interest in being involved in the family business. He carried a deep-seated resentment towards it, stemming from the belief that it was business rivalries that led to his sister’s kidnapping many years ago. Consequently, he held a strong aversion to the business, a sentiment that had persisted for years.

As the conversation continued, the family’s contrasting perspectives and aspirations became even more apparent. Grandpa Sun’s favoritism towards Sun Gang, Sun Fang’s independent plans, and Sun Weilong’s business-related aversion were threads that ran through the tapestry of their complex family dynamics. Unbeknownst to them, these differences would play a significant role in the unfolding of their family saga.

After finishing their meal, Sun Weilong informed his father, "Dad, I have to go now. I’ll see you soon."

Grandpa Sun sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and concern. "You need to drop this search for your sister. I don’t think we will ever find her," he said.

Sun Weilong smirked and retorted, "What kind of father are you to give up on your own daughter?"

Grandpa Sun’s anger simmered beneath the surface, but he decided to avoid a confrontation. "You know I never gave up on her, but it has been so long. Sun Lixia was three years old when she was kidnapped. Do you think she even remembers us if she’s still alive?"

Sun Weilong remained resolute. "Fine, you can continue giving up on her, but I will never stop looking for answers."

Grandpa Sun, concerned for his son’s well-being, added, "I hope it doesn’t lead you to your death."

Sun Weilong shook his head, stood up, and left without uttering another word. His determination to find his missing sister was unwavering.

Sun Gang, who had been observing the exchange with amusement, seized the opportunity to engage his grandfather. "Grandpa, if Dad ever finds Aunt Lixia, how would you feel?" 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Without hesitation, Grandpa Sun replied, "I would be happy to welcome her home."

Curiosity gnawing at him, Sun Gang asked a question that had been on his mind for days. "What if she has a child or children?"

Grandpa Sun’s response was heartfelt but also revealing. "Those would be your cousins. They deserve everything you both have in the family estate."

Sun Gang concealed his inner turmoil behind a façade of acceptance. Deep down, he harbored anger and hatred towards his father for his persistent search for Sun Lixia. He didn’t want more competition when it came to inheriting the family estate. He was confident in his ability to outmaneuver Sun Fang, but the prospect of additional contenders was a source of concern and resentment.

The Sun family’s long-standing tradition was one that transcended generations. In their family, the inheritance of the family estate was not determined by birth order, gender, or any other arbitrary factor. Instead, it was a principle deeply rooted in hard work, dedication, and meritocracy. The one found most worthy through their dedication and contributions would earn the privilege of inheriting the family’s legacy.

Grandpa Sun understood the importance of this tradition and had no intention of breaking it. It was a legacy that had stood the test of time, ensuring that the family’s wealth and responsibilities would be passed to the most deserving member, regardless of their position in the family hierarchy. This tradition was a source of pride and motivation for the Sun family, fostering a spirit of competition and excellence among its members.

Sun Fang informed his grandfather, "Grandpa, I also have to go."

Grandpa Sun nodded and said, "Sure, but don’t stay away from home for too long."

Sun Fang reassured him, "I won’t, Grandpa." With that, he prepared to leave.

Unexpectedly, Sun Gang, the older brother, spoke up, "Grandpa, I’ll be leaving as well. I have something to discuss in private with my little brother here."

Grandpa Sun looked between his two grandsons and offered a reminder, "Remember that you can never fight with each other."

Sun Gang responded confidently, "Don’t worry, Grandpa. I would never fight with my little brother." He then placed a hand on Sun Fang’s shoulder and continued, "Isn’t that right, little brother? You would never fight with me as well, right?"

Sun Fang heard the sarcasm and underlying meaning in Sun Gang’s words, but he chose to nod and walked out, Sun Gang following closely behind him.

As they reached the exit, waiting for their driver to bring the cars over, Sun Gang moved closer to Sun Fang and issued a warning, "Little brother, keeping secrets like this is not good for your heart."

Sun Fang smirked, understanding the real motive behind his brother’s concern, and replied, "Thanks for the warning. But are you really concerned about my health or worried about more competition?"

Sun Gang chuckled wickedly and confessed, "I’ve been running the family business very well for three years and have been doing great. I’m not scared of competition."

Sun Fang remained composed and responded, "Very well then. You should get your men to stop stalking me."

Sun Gang laughed and admitted, "Sorry, brother, I can’t. I need to be up to date with everything you’re doing. Like now, I know you conducted a DNA test on two strands of hair, and there was a match. Care to share who the hairs belonged to?"

Sun Fang sized up his brother and replied, "You’ll have to find out for yourself since you’re so smart."

Sun Gang continued to press, mentioning their recent dinner with someone from the Gu family. Sun Fang was unfazed and cryptically stated, "Who I meet and when is none of your business." With that, Sun Fang’s car arrived, and he hopped in without another word, leaving Sun Gang with his unanswered questions and an air of intrigue.

Sun Gang couldn’t help but wear a confident smirk as he watched his younger brother, Sun Fang, leave. He muttered to himself, "I will find out what you’re up to soon enough." With that, he got into his car and drove away, his mind filled with determination and curiosity.

Meanwhile, Grandpa Sun, who had been standing on the balcony of the family mansion, had overheard the entire conversation between his grandsons. He stroked his beard, deep in thought, realizing that the family dynamics were growing increasingly complex. The secrets and tensions within the family were becoming more apparent, and he couldn’t help but ponder the implications of the information he had just heard. The future of the Sun family seemed to be heading towards uncharted territory, and Grandpa Sun knew that decisions would have to be made that could shape the family’s fate for generations to come.