Li Chen found himself in a whirlwind of emotions after the encounter with Wang Mingying. The prospect of potentially discovering his mother left him grappling with a mix of anticipation, anxiety, and a yearning for answers. Seeking an outlet for his emotions, he turned to the familiar solace of the training room.

The rhythmic sound of punches and kicks echoed in the confined space as Li Chen poured his energy into the physical exertion, as if trying to release the pent-up tension within him. It felt like there were layers to his identity waiting to be unveiled, and each strike against the training equipment was a symbolic attempt to break through those barriers.

After the exhaustive workout, Li Chen retreated to his room, contemplating the significance of the pending DNA test. He logged into his laptop and booked the test, marking a crucial date in his calendar. Once the confirmation came through, he promptly messaged Wang Mingying the details, initiating a countdown to the revelation that could reshape his understanding of family.

As the weight of the situation settled in, Li Chen felt like he had to inform Sun Weilong about this. Li Chen composed a message, requesting a meeting the following day to discuss a matter of importance. Sun Weilong’s swift response indicated his willingness to engage in the conversation.

While waiting for the appointed day, Li Chen’s thoughts wandered to another unresolved aspect of his life – the pending divorce with Gu Liang. The administrative task of obtaining the divorce certificates loomed over him, a reminder of a Chapter that needed closure.

Li Chen, feeling the weight of pending matters, took a proactive step in addressing the unresolved issue with Gu Liang. Opting for direct communication, he dialed the Gu residence, and the butler answered. Li Chen politely identified himself, and without unnecessary formalities, conveyed his message.

"Hello, this is Li Chen," he greeted. The butler acknowledged him and mentioned fetching Miss Gu for the call. Li Chen, however, preferred brevity, responding, "It’s not necessary. Please inform her that we should meet tomorrow at the Civil Affairs Bureau to finalize the divorce."

The butler assured him, "Okay, I will pass on the message." Li Chen, after the call, took a moment to exhale, appreciating the clarity that came with decisive actions. The prospect of finalizing the divorce added another layer to the complex tapestry of his life, a step toward closure on one front as he navigated the uncertainties on another.

With the day’s tasks accomplished, Li Chen felt the fatigue settling in, exacerbated by the intense emotional journey. Recognizing the toll it took on him, he decided to prioritize self-care and opted for an early night. As he closed his eyes, the weight of pending revelations and decisions lingered, promising a tomorrow that held both challenges and resolutions.

The following day, Li Chen’s morning routine took him directly to the training room, seeking solace in physical exertion. Emerging from his workout, he encountered Zhang Mei in the kitchen, her concern evident. She remarked, "You didn’t have dinner last night."

Li Chen explained, "I slept early, was a little tired."

Understanding, Zhang Mei nodded and advised, "Go shower and come back for breakfast."

Li Chen followed her suggestion, refreshing himself before rejoining the living area. To his surprise, Xu Zhonhao and Tang Ziyi were already seated at the dining table. Li Chen greeted them, but his mind seemed elsewhere. Xu Zhonhao initiated a conversation about Tang Junjie’s recovery, attempting to engage Li Chen in the discussion. However, Tang Ziyi, perceptive to Li Chen’s distracted demeanor, inquired, "Brother Chen, are you okay?"

Li Chen admitted, "I have things to deal with today. Please go to the office without me. I might be busy the whole day."

Xu Zhonhao, concerned, offered assistance, "What’s wrong? Need my help?"

Li Chen reassured, "No, it’s just something I have to deal with personally."

Accepting Li Chen’s explanation, Xu Zhonhao simply replied, "I see." After finishing their meal, Li Chen left first, Xu Zhonhao, Tang Ziyi, and Zhang Mei departed together in Xu Zhonhao’s car, heading towards Chen Techs, leaving Li Chen to confront the matters that weighed on him.

Li Chen drove to the civil affairs bureau and waited in the designated area.

Li Chen leaned back against the uncomfortable plastic chair in the waiting area, eyes fixed on the entrance. After what felt like an eternity, Gu Liang entered, flanked by a man Li Chen hadn’t seen before. Li Chen sized him up for a moment, noting the intensity in his gaze, before refocusing on Gu Liang.

"Let’s get this over and done with," Li Chen remarked, a hint of impatience in his tone.

Gu Liang, her eyes mirroring a mixture of annoyance and determination, agreed, "Sure, can’t wait."

As they approached the counter to initiate the divorce process, Gu Liang introduced the mysterious companion. "This is Shan Zitong, my boyfriend. He’s from Beijing. You see how being married to you closed doors for me."

Li Chen, uninterested in the personal details of her life, responded nonchalantly, "You two make a perfect couple. Now, let’s get in. I don’t have all day."

Shan Zitong, who had been silent up to this point, had an enigmatic expression, as if carefully observing Li Chen. The trio entered the office, and Shan Zitong waited outside, his eyes never leaving Li Chen, contemplating something unknown.

Inside, the divorce process unfolded with a bureaucratic efficiency that belied the emotional weight it carried. Gu Liang and Li Chen emerged with divorce documents in hand, signifying the official end of their marriage.

Eager to revel in her newfound freedom, Gu Liang turned to Shan Zitong, declaring, "We need to celebrate today. I have finally gotten rid of this eyesore."

Li Chen, with a nonchalant smirk, retorted, "The feeling is mutual."

Shan Zitong, adopting a protective stance, issued a warning to Li Chen, "Hey, be careful how you talk to my girlfriend, okay?"

Li Chen, unfazed, replied with an air of indifference, "Whatever, dude," and casually walked away, leaving Gu Liang seething with rage at his dismissive attitude.

Shan Zitong, perceptive to Gu Liang’s lingering anger, soothingly suggested, "Come, let’s go. Forget him; he’s a loser anyway." Gu Liang, still seething, followed Shan Zitong, the prospect of leaving Li Chen behind bringing a sense of relief.

Meanwhile, Li Chen drove to the agreed-upon restaurant to meet Sun Weilong. Upon arrival, he found Sun Weilong already waiting. Li Chen walked over, and Sun Weilong stood up, extending his hand for a handshake. Li Chen reciprocated and greeted, "Hi, Uncle Weilong."

Sun Weilong, with a warm smile, said, "Hey, Li Chen. Been waiting to hear from you since our last meeting."

Li Chen, maintaining a casual demeanor, responded, "I’ve been busy."

Sun Weilong reassured, "No problem, but at least a call would have been fine."

Li Chen nodded, "Sure." They placed their orders, but Sun Weilong found it challenging to focus on his food, anticipating the conversation Li Chen was about to initiate.

Li Chen leaned in, his voice lowered, "Uncle Weilong, what I’m about to tell you, please do not tell anyone until it’s confirmed."

Sun Weilong, intrigued, nodded, "Of course."

Li Chen hesitated for a moment before revealing, "I think my mother is actually still alive."

Sun Weilong, shocked, spat out his drink, "What? My sister... still alive? Didn’t the investigation Sun Fang conducted say she passed when you were two months old?"

Li Chen began narrating the story of how he met Wang Mengying the previous day, carefully omitting personal details. As Li Chen unfolded the tale, Sun Weilong felt his heart race with excitement. Consumed by the mystery of his sister’s kidnapping for nearly five decades, the revelation that she might be alive was nothing short of mind-blowing.

Li Chen continued, "Now, I’m waiting for Friday so we can go and get a DNA test. We’ll see if she is real or not."

Sun Weilong, processing the information, inquired, "Where is she now? Can I meet her?"

Li Chen replied, "You can meet her on Friday. We can meet at the doctor’s office."

Excitement flickered in Sun Weilong’s eyes, and he said, "I would love that."

Li Chen probed, "Do you think you can confirm if it’s her, besides the DNA?"

Sun Weilong nodded, "Yes, she should look exactly like our mother. But a DNA test can be done for full confirmation."

Li Chen agreed, "Okay then." The revelation had opened a door to a realm of possibilities, and both men were eager to unravel the truth.

As Li Chen and Sun Weilong continued their discussion, the weight of the revelation hung in the air. The prospect of Li Chen’s long-lost mother being alive brought a mix of emotions—anticipation, hope, and a touch of trepidation. They finalized plans to meet Wang Mengying on Friday for the crucial DNA test.

Sun Weilong, although excited, couldn’t shake the decades-long burden of searching for his sister. Now, a glimmer of hope emerged, and the possibility of a family reunion lingered on the horizon.

Li Chen left the restaurant with a mix of determination and curiosity, ready to confront the revelations that awaited him. Sun Weilong, too, departed with a newfound sense of purpose, driven by the potential reunion with a sister he had long believed to be lost.

Li Chen drove home with mixed feelings swirling within him, the weight of the impending revelation settling like a heavy fog. As he entered his residence, the atmosphere seemed tinged with an unspoken tension, an anticipation that echoed the suspense building up to the scheduled DNA test on Friday.

Upon arriving, he found his haven in the familiar surroundings of his home. Zhang Mei, his hadn’t returned from the office, leaving him to grapple with his thoughts in solitude.

In an attempt to drown out the looming questions, Li Chen buried himself in the world of stock trading, immersing his mind in the ebb and flow of financial markets. The numerical dance on his computer screen became a temporary refuge, offering a semblance of control over a situation that felt increasingly elusive.

The routine of daily life carried on, a facade of normalcy concealing the storm within. Zhang Mei, oblivious to the imminent upheaval, returned home later in the evening. Li Chen greeted her with a practiced smile, shielding her from the emotional tempest he battled within.