Sun Fang added with a warm smile, "Aunt Lixia, we are also here to protect you." Sun Lixia nodded appreciatively, "Thank you, Fang." Sun Weilong, ever practical, suggested, "Well, let’s order something to eat now."

Menus were perused, orders were placed, and soon, their meals arrived, filling the room with the comforting aroma of delicious dishes. As they indulged in the culinary offerings, the atmosphere lightened, and shared laughter echoed around the table.

During the shared meal, Li Chen allowed Sun Weilong and Sun Lixia a moment to catch up. Siblings who had lost too much time found solace in the stories of joyful pasts. Li Chen, however, found his mind wandering to questions that needed answers, questions that delved into the intricacies of their shared history.

Yet, a delicate understanding hung in the air as Li Chen decided to wait for a more private moment with his mother. He felt that certain details might not be comfortable to share in front of everyone. The connection between them, once severed by years of separation, began to reweave itself in the midst of shared meals and shared stories, setting the stage for the revelations that lay ahead.

After the heartwarming meal, a moment of anticipation hung in the air. Sun Weilong broke the silence, his voice filled with genuine concern, "Lixia, do you wish to meet Dad?" Sun Lixia’s eyes sparkled with a mixture of determination and yearning as she replied, "Of course. If I don’t meet him, how can I fish out the people responsible for my kidnapping?"

Sun Fang, always the inquisitive one, leaned forward and questioned, "Do you have any clues?" A subtle but confident smile touched Sun Lixia’s lips as she disclosed, "I do, but I plan on making my presence known so they can all come to light. I am tired of hiding. I have missed so much."

Sun Fang, his cunning nature surfacing, remarked with a sly grin, "You are really of true Sun blood, Aunt." Sun Lixia couldn’t help but laugh, a melody of warmth and determination. She added playfully, "I guess your father here is the only one different."

Sun Fang cast a quick glance at Sun Lixia, excitement gleaming in his eyes. It was evident to him that Sun Lixia had delved into the intricacies of their lives, understanding the personalities that made up the Sun family. Sun Fang couldn’t wait to witness the revelation unfold, especially the reaction of Sun Gang.

The prospect of exposing family dynamics and hidden truths filled Sun Fang with a sense of exhilaration. He knew the stakes were high, but the prospect of shaking the foundations of long-standing secrets brought a mischievous joy to Sun Fang’s eyes. In this intricate dance of revelations, Sun Fang sensed both the unraveling of the past and the forging of a new Chapter in the Sun family’s history.

Sun Weilong nodded, his expression earnest, "We can go to him any day that suits you." Sun Lixia considered for a moment before responding, "I would like to spend this weekend catching up with my son. We can make it Monday." Sun Weilong, understanding, affirmed, "I understand. Monday is also perfect. I am sure Dad will be pleased to see you." Sun Lixia smiled warmly, "I will be pleased to meet him too."

Sun Fang, with a touch of sincerity, addressed Li Chen, "I hope you can forgive my brother’s reckless actions." Li Chen, displaying a generous spirit, replied, "Water under the bridge. We are family now." Sun Weilong was overjoyed to hear such words, nodding vigorously, "Yes, yes, we are family. You three can spend time together and bond as brothers." Li Chen exchanged a glance with Sun Fang, who, for a moment, dropped his head in silence.

After everything, they exchanged numbers and departed to their respective homes. Sun Fang, brimming with anticipation, knew Sun Gang would not be pleased with the revelation that Li Chen was their cousin. Sun Gang’s aversion to competition, especially when it came to inheritance, was well-known. The thought of two additional family members stirred Sun Fang’s excitement, and he eagerly awaited the drama that Monday might unfold.

Sun Weilong returned to his villa with an unabashed smile, surprising even his housekeeper with the unusual cheerfulness. Sun Lixia, determined to make up for lost time, headed to her temporary residence with a resolve to spend quality time with her son. The decision to come home had proven to be a source of happiness, and she felt a renewed sense of contentment in the midst of rekindled family ties.

While driving, Li Chen’s phone buzzed, and he received a call from the interior designer he had hired to decorate his new villa. The voice on the other end informed him that the house was ready for him to move in. Deciding that it was time for a change, Li Chen altered his route and headed directly to his new villa.

Impressed with the meticulous decoration, Li Chen couldn’t wait to share the moment with his friends. He quickly texted Zhang Mei, "Can you all come to this address now? It is urgent." Zhang Mei, startled by the unexpected urgency from Li Chen, and recalling his absentmindedness throughout the week, hurriedly gathered everyone into Xu Zonghao’s car, and they set off to the specified address.

Approaching the location, Zhang Mei teased Xu Zonghao, "Hey, are you sure you’re following the navigator’s directions? This is Pinnacle Estate, one of the most expensive estates in the city." Xu Zonghao replied confidently, "Yes, this is what the address says."

Upon reaching the gate, Li Chen had already informed security about their arrival, and they were swiftly allowed inside. Driving through the upscale neighborhood, Tang Ziyi couldn’t help but look around with a hint of envy. As they approached the house, Zhang Mei remarked, "This is quite the place."

Li Chen opened the door as they knocked, a wide grin on his face, and said, "Welcome to Li Residents." The surprise and curiosity painted on his friends’ faces mirrored the excitement of this unexpected gathering.

Tang Ziyi, still processing the surprise, exclaimed, "Wait, what?" Li Chen grinned and confirmed, "Exactly. This is our new home." Zhang Mei, bewildered, asked, "When did you buy this place, Li Chen?" Li Chen casually responded, "A few days ago."

Xu Zonghao, taking in the grandeur of the house, couldn’t help but acknowledge, "I have to say, this is a real upgrade." Li Chen, nodding in agreement, added, "And it has space for our training sessions." The group happily toured the villa, exploring the spacious rooms and luxurious amenities. After the tour, they settled on the expensive sofas.

Li Chen, with a warm smile, addressed Zhang Mei, "You can now move here with your mother. Tang Ziyi, the house is big enough for you and your whole family to live with us, and you too, Xu Zonghao, you have a room of your own here." Zhang Mei hesitated, saying, "No, Li Chen, you shouldn’t have." Li Chen insisted, "And where would you have taken your mother then?"

Tang Ziyi, absorbing the idea of living in such a beautiful private estate, voiced her amazement, "You mean us, living here?" Li Chen reassured, "All I need from you is a yes. I won’t take no for an answer. The house is too big anyway. You guys can buy your own houses when we start making real money from our tech company. So, what do you say?" Tang Ziyi grinned, saying, "Hell yes. When can we move in?" Li Chen replied with enthusiasm, "Anytime." The atmosphere was filled with a sense of shared joy, marking the beginning of a new Chapter in their lives.

Zhang Mei paused for a moment, her thoughts swirling as she grasped the depth of Li Chen’s gesture. With genuine appreciation, she finally said, "Well, thank you. I really appreciate it." Li Chen, understanding the importance of a supportive environment, replied with a warm smile, "I can’t afford to have stressed employees, especially at the starting phase. I need you guys all in the game creation. We need to launch before December."

Tang Ziyi, inspired by Li Chen’s determination, rose from his seat, raising his hand as if taking a solemn oath, and declared, "You can count on me." Li Chen, pleased with the commitment, responded, "Great, then. Anyways, I have something else to tell you." Xu Zonghao, ever the joker, chimed in, "You bought them cars?" Li Chen’s laughter filled the room as he replied, "No, but that can be in the next budget. Tired of them riding in yours, huh?" Xu Zonghao, scratching his head and chuckling, responded, "Hey, don’t make me a heartless person." Zhang Mei added with a playful smirk, "Your statement says a lot." The shared laughter created an atmosphere of camaraderie.

As the jovial mood settled, Li Chen took a moment, his expression shifting to a more serious note. "Anyways, I wanted to inform you that I just found out that my mother is still alive." The revelation hung in the air, a mix of surprise and curiosity settling over the group. The emotional weight of this discovery echoed in Li Chen’s words, marking a profound turning point in their shared journey.

"Wait, what?" Zhang Mei exclaimed, the unexpected revelation hitting her like a sudden storm. Li Chen, his expression serious, proceeded to recount the whole story, providing them with every detail, including the steps he took to verify the truth through DNA testing. The room fell into a hushed silence as Li Chen shared the astounding piece of information that his mother was the long-lost daughter of the Sun family.

The weight of this revelation hung in the air, and both Tang Ziyi and Zhang Mei were visibly stunned. The Sun family, one of the most prominent in Shanghai, had lost their daughter four decades ago, a tragedy known by everyone in the city. The impact of this disclosure rippled through the room, minds reeling at the realization that Li Chen’s family was intricately connected to one of Shanghai’s most enduring mysteries. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

The news was nothing short of mind-explosive for everyone present, an astonishing twist in the narrative of Li Chen’s life. However, Xu Zonghao, ever the composed one, seemed to have anticipated something of this magnitude, his expression remaining unreadable in the face of the startling revelation.