Chapter 579: Chapter 579: Confession Chapter 579: Chapter 579: Confession If it were an ordinary person facing the formidable presence of Baili Hengyuan, they would probably not be able to withstand it.

However, Zhong Niangyao was no ordinary person. Her expression remained unchanged, and she just looked at Baili Hengyuan with a smile, “It seems the Baili Clan Leader is very curious about my identity! Rest assured, since we are all here today to talk, we should speak openly and honestly, without any concealment. As for my identity–”
“My birth mother is unknown, but I think you should recognize my biological father; his name is Zhong Mingxin.”

“What?”

Baili Hengyuan suddenly stood up, a look of shock in his eyes when he turned to Zhong Niangyao. Then, his expression became somewhat complex.

However, when he looked back at Zhong Niangyao, there was uncontrollable excitement in his eyes. His lips quivered, as if he wanted to say something, but he was too excited to speak.

Contrary to Baili Hengyuan’s excitement, Zhong Niangyao appeared calm, even detached. She remained seated, looking at Baili Hengyuan nonchalantly, even leisurely picking up her teacup to take a sip.

At this point, Lu Yichen also sat back down quietly beside Zhong Niangyao, saying nothing, as if he were a guardian.

The two of them sat there quietly, drinking tea, waiting for Baili Hengyuan to regain his composure.

After a while, Baili Hengyuan gradually calmed down. He took a sip of tea, then looked at Zhong Niangyao and asked, his gaze full of tenderness but his tone cautious, “Child, what… what is your name?”

“Zhong Niangyao.”

By now, Zhong Niangyao naturally had nothing to hide and straightforwardly disclosed her name. She thought that upon hearing her name, Baili Hengyuan would understand its significance!

Sure enough, after hearing Zhong Niangyao’s words, Baili Hengyuan murmured softly, “The name is quite nicely chosen, it’s just that the fellow isn’t really what you’d call a good person.”

Zhong Niangyao blinked her eyes but said nothing.

She vaguely guessed that “the fellow” Baili Hengyuan referred to was likely her biological father, Zhong Mingxin.

“Baili Clan Leader,” Zhong Niangyao spoke up directly, “I presume you already know who my biological mother is?”

Upon hearing Zhong Niangyao’s inquiry, Baili Hengyuan couldn’t help but sigh deeply, “Child, according to our family hierarchy, you should call me Grandfather. Your biological mother is my daughter–Baili Lele.”

Although she had already speculated about it, Zhong Niangyao was not too surprised when she heard Baili Hengyuan confirm it. She merely nodded calmly, as though everything was within her grasp.

Zhong Niangyao’s reaction took Baili Hengyuan by surprise, and he couldn’t help but say, “Nianyao, did you already know about your origins? Your reaction just now seemed like you weren’t surprised at all!”

“I had such suspicions. Otherwise, why do you think I came here?” Zhong Niangyao said with a calm smile before adding, “However, Baili Clan Leader, I am somewhat curious. How come you believed me so readily? Are you not worried that what I just told you was all a lie?”

“You are quite astute, girl,” Baili Hengyuan shook his head and chuckle bitterly, “You don’t resemble your parents at all, but you–”
When he saw Zhong Niangyao’s face, he had a moment of haziness, “You may not know, but you bear a strong resemblance to my late wife, your grandmother. The likeness is at least eighty percent.”

It was also for this reason that when he first saw Zhong Niangyao’s true face, he almost thought it was his deceased wife!

The thought of his wife made him feel a pang of sorrow.

He and his wife had loved each other deeply and had been through good and bad times together for many years. However, due to their daughter’s situation, his wife had passed away in depression a few years earlier.

His wife’s greatest regret before she died was that she could not see her youngest daughter wake up. Unfortunately, the daughter remained comatose, unresponsive to any renowned doctors or precious medicines he sought out. In the end, his wife passed away with that grief.

Looking at his granddaughter, who bore a striking resemblance to his late wife, Baili Hengyuan felt a rush of mixed emotions. He wondered to himself if his wife had seen her granddaughter, would she have found solace, not succumbed to sorrow, and survived?

But now, all of this was beyond remedy.

Understanding dawned in the eyes of both Lu Yichen and Zhong Niangyao. No wonder Baili Hengyuan had such a dramatic reaction upon first seeing Zhong Niangyao.

After some thought, Zhong Niangyao spoke again, “Baili Clan Leader, I–”
“What Baili Clan Leader!” Baili Hengyuan interrupted, “You should call me Grandfather.”

Upon hearing Baili Hengyuan’s words, Zhong Niangyao’s mouth twitched slightly, but she still uttered the word, “Grandfather.”

She felt there was no need to quibble over such trivialities with an elder. Moreover, by Baili Hengyuan’s own account, it was quite normal for her to address him as Grandfather.

Hearing Zhong Niangyao say “Grandfather,” Baili Hengyuan’s face seemed to thaw visibly, even a long-missed smile appeared as he joyously responded, “Good, good, good, my lovely granddaughter.”

“Grandfather, what exactly happened with my parents?” Zhong Niangyao asked directly, “Or rather, is it possible for me to see my biological mother, if it’s convenient?”

This request made Baili Hengyuan hesitate, “Nianyao, it’s not that I don’t want to agree, but your mother’s current condition is somewhat special.”

“Perhaps when her condition improves, I can take you to see her.”

“Why bother with all this complication?” Zhong Niangyao smiled and said, “Since her condition is special, that’s all the more reason I should see her, isn’t it? Besides, how do you know that I’m just going to visit her? Maybe I have a way to help her!”

Looking at Zhong Niangyao, Baili Hengyuan couldn’t guess what she was thinking.

In the end, he led Zhong Niangyao and Lu Yichen to the room of Baili Lele.