Zhu Guifu rubbed his hands together, looking at a loss as he answered Zhu Enfu’s question. "Back then, our family was in a tough spot. Plus, Jin Gui and Yin Gui were getting married, so we had to use some of the money."
Zhu Enfu waved his hand dismissively. "You don’t need to explain that to me. I just want to know one thing: Did Shun Yao use Xiang Yao’s money?"
If anyone else had asked, Zhu Guifu would have lied and said yes. But in front of Zhu Enfu, he dared not lie. "No."
"Exactly. No." Zhu Enfu snorted. "Others might not know, but I do. Ever since Shun Yao came to live with you, he hasn’t had an easy day. He started working at five, herding cattle at seven. If I hadn’t stepped in, you wouldn’t have even let him attend primary school. After he graduated and got into middle school, you stopped him again, claiming the family had no money. When he grew up and wanted to join the army, he passed the physical exam, yet you blocked him again. Why? Did he owe you something from a past life?"
"I… I…" Zhu Guifu stuttered, unable to find words.
Zhu Enfu let out another cold snort. "I am old. There were things I never intended to say. But since you’ve done this today, I might as well lay everything out. You look down on Shun Yao, don’t you? Not because he’s bad, but because he isn’t your biological son. But he is still your nephew, after all."
The older generation already knew this secret, so their expressions remained calm. However, among Shun Yao’s generation, those unaware of the truth showed genuine shock.
"What?" Shun Yao froze beside them. Even Zhu Yanyi was stunned. Although she had suspected her father wasn’t Zhu Guifu’s biological son due to her grandparents’ attitude, they looked quite alike.
Zhu Enfu looked at Shun Yao. "Shun Yao, your father’s name was Zhu Shenfu."
"Third Uncle?" Shun Yao blinked, understanding dawning on him. This "missing" Third Uncle was Zhu Guifu’s own brother. So, Shun Yao didn’t resemble Zhu Guifu; he resembled Zhu Shenfu.
Zhu Enfu nodded, his expression turning solemn. "This wasn’t meant to be revealed today. But since matters have come to light, I will speak plainly. Everyone knows Shenfu and Guifu are brothers. In fact, they are twins. Shun Yao looks like Shenfu, not Guifu. Shenfu was smart and passionate. When the war broke out, he joined the army alongside your Second Uncle. Your Second Uncle sacrificed his life, and your father went missing. He has never been found. When your biological mother learned of his disappearance, she abandoned you and left Gǎn’ēn Village overnight. You were only a year old then. Someone had to raise you, so we decided you would live with Guifu. However, your name in the family genealogy has always been under Shenfu’s branch. You are the only descendant of the third branch.
"Years have passed. We suspected Shenfu would never return. You didn’t know the truth, and seeing you grow up well, we didn’t bring it up. Most importantly, Guifu once came to me. He said he had raised you and couldn’t bear to let you go. So, I said nothing. I only planned for you to live independently after marriage. If I had known things would turn out like this, I would have told you long ago. You could have joined the army."
There was a mix of sighs and guilt in Zhu Enfu’s voice. Shun Yao had achieved everything through his own hard work. In the end, if Zhu Enfu had made a decision sooner back then, none of this would have happened.