Zhang Chao's parents rarely called him.
Whenever they did, it was always about something.
And without exception, it was always about money!
Looking at the phone that kept ringing, Zhang Chao held a faint glimmer of hope.
He hoped this time his mom wasn't calling to ask for money!
"Hello, Mom."
Sliding his finger to answer the call, Zhang Chao greeted her politely.
Although things had gotten a bit tense at home during the Spring Festival, they were still family, and he didn't want to strain their relationship too much.
Now that his mom was taking the initiative to call him, he also wanted to use the opportunity to ease the tension between them.
"Eldest, your younger brother's engagement is settled. They'll get married this May Day."
"That's great. These days, finding a wife isn't easy."
Hearing his mom's words, Zhang Chao forced a smile. It would be a lie to say he wasn't envious.
If his parents treated him even half as well as they treated his younger brother, he'd wake up laughing from his dreams.
"Your dad and I borrowed some money from your uncles and aunts to buy him a house."
"Now we're short 80,000 yuan for the dowry. We've got nowhere else to borrow from. Eldest, please help your brother out."
"I swear, this is the last time, and we'll definitely pay you back."
As his mom's conversation inevitably turned to money, Zhang Chao's face was filled with bitterness.
He shouldn't have had such high expectations of her!
The memory of being berated by his mom during the Spring Festival resurfaced, making his heart grow colder.
"Mom, I really don't have any money. I lost everything in business the year before last, and I just paid off my debts last year. Let alone 80,000, I can't even scrape together 8,000."
Zhang Chao took a deep breath, trying to keep his tone calm as he stated the facts.
Of course, the part about losing money in business was a lie, but it was true that his extravagant spending on things like foot massages left him with no savings.
"I believe you. I know you don't have money. But don't you have a rich friend? That guy named Jiang… what's his name again?"
"I heard from folks in the village that he's driving a big Mercedes now and invested millions in cattle farming. He's doing big things!"
"You two are close, right? Borrowing 80,000… no, let's make it 100,000 for a round number. That shouldn't be too hard, right?"
Hearing his mom casually suggest he borrow 100,000 for his brother, Zhang Chao laughed in frustration and refused:
"Mom, my relationship with Brother Jiang isn't close enough to borrow that kind of money. I can't bring myself to ask."
Based on what he knew about his parents and brother, if he borrowed the money, he'd never see it repaid in his lifetime. He'd end up footing the bill himself!
"What do you mean you can't ask? It's just borrowing money, not your life! You're the older brother, can't you help your younger brother?"
"We raised you all these years, and when it's time to step up, you won't lift a finger!"
"You've been working all these years—don't tell me you haven't saved a dime!"
"I don't believe for a second you don't have 80,000 or 100,000 in savings!"
"Don't think I don't know what you're scheming!"
"You just don't want your brother to get married! You're just selfish!"
"I'm done arguing with you! Give me a straight answer: are you getting the money or not?"
"If you don't, don't bother coming back to this family! Die out there for all we care!"
On the other end of the phone, hearing that Zhang Chao wouldn't budge, his mom lost all patience.
Her true colors came out, and she went into a furious tirade.
Listening to his mother's shrill, street-fight-like shouting, Zhang Chao's heart grew colder.
This was his mother!
"I'll say it one last time: I don't have the money, and I'm not borrowing it. No matter how much you pressure me, it's useless."
Zhang Chao held his ground.
If he had the money, even if reluctantly, he'd give some to his parents.
But since he didn't, he absolutely wouldn't borrow it for them.
"Fine, fine, fine! You ungrateful brat, think you're tough now, huh? Don't ever come back!"
"Your dad and I will just pretend you're dead! Don't come back and be an eyesore!"
*Beep beep beep…*
The call ended. Zhang Chao, in a foul mood, pulled another cigarette from the pack, lit it, and puffed on it rapidly.
Every call with his family was about money, and every time it ended badly.
Money, money, money!
Even family ties were fragile in the face of money!
From childhood to adulthood, no matter what he did, he always had to yield to his younger brother.
The best food, drinks, and toys—all went to his brother!
Even when he and his brother liked the same girl, he had to step aside for his brother!
Zhang Chao felt he'd done more than enough as an older brother.
But he'd never received a single word of praise from his parents!
They always thought it was expected, never enough, and wanted him to do even more for his brother!
They were both sons—why was there such a huge gap?
Zhang Chao had doubted more than once whether he was even their biological child.
Suddenly, he recalled something Jiang Tao mentioned while drinking half a month ago.
A wealthy man in the capital had offered a million-yuan reward to find his lost son.
If only he were that child!
What a pity…
It had been so long without any news, so it clearly wasn't meant to be.
*Ring ring ring—*
The phone rang again. Zhang Chao thought it was his dad or brother calling to lecture him.
Every time he argued with his mom, either his dad or brother would jump in, standing on a moral high ground to scold him for upsetting her.
Seeing the caller ID display "Brother Jiang," Zhang Chao's tense mood eased slightly.
"Hey, Brother Jiang."
"I'm at the big market in Shahe."
"Huh? Go back now?"
"Alright, I'll pack up and head back."
"See you soon."
After a brief chat with Jiang Tao, Zhang Chao hung up.
He didn't ask why; when Jiang Tao told him to pack up and go home, he did so immediately.
Closing the truck's cargo door, he got in, started the engine, and sped toward Xiaoshahe.
It took 39 minutes.
When Zhang Chao drove back to the entrance of Xiaoshahe village, he spotted Jiang Tao's imposing Mercedes GLS from afar!
Most people renting in Xiaoshahe were migrant workers, and those who owned cars had cheap ones worth a few tens of thousands.
Cars over 200,000 were rare.
Jiang Tao's Mercedes GLS, parked in the open area at the village entrance, stood out starkly among the ordinary sedans!
*Vroom vroom vroom~*
Zhang Chao drove his truck right up next to Jiang Tao's Mercedes.
With a sharp turn of the wheel, he reversed into the spot, pulled the handbrake, and parked smoothly in one go.
After parking, Zhang Chao hopped out, grinning as he walked to Jiang Tao's car and greeted him through the window.
"Brother Jiang! Not busy today? How'd you find time to come see me?"
Jiang Tao rolled down the window and smiled, "Get in, back seat."
"Alright!"
Zhang Chao nodded with a grin, opened the back door, and slid into the rear seat.
"Chao, I've got something to tell you. You'd better brace yourself."
Turning to look at Zhang Chao in the back, Jiang Tao spoke with a meaningful tone.
"What's up, Brother Jiang?"
Hearing the seriousness in Jiang Tao's voice, Zhang Chao's expression grew tense.
"Don't worry, it's good news. Remember that thing I mentioned a while back? The test results are in."
"Test results?"
Zhang Chao's heart leapt to his throat as he realized what Jiang Tao was talking about!
This result was too important to him!
It would decide whether he'd continue struggling at the bottom or soar to new heights by reuniting with his roots!
Jiang Tao got straight to the point:
"Yup, the test results. Your DNA matches Mr. Wang's with a 99.99% similarity. Medically, you're confirmed as father and son."
"This…"
Though he'd hoped for it, when the hope became reality, Zhang Chao felt it was almost unreal!
Was he really the son of the tycoon who'd posted the million-yuan reward?
This wasn't a dream, was it?
Sure, he'd doubted countless times whether he was his adoptive parents' biological child.
But those thoughts were mostly born out of frustration during arguments with them.
"We'll need to collect blood samples on-site for another test to confirm, but I'd say it's pretty much certain."
"I told you your face looked a lot like Mr. Wang's, and I was right!"
Jiang Tao grinned at Zhang Chao, clearly in a great mood.
If Zhang Chao's identity was confirmed, it wouldn't just benefit him.
Jiang Tao himself would claim the million-yuan reward from Wang Minglong!
A million yuan!
Back in his hometown in Ping County, that could buy a 120-square-meter three-bedroom apartment outright!
"Brother Jiang, is this for real…?"
In his twenty-plus years, Zhang Chao had never been this nervous!
In recent years, there'd been plenty of news about tycoons reuniting with their lost children.
Like the Xie father and son, the Jie father and son, and so on—countless stories.
The abducted kids who reunited with their biological parents often received significant benefits.
During this time, Zhang Chao had quietly looked up information on Wang Minglong.
He knew he was the chairman of Xia Hua Liangzi.
He knew his net worth was in the tens of billions!
Having such a powerful biological father meant even a tiny bit of his wealth could drastically improve Zhang Chao's situation!
"Don't worry, it's 99% legit. Very reliable."
"Mr. Wang called me earlier to bring you over. What do you say? You going?"
Jiang Tao looked at Zhang Chao, respecting his decision without pushing him.
"I'm going! I'll go!"
Zhang Chao didn't hesitate for a second and agreed immediately!
This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to change his fate.
He wasn't about to let it slip away—he'd seize it tightly!
"Let's head out now!"
Jiang Tao started the car and drove toward the meeting point arranged with Wang Minglong.
Along the way, the two chatted casually, and the atmosphere was quite relaxed.
Around 11:30 a.m., the Mercedes GLS arrived at the headquarters of Xia Hua Liangzi in Chaoyang District.
After parking in a visitor spot, Jiang Tao was about to get out when a loud *vroom* echoed.
A red Ferrari zoomed in through the gate, pulling off a slick drift to park right next to them.
"Damn! That's kinda cool!"
Impressed by the Ferrari's parking maneuver, Jiang Tao's eyes lit up, and he gave a genuine compliment.
Zhang Chao, seated in the back, was equally stunned by the Ferrari's flashy move.
"Let's go, Chao, get out."
Jiang Tao called to Zhang Chao, opened the door, and stepped out.
At the same time, the Ferrari's door opened.
A man in a black suit, white shirt, with a sharp, spiked hairstyle and large sunglasses stepped out.
After getting out, the man instinctively glanced toward Jiang Tao.
When he saw Jiang Tao clearly, Wang Fei froze.
Thanks to his girlfriend's betrayal, Wang Fei had a deep impression of Jiang Tao's face!
He still remembered that night at the Huilongguan bar when he spent 80,000 yuan to punch Jiang Tao to vent his anger.
In the end, the money was spent, the anger wasn't vented, and he ended up suffering for it.
Wang Fei had truly demonstrated what it meant to pay for misery!
"Why are you here?"
Wang Fei pushed his sunglasses up and looked at Jiang Tao with confusion.
"Hey, isn't that… what's-his-name, Young Master Something?"
Jiang Tao recognized Wang Fei instantly.
But he couldn't recall his name for the life of him.
He vaguely remembered a piece of intel about Wang Fei from a gas station encounter, which mentioned his name.
But that was so long ago, Jiang Tao had forgotten it.
"Huh…"
Seeing Zhang Chao step out of the car behind Jiang Tao, Wang Fei's face showed utter shock!
The two were biological brothers from the same parents, sharing a 60-70% resemblance.
Standing side by side, anyone would think they were brothers!
"You're… you're my long-lost big brother!"
Recognizing Zhang Chao's face, Wang Fei excitedly stepped forward to greet him.
"Hello, I…"
It was Zhang Chao's first time meeting a rich young master like Wang Fei.
Caught off guard, he felt overwhelmed by Wang Fei's aura as a super-rich second-generation heir, struggling to breathe.
His words came out haltingly.
Jiang Tao was also stunned by Wang Fei's words.
What a coincidence?
This guy was Zhang Chao's biological brother?
"You look so much like Dad! Even more than I do!"
"No need for another test! I say it's redundant!"
Wang Fei stared at Zhang Chao with burning eyes, his face full of excitement!
"Come on, come on! I'll take you to Dad's office!"
With that, Wang Fei turned and led the way, with Jiang Tao and Zhang Chao following closely.
"You two know each other?"
Wang Fei glanced at Jiang Tao, curiously asking.
He didn't know Jiang Tao's name, but he had a strong impression of him and still wanted to punch him a couple more times.
"We're from the same hometown, good buddies."
Jiang Tao felt Wang Fei's gaze was a bit off.
It seemed this guy hadn't gotten over his girlfriend's betrayal yet.
"Oh."
Wang Fei responded casually, then ignored Jiang Tao, turning to Zhang Chao to ask about his daily life.
Like what he did for work, where he lived, whether he was married or had kids, and so on…
The three chatted sporadically as they walked.
Soon, they reached the lobby on the first floor of the office building.
Wang Fei led them to the elevator, taking it straight to the chairman's office on the fifth floor.
"Come in."
Hearing Wang Minglong's voice from inside, Wang Fei pushed open the door, leading Jiang Tao and Zhang Chao inside.
"Dad! They're here!"
Wang Fei entered, slightly excited, greeting his father, Wang Minglong.
He and Zhang Chao were biological brothers, and he'd always hoped to meet his big brother someday.
Now that his wish was fulfilled, he was naturally thrilled.
As for splitting the family fortune with another person, Wang Fei didn't care.
Besides him and Zhang Chao, Wang Minglong had two other sons and four daughters—Zhang Chao's addition didn't make a difference.
"Good morning, Mr. Wang. I've brought him."
Jiang Tao smiled, neither servile nor overbearing, greeting Wang Minglong and gesturing to Zhang Chao beside him.
"Mr. Wang, hello."
Zhang Chao suppressed his excitement, greeted Wang Minglong, then lowered his head, unable to meet his gaze.
Though he knew the man behind the desk might be his long-lost father, Wang Minglong's commanding presence, honed by years in power, made him nervous, his heart pounding rapidly.
Wang Minglong stayed seated, silent, not moving to greet them.
His gaze was fixed on Zhang Chao, unwavering.
So alike!
This kid looked too much like him!
He was definitely his son!
Among all of Wang Minglong's children, Zhang Chao was undoubtedly the one who resembled him the most!
His ears, nose, mouth, eyes, and build were like a younger version of himself!
At this point, Wang Minglong was almost certain Zhang Chao was his long-lost eldest son, even without further tests!
But to be cautious, he arranged for hospital lab staff to collect blood samples from him and Zhang Chao on-site.
They'd verify the DNA match again.
This time, the process was quick—results came in less than half an hour after the blood draw.
DNA similarity: 99.999%. Confirmed parent-child relationship!
Shortly after the results came out, a woman in her fifties or sixties, dressed elegantly, arrived at the company.
"My child, my poor child~"
The moment the woman saw Zhang Chao, her eyes reddened. She rushed forward, arms open, and hugged him tightly.
She kept murmuring, "My child, my child…"
Zhang Chao realized this woman was likely his biological mother.
At first, he felt nothing.
After decades apart, what bond could there be?
But hearing her heart-wrenching sobs, her repeated calls of "my child," Zhang Chao's iron heart softened, his eyes reddening, tears silently falling.
His hands, initially tucked awkwardly behind him, gradually rested on the woman's shoulders.
"Brother, welcome home!"
"Mom, Dad, and I have been waiting for you for over twenty years, and now you're finally back!"
Wang Fei, watching his mom and long-lost brother cry in each other's arms, was also moved, his eyes slightly red.
Wang Minglong appeared calm, his face expressionless.
But his inner joy was no less than his wife Kang Huijun's.
After searching for his son for over twenty years, he'd finally found him.
How could he, as a father, not be happy?
Zhang Chao was his first child, his eldest son.
People have a special bond with their first child, and Wang Minglong was no exception.
Even with a large family of children, he'd offered a hefty reward for clues about his eldest son.
This showed how much he valued Zhang Chao.
"Son, you've suffered all these years. It's Mom and Dad who let you down."
"We were careless and lost you. I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
"Son, can you forgive us? I'm sorry, I'm sorry…"
Kang Huijun held Zhang Chao tightly, as if afraid he'd vanish if she let go.
Feeling his mother's warm embrace, Zhang Chao's heart, chilled by his adoptive parents, began to warm.
"It's okay, it's okay. I've been fine all these years, just fine…"
As Zhang Chao spoke, he recalled the grievances he'd endured with his adoptive family.
His insincere words broke something inside him, and he burst into sobs!
He understood.
He finally understood why his adoptive parents treated him so differently from his brother!
He really wasn't their biological child!
Memories flashed through his mind like a slideshow.
From his earliest memories, his adoptive parents were strict and harsh.
A small mistake meant a beating from both of them!
When playing with his brother, if his brother cried, they'd beat him without asking questions.
Zhang Chao couldn't count how many times he'd been hit growing up.
The warmth of home and parental care were things he hadn't felt in a long, long time.
Now, held in his biological mother's arms, that heart-to-heart connection stirred his soul.
All the grievances he'd silently endured over the years turned into wails and tears.
"…"
Jiang Tao, watching the mother and son cry their hearts out, felt deeply moved.
Suddenly, he felt that helping Zhang Chao reunite with his biological parents was more meaningful than the million-yuan reward.
Glancing at the family, Jiang Tao felt out of place.
A family of four, reunited after over twenty years, was pouring out their emotions.
He, an outsider, felt awkward staying there.
While no one was paying attention, Jiang Tao quietly slipped out of the office, heading to the elevator and going downstairs.
Helping Zhang Chao reunite with his biological parents had been completed smoothly and perfectly.
Now, he just had to wait for Wang Minglong to contact him about the reward.
He trusted that, with Wang Minglong's wealth and status, he wouldn't ruin his reputation over such a small sum.
Plus, if handled well, this could be great publicity for Wang Minglong's company.
The benefits might far exceed the million-yuan reward!
After leaving the building, Jiang Tao strode back to the parking area.
Before driving off, he sent Zhang Chao a WeChat message, saying he was leaving and to enjoy his time with his family.
After sending the message, Jiang Tao started the car and drove away.