This was the true reason Ethan Wu had pulled Nathan Lou aside for a private conversation. While the basic information was clear, the critical piece he needed to share was that Nathan wasn't left without descendants. The life-altering injury that had rendered him infertile had occurred when he was twenty-six. Before that, he had been in perfect health and fully capable of fathering a child.
In the millennia of looping, Ethan had uncovered countless secrets. He had observed the uncanny hand of fate in people's lives, often leaving him to marvel at its cruel sense of irony:
Lovers revealed as long-lost siblings, a late-night hit-and-run victim discovered to be the driver's own father, a child switched at birth inheriting the fortunes meant for another.*
Each case woven into a complex web of connections that had allowed him to untangle Nathan's past.
Ethan had not uncovered Hui-Fang Ma through Nathan but instead had traced her through her son, James Ma. At thirty-two, James held a master's degree and worked as a technical manager at Sea City's Bright Future Tech Group. His talent had rapidly propelled him into a senior position.
During one of Ethan's many loops, when he had dabbled in programming, he'd sought out top experts to challenge his own skills. He'd come to know Bright Future's CEO, Lawrence Zou, an early pioneer in the tech industry and a former hacker. Through Lawrence, he discovered the brilliance of James Ma, an employee under him, who was not only talented but well-connected. A closer look at James's family history revealed that his mother was Hui-Fang Ma. After further investigation, he discovered that Hui-Fang's first boyfriend, many years ago, had been none other than Nathan Lou.
The connection was clear: Nathan was James Ma's biological father.
Nathan's expression was one of complete shock. He struggled to form a coherent sentence, his mouth working soundlessly as he attempted to process what he was hearing.
"My granddaughter… she's already five?" Nathan's voice trembled, barely audible.
"Yes. She's a spirited little girl—bright and full of life. I think you'll find she has your energy," Ethan replied, smiling slightly.
"What… this… are you really telling the truth? Hui-Fang… she had my child?" Nathan's breathing became labored, his chest heaving as he tried to keep his emotions under control.
"Why would I lie to you?" Ethan's tone was calm. "Your son is exceptionally talented. His mother raised him well, and he's successful. Your granddaughter—she's in a playful phase right now; you'll love her."
Nathan raised a hand to his forehead, rubbing it as he tried to regain his composure. He took a few steps back and forth, each breath louder than the last as he grappled with the shock and disbelief.
"What's his name? My son's name?" Nathan asked, moving closer to Ethan.
"James Ma. He took his mother's surname," Ethan replied, as he swiftly typed out a message on his phone.
At that moment, Nathan's phone chimed, but he was too preoccupied to check it.
"Hui-Fang… she never married?" Nathan's voice was filled with a mixture of hope and fear.
"No, she didn't. She raised James alone. After the pain you caused her, she couldn't bring herself to trust another man. Life was hard for her—juggling multiple jobs, raising her child alone, dealing with people's judgments. But those hard years are behind her now. Your son has a good income, and Hui-Fang is finally starting to enjoy her life."
"Where are they now? Hui-Fang and James?" Nathan asked, stepping forward in desperation.
"They're here in Sea City." Ethan responded. "Check your phone—I just sent you their address and contact details. You can meet them, but you should prepare yourself emotionally."
Nathan immediately pulled out his phone, scanning the text with a deep sense of urgency.
"Hui-Fang never left Sea City. She might not have known your exact whereabouts for a time, but as you rose to prominence, she surely knew of your success. Yet, she never reached out to you," Ethan continued.
Nathan slowly raised his head, looking into the distance as he processed Ethan's words.
"The love she once had for you has long turned to resentment. Although your wealth is substantial, they're doing fine and don't need your help."
Nathan's eyes grew distant, as if he were lost in memories.
"Mr. Lou, everyone's waiting for you. Shall we head back?" Ethan checked his watch before glancing at Nathan.
Nathan seemed to snap out of his thoughts. Ethan had already turned back toward the restaurant when Nathan hurried to catch up, grabbing Ethan's hand as he did.
"You'd better not be lying to me," Nathan said in a low voice, his face taut with emotion.
"What if I'm not?" Ethan responded with a smile.
"Then you'll be like my own blood brother," Nathan replied, his voice steady.
Ethan chuckled softly. "You're a bit old for that. I'm not eager to die the same day as you."
Nathan finally let go, a hint of a smile touching his face as he watched Ethan adjust his suit jacket and head toward Isabella. As Ethan neared their table, he noticed that Isabella was engaged in conversation with two middle-aged men who had apparently approached to greet her.
Recognizing the two men, Ethan felt a flicker of surprise.
One was Richard Mu, the head of Mu Biopharma, Sea City's leader in the biomedical industry. The other was Stanley Wan, CEO of Wan Biotech, who was also a key supplier for Radiant Style.
In a twist of fate, these were none other than the fathers of Chloe Mu and her friend, the very people whose lives had intersected with Ethan's just a day ago.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。