"President Du, it's been a long time." Chen Xiulian knew she couldn't avoid it, so she braced herself.
"You know each other?" Li Se asked, somewhat surprised.
Du Jinglong gave a wry smile. "We met before, must be twenty years ago. Miss Chen was still exceptionally elegant back then. I never expected..."
He truly hadn't expected it, not even recognizing the Chen Xiulian before him as the former eldest daughter of the Chen family. The change was too drastic, almost frighteningly so. It seemed this mother and son had endured considerable hardship over the years.
"What's past is past," Chen Xiulian said with a smile, shaking her head.
Li Se's expression was odd. He recalled Du Jinglong's earlier words, wondering if his father was indeed still alive, and perhaps part of a prominent family in the capital.
Du Jinglong didn't linger in Fuxi County. His objective had been met. After bidding farewell, he made a phone call.
"President Du, how did it go?" a male voice asked from the other end of the line.
"Not ideal. I even revealed that his father is alive, but he didn't seem to pay much attention..." Du Jinglong paused slightly. "I saw the eldest daughter of the Chen family. She has changed immensely. She must have suffered greatly over the years. It's no wonder she reacted with such indifference when she heard about her father."
The other party fell silent for a moment before chuckling. "Regardless, thank you for your efforts this time. I believe it won't be long before he comes to the capital!"
"Let's hope so."
Li Se, unaware that Du Jinglong had come on a mission, returned home and looked at his mother with a strange expression. After a long pause, he finally asked, "Mom, how do you know Du Jinglong? And from your interaction, it seems you've known each other for many years."
"I visited the capital in the past, so naturally, we met," Chen Xiulian replied, not particularly keen on answering. "Alright, what's so strange about knowing someone? Don't dwell on it. I also know Old General Xiao."
"Really?" Li Se sounded surprised.
Chen Xiulian rolled her eyes. "I'm just saying that for fun. You believe it?"
Li Se fell silent for a long time. "Mom, is my dad still alive?"
As soon as he said this, Jiang Ranran, who was nearby, looked at Chen Xiulian with disbelief.
"You... why are you suddenly asking about this?" Chen Xiulian's expression became somewhat unnatural.
Li Se took a deep breath. "Recently, many people have wanted me to go to the capital. You even asked me to visit the capital, Mom. Sometimes I found it strange. I've never been to the capital, so why do so many people want me to go? I think I understand now. It's probably because of my dad?"
He paused, then continued. "Earlier, two imperial physicians recommended me to become a new imperial physician. One was Imperial Physician Sun Bai. I'm not surprised he recommended me because I know him. But there was also Old Imperial Physician Li. His recommendation confused me. At first, I thought it was because Imperial Physician Sun and Old Imperial Physician Li knew each other, but now it seems that's not the case. They both have the surname Li. Is it that much of a coincidence?"
At the time, he hadn't really considered this possibility. It wasn't that he couldn't, but rather that it seemed impossible, so why would he think about it? Du Jinglong's words today had clarified some things for Li Se, and he now understood why so many people wanted him to go to the capital.
"You... you know everything?" Chen Xiulian sighed.
"Mom, who is my father?" Li Se asked.
Knowing she could no longer conceal it, Chen Xiulian said, "He is the third master of the Li family, Li Tianjun. You must have heard this name before, right?"
"No way, my dad is a War God?" Li Se knew the name very well. He was the leader of the border defense forces, holding the rank of Major General. He truly hadn't expected his father to be such a significant figure!
Chen Xiulian then retrieved a black and white photograph from the room. The photo depicted a family of three. Chen Xiulian was very beautiful in her youth, holding a child. There was no doubt the child was Li Se. Beside Chen Xiulian stood a young man, incredibly handsome, and more importantly, exuding an aura of masculinity. His features bore a strong resemblance to Li Se's current appearance.
"I know you'll resent him now that you know he's alive, but don't blame him. He had his reasons. I hope that one day, you can go to the capital and meet him..." Chen Xiulian said, tears welling up in her eyes.
Li Se clenched his fists. His mother was truly beautiful twenty years ago. Yet, in just twenty years, she had lost all traces of her former self. Time weathered people, but not to this extent. It clearly indicated how arduous his mother's life had been over the past two decades!
On the way back to Qingyun City, Li Se remained silent, appearing somewhat dazed. Fortunately, Jiang Ranran was driving.
"Se, are you still thinking about your father?" Jiang Ranran couldn't help but ask.
"Everyone says he had his reasons. Should I hate him or forgive him?" Li Se was somewhat lost at this moment.
"You have to ask your own heart," Jiang Ranran said softly.
"Look at this photo. My mother was truly beautiful in her youth, but because of him, my mother has become like this over the past twenty years. If this wasn't my mother, I might not even recognize her as the same person!" Li Se gritted his teeth.
His mother had suffered so much for these twenty years, and it was all because of this man, Li Tianjun!
Yet, at this moment, Li Se realized his mother didn't seem to hate this man at all. She even hoped he would go to the capital to meet this father he had never met.
Before he knew it, they had arrived in Qingyun City. After parting ways with Jiang Ranran, Li Se returned to his clinic, still somewhat absent-minded.
"Who is Divine Doctor Li?"
Just then, an extremely arrogant voice rang out. A man, about thirty years old, walked in, a cigarette dangling from his lips. He was flanked by two bodyguard-like figures, walking with an air of dominance.
Many patients instinctively moved away from the man, recognizing him as trouble.
"What business do you have?" Li Se asked, frowning. His mood was already not great.
"You are Divine Doctor Li?" Sun Ze looked down at Li Se, his expression filled with surprise.
"I am!" Li Se nodded slightly.
"Very well. From today onwards, you are my exclusive doctor. You will only treat me and no one else. I can offer you an annual salary of one million." Sun Ze said with immense pride.
A bodyguard behind him spoke coldly, "What are you standing around for? Hurry up and thank Young Master Sun!"