Doudou's words hit like a thunder-blast grenade. Everyone in the room, even William Wang, froze, their faces changed, staring blankly at the little baby on the table.
Th-this... This is Ninth Royal Uncle's child?
Who gave birth to Ninth Royal Uncle's child?
Vincent Su nearly fainted. How could he not know that Ninth Royal Uncle had a child outside? Other than Serena, did Ninth Royal Uncle have another woman?
Dr. Redwater and the Valley Master looked downright gleeful, watching Serena with teasing eyes.
Serena had to admit she was stunned by Doudou's words. If not for all these people present, if not for her pride, she would have kicked Doudou out on the spot.
Huff... huff. Serena took a deep breath, suppressing her unease and anger. She didn't look at the baby on the table, but instead asked Doudou, "You said this child is Ninth Royal Uncle's?"
Serena was calm—so calm it was almost unnatural. William Wang and Vincent Su both sensed something was wrong, and quickly glanced at Doudou, signaling him not to say anything reckless.
Doudou, exhausted and thirsty, dropped the bundle and collapsed into a chair. Hearing Serena's question and seeing everyone staring at him, he looked confused: "What's wrong with you all? Why are you just staring? Did I come back the wrong way?"
Doudou was even more innocent and bewildered than the rest, completely unaware of what was happening. Serena asked again, "This child—where did you bring him from?"
"The child... you mean him? Left Shore gave him to me, told me to hand him over to you, said you'd raise him." Doudou looked completely open and honest, not at all like he was lying. William Wang and Vincent Su both let out a sigh of relief.
As long as it's not Ninth Royal Uncle's child, that's a relief.
The Valley Master and Dr. Redwater looked disappointed, but Doudou's next words instantly revived their interest. Doudou said, "I don't know who gave birth to this kid. Left Shore kept saying we had to protect him, and if anything happened to him, Ninth Royal Uncle would never forgive me. Scared me half to death!"
He finished and even patted his chest, making it clear he'd been threatened by Left Shore the whole way.
"Ninth Royal Uncle asked you and Left Shore to bring this child back? Did he say how to take care of him?" Serena looked at the child, her expression complicated.
Was this child really born of Ninth Royal Uncle and another woman?
Just thinking about that possibility made Serena's heart ache sharply. She couldn't accept it at all.
If this child really was Ninth Royal Uncle's, did that mean ten months ago, he'd already been involved with another woman? If that was true, then what did that make her?
A joke?
Serena's eyes were red, but she stubbornly refused to cry. The timing of this child's arrival was just too coincidental. If Doudou hadn't brought him, she would never have believed it—but here he was...
She knew Doudou well; with his simple mind and limited skills, there was no way he could set up a scheme against Ninth Royal Uncle.
Seeing Serena looking so heartbroken, Doudou was at a loss, glancing from one person to another. William Wang and Vincent Su both quietly shook their heads at him, signaling him to deny it, but...
Master said, never lie to Serena.
Doudou scratched his head, looking utterly lost. Dr. Redwater, who loved stirring up trouble, asked with ill intent, "Did Left Shore say whose child this is?"
"Isn't it Ninth Royal Uncle's?" Doudou replied quickly, but though he meant it as a question, his mumbling made it sound like a statement.
"Oh, so it really is Ninth Royal Uncle's child." Dr. Redwater repeated, helpfully cementing the idea—even if Doudou had meant it as a question, he was determined to make it sound like fact.
Misunderstandings are the best—especially since Ninth Royal Uncle isn't in Eastlyn right now. From so far away, a small misunderstanding could easily turn dangerous.
"Is this child really Ninth Royal Uncle's?" Serena repeated, her face blank and her eyes dull.
Now Doudou really didn't know what to do—he couldn't nod, couldn't shake his head, because he honestly didn't know.
Doudou spread his hands, looking helpless. "Don't ask me, I don't know anything. After we finished the job that day, Ninth Royal Uncle just told me and Left Shore to pick someone up. He didn't say where—just told me to follow Left Shore."
"Left Shore and I traveled for days, and then... well, I don't know where we were. We stayed three days, maybe more. Left Shore was covered in blood, carrying a baby, and told me to bring the child back for you to raise, Serena. He said Ninth Royal Uncle knew about it."
"Honestly, I don't know anything. Left Shore arranged someone to guide me, and I just brought this little rascal back. If you want answers, go ask Left Shore—he definitely knows."
Doudou thought he was being clever, instantly shifting the trouble onto Left Shore—little did he know...
His words only made the misunderstanding worse. Of everyone present, only Vincent Su had guessed the truth—he knew the child wasn't Ninth Royal Uncle's, and felt a huge sense of relief. But...
Vincent Su stole a glance at Serena, who looked utterly devastated, then quietly turned away.
He honestly had no idea how to explain. All right, he admitted he was a little malicious for not wanting to help clear things up for Ninth Royal Uncle—after all, their relationship was going so smoothly, it made him, a lonely bachelor, jealous.
In his heart, Vincent Su quietly apologized to Serena, then called Ethan Su Wenhang over. "Wenhang's tired, so we'll be leaving now. Serena, I'll head out first."
Everyone was smart enough to catch on—seeing Vincent Su leave, they each found a reason to slip away. Even the Valley Master and Dr. Redwater didn't dare linger, obediently excusing themselves. Soon only William Wang, Caleb Wang, Simon Sun, and Doudou remained in the room.
William Wang glanced at Doudou, then stepped forward and said to Serena, "Serena, you know what kind of person Ninth Royal Uncle is. This child definitely isn't his—you don't need to scare yourself."
Standing behind William Wang, Caleb Wang gave a weak slap to his own forehead.
Big brother, at a time like this, why are you still playing the gentleman? It's enough that you aren't kicking him when he's down, but you're actually defending Ninth Royal Uncle! No wonder you can't win Serena's heart.
His big brother was good at everything—maybe too good. So good that people took his kindness for granted.
Caleb Wang genuinely felt sorry for his big brother.
Serena heard William Wang's words and turned to give a small laugh. "Don't worry, I'm not overthinking it. You can't trust anything Doudou says—he can't even tell east from west, so how could he possibly know if this child is Ninth Royal Uncle's?"
Doudou muttered, "What's going on? I never said for sure this child was Ninth Royal Uncle's—so why does everyone think he is?"
"I'm glad you think that way. It's getting late—rest early." William Wang knew Serena needed to settle the child, and to spare her any embarrassment, he left gracefully.
Seeing this, Caleb Wang had no choice but to follow, though he couldn't shake his discomfort.
How could his big brother just walk away at such a perfect moment? It was enough to drive him crazy.
Caleb Wang felt he needed to have a talk with his big brother. If he missed this chance, there would never be hope for him and Serena.
As for the child—even if he isn't Ninth Royal Uncle's, they could always make it seem like he is. With Ninth Royal Uncle away from Eastlyn, it's up to them to decide how things play out...