Chapter 13: The First Identity is Exposed

Seeing that Qiao Nian had already put the medicine away, he didn't dwell on the topic, but cautioned her with concern: "Try to take this medicine as little as possible. Only take one if you really can't sleep at night; if you're fine otherwise, try not to take it."

"Got it."

It wasn't Qiao Nian's first time taking this kind of medicine, so she knew what she was doing and agreed readily.

After gathering her things, she picked up her shoulder bag, tossed the medicine inside, and prepared to leave.

Seeing her about to leave, Wei Lou stopped her and asked, "Where are you going?"

"Home," Qiao Nian said casually as she finished packing her things.

Wei Lou immediately furrowed his brows: "What home do you have? Didn't the Qiao family kick you out?"

He recalled the phone call he had with Qiao Nian earlier and stared at her intently: "Are you saying you're going to live with your biological parents?"

Qiao Nian didn't like being too close to the opposite sex, so she couldn't help but take a half-step back and admitted lazily, "Yeah."

Wei Lou naturally noticed her small movement of stepping back out of discomfort. His eyes darkened, and though frustrated, he felt helpless. He could only pretend he hadn't seen it, choosing to ignore what he couldn't change: "You hung up on me several times earlier because you were having dinner with your biological relatives? You met them—what kind of people are they?"

Qiao Nian recalled for a moment and said slowly, "I haven't had much contact, so I'm not sure. I only saw my biological father; my biological mother seems to have passed away. I don't know the specific reasons yet, but I will look into it. As for the rest... Grandpa is very good to me."

"Grandpa..." Hearing her use that title, Wei Lou knew she hadn't fully accepted her biological parents, but she had accepted this grandfather.

Wei Lou's heart sank, and he asked seriously, "Are you really going to stay and investigate your background?"

Qiao Nian didn't know why he kept asking the same question, but she remained patient with him and nodded: "Yeah. Fallen leaves return to their roots; at the very least, I need to know who I am and where I come from."

This reason was impeccable!

Even if Wei Lou wanted to take her away, he swallowed his frustration, frowned, and asked, "Then what's next? Are you going back to Luohe County with your biological father?"

Qiao Nian: "They are from Raocheng."

Wei Lou looked puzzled and said, "Raocheng? Wasn't it said that your biological father was from Luohe County?"

Qiao Nian couldn't explain it clearly either: "I haven't figured out the specifics yet. Qiao Weimin told me they were from Luohe County, but it seems that's not the case."

"What is your biological father's name?"

Qiao Nian tried to recall, but couldn't remember. She rubbed the bridge of her nose, disliking this interrogation-style conversation: "...His surname is Jiang."

"Jiang?"

There was a prominent family with the surname Jiang in Raocheng, with deep roots in the city. Their older generation even had intricate ties to the Ye family in the capital.

Wei Lou cast a deep, thoughtful look at Qiao Nian and set aside his speculations.

Qiao Nian's biological father shouldn't have anything to do with that family.

Qiao Nian had already finished packing and tossed a medicine bottle from her bag to him.

Wei Lou caught it abruptly.

Qiao Nian slung her shoulder bag on, moving at a leisurely pace, and said softly, "This month's medicine."

Three years ago, a type of pill that could nourish the body's foundation began circulating on the black market in China. It was said that its effects were comparable to the ginseng fruit from *Journey to the West*; taking it could prolong life and leave one feeling refreshed and clear-headed.

Once this medicine appeared on the black market, every major power wanted to claim it for themselves. Only three pills were auctioned on the black market each month, and every auction caused quite a stir.

"Three pills again?" Wei Lou carefully inspected the pills in the bottle. The small white pills looked no different from candy.

Yet, a single one could sell for an astronomical price on the black market!