Jian Dan simply watched her so-called father in silence, waiting until he shifted uncomfortably, adjusted his glasses, and finally spoke:
"If the compatibility test is successful, will you also ask me to donate a kidney? And how are you so certain I'd even be a match?"
Faced with his daughter's sharp questions, Zhao Mufeng felt his authority being challenged. But since he needed her cooperation, he suppressed his anger and softened his tone.
"Jian Dan, I'm already searching extensively for a kidney donor. You're the closest blood relative to Zihan—I just want you to get tested."
"Isn't Zhao Ziyu his closest blood relative? Why me?"
Zhao Mufeng coughed awkwardly.
"Fine, Father. I'll do the test." Jian Dan smiled faintly. "But I'd like you to retrieve my mother's belongings for me first."
"Of course. I'll arrange it tomorrow."
With nothing left to say, Zhao Mufeng retreated to his study. He knew pushing too hard would backfire. After a long silence, he opened the hidden safe behind his bookshelf and took out Jian Rou's jewelry box, placing it on his desk.
Inside were precious heirlooms—a set of gold hairpins, scattered jade pieces, pearls, and agate ornaments.
Zhao Mufeng was no fool. Even during his marriage to Jian Rou, he'd kept a close eye on this jewelry box. After their divorce, under the pretense of "safeguarding his daughter's dowry," he'd kept it along with 20% of Zhao Corporation's shares, along with other antiques from the Jian family.
He'd consulted experts about every piece in the box. Only three items were deemed truly valuable—a jade thumb ring, a white jade pendant carved with flowers, and an emerald bracelet. The experts claimed these pieces had health benefits.
So he kept the thumb ring for himself, gave the pendant to his son (now hanging around Zhao Zihan's neck), and the bracelet to Qian Yi. But he knew Jian Rou must have told Jian Dan about these items. That's why she'd demanded the box so urgently.
Through her spiritual sense, Jian Dan watched everything, her lips curling in cold amusement. "What a devoted father."
She wasn't worried. She waited.
Sure enough, after some thought, Zhao Mufeng retrieved three pieces from the safe's lower compartment—counterfeits. No matter how well-crafted, they lacked the spiritual energy of the originals. They might fool human eyes, but not Jian Dan's divine sense.
He placed the fakes into the jewelry box and returned it to the safe.
Jian Dan lost interest. She headed to the bathroom for her second medicinal bath. Her Ice Jade- Jade Bone Demon Physique Art had only just begun—nine such baths were needed to complete the first stage: Tempering the Skin.
The next morning, the entire Zhao family gathered in the living room after breakfast, as if by prior arrangement. Zhao Mufeng went upstairs alone and returned carrying the jewelry box. With solemn ceremony, he handed it to Jian Dan, his voice heavy with false emotion.
"I kept these… privately. I feared I might never see you again. But now that I can return them to you personally, I'm… glad."
Jian Dan accepted the box, running her fingers over its surface before smiling up at him.
"Thank you for preserving Mother's belongings so carefully. You're my father—she never stopped me from acknowledging you. That won't change."
She opened the box, letting everyone see inside. Then she picked up the jade thumb ring and offered it to Zhao Mufeng.
"Father, keep this. Consider it my filial piety."
Zhao Mufeng stiffened but took the ring. Next, Jian Dan lifted the carved flower pendant and handed it to Zhao Zihan.
"This depicts marigolds—symbolizing longevity and health. May my little brother recover swiftly. A belated gift from your elder sister."
Zhao Zihan's hand instinctively touched the real pendant hidden under his shirt, but he accepted the fake with feigned gratitude. "Thank you."
Zhao Ziyu couldn't contain herself. "What about me, Sister?"
Jian Dan laughed lightly and slid the emerald bracelet onto Zhao Ziyu's wrist.
"How could I forget my adorable little sister? This matches one Auntie Qian has—now everyone will know you're mother and daughter at a glance."
Qian Yi's hand flew to her bare left wrist. "Jian Dan, this is too generous! Ziyu is so careless—"
"No! I love it!" Ziyu beamed, admiring the bracelet's vibrant green hue streaked with violet. It looked even finer than the one her mother had suddenly stopped wearing after Jian Dan's arrival.
"Auntie, it's just a small token. If Ziyu likes it, that's what matters." Jian Dan smiled, then casually pulled out a strand of agate beads for Qian Yi.
When Qian Yi tried to refuse, Jian Dan firmly pressed it into her hands.
"Please. I insist."
The family thanked her profusely. Only the oblivious Zhao Ziyu was genuinely delighted, marveling at her generous new sister.