"You know how women can be petty about this sort of thing. Besides, her parents opposed me keeping you too. You should know that I married into the Gu family. As a live-in son-in-law, I had very little say in that household. The most I could do was secure that one million for you."
"So you think money can buy everything?" Ye Mingzhao, who had remained silent all this time, finally spoke. But his words made Lin Feng's eyelids twitch.
"It would be more accurate to call it compensation." Lin Feng carefully corrected himself. "Money certainly can't buy everything, but it can make up for many regrets."
At this point, Lin Feng could not help adding, "I never intended to abandon you. Even by today's legal standards, the child support I gave Ruan Cuimei would have been enough for you to grow up healthy and safe."
"So you believe you bear no responsibility in this matter," Ye Mingzhao stated.
But to Lin Feng, that emotionless statement was even harder to answer than an angry accusation.
"Of course not." Lin Feng immediately said, "I admit that throughout your upbringing, the absence of a father figure was always—"
"Biological father." Ye Mingzhao spoke coolly. "By law, my father is now Ye Linyuan, and my mother is Liang Huiwei. The adoption relationship is legally valid as well. That also means that between you and me..."
At that, Ye Mingzhao glanced at Lin Feng and said lightly, "There is no relationship at all."
Lin Feng's breath caught.
Ye Mingzhao smiled faintly and asked again, "What is it you want from me by coming here today?"
Lin Feng narrowed his eyes slightly. He was visibly nervous, and after hesitating for a second, he finally spoke the words he had rehearsed countless times. "...Of course, I