My Babies Father

Chapter 2: Secrets and Shadows

**Disclaimer:**

The names and characters in this story belong to the original author of *Mo Dao Shi* or *The Untamed*. I only own the storyline. Please be aware that errors and grammatical mistakes can be expected. Re-publishing or distributing my work without permission is considered an offense.

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Wei Ying watched from the window as his twins, Wei Yuan and Wei Jingyi, played in the backyard with Jin Ling, their cousin. The three children, all five years old and full of energy, ran across the grass with abandon, their laughter echoing through the estate. Yuan, the eldest, was a mirror of Lan Zhan in so many ways. He was quiet, observant, and impossibly calm for someone so young, his serious expression a perfect imitation of the man who unknowingly fathered him. Jingyi, on the other hand, was every bit like Wei Ying-mischievous, talkative, and constantly filled with boundless curiosity.

Jin Ling was no different, though more temperamental, clearly taking after his father Jin Zixuan. The three of them were inseparable, growing up together as the Jiang family doted on them. Jiang Yanli adored all three children, and Jiang Cheng spoiled them rotten, despite his gruff demeanor. Even Jiang Fengmian was often found sneaking sweets to the twins when he thought no one was looking. But through it all, the world outside of their family remained blissfully unaware of the existence of the two boys.

Wei Ying had made sure of it.

The outside world knew him as one of the most eligible bachelors in the business world, following only the powerful Lan brothers-Lan Xichen, the head of the Lan Corporation, and Lan Zhan, his younger brother, second-in-command and heir. Wei Ying ranked just behind them as the third-most eligible bachelor, though that was a title he would have gladly given up. His status was only because he had taken over Jin Zixuan's spot on the list after his sister's marriage, and as much as Wei Ying wished he could keep a lower profile, his success in running Wei Corporation made that impossible.

But none of it mattered. He had done everything to protect his children from the limelight. No one in the public had any idea that Wei Ying had become a father, much less that his sons were the product of that one fateful night with Lan Zhan.

Every time he thought about it, a familiar wave of anxiety settled in his chest. He had only seen Lan Zhan a handful of times since that night, and every year at the Jiang Corporation's annual gala, Wei Ying made sure to stay out of his sight. Lan Zhan's sharp eyes were difficult to evade, but Wei Ying had managed it for five years. Still, it didn't stop him from wondering-what if Lan Zhan remembered? What if he ever found out about the twins?

Wei Ying shook his head, banishing the thought. Lan Zhan had never once shown any sign of recognition, and that was how it had to stay. The idea of facing him, explaining that Yuan and Jingyi were his, filled Wei Ying with dread. The man was relentless, and if he found out the truth, there was no telling what might happen. Would he demand to be part of the boys' lives? Would he even want to?

But Wei Ying didn't have time to linger on those thoughts. The sound of small footsteps rushing toward him pulled him out of his reverie.

"Baba!" Jingyi's voice called as the little boy bounded into the room, closely followed by Yuan, who trailed behind with his usual measured pace. "We're hungry!"

Wei Ying smiled, crouching down to their level and ruffling their hair. "Alright, alright. Let's go see what Uncle Cheng has in the kitchen, shall we?"

Yuan looked up at him with a serious expression, the same expression Wei Ying had seen on Lan Zhan's face so many times at the few gatherings they both attended. It was unnerving how much his eldest resembled his father, both in looks and mannerisms. But it was also a reminder-one that never let Wei Ying forget the connection they shared, even if Lan Zhan remained oblivious.

The kids tugged him toward the kitchen, and Wei Ying pushed the thoughts of the past out of his mind. Today was about the twins, and they were his world now. He would keep them safe from everything, including the truth.

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Meanwhile, in his office high above the city, Lan Zhan stared out at the skyline, his mind elsewhere. For years, he had been searching-searching for the man who had vanished from his life just as quickly as he had entered it. That night at the hotel had been a blur of passion and something else-something deeper that Lan Zhan couldn't quite explain. He had woken up alone, with only the faint memory of a man whose face he had barely seen.

But he hadn't forgotten.

Despite his efforts, he hadn't been able to track down the man. It had become an obsession of sorts, though Lan Zhan wasn't entirely sure why. There had been something about that night, something about the way the man had felt in his arms, the way his voice had sounded in the dark. And there was the undeniable fact that his partner had been male, which had both surprised and intrigued him. Lan Zhan had never been one for casual encounters, but that night had been different. It had felt... right.

His brother, Lan Xichen, had encouraged him to let it go. But Lan Zhan wasn't the type to give up easily. He had resources, and he had patience. It was only a matter of time before he found the man.

A soft knock on his office door interrupted his thoughts, and Lan Zhan turned as his assistant entered.

"Hanguang-Jun," the assistant said respectfully, "the invitations to the Jiang Corporation's annual gala have arrived."

Lan Zhan nodded, taking the envelope from the assistant's hands. The Jiang Corporation's gala was one of the few events he attended without fail, though not for social reasons. The Jiang family's business dealings were important to the Lan Corporation, and the event was always a good opportunity to solidify relationships.

But there was something else that always drew him to that event. Every year, he caught glimpses of someone-a man who always seemed to evade him, always stayed just out of reach. There was something about that man that tugged at Lan Zhan's memory, something familiar in the way he moved, the way he avoided attention.

Lan Zhan's grip tightened slightly on the envelope as he considered the upcoming gala. This year, perhaps, he would finally get the answers he had been seeking.

Written By: LanCeline93
Updated: Sep 12 2024