Chapter 26: I Would Like to Switch to a Different Appraisal Center, That Is Not Too Much to Ask, Is It?

"Ah!" Liu Shuangshuang bit her lip, her voice rasping with rage.

Zhao Qiang crossed his arms over his chest and sneered, "Hmph, you’re fat and ugly—how dare you act so arrogant in front of me."

"Zhao Qiang, I'll fight you to the death!" Unable to hold back any longer, Liu Shuangshuang swung her fists and charged at him.

"Enough!"

"Mom, stop making a scene. Tianming was wrong to begin with!"

"If it were me, I wouldn't have hired people to beat anyone up. We live in a society governed by law." Liu Ruyan stepped in to stop the pointless bickering. Even if Zhao Qiang’s words were harsh, she didn't care about that right now.

"You ungrateful girl, taking his side!" Li Fengying turned on her daughter, scolding her. "My son has never suffered like this before. What if he’s being mistreated at the police station?"

"Let him sit in the station for a few days; it’ll give him a chance to cool off." Liu Ruyan seemed like a different person today; her tone was no longer laced with sarcasm.

Hiring people to beat Zhao Qiang, and leading them herself—wasn't that something only a fool would do? Right now, her primary concern was the paternity test; nothing could go wrong.

Liu Ruyan frowned and said, "Zhao Qiang, don't forget why we’re here today."

"Zhao Qiang, let's just do the paternity test!"

"Stop wasting time. I’ve said it before: the two children are yours. Whether you believe me or not, I have done nothing to betray you." Liu Ruyan spoke with complete solemnity, her face neither flushing nor twitching.

"Can I ask a question?"

"Why were you Liu family members so opposed to doing a paternity test when I asked yesterday?" If he hadn't known that Liu Ruyan was capable of pulling strings, he might have almost believed her.

"Zhao Qiang, Ruyan just wants you to return to normal and keep this marriage going."

"She doesn't want to make a scene and let others laugh at us." Su Yao stood to the side, whispering in his ear, trying to play the mediator.

*Trying that trick again, are they?* Playing the peacemaker, hoping to make him pretend nothing had ever happened.

"Is that so? Then bring the two little brats over!"

"They’re twins; bringing one is enough." Zhao Qiang referred to them as "little brats" repeatedly, showing no respect for the Liu family whatsoever.

"Zhao Qiang, watch your language. Those two children are your children, too." Hearing this, Liu Ruyan’s brow furrowed, and she couldn't help but retort. Damn Zhao Qiang, acting like a mad dog, snapping at everyone he could reach!

"Are they my children?"

"It’s a bit too early to say that!"

"Let’s wait for the paternity test report. Don't talk to me about them being my kids right now. Do you really think I’d believe you?"

Zhao Qiang sneered. It seemed the Liu family had definitely made preparations. The Liu family members were furious, and Li Fengying had to be held back, otherwise, another fight would have erupted.

"Let's go. I’m coming with you." Even though she felt weak, she had to be there to witness the paternity test. It was right there in the hospital, only a few steps away. Liu Ruyan wanted to force Zhao Qiang to be speechless in person. Once the report came out, she would make him shut his mouth for good.

The only reason she dared to go through with the test was that Zhang Zihao had told her everything at the hospital had been taken care of.

In the hospital's DNA testing department, Li Fengying was collecting hair samples from one of the infants. Paternity tests could be conducted using any part of the body—saliva or hair would do.

"Zhao Qiang, what are you standing there for?" Liu Ruyan arched her brows and shouted at him.

"It’s your turn. Aren't you the one who wanted this test?" Liu Ruyan crossed her arms, looking impatient. "What’s the matter? Are you scared? Are you afraid that the kids will turn out to be yours, and you won’t be able to explain all that shouting and screaming you did earlier?" Liu Ruyan pressed him, her eyes filled with provocation.

Zhao Qiang sat in a chair, leaning back slightly, his brows tightly knitted.

"It’s not that. It’s just that I have some concerns." Zhao Qiang’s voice was low, laced with hesitation. He sat in the chair, tapping his fingers against the armrest, his gaze shifting restlessly.

"Zhao Qiang, are you trying to back out now?" Liu Shuangshuang’s eyes widened as she pointed at him angrily.

"I’m not backing out. I’m just worried that *you* are the ones planning to cheat!" A mocking smile tugged at the corners of Zhao Qiang’s mouth.

"What do you mean? Speak clearly." Liu Ruyan took a step forward, staring intently at Zhao Qiang. She felt that something about him was off, but she couldn't pinpoint what. Could he know something? No, that was impossible; there was no way.

"I’m worried that the testing center here isn't accurate. What if there’s a mistake?" Zhao Qiang said with an ambiguous smile, gesturing vaguely toward Liu Ruyan.

"Inaccurate? Technology is so advanced these days, how could it be inaccurate? You’re just scared, aren't you?" Su Yao put her hands on her hips, looking at Zhao Qiang with disdain.

"So you’re just stalling for time here? Let me tell you, this test is happening whether you like it or not!" Liu Ruyan’s voice grew sharper, her face filled with rage. "I, Liu Ruyan, have been slandered by you. I need to clear my name. Otherwise, how will others look at me?" Liu Ruyan maintained a stern expression, as if she were the one suffering a great injustice.

Watching Liu Ruyan play the part so seriously, Zhao Qiang couldn't help but chuckle. Yesterday she didn't care about her reputation, but today, now that she was prepared, she suddenly wanted it back. He didn't know exactly at which step Zhang Zihao would intervene, but he was certain there would be tampering.

"Liu Ruyan, how is it that you have so much courage today? Could it be that you have an old acquaintance working here?" Zhao Qiang’s gaze was sharp, scrutinizing her.

"So you asked someone to help you..." Before Zhao Qiang could finish his sentence, Liu Ruyan glared at him.

"Zhao Qiang, what kind of nonsense are you spouting? If I had an acquaintance here, I would have done this yesterday. Why would I have waited until today?" Liu Ruyan’s voice was practically a roar, her face flushed red.

"Are you too scared to do it now?" Liu Shuangshuang questioned him again.

Li Fengying also laughed, "Zhao Qiang, yesterday you told everyone in the neighborhood that I was framing you. Are you afraid that all your family assets will be handed over to us, the Liu family?"

"Or are you afraid that you won't be able to hold your head up in front of the neighbors?" Mentioning yesterday's bet made Li Fengying angry; if she had known there was a plan in place, she would have agreed to it immediately.

"I don't think the medical standard at this hospital is high enough. Can I choose a different place for the paternity test? Perhaps a specialized testing center in the Imperial City?"

As soon as Zhao Qiang finished speaking, everyone replied in unison: "No!"

Seeing the atmosphere turn awkward, Liu Ruyan hurriedly explained, "Zhao Qiang, what exactly do you mean by this?" *Are you kidding? There’s no time for that! If we went elsewhere, wouldn't the whole scheme be exposed?* They had spent a lot of money to fix things at this specific location. Even with Zhang Zihao’s influence, he wouldn't dare reach into a specialized, high-level testing center.

"You all answered so perfectly in sync. I’m starting to worry that this is a trap," Zhao Qiang said, crossing his arms and sneering. Did these women really think he was a fool? Did they think he couldn't see the problem?

"Are you afraid I’ve tampered with it?" A flash of panic crossed Liu Ruyan’s eyes, but she quickly regained her composure. "You don't need to worry. If a technician were to fake the results, it would be a crime. If you don't believe me, you can look it up yourself. The consequences are severe; they wouldn't dare." Liu Ruyan went on with her brainwashing, sounding perfectly reasonable.

If Zhao Qiang hadn't known that Zhang Zihao was behind her, he might have believed her. Faking test results was indeed a serious crime, but if the money was enough, and the risk of discovery was low, it was entirely possible that the hospital technicians would do it.

"Fine, we'll do it here!" Zhao Qiang stopped teasing them. He would be getting the report his parents had expedited at a different center very soon. Even knowing it was a trap, he would walk right into it.

"Sir, it’s time for your sample," said a doctor with a refined appearance, wearing gold-rimmed glasses.