Brian Perry pretended to be startled, then laughed. “Thank you. But I have some other things to take care of today, let’s talk another time—oh, here’s a photo of the jade pendant. Please show it to the expert for me. If it really might be a cultural relic, I’ll ask for your help again.”

Brian Perry took out the photo of the jade pendant he had prepared in advance from his bag and handed it over.

Samantha Ford took it, quite surprised, the corners of her gentle mouth twitching slightly.

During the meal, although Samantha Ford tried probing in every way, Brian Perry answered with calm confidence, leaving no gaps. Helpless, Samantha Ford took the opportunity to call her father Thomas Ford while going to the restroom, planning to have him meet Brian Perry in person. Unexpectedly, Brian Perry once again excused himself and left with ease.

After leaving the restaurant, Brian Perry walked some distance ahead. He noticed a black sedan following him, and his heart tightened. He immediately flagged down a taxi and headed straight for the suburbs. After getting out in the suburbs, he walked briskly along the road for over ten minutes, then took another taxi back to the city. After circling around the city, he finally got out and returned to Matthew King’s home.

The The Ford Family driver lost track of Brian Perry and nervously reported to Thomas Ford.

Thomas Ford sat in his study, looking up at his daughter Samantha Ford, whose face was equally complicated, his brows tightly furrowed.

After a long while, he slowly stood up, taking the photo of the dragon-patterned jade pendant that Samantha Ford had brought back, and drove to Dahongmen, entering the No. 3 courtyard where Mr. Ford and his wife lived alone.

Old Mr. Ford and his wife lived inside Dahongmen; even his own children were not qualified to reside in the inner compound permanently.

Wearing glasses, Mr. Ford bent over his desk, carefully examining the photo for a long time in silence. But Thomas Ford could clearly see his father’s shoulders trembling and his hands shaking.

“Thomas, this jade pendant is real. It’s the treasure my third uncle brought out from the palace back then, then passed to your grandfather. Before I joined the revolution, your grandfather gave the jade pendant to me.” Mr. Ford slowly raised his head, his expression solemn and serious. “With the jade pendant, there must also be the birth date and family recognition document I wrote by hand for your brother back then. Go meet this young man. If he really has my handwritten note—then I’ll meet him!”

Mr. Ford’s voice was gentle yet firm, his gaze sharp and resolute.

Thomas Ford agreed, understanding in his heart that if this child from the The Perry Family was truly the son of his long-lost second brother, the old man would definitely acknowledge him as family.

Two days later.

Accompanied by Samantha Ford, Thomas Ford finally met Brian Perry again on the campus of Jinghua University, where he was instructing the team members in Tai Chi.

On the field, Brian Perry moved with ease and grace. From Thomas Ford’s angle, his back and facial profile faintly resembled Mr. Ford in his youth.

After Steven Joyce and the other team members finished practicing and dispersed, Thomas Ford slowly walked over, sizing up Brian Perry from head to toe.

Samantha Ford smiled gently and said, “Coach Perry, this is the cultural relic expert I mentioned, Professor Ford. Professor Ford is a renowned archaeologist. He’s seen your jade pendant and thinks very highly of it.”

In fact, Brian Perry had already noticed Thomas Ford’s presence.

Although this man’s attire was quite ordinary, he exuded an invisible authority and calm demeanor, clearly someone accustomed to being in a position of power. Hearing Samantha Ford call him “Professor Ford,” Brian Perry couldn’t help but feel amused.

“Hello, Professor Ford.” Brian Perry smiled calmly and extended his hand to shake Thomas Ford’s.

Thomas Ford lightly extended his hand, his grip soft, allowing Brian Perry to shake it gently before withdrawing.

This was almost the natural handshake posture of a leader when facing subordinates. If shaking hands with a superior, the hand would be extended much farther and gripped tightly to show respect.

Although Brian Perry had not fared well in officialdom in his previous life, as someone from that world, he was well-versed in these subtleties.

Such a small detail was enough to reveal Thomas Ford’s true identity.

Of course, Brian Perry could only play dumb.

No matter what, he couldn’t let the The Ford Family feel that he had come deliberately seeking family, lest they look down on him. Some things he simply couldn’t explain to the The Ford Family.

……

……

“Xiao Peng, may I ask, is this jade pendant a family heirloom? In my judgment, this dragon-patterned jade pendant comes from the late Qing imperial court, an extremely rare and precious court accessory, seldom seen among the common people.” Thomas Ford smiled, probing.

“That’s right, it was left by my father, and it was his father who gave it to him as proof of his origins.” Brian Perry said earnestly. “There’s also a document, left by my father’s father. Professor Ford, please take a look.”

As he spoke, Brian Perry took out another photo from his bag, which was the handwritten note left by Mr. Ford back then.

Thomas Ford steadied himself and looked down at the photo in his hand. The handwriting on the photo was clear and distinct, and the familiar script of his own father was unmistakable, stirring waves of emotion in Thomas Ford’s heart.

He could almost be certain that the young man before him was indeed the descendant of his second brother, who had been lost during the war. The ownership of the jade pendant might have its “twists and turns,” but this handwritten note from Mr. Ford would be extremely difficult to forge.