CHAPTER 81 — When the Truth Comes Out

As the boys stared at their girlfriends in shock, they asked, "Aunt, are they really your daughters?"

Her mother laughed and nodded. The boys turned to the girls in disbelief. Minghao asked, "Why didn't you tell us earlier, Xuanye?"

The girls laughed and said in unison, "You never asked!"

DK chuckled in disbelief and turned to the parents. "Uncle, then… what's their surname?"

Their father stood proudly and said, "Our surname is Zhang."

Nian and Xuanye smirked, placing their hands on their waists proudly.

Meanwhile, their mother glanced at them and whispered, "When are these two going to change? Even he's encouraging them in their nonsense…" She shook her head with a small smile.

DK and Minghao handed a bouquet to her. Touched, their mother thanked them and directed them to the living room. As the girls' parents walked in, Nian and Xuanye grinned. DK and Minghao, standing beside them, suddenly yelled, "Yah! You really kept this a secret from us!"

Minghao added, "How are we supposed to tell them we love their daughters now? They don't even know we're idols!"

Nian crossed her arms. "Didn't I tell you guys not to be nervous? You saw how my parents reacted just now. Even if they know, they wouldn't make a big deal. So just relax."

Xuanye nodded and nudged them forward. DK and Minghao sighed and followed them into the living room.

The boys sat beside their father, sweating and glancing around nervously. Meanwhile, the girls' mother was still preparing food.

Their father, eyes on the TV, said excitedly, "Hey! Did you know Seventeen's song 'THUNDER' is coming on now? I've been waiting for it since morning."

Xuanye teased, "Dad, you've really become a Carat, haven't you?"

He laughed, "Thanks to you two, I'm a fan now."

DK and Minghao whispered to Nian, "Your dad's a Carat too?"

Nian chuckled. "Yup! Even though we're the fans, he knows everything about your group. He's done his research."

DK and Minghao exchanged proud glances.

"If he's a fan, maybe this'll go easier than we thought," Minghao said with a laugh.

The TV program began, and the girls' father leaned forward.

"Hey, do you boys know about Seventeen?" he asked, eyes still glued to the screen.

Trying not to laugh, the girls turned to the boys.

With confident smiles, DK and Minghao replied, "Yes, Uncle. We know them very well. We're fans too."

Their father beamed. "But every time I look at you two, I swear I've seen you somewhere before…"

Nian and Xuanye burst into laughter.

Minghao calmly said, "Maybe you've seen us around, Uncle."

DK leaned in, whispering, "Yah, Minghao, where's all this confidence coming from? Weren't you nervous a minute ago?"

Minghao grinned, "If he's a fan, it's easier."

Just then, their mother came out with glasses of juice.

"Zhang, why are you watching TV when we have guests?" she scolded. "Turn it off, or I will!"

Her husband sulked, but DK quickly said, "It's okay, Auntie. We'd love to watch it too."

She blinked. "You boys… are also fans?"

They nodded.

She turned to the girls. "You even chose friends based on Seventeen?"

Nian and Xuanye couldn't stop laughing.

"These girls have lost it over you," their mother said, shaking her head. "Now they even laugh at just hearing your names. Boys, don't mind them. Just wait until the program ends."

The program began. As the members of Seventeen lined up and the MC introduced them, the girls blushed, pride gleaming in their eyes.

Their father screamed with excitement, "Seventeen! Seventeen!"

DK and Minghao exchanged a glance, both giggling.

"We're lucky," Minghao whispered. "Now we know what it's like to see Carats react to us in real time."

DK clutched his stomach, laughing. "If I don't tell them soon, I might explode!"

Minghao grinned, pulling out his phone. "I'm recording this to show the guys later."

As he started filming, Xuanye caught him. "What are you doing?"

He shook his head with a teasing smile.

Xuanye whispered to Nian, "He's filming our dad!"

Nian whispered back, "If they knew the truth… Appa would lose it!"

As Hoshi's verse played, their dad stood up, perfectly mimicking the choreography. His face shone with happiness.

DK giggled with his eyes closed, while Minghao watched, impressed.

When the hook step came, their dad spun around, grabbed the boys' hands, and pulled them in front of the TV.

Nian and Xuanye rolled on the sofa, kicking their legs in laughter.

Their mom buried her face in embarrassment.

"Why is he like this?" she muttered. "Is he a kid?"

She turned to her daughters. "Xuanye, stop your dad!"

Xuanye said between giggles, "He's having fun, Mom. Let him!"

Then came the big moment.

Their dad said proudly, "This part—Alo.Alo.T.H.U.N.D.E.R—this is our favorite!"

He demonstrated the move perfectly.

Impressed, DK and Minghao nodded, smiling brightly, and joined in.

Their mom and dad stared. Their dad slowly turned to them and pointed at the TV.

"You two… you look just like them…"

He froze.

"Wait. Don't tell me…" he said in a trembling voice, turning to his daughters.

"Is it true?"

Nian and Xuanye smiled and nodded.

Nian said gently, "Mom, DK and Minghao… are from Seventeen."

Xuanye added, "They're not just our idols… we're their Carats."

The boys stepped forward and introduced themselves with a bow.

"We're from Seventeen. I'm DK."

"I'm Minghao."

Their father was speechless.

"You're really… from Seventeen?"

The boys nodded with a grin.

Then, in unison, they said, "Uncle, Auntie, we love your daughters."

Their mother froze.

"…What?!"