Li Feng's mind raced as the elderly man spoke. "Uncle?" he echoed, his confusion growing. "But... I'm an orphan. What uncle are you talking about?"

His eyes darted between the faces of the family members, searching for answers. The revelation had hit him like a thunderbolt, leaving him bewildered and uncertain.

A man, with a stern yet gentle expression, stood up from his seat. He walked towards Li Feng, his gaze intense.

"You are my son, Li Feng," he declared, his voice firm."I am Li Ming, the youngest son of Li Yuan and Li Hua," the man continued as he gestured towards the elderly couple seated at the head of the table.

Li Ming continued, "You know Li Xue. This is her father and the eldest son of the Li family, Li Hao." He gestured towards the man in his late 40s, seated on the left side of the table in the first row.

Beside him sat his wife, Li Mei, a woman of refined elegance. To Li Mei's right sat their son, Li Chen, a young man a few years older than Li Feng.

Li Ming's gaze shifted to the right side of the table, where a woman in her late 40s exuded an aura of quiet authority. Her face, beautiful in a mature way, creased with a hint of amusement as she observed Li Feng. "This," Li Ming introduced, "is your aunt, Li Xiuying, the eldest daughter of the Li family."

Beside her sat a man, a few years older than Li Xiuying, with a warm and welcoming demeanor. Li Ming continued, "And this is your uncle by marriage, Zhang Wei. a valued member of the Li family."

Li Ming gestured towards the left side of the table, where a pair of twins sat, their identical features a testament to their shared genetic heritage. "These are the children of Li Xiuying," he explained, "Li Wei and Li Yan."

Li Ming gestured towards the woman sitting beside Li Xiuying. Her face was stern, her expression devoid of any warmth. "And this is ... " Li Ming introduced, his voice slightly hesitant.

The woman, clearly impatient, interrupted. "I am Li Mei. I am your mother," she stated coldly, her tone leaving no room for ambiguity.

Li Feng's heart sank as he took in his mother's cold demeanor. Her indifference was palpable, as if he were a stranger, not her long-lost son. He couldn't help but wonder why she had abandoned him, why he had been forced to grow up in an orphanage.

A wave of bitterness washed over him. Had he been unwanted? A mistake? A burden? The more he thought about it, the more questions arose, each more painful than the last.

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The elderly man, Li Yuan, sensed the turmoil within Li Feng's mind. "It seems you have many questions, young man," he said, his voice gentle. "First, let me explain something. Most of your questions will be answered as I delve into the explanation."

The elderly man, Li Yuan, sighed deeply. "It seems I must explain why you were sent to the orphanage, Li Feng. In our family, we have a tradition of raising our children in different environments to broaden their perspectives and develop their character.

Your brother, Li Chen, was raised in a modest environment, focused on academics. Li Xue was raised in a glamorous world, the daughter of a celebrity. Li Wei and Li Yan were raised as privileged children, accustomed to luxury.

You, however, were sent to experience a different life, the life of a common villager. Unfortunately, the person entrusted with your care betrayed our trust and sent you to an orphanage.

In our family, once a child is sent out, they cannot return until they turn eighteen. We had planned to transfer you to another family, but..." Li Yuan's voice trailed off, his gaze lingering on Li Feng's mother.

Li Feng understood the unspoken message in their eyes. His father's gaze, filled with regret, confirmed his suspicions. And his mother's cold, indifferent expression left no room for doubt. She had chosen to distance herself, to let him go without a backward glance.

A wave of sadness washed over Li Feng, but he forced himself to remain composed. He couldn't let his emotions consume him.

Li Yuan, sensing the tension in the room, cleared his throat. "Well, now that you're here, it's time to discuss your future. Which field would you like to pursue? We can arrange for your admission to the best colleges and universities."

Li Feng, his voice filled with confusion, spoke up. "I've never heard of the Li family. What does our family do?" His question hung in the air, a stark contrast to the expectations of the family elders.

The air crackled with Li Feng's question. A flicker of surprise crossed Li Yuan's face, quickly replaced by a strained smile.

"Ah, yes," he chuckled, "I suppose we skipped a crucial detail. You see, Li Feng, the Li family is... unique. We operate in the shadows, a silent hand that shapes the world. Consider us the orchestra conductor, not the individual violinist. Our influence reaches into every sector imaginable – finance, technology, even space exploration, just as your cousin Li Xue mentioned."

Li Yuan's chest puffed with a subtle pride he couldn't quite disguise. "There's nothing the Li family can't achieve. We possess immense wealth and power, though our operations remain a closely guarded secret. Only a handful of elite families like ours exist, and we command an unspoken fear and respect."

Leaning forward, Li Yuan's gaze held a hint of expectation. "Now, with your return, it's time to choose your path. Tell us your interest, Li Feng. Whether it's the sprawling world of real estate like Li Chen, the cutting-edge advancements of medicine Li Wei pursues, the technological innovations of Li Yan, or the vast expanse of space exploration that enthralls Li Xue, we can open any door for you. The choice is yours."

After a moment of stunned silence, Li Feng calmed his nerves, his voice steady despite the fear and pressure he felt. He spoke with a determination.His answer surprised everyone in the room.