Chapter 165: Chapter 125: The Cheng Family of Beijing
The Cheng Family courtyard was slightly larger than the Lin Family’s and was located deeper inside. He walked nonchalantly, his hands clasped behind his back. He looked up at the sky and sighed. Tonight, regarding the affairs of the Zhou and Gu Families, he had concealed some parts. Some words could only be spoken with the permission of his old partner.
Thinking of Zhou Jinyu, who had died young, and then the unfortunate passing of Gu Mingzhu, along with that baby boy not even a month old, he quickly quickened his pace. He suspected Zhou Xiaozheng might be that child from back then. This matter had to be told to his old partner; an investigation needed to be commenced immediately.
Mr. Cheng hastily entered the courtyard, waved off the nanny, came to the bedroom, and saw his wife wearing reading glasses doing some needlework. He hurriedly went forward to snatch it away and put it aside.
Old Mrs. Cheng was startled. When she saw it was her old husband, she smiled and complained, "You came in without making a sound; you scared me. You old men must have been chatting happily tonight?" After speaking, she saw something was not right with his face and quickly sat down, looking at him.
Mr. Cheng took a deep breath and exhaled again, slowly sitting down, "Old partner, I’ll tell you something important later. You must stay calm. Things haven’t been confirmed yet; we can’t let the cat out of the bag. We need to investigate everything."
Old Mrs. Cheng nodded her head.
"I suspect Zhou Xiaozheng is that boy from back then. Tonight, Old Lin mentioned that Zhou Xiaozheng’s family is indeed from the Beijing Zhou Family. It seems at that time, besides Zhou Jinyu, Zhou Xiaozheng’s current father also survived. This Old Zhou had a child and then took fifteen years to have Zhou Xiaozheng, and he most favored the eldest. Zhou Xiaozheng was forced into the military, and the father-son relationship was poor. The only daughter of Zhou Xiaozheng was raised in the Zhou Family and was abused, completely ignoring that she was the sole bloodline of the younger son. The timing matches, the relationships are strained, and Zhou Xiaozheng’s daughter might also have a photographic memory."
Old Mrs. Cheng, upon hearing this, was filled with tears and trembled all over. Her lips quivered without speech, and she clung tightly to her husband’s arm.
Mr. Cheng was frightened and hurriedly held her, laying her on the bed, feeding her water and consoling her, "Don’t worry, don’t get excited. For so many years, we looked for so long. Heaven has eyes; we finally found him. You mustn’t let anything happen to you. Don’t you want to take the child to your sister and brother-in-law’s graves to let them see, let them rest in peace? There’s an eighty percent possibility. We’ll continue to investigate, layer by layer. This matter can’t be rushed. If Zhou Xiaozheng is that child from then, we must first ensure his safety. Dynasties have changed; caution in all things. We must also take your sister and brother-in-law’s proof to inform higher-ups. Don’t worry, I will personally verify it and won’t let anyone else know."
The old lady steadied herself and spoke excitedly, "It’s not like this; it’s not like this. If Zhou Xiaozheng was that child from back then, why hasn’t he come to find me? Why hasn’t he brought the keepsake to find me? I’ve seen him before, and he never mentioned it. Where on earth did something go wrong? When sister was shot down, she obviously wanted to say something. But I was too stupid, couldn’t fathom it. I hate myself. How could I have been so thoughtless and let sister die for me? Zhou Xiaozheng is that child, truly that child. His eyes are exactly like brother-in-law’s, looking at people as if he can see into your heart. Brother Xun, you go now, figure out a way to see Zhou Xiaozheng. I want to see him; I have to look him over myself. How could I have been so clueless, to not recognize him when he was right in front of me? How could I face my adoptive parents, face my sister?"
"Don’t get agitated. If you continue like this, I’ll take you to the hospital. Take a deep breath, and calm your mind. Recall again if your sister ever mentioned leaving the child with relatives. Besides the keepsake, is there any more clue? Zhou Xiaozheng is around; there’s no rush to find him. We need to confirm first. Think carefully if your sister ever hinted at anything in her daily words?"
The old lady anxiously shook her head, "I can’t remember, I just can’t remember. Sister didn’t trust the child’s identity to be revealed. She told me the fewer people who knew, the better. Brother-in-law was too famous, the Gu Family’s wealth too vast. Everyone was an enemy, not that she didn’t trust me, but knowing brought no benefit. Back in 1917, the so-called militia, righteous army, bandits, were everywhere. We didn’t even dare return to the Gu Family. Later, sister donated everything left by the adoptive parents. Sister said after this task, she could accompany the child growing up. When the child grew up, he could see brother-in-law. She said brother-in-law always missed her. But, in the end, my sister went to see brother-in-law, even though they had said if something happened, someone would bring the keepsake. I waited nearly to death, and never saw that child. How dare I die? How dare I go meet them?" After finishing, the old lady wailed, her complexion worsening, her lips turning purple, and her whole body curling into a ball.