CHAPTER 274: CHAPTER 207: A NEW PATH

Beijing Military District Courtyard, stepping out of the Lin Family’s yard. Mr. Cheng glanced at his own house not far away, reminded of his wife’s expectant eyes. If he went in, he’d probably only bring disappointment. He decisively turned around and got in the car, "Let’s go, first to the office."

Returning to the office, Mr. Cheng dismissed his colleagues, went over his thoughts again from beginning to end. Seeing it was down to the final step, he always trusted his instincts.

"You’re an idiot, your wife is already angry, and you still won’t go find her. She’s either at her brother’s or her sister’s. Hurry up. Get your wife back."

Loud teasing came from not far away, and Mr. Cheng suddenly stood up, tapping the desk, "Xiao Chen, come in quickly."

Xiao Chen hurriedly opened the door and entered, "Commander, what are your orders?"

"Quick, go investigate Zhou Jianren’s files. See which of his fellow soldiers from back in the day might still be in the military district, or in Beijing, preferably those with contact numbers. Hurry up." Mr. Cheng instructed eagerly.

Watching Xiao Chen leave, Mr. Cheng tapped his forehead, chuckling to himself, "Really senile, truly old."

In less than an hour, Xiao Chen came in with an envelope and placed it on the desk. "Commander, it’s all in here. Zhou Jianren’s information is quite simple, not very detailed. I accessed his unit’s identification number from back then, checked for any commendations or discharges, or transfers under that number. Found quite a few. Some are in critical departments, and all have contact numbers. The remaining few can only be found through contact addresses. You take a look first."

"Hmm, you prepare lunch first, we might go out later, I’ll start by making some calls." Mr. Cheng said before grabbing the envelope, pouring out the files. Seeing the top secret marked in bold red, he quietly rejoiced that he still had some capabilities to use privileges for access.

Mr. Cheng pulled out the ones with contact numbers, quickly began dialing. After calling several numbers, each said they couldn’t remember much, only recalled vaguely there was a comrade whose wife was a doctor, but the specifics weren’t clear, not much contact normally, relationships were average. During those years, aside from his own platoon’s soldiers, truly no one remembered. Plus, so many decades had passed, the memory was fuzzy.

After lunch, Mr. Cheng checked the time, took out the few files without contact numbers, noted down the names and addresses from those with detailed contact information, then went out with Xiao Chen to visit.

Taking advantage of lunch break, except for those on duty, most returned home. Xiao Chen drove Mr. Cheng through the city making rounds, visiting the addresses on the note. After checking three houses consecutively, apart from one where the family was in the hospital because someone had just passed away, those in Beijing were all checked. Either they couldn’t remember, or didn’t have an impression of such a person.

Mr. Cheng cursed Zhou Jianren as useless, just taking up space, a mere passerby. In the same regiment, surprisingly, more than ten veterans from back then couldn’t recall. It’s known what a pride it is for a regiment to have so many surviving veterans. Mr. Cheng commanded many regiments, witnessing them fall in batches, then rise in batches. Those who survived hugged and encouraged each other on the battlefield. It was uncertain if this useless person even set foot on the battlefield, or what he was doing with his life. Mr. Cheng became increasingly convinced Zhou Xiaozheng was the child he was looking for, that wasted person couldn’t have fathered him.

Seeing the last person also shook his head with a laugh saying he had no recollection, perhaps the identification number was wrong. Mr. Cheng felt between amusement and frustration, bid farewell to the veteran, and immediately got in the car.

Xiao Chen started the car, glancing at Mr. Cheng rubbing his temples, "Commander, where should we go next?"

Mr. Cheng sighed and said, "There are two who left work early in the morning, let’s call and check if they’re at the office first."

Upon returning to the unit, sitting at the desk, looking at the last two files, Mr. Cheng, usually a non-believer, closed his eyes quietly praying for Zhou Jinyu and Gu Mingzhu to manifest and let him quickly find the child. The military plane heading to the Northeast tonight was taking off in a few hours, he needed evidence and witnesses. Waiting for news from the South was too slow, waiting for Zhou Xiaozheng to return from Northeast, how would there be long leave to confront Zhou Jianren? He really feared "death without evidence." His wife suggested finding the family leader, guessing the leader must have met an accident; otherwise, Zhou Xiaozheng wouldn’t have ignored them. Even if the leader left some breadcrumbs, Zhou Xiaozheng’s abilities would uncover the truth. If the leader died and Zhou Jinyu and Gu Mingzhu were gone, why would Zhou Jianren abandon such an outstanding adopted son? Just for such a small fortune withholding the granddaughter from returning to Beijing. But what did Zhou Xiaozheng represent? It was endless glory, endless allowances. Without strong evidence, how would he easily admit it? But they truly didn’t have time to dawdle.

With a deep breath, Mr. Cheng picked up the phone and dialed the first number of the afternoon, hearing the voice on the other end, he couldn’t control his inner anxiety, "Hello, I called earlier this morning looking for someone from your office. Is he at work now? I have urgent business, could you please pass the call to him? I’d appreciate it."

Every second of waiting felt like ages. Mr. Cheng clutched the phone tightly, listening to the clear shouts and responses from the other end, then exhaled heavily relieved. Once the person picked up the phone, Mr. Cheng explained his purpose directly.

When the other side stammered over the phone asking who he was, Mr. Cheng was overjoyed, immediately saying, "Don’t worry, I am also a soldier, you can ask the operator if you don’t believe it, I am from the military district, I am Cheng Zhixun. I can assure you I mean no harm. This matter is very important, not clear over the phone, let me visit you, I’ll bring my ID to show I truly mean no harm."

The other person immediately said, "You don’t need to come to see me, since you put it that way, why wouldn’t I believe you? I’ll just say it directly, are you the child’s family, looking to reclaim the child now? Zhou Jianren’s wife did have a pregnancy before but miscarried before five months. We all know this matter; no need to hide it. Even if later they gave birth to a son, the age wouldn’t match. Seek the household registration office; he was a soldier back then. Regardless of whether the child was registered before or after he was discharged, there would be records. Others may not tell you this but why am I informing you? Because I’ve had losses because of him. That person is surely not a good person; any child in his hands would suffer. If he denies, tell him I’m the witness, I personally told you; ask him for the birth certificate within those three years."

Mr. Cheng laughed heartily, "You’re certainly straightforward, thank you very much. We have the child’s birth certificate but no evidence. I’ve never dealt with this before, thinking after decades passed all records might be changed or gone. Were it not for your reminder, I’d have truly forgotten he was a discharged soldier with household records file. Comrade, really grateful, thank you."

"No problem, I’ll hang up now. If you need anything, contact this number. If he insists on me showing up, call me. I’ll take leave and come over to help, cover the travel expenses." After finishing, the call was hung up.

Mr. Cheng smiled, shaking his head, immediately went with Xiao Chen to the file room, requesting Zhou Jianren’s records, obtained proofs, ran through several departments, acquired clear evidence, carefully wrapped it and placed it in his inner pocket, holding it tightly.

Mr. Cheng happily accompanied Xiao Chen home, eager to tell his wife the good news, that Zhou Xiaozheng was indeed their nephew, indeed the child they were looking for, they could truly bring the child to meet his sister and brother-in-law.