CHAPTER 291: CHAPTER 222: GREAT-GRANDAUNT

Zhou Xiaozheng drove the car, and from a distance, he saw his daughter, son-in-law, and the clan leader waiting together at the entrance of the ancestral hall. The heavy feelings were somewhat relaxed upon seeing Zhou Jiao. Cheerfully, he said to Old Mrs. Cheng, "Auntie, soon you’ll see Jiao Jiao. They’re not far ahead, just the two of them."

Old Mrs. Cheng hurriedly looked out the window, squinting her eyes. "I truly am old now, my eyesight’s not good; I can only see shadows. Let’s quickly go and see the children."

Awhile later, several cars stopped next to the one driven by Zhang Guoqing. Zhou Xiaozheng supported Old Mrs. Cheng, followed by a group of people, as they walked towards the ancestral hall.

Before reaching the ancestral hall, Old Mrs. Cheng tried hard to open her eyes wide, stepped in, and upon seeing Zhou Jiao’s smiling face, couldn’t help but burst into tears, rushing towards Zhou Jiao, stumbling into a hug in front of the astonished Zhou Jiao.

"Sister, why didn’t you wait for me? I’m Qinglian. Sister, why haven’t you ever appeared in my dreams?"

Zhou Jiao snapped out of it, quickly hugging Old Mrs. Cheng back, gently comforting her, and patting her softly, "Auntie Grandma, look at me, I’m your younger generation, I’m Jiao Jiao. Look at me, I’m warm. Touch me to see if that’s true."

Zhou Xiaozheng looked at his daughter’s thin figure and hurriedly stepped forward to support Old Mrs. Cheng, consoling her repeatedly, "Auntie, look, this is our Jiao Jiao. You mustn’t get too excited; your body might not handle it."

Doctor Huang, already prepared, stepped forward to give Old Mrs. Cheng an injection. He pulled out the silver needles, fed her medicine, and only after she took a breath did he wipe his sweat and retreat.

Old Mrs. Cheng drank some warm water, grasping Zhou Jiao’s arm firmly, tears streaming down her face, gently pondering Zhou Jiao’s small face, "Not my sister, really not my sister. Our Jiao Jiao is exactly like her. When she had children, she was just this frail and so weak. Child, did I scare you?"

Zhou Jiao smiled and shook her head, "Auntie Grandma, do I really look so much like Grandma? I’m very happy; you won’t scare me. Grandma’s granddaughter isn’t so soft. Thank you for keeping Grandma in your memory; she would surely be happy knowing we’re reunited."

Zhou Xiaozheng quickly followed up, "Auntie, we agreed to be happy from now on. You mustn’t get too excited. I’ll have Jiao Jiao accompany you; we can talk things over slowly."

Zhou Jiao took the handkerchief Zhang Guoqing offered and gently wiped the tears from Old Mrs. Cheng’s face, smiling as she said, "Auntie Grandma, you must take care of yourself. You have to tell me stories about Grandma. I’m waiting for you to accompany me to see Grandpa and Grandma. We mustn’t be sad."

Old Mrs. Cheng nodded tearfully, smiling, "Okay, Auntie Grandma listens to you. If you say not to be sad, then I won’t be sad. Your Grandma always said a girl mustn’t be weak and shouldn’t shed tears. Child, you speak just like your Grandma. If your Grandpa were still alive to see you, he’d surely be proud. He always said he wanted a daughter just like your Grandma. Unfortunately, both their lives were short, and they couldn’t see you."

"Don’t worry, Grandpa and Grandma are always watching over us from above; they’re always protecting my Dad and me. You see, the two of us have made it through. In the future, we’ll often visit Grandpa and Grandma’s graves and talk to them. They’ll surely be happy knowing we’re all together."

Mr. Cheng looked at Zhou Jiao with a smile, having heard much about her. Seeing her in person now, she indeed resembles her Grandma. Her tone and ability to comfort others are exactly alike.

Mr. Lin nudged Mr. Cheng next to him, proudly saying, "How about it? Isn’t my Jiao Jiao quite exceptional? Doesn’t she look like a lady of a great family? I wasn’t exaggerating, was I?"

Mr. Cheng laughed heartily, jokingly patting him, "That’s good lineage; what are you proud of? She’s not from your rough lot." Then, unable to help but nod, "You haven’t seen Gu Mingzhu. If Jiao Jiao goes to Shangjing City, those older generations would immediately say she’s the offspring of Zhou Jinyu and Gu Mingzhu. Just seeing her, they’d know without need for evidence."

Mr. Lin asked doubtfully, "Really that alike? Are you sure your wife isn’t seeing things?"

Zhou Jiao heard Mr. Cheng and her grandpa laughing loudly and smiled as she called out, "Grandpa, are you here too? Is the person next to you my Auntie Grandpa? Just by hearing your laughter, I know you two are old friends with deep feelings. Our family truly has these connections."

Mr. Lin proudly pointed at Mr. Cheng, "Indeed, old buddies. Jiao Jiao, remember our ancestors are close; don’t just see your Auntie Grandpa as a scholar and assume you’re in his camp."

Zhou Jiao nodded with a smile, happily saying, "We’re all family. The three of us are all in the same group. Auntie Grandma, look at the things in the basket, and see if there’s anything missing. I’ll have your grandson-in-law seek it out."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Guoqing removed the cloth from the basket. Old Mrs. Cheng reached in to rummage through it, happily nodding, praising them, "You two have prepared everything so thoroughly. I almost forgot."

Zhou Jiao saw everything was ready, and with the clan leader and elder waiting, she nodded to her father.

Zhou Xiaozheng supported Old Mrs. Cheng into the courtyard of the ancestral hall. According to the clan leader’s wishes, the outsiders were allowed to watch, as he carried the basket and led his wife, daughter, and son-in-law inside.

They placed the offerings, lit candles, and after worshipping the Zhou ancestors, the four knelt before the many memorial tablets to listen to the clan leader recount the Zhou family’s history. Once finished, they lit incense, illuminated the descendants’ lamps, and began recording in the family registry.

After completing a series of procedures, the Zhou Family members and others from the Cheng Family gathered outside were relieved. With the family registry completed, the event also came to a close.

Among the Zhou Family villagers, someone muttered, "Why didn’t anyone from Old Zhou Family come out?"

A familiar person next to him gently nudged him and shook his head, both glanced at each other and chuckled, shaking their heads.

The Zhou Clan Leader saw the event concluded and invited them, "It’s almost lunch time. We’ve got everything prepared. Please come to my house for a bite first."

Having just emerged from the solemn atmosphere, Zhang Guoqing saw the Zhou Clan Leader inviting them and quickly said, "Grandpa, we really can’t go to your place at noon. My mom instructed us early on, we’ve everything prepared at home too. You all must come over to our house to join in the fun. Don’t compete with me for guests."

The clan leader listened and glanced at several clan elders, "We should just let it be and not join in the excitement. When you’re free, come sit at our place. Xiaozheng, this is your home. Don’t forget there are clan members here. If anything comes up, remember to call on everyone."

Zhou Xiaozheng nodded and bowed to the clan leader and elders, "Thank you all for your hard work today. I always remember I’m a Zhou Family member, coming from Zhou Family Village. If there’s any difficulty in the future, let me know; I’ll do my best to help. As long as the Zhou Family’s main branch exists, we’ll never forget how the old clan leader thoughtfully aided the main branch back then. Even if I’m not here, there’s my daughter Zhou Jiao, and my son-in-law Zhang Guoqing, who will surely help if needed."

The clan leader and elders nodded in satisfaction, smilingly seeing them off as they drove away, each letting out a sigh.

An elder angrily said, "That Zhou Jianren household, a bunch of good-for-nothings didn’t come to the ancestral hall today. Not taking the chance to say a few words to the main branch, are they planning to cut ties?"

The clan leader sighed softly, "Let it be. They’ve always made things difficult, and they know even if they come pleading, it won’t work. Zhou Xiaozheng and his daughter are sentimental but not foolish. They won’t pursue it, not wanting those gold and silver, and are clearly cutting ties. You see, the Zhou Family’s eldest son has been released; that’s repaid all favors. Even if they come, do you think Zhou Jiao, that girl, would pay them any mind? If something happens in the old clan leader’s house, they might help. If Old Zhou Family encounters major issues, we can still look for help. That family is getting what they deserve, not contributing and saying unpleasant things these years."

A nearby elder sneered, "They deserve it. The main branch has been supporting them since Zhou Jianren’s father’s time to now. Truly, there’s only resentment, not gratitude. Back then, when Zhou Jianren returned to raise Zhou Xiaozheng, it was mainly due to the old clan leader’s intervention and the Gu Family’s assets."