CHAPTER 294: CHAPTER 225: FATHER AND DAUGHTER SEEK CLUES

The main hall was filled to capacity with two large tables. As the atmosphere became livelier, everyone loosened up and started finding companions to toast with. Zhou Xiaozheng looked at Mr. Cheng, Mr. Lin, and his in-laws all enjoying themselves. At the other table, Old Mrs. Cheng had Lin Lishan and Mother Zhang accompanying her in a lively conversation. Zhou Xiaozheng secretly gave Zhang Guoqing a look, sneaking outside.

Leaving the main hall, Zhou Xiaozheng listened to the conversations inside, laughed heartily, sighed quietly, shook his head, and walked towards his daughter’s bedroom.

Thinking of how his Jiao Jiao had furrowed her brows, hesitant to speak just now, he felt uneasy leaving without saying a few words to her. While everyone was gathered in the main hall, it was the perfect time for the father and daughter to talk. If people in the main hall noticed his absence, with Xiao Wu, his son-in-law, he felt reassured.

Zhou Xiaozheng pushed open the outer guest room door, calling, "Jiao Jiao, have you rested yet? Daddy is here."

Zhou Jiao quickly ran outside, pulling him in, checking his face, and finding nothing unusual, she breathed a sigh of relief and complained, "Dad, why did you come back before finishing your food? I’m fine."

Zhou Xiaozheng playfully tapped her forehead, "You’re my daughter. Wouldn’t I know you have a belly full of questions for me now? Besides, Daddy needs to explain a few things to you. From now on, no matter what happens, keep your mind at ease. With your father around, there’s nothing to worry about."

Zhou Jiao glanced at him, pouting, "I know my father is formidable, but I just can’t rest assured, afraid you might miss details. Also, the clan elders and clan leader of Zhou Family Village, you didn’t have to say they wanted something from you. You don’t owe anything to their branch. Over the years, haven’t they realized how well we’ve been doing as father and daughter?

The clan leader even asked me today to persuade you to move the Beijing grave plot to Zhou Family Village. Do they think I’m stupid? The main house has never entered the branch house’s grave plot, just because today we entered the ancestral hall and added to the genealogy, they dare to ask. Do they think we are easy to bully?

I refused outright at the time. If it weren’t for wanting to clear our name as not being the branch house in Zhou Family Village, I wouldn’t want to enter the ancestral hall at all.

Our main house should have a place in the genealogy. It’s just that it can’t be found now. There was no opportunity to see the full genealogy today, but I will definitely transcribe it in the future and pass it on to the brothers later. Dad, you should really try to have a few brothers for me this time. I will personally guide them, and no matter what, we will restore the glory of our main house."

Zhou Xiaozheng laughed heartily at her words, followed her into the inner room, and after sitting down, "Silly girl, you really think your father is foolish? Those are just pleasantries. The branch of the old clan leader in Zhou Family Village, pay attention to them more. When they ask for help, see if you can help them. We can’t forget the old clan leader’s favor and his initial help to our house. Dad remembers he was especially kind to me. I reckon your grandmother trusted his character back then."

"Hm, I understand. The days ahead are long, I’ll have the chance to repay the favor, leave it to me. Dad, when you met Liu Xizhi, did Mrs. Lin know? When she found out we were from the Beijing Zhou Family, did she not react?"

Zhou Jiao didn’t believe that during the meeting of the two families, neither side would mention the Beijing Zhou Family. Old Sir Zhou often boasted about being from the Beijing Zhou Family. Wouldn’t Gu Ruyi get suspicious? Wouldn’t Mr. Zhou and his wife suspect something when they saw Gu Ruyi and met eyes with Gu Mingzhu? Just one step away, her dad could know the truth. Why Gu Ruyi acted this way? Considering the cold treatment she faced over the past 17 years, Zhou Jiao couldn’t help but question Gu Ruyi’s intentions.

Zhou Xiaozheng gave a cold laugh, "I’m sure they figured it out the first time they saw me, always asking where I’m from? Where did I grow up? All your uncles have met me. Who would believe they aren’t curious? They know I’m a descendant of the Beijing Zhou Family, would they not suspect? Even I didn’t notice the few similarities I share with her. As for finding your great-aunt, it was all through secret inquiries. Your great-aunt hasn’t gotten along with her for a long time, now I understand. No wonder the two families’ patriarchs were old partners, yet the families had little interaction."

Zhou Jiao nodded, lost in thought for a moment, "The Gu Family’s branches have enmity towards us. They were in Jiangnan back then, managing to stay out of trouble and maintain their wealth. There must have been some insider information, otherwise, Gu Ruyi wouldn’t dare acknowledge you. They have cold blood. Ignoring a cousin forty years ago and a granddaughter now. Holding onto our family savings, knowing you had an accident, and still refusing to let go. Gu Ruyi lacks character. Greedy, selfish, cold-hearted, all rolled into one, yet she’s smart. Make sure mom keeps her distance from her. There’s another matter I think you should know, so you won’t be caught off guard in the future.

The Gu family lost a daughter, Gu Ruyi’s younger sister. After some scandal, the Gu family didn’t acknowledge her and announced her death publicly, but in the end, her assets were all taken by the Gu family.

When my mom was eight, during a visit to the children’s group, she met her. They connected secretly, and nobody knew about it. The woman remained unmarried throughout her life and left a foreign estate to my mom before she died, while her remaining domestic assets were all seized by the Gu family. Last time mom came over, she left all the codes and keys with me, instructing me never to tell anyone, even if the Gu family brought up this person, to feign ignorance. She’s afraid you’ll make her hand everything over if you find out.

This issue always puzzled me; how did someone unmarried like her accumulate such a large fortune? She never went abroad during that time, how did she acquire that foreign inheritance? I’m mentioning this now to ponder where exactly our Gu family’s wealth ended up back then?"

Zhou Xiaozheng nodded, "I’m aware of the Gu family’s situation now. Since your mom told you to keep it secret, worrying I’d make her hand it over, you shouldn’t tell her I know. It seems your father has a good image. I will soon rush back to Beijing to solve identity problems, can’t stay long here. There might still be Gu family estates left, but for now, don’t try to find them. Even if you do, don’t reveal anything. Once I return to Beijing and declare my identity, who knows how many people will be watching secretly. Maybe someone is already scheming, so I plan to formalize and publish a donation document to prevent any future issues."

Zhou Xiaozheng thought for a moment, continuing with the history of Zhou Family, Gu Family, and Cheng Family. Finally, he told Zhou Jiao, who was frowning, "The Cheng family has two sons, Cheng Sijin and Cheng Siyu, and a daughter, Cheng Ruzhu. Based on the ongoing search and names, it seems they still have some affection and loyalty to us for now. We’ll see about future matters, and you should weigh your interactions with them. For now, they don’t expect us to be an asset for the Cheng family. Both Cheng family sons have bright futures and excellent character."

Zhou Jiao understood, "I get your point. I trust great-aunt, and we’ll see about the rest. Being able to rush military dispatch overnight is a sign of loyalty."