dhibooks Chapter 1572 - 1038: Acknowledging Kinship
Chapter 1572 - 1038: Acknowledging Kinship
Updated today.
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"Big Sister Xiao..." With an expression filled with emotion, Lin Yanqiu looked at Xiao Yufang, not knowing what to say. It turns out she’s always misinterpreted this woman!
Before this, she thought the other was a selfish woman who took her child and kept him under her wing, blocking his development.
She believed the other spoiled Zhu Jianwen not out of true love but as a sort of selfish possession. Now, it seems she has truly misunderstood this woman.
If one did not love a child to the core, how could one make such a choice now? Introspectively, if it were her, she probably couldn’t do it...
"Sister, I was wrong back then. It was because I saw your hesitation that I hastily took the child away. All these years, I have loved Jianwen deeply, partly because I truly treat him as my own son, and partly to make up for my guilt.
I believed that if we stayed another day, you’d definitely take the child back. Comparatively, living in a family like yours, the child would certainly receive more.
It was this worry that made me think to be twice as good to him. I stopped him from joining the military because I feared if anything happened, it would be like tearing flesh from my heart.
In the past few days, I’ve thought a lot and truly realized my selfishness. I treated him well and spoiled him based on my own thoughts, never considering what he wanted.
Seeing his regretful face holding the enlistment application, I felt especially pained inside. If he stayed with the Zhu family, he’d regret forever.
Whether he becomes a teacher or a soldier in the future, let him return to a military family like yours, where I believe he’ll be happier. Sister, I’m sorry, it was all my fault before; I sincerely hope you can accept this child and treat him well.
As for the thoughts of the Zhu family, you needn’t worry. Before coming here, our whole family had a discussion, and the opinion was unanimous. They’re not coming because..." Biting her lip, Xiao Yufang’s voice carried a trace of choking meaning, "they are not mentally prepared..." The subsequent sounds were completely replaced by sobbing...
By now, Lin Yanqiu’s emotions had also calmed down, and her thoughts became clear. She sighed, holding Xiao Yufang’s hand: "Big Sister Xiao, thank you for coming today to tell me these things.
To be honest, I’ve often thought about him over the years. Initially, I truly wanted to bring the child back; my father-in-law and husband actually went to look for him.
After returning, they told me the child was very well taken care of and told me to give up the idea to avoid stressing over two lives. I had no choice but to compromise, though my heart remained unsettled.
Thus, upon hearing news of the child, I immediately went to see him. Of course, I didn’t think of taking him back; otherwise, I wouldn’t have involved my daughter-in-law to help.
I was truly relieved once I saw him; the education he received from you was excellent in all aspects. Your decision greatly impressed me; not even a birth mother could possibly show such magnanimity, but..."
Pausing, Lin Yanqiu continued, "The child is nearly thirty years old; he has the right to decide for himself. Whatever he chooses, let him decide, all right?"
...
The moment Zhu Jianwen stepped into the Zhou household, Old Madam Zhou and Old Master Zhou both suddenly stood up.
The daughter-in-law already explained the truth to them over the phone. Despite being fully prepared mentally, upon actually seeing this child, they could barely contain their excitement!
This child looked too much like Xiaomi. If one didn’t look closely, it would be impossible to tell them apart; the two of them were basically carved from the same mold!
Looking at the couple staring blankly at him, Zhu Jianwen felt a tremor in his heart. Since childhood, he never doubted his identity until the recent visit from Lin Yanqiu and Lin Chuxia.
To say he had no doubts in his heart then would be lying. There are similar-looking people in the world, but to resemble someone to that degree and claim no connection at all—who’d believe it?
Yet, he was unwilling to doubt his family, so he convinced himself that it was just someone resembling him.
But, because of that photograph, the buried dream of being a soldier was reawakened.
Actually, that night, he noticed his mother standing by the door, observing him through the crack, but due to suppressed fear deep inside, he didn’t greet her.
A few days later, coming home from work, he noticed the family solemnly looking at him, saying they were holding a small meeting. He sensed something was up, wanted to refuse, but felt a faint anticipation.
Thus, he learned about his true origins; his parents and grandparents spoke without any concealment, helping him realize he wasn’t abandoned by his biological parents.
If accounting for faults, his mother held greater guilt, but years of care wouldn’t change solely due to blood ties.
As to whether the Zhu family would affect his future, he didn’t care. Over the years, he reached this point through his own efforts, and while he cherished a dream of military service, at his age, it seemed unrealistic.
Therefore, he straightforwardly refused the proposal to return to the Zhou family.
However, although he refused, back in his room, his mood remained restless. If he had been abandoned, he wouldn’t have any thoughts about his biological mothers, but knowing they always remembered and cared for him, thinking about the scene when his mother came looking for him, a dull ache emerged in his heart. Perhaps this is what they call mother-child soul connection?
Afterward, the thought of seeing his biological mother grew wildly in his mind. Despite attempts to control his emotions, his mother noticed.
He saw her sadness clearly, and it was evident that his actions hurt her, making him even more conflicted and lost.
Then one day, coming home, he found two additional people in the hall—his biological mother and sister-in-law, whom he had previously tested.
Ultimately, the family reached a consensus: he would stay with the Zhu family but would also reconnect with the Zhou family, being part of both families henceforth.
Standing now in the Zhou family’s hall, he still felt like he was dreaming, having never imagined his true identity was like this. Even though he hadn’t interacted with families of this stature before, just taking a look at the house layout and grandparents’ demeanor made him understand this was a side he would never reach before.
This also clarified why his parents and grandparents were so persistent; it demonstrated their deep love for him, or else, they would never let him know about this matter in a lifetime.
"Good! Good! Good!" Old Master Zhou said good three times, stepping forward to embrace Zhu Jianwen’s shoulder, patting strongly, "Good boy, you truly look like your brother. Come, sit down. See, your grandmother is so stunned seeing you."
"Yes... yes..." Old Madam Zhou trembled as she moved forward to grasp Zhu Jianwen’s hand, "Child, I know you’ve been living well these years, but... but grandmother still worries."
"Grandpa, Grandma, let’s sit and talk." Initially thinking he’d be too nervous to speak, Zhu Jianwen discovered upon opening his mouth that he felt a natural closeness to them.
"When you were little, your father and I met you..." Sighing, Old Master Zhou continued, "We intended to bring you back, but your grandmother and mother fiercely guarded you. Seeing their appearance proved they genuinely liked you, wouldn’t mistreat you. They were pitiful, and if we took you back indeed, that family might collapse, so we returned empty-handed.
These years, thoughts of visiting you came but were forcibly suppressed. We feared we wouldn’t let you stay there anymore just from watching.
And honestly, if we took you during your youth, life might not be better than with your adoptive parents, so child, the closest people to you will always be them.
However, when I say this, it’s not that the Zhou family doesn’t recognize you. Grandpa can promise that in this family, your position is the same as that of your elder brothers.
If your adoptive parents and grandparents have no objections, during holidays we could reunite; if they prefer otherwise, you must stay and accompany them..."
"All right, all right..." Old Madam Zhou impatiently interrupted him, "The child just came in, and you’re starting with a lecture..." She turned and fondly looked at the newly recognized grandson, "Jianwen, your dad, second uncle, aunt, third uncle, and eldest brother will return by afternoon. Child, please don’t misunderstand and think they don’t care; it’s truly a busy time making it tough to take leave."
Zhu Jianwen quickly laughed, "Grandma, I understand, I won’t misunderstand. Besides, we have plenty of time ahead, so there’s no rush, right?"
"That’s right, with us just getting acquainted, Grandma doesn’t know your temperament well, so she adopts the principle that more words are better than fewer to prevent misunderstandings. Please don’t think her distant."
"Rest assured, I won’t overthink..." Conversing with the old lady, Zhu Jianwen found his tension evaporated entirely. Truthfully, after hearing about Zhou family’s background from grandparents and parents, he prepared himself mentally. Unexpectedly, both Old Master and Old Madam Zhou were as down-to-earth as his adoptive grandparents! (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to qidian.com to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)