At that time, Zhou Chunping only knew from Lao Ke that the child's name was "A Xin". Lao Ke didn't know when the danger would pass, and he didn't dare to reveal the true identity of the child or himself to Zhou Chunping.
After Zhou Chunping brought his family to Sanhe Town, he simply followed the naming convention of his sons and named Zhou Xinyu Zhou Zhixin.
For so many years, Zhou Xi's people had been searching for Zhou Chunping in the city, but they didn't expect Zhou Chunping to be so ruthless that he actually gave up his city resident status and moved his family to the countryside. The search was in the wrong direction, which was why Zhou Xi hadn't found Zhou Zhixin for so many years.
During the first month of the year, after Zhou Xi got news about Zhou Zhixin at Wen Yiran's house, he personally went to Zhoujia Village.
Wu Jinfeng, frightened by Zhou Xi, pulled out the small dress Zhou Zhixin had worn when he first visited the Zhou family. Zhou Xi personally bought all the clothes for the Zhou family, and especially Zhou Zhixin's small dress, which he had carefully selected. After seeing it, Zhou Xi was certain of Zhou Zhixin's identity.
After Zhao Qingshan and Li Dafu went to the Zhou family to ask for an explanation, the story of Zhou Chunping and his two biological sons conspiring to kill his adopted son Zhou Zhixin for money spread throughout Sanhe Town. Zhou Xi made a few inquiries in Sanhe Town and learned about the moral character of Zhou Chunping and his son.
After confirming Zhou Zhixin's identity, Zhou Xi was furious and secretly used some tricks to cause trouble for Zhou Chunping's family before returning to Kyoto City. However, these are all later stories and will not be mentioned here for the time being.
After Zhou Chunping and his son were taken to the police station, Lao K escaped from the police station. Lao K's case was also related to the case of Ma Shengli defrauding the supply and marketing cooperative of materials. Because of Lao K, Zhou Chunping and his son suffered a lot in the police station.
After Zhou Chunping and his son were released, they hated Old K and that "noble man." In Zhou Chunping's opinion, if it weren't for Old K and that "noble man"'s inducement, how could their family still be living a good life now and end up being despised by everyone?
Therefore, when Zhou Xi came to investigate Zhou Zhixin, Zhou Chunping did not hide anything and explained the whole cause and effect of the matter to Zhou Xi clearly.
After Zhou Xi inquired about the appearance of the nobleman Zhou Chunping had mentioned, he understood. No wonder two of Zhou Xi's men, who were looking for him, hadn't been heard from since last year. The nobleman Zhou Chunping was referring to was none other than General Zhou's adopted grandson, Zhou Nianxin. Apparently, Zhou Nianxin had known Zhou Zhixin's identity in advance and was planning to eliminate him before Zhou Xi and his men could discover him.
Zhou Xi had always known Zhou Nianxin to be ruthless, but he had never imagined he could be so bold. Everyone in the Zhou family, including the guards, knew that General Zhou's greatest wish in life was to find his missing grandson.
General Zhou's family wealth was not great. When he joined the revolution, he sold all his property and donated it to the revolutionary cause. Over the years, Zhou Xi had spent all his salary on medicine to maintain General Zhou's health, leaving little behind.
Zhou Xi guessed that Zhou Nianxin was attracted by the power in General Zhou's hands. Over the years, General Zhou had fought for his country and his people, risking his life several times, and he was very prestigious in China.
General Zhou had picked up Zhou Nianxin in Qingshan City 28 years ago. At the time, Zhou Nianxin was only a teenager, but he was already very sensible and thoughtful.
Zhou Xi always felt that Zhou Nianxin had bad intentions. When General Zhou wanted to adopt Zhou Nianxin, Zhou Xi tried to persuade him, but General Zhou was determined to do so, so Zhou Xi couldn't persuade him anymore. Zhou Xi didn't dare to say another thing. After all, General Zhou was alone, and with Zhou Nianxin around, at least he would have someone to pay tribute to him a hundred years later.
When Zhou Nianxin was just an adult, he told General Zhou that he wanted to join the army for training, but was rejected by General Zhou. In General Zhou's opinion, Zhou Nianxin's personality was not suitable for the army at all. Zhou Nianxin was too smart and not brave enough, so he was only suitable for civilian work.
Zhou Nianxin wanted to join the army so he could take over General Zhou's rank. The position of Grand Marshal of the Three Armies represented not only supreme honor, but most importantly, power. Over the years he had served General Zhou, Zhou Nianxin had witnessed the respectful treatment of several high-ranking Chinese officials. This made him envious and even more eager for the position of Grand Marshal of the Three Armies.
General Zhou rejected Zhou Nianxin's request and assigned him to the public security department. Although Zhou Nianxin did not object, Zhou Xi discovered many problems from Zhou Nianxin's private actions over the years.
Zhou Nianxin relied on his own cleverness, and more importantly, on the perception of others as General Zhou's only heir. Many, out of respect for General Zhou, treated him with favor. After joining the Ministry of Public Security, Zhou Nianxin rose through the ranks at a rapid pace, becoming one of its vice ministers before the age of 40.
Seeing Zhou Nianxin's growing desire for power, all Zhou Xi could do was try his best to control Zhou Nianxin's hands. As for Zhou Nianxin's private actions, Zhou Xi tried his best to deal with them without bothering General Zhou.
After knowing Zhou Nianxin's hostility towards Zhou Zhixin, Zhou Xi returned to Kyoto from Sanhe Town. He did not tell General Zhou about Zhou Zhixin, but transferred Zhou Zhixin to the Kyoto Guard Regiment without telling Zhou Nianxin and General Zhou.
During these days, Zhou Xi resisted the desire to meet Zhou Zhixin and secretly observed Zhou Zhixin.
Zhou Xi had many concerns in his mind.
Although Zhou Zhixin is General Zhou's bloodline, Zhou Xi fears he might be the next Zhou Nianxin. Zhou Nianxin isn't the general's bloodline, so even if he's a bit cold-hearted, Zhou Xi can still comfort himself with the idea that people's hearts are hidden. But Zhou Zhixin is different. If Zhou Zhixin turns out to be a bad person, it would be a huge blow to General Zhou. Zhou Zhixin is General Zhou's most cherished concern, and when this cherished grandson turns out to be so different from the image he had in his mind, Zhou Xi fears General Zhou's health won't be able to withstand it.
After two months of observation, Zhou Xi was certain that Zhou Zhixin had a good character. Every time he saw Zhou Zhixin's face, which bore a striking resemblance to General Zhou's youth, Zhou Xi wanted to tell him the truth. After all, the general's health was failing. Over the years, Zhou Xi had wondered if the general could see his lost grandson sooner, perhaps his desire to live would be stronger.
"Ah Xi! Is there something you want to tell me? You seem so worried these days. Is Nian Xin in trouble again?" General Zhou finally spoke. Over the years, Zhou Xi had often been by General Zhou's side. General Zhou knew Zhou Xi as well as Zhou Xi knew him.
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