Zhou Xiaoming's expression froze for an instant before shifting into one of surprise. "Really? Last time, Chaoyang also mentioned meeting someone who looked like Xiaocheng. So you actually found him?"

Seeing that there was no use hiding the truth any longer, Zhou Zhennan motioned for Zhou Xiaoming to sit down and explained everything—how Zhou Huai'an had been switched at birth.

Zhou Xiaoming stood up, unable to believe what he was hearing. "Dad, is this true? Could there be some kind of misunderstanding?"

Zhou Zhennan shook his head. "It's true. Your mother has already been to Zhou Village and met your biological parents. They admitted everything."

Li Yunlan suddenly spat out, "Pah! I am not your mother. Your mother is Wang Fenglan, your father is Zhou Mancang. Go back to them—go now. I want my son back."

Zhou Zhennan held Li Yunlan's wrist firmly, afraid she might do something rash. He looked at Zhou Xiaoming. "The investigation is clear. We will treat Huai'an as our own son."A child of the Zhou family should naturally return to the Zhou family.

Zhou Xiaoming's face turned ashen. Deep down, he had always known how much the Zhous valued blood ties. They could be shockingly calm—even cold—when it came to matters of principle.So of course, once they discovered Zhou Huai'an, they would bring him home. But that meant he would have to return to that backward village and acknowledge those peasant parents as his own.What's more, the Zhous would surely hold a banquet and make a formal announcement to clarify Zhou Huai'an's identity.How would it look if he stayed in Beijing? What would his colleagues and everyone who knew him think?

He clenched his slightly trembling hands. "Dad, you should recognize him. He is your biological son, after all. I've occupied his place for thirty years—that's long enough. Don't worry, I'll move out in the next few days."If only I had gotten rid of Zhou Huai'an for good earlier, he thought bitterly. Zhou Huai'an should have ended up like Zhou Xiaocheng—dead and gone.

Zhou Xiaohong grew emotional. She grabbed Zhou Xiaoming's arm and turned to her parents. "Mom, Dad, this isn't Big Brother's fault! He's innocent too. You raised him for thirty years—how can you have no feelings for him? Are you really going to disown him?"

Zhou Zhennan frowned. "Xiaoming is thirty years old. He's started a family and built a career. We've helped him as much as we can. He'll be fine on his own from here."His words aligned surprisingly with Li Yunlan's stance: to accept Zhou Huai'an, they must cut ties with Zhou Xiaoming. There would be no lingering contact, not even as distant relatives.Their position had to be clear, and it had to be made public.

Zhou Xiaohong shook her head in disappointment. "Dad, you're being so cruel. What did Big Brother do wrong? He's contributed to this family too. We used to be a happy family—and now, just because Zhou Huai'an shares your blood, you're willing to abandon the son you raised for thirty years? You're heartless! You'd grow attached to a cat or a dog if you kept it that long, let alone a person!Is blood really that important? You have no idea—Zhou Huai'an said himself he doesn't want to recognize us. He was cold and distant. Who knows what he's really thinking?Everyone wants a well-off family they can rely on. Why doesn't he want us? He's trying to gain leverage by playing hard to get. Why are you letting him manipulate you?Dad, you've always thought you were so clever. But do you know what Zhou Huai'an's wife, Lin Xiaoxiao, told me? She said Big Brother went to Longbei to kill Zhou Huai'an and frame him for it."

A flicker of shock passed through Zhou Xiaoming's eyes, but he quickly feigned disbelief. "How could that be? I only went to Longbei because a document was missing from the archives I manage. I never even saw anyone who looked familiar."

Li Yunlan shot a cold glance at Zhou Xiaoming, snorted in disdain, and stood up to leave for her room.Zhou Zhennan frowned at Zhou Xiaoming and Zhou Xiaohong, then hurried after his wife. He knew Li Yunlan's emotions were unpredictable—often calm when others were angry, only to grow agitated when everyone else had settled down.

The living room was suddenly left with only Zhou Xiaoming and Zhou Xiaohong. Neither spoke; the atmosphere was tense and heavy.

After a long silence, Zhou Xiaohong looked at Zhou Xiaoming with tear-filled eyes. "Big Brother, I believe you. You would never do something so cruel."

Zhou Xiaoming was caught off guard—he hadn't realized Zhou Huai'an was already investigating him. Suppressing his panic, he forced a weak smile."It's alright. As long as Mom and Dad are happy, that's what matters. I should go. Please don't make things harder for them. Let them know that whatever they decide, I'll respect their choice."

Zhou Xiaohong, her eyes red, walked Zhou Xiaoming to the door. "Big Brother, don't worry. I'm sure they'll come around. They're just emotional right now."

Zhou Xiaoming smiled faintly. "Don't be sad. No matter what, I'll always be your big brother. If you need anything, come find me. And I'll always care for Mom and Dad."He turned and left, leaving Zhou Xiaohong with a heart-wrenching view of his lonely – retreating figure.It only made her cry harder.

Back in the bedroom, Li Yunlan began frantically pulling out drawers and cabinets.Zhou Zhennan grew concerned about her mental state. "Yunlan, what are you doing?"

"Where's my gun?" she muttered, not fully lucid. "I'm going to shoot Wang Fenglan. And Zhou Xiaoming—how dare he try to hurt my son!"

Zhou Zhennan had thought she was unaffected by what Zhou Xiaohong said earlier. It turned out her reaction was just delayed—and more intense.He hurried over and held her. "Yunlan, calm down. Please, calm down. We haven't looked into what happened yet. Besides, you turned in your gun long ago. You need to stay calm."

But Li Yunlan was relentless. "What's left to investigate? By the time we finish, my son could be dead! I'm sure what they said is true. No wonder Huai'an was so cold toward me—it must be because of Zhou Xiaoming! That ungrateful snake! I'll kill him, then I'll kill Wang Fenglan!"She spoke through gritted teeth. "I'll kill every one of them. Anyone who hurts my son will pay."

Zhou Zhennan held his wife tightly. To outsiders she might seem rational, but he knew she was having an episode."Okay, okay. When the time comes, I'll go with you. But first, let's calm down and have some water. Then I'll take you to see Huai'an, alright?"

Mentioning Zhou Huai'an seemed to steady her. "He's a good boy... just like Xiaocheng. They're both good boys. We'll bring him home. He's never eaten a meal I cooked. How could I forget to cook for him? My cooking is good."

Zhou Zhennan spoke gently. "Once I ask for leave, we'll go together. We'll cook for him together, alright?"

Li Yunlan gradually relaxed, her mind clearing a little. "Zhou Xiaohong is a traitor. Don't talk to her. And you—look into what Zhou Xiaoming really did in Longbei."

Just then, Zhou Xiaohong pushed the door open and burst into tears. "Mom, how can you say that? I was only trying to be fair. Why do you always blame me?"