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Yating Yang

A Chinese man who accidentally discovered he was adopted 34 years ago during a family row has been doubly shocked to find that his biological sister lives just 500 metres away from him.
Zhang Lei, 36, an owner of an advertising company from Nanyang, Henan province in central China, always believed that he was the biological son of his adoptive parents.
His belief was reinforced by a baby photo in his wallet, which he always assumed was his own.
However, the truth came to light during a family conflict while his wife was pregnant. In a moment of anger, his adoptive mother revealed that he was not their biological son and even proposed the idea of tearing the family apart.

Following this revelation, Zhang moved out of his parents’ home. After his wife gave birth to their son, he began searching for his origins.
“My wife always told me, ‘At the very least, you should find out where you come from. No matter how your biological parents treated you, you need to know where your roots are,’” Zhang told state broadcaster CCTV.
Meanwhile, more than 100km away in Zaoyang, Hubei province, also in central China, a woman, Xiong Lianxian, had been tirelessly searching for her missing son, Liu Weiwei, for more than three decades.
Xiong explained that she and her husband once operated an oil shop and were frequently busy at work, leaving their daughter, Liu Yan, responsible for caring for her younger siblings, including her little brother, Liu Weiwei.

In 1991, the two-year-old Liu Weiwei was discovered missing after Liu Yan went out to fetch water. Police investigation concluded that he had been kidnapped.
The devastated family then embarked on a long and painful search for their son, but their efforts were in vain.
In 2015, Xiong’s husband passed away with a sense of deep regret.
However, the case took a significant turn in August 2024, when Zhang’s wife discovered an online platform called Xiao Zhenyu’s Search Studio and encouraged him to register his information.
Since Zhang had previously failed in DNA matches, the studio staff adopted a different method by analysing his ancestral background.
They successfully tracked more than 200 sets of relevant data and identified a man named Liu Tishun as a potential relative.
Through Liu Tishun, Zhang was finally connected with Xiong, confirming that he was, indeed, Liu Weiwei. A subsequent DNA test confirmed their biological relationship.

On reuniting with his birth family, Zhang was also stunned to learn that his biological sister, Liu Yan, had been living in Nanyang all along.
The two siblings had been separated by just 500 metres for 34 years and had never once crossed paths.
One online observer said: “500 metres apart, 34 years lost. Fate truly plays a game.”
“This is destiny. His sister had been living right next to him all along,” said another.


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China shop boss discovers he was adopted in family row, real sister lives 500 metres away

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Zhang helps his long-lost mother with her coat after their emotional reunion. Photo: CCTV

Zhang, right, enjoys a banquet with his biological family after more than three decades apart. Photo: CCTV

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