Chapter 998: The Hall Has a Heavy Door
Cheng Zitong saw someone coming out and looked up, seeing a burly middle-aged man. He recognized this man as his cousin Cheng Zicheng, his uncle's eldest son and the oldest of the two generations in the Cheng family.
After the man came out, he said, "Third brother, long time no see. Come, follow me in. Let's not block the way here. It's not nice and will make others laugh at us."
Cheng Zitong looked at him, took off his decorative glasses, and said slowly, "Xiao Cheng, I haven't seen you for so many years, and your big face hasn't changed at all. Am I making a joke? Or who is the joke?"
The middle-aged man shook his head. "You're not kidding, but you know what I mean. Give Second Brother a favor and don't block the door. Come in and listen to what Second Brother has to say. Is that okay?"
Cheng Zitong didn't refuse this time and said, "Okay, we haven't seen each other for a long time. Let me chat with you before meeting the old man. Xiao Ke, let's go."
"Okay." Xiao Ke responded.
The middle-aged man turned around, waved his hand, and told the people around him to do their own things. Cheng Zitong followed Xiao Ke inside.
In the parking lot, Ni Qianqian and the other two looked at each other, knowing that there would be more to come inside, so they got out of the car immediately.
After Captain Li closed the car door, he went to the trunk to get something and said, "Secretary Ni, you just said that Mr. Cheng has a son. Why haven't I heard of this before?"
Ni Qianqian said, "Because this son is a knot in the old family's heart, everyone should try not to mention it. Hey, today is the old man's birthday, I shouldn't have said this..."
The female colleague hugged her hand and said, "Sister Ni, we haven't even entered the house yet. There's nothing taboo about it. Just tell me."
Ni Qianqian said, "Then I'll tell you. It's said that this old man Cheng's eldest son was incredibly gifted and talented, and the Cheng family's long-held hopes were very likely to be fulfilled in him. But then, for some unknown reason, he passed away young. It seems this event dealt a heavy blow to the entire Cheng family. Later, the old man seemed to have placed high hopes on Director Cheng, but Director Cheng... well, he seemed a bit mediocre in the martial arts field.
I heard that Director Cheng had been working very hard, but his talent was there, so how could he improve just like that? It was just that the Cheng family had too high expectations of him, and he never lived up to them. He was constantly gossiped about, and finally he went out on his own, but was forbidden to do this or that, and was strictly controlled by the family rules. It is said that Director Cheng was forced to leave the central city because of this, and he has rarely interacted with the Cheng family since then."
The female colleague said sympathetically, "It's not easy to be a supervisor."
Captain Li said, "It's not easy for him, but isn't it even harder for us? Don't forget that Supervisor Cheng has raised a good student."
The female colleague nodded repeatedly, saying, "This is what a good student is. This is too good to be true, right?"
Captain Li pondered for a moment, "That's not right. He knew who Director Cheng's student was, but he didn't treat him well. If not for Director Cheng, then for Director Chen, right?"
The female colleague said, "Well, what's so confusing about this? Even an incorruptible judge can hardly judge family affairs. If I were the old man, would I bow to my son? From the Cheng family's perspective, this son of Mr. Cheng isn't here to celebrate his birthday; he's clearly here to challenge him."
Captain Li nodded, "That makes sense."
Ni Qianqian said excitedly, "We don't care what the old Cheng family thinks. Let's go, give the birthday gifts first and then go in and take a look."
Inside the mansion, the middle-aged man brought Cheng Zitong to a fairly spacious side room and had some food, drinks, tables and chairs brought in.
Cheng Zitong said, "Xiao Cheng, what do you mean?"
The middle-aged man sighed and said, "Third brother, I know that after you left Central City, you have always felt resentful towards your family and the old man."
"Hey, stop talking nonsense." Cheng Zitong put on his sunglasses. "I didn't do that. I said you all acted like you were treating me like an enemy. Is that necessary? I came here today to sincerely wish the old man a happy birthday."
The middle-aged man said seriously, "Third brother, I know that you have accepted a good student, and everyone knows about it. But you also know that they all know about the dispute between you and the old man."
He paused. "You haven't been around for so many years. It's the old man's 80th birthday, and you're here to wish him a happy birthday. Those who don't know will think it's nothing, but those who do know will think you're trying to show off to the old man. And this is on his 80th birthday. Isn't this just a joke to outsiders?"
Just now, you should have seen that there are many pairs of eyes staring at us outside, hoping that we will make a fool of ourselves."
He said earnestly, "Third brother, listen to my advice and don't go into the main hall. If you really want to celebrate the birthday, wait until the birthday banquet is over and then meet the old man in private. Don't embarrass the family."
Xiao Ke was furious when he heard this and couldn't help but say, "I say, why? This is so bullying! What did Brother Tong do to you? He just didn't let him in when we were celebrating, saying he needed an invitation. Now he won't let him celebrate in person. Is he still the old man's son? Is he still your brother?"
He pointed at the middle-aged man's face and said, "Cheng Zicheng, I just can't stand your serious look. You act so arrogant. Let me tell you, only Brother Tong's student didn't come today because he had something else to do. Otherwise, would you dare to stop me? Do you dare?"
The middle-aged man didn't say anything, just looked at the two people in silence.
Cheng Zitong patted Xiao Ke on the shoulder and said to the middle-aged man, "Xiao Cheng, I'm not saying anything harsh about you, but what you said is really unreasonable. If you say so, then I, Cheng Zitong, will have to hide behind every time I encounter such a big day in the future? What's the matter? Do you think I, Cheng Zitong, have brought shame to the Cheng family?"
"Third brother, I've said what I need to say. I believe you understand what I mean." The middle-aged man said in a deep voice: "Please be considerate of the elders and take care of the dignity of the people at home. Even if it is Second Brother asking you for this once."
Cheng Zitong looked at him, nodded, and said, "Okay, but speaking of it, this is my home, right?" He drew a circle with his hand and looked around. "Hey, I haven't been back for so many years. I need to take a good look around and look back at those memories of the past."
The middle-aged man shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, Third Brother, please stay here for now."
Cheng Zitong took a look and said suddenly, "I see. This is because I'm not allowed to show my face in front of others." He glanced outside, "Then why do I have to cross this threshold today?"
The middle-aged man shook his head and said, "Third brother, you have taught a good student, but you yourself are not good enough."
Cheng Zitong smiled and said, "Some things don't necessarily require fists."
The middle-aged man immediately became alert. He knew that Cheng Zitong knew some crooked things. Although he himself was not afraid, it would affect the birthday party. He took two steps forward and whispered, "Third brother, it's the old man's birthday, and there are so many guests here, don't do anything rash."
Cheng Zitong smiled and said, "I won't do anything rash." He walked to the side and pointed at the gift he was carrying. "But I don't have to go in. You have to help me bring this birthday gift to the old man and hand it to him personally."
The middle-aged man walked over and took a look. Seeing that it was an ordinary thing, he nodded and said, "Third brother, second brother promised to help you get the things, you can rest assured."
"Just your words are enough. Okay, go and do your thing."
Cheng Zitong walked a few steps, sat down, and tapped the table with his sunglasses. "Whatever dish is served outside, give me one of each here. Not one less."
The middle-aged man said, "It won't be less." He called a few people in and walked out with the birthday gifts, and then asked a few disciples to guard the door.
Cheng Zitong looked at Xiao Ke, who was standing there looking unhappy, and said, "Sit down. What are you standing there for?"
Xiao Ke said angrily, "Brother Tong, how could you bear it?"
Cheng Zitong picked up the sweet dew on the table and took two sips. "Hmm, this sweet dew is good. I can tell it's made with water from the same old well. Xiao Ke, why don't you come and have a sip?"
Xiao Ke said loudly: "Brother Tong, I'm talking to you!"
Cheng Zitong rubbed his ears and said, "I'm listening. You're so loud that I'm almost deaf. Why are you so anxious?" He smiled and said, "Don't worry, the old man will invite us in later."
Xiao Ke suddenly perked up, "Brother Tong, do you have any plans?"
Cheng Zitong smiled and said, "Arrangements? What arrangements can there be? The old man is not as petty as some of the old Cheng family. However, the old man is very particular about the rules. I may have to be patient when I see him later."
Cheng Zicheng came out of the side courtyard and walked towards the main hall with his things. He saw six large tables set up here, three of which were already full of people.
Cheng Zhou was wearing an old-style birthday star suit and sitting on the main seat. His short hair was slightly gray, but it stood up like a brush.
Despite his age, he was in very good spirits, especially his eyes, which were bright and sparkling. He sat there with his body straight. Apart from some elderly people who had married, the rest sitting next to him were almost all fighters of the third level.
When Cheng Zicheng arrived, he was talking to a few elderly men with canes. His fellow apprentice Fan Shoulu and his disciple Qiao Linhu were also there to keep him company.
Seeing that they were talking excitedly, Cheng Zicheng stopped and asked someone to send the gifts to the side hall while he waited on the side.
When the two sides stopped talking and each picked up a cup to drink tea, he took a step forward. But after just two steps, a young man from the Cheng family walked in quickly and said, "Old man, the leader of the Tianshu Gang, Yu Hongming, sent someone to deliver a birthday gift."
Yu Hongming?
Everyone in the seat was startled. Yu Hongming and Cheng Zhou's father Cheng Yunbai were of the same generation and had even competed with each other before. However, Yu Hongming was one of the best figures of that generation. If he had not refused the recruitment of the company and the government and had no resources for advancement, he would have had a great chance of becoming a fighter.
Although he is old now and his muscles are not as strong as before, his status and seniority are still there. It is a great honor for him to take the initiative to send a gift.
It's just that they had no previous interactions with the Tianshu Gang, but this year they came to give gifts. This is...
Some people are puzzled, while others have already thought of some reasons.
Cheng Zhou put down the teacup and said in a deep voice, "You are welcome."
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(End of this chapter)
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