Seeing someone step outside, Cheng Zitong looked up and caught sight of a burly, middle-aged man. He recognized him as his cousin Cheng Zicheng—the eldest son of his eldest uncle, and currently the oldest member across both generations of the Cheng family.
Walking up, the man said, "Third Brother, long time no see. Come, follow me inside. Let's not stand here blocking the way. It looks bad, and it makes us a laughingstock for everyone else."
Cheng Zitong eyed him, slipped off his decorative glasses, and remarked in a leisurely tone, "Xiao Cheng, after all these years, that broad plate of a face hasn't changed one bit. But what kind of talk is that? Am I a joke, or is someone else?"
The middle-aged man shook his head. "You're not a joke, but you know what I mean. Give your second brother some face—don't block the entrance. Come inside and hear me out for a minute or two. Surely that's not too much to ask?"
This time, Cheng Zitong did not refuse. "Fine. It really has been a long time since we brothers caught up. We can chat a bit before I see the old man. Xiao Ke, let's go."
"Right away!" Xiao Ke answered cheerfully.
The middle-aged man turned around and waved for the bystanders to return to their tasks. Cheng Zitong then led Xiao Ke inside behind him.
Out in the parking lot, Ni Xixi and her two companions exchanged glances. Knowing there was bound to be more drama once they went in, they promptly stepped out of their vehicle.
After shutting the car door, Captain Li went to the trunk to retrieve their gifts, asking at the same time, "Officer Ni, earlier you mentioned Old Master Cheng had another son. How come I never heard about him before?"
Ni Xixi replied, "Because that son is a sore point for the Cheng family, so everyone tries to avoid bringing him up. Sigh, it's the old man's big birthday today; I really shouldn't be gossiping about this—"
Her female colleague grabbed her arm and pleaded, "Sister Ni, we haven't even gone through the front door yet, so there's no taboo to break. Just tell us!"
"All right, I'll tell you then," Ni Xixi said. "Supposedly, Old Master Cheng's eldest son possessed overwhelming natural talent and extraordinary ability. The hopes the Cheng family had harbored for generations were almost certain to be realized through him. But later on, for some unknown reason, he died young. That was apparently a devastating blow to the entire family. Afterward, the old man seemed to place great expectations on Supervisor Cheng instead.
"Only Supervisor Cheng... well, he seemed rather mediocre when it came to combat.
"From what I hear, Supervisor Cheng always worked quite hard, but talent is talent. How could it just improve because someone wanted it to? The family's expectations for him were simply too high. He could never meet them and was constantly subjected to petty gossip behind his back. Eventually, he went out to forge his own path, but they forbade this and restricted that, holding him tightly by family rules.
"They say that in the end, Supervisor Cheng had no choice but to leave Center City over the matter, and after that, he rarely kept in touch with the Cheng family."
Her female colleague said sympathetically, "Then Supervisor Cheng didn't have it easy either."
Captain Li remarked, "He didn't have it easy, but aren't we having it even harder? Don't forget, Supervisor Cheng managed to train a truly outstanding student."
The female colleague nodded repeatedly. Calling him outstanding was an understatement; he was practically soaring through the heavens, wasn't he?
Captain Li pondered for a moment. "Wait, that doesn't add up. If they clearly know who Supervisor Cheng's student is, why aren't they properly entertaining him? Even if they don't care about Supervisor Cheng's face, they should at least give face to Section Chief Chen, right?"
The female colleague said, "Oh, what's there not to understand? Even an upright magistrate can hardly settle family disputes. If I were the old man in this situation, could I possibly bow my head to my own son? To the Cheng family, this son didn't come to offer birthday greetings—he obviously came to assert himself."
Captain Li nodded. "Makes sense."
Ni Xixi said excitedly, "Whatever the Cheng family thinks isn't our concern. Come on, let's deliver the birthday gift first and head in to see what happens."
Inside the grand residence, the middle-aged man led Cheng Zitong into a fairly spacious side room and had staff bring in dishes, drinks, tables, and chairs.
Cheng Zitong asked, "Xiao Cheng, what's the meaning of this?"
The middle-aged man sighed. "Third Brother, I know that ever since you left Center City all those years ago, you've harbored resentment toward the family and the old man."
"Hey, don't talk nonsense," Cheng Zitong replied, adjusting his dark glasses. "I harbor nothing of the sort. You're all treating me like an enemy to guard against—is there really any need for that? I came today with sincere intentions to wish the old man a happy birthday."
The middle-aged man adopted a solemn expression. "Third Brother, I know you took on a good student. Every prominent group knows about it, too. But you also know full well that they all remember the fallout between you and the old man back then."
He paused briefly. "You haven't shown your face in all these years. Now, on the old man's eightieth birthday, you turn up to pay your respects. People who don't know any better won't think much of it, but those who do will assume you're here to rub salt in his wounds and flaunt your prestige. And on his eightieth birthday, no less! Wouldn't that make us a laughingstock to outsiders?
"Just a moment ago, you must have seen it yourself—many pairs of eyes outside were watching us, practically begging for our Cheng family to make a fool of itself."
He continued in an earnest, heartfelt tone, "Third Brother, take your brother's advice and don't enter the main hall. If you truly came to wish him well, wait until the banquet is over, then see the old man in private. Don't put the family in an awkward spot where no one can step down gracefully."
Xiao Ke's blood boiled as he listened, and he could not hold back from bursting out, "I say, by what right? This is going too far! What did Tong-ge ever do to you? Just now you wouldn't let him past the gate to offer his greetings, demanding an invitation, and now you won't even let him pay respects to his face! Is he still the old master's son or not? Is he still your brother or not?"
He pointed straight at the middle-aged man's face. "Cheng Zicheng, I can't stand that self-righteous posture of yours, acting so high and mighty! Let me tell you, Tong-ge's student only had business today and couldn't make it—otherwise, would you dare block him? Would you?!"
The middle-aged man said nothing, merely looking at the two of them in silence.
Cheng Zitong patted Xiao Ke and said to the man, "Xiao Cheng, I don't mean to lecture you, but your words are completely unreasonable. Going by what you're saying, does that mean every time a major occasion like this comes around, I, Cheng Zitong, can only hide in the back? What's that about? Do you think I bring shame to the Cheng family?"
"Third Brother, I've said what needs to be said, and I trust you understand my point," the middle-aged man said in a deep voice. "Show some consideration for our elders, preserve the family's dignity. Consider it a favor to your second brother, just this once."
Cheng Zitong looked at him, then nodded. "Fine. But speaking of which, this is still my home, isn't it?" He gestured in a wide circle with his hand and looked in all directions. "Ah, I haven't been back in so many years. I ought to take a good walk around and dig up some old memories."
The middle-aged man shook his head. "My apologies, Third Brother. Please remain here for now."
Cheng Zitong gave him a look, then said with sudden realization, "I see. You won't even let me show my face in front of others." He glanced toward the doorway. "And what if I insist on stepping over this threshold today?"
The middle-aged man shook his head. "Third Brother, you did teach an outstanding student, but you yourself still aren't up to the task."
Cheng Zitong smiled. "Some things don't necessarily have to be settled with fists."
The middle-aged man instantly grew wary. He knew full well that Cheng Zitong possessed some unconventional tricks. Although he wasn't afraid himself, if it disrupted the birthday banquet, it would be disastrous. Stepping forward, he whispered, "Third Brother, it's the old man's big day, and there are so many guests here. Don't act recklessly."
Cheng Zitong said with a smile, "I won't act recklessly." He walked over to the side and pointed at the gifts they had brought. "I don't have to go in, but you must carry this birthday gift before the old man and deliver it into his hands personally."
The middle-aged man walked over, inspected the items, and saw they were ordinary presents. He nodded. "Third Brother, your second brother promises to deliver it to him. You can rest assured."
"Your word is good enough for me. All right, go on and attend to your business."
Cheng Zitong took a few paces, sat down on a chair, and tapped the table with his sunglasses. "Whatever dishes are served outside, bring me a portion of each here. Not a single one missing."
The middle-aged man said, "None will be missed." He called several people inside to carry out the birthday gifts, then posted several disciples outside the door to keep guard.
Cheng Zitong looked at Xiao Ke, who was brooding where he stood, and said, "Sit down. What are you standing there for?"
Xiao Ke said in frustrated disbelief, "Tong-ge, how can you swallow this?"
Cheng Zitong picked up the sweet dew from the table and took a couple of sips. "Mm, this sweet dew is quite nice. One taste and you can tell it still comes from that old well. Xiao Ke, aren't you going to have some?"
Xiao Ke raised his voice, "Tong-ge, I'm talking to you!"
Cheng Zitong rubbed his ear and said, "I'm listening. Shouting like that nearly made me deaf. What's the rush?" He smiled. "Don't worry, the old man will invite us inside soon enough."
Xiao Ke's spirits lifted at once. "Tong-ge, did you make some kind of arrangement?"
Cheng Zitong chuckled. "Arrangement? What arrangement could I make? The old man isn't as petty-minded as some people in the Cheng family. Still, he strictly adheres to rules, so when we see him in a bit, we might have to endure a little more."
Leaving the side courtyard, Cheng Zicheng carried the items toward the main hall. Inside, six large banquet tables were laid out, three of which were already filled with guests.
Cheng Zhou was seated at the head table, dressed in traditional birthday robes. His close-cropped hair was slightly graying, yet each strand stood upright like the bristles of a stiff brush.
Despite his advanced age, his vitality remained extraordinary—especially his eyes, which shone with piercing brightness. He sat with an unyielding, upright posture. Aside from several senior members of the Cheng family, almost everyone seated beside him was a third-limit fighter.
When Cheng Zicheng arrived, Cheng Zhou was conversing with several cane-bearing elders, while his junior martial brother Fan Shoulu and disciple Qiao Linhu accompanied them from the side.
Seeing that they were deep in an engaging conversation, Cheng Zicheng paused his steps. He had the attendants deliver the gifts to the side hall first, while he waited off to the side.
Only when the conversation on both sides tapered off and they picked up their teacups to drink did he step forward. But after taking only two paces, a Cheng family junior came hurrying in.
"Old Master, Chief Yu Hongming of the Tianshu Gang has sent men with birthday gifts!"
Yu Hongming?
Everyone seated stiffened.
Yu Hongming belonged to the same generation as Cheng Zhou's father, Cheng Yunbai, and the two had competed against each other in the past. Among that generation, Yu Hongming had been one of the very best. Had he not refused recruitment by the corporations and the government, thereby forfeiting access to advancing resources, he would have had an immense chance of becoming a martial artist.
Even though he was elderly now and his sinews and bones were no longer what they used to be, his status and seniority remained formidable. To proactively send birthday gifts was an immense show of respect.
Yet historically, they had almost no dealings with the Tianshu Gang. Why had gifts arrived this year? Could it be...?
Some looked bewildered, while others had already begun to deduce the reason.
Cheng Zhou set down his teacup and said in a grave voice, "Show them in."
Chapter 997