Atlas of Heaven and Man.

Chapter 998: There is a heavy door in the hall

Cheng Zitong saw someone coming out, looked up and saw a burly middle-aged man. He recognized this man as his cousin Cheng Zicheng, the eldest son of his uncle 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 leisurely, "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 are not joking, 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 did not 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 it before?"

Ni Qianqian said: "Because this son is the 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 is said that the eldest son of this old man Cheng is extremely talented and gifted. The Cheng family's long-cherished hope is likely to be realized in him, but later on, for some reason, he died young. It seems that this incident dealt a heavy blow to the 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 way of fighting.

I heard that Manager Cheng has been working very hard, but his talent is there, so how can he improve just by saying so? It’s just that the old Cheng family had too high expectations of him, and he could never meet them. He was always gossiped about by some people, and finally he went out to make a living on his own, but he was not allowed to do this or that, and was strictly controlled by the family rules. It is said that Manager Cheng had to leave the central city because of this, and he rarely interacted with the old Cheng family since then. "

The female colleague said sympathetically: "It's not easy to become 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 taught 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. You know who Director Cheng's student is, but you don't treat him well. If you don't give Director Cheng face, you should give Director Chen face, right?"

The female colleague said, "Well, what's so confusing about this? Even an honest judge can hardly judge family affairs. If I were the old man, would I have to bow to my son? In the eyes of the Cheng family, the son of Mr. Cheng is not here to celebrate his birthday, but to compete with him."

Captain Li nodded, "That makes sense."

Ni Qianqian said excitedly: "We have no right to control 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 someone bring some food, drinks, tables and chairs.

Cheng Zitong said, "Xiao Cheng, what do you mean?"

The middle-aged man sighed and said, "Third brother, I know that after you left the central city, you have always been resentful towards your family and the old man."

"Hey, stop talking nonsense." Cheng Zitong put on his sunglasses, "I didn't. I said that you all seemed to be treating me as an enemy. Is it 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 shown up for so many years. It's the old man's 80th birthday, and you came to greet him. Those who don't know will think it's nothing, but those who know will think you are trying to show off to the old man. And this is on the old man's 80th birthday. Isn't this a joke to outsiders?
Just now, you should have seen that there are many eyes outside staring at us, 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 come 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 too much! What did Brother Tong do to you? He didn't let him in when you were celebrating your birthday just now, saying that he needed an invitation. Now he won't let him celebrate your birthday 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, but 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 bad about you, but what you said is too unreasonable. If you say so, I, Cheng Zitong, will have to hide behind every time I encounter such a big day? What's the matter? Do you think I, Cheng Zitong, have brought shame to the Cheng family?"

"Third brother, I have 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 begging you 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 have to take a good look around and look for those memories of the past." The middle-aged man shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, third brother, please stay here first."

Cheng Zitong took a look and said suddenly, "I see. This is because I am not allowed to show my face in front of others." He looked outside and said, "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 the use of fists."

The middle-aged man immediately became alert. He knew that Cheng Zitong knew some crooked things. Although he was not afraid, it would affect the birthday banquet. 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 mess around."

Cheng Zitong smiled and said, "I won't mess around." He walked to the side and pointed at the gift he was carrying. "But I don't have to go in. You have to bring this birthday gift to the old man for me and hand it over 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 bring it to you, 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 portion 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, then asked a few disciples to guard the door.

Cheng Zitong looked at Xiao Ke who was standing there in a sullen manner and said, "Sit down. What are you doing standing there?"

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 from the first sip that it is made from the water from the 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, "Arrange? What arrangements can there be? The old man is not as petty as some of the old Cheng family, but the old man is too disciplined in doing things. When I see him later, I may have to be patient."

Cheng Zicheng came out from the side courtyard and walked towards the main hall with things. He saw six large tables here, three of which were already full of people.

Cheng Zhou was wearing an old-style birthday man's suit and sitting on the main seat. His short hair was slightly gray, but each strand stood up like a brush.

Although he is old, he is in very good spirits, especially his eyes, which are bright and lively. He sits there with his body straight. Except for some elderly people who have got married, the rest sitting next to him are almost all fighters of the third level.

When Cheng Zicheng arrived, he was talking to a few old men with crutches. His fellow apprentice Fan Shoulu and his disciple Qiao Linhu were accompanying him.

Seeing that they were talking excitedly, Cheng Zicheng stopped for a moment, asked someone to deliver the gifts he had brought to the side hall, and waited on the side.

When the two sides stopped talking and each picked up a teacup to drink tea, he took a step forward. But after only two steps, a young man from Chengjia walked in quickly, "Old man, the leader of 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. They 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 and not as strong as before, his status and seniority are still there, and he can take the initiative to send a gift, which is a great honor.

It's just that they didn't have much interaction with the Tianshu Gang in the past, but this year they came to give gifts. This is...

Some people are confused, 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)