Back at the Cheng family house, Old Master Cheng was immediately surrounded by everyone in the room.
"Dad, look at the time, why are you coming back so late? We thought something happened to you." A middle-aged man in his fifties said with a frown.
"Yes, Old Master, why so late tonight? We almost sent people out to look for you!" Standing next to the middle-aged man was a woman of similar age with an elegant demeanor.
"Didnât I say I was having dinner outside tonight? Iâm not a child anymore. Whatâs the big deal about being a bit late? Iâm back now, arenât I?" Old Master Cheng looked at his eldest son and daughter-in-law, chuckling.
"Dad, did you drink?" A man in his forties stood aside, asking with furrowed brows.
Old Master Cheng felt a bit guilty and said, "No, I didnât. It was at dinner, someone at the next table knocked over a bottle, and some spilled on me!"
"Dad, I can smell alcohol on your breath, and you say you didnât drink, come on now!" The second in the Cheng family, Cheng Yaozong, laughed in disbelief.
"Exactly, you must have had some." The third, Cheng Yaoyao, added.
The fourth, Cheng Yaozu, always carefree, came up with a grin, wrapping an arm around the old manâs neck, saying, "Old man, what did you drink? Let me smell!" He sniffed like a dog and said, "Hmm, itâs Huadiao, less than five years old."
Old Master Cheng slapped him away, saying, "Go, go, are you a dog? Yes, I did drink, just two small cups of Huadiao. So what? Back in my day, I carried guns and faced cannons, and I canât even drink now?"
He glared at the glory-seeking Yaozu, his beard almost bristling with anger.
"Dad, the doctor advised you not to drink too much; youâve just had a gastrectomy not long ago, your stomach canât handle it!" Cheng Yaoguang said.
"I just had a couple of sips, itâs a rare happy occasion, and here I am, lively and energetic." Old Master Cheng muttered with a guilty conscience, "Even if I wanted to have more, people around wouldnât let me, just like you boys."
"People? Who are these people?" Cheng Yaozu quickly caught the key point.
Old Master Cheng smiled and said, "I made a new friend today, a young lady also with the last name Cheng, her first name is Su."
"Oh wow, a new friend, Old Master, youâre not thinking of finding us a little stepmother, are you?" Cheng Yaozu exclaimed.
Old Master Cheng kicked over and said, "Get your mind out of the gutter! Sheâs a good girl, already married!"
Cheng Yaozu chuckled foolishly.
Cheng Yaoguang and the second in command exchanged glances; to make the old man break his no-drinking rule, this so-called Miss Cheng, whatâs her story, is it a deliberate approach or what?
"Alright, everyone, thatâs enough. Old Master, let me help you upstairs to rest?" The eldest daughterâs husband took the old manâs hand and said.
Old Master Cheng was tired too, so he nodded, walked a few steps, then stopped, looking at the second son, Cheng Yaozong, saying, "Oh, my new friend is here in Guangcheng for business. Second son, I gave her your address and phone number. If she comes looking for help, lend her a hand, young people full of ambition should be supported."
"Got it, Dad!" Cheng Yaozong replied with a smile.
Only then did Old Master Cheng nod in satisfaction and head upstairs.
Once he disappeared from the hall, Cheng Yaozong looked at the eldest, "Big brother, what do you think?"
"If she really comes to you, just assess the situation. Itâs not like the old man is clueless." Cheng Yaoguang said.
Cheng Yaozong nodded.
"How is the investigation on Auntieâs side? No news yet?" Cheng Yaoguang inquired.
Cheng Yaozongâs eyes dimmed as he shook his head, causing Cheng Yaoguang to frown involuntarily.