Chapter 1484: Chapter 1486: Rubbing Salt into the Wound Chapter 1484: Chapter 1486: Rubbing Salt into the Wound Tang Qing shook his head and said, âNot yet.â
As they were speaking, many guests arrived, some of whom were acquainted with Tang Qing. Tang Qing excused himself to Old Meng and hurried over to greet them.
Old Meng sat on the sofa, his hands propped on his cane, staring hopefully at the door.
Tang Qing had reserved the second floor of the restaurant, so everyone coming upstairs were guests there to celebrate Old Tangâs birthday.
There were also a few people that Old Meng recognized.
After all, he used to socialize with the same group as Old Tang. Plus, their circle wasnât that big to begin with.
âIsnât that Old Meng? Hey, Old Meng, why are you sitting here all alone?â
About four or five people walked over to Old Meng.
âBrother Gan, youâre well aware, arenât you? Old Meng seriously offended his grandson and his wife; now they wonât even come home, so isnât he left all alone?â A man in a traditional Chinese jacket laughed heartily, winking at the others.
Old Meng lifted his eyelids, glanced at them and felt a surge of stifled frustration in his chest.
These people used to call him âOld Mengâ, but now, they all addressed him with less reverence.
It might just seem like the dropping of a couple of characters, but the significance was entirely different. Old Meng, Old Meng.
At this moment, Old Meng had no interest in marveling at the profoundness of the Chinese language; he simply didnât feel like speaking to them.
In the past, when Meng Chaojun still held power and Meng Xinian had a promising future ahead of him, nobody dared speak ill of the Meng Family, with only the Gao Family, Fong Family, Lu Family daring to challenge them outright.
Those families were considered equal opponents, engaged in contention.
But now, with Meng Chaojun out of the picture, struggling with illness, and him being old and powerless, coupled with the series of misfortunes that befell the Meng Family, which turned into jokes among the Capital City circles time and time again, even though Meng Xinian was promoted to A-level Great Officer with a seemingly limitless future, everyone knew that he had almost cut ties with the Meng Family and was unlikely to deal with their issues anymore.
Thus, the Meng Family met their downfall.
The same people who once honored him as Old Meng now dared to casually call him Old Meng with such a tone.
âOld Meng, how long has it been since you came out to play chess with us or walk the birds? Youâre not looking as robust as you used to be,â said an old man with a large nose as he sat down next to him and kicked his cane, âIâm afraid this thing canât be discarded anymore, can it?â
There was a period when Old Meng no longer needed a cane, and they thought he was getting younger with age.
But that time was short-lived, and now Old Meng looked even more devoid of Essence, Qi, and Spirit than before that period.
His cane, which he was pressing down on, shifted slightly from the kick, and he hurriedly grabbed hold of it. However, the confidence he had while holding his cane moments ago suddenly seemed awkward.
âElder Lei, what is this? Youâre not two years younger than me. If I am to grow old, wonât you as well?â Old Meng said angrily.
Elder Lei laughed heartily, âLook at you, whatâs the rush? When have I ever said I wouldnât grow old? But, luckily, my descendants are quite capable, and my daughters-in-law make nourishing soups for me every day, so I feel quite vigorous.â
âElder Lei, youâre certainly living comfortably,â Old Gan said. âNot like me, I canât even enjoy a cigarette without the kids and their spouses nagging, and the grandkids are on my case all day long. I donât have a moment of freedom!â
A wave of frustration built up in Old Mengâs chest.
These people deliberately came to him to say these things. If he didnât understand what they meant, he would indeed be foolish!