Chapter 162: Chapter 124: Mr. Cheng Grows Suspicious
Three elderly men entered the courtyard and when they reached the living room, Mr. Fang shouted, "Old Lin, where did you rob this from? So many things? Hey, don’t tidy up yet! Let me see, wow, it’s all meat, this is wild boar meat, just right for us to stew and have with our drinks."
Seeing Lin Lishan greeting them, he smiled warmly at her and said, "Are you happy this time? You’re a lucky kid, and there’s even more good fortune ahead."
Lin Lishan nodded with a smile on her face, "Uncle Fang, you had time to come today, please sit down. Xiao Fei is back, right? My son-in-law asked me to bring some specialties for him."
"What, your son-in-law knows Xiao Fei? Where is he from?" Old Master Jiang asked curiously.
Mr. Fang smiled mysteriously, "You two don’t know why Old Lin asked us over, do you? You’ll see in a bit. Xiao Fei even became brothers with Zhou Xiaozheng’s son-in-law, how about that?" He finished and raised his eyebrows proudly.
Mr. Cheng watched these people chat and smiled. He was Old Lin’s old partner and now the second-in-command of the XX Military District, knowing more about the Lin Family’s matters than anyone else. It seems that this time, returning from the Northeast, the result was gratifying, and they wanted to boast a bit with them. It’s understandable since the Lin Family, after what happened with the eldest and the son-in-law, seemed to have no successors. Now, not only have the children returned, but even the granddaughter has brought a heap of specialties to forgive them, naturally, they are overjoyed.
Mr. Cheng, Cheng Lixun, was born into a prestigious family in Jiangnan. The family produced many talents and now has considerable influence in politics, but they adhere to the doctrine of the mean.
They are always low-key and steady. The two sons in the family are both exceptional, both now young lieutenant colonels, with promising futures ahead, and the only daughter is also married to a friend’s son, living a blissful life.
The Cheng family’s elderly lady, Liu Qinglian’s origin is a mystery, rumored to be an adopted daughter of a wealthy family, with no contact with her natal family. She was involved in confidential affairs in her early years, making people cautious about everything about her. When she reached marriageable age, she became a partner with Cheng Lixun, and the couple’s feelings are deep. After the Liberation, she retired early to take care of the younger generation. The elder has a gentle nature, never quarrels with others. In the Big Courtyard, everyone calls her the Living Bodhisattva.
Mr. Cheng sat in the chair, holding a teacup, occasionally glancing at the expressions of those present, smiling knowingly while watching Old Lin narrate the experience of going to the Northeast to see his granddaughter.
Watching his old friend, like a child, gesturing with excitement and a flushed face, he was quietly happy for him. The greatest hope of an elder is for descendants to be talented; having such a clever granddaughter is a great blessing in life.
Hearing Mr. Fang teasing on the side, he found it amusing. No wonder Old Lin was cheerful all day at the military district. The Lin Family, having Zhou Xiaozheng, and now seeing talented third generation, it indeed calls for celebration.
However, sigh, he still thought of the best outcome possible. No matter what, the two kids are broad-minded, which is true. Being related by blood to the Lin Family counts as support. Just like Zhou Xiaozheng, who never leaned on the Lin Family, but always carried the Lin Family’s identity.
Less than an hour later, the maid served food and wine. In the living room, the women all left for Lin Lishan’s bedroom to see the furs she brought back and incidentally hear her stories about the young couple.
Mr. Lin happily poured the wine, thought for a moment, and then ran into the inner room to take out a bottle of tiger bone wine he had just stored away. He opened the lid of the can and waved his hand over the bottle’s mouth, looked at them proudly, "Fragrant, isn’t it? This is tiger bone wine my grandson-in-law requested for me, just this small bottle, I guess it’s very rare, otherwise, with his personality, he wouldn’t care for such a little."
Old Jiang wouldn’t have it, slapping the table, "Alright, so you’ve waited until now to take it out, planning to drink it secretly yourself? Everyone who sees it gets a share, let me taste it."
Hearing this, Mr. Lin looked regretful, sighed, and waved, "Alright, alright, just taste it, this wine is so dense with herbal flavors, be careful."
Instantly, everyone laughed heartily, poured a small cup, tasted it, and each of the elderly men praised it endlessly. At their age, they dared not drink more, as this contains not only tiger bone but several medicinal flavors.
"This wine is at least eighty years old if not a hundred, soaked in at least three precious herbs. Old Lin, keep it well. Once drank, you won’t have it anymore. Probably an heirloom wine from some family." Mr. Cheng picked up the iron can, smelled it, cautiously closed the lid and handed it over.