Chapter 32: Invitation

Thud!

The sound of an unknown man falling remained unheard among the noises of people talking and walking. The houses' lights were going out one by one, it was time to get under the blankets and await another day in unconsciousness.

The long rope of tied up clothes hung down from an open window of the third floor. In the darkness of night, it went by unnoticed.

I stood up rubbing my shoulders. I hadn't made a perfect fall from up there. My trousers were dirty now but I could hardly care about it. Changing my expression to that of an indifferent practitioner, I joined the tired individuals on the street.

My walking was comparable to their jogging. I quickly left Hai Long street without looking at the inn. I went straight until I arrived at the marketplace.

Here, everything was already closed. Thefts and robberies weren't uncommon in such a place. No peddler or merchant would risk his goods or life to trade at night.

I strolled through the empty and lowered tents. I could imagine how busy this place would be tommorow. I turned left, circling the park and taking a shortcut path towards Gang residence.

Alone, under the stars, among the cold winds, and still a little horny; I made my way past Pinchu lake.

Splash!

I heard someone or something entering the water body. Did people draw water from the lake at night? It wasn't unlikely. Though, there would be lights if that was the case.

I patiently waited for a minute and relaxed. 'Must be a fish,' I thought. I'd seen some hop out of water. The earlier one could've been a large fish.

Only a few lamps were lit when I reached the Gang family compounds. There were about ten houses that surrounded this training area. Parallel to the street ahead, the house in which I stayed faced the west.

A few night watchers were patrolling the wooden walls. I easily evaded them and ran through the training ground like a squirrel.

When I reached the sliding door, I was surprised to find the slave, Fu He waiting for me. He neither asked where I had gone nor did he mention my dusty clothes.

"Elder Zheng has invited young master to lunch tommorow. He said he wanted to have a chat with you."

This news was a complete surprise to me. I knew Gang Zheng was the father of Gang Bing and foster father of Gang Ju (Feng Yi). However, I knew almost nothing about him other than that.

"I thought elder Zheng had gone somewhere to cultivate," It was a rumour I'd heard.

"He just arrived today. He has broken through rank 8 to rank 9," Fu He replied. For a slave, he knew quite a bit. This meant he paid attention on the family members' statuses.

"A servant brought these chopsticks earlier," he handed me a bamboo case that had two white chopsticks.

The culture here demanded that the invitees must bring what they were given when attending an invitation. It was common practice to send chopsticks over when inviting someone to a dinner or lunch.

I took the case and slid open the doors to my room. It was dark and a little warm inside. Fu He was about to leave when I remembered something.

"Wait there," I said and took out a coin from my pouch. I had no silver but I didn't hesitate from giving away a gold. I'd gotten a potent posion today that costed more than just golds and silvers.

Ting!

I tossed the coin at him and he deftly caught it. It was night and he couldn't clearly see if it was actually gold.

"This is..."

"Take it," I had accomplished something today and was feeling generous.

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"This Fu He thanks young master for his magnanimity!"

Entering the room, I heard his voice before I closed the door.

...

"...And that's how I met her mother. Hahahaha!"

Gang Zheng's laughter was loud, bold and a little disturbing. He was a talkative fellow. Square-faced, black, and tall; he tended to befriend anyone he could.

"Elder Zheng's laughter is better than the lunch itself. This Fang truly regrets that he met the elder only now," I spoke with all smiles, my voice louder than usual to match Gang Zheng's tone. I would feel itchy if I didn't spout flattery after every two sentences.

"Haha, but we can't undermine our cooks' efforts," though he said that, he didn't deny my claim.

"Indeed, indeed," I held a piece of dumplings with my white chopsticks. There was stew, exotic fruits, and different soups as well. On the table, rested two bottles of alcohols brewed in Gang family. Cooks in the kitchen were making another dish, there was no shortage of food.

Long, two-storey, and painted red; this whole house was Gang Zheng's. As an elder, he shouldn't own so much but he happened to be the only remaining son of Gang Shan. The father of Jin and Qin had died years ago.

"Bing'er is my everything," Gang Zheng continued, causing a smile from his wife and a fidgety silence from his daughter.

The whole family was here, not just him and me. Behind us, Gang Zheng's right hand man who he called as "Cao" ate making as less noise as possible. That table also had other men I didn't quite recognize.

We occupied the largest and the centermost table. Opposite to me, Gang Zheng's large frame contrasted with his wife's small body.

To my right, Gang Bing was eating like a docile pet while occasionally giving me side glances. To my left, Gang Ju who was wholly ignored in the whole conversation, ate like she couldn't be bothered to even know me.

"I'll bring some cups," Gang Bing's mother stood up and went towards the kitchen. She had good looks which she, unfortunately, couldn't pass down to her daughter.

Gang Zheng was an upright man, it seemed. He had no concubines and he didn't really desire a son. The only thing that smeared a dark blotch on his morality was the way he treated his adopted child.

I finally understood why Feng Yi couldn't replace Gang Bing. Although he looked like the scary boss of some mafia, Gang Zheng was actually a doting father.

He cared about his daughter more than he did the Gang family itself. Although he'd deny it with words, his actions didn't lie.

"I have a small favour to ask of nephew Fang," He spoke, passing me a bottle of alcohol.

Look at that, suddenly calling me as "Nephew Fang." I wished I could snort at that moment. I knew this was coming, yet I couldn't refuse. Indeed, joining a family wasn't all about benefits, nothing was free anywhere.

"Say it, Elder Zhang. How can I be of help?"

Gang Zeng lightly slapped his thigh and coughed. Gang Ju immediately stood up and went outside, saying she needed to taste the water.

So that was some kind of sign to tell her to get lost? How did they agree upon that, or did she pick it up herself?

"It has been confirmed that Nephew Fang will be chosen as the family's trader this year so-"

"I thank the family for giving me such an opportunity," it felt nice interrupting him. I was thanking the family, could he frown at that? Of course not!

"...So, I thought why not let Nephew Fang buy something for me. I'll pay the funds but Nephew Fang mustn't tell this to other family members," I didn't know his loud voice could turn into such low whispers.

This Gang Zheng was more than what he appeared to be.. Earlier, he seemed friendly and a little brash, but now I couldn't guess what type of mind controlled his large body.

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