Chapter 8 Section VIII
As soon as Lian Shou stepped into Pang Wenying's former residence, he felt a strange feeling.It was an intimacy that relaxes the body and mind. He stepped on the flat stone steps in front of the door, stroked the old wood of the wide door frame... He thought for a long time before he knew what it felt like. ——It is the feeling of "home". Liantou recalled: he never had a "home".He can’t remember what happened before he became a soldier; the barracks, the caves in Monkey Mountain, the dilapidated wooden houses in the slums in Poshili, the cells in Piaocheng Prison, the dark dungeon of the “Old Nest”… are not “home”; It was that long wandering; after returning to Floating City, he slept in a different brothel or hotel every day... There was never a place where his mind could calm down. But this big house is a little different.The layout and color tone; the light and shade of the hall lights; the smell of the indoor air... He seemed to have a familiar feeling. He took Ning Xiaoyu's hand and walked between the halls to watch.The first time he came in, even though no one was leading him, he knew where every door led to.Passing through several unlit rooms, he felt the darkness to come and go freely, and his huge body didn't touch any furniture debris—it was Xiaoyu who knocked over a vase and broke it. Xiaoyu looked at her lover's childishly excited expression and was puzzled. "Fifth Brother! Where are you?" Di Bin shouted from the front hall.Ye Yi, Tian Ahuo and others directed their subordinates to unload all kinds of daily necessities, utensils and hidden weapons from the car and move them into the mansion.Yu Runsheng, Huaquewu and Li Lan who was holding Agou were sitting in front of a round table, and a servant made tea for them. "There are three old servants here, who have followed the adoptive father for more than 20 years, and they can be trusted." Huaquewu said, sipping tea. "There are other supplies, Lu Xun has already packed them for you outside." Di Bin looked around the hall.The plain furnishing style was very similar to the boss's home in Piaocheng, it was cleaned spotlessly, and fresh peach branches were inserted in the vase, as if this big house had never lost its owner for a day. "Since entering Piaocheng, the foster father didn't stay in this house for many days." Hua Quewu looked at the beams, columns and furniture around him. "But I know he likes it very much. A few years ago, a local grain and oil merchant offered a good price, and the adoptive father refused to sell it." Although this house is big, it is impossible for more than seventy people to live in it.Fortunately, Pang Wenying also bought many properties near the mansion as Yu Runsheng did when he was in Piaocheng, and used them as residences for his subordinates and as guards at the same time.Hua Que Wu has notified some of the family members to move to the inn temporarily, to vacate the room, and settle down later. Lian Shou and Ning Xiaoyu came back to the front hall at this time.Seeing Wu Ge's childish face, Di Bin couldn't help laughing too. "Bai Dou, I like this room very much." Lian Shou said. "There's also a nice garden at the back. My sister-in-law can grow something there if she likes it. Just like in Piaocheng." Li Lan smiled: "Uncle Wu, now you know that having a family is a good thing, right?" Then she looked at Ning Xiaoyu with deep meaning.She turned to her husband again and said, "Runsheng, after we settle down, I want to take over those children from Piaocheng." "Just as you want." Yu Runsheng patted her hand, then reached out to caress Agou in her arms. When Di Bin saw it, his heart felt warm.Although Lord Long and Fourth Brother Qi are not here, they are gradually resuming their family appearance now... Especially sister-in-law, it seems that there is no serious problem... After the subordinates moved the utensils properly, they gathered inside and outside the front hall, drank tea and rested, and waited for the instructions of the hall master. "Someone is visiting." Tian Ahuo, who was standing near the gate, said suddenly.The family members in the middle of the hall put away their smiles. It was the bearded Mengzhen who first stepped into the hall door.He changed into a dark blue scholar's gown, which didn't quite match his majestic appearance and broad body.Mao Gonglei, who was stronger than him, followed behind, followed by four capable men.Mao Gonglei had a smile on his face, obviously much more relaxed than at the banquet earlier. Hua Que turned her head to see Yu Runsheng's reaction.He remembered the conversation in the carriage just now.Yu Runsheng looked directly at Mengzhen, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised, as if he had already expected the arrival of the other party. "Brother Yu." It was Mao Gonglei who spoke first. He and Yu Runsheng had met at Pang Wenying's funeral in Piaocheng. "I didn't have a chance to say hello to you just now, I'm sorry." Mao Gonglei's voice was loud, and when he spoke, his gestures were full of pride. "Let me introduce, this is my brother-in-law, named Meng Zhen." Yu Runsheng noticed that when Mao Gonglei introduced his righteous brother, his tone was extremely proud, and he could tell the master-slave relationship between the two brothers. Yu Runsheng stood up and saluted without saying a word.Meng Zhen also didn't say a word, the two just looked at each other and smiled, as if they both saw through each other. "Young Master Rong ordered us to come." Mao Gonglei continued. "Many brothers from Piaocheng came to the capital from afar, and we will do our best as landlords. My son asked me to take you all to have fun and wash away the fatigue of the journey." For men—especially men in the underworld, there are not many places to "have fun". When the subordinates of the "Big Tree Hall" heard it, their hearts felt hot, but they didn't speak, they only put excitement and expectation on their faces, waiting for the hall master's permission. Meng Zhen glanced at them, raised his thick eyebrows, and seemed to appreciate their discipline. "Okay." Yu Runsheng replied without thinking too much. "It's hard to be generous, you all go." "Yes!" All the people answered in unison, but the tone seemed to be more cheering than returning. "They're all going, will they..." Hua Que Wu whispered in Runsheng's ear.Yu Runsheng shook his head. "It doesn't matter." Mao Gonglei motioned for the four people behind to lead the way. "You guys go first. I'll have a chat, and then I'll come." Tian Ahuo walked up to Di Bin with hesitation on his face. "You go too." Di Bin's response made Tian Ahuo's face loosen. "Don't go too far. Take care of the other brothers." Tian Ahuo nodded vigorously, and followed the crowd out of the hall. Ye Yi stood motionless behind Yu Runsheng.It wasn't that he didn't want to play, but he noticed that the hall master had a very special attitude towards this Meng, so he would rather stay and watch their meeting. "We meet again." Mao Gonglei walked up to the sickle head and stretched out his palm.Sickle also reached out his hand and shook him forcefully. "Aren't you going? I have prepared a very good place. The women in Kyoto are no worse than those in Piaocheng. I will take you there to have fun." Sickle shook his head. "I will never go to those places again." Mao Gonglei frowned and thought for a while. "Is it because of... that dead woman?" Sickle shook his head again. Mao Gonglei looked at Ning Xiaoyu who was still holding the sickle.He had seen her a few times when he was floating in the city, and now that he looked at her carefully, he still couldn't help but marvel at her beauty. — because of her. "It's a pity." Mao Gonglei pretended to sigh, but in fact he couldn't hide the envy in his eyes. "Those women, I have to deal with it on your behalf!" "I would still go to the tavern." Kasame said. "Let's go have a good drink another day." "That's it. By the way, I have something to show you." Mao Gonglei said as he pulled down his skirt, revealing his ample chest muscles. There is a palm-sized tattoo on the right chest. It is a scaled beast dancing in the flames. Its four claws seem to be tightly grasping the surrounding muscles, and the movement is very vigorous.The ink is still fresh, and it hasn't been long since the stabbing. "Isn't it nice? The pain made me call my mother, almost crying!" Mao Gonglei's words made Lian Shou and Ning Xiaoyu laugh out loud. Di Bin watched from the sidelines, and couldn't help laughing.He has a good impression of Mao Gonglei, a man. On the other side, Meng Zhen had already sat down opposite Yu Runsheng, and the two offered tea to each other without talking. A Gou, lying in Li Lan's arms, couldn't bear the exhaustion and fell asleep.Li Lan stroked his hair, and then said to her husband, "I'll take him to bed." She stood up holding Agou, and nodded slightly shyly at Mengzhen. "Go to bed first." Yu Runsheng said as he watched his wife leave the hall. "About your son's misfortune..." Meng Zhen spoke for the first time.His voice was very different from the one at the banquet, it didn't have that deep and humble voice, it was like chatting with a friend whom he hadn't seen for a long time. "I heard, poor boy." Yu Runsheng knew that the "son" in Mengzhen's mouth was not Yu Agou who escaped from the famine, but the baby who was not born in Piaocheng.This is the first time since he entered the capital, someone has expressed condolences to him-others are only concerned about the arrow wound on his chest. "That's something you can't help." Yu Runsheng stretched out his hand towards the scar on his chest as if unconsciously, and then forcefully lowered his hand after realizing it. "Children belong to the future. But if I don't pass that test, there is no future at all." Meng Zhen nodded. "I understand. I have children, too." "how many?" Meng Zhen raised two fingers. "They're all women. There's another one coming this summer." "Congratulations. This must be a man." Di Bin, who was watching, was a little surprised by Yu Runsheng's genuine smile—in the past, the boss only smiled so brightly at his righteous brothers and sisters-in-law. "When the full moon comes, I have to give him a gift." "Thanks in advance." Ye Yi and Hua Que Wu felt puzzled: the first official meeting of two big men who had been in the underworld was all about family affairs. "Thank you for your tea." Meng Zhen stood up. "We still have a lot of opportunities to meet in the future, right? If you need help with anything, or want to know what's going on in Kyoto, feel free to come to me." "Of course." Yu Runsheng left his seat, nodded slightly and said goodbye with a very relaxed expression. Watching Meng Zhen and Mao Gonglei leave, Di Bin suddenly had this thought: this foreigner with a square face, beard and broad chest seems to be the opposite of Yu Runsheng in every part of his appearance and figure... He feels that the boss treats Meng Zhen with respect. Treated like a friend - and the boss never had friends. "Boss, what do you think?" After Mengzhen and the two had left for a while, Di Bin asked next to Runsheng in a low voice, "Do you want to subdue him?" Hua Que Wu heard it and said, "It would be a good move if we can place this pawn next to the Rongs and his sons..." "Don't underestimate this man." Yu Runsheng said, his eyes still on the door Mengzhen left. "He's been waiting for his opportunity. As soon as that opportunity comes, he's going to be a horrible guy." Sickle nodded in agreement. "When Mao Gonglei stood beside Rong Xiaoshan, his expression was completely different from before. He really admired Meng Zhen—not just because of the relationship between the two of them who grew up together. It would not be a simple man who can make Mao Gonglei truly admire .” "I think you seem to be talking about your relationship with the boss." Di Bin said with a smile, and everyone couldn't help smiling. "But that's true. Boss, what are you going to do?" "I'll give him that chance." Yu Runsheng drank the rest of the tea in the cup. "To make a person act according to your wishes, you don't have to surrender him. You just need to know his desires."