bookrandom Chapter 925 Happy Birthday, Grandpa Chief
Chapter 925 Happy Birthday, Grandpa Chief
The next morning, just as the sky was getting light, the Teng family villa was already awake.
The old locust tree in the yard was covered in morning dew, its branches quietly strung with strings of red lanterns. The dark red tassels drooped, swaying gently in the wind, casting subtle shadows on the bluestone pavement. Old Li, a security guard in a navy blue uniform, was climbing a ladder, hanging a tapestry with the Chinese character "Shou" (longevity) from the door lintel. The gold-embroidered characters gleamed softly in the morning light. He tiptoed and adjusted it three times before finally coming down, satisfied. He dusted his hands, "We have to hang it right. It'll make the old man feel comfortable."
A sweet aroma wafted from the kitchen. Aunt Zhang, wearing an off-white apron, was directing two helpers to place freshly baked peach cakes and sachima onto red lacquer trays. A bright yellow tablecloth, embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns, had been laid out on the long dining table. Against the wall stood a three-tiered pastry tower: the bottom tier contained glossy braised pork elbow and duck, the middle tier was filled with sliced cantaloupe and grapes, and the top tier was filled with delicate macarons in pink, yellow, and green, resembling tiny moons scattered across the floor. At the end of the table sat a blue and white porcelain wine jar, sealed with the Chinese character "Shou." It was a vintage wine Teng Junhao had specially sent from his hometown, saying it was a brand his father often drank in his youth.
In the living room, the servants were using feather dusters to gently sweep away the dust on the mahogany furniture. The celadon vases and jade ruyi on the antique display cabinet were polished to a shine. Sunlight shone in through the carved window lattices, creating complex geometric patterns on the floor. Tiny dust particles floated in the air, mixed with a faint scent of sandalwood - that was the incense that always burned on the old man's desk, carrying a sense of peace and stability that came with the passage of time.
There was a different kind of bustle in the old man's bedroom.
Ling Ya was standing in front of the dressing mirror, adjusting the collar of the old man's Tang suit. It was a bright red suit with a longevity pattern. The buttons were made of ebony, with a small, carved "Fu" character on them. The old man's skin was a healthy tan, and the red didn't look out of place in the least. Instead, it accentuated the spirit between his eyebrows. "Please raise your arms," Ling Ya said softly, her fingertips brushing the wrinkles on the old man's shoulders. "This material is stiff, so you need to wear it properly."
The old man sat on the rattan chair and let her fiddle with it, but his eyes glanced out the window, and when he saw the lanterns swaying in the yard, he couldn't help but snorted: "I told you to keep a low profile, it's almost Chinese New Year." He had been a soldier all his life and hated extravagance. In previous years, when he celebrated his birthday, he would just have a simple meal with his family together. However, this year, Teng Junhao and Teng Zijing teamed up to "trick" them into holding this family dinner, saying that "just invite a few close people to have a lively time."
"Dad, just consider it a favor for the kids." Teng Junhao sat on the sofa nearby, holding a brocade box. Inside was a freshly polished jade pendant, a emerald green with a few streaks of red. He had specially asked a jade carving master to make it. "Zijing was complaining to me a while ago about how it's been ages since I've had a proper birthday for you."
Ling Ya buttoned the last button, stood up, and looked at the old man with a smile in her eyes: "Look, how energetic he is." She turned around and picked up the jacket on the hanger. Just as she was about to put it on the old man, she heard the sound of a car engine coming from the courtyard gate. She hurried to the window and took a look. "Oh, it seems like there are guests."
As he was speaking, the security guard in the yard came over to greet him.
A black Audi A8 parked steadily outside the carved iron gate, its body so clean it reflected the lanterns overhead. A security guard stepped forward and opened the back door. Song Shijie got out first. He was wearing a dark gray Mao suit, clutching a dark red brocade box, a gentle smile on his face. Mu Xiaoji followed shortly after, wearing a light beige casual suit and holding a small figure by his left hand—Jiang Shuo. The little guy was wearing navy blue overalls, a red bow tie, and his hair was neatly combed, looking like a well-behaved little gentleman.
Rong Shishan got out of the driver's seat, walked around to the trunk, opened it, and pulled out two beautifully wrapped gift boxes, their red ribbons gleaming in the morning light. "Mr. Song, Mr. Mu, this way please," he said, stepping aside to lead the way with a polite smile on his face.
As soon as they entered the yard, they were dazzled by the red. Jiang Shuo looked up at the lantern on the tree and pointed with his little hand: "Uncle Mu, how do you read the words on it?"
"That's the character for 'longevity,'" Mu Xiaoji bent down and explained softly, "Today is Grandpa Teng's birthday. We're here to celebrate."
"Oh!" Jiang Shuo nodded, his eyes sparkling. He had heard Jiang Chengyu mention Grandpa Teng before, saying that he was a very powerful old man. Seeing the yard decorated so lively, his heart also jumped for joy.
Song Shijie walked in front and saw Old Li hanging a tapestry on the door lintel. He smiled and greeted him, "Master Li, are you busy?"
"Hey, it's Mr. Song!" Old Li quickly came down from the ladder and wiped his hands. "Please come in. The old man just changed his clothes."
After crossing the bluestone-paved courtyard, they arrived at the living room door. The door was open, and the sweet aroma of sandalwood mixed with snacks filled the air. Teng Junhao heard the commotion and came out to greet them: "Shijie, Xiaoji, you're finally here."
"Brother Teng." Song Shijie shook hands with him and handed him the brocade box. "This is a little gift to help the old man recover."
"You're being too formal." Teng Junhao took it with a smile and looked at Mu Xiaoji again, "Xiaoji, long time no see. You look better and better."
"Hello, Uncle Teng." Mu Xiaoji smiled and led Jiang Shuo forward. "This is Jiang Shuo. He came with his grandfather."
Jiang Shuo immediately raised his head and called out crisply, "Hello, Grandpa Teng!"
Teng Junhao felt warm at heart when he was called out, and he bent down to ruffle his hair: "Good boy, come in quickly, there are delicious foods inside."
As he was speaking, the old man had already walked out of the bedroom with Ling Ya's support. As soon as he reached the door of the living room, he saw Song Shijie and his eyes lit up: "It's Shijie!"
"Teng, may you be blessed with good fortune as vast as the East Sea and a life as long as the Southern Mountains." Song Shijie stepped forward, bowing slightly, his tone full of respect. He had received guidance from the old man in his youth, and he had always remembered this kindness in his heart.
"No need to be polite." The old man waved his hand and his eyes fell on Mu Xiaoji. Seeing that he walked steadily and not as laboriously as before, a look of relief appeared in his eyes. "Xiaoji, are you feeling better?"
"Thanks to you, I'm much better." Mu Xiaoji smiled and nodded. "You look more energetic than the last time I saw you."
"I'm old, but I'm still okay." The old man laughed, his eyes drawn to Jiang Shuo again. Seeing the little guy staring at the macarons on the snack tower, he couldn't help but tease him, "Little guy, do you want to eat that?"
Jiang Shuo scratched his head sheepishly and whispered, "I want to...but mom said I have to ask the elders before I can eat."
"This child knows how to behave." The old man was even happier and called to Aunt Zhang, "Aunt Zhang, get the child a plate of macarons and a glass of milk."
"Hey, here I am!" Aunt Zhang came out of the kitchen, holding a small plate with three macarons of different colors and a cup of steaming milk. "Young Master, eat slowly."
Jiang Shuo took the plate, thanked him crisply, sat in the corner of the sofa, and began to eat it in small bites, like a satisfied little squirrel.
Rong Shishan placed the gift box on the low cabinet in the entrance hall, greeted the old man, and stood quietly by. Inside the gift box were wild mushrooms he had specially asked someone to bring from Yunnan, as well as a box of high-quality Pu'er tea, all of which were things the old man usually used.
The living room gradually became lively. Song Shijie and Teng Junhao chatted about their recent business, with the old man occasionally interjecting. Mu Xiaoji sat by and listened, occasionally glancing at Jiang Shuo with a gentle light in his eyes. Sunlight filtered through the window lattice onto the center of the dining table, illuminating the jar of aged wine. The air was filled with the aroma of sandalwood, sweetness, and wine, blending together to create a scent called "reunion."
Ling Ya looked at the scene before her and whispered to the old man, "Look, this is so good."
The old man said nothing, but the corners of his mouth curled up slightly. He had spent half his life in the military, had seen many hardships, and now what he longed for most was just this kind of stable life - with family by his side, friends and family all around, and even the air filled with sweetness.
The sound of a car could be heard again at the gate. This time it was a Maserati. She knew it was Teng Zijing. Ling Ya walked to the window and saw him getting out of the car, holding a gift box half the height of a man. A familiar figure followed behind him. She couldn't help but laugh, "That brat, he actually brought Xiaoyu with him."
When the people in the living room heard the noise, they all looked towards the door. Jiang Shuo also raised his head, with half a macaron in his mouth, his eyes shining - new guests had arrived, and this lively family dinner had just begun.