chsdbacks Chapter 303 Reunion with Chu Lan
Chapter 303 Reunion with Chu Lan
"Longhu Mountain, Zhang Lingyu." Zhang Lingyu stepped forward and bowed respectfully, "I am here on the orders of my master to accompany Brother Nie down the mountain to find Zhang Chulan, and I will be staying here for a while."
Xu San and Xu Si were both taken aback, their faces showing surprise. They naturally knew Zhang Lingyu of Longhu Mountain, a rising star among the younger generation and the old Celestial Master's last disciple. They never expected him to come to North China with Nie Lingfeng!
"Master Lingyu, hello." Xu San quickly regained his composure and politely returned the greeting. "Chu Lan... he went out on a mission, he should be back tonight. You all must be tired from your journey, please come inside and rest."
He pushed open the door behind him, revealing a spacious conference room/lounge.
"Is Master Lingyu here to see Chu Lan?" Xu Si whispered to Nie Lingfeng, winking as they walked inside. "Is this someone sent by the Old Celestial Master to 'discipline' that kid?"
"More or less," Nie Lingfeng mumbled. "The Old Master said he should follow Zhang Chulan to 'train' himself."
"Training?" Xu Si's expression became extremely interesting. "Let Zhang Lingyu...train under Zhang Chulan? Is the Old Master...thinking Zhang Lingyu is too 'clean,' and wants that brat Chulan to 'dye' him a bit darker?" He couldn't help but chuckle. "Interesting! This is going to be good!"
Nie Lingfeng smiled knowingly. It seemed everyone thought about the same thing.
Everyone took their seats in the lounge, and Xu San had tea brought over. Xiao Yun climbed off Nie Lingfeng's neck and curiously touched and looked around the lounge, showing great interest in the maps on the wall and the folders on the table. However, under Chen Duo's calm gaze, she didn't do anything out of line. She just leaned against the window, watching the delivery trucks coming and going in the courtyard below.
"Old Nie, your vacation should be almost over, right?" Xu San asked. "Has Chairman Zhao given any instructions?"
"I haven't received any specific instructions yet," Nie Lingfeng shook his head. "However, it should be within the next day or two. I plan to go to headquarters tomorrow to report the situation at Longhu Mountain to Chairman Zhao in person and see if there are any new assignments."
"Hmm." Xu San nodded. "Things haven't been peaceful at the company lately either. As for 'Quanxing,' although things quieted down for a while after Gong Qing's death, they seem to be making some moves again recently. And also..." He glanced at Zhang Lingyu, then hesitated.
"What else?" Nie Lingfeng asked.
"Also, there are some clues about the 'Eight Extraordinary Techniques' and the Jia Shen Rebellion that have recently resurfaced on the dark web." Xu Si continued, his expression becoming more serious. "It seems someone is secretly stirring things up, targeting some of the survivors from that time and their descendants. That's why Chu Lan has been so busy lately."
"The Eight Extraordinary Techniques... The Rebellion of Jia Shen..." Nie Lingfeng frowned slightly. These old stories are far-reaching and extremely complex. It's not surprising that Zhang Chulan, as the successor of the Qi Body Source Stream, was drawn into them.
"So, Master Lingyu's descent from the mountain at this time..." Xu San looked at Zhang Lingyu, "maybe it's not just about 'training'."
Zhang Lingyu's expression shifted slightly, but he remained silent. He didn't know much about the grudges and entanglements at the foot of the mountain. But he had a vague feeling that his "entry into the world" this time would probably be more...complex than he imagined.
"We'll meet force with force, and water with earth." Nie Lingfeng was quite philosophical about it. "Anyway, what's coming will come. Let's deal with the immediate situation first."
"That's true." Xu Si resumed his carefree demeanor. "Since we're here, let's make the best of it. Tonight, when Chu Lan returns, we'll have a proper get-together to welcome you back! We'll also let Master Lingyu experience our local customs and traditions!" As he spoke, he gave Zhang Lingyu a malicious smile.
Zhang Lingyu: "..." He suddenly felt that going down the mountain this time might have been a mistake. (；一_一)
At that moment, Xiaoyun, who was peering out the window, suddenly pointed to a delivery truck being loaded with goods in the yard downstairs and excitedly shouted:
"Papa! Look! A big truck! It has lots of boxes on it! Yunyun wants the red one!"
Nie Lingfeng's heart skipped a beat, and a familiar, ominous premonition surged into his heart once again.
Oh no, this little rascal has found a new "toy"! And this time, the "toy" looks... like a company package! (´；ω；｀)
The temporary rest area in the basement of the North China branch was much simpler than the guest rooms at Longhushan, but it was clean and tidy. Nie Lingfeng and Chen Duo, along with Xiao Yun, were assigned to a small suite with a private bathroom, while Zhang Lingyu was arranged to stay in a single room next door.
Xiaoyun showed great enthusiasm for her new environment (or rather, the prelude to her destructive tendencies), jumping around the room and displaying keen interest in the army green walls, the metal bed frame, and even the fire sprinklers. Nie Lingfeng had to keep a close eye on her, silently praying that this little devil wouldn't become interested in the delivery packages labeled "special items" downstairs. (；´д｀)ゞ
Zhang Lingyu quickly adapted to the "simplicity" of the place, and even took the initiative to help clean the room until it was spotless, with the floor so clean that you could see your reflection in it. Xu Si, who occasionally came to visit, was amazed and exclaimed, "The disciples of Longhu Mountain are really different. In ancient times, she would be a model of a virtuous wife and loving mother!" This earned Zhang Lingyu a helpless eye roll (thinking: What kind of metaphor is this!).
As evening fell, Zhang Chulan, who had been out on a mission, finally returned.
"Ugh! I'm exhausted!" Before he even stepped inside, his signature, slightly lazy and exaggerated voice rang out. Then, the break room door opened, and a young man in a shabby work uniform, with slightly disheveled hair, a tired face but still bright eyes, entered—it was Zhang Chulan.
He spotted Nie Lingfeng sitting on the sofa at a glance, and his eyes lit up immediately: "Old Nie! It really is you! I heard from Third Brother and Fourth Brother that you were here, but I didn't believe it! Did you enjoy getting beaten up by the Old Celestial Master on Longhu Mountain?"
Before Nie Lingfeng could reply, Zhang Chulan's gaze swept over Zhang Lingyu, who was sitting upright beside him. His expression instantly became incredibly complex, as if he had seen a ghost, and his voice rose eight octaves: "Junior...Junior Martial Uncle?! What are you doing down the mountain? And here too?!"
Zhang Lingyu's expression stiffened slightly upon seeing Zhang Chulan, but she quickly regained her composure, stood up, and bowed respectfully: "Senior Brother Chulan, it's been a long time. I've come down the mountain for training on my master's orders, and also with Brother Nie to find you."
"Looking for me?" Zhang Chulan pointed to his nose, looking bewildered and wary. "The Celestial Master sent you to look for me? What for? I haven't caused any trouble lately!" He subconsciously assumed that he had accidentally gotten into some trouble again and was being "disciplined" by his "parents."
Seeing Zhang Chulan's flustered expression, Nie Lingfeng couldn't help but laugh: "Alright, don't be nervous. The Celestial Master sent Lingyu down the mountain for training, and also to 'learn' about the ways of the world from you."
"Learn from me?" Zhang Chulan's expression became even stranger. He looked Zhang Lingyu up and down, who exuded righteousness and was spotless, then glanced at his own work clothes, which were slightly dusty from a mission. His lips twitched. "The Old Celestial Master... is he kidding? He wants Junior Uncle to learn from me? Learn what? How to be shameless... ah, no, how to be flexible?"
"Exactly." Zhang Lingyu nodded earnestly. "Master said that I have been living on the mountain for a long time and am unfamiliar with the ways of the world. I need to be tempered by the world. Senior Brother Chu Lan, you... are experienced and handle things smoothly. You are a role model for me." He spoke with a straight face, completely unaware of the self-deprecation and teasing in Zhang Chu Lan's words.
"Pfft—!" Xu Si, who was standing to the side, spat out the tea he had just drunk and coughed incessantly. Xu San also couldn't help but chuckle, pushing up his glasses to hide the smile on his face.
Zhang Chulan's face was flushed red. Looking at Zhang Lingyu's utterly sincere expression, which wasn't joking at all, he felt like a million alpacas were stampeding through his mind. What the hell is this "experienced and worldly-wise"?! Is the Celestial Master praising me or insulting me?! And Junior Uncle, you're so serious about learning "shamelessness" from me (even though you don't think so), I'm under so much pressure! (╯°Д°)╯︵ ┻━┻
"Ha...haha..." Zhang Chulan chuckled dryly. "Junior Uncle, you're too kind. Let's learn from each other..." He quickly changed the subject, his gaze falling on Xiao Yun, who was being pulled along by Chen Duo and looking at him curiously. "And who is this cute little sister...?"
"My daughter, Xiaoyun." Nie Lingfeng said succinctly, once again resorting to the "found" tactic.
"Daughter?!" Zhang Chulan was surprised again. He looked at Nie Lingfeng, then at the aloof Chen Duo beside him, and his eyes immediately became ambiguous and gossipy. "Wow, Lao Nie! You've grown up so fast without making a sound! And this is... your sister-in-law?" He gestured towards Chen Duo with his lips.
"Get lost! She's my sister!" Nie Lingfeng glared at him angrily. "If you keep spouting nonsense, believe me, I'll have Lingyu 'discipline' you on behalf of the Old Master right now!"
"No, no, no!" Zhang Chulan immediately raised his hands in surrender. "I was wrong! Brother Nie! My dear brother!" He knew his junior uncle's strength and his strict personality. If he really wanted to "discipline" him, he would definitely follow the strictest standards of Longhu Mountain, which would be much more tiring than going on a mission!
The atmosphere lightened considerably thanks to Zhang Chulan's witty banter. That evening, Xu San and Xu Si hosted a welcome dinner for Nie Lingfeng and his companions at a long-established hot pot restaurant near the company. The steaming copper pot, freshly sliced mutton, and various dishes delighted Nie Lingfeng and Zhang Lingyu, who had been eating bland vegetarian food for a month and a half (Xiao Yun and Chen Duo weren't particularly interested in meat; one was focused on folding cabbage leaves into strange shapes, and the other quietly ate small bites of vegetables). Zhang Chulan, in particular, ate with gusto, his mouth dripping with oil, completely disregarding his image. Zhang Lingyu, watching from across the table, frowned, hesitating several times before finally lowering his head under the self-admonition of "worldly experience," focusing on the food in his bowl, though his movements remained elegantly out of place with his surroundings.