Song Tianyao glanced at his watch and said to the waiter, "Tell Uncle Guang that Song Chengqi's grandson, Song Tianyao, has come to see Uncle Guang."
Chapter 163 Orchid Fragrance
Less than two minutes after standing outside the Mahjong Parlor, the waiter who had gone in to deliver the message rushed back, saying to Song Tianyao, "Uncle Guang invites you in, Mr. Song, please."
He led Song Tianyao into the Mahjong Parlor and up the stairs to the second floor. There, an old man in Tang suit was already standing with a smile on his face, watching Song Tianyao ascend the stairs.
The Rotten-Life Ju following behind Song Tianyao gently reminded Song Tianyao, "That's Big-Eyed Kwong."
"Uncle Guang." Song Tianyao smiled familiarly, and once he reached the second floor, his suit somewhat incongruous with his appearance, he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Zhu Xuguang: "I..."
"A-Yao, I've heard your grandfather talk about you before, and you truly are a handsome young man." Zhu Xuguang patted Song Tianyao on the back affectionately, then put his arm around Song Tianyao and walked towards his private room. "You're a promising young man. Come, let's go inside and talk more."
The two showed none of the awkwardness or unfamiliarity one would expect from a first meeting.
Song Tianyao didn't pay attention to the environment on the second floor, but Rotten-Life Ju noticed that there were people sitting on several seats in the lobby where people were supposed to rest. He took a few steps closer to Song Tianyao and said, "Secretary Song, those are people from the Fourteen K."
Song Tianyao glanced around, then looked at Zhu Xuguang beside him. Zhu Xuguang smiled and said softly, "You've come at the right time, otherwise I would have gone to see your grandfather too. You'll understand once you go into the room."
Song Tianyao said to Rotten-Life Ju, "Stay outside and wait for me."
"I understand, Secretary Song." Rotten-Life Ju stepped back, watching Song Tianyao and Zhu Xuguang enter the private room.
Song Tianyao and Zhu Xuguang entered the private room and immediately saw Qi Weiwen was sitting calmly by the window, smelling the fragrance of a Cymbidium orchid.
At this moment, Qi Weiwen leaned against the windowsill, facing the door of the private room. Her shapely upper body was fully exposed to Song Tianyao's eyes, accentuated by her tight-fitting floral jacket. In particular, the fleeting joy on her face when she lightly smelled the fragrance of orchids stirred something in Song Tianyao 'Qi Weiwen heart with this unintentional movement. However, as she turned her head, the joy on her face vanished abruptly, replaced by a calm and indifferent expression.
"Secretary Song." Before Zhu Xuguang could introduce him, Qi Weiwen stood up from his seat, walked over confidently, and extended his hand to Song Tianyao: "I didn't expect to see you again so soon after last night."
Secretary Song extended her hand and briefly shook hands with the other person's slender, fair fingers before releasing them. She sat down in a seat nearby and said with a faint smile, "Won't Hall Master Qi address me as Nephew Song this time?"
He wanted to see the woman's slightly embarrassed expression, but Qi Weiwen just smiled and said, "I was reckless last night. Since Secretary Song isn't a member of the underworld, my address of 'Nephew Song' was quite embarrassing."
"Have those fingers been reattached?" Song Tianyao suddenly asked another question after the other person finished speaking.
Qi Weiwen paused for a moment, but then said, "Thank you for your concern, Secretary Song. I've already arranged for a bone-setting specialist."
"Tell him to watch out. If he messes with my family again, I'll have to have a bone-setting doctor fish his hands and feet out of the sea before I can fix them." Song Tianyao said coldly, then turned to Zhu Xuguang and smiled, "Uncle Guang, I've come here today not because of the matter on the 14K, but because I have something I'd like to ask you to do me a favor, considering the long-standing relationship between He Yong Yi and my grandfather."
"Oh, A-Yao, go ahead." Zhu Xuguang's expression changed.
Zhu Xuguang was the last disciple accepted by Black Bone Yan of Heavenly Treasure Mountain in the Hung Mun during his lifetime. He was only two years younger than Song Chengqi. However, when Song Chengqi first came to Hong Kong, he and Black Bone Yan were of equal generation. Even those disciples and grand-disciples under Black Bone Yan who were older than Song Chengqi had to address him as Uncle-Master Song or Mountain Lord Song. Zhu Xuguang had met Song Chengqi a few times when he was young, but as he gradually made a name for himself in the martial arts world, they had less contact. After all, no one wants to lose face after being famous for many years and being fawned over by others, only to have to obediently bow and call someone of similar age "Uncle-Master".
Although East Liang Mountain and He Yong Yi are indeed legitimate members of the Hung Mun, they have not had any contact for many years. Moreover, given Song Chengqi's personality, he has never asked anyone for a favor even once in all these years.
I never expected that his grandson would ask for my help on our first meeting.
"I heard that the He-prefix gangs and Li Caifa's Green Gang are preparing to go to war?" Song Tianyao asked Zhu Xuguang.
Zhu Xuguang nodded. This kind of thing was no secret in the underworld, and there was no need to hide it from anyone. "It's Wo Shing Yee and the Green Gang have gotten into a fight. Everyone here uses the He-prefix gangs, so of course we have to stand with Wo Shing Yee. Speaking of which, Li Caifa invited me and six other senior members of the He-prefix gangs to the teahouse in Lichi today to discuss this matter openly."
"Uncle Guang, you have a wealth of experience in the martial world, far more than my grandfather has ever seen. If we were to discuss this matter, do you think there's any possibility of reaching an agreement?" Song Tianyao continued to ask.
While Song Tianyao's compliment didn't exactly bring a smile to Zhu Xuguang's face, it certainly pleased him. "How can something like this be settled in one go? Neither side is willing to back down right now; we'll have to fight it out a few times, determine a winner, and only when one side takes the initiative to soften their stance can we truly sit down and talk things through."
So that means we still have to fight?
Zhu Xuguang stated definitively, "Today elders of He-prefix gangs and Li Caifa are sitting together to prepare for a fight, according to the rules of the martial arts world. We'll set a time and place for both sides to bring their men and fight. How can we talk without a fight?"
"Uncle Guang, is it possible that I can provide the funds to arrange a fight He-prefix gangs and the Green Gang at the Central Pier tonight?" Song Tianyao asked, glancing at Qi Weiwen after he finished speaking.
Zhu Xuguang froze, lowering his head to avoid looking at Song Tianyao, slowly sipping his tea to hide his confusion. "In principle, this kind of thing should be decided by Wo Shing Yee and Li Caifa. However, if the other uncles from the He-prefix gangs speak up, it wouldn't be breaking the rules. If several uncles speak up together, even if Wo Shing Yee Rotten-Faced Nan the gang, he would agree. It's just..."