“Boss, wait for me. You can’t leave now, take me to Hong Kong Island later.”
“Okay, okay!”
It seemed as if everyone on the street had gathered here. Seeing how difficult it was for Zheng Bai Cheng to get through, Xiao Fen stood on the table, which frightened A Jian. He immediately went to help her down.
“Neighbors, Ah Cheng has just returned, let him in, rest for a while, and have some water.”
Xiao Fen and Xiao Hua had different personalities. At this moment, the fiery side of her character was evident. The neighbors immediately gave way, greeting Zheng Bai Cheng one after another.
“Ah Cheng, you brought honor to Hong Kong, well done!”
“Ah Cheng, my son admires you.”
“Ah Cheng, when you have time, tell us about…”
“Ah Cheng…”
Zheng Bai Cheng almost lost himself in the neighbors’ warm greetings, but thankfully, Xiao Hua was timidly holding his hand, which prevented him from getting lost in the crowd. Finally, they reached the front of Chen’s grocery store. He pulled Xiao Fen down, stood on the table, and said, “Thank you, neighbors, for your support of our business. I am grateful to everyone… From tomorrow onwards, our Chen’s Grocery Store will hold an event to thank you for your help.” He clasped his hands together and said many words of gratitude.
As soon as he finished speaking, warm applause erupted.
The commotion quickly attracted a group of uniformed police officers. Having just experienced the ’67 riots, they were extremely tense. Seeing so many people gathered together, they rushed over immediately.
The leader, a detective inspector, pulled a person aside and asked, “Who is the handsome young man?”
“Good afternoon, Sir.” Seeing that it was a Chinese detective inspector, he immediately greeted him and said, “He is our neighbor, Zheng Bai Cheng. You don’t know him? He returned from overseas today. Everyone is happy and here to welcome him.”
“Oh, you mean the son of Hong Kong, Zheng Bai Cheng?”
“Yes, Sir. I’ve been a neighbor for many years, I wouldn’t mistake him. He is a literary star sent from heaven. I want to be blessed with his literary aura.”
The Chinese detective inspector immediately said a few words to the people beside him, and they began to maintain order.
Perhaps due to the police’s imposing presence last year, the people feared them and retreated. Soon, the crowd became orderly.
Finally, Zheng Bai Cheng said, “… In a few days, when I’m free, I’ll invite all the neighbors, thank you for your support!”
“Good!”
Soon, the neighbors erupted in applause, shouting, “Good!” Everyone was happy. The son of Hong Kong, Ah Cheng, was still the same Ah Cheng, the grocery store owner, and had not changed at all.
The neighbors dispersed, planning to support the son of Hong Kong at Chen’s Grocery Store’s event tomorrow. They were not doing it for the discount, but to support their neighbor, the great literary scholar, Zheng Bai Cheng.
After the crowd dispersed, the uniformed police officers maintaining order did not leave. The leading Chinese detective inspector walked towards Zheng Bai Cheng, who also noticed him.
“Good day, Mr. Zheng, I am Lui Lek.”
Recognizing the name, Zheng Bai Cheng knew who he was. Last year, this man made great contributions and was promoted to Chinese detective inspector. Why was he here today? This man would retire early in a few years, and leave Hong Kong a few years later. During this time, he was a prominent figure among the Chinese police, a man who redefined the unspoken rules. However, he would eventually become a legend.
“Good day, Mr. Lui, I am Zheng Bai Cheng.”
“I know you, young man. You’re doing well.” Lui Lek had a good impression of Zheng Bai Cheng. This man had earned the support of the neighbors, not just because he wrote a few novels. Looking at the neighbors who had not left, their eyes were vigilant, afraid that he would do something to this young man. This was a cultural celebrity known worldwide. Of course, he wouldn’t do anything to him.
“Mr. Lui, you’ve all worked hard. I’ll treat you to some soda. I just came back and am in a hurry. It’s nothing special.”
“Mr. Zheng, you’re being too polite. You are now a world-famous celebrity. We are just policemen, rough guys.”
“Mr. Lui, you’re being too polite. Just call me Ah Cheng.” Zheng Bai Cheng was polite, showing respect to this future police chief. He would need the other man’s help in the future. Even the future Chinese billionaire Li, was a good friend of his. He couldn’t compare to Li at all.
“How can I be so rude? You can call me Ah Lek.”
“You’re older than me, I should call you Lek Ge. Lek Ge, come have some soda.” Zheng Bai Cheng personally opened a bottle of soda and offered it to Lui Lek.
“Thank you!”
Zheng Bai Cheng asked Xiao Fen to get more soda for the other officers.
“Lek Ge, leave your contact information. In a few days, I’ll invite the neighbors. You have to come.”
“Haha… Of course, of course.” He wrote down his contact information on the notebook Zheng Bai Cheng handed him.
After a few pleasantries, they parted ways. Both had a desire to befriend the other. They would soon become friends.
Lin Xiao Hua had already taken out the big and small bags and distributed the gifts inside.
“Xiao Hua, where did you go to play?” Xiao Fen held the bag, comparing it to her own body, then spread out the dress and compared it to her body. She was very happy, feeling it suited her perfectly.
Xiao Hua distributed the gifts to the other three. The tutor was also there, so she gave her own dress to her.
Seeing this, Zheng Bai Cheng didn’t say anything. Instead, he silently gave her a thumbs up in his heart. After chatting with them for a while, he said, “Xiao Fen, notify the suppliers today and prepare some goods. We’re holding an event tomorrow, let’s do an 80% discount.”
Xiao Fen mentally calculated that an 80% discount was acceptable, and there would still be some profit.
“Cheng Ge, I understand, we will do that tomorrow.”
Zheng Bai Cheng thought for a moment and added, “Ask them to be ready to deliver goods at any time. There might be a lot of people coming.”
Xiao Fen felt that was right too. The New Year was a month away, and they would need to prepare a lot of things. As for checking the accounts, he didn’t have time now. He could only come back and check in a couple of days. Now, he had to go home and rest, his body was tired.
After bidding farewell to Xiao Fen and the others, the two boarded a taxi. The taxi driver started the car and drove towards the pier.
In the car, the taxi driver wanted to ask, but he felt a little embarrassed. He had seen so many people on the street. For safety, he closed the window. He didn’t hear clearly. He only knew the other man was called Ah Cheng.
Seeing the driver’s expression, Zheng Bai Cheng found it a little funny, but he didn’t introduce himself, as it would seem like he was showing off.
Finally, when Zheng Bai Cheng gave him another fifty Hong Kong dollars, he asked, “Young man, what’s your name?”
“He he… I am Zheng Bai Cheng.”