A Warm—and Salacious—Welcome
The BMW drove through the bustling streets and finally stopped in front of a serene, quiet manor.
Luke got out of the car, checked his appearance in the side mirror, took a deep breath, and walked toward the main gate after confirming he looked presentable.
An old man wearing a traditional Chinese tangzhuang lay dozing on a chair next to the iron gate. The man had a head full of silver hair and looked to be at least 70. His left eye was blind, leaving only his right eye open. His body swayed back and forth with the rocking chair, and a soft snore occasionally drifted out.
Luke kept his voice down.
"Grandpa Fu!"
The old man groggily opened his single eye. Seeing the young man outside the gate, he cracked a smile that revealed his yellow teeth and chuckled hoarsely.
"Little Luke, you're finally back! Grandpa Fu missed you so much."
"I missed you too. How's your health, Grandpa Fu? It's been months."
"Not bad, not bad. It's just that nothing tastes good. My mouth is so bland I could grow birds in it."
Though old, the man was sturdy. He moved with the vigor of a tiger, able to lift the heavy iron gate lock with one hand. After opening the gate, he looked Luke up and down and gave his shoulder a powerful slap.
"Good, good. You're getting handsomer. You have the dashing presence of your Grandpa Fu back in the day. No wonder you can get those little hussies screaming for you."
Hearing this, Linda, who was behind Luke, twitched uncontrollably. Little hussies? What little hussies? Where are the little hussies?
Luke shook his head modestly.
"Grandpa Fu, you give me too much credit. I only have about 70% of your charisma. Ask anyone in the North District—who doesn't know the legendary stories of young Grandpa Fu? Back then, you never paid a cent to visit a brothel; those women with their white butts would actually pay you! And sometimes you'd even turn them down! I could never learn that skill, I can only look on with envy."
The old man's eye lit up. "You know about that too!"
"How could I not know?"
Luke lightly jabbed him in the chest, giving him the look that all men understood. "I've always heard the tales. I didn't understand when I was little, but now that I'm grown up, you know?"
The old man instantly looked enlightened. The two, the old and the young, huddled together and let out strange, owl-like laughter.
Linda felt her scalp prickle and had the urge to turn and run. What kind of people are these? Two lechers! They're practically bandits.
"Come, let me introduce you."
Luke led the old man to the car and pointed at the tall, built Adam. "This is Adam, my driver and assistant, Grandpa Fu. If you have any errands to run, or anyone you want dealt with, just find him."
Luke deliberately emphasized the last sentence. The old man understood. He looked Adam up and down, and after meeting the emotionless, dark-green eyes, his body stiffened. He nodded seriously. The big man had an unusual presence; he looked like a ruthless character who wouldn't hesitate to kill.
He then turned his gaze to Linda. The girl's sweet face, vibrant youthful energy, and well-defined figure made the old man's eyes shine. He slapped Luke hard on the shoulder.
"Good boy! Not bad! Much better than that group of little hussies you had before. Where did you find her?"
Linda's face immediately fell. Red light flashed in her eyes, unleashing a powerful energy fluctuation. The air seemed to be driven out, turning into chaotic turbulence. The grass and trees shook, the leaves rustled, and the iron gate began to groan.
The old man's face changed drastically, and he quickly amended his words.
"Apologies, little girl. I'm an old man who speaks before he thinks. Don't take it seriously."
Then, he dragged Luke to one side and scolded him in a low voice.
"Boy, how many times have I warned you? You can chase hussies, but never a she-devil! You bring a living Bodhisattva like this into the house? Aren't you afraid she'll send you to the afterlife?"
Luke was helpless and could only explain,
"Her name is Linda Danvers. She's my friend—a female friend, not a girlfriend."
"I know you too well, kid!"
The old man looked sideways, seeing right through him.
"What female friend? Nonsense! Once sex is involved, they're all girlfriends. That's how those little hussies came to be."
Luke was rendered speechless. Seeing Linda's aura growing more violent, he quickly said,
"Speak softer, or we're going to be meeting the Buddha."
The old man quickly clamped his mouth shut. He cautiously glanced back, saw the girl's eyes glowing red and staring straight at them, and his mustache trembled. He sealed his lips even tighter.
He was only seventy-two—still young. He didn't want to meet the Buddha so soon. Or, for that matter, God.
Luke signaled to Adam, who opened the trunk and retrieved a large, pre-prepared gift box.
"These are gifts I specifically prepared for you: premium black tobacco from the Vinales Valley in Cuba and 30-year-aged pure liquor specially supplied in China. I know you love these things, so I prepared a lot. It's all stored at the house. I'll send it over to you later. Also, don't mention this to Grandpa."
"Good boy! Grandpa Fu hasn't spoiled you for nothing."
The old man laughed heartily, opened the gift box, pinched some tobacco, took a deep sniff, and nodded in satisfaction. He then uncorked the liquor bottle, poured a small cup of white wine, and poured it into his mouth. The aroma was rich and lingering, indescribably wonderful.
"Good stuff! Truly good stuff."
"Little Luke, you're the best. Filial and thoughtful, much better than those ungrateful little brats. Tell me if there's anything you need. Grandpa will stake his old life to help you achieve it."
"It's enough that you like it. When you're happy, I'm happy."
Luke glanced left and right, then lowered his voice.
"How is the old man doing? Is he still mad at me?"
The old man sighed faintly. "When he heard you were coming back, the Boss took out that whip he's kept hidden for decades. He's been sitting in his wheelchair whipping things, breaking quite a few objects."
He patted Luke's shoulder. "Kid, pray for mercy."
Luke quickly pleaded, "Grandpa Fu, you can't abandon me now!"
"Don't worry. The moment you're whipped unconscious, Grandpa Fu will be the first to carry you to the hospital."
Luke: "..."
"Alright, stop messing around here. Get inside. The Boss dotes on you so much, he'll only whip you a couple of times. He won't completely humiliate you."
Luke resigned himself, picked up his gift box, and walked toward the villa.
He saw the housemaids and took out two pairs of jade bracelets for them. The maids, who routinely looked after the old master, knew Luke's personality. They didn't refuse. After accepting the bracelets, they pulled him aside, gave him a careful warning, then happily put on the bracelets and left.
Perhaps sensing their master's scent, the two German Shepherds in the kennel rushed out of the enclosure and ran up to Luke, wagging their tails and panting excitedly.
"An'an, Bei'bei. Still acting like this after a few months."
Luke took out two German sausages and fed them to the dogs. "Alright, go play. Young Master doesn't have time for your antics."
Just as he reached the main entrance, an eccentric old man in ragged clothes with messy hair appeared at the intersection. The man was unusual; despite dressing like a beggar, he held his head high with a sideways glance, acting incredibly haughty. One might think he was there to collect a debt.
Luke took out a gift box and tossed it over.
"This is for you. Take it or leave it."
He pushed open the large door. The morning sun cast two rows of shadows across the living room. An old man in a red tangzhuang sat in a wheelchair, his tiger-like eyes fixed intently on him.
Luke gave an awkward smile, took a few steps forward, and respectfully called out,
"Grandpa!"
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