Chapter 376: Zheng Shenghua

Zhong Zhenbei returned home with the case file, and after comparing it with the confession Zhang Ping'an had brought, they understood the general situation.

"Dad, should we tell Zheng Shu?"

"No need, Zheng should already know about this."

"What? Then why is Zheng Shu still so... doting on Zheng Zhiming?"

"Sigh, don't forget that this little bastard is the only seedling of the Zheng Family. Although he is married and has children now, that temperament of his can no longer be changed."

"Besides, Ping'an was fine at the time, and Zheng was somewhat angry in his heart back then."

"Dad, Big Brother, Second Brother, actually, Elder Zheng is likely reaching the end of his time."

"What? Ping'an, are you serious?"

"Yes, this morning when I observed Elder Zheng, although his complexion was ruddy, it was not the ruddiness of a healthy person. It should be the final flare of life; I estimate it will be within these one or two days."

In fact, Zhang Ping'an had used Space Perception to check Zheng Zhiming's physical condition that morning and discovered that his entire kidney was already overdrawn, and he had a venereal disease in his lower body; if he didn't go to the Hospital to see it, it would likely rot until it was unusable.

Zheng Shenghua was someone he checked while he was at it, and this perception revealed something wrong: Zheng Shenghua's entire organs were already abnormally decayed, yet his complexion was abnormally ruddy; this was clearly the final flare of life.

It is estimated that coming to find Zhong Dingbang was not only the grandson's instigation but also because he had something to ask for, but he was delayed because he was here.

Zhang Ping'an had respect for the older generation of comrades, but in a situation where the oil was exhausted and the lamp was dry, he was also unable to save the situation.

"I'm going to see Zheng." Zhong Dingbang could not care about anything else and called for his guards before leaving the house.

"Ping'an, could you have seen it wrong?"

"Perhaps, but there is a high probability that I am not wrong." Zhang Ping'an shook his head and said no more.

Time returns to noon at the Zheng Family, as the grandfather and grandson of the Zheng Family return from the Zhong Family.

"Grandpa, that son-in-law of the Zhong Family is Zhang Ping'an."

"Oh? Is he the Zhang Ping'an because of whom Mingzhu rejected you?"

"Yes," Zheng Zhiming said through gritted teeth.

"Then you didn't lose unjustly."

"Grandpa?"

"Zhiming, Grandpa has rarely misjudged people in his life, and neither has your Grandpa Zhong. Now, I definitely won't be wrong. In the future, stop engaging in those crooked ways and work properly."

"Grandpa won't be able to protect you for many more days; the road ahead will depend entirely on you and your father."

"Grandpa, don't scare me."

"I originally intended to match you with Mingzhu of the Zhong Family. Even if Grandpa is gone, with the Zhong Family there, you wouldn't suffer any major losses."

"That won't work now. The things you do behind people's backs cannot be hidden from the eyes of the Zhong Family. Even without Zhang Ping'an, there would be a Li Ping'an or a Wang Ping'an."

"It's also Grandpa's fault for doting on you too much since you were small, which caused you to develop a lawless temperament. Now, it's too late to say anything."

"Remember, don't stir up trouble in the future. Live your life well with your wife, have more children, and let our Zheng Family flourish."

"Grandpa, what is wrong with you?"

Zheng Zhiming was somewhat panicked. He had grown up by his grandparents' side since he was small, and their bond was very deep. But now, every word his grandfather said sounded like a last will and testament; how could he not panic?

"It's nothing, it's just that Grandpa is a bit tired. I'll be fine after resting for a while. Go call your grandmother over, and have your father come back early after he gets off work."

"Okay, okay, okay, I'll go right now."

Zheng Zhiming hurriedly called his grandmother and phoned his father. In just this short while, Zheng Shenghua's complexion rapidly turned gray and withered, his breath as thin as a gossamer thread.

"Old man..."

"Ol-, old woman, I, I am afraid I must take my leave first. There are two letters under the pillow; when the time comes, give them to Lao Liu and Zhong." Zheng Shenghua appeared extremely strained with every word he spoke.

"Okay, okay, I have remembered it all. Don't talk anymore, rest for a while." The old lady looked at the wheezing old man and hurriedly went up to help him catch his breath.

"Mm, good."

After Zheng Shenghua stopped talking, his breathing became much steadier, but it was also very weak. Seeing this, the old lady held his hand and did not dare to leave.

Zheng Zhiming, having finished his phone call, entered on tiptoe. Seeing his grandfather's body still rising and falling, he thought he was just asleep and let out a long sigh of relief in his heart.

"Grandma, I have already notified my father to rush home."

"Mm."

At the gate of the Zheng Family, Zheng Zhiming's father, Zheng Xiangnan, and Zhong Dingbang met at the entrance, the two of them talking as they walked.

"Uncle Zhong."

"Mm, what is your father's situation now?"

"I don't know either, but Xiao Ming's tone was very panicked when he called, so I hurried back."

As the two spoke, they quickened their pace toward the house. Seeing that there was no one in the main hall, Zheng Xiangnan was also somewhat panicked.

"Dad? Mom? Xiao Ming?"

"Dad, keep your voice down, Grandpa is resting. Grandpa Zhong, why are you here?"

"How is your grandfather now?"

"It seems he was tired and fell asleep."

"Old woman, is that Xiangnan back?"

"Yes, our son is back, and Elder Brother Zhong has also come."

"Dad."

"Zheng, how are you..."

Zhong Dingbang could hardly believe it. It had been no more than a few hours since they last met; how could his complexion be so different?

"Zhong, I am afraid this brother of yours must take his leave first. I hope you will look after my good-for-nothing grandson for the sake of our friendship."

"Okay, okay, okay, I promise you everything. Stop talking now, hurry and call a doctor!" Zhong Dingbang roared at Zheng Zhiming, who was still standing there foolishly.

"Oh, oh, okay."

"It's useless, Zhong. I know my own body. Xiangnan, come here."

"Father..."

"After I am gone, you must strictly discipline Zhiming. All these years, it is my fault for spoiling the child too much, which led him to commit some mistakes. If he makes mistakes again in the future, no one will be able to save him."

"Alright, Father."

"The doctors are here," Zheng Zhiming said, panting as he pulled two doctors along.

"Chief."

The Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor placed his hand on the pulse and was stunned; this was a terminal pulse, the very last lesson his master had taught him before passing away. The Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor shook his head almost imperceptibly.

The Western medicine doctor stepped forward and performed an examination, only to reach the same conclusion: that he had been able to hold on until now was purely due to a strong will to live.

"Alright, you all go back. Lao Zheng, I also want to entrust some matters to Xiangnan."

"Alright." Zhong Dingbang sighed inwardly, nodded, and led the two doctors out, closing the door behind them.

"Xiangnan, remember Father's words: strictly discipline Zhiming, otherwise the rest of his life will be ruined."

"Zhiming, you too, listen well to your father and mother. Old woman, I am leaving. You all must live well."

"Old man."

"Father."

"Grandfather..."

Outside the door, Zhong Dingbang's face revealed deep sorrow; the comrade-in-arms to whom he could once entrust his back had just departed so quietly.

Zheng Shenghua's funeral was handled very discreetly, notifying only immediate family and a few comrades-in-arms; Zhong Dingbang also fell into a serious illness because of this.

"Ping'an, hurry and go see my father. Big Brother called to say that Father has fallen ill."

"Alright, let's go over right now." Zhang Ping'an grabbed his Medical Box and drove away with Zhong Mingzhu.

"Uncle, hurry." Zhong Zhengguo had been waiting outside to take Zhang Ping'an in.

"Alright."

In the bedroom, Zhang Ping'an was taking Zhong Dingbang's pulse.

"Kid, I'm fine; it's just them making a fuss over nothing."

"Father, you are suffering from excessive grief, which has injured your lung Qi. I will give you two acupuncture needles and prescribe a dose of medicine for you to drink; you will be better very soon."

"Alright, Ping'an, could you have cured Old Zheng's condition at the time?"

"I could not. A flash of light before death is essentially borrowing time from the heavens; no one can save that, unless it is a Daluo Immortal," Zhang Ping'an said, shaking his head.