Chapter 133 - Annual Family Clan Gathering (2/2)

“Let it be. The gathering is near; we will kick back and watch as they make themselves into walking laughing stocks.” Great Auntie said.

Hearing her words, everyone flashed a gloating smile on their face. The annual gathering would be the time that reality taught their young brother and his family a lesson.

Although Great Uncle didn’t speak a word, the promise of seeing his younger brother’s embarra.s.sment brought a smile onto his face.

“My brother, you always insisted that the personal connection is not important. I can’t wait to see how you will fare during this years family gathering.”

The next day morning, Chen Fan went to the East Mountain park first thing in the morning.

Ever since he returned home, he found less and less time to spend on cultivation. Therefore, he decided to make time by waking up a bit earlier in the morning.

When he arrived at the park, there had already been many elderly people exercising and practicing Tai Qi.

He found an empty area and started to practice the fist forms. He curved both arms and rested them in front of him as if he was hugging a tree. His form was steady and unshakable like a pillar in the dragon temple that supported the sky. Then he started moving. His movement was smooth like silk and the connection between each move was seamless. The forms infused the energy about Chen Fan with a grand and nearly boundless quality.

“Xiao Fan, what are you practicing? Why have I never seen that before?”

An old man came over to Chen Fan and asked incredulously.

“Grandpa.” Chen Fan paused and then gathered himself. “This is called True Martial Thirty-Six Forms. A grand master taught it to me. I can teach you if you’d like to learn.”

“There is no need. I am in my seventies, so Tai Chi is good enough for me.” Chen Huaian waved a hand and said: “Come walk with me, will you?”

The two of them walked along the lake sh.o.r.e.

Chen Huaian said heavily: “Xiao Fan, you know that although your uncle could have handled things better than he had, his intentions were good.

“Your father had been stubborn for his entire life and failed to understand the importance of blending in.

“In the Dream of the Red Mansion, there is a famous sentence; it goes like this: ‘A grasp of mundane affairs is genuine knowledge; Understanding of worldly wisdom is true learning.’ It is always righteous to uphold moral standards, But sometimes, it is wise to accept the ugliness of reality and learn to work around it.”

The old man generously offered his life lesson to his grandson.

He had lived a rough and tumble life that eventually led him to Jin City. There he planted his roots and made a fortune for himself. His achievement should have been a good foundation for his sons to develop further. However, the fall out between Chan Fan’s father with the w.a.n.g family had halted the growth of the family power. Even so, the old man never complained once to his youngest son.

“Both your Great and Second Uncles are of mediocre talents. Your father, on the other hand, was very talented but was as stubborn as an a.s.s. Of all the third generation youngsters, only Chen An is capable of handling himself. However, he is too materialistic, and… selfish for lack of better words.” Chen Huaian said as he heaved a sigh.

“After I leave the world, I bet the family will quickly crumble in their hands.”

“Grandpa, you are going to live a long life. Don’t say things like that.” Chen Fan put in.

“Hehe, I know better than anyone about my health.”

Chen Huaian shook his head and then turned over to Chen Fan.

“Xiao Fan, you are my favorite.”

“You have what it takes to become a good leader; you just need good guidance. What you need is a big set back in your life. That should shake things up for you and force you out of your comfort zone, and release your potential.”

Chen Fan was stunned by the old man’s words. He had never thought that the old man had such high expectations of him.

“Even in my last life, my grandpa believed in me too. However, I was not able to pull myself together until I was 30 years old after having tasted riches, poverty, and everything in between. After I embarked on the journey of cultivation, I worked day and night, hoping I could right the wrongs in my life.”

With that thought in mind, he said firmly: “Grandpa, be rest a.s.sured, I won’t let our family fall apart.”

“Good, very good!” Chen Huaian nodded pleasedly.

A final content satisfaction gleamed in the old man’s eyes.

The spring festival had been torture. Although everyone pretended to get along well, they could feel that Chen Fan’s family and the rest of the two families were drifting apart. No one came to hang out with Chen Fan, and even Chen Guoguo was grounded by her parents.

Chen Fan didn’t mind the others ignoring him. He spent most of his time with the old man, strolling in the park and exercising with him. It was fun to Chen Fan just the same.

Soon, the new year’s eve was over, and the entire Chen family clan was to gather at the old family estate in the countryside.

The annual gathering of the Chen Family clan was about to draw back its curtain.