Looking at the unfamiliar number displayed on the phone.
Fang Cheng hesitated, but still chose to answer the call.
"Hello, Ah Cheng, it’s me!"
A slightly unruly voice quickly came through the receiver.
Fang Cheng’s eyebrows rose as he immediately asked, "Where are you now, why did you change your number?"
"I’m out dealing with business, accompanying clients."
Li Dingjian gave a vague reply, then asked, "Has grandfather’s surgery been completed, how is his condition?"
Fang Cheng then relayed the general situation and what the doctor had said to him.
Li Dingjian sighed heavily upon hearing this, and then cursed:
"I could have been back in East Capital by now, but some unexpected incidents caused by a few bastards delayed me..."
As he reached this point, he paused, and then his tone brightened slightly:
"Let’s not talk about my issues for now, it’s been tough on you and your sister these days. I’ll be back in a few days, and Uncle will have a big surprise for you!"
Fang Cheng shook his head and smiled, just hoping that Uncle could come back safely.
The two chatted a few more words and then hung up.
Looking at the display time on the phone.
Today is the 27th, the 20th day of the 12th lunar month, only ten days away from Chinese New Year.
Recently he’s been busy exercising, enhancing his skills, it looks like it’s time to take some time to buy New Year’s goods.
Like buying a new piece of clothing for mom, and preparing a gift for Wen Xin.
Thinking of this, Fang Cheng looked up at the bustling crowd on the pedestrian street ahead and the appealing shop windows.
Today is the weekend, and this area is a well-known commercial center in Jiangdong District.
There are especially many citizens shopping, each with children, pushing shopping carts, creating quite a congested scene.
Many malls and shops took the opportunity to launch promotional activities welcoming the Spring Festival.
Since the fitness equipment doesn’t seem quite satisfactory, he might as well first buy some New Year’s goods to bring home.
Listening to the song "Congratulations on Your Fortune" drifting into his ears, Fang Cheng followed the crowded crowd into a large and bustling supermarket nearby.
An afternoon passed in the blink of an eye.
The setting sun tainted the sky red, the street lights and signs on both sides gradually lit up, adding a bit of festival atmosphere.
The number of people shopping around did not decrease but instead became even more noisy.
Fang Cheng carrying two large shopping bags, walked out of the mall.
Today he fully indulged in shopping, the things he bought nearly filled the taxi’s trunk.
Mostly clothes, snacks, and daily necessities.
Fang Cheng returned to the sports store he visited earlier.
He reordered ten weight plates, arranging for them to be delivered tomorrow.
The weight plates can also be used as weights for Deep Squat, Lifting Leg, and Pull-ups training.
As for other special fitness equipment, Fang Cheng decided to have it custom-made at a familiar workshop on Old Factory Street.
Watching Fang Cheng’s actions, the taxi driver, while driving, struck up a conversation:
"Young man, planning on getting into fitness, eh?"
Fang Cheng, sitting in the backseat, nodded in agreement.
The driver was corpulent, with a stubble beard, and talkative, he continued on the topic non-stop:
"Fitness is great, grow some muscles, and if you encounter bad guys, just show your biceps, and they won’t dare to mess with you."
"You know, the public security in East Capital is not very good right now. In the past two months, there have always been gangsters hacking people in Jiangbei..."
Fang Cheng smiled upon hearing this and did not say anything.
The driver spoke for a while, feeling somewhat bored, then shifted his attention back to the road conditions.
At this moment, the song playing on the car radio suddenly paused, switching to a voice:
"Breaking news, unknown diseases have emerged in multiple regions of East Capital recently. So far, hundreds have been infected, showing symptoms of intermittent mania, rolling back of the eyes, sluggish response, unusual strength, and a tendency for violent attacks..."
"The health department initially identified it as an extremely rare infectious disease, possibly related to mad cow disease in another country, ruling out transmission through air droplets and water, hence a low risk of a large-scale outbreak."
"At present, the police have already taken containment and investigation measures in the locations with the most cases. Citizens are advised to avoid the following areas unless necessary..."
"Also, please rest assured and refrain from spreading rumors. If anyone nearby shows similar symptoms, please call the police or dial the hotline..."
The driver glanced at the rearview mirror and noticed that Fang Cheng was captivated by the news.
Thinking he found a topic, he began to ramble again:
"Young man, you wouldn’t believe it, but this afternoon when I was picking up clients near West Gate, I encountered a crazed man. Luckily, I know Kung Fu and am agile, so I acted bravely and subdued him before the police arrived."
"You know Kung Fu, master?"
Fang Cheng was surprisingly intrigued, looking at the stout driver.
"Of course, how else would I dare to drive a night taxi?"
The driver laughed "Ha ha", a bit proudly:
"Let me tell you, the Kung Fu I learned is the renowned Great Saint Splitting Fist, this martial art is all about strong standing and overpowering the opponent with one move..."
In the midst of the driver’s endless chatter, the taxi also continued moving steadily and swiftly.
As night fell, they finally arrived at Old Factory Street.
Fang Cheng got out of the car, while the driver kept talking:
"Young man, I really enjoy chatting with you, next time we meet, I’ll teach you a thing or two. There’s a saying, ’With Kung Fu, no cowardice’..."
Fang Cheng’s ears were buzzing, and he was rather speechless, only managing to nod with a smile.
He felt this guy was more of a chatterbox than Pan Wendi.
Luckily, since mastering meditation, his willpower had improved, strengthening his resistance to various distractions.
Otherwise, during the ride, he might have eventually lost patience and made him shut up.
Watching the taxi turn around and leave, Fang Cheng then picked up two large bags of goods and headed upstairs.
"Ah Cheng, bought so many goods for the New Year?"
Now, at the peak of the evening rush hour, electric bikes were arriving, parking in the passageway downstairs.
Many neighbors encountered each other and exchanged greetings.
Fang Cheng responded while continuing to walk upstairs.
Upon reaching the 9th floor, he passed by the Zhou Family’s door with its illuminating light, glancing momentarily.
Inside, he saw only two people, Zhou Xiumei and Grandmother, silently having dinner.
Probably the police station had many cases lately, Uncle Zhou seldom came home.
As for Aunt He, she still hadn’t returned from her parental home with her son.
With the New Year approaching, yet one household seemed exceptionally quiet.
Fang Cheng sighed lightly.
Comparatively, his own family was still doing well, hoping his grandfather could be discharged from the hospital before New Year’s Eve for a family reunion.
Fang Cheng took out the keys and opened the door.
Just about to put down the bags of New Year goods and change into slippers.
Suddenly, his gaze sharpened, noticing a brand-new postcard lying conspicuously on the floor of the entrance.
In the darkness, the postcard flickered with a chilling gloss.
As he saw the bizarre and strange characters written on it.
Fang Cheng’s gaze locked firmly, inhaling deeply.