Chapter 006: The Fortress Breached from Within

After receiving the punch, Peng Yuanzheng remained calm and composed, once again bowing in respect.

Peng Yuanzheng smiled faintly and shook his head, "No, I am going home now, goodbye"

Cao Ying let out a sigh; she did not want to go against her father's wishes too much, so she sent Zhang Kai out the door. However, this farewell was quite dull. Cao Ying walked ahead while Zhang Kai followed closely behind. From the building where Cao Ying lived to the entrance of the residential area, they did not exchange a single word along the way

Cao Ying gazed somewhat despondently as Peng Yuanzheng walked away, her heart sinking. It was only at this moment that she faintly realized that her fervent feelings for Peng Yuanzheng would be extinguished by the merciless reality.

Cao Dapeng indeed recognized Peng Yuanzheng. However, Peng Yuanzheng's mother, Meng Lin, was merely an ordinary cashier in the finance department of the factory, while he held a high position as a factory leader, overseeing thousands of employees with varying statuses. If Peng Yuanzheng were to address him as "Secretary Cao," he might hypocritically nod in acknowledgment, but upon hearing the term "Uncle Cao," his expression would turn somewhat indifferent.

Peng Yuanzheng turned and left

Peng Yuanzheng sighed and nodded, resigning himself to this default acceptance

Cao Dapeng's indifferent and dismissive attitude did not actually anger Peng Yuanzheng; rather, the trace of arrogance in his eyes deeply wounded Peng Yuanzheng's spirit

Despite his refinement and patience, he is ultimately a young man in his twenties, having just graduated from university, full of youthful vigor. With Cao Ying being so indifferent, he finds it inappropriate to continue to press his warm face against her cold backside

Upon seeing Cao Ying enter, the young man immediately stood up and smiled, "Cao Ying!"

Cao Dapeng got out of the car, holding a black briefcase in his hand. He stood in front of the car, frowning, looking at his daughter, who was riding a motorcycle with Peng Yuanzheng, and said in a deep voice, "Xiaoying, where are you going? Come here!"

Cao Ying stopped at the entrance of the residential area, remaining silent, implying that Zhang Kai could leave.

Xinan Machinery Factory is a state-owned large enterprise and a provincial-level company, with factory-level leaders holding the rank of deputy department head. The factory has a total of three Hongqi cars, one of which belongs to Cao Dapeng

Peng Yuanzheng cast a glance at Zhang Kai, his expression calm, at least his face showed no trace of emotional change. It was precisely this calmness that, in Cao Ying's eyes, inexplicably caused her heart to ache.

The Daoist Mingxin opened his mouth to shout, but hesitated and closed it again

At this moment, Peng Yuanzheng and his mother were walking towards them

Cao Ying pushed the cart and looked at Peng Yuanzheng with a pleading gaze

When Cao Ying entered the house, her mother Liu Fang was cooking in the kitchen, while her father Cao Dapeng was conversing with a well-dressed young man on the sofa in the living room

Cao Dapeng's expression was somewhat unpleasant as he said in a low voice, "Xiaoying! It’s not easy for Xiaozhang to come to our home, hurry up and change your clothes to come out and talk to him!"

At first, Cao Dapeng did not take it seriously, but later, upon learning that Zhang Kai was the only son of Zhang Chengye, the director of the Municipal Agricultural Machinery Bureau, and the nephew of Deputy Mayor Meng Qiang's wife, Zhang Meiqi, he immediately changed his mind

On the way down the mountain, Cao Ying asked while walking, "Peng Yuanzheng, when will you practice Tai Chi again? Did you learn it in university?"

Zhang Kai chatted and laughed with Cao Dapeng while glancing at Cao Ying's closed door. Noticing that there was no sound coming from it, he felt uncomfortable in his heart, yet did not show it outwardly

Cao Dapeng ignored Peng Yuanzheng and immediately turned to glare at Cao Ying, "On such a hot day, why are you running around instead of staying at home? Hurry back! We have guests coming over today!"

Peng Yuanzheng smiled silently, yet found himself at a loss for words

"Aunt Meng! Peng Yuanzheng, have you all gone out for a walk?" Cao Ying forced a smile as she greeted Meng Lin

Fortresses are often breached from within—therefore, the time and energy he has spent over the past year on Cao Dapeng's wife and *Tu* far exceeds that spent on Cao Ying

The Daoist Mingxin's gaze flickered as he looked at Peng Yuanzheng with suspicion, frowning and asking, "May I ask from whom the layman learned this set of Tai Chi?"

Having finished speaking, Cao Dapeng walked towards the building with a briefcase in hand, taking measured steps in a distinctive gait.

Peng Yuanzheng, in his previous life, became bored due to the monotony of rural life and studied Tai Chi under the guidance of Master Mingxin for five years. Thereafter, it became a hobby. He practiced diligently every day without interruption, which amounts to over ten years of experience. He has also represented the city in national competitions.

Meng Lin smiled as she walked over and took Cao Ying's hand, saying, "Yes, Xiao Ying, we are just out for a walk together—are you sending off a friend?"

... ...

The young man before me is Zhang Kai, a university classmate of my daughter Cao Ying, who has been pursuing her for quite some time now

If one cannot change the course of fate, then there is no point in speaking of deep affections for one's children; even this rebirth loses its significance. If there is no entirely new future, the profound regret in his heart extends far beyond just Cao Ying.

The young person is smiling and mediating on the side

Upon this thought, Cao Ying felt a sudden unease in her heart, sorrow welling up within her, and unable to contain herself, her eyes reddened as she bowed her head and wept. She harbored a desire for love and happiness, yet she lacked the ability to change her reality

Cao Dapeng shifted his gaze back, looking at the young man with an added sense of approval in his eyes.

Cao Ying glanced at the young man, her brows furrowing slightly. She merely nodded as a form of greeting, then entered her room and closed the door behind her

Xiao Ying, go see Zhang Kai off! Hurry up!" Cao Dapeng said in a deep voice

After a moment of silence, Peng Yuanzheng did not respond to the words of the Mingxin Daoist. Instead, he turned around and walked back, calling to the astonished Cao Ying to descend the mountain with him

Peng Yuanzheng let out a breath and walked over, taking the initiative to greet Cao Dapeng, saying, "Hello, Uncle Cao!"

Peng Yuanzheng hesitated for a moment, but resolutely took large strides forward

Cao Ying has not yet spoken, but Zhang Kai has already greeted Meng Lin with a polite smile and extended his hand to Peng Yuanzheng, saying, "Zhang Kai, Cao Ying's university classmate. Hello."

Peng Yuanzheng had dinner with his mother, and they went out for a walk together. After taking a stroll around the street, they happened to encounter Cao Ying and Zhang Kai.

Uncle Cao, it's alright, it doesn't matter. Cao Ying might be tired, let's allow her to rest for a while

Therefore, Zhang Kai's pursuit of Cao Ying was ineffective; instead, he became quite familiar with the couple, Cao Dapeng and his wife, due to frequent interactions. Moreover, he was adept at socializing, always bringing small gifts to please the couple, which endeared him to them.

Cao Ying's face flushed red, and she looked at Peng Yuanzheng with some embarrassment. She explained softly, "Peng Yuanzheng, my father has this kind of temper, please don't be angry... Come on, let's go to my house and sit for a while"

He knows that Cao Ying has no feelings for him and seems to have someone else in mind. However, he is not anxious and has ample patience to wait. He is extremely confident that, given his talents and family background, the Cao family will certainly agree to marry their daughter to him

Only after repeated urging from her parents did Cao Ying reluctantly come out to say a few words to Zhang Kai before dinner. Once the meal was finished, Zhang Kai felt it was indeed quite dull and thus stood up to take his leave

The young man stiffened for a moment, yet still managed to smile gracefully before slowly sitting back down

In Cao Dapeng's view, Zhang Kai comes from an influential official family, has a strong family background, is exceptionally talented, and is assigned to work in the education bureau, making him a perfect match for his daughter, Cao Ying

Fortunately, Cao Ying did not inquire further.

Two individuals rode a motorcycle back to the city. As they entered the living area of the machinery factory, a black Hongqi sedan passed by them, which was indeed the vehicle of Cao Ying's father, Cao Dapeng

Peng Yuanzheng smiled faintly, extended his hand, and shook hands with Zhang Kai, saying, "Hello"

... ...

He went to the countryside today mainly to return to his village to obtain a certificate, and visiting Baiyun Temple was merely a detour, as he wished to pay a visit to his old friends and mentors from a past life. However, the world has changed and people have moved on; upon meeting Master Mingxin, he found that he could no longer maintain his previous state of detachment.