What do you mean by quitting the business? I'm not a big shot.

Chapter 609 A Grand Funeral
Back at the group building, Bao C, A Yao, A Xin, Da Pao, Pa Che Wei, and other big shots gathered in the lounge, whispering and discussing amongst themselves.

Upon seeing Yin Zhaotang return to the company, Bao C stepped forward and blocked the road, clasping his hands in a gesture of supplication: "Grandpa, our gang is leaderless and the leader is not here. We beg you to set up an altar and announce our presence to the gang, thus enhancing the prestige of our Loyalty Hall!"

More than twenty nominal leaders, including Ah Yao, Da Pao, and Pa Che Wei, vied to say, "Please, Brother Tang (Grandpa), establish the altar and become the person in charge!"

Yin Zhaotang glanced at everyone and noticed that even Zhang Gaoming, Chu Zhongde, Ding Jiahao, and others were there. He nodded understandingly and said, "Uncle Cat is still in the hospital, let's not talk about that."

Explosive C and his gang quickly moved to the side of the road and watched their boss enter the office.

These people are located on the periphery of the core system, and they receive the news relatively slowly. Ironically, they are the most vulnerable to being overturned by the tide, and thus have no choice but to rush to express their opinions.

In the evening, Yin Zhaotang finished get off work and left the office with his men. Gao Laosen, who had been waiting in the break room, quickly folded his reading glasses, put on his leather jacket, and, holding a perpetual calendar, led a dozen uncles to surround him, saying, "Ah Tang, look, next month's sixteenth, the twenty-seventh of the eleventh lunar month, is auspicious for ancestor worship, taking up a new post, and it's also the beginning of the new year. What a wonderful meaning!"

"I went to the Tin Hau Temple and had someone look at your birth chart. It matches your destiny perfectly, a true harmony of Heaven, Earth, and Man. How about holding the opening ceremony and establishing the altar on this day?"

Wearing a Zhongshan suit, Yuanbao smiled and chimed in, "Yes, Atang. A month is just the right amount of time to prepare for the ceremony."

Jin Ya Xiong said, "I've already checked everything for you."

Under the eager gazes of his uncles, Yin Zhaotang took the perpetual calendar, glanced at it, and said, "Uncle Sen, you make the arrangements."

It's clear that Gao Laosen carefully selected the items according to his requirements.

If the date is right, then let's do it!
Gao Laosen happily said, "Okay, we'll make the arrangements."

Upon receiving news of his grandfather's serious illness, Jiang Hao temporarily put aside his work at the overseas port and flew back to Hong Kong Island. After leaving the company, Yin Zhaotang took a car to the airport to pick him up.

Having spent most of his time in the Middle East, Jiang Hao inevitably got very tanned. When he mingled with the veterans, he smelled strongly of soldiers and looked incredibly tough.

Construction on the Khomeini port has officially begun, with the Chinachem Group as the general contractor. Although it's not reported in the news domestically, Iraq has launched several airstrikes in an attempt to halt reconstruction. Fortunately, Iran has deployed Red Flag air defense systems in Khomeini, effectively intercepting the attacks and preventing major damage.

Afterwards, Iraq also sent militias across the border to harass the country, resulting in several clashes with the security company's guards. Jiang Hao always speaks with great enthusiasm and excitement when discussing overseas conflicts.

He hadn't asked about his grandfather the whole way. After putting his luggage away at home, he took off his sunglasses and asked, "Boss, what are you planning to do to take over?"

Yin Zhaotang said, "The sixteenth of next month, the twenty-seventh of the eleventh month."

Jiang Hao nodded: "A good day."

He had little interest in seeing his grandfather off. After all, his grandfather was highly respected in the martial arts world, and his entourage would definitely be grand. Who would care if one person was missing? He rushed back to China because he didn't want to miss the big shot's birthday.

But Uncle Cat's death came sooner than expected. Just seven days later, before he was even discharged from the ICU, an unexpected brain hemorrhage took his life.

During this period, Yin Zhaotang went to the hospital once a day and watched as Uncle Cat, who weighed more than 200 pounds, slowly dehydrated, withered, and finally passed away.

Many people from the martial arts world came to visit, including Brother Hai from Yi Hong Ying in Singapore. It was only during the conversation that I learned that Uncle Nine was also lying in the hospital, counting down the days.

After the ceremonial first aid, the medical staff called the family members. Under the watchful eyes of all the gang members, Miao Jie and Yin Zhaotang pushed the bed out of the ward together, and sobs echoed down the corridor. Not only were Uncle Cat's children and grandchildren there, but also Yuanbao, Gao Laosen and other veterans, and even A-Du, Lao Mo, Guangzai and others shed tears.

Perhaps Fat Cat had offended many people in the underworld and was hated by many. But those people were all dead, and those who were still alive had all received his promotion and protection. As everyone followed the body downstairs and pushed Fat Cat onto the hearse, there were even two police vans parked at the hospital entrance. The vans had their sirens flashing, but they weren't turned on. Several police officers were armed and vigilantly scanning the surroundings, afraid that the thugs lingering outside the hospital might cause trouble.

That day, white silk was hung at Chao Yi Restaurant, and the body lay in state overnight in the lobby to receive condolences. Wreaths lined Qingfeng Street, and mourners came in an endless stream.

That evening, all the entertainment venues under the Chung Yee Tong name received an order from the new leader to cease operations overnight in memory of the deceased. This seemingly small order resulted in tens of millions of Hong Kong dollars going down the drain. Keep in mind that Chung Yee Tong had nine branches, and countless nightclubs, bars, gambling dens, horse stables, and massage parlors—over a thousand businesses in total. Some were company-run, making a small profit, while others were privately owned. Could they simply be shut down without notice?

Ironically, at this very moment, all the bosses agreed to give Shenxian Tang face. They even refused the compensation brought by Zuo Shou, simply saying "see Uncle Cat off" to express their goodwill. This small act alone caused a sensation throughout the martial arts world!

Some white-collar workers who couldn't find a massage parlor after work would inevitably ask around. Now even ordinary people knew that a big shot known as "Uncle Cat" had passed away today. Although they still went to other places to have fun, they remembered the name "Uncle Cat."

The following day at noon, the body was taken to the crematorium. Those who came to pay their respects were all prominent figures, filling more than a dozen buses. After the ashes were placed in the urn and loaded onto the hearse...

The convoy stopped at the intersection of Po Lam Road in Kwun Tong District, and everyone got out of the cars to see Uncle Cat off on his final journey. Uncle Cat's son carried a photo, and his family scattered paper money. Yin Zhaotang, dressed in a suit and tie and wearing a white flower, held the urn in his hands and walked step by step into the Tai Seng Temple.

Inside the temple, the chanting of the monks was indistinct, and one could vaguely hear the mantra, "The Supreme Lord commands that all living beings may receive grace."

However, Yin Zhaotang had no heart to listen. He went to the Merit Pavilion, opened the cabinet, took the urn inside, and closed the cabinet door. There was a photo of a fat cat with a peaceful smile on it.

When Yin Zhaotang saw Uncle Cat's photo again, it was on the photo wall in the attic of Chaoyi Restaurant, unlike the other photos that were covered in dust.

Uncle Cat's portrait is relatively new and always attracts the attention of passersby. The blank space in the frame reads, "41st Generation Head of Zhongyi Hall, Miao Zhengxiang."

Every time Uncle Gensheng cleans, he makes a point of wiping Uncle Cat's photo frame. Yin Zhaotang also added a memorial tablet for his grandfather in front of the altar, and he never forgets to pay his respects every time he offers incense.

On the 23rd day of the 11th lunar month, with only four days left until the opening ceremony, Guangzai, Lao Mo, and Jieshiyong unexpectedly bumped into each other at the Sihai Restaurant in Kowloon City under the cover of night.

(End of this chapter)