After rebirth, I became a great master

Chapter 258 Gambling
Zhou Haoran had previously approached Principal Yang, but he was a highly educated intellectual who considered himself superior and was unwilling to engage in backroom deals.

Fortunately, Director Dou agreed.

That gives us confidence.

"Is Mr. Tang awake?"

Zhou Haoran stood tall and proud, exuding confidence.

Tang Youzhi smiled and said, "My dad is awake."

"I have some good news for you."

Zhou Haoran strode inside with his head held high.

He happened to see Tang Shiyi's cold yet beautiful face, her aura was truly powerful, and he felt a little guilty.

No wonder everyone in the production team is afraid of her!
This is the first time I've gotten to know her since we got so close.

She has an oval face, large eyes, and slightly permed and dyed hair that is wavy and brown, quite trendy. Her hair is not long, falling to her neck, making her look neat and capable, and she really has the air of a female boss in the workplace.

At this moment, she was wearing a black, fitted women's trench coat with simple lines, a cold aura, and her eyes were full of questioning.

So much so that Zhou Haoran was somewhat speechless.

I don't know how to greet her.

"Luming, your uncle is here."

Tang Youzhi was not satisfied with his sister's performance.

Tang Shiyi bit her lip lightly.

He remained silent.

Tang Taihua glanced at her with displeasure, "Lu Ming?"

The family was very strict, so Tang Shiyi had no choice but to call out, with a hint of embarrassment and annoyance, "Uncle."

Zhou Haoran quickly said, "No, no, let's each talk about our own things... Teacher Tang, I've always wanted to see you at work, but I haven't had the chance. I really didn't expect to meet you in such a setting, what a coincidence."

"Yes, coincidence."

Tang Shiyi's eyes were cold, and he looked very angry.

Zhou Haoran felt that this man's personality was too strange and didn't want to provoke him, so he walked up to Tang Taihua with a smile and said, "Mr. Tang, I have long admired you and have always wanted to come and pay you a visit!"

Tang Taihua stood waiting for him, then shook hands with him with both hands, saying excitedly, "You are the great master, and everyone in our Red Mansion should listen to you!"

Zhou Haoran said politely, "I'm young and don't know the rules, so I need more guidance from seniors like you."

"I'm not a senior," Tang Taihua quickly corrected him. "I'm just a few years older. In terms of seniority, we're fellow disciples. You're inheriting my second uncle's mantle. He was the great master of the previous generation."

"I'm so ashamed of it!"

Zhou Haoran knew that the previous generation's great gentleman was Tang Jishan, a notorious playboy from the Huangpu River during the Republic of China era, who had affairs with almost all the popular female singers and actresses.

Such an achievement should not be underestimated.

"Where's the second son?" Tang Taihua asked his eldest son. "When is he coming back?"

Tang Youzhi said, "It should be soon."

Tang Taihua held Zhou Haoran's hand and said, "Then you wait a while and go get the eldest master's keepsake... Back then, no one knew if the Red Mansion could still exist, so my second uncle's keepsake was kept by me. I never thought that the Red Mansion could have a new legacy today."

"I need your experience, senior brother!"

Zhou Haoran said sincerely.

Hearing this, Tang Shiyi behind him almost vomited from disgust.

I thought to myself, this person is really shameless.

If given a way out, take it.

My dad is almost seventy years old, and you, an eighteen-year-old kid, call him "senior brother"?
How can someone be so shameless?

Tang Taihua sighed, "If there's anything you don't understand, you should ask Lao Zhang, Lao Sun, Lao Chen, and the others. My health... I don't know how many more years I can hold on."

Tang Shiyi said reproachfully, "Dad, you're in great health. The doctor said all your indicators are very good."

Zhou Haoran smiled and said, "Senior brother, I came here today to bring you good news."

"good news?"

Tang Taihua took his words to heart.

His children didn't understand the meaning of "Master," but he was an experienced man who had witnessed the previous generation of "Masters" wielding immense power and influence on the Huangpu River.

Zhou Haoran said, "Originally, I contacted the president of Fudan University, hoping he could help me find a kidney donor. However, President Yang was too aloof and didn't want to use connections. At noon, I went to see someone else, and that's how it was settled."

"Kidney source?"

Tang Taihua was slightly taken aback.

Tang Youzhi was overjoyed and said, "Uncle, really? You have a way to get a kidney?"

Zhou Haoran smiled and said, "Yes, it's already agreed. We will allocate organ resources from all over the country and give priority to supplying this area. Senior brother, listen to the doctor's advice during this time and take good care of your health so that you have enough strength to perform the transplant surgery."

"Whether or not to have surgery..." Tang Taihua seemed indifferent, sighing as he said, "I've lived long enough. If I had a kidney, it would be so precious, better to use it on a young person."

Tang Shiyi became unhappy again, "Dad, you're in good health, don't say anything discouraging!"

“Yes, since I am the senior master, you shall listen to me on this matter.” Zhou Haoran made no attempt to use his position. “Senior brother, you should prepare for the surgery. I estimate that the kidney for transplant will be ready in one or two months.”

At this moment, Tang Taihua's other son, Tang Siqi, returned.

He just got home.

They took out a small box wrapped in red cloth.

Open the small box.

Inside was a white jade thumb ring.

"Yes, this is it." Tang Taihua opened it, glanced at it, but didn't touch the ring. He handed it over, saying, "This is it. This is yours."

Zhou Haoran didn't stand on ceremony and accepted the wooden box along with the ring. "Is this thumb ring the token of Master's trust?"

Tang Taihua sighed and said, "Yes, normally, when the gentlemen of the Red Chamber hold meetings in teahouses or on important occasions, you would wear this thumb ring; it's a symbol of status. However, that's all in the past. Now, it's just a saying. Keep it." Zhou Haoran took the thumb ring and put it on his thumb.

The thumb ring has a warm and smooth texture.

It's just a bit big.

Wearing it for a long time is definitely not good; it might fall off eventually.

Then, Zhou Haoran and Tang Taihua chatted about the past of Dream of the Red Chamber.

Tang Youzhi served tea and water to the side.

Tang Shiyi peeled an apple for her "little uncle" from the side.

Tang Siqi was beside her, massaging her father's legs to relax his muscles and improve blood circulation... Uremia patients should avoid overexertion and rest in bed rather than exercise, as muscles will inevitably atrophy over time, so they need more massages.

Three younger family members served him.

The two elders had a very pleasant chat.

Unfortunately, Tang Taihua only acquired the title of "Mr." in the 1970s, and due to the limitations of the era, he had little room to maneuver. By the late 1980s, when the Red Mansion Teahouse could operate normally, he was diagnosed with uremia.

This made Tang Taihua feel very guilty.

I feel I haven't contributed to the revival of the Red Mansion Teahouse.

Zhou Haoran comforted him, saying that it wasn't his fault, but rather an inevitability of the times.

Fortunately, things are much better now. We have entered the best era for commerce in the past five thousand years. Traditional industries like the Dream of the Red Chamber Teahouse, which are intangible cultural heritage, will not only not be suppressed in the new era, but will also receive care and protection from all sectors of society.

We couldn't talk for too long.

The old gentleman needs to rest more.

Zhou Haoran then took his leave.

Tang Taihua said, "Lu Ming, go see your uncle off."

Tang Shiyi bit her lip lightly and hummed in agreement. "Uncle, I'll take you."

Seeing the unfriendly look in her eyes, Zhou Haoran quickly said, "No need, no need!"

"Go!"

Tang Taihua glared at his daughter.

Tang Shiyi had no choice but to accompany him out of the hospital.

This made Zhou Haoran feel somewhat ashamed.

Once in the elevator, Tang Shiyi couldn't hide her anger any longer. She gritted her teeth and whispered, "Zhou Haoran, you're such a good actress!"

"Huh?" Zhou Haoran was a little confused. "What did I pretend to be?"

Tang Shiyi said coldly, "You are Suiqing's younger brother, don't think I don't know that!"

"Qiao Suiqing is my sister, but what does that have to do with anything?" Zhou Haoran felt that she must have misunderstood. "Teacher Tang, I really didn't lie, I really am Mr. Da... well, it's just a coincidence!"

"That's not what I'm talking about!"

Tang Shiyi interrupted him angrily.

Zhou Haoran asked curiously, "What is that?"

"Kidney source!" Tang Shiyi's tone was sharp, her fair face flushed slightly with anger. "You made up this excuse to lie to my father, just to get him to hand over the Great Master's token to you?"

Zhou Haoran was speechless. "What did you say?!"

Tang Shiyi said angrily, "That's despicable!"

Zhou Haoran was a little angry. "Tang Shiyi, it's not good for you to make such unfounded accusations! As an elder, I have to criticize you. Don't jump to conclusions before you've figured out the facts."

"You can conjure up kidneys?" Tang Shiyi's lips curled into a slight sneer. "And you can even mobilize resources from all over the country... Do you even believe your own boasts?"

Zhou Haoran had already left the hospital by then.

I turned to look at her.

"You don't believe me... Fine! Dare to make a bet?"

"bet?"

"I told you, I can find a kidney donor within one or two months!"

Zhou Haoran's words were resounding and powerful.

Tang Shiyi wasn't afraid at all. His expression was icy, and he didn't back down at all: "Fine, I'll bet. If you can't do it, don't ever show your face in front of my family again, and definitely don't ever show your face in front of me again!"

"Okay!" Zhou Haoran agreed without hesitation. "What if I win?"

"you say!"

Tang Shiyi was decisive and efficient.

“I won’t make things difficult for you. I’ve found a kidney donor. You need to recognize our relationship. You should call me ‘Uncle.’ I don’t know why you’re so cold, but you need to show a good attitude in front of your elders.”

Zhou Haoran also found her bad temper a bit unbearable.

Tang Shiyi took a deep breath and looked at him coldly, "It's a deal!"

……

Return to the ward.

Tang Taihua was already lying in bed. He glanced at her and asked, "Your uncle is gone?"

Tang Shiyi hummed in agreement.

Tang Youzhi asked anxiously, "Lu Ming, have you spoken with him? Is the kidney donor real?"

Tang Shiyi's brows furrowed with joy, and a faint smile revealed her delight. She said with a beaming smile, "It's most likely true. He seems very confident. Brother, let's get the money ready and prepare for the surgery!"

Compared to calling someone "Uncle," my father's life is of course more important.

(End of this chapter)