Chapter 585: 585: A Man's Promise Is Worth a Thousand Gold

Chapter 585: Chapter 585: A Man’s Promise Is Worth a Thousand Gold

(First Update)

Ling Mingrui and Ling Ruonan were very surprised and shocked.

They felt that given Old Mr. Ling’s status and state of mind, it was impossible for him to ask such a question.

Asking Luo Ziling this question in front of them certainly bore an unusual significance, and naturally, they were astonished.

“Now that things have come to this, even snipers have been hired, what could be more serious than this?” Luo Ziling chuckled, “I think there’s nothing. Nonetheless, no matter what, I did spoil the atmosphere of the birthday banquet today, and I should apologize to the two esteemed elders.”

As he spoke, Luo Ziling bowed respectfully to Ling Jinhua and Ling Mingrui, amidst Ling Ruonan’s changing expressions.

Ling Mingrui’s expression also shifted slightly.

He was certainly aware of what the change in Luo Ziling’s manner of addressing them indicated.

Before just now, Luo Ziling had always called Ling Jinhua Great Grandfather and referred to Ling Mingrui as Grandfather. Now, he had changed it to “two esteemed Ling elders”. Clearly, Luo Ziling was no longer considering them as his family elders, hence the change in address.

Ling Ruonan certainly noticed this as well, and her face turned cold as she chided lowly, “Ziling, how can you speak so carelessly.”

Luo Ziling looked at Ling Ruonan with a wry smile and said softly, “Mom, I want to go back and rest. Staying here will only add to the dullness and make everyone uncomfortable. If I leave, perhaps everyone else can continue to celebrate Old Mr. Ling’s birthday in high spirits. After all, I am already an unwelcome person here; staying any longer would just be asking for discontentment. Please, let me go!”

Ling Ruonan’s face turned extremely unsightly as she didn’t know how to respond to Luo Ziling’s words.

She knew that the most proper action right now would be to slap Luo Ziling hard and scold him a few times, forcing him to apologize to the two elders of the Ling Family. Thus, Ling Jinhua and Ling Mingrui could somewhat salvage their dignity.

But after Luo Ziling had been bullied by so many people today, nearly taken down by order of Ling Mingrui, she couldn’t bear to hit or scold her own son.

Ling Ruonan even thought that if she did hit and scold Luo Ziling, he might become estranged from her as well. It was possible that he might turn and walk away, never to seek her out again. She was already very clear about Luo Ziling’s personality; he was someone who responded to kindness but not to force. Speak nicely to him, and he would listen; try to force him to do something or to command him, to scold him, and he would become rebellious.

Luo Xusheng was the same in the past, except that Luo Ziling had an even stronger character.

If she were to have a falling out with Luo Ziling and hurt the mother-son relationship, leading to Luo Ziling’s disappointment in her, it would certainly break her heart. This was something she couldn’t tolerate at all, even if it meant abandoning everything and severing all ties with the Ling Family, she wasn’t willing to lose her son, Luo Ziling.

Therefore, she didn’t hit or scold Luo Ziling but simply bowed her head in silence.

“Alright then, you two should go back first,” Ling Jinhua’s expression didn’t change much, but he nodded slightly, agreeing to Luo Ziling’s “demand”, “Nannan, go back with him, you have already paid your respects. Go back and talk with your son. If you can come over in the evening, then come and have a drink with your grandfather. Everyone else is still here, and I, this old man, still need to make an appearance.”

With Ling Jinhua saying this, Ling Ruonan hesitated even more.

At this time, Ling Mingrui also spoke, “You all go ahead, if you figure things out, you can come back in the evening.”

Ling Ruonan checked the time, it was almost half-past noon, the Ling Family Old Mansion should have been bustling with the midday meal. But now, the lively atmosphere was gone. She was also aware that if Luo Ziling stayed any longer, there might be further conflicts. Taking Luo Ziling away at this moment was in fact the right choice, even if it meant losing face for Ling Jinhua and Ling Mingrui.

But since the two elders had spoken like this, she had no other choice.

After a moment of hesitation, she apologetically said to Ling Jinhua and Ling Mingrui, “Grandpa, Dad, then I’ll take Ziling back to rest for a while. I’ll come back in the evening.”

Ling Jinhua waved his hand and said nothing, closing his eyes for a nap.

“Old Mr. Ling, if necessary, I will come back to treat you,” Luo Ziling bowed to Ling Jinhua, then apologized to Ling Mingrui, “Sir Ling, I have offended you and I’m truly sorry. My mom and I will leave now. I hope you won’t hold this against her; everything that happened was my doing, and it has nothing to do with her. If there is any retaliation, let it come at me.”

“Why would you still come back to treat me?” Ling Jinhua opened his eyes.

“A man’s promise is worth its weight in gold.”

“Alright, I accept,” Ling Jinhua nodded, “When you think I need the next treatment, have your mother bring you here.”

Ling Ruonan knew that Luo Ziling would no longer call Ling Jinhua ‘Great Grandfather’ nor Ling Mingrui ‘Grandfather’ and although it was awkward, she did not reprimand him, just sighed helplessly.

Today, she felt like she couldn’t please anyone.

Mother and son left Ling Jinhua’s tranquil backyard under the watchful eyes of Ling Jinhua and Ling Mingrui.

Watching Ling Ruonan take Luo Ziling away with half-closed eyes, Ling Jinhua closed his eyes again and spoke softly to Ling Mingrui, “Actually, you want to do this too, but it isn’t suitable for you to make such a decision. You can’t afford to offend people, so let this old man make the decision.”

“Dad, I understand.” Ling Mingrui nodded unemotionally and then said, “This kid is so stubborn it’s unimaginable.”

“He’s a young man who doesn’t respond to force,” Ling Jinhua smiled slightly, “Actually, such a person, after being taught a few harsh lessons, might perform exceptionally well with some good guidance. If any member of the Ling family can get the upper hand over him, then you should cultivate them well. Such a person can definitely continue the Ling family’s glory.”

“Among his peers in the family, there really is no one more outstanding than him. I hope to see that day in the future,” Ling Mingrui nodded slightly, agreeing to Ling Jinhua’s command, then sighed, “There isn’t a single bold and daring descendant like him. Although this youngster is audacious and impulsive, his reactions are still sharp. After doing such an impulsive thing, he can still come up with a bunch of reasons, involving everyone, making them have to be cautious.”

“It’s very normal for someone raised by their grandfather to be a bit extreme,” Ling Jinhua smiled again, “If any of these unfilial descendants of the Ling family can gain the upper hand over him in their struggles, that would be good.”

“Maybe he no longer wishes to consider himself a grandson of the Ling family,” Ling Mingrui had a bitter smile on his face.

“I hope he doesn’t disappoint me.” Ling Jinhua did not want to talk about anything related to Luo Ziling anymore and signaled Ling Mingrui to go out and attend to the descendants of the Ling Family.