Chapter 1854: 1854: I'm Glad You Think That Way

Chapter 1854: Chapter 1854: I’m Glad You Think That Way

Understanding the thoughts of Ouyang Feifei and Ling Ruonan, Luo Ziling gained a newfound respect for these two women.

“Women with schemes can really be a bit intimidating,” was Luo Ziling’s heartfelt sigh.

That afternoon, Ling Ruonan and Ouyang Feifei were to continue negotiations with Yuezhou officials. Because of the little unpleasantness at noon, Ding Zhongming and the other officials were certainly less confident, perhaps even fearful that the two women might abandon their investment in Yuezhou due to the day’s events.

If a small incident like this were to ruin a multi-billion investment project, Ding Zhongming might even want to kill the culprit.

Ding Zhongming had no choice but to apologize and promise to strengthen security patrols between towns and start a crackdown on gang activities, making Yuezhou an ideal investment destination. He also stayed to have lunch with them.

Ding Zhongming’s presence naturally startled everyone. The chubby man thrown into the water kept apologizing after getting back up, and the officials who came with him also came forward to admit their mistakes and hoped to earn the forgiveness of Luo Ziling and his companions.

Luo Ziling couldn’t be bothered with them and drove away those who had ruined their mood.

The owner lady of the farmhouse restaurant naturally went out of her way to please them, never dreaming that such distinguished guests would come. She also blamed Luo Ziling and his companions for bringing so many bodyguards but not letting them show up, making her think they were just ordinary guests.

During the meal, Ding Zhongming repeatedly apologized and drank several glasses of wine to show his regret.

After Ling Ruonan and Ouyang Feifei appropriately expressed their complaints, they thanked Ding Zhongming for resolving the incident in time.

However, they didn’t bring up the investment cooperation matters.

Ding Zhongming brought it up on purpose, but they didn’t follow up, making him a bit anxious.

After lunch, when Ding Zhongming went to pay the bill himself, he was told that it had already been settled.

This left Ding Zhongming in a dilemma between laughter and tears.

“Mr. Ling, President Ouyang, I originally wanted to treat you to a meal as an apology, but you didn’t give me the chance,” he said self-deprecatingly. “I came over and got a free meal and drink, how embarrassing.”

“Mayor Ding, you’re too polite,” Ling Ruonan said calmly, “Today, we just wanted to have a low-key meal, as the environment here is pretty good and quite relaxing. We didn’t expect to encounter a group of rascals. This matter has nothing to do with Mayor Ding; similar incidents can happen anywhere.”

After pausing, she added, “I think the environment here is good. Aren’t we planning to invest in building a traditional medicine cultural park? I hope Mayor Ding can help us choose a prime location.”

Hearing Ling Ruonan say this, Ding Zhongming breathed a sigh of relief and immediately responded, “Mr. Ling, rest assured, I will personally take care of this matter. I will have someone select a few of the best spots this afternoon for your choice. While this place is nice, there are many places in Yuezhou that are even better, and there will definitely be a spot that satisfies Mr. Ling and President Ouyang.”

“I leave it to you, Mayor Ding,” Ling Ruonan accepted Ding Zhongming’s goodwill without rejecting it.

After lunch, the group prepared to head into the city.

The afternoon meeting was originally scheduled for 1:30, but due to the lunchtime incident delay, it was eventually rescheduled to 2:00.

On the way into the city, Luo Ziling and Ling Ruonan shared a car.

“Mom, doesn’t it seem like we arranged this on purpose?” Luo Ziling smiled at Ling Ruonan as the car moved forward. “Though a bit of a wet blanket, it helped us gain a lot of benefits. Isn’t it quite worth it?”

“It’s not as complicated as you think,” Ling Ruonan gave Luo Ziling a sideways glance, “But thinking of this means you’re becoming mature.”

“Mom, is that a compliment or an insult?”

“Encountering an incident and relating it to something else, and utilizing it to gain benefits, is a basic requirement for achieving great success.” Ling Ruonan looked at Luo Ziling, a subtle smile on her face, “You can also voice your opinions in the afternoon negotiations. You have the final say in choosing the location.”

Luo Ziling hurriedly declined, “I haven’t done my homework on this, so you should decide. I believe you’ve considered the location thoroughly.”

“The environment by Jian Lake or Donghu is nice. I think the locations they’ll provide are around those areas. After looking at the descriptions, you’ll know the general situation. Anyway, there’s no rush. You can do your homework afterward. Whether a formal agreement is signed today is not important. We are not in a hurry; it’s the local officials who are.”

“Indeed,” Luo Ziling understood Ling Ruonan’s implication, “You are the patrons, and they are eager to work with you. If you cooperate, they gain political achievements, the GDP steps up, taxes increase, and they have something to show for their term. So, we just have to put on airs.”

“Mom believes you can hold your own against Ling Haining and Ling Haijun now,” Ling Ruonan laughed, “You’ve grown so fast, more formidable than your dad back in the day.”

“Mom, are you trying to say that I take after you in character?” Luo Ziling laughed cheekily, “If you want to boast, go ahead. I won’t laugh at you.”

“What are you talking about?” Ling Ruonan pinched Luo Ziling, “Mom’s not that formidable. If she were, she wouldn’t have been separated from you for twenty years. Sigh!”

Luo Ziling’s smile faded, and he sighed along with her, “Mom, don’t dwell on the past. That’s all behind us now. Aren’t we together now? Before long, Dad will be back too. Then you can officially get married, and we’ll have a complete family. If you could have another baby, I’d have a little brother or sister, and that would be perfect.”

Ling Ruonan’s cheeks blushed at once, and she smacked Luo Ziling, “Why bring that up again? Mom is too old to have another baby.”

“You could, as long as you want to!”

“Better not,” Ling Ruonan shook her head, “Weren’t you encouraging me to advance in my career? If I really want to achieve something in politics, where would I find the time to bear children? Furthermore, it’s risky to have children at an advanced age, and the quality of the baby cannot be guaranteed. Anyway, with you as my son, if nothing goes wrong, the policy will soon completely open up. In the future, you can have several children.”

“To have sons, I need to find a wife first.” As he spoke, Luo Ziling thought of Ouyang Huihui.

He knew that the child in Ouyang Huihui’s belly was gone.

His first child, lost so easily, left a deep sense of loss in Luo Ziling’s heart.

Ling Ruonan also thought of Ouyang Huihui. She gently patted Luo Ziling’s hand, comforting him, “Anyway, you’re still young. No rush. Mom just hopes that no similar incidents happen again. If you want to achieve something, and also wish for Mom to have success in politics, then this kind of thing must not happen!”

Ling Ruonan’s words caused a jolt in Luo Ziling’s heart.