Chapter 2099: 2099: Boasting Isn't Taxed

Capítulo 2099: Chapter 2099: Boasting Isn’t Taxed

Luo Ziling and Xie Enhua were both startled by Ling Mingrui’s angry shouting.

Xie Enhua quickly handed what she was holding to the staff and hastily walked into the living room.

Luo Ziling, holding a jug of Yuezhou Old Wine, rushed ahead of Xie Enhua into the living room.

In the living room, Luo Xusheng stood with his head down in front of Ling Mingrui, while Ling Ruonan stood expressionless to the side.

Ling Mingrui sat on the sofa, looking a bit cold, but he stopped scolding when Luo Ziling and Xie Enhua entered.

“What’s going on?” Xie Enhua walked quickly to sit beside Ling Mingrui, glanced at Luo Xusheng and Ling Ruonan, and quietly asked Ling Mingrui, “The son-in-law rarely visits, why are you scolding him?”

“He has caused our daughter so much misery, is it excessive to scold him a bit?” Ling Mingrui was still fuming, “If it weren’t for him, Ruonan wouldn’t have had such a hard life these years!”

He pointed at Ling Ruonan, angrily saying, “Ruonan has been living a tough life under tremendous pressure in Yanjing, while he was leisurely in Tibet, never considering how to solve these problems.”

He then pointed at Luo Ziling with a ‘you-should-be-more-like-your-son’ attitude and said, “If you had half the cleverness of your son, things wouldn’t be like this now.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Ziling couldn’t help but find it amusing.

It seemed his grandfather wasn’t too pleased with his son-in-law but appreciated him!

From Ling Mingrui’s tone, he allowed Luo Xusheng to return long ago, it was just Luo Xusheng didn’t seize the opportunity.

In this regard, Luo Ziling felt a bit allied with Ling Mingrui.

After being separated for twenty years, they finally met, thanks to him and Ling Ruonan, and in this regard, Luo Xusheng didn’t do well. Being scolded by Ling Mingrui wasn’t a big deal.

If applauding was an option—Luo Ziling felt he’d really clap his hands.

But he knew, if he applauded Ling Mingrui’s words, he might get a beating from Luo Xusheng afterward.

So, he quickly curbed that thought.

“Enough, don’t say anymore. Xusheng just returned to Yanjing. The family is here to have a meal and be happy, but you’re scolding, do you want everyone to be upset?” Xie Enhua quickly mediated, then beckoned Luo Xusheng and Ling Ruonan, “Xusheng, Ruonan, sit down. Sit down and have some tea, don’t just stand there!”

Ling Ruonan tugged at Luo Xusheng’s hand, hinting for him to sit down.

Luo Xusheng smiled awkwardly and finally sat down next to Ling Ruonan.

“You returned to Yanjing without much effort. Over the years, all you sought was not to make mistakes and achieve results. Did you think that alone would let you return to Yanjing?” Luo Xusheng sat down, and Ling Mingrui continued to scold him, “As a man, you didn’t do what a man should. You’ve let yourself down and Ruonan. If you had Ruonan’s courage, things wouldn’t be this bad.”

Luo Xusheng lowered his head, unsure how to explain.

He felt aggrieved; he believed he’d done well and worked hard all these years, but upon returning to Yanjing, being criticized by Ling Mingrui was truly puzzling.

Ling Ruonan said nothing, just sat quietly.

“Back then, Ruonan dared to get pregnant before marriage and bore the pressure to give birth to your son. If you had been as daring and decisive as she was, maybe things would have resolved long ago.”

Hearing this, Xie Enhua tugged at Ling Mingrui’s hand and took over the conversation.

“Xusheng, over the years, Ruonan has suffered countless hardships. Now that you’re back, you should take more care of her.” Xie Enhua earnestly instructed Luo Xusheng, “You both are not young anymore, and your son is almost old enough to marry. Now that you’re back, take care of the wedding first. I only have one daughter, seeing her in a wedding dress…”

The rest of the words, Xie Enhua couldn’t continue.

“Grandpa, Grandma, I’ll help my mom with the wedding arrangements.” Seeing that neither Luo Xusheng nor Ling Ruonan was speaking, Luo Ziling quickly said, “I suggest they register for marriage first and become official, then choose a day for the wedding. It should be grand, inviting everyone possible.”

Xie Enhua wiped her reddened eyes and nodded gently.

Ling Mingrui sighed, again with a ‘you-should-be-more-like-your-son’ look, and said, “Your son is much cleverer than you are.”

“Thank you for your advice, Father-in-law, Mother-in-law. I will ensure Ruonan won’t suffer anymore.” Luo Xusheng plucked up the courage and promised Ling Mingrui.

“Alright, stop talking, old man. This is their first official visit together, don’t keep up the stern face.” Xie Enhua patted Ling Mingrui’s arm and instructed Luo Ziling, “Ling’er, accompany your grandpa in a game of chess first. I’ll talk with your mom.”

“Sure!” Luo Ziling quickly agreed and smiled at Ling Mingrui, “Grandpa, let’s play chess.”

Ling Mingrui shot a glare at Xie Enhua, but eventually said nothing more, stood up, and went to play chess with Luo Ziling in the study.

Seeing Ling Mingrui and Luo Ziling enter the study together, Luo Xusheng finally sighed in relief.

Following Ling Mingrui into the study, Luo Ziling skillfully prepared the chess and then made a cup of tea for Ling Mingrui.

“Grandpa, you’re giving my dad a hard time on his first visit!” Luo Ziling opened the chess box and jokingly asked Ling Mingrui, “Aren’t you afraid he’ll be scared to come back again?”

“Your dad’s not here for the first time.” Ling Mingrui seriously corrected, “And he won’t be scared away.”

“Oops, that’s my mistake.” Luo Ziling smiled, picked up the black chess box, and said, “It seems Grandpa is really not satisfied with my dad.”

“I’ll play black, you play white.” Ling Mingrui placed the white chess box in front of Luo Ziling, took the black chess, made the first move, then asked Luo Ziling, “If you were your dad, what would you do?”

“That’s impossible to assume.” Luo Ziling shook his head awkwardly, “After all, I didn’t experience what happened back then, and I don’t know the situation at the time. The circumstances today must be entirely different than back then, so I can’t imagine, nor can I put myself in my dad’s shoes.”

After finishing his sentence, he made a move on the board.

Ling Mingrui made another move before asking, “Then let’s say, if you got Yang Qingyin pregnant but her family wanted her to marry someone else, what would you do? Don’t tell me you’d be like your grandfather or your dad.”

“Grandpa, actually, when I first came to Yanjing, the Yang Family was eager to see me gone, but now, aren’t you all considering a marriage alliance?” Luo Ziling laughed, “I think what I’ve done answers Grandpa’s question.”

“It’s not quite the same!” Ling Mingrui shook his head, “Back then, Yang Yunfeng wanted your dad dead, chasing him crazily when he and your mom fled.”

“If it were me, things wouldn’t have escalated to that point. The developments over the past few months are proof enough.”

Ling Mingrui looked at Luo Ziling in surprise, momentarily at a loss for words.

“I’m better than my dad in every way, except for fighting!”

“…”