Chapter 2100: 2100: I Have Even Greater Expectations for You

Capítulo 2100: Chapter 2100: I Have Even Greater Expectations for You

After a moment of silence, Ling Mingrui gently nodded, “That’s true, over the past six months, you’ve successfully resolved many dangers.”

“I’m better than my dad was back then, right?” Luo Ziling said with confidence, “At least, I haven’t been forced into a corner.”

“You have a great mother!” Ling Mingrui looked at Luo Ziling with a peculiar expression, “In this regard, your dad can’t compare to you. Perhaps this is the main reason for your current achievements.”

“But my dad had my grandpa back then. The things my grandpa managed to do are not inferior to what my mom can do now, right?” Luo Ziling smiled, “Maybe my excellent medical skills are something my dad didn’t possess.”

“Alright, let’s not assume anything. Your dad really didn’t do as well as you. You’re much more cunning than him. As long as you don’t undermine yourself, you’ll achieve something.” Ling Mingrui held a black piece in his hand and urged Luo Ziling, “Hurry up and play!”

“You play. I just made my move!” Luo Ziling pointed to where he had just placed his piece, “At the beginning of the game, I never think about strategy, just go with my gut.”

Focusing on the board, Ling Mingrui cautiously placed a few more pieces, then asked Luo Ziling, “Now that your dad is back, what are your thoughts?”

“My dad’s return doesn’t mean everything is resolved. Perhaps his return makes the situation more complex and burdens us more,” Luo Ziling spoke directly, feeling that certain things should be said to Ling Mingrui, “My dad has his considerations, but he’s not very clear about the situation in Yanjing or what we need.”

“That’s normal. Even you don’t know what your mom needs, and your mom might not know what you want most!” Ling Mingrui wasn’t particularly surprised, “Upon his return, your dad’s top priority is to settle his own affairs first. Once he has a stable footing, then he can think about helping you. If he can’t even stand firm himself, how can he help you?”

“You’re right!” Luo Ziling didn’t argue this point with Ling Mingrui, “Everyone has their considerations. I just feel that we shouldn’t turn good things into bad and hurt our own people while benefiting our opponents.”

Luo Ziling’s words were quite veiled, surprising Ling Mingrui, though he didn’t say anything, focusing on the game instead.

Seeing Ling Mingrui not responding, Luo Ziling also kept quiet, concentrating on the game himself.

After dozens of moves, as they entered a tangled state, Ling Mingrui asked Luo Ziling again, “What do you think those who are unfriendly to your family will do now that your dad is back?”

“They’ll definitely do everything possible to frame my dad, get him into trouble, or go after him directly.” At this point, Luo Ziling looked up seriously at Ling Mingrui, “Not only will our opponents do this, but even some who seem to be our relatives and friends might do so, and their methods might be harsher.”

Luo Ziling’s words made Ling Mingrui’s expression change slightly.

However, he just nodded lightly and didn’t say anything.

So Luo Ziling got a bit frustrated and relentlessly took down Ling Mingrui’s major dragon mid-game.

Seeing his major dragon left with only one eye, Ling Mingrui sighed helplessly and conceded.

“Your skills are indeed above mine. Playing against you again would just be self-humiliation!”

“Grandpa, that’s not right!” Luo Ziling quickly corrected, “To improve one’s skills in chess, you must continually play against those who are better.”

Ling Mingrui didn’t say anything further, sipping tea on his own.

Luo Ziling also said nothing more, picking up his teacup to sip tea as well.

After a short while, Ling Mingrui spoke again, “If you were the legitimate grandson of the Ling Family, you really could inherit the family business!”

“Actually, I don’t envy the Ling Family’s assets at all.” Luo Ziling didn’t give Ling Mingrui any face, expressing his thoughts directly, “Although they seem glorious and hold a high status, there’s always a sense of crisis, constantly feeling threatened. Actually, I think, if you care too much about these possessions, it’s easier to lose them. Perhaps I haven’t reached your level and can’t empathize with your difficulties. For me now, without owning much, losing is acceptable, so it doesn’t matter. As they say, those with bare feet aren’t afraid of those with shoes. The more you care about something, the more likely you are to lose it. Precious things shouldn’t be guarded jealously but continue to be pursued with a fighting spirit—that might be better.”

“What you say is correct, but you haven’t reached that level yet to understand that mindset.” Ling Mingrui drank his tea slowly, “You’re quite clever, but you lack experience. If someone truly wants your life and you don’t have equally powerful people to help you, you’ll be doomed.”

“Okay, I’ll try my best to prevent that from happening.” Luo Ziling understood Ling Mingrui’s point, nodding in acknowledgment.

“What do you think of the current situation in Yanjing?” Ling Mingrui asked again.

“Everyone’s fishing in troubled waters.” Luo Ziling grinned, “Everyone wants to grab benefits from the Chen Family. If the other families work together, the Chen Family will be in an even more passive situation. If—I repeat, if—Chen Ruchang were to unfortunately die, then no one in the Chen Family could hold the banner. However, none of the major families want to be the first bird and they don’t want the Chen Family to collapse completely either.”

Ling Mingrui gave Luo Ziling a strange look but didn’t say more.

After a while, he stood up and called to Luo Ziling, “Let’s go have dinner. It should be ready by now!”

Luo Ziling said nothing, obediently standing up and following Ling Mingrui out of the room.

Xie Enhua, Luo Xusheng, and Ling Ruonan were talking in another room, but they came out a few minutes earlier than Ling Mingrui and Luo Ziling.

After they came out, Xie Enhua and Ling Ruonan went to prepare the dishes and chopsticks, leaving Luo Xusheng standing there a bit awkwardly.

Seeing Luo Xusheng’s somewhat unnatural expression, Luo Ziling guessed that his old dad had been scolded by Xie Enhua again.

However, he didn’t mind; Luo Xusheng probably wasn’t used to such situations, and it was good for him to experience them.

Seeing Ling Mingrui and Luo Ziling come out, Xie Enhua quickly called them to eat.

“Let’s have some wine.” Ling Mingrui instructed Luo Ziling to open the bottle of Yuezhou Old Wine brought by Luo Xusheng that evening.

Luo Ziling obediently went over, broke the seal on the wine, and diligently filled everyone’s cups.

“Come, let’s have a toast to your family of three.” Ling Mingrui raised his cup towards Luo Xusheng, Ling Ruonan, and Luo Ziling, “After being separated for twenty years, it’s a joy and a blessing to finally reunite today. Let’s drink to that.”

Luo Ziling, Luo Xusheng, and Ling Ruonan all raised their cups.

After drinking a whole cup of yellow wine, Ling Mingrui solemnly said to Luo Xusheng, “I’m entrusting my daughter to you from now on. You must protect her well; she’s already suffered for so many years. I don’t want her to continue to suffer. You’re a man, and you should do better than a woman. Don’t be worse than your own son!”

Ling Mingrui’s words surprised both Luo Xusheng and Ling Ruonan.

They understood that Ling Mingrui was speaking with deeper meanings.