Around five-thirty, Ling Mingrui came back.
Luo Ziling and Ling Ruonan came over, and he wasn't surprised at all.
Today, Ling Ruonan and Luo Ziling came over without informing him, and he didn't ask Ling Ruonan to come either; there was no contact between the father and daughter.
"Dad, you're back!" Seeing Ling Mingrui return, Ling Ruonan quickly went up to greet him, "I thought you'd come back early today!"
"There was a bit of a situation, it took some extra time." Ling Mingrui smiled, gesturing for Ling Ruonan and Luo Ziling, who was greeting him while standing beside her, to sit down and talk.
After Xie Enhua prepared tea and fruit for them, she went to the kitchen to help out.
The other staff members thoughtfully did not come to disturb them.
"We visited Chen Ruchang today." Ling Mingrui initiated the conversation before Ling Ruonan and Luo Ziling could ask, "Although he is unwilling to tell us the specifics, one thing is certain, he likely needs a second surgery. When this second surgery will be, we still don't know. It's certain that Chen Ruchang won't be able to come back to work in the near future."
After glancing at Luo Ziling, Ling Mingrui continued, "It's been less than two months since the last surgery. Needing another surgery boils down to two reasons: one, the cancerous tissue wasn't completely removed last time; two, it's a recurrence. Ziling, what do you think is the reason?"
"Both reasons are possible, or both might exist simultaneously!"
Luo Ziling answered like this, and Ling Mingrui glanced at him with a bit of surprise.
Luo Ziling's answer was rather sly, almost like not answering at all.
This grandson of his is becoming worldly.
Ling Mingrui acknowledged this fact; he also felt that Luo Ziling's maturity was startlingly rapid.
Ling Mingrui believed that Luo Ziling could not have encountered many people while staying with Luo Liansheng in the Northwest for twenty years. He had no real experience in interpersonal matters, mostly only what Luo Liansheng taught him.
In such matters, others teaching you has little effect; one must go through things personally to gain experience.
The experience summarized from personal happenings might become true understandings of interpersonal dealings.
What others say rarely becomes one's own experience.
Regarding Luo Ziling's situation when he arrived in Yanjing, although Ling Mingrui did not have specific information, he could imagine that Luo Ziling at that time could almost be described as very naive and innocent. At least, that's how Ling Ruonan described her son.
Luo Ziling came to Yanjing early last September, and now it's early September again, meaning exactly a year has passed.
Within a year, Luo Ziling transformed from a young man with no experience, not understanding interpersonal affairs, into the scheming man he is today—this growth speed is truly astonishing.
Ling Mingrui also acknowledged that Luo Ziling is indeed unique.
In this one year, he not only swiftly gained life experience but also demonstrated surprising prowess in strategic thinking.
A sentence that could describe Ling Mingrui's level of acknowledgment of Luo Ziling: If Luo Ziling were his grandson, Ling Mingrui would give all the resources he could provide to him. Not only would he give Luo Ziling all resources, but he would personally nurture him.
Unfortunately, Luo Ziling is just his grandson on Ling Ruonan's side, not bearing the Ling surname, but is still surnamed Luo.
Simply because Luo Ziling carries the Luo surname, he cannot be nurtured as a member of the Ling Family—this is how Ling Mingrui thinks, and it's how he acts.
"What do you think about this matter?" After Luo Ziling's vague answer, Ling Mingrui didn't intend to let Luo Ziling pass so easily, thus he asked again.
"To me, this is a good thing; if he continues to live actively, I might die before him."
Luo Ziling had actually expressed similar sentiments before.
He felt that there was little point in being vague on such matters or in concealing his thoughts.
Expressing the view of hoping for Chen Ruchang's death might not necessarily make others think you want to kill him.
More often, when people hear you say such things, they would merely think you are just expressing thoughts.
Those who genuinely intend to kill won't say it outright.
Of course, this is not absolute.
But people at their level are usually like this. For example, Chen Ruchang surely wouldn't go around shouting to kill Luo Ziling. Even when he instructs someone to act this way, he speaks euphemistically.
Luo Ziling's answer left Ling Mingrui without words to continue questioning.
At this moment, Ling Ruonan spoke up: "Dad, have you got specifics about the illness?"
"Somewhat understood." Ling Mingrui nodded, "Today's visit was a collective effort. Everyone wants to know about Chen Ruchang's condition. Despite his reluctance, he couldn't prevent the hospital from providing us with the medical records, as this was a decision by the organization."
Luo Ziling didn't ask anything but quietly waited and watched Ling Mingrui to hear his conclusion.
Ling Ruonan instead asked again, "Dad, how's his situation?"
"His vital signs were actually quite good, but the ultrasound and MRI results were not favorable, showing shadow-like nodules. The tumor-related indicators aren't good either." Speaking of this, Ling Mingrui sighed, "We've requested the hospital employ the most modernized methods to treat him."
Luo Ziling listened and couldn't help being excited inside.
The conjecture was finally confirmed that Wuyue's risky action had effects.
This is delightful and commendable—although saying so might seem inhumane and unethical, Luo Ziling indeed felt that way now.
Ling Ruonan was also stirred inside, not expecting the situation to turn out this way.
She truly didn't know how to evaluate her son's adventurous actions.
Nonetheless, she merely let out a gentle sigh in the end, "Life is truly unpredictable."
Ling Mingrui stood up, inviting Luo Ziling into his study: "Accompany me for a game of chess!"
Luo Ziling naturally agreed.
Ling Ruonan knew that Ling Mingrui had things to speak to Luo Ziling alone, so she didn't follow them inside but just signaled to Luo Ziling with her eyes.
Upon entering the study, Ling Mingrui directly asked Luo Ziling: "Was it you behind this?"
"What?" Luo Ziling looked at Ling Mingrui, astonished, "Grandpa, what are you referring to?"
"Did you have a hand in the aggravation of Chen Ruchang's condition?"
"Does Grandpa think I have that capability? I'm far in the Northwest, not Sun Wukong; I can't transform, nor do I possess the cloud-somersault skill to travel vast distances."
Ling Mingrui looked at Luo Ziling twice, then didn't pursue the question any further.
After setting up the chess pieces and making a few moves, Ling Mingrui asked Luo Ziling again: "If you were asked to help treat Chen Ruchang, would you go?"
"No!" Luo Ziling shook his head firmly, "Even if someone points a gun at my head, I wouldn't go. He has tried to kill me many times, how could I treat him? I'm not willing to be Mr. Dongguo!"
Ling Mingrui gently nodded, not saying more.