Chapter 288: 288: Father and Son Consultation

On the way back to school, Lin Lan had a tense expression on her face and didn’t say a word.

Luo Ziling always felt that something was odd, and couldn’t help but frequently turn his head to look at Lin Lan, wanting to ask her something but too embarrassed to speak up.

Eventually, the two of them returned to the school in silence.

Lin Lan still dropped Luo Ziling off at the entrance, and amid the gaze of many, Luo Ziling walked into the campus with a composed stride. Watching Luo Ziling enter the school, Lin Lan turned her head and watched him intently for a while, and ultimately, she let out a faint sigh.

And it was while Lin Lan was sending Luo Ziling back to school that in the Yang Family’s other residence near Xiangshan, Yang Yuanshan and his son Yang Yunlin were having a conversation.

Occupying an important position, Yang Yunlin was always busy, with very little free time each day, even during the National Day holiday.

That was even more the case for his father, Yang Yuanshan.

Today, Yang Yunlin, who rarely had a day off, personally drove over to visit Yang Yuanshan, who had an even rarer day to himself.

The father and son were drinking tea in a garden laden with fruit.

“Dad, I didn’t expect that old geezer, Li Haiyang, to actually get involved in this mess,” Yang Yunlin started with a slightly annoyed tone after sitting down in the courtyard and dismissing the people around them, “He’s actually openly protecting that kid.”

“Is that kid treating Li Haiyang?” asked Yang Yuanshan slowly, drinking tea with an unconcerned air.

“Yes, and it seems there’s some effect,” Yang Yunlin didn’t dare to conceal anything and told the truth to Yang Yuanshan.

Upon hearing this, the look in Yang Yuanshan’s eyes instantly sharpened.

“This kid’s medical skills are said to be quite good, having learned from Sir Luo. If he cures Li Haiyang’s injury, Li Haiyang will certainly be able to protect him with full justification.” While saying this, Yang Yunlin slightly furrowed his eyebrows and asked Yang Yuanshan, “Dad, do you think it could be at the instigation of Ling Jinhua or Ling Qirui?”

“It’s indeed possible,” continued Yang Yuanshan, still drinking his tea, “It seems like this kid is quite impressive in many ways; the Ling Family is considering accepting this wild kid.”

“If that’s really the case, our Yang Family will lose even more face,” said Yang Yunlin, his face turning very ugly, “What’s maddening is that Qingyin doesn’t understand the reasoning behind our actions and is very resistant to them.”

“Bring Yin’er over someday, and I’ll talk to her myself. I believe she’ll understand the situation,” Yang Yuanshan said, chuckling twice, “Hopefully, she’ll listen to her grandfather’s words.”

“Ah, it’s hard to keep a grown daughter at home!” Yang Yunlin had a bit of a headache, “I thought she was very sensible, but I didn’t expect her to be so rebellious.”

“A granddaughter like her is outstanding, having her own mind,” Yang Yuanshan, however, appeared nonchalant, smiling kindly, “This girl is my favorite among her generation. I’ve doted on her for many years; she should listen to me a little. Anyway, she’s still on vacation, bring her over one day to dine with me, I’ll talk to her then. She’s grown up and should help out with family matters.”

Hearing Yang Yuanshan say this, Yang Yunlin couldn’t help but shudder; he sensed the hidden meaning in his father’s words.

But in the end, he said nothing.

“Keep an eye out for the young man’s whereabouts, and find out what kind of person he is as soon as possible. If he’s a very capable youngster, no matter what, we can’t let him stay in Yanjing. We must deal with him, even if at a greater cost,” Yang Yuanshan’s expression became more serious, “If this youngster is outstanding, those two old men from the Ling family will certainly be willing to accept him. The Ling family already has no shortage of talent; another addition is not good news for us.”

“Dad, the Ling family indeed has more talent than our Yang family, but they all think highly of themselves. They won’t accept an outsider so easily, let alone this child who is Ling Ruonan’s illegitimate son. If there’s trouble, Ling Ruonan’s current position will also be affected. I don’t believe those competitive folks from the Ling family will tolerate this kid occupying a position in the Ling family with the help of his mother,” Yang Yunlin retorted.

“Don’t be so sure about that, don’t forget everyone once thought Ling Ruonan would be abandoned by the Ling family. Look at her now, was she abandoned?” Yang Yuanshan’s eyes sharpened, “Those two old men from the Ling family are much more formidable than you think. As long as they acquiesce, the young man can return to the Ling family. If they speak up directly, that kid’s status will be very high.”

Hearing his father’s words, Yang Yunlin also expressed his agreement. After thinking for a while, he suddenly realized something and quickly asked, “Dad, is Sir Luo trying to use this kid to cure Ling Jinhua’s illness and thereby regain a position in the Ling family for him?”

“That you’ve thought of this is good,” Yang Yuanshan said, taking a fierce sip of tea, “Remember, though Sir Luo was forced to leave Yanjing and hide in the Northwest, it wasn’t because he had no other choice. He left Yanjing of his own volition to protect his grandson. Sir Luo is highly regarded by Ling Jinhua and has good relations with Ling Qirui, Li Haiyang, Ouyang Lingyun, Fang Xiang, and others. He’s simply unwilling to cause a stir at the moment, which is why he’s not appearing in Yanjing. If necessary, Sir Luo will certainly reappear before us.”

“Dad, I understand,” Yang Yunlin appeared to have an epiphany and said to Yang Yuanshan, “We can’t make a big commotion now, everything must be done covertly. Otherwise, Sir Luo might return to Yanjing, and then things would become even more troublesome.”

“At least, he won’t come back during the period before and after the new year,” Yang Yuanshan continued, his expression growing more serious, “What you’ve done these past couple of days has been foolish. To incite thugs for retaliation was dumb. You’ve disgraced the Yang family—and yourself. Let me tell you, either don’t act or make your move thorough and meticulous; otherwise, you’ll only complicate matters. Knowing the Ling family doesn’t welcome his return, why didn’t you use that to your advantage?”

“Dad, I get it.”

“That’s because of your bad move that you startled the snake in the grass,” after reprimanding Yang Yunlin, Yang Yuanshan continued, “You shouldn’t complicate a simple matter, making us more passive and a laughing stock. Understand?”

“Dad, I know,” feeling his father’s anger, Yang Yunlin was a bit nervous and hurriedly agreed, then quickly added, “I will handle matters thoroughly.”

“Using the young man as a bargaining chip to pressure Ling Ruonan and the Ling family could be a good choice,” Yang Yuanshan reminded Yang Yunlin again, “During the sensitive period of personnel arrangements before and after the new year, be careful in your actions, placing the family’s interests above all else. For the family’s future, personal sacrifices are acceptable. Understand?”

“I understand!”