Chapter 359: 359: Cunning and Sly

Ling Haining is the son of Ling Zhengping, who just graduated from college last year, originally holding a position at a grassroots level department.

Ling Zhengping wanted to personally cultivate his son, hoping he would inherit his ambitions and continue the path of officialdom, so he had Ling Haining take a position at the grassroots level.

This nephew of Ling Ruonan inherited many of his father Ling Zhengping’s positive traits, not only was he handsome, but he was also quite capable, standing out among his peers.

Ling Zhengping wanted to arrange for his excellent son to work at the Northern Group under her name, and as for his motives, Ling Ruonan could guess them with ease.

But her father, Ling Mingrui, did not express any objection and even showed a supportive attitude, so she couldn’t refuse.

If Ling Zhengping had made this request, then she would have refused without hesitation.

However, the request coming from her father’s mouth, especially in front of her grandfather, who also did not express any objections, left her with no room to object.

“Alright,” she agreed crisply after two seconds of silence, “then let him come to my office as the CEO and help me with my work.”

Seeing that Ling Ruonan agreed without hesitation, Ling Qirui’s face showed a smile, and he said with profound meaning, “It’s good if you are willing to arrange it. I believe he will make his own choice, whether to stay in the Northern Group or go back out to be a civil servant.”

“Dad, I understand.”

That’s when Ling Jinhua spoke up, “Nannan, is it true that your son is dating the Yang Family’s young granddaughter?”

Ling Ruonan didn’t quite grasp Ling Jinhua’s meaning and replied vaguely, “Grandfather, they are classmates at the same school. It’s only normal for students from the same school to interact with one another.”

“This boy is even bolder than his father was back in the day, haha!” Ling Jinhua laughed heartily with emotion.

Ling Jinhua’s remarks made Ling Ruonan breathe a sigh of relief, but not knowing how to continue, she changed the subject, “Grandfather, what medicine are you taking now? Should I ask Ziling to come and check? His medical skills have inherited your true legacy, perhaps there will be an unexpected surprise.”

“Let’s wait a while longer,” Ling Jinhua said, turning his head, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Ling Ruonan, his gaze filled with child-like purity, “It seems, this son, you’re very fond of him, very satisfied.”

“Yes, he’s outstanding,” Grandfather kept talking about things related to Luo Ziling today, Ling Ruonan was very surprised and delighted, and quickly responded, “He’s very handsome, very popular with girls, and talented in many areas. His martial arts are quite exceptional. Last time, someone tried to assassinate him on the street, he crippled the two attackers, who came at him from both front and back, and he himself was only slightly injured.”

At this point, sadness and anger flashed across Ling Ruonan’s face, “Grandfather, Dad, I really can’t understand, Ziling came back to Yanjing just to study and hasn’t hindered anyone, why would someone want to put him to death?”

Ling Jinhua and Ling Mingrui were unaware of the assassination attempt on Luo Ziling on the street; such minor incidents were not reported to their level.

But a very important reason for Ling Ruonan’s visit today was to bring up this incident.

Of course, she had only intended to discuss it with her father Ling Jinhua and to directly express her suspicion that the incident was orchestrated by the Ling Family. But since grandfather kept bringing up matters related to Luo Ziling, she hardened her heart and brought it up in front of her grandfather and father.

“What happened?” Ling Mingrui raised an eyebrow, “Who wants to kill him?”

Ling Ruonan recounted how Luo Ziling had accompanied Li Haiyang to the museum for an event that day and later left with Yang Qingyin, only to be attacked on their way out. After sharing the story, she sneered coldly, “If it weren’t for Ziling’s exceptional skills, he would have certainly ended up dead in the streets. I will definitely get to the bottom of this matter and make whoever planned this taste the bitter fruits of their own doing.”

The determination in Ling Ruonan’s voice moved Ling Qirui.

He knew his daughter’s character all too well, even aware of Ling Ruonan’s involvement in plotting the assassination of Yang Shubao.

If Yang Shubao meant harm to Luo Ziling, she wouldn’t hesitate to strike him down mercilessly; how could she possibly spare the one who sought her son’s life?

Of course, Ling Qirui had no direct evidence to prove that the hit-and-run incident was orchestrated by Ling Ruonan, but upon learning of Yang Shubao’s death, he subconsciously made the judgment and was quite certain of it.

“Who do you think planned the assassination of your son? The Yang Family?” Ling Qirui asked softly.

“It shouldn’t be,” Ling Ruonan shook her head.

Ling Qirui didn’t ask further, for he already knew the unspoken implication of Ling Ruonan’s words—that she suspected someone within the Ling Family was muddying the waters.

“Alright, a great misfortune is often a blessing in disguise. Don’t take it too much to heart,” Ling Qirui said as he reached out and patted Ling Ruonan on the shoulder, speaking affectionately, “That boy, having caught Li Haiyang’s special regard, must be quite capable. Let him experience some hardships and toughening up—it’s not a bad thing. If there’s nothing else, you should head back now!”

Hearing her father speak like this, Ling Ruonan, who had something more to say, could only stand up, exchanged a few caring words about the two elders, and then departed.

After Ling Ruonan left, Ling Qirui did not continue the conversation he was having alone with Ling Jinhua earlier, but instead he sighed, “Dad, it seems that after this boy came to Yanjing, he has stirred up even bigger waves than his father did back in the day. It’s very likely that he will once again cause ripples among the major families.”

“It might not necessarily be a bad thing,” Ling Jinhua slowly opened his eyes, “Have Li Haiyang keep a close watch on the boy, and see if he’s capable enough to stir up the stagnant waters of Yanjing.”

After considering for a moment, Ling Qirui said quietly, “Dad, I think we can bring him home earlier. Perhaps his return could further stimulate those at home. They have grown too comfortable, feeling superior without external challenges, thinking they are truly extraordinary and looking down on everyone. Letting this kid give them a good sharpening is not a bad idea.”

Ling Jinhua didn’t pick up on Ling Qirui’s suggestion, but simply sighed, “Zhengping, you’re not thinking far ahead, letting the son go to Ruonan’s was a bad move.”

“Dad, you don’t allow conflicts among the family members, and their frustrations are suppressed. Giving them a chance to vent could be good, to prevent an explosion that could cause bigger troubles.”

Ling Jinhua didn’t say anything more, just gently waved his hand.

“Dad, you should rest a bit. I’ll have the nurses come in to give you a massage.” Ling Qirui said, standing up from the bed, gesturing for the nurses waiting outside to come in, and then left quietly.

As he walked out, Ling Ruonan had already left, and Xie Enhua, who had seen Ling Ruonan out, was once again complaining with dissatisfaction, blaming him for not allowing Ruonan and her son to meet.

Xie Enhua paid no mind to her spouse’s grumbles, but smiled and said, “Find an opportunity to talk to Ruonan, and tell her to bring her son back for dad’s ninetieth birthday celebration!”

“Ah?! You’re willing to let them mother and son meet?”

Ling Qirui just smiled and didn’t commit to anything.