However, Luo Ziling didn't let himself get carried away. After a couple of rapid moves, he said to Ling Mingrui, who was frowning and contemplating the next move, "Grandfather, I should discuss these matters with my mother first. Let her consider it before talking to you. I'm young and can't judge people as accurately as you all can. If I recomnd the wrong person, wouldn't that lead to a major mistake?"
"It's alright!" Ling Mingrui shook his head. "The situation is quite complex now. Many people want to align themselves; many want to recruit followers. So when an opportunity arises, don't miss it, it's beneficial for you." At this point, Ling Mingrui chuckled, "At least these people will think they owe you a favor, and there will be rewards in the future. Those who aren't willing to repay aren't worth your attention."
Ling Mingrui's words today greatly surprised Luo Ziling.
Yet amidst the surprise, he felt a bit uneasy.
Unexpected troubles often indicate a problem—at any rate, that's how Luo Ziling felt.
Subsequently, Ling Mingrui didn't discuss anything related to these matters but focused solely on the ga.
The situation on the board wasn't going well; even though Ling Mingrui had improved after several gas with Luo Ziling, he was still a step behind.
Today's ga was similar, with a grand dragon in danger. Although he often found himself at a disadvantage playing against Luo Ziling, Ling Mingrui still wanted to win or at least not lose too embarrassingly.
Most of what needed to be said was already discussed, so he concentrated his efforts on playing the ga.
In the end, he lost the ga again, resigning halfway through.
"You rascal, when will you let win a ga!" Ling Mingrui said to Luo Ziling a bit irritably after scattering chess pieces across the board. "You don't know the respect for elders and the care for the young."
"Grandfather, if we play a few more tis, we'll definitely have so intense matches." Luo Ziling was indifferent. "If I let you win, it wouldn't be satisfying, right? I can only win against you on the board; in the real ga of life, I'm just a pawn, without even the opportunity to play against you."
Ling Mingrui squinted at Luo Ziling, "Do you want to be your grandfather's opponent?"
"Not at all!" Luo Ziling shook his head. "I'm just a pawn, and you're the player. Besides playing Go with you occasionally, I have no other chances to compete against you, nor do I dare or wish to."
At this point, Ling Ruonan knocked and stuck her head in, inviting the old and young to join for dinner.
Luo Ziling and Ling Mingrui stood up to prepare for the al.
During dinner, Ling Mingrui asked Ling Ruonan, "Are you also going to the Northwest?"
Ling Ruonan quickly explained, "Dad, Mom, Ling'er and his grandfather have lived in the Northwest for twenty years, and I've never visited. I must go see where they lived and experience their past life. Otherwise, I would regret it all my life. Besides, the scenery there is beautiful, and I haven't taken a vacation for half a year, so I plan to go with them soon. Rest assured, I'll be back quickly, no more than a week."
"Make sure things here are arranged well, don't let others take advantage of any openings." Ling Mingrui sternly reminded her, "You know very well, since you assud your new position, many have reported your dual roles in business and governnt to the higher-ups, suggesting you might deliver advantages to the Northern Group. Your authority hasn't yet been established, so you can't afford any complacency."
"Dad, I understand. Thank you for reminding !"
Ling Mingrui didn't say much else.
However, Ling Ruonan didn't remain silent and started discussing so significant matters.
Such as the conspiracy by Lin Zhengdong and Fang Dongming targeting Luo Ziling, the Fang Family's attitude, the Yang Family's reaction, and the conflict between Lin Zeping and Wang Zhengqiang. Ling Mingrui expressed his opinions, although so were rather vague.
Finally, Ling Ruonan brought up Chen Ruchang's illness and hospitalization.
"This matter is still strictly confidential, but a few of us already know the situation." Ling Mingrui said expressionlessly, "Chen Ruchang is likely suffering from a malignant tumor. The specifics are yet to be diagnosed. From what I know, if he has a tumor, it should be in the digestive system, most likely stomach cancer. It was discovered relatively early, so it's potentially curable. As one ages, the risk of tumors increases significantly, I need to take care of my health too."
As he said this, Ling Mingrui glanced at Luo Ziling.
Luo Ziling, focused on listening, felt a bit anxious after Ling Mingrui's glance.
Fortunately, Ling Ruonan chid in tily, "Dad, this news surely won't spread, right?"
"Certainly not. This sort of thing must remain strictly confidential." He sternly ordered Luo Ziling and Ling Ruonan, "Don't talk about this everywhere, just know it yourself."
Luo Ziling and Ling Ruonan nodded in agreent.
Ling Mingrui then ntioned his interactions with Wang Zhengqiang.
He advised Ling Ruonan, whether dealing with Lin Zeping or interacting with Wang Zhengqiang, it was necessary to maintain a certain balance.
Don't let people see you as taking sides, that's enough.
Luo Ziling finally judged that Ling Mingrui intended to maintain a neutral stance, not aligning with Wang Zhengqiang or Lin Zeping and withholding any support.
Luo Ziling couldn't help but recall Wang Zhengqiang's implicit indications and the aning conveyed through Wang Feiyang.
It seed their expectations wouldn't materialize for now.
However, if Wang Zhengqiang frequently summoned him, and Wang Feiyang and Ling Ruonan t often, or Wang Zhengqiang personally t Ling Ruonan, outsiders might still misunderstand that the Ling Family was backing Wang Zhengqiang.
Reflecting on these matters, Luo Ziling understood the intricate nature of interactions between high-level figures.
Any small gesture could be magnified or misinterpreted by many.
No wonder these influential individuals talk with such tact, rarely making clear statents.
Declaring a stance in any matter was akin to losing initiative.
Not making a statent or keeping it ambiguous was the best way to elevate one's position.
At this point, Xie Enhua, who hadn't spoken much, interjected, breaking up their conversation, "I say, can you stop discussing these big issues at the dinner table? Can't eat in peace. Let's talk about things after dinner, alright?"
Ling Mingrui and Ling Ruonan stopped imdiately, and Ling Ruonan apologized to her mother, saying she would discuss matters with Ling Mingrui afterwards.
After dinner, Ling Mingrui and Ling Ruonan indeed had a chat, while Luo Ziling kept Xie Enhua company with so casual conversation.
Upon leaving Ling Mingrui's courtyard, Luo Ziling asked Ling Ruonan, "Mom, what does Grandfather's goodwill today really an?"
"Grandfather has further recognized your abilities and places high hopes on ." Ling Ruonan, not intending to hide anything, said truthfully, "Even though you're just the Ling family's grandson, your grandfather believes if given the opportunity, you'll certainly achieve greatness. So make sure you seize the opportunities."
User Comments
0 comments from readers