In the evening, Luo Ziling called Ling Ruonan to inquire about the situation.
Ling Ruonan told Luo Ziling that she was still at Ling Mingrui’s place.
"Should I come over?" Luo Ziling asked Ling Ruonan.
"Come over for a bit, you’re involved too, and it might be better if you say some things in front of them!" Ling Ruonan said, then softly told Luo Ziling, "Many people are here, Ling Zhengping, Ling Zhengjun, Ling Zhenghui, and Ling Minglan are all here. Be mentally prepared."
"I’m not afraid of them!" Hearing so many people were at Ling Mingrui’s villa, Luo Ziling immediately was amused, "I definitely want to come and join the fun, see what they have to say."
After hanging up the phone, Luo Ziling asked Zhu Yijun to drive him to Ling Mingrui’s villa.
Wuyue followed Ling Ruonan over and stayed by her side, not returning.
By the time Luo Ziling arrived at Ling Mingrui’s villa, it was already four o’clock in the afternoon.
The living room at Ling Mingrui’s place was packed with people sitting.
No one had a smile on their face, everyone looked serious.
Ling Mingrui and Xie Enhua sat in the main seats, with Ling Ruonan next to them.
Ling Zhengping and Ling Zhengjun sat on another sofa, while the cold-faced Ling Minglan sat alone on another side.
Ling Zhenghui, frowned, stood aside.
The others, including Ling Haining, and the bruised and swollen Ling Zhengjian, Lin Jiaying, stood disheartened in the middle.
Li Xiaoqing sat on the floor, leaning against the wall with a fearless attitude.
Luo Ziling walked into the living room, greeted Ling Mingrui, Xie Enhua, and Ling Ruonan, then looked curiously at the others, jokingly said, "I’m actually surprised, why this time nobody was sent to kill me, instead they targeted Ling Haijun, that poor guy? Fortunately, he has a strong life, the stab didn’t hit the main organs, or even the Divine Doctor couldn’t save him."
This remark provoked Ling Zhenghui, who walked up to Ling Mingrui, made a respectful bow, and implored, "Uncle, my son was inexplicably stabbed several times, nearly losing his life. No matter what, I won’t give up on holding people accountable, those who targeted my son must be punished. Whether it’s national law or family rules, such things cannot be tolerated."
Ling Mingrui did not respond immediately.
"Mom, I was thinking, could the attack you encountered in Jiangcheng be of similar nature." Luo Ziling walked to Ling Ruonan’s side, his eyes sweeping over Ling Zhengping, Ling Zhengjun, Ling Minglan, and Ling Zhengjian, a look of anger on his face, "I will have this thoroughly investigated, to find out who was behind it. If I find out who did it, I will repay them doubly and will not hold back. We’ve been too lenient, letting them attack us over and over. Since they disregard kinship, we also should not care."
Ling Mingrui sternly glared at Luo Ziling, signaling him not to speak recklessly.
"May I ask, Comrade Luo Ziling," Ling Minglan spoke up from the side, "who gave you the authority to privately detain others?"
"By seniority, I should respectfully call you aunt, you’re of high status, a respected elder. I want to ask you: who gave your son the right to privately hire thugs to kill?" Luo Ziling immediately retorted, "Moreover, I did not detain anyone, I merely invited your son for a confrontation. The injuries on him weren’t inflicted by us; they were left during a fight he and Li Xiaoqing staged. If you don’t believe me, you can watch the video from that time. Your son committed multiple crimes; I think you should sacrifice personal ties, hand your son over to the court, which would show you’re upright and impartial, preventing trouble for the Ling Family."
Ling Minglan did not expect Luo Ziling to retort, and was instantly fuming.
But before she could speak, Luo Ziling added quickly, "If you think privately taking your son for investigation is a crime, you can file charges with the police, let them convict me. I will definitely report your son’s crimes to the police. I don’t believe, with witnesses, evidence, and testimonies all present, your son can leave prison alive."
Luo Ziling said this with a heavy murderous aura on his face.
Ling Mingrui glared at Luo Ziling, then yelled at Ling Minglan, who wanted to speak, "Minglan, shut up!"
Seeing Ling Mingrui infuriated, Ling Minglan finally chose to relent and didn’t say anything more.
"Regarding this matter, if you wish to resolve it through proper channels, I have no objections. In that case, immediately notify the police to come and take the people, have them investigate thoroughly, then hand it over to the prosecution for investigation and indictment, followed by a court ruling." Ling Mingrui said, glancing at Luo Ziling, then turned to others, after looking at each of them, continued, "If you intend to resolve it internally, then discuss a solution diligently. Decide for yourselves."
"Grandfather, I think it’s best left to the judicial authorities; handling it privately, if anyone is displeased and takes it public, it would damage your reputation. If attacked by opponents, saying you handle such criminal cases privately and bypass legal procedures, you’d be in trouble. For such trivial matters, for these unworthy juniors, sacrificing your reputation, isn’t worth it."
Luo Ziling’s words immediately provoked public outrage, with Ling Zhengping, Ling Minglan, Ling Zhengjun, Ling Zhengjian, and Ling Haining all glaring at him with resentment.
Ling Minglan directly snapped at Luo Ziling, "Looks like you’re the only one with high awareness."
"I wouldn’t say my awareness is high, but at least I’m not as foolish as your son." Luo Ziling retorted impolitely.
"Ling Minglan, if you keep this up, I will personally send your son to prison." Ling Mingrui angrily stood up, pointing at others, "Do you wish for your sons to be sent to prison for reform? I can grant your wish. Don’t think, being descendants of the Ling Family, you can do as you please. When things go wrong, clean up your own mess. Get out!"
After speaking, Ling Mingrui angrily went indoors.
Ling Ruonan quickly stood up, followed Ling Mingrui inside, and went to persuade her father.
Luo Ziling did not go in, he sat next to the pale Xie Enhua, who hadn’t spoken much, replaced her cup of tea, and handed her an apple. Xie Enhua glanced at Luo Ziling, took the apple but didn’t eat.
She didn’t get up nor showed any emotional fluctuation, but solemnly said to those in the living room, "You all should leave, let the judicial authorities handle this."
But no one left, the originally indignant Ling Minglan, Ling Zhengjian, Ling Zhengping, and others all lowered their heads.