Li Xiaoqing was brought in by Wuyue, looking like a prisoner.
Seeing so many people gathered in the room, even Luo Xusheng and Luo Yuqing, Li Xiaoqing was dumbfounded.
Luo Yuqing stood up, glaring fiercely at Li Xiaoqing: "You’ve got some nerve, deceiving even your own mom and sister, making us worried and pooling money to bail you out, and yet you still want us dead. Tell me, how should I punish you?"
Li Xiaoqing was already afraid of Luo Yuqing, and after today’s events, coupled with being intimidated several times by Luo Ziling, his courage was halved, and he didn’t dare to act tough anymore. So, faced with Luo Yuqing’s angry gaze, he could only lower his head and murmur an apology.
"Sorry, that’s it?" Luo Yuqing harshly kicked Li Xiaoqing, stomping heavily on his toes, causing him to cry out in pain as she continued to scold, "Do you realize just how stupid you are, conspiring with others to deceive the very people who treat you the best? Mom raised you with such effort, and you shamelessly commit such heartless deeds? No matter what, I’m your sister, and you dare to conspire against me, too?"
Luo Yuqing pointed at Luo Ziling: "I know you’re conflicted about your parents’ identity, angry that your mother didn’t help you achieve the status you deserve. But have you ever thought about how Ziling handled it? He came to Yanjing just a year ago, and even then, Mrs. Ling dared not visit him; he lived alone. But what has he accomplished within a year? His achievements now don’t need my explanation, right? You have far more resources than he did, yet he grew up in a small mountain village, never even seeing Mrs. Ling or... his dad. But what have you done? You just complain and moan without self-reflecting after making mistakes. Instead of thinking about changing yourself and rising from adversity, you conspire with bad people against those closest to you?"
Facing Luo Yuqing’s unceremonious public criticism of Li Xiaoqing, Wuningjing’s face was a bit uncomfortable, but after glancing at the calm Ling Ruonan, she ultimately said nothing.
Li Xiaoqing faced a spit-laden scolding from Luo Yuqing, but dared not retort a single word.
Luo Yuqing did not relent; she continued to roar: "Look at yourself; how stupid are you to be used as a tool against your own family. If it weren’t for Ziling’s help, you’d already be a murderer, maybe even killed. The people you wanted to deal with kept helping you, yet the ones you trust were dragging you to death. Have you lost your mind?"
"I’ve already told him these things!" Luo Ziling solemnly reminded Luo Yuqing from the side, "He probably didn’t listen!"
Luo Yuqing turned and glared at Luo Ziling before finally saying nothing more, angrily returning to her seat.
Sitting down, she looked at Wuningjing and stated calmly: "Mom, if this isn’t handled well, everyone will have trouble. We strictly require Xiaoqing, not to harm him, but to help him. If not for this incident, he might have killed the pair of us. Initially, I thought he really encountered trouble, so I spared no effort to help him. I had no money, so I borrowed ten million from Ziling. Ten million is more than many salaried people earn in a lifetime. We handed it over to him without hesitation, but he wanted to ruin us, leave us homeless, even unable to rest in peace. If he doesn’t learn a lesson, he’ll continue harming us, too stupid to realize when he’s being sold and helping count the money. How about this: from now on, let him stay with me and Ziling. We’ll oversee him and help him reform."
"You didn’t say how to punish him!" Luo Ziling solemnly reminded.
Luo Yuqing paused, then looked at Wuningjing and said: "I think the best punishment is not sending him to jail or beating him but letting him find a way to resolve this matter himself. How to gain forgiveness from Ling Zhenghui and Ling Haijun, how to make those who trap us apologize, make amends, and ensure they won’t plot against us again. If he achieves this, I think Ziling and Mrs. Ling won’t pursue it further."
As she spoke, she glanced at Li Xiaoqing.
Upon hearing Luo Yuqing’s idea, Luo Ziling couldn’t help but want to stand up and applaud.
Luo Yuqing’s method was indeed ruthless.
If Li Xiaoqing achieved as she wished, he and those people would only have hatred left, no chance of collaboration.
Meaning his actions would surely offend those people.
Once the relationship is torn apart, cooperation with them becomes impossible.
This forces Li Xiaoqing to shift direction, bid farewell to the past.
This is a pledge of allegiance!
Of course, proving Li Xiaoqing’s capability—if he manages this well, it shows he is capable.
Seeing Luo Ziling’s approving look, Luo Yuqing slightly smiled, then continued: "Earlier, you’ve already called them and demanded the money back. Actually, you’re already doing similar things. Next, just continue to settle accounts with them. Don’t worry, I’ll accompany you to do what needs to be done. When necessary, mom will be with you too."
With Luo Yuqing handling it this way, Ling Ruonan felt relieved.
This is indeed a pretty good approach, basically cornering Li Xiaoqing with no retreat.
If he accomplishes these tasks, his foolish deeds can be overlooked.
However, Ling Ruonan did not speak out.
"Ziling, what do you think?" Luo Yuqing asked Luo Ziling.
Luo Ziling nodded: "If he truly does these things, I can overlook them. I can also assure you, Ling Zhenghui and his son won’t hold it against him either."
Luo Ziling’s assurance was actually just offhand.
Luo Yuqing already stated that Li Xiaoqing must personally apologize to Ling Zhenghui and Ling Haijun, seeking their forgiveness.
If they forgive him, they won’t pursue it further. If they’re unwilling to forgive and continue to pursue, then Li Xiaoqing hasn’t accomplished these tasks.
"Mom, what about you?" Luo Yuqing asked Wuningjing, "If Xiaoqing agrees, are you willing to accompany him to complete these tasks?"
Wuningjing looked at Luo Yuqing, then at the bowed Li Xiaoqing, ultimately nodding: "Mom is willing!"
Luo Yuqing then asked Ling Ruonan: "Mrs. Ling, what’s your opinion?"
"Let Ziling handle it!" Ling Ruonan did not express a direct opinion.
Luo Yuqing understood, and asked no more, turning to Li Xiaoqing: "What about you?"
Li Xiaoqing raised his head and glanced at Luo Yuqing, then at Luo Ziling, eventually biting his teeth and agreeing: "Alright!"
Luo Yuqing and Wuningjing both breathed a sigh of relief.