Amidst everyone’s anticipation with different emotions, Ling Jinhua spoke out the promised words.
"After I die, leave everything to Ruonan!" Ling Jinhua calmly announced with his prepared "big gift."
Ling Jinhua’s words immediately stunned everyone.
Even Ling Mingrui and Xie Enhua were dumbfounded.
Standing beside Ling Jinhua, Luo Ziling and Yang Qingyin were equally shocked.
In everyone’s perception, Ling Jinhua had a significant amount of wealth, including the Ling Family Old Mansion.
The value of the Ling Family Old Mansion cannot be measured by money; along with other assets, it’s astonishing.
Ling Jinhua was treating Ling Ruonan as his heir!
Ling Zhengping, upon hearing Ling Jinhua’s announcement, instantly froze, feeling abandoned soon after.
His father had abandoned him years ago, and now his grandfather was doing the same, making the world feel dark to him.
His hatred towards Ling Ruonan intensified in an instant.
However, he quickly thought of another point, leading to a peculiar feeling in his heart, dissipating some of the hatred.
Sitting backstage, Ling Ruonan was initially stunned upon hearing her grandfather’s words, followed by uncontrollable joy.
But soon, the joy transformed into astonishment.
The wealth that Ling Jinhua personally owned was actually very, very little.
The old mansion he currently lives in doesn’t belong to him personally; it’s owned by the state.
Although the Ling Family Old Mansion is labeled as Ling Family property, the ownership does not belong to the Ling Family members.
In other words, Ling Jinhua only had the right to use the Ling Family Old Mansion, not ownership.
Theoretically, after Ling Jinhua’s death, the Ling Family Old Mansion would be returned to state ownership.
Not just the Ling Family Old Mansion, but the old mansions of the Yang Family, Fang Family, and Chen Family were of similar nature.
However, while the ownership of these old mansions doesn’t belong to them, they can be inherited.
It’s the inheritance of usage rights.
For example, after the death of Ling Jinhua’s peers in the Fang Family, Chen Family, and Yang Family, Fang Xiang, Chen Ru, and Yang Yuanshan inherited their usage rights. No one opposed this; everyone thought it was only natural.
Ling Jinhua lived a long life, so he kept living in the old mansion without passing it to Ling Mingrui.
If he had died earlier, the residence rights would belong to Ling Mingrui.
If nothing unexpected happens, families like this can pass the old mansion down.
There are many such old mansions in Yanjing, owned by people of status.
Eventually, nobody knows whether these stately homes, which aren’t private property, will become private properties.
But one thing Ling Zhengping knows is that Ling Ruonan cannot own the Ling Family Old Mansion.
Ling Jinhua had stated multiple times that after his death, he would return the Ling Family Old Mansion to the state for other purposes.
He wanted to set an example and prevent houses owned by the state from continuously becoming private properties.
Ultimately, these houses are becoming scarce and hold historical significance, so they should be controlled uniformly by the national cultural heritage department.
Ling Ruonan is aware of this too.
She understands Ling Jinhua’s personal wealth better than Ling Zhengping.
When Ling Jinhua was in office, he truly practiced integrity.
He did not use his power for personal gain.
Aside from the Ling Family Old Mansion, which showcases his identity, his other assets can be ignored.
The Ling Family’s wealth belongs to all members of the Ling Family, not just Ling Jinhua. So despite the Ling Family being wealthy, those properties cannot be considered Ling Jinhua’s assets—at least that’s how Ling Jinhua views it.
What he stated, leaving all his wealth to Ling Ruonan, isn’t much.
In terms of value, it’s quite good to have a market value of a few million.
However, outsiders aren’t aware of this. Many hearing these words will think Ling Jinhua gave all the Ling Family’s assets to her.
"Grandfather only gave me a pipe dream!" After understanding these points, Ling Ruonan showed a bitter smile.
Ling Ruonan also understood that although Ling Jinhua’s promised gift lacked substantial substance, it conveyed a very important message.
That is, he supports her and thinks highly of her.
He could even give her all the Ling Family’s resources and fully support her ascension.
This is intangible "asset," especially when demonstrated at the presence of so many key figures, it’s more meaningful.
If this is how Ling Jinhua’s "gift" is measured, then this gift is immensely significant.
After Ling Jinhua’s words, Ling Ruonan’s status in the minds of these big figures improved significantly.
Ling Ruonan also thought of another point, which is Ling Jinhua probably intended to stimulate those in the Ling Family, especially Ling Zhengping.
If the Ling Family’s men don’t work hard, all resources might go to the family’s daughters—as long as she strives, works diligently, and achieves results.
This is a warning to Ling Zhengping, as well as a reminder to the descendants of the Ling Family.
Ling Jinhua hoped they would strive enthusiastically and, with confidence not to lose to a female counterpart, work hard to achieve greater accomplishments.
In that way, the Ling Family could develop better, produce more talents, and eventually elevate the Ling Family to a higher level.
"Grandfather drew a pipe dream; maybe it could fulfill multiple wishes, truly remarkable." Thinking about these, Ling Ruonan couldn’t help but sigh, "Today, grandfather’s behaviors are somewhat... abnormal, Dad too, not like their usual styles. With uncharacteristic styles, they’ve performed two acts at my wedding, conveying a lot of information. After today, at least everyone believes, the women of the Ling Family are very capable, the Ling Family’s men should achieve greater successes. The attitude towards the Ling Family will become more respectful, with more people optimistic about the Ling Family."
Of course, Ling Ruonan believed, more people would be optimistic about her.
Ling Jinhua’s approach is a win-win for the Ling Family; the benefits she receives won’t be few.
Thinking of this, she also felt at ease.
Those who follow Ling Ruonan and Luo Ziling, upon hearing Ling Jinhua publicly express his support for Ling Ruonan, especially such substantial support, were filled with euphoria. They were all sighing, feeling they chose the right person to follow. They couldn’t imagine what height Ling Ruonan might reach in the future.
One thing is very clear; by following Ling Ruonan, they are sure to benefit.
With support from Ling Ruonan and the Ling Family, they will surely enjoy—on the condition that they perform well and remain loyal to Ling Ruonan and the Ling Family.
Luo Ziling’s thoughts differed slightly from everyone’s; he was somewhat dissatisfied with Ling Jinhua’s statement.
He was unclear about Ling Jinhua’s asset situation, believing the wealth given to Ling Ruonan wouldn’t be little, and the support message was very obvious.
But this is a death knell!
He felt that more people within the Ling Family would grow envious, and those who didn’t want women to rise higher would become wary and defensive of Ling Ruonan. Luo Ziling thought he must find an opportunity to reason with Ling Jinhua.
This old man has a bit of a bad heart!