Ling Ruonan asked Luo Ziling, "I called you to make sure you’re not worried, we are fine. By the way, how is the investigation on Jin Yan’s matter going? Any progress?"
"Mom, Wuyue just reminded me if I should talk to you about Jin Yan’s issue. I said, let’s not disturb you with this matter for the time being." Luo Ziling chuckled.
Ling Ruonan immediately sensed something was off: "What happened? Did something big occur?"
Luo Ziling explained what had transpired tonight.
Ling Ruonan was silent for a moment before saying, "We can try to give Jin Yan an opportunity, see if she will come to her senses and repent. I will rearrange the matters she was originally responsible for."
"Alright!" Luo Ziling breathed a sigh of relief.
"Regarding this matter, regardless of whether it has any relation to Ling Zhengping, don’t inform your Great Grandfather and grandfather yet, understood?" Ling Ruonan advised.
"Okay!" Luo Ziling agreed.
Ling Ruonan added, "We won’t act against Ling Zhengping lightly; if we really have to act, he won’t stand a chance to retaliate."
Luo Ziling agreed again: "Understood!"
Ling Ruonan’s intended meaning was clearly understood by Luo Ziling.
Not to tear into Ling Zhengping hastily, but if it comes to it, leave him with no opportunity to rise again, removing his threat permanently and wrecking his future.
In other words, as long as Ling Zhengping doesn’t go too far, Ling Ruonan won’t easily retaliate.
If Ling Zhengping stops now, Ling Ruonan won’t hold past grievances against him.
But if Ling Zhengping continues to act out, or intensifies his actions, Ling Ruonan will definitely strike back, and lethally at that.
Luo Ziling understood that Ling Ruonan had always been wary of Ling Zhengping and was preparing for a counterattack.
He felt that Jin Yan’s matter, if leveraged well, could become a powerful blow against Ling Zhengping.
Thus, after hanging up with Ling Ruonan, he reminded Wuyue again to exert control over Jin Yan and Wu Weihua.
If they could successfully convert these two for their use, and subsequently control Wu Weiguo, it could deliver a lethal hit to Ling Zhengping.
At the very least, it would make it much easier to threaten Ling Zhengping.
Although Wuyue hadn’t heard what Luo Ziling and Ling Ruonan discussed over the phone, upon hearing Luo Ziling’s repeated reminders, he roughly understood the meaning.
It was already past nine o’clock, and Luo Ziling prepared to leave.
He had already messaged Yang Qingyin saying he would visit her tonight.
Yang Qingyin had naturally replied with reluctance, saying she was tired today and didn’t want to host Luo Ziling, suggesting he find someone else to accompany him.
The words of women often need to be interpreted in reverse, and Luo Ziling was well aware of this.
Hence, he didn’t take Yang Qingyin’s "refusal" seriously.
Moreover, he wanted to discuss some matters with Yang Qingyin further.
But just as Luo Ziling was about to leave to meet Yang Qingyin, he received a call from Lin Lan.
"Where are you? I want to see you!" Lin Lan’s speech was always like this, in a somewhat irritated tone.
Luo Ziling sighed but still informed Lin Lan of where he was.
"I’ll come find you then, just tell me where to wait!" Luo Ziling still didn’t want Lin Lan to come this way.
"Then let’s find a place, and wait for you to come!" Lin Lan didn’t refuse either.
"You guys? It’s not just you?" Luo Ziling was a bit surprised.
"Yes!" Lin Lan didn’t want to say who "they" were, saying she’d tell Luo Ziling the address later before hanging up.
Luo Ziling was slightly amused.
After telling Wuyue he was going to meet Lin Lan and others, Luo Ziling then left the place where Jin Yan and Wu Weihua were detained.
As he left, Luo Ziling instructed Wuyue to wait for further notice on how to handle Jin Yan and Wu Weihua.
Luo Ziling guessed that Lin Lan might come along with Shanque to find him.
His guess was correct, as Shanque indeed came with Lin Lan.
But the people coming to see him weren’t just those two; there was also Phoenix.
At a certain tea house, upon seeing the three women in casual attire, Luo Ziling felt a bit surprised.
"What’s this, forming a combat squad to meet me, planning to rob me or steal my heart?" Luo Ziling sat down in front of them with a playful smile and said, "It’s so late, when women ask a man to meet, it’s never with good intentions!"
Luo Ziling’s words naturally earned him eye rolls from the three women.
"We have something to talk about, stop being frivolous!" Lin Lan kicked Luo Ziling somewhat angrily and said, "You only know how to talk nonsense!"
"Is it you who has something to discuss with me, or is it your captain?" Luo Ziling laughingly glanced at Lin Lan and then addressed Phoenix, saying, "Phoenix, you’ve graced us with your presence, surely it’s not just to have tea with me!"
"I do have something to discuss with you!" Phoenix said, signaling Lin Lan and Shanque with her eyes.
Understanding the cue, Lin Lan and Shanque quickly stood up and went outside the private room.
"Are you seeking treatment from me again?" Luo Ziling looked at Phoenix in surprise, "Why didn’t you schedule ahead?"
"No!" Phoenix was evidently a bit annoyed, "I want to talk to you privately about some matters!"
Luo Ziling asked, "About Lin Lan and Shanque’s issues?"
Phoenix nodded.
"Both of them have submitted their retirement applications. They’ve experienced many injuries, causing a decline in physical functions, and they’ve reached the limit of service years. I’ve already signed their application reports, and your dad has signed too, now just waiting for the upper authorities’ approval."
"I’m aware of these things!" Luo Ziling interrupted Phoenix, "Get to the point!"
"They said that after leaving Dragon Rise, they plan to join you, how do you intend to arrange them?" Phoenix asked this while staring at Luo Ziling.
"Shanque will work alongside me, Lin Lan will manage affairs around my mom, basically taking Wuyue’s position from before." Luo Ziling answered Phoenix’s question decisively, then countered, "What suggestions does Miss Phoenix have?"
"How do you plan to arrange Lin Lan?" Phoenix asked again.
"Didn’t I just say?" Luo Ziling knew Phoenix’s intentions for asking again but could only feign ignorance.
"You should understand what I mean!" Phoenix was evidently a bit dissatisfied, "Stop pretending to be clueless in front of me!"
"This shouldn’t be your concern." Luo Ziling shook his head, "How to plan her life ahead, Lin Lan should have her own considerations."
"I don’t wish for Lin Lan to be without a place to go, since we are closest sisters!" Phoenix stated seriously, "I know you’ve already had an intimate relationship with her. Lin Lan has never been like this with any other man, this is her first emotional experience. Since you’ve done such things with her, you need to take responsibility for her. If you’re unwilling to do so, I will personally deal with you."
While saying this, Phoenix’s face displayed a hint of killing intent.