After staying in the Northwest for twenty years, Luo Liansheng’s temperament had become very steady. He didn’t need many recreational activities; a cup of tea and a book were enough for him to pass a whole day—of course, that was when he had nothing else to do. Back in the Northwest, on days when he didn’t go out to gather herbs, he would play chess with Luo Ziling, discuss books and history with him, or sit there without saying a word, studying the properties of medicinal materials, sometimes sitting for an entire day.
This was a reality that couldn’t be changed when there was no one else to socialize with.
After coming to Yanjing, a few old fellows appeared around him, people he could chat with often and study medicines together with.
For Luo Liansheng, what he liked most was still studying the properties of medicinal herbs with these old men and then figuring out ways to develop more effective, more targeted medicines.
That gave him a great sense of achievement.
Although Luo Liansheng’s temperament had become much steadier, as he grew older, he still liked a lively atmosphere and disliked loneliness.
So he often stayed with those old men around his age; even after work in the evenings, he liked to continue doing things together with them.
The other old fellows had pretty much the same enthusiasm.
Anyway, doing these things was a kind of enjoyment for them, not a burden.
Besides, this could also help Luo Ziling.
After Luo Ziling took the lead on the laboratory setup, he needed to deliver results and gain others’ recognition.
Otherwise, he would be criticized.
Luo Liansheng wasn’t utilitarian, at least in most cases.
Whether the medicines they developed could win awards or not wasn’t important to him.
But for Luo Ziling it mattered quite a bit, so Luo Liansheng was very patient and enthusiastic about helping Luo Ziling with these things.
Anyway, his achievements were Luo Ziling’s achievements; the grandfather and grandson didn’t distinguish between yours and mine.
When Luo Ziling came to the university to look for Luo Liansheng today, he found Luo Liansheng still in the lab studying medicinal materials.
When Dong Xiaowan came out to greet him and said that Luo Liansheng was still working overtime and busy, Luo Ziling blamed her, scolding her twice for not stopping the old man from working overtime.
Feeling very wronged, Dong Xiaowan explained, "I know that elderly people need rest, but how could they possibly listen to my advice? Besides, what the old gentlemen study at night is just their interest and hobby. Actually, doing these things together doesn’t tire them out. At their age, they know best how to maintain their health and won’t abuse their bodies. I believe doing this is also a kind of enjoyment for them."
After thinking it over, Luo Ziling didn’t say anything more.
When he walked to a separate workspace in the nearly completed lab, he saw Luo Liansheng together with Dong Qiqing, Cheng Bushi and others, chatting while fiddling with medicinal materials.
"Grandpa, gentlemen, you’re still not resting?" Luo Ziling went in with a smile to say hello. "You old folks work this hard—how are we young people supposed to live? Really, those youngsters—how come none of them came over to help you out?"
"It’s fine, we’re just idle and have nothing to do. Anyway, it’s still early for bed, so after dinner we got together to discuss pharmacology," Luo Liansheng replied with a chuckle. "When we’re tired we’ll go rest; it’s no big deal!"
"Even so, you shouldn’t work this hard!" Luo Ziling sat down beside Luo Liansheng and said with genuine concern, "It’s already so late, don’t keep busying yourselves with these herbs. Otherwise, we young people will really feel bad!"
"Alright then, I’ll take a break!" Having lived together with Luo Ziling for over twenty years, having watched him grow up, taught him to walk and dress, taught him to write—basically everything was taught by him—and with Luo Ziling always trailing behind his grandfather, completely familiar with everything about him, you could say they knew each other inside out, so from Luo Ziling’s words, Luo Liansheng immediately tasted the underlying meaning.
Since Luo Ziling wanted to talk to him about something, he immediately put down what he was doing and went with him to the lounge to talk.
At first, Dong Xiaowan didn’t notice anything and wanted to join in the fun and tag along, but in the end she was called away by Dong Qiqing.
"The grandfather and grandson are going to discuss something important. Why are you, an outsider, trying to join in?" Of course, Dong Qiqing could see what was on his granddaughter’s mind. He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, and while reminding Dong Xiaowan, he also solemnly warned her, "You used to be quite smart—make sure you keep being smart in the future!"
Dong Xiaowan didn’t fully understand what Dong Qiqing meant, but after hearing her grandfather’s words, she still obediently followed him.
"If there’s no opportunity, don’t force it. Let everything take its course!" Dong Qiqing advised her meaningfully.
Dong Xiaowan froze for a moment and then caught on; she blushed and glared at her grandfather.
"Grandpa, what nonsense are you talking about?" she complained angrily. "It’s not like I’ve fallen for him!"
"Hehe!" Dong Qiqing chuckled, then reached out to rub her head again and said affectionately, "Actually, that Ling Haijun is quite good too. And that Gu Changwei—whether it’s looks or family background, both are exceptional!"
"Grandpa, I’m not going to like them!" Dong Xiaowan said with open disdain. "I’m not interested in them!"
After giving the indignant Dong Xiaowan a couple of looks, Dong Qiqing ultimately didn’t say anything more.
Once in the lounge, Luo Ziling closed the door casually and then sat down beside Luo Liansheng.
"What’s wrong?" Luo Liansheng asked with a concerned look. "Run into trouble again?"
"Yeah!" Luo Ziling didn’t deny it. "I’ve run into a big problem!"
Luo Ziling told Luo Liansheng what had happened the previous night.
"Wu Dongfang?" After hearing him out, Luo Liansheng frowned. "That bastard actually dared to set us up?"
Hearing Luo Liansheng call Wu Dongfang a bastard made Luo Ziling freeze for a moment.
"Grandpa, did you have a falling-out with Wu Dongfang before?" he asked in a low voice.
"Falling-out might be too strong, but he is an ungrateful guy." Luo Liansheng rested his hand on the table, lightly tapping out a rhythm. "Hehe, I know what he’s like. If this was done on his orders, it only means he’s reached some kind of deal with someone, or wants to stir things up even more. If he didn’t know about it and it was done by his subordinates, then he’ll show some sort of attitude toward us. Put it this way: whatever the situation, he will make some kind of gesture, and it will come very soon."
"He’ll come looking for you?" Luo Ziling looked quite surprised.
"If he knows what’s good for him, sooner or later he’ll come to me," Luo Liansheng said with a chuckle. "Unless he really wants to tear our relationship apart!"
"Grandpa, can you tell me about what happened between you and Wu Dongfang?" Luo Ziling’s interest was suddenly piqued.
"Alright, I should tell you; once you hear it, you’ll probably understand a lot of things," Luo Liansheng didn’t turn down Luo Ziling’s request and roughly talked about his dealings with Wu Dongfang.