Luo Ziling arrived at the Ling Family Old Mansion where Ling Jinhua lived, and it was already almost dark.
"Damn evening rush hour!" Seeing the time had passed five-thirty, Luo Ziling couldn’t help but curse silently.
The evening rush hour hadn’t fully hit yet; the real peak traffic had just begun, and it would get even worse shortly.
If it weren’t for Wuyue’s excellent driving skills, familiarity with the road conditions, and disregard for traffic violations, they probably wouldn’t have made it to the Ling Family Old Mansion by six o’clock.
"You’re here?" Seeing Luo Ziling come in, Ling Jinhua, who was watching the news on TV, raised his head, looked at Luo Ziling through his reading glasses, and gestured for him to sit down.
"The traffic in Yanjing is really congested!" Luo Ziling explained apologetically, "I originally thought of arriving around five, but ended up getting here at this time."
Ling Jinhua picked up the remote, turned off the TV, and then signaled Luo Ziling to have dinner.
Ling Jinhua always had dinner quite early, usually around five-thirty.
Luo Ziling arrived at just the right time to accompany him for dinner; strictly speaking, it wasn’t very late.
However, Ling Jinhua still thought Luo Ziling came too late. He originally planned to discuss some things with Luo Ziling before dinner.
They could only talk after dinner.
During dinner, Ling Jinhua asked the waiter to bring out a bottle of Maotai from ’82, saying he wanted to drink some liquor with Luo Ziling tonight.
"Great Grandfather, this wine, is worth several hundred yuan a glass!" Luo Ziling took the bottle of Maotai with its packaging already looking very old, and exclaimed exaggeratedly, "This bottle of Maotai from ’82 could trade for an Audi A6, right? Haha, tonight we’re going to destroy a luxury car; it’s incredibly satisfying."
Ling Jinhua glanced at Luo Ziling with a calm expression and said, "It’s just a bottle of wine, what’s the fuss about?"
"But there’s the saying that rarity is precious. This Maotai from that time has very limited stock; it’s priceless, drinking it is hugely satisfying." Luo Ziling opened the bottle cap, poured a small glass for Ling Jinhua, and then for himself as well.
After pouring the wine, he lifted his glass, sniffed it repeatedly before exclaiming, "It’s a really good wine, very aromatic."
Ling Jinhua also lifted his glass, sniffed it, and said, "It is indeed good wine!"
After speaking, he gestured to Luo Ziling with his glass, then drank it in one go.
Luo Ziling also drank it in one go.
However, the feeling of drinking it was not as good as expected.
Luo Ziling seldom drank liquor; when with his grandfather, he often drank huangjiu. He liked the aromatic and lingering aftertaste of huangjiu.
Liquor was too strong, not as gentle and lingering as huangjiu, more suitable for northern people.
Perhaps more southerners prefer huangjiu, at least Luo Ziling and Luo Liansheng do.
The old and the young drank while having a casual conversation.
Ling Jinhua didn’t mention important matters, just asked about ordinary things, like Luo Ziling and Luo Liansheng’s work in the lab, and teaching matters.
Luo Ziling answered each question.
With other staff present, they couldn’t discuss other matters.
After finishing dinner, Ling Jinhua signaled Luo Ziling to make tea and bring it into the study.
Following orders, Luo Ziling brewed a pot of good tea, carried it into the study, and closed the door behind him.
"I heard Wu Dongfang’s people are investigating you?" Ling Jinhua initiated the conversation, "What’s going on exactly?"
Luo Ziling figured that Ling Jinhua calling him over was likely about these matters.
He didn’t hide anything and briefly explained the situation.
Afterwards, he shared his own guesses.
He told Ling Jinhua that it was likely that the Fang Family and Wu Dongfang planned this together, or that Wu Dongfang was helping the Fang Family; in any case, this was surely related to the Fang Family.
"Did your grandfather tell you about his entanglement with Wu Dongfang?"
Luo Ziling did not deny it, "My grandfather indeed told me about how he met Wu Dongfang. At first, they got along well, but later, as Wu Dongfang moved to a higher position, he no longer valued my grandfather, treating him coldly when seeking help."
Ling Jinhua shook his head, "Your grandfather is not that petty, and neither is Wu Dongfang!"
"Indeed, they wouldn’t retaliate against each other over these things." Luo Ziling shook his head too, "But when involving greater interests, these small grudges might give rise to thoughts of revenge. Wu Dongfang rose to power largely with Fang Bingqiang’s recommendation, so his ties with the Fang Family should be quite close."
Ling Jinhua thought for a moment, then said, "Wu Dongfang’s relationship with Fang Xiang isn’t very good."
"What do you mean?" Luo Ziling couldn’t understand why Ling Jinhua kept defending the Fang Family.
"I’m just reminding you not to jump to conclusions without concrete evidence." Ling Jinhua spoke calmly.
"I understand that!" Luo Ziling nodded solemnly, "We haven’t concluded easily; it’s just speculation."
Ling Jinhua nodded and said indifferently, "However, Wu Dongfang is not an easy person to deal with. His nickname is ’Viper’, you know that, right?"
Luo Ziling nodded to indicate he knew.
Ling Jinhua continued, "Many have fallen by his hand, and he’s always careful in his dealings, not leaving traces and rarely exposing flaws. So, this time for his people to investigate you and be easily discovered, it is unusual. Neither you, your mother, nor your grandfather should take it lightly; you must proceed with utmost caution."
"I will heed your warning, Great Grandfather, and be exceedingly cautious." Luo Ziling nodded in agreement and then asked Ling Jinhua, "What do you think might be done about this situation, Great Grandfather?"
"Your current approach is fine; Wu Dongfang is likely in a difficult position, otherwise he wouldn’t have explained himself to your grandfather immediately." Ling Jinhua chuckled, "He should be the most passive in this; as long as you have no vulnerabilities for him to exploit, if this issue becomes public, he’d be in a fix. Analyzing the current situation, he seems not to have anything against you; otherwise, it wouldn’t be this way. Even so, you should remain unchanged, only exerting slight pressure when necessary to unsettle him. This matter, wait for your mother to return; she surely has a strategy."
Luo Ziling nodded, accepting Ling Jinhua’s instructions.
Then, Luo Ziling proactively shared other circumstances, including arrangements around Ling Ruonan’s wedding and investigations into those intending to disrupt it.
After hearing from Luo Ziling that someone from the Fang Family intended to sabotage Ling Ruonan’s wedding and frame the Chen Family, Ling Jinhua’s eyes narrowed. Upon hearing that Luo Ziling went to find Chen Yining to seek collaboration, Ling Jinhua’s expression finally changed.