(Sorry, the automatic update time was set incorrectly, and the later Chapters were posted. I might as well post the Chapter that was supposed to update tonight ahead of time and made a few changes to the previous Chapter. Please refresh and read again. I apologize for any inconvenience caused!)
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When Luo Ziling and Luo Liansheng arrived at the Fang Old Residence with Fang Dongxun, Luo Xusheng and Ling Ruonan had not yet arrived.
Upon learning that Luo Liansheng and Luo Ziling had come, Fang Xiang and Fang Zhonghua personally came out to greet them.
"Mr. Fang, this reception is too grand, I’m not worthy of it!" Luo Liansheng said with a double entendre, "A big figure like you coming out to greet two small characters like us, I’m afraid it might shorten my life!"
Fang Xiang knew that Luo Liansheng had some dissatisfaction with him, and he laughed heartily, "Luo, do we need to be so formal? What big or small characters, you, Luo, are one of the people I admire most. You are a distinguished guest of our Fang Family, and as the host, it’s only natural for me to come out and greet you, right?"
Fang Xiang spoke while holding Luo Liansheng’s arm, appearing quite affectionate. Luo Liansheng also laughed and said he liked this kind of atmosphere and most disliked seeing people putting on airs and with a superior attitude.
A few jokes during the meeting instantly enlivened the atmosphere.
Fang Zhonghua also came over to greet and acknowledge Luo Ziling.
While Luo Liansheng and Fang Xiang were joking at the door, Fang Zhonghua smiled and invited them inside to sit and chat.
Fang Xiang, pulling Luo Liansheng by the arm, led him into the courtyard, saying as they walked, "Let’s sit inside, have some tea, and chat. It’s been a while since I had tea or wine with you, Luo. I’ve been busy, and you haven’t had much free time, either. At our age, why are we so busy? I’d love to throw everything aside, do nothing, just drink tea, read the newspaper, bask in the sun, and enjoy the breeze. We’ve been busy all our lives, almost in our graves, and should rest for a few years, enjoy life, don’t you agree?"
"You think that too?" Luo Liansheng seemed surprised, "I thought only someone like me, who wants to live a leisurely life, would have such a reclusive mindset. But you, and others like Old Ling and Ling Mingrui, are unwilling to give up power, wanting to leave more room for the development of descendants. Well, I’ve long become a layman, now just helping Ziling with some things. Making a few more kinds of medicine to save a few more people. Thinking of this, I’ll re-enter the world again. Haha!"
"Actually, our thoughts are quite similar." Fang Xiang laughed along, "It’s all for the descendants. As elders, we always want to leave the younger generation more good things and spare them some hardships."
"Unfortunately, I don’t have the capability like Mr. Fang, nor your status and influence, and the things I can leave for my grandchildren are indeed limited. When they run into trouble, I can’t help, which is truly shameful." At this point, Luo Liansheng sighed heavily.
Obviously, Luo Liansheng had an implicit meaning and spoke rather directly.
The smiles on Fang Zhonghua and Fang Dongxun’s faces immediately faded, feeling a bit awkward.
Neither Fang Zhonghua nor Fang Dongxun expected Luo Liansheng to express such complaints upon arrival.
Fang Xiang, however, appeared unfazed, laughing heartily. He patted Luo Liansheng on the shoulder, "You seem to have a lot of prejudices against us, don’t you, Luo?"
"How dare I, how dare I!" Luo Liansheng did not deny it and promptly blamed himself again, "My grandson, after leaving my side and coming to Yanjing, has encountered countless hardships. Unfortunately, I couldn’t protect him. Hearing that he occasionally runs into trouble, I came to Yanjing to safeguard his safety, but over a year has passed, and matters have only increased and become more troublesome."
"Luo, I’m really sorry!" Fang Xiang straightforwardly apologized and admitted wrongdoing, "We didn’t handle some things well. I didn’t manage the Fang Family descendants well, causing some people to dislike Ziling, doing things that harmed the two families’ feelings. Also, some people in the Fang Family, under the pretense of our name, colluded with others to find evidence of Ruonan and Ziling’s crimes. This matter I didn’t know before and only understood afterward. But no matter what, it was done by the Fang Family, and you could say it was my tacit approval of their actions. I’ll take full responsibility, admit mistakes, and compensate as necessary. My only hope is that we can be honest after these matters, speak openly, with nothing hidden. I hope these things don’t affect our family relations. Decades of friendship, I don’t want it to be affected by these small matters."
The fact that Fang Xiang admitted so candidly and expressed such remarks surprised Luo Ziling.
He never thought Fang Xiang would speak so bluntly and handle it with such openness.
With Fang Xiang’s statements, if they continued to haggle over it, it would only show their narrow-mindedness and pettiness.
Realizing this point, Luo Ziling inwardly called it a mistake.
If Ling Ruonan were here, things might not have turned out this way, and the initiative would have fallen into Fang Xiang’s hands.
In this situation, Luo Ziling could not express opinions and had to rely on Luo Liansheng to express them.
With Fang Xiang expressing such sentiments, Luo Liansheng was not at all surprised.
He smiled and continued, "Mr. Fang said it well. Whatever the issue, as long as it’s clearly addressed and well-communicated, there won’t be any grudges in the heart. We’ve known each other for decades, understanding each other well, so I directly express any dissatisfaction and hope Mr. Fang doesn’t mind."
"How could I mind, I’m more worried that you might, Luo." Fang Xiang said very genuinely, "I’ll properly communicate with Wu Dongfang about this matter and then provide you with the final result. If there’s anything you’re not satisfied with, tell me directly so I can arrange it. In short, the goal is to ensure your satisfaction."
"Those are heavy words, Mr. Fang!" With Fang Xiang saying that, Luo Liansheng had little else to add on the subject, laughing heartily without further discussing it.
Shortly after, Luo Xusheng and Ling Ruonan also arrived.
What surprised Luo Ziling was that today, Luo Xusheng showed up wearing a military uniform.
For a private gathering, not an official duty, Luo Xusheng’s choice to wear a military uniform seemed somewhat inappropriate.
Seeing Luo Ziling’s puzzlement, Ling Ruonan explained on Luo Xusheng’s behalf, "Xusheng just reported military affairs at the military headquarters, and I brought him straight here without time to change clothes. I hope everyone doesn’t mind."
"How could we mind!" Fang Xiang approached Luo Xusheng and extended his hand.
After shaking hands with Luo Xusheng, Fang Xiang patted him on the shoulder, smiling, "It won’t be long until the four stars on your shoulder become a gold star. The two of you will truly create a myth. Congratulations in advance."
"Thank you, Mr. Fang!" Luo Xusheng thanked him neither humbly nor arrogantly.
"No need to be polite. If you need any assistance from the Fang Family, just say so, and we’ll do our best to help." As Fang Xiang said this, he was looking at Ling Ruonan.
However, what Fang Xiang did not anticipate was that these words slightly irritated Ling Ruonan.