After leaving Wang Zhengqiang’s house, Luo Ziling went straight back to the villa.
Ling Ruonan was waiting for him at home.
Ling Ruonan was a bit surprised to see Luo Ziling return so early.
When she heard Luo Ziling coming in, she was somewhat incredulous.
"Back so early?" Ling Ruonan glanced at the wall clock.
Luo Ziling also looked at the clock and found it was only half-past eight. He couldn’t help but chuckle, "Mom, should I go out for a stroll and come back after having supper to seem normal?"
"I thought Wang Feiyang would be clinging to you!" Ling Ruonan rolled her eyes at Luo Ziling and motioned for him to discuss things in the study.
"Today, while I was discussing some matters with Wang Zhengqiang, Wang Feiyang wasn’t around. After I left, he should have had a detailed discussion with Wang Zhengqiang. He will definitely come to find me tomorrow."
"Indeed!" Ling Ruonan nodded in agreement.
Luo Ziling recounted his experience of visiting Wang Zhengqiang’s house this evening and the contents they discussed to Ling Ruonan. He knew that many of the things Wang Zhengqiang told him were meant to be conveyed through him to Ling Ruonan’s ears, even to Ling Mingrui.
It would certainly be inappropriate for Wang Zhengqiang to directly discuss these matters with Ling Mingrui or Ling Ruonan.
Relaying these words through him was the most appropriate and least abrupt way.
While Luo Ziling recounted the events, Ling Ruonan showed no special reaction, simply listening quietly.
When Luo Ziling mentioned Wang Zhengqiang’s hint that Lin Zeping might have been involved in the last incident, along with Wu Dongfang, to suppress the Ling Family, she frowned tightly.
"That’s quite possible!" Ling Ruonan nodded, "Lin Zeping and Wu Dongfang do indeed have a good relationship. But, with these people, whether their relations are good or not isn’t the point. The point is whether they can gain benefits from their actions, whether they can harm others for their own gain. Lin Zeping has prejudices against us and might want to take action against us, which is entirely possible. For Wang Zhengqiang, Yang Yuanshan, or even Fang Xiang to have such thoughts is quite normal. There are no eternal friends, only eternal interests."
Luo Ziling nodded silently, without expressing his opinion.
Ling Ruonan continued, "Wang Zhengqiang mentioned this matter because he wants us to suppress Lin Zeping a bit. Since he has this idea, he will definitely fully participate. I’d imagine Lin Zeping wouldn’t just stand by. Knowing you had dinner at Wang Zhengqiang’s home, he should make a move, perhaps actively invite you over to talk about it, or find a chance to meet with you and broach these topics, all quite normal."
"Then, we’ll wait for him to come to us."
After discussing for nearly an hour, the mother and son wrapped up the conversation.
When Ling Ruonan suggested sleeping early, Luo Ziling suddenly thought of something.
He asked quietly, "Mom, do you think we can take this opportunity to arrange for some people from the Ouyang Family to enter the system?"
Ling Ruonan was a bit surprised to hear Luo Ziling’s sudden proposal.
"Did Ouyang Feifei ask you about this, or is it Ouyang Lingyun’s idea?"
"When discussing matters with Ouyang Feifei, we mentioned it, but I said she’d have to talk to you about it. Ouyang Feifei will definitely find a chance to discuss this with you, or Ouyang Lingyun might approach you."
"Let’s wait for them to reach out to me first!" Ling Ruonan expressed a thoughtful demeanor, "If we arrange for a few people to enter the real system and let them feel there’s a promising future, what do you think our two families’ relationship will turn into?"
"I believe Ouyang Feifei’s thinking differs from others. She hopes for a closer relationship between our families and is even willing for the Ouyang Family to depend on the Ling Family." Luo Ziling shared his speculation, "I think the reason they are unwilling to abandon the arranged marriage between our families is mainly because they don’t want to miss the chance to align with the Ling Family. Though the Ouyang Family is extremely wealthy, they don’t match politically, leading to a constant sense of crisis. They are now working hard to remedy their shortcomings, so they won’t miss any opportunity. Ouyang Feifei marrying you is the best shortcut, which is why they’re reluctant to give it up."
On this point, both Luo Liansheng and Ling Ruonan, including Ling Mingrui, shared this viewpoint.
In fact, they were all open to such a result initially, considering the Ouyang Family’s significant economic influence.
Politically, their influence isn’t small either.
With substantial economic influence, many people are willing to give face, isn’t it said money can move mountains?
Their shortcomings are only relative to other major families.
Ling Ruonan understood that if the two families truly became related, certain individuals from the Ouyang Family would surely seek opportunities to enter the system rather than remaining in powerless positions as before.
Not participating in politics was wise for the Ouyang Family during special times, avoiding trouble as much as possible.
But now that the situation is stable, such dangers are significantly minimized.
It’s entirely understandable for Ouyang Lingyun and Ouyang Feifei to want breakthroughs for the Ouyang Family.
Ling Ruonan actually favored Luo Ziling marrying Ouyang Feifei because if Ouyang Feifei became her daughter-in-law, she could confidently hand over the management of the family assets to her. Letting her be free to focus all her energy on politics.
Relying on the Ling Family’s influence and the Ouyang Family’s wealth, everything they do would be twice as effective.
Of course, combining Luo Ziling with Yang Qingyin might have similar or even better results than tying with the Ouyang Family.
After all, the Yang Family holds a prestigious position, and Ling Ruonan herself isn’t short of funds. The wealth she has is more than enough to support her career expenses.
She just doesn’t want to interfere with Luo Ziling’s choice.
She would accept whichever person Luo Ziling chooses.
"I’ll talk to Ouyang Feifei then and see what her attitude is. Actually, there aren’t many capable people in the Ouyang Family; those from Ouyang Feifei’s generation have the ability, but venturing down this path at their age and achieving great success isn’t easy. If they just want to start a political venture for the Ouyang Family, then..." Ling Ruonan did not continue further.
Luo Ziling didn’t ask.
He understood what Ling Ruonan meant.
The idea had already been fully expressed, and Luo Ziling and Ling Ruonan didn’t say anything further.
Luo Ziling didn’t stay around but left the villa, planning to visit Yang Qingyin.
He had promised Yang Qingyin he would accompany her that evening.
On the way to Yang Qingyin’s, Luo Ziling sent a message to Ouyang Feifei, detailing the conversation he had just had with Ling Ruonan.
"I was planning to speak with your mom about this tomorrow!" Ouyang Feifei seemed pretty happy, "Since you’ve discussed it with her already, it won’t seem too abrupt when I bring it up."
"When it works out, make sure to thank me properly!"
"How would you want me to thank you?"
"If you say you’ll thank me personally, I’ll have to refuse!"
Receiving from Ouyang Feifei were several emojis of blood-smeared knives.