The Young Urban Doctor

“Hehe, quite spirited,” Ling Jinhua touched his nearly bald head and chuckled, “Quite tough in speech too, a bit different from the Luo kid before.”

“Great Grandfather, what I just said was out of agitation, but also from the heart,” after saying it all, Luo Ziling felt a bit embarrassed, knowing that he had been disrespectful to an elder, and thus he explained a bit, then said very sincerely, “If Great Grandfather is angry, I’m ready for any punishment, just don’t blame my mom. These words, they are my own thoughts, my mom didn’t suggest them.”

“Of course, I know that was not your mother’s suggestion, she would never have had you say these things on my ninetieth birthday,” Ling Jinhua said, his face lost its smile, and he said solemnly, “Although what you said makes sense, do you know how inappropriate it is to lose your temper at me, the birthday luminary, on my ninetieth birthday?”

“Great Grandfather, I apologize to you once again,” Luo Ziling said as he stood up and bowed deeply to Ling Jinhua, then said very earnestly, “I also hope you won’t punish me. As long as you don’t, in the days to come, I will give my all to treat you, even if I pass out from exhaustion, I don’t care. I think, in this world, there aren’t many who can restore your health, and I am one of them.”

“Haha,” Ling Jinhua was amused by Luo Ziling’s words, “Now you know to use treating me as a bargaining condition?”

“No,” Luo Ziling denied firmly, “It’s quite normal for a junior to make requests to an elder. Moreover, it’s only right for an elder to forgive a junior’s impertinence.”

“Nannan, your son, is more interesting than any Ling Family younger generation,” Ling Jinhua turned to Ling Ruonan and smiled, “I like such young people, who have spirit and boldness like I did when I was young.”

Ling Ruonan did not expect that not only was Ling Jinhua not angry at Luo Ziling’s boldness, but he actually praised him highly, which indeed surprised her greatly.

Before Ling Ruonan could reply, Ling Jinhua said again, “Take your son down for a rest. If there’s a chance, have a private chat with your father. I should rest a bit more too after taking my medicine, right?”

This last question was directed at Luo Ziling.

Ling Jinhua’s intent for asking them to stay was actually to inquire about their needs.

“`

He wanted to offer Ling Ruonan and her son some compensation, as a greeting gift for Luo Ziling, after all, they would still need Luo Ziling’s treatment in the future.

Moreover, he also wanted to test Luo Ziling, but he hadn’t anticipated that the young man would actually lose his temper with him and even refuse the benefits he offered.

An interesting lad indeed, really quite like how he himself was when he was young.

“Yes,” Luo Ziling breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly replied, “It’s best to rest a bit and allow the medicine to be fully absorbed. If you feel any discomfort, please call me promptly.”

“Alright, you may go,” Ling Jinhua waved his hand, dismissing Ling Ruonan and her son.

As Luo Ziling followed Ling Ruonan out of Ling Jinhua’s room, two nurses approached from not far away and stood at the door, awaiting orders.

“Ling’er, how could you speak so recklessly today?” Ling Ruonan scolded Luo Ziling sternly as they walked out of the courtyard, “Fortunately, the Great Grandfather wasn’t angered, or you would have been in trouble today.”

Luo Ziling was still obstinate in his response, “I was just telling the truth. After all the suffering we’ve endured and twenty years of separation, voicing a few complaints is not too much.”

“Sigh,” Ling Ruonan looked at Luo Ziling and chose not to say more.

Just as they were leaving the courtyard, an employee who was with Ling Mingrui came over and asked them to talk.

Ling Ruonan had intended to follow Ling Jinhua’s instructions to discuss things with Ling Mingrui, accompanied by Luo Ziling, but seeing that Ling Mingrui had taken the initiative to send someone to call them over, she promptly went with Luo Ziling.

Outside Ling Jinhua’s courtyard, many descendants of the Ling Family were chatting animatedly, but as soon as they saw Ling Ruonan and Luo Ziling approaching, they all fell silent.

The looks they gave Luo Ziling and Ling Ruonan were varied; some were peculiar, some envious, and some resentful — a real mix of emotions.

Ling Ruonan completely ignored their stares, but Luo Ziling curiously eyed them and even smiled at them.

However, no one responded to his smile.

Ling Mingrui was discussing something with Ling Qirui when he saw Ling Ruonan and Luo Ziling enter and he immediately stopped talking, gesturing for them to sit down.

Ling Qirui stood up, and using an excuse of having something to do, left the room.

After Ling Qirui had gone, Ling Mingrui quietly asked Ling Ruonan, “What did the old man say to you?”

Ling Ruonan definitely wouldn’t tell her father about Luo Ziling’s outburst at Ling Jinhua, so she simply vaguely replied, “Grandfather just inquired about Ling’er’s future plans.”

“What are your plans for the future?” Ling Mingrui turned to ask Luo Ziling.

“I don’t have any plans,” Luo Ziling shook his head, “Apart from hoping that our family of three can be reunited, I have no other desires.”

“But this request of yours puts us in a difficult position,” Ling Mingrui said blandly, looking at Luo Ziling, “Unless, you can do it on your own ability and resolve the dissatisfaction of everyone towards you.”

This statement from Ling Mingrui caused both Ling Ruonan and Luo Ziling to look up.