Gao Lianzhou suddenly looked up at Xing Zhaozhao, his face full of struggle, wanting to deny it, but the words just wouldn't come out. She was speaking up for him, and if he exposed her now, it would be repaying kindness with enmity. He really couldn't do that, so he could only pretend that he knew nothing.
Beside her, Aunt Ling stared at Xing Zhaozhao, her eyes wide with disbelief, almost popping out of their sockets, and blurted out, "This is impossible..."
How old is she? She doesn't look good at all with that eighty-year-old man next to her.
However, Aunt Ling soon remembered a rumor she had overheard just two days ago, that the patriarch of the Gao family, that famous and ruthless general, had a young and beautiful wife.
At that time, she did not believe it. As the Gao family's in-law, she had naturally met the old man of the Gao family before. She could not imagine that an old man like him would do something like keeping a young mistress.
I never expected it to be true.
Seeing Gao Mingcheng neglecting his own food and constantly piling food into Xing Zhaozhao's bowl as if no one else was around, Xing Zhaozhao glanced at it, seemingly disliking it, and casually put some into his bowl. He didn't seem to mind and ate it himself. Aunt Ling's eyes flickered, and it was unclear what she was thinking.
"So it's Lianzhou's great-grandmother! I was blind to her." Aunt Ling suddenly laughed, released Gao Lianzhou, walked straight to Xing Zhaozhao's side, and plopped down in the empty seat that Gao Lianzhou had left behind.
Not to mention Xing Zhaozhao, everyone else in the private room, even Gao Han and Ling Shuang who had just come in from outside, were stunned by Aunt Ling's actions. The same thought popped into their minds at the same time: What is she trying to do now?
"The two are a perfect match, a match made in heaven," Aunt Ling began, offering auspicious words.
The private room was completely silent; something felt off.
Xing Zhaozhao couldn't figure out what she was thinking for a moment, so she chuckled and said, "Thank you."
"Have you made any plans for when you'll be having your wedding? I'll definitely be there to support you," Aunt Ling asked.
Xing Zhaozhao chuckled again: "I don't have that plan for the time being."
“Even if we don’t plan to have a wedding, we are still in-laws. Now that we know, we should still give the proper gifts. I’ll come to the Gao family’s house to see you tomorrow,” Aunt Ling said.
Xing Zhaozhao politely declined, saying, "No need, we're planning to go back to our hometown tomorrow."
"Hometown? Where is your hometown?" Aunt Ling asked curiously.
“Lanyuan,” Xing Zhaozhao said.
Aunt Ling's eyes suddenly lit up, and she slapped her thigh, saying, "What a coincidence!"
"Huh?" Xing Zhaozhao asked, puzzled.
“Our Ling family’s ancestral home is in Qingxi Town, which is right next to Lanyuan Town,” Aunt Ling said.
Xing Zhaozhao was somewhat surprised: "That is indeed a coincidence."
"My grandfather is still living in our ancestral home in Qingxi Town," Aunt Ling continued with a smile.
When Aunt Ling mentioned the old man, Ling Shuang's face turned slightly pale.
Gao Han looked at Ling Shuang with concern and squeezed her hand reassuringly.
Ling Shuang turned to look at him, forcing a stiff smile.
"Our old man is quite famous, not only in Qingxi Town, but also in your Lanyuan Town. You should have heard of him," Aunt Ling said with a proud look.
"Really? What's his name?" Xing Zhaozhao asked curiously.
“His name is Ling Yongde,” Aunt Ling said.
Xing Zhaozhao shook her head: "Never heard of it."
Aunt Ling's expression stiffened for a moment, then she gave a dry laugh: "You young people may not know, but many of the older generation do. My grandfather started his business in the black market in Qingxi Town in the 1960s and 70s, and later even expanded to your Lanyuan Town. At that time, the leader of the black market in your Lanyuan Town was a guy called Brother Fei, who was killed by my grandfather."
Surprised to hear a familiar name here, Xing Zhaozhao asked in surprise, "What the heck?"
Seemingly not expecting Xing Zhaozhao to react so strongly, everyone around her, including Gao Mingcheng, looked at her with puzzled expressions.
"Is something wrong?" Aunt Ling asked, looking at Xing Zhaozhao with a puzzled expression.
Xing Zhaozhao forced a smile, shook her head, and said, "It's nothing, I'm just curious. I heard that the regulations were very strict back then, so how could they still kill people?"
Aunt Ling smiled enigmatically: "You didn't experience it, so you wouldn't understand. Back then, the regulations were really strict, and the situation was really chaotic. If you wanted to, you always had to find the right means to achieve your desired goal."
Xing Zhaozhao laughed and said, "Then I am indeed very curious about how you did it."
“If there’s a chance, I’ll take you to meet my grandfather,” Aunt Ling said.
"That would be great," Xing Zhaozhao replied vaguely.
“Then it’s settled,” Aunt Ling immediately replied.
Xing Zhaozhao: "..." Is this... settled?
Having achieved her goal, Aunt Ling stood up with a smile: "If there's nothing else, I'll be going now. I won't disturb your meal any longer." As she spoke, she patted Xing Zhaozhao's arm again, "When I go back to my hometown, I'll come to find you."
Xing Zhaozhao: "..."
Since things had already come to this point, she agreed, "Okay."
If given the chance, she would indeed like to meet the old man of the Ling family and find out how he managed to kill Brother Fa, as it concerns her future savings.
Aunt Ling left just like that. As she passed by Ling Shuang, she gave her a provocative look, as if to say, "You just wait."
Ling Shuang: "..."
Ling Shuang paused for a moment, then couldn't help but say, "Remember to pay the bill when you leave."
Aunt Ling stumbled and almost fell.
She turned and glared at Ling Shuang fiercely: "Go ahead and call the police." After saying that, she quickly disappeared in a flash.
"What exactly is she here for?" Gao Lianzhou asked, looking completely bewildered. They clearly dragged her in to confront her grandparents, but it seems they didn't ask her anything.
I have a feeling she's up to something again, and her target is...
Everyone turned to look at Xing Zhaozhao.
Xing Zhaozhao was still worried about Fei Ge when she noticed the gazes directed at her from all around. She looked up in confusion and asked, "What's wrong?"
No one spoke, and they quickly looked away.
Ling Shuang looked at Xing Zhaozhao with concern, hesitating to speak.
Gao Mingcheng looked at Xing Zhaozhao thoughtfully, wanting to ask something, but ultimately didn't. It wasn't until after they finished eating and returned to the small courtyard that he grabbed Xing Zhaozhao and asked, "What's the deal with that Brother Fei?"
His voice carried a faint hint of sourness.
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