The Young Urban Doctor

Early in the morning, Ling Mingrui went to see Ling Jinhua.

This morning, Ling Mingrui had nothing much to do.

Yesterday, he heard from the staff that Ling Jinhua seemed to have some symptoms of heat stroke.

As a son, he naturally had to go and check on his father who wasn’t feeling well.

Ling Mingrui also wanted to exchange some opinions with Ling Jinhua.

Mid-July in Yanjing marks the period of highest temperatures.

Chen Ruchang chose to have surgery during this season for another reason, which is that the body’s recovery function is faster in the summer.

When it’s hot, the body’s function is definitely at a higher level than when it’s cold, due to vigorous metabolism. In cold winter, the metabolism of both plants and animals slows down, which is why trees easily survive when planted in winter and spring, but their survival rate is low in summer.

Ling Jinhua’s physical condition wasn’t too bad either, but he stayed in the yard for too long yesterday. Not being very sensitive to heat, he felt a bit unwell when he returned to his room. After sweating yesterday, he felt a little better today.

Heat stroke is very common in summer, but the body recovers quickly as well.

When Ling Mingrui arrived at the old residence, Ling Jinhua was already acting like nothing was wrong, sitting in the yard sipping tea.

“Here you are!” Seeing Ling Mingrui coming in, Ling Jinhua greeted casually and continued drinking tea.

Ling Mingrui sat down opposite Ling Jinhua, and the staff immediately brought up tea and added some fruit.

Then, they retreated.

Huang Chen wasn’t the one taking care of things today. Huang Chen was soon going to take up a position in the battle zone, so other people were responsible for Ling Jinhua’s daily matters in these days.

Ling Mingrui took a sip of tea and then asked Ling Jinhua softly, “Dad, what do you think about the recent events?”

“What recent events?” Ling Jinhua looked at Ling Mingrui with an “innocent” face, “I’m just an old man, staying home every day. I truly don’t know what you’ve been up to!”

Ling Mingrui knew Ling Jinhua was reproaching him, as he hadn’t come over to discuss the many things that had happened in the past few days, not even making a phone call. He immediately explained, “There have been many things happening these past two days; when I was free, I was afraid you were asleep. Some matters are hard to convey over the phone, so it’s better to talk to you in person.”

No more pleasantries were exchanged as he directly narrated the events of the past few days.

Ling Mingrui certainly knew that Ling Jinhua was very aware of the happenings of these few days.

In fact, he roughly knew the circumstances of the regular meeting they held the day before yesterday.

Moreover, Ling Mingrui came today to get some advice from Ling Jinhua, so he laid everything bare.

Ling Jinhua listened but didn’t immediately say anything, simply looking ahead.

In his field of vision was a plum blossom.

This season, the plum blossom’s branches and leaves are lush, looking very vigorous.

Beside the main trunk of the plum blossom, there are some newly sprouted branches, and these branches are very resilient. If you aren’t paying attention, they will grow very long. However, those familiar with plum blossom’s habits know that these branches, though growing rapidly, will not blossom for at least two years.

They will only start blooming when they reach a certain height and have side branches, and the flowers will bloom on those side branches.

“Though they grow quickly, it’s far from the time for them to bloom.” Ling Jinhua murmured.

Ling Mingrui was baffled, not knowing what the old man was referring to.

Ling Jinhua raised his hand and pointed to the plum blossom before him.

Ling Mingrui looked again and finally understood what Ling Jinhua was hinting at, clear on the message he wanted to convey.

He lightly nodded, “My grandson grows indeed very quickly, but he’s far from being able to handle things single-handedly.”

“Do you know the habits of plum blossom?” Ling Jinhua asked Ling Mingrui.

“Not very clear!” Ling Mingrui shook his head, a bit frustrated that Ling Jinhua was speaking in riddles.

“Plum blossom branches sprout quickly; initially, they’re very straight, but some branches later bend and won’t grow tall yet bloom, and such branches are generally useless, even if they bloom, they aren’t attractive. Those branches that grow very quickly and tall eventually become the main trunk. Some old branches will abruptly die. Ultimately, the newly grown branches will become the main trunk of a clump of plum blossom.” At this, Ling Jinhua smiled, “Doesn’t this resemble life?”

“The survival rules of nature are pretty much the same. It’s even more so in the animal realm, survival of the fittest, and the winner is king.” Ling Mingrui didn’t follow Ling Jinhua’s line, “Only the strong emerge and become the new rulers. The weak can only be eliminated.”

“Is the Chen Family weak?” Ling Jinhua’s eyes gleamed as he said this to Ling Mingrui, “Do you think you can knock them down just like that?”

Ling Mingrui didn’t hide his thoughts, “Chen Yining and Chen Yijing are Chen Ruchang’s right and left arms. If they are removed, then a person like Chen Ruchang, who is about the same age as me, how can he conduct matters? This time, things have already spiraled out of control; it’s impossible for the Chen Family to retreat unscathed. Chen Ruchang is sick and has caused such chaos; even the heavens are against them.”

“You are too optimistic!” Ling Jinhua chuckled, “Chen Ruchang’s condition isn’t severe; surviving another ten years isn’t difficult. Moreover, if they sacrifice people who aren’t very important, or even Chen Yining, someone will still hold the fort. There are still many Chen Family members in important positions; they still have lots of close allies. Plus, Lin Zeping supports them, and Fang Xiang is in cahoots with them. If there are adequate interests, even Yang Yuanshan might change his mind.”

“I know that.” Ling Mingrui nodded, “But now, they are more interested in what they can gain once the Chen Family falls, which has a lot of lure for them. Also, it’s my daughter and grandson who have been hurt; they are not useless but very capable individuals. Just my grandson alone, your great-grandson, a young man barely of age, who can play a behemoth like the Chen Family around. Which other person has such capability? Such a person, so outstanding at such a young age, when he grows older, will be extraordinary. I hope he doesn’t become our adversary. Having him as the Ling Family’s ally will certainly benefit us greatly; the price isn’t much. Therefore, Father, I have decided that openly expressing our stance towards the Chen Family is the right approach.”

Ling Jinhua didn’t speak, lost in thought as he stared at the plum blossom he commented on earlier.

Ling Mingrui could only continue, “This time, we can leverage the Yang Family and Fang Family, securing more benefits. With their current attitude, we can exploit it. One swift move to cripple the Chen Family, and they will quickly decline. Perhaps, Chen Ruchang’s fate isn’t that tough after all?!”

Ling Jinhua pondered for a long time before his face turned expressionless and he said, “If you believe it’s right, then go ahead.”