Chapter 1115 - 1157: Advancing Through Retreat

Chapter 1115: Chapter 1157: Advancing Through Retreat

After parting with Ling Yueyue, Ling Shenglan returned to the hotel-style apartment where she was temporarily staying. She put down her bag, found her phone, and dialed Ling’s father’s number.

The call was picked up after two rings, and Ling’s father’s gentle, cheerful voice came through, "Hello, Shenglan, why are you calling me at this time? Are you still in Jin City?"

Ling Shenglan replied, "Yes! I’m still in Jin City! My flight is tomorrow, so I wanted to call you before I leave!"

Upon hearing that Ling Shenglan was leaving, Ling’s father hurriedly said, "Leaving tomorrow? Why not stay a few more days? I was planning to visit you in Jin City in a couple of days! Why didn’t you tell me earlier that you were leaving?"

Ling Shenglan asked, "Brother, where are you now? In the countryside?"

Ling’s father said, "Yes! It’s a pity you’re leaving, otherwise I would certainly see you off!"

Ling Shenglan said, "It’s fine; I changed my flight! It’s now a week later! When you have time to come to Jin City, let’s meet up, the two of us siblings?" Originally, she wanted to ask about Yueyue on the phone. She wanted to know why they badmouthed Yueyue in front of her, and even more so, why they concealed Yueyue’s whereabouts!

They were clearly in contact with Yueyue and knew where Yueyue was living, but they just wouldn’t tell her!

If she asked now on the phone, her sister-in-law would definitely grab the phone, and she wouldn’t be able to ask anything! The only way was to use the excuse of seeing her off to get her brother to meet her alone, so they could talk together as siblings.

"Alright, I..." On the other end of the phone, Ling’s father, unaware of Ling Shenglan’s thoughts, was about to agree, but Ling’s mother snatched the phone away, "Shenglan, I’m really sorry, we know it’s rare for you to come back to the country, but as you know, there’s a lot of farm work in the countryside. Your brother would need at least three days to go back and forth to Jin City! If he doesn’t work the field for three days, the weeds in the field would grow taller than a person! So... I’m really sorry, next time you come back, your brother and I will definitely welcome you properly!"

Having anticipated Ling’s mother’s response, Ling Shenglan smiled and casually said, "Sister-in-law, actually I wanted to meet my brother not just to catch up before I leave, but more importantly to repay you! Although Yueyue was ungrateful, disliked you, refused to acknowledge you, cut off contact, and ignored you! But, when I was abroad for those years, you took care of her for such a long time, and I should thank you for that! I just want to compensate you a bit! If you really don’t have time, then forget it, I’ll find you next time I come back!"

She knew better than anyone that her sister-in-law only had eyes for money! Instead of being tough, it’s better to retreat in order to advance and use money as bait, which might be more effective!

Sure enough, upon hearing the word ’compensation’, Ling’s mother’s eyes brightened, and her tone immediately changed, "Oh, look at me, really! Since you and your brother want to meet, then do so! You’ve been away for so many years and haven’t seen Yueyue, you must be eager to know how she’s been doing in the years you’ve been gone! It’s rare for you siblings not to meet for five years, and you’re leaving soon; who knows when you’ll be back again? I’ll let your brother go to Jin City to meet you!"

Thinking that she could get her hands on Ling Shenglan’s fragrant red RMB, Ling’s mother was overjoyed, practically salivating.

Anticipating Ling’s mother’s response, Ling Shenglan deliberately put on a troubled look, "But, wouldn’t it take at least three days for my brother to go there and back, and if he stays a night or two, that’s almost a week! Wouldn’t that interfere with the farming?"

Ling’s mother pretended to be embarrassed and said, "No trouble at all, the family still has me, right? It’s just the start of spring, only sowing; I just need to take care of it! I’ll let your brother take the train to Jin City tomorrow to see you off! Unfortunately, I really can’t leave, the younger siblings still have school, and the fields need work, or else... I would definitely see you off too!"

Ling Shenglan hurriedly and politely said, "No problem, no problem, the younger siblings need care, my brother can come see me off!"

"Yes, yes! It’s best that you understand! Tomorrow, after your brother gets on the train, he can contact you, we’ll hang up now!" Saying this, without waiting for Ling Shenglan to respond, the call was abruptly ended.

Looking at the disconnected phone, Ling Shenglan knew! The sister-in-law was in such a hurry to hang up to give her brother a lecture, instructing him on how to deal with her tomorrow!

Although her brother obeyed his sister-in-law, her brother was honest, as long as the sister-in-law wasn’t around, he would spill everything!

She had to know how Yueyue lived in the five years she was away! And whether the living expenses she sent for Yueyue, handed to her brother and sister-in-law, were actually given to Yueyue!

After finishing the call with Ling’s father and mother, Ling Shenglan dialed Ling Yueyue’s number!

Ling Yueyue had just gotten home and hadn’t started her essay yet when her phone rang in her pants pocket.

Ling Yueyue pulled out her phone and saw it was an unfamiliar number. She was about to hang up when she suddenly remembered encountering Ling Shenglan earlier today at Blue Sky Building. After hesitating for a moment, she answered, holding it to her ear, and softly said, "Hello."

Sure enough, Ling Shenglan’s gentle voice came through from the other end, "Hello, Yueyue! It’s Auntie! I hope I’m not disturbing you by calling now!"

Ling Yueyue replied indifferently, "I just got home, do you need something from me?"

"It’s like this! I changed my flight, I’m not leaving tomorrow! So, I wanted to ask if you’re free tomorrow? I’d like to invite you for coffee! I haven’t seen you for five years, and I’ve really missed you, wanting to know how you’ve been all these years!" Afraid that Ling Yueyue might refuse, Ling Shenglan spoke very cautiously.

Ling Yueyue hesitated for a moment, then slightly thoughtful, she said, "Tomorrow? I don’t know if I’ll have time, it depends! If I am free, I’ll call you!"

Listening to Ling Yueyue’s words, Ling Shenglan sensed a glimmer of hope and eagerly nodded, "Okay, okay, I’ll be waiting for your call tomorrow, you can contact me anytime, anywhere!"

"Alright! If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up now!" With that, after Ling Shenglan responded, the call was disconnected.

She didn’t know why, but Ling Yueyue felt her aunt had changed a lot this time! Even when speaking to her, she was cautious, as if afraid to offend her!

When did her aunt start caring so much about her feelings and preferences?