Wаng Shеnуu аnd Wаng Wеnqin turned а deаf ear, focusing onlу on Grandfаther аnd Ling Хuanуan.
In thе Ling familу, these two were thе pillars—оne stаbilizing the household, the other wielding authoritу. As for thе othеrs, espесiаlly thоsе likе Ling Yixi, nо matter hоw fiеrсеly they shoutеd or jumpеd, it wаs bеst to ignоre them.
“Onсe thе hоusеhоld registrаtion transfеr is settlеd tonight, the Sоuth City рrоject will bе nеgоtiаble,” Grandfather dесlared.
There was nо wаy Xiaо Ling Вaо wоuld be аllowеd tо return tо the Wang family.
Even if the Ling family truly fell, she would still be given a complete home and a life of full happiness.
Wang Wenqin felt a surge of delight. It seemed the Ling family truly treasured Little Mud like a precious gem…
She immediately pushed her luck further. “Mr. Ling, you see, our Wang family raised Ling Yiyan for so many years, and I’ve always treated her like my own sister. We also raised Little Ni for over three years…”
“What else do you want?” Grandfather had no patience for her nonsense.
Wang Wenqin smiled. “I heard the Ling family has a set of emerald jewelry, passed down from the late madam’s maternal family…”
“You…” Ling Yixi was about to jump up again.
This set of jewelry was considered a family heirloom of the Ling family. The late madam had specifically stated that the emerald jewelry was to be passed down to Ling Yiyan.
Without any mishaps, it should now rightfully belong to Xiao Ling Bao.
Grandfather raised a hand, stopping his agitated second son.
His gaze swept coldly over the greedy faces of the Wang family. “Eldest Brother, go with the butler to fetch the jewelry.”
“Well…” Wang Wenqin still wanted to say more.
Suddenly, Grandfather picked up Xiao Ling Bao and held her out toward the Wang family, his expression darkening. “Say another word, and you can take the child. The rest is up to you!”
Wang Shenyu subtly tugged at Wang Wenqin’s sleeve.
Grandfather Ling had reached his limit.
Wang Wenqin reluctantly fell silent. Such a golden opportunity, and she had wanted to ask for even more…
The Wang family finally handed the South City project back to the Ling family, and the Ling family worked through the night to transfer Xiao Ling Bao’s household registration.
Since she hadn’t been given a formal name yet, the name on the household register was simply changed from “Wang Xiao Ni” to “Ling Bао.” Once Xiao Ling Bao received her proper name, it would be updated again.
The Wang siblings, clutching the emerald jewelry, walked out of the Ling family’s gate.
“The Ling family really does treat that girl like a treasure!” Wang Wenqin’s words were laced with sour jealousy.
In recent years, the Wang family had worked hard to catch up, but in terms of heritage and family wealth, they still couldn’t compare to a prestigious clan like the Ling family.
Just from her brief visit, she noticed that even the most inconspicuous trinkets in the Ling household were antiques.
A lowly life like Little Mud actually got to return to such a family and enjoy its blessings.
Wang Shenyu, however, was preoccupied with another matter. He gritted his teeth. “That old man Ling really isn’t dead after all.”
Didn’t they say this afternoon that he was beyond hope?
Tonight, with his ruddy complexion and vigorous energy, he looked nothing like a dying old man.
“It’s fine, the South City project has been returned to them,” Wang Wenqin reassured her brother. “You should proceed with your plans quickly. Tomorrow, we’ll have quite a show to watch.”
They would widely spread the news about the ancient tomb discovered in South City, triggering a frenzy of capital abandoning the Ling family in the stock market…
“Oh, and that Second Brother of the Ling family, his mouth is truly vile,” Wang Wenqin’s eyes flashed with malice. “I really wish he’d die sooner.”
“I’ve disliked him for a long time too,” Wang Shenyu’s tone dripped with contempt. “Don’t worry, a fool like him—I’ll make sure he dies a miserable death.”
The biggest loophole in the Ling family was Second Brother Ling Yixi. In Wang Shenyu’s words, a sinister plan had already taken root in his heart.
“Also,” Wang Wenqin thought of something else, “the Ling family is going to give Little Mud a new name, right?”
She gave Wang Shenyu a cunning look, “Go find out which master they’re consulting. We’ll make arrangements in advance to have her given an inauspicious name…”
She wanted Little Mud to have bad luck for the rest of her life!
Wang Shenyu couldn’t agree more: “Good. I’ll go find out.”
“From now on, it’s not just this,” Wang Wenqin weighed the jewelry in her hand with satisfaction, “Everything of the Ling family will be ours.”
…
In the Ling family living room, there was a heavy silence.
“Xiao Ling Bao,” Grandfather said heartbrokenly as he gently stroked Xiao Ling Bao’s head, “Grandfather was just acting earlier. I would never really send our Ling Bао back.”
The Wang siblings had been gone for a long time, but Xiao Ling Bao still had her face buried in Grandfather’s chest.
When he had pretended to push her outside earlier, the little treasure had been terrified, clutching his sleeve tightly, trembling all over.
Grandfather felt deeply guilty. His sons knew he was acting, but Xiao Ling Bao was still so young. No matter how capable she was, she was still just a baby craving the warmth of family.
“It’s okay, Ling Bао knows Grandfather was pretending.” Xiao Ling Bao’s voice was muffled, “Ling Bао just, just…”
Her voice grew softer and softer.
“Just what?” Ling Yixi asked bluntly, determined to know.
Xiao Ling Bao wiped her eyes. She just felt very sad whenever she remembered her days at the Wang family.
“Ling Bао only stayed there for three years.”
When she said this, most of the Ling family understood.
If Xiao Ling Bao had suffered so much from just three years at the Wang family, then what kind of life had Ling Yiyan endured living there for over a decade!
Grandfather’s eyes grew moist. He sighed deeply, “Our Ling Bао is a filial and kind-hearted good baby. Come, let Grandfather take you to sleep, okay?”
Xiao Ling Bao nodded and stood up with Grandfather.
Seeing Grandfather casually pick up Ling Bао again, Second Brother Ling Yixi began to get eager: “Dad…”
“What?” Grandfather asked.
Ling Yixi: “How about… I carry Xiao Ling Bao? You should be careful of your back, old man.”
Grandfather shot a sharp glance at Ling Yixi’s waist: “Stronger than yours.”
Ling Yixi looked like he was about to cry, “No, Dad, Eldest Brother and I discussed it. We’ll take turns carrying Xiao Ling Bao. He’s already had his turn, next should be me. Dad, could you please…”
“Dream on!” Grandfather coldly threw out these two words, then strode away briskly with Xiao Ling Bao in his arms, robust and vigorous unlike a man in his seventies.
As long as she was in the Ling family, within his sight, Xiao Ling Bao should be carried by him!
Which son dared to snatch her away?
Unfilial!
…
After coaxing Xiao Ling Bao to sleep, Grandfather called Eldest Brother to the study.
“Time is very tight tonight, you know that?” he began with a heavy statement.
Ling Xuanyan nodded: “I’m disentangling what needs to be disentangled. Emergency plans have already begun. Next, I’ll go to the group for meetings…”
This night would be sleepless.
What awaited the Ling family was a tough battle.
The Wang family would never let this go.
They would use every possible means to crush the Ling family to death.
By daybreak, chaos would ensue.
When Grandfather agreed to take back the southern city project, he had already prepared for the worst.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “All the family’s real estate that can be transferred to Ling Bао’s name, transfer it all.”
“Understood.” Ling Xuanyan had no objections.
“This family has so many men—there’s no reason we can’t protect one little girl.” Grandfather pointed at Ling Xuanyan. “Even if you have to endure hardship or beg on the streets, you must never let your little niece suffer again!”