Xinyan couldn’t say much more and saw that he was carrying a lot of things, "Then come in and have a seat at home."
Ling Tianze followed Xinyan towards her home, "By the way, those people have all confessed. The people behind them have also been exposed. I heard from the police handling the case that they’ve dealt with quite a few people."
Xinyan probed, "Do you know who those behind-the-scenes people are?"
Ling Tianze, who had been following the matter closely, said, "Not too clear on the specifics, but I know from what those few mentioned, someone with the last name Li, their father didn’t have that high of a government position, but not long ago, because their niece caused trouble, he was implicated and had to retire to a secondary position.
With this incident, his father probably won’t even be able to retire normally. He worked diligently, only to have his late years marred by the younger generation’s actions."
Xinyan mockingly replied, "I don’t think so. If he was really that diligent and didn’t seek personal gain, his son wouldn’t have been able to use his influence to do those things, and his niece wouldn’t have acted so arrogantly and ruthlessly."
What she didn’t say was that his brother wouldn’t have arranged for a distant relative’s daughter to take exams on behalf of his own daughter. There’s no way he could have been completely unaware. He just turned a blind eye. So, saying his late years were marred by others is outright nonexistent.
As they talked, they entered the small courtyard.
Granny Zhang was making flatbreads in the kitchen. Hearing the noise at the front gate, she didn’t leave the kitchen, only called out, "Yanyan, the meal is ready soon. Wash your hands and come get the food."
Xinyan responded, "Okay, Granny Zhang. What delicious food have you made today?"
Granny Zhang laughed heartily, "Didn’t you say you wanted flatbreads last night? I simmered some red bean porridge today, stewed your favorite pork and vermicelli, and made a mixed vegetable dish."
Xinyan walked into the kitchen smiling, "Granny Zhang, you really know me."
She was about to roll up her sleeves to wash her hands, "Granny Zhang, Ling Tianze is here. Is there enough food?"
Granny Zhang had long forgotten about that night’s incident and didn’t quite understand who it was, "Ling Tianze, who is that?"
After saying that, she poked her head out to take a look in the courtyard. That night was a bit too chaotic, and she really didn’t recognize him, "Who is this?"
Xinyan laughed and explained, and only then did Granny Zhang remember, "That night was too dark, and today he’s dressed very differently. I really didn’t recognize him. Now that I look closely, he’s such a spirited young man."
She finished with a smile, "The meal will be ready soon."
Ling Tianze had already put the things on the stone table in the courtyard and quickly waved his hands, "No need, I just came to say thanks. I have other things to do and need to leave quickly."
Xinyan said to him, "It’s mealtime already; just eat here."
Ling Tianze looked a bit regretful. If he’d known, he would have come in the evening to deliver things. But he had something to do in the afternoon and didn’t know when it would end, so he chose the afternoon to come.
Though he followed her home, thinking he’d deliver the thank-you gift, he never expected such a warm invitation for dinner.
If he insisted on leaving, it would seem too superfluous, "Then I’ll intrude."
Granny Zhang added a scrambled egg dish; with three dishes and one soup, it was quite a good meal by today’s standards. Plus, with Granny Zhang’s excellent cooking skills, at first, Ling Tianze was a little reserved, but seeing Granny Zhang and Xinyan’s sincere hospitality, he relaxed.
The meal also allowed Xinyan to learn about Ling Tianze’s family situation.
It also let Xinyan know that it turned out Ling Tianze and Jiang Peiqin’s partner were no more than fifth cousins. Unfortunately, later on, Ling Tianze’s branch of the family ran into trouble and faded out of that circle.
His grandmother was actually just his grandfather’s concubine. Since the official wife didn’t give birth to a son, after his grandmother gave birth to a son, she gained influence at home because of her son.
Furthermore, Ling Tianze’s grandmother was beautiful in her youth and deeply favored by Ling Tianze’s grandfather, which the official wife couldn’t tolerate.
Later, as the circumstances became difficult, the official wife plotted to get Ling Tianze’s grandfather to go abroad. After much hesitation, he agreed and left the matters for the official wife to handle.
He busied himself with selling and transferring his holdings, only to find out upon leaving that the official wife had cunningly sent Ling Tianze’s grandmother and father elsewhere.