Why have the Li brothers come?
Chen Jinzhao recalled the Li family's actions last night and thought these two might not be enemies. Furthermore, Yu Mengzhi's mother might be from the Li family. Thus, he said to Yu Mengzhi, "It's nothing, let them in."
"Cousin, you all chat. Jiang Donghui and I will be going now," Wu Lingyun said.
Chen Jinzhao nodded, "Be careful on your way."
Wu Lingyun turned and left the ward. Chen Jinzhao's gaze fell on Jiang Donghui. Jiang Donghui, feeling Chen Jinzhao's stare, was first stunned, then shook his head bitterly.
Chen Jinzhao instantly understood; Jiang Donghui and Wu Lingyun still hadn't made progress.
In fact, Chen Jinzhao felt Jiang Donghui and Wu Lingyun were quite suitable for each other, but Wu Lingyun was always infatuated with Qin Fengwu, which gave him a headache.
Never mind.
Who can truly understand matters of the heart?
Let her be.
After Jiang Donghui left, Yu Mengzhi led the Li brothers into Chen Jinzhao's ward.
Outside the ward.
Jiang Donghui recalled Chen Jinzhao's gaze and felt useless. He quickened his pace to catch up with Wu Lingyun.
"Lingyun, wait for me," he said as he caught up.
Wu Lingyun stopped and turned to look at Jiang Donghui beside her. She said to him, "Donghui, is there something you want to tell me? You weren't like this before, so indecisive."
Jiang Donghui clearly flustered, his eyes darting away, and he stammered, avoiding the question.
"Huh?"
"Am I? Am I like that?"
Wu Lingyun saw immediately that Jiang Donghui was acting strangely. As a woman, her intuition was very sharp. Seeing Jiang Donghui hesitating and wanting to say something, Wu Lingyun suddenly thought of something and raised her hand to interrupt him, "Never mind, this is your own matter, you don't need to tell me."
"We will be very good friends in the future, don't you think I'm right?"
Jiang Donghui was speechless.
He assumed Wu Lingyun had guessed what he wanted to say, so she preemptively stated their friendship, implying he shouldn't continue.
Otherwise, they wouldn't even be friends.
Jiang Donghui suddenly let go of his inhibitions. Being friends with Wu Lingyun for life seemed pretty good too. He forced a smile and said, "Yes, we will be lifelong good friends."
Wu Lingyun secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Jiang Donghui didn't say those words, or she wouldn't have known how to respond.
Just being friends was quite good.
"By the way, why do you think those two from the Li family suddenly looked for my cousin? Are they looking for trouble or what?" Wu Lingyun changed the subject. Jiang Donghui also put aside his previous thoughts and said after a moment of consideration, "I guess they aren't here to cause trouble. Although the Li family is one of the top three families, they wouldn't dare to defy public opinion and trouble Brother Chen at this time. Not to mention, the Li family seemed to have helped Elder Xu last night."
Wu Lingyun nodded upon hearing this, "Then I can rest easy. There's probably no need to tell my father about this."
They didn't delve too deeply into this matter and their conversation returned to leisure and entertainment. Jiang Donghui suddenly said, "Lingyun, I have some matters to attend to back in the capital, so I won't be able to accompany you in Ninghai anymore."
Wu Lingyun was taken aback.
Then she said, "Well, hurry back and take care of your business. Your work is more important."
Jiang Donghui didn't tell Wu Lingyun the truth. In fact, returning to the capital was just to clear his head, as he understood there was no possibility between him and Wu Lingyun and he couldn't accept this fact immediately.
Wu Lingyun watched Jiang Donghui's receding figure and inexplicably felt a hint of loneliness.
Then she shook her head, thinking she was overthinking.
In her heart, there was only Qin Fengwu, and only Qin Fengwu was worthy of her. As for Jiang Donghui, he was ultimately just a good friend.
In the hospital ward.
Yu Mengzhi led the two in. Just as she was about to leave, Chen Jinzhao said, "Mengzhi, you stay."
Yu Mengzhi glanced at the Li brothers. Li Tiance also said, "Yes, you stay."
"Then, I'll just stay by the side. You all talk," Yu Mengzhi said neither subserviently nor assertively. Li Tiance nodded slightly, quite satisfied with Yu Mengzhi's demeanor.
Li Tiance surveyed Chen Jinzhao's body and said with a light smile, "I heard yesterday that you charged into the Han family alone and was frightened. I even thought about what would happen if you died. But your strength is truly formidable, and the outcome was beyond my wildest expectations."
Chen Jinzhao certainly didn't believe Li Tiance had come solely to praise him.
He said expressionlessly, "You came to see me, but surely not just for this matter?"
"Clever."
Li Tiance smiled.
Even with Yu Mengzhi present, he showed no hesitation and continued, "I am still here regarding the previous matter. I hope you will join my faction. I can arrange for Yang Qinshu to hold an important position in the Northeast Military Department, which is enough to show my sincerity. In addition, I have three other positions you can choose from, and you can even have them all."
"Aren't you afraid my people will betray me?" Chen Jinzhao chuckled.
Li Tiance said confidently, "I don't doubt those I employ, nor do I employ those I doubt. I couldn't make a decision before because I hadn't witnessed your true capabilities. Last night's battle opened my eyes and made me determined to recruit you into my faction. I hope you will consider it carefully."
Li Tiannan also exclaimed, "Zhu Long, I was unconvinced by you before, thinking my strength should be on par with yours. Now I see I was too arrogant. I also sincerely invite you to join our faction. If you agree, I can be your subordinate and follow your orders."
Chen Jinzhao felt the great sincerity from the two.
However, he did not agree with Li Tiance's ideology. He hesitated, "Thank you for your appreciation, but I don't have any plans to join you for now."
Li Tiance sighed and said mournfully, "If people like us continue to fight amongst ourselves, when will we become a world-class power? The international situation has been worsening in recent years. You have undertaken so many life-and-death missions abroad, so you should understand the external situation. The footsteps of war are getting closer. If we are still engaging in factional infighting now, I believe it will leave us unable to cope when facing war, or even lead to us accepting humiliating defeat."
"We cannot lose, we can only win!"
Chen Jinzhao was slightly moved. He could tell Li Tiance was not being insincere but speaking from his heart.
Furthermore—
What Li Tiance said was not without reason, because everything has two sides.
"Please give me some time to consider. I need to think it through before I reply to you." This time, Chen Jinzhao did not directly refuse Li Tiance's invitation. His tone was more tactful than before, giving Li Tiance a glimmer of hope, believing that if he conceded once, a second concession would not be difficult.
In the past, Liu Bei had to visit Zhuge Liang three times before he could persuade him to come out of seclusion. Li Tiance believed that with his persistent persuasion, Chen Jinzhao would eventually relent.
If not today, then tomorrow.
"Then think about it carefully. There's no rush for an answer. I came to see you today for another matter: we are preparing to go to Linzhou to see our aunt. Would you like to join us?"
Their aunt was Yu Mengzhi's mother, Li Zhiqing.