If Zhao Man hadn't spoken, Lin Xiao Tian naturally wouldn't have asked, as he understood the complex web of interests between the Dong and Xia families.
But since Zhao Man was willing to speak, Lin Xiao Tian didn't mind listening.
"What does Auntie plan to do with Dong Lin?" Lin Xiao Tian followed up on her words.
"We plan to endure it," Zhao Man replied calmly.
"Oh."
Lin Xiao Tian had actually anticipated Zhao Man's answer.
Before attending the family banquet, Xia Qing Ling had discussed the relationship between the two families with him in detail. It could be said that the Dong family was extremely important to the Xia family; without them, a significant portion of the Xia family's industries couldn't be sustained.
Therefore, Lin Xiao Tian was mentally prepared for the Xia family's decision to swallow their pride.
However, Lin Xiao Tian didn't believe the Xia family would simply let the matter go.
Despite his doubts, Lin Xiao Tian displayed no outward emotion, which caused Zhao Man to look at him more intently.
She had to admit, her daughter had excellent taste. Lin Xiao Tian, in terms of his temperament and abilities, was far superior to Dong Lin.
It was a pity about his family background.
If Lin Xiao Tian came from a good family, she wouldn't have had to endure the Dong family's insults.
"Xiao Tian, I hope you won't mention tonight's events to anyone. Can you do that?" Zhao Man looked at Lin Xiao Tian.
"No problem."
"Qing Ling is at the hotel now. You come with me, I'll take you to see her."
Lin Xiao Tian nodded and followed.
Soon, the two of them left the medical clinic.
By the time they arrived at the hotel where Xia Qing Ling was staying, it was already ten o'clock at night.
Xia Qing Ling was quite weak at this moment, but judging by her complexion, she had improved significantly, likely due to effective treatment.
Lin Xiao Tian stepped forward and took Xia Qing Ling's pulse. He found her pulse to be stable, but the effects of the Hehuan powder were potent. Xia Qing Ling would not recover completely in a short time and required rest.
Lin Xiao Tian had a way to help Xia Qing Ling recover quickly, but it would consume a great deal of his internal energy, and during the process, their bodies would need to be in close contact. Lin Xiao Tian would not resort to this unless absolutely necessary.
"Little fellow, are you relieved? My old man's skills haven't regressed, have they?" A kind laugh came from beside them.
Lin Xiao Tian turned to look at the speaker. It was none other than the Xia family's patriarch, Xia Long Teng.
"Senior, I wouldn't dare to doubt your skills," Lin Xiao Tian replied politely.
"Little fellow, your methods are truly remarkable! Su Qing Lan was stunned for a long time just now. I've never seen him so surprised," Xia Long Teng said, stroking his beard with a proud demeanor.
Lin Xiao Tian smiled slightly and offered a few polite responses.
He knew very well why Su Qing Lan was surprised.
The level of his Golden Needle Acupuncture technique this time was on an entirely different plane compared to last time.
Last time, he had put on a show for Su Qing Lan, holding back a little. But this time, to save Xia Qing Ling, Lin Xiao Tian had not held back at all, so Su Qing Lan's astonishment was understandable.
"Oh! Grandpa, I have a name. Why do you keep calling me 'little fellow'?" Xia Qing Ling chimed in, displeased.
"Oh! My dear granddaughter, don't be angry. Grandpa was just too happy and couldn't help himself," Xia Long Teng said, acting like a doting grandfather and quickly explaining.
Then he looked at Lin Xiao Tian and said earnestly, "Xiao... Tian, I'm just a rough old man, please don't hold it against me!"
Lin Xiao Tian smiled and indicated that he didn't mind.
"By the way, little fellow, no, Xiao Tian... I really didn't expect that someone as young as you would possess such skill. I wonder what kind of person could teach someone like you?" Xia Long Teng said with a smile.
If it were an outsider asking, Lin Xiao Tian would have brushed it off with a few words.
But the person in front of him was different. Xia Long Teng had been deeply involved in the medical field for many years and was a highly respected elder of the Xia family. Lin Xiao Tian dared not be flippant.
Lin Xiao Tian thought for a moment and finally replied:
"Grandpa Xia, regarding that, it's really inconvenient for me to say."
"What's there to not say? In the current medical community, are there people I don't know? You don't need to have any reservations." Xia Long Teng was clearly persistent.
However, Lin Xiao Tian absolutely would not reveal any information. In reality, he had no backing from any powerful forces. Revealing too much would be detrimental to him.
"I apologize!"
Seeing that Lin Xiao Tian was still unyielding, Xia Long Teng's expression immediately turned cold.
"Grandpa!" Xia Qing Ling called out, trying to ease the situation for Lin Xiao Tian.
"Forget it, Father. Since Xiao Tian is unwilling to say, he must have his own difficulties. After all, he saved Ling Ling, and we..." Zhao Man also chimed in to smooth things over.
Xia Long Teng did not reply but scrutinized Lin Xiao Tian carefully.
Lin Xiao Tian did not back down and was not intimidated by this.
He had already prepared for the worst. If the Xia family dared to make any moves against him, he would not surrender passively.
With Lin Xiao Tian's current martial prowess, breaking out of here would pose no problem at all.
Furthermore, Xia Long Teng had no internal energy at all. If Lin Xiao Tian wanted to leave, no one could stop him.
Just as Lin Xiao Tian was contemplating, Xia Long Teng's stern face suddenly relaxed.
"Haha!"
"Excellent!"
"I like this young man. He's far better than that brat from the Dong family."
"I have no objections here. As for you and your husband, Zhao Man, you can handle it as you see fit!"
Xia Qing Ling was taken aback. "What do you mean? Grandpa, what are you talking about?"
Seeing Xia Qing Ling's bewildered expression, Xia Long Teng explained directly:
"It's nothing! Grandpa said that deliberately just now. The purpose was to test the courage and disposition of the future son-in-law you've chosen for our Xia family. The fact is, your judgment is indeed excellent."
Hearing Xia Long Teng's explanation, Xia Qing Ling immediately understood.
So, Xia Long Teng's sudden sternness was a deliberate test of Lin Xiao Tian.
With that realization, Xia Qing Ling glanced at Lin Xiao Tian.
Originally, she and Lin Xiao Tian had agreed on a simple meeting with her elders. She hadn't expected so many complications, nor that Lin Xiao Tian would have to endure such a trial.
This had already exceeded her expectations for Lin Xiao Tian, and Xia Qing Ling felt a pang of guilt.
Fortunately, Lin Xiao Tian had remained calm throughout, showing no signs of panic.
"Alright, Zhao Man, let's leave these two young people alone for a while," Xia Long Teng said to Zhao Man.
Zhao Man nodded and respectfully withdrew.
"Xiao Tian, come out later. A few of us elders have something to discuss with you," Xia Long Teng said again.
Lin Xiao Tian nodded.