Ling Chengyan looked at him without saying a word.

Wang Wenzhang, the little boy, raised his head to look at his mom and soon wilted: "I will take care of myself and won’t trouble my brothers..."

As he said this, he wasn’t very confident himself, and his voice faded away gradually.

Ling Chengyan patted his head, smiled slightly, and said: "First, learn to manage your own life. Once Dad and Mom feel you can take care of yourself while out, I’ll support you going on a study trip."

In ancient times, there was an emphasis on ’traveling ten thousand miles is better than reading ten thousand books,’ especially for children of noble families who would, after studying for several years, go out to travel and learn at a certain age.

However, in ancient times, young nobles going on study trips would usually be accompanied by teachers and servants. It was impossible to be sent out alone. Letting them go out was meant for experience, but they wouldn’t want their children to come to harm outside.

Shi Tou was somewhat discontent, pouting, lowering his head, and his footsteps lacked their usual lightness.

Ling Chengyan didn’t pay him much attention, but Xiao Xing caught sight of her brother’s appearance and found it odd: "Brother, what’s wrong? Were you cooked by someone?"

The little girl was cheeky and used the catchphrase from a TV commercial.

Wang Wenzhang was in a bad mood and didn’t care to bicker with his sister; he rolled his eyes silently and obediently went to wash his hands to prepare for dinner.

Neither mother nor son mentioned the study trip at home, so Xiao Yu and Xiao Xing naturally didn’t know.

The next day, Ling Chengyan was reviewing the summer training plan submitted by Tian Kai when the phone rang. Fu Qiang went over to answer it: "Hello, this is the special training brigade..."

Moments later, Fu Qiang held the receiver and reported back: "Captain, it’s for you."

Ling Chengyan nodded, reached for the phone, and had barely said hello when a smiling voice came from the other end: "Aunt, it’s Hongjun."

Wang Hongjun, the eldest son of the eldest brother and sister-in-law, joined the military upon coming of age, serving in the naval fleet. Two years later, he was admitted to the naval academy and is now a regular company-level naval officer.

"Hongjun, how do you have time to call me?" Ling Chengyan said with a smile.

It’s no wonder she said so; with Hongjun serving on the ship, he spent most of the year at sea, only able to send and receive letters and make phone calls when docking.

Hongjun laughed heartily: "Aunt, I’ve arrived in the provincial capital. I’m calling to ask if you and Uncle are home. I’m planning to visit."

Ling Chengyan was pleased upon hearing this and said repeatedly: "At home, at home. Are you at the train station? I’ll send someone to pick you up."

Hongjun declined Ling Chengyan’s offer to pick him up: "...I can come by myself."

"Alright, I’ll call your uncle; he’ll definitely be thrilled."

Since Hongjun joined the military, he’s only come home once when he was admitted to military school. Ling Chengyan was on a mission at that time and couldn’t leave. Counting it, it’s been many years since they’ve seen each other. The thin, shy teenager back then must have grown into a robust man.

Wang Liansheng mentioned that he had a meeting at noon and couldn’t go grocery shopping to cook lunch. So, Ling Chengyan asked Fu Qiang to run to the cooking class to see what meat and vegetables were available and reserve some dishes for serving guests at noon.

The dining hall has a small dish window. For official functions or entertaining around the family residence, one can book dishes. The chef is skilled, and the price is more affordable than restaurants outside.

Fu Qiang responded and went, leaving Tian Kai, who brought the plan, laughing: "Nephew?"

Ling Chengyan laughed: "The eldest of the big house, in the naval fleet. Haven’t seen him since he joined the army, about six or seven years now."

Tian Kai clicked his tongue and said: "They say the navy has better conditions than the army, but I think the navy is truly tough. Spending over half a year floating, and when on shore, they have to maintain and study... It’s common not to return home for years."

Ling Chengyan smiled at him and shook her head: "Who in the military can go home regularly?"

The army might have it a bit easier, returning home once every two years is considered frequent.

Tian Kai sighed in agreement: "No wonder girls don’t want to marry us. Once married, you can’t even see them; it’s like guarding... something."

Ling Chengyan looked at him: "That’s why we need to think more for the boys... We missed this in spring, so take some time to ask Yuanhong if more social activities can be organized."

Ling Chengyan thought of finishing the training review early and heading home since Hongjun rarely came back. Who knew things wouldn’t work out as planned? Before she finished the training review, Fu Qiang returned, and he didn’t look well.

Tian Kai noticed something was wrong with Fu Qiang first, signaled Zhao Qingfeng beside him, and Zhao Qingfeng went out with Fu Qiang to talk.

Not long after, Zhao Qingfeng and Fu Qiang returned, both looking somewhat disturbed.

Tian Kai noticed their expressions, frowned, stood up, and went to inquire, his face changing afterward too.

"Captain, could you keep an eye on things? I have to step out for a bit." Tian Kai requested leave from Ling Chengyan.

Although reviewing the plan, Ling Chengyan noticed the group’s actions and agreed to Tian Kai’s leave request, then frowned slightly and asked Fu Qiang: "What’s going on?"

Fu Qiang’s face showed restrained anger; he said with a scowl: "Captain, do you remember Wang Xiangyong?"

Ling Chengyan’s eyebrows lifted as she nodded.

"Didn’t he open an appliance repair shop? I just heard from someone who went out to buy groceries that his shop was wrecked, he got injured, and Grandma Wang, who went over to deliver food with her little grandson, was also hurt. The elderly... fell and it’s quite serious."

Ling Chengyan’s expression suddenly turned serious, though she remained calm, only asking: "What about the assailants?"

Fu Qiang glanced down at her cold eyes and said: "They ran."

This time, Ling Chengyan truly showed a cold face: "In broad daylight, his shop in the bustling area, wrecked and people beaten, how can they run away?"

Fu Qiang: "Those people had a car."

This explanation did provide some clarity.

Ordinary folks owning cars was rare. Although there were taxis on the street, their number wasn’t large, and they mostly ran routes to hotels, airports, and other places. Near busy markets, taxis seldom passed.

In this situation, with the attackers having a car for a quick getaway, it was indeed hard to track them down.

Tian Kai returned swiftly within less than an hour.

He brought bad news: Wang Xiangyong was seriously beaten, with a fractured arm, though not the worst of injuries. What was grave was Grandma Wang’s head injury, causing cerebral hemorrhage, likely with poor prognosis.

The two were hospitalized, leaving Wang Xiangyong’s four-year-old daughter unable to care for her father and grandmother. Plus, the child herself needed care.

Tian Kai said: "I left Xiao Zhao there to help manage. As for the child... I wanted to bring her back, but she refused to leave, insisting on staying by her father and grandmother’s side."