lcionline Chapter 175 Roundtable Conference
Chapter 175 Roundtable Conference
The next morning, they heard someone knocking on the door. They woke up and asked, "Who is it?" A reply came from outside: "It's me, Azan."
The two stood up and looked at each other, thinking that this little brat came quite early.
Qingsheng asked him to wait for a moment, and after Ranmo put on his clothes, he went to open the door.
When they opened the door, Azan was standing there with a pouting face, as if he was a little annoyed that they opened the door late.
Qingsheng smiled, opened his arms and hugged him, praising him for coming so early and being so hardworking.
Azan ignored him and looked inside. Ranmo had already put on his clothes and greeted him with a smile.
Azan glanced at the two beds in the room, took a deep breath and said, "I didn't mean to disturb your sleep, but I've been leaving early these past few days so that Young Master Wu and the others can be alone for a while."
Upon hearing this, Qingsheng praised Azan for being a sensible and considerate child. Azan rolled his eyes at him, asking, "Who's the child?" He then asked them what they had planned to do today.
Qingsheng initially thought about going somewhere busy and checking out Ranmo. Ranmo figured his main purpose for this trip was to gather information and perhaps even help Wu Shao and the others come up with some solutions. Therefore, it wouldn't be wise to indulge in leisure activities. It would be better to meet up with them at Azan's house, discuss the situation, or just go out for a stroll and see how things progressed.
The two agreed, and after cleaning up the room for a while, they went out to find Wu Shao and his friends. They also bought some steamed dumplings, fried dough sticks, and other snacks along the way to have breakfast together.
When they arrived at the house, Azan was about to push the door open and walk in when Ran Mo stopped him and called out, "Is Sister Hu in the room?"
Then they heard Hu Ling's voice from inside: "Yes, yes, I'll be right there." After a while, the courtyard door was opened and Hu Ling appeared in front of them, welcoming them in.
Qingsheng looked towards the room over there and asked, "Is Brother Wu still sleeping?" Hu Ling shook her head and said that he had gotten up early and went to the fields over there to practice.
A few people came in, and Ranmo spread the food he had bought on the table, inviting everyone to eat breakfast first. Hu Ling thanked them repeatedly, saying that they had worked so hard on this matter. She then blamed herself, saying that she could only write a few words and didn't know how to cook, cook, or do needlework.
Ran Mo quickly stopped her and said, "Sister, what are you talking about? Everyone has their own main occupation and expertise. Even if a cook is a good cook, he or she may not be able to write an article. Your specialty has left many people far behind."
Also, please don't say thank you or anything insincere in the future. We are all friends, and we will definitely help you resolve this matter this time.
Upon hearing this, Hu Ling's eyes welled up and she couldn't help but shed tears. She was touched by Ran Mo's thoughtfulness, but also saddened by her own life experience and the setbacks in her love life.
When they saw this, they were a little panicked and hurriedly comforted her, saying that there was no need to worry too much, and that there was a way to resolve everything. Wu Shao's family was not unreasonable people, and that no matter how hard the ice was, it would eventually thaw.
Hu Ling nodded, saying she was sorry for making everyone laugh, but she also hoped there would be an explanation for the matter. She hoped it wouldn't end in tragedy like in her novels.
At this moment, the courtyard door opened and Young Master Wu walked in. Seeing them all there, he greeted them cheerfully. Suddenly, he noticed Hu Ling's strange expression, and his face grew a little grim as well.
Qingsheng hurriedly asked him to sit down and eat, and Hu Ling quickly handed him an egg. Young Wu sat down and ate in silence. The atmosphere in the room grew quieter.
After everyone had almost finished eating, Ran Mo decided to take advantage of the opportunity to have a frank discussion with Wu Shao and Hu Ling, as it would be worth the trip. She had participated in many trials and hearings before, so she had experience organizing such discussions.
She cleared her throat and said, "Everyone, why don't we have a roundtable meeting today? Even though this table is set up, it doesn't get in the way. We can all sit around and brainstorm on an important topic, and then summarize the best plan or opinion. What do you think?"
Everyone applauded in agreement. Ranmo's speech was serious yet humorous, which not only made everyone take it seriously but also helped them relax and not feel too nervous or restrained.
Ran Mo glanced at everyone, sensing the atmosphere was heating up, and continued, "Today's meeting is about how to help Mr. Wu and Sister Hu resolve their emotional issues. Your sincere feelings for each other are undeniable, and your determination to be together is evident to all. Therefore, the specific issues we need to discuss are as follows.
First, what are the ways to do Mr. Wu's work next? Should we do it ourselves or ask an expert for help?
Secondly, what else do we need to do right now? Especially Mr. Wu and Sister Hu, do they have any other ideas besides staying here?
For example, my personal suggestion is that I have had some contact with the county magistrate's wife, and I understand that she also likes to read Sister Hu's books. I haven't had time to tell Sister Hu yet. I am thinking of asking her to help persuade Wu Shao's mother.
This is just my current rough idea, please feel free to offer your suggestions."
Ranmo's statement elicited frequent nods of approval from the audience, and even gave them a boost of confidence and resolve. Hu Ling was so delighted to hear that the county magistrate's wife also enjoyed reading her books that she nearly cried.
After a moment of commotion, they fell silent again. They seemed to be thinking about the questions Ran Mo had just raised, and they felt that they were still quite difficult to handle.
Seeing that no one was talking, Ranmo proposed another trick. She planned to have everyone split into two groups to debate on a certain topic to see which side's point of view was more tenable.
Everyone was stunned when they heard this. Then Qingsheng was the first to clap his hands and said, "Great, great, this is really fun." The others also expressed their agreement.
Ran Mo glanced at everyone and said, "The first topic of the day is, do you two, Master Wu and Hu Ling, want to go back and talk things over with your parents?"
This statement immediately caused an uproar. None of them had expected Ran Mo to ask such a blunt and pointed question. Only Qing Sheng paused for a moment and secretly gave Ran Mo a thumbs-up.
Ran Mo struck while the iron was hot and said, "Now let's divide into groups. Those who agree that they should go to see their parents are the affirmative side, and those who disagree are the negative side. Please raise your hands and express your opinions."
Everyone was stunned by this barrage of comments. Qingsheng, fully supporting Ranmo's work, thought for a moment and raised his hand, saying, "I agree that Young Master Wu should go home to see his parents."
Ran Mo nodded approvingly and said, "Okay, Qingsheng will join the righteous side and go home to see his parents." He then looked at Wu Shao and Hu Ling, "What do you two think?"
Wu Shao and Hu Ling looked at each other. Although they felt that Ran Mo's question was indeed straightforward, it also hit the core of the problem. As the parties involved, they naturally had to understand and cooperate. However, they were still hesitant about whether to see their parents. Wu Shao then said, "I have mentioned it to my parents before, but they are against it. I don't know what to do now."
Ran Mo looked at them and said, "How about this. For now, you will be on the opposing side and not want to go back to see your parents. As the debate progresses, if your ideas change, you can come back to the positive side."
The two breathed a sigh of relief and nodded. Ran Mo's gaze fell on Azan again, and he was the only one who hadn't expressed his opinion.
Azan looked around at them, his face bewildered. Qingsheng patted him and said, "You woke up too early and didn't sleep well. Why don't you tell me which side you're on?"
Seeing that he still didn't say anything, Ran Mo said directly: "Just stand on Qingsheng's side for now. Agree that Wu Shao can go home. You can assist Qingsheng in the debate and try to make this topic stand."
Azan didn't say whether it was okay or not, but asked Ranmo: "Then tell me which side you are on first?"
"As the host, I will not express my position for now and will take a middle position, but I will make a concluding speech at the end."
Ran Mo didn't wait for Azan to reply, and called on Qingsheng's general, asking him to state the reasons and basis for letting Wu Shao go home.