Tang Zhao's polite demeanor made Ling Feng feel somewhat uncomfortable.
It seemed his past actions had left a significant deterrent effect on Tang Zhao.
Ling Feng smiled and shook his head, "It's alright. What you did was correct, and besides, no one could have stopped me from coming up."
With that, Ling Feng didn't wait for Tang Zhao to say anything further.
He proactively brought up the matter of Zhang Ning from before.
Tang Zhao naturally understood why Ling Feng was asking about Zhang Ning. He smiled and said, "Heh, as the group company grows, we always need to recruit more talent. I learned that some of your junior high classmates are still in the city, so I've brought them all into the company. With this connection, they can be entrusted with important responsibilities in the future. Several of them are doing very well, but it still requires Mr. Ling's decision on whether to place them in more significant positions."
Ling Feng shook his head.
Seeing this, Tang Zhao couldn't help but feel a bit nervous.
Had he done something wrong that displeased Ling Feng?
"You can make those decisions. It's just that Zhang Ning's health isn't very good; it's best to let him rest for a while."
Ling Feng said casually.
Tang Zhao immediately understood Ling Feng's meaning and quickly nodded in agreement, "Alright, I'll have the HR department keep his position and give him paid leave!"
Just as Tang Zhao was about to make a call, Ling Feng reached out and stopped him.
"Father-in-law, we are family now. You don't need to call me Mr. Ling. Just call me Ling Feng. Otherwise, if Tang Ru sees this, she'll be upset with me!"
Tang Zhao was initially surprised when Ling Feng stopped him. Upon hearing Ling Feng's words, he was stunned for a moment.
Then, he smiled wryly and nodded, "Heh, alright, I understand! Ling Feng..."
As he spoke, Tang Zhao's demeanor visibly relaxed. He raised a hand, intending to place it on Ling Feng's shoulder.
However, after a moment of hesitation, he patted Ling Feng's arm instead and then said, "You've been gone for three years. Nian Nian is already over two years old. Many things must have happened to you during these three years, right?"
Ling Feng could feel Tang Zhao's sincere concern for him.
"Yes, some things happened. I was confined to a place for three years. After I got out, I found that the world had completely changed. During these three years, I've let Tang Ru down a lot, and I've let Nian Nian down too. I've returned this time to give you an explanation!"
Ling Feng said each word with utmost sincerity.
This was indeed the reason for Ling Feng's return to Hanjiang; he primarily wanted to give Tang Zhao an explanation.
And also to give Lin Siqi and her brother an explanation.
Hearing this, Tang Zhao smiled with relief. To be honest, as Tang Ru's father, Tang Zhao had harbored some resentment towards Ling Feng over the years.
After all, Tang Ru giving birth out of wedlock was already a rather embarrassing matter.
There had been a lot of gossip in the past couple of years, but Tang Zhao had grown accustomed to it.
His resentment towards Ling Feng had gradually diminished.
Tang Zhao was unaware of Ling Feng's true identity. However, Tang Zhao was finally able to let go of his grievances a year ago when he visited Ling Nian Nian in the capital.
It was then that Tang Zhao discovered that Tianci Pharmaceutical actually had shares belonging to his daughter, Tang Ru, and that the major shareholder was Lin Siqi!
Tianci Pharmaceutical, that was one of the most valuable enterprises in China!
Putting aside how wealthy Tianci Pharmaceutical was, and how much wealth his daughter possessed from her shares, even the national responsibility that Tianci Pharmaceutical shouldered was enough for Tang Zhao to look up to.
Subsequently, Tang Zhao learned more about Tianci Pharmaceutical from Tang Ru.
When Tang Zhao discovered that Tianci Pharmaceutical was established by Ling Feng, his resentment towards Ling Feng completely disappeared, and he even began to revere Ling Feng even more.
The status of Tianci Pharmaceutical, created by Ling Feng, was indeed too lofty.
It held even greater importance in the hearts of these businessmen.
At that time, Tang Zhao knew that even if Ling Feng had other women, and even if he had disappeared for three years without a single appearance, seemingly neglecting his daughter, all of this was irrelevant. It was because Ling Feng must have been shouldering even more important responsibilities!
Responsibilities that people like Tang Zhao could not possibly imagine!
Ling Feng had not expected that Tang Zhao would hold no resentment towards him at all.
Before coming, Ling Feng had already prepared himself mentally. Even if Tang Zhao had scolded him, Ling Feng would have accepted it!
After all, he was Tang Ru's father, and more importantly, the maternal grandfather of Ling Nian Nian, a daughter of the Ling family. It would have been natural for him to endure the venting of the other party's anger.
However, the other party was showing him such care, which instead made Ling Feng feel ashamed and guilty!
"Alas, what explanation are we talking about? I know you established Tianci Pharmaceutical, and the responsibility it carries is very important. So... what you're doing is very meaningful!"
Tang Zhao sighed and patted Ling Feng's shoulder heavily this time.
To this day, Tang Zhao still remembered some of the words Ling Feng had spoken when he handed everything over to him back then!
"Take from the people, use for the people!"
"Never compete with the people for profit!"
"Give benefits back to the people!"
This was the original intention behind the establishment of Lingtian Group. Tang Zhao had always kept these words in his heart, which is why he achieved the status of the richest man in Hanjiang!
Over the years, Tang Zhao had experienced much and could understand the meaning behind these words even more deeply!
"Thank you for understanding me, but I still need to give you an explanation. I've returned to Hanjiang this time to seek your consent to hold a wedding with Tang Ru here!"
Ling Feng said to Tang Zhao with great sincerity!
Tang Zhao was stunned for a moment, and then a look of relief appeared on his face. "Heh, I knew you were a responsible man. Tang Ru has also told me about your matter. To be honest, even if you weren't responsible, it would be alright. You saved her life back then. If you can give her a proper status now that you have a child, my Tang family has no further demands!"
Speaking of which, before Ling Feng could say anything more, Tang Zhao proactively brought up the matter of the other women around Ling Feng.
"I also know that you have other women by your side. They are all remarkable. I went to the capital to learn about them, and they have managed Tianci Pharmaceutical in an orderly fashion. You've managed to keep them waiting for your return, and I hope you won't let them down!"
Ling Feng was truly a little lost for a moment this time.
He truly hadn't expected Tang Zhao to be so understanding and even tolerant of his son-in-law having other women!
However, even if Tang Zhao hadn't mentioned it, Ling Feng had intended to be upfront about it.
After all, he was also planning to marry Lin Siqi upon his return this time!
It was just that the weddings would not be held in the same place or at the same time, and that would suffice.
Ling Feng couldn't favor one over the other; he had to give their relatives and friends an explanation. Although Ling Feng knew that Lin Siqi didn't have many relatives left.
But friends still needed to be invited, at least to have those classmates attend!