"What's wrong?" Xiao Wenqiang looked at Aunt Zhang in confusion.
"It's like this, sir." Aunt Zhang rubbed her hands, a little embarrassed. "My daughter-in-law is pregnant and has severe morning sickness. My son and his wife hope I can resign and go back to my hometown to help take care of her, so... I might not be able to work for you anymore." Aunt Zhang was also in a difficult position; her current employers were good to her, the work was easy, and the pay was generous. However, her son and daughter-in-law genuinely needed help, and she couldn't bear to abandon the young couple.
Dong Zhenhua didn't pay much attention to Aunt Zhang in his memories, but he had extended her contract by a month because they couldn't find a replacement nanny for Xu Xinyi at the time.
However, at this moment, Xiao Wenqiang felt no affection for Xu Xinyi and readily agreed.
Aunt Zhang had prepared many arguments to persuade her employer but didn't need them, leaving her momentarily stunned. After a while, her face lit up with joy. "Thank you, sir! If you can't find someone to take over right away, I... I can work a few more days!"
"It's alright, Aunt Zhang, your family needs you now, so go back! If you know any capable aunties, you can recommend them to me then!" Xiao Wenqiang said kindly to Aunt Zhang, picking up her phone. "Are you leaving tomorrow? Then I'll settle your salary now."
Aunt Zhang looked at the amount that immediately appeared in her account on her phone and realized her employer had given her the full month's pay. She was deeply touched and repeatedly expressed her thanks.
Finally, as Xiao Wenqiang was about to go upstairs to wash up, Aunt Zhang couldn't help but call out to her.
"Sir, you are a very kind person, so there's something I thought about and decided I must tell you." Aunt Zhang swallowed and glanced around to make sure Xu Xinyi wasn't nearby before leaning in. "Please pay more attention to Madam. I've overheard her talking on the phone with other men several times, and she sounded quite happy."
Aunt Zhang's words were pointed but Xiao Wenqiang understood them completely. "Alright, I understand. Thank you, Aunt Zhang."
Aunt Zhang gave her a sympathetic look and then packed her things and left.
[Why didn't this Aunt Zhang tell the original host earlier? If he had known sooner, he might not have died!] No. 86365 asked strangely, communicating with Xiao Wenqiang in its mind.
"People are selfish. She couldn't interfere too much in the master's affairs. What if Dong Zhenhua didn't believe her and blamed her for gossiping!"
[Then why did she choose to say it this time?]
"Perhaps because she saw I was generous this time? She couldn't bear to see me deceived?" Xiao Wenqiang guessed. "Sometimes, whether to say something or not is a matter of a single thought."
[Human thinking is indeed complex. That's why these system missions require binding human souls. Although we can simulate mechanical souls, there are many emotional nuances that we systems cannot handle.] No. 86365 even began to lament.
Xiao Wenqiang ignored the system's lament and got up to wash up and prepare for rest. Xu Xinyi was in her early pregnancy, so she didn't have to worry about intimate interactions and slept peacefully.
A week later, at nine in the morning, Xiao Wenqiang was representing Dong Zhenhua at a morning meeting at the company. While speaking, she suddenly received a prompt from the soul artifact.
She expedited her part of the presentation and then said to the employees below, "For the specific development progress of the next section, I will ask Vice President Wang to explain in detail."
Then she returned to her office to monitor Xu Xinyi's activities.
The soul artifact was very thoughtful and had synchronized a recording of the earlier part for Xiao Wenqiang.
It began with Sun Liang's excited voice: "Xinyi, it's me. Are you free to come out today? I got that thing I told you about!"
Xu Xinyi had stayed up late watching dramas the night before and was still groggy, not reacting immediately. "What thing?"
"It's that thallium. Didn't I tell you last time about getting something to poison Dong Zhenhua?" Sun Liang reminded her.
Xu Xinyi was now wide awake. She rubbed her eyes and sat up. "Okay, he's gone to work. I'll get ready and head out right away. Let's meet at the usual spot!"
Since the place they agreed to meet was a bit far from Dong Zhenhua's company, Xiao Wenqiang also grabbed her car keys and drove to the restaurant, finding a small private room beforehand to wait.
About twenty minutes later, Xu Xinyi and Sun Liang entered the restaurant hand in hand. Guided by the waiter, they went into another small private room. If one didn't know their true relationship, just looking at their appearances, they would be considered a very well-matched couple.
After the waiter took their order and left, Sun Liang took out a small bottle, tightly wrapped in newspaper, from his pocket and handed it to Xu Xinyi. "My dearest Xinyi, this is extracted thallium, it's highly poisonous, be sure to keep it safe!"
Xu Xinyi took it but dared not open it outside. She immediately put the item into her handbag. She looked at the man in front of her, hesitating. "Should I just put this in Dong Zhenhua's water cup? Will he notice?"
"This is thallium salt, which is slightly soluble in water. Even a small amount is highly toxic. So you can secretly put in just a little. You can put it on his towel or toothbrush. Just make sure you wear gloves and a mask yourself, be careful."
"Then, if he gets poisoned, won't the police eventually find out? What will I do then?"
"That's why we need to frame Dong Bin!" Sun Liang said with a sinister smile. "I thought about it after I went back. As long as we make that old man Dong believe that his son wanted to harm him, even if he is poisoned, he will think Dong Bin did it and won't suspect us at all. You just have to endure a bit and seduce that kid more during this time, then pretend to casually let the old man know."
"You say it so easily. Aren't you afraid I'll be taken advantage of by Dong Bin?" Xu Xinyi sounded displeased.
"Of course, I don't want that either, my dear!" Seeing her mood change, Sun Liang quickly comforted her. "I know you're suffering, but everything we're doing now is for our future! If we don't frame that brat Dong Bin, you'll be highly suspected. Xinyi, you wouldn't want our child to be born in prison, would you?"
As Sun Liang spoke, he moved to the seat opposite her, hugged Xu Xinyi, and whispered in her ear, "Xinyi, my love for you won't change for any other reason. I know you've sacrificed a lot for our future, and I remember it all. I swear, I will never stop loving you in this lifetime. If I go back on this, may lightning strike me!"
Xu Xinyi only voiced a complaint. She was willing to marry Dong Zhenhua, who was much older than her, for Sun Liang. Now, seducing Dong Bin wasn't too difficult. However, sometimes a woman's psychology is strange. Hearing the sweet words and vows sworn to the heavens, her anxious heart, which was preparing to harm someone, inexplicably calmed down a lot.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. It turned out the waiter was bringing the dishes.
Sun Liang then released her and returned to his original seat. The two sat opposite each other, enjoying delicious food paid for by Dong Zhenhua, laughing and reminiscing about their university days.
On the surface, they were still youthful and vibrant young people, but their inner rottenness and stench were difficult for outsiders to detect.