After sending the two children back to their rooms to rest, the three of them went to the living room. Li Xiulan recounted the events of the past few days to Gu Xingdong, and the atmosphere in the living room immediately became heavy.
Chen Lishu tapped on the table with one hand. After hesitating for a moment, she decided to reveal the truth of the matter: "Mom, the person who designed this plan for us is none other than Qin Yue's brother, Qin Lan.
There's another big matter I need to give you a heads-up about. Li Chen stole company funds to gamble. You treated those people as relatives, but they merely used that relationship to provoke us again and again.
For your sake, I didn't punish Li Chen. I only hope that when your great-aunt finds you, she won't keep speaking up for him. I happened to discover this, but if it had gone on for much longer, all that money would have been lost."
"What? When I was young, Li Chen seemed like a well-behaved young man. I never expected him to pick up gambling!" Li Xiulan was very surprised to hear this. She then cautiously looked at Chen Lishu and asked, "How much company funds did he take?"
"200,000."
"200,000?!"
Upon hearing this figure, Li Xiulan gasped and fell into deep thought for a while. She then looked up again, her expression showing a hint of determination. "Don't worry, I won't be easily misled by others anymore. Living a good life for our family is the most important thing."
Hearing Li Xiulan's words, Chen Lishu felt a sense of relief.
At this moment, Li Xiulan turned her gaze to Gu Xingdong and said somewhat exasperatedly, "Your wife handles all the family matters. Don't you have any solutions? For example, kicking that troublemaker Qin Yue out of the house.
If Qin Lan, Qin Yue's brother, is responsible for everything that has happened these past few days, then Xiaobai's head injury is definitely related to them!"
Thinking of the cut on Xiaobai's forehead and Qin Yue's innocent demeanor at the time of the incident, Li Xiulan's anger flared.
Gu Xingdong, who had been silent, finally spoke: "Yang Zhiguo will be coming to the capital tomorrow. I will report this matter to him truthfully and ask him for an explanation.
By the way, there's a dinner party tomorrow at noon. Lishu, please make time to come. Director Fu will also be there. He said he wants to treat us to a meal."
Chen Lishu was taken aback when she heard this. However, since she had some matters to discuss with Fu Chen, she happily agreed.
----
The next day, after finishing her work at the company, Chen Lishu rushed to the hotel to meet Gu Xingdong.
The two of them walked hand-in-hand into the private room. They had expected a dinner for four, but to their surprise, there was an unfamiliar face inside.
The sound of the door opening drew the attention of the people in the room. Yang Zhiguo was the first to greet them, "You're here? Come and sit down to eat."
Chen Lishu's lips curved upwards into a sweet, well-behaved smile, and she then found a seat.
Yang Zhiguo said kindly, "I assume Ms. Chen is already familiar with both myself and Fu Chen, so I won't introduce everyone individually. I'll just specially introduce Chief He next to me."
Chief? It seemed he was of the same rank as Yang Zhiguo. So, she quickly nodded towards him and said, "Hello, Chief He."
He Lin smiled brightly and said, "What chief and such. Since we're all eating together, there's no need to be so formal. Just call me Uncle He.
You, young lady, are quite enthusiastic and not shy at all. I've heard about what has happened these past few days. It's clear you're a forward-thinking, broad-minded, and intelligent person.
Our China is in great need of such talent. Do your best and bring honor to the country. This young lady is truly wonderful!"
After speaking, He Lin turned to look at Yang Zhiguo, as if seeking his approval. To his surprise, Yang Zhiguo did not agree with him at all. Instead, he rolled his eyes at him and said bluntly, "Don't think you can forget about almost breaking up this couple just by saying a few nice words.
Your goddaughter incited your godson to attack Ms. Chen, and it was all over a man. If you want China to have more young and promising individuals, you first need to set a good example."
He Lin hadn't expected Yang Zhiguo to show him such little respect, and his smile almost faltered for a moment.
Chen Lishu, listening to their conversation at the dining table, found it somewhat baffling. Chief He's godson and goddaughter targeting her? Could the so-called godson and goddaughter be the two people she suspected?
If that were indeed the case, Chen Lishu decided to remain silent. She had intended to mention her plans at the dinner, but it seemed that was no longer possible.
At this moment, He Lin was so embarrassed that he wished he could disappear into the ground. Unable to make a hasty exit, he could only brace himself and say, "This was indeed due to my lack of foresight. Qin Yue is a good child. I adopted her back then because I found her cute and kind-hearted.
It seems that over the years, my status has given them a sense of superiority, causing them to gradually lose themselves and become arrogant. This is also my failure in upbringing. I sincerely apologize to you here.
I'd like to propose a toast to Ms. Chen. I hope you won't take this matter to heart."
After speaking, He Lin raised his wine glass, nodded to Chen Lishu, and then drained it in one gulp.
Chen Lishu naturally wouldn't say that she no longer minded. She just looked at the cup in her hand awkwardly. Just as she was about to take a perfunctory sip, Fu Chen reached out and stopped her, then said coldly to He Lin,
"I've found out that the person who caused trouble for Ms. Chen's company is precisely your godson. The entire company was almost ruined, and you think an apology and a drink can resolve it? That's hardly sincere."
He Lin thought to himself that as a chief, everyone usually fawned over him. Today, he had lost all his dignity. He constantly regretted why he had come to this place to suffer.
However, since he was already here, it would seem rather cowardly to leave midway. So, he could only grit his teeth and say, "This brat doesn't do anything right. But since things have already happened, I can't go back in time to change them.
How about this: I will make my stance clear here. From now on, the affairs of the younger generation will be resolved by the younger generation. I will absolutely not use my position to abet evil! If Qin Lan wants to court disaster, then let him court disaster. Ms. Chen, you don't need to worry about my presence anymore."
Hearing He Lin's insincere assurance, Yang Zhiguo snorted and sarcastically remarked, "Don't think you're the only one who's protective. I, Yang Zhiguo, am not a pushover either!"