Lu Gen was convinced that Chen Lishu was bluffing him. What about getting the bank card back? He certainly hadn't received it.
So, when faced with Chen Lishu suggesting they check bank transaction records, Lu Gen stubbornly said, "Fine, seeing is believing. My bank card number is..."
He blurted out his bank card number, while Wu Xiaohong behind him was frantic, tugging at Lu Gen's sleeve. But the man was so consumed by anger that he couldn't possibly notice such a subtle action.
Seeing the police turn to leave after getting the bank card number, Wu Xiaohong rushed to block their path, her voice choked with tears, "No need to check, no need to check. Our family's bank card was never stolen."
After speaking, she turned tearfully to look at Lu Gen and suddenly burst into loud sobs, "Mom is sorry, Mom is so sorry to you. That bank card came back to me long ago, and I never told you!"
If she had told Lu Gen the truth back then, she believed her son, being so intelligent, would have known when to stop, rather than escalating things so disgracefully. Now that they had offended Chen Lishu, there was no turning back. If convicted, Lu Gen's entire future would be ruined. She only had this one son, wasn't this pushing her to her death?
Upon hearing Wu Xiaohong say the bank card had been retrieved, Lu Gen's pupils contracted, veins bulging on his forehead, and he angrily reprimanded, "Mom!"
Hearing his voice, filled with disappointment that he couldn't be made into something better, Wu Xiaohong's body went limp as she collapsed onto the ground. Her gaze inadvertently fell upon Chen Lishu standing nearby. She stifled her sobs and crawled over to her, pleading,
"Manager Chen, I know you are a kind and benevolent person. Lu Gen was just blinded by vanity. You haven't suffered any harm, have you? Please don't pursue this matter further. When he was cornered by thugs in the alley, it was my son who risked his life to save you. Please, for the sake of that past favor, spare my son's life. We will never bother you again."
Watching Wu Xiaohong's humble pleading, the people living in the same neighborhood couldn't bear to watch.
"I say, how can this young woman be so heartless? Lu Gen is a university student, destined to serve the country. Isn't this directly disrupting state affairs?"
"Exactly! Didn't you hear that Lu Gen saved her when she was in danger? One should repay kindness. Now they're pushing him to his death. I don't think this woman is a good person either."
"Even if she has no connection with Lu Gen, what about the matter of her having an affair with a leader? She looks like someone who's promiscuous. Lu Gen was trying to save her, to give her a family, and now it's like the farmer and the snake?"
"..."
Hearing everyone start to plead for her, Wu Xiaohong's lips curved upwards. She couldn't believe that Chen Lishu would still hold Lu Gen accountable after hearing these words. After all, she was the boss of a large corporation and shouldn't fear the impact of such gossip on the company's development.
Chen Lishu noticed the shift in Wu Xiaohong's expression. Kindness was good, but it had to be directed appropriately. Chen Lishu showed no signs of compromise, merely glancing coldly at Wu Xiaohong. She said, "Auntie, if my boyfriend and I had chosen to watch the sunset on the mountain for our date, and there were no hotel surveillance cameras as evidence, would you have let us go?
No matter the era, a woman's reputation is paramount. You utterly failed to consider that such actions could ruin a girl's life. Since you are so indifferent, why should I demand kindness of myself? By doing this, I am merely giving you another opportunity to harm me. Even if you promise me here that you will never hurt me again, and I choose to ignore this matter, another innocent girl will suffer next. Who will be her wife, her daughter, her mother?"
As soon as she spoke, the initially dissatisfied crowd fell silent. It was easy to remain detached when one's own interests were not involved, but when their benefits were tied in, they were the loudest in demanding Lu Gen pay the price.
Not long after, Su Nian arrived with the evidence and said to the police, "The surveillance footage has been printed. This is the evidence, and all staff from Mantanghong Hotel can come forward to testify."
"Good," the police officer accepted the evidence.
At that moment, a person emerged from the crowd and said triumphantly, "Police notice, do you still need witnesses on your side? I can prove that at Yunfeng Mountain, there were only Chen Lishu and her man, as I happened to witness them descending the mountain. Also, if I recall correctly, Chaoge Hotel is owned by a distant relative of your Lu family. These people coming forward to testify might have ulterior motives; you need to investigate carefully."
Chen Lishu couldn't help but look at Wu Qian upon hearing this. How could this be a sister? It was more like an enemy from a past life. However, the more favorable evidence, the better. She wasn't a saint who could remain indifferent after being hurt.
Once enough evidence was collected, the police took Lu Gen away from the temporary compound. With the matter resolved, Chen Lishu yawned and turned to leave the bustling scene. She thought she should get some rest now. The house in the temporary compound probably couldn't be lived in anymore. Who knew if the crazy Wu Xiaohong would cause her further trouble? To be safe, she would look for a different place tomorrow. Her two children would be arriving soon, so she needed a larger space.
----
Chen Lishu's life gradually returned to normal. She thought her company would continue to develop uneventfully, but things took a turn three days later. Early one morning, Zhang Bin knocked on her office door and rushed in, saying, "Manager Chen, the editor-in-chief of Fashion Weekly is here to see you. He wants to discuss an important collaboration. I know it's like a weasel visiting a chicken – no good intentions. Should I refuse him right now?"
As Zhang Bin spoke, he moved towards the door. Chen Lishu looked at his wary demeanor, as if bitten by a snake and fearing the well for ten years, and helplessly supported her forehead with her hand. She stopped him, saying, "Tell me, what kind of fool makes the same mistake twice? The entire publication probably knows I have backing, so they're coming to curry favor. Not everyone is foolish enough to misjudge the situation and take sides. Go invite him in. I want to hear what collaboration they want to discuss."
Zhang Bin found Chen Lishu's words reasonable, nodded, and turned to walk out. Ten minutes later, the office door was pushed open. Zhang Bin entered with a middle-aged man in formal attire.