Zhang Wan'er's face showed a pale smile, and she said with a worried expression, "Those are all things of the past. I know that Gu Xingdong and I are destined to be apart, and I don't want to dwell on this matter.
What makes me sad now is that Gu Xingdong has resigned from his military job. What if this news gets out and people start gossiping?
The most crucial thing is that Chen Lishu's job requires her to interact with different men every day. If Chen Lishu changes her mind, what will happen to Gu Xingdong? Without a job, he might even lose his wife, and these children are so pitiful!"
Alice sighed helplessly as she watched Zhang Wan'er remain stubbornly attached to Gu Xingdong, still thinking of him at this point.
"This is Gu Xingdong's own choice, and it has nothing to do with you. If he is truly abandoned, then he deserves it!
Miss Wan'er, you are such an excellent person, and it would be very easy for you to find your destined partner."
Zhang Wan'er shook her head emotionally, "No, I've liked Gu Xingdong since I met him until now. I know there's no possibility between us, and I'm not forcing anything. Right now, I just hope Gu Xingdong can put aside past grievances and return to the military!"
Upon hearing Zhang Wan'er's response, Alice propped her chin with one hand and pondered for a moment before looking up and saying, "Helping you become Gu Xingdong's woman might be a bit difficult for me, but if you want me to find a way for him to return to the military, that wouldn't be a big problem!"
"What method do you have?" Zhang Wan'er quickly raised her head, looking at Alice with hopeful eyes.
Alice's lips curved into a slight smile, a calculating glint flashing in her deep eyes. She then slowly spoke, "Gu Xingdong resigned from his military job and stayed at home because he had confidence, didn't he? And his confidence stemmed from Chen Lishu's business acumen. If Chen Lishu's business fails, as a man, he should step up and do something to support his family, right?"
Hearing Alice's idea, a dark glint flashed in Zhang Wan'er's eyes. These words precisely echoed her own thoughts, but she couldn't reveal her intentions too obviously lest Alice realize she was using her!
With this in mind, Zhang Wan'er lowered her gaze and spoke weakly, pleading, "Miss Alice, are you planning to use your status to suppress Chen Lishu?
Wouldn't that be a bit inappropriate? After all, Chen Lishu started from scratch. I'm afraid such a blow would be too much for her to handle, and something might happen. What then?"
Alice stared at Zhang Wan'er with wide, disbelieving eyes, feeling a touch of disgust towards her timid nature. However, since the other party was her savior, she couldn't speak too harshly and could only force a smile.
"Miss Wan'er, you are truly too kind. I heard that Chen Lishu bullied you when you were hospitalized, yet you are always thinking of her. With your disposition, you will definitely suffer in the end!"
After persuading her sufficiently, Zhang Wan'er naturally wouldn't bring up the plea again. Facing Alice's reprimand, she smoothly changed the subject, "I... I didn't. What do you plan to do to her?"
Alice walked to Zhang Wan'er's side, reached out, and patted her shoulder, then comforted her, "You don't need to be so nervous. I, Alice, am not a despicable or cunning person. If I'm going to deal with her, I'll choose a fair and just method!
Don't forget, we are both in the fashion design industry, peers. I can completely have a competition with her. If she can win against me, then I'm sorry, I might not be able to avenge you. But if she loses, I will make her surrender her inheritance rights to Shu Se Group!"
Just like that? Zhang Wan'er wished she could pry open Alice's mind and see what was inside. She could clearly use her status to help her get revenge, yet she insisted on such a fair and just competition!
It seemed that revenge couldn't be entirely reliant on Alice. She had to employ the strategy of borrowing a knife to kill! However, she had to admit that Alice's words gave her great inspiration. As long as Chen Lishu's company collapsed, Gu Xingdong would naturally have to return to the military for a living.
With this thought, a calculating look flashed in Zhang Wan'er's eyes. She now had an even better idea!
Meanwhile, at the Gu family's residence.
Chen Lishu had just returned home from work when she received a surprising phone call.
The call was from Mother He. Since they went abroad, they hadn't had much contact. It wasn't that their relationship had cooled, but rather that Mother He had stated they were going to handle some very important matters. To avoid disturbing the elderly couple's work, their contact had naturally decreased during this period. Therefore, receiving a call from Mother He made Chen Lishu very excited.
As soon as the call connected, Mother He's gentle voice sounded from the other end, "Lishu, your Godfather and I have almost finished handling our affairs abroad. We should arrive in Kyoto by tomorrow evening. Shall we have a casual dinner together then?"
Chen Lishu nodded and replied with a smile, "Of course, Godmother. We'll gather at the siheyuan then."
The two then chatted about recent events until one in the morning before reluctantly hanging up.
Time quickly passed to the next day. Chen Lishu had specifically taken the day off and, along with the children, Gu Xingdong, and Li Xiulan, they prepared to head to the siheyuan.
"Wait, Xiulan, Lishu, wait for us!" A voice calling out to them came from behind as they got into the car. Chen Lishu and Gu Xingdong instinctively looked in the direction of the sound, only to see the Li Xiuli family.
Chen Lishu's brow furrowed tightly. She wondered what trouble Li Xiuli was planning this time. Ever since they had fallen out, the two families hadn't had any contact for a long time.
Li Xiuli walked up to the car, peered inside by leaning on the window with both hands. Although there weren't many pieces of luggage, it looked like they were going on a trip.
To ease the tension between the two families, she curiously asked, "Xiulan, is your family going out to play?"
Li Xiulan, holding Xiao Bai in her arms, replied absentmindedly, "We're going back to our real home to stay for two or three days! Sister, what do you need us for this time?"
"What else could it be? In Kyoto, I'm your only sister. Although we've quarreled, we are still relatives, connected by blood even if we break our bones!
But what did you mean by what you just said? You bought a house in Kyoto? When did that happen? How come I didn't know?" Li Xiuli's tone carried a hint of anger and jealousy as she spoke these words, surprised that Li Xiulan's life had gotten better and better over the years!