It seems the other party was aware of the negative implications?
Chen Lishu couldn't help but roll her eyes on the phone. She wasn't particularly upset by Zhang Wan'er's provocation, as she had been the one to signal Gu Xingdong to rescue her.
After hanging up, she zoned out for a while, feeling like she had forgotten something. She then slapped her thigh and excitedly stood up from the sofa, asking, "Has Tiantian returned?"
Hearing "Tiantian," Li Xiulan hopped out from the kitchen again, wiping her hands with a panicked expression. "Tiantian? Gu Xingdong sent someone to bring her back early. As soon as she arrived, she ran to her room, refusing to speak or eat!
I was planning to take her to the hospital for a check-up, but when you returned, I completely forgot about it. Go check on the child, see if she's suffering from trauma after being kidnapped?"
Chen Lishu pursed her lips. Tiantian's kidnapping was her fault. The child's fate was so unfortunate, she even felt that if she were any more careless, the child might stray further down a difficult path.
Filled with guilt, she went to Tiantian's room. As soon as she pushed the door open, she saw Tiantian wrapped in a blanket, lying on the bed with a pale complexion.
"Tiantian!" Chen Lishu rushed to Tiantian's side in three steps, scooped her up, and dashed out of the room.
Hearing the commotion, Li Xiulan hurried over. Upon seeing Tiantian in such a poor state, she gasped in surprise, covering her mouth. "What's wrong with this child? She seemed fine when she returned, but now..."
To avoid worrying Li Xiulan, Chen Lishu hid her panic and pretended to be calm. "Mom, I'm taking her to the hospital for a check-up. Please take good care of Yicheng and Xiaobai at home."
Li Xiulan looked at Tiantian with great affection, her lips trembling. "Okay, okay, hurry up and go. If there are any issues, remember to call home!"
With that, Chen Lishu closed the door, hailed a taxi, and took Tiantian to the children's hospital.
The doctor, noticing Tiantian's unusual condition, took her to a ward for examination.
Chen Lishu waited outside, praying that Tiantian's condition wasn't too serious. After about half an hour, the door opened again, and the doctor emerged, looking at Chen Lishu with a complex expression.
Chen Lishu, oblivious to the doctor's gaze, rushed forward and firmly grabbed his sleeve. "How is she? Is the child not in serious condition?"
The doctor licked his lips and subtly pulled his sleeve back. After a moment's hesitation, he finally lectured, "Even if you don't like baby girls, you can't abuse them like this!
I've examined her, and she has bruises of various sizes. The reason she has a fever is because her wounds weren't treated promptly, leading to inflammation, pus, and infection!"
Tiantian had been living with her, and she had never noticed any wounds when bathing her. Faced with the doctor's reprimand, Chen Lishu first frowned in confusion, then, disregarding the doctor's anger, walked into the ward.
After the IV drip and wound treatment, Tiantian gradually opened her eyes. Seeing Chen Lishu enter, she said weakly, "Auntie, you're back safely?"
Chen Lishu silently walked to Tiantian's side and gently uncovered her clothes, discovering that the situation was exactly as the doctor had described – her entire body was covered in injuries.
A flash of anger crossed her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by concern. She softly asked, "Were these wounds left by those bad people? If you were injured, why didn't you tell Grandma or Uncle? Or do you simply not trust Auntie and our family after all this time?"
Tiantian shook her head vigorously. "I've seen how good Auntie's family has been to me. It's just that Tiantian feels like a burden. Sometimes I think if I just died, my father wouldn't be disappointed, and Auntie wouldn't be dragged down by me!"
Seeing Tiantian's low will to live, Chen Lishu found it hard to imagine what had happened to her during her absence.
However, she had some suspicions. Tiantian might have encountered Xu Teng, and Xu Teng might have said some things he shouldn't have to her!
Thinking of this, Chen Lishu let out a helpless sigh and gently stroked her cheek, whispering words of comfort in her ear:
"How can you be a burden? Have you forgotten that in Gui Family Village, if it weren't for Tiantian's help, Auntie might have been ruined for life? Tiantian is the most upright child I've ever met!
Also, back in Gui Family Village, to lessen the burden on Great-Grandmother, Tiantian had to do so much extra work every day. Such a diligent child, it's they who didn't know how to cherish you. Living with Auntie, you are Auntie's warmest little cotton-padded jacket."
"Will anyone really like me?" Tiantian's tears streamed down uncontrollably as she listened to Chen Lishu's words. Perhaps she wasn't an extra burden in this world?
Seeing Tiantian's lack of confidence, Chen Lishu nodded firmly. "If Tiantian hadn't led the way this time, how could Uncle have accurately found the location where I was held captive?
Tiantian, we can't choose our birth environment or conditions, but there are many paths you can choose later on. Your own life and future! You must have confidence in yourself and live well, okay?"
Faced with Chen Lishu's encouragement, Tiantian paused for a moment, then a slight smile curved her lips, and she nodded seriously. "Okay!"
They exchanged smiles. To help Tiantian feel better, Chen Lishu spent a lot of time at the hospital having heart-to-heart talks with her.
----
Meanwhile, in another building, where Zhang Wan'er was hospitalized.
Gu Xingdong was also in the building, but not by Zhang Wan'er's side. Instead, he was discussing important matters with Yang Zhiguo.
Yang Zhiguo stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the floor-to-ceiling window with a furious expression. "Xingdong, it's a good thing Zhang Wan'er wasn't harmed. If anything had happened to her, how could I explain it to my deceased brother?
Your wife's situation is truly too dangerous. In the past, I turned a blind eye and didn't interfere in your family matters, but now I can't tolerate it any longer, and I must speak my mind!
You are my most capable subordinate, and I've spent many years and a lot of effort cultivating you. Being with such a dangerous person, if you encounter danger, wouldn't all my years of effort be in vain?
In any case, your wife's affairs must be properly managed. If you cannot resolve the current situation, I don't mind using my authority to strictly investigate your wife's company!"