Zhang Wan'er suppressed the urge to cry and said aggrievedly, "I didn't mean anything else, I just feel it's a bit unworthy of you."
Looking at Zhang Wan'er's innocent appearance, Gu Xingdong frowned impatiently and said, "In what way am I unworthy? Adopting this child was my decision, and I've always disliked people who act on their own accord. Miss Zhang, this is our family gathering. If you wish to join, it would be best to remain quiet and not spoil our mood."
As if not expecting Gu Xingdong to be so heartless, Zhang Wan'er covered her mouth with her hand in disbelief and asked, "Xingdong, how could you have become so harsh? No matter what happened before, weren't you always on my side?"
It wasn't that he was always on Zhang Wan'er's side before. It was mainly that whenever she made a mistake, although Yang Zhiguo was angry, he couldn't bear to punish his niece. Someone had to play the good cop, and someone the bad cop. From beginning to end, he never had any other intentions towards Zhang Wan'er. If he hadn't met Chen Lishu later, he would have even doubted if he liked women at all.
Just as the atmosphere reached an impasse, Chen Lishu quickly intervened, "It's a rest day today, let's hurry to the amusement park. Otherwise, some attractions will have long queues, which will take too much time and we won't get to play much."
Hearing Chen Lishu speak, Gu Xingdong's cold expression instantly melted away. He looked at her gently and said, "Okay." Afterwards, neither of them paid any more attention to Zhang Wan'er, and they walked at the very front.
Tiantian, held in Chen Lishu's arms, struggled to sit up and then looked at her aggrievedly, asking, "Auntie, has my presence caused you trouble? You really didn't have to take care of me. Grandma is still lying in the hospital, unconscious. I want to go back and take care of Grandma."
Mentioning Wang Yuhua, a complex look flashed in Chen Lishu's eyes. She estimated she would never be able to take care of her. She cupped Tiantian's cheeks with one hand and looked into her eyes seriously, saying, "Living with me, I will treat you like my own daughter. In a few months, you can go to kindergarten with Xiaobai and Yicheng. I know what you're concerned about, but you don't have to give me an answer now. When you've thought it through, we can talk about it. Remember, you are not a burden to anyone, and everyone has a reason to exist."
Hearing Chen Lishu's affirmative response, Tiantian felt as if a needle had pierced her heart. It hurt, but it made her feel alive.
Soon, the family arrived at the amusement park. The consumption level in those days was limited, and few people would spend their spare money to come here to play, so the amusement park was still quite empty. Children were not suitable for high-intensity activities, so Chen Lishu planned to find some safe rides. She looked around and suddenly realized she hadn't seen Zhang Wan'er for a long time. She probably felt frustrated and had found a place to calm down. Besides, she was a grown person, could she possibly get lost? Thinking of this, Chen Lishu no longer dwelled on it.
----
Meanwhile, in another corner of the amusement park, the missing Zhang Wan'er was whispering to a mysterious person, plotting, "I want Chen Lishu, that bitch, to realize that Gu Xingdong cares about me the most. Then you will..."
The mysterious person listened to Zhang Wan'er's plan, nodding and excitedly agreeing, "Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Alright, let's proceed with your plan. I didn't expect that you and Miss Zhang would be kindred spirits. Why did we fall out back then in the army? Our interactions were so harmonious!"
Hearing the woman's words, a cold smile appeared on Zhang Wan'er's face. She said without any regard for their past, "What do you think you are? You're just a beggar adopted by He Lei! I am the true young lady of the Zhang family. Being friends with a beggar like you, I can never hold my head high! The only reason I'm choosing to cooperate with you today is because I don't want to see Gu Xingdong's fortune flow into outsiders' hands, benefiting that bitch Chen Lishu! I warn you, after this collaboration, I will give you corresponding benefits, but you can never covet Gu Xingdong again. If I discover you have other intentions, I will make sure you have nowhere to hide in the capital!"
If He Lei were still alive, Qin Yue would not have indulged Zhang Wan'er so much. Unfortunately, she had no support now, and Qin Lan's company was in economic crisis and couldn't even take care of itself. Therefore, facing Zhang Wan'er's provocation, she could only endure it. Thinking of this, Qin Yue could only say with an ugly expression, "Okay, don't worry, I know my current identity and what I should and shouldn't do. Since we can't be friends, then so be it. Here's to a successful cooperation!"
Zhang Wan'er snorted disdainfully and walked away, not saying another word, her nostrils pointed towards Qin Yue.
----
Chen Lishu took the children to ride the carousel. At some point, the previously empty amusement park suddenly filled with people. Zhang Wan'er suddenly squeezed in front of Chen Lishu and said kindly, "Lishu, these three children are quite clingy to you. How about this, you hand one of the children to me, and I'll help you look after them."
Chen Lishu raised an eyebrow. The weasel paying respects to the chicken meant no good. She held the children tightly and said, "These three children are quite well-behaved and don't need your help right now. It's okay. Besides, you are a guest, how can I let you take care of the children? I have my mother and Gu Xingdong to help me watch them. I appreciate your kind offer, but you should focus on enjoying yourself."
Hearing Chen Lishu's words, the smile on Zhang Wan'er's face instantly turned cold. With these three children around, how could she make her move? So she strode in front of Chen Lishu and forcibly hugged Xiaobai and Yicheng, pushing them into Gu Xingdong and Li Xiulan's arms.
Chen Lishu frowned, slightly displeased with Zhang Wan'er's presumptuousness. However, before she could say anything, Zhang Wan'er proactively suggested, "It's quite tiring for you to look after the children alone, so let Auntie and Gu Xingdong help you watch them. There are bumper cars ahead, and these small rides are not too dangerous for children. Why don't we go try them together?"
Since all the good things were said by Zhang Wan'er, Chen Lishu found it difficult to refuse, lest she appear ungrateful. Besides, she was at ease with the children in Li Xiulan and Gu Xingdong's care, so she didn't take the matter to heart.